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[align=center]Stewart Seeks Chili Bowl Repeat [/align][/align][align=center]Written by Administrator& MCF `Space : )

Jan 05, 2008 at 05:13 PM

[b]Defending Champion Stewart Seeks Chili Bowl Repeat
Saturday, January 12 from Tulsa, Okla.
Live on HBO Pay-Per-View

TULSA, OKLAHOMA (January 4, 2008) - Tony Stewart has won 32 NASCAR Nextel Cup
races, led the 24 Hours of Daytona, and started from the pole position in the Indianapolis 500. Clearly, the 36-year-old driving star from Columbus, IN, knows a thing or two about world-class venues and motorsports events surrounded by high publicity and international intrigue. And yet it is a Midget-car contest held each January inside a converted rodeo arena and livestock hall in Oklahoma that Stewart calls "the best race of the year for me."

Stewart, the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup champion in 2002 and 2005, declares, "Yeah, if I could run only one race a year, and I had to pick, it would definitely be the Chili Bowl."

He is referring to the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals, the 22nd annual edition of which will be held Jan. 8-12 inside the Tulsa Expo Center. Saturday night's headline action will be televised live, for the first time, on HBO Pay-Per-View.

The Chili Bowl, in Stewart's opinion, is "the toughest race to win," and he should know. Twice, in 2002 and '07, he has emerged as the victor in the Saturday-night A-Main finale, one of the most coveted short-track events in America. This year, some 280 plus Midgets are expected to haul to Tulsa for the mid-winter classic.

"When you've got [that many] guys that come to one track to try to make a 24-car starting field, and you beat those guys, that's something," says Stewart. "You just don't get lucky and do that.
That's something you have to earn. I mean, the pressure is very intense to perform well - not only for myself, but for everybody there - because there's so many great champions from so many different parts of the country, and they want to prove that they're the best."

Stewart has been a semi-regular entrant in the Chili Bowl, missing some years due to conflicts with his NASCAR and Indy Car duties. But, whenever time has allowed and good rides have been available, he has come to Tulsa each January since the mid-1990s, when he was a dirt-track regular piling up feature wins from Ohio to California and earning a pair of United States Auto Club (USAC) National Midget championships, not to mention titles in USAC's Silver Crown and Sprint Car divisions.

Always, his Chili Bowl philosophy has been the same: "Plan ahead." A driver cannot win on Saturday night without first surviving the rugged qualifying nights on the tight Expo oval, when he is put to the test by heat races, last-chance events and preliminary features, not to mention rivals he may be seeing for the first time since the previous year's Chili Bowl. Toss in the ever-changing nature of dirt-track racing, and the whole exercise becomes as much a mental challenge as a physical contest.

"You always have to be paying attention," Stewart declares. "During your preliminary night, you have to watch the racetrack and see how it changes. You don't necessarily want your car to be handling perfect the first five laps [of the prelim feature]; you have to know what you need your car to be doing the last five laps, and how to set it up for that.

"There are so many good guys, great championship drivers, that won't make the A-Main. So the goal is to get yourself in the A-Main, and then, once you get yourself in the 'A,' finish as high as you can finish."

If all goes according to his plan, that will mean a third Chili Bowl championship, and a third "Golden Driller" trophy emblematic of the accomplishment. But Ste

 

2008 SPRINT CUP TESTING NEWS
DAYTONA 500, Session 1
DAYS 1-4, Jan. 7-10

Click on below link to see who is testing

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http://www.jayski.com/stats/testing/...08daytona1.htm

 

[*][align=center]NEXT RACE:
Bud Shootout

[/align][*][align=center]LAST RACE:
Homestead

[/align][*][align=center]2008 Team Chart [/align][*][align=center]2008 Schedule [/align][*][align=center]2008 Owners Points [/align]

 

Jimmy Johnson tearing up the competitiors in speed testing. Surprise speeds in from Kyle Bush in his Toyota. Very strange watching these chevy guys in Toyota's.

 

It would be so funny to redo this commercial, except with 2 trophies at the end.

 

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Track Stats





DAYTONA
Distance: 2.5 Mile Oval
Banking/Turns 1-4:31Âş
Banking in Tri-oval:18Âş
Banking/Backstretch: 3Âş
Length/Frontstretch: 3,800 ft.
Length/Backstretch:3,400 ft.
Miles/Laps: 500 mi


Daytona: Testing Speeds



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Jan 07, 2008 at 10:08 PM


Wed Afternoon Session (Drafting)
1 18B Kyle Busch Tyt 47.662 188.830
2 17B Matt Kenseth Frd 47.747 188.494
3 41B Reed Sorenson Dge 47.894 187.915
4 24B Jeff Gordon Chv 47.914 187.837
5 1B Martin Truex, Jr. Chv 47.922 187.805
6 84B A.J. Allmendinger Tyt 47.922 187.805
7 5B Casey Mears Chv 48.040 187.344
8 8A Mark Martin Chv 48.049 187.309
9 99A Carl Edwards Frd 48.089 187.153
10 16B Greg Biffle Frd 48.104 187.095
Wed Morning Session (Drafting)
1 18 Kyle Busch Tyt 47.927 187.786
2 84B A.J. Allmendinger Tyt 48.032 187.375
3 16A Greg Biffle Frd 48.075 187.207
4 2B Kurt Busch Dge 48.075 187.207
5 48B Jimmie Johnson Chv 48.090 187.149
6 24B Jeff Gordon Chv 48.101 187.106
7 41B Reed Sorenson Dge 48.116 187.048
8 8A Mark Martin Chv 48.150 186.916
9 8B Mark Martin Chv 48.206 186.699
10 07A Clint Bowyer Chv 48.225 186.625
Tue Afternoon Session (Drafting)
1 96A J.J. Yeley Tyt 48.036 187.359
2 2B Kurt Busch Dge 48.047 187.317
3 18B Kyle Busch Tyt 48.090 187.149
4 78B Joe Nemechek Chv 48.093 187.137
5 17A Matt Kenseth Frd 48.094 187.134
6 41A Reed Sorenson Dge 48.095 187.130
7 00B David Reutimann Tyt 48.121 187.029
8 1A Martin Truex, Jr. Chv 48.129 186.997
9 48B Jimmie Johnson Chv 48.157 186.889
Tue Morning Session
1 48A Jimmie Johnson Chv 48.711 184.763
2 27B Jacques Villeneuve Tyt 48.792 184.456
3 28B Travis Kvapil Frd 48.875 184.143
4 5B Casey Mears Chv 48.899 184.053
5 84B A.J. Allmendinger Tyt 48.900 184.049
6 96B J.J. Yeley Tyt 48.951 183.857
7 24A Jeff Gordon Chv 48.964 183.809
8 18B Kyle Busch Tyt 48.973 183.775
9 5A Casey Mears Chv 49.020 183.599
10 18 Kyle Busch Tyt 49.056 183.464

Mon Morning Session
1 48A Jimmie Johnson Chv 48.706 184.782
2 5B Casey Mears Chv 48.761 184.574
3 5A Casey Mears Chv 49.027 183.572
4 27B Jacques Villeneuve Tyt 49.092 183.329
5 84B A.J. Allmendinger Tyt 49.101 183.296
6 84A A.J. Allmendinger Tyt 49.167 183.050
7 24A Jeff Gordon Chv 49.169 183.042
8 18 Kyle Busch Tyt 49.199 182.931
9 18B Kyle Busch Tyt 49.200 182.927
10 96A J.J. Yeley Tyt 49.260 182.704
Mon Afternoon Session
1 48A Jimmie Johnson Chv 48.735 184.672
2 5B Casey Mears Chv 48.852 184.230
3 5A Casey Mears Chv 48.891 184.083
4 18 Kyle Busch Tyt 48.896 184.064
5 84B A.J. Allmendinger Tyt 48.918 183.981
6 27B Jacques Villeneuve Tyt 48.973 183.775
7 24A Jeff Gordon Chv 49.010 183.636
8 28B Travis Kvapil Frd 49.025 183.580
9 00A David Reutimann Tyt 49.043 183.512
10 18B Kyle Busch Tyt 49.052 183.479


Last Updated ( Jan 09, 2008 at 05:17 PM )





Garth Brooks helps with NASCAR Day



Written by Administrator

Jan 08, 2008 at 10:13 PM


[b]CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Jan. 8, 2008) – The NASCAR Foundation announced today that it will celebrate “Five Years of Caring” May 16 during the fifth anniversary of NASCAR Day.

Present for the announcement at Daytona International Speedway was country music superstar Garth Brooks. As part of his role, Brooks will appear in a print, radio and television advertising campaign that will debut during the 50th running of the Daytona 500 on Feb. 17, 2008 (FOX, 2 p.m. ET). Past celebrity supporters for NASCAR Day in

 

Those Toyotas are going to definately turn some heads this year. Toyota knows that being in Nascar and winning translates to big dollar signs and are investing tons into their teams.

 

[align=center]Hi Member's, are you ready [/align][align=center]for[/align][align=center][/align][align=center]I'm looking forward to the new Season,[/align][align=center]are you ?[/align][align=center][align=center]
Nextel Cup News/Links page
click here for the latest news[/align][ul][*]Daytona Truck Series Testing Jan 11-13...driver list, speeds[*]Daytona Test Notes and Speeds[*]Daytona testing, session 1 is over, DIS Drafting practice, day 3[*]Daytona Fan Fest schedule[/ul][/align]

 

THE BIG STORY


The first three-day round of Daytona 500 testing ended with Kyle Busch fastest with a 188.830 mph "drafting" lap in his Joe Gibbs Toyota. Matt Kenseth's Ford was second-best with a 188.494 mph lap followed by Reed Sorenson's Dodge at 187.915 mph. Jeff Gordon and Martin Truex Jr. wrapped the top five. In non-drafting sessions, Jimmie Johnson was best at 184.782 mph. Testing continues this week.
Also: Damion Gardner won Saturday night's 50-lap Chili Bowl Midget Nationals main event in Tulsa. He took the lead on lap 11. Dave Darland was second… Dario Franchitti won the Jerry Titus Memorial Trophy at Saturday's American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association's 38th All-America Team dinner in Indianapolis. The Titus goes to the driver who received the most media votes for the Team. Also elected to the Team were: Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon (stock car category); Sebastien Bourdais (open wheel); Tony Schumacher and Tony Pedregon (drag racing); Alex Gurney, Jon Fogarty and Scott Pruett (road racing), Ron Hornaday Jr. and Frank Kimmel (touring); Donny Schatz and Jerry Coons Jr. (short track); and Alex Lloyd, Mika Salo and Jamie Melo (at-large). Carl Haas was honored as Pioneer In Racing… Aston Martin will return to competition in ALMS' GT2 class… NHRA team owner/sponsor Evan Knoll said he was suspending operations for this season due to health issues… Chip Ellis will ride a Suzuki for Don Schumacher Racing… Truck rookie Colin Braun and Joey Clanton crashed in Friday Craftsman series testing at Daytona. There were no injuries. Return to Top


NASCAR Sprint Cup Series


A U.S. District Court judge dismissed Kentucky Speedway's suit against NASCAR. The track, which will appeal, has been seeking a Sprint Cup race date… Kevin Hamlin is Brian Vickers' new crew chief. Return to Top


Racer of the Week


Dario Franchitti. Received his Indy 500 winner's ring and AARWBA driver of the year award Saturday night in Indianapolis before heading to Daytona for NASCAR testing.Return to Top


Yes, He REALLY Said That


Robby Gordon, on cancellation of the Dakar Rally due to terrorist threats. "I'm extremely disappointed in the ASO. I can completely understand their decision to not go to Mauritania or not want to put competitors in an awkward or dangerous situation. That I understand 100 percent. But for them, as many years as they've been doing this rally, not to have a backup plan, a B plan, a C plan, a D plan, what if this is going to happen… Why didn't we run 10 days in Portugal, on the same course? Something."Return to Top

 

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Daytona Testing Week 2

Written by Administrator & MCF `Space : )

Jan 14, 2008 at 11:39 AM

Daytona Testing - Week 2 - Monday Afternoon
1 22B Dave Blaney Tyt 48.532 185.445
2 88B Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chv 48.537 185.426
3 83A Brian Vickers Tyt 48.568 185.307
4 44A Dale Jarrett Tyt 48.572 185.292
5 55 Michael Waltrip Tyt 48.589 185.227
6 20A Tony Stewart Tyt 48.624 185.094
7 55M Michael Waltrip Tyt 48.637 185.044
8 44B Dale Jarrett Tyt 48.676 184.896
9 83B Brian Vickers Tyt 48.701 184.801
10 40 Dario Franchitti Dge 48.718 184.737
Daytona Testing - Week 2 - Monday Morning
1 44B Dale Jarrett Tyt 48.652 184.987
2 88B Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chv 48.742 184.646
3 40 Dario Franchitti Dge 48.832 184.305
4 44A Dale Jarrett Tyt 48.854 184.222
5 20A Tony Stewart Tyt 48.968 183.793
6 11B Denny Hamlin Tyt 49.035 183.542
7 22 Dave Blaney Tyt 49.039 183.527
8 22B Dave Blaney Tyt 49.099 183.303
9 55 Michael Waltrip Tyt 49.100 183.299
10 83A Brian Vickers Tyt 49.116 183.240


Last Updated ( Jan 14, 2008 at 05:02 PM ) [/align]

Red Bull inks Frye

Written by Administrator & MCF `Space : )

Jan 14, 2008 at 02:22 PM


Red Bull Racing Team is pleased to announce Jay Frye as General Manager effective January 14, 2008. Jay Frye brings on board 16 years of experience in the NASCAR industry, most recently with a 12-year stint as CEO and GM of Ginn Racing (formerly MB2 Motorsports). “Red Bull along with Toyota has all the necessary tools to compete at a very high level. I’m excited about the opportunity to work with an organization that has unlimited potential,” says Frye. With a long-standing history of industry success, Frye completes Red Bull Racing Team’s search for a GM, since the position was vacated in June 2007. Guenther Steiner, who joined the team in 2006 with extensive Formula One technical expertise, will continue to work as Technical Director and focus fully on delivering advanced engineering performance and technology. Red Bull Racing Team's focus on superior and precision engineering paired with Jay Frye's industry expertise is certain to lead to consistent and successful results in 2008.
CREDIT: TEAM RELEASE

Last Updated ( Jan 14, 2008 at 02:23 PM ) [/align]



Morgan-McClure Motorsports could close

Jan 14, 2008 at 02:20 PM


25 Years of NASCAR History Could Potentially Come to an End

ABINGDON, Va. (January 11, 2008) - Morgan-McClure Motorsports President Tim Morgan announced today that operations will be scaled back until a sponsor or investor is found. Many employees were laid off but the organization still remains ready to head to Daytona if a sponsor signs up in time.

Tim Morgan, President of Morgan-McClure Motorsports announced today at 3:00 PM that, “We are basically closing the doors on 25 years of NASCAR racing if we don’t find a sponsor. We have been searching for sponsorship for months and decided that if nothing materialized, we would have to cancel testing and release most of our employees.” Morgan continues, “We will continue our marketing efforts and still try to put something together but we cannot continue the way we are today.”

Larry McClure, Team Manager said, “We will continue to search for sponsorship and if something becomes available, we have the cars ready to go to Daytona. This is a very hard day for me. I’ve had a lot of fun racing and it’s just hard to believe it might come to this. I would like to say thanks to all our fans who have remained loyal through all these years and to thank everyone who has ever supported us in any way, whether it be through this race team or our dealerships. We are still the best bargain in NASCAR