Motorsports Unlimited ((RACE))

[Seminole Red]

maybe roush can keep his engines from blowing up this year...

[RedneckInvestor]

Eric Darnell fastest at Daytona...

http://arcaracing.com/

Wasn't he the winner of Roush's t-v contest?

[RedneckInvestor]

Red, that is awesome...

Now DJ & Mikey can go slow without being hurt. LOL

[Seminole Red]

Retired driving vets are returning in 10-race series
Old School Racing Champions Tour to debut in May '08
By Mark Aumann, NASCAR.COM
December 10, 2007
11:18 AM EST

type size: + -If you never had the opportunity to see some of NASCAR's legendary drivers go door-to-door with each other at a short track, Gene Weaver hopes to give you that chance, starting in May.

Weaver and his brother, Norm, are racing veterans who are in the process of starting the Old School Racing Champions Tour, a 10-race series that culminates in a championship race at New Smyrna Speedway in Florida.



harrygant.comHarry Gant"Going back and forth to the races, the question always comes up, 'Where is this driver and where is that driver. And the drivers that we grew up watching, what's happened to them?' said Weaver, one of the managing partners of the proposed series.

"Why aren't they racing? One [issue] is safety. Two, the schedule is grueling. It's a tough, tough schedule in any NASCAR touring series. So I kind of answered these questions and came up with the ground rules for what our series is now. So that's really how it happened."

Weaver envisions something like the International Race of Champions on a smaller scale, with veteran drivers choosing a maximum of six races in which to compete. The cars will be based on NASCAR's regional touring series specs.

"Our first vehicle is out of production already," Weaver said. "Our vehicle manufacturer is in Mooresville, N.C., and right now, there's an assembly line of vehicles being produced. We should have a full team of cars by the time we reach our first race.

"We wanted to stay at arm's length from that, so we could have them built all identical. That way, there's no one who could say, 'Well, you built this car better than that one.'"

The debut race is scheduled for May 18 at Concord Speedway in North Carolina, one day after the Sprint Cup all-star race at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

Weaver outlined the expected race event schedule. The cars will arrive at the track the day before -- and tested to make sure they are identical. Then on race day, drivers will randomly draw for cars. After a practice session, there will be a two-lap qualifying, followed by an on-track autograph session where fans can purchase tickets to meet their drivers.

Weaver said all the money from that will go to the Retired Racers Foundation, a charity set up to assist former drivers who find themselves in financial straits.

"When we first started this, we wanted a charity," Weaver said. "The one thing that we found, these drivers who pioneered the way for modern-day racing, are not doing as well as we thought they were, financially or otherwise.

"What they've done is poured their life savings into this industry that didn't really repay them. And now the guys who are coming up on their coattails are getting the rewards for it."

The 100-lap feature will be broken into two 50-lap segments. The winner of the first half will win a purse for their favorite charity. And following a short break for pit work, the final 50 laps determines the payout, with all drivers earning more than their travel expenses, according to Weaver.

Weaver said drivers can ask for minor setup changes -- but the cars will be as identical as possible to bring the skill level into play.

"If a driver comes in and says, 'This thing's pushing,' we'll fix it," he said. "But they'll need to tell us what to do. And there's only a couple of things that we're going to be able to adjust because we don't want them to be major changes. Tire pressure, wedge in, wedge out, something like that."

"These drivers who pioneered the way for modern-day racing, are not doing as well as we thought they were, financially or otherwise."
GENE WEAVEROld School Racing unveiled the first car at the Performance Racing Industry trade show earlier this month in Orlando, Fla.

"[I'm shocked] by the overwhelming interest by everyone that even finds out about that," Weaver said. "We're averaging 10,000 hits a day on our Web site. The word is just getting out there and we haven't done any advertising, per se."

Weaver said when the idea was first bandied about, he was surprised at the number of veteran drivers who came forward, including David Pearson, Harry Gant, Geoffrey Bodine and Dave Marcis. More than two dozen drivers are listed on the series Web site as participants.

"We've signed a letter of commitment, basically," Weaver said. "It's not a legal, binding contract by any means, but what it's done is showed them all the rules of the series and given them an idea of what they're signing up for.

"Inclusive of that is the schedule. The maximum is six races that they can compete in, in any one given year. There are a couple of drivers there on verbal commitments, but it's just a matter of time to be able to get in front of them and have them sign."

The biggest issue facing Old School Racing is coming up with the cash to cover the overhead. However, Weaver said the total cost of the series is less than running one car for the entire Nationwide Tour.

"We have a very small budget, comparatively, when you look at racing overall," Weaver said. "But right now, no one knows who we are. We really waited to start marketing because we wanted to get the drivers first.

"It's coming out of our own pockets. Yeah, it's scary but we've had so many people contact us as investors and say, 'This is a hell of an idea. Why hasn't someone thought of this before?' and want in. Well, we're not letting them in unless we have to."

Weaver expects interest from television as the series moves forward.

"There are a couple of different avenues we could pursue here," he said. "We could have a television company come in and say, 'We want this and we'll produce it.' Or we can produce it ourselves and then sell it to them. We've hired somebody that has experience in production of NASCAR races. So we're going to trust their judgment."

For more on the Old Racing School Champions Tour, click here.

http://www.osrct.com/

[RedneckInvestor]

Thanks for that info, Cap!

Bobby Sr. was one hell of a racer... Safe to say Hornaday & Skinner miss him as much as his family.

[capgain]

In case anyone is interested, there's a Bobby Hamilton special on after the Truck Series Banquet tonight. Speed Channel 10:30

cap.

[RedneckInvestor]

Great?!? I was too young to get into all that mushy Elvis music back then, and my Detroit Lions never gave reason to cheer... So Evel was the Man.

...Went through several of his toy Harleys, drew the HD #1 on everything I had, and still hold the record for consecutive jumps (73) over the elementary school's loading dock on my old beater BMX bike (the neighborhood bully crashed & broke an arm on his fourth or fifth go-round, scratching his high dollar Redline racing bike). I had to go home because it was dinner time. They tore down the building & ramp and nobody ever came close, to my knowledge.

Just glad I quit before I hurt myself like this fool... LOL

[Seminole Red]

he was great.....

[RedneckInvestor]

Legendary Daredevil Evel Knievel Dies
By MITCH STACY,AP
Posted: 2007-11-30 17:33:40

CLEARWATER, Fla. (Nov. 30) - Evel Knievel, the red-white-and-blue-spangled motorcycle daredevil whose jumps over Greyhound buses, live sharks and Idaho's Snake River Canyon made him an international icon in the 1970s, died Friday. He was 69.

Knievel's death was confirmed by his granddaughter, Krysten Knievel. He had been in failing health for years, suffering from diabetes and pulmonary fibrosis, an incurable condition that scarred his lungs.


'America's Legendary Daredevil'

Laura Rauch, AP The daredevil arrives at Caesar's Palace Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas in 1999. "No king or prince has lived a better life," he said in a May 2006 interview. "You're looking at a guy who's really done it all.

Knievel had undergone a liver transplant in 1999 after nearly dying of hepatitis C, likely contracted through a blood transfusion after one of his bone-shattering spills.

Immortalized in the Washington's Smithsonian Institution as "America's Legendary Daredevil," Knievel was best known for a failed 1974 attempt to jump Snake River Canyon on a rocket-powered cycle and a spectacular crash at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas. He suffered nearly 40 broken bones before he retired in 1980.

Though Knievel dropped off the pop culture radar in the '80s, the image of the high-flying motorcyclist clad in patriotic, star-studded colors was never erased from public consciousness. He always had fans and enjoyed a resurgence in popularity in recent years.

His death came just two days after it was announced that he and rapper Kanye West had settled a federal lawsuit over the use of Knievel's trademarked image in a popular West music video.

Knievel made a good living selling his autographs and endorsing products. Thousands came to Butte, Mont., every year as his legend was celebrated during the "Evel Knievel Days" festival.

[MCArmel1]

Look forward to it!

Happy Thanksgiving to all! Enjoy!

[Seminole Red]

picks for feb race....20,48,2,5

[RedneckInvestor]

Happy Thanksgiving Race Fans!

[RedneckInvestor]

MC, my pleasure.

And I'd like to pass along a warm "Thank You" to you and all the others who participated.

Next year's contest will be simple to play, yet more difficult to win.

[MCArmel1]

Hey Cap... good show and congrats!!! Josh, thanks for puttin it up there.. look forward to next year... :O)

[RedneckInvestor]

CUP: Johnson Not Outlaw Enough to Earn Top Speed Honor
Written by: Jim Chiappelli
Charlotte, N.C. – 11/19/2007


Schatz Wins World of Outlaws Title for Second Consecutive Season

Jimmie Johnson is worthy of any honor that comes his way after capping off a sensational season in which he snared a second straight NASCAR Nextel Cup championship.

The numbers reveal the domination: 10 wins and 20 top-five finishes in 36 races in America’s most popular series. Conventional wisdom indicates he is a shoo-in for a slew of post-season awards.

One of the privileges of being News Director at SPEED is that I get to vote for SPEED Performer of the Year. I represent one voice on an opinionated panel when I say Johnson is not quite worthy to claim a second straight Mario Andretti trophy.

Neither is Bourdais, Franchitti, Hamilton, Stoner nor Stewart.

The driver at the top of my ballot also captured his second straight series championship, won 25% of his races and finished in the top ten an incredible 95% of the time in 2007. Moreover, he competed in more events this year than those put on in Formula 1, the IndyCar Series, Champ Car, the American Le Mans Series and Rolex Sports Car Series combined.

My guy is an Outlaw named Donny Schatz. What is even more remarkable is that the 30-year old World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series driver from Fargo, North Dakota rose to the occasion when the big money was on the line. The Knoxville Nationals in Iowa, the Kings Royal at Eldora, the Don Martin Memorial Silver Cup at Lernerville and the Williams Grove Summer Nationals in Pennsylvania were among his 19 victories in 75 feature races this year.

That’s like winning the Daytona 500, Brickyard 400, the night race at Bristol and Darlington 500 in the same season.

“I really look forward to getting in the car every night,” says Schatz. “The bigger the race, the more money, the more fun I have.”

Toss in 53 top-fives and 71 top-tens and it is easy to see why he had a ball in 2007, capped off with a check for $200,000 for taking the series title driving for his family-owned team.

Schatz should be downright giddy in 2008 as he moves to Tony Stewart Racing’s two-car effort as a teammate to Kraig Kinser. The back-to-back champion says Stewart has a lot of pride in his racing operation and shares a passion for winning, even if it means being aggressive on the track, which is something a driver-owner might not always be if it means tearing-up equipment.

“Tony’s motto is ‘ask for forgiveness, don’t ask for permission,’ and I’m not going to ask permission to win another championship,” added Schatz.

However, when it comes to being nominated for SPEED Performer of the Year, Schatz has detractors who claim he competes in a low-level feeder series.

That is nonsense. He is at the pinnacle of dirt-track racing and appears content to represent the current generation of sprint car standouts as the sport faces the eventual retirement of stars such as Kraig’s dad, Steve Kinser and Sammy Swindell, who are still winning in their 50’s and have made successful careers by slinging clay for decades.

Johnson, as the 2006 SPEED Performer of the Year, gets to join the voting panel. But even he would be hard-pressed to deny Donny Schatz of this prestigious honor.

If it is any consolation, Johnson might be able to take home the hardware in another category of the SPEED Performance Awards, which will be decided by race fans in online voting underway at SPEEDtv.com.

[RedneckInvestor]

Montoya Wins Rookie of the Year

RacingOne Report
Posted Monday, November 19, 2007


This is Montoya's second rookie title for Team Owner Chip Ganassi.


Juan Pablo Montoya, with the support of his Texaco/Havoline team, won the 2007 Raybestos Rookie of the Year title after collecting one win, three top-five and six top-10 finishes in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series. Montoya became the fourth driver for his primary sponsor Texaco/Havoline to earn the prestigious honor, and second for Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates.

“This season has been a great season for me and the Texaco/Havoline team,” said Montoya. “Earning the Raybestos Rookie of the Year title is an honor and it means a lot to me, my team and our sponsors. This title and our victory at Infineon are things to cheer about within the team and the organization. I think more importantly is how the performance of my team and Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates elevated through the entire year. It gave me the opportunity to win this award.”

Texaco/Havoline, which just celebrated its 21st year in the sport as a primary sponsor, has adorned the firesuits of four rookie winners. Montoya joins Davey Allison (1987), Kenny Irwin, Jr. (1998) and Jamie McMurray (2003), who have carried the star to a rookie title. Montoya’s Crew Chief Donnie Wingo and his team have led their second rookie to the title in four years. Wingo, along with a majority of the Texaco/Havoline crew, worked with McMurray during his impressive rookie run in 2003. It is CGRFS’ second title in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series.


This is Montoya’s second rookie title for Team Owner Chip Ganassi – he captured the 1999 CART rookie title for Ganassi’s open-wheel team. That very season, at the age of 24, Montoya proceeded to set several CART Series records en route to claiming his first and Ganassi’s fourth-consecutive CART Championship. Montoya claimed a record breaking seven wins in his rookie season, including the most consecutive wins by a rookie (three) and the most laps led by a rookie (954).

“I think winning the Raybestos Rookie of the Year was a really nice ending to Juan’s season,” said Team Owner Chip Ganassi. “What he was able to accomplish this season in just his first in a stockcar was nothing short of phenomenal and the great thing is that he is only going to get better. Now I just can’t wait for 2008 to begin.”

Montoya will participate in several media events over the next two weeks to honor his rookie title. He will attend the Raybestos Rookie luncheon tomorrow at the Speedway Club at Lowe’s Motor Speedway from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and officially pull the yellow stripe from the bumper of his No. 42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge. Montoya will then travel to New York when the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series invades the city next week. He will dine at the 21 Club from 1 to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 28, with Cup Series Champion Jimmie Johnson, and receive his official award at the NMPA (National Motorsports Press Association) Myers Bros. lunch at Cipriani’s on Thursday, Nov. 29, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Montoya joins an impressive list of drivers who have captured the Rookie of the Year title, and many who have gone on to win the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup title. In addition to the drivers from Texaco/Havoline’s history, Montoya joins Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt, Rusty Wallace, Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart and Matt Kenseth who were all past ROY winners. Montoya also becomes just the second driver in NASCAR NEXTEL Cup history born outside the United States to win rookie of the year. Canadian Earl Ross won the title in 1974.

[Seminole Red]

good pickin....

[capgain]

Thanks all, enjoyed it. Looking forward to next year.

cap.

[Seminole Red]

maybe next year....good game cap.....

[RedneckInvestor]

Final Standings...

Contestant*********Picks/Place/Score/Total
Capgain*****************48 31 2 16 (7 8 2 13) 30 609
Old_Drummerman******1 2 16 24 (6 2 13 4) 25 614
JupiterJosh************1 20 29 7 (6 30 19 27) 82 644
Lawrenzo******************2 7 17 48 (2 27 1 7) 37 714
REDFISHER****************48 2 29 16 (7 2 19 13) 41 719
MCArmel1**************16 20 24 29 1(13 30 4 19) 66 749
spcalk******************2 5 17 43 (2 20 1 23) 46 877
The Original dpb5!****17 20 48 66 (1 30 7 35) 73 934

[RedneckInvestor]

Cap, you're the man!

I knew I was in trouble when Stewart hit the wall and said, "See if you can fix it Now..."

At any rate, send me a pm and let me know how I can get you your prize money.

Josh

[capgain]

Thanks OD! I knew it was going to be close.

cap.

[Old_Drummerman]

Congrats, Cap!! Way to go!

Didn't think I had much of a chance until I added up mine and saw a pretty low 25 points. Added Josh's and saw he didn't do all that well, and started to get excited....

Only to see you got a low score too.

Ya beat me by 5 stinkin' points. :(

Congrats again, man!

[capgain]

Thanks, I think i did it, but it's not official yet.

cap.

[Seminole Red]

41 final score........

[Seminole Red]

RESULTS
2007 Unofficial Race Results : Ford 400
Ford 400 | November 18, 2007 | Race 36 of 36



FIN ST CAR DRIVER MAKE SPONSOR PTS/BNS LAPS STATUS
1 4 17 Matt Kenseth Ford DEWALT NANO Technology 195/10 267 Running
2 5 2 Kurt Busch Dodge Miller Lite 175/5 267 Running
3 32 11 Denny Hamlin Chevrolet FedEx Express 170/5 267 Running
4 11 24 Jeff Gordon Chevrolet DuPont 160/0 267 Running
5 10 99 Carl Edwards Ford Office Depot 155/0 267 Running
6 15 1 Martin Truex Jr. Chevrolet Bass Pro Shops / Tracker 155/5 267 Running
7 1 48 Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Lowe's 151/5 267 Running
8 9 31 Jeff Burton Chevrolet AT&T Mobility 142/0 267 Running
9 6 01 Mark Martin Chevrolet U.S. Army 138/0 267 Running
10 7 6 David Ragan * Ford AAA "Show Your Card and Save" 139/5 267 Running
11 30 40 David Stremme Dodge Target 130/0 267 Running
12 23 22 Dave Blaney Toyota Caterpillar 132/5 267 Running
13 37 16 Greg Biffle Ford Dish Network 124/0 267 Running
14 25 26 Jamie McMurray Ford Crown Royal 126/5 267 Running
15 33 42 Juan Montoya * Dodge Texaco / Havoline 118/0 267 Running
16 21 25 Casey Mears Chevrolet National Guard / GMAC 120/5 267 Running
17 26 44 Dale Jarrett Toyota UPS 112/0 266 Running
18 2 12 Ryan Newman Dodge ALLTEL 114/5 266 Running
19 8 29 Kevin Harvick Chevrolet Shell / Pennzoil 106/0 266 Running
20 18 5 Kyle Busch Chevrolet Kellogg's / CARQUEST 108/5 266 Running
21 38 88 Ricky Rudd Ford Snickers 100/0 266 Running
22 27 41 Reed Sorenson Dodge Target 97/0 266 Running
23 36 43 Bobby Labonte Dodge Cheerios / Betty Crocker 94/0 266 Running
24 3 9 Kasey Kahne Dodge Dodge Dealers Lifetime Powertrain Warranty / UAW 91/0 265 Running
25 35 00 David Reutimann * Toyota Burger King 88/0 265 Running
26 34 66 Jeremy Mayfield Chevrolet Best Buy 85/0 265 Running
27 41 7 Robby Gordon Ford Camping World
/ RVs.com 82/0 264 Running
28 43 21 Bill Elliott Ford Motorcraft 79/0 264 Running
29 42 96 Tony Raines Chevrolet DLP HDTV 76/0 264 Running
30 14 20 Tony Stewart Chevrolet The Home Depot 73/0 264 Running
31 24 18 J.J. Yeley Chevrolet Interstate Batteries 70/0 263 Running
32 12 38 David Gilliland Ford M&M's 67/0 263 Running
33 16 109 Sterling Marlin Chevrolet Miccosukee Resort & Gaming 64/0 263 Running
34 40 45 Kyle Petty Dodge Marathon American Spirit Motor Oil 61/0 263 Running
35 39 15 Paul Menard * Chevrolet Johns Manville / Menards 58/0 262 Running
36 13 8 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet Budweiser 55/0 261 Running
37 29 06 Sam Hornish Jr. Dodge Mobil 1 52/0 254 Running
38 31 19 Elliott Sadler Dodge Dodge Dealers Lifetime Powertrain Warranty / UAW 49/0 250 Running
39 19 07 Clint Bowyer Chevrolet Jack Daniel's 46/0 242 Running
40 28 10 Patrick Carpentier Dodge Valvoline / Stanley Tools 43/0 225 Running
41 22 70 Johnny Sauter Chevrolet Yellow Trans. 40/0 157 Out of Race
42 17 83 Brian Vickers Toyota Red Bull 37/0 154 Out of Race
43 20 36 Johnny Benson Toyota 360 OTC 34/0 73 Out of Race

* Denotes Rookie

[lawrenzo]

congrats capgain

[capgain]

Thanks, I have no idea!

[RedneckInvestor]

Best of luck, Cap...

Where in the hell is Dave?

[capgain]

48 31 2 16 thanks.

cap.

[RedneckInvestor]

MC, I swear if we do this again it'll be easier for you guys.

I wanted to give fans the chance to win without picking the top cars every week.

It sickens me to see the Hendrick team win half the poles and half the races in a season, while getting caught cheating time and time again.

And then you have all the whining from second place...

[RedneckInvestor]

Busch Series Farewell to Burton

Pete Pistone
Managing Editor Posted Saturday, November 17, 2007


Burton waves goodbye to the Busch Series.


HOMESTEAD, Fla. - Jeff Burton outran the field to score his 27th career Busch Series race and the last in series history as he picked up the checkered flag in Saturday's Ford 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

The win was the fifth this season for Burton and 13th for Richard Childress Racing, which won the 2007 owners' points title with the No. 29 Holiday Inn Chevy which was piloted by Burton and Scott Wimmer this season.

"It's real exciting," Burton said. "To win 13 races this year at RCR and Scott Wimmer doing a great job this year, this team has been awesome. It really means a lot to me to win the last race in the NASCAR Busch Series. I grew up wanting to be a Busch driver so that means a lot to me."

Burton became the final winner of the Busch Series era, which after 26 years of sponsorship from Anheuser-Busch will be known as the Nationwide Series beginning in 2008.

Burton had to battle Mark Martin, the winningnest driver in Busch Series history with 48 wins, for the victory as the veteran duo put on a great duel in the closing laps.

"It was awesome to race Jeff Burton for it," said Martin who settled for the second spot. "I was real happy to drive the car for Hendrick Motorsports. It's a true honor to drive for Rick Hendrick and such great people like this. I got them two second-place finishes this year but I just couldn't have got the deal done.


"We came up short and I have a lot of fire and desire that people like Rick Hendrick give me cars like this."

Matt Kenseth and 2007 series champion Carl Edwards and Stephen Leicht rounded out the top five.

Edwards was officially presented the Busch Series championship trophy after beating second place David Reutimann by 618 points in the final standings.

"It is obviously a great honor to hold this trophy and a thrill to be crowned the final Busch Series champion," said Edwards, who ended his third full-time season in the series.

The first race of the 2008 Nationwide Series season is scheduled for Saturday, February 16th at Daytona International Speedway.

[MCArmel1]

Damn..that's right..lol.. ok.. 16, 20, 24 and 29 then.. Thanks Josh!

[Old_Drummerman]

1 2 16 24 please.

[RedneckInvestor]

16 & 99 are team mates...

Please try again.

[MCArmel1]

I'd like the 16, 20, 29 and 99 please. GL all! :O)

[RedneckInvestor]

1 20 29 7...

Good luck to all!

[RedneckInvestor]

Ford 400 Final Practice Speeds

Homestead-Miami Speedway
NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Posted Saturday, November 17, 2007



Pos No. Driver Make Time Speed Lap # # Laps -Fastest -Next
1 48 Jimmie Johnson 31.101 173.628 1 34 ---.--- ---.---
2 2 Kurt Busch 31.272 172.678 1 50 -0.171 -0.171
3 7 Robby Gordon 31.378 172.095 1 37 -0.277 -0.106
4 24 Jeff Gordon 31.399 171.980 1 37 -0.298 -0.021
5 31 Jeff Burton 31.425 171.838 1 65 -0.324 -0.026
6 26 Jamie McMurray 31.439 171.761 1 56 -0.338 -0.014
7 12 Ryan Newman 31.458 171.657 1 41 -0.357 -0.019
8 20 Tony Stewart 31.466 171.614 2 46 -0.365 -0.008
9 40 David Stremme 31.480 171.537 1 44 -0.379 -0.014
10 1 Mark Martin 31.485 171.510 1 50 -0.384 -0.005
11 15 Paul Menard # 31.495 171.456 1 37 -0.394 -0.010
12 8 Dale Earnhardt Jr. 31.532 171.255 1 53 -0.431 -0.037
13 1 Martin Truex Jr. 31.550 171.157 1 51 -0.449 -0.018
14 5 Kyle Busch 31.596 170.908 1 49 -0.495 -0.046
15 38 David Gilliland 31.627 170.740 2 44 -0.526 -0.031
16 41 Reed Sorenson 31.643 170.654 1 53 -0.542 -0.016
17 6 David Ragan # 31.643 170.654 1 37 -0.542 0.000
18 99 Carl Edwards 31.705 170.320 1 36 -0.604 -0.062
19 17 Matt Kenseth 31.712 170.283 3 48 -0.611 -0.007
20 19 Elliott Sadler 31.718 170.250 1 58 -0.617 -0.006
21 29 Kevin Harvick 31.801 169.806 1 30 -0.700 -0.083
22 83 Brian Vickers 31.807 169.774 1 36 -0.706 -0.006
23 66 Jeremy Mayfield 31.823 169.689 1 32 -0.722 -0.016
24 11 Denny Hamlin 31.849 169.550 32 46 -0.748 -0.026
25 88 Ricky Rudd 31.859 169.497 1 32 -0.758 -0.010
26 9 Sterling Marlin 31.873 169.422 1 8 -0.772 -0.014
27 44 Dale Jarrett 31.891 169.327 1 38 -0.790 -0.018
28 16 Greg Biffle 31.916 169.194 1 35 -0.815 -0.025
29 9 Kasey Kahne 31.927 169.136 3 26 -0.826 -0.011
30 25 Casey Mears 31.930 169.120 27 36 -0.829 -0.003
31 22 Dave Blaney 31.944 169.046 1 42 -0.843 -0.014
32 21 Bill Elliott 31.953 168.998 1 44 -0.852 -0.009
33 43 Bobby Labonte 31.958 168.972 2 39 -0.857 -0.005
34 7 Clint Bowyer 31.965 168.935 2 28 -0.864 -0.007
35 42 Juan Pablo Montoya # 31.993 168.787 2 32 -0.892 -0.028
36 18 J.J. Yeley 32.066 168.403 1 37 -0.965 -0.073
37 0 David Reutimann # 32.099 168.230 29 39 -0.998 -0.033
38 6 Sam Hornish Jr. 32.102 168.214 1 47 -1.001 -0.003
39 96 Tony Raines 32.126 168.088 1 37 -1.025 -0.024
40 70 Johnny Sauter 32.162 167.900 28 34 -1.061 -0.036
41 10 Patrick Carpentier 32.189 167.759 26 38 -1.088 -0.027
42 36 Johnny Benson 32.247 167.457 2 32 -1.146 -0.058
43 45 Kyle Petty 32.316 167.100 5 30 -1.215 -0.069

[RedneckInvestor]

Ford 400 2nd Practice Speeds

Homestead-Miami Speedway
NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Posted Saturday, November 17, 2007



Pos No. Driver Make Time Speed Lap # # Laps -Fastest -Next
1 99 Carl Edwards 31.365 172.166 1 28 ---.--- ---.---
2 12 Ryan Newman 31.388 172.040 1 35 -0.023 -0.023
3 31 Jeff Burton 31.405 171.947 1 31 -0.040 -0.017
4 07 Clint Bowyer 31.419 171.871 1 31 -0.054 -0.014
5 29 Kevin Harvick 31.465 171.619 1 18 -0.100 -0.046
6 48 Jimmie Johnson 31.470 171.592 1 41 -0.105 -0.005
7 26 Jamie McMurray 31.537 171.227 1 38 -0.172 -0.067
8 24 Jeff Gordon 31.588 170.951 1 28 -0.223 -0.051
9 20 Tony Stewart 31.591 170.935 2 38 -0.226 -0.003
10 1 Martin Truex Jr. 31.597 170.902 1 42 -0.232 -0.006
11 17 Matt Kenseth 31.626 170.746 1 37 -0.261 -0.029
12 2 Kurt Busch 31.659 170.568 1 34 -0.294 -0.033
13 01 Mark Martin 31.668 170.519 1 32 -0.303 -0.009
14 41 Reed Sorenson 31.702 170.336 1 27 -0.337 -0.034
15 42 Juan Pablo Montoya # 31.735 170.159 1 31 -0.370 -0.033
16 9 Kasey Kahne 31.757 170.041 1 25 -0.392 -0.022
17 16 Greg Biffle 31.830 169.651 2 34 -0.465 -0.073
18 6 David Ragan # 31.833 169.635 1 32 -0.468 -0.003
19 18 J.J. Yeley 31.847 169.561 1 34 -0.482 -0.014
20 8 Dale Earnhardt Jr. 31.868 169.449 1 31 -0.503 -0.021
21 11 Denny Hamlin 31.881 169.380 2 32 -0.516 -0.013
22 19 Elliott Sadler 31.993 168.787 1 23 -0.628 -0.112
23 5 Kyle Busch 32.016 168.666 6 26 -0.651 -0.023
24 25 Casey Mears 32.025 168.618 1 32 -0.660 -0.009
25 40 David Stremme 32.059 168.439 1 38 -0.694 -0.034
26 00 David Reutimann # 32.097 168.240 2 31 -0.732 -0.038
27 43 Bobby Labonte 32.104 168.203 1 28 -0.739 -0.007
28 38 David Gilliland 32.152 167.952 1 39 -0.787 -0.048
29 15 Paul Menard # 32.181 167.801 2 35 -0.816 -0.029
30 7 Robby Gordon 32.213 167.634 5 12 -0.848 -0.032
31 70 Johnny Sauter 32.285 167.260 1 27 -0.920 -0.072
32 22 Dave Blaney 32.312 167.121 16 29 -0.947 -0.027
33 36 Johnny Benson 32.323 167.064 13 24 -0.958 -0.011
34 88 Ricky Rudd 32.330 167.028 2 27 -0.965 -0.007
35 21 Bill Elliott 32.339 166.981 1 34 -0.974 -0.009
36 10 Patrick Carpentier 32.351 166.919 1 26 -0.986 -0.012
37 6 Sam Hornish Jr. 32.353 166.909 2 33 -0.988 -0.002
38 83 Brian Vickers 32.389 166.723 4 27 -1.024 -0.036
39 66 Jeremy Mayfield 32.412 166.605 4 31 -1.047 -0.023
40 9 Sterling Marlin 32.424 166.543 8 20 -1.059 -0.012
41 45 Kyle Petty 32.426 166.533 8 18 -1.061 -0.002
42 44 Dale Jarrett 32.503 166.139 2 27 -1.138 -0.077
43 96 Tony Raines 32.546 165.919 1 22 -1.181 -0.043

[RedneckInvestor]

Ford 400 1st Practice Speeds

Homestead-Miami Speedway
NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Posted Friday, November 16, 2007



Pos. No. Driver Make Time Speed Lap # # Laps - Fastest - Next
1 9 Kasey Kahne 30.750 175.610 24 24 ---.--- ---.---
2 48 Jimmie Johnson 30.826 175.177 6 6 -0.076 -0.076
3 24 Jeff Gordon 30.852 175.029 6 7 -0.102 -0.026
4 12 Ryan Newman 30.854 175.018 15 17 -0.104 -0.002
5 8 Dale Earnhardt Jr. 30.884 174.848 7 7 -0.134 -0.030
6 31 Jeff Burton 30.931 174.582 6 8 -0.181 -0.047
7 42 Juan Pablo Montoya # 30.953 174.458 10 10 -0.203 -0.022
8 7 Clint Bowyer 30.968 174.374 6 8 -0.218 -0.015
9 43 Bobby Labonte 31.009 174.143 13 13 -0.259 -0.041
10 22 Dave Blaney 31.015 174.109 10 10 -0.265 -0.006
11 *84 AJ Allmendinger # 31.021 174.076 14 14 -0.271 -0.006
12 19 Elliott Sadler 31.025 174.053 5 5 -0.275 -0.004
13 1 Martin Truex Jr. 31.031 174.020 24 24 -0.281 -0.006
14 1 Mark Martin 31.048 173.924 12 12 -0.298 -0.017
15 25 Casey Mears 31.091 173.684 8 10 -0.341 -0.043
16 29 Kevin Harvick 31.135 173.438 14 14 -0.385 -0.044
17 70 Johnny Sauter 31.151 173.349 10 14 -0.401 -0.016
18 11 Denny Hamlin 31.162 173.288 22 23 -0.412 -0.011
19 *83 Brian Vickers 31.175 173.216 10 10 -0.425 -0.013
20 *00 David Reutimann # 31.207 173.038 9 10 -0.457 -0.032
21 *78 Joe Nemechek 31.213 173.005 12 12 -0.463 -0.006
22 38 David Gilliland 31.224 172.944 8 9 -0.474 -0.011
23 *49 John Andretti 31.234 172.889 10 11 -0.484 -0.010
24 *55 Michael Waltrip 31.251 172.794 4 10 -0.501 -0.017
25 *44 Dale Jarrett 31.260 172.745 9 9 -0.510 -0.009
26 99 Carl Edwards 31.269 172.695 19 19 -0.519 -0.009
27 7 Robby Gordon 31.287 172.596 10 10 -0.537 -0.018
28 6 David Ragan # 31.302 172.513 23 23 -0.552 -0.015
29 *06 Sam Hornish Jr. 31.309 172.474 18 22 -0.559 -0.007
30 *09 Sterling Marlin 31.310 172.469 5 8 -0.560 -0.001
31 *08 Burney Lamar 31.310 172.469 6 11 -0.560 0.000
32 18 J.J. Yeley 31.322 172.403 16 16 -0.572 -0.012
33 2 Kurt Busch 31.323 172.397 9 9 -0.573 -0.001
34 41 Reed Sorenson 31.328 172.370 16 18 -0.578 -0.005
35 5 Kyle Busch 31.330 172.359 4 13 -0.580 -0.002
36 *10 Patrick Carpentier 31.345 172.276 10 10 -0.595 -0.015
37 40 David Stremme 31.362 172.183 6 8 -0.612 -0.017
38 15 Paul Menard # 31.372 172.128 18 19 -0.622 -0.010
39 96 Tony Raines 31.379 172.090 15 16 -0.629 -0.007
40 66 Jeremy Mayfield 31.384 172.062 13 13 -0.634 -0.005
41 16 Greg Biffle 31.432 171.799 2 25 -0.682 -0.048
42 26 Jamie McMurray 31.463 171.630 29 29 -0.713 -0.031
43 88 Ricky Rudd 31.468 171.603 8 8 -0.718 -0.005
44 17 Matt Kenseth 31.479 171.543 5 19 -0.729 -0.011
45 20 Tony Stewart 31.594 170.919 10 15 -0.844 -0.115
46 *21 Bill Elliott 31.607 170.848 16 16 -0.857 -0.013
47 *36 Johnny Benson 31.774 169.950 6 9 -1.024 -0.167
48 45 Kyle Petty 32.168 167.869 10 11 -1.418 -0.394
49 *4 Todd Bodine 0.000 0.000 0 0 0.000 0.000
* - Required to qualify on time
# - Denotes Rookie

[lawrenzo]

2 7 17 48

[Seminole Red]

48 2 29 16.....lets go racin

[RedneckInvestor]

Rudd Says Goodbye...Again

Pete Pistone
Managing Editor Posted Saturday, November 17, 2007


"Honestly it really hasn't settled in that this weekend is it."



Ford 400 Final Practice Speeds

HOMESTEAD, Fla. - This time he means it.

Ricky Rudd will retire from regular NEXTEL Cup Series duties after Sunday's Ford 400 season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway, the second time the popular veteran has stepped away from the circuit.

Rudd thought his career ended after the 2005 season when he stepped out of the Wood Brothers JTG Racing No. 21 Ford.

But after sitting on the sidelines for the 2006 campaign, he was called back to duty this season to pilot the Robert Yates Racing No. 88 Ford.

NASCAR's "Iron Man," who holds the record for the most consecutive number of starts with 788, will start the final Cup series race of his career Sunday - his 906th career start.

Ant his time Rudd is ready to completely step away from the sport.

"Honestly it really hasn't settled in that this weekend is it," Rudd said. "I was so busy trying to get my shoulder better the past few months and suddenly here we are at the end of the season already. The reality just hasn't settled in but I'm looking forward to having time to spend with my family."

"I've been fortunate enough to have achieved so many things in my life both on and off the track. As much as I will miss racing on Sundays, I look forward to the next adventure in my life."


Rudd holds numerous accolades on his resume including: 1992 IROC Champion, 1997 Brickyard 400 Winner, 2006 Virginian of the Year, and was named one of NASCAR's "50 All-Time Great" drivers to name a few.

His accomplishments and longevity have helped Rudd become one of NASCAR's most popular drivers of all-time.

"We've had a lot of loyal fans over the years that have always pulled for me and whatever team I was with during my career," Rudd said. "I just want everyone to remember me as someone who gave 120 percent every day in the race car."

"I'm just a guy who loves this sport. I came into NASCAR because I loved racing and I wanted to try and succeed in it. I gave it everything that I had, and hopefully everyone will remember that about me."

[Seminole Red]

Johnson chasing Petty's record for five consecutive
No driver in modern era has more than four wins in a row
By Raygan Swan, NASCAR.COM
November 16, 2007
08:10 PM EST

type size: + -MIAMI -- The New York Yankees claimed five consecutive World Series titles from 1949-54. Loyal Chicago fans would argue the Bulls would have undoubtedly grabbed a five-peat if their star player Michael Jordan hadn't taken a hiatus in 1994 and 1995.

Wimbledon champion Roger Federer beat Rafael Nadal this summer to win his fifth consecutive championship at the All England Club, tying only Bjorn Borg in the feat.


Richard Petty
1971 Season

Race Track Start Finish Led

29. Albany 1 1 181
30. Islip 1 1 230
31. Trenton 2 1 128
32. Nashville 1 1 400
33. Atlanta 3 1 181
And now Hendrick Motorsports is on the verge of five consecutive Cup wins at the hands of Jimmie Johnson -- a feat no driver in the modern era (1972-present) has done. In fact, the last Cup driver to reel off five in a row was The King himself in the 1971 season.

Petty began his streak on July 14, 1971, at Albany-Saratoga (N.Y.) Speedway with a victory by two laps over Dave Marcis. The next day he won at Islip (N.Y.) Speedway, again by two laps. The third victory was on July 18 at Trenton (N.J.) Speedway, followed a week later by a win at Nashville Speedway and finally on Aug. 1 at Atlanta International Raceway.

Before Petty, it was Bobby Allison who pulled off five consecutive wins in the same year.

Not since then, 36 years later, has anyone been able to do it again. And Johnson is in position to pull it off.

Petty thinks he can do it. Johnson: Ambivalent.

As much as a fifth consecutive win would be a nice accolade for the record books, Johnson will race in big-picture fashion; he'll race to win the championship with his 86-point lead on teammate Jeff Gordon heading into the Ford 400 at Homestead. He has nothing to prove.

After winning the pole position for Sunday's final race of the season, Johnson said he is going to keep the race simple.

"I'm going to try not to do anything stupid, run in the top three or top five to win the championship," he said. "I'm going to drive comfortable. I'm hoping that we can leave here winning a fifth race in a row, but we've got to take the race as it comes and be realistic."

Petty, who in the same year he won five in a row also won the championship, said racing is streaky.

"You get on these rolls. Jimmie Johnson is on one of those rolls and when you get on them, even if you make mistakes, you still seem to win," he said. "It's like fate."

Referring to his hot streak, Petty said it's nice at the time but once you exit the car, you're thinking about the next race.

"Yeah I just won five in a row, but I've got five to go," Petty said of the mindset. "You always have more ahead of you to win."

In 1967, Petty also won 10 consecutive races.

Johnson doesn't take his position for granted nor does he flaunt his success. He is, however, still surprised to be contending for a second consecutive championship and five consecutive race wins in the same event.

"Every championship battle I've been in, the final race, there's always been some type of drama, and we're trying to prepare for that," Johnson said. "I never in my life thought that I would be in this situation."

[RedneckInvestor]

JR Motorsports Re-Enlists with Navy

RacingOne Report
Posted Friday, November 16, 2007


Keselowski was recruited to join the Navy team midway through the 2007 season.




HOMESTEAD, Fla. – JR Motorsports announced today that the U.S. Navy has re-signed with the team to field the No. 88 Navy Accelerate Your Life Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS in the NASCAR Nationwide Series with driver Brad Keselowski through 2008. The team also unveiled a new “Dress White” paint scheme for the Navy Chevrolet.

“The Navy has been a great partner of ours since we formed the team two years ago,” said team owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. “Everyone at JR Motorsports takes a lot of pride in the fact that we represent some of the best servicemen and women in the world each weekend on the track. We’re all excited that they’re back on board with us.”

JR Motorsports first joined forces with the U.S. Navy in 2005, fielding the No. 88 Navy Chevrolet in the season-ending race at Homestead-Miami Speedway in preparation for the 2006 season. In 70 races together the JRM Navy team has scored three top fives, 16 top 10s and 35 top-20 finishes.

"On behalf of the Navy’s 467,000 active and reserve Sailors, I am pleased about the continuing partnership between the Navy and JR Motorsports through the 2008 NASCAR Nationwide Series season”, said Capt. Thomas Buterbaugh, Director of Marketing and Advertising for Commander, Navy Recruiting Command. “We are excited about increasing the Navy’s awareness through our relationship with JRM and its owner, Dale Earnhardt Jr.


“The Navy has used our association with NASCAR over the past four years to increase America’s awareness of the opportunities to serve our great country, and our Sailors are strengthened by public support represented by NASCAR’s large fan base. The 2008 season promises to be fantastic and Brad will continue to be a major contender.”

Keselowski, 23, was recruited to join the Navy team midway through the 2007 season. In 13 starts in the No. 88 Navy Chevrolet he has accumulated five top 10s and eight top-15 finishes.

“Brad jumped in our car back in July and has shown a lot of promise in a short period of time,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “We’ve signed him to a two-year deal to continue to develop his talent.

“It’s kind of like the way the Navy develops new recruits into sailors. We’re starting out with a younger guy who has the skills and we’re going to give him the equipment, training and other resources necessary to get the job done.”

Keselowski has already embarked upon the Navy’s “sailorization” program in preparation for his tour of duty with the team. Last week he spent a day at Naval Medical Center San Diego touring the facility and meeting with some of the Navy’s Wounded Warriors. In addition to testing during the “off season,” Keselowski will continue to expand his knowledge of the Navy through additional trips planned to various naval installations.

“I’ve worked really hard for many years to get an opportunity like this with JR Motorsports and the Navy,” Keselowski said. “JR Motorsports is a solid organization with incredible resources, and as a driver you can’t ask for much more than that.

“It’s also a great honor to represent the U.S. Navy and to know that I have more than 400,000 sailors around the world cheering for me. I’ve gotten to meet a number of sailors at the track and on some of the trips I’ve made with the Navy and I have the utmost respect for the courage and commitment that all of those men and women show every day as they protect and serve our country. I’m looking forward to continuing to represent them on the track and I plan to keep the Navy Chevrolet up front.”

For the 2008 season the No. 88 Navy Chevrolet will sport a special “Dress White” paint scheme. Modeled after the Navy’s summer uniforms, the car will be white with flat black Navy logos on the hood and quarter panels.

“My friend Kevin King does all of our car designs and he and I went back and forth with a few ideas before we came up with this one,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “It’s a very clean look that I think will really stand out on the track.”

The new scheme will make its debut at Daytona International Speedway in February.

“The Navy car really looks sharp and it will stand out even better on the track,” said Buterbaugh. “Next season will be awesome with Brad at the wheel, Dale Jr. as the owner and the new paint scheme…how can we lose?”

[spcalk]

2 5 17 43 this week.

Thanks for the contest...was not very competitive but somebody had to finish last! =)

[RedneckInvestor]

Starting Lineup

Ford 400
Homestead-Miami Speedway | Nov 18, 2007 03:00 PM

(*chase contender)

Pos # Driver Sponsor Car
1 48 Jimmie Johnson
Race By Race Results Lowe's Chevrolet*
2 12 Ryan Newman
Race By Race Results Alltel Dodge
3 9 Kasey Kahne
Race By Race Results Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge
4 17 Matt Kenseth
Race By Race Results DeWalt Ford*
5 2 Kurt Busch
Race By Race Results Miller Lite Dodge*
6 01 Mark Martin
Race By Race Results U.S. Army Chevrolet
7 6 David Ragan
Race By Race Results AAA Ford
8 29 Kevin Harvick
Race By Race Results Shell-Pennzoil Chevrolet*
9 31 Jeff Burton
Race By Race Results AT&T Mobility Chevrolet*
10 99 Carl Edwards
Race By Race Results Office Depot Ford*
11 24 Jeff Gordon
Race By Race Results DuPont Chevrolet*
12 38 David Gilliland
Race By Race Results M&M's Ford
13 8 Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Race By Race Results Budweiser Chevrolet
14 20 Tony Stewart
Race By Race Results The Home Depot Chevrolet*
15 1 Martin Truex Jr.
Race By Race Results Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet*
16 09 Sterling Marlin
Race By Race Results Miccosukee Resort Chevrolet
17 83 Brian Vickers
Race By Race Results Red Bull Toyota
18 5 Kyle Busch
Race By Race Results Kellogg's Chevrolet*
19 07 Clint Bowyer
Race By Race Results Jack Daniel's Chevrolet*
20 36 Johnny Benson
Race By Race Results 360 OTC Toyota
21 25 Casey Mears
Race By Race Results National Guard Chevrolet
22 70 Johnny Sauter
Race By Race Results Yellow Transportation Chevrolet
23 22 Dave Blaney
Race By Race Results Caterpillar Toyota
24 18 J.J. Yeley
Race By Race Results Interstate Batteries Chevrolet
25 26 Jamie McMurray
Race By Race Results Crown Royal Ford
26 44 Dale Jarrett
Race By Race Results UPS Toyota
27 41 Reed Sorenson
Race By Race Results Target Dodge
28 10 Patrick Carpentier
Race By Race Results Valvoline Dodge
29 06 Sam Hornish Jr.
Race By Race Results Mobil 1 Dodge
30 40 David Stremme
Race By Race Results Target Dodge
31 19 Elliott Sadler
Race By Race Results Dodge Dealers Dodge
32 11 Denny Hamlin
Race By Race Results FedEx Chevrolet*
33 42 Juan Pablo Montoya
Race By Race Results Texaco/Havoline Dodge
34 66 Jeremy Mayfield
Race By Race Results Best Buy Chevrolet
35 00 David Reutimann
Race By Race Results Burger King Toyota

(provisional starters)

36 43 Bobby Labonte
Race By Race Results Cheerios Dodge
37 16 Greg Biffle
Race By Race Results Dish Network Ford
38 88 Ricky Rudd
Race By Race Results Snickers Ford
39 15 Paul Menard
Race By Race Results Menards Chevrolet
40 45 Kyle Petty
Race By Race Results Marathon Amer. Spirit Motor Oil Dodge
41 7 Robby Gordon
Race By Race Results Camping World Ford
42 96 Tony Raines
Race By Race Results DLP HDTV Chevrolet
43 21 Bill Elliott
Race By Race Results Motorcraft Genuine Parts Ford


Failed To Qualify


# Driver Sponsor Car
84 AJ Allmendinger
Race By Race Results Red Bull Toyota
08 Burney Lamar
Race By Race Results Rhino's Energy Drink Dodge
78 Joe Nemechek
Race By Race Results Furniture Row Chevrolet
49 John Andretti
Race By Race Results OBOVO.com Dodge
55 Michael Waltrip
Race By Race Results NAPA Toyota
4 Todd Bodine
Race By Race Results State Water Heaters Chevrolet

[RedneckInvestor]

Big Night for Hornaday

Pete Pistone
Managing Editor Posted Friday, November 16, 2007


Hornaday won his third series championship.







HOMESTEAD, Fla. - Three is certainly a charm for Ron Hornaday.

While Johnny Benson edged Kyle Busch for the checkered flag, Hornaday finished seventh in the Ford 200 at Homestead-Miami Speedway to clinch the 2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship.

Hornaday tied Jack Sprague as the only three-time champions of the Truck Series. The two will become teammates next season when Sprague joins Hornaday on the Kevin Harvick, Inc. team.

"It comes down to great teams, and everybody here had a part in it," said Hornaday.

Hornaday started the night 29 points behind Mike Skinner, who broke a left rear hub early in the race and finished 35th. That coupled with Hornaday's finish gave him the championship by 54 points.

"When I saw Mike do that, I was like, ‘What’d he do?’ I didn’t see his tire rubbing or anything,” Hornaday said of Skinner pulling into the pits when the wheel trouble happened. "Hate to see it for Mike, but you know what? This is the only way one of us was going to win this thing."

Skinner tried to find a positive in what was ultimately a disappinting ending to his season.

"Guys did a good job," said Skinner. "I regret we didn’t have a spare hub in the pits. We took one off another housing, but as it came down, it wasn’t going to make any difference anyway."


Skinner came up short in the furious battle he and Hornaday waged for the title during the final stages of the season.

"I don’t think either one of us can walk away from here tonight and say, ‘Ah, what a horrible year,"’ Skinner said. "Because it’s been a great year, and we’ve had a hell of a lot of fun."

While Skinner was suffering heartbreak, his Bill Davis Racing teammate Benson was picking up his fourth win of the season.

Benson outran Kyle Busch, who scraped the wall in turn four heading to the checkered flag in a green-white-checkered finish, for his ninth career truck series victory.

The overtime was set up when Chris Jones spun out and caution flew with Busch ahead.

Shooting for his third win in the last four series races, Busch wasn't pleased with the decision for caution that ultimately cost him the lead and the victory.

"Well it was just a (expletive) caution by NASCAR there at the end you know," Busch fumed. "It was really uncalled for, the guy didn't even spin out."

Benson left Busch in his rearview mirror as he sped to the finish line.

"I wasn’t the one that threw the caution," Benson said. "That’s his gripe with whomever. But it sure made for a great event for the fans."

Rick Crawford, Kevin Harvick and Jason Leffler rounded out the top five.

David Starr, Hornaday, Jr., Justin Marks, Regan Smith and Dave Blaney completed the first ten finishers.

[Seminole Red]

Jim Beam will continue to sponsor Gordon, No. 7 car
By Official Release
November 16, 2007
02:29 PM EST

type size: + -DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Jim Beam, The Official Spirit Of Racing, announced Friday that it will continue its partnership with Robby Gordon Motorsports as a primary sponsor of the No. 7 Ford Fusion driven by team owner and veteran driver Robby Gordon during the 2008 Sprint Cup Series and Nationwide Series seasons.

"As an independent driver and owner in NASCAR's top racing series, Robby has shown that he has the stuff inside -- the competitive spirit -- that our customers relate to and respect," said Brian Gallagher, motorsports marketing manager for Jim Beam. "We look forward to continuing to support Robby and the race team as they demonstrate true character and challenge for victories on the track."

Jim Beam will sponsor 13 Sprint Cup Series and two Nationwide Series races in 2008, the fourth year of the company's partnership with RGM and the second for Gordon in equipment provided by Ford Motor Company. With one race to go this season, the No. 7 team sits in its highest position in the Nextel Cup Series owner points standings since forming prior to the 2005 season.

"We appreciate Jim Beam for supporting our team for a fourth straight year," Gordon said. "We have shown that we can be competitive as an independent race team, and believe that through the continued support of Jim Beam for the No. 7 Ford Fusion, we can do even more next year as the full-time use of the Car of Tomorrow levels the playing field even more."

Gordon has displayed a solid performance during the 2007 Cup season with 12 top-20 and two top-10 finishes. With one race remaining this season, Gordon sits 28th in owner points, just 128 points out of the 25th position.

The No. 7 team is 260 points ahead of the 35th spot, mathematically assured of finishing inside the top-35 in the final season standings and guaranteed to earn a start in the first five races of the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season, including the Daytona 500.

Jim Beam will utilize its sponsorship of Gordon and the No. 7 Ford Fusion to reach racing fans both on and off the track through a variety of racing related promotions to be announced prior to the end of 2007. The sponsorship also will support the Beam Global Spirits & Wine drink smart initiative. Jim Beam and Beam Global Spirits & Wine will execute programs throughout 2008 utilizing Gordon's profile as a successful driver to focus attention on preventing underage drinking and drunk driving.

Gordon, 37, started his own Cup Series team in 2005 after spending three seasons driving for Richard Childress Racing. Gordon, a six-time off-road champion, has competed in a variety of series including Cup, Busch, Indy cars, SCORE International Off-Road, sports cars, and the prestigious Dakar Rally in Europe.

He swept both 2003 road-course races in NASCAR's top series and is a three-time Baja 500 and three-time Baja 1000 winner. In addition, in 2007 Gordon became the first American in history to win a stage in the Dakar Rally.

[RedneckInvestor]

That's the spirit, Red.

I think we'll have to do a board survey to come up with the guidelines... Don't want anyone bitchin' about it later.

LOL