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.

The Real Deal - Kyle Busch

From the Crossville Chronicle - Crossville, TN. Wednesday June 25, 2008
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.

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

Kasey Kahne turns the corner

From the Crossville Chronicle - Crossville, TN. Wednesday June 11, 2008
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

Crossville Raceway….. Tennessee’s Playground for POWER!

Kyle Busch, The Look of a Champion?

From The Crossville Chronicle- Crossville, Tn. Wednesday June 4, 2008
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