NASCAR Numerology — The Lineage Behind The No. 17

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Quality trumps quantity big-time, when it comes to assessing the illustrious history of the No. 17 in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

Over the course of 60 years, a total of 93 drivers have driven cars with the number. Yet, only three of those 93 have taken the No. 17 to Victory Lane.

But what a trio it is.

All three are past series champions — David Pearson, Darrell Waltrip and the current No. 17 driver, Matt Kenseth of Roush Fenway Racing. Those three account for seven championships and a total of 207 victories overall — 63 in the No. 17.

It started with Pearson, the man many believe to be NASCAR's very best driver, winner of three championships and 105 races in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Pearson had 30 victories in the No. 17 between 1967-71, the first coming in the spring of 1968, in the Southeastern 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway.

And with only 140 starts in the No. 17, Pearson's winning percentage in the ride was 42% which by any measurement, is just this side of incredible.

Waltrip also snared three championships during his storied career. His 84 victories included 15 in the No. 17 in 344 starts, highlighted by perhaps the numbers most memorable win: the 1989 Daytona 500, driving for Hendrick Motorsports. That win was immersed in coincidence that amounted to numerology overload: Waltrip, driving the 17, finally won the 500 on his 17th try. The race purse was $1.7 million, and he was assigned pit stall No. 17.

Kenseth, the 2003 champion, is amid adding to the number's legacy by working on his own. His first victory in the No. 17 was during his rookie season of 2000 — at the Coca-Cola 600, which will be held for the 50th time on Sunday at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

Kenseth started this season by tacking on two more victories to the No. 17's list — the Daytona 500 and the Auto Club 500. Going into the Coca-Cola 600 Kenseth has 18 wins in 338 starts in the No. 17.

Two others had significant stints in the No. 17. Fred Harb made 110 starts between 1957-63; Roger Hamby made 67 between 1977-81. Like 90 others in the number's rich history, they went winless.

— Source: NASCAR

Video: Amazing finish to Aaron's 499

Video: Tony Stewart says teammate Ryan Newman gives him chance to win back-to-back races at Talladega

Source: NASCAR

Video: Kenseth looking forward to returning to Nationwide Series

— Source: NASCAR

My Favorite Martin

Guest Column By Cathy Elliott

Do me a favor and conduct a little sociology experiment sometime. Ask a few random people what they dislike most in the world. Answers will probably range anywhere from war to spiders to liars. If you ask me, you can add oatmeal to the list.

But if you take a stroll through the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series garage and ask the drivers the same question, nine times out of 10 you'll get the same answer — losing. To them, losing is like the sound of fingernails on a blackboard, a trip to the dentist and a Barry Manilow concert, all rolled into one big fat ball of misery.

So it came as somewhat of a surprise to see so many happy-looking faces after the race at Phoenix on April 18, because 42 out of 43 of them were the faces of the losers.

In the Sprint Cup Series racing world, there are different levels of aspiration in relation to other drivers. Some drivers you want to be around; other drivers, you want to be like. Then comes the scant handful of drivers you would actually like to be.

Mark Martin fits into all three categories.

Martin made his Cup Series debut in 1981. For those of you who like to take the "that doesn't seem like all that long ago" attitude — and I am one of you — that was 28 years in the rearview mirror. Current stars of NASCAR's youth movement, including Brian Vickers, Joey Logano, David Ragan, Scott Speed and Kyle Busch, weren't even born yet. Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart were 10 years old. Jimmie Johnson was a first-grader.

Martin didn't come out of the gate too badly. In only five starts, he managed a third place finish at Martinsville and won two poles.

The intervening years have gone OK, too. Martin’s 36 Cup Series victories place him 18th on the all-time win list, just one spot behind Bobby Isaac. He is a four-time series runner-up, with second place finishes in 1990, 1994, 1998 and 2002. Over in the Nationwide Series, he sits at the top of the all-time win list, with 48 victories.

If experience is the best teacher, then nearly three decades of racing and 84 trips to NASCAR Victory Lanes must have certainly qualified Mark Martin for his doctoral degree by now.

And in keeping with his reputation as a good guy, a good driver and a good sport, he has passed that accumulated knowledge on to others. You can’t swing a cat in a NASCAR garage without hitting someone who will be happy to share a story about some tidbit of information they have learned from Martin. He knows things. He’s a guy drivers want to be around.

High on the “Things You’ll Never Hear at a Racetrack” list is the phrase, “I just can’t stand that Mark Martin. What a creep.” Martin has won a lot of races over the years, and has earned a pile of respect in the process.

In an arena were competitors can, and sometimes do, take their frustrations with one another out with the help of 3,400 pound stock cars, Martin has sort of become the Mr. Clean of NASCAR. Incidents and accidents are inevitable, but when “racing clean” is an option, he takes it.

“Mark has made a career out of racing you fairly,” Martin’s former Roush teammate Jeff Burton said. “But of course, if you don’t do the same for him, he remembers, so he won’t be doing you any favors if the opportunity comes up.”

In short Martin is a gentleman racer, willing to give good advice to his peers when he’s not too busy dusting his very crowded trophy case. In a sport where tension runs high and tempers do flare, he has somehow managed to make more friends than enemies.

Many drivers want to be like that.

Mark Martin doesn’t back away from difficult decisions, and isn’t afraid to take a risk. Imagine taking part-time possession of the wheel of a formerly successful No. 8 car when its former driver, who also happens to be NASCAR’s most popular racer, vacated the seat under, shall we say, somewhat contentious circumstances. Mark Martin did that.

Imagine having the courage and conviction to believe that no matter what the history books seem to indicate, drivers of a certain age can’t really compete with the younger, fresher talents on the track. Mark Martin has that.

Imagine becoming only the fourth driver in history over the age of 50 to win a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. Mark Martin did that, just last week. He’ll probably do it again, too.

Now let’s really venture out onto the farthest-fetched of limbs. Imagine that you are so popular and well respected that you can beat Dale Earnhardt, Jr., and his fans don’t even get mad. That you can beat the other 41 guys, too, and instead of sulking in the garage area, a crowd of them comes to a Victory Lane that isn’t theirs to shake your hand and congratulate you. Imagine one very happy race winner, and 42 satisfied losers.

Unimaginable? Not any more. Why?

Because Mark Martin did that.

— Source: NASCAR

What you can bring to Talladega Superspeedway

Allowed

■ Binoculars, cameras, headsets, etc., worn separately around the neck or belt are allowed, along with seat cushions carries separately.

■ Cell phones, scanners, pagers and radios can be clipped to the belt.

■ One soft-sided bag no larger than 6x6x12 inches. Soft-sided bags include insulated coolers, scanner and camera bags, fanny packs, pursues, diaper bags, etc. They may also contain ice. All soft-sided bags are subject to search.

■ One clear plastic bag no larger than 18x18x4 inches. Clear bags may be used to carry items such as: Scanners, apparel, cameras, snacks and canned beverages. They may not contain ice. All bags are subject to search.

Not allowed

■ Items not allowed include: Hard-sided coolers, backpacks, thermos bottles and insulated cups on any size; strollers, umbrellas, etc.; any bags, or containers larger than the allowable size of 6x6x12 inches. For fans’ safety, any items left unattended in or around the gate area will be removed and disposed of. Talladega Superspeedway assumes no responsibility.

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NASCAR Numerology — The Lineage Behind The No. 9

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Kasey Kahne has the ride. Bill Elliott has the history.

And together, the two drivers represent the vast majority of accomplishments by the No. 9 car in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, with some of the most memorable taking place at Talladega Superspeedway — site of Sunday's Aaron's 499.

And just how appropriate is it, that when Elliott decided to step away from racing full-time, he served as a mentor to Kahne, helping prepare the young driver to take over the No. 9 — a car number that had become forever part of NASCAR lore with Elliott behind the wheel.

Elliott made 446 starts in the No. 9 between 1976 and 2003 — out of 1,300 total starts among 97 drivers. The No. 9 had 49 victories coming into the 2009 season; Elliott had 38, followed by Kahne (nine), Donald Thomas (one) and Herb Thomas (one).

Two of those victories for Elliott came at Talladega, during a time when Elliott was the man at NASCAR's two biggest tracks, Talladega and Daytona. Elliott and the red-and-gold No. 9 Coors Thunderbird more or less ruled the high banks in the mid-1980s, before the safety-oriented mandate of carburetor restrictor plates.

Elliott had six poles in a row at Talladega from 1984-87; the fifth pole in that run was a history-maker. Elliott set an all-time NASCAR qualifying record on April 30, 1987 at 'Dega, averaging 212.809 mph.

Due to the advent of plates, the record still stands today and likely will stand forever.

Kahne, who drives the modern incarnation of the No. 9 — it's a Budweiser-sponsored Dodge — has added considerably to the number's legacy in only five years. He has nine victories, including a series-leading six during the 2006 season.

It all began for the No. 9 in the second race of the very first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (then called Strictly Stock), on the old Daytona beach-road course, with Herb Thomas driving. Herb also got the number's first victory, in 1952 at North Wilkesboro. Herb's brother Donald got the second win for the No. 9 in the very next '52 race, at Lakewood Speedway in Atlanta.

— Source: NASCAR

NASCAR Newscast: Aaron's 499 Preview

Aaron’s 499 Weekend Notes — 40 Years of Racing

In 2009, Talladega Superspeedway proudly celebrates 40 years of the most competitive racing in NASCAR. While the track has seen changes made to the cars that circle its high banks, the surface that they race on and the grandstands that thousands of fans fill twice a year, one constant remains; Talladega Superspeedway is authentic NASCAR racing at its finest.

Key terms that describe NASCAR weekends at Talladega Superspeedway:
• Close, thrilling finishes
• Side-by-side racing
• Phenomenon
• Legendary/historic
• Fast/high speed
• Fan-friendly
• Authentic NASCAR
• Friends get together

Talladega Superspeedway makes it more affordable and convenient for fans:
• Low-priced tickets still available for the Aaron’s 499.
• The best deal in 40 years — grandstand tickets for Aaron’s 499 start at $40.
• Dega Dollar Combo — $45 gets a reserved seat and 10 “Dega Dollars” useable at Americrown food concessions.
• Infield one-day tickets reduced 40% to $40.
• Fairway to Speedway — two tickets to Aaron’s 499 and two rounds of golf playable at nine of the 11 RTJ championship golf courses for only $200 — 25% savings.
• Updated hospitality offerings including new tent design, layout, entertainment and free beverages.

Lower priced concessions and new menu items:
• Fans save 25% with combo value meals (cheeseburger or hotdog w/ fries and drink). NEW
• “The Big One” — 1/3 pound hot dog served with a special Speedway Sauce. NEW
• Branded foods onsite — Papa John’s Pizza, Boardwalk Fries and Juicy’s Outlaw Grill. NEW

Continued convenience and value:
• New pedestrian bridge over the 30-lane main entrance for improved fan traffic flow and safety.
• Free camping available as well as free parking on property.
• Fans can still bring their own food and beverage in approved coolers.

SPECIAL NOTE: TSS President Rick Humphrey presented Samson Mayor Clay King with 1,000 tickets. to the Aaron’s 499 for emergency workers and town residents in hopes of providing some relief and excitement to the devastated Geneva County town. Samson was the site of a horrific mass shooting on March 10 that left 11 people dead and an entire community grieving.

First Class Entertainment/Dignitaries:
• Nick Saban, University of Alabama Head Football Coach — Grand Marshal for the Aaron’s 499
• Miss America 2009, Katie Stam, will perform the National Anthem prior to the Aaron’s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway and visit fans in the Dodge Speedway Sports Club and Pepsi Pit Tour Experience Zone hospitality areas.
• More than 10 driver appearances throughout the weekend including the MRN at Full SPEED fan forum Sunday at 9 a.m. on the SPEED stage and special appearances at Intl. Motorsports Hall of Fame.
• Country/Rock duo LoCash Cowboys to headline free infield concert at Talladega Superspeedway.

Source: NASCAR

NASCAR Numerology — The Lineage Behind The No. 8

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Aric Almirola is the latest driver to drive the No. 8 car in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series competition. As for who is the greatest, let the debate begin.

And believe it not, that debate does not begin and end with Dale Earnhardt Jr., his considerable success notwithstanding. Instead, a pretty convincing case can be made for Joe Weatherly being "the man" when it comes to the No. 8's legacy.

Weatherly made 110 starts in the No. 8 between 1961-64, winning 20 times and capturing back-to-back NASCAR Sprint Cup championships in 1962 and '63. Weatherly, who died in a racing accident at Riverside, Calif., in '64, was named in 1998 to the elite list of "NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers."

Earnhardt made 291 starts in the No. 8 from 1999-2007, continuing a family alignment with the number. His grandfather, Ralph Earnhardt, drove the No. 8 in the 1950s and '60s in NASCAR Sportsman competition and other short-track events.

An interesting aside: The grandfather made 51 starts in NASCAR Sprint Cup competition but none were in the No. 8. The grandson won 17 times in the No. 8, most notably the 2004 Daytona 500.

And then there's this historical gem which can't be overlooked: Eventual seven-time series champion Dale Earnhardt even made one NASCAR Sprint Cup start in the No. 8 — his series debut in the 1975 Coca-Cola 600.

While the No. 8�s all-time history in NASCAR Sprint Cup is spread out among 86 drivers and 1,319 starts, the total number of times the number has visited Victory Lane is attributable to a surprisingly small group. The No. 8 accounts for 38 wins. In addition to the win totals of Weatherly and Dale Earnhardt Jr., the only other No. 8 win was provided by Bobby Hillin Jr. at Talladega Superspeedway in the summer of 1986.

Those are some strange statistics to grasp, especially considering the history-rich "family tree" of the No. 8. Consider: The 1950 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Bill Rexford had two starts in the number; Jeff Burton had 59; Mark Martin had 24; Dick Trickle, Hut Stricklin and Morgan Shepherd also took the No. 8 out for some afternoon spins.

And then there�s Ed Negre, who may have lacked quality finishes but certainly not quantity. Negre made 283 starts in the No. 8 between 1967 and 2007, second only to Earnhardt�s 291. Negre, who usually owned the cars he raced, failed to win a NASCAR Sprint Cup race during his career.

Almirola, driving for the Earnhardt-Ganassi organization, will attempt to make his 18th start on Sunday in the Samsung 500 at Texas Motor Speedway.

— Source: NASCAR

NASCAR Numerology: The Lineage Behind The No. 2

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — For a singular digit, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series’ No. 2 car boast multiple accomplishments.

Its roots run parallel to the sport – all the way back to the inaugural season of 1949 – and its driving roster includes both pioneers and champions.

A quick look at the No. 2’s all-time numerical totals:
• 61 wins
• 1,530 starts
• 113 drivers

Kurt Busch (No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge) is the current driver. Now in his fourth season with Penske Racing and at the No. 2’s helm, the 2004 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion is thriving in what is popularly known as the “Blue Deuce”.

As teams prepare for Sunday’s Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway, where Busch has won twice in the No. 2, the number provides its own karma. The No. 2 has 10 wins at Bristol; Busch and the No. 2 also are the series’ most current winners, on March 8 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

The No. 2’s history began with Sam Rice, its first driver in 1949. Three other drivers followed Rice in the seat that season – Bill Blair, Jimmie Lewallen and Frank Mundy.

Rusty Wallace, the 1989 series champion, is the No. 2’s best-known driver. He leads all No. 2 drivers with 522 starts, 37 wins and 16 seasons. Seven of his wins came at Bristol. Dave Marcis is second with all-time starts in the No. 2, with 136. Busch is third, with five of his 19 career wins having come in 112 starts in the No. 2.

Bobby Allison, the 1983 series champion, is fourth, with seven wins in 103 starts in the No. 2. Seven-time series champion Dale Earnhardt and Bill Blair each recorded 78 starts in the No. 2. Earnhardt had six wins during his No. 2 tenure (two at Bristol); Blair had three.

Two other drivers have won while driving the No. 2. Jim Paschal won once (1950, ’62 and ’63). Tim Richmond won twice while driving the No. 2 during the 1980 season.

— Source: NASCAR

NASCAR's State Fair Flair

By Cathy Elliott, Guest Columnist

Have you ever been to a state fair?

I remember the first time my parents took my brother and me to the fair in Raleigh, N.C. For a kid who thought the Tilt-A-Whirl at Dowdy's Amusement Park at the beach was the pinnacle of excitement, the state fair overwhelmed me by the sheer size and volume of things to see and do, packed into a relatively small space.

Everywhere I looked, there was movement and activity. People were chowing down on foot-long hot dogs and cotton candy, tossing ping pong balls into goldfish bowls and shooting water pistols into the mouths of clowns. There was The Amazing Bearded Woman (nowadays, that could easily be handled with a couple smears of hot wax and a moderately high tolerance for pain), and The Amazing Guy Who Hammered Nails Up His Nose.

The rides were way more exotic than the Tilt-A-Whirl; they had a Scrambler, bumper cars and that zero gravity thing that spins you around really fast and then drops the floor out from under you, leaving nothing but G forces to hold you plastered into the mesh cage.

For a 10-year-old, it was the wow factor to the millionth power. It seemed at the time to be an embarrassment of riches.

Then I attended my first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, which happened to be at Darlington Raceway, and suddenly the fair seemed ... just fair.

Usually when you attend a major sporting event, you chart your own course and set sail. A NASCAR event is an entirely different animal. It's like being in the center of a hurricane that carries you along from one exciting attraction to the next.

This might include a little tailgating in the parking lot, a couple of passes through the souvenir haulers to find that rare copy of "Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s Guide to Style" or "Matt Kenseth's Hilarious Hijinks, Vol II," followed by a stroll through the pits to observe the fascinating process of securing lug nuts to wheel wells with whatever that yellow goo they use is called.

If you're lucky, you could get an autograph from someone's gas man or rear tire changer as they get their team's gear ready to race. If you're really lucky, you might spot a driver who has accidentally wandered through the pits on his way to a hospitality tent appearance or a media interview. And if you're extremely lucky, and blessed with good timing, the aforementioned driver might even sign your shirt or hat.

Just as a cowboy never saddles up without his six-shooter strapped to his side, a NASCAR superstar never leaves his hauler without that trusty Sharpie tucked securely in his pocket. You never know when you might need to be armed and ready to sign.

On your way to the grandstand, you can wander through the midway area and check out all the massive sponsor displays; you might even run across The Guy Who Can Change a Tire in Under Five Seconds. Now, that's amazing.

You can stop by the concession stand and pick up a foot-long hot dog, plus a two-feet-long turkey leg. Even the food is bigger at a race track.

And then there are the rides, dozens of them; 43, to be exact. No two are alike. They embody the constant position-changing of the Scrambler, the hang-on-to-something-and-hope-for-the-best tumult of the Tilt-A-Whirl, and the nudge-and-grind of the bumper cars, all in one loud, fast and glistening package, spinning so fast you do feel the bottom has dropped from beneath your feet.

Stock racing is much, much more than fair. It is the greatest thrill ride of all.

Note: The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series are off during the weekend of March 14-15. Both series will return to race action on March 21 and 22 at Bristol Motor Speedway.

— Source: NASCAR

Reggie Jackson to pace field at Auto Club 500

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY, Calif. — Baseball Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson, who earned the nickname Mr. October for his World Series heroics with both the A's and Yankees, will be behind the wheel of the Auto Club Speedway’s 2009 Chevy Impala pace car as he leads the field before the start of NASCAR’s 2009 West Coast Premiere — the Auto Club 500 — on Feb. 22.

"In my lifetime I've played in six World Series, hob-knobbed with movie stars and been a part of the excitement of New York and the Yankees," said Jackson. "With all that, it’s hard to get excited over many things. But being behind the wheel of the pace car for the Auto Club 500, is right up there with some of the most exciting things I've ever done."

A five-year star with the California Angles (now the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim), Jackson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1993. In 27 Fall Classic games, he amassed 10 home runs - including four in consecutive at-bats - 24 RBI and a .357 batting average. As one of the game's premier power hitters, he blasted 563 career round-trippers. A terrific player in the clutch and an intimidating cleanup hitter, Jackson compiled a lifetime slugging percentage of .490 and earned American League MVP honors in 1973. He won three consecutive World Series titles as a member of the Oakland A's in the early 1970s and also won 2 consecutive titles with the New York Yankees. He also played one year with the Baltimore Orioles.

Jackson is the only position player to win the World Series MVP Award 2 times ('73 with the A's and '77 with the NY Yankees).

Jackson is just one of several celebrities taking part in Auto Club Speedway’s Auto Club 500 Weekend. In addition to Jackson, Grammy-nominated Little Big Town will perform the National Anthem before the Auto Club 500. Gavin Rossdale, who is currently enjoying the success of his Top 40 hit single “Love Remains the Same,” will perform a pre-race concert prior to the Auto Club 500 in the Opportunity, California FanZone, while Rev Theory, currently on tour with Theory of a Deadman and Ten Second Epic, will perform Saturday Feb. 21 and Sunday, Feb. 22 also at Auto Club Speedway’s Opportunity, California FanZone.

Band from TV, noted celebrities from television’s Heroes, Desperate Housewives and House just to name a few is scheduled to rock the Opportunity, California FanZone Stage on Sunday and multi-platinum singer/songwriter and country superstar Billy Ray Cyrus will serve as Grand Marshal for the Stater Bros. 300 as well as perform the National Anthem prior to the start of the San Bernardino County 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event, both scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 21.

Media: No go on four-in-a-row

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — The media have spoken, and it predicts Carl Edwards will end Jimmie Johnson's championship stranglehold.

In a NASCARMedia.com poll asking members of the media to forecast 2009's final top 12, Edwards received almost twice the first place votes as Johnson. Edwards finished with 70 first-place votes, compared to Johnson's 37.

Despite his proven dominance in winning three consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup Series titles, Johnson could not muster a majority of the support from the 198 voters who cast a ballot.

"It is an unreal compliment for 70 [media members] to think that I will win it all," Edwards said. "It's just great. What Jimmie has done is spectacular. For the media to say they think that I might be able to stop that is pretty neat."

The voters believe the rest of the 2009 top 12 will look much like the final 2008 version — with one notable exception.

In their opinion, Mark Martin's return to full-time competition with Hendrick Motorsports will shake up this season's Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. The media picked Martin to finish eighth. Clint Bowyer, who must adapt to his new No. 33 Cheerios/Hamburger Helper Chevrolet crew in 2009, is the only 2008 Chase participant who the voters feel will fail to make it in 2009.

Here are the media's final top 12 predictions:

1. Carl Edwards
2. Jimmie Johnson
3. Kyle Busch
4. Jeff Gordon
5. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
6. Greg Biffle
7. Kevin Harvick
8. Mark Martin
9. Jeff Burton
10. Matt Kenseth
11. Denny Hamlin
12. Tony Stewart

In Raybestos Rookie of the Year balloting, voters believe Joey Logano will live up to expectations. Logano, who takes over the No. 20 Home Depot Toyota from Tony Stewart, garnered 53% of the media vote. Scott Speed finished second with 44% and Max Papis finished third with 3%. A total of 185 votes were cast in the preseason Raybestos Rookie of the Year ballot.

Souce: NASCAR

Teams ready for new-look Budweiser Shootout at Daytona

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Amid much anticipation, the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series officially returns to the track Saturday night.

The 31st annual Budweiser Shootout At Daytona — the non-points precursor to the season-opening Daytona 500 on Feb. 15 — snares the spotlight first at Daytona International Speedway.

This year, the event will have changes in its format, with a slightly longer distance and an expanded field designed to showcase the four manufacturers competing in NASCAR's premier series.

And come Saturday, no one will be more eager to mash the gas than the Budweiser Shootout's defending winner — Dale Earnhardt Jr. (No. 88 AMP Energy/National Guard Chevrolet).

"Winning the first race of the year — whether it's for points or no points — is always pretty special," Earnhardt said. "There's no better way to start a season than by winning the first one right out of the gate."

Doing so may be especially important this season, given NASCAR's 2009 suspension of testing at tracks that hold NASCAR-sanctioned events. Instead of the usual January tests at Daytona and Las Vegas Motor Speedway, NASCAR Sprint Cup teams concentrated energy in shops and engine rooms to prepare for the season.

For the Budweiser Shootout's 28 eligible participants, Saturday night's race means the first opportunity to gather data under race conditions, a crucial component for Daytona 500 preparations.

Last year, Earnhardt used his victory to jump-start his first season at Hendrick Motorsports. The momentum carried over to a victory in the first of two 150-mile qualifying races for the Daytona 500 (the Gatorade Duel), and an eventual ninth-place finish in the Daytona 500.

"It doesn't necessarily determine how the rest of your Speedweeks will go, because we run different cars for the Daytona 500," Earnhardt said. "But it's the opening act of a new season, and everyone wants to start off with a bang. I guess it's more important for bragging rights."

He cites a "good car; good motor; being in the right place at the right time," for his 2008 Budweiser Shootout win — his third overall.

"Everything was clicking," Earnhardt added. "I had teammates up front, and we worked together quite a bit. It was just a good race where everything went right."

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BUDWEISER SHOOTOUT AT DAYTONA

A New Format … The Budweiser Shootout race distance has been increased from 70 laps to 75 laps for 2009. That's a total of 187.5 miles on Daytona's high-banked, 2.5-mile layout.

As has been the case since 2003, the event will be run in two segments; only the first segment increases in distance from 20 to 25 laps.

Following the first segment, a 10-minute "pit stop" gives crews the opportunity to make normal adjustments to their cars. That means tweaks they would do on a normal pit stop during a regular NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event.

All work must be done on pit road or in the garage.

Teams may not change springs, shocks or rear-ends.

All green- and yellow-flag laps in both segments will count.

Following the 10-minute "pit stop", the event's second segment remains a 50-lap sprint for the win.

A New Field … As announced last August, the Budweiser Shootout field now includes the top six teams from each manufacturer based on the final 2008 car owner standings. Another change announced on Jan. 16: Each manufacturer also has a "wild card" entry, which increases the field from 24 to 28 teams.

Here's the criteria for including a seventh car, or "wild card" entry:

Any owner outside the top six for each manufacturer, whose driver is a past NASCAR Sprint Cup champion who attempted to qualify for all 2008 events. Each manufacturer is permitted only one of these positions, which will be based on the most recent champion per manufacturer.

If an owner/manufacturer doesn't have a past NASCAR Sprint Cup champion, the next highest eligible owner outside the top six, per manufacturer, in the final 2008 owner standings, will be eligible to fill that manufacturer's wild-card position.

Note: This year's 28-team Budweiser Shootout field is the largest in event history. Last year's 23-team field was the previous high.

The 2009 field includes five former Daytona 500 champions — including one three-time winner in Jeff Gordon (No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet), one two-time winner in Michael Waltrip (No. 55 NAPA Toyota), 2007 winner Kevin Harvick (No. 29 Shell/Pennzoil Chevrolet), 2004 winner Dale Earnhardt Jr. and 2006 winner Jimmie Johnson (No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet), also the reigning and three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion.

First-time Budweiser Shootout participants include AJ Allmendinger (No. 44 Valvoline Dodge), Robby Gordon (No. 7 Jim Beam Dodge), Joey Logano (No. 20 Home Depot Toyota), Paul Menard (No. 98 Menard's Ford), David Ragan (No. 6 UPS Ford), David Reutimann (No. 00 Aaron's Dream Machine Toyota), Scott Speed (No. 82 Team Red Bull Toyota) and David Stremme (No. 12 Penske Racing Dodge).

Participants with previous Budweiser Shootout experience include Greg Biffle (No. 16 3M Ford), Jeff Burton (No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet), Kurt Busch (No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge), Kyle Busch (No. 18 M&M's Toyota), Carl Edwards (No. 99 AFLAC Ford), Denny Hamlin (No. 11 FedEx Toyota), Kasey Kahne (No. 9 Budweiser Dodge), Matt Kenseth (No. 17 DEWALT Ford), Bobby Labonte (No. 96 ASK.COM Ford), Jamie McMurray (No. 26 Crown Royal Ford), Casey Mears (No. 07 Jack Daniels Chevrolet), Elliott Sadler (No. 19 Stanley Tools Dodge), Reed Sorenson (No. 43 McDonald's Dodge), Tony Stewart (No. 14 Old Spice/Office Depot Chevrolet) and Brian Vickers (No. 83 Red Bull Toyota).

Souce: NASCAR

2009 NASCAR national series television broadcast times announced

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Broadcast times for the 2009 NASCAR season have been announced, beginning with FOX's broadcast of the non-points Budweiser Shootout at Daytona at 8:10 p.m. (ET) on Feb. 7 at Daytona International Speedway. The full broadcast schedules, including TV start times, for all three national series — the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series — are below.

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points races will be seen on either FOX, TNT, ESPN or ABC. In addition, two non-points events — the Gatorade Duel at Daytona (2 p.m. ET on Feb. 12) and the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race (7:30 p.m. ET on May 16 at Lowe's Motor Speedway), will be broadcast by SPEED.

FOX will broadcast the first 13 NASCAR Sprint Cup points races, beginning with the 51st running of the Daytona 500 (Feb. 15, 2 p.m. TV start time; green flag 3:20 p.m. ET) and ending with the May 31 event at Dover International Speedway at 2 p.m. (ET).

TNT will broadcast the next six events, beginning with the Pocono 500 at 2 p.m. (ET) on June 7 at Pocono Raceway and ending with Chicagoland Speedway's LifeLock.com 400, July 11 at 8 p.m. (ET).

ESPN and ABC will broadcast the final 17 NASCAR Sprint Cup events. ESPN will broadcast six, beginning with the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard at 2 p.m. (ET) on July 26 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and ending with the Sept. 6 event at Atlanta Motor Speedway (7:30 p.m. ET).

ABC completes the season with 11 broadcasts, beginning with race No. 26, the cutoff event for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup — at Richmond International Raceway on Sept. 12 at 7:30 p.m. (ET). ABC also will air the entire 10-race Chase. The season ends with ABC's broadcast of the Ford 400 on Nov. 22 at 3:15 p.m. (ET) at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

The 2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series season will be broadcast on ABC, ESPN and ESPN2. ABC will broadcast four events, ESPN will broadcast five and ESPN2 will broadcast 26. ESPN2 opens the season with the Camping World 300 at 1:15 p.m. (ET) on Feb. 14 at Daytona. New to the 2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series schedule is a race at Iowa Speedway, held on Aug. 1 at 4:30 p.m. (ET) on ESPN. ESPN2 also will broadcast the season-finale Ford 300 on Nov. 21 at Homestead-Miami (4:30 p.m. ET).

The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, with new title sponsor Camping World, returns to SPEED for a seventh consecutive season, beginning with the season-opening NextEra Energy Resources 250 on Feb. 13 at 8 p.m. (ET) at Daytona. The season-finale Ford 200 on Nov. 20 at Homestead-Miami begins at 8 p.m. (ET). SPEED will broadcast 23 of the 25 races.

For the third consecutive season, FOX will broadcast two NASCAR Camping World Truck Series events. The first will be at Auto Club Speedway on Feb. 21 at 3 p.m. (ET). The race is part of a NASCAR "double header" involving the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and the NASCAR Nationwide Series (The NASCAR Nationwide Series race will be televised on ESPN2 at 7:45 p.m. ET). FOX also will broadcast the NCWTS Kroger 250 at Martinsville Speedway on March 28 at 2 p.m. (ET).

Sprint Cup Series schedule

Nationwide Series schedule

Camping World Truck Series schedule

Souce: NASCAR

2009 Budweiser Shootout at Daytona features revised format

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — NASCAR announced Friday a revision to the 2009 Budweiser Shootout at Daytona format that provides each manufacturer with a 'wild card' entry, increasing the size of the field from 24 to 28 cars, highlighting the manufacturers' involvement in NASCAR, and featuring more drivers for fans to support.

The 31st annual season-opening event at Daytona International Speedway will be held on Saturday night, Feb. 7. As was announced last August, the lineup will consist of the top six teams from each manufacturer, based on the final 2008 car owner points. Eligibility is based on owners competing in this event with the same manufacturer as 2008. The new wrinkle calls for each manufacturer to be able to enter a seventh car, or "wild card" entry, based on the following criteria:

• Any owner outside of the top six in year end 2008 owners' points whose driver is a past NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion that attempted to qualify for all of the 2008 events (only one position will be filled per manufacturer and will be based on the most recent past champion per manufacturer).

• If an owner/manufacturer does not have a past champion driver, the next highest eligible owner outside the top six in year end 2008 owners' points from each manufacturer will be eligible to compete in the event.

As previously announced, the race distance will be increased from 70 laps to 75 (187.5 miles) on the 2.5-mile tri-oval. The race will have two segments of 25 and 50 laps. Both green- and yellow-flag laps will count.

Between segments, there will be a 10-minute pit stop at which time teams will pit and may elect to change tires, add fuel and make normal chassis adjustments. Crews will be permitted to work on cars and will be allowed to perform functions they would do on a normal pit stop in a regular NASCAR Sprint Cup event. All work must be performed on pit road or in the garage. Changing of springs, shock absorbers or rear-ends will not be permitted.

2009 Budweiser Shootout at Daytona format

Starting positions will again be determined by a blind draw, at the annual Budweiser Shootout Draw Party on Thursday night, Feb. 5, on the SPEED stage in the Midway, outside Turn 4.

The Budweiser Shootout — a "non-points" event for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series competitors — was first held in 1979, and originally known as the Busch Clash. Dale Earnhardt Jr. won last year's event.

Souce: NASCAR

Rolex 24: Ganassi Racing aims for fourth straight win

Last year, Chip Ganassi Racing With Felix Sabates became the first team to win the Rolex 24 three consecutive seasons. This year, it's going for four-in-a-row.

The team has two entries in the race. The No. 01 TELMEX/Target Lexus Riley will be driven by Juan Pablo Montoya, Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas. Montoya and Pruett have won the event the last two years.

The No. 02 Target/TELMEX Lexus Riley will be driven by Dario Franchitti, Scott Dixon and Alex Lloyd.

NASCAR drivers set for the 24

A number of NASCAR drivers will test their sports car prowess in the Rolex 24:

• Jimmie Johnson will drive the GAINSCO Auto Insurance Pontiac Riley in the featured Daytona Prototype category. He'll share the cockpit with team regulars Jon Fogarty and Alex Gurney and open-wheel champion Jimmy Vasser. The team finished second overall in last year's race.

• Juan Pablo Montoya goes for the three-peat in the Rolex 24 at Daytona. Montoya, Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas will share the Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates Lexus Riley that captured the race in 2007-08. The team also won the 2006 event with Casey Mears.

• Other NASCAR national series competitors who have lined up Rolex 24 at Daytona rides are Mears; Kyle Petty (Orbit Racing BMW/Riley); A.J. Allmendinger (Michael Shank Racing Ford/Riley) and Colin Braun (Michael Shank Racing Ford/Riley).

• NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team owner Roger Penske will enter a Porsche/Riley in the Rolex 24 at Daytona joining fellow NASCAR Sprint Cup owners Chip Ganassi, Felix Sabates and Richard Childress in the field.

Source: NASCAR

New faces in new places

A number of drivers will have new homes this season. Here are a few:

• After a 10-year run with Joe Gibbs Racing that included two series championships, Tony Stewart starts his own team in 2009 – Stewart-Haas Racing. He'll drive the No. 14 Old Spice/Office Depot Chevrolet.

• Joining Stewart at his two-car operation will be Ryan Newman, the 2008 Daytona 500 champion. Newman spent the last seven full seasons driving a Dodge with Penske Racing. This season he'll be in the No. 39 U.S. Army Chevrolet.

• Mark Martin returns for one more shot at an elusive championship. He joins a powerhouse Hendrick Motorsports team that has captured the last three series titles with Jimmie Johnson – and eight NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championships in all. Martin will drive the No. 5 Kellogg's/CARQUEST Chevrolet.

• Richard Petty doesn't have a new home, but has a few new partners. Petty Enterprises joined forces with Gillett Evernham Motorsports to form a four-car operation. One of the stable's drivers, though, is new – Reed Sorenson. Previously with Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, Sorenson will drive the No. 43 Dodge this season.

• The same holds true for Dale Earnhardt Inc. and Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates. The two companies merged, with drivers Juan Pablo Montoya, Martin Truex Jr. and Aric Almirola under the Earnhardt/Ganassi umbrella.

Source: NASCAR