March 19, 2010
- Logoano wins pole at Bristol: #20-Joey Logano won the Coors Pole for the Food City 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway with a speed of 124.630mph for his 1st pole of 2010 the 1st pole of his career in 44 starts. #2-Busch will start 2nd followed by #66-Blaney, #48-Johnson, #24-Gordon, #42-Montoya, #17-Kenseth, #99-Edwards, #47-Ambrose and #00-Reutimann. #46-Terry Cook will make his 1st career Sprint Cup start and #90-Casey Mears and #26-David Stremme make their first starts of the 2010 season. The points leader #29-Harvick will start 33rd
The go-or-go homers who made the race (8): #66-Blaney, #09-Almirola, #82-Speed, #90-Mears, #87-Nemechek, #55-Waltrip, #46-Cook and #71-Labonte [using the past champ provisional]l.
The go-or-go homers who failed to qualify for the race (2): #36-Bliss, #13-Papis
Pole stats: see my All-time Pole Winners & Stats page & 2010 Pole Winners page
See the starting lineup, qualifying speeds and notes on my Bristol Starting Lineup/Qualifying Results page.(3-19-2010) - Qualifying Fast Facts – Bristol:
#20-Joey Logano won the Pole Award for the FOOD CITY 500 with a lap of 15.396 seconds, 124.630 mph.
This is his first pole in 44 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.
This is his first pole and second top-10 start in 2010.
This is his first pole in three races at Bristol Motor Speedway.
#2-Kurt Busch (second) posted his third top-10 start of 2010 and his sixth in 19 races at Bristol Motor Speedway.
#66-Dave Blaney (third) posted his eighth top-10 start at Bristol Motor Speedway. It is his second in four races this season.
#46-Terry Cook (40th) was the fastest qualifying rookie.(NASCAR Statistics)(3-19-2010) - Coverage of Qualifying for the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway is scheduled for Friday, March 19, 2010 at 3:40pm/et.
Television (TV): SPEED 3:30pm/et
Radio: Performance Racing Network (PRN) only at NASCAR.com
Jayski.com: Jayski’s Semi-Live Qualifying Page
Qualifying Re-Air: on SPEED at 9:30pm/et - Qualifying Order for the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway is posted. 45 cars/drivers are listed. Go-or-go homers will qualify at the end of the session, once the top-35 drivers are done.
The first of the top-35 drivers scheduled to go out is #1-McMurray.
The final top-35 driver scheduled to go out is #83-Vickers.
The first go-or-go homer scheduled to qualify [36th] is #87-Nemechek with the final driver scheduled to qualify being #82-Speed.
See the full qualifying order on the Bristol Qualifying Page.(3-19-2010) - Friday practice: for the Food City 500 Sprint Cup race at Bristol Motor Speedway is over, after 90 minutes of practice, top five and some notes:
#20-Logano 124.114
#17-Kenseth 123.961
#5-Martin 123.810
#48-Johnson 123.762
#9-Kahne 123.666
slowest: #37-Conway 117.365 and #71-Labonte 118.562
incidents: #18-Busch spun early in practice but didn’t hit anything; #71-Labonte spun between turns 3-4 and backed in to the wall, will have to go to a backup car for qualifying; #48-Johnson spun around on the front stretch, no damage.
See speeds, average speeds, laps run on my Bristol Practice page.(3-19-2010) - Bristol practice rank for the non top-35 drivers:
if things stay the same, these eight drivers would make the race:
#82-Scott Speed, 8th fastest overall
#66-Dave Blaney, 14th
#36-Mike Bliss, 28th
#09-Aric Almirola, 15th
#90-Casey Mears, 34th
#46-Terry Cook, 35th
#87-Joe Nemechek, 39th
#71-Bobby Labonte [PC1] would have to use the champ prov to make the race, 44th
these drivers would miss the race if the order stayed the same:
#55-Michael Waltrip, 40th
#13-Max Papis, 43rd
[PC] = [past champion and order, 1 is more recent champ] - Edwards: Harvick just a ‘bad person’: #99-Carl Edwards insists his issues with #12-Brad Keselowski go no deeper than incidents that have happened on the track and that they will address them during a meeting Saturday at Bristol Motor Speedway. Edwards’ issues with #29-Kevin Harvick apparently go much deeper.
“I have absolutely no respect for Kevin Harvick,” he said before Friday’s first practice at Bristol Motor Speedway. “I think he’s a bad person. That’s my opinion. I’ve told him. We’ve had our deal before and his actions through that interaction were so devious and underhanded and cowardly that, it’s like, I just have no respect for him.
When people like that question me, it makes me feel better because if those people were lined up patting me on the back I’d be on the wrong side of what’s right and wrong. And I truly believe that.” Edwards and Harvick got into a physical confrontation in 2008 at Charlotte Motor Speedway that ended with one of Harvick’s friends dragging Edwards away in a headlock. Keselowski and Edwards are scheduled to meet on Saturday to speak for the first time since the wreck, which was magnified when Keselowski’s car went airborne, flipped upside down and landed on its roof. Keselowski said last week he believed Edwards’ issue with him went beyond what happened on the track. “It’s no deeper than that,” Edwards insisted. “It’s only between him and I and what happens on the track.” That’s when Edwards lit into Harvick, who after their incident said, “Not a big fan. I think he’s a fake.” Edwards said he’s not trying to be the good or the bad guy. “All those people that say whatever they say, know that if I have an issue with them I go speak to them,” he said. “I don’t go talk behind their back like little girls. That’s what a lot of them do. I learned that wasn’t cool in about the fifth grade. It’s really simple. I treat everyone the best way I can possibly treat them. That’s the way I was raised, but I stand up for myself. That’s simple. If somebody doesn’t respect that, then that’s their problem. Doesn’t really matter.”
Team owner Jack Roush does not condone Edwards wrecking Keselowski at Atlanta, “but I do understand it.”
“If my drivers had wrecked somebody three times I would have had issue with that in my camp,” Roush said. He agreed with NASCAR’s decision not to suspend Edwards, who was placed on a three-race probation.(ESPN.com)(3-19-2010) - And Kevin Harvick: #29-Kevin Harvick met with members of the media at Bristol Motor Speedway and discussed the Carl Edwards/Brad Keselowski situation some of the transcript:
WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL COME OUT OF THE MEETING TOMORROW BETWEEN CARL (EDWARDS) AND BRAD (KESELOWSKI)?
“There are a lot of things that could come out of it. Obviously there is a pretty deep history it seems like between the two of them. Hopefully they can get things squared away and not get everybody else involved in what is going on.”
HOW CLOSE DO YOU THINK EVERYONE WILL BE WATCHED ON SUNDAY?
“I think most everybody is tired of hearing about it from our standpoint. I mean, that is what I think about it.”
YOU WERE PRETTY OUTSPOKEN ABOUT HIS PENALTY AND USED THE WORD “FAKE” ON TWITTER AND THE RADIO, COULD YOU ELABORATE ON THAT?
“I don’t think I ever said anything about his penalty being one way or the other, I made a crack about maybe I got in trouble in the wrong era and it was more expensive then. (SMILES) Things change and the sport changes and I’m not up-in-arms about anything like that. As far as the fake comment, I mean, you can’t be the nice guy; you can’t be the bad guy and you can’t be the bully. So….that is just how I feel about that.”(Chevy/GM Racing)(3-19-2010) - No plans for payback by Brad K: #12-Brad Keselowski says “the slate is clean,” and anticipates no escalation of the feud that has festered between himself and #99-Carl Edwards when they line up again this weekend at Bristol. “I don’t have any hard feeling; it’s over as far as I’m concerned,” Keselowski said Thursday during a media luncheon at the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum to promote the April 3 NASCAR Nationwide race at Nashville Superspeedway. Keselowski has been in the news for the past two weeks — including an appearance on Good Morning America! — after taking an upside-down airborne ride at Atlanta Speedway. Keselowski, who was not injured, was sent sailing after being intentionally tagged in the rear by Edwards. Keselowski earlier in the race had wrecked Edwards. Keselowski said he has had no communication with Edwards since the crash. The Sprint Cup Series had an open date last week. Their next meeting will be at Bristol on one of the toughest, most physical races on the circuit. While track’s close-quarter racing often has tempers flaring, Keselowski said he doesn’t expect any “carryover” from the Atlanta incident. He added, however, that he won’t change his aggressive driving style. “This is how I race,” he said. “It’s what got me where I am today, and I think the fans appreciate it.”(Nashville City Paper)(3-19-2010)
- ESPN Publishing to Release Dale Earnhardt Commemorative Bookazine: As NASCAR prepares to welcome the inaugural class into its Hall of Fame, ESPN pays tribute to Dale Earnhardt, the sport’s greatest hero, with a collector’s edition commemorative bookazine: “Dale Earnhardt: The Legend Lives” – available nationwide March 30 for $9.99. The 100-page book celebrates every step of Earnhardt’s rise through NASCAR’s ranks, from turning a wrench on his daddy’s late-model sedans to showing his youngest boy, Dale Jr., the quickest way around a track. The stories and rich photography show sides of Earnhardt rarely seen by fans, told by those who knew him best: his son, Dale Jr., his team owner, Richard Childress, his gas man, Chocolate Myers, and NASCAR’s CEO, Brian France; along with a team of the most respected motorsports writers in the business—Ed Hinton, Ryan McGee and Marty Smith, to name a few.(ESPN PR)(3-19-2010)
- Scotts EZ Seed Showdown: the Scotts EZ Seed Showdown, a 12-car, 35-lap event at Bristol Motor Speedway, is scheduled for Saturday, March 20th after the Scotts Turf Builder 300 Nationwide Series event. Drivers scheduled to run the race are David Pearson, Larry Pearson, Harry Gant, Rick Wilson, Cale Yarborough, Charlie Glotzbach, Dave Marcis, Tommy Houston, L.D. Ottinger, Jack Ingram, Phil Parsons and Jimmy Hensley. Tickets are available, starting at $45, which includes both races. To purchase tickets, please visit www.bristolmotorspeedway.com, or call the BMS ticket office at 423-BRISTOL (274-4765).(BMS)(3-19-2010)
- Gordon Goes Back To School In Martinsville: It’s been a while since Jeff Gordon last attended elementary school, but on Thursday he got a refresher course from the students at Patrick Henry Elementary School in Martinsville. In town to help promote the March 28th Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway, Gordon spent a couple of hours with third and fourth graders at Patrick Henry Elementary School. It was an eye-opener to say the least. “Things have changed a lot, a whole lot since I was in school,” said Gordon, who has a four-year-old daughter and a second child on the way. “Especially now that I’m a parent it’s an education for me to see what I’ll be going through in a few years, seeing what the kids are learning these days. It’s been a while since I’ve visited a school…don’t think I have since I’ve been a parent and I see it in a whole different perspective now.” Patrick Henry principal Dr. Joan Montgomery led Gordon and a large media contingent on a tour of the school, making stops along the way in classes outfitted with electronic and computer learning aids that would rival the electronics in Gordon’s race shop. Patrick Henry Elementary School is a 2009 Distinguished Title 1 School and a School of Excellence, according to the Virginia Board of Education. Martinsville Speedway tickets may be purchased by calling 1.877.RACE.TIX or online at www.martinsvillespeedway.com.(3-19-2010)
- ESPN Motor Sports Coverage Earns Five Sports Emmy Nominations: ESPN’s coverage of motor sports earned five Sports Emmy Award nominations, among an industry-leading 54 nominations earned by ESPN, Inc., it was announced today by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. For the ninth time in 10 years, ESPN earned the most nominations of any submitting company. The winners will be announced Monday, April 26. The five nominations in motor sports included both NASCAR and the Indianapolis 500.
Outstanding Live Sports Special: The Indy 500
Outstanding Technical Team Remote: NASCAR on ESPN
Outstanding Technical Team Studio: ESPN Pit Studio and ESPN Craftsman Tech Garage
Outstanding Production Design/Art Direction: The Indy 500
Outstanding Editing: NASCAR Sprint Cup Season in Review (produced by NASCAR Media Group for ESPN2)
In addition, ESPN’s marketing department received a nomination for Outstanding Sports Promotional Announcement: NASCAR on ESPN – Feel Your Heart Race.(ESPN)(3-19-2010) - Update On Jeff Byrd From Bristol Motor Speedway: Bristol Motor Speedway officials issued an update on the status of President and General Manager Jeff Byrd, who recently took a leave of absence to deal with a medical matter. Byrd’s condition, which will prevent him from involvement in this weekend’s Food City 500 activities, has been identified and doctors last week began specific treatment. “Things are going well, “said Byrd. “It is going to be very difficult for me not to be at Bristol Motor Speedway this weekend to be with more than 150,000 of my closest friends. But I will be there in spirit and as I have said before, I expect to see everyone in August (for the second NASCAR weekend at Bristol). “Claudia, the rest of the family and I have been overwhelmed by everyone’s thoughts and prayers. I hope they keep it up and appreciate so many people coming to Bristol this weekend.”(BMS)(3-19-2010)
- Coleman Pressley to drive some races for R3: UPDATES R3 Motorsports has signed up-and-coming NASCAR driver Coleman Pressley to a multiple-race deal for the 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series season. Pressley, 21, of Asheville, N.C. is the son of former NASCAR Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series driver Robert Pressley. Coleman is also the grandson of Bob Pressley, a multiple-NASCAR short track champion in the Late Model ranks. Pressley will drive the #23 Chevy at Bristol Motor Speedway in March, Richmond International Raceway in April and Darlington Raceway in May. If more sponsorship can be attained, then Pressley will add more races to his schedule with R3 Motorsports.(R3 Motorsports PR)(3-2-2010)
UPDATE: Pressley, a third-generation NASCAR driver, has made two starts at the concrete jungle of BMS. Last year, he qualified fourth in his family-owned UARA Late Model. And, he also made one NASCAR Nationwide Series start at the .533-mile, high-banked oval in 2009 for another team and was forced to exit the race early. The difference this time is that Pressley will be looking to go the distance in the #23 Chevy of R3 Motorsports. Unsponsored and undaunted, the son of former Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series driver Robert Pressley, and grandson of multi-time short track champion Bob Pressley, this Pressley is wide eyed with anticipation. Speaking of Robert, he’ll be on the spotter’s stand watching his son through all 250 laps of Saturday’s action-packed race. And, adding to the mix is Coleman’s crew chief, Steve Plattenberger, who was named to the position following the Las Vegas race. This won’t be the first time Plattenberger has called the shots for a Pressley. He did it for Robert back in the ST Motorsports days of his Nationwide Series career.(R3 Motorsports PR)(3-16-2010)
UPDATE 2: It will look like a blast from the past on Saturday when a Pressley takes the green flag at Bristol Motor Speedway with Jasper Engines & Transmissions on a race car. Coleman Pressley, driving the #23 Jasper Engines & Transmissions Chevy for R3 Motorsports, will carry the logo his father, Robert, carried in NASCAR competition from 1997 to 2001. The reunion of family and sponsor at Bristol comes with the younger Pressley’s NASCAR Nationwide Series debut with the team. The deal will have the Indiana-based company’s Jasper logo on the Chevrolet’s hood and quarter panels for Saturday’s race.(R3 Motorsports PR)(3-19-2010)
- Key Motorsports gets Bristol sponsor: Southern Pride Woodburning BBQ Pits & Smokers will sponsor the #40 Key Motorsports Chevy and their driver Mike Bliss in this Saturday’s NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway.(Key Motorsports PR)(3-19-2010)
- Bodine, Benson headline TRD truck test at MMS: Coordinated by Toyota Racing Development (TRD), eight of the top Toyota teams on the Camping World Truck Series circuit congregated inside Motor Mile Speedway Tuesday for a daylong test session in preparation for the Kroger 250 at Martinsville Speedway on March 27. The TRD brain trust included NCWTS points leader Todd Bodine and past champions Johnny Benson and Mike Skinner, along with NASCAR newcomers Brian Ickler and Max Papis. Peters and the Red Horse Racing #17 team were at or near the top of the charts at MMS, with lap times ranging from 15.80 to 16.00 seconds. Benson, the 2008 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion, is one such veteran Peters will contend with next Saturday. Still devoid of a full-time ride in the truck series, Benson is slated to pilot the No. 15 Billy Ballew Motorsports entry at Martinsville. “Our expectations are obviously to go try and win the race, that’s why we do it. Billy’s stuff is good enough and I’ve won races there before so hopefully we can accomplish that goal,” Benson says. “I feel good about Martinsville— I’m excited about it.” Todd Bodine agrees. The No. 30 Germain Racing team had the current points leader dialed in and happy by the end of the session. “We got pretty good; the truck was awesome,” Bodine says. “We’re really pleased with the test. Even though this track is totally different from Martinsville, you learn trends. You learn what changes do what, so when you go to Martinsville you know what changes to make to fix your truck. Trends will work from one track to another, and that’s why we came here to test. “We’re gonna unload at Martinsville with the exact same setup we ran here. It’s really close, and I’m fairly confident it’s gonna be fast.”(Motor Mile Speedway PR)(3-19-2010)
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