NASCAR (in English)

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Infineon: Video: Preview Show
http://www.nascar.com/video/cup/2010...car/index.html


Cut to the Chase
Smackers debate whether drivers should pull double-duty (Cup & Wide or Truck), wonder if it's too late for #88 Junior to make the Chase and dissect Scott Speed's run-in with Casey Mears.

Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s 7-place result at Michigan was his best in 3 months.

More than 2,100 miles separate Sonoma, Calif. from Elkhart Lake, Wis. -- the sites of this week's respective Sprint Cup and Nationwide events. Given the distance, should any driver attempt to do both?

Joe Menzer: Well, you can't tell the guys who long ago committed to running full Nationwide and Cup schedules -- Brad Keselowski, Carl Edwards, Paul Menard -- not to go to both now! Maybe they should share a plane ride, although I can't imagine that Brad K and Carl will!

Raygan Swan: I think if you're Paul Menard, a native of the Wisconsin area, you have to go because he won a race there in 2001.

Joe Menzer: When you look at Brad Keselowski specifically, he's trying hard to put a Nationwide championship on his resume.

David Caraviello: Perhaps. But I want to think we used to see a few more guys -- Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch, and the like -- try this double.
But clearly adding Road America has increased the difficulty of doing this.

Joe Menzer: I think adding Road America also has increased the interest in this race.

Raygan Swan: I think Kyle has clearly narrowed his focus a bit regarding double and even triple duty.

David Caraviello: Road America certainly increases the interest factor, Joe. But Sonoma is fabulous on television, much better than people give it credit for, because of the dramatic elevation changes and the hairpin at the far end.

Paul Menard will join Carl Edwards and Brad Keselowski in logging the miles between driving duties at Sonoma and Road America.

Itinerant racers rule the weekend, log the miles
Three Cup regulars to pull double-duty at road courses

You've got to like the intrigue, drama and pure adrenalin rush of hustling from high-powered race cars to helicopters to jet airplanes -- including, in Edwards' and Menard's case, the fastest civilian aircraft available, at a little better than 600 mph top speed; if they indeed end up using John Menard's Citation X.

Former Cup Series champion Bill Elliott, a very credible road-course driver who's not busy this weekend because his Wood Brothers Racing car isn't entered, will tune Menard's car on Saturday.

And Keselowski's Penske Racing teammate, Kurt Busch, supposedly will try to make a few laps in the No. 12 Dodge to do its fine-tuning.

Tasmanian Owen Kelly - of his Nationwide Series debut in a JR Motorsports car.
"I've done a million laps around [Road America] on iRacing and other than that, I've watched plenty of IndyCar races from there," Kelly said. "I know which way the track goes but I haven't actually driven around it myself."

Of course, given that IndyCar driver Cristiano da Matta had a near-fatal crash with a deer at Road America; Kelly can hark back to his experiences at the famous Bathurst circuit in Australia -- where dodging errant kangaroos are part and parcel of racing -- for part of his training.

"I don't think learning the track will be a huge deal," Kelly said. "Bathurst has got to be one of the toughest tracks in the world to get your head around and I can get around there OK, so I should be all right."


Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s seventh-place result at Michigan was his best in three months. Is it too late for him to make the Chase?

Dale Earnhardt Jr. 2010 statistics
Race Start Finish
Daytona 2 2
Bristol 18 7
Phoenix 5 12
Texas 9 8
Talladega 7 13
Michigan 27 7

Raygan Swan: What's the point difference between him and 12th place, 81?

Joe Menzer: Let's see. He's 14th, but less than 100 points out of 12th.
Better than last year, yes, but still a struggle.

David Caraviello: Not at all. He's what, 14th in points, 80-something out of that final Chase berth? It's absolutely not too late.

Raygan Swan: Yeah David, after Daytona I thought, OK, he's back, he's going to show his fans something. But multiple finishes in the 30s was a bit alarming.

David Caraviello: Here's the thing I think helps Junior -- no one at the bottom end of the top 12 has exactly staked their claim. Guys like Tony Stewart, Clint Bowyer, Ryan Newman, Mark Martin -- they're in and out, in and out, in and out.
We're talking about making the Chase. That's the goal. That takes some of the pressure off.

Raygan Swan: It's hard for me to care anymore who makes the Chase, because there are only a few drivers who can actually contend for the championship in the end.

Joe Menzer: Dude, this isn't his first year at Hendrick or his first rodeo.
You think Rick Hendrick is satisfied with the way they've been running?

David Caraviello: Of course not, Menzer.
But goodness, you have to start somewhere. And you start by making the Chase.

Raygan Swan: Making the Chase after missing last year, that does deserve a cake at least in my opinion.

David Caraviello: Yes. Maybe a chocolate chip cookie cake with chocolate icing. Boy, those are good.

Related:
Notes: Earnhardt Jr. happy after top-10 at Michigan

Scott Speed had harsh words for fill-in teammate Casey Mears at Michigan. Is it out of line for one driver with a single career top-5 finish to criticize another who's won a race?

Raygan Swan: And comparing Speed and Mears is like comparing apples to oranges. Speed is fairly new and still progressing with a two-car team, mind you. Mears has raced for the best in the series

David Caraviello: OK, let's begin here by saying that everybody loves Scott Speed.
I know Casey has a rather checkered career, but maybe those gripes were best saved for behind closed doors.

David Caraviello: But then again, Scott Speed is the Red Bull guy. He's the one Red Bull has all this time and money invested in. He's their product to the very core. Casey is a fill-in, and one who appears to be losing his job at that. So Scott clearly has leverage there. Scott likely has a sense of ownership in Red Bull that I'm sure Casey does not.

Joe Menzer: And who says everybody loves Scott Speed?

David Caraviello: Wow. Joe is hating on a lot of people today. Dale Earnhardt Jr., Scott Speed ... good thing David Ragan isn't up for discussion, or Menzer would have himself a hat trick. Oh, and by the way -- Casey Mears, 12 career top-five finishes on the Cup tour. For what that's worth.

Raygan Swan: I do agree with David, Speed ... Maybe he should've been a little easier on Casey... but he was upset and it has been a frustrating season for him losing Brian Vickers and changing crew chiefs. I think Scott reached his breaking point on Sunday, and we saw the result.

Raygan Swan: Joe, I don't think we can make any excuses for Casey Mears. I like the guy, so does everyone else, but it is clear to me that after seven years we've seen what he can do.

Joe Menzer: Yep. Agreed on that point.

Raygan Swan: OK, can we really call Casey Mears a teammate though? He was a temp, and that makes a difference. Vickers will be back. Vickers and Speeds are close friends.

Related:
• Video: Mears, Speed get together at Michigan
• Speed has harsh words for fill-in teammate
• Released from Red Bull, Mears returns to TBR


Itinerant racers rule weekend, log miles
Edwards, Keselowski, Menard pull double-duty


Inside NASCAR: Debris on the track
NASCAR president Mike Helton sits down with the guys and talks about the first half of the season.
A little more clarity


Gordon, Stewart can rack up the points
In past 11 races at Infineon, no one has earned more points.


Edwards has the edge at Road America
Driver owns the top Nationwide road-course statistics from '09.


An opportunity to gain some momentum
Marcos Ambrose hopes to turn rough 2010 around at Infineon.


Penske revives idea of a factory team
Team owner reaping the rewards as only Dodge in the garage.
Changes in 2013?
Ford will run the Mustang when the Nationwide Series debuts its new car.
Pony up: Performance cars possibility for Cup by '13


The Chevy Camaro can be seen from time to time at NASCAR sites as a pace car.


NASCAR changing the look of front splitter for 2011
New valance design will eliminate need for braces
Braces coming off
One change coming to all makes in 2011 is a redesign of the front bumper, which will feature a new valance and splitter combination.


Miss Sprint Cup: Get to know Paige
We catch up with Paige Duke to see how much she has enjoyed the first part of the 2010 season.
More Ms. Sprint Cup

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Live: Nationwide practice
Trevor Bayne and the rest of the Nationwide Series field hit the 4.048-mile Road America track for one of two Friday practices. First practice is under way.

Road America: Video: Virtual Lap | Preview Show

http://www.nascar.com/video/nationwi...car/index.html

http://www.nascar.com/video/nationwi...car/index.html


NASCAR Minute: Marcos Ambrose
Marcos Ambrose doesn't let his age get in front of his driving and quest for Cup Series success.
Golden opportunity


Harvick needs better showing at Infineon
Busch's road record could lead to different view from the top.
Weekend Preview


Menard at home on Road America course
Wisconsin native has previous win at first-time Nationwide venue.
Logging the miles


First-time ringer seeks full-time work
Swan: Owen Kelly looks to make most of Road America opportunity.
By the Numbers


Friday Flashback: The first Juan
Juan Montoya recalls his first, and to date, only Cup victory, charging from 32nd at Infineon.
Weather Blast


Penske revives idea of a factory team
Team owner reaping the rewards as only Dodge in the garage.
Changes in 2013?

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Sitting duck?
We've seen it nearly every season of the Chase, one driver looks like a certain lock for the title only to see it slip away. David Caraviello wonders if Denny Hamlin is next.


Labonte terminates deal with TRG team
2000 Cup Series champ wants to "win races," will drive No. 7 at NHMS.
Career highlights


Miss Sprint Cup: Daddy deliveries
Miss Sprint Cup's Monica and Paige surprise some NASCAR dads with a tasty treat.
More Ms. Sprint Cup


Kyle's Corner: Soccer is not football
Kyle Petty just doesn't understand the world's passion for this World Cup soccer thing.
More Kyle's Corner


NHMS could be track Gordon gets win
Four-time Cup champ nearly perfect on similar tracks in 2010.
Fantasy Showdown


McDowell wouldn't change a thing
After rough start in sport, finding his groove in Nationwide Series.
All Access: McDowell


Fennig named new crew chief for No. 17
Move puts 2003 Cup champion with crew chief of '04 Cup champion.
Driver Page: Kenseth


NASCAR's Northeast past linked to a great
Allison found plenty of success racing north of Mason-Dixon Line.
Allison stats

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The good fight
Kyle Busch has a state-of-the-art building ready to go for his Truck operation -- so why is it empty? It's just one of many setbacks the young owner has endured in Year 1.

More: Busch shuts down No. 56 Truck team |
Busch rues Truck team investment


Which team owned by a driver will win the most national championships?
Kyle Busch Motorsports
Kevin Harvick Inc.
JR Motorsports
Stewart-Haas Racing


Edwards back in good standing at Infineon
But Power Rankings has found an interesting stat regarding the No. 99 and being out front in 2010.
In the Loop: Loudon

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Take two - Danica returns for brief respite
Danica Patrick's first three Nationwide races didn't go according to plan, so after four months, she returns to the series with a new set of expectations and goals.


Two reign supreme in the Cup Series - Fantasy Preview
In past 36 events, Hamlin and Johnson have won half of them.


Keselowski in control of Nationwide points
Numbers say Edwards needs unprecedented rally for championship.
Virtual Lap: Loudon


Preview Show: Frustrating, yet fun
Marc Fein and Marty Snider look at the keys to New Hampshire with '09 winner Joey Logano.
Fantasy Showdown


KBM moving forward despite challenges
Busch has suffered many setbacks as a young owner in Year 1.
Busch shuts down 56

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Take it on the road?
Our Track Smack experts debate whether NASCAR's road-course slate should expand,
whether spotters should be held to the same drug-testing standards,
and where exactly Danica will stand upon her return to the Nationwide Series.


Road racers finally have a major impact
Rodman: Nice to see the ringers running up front at Sonoma.
Sights & Sounds


Inside NASCAR:
'I gave it away'
Marcos Ambrose joins the guys on the set and explains what happened Sunday at Sonoma.
NASCAR's call correct?


2011 HOF nominees to be unveiled July 1
SPEED will air special as NASCAR unveils its 25 Hall of Fame nominees.
Hall of Fame coverage

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http://www.regansmith.com/news/2010/082610.html

Smith, Furniture Row Racing Agree to Contract Extension

DENVER, Colo. (Aug. 26, 2010) -- Furniture Row Racing announced today that Regan Smith has signed a contract extension through the 2012 season to drive the team's No. 78 Chevrolet in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

Smith, the 2008 Sprint Cup Rookie of the Year, is currently in his second season driving for the Colorado-based Furniture Row Racing team. Last year he competed on a part-time basis, entering 20 races. The 26-year-old native of central New York is running a full schedule this season and will do the same in 2011 and 2012.

Along with his 83 career Sprint Cup starts, Smith has also competed in 102 Nationwide Series races and 23 Camping World Truck Series races. His first NASCAR start was in the truck series -- Sept. 21, 2002 -- at South Boston Speedway in South Boston, Va.

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http://www.nascar.com/2010/news/feat...nes/index.html

Commitment to diversity
'Changing Lanes' showcases D4D effort under Seigel, Revolution Racing

Forget about black, white, Hispanic, female and any other label that's out there.
The competitors featured on Changing Lanes are racers to the core.
Series premiere is 8 p.m. ET Wednesday on BET.

• Video: Feel the rush of 'Changing Lanes'
http://www.nascar.com/video/cup/2010...car/index.html


About the program
http://drivefordiversity.info/content/

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http://www.nascar.com/2010/news/feat...lue/index.html



True 'Blue'

That his successes have been so public is one thing, but the tragedies Richard Petty and racing's first family have experienced also have been laid bare for all to see. Now, the King opens up in Petty Blue, which tells an unvarnished behind-the-scenes tale.

Member of Hall's inaugural class |
http://www.nascar.com/2010/news/feat...ons/index.html

Video: Tribute to the King |
http://www.nascar.com/video/cup/2010...car/index.html

Shop: Order the DVD
http://store.nascar.com/product/inde...ductId=4400320

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Precursor to the Chase

Recall all the drama and excitement from the final race before the Chase, as Greg Biffle and Clint Bowyer secure their spots and Denny Hamlin takes the points lead.

http://www.nascar.com/video/cup/2010...car/index.html