News

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.

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.

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.

• Five Texas Drivers Earn Spots In Feature Events At Charlotte Motor Speedway’s Legends Million Event Weekend
• Marble Falls Native Clayton Green Earns Second-Place Finish In Bandolero Triple Crown’s Outlaw Division

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.

• SCION Drag-N-Brag Drag Racing Competition Returns For Second Season After Week-One Washout
• Marshall Law, Heartbreaker Headline Monster Truck Field Taking Over TMS Dirt Track This Weekend
• Eighth Annual Hunt-Winston School Solar Car Challenge Departs From TMS Sunday Morning

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.

INDIANAPOLIS (July 14, 2010) – The future is here, and it’s innovative, open and competitive.

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.

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.