By Reid Spencer
Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service

Nationwide Series Talladega Superspeedway Unofficial Results

TALLADEGA, Ala. (April 26, 2008) — Polesitter Tony Stewart held off a last-lap challenge from Dale Earnhardt Jr. on Saturday to claim his first victory at Talladega Superspeedway in any series.

“Boys, we won at Talladega!” Stewart shouted as he crossed the finish line in the Aaron’s 312 NASCAR Nationwide Series race .302 second ahead of runner-up David Stremme. It was Stewart’s third NASCAR Nationwide win of the season.

Bobby Hamilton Jr. ran third, Jason Leffler fourth and Mark Green fifth, as Earnhardt dropped to sixth after Stewart repelled his last-ditch run on the final lap.

“I didn’t think leading was the place to be,” said Stewart, who led Earnhardt to the line for a restart with two laps to go in the 117-lap event, after a caution for debris in Turn 4 had slowed the race on Lap 113. “I still don’t think, even after winning the race, that being the leader there with two laps to go was the right place to be.

“But we did what we had to do, and they got spread out behind us, and we got the push we needed there at the end.”

Earnhardt surged to the front on the final lap but faded on the outside when Stremme stayed with Stewart on the bottom of the track.

“Me and Tony worked great together the whole race,” Earnhardt said. It was down to the last lap, and I thought we had it timed good, but my run wasn’t as strong as it could have been — and Tony was just so strong.”

The entire complexion of the race changed dramatically in an instant, 12 laps past the halfway point.

Stewart was leading Earnhardt through Turn 1 on Lap 71 when Kevin Lepage pulled onto the track from the pit road into the front of the field and triggered a chain-reaction pileup that collected 15 cars, including the contending vehicles of Carl Edwards, Brad Keselowski, David Reutimann, Steve Wallace, Reed Sorenson and Kyle Busch.

Casualties of the wreck included six of the top 10 in the NASCAR Nationwide Series standings entering the race and the other two drivers of the Wallace contingent — Mike and Kenny — all of whom were running in the top 10 when the melee occurred. Mike Wallace sustained minimal damage and was able to continue.

Notes: Dario Franchitti, driver of the No. 40 Chip Ganassi Racing entry, was injured during a crash on Lap 11 of Saturday’s race. Franchitti blew a tire, hit the outside wall and slid down the track in Turn 3 into the
path of Larry Gunselman, whose No. 91 Ford slammed into the driver’s side of Franchitti’s Dodge. Conscious and alert, Franchitti was taken to an ambulance on a stretcher and transported to a local hospital for further evaluation. Gunselman likewise was taken to a local hospital for evaluation.

NASCAR announced that Franchitti suffered a fractured left ankle and minor contusions. He was expected to be released from the hospital Saturday evening but will not race in Sunday’s Aaron’s 499. Stremme, who drove for Ganassi last year, will replace Franchitti. Stremme needed approval from Rusty Wallace Inc., his Nationwide team, and from Penske Racing, whom he recently signed with as a test driver, to have the opportunity.

Clint Bowyer entered the race as the series points leader but was caught in the same wreck that sidelined Franchitti. After repairs to his No. 2 Chevrolet, Bowyer returned to the track and finished 25th, helping him
hold on to the top spot in the standings.

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Gordon Chasing Seventh Talladega Win; Return To Top 12
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Seeking Breakthrough Win
In The Loop: Statistics Favor Some Talladega Surprises
Wheel Man: Kyle Busch Making His NASCAR Mark
Prime Opportunity: Gordon Facing Talladega Crossroads
Prime Opportunity: Gordon Facing Talladega Crossroads

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (April 22, 2008) — A year ago, four-time series champion Jeff Gordon (No. 24 DuPont-Pepsi Chevrolet) arrived for the spring event at 2.66-mile Talladega Superspeedway atop the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series standings — and promptly won his second consecutive race.

As the series anticipates Sunday’s Aaron’s 499, Gordon sits 13th, eight points out of 12th, the cut-off spot for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Last year’s series runner-up, he’s juggled uncharacteristic inconsistency in 2008, but Talladega could mark a turning point.

Gordon leads all active drivers with six victories there. He’s also NASCAR’s all-time leader with 12 wins at restrictor-plate tracks (Talladega and 2.5-mile Daytona International Speedway). And, he’s Sunday’s defending champion, having won from the pole last April and sweeping both Talladega events in 2007.

Gordon’s statistical tank certainly is full: He ranks first in pre-race Driver Rating for Talladega (98.5) and fourth in Laps in the Top 15, having run 63.6% of his laps in the top 15. His Average Running Position of 14.3 is the series’ sixth-best. Finally, the top-ranked driver in pre-race Driver Rating has finished in the top 10 in six of eight races in 2008.

His Track: Dale Earnhardt Jr. Seeks Landmark Victory

Dale Earnhardt Jr. (No. 88 AMP Energy/National Guard Chevrolet) may live in another state, but given his Alabama success, Talladega could be considered his competitive “home”.

In his first season with Hendrick Motorsports, Earnhardt returns as a strong favorite for Sunday’s Aaron’s 499. He trails only teammate Jeff Gordon in Talladega victories by active drivers (five), his highest win total at any track on the series schedule.

Legacy is a factor: His father, seven-time series champion Dale Earnhardt, won 10 times at Talladega, more than any other driver.

But a sixth Talladega victory by the younger Earnhardt would do more than bolster career numbers. Currently third in the NASCAR Sprint Cup standings, he’d climb higher; he’s six points behind second –place Kyle Busch (No. 18 M&M’s Toyota) and 80 points behind leader Jeff Burton (No. 31 AT&T Mobility Chevrolet).

The last time Earnhardt was second in the standings was after the 31st race of 2004. The last time he led the standings was following the 27th race in 2004.

Sunday’s event also marks Earnhardt’s 300th career NASCAR Sprint Cup start.

In The Loop: Talladega A House Of Champions, Wild Cards

The statistics suggest a number of variables when analyzing a race at Talladega.

First, Talladega is the house of champions. Seven NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championships have been won among the top-three drivers in pre-race Driver Rating.

Four-time series champion Jeff Gordon leads the pack with a 98.5 Driver Rating, followed by 2004 series champion Kurt Busch (95.0) and two-time champ Tony Stewart (93.1).

Additionally, two-time defending champion Jimmie Johnson ranks sixth in Driver Rating with an 89.8 and 2003 champion Matt Kenseth is eighth with an 88.9.

But there’s another angle that could possibly play out. And that’s the wild-card angle.

Among the top 10 in pre-race Driver Rating are three drivers who have yet to win a championship, and have earned a berth in only one Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup among them.

They are Jamie McMurray, Brian Vickers and Elliott Sadler.

Of the three, only Vickers has a Talladega win. But McMurray does have restrictor-plate success, winning at Daytona last July.

At Talladega, McMurray has a Driver Rating of 92.6 (fourth-best), an Average Running Position of 14.8 (seventh) and has run 63.9% of the Laps in the Top 15 (fourth).

Vickers nabbed his only win at Talladega in 2006, and finished in the top 10 in a total of three races at the famed track. He has a Driver Rating of 91.5 (fourth), an Average Running Position of 14.0 (fourth), and has run 67.2% of the Laps in the Top 15.

Sadler scored a sixth-place finish at Talladega in 2005, and finished in the top 20 in each of the last two spring races there. He has a Driver Rating of 81.4 (10th), an Average Running Position of 17.3 (11th), and has run 55.3% of the laps inside the top 15 (eighth).

Draft Day: In Racing, All Decisions Count At Talladega

The word “draft” presents a double entendre this week as the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series prepares for Sunday’s Aaron’s 499 at Talladega.

The 2008 NFL Draft also looms on Saturday, and “draft”, which means different things in each sport, also creates some symmetry.

For example:

You’ll pay for a poor draft. In football, that means depleting rosters and payrolls. In NASCAR, drafting — the aerodynamic variables created by race cars running side-by-side — is a crucial part of strategy at Talladega and Daytona International Speedway, the two tracks where engines are outfitted with restrictor plates.

It’s important for a driver to stay with a drafting pack. Cars help pull each other through the air, and ill-timed moves mean going backward instead of forward;

Make the best possible choices. NFL prospects are scouted relentlessly, as are race-track moves. Experience is the best teacher in both sports. On the track, drivers choose drafting partners by reacting to their competition, just as their competition reacts to their choices;

Good draft choices are more important late, rather than early. It’s the opposite in the NFL, where first-rounders are key. But in NASCAR, last-laps draft choices can lead to Victory Lane;

Mock drafts. They come by the thousands in NFL circles. In NASCAR, it’s pre-race practices, where drivers compile their own scouting reports, sizing up possible drafting partners for Sunday.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. The Guest On This Week’s NASCAR Teleconference/NASCAR CAM

On The Line: Dale Earnhardt Jr., fielded media questions during Tuesday’s weekly session:

On Talladega Superspeedway: “We obviously had a lot of success at Talladega, there is no denying that. And I feel like, you know, we’re going to have a good chance this weekend, and I’m motivated by that. But I’ve felt that way all year, really.

“Before there were probably four or five years ago I definitely went into these races with a little more confidence than I would carry into the other events. But this season I’ve felt like we’ve had a shot every time we show up.”

On fan reaction to his new team: “They’ve been so good to us and so dedicated and so supportive that you go into that race feeling like you owe them to put the car out front.

“They came there to get on their feet, and they want to cheer and they want to see that car take the lead. And really, that’s all you think about, and that’s what your main goal is once the green flag drops.“

On two years without winning: “I feel like a win is around the corner. I feel like we’ve been in position to do that just about every week we’ve had a good enough car to contend. We’ve obviously failed to capitalize on some races where we led a lot and ended up finishing sixth or seventh.”

For the complete transcript and downloadable video, visit www.nascarmedia.com.

Three Series, One Winner: Kyle Busch On A Victory Tear

Seemingly everywhere, and nearly always up front, Kyle Busch appears poised for a dream season.

Heading into Sunday’s Aaron’s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway, the fourth-year driver is at, or near, the top of all three NASCAR national series standings.

He’s second in the NASCAR Sprint Cup standings, 80 points behind leader Jeff Burton. He’s also third in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, 60 points out of first, and he leads the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series standings by 35 points over second place.

Here’s why: Busch has more wins than anyone else in all three national series, to date.

That’s one NASCAR Sprint Cup win (at Atlanta Motor Speedway), three consecutive NASCAR Nationwide Series wins (including last Sunday at Mexico City) and two in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

Accumulating wins means accumulating starts, and Busch is doing that this season.

Although his stated focus is the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series for Joe Gibbs Racing, Busch plans to run a number of events in the other two national series, as schedules allow.

He’s competing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series for both JGR and Braun Racing. He competes for Billy Ballew Motorsports in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

And he’ll forfeit the standings lead in the latter this weekend, as both the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series are in action Saturday, three hours apart — in different states.

While Busch will compete in Sunday’s Aaron’s 499 and Saturday’s NASCAR Nationwide Series event, Shane Sieg will take his seat in Saturday’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event at Kansas Speedway.

Bow-Tied: Chevrolet Clearly Dominant At Talladega

Chevrolet’s bow-tie logo has been a recent constant in Talladega’s Victory Lane, a success rate only magnified by statistics.

Chevrolet drivers have won the last four NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Talladega — and 16 of the last 17 series events there.

It’s a dominance that extends to the NASCAR Nationwide Series, where Chevrolet drivers have won the last five Talladega events.

Part of the manufacturer’s success is tied to two drivers — Hendrick Motorsports teammates Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Gordon — who have won 10 of those 17 races (five each).

Earnhardt won his all back-to-back, from the fall event of 2001 through the spring event of 2003.

But while Chevrolet is the overwhelming manufacturer favorite heading to Talladega, its competitors rank close behind in seasonal stats.

This year ’s mix of winners and close competition shows up in another statistical category — the 2008 manufacturers’ standings.

Chevrolet holds a narrow four-point lead over second-place Ford, which leads third-place Toyota by three points. Dodge, 14 points behind Toyota, is a couple of wins away from unseating one or more competitors.

Through eight events, Ford leads with Carl Edwards’ (No. 99 Office Depot Ford) three wins. Both Toyota and Chevrolet have two wins each, while Dodge has one.

Back On Track: AJ Allmendinger, Jon Wood Return To NASCAR Sprint Cup Series

As the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series returns to Talladega, so does AJ Allmendinger to his seat.

The second-year driver ends a four-week hiatus during which veteran driver and current NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series standout Mike Skinner took over the No. 84 Team Red Bull Toyota. A learning period designed to aid both Allendinger and his young team, Skinner’s tenure revealed some telling observations.

“After seeing Mike drive the No. 84 car and seeing him struggle with some of the same problems I had been having, it was a little bit of relief for me to realize that while I had plenty of room to improve as a driver, we also have a long way to go as a team,” said Allmendinger, who remained at the track each week and in contact with Skinner. “Collectively, we still need to get better. I think part of us getting better as a team is about taking small steps towards improvement, and I think we were able to do that with Mike’s help.”

After a tough rookie season in 2007, Allmendinger and his team struggled early in 2008, prompting the month out of the car.

A former open-wheel standout, he knows he’s still learning stock-car nuances, but feels more ready than ever to resume the challenge.

“While I can’t lie and say it was easy being out of my car and watching someone else drive it,” Allmendinger said, “I can say that Mike tried to make the experience a positive thing for me by making me feel like I was still a part of the team and still a part of the learning process in fixing our program.”

… Jon Wood, son of Wood Brothers Racing co-owner Eddie Wood and grandson of team founder Leonard Wood, will attempt to qualify the No. 21 Little Debbie Ford at Talladega. If he makes the field, it will be his second series start.

The younger Wood also is driving the team’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series entry this Saturday at Kansas Speedway.

The Top 35: Four Teams Chasing DEI And Regan Smith

As NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams prepare for Sunday’s Aaron’s 499, the top 35 in the owner standings remains a significant factor.

Each week, those teams are guaranteed starting spots, and weekend performances are especially crucial for those on the top-35 “bubble”.

Heading to Talladega, the No. 01 Dale Earnhardt Inc./Principal Chevrolet owned by Teresa Earnhardt and driven by Regan Smith is 35th for the third consecutive week.

Only 40 points separate the four teams trailing in 36th through 39th.

The No. 96 DLP HDTV Toyota owned by Jeffrey Moorad driven by J.J. Yeley is 36th, a drop of three spots. Yeley trails Smith by three points in the owner standings.

The No. 44 UPS Toyota driven by David Reutimann and owned by Michael Waltrip is 34th, a gain of four spots. Reutimann finished 18th at Phoenix, returning his team for the top 35 for the first time in three weeks.

Behind Yeley, the No. 22 Caterpillar Toyota owned by Bill Davis and driven by Dave Blaney is 37th, only five points behind Yeley and eight points out of 35th.

The No. 70 Haas Automation Chevrolet owned by Margaret Haas will be driven by veteran Ken Schrader at Talladega. It’s 38th, only four points behind Blaney and 12 points out of 35th.

The No. 40 Dodge owned by Felix Sabates and driven by Raybestos Rookie of the Year candidate Dario Franchitti is 39th, 40 points out.

Although 41st and 165 points behind 35th, fellow rookie Patrick Carpentier and the No. 10 LifeLock Dodge owned by George Gillett Jr., continue their climb. Carpentier fell to 48th after the year’s second event at Auto Club Speedway, but has gained seven spots in the last six weeks.

NSCS Etc.

NASCAR Day: The NASCAR Foundation’s fifth annual NASCAR Day will be celebrated on Friday, May 16. Highlighted by a special Five Years of Caring theme, the event combines fundraising efforts of NASCAR fans, partners and companies worldwide. In 2007, NASCAR Day raised more than $1.6 million. The event has raised nearly $5 million since its 2004 inception.

Fans support NASCAR Day by making a $5 donation. In return, they receive a 2008 lapel pin. This weekend, all pin donations collected at Talladega Superspeedway will be split between the NASCAR Foundation, the American Red Cross of Alabama and Central Gulf Coast Region.

Fans should log on to www.nascar.com/nascarday to make their $5 donation.

International Motorsports Hall of Fame Induction: The International Motorsports Hall of Fame, whose facility adjoins Talladega Superspeedway, will induct its 2008 honorees during a black-tie ceremony on Thursday, April 24.

This year’s class includes Art Arfons, Robert “Red” Byron, Bill “Grumpy” Jenkins, Frank Kurtis, Everett “Cotton” Owens and Ralph Seagraves.

Arfons, best known for setting the Land Speed Record three times, will be inducted posthumously, as will Byron, a NASCAR driving pioneer and Anniston, Ala., native. Seagraves, a well-known motorsports marketing executive, and Kurtis, a chassis manufacturing pioneer, also are posthumous inductees.

Jenkins is a renowned National Hot Rod Association driver and engine builder. Owens, known as “King of the Modifieds,” has 41 wins and 37 poles in 487 starts in NASCAR competition.

Office Depot To “Connect With Carl”: This weekend at Talladega marks the launch of Office Depot’s fourth annual “Official Small Business of NASCAR” promotion with Carl Edwards.

Companies with 99 or less employees are eligible to enter for the chance to have their business’ name and logo featured on Edwards’ car. They’ll also receive a $10,000 small business makeover. Entries will be accepted beginning this Sunday. Companies should log on to www.officedepotracing.com to enter.

Up Next: Crown Royal Presents The Dan Lowry 400 at Richmond International Raceway

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series’ next stop is the Crown Royal Presents The Dan Lowry 400 on Saturday, May 3 at Richmond International Raceway. It’s the 10th race on the 2008 schedule.

Reigning and defending two-time series champion Jimmie Johnson won both Richmond events in 2007. Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jeff Gordon is the defending pole winner for the May event.

Another teammate, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and another two-time series champion, Tony Stewart (No. 20 Home Depot Chevrolet), lead all active drivers with three wins each at Richmond.

The Race: Aaron’s 499
The Place: Talladega Superspeedway
The Date: Sunday, April 27
The Time: 2 p.m. (ET)
The Track: 2.66-mile tri-oval
The Distance: 500 miles/188 laps
TV: FOX, 1:30 p.m. (ET)
Radio: MRN, SIRIUS Satellite Radio
2007 Winner: Jeff Gordon
2007 Polesitter: Jeff Gordon
2008 Points
Rk Driver Points
1 Jeff Burton 1,215
2 Kyle Busch 1,135
3 Dale Earnhardt Jr. 1,129
4 Jimmie Johnson 1,116
5 Kevin Harvick 1,112
6 Denny Hamlin 1,078
7 Tony Stewart 1,078
8 Clint Bowyer 1,044
9 Carl Edwards 1,041
10 Greg Biffle 1,039
11 Kasey Kahne 929
12 Ryan Newman 915
Pre-Race Schedule: Friday—Practice, 1:30-2:30 p.m.; Final Practice, 3:05-3:55 p.m.; Saturday — Qualifying, 10:15 a.m.

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• Bowyer, Edwards In Closest Title Chase Since 2001
• Aaron’s 312 Second Of Four Series Races On ESPN On ABC

Starring Role: Mobile’s Cale Gale Gets Big Start At Home Track

Daytona Beach, Fla. (April 22, 2008) – Nothing like a little pressure to top off a homecoming.

Cale Gale (No. 33 Camping World Chevrolet) comes to Talladega Superspeedway as the lone driver for Kevin Harvick Inc., a team owned by the two-time series champion and his wife, DeLana.

Normally at a companion event, Harvick is behind the wheel of one of the team’s two cars in the NASCAR Nationwide Series race. Only twice this season has Gale competed with Harvick.

But at Talladega, it’s the 23-year-old Mobile, Ala., native all by his lonesome.

Driving for the team that won this race last year.

With its second car in the runner-up position.

In front of his home crowd.

“Obviously I do put a little added pressure on myself since I am from Alabama,” Gale said.

“The last person from Alabama to win at Talladega was Davey Allison, so to be in good equipment and have a shot is pretty cool.

“KHI won this race last year with Bobby (Labonte) and Tony (Stewart) finished second.

“That’s more pressure on me because we’re returning with only one car this time.”

Gale is scheduled to compete in 14 races for KHI this season, sharing time with his boss and also with defending NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion Ron Hornaday Jr., to gain knowledge and experience.

He’s run three races thus far and his last outing was a successful one. He finished a career-best eighth at Nashville Superspeedway in March.

“This is the same car Kevin ran at Daytona (finishing 21st) and since then, (we’ve) worked hard to improve (it) before heading back to the superspeedways,” Gale said. “The main thing is to stay in line, hang in the draft and hopefully have a shot at the end of the day.”

The Versatile One: Busch Latest To Take Aim At Ard’s Record

What more can Kyle Busch (No. 18 Z-Line Designs Toyota) do for an encore?

He’s been pretty successful in his follow-up work since winning three weeks ago at Texas Motor Speedway.

Since that victory, Busch has posted two more wins — at Phoenix International Raceway and last Sunday at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.

Not only has Busch — who is in the top 10 in the standings in each of NASCAR’s national series — won three in a row for the first time since Ryan Newman in 2005, but he’s shown his talent and versatility off the same way Newman did.

Like Newman, Busch accumulated his wins on totally different tracks — the intermediate and racy venue at Texas; the one-mile short track at Phoenix and the winding road course in Mexico City.

He has two top fives in four series races at Talladega, but was 39th last year after an early accident.

The only series driver to win four races in succession is Sam Ard. The two-time series champion did so in 1983.

Three of Ard’s four consecutive wins were on short tracks while one was an intermediate-track victory.

Three Degrees Of Dale Jr. At Talladega

Dale Earnhardt Jr. (No. 5 Delphi Chevrolet) has one NASCAR Nationwide Series win (2003) at Talladega but his connections in the series there extend beyond his own results.

His father, Dale Earnhardt Sr., won at Talladega in series competition 10 years before his son. Martin Truex Jr., like Earnhardt Jr. a two-time series champion, is the all-time series wins leader at the track with three—all in succession (2004-06). Those came with Chance 2 Motorsports, the team co-owned by Earnhardt Jr. and Teresa Earnhardt.

His current connection is his own JR Motorsports team, led by driver Brad Keselowski (No. 88 U.S NAVY Chevrolet). Keselowski comes to Talladega sixth in the standings, the highest-ranked NASCAR Nationwide Series-only driver in the top 10.

Ambrose, Wallace Back In The Groove?

The collective sigh that emanated Sunday from Mexico City was let loose by two drivers who came into this season with high expectations but thus far hadn’t delivered.

Marcos Ambrose (No. 59 Kingsford Ford) collected a runner-up finish, not a surprise for the veteran of road-course racing. More surprising was the career-best result for the Aussie, his first top 10 since last year’s season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway (10th).

Steve Wallace (No. 66 Atreus Homes & Communities Chevrolet) was due for his breakthrough top-10 finish but few figured it would be on a road course in his 61st start.

Wallace finished 10th in Mexico and moved to 14th in the rankings, tying his career-best standing. He was 26th at Talladega in 2007.

Ambrose, who finished eighth in the final standings last year, had understandably lofty goals for 2008, but it’s been his JTG Racing teammate, Kelly Bires (No. 47 Clorox Ford), who’s been the leader for the organization.

Bires is 10th in the standings and will make his track debut at Talladega. Ambrose was 25th at last year’s race.

Bowyer, Edwards Engaged In Battle

Clint Bowyer (No. 2 Camping World/RVs.com Chevrolet) has a nine-point lead over defending series champion Carl Edwards (No. 60 Save-A-Lot Ford) in the standings.

This is the closest the drivers in first and second have been since 2001 when Greg Biffle (No. 16 CitiFinancial Ford) led Kevin Harvick by three points after nine races.

In The Loop: Bowyer, Edwards Close In Points, Stats At Talladega

Saturday’s race at Talladega Superspeedway looks like a perfect opportunity for Clint Bowyer to put some space between himself and a hard-charging Carl Edwards.

Edwards tightened the gap with a fourth-place finish at Mexico City last weekend, closing to within nine points of the series-leading Bowyer.

Now comes the unpredictable nature of Talladega, where Bowyer has performed well in the NASCAR Nationwide Series (as opposed to his 30.2 average finish in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series). Bowyer finished fifth there in 2006 and 13th the last time the series raced at Talladega in 2007. Over the last three races, Bowyer has a Driver Rating of 93.8, an Average Running Position of 10.5 and has run 70.9% of the Laps in the Top 15.

Edwards, though solid with two consecutive 10th-place runs at Talladega, hasn’t been as statistically strong as Bowyer. In his NASCAR Nationwide Series career at Talladega, Edwards has a Driver Rating of 87.4, an Average Running Position of 14.8 and has run 67.5% of the Laps in the Top 15.

Also watch for a strong run by David Ragan (No. 6 Discount Tire Ford), who sits fifth in the standings. In his only series start at Talladega, Ragan scored a fourth-place finish, had a Driver Rating of 100.1, an Average Running Position of 10.8 and ran 66.7% of the Laps in the Top 15.

Of the NASCAR Nationwide Series regulars, watch for a solid run from David Stremme (No. 64 Atreus Homes & Communities Chevrolet), who returns to the track for the first time since 2005. He finished fourth in that race, earned a Driver Rating of 89.1 and an Average Running Position of 12.5.

NNS Etc.

Brad Coleman (No. 27 USPS Ford) is one driver who is looking forward to returning to Talladega. The 20-year-old Houston, Texas native captured his first career pole at this event last year then went on to finish ninth in the race — his career-best at the time.

Coleman had three top fives and five top 10s in 17 starts last year, but has only one top 10 in his first nine races this season.

Eric McClure (No. 24 Hefty Brand Chevrolet) will reach a milestone at Talladega where he will record his 50th series start. The superspeedway is McClure’s favorite track; he recorded his series-best finish (18th) there in 2007 and made his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series debut in 2004, finishing 26th.

Different team, same solid results. That’s the M.O. of Mike Bliss (No. 1 Miccosukee Resorts Chevrolet), who registered his fourth top-10 finish of the season at Mexico City.

Bliss began the season with Fitz Motorsports but moved to Phoenix Racing during the season’s first open week. He had two top 10s for Fitz and after a 24th-place finish at Texas in his first race in the No. 1. Since then he has posted back-to-back top 10s.

In three career series starts at Talladega, Bliss has two — what else? — top 10s.

When he was signed by Richard Childress Racing early this year, Stephen Leicht’s (No. 21 Childress Vineyards Chevrolet) original schedule was two races, sharing time with 1991 series champion Bobby Labonte, who was set for 15 events.

But with two top-10s in three starts this season, Leicht was extended to at least four races with the addition of Talladega.

He’ll drive the chassis that has produced one win (Kevin Harvick — Daytona) and a top-10 (Harvick — Talladega) on superspeedways since 2007.

However, Leicht’s two-race average finish at Talladega is 29.5.
Raybestos Rookie Of The Year Standings

Rank Driver Points
1. Dario Franchitti 80
2. Bryan Clauson 52
3. Brian Keselowski 38
4. Cale Gale 34
5. Landon Cassill 27
6. Chase Miller 20
7. Patrick Carpentier 17

Results following the Corona Mexico 200 at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.

Bill France Performance Cup Standings

Chevrolet has closed the gap on Toyota in the race for the Bill France Performance Cup and its chances to take the lead in the manufacturers’ race are high at Talladega.

Chevy is the series leader in wins there with 12, including the last five consecutive victories.

2008 Manufacturers’ Championship Point Standings

Toyota 59
Chevrolet 58
Ford 48
Dodge 33

Up Next: Lipton TEA 250 at Richmond International Raceway

Friday night short-track racing is up next for the NASCAR Nationwide Series when the Lipton TEA 250 kicks off the month of May at Richmond International Raceway.

Clint Bowyer is the defending winner of the May 2 event and hometown favorite Denny Hamlin is the defending pole winner. Hamlin has yet to win at his home track in NASCAR national series competition.

FAST FACTS

The Race: Aaron’s 312

The Place: Talladega Superspeedway

The Date: Saturday, April 26

The Time: 3 p.m. ET

The Distance: 311.22 miles/117 laps

TV: ABC, 2:30 p.m. ET

Track Size: 2.66-mile tri-oval

2007 Winner: Bobby Labonte

2007 Pole: Brad Coleman

2008 Standings:

1 Clint Bowyer 1,339
2 Carl Edwards 1,330
3 Kyle Busch 1,273
4 David Reutimann 1,195
5 David Ragan 1,165
6 Brad Keselowski 1,153
7 Mike Bliss 1,136
8 Jason Leffler 1,062
9 Mike Wallace 1,039
10 Kelly Bires 996

Schedule:Thursday–Practice 3-4:45 p.m.; Final Practice 5-6 p.m.; Friday–Qualifying, 4:05 p.m. (Impound)

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McCumbee Has Right ‘Feel’ For Intermediate Tracks
With Busch Out, Driver Points Will Change — Owners’ Perhaps Not
Kansas Speedway Winners Tend To Prosper In Point Standings

O’Reilly Auto Parts 250 Could Be Break-Out Race For McCumbee

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (April 21, 2008) – Will Chad McCumbee (No. 8 MRD Motorsports Chevrolet) became the fifth under-25 winner of Saturday’s O’Reilly Auto Parts 250 at Kansas Speedway?

If the 23-year-old McCumbee’s recent performances on intermediate tracks are any indication, the answer could be yes.

He nearly won last fall in Texas before contact with Jack Sprague (No. 2 American Commercial Lines Chevrolet) knocked McCumbee from the lead on a green-white-checker restart.

McCumbee has led two of the three most recent races on 1.5-mile speedways including last month’s stop at Atlanta Motor Speedway where the Supply, N.C., native finished a career-best fifth.

He qualified on the front row at Texas Motor Speedway and Atlanta.

“The intermediates always have been a strength of mine,” said McCumbee, whose first top-10 finish in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series came in June 2006 at 1.5-mile Texas. “They suit my driving style.”

McCumbee has a sense of “feel” greater than his NASCAR Craftsman Truck experience. He agrees that was key to helping crew chief Randy Dean make the aero adjustments that nearly put the team in Victory Lane at Atlanta.

“We definitely were able to find the right balance that the truck wanted,” he said.

McCumbee’s best finish at Kansas is 13th, but the driver has run well there in other series.

Kansas Win Sets The Table For Successful Season

Win the O’Reilly Auto Parts 250 and odds are excellent you’ll finish high in the final standings.

The Kansas Speedway winner has gone on to log a top-10 finish in six of the seven seasons the 1.5-mile track has been a part of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck schedule.

Mike Bliss also won the 2002 championship; four other Kansas winners — including 2006 champion Todd Bodine (No. 30 Lumber Liquidators Toyota) — finished among the final top five.

Bliss, currently a NASCAR Nationwide Series competitor, is the only driver to win multiple times in Kansas. He captured the final of five races at nearby Heartland Park Topeka, a 2.1-mile road course, in 1999.

Ironically, 2007 broke the Kansas Speedway/top-10 streak. It was good news and bad for Erik Darnell (No. 99 Northern Tool + Equipment Ford).

Darnell became the track’s third, first-time winner joining Ricky Hendrick and Jon Wood.

Unfortunately for Darnell, the season didn’t end quite so successfully. He won the Raybestos Rookie of the Year Award, but finished 14th overall.

Kansas Speedway Winners: How They Finished

The O’Reilly Auto Parts 250 winner has finished among the top 10 in six of seven seasons.

Year Winner Final Points
2001 Ricky Hendrick 6
2002 Mike Bliss 1
2003 Jon Wood 5
2004 Carl Edwards 4
2005 Todd Bodine 3
2006 Terry Cook 8
2007 Erik Darnell 14

Standings Leader Kyle Busch Out; Shane Sieg In At Kansas

One set of standings will change. The other — perhaps not.

Kyle Busch, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series standings leader since his February victory at Auto Club Speedway, will not drive the No. 51 Miccosukee Resorts Toyota at Kansas Speedway.

With four drivers within 69 points of Busch, it’s a certainty someone else will be the leader when Saturday’s O’Reilly Auto Parts 250 concludes.

Georgia native Shane Sieg, 25, will take the wheel of the Tundra — a move Ballew hopes will allow him to retain the owner standings lead. Busch is expected to return May 16 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway.

Sieg has competed in 27 races since 2003 with a best finish of eighth at The Milwaukee Mile. He drove Ballew’s No. 15 truck three times last season, finishing 10th at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

“With Kyle’s schedule at Joe Gibbs Racing this weekend, there was no way he could make the race in Kansas,” Ballew said. “We looked at all the scenarios but it just wasn’t feasible. Shane has driven for us before and is familiar with the equipment.

“We hope to leave Kansas still leading the owners’ points and know Kyle can make up some ground in the drivers’ points when we race at Lowe’s.

Sieg ran as Busch’s teammate in 2007, but as Billy Ballew Motorsports’ No. 1, knows the pressure is on.

“It’s a great opportunity to get back behind the wheel,” Sieg said. “I know I have big shoes to fill but I just want to bring a good finish home to keep Billy as the team owner point leader.”

Etc. and Quotable

Two Teams Change Crew Chiefs: John Quinn has succeeded George Church at Wyler Racing while Lance Hooper — formerly with Thorsport Racing — replaces Gary Showalter at Key Motorsports. “Let’s just say John and I are both working on a Windows computer,” said Terry Cook (No. 60 Wyler.com Toyota). “We’re on the same page and speaking the same language.” Curtis Key, owner of the No. 40 Chevrolet driven by Chad Chaffin, said the move was performance-related.
Speed In No. 22 Toyota: Scott Speed will drive the Red Bull Tundra for Bill Davis Racing in Kansas. Phillip McGilton has left the organization.
New Faces: Mario Gosselin (No. 212 Chevrolet) and Michelle Theriault (No. 73 Dodge) will debut at Kansas. Gosselin is a former USAR Pro Cup champion. Theriault was 13th in NASCAR Camping World Series East competition last year.
Germain’s Kyle Davis Kansas City-Area Native

Kyle Davis, truck chief on the No. 9 Toyota driven by Justin Marks, grew up in Savannah, Mo., a small town 45 minutes from Kansas Speedway.

When he moved to the southeast hoping to break into NASCAR racing by offering his services free of charge, little did Davis know he would become a key part of one of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series’ top teams.

“I laid brick to pay the bills,” said the Savannah High School graduate, former go-kart racer and Savannah Speedway champion.

As truck chief, Davis is the right arm of crew chief Jason Overstreet. “Jason decides on which chassis we will run and what he wants to do with it. I just make sure the truck setup matches up with the calls he’s made.”

Noted: J. B. Fiske, Mike Skinner’s coach driver/ fuel runner, hails from Solomon, Kan.

Raybestos Rookies

Colin Braun (No. 6 Con-way Freight Ford), had a productive off-week, winning the Coors Light Pole for last Sunday’s Corona Mexico 200 presented by Banamex. Braun won the coveted No. 1 starting position in just his third NASCAR Nationwide Series appearance.

Braun ran near the front of the field for much of the race before finishing 33rd.

Now, he has some work to do to catch current NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Rookie of the Year co-leader Justin Marks (No. 9 V Foundation/Germain Racing Toyota). Marks won the pole for last year’s ARCA RE/MAX Series race at Kansas before finishing sixth.

“It is an honor to represent The V Foundation on our Tundra this weekend in Kansas,” Marks said. “They have made an incredible impression in the fight against cancer in professional sports and we look forward to playing a small part in spreading their message. Having The V Foundation for Cancer Research on our truck this week gives us purpose beyond on-track results.”

After four races of the 2008 season:

1. Justin Marks 38
2. Phillip McGilton 38
3. Brian Scott 36
4. Colin Braun 34
5. Donny Lia 28
6. Andy Lally 28
7. Marc Mitchell 22

Up Next:

At last: A home game.

Virtually all of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series teams call the Charlotte, N.C., area home, so a trip to Lowe’s Motor Speedway takes just a few minutes.

The May 16 North Carolina Lottery 200 marks the sixth time the series has competed at the 1.5-mile facility.

Ron Hornaday Jr. (No. 33 Camping World Chevrolet) is the defending race winner. Kyle Busch, the 2005-06 winner, also is expected to compete.

In The Loop:

As the days since the race at Martinsville clicked off Mike Skinner’s calendar, the race at Kansas Speedway got closer and closer. And all of a sudden, Skinner’s outlook got brighter and brighter.

A former series champion, Skinner has encountered uncharacteristic troubles. After four NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races, he’s just 14th in the standings. Two poor finishes of 29th sandwich two strong results of eighth and third.

But Kansas acts as an opportunity for Skinner to vault back into the top 10 and get his season back on track.

In four Kansas races, Skinner’s worst finish is 12th, and he’s finished inside the top five in each of the last three races.

Over that three-race span, Skinner has series-best numbers in Driver Rating (122.9), Average Running Position (5.5) and Laps in the Top 15 (468), and is second only to Todd Bodine in Fastest Laps Run with 65.

One other stat Skinner has going for him – he has yet to win at Kansas.

Oddly, that might help his cause. No driver has repeated at Kansas.

Another driver who has yet to visit Kansas’ Victory Lane is Jack Sprague, who finished third there last season. Over his past three Kansas races, Sprague has a Driver Rating of 102.7 and an Average Running Position of 13.5.

Last season, Erik Darnell was not only a first- time Kansas winner, he was a first-time winner – period. Watch for another strong performance. Darnell has a Kansas Driver Rating of 105.0, an Average Running Position of 11.1 and 50 Fastest Laps Run.

This Week’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Leaders
(Through four races of the 25-race season)

Points leader – Kyle Busch (645)
Driver Rating – Kyle Busch (122.0)
Winnings – Kyle Busch ($183,935)
Laps led – Dennis Setzer (130)
Victories – Kyle Busch (2)
Keystone Light Poles – three drivers with three
Top-five finishes – Kyle Busch (3)
Top-10 finishes – three drivers with three
Raybestos Rookie Leader – Justin Marks (0 points/best finish over Phillip McGilton)
Races led – Ron Hornaday Jr. (4)
Weeks in Top 10 – Seven drivers with four
Wayne’s Words

“Kansas Speedway, by virtue of the way the track was built, makes this week’s O’Reilly Auto Parts 250 a wide-open affair.

“The track consistently produces new winners – three in seven races – and sends up-and-coming drivers as well as veterans to Victory Lane. It’s anyone’s guess who might end up driving a victory lap holding the checkered flag this Saturday.

“What makes Kansas Speedway so interesting and unpredictable? Unlike some of the intermediate tracks where hitting the exact racing line is critical, Kansas Speedway allows a driver to select multiple grooves in order to find out where the truck works the best.

“That’s one good reason why a newer driver can get up to speed in short order.

“Finally, the sweeping nature of the turns, banked less than some tracks on which we compete, allows competitors to enter side-by-side, easily pick up the throttle and keep right on racing.

“Based on what we saw in Atlanta, another intermediate track, reducing horsepower increased the level of competition. That has put the outcome more in the hands of the drivers and has created the kind of race, from start to finish, that our NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series fans and competitors have come to enjoy.” — Wayne Auton, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Director

More Etc.

“We’ve gotten to that point a few times, but we’ve just never had the perfect day that it takes to win a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race (at Kansas). You never say a track owes you one, but it’d sure be nice to put our Ford F-150 in Victory Lane at Kansas and erase all those memories of finishing second there.” — Rick Crawford, No. 14 Power Stroke Diesel by International Ford, the runner-up finisher at Kansas in 2006-07.

Skinner Defends Pro/Celebrity Title … Mike Skinner (No. 5 Toyota Tundra Toyota) won the Professional division of Saturday’s Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race at the Long Beach (Calif.) Grand Prix. He finished .324 second behind ESPN pit reporter Jamie Little. The race featured a split start with celebrity drivers getting a 30-second handicap. “That was fun,” said Skinner. “Knocked a little paint off my car and had a blast.”

Cancer Week To Be Observed … Lori Hamilton, co-owner of BHR-VA, and Yahoo Sports reporter Bob Margolis were in Atlanta Monday as part of Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week. They spoke with current cancer patients and conducted several media interviews with CNN and Fox. Kansas Speedway will offer free Head and Neck Cancer screenings throughout the race weekend.

FAST FACTS

The Race:O’Reilly Auto Parts 250
The Place: Kansas Speedway
The Date: April 26, 2008
The Time: 6 p.m. ET
Race Distance: 250.5 miles/167 laps
TV: SPEED 5:30 p.m. ET
Track Layout: 1.5-mile paved
2007 Winner: Erik Darnell
2007 Pole: Mike Skinner

Rank Driver Points
1 Ky. Busch 645
2 T. Bodine 610
3 R. Hornaday Jr. 580
4 D. Setzer 578
5 R. Crawford 576
6 M. Crafton 539
7 D. Starr 534
8 E. Darnell 527
9 J. Benson 501
10 T. Cook 499

Schedule: Friday: Practice, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 2:30-3:30 p.m.
Saturday: Qualifying, 12:40 p.m.

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NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES – TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY

“Go Time” for Gordon
Four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon sits eight points outside the top 12. But the way he’s run at Talladega, figure his time outside the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series cut-off won’t last too much longer.

Gordon’s tremendous at the 2.66-mile restrictor-plate track, sweeping there last season and winning six times in his career – tops among active drivers and second only to Dale Earnhardt all-time.

Another highlight: Gordon’s 12 restrictor-plate wins is the most in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series history.

Like Father, Like Son
Dale Earnhardt Jr. learned a thing or two from his father – like the secret to Talladega victory, for instance.
Earnhardt Jr. has won five times at historic Talladega, more than any other track on the schedule (second best for Earnhardt is Richmond; he has three wins there). His father won a total of 10 Talladega race during his career.

The Earnhardts’ Talladega success there has transformed the track into a second home, but this season the stands which were formerly a Sea of Red will likely transform into a Sea of Green – the color of Earnhardt’s new sponsor Mountain Dew Amp Energy.

A sixth win for Earnhardt, who’s currently third in the series standings, could lead to another move up (he’s six points out of second place, 86 out of first). The last time Earnhardt was as high as second in the standings was after race No. 31 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in 2004. The last time he was in first also was in 2004, after race No. 27 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

Restrictor Plate Return
The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series returns to a restrictor plate track for the first time since the Daytona 500, which was the one of the most competitive races ever at Daytona International Speedway.

The race, won by Ryan Newman, saw 42 lead changes among 16 drivers and had 81 Green Flag Passes for the lead.

Kyle Busch: Mr. Everything
The 22-year-old Las Vegas native, who won his third-straight race this past Sunday at Mexico City’s Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, enjoys a top-three position in all three of NASCAR’s national series standings. He’s second in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, third in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and first in the NASCAR Craftsman Trucks Series.

He’ll face a true challenge, though, this weekend at Talladega – a track that has befuddled the talented young driver. In six starts there, Busch has yet to crack the top 10, and only once has he finished inside the Top 30 – the fall race of 2006.

Alabama Natives Prevelant in NASCAR Garage
The NASCAR garages feature a number of Alabama natives who will be returning home this weekend to Talladega Superspeedway. Below is a list of some of them:

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Ronny Crooks (Hueytown) – No. 20 shock specialist
Todd Foster (Birmingham) – No. 20 rear tire changer
Jimmy Kitchens (Hueytown) – No. 07 spotter
Jessie Kyser (Birmingham) – No. 55 scorer
Kane Replogle (Dothan) – No. 24 engineer

NASCAR Nationwide Series
Brian Campe (Madison) – No. 5 engineer/shock specialist
Damien Dickson (Mobile) – No. 88 engineer
Harold Holly (Pell City) – No. 66 crew chief
Jason Ingle (Hamilton) – No. 88 engine tuner
Jimmy Kitchens (Hueytown) – No. 2 spotter
Mark Miller (Birmingham) – No. 12 gas man
Drue Parsons (Birmingham) – No. 11 engine tuner

Bow Ties Reign at Talladega
It has been all Chevrolet at Talladega in recent years. Chevys have won the past four Talladega races in NASCAR Sprint Cup competition, and an amazing 16 of the last 17. The only non-Chevrolet to win since 1999 was Dale Jarrett’s Ford in the fall race of 2005.

The same holds true in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, where a Chevy has won the last five Talladega races.

Bubble Report: 4 Teams Within 40 Points Of Last Guaranteed Starting Spot
Each week, the top 35 teams in car owner points are guaranteed starting spots. This week, the precious 35th and final guarantee goes to the No. 01 Chevrolet entry of Dale Earnhardt Inc., with Regan Smith the driver.

Below that sanctity, only 40 points separate the No. 01 from teams in positions 36-39.
In 36th, the No. 96 Toyota with J.J. Yeley driving is three points out of 35th.
In 37th, the No. 22 Toyota with Dave Blaney driving is eight points out of 35th.
In 38th, the No. 70 Chevrolet with Ken Schrader driving is 12 points out.
And in 39th, the No. 40 Dodge with last year’s Indy 500 and IndyCar Series champion Dario Franchitti driving is 40 points out.

Another interesting ”Bubble” note – the No. 84 Toyota, which is 40th in the owner points standings, will once again have AJ Allmendinger behind the wheel at Talladega.

NASCAR NATIONWIDE SERIES – TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY

Busch Shows Dominance, Versatility
Kyle Busch has not only won three races in succession – a first since Ryan Newman did so in 2005 – but he’s shown his versatility in doing so. After winning the first road course race of his national series career in Mexico City on Sunday, Busch has conquered the intermediate Texas Motor Speedway, the one-mile track at Phoenix International Raceway and the 2.518-mile Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.

Talladega marks the fourth different track in races for the series. Busch will try for four straight wins, which would match Sam Ard’s record streak set in 1983.

ETC.
Brad Coleman won his first career pole here last year. … Carl Edwards cut the points deficit thanks to his fourth-place finish in Mexico. He now trails series leader Clint Bowyer by nine points (down from 24 after Phoenix) … Marcos Ambrose claimed his best career finish (second) at Mexico - it was also his first top 10 finish of the year. … Steve Wallace was 10th at Mexico, his first career top 10.

NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES – KANSAS SPEEDWAY

Busch Gives Up Seat to Sieg
Unable to fit a third national series race into his weekend schedule, Kyle Busch will give up the seat in the Billy Ballew Racing Toyota this week as well as the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series points lead. Georgian Shane Sieg, 25, will drive the truck that also leads the series owners’ standings.

Two Women in Kansas Field
Two female drivers are expected to compete in the O’Reilly Auto Parts 250 for the first time in 2008. Both Jennifer Jo Cobb and Michelle Theriault will make their NASCAR Craftsman Truck debuts. Cobb has competed in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Theriault was 13th in NASCAR Camping World Series East standings in 2007.

Trucks Return to Familiar Layout
Mastering 1.5-mile tracks (which comprise more than a third of the schedule) is one key to winning a championship. Todd Bodine is best on the “intermediates” with eight victories including one at Kansas in 2005 and two in his 2006 championship season.

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