| No further penalties for Yeley | Wednesday 7/16, 11:43 PM CT |
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J.J. Yeley was required to come down pit road after the first lap of green at Chicagoland for reportedly moving weight around in the car without NASCAR approval.
Our View: Speculation centered on the team having a lead weight in a bottle, which when removed would lighten the car. NASCAR issued a statement early this week saying no further penalties would be forthcoming, so that speculation is almost certainly false. |
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| N'Wide: All eyes on Miller | Wednesday 7/16, 8:31 PM CT |
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Gillett-Evernham Motorsports has ensured that all eyes will be on the No. 9 Dodge for Chase Miller. His race day sponsor at Gateway, Missouri Illinois Dodge Dealers will also be the race sponsor.
Our View: Mille may be a compelling dark horse this week. In his last five Nationwide starts, he's earned one top-10 and two top-15s, which combines with a bargain basement price tag to make him a good value. |
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| JTG Racing / Ambrose coming to Cup | Wednesday 7/16, 7:30 PM CT |
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ESPN analyst Brad Daugherty has purchased part of JTG Racing and the renamed entity—JTG Daugherty Racing—will field a full time Cup car in 2009, with Marcos Ambrose as the driver.
Our View: Ambrose is paying his dues in the Nationwide series, but given the disappointing finishes for open wheel / road racers in 2008, this should be viewed with cautious optimism. |
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| N'Wide: Wolfe returns to Fitz | Wednesday 7/16, 5:32 PM CT |
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Paul Wolfe will return to Fitz Motorsports as the crew chief for Josh Wise.
Our View: When Jason Leffler left to go to Braun Racing, Wolfe came along; this prompted Armando Fitz to sue the crew chief. One would have thought that would have burned a bridge, but the search for competition is overpowering. Wise will be a better value in upcoming races. |
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| If DEI is for sale, Earnhardt's not buying it | Wednesday 7/16, 4:26 PM CT |
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Amidst rumors that Dale Earnhardt, Inc. (DEI) might have commissioned Bear Stearns & Company to find a buyer, Dale Earnhardt, Jr announced he would not be interested in purchasing his father's company. "I would not have any interest in purchasing any race team, just to have the ownership."
Our View: Of course, DEI president refutes reports that the company if for sale, but Earnhardt's opinion still provides insight into how far behind him he has put aside feelings for his old ride. |
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| Kvapil gets six-race sponsor | Wednesday 7/16, 2:51 PM CT |
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Travis Kvapil will have sponsorship from Hitachi Power Tools for six of the remaining 17 races. The sponsorship will debut at Indy for the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard.
Our View: Pocono, Richmond, Dover, Lowe's and Atlanta will make up the remaining races—all of which are high-profile events. This should add quite a few dollars to the coffers. |
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| Blaney running in 10 straight | Wednesday 7/16, 1:43 PM CT |
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With a 23rd-place finish at Chicagoland, Dave Blaney joined a list of 11 drivers who have been running at the end of at least 10 consecutive races.
Our View: All of his results haven't been great, but if a team can coax the car to the end, they have a much better opportunity to improve their results. |
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| N'Wide: Happy Birthday Kennington | Wednesday 7/16, 12:26 PM CT |
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On Wednesday, July 16th D.J. Kennington turns 31. Happy Birthday.
Our View: Kennington has several victories in the CASCAR series, but his best Nationwide finish so far has been only 20th this May at Darlington. |
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| Ky Busch to run late model | Wednesday 7/16, 11:19 AM CT |
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Kyle Busch is in the Midwest during this off week, testing his late model for a run in the "Wisconsin All-Star 100 with Matt Kenseth" and an ASA race at Iowa Speedway.
Our View: Racers race and the more seat time they get, the sharper they are at all levels. |
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| N'Wide: Sorenson nearly perfect at Gateway | Wednesday 7/16, 10:07 AM CT |
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Why would Reed Sorenson lose his off weekend to compete in a rare Nationwide race? Because he's been nearly perfect with two victories and a fourth-place finish at Gateway International Raceway in three starts.
Our View: If Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) wasn't struggling this year, Sorenson would be a slam-dunk. Still, with a record like that he can't be overlooked. |
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| Carpentier gets sponsor for two races | Wednesday 7/16, 8:58 AM CT |
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Gillett-Evernham Motorsports has secured sponsorship for Patrick Carpentier in two more races. "Tow Truck in a Box" will be on the car at Michigan and Talladega this fall.
Our View: While the team would prefer not to have to piece together a full season, every little bit helps. Carpentier has been the top rookie in the last two races. |
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