The Final Lap with Kerry Murphey

FYI WIRZ: NASCAR’s Top Five talk last and next race, Fontana to Martinsville

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) heads into the sixth race of the long Sprint Cup season having provided an exciting finale to the two-mile Auto Club Speedway in California and now adapts to the .526 mile Martinsville oval track in Virginia. The banking hasn’t changed much going from 14 degrees to 12 degrees, but the distance will be defining. Short-track racing has its own character.

Some drivers and teams prefer short-tracks over superspeedways, some do better on the more common intermediate distances of a mile to mile and half racetracks. Denny Hamlin, Jimmie Johnson and Kyle Busch have been successful on half-mile venues in recent years, but Jeff Gordon and Kurt Busch are known to do well in the bumping and banging of short-track reality in the past.

Select quotes from the top five leaders in NSCS coming off a two-mile Fontana race to the half-mile battle in Martinsville can be telling and predictive.

The leaders are looking to carry momentum and keep the consistency that has propelled them to the top of point standings. It’s early in the 26 race qualifying marathon that will determine who goes into the final 10 race Chase for the Sprint Cup playoff, but getting a solid start is significant.

The Goody’s Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Va., will air Sunday, Apr. 3 at 1:00 p.m. ET on FOX.

FYI WIRZ is the select presentation of motorsports topics by Dwight Drum @ Racetake.com. Quotes derived from team and sanction press releases, and/ or teleconferences and interviews.

Carl Edwards [No. 99 Ford] Leader

After the checkered flag:
“I am really excited for these great fans you know to be able to see that wild of a finish at this race track which is one of the best race tracks we go to,” Edwards said. “For our Aflac team to come out of here leading the points is big considering how we ran all day. We really weren’t that good.”

Before the green flag:
“It’s great going into Martinsville as the point leader,” Edwards said. “Martinsville is one of those tracks we keep getting better at and the track is always a challenge. We have had some really good runs there lately and I feel it’s one of those driver’s tracks and a win there would mean a lot to me.”

Ryan Newman [No. 39 Chevrolet] Second

After the checkered flag:
“It’s been an amazing start and the script is playing out the way we were hoping it would during the offseason,” said Newman. “We were off a bit in the beginning of today’s race, but we made a few adjustments and the U.S. Army Chevrolet kept on getting better and better. The only bad news for us is that we didn’t win the race.”

Before the green flag:
“I like using the middle (brake) pedal. In all seriousness, I think it adds another parameter of a driver’s input when you have to modulate that third pedal,” Newman said. “We have to go to places like Las Vegas and you’re using very little brake. When you are using a little bit, it’s hard to screw it up. I like the short-tracks. I like having the character added to the program of modulating the brake. The driver has a little more of an impact on the end result at short-tracks than some of the bigger racetracks, and I like that.”

Kurt Busch [No. 22 Dodge] Third

After the checkered flag:
We unloaded slow and never found speed,” Busch said. “It’s disappointing because we wanted to come here and extend our point lead and gain some momentum heading into Martinsville next weekend. We went in the wrong direction. It’s a long season…a marathon, not a sprint. We’ll put this behind us and head short-track racing next week.”

Before the green flag:
“We’re coming back into Martinsville with a lot of confidence and a really positive attitude about racing there this weekend,” Busch said. “I’ll be the first to admit that the Martinsville races have always been so challenging to me and that goes all the way back through my career.

“We had some of the strongest cars we’ve ever had there and didn’t get the solid finishes we should have. We had a loose wheel that bit us in the first race and some loose lug nuts that were the big culprit there last fall.”

Kyle Busch [No. 18 Toyota] Fourth

After the checkered flag:
“We gave the race away today, unfortunately,” Busch said. “We seem to be losing the handle a little bit two runs from the end. We just didn’t quite have what it took in order to keep the front end under the car and then the back end under the car on the exits of the corner. I just couldn’t get the right speed that I needed.

“Our engines always go back to the shop, get torn down and looked at. Mine will too. We’ll see how mine looked after today’s race.”

Before the green flag:
We kind of feel like we have a baseline – a better baseline that we can unload with and be faster off the truck,” Busch said. “That’s a big benefit for us.

“Jeff (Gordon) is so good there, and Jimmie (Johnson) and Denny (Hamlin) are also good there. They are probably the three most difficult guys to pass there because they know the place. They know how to get off the corner and how to roll the middle of the corner there. Everything is timing, and their stuff just works, whatever it is.

“There’s nothing you can change about that racetrack to stay out of trouble. Basically, you can be leading the race and have a wreck in front of you while you are trying to lap some guys, and that could be it.”

Jimmie Johnson [No. 48 Chevrolet] Fifth

After the checkered flag:
“I was driving my butt off just trying to keep this Lowe’s Chevrolet up front but it didn’t pan out,” Johnson said. “I hate losing it coming off of (turn) four like that but we did everything we could today. We had a great race. Made our car a lot better all day long so I’m really proud about that.”

Before the green flag:
“The track has been good to us and we just need to find a little something there — a little bit goes a long way on that small of a track like that,” Johnson said. “It’s just a fun place to race.

“I encourage friends and family to come to that track and watch. It’s a great snapshot of NASCAR in the old days where you’re right on top of the action whether you’re on pit road or in the grandstands. Outside of that I guess I’m a competitor and every time I’m in the car I want to win and I want to be as fast as I can.”

Photo credit: Dwight Drum @ Racetake.com.

TUE TEAM RELEASE

RWR LEARNS CLOSENESS OF NASCAR COMMUNITY RWR/JEI over effective immediately

Rick Ware Racing(RWR) recently became aware how small of a sandbox the NASCAR community is.  Over the past few weeks the out pouring condolences from fans/drivers and team owners resulting from the death of two crew members of RWR (Dean Shaut and Stephen “Dirt” Masch)has been uplifting but the same network of owners also delivered disturbing news to the organization within the same week.
“We have been informed by several team owners that our driver (Jeffrey Earnhardt) and his management company (Jeffrey Earnhardt Inc) has been shopping around for another team, eluding that sponsorship was coming with them,” stated owner Rick Ware.
Earnhardt, who currently sits 10th in the driver standings, is just three races into the 25 race season.

“It is pretty amazing the amount of calls we have received from owners about this situation, asking us what is going on and their concerns that a young driver and his management company are aggressively looking for another team with less to offer than the position they are currently in,” continued Ware.
“To shop around the sponsor that has been with our organization since the fall of 2008 and not to mention so early into his career can only end badly”, stated Ware.
This aggressive move by Jeffrey Earnhardt Inc (JEI) has resulted in a breach of contract between RWR and JEI.

“It is disheartening that all the effort, time and money spent on Jeffrey have been for nothing, but we have been given no choice but to look for another driver.”
“I personally fronted the money and then got sponsors to take him to his first Nationwide and first Camping World Truck race.  I raced him at the 24 Hours of Daytona, and ironically introduced him to his vice-president and management team!  To think that Jeffrey and Jeffrey Earnhardt Inc would try to leave and take my sponsor it’s more than just a legal issue, it’s a disappointment that I have not felt in this sport before.”

“I am proud of the fact that I cultivated this sponsor through AMA Arenacross, NASCAR K&N East/West, ARCA, NASCAR Camping World Trucks, NASCAR Nationwide and Rolex Grand Am Series’!  It is hard to keep sponsors and we got the sponsor, KHI trucks, ECR engines, race winning crew chiefs and a driving coach for Jeffrey.  I can’t do much more!” continued Ware.

Rick Ware Racing will now put the focus on finding a driver for the #1 Fuel Doctor Chevy at Martinsville and the rest of the season.  “We have proven that our equipment can get to the front.  We have had several top 10 qualifying and finishes in the past eight months and we won’t let this stop us!”

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TUE JEFFREY EARNHARDT RELEASE

EN ROUTE TO RACESHOP FOR MARTINSVILLE PREPARATION JEFFREY EARNHARDT SHOCKED BY RWR STATEMENTS

JEFFREY EARNHARDT INC.
OFFICIAL RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Unfolding today are some disturbing events for Jeffrey Earnhardt and Jeffrey Earnhardt Inc. as they were informed through a press release written today by Rick Ware Racing that Jeffrey would not be driving for their team effective immediately.

In addition to the release stating that Jeffrey will not be driving the #1 NCWTS Fuel Doctor Racing truck and continuing his battle for the Rookie of the Year standings where he currently sits in 2nd in points, the team also made an announcement that contains erroneous claims that JEI and Jeffrey have breached their contract
with RWR.

“To read that release was very upsetting and I’m disappointed to hear the inflammatory and disparaging statements personally made by Rick Ware about me and my company. The facts support that we did reach out to other race teams after the sponsor notified Rick Ware and my group that they were pursuing alternative marketing venues and after we were contacted by Rick Ware informing us that he would be unable to support me without the sponsor’s funding. This past Sunday, Rick advised us that he would only race me in Martinsville providing we signed a release to allow him out of his contract with JEI. That release never arrived and we notified him in writing on Monday that we expected to drive the #1 truck in Martinsville, in accordance with our contract. To suggest anything other than these facts does not reflect the truth and is unfair to the fans and us.” Stated Earnhardt.

“We are extremely thankful for Fuel Doctor’s support over the past two years and will avoid compromising our progress this season by giving credence to the misinformation coming from RWR. This news speeds up the need to find an alternative ride and we look forward to continuing our run for rookie of the year with a new team.” Said Earnhardt.

JEI is taking the official position that there will be no further comment.

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WED TEAM RELEASE

RWR/JEI mend fences for the love of Racing Earnhardt in at Martinsville

As one day ends, another one begins and the relationship between Rick Ware Racing and Jeffrey Earnhardt Inc continues.

Emotions and a lack of communication between Rick Ware Racing (RWR) and Jeffrey Earnhardt Inc (JEI) in a stressful time have been resolved. Why?  “We just want to race, and sometimes the issues of business just seem to make us lose focus on why we are here!” stated Rick Ware.

The two sides have come to an agreement for Jeffrey Earnhardt to compete in the #1 Fuel Doctor Chevy at Martinsville Speedway.

“Jeffrey will be in the truck at Martinsville and we will work hard to continue to keep him in that seat.  The amount of effort we have poured into his career and having a place for him to perform is important in his development.  He is young and there is a lot of promise in him and both the management of RWR and JEI have the same goal for him,” continued Ware.

“Fuel Doctor has become a recognized brand in both NASCAR and with consumers all over the world and I am proud to say that we have had a part to do with that success,” stated Ware.

Rick Ware Racing will be strenuously looking for marketing partners to keep Jeffrey competing in the truck series for 2011.

When the haulers enter the Martinsville Speedway this weekend for the running of the Kroger 250, one thing is for sure, Rick Ware Racing and Jeffrey Earnhardt Inc will be together once again, all for the love of racing.

SHOW #150 – In this milestone episode Kurt Busch joins us to talk about digging up your house and more. Plus Toby Christie (rubbingsracing.com) joins us as our guest host as we recap California and preview Martinsville. Hosted by Kerry Murphey and Paul Northrop

LISTEN HERE (About 58 mins)

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CREDITS:
Hosts: Kerry Murphey & Paul Northrop
Production: Kerry Murphey
Music: Radium Sound
Voice Over: Thomas Moog

“Duh. Winning.”

The opinions expressed in this articles are solely those of the author and not this website.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 30, 2011) – Mark Martin will join an exclusive club this Sunday in the Goody’s Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway, becoming the eighth driver to start 800 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.

During a career that has spanned parts of four decades, Martin has tallied 40 victories, 264 top fives and 429 top 10s. His 40 wins rank 16th all-time. Coincidentally, Martinsville Speedway was the site of Martin’s first top-five finish, a third-place run on Sept. 27, 1981.
“I hate to say this isn’t a big deal, because it is. But, to me, the bigger deal is what you accomplished in those starts, not just the starts themselves,” Martin said.
“I’ve had a really good 799 starts. We’ve had a lot of wins, a lot of success and a lot of fun. I’ve made friends out here that will be friends forever, and I can’t imagine anything else I would have rather been doing than racing all of those days. Beyond the stat itself or the records or whatever, it’s the experiences of it all that are the most important to me.”
The others who have eclipsed the 800-start barrier: Richard Petty (1,185), Ricky Rudd (906), Dave Marcis (883), Terry Labonte (870), Kyle Petty (829), Bill Elliott (825), and Darrell Waltrip (809).
Martin finished second in the final championship point standings five times, most recently in 2009 – his first season with current team Hendrick Motorsports.
Below is a timeline of Martin’s career highlights on his way to 800 starts:
1 – On April 5, 1981, Martin made his first series start at North Wilkesboro Speedway, finishing 27th. Martin made five starts in 1981, scoring two top 10s and two poles.
6 – In his first Daytona 500, on Feb. 14, 1982, he finished 30th.
58 – On Feb. 14, 1988 in the Daytona 500, Martin made his first start with owner Jack Roush. Together, they started 617 races, winning 35 of them.
100 – On June 25, 1989, at Michigan International Speedway, Martin made milestone start No. 100. He finished 12th.
113 – On Oct. 22, 1989, at North Carolina Speedway (Rockingham), Martin led 101 laps en route to his first career win.
200 – On Oct. 25, 1992, at Rockingham, Martin made milestone start No. 200. He finished 30th.
223 – Martin reached double digits in wins with a victory at Bristol Motor Speedway on Aug. 28, 1993. The win was the third of four consecutive victories for Martin, the longest win streak of his career.
300 – On March 31, 1996, at Bristol, Martin made milestone start No. 300. He finished third.
326 – Finished seventh in the Daytona 500 on Feb. 16, 1997, his 16th-consecutive top-10 finish, dating back to the previous season. That is tied for the 16th-longest streak in series history.
383 – In a victory at Dover International Speedway on Sept. 20, 1998, Martin led 379 laps, the most of his career.
400 – On May 2, 1999, at Auto Club Speedway, Martin made milestone start No. 400. He finished 38th.
500 – Reached career milestone start No. 500 on March 24, 2002 at Bristol. He finished 11th.
506 – Won NASCAR’s longest race, the Coca-Cola 600 (then named the Coca-Cola Racing Family 600) at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 26, 2002.
600 – On Nov. 7, 2004, at Phoenix International Raceway, Martin made milestone start No. 600. He finished 15th.
700 – On Feb. 25, 2008, at Auto Club Speedway, Martin made milestone start No. 700. He finished 16th.
723 – On Feb. 15, 2009 at the Daytona 500, made his first start for Hendrick Motorsports, finishing 16th.
730 – At the age of 50 years, three months and nine days, Martin won at Phoenix on April 18, 2009, to join Harry Gant, Morgan Shepherd and Bobby Allison as the fourth over-50 driver to win a NASCAR Sprint Cup race.
733 – Won one of NASCAR’s crown jewels: the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on May 9, 2009.
Milestones For Biffle, McMurray: Greg Biffle and Jamie McMurray will also celebrate milestone starts this weekend. Both drivers will make start No. 300 in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Sunday at Martinsville.
Over his first 299 starts, Biffle has 16 wins, 66 top fives and 114 top 10s. McMurray has six wins, 39 top fives and 92 top 10s.