| No. 83 Red Bull team wins pit challenge | Thursday 5/15, 10:22 PM CT |
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The No. 83 team of Brian Vickers won the 2008 pit crew challenge, over the Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) No. 11 of Denny Hamlin.
Our View: The pits stops in this challenge are nothing like the teams face on race day, but the amount of athleticism that goes into winning it is no different. This is one reason why the No. 83 has been a strong dark horse all season. |
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| Ganassi withdraws No. 40 from All-Star | Thursday 5/15, 2:19 PM CT |
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Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) has withdrawn their entry for the No. 40 Dodge for the All-Star Showdown. Dario Franchitti is still injured and the car is without a sponsor for this race.
Our View: There is no reason to risk tearing up a car and even if Franchitti was in the race, there is no reason to risk further injury without points on the line. |
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| N'Wide: Edwards fastest in day 2 test | Wednesday 5/14, 4:11 PM CT |
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Carl Edwards posted the fastest lap in the two-day Nationwide test at Lowe's Motor Speedway on Tuesday. His top speed of 182.71 was faster than that set by Denny Hamlin Monday night.
Our View: The unrestricted, intermediate speedways most often favor drivers and teams with Cup connections, and this week should be no different. |
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| Yeley loses crew chief | Wednesday 5/14, 4:04 PM CT |
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J.J. Yeley's crew chief Philippe Lopez and Hall of Fame Racing are parting company; no replacement has been announced.
Our View: When things aren't going right for a team, it's hard to stay together. It can also be very difficult to get a replacement for key positions such as the crew chief. |
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| Wheeler picks Edwards for All-Star win | Wednesday 5/14, 4:03 PM CT |
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Humpy Wheeler has made his pick for the All-Star race. He believes Carl Edwards will take home the million dollar prize.
Our View: Wheeler's picks are more accurate than throwing a dart at a dart board, but this event has become a wild card race with aggression ruling the night. |
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| 29 drivers in Showdown | Wednesday 5/14, 10:28 AM CT |
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A total of 29 drivers—including Johnny Sauter in the No. 70 and Chad McCumbee in the No. 49—are entered in the NASCAR Sprint Showdown. The winner and second place driver will advance into the All-Star race.
Our View: The winner of this race has often been a surprise and all too often the emotion drains as soon as the driver advances into the big show. |
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| Gordon has second-best All-Star avg. | Wednesday 5/14, 10:24 AM CT |
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Jimmie Johnson might find his greatest competition coming from his teammate Jeff Gordon. He has the second best career average finish of 6.5 in 13 starts.
Our View: While he has been consistent during his career, Gordon hasn’t won this event since 2001, and he has only two more top-fives in his last six starts. |
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| Johnson has best All-Star avg. | Wednesday 5/14, 10:23 AM CT |
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Jimmie Johnson has the best average finish in the All-Star race among all active drivers, with a 5.2 in six previous starts. Notably, that matches a mark set by Davey Allison in his six career attempts.
Our View: All but one of Johnson’s races has ended in a top-five finish, which makes him a good candidate to earn another. |
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| Reutimann back in No. 00 | Wednesday 5/14, 10:21 AM CT |
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David Reutimann will be back in the No. 00 for the All-Star race, while Dale Jarrett climbs back into the No. 44 for his finale.
Our View: Reutimann will need to qualify for the All-Star event via the hooligan race, while DJ is already in the show, but neither has much of a chance of winning the one million dollar payday. |
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| Franchitti’s return timetable uncertain | Wednesday 5/14, 10:19 AM CT |
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Dario Franchitti will return to NASCAR, but his timetable is still uncertain. Sterling Marlin is most likely to run as his replacement until Franchitti gets back in the driver’s seat.
Our View: Franchitti wants to be 100 percent before he returns, given the fact that he is still trying to learn how to race this type of car. |
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