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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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 1 Champion crowned, keep reading about who it was.All teh exciting news from Homestead in this issue. Be sure to check out our website for the online poll of Best NASCAR commerical.
 
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    Stock Car Gazette Columnists Speak Out!
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 Stock Car Gazette
http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/2262
FastCar Newsdesk for Chase Race Ten at Homestead
by:  Doug Turnbull
 
Though technically a partnership and not a merger, Ganassi and Dale Earnhardt Incorporated officials have announced that their teams will field cars together for the 2009 season.
 
Read more of Doug's columns at http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/category/turnbull

Stock Car Gazette
http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/2253
Big E is rolling over in his grave
by:  Chuck Abrams
 
      
The empire Dale Earnhardt built to promote his family racing genes and continue the legacy of his racing prowess has now become watered down to become Earnhardt Ganassi Racing.  While rumors have been swirling around both teams for weeks, I am still stunned to see the once powerful DEI merge with anyone.
For more from Chuck, click http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/category/chuckabrams

 

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     MotorSportsNews.Net(work) web site features
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Stock Car Gazette
http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/2247
Ford 400 Fantasy Report
by:  Mike Wells 
 
Let’s take a look at Homestead under the microscope. This edition will include stats, past winners, hot streak driver (last 5 races) similar track stats (speedway) like who’s hot, manufacturer leaders, records, and much more! No matter if you are a Fantasy League player or just want to know the ins and outs at Homestead, you can get a full dose right here. You won’t leave the table wanting more!
 
Read more of Mike's columns at http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/category/water-from-the-wells

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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 FORD 400
STARTING LINEUP
- 11/14/08 - Homestead-Miami Speedway

Check out all the behind the hauler chats.
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A new picture or video every day
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Courtesy of Google Alerts
 
NASCAR bans 2009 testing to save teams cash
The Associated Press
(AP) — NASCAR has suspended all testing at its sanctioned tracks next season in a cost-cutting measure that should help teams save several million dollars
http://www.google.com:80/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jWhD6oMDvmx63Pry84Zsdsjnzo5QD94EQNP80

Nascar Champion Johnson Says Economic Woes May Spur Changes
Bloomberg - USA
14 (Bloomberg) -- Jimmie Johnson, poised to win his third-straight Nascar championship this week in a Chevrolet, said the economic slump that has US
http://www.bloomberg.com:80/apps/news?pid=20601079&sid=aJd7jzxY_mWA&refer=home

David Newton: The one clear winner from NASCAR's testing ban at ...
ESPN - USA
People were calling to book testing time at the 1-mile facility within minutes of the announcement that testing at NASCAR-sanctioned tracks will be
http://sports.espn.go.com:80/rpm/nascar/cup/columns/story?columnist=newton_david&id=3702829

Reutimann wins pole; Johnson starts 30th
SportingNews.com - USA
Jimmie Johnson, a heavy favorite to win his third straight NASCAR Sprint Cup championship, will have to deal with traffic and avoid potential disaster early
http://www.sportingnews.com:80/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=486281

Benson wins title; Bodine takes race
The Associated Press
(AP) — A two-tire stop and a late decision to stay on track during a caution period were just enough to give Johnny Benson the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
http://www.google.com:80/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gpdZ7i275GI3LV-kpsMIuB5GtHCgD94F4HI80

Could the Chase be sabotaged?
FOXSports.com - USA
So if Furniture Row's Joe Nemechek hits the wall, Haas' Tony Raines and Scott Riggs collide and Hendrick's Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Casey Mears and
http://msn.foxsports.com/nascar/story/8795294/Could-the-Chase-be-sabotaged

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Courtesy of Jayski
  http://www.jayski.com
 
No poles in 2008: Ten drivers who won a pole in 2007 failed to win a pole in 2008, of course ten rained out qualifying sessions didn't help, the drivers:
# of years in streak, driver, track and date of last pole
2, Kurt Busch, California, August 2007
2, David Gilliland, Daytona, February 2007
1, Clint Bowyer, New Hampshire, September 2007
1, J.J. Yeley, Michigan, June 2007
1, Jamie McMurray, Sonoma, June 2007
1, Dave B***y, New Hampshire, June 2007
1, Casey Mears, Chicago, July 2007
1, Reed Sorenson, Indianapolis, July 2007
1, Michael Waltrip, Talladega, October 2007
1, Martin Truex Jr., Texas, November 2007
(11-14-2008)

Some spotter changes in 2009: Hearing that Earl Barban [currently at the #38 team] will be back as the spotter for #48 Jimmie Johnson and current spotter, Stevie Reeves will join Yates Racing and Paul Menard [will be the #98 team]. Bob Jeffrey, the spotter for #17 Matt Kenseth will join Stewart-Hass Racing to work with #14-Tony Stewart. Mike Calinoff, who started 2008 with #40-Dario Franchitti at Chip Ganassi Racing before the team shut down and has been spotting for #20-Stewart during The Chase, will return to Roush-Fenway Racing and work with #17-Matt Kenseth. Barban spent two years with Johnson previously and Calinoff was with Kenseth for six seasons, including the Championship season in 2003

GM unsure EGR will use Chevy's: General Motors has not been told whether the new Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing team will field Chevrolets next season, according to Pat Suhy, GM’s NASCAR manager. Dale Earnhardt Inc., a four-car Chevrolet team, and Chip Ganassi Racing, a two-car Dodge team, announced Wednesday their plans to merge for the 2009 season. They did not announce a manufacturer, but Dodge teams seem resigned to the probability that the new four-car organization will race Chevrolets next season. “Until they tell us what it’s going to be, I’m not confident of anything,” Suhy said Friday at Homestead-Miami Speedway, site of Sunday’s Ford 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup season finale. “They need to make a decision based on their own needs and what kind of support they can get and what they think is in their best interests.” Suhy would not comment on how much support DEI gets and whether it is based on a four-car team.(SceneDaily)(11-15-2008) Comment here

Sad News - Barbara Rinaldi: Barbara Rinaldi wife of Bob Rinaldi, former NASCAR member in the Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Craftsman Truck Series, passed away early Friday morning 11-14-08, due to complications of cancer. Barbara was a long time employee of Fischer Engineering and BSR Products, before retiring to spend time caring for her beloved rescue Beagles. The family would like to thank the Doctors, Nurses and all staff members of Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center for their valiant efforts and compassion during her time in the facility. Bob would also like to thank Bobby Hutchens of DEI and formerly of RCR, for his help in getting Barbara into the capable care of the folks at Wake Forest. Services: Visitation will be Tuesday 11-18 from 5 to 8pm at Cavin-Cook Funeral Home, 494 E. Plaza Dr. Mooresvill, NC, and Friday 11-21 from 4pm to 8pm at Sansone Funeral Home, 192 Wood St. Bristol, RI Funeral services will be 10:00am at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, Bristol, RI
In lieu of flowers please make contributions in her memory to:
The Greg Biffle Foundation
P.O. Box 4359
Mooresville, NC.(11-15-2008)

Some more info, questions about the DEI/Ganassi merger: On Wednesday, Dale Earnhardt Inc. and Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates announced they were “launching a combination of racing operations” for 2009, collectively planning to race four cars in 2008. According to a press release issued by the two teams, Martin Truex Jr. will drive the #1 for Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing next season, Aric Almirola will drive the #8, Juan Pablo Montoya the #42 and a driver to be named later will pilot the #41.
Left unsaid were almost all the important details:
• What brand of cars the teams will campaign.
• Whether Ganassi’s crew will supply engines or whether Earnhardt-Childress Racing Technologies will.
• Whether the team will be run out of DEI’s shops in Mooresville, N.C. or Ganassi’s complex in Concord, N.C.
• Who will be in charge and which executives will remain from the two teams.
• Who will sponsor the #8, which has no announced sponsors or the #41, which has sponsorship for only half the season.
• And, most importantly, whether Teresa Earnhardt or Chip Ganassi has the final say in the operation of the newly merged organization.
Apparently, most of those questions remain to be sorted out. While it is expected that the new entity will, in fact, campaign Chevrolets, sources close to the situation insist that the two parties have not yet worked out many of the critical details in the agreement. So why announce it now if it isn’t sorted out? Sources say that DEI’s deal with Bass Pro Shops requires the team to field a minimum of three teams and that if it fails to do so, the sponsor could walk. And in this brutal economy, losing yet another sponsor is the last thing DEI could afford, figuratively or literally.(Ford Racing)
OWNERS POINTS: another question not answered: what happens to the #15 team and #01 team OWNERS points, both easily in the top-35? No idea yet, they could be sold or transferred in separate deals. Could end up with Richard Childress Racing for the new #33 team that Clint Bowyer will drive for in 2009 as RCR will NOT be transferring the owners points from the #07 team. So no word yet what will happen to the #15 or #01 owners points....yet.(11-15-2008) Comment here

Dale Jr. talks about DEI/Ganassi merger: DALE EARNHARDT, JR., #88 NATIONAL GUARD/AMP ENERGY IMPALA SS, met with members of the media at Homestead-Miami Speedway and discussed DEI-Ganassi merger among other topics:
WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON THE DEI/GANASSI MERGER? “I think it is good for both teams to try to do that. It gives those guys a good opportunity to try to get through the season financially. Chip Ganassi is a racer. They really need somebody like that. I just hope that they move forward and make some things happen. It is tough this year, tough next year, especially for all the guys trying to find money. That is this biggest problem. There are some great personnel at Ganassi. Steve Hmiel will be reunited with a bunch of old employees at DEI and buddies. The need a racer around there over the top of things and really making hard decisions. It will be interesting to see how all of that works. I think it should be seamless and it should be productive for everybody”
IS THERE SOME IRONY THERE THAT THIS HAPPENED GIVEN WHAT YOU WANTED TO DO LAST YEAR? “I don’t know. I think it is good for the teams though. I am happy for Martin (Truex, Jr.) and Aric (Almirola). I think it will be good for Juan (Pablo Montoya) to work with them guys. Juan is really going to enjoy working with Martin. It should be good. I think it is great for Ganassi to give his company a boost. It is really good for both. I think Juan will enjoy working with Martin and Aric and those teams. They will be able to work off each other. It will be exciting to see new data come in from the DEI guys and the DEI guys will be excited to see what Ganassi has been doing over the last several years as far as setups and what direction they have went. When you accumulate that information together and the bits and pieces that are good from each side and mold it together, you might really improve all of it as won.”
ARE YOU UPSET ABOUT THE LAYOFFS AT DEI? “That was going to happen regardless of whether they merged or not I am pretty sure. They weren’t going to run four teams, or three or whatever. You know what I mean. You can’t blame a single individual for the layoffs. The sport is going to have a lot of those hopefully only for the short term. But it is not because of the merger.”
WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR DAD WOULD HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT THIS HAPPENING? “I don’t know. Your guess is as good as mine. Sorry, I really don’t know. He would had better luck at securing the sponsorships than they currently do with the state that they are in. When my Daddy died, all of that changed. Everything about everything changed. If he was here, he would be sad, but he is not and everybody has to go do their own thing and make their own way. Everybody has got to take care of themselves. He ain’t here to take care of everybody, so you have to do your own thing, take care of yourself. Gotta do what they gotta do and that said and I ain’t got nothin’ to do with it and I don’t really have an opinion about it. I want them to succeed, I want them to be happy. I want it to work. But I can’t exhaust any of my emotion over it because of what I got going on myself. I have to get my own thing going, I got to do better. I got things I could do better. See full transcript at GM Racing.(11-15-2008) Comment here

Knaus Named Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Year: Crew chief Chad Knaus, who made countless, crucial, bold and successful calls throughout the season for his #48 Lowe's Chevrolet and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship points leader Jimmie Johnson, was named the 2008 Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Year during a press conference today at Homestead-Miami Speedway. With his team's dominance in last weekend's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race in Phoenix, Knaus secured his fifth "Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the race" honor during the season. It bolted him ahead of Steve Addington (#18 M&M's Toyota & driver Kyle Busch) and Bob Osborne (#99 Office Depot Ford & driver Carl Edwards). Each had four wins entering the final race of the competition at Phoenix International Raceway. Knaus and his team have a 141-point lead over Edwards and needs to finish 36th or better in Sunday's season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway to capture their third consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship.
The 2008 Wypall Wipers Crew Chief Challenge was a season-long contest, sponsored by Kimberly-Clark Professional, which determined the best crew chiefs in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series garage. Following each Cup race, a panel voted to determine which crew chief demonstrated the most outstanding strategy and leadership during the race. It wasn't necessarily the crew chief that went to victory ***, but the crew chief that made the biggest difference to his team.
Representatives from Wypall Wipers, together with FOX/Speed television analyst Jeff Hammond and three of NASCAR's top crew chiefs who represent the Wypall brand, made up the panel of judges. The Crew Chiefs included Osborne, Todd Berrier of the Richard Childress Racing #29 Shell Pennzoil Chevy team and Kenny Francis of the Gillett Evernham Motorsports #9 Budweiser Dodge team. The weekly winning crew chief received a check for $1,000 as well as signage on the team's pit box the following week to announce the win.
While Knaus gets to celebrate his coveted title, Myra Cochran of Concord, NC, is experiencing an all expenses paid vacation this weekend where she will be an honorary "crew chief for a day" and will shadow one of the Wypall Wipers crew chiefs during pre-race ceremonies Sunday. Cochran, an avid NASCAR fan, participated in Wypall Wipers first annual online Ultimate Crew Chief Fantasy Game where she competed against hundreds of other fans, voting every week for the crew chief they believed would win the upcoming race. For more information, log onto www.Wypall.com.(11-15-2008)

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Courtesy of Race2Win
  http://www.race2win.net
 
Listen to Race 2 Win's Jeff Holtzclaw on Track Talk
Listen in as Race 2 Win’s Jeff Holtzclaw joins Greg DePalma, Blake Feese and Heather Meyer every week for Track Talk on the Prime Sports Network. Track Talk airs live every Thursday from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm ET. If you miss the live show, you can listen to the archive or download the podcast anytime at PrimeSportsNetwork.com. Eric Darnell, driver of the No. 99 Roush Fenway Racing Ford, and John Daly of The Daly P***t were guests on the Thursday, November 13th show.

Reutimann Wins Homestead Pole; Johnson Starts 30th
Reid Spencer
Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service
 
David Reutimann 
  
HOMESTEAD, Fla. (November 14, 2008) -- David Reutimann won the pole for Sunday's Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, but when the race starts, the focus won't be at the front of the field
http://www.race2win.net/wc/08/11/hmsq.html

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Courtesy of That's Racin'
  http://www.thatsracin.com
 
Benson edges Hornaday for Truck series title
Bodine comes away with the victory in season's final event
Friday, Nov. 14, 2008

HOMESTEAD, Fla. - Johnny Benson didn't have the best truck. He didn't appear to have the best pit strategy, either.

What he does have is his first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship.

Bowyer's points lead, margin of error down
Nationwide Series wraps up season with Saturday's race at Homestead
By Jim Utter
jutter@charlotteobserver.com
Friday, Nov. 14, 2008

HOMESTEAD, Fla. - Carl Edwards has a realistic chance of winning back to back titles in the Nationwide Series.

If he succeeds, the trophy would likely be the only thing his two championships have in common.
http://www.thatsracin.com/topstories/story/20960.html

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     P R E S S  *  R E L E A S E S
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 Carolyn I hope you are having a blast!
Hellmanns Real Fan of the Year ready to celebrate at Homestead-Miami Speedway
11.13.2008

The final race weekend of the season will offer NASCAR fans a chance to celebrate the conclusion of the 2008 season in the top three NASCAR national touring series. Champions will be crowned in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Nationwide and Craftsman Truck Series.  While each driver will be happy to win the title there will be one special fan at Homestead-Miami Speedway who will be just as excited as our champions.

            Anderson, California resident Carolyn Hastings will get to be a part of the celebration during the weekend after being selected as the Hellmann's Real Fan of the Year. As part of her prize for winning the contest, Hastings will be a special guest of Hellmann's and Gillett Evernham Motorsports throughout the weekend.

            The 65 year-old homemaker was chosen from thousands of entries in the year-long contest based on several different factors, including originality and sincerity of the essay. Some of the highlights from her essay include how she creates a fan newsletter each week and distributes it free of charge to fans across the country. Hastings works as much as 25 hours per week building the newsletters and sometimes sends out more than one newsletter per week.

            Hastings' daughter, Tracy Louthan, added that her mother can't wait for championship weekend to arrive.

            "Just so you know - I have never heard my mom more excited about anything," said Louthan. "She is overjoyed to have won this amazing trip and I am so excited to have the chance to go with her. I am sure Carolyn will have a great time on this trip."

            Hastings will receive her award during pre-race ceremonies on Sunday and will get to wave the green flag on the qualifying lap Friday afternoon for Gillett Evernham Motorsports driver, Elliott Sadler. Sadler will pilot the No. 19 Hellmann's Dodge in the season-ending Ford 400 for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (Nov. 16, ABC, 3:00 PM). Hastings also won VIP suite tickets good for all three championship races during the weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Hellmann’s – the Official Mayonnaise of NASCAR – is excited about the culmination of this contest. “The Real Fan of the Year contest was designed to highlight fans that help define the sport by taking the excitement and enthusiasm off the race track and extending it into everyday life,” said Hellmann’s Senior Brand Manager, Jamey Fish. “This contest shows how Real Food meets Real Fans. Hellmann’s wants to celebrate the person that owns the gear, decorates rooms in their home with the colors of their favorite team, and wouldn’t miss a race day if his or her life depended on it. Hellmann’s would like to congratulate Carolyn on being 2008’s Real Fan of the Year!”

            Due to the overwhelming success of the program this year, Hellmann's will feature another contest for the millions of NASCAR fans next year. Details of that contest are set to be announced during Speed Weeks in Daytona next February.

____________
Dillon Looks To Get Fresh Start At NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Nov. 13, 2008) – Austin Dillon had a nearly perfect season: He was the top rookie in the NASCAR Camping World Series East, won his first NASCAR race and nearly knocked off series veteran Matt Kobyluck for the series championship.

The 18-year-old from Lewisville, N.C., now has his sights set on the biggest race of the NASCAR short-track racing calendar: The NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown. Thursday, Dillon joined Kobyluck as drivers to officially commit to running ‘the Daytona 500 of short-track racing.’

Dillon is scheduled to head out to California the first week of January to test at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale in advance of the Jan. 23-24 race weekend there.

“It’s great to start out the year at a really cool track with some new opportunities,” said Dillon of the half-mile oval that features graduated banking and multiple racing grooves. “It will be a fun race. You go out there and get what you can get and hopefully win it. It will be a tough race with the competition out there.”

The race was moved from its original fall date, where the first five were run, to January. The change offers drivers a chance to break out of those winter doldrums with some high-stakes racing. With no points at stake, the event is all about the money and the bragging rights.

For Dillon, who intends to make another run at the NASCAR Camping World East championship in 2009, it’s an opportunity to put an exclamation point on his rookie campaign and generate additional momentum heading into his sophomore season.

Dillon, the grandson of NASCAR car owner Richard Childress, started his 2008 in April with a NASCAR Camping World Series East victory at Greenville-Pickens Speedway in South Carolina. That victory secured Dillon a starting spot in January’s postseason showcase.

Race winners of NASCAR Camping World Series events and champions of each of NASCAR’s seven developmental series earn secured spots in the race.

Kobyluck, Dillon, Trevor Bayne, Eddie MacDonald, Peyton Sellers, Brian Ickler, Aric Almirola, Eric Holmes, Jason Bowles, Jeff Barkshire, Mike David, Todd Souza and Jason Fensler won NASCAR Camping World Series races.

In addition, Philip Morris (NASCAR Whelen All-American Series), Scott Steckly (NASCAR Canadian Tire Series), Antonio Perez (NASCAR Mexico Series), Ted Christopher (NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour) and Brian Loftin (NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour) won championships. Kobyluck and Holmes won the NASCAR Camping World Series East and West, respectively.

Dillon was nearly on that list, as he led the points standings for much of the year. He finished with six top fives and 10 top 10s in 13 starts. He was the top-finishing rookie four times.

He also made a pair of NASCAR Nationwide Series starts and turned in an impressive fourth-place finish at Memphis in his second race.

“Next year it’s going to be tough to beat that,” Dillon said, “but with the guys I’m surrounded with and the team I have, I think we have a shot at the championship

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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
 
 NEXT RACE: Ford 300, 4:30pm/et, Saturday, November 15, 2008 at Homestead-Miami Speedway

including...

Edwards leads Happy Hour: #60-Carl Edwards was fastest again during Happy Hour for the Ford 300. His top speed was 169.088mph. #29-Jeff Burton was second followed by #20-Joey Logano, #6-David Ragan, #18-Kyle Busch, #5-Dale Earnhardt, Jr., #32-Denny Hamlin, #2-Clint Bowyer, #33-Ryan Newman, and #1-Mike Bliss. #90-Johnny Chapman, #61-Brandon Whitt, and #91-Justin Hobgood did not practice. Complete speeds are posted on the Homestead Race Page.(11-14-2008)

Edwards fastest in Homestead practice #60-Carl Edwards was fastest in opening practice at Homestead with a speed of 166.554mph. #29 Jeff Burton was second, followed by #27-Jason Keller, #20-Joey Logano, #21-Scott Wimmer, #2-Clint Bowyer, #40-Bryan Clauson, #17-Jamie McMurray, #32-Denny Hamlin, and #47-Kelly Bires. Not practicing during the session: #42-Juan Pable Montoya and #01-Danny Efland. Complete speeds are posted on the Homestead Race Page.(11-14-2008)

Clinch Scenarios at Homestead: What will it take for those involved to claim the Nationwide Series driver and owner championships at Homestead?
The following are the clinch scenarios for the final chance at title chases:
Driver Championship
* Bowyer needs to finish eighth or better without leading a lap regardless of what Carl Edwards does.
* Bowyer can finish ninth with one lap led and clinch regardless of what Edwards does.
* Bowyer can finish 11th and lead the most laps and clinch regardless of what Edwards does.
* Edwards needs to finish 24th or better in order to stay in contention until the end of the race assuming Bowyer starts.

Owner Championship
* The #20 can finish second with no laps led and clinch regardless of what the #2 does.
* The #20 can finish third with one lap led and clinch regardless of what the #2 does.
* The #20 can finish fourth and lead the most laps and clinch regardless of what the #2 does.
* The #2 needs to finish 33rd or better in order to stay in contention until the end of the race assuming the #20 starts.(NASCAR PR)(11-11-2008)

Pinnacle Foods to Sponsor KHI in 3 races: Kevin Harvick Inc. announced that Pinnacle Foods Group LLC will be the primary sponsor for three Nationwide Series races on the #33 KHI entry in 2009. With 13 individual brands, Pinnacle Foods Group LLC represents brands such as Vlasic, Hungry-Man, Duncan Hines, Armour and Mrs. Paul's. "Pinnacle Foods Group is thrilled to be joining forces with the KHI Racing Team for 2009," said Mark Parker, Senior Vice President, Business Development. "We have a great portfolio of household food brands at Pinnacle and we are excited that 3 of those brands, Vlasic, Armour Canned Meats and Hungry-Man Frozen Dinners will be stepping forward as the primary sponsors for Kevin and the KHI Team."(Kevin Harvick Inc PR), see an image of the Armour car on the 2009 #33 Paint scheme page.(11-15-2008)

Latest on JR Motorsports: from a CHEVY NSCS AT HOMESTEAD: Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Press Conference Transcript:
WHAT IS THE STATUS OF JUNIOR MOTORSPORTS RIGHT NOW? “The #88 car is running all year; the #5 is going to run seven races. I think it is perfect. We (Hendrick Motorsports) merged together to try to consolidate our expenses a little bit and it worked. We didn’t get rid of any employees at the merger and we tried to accommodate everybody and keep everybody. But the economy got poor and we were unable to get sponsor for the car next year.
“Personally, I like this situation better. I like having one car running for it and I like having the other car just doing some kind of an all star style program that is a little spotty, just race here and there. It is much more easier to do. That is really what I wanted. My goal for that whole company, I want to keep it going however I got to keep it going. When I retire from Sprint Cup Series, I would like to drive for that team for however long I want to keep driving in a limited role. Not for a championship or not go hard, just go out there and just enjoy racing probably way past my abilities, you know what I mean. So hopefully I can keep it going until then.”
WAS IT DIFFICULT TO LAY PEOPLE OFF AT JUNIOR MOTORSPORTS? “It always is difficult to fire anybody, especially when you have to do it in a big chunk. It is tough, it is not easy. It was 20% of our shop force, maybe about 17 people.” See full PR at GM Racing.(11-15-2008)

Kenny Back with Jay Robinson: Larry McReynolds reported during SPEEDtv's coverage of Nationwide Series happy hour, that Kenny Wallace is expected to return to the #28 team next season.(11-14-2008)

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Courtesy of The Hot Lap
  http://www.TheHotLap.com
 
 Nov. 14 NASCAR Nationwide Series: Happy hour has finished at Miami-Homestead. The top ten times/speeds of the day were posted in this final session. Quickest in the early session, and quickest tonight-#60 Carl Edwards, with a top speed of 169.088mph. The next closest in speed, #29 Scott Wimmer, in a purple and yellow Holiday Inn Chevy at 167.874. #20 Joey Logano posted the third fastest speed with  167.707mph. #6 David Ragan was fourth quickest at 167.442. #18 Kyle Busch ran the fifth top speed at 166.935mph. rounding ou the top ten in speeds-#5 Dale Earnhardt Jr.-166.888; #32 Denny Hamlin-166.507; #2 Clint Bowyer-166.394; #33 Ryan Newman-166.359 and #1Mike Bliss-166.292mph. 49 cars made it out on track for this final session, including the #42 carbon black Powerade entry driven by Juan Pablo Montoya. Also of note, the #38 suffered right side damage after an on-track incident and came in for repairs. Tom's is the sponsor on the orange #47 entry this weekend; and former crew chief of the #5, Chad Walter,is back on top of the box for the last race of the year for the National Guard Chevy.(thehotlap) (11-14-08)
 

  Nov. 14 NASCAR Nationwide Series:Brad Keselowski Clinches Wix Filters Lap Leader award-YOU MUST TAKE GREAT PRIDE IN RUNNING WELL ENOUGH TO EARN THE WIX FILTERS LAP LEADER AWARD THIS SEASON.  “Oh, yeah, well, I mean anytime you win award you accomplish something.  We’ve ran good this year, led some laps, won the WIX award and it’s good to get some recognition for that.  It’s nice to get a new trophy and that’s a cool looking trophy so I’m excited about that.”  HOW BIG OF AN ACCOMPLISHMENT IS IT TO LEAD LAPS WITH SO MANY CUP GUYS IN THE RACES?  “Well week in and week out, it’s one of the toughest awards to win in the Nationwide Series just because you’re racing up against the Cup drivers.  That does give you a little bit of credit, makes you feel good, and hopefully we can win it next year, too. (RaceCamp) (11-14-08)
 

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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
 
Bodine wins the race; Benson the Championship: #30-Todd Bodine took the lead with just four laps remaining and held on following a green-white-checkered to pick up the win for the Ford 200 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. It was Bodine's third win in 2008. A two-tire pit stop put Benson in the lead with 40 laps to go, with Hornaday starting right behind him. Busch took the lead and Hornaday was eventually able to get ahead of Benson. A right blown tire on the #5 of Mike Skinner brought out the caution with less than ten laps to go. Hornaday put four tires on, Benson stayed out on the race track. Benson restarted in 6th place; Hornaday restarted 13th. The race restarted with just five laps to go, but another caution brought about a green-white-checkered finish; not enough time for Hornaday to catch Benson. Benson finished 7th, Hornaday finished 8th making Johnny Benson the 2008 Champion. #16-Brian Scott had another great run finishing second. Rounding out the top ten were; #2-Kevin Harvick, #51-Kyle Busch, #18-Dennis Setzer, #09-Travis Kvapil, #23-Johnny Benson, #33-Ron Hornaday Jr., #59-Terry Cook, #22-Scott Speed. There wre 13 lead changes among 7 drivers with 5 caution flags for 18 laps. Complete race results are posted on the Homestead Race Page.(Unofficial)(11-14-2008)

Race Awards:
Featherlite Most Improved Driver Award : Ron Hornaday, Jr., #33 (17 Places)
Keystone Light Pole Award: Mike Skinner, #5 (167.593 mph)
Mahle Clevite Engine Builder of the Race: Kyle Busch, #51
Mobil 1 Command Performance Driver of the Race: Todd Bodine, #30
Raybestos Rookie of the Race Award: Brian Scott, #16
Sunoco Diamond Performance: Todd Bodine, #30
Wix Filters Lap Leader Award: Ron Hornaday, Jr., #33 (37 Laps)
(NASCAR PR)(11-14-2008)

Benson wins the 2008 Driver Point Standings: #23-Johnny Benson is the winner of the 2008 championship with 3725, ending the season just seven points ahead of second place finisher #33-Ron Hornaday Jr. Rounding out the top ten were; #30-Todd Bodine, #99-Erik Darnell, #88-Matt Crafton, #5-Mike Skinner, #14-Rick Crawaford, #18-Dennis Setzer, #60-Jack Sprague, #59-Terry Cook. Complete driver point standings are posted on the Homestead Race Page.(Unofficial)(11-14-2008)

Johnny Benson 2008 Champion - Fast Facts:
Johnny Benson won the 2008 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championship - his first series championship. ...Benson is the 10th different driver to win the series championship. ...Benson finished the 2008 season seven points ahead of Ron Hornaday Jr. It is the second closest championship points margin in series history. ...Benson finished the 2008 season with five wins, 14 top-five finishes and 18 top-10s. He had just three DNFs. ...This is the first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championship for Bill Davis Racing. ...Trip Bruce won his first series championship as a crew chief.(NASCAR PR)(11-14-2008)

Braun clinches Raybestos Rookie of the Year: Colin Braun in the #6 Con-Way Freight Ford clinched Raybestos Rookie of the Year Honors in the Ford 200. Braun finished 14th in tonight's race at Homestead. Braun captured Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors seven times this season. He finished with three top-five and eight top-10 finishes. Brian Scott in the #16 Albertsons Toyota was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Scott scored a second-place finish, his best effort in 32 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races. He claimed his second top-five and seventh top-10 this season and grabbed Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors for the fourth time this season.(Raybestos PR)(11-15-2008)

Setzer looking for ride; BHR-VA not returning in '09? During the race broadcast on SPEED/tv, Ray Dunlap reported that Dennis Setzer is looking for a ride for the 2009 season and that there was a 70 percent chance that Bobby Hamilton Racing - VA will not return in 2009.(11-14-2008)

Congratulations to Todd & Janet: Congratulations go out to Todd Bodine and Janet Paczkowski on the announcement made during the qualifying session that they have become engaged to be married.(11-14-2008)

NASCAR Camping World Logo unveiled: The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) and Camping World today unveiled the logo for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. The new look was revealed as the latest step for the series' transition to Camping World as the new title sponsor beginning in 2009, after 14 years of sponsorship by Craftsman. NASCAR and Camping World announced a seven-year partnership agreement on Oct. 23. "We are excited to debut this logo and give the fans a glimpse of what the series will look like for 2009," said Steve Phelps, NASCAR's chief marketing officer. "While the logo and the sponsor will be new, the highly competitive nature of this series will continue as it has every year since 1995." "This sponsorship is coming on the cusp of many good years partnering with NASCAR and the auto manufacturers and we are very excited at the opportunity to be the new title sponsor," said Marcus Lemonis, Camping World chairman and CEO. "The new logo is just a start of great things to come in 2009." The inaugural NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season will kick off Feb. 13, 2009 at Daytona International Speedway. The series, which features 25 races at 23 tracks located across North America, is exclusively broadcast on SPEED and FOX. [Logo posted above](NASCAR PR)(11-14-2008) For more information on the Camping World Title sponsorship visit the November Past News page.(11-14-2008)
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Courtesy of TruckSeries.Com
  http://www.truckseries.com

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series 2009 Logo Unveiled
TruckSeries.com - Dallas,PA,USA
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) and Camping World today unveiled the logo for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. 

Bodine Wins Race, Benson Takes TitleTom Jensen, TruckSeries.com

 Todd Bodine won the battle, but Johnny Benson won the war Friday night, finishing ahead of Ron Hornaday Jr. to claim the 2008 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championship.

Benson Claims His First Truck Series TitleTruckSeries.com
Johnny Benson's seventh-place finish in the No. 23 Bill Davis Racing Tundra at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Friday evening's NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race clinched the truck driver's championship for the Grand Rapids, Mich.-veteran.
 http://www.truckseries.com/cgi-script/NCTS_08/articles/000023/002312.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
 
Sat Nov 15
12:00 am NCTS: Ford 200 SPEED

12:30 am NASCAR Now ESPN2

2:30 am Trackside at Homestead-Miami SPEED

3:30 am Back in the Day SPEED

11:00 am NASCAR Live SPEED

11:30 am NNS Homestead Pole Qualifying SPEED

1:00 pm NASCAR Live SPEED

1:30 pm NSCS Phoenix Practice SPEED

2:30 pm NASCAR Live SPEED

3:00 pm NSCS Phoenix Final Practice ESPN2

4:00 pm NNS Countdown ESPN2

4:30 pm NNS: Ford 300 at Homestead ESPN2

7:30 pm NASCAR Live SPEED

8:00 pm Tradin' Paint SPEED

8:30 pm NASCAR Performance SPEED

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

Sun Nov 16
4:00 am NNS: Ford 300 at Homestead ESPN2

8:00 am NASCAR Angels HALL

10:00 am NASCAR Now ESPN2

10:30 am Tradin' Paint SPEED

11:00 am NASCAR Performance SPEED

11:30 am NASCAR in a Hurry SPEED

12:00 pm NASCAR RaceDay SPEED

3:00 pm NASCAR Countdown ABC

3:45 pm Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami 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

10:00 pm The SPEED Report - Special Edition 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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