Stewart Goes Back to Back With Loudon Victory

After winning at least one race in the last 12 seasons, it looked as if this was going to be unlucky number 13 for Tony Stewart. But the driver known simply as Smoke has proved that his team was down, but they are anything but out. Stewart's No. 14 car reached victory lane for the second time in as many weeks Sunday in New Hampshire and showed that his Stewart-Haas Racing team will be a strong title contender, despite their slow start.

Stewart's teammate, Ryan Newman, led the field to green and jumped out to a strong lead. But the Red Bull teammates Kasey Kahne and Brian Vickers showed early speed as well, running in the top three. Jimmie Johnson, Dale Junior and Martin Truex, Jr were also in the mix. But the car that started fifth was the one that everyone had their eye on.

Before the race, Kurt Busch's No. 22 Dodge failed pre-race inspection because the rear end housing was too off-center and was held by Nascar until the team made the adjustments and met the governing body's approval. The Shell-Pennzoil machine was pushed out to pit road following the singing of the national anthem and despite still starting fifth, Busch was on the backslide from the drop of the green. And after running out of fuel last week in Chicago, this is not the way this team wanted to continue their championship run. Because it may be have just turned into more of a sprint than a run for them now.

The fans in attendance saw a lot of green flag racing and not a lot of passing (unless you like watching a battle for 25th), which is typical of the "Magic Mile." The flat surface makes track position a premium during the race because drivers can only run along the bottom groove to make their cars work the best.

Aside from a few debris cautions, there wasn't a whole lot of excitment during the race. That is, until fuel mileage came into play for the second week in a row. Clint Bowyer was the leader and Smoke was close behind in second place, the reverse of how they ran in this race one year ago when Stewart ran out of gas on the final lap and Bowyer slid past for the victory. It looked as if Bowyer was going to get his first win of the season and his third at the New Hampshire oval. Until his car stumbled off turn four and and ran out of gas coming to take the white flag. This allowed Stewart to take the lead and put his Mobil 1/Office Depot Chevy in victory lane for the second week in a row and complete a Stewart-Haas Racing sweep of New Hampsihe this season (Newman won at the track in July).

As a result of his win, this allowed Smoke to grab the points lead and knock Kevon Harvick down to second after he finished 12th. The suprise of the day though may have been Brad Keselowski finishing second and jumping up to third (that's right. Third!) in the points standings. Like the 3-0 Buffalo Bills, the "Blue Deuce" appears to be the real deal. Kyle Busch rose to sixth, Junior fell to eighth and Johnson is tenth. And after two bad weekends in a row, it appears as if Denny Hamlin will not be delivering the championship for FedEx this year. He remains 12th in the standings.

Next week, the series goes from a flat mile track to the "Monster Mile" in Dover, Delaware. With a towering 24 degrees of banking in the corners, this track has proved to be an equalizer in the last few years. It will be interesting to see if the standings will continue to shuffle this weekend and if Smoke, Junior and Keselowski can keep up their recent momentum. Who will the Monster grab on Sunday afternoon? Only time will tell.

Tony Stewart Scores Third Windy City Victory

Tony Stewart has scored his first win of his season at the Chicagoland Speedway twice, once in 2004 and again in 2007. And on Monday, the Columbus, Indiana native scored his first win of the 2011 season at the Windy City racetrack. Suddenly the No. 14 team has gone from Chase pretender to title contender.

Mother Nature won the race on Sunday when rain postponed the Geico 400 to Monday morning, but when the first race in the 2011 Chase kicked off, it was anybodys to win. There were not very many cautions, but there were two strange instances early on. Defending Chicagoland winner David Reutimann felt the back of his car was bouncing around a lot after he pitted for a flat right rear tire. It was later discovered to be just what the Michael Waltrip Racing driver had feared: the rear shock of his Tums Toyota had broken a mount and come off the truck arm.

"Even with our issues we were fast, but just couldn't get in position to compete with the leaders" Reutimann said after the race. "It's very disappointing. We will regroup this week and work on our car for New Hampshire and get better next week." Reutimann was also spun out on pit road by Landon Cassil and, adding insult to injury, ran out of gas in the final laps. All these troubles relegated an otherwise competitive car and driver to a 32nd place finish.

The other mystery issue came when Greg Biffle, while racing for the lead, experienced a flat front tire. The Roush-Fenway driver suspected that the radiator pan was hitting something and that he had a shock problem because the front of his Filtrete/3M Ford was up in the air instead of down against the track. Biffle went from battling for the win to finishing 26th.

Up front, it looked as if it would come down to Jeff Gordon, Matt Kenseth or Kurt Busch. These three led early and often, but when that four letter f-word (not that f-word) was heard on all the team radios, the landscape of the race changed.

Fuel. Every driver was told to save every drop they could to make it to the finish. As the pay window began to open, Stewart also emerged as a contender. Martin Truex, Jr stayed out on the last round of pit stops in hopes of a caution, but the NAPA Toyota wheelman was forced to surrender his lead to pit for fuel. Meanwhile, Tony "Smoke" Stewart was clutching the engine in the corners to keep his rpms down and save precious gas.

But on the final lap, multiple cars ran out of fuel, including Chasers Jimmie Johnson and Matt Kenseth (who was denied a top ten finish because he was pushed to the finish on the final lap). This allowed Kevin Harvick to finish second and Dale Earnhardt, Jr, who was running sixth at the time, to score a third place finish. But it was Smoke who grabbed the victory and erased any doubt about his team's title chances.

The points were also shaken up this weekend as well. Kevin Harvick is now your points leader, followed by Stewart, Carl Edwards, Kurt Busch and Earnhardt, Jr goes from tenth to fifth. Meanwhile, Kyle Busch went from leading the points to eighth, Johnson to ninth and Kenseth to tenth. Gordon and Denny Hamlin round out the top twelve.

This week the Cup Series heads to New England and the New Hampshire Motor Speedway. "The Magic Mile" has kicked off the Chase since its inception in 2004, but this year it will be the second stop in the Nascar playoffs. With the points shaken up and Smoke on the rise (pun intended), this championship is anybody's to win. So watch out Jimmie!

Reports: Bowyer to Michael Waltrip Racing

It appears that Clint Bowyer, the biggest free agent on the market these days, will announce this weekend at Chicagoland Speedway that he has signed a multi-year deal to drive a Toyota Camry for Michal Waltrip Racing beginning in 2012. Bowyer had been in failing contract talks with his current team, Richard Childress Racing, for weeks now and it appears that Bowyer will indeed leave the organization that gave him his break in the Sprint Cup Series five years ago.

It was also reported that Bowyer would come with sponsorship from 5-Hour Energy. This means that the energy shot giant would leave their current place on the hood of Steve Wallace's No. 66 car in the Nationwide Series.

Bowyer was reported to be in talks with at least four other organizations in addition to RCR. Waltrip's organization, Roush-Fenway Racing, Richard Petty Motorsports and Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing were among the teams Bowyer talked to. It was reported that the final details are being ironed out and both Bowyer and MWR will make it official in the next 240-48 hours.

It is a little bit weird that Bowyer would sign on to drive for the man he once referred to as the "worst driver in Nascar." They might as well have gone and signed Robby Gordon (who called Michael Waltrip a piece of sh*t on live television in 2005) to drive their third car. But Bowyer has proven to be competitive and with MWR on the rise, adding his talent to Martin Truex, Jr's and David Reutimann's could make this team a serious contender for the Chase for the Cup next season.

Nascar Remebers 9/11 Ten Years Later

September 11th, 2001 was a day that changed our country forever. Seeing the images of black smoke rising from the Twin Towers against the clearest of blue skies and the same towers collapsing into a cloud of dust and debris will be forever ingrained in the memories of Americans who lived through it. Even ten years later, watching old news coverage, watching the reading of the names of the victims from Ground Zero (now one of, if not, the most beautiful and fitting memorials to those killed on that dark day), it feels as if the attacks just happened yesterday. It is just as fresh and just as heart wrenching.

Few sports are more patriotic than Nascar. Every week, the race starts out with a prayer, the national anthem and a military flyover. Nascar fans and drivers are very appreciative for the men and women who defend their freedom to come out and enjoy a race on a Sunday afternoon. So when the opportunity came to honor those lost in the 9/11 attacks, Nascar and the race teams jumped at the chance.

Just like every American, many drivers remember where they were that day when the news broke. David Reutimann and Kurt Busch were testing. Denny Hamlin was working underneath a racecar. Nascar was also watching and decided to follow the lead of other major sports and not race in New Hampshire the following weekend (despite the fact that many of the drivers did). when they returned to the track in Dover, the teams were greeted to a sea of red white and blue in the stands. Every fan and every crewman on pit road had a flag, almost every driver had a special paint scheme and everyone there was proud as proud could be to be an American. And it was very fitting that Dale Junior went on to win and parade a big American flag around the track.

This weekend was no different. Several drivers had special paint schemes, including Kyle Busch who's car was void of sponsorship logos and was decked out like Old Glory. Many had also teamed up with the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation which helps families of firefighters and builds homes for quadriplegic veterans when they return home from combat. They helped to raise money and awareness for the charity and also pay tribute to the first responders and good Samaritans who gave their lives doing what they did for a living: saving lives.

The prerace ceremonies were also a great tribute to those lost ten years ago. Former NYPD officer Danny Rodriguez performed a stirring rendition of "God Bless America" and the US Army 29th Infantry Division Band out of Fort Belvoir, Virginia performed one of the best renditions of the national anthem ever. (On a side note, Nascar needs a military band to do the anthem every week. They're the only ones that perform it right and with the level of respect that it deserves). If that didn't make you proud to be an American, then you need to find somewhere else to live or check your pulse or something.

Americans are forever indebted to our firefighters, police officers, EMS personnel and military servicemen and women. Without these men and women doing what they do and putting themselves in harms way so we can stay safe, who knows where we would be. They are the true heroes in this world. Not Batman, not Derek Jeter, not Dale Junior or Jeff Gordon. The first responders that risk their lives to save ours are the ones who deserve our thanks and respect. We will never forget what they do for us and we will never forget those lost on 9/11. God bless them and their families and God bless the United States of America.

Kevin Harvick Wins Busy Weekend in Richmond

It was a very eventful weekend for Kevin Harvick in Richmond. He made news even before the cars hit the track for practice when he announced that his very sucessful Kevin Harvick Inc. team would no longer field Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series entries next season. His trucks and shop will be sold and his two Nationwide teams will be run out of Richard Childress Racing's shop in Welcome, North Carolina. He was involved in some controversy in the Nationwide race Friday night when he had run-ins with both Jason Lefler and Trevor Bayne. And Saturday night he capped his weekend with a victory in the Wonderful Pistachios 400.

The race began with a tribute to those lost ten years ago in the 9/11 attacks. Danny Rodriguez, former NYPD officer, performed a stirring rendition of "God Bless America" and the US Army 29th Infantry Division Band out of Fort Belvoir, Virginia, performed one of the best versions of the "Star Spangled Banner" I've ever heard. This was a very fitting, very poignant moment of reflection and celebration of our freedoms.

The race began when Frank Siller, founder of the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, waved the green flag and pole winner David Reutimann led the field into turn one. Not long after, the action to start. On lap nine, Clint Bowyer divebombed under Reutimann as they entered turn three. This sent Bowyer's car into the wall, but the wreck was just beginning. A few cars didn't see Bowyer against the wall and eleven other cars were collected in the incident. This included Chase hopefuls Denny Hamlin and Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

More controversy ensued when Marcos Ambrose and Brian Vickers got together entering turn three, sending Vickers up the track and into his lame duck teammate Kasey Kahne. Vickers, none too pleased with what had happened, turned his car in front of Ambrose's and made contact with him to express his displeasure. Later in the night, Bowyer got to Reutimann and spun him back for what had happened earlier (because Bowyer making a bonehead move is somehow Reutimann's fault). This sent the back of the No. 00 car into the wall and relegated a very competitive Aaron's Dream Machine to a 26th place finish.

But the biggest story of the night was Jimmie Johnson and Kurt Busch picking up where they left off at Pocono a few weeks back. The fight began with the two bumping and banging down the "Long Pond Straightaway" at the "Tricky Triangle" and resumed when Busch locked up his tires and slid up the track, sending Johnson's No. 48 into the wall. Later on in the race, Johnson dumped Busch in the same spot and sent him spinning. However, Kurt moved on unscathed and Jimmie hit the wall again. You'd think a five time champ would have better aim. Kurt then blasted Johnson on the radio, saying "What a chump!! I got your number!!"

But when the smoke cleared, it was Harvick who took the checkers, after a fast pit stop got him the lead back and he held off a late charge from Jeff Gordon and Carl Edwards. The Chase field was also finalized and, much to the delight of Junior Nation, Dale Earnhardt, Jr will make his first playoff appearance since 2008. Tony Stewart and Denny Hamlin also secured Chase berths. Now there is nothing left to do but race for the title. The first race of the ten race Chase for the Championship will take place, for the first time, at the Chicagoland Speedway. It will be interesting to see if this shakes up the standings and to see who will pull into victory lane. Will it be a Chaser or will David Reutimann win back to back events in the Windy City? In this season of first time winners and "boys have at it", anything can happen.

Jeff Gordon Scores Historic Win in Atlanta

Jeff Gordon began his Cup Series career in 1992, making his first start at Atlanta Motor Speedway in the season's final race. Perhaps symbolizing a changing of the guard, this was also Richard Petty's final race before he retired. Neither driver had a great day, with Gordon wrecking his DuPont Chevy and Petty's STP Pontiac wrecking in a ball of fire. But this past weekend in Atlanta, Jeff Gordon achieved another milestone. He beat his teammate Jimmie Johnson to the stripe and scored his 85th career victory, which puts him in sole possession of third place on the all-time wins list.

The Advocare 500 was supposed to be held Sunday night, but because of Hurricane Lee, rain and unsafe travel conditions forced Nascar to postpone the race until Tuesday morning. With a green race track and a daytime start, it would be very interesting to see who would come up on top.

There were many comers and goers, but the one car that stayed up front through just about every run was Jeff Gordon's No. 24. Matt Kenseth dominated early on and it looked to be his race, but Martin Truex, Jr, Kyle Busch, Kurt Busch and Brad Keselowski all looked to challenge him. With the combination of a green track, jet dryers heating the surface up during the two rain delays and the light mist that fell through almost the whole race, it was difficult for teams to set their cars up right. The track never did the same thing twice.

As the race progressed, Kyle suddenly lost the handle on his car, sending him back in the field. On the other hand, Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus adjusted the No. 48 car enough to where they could race to the front and challenge Gordon and Kenseth.

Restarts were very chaotic as well. It seemed like whoever started second would spin their tires and stack up the field behind them. One restart saw Kevin Harvick get hit from behind, spin almost dead sideways and still manage to make a spectacular save.

There were a couple of wrecks as well. The one with the biggest implications happened when Juan Montoya and Clint Bowyer made contact off turn four that knocked Bowyer's car into the outside wall and out of Chase contention (realistically). The other happened when Mark Martin hooked Regan Smith off turn two and spun Smith's No. 78 down the track and into the inside wall. While Martin never said he wrecked Smith on purpose, he did say that "...people aren't going to get away with running into me." David Ragan also blew an engine, ending his bid for a Chase berth as well (again, realistically).

The racing was fantastic all day long. The side by side, two and three wide racing proved to be well worth the wait for fans that expected a race two days prior. The final battle was between teammates Johnson and Gordon. Both were on worn tires and sliding all over the track. Gordon ran high and that forced Johnson to try and pass the No. 24 car on the low side, making his car much looser. Johnson would get close, but his car's lack of grip would allow Gordon to grab his 85th career win, snapping his tie with Bobby Allison and Darrell Waltrip and giving his sole possession of third on the all-time wins list. I'm not a Jeff Gordon fan, but even I can appreciate an accomplishment like this. Congratulations to Jeff and his Hendrick Motorsports team. Great, great job!!

But it is now time to put Atlanta in the rear view and head to Richmond where the final Chase field will be set. Several teams will also run patriotic paint schemes to pay tribute to the tenth anniversary of the September 11th attacks. It will be a night of remembrance and excitement. Drivers like AJ Allmendiger and Martin Truex, Jr will be fighting hard for a win to lock themselves into a wildcard spot while racers like David Reutimann are racing to win and prove that they belong in the Chase next season. With this "win and you're in" mentality going on this weekend, there will be no shortage of excitement on the track Saturday night at Richmond. They don't call it "The Action Track" for nothing.

Brown Won't Be Doing Much For David Ragan In 2012

UPS has sponsored a Nascar Cup Series car since Dale Jarrett's No. 88 Ford in 2001. Now that Jarrett is retired, the shipping giant now backs David Ragan's No. 6 Ford. But come next season, they will be shipping out (pun intended) of the No. 6 camp.

UPS currently sponsors all 36 Cup races for Ragan, but next season, they may cut back to as few as eight to ten races. This is not god news for Roush-Fenway Racing who will need to find some new money to keep Ragan's team afloat, but it isn't all bad because it is speculated that UPS will move the majority of it's sponsorship to RFR's No.99 team and Carl Edwards. This would mean that they would join Fastenal on Edwards' quarter panels in 2012. Fastenal just inked a deal to sponsor the No. 99 Ford in 17 races next year.

This will also lessen the number of sponsors that fund a whole season for a team. There were six full-time sponsors lined up, but with UPS cutting back next season the only ones remaining are The Home Depot, Menard's, Lowe's, Miller Lite and NAPA Auto Parts. But while it won't be a full-season sponsor on a race car next year, it it expected that they will renew their contract to stay as the "Official Delivery Company of Nascar."

UPS made it's name in racing by coming up with one of the most successful marketing campaigns in Nascar history. The "Race the Truck" campaign started in 2001 and continued until Jarrett retired in 2008 and featured the company trying to coerce Jarrett into racing the famous big brown truck (or "Package Car" as they put it) in Nascar instead of his regular stock car.

You can't really blame UPS for wanting more bang for their buck. Aside from Ragan's win at Daytona in July, his results have been far from stellar. They are a major sponsor with money to burn and they no doubt expect to run up front. Joining up with Carl Edwards would definitely put them in contention for more wins and give them a chance to win their first championship. Brown may not be doing a lot for David Ragan next year, but Carl Edwards could definitely do a whole lot for them.