NHRA Drag Racing Year In Review January-April 2008
December 27, 2008
In a season in which old records were broken despite new rules that were in play and a year where new alliances were formed and old friends were lost, NHRA Drag Racing rose to meet challenges both old and new in a remarkable season of competition.
In the first of three installments of an annual NHRA.com feature, we take a look back at the year’s top headlines. Today: January through April.
American Le Mans Series News
December 27, 2008
It’s been a roller coaster of a week for the American Le Mans Series. Last Friday, Audi served up a curve ball worthy of Sandy Koufax when, seemingly out of the blue, it revealed it would not compete in the 2009 Series after the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida. Coming on the heels of the not-unexpected news that Porsche had elected not to compete in LMP2 next year on a factory level, Audi’s announcement was – if not devastating – worrisome news.
World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series News & Notes
December 27, 2008
Concord, NC— December 26, 2008—With only a few days left in 2008, a number of World of Outlaws drivers are getting a jump on the 2009 season by racing in a couple of different parts of the world over the holiday season. Craig Dollansky and Joey Saldana have been competing in New Zealand for the last couple of weeks, while three-time and defending series champion Donny Schatz, 20-time title winner Steve Kinser, 2003 Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Kraig Kinser, Jason Sides, the series top rookie in 2004 and Kerry Madsen, the 2007 Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year, recently began a stint at Parramatta City Raceway in Australia. A number of other series drivers will also compete Down Under beginning next week.
Only Time Will Tell… NASCAR History 101
December 26, 2008
Ned Jarett
King Richard
As you sift through mounds of wrapping paper, dozens of dirty dishes and plan on hitting the after-Christmas sales, there was a time back in NASCAR’s early history that racing was part of the holiday season. Two Grand National events have been held between Christmas and New Year’s.
On Dec. 30, 1956, NASCAR took over the runways of the Titusville-Cocoa airport in central Florida for the only time in its history to run a 56-lap, 90-mile race called the Indian River Gold Cup. Some 16,000 people turned out to see the event, which featured only 15 cars, but included some of the biggest names in the sport at the time.
A few interesting trends in NASCAR
December 26, 2008
Some drivers and teams still need a few things on their Christmas wish lists to come true if they hope to compete on a full-time basis next year.
Sam Hornish Jr., left, and Bobby Labonte are from outside the typical NASCAR realm of the South. But is the South now typical NASCAR? The numbers don’t appear to support it.
What’s happening with the No. 43 car and Petty Enterprises? Will the new owners of Bill Davis Racing field a Cup car in 2009
Will Bobby Labonte sign with Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing? Will drivers AJ Allmendinger, Scott Riggs, Regan Smith,Tony Raines and Dave Blaney find work? Listen Now
The Race Report 12-26-08
December 26, 2008
The Race Report 12-26-08
The Best of Show Listen Now
The Race Report 12-25-08
December 25, 2008
The Race Report 12-25-08
The Best of Show Merry Christmas Listen Now
Can NASCAR Survive Without “The Big Three” Please Read
December 25, 2008
The bond between Detroit and Daytona Beach, Fla., began 60 years ago when production cars, replete with cigarette lighters and working radios, rolled off U.S. assembly lines and onto racetracks.
In 21st-century NASCAR, Camrys compete against Chevys and “win on Sunday, sell on Monday” — the adage in American showrooms that you retail what you race — is a concept outdated by the evolution of a Sprint Cup vehicle that bears little in common with its street-ready counterparts.
The identity of the country’s largest auto racing series, though, remains as tied to its ailing auto industry as to the names Earnhardt, France and Petty.
“This sport has become driver- and personality-based, but it’s still been about Ford vs. Chevy vs. Dodge vs. now Toyota,” says Ray Evernham, ESPN analyst and founder of Gillett Evernham Motorsports. “This sport was built on the competitiveness of the manufacturers. It’s what we race.”
2008 Season Winnings
December 25, 2008
Driver Race winnings NASCAR/Sprint Special awards Total
1. Jimmie Johnson $15,170,464
2. Carl Edwards $11,364,210
3. Greg Biffle $7,244,488
4. Kevin Harvick $7,619,450
5. Clint Bowyer $6,288,496
6. Jeff Burton $7,266,130
7. Jeff Gordon $7,395,518
8. Denny Hamlin $6,913,480
9. Tony Stewart $7,665,300
10. Kyle Busch $8,276,725
2009 Budwiser Shootout Information
December 25, 2008
The 2009 Budweiser Shootout at Daytona will have a new format that puts more emphasis on the series’ four manufacturers – and the same star-power appeal that has become a season-opening tradition for the Sprint Cup Series and its fans. The 31st annual season-opening event at Daytona International Speedway will be held on Saturday night, Feb. 7, with a field of 24 cars representing the top teams from Chevy, Dodge, Ford and Toyota that will showcase the close competition in NASCAR’s premier series.
