March 21, 2010
- Johnson wins first race at Bristol: #48-Jimmie Johnson won the Food City 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway for his 3rd win of 2010, 50th of his career and 1st at Bristol. #14-Stewart finished 2nd followed by #2-Busch, #16-Biffle. #17-Kenseth, #99-Edwards, #88-Earnhardt Jr., #1-McMurray, #18-Busch and #31-Burton. Pole sitter #20-Logano finished 27th down 5 laps. Points leader, #29-Kevin Harvick finished 11th and holds on to the points lead by 1 point over #17-Kenseth. 21 cars finished on the lead lap. There were 10 caution periods for 103 yellow flag laps. There were 29 lead changes among 8 drivers.
The race is scheduled to be re-aired, Wednesday, March 24 at 12:00pm/et on SPEED.
See race results, awards, laps led and more on Jayski’s Bristol Race Results/Awards page.(3-21-2010) - Drivers with the fewest starts to get to 50 Sprint Cup wins:
DRIVER, STARTS when won 50th
Jeff Gordon, 232
Darrell Waltrip, 278
David Pearson, 293
Jimmie Johnson, 296
Junior Johnson, 303
Ned Jarrett, 332
Richard Petty, 338
Cale Yarborough, 347
Dale Earnhardt, 369
Lee Petty, 392
Bobby Allison, 433
Rusty Wallace, 498 - Overall all-time winning percentage: [drivers with over 100 starts]:
1. Herb Thomas — 21.053% (48 wins, 228 starts)
2. Tim Flock — 20.856% (39/187)
3. David Pearson — 18.293% (105/574)
4. Richard Petty — 16.892% (200/1184)
4. Jimmie Johnson — 16.892% (50/296)
6. Fred Lorenzen — 16.456% (26/158)
7. Fireball Roberts — 16.019% (33/206)
8. Junior Johnson — 15.974% (50/313)
9. Cale Yarborough — 14.821% (83/560)
10. Jeff Gordon — 13.993% (82/586)
(stats from Racing-reference.info and NASCAR Statistics and compiled weekly here)(3-21-2010) - Race Fast Facts – Bristol Motor Speedway:
Jimmie Johnson won the FOOD CITY 500, his 50th victory in 296 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.
This is his third victory and third top-10 finish in 2010.
This is his first victory and ninth top-10 finish in 17 races at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Tony Stewart (second) posted his eighth top-10 finish in 23 races at Bristol Motor Speedway. It is his third top-10 finish in 2010.
Kurt Busch (third) posted his 11th top-10 finish in 19 races at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Kevin Conway (28th) was the highest finishing rookie.
Kevin Harvick leads the point standings by 1 points over Matt Kenseth.(NASCAR Statistics)(3-21-2010) - 2010 Sprint Cup Driver Points Standings
[after Bristol, race 5 of 36]:
rank, car#, driver, points, behind
1) #29-Kevin Harvick 774
2) #17-Matt Kenseth, 773, -1
3) #48-Jimmie Johnson [3 wins], 760, -14
4) #16-Greg Biffle, 750, -24
5) #14-Tony Stewert, 685, -89
6) #2-Kurt Busch [1 win], 677, -97
7) #31-Jeff Burton, 677, -97
8) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., 621, –153
9) #98-Paul Menard, 614, -160
10) #18-Kyle Busch, 606, -168
11) #24-Jeff Gordon, 603, -171
12) #33-Clint Bowyer, 601, -173
Chase for the Sprint Cup – Contenders:
13) #99-Carl Edwards, 585, 16 points out of the chase
14) #83-Brian Vickers 584, -17
15) #1-Jamie McMurray, 581, -20
16) #5-Mark Martin, 579, -22
2009 Chasers not in top 15
13) #99-Carl Edwards, 585, 16 out of the chase
14) #83-Brian Vickers 584, -17
19) #11-Denny Hamlin, 515, -86
22) #42-Juan Pablo Montoya, 508, -93
23) #9-Kasey Kahne, 508, -93
26) #39-Ryan Newman, 452, -149.
See standings on Jayski’s Drivers Points Standings page.(3-21-2010) - Top-35 in Owner Points and guaranteed a starting spot at Martinsville:
After Bristol, the current (2010) OWNERS points are used to determine the Top-35 in owners points and the guaranteed starting positions. #37-Conway was able to move back in the top 35 after falling out last week. Teams that started the 2010 season in the top-35 and fell out after five races include #7-Gordon and #26-Said/Stremme. Two drivers/teams were not in the top-35 starting the season and are now in, #82-Speed is solidly in the top-35 at 18th in 2010 Owners points and #71-Labonte who is 29th, 82 points ahead of 36th. Where things stand in the top 35 of Owners Points after Bristol:
30) #12-Keselowski/Penske: 424, +78
31) #38-Gilliland/Front Row: 417, +71
32) #47-Ambrose/JTG: 413, +67
33) #77-Hornish/Penske: 392, +46
34) #34-Kvapil/Front Row: 374, +28
35) #37-Conway/Front Row: 355, 9 points ahead of 36th
these teams/ drivers must qualify by speed:
36) #7-Gordon/RGM/BAM: 346, 9 points out of 35th
37) #26-Said/Stremme/Latitude43: 343 -12
38) #36-Bliss/Baldwin: 307 -48
39) #13-Papis/Germain: 275 -80
40) #55-McDowell/Waltrip/Prism: 230 -140
The teams are NOT locked in past the next race as the owners points change after each race.
For the owner points standings, see my Owners Points Standings page.(3-21-2010) - Infraction Sheet – Bristol Motor Speedway:
Car#, Lap, Reason, Penalty
#46, Pre-Race to the rear, Tail End, Missing drivers intro
#66, 40, Intentionally causing a caution, 2 Laps
#47, 43, Excessive speed EXITING the pits, Tail End
#11, 117, Excessive speed EXITING the pits, Tail End
#11, 119, Excessive speed ENTERING pits, Tail End
#11, 129, Pitting before pit road is open, Tail End
#7, 130, Pitting before pit road is open, Tail End
#46, 139, Pitting before pit road is open, Tail End
#47, 206, Excessive speed ENTERING pits, Tail End
#9, 206, Pitting before pit road is open, Tail End
#11, 292, Pitting before pit road is open, Tail End
#88, 325, Excessive speed ENTERING pits, Tail End
#6, 342, Pitting before pit road is open, Tail End
#42, 342, Pitting before pit road is open, Tail End
#90, 343, Pitting before pit road is open, Tail End
#82, 483, Commitment Line Violation, Tail End
(NASCAR Statistics)(3-21-2010) - There are five race tracks the Sprint Cup Series currently races at that #48-Jimmie Johnson has not won a Sprint Cup race at:
Michigan: 0 for 16 with a best finish of 3rd in 8/2007
Infineon: 0 for 8 with a best finish of 4th in 6/2009
Chicago: 0 for 8 with a best finish of 2nd in 7/2004 & 7/2008
Watkins Glen: 0 for 8 with a best finish of 3rd in 8/2007
Homestead: 0 for 9 with a best finish of 2nd in 11/2004
plus Johnson ran five races at Rockingham Speedway and didn’t win there.
Bristol had been one of those tracks Johnson didn’t have a win there until he won there on Sunday,m March 21, 2010, leaving Johnson with five more tracks to winb at.(3-21-2010) - Song Drivers were introduced to at the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway:
AJ Allmendinger …. “Last Resort” by Papa Roach
Aric Almirola …. “Back in Black” by AC/DC
Bobby Labonte … “People are Crazy” by Billy Currington
Brad Keselowski … “Won’t Back Down” by Tom Petty
Brian Vickers … “Whatever Happened” by OAR
Carl Edwards … “Black Betty” by Spiderbait
Casey Mears … “Wild Side” by Motley Crue
Clint Bowyer … “Burning Love” by Elvis Presley
David Ragan … “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” by Charlie Daniels
David Reutimann … “The Game” by Motor Head
Denny Hamlin .. “Theme from Rocky”
Elliott Sadler … “2001: A Space Odyssey Theme”’
Greg Biffle … “Welcome to the Jungle” by Guns N’ Roses
Jamie McMurray … “Let It Rock” by Kevin Rudoph featuring Lil Wayne
Jeff Burton … “Welcome to the Jungle” by Guns N’ Roses
Jeff Gordon … “Boom, Boom, Pow” by Black Eyed Peas
Jimmie Johnson … “Ramble On” by Led Zepplin
Juan Pablo Montoya … “Goin’ The Distance” by Cake
Kasey Kahne … “Bulls on Parade” by Rage Against the Machine
Kevin Conway … “Big Time” by Peter Gabriel
Kevin Harvick … “Rollin — Airraid Vehicle” by LImp Bizkit
Kurt Busch … “Dukes of Hazard Theme song” by Waylon Jennings
Kyle Busch … “Amazing” by Kanye West
Marcos Ambrose … “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC
Maritn Truex Jr. … “NAPA Know How Jingle”
Matt Kenseth … “Whisky Hangover” by Godsmack
Paul Menard … “Paradise City” by Guns N’ Roses
Regan Smith … “Fight for Your Right” by Beastie Boys
Robby Gordon … “Some Beach” by Blake Shelton
Ryan Newman … “Hillbilly Rockstar” by Bridgette Tatum
Sam Hornish Jr. … “Bad Habit” by Offspring
Scott Speed … “Loveshack” by B-52s
Tony Stewart … “Eastbound and Down” by Jerry Reed
Travis Kvapil … “Kickstart My Heart” by Motley Crue
Joey Logano … “Crank dat” by Soldier Boys
David Gilliland … “I Got a Feeling” by Black Eyed Peas
Terry Cook … “Don’t Look Back” by Boston
Joe Nemechek … “Boot Scotin Boogie” by Brooks and Dunn
Mike Bliss … “Rise Above This” by Seether
Michael Waltrip .. “Hillbilly Bone” by Blake Shelton
Dave Blaney … “Let’s Get This Party Started”
Mark Martin … “If You Want Blood” by AC/DC
Dale Earnhardt Jr. … ?
(Virginian Pilot)(3-21-2010) - New record for Logano: when #20-Joey Logano won the pole for the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway, he became the youngest pole sitter ever in the Sprint Cup Series at 19 years, 9 months, 23 days, beating Kyle Busch out by two days. Busch won a pole at Auto Club Speedway on February 27, 2005 at the age of 19 years, 9 months, 25 days. The old record at Bristol was held by Ryan Newman, who was 25 years, 3 months, 15 days old when he won the pole on March 23, 2003.(3-21-2010)
- More changes coming to the COT? The Sprint Cup car rear-deck wing, that much-hated piece of the race vehicle originally introduced as the Car of Tomorrow, will make one more run in Sunday’s Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway. When teams reassemble next weekend at Martinsville Speedway, the cars will be fitted with the traditional metal spoilers that sat on the back of NASCAR racers for decades before the COT ushered in the wing. The reappearance of the spoiler probably won’t be the only significant – and maybe not the most significant – change in car body armor this season as NASCAR has ramped up its campaign against flying cars in the wake of Brad Keselowski’s wild ride two weeks ago at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Ongoing tests are directed at preventing cars from becoming airborne when they turn sideways or backward. Keselowski’s flight at Atlanta caused particular concern among NASCAR officials because such problems are relatively rare at 1.5-mile tracks (although Atlanta speeds are seriously fast despite the track size). The switch next week from wing to spoiler is likely to have no measurable effect on holding cars on the ground. Wind tunnel tests and study of videotapes of airborne crashes indicate that the major cause of cars taking flight is the rush of air underneath the car, not the rear-deck wing. Among the solutions, according to long-time Ford Racing engineer Bernie Marcus, an aerodynamic specialist, might be slots in the rear area of the car so that, in an accident, air would have places to escape. “We tested last week in another liftoff test as a result of what happened in Atlanta,” Marcus said Sunday at Bristol Motor Speedway. “They’re really reacting to it in a very fast way and a proactive way. They’re looking at what we can do to prevent this from happening again. There are more things in the pipeline, and they probably will be introduced at some point. We’re looking at options to somehow get rid of the air that goes under the car.” Part of the problem in studying solutions, Marcus said, is that every accident is different. He said part of the problem in the Keselowski incident in Atlanta was that a section in the rear of the car had been damaged in a previous accident, allowing more air to collect in that part of the car when it turned. “That’s the biggest challenge NASCAR faces with all these safety things,” he said. “Every spinout is different because there are different angles involved.” He said a third roof flap has been tested but that there isn’t enough room on the roof of the cars to make that possibility workable. “All this is an ongoing thing,” Marcus said. “In the past, NASCAR would react to accidents. Now they want to be more proactive. They have us involved a little more in looking further ahead. But every time you have an accident at a big track, cars can fly. That’s just a simple fact of physics.”(SPEED)(3-21-2010)
- Ford Racing Notes and Quotes – Jack and Carl: #99-Carl Edwards and car owner Jack Roush participated in a meeting with NASCAR officials and Penske Racing owner Roger Penske and driver #12-Brad Keselowski. Both Roush and Edwards commented on the meeting during Nationwide Series qualifying on Saturday.
CARL EDWARDS – No. 99 Aflac Ford Fusion
HOW DID THINGS GO IN THE MEETING?
“Everything went really well. I think the biggest thing coming out of that meeting is that now, I think, Brad and I understand one another a little better. I think we’re gonna be able to just go forward and go racing, and that’s what this is all about. It was really cool to be able to talk with Jack and Roger and Brad all at once. We laughed. We cried. In the end, I think it’s gonna be good.”
WHAT HAS THIS WEEK BEEN LIKE FOR YOU?
“This last week was really good, actually, for me. I got to spend a lot of time at home, but I guess this is just part of life and part of the way things go, especially with the way the media works. Sometimes people don’t understand everything that’s going on. It’s interesting, I’ll say that.”
WHAT DON’T PEOPLE UNDERSTAND?
“Well, for instance, with what happened at Atlanta. It’s very hard for people to understand that the result is far different from the intent. Things can be presented in a lot of ways, but I guess that’s just part of it. What’s most interesting to me is that sometimes it’s about selling ad time or newspapers and it’s not about explaining the story.”
YOU HAVE SORT OF BEEN PORTRAYED AS AN ANGRY GUY WHO GETS UPSET. HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT?
“I addressed that a little bit yesterday. I think some people would like that to be the case, but let me put it this way – it’s real easy to stand back and throw stones at someone and make little chirps and say things that make you feel better about yourself, but, in the end, what I said yesterday holds true. The people who know me know that I’m a very fair person. I guess if my biggest fault is standing up for myself, I’ll take it. They can fault me all day for that.”
JACK ROUSH, Owner – No. 99 Aflac Ford Fusion
WHAT WAS TALKED ABOUT INSIDE?
“The ultimate responsibility that we all have – that NASCAR has, the owners have and the drivers have – to keep everybody safe in this business. It’s a sport that needs to be contentious, but it needs to be safe too and we’ve got to be careful to respect that line.”
DO YOU FEEL THIS IS BEHIND BOTH DRIVERS?
“Carl and Brad both said things that would indicate that they’re willing to put it behind them and let bygones be bygones, to give one another racing room, and that’s what’s needed. They need to give one another a little extra room for awhile.”
DO YOU AND ROGER SEE EYE TO EYE ON THIS?
“Oh, yeah. Roger and I are on the same page.”
WHAT DID YOU SAY TO CARL REGARDING THIS SITUATION?
“I told him I did not condone what he did, but I did understand it.”
DO YOU THINK BRAD AND CARL SEE EYE TO EYE?
“No, but I think that they will give one another enough respect that we won’t see another occurrence like that. I think Carl is not likely to have incidental contact with Brad and cause a wreck, and I think Brad is not like to have incidental contact with Carl and cause a wreck in the foreseeable future.”
WHAT ABOUT CARL AND KEVIN HARVICK?
“I don’t know about that. I didn’t read the things that they said about one another and I’ve had no contact with either one.”(Ford Racing/Roush Fenway)(3-21-2010) - Wilson wins Scotts EZ Seed Showdown at BMS UPDATE: For Rick Wilson, it was de ja vu during Saturday’s Scotts EZ Seed Showdown at Bristol Motor Speedway. Wilson said the finish of the race played out just like his win in 1989 when he spun the wheels on a late race restart and saw drivers stream by him. “This was identical to the 1989 race,” said Wilson of Bartow, Fla. “The car was great and the key was getting out ahead early. I was just riding at one point, because I knew I had a great car. “It was just like 1989. Phil (Parsons) got around me on the restart, but I just waited and got back around. I wish we could have gone 200 laps.” Several other drivers echoed Wilson’s thoughts. Cale Yarborough was excited to behind the wheel again, but disappointed that it didn’t last longer. “It was fun,” he said, “just not long enough to do what I wanted to do. Something happened to the car.” Dave Marcis’ day also was cut short, but he was glad to lace up his famous wingtips once more. “I was having fun, the car was good, but I ran over something and it cut one of the belts,” he explained. “I think I got it shut off before I caused a lot of damage. It was fun and I enjoyed it. I’m glad to be back.” Jimmy Hensley was glad just to be on the track. “I wish I could have been more competitive,” he said. “I didn’t hit anything, so that was good.”(BMS)AND Rick Wilson passed Phil Parsons with two laps to go to outlast 11 other retired NASCAR drivers Saturday in an exhibition race at Bristol Motor Speedway. Wilson, best known as the driver who took over the #43 following Richard Petty’s 1992 retirement, dominated the race but lost the lead late to Parsons. Wilson passed Parsons shortly after a restart following a lengthy red-flag for a frightening accident between Charlie Glotzbach and Larry Pearson. Pearson, the son of three-time NASCAR champion David Pearson, spun into the outside wall with five laps remaining. As his car slid down the banking, Glotzbach rounded Turn 2 and ran directly into Pearson’s driver-side door. Glotzbach gingerly walked from his car, but the roof had to be cut off Pearson’s car. He was placed onto a stretcher, but was moving his arms as he was loaded into an ambulance. Pearson, the winner of consecutive titles in what’s now called the Nationwide Series in 1986 and 1987, was immediately transported to Wellmont Regional Medical Center for further evaluation. Glotzbach, who won a caution-free Cup race at Bristol in 1971, was seen first in the infield care center before leaving for the same hospital. David Pearson did not continue the race after his son’s accident. He drove his car off the track and stopped racing after the ambulance left so that he could travel to the hospital.(ESPN/Associated Press)(3-20-2010)UPDATE: Hours later, Jim Wozniak, a Welmont Health System spokesman, said Pearson would undergo surgery on a compound fracture of the left ankle, and that he suffered a fractured pelvis and fractured right hand. “He is awake and alert, and in good spirits,” Wozniak said of Pearson, who was listed in fair condition late Saturday night. Wozniak also said that Glotzbach was in good condition, but provided no further details regarding his injuries.(Bristol Herakd Courier)(3-21-2010)
- Congrats: to Marc Hendricksen, Race Engineer for Front Row Motorsports Car #37, who was married on Saturday, March 13, 2010 to Heather Anne Bartone at Childress Vineyards in Lexington, NC.(3-21-2010)
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