Logano named 2009 Rookie of the Year:
* Logano scored a 24th-place finish and was the top rookie in tonight’s Ford 400. He claimed Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors 26 times in 36 races this season.
* Logano scored his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victory in at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (race No. 17). He finished the season with one win, three top-fives and seven top-10 finishes.
* DID YOU KNOW? At 19 years of age, Logano is the youngest driver to win Raybestos Rookie of the Year in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
* Logano and the #20 team use the Raybestos Sprint Cup braking system. The ultra-lightweight aluminum alloy six-piston calipers are the stiffest and lightest calipers available in all of NASCAR.
* DID YOU KNOW? The year-end payout for 2009 Raybestos Rookie of the Year in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series is $75,000, the same amount Darrell Waltrip earned from R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company for his 1982 Cup series championship. Logano will earn a grand total of $114,500 from Raybestos brand Brakes for his efforts in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series this season.
* Logano is the THIRD driver from Joe Gibbs Racing to win Raybestos Rookie of the Year, joining Tony Stewart (1999) and Denny Hamlin (2006).
JOEY LOGANO, #20 THE HOME DEPOT TOYOTA: TODAY MIGHT HAVE BEEN THE HARDEST DAY’S WORK YOU’VE DONE ALL YEAR. “We got up to 13th and realistically that’s about where we should have been, you know, if we didn’t qualify so bad. Somehow the end plate on the wing got knocked off somehow, during a pit stop or what happened but had to come in and lost track position. And if you look at it, I mean, everyone ran the same lap times all night, you know. It’s hard to pass people. You can get a couple on the start but if you can’t get on the start you’re just junk and that’s where you run the whole run. It’s hard to make up spots on the racetrack ‘cause everyone ran the same speed.”
YOU OFICIALLY CLINCHED RAYBESTOS ROOKIE OF THE YEAR TONIGHT. “All right, cool. That’s cool. That was one of our big goals this year. It’s pretty neat to win Raybestos Rookie of the Year. I appreciate that.”
“It’s really cool to get the Raybestos Rookie of the Year. It’s obviously one of our big goals. I’ve got to thank The Home Depot for sticking behind me throughout the year. We had a real rough start and finished 20th in the points, I guess is okay. In the beginning of the season if you had told me that’s where we were going to finish I’d have been ecstatic about it but now you always want better. It seemed like tonight we weren’t real good. We started plugging away to the front, we got to about 13th and the car wasn’t that bad and on our pit stop somehow the end plate on the wing got hit and knocked off. Had to come back in and replace that and go back out back in the pack and try to plug along. It was tough, after about five or six laps most everyone ran about the same lap times so it was hard to make your way back to the front. But we did what we had to do tonight. I just want to thank all my guys for sticking with me through the year.”
YOU GOT OFF TO A LITTLE BIT OF A ROCKY START AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SEASON. “It was tough at times believe me. You know the media wasn’t saying the greatest things but if anything it’s more motivating. You really want to keep pushing it and become a better race car driver. I was getting a little self confidence out of Nationwide car which was helping me there and just kept pushing it and trying to learn these race cars as much as I can. By no means I’m not there yet but I feel like we made big steps. The second part is figure out how you want them to drive, what part of the corner you want to work on, you know, what do you need to make these things go fast. Hopefully through the offseason here we can test a little bit and get some more seat time in these things and come better next year.”
FIVE YEARS AGO AT MARK MARTIN’S FIRST RETIREMENT LUNCH AT HIS SHOP, HE SAID THAT HE WOULD HIRE YOU TOMORROW TO RACE A CUP CAR. DID YOU THINK BACK THEN THAT YOU’D BE SITTING HERE AS RAYBESTOS ROOKIE OF THE YEAR? “No, I don’t look that far ahead. I think that’s kind of the big deal. I’ve always been a day by day person and always worry about the next thing as it comes. I’ve never been the person to look two races ahead. It’s always the next one. At the time I thought that was awesome. To be honest that’s something that got me to this point if it wasn’t for him saying stuff like that to get me a ride like this. It was a real big deal in my career.”(Camp & Assoc./Raybestos)(11-23-2009)
Raybestos Rookie News and Notes - Pre-Homestead; Post-Phoenix:
* Joey Logano was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the November 15 Checker O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix (Avondale, Ariz.) International Raceway. Logano posted a 21st-place finish and took top rookie honors for the 25th time this season.
* Logano leads Speed by 36 points (238-202) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the November 22 Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
* Regan Smith was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2008 Ford 400, scoring a 34th-place finish.
* DID YOU KNOW? Tony Stewart is the only Raybestos Rookie to win in 10 previous NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races 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 10 previous races at Homestead are 52 by Casey Atwood in 2001.
* DID YOU KNOW? The only Raybestos Rookie to win a pole in 10 previous races at Homestead is Jamie McMurray. McMurray won his first-career pole at the 2003 Ford 400 on the way to claiming Raybestos Rookie of the Year honors. McMurray claimed a ninth-place finish in the race, his 13th top-10 finish of the 2003 season.
* The most Raybestos Rookies to finish inside the top-10 at Homestead are THREE in 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 Johnson (once for 27 laps)
2006: Martin Truex Jr. (once for 27 laps)
2007: David Ragan (once for one lap)
(Camp & Assoc./Raybestos)(11-19-2009)
Raybestos Rookie News and Notes - Pre-Phoenix; Post-Texas
* #82-Scott Speed was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the November 8 Dickies 500 at Texas Motor Speedway. Speed posted an 18th-place finish and took top rookie honor for the eighth time this season.
* #20-Joey Logano leads Speed by 36 points (237-201) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the November 15 Checker O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway
· Regan Smith was the top Raybestos Rookie in the 2008 Checker O’Reilly Auto Parts 500, scoring a 23rd-place finish.
* DID YOU KNOW? Kyle Busch and Tony Stewart are the only Raybestos Rookies to win at Phoenix in 26 NASCAR Sprint Cup races. Stewart won from the pole in 1999, beating Mark Martin to the checkered flag by 2.081 seconds. Busch captured the 2005 event by .609 seconds over Greg Biffle.
* DID YOU KNOW? FOUR Raybestos Rookies have scored top-five finishes in 26 races at Phoenix:
1999: Tony Stewart, FIRST
2004: Kasey Kahne, fifth
2005: Kyle Busch, FIRST (fall)
2006: Clint Bowyer, fifth (fall)
2006: Denny Hamlin, third (fall)
* DID YOU KNOW? Stewart is the only Raybestos Rookie to lead the most laps in a race at Phoenix. He led the 1999 race three times for 150 of the event’s 312 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 Checker O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix:
1989: Dick Trickle, seventh
1989: Jimmy Spencer, 10th
1993: Bobby Labonte, eighth
1999: Tony Stewart, FIRST
2000: Dave Blaney, eighth
2004: Kasey Kahne, fifth
2005: Kyle Busch, FIRST
2006: Denny Hamlin, third
* Raybestos Rookies that have led a lap in the fall race at Phoenix:
1991: Stanley Smith (once for 12 laps)
1991: Bobby Hamilton (once for one lap)
1993: Jeff Gordon (led once for 48 laps)
1993: Bobby Labonte (once for two laps)
1995: Ricky Craven (once for one lap)
1999: Tony Stewart (three times for 150 laps)
2001: Casey Atwood (twice for 71 laps)
2002: Ryan Newman (three times for 14 laps)
2002: Jimmie Johnson (once for one lap)
2005: Kyle Busch (three times for 63 laps)
(Camp & Assoc./Raybestos)(11-11-2009)
Raybestos Rookie News and Notes - Pre-Texas; Post-Talladega
* Joey Logano was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the November 1 AMP Energy 500 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway. Logano scored a third-place finish, his third top-five and seventh top-10 of the season. He claimed top rookie honors for the fourth consecutive race and for the 24th time in 2009. Logano scored top-10 finishes on BOTH Talladega races this season (he finished ninth in the Aaron’s 499 in April). He is the first driver to score a top-five in the AMP Energy 500 since Martin Truex Jr. placed fifth in 2006 and is just the seventh driver to score a top-five in the fall race at Talladega since 1975.
* Logano leads Scott Speed by 37 points (236-199) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the November 8 Dickies 500 at Texas Motor Speedway.
* Sam Hornish Jr. was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2008 Dickies 500 at Texas, scoring a 23rd-place finish.
* The best finish by a Raybestos Rookie in four fall races at Texas is fifth-place by Clint Bowyer in 2006. Bowyer is the only Raybestos Rookie to score a top-five in four 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 17 races at Texas has a Raybestos Rookie won the race. Dale Earnhardt Jr. scored his first career NASCAR 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 17 Sprint Cup Series races at Texas.
* The best start by a Raybestos Rookie in 17 races at Texas is third by Kasey Kahne (2004 spring) and Juan Pablo Montoya (2007 fall race).
* The best start by a Raybestos Rookie in four fall races at Texas is third by Juan Pablo Montoya in 2007.
* 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)(11-5-2009)
Raybestos Rookie News and Notes - Pre-Talladega; Post-Martinsville
* Joey Logano was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the October 26 TUMS Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway. Logano scored a 12th-place finish and grabbed top rookie honors for the third consecutive race and for the 23rd time this season.
* Logano leads Scott Speed by 29 points (227-198) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the November 1 AMP Energy 500 at Talladega Superspeedway.
* All three members of the 2009 Raybestos Rookie class have scored at least one top-10 finish.
* Regan Smith was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2008 AMP Energy 500, posting an 18th-place finish.
* The most Raybestos Rookies to lead a lap in the fall race at Talladega are FOUR (2006 and 2000).
* DID YOU KNOW? The only Raybestos Rookie to win the AMP Energy 500 is Ron Bouchard. Bouchard won the 1981 Talladega 500 by inches over Darrell Waltrip and Terry Labonte in a photo finish.
* TWO Raybestos Rookies have won the pole for the AMP Energy 500 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 AMP Energy 500. 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 fall race 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)(10-27-2009)
Raybestos Rookie News and Notes - Pre-Martinsville; Post-Lowe's Motor Speedway
* Joey Logano was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the October 17 NASCAR Banking 500 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Logano scored a fifth-place finish, his second top-five and sixth top-10 finish this season and grabbed top rookie honors for the 22nd time this season. He is just the third Raybestos Rookie to finish in the top-five in the fall race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. The others were Ron Bouchard (fifth in 1981) and Jeff Gordon (fifth in 1993). Logano is the first Raybestos Rookie to score a top-10 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway since Jamie McMurray placed seventh in 2003.
* Logano leads Scott Speed by 29 points (226-197) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the October 25 TUMS Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway.
* All three members of the 2009 Raybestos Rookie class have scored at least one top-10 finish.
* Sam Hornish Jr. was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2008 TUMS Fast Relief 500. Hornish Jr. was credited with a 34th-place finish.
* DID YOU KNOW? Since 1974 only two Raybestos Rookies have won at Martinsville: Earl Ross (1974 fall race) and Morgan Shepherd (1981 spring race).
* Only one Raybestos Rookie has won a pole for the fall race at Martinsville (since 1975): Ryan Newman in 2002.
* Denny Hamlin owns the best finish by a Raybestos Rookie at Martinsville since Morgan Shepherd won the 1981 spring race. Hamlin finished second in the 2006 fall race, .544 seconds behind race winner Jimmie Johnson.
* DID YOU KNOW? A Raybestos Rookie has finished in the top-10 in three of the past four 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 Fast Relief 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 TUMS Fast Relief 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
* Only once since 1975 have TWO Raybestos Rookies finished in the top-10 in the fall race at Martinsville. In 1979, Joe Millikan finished third while Terry Labonte placed ninth.
* The most laps led by a Raybestos Rookie in the TUMS Fast Relief 500 (since 1974) is 79 by Earl Ross in 1974.
* The most Raybestos Rookie to lead a lap in the fall race at Martinsville: TWO in 1981. Tim Richmond led twice for 14 laps while Morgan Shepherd led once for 18 laps.
* Raybestos Rookies that have led a lap in the fall race at Martinsville (since 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)(10-22-2009)
Raybestos Rookie News and Notes - Pre-Lowe's; Post-Auto Club
* Joey Logano was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the October 11 Pepsi 500 at Auto Club Speedway. Logano posted a 14th-place finish and took top rookie honors for the 21st time this season.
* Logano leads Scott Speed by 23 points (219-196) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the October 17 NASCAR Banking 500 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway.
* DID YOU KNOW? All three members of the 2009 Raybestos Rookie class have scored at least one top-10 finish.
* Sam Hornish Jr. was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2008 NASCAR Banking 500, scoring a 22nd-place finish.
* Kasey Kahne holds the record for most laps led by a Raybestos Rookie in the NASCAR Banking 500 (since 1975). Kahne led the 2004 race four times for 207 of the 334 laps.
* Since 1975, only TWO Raybestos Rookies have won pole positions for the fall race at Charlotte: Jeff Gordon (1993) and Ward Burton (1994).
* DID YOU KNOW? Since 1975, only TWO Raybestos Rookies have scored a top-five finish in the fall race at Charlotte: Ron Bouchard (fifth in 1981) and Jeff Gordon (fifth in 1993).
* DID YOU KNOW? Since 1975, the most Raybestos Rookies to finish inside the top-10 in the NASCAR Banking 500: THREE in 1980: Lake Speed (seventh), Jody Ridley (eighth) and Kyle Petty (ninth).
* DID YOU KNOW? The most Raybestos Rookies to lead a lap in the fall race at Charlotte are TWO. In 1994, John Andretti led twice for 30 laps and Ward Burton led once for one lap. In 1979, Dale Earnhardt led three times for 55 laps while Harry Gant held the top spot once covering seven laps.
* Raybestos Rookies that have led a lap in the fall race at Charlotte (since 1975):
1979: Dale Earnhardt (three times for 55 laps)
1979: Harry Gant (once for seven laps)
1982: Geoffrey Bodine (once for 5 laps)
1983: Trevor Boys (once for two laps)
1986: Alan Kulwicki (twice for six laps)
1993: Jeff Gordon (once for one lap)
1994: Ward Burton (once for 29 laps)
1994: John Andretti (twice for 30 laps)
2000: Matt Kenseth ((once for one lap)
2002: Jimmie Johnson (three times for 66 laps)
2003: Jamie McMurray (once for one lap)
2004: Kasey Kahne (four times for 207 laps)
2006: Clint Bowyer (once for one lap)
* Top-five finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the NASCAR Banking 500 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway (since 1975):
1981: Ron Bouchard, fifth
1993: Jeff Gordon, fifth
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the NASCAR Banking 500 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway (since 1975):
1977: Janet Guthrie, seventh
1979: Harry Gant, seventh
1979: Dale Earnhardt, 10th
1980: Lake Speed, seventh
1980: Jody Ridley, eighth
1980: Kyle Petty, ninth
1981: Ron Bouchard, fifth
1981: Morgan Shepherd, eighth
1993: Jeff Gordon, fifth
1998: Kevin Lepage, sixth
2000: Matt Kenseth, ninth
2001: Kevin Harvick, eighth
2002: Jimmie Johnson, sixth
2002: Ryan Newman, seventh
2003: Jamie McMurray, seventh
(Camp & Assoc./Raybestos)(10-13-2009)
Raybestos Rookie News and Notes - Pre-Auto Club; Post-Kansas
* Scott Speed was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the October 4 Price Chopper 400 at Kansas Speedway. Speed scored a 27th-place finish and took top rookie honors for the seventh time this season and for the second consecutive race.
* Joey Logano leads Scott Speed by 23 points (218-195) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the October 11 Pepsi 500 at Auto Club Speedway.
* DID YOU KNOW? All three members of the 2009 Raybestos Rookie class have scored at least one top-10 finish.
* Patrick Carpentier was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2008 Pepsi 500, claiming an 18th-place finish.
* DID YOU KNOW? A Raybestos Rookie has finished in the top-five in three of the five previous fall races at Auto Club Speedway.
* DID YOU KNOW? Brian Vickers (2004) is the only Raybestos Rookie to win a pole in five previous fall races at Auto Club Speedway.
* DID YOU KNOW? At least one Raybestos Rookie has led a lap in four of the five fall 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 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victory by .554 seconds over Greg Biffle. He is the only Raybestos Rookie to win in 17 races at the 2.0-mile speedway.
· DID YOU KNOW? A Raybestos Rookie has led the most laps in a NASCAR 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)(10-6-2009)
Raybestos Rookie News and Notes - Pre-Kansas; Post-Dover
* Scott Speed was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the September 27 AAA 400 at Dover International Speedway. Speed scored a 25th-place finish and took top rookie honors for the sixth time this season.
* Joey Logano leads Scott Speed by 24 points (217-193) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the October 4 Price Chopper 400 at Kansas Speedway.
* DID YOU KNOW? All three members of the 2009 Raybestos Rookie class have scored at least one top-10 finish.
* Patrick Carpentier was the Raybestos Rookie of the race in the 2008 Price Chopper 400, scoring a 29th-place finish. Carpentier was the only first-year driver to lead the race, holding the top spot once for three laps.
* DID YOU KNOW? The best finish by a Raybestos Rookie in eight previous NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Kansas is second by Ryan Newman in 2002. Newman finished .618 seconds behind race winner Jeff Gordon and is the only Raybestos Rookie to finish inside the top-five at Kansas Speedway.
* DID YOU KNOW? Jason Leffler is the only Raybestos Rookie to win a pole in eight races at Kansas Speedway. Leffler took the top starting spot in the race in the inaugural Price Chopper 400 in 2001.
* DID YOU KNOW? At least one Raybestos Rookie has finished in the top 10 in five of the eight races at Kansas, but only once have TWO or more freshman drivers finished inside the top-10: Newman and Jimmie Johnson (10th) in 2002.
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Price Chopper 400:
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 eight previous NASCAR 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)
2008: Patrick Carpentier (once for three laps)
(Camp & Assoc./Raybestos)(9-30-2009)
Raybestos Rookie News and Notes - Pre-Dover; Post-New Hampshire
• #20-Joey Logano was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the September 19 Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Logano posted a 21st-place finish and grabbed top rookie honors for the 20th time this season.
• Joey Logano leads #82-Scott Speed by 25 points (216-191) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the September 27 AAA 400 at Dover International Speedway.
• DID YOU KNOW? All three members of the 2009 Raybestos Rookie class have scored at least one top-10 finish.
• Michael McDowell was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2008 AAA 400 at Dover, claiming a 29th-place finish.
• 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. He is the only first-year driver to lead the most laps (four times for 170 laps) in the fall race at Dover.
• The 2006 AAA 400 at Dover marked the first time THREE Raybestos Rookies finished in the top-10 in the fall race at Dover: Martin Truex Jr. (fourth), Clint Bowyer (eighth) and Denny Hamlin (ninth).
• DID YOU KNOW? The best qualifying effort by a Raybestos Rookie for the fall race at Dover is third: Tony Stewart (1999), Brian Vickers (2004) and Kyle Busch (2005).
• DID YOU KNOW? The most Raybestos Rookies to lead a lap in the fall race at Dover: THREE in 1994.
• Top-five finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the fall race at Dover (since 1975):
1975: Bruce Hill, fifth
1979: Joe Millikan, fifth
1981: Ron Bouchard, fourth
1982: Geoffrey Bodine, fourth
1999: Tony Stewart, second
2002: Jimmie Johnson, FIRST
2005: Kyle Busch, second
• Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the fall race at Dover (since 1975):
1975: Bruce Hill, fifth
1977: Sam Sommers, 10th
1979: Joe Millikan, fifth
1979: Dale Earnhardt, ninth
1980: Jody Ridley, ninth
1981: Ron Bouchard, fourth
1981: Tim Richmond, ninth
1982: Geoffrey Bodine, fourth
1986: Alan Kulwicki, seventh
1989: Jimmy Spencer, 10th
1991: Bobby Hamilton, eighth
1993: Bobby Labonte, seventh
1994: Steve Grissom, eighth
1999: Tony Stewart, second
2001: Kevin Harvick, sixth
2001: Casey Atwood, ninth
2002: Jimmie Johnson, FIRST
2002: Ryan Newman, eighth
2003: Jamie McMurray, sixth
2003: Greg Biffle, seventh
2006: Martin Truex Jr., sixth
2006: Clint Bowyer, eighth
2006: Denny Hamlin, ninth
2007: Juan Pablo Montoya, 10th
• 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)(9-23-2009)
Raybestos Rookie News and Notes - Pre-New Hampshire; Post-Richmond
* Joey Logano was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the September 12 Chevy Rock & Roll 400 at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway. Logano posted a 14th-place finish and grabbed top rookie honors for the 19th time this season.
* Joey Logano leads Scott Speed by 25 points (215-190) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the September 20 Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
* DID YOU KNOW? All three members of the 2009 Raybestos Rookie class have scored at least one top-10 finish.
* DID YOU KNOW? Ryan Newman is the only Raybestos Rookie to win the September race at New Hampshire. He scored his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series win in 2002 when he held off Kurt Busch in a race rain shortened by rain to 207 of 300 laps. Newman is also the only freshman driver to win the pole for the fall race and is also the only first-year driver to lead the most laps in the fall event (he led three times for 143 laps).
* DID YOU KNOW? The 2006 race marked the first time TWO Raybestos Rookies finished inside the top-10 in the fall race at New Hampshire: Denny Hamlin (fourth) and J.J. Yeley (eighth).
* Regan Smith was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2008 Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire, scoring a 23rd-place finish.
* 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)
2008: Michael McDowell (once for one lap)
* Top-five finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Sylvania 300
1999: Tony Stewart, second
2002: Ryan Newman, FIRST
2004: Kasey Kahne, fourth
2006: Denny Hamlin, fourth
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Sylvania 300
1999: Tony Stewart, second
2002: Ryan Newman, FIRST
2003: Jamie McMurray, 10th
2004: Kasey Kahne, fourth
2006: Denny Hamlin, fourth
2006: J.J. Yeley, eighth
(Camp & Assoc./Raybestos)(9-19-2009)
Raybestos Rookie News and Notes - Pre-Richmond; Post-Atlanta
* #20-Joey Logano was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the September 6 Pep Boys Auto 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Logano posted a 22nd-place finish and grabbed top rookie honors for the 18th time this season.
* Joey Logano leads #82-Scott Speed by 25 points (214-189) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the September 12 Chevy Rock & Roll 400 at Richmond International Raceway.
* Did You Know? All three members of the 2009 Raybestos Rookie class have scored at least one top-10 finish.
· Michael McDowell was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2008 Chevy Rock & Roll 400, scoring a 20th-place finish.
· Raybestos Rookie 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 joining Dale Earnhardt (1979), Bobby Labonte (1993) and Jimmie Johnson (2002).
* Did You Know? The first time in NASCAR Sprint Cup’s modern-era that two Raybestos Rookies claimed front row starting positions occurred at the 2002 Chevy Rock & Roll 400. Jimmie Johnson won the pole while Ryan Newman claimed the second-place starting position. An all-rookie front row has occurred just one other time, at the 2004 Pocono 500 (Kasey Kahne first and Brian Vickers second).
* Did you know? Since 1975, two or more Raybestos Rookies have not finished in the top five in the September race at Richmond.
* Did You Know? The most Raybestos Rookies to finish in the top-10 in a fall race at Richmond are THREE in 1979: Earnhardt (fourth), Harry Gant (ninth) and Joe Millikan (10th).
* Did you know? Since 1975, only TWO Raybestos Rookies have led the most laps in a fall race at Richmond: Tony Stewart (1999) and Ryan Newman (2002). Stewart led five times for 333 of the 400 laps, the most led by a first-year driver at the .75-mile speedway since 1975. Newman led twice for 145 laps.
* The only Raybestos Rookie to win the September race at Richmond is Tony Stewart, who captured the 1999 Chevy Rock & Roll 400. Stewart scored his first Sprint Cup Series win by 1.115 seconds over Bobby Labonte.
* Top-five finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 (since 1975):
1977: Sam Sommers, fifth
1979: Dale Earnhardt, fourth
1980: Jody Ridley, fifth
1999: Tony Stewart, FIRST
2001: Kevin Harvick, second
2002: Ryan Newman, second
2005: Kyle Busch, fourth
2007: David Ragan, third
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 (since 1975):
1975: Bruce Hill, eighth
1976: Terry Bivins, ninth
1977: Sam Sommers, fifth
1979: Dale Earnhardt, fourth
1979: Harry Gant, ninth
1979: Joe Millikan, 10th
1980: Jody Ridley, fifth
1983: Trevor Boys, ninth
1989: Dick Trickle, eighth
1989: Hut Stricklin, ninth
1993: Jeff Gordon, 10th
1994: Steve Grissom, seventh
1996: Johnny Benson, 10th
1998: Kenny Irwin, 10th
1999: Tony Stewart, FIRST
2001: Kevin Harvick, second
2002: Ryan Newman, second
2005: Kyle Busch, fourth
2006: David Ragan, third
* Raybestos Rookies that have led a lap in the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 (since 1975):
1979: Dale Earnhardt (twice for 19 laps)
1993: Bobby Labonte (twice for 12 laps)
1996: Johnny Benson (once for 13 laps)
1998: Kenny Irwin (once for one lap)
1999: Tony Stewart (five times for 333 laps)
2001: Kevin Harvick (once for 12 laps)
2002: Ryan Newman (twice for 145 laps)
2003: Greg Biffle (once for two laps)
2005: Kyle Busch (three times for 10 laps)
2005: Travis Kvapil (once for one lap)
2007: Paul Menard (once for one lap)
(Camp & Assoc./Raybestos)(9-10-2009)
Raybestos Rookie News and Notes - Pre-Atlanta; Post-Bristol
* Scott Speed was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the August 22 Sharpie 500 at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway. Speed scored a 15th-place finish and claimed top rookie honors for the fifth time in 2009.
* Joey Logano leads Scott Speed by 25 points (213-188) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the September 6 Pep Boys Auto 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
* DID YOU KNOW? All three members of the 2009 Raybestos Rookie class have scored at least one top-10 finish.
* Sam Hornish Jr. was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2008 Pep Boys Auto 500 at Atlanta, scoring a 24th-place finish.
* DID YOU KNOW? The best finish in the fall race at Atlanta (since 1975) is second by Dale Earnhardt in 1979. Earnhardt finished one-half car length behind winner Neil Bonnett.
* DID YOU KNOW? Since 1975, Kenny Irwin is the only Raybestos Rookie to win a pole at the fall race in Atlanta. Irwin grabbed the top starting position 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 race winner Neil Bonnett.
* Earnhardt also holds the record for most laps led by a Raybestos Rookie in the fall race at Atlanta, leading 69 laps in the 1979 fall race.
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Pep Boys Auto 500 at Atlanta (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
* The most Raybestos Rookies to finish inside the top-10 are THREE in 1979: Earnhardt, Terry Labonte (seventh) and Joe Millikan (ninth).
* The most recent race where TWO or more Raybestos Rookies finished inside the top-10 in the fall race at Atlanta was 2004: Kasey Kahne (fifth) and Brian Vickers (seventh).(Camp & Assoc./Raybestos)(9-4-2009)
Raybestos Rookie News and Notes - Pre-Bristol; Post-Michigan
* Joey Logano was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the August 16 CARFAX 400 at Michigan International Speedway. Logano scored a seventh-place finish, his fifth top-10 of the season and claimed top rookie honors for the 17th time in 2009.
* Joey Logano leads Scott Speed by 26 points (212-186) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the August 22 Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway.
* DID YOU KNOW? All three members of the 2009 Raybestos Rookie class have scored at least one top-10 finish.
* Regan Smith was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2008 Sharpie 500, scoring a 14th-place finish.
* DID YOU KNOW? The best finish by a Raybestos Rookie in the night race at Bristol is second by Kevin Harvick in 2001.
* DID YOU KNOW? Since 1975, only one Raybestos Rookie has won the pole position for the August race at Bristol: Tony Stewart (1999 Sharpie 500).
* Stewart is also the only Raybestos Rookie to lead the most laps in the night race at Bristol. Stewart led once for 225 laps in the 1999 race on his way to a fifth place finish. Since 1975, no Raybestos Rookie has led more laps than Stewart in the Sharpie 500 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 night races at Bristol.
* Top-five finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Sharpie 500 at Bristol (since 1975):
1981: Ron Bouchard, fifth
2001: Kevin Harvick, second
2003: Jamie McMurray, third
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Sharpie 500 at Bristol (since 1975):
1975: Bruce Hill, 10th
1977: Janet Guthrie, sixth
1978: Roger Hamby, 10th
1979: Joe Millikan, sixth
1979: Terry Labonte, eighth
1981: Ron Bouchard, fifth
1981: Tim Richmond, eighth
1982: Geoffrey Bodine, 10th
1984: Greg Sacks, ninth
1986: Alan Kulwicki, 10th
1989: Jimmy Spencer, eighth
1992: Jimmy Hensley, seventh
1993: Kenny Wallace, ninth
1998: Kevin Lepage, 10th
1999: Tony Stewart, fifth
2001: Kevin Harvick, second
2003: Jamie McMurray, third
2006: Denny Hamlin, sixth
* Raybestos Rookies that have led a lap in the Sharpie 500 at Bristol (since 1975):
1979: Harry Gant (once for 16 laps)
1981: Morgan Shepherd (once for 104 laps)
1986: Alan Kulwicki (twice for two laps)
1994: Joe Nemechek (once for 14 laps)
1995: Ricky Craven (once for one lap)
1999: Tony Stewart (once for 225 laps)
(Camp & Assoc./Raybestos)(8-18-2009)
Raybestos Rookie News and Notes - Pre-Michigan; Post-Watkins Glen
• Max Papis was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the August 10 Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at The Glen at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International. Papis claimed an eighth-place finish, his best in 10 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races and first top-10. He claimed top rookie honors for the second time in 2009.
• Joey Logano leads Scott Speed by 22 points (207-185) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the August 16 CARFAX 400 at Michigan International Speedway.
• DID YOU KNOW? All three members of the 2009 Raybestos Rookie class have scored at least one top-10 finish.
• Sam Hornish Jr. was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2008 CARFAX 400, scoring a 22nd-place finish.
• DID YOU KNOW? The best finish by a Raybestos Rookie in the August race at Michigan (since 1975) is third-place by Tony Stewart in 1999.
• DID YOU KNOW? Davey Allison is the only Raybestos Rookie to win a pole position for the August race at Michigan (since 1975). Allison captured the top starting position for the 1987 race.
• The most Raybestos Rookies to lead an August race at Michigan: FOUR in 2004.
• The most recent Raybestos Rookie to lead a lap in the August race at Michigan is Clint Bowyer (twice for six laps in 2006).
• DID YOU KNOW? The most Raybestos Rookies to finish in the top-10 in the same August race at Michigan is FOUR in 1977:
---Sam Sommers, fourth
---Ricky Rudd, seventh
---Terry Ryan, ninth
---Janet Guthrie, 10th
• Top-five finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the August race at Michigan:
1977: Sam Sommers, fourth
1982: Geoffrey Bodine, fourth
1987: Davey Allison, fifth
1989: Hut Stricklin, fourth
1993: Jeff Gordon, third
1999: Tony Stewart, third
2003: Greg Biffle, fourth
2004: Kasey Kahne, fifth
• Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the August race at Michigan:
1975: Bruce Hill, eighth
1977: Sam Sommers, fourth,
1977: Ricky Rudd, seventh
1977: Terry Ryan, ninth
1977: Janet Guthrie, 10th
1979: Joe Millikan, sixth
1981: Mike Alexander, 10th
1982: Geoffrey Bodine, fourth
1987: Davey Allison, fifth
1989: Hut Stricklin, fourth
1993: Jeff Gordon, third
1993: Bobby Labonte, eighth
1995: Ricky Craven, seventh
1996: Johnny Benson, seventh
1999: Tony Stewart, third
2000: Matt Kenseth, eighth
2001: Casey Atwood, 10th
2002: Jimmie Johnson, seventh
2003: Greg Biffle, fourth
2004: Kasey Kahne, fifth
2006: Reed Sorenson, eighth
2006: Denny Hamlin, ninth.(Camp & Assoc./Raybestos)(8-14-2009)
- NO Rookie Info released for Watkins Glen
- Raybestos Rookie News and Notes - Pre-Indianapolis; Post-Chicago
* #20-Joey Logano was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the July 26 Allstate 400 at The Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Logano posted a 12th-place finish and took top rookie honors for the 16th time this season.
* Logano leads #82-Scott Speed by 23 points (205-182) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the August 2 Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500 at Pocono Raceway.
* Michael McDowell was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2008 Pennsylvania 500, scoring a 24th-place finish.
* The 1994 Pennsylvania 500 had THREE Raybestos Rookies place inside the top-five, the best performance by a rookie class in 63 previous NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Pocono. Three rookies finished in the top-five: Ward Burton (second), Joe Nemechek (third) and Jeff Burton (fourth).
* Top-five finishes by Raybestos Rookies at Pennsylvania 500:
1987: Davey Allison, fifth
1994: Ward Burton, second
1994: Joe Nemechek, third
1994: Jeff Burton, fourth
1996: Johnny Benson, fifth
1999: Tony Stewart, fourth
2000: Matt Kenseth, fifth
2002: Ryan Newman, fifth
2006: Denny Hamlin, FIRST
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies at Pennsylvania 500:
1982: Mark Martin, 10th
1984: Rusty Wallace, sixth
1987: Davey Allison, fifth
1994: Ward Burton, second
1994: Joe Nemechek, third
1994: Jeff Burton, fourth
1996: Johnny Benson, fifth
1997: Mike Skinner, sixth
1999: Tony Stewart, fourth
2000: Matt Kenseth, fifth
2002: Ryan Newman, fifth
2006: Denny Hamlin, FIRST
* Raybestos Rookies who have led a lap in the July race at Pocono:
1982: Mark Martin (once for one lap)
1984: Rusty Wallace (once for one lap)
1986: Michael Waltrip (once for one lap)
1989: Dick Trickle (once for seven laps)
1993: Bobby Labonte (once for one lap)
1994: Ward Burton (twice for six laps)
1994: Jeff Burton (once for 16 laps)
1994 John Andretti (once for one lap).
1995: Ricky Craven (once for two laps)
1996: Johnny Benson (twice for five laps)
2002: Jimmie Johnson (once for two laps)
2003: Casey Mears (once for eight laps)
2006: Denny Hamlin (five times for 151 laps)
* Denny Hamlin won both races at Pocono Raceway in 2006 and is the only Raybestos Rookie to sweep both races at the 2.5-mile track since the facility began hosting two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races in 1982. Hamlin also won both poles at Pocono in 2006. He is the only Raybestos Rookie to win in 35 previous August races at Pocono.(Camp & Assoc./Raybestos)(7-31-2009)
- Raybestos Rookie News and Notes - Pre-Indianapolis; Post-Chicago
* #20-Joey Logano was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the July 26 Allstate 400 at The Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Logano posted a 12th-place finish and took top rookie honors for the 16th time this season.
* Logano leads #82-Scott Speed by 23 points (205-182) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the August 2 Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500 at Pocono Raceway.
* Michael McDowell was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2008 Pennsylvania 500, scoring a 24th-place finish.
* The 1994 Pennsylvania 500 had THREE Raybestos Rookies place inside the top-five, the best performance by a rookie class in 63 previous NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Pocono. Three rookies finished in the top-five: Ward Burton (second), Joe Nemechek (third) and Jeff Burton (fourth).
* Top-five finishes by Raybestos Rookies at Pennsylvania 500:
1987: Davey Allison, fifth
1994: Ward Burton, second
1994: Joe Nemechek, third
1994: Jeff Burton, fourth
1996: Johnny Benson, fifth
1999: Tony Stewart, fourth
2000: Matt Kenseth, fifth
2002: Ryan Newman, fifth
2006: Denny Hamlin, FIRST
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies at Pennsylvania 500:
1982: Mark Martin, 10th
1984: Rusty Wallace, sixth
1987: Davey Allison, fifth
1994: Ward Burton, second
1994: Joe Nemechek, third
1994: Jeff Burton, fourth
1996: Johnny Benson, fifth
1997: Mike Skinner, sixth
1999: Tony Stewart, fourth
2000: Matt Kenseth, fifth
2002: Ryan Newman, fifth
2006: Denny Hamlin, FIRST
* Raybestos Rookies who have led a lap in the July race at Pocono:
1982: Mark Martin (once for one lap)
1984: Rusty Wallace (once for one lap)
1986: Michael Waltrip (once for one lap)
1989: Dick Trickle (once for seven laps)
1993: Bobby Labonte (once for one lap)
1994: Ward Burton (twice for six laps)
1994: Jeff Burton (once for 16 laps)
1994 John Andretti (once for one lap).
1995: Ricky Craven (once for two laps)
1996: Johnny Benson (twice for five laps)
2002: Jimmie Johnson (once for two laps)
2003: Casey Mears (once for eight laps)
2006: Denny Hamlin (five times for 151 laps)
* Denny Hamlin won both races at Pocono Raceway in 2006 and is the only Raybestos Rookie to sweep both races at the 2.5-mile track since the facility began hosting two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races in 1982. Hamlin also won both poles at Pocono in 2006. He is the only Raybestos Rookie to win in 35 previous August races at Pocono.(Camp & Assoc./Raybestos)(7-31-2009)
- Raybestos Rookie News and Notes - Pre-Indianapolis; Post-Chicago
* Joey Logano was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the July 11 LifeLock.com 400 at Chicagoland Speedway. Logano posted an 18th-place finish and took top rookie honors for the 15th time this season.
* Scott Speed started second at Chicagoland, the best qualifying effort by a Raybestos Rookie in 2009.
* Logano leads Speed by 23 points (203-180) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the July 26 Allstate 400 at The Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
* Patrick Carpentier was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2008 Allstate 400 at The Brickyard 400, scoring a 15th-place finish.
* The best finish by a Raybestos Rookie in 15 previous Allstate 400 at The Brickyard races is second-place by Juan Pablo Montoya in 2007. Montoya finished 2.982 seconds behind race winner Tony Stewart.
* DID YOU KNOW? A Raybestos Rookie has finished in the top-10 in each of the past NINE of the past 10 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Indianapolis.
* DID YOU KNOW? TWO or more Raybestos Rookies have finished in the top-10 twice in 15 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 Juan Pablo Montoya (2007) and Clint Bowyer (2006).
* DID YOU KNOW? TWO or more Raybestos Rookies have qualified inside the top-10 just TWICE in 15 previous races at Indianapolis:
1997: Mike Skinner, sixth
1997: David Green, ninth
2006: Clint Bowyer, second
2006: J.J. Yeley, sixth
* Johnny Benson is the only Raybestos Rookie to lead the most laps in the Allstate 400 at The Brickyard, leading three times for 70 laps in 1996. Benson holds the record for lap led by a Raybestos Rookie in a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Indianapolis.
* The most recent Raybestos Rookie to lead at Indianapolis is Jamie McMurray, who led twice for 22 laps in 2003.
* Raybestos Rookies that have led a lap 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)
* 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
(Camp & Assoc./Raybestos)(7-23-2009)
- Raybestos Rookie News and Notes - Pre-Chicago; Post-Daytona
* Joey Logano was the Raybestos® Rookie of the Race in the July 4 Coke Zero 400 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway. Logano posted a 19th-place finish and took top rookie honors for the 14th time this season.
* Joey Logano leads Scott Speed by 23 points (201-178) in the Raybestos® Rookie standings entering the July 11 LifeLock.com 400 at Chicagoland (Joliet, Ill.) Speedway.
* 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).
* Kevin Harvick is the only Raybestos® Rookie to win in eight Sprint Cup races at Chicagoland. Harvick won the 2001 Tropicana 400 by .649 seconds over Robert Pressley and is the only Raybestos® Rookie to lead the most laps in a race at Chicagoland (five times for 113 laps).
" TWO more Raybestos® Rookies have finished inside the top-five TWICE just once in eight Sprint Cup races at Chicagoland
2002: Jimmie Johnson (fourth) and Ryan Newman (fifth).
2006: Reed Sorenson (seventh), Clint Bowyer (ninth) and J.J. Yeley (10th).
* 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
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 eight 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)
(Camp & Assoc./Raybestos)(7-9-2009)
- Raybestos Rookie News and Notes - Pre-New Hampshire; Post-Infineon
* Max Papis was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the June 21 Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway. Papis scored a 12th-place finish, his best in nine NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races and collected top rookie honors for the first time this season.
* Scott Speed led the Toyota/Save Mart 350 once for two laps and was the only Raybestos Rookie to lead at Infineon Raceway.
* Joey Logano leads Speed by 20 points (178-158) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the June 28 LENOX Industrial Tools 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
* Patrick Carpentier won the pole position for the 2008 June race at New Hampshire. Carpentier was the only Raybestos Rookie to win a pole in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2008.
* Carpentier and Ryan Newman (2002 fall race) are the only Raybestos Rookies to win a pole in 28 previous races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
* Regan Smith was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2008 LENOX Industrial Tools 301 at New Hampshire, scoring a 27th-place finish.
* DID YOU KNOW? Only two Raybestos Rookies have scored top-five finishes in 16 previous June races at New Hampshire:
2002: Ryan Newman, fifth
2005: Kyle Busch, fourth
* DID YOU KNOW? A Raybestos Rookie has posted a top-10 finish in nine of 16 previous June races at New Hampshire, including six of the last eight.
* DID YOU KNOW? Tony Stewart is the only Raybestos Rookie to lead the most laps in the June race at New Hampshire. Stewart led twice for 118 laps in the 1999 LENOX Industrial Tools 301.
* The most Raybestos Rookies to lead the June race at New Hampshire are THREE in 2006:
---Reed Sorenson (once for 31 laps)
---Clint Bowyer (once for 23 laps)
---Denny Hamlin (once for one lap)
* DID YOU KNOW? TWO or more Raybestos Rookies have finished in the top-10 just once 16 June races at New Hampshire. In 1993, Jeff Gordon finished seventh while Bobby Labonte placed 10th.
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies at New Hampshire (June race):
1993: Jeff Gordon, seventh
1993: Bobby Labonte, 10th
1996: Johnny Benson, ninth
1999: Tony Stewart, 10th
2001: Kevin Harvick, eighth
2002: Ryan Newman, fifth
2003: Greg Biffle, 10th
2004: Kasey Kahne, eighth
2005: Kyle Busch, fourth
2006: Denny Hamlin, sixth
* Raybestos Rookies who have led a lap in the July race at New Hampshire:
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)
2008: Patrick Carpentier (once for four laps)
(Camp & Assoc./Raybestos)(6-26-2009)
- Raybestos Rookie News and Notes - Pre-Infineon; Post-Michigan
* Joey Logano was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the June 7 LifeLock 400 at Michigan International Speedway. Logano scored a 25th-place finish and grabbed Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors for the sixth consecutive race and for the 12th time this season.
* Logano leads Scott Speed by 19 points (168-149) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the June 21 Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway.
* Michael McDowell was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2008 Toyota/Save Mart 350, scoring a 21st-place finish.
* Juan Pablo Montoya won the 2007 Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway as a Raybestos Rookie. Montoya scored the first victory of hs NASCAR 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 20 previous NASCAR 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 20 races at Infineon Raceway. He is also the only freshman driver to score a top-five finish.
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies at Infineon Raceway (20 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)(6-17-2009)
- Raybestos Rookie News and Notes - Pre-Michigan; Post-Pocono
* Joey Logano was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the June 7 Pocono 500 at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway. Logano scored a 23rd-place finish on the lead lap and grabbed Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors for the FIFTH consecutive race and for the 11th time this season.
* Raybestos Rookie Dexter Bean made his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series debut at Pocono. Bean was credited with 36th-place finish in the final rundown and was running at the finish of the race.
* Logano leads Scott Speed by 17 points (157-140) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the June 14 LifeLock 400 at Michigan International Speedway.
* Sam Hornish Jr. was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2008 LifeLock 400, posting a 22nd-place finish. Hornish led the race once for two laps. He was the only freshman driver to lead a lap in the event.
* 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? Only once since 1975 have TWO or more Raybestos Rookies have led the spring race at Michigan. In 2004, Brendan Gaughan (once for 13 laps) and Scott Riggs (once for one lap) led the race.
* The most laps led by a Raybestos Rookie in the LifeLock 400 (since 1975): 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)
2004: Brendan Gaughan (once for 13 laps)
2004: Scott Riggs (once for one lap)
2006: Reed Sorenson (once for three laps)
2008: Sam Hornish Jr. (once for two laps)
* DID YOU KNOW? The only Raybestos Rookie to win a pole in 40 previous spring races at Michigan is Loy Allen, who 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)(6-11-2009)
- Raybestos Rookie News and Notes - Pre-Pocono; Post-Dover
* Joey Logano was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the May 31 Autism Speaks 400 at Dover (Del.) International Speedway. Logano scored a 15th-place finish on the lead lap and grabbed Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors for the fourth consecutive event and for the 10th time this season.
* Logano leads Scott Speed by 16 points (146-130) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the June 7 Pocono 500 at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway.
* Michael McDowell was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2008 Pocono 500, scoring a 27th-place finish.
* DID YOU KNOW? The only Raybestos Rookie to win the Pocono 500 (27 races) is Denny Hamlin. Hamlin won the 2006 race by 1.328 seconds over second-place Kurt Busch He became just the third Raybestos Rookie to score a top-five finish in the June race at Pocono. Hamlin also became the first Raybestos Rookie to lead the most laps (six times for 83 laps) and is one of just seven 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: Kasey Kahne (2004) and Denny Hamlin (2006).
* DID YOU KNOW? Raybestos Rookies Kasey Kahne and Brian Vickers made history at Pocono during time trials for the 2004 Pocono 500. Kahne won the pole while Brian Vickers grabbed the second-place starting position. The 2004 race was the first time in the track’s history that TWO Raybestos Rookies started on the front row at Pocono and only the second time in the sport’s modern-era where there was an all-rookie front row.
* DID YOU KNOW? 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)(6-4-2009)
- Raybestos Rookie News and Notes - Pre-Pocono; Post-Dover
* Joey Logano was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the May 25 Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway (Concord, N.C.) Logano scored a ninth-place finish, his third top-10 in 15 career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races. He became the first Raybestos Rookie to score a top-10 finish in the 600 since Jimmie Johnson placed seventh in 2002. Logano claimed Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors for the ninth time this season and for the third consecutive race.
* Logano leads Scott Speed by 15 points (135-120) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the May 31 Autism Speaks 400 at Dover (Del.) International Speedway.
* Sam Hornish Jr. was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2008 Best Buy 400, scoring an 18th-place finish.
* Michael McDowell was the only Raybestos Rookie to lead a lap in the 2008 spring race at Dover, holding the top spot once for one lap.
* DID YOU KNOW? TWO Raybestos Rookies have won the spring race at Dover (40 previous races): Jimmie Johnson (2002) and Davey Allison (1987).
* Raybestos Rookies that have led the most laps in the spring race at Dover:
1987: Davey Allison (six times for 212 laps)
1999: Tony Stewart (three times for 127 laps)
2002: Jimmie Johnson (four times for 187 laps)
* DID YOU KNOW? The most Raybestos Rookies to finish in the top-10 in the spring race at Dover are THREE in 1979: Dale Earnhardt (fifth), Terry Labonte (sixth), and Joe Millikan (eighth).
* At least two Raybestos Rookies have finished in the top-10 in Dover’s spring race THREE other times:
2000: Matt Kenseth (second) and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (10th).
2002: Jimmie Johnson (first) and Ryan Newman (fifth) in 2002.
2004: Scott Riggs (fifth) and Scott Wimmer (ninth).
* DID YOU KNOW? The best start by a Raybestos Rookie in the spring race at Dover is second by Morgan Shepherd in 1981.
* Top-five finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the spring race at Dover (since 1975):
1979: Dale Earnhardt, fifth
1982: Mark Martin, fifth
1987: Davey Allison, FIRST
1999: Tony Stewart, fourth
2000: Matt Kenseth, second
2002: Jimmie Johnson, FIRST
2002: Ryan Newman, fifth
2004: Scott Riggs, fifth
2005: Kyle Busch, second
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the spring race at Dover (since 1975):
1975: Bruce Hill, eighth
1979: Dale Earnhardt, fifth
1979: Terry Labonte, sixth
1979: Joe Millikan, eighth
1980: Jody Ridley, sixth
1981: Morgan Shepherd, sixth
1983: Sterling Marlin, 10th
1985: Ken Schrader, 10th
1987: Davey Allison, FIRST
1992: Jimmy Hensley, eighth
1997: Mike Skinner, ninth
1999: Tony Stewart, fourth
2000: Matt Kenseth, second
2000: Dale Earnhardt Jr., 10th
2002: Jimmie Johnson, FIRST
2002: Ryan Newman, fifth
2004: Scott Riggs, fifth
2004: Scott Wimmer, ninth
2005: Kyle Busch, second
(Camp & Assoc./Raybestos PR)(5-30-2009)
- Raybestos Rookie News and Notes - Pre-Charlotte; Post-All-Star Race
* Joey Logano was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the May 9 Southern 500 at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway. Logano scored a ninth-place finish, his second top-10 of the 2009 season. He equaled his best effort in 14 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races and captured top Raybestos Rookie honors for the eighth time this season.
* Logano led once for 19 laps at Darlington and became the first Raybestos Rookie to lead a lap at Darlington since Kasey Kahne led three times for 24 laps in the 2004 spring race. Logano has led four times in three races for 24 laps this season.
* TWO Raybestos Rookies posted their career-best qualifying efforts at Darlington: Logano (fifth-place) and Max Papis (22nd-place in his sixth start).
* Logano leads Scott Speed by 12 points (122-110) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the May 24 Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway (Concord, N.C.).
* Sam Hornish Jr. was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2008 Coca-Cola 600, scoring a 13th-place finish.
* DID YOU KNOW? TWO or more Raybestos Rookies have finished in the top-10 in the Coca-Cola 600 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 in 49 previous Coca-Cola 600 races. 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 position in 49 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 a lap in eight of the past 10 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
2000: Dale Earnhardt Jr., fourth
2001: Kevin Harvick, second
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Coca-Cola 600 (since 1975):
1977: Sam Sommers, ninth
1980: Kyle Petty, seventh
1981: Morgan Shepherd, sixth
1981: Elliott Forbes-Robinson, 10th
1993: Jeff Gordon, second
1993: Bobby Labonte, eighth
1995: Ricky Craven, 10th
1999: Tony Stewart, fourth
2000: Matt Kenseth, FIRST
2000: Dale Earnhardt Jr., fourth
2001: Kevin Harvick, second
2002: Jimmie Johnson, seventh
(Camp & Assoc./Raybestos PR)(5-21-2009)
- Raybestos Rookie News and Notes - Pre-All-Star Race; Post-Darlington:
· Sam Hornish Jr. was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2008 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Hornish Jr. scored a seventh-place finish in the special event and was the only Raybestos Rookie to compete in the race. He scored a second-place finish in the Sprint Showdown (.154 seconds behind winner AJ Allmendinger) to qualify for the main event.
· No Raybestos Rookie points will be awarded in the NASCAR Sprint Showdown or Sprint All-Star Race.
* Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2000) and Ryan Newman (2002) are the only Raybestos Rookies to win the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race.
· Tony Stewart was the first Raybestos Rookie to claim a top-five finish in the Sprint All-Star Race. Stewart placed second, 1.229 seconds behind race winner Terry Labonte in 1999.
· Jeff Burton was the first Raybestos Rookie to score a top-10 finish in the NASCAR 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).
· DID YOU KNOW? TWO or more Raybestos Rookies have competed in the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race twice:
2002: Ryan Newman and Jimmie Johnson
2004: Kasey Kahne and Brian Vickers
· DID YOU KNOW? Only once in the history of the NASCAR 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 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race was Davey Allison in 1987. Allison started third and finished 12th, completing 134 of 135 laps.
· The best start by a Raybestos Rookie in the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race is second by Denny Hamlin in 2006.
· At least one Raybestos Rookie has qualified for 10 of the 24 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Races.
· Raybestos Rookies in the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Races:
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
2008: Sam Hornish Jr., seventh
* Raybestos Rookies that have led a lap in the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race:
1999: Tony Stewart (five laps)
2000: Dale Earnhardt Jr. (two laps)
2002: Jimmie Johnson (31 laps)
2002: Ryan Newman (17 laps)
(Camp & Assoc./Raybestos PR)(5-14-2009)
- Raybestos Rookie News and Notes - Pre-Darlington; Post-Richmond:
· Joey Logano was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the May 2 Crown Royal 400 at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway. Logano scored a 19th-place finish and claimed Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors for the seventh time this season.
· Logano leads Speed by nine points (109-100) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the May 9 Southern 500 at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway.
* Michael McDowell was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2008 Southern 500, posting a 28th-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 10 seasons at Darlington:
1999: Tony Stewart, sixth
2000: Matt Kenseth, sixth
2001: Kevin Harvick, eighth
2002: Ryan Newman, fifth (spring race)
2002: Jimmie Johnson, sixth (spring race)
2002: Ryan Newman, second (fall race)
2002: Jimmie Johnson, ninth (fall race)
2003: Jamie McMurray, fourth (fall race)
2003: Greg Biffle, 10th (fall race)
2004: Kasey Kahne, fifth (fall race)
2006: Denny Hamlin, 10th
* Top-five finishes by Raybestos Rookies at Darlington (since 1975):
1975: Bruce Hill, fifth (fall race)
1979: Terry Labonte, third (fall race)
1984: Rusty Wallace, fourth (fall race)
2002: Ryan Newman, second (fall race)
2003: Jamie McMurray, fourth (fall race)
2004: Kasey Kahne, fifth (fall race)
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies at Darlington (since 1975):
1975: Bruce Hill, fifth (fall race)
1975: Bruce Jacobi, ninth (spring race)
1977: Ricky Rudd, seventh (fall race)
1978: Ronnie Thomas, ninth (fall race)
1979: Terry Labonte, third (fall race)
1980: Lake Speed, eighth (spring race)
1980: Jody Ridley, 10th (spring race)
1982: Geoffrey Bodine, seventh (fall race)
1982: Mark Martin, seventh (spring race)
1984: Rusty Wallace, fourth (fall race)
1984: Phil Parsons, seventh (fall race)
1984: Phil Parsons, eighth (spring race)
1981: Tim Richmond, eighth (fall race)
1991: Bobby Hamilton, 10th (fall race)
1993: Kenny Wallace, 10th (fall race)
1994: Jeff Burton, eighth (fall race)
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 PR)(5-8-2009)
- Raybestos Rookie News and Notes - Pre-Richmond; Post-Talladega:
· Scott Speed was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the April 26 Aaron’s 499 at Talladega (Ala) Superspeedway. Speed scored a fifth-place finish, his best in 13 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts. He claimed Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors for the third time this season.
* Joey Logano grabbed a ninth-place finish at Talladega, his best effort in 12 Sprint Cup Series starts and his first top-10. Max Papis (18th) also scored his best finish in five NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.
· Logano leads Speed by eight points (98-90) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the May 2 Crown Royal 400 at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway.
* Regan Smith was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2008 Crown Royal 400, posting a 23rd-place finish.
* DID YOU KNOW? Brian Vickers (2004) and Morgan Shepherd (1981) are the only Raybestos Rookies to win a pole for the spring race at Richmond (since 1975).
* DID YOU KNOW? Since 1980, 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 once covering the final 31 laps and scored his second Sprint Cup Series win by .159 second over Terry Labonte.
* DID YOU KNOW? Only once since 1975 have TWO or more Raybestos Rookies finished in the top-10 in the spring race at Richmond. 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 PR)(5-1-2009)
- Rookie's run well at Talladega: #82-Scott Speed scored a fifth-place finish in the Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway, his best finish in 13 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts. #20-Joey Logano grabbed a ninth-place finish, his best effort in 12 Sprint Cup Series starts and his first top-10. #13-Max Papis was credited with an 18th-place finish, his best in five Sprint Cup Series starts and first ever lead lap finish. All three Raybestos Rookies scored their best career Sprint Cup Series finish in today’s race at Talladega: Speed, Logano and Max Papis. Logano claimed a ninth-place finish while Papis was credited with 18th-place. All three drivers finished on the lead lap. Speed grabbed Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors for the third time this season. Logano leads Speed by eight points (98-90) in the Raybestos Rookie standings. Speed became the first Raybestos Rookie to score a top-five finish since David Ragan placed third in the 2007 Chevy Rock & Roll 400 at Richmond International Raceway, a span of 54 races. Speed became the first Raybestos Rookie to score a top-five finish in the spring race at Talladega since Kurt Busch placed third in 2001. Speed and Logano became the first pair of Raybestos Rookie to finish in the top-10 in the spring race at Talladega since 1980 [Lake Speed (no relation) and Jody Ridley](Camp and Assoc PR)(4-27-2009)
- Raybestos Rookie News and Notes - Pre-Talladega; Post-Phoenix:
· Joey Logano was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the April 18 Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway. Logano scored a 21st-place finish and claimed top rookie honors for the third consecutive race.
· Logano leads Scott Speed by 13 points (86-73) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the April 26 Aaron’s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway.
* Regan Smith was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2008 Aaron’s 499, scoring a 21st-place finish. Smith was the only first-year driver to lead the race, holding the top spot once for one lap.
* DID YOU KNOW? A Raybestos Rookie has led a lap in the each of the past THREE consecutive spring races at Talladega:
2006: J.J. Yeley, once for one lap
2006: Denny Hamlin, once for one lap
2007: David Ragan, once for two laps
2008: Regan Smith, once for one lap
* The late Davey Allison is the only Raybestos Rookie to win the Aaron’s 499 at Talladega. He won the 1987 event by .78 second over Terry Labonte. Allison 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 is 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 39 previous Aaron’s 499 races at Talladega: Jimmie Johnson (2002). Johnson won the second pole of his career and posted a seventh place finish in the race.
* DID YOU KNOW? At least one Raybestos Rookie finished in the top-10 in four consecutive Aaron’s 499 races at Talladega from 1979 through 1982: Joe Millikan (fifth) and Terry Labonte (ninth) in 1979, Lake Speed (seventh) and Jody Ridley (tenth) in 1980, Tim Richmond (sixth) in 1981, and Mark Martin (tenth) in 1982.
* 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 Raybestos Rookies 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 Raybestos Rookies 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 PR)(4-23-2009)
- Raybestos Rookie News and Notes - Pre-Phoenix; Post Texas:
* Joey Logano was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the April 5 Samsung 500 at Texas Motor Speedway. Logano took top rookie honors for the fifth time in seven races this season and was credited with a 30th-place finish.
* Logano leads Scott Speed by 12 points (75-63) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the April 18 Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix (Avondale, Ariz.) International Raceway.
* Sam Hornish Jr. was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2008 Subway Fresh Fit 500, scoring a 20th-place finish.
* The best finish by a Raybestos Rookie in four spring races at Phoenix is fifth by Clint Bowyer in 2006.
* The best qualifying effort by a Raybestos Rookie in four 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 is 21 by Clint Bowyer 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 four 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)
* Kyle Busch and Tony Stewart are the only Raybestos Rookies to win in 25 previous 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.
* DID YOU KNOW? Stewart is the only Raybestos Rookie to lead the most laps at Phoenix, leading three times for 150 laps in the 1999 fall race.
* 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 PR)(4-15-2009)
- News and Notes - Pre-Texas; Post-Martinsville:
· Joey Logano was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the March 29 Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500 at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. Logano scored a 32nd-place finish and took top rookie honors for the fourth time in six races this season.
· Logano leads Scott Speed by two points (64-62) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the April 5 Samsung 500 at Texas Motor Speedway.
* Patrick Carpentier was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2008 Samsung 500, claiming a 28th-place finish.
* DID YOU KNOW? Only once in 16 previous NASCAR 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).
* DID YOU KNOW? Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kasey Kahne are the only Raybestos Rookies to lead the most laps in 16 previous Sprint Cup Series races at Texas. Kahne led six times for 148 laps in 2004 Samsung 500 (spring race).
* 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 10 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 12 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.
* 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 12 previous Samsung 500 (spring) races at Texas:
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 PR)(4-2-2009)
- News and Notes - Pre-Martinsville; Post-Bristol:
· Scott Speed was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the March 22 Food City 500 at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway. Speed scored a 28th-place finish and took top rookie honors for the second time this season.
· Joey Logano leads Speed by one point (53-52) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the March 29 Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500 at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway.
* Regan Smith was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2008 Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500, posting a 14th-place finish.
* J.J. Yeley is the most recent Raybestos Rookie to lead a lap in the spring race at Martinsville, leading once for one lap in 2006.
* DID YOU KNOW? Morgan Shepherd is the only Raybestos Rookie to win the Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500 (since 1975). Shepherd won the 1981 event, outlasting the late Neil Bonnett to score his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series win. Shepherd led the most laps in the race (three times for 203) and remains the most recent 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 are FOUR. In 1979, Joe Millikan placed fifth ahead of 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. Trickle also led the race once for seven laps.
* The most recent Raybestos Rookie to score a top-10 finish in the Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500 is Jeff Gordon, who placed eighth in 1993.
* Tony Stewart is the only Raybestos Rookie to win the pole for the Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500 (since 1975). Stewart won his first career pole at Martinsville in 1999.
* Top-five finishes by a Raybestos Rookie in the Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 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 Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 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 & Assoc./Raybestos PR)(3-24-2009)
- News and Notes - Pre-Bristol; Post-Atlanta:
· Joey Logano was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the March 8 Kobalt Tools 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Logano scored a 30th-place finish and took top rookie honors for the third consecutive race.
· Logano leads Scott Speed by two points (43-41) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the March 22 Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway.
· Logano and the #20 Home Depot Toyota use the Raybestos Brand Racing Brake System, including the new highly-engineered Raybestos lightweight racing caliper and Raybestos Chassis Parts.
* Regan Smith was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2008 Food City 500, logging 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 in the 2000 Food City 500 (more than any other driver), a span of 10 races.
* The best finish by a Raybestos Rookie in the Food City 500 came in 1979 when Dale Earnhardt scored his first career win. Since Earnhardt’s victory, only three drivers have finished in the top-five in the spring race:
1981: Morgan Shepherd, fourth
1989: Dick Trickle, fifth
2003: Greg Biffle, fifth
* DID YOU KNOW? 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 also holds the record for most laps led by a Raybestos Rookie, holding the top spot once for 225 laps.
* DID YOU KNOW? Only once since 1975 have THREE Raybestos Rookies finished in the top-10 at 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.
* Tim Richmond is the only Raybestos Rookie to score top-10 finishes in BOTH Bristol races in NASCAR’s modern era (1972-present). In 1981, Richmond finished 10th in the Food City 500 and 10th in the Sharpie 500.
* TWO or more Raybestos Rookies have finished in the top-10 in BOTH races at Bristol just once since 1975. In 1981, Morgan Shepherd (fourth) and Tim Richmond (10th) logged top-10 finished in the Food City 500 while Ron Bouchard (fifth) and Richmond (eighth) placed inside the top-10 in the Sharpie 500.
* Top-five finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Food City 500:
1980: Dale Earnhardt, FIRST
1981: Morgan Shepherd, fourth
1989: Dick Trickle, fifth
2003: Greg Biffle, fifth
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Food City 500:
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 & Assoc./Raybestos PR)(3-19-2009)
- News and Notes - Pre-Atlanta; Post-Las Vegas:
· Joey Logano was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the March 1 Shelby 427 at Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway. Logano scored a 13th-place finish and took top rookie honors for the second time this season and for the second consecutive race.
· Logano leads Scott Speed by one point (32-31) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the March 8 Kobalt Tools 500 at Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway.
· Logano and the #20 Home Depot Toyota use the Raybestos Brand Racing Brake System, including the new highly-engineered Raybestos lightweight racing caliper and Raybestos™ Chassis Parts.
* Sam Hornish Jr. was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2008 Kobalt Tools 500 at Atlanta, logging a 25th-place finish.
* DID YOU KNOW? A Raybestos Rookie has scored top-10 finishes in two of the last three spring races at Atlanta.
* DO YOU REMEMBER? Kevin Harvick scored a memorable win as a Raybestos Rookie in the 2001 Kobalt Tools 500. Harvick 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 poles in back-to-back spring race at Atlanta. Gordon captured his first pole in his 11th career start while Benson took the top spot in just his fourth career start.
* DID YOU KNOW? Gordon is the most recent Raybestos Rookie to win the pole for the spring race at Atlanta.
* Top-five finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Golden Corral 500 (since 1975):
1987: Davey Allison, fifth
1989: Dick Trickle, third
1994: Jeff Burton, fourth
1998: Kenny Irwin, fifth
2001: Kevin Harvick, first
2002: Jimmie Johnson, third
2004: Kasey Kahne, third
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.
* From 1978 until 1982, at least one Raybestos Rookie finished in the top-10 in the Kobalt Tools 500, a streak of five consecutive races: Connie Saylor (eighth in 1978), Joe Millikan (eighth in 1979), Jody Ridley (sixth) and Slick Johnson (sixth and 10th, respectably, in 1980), Morgan Shepherd (eighth in 1981), and Jim Sauter (10th in 1982).(Camp & Assoc./Raybestos PR)(3-5-2009)
- Arnett, Speed win Rookie Cooking Challenge: Michael Annett and Scott Speed teamed to win the Fourth Annual Raybestos Rookie Cooking Challenge Thursday afternoon at ESPN Zone Las Vegas. Annett and Speed prepared a tasty dish of elbow macaroni with meat sauce, garlic onion and mozzarella cheese. Other drivers competing in the event were Max Papis, Scott Lagasse Jr., John Wes Townley and Justin Allgaier. The event was judged by members of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Las Vegas. All drivers who participated in the cooking competition were assisted by members of the ESPN Zone Culinary Team, led by chef Chris Gagen. Once the meals were prepared, each child from the Boys and Girls Clubs sampled the dishes and their applause determined the overall winner. Following the contest, drivers and kids played games in ESPN Zone’s interactive Sports Arena.(Raybestos PR)(3-1-2009)
- Cooking Rookies: Raybestos rookie NASCAR drivers Scott Speed, Max Papis, Justin Allgaier, Michael Annett, Scott Lagasse Jr. and John Wes Townley are scheduled to participate in a cooking challenge at 2pm, Thursday, Feb 26th at the ESPN Zone in Las Vegas. The ESPN Zone culinary team, headed by executive chef Chris Gagen, will provide the rookies with an overview of cooking basics before each driver individually prepares their dishes. Kids from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Las Vegas will be on hand to watch and judge the Iron Chef-style competition.(2-25-2009)
- News and Notes - Pre-Las Vegas; Post-California:
· Joey Logano was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the February 22 Auto Club 500 at Auto Club Speedway. Logano scored a 26th-place finish and took top rookie honors for the first time this season.
· Logano and Scott Speed are tied for the lead (21-21) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the March 1 Shelby 427 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
· Speed claimed the ninth-place starting position for the Auto Club 500, the best qualifying effort by a Raybestos Rookie in two races this season.
* Dario Franchitti was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2008 Shelby 427, scoring a 33rd-place finish.
* Kyle Busch and Kasey Kahne share the best finish by a Raybestos Rookie in 11 previous NASCAR Sprint 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.
* DID YOU KNOW? Busch, Kahne and Newman are the only Raybestos Rookies to score top-five finishes at Las Vegas.
* DID YOU KNOW? In 2000, Dale Earnhardt Jr. was the first Raybestos Rookie to score a top-10 finish at Las Vegas and was also the first freshman 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 11 previous races at Las Vegas.
* DID YOU KNOW? The most laps led by a Raybestos Rookie at Las Vegas: 49 by Newman in 2002.
· DID YOU KNOW? Kasey Kahne is the only Raybestos Rookie to win a pole position in 11 previous Sprint Cup races at Las Vegas. Kahne won the pole for the 2004 Shelby 427.(Camp & Assoc./Raybestos PR)(2-26-2009)
