Bobby Labonte’s concerns about an uncertain future in NASCAR Sprint Cup racing have been settled. JTG/Daugherty Racing, which fields Toyotas in partnership with Michael Waltrip Racing, will put Labonte behind the wheel of its No. 47 Camry for a full 36-race Cup schedule next season, the team announced Wednesday.
Former contestants from NBC’s hit reality show The Biggest Loser – Brittany Aberle of Season 5 and Allen, Texas native Tracey Yukich from Season 8 – will compete in a ceremonial best-of-three drag race to kick off Week 4 of SCION Drag-n-Brag Friday evening.
Sprint Cup points leader Kevin Harvick returned to the top of the Sporting News Power Poll this week. Harvick finished second Sunday at the Brickyard for his series-high 14th top 10. Race winner Jamie McMurray climbed eight spots to fifth after posting consecutive top-five finishes for the first time since the final three races of 2008. The weekly poll is a collaboration of Sporting News and Rowdy.com. 1. Kevin Harvick (last week: 4th) Far and away the most consistent driver all season, and he nearly won his second race at the Brickyard.
Thanks to Jamie McMurray for reminding all of us where our focus should be. Fundamentally, racing is about winning, about being first to the finish line, about taking home a gaudy trophy, about grabbing bragging rights from 42 other drivers.
Here’s a look at the top five drivers in the Sprint Cup Series standings and five drivers to watch in Sunday’s race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. All statistical references are for Sprint Cup races at Indianapolis unless otherwise indicated. Driver rating is based on the past 5 races at the track. 1. Kevin Harvick, 91.9 driver rating. Harvick has a win and six top 10s in nine starts. There are seven races before the Chase field is set. To Harvick, that’s seven opportunities for victories. If he is in the hunt for a win, he’ll go for it. Otherwise, he’ll preserve his top spot as insurance, should qualifying be rained out before the Chase begins and the starting field—and pit stalls—be awarded on points.
FORT WORTH, Texas (July 21, 2010) – The Texas Motor Speedway Dirt Track will welcome back dirt track racers Sept. 16-18 with the U.S. National Dirt Track Championship featuring O’Reilly Auto Parts SUPR Late Model, Modified and Limited Modified divisions.
FORT WORTH, Texas (July 19, 2010) – Tomball native Zachary Hausler represented Texas well at Charlotte Motor Speedway Saturday night as he raced his way to the Legends Million A-Feature and earned $10,000 for a 16th-place finish.
Texas Motor Speedway will convert pit lane on the 1.5-mile oval into a 1/8-mile drag strip tonight for the second season Scion Drag-n-Brag, an ongoing initiative to help curtail illegal street racing in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex and provide a safer environment for racing enthusiasts.
FORT WORTH, Texas (July 15, 2010) – Individuals seeking super-charged family fun this weekend will have to look no further than Texas Motor Speedway as “The Great American Speedway!” will host three diverse events suited for fans of all ages.
There is no telling how many thousands of autographs—or different types of items—Jeff Gordon has signed in his NASCAR career (he was 18 in 1990 when he made his first Nationwide Series start). Over the years Gordon has become very proficient at signing, whether standing still or on the move.
INDIANAPOLIS (July 14, 2010) – The future is here, and it’s innovative, open and competitive.
Jeff Gordon and Jeff Burton jumped to the top of this week’s Sporting News Power Poll—even though neither has won a race this season. Gordon finished third Saturday night at Chicagoland Speedway for his fifth straight top-five finish. Burton posted his second straight top 10 and has been strong all season. Saturday’s winner, David Reutimann, climbed nine spots to sixth. The weekly poll is a collaboration of Sporting News and Rowdy.com. 1. Jeff Gordon (last week: 3rd) Gordon looked like a winner—until Reutimann streaked past.
CHICAGO, Ill. (July 9, 2010) – The Jimmie Johnson Foundation announced that it will partner with Samsung for the 2010 Samsung Helmet of Hope program. In its third year, the program allows fans and media members to nominate their favorite charity to receive special recognition. New this year, nominations will focus on charities that assist children in need, and the program will include a grant of $10,000 to each selected organization. As in past years, the chosen charities will be featured on reigning four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson’s helmet. The helmet, custom designed by Jason Beam, will be worn during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif. in October.
When Mark Martin arrived at Chicagoland Speedway last July for the 19th race of the 2009 Sprint Cup season, he was a genuine feel-good story. When he left Chicagoland after winning the race, he was a feel-great story.
Brendan Gaughan knew Rusty Wallace Racing’s switch to Toyota and technical alliance with Joe Gibbs Racing wouldn’t pay immediate dividends. But Gaughan figured it would eventually, and it has.