April 10, 2010
- Newman wins at Phoenix: #39-Ryan Newman won the Subway Fresh Fit 600(k) at Phoenix International Raceway for his first win of the season and 14th of his career. Newman’s win was his first with Stewart Haas Racing and first since Newman won the 2008 Daytona 500, when he was with Penske Racing. Newman is the first driver ever to win a race running the car number 39. See my Win by Car Number page for more on car number history. #24-Gordon, who was the leader when the race restarted under a green-white-checker finish, was passed by Newman at the restart and finished 2nd. #48-Johnson finished 3nd, followed by #5-Martin, #42-Montoya, #17-Kenseth, #99-Edwards, #18-Kyle Busch (who was leading the race when the final caution came out with 3 laps to go), #33-Bowyer, and #20-Logano. Pole sitter #43-Allmendinger finished 15th. There were 9 cautions for 59 yellow flag laps and there were 20 lead changes among 13 drivers.
See race results, awards, laps led and more on Jayski’s Phoenix Race Results/Awards page.(4-10-2010) - Race Fast Facts – Phoenix International Raceway:
Ryan Newman won the SUBWAY Fresh Fit 600, his 14th victory in 303 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.
This is his first victory and second top-10 finish in 2010. His most recent victory came 77 races ago in 2008 Daytona 500. It is his first victory since joining Stewart-Haas Racing.
This is his first victory and fourth top-10 finish in 16 races at Phoenix International Raceway.
Jeff Gordon (second) posted his 17th top-10 finish in 23 races at Phoenix International Raceway. It is his third top-10 finish in 2010.
Jimmie Johnson (third) posted his 12th top-10 finish in 14 races at Phoenix International Raceway.
Kevin Conway (33rd) was the highest finishing rookie.
Jimmie Johnson leads the point standings by 36 points over Matt Kenseth.(NASCAR Statistics)(4-10-2010) - 2010 Sprint Cup Driver Points Standings:
[after Phoenix, race 7 of 36]:
rank, car#, driver, points, behind
1) #48-Jimmie Johnson [3 wins] 1073
2) #17-Matt Kenseth 1037, -36
3) #16-Greg Biffle 981, -92
4) #29-Kevin Harvick 961, -112
5) #24-Jeff Gordon 948, -125
6) #33-Clint Bowyer 885, -188
7) #31-Jeff Burton 873, -200
8) #99-Carl Edwards 873, -200
9) #14-Tony Stewart 869, -204
10) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. 866, -207
11) #20-Joey Logano 862, -211
12) #18-Kyle Busch 855, -218
Chase for the Sprint Cup – Contenders:
13) #5-Mark Martin 844, 11 points out of chase
14) #2-Kurt Busch [1 win] 834, -22
15) #98-Paul Menard 811, -44
16) #39-Ryan Newman [1 win] 802, -53
17) #83-Brian Vickers 786, -69
18) #11-Denny Hamlin [1 win] 783, -72
2009 Chaser Drivers not in top 18
21) #42-Juan Montoya 723, -132
26) #9-Kasey Kahne 666, -189
See standings on Jayski’s Drivers Points Standings page.(4-10-2010) - Top-35 in Owner Points and guaranteed a starting spot at Texas:
30) #77-Hornish/Penske 625 +104
31) #71-Labonte/Buckler 586 +65
32) #78-Smith/Furniture Row 580 +59
33) #38-Gilliland/Front Row 546 +25
34) #37-Conway/Front Row 538 +17
35) #7-Gordon/RGM/BAM: 528, 7 points ahead of 36th
these teams/ drivers must qualify by speed:
36) #34-Kvapil/Front Row 521 7 points out of 35th
38) #26-Said/Stremme/Latitude43: 426 -102
37) #36-Bliss/Baldwin: 420 -108
39) #13-Papis/Germain: 361 -167
40) #90-Riggs/Key 304 -224
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.(4-10-2010) - Penalty Report – Phoenix:
Car#, Lap, Reason, Penalty
#2, 15, Outside half of the pit box tire violation/Team member not in contact with the outside tires, Tail End
#9, 15, Pitting before pit road is open, Tail End
#2, 15, Pitting before pit road is open, Tail End
#56, 16, Pitting before pit road is open, Tail End
#2, 24, Pitting before pit road is open, Tail End
#1, 24, Pitting before pit road is open, Tail End
#31, 190, Car pitting out of the assigned pit box, 1 Lap
(NASCAR Statistics)(4-10-2010) - Lucky Dogs – Who got a lap back on each caution at Phoenix: (and their finish)
Caution 1: no driver down a lap
Caution 1: wave around cars: none
Caution 2: no driver on track a lap down
Caution 2: wave around cars: none
Caution 3: #46-Cook, 34th
Caution 3: wave around cars: none
Caution 4: #6-Ragan, 19th
Caution 4: wave around cars: none
Caution 5: #82-Speed, 21st
Caution 5: wave around cars: none reported
Caution 6: #78-Smith, 26th
Caution 6: wave around cars:
Caution 7: #78-Smith (2), 26th
Caution 7: wave around cars: none reported
Caution 8: #1-McMurray, 24th
Caution 8: wave around cars: #11-Hamlin, #19-Sadler
Caution 9: none, less than 10 laps remaining
Caution 9: wave around cars: #31-Burton, #78-Smith, 71-Labonte
NOTE: wave around cars are not always reported and not scored on results pages
(4-10-2010) - Start and Parks? Which teams parked their cars early in the race at Phoenix (or seemed to)?
#66-McDowell, #55-Blaney, and #35-Sauter all parked before the end of the race, but they all drove at least 149 laps.
(only count a team with a history of start and park, not a wreck or engine blow and only if 25% or less of race completed)(4-10-2010) - Hamlin uncertain if he can run entire race: UPDATES: #11-Denny Hamlin, who had surgery nine days ago to repair a torn ACL in his left knee, said he is uncertain if he can drive the entire race Saturday after experiencing significant pain and discomfort in practice Friday. “I don’t know how far I can go,” Hamlin said. “It aches quite a bit and the range of motion is a problem. If I had to do it today there is no way I could do it.” he said. Casey Mears will replace Hamlin if Hamlin has to get out of the #11 Toyota. A driver must start the race to earn the points for that event. “There’s a lot of fluid build-up on the knee right now,” Hamlin said. “The doctors are going to insert a needle in the morning and drain all the fluid. They also are going to take the stitches out, so I might have a little more mobility.” Hamlin said he hopes to make a decision early in the race about whether to get out of the car. “If we do it, we need to do it early,” Hamlin said. “I’ll start thinking about it at 50 or 60 laps. My goal is to know what I’m going to do before Lap 100 [in the 375-lap race]. There’s no reason to abort it if I make it that far. It hurts worse when I stop than when I’m going.”(ESPN.com)(4-9-2010)
UPDATE: Interviewed on SPEED’s Race Day, Hamlin said he has not determined if he will try to run the entire race. He will see how he feels once the race gets underway but try to make a decision by lap 50.(4-10-2010)
UPDATE 2: Hamlin stayed in the car for the entire race.(4-10-2010) - Blaney, McDowell swap rides at Phoenix: This weekend at Phoenix Dave Blaney has moved over to the #55 Prism Motorsports Toyota, swapping seats with Michael McDowell, who will be in the #66. SPEED reported that Blaney was moved to the #55 in preparation for Michael Waltrip’s race in the car at Talladega. Blaney usually runs more laps that McDowell and that will enable the team to focus more on the performance of the #55. It was not mentioned if they will swap cars again next weekend at Texas.(4-10-2010)
- Gilliland honoring fan killed in accident: #37-David Gilliland is paying tribute to the family of one of his biggest fans this weekend by racing in memory of a Tennessee teenager who was killed in a tragic accident. Jordan Dwomick, 14, died when more than 200 pounds of lumber fell on her while she was sunbathing and listening to music in the backyard of her home, according to this story. Four big boards somehow fell off a stack of lumber and onto Dwomick’s back, neck and head Dwomick was “the daughter of a big and loyal fan of David’s,” according to Front Row Motorsports. Gilliland is honoring her by running a decal on his car at Phoenix this weekend that reads: “In Loving Memory, Jordan Dwomick.”(SB Nation)(4-9-2010)
- Allgaier says no immediate plans for Cup debut: One of the more curious NASCAR stories this spring surrounds newcomer Justin Allgaier, Roger Penske’s latest find. Allgaier just notched his first big NASCAR win three weeks ago at Bristol, in Penske’s Nationwide car. Now there is increasing speculation that Allgaier, soon to turn 24, may be ready to step up to Cup….perhaps as Penske’s fourth Sprint Cup driver, with Kurt Busch, Brad Keselowski and Sam Hornish. What is the Penske-Allgaier game plan? And how much depends on Nationwide sponsor Verizon – which is barred from putting its company logos on a Sprint Cup car? “The only plan is there is no plan,” Allgaier says. “Obviously Roger is very passionate about the sport and wants to make things happen in a time frame that makes the most sense. I basically told Roger and everybody that makes the decision at Penske Racing that I want the opportunity eventually. There’s a lot that would have to go into it (creating a fourth Cup team). Penske Racing is very good at being planned. I don’t think we would jump into anything. With Verizon being on our Nationwide car and not being able to go to the Cup side, I want to make sure it’s the right opportunity and we don’t ruin any relationships.”(MikeMulhern.net)(4-10-2010)
- Obama Administration Looks to NASCAR for Anti-Texting Campaign: There are few sports where distractions can prove more deadly than in stock car racing. Just imagine the wreck a driver would cause if, say, he whipped out his phone to text his pit crew with a problem. With that in mind, the Obama administration is eager to get NASCAR aboard its anti-texting campaign, says a stock car official. “Yes, NASCAR has been in discussions … for a possible distracted driving component in a campaign. This is still early stage, and a timeline for completion is still not yet confirmed,” says the insider. Can’t you just picture Tony Stewart throwing his helmet at fellow racer who texted and caused a wreck that knocked him out of a race?(US News)(4-10-2010)
- Fans can get NASCAR Day Pins at Bass Pro Shops through May 21: NASCAR fans looking for a way to “get their pin on” can now visit their local Bass Pro Shops to make a $5 donation for the 2010 NASCAR Day collectible lapel pin. The NASCAR Foundation and Bass Pro Shops have announced the popular outdoor retailer will participate in the national fundraiser by carrying the pins now through May 21 at 56 stores nationwide. NASCAR Day is a charitable celebration of the NASCAR spirit that enables fans and partners to join together to make a difference in the lives of children. NASCAR Day encourages fans to make a $5 donation for a collectible lapel pin which in turn will support programs that help children live happier, healthier lives.(NASCAR PR), for more information on NASCAR day, see my Charity Links page..(4-10-2010)
- Keselowski, Smith to test at Infineon:NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers Brad Keselowski and Regan Smith will take part in test sessions next week at Infineon Raceway in preparation for the Toyota/Save Mart 350, June 18-20. Keselowski (#12 Penske Dodge) will test the 10-turn, 1.99-mile road course on Tuesday, April 13, while Smith (#78 Furniture Row Chevy) will visit the circuit on Wednesday, April 14. Both will test in late-model stock cars provided by a Northern California-based race team.(Infineon PR)(4-10-2010)
- Fall Phoenix Race to be Kobalt Tools 500: Phoenix International Raceway announced that Lowe’s and Kobalt Tools have joined the track’s team of corporate partners. As part of this new relationship, Kobalt will act as the official title sponsor for the track’s November 14 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event: The Kobalt Tools 500 at Phoenix International Raceway. Although this is Lowe’s first time sponsoring a Phoenix race, it has been supporting the Phoenix community for years. Lowe’s and the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation (LCEF) have given more than $2 million in donations to education and community improvement projects in Arizona. Most recently, the LCEF gave a $50,000 grant to the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Phoenix to renovate its teen center.(PIR)(4-10-2010)
- Darlington ticket office open on weekends: The Darlington Raceway ticket office will open during the weekend to make ticket purchases more convenient and accessible for race fans. The ticket office will be open every Saturday and Sunday leading up to the SHOWTIME Southern 500 on May 8, 2010. Beginning Saturday, April 10, the ticket office will be open for fans to purchase their tickets. The weekend hours will be 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturdays and 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. on Sundays. The track’s normal business hours of 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. will continue Monday through Friday. Tickets can also be purchased by calling the Darlington Raceway ticket office at 866-459-RACE or online at http://www.darlingtonraceway.com/tickets/.(Darlington PR)(4-10-2010)
- Sad News – Hubert Hensley: Hubert Shelton Hensley, 78, of 1600 J. S. Holland Road, Ridgeway, VA died Thursday, April 8, 2010 at Memorial Hospital of Martinsville/Henry County. He was born on September 27, 1931 in Henry County, VA. Hensley owned a Nationwide Series [usually #63] team from 1982-2002, with his drivers winning 11 races and the 1990 Series Championship with Chuck Bown driving. Hensely’s son Jeff is currently the crew chief for Timothy Peters in the Camping World Truck Series. Surviving are his wife, Pauline Shelton Hensley of the home; son and daughter-in-law, Jeffrey Shelton Hensley and Debra Hensley of Ridgeway, VA; sister Ruth Shields of the Preston Community, Martinsville, VA; brother, Billy Hensley of Ridgeway, VA and grandchildren, Emily Hebert, John Thomas Hensley and Meg Elizabeth Hensley. The funeral service will be held at 11:00am/et on Monday, April 12, 2010 at Norris Funeral Services Chapel with Reverend Kenneth McFarland and R. Darryl Holland officiating. Burial will be in the Horsepasture Christian Church Cemetery, Ridgeway, VA. The family will receive friends on Sunday evening, from 4:00 to 5:30pm/et at Norris Funeral Services and other times at the home. Memorials may be made to the Victory Junction, 4500 Adams Way, Randleman, NC 27317. See obit here.(4-10-2010)
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