From the Crossville Chronicle-Crossville, TN Wed. Nov. 12, 2008
By Joe Dunn / joe@onpitroad.com
With one race to go Jimmie Johnson left Phoenix with another win and a 141 point lead over Carl Edwards, so he needs a 36th place finish at Homestead to win a third title in a row. At this point all other teams are eliminated from the title chase, which leaves them time to ponder 2009.
The economic downfall that has hit this country has not escaped Nascar’s teams as massive layoffs appear to be certain after the final race at Homestead, Florida. It was only a year ago that the big influx of investors brought unlikely folks to Nascar, such as the Fenway group who joined Roush racing. As the signs of the economic woes became apparent earlier in the year, many teams scrambled to seek investors, but their moves were too late.
The expense of racing in the Nascar serious is staggering, and without major sponsors it is an insurmountable expense. We all saw that last year when Bobby Ginn realized that it took more to run an operation than just his personal wealth. As investor groups moved in, the model changed more from a sport, to that of big business. Ray Evernham learned that when he brought in the owner of the Montreal Canadians NHL team, George Gillette as a partner. According to sources at Phoenix over the weekend, Ray will be gone from GEM next year.
Gene Haas, owner of Haas CNC Racing saw the effects of under funding earlier in year as their two teams struggled. In a daring move, they reached out to two time Champion Tony Stewart and offered a partial ownership to lure his talent away from Joe Gibbs racing . Stewarts star power easily drew sponsors such as Office Depot and Old Spice, his long friendship with Ryan Newman secured a second top shelf driver and the ability to draw the US Army sponsorship. But Stewart Haas Racing is more the exception that the rule and of course their success will depend on their ability to be competitive, which Haas CNC never has been.
Bill Davis Racing has been a long standing familiar name in the sport, but efforts to draw investors or partners during the season have failed. The future of the organization has looked dim since Caterpillar announced early in the year that they would not return to BDR in 2009, but instead move to Richard Childress Racing and the 31 car of Jeff Burton. Michael Waltrip Racing, which was formed in 2007 as the flagship team for Toyota’s introduction into the Nascar Sprint Cup Series is cutting back for 2009, from 3 teams to 2. After a dismiss showing in it’s first year, Robert Kauffman, founder and managing partner of Fortress Investment Groups was brought in as a 50% partner of MWR. With the loss of UPS as a major sponsor of the 44 car of David Reutimann, David will move back to the 00 car with partial sponsorship from Aarons Rentals for 2009, taking the 44 points with him.
The economic woes among team owners is serious enough that even Nascar is looking at cutbacks to help the teams. Earlier in the year, talks of expanding testing for the teams was a hot topic in the garage and as late as August Nascar was ready to add several additional dates and tracks for 2009. But since October, those plans seem to have been put on the back burner for further discussion in the off season. It appears likely that no expansion of testing dates will now take place.
So what’s in store for Nascar in 2009? That’s the question that will linger for another 4 to 6 months to see how all the changes roll out. We have a good idea on some of the changes coming, but there are bound to be many more than we can see now. I wouldn’t look for a lot of new faces in the garage area at Daytona in February, but I sure would expect to see a lot of faces in different uniforms. I would also expect to see less faces overall as many of the teams will cut back on personnel, especially at the track.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
It’s Time for David Gilliland to Exit Nascar
From the Crossville Chronicle-Crossville, TN Wed. Nov. 5, 2008
By Joe Dunn / joe@onpitroad.com
Carl Edwards claimed a fuel mileage win at Texas Motor Speedway on Sunday and took a big chunk out of Jimmie Johnson’s lead, reducing it to 106 points. But that lead would have been cut even further had it not been for the actions of David Gilliland, who pulled what was undoubtedly the biggest boneheaded move of the season.
Juan Pablo Montoya was at Texas with a brand new car that Chip Ganassi Racing had built ‘in house’ and this new car had shown major improvements for the team. Starting 26th on the field, Montoya charged ahead early and managed to spend most of the day running in the top 10. That is, until he began having some problems late in the race with the ‘laps down’ car of David Gilliland in the #38 Yates racing Ford.
Montoya was attempting to get buy David and claimed that David had forced him into the wall. “I had a good run off the corner and he runs me to the wall. I did all I could, but I still hit the wall. So I went into one and just hit him a little bit to say, ‘Hey, I was there.’ Know what I mean?
As expected Gilliland saw the exchange quite differently from his vantage point. “My spotter said I was clear, I kind of slid up in front of him and he jacked my rear wheels off the ground going down the back straightaway and then got into me again going into turn 1 and 2 and jacked me way up the track.”
After a couple laps of the bumping, the big one came on lap 263, coming out of turn four, Montoya was low and Gilliland was high. Montoya slid up the track and while doing so, Gilliland started moving down low, clipping the left rear of the 42 car with his right front. The result of course was Montoya’s car being turned head-on into the outside wall.
The force of the crash destroyed the 42 car and of course ended the day for the Texaco Havoline team. Fortunately Juan Montoya was able to walk away uninjured, but that could have easily been a career ending crash. Gilliland’s car suffered some damage but was still in one piece. The race was further delayed as Montoya’s car got stuck on Pit Road and took extra time to clear.
Gilliland was called to the pits and given a 5 lap penalty, but the Nascar officials in the tower decided to park him for the remained of the race. With both drivers out of the race, they were both summoned to the Nascar Hauler to speak with Nascar Sprint Cup Officials. It was announced after the race by Nascar Sprint Cup Series Director, John Darby that no further penalties will be assessed.
I was one who cheered for David when he claimed his first victory in the Nationwide Series at Kentucky in 2006. The kid with no sponsorship and a part time team mastered all those big money teams like Roush, Gibbs, Hendrick and DEI to pull of the big surprise. That win catapulted him to the Nascar Sprint Cup Series as Yates racing was suddenly short a drive with the defection of Elliott Sadler. Gilliland was the ’diamond in the ruff’ suddenly discovered at Kentucky. Winning the pole for the Daytona 500 in 2007 set this kid up to be the next ’darling’ of racing. I had high hoped for David, but after Daytona, that light has barely flickered over the past two seasons.
After watching Sundays race, add me to the list of folks who felt that Gilliland’s actions were so egregious that it called for his suspension for at least the final two race of 2008, and possibly much longer. Having been a race fan for over 40 years, there should be no place in the sport for such a reckless act. With these cars traveling at close to 200 mph, David may as well have aimed a gun at Juan, the potential danger would have been equal.
By Joe Dunn / joe@onpitroad.com
Carl Edwards claimed a fuel mileage win at Texas Motor Speedway on Sunday and took a big chunk out of Jimmie Johnson’s lead, reducing it to 106 points. But that lead would have been cut even further had it not been for the actions of David Gilliland, who pulled what was undoubtedly the biggest boneheaded move of the season.
Juan Pablo Montoya was at Texas with a brand new car that Chip Ganassi Racing had built ‘in house’ and this new car had shown major improvements for the team. Starting 26th on the field, Montoya charged ahead early and managed to spend most of the day running in the top 10. That is, until he began having some problems late in the race with the ‘laps down’ car of David Gilliland in the #38 Yates racing Ford.
Montoya was attempting to get buy David and claimed that David had forced him into the wall. “I had a good run off the corner and he runs me to the wall. I did all I could, but I still hit the wall. So I went into one and just hit him a little bit to say, ‘Hey, I was there.’ Know what I mean?
As expected Gilliland saw the exchange quite differently from his vantage point. “My spotter said I was clear, I kind of slid up in front of him and he jacked my rear wheels off the ground going down the back straightaway and then got into me again going into turn 1 and 2 and jacked me way up the track.”
After a couple laps of the bumping, the big one came on lap 263, coming out of turn four, Montoya was low and Gilliland was high. Montoya slid up the track and while doing so, Gilliland started moving down low, clipping the left rear of the 42 car with his right front. The result of course was Montoya’s car being turned head-on into the outside wall.
The force of the crash destroyed the 42 car and of course ended the day for the Texaco Havoline team. Fortunately Juan Montoya was able to walk away uninjured, but that could have easily been a career ending crash. Gilliland’s car suffered some damage but was still in one piece. The race was further delayed as Montoya’s car got stuck on Pit Road and took extra time to clear.
Gilliland was called to the pits and given a 5 lap penalty, but the Nascar officials in the tower decided to park him for the remained of the race. With both drivers out of the race, they were both summoned to the Nascar Hauler to speak with Nascar Sprint Cup Officials. It was announced after the race by Nascar Sprint Cup Series Director, John Darby that no further penalties will be assessed.
I was one who cheered for David when he claimed his first victory in the Nationwide Series at Kentucky in 2006. The kid with no sponsorship and a part time team mastered all those big money teams like Roush, Gibbs, Hendrick and DEI to pull of the big surprise. That win catapulted him to the Nascar Sprint Cup Series as Yates racing was suddenly short a drive with the defection of Elliott Sadler. Gilliland was the ’diamond in the ruff’ suddenly discovered at Kentucky. Winning the pole for the Daytona 500 in 2007 set this kid up to be the next ’darling’ of racing. I had high hoped for David, but after Daytona, that light has barely flickered over the past two seasons.
After watching Sundays race, add me to the list of folks who felt that Gilliland’s actions were so egregious that it called for his suspension for at least the final two race of 2008, and possibly much longer. Having been a race fan for over 40 years, there should be no place in the sport for such a reckless act. With these cars traveling at close to 200 mph, David may as well have aimed a gun at Juan, the potential danger would have been equal.
2009 - Nascar Camping World Truck Series
From the crossville Chronicle - Crossville, TN Wed. Oct. 29,2008
By Joe Dunn / joe@onpitroad.com
A big sigh of relief fell across Nascar and the Truck Series teams last week as it was announced that Camping World has agreed to sponsor the series starting in 2009 and continue for seven years.
In 1995 Nascar added a third series to their top tier of racing called the Super Truck Series. This was the first major racing series in America featuring full size pick up trucks. The new series began with a lot of help and support of many of Nascar’s top teams as Jack Roush, Rick Hendrick and Richard Childress entered teams in this new series. Those owners were joined by drivers Dale Earnhardt, Geoff Bodine and Ernie Irvan who also fielded teams.
In 1996 Craftsman Tools joined as the series sponsor and the name changed to the Nascar Craftsman Truck series. The series went through several rules and format changes over the first ten years and now falls in line with most of the same rules as the other two series. The truck series has served as a training and proving grounds for numerous young drivers looking for a future in big time racing. Some of today’s top names in Nascar got their start in the CTS. Names like Scott Riggs, Greg Biffle, Carl Edwards, Kevin Harvick and the Busch brothers.
The CTS became the proving grounds for some of Nascar’s new rules, as the green/white/checker finish was established and proven viable in the truck series before moving up to the other two. The 18 year old age rule was forced on the truck series before it was a Nascar rule, when the series joined the CART series in 2001 at Fontana California as a companion race to the Marlboro 500. Kyle Busch, who was 16 at the time was thrown out because tobacco sponsorship rules prohibited competitors under 18 during the program. That situation led Nascar to establish the 18 year old minimum age in 2002, which parked young Busch until Memorial Day weekend in 2003.
On December 3, 2007 it was announced that 2008 would be the final year of sponsorship of the series by Craftsman. As the 2008 season progressed rumors of who would emerge as the ‘New’ sponsor covered nearly every major sponsor already involved with Nascar. But as the season wore on, those names dwindled as one big corporate name after another announced that they were not interested. Talks of Nascar having to reduce and again further reduce the price tag filled the racing pages across the country leading to doubts about the series future. Adding to the woes of the series Dodge announced last month that they will no longer support any teams in the series in 2009, and a week ago, Ford announced that it will be pulling it’s financial support for the truck series at the end of this year.
Just last week, some of the sports top writers and even competitors were predicting the end of the series at the end of the 2008 season. This major announcement means that one of the most exciting series in Nascar is alive and well and looks to continue for at least another seven years. Hopefully with news of this new sponsor, Dodge and Ford will rethink their bailing out of the series. I for one hope that they reverse their decisions. As someone having been involved in racing since 1964, I find the Truck Series to be some the best and most exciting racing Nascar has to offer.
By Joe Dunn / joe@onpitroad.com
A big sigh of relief fell across Nascar and the Truck Series teams last week as it was announced that Camping World has agreed to sponsor the series starting in 2009 and continue for seven years.
In 1995 Nascar added a third series to their top tier of racing called the Super Truck Series. This was the first major racing series in America featuring full size pick up trucks. The new series began with a lot of help and support of many of Nascar’s top teams as Jack Roush, Rick Hendrick and Richard Childress entered teams in this new series. Those owners were joined by drivers Dale Earnhardt, Geoff Bodine and Ernie Irvan who also fielded teams.
In 1996 Craftsman Tools joined as the series sponsor and the name changed to the Nascar Craftsman Truck series. The series went through several rules and format changes over the first ten years and now falls in line with most of the same rules as the other two series. The truck series has served as a training and proving grounds for numerous young drivers looking for a future in big time racing. Some of today’s top names in Nascar got their start in the CTS. Names like Scott Riggs, Greg Biffle, Carl Edwards, Kevin Harvick and the Busch brothers.
The CTS became the proving grounds for some of Nascar’s new rules, as the green/white/checker finish was established and proven viable in the truck series before moving up to the other two. The 18 year old age rule was forced on the truck series before it was a Nascar rule, when the series joined the CART series in 2001 at Fontana California as a companion race to the Marlboro 500. Kyle Busch, who was 16 at the time was thrown out because tobacco sponsorship rules prohibited competitors under 18 during the program. That situation led Nascar to establish the 18 year old minimum age in 2002, which parked young Busch until Memorial Day weekend in 2003.
On December 3, 2007 it was announced that 2008 would be the final year of sponsorship of the series by Craftsman. As the 2008 season progressed rumors of who would emerge as the ‘New’ sponsor covered nearly every major sponsor already involved with Nascar. But as the season wore on, those names dwindled as one big corporate name after another announced that they were not interested. Talks of Nascar having to reduce and again further reduce the price tag filled the racing pages across the country leading to doubts about the series future. Adding to the woes of the series Dodge announced last month that they will no longer support any teams in the series in 2009, and a week ago, Ford announced that it will be pulling it’s financial support for the truck series at the end of this year.
Just last week, some of the sports top writers and even competitors were predicting the end of the series at the end of the 2008 season. This major announcement means that one of the most exciting series in Nascar is alive and well and looks to continue for at least another seven years. Hopefully with news of this new sponsor, Dodge and Ford will rethink their bailing out of the series. I for one hope that they reverse their decisions. As someone having been involved in racing since 1964, I find the Truck Series to be some the best and most exciting racing Nascar has to offer.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Can Anyone Beat Jimmie and Chad?
From the Crossville Chronicle - Crossville, TN October 22, 2008
By Joe Dunn
With 4 races left in the Chase for the Sprint Cup second place Greg Biffle sit 149 points behind Johnson. Unless Jimmie finishes out of the top 20 in half of the remaining races, and Biffle wins a couple, the Title is all but determined.
If he does win the Championship, this will be three in a row for Johnson and again he has had a less than stellar first 26 races. It is apparent that Jimmie and crew chief Chad Knaus have got a handle on the Chase like no other team. Like last year, they did enough through the first 26 weeks to be in place to qualify for the Chase. But once the Chase begins, they seem to kick it into overdrive and excel at the very time that matters. Are they the only team to have this figured out? It appears so, even teammate Jeff Gordon seems to be faltering at the very time that he needs to pick up the pace.
The 2008 season began with a whirlwind as Ryan Newman quickly clinched his first Daytona 500 with fellow Penske driver Kurt Bush pushing him across the line. But the fire at Penske quickly flickered as both teams steadily fell in the standings. Next came Kyle Bush, the young hothead that Rick Hendrick discarded at the end of 2007 to make room for Dale Jr. Moving over to Joe Gibbs racing and taking the 18 car, which had slide to oblivion since Bobby Labonte left the team a few years back, Kyle was looking for redemption. His star was so bright that he quickly shadowed all of the Hendrick teams as well as his own teammates at JGR. Heading into the Chase, young Bush had such an insurmountable lead that he was quickly considered a shoe for the Championship.
But the race number 27 came, and the beginning of the 10 race shootout. The Kyle Bush star all but extinguished as mechanical failures quickly moved him from the lead, to the tail and at this point with zero chance of winning. Dale Jr., whose fans longed for his comeback, looked to 2008 and HMS as his chance for redemption. Surely with the best equipment in Nascar, and the full support of HMS, he was destined for his first championship. But as the season progressed, it appeared that although he was able to run steadily up front, maintaining third in the points for a majority of the season, he was never a serious threat.
Carl Edwards was a serious threat throughout the season remaining in the number two spot for many weeks. With the beginning of the Chase, Edwards fought a touch battle to stay up front with Johnson and after week 2 took over the lead. But three straight weeks of problems pushed Carl back to where he stand now, nearly 200 points out of the lead with only 4 races left.
Like him or not, it’s about all over but the shouting as it looks to be Championship number three for Jimmie Johnson. Always a fan of the underdog, I still hope for a big surprise that will give us a NEW Champion this year, but I sure won’t hold my breath.
Jeff Burton Vaults to Second in the Chase
From the Crossville Chronicle - Crossville, TN October 15, 2008
By Joe Dunn
With a strong run in the Bank of America 500 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, assisted by a daring choice to stay on old tires Jeff Burton claimed his second win of the season.. The win puts Burton only 69 points behind Jimmie Johnson, who finished sixth.It was another bad day for Carl Edwards who had ignition problems and finished 33rd. Nascar’s most popular driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr. joined Edwards with another bad finish after a tire went down, slamming him into the wall, finishing 36th, 45 laps down.
The series heads next to Martinsville Speedway for the Tums QuickPack 500 on Sunday October 19. The race will be televised on ABC at 2:30 pm (CT).
On the local racing scene, Crossville Raceway reopened for a One Night event at Cook & Wyatt Promotions took over the track for the First Tennessee State Championship. A nearly packed house was on hand as Super Late Model, World One Hundred winner Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, GA led all 56 laps to the checkered flag and the $6,000.00 winner’s Check. Crossville’s own Randy Weaver was in a tight battle for second with Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, GA and Clint Smith of Senoia, GA. In the end, it was McDowell second, Weaver third and Smith finishing fourth and Mike Weeks of Friendsville, TN in fifth.
Thirty Four cars from six states showed up to vie for the 24 starting positions, sending 10 cars home. Clanton was the Fast Qualifier at 12:441 seconds, and the heat winners were Brandon Kinzer of Allen, KY., Eric Jacobsen of Sea Cliffe Beach, CA. and Jake Knowles of Tyrone, GA.
In the Limited Late Model Championship, it was Greg Martin of Oliver Springs, TN. Holding off Crossville Raceway’s 2008 Champion, Brandon Williams for the $1,000.00 win. Williams of Crossville, held on for second, followed by Crossville’s Robert Edwards, Scott Shelton of Cookeville and Mark Leach of Norris, TN.
In the Pure Mini/Front Wheel Drive $300.00 to win Championship, it was Crossville’s Jason Griffith battling all the way with Cookeville’s Cameron Wilson for a close finish. Jeff Lippre of Knoxville, finished third, with Debbie Singleton of Lenoir City, and Robert Stone of Crossville, rounding out the top five.
Crossville Raceway was sold recently to a couple of gentlemen from the Knoxville area. The plans as of now call for about 6 or 8 Special Event Races in 2009. I will be meeting with the new owners shortly and will give the Crossville race fans an update on the future of the track.
Stewart Takes First Win at Talladega
From the Crossville Chronicle - Crossville, TN October 8, 2008
By Joe Dunn
Tony Stewart has finished second at Talladega six times, but6 never won there, until Sunday. But the win came amid a flurry of controversy over a last lap pass below the yellow.As many of the Chase contenders ended their day early after the big wreck started with Carl Edwards getting loose and turning teammate Greg Biffle. When the carnage came to stop, it was all over for Edwards, Biffle, Matt Kenseth, Kevin Harvick and Dale Earnhardt Jr. With his 9th place finish, Jimmie Johnson secured a 68 point lead over Carl Edwards.
But the biggest story Sunday was about who Nascar declared the winner, after Regan Smith beat Stewart to the Finish Line. On the last lap Smith was pressing on the back bumper of Stewart’s Toyota, looking for a chance to get by. Coming to the front stretch, Smith faked high and Stewart bit, moving up. Smith then shot low, got his bumper under Stewart, but as Tony dove back down to block he clearly forced Smith below the yellow line. Being already there, Smith powered on by Stewart and crossed the line first. It was a short lived celebration as NASCAR ruled that Smith passed illegally below the Yellow Line. The win was awarded to Stewart and Smith issued a penalty that resulted in an 18th place finish.
Interviewed after the race, Smith explained that his understanding from the pre race Driver’s meeting was that on the last lap, with the Checkered Flag in sight, “Anything goes”. Nascar disagreed. According to the rules, a driver at Daytona and Talladega, cannot go below the yellow line and advance his position. It is further understood that if a driver is ‘Forced’ below the line, the pass is legal. All replays of the race show that Stewart clearly did force Smith below the line, but Nascar’s Jim Hunter insisted that Smith was NOT forced down. This will go down in history as a ‘tainted’ win for Stewart.
Nascar heads home to Charlotte this week for the Bank of America 500 Nascar Sprint Cup race on Saturday night, 6 PM on ABC and the Nascar Nationwide Series, Dollar General 300, Friday night at 6:30PM on ESPN2.
Wyatt Builders Racing Inc. is joining forces with Ray Cook Racing LLC to host the Tennessee State Championship for Super Late Model Dirt Racing. The $6,000.00 to win ($530.00 to start) event will be held on Saturday October 11 at Crossville Raceway.
In addition to the Super Late Model race, they plan to run the Limited Late Model/Sportsman/Crate cars for a $1,000.00 to win race. A $300.00 to win Pure Mini/Front Wheel Drive will complete the show. Gates will open at 2:00 pm with hot laps at 6:00 pm.
Edwards Provides the Most Exciting Finish of the Year
From the Crossville Chronicle - Crossville, TN October 1, 2008
By Joe DunnIn a desperate move to take the win from Jimmie Johnson, Carl Edwards had the fans on their feet as he swept low into turn three on the final lap and blasted past leader Johnson.
The pass was amazing, except for the fact that he ran out of race track as his momentum slammed his Ford into the outside wall. Carl recovered, but not before Johnson squeezed by. Not about to give up, Carl again dove low attempting to catch Jimmie before the finish line, but came up short.
The pass will no doubt be seen as a highlight addition to racing shows for years to come. The last lap made this the most exciting race of the year for the Nascar Sprint cup series. The pass that didn’t follow through was joined on that last lap as Greg Biffle seemed to come out of nowhere to take third place away from Jeff Gordon at the line.
Johnson’s win, along with leading the most laps, pushed him past leader Edwards to take a 10 point advantage over Carl. Biffle remains in third, 30 points behind the leader. The points difference jumps to 121 for 4th place Jeff Burton. Another bad finish for Kyle Busch leaves the Hot Shoe of the regular season in the Chase basement in 12th place, 311 points behinds Johnson. That places the expected front runner all but eliminated from any chance for the championship. Busch is not alone as it seems that all of the Joe Gibbs cars are suffering in the chase. Another lack luster finish for Nascar’s most popular driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr. leaves him in 8th place 190 points behind.
The Cup series heads to Talladega this week for the AMP Energy 500, Sunday at Noon (ct) on ABC. The Nascar Nationwide Series is off this week as the Nascar Craftsman Truck Series joins the Cup teams at Talladega for the Mountain Dew 250 Saturday at 2:30 Pm (ct) on Speed.
An announcement was made this week by Ronnie Wyatt of Wyatt Builders of Crossville. Wyatt Builders Racing Inc. is joining forces with Ray Cook Racing LLC to host the Tennessee State Championship for Super Late Model Dirt Racing. The $6,000.00 to win ($530.00 to start) event will be held on Saturday October 11 at Crossville Raceway.
In speaking of the event, Wyatt stated “Having been involved in dirt racing since 1986 and enjoying the sport as I do, I have for some time wanted the opportunity to promote a racing event, I guess that time has come. I have asked our good friend Ray Cook to join Brett and I in bringing the largest Super Late Model show to Crossville Raceway since late 2006.”
Wyatt and Cook are leasing the track for this one time event, with hopes of making it an annual event. In addition to the Super Late Model race, the plan to run the Limited Late Model/Sportsman/Crate cars for a $1,000.00 to win race. A $300.00 to win Pure mini/Front wheel drive will complete the show. Gates will open at 2:00 pm with hot laps at 6:00 pm. I will have more information next week, as well as news of a possible sale of the local track.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Roush - Fenway Teams Dominate Week Two of Chase
From the Crossville Chronicle - Crossville, TN Wed. Sept. 24, 2008
By Joe Dunn
As the Nascar Sprint Cup Series race number two of the Chase at Dover International Speedway in Dover, De. ended, it was Jack Roush teams 1-2-3. Last week’s winner Greg Biffle once again made a late race charge to the front with teammates Matt Kenseth and Carl Edwards finishing second and third.
Kyle Busch, the hottest driver of the 2008 season has plummeted from first to last in the Chase in it’s first two weeks. At New Hampshire it was a broken sway bar and Sunday at Dover it was engine failure, leaving Busch 210 points behind the leader with 8 races left. Joining Busch in the Chase dive is Dale Earnhardt Jr. who spent the better part of the season in the top 5, his 24th place finish at Dover (3 laps) has relegated him to 9th place, 129 points behind Edwards.
Carl Edwards remains the leader going into the third race at Kansas Speedway, holding a 10 point advantage over Jimmie Johnson and Greg Biffle, both tied for second. Biffle who won last years race as Kansas is the favorite this week as he has come alive in the chase. Jeff Burton, Kevin Harvick and Clint Bowyer, all within 106 points of Edwards still have a realistic shot at being part of the mix. Matt Kenseth’s strong finish at Dover moved him up to 10th, but that still leaves him 167 points behind. He will need all top 3 finishes throughout with multiple drivers having some bad luck along the way, not a likely scenario.
A lawsuit announced a few weeks ago by Gillette-Evernham Motorsports against Robby Gordon was settled late last week. The lawsuit verified rumors earlier in the year that a merger was planned. Evernham strongly denied the rumors then, but with the Breach of Contract Lawsuit it became a public record. The plan was for Gordon to sell his entire operation at the end of the season and become a driver for GEM. It seems with the settlement that it was an avenue for GEM to back out of the deal. Robby Gordon Motorsports will be leasing engines from Penske Racing for the remainder of the season, this is a first for Penske. The strongest rumors have Gordon going back to Chevy for 2009 with a possible merger with DEI.
Rick Hendrick announced Monday that Brad Keselowski, driver of the #88 JR Motorsports, Navy Chevrolet in the Nationwide series will attempt to start two Sprint Cup races before the end of the season. Keselowski, of Rochester Hills, Mi. will drive the #25 GoDaddy.Com Chevrolet at Lowes Motor Speedway for the October 11 Bank of America 500 and the November 2, Dickies 500 at Texas Motor Speedway.
Kyle Busch led 157 of the 200 lap Camping World 200 Nascar Nationwide Series race Saturday at Dover with Mike Bliss finishing second followed by Brad Keselowski, Scott Wimmer and Carl Edwards. Clint Bowyer finished 10th but still holds a 186 point advantage over second place Edwards in the standings. Keselowski at third in the standings is the highest series Regular in the points.
The Nascar Craftsman Truck Series was at Las Vegas Saturday as Mike Skinner picked up his first win of the season. Points leader Johnny Benson’s day ended early with a wreck that left him 27th on the day. Benson still is the leader, but the bad finish leaves him only 1 point ahead of Ron Hornaday.
The Nascar Sprint Cup Series and the Nationwide Series both head to Kansas this week with the Kansas Lottery 300 NWS race Saturday on ESPN2 at 2pm (ct) and the Camping World 400 NSCS race Sunday on ABC at 12 noon (ct). The Craftsman truck series is off this week.
By Joe Dunn
As the Nascar Sprint Cup Series race number two of the Chase at Dover International Speedway in Dover, De. ended, it was Jack Roush teams 1-2-3. Last week’s winner Greg Biffle once again made a late race charge to the front with teammates Matt Kenseth and Carl Edwards finishing second and third.
Kyle Busch, the hottest driver of the 2008 season has plummeted from first to last in the Chase in it’s first two weeks. At New Hampshire it was a broken sway bar and Sunday at Dover it was engine failure, leaving Busch 210 points behind the leader with 8 races left. Joining Busch in the Chase dive is Dale Earnhardt Jr. who spent the better part of the season in the top 5, his 24th place finish at Dover (3 laps) has relegated him to 9th place, 129 points behind Edwards.
Carl Edwards remains the leader going into the third race at Kansas Speedway, holding a 10 point advantage over Jimmie Johnson and Greg Biffle, both tied for second. Biffle who won last years race as Kansas is the favorite this week as he has come alive in the chase. Jeff Burton, Kevin Harvick and Clint Bowyer, all within 106 points of Edwards still have a realistic shot at being part of the mix. Matt Kenseth’s strong finish at Dover moved him up to 10th, but that still leaves him 167 points behind. He will need all top 3 finishes throughout with multiple drivers having some bad luck along the way, not a likely scenario.
A lawsuit announced a few weeks ago by Gillette-Evernham Motorsports against Robby Gordon was settled late last week. The lawsuit verified rumors earlier in the year that a merger was planned. Evernham strongly denied the rumors then, but with the Breach of Contract Lawsuit it became a public record. The plan was for Gordon to sell his entire operation at the end of the season and become a driver for GEM. It seems with the settlement that it was an avenue for GEM to back out of the deal. Robby Gordon Motorsports will be leasing engines from Penske Racing for the remainder of the season, this is a first for Penske. The strongest rumors have Gordon going back to Chevy for 2009 with a possible merger with DEI.
Rick Hendrick announced Monday that Brad Keselowski, driver of the #88 JR Motorsports, Navy Chevrolet in the Nationwide series will attempt to start two Sprint Cup races before the end of the season. Keselowski, of Rochester Hills, Mi. will drive the #25 GoDaddy.Com Chevrolet at Lowes Motor Speedway for the October 11 Bank of America 500 and the November 2, Dickies 500 at Texas Motor Speedway.
Kyle Busch led 157 of the 200 lap Camping World 200 Nascar Nationwide Series race Saturday at Dover with Mike Bliss finishing second followed by Brad Keselowski, Scott Wimmer and Carl Edwards. Clint Bowyer finished 10th but still holds a 186 point advantage over second place Edwards in the standings. Keselowski at third in the standings is the highest series Regular in the points.
The Nascar Craftsman Truck Series was at Las Vegas Saturday as Mike Skinner picked up his first win of the season. Points leader Johnny Benson’s day ended early with a wreck that left him 27th on the day. Benson still is the leader, but the bad finish leaves him only 1 point ahead of Ron Hornaday.
The Nascar Sprint Cup Series and the Nationwide Series both head to Kansas this week with the Kansas Lottery 300 NWS race Saturday on ESPN2 at 2pm (ct) and the Camping World 400 NSCS race Sunday on ABC at 12 noon (ct). The Craftsman truck series is off this week.
The Chase to the Sprint Cup Shakes Up the Standings
From the Crossville Chronicle - Crossville, TN Wed. Sept. 17, 2008
By Joe Dunn
What a difference the implementation of the ‘Chase for the Sprint Cup Championship’ makes after just one race. A single bad finish has dropped the leader, Kyle Busch seven places from first to eight.
Greg Biffle battled with Jimmie Johnson and managed to hold him off for the win Sunday, but can the ‘Bif’ pull off the big win this year? Biffle is a very soft-spoken driver hailing from the northwest, who has risen quietly among the leaders of the Cup series. By taking the win, he has climbed from 9th to 3rd in just one week, but this was his first win of the year. That climb, combined with the massive drop for Kyle Busch shows just how fast and drastic points can change from a single race in the Chase.
Without the chase, Busch would still be 103 points ahead of Edwards in the standings, even after the disastrous day at New Hampshire. The new system, which was the brain child of Brian France was not well received when it was introduced in 2005, but has since been accepted as ‘the way it is.’ With that acceptance, many of the old time Nascar fans are still not happy with the Chase and how it determines a champion.
Dale Earnhardt Jr managed to save the day Sunday after a bad set of tires midway through the race, but the credit must go to car owner Rick Hendrick. After the pit stop to change tires, Earnhardt quickly fell back and he echoed his displeasure to the crew via the radio. The tirade got so bad that Hendrick finally got on the radio to talk Jr down, and is credited for saving the day. This was the third race in a row that Hendrick intervened to settle down young Earnhardt and lead him to concentrate on the race rather than the problems.
As the series heads to Dover, Delaware and the monster Mile this week, the Joe Gibbs racing #18 team has it’s work ahead of them. With a 74 point deficit the team has to perform at their best level, which means they must look to lead the most laps and take the win. Even if they manage that, a strong finish for Edwards and Johnson, which should be expected, would leave the 18 team with a long road ahead. Carl Edwards is the new points leader which should surprise no one, however Jimmie Johnson is in an too familiar place tied for the lead as the Chase heads to week two. Edwards is the leader this week, but actually tied in points with Johnson, the tier breaker is the number of wins, 6 for Edwards and 4 for Johnson. This is the point where the importance of penalties rears it’s ugly head, as Carl Edwards lost that coveted 10 bonus points after the post race penalty following his win at Texas in the spring. The effects of that penalty were not as evident before as they are right now, and the chase is not where you want Jimmie Johnson breathing down your neck.
I-40 Dragway will conduct it’s weekly testing and tuning session Friday with Saturday being the Season’s Final Points race.
By Joe Dunn
What a difference the implementation of the ‘Chase for the Sprint Cup Championship’ makes after just one race. A single bad finish has dropped the leader, Kyle Busch seven places from first to eight.
Greg Biffle battled with Jimmie Johnson and managed to hold him off for the win Sunday, but can the ‘Bif’ pull off the big win this year? Biffle is a very soft-spoken driver hailing from the northwest, who has risen quietly among the leaders of the Cup series. By taking the win, he has climbed from 9th to 3rd in just one week, but this was his first win of the year. That climb, combined with the massive drop for Kyle Busch shows just how fast and drastic points can change from a single race in the Chase.
Without the chase, Busch would still be 103 points ahead of Edwards in the standings, even after the disastrous day at New Hampshire. The new system, which was the brain child of Brian France was not well received when it was introduced in 2005, but has since been accepted as ‘the way it is.’ With that acceptance, many of the old time Nascar fans are still not happy with the Chase and how it determines a champion.
Dale Earnhardt Jr managed to save the day Sunday after a bad set of tires midway through the race, but the credit must go to car owner Rick Hendrick. After the pit stop to change tires, Earnhardt quickly fell back and he echoed his displeasure to the crew via the radio. The tirade got so bad that Hendrick finally got on the radio to talk Jr down, and is credited for saving the day. This was the third race in a row that Hendrick intervened to settle down young Earnhardt and lead him to concentrate on the race rather than the problems.
As the series heads to Dover, Delaware and the monster Mile this week, the Joe Gibbs racing #18 team has it’s work ahead of them. With a 74 point deficit the team has to perform at their best level, which means they must look to lead the most laps and take the win. Even if they manage that, a strong finish for Edwards and Johnson, which should be expected, would leave the 18 team with a long road ahead. Carl Edwards is the new points leader which should surprise no one, however Jimmie Johnson is in an too familiar place tied for the lead as the Chase heads to week two. Edwards is the leader this week, but actually tied in points with Johnson, the tier breaker is the number of wins, 6 for Edwards and 4 for Johnson. This is the point where the importance of penalties rears it’s ugly head, as Carl Edwards lost that coveted 10 bonus points after the post race penalty following his win at Texas in the spring. The effects of that penalty were not as evident before as they are right now, and the chase is not where you want Jimmie Johnson breathing down your neck.
I-40 Dragway will conduct it’s weekly testing and tuning session Friday with Saturday being the Season’s Final Points race.
Monday, September 8, 2008
The Chase To The Sprint Cup Begins This Week
From the Crossville Chronicle - Crossville, TN. Wednesday Sept. 10, 2008
By Joe Dunn / joe@onpitroad.com
Jimmie Johnson wins again at Richmond and appears to be on a roll as the Chase begins this week at New Hampshire. Clint Bowyer edged out David Ragan and Kasey Kahne for the final spot in the Chase.
With the threat of Tropical Storm Hanna approaching the coast, officials at Richmond International Raceway scurried to save the race weekend. They postponed all activities from qualifying to the Nationwide and Sprint Cup races scheduled on Friday and Saturday. Instead the starting line ups were set by points with the Sprint Cup race on Sunday afternoon, followed by the Nationwide Series race.
In a 10 lap shootout at the end of the race it was Johnson inching by Tony Stewart for the win as he set the tone for his quest to claim a third Sprint Cup Championship. As expected, Dale Earnhardt Jr and Kyle Busch again raced each other hard, but this time it was Busch who spun out and took the damage, limping to a 15 place finish ahead of only one other chase contender, Matt Kenseth, who never recovered after tangling with teammate David Reagan early in the race. The debut of Joe Gibbs Racing phenom, Joey Logano slated for Richmond had to be delayed when qualifying was cancelled. One of the biggest surprises of the day was David Reutimann in the UPS car as he lead the most laps and finished 9th.
So as we head into the final ten races of 2008 here is how the field is set for The Chase:
1) #18-Kyle Busch 5080 [8 wins x 10 bonus pts]
2) #99-Carl Edwards 5050 [6 wins, 5 wins x 10 pts = 50pts*]
3) #48-Jimmie Johnson 5040 [4 wins]
4) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. 5010 [1 win, 2nd, 3rd, 3-4ths]
5) #07-Clint Bowyer 5010 [1 win, 2nd, 3rd, 4th]
6) #11-Denny Hamlin 5010 [1 win, 7-3rds]
7) #31-Jeff Burton 5010 [1 win, 1-3rd]
8) #20-Tony Stewart 5000 [3-2nds]
9) #16-Greg Biffle 5000 [2-2nds]
10) #24-Jeff Gordon 5000 [1-2nd, 3-3rds]
11) #29-Kevin Harvick 5000 [1-2nd, 1-3rd]
12) #17-Matt Kenseth 5000 [2-3rds]
* lost the bonus for win at Las Vegas due to penalty
To start the Chase, all 12 drivers have their point totals reset to 5,000.
After the reset, Chase drivers get 10 bonus points for each victory thus far this season.
Those new totals produce the Chase seeding.
For drivers starting the Chase with identical point totals, their seeding are determined by the traditional tiebreaker of best finishes beyond race victories.
By Joe Dunn / joe@onpitroad.com
Jimmie Johnson wins again at Richmond and appears to be on a roll as the Chase begins this week at New Hampshire. Clint Bowyer edged out David Ragan and Kasey Kahne for the final spot in the Chase.
With the threat of Tropical Storm Hanna approaching the coast, officials at Richmond International Raceway scurried to save the race weekend. They postponed all activities from qualifying to the Nationwide and Sprint Cup races scheduled on Friday and Saturday. Instead the starting line ups were set by points with the Sprint Cup race on Sunday afternoon, followed by the Nationwide Series race.
In a 10 lap shootout at the end of the race it was Johnson inching by Tony Stewart for the win as he set the tone for his quest to claim a third Sprint Cup Championship. As expected, Dale Earnhardt Jr and Kyle Busch again raced each other hard, but this time it was Busch who spun out and took the damage, limping to a 15 place finish ahead of only one other chase contender, Matt Kenseth, who never recovered after tangling with teammate David Reagan early in the race. The debut of Joe Gibbs Racing phenom, Joey Logano slated for Richmond had to be delayed when qualifying was cancelled. One of the biggest surprises of the day was David Reutimann in the UPS car as he lead the most laps and finished 9th.
So as we head into the final ten races of 2008 here is how the field is set for The Chase:
1) #18-Kyle Busch 5080 [8 wins x 10 bonus pts]
2) #99-Carl Edwards 5050 [6 wins, 5 wins x 10 pts = 50pts*]
3) #48-Jimmie Johnson 5040 [4 wins]
4) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. 5010 [1 win, 2nd, 3rd, 3-4ths]
5) #07-Clint Bowyer 5010 [1 win, 2nd, 3rd, 4th]
6) #11-Denny Hamlin 5010 [1 win, 7-3rds]
7) #31-Jeff Burton 5010 [1 win, 1-3rd]
8) #20-Tony Stewart 5000 [3-2nds]
9) #16-Greg Biffle 5000 [2-2nds]
10) #24-Jeff Gordon 5000 [1-2nd, 3-3rds]
11) #29-Kevin Harvick 5000 [1-2nd, 1-3rd]
12) #17-Matt Kenseth 5000 [2-3rds]
* lost the bonus for win at Las Vegas due to penalty
To start the Chase, all 12 drivers have their point totals reset to 5,000.
After the reset, Chase drivers get 10 bonus points for each victory thus far this season.
Those new totals produce the Chase seeding.
For drivers starting the Chase with identical point totals, their seeding are determined by the traditional tiebreaker of best finishes beyond race victories.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Jimmie Johnson Dominates at California
From the Crossville Chronicle - Crossville, TN. Wednesday Sept. 3, 2008
By Joe Dunn / joe@onpitroad.com
Heading west for the Pepsi 500 at California it looked like a two driver battle for the Championship between Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards. That attention changed as Johnson claimed victory Sunday night and moved up to third in the points.
Starting from the pole and leading 228 of the 250 laps, Johnson enjoyed huge leads throughout the race with Greg Biffle mounting the only serious challenge. On lap 163 five teams gambled on a 2 tire change which left Johnson back in 6th place. But with 4 fresh tires Johnson made quick work of them and retook the lead in two laps. The win locked Johnson into the Chase for the Nascar Sprint Cup with one race remaining before the chase begins in two weeks in New Hampshire. Also sealing berths in the Chase Sunday were Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Burton.
On Saturday night at California it was Kyle Busch dominating the Camping World RV Service 300, Nascar Nationwide race. Leading 144 of the 150 laps Busch was in command all night. Carl Edwards provided the only serious challenge but had to settle for second. Joey Logano, the youngster announced last week as next year’s replacement for Tony Stewart in the Joe Gibbs Racing Home Depot Toyota, had another strong showing finishing 6th in only his 11th start in the series.
A couple of weeks ago, I reported about Ryan Newman signing to drive for Stewart Haas Racing next year. At that time it was announced that Newman would be in the #4 car for 2009, however, Morgan McClure Racing of Abingdon, Va. Complained to Nascar that they still held rights to the number and intended to field a team again next year. Newman is now slated to be in the #39 next year. Although no official announcement has been made yet, it appears that David Stremme will replace Newman in the #12 car for Penske Racing. Nascar’s top three series head to Richmond, Va. This weekend with the Emerson Radio 250 Nascar Nationwide race Friday at 6:30pm (CT) on (SPEED TV), the Camping World 200, Craftsman Truck series race on Saturday at 1PM (ESPN2) and the Chevy Rock & Roll 400, Nascar Sprint Cup race at 6pm. (ABC)
LOCAL RACING
Crossville Raceway’s final points events of the season took place on Friday August 29th, where the 2008 Season Champions were determined as follows:
Late Model Sportsman- Brandon Williams, UMP Open Wheel Modifieds- Billy Palmer, Pro Street- Jessie Lowe, Mini Stock- Bradley Hamilton, Pure Mini- JD Rector and Cruisers- Hannah Proffitt
The first members of the Upper Cumberland Dirt Racing Hall of Fame were also inducted at a special ceremony during Friday’s intermission. Inductees are, J Paul Smith, Lloyd ’Red’ Williams, Venable Tabor and Dave Bilbrey.
I-40 Dragway will hold it’s ever popular Bounty Races to Saturday September 6 as VP Racing Fuels will guarantee a $1500 first place award. Other classes will include a $2,000 1st place for the Pro Torque Converters 4.90 index, $1,000 for the PRC Race Cars - Real Street, and $700 each for the Holeshot Wheels 6.0 Index, Mondello Tech Center 7.0 Index and the HVH Cylinder Head 8.5 Outlaw.
By Joe Dunn / joe@onpitroad.com
Heading west for the Pepsi 500 at California it looked like a two driver battle for the Championship between Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards. That attention changed as Johnson claimed victory Sunday night and moved up to third in the points.
Starting from the pole and leading 228 of the 250 laps, Johnson enjoyed huge leads throughout the race with Greg Biffle mounting the only serious challenge. On lap 163 five teams gambled on a 2 tire change which left Johnson back in 6th place. But with 4 fresh tires Johnson made quick work of them and retook the lead in two laps. The win locked Johnson into the Chase for the Nascar Sprint Cup with one race remaining before the chase begins in two weeks in New Hampshire. Also sealing berths in the Chase Sunday were Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Burton.
On Saturday night at California it was Kyle Busch dominating the Camping World RV Service 300, Nascar Nationwide race. Leading 144 of the 150 laps Busch was in command all night. Carl Edwards provided the only serious challenge but had to settle for second. Joey Logano, the youngster announced last week as next year’s replacement for Tony Stewart in the Joe Gibbs Racing Home Depot Toyota, had another strong showing finishing 6th in only his 11th start in the series.
A couple of weeks ago, I reported about Ryan Newman signing to drive for Stewart Haas Racing next year. At that time it was announced that Newman would be in the #4 car for 2009, however, Morgan McClure Racing of Abingdon, Va. Complained to Nascar that they still held rights to the number and intended to field a team again next year. Newman is now slated to be in the #39 next year. Although no official announcement has been made yet, it appears that David Stremme will replace Newman in the #12 car for Penske Racing. Nascar’s top three series head to Richmond, Va. This weekend with the Emerson Radio 250 Nascar Nationwide race Friday at 6:30pm (CT) on (SPEED TV), the Camping World 200, Craftsman Truck series race on Saturday at 1PM (ESPN2) and the Chevy Rock & Roll 400, Nascar Sprint Cup race at 6pm. (ABC)
LOCAL RACING
Crossville Raceway’s final points events of the season took place on Friday August 29th, where the 2008 Season Champions were determined as follows:
Late Model Sportsman- Brandon Williams, UMP Open Wheel Modifieds- Billy Palmer, Pro Street- Jessie Lowe, Mini Stock- Bradley Hamilton, Pure Mini- JD Rector and Cruisers- Hannah Proffitt
The first members of the Upper Cumberland Dirt Racing Hall of Fame were also inducted at a special ceremony during Friday’s intermission. Inductees are, J Paul Smith, Lloyd ’Red’ Williams, Venable Tabor and Dave Bilbrey.
I-40 Dragway will hold it’s ever popular Bounty Races to Saturday September 6 as VP Racing Fuels will guarantee a $1500 first place award. Other classes will include a $2,000 1st place for the Pro Torque Converters 4.90 index, $1,000 for the PRC Race Cars - Real Street, and $700 each for the Holeshot Wheels 6.0 Index, Mondello Tech Center 7.0 Index and the HVH Cylinder Head 8.5 Outlaw.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Upper Cumberland Dirt Racing Hall of Fame Inducts First Members
By Joe Dunn / joe@onpitroad.com
In the spring of 2008 a group of Dirt Racing fans and support personnel began plans for the establishment of a Hall of Fame for Crossville Raceway and the surrounding area.
Led by longtime racing announcer Thomas Montgomery they contacted several of the old time racers and fans for suggestions and nominations. The process continued into the summer months as a group of nominations was reviewed and a final selection of the first four inductees was made. Tom then had the task of tracking down those individuals, scheduling a date and time for the induction as well as securing a sign and engraved plaques for each person.
With the process completed and all details finalized the ceremony took place at Crossville Raceway, on Friday evening August 29. This was the final night of the regular season at Crossville Raceway, so the induction was a fitting cap of the season. The four Inductees are:
J Paul Smith, a Crossville native has been an Auto Racing fan his entire life. In 1984, Mr. Smith purchased a tract of land on Hwy 70N from Mr. Hugh Neal and began construction of a race track. During the process, he traveled to Braselton, Ga. to study the layout of Lanier National Speedway. With the information in hand, Mr. Smith returned to Crossville and implemented many of the design characteristics he observed in the construction of Crossville Raceway. On May 18, 1986 the new Crossville Raceway hosted it’s first ever race with a capacity crowd. That season continued with Standing room only crowds throughout the summer. Under Smith’s leadership the track was a Nascar sanctioned track hosting some of the biggest dirt racing events in the south. Famous names were seen at the track including Dale Earnhardt Sr., Ken Schrader and Michael Waltrip.
Lloyd ‘Red’ Williams began his racing career in the mid 1950’s with two partners. They drove the cars while Red maintained the cars. In 1968 Lloyd began driving the #97 racecar and about that time his son Sam turned 16 and wanted to join dad on the track. Among his accomplishments Williams won the very first race at the Legendary Atomic Speedway, in nearby Lenoir City. In addition to the racer side of the sport, Lloyd served as a flagman at various tracks including Crossville, Spring City, Atomic, Buffalo Valley and the Roan County Raceway. Red can still be found at the local races where his sons Sam and Rick are still driving as well as his grandson Brandon who already is a force to be reckoned with at Crossville Raceway.
Venable Tabor began his racing career in 1962 when he returned home to Crossville from a tour with the Army. He had a friend with an old Studebaker and they decided to go racing with ’Tabe’ as the driver. The plan was a simple one, they knocked out the glass on the Studebaker, installed a roll cage and headed for the track. Later he drove a Ford where he won one of the first races at the old Crossville track on Potato Farm Rd. In the 80’s Tabe was a favorite in his Red and White #25 Monte Carlo, winning 6 track championships, including five straight at Crossville Raceway. Tabe ended his racing career in the mid 1990’s and was called for the Lord’s team on May 29, 1999. Representing Venable Tabor at the induction were his wife Ruby and daughter Jennifer Purkey.
Dave Bilbrey, another Crossville native started racing at Atomic Speedway in 1982. Dave earned in excess of 150 feature wins as well as multiple track championships at Crossville Raceway, Atomic Speedway, Wartburg Speedway and the Tennessee Motor Speedway. Among Dave’s big wins were, The Plateau 100, the Firecracker 100 and the Pepsi 100. In addition Dave once earned $6,000.00 winning a pair $2500 races that added a $1000 bonus for taking both wins. Most fans remember Dave Bilbrey in his White and Blue #44 Ultra Lite A&B Body Shop car. Dave was unable to attend the ceremony. Jeff Kilburn accepted the plaque for Dave.
The Upper Cumberland Dirt Racing Hall of Fame will become a permanent fixture at Crossville Raceway with induction of new members taking place each year.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Edwards Locks into Chase with Win # 6 at Bristol
From the Crossville Chronicle - Crossville, TN Wednesday August 27, 2008
By Joe Dunn / joe@onpitroad.com
With two races left before the Chase, only two drivers are ‘locked in’, Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards. The Edwards - Busch 1-2 finish Saturday night at Bristol was a repeat of the previous week’s race at Michigan.
With clear skies and comfortable temperatures fans arrived at Bristol in droves. What is easily the largest temporary camping area in Tennessee the campers began lining up two weeks in advance to secure the ‘good’ campsites. The actual festivities in Bristol began on Wednesday as the Hooter’s Pro Cup series provided the opening act for the Nascar Craftsman truck series race. The big hype for Wednesday was the fact that Nascar Sprint Cup Champion Jimmie Johnson would start his first truck race. Johnson did manage to grab the lead by not pitting with the leaders on lap 42. He held that lead for 29 laps until Kyle Busch ran him down and Johnson faded to the back. His night ended on lap 109 when he lost control all by himself and collected Jeff green who was unable to avoid Johnson. Kyle Busch went on to win the truck race with series regular Todd Bodine in second.
In Friday nights Nascar Nationwide Series Food City 250, it was Brad Keselowski taking only his second series win, the first win came just a few weeks ago at Nashville Super Speedway. Clint Bowyer held on for second with Greg Biffle, Cale Gale and David Stremme rounding out the top 5.
Saturday’s Sharpie 500 was all Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards as the two combined to lead all but 1 lap of the race. Edwards started on the pole and lead all but 1 of the first 54 laps as Jeff Gordon was able to lead lap 48. Busch took the lead on lap 55 and held on until lap 470 when Edwards bumped him between turns 1 and 2. The bump caused Busch to chase the car up the track as Edwards swept by to lead the rest of the race and claim his 6th win of 2008. After taking the checkered flag, Busch drove into Edwards car in turn 2, but Edwards returned the favor turning the 18 car around at the exit to turn 2. Busch attempted to chase down Edwards into turn 4 but finally heeded the warnings of Nascar and turned into the pits. One thing that is obvious is the fact that these are the two top drivers in 2008 and one of them should win the championship. Dale Earnhardt Jr was saved from a standing drop by the wreck of Jimmie Johnson that gave Johnson a 33rd place finish. Earnhardt finished the race in 18th 2 laps down after going down a lap on the first lap of the race. On the start of the race Jr was penalized for passing two cars before the start finish line. The pass through penalty sent him down a lap and was never able to get the lap back.
Local Racing, The Advance Auto Parts Thunder series event scheduled for this Friday at Crossville Raceway has been cancelled, in it’s place the final points event of the season will take place along with a Special event. Along with the racing action the inaugural class of the new Upper Cumberland Dirt Racing Hall of Fame will be inducted.
Among those expected to be inducted are J Paul Smith, Lloyd Williams, Dave Bilbrey and Venable Tabor. Gates open at 5pm.
I-40 Dragway has rescheduled it’s ever popular Bounty Races to Saturday September 6 as VP Racing Fuels will guarantee a $1500 first place award. Other classes will include a $2,000 1st place for the Pro Torque Converters 4.90 index, $1,000 for the PRC Race Cars - Real Street, and $700 each for the Holeshot Wheels 6.0 Index, Mondello Tech Center 7.0 Index and the HVH Cylinder Head 8.5 Outlaw.
By Joe Dunn / joe@onpitroad.com
With two races left before the Chase, only two drivers are ‘locked in’, Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards. The Edwards - Busch 1-2 finish Saturday night at Bristol was a repeat of the previous week’s race at Michigan.
With clear skies and comfortable temperatures fans arrived at Bristol in droves. What is easily the largest temporary camping area in Tennessee the campers began lining up two weeks in advance to secure the ‘good’ campsites. The actual festivities in Bristol began on Wednesday as the Hooter’s Pro Cup series provided the opening act for the Nascar Craftsman truck series race. The big hype for Wednesday was the fact that Nascar Sprint Cup Champion Jimmie Johnson would start his first truck race. Johnson did manage to grab the lead by not pitting with the leaders on lap 42. He held that lead for 29 laps until Kyle Busch ran him down and Johnson faded to the back. His night ended on lap 109 when he lost control all by himself and collected Jeff green who was unable to avoid Johnson. Kyle Busch went on to win the truck race with series regular Todd Bodine in second.
In Friday nights Nascar Nationwide Series Food City 250, it was Brad Keselowski taking only his second series win, the first win came just a few weeks ago at Nashville Super Speedway. Clint Bowyer held on for second with Greg Biffle, Cale Gale and David Stremme rounding out the top 5.
Saturday’s Sharpie 500 was all Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards as the two combined to lead all but 1 lap of the race. Edwards started on the pole and lead all but 1 of the first 54 laps as Jeff Gordon was able to lead lap 48. Busch took the lead on lap 55 and held on until lap 470 when Edwards bumped him between turns 1 and 2. The bump caused Busch to chase the car up the track as Edwards swept by to lead the rest of the race and claim his 6th win of 2008. After taking the checkered flag, Busch drove into Edwards car in turn 2, but Edwards returned the favor turning the 18 car around at the exit to turn 2. Busch attempted to chase down Edwards into turn 4 but finally heeded the warnings of Nascar and turned into the pits. One thing that is obvious is the fact that these are the two top drivers in 2008 and one of them should win the championship. Dale Earnhardt Jr was saved from a standing drop by the wreck of Jimmie Johnson that gave Johnson a 33rd place finish. Earnhardt finished the race in 18th 2 laps down after going down a lap on the first lap of the race. On the start of the race Jr was penalized for passing two cars before the start finish line. The pass through penalty sent him down a lap and was never able to get the lap back.
Local Racing, The Advance Auto Parts Thunder series event scheduled for this Friday at Crossville Raceway has been cancelled, in it’s place the final points event of the season will take place along with a Special event. Along with the racing action the inaugural class of the new Upper Cumberland Dirt Racing Hall of Fame will be inducted.
Among those expected to be inducted are J Paul Smith, Lloyd Williams, Dave Bilbrey and Venable Tabor. Gates open at 5pm.
I-40 Dragway has rescheduled it’s ever popular Bounty Races to Saturday September 6 as VP Racing Fuels will guarantee a $1500 first place award. Other classes will include a $2,000 1st place for the Pro Torque Converters 4.90 index, $1,000 for the PRC Race Cars - Real Street, and $700 each for the Holeshot Wheels 6.0 Index, Mondello Tech Center 7.0 Index and the HVH Cylinder Head 8.5 Outlaw.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Edwards Sweeps at Michigan International Speedway
From the Crossville Chronicle - Crossville, TN. Wednesday August 20, 2008
By Joe Dunn / joe@onpitroad.com
By Joe Dunn / joe@onpitroad.com
Carl Edwards made the sweep last weekend at MIS winning the Nascar Nationwide Race on Saturday and taking the checkers again Sunday in the Nascar Sprint Cup Series.
Leading the most laps Saturday on the way to victory over second place Brian Vickers when the caution came out on the final lap. This was Edwards first Nationwide series win at MIS and Fords first since Ryan Newman did it in 2001. “I’m so happy we won this thing,” said Edwards, who won his third Nationwide race of the season, all since Drew Blickensderfer replaced Pierre Kuettel as crew chief in late June. “We’ve been so close before. It feels good to put a Ford here in Victory Lane.” The win moved Edwards into second place in the series points behind Clint Bowyer.
On Sunday, it was again Edwards leading the most laps with Kyle Busch battling with him for the better part of the day. Carl appeared to have a clear edge and the win in hand when Denny Hamlin’s engine exploded with 5 laps remaining. After the cleanup from Hamlin’s engine the restart with 2 laps to go promised to be a shootout between Edwards and Busch, but Carl pulled away at the green flag, never looking back and collected his 5th win of the season. He now stands at second in points in both of Nascar’s top series. With the 5 wins and Busch’s 8 wins these two drivers are dominating Nascar in 2008, as all three series head for Bristol Motor Speedway this week, for Nascar’s most popular week of racing.
Again at Michigan, Nascar impounded a number of the Nationwide cars for dyno testing, but the big news was that the Joe Gibbs Racing organization is in serious trouble with Nascar. Both the 18 and the 20 cars had magnets attached to the cars after the race and prior to the dyno testing in a blatant attempt to interfere with the testing equipment. Nascar is sure to lay out extremely heavy penalties for this one. JGR, released a statement calling for an internal investigation and terminate the guilty parties. The reaction to the team statement was seen by most in the garage area as comical as Michael Waltrip’s explanations of the jet fuel at Daytona last year.
The biggest news of the weekend at MIS was the announcement by Stewart Haas Racing, introducing Ryan Newman as the driver if the SHR #4 car next year. The announcement was the worst kept secret of the week. No sponsors were announced, but Tony Stewart promised that the details would be finalized and announced shortly. When asked how hard it was to convince Newman to sign, Stewart responded.
“We only had to sedate him for about four straight days at which point you have the subliminal messages you just replay over in a loop. After four days of that, I was really surprised, it took really well. Woke up and seemed to think that the week went by really quick.”
“You know what, I think the big thing – talking to Ryan and Krissie, these guys – was just explaining to them how the organization was going to be. Obviously we're not exactly, this year, with the teams where we want to be right now. But the big thing was showing Ryan what we're doing, what steps we're taking, how it's going to be different next year, and why I think it's going to be successful.”
“The thing that impressed me the most about Ryan was he asked all the right questions, from day one. You know, the thing with Ryan was it wasn't about, we've still never spoke about a dollar in the contract. I mean, from day one, the questions that he had for me were all about how are we going to win races, how are we going to win championships, how are we going to get the right people in place to do the right jobs.”
Crossville raceway is closed this week due to the races at Bristol, but they will return next week on Friday August 29, with the final race of the season. The Advance Auto Parts Thunder Series will start their Labor day weekend with a $3,000 Super Late Model race along with Crossville’s weekly racing series.
I-40 Dragway will have their regular weekly programs Friday and Saturday this week, with their 6th Bounty Series racing Next Saturday August 30.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Edwards Claims win number 4 at Pocono
From the Crossville Chronicle - Crossville, TN. Wednesday August 6, 2008
By Joe Dunn / joe@onpitroad.com
In a rain delayed race at Pocono, Pennsylvania, Carl Edwards and crew chief Bob Osborne got into a heated debate over the decision to pit when a caution for rain came out. Edwards, who based his call on his experience as a licensed pilot insisted on pitting as he predicted the rain would pass and the race would continue.
After making the stop, which Osborne opposed, Nascar put out the red flag stopping the race because of the heavy downpour. But about 40 minutes later the race resumed and went on to it’s full distance. That forced the 17 cars ahead of Edwards that did not pit to make 2 more stops while Edwards needed only one. The conversation between Edwards and Osborne became strained again late in the race as there was a misunderstanding between the two about the actual fuel believed to be in the car. With seven laps to go, Osborne asked Carl how he was doing on conserving fuel. Edwards responded that he was not trying to conserve and asked if there was a concern. After that exchange, Edwards did back off allowing Tony Stewart to close the 7 second gap to about 4 seconds.
At the finish both Edwards and Stewart were good on fuel, however 3rd place Jimmy Johnson coasted across the finish line out of gas while his teammates Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr both ran out and lost several positions coasting to the finish. The win moved Edwards up two positions to third in the standings a mere nine points behind second place Earnhardt.
On Saturday, Canadian Ron Fellows claimed victory in the rain shortened NAPA 200 Nationwide race at Montreal. The race made history as it became the first Nascar race run with ‘Rain Tires’ provided by Goodyear. The tires have been around for a long time, but this was the first actual race where they were used. If you wondered how long they have waited to use these tires, the ones used Saturday were manufactured by Goodyear for Nascar seven years ago.
Both series head for another Road Course this week at Watkins Glen, NY, while the Nascar Craftsman Truck Series take to Nashville Super Speedway Saturday at 7:00 pm.
On the local scene, Crossville Raceway will be hosting the Southern Regional Racing Series with the Sears of Crossville $3,000 Super Late Model race along with the full weekly program on Friday night.
By Joe Dunn / joe@onpitroad.com
In a rain delayed race at Pocono, Pennsylvania, Carl Edwards and crew chief Bob Osborne got into a heated debate over the decision to pit when a caution for rain came out. Edwards, who based his call on his experience as a licensed pilot insisted on pitting as he predicted the rain would pass and the race would continue.
After making the stop, which Osborne opposed, Nascar put out the red flag stopping the race because of the heavy downpour. But about 40 minutes later the race resumed and went on to it’s full distance. That forced the 17 cars ahead of Edwards that did not pit to make 2 more stops while Edwards needed only one. The conversation between Edwards and Osborne became strained again late in the race as there was a misunderstanding between the two about the actual fuel believed to be in the car. With seven laps to go, Osborne asked Carl how he was doing on conserving fuel. Edwards responded that he was not trying to conserve and asked if there was a concern. After that exchange, Edwards did back off allowing Tony Stewart to close the 7 second gap to about 4 seconds.
At the finish both Edwards and Stewart were good on fuel, however 3rd place Jimmy Johnson coasted across the finish line out of gas while his teammates Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr both ran out and lost several positions coasting to the finish. The win moved Edwards up two positions to third in the standings a mere nine points behind second place Earnhardt.
On Saturday, Canadian Ron Fellows claimed victory in the rain shortened NAPA 200 Nationwide race at Montreal. The race made history as it became the first Nascar race run with ‘Rain Tires’ provided by Goodyear. The tires have been around for a long time, but this was the first actual race where they were used. If you wondered how long they have waited to use these tires, the ones used Saturday were manufactured by Goodyear for Nascar seven years ago.
Both series head for another Road Course this week at Watkins Glen, NY, while the Nascar Craftsman Truck Series take to Nashville Super Speedway Saturday at 7:00 pm.
On the local scene, Crossville Raceway will be hosting the Southern Regional Racing Series with the Sears of Crossville $3,000 Super Late Model race along with the full weekly program on Friday night.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Brickyard 2008 - Nascar’s Most Boring Race Ever
From the Crossville Chronicle - Crossville, TN. July 30, 2008
By Joe Dunn / joe@onpitroad.com
When is Nascar Sprint Cup racing, not racing? When they go to Indy with a BAD tire for this track. This is not the first time for tire issues at the Brickyard, but with all the testing they have done, one would expect something better than what we did Sunday.By Joe Dunn / joe@onpitroad.com
The problems really came to light during Saturday’s practices when teams reported tires falling apart after very few laps. But both Nascar and Goodyear knew about the problems before that. The last minute response was to haul in tires made to specs for Pocono next week. One has to wonder WHY? The Pocono tire is yet an even softer compound than the Indy tire, which was wearing to the cords, sometimes in as little as 8 laps.
With the longest green flag stretch at 12 laps, I have seen a lot more exciting racing watching 4 cylinders at the local dirt track. As the race progressed, the ESPN team in the booth strived to cover up the smell of this fiasco by telling viewers how much better and more exciting the racing was getting late in the race. I highly doubt that anyone who was actually watching the race seriously believed them, or owners Richard Childress or Joe Gibbs who professed that Nascar and Goodyear were doing a great job of adapting to a situation beyond their control.
In the end, the race came down to a 6 lap shootout, that looked anything like a shootout, but rather follow the leader pace laps as Jimmie Johnson took the uneventful checkered flag.
In the Nationwide Series, last week Nascar determined that the Toyota’s had a horsepower advantage so they issued a new midseason rule requiring restrictor plates for them. All the other teams looked for some relief from the Toyota (especially Joe Gibbs Racing) domination. So how did that work out? By Kyle Busch leading 197 of 200 laps Saturday night at O’Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis and collecting his sixth win of 2008 in the series.
This week the Nascar Sprint Cup Series heads to Pocono Speedway for the Sunoco - Red Cross 500 on Sunday, while the Nascar Nationwide Series heads north of the border for the Napa Auto Parts 200 at Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Crossville Raceway will run the weekly racing action Friday with gates open at 5 pm and racing at 7 pm. Next week, the Southern Regional Racing Series will return with the Sears of Crossville $3000 Super Late Model race.
Wartburg Speedway, which has been closed the last few weeks returns Friday with the Shoney’s - Morgan County Pro Hardware $4000 Advance Auto Parts Thunder Series Super Late Model race.
The Thunder Series moves to the Mountain Raceway Park Saturday for the Atomic Speedway - Hall of Fame $4000 Super Late Model race.
I-40 Dragway will having testing and Bike racing Friday night with $5K Super Pro and $1K Footbrake action on Saturday night.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Edwards Peddles to Victory at Gateway Speedway
From the Crossville Chronicle - Crossville, TN Wednesday July 23, 2008
By Joe Dunn
With the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series off this past weekend, Carl Edwards took a break from the fast pace of his normal weekly routine leading to his win of Saturday night’s Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers 250 NASCAR Nationwide Series race.By Joe Dunn
Rather than flying his airplane from his home in Columbia, Mo. Carl climbed aboard a bicycle for the three day ride to East St. Louis, Illinois. The reigning Champion of the Nationwide Series got off to a rather slow start this year with his first win coming last month at Milwaukee. Gateway is considered Edwards’ home track and his win Saturday was his second there. Like at Milwaukee, rookie phenom Joey Logano, driving for Joe Gibbs Racing finished second nearly 7 seconds behind Edwards. The win moved Edwards up one place in the Championship points to third.
Earlier Saturday, all eyes were on Kyle Busch driving the Billy Ballew Toyota in the Craftsman Truck Series at Kentucky Speedway. But this was not to be his day as Series regular Johnny Benson made a daring 4 wide pass with 32 laps remaining to take the lead and hold it for the win.
This weekend will be a big one for Nascar as all three series head for Indianapolis with the Sprint Cup teams at the Brickyard, while the Trucks and nationwide Series head to the O’Reilly Raceway Park. Tony Stewart is expected to make another major announcement regarding Stewart Haas Racing at Indy with speculation that a deal with Ryan Newman will be announced. Penske Racing announced last week that they will not renew Newman’s contract after this year, making him a free agent.
On the Local Scene, Crossville Raceway will be back to regular weekly racing on Friday July 25 and August 1, followed by a $3,000 to win Southern Regional Racing Series Late Model event on Friday August 8th.
I40 Dragway will conduct Testing and Motorcycle drags on Friday followed by their Bounty Racing Saturday. In addition to the Big Bounty event, there is a Grudge Match scheduled between Howe Motorsports and Brad Shultis.
Wartburg Speedway announced recently that they will be closed until August 1st when they will host the Advance Auto Parts Thunder Series with a $4000 Late Model event.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Kyle Busch Sweeps at Chicago
From the Crossville Chronicle - Crossville, Tn Wednesday July 16, 2008
By Joe Dunn
By Joe Dunn
When Rick Hendrick announced last year that he was releasing Kyle Busch to make room for Dale Earnhardt Jr, a few sports writers, including myself, predicted that Busch would be the driver to watch in 2008.
Many fans viewed Kyle as reckless and arrogant, and still do, but the one thing that no one can deny is that he is an extremely talented driver. That talent showed up again last weekend at Chicagoland Speedway, as he won his fifth Nationwide Series race of 2008 on Friday night. Leading 101 of the 200 lap race, Busch finished 10 seconds ahead of Denny Hamlin.
On Saturday night Kyle started on the pole and led the first 43 laps, turning the lead over to Carl Edwards. Busch never fell further back than 13th and retook the lead on lap 121 where he would lose that lead only two times for a total of 10 laps until a late race caution on lap 246. Following that caution, defending series champion Jimmie Johnson got past Busch for what appeared to be the race winning move, but a final caution with 4 laps remaining would set up a final chance for Busch. On the restart Johnson attempted to hold back Busch by not accelerating at the line, but a determined Kyle countered by pushing Johnson across the line and charging to the outside keeping Johnson pinned low and getting him loose. Kyle easily cruised to his seventh win of the season.
The official announcement of Stewart Haas racing came Thursday during a press conference at Chicagoland Speedway. The name change takes effect now, but Stewart is under contract with JGR through the end of the season. There is still much speculation about a second driver, with Ryan Newman being the top name being circulated. Newman acknowledged over the weekend that he has discussed the possibility with his good friend and fellow Indiana native Stewart, but no decision on his future has been made.
Local racing action this weekend includes the O’Reilly USCS Sprint Cars Friday night at Crossville Raceway, along with local classes. Gates open at 5 pm with racing at 7 pm.
I-40 Dragway will having testing and Bike racing Friday night with $5K Super Pro and $1K Footbrake action on Saturday night.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
NASCAR Silly Season is in Full Swing
From the Crossville Chronicle - Crossville, TN. Wednesday July 9, 2009
By Joe Dunn
Last year the big story in Nascar all year was Dale Earnhardt Jr., where he stay with DEI or move to another organization. The speculation ended early when the big announcement came in May that he would drive for Rick Hendrick.
As the 2008 season began all eyes were on Jr. with anticipation of a banner season for Nascar’s most popular driver. But now, halfway through the season, it is Kyle Busch, the young gun ousted my Hendrick to make room for Jr., who is getting all the attention with six wins so far. But the biggest rumor of 2008 involves not Busch, but his teammate, 2 time Champion Tony Stewart, who is not at all happy with the switch to Toyota. With a year left on his contract, Stewart has made it known that a move Should include at least partial ownership.
Chevrolet is serious about wanting Tony back in their product and it has been said that they are willing to ‘buy’ the last year of Stewart’s contract from Joe Gibbs Racing. It is expected that Stewart will make an announcement soon that he will be joining Haas CNC racing as a part owner with Office Depot and Old Spice as his title sponsors. In the second Haas-CNC/ Tony Stewart Chevy will be Ryan Newman with Jack Daniels as the title sponsor. Jack Daniels is rumored available as it appears that UPS will leave Michael Waltrip Racing to join Richard Childress Racing on the 07 car of Clint Bowyer.
Last week Hendrick announced the release of Casey Mears from the 5 car at the end of the season, and then followed that up days later by introducing Mark Martin as Mears’ replacement for 2009. As Martin leaves Dale Earnhardt Incorporated, Martin Truex is unhappy with his equipment and may be looking elsewhere. Is all that just a coincidence, or is it part of the reason that DEI is reported to be “For Sale’? It seems that Teresa Earnhardt has contracted with Bear Sterns of New York to find a buyer for the company.
For those of you who are long time Nascar fans, mark Friday July 18 on you calendar as “Old School Racing” comes to the Motor City Motorplex in Nashville. Some of the greatest drivers of all time have been slated to compete in this long anticipated inaugural event. They include names such as; Harry Gant, Sterling Marlin, Geoff Bodine, Dave Marcis, Jack Ingram, Larry Pollard, James Harvey Hylton, Charlie Glotzbach, Joe Ruttman, Ronnie Thomas, Tommy Houston, and Randy Lajoie. Drivers will be available for autographs between qualifying and race time. Qualifying is scheduled to begin at 6:15 pm and the green flag drops for the Shootout at 8:45 pm
If you cannot make it to Nashville, RacersReunion.com, will bring the July 18th event live to the web with the veteran racing analyst Randy Pemberton in the broadcast booth with many special guest that will bring the fans racing stories that may never be heard again. Fans not attending the event will be able to view it live in it's entirety along with some special surprises at www.RacersReunion.com
Tickets for the event start at just $15.00 and can be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com Track Info: www.musiccitymotorplex.com
Monday, June 30, 2008
Rain brings unlikely winner at New Hampshire
From the Crossville Chronicle - Crossville, TN Wednesday July 2, 2008
By Joe Dunn
Kurt Busch was having less than a stellar day Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway when Jamie Mc Murray got into Dale Earnhardt Jr. bringing out a caution with 28 laps remaining.
Being far back in the field, Busch and his team decided to take a chance and stay out as the leaders pitted for the last time. It was questionable if anyone had enough fuel to finish. As the leaders pitted, Kurt inherited the lead, and when another caution came on lap 281 so did the rain. After 3 caution laps, Nascar dropped the red flag and eventually called the race, declaring Busch the winner.
Here we are in July and the Nascar Silly Season is running full steam with rumored moves. Hendrick Motorsports announced that Casey Mears would not return in 2009, and the strong rumor is that Mark Martin will move to HMS for one final attempt at a championship. Tony Stewart has stated that he wants to won at least part of a team, with indications that he will leave Joe Gibbs racing and head to Haas CNC as a part owner. Ryan Newman, who’s Alltel sponsorship will end after this year has stated that he wants to be in a competitive car for 2009. Newman is rumored to be headed to Haas CNC with Stewart.
Local Racing; Crossville Raceway had their mid season championships on Friday with a large crowd as rain forced the cancellation of numerous area track for Saturday. Crossville will be off this week and will return to action on Friday July 11th.
I-40 Dragway turned up the heat Friday with a tuning session as well as Bike runs, and beat the rain on Saturday for their Bounty Races. Winners Saturday were; Pro Street Bounty Billy Smith winner , German Valdez. Runner up; Real Street, Eddie Patrick Winner ,runner up Jeff Carpenter; Outlaw 8.5 Winner Craig Watson Runner up Brandon Coday; 6.00, Reese Young winner; 7.00, Jason Young. Young Picked up the $500.00 Bonus money for best package as well.
I-40 will run their regular programs this week.
Friday and Saturday at the Community Complex, the House of Hope will present the Lucas Oil Pro Pullers Truck Pull. The action starts at 6:15 PM both nights with qualifying on Friday and the final events on Saturday. Among the top contenders will be Crossville’s Phil Cox and Jamestown’s Tim Beaty. A car show by the Crossville Cruisers on Saturday from 10AM-3PM with Free admission.
By Joe Dunn
Kurt Busch was having less than a stellar day Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway when Jamie Mc Murray got into Dale Earnhardt Jr. bringing out a caution with 28 laps remaining.
Being far back in the field, Busch and his team decided to take a chance and stay out as the leaders pitted for the last time. It was questionable if anyone had enough fuel to finish. As the leaders pitted, Kurt inherited the lead, and when another caution came on lap 281 so did the rain. After 3 caution laps, Nascar dropped the red flag and eventually called the race, declaring Busch the winner.
Here we are in July and the Nascar Silly Season is running full steam with rumored moves. Hendrick Motorsports announced that Casey Mears would not return in 2009, and the strong rumor is that Mark Martin will move to HMS for one final attempt at a championship. Tony Stewart has stated that he wants to won at least part of a team, with indications that he will leave Joe Gibbs racing and head to Haas CNC as a part owner. Ryan Newman, who’s Alltel sponsorship will end after this year has stated that he wants to be in a competitive car for 2009. Newman is rumored to be headed to Haas CNC with Stewart.
Local Racing; Crossville Raceway had their mid season championships on Friday with a large crowd as rain forced the cancellation of numerous area track for Saturday. Crossville will be off this week and will return to action on Friday July 11th.
I-40 Dragway turned up the heat Friday with a tuning session as well as Bike runs, and beat the rain on Saturday for their Bounty Races. Winners Saturday were; Pro Street Bounty Billy Smith winner , German Valdez. Runner up; Real Street, Eddie Patrick Winner ,runner up Jeff Carpenter; Outlaw 8.5 Winner Craig Watson Runner up Brandon Coday; 6.00, Reese Young winner; 7.00, Jason Young. Young Picked up the $500.00 Bonus money for best package as well.
I-40 will run their regular programs this week.
Friday and Saturday at the Community Complex, the House of Hope will present the Lucas Oil Pro Pullers Truck Pull. The action starts at 6:15 PM both nights with qualifying on Friday and the final events on Saturday. Among the top contenders will be Crossville’s Phil Cox and Jamestown’s Tim Beaty. A car show by the Crossville Cruisers on Saturday from 10AM-3PM with Free admission.
Monday, June 23, 2008
The Real Deal - Kyle Busch
From the Crossville Chronicle - Crossville, TN. Wednesday June 25, 2008
By Joe Dunn / joe@onpitroad.com
By Joe Dunn / joe@onpitroad.com
Starting 38th is not the place the sport’s top drivers want to be, especially on a road course where passing opportunities are so limited. But that is where points leader Kyle Busch found himself Sunday.
In the no holds barred style that Kyle has displayed all season, Sunday was no exception. In just 33 laps he managed to pass 29 cars and take the lead and held it until a pit stop on lap 69 turned it over to Carl Edwards. Two laps later, Robby Gordon stalled on the track bringing out the caution. That put Busch back up front on lap 71 and he never looked back. A red flag on lap 109 forced a green/white/checker finish and a chance for David Gilliland and Jeff Gordon to charge for the win, but The Toyota of Busch ran away on the restart, giving Kyle, win number 5 of the 2008 season.
The big surprise for the day was David Gilliland in the number 38 Yates Racing , Freecreditreport.com Ford with a second place finish. David moved up 2 positions in the points with that finish from 23rd to 21st.
On Saturday, defending Nationwide Series Champion Carl Edwards ended a 36 race winless streak to take the checkers at Milwaukee. The win comes on the heels of a crew chief change last week as team owner Jack Roush swapped crew chiefs between the 17 and the 60 team. For the first time in his Nascar career, Edwards disappointed the fans when he failed to do his traditional back flip after the win. When asked about that in the winners circle, Carl said “Today, what happened to Mr. Kilitta, and the way I passed Clint, I just didn’t feel like doing a back-flip.” The reference was in response to the news that drag racer Scott Kilitta perished earlier in the day in a drag racing incident in New Jersey, and the fact that he caused Clint Bowyer to spin while passing him late in the race.
Locally, the largest crowd of the year gathered Friday night at Crossville Raceway for the Advance Auto Parts / Shoney’s Restaurant, Thunder and Destruction. Fans that packed the grandstand and the tier parking area were treated to a first class show with 32 Super Late Models fighting to make the show. In the end it was Knoxville’s Rick Rogers getting his first win in the series after leading all 40 laps.
Crossville Raceway will be holding their Mid Season Championships for all classes Friday as well as a Meet & Greet will all the cars and drivers welcoming fans on the track during intermission. For more information, call the track at 456-5000.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Earnhardt Jr. Ends the Streak at Michigan
From the Crossville Chronicle - Crossville, TN Wednesday June 18, 2008
By Joe Dunn / joe@onpitroad.com
It was a 76 race winless streak that both Dale Jr and the Junior Nation (his fans) hope will not be repeated.
Nascar’s most popular driver had been in a drought for more than two years, which many of his fans attributed to the family friction with his step mother Teresa Earnhardt. Junior left Dale Earnhardt Incorporated (DEI) at the end of 2007 with hopes for a quick turnaround at Hendrick Motor Sports in 2008. With his win of the Bud Shootout it looked like that next point race win was close, but it 4 months before it came. Even without a win so far, 2008 was an upbeat season as Junior was consistently finishing up front and has remained in the top 3 in points.
Junior admitted that without the final caution he would not have won, “ If it stayed green we probably would have finished no better than 10th, cause I didn’t have enough to make it. I turned it off when the caution come out but I cranked it up around three and four and it ran fine all the way to the flag it. Ran out just as I turned and was coming back this way on pit road coming toward my guys, it was out of gas.” He remains third in the points, but the win has brought him to within 84 points of leader Kyle Busch.
On the local racing scene, Crossville Raceway was forced to cancel racing Friday due to rain and has rescheduled their mid-Season championship Races to Friday June 27th. This Friday, the Advance Auto Parts Thunder series visits Crossville with the Shoney’s Thunder and Destruction. Events for the night include a $4,000 to win Super Late Model race with some of the top drivers in Tennessee , four local classes with increased payouts and show ends with a Demolition Derby. For info, visit www.crossvilleraceway.net or call the track at 456-5000.
Saturday Night brings the Big Roar to Crossville as the I-40 Dragway is host to ‘A Night of Fire’ with Jet Funny Cars, Blown Funny Cars and Blown Alky Dragsters in town, plus Bracket racing. The weekly Arm Drop Old fashioned drag racing will be open on Wednesday night also. For info visit www.i40dragway.com or call Jim at 210-0244
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Kasey Kahne turns the corner
From the Crossville Chronicle - Crossville, TN. Wednesday June 11, 2008
By Joe Dunn / joe@onpitroad.com
By Joe Dunn / joe@onpitroad.com
The driver of the number 8 Budweiser Dodge proved that his win of the Coca Cola 600 was no fluke. For the third time in four weeks Kahne has collected three checkered flags in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
The All Star race was not a points event, but Kahne pulled himself from his long slump with that win and followed it up a week later with the 600. Now two weeks later, he is showing signs of 2006 when he was a real hot shoe. Sunday’s win at Pocono makes him the third multiple winner in 2008 and gives him 20 bonus points for the Chase, if he makes it.
Kyle Busch make history this weekend competing in all three of NASCAR’S top divisions, all at different tracks. After a second place in the Truck Series at Texas Friday, he made his way to Nashville for the Nationwide race where a flat tire ruined a good night. Sunday, an early race crash relegated Kyle to 43rd place, however he did return for the finish to prevent a DNF.
Saturday’s NASCAR Nationwide Race at Nashville Super Speedway was a long hot and exciting race. Rookie Joey Logano, in only his second race, made folks stand up and listen as he sat on the pole. Logano led 64 laps, but a bump by Greg Biffle on lap 89 sent Lagano into a spin on the front stretch resulting in serious damage. In the end, it was Brad Keselowski, getting passed leader David Reutimann on a late restart, picking up his first win the series in the #88, JR Motorsports, NAVY, Chevy.
In Local Racing action, Crossville Raceway was home to a $1K UMP Open Wheel Modified Race on Friday with Skylar Marlar of Winchester, Tn. Taking home the big money. Other winners Friday included, Late Model Sportsman - Sam Williams, Pro Street - Jessie Lowe, Mod Mini- Derrick Hutchings, Pure Mini - Dustin Cansler and Cruisers - Hannah and Sam Proffitt.
This Friday, June 13th will be “Fairfield Glade Night at the Races” with the Mid-Season Championships for the Late model Sportsman and the UMP Open Wheel Modifieds. Present your Fairfield ID for discount admission. Contact Crossville Raceway at (931) 456-5000 or visit www.crossvilleraceway.net .
Drag Racing is alive and well on the Plateau and the I-40 Dragway has added Wednesday Nights to it’s program with ARM DROP Old School Racing. Gates open at 5.00 NO CLOCKS. NO TREE. STREET CARS ONLY HEADS UP. KEEP IT OFF THE STREETS...$10.00 to race.$5.00 to watch Flag Girls get in Free..... I-40 will also be in action Saturday and Sunday this week with $2,000 to win Saturday and $1,000 to win Sunday, as well as a Swap meet both days. For more info on I-40 Dragway, contact Jim Howe Jr at 210-0244, or check their website at www.i40dragway.com
Mid-Season Championships at Crossville Raceway
Crossville Raceway will begin the first round of 2008 Mid-Season Championships on ‘Fairfield Glade Night at the Races‘, Friday June 13th for the Late Model Sportsman and the UMP Open Wheel Modifieds.
The top 5 finishers in each of these classes will receive large trophies. Expect an exciting battle amongst favorites Lynn Selby, the Williams (Sam & Brandon), Robert Edwards and Trent Mullinax. In the Open Wheels the favorites are sure to include Billy Palmer, Michael Asberry, Steve Mullinax and Joey Cotterman. In addition to these classes, a full card of racing will make for an exciting night of racing.
The Advance Auto Parts Thunder Series pays a visit to the high banks of Crossville Raceway on Friday June 20th with their THUNDER AND DESTRUCTION 50, presented by Shoney’s Restaurants. The $4,000 Super Late Model race, plus a $500 to win Demolition Derby will be joined by increased purses for Late Model Sportsman -$800 top win, Pro Street - $300 to win, Mod Mini - $250 to win and Pure Mini $200 to win. The Open Wheels and the Cruisers will be off this night.
The second round of Mid-Season Championships returns on Friday June 27, for the Pro- Street, Mod-Mini, Pure-Mini and the Cruiser Cars. The Late Model Sportsman and the UMP Open Wheel Modifieds will also return for regular racing.
Heading into July, Crossville Raceway will ring in the 4th with Fireworks and a Fan special, UGLIEST TRUCK CONTEST. Fans will be encouraged to bring their UGLY trucks to the front straight where the crown will choose the Ugliest Truck and the owner will be presented with a Crossville Raceway trophy. The 4th will also bring the second time in two weeks for higher purses for three of our race classes, as the Pro streets will compete for $400 to win, while the Mod- Minis compete for $250 and the Pure Minis go at it for $175 to win.
Crossville Raceway is located at 5434 Hwy 70N, Crossville, Tn. 38571. With easy access from any of I-40’s 3 Crossville exits, the track is conveniently located between Knoxville and Nashville and less than 30 minutes from Cookeville, Tn. For further information call the track at (931) 456-5000 or visit us on the internet at http://www.crossvilleraceway.net
The top 5 finishers in each of these classes will receive large trophies. Expect an exciting battle amongst favorites Lynn Selby, the Williams (Sam & Brandon), Robert Edwards and Trent Mullinax. In the Open Wheels the favorites are sure to include Billy Palmer, Michael Asberry, Steve Mullinax and Joey Cotterman. In addition to these classes, a full card of racing will make for an exciting night of racing.
The Advance Auto Parts Thunder Series pays a visit to the high banks of Crossville Raceway on Friday June 20th with their THUNDER AND DESTRUCTION 50, presented by Shoney’s Restaurants. The $4,000 Super Late Model race, plus a $500 to win Demolition Derby will be joined by increased purses for Late Model Sportsman -$800 top win, Pro Street - $300 to win, Mod Mini - $250 to win and Pure Mini $200 to win. The Open Wheels and the Cruisers will be off this night.
The second round of Mid-Season Championships returns on Friday June 27, for the Pro- Street, Mod-Mini, Pure-Mini and the Cruiser Cars. The Late Model Sportsman and the UMP Open Wheel Modifieds will also return for regular racing.
Heading into July, Crossville Raceway will ring in the 4th with Fireworks and a Fan special, UGLIEST TRUCK CONTEST. Fans will be encouraged to bring their UGLY trucks to the front straight where the crown will choose the Ugliest Truck and the owner will be presented with a Crossville Raceway trophy. The 4th will also bring the second time in two weeks for higher purses for three of our race classes, as the Pro streets will compete for $400 to win, while the Mod- Minis compete for $250 and the Pure Minis go at it for $175 to win.
Crossville Raceway is located at 5434 Hwy 70N, Crossville, Tn. 38571. With easy access from any of I-40’s 3 Crossville exits, the track is conveniently located between Knoxville and Nashville and less than 30 minutes from Cookeville, Tn. For further information call the track at (931) 456-5000 or visit us on the internet at http://www.crossvilleraceway.net
Crossville Raceway….. Tennessee’s Playground for POWER!
Monday, June 2, 2008
Kyle Busch, The Look of a Champion?
From The Crossville Chronicle- Crossville, Tn. Wednesday June 4, 2008
By Joe Dunn / joe@onpitroad.com
By Joe Dunn / joe@onpitroad.com
Leading 158 laps and collecting the checkered flag with a 4.225 second lead over second place Carl Edwards, Kyle Busch had the look of a champion leaving Dover International Speedway on Sunday.
Sunday’s win was the fourth of the 2008 Nascar Sprint Cup Series for the younger Busch and puts him 142 points ahead of second place Jeff Burton. Polesitter Greg Biffle finished third with Matt Kenseth, Jeff Gordon and Martin Truex Jr being the only six cars left on the lead lap.
Saturdays Nascar Nationwide Series race was won by Denny Hamlin, but the talk was all about Joey Lagano who having turned 18 last week finished his very first Nationwide race in 6th place driving the 18 car of Joe Gibbs Racing. Lagano is looking for an equal or better follow up this Saturday as the Nationwide Series travels to the Nashville Super Speedway. The Nashville race offers a great opportunity for local fans to enjoy some of Nascar’s top names at a nearby track with available and affordable tickets. Qualifying begins at 2:30, a concert with Danielle Peck at 4:30 and the Federated Auto Parts 300 starts at 6:30 pm. Tickets are available by calling 1-866-RACE-TIX or online at www.nashvillesuperspeedway.com.
On the local racing scene, it was another great night of racing last Friday at both Crossville Raceway and nearby Wartburg Speedway. Here are the weekend dirt track winners.
Crossville Raceway; LMS- Brandon Williams; UMP OWM- Billy Palmer; Mod Street- Jessie Lowe; Mod-Mini- Brad Hamilton; Pure Mini- JD Rector; Cruisers-Michael Cantrell / Jackie Powell
Wartburg Speedway; LMS- Dale Nance; Mod Street-Lloyd Paxton; Pure Street- Joe Seiber; Mini-Rocky McNabb; FWD-Joe Freels
Saturday action- 411 Motor Speedway; LM- Brad Lowe; Classic-Bart Baxter; Mod Street- Robbie Comer; SS- Walter Sims; Mod Mini-Terry Poore; Mini-Josh Driskill
The Mountain Raceway Park; SLM- Mark Vineyard; Fastrak Crate- Jensen ford; LMS- Greg Martin; MS- Jack Courtney; PM- Alex Squires; SS- Quinn Bender; MM- Jason Carter
Spring City Raceway; LLM- Jeff Adkisson; MS- Mike Bishop; Super street- Sam Johnson; Street- Charlie Godsey; Super mini- Darren Goins; Pony- James Daniels; FWD- Spunkey Brown
Tazwell Speedway; Fastrak Crate- Brad Hall; LM- Jason Trammell; M-S- Allen Holt; PS- Steve Smith; 4 cyl- Cheyenne Kite
This Friday June 6, Crossville Raceway will host a $1,000.00 to win UMP Open Wheel Modified Race. With the bigger purse out there a large field of entries is expected. Look for the big names throughout Tennessee and Kentucky to be there, and with another big money OWM race Saturday about 100 miles away at Tazwell Speedway it could be one of the biggest car counts in years. Plan on being there as the gates open at 5pm with Racing to begin at 7:30 PM. For more details call the track at (931) 456-5000 or visit www.crossvilleraceway.net
Sunday, May 25, 2008
High Schools Rule at Crossville Raceway
From the Crossville Chronicle- Crossville, Tn. Wednesday May 28, 2008
By Joe Dunn / joe@onpitroad.com
School is out for the summer, but the folks at Crossville Raceway are holding a special class this Friday, May 30th. In their own salute to the Graduates and their classmates, the track has invited ALL students from both CCHS and SMHS to attend the races for FREE. They have asked only that the students present a school ID, report card, 2008 diploma or a class schedule in their name as proof.
To start the summer with school spirit still intact, the track is encouraging the students to ‘show their colors’ and support their driver in a special Exhibition Race just for the schools. Two drivers will compete in a special 5 lap all out race at intermission, as veteran Late Model Sportsman driver, and CCHS Teacher, Brandon Williams will go up against the Hottest young driver in the Pro Street class and SMHS Freshman Jesse Lowe. This is the chance for the students to cheer for their school and get an up close look at local Dirt Track Racing. After the race, the students will be invited to join these drivers on the front stretch and the students of the winning school will pose for a Victory Photo with the winning Driver/Car. For more information, call the track at 456-5000 or check the website at www.crossvilleraceway.net
The Big news in NASCAR is Kasey Kahne, who emerges from Charlotte and Lowes Motor Speedway with a whole new respect. Following a year of disappointment and poor performances, Last week Kahne snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in winning the All Star Race. Sunday night, Kahne took the checkers again, winning Nascar’s longest race, the Coca Cola 600. The win moves Kahne up two spots to number 12 in the points. Kyle Busch finished second and retains the point lead in the Nascar Sprint Cup Series.
LOCAL RACING:
Friday night saw action at Crossville Raceway, with 6 classes the track dodged the rain again as the downpour came on the last lap of the last race of the night. Winners for May 23, LMS- Sam Williams of Crossville, OWM- Steve Mullinax of Crossville, Pro Street- Duke Lowe of Crossville, Mod Mini- Greg Henderson, Pure Mini- JD Rector of Crossville and Cruisers- Hanna & Sam Proffitt
Wartburg Speedway winners- LMS-Dale Nance, Mod Street- Marty Goodman, Pure Street- Steve Welch, Mini Stock- Rocky McNabb, Pure Mini- Spunky Brown.
Saturday night at 411 Motor Speedway winners- Late Model- Charles Hurst, Mod Street- Robbie Comer, Street- Bryan McDaniel, Mod Mini- Chris Kelly, Pure Mini- Josh Driskill
The Mountain Raceway Park winners- SLM- Dusty Carver, Crates- Josh Collins, LMS- Jake Teague, Mod Mini- Kendall White, Mini- Mike Courtney, Street- Reagan Williams, Pure Mini- Scott Webb
Tazwell Speedway winners- LM- Travis Fultz, Crates- Brad Hall, Mod Street- Allen Holt, Street- Jordon Horton, 4 cylinder- Chuck McMahan
Cleveland Speedway winners SLM- Jake Knowles, Limited/Crate- Chris Beavers, Pony- Billy Callahan, Hobby- Tanner Works, B Hobby- Patrick Harvey, Front Runner- Bill Bailey
Spring City Raceway winners- LLM- Jeff Adkisson, Mod Street- Marty Goodman, Super Street- Sam Johnson, Street- Jerry Spence, Pony- Mikey Roberts, Super Mini- Ronnie Shelton, FWD- Spunky Brown
All of the above tracks will be in action again this week, Friday May 30 and Saturday May 31.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
High Schools compete on the High Banks of Crossville Raceway
CCHS vs. SMHS on the High Banks
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 24, 2008
Crossville Raceway PR
Last week Crossville Raceway announced their Salute to the Class of 2008 with a special FREE admission racing program for students of both Cumberland County High School and Stone Memorial High School on Friday May 30th.
Today we are stepping that program up to the next level to allow the students to show their school spirit on Race Night, as we take the program closer to home for the students. A special, Exhibition Race will take place during the intermission in which SMHS Freshman Jessie Lowe will bring his #5 Pro Street Monte Carlo to challenge CCHS Teacher Brandon Williams and his #0 Late Model Sportsman to a 5 lap, no holds barred race. Williams is a seasoned veteran of the high banked Clay Oval with a proven record, Lowe is a relative newcomer to the track who has taken the Pro street class by storm.
Show your school spirit as we encourage all SMHS & CCHS students to show your school colors and spirit in a fun exhibition show. When the winner is determined, the students from the school of the winner will be invited to join their driver for a group photo on the front stretch.
Remember, admission is FREE for all students of these two schools, simply display your school ID, 2008 Diploma, Report Card or a Class Schedule at the Grandstand Gate.
Gates open at 5 pm (CT) with hot laps at 6:30 and racing to begin at 7:30 pm. General Admission $10 - Seniors $8 - 6-10 yrs $5 - 5 & under Free - Tier $15 - Pits $25
Crossville Raceway is located at 5434 Hwy 70N, Crossville, Tn. 38571. For further information call the track at (931) 456-5000 or visit our website at www.crossvilleraceway.net
Monday, May 19, 2008
Kasey Kahne is NASCAR’s All Star
From the Crossville Chronicle- Crossville, TN. Wednesday May 21, 2008
By Joe Dunn / joe@onpitroad.com
He’s been in a slump since winning 6 races in 2006, had only 1 top five and 8 top ten’s in 2007, and has managed only 5 top ten’s so far in 2008. But on Saturday night, Kasey Kahne claimed Victory and the $1 Million first place prize.
Kahne did not qualify for the All Star race, and finished 5th in the Sprint Showdown, also eliminating him from the Sprint All Star Race. But the Fans voted overwhelmingly to put him in the last starting place. Working his way through the field he continued to improve and finished 13th in the first segment. The second segment would move him up again to 8th place, while the third segment would move him to 7th. The Budweiser #9 team gambled and chose not to change tires on the last pit stop, which put Kahne starting second for the final 25 lap segment behind Jimmie Johnson. After the restart, Denny Hamlin jumped out front, but Kahne, after passing Johnson took the lead on lap 84 when Hamlin suffered engine failure.
The Sprint All Star race was a non points race and although the winner collected a cool $1Million, the rest of the field received far less. But even for those who did not fare well, this was a great testing session for teams preparing for Memorial Day weekend and the Coca Cola 600, also at Lowes Motor Speedway. The 600 will be Sunday May 25th and will be televised on Fox at 5PM (ET).
Local Racing:
FRIDAY: Mother Nature won all the races Friday and both Crossville Raceway and Wartburg Speedway were forced to cancel.
SATURDAY: Spring City Raceway winners: LLM-Jeff Adkisson, Mod Street-Marty Goodman, Super Street-Sam Johnson, Street Stock-Jerry Spence, Super Mini-Darren Goins, FWD-Spunky Brown
The Mountain Raceway Park winners: SLM-Bobby Giffin, Sportsman- Jake Teague, Fastrak Crates-Steve Jones, Mini-Rocky McNabb, Pure Mini-Scott Webb, Street Stock-James Price, Mod Mini-Kendall White.
411 Motor Speedway winners: LM-Jason Cardwell, Mod Street-Robbie Comer, Street Stock-Bryan McDaniel, Mod Mini-Terry Poore, Pure Mini- JD Rector of Crossville
Tazwell Speedway winners: LM-Travis Fultz, Fastrak Crates winner-Brad Hall, Mod Street- Allen Holt, Pure Street-Jordon Horton, 4cylinder- Chuck McMahan
Cleveland Speedway winners: Southern All Stars SLM- Jimmie Owens, LLM-Craig Burrows, Hobby-Tanner Works, B Hobby- Patrick Harvey, Pony-Jim Elliott, Front Runner- Kenny Kizzar.
Volunteer Speedway announced that they will be closed until May 31 when they will run a $3K SLM race and then close again until June 21.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Kyle Picks Up Win 3, Continues Point Lead
From the Crossville Chronicle - Crossville, TN Wednesday May 14, 2008
By Joe Dunn / joe@onpitroad.com
Kyle Busch was introduced with his Mother to a booing sea of Junior Nation before the start of the Dodge Challenger 500 Sunday at Darlington Raceway. The boos intensified as he rode the track in the back of a Pick up truck.
If the discontented fans thought that would get your Busch down, they were sadly mistaken and he immediately charged to the front. After a lap 11 caution, Busch took the lead from Dale Earnhardt Jr. until he got his own Darlington Stripe and backed out of the gas. But Kyle stayed up front most of the day and actually lead 7 times for 169 laps. But during pit stops following a lap 147 caution, Busch was sent to the back of the field, the result of a pit lane violation when a crew member missed a lug nut.
Restarting the race in 29th place, on a track that Dale Jr. said after the race, “Was impossible to pass on”, the 18 car fought through the field back to 10th place by lap 170. With 64 laps to go, Kyle took the lead for the last time and hung in there for the win. Busch climbed from his Toyota after a huge burnout on the front stretch, to another chorus of boos. His response was to climb on the car and do an exaggerated bow to the fans. The win keeps the younger Busch brother atop the points standing in the Nextel Cup Series as the teams head for the All Star weekend at Lowes Motor Speedway in Charlotte.
On the local racing scene:
Friday, Crossville Raceway dodged the rain once again, getting in the full weekly racing program. Fridays winners included, Crossville’s Brandon Williams in the Late Model Sportsman, Last years Open Wheel champion Billy Palmer claimed his first win of the season, Sparta’s Mike Selby won the Pro Street feature for the second week in a row. In the Mod Mini class, Kingston’s Brad Hamilton was a repeat winner, while Crossville’s Cody Rector took the win in the pure Mini feature with newcomer, (Carl) Jackson Griffith taking second. In the Cruiser Cars it was Tim Roach and Jason Sharp getting the win.
Next week Crossville will highlight three of the weekly classes with increased payouts for the winners, $700 for Sportsman, $350 for Pro Street and $150 for Cruisers.
Wartburg Speedway fought back after the rains hit the track Friday night and managed to get their program in which included the SRRS Super late model show. The big winner was Brandon King of Decatur, AL who led flag-to-flag in route to the $3,000 win. Wartburg will run the weekly racing program Friday.
Saturday night, the Mountain Raceway hosted an AAPTS Super Late Model event where Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, Georgia picked up the $3,000 win. McDowell was the big winner at Crossville’s SRRS race last month. Saturday, the mountain will run the weekly racing program with a $1,000/800 mini stock feature.
Spring City Raceway as well as 411 motor Speedway will be back in action again Saturday night.
Get off the couch and catch a local race this weekend, there are too many tracks with a great entertainment value to pass it up.
$1,000 UMP Open Wheel Modified at Crossville Raceway
Crossville Raceway presents the Mountain Farm International $1,000.00 to win UMP Open Wheel Modified race on Friday June 6, 2008, brought to you by Budweiser of Cookeville and The Tennessee Governor’s Safety Office. Crossville Raceway has been home to the Open Wheels for many years and always proves to be very popular among the UMP racers. In addition to the open wheels from our UMP weekly series, drivers are expected from throughout Tennessee as well as Kentucky and other states. The High banked 1/3 mile clay oval has been home to some of the south’s top names in dirt racing.
In addition to the Open Wheel Modifieds, fans can enjoy the tracks regulars in the Late Model Sportsman, Pro Street, Mod Mini, Pure Mini and Cruiser Car classes. Crossville Raceway is a full service family oriented race track with a playground area for the kids adjacent to the Pits and the Grandstand area. Spacious seating areas, hot food from 2 concession stands, Souvenir Shop with goodies for the kids as well as photos from track photographer Joe Dunn with same night photos available.
Our tier parking area is one of the largest and cleanest in the region and our new trackside radio station (91.5 FM) makes all the racing action available on your car or portable radio. Tune in as our highly acclaimed announcer, ‘BiggdaddyT’ Tom Montgomery calls all the action live.
Gates open at 5 pm (CT) with hot laps at 6:30 and racing to begin at 7:30 pm. General Admission $12 - Seniors $10 - 6-10 yrs $5 - 5 & under Free - Tier $20 - Pits $30
Crossville Raceway is located at 5434 Hwy 70N, Crossville, Tn. 38571. With easy access from any of I-40’s 3 Crossville exits, the track is conveniently located between Knoxville and Nashville and less than 30 minutes from Cookeville, Tn. For further information call the track at (931) 456-5000 or visit our website at www.crossvilleraceway.net
In addition to the Open Wheel Modifieds, fans can enjoy the tracks regulars in the Late Model Sportsman, Pro Street, Mod Mini, Pure Mini and Cruiser Car classes. Crossville Raceway is a full service family oriented race track with a playground area for the kids adjacent to the Pits and the Grandstand area. Spacious seating areas, hot food from 2 concession stands, Souvenir Shop with goodies for the kids as well as photos from track photographer Joe Dunn with same night photos available.
Our tier parking area is one of the largest and cleanest in the region and our new trackside radio station (91.5 FM) makes all the racing action available on your car or portable radio. Tune in as our highly acclaimed announcer, ‘BiggdaddyT’ Tom Montgomery calls all the action live.
Gates open at 5 pm (CT) with hot laps at 6:30 and racing to begin at 7:30 pm. General Admission $12 - Seniors $10 - 6-10 yrs $5 - 5 & under Free - Tier $20 - Pits $30
Crossville Raceway is located at 5434 Hwy 70N, Crossville, Tn. 38571. With easy access from any of I-40’s 3 Crossville exits, the track is conveniently located between Knoxville and Nashville and less than 30 minutes from Cookeville, Tn. For further information call the track at (931) 456-5000 or visit our website at www.crossvilleraceway.net
Monday, May 5, 2008
Weather Plays Games with Local Racing Efforts
From the Crossville Chronicle - Crossville, TN. Wednesday May 7, 2008
By Joe Dunn / joe@onpitroad.com
The Dirt tracks of East Tennessee are facing a formidable opponent so far in 2008. We all recognize that the economy is slowing to a crawl and prices, especially fuel are running out of control. But the one thing track owners can’t prepare for is Mother Nature.
Crossville Raceway got in their third racing event of the season Friday, but the threatening skies and the threat of rain kept some fans and drivers away. No Crossville never did get rain, in fact it was a perfect night for racing. But fans and drivers are more leery of spending that precious fuel if they think there is a chance of a rain out. The Crossville track has been much more fortunate than many of the other area tracks.
This week Crossville Raceway will again make the fans, especially the KIDS, part of the show with Nickel Night. All the kids in the grandstand will be invited at intermission to go down on the track in search of nickels that the track workers will be spreading on the front straight. This is the third fan event so far, last week fans were invited to bring their street vehicles onto the track for a best of three, one on one single lap competition. It was all pick up trucks Friday with the winner taking home a big trophy. Two weeks earlier it was the KIDS foot races on the front straight. With 2 age groups competing four winners took the big prizes while all participants got track souvenirs.
The Mountain Raceway in Maryville has managed to get in only one of seven scheduled racing programs, all due to rain. They will try again this week with an Advance Auto Parts Thunder Series $3,000 Super Late Model Race, along with their regular weekly program.
Wartburg Speedway has been able to get in three of the five scheduled events so far. They will be hosting the Southern Regional Racing Series in a $3,000 Super Late Model race that was postponed from April 11.
Spring City Raceway has managed to fair better than most of the Saturday tracks getting in four races so far this year. They will run their regular weekly racing program Saturday.
411 Motor Speedway in Seymour has been able to get in five races so far. They will run a regular weekly racing program Saturday.
Tazwell Speedway has managed to get in three of seven scheduled events so far. They will run a regular weekly program this Saturday.
Volunteer Speedway in Bulls Gap has managed to get in just three of nine scheduled events. They will run a regular weekly racing program Saturday.
With the cost of fuel and the general economy down even Nascar has seen a drop in their attendance figures this year. So if you’re a race fan, or you have never tried it and are looking for an inexpensive night out for the family, why not head on down to your local dirt track this weekend. You just might find that you really have been missing some great entertainment right in your own back yard.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Crossville Raceway‘s $1000 to win UMP Open Wheel Modified
The 2008 racing season at Crossville Raceway is underway and so far the weather has been the tracks friend. May kicked off with a special events for the fans as a warm up for big racing action in June.
Kicking off June’s events is a $1,000.00 to win UMP Dirtcar Open Wheel Modified on Friday June 6, 2008. A long standing popular track for the Open Wheels the race is expected to draw a good car count. With several tracks running the UMP Open Wheel Modifieds on Saturdays in Kentucky and also the regulars from Clarksville Speedway, the night promises to produce a great entertainment value for the fans.
Over 3,000 drivers nationwide are registered to compete in the UMP Open Wheel Modified class, which continues to grow each season. The division’s unique style, affordability, standardized rules and competitiveness make it a popular choice for veteran ’weekend warriors’ and young racers on the rise.
In addition to the Open Wheel Modifieds, Crossville’s weekly racing classes will also compete. Classes included are the Late Model Sportsman, Pro Street, Modified Mini, Pure mini and the Cruiser cars. Gates open at 5 pm (CT) with hot laps at 6:30 and racing action beginning at 7:30 pm.
Crossville Raceway is located at 5434 Hwy 70N, Crossville, Tn. 38571. With easy access from any of I-40’s 3 Crossville exits, the track is conveniently located between Knoxville and Nashville and less than 30 minutes from Cookeville, Tn. For further information call the track at (931) 456-5000 or visit us on the internet at http://geocities.com/crossvilleraceway
Kicking off June’s events is a $1,000.00 to win UMP Dirtcar Open Wheel Modified on Friday June 6, 2008. A long standing popular track for the Open Wheels the race is expected to draw a good car count. With several tracks running the UMP Open Wheel Modifieds on Saturdays in Kentucky and also the regulars from Clarksville Speedway, the night promises to produce a great entertainment value for the fans.
Over 3,000 drivers nationwide are registered to compete in the UMP Open Wheel Modified class, which continues to grow each season. The division’s unique style, affordability, standardized rules and competitiveness make it a popular choice for veteran ’weekend warriors’ and young racers on the rise.
In addition to the Open Wheel Modifieds, Crossville’s weekly racing classes will also compete. Classes included are the Late Model Sportsman, Pro Street, Modified Mini, Pure mini and the Cruiser cars. Gates open at 5 pm (CT) with hot laps at 6:30 and racing action beginning at 7:30 pm.
Crossville Raceway is located at 5434 Hwy 70N, Crossville, Tn. 38571. With easy access from any of I-40’s 3 Crossville exits, the track is conveniently located between Knoxville and Nashville and less than 30 minutes from Cookeville, Tn. For further information call the track at (931) 456-5000 or visit us on the internet at http://geocities.com/crossvilleraceway
Crossville Raceway….. Tennessee’s Playground for POWER!
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Nickel Night for the KIDS at Crossville Raceway
For the third in four weeks Crossville Raceway plans to get folks out of the Grandstand an onto the track, Friday May 9 with ‘Nickel Night for Kids’. All the Kids in the grandstand will be invited to come on down, onto the track for a hunt for nickels.
William and his crew at the track will be spreading nickels on the front straightaway, and the kids will have a free for all retrieving the loot. This is yet another effort to let the fans become involved more at the races.
On April 18th the kids got to compete for prizes with a foot race along the front straight. Two age groups competed with the winning boy and girl in each group receiving the Grand prizes. Every kid that participated went home with a track souvenir.
On May 2nd, The adult fans got their chance as we held our first “Fans - Side by Side Race”. Fans were invited to leave the grandstand and bring their Street car down onto the track in 1 on 1 elimination rounds. Only one fan showed up to start the competition, so William got his Clarksville - Stormpay.com - Speedway truck to run a best of 3. While William was loosing, two more fans arrived with their pick up trucks. The winner was presented with a huge Crossville Raceway trophy and had his ‘Feature Winner’ photo taken by track photographer Joe Dunn. During the photos, William and Chris competed in their trucks on the track. The winner of that competition was the Fans who enjoyed the antics of the track operators.
Crossville Raceway runs every Friday night for exciting dirt track racing action. With six exciting classes of racers, as well as special events and promotions to make the fans part of the action, Crossville raceway is an excellent family entertainment value.
Crossville Raceway can also assist your business or social group with our special Group prices and our hospitality packages, custom tailored to meet just your needs. Whether it’s a group of 15 or 200, we can make a night of racing, a special event for your customers, employees or your special group. For group sales and hospitality packages please contact Joe Dunn at (931) 200-2276 or email him at crossvilleraceway@onpitroad.com .
Crossville Raceway is located at 5434 Hwy 70N, Crossville, Tn. 38571. With easy access from any of I-40’s 3 Crossville exits, the track is conveniently located between Knoxville and Nashville and less than 30 minutes from Cookeville, Tn. For further information call the track at (931) 456-5000
William and his crew at the track will be spreading nickels on the front straightaway, and the kids will have a free for all retrieving the loot. This is yet another effort to let the fans become involved more at the races.
On April 18th the kids got to compete for prizes with a foot race along the front straight. Two age groups competed with the winning boy and girl in each group receiving the Grand prizes. Every kid that participated went home with a track souvenir.
On May 2nd, The adult fans got their chance as we held our first “Fans - Side by Side Race”. Fans were invited to leave the grandstand and bring their Street car down onto the track in 1 on 1 elimination rounds. Only one fan showed up to start the competition, so William got his Clarksville - Stormpay.com - Speedway truck to run a best of 3. While William was loosing, two more fans arrived with their pick up trucks. The winner was presented with a huge Crossville Raceway trophy and had his ‘Feature Winner’ photo taken by track photographer Joe Dunn. During the photos, William and Chris competed in their trucks on the track. The winner of that competition was the Fans who enjoyed the antics of the track operators.
Crossville Raceway runs every Friday night for exciting dirt track racing action. With six exciting classes of racers, as well as special events and promotions to make the fans part of the action, Crossville raceway is an excellent family entertainment value.
Crossville Raceway can also assist your business or social group with our special Group prices and our hospitality packages, custom tailored to meet just your needs. Whether it’s a group of 15 or 200, we can make a night of racing, a special event for your customers, employees or your special group. For group sales and hospitality packages please contact Joe Dunn at (931) 200-2276 or email him at crossvilleraceway@onpitroad.com .
Crossville Raceway is located at 5434 Hwy 70N, Crossville, Tn. 38571. With easy access from any of I-40’s 3 Crossville exits, the track is conveniently located between Knoxville and Nashville and less than 30 minutes from Cookeville, Tn. For further information call the track at (931) 456-5000
Crossville Raceway….. Tennessee’s Playground for POWER!
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