Daily NASCAR

by Holly Cain

Filed under: Greg Biffle, Ford, Roush Fenway Racing, Chase for the Sprint Cup, NASCAR

As far as happy endings go, it would be hard to top Jack Roush’s week.

First, the 68-year old NASCAR team owner on Tuesday survived his second plane crash in the last seven years, and then his Sprint Cup Series team — which had mustered only a single victory since February 2009 — claimed its first win of 2010 on Sunday.

It’s surely a pick-me-up for Roush, who remains hospitalized in the Mayo Clinic with facial injuries sustained when the jet plane he was piloting crashed on landing in Wisconsin.

But beyond the sentimental timing, Greg Biffle’s win at Pocono Raceway in Pennsylvania is pragmatic, a sign that perhaps his Roush Fenway Racing team and the once-mighty Ford Motor Company have started to turn things around with five races remaining before NASCAR’s 10-race Chase for the Championship playoff run begins.

“When it got to be five (laps) to go, I started thinking. … this race was meant to be,” said Biffle, who drives the No. 16 3M Ford. “I started thinking, it’s for Jack.

“And then, spending all that time I’ve spent with the Ford people, how desperate they are to prove they’ve got a good product — they’ve got great cars and trucks — but they want to prove it on the racetrack. They want to win.

“I just thought this is going to be a great day if I can complete this thing.”

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Go to the original story

When it comes to racing Joey Logano, a pattern is starting to emerge with how some of the veterans treat the young driver.  And the message from the veterans appears to be that they don’t respect this kid very much.  Recent run-ins with Kevin Harvick and Juan Pablo Montoya kept Logano from good finishes at Pocono and Infineon, and it’s no secret he doesn’t get along with Greg Biffle.  Instead of complaining about his fellow competitors to the media like he’s been doing though, it’s time Logano finally took action on the track.

The most talked about incident between Logano and a veteran happened a few weeks ago at Pocono.  While running in the top five late in the race, Logano was turned by Harvick with two laps to go.  Logano charged back to finish 13th, but after the race, Logano spouted off in anger and said:

“It’s disappointing, to be honest with you.  I had a top-five run going. I was racing the 29 and he let me go in the middle of the straightaway and decided to dump me in the next turn.  I don’t know what his deal is with me. It’s probably not his fault, you know? His wife wears the fire suit in the family, tells him what to do, so it’s not his fault.”

Besides the comment, Logano also took the opportunity to get in Harvick’s face after the race and let him know he was upset about what happened.  ”Sliced Bread” was so angry, he had to be restrained by crew members.

The move ultimately backfired on Logano though.  Instead of making him look tougher, Harvick and his wife Delana turned it around and made light of the situation by selling “firesuit” t-shirts, with proceeds benefiting the Harvicks’ charity.  Not exactly what Logano was looking for.

Now that he’s gotten a taste of how this all works, I’m of the opinion that Logano needs to quit talking.  The next time he gets wrecked by a competitor, he needs to exact revenge.  Whether that means waiting for a payback track like Bristol or Martinsville, or taking out his frustrations under a caution a la Clint Bowyer at Dover, it’s time for action.  These guys won’t get the picture that Logano isn’t to be messed with until he shows that he isn’t afraid to ruin someone else’s day.  Some of these guys are messing with Joey because they know they can push him around and he won’t do anything about it.  That needs to change.

Don’t get me wrong here though, I’m not usually one for wrecks.  When I watch a race, I want to see good, hard, clean action.  I know too many drivers, and seeing somebody get hurt is the last thing I want. 

At some point though, Logano needs to stand up and make a statement.  And that statement needs to be made with action, on track, and not by complaining to a guy with a microphone.

TheNASCARInsiders.com

Follow the Insiders on Twitter or be a fan on Facebook!

Go to the original story

The struggles for the Ford teams have been well documented this season.  There is even a tidbit on Jayski’s Cup Series page right now about how this is Ford’s longest winless drought to start a season since 1983.  And those struggles haven’t just been on the Cup side.  Roush Fenway’s Nationwide Series program hasn’t been as strong this season as they’ve been in past years.  Carl Edwards has led the way, but for a time, two of the other RFR teams were outside the top 30 in points.  The #16 team has since raced their way back in, but the #6 team remains 102 points out of a guaranteed starting spot.  The one Ford team that did have a moderate amount of success over the first part of the season, especially with limited resources, was Baker Curb Racing’s #27 team with Greg Biffle.

After Eddie Pardue was dismissed as crew chief of RFR’s #16 a few weeks back, Ben Leslie took over as the interim boss.  It was announced this week however, that starting at Road America the #16 team would have a new leader; none other then Baker Curb’s Ricky Viers.

With Red Man tobacco on the hood, Greg Biffle behind the wheel, and Viers calling the shots, Baker Curb’s #27 was the best running Ford in several races this season.  They managed to finish second twice, just missing wins at Las Vegas and Richmond. 

A new FDA regulation that basically ends tobacco advertisements curtailed Red Man’s sponsorship, and with the team’s future in jeopardy, Roush took the opportunity to bring Viers on board.  Who better to help turn around your company’s NNS program then the guy who’s been beating you all season?

Viers joins Drew Blickensderfer, Matt Puccia, and Mike Kelley as crew chiefs at Roush Fenway, and the pressure is on these four to slow down Joe Gibbs Racing’s dominance of the series.

Besides hopefully helping the whole program, Viers is tasked with making contenders out of Roush prospects Colin Braun and Brian Ickler.  Braun and fellow Roush young gun Ricky Stenhouse Jr. have both struggled mightily in their first full seasons, and those struggles have led to their schedules being cut.  Ickler was brought in from Kyle Busch Motorsports to strengthen Roush’s driver development program and fill those holes in the schedule.

The NNS teams tested at Road America today in advance of Saturday’s race, and things may already be looking up for RFR.  Ford drivers were first and second fastest in both sessions, and the combo of Viers and Braun was good for fourth quick.  With Braun’s road racing background, this might be just what this team needs to turn the season around.

We’ve all heard the saying “if you can’t beat them, join them.”  In the ultra competitive world of NASCAR, it becomes “if you can’t beat them, steal what makes them better then you.”

TheNASCARInsiders.com

Follow the Insiders on Twitter or be a fan on Facebook!

Go to the original story

The Sprint All-Star race is this weekend at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, so you know what that means? It’s time for our annual list of activities surrounding the two weeks of racing in Charlotte.

So get ready Charlotte bound (or Charlotte based) race fans, it’s time to get your maps out, walking shoes on and pens ready to go – it’s race time in Charlotte!

*What we’ve compiled below is everything racing related we know about. If you know of any racing related events going on during the next two weeks and they aren’t included below please feel free to add them in the comment section and I will update the post.

Wednesday, May 19 - Check out TC’s and my favorite event, the Sprint Pit Crew Challenge at the Time Warner Cable Arena. This annual event brings together the sport’s best pit crews to challenge for bragging rights and cash.  More info here.

Thursday, May 20 – Who doesn’t love Uptown Charlotte and music on a Summer evening? NASCAR’s annual Rev’d Up event features musical acts, showcars, giveaways and more. More info here.

Friday, May 21 - Check out the legends, bandoleros and arena racing outdoors at the Concord Motorsports Park. More info here.

Saturday, May 22 – Are you a Greg Biffle fan? He’ll be signing the NASCAR pet calendars from Noon to 1 p.m. at the Petco at Concord Mills. There will also be local animal shelters with pet adoptions, a racing simulator and giveaways. More info here.

Saturday, May 22 - Join MRN’s Steve Post as he hosts the ‘Finish a Winner’ breakfast featuring Darrell Waltrip, Michael McDowell and Justin Allgaier. The event is $8 in advance and $15 at the door. It is being hosted by the Lifepointe Church in Fort Mill, S.C. More info here.

Sunday, May 23 -Have fun and support a good cause. Taylor’s Finish Line Festival will include a kid zone with inflatables, face painting, balloon artists, live stage shows and a fireworks display. Tickets are $25 for adults and free for children 6 years and under. All proceeds benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Levine Children’s Hospital. More info here.

Sunday, May 23 – Itching for more racing? Head up to Hickory Motor Speedway the ‘Birthplace of the NASCAR Stars’ for the CRA Super Late Model race. More info here.

Tuesday, May 25 - Victory Lane Indoor Karting will play host to the King’s Cup go-kart event benefiting the Paralyzed Veterans of America. AJ Allmendinger, Richard Petty, Kasey Kahne and Elliott Sadler are scheduled to participate. Tickets are $25+. More info here.

Wednesday, May 26 - The Jeff Gordon Foundation will also host a charity racing event at Victory Lane Indoor Karting. Proceeds will help fund state-of-the art cardiac/respiratory monitors needed to care for patients at the Jeff Gordon Children’s Hospital. More info here.

Wednesday, May 26 -Michael Waltrip Racing will host their Fan Fest 2010 at their state of the art facility in Cornelius, NC. The Fest will feature autograph sessions with all MWR drivers and free admission to tour the MWR shop. In order to receive autographs fans need to request wristbands prior to the event. More info here.

Wednesday, May 26 – Hey Twitter fans, Hendrick Motorsports is hosting a ‘tweetup’ at their headquarters near the speedway. Mention ‘twitter’ to get free access. The event will feature discounts, giveaways and an opportunity to participate in AMP’s weekly online chat featuring Steve Letarte and TJ Majors. More info here.

Wednesday, May 26 - The NASCAR Speedpark at Concord Mills will host an autograph session with Cup, Nationwide and ARCA Series regulars. MRN’s Performance Live will broadcast from the event and there will be a silent auction with proceeds benefiting the PARC Foundation and the Shriners. More info here.

Wednesday, May 26 – Penske Racing’s Brad Keselowski will be signing autographs at the Discount Tire on Bruton Smith Blvd. near Concord Mills from 4 to 5:30 p.m. More info here.

Thursday, May 27 -Roush Fenway Racing will play host to their 2010 Fan Appreciation day. The event will feature autograph sessions with Jack Roush and RFR drivers, pit exhibitions and access to the Roush museum. Tickets are required for autographs – the team asks for a can food donation in exchange for a ticket. More info here.

Thursday, May 27 – Richard Petty Motorsports will host their first fan day at their new facility in the Roush Fenway complex. The event will feature an 11 a.m. autograph session. A ticket is required to take part in the autograph session – the cost for a ticket is the donation of a pack of 24 pencils. More info here.

Thursday, May 27 – Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates will host their Fan Day featuring an autograph session with Jamie McMurray and Juan Pablo Montoya. Wristbands are required – fans need to request them in advance from the team. More info here.

Thursday, May 27 – Martin Truex Jr. will host his Ultimate Fan Event at his MTJ Motorsports in Mooresville from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. More info here.

Thursday, May 27 to Saturday, May 29 – Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s JR Motorsports will be hosting their Fan Zone. More info here.

Thursday, May 27 to Saturday, May 29 – An annual favorite for fans and locals alike is the Food Lion Speed Street in Uptown Charlotte. The event brings together live Speed broadcasts, free swag and fun from sponsors, autograph sessions, and great musical acts (all free!). This year’s musical acts include Josh Turner, Everclear, Luke Bryan and Pat Benatar among others. More info here.

Friday, May 28 – Can’t get enough racing? Check out the stars of the World of Outlaws as they compete in the Outlaw Showdown at the Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway. More info here.

Friday, May 28 – Join Team Red Bull Racing for their Fan appreciation day. More info here.

Throughout the next two weeks the race shops will also be open for fans to check out. Raceshops.com has a good list of team addresses and so does Jayski.com. Don’t forget about the Truck Series and Nationwide Series teams too.

There are several companies that give tours for a fee, but I encourage you to get a map and explore for yourself. I have never been on one of these tours, but I can promise they are not worth the money unless you are very opposed to driving.

Don’t forget about the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Uptown Charlotte. This fantastic state of the art facility is a feast for NASCAR fans and newbies alike. If you’re in town for the races you won’t want to miss it. Get your tickets early!

If you’re interested in museums there are two great ones in Mooresville. Memory Lane Museum has a lot of cool cars for a $10 entry fee. Also the North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame located across the street from Roush Fenway’s Mooresville shop has  interesting cars and artifacts chronicling North Carolina’s motorsports history. It has a $6 entry fee.

A good day trip is up to Hillsborough, North Carolina to see the Occoneechee Speedway (formerly the Orange Speedway). It is the only remaining dirt track from the 1949 season. It is heavily overgrown, but the Historic Speedway Group has converted the track into a walking trail and reconstructed some of the out buildings. It is free and definitely worth the trip if you enjoy NASCAR history.

If you’re looking for a place to eat with a racing theme and some good Eastern North Carolina style barbecue hit up Lancaster’s in Mooresville. They have a ton of racing memorabilia – you can even eat in a converted school bus painted like Dale Earnhardt’s Wrangler ride.

*If you know if any other events during the next two weeks please use the comment box below and I will re-post this. If I come across other events I will also update and re-post this. If you have any questions, as always feel free to e-mail me.

TheNASCARInsiders.com

Follow the Insiders on Twitter or be a fan on Facebook!

Go to the original story

If you got to watch the races on Monday from Texas you may have heard the TV guys talking about the drivers who had to do double duty.  Guys like Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick, Joey Logano, Greg Biffle, and others got out of their Cup rides and had to immediately jump into their Nationwide cars for another 300 miles.  It can be a tough thing to do as it requires the drivers be in top shape, and have the ability to re-focus their minds after 500 grueling miles.  But what the TV folks probably didn’t talk about a lot, was all the crew guys who did the same exact thing.

Just like there are drivers who run in multiple series, there are also quite a few crew members who work in multiple series.  Usually it’s not a problem to do, because the races aren’t on the same day, but Monday was different.

Following the Cup race at Texas, crew guys had to pack up their pit box and then run to their Cup haulers to strip off their firesuits.  They then had to head over to their NNS haulers to put firesuits back on and proceed back to pit road to set up their NNS pit box.  Teams had about an hour to work with following the first race to get changed and set up their pit stalls for the nightcap.

One example of what I’m talking about is the Furniture Row pit crew.  Those five guys pit Regan Smith’s car on Sunday, but on Saturday they work for KHI and service Kevin Harvick’s Nationwide car.  Some more examples include three of the five guys that work on Kyle Busch’s Cup car.  Both front guys and the rear changer also work on Kyle’s pit crew on Saturdays.  And there are certainly others.

What this really means for these crew guys is being 100% focused. It means doing 10 pit stops during the Cup race, then getting a quick break, followed by four more pit stops in the Nationwide race.  Oh yeah, and don’t screw it up.

Another group that did double duty on Monday that I wanted to point out was the spotters.  The double header for the Cup guys running in the Nationwide race also meant twice the work for their spotters.  They had to work for 500 miles, take a quick break, then get ready to work 300 more.

What really sucks about double duty though, is having to do it again a week later.  With the way the forecast is shaping up for Talladega, it may be deja vu all over again.

TheNASCARInsiders.com

Follow the Insiders on Twitter or be a fan on Facebook!

Go to the original story