Busch Tries For Triple Play At LMS
Kyle Busch made his NASCAR Nationwide Series debut at LMS at this race in 2003, starting fifth and finishing second for team owner Joe Nemechek (who won this race in 1997).

His results since then are well documented: 24 NASCAR Nationwide wins, the most among his 50 national series victories. He currently leads the series standings by 37 points over Carl Edwards.

Busch’s four wins at LMS are the most he’s accumulated at any one track in NASCAR Nationwide competition. He swept the 2008 races and will try to become the third driver to win three straight there, joining Rob Moroso (1988-89) and Mark Martin (1995-96).

A WORD FROM GENNA:

A lot of us Tony fans knew it would happen, eventually. We waited for it, betted on it, and held our breath each week but I don’t think any of us were really expecting when and where it did happen.

Of course, that’s just Tony! When he wins, he does it in a BIG way. Saturday night’s race at LMS was no different.

I am not really interested in recapping the race, which I watched twice, but I do want to point out a few highlights before I discuss my feelings and thoughts on Tony’s huge victory.

Sam Hornish Jr. and Jamie McMurray – They put on quite a show in the Sprint Showdown, for sure! I wasn’t even sure Jamie could race his way in but boy did he prove me wrong! And how about that Sam Hornish? He pretty much dominated the second half of the showdown.

Joey Logano – And you thought he didn’t have fans!! I was so happy to see my favorite rookie, Joey, get voted by the fans into the All Star Race. Even better was when he finished 8th place- better than half the field! He really showed everyone what he is made of and proved that he deserves to be where he is. Way to go Joey!

Matt Kenseth – As you probably know, I love Matt! It was awesome to see him up there really contending for the win and putting on a great show. I think most of us wondered what happened to him after his explosive beginning to 2009. Looks like he’s back!

Tony Stewart – Of course. The winner of the race who I don’t think even led a lap until 2 to go! As a matter of fact, according to NASCAR.com, he took final lead on lap 99 of 100. Amazing!!

As a huge Tony Stewart fan since my rookie year, 2004, I have to say that this was probably one of my top three favorite moments. First being Tony’s second championship in 2005 and probably a tie between his first Indy win and his first Talladega win last year.

At first, there were really no tears, just a lot of screaming. The tears came later. It finally sank in- Tony really won! He finally pulled that number 14 Office Depot/Old Spice Chevy into victory lane! When he stood up on that car and held his arms up in the classic victory pose, I lost it.

I admit it, I’ve developed a reputation for getting really emotional over race wins, I just can’t help it. It all started last season. After an overwhelmingly bad start to the 2008 season for my top three (Mark Martin, Tony Stewart, and Greg Biffle), I was pretty frustrated. Then Greg Biffle won Loudon and I pretty much lost it. Then he won Dover.

All the emotions and frustrations of the season, watching your drivers have bad luck, accidents, and get basically cheated out of wins and then to finally have one of my top three (who are all basically tied in my mind) win not just once but twice in a row, it was pretty emotional for me.

Fast forward to Phoenix 2009 and Mark Martin leads the field. I mean he KILLED it that night. When he led the field to the green in the final segment of the race (and I’m getting a little teary eyed right now), I was shaking! The tears flowed and flowed all night.

Of course Tony’s win on Saturday was just the icing on the cake of this season! If he doesn’t win another race this season, it will be enough for me!

Congratulations to Tony, Gene Haas, Darian Grubb, and the entire #14 team on their amazing win at Lowes Motor Speedway!!!

@NASCARGirl14

The opinions expressed in this article are solely that of the author and not this website.

Starting With Hornish, Open-Wheel Exodus Especially Evident This Week

Sam Hornish enjoyed his first NASCAR victory this past Saturday, winning the Sprint Showdown, which qualified him for the elite all-star field. It was a major breakthrough for the 2006 Indianapolis 500 champion, who left open-wheel racing prior to the 2008 season, for NASCAR.

With the Indianapolis 500 also being held Sunday, it’s interesting to note the various former open-wheelers such as Hornish who have left open-wheel for stock cars, including:

2000 Indy 500 champion Juan Pablo Montoya;  Tony Stewart, the 1997 IndyCar Series champion; Jeff Gordon; Robby Gordon; Kasey Kahne; Casey Mears; AJ Allmendinger; Scott Speed; Dave Blaney; Max Papis.

AFTER BACK PROCEDURE, GORDON READY FOR 600 MILES AT LMS
CONCORD, N.C. (May 19, 2009) – For the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, it is back to points racing this Sunday night at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. For Jeff Gordon, the 600-miler provides a test for his back after a recent procedure to ease pain. Gordon, who has experienced progressively worse back pain over the past few years, had treatment on Monday.

The driver of the No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet hopes the
procedure will alleviate much – if not all – of the pain. “I had a facet block procedure done on my back on Monday and it went well,” said Gordon. “I was a little sore after the procedure, but I’ll definitely take that brief bit of soreness if it stops the recurring back pain I’ve had.
“I hope that will end the back issues I’ve been having, but it’s too early to tell if that fixed the problem.”

Never mind 600 miles on Sunday, Gordon may have a better understanding of the
results of the procedure by midweek. He is scheduled to participate in “Ultimate Speed” on
Wednesday – a karting event that will raise money for the Jeff Gordon Foundation and the
Jeff Gordon Children’s Hospital in Concord.

Continue reading “Jeff Gordon has back procedure, will race the 600”

50 Years of “Firsts”: Coca-Cola 600 History Overflows With Highlights
Sunday will be the 50th running of the Coca-Cola 500, one of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series’ true “majors.”

It is NASCAR’s longest race – and one of the most historically significant, having been the scene of a number of “firsts” in the form of NASCAR Sprint Cup debuts, or a driver’s first win in the series.

Some highlights:

Series debuts – Dale Earnhardt in 1975; Janet Guthrie in 1976; Dale Earnhardt Jr. in 1999; Michael Waltrip in 1985; Elliott Sadler in 1998.

First Series Victories – David Pearson in 1961; Jeff Gordon in 1994; Bobby Labonte in 1995; Matt Kenseth in 2000; Casey Mears in 2007.