1 83 Brian Vickers
2 48 Jimmie Johnson
3 26 Jamie McMurray
4 2 Kurt Busch
5 16 Greg Biffle
6 24 Jeff Gordon
7 00 David Reutimann
8 44 A J Allmendinger
9 82 Scott Speed #
10 18 Kyle Busch
11 14 Tony Stewart
12 7 Robby Gordon
13 6 David Ragan
14 47 Marcos Ambrose
15 42 Juan Pablo Montoya
16 96 Bobby Labonte
17 43 Reed Sorenson
18 5 Mark Martin
19 29 Kevin Harvick
20 19 Elliott Sadler
Archive
Allmendinger hopes to build on Daytona Finish
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Two seasons and one race into his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series career, AJ Allmendinger (No. 44 Charter Communications Dodge) won’t demur when asked for its highlight:
Last Sunday’s third-place finish in his first–ever Daytona 500.
A huge step, and eye-opening to some, especially for a driver who had to race his way into a starting spot. That third-place finish also means he’s third in the series standings heading into Sunday’s Auto Club 500 at Auto Club Speedway, another career high.
“For our team’s sake, we would have loved to have had a chance to win the Daytona 500,” Allmendinger said of last Sunday’s rain-shortened race, “but leaving there with a third-place finish isn’t all that bad. I’m not going to complain.”
Now, Allmendinger returns to his home state of California with significant momentum and confidence, all necessary for a driver who’s filling a part-time role with the newly-minted Richard Petty Motorsports. A Los Gatos native, he’s set to run the first eight races of 2009, plus the July event at Daytona International Speedway, while RPM officials work to secure fulltime sponsorship for his team.
Continue reading “Allmendinger hopes to build on Daytona Finish”
Penalties O' Plenty after Daytona
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Paul Chodora, a licensed crew member in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, has been indefinitely suspended from NASCAR for violating the sanctioning body’s substance abuse policy.
On Feb. 11, Chodora was found to have violated Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing) and 7-5 (violation of the NASCAR substance abuse policy) of the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series rule book.
STATEMENT FROM MAYFIELD MOTORSPORTS
The following is a statement from driver/owner Jeremy Mayfield of Mayfield Motorsports regarding Paul Chodora, who was found to be in violation of the NASCAR substance abuse policy.
“Mayfield Motorsports respects the decision by NASCAR to indefinitely suspend Paul Chodora. We as an organization appreciate NASCAR’s drug testing policies and policing efforts as it makes the sport stronger overall. If Paul doesn’t comply with NASCAR’s reinstatement process, then he will no longer be an employee of Mayfield Motorsports.”
Another year, Another need for a comeback for Johnson
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Johnson, Hendrick Motorsports Again Looking For Auto Club Speedway Rebound
Jimmie Johnson (No. 48 Lowe’s/Kobalt Tools Chevrolet) didn’t win last Sunday’s 51st Daytona 500.
In fact, the three-time and reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion didn’t come close, finishing 31st, the last driver on the lead lap behind eventual winner Matt Kenseth
But if you think that sounds an ominous note for 2009, don’t.
Since winning the 2006 Daytona 500, Johnson has finishes of 39th (2007) and 27th (2008) to pair with last week’s 31st. He also has three consecutive series titles from 2006-08, which mitigates the string of poor Daytona results.
“We knew that we weren’t up to speed then,” Johnson said of last season’s slow start. “We were trying to work on it and correct it then when we knew we were off.
Continue reading “Another year, Another need for a comeback for Johnson”
Stewart, Gordon, and Martin hope to finish what they started
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After nearly 10 days filled with season-opening competition at Daytona, it’s on to this weekend’s events at Auto Club Speedway, where several drivers hope to build — or continue — what they started on the East Coast.
A rain-shortened Daytona 500 is one factor.
Drivers completed 152 of 200 laps before last Sunday’s race was called due to weather, negating all the what-ifs and last-laps strategy.
For drivers like Tony Stewart (No. 14 Old Spice Chevrolet), Jeff Gordon and Mark Martin, that left some unfinished business.
All three veterans began 2009 with strong showings and consideration as Daytona 500 contenders.
Continue reading “Stewart, Gordon, and Martin hope to finish what they started”
