NASCAR (in English)

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New sheriff in town

With his second victory in three weeks, Track Smack debates whether or not Denny Hamlin has done enough to assert himself as Jimmie Johnson's top contender.

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Which of the following drivers has the best chance of pulling an upset at Talladega?

Marcos Ambrose
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Paul Menard
Juan Montoya
Regan Smith


Drivers carry mutual respect to Talladega
Edwards, Keselowski put past behind them as they return one year later.


Big Ones, big finishes and big names
Five (5) of past nine (9) races at Talladega have been won on the last lap.

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Wallace wants own identity as driver
Patrick isn't the only female trying to gain Nationwide experience.
Wallace tries to distance herself from Danica | NASCAR Nationwide Series


Driver posts faster qualifying speed than her father at 'Dega
Chrissy Wallace turned a top lap that was 18th-fastest in Nationwide qualifying at Talladega Friday, faster than the qualifying speed posted by her father, who will start 27th.

Shhhhhh!
There is a woman driving in the Aaron's 312 Nationwide Series race that is scheduled for Saturday at Talladega Superspeedway. But her name is not Danica Patrick.


I guess because I have a daughter who is trying to race, I'm hopeful that maybe some of that attention trickles down to Chrissy sometime. It is what it is. [Danica] creates interest
-- MIKE WALLACE

"I'm not always worried about beating her [Patrick]. I'm worried about beating 42 other drivers."
"Everybody does compare me to Danica. Both of us need seat time," she said.

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Free agent in waiting
Kevin Harvick believes he has time to figure out his Cup future. But with Kasey Kahne set to join the Chevy family, options for Harvick to make a move appear limited.

Childress optimistic Harvick will return to RCR
As a free agent, driver's options appear limited in 2011
Kevin Harvick believes he has time to figure out his Cup future in 2011 and beyond. But with Kasey Kahne set to join the Chevy family, options for Harvick to move to another team are obviously limited.

Harvick did indicate that whatever happens, he expects to continue driving Chevrolets. His two truck teams and his Nationwide team are backed by Chevy.
"That would be a good, fair statement," he said.

Childress admitted he wants to be careful not to let off-the-track negotiations become a distraction that adversely affects on-track performance.

In the meantime, it doesn't hurt for Harvick and Childress to keep the lines of communication open between each other.

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Which of the following drivers, who posted the top speeds during Friday's final practice session at Talladega, has the best chance of winning on Sunday?

Mike Bliss
Jeff Burton
Denny Hamlin
Brad Keselowski

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When it rains ...
For the second consecutive week the Nationwide Series has had to postpone its race. Deciding when to reschedule may not seem like a big deal, but to those involved it is.


Which of the following drivers, who posted the top speeds during Friday's final practice session at Talladega, has the best chance of winning on Sunday?
Mike Bliss
Jeff Burton
Denny Hamlin
Brad Keselowski


Saturday activities at Talladega called off
Threat of severe weather cancels Cup qualifying, postpones Nationwide.



The Nationwide Series has had to get under cover from inclement weather for the second consecutive week.
Time is of the essence for Nationwide postponements
For Balash, many 'moving pieces' to take into rescheduling

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Take a deep breath
The Nationwide Series race played out much like the Cup race had earlier in the day, ending with spectacular crashes and last-lap winners.
And for Brad Keselowski, he needed oxygen before being cleared to race in an event he eventually won.


Aaron's 499 | Talladega


Harvick wins at the finish at Talladega
Pushed McMurray in green-white-checkered before making move.


Final Laps: Thrilling finish at Talladega
Kevin Harvick edges Jamie McMurray in the second-closest margin of victory in track history.


Victory Lane: Harvick celebrates at 'Dega
Driver talks about the finish and pulling out the exciting win to end a 115-race drought.


McMurray, Montoya fret but end up 2-3
Expecting the worse, EGR teammates survive multiple restarts.


Gordon frustrated with Johnson again
Says '48 is testing my patience' after ending up in late-race misstep.


Big One happens in closing laps at 'Dega
Joey Logano gets into back of Ryan Newman and a multi-car wreck ensues.


Big One happens early in Nationwide
Stenhouse gets into the back of Edwards and sends 60 spinning into oncoming traffic.


Hendrick near deals with crew chiefs
Says Gustafson, Knaus announcements close; nothing new on Kahne.