FORCE NOMINATED FOR ECONOMAKI CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS AWARD
YORBA LINDA, CA (November 30, 2010) — 15-time NHRA Funny Car champion John Force was announced as one of eleven finalists for the Economaki Champion of Champions award today. The award presented by National Speed Sport News will announce the winner in its year-end issue due December 15. Force is one of two drag racers nominated. He is joined on the finalist list by fellow Full Throttle champion Larry Dixon.
“This is a huge honor. Anytime your name is mentioned along with a name like Economaki that is a big deal. I am excited to be nominated with Larry Dixon. I know he had a great season so did Jimmie Johnson who just won his fifth NASCAR championship in a row. I saw Jimmie in Homestead and I wished him luck before the race. He is a great champion and when you look at the list of finalists National Speed Sport News has a tough call to make. I am glad they are making the decision and not me,” said Force.
The award is annually given to the North American racing champion judged to have had the best season on and off the track. It is named after legendary motorsports journalist and publisher Chris Economaki who began editing National Speed Sport News in 1950. National Speed Sport News is often and accurately described as “The bible of Motorsports.” It is the weekly must-read for serious fans, drivers and crew, and industry leaders alike.
The NSSN staff selected 11 deserving finalists for this year’s honor, which goes to the champion who is judged to provide the best combination of on-track success and dedication to the sport.
NASCAR 2010 Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson is the only former winner of the award nominated this season. NHRA Top Fuel champion Tony Schumacher is the only two-time winner of the honor and other winners are Johnson, J.J. Yeley, Steve Kinser, Donny Schatz and Kyle Busch.
The eleven finalists are presented below:
John Force — NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, Funny Car
The 61-year-old veteran Funny Car racer made his case for the championship, rallying from 37 points behind entering the season finale at Pomona, Calif., to win the event — his sixth victory of the season — and secure his 15th NHRA Funny Car championship.
Larry Dixon — NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, Top Fuel
After losing the championship by two points in 2009, Dixon and his Al-Anabi Top Fuel team were the dominant force in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. Dixon earned his third Top Fuel championship after winning 12 times and dethroning six-time defending champion Tony Schumacher.
Jimmie Johnson — NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Johnson won six races en route to his fifth-consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship. But he did it in unusual Johnson fashion, rallying from 33 points behind with two races to go to claim the title. Johnson was the 2006 winner of the Economaki Champion of Champions.
Scott Pruett/Memo Rojas — Grand Am Rolex Series
Fifty-year-old Pruett teamed with Rojas to win nine of the 12 Grand Am Rolex Series races and picked up his third series championship for Chip Ganassi Racing. Pruett/Rojas finished outside the top two only once all season.
Tim Shaffer — O’Reilly All Star Circuit of Champions
Shaffer charged to his second-straight O’Reilly All Star Circuit of Champions title on the strength of 16 All Star triumphs. Shaffer, however, won 21 overall feature events, including his popular victory in the 50th annual Knoxville Nationals. He also won a World of Outlaws feature.
Jason Meyers — World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series
Meyers swept the final two World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series races of the season during the World Finals at The Dirt Track at Charlotte to cap off his first championship in style. Meyers drove his Elite Racing No. 14 to 12 triumphs along the way.
Scott Bloomquist — Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
The veteran late-model racer earned his second-straight Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series championship and his eighth overall championship on the strength of nine victories in Lucas competition alone. Bloomquist also posted the 500th victory of his illustrious career.
Dario Franchitti — IZOD IndyCar Series
Franchitti picked up his second-straight and third overall IZOD IndyCar Series championship in the past four seasons. Though he won only three times during the 17-race campaign, one of the victories was his second in the world’s most famous race — the Indianapolis 500.
Levi Jones — USAC Sprint Car, Silver Crown Series
Jones tied Steve Butler with his fourth-career USAC National Sprint Car Series championship, but also added his first Silver Crown title to the mix and narrowly missed winning the USAC National Driver’s Championship. He won eight sprint-car races and two in the Silver Crown division.
Bryan Clauson — USAC Mopar National Midget Series
Clauson earned the USAC Mopar National Midget Series title and claimed the inaugural USAC National Driver’s Championship to earn a ride in the Firestone Indy Lights Series. Clauson won six midget races — including the Turkey Night Grand Prix — three sprint-car events and one in the Silver Crown Series. Clauson also earned the National Midget Driver of the Year award.
Chip Ganassi — IZOD IndyCar, NASCAR, Grand Am
The first team owner nominated for this award, we did not think Ganassi’s unique season could be overlooked. Ganassi’s cars won the Indianapolis 500, the Daytona 500 and the Brickyard 400. As well, he claimed the IZOD IndyCar Series championship with Franchitti and the Grand Am Rolex Series crown with Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas.
NASCAR
NASCAR
CLICKON PICTURE
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
Richard Petty Motorsports Purchased By Richard Petty
Racing Assets Of Richard Petty Motorsports Purchased By Richard Petty, Medallion Financial And DGB Investments Print Page Email Page
November 29, 2010 Official Team News Releas
Concord, N.C. (November 29, 2010) - Racing legend and all time NASCAR win leader Richard Petty is back in the driver’s seat.
Richard Petty Motorsports signed and closed a sale of its racing assets to an investment group comprised of Richard Petty, Medallion Financial Corp. (Nasdaq:TAXI) and DGB Investments.
Richard Petty, a seven-time NASCAR champion has won 200 races, including 10 Daytona races. Known in the NASCAR world as “The King,” Petty will serve as Chairman and will be actively involved in overseeing day-to-day operations of the company. As previously announced, the team will operate the legendary No. 43 car driven by AJ Allmendinger and the No. 9 car driven by Marcos Ambrose.
“Today is a great day for me, my family, our fans and our wonderful sponsors. Ford, Stanley Tools, Best Buy, Valvoline, Reynolds, Air Force, Super 8, Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), WIX Filters and Menards have supported me through thick and thin and I thank them from the bottom of my heart,” said Petty.
Andrew Murstein, President of Medallion Financial, commented: “We could not be happier to be able to acquire these assets together. Richard is one of the greatest names, not only in NASCAR, but in all sports. His name and image are a world recognized brand with unlimited potential to grow and expand in racing. Ample working capital has been invested in the company to insure this great team and legend will not only continue to perform, but will thrive and be back in the winner’s circle.”
“George and Foster Gillett deserve a great deal of credit for running a successful race team,” commented Petty. “They made a significant investment into the business and helped get back into Victory Lane. Going forward, we have put together an all-star ownership team consisting of myself, Medallion, and VeriFone CEO Doug Bergeron.”
Medallion Financial, a publicly traded investment company, has invested over $3 billion in companies since its IPO in 1996 and its board members include such notables as former New York Governor Mario Cuomo, former Connecticut Governor and Senator Lowell Weicker, and another “King” of his sport, Hank Aaron. The Murstein family is the largest shareholder in Medallion, owning approximately 20 percent.
DGB Investments is an investment vehicle of Canadian-born investor Douglas G. Bergeron, CEO of VeriFone Systems, Inc. (NYSE: PAY), San Jose, Calif. In 2001, Bergeron and DGB participated in the acquisition of VeriFone Systems from Hewlett-Packard in a transaction valued at $50 million. Today, VeriFone’s market value exceeds $3 billion dollars and Bergeron remains CEO and one of the largest individual shareholders.
Douglas Bergeron commented, “With Richard Petty’s unmatched name and reputation in the motorsports industry, I know this investment is well-timed to succeed. We are going to help put Richard Petty Motorsports back in Victory Lane.”
Richard Petty concluded, “Our partnership with Andy Murstein and Doug Bergeron will help take us to a whole new level and I could not be more excited about our future.”
November 29, 2010 Official Team News Releas
Concord, N.C. (November 29, 2010) - Racing legend and all time NASCAR win leader Richard Petty is back in the driver’s seat.
Richard Petty Motorsports signed and closed a sale of its racing assets to an investment group comprised of Richard Petty, Medallion Financial Corp. (Nasdaq:TAXI) and DGB Investments.
Richard Petty, a seven-time NASCAR champion has won 200 races, including 10 Daytona races. Known in the NASCAR world as “The King,” Petty will serve as Chairman and will be actively involved in overseeing day-to-day operations of the company. As previously announced, the team will operate the legendary No. 43 car driven by AJ Allmendinger and the No. 9 car driven by Marcos Ambrose.
“Today is a great day for me, my family, our fans and our wonderful sponsors. Ford, Stanley Tools, Best Buy, Valvoline, Reynolds, Air Force, Super 8, Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), WIX Filters and Menards have supported me through thick and thin and I thank them from the bottom of my heart,” said Petty.
Andrew Murstein, President of Medallion Financial, commented: “We could not be happier to be able to acquire these assets together. Richard is one of the greatest names, not only in NASCAR, but in all sports. His name and image are a world recognized brand with unlimited potential to grow and expand in racing. Ample working capital has been invested in the company to insure this great team and legend will not only continue to perform, but will thrive and be back in the winner’s circle.”
“George and Foster Gillett deserve a great deal of credit for running a successful race team,” commented Petty. “They made a significant investment into the business and helped get back into Victory Lane. Going forward, we have put together an all-star ownership team consisting of myself, Medallion, and VeriFone CEO Doug Bergeron.”
Medallion Financial, a publicly traded investment company, has invested over $3 billion in companies since its IPO in 1996 and its board members include such notables as former New York Governor Mario Cuomo, former Connecticut Governor and Senator Lowell Weicker, and another “King” of his sport, Hank Aaron. The Murstein family is the largest shareholder in Medallion, owning approximately 20 percent.
DGB Investments is an investment vehicle of Canadian-born investor Douglas G. Bergeron, CEO of VeriFone Systems, Inc. (NYSE: PAY), San Jose, Calif. In 2001, Bergeron and DGB participated in the acquisition of VeriFone Systems from Hewlett-Packard in a transaction valued at $50 million. Today, VeriFone’s market value exceeds $3 billion dollars and Bergeron remains CEO and one of the largest individual shareholders.
Douglas Bergeron commented, “With Richard Petty’s unmatched name and reputation in the motorsports industry, I know this investment is well-timed to succeed. We are going to help put Richard Petty Motorsports back in Victory Lane.”
Richard Petty concluded, “Our partnership with Andy Murstein and Doug Bergeron will help take us to a whole new level and I could not be more excited about our future.”
Sunday, November 28, 2010
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week
Jimmie Johnson Again The Star As NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week Returns To Las Vegas Print Page Email Page
* Frank Caliendo, Rascal Flatts Headline Awards Ceremony At Wynn Las Vegas
* Popular Victory Lap On Famous Vegas Strip Again Planned
* NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Awards Luncheon To Be Showcased At Bellagio
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Nov. 24, 2010) – The champion is crowned, the celebration awaits.
What a party it promises to be.
The 2010 edition of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week in Las Vegas will fete Hendrick Motorsports’ Jimmie Johnson, who earned an unprecedented fifth consecutive series title following the Nov. 21 season-finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Just a few days away, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week is full of fan-friendly activities that showcase the nation’s No. 1 form of motorsports while honoring its top driver and its loyal fan base.
After a 28-year run in New York, the annual postseason celebration made its Las Vegas debut last year, capped, as always, by the champion’s Friday-night coronation. This year’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony returns to one of the city’s premier resorts, Wynn Las Vegas, on Friday, Dec. 3.
SPEED will once again broadcast the event, live at 9 p.m. ET.
Comedian Frank Caliendo and country rockers Rascal Flatts will entertain during the awards ceremony. Joining them will be “Viva ELVIS by Cirque du Soleil,” a special performance of dance, acrobatics and music celebrating the King of Rock ‘n Roll, Elvis Presley.
The ceremony culminates several days of whirlwind activity involving not only the series champion, but also the other 11 drivers in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup – NASCAR’s “playoffs”. Those drivers, together with Johnson, comprise the top 12 in the series’ final standings.
“It's just been an amazing experience, amazing for myself and the team,” Johnson said of his five-title run. “I think it's been great for our sport to see the comparisons drawn to other sports that have been able to link together multiple championships. It's been awesome, a ton of fun.”
For the second consecutive year, some of the thousands of fans who flock to catch a glimpse of stock car racing’s biggest stars will join drivers, team owners and industry leaders in celebrating Johnson at the awards ceremony. Approximately 300 tickets are available to fans, which are being distributed by tracks, NASCAR partners and teams through various promotions. Fan tickets offer the following experiences:
· NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Awards Luncheon seats
· Access to “NASCAR After The Lap, Made Possible By Coca-Cola and Ford”
· Fan reception & Red Carpet walk prior to the awards ceremony
· Awards ceremony seats
Following is a complete rundown of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week activities.
Wednesday, Dec. 1
· NASCAR Street Tour: Two tricked-out NASCAR interactive Ford vehicles are scheduled to appear all week throughout Las Vegas with dynamic street teams, interactive video games and free giveaways. (Detailed schedule TBD.)
· NASCAR Pit Stop Tour:The Pit Stop Tour program will run from Dec. 1-3, consisting of Official Partner show cars placed in iconic locations throughout the Las Vegas Strip. Brand ambassadors at each location (locations TBD) will be on site from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. for all three days, engaging the fans.
· Chasers for Charity Event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway: Gates open at 10 a.m. The Richard Petty Driving Experience will offer rides with a percentage of the proceeds being donated to charity. The speedway will offer tours of the facility. There will be interactive displays throughout the track’s “Neon Garage” and live music on the main stage from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. In addition, all 12 Chase drivers will participate in a Family Feud-style game show hosted by comedian Kevin Burke between 2-3:30 p.m. Admission to the Fanfest is free, and mass transportation will be available from the strip and downtown.
Thursday, Dec. 2
· NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Awards Luncheon: This annual industry/media event begins at 11 a.m., in the Bellagio Ballroom at the Bellagio and includes presentations to the Champion Crew Chief, Champion Sponsor, Raybestos Rookie of the Year and Most Popular Driver. Fans have the opportunity to attend for the first time. It is co-hosted by NASCAR and the National Motor Sports Press Association.
· Victory Lap: Set for 3:30 p.m., the top-12 drivers will motor down the famed Las Vegas Strip in their respective race cars. Expect an authentic pit stop along the route and two burn-out sections for drivers. Victory Lap begins in front of Planet Hollywood Hotel & Casino and ends at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
Prior to Victory Lap at 3 p.m., Johnson will receive the Key to the City of Las Vegas from Mayor Oscar Goodman and Commissioner Tom Collins. Commissioner Collins also will present a Proclamation recognizing Champion’s Week and Johnson’s accomplishments.
· NASCAR After The Lap: This free fan event starts at 4:30 p.m., at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and features a question-and-answer session with drivers and an interactive Coca-Cola Fan Zone experience. Select fans will win NASCAR-themed prizes, including a 2011 Ford Taurus SHO. The Coca-Cola Fan Zone opens at noon, with doors to NASCAR After The Lap opening at 3 p.m. General admission seats are free, on a first-come, first-serve basis. Register for tickets at nascarafterthelap.com.
Friday, Dec. 3
· 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony: The big show starts at 6 p.m., crowning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion driver and owner and honoring the other drivers who finished in the top 10 in the final series standings.
* Frank Caliendo, Rascal Flatts Headline Awards Ceremony At Wynn Las Vegas
* Popular Victory Lap On Famous Vegas Strip Again Planned
* NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Awards Luncheon To Be Showcased At Bellagio
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Nov. 24, 2010) – The champion is crowned, the celebration awaits.
What a party it promises to be.
The 2010 edition of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week in Las Vegas will fete Hendrick Motorsports’ Jimmie Johnson, who earned an unprecedented fifth consecutive series title following the Nov. 21 season-finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Just a few days away, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week is full of fan-friendly activities that showcase the nation’s No. 1 form of motorsports while honoring its top driver and its loyal fan base.
After a 28-year run in New York, the annual postseason celebration made its Las Vegas debut last year, capped, as always, by the champion’s Friday-night coronation. This year’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony returns to one of the city’s premier resorts, Wynn Las Vegas, on Friday, Dec. 3.
SPEED will once again broadcast the event, live at 9 p.m. ET.
Comedian Frank Caliendo and country rockers Rascal Flatts will entertain during the awards ceremony. Joining them will be “Viva ELVIS by Cirque du Soleil,” a special performance of dance, acrobatics and music celebrating the King of Rock ‘n Roll, Elvis Presley.
The ceremony culminates several days of whirlwind activity involving not only the series champion, but also the other 11 drivers in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup – NASCAR’s “playoffs”. Those drivers, together with Johnson, comprise the top 12 in the series’ final standings.
“It's just been an amazing experience, amazing for myself and the team,” Johnson said of his five-title run. “I think it's been great for our sport to see the comparisons drawn to other sports that have been able to link together multiple championships. It's been awesome, a ton of fun.”
For the second consecutive year, some of the thousands of fans who flock to catch a glimpse of stock car racing’s biggest stars will join drivers, team owners and industry leaders in celebrating Johnson at the awards ceremony. Approximately 300 tickets are available to fans, which are being distributed by tracks, NASCAR partners and teams through various promotions. Fan tickets offer the following experiences:
· NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Awards Luncheon seats
· Access to “NASCAR After The Lap, Made Possible By Coca-Cola and Ford”
· Fan reception & Red Carpet walk prior to the awards ceremony
· Awards ceremony seats
Following is a complete rundown of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week activities.
Wednesday, Dec. 1
· NASCAR Street Tour: Two tricked-out NASCAR interactive Ford vehicles are scheduled to appear all week throughout Las Vegas with dynamic street teams, interactive video games and free giveaways. (Detailed schedule TBD.)
· NASCAR Pit Stop Tour:The Pit Stop Tour program will run from Dec. 1-3, consisting of Official Partner show cars placed in iconic locations throughout the Las Vegas Strip. Brand ambassadors at each location (locations TBD) will be on site from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. for all three days, engaging the fans.
· Chasers for Charity Event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway: Gates open at 10 a.m. The Richard Petty Driving Experience will offer rides with a percentage of the proceeds being donated to charity. The speedway will offer tours of the facility. There will be interactive displays throughout the track’s “Neon Garage” and live music on the main stage from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. In addition, all 12 Chase drivers will participate in a Family Feud-style game show hosted by comedian Kevin Burke between 2-3:30 p.m. Admission to the Fanfest is free, and mass transportation will be available from the strip and downtown.
Thursday, Dec. 2
· NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Awards Luncheon: This annual industry/media event begins at 11 a.m., in the Bellagio Ballroom at the Bellagio and includes presentations to the Champion Crew Chief, Champion Sponsor, Raybestos Rookie of the Year and Most Popular Driver. Fans have the opportunity to attend for the first time. It is co-hosted by NASCAR and the National Motor Sports Press Association.
· Victory Lap: Set for 3:30 p.m., the top-12 drivers will motor down the famed Las Vegas Strip in their respective race cars. Expect an authentic pit stop along the route and two burn-out sections for drivers. Victory Lap begins in front of Planet Hollywood Hotel & Casino and ends at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
Prior to Victory Lap at 3 p.m., Johnson will receive the Key to the City of Las Vegas from Mayor Oscar Goodman and Commissioner Tom Collins. Commissioner Collins also will present a Proclamation recognizing Champion’s Week and Johnson’s accomplishments.
· NASCAR After The Lap: This free fan event starts at 4:30 p.m., at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and features a question-and-answer session with drivers and an interactive Coca-Cola Fan Zone experience. Select fans will win NASCAR-themed prizes, including a 2011 Ford Taurus SHO. The Coca-Cola Fan Zone opens at noon, with doors to NASCAR After The Lap opening at 3 p.m. General admission seats are free, on a first-come, first-serve basis. Register for tickets at nascarafterthelap.com.
Friday, Dec. 3
· 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony: The big show starts at 6 p.m., crowning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion driver and owner and honoring the other drivers who finished in the top 10 in the final series standings.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Drive For 6 And More News
Number 6 Dont think so ? Well as you might know by now Rick Hendricks shook up the garage ,changing crew chiefs and other personal ,even the setups of which teams share what garage areas Except Team #48!
You just dont fix something thats not broke and Team 48 is far from broke.
With the hottest driver in the last ten years and maybe more ,the driver thats heading to break old records for championships and will most likely take a seventh and eight in his career becoming the all time champion .
You cant beat Jimmie Johnson the only way he'll be stopped is when he beats himself and even thou that can happen and one day will ,dont look for it anytime soon especially with Chad Knaus as crew chief ,one of the bests that have sit on top of a pit box
------------------------------
Talking about Hendricks getting serious ,expect more changes readthis:
Hendrick pit crew tryouts: Hendrick Motorsports will conduct pit crew tryouts on Nov. 29, 2010, for all positions. Two-hour sessions will begin at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and candidates must attend both sessions. Interested parties should e-mail tryouts@hmsracing.com for details and to reserve a slot. Inquiries must include an up-to-date résumé.
------------------------------
Why no Cameros in NATIONWIDE SERIES:
"As we launched Camaro, we brought back an iconic production car to our portfolio. Part of what makes Camaro is the styling and the look of that vehicle. When we introduced it at the (various) auto shows, consumers originally were able to look at the brand and say that it replicates what they know Camaro to be. As we look at NASCAR, we wanted to maintain the integrity of the iconic brand and the brands that we race with. We just didn't feel we could accomplish that vision by adapting the car to the common template format that we have here in this sport. We'll always look in the future and see what opportunities exist, but within today's boundaries, it just didn't feel like it was the right business decision for us to make.
------------------------------"
If the old point were in use after Homestead the results wouldve been quite different:
Standings if the Chase wasn't around and the old posints system that was used from 1975 thru 2003 was still used
2010 Sprint Cup Driver 'Classic' Points Standings:
[after Homestead, race 36 of 36....the OLD way]:
rank, car#, driver, points, behind
1) #29-Kevin Harvick, 5274
2) #48-Jimmie Johnson, 4989, -285
3) #11-Denny Hamlin, 4865, -409
4) #99-Carl Edwards, 4820, -454
5) #24-Jeff Gordon, 4669, -605
6) #18-Kyle Busch, 4647, -627
7) #17-Matt Kenseth, 4640, -634
8) #14-Tony Stewart, 4628, -646
9) #2-Kurt Busch, 4459, -815
10) #31-Jeff Burton, 4423, -851
11) #16-Greg Biffle, 4414, -860
12) #33-Clint Bowyer, 4376, -898
13) #5-Mark Martin, 4364, -910
14) #1-Jamie McMurray, 4325, -949
You just dont fix something thats not broke and Team 48 is far from broke.
With the hottest driver in the last ten years and maybe more ,the driver thats heading to break old records for championships and will most likely take a seventh and eight in his career becoming the all time champion .
You cant beat Jimmie Johnson the only way he'll be stopped is when he beats himself and even thou that can happen and one day will ,dont look for it anytime soon especially with Chad Knaus as crew chief ,one of the bests that have sit on top of a pit box
------------------------------
Talking about Hendricks getting serious ,expect more changes readthis:
Hendrick pit crew tryouts: Hendrick Motorsports will conduct pit crew tryouts on Nov. 29, 2010, for all positions. Two-hour sessions will begin at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and candidates must attend both sessions. Interested parties should e-mail tryouts@hmsracing.com for details and to reserve a slot. Inquiries must include an up-to-date résumé.
------------------------------
Why no Cameros in NATIONWIDE SERIES:
"As we launched Camaro, we brought back an iconic production car to our portfolio. Part of what makes Camaro is the styling and the look of that vehicle. When we introduced it at the (various) auto shows, consumers originally were able to look at the brand and say that it replicates what they know Camaro to be. As we look at NASCAR, we wanted to maintain the integrity of the iconic brand and the brands that we race with. We just didn't feel we could accomplish that vision by adapting the car to the common template format that we have here in this sport. We'll always look in the future and see what opportunities exist, but within today's boundaries, it just didn't feel like it was the right business decision for us to make.
------------------------------"
If the old point were in use after Homestead the results wouldve been quite different:
Standings if the Chase wasn't around and the old posints system that was used from 1975 thru 2003 was still used
2010 Sprint Cup Driver 'Classic' Points Standings:
[after Homestead, race 36 of 36....the OLD way]:
rank, car#, driver, points, behind
1) #29-Kevin Harvick, 5274
2) #48-Jimmie Johnson, 4989, -285
3) #11-Denny Hamlin, 4865, -409
4) #99-Carl Edwards, 4820, -454
5) #24-Jeff Gordon, 4669, -605
6) #18-Kyle Busch, 4647, -627
7) #17-Matt Kenseth, 4640, -634
8) #14-Tony Stewart, 4628, -646
9) #2-Kurt Busch, 4459, -815
10) #31-Jeff Burton, 4423, -851
11) #16-Greg Biffle, 4414, -860
12) #33-Clint Bowyer, 4376, -898
13) #5-Mark Martin, 4364, -910
14) #1-Jamie McMurray, 4325, -949
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Final Sporting News Power Poll
Final Sporting News Power Poll
By the Sporting News NASCAR Service
Not surprisingly, Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson is atop the season’s final Sporting News Power Poll. Johnson won his fifth straight championship Sunday with a second-place finish at Homestead. Johnson closed out the season with nine straight top 10s, including a win and seven top fives. Carl Edwards, who won the final two races of the season, is second. The weekly poll is a collaboration of Sporting News and Rowdy.com.
1. Jimmie Johnson (Last week: 1st) When do we start asking ourselves if Jimmie can win 100 Cup races? After all, who thought anyone could win five titles in a row.
2. Carl Edwards (4th) With wins in the final two Cup races, Edwards didn’t have to leave Johnson a note to announce that he’s a rival for the title in 2011.
3. Kevin Harvick (3rd) Major props for finishing eighth or better in nine Chase races. That backed up what he did all year, and it capped a remarkable RCR turnaround.
4. Denny Hamlin (2nd) His car was never the same after his spin. It’s a reminder of the importance of qualifying. But kudos for pushing Johnson harder than he’d ever been pushed.
5. Matt Kenseth (7th) The good news: Kenseth finished an uneven season with three straight top 10s. The bad news: He went winless for the third time in his career.
6. Greg Biffle (8th) Biffle ended the season with his 19th top 10, the second most in his eight full seasons.
7. Clint Bowyer (10th) Bowyer will be remembered most for two Chase wins, even if the first one cost him a shot at the title.
8. Mark Martin (6th) 2009: 5 wins, 14 top 5s, 21 top 10s, 7 poles. 2010: 0 wins, 7 top 5s, 11 top 10s and 1 pole. The speed just wasn’t there this season.
9. Tony Stewart (15th) Stewart ended the season with a top 10, but his sophomore season as a car owner was a disappointment.
10. Ryan Newman (14th) For only the second time in his career the Rocketman failed to record multiple poles in a season. His lone P1 came in the May Charlotte race.
11. AJ Allmendinger (23rd) Ended the season with a top five at Homestead. Just his third in a 116-race career.
12. Joey Logano (5th) Logano’s 39th-place finish was a disappointment but not the five straight top 10s that preceded it. He’s one to watch for 2011.
13. Jamie McMurray (12th) Despite missing the Chase, McMurray had a 2010 to remember with wins in the Daytona 500 and Brickyard 400.
14. Kasey Kahne (NR) Kahne finishes 2010 with a pole, a top 10 and a couple of new knees.
15. Kyle Busch (9th) Busch has plenty of talent but is in need of more good will if he’s ever going to win a Cup title: He was wrecked intentionally at least twice in the 10-race Chase.
16. Martin Truex Jr. (19th) Even though it was ultimately thwarted by a blown tire, a super-strong run at Homestead will give Truex some hope for a strong 2011.
17. Kurt Busch (18th) Busch was running at the finish in 34 of 36 races this year. That is a career best.
18. Jeff Gordon (11th) Gordon lent Johnson his crew for the last few Chase races. Why? Because Gordon was out of the running. He’ll need a stronger effort in 2011.
19. Paul Menard (20th) Menard overperformed for Richard Petty Motorsports this year. The expectations will be very different at Richard Childress Racing in 2011.
20. David Ragan (17th) Ragan had a strong close to the season because of a Roush Fenway resurgence coupled with the good chemistry he discovered with crew chief Drew Blickensderfer.
21. Jeff Burton (22nd) Teammate Bowyer even spotted him 150 points in the Chase, and Burton still couldn’t finish out of the basement. Tragic end to what was a strong season.
22. David Reutimann (16th) Reutimann wrapped things up on a pretty sour note with a 38th-place finish, his second worst of the season.
23. Juan Pablo Montoya (13th) Montoya fell from an eighth-place finish in the 2009 standings to 17th in 2010.
24. Aric Almirola (NR) Almirola capped a memorable year Sunday with his first Cup top five. He was runner-up in points in the truck series with two wins.
25. Regan Smith (24th) Smith closed out the season without a top 10, but he showed some strength in the Chase, twice tying a career best with 12th-place finishes.
By the Sporting News NASCAR Service
Not surprisingly, Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson is atop the season’s final Sporting News Power Poll. Johnson won his fifth straight championship Sunday with a second-place finish at Homestead. Johnson closed out the season with nine straight top 10s, including a win and seven top fives. Carl Edwards, who won the final two races of the season, is second. The weekly poll is a collaboration of Sporting News and Rowdy.com.
1. Jimmie Johnson (Last week: 1st) When do we start asking ourselves if Jimmie can win 100 Cup races? After all, who thought anyone could win five titles in a row.
2. Carl Edwards (4th) With wins in the final two Cup races, Edwards didn’t have to leave Johnson a note to announce that he’s a rival for the title in 2011.
3. Kevin Harvick (3rd) Major props for finishing eighth or better in nine Chase races. That backed up what he did all year, and it capped a remarkable RCR turnaround.
4. Denny Hamlin (2nd) His car was never the same after his spin. It’s a reminder of the importance of qualifying. But kudos for pushing Johnson harder than he’d ever been pushed.
5. Matt Kenseth (7th) The good news: Kenseth finished an uneven season with three straight top 10s. The bad news: He went winless for the third time in his career.
6. Greg Biffle (8th) Biffle ended the season with his 19th top 10, the second most in his eight full seasons.
7. Clint Bowyer (10th) Bowyer will be remembered most for two Chase wins, even if the first one cost him a shot at the title.
8. Mark Martin (6th) 2009: 5 wins, 14 top 5s, 21 top 10s, 7 poles. 2010: 0 wins, 7 top 5s, 11 top 10s and 1 pole. The speed just wasn’t there this season.
9. Tony Stewart (15th) Stewart ended the season with a top 10, but his sophomore season as a car owner was a disappointment.
10. Ryan Newman (14th) For only the second time in his career the Rocketman failed to record multiple poles in a season. His lone P1 came in the May Charlotte race.
11. AJ Allmendinger (23rd) Ended the season with a top five at Homestead. Just his third in a 116-race career.
12. Joey Logano (5th) Logano’s 39th-place finish was a disappointment but not the five straight top 10s that preceded it. He’s one to watch for 2011.
13. Jamie McMurray (12th) Despite missing the Chase, McMurray had a 2010 to remember with wins in the Daytona 500 and Brickyard 400.
14. Kasey Kahne (NR) Kahne finishes 2010 with a pole, a top 10 and a couple of new knees.
15. Kyle Busch (9th) Busch has plenty of talent but is in need of more good will if he’s ever going to win a Cup title: He was wrecked intentionally at least twice in the 10-race Chase.
16. Martin Truex Jr. (19th) Even though it was ultimately thwarted by a blown tire, a super-strong run at Homestead will give Truex some hope for a strong 2011.
17. Kurt Busch (18th) Busch was running at the finish in 34 of 36 races this year. That is a career best.
18. Jeff Gordon (11th) Gordon lent Johnson his crew for the last few Chase races. Why? Because Gordon was out of the running. He’ll need a stronger effort in 2011.
19. Paul Menard (20th) Menard overperformed for Richard Petty Motorsports this year. The expectations will be very different at Richard Childress Racing in 2011.
20. David Ragan (17th) Ragan had a strong close to the season because of a Roush Fenway resurgence coupled with the good chemistry he discovered with crew chief Drew Blickensderfer.
21. Jeff Burton (22nd) Teammate Bowyer even spotted him 150 points in the Chase, and Burton still couldn’t finish out of the basement. Tragic end to what was a strong season.
22. David Reutimann (16th) Reutimann wrapped things up on a pretty sour note with a 38th-place finish, his second worst of the season.
23. Juan Pablo Montoya (13th) Montoya fell from an eighth-place finish in the 2009 standings to 17th in 2010.
24. Aric Almirola (NR) Almirola capped a memorable year Sunday with his first Cup top five. He was runner-up in points in the truck series with two wins.
25. Regan Smith (24th) Smith closed out the season without a top 10, but he showed some strength in the Chase, twice tying a career best with 12th-place finishes.
SPRINT CUP Records Set In Lead Changes And Leaders Per Race
Records Set In Lead Changes And Leaders Per Race
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Nov. 23, 2010) – The recently completed 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season goes down as the most competitive in the 62-year history of the sport’s premier series.
Two major competition records were broken this past season in the series: average lead changes and leaders per race.
There was an average of 25.4 lead changes per event in 2010, the most in the history of NASCAR Sprint Cup competition.
Additionally, there was an average of 11.4 leaders per event, also the highest average since the series’ inaugural year of 1949.
The previous highs in both statistics were 24.9 lead changes in 1981 and 11.0 leaders in 2006.
In all, 55 different drivers led at least one lap this season – another record. The previous most was 51, in both 2005 and 2007.
Passing numbers, too, were at their statistical peak this season. NASCAR began recording passing numbers in 2005, with the inception of Loop Data. This season, those numbers were higher than any of the past six years.
There were a total of 1,299 green flag passes for the lead (Note: Those are lead changes all around the track, not just at the start-finish line). The previous high was 994 in 2006.
There were also 116,327 total green flag passes. The previous high was 110,226 in 2009.
The tight on-track competition led to a closer-than-ever points battle. The 15 points separating the top-two drivers going into the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway were the fewest in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup’s seven-year history. Five-time champion Jimmie Johnson became the first driver since 1992 to overcome a deficit with one-to-go to capture the title.
Five races broke or matched track records in either most leaders or lead changes this season:
Talladega: Both Talladega races were exceptionally competitive, but the spring event made history. There were 88 lead changes among 29 drivers during the April 25 event, both all-time series records – at any track, ever.
Daytona: There were 21 different leaders in the season-opening Daytona 500, the most ever at a track whose history dates back to 1959.
Infineon Raceway: The first road course race of the season, the June 20 event featured 12 lead changes, the
most ever at Infineon. The last lead change belonged to 2010 series champion Jimmie Johnson, who won the first road course race of his career.
Phoenix: There were 13 different leaders in the spring Phoenix event, tying a track record.
Texas: The autumn event at Texas had 33 lead changes, setting a track record.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Nov. 23, 2010) – The recently completed 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season goes down as the most competitive in the 62-year history of the sport’s premier series.
Two major competition records were broken this past season in the series: average lead changes and leaders per race.
There was an average of 25.4 lead changes per event in 2010, the most in the history of NASCAR Sprint Cup competition.
Additionally, there was an average of 11.4 leaders per event, also the highest average since the series’ inaugural year of 1949.
The previous highs in both statistics were 24.9 lead changes in 1981 and 11.0 leaders in 2006.
In all, 55 different drivers led at least one lap this season – another record. The previous most was 51, in both 2005 and 2007.
Passing numbers, too, were at their statistical peak this season. NASCAR began recording passing numbers in 2005, with the inception of Loop Data. This season, those numbers were higher than any of the past six years.
There were a total of 1,299 green flag passes for the lead (Note: Those are lead changes all around the track, not just at the start-finish line). The previous high was 994 in 2006.
There were also 116,327 total green flag passes. The previous high was 110,226 in 2009.
The tight on-track competition led to a closer-than-ever points battle. The 15 points separating the top-two drivers going into the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway were the fewest in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup’s seven-year history. Five-time champion Jimmie Johnson became the first driver since 1992 to overcome a deficit with one-to-go to capture the title.
Five races broke or matched track records in either most leaders or lead changes this season:
Talladega: Both Talladega races were exceptionally competitive, but the spring event made history. There were 88 lead changes among 29 drivers during the April 25 event, both all-time series records – at any track, ever.
Daytona: There were 21 different leaders in the season-opening Daytona 500, the most ever at a track whose history dates back to 1959.
Infineon Raceway: The first road course race of the season, the June 20 event featured 12 lead changes, the
most ever at Infineon. The last lead change belonged to 2010 series champion Jimmie Johnson, who won the first road course race of his career.
Phoenix: There were 13 different leaders in the spring Phoenix event, tying a track record.
Texas: The autumn event at Texas had 33 lead changes, setting a track record.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Hendrick Motorsports Makes Personnel Adjustments For 2011
Hendrick Motorsports Makes Personnel Adjustments For 2011
MARK MARTIN, JEFF GORDON & DALE EARNHARDT JR. TO RACE WITH NEW CREW CHIEFS
CONCORD, N.C. (Nov. 23, 2010) – Hendrick Motorsports has made personnel adjustments in preparation for the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season, with drivers Mark Martin, Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr. being teamed with new crew chiefs.
Below are the driver-crew chief pairings for each Hendrick Motorsports car, effective immediately:
No. 5 Chevrolet
Driver: Mark Martin
Crew Chief: Lance McGrew
No. 24 Chevrolet
Driver: Jeff Gordon
Crew Chief: Alan Gustafson
No. 48 Chevrolet
Driver: Jimmie Johnson
Crew Chief: Chad Knaus
No. 88 Chevrolet
Driver: Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Crew Chief: Steve Letarte
The cars of Martin and four-time Sprint Cup champion Gordon will be fielded out of the same facility, now known as the 5/24 shop. Earnhardt Jr.'s Chevrolets will be prepared out of the renamed 48/88 shop alongside those of five-time and defending Cup champion Jimmie Johnson.
"This will improve us as an organization, across the board," said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. "We had a championship season (in 2010), but we weren't where we wanted and needed to be with all four teams. We've made the right adjustments, and I'm excited to go racing with this lineup."
ABOUT HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS:
Since 1984, Hendrick Motorsports has earned 194 race victories and a record 10 car owner championships in NASCAR's premier division, the Sprint Cup Series. The organization fields four full-time Chevrolet teams on the Sprint Cup circuit with drivers Mark Martin, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Headquartered in Concord, N.C., Hendrick Motorsports employs more than 500 people. For more information, please visit www.HendrickMotorsports.com, www.twitter.com/TeamHendrick and www.facebook.com/HendrickMotorsports
MARK MARTIN, JEFF GORDON & DALE EARNHARDT JR. TO RACE WITH NEW CREW CHIEFS
CONCORD, N.C. (Nov. 23, 2010) – Hendrick Motorsports has made personnel adjustments in preparation for the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season, with drivers Mark Martin, Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr. being teamed with new crew chiefs.
Below are the driver-crew chief pairings for each Hendrick Motorsports car, effective immediately:
No. 5 Chevrolet
Driver: Mark Martin
Crew Chief: Lance McGrew
No. 24 Chevrolet
Driver: Jeff Gordon
Crew Chief: Alan Gustafson
No. 48 Chevrolet
Driver: Jimmie Johnson
Crew Chief: Chad Knaus
No. 88 Chevrolet
Driver: Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Crew Chief: Steve Letarte
The cars of Martin and four-time Sprint Cup champion Gordon will be fielded out of the same facility, now known as the 5/24 shop. Earnhardt Jr.'s Chevrolets will be prepared out of the renamed 48/88 shop alongside those of five-time and defending Cup champion Jimmie Johnson.
"This will improve us as an organization, across the board," said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. "We had a championship season (in 2010), but we weren't where we wanted and needed to be with all four teams. We've made the right adjustments, and I'm excited to go racing with this lineup."
ABOUT HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS:
Since 1984, Hendrick Motorsports has earned 194 race victories and a record 10 car owner championships in NASCAR's premier division, the Sprint Cup Series. The organization fields four full-time Chevrolet teams on the Sprint Cup circuit with drivers Mark Martin, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Headquartered in Concord, N.C., Hendrick Motorsports employs more than 500 people. For more information, please visit www.HendrickMotorsports.com, www.twitter.com/TeamHendrick and www.facebook.com/HendrickMotorsports
The Cool Down Lap: Could Jimmie Johnson be NASCAR’s best all time?
The Cool Down Lap: Could Jimmie Johnson be NASCAR’s best all time?
By Reid Spencer
Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service
(November 22, 2010)
In the aftermath of Jimmie Johnson’s fifth straight NASCAR Sprint Cup title, is it blasphemy to mention the driver of the No. 48 Chevrolet in the same breath with seven-time champions Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt?
Ray Evernham, for one, doesn’t think Johnson is part of that conversation yet, but the champion crew chief and ESPN analyst acknowledges he soon could be.
“If they get this one, then seven looks pretty doable, doesn’t it?” Evernham said Saturday, before the championship was decided.
A day later, Johnson secured the fifth championship methodically and relentlessly, despite a series of substandard pit stops. And if truth be told, he won the title with a car that, throughout the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, wasn’t as fast as those of his two rivals, Denny Hamlin and Kevin Harvick.
Nonetheless, Johnson, crew chief Chad Knaus and team owner Rick Hendrick found a way to win, and in the words of Mike Ford, Hamlin’s crew chief, they found a source of motivation to help them.
Ford called out the No. 48 team after Hamlin won at Texas to take a 33-point lead in the Chase. According to Evernham, that lit a fire in Rick Hendrick.
“Mike Ford did a great job motivating his own team, but he motivated Rick Hendrick just as bad—and that can be a bad thing,” Evernham said.
It’s no coincidence that Hendrick called a three-hour competition meeting after the Texas race.
“It made a difference, for sure,” Johnson told Sporting News after Sunday’s race. “I think it was more of an internal thing where, in any sport, you’re looking for some comment or something to rally the troops around, and we used that to rally our guys.
“It worked well for us. I’m not sure if it was the sole cause of the big three-hour meeting—we knew that we were a little off as a company this year and maybe not as sharp as we needed to be in all aspects.”
Regardless, Johnson survived the closest Chase since the introduction of the format in 2004 and can turn his attention to what inevitably will be called the “six pack.”
For the record, Johnson now has one more championship than the man who brought him into the sport, teammate Jeff Gordon. That puts Johnson third all time in just nine full seasons of Cup racing. Only one other driver, Cale Yarborough, has won as many as three consecutive titles.
As formidable as his record is, Johnson understands that his accomplishments will be appreciated more fully 10 or 20 years from now than they are today.
“I believe that in my heart,” Johnson said. “There’s been a lot of questions about respect—if I get the due respect. I feel that I do, and I know in time it’ll continue to grow. It’s just hard in the present for the entire NASCAR fan base to appreciate what I’ve done, because they want their guy to win. In time, I’ll probably get more credit than I probably deserve.
“When I start to think of what five championships mean—Earnhardt and Petty ahead of me, Jeff behind me—so many weird thoughts, crazy thoughts go through my mind. Jeff gave me this opportunity, brought me here. I watched what he did first-hand and put him on such a pedestal, and to match him last year and to be one ahead of him this year and be close to Earnhardt and Petty, I can’t even comprehend it.
“It’s unbelievable.”
Perhaps, but it’s also real—and so is Johnson’s opportunity to elevate his stature to the level of the two seven-time champions, perhaps beyond them.
What should be a daunting thought to his competition is that he still has plenty of time to do it.
2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion
Championship Fast Facts
Provided by NASCAR Statistics – Sunday, November 21, 2010
Driver Champion: Jimmie Johnson
Team: No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet
Jimmie Johnson has won an unprecedented fifth consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship. Last season, he became the first driver in series history to win four consecutive titles.
Johnson’s five championships put him in sole possession of third on the all-time list, two behind NASCAR Hall of Famers Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt.
Johnson finished 39 points ahead of second-place Denny Hamlin.
Johnson is the first driver in the Chase era to overcome a points deficit going into the season finale to win the championship. Only two other drivers have accomplished the feat since the inception of the current points
system in 1975 (Richard Petty in 1979 and Alan Kulwicki in 1992).
Johnson won one Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup race in 2010. He has won at least one race in every
Chase since its inception in 2004. He is the all-time Chase wins leader, with 19.
Johnson finished the 2010 season with six wins, 17 top fives and 23 top 10s.
Owner Champion: Hendrick Motorsports
This is Hendrick Motorsports’ 10th series owner championship, breaking a tie for most all-time. Hendrick had previously been tied with Petty Enterprises at nine owner championships.
This is Hendrick Motorsports’ 13th NASCAR national series owner championship, extending its all-time
record.
Hendrick Motorsports becomes the first team to win five consecutive championships. It was the first to win
four straight, from 1995-98 (Jeff Gordon in 1995 and 1997-98; Terry Labonte 1996).
Crew Chief Champion: Chad Knaus
Chad Knaus won his fifth consecutive championship, extending his crew chief record for consecutive
NASCAR Sprint Cup championships. In 2008, Knaus set the record with three consecutive championships.
Knaus moves into sole possession of second-place on the all-time crew chief championships list, with five.
Dale Inman is the all-time leader in crew chief championships, with eight.
Knaus has 51 career series wins, all with Jimmie Johnson.
Monday, November 22, 2010
History at Homestead-Miami Speedway: “Drive for Five” Complete
History at Homestead-Miami Speedway: “Drive for Five” Complete
On a sun-drenched Sunday afternoon, Homestead-Miami Speedway served as host to a
one-race shootout to decide the closest Sprint Cup Championship Chase in NASCAR history.
And when it was over, Jimmie Johnson had prevailed as the series’ points Champion for an
unprecedented fifth straight season. Carl Edwards took the day’s checkered flag in the Ford 400.
Denny Hamlin entered Ford Championship Weekend with a 15-point lead over four-time reigning
Champion Johnson and just a 46-point margin over Kevin Harvick. With the points so tight, the
Chase for the Sprint Cup Championship was close enough that one spin or poor pit stop could
determine whether Johnson would stretch his unprecedented Championship streak to five, or if
Hamlin or Harvick would put an end to one of the most dominating runs in sports history.
Unfortunately for Hamlin, that mistake came on Lap 25 as a result of slight contact with Greg Biffle’s Ford Fusion. The incident sent Hamlin to the rear of the field with damage to the front
end of his car after having started in 38th-place. Johnson, meanwhile, would run the cleanest race
of the three Championship contenders and finish second to race winner Edwards.
"I am just so proud to be in this position and so thankful to have my great race team,” said
Johnson, who claimed the 2010 Sprint Cup crown by 39 points over Hamlin. “Yeah, I mean,
gosh, I've always told you guys that the first Championship, first win, that stuff has meant the
most to me This one, I think this takes the lead.”
"We had a great year, we won the most races that we ever won,” said Hamlin, who took eight
checkered flags in 2010. “We contended like we've never contended before and just
circumstances took us out of this one.”
Johnson entered Ford Championship Weekend in a different position than those of years past—
that is to say, trailing in the points standings. To capture the Sprint Cup for a fifth consecutive
season, the No. 48 would have to take an aggressive approach rather than a defensive stance
aimed at simply protecting his lead. And in doing so, the Hendrick Motorsports legend captured
the first come-from-behind Championship in the seven-year life of the Chase for the Sprint Cup Championship—all hosted by Homestead-Miami Speedway.
After taking the lead while leaving the pits on Lap 188 (of 267), Harvick was assessed a pit-road
speeding penalty to drop him all the way back to 29th place.
"I don't think that penalty will ever settle in my stomach," said Harvick, who finished third in the race and third in the final 2010 Sprint Cup Series standings, 41 points back of Johnson. "Only a
handful of people get to see the pit road speeds, so I won't ever settle for that."
On Lap 204, Johnson was shown to have the Championship points lead by just two points over
Hamlin, and the crown was all-but decided on Lap 237 when Johnson, Hamlin and Harvick all
pitted out of sequence from the field. In the end, the three NASCAR Championship contenders
combined to lead the points standings after 35 of the season's 36 races.
While the focus of Sunday's Championship-finale Ford 400 was the battle for the Sprint Cup Championship, it was Edwards who drove his Ford Fusion to Victory Lane. The Ford Championship Weekend win was a second straight for the No. 99 after a 70-race winless streak.
“This is unreal….a great way to finish the season,” said Edwards. “Congratulations to Jimmie
Johnson—five championships in a row, that’s unreal.”
“We have had the highs and lows of the Chase,” Johnson said. “But to have it all come around
and to look every single one of my crew guys in the eyes on that stage tonight, there's a different
feeling about it. It is so cool.
On a sun-drenched Sunday afternoon, Homestead-Miami Speedway served as host to a
one-race shootout to decide the closest Sprint Cup Championship Chase in NASCAR history.
And when it was over, Jimmie Johnson had prevailed as the series’ points Champion for an
unprecedented fifth straight season. Carl Edwards took the day’s checkered flag in the Ford 400.
Denny Hamlin entered Ford Championship Weekend with a 15-point lead over four-time reigning
Champion Johnson and just a 46-point margin over Kevin Harvick. With the points so tight, the
Chase for the Sprint Cup Championship was close enough that one spin or poor pit stop could
determine whether Johnson would stretch his unprecedented Championship streak to five, or if
Hamlin or Harvick would put an end to one of the most dominating runs in sports history.
Unfortunately for Hamlin, that mistake came on Lap 25 as a result of slight contact with Greg Biffle’s Ford Fusion. The incident sent Hamlin to the rear of the field with damage to the front
end of his car after having started in 38th-place. Johnson, meanwhile, would run the cleanest race
of the three Championship contenders and finish second to race winner Edwards.
"I am just so proud to be in this position and so thankful to have my great race team,” said
Johnson, who claimed the 2010 Sprint Cup crown by 39 points over Hamlin. “Yeah, I mean,
gosh, I've always told you guys that the first Championship, first win, that stuff has meant the
most to me This one, I think this takes the lead.”
"We had a great year, we won the most races that we ever won,” said Hamlin, who took eight
checkered flags in 2010. “We contended like we've never contended before and just
circumstances took us out of this one.”
Johnson entered Ford Championship Weekend in a different position than those of years past—
that is to say, trailing in the points standings. To capture the Sprint Cup for a fifth consecutive
season, the No. 48 would have to take an aggressive approach rather than a defensive stance
aimed at simply protecting his lead. And in doing so, the Hendrick Motorsports legend captured
the first come-from-behind Championship in the seven-year life of the Chase for the Sprint Cup Championship—all hosted by Homestead-Miami Speedway.
After taking the lead while leaving the pits on Lap 188 (of 267), Harvick was assessed a pit-road
speeding penalty to drop him all the way back to 29th place.
"I don't think that penalty will ever settle in my stomach," said Harvick, who finished third in the race and third in the final 2010 Sprint Cup Series standings, 41 points back of Johnson. "Only a
handful of people get to see the pit road speeds, so I won't ever settle for that."
On Lap 204, Johnson was shown to have the Championship points lead by just two points over
Hamlin, and the crown was all-but decided on Lap 237 when Johnson, Hamlin and Harvick all
pitted out of sequence from the field. In the end, the three NASCAR Championship contenders
combined to lead the points standings after 35 of the season's 36 races.
While the focus of Sunday's Championship-finale Ford 400 was the battle for the Sprint Cup Championship, it was Edwards who drove his Ford Fusion to Victory Lane. The Ford Championship Weekend win was a second straight for the No. 99 after a 70-race winless streak.
“This is unreal….a great way to finish the season,” said Edwards. “Congratulations to Jimmie
Johnson—five championships in a row, that’s unreal.”
“We have had the highs and lows of the Chase,” Johnson said. “But to have it all come around
and to look every single one of my crew guys in the eyes on that stage tonight, there's a different
feeling about it. It is so cool.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
JIMMIE JOHNSON 2010 SPRINT CUP CHAMPION
Drive for five complete
Jimmie Johnson finished second at Homestead to win his fifth consecutive Cup Series title.
HOMESTEAD, Fla.—Finishing one spot behind the dominant race-winning car of Carl Edwards, Jimmie Johnson claimed his record fifth straight NASCAR Sprint Cup championship Sunday in what more closely resembled a comedy of errors than the high drama fans had hoped for in the closest Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup ever.
Johnson overcame a succession of flawed pit stops to outrun Kevin Harvick (third Sunday) and Denny Hamlin (14th) in the season-ending Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Hamlin entered the race leading the standings by 15 points over Johnson, but an early spin scrubbed speed out of the car and left him fighting traffic, not fighting for the championship.
“It was like, ‘Who’s going to screw up the most?’ ” said Johnson’s team owner, Rick Hendrick, who won his 10th Cup title (five with Johnson, four with Jeff Gordon and one with Terry Labonte).
Edwards, who secured fourth place in the final standings, led 189 of 267 laps in winning his second straight Cup race and the 18th of his career.
Johnson finished 39 points ahead of Hamlin and 41 ahead of Harvick, who rallied from a pit road speeding penalty to run third. Richard Petty Motorsports teammates Aric Almirola and AJ Allmendinger finished fourth and fifth, respectively.
Before the race was 25 laps old, Hamlin made a tough job much more difficult. His No. 11 Toyota, which had started the race 37th but had gained 18 positions in the first 23 laps, touched the No. 16 Ford of Greg Biffle as the cars sped through Turn 2 on Lap 24. Hamlin spun through the infield grass and damaged the front splitter.
Though Hamlin’s crew worked valiantly to repair the damage, the incident affected the handling just enough to keep Hamlin from making an aggressive run to the front.
Hamlin’s troubles were compounded when he was trapped a lap down during a cycle of pit stops and had to take a wave-around to the tail end of the lead lap. At that point Hamlin was fighting Harvick for second in the final standings, not for the title.
By Reid Spencer
Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service
(November 21, 2010)
Paul Denton
RACINGHELLONWHEELS
Jimmie Johnson finished second at Homestead to win his fifth consecutive Cup Series title.
Johnson wins fifth straight title as Edwards dominates Homestead
HOMESTEAD, Fla.—Finishing one spot behind the dominant race-winning car of Carl Edwards, Jimmie Johnson claimed his record fifth straight NASCAR Sprint Cup championship Sunday in what more closely resembled a comedy of errors than the high drama fans had hoped for in the closest Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup ever.
Johnson overcame a succession of flawed pit stops to outrun Kevin Harvick (third Sunday) and Denny Hamlin (14th) in the season-ending Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Hamlin entered the race leading the standings by 15 points over Johnson, but an early spin scrubbed speed out of the car and left him fighting traffic, not fighting for the championship.
“It was like, ‘Who’s going to screw up the most?’ ” said Johnson’s team owner, Rick Hendrick, who won his 10th Cup title (five with Johnson, four with Jeff Gordon and one with Terry Labonte).
Edwards, who secured fourth place in the final standings, led 189 of 267 laps in winning his second straight Cup race and the 18th of his career.
Johnson finished 39 points ahead of Hamlin and 41 ahead of Harvick, who rallied from a pit road speeding penalty to run third. Richard Petty Motorsports teammates Aric Almirola and AJ Allmendinger finished fourth and fifth, respectively.
Before the race was 25 laps old, Hamlin made a tough job much more difficult. His No. 11 Toyota, which had started the race 37th but had gained 18 positions in the first 23 laps, touched the No. 16 Ford of Greg Biffle as the cars sped through Turn 2 on Lap 24. Hamlin spun through the infield grass and damaged the front splitter.
Though Hamlin’s crew worked valiantly to repair the damage, the incident affected the handling just enough to keep Hamlin from making an aggressive run to the front.
Hamlin’s troubles were compounded when he was trapped a lap down during a cycle of pit stops and had to take a wave-around to the tail end of the lead lap. At that point Hamlin was fighting Harvick for second in the final standings, not for the title.
By Reid Spencer
Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service
(November 21, 2010)
Paul Denton
RACINGHELLONWHEELS
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Notebook: France still may tinker with Chase format
Notebook: France still may tinker with Chase format
By Reid Spencer
Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service
HOMESTEAD, Fla.—Why mess with a good thing?
In NASCAR’s view, to make it better.
Even though this year’s Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup has produced a nearly ideal down-to-the-wire scenario, NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France said Friday the sanctioning body will consider changes to the format during the offseason, if changes can make the title race more exciting.
The holy grail for France is high-impact, “Game 7” moments that focus attention on the sport and generate buzz in the closing weeks of the season. That’s certainly the case this year, with Denny Hamlin, Jimmie Johnson and Kevin Harvick preparing to decide the championship in Sunday’s Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
With Hamlin leading Johnson by 15 points and Harvick by 46, the championship probably won’t be decided until the closing laps. That’s what France would like to see every year, if possible.
Asked if the success of this year’s Chase might convince NASCAR to preserve the status quo, France demurred.
“No, we will look at it,” he said. “What I like is, what I said earlier, a winner-take-all, if you will; and watching someone not just have to run well, but have to beat some other people. That is feeling to us like that's exactly what we want. And by the way, it's exactly what the drivers want. It's working out that way this year.
“Let me say this. Right now, almost every sports league, almost everyone, including the NCAA Tournament last year, is looking around at what they need to do to change their formats a little or a lot, depending on who they are, to make sure that their playoffs or their championship runs are what they want them to be. And we are no different.”
Hamlin in Johnson’s head?
For two days, Johnson has questioned Hamlin’s state of mind at every opportunity.
Asked Friday how he slept on Thursday night, Johnson replied, “I slept great. I don’t know if Denny did, but I know I did. Last night was awesome.”
Hamlin, however, suggested that Johnson’s constant mentions of Hamlin’s name might indicate that the four-time defending Cup champion was fixated on the points leader.
“If he keeps bringing up my name, he’s pretty much worried about me,” Hamlin said. “That’s all I’ll say. You’re not going to say you’re not worried and you’re relaxed and everything, but keep bringing up my name.”
Hamlin will have to make up considerable ground to see Johnson’s head, much less get inside it on Sunday. Hamlin starts 37th in the Ford 400, 31 positions behind Johnson.
Going, going, Gaughan
Rusty Wallace Racing announced Friday the hiring of Michael Annett to drive RWR’s No. 62 Toyota in the Nationwide Series next year.
Annett, 24, will replace Brendan Gaughan, who will return to NASCAR’s Camping World Truck Series full time in a Toyota fielded by Germain Racing, the organization that fields the No. 30 Toyota for truck series champion Todd Bodine.
Gaughan, 35, last raced full time in the truck series in 2008 and has eight wins in 162 starts. His best season was 2003, when he won six races and finished fourth in the standings.
Annett is completing his second full Nationwide season in Germain’s No. 15 Toyota. He finished 10th in the series last year and is 13th going into Saturday’s season finale at Homestead.
By Reid Spencer
Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service
HOMESTEAD, Fla.—Why mess with a good thing?
In NASCAR’s view, to make it better.
Even though this year’s Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup has produced a nearly ideal down-to-the-wire scenario, NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France said Friday the sanctioning body will consider changes to the format during the offseason, if changes can make the title race more exciting.
The holy grail for France is high-impact, “Game 7” moments that focus attention on the sport and generate buzz in the closing weeks of the season. That’s certainly the case this year, with Denny Hamlin, Jimmie Johnson and Kevin Harvick preparing to decide the championship in Sunday’s Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
With Hamlin leading Johnson by 15 points and Harvick by 46, the championship probably won’t be decided until the closing laps. That’s what France would like to see every year, if possible.
Asked if the success of this year’s Chase might convince NASCAR to preserve the status quo, France demurred.
“No, we will look at it,” he said. “What I like is, what I said earlier, a winner-take-all, if you will; and watching someone not just have to run well, but have to beat some other people. That is feeling to us like that's exactly what we want. And by the way, it's exactly what the drivers want. It's working out that way this year.
“Let me say this. Right now, almost every sports league, almost everyone, including the NCAA Tournament last year, is looking around at what they need to do to change their formats a little or a lot, depending on who they are, to make sure that their playoffs or their championship runs are what they want them to be. And we are no different.”
Hamlin in Johnson’s head?
For two days, Johnson has questioned Hamlin’s state of mind at every opportunity.
Asked Friday how he slept on Thursday night, Johnson replied, “I slept great. I don’t know if Denny did, but I know I did. Last night was awesome.”
Hamlin, however, suggested that Johnson’s constant mentions of Hamlin’s name might indicate that the four-time defending Cup champion was fixated on the points leader.
“If he keeps bringing up my name, he’s pretty much worried about me,” Hamlin said. “That’s all I’ll say. You’re not going to say you’re not worried and you’re relaxed and everything, but keep bringing up my name.”
Hamlin will have to make up considerable ground to see Johnson’s head, much less get inside it on Sunday. Hamlin starts 37th in the Ford 400, 31 positions behind Johnson.
Going, going, Gaughan
Rusty Wallace Racing announced Friday the hiring of Michael Annett to drive RWR’s No. 62 Toyota in the Nationwide Series next year.
Annett, 24, will replace Brendan Gaughan, who will return to NASCAR’s Camping World Truck Series full time in a Toyota fielded by Germain Racing, the organization that fields the No. 30 Toyota for truck series champion Todd Bodine.
Gaughan, 35, last raced full time in the truck series in 2008 and has eight wins in 162 starts. His best season was 2003, when he won six races and finished fourth in the standings.
Annett is completing his second full Nationwide season in Germain’s No. 15 Toyota. He finished 10th in the series last year and is 13th going into Saturday’s season finale at Homestead.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Kahne wins Homestead pole
Kahne wins Homestead pole; Hamlin will start 37th
By Reid Spencer
Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service
HOMESTEAD, Fla.—Denny Hamlin has a lot of work to do.
Immediately after Kasey Kahne posted a lap good enough to win his first Coors Light Pole Award in the No. 83 Red Bull Toyota, Denny Hamlin resigned himself to tempting fate in his quest for his first NASCAR Sprint Cup title.
Kahne (176.904 mph) and Carl Edwards (176.725 mph) will share the front row in Sunday’s season-ending Ford 400 after pacing Friday’s qualifying session at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Hamlin, who holds a 15-point lead over four-time defending champion Jimmie Johnson, will start 37th at 174.407 mph. Johnson, on the other hand, qualified sixth at 176.482 mph. Kevin Harvick, who trails Hamlin by 46 points and is the only other driver with a shot at the championship, will start 28th.
After failing to find speed during practice, Hamlin switched to Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Kyle Busch’s qualifying setup for time trials. It didn’t help.
“It was just too tight,” Hamlin said. “We didn’t improve (after the change), but our car’s going to be fine (in race trim). We know that. This is a track you can pass on. We’re looking forward to that part of it. Friday has just never been our strong suit, so we’ve got to battle back again.”
Johnson had hoped to make a run at the pole, but he was pleased with his starting position.
“We came down really well organized with scenarios we wanted to work with on the car if the handling went a certain way, and stuff worked as we had hoped, which was nice to see,” said Johnson, who can win his fifth straight title by winning Sunday and leading the most laps.
“So, I’m excited about how we’ll start the race, and then I’m also looking forward to practice tomorrow. There’s some work to do there and, we’ll get on top of things and have some fun.”
Kahne will undergo arthroscopic surgery on both knees Tuesday to correct a congenital condition. Kahne characterized the elective surgery as cleaning up the areas around his knees.
“I look forward to Sunday’s race,” said Kahne, who won his fourth pole of the season (three of which came with Richard Petty Motorsports) and the 20th of his career. “It’ll be exciting, being up front and being in the mix. Denny, Harvick and Jimmie—they’re all going to be fast throughout the race. I’m glad we are (fast) so far. I hope we can stick with it (Saturday), have a good practice and be competitive and in the mix on Sunday.”
Jamie McMurray claimed the third starting position, followed by Bill Elliott and AJ Allmendinger. Michael McDowell and Patrick Carpentier failed to qualify for the 43-car field.
By Reid Spencer
Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service
HOMESTEAD, Fla.—Denny Hamlin has a lot of work to do.
Immediately after Kasey Kahne posted a lap good enough to win his first Coors Light Pole Award in the No. 83 Red Bull Toyota, Denny Hamlin resigned himself to tempting fate in his quest for his first NASCAR Sprint Cup title.
Kahne (176.904 mph) and Carl Edwards (176.725 mph) will share the front row in Sunday’s season-ending Ford 400 after pacing Friday’s qualifying session at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Hamlin, who holds a 15-point lead over four-time defending champion Jimmie Johnson, will start 37th at 174.407 mph. Johnson, on the other hand, qualified sixth at 176.482 mph. Kevin Harvick, who trails Hamlin by 46 points and is the only other driver with a shot at the championship, will start 28th.
After failing to find speed during practice, Hamlin switched to Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Kyle Busch’s qualifying setup for time trials. It didn’t help.
“It was just too tight,” Hamlin said. “We didn’t improve (after the change), but our car’s going to be fine (in race trim). We know that. This is a track you can pass on. We’re looking forward to that part of it. Friday has just never been our strong suit, so we’ve got to battle back again.”
Johnson had hoped to make a run at the pole, but he was pleased with his starting position.
“We came down really well organized with scenarios we wanted to work with on the car if the handling went a certain way, and stuff worked as we had hoped, which was nice to see,” said Johnson, who can win his fifth straight title by winning Sunday and leading the most laps.
“So, I’m excited about how we’ll start the race, and then I’m also looking forward to practice tomorrow. There’s some work to do there and, we’ll get on top of things and have some fun.”
Kahne will undergo arthroscopic surgery on both knees Tuesday to correct a congenital condition. Kahne characterized the elective surgery as cleaning up the areas around his knees.
“I look forward to Sunday’s race,” said Kahne, who won his fourth pole of the season (three of which came with Richard Petty Motorsports) and the 20th of his career. “It’ll be exciting, being up front and being in the mix. Denny, Harvick and Jimmie—they’re all going to be fast throughout the race. I’m glad we are (fast) so far. I hope we can stick with it (Saturday), have a good practice and be competitive and in the mix on Sunday.”
Jamie McMurray claimed the third starting position, followed by Bill Elliott and AJ Allmendinger. Michael McDowell and Patrick Carpentier failed to qualify for the 43-car field.
BRIAN FRANCE :NASCAR STATEMENT-QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
BRIAN FRANCE
BRIAN FRANCE: Obviously we are very excited about coming down to the last race with a tight battle. Some observations I did want to share with you, and I've been doing this a long time, and our family has been doing this a long time.
But what's really clear to me, is when you put drivers in a position where there's a lot on the line, and they just can't have a good position, and they actually have got to go out and win or lead laps or compete high, they do it. And I think you're seeing that the last several weeks; that the best drivers all year, a whole bunch on the line, and they are dominating these races going back and forth. And I bet that's the case on Sunday.
So that tells us that the more we can do, to have incentives -- an incentive-basis and decide this championship, that puts it all on the line more often, that's what we need to be thinking about. And it's just great to see these performances. These are guys talking about: I've got to win today; I've got to get out there and I'm not looking for a good finish; I'm looking to lead every single lap and on and on and on.
That's what we want to have in the environment of this sport and the atmosphere, and so that is also a function of I think us pulling back at the beginning of the year, the 'Boys, Have At It' and so on, and letting the drivers mix it up a bit differently; not over-regulating the sport, so that certainly has played a role. And will play maybe a role on Sunday. They will mix it up. They have been mixing it up.
We are obviously very pleased about that. I know we'll talk about TV ratings or attendance and the economy, and I'll just cover some of that so we don't have to go through that in the discussions.
Obviously we would like our TV ratings on an upswing, and when they are not, we are working on all kinds of things to look and see what is a better formula for us. Clearly we moved start times back, to accommodate our race fans at the at-track experience. We did that. We also did that to uniform start times between the East Coast and the Midwest and the West Coast.
We took ourselves out of some more homes by doing that; also by switching networks on ABC to ESPN. So we did some things to try to help in one area that might have had an effect in another. So we'll be looking at all of those things in the off-season.
Obviously when we would like to do is have the kind of story lines, the kind of attention, that captures the most fans. So that goes without saying. We are working on it all the time, and that's where we are on that.
But I will say that the quality of racing, going back to the beginning of the season with the different rules packages that we put forward, primarily the spoiler, reintroducing that, has worked well. I think the fact that we are so far into the cycle of, it's not the new car anymore, it's the car; and various other little things that we did, all have come together to give us -- if this isn't the best racing we've seen in a long, long time, I think I would be very surprised to hear anybody say that it wasn't.
So with that, I'll be happy to take some questions.
Q. Brian, you said I guess in July that you would take a hard look at the Chase. Now that it's shaped up this year the way it has and you've got this finale and guys sort of eliminated themselves and you do have this winner-take-all scenario on Sunday, what do you do, do you still go into the off-season saying you have to look at this or do you leave things alone?
BRIAN FRANCE: No, we will look at it. What I like is, what I said earlier, a winner-take-all, if you will; and watching someone not just have to run well, but have to beat some other people. That is feeling to us like that's exactly what we want.
And by the way, it's exactly what the drivers want. It's working out that way this year. We are in year seven of the Chase.
Let me say this. Right almost every sports league, almost everyone, including the NCAA Tournament last year, is looking around at what they need to do to change their formats a little or a lot, depending on who they are, to make sure that their playoffs or their championship runs are what they want them to be. And we are no different.
It's that time of the year where these are the kind of questions that we get. We understand that we are going to have a championship that puts a lot on the line as it does now. That's credible, and rewards the drivers that have the biggest performances throughout the season, and whatever we might consider, we'll accomplish that.
But, hey, first thing's first. You know, we are not going to look ahead to 2011 till this weekend is concluded because this could be a very, very memorable Sunday.
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BRIAN FRANCE: Obviously we are very excited about coming down to the last race with a tight battle. Some observations I did want to share with you, and I've been doing this a long time, and our family has been doing this a long time.
But what's really clear to me, is when you put drivers in a position where there's a lot on the line, and they just can't have a good position, and they actually have got to go out and win or lead laps or compete high, they do it. And I think you're seeing that the last several weeks; that the best drivers all year, a whole bunch on the line, and they are dominating these races going back and forth. And I bet that's the case on Sunday.
So that tells us that the more we can do, to have incentives -- an incentive-basis and decide this championship, that puts it all on the line more often, that's what we need to be thinking about. And it's just great to see these performances. These are guys talking about: I've got to win today; I've got to get out there and I'm not looking for a good finish; I'm looking to lead every single lap and on and on and on.
That's what we want to have in the environment of this sport and the atmosphere, and so that is also a function of I think us pulling back at the beginning of the year, the 'Boys, Have At It' and so on, and letting the drivers mix it up a bit differently; not over-regulating the sport, so that certainly has played a role. And will play maybe a role on Sunday. They will mix it up. They have been mixing it up.
We are obviously very pleased about that. I know we'll talk about TV ratings or attendance and the economy, and I'll just cover some of that so we don't have to go through that in the discussions.
Obviously we would like our TV ratings on an upswing, and when they are not, we are working on all kinds of things to look and see what is a better formula for us. Clearly we moved start times back, to accommodate our race fans at the at-track experience. We did that. We also did that to uniform start times between the East Coast and the Midwest and the West Coast.
We took ourselves out of some more homes by doing that; also by switching networks on ABC to ESPN. So we did some things to try to help in one area that might have had an effect in another. So we'll be looking at all of those things in the off-season.
Obviously when we would like to do is have the kind of story lines, the kind of attention, that captures the most fans. So that goes without saying. We are working on it all the time, and that's where we are on that.
But I will say that the quality of racing, going back to the beginning of the season with the different rules packages that we put forward, primarily the spoiler, reintroducing that, has worked well. I think the fact that we are so far into the cycle of, it's not the new car anymore, it's the car; and various other little things that we did, all have come together to give us -- if this isn't the best racing we've seen in a long, long time, I think I would be very surprised to hear anybody say that it wasn't.
So with that, I'll be happy to take some questions.
Q. Brian, you said I guess in July that you would take a hard look at the Chase. Now that it's shaped up this year the way it has and you've got this finale and guys sort of eliminated themselves and you do have this winner-take-all scenario on Sunday, what do you do, do you still go into the off-season saying you have to look at this or do you leave things alone?
BRIAN FRANCE: No, we will look at it. What I like is, what I said earlier, a winner-take-all, if you will; and watching someone not just have to run well, but have to beat some other people. That is feeling to us like that's exactly what we want.
And by the way, it's exactly what the drivers want. It's working out that way this year. We are in year seven of the Chase.
Let me say this. Right almost every sports league, almost everyone, including the NCAA Tournament last year, is looking around at what they need to do to change their formats a little or a lot, depending on who they are, to make sure that their playoffs or their championship runs are what they want them to be. And we are no different.
It's that time of the year where these are the kind of questions that we get. We understand that we are going to have a championship that puts a lot on the line as it does now. That's credible, and rewards the drivers that have the biggest performances throughout the season, and whatever we might consider, we'll accomplish that.
But, hey, first thing's first. You know, we are not going to look ahead to 2011 till this weekend is concluded because this could be a very, very memorable Sunday.
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Top 5 and 5 to watch: Homestead
Top 5 and 5 to watch: Homestead
1. Denny Hamlin, 94.7 driver rating. The intangible with Hamlin is whether he can put last week's disappointing finish at Phoenix behind him. He leads Jimmie Johnson by 15 points and Kevin Harvick by 46. It's a battle royal among the three. Hamlin won this race last year and has three top fives among his five starts. What's so odd about Hamlin at Homestead is his rotten qualifying runs. His average start is 34.0 with a best of 25th. On the other hand, starting 38th last year didn't seem to be a problem. But does he really want to start so deep in the field in such an important race? Doubtful.
2. Jimmie Johnson, 92.9. A knock on Johnson is that he has never won at Homestead. That's hollow criticism because in his nine starts, he hasn't had to win there in the past four. He has three top fives and six top 10s. His one DNF, for a crash in 2005, was simply a matter of Johnson pushing his car to the limit to try to win the Chase. If he had run a normal Johnson race, that 40th-place finish likely would have been another top 10, if not a top five.
3. Kevin Harvick, 101.1. Harvick's odds are pretty long, so he has to go all-in Sunday. Unless Hamlin and Johnson get knocked out early, Harvick needs to win, lead the most laps and hope for the best. And even that might not be enough. He has four top fives in nine starts. Look for Harvick to charge to the front, through people if someone is holding him up. “Boys, have at it” has been mostly about retribution this year. But what happens if Harvick “has at it” while on the offensive?
4. Carl Edwards, 111.0. Edwards snapped his 70-race winless drought a week before most people figured he would. He has a 6.5 average finish at Homestead with a win, three top fives and five top 10s in six starts. His previous victory before last week at Phoenix was at Homestead in 2008. If anyone is a candidate for max points at Homestead , it's Edwards. He will give no quarter Sunday to the top three.
5. Matt Kenseth, 105.3. Kenseth won this race in 2007 for his second top five. He finished seventh last week and second the week before, so he is coming on at the end of the season. Kenseth hasn't won since the second race of the 2009 season and should have a car that can snap his 69-race drought.
Five to watch:
6. Jeff Gordon, 95.1. Sunday is Gordon's last chance to get his first win since April 2009. If Gordon is in the mix at the end, it'll be interesting to see how he plays it should Johnson need some help in the closing laps. Shoot, the guy already gave Johnson his pit crew, what more can the 48 team want? Right? Gordon is winless at Homestead but has nine top 10s in 11 starts, including five top fives.
8. Greg Biffle, 99.0. Biffle is part of the strong Roush Fenway Racing contingent that has won six of the 11 Homestead races. Biffle won three in a row (2004-06) to lead the way (Kenseth, Edwards and Kurt Busch have the other victories). Biffle, like all the Roush drivers, is showing late-season strength. He has top fives the past two weeks.
13. Mark Martin, 91.9. Martin is 24 points ahead of Jamie McMurray for the top spot outside the Chase. Martin is working on a 2010 streak of back-to-back top 10s and four in the past six races. In fact, Martin hasn't finished worse than 14th in the past eight races. Four of Martin's five top 10s at Homestead are top fives. He is winless in 2010, so you know what will be on his mind Sunday.
14. Jamie McMurray, 75.5. Two drivers will feel like winners this offseason: the Chase champion and Jamie McMurray, who won the Daytona 500, Brickyard 400 and the fall race at Charlotte. McMurray missed the Chase, but what a season he has had. And if he closes it with a win at Homestead , it'll be a tangible reminder to everyone that you still can be on top of the world when you're not in the Chase. McMurray has three top 10s at Homestead including his only top five, a third, in 2008.
16. Joey Logano, 64.0. Logano will feel good about his season, too. Just not at the level of the champ and McMurray. But the way he is finishing the season is really building his confidence for 2011. In the past five races, Logano has finished 7th, 6th, 5th, 4th and 3rd. He finished 24th last year in his first start. If he finishes second Sunday, the winner of the first race of 2011, the Daytona 500, will be revealed.
By Bill Marx
Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service
1. Denny Hamlin, 94.7 driver rating. The intangible with Hamlin is whether he can put last week's disappointing finish at Phoenix behind him. He leads Jimmie Johnson by 15 points and Kevin Harvick by 46. It's a battle royal among the three. Hamlin won this race last year and has three top fives among his five starts. What's so odd about Hamlin at Homestead is his rotten qualifying runs. His average start is 34.0 with a best of 25th. On the other hand, starting 38th last year didn't seem to be a problem. But does he really want to start so deep in the field in such an important race? Doubtful.
2. Jimmie Johnson, 92.9. A knock on Johnson is that he has never won at Homestead. That's hollow criticism because in his nine starts, he hasn't had to win there in the past four. He has three top fives and six top 10s. His one DNF, for a crash in 2005, was simply a matter of Johnson pushing his car to the limit to try to win the Chase. If he had run a normal Johnson race, that 40th-place finish likely would have been another top 10, if not a top five.
3. Kevin Harvick, 101.1. Harvick's odds are pretty long, so he has to go all-in Sunday. Unless Hamlin and Johnson get knocked out early, Harvick needs to win, lead the most laps and hope for the best. And even that might not be enough. He has four top fives in nine starts. Look for Harvick to charge to the front, through people if someone is holding him up. “Boys, have at it” has been mostly about retribution this year. But what happens if Harvick “has at it” while on the offensive?
4. Carl Edwards, 111.0. Edwards snapped his 70-race winless drought a week before most people figured he would. He has a 6.5 average finish at Homestead with a win, three top fives and five top 10s in six starts. His previous victory before last week at Phoenix was at Homestead in 2008. If anyone is a candidate for max points at Homestead , it's Edwards. He will give no quarter Sunday to the top three.
5. Matt Kenseth, 105.3. Kenseth won this race in 2007 for his second top five. He finished seventh last week and second the week before, so he is coming on at the end of the season. Kenseth hasn't won since the second race of the 2009 season and should have a car that can snap his 69-race drought.
Five to watch:
6. Jeff Gordon, 95.1. Sunday is Gordon's last chance to get his first win since April 2009. If Gordon is in the mix at the end, it'll be interesting to see how he plays it should Johnson need some help in the closing laps. Shoot, the guy already gave Johnson his pit crew, what more can the 48 team want? Right? Gordon is winless at Homestead but has nine top 10s in 11 starts, including five top fives.
8. Greg Biffle, 99.0. Biffle is part of the strong Roush Fenway Racing contingent that has won six of the 11 Homestead races. Biffle won three in a row (2004-06) to lead the way (Kenseth, Edwards and Kurt Busch have the other victories). Biffle, like all the Roush drivers, is showing late-season strength. He has top fives the past two weeks.
13. Mark Martin, 91.9. Martin is 24 points ahead of Jamie McMurray for the top spot outside the Chase. Martin is working on a 2010 streak of back-to-back top 10s and four in the past six races. In fact, Martin hasn't finished worse than 14th in the past eight races. Four of Martin's five top 10s at Homestead are top fives. He is winless in 2010, so you know what will be on his mind Sunday.
14. Jamie McMurray, 75.5. Two drivers will feel like winners this offseason: the Chase champion and Jamie McMurray, who won the Daytona 500, Brickyard 400 and the fall race at Charlotte. McMurray missed the Chase, but what a season he has had. And if he closes it with a win at Homestead , it'll be a tangible reminder to everyone that you still can be on top of the world when you're not in the Chase. McMurray has three top 10s at Homestead including his only top five, a third, in 2008.
16. Joey Logano, 64.0. Logano will feel good about his season, too. Just not at the level of the champ and McMurray. But the way he is finishing the season is really building his confidence for 2011. In the past five races, Logano has finished 7th, 6th, 5th, 4th and 3rd. He finished 24th last year in his first start. If he finishes second Sunday, the winner of the first race of 2011, the Daytona 500, will be revealed.
By Bill Marx
Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service
Homestead may be winner-take-all affair
Homestead may be winner-take-all affair
By Jim Pedley
Special to Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service
The stats, the intangibles and the contenders' words all seem to suggest that his weekend's season-ending Ford 400 has shaken out as a winner-take-all race.
Win at Homestead-Miami Speedway, probably win the championship.
"As far as I'm concerned, it's going to take a win" to become champion, driver Denny Hamlin insisted this week.
Theoretically, Hamlin is the guy who should be least concerned about winning. He will start Sunday's race as points leader.
But that lead—which was 33 points a week ago—is just 15 points this week. It is the slimmest lead in the seven-year history of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup with one race to go. And if that isn't ominous enough, four-time defending champion Jimmie Johnson is the person right behind.
Thirty-one points behind Johnson is Kevin Harvick. A victory by Harvick on Sunday and burps by Hamlin and Johnson, and team owner Richard Childress could be kissing the big silver trophy in Homestead .
Concerned? You better believe Hamlin, an eight-race winner this year, is concerned.
"I hate that it boils down to the final race, but that's what fans love and things like that," he said. "I felt like we've been the best car over this Chase and we might not win it."
Stats provide good news for all three contenders.
Hamlin won Homestead a year ago, leading 71 laps. He has three podium finishes in five starts there and will be in the car which won Texas two weeks ago.
"If you look at stats, yes, it's good," Hamlin said. "It looks good for us. If you look at history, it looks good for us."
Homestead is one of the four current Cup tracks where Johnson has not won. But it's not like he's stunk, either. He has two poles—which are big in tight title chases—and six top 10s with 71 laps led. And brother does he want to win at Homestead .
A come-from-behind championship, he said, "Would probably be received better than the ones in the past, with the runaway show we've had on a couple of them. I don't care how I win it. However we win it, that's cool. I would love to come back and win from behind and eliminate that stat because that seems to be the only thing that everyone talks about right now."
Harvick's Homestead numbers are best of three. Though he has never won there, his average finish is in nine starts is 8.4. That is 2.2 places better than Hamlin and 4.3 better than Johnson.
Perhaps the best number for Harvick, oddly enough, is 46—the points between him and the lead.
"We have a great racetrack for us," Harvick said, "and we have nothing to lose and everything to gain. There's really nothing else that matters at this point. Just throw it all out there, and if it gets rough, it gets rough. If it doesn't, then we just go race and see where it all falls in the end. It's still a no-pressure, no-lose situation for us, and I like it."
While Hamlin, Johnson and Harvick are all arriving at Homestead with different histories and from different angles, they also will all be coming at with a shared mindset: The winner takes all on Sunday.
"That's the mentality I'm going to have next week, is to win the race," Hamlin said. "Full-court press will be on. It will be one of those things where you'll probably see me as aggressive as I've been all year."
By Jim Pedley
Special to Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service
The stats, the intangibles and the contenders' words all seem to suggest that his weekend's season-ending Ford 400 has shaken out as a winner-take-all race.
Win at Homestead-Miami Speedway, probably win the championship.
"As far as I'm concerned, it's going to take a win" to become champion, driver Denny Hamlin insisted this week.
Theoretically, Hamlin is the guy who should be least concerned about winning. He will start Sunday's race as points leader.
But that lead—which was 33 points a week ago—is just 15 points this week. It is the slimmest lead in the seven-year history of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup with one race to go. And if that isn't ominous enough, four-time defending champion Jimmie Johnson is the person right behind.
Thirty-one points behind Johnson is Kevin Harvick. A victory by Harvick on Sunday and burps by Hamlin and Johnson, and team owner Richard Childress could be kissing the big silver trophy in Homestead .
Concerned? You better believe Hamlin, an eight-race winner this year, is concerned.
"I hate that it boils down to the final race, but that's what fans love and things like that," he said. "I felt like we've been the best car over this Chase and we might not win it."
Stats provide good news for all three contenders.
Hamlin won Homestead a year ago, leading 71 laps. He has three podium finishes in five starts there and will be in the car which won Texas two weeks ago.
"If you look at stats, yes, it's good," Hamlin said. "It looks good for us. If you look at history, it looks good for us."
Homestead is one of the four current Cup tracks where Johnson has not won. But it's not like he's stunk, either. He has two poles—which are big in tight title chases—and six top 10s with 71 laps led. And brother does he want to win at Homestead .
A come-from-behind championship, he said, "Would probably be received better than the ones in the past, with the runaway show we've had on a couple of them. I don't care how I win it. However we win it, that's cool. I would love to come back and win from behind and eliminate that stat because that seems to be the only thing that everyone talks about right now."
Harvick's Homestead numbers are best of three. Though he has never won there, his average finish is in nine starts is 8.4. That is 2.2 places better than Hamlin and 4.3 better than Johnson.
Perhaps the best number for Harvick, oddly enough, is 46—the points between him and the lead.
"We have a great racetrack for us," Harvick said, "and we have nothing to lose and everything to gain. There's really nothing else that matters at this point. Just throw it all out there, and if it gets rough, it gets rough. If it doesn't, then we just go race and see where it all falls in the end. It's still a no-pressure, no-lose situation for us, and I like it."
While Hamlin, Johnson and Harvick are all arriving at Homestead with different histories and from different angles, they also will all be coming at with a shared mindset: The winner takes all on Sunday.
"That's the mentality I'm going to have next week, is to win the race," Hamlin said. "Full-court press will be on. It will be one of those things where you'll probably see me as aggressive as I've been all year."
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Chase press conference turns feisty,
Chase press conference turns feisty
In a departure from the norm of the last few years, the three drivers left standing in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup—each of whom drives for a different team—used Thursday's question-and-answer session at the Hyatt Regency for their own purposes, namely to play mind games with each other.
Four-time defending champion Jimmie Johnson acknowledged that this press conference had a completely different tenor.
"It changes the dynamics," Johnson said. "We all drive for three different teams. All have dreams of being champions for various different reasons. … This year has been very exciting for our sport. There's been plenty of comments and stuff flying around from all angles, doesn't matter if it's drivers, crew chiefs, it's come from everywhere.
"It's good for our sport. I think it's something we all recognize as well. You got to have thick skin if you're going to be a pro athlete, especially in NASCAR, (with) all the opportunities we have to get at one another. … It's good to have this banter; it's good to have this stuff. We're all having fun with it, making the most of it. Not just us three, but through the whole field."
Hamlin, who leads Johnson by 15 points and Harvick by 46 entering Sunday's Ford 400 season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway, said the first part of the press conference was "the most awkward 30 minutes I've ever been through." Hamlin sat between Johnson and Harvick on the dais and was the object of most of the early sniping.
Johnson, who came to Homestead with the points lead in each of his four championship seasons, used his newfound status as an underdog to his advantage.
"For us, I mean, we have nothing to lose," Johnson said. Turning toward Hamlin, he added, "This guy does. …"
"When you're defending, you mind starts to change, and you start to think about the 'what ifs.' When you're chasing, it's more about 'What do I need to do?' It's been a more relaxed week for me, even though I'm down 15 points, than I've ever experienced before."
Hamlin insisted he has put last week's strategic misstep behind him. At Phoenix , Hamlin's team failed to take into account that other drivers—particularly Johnson and Harvick—might try to stretch their fuel mileage to the end of the race from pit stops on Laps 224 and 235 of 312, respectively. Hamlin came to pit road for fuel and two tires on Lap 298, finished 12th and lost a chance to open a significant lead heading to Homestead .
Instead, he lost ground to Johnson and Harvick, who finished fifth and sixth, respectively. Hamlin pounded his dashboard in frustration, and on Thursday, showed off a scab where his knuckles had bled.
"For me, when I said I was leaving Phoenix , I left Phoenix , (and) it was over with—it was," Hamlin insisted.
Harvick and Johnson, however, weren't about to let the points leader forget about it.
"I hope they put that same carburetor on your car Sunday," Harvick said.
"They won't," Hamlin replied.
"Hopefully, it's one that's worse," Johnson chimed in.
Though all three drivers took part in the banter, Sunday's race will be serious business, with a championship on the line. Hamlin can win outright by finishing second and leading the most laps. Johnson can win his fifth straight title by winning the race and leading the most laps.
Harvick needs help from both his rivals but said he was prepared to do whatever it takes to secure the seventh Cup championship—and first since 1994—for Richard Childress Racing.
"Obviously, you want to outrun the other teams, and you want to do it as fair as you can," Harvick said. "I think, if it comes down to the end, I'll sleep fine. I'll do whatever I have to do."
In a departure from the norm of the last few years, the three drivers left standing in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup—each of whom drives for a different team—used Thursday's question-and-answer session at the Hyatt Regency for their own purposes, namely to play mind games with each other.
Four-time defending champion Jimmie Johnson acknowledged that this press conference had a completely different tenor.
"It changes the dynamics," Johnson said. "We all drive for three different teams. All have dreams of being champions for various different reasons. … This year has been very exciting for our sport. There's been plenty of comments and stuff flying around from all angles, doesn't matter if it's drivers, crew chiefs, it's come from everywhere.
"It's good for our sport. I think it's something we all recognize as well. You got to have thick skin if you're going to be a pro athlete, especially in NASCAR, (with) all the opportunities we have to get at one another. … It's good to have this banter; it's good to have this stuff. We're all having fun with it, making the most of it. Not just us three, but through the whole field."
Hamlin, who leads Johnson by 15 points and Harvick by 46 entering Sunday's Ford 400 season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway, said the first part of the press conference was "the most awkward 30 minutes I've ever been through." Hamlin sat between Johnson and Harvick on the dais and was the object of most of the early sniping.
Johnson, who came to Homestead with the points lead in each of his four championship seasons, used his newfound status as an underdog to his advantage.
"For us, I mean, we have nothing to lose," Johnson said. Turning toward Hamlin, he added, "This guy does. …"
"When you're defending, you mind starts to change, and you start to think about the 'what ifs.' When you're chasing, it's more about 'What do I need to do?' It's been a more relaxed week for me, even though I'm down 15 points, than I've ever experienced before."
Hamlin insisted he has put last week's strategic misstep behind him. At Phoenix , Hamlin's team failed to take into account that other drivers—particularly Johnson and Harvick—might try to stretch their fuel mileage to the end of the race from pit stops on Laps 224 and 235 of 312, respectively. Hamlin came to pit road for fuel and two tires on Lap 298, finished 12th and lost a chance to open a significant lead heading to Homestead .
Instead, he lost ground to Johnson and Harvick, who finished fifth and sixth, respectively. Hamlin pounded his dashboard in frustration, and on Thursday, showed off a scab where his knuckles had bled.
"For me, when I said I was leaving Phoenix , I left Phoenix , (and) it was over with—it was," Hamlin insisted.
Harvick and Johnson, however, weren't about to let the points leader forget about it.
"I hope they put that same carburetor on your car Sunday," Harvick said.
"They won't," Hamlin replied.
"Hopefully, it's one that's worse," Johnson chimed in.
Though all three drivers took part in the banter, Sunday's race will be serious business, with a championship on the line. Hamlin can win outright by finishing second and leading the most laps. Johnson can win his fifth straight title by winning the race and leading the most laps.
Harvick needs help from both his rivals but said he was prepared to do whatever it takes to secure the seventh Cup championship—and first since 1994—for Richard Childress Racing.
"Obviously, you want to outrun the other teams, and you want to do it as fair as you can," Harvick said. "I think, if it comes down to the end, I'll sleep fine. I'll do whatever I have to do."
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
NASCAR NEWS
Last race in the #2 for Busch: Miller Lite Dodge driver Kurt Busch will be making his final drive behind the wheel of the famous #2 "Blue Deuce" Penske Racing machine this weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway. He certainly wants to end that five-year run with a bang. "It will be the final race for me behind the wheel of the Miller Lite Dodge," said Busch. "We've had a great run in the 'Blue Deuce' over the last five seasons and would love to score another win and celebrate with some Miller Lites there in Victory Lane on Sunday."(Tom Roberts PR), in 2011, Busch moves to Penske's #22 Pennzoil Dodge and Brad Keselwoski will take over the #2 Miller Lite ride
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Gibbs has spoken to Busch: Joe Gibbs told Sirius NASCAR Radio's Sirius Speedway with Dave Moody that he has spoken with Kyle Busch about the profanity laced tirade at Texas Motor Speedway that resulted in Busch being fined $25,000 and placed on NASCAR probation for the remainder of 2010. "(Kyle) gets so uptight that every now and then, he makes mistakes," said Gibbs. "We've got to do everything we can here inside Joe Gibbs Racing to make sure that doesn't happen. That's what we're totally focused on. We've got a plan laid out, and Kyle has agreed to do the things he needs to do& to ensure that we don't put ourselves in that position again. We think he's a huge talent; a smart, bright guy that we enjoy being around. His whole life is Sam (his fiancée)& and racing. There are no issues with him running around drinking or anything. He doesn't care about any of that. He's totally focused, and all he wants to do is race cars. (Unfortunately) he gets so wound up at the race track that it's hard for him to handle some of the things he needs to handle. We love his competitive nature, but he just needs to learn to handle things better." Gibbs declined to speak specifically on what discussions have been had, or what guidelines have been put in place regarding Busch's future behavior. He stressed, however, that all parties agree that incidents like his recent outburst at Texas Motor Speedway cannot continue to occur. "(It) was not good for us at Joe Gibbs Racing, and it certainly wasn't good for our sponsor," he said. "We feel like there was a plan that we had to put out there, to assure that this doesn't happen again. We're going to keep that in-house, but it's something that we think is smart, and Kyle does too. He realizes where he is, and that's a great part of this. We just have to make sure it doesn't happen again."(Sirius Speedway)
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Dale Jr.'s crew chief status an offseason decision: Dale Earnhardt Jr. doesn't want to think about personnel issues with his #88 team until the end of the season. That includes a decision about the status of crew chief Lance McGrew
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The owners behind the three drivers remaining in this year's championship hunt are all NASCAR royalty, with a combined 18 championships at the sport's highest level. Gibbs owns three, two with Tony Stewart and one with Bobby Labonte. Richard Childress has six, all with Dale Earnhardt, the most recent coming in 1994. And Rick Hendrick holds nine, one with Terry Labonte, four with Jeff Gordon and four with Jimmie Johnson, who is trying to win his fifth consecutive crown.
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TV ratings have declined from 2009 in the first nine races of the Chase (including a 24% drop for Sunday's race at Phoenix International Raceway), and attendance (according to NASCAR estimates) has been down for seven races and flat in the other two.
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Gibbs, trying to become the first car owner to win the championship for a foreign manufacturer (Toyota), says his driver and his team have matured this season, making his biggest fear a "broken part or broken piece."
"I hope it comes down to what happens on the track," he said; "May the best man win (with) all three cars having at it."
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Gibbs has spoken to Busch: Joe Gibbs told Sirius NASCAR Radio's Sirius Speedway with Dave Moody that he has spoken with Kyle Busch about the profanity laced tirade at Texas Motor Speedway that resulted in Busch being fined $25,000 and placed on NASCAR probation for the remainder of 2010. "(Kyle) gets so uptight that every now and then, he makes mistakes," said Gibbs. "We've got to do everything we can here inside Joe Gibbs Racing to make sure that doesn't happen. That's what we're totally focused on. We've got a plan laid out, and Kyle has agreed to do the things he needs to do& to ensure that we don't put ourselves in that position again. We think he's a huge talent; a smart, bright guy that we enjoy being around. His whole life is Sam (his fiancée)& and racing. There are no issues with him running around drinking or anything. He doesn't care about any of that. He's totally focused, and all he wants to do is race cars. (Unfortunately) he gets so wound up at the race track that it's hard for him to handle some of the things he needs to handle. We love his competitive nature, but he just needs to learn to handle things better." Gibbs declined to speak specifically on what discussions have been had, or what guidelines have been put in place regarding Busch's future behavior. He stressed, however, that all parties agree that incidents like his recent outburst at Texas Motor Speedway cannot continue to occur. "(It) was not good for us at Joe Gibbs Racing, and it certainly wasn't good for our sponsor," he said. "We feel like there was a plan that we had to put out there, to assure that this doesn't happen again. We're going to keep that in-house, but it's something that we think is smart, and Kyle does too. He realizes where he is, and that's a great part of this. We just have to make sure it doesn't happen again."(Sirius Speedway)
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Dale Jr.'s crew chief status an offseason decision: Dale Earnhardt Jr. doesn't want to think about personnel issues with his #88 team until the end of the season. That includes a decision about the status of crew chief Lance McGrew
-----------------------------
The owners behind the three drivers remaining in this year's championship hunt are all NASCAR royalty, with a combined 18 championships at the sport's highest level. Gibbs owns three, two with Tony Stewart and one with Bobby Labonte. Richard Childress has six, all with Dale Earnhardt, the most recent coming in 1994. And Rick Hendrick holds nine, one with Terry Labonte, four with Jeff Gordon and four with Jimmie Johnson, who is trying to win his fifth consecutive crown.
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TV ratings have declined from 2009 in the first nine races of the Chase (including a 24% drop for Sunday's race at Phoenix International Raceway), and attendance (according to NASCAR estimates) has been down for seven races and flat in the other two.
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Gibbs, trying to become the first car owner to win the championship for a foreign manufacturer (Toyota), says his driver and his team have matured this season, making his biggest fear a "broken part or broken piece."
"I hope it comes down to what happens on the track," he said; "May the best man win (with) all three cars having at it."
Three-wide: What to look for in Sunday's Ford 400
Three-wide: What to look for in Sunday's Ford 400
1. A Hamlin recovery? Denny Hamlin was shell shocked by last Sunday's failure to anticipate the fuel-mileage strategy of Jimmie Johnson, his closest pursuer in the Chase. What started as a coronation for Hamlin ended with the Chase very much in doubt. Hamlin vowed to put Phoenix behind him. On Sunday, we'll see if he can.
2. Teammates in the mix. Hamlin, Johnson and Kevin Harvick—the only three drivers who can win the Cup title—won't be the only drivers on the track Sunday (though that might be an interesting way to decide the championship). Of the 40 other guys out there, some will be teammates, some will be friends and some will be drivers with scores to settle. In other words, you can expect the actions of the noncontenders to affect the championship battle.
3. Roush resurgence. Owner Jack Roush characterized his organization as "too late smart," but there's no denying the Roush Fenway Fords have found something lately. A battle for the win between Greg Biffle and Carl Edwards wouldn't be a surprise at all. — Reid Spencer, Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service
Past winners of Chase races at Homestead
2004: Greg Biffle
2005: Greg Biffle
2006: Greg Biffle
2007: Matt Kenseth
2008: Carl Edwards
2009: Denny Hamlin
The last time around: Johnson grabs fourth straight title; Hamlin wins race
November 22, 2009: "How 'bout some history?!" Jimmie Johnson shouted as he crossed the finish line at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
No, Johnson didn't win Sunday's Ford 400. Denny Hamlin did. But Johnson accomplished something far more significant than a victory in a single event. His fifth-place finish was more than good enough to clinch his fourth straight Sprint Cup Series title, breaking a tie with Cale Yarborough for most consecutive championships.
History, boys," Johnson continued. "No one ever—ever! I don't know how to thank you guys. Thank you so much."
Johnson's title run also completed Hendrick Motorsports' sweep of the top three positions in the final standings, the first time an organization has achieved that distinction. In winning his fourth Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, Johnson finished 141 points ahead of Mark Martin, who entered Sunday's race 108 points behind his teammate and finished 12th.
Jeff Gordon secured a third-place finish in the points with a sixth-place run.
All but lost in the hoopla surrounding Johnson's record run was Hamlin's fourth victory of the season and his second in the Chase. Surging into the lead after a restart on Lap 222 of 267, Hamlin crossed the stripe 2.632 seconds ahead of Jeff Burton, who posted his second straight runner-up finish and his fourth straight top 10.
Burton 's Richard Childress Racing teammate, Kevin Harvick, ran third, and Kurt Busch locked up fourth in the Chase standings with a fourth-place finish. — Reid Spencer
1. A Hamlin recovery? Denny Hamlin was shell shocked by last Sunday's failure to anticipate the fuel-mileage strategy of Jimmie Johnson, his closest pursuer in the Chase. What started as a coronation for Hamlin ended with the Chase very much in doubt. Hamlin vowed to put Phoenix behind him. On Sunday, we'll see if he can.
2. Teammates in the mix. Hamlin, Johnson and Kevin Harvick—the only three drivers who can win the Cup title—won't be the only drivers on the track Sunday (though that might be an interesting way to decide the championship). Of the 40 other guys out there, some will be teammates, some will be friends and some will be drivers with scores to settle. In other words, you can expect the actions of the noncontenders to affect the championship battle.
3. Roush resurgence. Owner Jack Roush characterized his organization as "too late smart," but there's no denying the Roush Fenway Fords have found something lately. A battle for the win between Greg Biffle and Carl Edwards wouldn't be a surprise at all. — Reid Spencer, Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service
Past winners of Chase races at Homestead
2004: Greg Biffle
2005: Greg Biffle
2006: Greg Biffle
2007: Matt Kenseth
2008: Carl Edwards
2009: Denny Hamlin
The last time around: Johnson grabs fourth straight title; Hamlin wins race
November 22, 2009: "How 'bout some history?!" Jimmie Johnson shouted as he crossed the finish line at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
No, Johnson didn't win Sunday's Ford 400. Denny Hamlin did. But Johnson accomplished something far more significant than a victory in a single event. His fifth-place finish was more than good enough to clinch his fourth straight Sprint Cup Series title, breaking a tie with Cale Yarborough for most consecutive championships.
History, boys," Johnson continued. "No one ever—ever! I don't know how to thank you guys. Thank you so much."
Johnson's title run also completed Hendrick Motorsports' sweep of the top three positions in the final standings, the first time an organization has achieved that distinction. In winning his fourth Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, Johnson finished 141 points ahead of Mark Martin, who entered Sunday's race 108 points behind his teammate and finished 12th.
Jeff Gordon secured a third-place finish in the points with a sixth-place run.
All but lost in the hoopla surrounding Johnson's record run was Hamlin's fourth victory of the season and his second in the Chase. Surging into the lead after a restart on Lap 222 of 267, Hamlin crossed the stripe 2.632 seconds ahead of Jeff Burton, who posted his second straight runner-up finish and his fourth straight top 10.
Burton 's Richard Childress Racing teammate, Kevin Harvick, ran third, and Kurt Busch locked up fourth in the Chase standings with a fourth-place finish. — Reid Spencer
The drama being what it is, this Sunday will be lap-by-lap must-watch.
After a grueling 35 races – not to mention a couple of special non-points events – this Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season finale promises to be the perfect ending to a fascinating, storyline-rich year.
Only 15 points separate the top two drivers – Denny Hamlin and Jimmie Johnson – in the closest points battle in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup’s seven-year history. But don’t forget about Kevin Harvick, who’s only 46 points out.
The drama being what it is, this Sunday will be lap-by-lap must-watch.
The NASCAR Nationwide Series has its season finale as well – the Ford 300. Brad Keselowski locked up the driver’s championship a couple weeks ago, but the owner’s title is still TBD.
Todd Bodine clinched his second-career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series title, and now looks to unify the driver’s and owner’s championships in the series-finale Ford 200. His No. 30 Germain Racing Toyota trails the No. 18 Kyle Busch Motorsports Toyota by 120 points.
NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES
Who Will Be Crowned King?
The three candidates still eligible for the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series title – Denny Hamlin, Jimmie Johnson and Kevin Harvick – have proven their championship mettle in 2010. After all, the three have combined to lead the points after 34 of the 35 races. A quick breakdown of the trio: Denny Hamlin: The only driver who controls his own destiny, Hamlin would guarantee himself the title with a either a win or a runner-up finish while leading the most laps. That would clinch the title, regardless of what either Johnson or Harvick do.
It would be a fitting capper to a gutsy season. Hamlin had knee surgery earlier this season, just a couple days after winning at Martinsville Speedway. He has a series-high eight victories, which is guaranteed to be the most of any driver in 2010.
The defending champion at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Hamlin has three top fives and a Driver Rating of 94.7 in five starts at the South Florida track.
Jimmie Johnson: Of the three, Johnson is the one driver who knows the pressure of a championship finale. Looking for his fifth consecutive title, Johnson cannot clinch with a win alone. He’ll need some help. Also, history isn’t exactly behind him. Since the inception of the current point system in 1975, only two drivers have overcome a deficit in the season finale to win the championship: Richard Petty in 1979 and Alan Kulwicki in 1992.
Johnson, owner of six wins this season, led the points after five of the nine Chase races. He had gone into the season finale as the points leader in all four of his championship seasons.
At Homestead, Johnson has six top 10s in nine races.
Kevin Harvick: Harvick has more top 10s than any other driver (25), and has been the series’ most consistent driver all season long. He led the points after 20 of 26 races during the regular season.
No matter what happens Sunday, Harvick will have a career-best points finish. His previous best was fourth, in 2006 and 2008.
Harvick has plenty of reason for optimism. His statistics at Homestead outshine both Hamlin and Johnson: four top fives, seven top 10s, a Driver Rating of 101.1 and an average finish of 8.4.
Crew Chiefs Playing Vital Role
More than any season in recent memory, the crew chiefs have grabbed headlines. Mike Ford (Denny Hamlin’s crew chief), Chad Knaus (Jimmie Johnson’s crew chief) and Gil Martin (Kevin Harvick’s crew chief) Ford, who stirred up some controversy with his quotes about the 48/24 pit crew swap, has two wins at Homestead (with Hamlin last season, and Bill Elliott in 2001).
If Johnson makes the comeback, it would be Knaus’ fifth title, which would rank second all-time among crew chiefs, behind NASCAR Hall of Fame nominee Dale Inman’s eight.
Martin joined Harvick in the middle of last season, and the two quickly jelled to become the most consistent team of 2010.
Gordon, Logano, Roush Fenway Among Spoiler List
Though most eyes on the will be on the championship trio, there is a race to be won, by the way.
And historically, a spoiler will win it. The last time the champion won the season finale was Jeff Gordon in 1998.
Jeff Gordon, Joey Logano and any member of the Roush Fenway Racing stable are definite possibilities.
The most intriguing is Gordon, who is looking to break a career-long 64-race winless drought. Homestead remains his lone winless track. If he does win Sunday, he’ll become the first driver to win at every track at which the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series currently races.
Logano, fast becoming a favorite to land a spot in the 2011 Chase, has five consecutive top-10 finishes and three consecutive top fives. He finished 24th at Homestead last year, his lone race there.
With six wins at Homestead, Roush Fenway leads all teams in victories at the 1.5-mile track. Winners of five of the last six races at Homestead, Roush Fenway has sent four different drivers to Victory Lane: Kurt Busch, Greg Biffle (three times), Matt Kenseth and Carl Edwards.
Top 10; Spot At Las Vegas Awards Ceremony Still In Question
The top 10 drivers will be honored at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony in Las Vegas on Dec. 3. And right now, that key 10th-place spot is in question.
A scant five points separates 11th-place Clint Bowyer and 10th-place Kurt Busch. Busch won at Homestead in 2002. Bowyer’s best Homestead finish was fifth in 2008.
Only 15 points separate the top two drivers – Denny Hamlin and Jimmie Johnson – in the closest points battle in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup’s seven-year history. But don’t forget about Kevin Harvick, who’s only 46 points out.
The drama being what it is, this Sunday will be lap-by-lap must-watch.
The NASCAR Nationwide Series has its season finale as well – the Ford 300. Brad Keselowski locked up the driver’s championship a couple weeks ago, but the owner’s title is still TBD.
Todd Bodine clinched his second-career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series title, and now looks to unify the driver’s and owner’s championships in the series-finale Ford 200. His No. 30 Germain Racing Toyota trails the No. 18 Kyle Busch Motorsports Toyota by 120 points.
NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES
Who Will Be Crowned King?
The three candidates still eligible for the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series title – Denny Hamlin, Jimmie Johnson and Kevin Harvick – have proven their championship mettle in 2010. After all, the three have combined to lead the points after 34 of the 35 races. A quick breakdown of the trio: Denny Hamlin: The only driver who controls his own destiny, Hamlin would guarantee himself the title with a either a win or a runner-up finish while leading the most laps. That would clinch the title, regardless of what either Johnson or Harvick do.
It would be a fitting capper to a gutsy season. Hamlin had knee surgery earlier this season, just a couple days after winning at Martinsville Speedway. He has a series-high eight victories, which is guaranteed to be the most of any driver in 2010.
The defending champion at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Hamlin has three top fives and a Driver Rating of 94.7 in five starts at the South Florida track.
Jimmie Johnson: Of the three, Johnson is the one driver who knows the pressure of a championship finale. Looking for his fifth consecutive title, Johnson cannot clinch with a win alone. He’ll need some help. Also, history isn’t exactly behind him. Since the inception of the current point system in 1975, only two drivers have overcome a deficit in the season finale to win the championship: Richard Petty in 1979 and Alan Kulwicki in 1992.
Johnson, owner of six wins this season, led the points after five of the nine Chase races. He had gone into the season finale as the points leader in all four of his championship seasons.
At Homestead, Johnson has six top 10s in nine races.
Kevin Harvick: Harvick has more top 10s than any other driver (25), and has been the series’ most consistent driver all season long. He led the points after 20 of 26 races during the regular season.
No matter what happens Sunday, Harvick will have a career-best points finish. His previous best was fourth, in 2006 and 2008.
Harvick has plenty of reason for optimism. His statistics at Homestead outshine both Hamlin and Johnson: four top fives, seven top 10s, a Driver Rating of 101.1 and an average finish of 8.4.
Crew Chiefs Playing Vital Role
More than any season in recent memory, the crew chiefs have grabbed headlines. Mike Ford (Denny Hamlin’s crew chief), Chad Knaus (Jimmie Johnson’s crew chief) and Gil Martin (Kevin Harvick’s crew chief) Ford, who stirred up some controversy with his quotes about the 48/24 pit crew swap, has two wins at Homestead (with Hamlin last season, and Bill Elliott in 2001).
If Johnson makes the comeback, it would be Knaus’ fifth title, which would rank second all-time among crew chiefs, behind NASCAR Hall of Fame nominee Dale Inman’s eight.
Martin joined Harvick in the middle of last season, and the two quickly jelled to become the most consistent team of 2010.
Gordon, Logano, Roush Fenway Among Spoiler List
Though most eyes on the will be on the championship trio, there is a race to be won, by the way.
And historically, a spoiler will win it. The last time the champion won the season finale was Jeff Gordon in 1998.
Jeff Gordon, Joey Logano and any member of the Roush Fenway Racing stable are definite possibilities.
The most intriguing is Gordon, who is looking to break a career-long 64-race winless drought. Homestead remains his lone winless track. If he does win Sunday, he’ll become the first driver to win at every track at which the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series currently races.
Logano, fast becoming a favorite to land a spot in the 2011 Chase, has five consecutive top-10 finishes and three consecutive top fives. He finished 24th at Homestead last year, his lone race there.
With six wins at Homestead, Roush Fenway leads all teams in victories at the 1.5-mile track. Winners of five of the last six races at Homestead, Roush Fenway has sent four different drivers to Victory Lane: Kurt Busch, Greg Biffle (three times), Matt Kenseth and Carl Edwards.
Top 10; Spot At Las Vegas Awards Ceremony Still In Question
The top 10 drivers will be honored at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony in Las Vegas on Dec. 3. And right now, that key 10th-place spot is in question.
A scant five points separates 11th-place Clint Bowyer and 10th-place Kurt Busch. Busch won at Homestead in 2002. Bowyer’s best Homestead finish was fifth in 2008.
Sporting News Power Poll after Phoenix
Sporting News Power Poll after Phoenix
Jimmie Johnson swapped spots with points leader Denny Hamlin and leads this week’s Sporting News Power Poll. Johnson finished fifth in Sunday’s race at Phoenix, his eighth top 10 of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, to move to 15 points behind Hamlin going into Sunday’s season finale at Homestead. Kevin Harvick, who also has eight top 10s in the Chase, is third in the poll. Hamlin has seven top 10s. The weekly poll is a collaboration of Sporting News and Rowdy.com.
1. Jimmie Johnson (Last week: 2nd) The 48 team finally comes through on a gas-mileage play. And what a time to do it, too.
2. Denny Hamlin (1st) Even if his Phoenix race was a huge disappointment, he should have never let Johnson see him sweat.
3. Kevin Harvick (3rd) Harvick was second in the three-horse race Sunday but is still third-best among the contestants.
4. Carl Edwards (11th) What a weekend! A Nationwide win to go with a Cup victory and pole. About time.
5. Joey Logano (7th) The streak continues! Logano finished third, meaning he has finished 7th, 6th, 5th, 4th and 3rd in the past five races. He’ll finish second at Homestead.
6. Mark Martin (4th) Martin carded his third top 10 in the past four races, and Homestead suits him much better.
7. Matt Kenseth (6th) Kenseth posted back-to-back top 10s for the first time since Michigan and Bristol in August.
8. Greg Biffle (8th) Banner days for Roush Fenway don’t usually come at Phoenix: Edwards wins, Biffle 4th, Kenseth 7th. Guess the FR9 gets good mileage, too.
9. Kyle Busch (16th) Could his 2010 goals boil down to this: win one more race and help somebody else win the championship?
10. Clint Bowyer (5th) Bowyer’s string of top-10 finishes ends at two.
11. Jeff Gordon (10th) The former 48 crew had trouble on Gordon’s car, too.
12. Jamie McMurray (15th) McMurray pulled out a top 10 after going down a lap at Phoenix.
13. Juan Pablo Montoya (17th) Since his spectacular five-race run leading up to the Chase, Montoya has one top 10 but seven finishes in the top 20.
14. Ryan Newman (22nd) Newman’s second-place finish was his fifth top 10 during the Chase. Only Johnson, Harvick, Hamlin and Logano have more.
15. Tony Stewart (9th) When the Chase went north to Loudon and Dover, Stewart went south—and he hasn’t recovered.
16. David Reutimann (13th) Reutimann finished 26th, his 12th finish 20th or worse, equaling his total from 2009. In fact, most of his numbers are similar to last year’s.
17. David Ragan (14th) One more race to prove he deserves to keep going in the 6 car in 2011.
18. Kurt Busch (24th) Busch posted his second top-10 finish of the Chase at Phoenix. In other words, his finish to the season is pretty forgettable.
19. Martin Truex Jr. (NR) Twenty-second in points heading to Homestead—probably not what Truex wanted in his first year at MWR.
20. Paul Menard (12th) Menard couldn’t put together consecutive top 10s for the second time this season, finishing 29th, his worst finish since Atlanta in September.
21. Dale Earnhardt Jr. (NR) Had a strong car but couldn’t overcome a 31st-place qualifying effort. Ran as high as 12th before finishing 14th.
22. Jeff Burton (20th) Burton’s 19th-place effort far better than the 41st and 36th efforts that preceded it. Would like to see a top 10 at Homestead to help going into 2011.
23. AJ Allmendinger (18th) Allmendinger finished 18th, which makes sense: His average finish this year is a career-best 18.2.
24. Regan Smith (23rd) Smith has one more shot this year to get the first top 10 of his career. His best finish this year is 12th, twice.
25. Marcos Ambrose (21st) Since a spurt of three top 10s, including two top fives, in five races, Ambrose has a 26.1 average finish in the past nine races with no top 10s.
Jimmie Johnson swapped spots with points leader Denny Hamlin and leads this week’s Sporting News Power Poll. Johnson finished fifth in Sunday’s race at Phoenix, his eighth top 10 of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, to move to 15 points behind Hamlin going into Sunday’s season finale at Homestead. Kevin Harvick, who also has eight top 10s in the Chase, is third in the poll. Hamlin has seven top 10s. The weekly poll is a collaboration of Sporting News and Rowdy.com.
1. Jimmie Johnson (Last week: 2nd) The 48 team finally comes through on a gas-mileage play. And what a time to do it, too.
2. Denny Hamlin (1st) Even if his Phoenix race was a huge disappointment, he should have never let Johnson see him sweat.
3. Kevin Harvick (3rd) Harvick was second in the three-horse race Sunday but is still third-best among the contestants.
4. Carl Edwards (11th) What a weekend! A Nationwide win to go with a Cup victory and pole. About time.
5. Joey Logano (7th) The streak continues! Logano finished third, meaning he has finished 7th, 6th, 5th, 4th and 3rd in the past five races. He’ll finish second at Homestead.
6. Mark Martin (4th) Martin carded his third top 10 in the past four races, and Homestead suits him much better.
7. Matt Kenseth (6th) Kenseth posted back-to-back top 10s for the first time since Michigan and Bristol in August.
8. Greg Biffle (8th) Banner days for Roush Fenway don’t usually come at Phoenix: Edwards wins, Biffle 4th, Kenseth 7th. Guess the FR9 gets good mileage, too.
9. Kyle Busch (16th) Could his 2010 goals boil down to this: win one more race and help somebody else win the championship?
10. Clint Bowyer (5th) Bowyer’s string of top-10 finishes ends at two.
11. Jeff Gordon (10th) The former 48 crew had trouble on Gordon’s car, too.
12. Jamie McMurray (15th) McMurray pulled out a top 10 after going down a lap at Phoenix.
13. Juan Pablo Montoya (17th) Since his spectacular five-race run leading up to the Chase, Montoya has one top 10 but seven finishes in the top 20.
14. Ryan Newman (22nd) Newman’s second-place finish was his fifth top 10 during the Chase. Only Johnson, Harvick, Hamlin and Logano have more.
15. Tony Stewart (9th) When the Chase went north to Loudon and Dover, Stewart went south—and he hasn’t recovered.
16. David Reutimann (13th) Reutimann finished 26th, his 12th finish 20th or worse, equaling his total from 2009. In fact, most of his numbers are similar to last year’s.
17. David Ragan (14th) One more race to prove he deserves to keep going in the 6 car in 2011.
18. Kurt Busch (24th) Busch posted his second top-10 finish of the Chase at Phoenix. In other words, his finish to the season is pretty forgettable.
19. Martin Truex Jr. (NR) Twenty-second in points heading to Homestead—probably not what Truex wanted in his first year at MWR.
20. Paul Menard (12th) Menard couldn’t put together consecutive top 10s for the second time this season, finishing 29th, his worst finish since Atlanta in September.
21. Dale Earnhardt Jr. (NR) Had a strong car but couldn’t overcome a 31st-place qualifying effort. Ran as high as 12th before finishing 14th.
22. Jeff Burton (20th) Burton’s 19th-place effort far better than the 41st and 36th efforts that preceded it. Would like to see a top 10 at Homestead to help going into 2011.
23. AJ Allmendinger (18th) Allmendinger finished 18th, which makes sense: His average finish this year is a career-best 18.2.
24. Regan Smith (23rd) Smith has one more shot this year to get the first top 10 of his career. His best finish this year is 12th, twice.
25. Marcos Ambrose (21st) Since a spurt of three top 10s, including two top fives, in five races, Ambrose has a 26.1 average finish in the past nine races with no top 10s.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
HOMESTEAD DRIVER STATISTICS
Below is a look at how the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup field has performed at Homestead-Miami Speedway, going into the season-finale Ford 400 on Nov. 21.
1 - Denny Hamlin (No. 11 FedEx Express Toyota)
· Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 96.7
2010 Rundown
· Eight wins, 14 top fives, 18 top 10s; two poles
· Average finish of 12.9
· Led 20 races for 1,184 laps
Homestead-Miami Speedway Outlook:
· One win, three top fives, three top 10s
· Average finish of 10.6 in five races
· Average Running Position of 14.3, 13th-best
· Driver Rating of 94.7, seventh-best
· 61 Fastest Laps Run, eighth-most
· 357 Green Flag Passes, third-most
· Average Green Flag Speed of 162.236 mph, 10th-fastest
· 822 Laps in the Top 15 (61.5%), ninth-most
· 192 Quality Passes (passes of cars in the top 15 under green), sixth-most
2 - Jimmie Johnson (No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet)
· Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 107.4
2010 Rundown
· Six wins, 16 top fives, 22 top 10s; two poles
· Average finish of 12.5
· Led 23 races for 1,314 laps
Homestead-Miami Speedway Outlook:
· Three top fives, six top 10s; two poles
· Average finish of 12.7 in nine races
· Average Running Position of 14.0, 11th-best
· Driver Rating of 92.9, eighth-best
· 315 Green Flag Passes, 10th-most
· Average Green Flag Speed of 162.266 mph, eighth-fastest
· 956 Laps in the Top 15 (71.6%), fourth-most
· 190 Quality Passes, seventh-most
3 - Kevin Harvick (No. 29 Shell/Pennzoil Chevrolet)
Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 97.6
2010 Rundown
· Three wins, 15 top fives, 25 top 10s
· Average finish of 8.8
· Led 16 races for 357 laps
Homestead-Miami Speedway Outlook:
· Four top fives, seven top 10s
· Average finish of 8.4 in nine races
· Average Running Position of 10.0, third-best
· Driver Rating of 101.1, fourth-best
· Average Green Flag Speed of 162.423 mph, fifth-fastest
· 1,029 Laps in the Top 15 (77.0%), second-most
· 197 Quality Passes, fifth-most
4 - Carl Edwards (No. 99 Aflac Ford)
· Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 90.1
2010 Rundown
· One win, eight top fives, 18 top 10s; three poles
· Average finish of 12.1
· Led 12 races for 237 laps
Homestead-Miami Speedway Outlook:
· One win, three top fives, five top 10s; one pole
· Average finish of 6.5 in six races
· Series-best Average Running Position of 8.9
· Series-best Driver Rating of 111.0
· Series-high 112 Fastest Laps Run
· Series-best Average Green Flag Speed of 162.769 mph
· Series-high 1,112 Laps in the Top 15 (83.2%)
· 210 Quality Passes, fourth-most
5 - Matt Kenseth (No. 17 Crown Royal Ford)
· Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 85.3
2010 Rundown
· Six top fives, 14 top 10s
· Average finish of 12.9
· Led 12 races for 107 laps
Homestead-Miami Speedway Outlook:
· One win, two top fives, three top 10s
\· Average finish of 19.8 in 10 races
· Average Running Position of 10.8, fourth-best ·
Driver Rating of 105.3, second-best
· 67 Fastest Laps Run, fifth-most
· 297 Green Flag Passes, 13th-most
· Average Green Flag Speed of 162.499 mph, fourth-fastest
· 965 Laps in the Top 15 (72.2%), third-most
6 - Jeff Gordon (No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet)
· Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 99.7
2010 Rundown
· 11 top fives, 17 top 10s; one pole
· Average finish of 12.7
· Led 20 races for 919 laps
Homestead-Miami Speedway Outlook:
· Five top fives, nine top 10s
· Average finish of 9.5 in 11 races
· Average Running Position of 12.7, sixth-best
· Driver Rating of 95.1, sixth-best
· 53 Fastest Laps Run, 10th-most
· 355 Green Flag Passes, fourth-most
· Average Green Flag Speed of 162.373 mph, sixth-fastest
· 924 Laps in the Top 15 (69.2%), fifth-most
· 233 Quality Passes, second-most
7 - Kyle Busch (No. 18 M&M's Toyota)
· Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 98.6
2010 Rundown
· Three wins, 10 top fives, 18 top 10s; two poles
· Average finish of 13.5
· Led 19 races for 1,271 laps
Homestead-Miami Speedway Outlook:
· One top 10
· Average finish of 25.2 in five races
· Average Running Position of 20.3, 22nd-best
· Driver Rating of 84.2, 15th-best
8 - Greg Biffle (No. 16 3M Ford)
· Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 88.4
2010 Rundown
· Two wins, nine top fives, 18 top 10s
· Average finish of 15.5
· Led 12 races for 543 laps
Homestead-Miami Speedway Outlook:
· Three wins, three top fives, three top 10s
· Average finish of 13.5 in eight races
· Average Running Position of 13.0, seventh-best
· Driver Rating of 99.0, fifth-best
· 95 Fastest Laps Run, second-most
· 335 Green Flag Passes, sixth-most
· Average Green Flag Speed of 162.573 mph, second-fastest
· 889 Laps in the Top 15 (66.5%), seventh-most
· 152 Quality Passes, 13th-most
9 - Tony Stewart (No. 14 Office Depot/Old Spice Chevrolet)
· Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 91.4
2010 Rundown
· Two wins, nine top fives, 16 top 10s; two poles
· Average finish of 14.0
· Led 19 races for 536 laps
Homestead-Miami Speedway Outlook:
· Two wins, three top fives, five top 10s
· Average finish of 12.8 in 11 races
· Average Running Position of 14.2, 12th-best
· Driver Rating of 88.2, 12th-best
· 60 Fastest Laps Run, ninth-most
· 303 Green Flag Passes, 12th-most
· Average Green Flag Speed of 162.105 mph, 12th-fastest
· 907 Laps in the Top 15 (67.9%), sixth-most
· 186 Quality Passes, eighth-most
10 - Kurt Busch (No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge)
· Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 91.8
2010 Rundown
· Two wins, nine top fives, 17 top 10s; two poles
· Average finish of 15.3
· Led 17 races for 842 laps
Homestead-Miami Speedway Outlook:
· One win, four top fives, four top 10s; two poles
· Average finish of 19.6 in nine races
· Average Running Position of 22.9, 28th-best
· Driver Rating of 78.3, 19th-best
· 73 Fastest Laps Run, fourth-most
· Average Green Flag Speed of 162.328 mph, seventh-fastest
11 - Clint Bowyer (No. 33 Cheerios/Hamburger Helper Chevrolet)
· Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 92.0
2010 Rundown
· Two wins, seven top fives, 18 top 10s
· Average finish of 14.5
· Led 15 races for 400 laps
Homestead-Miami Speedway Outlook:
· One top five, two top 10s
· Average finish of 16.3 in four races
· Average Running Position of 13.0, eighth-best
· Driver Rating of 88.5, 11th-best
· 774 Laps in the Top 15 (72.4%), 10th-most
· 159 Quality Passes, 10th-most
12 - Jeff Burton (No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet)
· Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 96.7
2010 Rundown
· Six top fives, 15 top 10s
· Average finish of 14.6
· Led 16 races for 538 laps
Homestead-Miami Speedway Outlook:
· Four top fives, five top 10s
· Average finish of 14.5 in 11 races
· Average Running Position of 16.9, 17th-best
· Driver Rating of 88.7, 10th-best
· 50 Fastest Laps Run, 11th-most
· Average Green Flag Speed of 162.195 mph, 11th-fastest
· 723 Laps in the Top 15 (54.1%), 12th-most
1 - Denny Hamlin (No. 11 FedEx Express Toyota)
· Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 96.7
2010 Rundown
· Eight wins, 14 top fives, 18 top 10s; two poles
· Average finish of 12.9
· Led 20 races for 1,184 laps
Homestead-Miami Speedway Outlook:
· One win, three top fives, three top 10s
· Average finish of 10.6 in five races
· Average Running Position of 14.3, 13th-best
· Driver Rating of 94.7, seventh-best
· 61 Fastest Laps Run, eighth-most
· 357 Green Flag Passes, third-most
· Average Green Flag Speed of 162.236 mph, 10th-fastest
· 822 Laps in the Top 15 (61.5%), ninth-most
· 192 Quality Passes (passes of cars in the top 15 under green), sixth-most
2 - Jimmie Johnson (No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet)
· Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 107.4
2010 Rundown
· Six wins, 16 top fives, 22 top 10s; two poles
· Average finish of 12.5
· Led 23 races for 1,314 laps
Homestead-Miami Speedway Outlook:
· Three top fives, six top 10s; two poles
· Average finish of 12.7 in nine races
· Average Running Position of 14.0, 11th-best
· Driver Rating of 92.9, eighth-best
· 315 Green Flag Passes, 10th-most
· Average Green Flag Speed of 162.266 mph, eighth-fastest
· 956 Laps in the Top 15 (71.6%), fourth-most
· 190 Quality Passes, seventh-most
3 - Kevin Harvick (No. 29 Shell/Pennzoil Chevrolet)
Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 97.6
2010 Rundown
· Three wins, 15 top fives, 25 top 10s
· Average finish of 8.8
· Led 16 races for 357 laps
Homestead-Miami Speedway Outlook:
· Four top fives, seven top 10s
· Average finish of 8.4 in nine races
· Average Running Position of 10.0, third-best
· Driver Rating of 101.1, fourth-best
· Average Green Flag Speed of 162.423 mph, fifth-fastest
· 1,029 Laps in the Top 15 (77.0%), second-most
· 197 Quality Passes, fifth-most
4 - Carl Edwards (No. 99 Aflac Ford)
· Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 90.1
2010 Rundown
· One win, eight top fives, 18 top 10s; three poles
· Average finish of 12.1
· Led 12 races for 237 laps
Homestead-Miami Speedway Outlook:
· One win, three top fives, five top 10s; one pole
· Average finish of 6.5 in six races
· Series-best Average Running Position of 8.9
· Series-best Driver Rating of 111.0
· Series-high 112 Fastest Laps Run
· Series-best Average Green Flag Speed of 162.769 mph
· Series-high 1,112 Laps in the Top 15 (83.2%)
· 210 Quality Passes, fourth-most
5 - Matt Kenseth (No. 17 Crown Royal Ford)
· Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 85.3
2010 Rundown
· Six top fives, 14 top 10s
· Average finish of 12.9
· Led 12 races for 107 laps
Homestead-Miami Speedway Outlook:
· One win, two top fives, three top 10s
\· Average finish of 19.8 in 10 races
· Average Running Position of 10.8, fourth-best ·
Driver Rating of 105.3, second-best
· 67 Fastest Laps Run, fifth-most
· 297 Green Flag Passes, 13th-most
· Average Green Flag Speed of 162.499 mph, fourth-fastest
· 965 Laps in the Top 15 (72.2%), third-most
6 - Jeff Gordon (No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet)
· Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 99.7
2010 Rundown
· 11 top fives, 17 top 10s; one pole
· Average finish of 12.7
· Led 20 races for 919 laps
Homestead-Miami Speedway Outlook:
· Five top fives, nine top 10s
· Average finish of 9.5 in 11 races
· Average Running Position of 12.7, sixth-best
· Driver Rating of 95.1, sixth-best
· 53 Fastest Laps Run, 10th-most
· 355 Green Flag Passes, fourth-most
· Average Green Flag Speed of 162.373 mph, sixth-fastest
· 924 Laps in the Top 15 (69.2%), fifth-most
· 233 Quality Passes, second-most
7 - Kyle Busch (No. 18 M&M's Toyota)
· Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 98.6
2010 Rundown
· Three wins, 10 top fives, 18 top 10s; two poles
· Average finish of 13.5
· Led 19 races for 1,271 laps
Homestead-Miami Speedway Outlook:
· One top 10
· Average finish of 25.2 in five races
· Average Running Position of 20.3, 22nd-best
· Driver Rating of 84.2, 15th-best
8 - Greg Biffle (No. 16 3M Ford)
· Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 88.4
2010 Rundown
· Two wins, nine top fives, 18 top 10s
· Average finish of 15.5
· Led 12 races for 543 laps
Homestead-Miami Speedway Outlook:
· Three wins, three top fives, three top 10s
· Average finish of 13.5 in eight races
· Average Running Position of 13.0, seventh-best
· Driver Rating of 99.0, fifth-best
· 95 Fastest Laps Run, second-most
· 335 Green Flag Passes, sixth-most
· Average Green Flag Speed of 162.573 mph, second-fastest
· 889 Laps in the Top 15 (66.5%), seventh-most
· 152 Quality Passes, 13th-most
9 - Tony Stewart (No. 14 Office Depot/Old Spice Chevrolet)
· Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 91.4
2010 Rundown
· Two wins, nine top fives, 16 top 10s; two poles
· Average finish of 14.0
· Led 19 races for 536 laps
Homestead-Miami Speedway Outlook:
· Two wins, three top fives, five top 10s
· Average finish of 12.8 in 11 races
· Average Running Position of 14.2, 12th-best
· Driver Rating of 88.2, 12th-best
· 60 Fastest Laps Run, ninth-most
· 303 Green Flag Passes, 12th-most
· Average Green Flag Speed of 162.105 mph, 12th-fastest
· 907 Laps in the Top 15 (67.9%), sixth-most
· 186 Quality Passes, eighth-most
10 - Kurt Busch (No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge)
· Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 91.8
2010 Rundown
· Two wins, nine top fives, 17 top 10s; two poles
· Average finish of 15.3
· Led 17 races for 842 laps
Homestead-Miami Speedway Outlook:
· One win, four top fives, four top 10s; two poles
· Average finish of 19.6 in nine races
· Average Running Position of 22.9, 28th-best
· Driver Rating of 78.3, 19th-best
· 73 Fastest Laps Run, fourth-most
· Average Green Flag Speed of 162.328 mph, seventh-fastest
11 - Clint Bowyer (No. 33 Cheerios/Hamburger Helper Chevrolet)
· Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 92.0
2010 Rundown
· Two wins, seven top fives, 18 top 10s
· Average finish of 14.5
· Led 15 races for 400 laps
Homestead-Miami Speedway Outlook:
· One top five, two top 10s
· Average finish of 16.3 in four races
· Average Running Position of 13.0, eighth-best
· Driver Rating of 88.5, 11th-best
· 774 Laps in the Top 15 (72.4%), 10th-most
· 159 Quality Passes, 10th-most
12 - Jeff Burton (No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet)
· Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 96.7
2010 Rundown
· Six top fives, 15 top 10s
· Average finish of 14.6
· Led 16 races for 538 laps
Homestead-Miami Speedway Outlook:
· Four top fives, five top 10s
· Average finish of 14.5 in 11 races
· Average Running Position of 16.9, 17th-best
· Driver Rating of 88.7, 10th-best
· 50 Fastest Laps Run, 11th-most
· Average Green Flag Speed of 162.195 mph, 11th-fastest
· 723 Laps in the Top 15 (54.1%), 12th-most
Monday, November 15, 2010
HOMESTEAD : ONE RACE SHOOT OUT
Those guys better be on their toes. Not only do they have [our] 48 to worry about, but they have the 29 [Kevin Harvick]—and one race winner take all. It’s going to be one hell of a show.”
--Jimmie Johnson, four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion, on chasing down Denny Hamlin’s 11 car in a one-race shootout for NASCAR Sprint Cup supremacy next Sunday (Nov. 21) at Homestead-Miami Speedway
Next Sunday, Homestead-Miami Speedway will host a one-race shootout to decide the closest-ever Sprint Cup Championship race in NASCAR history. Denny Hamlin will enter Ford Championship Weekend (Nov. 19-21) with a 15-point lead over four-time reigning Champion Jimmie Johnson and just a 46-point margin over Kevin Harvick. Tickets for this historic Championship finale are available starting at $55 via HomesteadMiamiSpeedway.com and (866) 409-RACE.
In Chase Race 9 of 10 today en route to Sunday’s Sprint Cup Championship finale, Hamlin finished 12th at Phoenix to retain the Championship lead over Johnson, who finished 5th. Harvick finished 6th to remain in striking distance of the title. Carl Edwards won the race at Phoenix to sit fourth in Championship standings (-264) entering Ford Championship Weekend.
“We have one heck of a points race going to Miami,” said Johnson, in the unfamiliar role of “hunter” rather than “huntee” this late in the season. “I’m pumped. I’m so happy to put pressure on that 11 team—we’re ready to race for this thing.”
With just 15 points separating the top two drivers, Johnson still faces some odds in completing his “Drive for Five”: Every year since the inception of the Chase in 2004, the driver holding the points lead with one race remaining has gone on to win the Sprint Cup Championship. Hamlin—who led 190 laps today but fell victim to fuel strategy at the end of the race—also won last year’s Ford 400 Championship finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
--Jimmie Johnson, four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion, on chasing down Denny Hamlin’s 11 car in a one-race shootout for NASCAR Sprint Cup supremacy next Sunday (Nov. 21) at Homestead-Miami Speedway
Next Sunday, Homestead-Miami Speedway will host a one-race shootout to decide the closest-ever Sprint Cup Championship race in NASCAR history. Denny Hamlin will enter Ford Championship Weekend (Nov. 19-21) with a 15-point lead over four-time reigning Champion Jimmie Johnson and just a 46-point margin over Kevin Harvick. Tickets for this historic Championship finale are available starting at $55 via HomesteadMiamiSpeedway.com and (866) 409-RACE.
In Chase Race 9 of 10 today en route to Sunday’s Sprint Cup Championship finale, Hamlin finished 12th at Phoenix to retain the Championship lead over Johnson, who finished 5th. Harvick finished 6th to remain in striking distance of the title. Carl Edwards won the race at Phoenix to sit fourth in Championship standings (-264) entering Ford Championship Weekend.
“We have one heck of a points race going to Miami,” said Johnson, in the unfamiliar role of “hunter” rather than “huntee” this late in the season. “I’m pumped. I’m so happy to put pressure on that 11 team—we’re ready to race for this thing.”
With just 15 points separating the top two drivers, Johnson still faces some odds in completing his “Drive for Five”: Every year since the inception of the Chase in 2004, the driver holding the points lead with one race remaining has gone on to win the Sprint Cup Championship. Hamlin—who led 190 laps today but fell victim to fuel strategy at the end of the race—also won last year’s Ford 400 Championship finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
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