By Official Release February 12, 2008 02:47 PM EST
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- NASCAR has placed drivers Tony Stewart and Kurt Busch on probation for the first six races of the 2008 Sprint Cup Series season, a result of their on-track altercations Friday during practice for the Budweiser Shootout. Stewart, driver of the No. 20 Toyota and Busch, driver of the No. 2 Dodge, violated Section 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing; altercation with another competitor) of the NASCAR rule book. Busch
Stewart
The probations start Wednesday, as practice begins for the season-opening Daytona 500. NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said the drivers were disciplined solely for the on-track portion of their clash, when the drivers deliberately used their cars as battering rams. "We will continue to keep a check on this sport and won't let it get out of hand," Poston said. "If there is a repeat between these two, then we will take it much more seriously." Busch and Stewart, former series champions with a history of clashing on the track, crashed during the final practice session Friday night (read more). Busch attempted to block Stewart and got hit from behind, damaging both cars. Busch retaliated by slamming into the side of Stewart's car three times as they drove back toward the garage. Stewart then used his car to block Busch from exiting the track (watch video). Both drivers immediately were told to meet with NASCAR officials, and Stewart and Busch continued to bicker during the heated, closed-door meeting (read more). NASCAR officials came into this season saying drivers would be given more latitude to show emotion this year, and the relatively light nature of Tuesday's punishments would seem to support that. In the past, officials haven't necessarily punished a driver more harshly if he misbehaves while on probation. Poston said that's going to change. "In the past we've used 'probation for the rest of the year,' but it's never been something that's been exercised. It never seemed to really mean anything," he said. "Now we are going to take action. If you are on probation for an altercation with another driver, and you have a second incident during that probation period, we are going to take action."
Driving for a new team this year, Dale Earnhardt Jr. was already certain to draw attention at the Daytona 500.
But after winning a qualifying race and the exhibition Budweiser Shootout leading up to NASCAR's first big race of the season, the Hendrick Motorsports driver is causing a stir by entering Sunday's race as one of the favorites.
"It's a Cinderella story," Kenny Wallace said of Earnhardt. The driver made headlines last year when he parted ways with his father's team, Dale Earnhardt Inc., and then later signed with Hendrick Motorsports.
Earnhardt, who won the 2004 Daytona 500, will start this year's race on the second row. He's searching for his first points victory in nearly two years.
Earnhardt has won 12 races at Daytona International Speedway, including two in Sprint Cup competition. His average finish at the track is 14.2, which ranks third among active drivers with 10 or more starts. Earnhardt's teammate Jimmie Johnson is first with an average finish of 12th while another Hendrick Motorsports driver, Jeff Gordon, is second at 13.9.
Johnson, who has won two straight series titles, won the pole for Sunday's race. He now has 14 career poles and previously won the pole at Daytona in 2002. He claimed the Daytona 500 crown in 2006.
Gordon has won the Daytona 500 three times and has earned six total victories at the Daytona International Speedway.
But the drivers aren't letting the rivalry between the cars interfere with their driving. In fact, they're trying to prosper from it.
"I think we've really used the rivalry between the cars in a positive way," Johnson said. "When we're outrun by one of our teammates, we know what they have versus what we have. So we're able to bring our car to that spot and try to beat them."
Daytona 500 Basics: The Daytona International Speedway is a 2.5-mile oval with 31-degree banking in the corners and 3-degree banking on the straightaways. Forty-three drivers will start the 200-lap, 500-mile race.
Chevy Dominance: Chevrolet has dominated the Daytona 500, with the last non-Chevrolet driver winning in 2002, when Ward Burton claimed the checkered flag.
New Drivers, New Teams: Earnhardt is not the only top driver switching teams this season, as Kyle Busch moves from Hendrick Motorsports to Joe Gibbs Racing, and former Indy drivers Dario Franchitti and Sam Hornish Jr. move to Chip Ganassi Racing and Penske Racing, respectively.
Bill Davis Racing has announced that it will tap into its pool of veteran Cup Series drivers to pilot the No. 27 Toyota Camry during the next several Sprint Cup Series races. Truck Series standouts Mike Skinner and Johnny Benson are both expected to step behind the wheel of BDR's No. 27 entry.
Polesitter Tony Stewart repelled a strong challenge from teammate Kyle Busch and Dale Earnhardt Jr. to win the Camping World 300 Nationwide Series race Saturday at Daytona International Speedway.
The Roger Penske Dodges ganged up on Tony Stewart during a three-lap run to the finish Sunday, propelling Ryan Newman to victory in the 50th Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway.
02/18/08 10:47 AM, EST On a night when Roger Penske finally got to Victory Lane at Daytona International Speedway and two of his Sprint Cup drivers ran 1-2 in the Daytona 500, the car owner said he was almost as thrilled with his third driver who finished 15th. More
02/18/08 10:03 AM, EST The three cars for Michael Waltrip Racing began the 50th running of the Daytona 500 with gold wheels as a tribute to the Great American Race. More
Posted by: kwflatbed
Nationwide California race postponed to Sunday night
02/25/08 07:42 PM, EST Tony Stewart was dominant Monday in winning his second straight NASCAR Nationwide Series race, holding off hard-charging Kyle Busch again.
02/25/08 06:53 PM, EST Kyle Busch, one of the most talked about drivers in the garage, left California with bragging rights for leading two of the three national racing series in NASCAR at the same time.
02/25/08 03:41 PM, EST Carl Edwards won the rain-delayed Auto Club 500 on Monday, charging past defending Cup champion Jimmie Johnson with 13 laps remaining.
Atlanta race will always be known as Toyota's first win 03/09/08 08:45 PM, EDT J.D. Gibbs listened intently on his headset, pacing back and forth behind the No. 18 pit stall. He grabbed one earpiece to press it closer. Then he slowly made his way through the crowd to the bottom of the yellow pit box.
Busch returns 18 to Victory Lane, gives Toyota first win 03/09/08 08:19 PM, EDT It was like the good old days for Joe Gibbs Racing on Sunday at Atlanta Motor Speedway when newcomer Kyle Busch put the No. 18 in the Winner's Circle.
NASCAR Rookie Escapes Major Injury After Toyota Rolls 8 Times at Texas Motor Speedway
Saturday, April 05, 2008
AP
April 4: NASCAR officials inspect the vehicle of driver Michael McDowell following a crash in Fort Worth, Texas.
AP
April 4: NASCAR driver Michael McDowell chats with reporters as he leaves the infield care facility at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth.
FORT WORTH, Texas — NASCAR Sprint Cup rookie Michael McDowell walked away virtually unscathed from a horrific tumbling crash during qualifying Friday at Texas Motor Speedway.
McDowell was going into the first turn of his second lap when his No. 00 Toyota got loose, then slammed almost headfirst into the SAFER (Steel and Foam Energy Reduction) barrier. The car ricocheted off the wall and onto its roof, then rolled at least eight times before finally coming to rest at the bottom of the high-banked track.
As he got out of the crumbled car, McDowell waved to the crowd indicating that he was OK. "I feel great, nothing broke," McDowell said. "I didn't lose consciousness. I felt every roll down the hill." McDowell said he had "few little bumps and bruises," but was fine other than that. While McDowell said he didn't know what happened, he said something "didn't quite feel right" on the car when he came out of fourth turn on the first lap. "For me to walk away from that wreck is unbelievable," McDowell said. "I'm going to count by blessings tonight and thank God for this opportunity to walk away from that wreck."
Car owner Michael Waltrip had some anxious moments waiting for McDowell to get out of the car. "Just from the time it stopped flipping until we saw Michael come out, it seemed like forever," Waltrip said. "That was an amazing crash." Qualifying was delayed for more than an hour while track officials made temporary repairs to the wall. After qualifying, a 20-foot section of the SAFER barrier was replaced. "With the initial hit and everything that happened after, I'm real happy he walked away," said Carl Edwards, who qualified second in a run before McDowell's accident. "I'm surprised he's not hurt in any way. That's a testament to the safety equipment." McDowell made his Cup debut last week at Martinsville. A developmental driver for Michael Waltrip Racing, he was promoted to the Cup level to fill a hole in the lineup created when Dale Jarrett retired. The 23-year-old McDowell had a decent run — he finished 26th — but drew the ire of several veterans for not moving out of the way and holding them up. McDowell has just four career starts in the Nationwide Series, and most of his experience is in ARCA. Based on owner points, McDowell will start 40th in the backup car for the Samsung 400 on Sunday. McDowell appeared to be slightly limping when he first got out of the car, but he said he felt better after walking around a bit. He said he was aware of what was going on while his car tumbled down the track. "I should have, but I didn't close my eyes. I just kind of rode it out," he said. "It wasn't a fun ride, that's for sure. I stand here with a smile on my face because I'm fortunate."
Mass. driver killed in race car collision at Thompson Speedway
THOMPSON, Conn. -- A racer was killed Sunday when his car made contact with another, cleared a concrete wall and hit a billboard at the Thompson International Speedway.
Shane Hammond, 27, of Halifax, Mass., died at Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam. His car collided with another and rolled over while racing in the 2008 Ice Breaker at about 1 p.m.
A call was placed with the speedway seeking comment.
Hammond was involved in the crash on the fourth of 25 laps in the Northeast Midget Association race. His car made contact with a car driven by Chris Leonard of Pelham, N.H., The Hartford Courant reported.
Leonard said Hammond's car may have had a mechanical problem which caused it to flip over the wall and into the sign board, the Norwich Bulletin reported.
"We started going into the corner and I think his throttle stuck," Leonard told the Bulletin. "He caught my (right rear) tire and when he started going up, I could still hear the motor screaming."
State police are investigating with help from NASCAR.
It was the second fatal accident at the speedway in less than eight months. John Blewett III of Howell, N.J., died after his racing car and the car of his brother, Jimmy Blewett, hit a wall in the 107th lap of the 150-lap NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour on Aug. 17.
LOUDEN, N.H. (WBZ) ― They get more fans than the Super Bowl, and they bring in hundreds of millions of dollars to New Hampshire.
It's Nascar at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
The track's new owners are now getting ready for their first season with a new man behind the wheel at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway – General Manger Jerry Gappens.
"The basis for our business is the entertainment factor. We have a license for fun," Gappens said.
Gappens brings the resources from the massive speedway motor sports to Loudon and already has crews hard at work.
"We're going to brighten the place up and have more atmosphere to create a state fair type midway," he said.
In the next few years fans can expect a lot of change.
"I said I don't care if we need to have six elephants for the prerace, we have to think outside the box, so people will walk away and say, 'Wow, I've never seen that before, or that was really cool,'" Gappens said.
"There were a lot of questions about what would happen to New Hampshire's two Nascar races when the place was sold. They bring in more than $200 million dollars to the economy.
Gappens works closely with former owner Bob Bahre, who built the track about 20 years ago.
"It's working out well," Bahre said. "They're all good people. Everyone's been decent. There isn'y a bad one in the bunch. I think everything's going to work out well for them."
Together they're determined to keep this place on the right track.
Tickets are still available for New Hampshire's Nascar races in June and for Sept. 14.
Starting Thursday, there will be races at Loudon every day through Nov. 1. Click here for the full schedule of events.
LOUDON, N.H. -- Some changes are in the works at New Hampshire Motor Speedway as the track prepares for its first major Sprint Cup race later this month, the first major race since the track was sold.
The new owners of the track said they are trying some new things to get fans excited about coming to Loudon. Norman Brooks, of Northfield, N.H., was the first person to receive the Fan Loyalty Award -- a $500 gas gift card.
Brooks said he has been going to the track every year since 1990.
"It's the fans," Brooks said. "We have a ball here every time we come. We bring our motor home. We meet a lot of people we met every year and a lot of new people. It's fun."
The track is under new ownership by Speedway Motor Sports, which took over from the Bahre family this year. The owners said they recognize times are tough for many race fans and are trying new ways to bring people to the track.
Twenty ticket holders for the Lenox Industrial Tools 301 race later this month will also receive gas cards, and the owners will pay the mortgage or rent for one lucky fan for the rest of the year.
"I'm talking about putting fans first," said Jerry Gappens, the track's general manager. "It's one of the things we're known for. We've had great support here. Bob Bahre and Gary Bahre did a great job of building a fan base. But I recognize there are some challenges for people that need to be met."
Along with a new look, a new race could be coming to New Hampshire. Along with this weekend's Loudon Classic motorcycle race, track officials are negotiating with the Indy Racing League to bring that circuit back to the state.
"We have a strong interest in bringing IRL to our facility," Gappens said. "They have an interest in coming here in 2009 and if not, they have a clean slate for 2010."
Track officials said they are also thinking about expanded seating, but that type of improvement would require some major roadwork around the speedway.
Suspended NASCAR officials accused of exposing themselves
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Two officials suspended by NASCAR are accused in a $225 million lawsuit of exposing themselves to a former co-worker, The Associated Press has learned. Tim Knox and Bud Moore have been placed on indefinite administrative paid leave. NASCAR will not reveal the identities of the officials sent home Friday from Kentucky Speedway, but a person familiar with the investigation confirmed to AP on Saturday that Knox and Moore were suspended. The person requested anonymity because NASCAR's investigation is ongoing. NASCAR did not give a reason for the men's suspension. NASCAR chairman Brian France was expected to address the investigation later Saturday at Michigan International Speedway, site of Sunday's Cup Series race. Mauricia Grant filed her suit Tuesday, alleging 23 specific incidents of sexual harassment and 34 specific incidents of racial and gender discrimination during her time as a technical inspector for NASCAR's second-tier Nationwide Series. Grant, who is black, claims her October 2007 firing was retaliation for complaining about the way she was treated on the job from her January 2005 hiring. NASCAR sent a team of investigators from its human resources and legal offices to Kentucky and did 27 interviews away from the track Thursday and Friday. Knox and Moore were found to have possibly engaged in behavior that violated NASCAR policy. Grant's suit accuses both men of exposing themselves to her. The lawsuit contends that at an April 2007 race in Texas, Knox exposed himself in the hospitality suite of their hotel at an officials gathering hosted by Nationwide Series director Joe Balash. Moore is accused of coming out of his hotel room in Memphis in October 2006 clad only in a towel. The suit says he asked Grant if she wanted to see what was under the towel, opened it, then ducked behind a trash can. In another incident, Grant claims Moore asked her how it felt to be black. Her suit claims Grant described being black as "a privilege," and Moore feigned confusion and wondered aloud "how can she be proud of being black?" Moore also is accused of making lewd sexual advances toward Grant. France has not addressed the validity of Grant's claims, but said the former official never made a formal complaint or followed NASCAR policy in reporting harassment. Investigators have failed to uncover a single instance where Grant complained to her supervisors or other NASCAR employees about the way she was treated, and NASCAR plans to continue defending the organization against the lawsuit, the person familiar with the investigation told AP. Grant has said she followed the chain of command all the way to Balash, but stopped short of telling human resources because she was reprimanded by that department for a separate incident two weeks after lodging her complaint. She said she viewed the reprimand, which included a threat of termination, as retaliation for complaining to Balash. Balash was unavailable for comment following practice Saturday morning for the Meijer 300. Named in the suit are Balash, assistant series director Mike Dolan, two supervisors, NASCAR's senior manager for business relations, the human resources director and 17 officials who were Grant's co-workers.
Becomes youngest winner in series history with victory
SPARTA, Ky. -- Tom Logano had modest goals for son Joey when the 18-year-old prodigy made his Nationwide Series debut last month in Dover. The elder Logano thought it would take Joey maybe 10 races to reach Victory Lane. The kid simply couldn't wait that long.
Joey Logano became the youngest winner in Nationwide Series history Saturday night, cruising to victory in the Meijer 300 at Kentucky Speedway in his third series start. Logano, at 18 years, 21 days old, broke the age record of 18 years, 10 months, 9 days set by Casey Atwood in Milwaukee in 1999. "Three starts, two poles, one win. He's OK," quipped crew chief Dave Rogers. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver nicknamed "Sliced Bread" might be even better than that. Logano took the lead from teammate Kyle Busch on Lap 147 and had little trouble the rest of the way after Busch's night ended with a visit to the wall in the second turn with 37 laps to go. "I expected to win here, I expected to win in Dover," Logano said. "I have to win races. [Losing] is not even an option." Tom Logano watched from the pits as his son carefully guided his No. 20 Toyota over the final laps at the 1.5-mile tri-oval, then celebrated with what he called the best Father's Day present ever. "It's golden baby! No. 1!" Tom Logano said. "I was wondering what I was going to get for my dad," Joey Logano said. "This should work for sure." Hailed as a prodigy by NASCAR star Mark Martin when he was just 15, Logano became the second Kentucky victor to win from the pole and the eighth different winner in eight races since the race's inception. The track has developed a reputation for rewarding young drivers with their first series victory. David Gilliland parlayed his win here in 2006 to a ride in the Sprint Cup Series. It probably won't take Logano long to join him. The way he dominated the field the final 37 laps, the path to Victory Lane could become awfully familiar. Logano flattened two tires while showing off for the fans after the race, a show of youthful exuberance that belies the steady hand Logano showed while making history. It was a run that got considerably easier when Busch ran into trouble on Lap 163. Busch started at the back of the field after missing qualifying, but wasted little time getting to the front. The Sprint Cup star needed just 40 laps to take the lead and led 85 laps before getting loose in the second turn. He finished 30th. "I don't know what exactly happened," Busch said. "I got loose and hit the wall I guess." Logano, who said he consults with Busch often, would have liked the opportunity to race his teammate to the checkered flag. It appeared they would before Busch wrecked. The duo combined to lead 161 of the race's 200 laps. "It was unfortunate to see Kyle hit the fence, but I think our car was strong enough to maybe hold him off," Logano said. It was certainly strong enough to hold off the rest of the field. Logano said he prayed for green the last 20 laps because he was running so smoothly. He didn't receive much of a challenge from second-place finisher Scott Wimmer, who never got closer than a speck in Logano's rearview mirror. "It's really just hard to run with [Busch and Logano]," Wimmer said. "Really, all the Toyota's really have it going on right now, but we hung in there." Mike Wallace was third and Brad Keselowski, who picked up his first victory last week in Nashville, was fourth. Series leader Clint Bowyer finished ninth after starting 25th. While his cell phone buzzed constantly afterward with well-wishers, Logano hardly seemed ready to party. He's been saddled with expectations for years, and admits it would seem "weird" if he didn't feel the pressure to perform. Team owner Joe Gibbs said before Logano's debut that he only expected a first or second every time. Gibbs was kidding, but the combination of his team's dominance and his young star's talent could mean the joke is on the rest of the Nationwide Series. The weight of getting the first victory out of the way, Logano is only too eager to prepare for the second. "Now I can get rolling," he said.
LOUDON, N.H. -- Recreational vehicles have replaced Harleys on the roads around New Hampshire Motor Speedway as fans pour in for this weekend's NASCAR races.
These will be the first big races at the track since it was bought by Speedway Motorsports Chairman Bruton Smith.
NASCAR fans began arriving at the track even as motorcyclists headed out of the region from Motorcycle Week. A weekend of racing will be highlighted by the Camping World RV Sales 200 on Saturday and the Lenox Industrial Tools 301 on Sunday.
LOUDON, N.H. -- Former series champion Kurt Busch stayed on track when the leaders pitted late in Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup race at New Hampshire and the strategy paid off with a win when the race was cut 17 laps short by rain.
It is the first victory for the Penske Racing driver since last September at California Speedway and it came on a day when two-time Cup champion Tony Stewart dominated, only to see his hard luck continue and his winless string increase to 31 races.
"These guys made an awesome call," Busch said. "Sometimes you just don't win 'em the right way, I think we can honestly say that, but we had a lot of work and a lot of effort put in today and we'll take it."
Busch nips Edwards to win under caution at Daytona
Sat Jul 5, 11:52 PM ET
Kyle Busch waves to fans in front of the grandstand after winning the Coke Zero 400 auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Saturday, July 5, 2008. Some fans not happy with the victory threw beer cans on the track.(AP Photo/John Raoux)
By JENNA FRYER, AP Auto Racing Writer
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Kyle Busch fell a lap down at Talladega and came back to win. So when a steering problem dropped him to the back of the field at Daytona, he didn't panic. He simply settled in for the long drive back to the front. And back to Victory Lane. Busch bested Carl Edwards in a door-to-door drag race Saturday night that ended under caution with Busch earning his Sprint Cup Series-best sixth victory of the season. "That's him," crew chief Steve Addington shrugged. Say what you want about Busch, the driver NASCAR fans love to hate. But the kid doesn't quit, not when a checkered flag is on the line. "It's me who has to stay a little calm and get back in the rhythm of what was going on," Busch said of his knack for overcoming diversity at restrictor-plate tracks. "I just made sure I drove a smart race and finished it out, and whatever came to us would come to us." What he got was his 12th victory of the season spanning all three of NASCAR's top series. But he had to wait several anxious moments for this one, which wasn't decided until NASCAR reviewed the running order at the moment the final caution came out. Busch and Edwards were drag racing with a little over a lap remaining when a multicar accident brought out the caution behind them. The field was frozen, and while Edwards was pretty sure Busch was a nose ahead, no one was 100 percent certain. "I can't believe that we're here right now," Busch said in Victory Lane. "We didn't have the best car. Luckily we were leading there when it mattered most." Edwards finished second and was disappointed not to have one last lap to finish his race with Busch. "Man, I hate to lose the thing like that," Edwards said. "I wish we could have raced a little longer." Matt Kenseth, Edwards' teammate at Roush Fenway Racing, was third. He was followed by Kurt Busch, Roush driver David Ragan and Robby Gordon. Kasey Kahne, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Clint Bowyer and Mark Martin rounded out the top 10. It seemed for a bit that Jeff Gordon was headed to his first victory of the season as he led 46 laps late and was handily holding off Busch as the race wound down. But with four laps to go, Busch pulled inside of Gordon and claimed the lead mere seconds before a multicar accident brought out a caution. It set up an overtime sprint to the finish, and Busch was slow on the restart. It stacked the traffic up behind him and Edwards ran into the back of Gordon, sending him spinning through the grass. Edwards darted to the outside to move around the action and, with a push from Kenseth, pulled alongside Busch to set up a thrilling drag race. But they didn't get a chance to race to the checkered flag because of contact between Travis Kvapil and Sam Hornish Jr. that triggered a multicar accident that froze the field. "I think it's ours," spotter Jeff Dickerson radioed to Busch. "We were out front. Is it ours?" "I don't know," Addington replied. "They are looking at it. I don't know."
Busch's team frantically watched the scoring tower, then jumped over the pit road wall in celebration when Busch's No. 18 was declared the winner. Busch celebrated with his customary sarcastic bow to the crowd. But with every victory, the fans who have loved to hate him are slowly warming up to NASCAR's newest star. He was cheered this time, just like he was two weeks ago after winning on the road course in Sonoma. Gordon, who seemed poised to end his 22-race winless streak, wound up 30th and was disappointed with the way the final restart played out. "Everybody was laying back and trying to get a run on the last restart," Gordon said. "They got the jump on me. I tried to block him. Maybe I came across (Edwards') nose. Hard to say. It's unfortunate. We had such a strong run." But Gordon was more upset he allowed Busch to pass him with four to go. "I should have stayed on the bottom. My car was so good on the bottom," he said. "I'm probably more mad at myself than anything else." Tony Stewart, winner of this race in 2005 and 2006, fell ill before the start and had J.J. Yeley on standby in case he couldn't make it to the finish. Stewart drove his car as high as third, but gave up the seat right before the halfway point and Yeley took the car to a 20th-place finish. So there was no redemption for Stewart, who lost the season-opening Daytona 500 when winner Ryan Newman passed him half a lap from the finish. Instead, it went to Busch, who actually dominated the 500 by leading a race-high 86 laps before he was shuffled back to fourth in the closing laps. But he recovered to earn his first restrictor-plate victory two months later when he won at Talladega in April. It gave him confidence to return to Daytona and give Toyota and Joe Gibbs Racing the victory they were denied in the 500.
NASCAR driver Tony Stewart climbs in his car for the start of the Coke Zero 400 auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Saturday, July 5, 2008. Joe Gibbs Racing will release Tony Stewart from his contract at the end of the season, ending an incredibly successful decade in which they won two championships and turned the organization into one of NASCAR's best.(AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
By JENNA FRYER, AP Auto Racing Writer Thu Jul 10, 5:19 AM ET
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - From his seat in the bright orange No. 20, Tony Stewart spent a decade driving his way to superstardom while helping Joe Gibbs Racing become one of NASCAR's top teams. The partnership produced 32 victories, two Cup championships and more than $68 million in winnings. It also survived a flurry of storms created by one of the most tempestuous drivers in NASCAR history. It was the perfect union, yet it left Stewart wanting more. More than he could ever get at Gibbs, where an ownership stake wasn't an option and Stewart was simply the driver. So Stewart secured his release from the organization Wednesday, paving the way for him to purchase his own NASCAR team. "While this moment is bittersweet, we're parting on good terms and we know that each of us has benefited greatly from the other," team president J.D. Gibbs said in a statement. The remarkable and often emotional 10-year run will end for Smoke, Zippy and the JGR boys at the end of the season. Gibbs had hoped to sign Stewart to an extension that would keep the 37-year-old driver in his seat past 2009 and until he retired, but Stewart stalled during contract talks. He wanted to see what else was out there, and given the opportunity to buy majority ownership in fledgling Haas-CNC Racing, Stewart couldn't resist. He scheduled a Thursday news conference at Chicagoland Speedway to discuss his latest venture. Stewart, who owns several sprint car teams and a trio of race tracks — including famed Eldora Speedway in Ohio — will likely model his NASCAR team after the Gibbs organization. Joe Gibbs has supported "Smoke" unequivocally through a tumultuous 10 years that saw Stewart punch a photographer, engage in run-ins with fellow drivers, fans and the media, and often fall on NASCAR's bad side through his jaw-dropping candor and sharp wit. He thanked the organization for sticking by him, and teaching him much of what he knows as a businessman. "I've learned so much from them and have a tremendous amount of respect for what they've built," Stewart said in a statement. "I've modeled my USAC and World of Outlaws teams the same way they built their NASCAR team, and I made it a point to find good people to run those programs. "If I've learned anything from my time at Joe Gibbs Racing, it's that Joe Gibbs' saying of, 'You win with people,' is incredibly true. They always surrounded me with not just good people, but great people, and the results speak for themselves." Now Stewart will have to find the same quality people to help him revamp Haas's two-car team. Current owner Gene Haas began serving a two-year prison sentence for tax evasion in January, and the team is not exactly competitive. Haas currently fields one car for Scott Riggs, and a second entry that's been piloted by several drivers this season. Neither team is inside the top-35 in points, and the organization was devastated by stiff NASCAR penalties in May for bringing illegal cars to Lowe's Motor Speedway. But Stewart loves a challenge, and this newest one will also secure him a spot in NASCAR long after he quits driving. He's expected to pilot one of the cars, and fellow Indiana native Ryan Newman is in the running for the second seat. Newman has been noncommittal on his future plans, and the Daytona 500 winner is in the final year of his contract with Penske Racing. Getting to this point, though, meant breaking up a quality partnership. Stewart joined JGR in a developmental role in 1997 while he was still competing in the IndyCar Series. He ran five races in the Busch Series (now known as the Nationwide Series) for JGR that year, and also won the IRL championship. He expanded his Busch schedule in 1998 to 22 events in preparation of his move to full-time NASCAR in the Cup Series.
His arrival helped JGR expand to two teams, and Stewart made an immediate impact on the Cup Series. He set a rookie record with three victories in 1999 while winning rookie of the year honors. It began a 10-year run with Stewart winning at least two events a season. Stewart finished seventh or higher in the season standings in all but one season — 2006 when he failed to make the Chase but still won three of the final 10 races used to determine the champion. He wound up 11th in the standings that season. Now Gibbs hopes Stewart has one last championship run in him for their organization. "While our time together is coming to an end, we know there's still a lot of racing left this season and we plan to make the most of it," Gibbs said. But it's been a rocky season for Stewart, who is stuck in a 32-race winless streak dating back to last August at Watkins Glen. He lost the Daytona 500 on the last lap, the Coca-Cola 600 when his tire went flat while leading late, and several other races because of a bizarre streak of bad luck that has plagued him all season. He was sick last Saturday night at Daytona International Speedway, and after driving the car as high as third, had to climb out of the seat just before the halfway point for relief driver J.J. Yeley. Yeley brought the car home in 20th, and Stewart is now 12th in the standings, clinging to the final spot in the Chase for the championship field. Many believed Stewart surrendering the wheel was a sign that he'd reached the end of his JGR run: He got sick in his car at Watkins Glen in 2005, but still won the race. Stewart's departure means the end of the longest active driver-crew chief relationship in the garage. Greg Zipadelli helped build the No. 20 team around Stewart at inception, and "Zippy" will likely stay behind at JGR to help groom 18-year-old protege Joey Logano into NASCAR's next superstar. "No matter what, Tony and I will remain close friends," Zipadelli said. "I know when it comes to the No. 20 team, things will obviously be a lot different next year, but I remain as committed as ever this year to winning races with Tony and securing our spot in the Chase to contend for a third championship." Although Gibbs officials have not said who will replace Stewart in the No. 20, Logano is expected to fill the seat. They had quietly shopped the ride to the top free agents in NASCAR, but Carl Edwards passed on the job in May and JGR officials are now confident Logano is up for the challenge. He made his NASCAR debut in the Nationwide Series in June at Dover following his 18th birthday and finished sixth. He won the pole in Nashville the next week, and became the youngest winner in series history with a victory at Kentucky in just his third start. Through four starts, Logano has a first, second and sixth-place finish. He's expected to grab Home Depot, which has sponsored Stewart the past 10 years, to keep much of the No. 20 team intact. Joe Gibbs said the future of that team is bright, even without Stewart. "The 20 car has been one of the all-time great partnerships in NASCAR for the last decade with the combination of Tony, Zippy, The Home Depot and Joe Gibbs Racing," Gibbs said. "While we are losing one piece of the puzzle, we think the No. 20 team will remain strong for many years to come." With or without Stewart, JGR is on solid footing. Kyle Busch leads the Cup standings with a series-best six wins this season, while Denny Hamlin is seventh in the standings with one win. "He was a great competitor, he couldn't stand not running well and he made everyone at JGR want to win just as badly as he did," Hamlin said. "He was a leader for me from the day I started at JGR and then really helped me out when I made the move up to the Cup series. He never sought me out to give me advice, but all I had to do was ask and he would give me as much time as I needed. "He leaves some big shoes to fill, but that drive to win races and championships at JGR won't change."
ma police, boston ma police, massachusetts police, massachusetts police, mass state police, mass police, ma, mass, massachusetts, massachusetts, massachutes, massachusetts law, massachusetts polece, police, officer, police officer, cops, police gear, law enforcement, police duty gear, state police, sheriff, law, police supply, police agency directory, police agency, police department, traffic officer, police dept, state trooper, dispatcher, massachusetts county sheriff, massachusetts sheriff, massachusetts department of corrections, ma doc, doc, dept of corrections, police information, civil service, ma civil service, massachusetts crime, police training, police academy, ma police academy, massachusetts officers, masscop, masscops, mpa, bpa, ibpoa, police association, massachusetts police news, massachusetts crime news, mass most wanted, police career information, police patrol, police administration, police books, crime scene training, police discussion, crime discussions, cops
About MassCops, the home for Massachusetts law enforcement.
The Massachusetts Law Enforcement Network opened in 1998 and is now a part of the New England Police Network The site is a pro-police discussion forum intended for sworn police officers and civilian law enforcement officials as well as those interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement here in Massachusetts.
The goal of The Massachusetts Law Enforcement Network is to provide an informal network of law enforcement officials here in Massachusetts for educational and informational purposes.
The forum covers many topics such as Police Related News Articles, Agency & Profession Discussions, Police Training as well as Law Enforcement Career Information.
The Massachusetts Law Enforcement Network and The New England Police Network (NEPN) and it's network sites are privately owned websites/domains and are not affiliated with or endorsed by any government association or agency.
MassCops (masscops.com) and (masscop.com) are privately owned are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Massachusetts Coalition of Police (masscop.org)
Reporting
ma police, boston ma police, massachusetts police, massachusetts police, mass state police, mass police, ma, mass, massachusetts, massachusetts, massachutes, massachusetts law, massachusetts polece, police, officer, police officer, cops, police gear, law enforcement, police duty gear, state police, sheriff, law, police supply, police agency directory, police agency, police department, traffic officer, police dept, state trooper, dispatcher, massachusetts county sheriff, massachusetts sheriff, massachusetts department of corrections, ma doc, doc, dept of corrections, police information, civil service, ma civil service, massachusetts crime, police training, police academy, ma police academy, massachusetts officers, masscop, masscops, mpa, bpa, ibpoa, police association, massachusetts police news, massachusetts crime news, mass most wanted, police career information, police patrol, police administration, police books, crime scene training, police discussion, crime discussions, cops