2010: Most competitive year in Sprint Cup Series history

The April race at Talladega set a record
for the highest amount of lead changes
- 88 among 29 drivers - at any track in Cup
Series history. (Todd Warshaw/Getty Images)

Records set in lead changes and leaders per race

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Nov. 23, 2010) – The recently completed 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season goes down as the most competitive in the 62-year history of the sport’s premier series.

Two major competition records were broken this past season in the series: average lead changes and leaders per race.

There was an average of 25.4 lead changes per event in 2010, the most in the history of NASCAR Sprint Cup competition. 

Additionally, there was an average of 11.4 leaders per event, also the highest average since the series’ inaugural year of 1949.

The previous highs in both statistics were 24.9 lead changes in 1981 and 11.0 leaders in 2006.
In all, 55 different drivers led at least one lap this season – another record. The previous most was 51, in both 2005 and 2007.

Passing numbers, too, were at their statistical peak this season. NASCAR began recording passing numbers in 2005, with the inception of Loop Data. This season, those numbers were higher than any of the past six years.

There were a total of 1,299 green flag passes for the lead (Note: Those are lead changes all around the track, not just at the start-finish line). The previous high was 994 in 2006.

There were also 116,327 total green flag passes. The previous high was 110,226 in 2009.

The tight on-track competition led to a closer-than-ever points battle. The 15 points separating the top-two drivers going into the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway were the fewest in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup’s seven-year history. Five-time champion Jimmie Johnson became the first driver since 1992 to overcome a deficit with one-to-go to capture the title.

Five races broke or matched track records in either most leaders or lead changes this season:

Talladega: Both Talladega races were exceptionally competitive, but the spring event made history. There were 88 lead changes among 29 drivers during the April 25 event, both all-time series records – at any track, ever.

Daytona: There were 21 different leaders in the season-opening Daytona 500, the most ever at a track whose history dates back to 1959.

Infineon Raceway: The first road course race of the season, the June 20 event featured 12 lead changes, the most ever at Infineon. The last lead change belonged to 2010 series champion Jimmie Johnson, who won the first road course race of his career.

Phoenix: There were 13 different leaders in the spring Phoenix event, tying a track record.
Texas: The autumn event at Texas had 33 lead changes, setting a track record.

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Johnson achieves 'Drive for Five' as Edwards dominates Homestead

Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for NASCAR

Johnson first driver in NASCAR history to win five straight Sprint Cup titles; Edwards wins second consecutive series race

By Reid Spencer
Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service

HOMESTEAD, Fla. (Nov. 21) — NASCAR has a rock star — and perhaps after a fifth straight championship for unsinkable Jimmie Johnson, the sport will realize it.

Johnson ran second to Carl Edwards in Sunday’s season-ending Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway to secure the first come-from-behind title in his skein of five championships.

Edwards’ victory was perfection. He led 190 of 267 laps in winning his second straight Sprint Cup race and the 18th of his career.

“Why didn’t you set the cars up like this before, Bob?” Edwards joked with crew chief Bob Osborne after the race. “That was the best performance down the straightaway I’ve had in a long time.”

The race for the championship was anything but perfection. And it wasn’t the high drama fans had anticipated from the closest Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup since the introduction of NASCAR’s playoff format in 2004.

An early spin on the part of Denny Hamlin, the Chase leader by 15 points entering the final race, ultimately proved decisive. A pit road speeding penalty knocked Kevin Harvick (third in points) to the rear of the field just when he appeared ready to contend for the victory. Hamlin finished 14th; Harvick rallied to finish third.

Sloppy work in the pits on the part of Johnson’s “substitute” crew—borrowed from Jeff Gordon’s No. 24 team in the middle of the eighth Chase race (at Texas) and bound to Johnson thereafter—repeatedly cost the champion track position.

To call the final race a comedy of errors on the part of the title contenders may be harsh, but championship team owner Rick Hendrick did precisely that.

“It was like, ‘Who’s going to screw up the most?’ ” Hendrick said after claiming his 10th Cup title (five with Johnson, four with Gordon and one with Terry Labonte).

Todd Warshaw/Getty Images for NASCAR

In the afterglow of a fifth straight title, however, the flaws in the process didn’t matter.

“Jimmie, you are a rock star, my friend,” Chad Knaus radioed after Johnson crossed the finished line 1.608 seconds behind Edwards. “You have proven it time and time again. And you damn did it today, my friend.”

Johnson finished 39 points ahead of Hamlin and 41 ahead of Harvick.

Before the race was 25 laps old, Hamlin made a tough job much more difficult. His No. 11 Toyota, which had started the race 37th but had gained 18 positions in the first 23 laps, touched the No. 16 Ford of Greg Biffle as the cars sped through Turn 2 on Lap 24. Hamlin spun through the infield grass, damaging the front splitter and knocking the toe angle of the tires out of position.

Though his crew worked feverishly to repair the damage, the incident affected the handling just enough to keep Hamlin from making an aggressive run to the front. His troubles were compounded when he was trapped a lap down during a cycle of pit stops and had to take a wave-around to the tail end of the lead lap. At that point Hamlin was fighting Harvick for second in the final standings, not battling Johnson for the championship.

“I felt like, as soon as we dropped the green, I thought we could win the race,” Hamlin said. “Our car was really fast at the beginning—I mean, just unbelievably fast at the beginning—and I knew we had a car that could contend for a win, and obviously when we got in that incident on the back straightaway, it tore up the front and knocked the toe out, and obviously the car did not drive as well for the rest of the day.

“We just tried to patch it and work on it the best we could, but it just wasn't the car that it was at the beginning. It's just part of racing.”

Johnson restarted second on Lap 251 after Harvick dumped Kyle Busch, Hamlin’s teammate, into the inside frontstretch wall to cause the 10th and final caution on Lap 244. Johnson couldn’t catch Edwards over the final 17 laps, but he pulled away from Harvick to secure the title.

“I’m just beside myself,” Johnson said in Victory Lane. “Four was amazing. Now I have to figure out what the hell to say about winning five of these things, because everybody is going to want to know what it means. I don't know. It is pretty damn awesome — I can tell you that.”

Fast facts:

• With his fifth Sprint Cup championship, Johnson passes teammate Jeff Gordon (four titles) to take third on the all-time list of drivers with the most championships. Johnson follows Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt Sr. with seven each.
• Johnson's fifth title comes in his ninth full-time season of Sprint Cup competition. Dale Earnhardt Sr. claimed his fifth in his 13th season and Richard Petty in his 16th.
• Johnson won his fifth championship in 327 starts. Dale Earnhardt Sr. won his fifth title in 390 starts and Richard Petty in 655 starts.
• Johnson gave Hendrick Motorsports their 10th Sprint Cup owner's championship, breaking a tie with Petty Motorsports (9) to become the all-time leading team.
• Johnson is the first driver in Chase history to overcome a points deficit going into the season's final race and win the title. 
• He is only the third driver to overcome a points deficit in the last race and win the championship since 1975.
• Johnson joins the New York Yankees, Boston Celtics and Montreal Canadiens in winning five or more consecutive championships. He also joins Michael Schumacher, who claimed five straight F1 titles. 
• All five of Johnson's championship have come under the Chase.
• Johnson is the only driver to have made the Chase all seven seasons.

__________________________________
Reid Spencer's story from NASCAR Media

Fast Facts compiled by Rebecca Kivak

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Sprint Cup Pole Report: Kahne Uses His Wings to Grab Ford 400 Pole

In the No. 83 Red Bull Toyota Camry, Kasey Kahne won his fourth pole for the 2010 season at Homestead-Miami Speedway with a lap of 30.525 seconds (176.904 mph.). This is the first of hopefully many poles for Kahne in a Red Bull Toyota. Just behind him on the grid is the winner of last week’s race at Phoenix International Raceway, Carl Edwards, in the Aflac Ford Fusion for Roush Fenway Racing, 0.031 behind the leader.

A few things to watch for this weekend’s race: Greg Biffle qualified 27th in a backup car after crashing into the wall during the early practice today. As for the top three Chasers, Denny Hamlin qualified 37th, Jimmie Johnson qualified 6th, and Kevin Harvick qualified 28th. I do not know what to expect on Sunday, other than a nail-biter of a race. Will we have a new champion or will Johnson win his fifth in a row?

For all of the racing action, you can find the full TV Schedule on Skirts and Scuffs. The NSCS Countdown airs at noon Sunday on ESPN 2 with the race coverage changing over to ESPN at 1 p.m. EST. This is the last race of the season and probably the one in which everyone will be watching. 

1. Kasey Kahne
   
2. Carl Edwards
   
3. Jamie McMurray
   
4. Bill Elliott
   
5. A.J. Allmendinger
   
6. Jimmie Johnson
   
7. David Reutimann
   
8. Mark Martin
   
9. David Ragan
   
10. Regan Smith
    
11. Jeff Gordon
    
12. Elliott Sadler
    
13. Matt Kenseth
    
14. Jeff Burton
    
15. Kurt Busch
    
16. Paul Menard
    
17. Clint Bowyer
    
18. Brad Keselowski
    
19. Joey Logano
    
20. Marcos Ambrose
    
21. J.J. Yeley
    
22. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
    
23. Ryan Newman
    
24. Aric Almirola
    
25. Martin Truex Jr.
    
26. Sam Hornish Jr.
    
27. Greg Biffle
    
28. Kevin Harvick
    
29. Joe Nemechek
    
30. Mike Bliss
    
31. Tony Stewart
    
32. Bobby Labonte
    
33. Kyle Busch
    
34. Casey Mears
    
35. Andy Lally
    
36. Dave Blaney
    
37. Denny Hamlin
    
38. David Gilliland
    
39. Travis Kvapil
    
40. Juan Montoya
    
41. Scott Speed
    
42. Kevin Conway
    
43. Landon Cassill

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Rascal Flatts, Frank Caliendo to headline NASCAR Sprint Cup Series banquet at Vegas

Awards ceremony will be broadcast Dec. 3 at 9 p.m. ET on SPEED

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Nov. 10, 2010) – Country music band Rascal Flatts will join comedian Frank Caliendo at the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony on Friday, Dec. 3, at Wynn Las Vegas.

Broadcast live on SPEED at 9 p.m. ET, Rascal Flatts will entertain fans with a performance of songs from their multi-platinum selling records, as well as their upcoming album, “Nothing Like This,” due to release Nov. 16. Caliendo, impressionist extraordinaire, will host for a second-consecutive year.

“We have a supportive and loyal fan base among NASCAR nation, including the teams and drivers, and we plan to put on a special show for them as we all celebrate the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion,” said Gary LeVox of Rascal Flatts. “It will be a thrill to perform in a room with drivers we follow and also call friends, and we look forward to performing for the fans tuning in live to the show.”

The Nashville trio has recorded 11 No. 1 singles and holds nearly 40 music award trophies since their career began in 2000. In the past decade, Rascal Flatts has sold more than 20 million albums and 25 million digital downloads. As part of the album launch of “Nothing Like This,” Rascal Flatts will be kicking off the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony with a special performance.  

Caliendo has become a Las Vegas staple, starring in his own show at Monte Carlo Resort and Casino. The MADtv alumnus is no stranger to NASCAR, having appeared at postseason events for the NASCAR Nationwide Series and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, along with last year’s hosting gig.

“I am happy to be back as the host of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony, which is sure to be a fun-filled night with lots of laughs, amazing live performances and highlights from the action on the track this season,” Caliendo said. “Fans watching from home are in for a treat this year as I show off a few surprises I’ve been working on – so get ready!”   

The 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony is the culmination of NASCAR Champion’s Week, a week-long postseason celebration consisting of several days of high-energy and fan-friendly activities involving the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion and drivers who finished in the top 12 of the series’ final standings and competed in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup – NASCAR’s “playoffs.” In addition to Rascal Flatts and Caliendo, other talent announcements will be made soon.

For more information on the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony and NASCAR’s Champions Week, visit www.nascar.com/championsweek. 

- Courtesy of NASCAR press release

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Sprint Cup Pole Report: Sadler Has Big Day at Texas Motor Speedway

How do you top a big announcement concerning your future in NASCAR?  If you are Elliott Sadler who announced he will be driving full time next season in the Nationwide Series for Kevin Harvick Inc., you win the pole at Texas Motor Speedway.  Pretty darn good lap if you ask me, the numbers do not lie.  His lap of 27.636 (195.397 mph.) in the Stanley Ford for Richard Petty Motorsports.  To finish out the front row is Ford teammate and Chaser Greg Biffle who was only -0.249 behind Sadler in his American Red Cross Fusion.  A nice day all around for Ford who took five of the ten spots in the top ten which includes Edwards, Ragan, and Allmendinger. 

The eighth race in the Chase, what do you expect from the race?  Do you expect it to be the racers playing cowboys and indians or will it be a nice calm race?  All I know is that it will be interesting to see what comes next after the past couple races we have seen in this 2010 Sprint Cup Chase. 

For all the racing action and television schedules you can check out Skirts and Scuffs event schedule for the weekend at Texas Motor Speedway.  NSCS Countdown starts at 2 p.m. EST on ESPN and the racing action starts at 3 p.m. EST with the NSCS: AAA Texas 500!

1. Elliott Sadler
2. Greg Biffle
3. Carl Edwards
4. Juan Montoya
5. David Ragan
6. Kurt Busch
7. Clint Bowyer
8. Regan Smith
9. Mark Martin
10. A.J. Allmendinger
11. Tony Stewart
12. Paul Menard
13. Aric Almirola
14. Ryan Newman
15. Jeff Gordon
16. Jeff Burton
17. Jimmie Johnson
18. David Reutimann
19. Matt Kenseth
20. Joey Logano
21. Martin Truex Jr.
22. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
23. Scott Speed
24. Kasey Kahne
25. Jamie McMurray
26. Kevin Harvick
27. Sam Hornish Jr.
28. Trevor Bayne
29. Kyle Busch
30. Denny Hamlin
31. Bobby Labonte
32. Marcos Ambrose
33. David Gilliland
34. Joe Nemechek
35. Casey Mears
36. Brad Keselowski
37. Patrick Carpentier
38. Mike Bliss
39. Robby Gordon
40. Andy Lally
41. Travis Kvapil
42. Dave Blaney
43. Landon Cassill

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Cup Pole Report: Montoya on Target for AMP Energy 500 Pole

Juan Pablo Montoya, the driver of the No. 42 Target Chevrolet for Earnhardt Ganassi Racing, claimed the pole for Sunday's AMP Energy 500 at Talladega Superspeedway with a lap of 51.863 (184.640 mph.) in the all-Chevy front row.  Clint Bowyer was only 0.040 of a second behind Montoya in the No. 33 BB&T for Richard Childress Racing during Saturday's qualifying session. Six out of the top 10 on the grid are Chevrolets. Could this mean a good weekend for Chevrolet once again at Talladega after Kevin Harvick won the race in the spring? 

A few new paint schemes will grace the track for the Halloween weekend. The one to be watching for in my eyes is Jamie McMurray's, who will being driving the Bass Pro Shops Dale Earnhardt Sr. Tribute car, which was announced back in May during the weekend of the inaugural NASCAR Hall of Fame class. Other ones to watch out for are Michael Waltrip back in the No. 55 in the Aaron’s 55th Anniversary Toyota and Dale Earnhardt Jr. in "The Legend of Hallowdega" Amp Energy Juice / National Guard Chevrolet. All of the schemes are definitely eye-catching!

For all the racing action, I would set your television on ESPN for 1 p.m. EST race! Happy Halloween to all of the race fans!

Starting lineup:

1. Juan Montoya
2. Clint Bowyer
3. Kurt Busch
4. Joe Nemechek
5. Jeff Burton
6. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
7. Dave Blaney
8. Ryan Newman
9. Casey Mears
10. Sam Hornish Jr.
11. Brad Keselowski
12. Jamie McMurray
13. Jeff Fuller
14. Kevin Harvick
15. Michael McDowell
16. Kasey Kahne
17. Denny Hamlin
18. Martin Truex Jr.
19. Jimmie Johnson
20. Michael Waltrip
21. David Reutimann
22. Chad McCumbee
23. Carl Edwards
24. Bobby Labonte
25. Joey Logano
26. Tony Stewart
27. Matt Kenseth
28. David Ragan
29. Scott Speed
30. Mark Martin
31. Jeff Gordon
32. Kyle Busch
33. Elliott Sadler
34. Greg Biffle
35. Marcos Ambrose
36. A.J. Allmendinger
37. Aric Almirola
38. Paul Menard
39. Regan Smith
40. David Gilliland
41. Robert Richardson Jr.
42. Robby Gordon
43. Bill Elliott

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Sprint Cup Pole Report: Hamlin Wins Pole for Tums Fast Relief 500

The Toyota Racing Team raced into the two front row positions for the Tums Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway for Sunday afternoons race, Denny Hamlin won the spot with a lap of 19.518 ( 97.018 mph.) in the Joe Gibbs Racing FedEX Camry.  The front line is completed with Marcos Ambrose in the No. 47 Dollar General Country Million Sweepstakes car with a lap of 19.521 (97.003 mph.) only 0.003 seconds behind Hamlin.  Only one third of the Chase drivers are in the top ten including Greg Biffle who considers Martinsville as one of his bad tracks, could this be a sign of good things to come? 

The other interesting thing for this race has to be Kasey Kahne driving the No. 83 Red Bull Toyota after being released from Richard Petty Motorsports late Wednesday night, Aric Almirola has replaced Kahne in the No. 9 Budweiser Ford for this weekend.  Do you think these last five races will get Kahne ready for his stint with Red Bull Racing for next season before he goes over to drive the No. 5 for Hendrick Motorsports in 2012? 

For all the racing action your best place to be next to being a Martinsville Speedway in person is in front of the television at 1 p.m. EST on ESPN!  To keep up on all the NASCAR coverage come back here to Skirts and Scuffs!

1. Denny Hamlin
2. Marcos Ambrose
3. Greg Biffle
4. Ryan Newman
5. Juan Montoya
6. Tony Stewart
7. Carl Edwards
8. David Reutimann
9. Jamie McMurray
10. David Ragan
11. Jeff Gordon
12. Paul Menard
13. Regan Smith
14. Scott Speed
15. A.J. Allmendinger
16. Martin Truex Jr.
17. Clint Bowyer
18. Jeff Burton
19. Jimmie Johnson
20. Casey Mears
21. Mark Martin
22. Joey Logano
23. Bobby Labonte
24. Sam Hornish Jr.
25. Brad Keselowski
26. Kyle Busch
27. Travis Kvapil
28. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
29. Kurt Busch
30. Landon Cassill
31. Elliott Sadler
32. Matt Kenseth
33. Kasey Kahne
34. Dave Blaney
35. Aric Almirola
36. Kevin Harvick
37. Joe Nemechek
38. Ken Schrader
39. David Gilliland
40. Tony Raines
41. Kevin Conway
42. Hermie Sadler
43. J.J, Yeley

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Sprint Cup Pole Report: Gordon on Pole for Bank of America 500

Charlotte Motor Speedway better known as Johnson’s house has a new master, his name Jeff Gordon!   With a lap of 28.192 (191.544 mph.), the driver of the No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet took the keys for this race at least.   Just behind Gordon on the grid is Carl Edwards only -0.013 behind in the No, 99 Aflac Ford Fusion, who will we see in the Victory Lane though is the big question.  Will it be another new Chaser, will it be one of the four who won the first four races, or will it be a non-Chaser?  Only time will tell.

This weekend is homecoming for the NASCAR world, this is when the people who work on the cars, work in the different garages get to come out to see a race and realize what they are doing really does effect the team, even if they do not travel to every race. Do you want to see all the racing action on television if not in Charlotte? 

Check out Skirts and Scuffs for a full rundown of television coverage.  The NSCS Countdown starts at 7 p.m. on ABC with the race coverage starting at 7:30 green flag at 7:46 p.m. all EST.  Enjoy the race!

1. Jeff Gordon
2. Carl Edwards
3. A,J, Allmendinger
4. Mark Martin
5. Paul Menard
6. Kyle Busch
7. Reed Sorensen
8. Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
9. Elliott Sadler
10. Jimmie Johnson
11. Ryan Newman
12. Joey Logano
13. Martin Truex, Jr,
14. Marcos Ambrose
15. Kurt Busch
16. David Reutimann
17. Matt Kenseth
18. Jeff Burton
19. Sam Hornish, Jr.
20. Clint Bowyer
21. Scott Speed
22. Greg Biffle
23. Denny Hamlin
24. Kevin Harvick
25. Kasey Kahne
26. David Ragan
27. Jamie McMurray
28. Landon Cassill
29. Tony Stewart
30. Bobby Labonte
31. Brad Keselowski
32. Regan Smith
33. Michael McDowell
34. Juan Pablo Montoya
35. Patrick Carpentier
36. David Gilliland
37. Bill Elliott
38. Andy Lally
39. Robby Gordon
40. J.J, Yeley
41. Dave Blaney
42. Travis Kvapil
43. Jeff Green

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""Atta Boy!"

"'Atta Boy!"

That is what I yelled when I was watching qualifying yesterday and Kasey passed the finish line and qualified for the pole. His time of 30.920 completely dominated the qualifying results.
It is so nice to see Kahne, a non-chaser that has clearly had horrible luck all season long, qualify for a pole over all the Chase guys. Even better, his teammate, Paul Menard, is starting right up front with him! I'm sure RPM did not see this coming, because I didn't. An interesting fact, Elliott Sadler, who is also leaving RPM at the end of the season, qualified 15th. Meanwhile, A.J. Allmendinger qualified 30th.

I'm looking forward to next season to see how Kasey performs under a new team. He is a great driver with a great potential to win a lot of races or, even better, a championship. I have a good feeling that Kasey will show all the doubters what he is made of next year at Red Bull Racing and then the year after at Hendrick Motorsports. Especially at Hendrick. With Jimmie Johnson, a driver who has dominated the Sprint Cup series, Dale Earnhardt Jr., the most popular driver, and Jeff Gordon, a driver that came from a background like Kasey's and is a great driver, Hendrick can do no wrong by adding Kasey to the roster.

I do not pay attention to the results coming from Hendrick this year. It doesn't matter to me where they finish. The drivers are not the same. If I were to compare Mark Martin to Kasey, I wouldn't be saying the same things about them. Mark is a well seasoned veteran and is a great driver, while Kasey is in his seventh seson in the Sprint Cup series. They come from different backgrounds, they have different crew chiefs. The list is endless.

All in all, Kasey is not giving up and I felt that his pole-winning was an excuse to write about him. Keep your eyes on Kasey Kahne, he's already gearing up for the 2011 season!

The views expressed in this post are those of the author and not necessarily those of the site or its administrators.

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Pole Report: Kahne Takes Pole for Price Chopper 400

Kasey Kahne takes the pole for the Price Chopper 400 from Kansas Speedway which takes place on Sunday, October 3rd at 1 p.m. EST on ESPN.  With a lap of 30.920 (174.644 mph.) nothing could stop Kahne along with the rest of the No. 9 Budweiser Ford from Richard Petty Motorsports to win their first race of the 2010 season.  Yet right behind him is his RPM teammate Paul Menard with a lap of 30.951 (174.469 mph.) only -0.031 behind the leader in the Zecol / Menard’s car.

The third race in the Chase for the Cup after two pretty powerful races at Loudon and Dover, what will happen this weekend to keep us at the edges of our seats at the track, or at home?  All eyes will be on Denny Hamlin, Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Busch, and Kurt Busch who top the standings, yet other eyes will be on the bottom four of Greg Biffle, Tony Stewart, Matt Kenseth, and Clint Bowyer who have the biggest obstacles ahead of them in the race from Kansas and so on.

Good luck to each and every driver during the Price Chopper 400 from Kansas which is airing live on ESPN at 1 p.m. EST after the Countdown at 12 p.m. EST on ESPN 2!

1. Kasey Kahne
2. Paul Menard'
3. Jeff Gordon
4. Joey Logano
5. Greg Biffle
6. Ryan Newman
7. Juan Montoya
8. Matt Kenseth
9. Kurt Bushc
10. David Ragan
11. Bill Elliott
12. Denny Hamlin
13. Regan Smith
14. Tony Stewart
15. Elliott Sadler
16. David Reutimann
17. Bobby Labonte
18. Sam Hornish Jr.
19. Kyle Busch
20. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
21. Jimmie Johnson
22. Jamie McMurray
23. Jeff Burton
24. Kevin Harvick
25. Martin Truex Jr.
26. Brad Keselowski.
27. Clint Bowyer
28. Mark Martin
29. Michael McDowell
30. A.J. Allmendinger
31. Carl Edwards
32. Marcos Ambrose
33. Scott Speed
34. Reed Sorensen
35. Landon Cassill
36. Patrick Carpentier
37. Casey Mears
38. David Gilliland
39. J.J,, Yeley
40. Travis Kvapil
41. Kevin Conway
42. Tony Raines
43. Dave Blaney

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#18 Crew Wins Pit Road Award at AAA 400

At Dover International Speedway

Photo courtesy of @SamSarcinella

Kyle Busch's Crew Captures NASCAR Sprint Cup Pit Road Award At Dover

Kyle Busch's pit crew claimed the Tissot Pit Road Precision Award in Sunday's AAA 400 Sprint Cup race (Sept. 26) at Dover International Speedway.

It was the third Tissot win of the season for the No. 18 crew, which moved into a three-way tie for second place in the Tissot standings. Jeff Gordon's No. 24 crew continues to lead with four wins.

The weekly-winning crew receives $5,000 from Tissot plus a Tissot V8 Quartz Chronograph watch. The team with the most Tissot Pit Road Precision Award wins at the completion of the 36-race schedule will receive a $105,000 bonus plus Tissot watches for the over-the-wall crew members and driver.

The Joe Gibbs Racing team finished 1-2-3 in the Tissot pit road competition in Dover with Busch's No. 18 Interstate Batteries Toyota spending the least amount of time on pit road - 254.478 seconds. Denny Hamlin's No. 11 FedEx Toyota was second (255.463) and coming in third was Joey Logano's No. 20 Home Depot Toyota (257.578).

The No. 18 over-the-wall crew consists of: Nick Odell (front-tire changer), Brad Donaghy (front-tire carrier), Jake Seminara (rear-tire changer), Kenny Barber (rear-tire carrier), Jeff Fender (jackman), Tom Lampe (gasman), Jason Hinson (catch can). The team's pit crew coach is Mike Lepp and the crew chief is Dave Rogers.

"I'm real proud of this Interstate Batteries / M&M's over-the-wall gang," said Rogers. "They've been extremely fast and reliable all year. The Tissot Pit Road Precision Award is a testament to their speed, but their talent goes far beyond that. They are a fun group of guys to work with, they keep their egos in check, and they thrive on pressure. These guys are the real deal and are instrumental in the success of this race team."

Post credited to PaddockTalk NASCAR News

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Pole Report: Jimmie Johnson Leads Field for AAA 400

Four time defending NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion Jimmie Johnson the driver of the No. 48 Lowe’s Impala Chevrolet tames the Monster Mile of Dover International Speedway with a lap of 23.116 (155.736 mph.).  But the real drama had to be the real surprise from the qualifying rounds today has to be Mark Martin's right-rear shock had a problem in qualifying...failed post-qualifying inspection. Dropped from 3rd to 42nd, which moves everyone up on the grid for Sunday’s afternoon race.

The second race of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship from Dover International Speedway airs live on ESPN 1 p.m. EST/ 12 CST with the NASCAR Now Pre-Race show at Noon.  So what will people be looking at during the race this week?  The answer is simple, they will be looking to see what will happen with the different cars in the Chase, once the race is over.  Will anymore teams be getting penalties from NASCAR like the No. 33 Cheerios Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing? 

Enjoy the race and remember for the most up to date NASCAR coverage, keep your mouse here at Skirts and Scuffs.

1. Jimmie Johnson
2. A,J, Allmendinger
3. Martin Truex, Jr.
4. Denny Hamlin
5. Juan Pablo Montoya
6. Greg Biffle
7. Jamie McMurray
8. Kurt Busch
9. Paul Menard
10. Carl Edwards
11. Kyle Busch
12. Reed Sorensen
13. Ryan Newman
14. Matt Kenseth
15. Jeff Gordon
16. Kasey Kahne
17. David Reutimann
18. Regan Smith
19. Joey Logano
20. Scott Speed
21. Sam Hornish Jr.
22. Elliott Sadler
23. Marcos Ambrose
24. Clint Bowyer
25. Tony Stewart
26. Casey Mears
27. Jeff Burton
28. Joe Nemechek
29. David Ragan
30. Travis Kvapil
31. Brad Keselowski
32. Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
33. Kevin Harvick
34. Bobby Labonte
35. David Gilliland
36. J.J. Yeley
37. Dave Blaney
38. Mike Bliss
39. Landon Cassill
40. Kevin Conway
41. Tony Raines
42. Mark Martin
43. Michael McDowell

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TV schedule of Chase driver appearances this week

The TV schedule of appearances for the 12 drivers in the Chase for the Sprint Cup has been announced, per NASCAR.com.

There will be no pie throwing this year, as the drivers are not scheduled to appear on "Regis and Kelly" as in previous years, and no late-night talk show appearances ("The Late Show with David Letterman," a past stomping ground, is dark this week.)

Here's where you can catch the Chase drivers on TV this week (schedule is subject to change):


Wednesday, Sept. 15:

• Kevin Harvick - On ESPN throughout the day on "Mike and Mike," "SportsCenter," "First Take" and "NASCAR Now" 

• Greg Biffle and Kurt Busch  - FOX Business Channel, 7 p.m. ET, "America’s Scoreboard"

• Jeff Burton and Greg Biffle - Versus, 11 p.m. ET, "The Daily Line"

Thursday, Sept 16:

• Kevin Harvick - Weather Channel, 6 a.m. ET, "Wake Up with Al"  

• Carl Edwards, Greg Biffle and Clint Bowyer - FOX News Channel, 7:30 a.m. ET, "FOX and Friends" 

• Denny Hamlin - CW, 8:50 a.m. ET, "CW Morning Show"

• Kyle Busch - On ESPN throughout the day for "First Take," "SportsCenter" and "NASCAR Now"

• Jeff Gordon - On ESPN throughout the day for "SportsCenter," "NASCAR Now," "Pardon the Interruption" and "SportsNation"

• Tony Stewart - On ESPN throughout the day for "First Take," "SportsCenter," "NASCAR Now" and SportsNation"

• Kevin Harvick, Jeff Burton and Clint Bowyer - FOX Business Channel, 7 p.m. ET, for "America’s Scoreboard"
  
   

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Harvick Wins Regular Season but Hamlin Starts Chase First with Win at RIR

Hamlin Claims 6th Win of Season

RICHMOND, VA. (Sept. 11, 2010) -- Denny Hamlin won again at what he calls his "home track" on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series circuit Saturday night – the .75-mile Richmond International Raceway.

The Virginia native from Chesterfield fought off numerous challenges from Jimmy Johnson, Clint Bowyer and Kyle Busch to win the last event before NASCAR's 10-race version of a playoff begins next Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

The victory was Hamlin's second at his home-state track and his series-leading sixth of the season, which gives him the top seed for the playoff races.

Twelve drivers qualify for the playoffs and their points are recalculated beginning at New Hampshire. Each of the 12 drivers get 5,000 points plus 10 bonus points for each win this season. Hamlin's six wins put him atop the list with 5060 points. Jimmie Johnson, who finished third Saturday night, is seeded second with five wins, for 5050 points. Kyle Busch, runner-up Saturday night, will be seeded fourth. Regular-season points leader Kevin Harvick, who was ninth Saturday night, will be seeded third.
    
Rounding out the top 10 finishers Saturday night were Joey Logano, Marcos Ambrose, Bowyer, Juan Pablo Montoya, A J Allmendinger and Carl Edwards.

    
Drivers in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup include Hamlin, Johnson, Harvick, Kyle Busch, Kurt Busch, Tony Stewart, Greg Biffle, Jeff Gordon, Carl Edwards, Jeff Burton, Matt Kenseth and Bowyer.
    
This was the 26th race of the 2010 season and most drivers were focused on winning because 10 of the top 12 spots in the series standings were decided before the green flag fell on the Air Guard 400 at Richmond.
    
Edwards drove away to a good lead while Montoya, Allmendinger and Bowyer raced hard for the second spot. Actually, Bowyer, who started the race 12th, needed only a 28th-place finish to clinch the 12th and final position in the Chase. Biffle, who was 11th in the standings starting the race, needed only a 42th-place finish to clinch a spot. Biffle was cruising around mid-pack in the early going.
    
After 25 of 400 laps, Edwards held a half-second lead over Montoya and Allmendinger with Bowyer and Johnson just behind. David Reutimann was next, followed by Logano, Brad Keselowski, Paul Menard and Stewart.
    
Reutimann brought out the first caution after a tap from Kurt Busch on the 57th lap turned him around. Reutimann remained on the lead lap and did no apparent damage to his Toyota.
    
Jason Leffler had to park his Toyota about this time and his withdrawal from the race clinched a spot in the Chase for Biffle.
    
On the restart at Lap 63, Edwards was out front with Johnson right behind him. Bowyer was next, followed by Stewart, Allmendinger, Montoya, Kenseth, Keselowski, Menard and Kurt Busch.
    
Bowyer took the lead shortly before the 100-lap mark with Edwards and Johnson in tow. Hamlin had worked his way to fourth place. Allmendinger was fifth.
    
Hamlin took the lead a few laps later and the top 10 included Bowyer, Johnson, Allmendinger, Kenseth, Montoya, Stewart, Edwards, Burton and Kyle Busch.
    
Terry Labonte brought out the second caution of the night on Lap 145 when a cut tire sent him into the wall.
    
Hamlin had the lead on the restart at Lap 152 but Johnson took over a couple laps later. Hamlin, Johnson and Bowyer swapped the lead like trading cards before a caution came out on Lap 226 for raindrops.
    
When the race restarted on lap 241, Hamlin was back out front.

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Hamlin to Lead Sprint Cup Series Field to the Green at Atlanta

After a week off the Sprint Cup Series returns to action Sunday September 4, 2010 for the Emory Healthcare 500. Leading the field to the green will be Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin who qualified with at time of 29.587 seconds (187.380 mph). This is Hamlin’s first pole of the 2010 season as well as his first ever at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Hamlin has eight career poles to his credit.

Starting alongside Hamlin is Stewart-Haas Racing’s Ryan Newman. Defending race champion Kasey Kahne will start from the 10th position.

Pre-race coverage begins at 7:30 eastern on ESPN with the green flag set to fly at 7:45.

Starting Lineup:

1. Denny Hamlin
2. Ryan Newman
3. Kyle Busch
4. Carl Edwards
5. Tony Stewart
6. Martin Truex Jr.
7. Jimmie Johnson
8. Juan Pablo Montoya
9. David Ragan
10. Kasey Kahne
11. Kurt Busch
12. Jamie McMurray
13. David Reutimann
14. Clint Bowyer
15. Greg Biffle
16. AJ Allmendinger
17. Mark Martin
18. Jeff Gordon
19. Paul Menard
20. Scott Speed
21. Sam Hornish Jr.
22. Elliott Sadler
23. Michael McDowell
24. Bobby Labonte
25. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
26. Jeff Burton
27. Regan Smith
28. Brad Keselowski
29. Kevin Harvick
30. Matt Kenseth
31. Joey Logano
32. Marcos Ambrose
33. Reed Sorenson
34. Joe Nemechek
35. Patrick Carpantier
36. David Gilliland
37. Dave Blaney
38. JJ Yeley
39. Mike Bliss
40. Bill Elliott
41. Travis Kvapil
42. Kevin Conway
43. Casey Mears

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Conway to finish out 2010 season at Robby Gordon Motorsports

Charlotte, N.C. (August 31, 2010) – Kevin Conway, the leading 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Raybestos Rookie of the Year driver, and ExtenZe Racing officially announced that they will be teaming with Robby Gordon Motorsports for the balance of the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season beginning this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

For Sunday’s running of the Emory Healthcare 500, fans will find Conway behind the wheel of the No. 7 ExtenZe Racing Toyota. Conway heads into the Atlanta race weekend leading Terry Cook in the Sprint Cup Series Raybestos Rookie Standings by 154 points (192-38) and looks to better his 31st-place finish at Atlanta earlier this year.

Prior to making this announcement, Conway had one start for RGM at Bristol Motor Speedway earlier this month and 21 starts this year for Front Row Motorsports, capturing 21 straight Raybestos Rookie of the Race awards and giving FRM its best finish since its inception in 2005 with a 14th-place finish at Daytona International Speedway on July 3. He also became the first Raybestos Rookie to lead a lap at the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 25 since Jamie McMurray did so in 2003.

“I am thrilled to finally be able to announce our signing with Robby Gordon Motorsports,” Conway said. “The Bristol race a couple weekends ago came together very late and gave everyone just a quick peek at what was possibly to come. Now that everything is in place I can’t wait to take to the track this weekend in Atlanta in the No. 7 ExtenZe Racing Toyota.

“I am very thankful for this opportunity Robby has given me and ExtenZe. I’m looking forward to helping keep the No. 7 in the top-35, gaining more seat time and finishing races while reaching my ultimate goal of claiming the 2010 Raybestos Rookie of the Year title with RGM,” added Conway.

“Moving our racing program with Kevin over to Robby Gordon Motorsports was a no brainer really,” said Robert Wilhovsky, director of motorsports marketing for ExtenZe. “Robby has a great organization with very good equipment and a car locked into the top-35 owner’s points that will allow us to get Kevin more seat time and help him continue to grow as a driver.

“We look forward to the remainder of the year with RGM and are glad we get to have him and his organization join Kevin’s quest to be crowned the 2010 Raybestos Rookie of the Year driver,” added Wilhovsky.

“We are excited to have ExtenZe Racing and Kevin Conway join Robby Gordon Motorsports. This is an excellent opportunity for everyone involved, and I am excited to have Kevin behind the wheel of the No. 7,” Robby Gordon said. “I hope that we will be able help Kevin bring home the Rookie of the Year Award while expanding our team and his on-track experience.”

Release courtesy of ExtenZe Racing

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Most Popular Driver votes reach 1 million

Fans have 2 weeks to get their driver into Top 10

Minneapolis, Minn. (August 27, 2010) - The race to the NASCAR Chase is on and so is the chase for its favorite driver - and that effort has reached a major milestone. Fans have now cast more than 1 million votes for the NASCAR® National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) Hamburger Helper® Most Popular Driver Award at www.HelpersMostPopularDriver.com.

Fans only have two more weeks of voting before the competition is narrowed to the top-10 vote-getters, coinciding with when the drivers in the Chase for the Sprint Cup will be determined. The votes will be reset on Sept. 12 and the 10 driver finalists will then begin a new race to the finish.

The current top 10, in alphabetical order, are Kyle Busch, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Carl Edwards, Jeff Gordon, Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne, Matt Kenseth, Bobby Labonte and Tony Stewart.  

Race fans have been able to vote online for their favorite NASCAR® Sprint Cup driver once a day since the racing season began in February. Voting for the full field of 41 eligible drivers will end on Sept. 11 at 11:59 p.m. CT, following the race event at Richmond International Raceway. The 10 drivers with the most votes will be announced as finalists and the vote count will reset to zero.

Fans will then have 10 race weeks to cast their vote once a day to determine the 2010 NASCAR® NMPA Hamburger Helper Most Popular Driver winner from the final field of 10 drivers. Voting will conclude Nov. 22 at 11:59 p.m. CT and the winner will be announced at the NASCAR® NMPA Myers Brothers Luncheon in December in Las Vegas.

"It's been a lot of fun for Hamburger Helper to get involved with the Most Popular Driver award this year," said Jeff Fuller, marketing manager for Hamburger Helper. "It's pretty impressive to know that fans have come to our voting page a million times to vote for their favorite driver. It will be interesting to see who makes it into the top 10 or if there will be any drivers from the outside pushing their fans to vote them in."

Last season, Earnhardt Jr. earned his seventh consecutive Most Popular Driver Award. Only Earnhardt Jr. and Bill Elliott have won the award seven consecutive times since its inception in 1953.

For more information and to vote on the NASCAR® NMPA Hamburger Helper Most Popular Driver Award, visit www.HelpersMostPopularDriver.com.

Release courtesy of Helpers Most Popular Driver website

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Track Travels: Watkins Glen International

In spite of living a couple of hours north of the track, I had never been to Watkins Glen International for a NASCAR race – until now. While perusing the listings for a local travel company specializing in bus trips this spring, I uncovered a brand new trip for 2010 – Watkins Glen!

The package deal was very reasonably priced, and included a “box lunch” from Dinosaur BBQ, pre-race pit pass, and a ticket in the Silver grandstand (at the exit of pit road, in Turn One), plus the roundtrip bus ride. While I was initially turned off by road-course racing (it just seemed like I would see more on television than at the track), I was pleasantly surprised by my experience at The Glen.

If I had one complaint, it was that I really needed a track map – getting to the pits, vendors, and souvenir haulers was an adventure, as they are all on what I normally think of as the “infield.” Once I gathered my bearings, however, I was able to enjoy the pre-race experience. The seats were great – I can honestly say I saw more action there than I do at the track I’m most used to, Pocono; we also had a Sprint Vision Jumbotron in front of us. The only drawback of the seats – the pre-race fireworks during the National Anthem were right in front of us…VERY smoky for a few minutes! I was pleasantly surprised by the prices in the concession areas – they were very reasonable compared to New Hampshire and Pocono.

I’m happy I attended my first race at The Glen – and if another bus trip is offered next year, I can say without a doubt, I’ll go again!

Photo 1: the field lined up on pit road - Paula Thompson

Photo 2: Marcos Ambrose (47) overtakes Juan Pablo Montoya (42) for the lead during the race - Paula Thompson

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Edwards on Pole for Sunday’s Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at the Glen

Who is ready for some road course racing? On Sunday the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will make its second and final stop at a road course. This weekend its the Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at the Glen.

Starting from the pole will be Roush Fenway Racing’s Carl Edwards, who qualified with a lap of 70.882 seconds (124.432 mph). This is Edwards' first pole of the 2010 season and the fifth of his career. In 25 races held at Watkins Glen, the winner has started from the pole nine time. Joining Edwards on the front row is Jamie McMurray.

If you don’t see your favorite driver’s name listed in the starting lineup, it’s probably because he has been replaced for the weekend by a “road course ringer.” Several of these so-called “ringers” join the list of usual suspects.

The green flag is scheduled for 1:18 p.m. ET on ESPN.



Full starting lineup:

1. Carl Edwards
2. Jamie McMurray
3. Juan Pablo Montoya
4. AJ Allmendinger
5. Kurt Busch
6. Tony Stewart
7. Greg Biffle
8. Scott Speed
9. Jimmie Johnson
10. Kyle Busch
11. Marcos Ambrose
12. Sam Hornish Jr.
13. Boris Said
14. Denny Hamlin
15. Robby Gordon
16. Jeff Gordon
17. Patrick Carpentier
18. Joey Logano
19. Ryan Newman
20. Kevin Harvick
21. Ron Fellows
22. Jeff Burton
23. Paul Menard
24. Mark Martin
25. Martin Truex Jr.
26. Michael McDowell
27. Regan Smith
28. Max Papis
29. Bobby Labonte
30. David Reutimann
31. Matt Kenseth
32. Brad Keselowski
33. Andy Lally
34. Clint Bowyer
35. David Ragan
36. Kasey Kahne
37. Joe Nemechek
38. Elliott Sadler
39. PJ Jones
40. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
41. Travis Kvapil
42. Kevin Conway
43. David Gilliland

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Atlanta loses one of two Cup dates to Kentucky for 2011

Atlanta Motor Speedway will give up one of its two Sprint Cup dates for the 2011 season, track officials announced Thursday. The move opens the door for Kentucky Speedway to claim a Cup race.

Atlanta will keep its Labor Day race weekend on Sept. 2-4 but will lose its March race weekend.

According to an Associated Press report, the track's owner Speedway Motorsports Inc. will give a Cup race to Kentucky Speedway in July. Kentucky Speedway has scheduled a press conference for Tuesday, when the announcement is expected to be made. On Thursday, the speedway's website said, "Big news coming in 5 days!" with the Sprint Cup Series logo in the background.

Atlanta has hosted two Cup dates since 1960. The track hosted its inaugural Labor Day race weekend last year when the events were moved up from the traditional October date.

"Atlanta Motor speedway has provided top-quality racing entertainment to spectators from across the nation and around the world for 50 years," said speedway President Ed Clark. "While our schedule will change, our commitment to the racing fans who have been the heart and soul of Atlanta Motor Speedway through these years will be stronger than ever. Our entire staff will be even more driven to produce the top annual sporting event in Georgia for many years to come."

The Labor Day weekend Cup event drew one of the biggest crowds in years at Atlanta. The spring date has suffered from declining ticket sales.

"We were thrilled with the acquisition of the Labor Day date two years ago and are proud to host such a prestigious, historical date on the NASCAR schedule," Clark said. "This track produces some of the greatest racing the circuit sees, it remains one of the drivers' favorite tracks and we will continue to build a platform that sets this one date apart from the rest."

What do you think about Atlanta losing a Cup date? Are you upset to see it go? Or excited about Kentucky getting a Cup race? Let us know in the comments below.

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Photo: Kyle Busch stands on his racecar after winning the March 2008 race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. (Chris Trotman/Getty Images for NASCAR)

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