CONCORD, N.C. (May 17, 2009) – Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports and chairman of Hendrick Automotive Group, will make an appearance on the May 19 edition of “The Oprah Winfrey Show.” The episode is entitled “Heroes in Hard Times.”

“The Oprah Winfrey Show” is produced in Chicago by Harpo Productions Inc. and syndicated to 214 domestic stations by CBS Television Distribution Group and to 143 countries by CBS Paramount International Television. It has been the No. 1-rated talk show for 22 consecutive seasons.

Visit www.oprah.com for local listings.

DOVER, Del. (May 15, 2009) – A long winter’s work has finally reached completion as construction crews at Dover International Speedway recently bolted the SAFER barrier into place to complete the renovation of the new pit wall. With the steel tubing secured and the foam blocks installed, the new, longer and safer pit wall is ready for action when NASCAR returns to the Monster Mile on May 29-31, 2009. The new improvements are expected to impact the competition on the track and pit road, and add another exciting element that will keep drivers guessing and fans cheering.

The SAFER barrier (Steel And Foam Energy Reduction) is supported by a new 1,592 ft. concrete wall that wraps from Turn 4 down the frontstretch to near Turn 1. The new pit wall is 432 ft. longer than the previous steel boilerplate wall. The SAFER barrier consists of rectangular steel tubing backed by foam blocks, and reduces the force of the initial impact of a crash. SAFER barriers are currently in place in all four turns at the track and on the inside retaining walls of the one-mile, concrete oval.

Continue reading “Dover Finishes Renovation of pit road”

NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race Recap: Late Charge Gives Stewart All-Star Win

(Photo credit: CIA Stock Photo)
By Reid Spencer
Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service

CONCORD, N.C. — The celebration everyone knew was coming arrived Saturday night at Lowe’s Motor Speedway against a background of exploding fireworks.

The real pyrotechnics, however, were reserved for the racetrack.

Tony Stewart passed Matt Kenseth through Turn 2 on Lap 99 of 100 to win the Sprint All-Star Race, his first victory in the annual non-points event and his first as an owner/driver.

Continue reading “Tony Stewart wins All Star Race as Driver/Owner”

ALL STAR RACE

Segment 1 – Kyle Busch slid through his pits costing him 2 spots on the race track

Carl Edwards had suspension problems, and a loose lugnut

Jimmie Johnson led the entire way

Johnson helped Ryan Newman stay only 1 lap down but almost gave the segment away to Kurt Busch.  Newman got the Lucky Dog

Segment 2 – Kyle Busch takes the lead after the pit stops with 2 tires instead of 4

Kyle Busch wins this segment over Matt Kenseth leading all 20 laps

Segment 3 – Leaders stayed out instead of pitting, except for the 48 of Jimmie Johnson who restarts way back in the pack

Jimmie Johnson clipped the wall

Caution came out with Sam Hornish getting loose and wrecks Greg Biffle

Jeff Gordon wins the third segment over Matt Kenseth, and Kurt Busch

Segment 4, Ten laps

Jimmie Johnson spins on the first lap but doesn’t hit anything

Jeff Gordon wrecks going 3 wide with Kyle Busch and Ryan Newman

Ryan Newman leads after being almost 2 laps down earlier in the event

Tony Stewart made the pass on the bottom of the race track with Matt Kenseth on the high side to grab the $1 million dollar prize.