NASCAR UPDATES

Latest on Shane Hmiel's condition: Shane up in chair already this morning update from father Steve--- has physical therapy at 10---says he is ready hopefully leaving indy charlotte bound friday at 4.
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Petty still looking for control of RPM: Richard Petty continues to seek investors in a bid to purchase a controlling stake in the team that bears his name. In addition to Petty, at least one other group has expressed interest in making a bid for the financially troubled Richard Petty Motorsports team, but sources say Wachovia Bank -- lead lender for majority owner George Gillett and holder of a defaulted $90 million note on the team -- is waiting for Petty to assemble his investor group. Petty's initial offer was said to be long on demands for operational control of the team, but short on cash.
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Talladega TV Ratings posted:


ESPN earned its highest rating so far in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup with live coverage of Sunday's AMP Energy Juice 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. The telecast earned a 3.6 household coverage rating (3.1 U.S. rating), averaging 5,176,663 viewers, according to the Nielsen Company. Last year's race aired on ABC and earned a 4.1 U.S. rating (6.6 million viewers).(ESPN),
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Expect a decision on Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing's possible move from Chevy to Ford by the end of this week. Sources with the team say that Ford's offer is better financially than what Chevy can provide, but that Jamie McMurray's wins in this year's Daytona 500, Brickyard 400 and Bank Of America 500 at Charlotte were due in large part to the dominance of Earnhardt-Childress Racing Engines. "The offer is on the table, and it's up to them whether or not to take it," said a spokesperson for Ford Motor Company. "If this was a strict business decision, I think Chip (Ganassi) would make the move. But racers are a pretty loyal bunch. I honestly think it could go either way."
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NASCAR looking at new car design for 2013: NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series could take on a different look as early as 2013. While some manufacturers are considering model changes by then, all car makers are looking to maximize brand identity on the racetrack. That concept is equally appealing to race fans who feel the sanctioning body has veered far from the notion of a "stock" car. John Darby, Sprint Cup Series director, says the direction would "be real similar" to the style the Nationwide cars are adopting for next season. "The point we're at right now is trying to get feedback from all four manufacturers," Darby said. "The fact that, No. 1, that '13 is the right year to this as it aligns with new models, and secondly that there's interest from all four makes." Of course costs will be taken into the equation. Changes have to make economic sense to the teams as well, since the modifications would involve more than just a cosmetic tweak to noses and tails. NASCAR eliminated the rear wings earlier this year and implemented a nose job for the front ends for 2011, which replaces the awkward braces that attach the splitters to one sleek piece. Once the manufacturers agree on the concepts, Darby would expect to see designs submitted in August 2012. "As it says in the rule book, it all has to start with a July 1 date for any type of a body change on the car," Darby said. "Typically, and up to this point we've entertained and helped manufacturers with the front fascias, the rear tails. The '13 project could be a little larger than that to where we get more character lines in the hoods, more sculpture if you will to help the manufacturers identify their products a little closer."(Fox Sports)(10-26-2010)


All four automakers & have already submitted drawings of their proposed 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racers to the sanctioning body for preliminary approval. A number of revisions are expected, as NASCAR seeks to balance its desire for brand identity with the need for a common aerodynamic footprint between brands. The changes will be strictly cosmetic, with the current Sprint Cup chassis remaining unaltered. Speaking on the condition on anonymity, one manufacturer representative creditedNationwide Series Director Joe Balash with paving the way for the new, more stock-appearing cars. "NASCAR was not sold on the idea of revamping the look of these (Sprint Cup) cars," he said. "But Joe pushed hard for it in the Nationwide Series, saying it was important to give those cars a distinct, stock-appearing look. The manufacturers were thrilled with the results, and once NASCAR saw the fan reaction that came with the new Nationwide car, they started thinking seriously about similar changes on the Cup side."
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Could there be short fields next season? With Richard Petty Motorsports shrinking from four to two cars next season (or potentially none if the ship isn't righted) and now Robby Gordon announcing he won't run a full season in 2011, the potential for short fields now becomes a real possibility next year. That prediction was made two years ago by many but never came to fruition. The economic pressures of the sport may catch up with that prediction after all