Unofficial Sprint Cup Raybestos
2008 Rookie of the Year (ROTY) Page
ROOKIE NEW and NOTES 2008
NEWS and NOTES from the Raybestos ROOKIE CONTENDERS
NASCAR Sprint Cup Seires
- News and Notes - Pre-Darlington, Post-Richmond:
· Regan Smith was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the May 3 Crown Royal 400 at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway. Smith scored a 21st-place finish and captured top rookie honors for the fifth time in 10 races this season. He has been the top Raybestos Rookie in all three short track races.
· Smith leads the Raybestos Rookie standings by one point (97-96) over Sam Hornish Jr. entering the May 10 Dodge Challenger 500 at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway.
Juan Pablo Montoya was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2007 Dodge Challenger 500, posting a 23rd-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 nine 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, fifth (spring 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)
1981: Tim Richmond, eighth (fall 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)
1991: Bobby Hamilton, 10th (fall race)
1993: Kenny Wallace, 10th (fall race)
1994: Jeff Burton, eighth (fall race)
2001: Kevin Harvick, eighth (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 is Kasey Kahne, who led three times for 24 laps in the 2004 spring race.(Camp & Assoc/Raybestos)(5-7-2008)
- News and Notes - Pre-Richmond, Post-Talladega:
· Regan Smith was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the April 27 Aaron’s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway. Smith scored a 21st-place finish and captured top rookie honors for the fourth time in nine races this season. He also led the race once for one lap and was the only Raybestos Rookie to lead at Talladega.
· Smith and Sam Hornish Jr. share the lead in the Raybestos Rookie standings (86-86) entering the May 3 Crown Royal 400 at Richmond International Raceway.
Paul Menard was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2007 Crown Royal 400, posting a 16th-place finish on the lead lap.
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. Earnhardt Jr. led the race just once covering the final 31 laps and officially scored his second career win by .159 seconds 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
(Camp & Assoc/Raybestos)(5-1-2008)
- News and Notes - Pre-Talladega, Post-Phoenix:
· Sam Hornish Jr. was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the April 12 Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix (Ariz.) International Raceway. Hornish Jr. scored a 20th-place finish and took top rookie honors for the third time this season.
· Hornish Jr. leads Regan Smith by three points (78-75) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the April 27 Aaron’s 499 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway.
· GUARANTEED IN THE SHOW: Hornish Jr., Smith and Michael McDowell are the only members of the Raybestos Rookie class with a guaranteed starting spot at Talladega.
· GOTTA GO: Two Raybestos Rookies entered in this weekend’s race at Talladega do not have a guaranteed starting positions: Dario Franchitti and Patrick Carpentier.
David Ragan was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2007 Aaron’s 499, scoring a 17th-place finish. Ragan was also the top qualifying rookie (he started 10th) and led the race once for two laps.
DID YOU KNOW? The late Davey Allison is the only Raybestos Rookie to win the Aaron’s 499 at Talladega. Allison won the 1987 event by .78 second over Terry Labonte. He 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 38 previous spring races at Talladega: Jimmie Johnson (2002). Johnson won the second pole of his career and posted a seventh place finish in the race.
Only once since 1970 have TWO or more Raybestos Rookies finished in the top-10 in consecutive spring races at Talladega: Joe Millikan (fifth) and Terry Labonte (ninth) in 1979, Lake Speed (seventh) and Jody Ridley (tenth) in 1980.
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
(Camp & Assoc/Raybestos)(4-24-2008)
- News and Notes - Pre-Phoenix, Post-Texas:
· Patrick Carpentier was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the April 6 Samsung 500 at Texas Motor Speedway, the first time he has taken the honor in 2008. Carpentier scored a 28th-place finish, his best on an oval in his seven-race Sprint Cup Series career.
· Regan Smith holds a one-point lead (68-67) over Sam Hornish Jr. in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the April 12 Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway.
· DID YOU KNOW? Four different drivers have claimed Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors in seven races this season.
· GUARANTEED IN THE SHOW: Smith, Hornish, Jr., and McDowell are the only members of the Raybestos Rookie class with a guaranteed starting spot at Phoenix.
· GOTTA GO: Two Raybestos Rookies entered in this weekend’s race at Phoenix do not have a guaranteed starting positions: Franchitti and Carpentier.
Paul Menard was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2007 Subway Fresh Fit 500, collecting a 25th-place finish.
DID YOU KNOW? Kyle Busch and Tony Stewart are the only Raybestos Rookies to win in 23 Sprint 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.
The best finish by a Raybestos Rookie in three spring races at Phoenix is fifth by Clint Bowyer in 2006. Bowyer is the only freshman driver to claim a top-five finish in the April race at the one-mile Arizona Speedway.
The best qualifying effort by a Raybestos Rookie in three previous spring races at Phoenix is sixth by Denny Hamlin in 2006.
The most laps led by a Raybestos Rookie in the spring race at Phoenix are 21 by Clint Boywer in the 2006 event.
Top-five finishes by a Raybestos Rookies in the spring race at Phoenix: 2006: Clint Bowyer, fifth
Top-10 finishes by a Raybestos Rookies in the spring race at Phoenix:
2005: Kyle Busch, eighth
2006: Clint Bowyer, fifth
Raybestos Rookies that have led at least one lap in three previous spring races at Phoenix:
2005: Kyle Busch (once for eight laps)
2006: Clint Bowyer (three times for 21 laps)
2006: J.J. Yeley (once for one lap)
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 & Assoc/Raybestos)(4-10-2008)
- News and Notes - Pre-Texas, Post-Martinsville:
· Regan Smith was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the March 30 Goody’s Cool Orange 500 at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. Smith scored a 14th-place finish, his best in 13 career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races. He claimed Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors for the second consecutive race and for the third time in six events this season. Smith has been running at the finish of every race in 2008.
· Smith and Dario Franchitti are tied for the lead in the Raybestos Rookie standings (60-60) entering the April 6 Samsung 500 at Texas Motor Speedway.
· Franchitti (22nd) also scored his best Sprint Cup Series finish (six career starts) at Martinsville while Michael McDowell finished 26th in his Sprint Cup Series debut.
· GUARANTEED IN THE SHOW: Smith and McDowell are the only members of the Raybestos Rookie class with a guaranteed starting spot at Texas.
· GOTTA GO: Three Raybestos Rookies entered in this weekend’s race at Texas do not have a guaranteed starting positions: Franchitti, Sam Hornish, Jr. and Patrick Carpentier.
Juan Pablo Montoya was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2007 Samsung 500, grabbing an eighth-place finish.
Only once in 14 previous Sprint Cup races at Texas has a Raybestos Rookie won the race. Dale Earnhardt Jr. scored his first career Sprint Cup Series win by 5.920 seconds over Jeff Burton in 2000. Earnhardt Jr. also led the most laps in the event (six times for 106 laps).
Top-five finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Samsung 500:
2000: Dale Earnhardt Jr., FIRST
2001: Kurt Busch, fourth
2004: Kasey Kahne, second
2006: Denny Hamlin, fourth
DID YOU KNOW? A Raybestos Rookie has finished in the top-10 in eight of the past nine Samsung 500 races.
Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Samsung 500:
1999: Tony Stewart, sixth
1999: Elliott Sadler, 10th
2000: Dale Earnhardt Jr., FIRST
2001: Kurt Busch, fourth
2001: Kevin Harvick, seventh
2002: Jimmie Johnson, sixth
2003: Jamie McMurray, 10th
2004: Kasey Kahne, second
2006: Denny Hamlin, fourth
2006: Martin Truex Jr., eighth
2007: Juan Pablo Montoya, eighth
TWO or more Raybestos Rookies have finished in the top-10 THREE times in 11 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 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.
DID YOU KNOW? Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kasey Kahne are the only Raybestos Rookies to lead the most laps in a Sprint Cup Series race at Texas.
The best start by a Raybestos Rookie in the spring race at Texas is third by Kasey Kahne in 2004.
Raybestos Rookies that have led a lap in the 10 previous Samsung 500 races:
1997: Mike Skinner (once for 10 laps)
1999: Elliott Sadler (once for one lap)
2000: Dale Earnhardt Jr. (six times for 106 laps)
2001: Scott Pruett (once for 13 laps)
2002: Ryan Newman (once for two laps)
2004: Kasey Kahne (six times for 148 laps)
2004: Johnny Sauter (once for one lap)
2006: Denny Hamlin (three times for 41 laps)
2006: Martin Truex Jr. (once for two laps)
2006: J.J. Yeley (once for two laps)
(Camp & Assoc/Raybestos)(4-2-2008)
- News and Notes - Pre-Martinsville, Post-Bristol:
· Regan Smith was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the March 16 Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Smith scored a 25th-place finish and claimed Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors for the second time this season.
· Dario Franchitti leads the Raybestos Rookie standings by one point (50-49) over Smith and Sam Hornish Jr. entering the March 30 Goody’s Cool Orange 500 at Martinsville Speedway.
· Guaranteed in the Show: Michael McDowell and Sam Hornish Jr. are the only members of the Raybestos Rookie class with a guaranteed starting spot at Martinsville.
· Gotta Go: Three Raybestos Rookies entered in this weekend’s race at Martinsville do not have a guaranteed starting position: Franchitti, Smith, and Patrick Carpentier.
David Ragan was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2007 Goody’s Cool Orange 500, posting a 15th-place finish.
J.J. Yeley is the most recent Raybestos Rookie to lead a lap in the spring race at Martinsville, leading the 2006 race once for one lap.
Did You Know? 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 Sprint 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? 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? 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 spring race at Martinsville is Jeff Gordon, who placed eighth in 1993.
Tony Stewart is the only Raybestos Rookie to win the pole for the 1999 spring race (since 1975). Stewart claimed his first career pole position in the event.
Top-five finishes by a Raybestos Rookie in the Advance Auto Parts 500 (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 Advance Auto Parts 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
(Camp and Assoc/Rabestos PR)(3-25-2008)
- News and Notes - Pre-Bristol, Post-Atlanta:
· Sam Hornish, Jr. was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the March 9 Kobalt Tools 500 at Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway. Hornish Jr. scored a 25th-place finish and claimed Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors for the second time this season. No other driver has captured the honor more than once in 2008.
· Dario Franchitti leads the Raybestos Rookie standings by two points (41-39) over Hornish Jr. entering the March 16 Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway. David Ragan was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2007 Food City 500, posting a 26th-place finish.
DID YOU KNOW? The most recent Raybestos Rookie to lead a lap at Bristol is Kevin Harvick. Harvick led three times for 137 laps, more than any other driver, in the 2001 Food City 500.
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: Morgan Shepherd (fourth in 1981), Dick Trickle (fifth in 1989), and Greg Biffle (fifth in 2003).
DID YOU KNOW? Tony Stewart is the only Raybestos Rookie to win a 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 that same race once for 225 laps.
DID YOU KNOW? Only once since 1975 have THREE Raybestos Rookies finished in the top-10 in a race in Bristol. In 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-10 in the Food City 500. In 1981, Morgan Shepherd placed fourth and Tim Richmond finished 10th.
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.
Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Food City 500 at Bristol:
1979: Dale Earnhardt, FIRST
1979: Terry Labonte, seventh
1979: Joe Millikan, eighth
1981: Morgan Shepherd, fourth
1981: Tim Richmond, 10th
1989: Dick Trickle, fifth
1995: Robert Pressley, 10th
2002: Jimmie Johnson, seventh
2003: Greg Biffle, fifth
2005: Travis Kvapil, seventh
(Camp and Assoc/Rabestos PR)(3-13-2008)
- News and Notes - Pre-Atlanta, Post-Las Vegas:
· Dario Franchitti was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the March 2 UAW-Dodge 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Franchitti scored a 33rd-place finish and took top rookie honors for the first time this season.
· Franchitti also grabbed the lead in the Raybestos Rookie standings. He holds a one-point edge over Regan Smith (31-30) entering the March 9 Kobalt Tools 500 at Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway.
· Franchitti is also the only Raybestos Rookie to lead a lap in three Sprint Cup races this season. He led the Auto Club 500 (race No. 2) once for one lap.
Juan Pablo Montoya was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2007 Kobalt Tools 500, scoring a fifth-place finish. Montoya scored the first top-five finish by a Raybestos Rookie in the spring race at Atlanta since Kasey Kahne placed third in 2004.
DID YOU KNOW? A Raybestos Rookie has scored TWO consecutive top-10 finishes in the spring race at Atlanta: Montoya and Reed Sorenson, who placed 10th in 2006. Both Montoya and Sorenson were driving for Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates.
DO YOU REMEMBER? 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 Sprint Cup Series victory in just his third career start.
Raybestos Rookies Robby Gordon (1997) and Johnny Benson (1996) scored their first career Coors Light 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? Robby 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 Kobalt Tools 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
2007: Juan Pablo Montoya, fifth
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 Kobalt Tools 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
2007: Juan Pablo Montoya, fifth
Since 1975, TWO or more Raybestos Rookies have finished in the top 10 in the spring race at Atlanta Motor Speedway three times.(Camp and Assoc/Rabestos PR)(3-7-2008)
- News and Notes - Pre-Las Vegas, Post-California:
· AN HISTORICAL FIRST: For the first time in NASCAR’s modern-era (since 1972), three drivers share the lead in the Raybestos Rookie standings: Sam Hornish, Jr., Dario Franchitti and Regan Smith. Each driver has 20 points entering the March 2 UAW-Dodge 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
· FIRST TO LEAD IN ’08: By leading the Auto Club 500 once for one lap, Franchitti became the first Raybestos Rookie to lead a lap in the Sprint Cup Series this season. He was one of 15 different drivers to lead the race
· Smith was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the February 24 Auto Club 500 at Auto Club Speedway, scoring a 31st-place finish.
Juan Pablo Montoya was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2007 UAW-Dodge 400 at Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway, posting a 22nd-place finish. Montoya was also the top rookie qualifier, earning the fourth-place starting position.
DID YOU KNOW? Kyle Busch and Kasey Kahne share the best finish by a Raybestos Rookie in 10 previous NEXTEL Cup 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? Ryan Newman was the first Raybestos Rookie to score a top-five at Las Vegas, claiming a fourth-place finish in 2002.
Only three Raybestos Rookies have scored top-five finishes at Las Vegas: Busch, Kahne and Newman.
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? TWO or more Raybestos Rookies have finished in the top-10 TWICE in 10 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.(Camp and Assoc/Rabestos PR)(2-28-2008)
- News and Notes - Pre-California, Post-Daytona:
* Sam Hornish, Jr. was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the February 17 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Hornish Jr. scored a 15th-place finish, his best effort in three NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts.
* Hornish Jr. leads Dario Franchitti by one point (11-10) in the RaybestosR Rookie standings entering the February 24 Auto Club 500 at California Speedway
* Three organizations - Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, Dale Earnhardt Inc. and Michael Waltrip Racing - will have Raybestos Rookies behind the wheel for the second consecutive season.
* David Ragan was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2007 Auto Club 500 at California Speedway, logging a 16th-place finish. Ragan scored the best finish by a freshman driver at California Speedway when he scored a 12th-place finish in the September event.
* The best qualifying effort by a Raybestos Rookie in 2007 was a ninth-place effort by Juan Pablo Montoya in last February's Auto Club 500.
* 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 in 11 previous spring races at California Speedway. Johnson 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.
* Kasey 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 RaybestosR Rookies in the Auto Club 500:
1999: Tony Stewart, fourth
2002: Jimmie Johnson, first
Top-10 finishes by RaybestosR 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)
(2-20-2008)
- News and Notes - Pre-Daytona:
· Six drivers are expected to compete for Raybestos Rookie of the Year honors in the 2008 Sprint Cup Series: Jacques Villeneuve, Sam Hornish Jr., Dario Franchitti, Regan Smith, Patrick Carpentier, and Michael McDowell.
· Three organizations - Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, Dale Earnhardt Inc. and Michael Waltrip Racing – will have Raybestos Rookies behind the wheel for the second consecutive season.
· DID YOU KNOW? Ryan Newman (2002) is the most recent driver to capture top rookie honors in the Daytona 500 and go on to win Raybestos Rookie of the Year.
DID YOU KNOW? The most recent Raybestos Rookie to win a pole in the Sprint Cup Series is Denny Hamlin. Hamlin grabbed the top starting position for the 2006 Chevy Rock & Roll 400 at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway, 46 races ago.
David Ragan was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2007 Daytona 500, scoring a fifth-place finish.
DID YOU KNOW? Since 1975, only three Raybestos Rookies have scored top-five finishes in the Daytona 500: Ragan, Scott Wimmer and Jeff Gordon. Wimmer placed third in 2004 while Gordon finished fifth in 1993.
DID YOU KNOW? Since 1975, only three Raybestos Rookies have won the pole position for the Daytona 500: Loy Allen (1994), Mike Skinner (1997) and Jimmie Johnson (2002).
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
2007: David Ragan, fifth
Gordon is the only Raybestos Rookie to win a Gatorade Duel qualifying race at Daytona in the sport’s modern era. Gordon won his qualifying race for 500 in 1993.
DID YOU KNOW? Denny Hamlin is the only Raybestos Rookie to win the Budweiser Shootout. Hamlin won the race in 2006 and went on to capture Raybestos Rookie
of the Year honors that same season.
Hamlin and Ryan Newman are the only Raybestos Rookie to compete in the Budweiser Shootout. Hamlin earned his way into the special event by winning the pole for the 2005 Checker Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix (Ariz.) International Raceway. Newman gained entry by claiming the top starting spot for the 2001 Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe’s (Concord, N.C.) Motor Speedway.
DID YOU KNOW? Greg Biffle is the only Raybestos Rookie to win a Sprint Cup Series points event at Daytona International Speedway. Biffle won the 2003 Pepsi 400, scoring his first career win in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. He crossed the finish line 4.102 second ahead of second place finisher Jeff Burton and led only once, covering the final 21 laps. Biffle was the only Raybestos Rookie to score a win during the 2003 season.
DID YOU KNOW? Ryan Newman is the most recent driver to earn top rookie honors in the Daytona 500 and win Raybestos Rookie of the Year.(Camp and Assoc/Rabestos PR)(2-14-2008)
