| Nationwide leaves Mexico | Sunday 7/27, 11:53 PM CT |
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The Mexico City race will be removed from the 2009 Nationwide schedule, and most likely will be replaced by an event at Rusty Wallace 's Iowa Speedway, according to the Charlotte Observer.
Our View: This seven-eighths-mile track is one of the nicest facilities in the country and would be a welcome addition to the schedule—much as we hate to see a road course race removed. |
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| Allmendinger records first top-10 | Sunday 7/27, 10:29 PM CT |
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A.J. Allmendinger scored his career first top-10 at Indy in the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard.
Our View: Last week, Allmendinger finished 13th so the Young Gun is developing nicely. This top-10 came in his 48th attempt and 31st start. |
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| Carpentier top Indy rookie | Sunday 7/27, 7:29 PM CT |
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With a finish of 18th in the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard, Patrick Carpentier was the Rookie of the Race for the third consecutive week and the fourth time this season.
Our View: This year's rookie crop has not been as strong as others in the past, but they are slowly improving, which is precisely what first-year drivers are supposed to do. |
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| Gibbs unlikely to field fourth team in 2009 | Sunday 7/27, 6:28 PM CT |
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According to NASCAR.com, Joe Gibbs told the media at Indy that he is unlikely to field a fourth team in 2009 since the timing is running out on completing the program. This suggests Joey Logano is the frontrunner for the No. 20.
Our View: Normally, one wouldn't expect much from an 18-year-old at NASCAR's top level, but Logano is not an ordinary teenager. |
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| Johnson wins at Indy | Sunday 7/27, 4:55 PM CT |
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Jimmie Johnson won what might be the most unusual Brickyard 400 of all time. With excessive tire wear occurring all day, this race was basically run in 10-lap heats.
Our View: Johnson took four tires until the end of the race and could seemingly pull to the front at will, however. The best car won even with all the pit strategy that unfolded. |
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| Ragan learning the meaning of Indy | Sunday 7/27, 12:34 PM CT |
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David Ragan told reporters this week: " I love the history of NASCAR, I love the history of racing, and being at Indianapolis is something big – not only for me, but for my family and my friends. I grew up where Daytona, Charlotte, Darlington – places like that – meant just as much to me as Indy, but the older I’ve gotten and the more that I’ve learned, not only about NASCAR but about this sport, a lot of it starts back here at Indy."
Our View: Now Indy has the same cache for Ragan as the rest of the drivers in the field and he will have the same butterflies and excitement as the rest of the pack. |
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| Sadler saved all his stickers | Sunday 7/27, 11:08 AM CT |
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Elliott Sadler saved all of his sticker tires during practice, which should give him more fresh rubber than the competition.
Our View: Even on scuffs, Sadler was good in practice. If Fate will leave him alone, he could earn a surprise top-10. |
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| NASCAR calls for competition caution | Sunday 7/27, 10:40 AM CT |
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NASCAR has announced there will be a competition caution at lap 10, to allow drivers to check on tire wear. Jimmie Johnson will lead the field to green.
Our View: NASCAR also announced that they may make some of the tires marked for Pocono Raceway next week available, and that should alleviate most fears. |
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| To the back: Ambrose | Sunday 7/27, 9:15 AM CT |
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Marcos Ambrose blew an engine early in the week and had to change it before qualification. He will drop to the back.
Our View: Ambrose wasn't a favorite to win, so going to the back won't affect him all that much. Look for a solid top-20 run if he can stay out of trouble. |
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