Track Smack All Things NASCAR - 24/7
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Angie
 Stock car racing has always been a team sport. Each person in the organization plays a key role in the success of the team. One minor mistake can ruin a driver’s day and the smallest thing can often make the biggest impact.
Just ask Doug Taylor.
After a brief career in the Air Force that taught him electronics, Taylor was looking for a new direction when he heard that 2-way radios were being used in Indy and stock cars. He began to focus on developing a better system for in-car communications.
At first only a few drivers were interested but through word of mouth advertising, more and more seemed to take notice. In 1974 things began to come together when Junior Johnson became his first customer.
You might recognize a few of the legendary names he has worked with in his 25-year long career. They include A.J. Foyt, Benny Parsons, Darrell Waltrip, the Woods Brothers, Paul Newman and many more. Continue reading →
Angie
The “Lady in Black” welcomed back fans on Saturday for round two at Darlington Raceway. In preparation for the Showtime Southern 500, a team had been up throughout the night re-painting the historic red and white walls.
A busy day of practice and qualifying on Friday had left its mark on the track walls and sent six Sprint Cup teams to backup cars.
Dale Earnhardt Jr was the first casualty, hitting the wall on just his second lap of practice. He was followed by Clint Bowyer, Scott Speed, Greg Biffle, Marcos Ambrose and Kyle Busch.
Jamie McMurray stayed out of the wall and made his way into the record books. He set a track qualifying record with a 180.370 mph lap.
In what has fast become a tradition on Mother’s Day weekend at Darlington, the Sprint Cup mothers in attendance gave the command, “Gentleman, start your engines.” Continue reading →
Robert
 Image via Wikipedia
There are all kinds of scenarios swirling around about who goes where since the announcement of Kasey Kahne‘s move to Hendrick. There has been speculation about Kasey going to Stewart-Haas for one year before taking over the 5 car. Mark Martin moving to same — which Martin has emphatically denied, reaffirming he will be in that car in 2011.
It seems everybody and his brother has a theory. Even theories about Junior, one of which I heard on Sirius NASCAR Radio. This one caught my attention because of the source. It was a caller so credibility is an issue, but the more it bounced around in my head the more I could see it. Continue reading →
Angie
 Image via Wikipedia
PRESS RELEASE
CONCORD, N.C. (April 14, 2010) – Beginning with the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season, Kasey Kahne will drive the No. 5 Chevrolets of Hendrick Motorsports after signing a long-term contract with the organization.
Mark Martin, 51, the current driver of Hendrick Motorsports’ No. 5 team, will complete the 2010 and 2011 seasons. When Kahne takes over in 2012, he will join teammates Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. in Hendrick’s four-car stable.
“In Kasey, we saw an opportunity to cement a big piece of our future,” said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. “He possesses incredible talent and a tremendous dedication to his craft, and we know he’ll be a great fit within our company.
“Kasey has earned the respect of his future teammates by the way he’s handled himself on and off the racetrack, and we know he’ll be a contributor to the success of Hendrick Motorsports for many years to come. To have someone of his caliber join our team is an unbelievable opportunity for us.” Continue reading →
Angie
 Jimmie Johnson demonstrated why he is a four-time Sprint Cup Champion with another exciting finish at the Food City 500 on Sunday. Sprinting through the field from sixth position to first in only three laps, he finally got his first win at the historic Bristol Motor Speedway.
Johnson also raced his way into the record books with his 50th career win. He is now tied with Ned Jarrett and Junior Johnson for 10th on the all-time Cup win list.
A critical decision on the last pit stop to take four tires gave Johnson the edge he needed and he took full advantage.
“We have worked so hard for this,” Johnson said in victory lane. “I thought we were in trouble. But the four tires were everything.”
Rick Hendrick summed up Johnson’s accomplishment by stating what should now be obvious to everyone.
“He’s one of the best that’s ever done this.” Continue reading →
Angie
The 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup season is just beginning but has already been filled with its share of ups and downs.
The Daytona 500 began with a bang as Mark Martin won the pole and Dale Earnhardt Jr. secured the second starting position. Junior Nation was anticipating a comeback and excitement was in the air.
However, no one anticipated the pothole appearing between turns one and two on the racetrack. With two stoppages for repairs and the over two hours in delays, the race was in jeopardy of becoming a complete debacle.
But, the patience of NASCAR fans was rewarded with a finish that couldn’t have been scripted better by a Hollywood screenwriter. Continue reading →
Angie
 The Daytona 500 is the NASCAR season opener and is thought by most to be the ultimate prize. Today’s race got off to a roaring start with Mark Martin and Dale Earnhardt Jr. leading the cars to take the green flag.
The trouble began with 78 laps to go when a hole in the asphalt appeared between turns one and two on the racetrack. The race was red-flagged for about 1 hour and 45 minutes and the race was finally restarted.
Unfortunately the pot hole reappeared resulting in a second stoppage with 39 laps remaining.
This is certainly not the way NASCAR wanted to start the season and many fans were just waiting for it to end.
That’s when things got interesting. Continue reading →
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