NASCAR News April 29 - May 6, 2006

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May 6, 2006:

• Dale Earnhardt, Jr. wins the Crown Royal 400: Fan favorite Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the Crown Royal 400 Nextel Cup race at the Richmond International Raceway. The No.8 Budweiser Chevrolet crossed the finish line 0.572 seconds ahead of Denny Hamlin. The victory was Earnhardt Jr.'s first of the season and 17th of his "Cup" career. His last win was in July 2005 at the Chicagoland Speedway. "I'm real proud of the team I've got," said Earnhardt Jr. "I've got a great group of guys and I really enjoy coming to the race track with this group." (Sporting News - Results - Points - RaceCast!)

• Waltrip to throw out Marlin's first pitch: NASCAR driver Michael Waltrip will throw out a ceremonial first pitch on Wednesday, May 10 at 7:05 p.m., when the Florida Marlins take on the Atlanta Braves at Dolphin Stadium. Waltrip, a two-time Daytona 500 winner, who drives in both the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup and Busch Series, will help the Marlins and NAPA Auto Parts celebrate “NASCAR Night.” As part of this special night, fans will be able to visit and enjoy Homestead-Miami Speedway’s interactive display, located outside Gate H prior to the game, which will include a timed tire-change challenge, a NASCAR Playstation 2 game setup, and the Homestead-Miami Speedway Ford Fusion racecar. One lucky fan will also win a Ford Championship Weekend prize-package, courtesy of Homestead-Miami Speedway, if their seat number is chosen. Fans interested in attending the game can visit www.floridamarlins.com.

• Jarrett finalizing details with MWR, B. Elliott test Toyota Engine:  Dale Jarrett said Friday at Richmond International Raceway that he is within 10 days of announcing future plans that reportedly have him leaving Robert Yates Racing for Michael Waltrip Racing. "Just finalizing details," Jarrett said. Bill Elliott tested one of Waltrip's Chevrolet Cup cars with a Toyota engine earlier this week at Lowe's Motor Speedway, and there are plans for more tests as the foreign manufacturer seeks approval from NASCAR. (NASCAR.com)

• NASCAR likes Montreal site: NASCAR officials were ecstatic with their midweek visit to Montreal and are moving forward with plans to expand the Busch Series into Canada — perhaps as early as next season. The contingent of seven NASCAR representatives found the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, a temporary street course, to be in race-ready condition with very few alterations necessary, said Steve O'Donnell, managing director of events and operations. "The track and facilities were in great shape and really have a lot to offer to NASCAR," O'Donnell said. "And it meets a need for NASCAR, which has targeted road course races in the Busch Series as one of the areas we'd like to grow." (Toronto Star)

May 5, 2006:

• K. Harvick and RCR announces contract extension through 2009: Richard Childress Racing (RCR) and Kevin Harvick have agreed to terms on a contract extension that will see Harvick as an RCR driver through the 2009 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series season. Harvick drives RCR's #29 GM Goodwrench/Reese's Chevy in the NEXTEL Cup Series and RCR's #21 Coast Guard Chevy in the Busch Series. Harvick's career statistics include six victories and 70 top-10 finishes in the NEXTEL Cup Series and 19 victories and 98 top-10 finishes in the Busch Series. "Kevin is an important part of the RCR organization and we're happy that will continue," said Richard Childress, President and CEO of RCR. "He has done a great job in both the NEXTEL Cup and Busch Series and we look for that to continue over the next several seasons." Harvick is currently seventh in the 2006 NEXTEL Cup Series point standings with one win and four top-10 finishes. He leads the Busch Series standings by 274 points, ahead of RCR teammate Clint Bowyer in second place, with two wins and nine top-10 finishes. "I'm looking forward to the next three years at RCR," said Kevin Harvick. "We've made a lot of changes over the past year that have really helped point the organization in the right direction. The chemistry feels right between the drivers, the crew chiefs and the teams. Above all else, there is a long relationship at RCR that Richard and I have. I feel like it would take time to recreate what we've built over the last seven years. "(RCR PR)

• FOX NASCAR Rain delayed telecast tops NHL, NBA Playoffs, NFL Draft, PGA:  Fox Sports officials say Sunday's coverage of the rain delay of the Aaron's 499 from Talladega Speedway still ranked as the top sporting event of the weekend. The Nextel Cup race wound up being run Monday after Sunday's event was postponed because of constant rain at the track. According to Nielsen Media Research, Sunday's coverage produced a 4.5/11 national rating, outdrawing the NFL draft, the PGA and the NHL playoffs, among other things. "NASCAR is the gift that keeps on giving," Fox Sports President Ed Goren said. "The sport's fan base is as loyal as they come, and it's amazing that in recent memory some considered NASCAR a regional sport." (NASCAR Scene Daily)

• Future holds big things for NASCAR fans on TV, ESPN & DirecTV: Starting next season, NASCAR fans can expect to see Nextel Cup races in ways they never have.Plans are for races to be shown on multiple channels and broadcast over the Internet. Expanded race information will be available on network-related Web sites and NASCAR.com. Even cell phones will provide an outlet . “We’re kind of in a different age,’’ said David Berson, senior vice president, program planning and development for ESPN and ABC Sports. “People consume things in many different ways.’’ ESPN has provided glimpses of what some NASCAR broadcasts might be like. The network showed a Duke-North Carolina men’s basketball game in March on ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU , giving fans three versions of the same contest . Berson said the network plans to broadcast some NASCAR events next season using that full-blanket coverage . He mentioned the Daytona Busch race, which marks ESPN’s return to televising the sport, and the Mexico City Busch race as targets. Berson also said the network might do the all-inclusive coverage for the Indianapolis race, the Bristol night race, the Richmond fall race and the season finale at Homestead. Berson said it’s unlikely ESPN will provide as extensive coverage for all 10 chase races next year because the network has other programming. The chase takes place in the heart of the college football and NFL seasons. ESPN won’t be alone. While Fox won’t detail its plans, it is owned by the same corporation that owns Speed Channel and DirecTV. That would create the opportunity for Fox to provide extra viewing choices for fans. DirecTV is expected to have a pay-per-view service similar to its NFL Sunday Ticket package. (In oar from Virginian Pilot)

• NASCAR race to named after Fan, and hey, Dale Jr. what do you think? Next year’s NEXTEL spring race at Richmond International Raceway will be named after one lucky NASCAR fan. Crown Royal, the sponsor for tomorrow’s NEXTEL Cup Race, announced the landmark promotional event Friday afternoon in the infield of RIR. The event will mark the first time in history a major-sporting event will be named after a fan, Crown Royal said. Jamie McMurray, driver of the No. 26 Crown Royal Ford Fusion, made the announcement along with super-vixen Jaime Pressley, who currently stars on NBC’s "My Name is Earl." Pressley, a native of Kinston, N.C., said she grew up watching NASCAR with her dad. The former Playboy model said she’s proud to be involved with the promotion because a large portion of the proceeds go toward the RADD (Recording Artists, Actors & Athletes Against Drunk Driving) charity. "Celebrity's only good for two things: charity work and getting a good table at a restaurant," she said. I pegged Pressley for a whiskey drinker, so I asked her what distinguished Crown Royal from other poisons of its kind. "It's smoothe, it's just smoothe,” she said convincingly. "My dad has been drinking Crown Royal since I was 8, so of course I had my first taste with him." Earlier in the day, a reporter asked Dale Earnhardt Jr., who drives the Budweiser car, his thoughts on a hard liquor brand sponsoring a NASCAR race for the first time. “I don’t pay too much attention to sponsors of any race, unless I’m looking at them on a trophy,” he said. (Richmond.com)

• Toyota no more than 3 teams in 2007: Toyota has no plans to expand its team lineup beyond the three -- Waltrip, Red Bull and Bill Davis Racing -- it announced in January. Gordon's team, whose contract with Chevrolet ends following this season, is not under consideration. "We have three teams and we've got our hands full trying to build enough pieces for them," White said. "We're not interested in expanding. Those teams want and expect to run two cars each. We might be able to do a seventh car for one of them if they came to us and said, 'We've got a sponsor that we want to run,' but that would be the absolute limit." (CNN/SI) Would eliminate Kevin Harvick Inc. from Toyota Racing consideration if true.

• Goodyear cites strong performance at LMS testing: Comments by Greg Stucker, Goodyear director of race tire sales and marketing: "We saw exactly what we expected from our Goodyear Eagle tires on the first day of NASCAR's open test for Nextel Cup cars at Lowe's Motor Speedway, and we are very pleased with the results. Our choice of tire for this NASCAR-sanctioned open test is the tire picked during our recent tire tests at Lowe's and, based on data and driver input, it also will be used during the two weekends of racing later in May at the newly paved track. Comments by some people at the open test indicate concern that our tire recommendation is conservative. They're right! We were very conservative in our choice and that was intentional. Lowe's is a very fast track with new pavement that will generate a lot of grip and a lot of heat. We felt we had to select a very conservative tire to accommodate that. Lap times, however, are on par with those of last year. On the first day of testing, Jeff Burton, for example, made a 35-lap run and his fastest lap was the 34th. We are very pleased with tire appearance and treadwear. All indications are that going a full gas stop with either the traditional full-size fuel tank, like the Busch cars will use, or the smaller mandated tank for the Coca-Cola 600 would be no problem. Yes, the tire is different and may require adjustment by teams and drivers from what they've run at Lowe's in the most recent past. We came with a completely redesigned right side tire. It utilizes a new mold shape to address the tremendous loads that we measured at our test last fall. This, combined with the harder tread compound, gives the conservative setup. It reduces grip, but it resists heat and treadwear. It is absolutely the right choice." (Goodyear Tire & Rubber PR)

May 4, 2006:

• Sadler's #38 M&M's crew wins Checkers / Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge: Elliott Sadler's #38 team took top honors in the Checkers / Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge competition at Talladega Superspeedway. The M&M's pit crew, which spent 276.495 seconds on pit road in Monday's rain-delayed Aaron's 499, also won the competition at Martinsville Speedway on April 2. The victory moved Sadler's pit crew into a three-way tie for first place in the Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge standings. The pit crews for Jimmie Johnson and Tony Stewart have also scored two wins with a quarter of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup season completed (nine races). Sadler's over-the-wall crew consists of: Rodney Fetters (jackman), Ryan McCray (front-tire carrier), Mike Lingerfelt (front-tire changer), Lance Hanna (rear-tire carrier), Dave Smith (rear-tire changer), Brian Dunaway (gasman), Frankie Good (catch can) and Toby Mellott (windshield). The team's crew chief is Tommy Baldwin, Jr. The #38 crew, part of the Robert Yates Racing stable, will be awarded the weekly $10,500 prize. The Nextel Cup pit crew with the most wins at the completion of the 36-race schedule will receive a $105,000 bonus. Checkers/Rally's is the Official Burger and Drive-Thru Restaurant of NASCAR, more info at checkers.com. (DMF Communications PR)

• Jarrett informed RYR of Toyota switch? Toyota has yet to put a car on the track in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, but the automotive giant appears to have already landed its first NASCAR champion. Dale Jarrett, the 1999 NASCAR Cup champion, is expected to help head the company's 2007 entry into the series, agreeing to join Michael Waltrip Racing next season. Several sources have confirmed that Jarrett, 49, informed Robert Yates Racing officials of his decision April 26. Jarrett, in the final year of his contract at RYR, had said earlier this year that he hoped to continue competing in Cup through the 2008 season. But when asked April 29 about a possible move to Toyota next season, Jarrett deflected the question, saying he would talk only about Talladega. (NASCAR Scene Daily)

• Checkers has pledged to donate $100,000 to Operation Gratitude if Nemechek Wins: Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHKR) , the nation's largest chain of double drive-thru restaurants, today announced that it is teaming up with America Supports You and Operation Gratitude to send care packages to U.S. Troops deployed overseas. In honor of Military Appreciation Month, May 2006, Checkers®/Rally's® has joined the Operation Gratitude Patriotic Drive to collect items for care packages that will be sent to America's brave military men and women overseas in time for the Fourth of July. ...During the Patriotic Drive, which runs May 8 to June 14, 2006, the double drive-thru chain will have collection bins at participating restaurants nationwide for guests to donate gifts. These items will be used by Operation Gratitude to prepare individual care packages for troops deployed overseas. ...To officially kick-off the Patriotic Drive, Checkers/Rally's has pledged to donate $100,000 to Operation Gratitude if Joe Nemechek, driver of the No. 01 U.S. Army Chevrolet, wins the NEXTEL Cup 400 at Richmond International Raceway on Saturday, May 6. That following Monday, May 8, Checkers/Rally's participating restaurants will begin collecting gifts for the troops. (Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. PR)

• Hamlin injured in off the track incident: Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin injured his left hand in an off-track accident last night following the conclusion of testing at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. The driver of the No. 20 Rockwell Automation Chevrolet in the NASCAR Busch Series and the No. 11 FedEx Chevrolet in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series cut his left hand between his pinkie and his wrist. He was taken from the track via ambulance and was treated at a local hospital where he received stitches. Hamlin is expected to participate in all of this weekend's racing activities at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway based upon the evaluations of Joe Gibbs Racing's team physicians. The following is a statement from Hamlin regarding the accident: "The guys were having races around the hauler after the test. I thought I'd try for the best lap of the night, and as I was running around the front of the truck, I caught my hand on a sharp piece of chrome. I got all stitched up and I'll be fine to race this weekend. By the way, I did finish first. Hopefully Coach Gibbs will be impressed that I can play 'hurt'." (True Speed Communications PR)

• COT tested in Wind Tunnel Tuesday: Representatives of Ford, Chevrolet, Dodge and Toyota joined NASCAR officials for a wind-tunnel session Tuesday in Marietta, Ga., in which each manufacturer's proposed nose for the "car of tomorrow" was tested. One person present for the test said the results left the manufacturers encouraged they could get more room to give each nose more features that distinguish between models without creating competitive disparity. (ThatsRacin.com)

May 3, 2006:

• NASCAR upholds Penalty and Fines: On May 2, 2006, the National Stock Car Racing Commission heard and considered the Appeal of McGlynn Motorsports. The appeal concerned three penalties issued by NASCAR following inspection on April 7, 2006 for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series event at Texas Motor Speedway. The infractions concerned Section 12-4-A of the NASCAR Rule Book “Actions detrimental to stock car racing”; Section 12-4-Q “Any determination by NASCAR Officials that the car, car parts, components, and/or equipment used in the Event do not conform to NASCAR rules; and Section 20-5.9G(1) “External modifications to the intake manifold will not be permitted unless approved by the Series Director.” The penalties assessed were: • Loss of 25 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Championship Car Owner Points for owner Raynard McGlynn. • Loss of 25 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Championship Driver Points for driver Derrike Cope. • $50,000.00 fine for crew chief Domenick Turse. The Appellants acknowledged that the intake modifications violated the rules, but appealed the severity of the penalties. The Commission found that the penalties assessed are consistent with penalties for similar infractions of an overt nature in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series. Therefore it is the unanimous decision of the National Stock Car Racing Commission to uphold the original penalties assessed by NASCAR. The Appellants have the right under Section 15 of the Rule Book to appeal this decision to the National Stock Car Racing Commissioner.
  - NASCAR Press Release

• Davis to make NEXTEL Cup debut at Richmond: Kertus Davis is happy to announce that he will attempt to make his first Nextel Cup start this weekend in Richmond for the Crown Royal 400. Davis recieved the call to drive the #89 Dodge, normally driven by Morgan Shepherd. "We're really excited about this opportunity, and hope that we can put on a good show for everyone," Kertus said. Davis is also entered to run the NASCAR Busch Series race in the #0 RaceGirl Chevy that he normally pilots. (Kertus Davis Online)

• NASCAR on Fox wins 3 Emmys: Fox Sports officials announced that the network has won three Emmy awards for its NASCAR coverage. "NASCAR on Fox" won Emmys for Outstanding Technical Team Remote, Outstanding Live Event Audio/Sound and Outstanding Live Sports Series. This is the second time NASCAR on Fox has been recognized for an outstanding live sports series and raises the series' Emmy total to nine in five years of coverage. (NASCAR Scene Daily)

• Mike Wallace, Miccosukee Gaming #09 to skip Richmond: James Finch's Phoenix Racing Team has decided to not compete in this weekend's NASCAR Nextel Cup Series race at Richmond so they can pool all their efforts towards their #1 Miccosukee Gaming Dodge entry in the NASCAR Busch Series race the day before at the same track. Mike Wallace will continue as the driver of the #1 car this weekend. Also, today Mike tested the #52 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series car for Rick Ware at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Mike will drive the #52 in the All-Star Open race later this month. (Mike Wallace Forum) Miccosukee Indian Gaming

• Report: Harvick and Childress reach agreement: Nextel Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick and Richard Childress Racing have reached a tentative agreement on a contract extension to keep Harvick in RCR's No. 29 Chevrolet for the next several years, RCR sources have told The Charlotte Observer. RCR has reserved a news conference slot Friday at 2:45 p.m. Eastern in the infield media center at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway, site of Saturday night's Crown Royal 400. A Friday "RCR press conference" was noted on several pre-Richmond race news releases issued Tuesday by RCR teams, although its purpose was not given. A contract extension with RCR would remove Harvick from the list of available, talented drivers who were slated to become "free agents" at season's end. (ThatsRacin.com)

• Team Shuffle at #55 Waltrip Racing: #55-Michael Waltrip heads into Richmond International Raceway this weekend looking for a little magic to get the #55 NAPA Dodge back into the top-35 in NASCAR owner's points. This obviously isn't where we had hoped to be coming into the 10th race of 2006," said Waltrip. "In an effort to address the situation, we decided to make some changes." Waltrip has brought in NASCAR veterans Bobby Kennedy, Larry Carter and Jason Oversteet to work on the car and call the race. Derrick Finley will reassume his role as Bill Davis Racing team engineer. "It is extremely important that we use all of the resources we have at both Bill Davis Racing and Michael Waltrip Racing to get our program where it needs to be," said Waltrip. "Bobby, Larry and Jason have been working on getting our Burger King cars built that we will run with Bill Elliott this year. Getting those guys to the track and working with our NAPA car will not only help us now, but it will also allow them to gather 'at-track' data for that effort as well. "(MWR PR)

• Talladega Superspeedway's Repaving Project Begins: Talladega Superspeedway President Grant Lynch uses a trackhoe excavator to dig into the existing asphalt on the track that must be removed before it is resurfaced this summer. It has been 26 years since the 2.66 mile track was paved, and the ambitious undertaking officially began today. The project is scheduled to be completed by the track's fall UAW-Ford 500 event weekend, set for Oct. 6 - 8. Tickets are available now by calling 1-877-Go2-DEGA (1-877-462-3342); for our hearing impaired guests, please call TDD 1-866-ISC-TRAK (1-866-472-8725). You may also purchase tickets online at www.racetickets.com or in person by visiting the Talladega Superspeedway Ticket Office from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. CDT, Monday - Friday. - (Talladega Superspeedway PR)

May 2, 2006:

• Vickers on winning, and Hendrick contract:  "As far as the pressure, I'll be honest with you, I really don't feel any pressure," Vickers said. "Rick has made it clear that he's happy - everybody is happy. "As far as the contract situation, we don't divulge that information. There's no way anybody could know what year we are in our contract. "We're all set there, taken care of, and everybody is happy. (Salem-Journal)

• Hyder #21 Crew Chief fined and placed on probation: NASCAR announced that David Hyder, crew chief for the #21 Nextel Cup Series team, has been fined $5,000 and placed on probation until Dec. 31, 2006 for a rule violation at Phoenix International Raceway. Hyder violated Sections 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing), 12-4-Q (car, car parts, components and/or equipment that do not conform to NASCAR rules) and 20-10.8.4I (unapproved tire warming by using a portable heater) of the 2006 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Rule Book. The rule violation was discovered during the running of the Subway Fresh 500 on April 22. (NASCAR PR)

• NASCAR optimistic about Lowe's racing surface: NASCAR spokesman Jim Hunter said the sanctioning body will closely monitor this week's test, but he also expressed confidence that things will work out. "From all indications I think Goodyear has a tire that is going to work," Hunter said. "As bad as it was a year ago, I think it has the potential to be that good this year." Still, NASCAR is being careful. Smaller fuel cells, capable of carrying only about 14 gallons compared with the 22-gallon tanks used on most other tracks, will allow teams to run only about 40 laps without coming to pit road. "If they had the tire situation totally worked out, we wouldn't have to use the small fuel cells," driver Greg Biffle said. "I am concerned because I crashed hard there last year and I definitely don't want to do that again. The place is really fast and you don't want to have any problems. The most important thing is being safe." At least after this week's test is over, everyone can be more certain how safe the track will be. "Any time we go to a track with a new surface, especially a fast 1.5-mile track, everybody sits on pins and needles a little bit," Burton said. "I think it is important we get through it without any issues. If you have issues, then there's a bit of a panic without a whole lot of time to do anything about it." (ThatsRacin)

• No Fear joins Said and Roush: Action sports lifestyle brand No Fear, based in Carlsbad, California, has announced its plans to contest four races in the 2006 Nextel Cup schedule. Dubbed “No Fear Racing”, the new effort will run as a satellite operation of Roush Racing, and will be headquartered at the brand's new east coast corporate headquarters in Concord, NC. Road racing ace and NASCAR veteran Boris Said will drive NFR's #60 Ford Fusion, with primary sponsorship coming from the SoBe No Fear energy drink. Said will also co-own the team, alongside No Fear CEO Mark Simo and crew chief Frank Stoddard. NFR will debut at the Dodge/Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway the weekend of June 24-25. It will then compete in the Pepsi 400 at Daytona International Speedway, the Allstate 400 at The Brickyard on August 6 and the Sirius Satellite Radio at The Glen a week later. (SpeedTV)

• Knaus Wins WYPALL® Crew Chief of the Race award: In typical Talladega fashion, the Aaron's 499 played out like a 200 mph game of chess. In the end, it was Chad Knaus' decision to bring the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet in for service on the last round of pit stops which proved to be the game winning strategy. Jimmie Johnson's fresh tires were exactly what he needed to climb through the pack and capture the win. Knaus' triumphant tactics earned him the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race. With 22 laps to go, Knaus was left with the difficult choice of whether to have his driver pit or stay on the track. Knaus elected to have Johnson reload with fresh tires for the final run. The decision put Johnson in 15th place for the restart, but Johnson had little difficulty storming to the front. A panel of voters; including a member of the local media, Tony Eury Sr. and a Wypall Wipers representative; agreed that Knaus' strategy earned him Crew Chief of the Race honors. For winning the Crew Chief of the Race award, Wypall Wipers presented Knaus $1,000. At the end of the season, the Nextel Cup crew chief with the most weekly wins will receive $20,000 and be crowned the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Year. This was Knaus' first Crew Chief of the Race award in 2006, which ties him with Darian Grubb, Todd Berrier and Roy McCauley for second-place in the standings. Robbie Reiser and Kenny Francis are tied for the lead, each with two wins. (Wypall PR)

• Kahne must be cleared to test Today and Wednesday: NASCAR officials say Evernham Motorsports driver Kasey Kahne will have to get medical clearance before he's allowed to test Tuesday at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Kahne talked with Dr. Jerry Petty, a Charlotte, N.C., neurosurgeon, on Monday and has a Tuesday morning appointment with Petty to get clearance.  Kahne crashed early in the Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway Monday afternoon, and NASCAR officials did not allow him to return to the Nextel Cup race. "The medical people didn't think it would be good for him to get back in the car again," NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp said, adding that the driver of the No. 9 Dodge was too "shaken up" to return. (NASCAR Scene Daily)

May 1, 2006:

• Johnson wins rain delayed Aaron's 499: No controversy this time. Jimmie Johnson's win was fair and square. Johnson erased a career full of Talladega Superspeedway troubles, barreling past teammate Brian Vickers with one lap to go then holding off a charge from Tony Stewart to win the rain-postponed Aaron's 499 on Monday. It makes Johnson 2-for-2 in restrictor-plate races this year. And this one won't have an asterisk. His season-opening Daytona 500 win fell under intense scrutiny when crew chief Chad Knaus was suspended for cheating during race preparations. Although Johnson rallied to win the race in a legal car, he was forced to defend himself and his team from a wave of criticism that spoiled the victory. Not this time. (ABC News - Points - Results)

• France among Top 100 most influential people: Brian France, chairman and chief executive officer of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing -- better known as NASCAR -- has a new title to his name today courtesy of TIME Magazine. France, 43, is one of the world's 100 most influential people, according to an edition of the magazine that hits newsstands today. He was selected in the "Builders and Titans" category, one of five that also include heroes and pioneers; leaders and revolutionaries; scientists and thinkers and artists and entertainers. This is the third year TIME has published such a list, with other famous people invited to write profiles of those who are selected as the most influential people in the world. Darrell Waltrip, a three-time NASCAR driving champion and race analyst for Fox Sports, wrote about France. (Daytona News-Journal)

• Lowe's Testing rescheduled: With rain postponing the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway until Monday, the testing session scheduled for Lowe's Motor Speedway has been cut from three days to two. NEXTEL Cup teams will now test the track's new asphalt on Tuesday and Wednesday in preparation for the May 20 NASCAR NEXTEL All-Star Challenge and the May 28 Coca-Cola 600. Lowe's Motor Speedway's frontstretch grandstand will be open free of charge and fans should enter through Gate 5A, located next to the main ticket office. (Lowe's Motor Speedway PR)

• Darlington Speedway Grandstand seats sold-out! Reserved grandstand seats for the 2006 Dodge Charger 500, the 105th NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race at legendary Darlington Raceway, are sold out, track officials announced today. The sellout is the earliest in Darlington Raceway history. Last year’s sellout was the earliest at Darlington since the 1997 Mountain Dew Southern 500. This year, Darlington Raceway will welcome her largest grandstand crowd in 57 years of racing. With the addition of the new Brasington Tower in Turn 1, the track now seats approximately 3,000 more fans than last year. “We are thrilled at the continuing excitement surrounding Darlington’s Mother’s Day weekend race date,” said Raceway president Chris Browning. “The fans’ enthusiasm and support has been truly overwhelming. We’ve made a lot of changes over the past year, and we can’t wait to show off the ‘new Darlington’ to a packed house for the second consecutive year, and continue this great Mother’s Day tradition at the track ‘Too Tough To Tame.’ We think seats in the Brasington Tower will become one of the hottest tickets in NASCAR once fans get their first look at Darlington’s race action from Turn 1.” The Dodge Charger 500 will be run on Saturday evening, May 13. Scheduled start time is 6:55 p.m. Infield admission tickets are still available for purchase. Good seats do remain for all events on Friday, May 12. (Darlington Speedway PR)

April 30, 2006:

• West Virginian mine survivor guest at today's race: Randal McCloy Jr., the lone surviving miner from the accident at the Sago mine in West Virginia, is at Talladega this weekend for his first NASCAR race. McCloy was released from the hospital late last month, and he and seven members of his family are guests of Aaron's Sales and Lease Ownership President Ken Butler. "Aaron's is honored to have Randy and his family as our special guests," Butler said. "They are wonderful people who obviously have been through a lot, and they seem so thrilled to be here for their first NASCAR event." Butler extended the invitation to McCloy and his family last month when he learned they were NASCAR fans. (Times-Dispatch)

• Harvick/RCR close to contract deal:  Richard Childress and Kevin Harvick are close to a deal that would keep the driver with Richard Childress Racing well beyond the 2006 season. "I think (a deal) is real likely," Childress said Friday at Talladega Superspeedway. "We hope to get it done in the next couple of weeks." Harvick, in the final year of his contract with RCR, was considered a major target for Toyota, which is entering NASCAR's Nextel Cup series in 2007, especially after he voiced concerns late last season that his current team was not capable of winning a championship. (News14)

• Busch and Mears have yet to talk: Kyle Busch would like to apologize to Casey Mears, but his NASCAR Nextel Cup competitor won't call him. The 20-year-old Busch said he has yet to talk with Mears since their on-track run-in last week in Phoenix. "I've tried to talk to Casey," Busch said. "I left a message with Brian Vickers, who is a very close friend of his and mine, to give him my phone number, and I haven't heard back from him." Mears didn't sound very forgiving this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway. "I know that he'd call and apologize because a lot of people told him he should call and apologize, not because he really wants to," Mears said. "I'm glad he didn't [call], because I wouldn't have taken it as a true apology anyway." (Myrtle Beach Sun News)

• Mears in talks with Ganassi for extension: Casey Mears said he and car owner Chip Ganassi are discussing a contract extension. Mears, who finished a career-high second at Daytona, is in the final year of his contract.  (News14)

April 29, 2006:

• Petty needs 6-8 race sponsor: Petty Enterprises is seeking sponsorship for six to eight Cup races for Kyle Petty's No. 45 Dodge after a contract with a prospective company fell apart this week. "It comes at a bad time because we've seemed to be getting up off the bottom," said Petty, whose teammate, Bobby Labonte, notched consecutive top-10 finishes at Texas Motor Speedway and Phoenix. Petty, who also serves as the team's CEO, said the team would foot the bill if a sponsor wasn't found but was optimistic about the money hunt. "We're not panicking, but we are concerned," he said. "The market is really good right now, and there's tons of interest." (USA Today)

• Talladega Nights merchandise on sale now: NASCAR and Sony Pictures will begin selling merchandise this week online and at-track for one of the most anticipated comedies of the year – “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.” While “Talladega Nights”, starring television and movie star Will Ferrell, hits theatres August 4, merchandise for the movie goes on sale this Thursday. In addition to being available online at NASCAR.com, NASCAR-licensed film merchandise will be available at track for the first time at Talladega Superspeedway this weekend. Ferrell, who will be playing NASCAR driver Ricky Bobby, will be the grand marshal for Sunday’s Aaron’s 499. Close to 10 different licensees will be selling movie merchandise either on NASCAR.com and/or in a “Talladega Nights”-specific hauler, with Motorsports Authentics, J.H. Design Group, Checkered Flag Sports and Gametime LLC leading the way with several different lines of shirts, jackets, watches and more. As part of this weekend’s merchandise launch, Motorsports Authentics will be running a promotion awarding fans with an opportunity to meet Ferrell and get their movie merchandise signed by the former “Saturday Night Live” star turned mega-movie star and NASCAR fan. All fans purchasing movie merchandise at-track between Thursday and Saturday at 1 p.m. will be entered into a drawing that will ultimately reward 50 lucky fans with a Sunday autograph session with Ferrell. (NASCAR PR)

• Mothers to give command on Mother's Day weekend at Darlington: In 2005, Mother’s Day weekend gave birth to a new tradition at NASCAR’s most historic track. Collectively serving as grand marshal for the Dodge Charger 500 was a group of women well accustomed to giving commands to NEXTEL Cup Series drivers – their moms. The participating mothers walked across the stage and were introduced to the fans along with their sons. Then, as a group, they uttered the most famous words in motorsports, with a bit of a twist – “Sons and gentleman, start your engines!” The inclusion of the drivers’ mothers in pre-race activities proved to be so popular with fans that the track decided to make their participation an annual event, in honor of Mother’s Day. “Mother’s Day weekend is a time to celebrate families,” said Darlington Raceway president Chris Browning. “NASCAR is frequently described as a family sport, so it just seems natural to include everyone and to create one very special weekend at Darlington Raceway. We are excited about continuing to make the Mother’s Day event at Darlington a marquee weekend, and one of the most popular stops on the circuit.” The list of mothers who will serve as grand marshals for the Dodge Charger 500 includes: Carol Bickford (Jeff Gordon); Ramona Vickers (Brian Vickers); Becky Sorenson (Reed Sorenson); Martha Labonte (Terry and Bobby Labonte); Nancy Sterling (Carl Edwards); Gaye Busch (Kurt and Kyle Busch); Diane Newman (Ryan Newman); Mary Lou Hamlin (Denny Hamlin); Linda Truex (Martin Truex, Jr.); Bell Sadler (Hermie and Elliott Sadler); Margaret Waltrip (Michael Waltrip); Meredith Bowman (Jeff Burton); Jana Bowyer (Clint Bowyer); Joan Wimmer (Scott Wimmer); Susie Nolff (Scott Riggs); and Pam Boas (Tony Stewart). (Darlington Raceway PrR)

• Waltrip talked with Jarrett and Rudd about Toyota ride: Michael Waltrip revealed on Friday that Dale Jarrett and Ricky Rudd have been asked about driving a Toyota next season — and he was emphatic about who was doing the wooing. Jack Roush and other team owners have speculated Toyota drastically will change the role of a manufacturer in NASCAR, opening its wallet to outspend rivals while bypassing its teams to recruit drivers and crewmembers directly. Waltrip, who will field two Camrys in both the Cup and Busch series next season, said his team is handling all negotiations on incoming personnel without any help from the Japanese manufacturer. (USA Today)

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