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The NASCAR world has been a buzz for the past couple of weeks, as NASCAR’s favorite son – Dale Earnhardt Jr. – has found himself atop the Sprint Cup Series point standings for the first time since 2004. It has had people racing to debate whether or not Earnhardt, who has just one victory since June of 2008, is a serious threat to win the championship.

By: Toby Christie – Follow on Twitter @Tobalical

Heading into Pocono – the 21st race of the season – he had completed every single lap, and he had finished outside the top-17 just once, and that came after a last lap spin at Sonoma. He had an average finish of 8.0, and as many top-five finishes (nine) as he had in his past three seasons combined. However to me he wasn’t quite a full-fledged championship contender just yet.

Continue reading “Pocono Setback May Do More Good For Earnhardt Jr. Than Bad”

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Biffle Nabs Top Spot With Personal Triple Crown

With Chassis No. 777 in Las Vegas, Greg Biffle rolled his third consecutive third-place finish to start the season and take over the points lead for the second time in his career (the first was following Sonoma in 2005). Biffle credits crew chief Matt Puccia for helping him attempt to become the first driver to win all three national series titles. To lead the points, Biffle and the No. 16 3M team needed a leader and has found it in Puccia. “Just plain and simply, Matt Puccia is the reason why we’re running and competing and finishing where we are,” Biffle said. “This team needed leadership. He was willing to step up and take the task on. Done a fantastic job so far.”

Continue reading “Cup Series Points Standings: Greg Biffle Leads”

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New Mid-Race Leader Award For Leading Lap 100

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The 54th annual Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 26 (FOX, 1 p.m. ET) – NASCAR’s biggest and most prestigious race – will carry a record purse of more than $19 million as well as a new contingency award that will payout $200,000 to the driver leading at the completion of Lap 100.

The posted awards for “The Great American Race” are $19,142,601 with the winner collecting a minimum of $1,431,325. The second, third, fourth and fifth-place finishers in the Daytona 500 will receive a minimum of $1,050,075, $759,600, $609,900 and $486,550.

Continue reading “Big Money, New Bonus Await 2012 Daytona 500 Drivers”

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By Reid Spencer
Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service

(September 25, 2011)

LOUDON, N.H.—
After climbing from his winning car Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Tony Stewart made the understatement of the year.

“We’ve got a shot at this thing,” said Stewart, who by taking the checkered flag in the Sylvania 300 became the second driver to win the first two races in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup in the same year.

Continue reading “Race Recap – Tony Stewart Wins New Hampshire, Second Straight”

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Busch Comes “Home” With Some Security

Obviously, Las Vegas Motor Speedway is Las Vegas-native Kyle Busch’s home. But really, shouldn’t Bristol be substituted in this category?

Busch has won the last five NASCAR national series races at Bristol, including his three-series sweep last August. In all, he has 11 wins at Bristol – including five in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, which is tied with Jeff Gordon and Kurt Busch for most among active drivers.

He’s the only driver with a 100+ average Driver Rating (108.1) and one of two drivers with an average finish over the last 13 races less than 10 (8.7).

Why not another victory? He adds momentum to his past history, winning last Sunday at Michigan International Speedway and clinching the first Chase berth of the season. With his Michigan win, Busch locked up at least a Wild Card spot.

He also became eligible for the $3 million Sprint Summer Showdown sweepstakes. Another win at Bristol would help limit the competition at Atlanta.

Continue reading “Points leader Kyle Busch has 5 wins at Bristol Motor Speedway”