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2013-05-17 19:44:00 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Trickle family releases obituary that states Dick Trickle had been in pain and that might have been why he committed suicide ...

2013-05-17 18:24:03 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

My MRN.com story: Kyle Busch explains incident with Kasey Kahne at Darlington and how he doesn't expect retaliation.

2013-05-16 23:57:55 (1 comments, 1 reshares, 3 +1s)

My MRN.com story: We can never remember all the wins, but we'll never forget Dick Trickle ...

2013-05-15 20:21:10 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

My MRN.com story: NASCAR President Mike Helton says suspensions make a "statement'' but the way teams are able to work around it, is the meaning lost?

2013-05-11 18:52:56 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

For all that Jeff Gordon has accomplished, one question lingers ... and you might be surprised what some say ... 

2013-05-08 16:20:42 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Search for missing NASCAR fan continues. He was last seen at Talladega.

2013-05-08 15:21:16 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

NASCAR disagrees with what Newman said at Talladega and admits his comments "pushed the edge'' but a series official explains why he was not penalized.

2013-05-07 21:24:23 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Length of Penske suspensions reduced but other penalties remain after final appeal ...

2013-05-07 21:21:28 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Keselowski apologizes to Ragan & Front Row Motorsports for Twitter comments after Dega race; explains lineup confusion ...

2013-05-04 15:20:54 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Will Denny Hamlin make the Chase? I debate that with my Motor Racing Network colleague Pete Pistone. Needless to say, I think Pete is wrong.

2013-05-03 19:36:14 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Kevin Harvick has a simple philsophy for racing at Talladega

2013-05-03 18:44:53 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Dale Jr regrets comments he made after last fall's Talladega race ... 

2013-05-03 00:46:52 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Joe Gibbs Racing announces that Denny Hamlin has been cleared to race this weekend at Talladega. Team states exact plans for Hamlin this weekend, though have yet to be determined.

Now that he's back, consider this: Hamlin is 71 points out of 20th. He needs to be in the top 20 to be eligible for a possible wildcard spot. Can he do it?

2013-05-01 21:37:39 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Murky path ahead for Penske in next level of appeal process.

2013-04-30 18:48:21 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Glass half full or half empty. Danica Patrick has better stats than last 5 Rookies of the Year a quarter of the way through their rookie season:

2013-04-28 05:15:29 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

My MRN.com story: Harvick completes tough night on driver emotions with Richmond win ...

2013-04-27 16:38:16 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

#NASCAR ... Statement from Richard Childress on altercation involving members of his Nationwide team last night: 

“I didn’t witness what took place last night outside of the race track. Our team members were walking to their cars and words were exchanged with members from another team, which led to an altercation. I am still learning all the exact details and, because it did happen outside of the track, local authorities became involved. We are working with them to resolve this matter. We are now concentrating on winning the Sprint Cup race tonight.”

2013-04-27 13:18:13 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

#NASCAR ...Police release names of 2 crew members arrested for altercation near Driver/Owner lot after Friday's NNS race:

Statement from Henrico Police:

"As a result of their investigation, Henrico Police Officers made the following arrests;

Michael A. Scearce, 50 years old, of Mount Ulla, North Carolina, was charged with two counts of assault (misdemeanor charges). 

Thomas F. Costello, 35 years old, of Kannapolis, North Carolina, was charged with one count of assault (a misdemeanor charge).

Mr. Scearce and Mr. Costello were charged and released during the early morning hours of Saturday, April 27, 2013. 

A court date for both will be determined at a later time.''


Richard Childress Racing's website list Scearce as a mechanic and Costello as an interior specialist for Brian Scott's Nationwide team.S... more »

2013-04-27 04:58:53 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

An altercation took place near driver/owner lot at Richmond after Friday night's Nationwide race. RCR confirms team members involved. Henrico Police confirm 2 males taken into custody. Here are the statements:

HENRICO POLICE STATEMENT: Henrico Police are investigating a verbal argument that started in the infield area of RIR that escalated into a physical altercation near the Driver/Owner Lot. The assault occurred at approximately 11:15 p.m. Two adult males are in custody as a result of the ongoing investigation.  One of the two adult male victims has a shoulder injury. 
 
Further information is not likely to be available while the investigation continues.  We will provide updates when information is available.    

RICHARD CHILDRESS RACING STATEMENT: We are aware an incident took place outside of the track's infield following Friday night's NASCAR NationwideSerie... more »

2013-04-26 21:44:34 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

My @MRNRadio story: Should intent matter on Kenseth team penalties? Gibbs says yes; #NASCAR says no. What about you? 

2013-04-26 17:21:30 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

NASCAR gives its side to penalties to Matt Kenseth, JGR & TRD

2013-04-26 17:16:42 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

2013-04-26 15:35:54 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Agree or disagree with this ...

NASCAR VP of Competition Robin Pemberton on why they don't take away wins as part of penalty to a winning entry:

“At this point in time we are not leaning towards taking away a win. Doesn’t mean that at time to time, and, not just in the near future but in the past and years ago, we may have talked about that. It’s like all penalties, they’re always under discussion on how you handle things.''

(WHY IT HASN”T REACHED THAT LEVEL OF TAKING AWAY A WIN)
“It’s our policy that when the fans leave, they see who wins. That hasn’t changed. That methodology hasn’t changed. 

(IS THAT METHODOLOGY OUTDATED IN THIS ERA OF SOCIAL MEDIA)
You never know. It will be under scrutiny and under discussion.’’

2013-04-24 17:58:45 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Here is my MRN story breaking down the major penalties to Kenseth, JGR and TRD

2013-04-24 16:36:23 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

#NASCAR hands down big penalties to Matt Kenseth's team (via NASCAR press release)


Penalties have been handed down to the No. 20 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team as a result of rule violations discovered in the post-race engine inspection April 23 at the NASCAR Research and Development Center.

The No. 20 car was found to have violated Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4J (any determination by NASCAR officials that the race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules); and 20-5.5.3 (E) (Only magnetic steel connecting rods with a minimum weight of 525.0 grams will be permitted; connecting rod failed to meet the minimum connecting rod weight) of the 2013 rule book.

As a result of this violation, NASCAR has assessed the following penalties:

Crew chief Jason Ratcliff has been fined $200,000 and suspended from NASCAR... more »

2013-04-24 00:13:00 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

My first story for Motor Racing Network ... As the Cup season hits the quarter pole Saturday at Richmond, the domination of Joe Gibbs Racing & Hendrick Motorsports stands out among the subplots.

2013-04-24 00:12:04 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Denny Hamlin just tweeted that he has no update tonight on if he'll be able to get into the car this weekend at Richmond.

2013-04-22 21:39:46 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 3 +1s)

NASCAR going to group-based qualifying procedure for Cup events at road courses. Here are the details (via NASCAR press release):

NASCAR announced today that the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will implement the group-based road course qualifying procedure used in NASCAR Nationwide and NASCAR Touring Series competition during its road-course events at Sonoma Raceway and Watkins Glen International. Under the new procedure, cars will qualify in groups instead of the traditional single-car qualifying runs held on oval race tracks.

“The change will add an exciting element to road-course qualifying,” said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR vice president of competition. “Fans will be treated to new strategy and increased competition with several cars on track at once.”

The new qualifying rules for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at road courses are as follows:

· Cars attemptingto quali... more »

2013-04-17 19:58:51 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 8 +1s)

Word is out. Got a new job. Start Monday. I will be covering NASCAR for Motor Racing Network's website. Looking forward to the new adventure.

2013-04-09 18:10:52 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

#NASCAR announces details for format for July 24 Eldora Truck race with qualifying races, last-chance and 150-lap main event divided into 3 segments. Here's release from NASCAR:


NASCAR announced today the qualifying and race procedures for the inaugural “Mudsummer Classic” – the highly anticipated NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Eldora Speedway on Wednesday, July 24. Unlike asphalt tracks, dirt tracks have historically used a format much different than typical races and that will be the case for this event, the first NASCAR national series race held on dirt in more than 40 years.
 
The race will feature a traditional two-lap qualifying session, five qualifying races, one last-chance race and a champion’s provisional to determine the 30-truck starting field. The top-20 in owners’ points entering the race event will have a guaranteed starting position. 
H... more »

2013-04-08 18:38:10 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

My Sports Illustrated column: A driver easy to overlook but one who shouldn't be ignored, especially in the coming weeks ...

2013-04-05 19:45:54 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 1 +1s)

#NASCAR ... Joey Logano talking to media today on his view of blocking & more (via Ford):


Joey Logano, driver of the No. 22 Shell/Pennzoil Ford Fusion, is ninth in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series standings heading into Sunday’s STP Gas Booster 500.  He held a Q&A session at his team hauler, where a variety of issues were discussed.
 
JOEY LOGANO – No. 22 Shell/Pennzoil Ford Fusion – HAVE YOU TALKED TO TONY?  IS THIS OVER OR WILL WE SEE MORE FIREWORKS THIS WEEK?  “I feel like with Tony and I, I think it’s pretty much over.  We have not talked to each other, but we had an off-weekend and time to relax a little bit and cool off, so I feel like that’s over.  I feel like we’re moving on.  I think we’re both out there trying to improve on what we’ve got already.  I feel like with our Shell/Pennzoil Ford we’ve had a decent season so far, but we’re notwhere we want to be yet.  I’m... more »

2013-04-05 19:40:37 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

#NASCAR ... Here is what Tony Stewart said to the media today about blocking, Logano & more (via Chevrolet):

TONY STEWART, NO. 14 RUSH TRUCK CENTERS/MOBIL 1 CHEVROLET SS, met with members of the media at Martinsville Speedway and discussed the first practice session, blocking and other topics.  Full Transcript:
 
HOW WAS YOUR PRACTICE?
“Not very good so far.  We are just struggling to make the car do what we want it to do.”
 
IS THE PLAN STILL TO TEACH JOEY LOGANO A LESSON OR HAVE THINGS CALMED DOWN?
“That is two weeks ago.  I’m on Martinsville this weekend.  We are trying to figure out what we have to do to make our race cars go fast this week.”
 
DO YOU STILL FEEL THE SAME WAY YOU DO ABOUT BLOCKING?
“Yeah, my stance has never changed about blocking.  Everybody has got a different opinion.  I know the last two weeks everybodyhas tried to make a ... more »

2013-04-01 18:56:54 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

#NASCAR ... Preliminary Cup entry list for Martinsville (44 cars):

1 ... Jamie McMurray

2 ... Brad Keselowski

5 ... Kasey Kahne

7 ... Dave Blaney

9 ... Marcos Ambrose

10 .. Danica Patrick

11 .. Mark Martin

13 .. Casey Mears

14 .. Tony Stewart

15 .. Clint Bowyer

16 .. Greg Biffle

17 .. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

18 .. Kyle Busch

19 .. Mike Bliss

20 .. Matt Kenseth

22 .. Joey Logano

24 .. Jeff Gordon

27 .. Paul Menard

29 .. Kevin Harvick

30 .. David Stremme

31 .. Jeff Burton

32 .. Ken Schrader

33 .. Landon Cassill

34 .. David Ragan

35 .. Josh Wise

36 .. JJ Yeley

38 .. David Gilliland

39 .. Ryan Newman
... more »

2013-04-01 18:19:16 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

My Sports Illustrated column looks at how this is a pivotal time for one driver (also includes Team Power Rankings this week)

2013-03-29 22:50:53 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Hold the phone on Mark Martin taking over the 11 car until Denny Hamlin returns. Michael Waltrip Racing announces that Martin will drive the 11 car at Martinsville AND THEN return to the 55 car. Here's the MWR press release:

Michael Waltrip Racing announced today that Mark Martin will fill in for injured Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin in the No. 11 Toyota Camry next weekend at Martinsville Speedway.
 
Martin will return to the No. 55 Aaron's Dream Machine Toyota Camry at Texas Motor Speedway on April 13 and resume his previously scheduled run of events with MWR for the remainder of the 2013 NASCAR Sprint cup season.
 
"I think it is great that a driver of Mark’s caliber is available to support our fellow Toyota team during this difficult time for them. We wish Denny a speedy recovery" said MWR founder and co-owner Michael Waltrip. "Mark is abig... more »

2013-03-28 23:10:09 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

Joe Gibbs Racing announces that Mark Martin will drive the No. 11 car until Denny Hamlin can return from his injury. Here's the press release from the team ...

Joe Gibbs Racing announces today that Mark Martin will drive the No. 11 FedEx Toyota Camry in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series while Denny Hamlin recovers from an L1 Compression Fracture suffered during an accident on March 24 at Auto Club Speedway.
 
“We’ve been real fortunate to have never been in this situation with the need to find someone to fill in for an injured driver,” said J.D. Gibbs, president of Joe Gibbs Racing. “A lot goes into a decision like this but we are really pleased to have someone of the character and caliber of Mark Martin to fill in while Denny is out. Obviously we’re not exactly sure how long that is going to take, but Mark’s career speaks for itself and our team knows it will have theopportunity ... more »

2013-03-27 02:30:07 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

#NASCAR explained why there was no penalty issued for the Logano-Hamlin incident:

Cup Series Director John Darby said today

         "Probably the simple fact that it was the last lap of the race and the last time they were both going to see turns three and four.  They were side‑by‑side.  And everything that great competitors do; if somebody was of the mind‑set to retaliate, they probably would have been lined up nose to tail to start with and somebody would have drove into the other car and spun them around.  But in this case, that is so far from the opposite that it never even crossed anybody's mind that I'm aware of that paid attention to the race, that that was part of it.''

2013-03-27 02:25:41 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

For those wondering why there are not SAFER barriers everywhere, #NASCAR explained it today:

Cup Series Director John Darby told reporters on a conference call:


           "Our safety initiatives, which were really, really up scaled back in the early 2000s, and have continued to evolve since that day, encompass a good part of working with a lot of very smart people across the country.
            And we have a very strong association with the University of Nebraska and the Department of Safety from the transportation side, and a lot of people that eat and sleep this stuff.  And it's like anything else; we had to walk before we could run, and we have been running pretty hard for the last ten years, and I think it's fair.
            And in doing that, all of the venues are evaluated and looked at, at least annually.  And if there'stroubled areas in a... more »

2013-03-27 02:01:16 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

DENNY HAMLIN UPDATE ... Here's JGR update on Hamlin's condition:

"Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) driver Denny Hamlin was evaluated today by Dr. Jerry Petty of Carolina Neurosurgery & Spine Associates after suffering an L1 Compression Fracture during an accident on the final lap of Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway.

"Dr. Petty determined that Hamlin will not require surgery, but will need time to properly heal, which is estimated around six weeks time. Dr. Petty will make the determination when Hamlin will be able to return to racing this season.

"No decision has been made on a replacement driver for Hamlin during his absence from the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.''

2013-03-25 18:52:35 (2 comments, 2 reshares, 5 +1s)

#NASCAR ... Here's the JGR statement about Denny Hamlin's injury:

Denny Hamlin suffered a L1 Compression Fracture following an accident on the final lap of Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway.
 
Hamlin hopes to be released today to fly to his home in North Carolina where he will be evaluated by Dr. Jerry Petty of Carolina Neurosurgery & Spine Associates later this week. 

2013-03-25 17:42:22 (2 comments, 1 reshares, 4 +1s)

My Sports Illustrated column: Tony Stewart wants to the be sport's moral compass but he'd better check his own compass.

2013-03-25 03:13:31 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Joe Gibbs Racing statement on driver Denny Hamlin, who was involved in an accident on the final lap of today’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway:
 
Hamlin complained of lower back pain at the track’s infield medical center and was transported to a local hospital for further evaluation. Hamlin will remain at the hospital overnight for observation.
 
No further updates are expected tonight.

2013-03-24 23:55:03 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

#NASCAR ... What Tony Stewart said about Logano after Fox went off the air: 

TONY STEWART, NO. 14 RUSH TRUCK CENTERS/MOBIL 1 CHEVROLET – FINISHED 22nd
WHAT DID YOU TAKE ISSUE WITH AT THE END OF THE RACE? 
“Well, Joey (Logano) spun the tires on the restart. Everybody had trouble with that so, but it’s not my fault that he spun the tires. For a guy that has been complaining about how everybody else is driving here and then (for) him to do that it’s a double standard. He makes the choice. He makes the decision to run us down there and when you run a driver down there then you take responsibility for what happens after that. He is a tough guy on pit road as soon as one of his crew guys gets in the middle of it. Until then he’s a scared little kid. Then he wants to sit there and throw a water bottle at me. He is going to learn a lesson. He can run his mouth on Twitter and stuffall he want... more »

2013-03-24 23:28:57 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

#NASCAR ... Here's some of what Joey Logano said after the race:


YOU JUST SAW THE REPLAY WITH DENNY HAMLIN. YOUR SIDE OF IT? “We worked it last week. He probably shouldn't have done what he did last week, so that's what he gets. And besides that, I think our Auto Club Ford was very strong all day. I was very happy with the car we had. We were super fast, led a lot of laps. Nothing to hang our head down about, that's for sure. We were very proud of that. Doug Yates, thank you so much for the motor. That thing ran the last seven, eight laps with no water in it, just pushing water over 300-degrees. So it's really amazing for those guys. So thank you guys, everyone in the engine shop to get a solid run out here today. I look forward to get back to the race track and try it again.



WE JUST SPOKE TO TONY STEWART. HE WAS REALLY ANGRY. TELL US WHATH... more »

2013-03-24 23:14:58 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

#NASCAR  ... If U missed it, here's what Tony Stewart said about Logano on FOX: "What the hell do you think I was mad about. Dumb little son-of-a-[bleep] runs us clear down to the infield. He wants to [bleep] about everybody else and he's the one who drives like a little [bleep]. I'm going to bust his ass.'

2013-03-18 19:15:19 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

My Sports Illustrated column: Fast start is nice for Dale Jr & Letate but they know there's more work ahead ...

2013-03-17 21:34:54 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

#NASCAR ... What Denny Hamlin said about Logano afterward (via Toyota):

Q: Was your incident with Joey Logano related to your Twitter argument after Phoenix?

"No, it didn't have anything to do with that. Really, you've got to control your car and he slid up into me and really he would have been in the garage with no radiator in it had I not checked up twice, so I just -- I meant to run into him. Didn't
mean to spin him out, but his day was fine. He still had a bad day anyway for whatever reason. We finished bad. He finished bad. It's even."

Q: What did Logano say inside your car?

"He said he was coming for me. I usually don't see him, so it's usually not a factor."

Q: How did the events unfold with Logano?

"He (Joey Logano) pinched us up against the wall twice and really had I not checked... more »

2013-03-17 21:19:40 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

#NASCAR ... Here's what Joey Logano said about Hamlin after the race (via Ford):


“We had a fast race car, that’s for sure. I was racing for the lead and it’s frustrating. That’s a freaking genius behind the wheel of the 11 car – probably the worst teammate I ever had, so I learned that now. He decided to run in the back of me, so, whatever. I have a scorecard and I’m not putting up with that. What goes around comes around. He already ran down his right-front tire, so he deserves it.” 

WHAT DID YOU SAY TO DENNY? WILL YOU TELL US? “No, I’ll keep that to myself.” 

DID YOU FEEL LIKE IT WAS PAYBACK FOR HOW HE FELT YOU RACED HIM AT DAYTONA? “I never did anything wrong in Daytona.” 

BUT DO YOU FEEL HE MAY HAVE RETALIATED FROM THAT? “No, I think he’s just driving like an idiot, that’s all.” 

DID YOU FEEL LIKE YOUHAD A CAR THAT COULD HAVE WON? “I d... more »

2013-03-11 18:18:21 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

#NASCAR ... Preliminary Cup entry list for Bristol (44 cars)...

1 ... Jamie McMurray

2 ... Brad Keselowski

5 ... Kasey Kahne

7 ... Dave Blaney

9 ... Marcos Ambrose

10 .. Danica Patrick

11 .. Denny Hamlin

13 .. Casey Mears

14 .. Tony Stewart

15 .. Clint Bowyer

16 .. Greg Biffle

17 .. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

18 .. Kyle Busch

19 .. Mike Bliss

20 .. Matt Kenseth

22 .. Joey Logano

24 .. Jeff Gordon

27 .. Paul Menard

29 .. Kevin Harvick 

30 .. David Stremme

31 .. Jeff Burton

32 .. Terry Labonte

33 .. Landon Cassill

34 .. David Ragan

35 .. Josh Wise

36 .. JJ Yeley

38 .. David Gilliland

39 .. Ryan Newman
more »