By Ryan - Posted on July 4, 2009

With ten races left to set the field for the “Race to the Chase,” NASCAR news stories are focused on the drivers within striking distance of the top 12.  Generally, this includes all the drivers from sixth or seventh all the way back to the 20th spot.  Starting in New Hampshire, Casey Mears rounds out the top 20.  He sits 777 points behind leader Tony Stewart.  If the field were set after this weekend’s race, he would have to make up roughly 300 points to make the chase.  Fortunately for him, he has the time, although probably not the ability, to make the cut.

By Ryan - Posted on June 25, 2009

Kasey Kahne shared Napa Valley wine with his boss, the King, in Victory Lane at Sonoma according to NASCAR News sources.  The win was Kahne’s first on a road course, as well as Kahne’s first time in the winner’s circle in 37 attempts. 

By Ryan - Posted on June 19, 2009

In convincing style, NASCAR News is happy to report that Mark Martin has propelled himself into the chase standings again with a win at Michigan International Speedway on Sunday.  The 50 year old Martin used great pit strategy to place himself 2.99 seconds in front of Jeff Gordon in a race that is traditionally known for its fuel mileage issues.

By Ryan - Posted on June 10, 2009

Under the new format, the race leader will have the option of starting on the inside lane or outside lane of the track, with the second place driver taking the other spot.  Regardless of lap traffic conditions, odd number positions will line up in the inside lane and even positions will take the outside lane.  The other restart change is that the “lucky dog” pass for the first car one lap down will be in effect the entire way through the race.  This changes what had previously been a rule in which the free pass stopped with 10 or fewer laps.

By Ryan - Posted on June 3, 2009

The NASCAR News coming out of Dover was overshadowed by the shake up at Hendrick Motorsports.  Tony Eury, Jr. was the car chief and eventually crew chief for Dale Earnhardt, Jr. at DEI.  Last year, he followed Junior to Hendrick and they took off in the #88 National Guard Chevy, even winning last year’s Michigan race.  It was announced before the race at the Monster Mile that Hendrick was moving Eury to research and development and a makeshift crew was formed to turn Earnhardt’s fortunes around. 

By Ryan - Posted on May 27, 2009

The continued rain in Charlotte brought a lot of NASCAR News, including a shortened race and David Reutimann’s first Sprint Cup win.  Reutimann, driving the 00 Toyota Camry for Michael Waltrip Racing benefited from good pit strategy on the part of his crew chief Rodney Childers, staying out in the hope that the rain would fall.  The planning paid off as the sky opened up and the race was called at lap 227, giving Reutimann and his team owner there first wins in the series.  In a series of firsts and records, Monday’s race ranked as the shortest Coca Cola 600 in its 50 year history.

By Ryan - Posted on May 20, 2009

For the first time in his storied career, the NASCAR news of the day is that Tony Stewart is now an all-star.  In a race that turned out to live up to the hype, Stewart passed Matt Kenseth on lap 99 to take the win at Lowes Motor Speedway.  To top it off, this is Stewart’s first win as a driver/owner.

By Ryan - Posted on May 13, 2009

Feeling refreshed from knowing that he will be driving full time for Rick Hendrick again next year, NASCAR News agencies proudly got to report that Mark Martin got his second win in 4 races at Darlington Raceway.  In the triumphant return of the “Southern 500,” it was the old man who survived a slick track surface and mistakes by veteran drivers to grab his second Darlington win along with 11th in the points race.