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 Series
- News and Notes - Pre-Homestead, Post-Phoenix:
· Regan Smith was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the November 9 Checker O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix (Ariz.) International Raceway, scoring a 23rd-place finish. Smith grabbed top rookie honors for the 10th time in 2008.
· Sam Hornish Jr. leads Regan Smith by THREE points (199-196) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the November 16 Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway.
* David Ragan was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2007 Ford 400, scoring a 10th-place finish. Ragan also led the race once for one lap and was the only first-year driver to lead the event.
* DID YOU KNOW? Tony Stewart is the only Raybestos Rookie to win a Sprint Cup Series race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Stewart captured the inaugural Ford 400 in 1999 by 5.289 seconds over Bobby Labonte. He 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 nine Sprint 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
2007: David Ragan, 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)
2007: David Ragan (once for one lap)
(Camp & Assoc/Raybestos)(11-14-2008)
- News and Notes - Pre-Phoenix, Post-Texas:
· Sam Hornish Jr. was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the November 2 Dickies 500 at Texas Motor Speedway, scoring a 23rd-place finish. Hornish Jr. grabbed top rookie honors for the FOURTH consecutive race and for the 11th time in 2008.
· Sam Hornish Jr. leads Regan Smith by FOUR points (198-194) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the November 8 Checker O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway.
· Juan Pablo Montoya was the top Raybestos Rookie in the 2007 Checker O’Reilly Auto Parts 500, scoring a 17th-place finish.
* DID YOU KNOW? Kyle Busch and Tony Stewart are the only Raybestos Rookies to win in 24 NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Phoenix. Both wins came in the fall event: Stewart won from the pole in 1999, beating Mark Martin to the checkered flag by 2.081 seconds while Busch captured the 2005 event by .609 seconds over Greg Biffle.
* DID YOU KNOW? Only FIVE Raybestos Rookies have scored top-five finishes in 24 races at Phoenix:
1999: Tony Stewart, FIRST (fall)
2004: Kasey Kahne, fifth (fall)
2005: Kyle Busch, FIRST (fall)
2006: Clint Bowyer, fifth (spring)
2006: Denny Hamlin, third (fall)
* DID YOU KNOW? Stewart is the only Raybestos Rookie to lead the most laps in a race at Phoenix, leading the 1999 fall race three times for 150 laps.
* THREE Raybestos Rookies have won pole positions at Phoenix, all coming in the fall race: Tony Stewart (1999), Casey Atwood (2001) and Ryan Newman (2002).
* DID YOU KNOW? TWO or more Raybestos Rookies have finished inside the top-10 TWICE at Phoenix, both coming in the fall event:
1989: Dick Trickle (seventh) and Jimmy Spencer (10th)
2005: Kyle Busch (first) and Travis Kvapil (10th)
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the fall race 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 & Assoc/Raybestos)(11-6-2008)
- News and Notes - Pre-Texas, Post-Atlanta:
· Sam Hornish Jr. was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the October 26 Pep Boys Auto 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, scoring a 24th-place finish. Hornish Jr. grabbed top rookie honors for the third consecutive race and for the 10th time in 2008.
· NEW LEADER! Sam Hornish Jr. leads Regan Smith by two points (195-193) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the November 2 Dickies 500 at Texas Motor Speedway. Hornish Jr. has sole possession of first-place in the standings for the first time since the LENOX Industrial Tools 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
* Juan Pablo Montoya was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2007 Dickies 500 at Texas Motor Speedway, scoring a 25th-place finish. Montoya led the race once for 10 laps and was the only first-year driver to lead a lap in the event.
* The best finish by a Raybestos Rookie in three previous fall races at Texas is fifth by Clint Bowyer in 2006. Bowyer is the only Raybestos Rookie to score a top-five in three fall races at Texas.
* Top-five finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Dickies 500 at Texas:
2006: Clint Bowyer, fifth
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Dickies 500 at Texas:
2006: Clint Bowyer, fifth
2006: Denny Hamlin, 10th
* DID YOU KNOW? Only once in 15 previous 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. led six times for six times for 106 laps, more than any other driver.
* DID YOU KNOW? Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kasey Kahne are the only Raybestos Rookies to lead the most laps in 15 Sprint Cup race at Texas.
* The best start by a Raybestos Rookie in 15 previous races at Texas is third by Kasey Kahne (2004 spring) and Juan Pablo Montoya (2007 fall race).
* Raybestos Rookies that have led a lap in the fall race at Texas:
2006: Clint Bowyer (three times for three laps)
2006: J.J. Yeley (once for three laps)
2006: David Stremme (once for one lap)
2007: Juan Pablo Montoya (once for 10 laps)
(Camp & Assoc/Raybestos)(10-30-2008)
- News and Notes - Pre-Atlanta, Post-Martinsville:
· Sam Hornish Jr. was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the October 19 TUMS QuikPak 500 at Martinsville Speedway. Hornish Jr. took top rookie honors for the NINTH time this season and was credited with a 34th-place finish in the race.
· TIED FOR THE LEAD! Regan Smith and Sam Hornish Jr. atr tied for the lead (192-192) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the October 26 Pep Boys Auto 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
* AJ Allmendinger was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2007 Pep Boys Auto 500 at Atlanta, scoring a 16th-place finish on the lead lap.
* Two Raybestos Rookies led a lap in the 2007 fall race at Atlanta: Allmendinger (once for one lap) and Paul Menard (once for one lap).
* 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 Pep Boys Auto 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
* 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.
* Earnhardt also holds the record for most laps led by a Raybestos Rookie in the Pep Boys Auto 500, leading six times for 69 laps.
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Pep Boys Auto 500 (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 Hensley, 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 & Assoc/Raybestos)(10-23-2008)
- News and Notes - Pre-Martinsville, Post-Charlotte:
· Sam Hornish Jr. was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the October 11 Bank of America 500 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Hornish Jr. scored a 22nd-place finish and took top rookie honors for the eighth time this season. He was the top Raybestos Rookie in BOTH races this season at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. His 13th-place finish in the Coca-Cola 600 is the best by a freshman driver this season.
· CLOSE POINTS BATTLE: Regan Smith leads Sam Hornish Jr. by two points (191-189) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the October 19 TUMS QuikPak 500 at Martinsville Speedway.
· DID YOU KNOW? Smith has led the Raybestos Rookie standings for 14 Consecutive races dating back to Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway.
· Smith was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the March 30 Goody’s Cool Orange 500 at Martinsville. He has been the top Raybestos Rookie in four of the five short track races this season.
· The best qualifying effort by a Raybestos Rookie on a short track this season is fourth by Regan Smith and Patrick Carpentier.
· DID YOU KNOW? A Raybestos Rookie has qualified inside the top-10 in three of the five short track races this season.
* Juan Pablo Montoya was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2007 TUMS QuikPak 500. Montoya scored an eighth-place finish in the race and led the event once for nine laps. He was the only first-year driver to finish inside the top-10.
* Denny Hamlin was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2006 TUMS QuikPak 500. Hamlin finished second, .544 seconds behind race winner Jimmie Johnson. He owns the best finish by a Raybestos Rookie at Martinsville since Morgan Shepherd won the 1981 Goody’s Cool Orange 500.
* DID YOU KNOW? A Raybestos Rookie has finished in the top-10 in the last THREE CONSECUTIVE fall races at Martinsville
2005: Kyle Busch, ninth
2006: Denny Hamlin, second
2007: Juan Pablo Montoya, eighth
* DID YOU KNOW? Since 1974 only FIVE Raybestos Rookies have scored a top-five finish in TUMS QuikPak 500 at Martinsville:
1974: Earl Ross, FIRST
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 1974):
1974: Earl Ross, FIRST
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 1974 have TWO Raybestos Rookies finished in the top-10 in the TUMS QuikPak 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 1974: Ryan Newman (2002).
* DID YOU KNOW? A Raybestos Rookie has finished on the lead lap in each of the past SEVEN 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
2007: Juan Pablo Montoya, eighth
2007: David Reutimann, 17th
* DID YOU KNOW? The most laps led by a Raybestos Rookie in the TUMS QuikPak 500 (since 1974) is 79 by Earl Ross.
* DID YOU KNOW? The most Raybestos Rookie 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 one for 18 laps.
* Raybestos Rookies that have led a lap in the fall race at Martinsville (since 1974):
1974: Earl Ross (79 laps)
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)
(Camp & Assoc/Raybestos)(10-16-2008)
- News and Notes - Pre-Charlotte, Post-Talladega
· Regan Smith was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the October 5 AMP Energy 500 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway. Smith scored an 18th-place finish and took Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors for the NINTH time in 2008.
· CLOSE POINTS BATTLE: Regan Smith leads Sam Hornish Jr. by FOUR POINTS (190-186) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the October 11 Bank of America 500 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway (Concord, N.C.).
· DID YOU KNOW? Smith has led the Raybestos Rookie standings for 13 CONSECUTIVE RACES dating back to Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway (race #18).
* AJ Allmendinger was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2007 Bank of America 500, scoring a 15th-place finish.
* DID YOU KNOW? Only TWO Raybestos Rookies have scored top-five finishes in the fall race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway since 1975: Ron Bouchard (fifth in 1981) and Jeff Gordon (fifth in 1993).
* DID YOU KNOW? The most Raybestos Rookies to finish inside the top-10 in the Bank of America 500 (since 1975) are THREE in 1980: Lake Speed (seventh), Jody Ridley (eighth) and Kyle Petty (ninth).
* Top-five finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Bank of America 500 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway (since 1975):
1981: Ron Bouchard, fifth
1993: Jeff Gordon, fifth
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Bank of America 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
* Since 1975, only TWO Raybestos Rookies have won pole positions for the fall race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway: Jeff Gordon (1993) and Ward Burton (1994).
* Kasey Kahne holds the record for most laps led by a Raybestos Rookie in the Bank of America 500 (since 1975). Kahne led the 2004 race four times for 207 of the 334 laps.
* The most Raybestos Rookies to lead a lap in the fall race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway are TWO in 1979 and again in 1994. 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 Lowe’s Motor Speedway (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)
(Camp & Assoc/Raybestos)(10-8-2008)
- News and Notes - Pre-Talladega, Post-Kansas
· Patrick Carpentier was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the September 28 Camping World RV 400 at Kansas Speedway. Carpentier scored a 29th-place finish and took Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors for the SEVENTH time in 2008.
· Carpentier was the only Raybestos Rookie to lead a lap in the Kansas race, holding the top spot once for three laps. He became the first Raybestos Rookie to lead a Sprint Cup race since Michael McDowell led once for one lap in the Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (race No. 27). Carpentier has now led 11 laps in three races this season.
· CLOSE POINTS BATTLE: Regan Smith leads Sam Hornish Jr. by THREE POINTS (188-185) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the October 5 AMP Energy 500 at Talladega Superspeedway.
· DID YOU KNOW? Smith has led the Raybestos Rookie standings for 12 CONSECUTIVE RACES dating back to Coke Zero 400 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway (race No. 18).
* Juan Pablo Montoya was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2007 AMP Energy 500, grabbing a 15th-place finish.
* David Reutimann led the 2007 event once for two laps and was the only Raybestos Rookie to lead a lap in the event.
* FOUR Raybestos Rookies led a lap in the 2006 fall race at Talladega, equaling the most freshman drivers to lead a fall race at Talladega. Four Raybestos Rookies also led the 2000 event.
* DID YOU KNOW? The only Raybestos Rookie to win the fall race at Talladega is Ron Bouchard. Bouchard won the 1981 AMP Energy 500 by inches over Darrell Waltrip and Terry Labonte in a photo finish.
* TWO Raybestos Rookies have won the pole for the AMP Energy 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 AMP Energy 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 AMP Energy 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 & Assoc/Raybestos)(10-2-2008)
- News and Notes - Pre-Kansas, Post-Dover
· Michael McDowell was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the September 21 Camping World RV 400 at Dover International Speedway. McDowell scored a 29th-place finish and claimed top rookie honors for the sixth time this season, including twice in the last three races.
· CLOSE POINTS BATTLE: Regan Smith leads Sam Hornish Jr. by THREE POINTS (187-184) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the September 28 Camping World RV 400 at Kansas Speedway.
· DID YOU KNOW? Smith has led the Raybestos Rookie standings for 11 CONSECUTIVE RACES dating back to Coke Zero 400 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway (race No. 18).
* David Ragan was the Raybestos Rookie of the race in the 2007 Camping World RV 400 at Kansas, scoring a 16th-place finish.
* DID YOU KNOW? The best finish by a Raybestos Rookie in seven previous Sprint Cup races at Kansas is second-place by Ryan Newman in 2002 (.618 seconds behind race winner Jeff Gordon). Newman is the only Raybestos Rookie to score a top-five finish at Kansas.
* DID YOU KNOW? Jason Leffler is the only Raybestos Rookie to win a pole in seven races at Kansas Speedway. Leffler took the top starting spot in the 2001 Camping World RV 400.
* DID YOU KNOW? At least one Raybestos Rookie has finished in the top 10 in five of the seven races at Kansas, but only once have TWO or more freshman drivers finished inside the top-10: Ryan Newman (second) and Jimmie Johnson (10th) in 2002.
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies 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 seven previous Sprint Cup races at Kansas:
2001: JasonLeffler (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 & Assoc/Raybestos)(9-23-2008)
- News and Notes - Pre-Dover, Post-New Hampshire
· Regan Smith was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the September 14 SYLVANIA 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Smith scored a 23rd-place finish and grabbed Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors for the eighth time this season.
· CLOSE POINTS BATTLE: Smith leads Sam Hornish Jr. by THREE POINTS (186-183) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the September 21 Camping World RV 400 at Dover (Del.) International Speedway.
· DID YOU KNOW? Smith has led the Raybestos Rookie standings for 10 CONSECUTIVE RACES dating back to Coke Zero 400 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway (race #18).
· Michael McDowell was the only Raybestos Rookie to lead a lap in the SYLVANIA 300 at New Hampshire, holding the top spot once for one lap. McDowell is the first Raybestos Rookie to lead a lap in the fall race at New Hampshire since 2006.
Juan Pablo Montoya was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2007 Camping World RV 400 at Dover, claiming a 10th-place finish.
DID YOU KNOW? At least one Raybestos Rookie has scored a top-10 finish in each of the last two consecutive fall races at Dover.
The 2006 fall race at Dover marked the first time THREE Raybestos Rookies finished in the top-10: Martin Truex Jr. (fourth), Clint Bowyer (eighth) and Denny Hamlin (ninth).
DID YOU KNOW? Jimmie Johnson is the only Raybestos Rookie to sweep both Sprint Cup races at Dover. Johnson won both events in 2002 and led the most laps in each race. Johnson is the only first-year driver to lead the most laps (four times for 170 laps) in the fall race at Dover.
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).
Top-five finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Camping World RV 400 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
2007: Juan Pablo Montoya, 10th
DID YOU KNOW? The most Raybestos Rookies to lead a lap in the fall race at Dover are THREE in 1994.
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)
(Camp & Assoc/Raybestos)(9-18-2008)
- News and Notes - Pre-New Hampshire, Post-Richmond
· Michael McDowell was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the September 7 Chevy Rock & Roll 400 at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway. McDowell scored a 20th-place finish, his best in 18 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races. He grabbed top rookie honors for the fifth time this season.
· CLOSE POINTS BATTLE: Regan Smith leads Sam Hornish Jr. by TWO POINTS (184-182) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the September 14 Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
· DID YOU KNOW? Smith has led the Raybestos Rookie standings since the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway (race No. 18), a span of NINE CONSECUTIVE races.
· DO YOU REMEMBER? Patrick Carpentier won his first career pole position at the LENOX Industrial Tools 301 at New Hampshire this past June (race No. 17). Carpentier is the only freshman driver to win a pole this season in the Sprint Cup Series.
* David Ragan was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2007 Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire, scoring a 19th-place finish
* 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 and 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. He held off Kurt Busch when the race 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 (three times for 143 laps).
* DID YOU KNOW? A Raybestos Rookie has scored a top-10 finish in four of the last six fall races at New Hampshire.
* 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
* 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)(Camp & Assoc/Raybestos)(9-11-2008)
- News and Notes - Pre-Richmond, Post-California
· Patrick Carpentier was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the August 31 Pepsi 500 at Auto Club Speedway (Fontana, Calif.). Carpentier took top rookie honors for the fifth time this season.
· CLOSE POINTS BATTLE: Regan Smith leads Sam Hornish Jr. by ONE POINT (182-81) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the September 6 Chevy Rock & Roll 400 at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway.
· DID YOU KNOW? Smith has led the Raybestos Rookie standings since the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway (race No. 18), a span of EIGHT CONSECUTIVE races.
· DID YOU KNOW? Smith has captured Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors in ALL FOUR NASCAR Sprint Cup Series short track races this season.
· NUGGET OF THE DAY: Since 1958, the Commonwealth of Virginia has produced the most Raybestos Rookie of the Year winners. SEVEN drivers have claimed the prestigious award:
1970: Bill Dennis (Richmond)
1973: Lennie Pond (Petersburg)
1977: Ricky Rudd (Chesapeake)
1978: Ronnie Thomas (Christiansburg)
1992: Jimmy Hensley (Ridgeway)
1994: Jeff Burton (South Boston)
2006: Denny Hamlin (Chesterfield)
· David Ragan was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2007 Chevy Rock & Roll 400, scoring a third-place finish.
* DID YOU KNOW? The only Raybestos Rookie to win the September race at Richmond is Tony Stewart, who captured the 1999 Chevy Rock and Roll 400. Stewart scored his first Sprint Cup Series win by 1.115 seconds over Bobby Labonte.
* Top-five finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Chevy Rock and 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
2007: David Ragan, third
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Chevy Rock and 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
2006: David Ragan, third
* DID YOU KNOW? The most Raybestos Rookies to finish in the top-10 in a fall race at Richmond are THREE in 1979: Earnhardt (fourth), Harry Gant (ninth) and Joe Millikan (10th).
· Raybestos Rookies to win the pole for the September race at Richmond (since 1975):
1979: Dale Earnhardt
1993: Bobby Labonte
2002: Jimmie Johnson
2006: Denny Hamlin
· Denny Hamlin won the pole for the 2006 September race, one of three poles he won during his initial Sprint Cup Series season. He became the fourth Raybestos Rookie since 1975 to win the pole for the fall race at Richmond. The others: Dale Earnhardt (1979), Bobby Labonte (1993) and Jimmie Johnson (2002) are the others.
* DID YOU KNOW? The first time in Sprint Cup’s modern-era that two Raybestos Rookies claimed front row starting positions occurred at the 2002 Chevy Rock and 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, at the 2004 Pocono 500 (Kasey Kahne first and Brian Vickers second).
* 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 at the .75-mile speedway since 1975. Newman led twice for 145 laps.
* Raybestos Rookies that have led a lap in the Chevy Rock and Roll 400 (since 1975):
1979: 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)
2007: Paul Menard (once for one lap)
(Camp & Assoc/Raybestos)(9-4-2008)
- News and Notes - Pre-California, Post-Bristol
· Regan Smith was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the August 23 Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Smith scored a 14th-place finish equaling his best effort in 29 Sprint Cup Series starts. He also finished 14th this season at Martinsville Speedway (race No. 6). Smith claimed Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors for the Seventh time in 2008.
· CLOSE POINTS BATTLE: Regan Smith leads Sam Hornish Jr. by two points (181-179) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the August 31 Pepsi 500 at Auto Club Speedway.
· Did You Know? Smith has led the Raybestos Rookie standings since the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway (race No. 18), a span of seven consecutive races.
· Did You Know? Smith has captured Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors in all four Sprint Cup Series short track races this season.
David Ragan was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2007 Pepsi 500, claiming a 12th-place finish.
Did You Know? A Raybestos Rookie has finished in the top-five in three of the four previous August races at Auto Club Speedway.
Did You Know? Brian Vickers (2004) is the only Raybestos Rookie to win a pole in four previous August races at Auto Club Speedway.
Did You Know? At least one Raybestos Rookie has led a lap in all four August races at Auto Club Speedway.
Kyle Busch became the first Raybestos Rookie to win at Auto Club Speedway when he captured the 2005 Pepsi 500. Busch scored his first Sprint Cup victory by .554 seconds over Greg Biffle and is the only Raybestos Rookie to win in 16 Sprint Cup Series races at the 2.0-mile speedway.
· Did You Know? A Raybestos Rookie has led the most laps in a Sprint Cup Series race twice at Auto Club Speedway: 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 Pepsi 500:
2004: Kasey Kahne, second
2005: Kyle Busch, FIRST
2006: Clint Bowyer, third
Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Pepsi 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 Pepsi 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)
2007: David Reutimann (once for one lap)
(Camp & Assoc/Raybestos)(8-28-2008)
- News and Notes - Pre-Bristol, Post-Michigan
· Sam Hornish Jr. was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the August 17 3M Performance 400 at Michigan International Speedway. Hornish Jr. scored a 22nd-place finish and claimed top rookie honors for the seventh time this season.
· Regan Smith leads Sam Hornish Jr. by just one point (178-177) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the August 23 Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Juan Pablo Montoya was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2007 Sharpie 500, scoring a 17th-place finish.
DID YOU KNOW? The best finish by a Raybestos Rookie in the August 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, who 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. He led once for 225 laps 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 nine Sharpie 500 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)(Camp & Assoc/Raybestos)(8-21-2008)
- News and Notes - Pre-Michigan, Post-Watkins Glen
· Patrick Carpentier was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the August 10 Centurion Boats at The Glen at Watkins Glen International. Carpentier scored a 20th-place finish and claimed top rookie honors for the fourth time in the last five races and for the fifth time this season.
· Regan Smith leads Sam Hornish Jr. by three points (176-173) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the August 17 3M Performance 400 at Michigan International Speedway.
David Ragan was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2007 3M Performance 400 at Michigan, scoring an 18th-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.
DID YOU KNOW? A Raybestos Rookie has finished in the top-10 in seven of the past nine 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
Since 1975, only ONE Raybestos Rookie has won the pole position for the August race at Michigan: Davey Allison in 1987.
The most Raybestos Rookies to lead an August race at Michigan: FOUR in 2004.
DID YOU KNOW? A Raybestos Rookie has led at least one lap in eight of the past nine 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)(Camp & Assoc/Raybestos)(8-13-2008)
- News and Notes - Pre-Watkins Glen, Post-Pocono:
· Michael McDowell was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the August 3 Pennsylvania 500 at Pocono Raceway. McDowell scored a 24th-place finish and grabbed top rookie honors for the fourth time this season.
· Regan Smith leads Sam Hornish Jr. by five points (176-171) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the August 10 Centurion Boats at The Glen at Watkins Glen International.
Paul Menard was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2007 Centurion Boats at The Glen, posting a 19th-place finish.
DID YOU KNOW? The best finish by a Raybestos Rookie at Watkins Glen is second by Ryan Newman in 2002. Only one other Raybestos Rookie has scored a top-five finish at The Glen: Robby Gordon, who placed fourth in 1997.
DID YOU KNOW? The best qualifying effort by a Raybestos Rookie at Watkins Glen is second by Greg Biffle in 2003.
DID YOU KNOW? A Raybestos Rookie has led a lap in four of the past six races at Watkins Glen: 2002: Ryan Newman (twice for 11 laps) 2003: Greg Biffle (once for 23 laps) 2003: Jamie McMurray (once for one lap) 2004: Brendan Gaughan (once for seven laps) 2006: Reed Sorenson (once for two laps)
Greg Biffle holds the record for most laps led by a Raybestos Rookie at Watkins Glen, holding the top spot once for 23 laps in 2003.
DID YOU KNOW? The most Raybestos Rookies to finish inside the top-10 at Watkins Glen THREE in 1993. Bobby Labonte placed seventh followed by P.J. Jones (eighth) and Kenny Wallace (ninth).
TWO or more Raybestos Rookies have led the same race at The Glen only twice: In 1991, Ted Musgrave led once for one lap while Dorsey Schroeder led once for three laps. In 2003, Biffle (once for 23 laps) and McMurray (once for one lap) each led the race.
Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies at Watkins Glen:
1993: Bobby Labonte, seventh
1993: P.J. Jones, eighth
1993: Kenny Wallace, seventh
1994: Joe Nemechek, eighth
1995: Ricky Craven, 10th
1997: Robby Gordon, fourth
1999: Tony Stewart, sixth
2000: Matt Kenseth, 10th
2001: Kevin Harvick, seventh
2002: Ryan Newman, second
2006: Denny Hamlin, 10th
(Camp & Assoc/Raybestos)(8-7-2008)
- News and Notes - Pre-Pocono, Post-Indianapolis:
· Patrick Carpentier was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the July 27 Allstate 400 at The Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Carpentier logged an 18th-place finish and took top rookie honors for the third consecutive race and for the fourth time this season.
· Regan Smith and Michael McDowell both led the 2008 Allstate 400 at The Brickyard. Smith and McDowell each led once for one lap. Two or more Raybestos Rookies have led a lap just twice in 15 races at Indianapolis (2001 was the other).
· Regan Smith leads Sam Hornish Jr. by four points (173-169) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the August 3 Pennsylvania 500 at Pocono Raceway.
Juan Pablo Montoya was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2007 Pennsylvania 500, scoring a 16th-place finish.
DID YOU KNOW? The 1994 Pennsylvania 500 had THREE Raybestos Rookies finish in the top-five, the best performance by a rookie class in 61 previous NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Pocono: Ward Burton (second), Joe Nemechek (third) and Jeff Burton (fourth).[all were on Hoosier Tires during the 2nd 'tire war' as was race winner Geoff Bodine]
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)
CLEAN SWEEP: Denny Hamlin won both races at Pocono Raceway in 2006. He became the first Raybestos Rookie to sweep both races at the 2.5-mile track since the facility began hosting two Sprint Cup Series races in 1982. Hamlin also won both poles at Pocono in 2006 and is the only Raybestos Rookie to accomplish the feat since 1982.(Camp & Assoc/Raybestos)(7-31-2008)
- Rookie class not faring too well in 2008: The Raybestos Rookie of the Year candidates have had a rought season, accumulating ZERO (0) Top 10 finishes in 2008 (#8-Aric Almirola has a Top 10 from Bristol, but he is not a candidate and not running for the award in 2008 and will have too many races to run for the award in 2009). No rookie class in the modern era (1972-present) has gone this deep into a season without a single Top 10 finish. In fact, you need to go all the way back to 1961 – when the schedule stretched 62 races deep – for the last time all the ROTY candidates were shut out of the Top 10 nineteen races in. So far in 2008, the best finish by any of
the five drivers running for the award is a 13th place by Sam Hornish, Jr. at the Coca-Cola 600 in May. And in case you're wondering, at Chicagoland the best run any of the first year drivers could muster was a 30th by #10-Patrick Carpentier.(Frontstretch Newsletter)(7-15-2008)
- News and Notes - Pre-Indianpolis, Post-Chicago:
· Patrick Carpentier was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the July 12 LifeLock.com 400 at Chicagoland Speedway. Carpentier took top rookie honors for the second consecutive race and for the third time this season. He was credited with a 30th-place finish.
· Regan Smith leads Sam Hornish Jr. by six points (171-165) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the July 27 Allstate 400 at The Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Juan Pablo Montoya was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2007 Brickyard 400, scoring a second-place finish 2.982 seconds behind Tony Stewart. Montoya’s second-place finish is the best by a Raybestos Rookie in 14 previous NASCAR races at Indianapolis.
DID YOU KNOW? A Raybestos Rookie has finished in the top-10 in each of the past nine consecutive Sprint Cup races at Indianapolis.
DID YOU KNOW? Two or more Raybestos Rookies have finished in the top-10 twice in 14 previous races: 2002: Ryan Newman, fourth 2002: Jimmie Johnson, ninth 2006: Clint Bowyer, fourth 2006: Denny Hamlin, 10th
The best starting position by a Raybestos Rookie at Indianapolis is second by Montoya (2007) and Clint Bowyer (2006).
DID YOU KNOW? Only Twice in 14 previous races at Indianapolis have Two or more Raybestos Rookie 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.
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
2007: Juan Pablo Montoya, second
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
2007: Juan Pablo Montoya, second
Raybestos Rookies that have led a lap in the Brickyard 400 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)
(Camp & Assoc/Raybestos)(7-24-2008)
- News and Notes - Pre-Chicago, Post-Daytona:
· Patrick Carpentier was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the July 5 Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway. Carpentier scored a 14th-place finish, his best in 18 Sprint Cup Series races, and took Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors for the second time this season.
· DID YOU KNOW? For the second consecutive race, Two Raybestos Rookies qualified in the top-10. Regan Smith started eighth in the Coke Zero 400 while Carpentier grabbed the 10th-place starting position. Carpentier won the pole for the June 29 LENOX Industrial Tools 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (race No. 17) while Dario Franchitti claimed the seventh-place starting position.
· Regan Smith leads Sam Hornish Jr. by three points (167-164) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the July 12 LifeLock.com 400 at Chicagoland Speedway.
Juan Pablo Montoya was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2007 LifeLock.com 400, scoring a 15th-place finish.
DID YOU KNOW? Kevin Harvick is the only Raybestos Rookie to win in seven Sprint Cup races at Chicagoland. He won the 2001 LifeLock.com 400 by .649 seconds over Robert Pressley. He is also the only Raybestos Rookie to lead the most laps in a race at Chicagoland, leading the 2001 event five times for 113 laps.
Two more Raybestos Rookies have finished inside the top-five just once in seven Sprint Cup races at Chicagoland: Jimmie Johnson (fourth) and Ryan Newman (fifth) in 2002.
DID YOU KNOW? The record number for Raybestos Rookies to finish inside the top-10 at Chicagoland is THREE in 2006: Reed Sorenson (seventh), Clint Bowyer (ninth) and J.J. Yeley (10th).
TWO or more Raybestos Rookies have finished in the top-10 in three of the seven 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 five of the seven Sprint Cup 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)(7-10-2008)
- News and Notes - Pre-Daytona, Post-New Hampshire:
· Regan Smith was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the June 29 Lenox Industrial Tools 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Smith scored a 27th-place finish and claimed Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors for the sixth time in 2008.
· Patrick Carpentier won his first Sprint Cup Series pole position at New Hampshire and it came in his 17th career start. He became the first Raybestos Rookie to win a pole since Denny Hamlin grabbed the top starting position at the 2006 Chevy Rock & Roll 400 at Richmond International Racewa, a span of 62 races.
· Carpentier was also the only Raybestos Rookie to lead a lap at New Hampshire, holding the top spot once for four laps. He also led once for four laps at Darlington Raceway (race No. 11).
· Sam Hornish Jr. leads Smith by five points (162-157) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the July 5 Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway.
David Ragan was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2007 Coke Zero 400, scoring a 12th-place finish.
DID YOU KNOW? Greg Biffle is the only Raybestos Rookie to win the Coke Zero 400. Biffle won the race in 2003, scoring his first career win in the Sprint 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? Three Raybestos Rookies led the 2006 Coke Zero 400, the most rookies to ever lead the summer race at Daytona.
---Martin Truex, Jr. (once for three laps)
---David Stremme (twice for two laps)
---Reed Sorenson (once for one lap)
DID YOU KNOW? Since 1975, only three Raybestos Rookies have scored a top-five finish in the Coke Zero 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 Coke Zero 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 Coke Zero 400 (twice for 32 laps in 1987).
Raybestos Rookies that have led at least one lap in the Coke Zero 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)
2006: Martin Truex, Jr. (once for three laps)
2006: David Stremme (twice for two laps)
2006: Reed Sorenson (once for one lap)
Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Coke Zero 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)(7-3-2008)
- News and Notes - Pre-New Hampshire, Post-Sonoma:
· Michael McDowell was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the June 22 Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway (Sonoma, Calif.). McDowell scored a career-best 21st-place finish in his 11th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start. He claimed top rookie honors for the second time in the last three races and for the third time this season. For his efforts in the race, McDowell won a unique trophy from Raybestos Brand Brakes, a piece that featured a mounted replica wine bottle and barrel.
· Sam Hornish Jr. holds an eight-point lead (154-146) over Regan Smith in the Raybestos Rookie of the Year Standings entering the June 29 LENOX Industrial Tools 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
David Ragan was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2007 Lenox Industrial Tools 301 at New Hampshire, scoring a 15th-place finish.
DID YOU KNOW? Only two Raybestos Rookies have scored top-five finishes in 15 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 nine of 15 July races at New Hampshire including six of the last seven.
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 New England 300.
DID YOU KNOW? 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.
DID YOU KNOW? Two or more Raybestos Rookies have finished in the top-10 just once 15 summer Sprint Cup races at New Hampshire. In 1993, Gordon finished seventh while Bobby Labonte placed 10th.
Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the LENOX Industrial Tools 301:
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
2006: Denny Hamlin, sixth
Raybestos Rookies who have led a lap in the LENOX Industrial Tools 301:
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 (once for 31 laps)
2006: Clint Bowyer (once for 23 laps)
2006: Denny Hamlin (once for one lap)
(Camp & Assoc/Raybestos)(6-26-2008)
- News and Notes - Pre-Sonoma, Post-Michigan:
· #77-Sam Hornish Jr. was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the June 15 LifeLock 400 at Michigan International Speedway, scoring a 22nd-place finish. Hornish Jr. claimed top rookie honors for the sixth time this season and for the third time in the last four races. He led the race twice for two laps, the first time he has led in 17 career Sprint Cup Series starts.
· #01-Regan Smith holds a one-point lead (146-145) over Hornish Jr. in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the June 22 Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway.
Raybestos Rookie Juan Pablo Montoya won the 2007 Toyota/Save Mart 350. Montoya scored the first victory of his Sprint Cup Series career in the race crossing the finish line 4.097 seconds ahead of second-place Kevin Harvick.
DID YOU KNOW? Only two Raybestos Rookies have led a lap in 19 Sprint Cup races at Infineon Raceway: Montoya (once for seven laps) and Scott Pruett (twice for 10 laps in 2000).
Montoya is the only Raybestos Rookie winner in 19 previous Sprint Cup race at Infineon Raceway and is also the only freshman driver to score a top-five finish.
Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies at Infineon Raceway (19 races):
1998: Kenny Irwin, ninth
2002: Ryan Newman, ninth
2006: Juan Pablo Montoya, FIRST
The best start by a Raybestos Rookie at Infineon Raceway is second, shared by Jerry Nadeau (1998) and Tony Stewart (1999).(Camp & Assoc/Raybestos)(6-19-2008)
- News and Notes - Pre-Michigan, Post-Pocono:
· Michael McDowell was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the June 8 Pocono 500 at Pocono Raceway. McDowell logged a 27th-place finish and took top rookie honors for the second time in the last four NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.
· Regan Smith holds a three-point lead (137-134) over Sam Hornish Jr. in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the June 15 LifeLock 400 at Michigan International Speedway.
· Smith started fourth at Pocono, his best qualifying effort in Sprint Cup Series races and equaled the best qualifying run by a Raybestos Rookie in 14 races this season (Patrick Carpentier started fourth in the May race at Richmond).
· Three Raybestos Rookies have guaranteed starting positions at Michigan: Smith, McDowell and Hornish Jr. Dario Franchitti and Patrick Carpentier must qualify for the race on speed.
Paul Menard was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2007 LifeLock 400, posting a 12th-place finish. Menard also led the race once for one lap.
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 three of the last four consecutive June races at Michigan.
DID YOU KNOW? Only twice since 1975 have TWO or more Raybestos Rookies 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 LifeLock 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)
2007: Paul Menard (once for one lap)
DID YOU KNOW? The only Raybestos Rookie to win a pole in 39 previous LifeLock 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/Raybestos)(6-12-2008)
- News and Notes - Pre-Pocono, Post-Dover:
· Sam Hornish Jr. was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the June 1 Best Buy 400 at Dover International Speedway. Hornish Jr. scored an 18th-place finish and claimed top rookie honors for the fifth time in 13 races this season.
· Michael McDowell led the Dover race once for one lap, the first time he has led in eight NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts. Other Raybestos Rookies that have led a lap this season: Patrick Carpentier (four), Dario Franchitti (1) and Regan Smith (1).
· Hornish Jr. and Regan Smith are tied for the lead (127-127) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the June 8 Pocono 500 at Pocono Raceway. This is the FOURTH tie for the lead in the overall Raybestos Rookie standings this season.
· Three Raybestos Rookies have guaranteed starting positions at Pocono: Smith, Hornish Jr. and McDowell. Franchitti and Carpentier must qualify on speed.
· WELCOME BACK DARIO! Franchitti will be attempting to make his first Sprint Cup Series start since April 12 at Phoenix International Raceway. Franchitti has been sidelined since he fractured his left foot in an accident April 26 in a Nationwide Series race at Talladega Superspeedway.
Juan Pablo Montoya was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2007 Pocono 500, scoring a 20th-place finish.
DID YOU KNOW? The only Raybestos Rookie to win the Pocono 500 (26 races) is Denny Hamlin. Hamlin won the 2006 race 1.328 seconds over second-place Kurt Busch and became just the third Raybestos Rookie to score a top-five finish in the June race at Pocono. He also became the first Raybestos Rookie to lead the most laps (six times for 83 laps) and is one of just six rookies to lead a lap in the June race at Pocono (since 1989).
DID YOU KNOW? Two Raybestos Rookies have won pole positions for the June race at Pocono: Hamlin and Kasey Kahne, who captured the top starting position for the 2004 race.
Raybestos Rookies Kasey Kahne and Brian Vickers made history during time trials for the 2004 Pocono 500. Kahne won the pole while Brian Vickers grabbed the second-place starting position. The 2004 event is the only time in the track’s history that TWO Raybestos Rookies have 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-five finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the June race at Pocono (since 1975):
2002: Jimmie Johnson, third
2005: Kyle Busch, fourth
2006: Denny Hamlin, FIRST
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/Raybestos)(6-3-2008)
- News and Notes - Pre-Dover, Post-Charlotte:
· Sam Hornish Jr. was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the May 25 Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Hornish Jr. scored a 13th-place finish, his best in 14 Sprint Cup Series starts and claimed Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors for the fourth time in 12 races this season.
· Regan Smith leads Hornish Jr. by one point (117-116) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the June 1 Best Buy 400 at Dover International Speedway.
David Ragan was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2007 Best Buy 400, scoring a 14th-place finish.
DID YOU KNOW? At least one Raybestos Rookie has finished in the top-five in four of the past six spring races at Dover.
DID YOU KNOW? Only two Raybestos Rookies have won the spring race at Dover: Jimmie Johnson (2002) and Davey Allison (1987).
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 Best Buy 400 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).
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
(Camp and Assoc/Raybestos)(5-29-2008)
- News and Notes - Pre-Charlotte, Post-Darlington:
· Michael McDowell was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the May 10 Dodge Challenger 500 at Darlington Raceway. McDowell scored a 28th-place finish and captured top rookie honors for the first time this season. Patrick Carpentier led the race at Darlington twice for four laps and was the only rookie driver to lead a lap in the event. Carpentier became the first driver to lead at Darlington since Kasey Kahne in 2004.
· Smith leads the Raybestos Rookie standings by two points (107-105) over Sam Hornish Jr. entering the May 25 Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway (Concord, N.C.).
Juan Pablo Montoya was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2007 Coca-Cola 600, scoring a 28th-place finish.
DID YOU KNOW? Two or more Raybestos Rookies have finished in the top-10 in the Coca-Cola 600 just four times since 1975:
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)
2006: Denny Hamlin (ninth) and Reed Sorenson (10th)
DID YOU KNOW? Matt Kenseth is the only Raybestos Rookie to win the Coca-Cola 600. Kenseth captured the 2000 race by .573-seconds over Bobby Labonte.
DID YOU KNOW? Jimmie Johnson is the only Raybestos Rookie to win the pole in 48 previous Coca-Cola 600 races. 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 eight of the past nine Coca-Cola 600 races:
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)
Top-five finishes by Raybestos Rookies 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
(Camp and Assoc/Raybestos)(5-21-2008)
- News and Notes - Pre-All-Star Race:
· No Raybestos Rookie points will be awarded in either the Sprint All-Star or Sprint Showdown races. Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2000) and Ryan Newman (2002) are the only Raybestos Rookies to win the Sprint All-Star race.
· Tony Stewart was the first Raybestos Rookie to score a top-five finish in the Sprint All-Star race. 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 Sprint All-Star race. Burton finished sixth in 1994 driving the Raybestos-sponsored Ford for Stavola Brothers Racing.
· Three Raybestos Rookies have won the pole for the Sprint Showdown: Brett Bodine (1987), Jeff Gordon (1993), and Joe Nemechek (1994).
· No Raybestos Rookie is currently eligible for the 2008 Sprint All-Star race.
· DID YOU KNOW? TWO or more Raybestos Rookies have competed in the Sprint All-Star race 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 Sprint All-Star race 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 Sprint All-Star race was Davey Allison in 1987. Allison started third and finished 12th, completing 134 of the 135 laps.
· At least one Raybestos Rookie has qualified for nine of the 23 Sprint All-Star races.
· Raybestos Rookies in the Sprint All-Star Race:
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
(Camp & Assoc/Raybestoes PR)(5-15-2008)
- 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)
