Race: Sunday, March 21, 2010 in Bristol, TN

Title Sponsor: Food City

Scheduled Green Flag (approx): 1:13pm/et

NASCAR Pre-race: Fox - 12:00pm/et

Television Race Coverage: Fox, 1:00pm/et

In the Booth: Mike Joy, Darrell Waltrip, Larry McReynolds

Pit Reporters: Dick Berggren, Steve Byrnes, Matt Yocum, Krista Voda

Hollywood Hotel: Chris Myers and Jeff Hammond

SPEED's NASCAR Raceday Pre-Race Show: 10:00am/et with John Roberts, Kyle Petty, Kenny Wallace

Scheduled Race Re-Air Dates/Times:
Wednesday, March 24 at 12:00pm/et on SPEED

TV Listings, Links and Info:
Jayski's TV Listings Page
NASCAR on TV
Race Fan TV

This Week - Performance Racing Network (PRN) and XM Sirius Satellite

• goprn.com

• sirius.com

• Co-Anchors: Mark Garrow, Doug Rice

• Garage/Pit Reporters: Steve Richards, Brett McMillan

• Turn Announcers: Chuck Carland, Rob Albright, Brad Gillie

• Practices:
  Friday, March 19, 12:00 - 1:30 pm/et, TV-SPEED
  Saturday, March 20, 11:00 - 11:45 am, TV-SPEED

• Happy Hour 'Final' practice: Saturday, March 20, 12:20 - 1:20pm/et, TV-SPEED

• Qualifying Draw: Friday, March 19, 11:00am/et

• Qualifying: 2 laps for positions 1-42, Friday, March 19 at 3:40pm/et, TV-SPEED, re-air at 9:30pm/et;
  AND live via radio at PRN Radio only on NASCAR.com.

• Johnson wins first race at Bristol: #48-Jimmie Johnson won the Food City 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway for his 3rd win of 2010, 50th of his career and 1st at Bristol. #14-Stewart finished 2nd followed by #2-Busch, #16-Biffle. #17-Kenseth, #99-Edwards, #88-Earnhardt Jr., #1-McMurray, #18-Busch and #31-Burton. Pole sitter #20-Logano finished 27th down 5 laps. Points leader, #29-Kevin Harvick finished 11th and holds on to the points lead by 1 point over #17-Kenseth. 21 cars finished on the lead lap. There were 10 caution periods for 103 yellow flag laps. There were 29 lead changes among 8 drivers.
  The race is scheduled to be re-aired, Wednesday, March 24 at 12:00pm/et on SPEED.
  See race results, awards, laps led and more on Jayski's Bristol Race Results/Awards page.(3-21-2010)

• Facts from Bristol:
  * Jimmie Johnson won the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway. It was Johnson's 50th Sprint Cup victory in 296th career start. He moved into a tie for 10th with Ned Jarrett and Junior Johnson on NASCAR's all-time wins list.
  * It was Johnson's first Cup victory at Bristol in 17 starts. He became the 38th different driver to win at Bristol.
  * Johnson scored his 10th victory in 49 races on short tracks. He has won four of the past nine Cup races on short tracks. Eight of Johnson's 10 short-track wins have come in the last 20 races.
  * Johnson, who started fourth, led three times for 84 laps, including the final seven.
  * Hendrick Motorsports scored its 191st series victory, and its ninth Cup win at Bristol.
  * Johnson became one of just 12 drivers to score 50 or more career victories.
  * With his lead in today's race, Kurt Busch (third) passed 5,700 laps led in his career.
  * Two drivers have scored top-10 finishes in the first five races in 2010: Greg Biffle and Matt Kenseth.
  * Kevin Harvick leads the standings by one point over second-place Matt Kenseth.
  * No driver has led in all five races this season.
  * Kurt Bush (third) led 278 laps, the most in the race, and most ever led in a Cup series race. The leader of the most laps won just one of the last nine races at Bristol.
  * Tony Stewart (second) posted his first top-5 finish in 2010.
  * Greg Biffle (fourth) posted his fifth top-10 in five races and fifth top-10 in the last seven Bristol races.
  * Matt Kenseth (fifth) has posted four top-10 finishes in his last five races at Bristol.
  * Dale Earnhardt Jr. (seventh) has been running at the finish in the last 20 Bristol races.
  * Kyle Busch (ninth) scored his best finish in 2010 and moved to 10th in the Cup standings -- the first time he's been in the top 10 since Chicagoland last July.
  * Ryan Newman (16th) ended a streak of three straight top-10 finishes at Bristol.
  * Denny Hamlin (19th) ended a streak of four straight finishes of sixth or better at Bristol.
  * Bobby Labonte (21st) has been running at the finish in the last 21 Bristol races.
  * Bowyer (40th) ended an eight-race streak of running at the finish at Bristol. Bowyer also ended his streak of leading in the first four races this season. (ESPN)(3-22-2010)

• Race Fast Facts - Bristol Motor Speedway:
  Jimmie Johnson won the FOOD CITY 500, his 50th victory in 296 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.
  This is his third victory and third top-10 finish in 2010.
  This is his first victory and ninth top-10 finish in 17 races at Bristol Motor Speedway.
  Tony Stewart (second) posted his eighth top-10 finish in 23 races at Bristol Motor Speedway. It is his third top-10 finish in 2010.
  Kurt Busch (third) posted his 11th top-10 finish in 19 races at Bristol Motor Speedway.
  Kevin Conway (28th) was the highest finishing rookie.
  Kevin Harvick leads the point standings by 1 points over Matt Kenseth.(NASCAR Statistics)(3-21-2010)

• 2010 Sprint Cup Driver Points Standings
  [after Bristol, race 5 of 36]:
  rank, car#, driver, points, behind
  1) #29-Kevin Harvick 774
  2) #17-Matt Kenseth, 773, -1
  3) #48-Jimmie Johnson [3 wins], 760, -14
  4) #16-Greg Biffle, 750, -24
  5) #14-Tony Stewert, 685, -89
  6) #2-Kurt Busch [1 win], 677, -97
  7) #31-Jeff Burton, 677, -97
  8) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., 621, --153
  9) #98-Paul Menard, 614, -160
  10) #18-Kyle Busch, 606, -168
  11) #24-Jeff Gordon, 603, -171
  12) #33-Clint Bowyer, 601, -173
  Chase for the Sprint Cup - Contenders:
  13) #99-Carl Edwards, 585, 16 points out of the chase
  14) #83-Brian Vickers 584, -17
  15) #1-Jamie McMurray, 581, -20
  16) #5-Mark Martin, 579, -22
  2009 Chasers not in top 15
  13) #99-Carl Edwards, 585, 16 out of the chase
  14) #83-Brian Vickers 584, -17
  19) #11-Denny Hamlin, 515, -86
  22) #42-Juan Pablo Montoya, 508, -93
  23) #9-Kasey Kahne, 508, -93
  26) #39-Ryan Newman, 452, -149.
  See standings on Jayski's Drivers Points Standings page.(3-21-2010)

• Top-35 in Owner Points and guaranteed a starting spot at Martinsville:
  After Bristol, the current (2010) OWNERS points are used to determine the Top-35 in owners points and the guaranteed starting positions. #37-Conway was able to move back in the top 35 after falling out last week. Teams that started the 2010 season in the top-35 and fell out after five races include #7-Gordon and #26-Said/Stremme. Two drivers/teams were not in the top-35 starting the season and are now in, #82-Speed is solidly in the top-35 at 18th in 2010 Owners points and #71-Labonte who is 29th, 82 points ahead of 36th. Where things stand in the top 35 of Owners Points after Bristol:
  30) #12-Keselowski/Penske: 424, +78
  31) #38-Gilliland/Front Row: 417, +71
  32) #47-Ambrose/JTG: 413, +67
  33) #77-Hornish/Penske: 392, +46
  34) #34-Kvapil/Front Row: 374, +28
  35) #37-Conway/Front Row: 355, 9 points ahead of 36th
  these teams/ drivers must qualify by speed:
  36) #7-Gordon/RGM/BAM: 346, 9 points out of 35th
  37) #26-Said/Stremme/Latitude43: 343 -12
  38) #36-Bliss/Baldwin: 307 -48
  39) #13-Papis/Germain: 275 -80
  40) #55-McDowell/Waltrip/Prism: 230 -140
  The teams are NOT locked in past the next race as the owners points change after each race.
  For the owner points standings, see my Owners Points Standings page.(3-21-2010)

• Infraction Sheet - Bristol Motor Speedway:
  Car#, Lap, Reason, Penalty
  #46, Pre-Race to the rear, Tail End, Missing drivers intro
  #66, 40, Intentionally causing a caution, 2 Laps
  #47, 43, Excessive speed EXITING the pits, Tail End
  #11, 117, Excessive speed EXITING the pits, Tail End
  #11, 119, Excessive speed ENTERING pits, Tail End
  #11, 129, Pitting before pit road is open, Tail End
  #7, 130, Pitting before pit road is open, Tail End
  #46, 139, Pitting before pit road is open, Tail End
  #47, 206, Excessive speed ENTERING pits, Tail End
  #9, 206, Pitting before pit road is open, Tail End
  #11, 292, Pitting before pit road is open, Tail End
  #88, 325, Excessive speed ENTERING pits, Tail End
  #6, 342, Pitting before pit road is open, Tail End
  #42, 342, Pitting before pit road is open, Tail End
  #90, 343, Pitting before pit road is open, Tail End
  #82, 483, Commitment Line Violation, Tail End
  (NASCAR Statistics)(3-21-2010)

• Lucky Dogs - Who got a lap back on each caution at Bristol: (and their finish)
  Caution 1: #34-Kvapil, finished 25th
  Caution 2: #7-Gordon, 22nd
  Caution 3: #19-Sadler, 20th
  Caution 4: #78-Smith, 36th
  Caution 5: #11-Hamlin, 19th
  Caution 6: #38-Gilliland, 23rd
  Caution 7: #11-Hamlin(2), 19th
  Caution 8: #71-Labonte, 21swt
  Caution 9: #42-Montoya, 26th
  Caution 10: #39-Newman, 16th
  (3-21-2010)

• Start and Parks? Which teams parked their cars early in the race at Bristol (or seemed to)?
  43rd: #87-Nemecheck, 30 laps run
  42nd: #66-Blaney, 40 laps [crashed]
  41st: #55-Waltrip, 46 laps run
  39th: #09-Almirola, 59 laps
  with NASCAR's new rule of the first non-crashed car out of the race to be inspected, it would be the #87 this week
  (only count a team with a history of start and park, not a wreck or engine blow and only if 25% or less of race completed)(3-21-2010)

• Rain an issue at Bristol? the weather forecast for Sunday does not look good for getting the whole Sprint Cup Series race in at Bristol Motor Speedway. The forecast is rain showers developing by early afternoon. Mostly cloudy with temperatures rising to near 64F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 55%. The radar west of Bristol is not looking good with a big ole green blob headed towards Bristol. See weather.com, raceweather.net or a list on my Bristol Race Info page - weather section for more info on the weather.(3-21-2010)

• Race Coverage of the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway is scheduled for Sunday, March 21, 2010.
  Television (TV): FOX at 1:00 pm/et; pre-race show at 12:00 pm/et; green flag approx 1:16pm/et
  Radio: Performance Racing Network (PRN) and Sirius XM Satellite NASCAR Radio 128
  Scheduled Race Re-Airs:
  SPEED, Wednesday, March 24 at 12:00pm/et

• Pit Stall Selections - Bristol: The selections of pit stalls for the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway have been made. Pole sitter #20-Logano's team chose pit stall 1 [as do most pole sitters].
  Bristol is the only track in the Sprint Cup Series that utilizes two pit roads. It has 22 stalls on the frontstretch and 21 on the backstretch. Teams that pit on the backstretch used to be at a competitive disadvantage. Since the spring 2002 race at Bristol, teams will enter pit road in Turn 2 (the current backstretch pit entrance) drive around down the backstretch and around Turns 3 and 4 and exit in Turn 1. Under green-flag conditions teams will enter and exit pit road under the current two-pit-road scheme.
  Outside pole sitter #2-Busch chose the 23rd stall, which is the first stall on the backstretch pits
  #66-Blaney, who starts 3rd [and is likely a start-and-park] took the 2nd pit stall, behind the pole sitter.
  The 43rd and final pit stall was taken by #48-Johnson, who starts 4th
  and #24-Gordon, who starts 4th, chose the last stall on the frontstretch, the 22nd stall
  To see where all the drivers/teams pit stall is, see the pit selection chart on the Bristol Pit Stall Selection chart.(3-19-2010)

• Bristol Pit Rules: Bristol Motor Speedway operates under a plan where one-pit road will be used during pit stops under caution. Currently, Bristol remains the only track in the Sprint Cup Series that utilizes two pit roads. Teams that pit on the backstretch used to be at a competitive disadvantage. Since the spring 2002 race at Bristol, teams will enter pit road in Turn 2 (the current backstretch pit entrance) drive around down the backstretch and around Turns 3 and 4 and exit in Turn 1. Under green-flag conditions teams will enter and exit pit road under the current two-pit-road scheme. See last years pit stall selection chart for how pit road is set up.

• Lowest-finishing, non-wrecked car to be inspected: NASCAR has instituted a new postrace inspection policy for Sprint Cup races in which the first car out of the race that is not involved in an accident will be held for teardown, much like the cars that currently finish in the top five. That meant that Aric Almirola’s #09 Phoenix Racing’s Chevy was thoroughly inspected after the Las Vegas Motor Speedway race. His engine was taken to be torn down later this week at the NASCAR R&D center in Concord, NC. The policy is expected to impact the start-and-park teams – teams that typically bring a car but don’t have funding to run the entire event. These teams often are not in the top 35 in owner points, so they are required to qualify on speed. The new policy means it is likely that one of the cars that qualify on speed for every race will end up getting torn down. NASCAR Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton said Sunday the move was not to discourage start-and-park teams. “We’re just expanding our inspection process and making sure that everybody feels like everybody is on the same playing field, that’s all,” Pemberton said. “It’s all about making sure that the guys who get beat that don’t make the race understand that the guys who get in the race, for the most part, are doing everything right.” The move could cost these teams money, as they will have to pay for an engine rebuild that they might not have needed if they didn’t run many laps. Pemberton said the engine might not be torn down weekly but acknowledged it could cost teams $30,000 for a rebuild. That could lead to those teams racing more instead of risking the cost of a rebuild. Or it could lead to those teams not showing up if they can’t afford to have the motor rebuilt.(SceneDaily)(3-1-2010)

• NASCAR Revises Green-White-Checkered Race Procedure: NASCAR announced a revision to one of its race procedures, allowing a maximum of three restart attempts prior to the White Flag under NASCAR's Green-White-Checkered flag finish. If the leader has taken the White Flag and the caution flag is displayed, the field is frozen and the race will not be restarted. Previously, there was only one restart attempt. The new procedure will be implemented beginning with today's running of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series' Gatorade Duel at Daytona and will apply to all three national series. NASCAR officials met with drivers and teams Wednesday at Daytona International Speedway to discuss the change and get their input. The announcement was made during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series' drivers and crew chiefs meeting Thursday morning. "We want to do all we can to finish our races under green flag conditions – the fans want to see that and so do the competitors," said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR vice president of competition. "We felt that putting a cap at three attempts to finish the race under green is the way to go. It gives the fans what they want and it also gives the teams a better opportunity to prepare for their end of race strategy." The change amends procedure 9-14C of the 2010 NASCAR rulebook.(NASCAR)(2-11-2010)

• Jayski's - 2010 Sprint Cup Race Results Page and from last season: Jayski's - 2009 Sprint Cup Race Results Page
  (pole and race winner with speed and starting/finishing position, links to race results, drivers & owners points, pit stall selections, qualifying results/starting lineup, practice speeds and chase stats as well as link to race track and race information page for each race)

• NASCAR tweaks wave-around rule: NASCAR has tweaked its rule on wave-around cars under caution. The new rule now dictates that cars under penalty at the time of the caution are ineligible for the wave around. The change began last week with the Sprint Cup race at Kansas Speedway after a situation came up in the Nationwide Series race that was new to the double-file restart system instituted in June. In the Nationwide race, Roush Fenway Racing's Carl Edwards was penalized for speeding under green, and then the caution came out. He stayed out and didn't pit and then was among those cars on the end of the lead lap. He then got the "wave around" the caution car (along with the rest of the cars that had stayed out and were on the end of the lead lap) to get to the rear of the line of lead-lap cars. Edwards then went to the end of the line to serve his penalty. That move would not be allowed anymore. The driver would not get the wave around and would start a lap down at the rear of the field on the restart, the penalty for a driver who had a speeding penalty under green but never served it before the caution came out. The new rule in general is any driver under penalty is no longer eligible for the wave around.(SceneDaily)(10-11-2009)

• NASCAR’s Robin Pemberton explains restart rules: NASCAR Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton gave an explanation last June [2009] of the double-file restart rules. Here are excerpts of the conversation with the media and his answers to some questions ask.
  SD: What is the procedure for double-file restarts?
  Pemberton: “When the caution comes out, the field will be frozen as it is today. The free-pass car will be identified as it is today and it will be the same format. As the cars are gathered behind the pace car, the pit road is opened for leaders, the second time by it will be open for the lap-down cars, and that is how it is today. And when we come to the one [lap]-to-go [until the green drops], the cars that have elected not to pit that are lap-down cars that will be in front of the lead-lap cars that have pitted, will be waved around to join the field at the tail end. The lineup will be on the double-file restart, lead-lap cars to the front, lap-down cars, … then it will be the free-pass car, then it will be the cars that have been waved around and then it will be the penalty cars.
  SD: If a guy on the lead lap opts not to pit, he’s the leader?
  Pemberton: Correct. Still P1 [the leader].
  SD: Is there an option for the lead car to select which lane?
  Pemberton: When we give the 1-to-go, the leader throughout the entire race will get lane choice, high or low. He has to make that choice when we come to the 1-to-go at the stripe. One other thing we have added is the free pass will take place from start to finish throughout the entire race.
  SD: If a car on the lead lap pits a second time with the lap-down cars, does he restart with the lap-down cars?
  Pemberton: He will start in his respective track position how he came off of pit road. If you have a lead-lap car who makes multiple pit stops to work on his car, he is not in that lead-lap group that pitted that first-time by. He’ll be scored where he comes off pit road [with lapped cars]
  SD: The lap-down cars that don’t pit and the get the wave around the leader, do they get to come all the way around to rear of the field?
  Pemberton: That’s correct but they will not be able to hit pit road for tires and fuel. Pit road won’t be closed but they will forfeit their wave-around status if they hit pit road for tires and fuel.
  SD: At tracks like Martinsville and Bristol and you’re waiting for the 1-to-go, are you anticipating that the wave around could be hard to be completed?
  Pemberton: There could be issues. Every track has its different set of challenges. We’ll have to address those when we get to them. The whole field will be double file so they won’t be as strung out.
  SD: If multiple lead-lap cars stay out, do the lap-down cars that don’t pit still get waved around?
  Pemberton: The only way you can be waved around is if you are between the leader and the pace car. As pit stops take place, you need to be in front of the lead-lap cars. You get waved around regardless if you’re one or two or three laps down [or more].
  (SceneDaily)(6-7-2009)

• Bristol Pit Stall Selections

• Happy Hour practice: for the Food City 500 Sprint Cup race at Bristol Motor Speedway is over, after 60 minutes of practice, top five and some notes:
  #48-Johnson 122.287
  #17-Kenseth 121.443
  #42-Montoya 121.420
  #1-McMurray 121.305
  #20-Logano 121.297
  slowest: #37-Conway 116.115 and #90-Mears 118.284.
  See speeds, average speeds, laps run on my Bristol Practice page.(3-20-2010)

• Saturday first practice: for the Food City 500 Sprint Cup race at Bristol Motor Speedway is over, after 50 minutes of practice, top five and some notes:
  #48-Johnson 122.725
  #42-Montoya 122.139
  #24-Gordon 121.813
  #88-Earnhardt Jr 121.705
  #20-Logano 121.897
  slowest: #37-Conway 116.122 and #71-Labonte 117.401.
  See speeds, average speeds, laps run on my Bristol Practice page.(3-20-2010)

  P

• New record for Logano: when #20-Joey Logano won the pole for the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway, he became the youngest pole sitter ever in the Sprint Cup Series at 19 years, 9 months, 23 days, beating Kyle Busch out by two days. Busch won a pole at Auto Club Speedway on February 27, 2005 at the age of 19 years, 9 months, 25 days. The old record at Bristol was held by Ryan Newman, who was 25 years, 3 months, 15 days old when he won the pole on March 23, 2003.(3-21-2010)

• Logoano wins pole at Bristol: #20-Joey Logano won the Coors Pole for the Food City 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway with a speed of 124.630mph for his 1st pole of 2010 the 1st pole of his career in 44 starts. #2-Busch will start 2nd followed by #66-Blaney, #48-Johnson, #24-Gordon, #42-Montoya, #17-Kenseth, #99-Edwards, #47-Ambrose and #00-Reutimann. #46-Terry Cook will make his 1st career Sprint Cup start and #90-Casey Mears and #26-David Stremme make their first starts of the 2010 season. The points leader #29-Harvick will start 33rd
  The go-or-go homers who made the race (8): #66-Blaney, #09-Almirola, #82-Speed, #90-Mears, #87-Nemechek, #55-Waltrip, #46-Cook and #71-Labonte [using the past champ provisional]l.
  The go-or-go homers who failed to qualify for the race (2): #36-Bliss, #13-Papis
  Pole stats: see my All-time Pole Winners & Stats page & 2010 Pole Winners page.
  See the starting lineup, qualifying speeds and notes on my Bristol Starting Lineup/Qualifying Results page.(3-19-2010)

• Qualifying Fast Facts - Bristol:
  #20-Joey Logano won the Pole Award for the FOOD CITY 500 with a lap of 15.396 seconds, 124.630 mph.
  This is his first pole in 44 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.
  This is his first pole and second top-10 start in 2010.
  This is his first pole in three races at Bristol Motor Speedway.
  #2-Kurt Busch (second) posted his third top-10 start of 2010 and his sixth in 19 races at Bristol Motor Speedway.
  #66-Dave Blaney (third) posted his eighth top-10 start at Bristol Motor Speedway. It is his second in four races this season.
  #46-Terry Cook (40th) was the fastest qualifying rookie.(NASCAR Statistics)(3-19-2010)

• Coverage of Qualifying for the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway is scheduled for Friday, March 19, 2010 at 3:40pm/et.
  Television (TV): SPEED 3:30pm/et
  Radio: Performance Racing Network (PRN) only at NASCAR.com
  Jayski.com: Jayski's Semi-Live Qualifying Page
  Qualifying Re-Air: on SPEED at 9:30pm/et

• Qualifying Order for the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway is posted. 45 cars/drivers are listed. Go-or-go homers will qualify at the end of the session, once the top-35 drivers are done.
  The first of the top-35 drivers scheduled to go out is #1-McMurray.
  The final top-35 driver scheduled to go out is #83-Vickers.
  The first go-or-go homer scheduled to qualify [36th] is #87-Nemechek with the final driver scheduled to qualify being #82-Speed.
  See the full qualifying order on the Bristol Qualifying Page.(3-19-2010)

• Friday practice: for the Food City 500 Sprint Cup race at Bristol Motor Speedway is over, after 90 minutes of practice, top five and some notes:
  #20-Logano 124.114
  #17-Kenseth 123.961
  #5-Martin 123.810
  #48-Johnson 123.762
  #9-Kahne 123.666
  slowest: #37-Conway 117.365 and #71-Labonte 118.562
  incidents: #18-Busch spun early in practice but didn't hit anything; #71-Labonte spun between turns 3-4 and backed in to the wall, will have to go to a backup car for qualifying; #48-Johnson spun around on the front stretch, no damage.
  See speeds, average speeds, laps run on my Bristol Practice page.(3-19-2010)

• Bristol practice rank for the non top-35 drivers:
  if things stay the same, these eight drivers would make the race:
  #82-Scott Speed, 8th fastest overall
  #66-Dave Blaney, 14th
  #36-Mike Bliss, 28th
  #09-Aric Almirola, 15th
  #90-Casey Mears, 34th
  #46-Terry Cook, 35th
  #87-Joe Nemechek, 39th
  #71-Bobby Labonte [PC1] would have to use the champ prov to make the race, 44th
  these drivers would miss the race if the order stayed the same:
  #55-Michael Waltrip, 40th
  #13-Max Papis, 43rd
  [PC] = [past champion and order, 1 is more recent champ]

• The Entry List for the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway is posted, 45 teams/drivers [for 43 spots] are listed, including:
  David Stremme is listed as the driver of the #26 Ford instead of Boris Said and Waltrip is listed in the #55 car
  Not in top 35 of owners points for the first five races in 2010:
  #09-Aric Almirola (2009 race winner as owner)(45/4)
  #13-Max Papis (39/4)
  #36-Mike Bliss (35/4)
  #46-Terry Cook (47/4)
  #55-Michael Waltrip in for Michael McDowell (41/4)
  #66-Dave Blaney (42/4)
  #71-Bobby Labonte [past champ 2000](30/4)
  #82-Scott Speed (12/4)
  #87-Joe Nemechek (43/4)
  #90-Casey Mears (44/4)
  In the event qualifying is rained out or cancelled:
  the eight who would make it [8]: #'s 09,71,82,36,13,55,66,87
  missing the race would be [2]: #'s 90,46
  See the full entry list at my Jayski's Bristol Entry List and the 2010 Owners Points Standings for the first FIVE races page.(3-15-2010)

• Top-35 in Owner Points and guaranteed a starting spot at Bristol Motor Speedway [on March 21st] and first five races of 2010 [Bristol is the 5th and final race using 2009 owners points]:
  Teams that are guaranteed a starting spot for the first five races, but are currently out of the 2010 top 35 of owners points are:
  36) #37-Conway/Front Row: 0 points out of 35th
  37) #26-Stremme/Latitude 43: -24
  38) #7-Gordon/RGM: -27
  Three teams are currently outside the 2009 Top 35 owners points and a guaranteed starting spot, but are in the top 35 for 2010 owners points after four races, which would assure a starting spot if qualifying at Bristol Motor Speedway is canceled [rain out, etc]:
  #82-Speed/Red Bull: 12th in 2010 Owners Points
  #71-Labonte/TRG: 30th, but would get in via being a past champ anyway
  #36-Bliss/Baldwin: 35th in 2010 Owners Points
  #09-Almirola/Phoenix Racing missed the race at Atlanta, is 45th but would make the race via being a past winning team in 2009 [winning at Talladega last April]
  The other teams likely to attempt Bristol on March 21st that would make the race if qualifying is canceled would be (4):
  #13-Papis (39th in 2010 owners points); #55-Waltrip (41st); #66-Blaney (42nd) and #87-Nemechek (43rd).
  Missing the race would be: #90-Mears (44th) and #46-Cook (47th)
  For the owners points standings, see my 2010 Owners Points Standings and 2010 Owners Points Rack for the first five races.(3-7-2010)

• What happens if qualifying gets rained out?
  If it is the first five races of the season, the previous season OWNERS points are used:
  
  #1) - Previous season Owner Points [position 1-35][top 35 teams do NOT need to attempt ALL the races]
  #2) - Race winners from the previous and current season not already in the field
  #3) - ALL Past Cup Champions not in by 1 or 2
  #4) - Current season Owner Points [Top 35][not in by rules 1-3]
  #5) - Current season race attempts ties broken by current owners points standings [not in by rules 1-4]

• Qualifying Rules/Notes/News page

• Go or Go Home Drivers to Qualify Together: Teams outside the top 35 in owners points will qualify together at the end of the qualifying session. The thought is that nobody would have an advantage in track conditions.

• How to Calculate Track Speeds: use the formula Speed = Distance divided by Time. Distance is Track Length, and Lap Time into Hours. Once hour is 3600 seconds, so the calculation for a 48 second lap at Daytona(2.5 miles) would be: Speed = 2.5 x (3600/48), = 2.5 x 75 = 187.500mph. For a 19 second lap at Bristol(.533 miles): Speed = .533 x (3600/19), = .533 x 189.474 = a speed of 100.990mph

• How to break a tie during qualifying? (same speed/time) When drivers are tied for a starting spot during qualifying, it is broken by owners points standings (not drivers points).

• Determining Race Line-Ups - Top 35 Guarantee: At the start of the 2005 season, NASCAR instituted a new procedure for establishing the starting race field in the Sprint Cup Series [NSCS]. NASCAR revamped the system by simplifying the procedure with teams no longer accruing provisionals throughout the season to gain entry into the starting fields. While starting positions one through 42 in the NSCS still will be determined by qualifying speed, the new system will assure the highest-ranked 35 positions of the NSCS OWNER [not Driver] championship points that have entered the event prior to the entry deadline [usually 13 days before the day of the race] one of those starting positions in the field, providing they have made an attempt to qualify [which usually means the team at least practiced and made an effort to qualify].
  The remaining seven positions [36-42] will be assigned to those drivers with the fastest qualifying speeds whose car owners are not among the top 35. The final starting position [43rd] – the champion’s provisional – can be utilized by a car owner whose driver is a current or past Sprint Cup champion who participated as a driver during the current of previous season and was entered in the event for that owner in that car prior to the entry deadline.
  If there is more than one series champion vying for the position, it will be given to the most recent series champion. If the final provisional starting position – 43rd in the Sprint Cup – is not filled by a current or past series champion, it will be assigned to the next eligible car owner according to qualifying results.
  Through the first five races of the season for the Sprint Cup, the top 35 in the NSCS of the previous owner championship points entered in the event prior to the entry deadline will be assured one of the 42 starting positions in the field, provided they have made an attempt to qualify. From the sixth race on, the current owner championship points will be used to determine the top 35 each race week. In the event that conditions prevent qualifying from being run, starting positions will be assigned according to the respective series’ current Rule Book.(NASCAR PR)
  Simple: so the field is set by speed to where the 7th fastest non-top 35 driver is on speed. The any drivers in the top 35 of OWNERS [not drivers points] are placed to the 42nd spot. The 43rd spot is used for the most recent past Sprint Cup champion NOT already in the field from being in the top-35 in owners points or one of the seven no top-35. If their is not past champ for the 43rd spot, it goes to the next fastest [8th fastest driver]

• Past Champions Limited To 6 Provisional Berths in Sprint Cup: See my 2010 Past Champions Provisional Page for more

• There are six race tracks the Sprint Cup Series currently races at that #48-Jimmie Johnson has not won a Sprint Cup race at:
  Bristol: 0 for 16 with a best finish of 3rd in 8/2004 and 3/2009
  Michigan: 0 for 16 with a best finish of 3rd in 8/2007
  Infineon: 0 for 8 with a best finish of 4th in 6/2009
  Chicago: 0 for 8 with a best finish of 2nd in 7/2004 & 7/2008
  Watkins Glen: 0 for 8 with a best finish of 3rd in 8/2007
  Homestead: 0 for 9 with a best finish of 2nd in 11/2004
  plus Johnson ran five races at Rockingham Speedway and didn't win there.(11-22-2009)

• 2009 March Race Winner: #18-Kyle Busch, 92.139mph, started 19th

• 2009 August Race Winner: #18-Kyle Busch, 84.820mph, started 15th

• Track Race Record 1st Race: Cale Yarborough, Apr 1977, 100.989

• Track Race Record 2nd Race: Charlie Glotzbach, July 1971, 101.074

• Slowest Race Record: Ned Jarrett, July 1965, 61.826mph

• Worst Starting Spot to Win: Elliott Sadler, March 2001, started 38th

• Oldest Race Winner: Dale Earnhardt, 48 years, 3 months, 30 days, 8/28/1999

• Youngest Race Winner: Kyle Busch, 21 years, 10 months, 23 days, 3/25/2007

• 2009 March Pole Sitter: #5-Mark Martin, 125.773, finished 6th

• 2009 August Pole Sitter: #5-Mark Martin, 124.484mph, finished 2nd

• Track Qualifying Record: #12-Ryan Newman, March 2003, 128.709mph, 14.908 secs

• Oldest Pole Winner: Harry Gant, 54 years, 7 months, 17 days, 8/27/1994

• Youngest Pole Winner: Joey Logano, 19 years, 9 months, 23 days, 3/19/2010

• Most Wins - Active Driver: Jeff Gordon, Kurt Busch, 5

• Most Wins - All Time: Darrell Waltrip, 12

• Most Poles - Active Driver: Mark Martin, 9

• Most Poles - All Time: Cale Yarborough, Mark Martin - 9

• Most Top 5s: 26 - Richard Petty

• Most Top 5s - Active: 16 - Mark Martin

• Most Top 10s: 37 - Richard Petty

• Most Top 10s - Active: 23 - Mark Martin

• Most Cautions: 20 - 3 times, most recently 8/23/2003

• Fewest Cautions: 0 - 7/11/1971

• Most Caution Laps: 167, 7/25/1965

• Fewest Caution Laps: 0, 7/11/1971

• Most Running at the Finish: 42 - 3/15/2008

• Fewest Running at the Finish: 7 - 3/20/1966

• Most Lead Changes: 40 - 4/14/1991

• Fewest Lead Changes: 0 - 3/25/1973

• Fewest Laps Led by a Race Winner: 1 - Fred Lorenzen 7/26/1964

• Most Laps Led by a Race Winner: 500 - Cale Yarborough, 3/25/1973

• Most Wins by Manufacturer: 42 - Chevy; 33 - Ford; 6 - Dodge; 2 - Toyota; 17 - others

• Races won from starting pos 1: 22 [of 98 points race run], 22.5%
  
  
• Races won from starting pos 2: 12
• Races won from starting pos 3: 9
• Races won from starting pos 4: 8
• Races won from starting pos 5: 6
• Races won from starting pos 6: 9
• Races won from starting pos 7: 1
• Races won from starting pos 8: 5
• Races won from starting pos 9: 5
• Races won from starting pos 10: 2
• Races won from starting pos 12: 3
• Races won from starting pos 13: 4
• Races won from starting pos 14: 2
• Races won from starting pos 15: 1
• Races won from starting pos 19: 2
• Races won from starting pos 18,20,24,26,27,30,38: 1

• Races won from the top 5: 57 of 98 - 58.2%
• Races won from the top 10: 79 of 98 - 80.6%

• At Bristol Motor Speedway::
  · Groundbreaking for Bristol International Speedway, as Bristol Motor Speedway was originally known, took place in 1960. The track was an exact half-mile.
  · First NASCAR Sprint Cup race was July 30, 1961.
  · In the fall of 1969, the track was reshaped and re-measured to .533-miles.
  · The name changed to Bristol International Raceway in 1978.
  · The first night race was held in the fall of 1978.
  · The surface was changed from asphalt to concrete in 1992.
  · The name changed to Bristol Motor Speedway in May 1996.
  · The track was resurfaced between races in 2007.
  · There have been 98 NASCAR Sprint Cup races since the first race there in 1961, two races each season.
  · All races have been scheduled for 500 laps, except for both races in 1976 and the second in 1977, which were 400 laps.
  · Fred Lorenzen won the first pole.
  · The first NASCAR Sprint Cup race was won by Jack Smith (with relief from Johnny Allen).
  · There have been 42 different pole winners, led by Cale Yarborough and Mark Martin (nine). Martinswept both poles at Bristol last season.
  · 37 different drivers have won, led by Darrell Waltrip (12).
  · Kurt Busch and Jeff Gordon each have five wins, most among active drivers.
  · The race winner has started from the pole 22 times, the most productive starting position. The last driver to win from the pole was Carl Edwards in the night race of 2008.
  · 79 of 97 races have been won from a top-10 starting position, including 51 from the first four spots. But both races last season – swept by Kyle Busch –were won from a starting position outside the top 10.
  · The deepest in the field that a race winner has started is 38th, by Elliott Sadler in 2001.
  · Only one active driver averages a top-10 finish: Marcos Ambrose. Ambrose, who has an average finish of 6.5, has run two races at Bristol, both last season.
  · Last year’s night race had a margin of victory of .098 seconds, the second-closest MOV at Bristol since the advent of electronic scoring in May of 1993.
  · Three of the last four Bristol races had a margin of victory under one second.

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PAINT SCHEME NEWS

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Car#/Driver	Sponsor/Scheme/Promo	Image Link
#5-Mark Martin	GoDaddy.com	#5 Team Schemes Page
#16-Greg Biffle	U.S. Census	#16 Team Schemes Page
#19-Elliott Sadler	Stanley Tools	#19 Team Schemes Page
#26-David Stremme	Air National Guard	#26 Team Schemes Page
#33-Clint Bowyer	BB&T	#33 Team Schemes Page
#99-Carl Edwards	Scott's Turfbuilder	#99 Team Schemes Page

• #26 to donate sponsorship to ANG: NASCAR Sprint Cup series owner Bill Jenkins of Latitude 43 Motorsports announced that his team will be campaining the colors of the Air National Guard as a tribute to the men and women of the serving our country. The Latitude 43 Motorsports #26 Ford and driver David Stremme will pay tribute to the Air National Guard at the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Latitude 43 Motorsports has also announced a brand-new team website on Wednesday at www.lat43.com.(Vermont Motorsports Magazine), see images of the scheme on my #26 Team Schemes page.(3-17-2010)

• Census colors for Biffle next three races UPDATE: Starting at Atlanta the 2010 Census will take over as primary sponsor of Greg Biffle's #16 Roush Fenway Racing Ford for three races [Atlanta, Bristol and Martinsville]. For every one percent increase in census mail response, taxpayers will save an estimated $85 million. Those funds would otherwise be required to send census takers to collect responses in person from households that don't mail back the form. Census data are used to reapportion congressional seats to states and directly affect how more than $400 billion per year in federal funding is distributed to state, local and tribal governments.(RFR), see an image of the scheme on my #16 Team Schemes page.(3-3-2010)
  MORE: The U.S. Census Bureau announced an agreement with Roush Fenway Racing to serve as the primary sponsor of the #16 Ford Fusion driven by Greg Biffle for three NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races. The agreement will see the #16 carry a special 2010 Census livery in Sprint Cup Races at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Sunday, March 7, Bristol Motor Speedway on Sunday, March 21, and Martinsville Speedway on Sunday, March 28. To increase awareness and encourage participation in the upcoming 2010 Census, the three-race sponsorship schedule lines up with key census mail-out and mail-back dates. The 2010 Census #16 Ford Fusion will feature the familiar Post-It Brand notes of primary sponsor 3M carrying both the 2010 Census logo and "Mail It Back" on the hood, rear quarter panels and rear bumper. In addition, Director Groves will visit Atlanta Motor Speedway this coming weekend for the Kobalt Tools 500. Biffle recently filmed a racing-themed 2010 Census Public Service Announcement that can be viewed online at mediadownload.census.gov/content/greg-biffle. For more information on the 2010 Census visit 2010census.gov.(RFR), see image of the scheme on my #16 Team Schemes page.(3-5-2010)

• More Paint Scheme news can be found on Paint Schemes Gallery

• Track Specifications:
  0.533-mile concrete oval
  500 laps, 266.5 miles
  Degree of banking in corners: 24 to 30 degrees
  Degree of banking in straights: 4 to 9 degrees
  Straightaways: 650 feet long.
  Concrete racing surface: 43 feet wide.
  Seating capacity: 160,000
  Bristol has two pits roads: 22 pit stalls on the front stretch and 21 on the back stretch
  Pit Stall Size: 25.5 feet long, 15.5 feet wide
  Pit Road Speed: 30 mph
  Pace Car Track Speed: 35mph
  Track Opened: 1960
  First Cup race: 1961

• Carry-In Items:
  Coolers: Allowed (limit of 14 inches at its longest dimension.). In addition, one carry-in bag allowed, which may not exceed the 14-inch limit.
  Glass containers: Not allowed
  Alcoholic beverages: Allowed
  Cameras/recording devices: Allowed

• Race Festivities/Officials/Dignataries:
  Grand Marshal: "Stone Cold" Steve Austin
  Command to start engines: Steve Austin
  Honorary Starter/Wave Green Flag: Dallas Cowboys Jason Witten
  Invocation: Evg. Mike Rife, Vanasant Church of Christ, Vansant, VA
  National Anthem: 4Troops;
    Lee Greenwood sang God Bless the USA before
  Military Flyover: three F-18's, USMC, VMFA-122, Beaufort, SC [two flyovers]
  

• For the season race officials by track, see my Race Officials page

• Track Websites:
  Bristol Motor Speedway
  ESPN's NASCAR Track Guide: Bristol Motor Speedway
  Bristol Motor Speedway's Online Ticketing Center
  Speedway Motorsports
  Bristol Raceway Ministries
  BMS Photo Page on Flickr

• ESPN's NASCAR Track Guide: Bristol Motor Speedway

• March 2009: see my Bristol Race Info page

• August 2009: see my Bristol Race Info page

• Bristol Pit Rules: Bristol Motor Speedway operates under a plan where one-pit road will be used during pit stops under caution. Currently, Bristol remains the only track in the Sprint Cup Series that utilizes two pit roads. Teams that pit on the backstretch used to be at a competitive disadvantage. Since the spring 2002 race at Bristol, teams will enter pit road in Turn 2 (the current backstretch pit entrance) drive around down the backstretch and around Turns 3 and 4 and exit in Turn 1. Under green-flag conditions teams will enter and exit pit road under the current two-pit-road scheme. See last years pit stall selection chart for how pit road is set up.

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• The NTL heads back to the Earhart Campground at Bristol: After hosting one of the most successful tailgating events of the 2009 inaugural season, The National Tailgating League is heading back to the Earhart Campground of Bristol, TN for an even bigger and better experience! The National Tailgating League (The NTL) presented by Budweiser announced today that Bristol, Tenn., will host the NTL’s second stop of ten on this year’s NTL NASCAR tour, hosting the campgrounds cornhole tournaments and more new exciting elements for our fans. Held in the heart of the Earhart campground, The NTL will host various tournaments starting Friday March 19th through Sunday the 21st, providing race related prizes and cash purse tournaments. More info at TheNTL.com.(NTL)(3-18-2010)

• Local Business Will Help NASCAR Fans Take A Trip Down Memory Lane: Time machines. Imaginations have run wild for years about the possibilities of vehicles capable to transport people back in time. One Bristol business has found the solution and will have 12 of those machines ready for drivers like Cale Yarborough and David Pearson to race in the March 20 Scotts EZ Seed Showdown at Bristol Motor Speedway. Okay, so they technically are not time machines, but Modern D-Signs, located on Volunteer Parkway in Bristol, has created a few looks for race cars that definitely will remind people of NASCAR's past. Kurt Kummer, owner of Modern D-Signs, and his staff have taken USAR Pro Cup machines and transformed them into the cars of yesteryear. Each car features one of the paint schemes made famous by the legendary driver behind the wheel for the event. The expert crew at Modern D-Signs can wrap one race car during an eight-hour day. They can go faster if they are pushed, but prefer to limit themselves to one a day. That's a long way from when cars were hand lettered and painted. But although turning back the hands of time to make these cars look similar to their predecessors of yesteryear may be more reliant on technology these days, it still stirs emotion. When Kummer's crew sees drivers like Harry Gant, Charlie Glotzbach and Dave Marcis piloting their works of art, the feeling of pride is obvious around the shop.
  Race fans can see the work of Modern D-Signs as Bristol Motor Speedway takes a trip back in time during the Scotts EZ Seed Showdown. Tickets are available for Food City 500 weekend. A package, consisting of Ford Fan Friday qualifying (March 19), the Scotts Turf Builder 300 and the Scotts EZ Seed Showdown (March 20) and the March 21 Food City 500, is available, starting at only $99. For fans who can only attend the Food City 500, single day tickets may be purchased, starting at $93. Tickets for Saturday's doubleheader start at just $45 while fans can watch Ford Fan Friday qualifying for only $5, then attend Food City Race Night at BMS for free.(BMS PR)(3-18-2010)

• Bristol has largest seating capacity of SMI tracks: Bristol Motor Speedway has the largest grandstand capacity of any of the Speedway Motorsports Inc. tracks, according to the company's annual report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Bristol's seating capacity remained at 158,0000. Texas Motor Speedway, which was also at 158,000, now stands at 137,000 seats (not including the infield) after the removal of 21,000 seats. Charlotte Motor Speedway also has cut seats from 156,000 to 146,000. Six of the SMI tracks have the same seating capacity as a year ago: Bristol, Las Vegas (131,000), Atlanta (101,000), New Hampshire (96,000), Kentucky (69,000) and Infineon (47,000). Bristol ranks third among all NASCAR Sprint Cup tracks in seating capacity, behind Indianapolis (approximately 250,000) and Daytona (159,000).(Scene Daily)(3-16-2010)

• "Stone Cold" Steve Austin named Food City 500 grand marshal: World Wrestling Federation superstar "Stone Cold" Steve Austin has been named Grand Marshal for the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway on Sunday, March 21, 2010. The 45-year-old Austin is a six-time WWF Champion, an Intercontinental and World Tag Team Champion, three-time Royal Rumble Match winner, King of the Ring winner and three-time WWE Championship at WrestleMania winner. Austin retired from professional wrestling in 2003. Always the entertainer, he turned his attention to acting. In 2010, he will be seen on the big screen starring opposite Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham and Jet Li in The Expendables. Tickets are available for race weekend and may be purchased by calling the BMS ticket office toll-free at 1.866.415.4158 or bristolmotorspeedway.com.(BMS)(3-9-2010)

• Jason Witten named Honorary Starter of Food City 500: Dallas Cowboy standout Jason Witten has been named the Honorary Starter for the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway Sunday, March 21. The 6-foot-5, 263-pound Witten, a six-time Pro Bowl selection, is originally from Elizabethton, Tenn., just 15 minutes away from the World's Fastest Half-Mile. Witten, always excited about making a trip home, is looking forward to taking part in the Food City 500. The 27-year-old Witten was a standout at Elizabethton High School and was the USA Today Player of the Year in Tennessee in 2000 before signing with the University of Tennessee where he starred for three years. In 2001 Witten was drafted in the third round by the Dallas Cowboys and became an instant star. One of the premier tight ends in the NFL, Witten finished the 2009 season with 94 catches and 1,030 yards. Tickets are available for race weekend and may be purchased by calling the BMS ticket office toll-free at 1.866.415.4158 or bristolmotorspeedway.com.(BMS)(3-9-2010)

• Official Statement From BMS Regarding Jeff Byrd: Bristol Motor Speedway officials announced today President and General Manager Jeff Byrd has taken a leave of absence to undergo tests and treatment for a recently-discovered medical matter. It will prevent him from involvement in the upcoming Food City 500 weekend [March 19-21]. Byrd recently went through a series of tests and his doctors are encouraged that the condition is limited to one area and is treatable. “I fully intend to be back on the job as soon as the doctors say it is ok,” said Byrd. “I appreciate everyone’s thoughts and prayers and will miss being at the track for the Food City 500 weekend. I have said for years I have the best team in motorsports and things are in good hands.” Byrd and his family have asked for prayers and privacy at this time.(BMS)(3-2-2010

• Bristol Motor Speedway adds more SAFER walls: Bristol Motor Speedway officials announced the addition of more than 160 feet of SAFER barriers. Track operations personnel extended SAFER (Steel And Foam Energy Reduction) barriers at the exits of Turns 2 and 4. Work began last week and will be complete before NASCAR teams arrive for the Food City 500 weekend, March 19-21. “We believe with these modifications, we will not only increase driver safety, but will also create a different transition at the exit of the turns,” said Jeff Byrd, BMS President and General Manager. “While we don’t know exactly how this will impact the racing, the more confined racing area should create less elbow room and tighten up the racing groove at those points.” A deteriorating track surface forced officials in the summer of 2007 to put down a fresh layer of concrete and an additional four feet of width to the racing groove was part of the change. The modifications will eliminate some of that added room. “Without question, this extra four feet added room and aided in creating three and, at times, even four-wide racing,” Byrd said. “However, while it is breathtaking, many of our fans have responded that we went too far, in actuality, giving too much racing room to the greatest drivers in the world.” For more information concerning tickets, please visit www.bristoltix.com or call the BMS ticket office at 423-BRISTOL (274-7865).(BMS)(2-24-2010)

• Four more drivers added to Bristol Legends race: Bristol Motor Speedway officials announced the addition of four more drivers to the lineup for the March 20 running of the Scotts EZ Seed Showdown. Dave Marcis, a veteran of 883 Cup Series races, and Tommy Houston, a mainstay of the NASCAR Nationwide Series, will make their debuts in the exciting event which was a huge fan favorite a year ago. Jimmy Hensley, the Virginia Gentleman, also will make his first start in the race, while Phil Parsons returns after competing last season. The fans also will enjoy seeing Marcis' trademark wingtips once more. "I'll be wearing them," he said proudly. "I wore a pair when I ran my last cup race in Daytona in February 2002 and I'll have a pair on in Bristol." Cale Yarborough, Charlie Glotzbach, Jack Ingram and L.D. Ottinger were announced in August as the first 2010 Scotts EZ Seed Showdown competitors. The final four drivers will be announced at a later date.(Bristol PR)(1-28-2010)

• BMS wins $397,000 tax case: A Nashville judge has ruled that Bristol Motor Speedway does not have to pay a $397,000 tax assessment from the state of Tennessee. Chancellor Ellen Hobbs Lyle, in an order unsealed Friday, ruled in a dispute over money the racetrack brings in from the broadcast of NASCAR races. The speedway last year challenged the assessment, claiming the state Department of Revenue was illegally taxing the track. Speedway officials argued that television rights are intangible and that any money derived from the sale of them is not subject to Tennessee sales or business taxes. The suit also claimed the state wrongfully taxed the speedway for money it makes from mailing fees on tickets and from leasing space to vendors. Lyle wrote that the assessments "do not fall into the category of tangible personal property." The judge also ruled that "the relationship ... from the NASCAR agreement is more in the nature of a joint venture than contract of service by the (track) to NASCAR."(Kingsport Times News)(10-19-2009)

• New title sponsor for Bristol fall race UPDATE: but been told Irwin Tools will replace Sharpie as the race title sponsor for next August's Sprint Cup race at Bristol Motor Speedway and will be known as the Irwin Tools 500. Also, supposedly Irwin Tools does not know if it will sponsor a car/driver in 2010 [from the PR below, it does not sound like they will sponsor a car]. It currently serves as the primary sponsor for 11 Sprint Cup races on Roush Fenway Racing's #26 Ford that Jamie McMurray drives. That team will close up or move to Yates Racing in 2010, with either McMurray as the driver or another driver.
  UPDATE: IRWIN Tools, a Newell Rubbermaid [also owns Sharpie] company and manufacturer and distributor of a broad line of professional hand tools and power tool accessories, announced that it will be the title sponsor of the IRWIN Tools Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway beginning in 2010. While the event's new name is unique - the "IRWIN Tools Night Race" - the summer classic under the lights at Bristol will continue to be 500 grueling laps around the high banks of the .533-mile oval, one of NASCAR's most popular and storied facilities. A spectacle in sports since 1961, Bristol has had 55 consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup Series sellouts, dating back to 1982. "We could not have constructed a better partnership than one between IRWIN Tools and Bristol Motor Speedway," said IRWIN President Neil Eibeler. "Like our many IRWIN products, Bristol leads the way in innovation, quality and ingenuity among NASCAR venues. We can't wait to see the blue and yellow colors of IRWIN Tools here for years to come. Our employees are thrilled and our customers will be waiting in anticipation to see nearly 160,000 fans in the stands next year for the first ‘IRWIN Night Race at Bristol,' the most popular NASCAR race of the year." IRWIN Tools takes over the entitlement from Sharpie, a sister company under the Newell Rubbermaid umbrella, which has sponsored the race since 2001.
  "We're very happy to keep the Night Race in the Newell Rubbermaid family," said Jeff Byrd, President and General Manager of BMS, NASCAR's fastest half-mile. "We have gotten to know the IRWIN Tools team and their desire is to be the best technological company in the tool business. We feel we have the best facility in our sport so pairing up the two can only result in success. We look forward to a wonderful partnership and future together." The IRWIN Tools name has been a mainstay in NASCAR since 2003, serving as a primary car sponsor for Roush Fenway Racing. During that span, drivers Kurt Busch and Jamie McMurray both won races in IRWIN Tools Fords while Busch carried IRWIN to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship in 2004. "It's been a great ride with Roush Fenway Racing," said Eric Pinkham, Newell Rubbermaid's Vice President, Sponsorship and Event Marketing. "They clearly helped us put IRWIN Tools on the map and we appreciate what they've done for the IRWIN brand. Now it's time for a new chapter for IRWIN and we can't wait to get started on the IRWIN Tools Night Race at Bristol." The 2010 IRWIN Tools Night Race at Bristol will be on Saturday, August 21. For more information, call 1-800-GO-IRWIN or visit www.irwin.com.(BMS)(8-22-2009)

• Past track news: posted in the past at Jayski's Past Track News/Rumors - Bristol Motor Speedway

Tire: Goodyear Eagle Speedway Radials

Number of Tires:
Sprint Cup: Left-side – 1,500, Right-side – 1,500;
Nationwide: Left-side -- 575, Right-side -- 575

Tire Codes: Left-side -- D-4178; Right-side -- D-4252

Tire Circumference: Left-side -- 87.4 in.; Right-side -- 88.6 in.

Technical Inspection Inflation:
Left Front -- 26 psi; Left Rear -- 26 psi;
Right Front -- 42 psi; Right Rear -- 40 psi

Minimum Recommended Inflation:
Left Front -- 20 psi; Left Rear -- 18 psi;
Right Front -- 41 psi; Right Rear -- 38 psi

Estimated Pit Window: Every 130-140 laps, based on fuel mileage (Sprint Cup).

Notes: Teams in both NASCAR series in action at Bristol this weekend will run the same tire codes . . . this is the first time Sprint Cup teams will run either of these two tire codes at Bristol, though they did run this combination of left- and right-side tires at Indianapolis last season . . . Cup teams also ran this left-side tire code at Pocono in 2009 . . . teams in the Nationwide Series ran this left-side code at both Gateway and Iowa last year, and this right-side code at Bristol last August . . . this tire set-up was tested at Bristol last July, and it was found to better rubber in the track surface with a more consistent level of grip . . . the Cup car participating in that test was that of Richard Childress Racing with driver Casey Mears . . . unlike on other NASCAR ovals one mile or less in length, where no inner liners are run, teams will run liners in their right-side tires only at Bristol . . . air pressure in those inner liners should be 12-25 psi greater than that of the outer tire.

• Song Drivers were introduced to at the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway:
  AJ Allmendinger .... "Last Resort'' by Papa Roach
  Aric Almirola .... "Back in Black'' by AC/DC
  Bobby Labonte ... "People are Crazy'' by Billy Currington
  Brad Keselowski ... "Won't Back Down'' by Tom Petty
  Brian Vickers ... "Whatever Happened'' by OAR
  Carl Edwards ... "Black Betty'' by Spiderbait
  Casey Mears ... "Wild Side'' by Motley Crue
  Clint Bowyer ... "Burning Love'' by Elvis Presley
  David Ragan ... "The Devil Went Down to Georgia'' by Charlie Daniels
  David Reutimann ... "The Game'' by Motor Head
  Denny Hamlin .. "Theme from Rocky''
  Elliott Sadler ... "2001: A Space Odyssey Theme'''
  Greg Biffle ... "Welcome to the Jungle'' by Guns N' Roses
  Jamie McMurray ... "Let It Rock'' by Kevin Rudoph featuring Lil Wayne
  Jeff Burton ... "Welcome to the Jungle'' by Guns N' Roses
  Jeff Gordon ... "Boom, Boom, Pow'' by Black Eyed Peas
  Jimmie Johnson ... "Ramble On'' by Led Zepplin
  Juan Pablo Montoya ... "Goin' The Distance'' by Cake
  Kasey Kahne ... "Bulls on Parade'' by Rage Against the Machine
  Kevin Conway ... "Big Time'' by Peter Gabriel
  Kevin Harvick ... "Rollin -- Airraid Vehicle'' by LImp Bizkit
  Kurt Busch ... "Dukes of Hazard Theme song'' by Waylon Jennings
  Kyle Busch ... "Amazing'' by Kanye West
  Marcos Ambrose ... "Thunderstruck'' by AC/DC
  Maritn Truex Jr. ... "NAPA Know How Jingle''
  Matt Kenseth ... "Whisky Hangover'' by Godsmack
  Paul Menard ... "Paradise City'' by Guns N' Roses
  Regan Smith ... "Fight for Your Right'' by Beastie Boys
  Robby Gordon ... "Some Beach'' by Blake Shelton
  Ryan Newman ... "Hillbilly Rockstar'' by Bridgette Tatum
  Sam Hornish Jr. ... "Bad Habit'' by Offspring
  Scott Speed ... "Loveshack'' by B-52s
  Tony Stewart ... "Eastbound and Down'' by Jerry Reed
  Travis Kvapil ... "Kickstart My Heart'' by Motley Crue
  Joey Logano ... "Crank dat'' by Soldier Boys
  David Gilliland ... "I Got a Feeling'' by Black Eyed Peas
  Terry Cook ... "Don't Look Back'' by Boston
  Joe Nemechek ... "Boot Scotin Boogie'' by Brooks and Dunn
  Mike Bliss ... "Rise Above This'' by Seether
  Michael Waltrip .. "Hillbilly Bone'' by Blake Shelton
  Dave Blaney ... "Let's Get This Party Started''
  Mark Martin ... "If You Want Blood" by AC/DC
  Dale Earnhardt Jr. ... Runnin' with the Devil by Van Halen
  (Virginian Pilot)(3-21-2010)

• See the Sprint Cup Series Team / Driver Chart, which has links to past news for each team and info on each team.