Can Ryan Newman Make The Chase?
The race tonight is in California, and the green flag drops at around 8pm est. As I watch the Raceday show, it occurs to me that there is a really good race going on for 35th in owner points.
While most of us are aware of the Chase, and who is fighting for the top 12 spots to get in. And with only two races left, one after tonight, a few drivers are still fighting for the Chase. Ryan Newman, in the #12 Alltel car, is in 15th (179 points out of 12th) and really needs to race well and hope that someone like Clint Bowyer, in the #07 Jack Daniels car, or Denny Hamlin, in the #11 FedEx car has some real problems and finish out of the top 30 for Newman to have a chance.
David Ragan and Kasey Kahne have a better chance of making the chase, currently in 13th and 14th positions. Kahne is 56 points out of 12th, and David Ragan is only 12 points out. Kenseth, Hamlin, and Bowyer are running 10th thru 12th, but are on the bubble and have to race well to stay in the Chase.
Dale Earnhardt Jr, Jimmie Johnson, and Jeff Burton should lock their spots in the Chase tonight. While Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards guaranteed their spots last week.
With owner points, the 35th spot is very important to guys for next year as it guarantees they race the first ten races of the year, regardless of the qualifying times. Sam Hornish Jr is in 35th (owner points), but the #96 car owned by Hall of Fame Racing will have new phenom 18yr old Joey Logano driving 5 races towards the end of the season. Can he finish well enough to gain 3 spots (and about 300 points) to get them in the top 35? I don't know, but it will be interesting to watch this kid race. He takes over the #20 Home Depot car for 2009, and I think he is going to be a driver we should keep our eyes on!
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NASCAR Drivers Are Changing Rides, What Do You Do?
As I was watching the practice and qualifying runs today on Speed Channel, I began looking at the bigger name drivers who will be changing rides next year. As well as those who are in new rides this year. My driver (I will keep his name to myself) changed last year to a new team, new number, and a new sponsor.
I found myself with lots of memorabilia and apparel that didn't go with the driver I rooted for anymore. In my case, the driver went to a new team, his old sponsor went to a different team (and a different manufacturer), and his number went to a new driver. So, I had to ask myself if I wanted to keep any of that apparel, die cast, hats, visors, posters (yes I still buy posters), pens, and other memorabilia I had collected over the years. It was a tough decision, but I opted to keep a few things, and start a new collection with the new sponsor and number for my driver.
So, with big names like Tony Stewart, Ryan Newman, and others moving at the end of this season. And names like Dale Jr., and Kyle Busch changing last year, what do the fans do? I think most stay with their drivers and, in turn, must recollect new apparel and memorabilia.
What are your thoughts on this? Is your driver changing rides at the end of the season? Will you follow the driver wherever they go? If so, check out the driver apparel, gifts, and other memorabilia here at Favorite Teamwear.
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Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards Get Probation for Post Race Activities
NASCAR announced today that it has placed Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 car, and Carl Edwards, driver of the #99 car, on probation for the next six races in the Sprint Cup Series. This comes as a result of their on-track incident Saturday night after the checkered flag had already waved, signaling the end of the race at Bristol.
According to NASCAR, Busch and Edwards violated Section 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing; hitting another competitor's car after the race had concluded) of the 2008 NASCAR rule book.
This shows the immaturity of the young Busch, as I watched this unfold on TV Saturday night, I rewound my DVR several times to see Carl's bump and run move. From my view, Carl was not excessive in his move, and was obviously being held up by the 18 car of Kyle Busch. Edwards could have easily put Busch in the wall, but opted to lightly tap the back of Kyle's M&M's Toyota to slide him out of the way. And we all know, if Kyle was fast enough, he would have done the same to Carl.
The real offenses came after the race, when Kyle hit the 99 car several times after the race, then Edwards retaliated and
spun the 18 car on the track.
I think the penalty is fair, and if Carl would have left it alone after Kyle Busch bumped him, it would just be Kyle Busch on probation from NASCAR for the next 6 races.
The six race penalty will be tough on both racers as this will last 4 races into the Chase for the Cup. And both will have to be on there best behavior on the track (before, during and after the race).
Pepsi 500 and Camping World RV Service 300 This Weekend in California
As we move closer to the Chase, each event (only 2 left) becomes do or die for some drivers and teams. This week we
are at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, CA. Here are some details about the event:
- Event: Pepsi 500
- Date / Time: Sunday, Aug. 31 at 8 p.m. EDT
- Track: Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif.
- Configuration: 2-mile D-shaped oval (250 laps = 500 miles)
- Banking in Corners: 14 degrees
- Banking on Frontstretch: 11 degrees
- Banking on Backstretch: 3 degrees
- Frontstretch: 3,100 feet
- Backstretch: 2,500 feet
- Grandstand Seating Capacity: 92,100
Tickets are still available for this event and can be purchased from the track website. I checked the availability and there are good seats still available for a reasonable amount.
Hendrick Motorsports teammates Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Jimmie Johnson are expected to qualify for the "Chase" when they leave California, as both drivers only need to finish 40th or better. Earnhardt, Jr. is third in points, and Johnson is fourth.
Broadcast Schedule:
| Date | Time | Series | Event | Channel |
| 8/29/08 | 3pm | Sprint | Practice | Speed |
| 8/29/08 | 5pm | Nationwide | Practice | Speed |
| 8/29/08 | 6:30pm | Sprint | Qualifying | Speed |
| 8/29/08 | 8:30pm | Nationwide | Final Practice | Speed |
| 8/30/08 | 5:30pm | Nationwide | Qualifying | Speed |
| 8/30/08 | 7pm | Sprint | Practice | Speed |
| 8/30/08 | 8pm | Sprint | Final Practice | Speed |
| 8/30/08 | 9:45pm | Nationwide | Race | ESPN2 |
| 8/31/08 | 7pm | Sprint | Race | ESPN |

Be sure to check back for qualifying times and race results.
Kyle Bush Love Him or Hate Him?
2008 has been a fantastic season for Kyle Bush, love him or hate him everyone must be respectful of the success he has brought the Joe Gibbs Racing Team.
Show your fan support for Kyle bush with some of these great items....
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Kasey Kahne Nascar Apparel Specials
Kasey Kahne is oh so popular and he drives fast too! Why not snag some of this great apparel while you can, it's going fast! Just like Kasey!






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