Kenny Wallace

Ok, I admit to being a bit biased on one level. But when I go to the track and put on the honored orange vest to take pictures, I would think the Nascar drivers would cooperate. Instead, many of the drivers turn or have someone stand to block them from photographers, orange vested and the fan variety.

However, some drivers, like Kenny Wallace here, goes out of their way to be accommodating to fans and professionals alike.

This picture was taken when Kenny Wallace walked past me and I looked up and saw who it was. I jogged (as well as a 55 year old can jog) and called to Kenny pointing to my camera. He simply said sure, stopped and let me take several pictures. Kenny then asked if I had what I needed. When I said yes thank you, he said "My Pleasure".

This makes Kenny Wallace one of my favorite people. I can not tell you how many drivers on pit road before a race turn towards the track to avoid the cameras. Kenny's brother Rusty, before the race would walk between the cars and the outside pit wall to his car and sit against his car facing the stands until time to get in the car. Never looking up or at the media or fans. If a pretty girl came along with a camera crew, he hit the million dollar smile, but if it was this old man, nothing.

Kenny and several others are truly nice people who know that the fans and photographers make them what they are. I have had similar experiences with Robby Gordon, JJ Yeley, and Ron Hornaday as well. These drivers take the time to give the fans and professional access to a photo because they know it is important. Not every time and every situation after all since sometimes the guy just has to go, but Kenny Wallace has done this kindness several times for me and I have seen him do it for many others time and time again.

That is one reason why I love to watch him on TV whether he is racing or talking. Thank you Kenny. I got what I needed. I hope you get what you need too. An it was a real pleasure. Signed Nascar fans.

Friday morning at the Monstor Mile.

It is Friday morning in Dover. This set of wheels that I took in New Hampshire has been moved to Dover. As I crossed over the bridge to the infield I saw an identical set up. What is interesting is that each team (see the numbers on the wheels) has their own set and Goodyear mounts the tires on each one for all of the teams.

The wheels themselves are transported not by the teams nor Goodyear, but by another contractor run by the former Goodyear tire mounting manager, who retired a few years ago and now hauls all wheels, pit boxes and Nitrogen bottles from track to track for all the teams.

I found it interesting that there is this entire sub contact dance played for the teams. One would think that the teams would carry every thing for the race themselves, but they have found it much cheaper and efficient to have someone else carry them for all of the teams at once. The only exception are those smaller teams that don't make every race who have to drag their pit boxes along themselves.

The K&N cars are qualifying now and the cup and Nationwide garage are getting busy. Monstor Mile in Dover. What a great weekend we have in store.

Cup Garage is a Hot Place in New Hampshire

The morning in the garage is heating up. This oil pan fired up in the Garage prompting the crews to look, but not move. Apparently the crew has a time table to make and nothing, which must include the chance of being cremated and used for speedy dry, would cause them to stop their work.

If these teams don't get excited about a fire three feet away, it is clear to see why they are able to handle the stress and pressure of the chase.

A passing Fireman on his way to pit road, stopped and put out the fire. The 20 team member in this picture never moved one inch during the entire inferno. I want this guy on my side when things are tough.

Sprint Cup Race Day in New Hampshire

It is race day in New Hampshire. We stay about 35 miles away in Manchester New Hampshire and at 4:45 this morning the Dunkin Donuts was already 4 deep with writers, NASCAR officials and some old guy who had a puzzled look on his face. At McDonalds (24 hour drive through) I was the 3rd car in line. Traffic north one hour later was surprising busy and as we get to the track, we find ourselves waiting with the teams for the garage to open up at 8:00.

Weather is supposed to be clear at race time and about 78 or 84 degrees depending on which radio station or weather report you listen to. The security guard that we befriended said he lives an hour and half away. He was up at 3:30 this morning and is either a true morning person or hit every Dunkin Donuts for coffee between his house and the race track.

The question of the day is will there be a dominating driver/car like yesterday's Truck Race. Kyle (Rowdy) Busch channeled his inner Rambo and laid waste to the entire Camping World Truck field yesterday. If he has a car as good as his truck, he could be trouble here for the Cup drivers.

The other question is how good are the other guys? Ryan Newman took the pole for today's race, but David Stremme who qualified 34th was fastest in practice yesterday. Jeff Gordon qualified 7th and was in the top speed charts most of the day. But since this is such a hard track to pass on, will the fastest car be able to make its way through the pack or will the top 5 or six be the ones to win?

The track itself will be another question. Yesterday I was taking pictures in the outside edge of turn 1. From there you can see the outside two lanes, sometime in the distant past, sealed much as we do our driveways. Unfortunately, it looks like a 20 year old paint job and it is clear there is no grip that far up the track. That makes it very hard to pass except on the straighter front and back stretch.

This season the weather is always a question. Right now it is a bit cloudy and one weather channel I listened to on the way here called for morning showers and another one called for clear followed by clouds. My I-phone says there is a 10% chance of rain all day and no rain on radar. It looks like New Hampshire uses the rope method for weather prediction. If the rope is wet, it is raining, if the rope is dry, it is clear. If the rope is moving it is windy. Right now the rope is not moving and sort of dry.

Finally, which team will have the best pit stops will answer who is likely to win. Kyle Busch showed track position was and is king at this track. If Austin Dillon could have gotten in front of Kyle yesterday, it may have been a different race. Which Cup team can get its driver out first to gain the track position to bring home a win? Since Ryan Newman starts off on the pole, as long as his pit crew holds their own, he has a big advantage. However, Kurt Busch starting 5th, Kevin Harvick starting 6th, Jeff Gordon Starting 7th and Kyle Busch starting 8th all have busted out fantastic pit stops one race or another this year and could take the lead at any time. Don't forget that Jimmy Johnson starting 10th Dale Earnhart, Jr. starting 12th, and Brad Keselowski starting 16th have also made great back to back pit stops this year and have a chance to power to the front.

Getting your car out first and holding the inside line in the turns will tell the story of who will win today. The Legends race starts at 10 this morning to get that Darrel Waltrip vortex going which proved itself yesterday. Lets hope it works today too.

Busch Dominates at New Hampshire Truck Race

Kyle Busch played the role of Rambo at today's Camping World Truck Series Race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Taking the Pole position this morning, Kyle Busch then dominated the field leading all but 10 of the 175 laps in the race. The only time Busch did not lead the race was during green flag pit stops.

Though Kevin Harvick started alongside of Kyle Busch, it was Austin Dillion in the 3 truck who was right behind the 18 truck most of the race and at the checker flag. Austin could get up to the rear of Kyle Busch and to the rear quarter panel, but could just not get alongside of the 18 truck or around it.

There were a few minor cautions in the race, but several strong drivers received speeding penalties like Joey Coulter who qualified 3rd and ended up well back in the field after running in the top 5 most of the day.

In the end, Kyle Busch simply too powerful a truck and driver for the rest of the field. In victory lane, Kyle gave the credit to his team and the truck for their success. While Kyle was being toasted in victory lane, however, his fellow drivers 2nd through 4th were telling how the 18 truck blew them all away and Kyle Busch did not even wear a headband. Can not wait till the cup race tomorrow.

Saturday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Loudon, NH

This morning, New Hampshire looked more like the fictional town in Rambo than Brigadoon. The trees are lightly kissed by the hint of color against the deep sea of green foliage surrounding the granite all around us. The fog has moved up into the mountains and the remains of last night's rain still lingers on the roads and parking lots. However, the track is dry and there are cars on the track here in Loudon.

But there is a battle about to be waged here in this quiet little town.

The American-Canadian tour cars have been on the track this morning. Right now, the Whelen Modified tour cars are on the track generating that hot air vortex that Darrel Waltrip always says will keep the rain away. Shortly the Sprint Cup cars will take their final practice for the weekend and then Camping World Truck Series will hopefully go green at 3:00 Pm for 175 laps.

The battle today will be on several fronts. Nascar is battling to get the practice and race in and keep to the schedule as much as possible. I think that every track within a 6 hour drive have sent their track dryers to Loudon. I saw a Pocono track dryer and a dryer with a Delaware truck pulling it around so I assumed that was a Dover rig. There are several jet fuel trucks parked around the track, so it looks like Nascar has set as good a defense as they can.

There will be a major battle of the three races scheduled for today. The Whelen Modified is supposed to go off at 12:45 today. That race is always a race with lots of excitement and drama. In July, Ryan Newman won the race and then lost the trophy due to a rule discrepancy with his engine mounts.

The Camping World Truck Series is supposed to go off at 3:00 pm today and that is always a great show no matter the track. The young and old alike in the series are all going for a win and the track is simply not wide enough for everyone to go for first at once.

Finally, at 5:45 the American- Canadian Tour is scheduled to run. (If these cars race at a Canadian track, is it the Canadian-American Tour?) Based on what I saw in practice already, Loudon is going to need all those jet dryers to clear off the debris from the hard racing we hope to see today, if Mr. Waltrip's vortex theory holds the rain off.

Sprint Cup Qualifying a rain delay event

After Nascar began the day lifting the fog and mist to emerge from the shadowy morning to a full day of practice, it ended with a rain delay and a start/stop/start again finish.

Though in the morning the chase drivers all spoke of being relaxed and not worried, by the middle to end of the practice all but Jeff Gordon, Ryan Newman and Dale Earnhart, Jr. who were in the top 5 and top 10 most of the practice. The rest were mired in the 20's and 30's all day and relaxed and confident personas all but disappeared.

Qualifying began normal enough and as typical of his way, Rocket Man Ryan Newman was set to qualify last and was by far the last to stride onto the grid. By mid pack, Brian Vickers rocked a provisional poll lap and the 83 stood atop the leader board as everyone shot at his time and fell just a bit short.

Finally there was only 5 cars left to run, the 42; 48; 24; 4; and the 39. But then it started to sprinkle. Almost a light mist. The weather radar showed rain on Loudon, but we were only feeling small sprinkles. Nascar asked the next car up, Juan Pablo Montoya, if he wanted to give it a go? JPM looked at his windshield and said. . . . Eh. . . . No thank you. Jet dryers were on the track for several laps and the Coors Light team took down the Pole backdrop in preparation of the rain. finally after about 30 minutes, the 42 car took the track and set a blistering 31st position.

the 48 car then took the track and promptly shut down due to rain on his windshield coming back down pit road. With the 48 car's engine off, the crowd's booing was clearly heard and then after about 5 minutes he refired and laid down a 10th place lap. The 24 car beat that with a 7th place finish and it looked like the 83 car would take the pole. Then the 4 car went out and as he crossed the start/finish line the crowd cheered as he took the provisional pole with Ryan Newman left to run.

As Ryan took the green flag, it looked like a rookie Ryan Newman. He shot around the track in 28.213 seconds, taking the pole and ruining Brian Vickers and Kasey Kahne's day all in one.

As we sit here now, the rains have returned and the day finishes as we started. Except for Ryan Newman. He is celebrating his second pole at Loudon with Lobster.

Tensions Ease in New Hampshire?

As the fog and mist lifted from the racetrack here in New Hampshire, it seemed that the tensions sitting on the chase teams and many in the rest of the Cup field were lifted a bit. The steady troop of drivers into the media center found Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch, Kurt Busch, Ryan Newman, and Dale Earnhart Jr. all in almost jovial and lighthearted moods. Kevin Harvick, simply said," it will be be what it will be"

the drivers while all trying to win, admit that they have to perform, but there are so many other factors that could come to play that are outside of their control. There is a push to win, but the teams are much more relaxed and all talked about the work and the fun associated with the racing.

With the fog and rain holding off for now, though the sun is not exactly shinning, the cars are on the track for practice right now. While in the media center the drivers may have been relaxed, on the track right now, most of the chase drivers are pretty far back in the speed charts. Right now, Mark Martin and David Reutimann are the leaders on the track.

Mark is being followed by the chase drivers with Jeff Gordon running in 3rd, Ryan Newman running 6th; Jimmie Johnson running 19th; Tony Stewart running 20th; Brad Keselowski running 27th; Carl Edwards running 29th; Denny Hamlin running 33rd; Dale Earnhart Jr, running 34th; Kyle Busch running 35th; Matt Kenseth running 36th; and, Kurt Busch running 37th.

Maybe some of those cup drivers are not as relaxed as they claim to be.

Nascar's Briggadoon in New Hampshire

It is Friday morning in New Hampshire and as we walk into the New Hampshire Motor Speedway the fog and mist are so think we almost need a seeing eye dog to find the media center. Although we are in the middle of the track you can not see the track, the scoring tower or anything else for that matter.

As we walk towards the media center, the cars appear out of the mist being pushed towards the technical review by the teams, much like the legendary mystical Scottish village Gene Kelly sang and danced around years ago. However, this morning we do not see anyone dancing and it is far too early for singing, although it is very likely that another Gene Kelly movie, singing in the rain, could be shown later today and tomorrow.

Already we are hearing that qualifying is questionable, but the drivers and crews are still preparing as if it were a sunny morning at the race track. Ice is being bought by the handcart full, Goodyear is mounting tires, and Sunoco is setting up to pump enough gas to get me to and from work for the next two years.

Hopefully, when the mist lifts, this weekend fulfills its promise to be a busy, full race weekend. With the K&N pro Series, Whelen Modified Tour, Camping World Truck Series and Cup race on Sunday, we hope we will see a lot of smoking tires and with the fans and teams giving us excitement we seek.

Already, I can make out Motor Coaches on the hill, instead of the heather, Gene Kelly romped in in his production. But like that mystical village, Nascar fans are coming out from their long foggy night sleep to promise of a wonderful day.

Nap Time: The Chase for the Sprint Cup

With Monday’s fuel-mileage fiasco at Chicagoland Speedway, I really got to thinking about what the Chase for the Sprint Cup should be.

Rather than filling the final ten races with uninteresting, 1.5-mile ovals where you can take a 3-hour nap in the middle of the race and not miss a thing, why not make The Chase exciting for the fans?

When the idea of The Chase crossed, Mike Helton’s desk, it was said that the goal of the last 10 races of the season to be an exciting, playoff-like shootout for the Sprint Cup Driver’s championship.  Now when I think of playoffs, I picture the white-out games at the standing-room-only First Niagara Center with an additional 8,000 Sabres fans watching the game on big screens in the plaza outside the arena.  Or I picture the entire month devoted to College Basketball, with bars, restaurants, and arenas packed across the country watching March Madness.

What I don’t associate with playoffs is kicking back in a recliner, flipping from the less than exhilarating 3-hour stanzas at places like Chicagoland, Kansas Speedway, or New Hampshire. Playoffs are meant to keep sports fans at the edge of their seats for 3 hours, not provide background noise for naps.

At a time in the season where you’re fighting with the country’s most watched sport (NFL Football), placing races in NASCAR’s playoffs is no way to gain interest in a competing market.

Stewart wins at Chicagoland

Tony Stewart ended his 32-race losing streak on Monday at Chicagoland Speedway.  Stewart stretched his final tank of fuel and won the rain delayed opening race of the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship.

Credit: Jerry Markland/Getty Images for NASCAR

Stewart moved from ninth place in the standings to second, seven points behind Kevin Harvick.

“It is huge; I had a migraine all day yesterday so I am kinda glad we didn’t race. Man, this Office Depot/ Mobil One Chevy was awesome. All of our partners with Burger King, Coca Cola, and US Army, Tornados, El MOnteray, Hass Automation, all these guys, we have had a rough year so this is a good way to start off the Chase.” Stewart said.

Harvick’s second place finish enables him to take over the series points lead.

“We had a problem with fuel and had to save a lot there at the beginning and I just didn’t know how much we had in our tank there at the end but I was hoping we had enough.” Stewart said.  “Everybody on our Budweiser Chevrolet did a great job and knowing exactly how far we could go, we ran out coming on to pit road there, so good first race for us.”

NSCS: Kevin Harvick Wins A Wild One At Richmond International Raceway -- Nathan Butler

As most predicted, including myself, we knew the Fall Richmond International Speedway race would be 'crazy', but I didn't think anyone expected it to be such a 'hairy' race!

Ted Seminara

Kevin Harvick was the victor, Saturday night, as he won his 18th career NASCAR Sprint Cup victory in 384 NSCS races. Having said that, he has now won 4 races this year, along with 13 top-10 finishes this season, pretty impressive!

Carl Edwards came close, but as we know "close only counts in horse -shoes and hand grenades". If Edwards had just a few more laps, he probably could have gotten by Harvick, but that is something we will never know.

Followed by Edwards; Jeff Gordon, David Ragan, Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch, Tony Stewart, Ryan Newman, Denny Hamlin, and Mark Martin.

NSCS: Updated Chase Seeds

Here it is! The updated seeds for the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Chase:

1.) Kyle Busch 2012

2.) Kevin Harvick 2012

3.) Jeff Gordon 2009

4.) Matt Kenseth 2006

5.) Carl Edwards 2003

6.) Jimmie Johnson 2003

7.) Kurt Busch 2003

8.) Ryan Newman 2003

9.) Tony Stewart 2000

10.) Dale Earnhardt Jr. 2000

11.) Brad Keselowski 2000

12.) Denny Hamlin 2000

Full Recap of the Wonderful Pistachios 400, along with a Chase preview will be out shortly

NSCS: NASCAR Honors America, While We Remember 9/11

Think back 10-years ago, where were you? I can remember vividly where I was, even though I was only nine years of age. It was a troubled time for our country, a reason for stress, anger, and many different emotions that forced "we the people" to come together in an historic fashion.

Credit: Tom Pennington/Getty Images

As we approach the 10-year anniversary, NASCAR has vowed to honor America at the Wonderful Pistachios 400 from the Richmond International Raceway, Saturday night.

NASCAR has always honored America in some fashion, whether it be incorporated in the pre-race ceremonies, special events during the race (moment of silence), or even the 'special' paint schemes that both the teams and their fans find exciting.

Having said all of that, what is to be expected as we honor America on the wake of 9/11?

What you will see tonight:

-Several 'special' paint schemes (Kyle Busch- Red, White, and Blue Flag Car; Ryan Newman- 'Victims of Pentagon Attack' scheme; several more).

-Special moment of silence will take place for the MRN/ESPN broadcast, as well as the entire Richmond International Raceway (Note- I won't be tweeting during laps 9-11, which is when the moment of silence will take place)

It is an honor and a blessing to be an American, something we should all take a lot of pride in. So why not unite like we did during those tragic days of September 2001?

So, as we watch some exciting racing from Richmond, let's pause and remember those whom are still serving to protect our freedoms and provide safety to meet our daily needs. These are some troubled times, which we can look onto a sport like NASCAR to 'ease' the reminders of that dark/gloomy day.

NNS: Kyle Busch Holds On To Win At Richmond, Again

Ted  Seminara

By Nathan Butler

If I were to tell you Kyle Busch would go on to win at Richmond, out of all places, would you believe me? Probably the most dominant driver in the last five years at Richmond International Raceway, Busch went on to secure yet another NASCAR Nationwide Series win Friday night.

Tonight's victory was the fourth victory and 12th top-10 finish in 15 races at Richmond, not to mention this was his 51st career NASCAR Nationwide Series victory.

As to be expected at Richmond or any other short track, tempers were flared, and hopes were gone for some drivers as the race went on. But isn't that "Racing to Perfection" as Richmond proudly displays? That's what we live for, right?

Trevor Bayne was probably the most vocal late Friday night, as he expressed his displeasure with Kevin Harvick, but there is more to that story than just listening to the transcripts.

Harvick was involved with some drama of his own when he got into Leffler, sending the opposing car straight into the wall. Whether you believe it was intentional or not is irrelevant, the key is that it happened.

NSCS: Cup Chase Scenarios - Nathan Butler

What other sport could possibly have 14 drivers (teams) battling it out for a final race (event) in hopes of winning a championship? NASCAR has made one of the more impressive moves over last season by changing the points system to better fit a ‘playoff’ style feel.

Needless to say, Carl Edwards even agrees with the notion that we may not know who the champion will be until Homestead, what more could the NASCAR fan want?

Clinched

-A total of nine drivers have clinched in this year’s Chase, starting with the defending 5-time champion, Jimmie Johnson. Along with Johnson, there are: Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, Matt Kenseth, Jeff Gordon, Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch, and Ryan Newman

Up In The Air

There are a total of four drivers who could desperately use a ‘date’ with luck to continue their pursuit for the Cup:

-Dale Earnhardt Jr.- Needs to finish P20 or better Saturday night

-Tony Stewart- Needs to finish P18 or better, which might be a much simpler task than you might think.

-Denny Hamlin and Paul Menard- Both are in the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Chase with a win.

My money would be on Hamlin this week, but that’s just me.

This season has set up the perfect scenario that will have race fans sitting on the edge of their seat, which we will see our first taste of that this week.

Could we possibly have that ‘NFL playoffs’ feel we had been longing for? If so, NASCAR may not have to worry about fans switching over to football during the latter part of the season.

Reutimann Has Found His ‘Groove’ At Richmond; Will Lead Field To Green- Nathan Butler

NSCS: Reutimann Has Found His ‘Groove’ At Richmond; Will Lead Field To Green

By Nathan Butler

David Reutimann will score a pole position for tomorrow night's running of Wonderful Pistachios 400, beating out many names that have dominated this track we have all come to enjoy, Richmond International Raceway.

With a fast time of 21.817 seconds, Reutimann surpassed drivers like Jamie McMurray, Jimmie Johnson, and Mark Martin. But there are many other story lines that took place late Friday afternoon.

The 411: Race No. 26

Wonderful Pistachios 400

The 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series regular season comes to a close this Saturday night at Richmond International Raceway. Nine of 12 tickets have been punched to the big dance, with 3 drivers holding their 2011 Chase destinies in the palms of their hands.

The top eight drivers in points – Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, Matt Kenseth, Jeff Gordon, Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch, and Ryan Newman have all sealed up a spot in the top-10 heading into Chicago next weekend. Brad Keselowski is the other driver with an invitation to race for the 2011 Sprint Cup Series Driver’s Championship, with at least a Wild Card clinched.

Mathematically, there are an astonishing 14 drivers still with at least a glimmer of hope of making the 2011 Chase field. The previous record for drivers NOT-mathematically eliminated from Chase contention heading into Richmond was seven, dating back to 2005.

Although there are 14 with still a fighting chance at The Chase, there are five drivers with realistic hopes at racing for The Sprint Cup in 2011:

Jeff Gordon: Victory No. 85 Adds To Legend

Win Puts ‘Four-Time’ Alone In Third On All-Time Wins List, On Top Of Modern Era (1972-Present) List

Credit: Chris Graythen/Getty Images

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Sept. 6, 2011) – Further cementing his legendary status, Jeff Gordon won the AdvoCare 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, his 85th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victory. With the historic milestone win, Gordon took sole possession of third on the all-time series wins list. Only Richard Petty (200 wins) and David Pearson (105) have more.

“I have always liked him as a driver,” said Pearson, next on Gordon’s march up the wins list. “He is smart, takes care of his equipment and when it is time to go, he gets right up there with them. Reminds me some of the way I drove. … He has been the ‘head honcho’ for a long time in NASCAR. He was good out of the box and has been very good ever since.”

Gordon also became the Modern Era (1972-Present) wins leader, breaking a tie with Darrell Waltrip. (Note: “Modern Era” refers to the period in NASCAR Sprint Cup history when NASCAR shortened the schedule from as many as 62 races in 1964 to the 31-race schedule of 1972. Race numbers fluctuated between 28 and 36 since 1972.)

Kansas Speedway Announces 2012 NASCAR Race Dates

Spring event moved to accommodate track improvements

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (Sept. 2, 2011) - Kansas Speedway officials announced today that the facility will again host two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series weekends in 2012, albeit both will be held on different surfaces, and the spring event weekend has moved to April to ensure the recently announced track improvements are completed.

The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series returns with the inaugural SFP 250 on Saturday, April 21 and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series returns with the STP 400 on April 22, 2012, which will be the final race at the facility under its current design and with the current racing surface.

When NASCAR returns to Kansas Speedway for the NASCAR Nationwide Series Kansas Lottery 300 on Oct. 20 and the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Hollywood Casino 400 on Oct. 21, 2012, race teams will need to throw out the notes they have cultivated over the past decade at the facility and prepare for a new racing surface that includes banking up to 20 degrees.

Remaining 2011 events at Kansas Speedway include the Hollywood Casino 400 on Oct. 9, the Kansas Lottery 300 on Oct. 8 and the Kansas Lottery 98.9 on Oct. 7 and tickets for all events are on sale now by calling 866.460.RACE (7223) or by logging onto http://www.kansasspeedway.com www.kansasspeedway.com. Parking is always free at Kansas Speedway and fans can bring in one 14x14x14-inch soft-sided cooler with their favorite food and beverages.

Storyboard: Atlanta

The drama of the new NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points system is quickly coming to a point, and this week’s race at Atlanta will only add to the scramble.

Five of the twelve spots have been locked up for the Chase for the Sprint Cup already with Kyle Busch, Jimmie Johnson, Matt Kenseth, Carl Edwards, and Kevin Harvick have all punched their tickets to the big dance. Harvick has locked in at least a Wild Card spot but will likely seal a top-10 spot this weekend, activating his three bonus points per win during the final ten races of 2011.

Three other spots in the Chase are likely to be punched this weekend at Atlanta with Jeff Gordon, Ryan Newman, and Kurt Busch with their Chase hopes resting in their own hands – finish strong, make it in – wreck on lap 2, gut it out until Richmond.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Hendrick Motorsports extend relationship

CONCORD, N.C. (Sept. 1, 2011) – Hendrick Motorsports and driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. have agreed to a five-year contract extension that will keep Earnhardt behind the wheel of the No. 88 Chevrolets through the end of the 2017 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season.

“We’re excited to have everything formalized and announced,” said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. “Junior and I had a handshake agreement months ago, and we let other people work out the finer points from there. It was as simple and smooth as it gets.

“My feelings haven’t changed since the day he first signed with us. I’m committed as ever to putting him in the best possible situation to be successful and compete for wins and championships.”

Earnhardt, 36, has earned 18 Sprint Cup race wins since joining the circuit full-time in 2000. The Kannapolis, N.C., native has won the Daytona 500, the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race and two Nationwide Series championships. In NASCAR’s national touring series, he has a combined 41 points-paying victories.