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2012 Pocono June NASCAR Sprint Cup Practice AJ Allmendinger WalksONE YEAR LATER…
By Reid Spencer
NASCAR Wire Service

A year ago this weekend, NASCAR suspended driver AJ Allmendinger for a violation of its substance abuse program. On the day of the 2012 Coke Zero 400, Allmendinger was replaced in the No. 22 Penske Racing Ford by Sam Hornish Jr.

After completing NASCAR’s Road to Recovery program last year, Allmendinger was reinstated, and his fortunes have improved exponentially since then. Driving for Penske in the Indianapolis 500, Allmendinger led 23 laps and finished seventh.

On June 22, he picked up his first NASCAR victory in the Nationwide Series race at Road America. Driving for Phoenix Racing on Thursday afternoon, Allmendinger was fastest in opening Sprint Cup practice, topping the speed chart at 200.218 mph. He and Clint Bowyer (200.214 mph) were the only drivers to exceed 200 mph in the session.

Continue reading “AJ Allmendinger: One Year Since Suspension”

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michael-waltrip-roof-flaps-nascar-sprint-cup-series-daytona-2013-july-4SPACED OUT
By Reid Spencer
NASCAR Wire Service

If you noticed that a number of cars were late answering the bell for opening Sprint Cup practice on Thursday, look no farther than unapproved parts NASCAR inspectors found on 16 cars.

NASCAR required more than a third of the Coke Zero 400 field to change out non-conforming spacers that support the hinge bars of the roof flaps on the cars. The flaps are designed to keep cars from getting airborne in the event of a spin.

Continue reading “31 NASCAR Teams Found With Unapproved Roof Flap Parts At Daytona”

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austin dillon kentucky 2012 winnerJuly 4, 2013

By Reid Spencer
NASCAR Wire Service

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Doubtless, there are race fans who believe the return of the No. 3 to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series would amount to heresy.

Though Dale Earnhardt Jr. recognizes that naysayers will decry the revival of the 3, he has a different point of view about the car number closely associated with his late father, Dale Earnhardt, a seven-time series champion.

Continue reading “Dale Earnhardt Jr. on return of No. 3: “I’m OK with it””

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Danica Patrick responds to Kyle Petty’s criticism

2012 Chicagoland Nationwide Danica Patrick Stands On Grid During QualifyingJune 28, 2013

By Reid Spencer
NASCAR Wire Service

SPARTA, Ky.—There was one aspect of Kyle Petty’s criticism that Danica Patrick found downright comical.

“I just think that it’s funny how he said that I can qualify but I can’t race, because those of you who actually watch what I do would know that I can’t qualify for crap,” Patrick said Friday at Kentucky Speedway when asked about Petty’s critical comments a day earlier. “So it’s a little bit funny.”

READ WHAT KYLE PETTY SAID – DANICA ‘NOT A RACE CAR DRIVER’

In an interview on SPEED, Petty said of Patrick, “She’s not a race car driver. … She can go fast, but she can’t race. I think she’s come a long way, but she’s still not a race car driver. And I don’t think she’s ever going to be a race car driver.” Continue reading “Danica Patrick Responds To Kyle Petty’s Criticism”

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pocono_nscs_060613The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series climbs up to the Pocono Mountains in Long Pond, Pennsylvania for a challenging race on the 2.5-mile triangle with 14 degree banking at Pocono Raceway.

by Dwight Drum at Racetake.com

This race is named the Party in the Poconos 400 presented by Walmart, but the track is known as The Tricky Triangle. NASCAR drivers past and present respect this fast track that opened in August 4, 1974. A recent re-pavement has rendered most historic data inadequate so teams will look forward to practice time with keen awareness.

Rainy weather may interfere with anticipated adjustment laps.

Continue reading “FYI WIRZ: NASCAR’s Top Five Ride Momentum Into Race 14 In Pocono”