2011

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Michael Waltrip: “I can confirm we have had very productive conversations with Clint and a quality sponsor. Today, however, we don’t have anything finalized and we’re not in a position to make any formal announcements. Our goal has never changed. Rob (Kauffman) and I want to continue to improve the competitiveness of our team and be a consistent winner at NASCAR’s highest level. Pursuing Chase-proven personnel, including drivers, has been a priority. As soon as we have more information to share, we will.”

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Bull’s-Eye On Defending Five-Time Champion

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Sept. 15, 2011) – NASCAR’s Chase Media Week ended Thursday, with all 12 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers converging on Chicago’s LaSalle Power Company for the annual Chase Media Day.

Drivers were ushered from television to radio to print media to a fan Q&A during the day-long session, and a familiar theme dominated each conversation: Who’s going to end five-time champion Jimmie Johnson’s unprecedented reign?

Continue reading “Bull’s-Eye On Defending Five-Time Champion Jimmie Johnson”

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They’ve Been Everywhere, Man: Chase Drivers Continue Cross-Country Trek

Eight Markets Hit On Wednesday Edition Of Chase Media Week

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Sept. 14, 2011) – NASCAR continued its national media blitz on Wednesday, visiting eight markets for interviews and special fan events.

For this year’s Chase, the first with Chicagoland Speedway as the opener, Chase Media Week features an unprecedented 12-driver, 10-track media crunch. Each of the 10 Chase tracks will welcome one of the 12 drivers who will compete for the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship.

Continue reading “Top 12 Drivers travelled America to promote The Chase”

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Johnson Vulnerable Heading Into 2011 Chase?

It’s not so much that Jimmie Johnson has lost his mojo. Certainly not.

It’s more that the competition has grown in ferocity. That’s the reason why 2011 seems more like the year that someone steals Johnson’s crown.

Then there’s this statistic that might provide some blood-in-the-water: Johnson is entering this Chase with one win, the fewest of any of his previous seven Chases.

There’s also the possibility of a slow start. Chicagloand is one of five active tracks at which Johnson has not won. The others: Watkins Glen, Michigan, Homestead and Kentucky. Though, that might not matter. Johnson has had slow Chase starts before, finishing 39th in the 2006 opener and 25th last year. Both those races were held at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

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Mighty Chase Field Blows Into Windy City
Five past NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champions pepper the field. A few more seem likely to win a title in the future. Another is the eight-time Most Popular Driver. All are multi-race winners.

This season’s Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup field just might be the strongest ever, making it seem like Jimmie Johnson’s five-year title run may finally come to an end.

Continue reading “A look at the 2011 NASCAR Chase Field heading to Chicagoland”