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CHEVROLET DETROIT BELLE ISLE GRAND PRIX ANNOUNCES CANADIAN PARTNERSHIP AND TICKET PACKAGE

April 23, 2013 @ 7:13PM

DETROIT, Mich. (April, 23, 2013) – Opening its arms to all of the great Canadian race fans located across the Detroit River from Belle Isle, the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix is proud to announce a renewed partnership with the City of Windsor. Through the relationship, fans across the border will have the opportunity enjoy a weekend full of world class auto racing, family fun and on-stage entertainment, May 31-June 2 at the Grand Prix.

As part of this unique partnership Canadian fans will enjoy a special ticket and transportation package through the City of Windsor. In addition, the Belle Isle Casino building, which hosts members of the working press throughout race weekend at the official event Media Center, will be sponsored by the City of Windsor, as it was during the 2008 Grand Prix.

The special ticket package includes a seat in the “Canadian Grandstand.” This features a reserved seat ticket in Grandstand 2, located at the start/finish line, which gives fans one of the best views of the on-track action. Also included in the package is a round-trip Transit Windsor ticket to and from Belle Isle, access to the Meijer Family Fun Zone and concerts on the MotorCity Casino Hotel Entertainment Stage. Single-day tickets start at $55 per person (HST included) and two-day tickets start at $105.

“We welcomed fans to the Canadian Grandstand at our event back in 2008 and we enjoyed tremendous support with a strong turnout,” said Bud Denker, Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix Event Chairman. “We appreciate the partnership with the City of Windsor and Mayor Francis. We are excited to offer this special package once again to all of the great Canadian fans and we look forward to providing an exciting weekend at the Grand Prix.”

Fans can visit www.cityofwindsor.ca for more information or call 311 in the City of Windsor to purchase tickets. Fans can also visit the Windsor International Transit Terminal and Customer Care Centres throughout Windsor starting Friday, April 26 to purchase the Canadian Grandstand ticket packages. Cash, debit, Visa and MasterCard are all accepted for the Canadian Grandstand package.

“The Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix is one of the many exciting events going on this summer and the City of Windsor is proud to lend its support,” said City of Windsor Mayor Eddie Francis. “We want to make sure that the Canadian Grandstand is packed with fans all weekend long so we urge everyone to get their tickets and enjoy a great weekend on Belle Isle.”

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Last lap wreck at Daytona injures fans, mars Tony Stewart's Nationwide victory

February 23, 2013 @ 6:09PM

By Reid Spencer
NASCAR Wire Service

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Tony Stewart won Saturday's DRIVE4COPD 300 at Daytona International Speedway, but the elation of his victory disappeared in the wake of a heart-stopping wreck that saw Kyle Larson's car demolished after flying into the crossover gate that provides access from the asphalt to the main grandstand. 

As Stewart dodged the crash and crossed the finish line, the front clip of Larson's car sheared off , ripping the engine out of its compartment. The front suspension and engine ended up on the walkway at the bottom of the stands.

A tire from Larson's car also flew into the grandstands.

Regan Smith led as the cars approached the checkered flag, but Smith tried to block Brad Keselowski, who was running second, and turned across the nose of Keselowski's car.

There were no immediate reports as to the extent of injuries, but emergency medical personnel arrived on the scene with stretchers and removed one spectator who was tightly strapped to the gurney. Other fans appeared to be receiving treatment at the scene.

The emergency in the grandstand tempered Stewart's fifth victory in his last six February races at Daytona and the 11th Nationwide Series win of his career.

"Fortunately, with the way the event's equipped up, there were plenty of emergency workers ready to go, and they jumped in on it pretty quickly," NASCAR president Mike Helton told ESPN. "And right now, it's just a function of trying to determine what all damage is done.

"They're moving folks, as we've seen, to care centers and taking some folks over to Halifax Medical (Center), so we'll be able to update later on, but right now, all we know is everybody's working real hard on determining what all happened."

Larson climbed from his car almost immediately and was evaluated and released from the infield care center.

Drivers, Larson included, were more concerned with the safety of the fans than the outcome of the race.

"The important thing is what's going on on the frontstretch right now," Stewart said after climbing from his car. "We've always known since racing was started this is a dangerous sport. But it's hard. We assume that risk. It's hard when the fans get caught up in it.

 "As much as we want to celebrate right now, as much as this is a big deal to us, I'm more worried about the drivers and fans in the stands right now. I could see it all in the mirror and it didn't look good from where I was either."

Smith said he wasn't about to surrender the victory to Keselowski 200 yards from the finish line.

"We made a move to try and win the race," Keselowski said. "We were in the catbird seat. Regan was in a good spot. He was first and I was second, and we were pushing. I kind of had the run and the move to win the race, and Regan obviously tried to block it, and that's understandable.

Sam Hornish Jr. crossed the stripe in second place, followed by rookie Alex Bowman, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Parker Kligerman.

The last-lap wreck wasn't the only serious incident of the event. A 13-car wreck in Turns 1 and 2, triggered by contact between the No. 43 Ford Mustang of Michael Annett and the No. 3 Chevrolet Camaro of Austin Dillon -- both championship hopefuls -- stopped the race after 116 laps and set up the finish.

Annett was transported to Halifax Health Medical Center. Richard Petty Motorsports later reported that Annett, whose car slammed the outside wall nose-first, was treated for bruising on his chest and received a CT scan. He remains in the hospital for further observation.
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Allmendinger is Out Indefinitely!!

July 25, 2012 @ 9:55PM

By Sherri Breaton

Penske Driver A.J. Allmendinger was suspended indefinitely by NASCAR
Photo courtesy of NASCAR.com

Despite it being an off week in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, there was still lots of news happening around the tracks.

 A. J. Allmendinger has been suspended indefinitely from NASCAR following his failure to pass the “B” test sample provided following a positive “A” test a few weeks ago for a banned “stimulant”. Allmendinger maintains that he did not knowingly ingest any banned substance and has even suggested that he may have come from a stimulant. He recently signed on with sponsor “Fuel in a Bottle”. It is unclear if this could have been the cause.

His business manager, Tara Ragan, said that the driver is still waiting for information to determine what caused the positive test. NASCAR has since revealed that the substance was amphetamine:

 “He has no idea why the test was positive, and he has never knowingly taken any prohibited substance. A.J. is collecting his medicines and supplements for testing to determine whether an over-the-counter product caused his positive test” Ragan stated following the test outcome.

Allmendinger has chosen to enter the “Road to Recovery” path to reinstatement. David Black, NASCAR’s substance abuse program administrator said that the timetable for Allmendinger's potential return is unclear. It can take Allmendinger anywhere from a few months to more than a year to be reinstated.

Black also went on to state that he would be surprised to learn that the positive result came from a supplement. As Black explained to ESPN:

“On every positive test we have, we look to rule out the possibility of a supplement being involved. Of course, we have not identified the drug (this has since changed) but I'm not aware of any commercial products that would have influenced the test outcome."

NASCAR's substance abuse policy bans stimulants including amphetamine, methamphetamine, Ecstasy (MDMA), Eve (MDEA), MDA, PMA, Phentermine and other amphetamine derivatives and related compounds.

Just hours after the revelation became public, Allmendinger took to Twitter to say a few words (all words sic’d):

"I just want to say thank you first and foremost for all if u sticking by me. Please dont think me being means i havent been reading all ur / Support. And man, it means more than u eill ever know. Im sorry we even have to have this going on. But i promise..i will do whatever it / Takes to get to the bottom of this and get back our there no matter what. Thanks guys."

Typically, the grammar police of Twitterland kicked the poor guy when he was down and in no time he was being ridiculed for his poor English skills. He later tweeted:

"Hey..sorry to u guys jumping on my spelling..it wasnt a "pr" statement..it was me typing from my heart...sorry it wasnt perfect".
Sam Hornish Jr., who subbed for Allmendinger at Daytona and New Hampshire, will again drive the No. 22 car this weekend at Indianapolis and in the following race at Pocono.
Kasey Kahne is riding on a post win high after stealing a win away from Denny Hamlin in New Hampshire July 15th, 2012. A major communication screw up between Hamlin and crew chief Darian Grubb in the pits cost Hamelin the win after he had been leading 150 of the 300 one-mile laps.

Kasey Kahne celebrates in victory lane at Louden holding the
traditional "lobsta"
Photo courtesy of NASCAR.com

"Darian asked me how much of the tires I felt I'd used up. I felt like I had used up a substantial amount," Hamlin said. "(I said) give me tires and no adjustments. He thought I meant four tires. Nothing's a given. Even though it looked like we had one in the bag if we took two tires, you never know."  Apparently Hamlin only wanted two tires.
Kahne took advantage of the foul up and on the restart jumped in to first on lap 240 while Hamlin restarted 13th.   The victory for Kahne made him start looking like an actual Cup contender and helped his chances of qualifying for the Chase (the last 10 races of the season in which the top 10 drivers in the point standings win automatic berths). Two additional spots go to the drivers with the most wins who are ranked 11th to 20th in points.
Kahne went from 16th to 12th, and his two wins are more than anyone in the second group of 10. The win was the fifth of the year for Hendrick Motorsports in 19 races. Seven remain before the Chase begins at the Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Ill., on Sept. 16.
Just when NASCAR fans can not possibly take any more ridicule directed at them, 72 year old Linda Chase of Michigan gives them more ammo. Last month police discovered that Ms. Chase had been keeping her 67 year old friend Charles Zigler’s mummified dead body in his apartment since approximately 2010. Once a week she would dress him, clean him and sit with him so that they could enjoy the NASCAR race on TV. Oh she was also cashing his social security checks probably to pay for the beer and Doritos. Who say’s we NASCAR fans aren’t “die hard”??
On a more “lively” note, NASCAR Chairman, Brian France made a statement about his commitment to making changes in the sport:

"There aren't a whole lot of people who don't want to see more lead changes, or a photo finish, or slamming and banging coming out of the fourth turn."

"It's a contact sport and if you have a chance to win and are in second place on the last lap, would I expect there to be some contact if you have a faster car? Absolutely...we want to see what everybody else wants to see - excitement."
Bring it!
Sunday we resume racing as we go green at the Brickyard in Indy for the Curtiss Shaver 400. Let’s see who is fast enough to kiss the bricks when the checkered flag flies!
The Lowe's 48 Team of Jimmie Johnson kissing the bricks
at the Brickyard
Photo courtesy of Hendrick Motorsports












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Allmendinger Requests "B" Sample Tested

July 10, 2012 @ 12:19PM

By Sherri Breaton


A.J. Allmendinger addresses the media following a failed
random drug test.
Photo courtesy of NASCAR.com

In an attempt to clear his name, Penske driver A.J. Allmendinger exercised his rights today in asking that an independent laboratory test the backup sample provided last week. 

"I have informed NASCAR that I have requested that the 'B' sample be tested, following the steps according to NASCAR's 2012 rule book regarding this situation," Allmendinger said in a statement released by the team. "I fully respect NASCAR's drug usage policy and the reasons they have it. I am hoping this can get resolved as quickly as possible so that I can get back to driving the No. 22 Penske Racing Dodge.
"I am sorry that this has caused such a distraction for my Penske Racing team, our sponsors and fans. Obviously I would never do anything to jeopardize my opportunity here at Penske Racing or to my fellow drivers. I am very conscious about my training and health and would never knowingly take a prohibited drug."
Due to the uncertainty of Allmendinger's status, Sam Hornish Jr. has been added to the entry list for Sunday's race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. 



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“Smoke” takes Daytona and Allmendinger Takes Drugs??

July 8, 2012 @ 10:18AM

By Sherri Breaton

 Tony Stewart picked up his 47thwin in 482 starts following a wild night at the Coca Zero 400 at the Daytona International Speedway July 8, 2012. It was his fourth Sprint Cup victory at the track yet the “big prize” – the Daytona 500 has continued to elude him.

Crew chief Steve Addington gets ready to soak Tony Stewart
with champagne in Victory Lane
Photo courtesy of NASCAR.com

"I don't know, but I'll trade 'em all in for just one Daytona 500," Stewart said of his four summertime wins. "This is 18 wins at Daytona -- we just haven't got the right one yet. But all of 'em are special, and it's cool to do this."
As per usual in Daytona, just as Tony was crossing the finish line, total mayhem was occurring in his rear view mirror. A previous wreck caused by Denny Hamlin had already taken out quite a few in the field. Two out of three of Michael Waltrip’s cars were out, as was all of Joe Gibbs’ Racing Team. On the restart, Matt Kenseth and Greg Biffle were side by side by and somehow Tony Stewart side-drafted the two of them and pulled ahead for the victory.
Carnage outside of Turn 4
Photo courtesy of NASCAR.com
Jeff Burton came second followed by Matt Kenseth, Joey Logano, Stewart’s team mate Ryan Newman, Carl Edwards, Kasey Kahne, Brad Kesolowski, Michael Waltrip and one of my favourite drivers, Bobby Labonte rounded out the top ten.
On a side note, Joey Logano’s Nationwide car failed inspection following the Subway Jalapeno 250 Friday night. Penalties are expected to be levied on Tuesday.
I am not really a fan of watching restrictor plate racing on TV. Having not yet experienced it in person at a track, I can’t speak to what it’s like to watch live. If you are not normally a NASCAR viewer and/or are one of those people with the skewed ideal that “all they do is drive around in a circle”, you should probably not watch restrictor plate tracks. Yes it is exciting to see the cars quite literally stuck to each other’s bumpers at ridiculously high speeds, but unless there is a wreck, that’s all you are going to see.
Can you just scootch over a bit please?
Photo courtesy of NASCAR.com
The sideshow of the Allmendinger drama made for some interesting moments off and on track. A.J. Allmendinger, the driver of the #22 car for Penske, had been informed only two and a half hours prior to the green flag start that he failed his random drug test performed last week in Kentucky.
NASCAR announced that he was temporarily suspended for failing to pass his “A” sample which included a banned substance. Allmendinger as the option to ask for his “B” sample to be tested within 24 hours.
If his “B” sample comes back positive, he will be indefinitely suspended and will not be allowed to drive until he completes a recovery program prescribed by NASCAR. He would be evaluated by a substance abuse professional and subsequently be required to enter a rehabilitation program would be tailored specifically for him. He is only the second Sprint Cup driver to be suspended since NASCAR began random testing in 2009.  Jeremy Mayfield shared the honour in 2009.
Sam Hornish Jr., literally turned into a superhero and bolted into action to take over driving duties for Penske. Kenny Wallace was on standby (poor guy was on standby for Kevin Harvick too in case his wife Delana went into labour...sigh..I love Kenny!), just in case Hornish could not get to the track in time. He was literally doing a live, in-studio race interview for Speed in Charlotte, NC when his phone went off in his pocket. He ignored the call but checked soon after the taping and sprung into action.
Penske arranged for him to hop a flight to Daytona and once he landed there was a caravan of police cars waiting to escort him to the track. "It's kind of a weird thing when you land in an airplane and you see cop lights that are out there for you," he said.
Sam Hornish Jr. gets a quick pre-race talking to with
fellow Penske driver Brad Kesolowski
Photo courtesy of NASCAR.com
He arrived at 7:30 pm just as the invocation had begun. I swear Robin Meade (yes THAT Robin Meade from the CNN Morning Express show! Who knew she could sing??), really milked that national anthem to give them time to get Hornish into the car! He managed a 33rd place finish for Penske.
It should be noted that NASCAR senior vice president of racing operations Steve O’Donnell, who announced the suspension but did not field any questions and did not elaborate on what drug was found in Allmendinger’s system. It could be something as simple as an over the counter medication or something as severe as a narcotic. We will have to wait and see what unfolds.
Next week we head over to Louden in New Hampshire for the LENOX Industrial Tools 301.
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You Did Your Daddy Proud Dale! Jr. Ends the Drought on Father’s Day in Michigan

June 17, 2012 @ 6:26PM

By Sherri Breaton



It's been 4 yrs since Jr. Nation witnessed a burnout in Victory Lane.
Four years, same place.
Michigan International Speedway
Photo Courtesy of Nascar.com

 Well it goes without saying that the fans of Junior Nation are celebrating loud and proud tonight. And rightly so! It has been four years ago and 143 races since, at this very same track, Jr. fans celebrated in Victory Lane. How fitting for this to happen on Father’s Day yet again. Today, June 17th, 2012, Dale Earnhardt Jr. took home the rain delayed checkered flag at the Quicken Loans 400 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn Michigan.  

Jr. crosses the finish line at the 2012 Quicken Loans 400 at MIS
Photo courtesy of Nascar.com
Leave it to NASCAR’s current reigning champion and resident mouthpiece to chime in: "Dale had the fastest car all day. It's not a national holiday, guys. This morning they were celebrating his fourth anniversary of his last win, so I guess we're all in a state of mourning now, because he's broke that string now, so I don't know what we're all supposed to think."

Dale Earnhardt Jr. leads the charge to the finish line
Photo courtesy of Nascar.com

Tony....come on, suck it up buttercup. So you didn’t win this one. You had a beyond respectable second place finish. Even if you had, Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s hauler STILL would have outsold yours in merchandise!

How can you not get caught up in the royalty and the loyalty that surrounds Dale Earnhardt Jr?  Following the death of his father Dale Sr. at the Daytona 500 in 2001, I had to pick a new driver to follow. I chose Jimmie Johnson. He was new, he was young and most of all, like Dale Sr., he was fearless and could drive the crap out anything he got behind the wheel of. However, like every other fan in NASCAR, no matter whom you threw your support and loyalty behind, you still your heart, hoped for Jr. to win.

After his ordeal with his Step-Monster Teresa Earnhardt and subsequent departure for DEI,  I could not have been more thrilled to see him hop on board the Hendrick’s Motor Sports Team. Like everyone else I expected great things to happen for him, but they just never seemed to pan out. Dale Jr. to this day, regardless if he were to ever win another race, would still be ranked as NASCAR’s most popular driver. He is the Crown Prince. He can do no wrong. You have to be at a race, live, whenever Jr. takes the lead. The thunderous roar and eruption of cheering is mind blowing in the least, deafing at best. Remember, these are people sporting numbers of every other driver as well as Jr. fans. It’s NASCAR, its family.

Team Earnhardt and the Diet Mountain Dew/National Guard #88 Chevrolet celebrate.
Dale Jr.'s girlfriend Amy Reimann pictured above.
Photo courtesy of Nascar.com 
When he makes mistakes and cause wrecks, it’s okay, “it’s just Dale”. You have to love a sport and a fan base that still supports and cheers on a driver that has not won in four years. He sells more merchandise than any other driver – ever-except for his Dad. We have all known that he has the talent, the God given gift of driving. It was nice to finally see him shake those demons and bring it home for his long suffering team, sponsors, owners but more importantly, his FANS.
Champagne toast for Jr.!
Photo courtesy of Nascar.com 

Top ten results are as follows:

Jr. followed by Tony Stewart, Matt Kenseth, Greg Biffle, Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Clint Bowyer, Juan Montoya, Marcos Ambrose and Kevin Harvick.
Jr. Nation is celebrating tonight!
Photo courtesy of Nascar.com



Overall Sprint Cup current standings are found here:
http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2012/data/standings_unofficial.html

 Next week is the road course at Infineon where the likes of Marcos Ambrose and Tony Stewart always shine. However this is also a place where Jimmie Johnson has conquered. Who is it gonna be?



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HOWARD, RAIOLA TO SERVE AS QUICKEN LOANS 400 GRAND MARSHAL AND HONORARY STARTER

June 8, 2012 @ 1:39PM

BROOKLYN, Mich. (June 8, 2012) – Two of the state’s biggest sports superstars will be grand marshal and honorary starter for the Father’s Day Quicken Loans 400 at Michigan International Speedway.  

Starting goaltender for the 11-time Stanley Cup Champion Detroit Red Wings Jimmy Howard will remove his mask and serve as grand marshal for the Quicken Loans 400, giving the command to start engines. Dominic Raiola, the center and team captain for the NFL’s Detroit Lions, will be honorary starter, waving the green flag.

“It is great to have two professional athletes synonymous with Detroit to join us at MIS,” track President Roger Curtis said. “Their records and accomplishments speak for themselves as they each lead their respective teams and are true superstars. Howard and Raiola are each truly two of the greats in their leagues, and we are honored they could join us for the Quicken Loans 400.”

When it comes to his play between the pipes, Howard is regarded as one of the best goalies in the NHL. He has played in 192 regular season games for the Red Wings with 188 starts, posting a 110-54-19 record. He played in his first NHL All-Star Game earlier this year. Since becoming the Red Wings full-time goalie for the 2009-2010 season, Howard has won 35 or more contests in each season. He is the first goaltender in Red Wings history to win 35 or more games in his first three full seasons with the team.

He also led this year’s team to the NHL’s home-game win streak record, 23 games over four months.

“I’m a NASCAR fan, so I’m thrilled to share Father’s Day with my dad at the Quicken Loans 400 at MIS,” Howard said. Howard’s father, James Howard II, will join him for the command, a perfect complement for Father’s Day.

Raiola has played in 172 career, regular season NFL games with 156 starts during his NFL career. A model of consistency, he has missed just four games since entering into the starting lineup in 2002. The seven-year captain is considered the leader of the lockerroom and held in high regard by his peers and the media, including receiving the Detroit chapter of the Pro Football Writers Association’s prestigious Detroit Lions Good Guy or media-friendly award winner in 2009.

Last year he was one of the driving forces in leading the Lions to a 10-6 record and an appearance in the playoffs. The Detroit offense finished the year averaging 29.6 points per game. The former second-round pick for the Lions in 2001, Raiola was a three-year starter on the offensive line at Nebraska.

“Michigan is my home now, so to be a part of a NASCAR race at MIS is a real honor,” Raiola said. “When you think about the history of MIS and all the great drivers and races over the years, that’s pretty impressive. And with a Detroit Company, Quicken Loans, being the sponsor of the race, well, that just makes it all the better and that much more special to be a part of.”
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Welcome to the Club Kasey!

May 29, 2012 @ 7:56PM

By Sherri Breaton

Opening Ceremonies for the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motorspeedway
Photo courtesy of Nascar.com

When Kasey Kahne drove into Victory Lane at the Coca-Cola 600 on May 27th, he earned his wings into the winning club that is Hendrick Motorsports. He now joins the ranks of the many great drivers that helped achieve 200 plus Cup victories.

''It's something I've been looking forward to for a long time,'' Kahne said after winning NASCAR’s longest race for the third time.
Kasey Kahne captures the checkered flag at the 2012 Coca-Cola 600
Photo courtesy of Nascar.com
Kahne crossed the finish line nearly five seconds ahead of Denny Hamlin followed by Kyle
Busch in third and current points leader Greg Biffle fourth. It was Kahne's 13th career win
and first since last November in Phoenix.

For much of this race, it looked as if Biffle was untouchable. He led 204 laps and dominated the race early on. His car seemed to be performing the best in the Charlotte NC heat. Once the sun went down and night fell, the track cooled but Kahne got HOT! Kahne led 96 laps, including the final 42.
''Kasey's car was just better at night,'' Biffle said.

It was just a matter of time for Kahne to get a win this season. Up until now he basically had a streak of bad luck with his cars. Once they figured things out all he had to do was what he does best-DRIVE IT! Congrats Kasey for one of hopefully many wins in the future for you and your team!

Kasey Kahne with his first trip to Victory Lane with his new team at Hendrick's
Photo courtesy of Nascar.com

What the heck happened to the stellar pit crew of Jimmie Johnson? After taking home last week’s top honours at the All Star Pit Crew Challenge, their performance this week cost their driver a possible victory. When Johnson attempted to make his final pit stop of the long night on Lap 354 of the 400-lap event at Charlotte Motor Speedway, he was running third behind race winner Kahne and Denny Hamlin.
Crew Chief Chad Knaus has requested a two tire pit stop in an attempt to save Johnson time to get off pit road and jump in front of the current leaders. Then things got ugly. Once the jack drops that is the cue to the driver that he is good to go. Well the jack dropped and Johnson took off...with his gas man Brandon Harder and his fuel can still stuck to the car.

I looked at my husband and said “I can’t wait to hear the radio transmission from Knaus after this. He is going to be flipping out.” A few moments later we watched the replay of an animated Chad on the pit box and listened to the following.

"Go! Go! Go! STOP! STOP! STOP! ", Knaus yelled over the radio as he watched the chaos ensue. "Oh my God! We just destroyed our [#*&%ing] day!"
The Gas Man for the #48 walks away after a major pit crew foul up
Photo courtesy of Nascar.com
NASCAR tends to frown upon cars leaving pit road with equipment and/or people still stuck to the cars.
So the powers that be at NASCAR handed him a scolding. The Lowe’s 48 car was ordered to serve a stop-and-go penalty. This ended up dropping his position to 13thplace and a lap down from the lead lap. Johnson was never able to recover the momentum he needed and finished just outside the top 10 in 11thplace.

Of note, Danica Patrick was the first woman to drive the 600 since Janet Guthrie in 1976. She finished the race five laps down in 30th place, which was her best finish in her three Sprint Cup races so far. Her sole goal for the race was to just finish and she managed to accomplish just that. It really is a long race and she had a poor starting position due to a lousy qualifier but she stuck it out to the end. Kudos to Danica!

The race was the quickest ever for the 600 at 3 hours, 51 minutes, 14 seconds, nearly five minutes faster than the mark set in 1995.
This week we are headed to the “Monster Mile” at Dover International Speedway for the Fedex 400 Autism Speaks to see if 2011 winner Matt Kenseth can pull off a repeat.

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