Source: http://www.4ever3blog.com/2012/3/28/2910024/dale-earnhartd-sr-very-very-rare-poster
Saturday
Brad Keselowski spins Tony Stewart, then offers a desperate apology
Tony Stewart carries a certain don't-mess-with-the-bull aura that's pretty freaking intimidating, mostly because if you do you'll get the horns.
So when Brad Keselowski spun Stewart on pit road in the middle of the Coca-Cola 600, there was a reason for the desperation in Keselowski's voice as he radioed his spotter to relay an apology to the defending champ. It's the same reason why he grew irritated with said spotter for telling him to relax and not worry about Stewart: you don't relax and not worry about Stewart unless you don't care about payback.
For years, Stewart has been the closest thing the Cup Series has had to Dale Earnhardt Sr. since Senior's death in 2001. Quick witted off the track and badge-carrying cop on it, Stewart almost always gets the better of whoever he's going up against. Keselowski is smart enough to know this; smart enough to know that an angry Stewart is a liability, and when you're battling for a championship, you don't need a liability, real or perceived.
And so he was adamant that his spotter relay an apology to Stewart, letting him know that he didn't even see him when he ran into him on pit road.
"He took the blame for it but I thought it was my fault," Keselowski said afterward. "It's one of those deals where you're coming in and going out; it's like being in a Wal-Mart parking lot and you're both going for the same parking spot and sometimes things happen."
This is a power Smoke has and it's something worth noting. His competition, some of them anyway, fear being on his bad side, which can only work in his favor. When you know they care about what you think, then you clearly can get inside their head whenever you want. It's what Kevin Harvick did to Denny Hamlin a few years ago and it worked.
Stewart's smart. No need to ruff up Keselowski now. But bet on the three-time champ putting this incident in his back pocket, ready to pull it out whenever it'll serve a purpose. And when he does, it won't be because he'll be holding a grudge, but because it's an edge Keselowski just gave him.
CVC sells further $500 million F1 stake
CVC has sold a further $500 million stake in Formula 1, almost a month after announcing a 21 per cent sale to a trio of investors for a total investment of $1.6 billion. The sale also comes just 16 days after Bernie Ecclestone confirmed in Canada that the planned flotation on the Singapore Stock Exchange would be postponed in the wake of ongoing market unrest.
Vautier secures Milwaukee pole
Tristan Vautier held off Victor Carbone and Sebastian Saavedra to secure pole position for this weekend's Indy Lights race at Milwaukee. The leading trio were comfortably quicker than the rest of the field around the one-mile oval, with Schmidt driver Vautier taking the honours with a two-lap average of 146.884mph.
Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/real-world-racing/3rdparty/vautier-secures-milwaukee-pole
I Wanna Go Fast: Drivers Topping 201mph In Thursday Test Session At Michigan
Dale Earnhardt Jr. was one of many drivers to top 200-mph Thursday in Michigan. (Photo Credit: Geoff Burke/Getty Images for NASCAR).
By: Toby Christie ? Follow on Twitter @Tobalical
The point of racing has always been to prove that you are faster than the competition, but in NASCAR ? at least since the inception of the restrictor plate in 1988 ? the 200 mph lap average has really been where the sanctioning body has stepped in to slow the cars down in the name of safety.
Buddy Baker was the first driver in NASCAR to ever record a 200mph lap time in testing. Baker put down a lap of 200.447 mph at Talladega Superspeedway in March of 1970. However a driver didn?t officially break the 200mph barrier in an official qualifying session until Benny Parsons accomplished the feat in 1982. From 1982 to 1987 speeds slowly crept faster and faster until Bill Elliott took the pole for the 1987 Talladega 500 with a speed of over 212 mph.
It was during this race that Bobby All...
By: Toby Christie ? Follow on Twitter @Tobalical
The point of racing has always been to prove that you are faster than the competition, but in NASCAR ? at least since the inception of the restrictor plate in 1988 ? the 200 mph lap average has really been where the sanctioning body has stepped in to slow the cars down in the name of safety.
Buddy Baker was the first driver in NASCAR to ever record a 200mph lap time in testing. Baker put down a lap of 200.447 mph at Talladega Superspeedway in March of 1970. However a driver didn?t officially break the 200mph barrier in an official qualifying session until Benny Parsons accomplished the feat in 1982. From 1982 to 1987 speeds slowly crept faster and faster until Bill Elliott took the pole for the 1987 Talladega 500 with a speed of over 212 mph.
It was during this race that Bobby All...
Friday
Wilson issued with post-Texas penalty
Race winner Justin Wilson is one of two IndyCar drivers to have been issued with post-race penalties for technical breaches at Texas last weekend.
Kenny Dale Irwin Jr Dale Arnold Jarrett Jimmie Kenneth Johnson Kasey Kenneth Kahne
Sadik-Khan Announces Summer Streets 2012
Commissioner Sadik-Khan at Union Square this morning. Photo: NYC DOT
Summer Streets will return this August.
NYC DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan today announced dates for the fifth iteration of the city’s premier car-free event. Seven miles of Manhattan streets, from the Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park, will be open to pedestrians from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. [...]
Summer Streets will return this August.
NYC DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan today announced dates for the fifth iteration of the city’s premier car-free event. Seven miles of Manhattan streets, from the Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park, will be open to pedestrians from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. [...]
Source: http://www.streetsblog.org/2012/06/12/sadik-khan-announces-summer-streets-2012/
MATT ARTIN JOINS NHRA AS DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING AND PROMOTIONS
NHRA GLENDORA, Calif. (Jan. 4, 2012) NHRA announced today that Matt Artin, an eight-year veteran in media planning, advertising and promotions, has joined the world's largest motorsports sanctioning body as director of advertising and promotions....
Source: http://www.motorsportsjournal.com/archives/2012/01/matt_artin_joins_nhra_as.php
Randy Joseph Lajoie Kevin Paul Lepage William Ashton Lewis Jr Sterling Burton Marlin
Globe tabloid talks of Danica sex scandal
Danica Patrick, driver of the #7 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet, stands on the grid during pre-race ceremonies for the NASCAR Nationwide Series 5-hour Energy 200 at Dover International Speedway on June 2, 2012 in Dover, Delaware. (June 1, 2012 - Source: Patrick McDermott/Getty Images North America)
I was in the checkout at the local grocery store picking up some overpriced brats and buns and the Globe magazine caught my eye. The tabloid?s front page talked of a sex scandal which could ruin Danica?s career.
Yea ok?.
I didn?t pick it up but after I got home I was curious to find what the Globe was referring to. Surely we would have heard something.
After some ?sleuthing? I stumbled across the Globe?s webpage promoting the story. Here is what it says.
NASCAR superstar Danica Patrick is hiding a shameful sex scandal that could have destroyed her marriage and mega-bucks racing career. In a blockbuster exclusive, GLOBE reveals her physical-therapist hub...
I was in the checkout at the local grocery store picking up some overpriced brats and buns and the Globe magazine caught my eye. The tabloid?s front page talked of a sex scandal which could ruin Danica?s career.
Yea ok?.
I didn?t pick it up but after I got home I was curious to find what the Globe was referring to. Surely we would have heard something.
After some ?sleuthing? I stumbled across the Globe?s webpage promoting the story. Here is what it says.
NASCAR superstar Danica Patrick is hiding a shameful sex scandal that could have destroyed her marriage and mega-bucks racing career. In a blockbuster exclusive, GLOBE reveals her physical-therapist hub...
Beppe Gabbiani Bertrand Gachot Patrick Gaillard Divina Galica
NASCAR: Danica Patrick vs Louise Smith: 64 Greatest Driver Bracket
Your comments are your vote. Vote early and often.
Thursday
McLaren sure Button will bounce back
Jenson Button is more than capable of bouncing back from his current troubles in Formula 1, claim his bosses, even though his tyre struggles risk derailing his world championship challenge. The Briton endured a torrid time in the Canadian Grand Prix, as he struggled for grip throughout the race and eventually finished a lacklustre 16th.
Ralph Dale Earnhardt Sr Ralph Dale Earnhardt Jr Carl Michael Edwards III William Clyde Elliott
Report: Transformers: The Ride 3D knocking 'em out at Universal Studios [w/video]
Filed under: Etc., Technology, Videos, Toys/Games
Universal Studios has recently opened a Transformers ride at its amusement parks in California and Singapore, and unlike the movies, the ride is being called "engaging" and "amazing." It puts 12 riders in a car that zooms through a 3D battle between Autobots and Decepticons who are destroying Chicago while they decide the fate of humans.
We haven't ridden it, but from reviews the ride appears to be so monumentally and immersively three-dimensional that it could almost qualify as augmented reality. The basic specs: two levels, five minutes long, 14 movie screens, some 60-feet high and curved and so large that one reviewer said he couldn't see the edges, images at four times HD resolution, a 5,000-watt, 14-channel sound system, and props, including drops of mist, steam and attendants in military camo that bark orders at riders.
It has been earning comparisons to what are considered the best rides in the world, but some of the most important rides ever, such as Pirates of the Caribbean. Even Disney's Imagineering theme park unit, who would like its Cars Land ride to get the same reception, has reportedly given the 3D Transformers ride the golf clap.
Scroll down to see the commercial for the ride, and a short clip of its grand opening last month.
Continue reading Transformers: The Ride 3D knocking 'em out at Universal Studios [w/video]
Transformers: The Ride 3D knocking 'em out at Universal Studios [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Jun 2012 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/13/transformers-the-ride-3d-knocking-em-out-at-universal-studios/
Yves Giraud Cabantous Ignazio Giunti Timo Glock Helm Glцckler
Wednesday
Edwards having tough follow up to title chase
Carl Edwards had just about everything go right last season in the chase for his first Cup championship except win more races than Tony Stewart.
Edwards is finding a repeat run toward a historic finale a bit trickier this season. Forget racing for the championship in the last race of the season. Edwards finds himself parked outside of the 10 automatic spots for the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship.
It's not a quite a runner-up hangover. Edwards is having a solid season with eight top-10 finishes in 14 races that have him in 11th place entering Sunday's race at Michigan. Edwards has just run into a series of bad breaks that has the No. 99 needing a series of strong runs to crack the field.
He was whacked with an early pass-through penalty for not falling to the rear of the field on an early restart last week at Pocono Raceway. He crashed because of a cut tire a week earlier at Dover. He ran out of gas in the final lap at Phoenix. He was caught up in wrecks at Talladega and Bristol.
''It's like my brother was telling me, he said, `It's just luck,''' Edwards said. ''`Last year, your luck was awesome. This year, it's terrible.' Hopefully, we can kind of use all that bad luck and still make the Chase and turn it around because I know we can do it.''
Bad luck has played a factor. But Edwards does have to start running better and fall more in line with his Roush Fenway Racing teammates. Matt Kenseth leads the points standings and Greg Biffle is having a fantastic season and is third.
Behind Martin Truex Jr., Stewart, Clint Bowyer and Brad Keselowski is Edwards. With no victories yet this season, Edwards wouldn't even earn one of the two wild-card Chase entries. Those spots belong to Kyle Busch and Ryan Newman for now.
Running out of contention for the top spot is a strange feeling for Edwards after he led the points race most of last season. He grabbed the points lead early in the 10-race Chase and held it going into the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The two finished tied in the final Sprint Cup Series points standings - a first in NASCAR history - and Stewart took the tiebreaker based on his five victories to Edwards' one.
His championship would have been hailed by NASCAR all the way to Booches Billiard Hall in his hometown of Columbia, Mo.
Edwards handled the defeat with class and dignity and said all the right things. There were no public tantrums or head-hanging. But inside the shop, there had to be a natural feeling of crushing disappointment that the team came so close to the championship only to come away empty.
Edwards said those feelings were punted aside by the time the team regrouped for Daytona.
''I'll be honest with you guys, if I felt there was a hangover from last year or we were down-and-out because we didn't win, I'd tell you guys that we have to get our game faces on,'' Edwards said. ''But we really are, I think, doing a good job and I don't feel like anyone over there is ashamed of what we did last year or anything like that. It's just plain bad luck.''
After Pocono, team owner Jack Roush said Edwards, ''arguably had the best of our three team cars.''
Not that it mattered in the final result.
Yet, bad luck or not, Edwards remains in the thick of contention for a Chase spot. He's heading to the right track to get a needed jolt. Edwards has two career wins, nine top-fives and 12 top-10s in 15 career starts at Michigan - an average finish of 8.2. Edwards made his Cup debut at Michigan in 2004.
Edwards knows he can't dwell on the mistakes and near-misses from this season. With only three points to make up and 12 races left until the Chase field is set, there is plenty of time for Edwards to make his big move into the top 10. But he's proved so far, nothing is guaranteed for the No. 99.
''We need a couple wins is what we really need,'' he said. ''It almost feels as important and as tough as those last few races of the championship last year because we realize these next 10 races or so are going to determine whether or not we even have a shot this season.
''We're serious about it.''
Edwards is finding a repeat run toward a historic finale a bit trickier this season. Forget racing for the championship in the last race of the season. Edwards finds himself parked outside of the 10 automatic spots for the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship.
It's not a quite a runner-up hangover. Edwards is having a solid season with eight top-10 finishes in 14 races that have him in 11th place entering Sunday's race at Michigan. Edwards has just run into a series of bad breaks that has the No. 99 needing a series of strong runs to crack the field.
He was whacked with an early pass-through penalty for not falling to the rear of the field on an early restart last week at Pocono Raceway. He crashed because of a cut tire a week earlier at Dover. He ran out of gas in the final lap at Phoenix. He was caught up in wrecks at Talladega and Bristol.
''It's like my brother was telling me, he said, `It's just luck,''' Edwards said. ''`Last year, your luck was awesome. This year, it's terrible.' Hopefully, we can kind of use all that bad luck and still make the Chase and turn it around because I know we can do it.''
Bad luck has played a factor. But Edwards does have to start running better and fall more in line with his Roush Fenway Racing teammates. Matt Kenseth leads the points standings and Greg Biffle is having a fantastic season and is third.
Behind Martin Truex Jr., Stewart, Clint Bowyer and Brad Keselowski is Edwards. With no victories yet this season, Edwards wouldn't even earn one of the two wild-card Chase entries. Those spots belong to Kyle Busch and Ryan Newman for now.
Running out of contention for the top spot is a strange feeling for Edwards after he led the points race most of last season. He grabbed the points lead early in the 10-race Chase and held it going into the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The two finished tied in the final Sprint Cup Series points standings - a first in NASCAR history - and Stewart took the tiebreaker based on his five victories to Edwards' one.
His championship would have been hailed by NASCAR all the way to Booches Billiard Hall in his hometown of Columbia, Mo.
Edwards handled the defeat with class and dignity and said all the right things. There were no public tantrums or head-hanging. But inside the shop, there had to be a natural feeling of crushing disappointment that the team came so close to the championship only to come away empty.
Edwards said those feelings were punted aside by the time the team regrouped for Daytona.
''I'll be honest with you guys, if I felt there was a hangover from last year or we were down-and-out because we didn't win, I'd tell you guys that we have to get our game faces on,'' Edwards said. ''But we really are, I think, doing a good job and I don't feel like anyone over there is ashamed of what we did last year or anything like that. It's just plain bad luck.''
After Pocono, team owner Jack Roush said Edwards, ''arguably had the best of our three team cars.''
Not that it mattered in the final result.
Yet, bad luck or not, Edwards remains in the thick of contention for a Chase spot. He's heading to the right track to get a needed jolt. Edwards has two career wins, nine top-fives and 12 top-10s in 15 career starts at Michigan - an average finish of 8.2. Edwards made his Cup debut at Michigan in 2004.
Edwards knows he can't dwell on the mistakes and near-misses from this season. With only three points to make up and 12 races left until the Chase field is set, there is plenty of time for Edwards to make his big move into the top 10. But he's proved so far, nothing is guaranteed for the No. 99.
''We need a couple wins is what we really need,'' he said. ''It almost feels as important and as tough as those last few races of the championship last year because we realize these next 10 races or so are going to determine whether or not we even have a shot this season.
''We're serious about it.''
Charles Robert Hamilton V Kevin Michael Harvick Virgil Ernest Irvan III Kenny Dale Irwin Jr
Kenseths will battle on the track
Let the battle of the Kenseths begin.
Tuesday night, Roush Fenway Racing's Matt Kenseth is set to take on the ASA Midwest Tour field at the Milwaukee Mile. Running against him? His son, Ross.
This race will make the third time the Daytona 500 winner has raced again his son.
Ross Kenseth is working on building a racing career while attending Clemson University. He won nine times in 2011 and has already claimed a victory in 2012 when he won the Orange Blossom Special at Orange County Speedway in Rougemont, N.C., in April.
"I think it's going to be the biggest short track race in years up in Wisconsin," Matt Kenseth said. "It will be a pretty cool race and a really big event. I'm excited to go race in the event this year, but it really all came together after we had an extra car in the shop, and I just decided that it would be fun to set it up and race it a few times this summer."
The two are among the 80 entries for the race. So how does Matt feel about racing his son?
"Of course I want him to do well and I always hope that he'll outrace me, but I don't race him any differently than anyone else. Ross has been doing well with his racing career," he said. "He had a lot going on catching up from this winter and us moving our shop down to North Carolina, but he's been working hard and has already won a race this year."
Tuesday night, Roush Fenway Racing's Matt Kenseth is set to take on the ASA Midwest Tour field at the Milwaukee Mile. Running against him? His son, Ross.
This race will make the third time the Daytona 500 winner has raced again his son.
Ross Kenseth is working on building a racing career while attending Clemson University. He won nine times in 2011 and has already claimed a victory in 2012 when he won the Orange Blossom Special at Orange County Speedway in Rougemont, N.C., in April.
"I think it's going to be the biggest short track race in years up in Wisconsin," Matt Kenseth said. "It will be a pretty cool race and a really big event. I'm excited to go race in the event this year, but it really all came together after we had an extra car in the shop, and I just decided that it would be fun to set it up and race it a few times this summer."
The two are among the 80 entries for the race. So how does Matt feel about racing his son?
"Of course I want him to do well and I always hope that he'll outrace me, but I don't race him any differently than anyone else. Ross has been doing well with his racing career," he said. "He had a lot going on catching up from this winter and us moving our shop down to North Carolina, but he's been working hard and has already won a race this year."
Source: http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/kenseths_will_battle_on_the_track/10988603
Emmanuel de Graffenried Lucas di Grassi Cecil Green Keith Greene
Sauber eyeing qualifying improvement
Sauber's Monisha Kaltenborn says one of the main priorities for the Swiss squad is to try to improve its qualifying form.
Kevin Michael Harvick Virgil Ernest Irvan III Kenny Dale Irwin Jr Dale Arnold Jarrett
First Drive: 2013 Volvo V40 [w/video]
Filed under: Europe, Videos, Hatchback, Volvo, First Drives
Forbidden Fruit For What Ails The Swedes in North America
We've entered a really good period of automotive excitement if premium-minded European hatchbacks move you. Things just seemed to fall into place suddenly about six months back when it became clear that Mini's lineup was about to have fierce competition from the new Audi A3, soon-to-arrive new Mercedes-Benz A-Class, the still fresh BMW 1 Series hatch and this car here, the all-new Volvo V40.
Regarding the near monopoly Mini has enjoyed in the States among the Euro premium hatch species, the thrill of BMW's boutique brand has turned a bit complacent, leaving plenty of room for competitors to dive in and damage its market share. We like the new Audi A3, a fairly predictable and soberly handsome execution that evolves things nicely from the previous generation.
The real impact models in the segment could well end up being the drastically new A-Class and, if Volvo's new China-Sweden leadership and dealer network keeps it together, this sharp V40.
The whole area north of Verona, Italy, is loaded with remarkable serpentine two-lanes that frequently turn into 1.5-lane affairs. It was here that we performed several long repeat loops in various engine and transmission configurations in an effort to discover both the green and the mean sides of this comely hatchback.
Continue reading 2013 Volvo V40 [w/video]
2013 Volvo V40 [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Jun 2012 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/12/2013-volvo-v40-first-drive-review-video/
Tuesday
Indianapolis 500 chat
Watching the 96th running of the Indianapolis 500? Chat with Geoffrey Miller from Indianapolis and Nick Bromberg during the entirety of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing. The chat will begin Sunday at 11:45 a.m. ET.
Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nascar-from-the-marbles/indianapolis-500-chat-201730256.html
Official: 2013 Hyundai Accent gets $2,000 price hike, new standard features
Filed under: Car Buying, Budget, Sedan, Hatchback, Hyundai
Hyundai has released the official details on its 2013 model year Accent, and there are a host of new standard features to speak of. Good thing, too, since the Accent's base price has now been raised to $14,545 - an increase of $2,000 versus last year.
The base GLS 6MT model now includes air conditioning, a six-speaker stereo with MP3 capability and iPod/USB auxiliary input jacks, body-colored power side mirrors, body-colored door handles and - wait for it - a holder for your sunglasses. What's more, keyless entry is now standard across the board, as are heated side mirrors.
Other new upgrades for the 2013 model year include side mirrors with turn signal indicators, standard on the SE trim. A power sunroof is also new for this year, but is only optional on the top-shelf SE.
All Accent models are powered by a direct-injected 1.6-liter inline-four, good for 138 horsepower and 123 pound-feet of torque. Six-speed transmissions are available across the board, in both automatic and row-your-own manual flavors.
Scroll down for all of the official details in Hyundai's press blast. You can always build your own 2013 Accent on Hyundai's configurator page, too.
Continue reading 2013 Hyundai Accent gets $2,000 price hike, new standard features
2013 Hyundai Accent gets $2,000 price hike, new standard features originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Jun 2012 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/11/2013-hyundai-accent-gets-2-000-price-hike-new-standard-feature/
Video: Is Kurt Busch?s career in jeopardy?
Kurt Busch, as you may have heard, is in a bit of hot water these days. But is his career in jeopardy? Let's kick around the idea right here. Yahoo! Sports' Jay Busbee (yep, right here) chats with Larry Beil about the possibility that Kurt is on his very, very last chance. Enjoy.
Hiroshi Fushida Beppe Gabbiani Bertrand Gachot Patrick Gaillard
Monday
Making Sense of the Upcoming Formula 1 IPO
After years of false starts, apparently it?s going to happen: Stock will be sold in Formula 1, arguably the world?s premiere form of motorsports. Exactly what does that mean, though? After several days of research, we?re still not certain. But that won?t stop us from answering the pressing questions you have on the matter. Read [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/jIx6nJAAyw4/
Yves Giraud Cabantous Ignazio Giunti Timo Glock Helm Glцckler
Times? Ped Plaza-Bashing Queens Reporter Enjoys Using Queens Ped Plaza
What is it with the New York Times and the Jackson Heights pedestrian plaza?
Yesterday, the paper published a piece by Sarah Maslin Nir on a mugger in the plaza who was tackled to the ground by witnesses. It’s a good story — two of the good Samaritans were missionaries up from North Carolina, another was [...]
Yesterday, the paper published a piece by Sarah Maslin Nir on a mugger in the plaza who was tackled to the ground by witnesses. It’s a good story — two of the good Samaritans were missionaries up from North Carolina, another was [...]
Rahal Scores Season-Best Finish at Texas Motor Speedway
No 38 Service Central Chip Ganassi Racing driver Graham Rahal - Photo Courtesy of INDYCAR/LAT USAFORT WORTH, Texas (June 9, 2012) ? Service Central Chip Ganassi Racing (SCCGR) driver Graham Rahal?s second-place finish at Texas Motor Speedway (TMS) was a career best in five starts at the track which also marked the best finish of...more»
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/catchfence/~3/dGuih4I9YB4/
F1 young driver test in jeopardy
Formula 1's young driver test plans for this season have been thrown into doubt, with it now uncertain if Silverstone's post-British Grand Prix run can go ahead.
Sunday
David Reutimann will take Kurt Busch?s seat at Pocono
Kurt Busch's suspension has set off a domino effect among NASCAR teams, as Phoenix Racing will fill Busch's vacant 51 car this weekend at Pocono with Tommy Baldwin Racing driver David Reutimann. Dave Blaney will jump to Reutimann's vacated No. 10, and Tony Raines will run Blaney's No. 36. Got all that?
"I understand the position James [Finch, Phoenix Racing owner] was put in this week," Baldwin said in a statement. "As an owner of a small team, I wanted to help him out. We talked and thought that this lineup would be best for both of our teams."
Meanwhile, Finch has given every indication that Busch's fulltime return to his car is by no means a sure thing. Speaking on Tuesday morning to Sirius/XM's NASCAR radio, Finch noted that he and Busch would have a "come-to-Jesus meeting" next week.
"He needs to either get his mind right or he's going to be working somewhere else," Finch said. "Quit wrecking cars. Be nice to people. That's not hard to do."
Finch had similarly pointed comments for ESPN.com's David Newton: "If he's going to kill himself I'm not going to be in the airplane with him," Finch said. "If that's what he's planning on doing, I am going to get out."
Busch is suspended until June 13 for, basically, acting like an idiot, although NASCAR didn't phrase it quite that way. He has issued a statement of apology but has given no indication when he will publicly speak on the matter.
Michael Duane Bliss Kurt Thomas Busch Kyle Thomas Busch Jeffrey Tyler Burton
Fantasy NASCAR Preview: Kansas - STP 400
Only 400 miles are set to be ran at Kansas Speedway on Sunday afternoon, meaning there will be 267 laps ran before the checkered flag falls on this season’s STP 400. This 1.5-mile track is most similar to Chicagoland Speedway as well as the newly added (to the Sprint Cup schedule) Kentucky Speedway. Kansas is [...]
The Andretti curse continues at Indy as Marco Andretti crashes out of 500
Entering Sunday's Indianapolis 500, Marco Andretti said he was confident. Really confident.
He qualified fourth and had one of the fastest cars consistently throughout the two weeks of Indianapolis 500 preparations. Two very good reasons for that confidence. He was so confident that on Friday he said that he felt it was his team's race to lose.
Unfortunately for the Andretti family, "race" and "lose" have been associated all too often with the Indianapolis 500 since 1969, the only year that Mario Andretti, Marco's grandfather, won the famed race.
On Sunday, Marco was looking like a soothsayer. He cruised to the lead shortly after the drop of the green flag and stayed there for the first half of the race, leading a race-high 59 laps. At the midpoint of the race, a caution flag flew for Ana Beatriz's crash just a few laps after Andretti had made a green-flag pit stop. His team called him into the pits again. Andretti never got back to the front of the field.
[Related: Brooklyn Decker, Danica Patrick hang out before Coca-Cola 600]
Racing for eighth place with 12 laps to go, Andretti made a move to the inside of Turn 1 and his left-side tires got under the white line, sending his car careening into the outside wall between Turns 1 and 2. The race had officially been lost. The Andretti curse continued.
In all honesty, it was probably over after that yellow-flag pit stop, which put Andretti and his Chevrolet back in traffic after many cars in the top 10 stayed out. (Hondas were getting consistently better fuel mileage than the Chevys all afternoon.)
Marco, who has never been monotone on his in-car radio, was unhappy with the decision to pit. After pitting under green on his next stop, claiming that his tires were down to the cords, Andretti was caught a lap down after the yellow flag flew for Sebastian Saavedra just a lap after his pit stop. While Andretti got back on the lead lap as pit stops cycled through under caution, he was back in 17th place with 48 laps to go.
Since 1969, Mario, Michael or Marco Andretti have a combined 47 Indianapolis 500 starts, all without a win. The race at the Brickyard has cruelly teased the Andretti family over those 40 years in myriad ways ? they've DNFed 29 times.
In 1992, Michael Andretti saw his fuel pressure go away while leading with 11 laps to go. Michael led 160 of the 189 laps he completed that day, but the battle for the win was decided by Al Unser Jr. and Scott Goodyear.
The year before, Michael led 97 laps. He finished second.
In 1987, Mario started on the pole and dominated, leading 170 laps. But ignition issues sidelined him with 20 laps to go. Yes, he led all but 10 of the laps he completed.
In 2006, Marco added his chapter to the Andretti struggles. After not leading all day, he found himself at the front as the white flag waved with Sam Hornish Jr. in hot pursuit. Hornish, perhaps learning from Goodyear's failed attempt 14 years earlier, slingshotted around Andretti as the two cars barreled out of Turn 4 on the final lap and crossed the finish line first.
After that 29th DNF on Sunday, the curse still lingers. And the question does too: Will next year be the year the book is closed on the Andrettis' winless streak at Indy? Or will another chapter be written?
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2015 Ford Mustang Spy Photos: Finally, an Independent Rear Suspension!
What It Is: A hacked-together 2015 Ford Mustang prototype based on the current car. The next-gen Mustang is set to debut sometime in 2014 with the current model?s six- and eight-cylinder engines. An EcoBoost four-cylinder engine will be added to the lineup, as well. (more…)
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