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T H E  *  S T O C K  *  C A R  *  G A Z E T T E
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     E d i t o r ' s  *  N o t e s
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I have to say what of the Nationwide race I saw was intersting. Congrats  to Ryan Newman for winning in the Truck series now.
 
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    Stock Car Gazette Columnists Speak Out!
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Stock Car Gazette
http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/2108
Merging madness more than just a traffic term this weekend in Atlanta
by:  Doug Turnbull

Headlines and speculation regarding the merger and sometimes consolidation of race teams have permeated many NASCAR conversations and stories this season.

For more from Doug, click http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/category/turnbull
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     N A S C A R * S P R I N T * C U P * S E R I E S
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Courtesy of www.Catchfence.com
 
2008 PEP BOYS AUTO 500
FINAL PRACTICE SPEEDS
http://www.catchfence.com/Speeds/08PEPBOYS5003.html
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Courtesy of Google Alerts
 Second-place Greg Biffle isn’t about to concede NASCAR Sprint Cup ...
Fort Worth Star Telegram - Fort Worth,TX,USA
Greg Biffle needs to make a little history if he’s going to catch Jimmie Johnson for the NASCAR Sprint Cup title. He’s not about to say it can’t be done.
http://www.star-telegram.com:80/340/story/996965.html

Goodyear Awards Atlanta-Area High School Senior $30000 Scholarship
MarketWatch - USA
the exclusive tire supplier of NASCAR's three largest series, today announced the names of the six students who have won scholarships as part of the
http://www.marketwatch.com:80/news/story/goodyear-awards-atlanta-area-high-school/story.aspx?guid=%7B11814B1F-F496-4599-9950-A90ECBAF334A%7D&dist=hppr

Recalling a Fight; Oh, and the Titles
New York Times - United States
He became the first driver — and still only driver — to win three consecutive championships in Nascar’s top series, which is now called the Sprint Cup
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/26/sports/othersports/26nascar.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

EZ-GO 200 results
USA Today - USA
Results Saturday for the EZ-GO 200 race for NASCAR's Craftsman Truck Series at Atlanta Motor Speedway, listing starting position in parentheses, driver
http://www.usatoday.com:80/sports/motor/nascar/2008-10-25-trucks-results_N.htm

Edwards holds off Reutimann for Nationwide win
USA Today - USA
(AP) — Carl Edwards held off David Reutimann to win the Kroger On Track for the Cure 250 on Saturday, keeping alive his hopes for a second straight NASCAR
http://www.usatoday.com:80/sports/motor/nascar/2008-10-25-kroger-250_N.htm

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Courtesy of Insider Racing News
  http://www.insiderracingnews.com
 
100 Years Ago Today * 10-25-08
On this day in 1908, the Locomobile Old 16, driven by George Robertson, of Garden City, New York, became the first American-made car to beat the European competition when it raced to victory in the fourth annual Vanderbilt Cup held in Long Island, New York. Designed simply for speed and power, Old 16 had an 1032 cc, 4-cylinder, 120 hp engine with a copper gas tank, and a couple of bucket seats atop a simple frame with four wooden-spoked wheels completed the design. At the fourth Vanderbilt Cup, Robertson pushed Old 16 to an average speed of 64.38 mph, dashing around the 297-mile course to the cheers of over 100,000 rowdy spectators, who lined the track dangerously close to the speeding motor cars. With a thrown tire in the last lap and a frantic fight to the finish against an Italian Isotta, Robertson held on for victory giving America's first major racing victory.
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Courtesy of Jayski
  http://www.jayski.com
 
Newman becomes 19th driver to win a race in all National series: When Ryan Newman won the Truck Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Saturday, October 25th, he became the 19th driver to win at least one race in the Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide Series and Craftsman Truck Series race [the three National Series]. Newman has won 13 Cup races, 7 NNS races and 1 CTS race for a total of 21. See the full list of 19 drivers who have won on my Misc Stats page - All 3 wins section.

Martin to the #5...in 2008? UPDATE: hearing that Mark Martin may get started on his ride a few races early and running the #5 Carquest/Kelloggs Chevy for Hendrick Motorsports in the final four races [Atlanta , Texas, Phoenix, Homestead] of the 2008 Cup season. Casey Mears currently drives the car. Martin is slated to drive the #8 US Army Chevy for DEI in 3 of the 4 final 2008 races, with Aric Almirola in at Phoenix.(8-6-2008)
UPDATE: during SPEED's coverage of the first Saturday practice, Larry McReynolds said he had a nugget....Mark Martin will run the final four races of the 2008 Sprint Cup season, including the final race at Homestead, but not in the #8 DEI Chevy, but in a Hendrick Chevy, so he could be in the #5 Chevy, meaning we may see Casey Mears in a 4th RCR car [#33?] at Homestead.(10-25-2008)

Latest on the possible GM-Chrysler merger: the ragged U.S. economy and slumping car sales are leading General Motors to the brink of what looks like a buyout of Chrysler, which has NASCAR’s 11 Dodge teams [#'s 2,7,9,10,12,19,41,42,43,45,77] on pins and needles. One Detroit source says he senses the merger as inevitable and says that merger could really shake up the NASCAR garage, because rival car makers GM, Ford and Toyota may be quite unlikely to want to pick up any new NASCAR teams. George Gillett has been looking at buying Bill Davis’ Toyota team and becoming a three-team Toyota operation; however there now appears to be a major stumbling block to any such move by Gillett – Toyota itself. There are also worries that when the 2009 season dawns at Daytona there will be only 30 teams with full-time non-factory corporate sponsorship.(Winston Salem Journal)(10-25-2008)

Roush's #6 & AMS to honor soldier: Roush Fenway Racing will honor Sgt. William P. Rudd this weekend by placing a decal in honor of his memory on the #6 AAA Ford Fusion at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Additionally, Atlanta Motor Speedway has donated 200 tickets for members of Sgt. Rudd’s unit to attend Sunday’s Sprint Cup event. Sgt. Rudd died on October 5, 2008 while on combat patrol in Mosul, Iraq. This was the same raid in which U.S. soldiers killed the alleged #2 leader of al-Qaida in Iraq, Abu Qaswarah. Sgt. Rudd, originally from Madisonville, Ky., joined the Army on October 2, 2003 and was a member of the U.S. Army Rangers, an elite special operations troop. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Ft. Benning, Ga. and had previously been deployed twice to Afghanistan and five times to Iraq. His story was told to Jack Roush by Roush’s friend Don Bowles who also hails from Madisonville, Ky. Instantly, Roush knew he wanted to not only honor the fallen soldier, but celebrate the homecoming of his unit. In his five years of service, Sgt. Rudd was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Army Good Conduct Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. He is expected posthumously to receive the Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal and Meritorious Service Medal.(Roush Fenway Racing PR)(10-25-2008)
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Courtesy of Race2Win
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Saturday Notebook: Stewart's Critical Comments End Up Paying Off
Reid Spencer
Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service
 
HAMPTON, Ga. (October 25, 2008) -- Sometimes it pays to be a squeaky wheel.

After slipping and sliding around Atlanta Motor Speedway in March, Tony Stewart railed against the hard tire compound Goodyear provided for the race.

Pep Boys Auto 500-Pit Selection
http://www.race2win.net/wc/08/race/ams2/pit.html
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Courtesy of That's Racin'
  http://www.thatsracin.com
 
Carl Edwards dominates, but has to race late for Memphis win
Sports Network
MILLINGTON, Tenn. - Carl Edwards held off David Reutimann to win the Kroger 250 on Saturday, keeping alive his hopes for a second straight NASCAR Nationwide Series title.
http://www.thatsracin.com/topstories/story/20332.html

Driving and trying: Johnson taking nothing for granted
THATSRACIN.COM OPINION
DAVID POOLE
dpoole@charlotteobserver.com
Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008

Jimmie Johnson stands in the garage area at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Oct. 24, 2008.. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Sunday's lineup | How the Cup cars start
Final Cup practice | Edwards fastest in Saturday's late session
Crock Pots | No pot shots, Edwards says of chasing Johnson
David Poole's blog | Cale Yarborough and the coach
Friday rain | Has weather been worse for rivals than points leader?
HAMPTON, Ga. - Jimmie Johnson wants no part of counting unhatched chickens or crossing unreached bridges.
http://www.thatsracin.com/topstories/story/20334.html
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     N A S C A R * N A T I O N W I D E * S E R I E S
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Courtesy of Jayski
 http://www.jayski.com
 
 Edwards wins at Memphis: After leading 185 laps, #60-held of a late race challenge by #99-David Reutimann on a green-white-checkered finish to win the "Kroger On Track For The Cure 250 at Memphis Motorsports Park. It was Edwards fifth series win in 2008. Reutimann,came back from two laps down to finish second. #21-Austin Dillon finished fourth in just his second series start. Rounding out the top ten were #28-Kenny Wallace, #21-Austin Dillon, #20-Joey Logano, #9-Chase Miller, #1-Mike Bliss, #6-David Ragan, #66-Steve Wallace, #64-David Stremme. #25-Bobby Hamilton spun on the last lap, resulting in a slight altercation with the #5 following the race. There were six drivers on the lead lap at the end of the race; 2 lead changes among 3 drivers, and 8 caution flags for 39 laps. Complete race results are posted on the Memphis Race Page.(10-25-2008)

Memphis Race Facts:
...Carl Edwards won the KROGER ON TRACK FOR THE CURE 250 presented by the Southern Dodge Dealers, his 18th victory in 138 Nationwide Series races.
...This is his fifth victory and 19th top-10 finish in 2008.
...This is his first victory and third top-10 finish in four races at Memphis Motorsports Park.
...David Reutimann (second) posted his second top-10 finish in three races at Memphis Motorsports Park. It is his 14th top-10 finish in 2008.
...Kenny Wallace (third) posted his first top-10 finish in six races at Memphis Motorsports Park.
...Cale Gale (11th) was the highest finishing rookie.
...Clint Bowyer leads the point standings by 116 points over Carl Edwards.(NASCAR Statistics)(10-25-2008)

Bowyer leads point standings: #2-Clint Bowyer continues to lead the driver point standings with 4667, now just 116 points ahead of second place #60-Carl Edwards. Rounding out the top ten are; #88-Brad Keselowski, #1-Mike Bliss, #6-David Ragan,# 99-David Reutimann, #18-Kyle Busch #7-Mike Wallace, #38-Jason Leffler, #59-Marcos Ambrose. Complete driver point standings are posted on the Memphis Race Page

Rensi Shutting Down after Memphis? UPDATE: Bobby Hamilton, Jr., told Sirius NASCAR Radio's Sirius Speedway Monday that this weekend's race at Memphis will be the final race of the season for Team Rensi Racing, due to lack of sponsorship. Hamilton currently stands 15th in Nationwide Series points, despite missing two races due to lack of sponsorship. "The deal is done after Memphis, and unless they can find (sponsorship), we're through," said Hamilton. "The Rensis are racers, but if the money's not there, it's just not there." Hamilton said he has prospects to field as many as three teams of his own on the NASCAR Camping World Series East next season, and could also field a car on the ARCA Remax Series.(Sirius Speedway)(10-20-2008)
UPDATE: Saturday's Kroger On Track For The Cure 250 NASCAR Nationwide Series is likely the final event for Team Rensi Motorsports, Team President Ronnie Russell said at Memphis Motorsports Park. Sponsorship from Smithfield Foods runs out after this race, and there is no sponsorship for driver Bobby Hamilton Jr. and the #25 Ford for the remaining three races. “If something doesn’t happen good for us by Monday, then, no, we will not be continuing the last three races,” Russell said. “We will not be going to Texas, Phoenix or Homestead.” Smithfield was a 30-race deal for 2008, and Memphis was the 30th race. Russell said it was important to the team not to have any outstanding debt before closing its doors, and the team did not want to start-and-park its car over the final three races. And if sponsorship doesn’t work out – and Russell held out slim hope for that – Team Rensi will close for good. “We’re not going dormant when we’re not coming here,” Russell said. “We’re closing up. It’s not a dormant situation.”(Scene Daily)(10-25-2008)

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Courtesy of The Hot Lap
  http://www.TheHotLap.com
 
Oct. 25 NASCAR Nationwide Series: Carl Edwards wins! Today’s Kroger 250 got underway with 18 year old James Buescher starting from his first NNS career pole. #32 Buescher would lead until lap 24 when he relinquished the lead to#1 Mike Bliss. Double duty drivers started from the back of the field for the event, as their substitute drivers qualified the vehicles. With only 2 lead changes and eight cautions (last year there were 25…16 the year before), there wasn’t much action on track. The real stories played out in the pits, with strategy on tires and fuel. Early on, around lap 29, cars that came in and took four tires during the caution easily passed those who elected to stay out. Carl Edwards and Joey Logano being among those pitting.Lap 2 would bring out the first caution for #88 Brad Keselowski spinning, after a tire gave way. Lap 28 found the second yellow of the race, as the #59 Marcos Ambrose spun on track. Lap 62 had the top-ten running order as #1Bliss, #60 Carl Edwards, #64 David Stremme, #38 Jason Leffler, #99 David Reutimann, #66 Steven Wallace, #20 Joey Logano, #5 Landon Cassill, #33 Cale Gale and #6 David Ragan.Mike Bliss would be passed by #60 Edwards on lap 69 as the fresh tires became a factor. Points leader Clint Bowyer would spin on lap 126, bringing out the caution for the third time. By Lap 187, the top-ten on track were #60 Edwards, #20 Logano, #28 Kenny Wallace, #21 Austin Dillon, #9 Chase Miller, #99 David Reutimann, #1 Mike Bliss, #5 Landon Cassill, #66 Steven Wallace and #33 Gale. Read more
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     C R A F T S M A N * T R U C K * S E R I E S
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Courtesy of Jayski
  http://www.jayski.com
 
Newman wins at Atlanta: In his first series start, #2-Ryan Newman captured the win to bring about a one-two finish for Kevin Harvick Inc. in the E-Z-GO 200 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. This is KHI's second 1-2 finish of the season, the first at Kansas. After leading 110 laps, and swapping the lead back and forth a couple of times in the last ten laps, #33-Ron Hornaday Jr. retook the lead with two laps to go, but Newman managed to grab the lead back on the final lap to pick up the win. #23-Johnny Benson struggled all day long, almost going a lap down, but managed to recover to finish in seventh place. Benson is still in command of the points lead but only by 31 points. Rounding out the top ten were #15-Denny Hamlin, #30-Todd Bodine, #22-Scott Speed, #99-Erik Darnell, #23-Johnny Benson, #51-Kyle Busch, #7-T.J. Bell, #16-Brian Scott. There were 7 lead changes among 3 drivers and 4 caution flags for 15 laps. Complete race results are posted on the Atlanta Race Page.(Unofficial)(10-25-2008)

Race Awards:
Featherlite Most Improved Driver Award: Ron Hornaday, Jr., #33 (27 Places)
Mahle Clevite Engine Builder of the Race: Ron Hornaday, Jr., #33
Mobil1 Command Performance Driver of the Race: Todd Bodine, #30
Raybestos Rookie of the Race Award: Scott Speed, #22
Sunoco Diamond Performance: Ryan Newman, #2
Wix Filters Lap Leader Award: Ron Hornaday, Jr., #33 (110 Laps)
(NASCAR PR)(10-25-2008)

Benson maintains points lead: #23-Johnny Benson remains the leader in the driver point standings with 3324 but that lead has dwindled to just 31 points over second place #33-Ron Hornaday Jr. Rounding out the top ten are; #30-Todd Bodine, #99-Erik Darnell, #88-Matt Crafton, #14-Rick Crawford, #5-Mike Skinner, #18-Dennis Setzer, #60-Jack Sprague, #8-Chad McCumbee. Complete driver point standings are posted on the Atlanta Race Page.(Unofficial)(10-25-2008)

New sponsor for TRG? UPDATE at PIR; close to full sponsorship for Bell in '09? During SPEED's coverage of Atlanta Truck Series practice, Ray Dunlap mentioned that the #7-TRG Motorsports Chevy team, driven by T.J. Bell, will have a sponsorship announcement at Texas next week with SpongeTech, a package delivery company. No word if the announcement will be just for Texas or for 2009.(10-25-2008)
UPDATE: Hearing that T.J. Bell has secured sponsorship from SpongeTech for the upcoming race at Phoenix International Raceway. Also hearing that TRG Motorsports is close to finalizing sponsorship that would enable T.J. to run the full season in the "Camping World" Truck Series in 2009.(10-25-2008)

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Courtesy of TruckSeries.Com
  http://www.truckseries.com
 
 This Time, It's Newman at Atlanta
Ryan Newman passed his Kevin Harvick Inc. teammate Ron Hornaday Jr. on the final lap to score his first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series victory in the E-Z-G0 200 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
http://www.truckseries.com/cgi-script/NCTS_08/articles/000020/002099.htm

The Race Is On

If you want some idea of just how hotly contested – not to mention how convoluted – the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series title battle between Johnny Benson and Ron Hornaday Jr. is, consider the math.

http://www.truckseries.com/cgi-script/NCTS_08/articles/000021/002105.htm
 
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     T V  *  L I S T I N G S
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Courtesy of Jayski
  http://www.jayski.com/pages/tv.htm
 
Sun Oct 26
1:30 am NNS: Memphis Race ESPN2

2:00 am NCTS Set-Up SPEED

2:30 am NCTS: Atlanta 200 SPEED

9:30 am Tradin' Paint SPEED

10:00 am NASCAR Now ESPN2

10:00 am NASCAR Performance SPEED

10:30 am NASCAR in a Hurry SPEED

11:00 am NASCAR RaceDay SPEED

1:00 pm NSCS Countdown ABC

2:00 pm NSCS: Pep Boys Auto 500 at Atlanta ABC

7:00 pm SPEED Report SPEED

8:00 pm NASCAR Victory *** SPEED

9:00 pm Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain SPEED

10:00 pm NASCAR Now ESPN2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mon Oct 27
2:00 am SPEED Report SPEED

2:30 am NSCS: Pep Boys Auto 500 Atlanta Replay ESPN2

4:00 am NASCAR Victory *** SPEED

8:00 am NASCAR Victory *** SPEED

9:00 am Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain SPEED

10:00 am NSCS: Pep Boys Auto 500 Atlanta Replay ESPNC

12:00 pm NCTS Set-Up SPEED

12:30 pm NCTS: Atlanta 200 SPEED

5:00 pm NASCAR Now ESPN2

8:00 pm This Week in NASCAR SPEED

9:00 pm HorsePower Tee Shot Tour Episode 6 SPEED

 
Jayski does not list all the programming offered by SPEED; for complete listings go to their website, http://www.speedtv.com/schedule/
 
Always CHECK YOUR LOCAL LISTINGS!
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