Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Confederate Flag chaos
Over the last few weeks we've seen the Confederate flag's history being tattered before our very eyes. Most recently by Brian France & NASCAR themselves. Brian France literally said he was ashamed of the flag & that it should be banned from all tracks. But now Daytona International Speedway comes out with a "flag exchange program" where when you go to the track this weekend you can exchange your Confederate flag for an American one. What's happening to NASCAR? Where were the days when you could fly any type of NASCAR flag (or any flag in general) you wanted & nobody would get offended by it? Honestly, NASCAR needs to stay out of everything political & stick with the more important issues such as the Chase for the Cup & the rules package. Politics & NASCAR don't go together so keep it separated.
The Rainbow Returns
If you remember Jeff Gordon's "Rainbow Warriors" paint scheme back in the day, then you should read this.
Gordon is being the iconic paint scheme back to the race track!
Gordon will race the iconic paint scheme at the upcoming race at Bristol Motor Speedway.
The car, which has a rainbow paint scheme, is one of NASCAR's most iconic paint schemes, and it was one of the most easy paint schemes to pick out on the race track.
This being Gordon's last season in NASCAR, I feel that it's only right that Gordon bring the scheme back. It would be a thrilling tribute to himself, and the fans would feel that way too. I think that the majority of Gordon and many NASCAR fans in general love the fact that Gordon is bringing the scheme back. I'm very happy myself that he's bringing the scheme back, and I'm not even a Jeff Gordon fan (I do like him though).
Gordon is yet to win in his final season in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
Chase Elliott, who currently drives the No. 9 NAPA Chevrolet for JR. Motorsports in the NASCAR XFINITY Series, will take over the No. 24 car when Gordon retires at the end of this season.
Sunday, June 28, 2015
Kyle Busch wins one EXCITING Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma
By @GucciardoJoey | June 28th, 2015
SONOMA, California--- Kyle Busch had to hold off Clint Bowyer and Kurt Busch to get the win today at Sonoma Raceway!
A few laps later, we had our first red flag of the day. Martin Truex Jr. had pushed David Ragan off the track. Reagan sure didn't like that, so he hit Truex in return and Truex went into another tire barrier. This time, a fence was knocked down. The red flag lasted 10 minutes and 30 seconds.
True spoke to PRN (Performance Racing Network) Radio.
"Just a lot of congestion. Cars being desperate trying to get track position. I think he [Ragan] got pissed and turned me on purpose." said Truex.
Many drivers were complaining about the tire issues.
Goodyear Racing put this out on Twitter:
Kyle Busch broke the streak of 10 different winners in the last 10 races at Sonoma. We now have 10 different winners in the last 11 races, because Kyle Busch also won this race in 2008.
Kyle Busch, who has been though so much since the beginning of this season, was able to get it done today at Sonoma Raceway.
Congrats to Kyle Busch on your victory at Sonoma Raceway today!
The Following Information was compiled by Jayski.com.
SONOMA, California--- Kyle Busch had to hold off Clint Bowyer and Kurt Busch to get the win today at Sonoma Raceway!
He had to get past Jimmie Johnson, who was running on old tires, to get the win.
Johnson would finish 6th.
Kurt Busch finished 2nd, followed by Clint Bowyer in 3rd.
Many drivers had tire issues early on in today's race. Kyle Busch was actually one of them. Jamie McMurray was another. Many other drivers had tire issues as well.
A ridiculous penalty came late in the race. Jeff Gordon was penalized for 'throwing equipment.' What happened was, Gordon was removing coils from his car so that a he could have a similar setup to Jimmie Johnson. But one of Gordon's crew members threw one of the coils over the car and over the pit wall. Let's just say that NASCAR did not like that, so they made him start in the rear of the field.
Early in the race, on lap 22, David Gilliland hit a tire barrier, but he went to the infield care center, and checked out okay.
A few laps later, we had our first red flag of the day. Martin Truex Jr. had pushed David Ragan off the track. Reagan sure didn't like that, so he hit Truex in return and Truex went into another tire barrier. This time, a fence was knocked down. The red flag lasted 10 minutes and 30 seconds.
True spoke to PRN (Performance Racing Network) Radio.
"Just a lot of congestion. Cars being desperate trying to get track position. I think he [Ragan] got pissed and turned me on purpose." said Truex.
Many drivers were complaining about the tire issues.
Goodyear Racing put this out on Twitter:
Several tires have shown damage at Sonoma. This tire is on soft end of spectrum to give grip. Harsh conditions of road racing contributes.— Goodyear Racing (@GoodyearRacing) June 28, 2015Obviously Goodyear Racing is trying to give an explanation for what happened with the tires that they provided NASCAR with today.Kyle Busch broke the streak of 10 different winners in the last 10 races at Sonoma. We now have 10 different winners in the last 11 races, because Kyle Busch also won this race in 2008.
Kyle Busch, who has been though so much since the beginning of this season, was able to get it done today at Sonoma Raceway.
Congrats to Kyle Busch on your victory at Sonoma Raceway today!
~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~
The Following Information was compiled by Jayski.com.
- Kyle Busch wins at Sonoma: #18-Kyle Busch won the Toyota/Save Mart 350 Sprint Cup Series race at Sonoma Raceway for his 1st win of the season, 2nd win at Sonoma, 4th road course win and 30th career win. It is crew chief Adam Stevens' first Sprint Series win as a crew chief. #41-Busch finished 2nd followed by #15-Bowyer, #4-Harvick, #22-Logano, #48-Johnson, #88-Earnhardt Jr., #5-Kahne, #31-Newman and #9-Hornish Jr.
#48-Johnson led late in the race when the caution came out for #13-Mears broken axle. Most of the leaders pitted but Johnson stayed out. After the restart, #18-Busch started 7th, passing five cars before catching Johnson on lap 106 to take the lead and held off his brother, #41-Busch to win the race. Johnson finished 6th. It was the first time then Busch brothers have finished 1-2 in their Sprint Cup Series careers.
Pole winner #47-Allmendinger led 1 lap and ran up front most of the day until having fuel problems on lap 60. Allmendinger's team made repairs and he came back out to finish 37th, 12 laps off the pace. Harvick increases the drivers points lead to 53 points over #78-Truex Jr. who finished 42nd after an early wreck. #18-Busch now has 125 points and is 37rth in drivers points. To get in the Chase, he needs to be in the top 30. Busch is 136 points out of 30th and needs around a 14th average finish to crack the top 30 in the 10 races before the Chase. There were 9 lead changes among 5 drivers. There were 5 cautions for 21 yellow flag laps. The average speed was 74.774mph. - Brother's Back-to-back wins: With #18-Kyle Busch's win at Sonoma on June 28, 2015 and #41-Kurt Busch's win the race before at Michigan, the Busch brothers have now won back-to-back races seven times, the most by any brother duo in NASCAR history:Back-To-Back VictoriesKurt, Kyle Busch - 7
Tim, Fonty Flock - 3
Bobby, Donnie Allison - 2
Tim and Bob Flock - 2
Bobby, Terry Labonte - 2
Brett, Geoff Bodine - 1
Bob, Fonty Flock - 1
Donald, Herb Thomas - 1. - Race Fast Facts - Sonoma:
#18-Kyle Busch won the 27th Annual Toyota/Save Mart 350, his 30th victory in 370 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.
With the victory, #18-Kyle Busch tied #4-Kevin Harvick for 23rd on the all-time wins list.
This is his first victory and second top-10 finish in 2015. His last victory was 35 starts (46 races) ago, at Auto Club Speedway on March 23, 2014.
This is his second victory and third top-10 finish in 11 races at Sonoma Raceway.
#41-Kurt Busch (second) posted his seventh top-10 finish in 15 races at Sonoma Raceway. It is his eighth top-10 finish in 2015.
This is the first time that the Busch brothers have finished 1-2 in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series competition.
#16-Clint Bowyer (third) posted his eighth top-10 finish in ten races at Sonoma Raceway.
#4-Kevin Harvick leads the point standings by 53 points over #78-Martin Truex Jr.
(NASCAR Integrated Sports Marketing) - 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup CHASE Standings:
[after Sonoma, race 16 of 36]
(by wins, then by points standings)
1) #48-Jimmie Johnson [4 wins], 545, -70 (4th in driver points)
2) #4-Kevin Harvick [2 wins], 616 (1st)
3) #41-Kurt Busch [2 wins], 469, -147 (10th)
4) #78-Martin Truex Jr. [1 win], 563, -53 (2nd)
5) #22-Joey Logano [1 win], 559, -57 (3rd)
6) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. [1 win], 545, -71 (5th)
7) #2-Brad Keselowski [1 win], 505, -111 (6th)
8) #20-Matt Kenseth [1 win], 479, -137 (9th)
9) #11-Denny Hamlin [1 win], 438, -178 (13th)
10) #19-Carl Edwards [1 win], 405, -211 (17th)
[would be in the Chase via points standings]
11) #1-Jamie McMurray, 497, -119 (7th in driver points)
12) #5-Kasey Kahne, 483, -133 (8th)
13) #24-Jeff Gordon, 462, -154 (11th)
14) #27-Paul Menard, 452, -164 (12th)
15) #31-Ryan Newman, 435, -181 (14th)
16) #43-Aric Almirola, 431, -185 (15th)
[has a win but not in the top 30 in drivers points to make Chase]
37) #18-Kyle Busch [1 win], 125, 136 pts out of 30th
(ties are broken by wins, 2nds, 3rds, etc) - Top-10 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Drivers Points Standings:
[after Sonoma, race 16 of 36]
1) #4-Kevin Harvick [2 wins], 616
2) #78-Martin Truex Jr. [1 win], 563, -53
3) #22-Joey Logano [1 win], 559, -57
4) #48-Jimmie Johnson [4 wins], 546, -70
5) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. [1 win], 545, -71
6) #2-Brad Keselowski [1 win], 505, -111
7) #1-Jamie McMurray, 497, -119
8) #5-Kasey Kahne, 483, -133
9) #20-Matt Kenseth [1 win], 479, -137
10) #41-Kurt Busch [2 wins], 469, -147
(ties are broken by wins, 2nds, 3rds, etc) - Sonoma Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points:
#33-Alex Kennedy, finished 25th, 11 rookie points
#83-Matt DiBenedetto, finished 29th, 10 rookie points
#26-Jeb Burton, finished 32nd, 9 rookie points
#34-Brett Moffitt, not entered, Justin Marks ran the car
#66-Tanner Berryhill, did not race, not entered - Lucky Dogs - Who got a lap back on each caution at Sonoma: (and their finish)
Caution 1: #7-Bowman, 31st
Caution 2: #40-Cassill, 36th
Caution 3: #95-McDowell, 34th
Caution 4: #20-Kenseth, 21st
Caution 5: #6-Bayne, 23rd----------Infractions List from 2015 Toyota/Save Mart 350Car No's. 27 and 46: Go to the rear of the field before the race. Engine change was the cause of the penalty.Car No. 34: Crewman over the wall too soon on lap 25. Penalty assessed on lap 26.Car No. 24: Crew member tossing/throwing equipment over wall. Crew member had thrown a spring over the wall (most likely to shave off time from the No. 24's pit stop. Penalty occurred on lap 75, and was assessed on lap 78.Pre-Race Notes- Tire: Goodyear Eagle Road Course RadialsSet limits: 4 sets for practice/qualifying and 5 sets for the raceTire Code: D-4638 (same on all four tire positions)Tire Circumference: 88.66 in. (2,252 mm)Minimum Recommended Inflation:
Left Front -- 22 psi; Right Front -- 20 psi;
Left Rear -- 17 psi; Right Rear -- 17 psiNotes: Teams in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will run the same Goodyear tire code (D-4638) on all four tire positions at Sonoma . . . this is the first time teams will be running this code . . . compared to what was run at Sonoma last year, this tire features an increase in tread gage (thickness) for better wear . . . as on all NASCAR road courses, teams will not run inner liners in their tires at Sonoma.Wet Weather Tires: This year, the NASCAR rulebook allows that Sprint Cup teams may run in wet conditions . . . Goodyear will bring its wet weather radials (D-4215) for use at Sonoma, should NASCAR decide that conditions warrant . . . teams are allowed up to three sets of "wets" for practice/qualifying and up to three sets for the race . . . this tire code has been run by NASCAR Xfinity Series teams on road courses over the past several seasons.First Friday practice for the Toyota/Save Mart 350 Sprint Cup Series race at Sonoma Raceway is over, after 115 scheduled minutes, the top five, slowest and any notes:
#15-Bowyer 95.547
#47-Allmendinger 95.318
#9-Hornish Jr. 95.091
#10-Patrick 95.012
#1-McMurray 94.940
slowest: #40-Cassill 90.630 & #62-Gaughan 90.637.
most laps run: #26-Burton 34; #6-Bayne 30
notes: #33-Kennedy spun around, but no damage reported. #43-Almirola spun into the dirt, drove back to garage, no damage reported.
#13-Mears run off course and thru the dirt, dusting up the area and the car. Late in practice, Mears ran out of fuel and caused a caution.Happy Hour practice for the Toyota/Save Mart 350 Sprint Cup Series race at Sonoma Raceway is over, after 85 scheduled minutes, the top five, slowest and any notes:#18-Busch 96.175#19-Edwards 96.030#41-Busch 95.992#15-Bowyer 95.942#78-Truex Jr. 95.839slowest: #62-Gaughan 89.878 & #40-Cassill 91.743.most laps run: #6-Bayne 31.notes: #46-Annett stopped on the track, causing a full course yellow late in the session, broke a transmission. #62-Gaughan, slid off course, thru the dirt, but saved it and drove on.Qualifying Order for the Toyota/Save Mart 350 Sprint Cup Series race at Sonoma Raceway is posted. 44 cars/drivers are listed.
The first of the drivers lined up on pit road is #95-Michael McDowell
The final driver lined up on pit road is #55-David Ragan.
Pit road lineup order is set by a random draw, held about an hour before the first practice.- First Round of Qualifying for the Toyota/Save Mart 350(k) Sprint Cup Series race at Sonoma Raceway is over, after 25 scheduled minutes.
#42-Larson 96.568 (new track record)
#47-Allmendinger 96.524
#14-Stewart 96.386
#24-Gordon 96.160
#2-Keselowski 96.035
the rest of the top 12: 18 13 20 41 15 78 55;
out of the top 12 and not advancing to round 2: 48 19 11 31 4 1 22 88 10 16 95 9 43 5 51 38 35 83 6 27 32 23 34 33 3 98 40 17 7 46 26 62;
Drivers who will miss the race: #62-Gaughan.
(6-27-2015)- Qualifying Fast Facts - Sonoma:
#47-AJ Allmendinger won the Coors Light Pole Award for the 27th Annual Toyota/Save Mart 350 with a lap of 74.385 seconds, 96.310 mph. This is his third pole in 243 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races. This is his first pole and third top-10 start in 2015. This is his first pole in seven races at Sonoma Raceway. His previous best Sonoma start was second, last year. #41-Kurt Busch (second) posted his eighth top-10 start of 2015 and his 11th in 15 races at Sonoma Raceway. #20-Matt Kenseth (third) posted his eighth top-10 start at Sonoma Raceway. It is his 10th in 16 races this season. #83-Matt DiBenedetto (30th) was the fastest qualifying rookie. (NASCAR Statistics)Allmendinger wins Sonoma pole: #47-AJ Allmendinger won the Coors Light pole for the Toyota/Save Mart 350(k) Sprint Cup Series race at Sonoma Raceway with speed of 96.310mph for his 1st pole of 2015, 1st at Sonoma and 3rd pole of his career. #41-Busch is on the outside pole followed by #20-Kenseth, #42-Larson, #24-Gordon, #15-Bowyer, #14-Stewart, #13-Mears, #55-Ragan, #2-Keselowski, #18-Busch and #78-Truex Jr.. #42-Larson broke the track record in the first round, running 96.624mph. The old record was 96.350mph, set by Jamie McMurray in 2014. Points leader #4-Harvick will start 17th and Chase leader, #48-Johnson will start 13th. Missing the race was: #62-Gaughan.- Race Festivities/Officials:
Grand Marshal: Climber Kevin Jorgeson
Command to start engines: Kevin Jorgeson & Sergio Rizo, Assistant Service Manager, Fremont Toyota
Honorary Starter/Wave Green Flag: TBA
Honorary Pace Car Driver: Arnold Schwarzenegger
God Bless America: Lindsay Bruce, Contestant from The Voice
Color Guard: Travis Air Force Base Honor Guard
Invocation: Tim Boeve, Track Minister, Sonoma Raceway
National Anthem: Award-winning singer/songwriter Morgan Karr
Flyover: P-40N Warhawk, three P-51D Mustangs; Vintage Aircraft, Schellville Airport, Sonoma County
- Track Specifications:
1.99 mile Road Course with 10 turns
Pit Road/Stalls: 16' wide by 29' long, 58' wide
increased from 1.949 miles to 1.99 after the 2000 season
The race distance is 218.9 miles, 110 laps [350 kilometers]
Pit Road Speed: 40 mph
Pace Car Speed: 45 mph
Track opened: 1968
Inaugural NASCAR race: 1989
Grandstand Seating Listed: 47,000- Chassis selections for this weeks race: see the list of many teams [that report or post them] and what chassis were selected by the team to run in the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at the Sonoma Raceway.
If a driver/team is not listed, the team does NOT report chassis information on pre-race press release, websites or social media:
NOTE: Hendrick Motorsports & Michael Waltrip Racing didn't report chassis for Sonoma.
#3-Austin Dillon will pilot Chassis No. 469 in the Sonoma 350 at Sonoma Raceway. Dillon has raced this Chevrolet SS on two previous occasions, finishing 16th at Watkins Glen International and 17th at Sonoma Raceway in 2014.
#4-Kevin Harvick: will pilot the #4 Outback Steakhouse/Budweiser/Folds of Honor Chevrolet SS built on Chassis No. 4-873 in the Save Mart 350k NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race Sunday at Sonoma Raceway. Built in 2014, Chassis No. 4-873 made its debut June 22 at Sonoma, where the car started sixth, led 23 laps and finished 20th after being collected in a late-race accident. Chassis No. 4-873 made its second appearance in August at Watkins Glen International. Harvick started fourth and finished seventh.
#14-Tony Stewart: Chassis No. 14-874 made its race debut last year at Sonoma, where Stewart finished an uncharacteristic 19th after a pit-road speeding penalty thwarted his top-10 effort. Prior to Sonoma, Chassis No. 14-874 was tested May 27 at Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia. Its second and most recent start came last August at Watkins Glen International when interim driver Regan Smith finished 37th after a late-race accident.
#27-Paul Menard will pilot chassis No. 470 this weekend at Sonoma Raceway. This Chevrolet SS will be on track for the first time this season during first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice on Friday at 3:00pm/et on Fox Sports 2.
#31-Ryan Newman will drive chassis No. 514 in the season's first road course event at Sonoma Raceway. The Sonoma 350 marks the first time this year the #31 team will utilize this Chevrolet in competition.
#32-Boris Said Crew Chief Clinton Cram will be bringing chassis GGR-599, which will serve as the primary car for this weekends race. This chassis previously ran in 2014 at Watkins Glen with Said finishing 25th. Chassis GGR-289 will serve as the backup car.
#41-Kurt Busch will pilot Chassis No. 942 in Sunday's Save Mart 350k at Sonoma Raceway. Built new for 2015, Chassis 942 will see its first laps of competition this weekend.
(from numerous team PR's/sites)
Chassis Selections: Sonoma (June 2015)
- Chassis selections for this weeks race: see the list of many teams [that report or post them] and what chassis were selected by the team to run in the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at the Sonoma Raceway. If a driver/team is not listed, the team does NOT report chassis information on pre-race press release, websites or social media:NOTE: Hendrick Motorsports & Michael Waltrip Racing didn't report chassis for Sonoma.#3-Austin Dillon will pilot Chassis No. 469 in the Sonoma 350 at Sonoma Raceway. Dillon has raced this Chevrolet SS on two previous occasions, finishing 16th at Watkins Glen International and 17th at Sonoma Raceway in 2014.#4-Kevin Harvick: will pilot the #4 Outback Steakhouse/Budweiser/Folds of Honor Chevrolet SS built on Chassis No. 4-873 in the Save Mart 350k NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race Sunday at Sonoma Raceway. Built in 2014, Chassis No. 4-873 made its debut June 22 at Sonoma, where the car started sixth, led 23 laps and finished 20th after being collected in a late-race accident. Chassis No. 4-873 made its second appearance in August at Watkins Glen International. Harvick started fourth and finished seventh.#14-Tony Stewart: Chassis No. 14-874 made its race debut last year at Sonoma, where Stewart finished an uncharacteristic 19th after a pit-road speeding penalty thwarted his top-10 effort. Prior to Sonoma, Chassis No. 14-874 was tested May 27 at Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia. Its second and most recent start came last August at Watkins Glen International when interim driver Regan Smith finished 37th after a late-race accident.#27-Paul Menard will pilot chassis No. 470 this weekend at Sonoma Raceway. This Chevrolet SS will be on track for the first time this season during first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice on Friday at 3:00pm/et on Fox Sports 2.#31-Ryan Newman will drive chassis No. 514 in the season's first road course event at Sonoma Raceway. The Sonoma 350 marks the first time this year the #31 team will utilize this Chevrolet in competition.#32-Boris Said Crew Chief Clinton Cram will be bringing chassis GGR-599, which will serve as the primary car for this weekends race. This chassis previously ran in 2014 at Watkins Glen with Said finishing 25th. Chassis GGR-289 will serve as the backup car.#41-Kurt Busch will pilot Chassis No. 942 in Sunday's Save Mart 350k at Sonoma Raceway. Built new for 2015, Chassis 942 will see its first laps of competition this weekend.~ - ~ - ~
Friday, June 26, 2015
UNB Sprint Cup Homepage: Toyota/Save Mart 350 (Preview)
UNB Sprint Cup Homepage: Toyota/Save Mart 350 (Preview): By @GucciardoJoey | June 25th, 2015 Sonoma Raceway Data Season Race #: 16 of 36 (6-28-2015) T...
Thursday, June 25, 2015
Toyota/Save Mart 350 (Preview)
By @GucciardoJoey | June 25th, 2015
Sonoma Raceway Data
Season Race #: 16 of 36 (6-28-2015)
Track Size: 1.99-miles
Number of Turns: 12
Race Length: 110 Miles / 219 Miles / 350 Kilometers
Thanks to Robert's NASCAR Notes for this data.
Where to Watch / Listen
TV: FOX Sports 1
Radio: PRN (Performance Racing Network)
Sonoma Raceway is the track that holds the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series' shortest race of the season. The race is the Toyota/Save Mart 350.
Last year, in the same race, it was Carl Edwards who reigned supreme on June 22nd, 2014, winning the race in his final season of driving the No. 99 Ford at Roush Fenway Racing. He moved to Joe Gibbs Racing to drive the No. 19 Toyota this season.
In 2014, Kurt Busch was fastest in Practice #1, with Clint Bowyer being fastest in Practice #2.
The year before Edwards, it was Martin Truex Jr. winning in his last season at Michael Waltrip Racing driving the No. 56 Toyota. He moved to Furniture Row Racing to drive the No. 78 Chevrolet at the start of the 2014 season.
Last year, for this race, Jamie McMurray qualified on the pole (1st place) on June 20th, 2014 with a speed of 96.350 MPH, and a lap time of 74.354 seconds.
Top-10 Driver Ratings at Sonoma
Kurt Busch: ...........................106.5
Jeff Gordon: ..........................103.4
Tony Stewart: ........................98.8
Jimmie Johnson: ..................98.8
Clint Bowyer: .........................95.0
Carl Edwards: ........................90.1
Ryan Newman: ......................88.4
Jamie McMurray: ..................87.8
Martin Truex Jr.: ....................86.1
Kasey Kahne: ........................85.5
Note: Driver Ratings were compiled from the 2005-2014 races (past 10 races) among active drivers only at Sonoma Raceway in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event.
Jeff Gordon: Leads all active drivers with five total wins at Sonoma Raceway. Also the only driver to win three consecutive Sprint Cup events at the track (1998, 1999, 2000). Also has led the most laps at this track among all active drivers, leading 457 laps in 22 starts at the track. Also leads the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in average starting position at Sonoma Raceway (Avg. Start: 7.818). Also has nine total road course wins in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
*8 other active drivers only have one win at the track.
Tony Stewart: Has the second-most amount of wins among all active drivers at Sonoma Raceway (two wins). Second all-time in runner-up finishes att he track (three runner-up finishes).
Jeff Gordon and Mark Martin: Lead all drivers in runner-up finishes (four runner-up finishes each). Gordon has 18 career Top-10 finishes at the track, Mark Martin is second with 13 career Top-10's at the track.
Boris Said: Earned his first ever Coors Light Pole Award in his career at this track on June 22nd, 2003.
Juan Pablo Montoya: Earned his first-ever NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victory in his career at this track on June 24th, 2007.
Matt Kenseth and Dale Earnhardt Jr.: Lead all active drivers with starts at this track without winning the respective race (15 starts each without a victory).
Kyle Busch: Youngest driver to win at Sonoma (Race won: June 22ns, 2008. Age (At time of win): 23 years, 1 month, 20 days).
Ricky Rudd: Oldest driver to win at Sonoma (Race won: June 23rd, 2002. Age (At time of win): 45 years, 9 months, 11 days).
Carl Edwards: Took 10 starts at Sonoma to finally win at track in 2014 on June 22nd of that respective year.
Jeff Gordon and Clint Bowyer: Gordon leads the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in average finishing position at Sonoma (Avg. Finish: 7.955) Bowyer is runner-up to Gordon with an average finish at the track of 9.222.
Danica Patrick: Only female Sprint Cup Series driver to compete at Sonoma (2013 and 2014 is when she competed so far in her career). In 2013, she started 31st and finished 29th. In 2014, she started 11th and finished 18th.\
Manufacturers: Six different manufacturers have won in the NSCS at Sonoma; led by Chevrolet with 10 victories; followed byFord with seven, Toyota (three), Dodge (three), Pontiac (two) and Buick (one).
Hendrick Motorsports: Lead all teams in wins at Sonoma (Jeff Gordon with 5 wins, and Jimmie Johnson with one win (win came in 2010)).
Advanced Statistics: Eight of the 26 (30.7%) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Sonoma have been won from the front row: five from the pole and three from second-place.
19 of the 26 (73%) NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Sonoma have been won from a top-10 starting position. Seven of the 26 (26.9%) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Sonoma have been won from a starting position outside the top 10. Two of the 26 (7.6%) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Sonoma have been won from a starting position outside the top 20.
Thanks to Robert's NASCAR Notes for this data.
There's your preview for the 2015 Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway on June 28th, 2015.
Sonoma Raceway Data
Season Race #: 16 of 36 (6-28-2015)
Track Size: 1.99-miles
Number of Turns: 12
Race Length: 110 Miles / 219 Miles / 350 Kilometers
Thanks to Robert's NASCAR Notes for this data.
Where to Watch / Listen
TV: FOX Sports 1
Radio: PRN (Performance Racing Network)
~ - ~ - ~ - ~
Sonoma Raceway is the track that holds the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series' shortest race of the season. The race is the Toyota/Save Mart 350.
Last year, in the same race, it was Carl Edwards who reigned supreme on June 22nd, 2014, winning the race in his final season of driving the No. 99 Ford at Roush Fenway Racing. He moved to Joe Gibbs Racing to drive the No. 19 Toyota this season.
In 2014, Kurt Busch was fastest in Practice #1, with Clint Bowyer being fastest in Practice #2.
The year before Edwards, it was Martin Truex Jr. winning in his last season at Michael Waltrip Racing driving the No. 56 Toyota. He moved to Furniture Row Racing to drive the No. 78 Chevrolet at the start of the 2014 season.
Last year, for this race, Jamie McMurray qualified on the pole (1st place) on June 20th, 2014 with a speed of 96.350 MPH, and a lap time of 74.354 seconds.
Top-10 Driver Ratings at Sonoma
Kurt Busch: ...........................106.5
Jeff Gordon: ..........................103.4
Tony Stewart: ........................98.8
Jimmie Johnson: ..................98.8
Clint Bowyer: .........................95.0
Carl Edwards: ........................90.1
Ryan Newman: ......................88.4
Jamie McMurray: ..................87.8
Martin Truex Jr.: ....................86.1
Kasey Kahne: ........................85.5
Note: Driver Ratings were compiled from the 2005-2014 races (past 10 races) among active drivers only at Sonoma Raceway in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event.
Jeff Gordon: Leads all active drivers with five total wins at Sonoma Raceway. Also the only driver to win three consecutive Sprint Cup events at the track (1998, 1999, 2000). Also has led the most laps at this track among all active drivers, leading 457 laps in 22 starts at the track. Also leads the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in average starting position at Sonoma Raceway (Avg. Start: 7.818). Also has nine total road course wins in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
*8 other active drivers only have one win at the track.
Tony Stewart: Has the second-most amount of wins among all active drivers at Sonoma Raceway (two wins). Second all-time in runner-up finishes att he track (three runner-up finishes).
Jeff Gordon and Mark Martin: Lead all drivers in runner-up finishes (four runner-up finishes each). Gordon has 18 career Top-10 finishes at the track, Mark Martin is second with 13 career Top-10's at the track.
Boris Said: Earned his first ever Coors Light Pole Award in his career at this track on June 22nd, 2003.
Juan Pablo Montoya: Earned his first-ever NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victory in his career at this track on June 24th, 2007.
Matt Kenseth and Dale Earnhardt Jr.: Lead all active drivers with starts at this track without winning the respective race (15 starts each without a victory).
Kyle Busch: Youngest driver to win at Sonoma (Race won: June 22ns, 2008. Age (At time of win): 23 years, 1 month, 20 days).
Ricky Rudd: Oldest driver to win at Sonoma (Race won: June 23rd, 2002. Age (At time of win): 45 years, 9 months, 11 days).
Carl Edwards: Took 10 starts at Sonoma to finally win at track in 2014 on June 22nd of that respective year.
Jeff Gordon and Clint Bowyer: Gordon leads the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in average finishing position at Sonoma (Avg. Finish: 7.955) Bowyer is runner-up to Gordon with an average finish at the track of 9.222.
Danica Patrick: Only female Sprint Cup Series driver to compete at Sonoma (2013 and 2014 is when she competed so far in her career). In 2013, she started 31st and finished 29th. In 2014, she started 11th and finished 18th.\
Manufacturers: Six different manufacturers have won in the NSCS at Sonoma; led by Chevrolet with 10 victories; followed byFord with seven, Toyota (three), Dodge (three), Pontiac (two) and Buick (one).
Hendrick Motorsports: Lead all teams in wins at Sonoma (Jeff Gordon with 5 wins, and Jimmie Johnson with one win (win came in 2010)).
Advanced Statistics: Eight of the 26 (30.7%) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Sonoma have been won from the front row: five from the pole and three from second-place.
19 of the 26 (73%) NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Sonoma have been won from a top-10 starting position. Seven of the 26 (26.9%) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Sonoma have been won from a starting position outside the top 10. Two of the 26 (7.6%) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Sonoma have been won from a starting position outside the top 20.
Thanks to Robert's NASCAR Notes for this data.
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There's your preview for the 2015 Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway on June 28th, 2015.
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
UNB Sprint Cup Homepage: Manufacter change coming to Furniture Row Racing?
UNB Sprint Cup Homepage: Manufacter change coming to Furniture Row Racing?: By @GucciardoJoey | June 22nd, 2015 The No. 78 car that currently drives for Furniture Row Racing. (Photo CREDIT: Randy Sartin/USA ...
Manufacter change coming to Furniture Row Racing?
By @GucciardoJoey | June 22nd, 2015
Right now, Furniture Row Racing is performing really well.
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| The No. 78 car that currently drives for Furniture Row Racing. (Photo CREDIT: Randy Sartin/USA Today Sports) |
In the last Sprint Cup Series race, the single-car team based in Denver, Colorado finished 3rd with Martin Truex Jr. behind the wheel.
Truex Jr. also has one win this season, which came at Pocono Raceway earlier this season.
Currently, the team drives under its manufacturer Chevrolet, but a possible manufacturer change is certainly possible.
This past Sprint Cup Series racing weekend at Michigan International Speedway, Joe Garone, the general manager of the team said "We didn't say we were changing (manufacturers). We were just saying that we are looking."
Garone also went on to say "One of the things about the No. 78 car is because it has always had Furniture Row and Denver Mattress on it everybody assumes it is sopnsored. It has made it tiugh to find partners, but again Barney owns those companies. We need to get the word out that we are actively looking for sponsorship to come on board. Not just for the No. 78, but to expand the company into a multi-car team. It is for the long term growth of the team."
Manufacturer changes are common in NASCAR recently. In 2009, Richard Petty Motorsports changed from being a Dodge team to a Ford team. Chip Ganassi Racing became Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing in 2009, and switched from Dodge to Chevrolet in the process. In 2007, Joe Gibbs Racing announced that they would switch to Toyota after a long-time partnership with General Motors.
Is a manufacturer change possible for Furniture Row Racing?
Currently, the team drives under its manufacturer Chevrolet, but a possible manufacturer change is certainly possible.
This past Sprint Cup Series racing weekend at Michigan International Speedway, Joe Garone, the general manager of the team said "We didn't say we were changing (manufacturers). We were just saying that we are looking."
Garone also went on to say "One of the things about the No. 78 car is because it has always had Furniture Row and Denver Mattress on it everybody assumes it is sopnsored. It has made it tiugh to find partners, but again Barney owns those companies. We need to get the word out that we are actively looking for sponsorship to come on board. Not just for the No. 78, but to expand the company into a multi-car team. It is for the long term growth of the team."
Manufacturer changes are common in NASCAR recently. In 2009, Richard Petty Motorsports changed from being a Dodge team to a Ford team. Chip Ganassi Racing became Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing in 2009, and switched from Dodge to Chevrolet in the process. In 2007, Joe Gibbs Racing announced that they would switch to Toyota after a long-time partnership with General Motors.
Is a manufacturer change possible for Furniture Row Racing?
Monday, June 22, 2015
Tony Stewart retiring?
Throughout these last few weeks I've been seeing a lot of articles asking if its time for Tony Stewart to retire. As a Smoke fan myself it troubles me whenever I see articles like that. Its not up to the media, the fans or Tony's friends when he retires. Its up to Tony & Tony himself. These last two years have been exceptionally rough on Stewart. Severely broken leg from a Sprint Car accident in 2013 & a fatal 2014 Sprint Car accident. Honestly I believe this year is sort of a recovery year for Stewart. No drama. No interruptions. What do y'all think?
Dale Earnhardt Jr. gets new sponsorship with Microsoft
By @GucciardoJoey | June, 22nd, 2015
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| This is the paint scheme that Dale Earnhardt Jr. will run which will sponsor the Windows 10 OS (Operating System). |
Microsoft has been growing in the NASCAR world in the pst few years, but it now is a NASCAR sponsor, and a racing team has it as THEIR sponsor too.
Let's just say that Hendrick Motorsports has a new sponsor, and its a technological company.
Microsoft, famously created by billionare Bill Gates, now has a sponsorship with Hendrick Motorsports as the racing team's official technology sponsor.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. will be running a Windows 10 paint scheme for this weekend's race at Sonoma Raceway, where he will be going for his second win of the season.
Jr. will also be running a paint scheme on the August 2nd race at Pocono Raceway.
Hendrick Motorsports currently fields Kasey Kahne in the No. 5 car, Jeff Gordon in the No 24, Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the No. 88, Jimmie Johnson in the No. 48, and Chase Elliott in the No. 25 on a parttime schedule.
Chase Elliott will actually be replacing Jeff Gordon in the No. 24 car at the end of this season, since Gordon will be retiring at the end of this season.
Hendrick Motorsports will be adopting Microsoft's soon-to-be realeased Windows 10 software and Microsoft Azure software in order "to deliver technology solutions to help improve performance on and off the track."
NASCAR actually started using Windows last year to improve the inspection process of cars that compete in races.
Windows 10 will be available for Windows 7 and 8.1 qualified devices.
Sunday, June 21, 2015
Erik Jones wins a confusing AttiCat 300 at ChicagoLand Speedway
By @GucciardoJoey | June 21st, 2015
JOLIET, IL--- Erik Jones sure won a hectic and crazy Owens Corning AttiCat 300 at ChicagoLand Speedway today.
JOLIET, IL--- Erik Jones sure won a hectic and crazy Owens Corning AttiCat 300 at ChicagoLand Speedway today.
After having the race postponed today due to inclement weather, some crazy things happened today.
How crazy?
How "about the almost half the field getting penalized on pit road at once" crazy?
What happened was, during a late caution, NASCAR told the drivers that pit road was open. Apparently, pit road was NOT open, so the drivers that DID pit were penalized.
Ryan Blaney finished 2nd, followed by Austin Dillon, Brendan Gaughan, and Chris Buescher.
Ross Kenneth finished 6th in his first-ever NASCAR XFINITY Series start.
Owens Corning AttiCat 300 postponed to 12 PM E.T. today.
By @GucciardoJoey
NASCAR then decided to postpone the race to today at 12 PM E.T.
Austin Dillon will start first today, with Ross Kenseth, who is Matt Kenseth's son, will start next to Austin Dillon in second.
Happy Father's Day & Happy Race Day! Lots open at 9AM, Grandstands at 10AM & Green Flag for the #AttiCat300 at 11AM! pic.twitter.com/repOi5dCjS— Chicagoland Speedway (@ChicagolndSpdwy) June 21, 2015 ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~
JOLIET, IL--- Yesterday's Owens Corning AttiCat 300 from ChicagoLand Speedway was supposed to begin at 9:30 PM E.T., but the race was postponed to 12 PM E.T. today due to heavy rain.
The National Weather Service is reporting severe thunderstorms in the area. You are advised to seek shelter.— Chicagoland Speedway (@ChicagolndSpdwy) June 21, 2015All race activities were put on hold for worries of thunder/lightning and rain in the area. Fans were advised to seek shelter immediately at the time.Race activities are delayed until further notice.— Chicagoland Speedway (@ChicagolndSpdwy) June 21, 2015NASCAR never even began driver introductions because of the rain.NASCAR then decided to postpone the race to today at 12 PM E.T.
The Owens Corning #AttiCat300 is postponed until tomorrow at 11 AM CST. Parking lots will open at 9 AM and grandstands will open at 10 AM.— Chicagoland Speedway (@ChicagolndSpdwy) June 21, 2015The race will be on FOX Sports 2, not FOX Sports 1. Have fun, and enjoy today's race.Austin Dillon will start first today, with Ross Kenseth, who is Matt Kenseth's son, will start next to Austin Dillon in second.
Saturday, June 20, 2015
Erik Jones wins at Iowa.
NEWTON, IOWA--- Erik Jones won last night's NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa.
It was Jones' first victory of the season after he had started on the pole for the fifth time in his past 26 truck series starts.
Brandon Jones finished 2nd, Tyler Reddick finished 3rd, and the current truck series points leader, Matt Crafton, finished 4th. Christopher Bell finished 5th in his first career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series start.
It was Jones' first victory of the season after he had started on the pole for the fifth time in his past 26 truck series starts.
Brandon Jones finished 2nd, Tyler Reddick finished 3rd, and the current truck series points leader, Matt Crafton, finished 4th. Christopher Bell finished 5th in his first career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series start.
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
How Sweet: Dale Jr. and Amy Reimann get engaged.
By @GucciardoJoey
Dale Earnhardt Jr. has gotten engaged to his longtime girlfriend Amy Reimann.
The couple that had been dating since 2009, got engaged last night in Germany:
Jr. had traveled to Germany since there is no NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race this weekend so he could research his family history. Jr.'s family emigrated from Germany in 1744. Let's just say that he made some new family history.
It was on this trip where he proposed to Reimann.
Congrats to Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Amy Reimann on your engagement!
Dale Earnhardt Jr. has gotten engaged to his longtime girlfriend Amy Reimann.
The couple that had been dating since 2009, got engaged last night in Germany:
Jr. had traveled to Germany since there is no NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race this weekend so he could research his family history. Jr.'s family emigrated from Germany in 1744. Let's just say that he made some new family history.
It was on this trip where he proposed to Reimann.
I'm completely overwhelmed with love & joy. Happiest girl in the world! I love you so much @DaleJr pic.twitter.com/lBxbFLJ4xf
— Amy Reimann (@Amy_Reimann) June 17, 2015
Jr. had gone on The Dan Patrick Show in February of this year that a Jewlery Phobia was the biggest holdup for him getting married.Congrats to Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Amy Reimann on your engagement!
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
NASCAR introduces new aero package for Kentucky SPRINT CUP race.
By @GucciardoJoey
NASCAR has announced a new aero package which will lead to lower downforce on cars.
The package is ONLY for the July Kentucky race weekend for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Also, a lower spoiler will need to be on cars, meaning that the spoiler must be lower in height.
Any uses of this spoiler AFTER the Kentucky race weekend is to be decided at a later time.
Driscoll Investigation
If you're like me you weren't especially surprised when the ESPN article came out about Patricia Driscoll using AFF funds for personal matters. Honestly, I believe the only reason she's in the news is that she's Kurt Busch's ex-girlfriend. This puts NASCAR in yet another negative light. Has Karma bit back? I believe so. As a Kurt Busch fan I never believed one word of her "abuse" allegations but I do believe she embezzled millions from her foundation. I'm with everyone else on this & that's that I want to see if Karma really does bite back for her. We'll see.
Slugger Labbe becomes Austin Dillon's new crew chief.
UNB Sprint Cup Homepage: Slugger Labbe becomes Austin Dillon's new crew chi...:
By @GucciardoJoey | June 16th, 2015
Yesterday (Monday), Richard Childress Racing announced that Austin Dillon is getting a new...
READ FULL ARTICLE HERE.
By @GucciardoJoey | June 16th, 2015
Yesterday (Monday), Richard Childress Racing announced that Austin Dillon is getting a new...
READ FULL ARTICLE HERE.
Slugger Labbe becomes Austin Dillon's new crew chief.
By @GucciardoJoey | June 16th, 2015
Yesterday (Monday), Richard Childress Racing announced that Austin Dillon is getting a new chief.
Yesterday (Monday), Richard Childress Racing announced that Austin Dillon is getting a new chief.
Richard "Slugger" Labbe, former crew chief of Paul Menard, will be Austin Dillon's new crew chief, starting on June 28th, 2015 for the Toyota SaveMart 350 at Sonoma Raceway in Sonoma California.
Labbe was Paul Menard's crew chief in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series from 2010 to 2014. In his Sprint Cup Series career, he had 433 starts as a crew chief, he won the 2003 Daytona 500 being Michael Waltrip's crew chief, and the 2011 Brickyard 400 as Paul Menard's crew chief.
Labbe will be replacing Gil Martin as the role of Dillon's crew chief. Martin will fulfill Labbe's role as a leadership role in the Richard Childress Racing organization.
Is calling races the right move?
By @GucciardoJoey | June 16th, 2015
NASCAR has a problem on their hands, at least I think so.
Last year, in the 2014 Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway, Aric Almirola got his first ever career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victory.
NASCAR has a problem on their hands, at least I think so.
Here's the question: "Is calling races the right thing to do?"
When you call a race, that means that you end a race early, and whatever the running positions was, then those become the finishing positions.
This past Sunday, the Quicken Loans 400 at Michigan International Speedway was called, which gave Kurt Busch the victory in the race.
Last year, in the 2014 Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway, Aric Almirola got his first ever career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victory.
But is this really right?
Let me clarify that a race must be past halfway through (or exactly halfway through) for the race to be called.
If the race is not halfway, then NASCAR has two options (assuming that rain is thr problem):
-NASCAR can try dry the track, and can continue racing.
-NASCAR can postpone the race to the following day, or to a day where the weather is good (the race must be resumed from the point that it was originally stopped).
But calling a race can have some bad consequences, at least some people think so.
Calling a race means that you are ending the race early, and not giving the fans what they came for. The fans want some full racing action at a NASCAR race, not a rain-shortened event. If NASCAR postpones the race to the following day, for example, then maybe most fans won't be able to go to the race, maybe because they have a day or night job. Maybe something comes up in the fan's family, or something goes wrong and they can't make the rescheduling of the event.
So ending a race could mean that the fans WILL see the end of the race, but they are not getting their money's worth. But rescheduling a race means that most fans may not be able to make it.
Still, fans will be upset with a race ending early, because they may not have gotten what they wanted.
NASCAR needs to think of a way to get the races in, yet still make the fans happy if we ever have another rain incident like we did this past Sunday.
If the race is not halfway, then NASCAR has two options (assuming that rain is thr problem):
-NASCAR can try dry the track, and can continue racing.
-NASCAR can postpone the race to the following day, or to a day where the weather is good (the race must be resumed from the point that it was originally stopped).
But calling a race can have some bad consequences, at least some people think so.
Calling a race means that you are ending the race early, and not giving the fans what they came for. The fans want some full racing action at a NASCAR race, not a rain-shortened event. If NASCAR postpones the race to the following day, for example, then maybe most fans won't be able to go to the race, maybe because they have a day or night job. Maybe something comes up in the fan's family, or something goes wrong and they can't make the rescheduling of the event.
So ending a race could mean that the fans WILL see the end of the race, but they are not getting their money's worth. But rescheduling a race means that most fans may not be able to make it.
Still, fans will be upset with a race ending early, because they may not have gotten what they wanted.
NASCAR needs to think of a way to get the races in, yet still make the fans happy if we ever have another rain incident like we did this past Sunday.
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