Unofficial Nextel Cup Raybestos 2007 Rookie of the Year (ROTY) Page
ROOKIE NEW and NOTES 2007
NEWS AND NOTES FROM THE Raybestos ROOKIE CONTENDERS NASCAR Nextel CUP SERIES
News and Notes - Pre-Homestead, Post-Phoenix:
· Juan Pablo Montoya was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the November 11 Checker Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway. Montoya scored a 17th-place finish and took top rookie honors for the 16th time this season. He has been the top rookie in three of the last four races.
* Montoya leads David Ragan by 21 points (236-215) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the November 18 Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
* IMPRESSIVE STREAK IN JEPORADY: At least one Raybestos Rookie has won a Bud Pole in each of the last 11 YEARS (1996-2006). Entering the Ford
400, no Raybestos Rookie has won a pole in 2007.
* Martin Truex Jr. was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2006 Ford 400, scoring a second-place finish. Truex Jr. crossed the finish line .389 seconds behind race winner Greg Biffle.
* Did You Know? Tony Stewart is the only Raybestos Rookie to win a Nextel Cup Series race at Homestead. He won the inaugural Ford 400 in 1999 by 5.289 seconds over Bobby Labonte. Stewart led the race four times for 44 laps.
* Did You Know? The most laps led by a Raybestos Rookie in eight previous races at Homestead is 52 by Casey Atwood in 2001.
* Did You Know? The only Raybestos Rookie to win a pole in eighth Nextel Cup races at Homestead is Jamie McMurray. McMurray won his first-career pole at the 2003 Ford 400 on his way to claiming Raybestos Rookie of the Year honors. McMurray finished ninth in the race, his 13th top-10 finish of the 2003 season.
* The most Raybestos Rookies to finish inside the top-10 at Homestead is three (2001 and 2006):
2001: Casey Atwood, third
2001: Kevin Harvick, seventh
2001: Jason Leffler, 10th
2006: Martin Truex Jr., second
2006: Denny Hamlin, third
2006: Clint Bowyer, 10th
* Top-five finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway:
1999: Tony Stewart, first
2001: Casey Atwood, third
2006: Martin Truex, Jr., second
2006: Denny Hamlin, third
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway:
1999: Tony Stewart, first
2000: Dave Blaney, ninth
2001: Casey Atwood, third
2001: Kevin Harvick, seventh
2001: Jason Leffler, 10th
2002: Ryan Newman, sixth
2002: Jimmie Johnson, eighth
2003: Jamie McMurray, ninth
2004: Brendan Gaughan, sixth
2006: Martin Truex, Jr., second
2006: Denny Hamlin, third
2006: Clint Bowyer, 10th
· Raybestos Rookies that have led at least one lap in the Ford 400:
1999: Tony Stewart (four times for 44 laps)
2001: Casey Atwood (twice for 52 laps)
2001: Kevin Harvick (three times for 47 laps)
2002: Ryan Newman (once for 28 laps)
2002: Jimmie Johnnson (once for 27 laps)
2006: Martin Truex Jr. (once for 27 laps)
(Camp and Assoc/Rabestos PR)(11-15-2007)
News and Notes - Pre-Phoenix, Post-Texas:
· Juan Pablo Montoya was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the November 4 Dickies 500 at Texas Motor Speedway. Montoya scored a 25th-place finish and took top rookie honors for the 15th time this season.
* Montoya leads David Ragan by 20 points (234-214) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the November 11 Checker Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway.
* IMPRESSIVE STREAK IN JEPORADY: At least one Raybestos Rookie has won a Bud Pole in each of the last 11 YEARS (1996-2006). Entering Sunday’s race at Phoenix, no Raybestos Rookie has won a pole in 2007.
· Paul Menard was the top Raybestos Rookie in the April 21 Subway Fresh 500 at Phoenix, scoring a 25th-place finish.
· Denny Hamlin was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2006 Checker Auto Parts 500, grabbing a third-place finish.
* Did You Know? Kyle Busch and Tony Stewart are the only Raybestos Rookies to win at Phoenix in 22 Nextel Cup races. Stewart won from the pole in 1999, beating Mark Martin to the checkered flag by 2.081 seconds. Busch captured the 2005 event by .609 seconds over Greg Biffle.
* Did You Know? Only FOUR Raybestos Rookies have scored top-five finishes in 20 races at Phoenix:
1999: Tony Stewart, FIRST
2004: Kasey Kahne, fifth
2005: Kyle Busch, FIRST
2006: Clint Bowyer, fifth
2006: Denny Hamlin, third (fall)
* Did You Know? Stewart is the only Raybestos Rookie to lead the most laps in a race at Phoenix. He led the 1999 race three times for 150 laps.
* Three Raybestos Rookies have won pole positions at Phoenix: Stewart, Casey Atwood (2001) and Ryan Newman (2002).
* Did You Know? Two or more Raybestos Rookies have finished inside the top-10 Twice at Phoenix 1989: Dick Trickle (seventh) and Jimmy Spencer (10th) 2005: Kyle Busch (first) and Travis Kvapil (10th)
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Checker Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix:
1989: Dick Trickle, seventh
1989: Jimmy Spencer, 10th
1993: Bobby Labonte, eighth
1999: Tony Stewart, FIRST
2000: Dave Blaney, eighth
2004: Kasey Kahne, fifth
2005: Kyle Busch, FIRST
2006: Denny Hamlin, third
* Raybestos Rookies that have led a lap in the fall race at Phoenix:
1991: Stanley Smith (once for 12 laps)
1991: Bobby Hamilton (once for one lap)
1993: Jeff Gordon (led once for 48 laps)
1993: Bobby Labonte (once for two laps)
1995: Ricky Craven (once for one lap)
1999: Tony Stewart (three times for 150 laps)
2001: Casey Atwood (twice for 71 laps)
2002: Ryan Newman (three times for 14 laps)
2002: Jimmie Johnson (once for one lap)
2005: Kyle Busch (three times for 63 laps)(Camp and Assoc/Rabestos PR)(11-8-2007)
News and Notes - Pre-Texas, Post-Atlanta:
· #84-AJ Allmendinger was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the October 28 Pep Boys Auto 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Allmendinger finished 16th and took top rookie honors for the second time in the last three races. He also led the race once for one lap, the first time he has led in 16 Nextel Cup Series starts. #42-Juan Pablo Montoya leads #6-David Ragan by 19 points (232-213) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the November 4 Dickies 500 at Texas Motor Speedway.
· Montoya is 20th in the Nextel Cup Series championship standings, 34 points behind 19th-place Jamie McMurray. Montoya was the top Raybestos Rookie in the April 15 Samsung 500 at Texas, scoring an eighth-place finish.
Clint Bowyer was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2006 Dickies 500. Bowyer scored a fifth-place finish and is the only Raybestos Rookie to score a top-five in two fall races at Texas.
Did You Know? Only once in 13 previous races at Texas has a Raybestos Rookie won the race. Dale Earnhardt Jr. scored his first career Nextel Cup Series win by 5.920 seconds over Jeff Burton in the 2000 spring race. Earnhardt Jr. also led the most laps in the race (six times for 106 laps).
Did You Know? Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kasey Kahne are the only Raybestos Rookies to lead the most laps in 13 Nextel Cup race at Texas.
The best start by a Raybestos Rookie in 13 previous races at Texas is third by Kasey Kahne in the 2004 spring race.
The best start by a Raybestos Rookie in two previous fall races at Texas is sixth by Denny Hamlin in 2006.
(Camp and Assoc/Rabestos PR)(11-2-2007)
News and Notes - Pre-Atlanta, Post-Martinsville:
· Juan Pablo Montoya was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the October 21 Subway 500 at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. Montoya finished eighth, his sixth top-10 finish in 33 Nextel Cup Series races. He took Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors for the 14th time this season. Montoya became the third consecutive Raybestos Rookie to score a top-10 finish in the fall race at Martinsville. He also led the race (once for nine laps), the first time he had led since Infineon Raceway (race # 16).
* Montoya leads David Ragan by 19 points (231-212) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the October 28 Pep Boys Auto 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway
· Montoya is 21st in the Nextel Cup Series championship standings, 112 points ahead of 22nd-place Ragan.
* Montoya was the top Raybestos Rookie in the March 18 Kobalt Tools 500 at Atlanta, claiming a fifth-place finish.
* Denny Hamlin was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2006 Bass Pro Shops 500, scoring an eighth-place finish.
* Did You Know? The best finish in the fall race at Atlanta (since 1975) is second by Dale Earnhardt in 1979. Earnhardt finished one-half car length behind winner Neil Bonnett.
* Did You Know? Since 1975, Kenny Irwin is the only Raybestos Rookie to win a pole at the fall race in Atlanta. Irwin grabbed the top spot for the 1998 Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500.
* Did You Know? Since 1975, Five Raybestos Rookies have posted a top-five finish in the fall race at Atlanta:
1979: Dale Earnhardt, second
1987: Davey Allison, fifth
1994: Mike Wallace, fifth
1997: Jeff Green, fourth
2001: Kevin Harvick, third
2004: Kasey Kahne, fifth
* Dale Earnhardt also holds the record for most laps led by a Raybestos Rookie in the fall race at Atlanta, holding the top spot six times for 69 laps in 1979.
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Pep Boys 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway (since 1975):
1976: Sam Sommers, ninth
1977: Ricky Rudd, eighth
1979: Dale Earnhardt, second
1979: Terry Labonte, seventh
1979: Joe Millikan, ninth
1980: Jody Ridley, sixth
1982: Mark Martin, 10th
1987: Davey Allison, fifth
1992: Jimmy Hensely, eighth
1994: Mike Wallace, fifth
1997: Jeff Green, fourth
2000: Matt Kenseth, ninth
2001: Kevin Harvick, third
2002: Ryan Newman, 10th
2004: Kasey Kahne, fifth
2004: Brian Vickers, seventh
2006: Denny Hamlin, eighth
(Camp and Assoc/Rabestos PR)(10-25-2007)
News and Notes - Pre-Martinsville, Post-Charlotte:
· AJ Allmendinger was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the October 13 Bank of America 500 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway Allmendinger grabbed a 15th-place finish and took Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors for the first time this season. He scored his best finish in 14 Nextel Cup Series races.
* Juan Pablo Montoya leads David Ragan by 15 points (226-211) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the October 21 Subway 500 at Martinsville Speedway.
· Montoya is 21st in the Nextel Cup Series championship standings, 112 points ahead of 22nd-place Ragan.
* Ragan was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the April 1 Goody’s Cool Orange 500 at Martinsville, posting a 15th-place finish.
* Denny Hamlin was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2006 Subway 500. Hamlin finished second, .544 seconds behind race winner Jimmie Johnson. He became just the fourth Raybestos Rookie to score a top-five in the fall race at Martinsville since 1977 and the first since 1989. Hamlin led the race twice for 28 laps.
* Did You Know? A Raybestos Rookie has finished in the top-10 in each of the last two Subway 500 (fall) races at Martinsville. Kyle Busch scored a ninth-place finish in 2005.
* Did You Know? Since 1975, only FOUR Raybestos Rookies have scored a top-five finish in Subway 500 at Martinsville:
1977: Sam Sommers, fifth
1979: Joe Millikan, third
1989: Dick Trickle, third
2006: Denny Hamlin, second
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies in Subway 500 at Martinsville (since 1975):
1977: Sam Sommers, fifth
1979: Joe Millikan, third
1979: Terry Labonte, ninth
1980: Jody Ridley, ninth
1981: Ron Bouchard, sixth
1987: Dale Jarrett, 10th
1989: Dick Trickle, third
2002: Jimmie Johnson, sixth
2003: Jamie McMurray, eighth
2005: Kyle Busch, ninth
2006: Denny Hamlin, second
* Did You Know? Only once since 1975 have TWO Raybestos Rookies finished in the top-10 in the Subway 500. In 1979, Joe Millikan finished third while Terry Labonte placed ninth.
* Did You Know? Only one Raybestos Rookie has won a pole for the Subway 500 since 1975: Ryan Newman in 2002.
* Did You Know? A Raybestos Rookie has finished on the lead lap in each of the past SIX consecutive Subway 500 races at Martinsville:
2001: Ron Hornaday, 18th
2002: Jimmie Johnson, seventh
2003: Jamie McMurray, eighth
2004: Kasey Kahne, 13th
2005: Kyle Busch, ninth
2006: Denny Hamlin, second
2006: David Stremme, 15th
2006: Clint Bowyer, 23rd
* Did You Know? The most laps led by a Raybestos Rookie in the Subway 500 (since 1975) is 53 by Geoffrey Bodine in 1982.
* Did You Know? The most Raybestos Rookies to lead a lap in the fall race at Martinsville is TWO in 1981. Tim Richmond led twice for 14 laps while Morgan Shepherd led once for 18 laps.
* Raybestos Rookies that have led a lap in the fall race at Martinsville (since 1975):
1979: Joe Millikan (once for 74 laps)
1981: Tim Richmond (twice for 14 laps)
1981: Morgan Shepherd (once for 18 laps)
1982: Geoffrey Bodine (three times for 53 laps)
1984: Rusty Wallace (twice for two laps)
1986: Alan Kulwicki (once for one lap)
1989: Dick Trickle (once for one lap)
1992: Jimmy Hensley (once for six laps)
1995: Ricky Craven (once for two laps)
2001: Kurt Busch (once for 38 laps)
2001: Kevin Harvick (once for 20 laps)
2001: Casey Atwood (once for one lap)
2002: Ryan Newman (once for 33 laps)
2004: Kasey Kahne (once for 17 laps)
2006: Denny Hamlin (twice for 28 laps)
(Camp and Assoc/Rabestos PR)(10-18-2007)
News and Notes - Pre-Charlotte, Post-Talladega:
· Juan Pablo Montoya was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the October 7 UAW-Ford 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. Montoya scored a 15th-place
finish and took Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors for the 13th time this season, including two of the last three races.
* Montoya leads David Ragan by 15 points (225-210) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the October 13 Bank of America 500 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway
· Montoya is 20th in the Nextel Cup Series championship standings, 61 points ahead of 21st-place Kasey Kahne.
* Montoya was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the May 27 Coca-Cola 600, posting a 28th-place finish.
* David Stremme was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2006 Bank of America 500, scoring a 15th-place finish.
* Did You Know? Kasey Kahne holds the record for most laps led by a Raybestos Rookie in the UAW-GM 500 at Charlotte (since 1975). Kahne led the 2004 race four times for 207 of the 334 laps.
* Did You Know? Since 1975, only TWO Raybestos Rookies have won pole positions for the fall race at Charlotte: Jeff Gordon (1993) and Ward Burton (1994).
* Did You Know? Since 1975, only TWO Raybestos Rookies have scored a top-five finish in the fall race at Charlotte: Ron Bouchard (fifth in 1981) and Jeff Gordon (fifth in 1993).
* Did You Know? Since 1975, the most Raybestos Rookies to finish inside the top-10 in the UAW-GM 500 at Charlotte is Three in 1980: Lake Speed (seventh), Jody Ridley (eighth) and Kyle Petty (ninth).
* Did You Know? The most Raybestos Rookies to lead a lap in the fall race at Charlotte is two. In 1994, John Andretti led twice for 30 laps and Ward Burton led once for one lap. In 1979, Dale Earnhardt led three times for 55 laps while Harry Gant held the top spot once covering seven laps.
* Raybestos Rookies that have led a lap in the fall race at Charlotte (since 1975):
1979: Dale Earnhardt (three times for 55 laps)
1979: Harry Gant (once for seven laps)
1982: Geoffrey Bodine (once for 5 laps)
1983: Trevor Boys (once for two laps)
1986: Alan Kulwicki (twice for six laps)
1993: Jeff Gordon (once for one lap)
1994: Ward Burton (once for 29 laps)
1994: John Andretti (twice for 30 laps)
2000: Matt Kenseth ((once for one lap)
2002: Jimmie Johnson (three times for 66 laps)
2003: Jamie McMurray (once for one lap)
2004: Kasey Kahne (four times for 207 laps)
2006: Clint Bowyer (once for one lap)
* Top-five finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the UAW-GM 500 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway (since 1975):
1981: Ron Bouchard, fifth
1993: Jeff Gordon, fifth
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the UAW-GM 500 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway (since 1975):
1977: Janet Guthrie, seventh
1979: Harry Gant, seventh
1979: Dale Earnhardt, 10th
1980: Lake Speed, seventh
1980: Jody Ridley, eighth
1980: Kyle Petty, ninth
1981: Ron Bouchard, fifth
1981: Morgan Shepherd, eighth
1993: Jeff Gordon, fifth
1998: Kevin Lepage, sixth
2000: Matt Kenseth, ninth
2001: Kevin Harvick, eighth
2002: Jimmie Johnson, sixth
2002: Ryan Newman, seventh
2003: Jamie McMurray, seventh
(Camp and Assoc/Rabestos PR)(10-11-2007)
News and Notes - Pre-Talladega, Post-Kansas:
· David Ragan was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the September 30 LifeLock 400 at Kansas Speedway. Ragan scored a 16th-place finish and took Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors for the 13th time this season, including four of the last five races.
* Juan Pablo Montoya leads Ragan by 14 points (223-209) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the October 7 UAW-Ford 500 at Talladega Superspeedway.
· Montoya is 20th in the NextelL Cup Series championship standings, 46 points ahead of 21st-place Ragan.
* Ragan was the top Raybestos Rookie in the April race at Talladega, scoring a 17th-place finish.
* Martin Truex Jr. was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2006 UAW-Ford 500, grabbing a fifth-place finish.
* Did You Know? The only Raybestos Rookie to win the fall race at Talladega is Ron Bouchard. Bouchard won the 1981 Talladega 500 by inches over Darrell Waltrip and Terry Labonte in a photo finish.
* Two Raybestos Rookies have won the pole for the UAW Ford 500 twice since 1975: Geoffrey Bodine (1982) and Jimmie Johnson (2003).
* Two or more Raybestos Rookies have finished in the top-10 in the fall race at Talladega Three times since 1975:
1980: Lake Speed, eighth
1980: Kyle Petty, ninth
1981: Ron Bouchard, FIRST
1981: Stan Barrett, ninth
2000: Mike Bliss, ninth
2000: Matt Kenseth, 10th
* DID YOU KNOW? The late Davey Allison holds the record for most laps led by a Raybestos Rookie in the fall race at Talladega. Allison led seven times for 77 laps on his way to a second place finish in 1987.
* Since 1975, only SIX Raybestos Rookies have scored a top-five finish in the UAW-Ford 500 at Talladega:
1977: Ricky Rudd, fourth
1981: Ron Bouchard, FIRST
1987: Davey Allison, second
1999: Tony Stewart, fifth
2004: Brendan Gaughan, fourth
2006: Martin Truex Jr., fifth
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the UAW-Ford 500 at Talladega (since 1975):
1976: Skip Manning, ninth
1977: Ricky Rudd, fourth
1979: Harry Gant, seventh
1980: Lake Speed, eighth
1980: Kyle Petty, ninth
1981: Ron Bouchard, FIRST
1981: Stan Barrett, ninth
1984: Tommy Ellis, ninth
1987: Davey Allison, second
1999: Tony Stewart, fifth
2000: Mike Bliss, ninth
2000: Matt Kenseth, 10th
2002: Ryan Newman, seventh
2004: Brendan Gaughan, fourth
(Camp and Assoc/Rabestos PR)(10-5-2007)
News and Notes - Pre-Kansas, Post-Dover:
· Juan Pablo Montoya was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the September 23 Dodge Dealers 400 at Dover International Speedway. Montoya scored a 10th-place finish, his fourth top-10 effort of the 2007 season, and claimed top rookie honors for the 12th time in 28 races. The Dover race was Montoya’s best finish since he placed second at Allstate 400 at The Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (race #20).
* Montoya stretched his lead over David Ragan in the Raybestos Rookie standings to 15 points (222-207) entering the September 30 LifeLock 400 at Kansas Speedway.
* Montoya is 19th in the NEXTEL Cup Series championship standings, best of any Raybestos Rookie. He is three points ahead of 20th-place J.J. Yeley.
* Clint Bowyer was the Raybestos Rookie of the race in the 2006 LifeLock 400, scoring a ninth-place finish.
* Did You Know? The best finish by a Raybestos Rookie in six previous NEXTEL Cup races at Kansas is second by Ryan Newman in 2002 (.618 seconds behind race winner Jeff Gordon). Newman is the only Raybestos Rookie to finish inside the top-five at Kansas.
* Did You Know? Jason Leffler is the only Raybestos Rookie to win a pole in six races at Kansas Speedway. Leffler took the top starting spot in the race in the inaugural race in 2001.
* Did You Know? At least one Raybestos Rookie has finished in the top 10 in five of the six races at Kansas, but only once have TWO or more freshman drivers finished inside the top-10: Newman and Jimmie Johnson (10th) in 2002.
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the LifeLock 400 at Kansas:
2001: Kurt Busch, ninth
2002: Ryan Newman, second
2002: Jimmie Johnson, 10th
2003: Jamie McMurray, eighth
2004: Brendan Gaughan, 10th
2006: Clint Bowyer, ninth
* Did You Know? A Raybestos Rookie has led at least one lap in five of the six previous NEXTEL Cup races at Kansas:
2001: Jason Leffler, once for eight laps
2002: Ryan Newman, twice for 81 laps
2004: Kasey Kahne, four times for 39 laps
2005: Travis Kvapil, once for one lap
2006: Clint Bowyer, twice for 17 laps
(Camp and Assoc/Rabestos PR)(9-27-2007)
News and Notes - Pre-Dover, Post-New Hampshire:
· David Ragan was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the September 16 Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire International Raceway. Ragan finished 19th and took top rookie honors for the 12th time this season.
* Juan Pablo Montoya leads Ragan by 13 points (219-206) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the September 23 Dodge Dealer 400 at Dover International Speedway.
* Montoya is 20th in the Nextel Cup Series championship standings, best of any Raybestos Rookie. He is 36 points ahead of 21st-place Ragan.
* Ragan was the top Raybestos Rookie in the June race at Dover, posting a 14th-place finish.
* Martin Truex Jr. was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2006 Dodge Dealers 400 at Dover, grabbing a sixth-place finish.
* The 2006 fall race at Dover marked the first time THREE Raybestos Rookies finished in the top-10: Truex Jr., Clint Bowyer (eighth) and Denny Hamlin (ninth).
* Two Raybestos Rookies led a lap in the 2006 Dodge Dealers 400: Reed Sorenson (once for 39 laps) and David Stremme (once for three laps).
* Did You Know? Jimmie Johnson is the only Raybestos Rookie to win both Nextel Cup races at Dover. Johnson swept both events in 2002, and led the most laps in each race. Johnson is the only first-year driver to lead the most laps in the fall race at Dover (four times for 170 laps).
* Did You Know? The best qualifying effort by a Raybestos Rookie for the fall race at Dover is third by Tony Stewart (1999), Brian Vickers (2004) and Kyle Busch (2005).
* Raybestos Rookies that have led a lap in the fall race at Dover (since 1975):
1979: Dale Earnhardt (twice for 46 laps)
1982: Geoffrey Bodine (twice for 4 laps)
1984: Rusty Wallace (once for two laps)
1988: Ken Bouchard (three times for four laps)
1989: Dick Trickle (once for 15 laps)
1993: Jeff Gordon (three times for 80 laps)
1994: John Andretti (once for one lap)
1994: Jeff Burton (once for eight laps)
1994: Steve Grissom (once for one lap)
1995: Robert Pressley (once for 11 laps)
1999: Tony Stewart (six times for 97 laps)
2000: Dave Blaney (once for four laps in 2000)
2002: Johnson (four times for 170 laps)
2006: Reed Sorenson (once for 39 laps)
2006: David Stremme (once for three laps)
* Did You Know? The most Raybestos Rookies to lead the fall race at Dover is four in 1994: Steve Grissom, Jeff Burton, Joe Nemechek, and John Andretti.
* Top-five finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the fall race at Dover (since 1975):
1975: Bruce Hill, fifth
1979: Joe Millikan, fifth
1981: Ron Bouchard, fourth
1982: Geoffrey Bodine, fourth
1999: Tony Stewart, second
2002: Jimmie Johnson, FIRST
2005: Kyle Busch, second
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the fall race at Dover (since 1975):
1975: Bruce Hill, fifth
1977: Sam Sommers, 10th
1979: Joe Millikan, fifth
1979: Dale Earnhardt, ninth
1980: Jody Ridley, ninth
1981: Ron Bouchard, fourth
1981: Tim Richmond, ninth
1982: Geoffrey Bodine, fourth
1986: Alan Kulwicki, seventh
1989: Jimmy Spencer, 10th
1991: Bobby Hamilton, eighth
1993: Bobby Labonte, seventh
1994: Steve Grissom, eighth
1999: Tony Stewart, second
2001: Kevin Harvick, sixth
2001: Casey Atwood, ninth
2002: Jimmie Johnson, FIRST
2002: Ryan Newman, eighth
2003: Jamie McMurray, sixth
2003: Greg Biffle, seventh
2006: Martin Truex Jr., sixth
2006: Clint Bowyer, eighth
2006: Denny Hamlin, ninth
(Camp and Assoc/Rabestos PR)(9-20-2007)
News and Notes - Pre-New Hampshire, Post-Richmond:
· David Ragan was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the September 8 Chevy Rock & Roll 400 at Richmond International Raceway. Ragan finished third, his second top-five finish of the season and claimed top rookie honors for the 11th time this season.
* Juan Pablo Montoya leads Ragan by 14 points (218-204) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the September 16 Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire International Speedway.
* David Reutimann scored a 13th-place finish at Richmond, his best in 19 NEXTEL Cup Series races.
* Montoya is 20th in the NEXTEL Cup Series championship standings, best of any Raybestos Rookie. He is 48 points ahead of 21st-place Ragan.
* Ragan was the top Raybestos Rookie finisher in the July race at New Hampshire, claiming a 15th-place finish.
* Denny Hamlin was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2006 Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire, scoring a fourth-place finish. Hamlin also led the race once for four laps.
* DID YOU KNOW? The 2006 race marked the first time in 10 fall races at New Hampshire have TWO Raybestos Rookies finished inside the top-10. Joining Hamlin in the top-10 was J.J. Yeley, who posted an eighth-place finish. Yeley also led the race once for four laps.
* DID YOU KNOW? Ryan Newman is the only Raybestos Rookie to win the September race at New Hampshire. In 2002, Newman held off Kurt Busch in a race that was rain shortened to 207 of the scheduled 300 laps. Newman is also the only freshman driver to win the pole for the fall race and the only Raybestos Rookie to win from the pole. He is also the only first-year driver to lead the most laps in the fall event, leading three times for 143 laps.
* DID YOU KNOW? A Raybestos Rookie has scored a top-10 finish in FOUR of the last FIVE fall races at New Hampshire.
* Raybestos Rookies that have led a lap in the fall race at New Hampshire:
1999: Tony Stewart (twice for 40 laps)
2001: Kevin Harvick (once for one lap)
2002: Ryan Newman (three times for 143 laps)
2004: Kasey Kahne (twice for 31 laps)
2006: Denny Hamlin (once for four laps)
2006: J.J. Yeley (once for four laps)
* Top-five finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Sylvania 300:
1999: Tony Stewart, second
2002: Ryan Newman, FIRST
2004: Kasey Kahne, fourth
2006: Denny Hamlin, fourth
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Sylvania 300
1999: Tony Stewart, second
2002: Ryan Newman, FIRST
2003: Jamie McMurray, 10th
2004: Kasey Kahne, fourth
2006: Denny Hamlin, fourth
2006: J.J. Yeley, eighth
(Camp and Assoc/Rabestos PR)(9-13-2007)
News and Notes - Pre-Richmond, Post-California:
· David Ragan was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the September 2 Sharp AQUOS 500 at California Speedway. Ragan scored a 12th-place
finish and took top rookie honors for the 10th time this season.
* Juan Pablo Montoya leads Ragan by 23 points (217-194) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the September 8 Chevy Rock & Roll 400 at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway.
· AJ Allmendinger scored an 18th-place finish at California Speedway, his best in 10 career NEXTEL Cup Series races. Allmendinger’s best previous finish was 31st in the May 27
Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway (Concord, N.C.).
· A FIRST FOR REUTIMANN: David Reutimann led the Sharp AQUOS 500 once for one lap, the first time he has led a lap in 18 career NEXTEL Cup Series races. Reutimann was the only Raybestos Rookie to lead a lap in the race.
* Montoya is 19th in the NEXTEL Cup Series championship standings, best of any Raybestos Rookie.
· Clint Bowyer was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2006 Chevy Rock & Roll 400, claiming a 12th-place finish.
· Raybestos Rookie Denny Hamlin won the pole for the 2006 September race, one of three poles he won during his initial NEXTEL Cup season. Hamlin became the fourth Raybestos Rookie since 1975 to win the pole for the fall race at Richmond. Dale Earnhardt (1979), Bobby Labonte (1993) and Jimmie Johnson (2002) are the others.
* HISTORY LESSON: The first time in NEXTEL Cup’s modern-era that two Raybestos Rookies claimed front row starting positions occurred at the 2002 Chevy Rock & Roll 400. Jimmie Johnson won the pole while Ryan Newman claimed the second-place starting position. An all-rookie front row has occurred just one other time: the 2004 Pocono 500 (Kasey Kahne first and Brian Vickers second).
* DID YOU KNOW? Since 1975, two or more Raybestos Rookies have not finished in the top five in the September race at Richmond.
* DID YOU KNOW? The most Raybestos Rookies to finish in the top-10 in a fall race at Richmond is THREE in 1979: Earnhardt (fourth), Harry Gant (ninth) and Joe Millikan (10th).
* DID YOU KNOW? Since 1975, only TWO Raybestos Rookies have led the most laps in a fall race at Richmond: Tony Stewart (1999) and Ryan Newman (2002). Stewart led five times for 333 of the 400 laps, the most led by a first-year driver. Newman led twice for 145 laps.
* The only Raybestos Rookie to win the September race at Richmond is Tony Stewart, who captured the 1999 Chevy Rock & Roll 400. Stewart scored his first NEXTEL Cup Series win by 1.115 seconds over Bobby Labonte.
* Top-five finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 (since 1975): 1977: Sam Sommers, fifth 1979: Dale Earnhardt, fourth 1980: Jody Ridley, fifth 1999: Tony Stewart, FIRST 2001: Kevin Harvick, second 2002: Ryan Newman, second 2005: Kyle Busch, fourth
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 (since 1975): 1975: Bruce Hill, eighth 1976: Terry Bivins, ninth 1977: Sam Sommers, fifth 1979: Dale Earnhardt, fourth 1979: Harry Gant, ninth 1979: Joe Millikan, 10th 1980: Jody Ridley, fifth 1983: Trevor Boys, ninth 1989: Dick Trickle, eighth 1989: Hut Stricklin, ninth 1993: Jeff Gordon, 10th 1994: Steve Grissom, seventh 1996: Johnny Benson, 10th 1998: Kenny Irwin, 10th 1999: Tony Stewart, FIRST 2001: Kevin Harvick, second 2002: Ryan Newman,
second 2005: Kyle Busch, fourth
* Raybestos Rookies that have led a lap in the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 (since 1975): 1979: Dale Earnhardt (twice for 19 laps) 1993: Bobby Labonte (twice for 12 laps) 1996: Johnny Benson (once for 13 laps) 1998: Kenny Irwin (once for one lap) 1999: Tony Stewart (five times for 333 laps) 2001: Kevin Harvick (once for 12 laps) 2002: Ryan Newman (twice for 145 laps) 2003: Greg Biffle (once for two laps) 2005: Kyle Busch (three times for 10 laps) 2005: Travis Kvapil (once for one lap)
(Camp and Assoc/Rabestos PR)(9-6-2007)
News and Notes - Pre-California, Post-Bristol:
· Juan Pablo Montoya was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the August 25 Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Montoya scored a 17th-place finish and took top rookie honors for the 11th time this season.
· Montoya Earns $25,000 In Bonus Money From Raybestos: The Sharpie 500 was race No. 7 in the Raybestos Rookie Magnificent Seven program. The
Raybestos Rookie of the Race normally pays $1,500 but that increased to $5,000 at seven designated races throughout the 2007 season. Montoya claimed the bonus money five times (Las Vegas, Darlington, Infineon, Chicagoland and Bristol) and earned $25,000 for his efforts.
* Montoya leads David Ragan by 25 points (216-191) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the September 2 Sharp AQUOS 500 at California Speedway.
* Montoya is 18th in the Nextel Cup Series championship standings, best of any Raybestos Rookie.
· A Raybestos Rookie has won at least one race in each of the past three consecutive seasons.
* Clint Bowyer was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2006 Sony AQUOS 500, grabbing a third-place finish.
* Did you know? A Raybestos Rookie has finished in the top-five in all three September races at California Speedway.
* Did you know? One Raybestos Rookie has won the pole position for the September race at California Speedway: Brian Vickers (2004).
* A Remarkable Streak: A Raybestos Rookie won three consecutive pole positions at California Speedway: 2004 Auto Club 500: Kasey Kahne 2004 Sony HD 500: Brian Vickers 2005 Auto Club 500: Kyle Busch
* Kyle Busch became the first Raybestos Rookie to win at California Speedway when he captured the 2005 Sony HD 500. Busch scored his first Nextel Cup victory by .554 seconds over Greg Biffle and is the only Raybestos Rookie to win in 14 Nextel Cup Series races at the 2.0-mile speedway.
· Did you know? A Raybestos Rookie has led the most laps in a Nextel Cup Series race at California Speedway just twice. Kyle Busch (95 laps in 2005 fall
race) and Matt Kenseth (120 laps in 2000 spring race).
* Top-five finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Sony HD 500:
2004: Kasey Kahne, second
2005: Kyle Busch, FIRST
2006: Clint Bowyer, third
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Sony HD 500:
2004: Kasey Kahne, second
2004: Scott Riggs, seventh
2005: Kyle Busch, FIRST
2006: Clint Bowyer, third
2006: Denny Hamlin, sixth
* Raybestos Rookies that have led a lap in the Sony HD 500:
2004: Brian Vickers (four times for 44 laps)
2004: Kasey Kahne (four times for 39 laps)
2005: Kyle Busch (five times for 95 laps)
2006: Denny Hamlin (twice for 29 laps)
2006: Reed Sorenson (once for eight laps)
(Camp and Assoc/Rabestos PR)(8-30-2007)
News and Notes - Pre-Bristol, Post-Michigan:
· #6-David Ragan was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the August 21 3M Performance 400 at Michigan International Speedway. Ragan scored an 18th-place finish and took top rookie honors for the ninth time this season.
· #42-Juan Pablo Montoya leads Ragan by 23 points (213-190) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the August 25 Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway.
· The Sharpie 500 will be race #7 in the Raybestos Rookie Magnificent Seven program. The Raybestos Rookie of the Race normally pays $1,500 but that increased to $5,000 at seven designated races throughout the 2007 season. Montoya has captured the bonus money FOUR times this season (Las Vegas, Darlington, Infineon and Chicagoland) while Ragan has grabbed the extra cash twice (Daytona and Martinsville).
* Montoya is 18th in the NEXTEL Cup Series championship standings, best of any Raybestos Rookie.
· A Raybestos Rookie has won at least one race in each of the past three consecutive seasons.
* Denny Hamlin was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2006 Sharpie 500, grabbing a sixth-place finish.
* DID YOU KNOW? The best finish by a Raybestos Rookie in the night race at Bristol is second by Kevin Harvick in 2001.
* DID YOU KNOW? Since 1975, only ONE Raybestos Rookie has won the pole position for the August race at Bristol: Tony Stewart. Stewart grabbed the top starting spot for the 1999 Sharpie 500.
* Stewart is also the only Raybestos Rookie to lead the most laps in the August race at Bristol. Stewart led once for 225 laps in the 1999 race on his way to a fifth place finish. Since 1975, no Raybestos Rookie has led more laps than Stewart in the night race at Bristol.
* DID YOU KNOW? Stewart is the most recent Raybestos Rookie to lead a lap in the Sharpie 500. No first-year driver has led a lap in any of the past seven night races at Bristol.
* Top-five finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Sharpie 500 at Bristol (since 1975):
1981: Ron Bouchard, fifth
2001: Kevin Harvick, second
2003: Jamie McMurray, third
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Sharpie 500 at Bristol (since 1975):
1975: Bruce Hill, 10th
1977: Janet Guthrie, sixth
1978: Roger Hamby, 10th
1979: Joe Millikan, sixth
1979: Terry Labonte, eighth
1981: Ron Bouchard, fifth
1981: Tim Richmond, eighth
1982: Geoffrey Bodine, 10th
1984: Greg Sacks, ninth
1986: Alan Kulwicki, 10th
1989: Jimmy Spencer, eighth
1992: Jimmy Hensley, seventh
1993: Kenny Wallace, ninth
1998: Kevin Lepage, 10th
1999: Tony Stewart, fifth
2001: Kevin Harvick, second
2003: Jamie McMurray, third
2006: Denny Hamlin, sixth
* Raybestos Rookies that have led a lap in the Sharpie 500 at Bristol (since 1975): 1979: Harry Gant (once for 16 laps) 1981: Morgan Shepherd (once for 104 laps) 1986: Alan Kulwicki (twice for two laps) 1994: Joe Nemechek (once for 14 laps) 1995: Ricky Craven (once for one lap) 1999: Tony Stewart (once for 225 laps) Raybestos.(Camp & Assoc/Raybestos PR)(8-24-2007)
News and Notes - Pre-Michigan, Post-Watkins Glen:
· #15-Paul Menard was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the August 12 Centurion Boats at The Glen, scoring a 19th-place finish. Menard took top rookie honors for the fourth time this season.
* #42-Juan Pablo Montoya leads #6-David Ragan by 25 points (212-187) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the August 19 3M Performance 400 at Michigan International Speedway.
* Montoya is 19th in the NEXTEL Cup Series championship standings, best of any Raybestos Rookie.
· A Raybestos Rookie has won at least one race in each of the past three consecutive seasons.
* Reed Sorenson was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2006 GFS Marketplace 400, posting an eighth-place finish.
* DID YOU KNOW? The best finish by a Raybestos Rookie in the August race at Michigan (since 1975) is a third place effort by Tony Stewart in 1999.
* DIDYOU KNOW? Since 1975, Davey Allison is the only Raybestos Rookie to win the pole position for the August race at Michigan. Allison captured the top starting spot for the 1987 race.
* The most Raybestos Rookies to lead an August race at Michigan is FOUR in 2004.
* DID YOU KNOW? A Raybestos Rookie has led at least one lap in each of the past EIGHT CONSECUTIVE August races at Michigan:
1999: Tony Stewart (twice for four laps)
2000: Dale Earnhardt Jr. (once for 13 laps)
2001: Ron Hornaday (once for three laps)
2002: Ryan Newman (once for one lap)
2003: Greg Biffle (once for 19 laps)
2004: Kasey Kahne (twice for six laps)
2004: Scott Riggs (twice for 12 laps)
2004: Scott Wimmer (once for three laps)
2004: Brendan Gaughan (once for two laps)
2005: Kyle Busch (once for 28 laps)
2006: Clint Bowyer (twice for six laps)
* DID YOU KNOW? A Raybestos Rookie has finished in the top-10 in seven of the past eight August races at Michigan:
1999: Tony Stewart, third
2000: Matt Kenseth, eighth
2001: Casey Atwood, 10th
2002: Jimmie Johnson, seventh
2003: Greg Biffle, fourth
2004: Kasey Kahne, fifth
2006: Reed Sorenson, eighth
2006: Denny Hamlin, ninth
* DID YOU KNOW? The most Raybestos Rookies to finish in the top-10 in the same August race at Michigan is FOUR in 1977: ---Sam Sommers, fourth
---Ricky Rudd, seventh ---Terry Ryan, ninth ---Janet Guthrie, 10th
* Top-five finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the August race at Michigan:
1977: Sam Sommers, fourth
1982: Geoffrey Bodine, fourth
1987: Davey Allison, fifth
1989: Hut Stricklin, fourth
1993: Jeff Gordon, third
1999: Tony Stewart, third
2003: Greg Biffle, fourth
2004: Kasey Kahne, fifth
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the August race at Michigan: 1975: Bruce Hill, eighth 1977: Sam Sommers, fourth, 1977: Ricky Rudd,
seventh 1977: Terry Ryan, ninth 1977: Janet Guthrie, 10th 1979: Joe Millikan, sixth 1981: Mike Alexander, 10th 1982: Geoffrey Bodine, fourth 1987: Davey Allison, fifth 1989: Hut Stricklin, fourth 1993: Jeff Gordon, third 1993: Bobby Labonte, eighth 1995: Ricky Craven, seventh 1996: Johnny Benson, seventh 1999: Tony Stewart, third 2000: Matt Kenseth, eighth 2001: Casey Atwood, 10th 2002: Jimmie Johnson, seventh 2003: Greg Biffle, fourth 2004: Kasey Kahne, fifth 2006: Reed Sorenson, eighth 2006: Denny Hamlin, ninth
(Camp & Assoc/Raybestos PR)(8-15-2007)
News and Notes - Pre-Pocono, Post-Indianapolis:
· Juan Pablo Montoya was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the July 29 Allstate 400 at The Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Montoya finished second and took top rookie honors for the ninth time this season. Montoya’s finish was the best effort by a Raybestos Rookie in 14 races at Indy.
* Montoya leads David Ragan by 24 points (208-184) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the August 5 Pennsylvania 500 at Pocono Raceway.
* Montoya is 18th in the Nextel Cup Series championship standings, best of any Raybestos Rookie.
· A Raybestos Rookie has won at least one race in each of the past three consecutive seasons.
* Denny Hamlin was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2006 Pennsylvania 500. Hamlin scored his second career Nextel Cup Series victory in the race, crossing the finish line 1.510 seconds ahead of second-place Kurt Busch.
* DID YOU KNOW? Hamlin led the most laps in both Pocono races last year. He led 11 times for 234 of 400 possible laps at the 2.5-mile speedway in 2006.
* The 1994 Pennsylvania 500 had THREE Raybestos Rookies place inside the top-five, the best performance by a rookie class in 59 previous Nextel Cup races at Pocono Three rookies finished in the top-five: Burton, Joe Nemechek (third) and Jeff Burton (fourth).
* Top-Five finishes by Raybestos Rookies at Pennsylvania 500:
1987: Davey Allison, fifth
1994: Ward Burton, second
1994: Joe Nemechek, third
1994: Jeff Burton, fourth
1996: Johnny Benson, fifth
1999: Tony Stewart, fourth
2000: Matt Kenseth, fifth
2002: Ryan Newman, fifth
2006: Denny Hamlin, FIRST
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies at Pennsylvania 500:
1982: Mark Martin, 10th
1984: Rusty Wallace, sixth
1987: Davey Allison, fifth
1994: Ward Burton, second
1994: Joe Nemechek, third
1994: Jeff Burton, fourth
1996: Johnny Benson, fifth
1997: Mike Skinner, sixth
1999: Tony Stewart, fourth
2000: Matt Kenseth, fifth
2002: Ryan Newman, fifth
2006: Denny Hamlin, FIRST
* Raybestos Rookies who have led a lap in the July race at Pocono:
1982: Mark Martin (once for one lap) 1984: Rusty Wallace (once for one lap) 1986: Michael Waltrip (once for one lap) 1989: Dick Trickle (once for seven laps) 1993: Bobby Labonte (once for one lap) 1994: Ward Burton (twice for six laps) 1994: Jeff Burton (once for 16 laps) 1994 John Andretti (once for one lap). 1995: Ricky Craven (once for two laps) 1996: Johnny Benson (twice for five laps) 2002: Jimmie Johnson (once for two laps) 2003: Casey Mears (once for eight laps) 2006: Denny Hamlin (five times for 151 laps)
* Hamlin won the pole for the 2006 Pennsylvania 500, sweeping both poles at Pocono last year. He is the only Raybestos Rookie to accomplish the feat since the Nextel Cup Series began running two races each year at Pocono in 1982.(Camp & Assoc/Raybestos PR)(8-1-2007)
News and Notes - Pre-Indianapolis, Post-Chicago:
· Juan Pablo Montoya was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the July 15 USG Sheetrock 400 at Chicagoland Speedway. Montoya finished 15th and took top rookie honors for the eighth time this season.
* Montoya leads David Ragan by 14 points (196-182) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the July 29 Allstate 400 at The Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
* Montoya is 20th in the Nextel Cup Series championship standings, best of any Raybestos Rookie.
* For the 14th consecutive Nextel Cup race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Raybestos Brand Brakes will present the Top Wrench Award to the crew chief of the top qualifying Raybestos Rookie driver. The crew chief will earn a check for $5,000.
· A Raybestos Rookie has won at least one race in each of the past three consecutive seasons.
* Clint Bowyer was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2006 Allstate 400 at the Brickyard, scoring a fourth-place finish.
* Did You Know? A Raybestos Rookie has finished in the top-10 in each of the past eight consecutive Nextel Cup Series races at Indianapolis.
* Did You Know? Two or more Raybestos Rookies have finished in the top-10 twice in 13 previous races 2002: Ryan Newman, fourth 2002: Jimmie Johnson, ninth 2006: Clint Bowyer, fourth 2006: Denny Hamlin, 10th
* Did You Know? Jamie McMurray’s third-place finish in 2003 is the best ever by a Raybestos Rookie in 13 previous Brickyard 400 races.
* The best starting position by a Raybestos Rookie at Indianapolis is second by Clint Bowyer in 2006.
* Did You Know? Only twice in 13 previous races at Indianapolis have two or more Raybestos Rookies qualified inside the top-10: 1997: Mike Skinner, sixth 1997: David Green, ninth 2006: Clint Bowyer, second 2006: J.J. Yeley, sixth
* Johnny Benson holds the record for most laps led by a Raybestos Rookie at Indianapolis and is also the only Raybestos Rookie to lead the most laps in the race. Benson led three times for 70 laps to earn WIX Filters Lap Leader of the Race honors in the 1996 event.
* The most recent Raybestos Rookie to lead at Indianapolis is Jamie McMurray, who led twice for 22 laps in 2003.
* Raybestos Rookies that have led a lap at Indy:
1996: Johnny Benson (three times for 70 laps)
1997: Mike Skinner, (once for eight laps)
2000: Stacy Compton (once for one lap)
2001: Kurt Busch (once for one lap)
2001: Kevin Harvick (once for 18 laps)
2003: Jamie McMurray (twice for 22 laps)
* Top-five finishes by Raybestos Rookies at Indy:
2001: Kurt Busch, fifth
2002: Ryan Newman, fourth
2003: Jamie McMurray, third
2004: Kasey Kahne, fourth
2006: Clint Bowyer, fourth
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies at Indy:
1996: Johnny Benson, eighth
1997: Mike Skinner, ninth
1999: Tony Stewart, seventh
2000: Scott Pruett, 10th
2001: Kurt Busch, fifth
2002: Ryan Newman, fourth
2002: Jimmie Johnson, ninth
2003: Jamie McMurray, third
2004: Kasey Kahne, fourth
2005: Kyle Busch, 10th
2006: Clint Bowyer, fourth
2006: Denny Hamlin, 10th.(Camp & Assoc/Raybestos PR)(7-25-2007)
News and Notes - Pre-Chicago, Post-Daytona:
· David Ragan was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the July 7 Pepsi 400 at Daytona International Speedway. Ragan finished 12th and took top rookie honors for the eighth time this season. He was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in both races at Daytona this season (he scored a fifth-place finish in the Daytona 500).
· Day of the Double: Both Ragan and Juan Pablo Montoya pulled double duty on Saturday at Daytona, competing in both the Busch Series and Nextel Cup Series races. Ragan completed the full distance in both races: 655 possible miles (262 laps).
* Montoya leads Ragan by 12 points (192-180) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the July 15 USG Sheetrock 400 at Chicagoland Speedway.
· The USG Sheetrock 400 will be race No. 6 in the Raybestos Rookie Magnificent Seven program. The Raybestos Rookie of the Race normally pays $1,500 but that increases to $5,000 at seven designated races throughout the 2007 season. Montoya (Las Vegas, Darlington, Infineon) and Ragan (Daytona, Martinsville) are the only drivers to collect the bonus money.
* Montoya is 21st in the Nextel Cup Series championship standings, best of any Raybestos Rookie.
· A Raybestos Rookie has won at least one race in each of the past three consecutive seasons.
* Reed Sorenson was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2006 USG Sheetrock 400, scoring a seventh-place finish.
* Sorenson led the race once for six laps and became the first Raybestos Rookie to lead a lap at Chicagoland since Kasey Kahne led the 2004 race twice for 10 laps.
* Did You Know? The record number for Raybestos Rookies to finish inside the top-10 at Chicagoland is Three in 2006: Sorenson, Clint Bowyer (ninth) and J.J. Yeley (10th).
* Kevin Harvick is the only Raybestos Rookie to win in six Nextel Cup races at Chicagoland Speedway. He won the 2001 Tropicana 400 by .649 seconds over Robert Pressley.
* Harvick is also the only Raybestos Rookie to lead the most laps in the six races at Chicagoland, holding the top spot five times for 113 laps.
* Two more Raybestos Rookies have finished inside the top-five just once in four Nextel Cup races at Chicagoland: In 2002, Jimmie Johnson placed fourth while Ryan Newman finished fifth.
* Two or more Raybestos Rookies have finished in the top-10 in three of the six previous races at Chicagoland: 2001: Kevin Harvick, FIRST 2001: Kurt Busch, eighth 2002: Jimmie Johnson, fourth 2002: Ryan Newman, fifth 2006: Reed Sorenson, seventh 2006: Clint Bowyer, ninth 2006: J.J. Yeley, 10th
* Did You Know? A Raybestos Rookie has led at least one lap in four of the five races at Chicagoland: 2001: Kevin Harvick (five times for 113 laps) 2002: Ryan Newman (twice for 86 laps) 2002: Jimmie Johnson (once for two laps) 2003: Jamie McMurray (once for one lap) 2004: Kasey Kahne (twice for 10 laps) 2006: Reed Sorenson (once for six laps)
* Top-five finishes by Raybestos Rookies at Chicagoland:
2001: Kevin Harvick, First
2002: Jimmie Johnson, fourth
2002: Ryan Newman, fifth
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies at Chicagoland:
2001: Kevin Harvick, First
2001: Kurt Busch, eighth
2002: Jimmie Johnson, fourth
2002: Ryan Newman, fifth
2003: Jamie McMurray, eighth
2006: Reed Sorenson, seventh
2006: Clint Bowyer, ninth
2006: J.J. Yeley, 10th
(Camp & Assoc/Raybestos PR)(7-12-2007)
News and Notes - Pre-Daytona, Post-New Hampshire:
* David Ragan was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the July 1 LENOX Industrial Tools 300 at New Hampshire International Speedway. Ragan scored a 15th-place finish and took top rookie honors for the eighth time this season.
* Juan Pablo Montoya leads Ragan by 14 points (190-176) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the July 7 Pepsi 400 at Daytona International Speedway.
· A Raybestos Rookie has won at least one race in each of the past three consecutive seasons.
· Do You Remember? Ragan was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the season opening Daytona 500, scoring a fifth-place finish.
* Clint Bowyer was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2006 Pepsi 400, scoring a 10th-place finish.
* Did You Know? Three Raybestos Rookies led the 2006 Pepsi 400, the most rookies to ever lead the summer race at Daytona. The 2006 race was the first Pepsi 400 since 2004 where a Raybestos Rookie led a lap in the event. ---Martin Truex, Jr. (once for three laps) ---David Stremme (twice for two laps) ---Reed Sorenson (once for one lap)
* Did You Know? Greg Biffle is the only Raybestos Rookie to win the Pepsi 400. Biffle won the race in 2003, scoring his first career win in the Nextel Cup Series. Biffle crossed the finish line 4.102 second ahead of second place finisher Jeff Burton and led only once, covering the final 21 laps. He was the only Raybestos Rookie to score a win during the 2003 season.
* Did You Know? Since 1975, only three Raybestos Rookies have scored a top-five finish in the Pepsi 400: 1979: Dale Earnhardt, third 1993: Jeff Gordon, fifth 2003: Greg Biffle, first
* Did You Know? Since 1975, Three Raybestos Rookies have won the pole position for the Pepsi 400 at Daytona: Geoffrey Bodine (1982), Davey Allison (1987), and Mike Skinner (1997).
* Did You Know? Davey Allison is the only Raybestos Rookie since 1975 to lead the most laps in the Pepsi 400. He led the 1987 event twice for 32 laps.
* Raybestos Rookies that have led at least one lap in the Pepsi 400
(since 1975): 1979: Dale Earnhardt (once for one lap) 1981: Mike Alexander
(once for four laps) 1981: Stan Barrett (once for three laps) 1982: Geoffrey
Bodine (once for four laps) 1987: Davey Allison (twice for 32 laps) 1987: Brett
Bodine (once for one lap) 1990: Rob Moroso (once for four laps) 1993: Jeff
Gordon (once for three laps) 1994: Loy Allen (once for one lap) 1997: Mike
Skinner (once for two laps) 1998: Kenny Irwin (once for 15 laps) 1999: Elliott
Sadler (once for one lap) 2001: Kevin Harvick (twice for two laps) 2003: Greg
Biffle (once for 21 laps) 2004: Kasey Kahne (once for one lap)
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Pepsi 400 at Daytona
(since 1975): 1975: Ritchie Panch, sixth 1977: Sam Sommers, seventh 1977:
Terry Ryan, 10th 1979: Dale Earnhardt, third 1979 Harry Gant, seventh
1979 Joe Millikan, eighth 1979: Dale Earnhardt, sixth 1980: Jody
Ridley, seventh 1980: John Anderson, ninth 1981: Mike Alexander, seventh
1981: Ron Bouchard, ninth 1982: Geoffrey Bodine, sixth 1986: Alan Kulwicki,
10th 1989: Dick Trickle, eighth 1989: Hut Stricklin, 10th 1990: Rob
Moroso, ninth 1993: Jeff Gordon, fifth 1999: Tony Stewart, sixth 2002: Jimmie
Johnson, eighth 2004: Brian Vickers, ninth 2006: Clint Bowyer, 10th
(Camp & Assoc/Raybestos PR)(7-4-2007)
News and Notes - Pre-NHIS, Post-Sonoma:
* Raybestos Rookie Juan Pablo Montoya won the June 24 Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Infineon (Sonoma, Calif.) Raceway. Montoya’s first Nextel Cup win came in his 17th career start. His best previous finish was fifth at Atlanta earlier this year (race No. 4) and he took Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors for the eighth time in 16 races this season.
* Montoya leads David Ragan by 15 points (180-165) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the July 1 LENOX Industrial Tools 300 at New Hampshire International Speedway.
* Montoya led once for seven laps, the first time he has led a Nextel Cup race this season. He became the second Raybestos Rookie to lead in 19 races at Infineon Raceway (Scott Pruett led twice for 10 laps in 2000).
* Montoya became the first Raybestos Rookie to win at Infineon Raceway in 19 Nextel Cup Series races. The best previous finish was ninth, shared by Ryan Newman (2002) and Kenny Irwin (1998).
· The Toyota/Save Mart 350 was race No. 5 in the Raybestos Rookie Magnificent Seven program. The Raybestos Rookie of the Race normally pays $1,500 but that increases to $5,000 at seven designated races throughout the 2007 season. Montoya has captured the extra cash at Las Vegas (race No. 3), Darlington (race No. 11) and Infineon. The next Raybestos Rookie Magnificent Seven race is
the USG Sheetrock 400 at Chicagoland (Joliet, Ill.) Speedway (race No. 19).
· A Raybestos Rookie has won at least one race in each of the past three consecutive seasons.
* Denny Hamlin was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2006 LENOX Industrial Tools 300 at New Hampshire.
* Did You Know? Only two Raybestos Rookies have scored top-five finishes in 14 previous July races at New Hampshire: Ryan Newman (fifth in 2002) and Kyle Busch (fourth in 2005).
* Did You Know? A Raybestos Rookie has posted a top-10 finish in each of the last six consecutive New England 300 races: 2001: Kevin Harvick, eighth 2002: Ryan Newman, fifth 2003: Greg Biffle, 10th 2004: Kasey Kahne, eighth 2005: Kyle Busch, fourth 2006: Denny Hamlin, sixth
* Did You Know? Tony Stewart is the only Raybestos Rookie to lead the most laps in the July race at New Hampshire. Stewart led twice for 118 laps in the 1999 event.
* The most Raybestos Rookies to lead the July race at New Hampshire is three in 2006: ---Reed Sorenson (once for 31 laps) ---Clint Bowyer (once for 23 laps) ---Denny Hamlin (once for one lap)
* The best start by a Raybestos Rookie at New Hampshire is third by Jeff Gordon in 1993.
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies at New Hampshire (July race):
1993: Jeff Gordon, seventh 1993: Bobby Labonte, 10th 1996: Johnny Benson,
ninth 1999: Tony Stewart, 10th 2001: Kevin Harvick, eighth 2002:
Ryan Newman, fifth 2003: Greg Biffle, 10th 2004: Kasey
Kahne, eighth 2005: Kyle Busch, fourth
* Raybestos Rookies who have led a lap at New Hampshire (July race):
1993: Jeff Gordon (twice for three laps) 1996: Johnny Benson (once for 17
laps) 1999: Tony Stewart (twice for 118 laps) 2001: Kevin Harvick (once for 13
laps) 2002: Ryan Newman (once for one lap) 2003: Jamie McMurray (once for 13
laps) 2006: Reed Sorenson (one for 31 laps) 2006: Clint
Bowyer (one for 23 laps) 2006: Denny Hamlin (once for one lap)
Sonoma Rookie Post Race Notes:
* #42-Juan Pablo Montoya scored his first Nextel Cup Series victory today [6/24] at Infineon Raceway. His first win came in his 17th career start. Montoya’s best previous finish was fifth at Atlanta earlier this year (race No. 4).
* UNOFFICIALLY Montoya leads #6-David Ragan by 15 points (180-165) in the Raybestos® Rookie standings. He took Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors for the eighth time in 16 races this season.
* Montoya led once for seven laps, the first time he has led this season. He became the second Raybestos Rookie to lead in 19 races at Infineon Raceway. Scott Pruett led twice for 10 laps in 2000.
* Montoya is the first Raybestos Rookie to win at Infineon Raceway in 19 Nextel Cup Series races. The best previous finish was ninth, shared by Ryan Newman (2002) and Kenny Irwin (1998).
· The Toyota/Save Mart 350 was race No. 5 in the Raybestos Rookie Magnificent Seven program. The Raybestos Rookie of the Race normally pays $1,500 but that increases to $5,000 at seven designated races throughout the 2007 season.
· A Raybestos Rookie has won at least one race in each of the past three consecutive seasons.(Raybestos Rookie Notes)(6-25-2007)
News and Notes - Pre-Sonoma, Post-Michigan:
· #15-Paul Menard was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the June 17 Citizens Bank 400 at Michigan International Speedway. Menard finished 12th, his best effort in 10 starts this season, and he took Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors for the third time in 2007. He also led the race once for one lap.
· #42-Juan Pablo Montoya leads #6-David Ragan by four points (159-155) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the June 24 Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway.
· The Toyota/Save Mart 350 will be race No. 5 in the Raybestos Rookie Magnificent Seven program. The Raybestos Rookie of the Race normally pays $1,500 but that increases to $5,000 at seven designated races throughout the 2007 season: Daytona (Feb. 18),
Las Vegas (Mar. 11), Martinsville (April 1), Darlington (May 12), Infineon (June 24), Chicagoland (July 15), and Bristol (August 25).
* Denny Hamlin was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2006 Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway, scoring a 12th-place finish.
* The best finish by a Raybestos Rookie at Infineon Raceway is ninth, which is shared by Kenny Irwin (1998) and Ryan Newman (2002).
* Did You Know? Only one Raybestos Rookie has led a lap in 18 Nextel Cup races at Infineon Raceway. Scott Pruett led twice for 10 laps in the 2000 race.
* The best start by a Raybestos Rookie at Infineon Raceway is second, shared by Jerry Nadeau (1998) and Tony Stewart (1999).(Camp & Assoc/Raybetos PR)(6-22-2007)
News and Notes - Pre-Michigan, Post-Pocono:
#42-Juan Pablo Montoya was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the June 10 Pocono 500 at Pocono Raceway. Montoya finished 20th and took Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors for the sixth time this season.
· Montoya leads David Ragan by six points (152-146) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the June 17 Citizen’s Bank 400 at Michigan International Speedway.
* Reed Sorenson was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2006 Citizens Bank 400 at Michigan, claiming a fifth-place finish in a rain shortened event. He scored the first top-five finish by a Raybestos Rookie since Kasey Kahne finished second in 2004.
* DID YOU KNOW? Since 1975, only FIVE Raybestos Rookies have scored a top-five finish in the June race at Michigan: 1979: Joe Millikan, fourth 1993: Jeff Gordon, second 2002: Ryan Newman, third 2004: Kasey Kahne, second 2006: Reed Sorenson, fifth
* DID YOU KNOW? A Raybestos Rookie has finished inside the top-10 in the each of the last three consecutive June races at Michigan.
* DID YOU KNOW? Only twice since 1975 have TWO or more Raybestos Rookies have led the spring race at Michigan. In 2004, Brendan Gaughan (once for 13 laps) and Scott Riggs (once for one lap) led the race. Prior to 2004, the most recent race where two Raybestos Rookies led a lap was in 1986 with Alan Kulwicki (once for one lap) and Michael Waltrip (once for two laps).
* The most laps led by a Raybestos Rookie in the Citizens Bank 400 is 25 by Jimmie Johnson in 2002. Other Raybestos Rookies to lead at least one lap in the spring race: 1975: Ritchie Panch (once for four laps) 1979: Dale Earnhardt (once for one lap) 1982: Mark Martin (once for one lap) 1986: Alan Kulwicki (once for one lap) 1986: Michael Waltrip (once for two laps) 1993: Jeff Gordon (once for one lap) 2003: Greg Biffle (once for one lap) 2006: Reed Sorenson (once for three laps)
* DID YOU KNOW? The only Raybestos Rookie to win a pole in 38 previous Citizens Bank 400 races at Michigan is Loy Allen. Allen grabbed the top starting position for 1994 race.
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the June race at Michigan (since 1975): 1975: Ritchie Panch, sixth 1977: Sam Sommers, eighth 1979: Joe Millikan, fourth 1979: Dale Earnhardt, sixth 1980: Jody Ridley, sixth 1980: Kyle Petty, seventh 1981: Ron Bouchard, 10th 1982: Geoffrey Bodine, ninth 1993: Jeff Gordon, second 1994: Joe Nemechek, seventh 1999: Tony Stewart, ninth 2000: Kevin Harvick, 10th 2002: Ryan Newman, third 2004: Kasey Kahne, second 2004: Brian Vickers, ninth 2005: Kyle Busch, ninth 2006: Reed
Sorenson, fifth.(Camp & Assoc/Raybetos PR)(6-14-2007)
News and Notes - Pre-Pocono, Post-Dover:
#6-David Ragan was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the June
4 Autism Speaks 400 presented by Visa at Dover (Del.) International Speedway.
Ragan finished 14th and took top rookie honors for the sixth time in 13 races.
· Juan Pablo Montoya leads David Ragan by five points (141-136) in the
Raybestos Rookie standings entering the June 10 Pocono 500 at Pocono (Pa.)
Raceway.
* Denny Hamlin won the 2006 Pocono 500, crossing the finish line 1.328
seconds ahead of second-place Kurt Busch. Hamlin became just the third
Raybestos Rookie to score a top-five finish in the June race at Pocono, joining
Jimmie Johnson (third in 2002) and Kyle Busch (fifth in 2005).
* Hamlin also won the pole for the race. He became just the second
Raybestos Rookie to win a pole at Pocono, joining Kasey Kahne who captured
the top spot at the 2004 June race.
* Hamlin led the race six times for 83 laps and became the first
Raybestos Rookie to lead the most laps in a race at Pocono. He became just the
sixth Raybestos Rookie since 1989 to lead a lap in the spring race at Pocono.
* Raybestos Rookies Kasey Kahne and Brian Vickers made history at
Pocono during time trials for the 2004 Pocono 500. Kahne won the pole while
Brian Vickers grabbed the second starting position. The 2004 event was the
first time in the track’s history that TWO Raybestos Rookies started on the
front row at Pocono and only the second time in the sport’s modern-era where
there was an all rookie front row.
* Only once since 1975 have two or more Raybestos Rookies finished in
the top-10 in the June race at Pocono: Tim Richmond finished ninth and Ron
Bouchard placed 10th in the 1981 Mountain Dew 500.
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the June race at Pocono
(since 1975): 1975: Bruce Hill, eighth 1977: Ricky Rudd, seventh 1979: Joe
Millikan, sixth 1980: Kyle Petty, seventh 1981: Tim Richmond, sixth 1981:
Ron Bouchard, 10th 1982: Geoffrey Bodine, eighth 1989: Larry Pearson, ninth
1987: Davey Allison, first 1992: Jimmy Hensley, ninth 1999: Tony Stewart,
sixth 2002: Jimmie Johnson, third 2005: Kyle Busch, fourth 2006:
Denny Hamlin, FIRST
* Seven Raybestos Rookies have led a lap in the Pocono 500 (June race) at Pocono since 1989:
1989: Larry Pearson, once for two laps
1992: Jimmy Hensley, twice for five laps
1999: Tony Stewart, once for one lap
2004: Kasey Kahne, three times for four laps
2004: Brian Vickers, once for one lap
2006: Denny Hamlin, three times for 83 laps
2006: Clint Bowyer, once for eight laps.(Camp & Assoc/Raybetos PR)(6-8-2007)
News and Notes - Pre-Dover, Post-Charlotte:
#42-Juan Pablo Montoya was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the May 27 Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Montoya
placed 28th and took top rookie honors for the fifth time this season.
· Montoya leads David Ragan by six points (131-125) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the June 3 Autism Speaks 400 Presented by Visa at Dover International Speedway.
* Denny Hamlin was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2006 Autism Speaks 400 Presented by Visa, scoring an 11th-place finish.
* Did You Know? Only two Raybestos Rookies have won the spring race at Dover: Jimmie Johnson and Davey Allison, who both scored their second career wins at Dover. Johnson won the 2002 race while Allison captured the 1987 event.
* Only three Raybestos Rookies have led the most laps in the spring race at Dover: Johnson (four times for 187 laps), Allison (six times for 212 laps), and Tony Stewart in 1999 (three times for 127 laps).
* Did You Know? The most Raybestos Rookies to finish in the top-10 in the spring race at Dover is THREE in 1979: Dale Earnhardt (fifth), Terry Labonte (sixth), and Joe Millikan (eighth).
* At least two Raybestos Rookies have finished in the top-10 in Dover’s spring race THREE other times:
2000: Matt Kenseth (second) and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (10th).
2002: Jimmie Johnson (first) and Ryan Newman (fifth) in 2002.
2004: Scott Riggs (fifth) and Scott Wimmer (ninth).
* Did You Know? The best start by a Raybestos Rookie in the spring race at Dover is second by Morgan Shepherd in 1981.
* Top-five finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the spring race at Dover (since 1975): 1979: Dale Earnhardt, fifth 1982: Mark Martin, fifth 1987: Davey Allison, FIRST 1999: Tony Stewart, fourth 2000: Matt Kenseth, second 2002: Jimmie Johnson, FIRST 2002: Ryan Newman, fifth 2004: Scott Riggs, fifth 2005: Kyle Busch, second
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the spring race at Dover (since 1975): 1975: Bruce Hill, eighth 1979: Dale Earnhardt, fifth 1979: Terry Labonte, sixth 1979: Joe Millikan, eighth 1980: Jody Ridley, sixth 1981:Morgan Shepherd, sixth 1983: Sterling Marlin, 10th 1985: Ken Schrader, 10th 1987: Davey Allison, FIRST 1992: Jimmy Hensley, eighth 1997: Mike Skinner, ninth 1999: Tony Stewart, fourth 2000: Matt Kenseth, second 2000: Dale Earnhardt Jr., 10th 2002: Jimmie Johnson, FIRST 2002: Ryan Newman, fifth 2004: Scott Riggs, fifth 2004: Scott Wimmer, ninth 2005: Kyle Busch, second.(Raybestos/Camp & Assoc PR)(5-31-2007)
News and Notes - Pre-Dover, Post-Charlotte:
#42-Juan Pablo Montoya was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the May 27 Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Montoya
placed 28th and took top rookie honors for the fifth time this season.
· Montoya leads David Ragan by six points (131-125) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the June 3 Autism Speaks 400 Presented by Visa at Dover International Speedway.
* Denny Hamlin was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2006 Autism Speaks 400 Presented by Visa, scoring an 11th-place finish.
* Did You Know? Only two Raybestos Rookies have won the spring race at Dover: Jimmie Johnson and Davey Allison, who both scored their second career wins at Dover. Johnson won the 2002 race while Allison captured the 1987 event.
* Only three Raybestos Rookies have led the most laps in the spring race at Dover: Johnson (four times for 187 laps), Allison (six times for 212 laps), and Tony Stewart in 1999 (three times for 127 laps).
* Did You Know? The most Raybestos Rookies to finish in the top-10 in the spring race at Dover is THREE in 1979: Dale Earnhardt (fifth), Terry Labonte (sixth), and Joe Millikan (eighth).
* At least two Raybestos Rookies have finished in the top-10 in Dover’s spring race THREE other times:
2000: Matt Kenseth (second) and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (10th).
2002: Jimmie Johnson (first) and Ryan Newman (fifth) in 2002.
2004: Scott Riggs (fifth) and Scott Wimmer (ninth).
* Did You Know? The best start by a Raybestos Rookie in the spring race at Dover is second by Morgan Shepherd in 1981.
* Top-five finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the spring race at Dover (since 1975): 1979: Dale Earnhardt, fifth 1982: Mark Martin, fifth 1987: Davey Allison, FIRST 1999: Tony Stewart, fourth 2000: Matt Kenseth, second 2002: Jimmie Johnson, FIRST 2002: Ryan Newman, fifth 2004: Scott Riggs, fifth 2005: Kyle Busch, second
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the spring race at Dover (since 1975): 1975: Bruce Hill, eighth 1979: Dale Earnhardt, fifth 1979: Terry Labonte, sixth 1979: Joe Millikan, eighth 1980: Jody Ridley, sixth 1981:Morgan Shepherd, sixth 1983: Sterling Marlin, 10th 1985: Ken Schrader, 10th 1987: Davey Allison, FIRST 1992: Jimmy Hensley, eighth 1997: Mike Skinner, ninth 1999: Tony Stewart, fourth 2000: Matt Kenseth, second 2000: Dale Earnhardt Jr., 10th 2002: Jimmie Johnson, FIRST 2002: Ryan Newman, fifth 2004: Scott Riggs, fifth 2004: Scott Wimmer, ninth 2005: Kyle Busch, second.(Raybestos/Camp & Assoc PR)(5-31-2007)
News and Notes - Pre-Charlotte, Post-Darlington:
Juan Pablo Montoya was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the May 13 Dodge Avenger 500 at Darlington Raceway. Montoya placed 23rd and took top rookie honors for the fourth time this season.
· Montoya leads David Ragan by four points (120-116) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the May 27 Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe’s (Concord, N.C.) Motor Speedway.
* Denny Hamlin was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2006 Coca-Cola 600, capturing a ninth-place finish. Fellow rookie Reed Sorenson joined Hamlin in the top-10, scoring a 10th-place finish
* DID YOU KNOW? The 2006 Coca-Cola 600 was just the fourth time since 1975 that two Raybestos Rookies have finished in the top-10 in the Coca-Cola 600. The others: 1981: Morgan Shepherd (sixth) and Elliott Forbes-Robinson (tenth). 1993: Jeff Gordon (second) and Bobby Labonte (eighth). 2000: Matt Kenseth (first) and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (fourth).
* DID YOU KNOW? Matt Kenseth is the only Raybestos Rookie to win the Coca-Cola 600. Kenseth captured the 2000 600-mile race by .573-seconds over Bobby Labonte.
* DID YOU KNOW? Jimmie Johnson is the only Raybestos Rookie to win the pole in 47 previous Coca-Cola 600 races at Charlotte. Johnson took the top starting spot for the 2002 race.
* DID YOU KNOW? TWO Raybestos Rookies have led the most laps in the Coca-Cola 600: 2000: Dale Earnhardt Jr., 175 laps 2002:
Jimmie Johnson, 263 laps
* DID YOU KNOW? At least one Raybestos Rookie has led at least one lap in each of the last EIGHT CONSECUTIVE 600-mile races at Charlotte: 1999: Tony Stewart (three times for 13 laps) 2000: Matt Kenseth (twice for 31 laps) 2000: Dale Earnhardt, Jr. (five times for 124 laps) 2001: Kevin Harvick (once for one lap) 2002: Jimmie Johnson (five times for 250 laps) 2003: Greg Biffle (once for one lap) 2004: Kasey Kahne (once for five laps) 2005: Kyle Busch (twice for 55 laps) 2005: Travis Kvapil (twice for 23 laps) 2006: Denny Hamlin (three times for 25 laps)
* Raybestos Rookies who have scored top-five finishes in the Coca-Cola 600 (since 1975):
1993: Jeff Gordon, second
1999: Tony Stewart, fourth
2000: Matt Kenseth, first; Dale Earnhardt Jr., fourth
2001: Kevin Harvick, second
* Raybestos Rookies who have scored top-10 finishes in the Coca-Cola 600 (since 1975): 1977: Sam Sommers, ninth 1980: Kyle Petty, seventh 1981: Morgan Shepherd, sixth; Elliott Forbes-Robinson, 10th 1993: Jeff Gordon, second and Bobby Labonte, eighth 1995: Ricky Craven, tenth 1999: Tony Stewart, fourth 2000: Matt Kenseth, first; Dale Earnhardt Jr., fourth 2001: Kevin Harvick, second 2002: Jimmie Johnson, seventh Raybestos(Raybestos/Camp & Assoc PR)(5-23-2007)
News and Notes - Pre-All-Star Race, Post-Darlington:
Juan Pablo Montoya was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the May 13 Dodge Avenger 500 at Darlington Raceway. Montoya placed 23rd and took top rookie honors for the fourth time this season.
· Montoya leads David Ragan by four points (120-116) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the May 27 Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway.
· No Raybestos Rookie points will be awarded in either the Nextel Open or Nextel All-Star Challenge races.
* Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2000) and Ryan Newman (2002) are the only Raybestos Rookies to win the Nextel All-Star Challenge.
· Tony Stewart was the first Raybestos Rookie to score a top-five finish in the Nextel All-Star Challenge. He placed second behind race winner Terry Labonte in 1999.
· Jeff Burton was the first Raybestos Rookie to score a top-10 finish in the Nextel All-Star Challenge. Burton finish sixth in 1994 driving the Raybestos-sponsored Ford for Stavola Brothers Racing.
· THREE Raybestos Rookies have won the pole for the Nextel Open: Brett Bodine (1987), Jeff Gordon (1993), and Joe Nemechek (1994).
· Did You Know? A Raybestos Rookie has qualified for seven of the last nine Nextel All-Star Challenge races.
· No Raybestos Rookie is currently eligible for the 2007 Nextel All-Star Challenge.
· Did You Know? TWO or more Raybestos Rookies have competed in the Nextel All-Star Challenge just twice: Kasey Kahne and Brian Vickers in 2004 and Ryan Newman and Jimmie Johnson in 2002.
· Did You Know? Only once in the history of the NASCAR Nextel All-Star Challenge have TWO Raybestos Rookies finished in the top five. In 2002, Ryan Newman won the race while Jimmie Johnson finished fifth.
· Did You Know? The first Raybestos Rookie to compete in the Nextel All-Star Challenge was Davey Allison in 1987. Allison started third and finished 12th, completing 134 of the 135 laps.
· The best start by a Raybestos Rookie in the Nextel All-Star Challenge is second, by Denny Hamlin in 2006.
· At least one Raybestos Rookie has qualified for nine of the 22 Nextel All-Star races.
· Raybestos Rookies in the Nextel All-Star Challenge
1987: Davey Allison, 12th
1994: Jeff Burton, sixth
1998: Kenny Irwin, Jr., 13th
1999: Tony Stewart, second
2000: Dale Earnhardt Jr., first
2001: Kevin Harvick, 21st
2002: Ryan Newman, first
2002: Jimmie Johnson, fifth
2003: Jamie McMurray, 22nd
2004: Kasey Kahne, seventh
2004: Brian Vickers, 12th
(Raybestos/Camp & Assoc PR)(5-18-2007)
News and Notes - Pre-Darlington, Post-Richmond:
Paul Menard was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the May 6 Crown Royal 400 at Richmond International Raceway. Menard placed 16th and took top rookie honors for the second time this season.
· Five Raybestos Rookies competed in the Crown Royal 400, the most first-year drivers to start a Nextel Cup Series race this season.
· Juan Pablo Montoya leads David Ragan by three points (109-106) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the May 12 Dodge Avenger 500 at Darlington Raceway.
· The Dodge Avenger 500 will be race No. 4 in the Raybestos Rookie Magnificent Seven program. The Raybestos Rookie of the Race normally pays $1,500 but that increases to $5,000 at seven designated races throughout the 2007 season. Ragan captured the extra cash at Daytona and Martinsville while Montoya claimed the award at Las Vegas. Other races where the bonus is available: Infineon (June 24), Chicagoland (July 15), and Bristol (August 25).
* Denny Hamlin was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2006 Dodge Avenger 500, grabbing a 10th-place finish.
· Did You Know? Since 2001, TWO Raybestos Rookies have won pole positions at Darlington Raceway: Kurt Busch (2001) and Kasey Kahne (2004).
· Did You Know? A Raybestos Rookie has scored a top-10 finish in seven of the past eight seasons at Darlington: 1999: Tony Stewart, sixth 2000: Matt Kenseth, sixth 2001: Kevin Harvick, eighth 2002: Ryan Newman, fifth (spring race) 2002: Jimmie Johnson, sixth (spring race) 2002: Ryan Newman, second (fall race) 2002: Jimmie Johnson, ninth (fall race) 2003: Jamie McMurray, fourth (fall
race) 2003: Greg Biffle, 10th (fall race) 2004: Kasey Kahne, fifth (fall race) 2006: Denny Hamlin, 10th
* Top-five finishes by Raybestos Rookies at Darlington (since 1975):
1975: Bruce Hill, fifth (fall race) 1979: Terry Labonte, third (fall race)
1984: Rusty Wallace, fourth (fall race) 2002: Ryan Newman, second (fall race)
2003: Jamie McMurray, fourth (fall race) 2004: Kasey Kahne, fifth (fall race)
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies at Darlington (since 1975):
1975: Bruce Hill, fifth (fall race) 1975: Bruce Jacobi, ninth (spring race)
1977: Ricky Rudd, seventh (fall race) 1978: Ronnie Thomas, ninth (fall race)
1979: Terry Labonte, third (fall race) 1980: Lake Speed, eighth (spring
race) 1980: Jody Ridley, 10th (spring race) 1982: Geoffrey Bodine, seventh
(fall race) 1982: Mark Martin, seventh (spring race) 1984: Rusty Wallace,
fourth (fall race) 1984: Phil Parsons, seventh (fall race) 1984: Phil Parsons,
eighth (spring race) 1981: Tim Richmond, eighth (fall race) 1991: Bobby
Hamilton, 10th (fall race) 1993: Kenny Wallace, 10th (fall race) 1994:
Jeff Burton, eighth (fall race) 1999: Tony Stewart, sixth 2000: Matt Kenseth,
sixth 2001: Kevin Harvick, eighth (fall race) 2002: Ryan Newman, second (fall
race) 2002: Jimmie Johnson, ninth (fall race) 2002: Ryan Newman, second (fall
race) 2002: Jimmie Johnson, ninth (fall race) 2003: Jamie McMurray, fourth
(fall race) 2003: Greg Biffle, 10th (fall race) 2004: Kasey Kahne, fifth
(fall race) 2006: Denny Hamlin, 10th
* Did You Know? The most recent Raybestos Rookie to lead a lap at Darlington: Kasey Kahne, who led three times for 24 laps in the 2004 spring race.(Raybestos/Camp & Assoc PR)(5-11-2007)
News and Notes - Pre-Richmond, Post-Talladega:
#6-David Ragan was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the April 29 Aaron’s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway. Ragan posted a 17th-place finish and was the only Raybestos Rookie to lead a lap in the race, holding the top spot once for one lap. He took top rookie honors for the fifth time in nine races this season.
· Juan Pablo Montoya leads David Ragan by four points (100-96) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the May 5 Crown Royal 400 at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway.
· Montoya is 19th in the Nextel Cup Series championship standings, best of any Raybestos Rookie. He is seven points behind 18th-place Martin Truex Jr. and 18 ahead of 20th-place Bobby Labonte.
* Denny Hamlin was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2006 Crown Royal 400, grabbing a second-place finish. Hamlin finished .572 seconds behind race winner Dale Earnhardt Jr.
* DID YOU KNOW? Since 1975, Brian Vickers (2004) and Morgan Shepherd (1981) are the only Raybestos Rookies to win a pole for the spring race at Richmond.
* DID YOU KNOW? Since 1980, just seven Raybestos Rookies have led a lap in the spring race at Richmond:
1980: Tommy Houston (10 laps)
1981: Morgan Shepherd (150 laps)
1989: Dick Trickle (one lap)
2000: Dale Earnhardt Jr. (31 laps)
2002: Ryan Newman (48 laps)
2004: Brian Vickers (32 laps)
2006: Denny Hamlin (19 laps)
* DID YOU KNOW? Since 1975, only one Raybestos Rookie has won the
spring race at Richmond: Dale Earnhardt Jr. in 2000. He led the race just once
covering the final 31 laps and officially scored his second career win by .159
second over Terry Labonte.
* DID YOU KNOW? Only once since 1975 have TWO or more Raybestos
Rookies finished in the top-10 in the Crown Royal 400. In 1979, Joe Millikan
finished sixth followed by Terry Labonte, who claimed an eighth place finish.
* Top-five finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Crown Royal 400 at
Richmond (since 1975): 1981: Morgan Shepherd, fourth 2000:
Dale Earnhardt Jr., first 2002: Ryan Newman, second 2005:
Kyle Busch, fourth 2006: Denny Hamlin, second
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Crown Royal 400 at
Richmond (since 1975):
1979: Joe Millikan, sixth, and Terry Labonte, eighth
1989: Larry Pearson, sixth
1993: Jeff Gordon, sixth
1998: Kenny Irwin, ninth
2000: Dale Earnhardt Jr., first
2002: Ryan Newman, second
2004: Brian Vickers, eighth
2005: Kyle Busch, fourth
2006: Denny Hamlin, second.(Raybestos/Camp & Assoc PR)(5-4-2007)
News and Notes - Pre-Talladega, Post-Phoenix:
#15-Paul Menard was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the April 21 Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway. Menard scored a 25th-place finish and took top rookie honors for the first time in 2007.
· Juan Pablo Montoya leads David Ragan by five points (90-85) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the April 29 Aaron’s 499 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway.
· Montoya is 16th in the Nextel Cup Series championship standings, best of any Raybestos Rookie. He is 12 points behind
15th-place Dale Earnhardt Jr. and 19 behind 14th-place Greg Biffle. Montoya leads 17th-place Elliott Sadler by 14 points and 18th-place David Stremme by 18.
· Stat of the Week: The late Davey Allison is the only Raybestos Rookie to win the Aaron’s 499 at Talladega. He won the 1987 event by .78 seconds over Terry Labonte. Allison also led the most laps in the race, holding the top spot six times for 108 of the 178 laps (the event was shortened by 10 laps due to darkness). Allison remains the only Raybestos Rookie to lead the most laps in the Aaron’s 499 and holds the record for most laps led by a rookie in the spring race at Talladega.
* Since Allison’s win in 1987, a Raybestos Rookie has finished in the top-five in the Aaron’s 499 just twice: Tony Stewart (fifth in 1999) and Kurt Busch (third in 2001).
* Did You Know? Only one Raybestos Rookie has won the pole position in 37 previous Aaron’s 499 races at Talladega: Jimmie Johnson (2002). Johnson won the second pole of his career and posted a seventh place finish.
* Did You Know? At least one Raybestos Rookie finished in the top-10 in four consecutive Aaron’s 499 races at Talladega from 1979 through 1982: Joe Millikan (fifth) and Terry Labonte (ninth) in 1979, Lake Speed (seventh) and Jody Ridley (tenth) in 1980, Tim Richmond (sixth) in 1981, and Mark Martin (tenth) in 1982.
* Top-five finishes by a Raybestos Rookie in the Aaron’s 499 (since 1975): 1979: Joe Millikan, fifth 1987: Davey Allison, first 1999: Tony Stewart, fifth 2001: Kurt Busch, third
* Top-10 finishes by a Raybestos Rookie in the Aaron’s 499 (since 1975): 1977: Sam Sommers, 10th 1979: Joe Millikan, fifth 1979: Terry Labonte, ninth 1980: Lake Speed, seventh 1980: Jody Ridley, 10th 1981: Tim Richmond, sixth 1982: Mark Martin, 10th 1984: Phil Parsons, seventh 1987: Davey Allison, first 1994: Steve Grissom, 10th 1996: Johnny Benson, 10th 1999: Tony Stewart, fifth 2001: Kurt Busch, third 2002: Jimmie Johnson, seventh Raybestos.(Raybestos/Camp & Assoc PR)(4-25-2007)
News and Notes - Pre-Phoenix, Post-Texas:
Juan Pablo Montoya was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the April 15 Samsung 500 at Texas Motor Speedway. Montoya finished eighth, his second top-10 finish in eight Nextel Cup Series starts. He took Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors for the third time in 2007.
· Montoya leads David Ragan by four points (81-77) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the April 21 Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway.
· Montoya is 13th in the Nextel Cup Series championship standings, best of any Raybestos Rookie. He is 12 points behind 12th-place David Stremme and 27 behind 11th-place Mark Martin. Montoya leads 14th-place Kevin Harvick by four points and 15th-place Kurt Busch by eight.
* STAT OF THE WEEK: At least one Raybestos Rookie has finished inside the top-10 in each of the past FIVE consecutive Nextel Cup races at Phoenix: 2004: Kasey Kahne, fifth (fall race) 2005: Kyle Busch, eighth (spring race) 2005: Kyle Busch, FIRST (fall race) 2006: Clint Bowyer, fifth (spring race) 2007: Denny Hamlin, third (fall race)
* Clint Bowyer was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2006 Subway Fresh Fit 500, grabbing a fifth-place finish. Bowyer led the race three times for 21 laps.
* Kyle Busch and Tony Stewart are the only Raybestos Rookies to win in 21 Nextel Cup races at Phoenix. Stewart won the 1999 fall race from the pole, beating Mark Martin to the checkered flag by 2.081 seconds. Busch captured the 2005 fall race by .609 seconds over Greg Biffle.
* DID YOU KNOW? Stewart is the only Raybestos Rookie to lead the most laps at Phoenix, leading three times for 150 laps in 1999.
* DID YOU KNOW? THREE Raybestos Rookies have won pole positions at Phoenix, all coming in the fall race: Stewart, Casey Atwood (2001) and Ryan Newman (2002).(Camp and Assoc/Raybestos PR)(4-19-2007)
News and Notes - Pre-Texas, Post-Martinsville:
· David Ragan was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the April 1 Goody’s Cool Orange 500 at Martinsville (Va.) Motor Speedway. Ragan finished 15th and took top rookie honors for the fourth time in six races.
· Ragan claimed a $5,000 award at Martinsville as part of the Raybestos Rookie Magnificent Seven program and won an authentic Ridgeway clock. Ragan also captured the bonus in the season opening Daytona 500. The Raybestos Rookie of the Race normally pays $1,500 but that increases to $5,000 at seven designated races throughout the 2007 season. The next race where the bonus is available is Darlington (May 12).
· Ragan took the lead in the Raybestos Rookie standings by one point (68-67) over Juan Pablo Montoya entering the April 15 Samsung 500 at Texas Motor Speedway.
· Montoya is 16th in the Nextel Cup Series championship standings, best of any Raybestos Rookie. He is 62 points behind 10th-place Kevin Harvick and only four behind 15th-place Mark Martin. Montoya leads 17th-place Kurt Busch by one point and 18th-place J.J. Yeley by nine.
Denny Hamlin was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2006 Samsung 500, grabbing a fourth-place finish.
DID YOU KNOW? A Raybestos Rookie has finished in the top-10 at Texas in seven of the past eight races:
1999: Tony Stewart, sixth, and Elliott Sadler, 10th
2000: Dale Earnhardt Jr., first
2001: Kurt Busch, fourth, and Kevin Harvick, seventh
2002: Jimmie Johnson, sixth
2003: Jamie McMurray
2004: Kasey Kahne, second
2006: Denny Hamlin, fourth, and Martin Truex Jr., eighth
TWO or more Raybestos Rookies have finished in the top-10 three times in 10 spring races at Texas:
1999: Tony Stewart (sixth) and Elliott Sadler (10th)
2001: Kurt Busch (fourth) and Kevin Harvick (seventh)
2006: Denny Hamlin (fourth) and Martin Truex Jr. (eighth)
The most Raybestos Rookies to lead the Samsung 500 at Texas is THREE in 2006:
Denny Hamlin: three times for 41 laps
Martin Truex Jr: once for two laps
J.J. Yeley: once for two laps.
Only once in 12 previous races at Texas has a Raybestos Rookie won the race. Dale Earnhardt Jr. scored his first career Nextel Cup Series win by 5.920 seconds over Jeff Burton in 2000. Earnhardt Jr. led six times for 106 laps, more than any other driver. Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kasey Kahne are the only Raybestos Rookies to lead the most laps in a Nextel Cup race at Texas. The best start by a Raybestos Rookie at Texas second by J.J. Yeley in the 2006 spring race.
Raybestos ROOKIE HISTORY
· Ryan Newman holds the all-time Raybestos Rookie record for most poles (6), most top-fives (14) and most top-10s (22).
· Denny Hamlin is the only Raybestos Rookie to qualify for the Chase for the NASCAR Nextel Cup since the program was created in 2004.
· Hamlin holds the record for most earnings by a Raybestos Rookie ($6.6 million in 2006).
· The record for most wins by a Raybestos Rookie is three, shared by Tony Stewart (1999) and Jimmie Johnson (2002).
· A Raybestos Rookie has posted multiple victories SEVEN times in NASCAR Nextel Cup:
1987: Davey Allison, two
1999: Tony Stewart, three
2000: Dale Earnhardt Jr., two
2001: Kevin Harvick, two
2002: Jimmie Johnson, three
2005: Kyle Busch, two
2006: Denny Hamlin, two
· More than one Raybestos Rookie has posted victories in their rookie season only three times: Morgan Shepherd and Ron Bouchard (one each in 1981), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (two) and Matt Kenseth (2000), Jimmie Johnson (three) and Ryan Newman (2002).
· The way to the NASCAR Nextel Cup championship is to win Raybestos Rookie of the Year. Since 1979, six Raybestos Rookie of the Year drivers have gone on to win a NASCAR Nextel Cup title: Dale Earnhardt (1979), Rusty Wallace (1984), Alan Kulwicki (1986), Jeff Gordon (1993), Tony Stewart (1999, 2005) and Matt Kenseth (2000).
· At least one Raybestos Rookie has won a Bud Pole in each of the last 11 years (1996-2006).
(Camp and Assoc/Raybestos PR)(4-12-2007)
News and Notes - Pre-Martinsville, Post-Bristol:
David Ragan was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the
March 25 Food City 500 at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway. Ragan scored a
26th-place finish and took top rookie honors for the third time in five races
this season. · Ragan and Montoya are tied (57-57) for the lead in the
Raybestos Rookie standings entering the April 1 Goody’s Cool Orange 500 at
Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. · Montoya is 19th in the Nextel Cup Series
championship standings, best of any Raybestos Rookie. He is trails
18th-place Jamie McMurray by two points and holds a 13-point edge over
20th-place Kurt Busch. · The Goody’s Cool Orange 500 will be race No.
3 in the Raybestos Rookie Magnificent Seven program. The Raybestos Rookie
of the Race normally pays $1,500 but that increases to $5,000 at seven
designated races throughout the 2007 season. Ragan (Daytona) and Montoya (Las
Vegas) have each captured the bonus once this season. Other races where the
bonus is available: Darlington (May 12), Infineon (June 24), Chicagoland (July
15), and Bristol (August 25). · Ragan is the only member of the 2007
Raybestos Rookie class to start a Nextel Cup Series race at Martinsville,
scoring a 25th-place finish in the October 2006 event. · Reed Sorenson
was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2006 Goody’s Cool Orange 500,
claiming a 12th-place finish on the lead lap.
* Morgan Shepherd is the only Raybestos Rookie to win the Goody’s
Cool Orange 500 (since 1975). Shepherd won the 1981 event, outlasting the late
Neil Bonnett to score his first Nextel Cup Series win. Shepherd led the most
laps in the race (three times for 203) and remains the only Raybestos Rookie
to lead the most laps in the spring race at Martinsville. Two other
Raybestos Rookies scored top-10 finishes that same day: Ron Bouchard (ninth)
and Mike Alexander (10th).
* DID YOU KNOW? Shepherd is the only Raybestos Rookie since 1981 to
lead the most laps in the spring race at Martinsville.
* DID YOU KNOW? The most Raybestos Rookies to finish in the top-10 in
the spring race at Martinsville is FOUR. In 1979, Joe Millikan placed (fifth)
followed by Harry Gant (sixth), Dale Earnhardt (seventh) and Terry Labonte
(ninth).
* DID YOU KNOW? At least one Raybestos Rookie finished in the top-10
in four consecutive Goody’s Cool Orange 500 races from 1979 through 1982.
Completing the streak were Jody Ridley (seventh) and Slick Johnson (ninth) in
1980 and Mark Martin (seventh) in 1982.
* DID YOU KNOW? The most recent Raybestos Rookie to score a top-five
finish in the spring race at Martinsville is Dick Trickle. Trickle finished
third in 1989, the best finish by a first-year driver since Morgan Shepherd won
the 1981 Advance Auto Parts 500. Trickle also led the race once for seven
laps.
* The most recent Raybestos Rookie to score a top-10 finish in the
Goody’s Cool Orange 500 is Jeff Gordon, who placed eighth in 1993.
* The most recent Raybestos Rookie to lead a lap in the spring race at
Martinsville is Kasey Kahne, who led once for one lap in 2004.
* Tony Stewart is the only Raybestos Rookie to win the pole for the
Goody’s Cool Orange 500 (since 1975). Stewart claimed his first career pole
position at Martinsville in 1999.
* Top-five finishes by a Raybestos Rookie in the spring race at
Martinsville (since 1975):
1979: Joe Millikan, fifth
1981: Morgan Shepherd, first
1986: Alan Kulwicki, fourth
1989: Dick Trickle, third
* Top-10 finishes by a Raybestos Rookie in the Goody’s Cool Orange
500 (since 1975): 1979: Joe Millikan, fifth 1979: Harry Gant, sixth 1979:
Dale Earnhardt, seventh 1979: Terry Labonte, ninth 1980: Jody Ridley, seventh
1980: Slick Johnson, ninth 1981: Morgan Shepherd, first 1981: Ron Bouchard,
ninth 1981: Mike Alexander, 10th 1982: Mark Martin,
seventh 1986: Alan Kulwicki, fourth 1986: Derrike Cope,
ninth 1989: Dick Trickle, third 1993: Jeff Gordon, eighth
Raybestos ROOKIE HISTORY
· Ryan Newman holds the all-time Raybestos Rookie record for most poles (6), most top-fives (14) and most top-10s (22).
· Denny Hamlin is the only Raybestos Rookie to qualify for the Chase for the NASCAR Nextel Cup since the program was created in 2004.
· Hamlin holds the record for most earnings by a Raybestos Rookie ($6.6 million in 2006).
· The record for most wins by a Raybestos Rookie is three, shared by Tony Stewart (1999) and Jimmie Johnson (2002).
· A Raybestos Rookie has posted multiple victories SEVEN times in NASCAR Nextel Cup:
1987: Davey Allison, two
1999: Tony Stewart, three
2000: Dale Earnhardt Jr., two
2001: Kevin Harvick, two
2002: Jimmie Johnson, three
2005: Kyle Busch, two
2006: Denny Hamlin, two
· More than one Raybestos Rookie has posted victories in their rookie season only three times: Morgan Shepherd and Ron Bouchard (one each in 1981), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (two) and Matt Kenseth (2000), Jimmie Johnson (three) and Ryan Newman (2002).
· The way to the NASCAR Nextel Cup championship is to win Raybestos Rookie of the Year. Since 1979, six Raybestos Rookie of the Year drivers have gone on to win a NASCAR Nextel Cup title: Dale Earnhardt (1979), Rusty Wallace (1984), Alan Kulwicki (1986), Jeff Gordon (1993), Tony Stewart (1999, 2005) and Matt Kenseth (2000).
· At least one Raybestos Rookie has won a Bud Pole in each of the last 11 years (1996-2006).
(Camp and Assoc/Raybestos PR)(3-29-2007)
News and Notes - Pre-Bristol, Post-Atlanta:
· Juan Pablo Montoya was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the March 18 Kobalt Tools 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Montoya scored a fifth-place finish, his best finish in five career Nextel Cup Series races. His previous best effort was 19th in the February 18 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway (race #1).
· Montoya took Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors for the second consecutive race and for the second time this season. He holds a one-point edge over David Ragan (47-46) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the March 25 Food City 500 at Bristol
(Tenn.) Motor Speedway.
· Fact of the Week: Montoya is the only driver to simultaneously lead the Raybestos Rookie standings in both the Nextel Cup Series and the Busch Series since the rookie program was created in Busch in 1989.
· Stat of the Week: The most recent Raybestos Rookie to lead a lap at Bristol is Kevin Harvick in the 2001 Food City 500. Harvick led three times for 137 laps, more than any other driver.
· Montoya is 15th in the Nextel Cup Series championship standings, best of any Raybestos Rookie. He is trails 14th-place Kyle Busch by just six points and is only 28 behind 10th-place Carl Edwards. Montoya leads 16th-place Robby Gordon by 10 points and 17th-place Bobby Labonte by 15.
* Denny Hamlin was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2006 Food City 500, scoring a 14th-place finish.
* Did You Know? A Raybestos Rookie has finished in the top-10 in three of the last five Food City 500 races at Bristol: 2002: Jimmie Johnson, seventh 2003: Greg Biffle, fifth 2005: Travis Kvapil, seventh
* Tony Stewart is the only Raybestos Rookie to win the pole at
Bristol in his rookie season. Stewart took the top spot in the 1999 Sharpie
500 (August race). He is also the only Raybestos Rookie to lead the most
laps in a race at Bristol, leading once for 225 laps.
* The best finish by a Raybestos Rookie in the Food City 500 came in
1979 when Dale Earnhardt scored his first career win. Since Earnhardt’s
victory, only three drivers have finished in the top-five in the spring race:
1981: Morgan Shepherd, fourth 1989: Dick Trickle, fifth
2003: Greg Biffle, fifth
* Did You Know? Only once since 1975 have Three Raybestos Rookies finished in the top-10 at a race in Bristol: 1979. Dale Earnhardt scored his first career win in the Food City 500 and was joined in the top-10 by Terry Labonte (seventh) and Joe Millikan (eighth).
* Did You Know? Only once since 1981 have TWO or more Raybestos Rookies finished in the top-five in the Food City 500. In 1981, Morgan Shepherd placed fourth and Tim Richmond finished 10th.
* A Raybestos Rookie has finished in the top-10 just three times in the
Food City 500 (spring race) at Bristol: Robert Pressley (10th in 1995), Jimmie
Johnson (seventh in 2002), and Greg Biffle (fifth in 2003).
* Since 1975, Tim Richmond is the only Raybestos Rookie to score
top-10 finishes in both Bristol races. In 1981, Richmond finished 10th in the
Food City 500 and 10th in the Sharpie 500.
* Two or more Raybestos Rookies have finished in the top-10 in both
races at Bristol just once since 1975. In 1981, Morgan Shepherd (fourth) and
Tim Richmond (10th) logged top-10 finished in the Food City 500 while Ron
Bouchard (fifth) and Richmond (eighth) finished in the top-10 in the Sharpie
500.
Raybestos ROOKIE HISTORY
· Ryan Newman holds the all-time Raybestos Rookie record for most poles (6), most top-fives (14) and most top-10s (22).
· Denny Hamlin is the only Raybestos Rookie to qualify for the Chase for the NASCAR Nextel Cup since the program was created in 2004.
· Hamlin holds the record for most earnings by a Raybestos Rookie ($6.6 million in 2006).
· The record for most wins by a Raybestos Rookie is three, shared by Tony Stewart (1999) and Jimmie Johnson (2002).
· A Raybestos Rookie has posted multiple victories SEVEN times in NASCAR Nextel Cup:
1987: Davey Allison, two
1999: Tony Stewart, three
2000: Dale Earnhardt Jr., two
2001: Kevin Harvick, two
2002: Jimmie Johnson, three
2005: Kyle Busch, two
2006: Denny Hamlin, two
· More than one Raybestos Rookie has posted victories in their rookie season only three times: Morgan Shepherd and Ron Bouchard (one each in 1981), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (two) and Matt Kenseth (2000), Jimmie Johnson (three) and Ryan Newman (2002).
· The way to the NASCAR Nextel Cup championship is to win Raybestos Rookie of the Year. Since 1979, six Raybestos Rookie of the Year drivers have gone on to win a NASCAR Nextel Cup title: Dale Earnhardt (1979), Rusty Wallace (1984), Alan Kulwicki (1986), Jeff Gordon (1993), Tony Stewart (1999, 2005) and Matt Kenseth (2000).
· At least one Raybestos Rookie has won a Bud Pole in each of the last 11 years (1996-2006).
(Camp and Assoc/Raybestos PR)(3-23-2007)
News and Notes - Pre-Atlanta, Post-Las Vegas:
· Juan Pablo Montoya was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the March 11 UAW-DainlerChrysler 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Montoya scored a 22nd-place finish and took top rookie honors for the first time this season.
· Montoya earned $5,000 from Affinia Group as part of the Raybestos Rookie Magnificent Seven program. The Raybestos Rookie of the Race normally pays $1,500 but that increases to $5,000 at seven designated races throughout the 2007 season. The next event where the bonus is available will be April 1 in Martinsville, Va.
· David Ragan holds a seven-point lead (37-30) over Montoya in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the March 18 Kobalt Tools 500 at Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway.
· Raybestos ROOKIE FACT OF THE WEEK: The longest streak for a Raybestos Rookie to be in the top-10 in the Nextel Cup Series championship standings during the sport’s modern-era is 60 races (2001 MBNA Platinum 400 through 2002 Ford 400).
· Ragan is 19th in the Nextel Cup Series championship standings, best of any Raybestos Rookie. He is 20 points behind 10th-place Elliott Sadler. .
· Reed Sorenson was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2006 Kobalt Tools 500, claiming a 10th-place finish.
· Kevin Harvick scored a memorable win as a Raybestos Rookie in the 2001 Kobalt Tools 500. He beat Jeff Gordon by just .006 seconds to capture his first Nextel Cup Series victory in just his third career start.
· Raybestos Rookies Robby Gordon (1997) and Johnny Benson (1996) scored their first career Bud Poles in back-to-back spring races at Atlanta. Gordon won the pole in his 11th career start. Benson took the top spot in just his fourth career start.
· Did You Know? Gordon is the most recent Raybestos Rookie to win the pole for the spring race at Atlanta.
· Top-five finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Golden Corral 500 (since 1975):
1987: Davey Allison, fifth
1989: Dick Trickle, third
1994: Jeff Burton, fourth
1998: Kenny Irwin, fifth
2001: Kevin Harvick, first
2002: Jimmie Johnson, third
2004: Kasey Kahne, third
· Did You Know? The late Kenny Irwin holds the record for most laps led by a Raybestos Rookie in the spring race at Atlanta. In 1998, Irwin led five times for 112 laps.
· Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookie in the Golden Corral 500 (since 1975):
1978: Connie Saylor, eighth
1979: Joe Millikan, eighth
1980: Jody Ridley, sixth
1980: Slick Johnson, 10th
1981: Morgan Shepherd, eighth
1982: Jim Sauter, 10th
1987: Davey Allison, fifth
1989: Dick Trickle, third
1989: Hut Stricklin, eighth
1994: Jeff Burton, fourth
1998: Kenny Irwin, fifth
2001: Kevin Harvick, first
2002: Jimmie Johnson, third
2002: Ryan Newman, 10th
2004: Kasey Kahne, third
2006: Reed Sorenson, 10th
· TWO or more Raybestos Rookies have finished in the top 10 in the spring race at Atlanta Motor Speedway three times (since 1975).
Raybestos ROOKIE HISTORY
· Ryan Newman holds the all-time Raybestos Rookie record for most poles (6), most top-fives (14) and most top-10s (22).
· Denny Hamlin is the only Raybestos Rookie to qualify for the Chase for the NASCAR Nextel Cup since the program was created in 2004.
· Hamlin holds the record for most earnings by a Raybestos Rookie ($6.6 million in 2006).
· The record for most wins by a Raybestos Rookie is three, shared by Tony Stewart (1999) and Jimmie Johnson (2002).
· A Raybestos Rookie has posted multiple victories SEVEN times in NASCAR Nextel Cup:
1987: Davey Allison, two
1999: Tony Stewart, three
2000: Dale Earnhardt Jr., two
2001: Kevin Harvick, two
2002: Jimmie Johnson, three
2005: Kyle Busch, two
2006: Denny Hamlin, two
· More than one Raybestos Rookie has posted victories in their rookie season only three times: Morgan Shepherd and Ron Bouchard (one each in 1981), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (two) and Matt Kenseth (2000), Jimmie Johnson (three) and Ryan Newman (2002).
· The way to the NASCAR Nextel Cup championship is to win Raybestos Rookie of the Year. Since 1979, six Raybestos Rookie of the Year drivers have gone on to win a NASCAR Nextel Cup title: Dale Earnhardt (1979), Rusty Wallace (1984), Alan Kulwicki (1986), Jeff Gordon (1993), Tony Stewart (1999, 2005) and Matt Kenseth (2000).
· At least one Raybestos Rookie has won a Bud Pole in each of the last 11 years (1996-2006).
(Raybestos PR)(3-14-2007)
News and Notes - Pre-Las Vegas, Post-California:
· David Ragan was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the February 25 Auto Club 500 at California Speedway. Ragan scored a 16th-place finish and took top rookie honors for the second consecutive race.
· Ragan holds a nine-point lead (28-19) over Juan Pablo Montoya in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the March 11 UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
· Ragan is fifth in the Nextel Cup Series championship standings, 65 points behind leader Mark Martin and 37 behind fourth-place Kevin Harvick. He leads sixth-place Clint Bowyer by six points and seventh-place Joe Nemechek by 11.
· Did You Know? A Raybestos Rookie has been in the top-10 in the NextelCup Series championship standings for 19 consecutive races, dating back to the 2006 Pennsylvania 500 at Pocono Raceway.
· The Streak: A Raybestos Rookie has finished in the top 15 in 38 consecutive NextelCup races.
* Denny Hamlin was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2006 UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, scoring a 10th-place finish.
* Kyle Busch and Kasey Kahne share the best finish by a Raybestos Rookie in nine previous NextelCup Series races at Las Vegas. Busch placed second in 2005, 1.661 seconds behind race winner Jimmie Johnson while Kahne finished second in 2004, 3.426 seconds behind winner Matt Kenseth.
* Did You Know? The first Raybestos Rookie to score a top-five finish at Las Vegas was Ryan Newman in 2002.
* Busch, Kahne, and Ryan Newman are the only Raybestos Rookies to score a top-five finish at Las Vegas. Newman placed fourth in 2002.
* Did You Know? In 2000, Dale Earnhardt Jr. was the first Raybestos Rookie to score a top-10 finish at Las Vegas. He was also the first Raybestos Rookie driver to lead a lap (four times for 42 laps).
* Top-five finishes by Raybestos Rookies at Las Vegas:
2002: Ryan Newman, fourth
2004: Kasey Kahne, second
2005: Kyle Busch, second
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies at Las Vegas:
2000: Dale Earnhardt Jr. (10th)
2001: Kevin Harvick (eighth)
2001: Ron Hornaday (ninth)
2002: Ryan Newman (fourth)
2002: Jimmie Johnson (sixth)
2004: Kasey Kahne (second)
2005: Kyle Busch (second)
2006: Denny Hamlin (10th)
* Did You Know? At least one Raybestos Rookie finished in the top-10 in the last three consecutive races at Las Vegas and in four of the last five.
* Did You Know? TWO or more Raybestos Rookies have finished in the top-10 twice in nine previous races at Las Vegas.
* Did You Know? The most laps led by a Raybestos Rookie at Las Vegas is 49 by Newman in 2002.(Raybestos PR)(3-7-2007)
News and Notes - Pre-California, Post-Daytona:
#6-David Ragan was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the February 18 Daytona 500 at Dayton International Speedway. Ragan
finished fifth, his best effort in three Nextel Cup Series starts. His best previous finish was 25th last fall at Martinsville Speedway.
· Ragan earned a $5,000 bonus from Affinia Group as part of the Raybestos Rookie Magnificent Seven program. The Raybestos Rookie of the Race normally pays $1,500 but that increases to $5,000 for the Daytona 500 and races at Las Vegas (March 11), Martinsville (April 1), Darlington. (May 12), Sonoma (June 24), Chicago, (July 15) and Bristol (August 25).
· Ragan holds a seven-point lead (17-10) over #42-Juan Pablo Montoya in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the Feb. 25 Auto Club 500 at California Speedway.
· THE STREAK: A Raybestos Rookie has finished in the top 15 in 37 consecutive Nextel Cup races.
· Did You Know? The most recent Raybestos Rookie to win a Nextel Cup Series race is Denny Hamlin, who captured the 2006 Pennsylvania 500 at Pocono Raceway.
· Did You Know? The most recent Raybestos Rookie to win a pole is Denny Hamlin, who captured the top starting spot for the 2006 Pennsylvania 500 at Pocono.
· DID YOU KNOW? The most recent race where multiple Raybestos Rookies finished in the top five occurred at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Nov. 19, 2006. Martin Truex Jr. finished second ahead of third-place Denny Hamlin.
* J.J. Yeley was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2006 Auto Club 500 at California Speedway, grabbing an eighth-place finish.
* Kyle Busch won the pole for the 2005 Auto Club 500 at California Speedway. He became the youngest pole winner in NASCAR’s premier series (19 yrs., 9 mos. and 24 days). Busch captured 2005 Raybestos Rookie of the Year honors.
* Jimmie Johnson is the only Raybestos Rookie to win the Auto Club 500 at California Speedway, captured the 2002 event by .620 seconds over Kurt Busch. The only other first-year driver to score a top-five finish in the Auto Club 500 is Tony Stewart, who placed fourth in 1999.
* Did You Know? A Raybestos Rookie has led at least one lap in each of the last THREE consecutive Auto Club 500 races.
* Kahne holds the record for number of laps led by a Raybestos Rookie in the Auto Club 500. Kahne led five times for 77 laps in the 2004 race. The most Raybestos Rookies to lead at least one lap in the Auto Club 500 is THREE in 2004: Kahne, Brendan Gaughan (once for one lap), and Brian Vickers (once for one lap).
* Top-five finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Auto Club 500: 1999: Tony Stewart, fourth; 2002: Jimmie Johnson, first
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Auto Club 500:
1997: Jeff Green, seventh
1999: Tony Stewart, fourth
2002: Jimmie Johnson, first
2004: Brendan Gaughan, sixth
2006: J.J. Yeley, eighth
* Raybestos Rookies that have led at least one lap in the Auto Club 500: 1999: Tony Stewart (once for one lap) 2001: Kevin Harvick (twice for two laps) 2002: Ryan Newman (once for three laps) 2002: Jimmie Johnson (four times for 62 laps) 2004: Kasey Kahne (five times for 77 laps) 2004: Brendan Gaughan (once for one lap) 2004: Brian Vickers (once for one lap) 2005: Kyle Busch (once for three laps) 2006: J.J. Yeley (once for two laps)(Raybestos PR)(2-22-2007)
Ragan is the Raybestos Rookie of the race at Daytona: #6-David Ragan finished fifth in the Daytona 500, his best effort in three Nextel Cup Series starts. His best previous finish was 25th last fall at Martinsville Speedway. Ragan earned a $5,000 bonus from Raybestos brand Brakes as the top rookie finisher. Ragan is the third Raybestos Rookie to score a top-five finish in the Daytona 500. The others: Scott Wimmer (third in 2004) and Jeff Gordon (fifth in 1993). A Raybestos Rookie has now scored two consecutive top-10 finishes in the Daytona 500 (Clint Bowyer finished sixth last year). Other Raybestos Rookies to score top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Daytona 500 (since 1975): 1979: Dale Earnhardt, eighth; 1980: Jody Ridley, 10th; 1989: Rick Mast, sixth; 1991: Bobby Hamilton, ninth; 1993: Jeff Gordon, fifth; 2000: Matt Kenseth, 10th; 2002: Ryan Newman, seventh; 2006: Clint Bowyer, sixth. A Raybestos Rookie has now finished in the top-15 in 37 consecutive Nextel Cup Series races. Ragan leads the Rookie standings with 17 rookie points, the Montoya 10 and Reutimann with 9.(Camp and Assoc PR)
Ragan is the Raybestos Rookie of the race at Daytona: #6-David Ragan finished fifth in the Daytona 500, his best effort in three Nextel Cup Series starts. His best previous finish was 25th last fall at Martinsville Speedway. Ragan earned a $5,000 bonus from Raybestos brand Brakes as the top rookie finisher. Ragan is the third Raybestos Rookie to score a top-five finish in the Daytona 500. The others: Scott Wimmer (third in 2004) and Jeff Gordon (fifth in 1993). A Raybestos Rookie has now scored two consecutive top-10 finishes in the Daytona 500 (Clint Bowyer finished sixth last year). Other Raybestos Rookies to score top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Daytona 500 (since 1975): 1979: Dale Earnhardt, eighth; 1980: Jody Ridley, 10th; 1989: Rick Mast, sixth; 1991: Bobby Hamilton, ninth; 1993: Jeff Gordon, fifth; 2000: Matt Kenseth, 10th; 2002: Ryan Newman, seventh; 2006: Clint Bowyer, sixth. A Raybestos Rookie has now finished in the top-15 in 37 consecutive Nextel Cup Series races. Ragan leads the Rookie standings with 17 rookie points, the Montoya 10 and Reutimann with 9.(Camp and Assoc PR)
