Scene Daily, NASCAR

Colin Braun wins Truck pole for season finale

HOMESTEAD, Fla. – Roush Fenway Racing’s Colin Braun won the pole for Friday night’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Homestead-Miami Speedway, turning a lap of 168.251 mph in Friday’s qualifying session.

Jimmie Johnson snags pole for Ford 400 at Homestead

HOMESTEAD, Fla. – Don’t accuse Jimmie Johnson of coasting to the NASCAR Sprint Cup title.

This article also contains excerpts from Miami Herald, Seattle Times, ThatsRacin.com, Yahoo! Sports, NBCSports.com, FOXSports.com News for NASCAR, Boston.com, Roanoke Times, TheSunNews.com, link.brightcove.com

NASCAR Chairman Brian France says changes to current Cup car possible; addresses other issues

HOMESTEAD, Fla. – NASCAR Chairman Brian France said there could be a decision on possible changes to the NASCAR Sprint Cup car during the offseason, although he did not say when any of those changes might be implemented.

Sponsorship issues may reduce Rusty Wallace Racing to one Nationwide team

HOMESTEAD, Fla. – Rusty Wallace Racing owner Rusty Wallace said Friday at Homestead-Miami Speedway that he may have to cut back to one NASCAR Nationwide Series team car next season if more sponsorship isn’t found for his No. 62 entry driven by Brendan Gaughan.

Wave Energy Drink extends sponsorship with Tommy Baldwin Racing

Wave Energy Drink has agreed to an extension of its sponsorship program with Tommy Baldwin Racing for the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup season, according to a release from the company.

Kasey Kahne looking at another team after 2010 Cup season

HOMESTEAD, Fla. – Kasey Kahne gave his strongest indication yet on Friday that he may leave Richard Petty Motorsports after the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup season.

Comedian Frank Caliendo to host Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony

NASCAR has named comedian Frank Caliendo to host the Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony on Dec. 4 at the Wynn hotel in Las Vegas.

Roush Fenway Racing's Carl Edwards optimistic as NASCAR season comes to a close

HOMESTEAD, Fla. - Roush Fenway Racing's Carl Edwards says he has mixed feelings entering the season-ending NASCAR Sprint Cup Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Randy Moss Motorsports' Mike Skinner paces final Truck practice Thursday

HOMESTEAD, Fla. - Randy Moss Motorsports' Mike Skinner paced the final NASCAR Camping World Truck Series practice Thursday at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Red Horse Racing's Timothy Peters records fastest lap in first Truck practice

HOMESTEAD, Fla. - Red Horse Racing's Timothy Peters recorded the fastest lap in Thursday's opening NASCAR Camping World Truck Series practice at Homestead-Miami Speedway, leading the way with a lap of 168.418 mph.

Rob Fuller released from R3 Motorsports

R3 Motorsports has announced the release of Rob Fuller from the NASCAR Nationwide Series team. Fuller ran the day-to-day operations of what has grown into a two-car team.

Lee Montgomery: Jimmie Johnson has a date with history

There are plenty of championship-clinching scenarios this weekend for Hendrick Motorsports’ Jimmie Johnson in the Ford 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Final race of 2009 Cup season filled with scenarios for numerous teams

For many NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers, there’s a sense of urgency entering Sunday’s Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. After all, this is the last chance to make a move in the standings or to continue a recent upward swing.

Clint Bowyer's No. 33 RCR crew nabs Tissot award for Phoenix race

Clint Bowyer’s Richard Childress Racing crew won the Tissot Pit Road Precision Award for Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Checker O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway.

This article also contains excerpts from TheSunNews.com

Reed Sorenson set to make last start for Richard Petty Motorsports at Homestead

Reed Sorenson will make his final NASCAR Sprint Cup start for Richard Petty Motorsports in Sunday’s Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, and the occasion will be bittersweet.

Jamie McMurray to join Earnhardt Ganassi Racing for 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup season

After several months of speculation, Jamie McMurray knows which NASCAR Sprint Cup car he will drive in 2010, and he knows what it’s like to work for his “new” team owner: He’s returning to Chip Ganassi’s stable, where his Cup career started.

Crew chief Chad Knaus says competition within Hendrick pushes Jimmie Johnson's team

Not that they necessarily needed a push to improve or added motivation in their pursuit of a fourth consecutive NASCAR Cup championship, but crew chief Chad Knaus says that having so much competition within the Hendrick organization has helped Jimmie Johnson's team become even better.

Kelly Bires in JR Motorsports' No. 5 Chevrolet for Homestead

JR Motorsports officials say Kelly Bires will drive the team’s No. 5 NASCAR Nationwide Series Chevrolet in this weekend’s Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Mike Wallace to return to JD Motorsports for 2010 season

JD Motorsports announced Tuesday that Mike Wallace will return to the NASCAR Nationwide Series team full time in 2010.

NASCAR claims Jeremy Mayfield has no case, asks judge to make ruling

The legal jockeying in the Jeremy Mayfield-NASCAR case continued Tuesday as the sanctioning body requested that U.S. District Court Judge Graham Mullen should rule in its favor based on the pleadings that already have been filed and without the two sides continuing to investigate the is...

Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin to serve as honorary race chairman at Homestead

Homestead-Miami Speedway officials say astronaut Buzz Aldrin will serve as the honorary race chairman for the track’s Ford 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup race this weekend.

Penske Racing's Justin Allgaier focused on slowing down in order to gain speed

Penske Racing NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Justin Allgaier has always been in a hurry. After all, he is a race-car driver bent on going fast.

David Stremme among 48 entries for Homestead season finale

Forty-eight cars are on the preliminary entry list for Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, including David Stremme in Phoenix Racing’s No. 09 Chevrolet.

Overnight TV ratings for Phoenix Cup race off 17.6 percent

ABC’s broadcast of Sunday’s Checker O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Phoenix International Raceway earned an overnight Nielsen Media Research rating of 2.8, Street and Smith’s SportsBusiness Daily reports.

Art Weinstein: NASCAR has its very own Terminator

Very early in the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Phoenix, a fellow race fan summed up the thoughts, or maybe dreams, of many other race fans.

Penske Racing's Kurt Busch continues recent surge in performances with strong Phoenix run

AVONDALE, Ariz. – Fresh off a win one week earlier at Texas Motor Speedway, Kurt Busch continued his recent string of strong performances with a sixth-place finish in Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Checker O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Speedway.

Earnhardt Ganassi's Martin Truex Jr. notches first top-five of 2009 at Phoenix

AVONDALE, Ariz. - It's hard to believe that Earnhardt Ganassi Racing's Martin Truex Jr. ran 34 NASCAR Sprint Cup races without a top-five finish this season. But it wasn't until Sunday's Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway that Truex broke through with a top-f...

Joe Gibbs Racing's Denny Hamlin third in NASCAR Cup race at Phoenix … again

AVONDALE, Ariz. – For the fourth time in his NASCAR Cup series career, Denny Hamlin finished third in a race at Phoenix International Raceway. So while Hamlin was certainly pleased to run well in Sunday’s Checker O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 at PIR, he understandably wanted more.

This article also contains excerpts from Miami Herald, ThatsRacin.com, TheSunNews.com, pheedcontent.com

Jeff Burton rebounds from poor qualifying effort to finish second at Phoenix

AVONDALE, Ariz. - Richard Childress Racing's Jeff Burton sees great strides being made within his team - something evident in his second-place finish in Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway.

Hendrick Motorsports' Jimmie Johnson dominates at Phoenix; takes commanding points lead into finale

AVONDALE, Ariz. – One of the only questions about Jimmie Johnson throughout his march through nearly four NASCAR Chase playoffs has been how his race team would deal with adversity.

Mark Martin delivers message to fellow competitors during Cup drivers meeting

AVONDALE, Ariz. - Veteran driver Mark Martin asked his fellow competitors to practice more caution coming to pit road during the NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers meeting on Sunday morning at Phoenix International Raceway.

JR Motorsports’ Brad Keselowski meets with NASCAR officials over Denny Hamlin incident

AVONDALE, Ariz. – A day after tangling with Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin during the Nationwide Series race, JR Motorsports’ Brad Keselowski met with NASCAR Chairman Brian France, NASCAR President Mike Helton and NASCAR Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton in the NASCAR ha...

This article also contains excerpts from Miami Herald, ThatsRacin.com, TheSunNews.com, pheedcontent.com

7 reasons to watch the Checker O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway: No. 7 - Rattlesnake Hill

AVONDALE, Ariz. - There's probably no place more unique to watch a NASCAR race than Rattlesnake Hill at Phoenix International Raceway.

Tony Stewart says organization exceeded expectations by winning races, making Chase

AVONDALE, Ariz. – With just two races left in the NASCAR Sprint Cup season, Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman are pleased with what they have accomplished in their first season as teammates at Stewart-Haas Racing.

Joe Gibbs Racing's Denny Hamlin wins pole for Nationwide race at Phoenix

AVONDALE, Ariz. - Joe Gibbs Racing's Denny Hamlin won his second pole of the season during qualifying for Saturday's NASCAR Nationwide Able Body Labor 200 at Phoenix International Raceway.

This article also contains excerpts from Miami Herald, ThatsRacin.com, TheSunNews.com, pheedcontent.com

Hendrick Motorsports' Jeff Gordon remains aggressive as Cup season comes to a close

AVONDALE, Ariz. – Jeff Gordon says his position in the NASCAR Sprint Cup standings allows his team to approach Sunday’s race at Phoenix International Raceway a little more aggressively than it otherwise might, but that doesn’t mean Gordon’s group will employ a strategy radically diffe...

Truck race winner Kevin Harvick enjoys stellar night in Phoenix - as both owner and driver

AVONDALE, Ariz. – Kevin Harvick had two reasons to celebrate after the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Lucas Oil 150 Friday night at Phoenix International Raceway.

Earnhardt Ganassi's Martin Truex Jr. leads 1-2 sweep by Nos. 1 and 2

AVONDALE. Ariz. – Earnhardt Ganassi Racing driver Martin Truex Jr. won his third NASCAR Sprint Cup pole of the season by qualifying fastest Friday for the Checker O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway.

ThorSport Racing's Johnny Sauter takes Phoenix Truck pole

AVONDALE, Ariz. – ThorSport Racing’s Johnny Sauter paced NASCAR Camping World Truck Series practice at Phoenix International Raceway on Friday, leading the way with a lap of 131.019 mph in his Chevrolet.

This article also contains excerpts from FOXSports.com News for NASCAR, TheSunNews.com, Miami Herald, Alpinestars Inc.

Reed Sorenson leads way in final Nationwide practice at Phoenix

AVONDALE, Ariz. – Reed Sorenson paced the final NASCAR Nationwide Series practice at Phoenix International Raceway on Friday as Braun Racing swept three of the first six positions.

U.S. Army to continue sponsorship of Ryan Newman with 15 races in 2010

U.S. Army officials announced Friday that the Army will return as sponsor for Stewart-Haas Racing’s No. 39 NASCAR Sprint Cup Chevrolet driven by Ryan Newman in 15 races in 2010.

Penske Racing's Sam Hornish Jr. leads opening Sprint Cup practice at Phoenix

AVONDALE, Ariz. – Penske Racing’s Sam Hornish Jr. surged to the top of the speed chart late in Friday’s opening NASCAR Sprint Cup practice at Phoenix International Raceway and held on to pace the session with a lap of 133.884 mph.

Gary Bechtel purchases majority interest in MWR Nationwide team; putting Trevor Bayne in car

Former NASCAR team owner Gary Bechtel has purchased a majority interest in Michael Waltrip Racing’s Nationwide Series team and will put Trevor Bayne in the No. 99 Toyota full time next year, sources say.

It's not a dirty job, but Mike Rowe still will serve as Homestead grand marshal

Homestead-Miami Speedway announced Friday that Mike Rowe, host of the Discovery Channel’s “Dirty Jobs,” will serve as grand marshal for the track’s Ford 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup race on Nov. 22.

Roush Fenway's Carl Edwards paces first Nationwide practice at Phoenix

AVONDALE, Ariz. - Roush Fenway Racing's Carl Edwards, who is second in the NASCAR Nationwide Series standings, led the series’ opening practice Friday at Phoenix International Raceway.

Carquest to sponsor Mark Martin's Cup team in eight points races in 2010, 2011

Hendrick Motorsports announced Friday that Carquest Auto Parts has extended its relationship with the NASCAR Sprint Cup organization and the No. 5 team of Mark Martin through the 2011 season.

Richard Petty to drive World War II Jeep at Phoenix; vehicle to be raffled for veteran's group

Seven-time NASCAR Cup champion Richard Petty will lead the Sprint Cup Series field prior to Sunday's Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway in a restored 1946 Willy's Jeep.

Financial filing offers rare glimpse into NASCAR sanctioning stipulations

AVONDALE, Ariz. – A Dover International Speedway filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission this week offers an unusually detailed look at the range and scope of NASCAR’s sanctioning agreements, including a $6.055 million fee for the track’s May Sprint Cup race and $5.429 mill...

Nationwide penalty for Kyle Busch team stems from how weight box was attached

AVONDALE, Ariz. – The No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing team had bolted the weight box on to the frame of the car instead of having it welded last week when Kyle Busch's car went through NASCAR Nationwide Series opening-day inspection Nov. 5 at Texas Motor Speedway.

Kyle Busch would consider Nationwide title his biggest achievement in NASCAR

Kyle Busch admits that winning a NASCAR Nationwide Series title isn’t the same as winning a Sprint Cup Series crown, nor would it entirely atone for him missing this year’s Chase For The Sprint Cup.

Starbucks to make NASCAR debut with Martin Truex Jr. at Phoenix

The Starbucks coffee chain will make its NASCAR debut this weekend at Phoenix International Raceway with Earnhardt Ganassi Racing.

ARCA approves use of NASCAR Nationwide cars for 2010 season

Officials with the Automobile Racing Club of America announced Wednesday that chassis currently used in the NASCAR Nationwide Series will be eligible for its Re/Max Series in 2010.

Joe Gibbs Racing, Kyle Busch penalized 25 points for Texas violation

NASCAR has penalized Nationwide Series points leader Kyle Busch 25 driver points and his team 25 owner points for improperly attached weight discovered during opening-day inspection for last weekend's race at Texas Motor Speedway.

Bob Pockrass: Crown NASCAR national tour champions on different weekends

The NASCAR Nationwide Series title likely will be decided this weekend at Phoenix International Raceway, and the Camping World Truck Series championship has a good chance of being decided as well.

Crew chief Brad Parrott, RAB Racing part ways

RAB Racing announced today that the NASCAR Nationwide Series team and crew chief Brad Parrott have parted ways, effective immediately.

NASCAR announces schedule for 2009 Champion's Week in Las Vegas

NASCAR has announced the schedule of activities for the 2009 Champion's Week celebrations in Las Vegas, culminating with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Awards Ceremony at the Wynn Las Vegas on Dec. 4.

Partial sponsorships paying off for Michael Waltrip Racing; could become norm in sport

Michael Waltrip Racing’s announcement that Tums will sponsor the NASCAR Sprint Cup car driven by David Reutimann in five races in each of the next two years demonstrates what many industry people expect to be a big part of the model of future sponsorships in the sport: A small, partial-se...

Penske Racing's Pat Tryson named Wypall crew chief of Texas race

Pat Tryson, crew chief for the No. 2 Penske Racing driven by Kurt Busch, has been named the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race for Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup Dickies 500 at Texas Motor Speedway.

Kevin Harvick's Richard Childress Racing crew wins Tissot Pit Road Precision Award for Texas

Kevin Harvick’s Richard Childress Racing crew won the Tissot Pit Road Precision Award for Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Dickies 500 at Texas Motor Speedway.

This article also contains excerpts from TheSunNews.com

Mike Bliss replaces Terry Cook in HT Motorsports Truck entry at Phoenix

HT Motorsports officials announced Tuesday that the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team and driver Terry Cook parted ways following last weekend's race at Texas Motor Speedway and said that Mike Bliss will drive the truck this weekend at Phoenix International Raceway.

Penske Racing's Kurt Busch conserves fuel to take win as Jimmie Johnson falters at Texas

FORT WORTH, Texas – It was a dramatic beginning and a dramatic end in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Dickies 500 at Texas Motor Speedway Sunday.

Joe Gibbs Racing's Kyle Busch looks to make NASCAR history today at Texas

FORT WORTH, Texas ˆ Kyle Busch likely woke up this morning with one thing on his mind: History.

Kyle Busch boots Ron Hornaday out of lead for Texas-style Truck victory

FORT WORTH, Texas – Kyle Busch booted Ron Hornaday out of the way and held off a hard-charging Matt Crafton en route to victory in Friday night’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Texas Motor Speedway.

Carl Edwards generally pleased with Nationwide Series season, despite points deficit

FORT WORTH, Texas – All Roush Fenway Racing driver Carl Edwards says he needs to catch up to Kyle Busch in the NASCAR Nationwide Series is a little more power.

Dave Rogers bringing experience from previous Cup outing to new role with Kyle Busch

FORT WORTH, Texas – New Kyle Busch crew chief Dave Rogers had the similar role in the NASCAR Cup garage in 2005, and he has a pretty blunt assessment of his job as crew chief for 13 races for J.J. Yeley at Joe Gibbs Racing.

Eddie Gossage says Danica Patrick good for NASCAR but needs to help promote races

FORT WORTH, Texas – Danica Patrick will be good for NASCAR but she will need to help promote stock-car racing and the Nationwide Series, said Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage.

This article also contains excerpts from Miami Herald, TheSunNews.com

Ricky Carmichael to leave Kevin Harvick Inc. at end of '09, join Turner Motorsports

FORT WORTH, Texas – Ricky Carmichael will have a new home next season in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

Joey Logano looking forward to return to New Hampshire

Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway will mark a homecoming of sorts for Joey Logano in at least two ways.

Carl Edwards looks to end winless streak at Michigan

By SceneDaily Staff Roush Fenway Racing's Carl Edwards is sixth in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series standings heading into Sunday's LifeLock 400 at Michigan International Speedway. BROOKLYN, Mich. - Carl Edwards and his Roush Fenway Racing team have ...

Opinion: Top-30 NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers: Bobby Labonte, 21st

During the offseason, SceneDaily is taking a look at the top 30 in 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup driver points. Here’s how Labonte’s season unfolded: By the ... Labonte would be great fit at Earnhardt Ganassi, more notes SI.com Racer Profile: Kyle Petty Insider Racing News

Unofficial Ohio 250 results

MANSFIELD, Ohio - Unofficial results from the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Ohio 250 at Mansfield Motorsports Park with position, driver, team, laps completed, and status:

Truck series crew chief suspended

NASCAR officials have suspended Craftsman Truck Series crew chief Lance Hooper for the next two races and fined him $1,000 for a rule violation at Lowe's Motor Speedway.