JTG Daugherty ready to move ahead — on its own

February 4th, 2012 Sometimes, even in racing, you have to go backward so you can eventually move forward.

Elliott Sadler ready for another run at Nationwide title, this time with RCR backing

February 4th, 2012 Elliott Sadler battled for the NASCAR Nationwide Series championship in 2011 with Kevin Harvick Inc. Sadler did not win the championship, however. And that, to some, was a major surprise.

Kansas opens casino, finalizes road course plans (NASCAR.com)

February 4th, 2012 Kansas opens casino, finalizes road course plans

NI Top 25: AJ Allmendinger ready to take next step after landing at Penske Racing

February 4th, 2012 After five years of racing for teams that were either just getting started or struggling to pay the bills, AJ Allmendinger has finally found what he’s been looking for. Days after Best Buy announced that it would not sponsor the No. 43 Richard Petty Motorsports Ford in 2012, Allmendinger landed on his feet, replacing Kurt Busch in the No. 22 Dodge at Penske Racing.

Jeff Owens: Head to head – which of these drivers will have the better season?

February 4th, 2012 It’s always difficult to compare NASCAR drivers and their performances because there are so many variables to consider. Team, crew chief, resources, teammates, sponsorship, etc.

Dillon happy to be called ‘Austin’s little brother’

February 4th, 2012 Austin Dillon's little brother? If that's supposed to be a taunt in some way, Ty Dillon is actually flattered. To him, any comparison to the driver who won the 2011 Truck Series champion is a compliment -- especially if down the road, he can equal or exceed Austin's wins and championships.

Ryan Newman, Tony Gibson hope to find lost chemistry in 2012

February 4th, 2012 Ryan Newman could spend a lot of time wondering how Stewart-Haas Racing teammate Tony Stewart went from his summer funk to winning five races in the Chase For The Sprint Cup last year. But Newman has other things to worry about – such as why his team slid into a downward spiral during the same Chase to finish 10th in the standings.

Road course planning done at Kansas Speedway (AP)

February 3rd, 2012 There are more changes in the works at Kansas Speedway.

Casino opens overlooking Turn 2 at Kansas Speedway (AP)

February 3rd, 2012 Lesa France Kennedy strode through the Art Deco-inspired lobby, past rows of blinking slots machines and spinning roulette wheels, her eyes trying to take in the homage to old Hollywood. The chief executive of International Speedway Corp., which owns and operates Kansas Speedway, could only marvel at the new casino overlooking Turn 2 of the race track -- a $411 million facility that has created...

Darlington start time only change for Sprint Cup races

February 3rd, 2012 Darlington Raceway has the only change in start time in the 2012 Sprint Cup Series schedule as its race will start at 7 p.m. Eastern instead of 7:30 p.m. as it did in 2011. The 7 p.m. start time is a departure from NASCAR’s attempt at consistent start times but one Darlington asked for so its race – the second-longest on the schedule at 501.322 miles – will end earlier.

Danica at Daytona an issue for NASCAR

February 3rd, 2012 Danica's pre-paid Daytona ride comes at steep price for her ... and NASCAR.

Danica at Daytona an issue for NASCAR

February 3rd, 2012 Danica's pre-paid Daytona ride comes at steep price for her ... and NASCAR.

Top 20 Countdown: No. 11 Greg Biffle (Yahoo! Sports)

February 3rd, 2012 Greg Biffle looks to rebound from a season in which he missed the Chase for the first time in four years.

Aumann: Tiny Calif. town produced rare glut of talent (NASCAR.com)

February 3rd, 2012

Panch and Meyer were friends and competitors. (Marvette Panch)

Aumann: Tiny Calif. town produced rare glut of talent


Word of mouth lands Whitt key ride for JR Motorsports

February 3rd, 2012 The phone call came, of all times, when Cole Whitt was home in Southern California visiting his parents for Christmas. It was from his manager, and the request was urgent -- could he get back to North Carolina the next day to meet with JR Motorsports? And suddenly Whitt was on a red-eye, and suddenly he was in a conference room with Dale Earnhardt Jr., and suddenly he was the driver of a car capable of winning the Nationwide Series championship.

Kenny Bruce: Legends Helping Legends fundraiser offers stroll down memory lane

February 3rd, 2012 For fans yearning for a glimpse of racing as it was in years gone by, a trip this Saturday to Memory Lane Museum in Mooresville for its annual Legends Helping Legends gathering is one of those can’t-miss opportunities.

SS Green Light tabs crew chief Berry for Chastain

February 3rd, 2012 SS Green Light Racing has announced that Bryan Berry has joined the team as the crew chief for the No. 08 Toyota driven by rookie Ross Chastain for the 2012 Camping World Truck Series season.

Carolyn Brewster: Still confused over Danica Patrick points deal

February 3rd, 2012 This week’s column involves a confession, which I’m sure will not surprise many of you. I’m confused. Try as I might to truly grasp the Tommy Baldwin Racing/Stewart-Haas Racing collaborative partnership announced this week, I’m still scratching my head regarding the finer details. Sure, the generic hand wave of an announcement I can process, but dig too deep and I’m confused as hell.

New sponsorship deals indicate NASCAR economy is turning

February 3rd, 2012 At last, there's a large patch of blue to break up the doom and gloom that has clouded the NASCAR economy for the past three seasons. To major corporations, there is still a strong perceived value in association with NASCAR teams and with the sport itself, but the focus of those commitments has changed, along with the numbers of dollars sponsors are willing to allocate to motorsports marketing.

New sponsorship deals indicate NASCAR economy is turning

February 3rd, 2012 At last, there's a large patch of blue to break up the doom and gloom that has clouded the NASCAR economy for the past three seasons. To major corporations, there is still a strong perceived value in association with NASCAR teams and with the sport itself, but the focus of those commitments has changed, along with the numbers of dollars sponsors are willing to allocate to motorsports marketing.

Casino opens at Kansas Speedway

February 3rd, 2012 The ownership of Kansas Speedway is gambling on a new casino overlooking Turn 2 to generate interest, drive ticket sales and increase revenue during a sluggish time for motorsports.

NI Top 25: Clint Bowyer expects to still contend with improving MWR team

February 3rd, 2012 Clint Bowyer admits he’s fortunate. As difficult as it is to find primary sponsorship, the 32-year-old has one in 5-hour Energy that pursued him. And while Bowyer had to leave Richard Childress Racing, the only team he’s ever driven for in Cup competition, he is looking forward to starting a new chapter in his career at Michael Waltrip Racing.

NI Top 25: Clint Bowyer expects to still contend with improving MWR team

February 3rd, 2012 Clint Bowyer admits he’s fortunate. As difficult as it is to find primary sponsorship, the 32-year-old has one in 5-hour Energy that pursued him. And while Bowyer had to leave Richard Childress Racing, the only team he’s ever driven for in Cup competition, he is looking forward to starting a new chapter in his career at Michael Waltrip Racing.

Danica Patrick will watch Super Bowl for more than just her commercials

February 3rd, 2012 Danica Patrick likes to watch the Super Bowl – and more than just the commercials. That might seem natural considering she stars in the popular Go Daddy commercials that are prominent during the Super Bowl telecast. But Patrick typically watches so she can see what the final product looks like on television, as well as the company’s internet-only ads.

Danica Patrick will watch Super Bowl for more than just her commercials

February 3rd, 2012 Danica Patrick likes to watch the Super Bowl – and more than just the commercials. That might seem natural considering she stars in the popular Go Daddy commercials that are prominent during the Super Bowl telecast. But Patrick typically watches so she can see what the final product looks like on television, as well as the company’s internet-only ads.