Third Daytona Victory Could Vault Junior Into Points Lead

on July 6, 2012July 5, 2012

Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s fortunes continue to rise – along with his ranking in NASCAR Sprint Cup points. A fourth-place Kentucky finish, his seventh top five of the season, elevated Junior to second in the standings 11 points behind leader Matt Kenseth. He matched his combined top-five output for the 2010-11 seasons and with 13 top 10s eclipsed last year’s total (12).

This could be the week Earnhardt goes to the top of the points, a position he in which he last appeared on Oct. 3, 2004. The accomplished restrictor-plate racer has won twice at Daytona including the 2001 Coke Zero 400.He’s a five-time Talladega Superspeedway winner including four straight victories between 2001 and 2003.

Poll: Do you think Dale Earnhardt would have a Twitter account?

on July 5, 2012July 5, 2012

Matt Kenseth – No Daytona Sweep For You!

on July 5, 2012July 5, 2012

Kenseth Bids For Sweep That Hasn’t Happened In 30 Years

This week’s Coke Zero 400 will be two-time and defending Daytona 500 winner Matt Kenseth’s last as a driver for Roush Fenway Racing. It has been 30 years since the same driver won both Daytona races in the same season – further proof that conditions make February and July events completely different propositions. Bobby Allison was the last of four drivers to accomplish the sweep in 1982 at the wheel of a DiGard Racing Buick.

Tony Stewart, whose 32nd-place finish at Kentucky (ignition issues) dropped the three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion to ninth in current points standings, is the most successful recent winner of the Coke Zero 400. Stewart won the race in 2005, 2006 and 2009.

David Ragan won last year’s race in a Roush Fenway Racing Ford but will compete Saturday night for Front Row Motorsports.

The Final Lap Weekly #209 – AJ Allmendinger / Daytona NASCAR Preview

on July 5, 2012July 7, 2012

SHOW #209 – Guest: AJ Allmendinger – We also recap the action from Kentucky, salute Richard Petty’s 75th birthday, discuss Denny’s contract, plus our Fantasy picks, Poll Position Question, and Daytona Preview. Hosted by Kerry Murphey and Toby Christie.
(47:38 mins)