pandr
10-15-2011, 10:20 AM
Raceday: This just in ...
By Jim Utter - jutter charlotteobserver
Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011
OBSERVATIONS
NASCAR media are falling all over themselves, claiming they never counted Jimmie Johnson out after his slow start in the Chase. Maybe not in their own printed words, but they certainly did in their line of questioning, particularly at Dover (Del.). Almost every driver who had media availability that weekend was asked by various media members whether they thought Johnson was out of contention. Why? Had any NASCAR drivers said publicly they thought Johnson or his team was "done?" Not a one. That leaves only one group responsible for the direction of the interviews - the authors of the questions.
With only five races left in the Cup season after tonight there remain many questions for next season, but most of the answers are connected to whether teams can find the necessary funding. Where will Cup regulars Brian Vickers and David Ragan wind up? Will Trevor Bayne continue to work with the Wood Brothers in Cup, or will that position go to Ricky Stenhouse Jr.? How many drivers are committed to running for the 2012 Nationwide Series title? At the moment, I can only come up with a handful.
THREE THINGS TO WATCH
1 . Best keep an eye on Jimmie Johnson. Now only four points out of the Sprint Cup points lead, no reason his run to the top will detour at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
2. Kasey Kahne has been running well during recent weeks - perhaps the best he has all season. He enters a track where he was won three Cup races and an All-Star Race.
3. Dale Earnhardt Jr. came within a half-gallon of fuel of winning the May race at Charlotte. Expect him to be a factor for the victory again.
PICKS
Jim Utter: This is now the third Chase race for which this driver will be starting among the top five. That is like a win in itself, so I'll give him one.
Winner: Matt Kenseth.
Bob Henry: He's not in the Chase, but this driver knows the way to Victory Lane at Charlotte. And the team's future is now.
Winner: Kasey Kahne.
NOTEBOOK
CMS to host EFI test Monday
About a dozen Cup series teams plan to participate in a test of electronic fuel injection cars Monday at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
The series will utilize EFI beginning next season and NASCAR has scheduled a variety of tests this fall to allow teams to test those cars at series' tracks.
Teams from Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing, Michael Waltrip Racing, Roush Fenway Racing, Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing, NEMCO Motorsports, Stewart-Haas Racing and Richard Childress Racing plan to take part.
"I drove one of those cars in Phoenix and I was really happy with how it ran. It felt exactly like the carburetor car so I was real pleased with what we had been able to do," said driver Dale Earnhardt Jr.
"I know the guys at HMS have worked really, really hard on it. It has been quite a bit of a challenge, but they have come a long way."
Waltrip to honor brother next weekend
Two-time Daytona 500 champion Michael Waltrip, with the support of long-time sponsor Aaron's, will celebrate the election of his brother Darrell to the NASCAR Hall of Fame. He'll race a brown-and-gold paint scheme similar to the Terminal Transport car Darrell drove in his first Cup race at Talladega (Ala.) on May 7, 1972.
"This is really a huge honor and something that I certainly don't take lightly," Michael Waltrip said.
"To be able to go to Talladega in a replica of a car that Darrell raced there for the first time and started his march toward the Hall of Fame, it is a special feeling."
Montoya to be inducted
In honor of "lifetime contributions to sports," south Florida resident and Cup driver Juan Pablo Montoya has been selected for induction into the Miami Sports Hall of Champions.
Montoya will be inducted Wednesday during ceremonies at American Airlines Arena in Miami. The Hall, in conjunction with the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, honors individuals who have brought "significant recognition to Greater Miami through achievements in, and contributions to, sports and the competitive spirit of the local community."
Who is the 'better half'?
The speedway will host a 25-lap Bandolero race at 2:30 p.m. today featuring several women in NASCAR, including the wives or girlfriends of NASCAR drivers.
The "Better Half Dash" will support Motor Racing Outreach and Speedway Children's Charities.
Among the participants entered: Angie Skinner, wife of Truck and Cup series driver Mike Skinner; Speed TV personality Wendy Venturini and Sabrina Simpson, girlfriend of Cup driver Joey Logano.
Kelley Earnhardt, general manager and co-owner of JR Motorsports, will serve as official starter of the race.
C/P thats racin
By Jim Utter - jutter charlotteobserver
Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011
OBSERVATIONS
NASCAR media are falling all over themselves, claiming they never counted Jimmie Johnson out after his slow start in the Chase. Maybe not in their own printed words, but they certainly did in their line of questioning, particularly at Dover (Del.). Almost every driver who had media availability that weekend was asked by various media members whether they thought Johnson was out of contention. Why? Had any NASCAR drivers said publicly they thought Johnson or his team was "done?" Not a one. That leaves only one group responsible for the direction of the interviews - the authors of the questions.
With only five races left in the Cup season after tonight there remain many questions for next season, but most of the answers are connected to whether teams can find the necessary funding. Where will Cup regulars Brian Vickers and David Ragan wind up? Will Trevor Bayne continue to work with the Wood Brothers in Cup, or will that position go to Ricky Stenhouse Jr.? How many drivers are committed to running for the 2012 Nationwide Series title? At the moment, I can only come up with a handful.
THREE THINGS TO WATCH
1 . Best keep an eye on Jimmie Johnson. Now only four points out of the Sprint Cup points lead, no reason his run to the top will detour at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
2. Kasey Kahne has been running well during recent weeks - perhaps the best he has all season. He enters a track where he was won three Cup races and an All-Star Race.
3. Dale Earnhardt Jr. came within a half-gallon of fuel of winning the May race at Charlotte. Expect him to be a factor for the victory again.
PICKS
Jim Utter: This is now the third Chase race for which this driver will be starting among the top five. That is like a win in itself, so I'll give him one.
Winner: Matt Kenseth.
Bob Henry: He's not in the Chase, but this driver knows the way to Victory Lane at Charlotte. And the team's future is now.
Winner: Kasey Kahne.
NOTEBOOK
CMS to host EFI test Monday
About a dozen Cup series teams plan to participate in a test of electronic fuel injection cars Monday at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
The series will utilize EFI beginning next season and NASCAR has scheduled a variety of tests this fall to allow teams to test those cars at series' tracks.
Teams from Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing, Michael Waltrip Racing, Roush Fenway Racing, Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing, NEMCO Motorsports, Stewart-Haas Racing and Richard Childress Racing plan to take part.
"I drove one of those cars in Phoenix and I was really happy with how it ran. It felt exactly like the carburetor car so I was real pleased with what we had been able to do," said driver Dale Earnhardt Jr.
"I know the guys at HMS have worked really, really hard on it. It has been quite a bit of a challenge, but they have come a long way."
Waltrip to honor brother next weekend
Two-time Daytona 500 champion Michael Waltrip, with the support of long-time sponsor Aaron's, will celebrate the election of his brother Darrell to the NASCAR Hall of Fame. He'll race a brown-and-gold paint scheme similar to the Terminal Transport car Darrell drove in his first Cup race at Talladega (Ala.) on May 7, 1972.
"This is really a huge honor and something that I certainly don't take lightly," Michael Waltrip said.
"To be able to go to Talladega in a replica of a car that Darrell raced there for the first time and started his march toward the Hall of Fame, it is a special feeling."
Montoya to be inducted
In honor of "lifetime contributions to sports," south Florida resident and Cup driver Juan Pablo Montoya has been selected for induction into the Miami Sports Hall of Champions.
Montoya will be inducted Wednesday during ceremonies at American Airlines Arena in Miami. The Hall, in conjunction with the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, honors individuals who have brought "significant recognition to Greater Miami through achievements in, and contributions to, sports and the competitive spirit of the local community."
Who is the 'better half'?
The speedway will host a 25-lap Bandolero race at 2:30 p.m. today featuring several women in NASCAR, including the wives or girlfriends of NASCAR drivers.
The "Better Half Dash" will support Motor Racing Outreach and Speedway Children's Charities.
Among the participants entered: Angie Skinner, wife of Truck and Cup series driver Mike Skinner; Speed TV personality Wendy Venturini and Sabrina Simpson, girlfriend of Cup driver Joey Logano.
Kelley Earnhardt, general manager and co-owner of JR Motorsports, will serve as official starter of the race.
C/P thats racin