http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars News about Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, Kasey Kahne and more. Wed, 31 Dec 2008 00:53:10 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Performance was the name of the game in NASCAR Sprint Cup racing this past season. The level of competition in NASCAR's most elite arena has been growing over the past decade to the point where stock car racing in America is considered the toughest form of auto racing in the ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/12/31/nascar-prepares-for-new-season-dec-30th-2008/ Announcing the New Dale Earnhardt Diecast Elvis Presley The King and The Intimidator. This car is the third in the series of American Icons adorned on Dale Earnhardt Sr Diecast Cars. Dale Earnhardt Diecast Elvis Presley car will be officially released after the homestead race images will be available at ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/11/12/dale-earnhardt-sr-elvis-presley-diecast-111208/ New, Hot Dale Earnhardt Jr Diecast Amp Relaunch 1/24. Just released is the new 2008 orange and white paint-scheme that Dale Jr will be running later this year. This car is sure to be a great NASCAR diecast collectible. Motorsports Authentics is limiting these cars to just 5,000 pieces and ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/10/07/new-dale-earnhardt-jr-diecast-amp-relaunch-100708/ TALLADEGA, Ala. (October 6, 2008) - Whenever the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races at Talladega Superspeedway, the unexpected can and probably will happen. The unexpected definitely took place for Joey Logano in his Truck Series debut during Saturday’s Mountain Dew 250 Fueled by Winn-Dixie. Logano, piloting the No. 59 Team ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/10/07/joey-logano-survives-truck-series-debut-at-talladega-superspeedway-100608/ TALLADEGA, Ala. -- Wrecked Chase contenders, two red flags, record lead changes and a Tony Stewart victory on a controversial finish. The Amp Energy 500 was a show for the ages. Unfortunately, it also was a tire explosion waiting to happen. Sound familiar? Once again, tires were a major issue in a 2008 ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/10/06/exploding-tires-put-a-dent-in-chase-contenders-chances/ Marcos Ambrose will become the first Australian to race fulltime in the top flight NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2009, with plans of his campaign confirmed in an announcement from JTG Daugherty Racing. The 32-year-old former V8 Supercar champion will pilot the No.47 Toyota Camry for the outfit, co-owned by Tad ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/10/02/ambrose-to-race-nascar-fulltime-in-2009-100208/ 1. Taming Talladega Talladega Superspeedway, the biggest wild card in NASCAR Sprint Cup's Chase for the Championship, is up next. The AMP Energy 500 is 2 p.m. Sunday on ABC. This is sure to be an exciting race! With "the big one" looming over the Chase Drivers. This race can change ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/10/02/five-reasons-to-watch-auto-racing-this-weekend-100208/ It's been a tumultuous week for Dale Earnhardt, Inc. In the past 72 hours alone, it has lost two primary sponsors, a driver and been forced to deny rumors of an outrageous comeback. But no amount of crazy news off the track will mask the fact DEI is headed for ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/10/02/a-dysfunctional-dei-gets-hit-hard-by-driver-and-sponsor-transfers/ We feel that Dale Earnhardt Sr. is truly watching his son, Dale Earnhardt Jr. race into the history books! http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/07/31/dale-earnhardt-sr-watches-over-dale-earnhardt-jr/ Kyle Busch now has 7 wins and has won the last 4 races. He is on track to break Richard Petty and Jeff Gordon’s NASCAR single season win record in the Modern Era (1972-Present). This record is 13 wins, Gordon and Petty both have accomplished this feat. Can Kyle Busch ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/07/15/kyle-busch-is-on-fire-can-he-make-his-mark-in-the-nascar-record-books/ Truex sets NASCAR carousel of driver moves in motion again The latest game of musical chairs among Cup drivers is in full swing, as each move sets another move in motion. Let's take a peek at the latest head-spinning moves: Martin Truex Jr. will probably replace Ryan Newman at Penske Racing next ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/07/02/who-is-going-where-in-2009-the-nascar-drive-shuffle-has-begun-july-02-2008/ Scotland's Dario Franchitti Franchitti has not lived up to expectations so far in Nascar Reigning IndyCar champion Dario Franchitti has lost his Nascar drive after owner Chip Ganassi closed the Scot's No 40 team. The 35-year-old has struggled in his first year since switching to Nascar and Ganassi said he could not justify ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/07/02/franchitti-loses-drive-in-nascar-july-02-2008/ Kurt Busch's win in Sprint Cup series stop at New Hampshire brings his 29-race winless streak to an end. LOUDON, N.H. -- Kurt Busch had strategy and luck on his side. Tony Stewart had neither. That's how Busch wound up ending his 29-race winless string Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/06/30/kurt-busch-breaks-through-with-nascar-victory-june-30-2008/ It is not what you'd call a shocker, the news this week that Casey Mears will be losing his ride at Hendrick Motorsports come season's end. What is surprising is that Mark Martin will replace Mears. To the NASCAR-challenged, this is like the New York Yankees replacing a struggling, young ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/06/27/martin-appears-likely-to-join-earnhardt-at-hendrick-in-2009-june-27-2008/ A year ago, Jeff Gordon "won" the NASCAR Sprint Cup regular season, finishing the first 26 races an eye-popping 312 points ahead of runner-up Tony Stewart. Gordon's reward for his fast start? He saw his big margin disappear and found himself second at the start of the 10-race Chase for the ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/06/26/wins-take-on-added-importance-heading-toward-chase/ Martin Truex Jr.'s road to NASCAR appeared to be paved with gold. So far it's been anything but. The New Jersey native, who broke in with tons of promise, has had a dark shadow hanging over his head - along with the entire Dale Earnhardt, Inc. team - for much of his ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/06/25/martin-truex-jr-racing-under-a-storm-cloud-at-dei/ Carl Edwards feels your pain. So does Denny Hamlin. While their occupation as NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers might suggest otherwise, Edwards and Hamlin are just like every other American who has been staggered by the cost of gasoline. After all, they're paying the same price at the pump as you when ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/06/25/off-the-track-drivers-feel-pain-at-the-pump-june-24-2008/ Jeff Gordon continues to seek his first win of 2008, but no one will be holding a tag sale any time soon for the four-time Cup champion. Even though he remains winless in the first 16 races, Gordon's third-place finish Sunday at Sonoma, Calif., helped him jump three spots in the ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/06/24/three-questions-with-jeff-gordon-june-24-2008/ June 21, 2008 As silly season 2009 continues to pick up steam, the hottest seat in the NASCAR garage for next year appears to be the #5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, driven by Casey Mears. Despite Mears’ contract lasting through 2009, many of NASCAR’s top stars have been rumored to take over the ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/06/24/silly-season-2009-mears-unsafe-at-hendrick/ June 22, 2008 SONOMA, Calif. -- For David Gilliland, it always has seemed simple at Infineon Raceway, a tricky 1.99-mile road-course that gives other Sprint Cup series drivers serious fits. Gilliland made his first Sprint Cup start at the track in June of 2006, but it wasn't the first time he had ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/06/24/gilliland-impresses-peers-with-career-best-cup-finish/ June 22, 2008 Dale Earnhardt Jr., who ended a 76-race winless streak last week at Michigan International Speedway, will seek his second consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victory today at the Toyota/Save Mart 350. But oddsmakers do not give Earnhardt much of a chance on the road course at Infineon Raceway in ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/06/23/earnhardt-takes-a-back-seat-to-gordon-at-sonoma/ 6/22/2008 Sonoma, CA (Sports Network) - Kyle Busch and the Joe Gibbs Racing pit crew made the right moves at the right times and he captured Sunday afternoon's Toyota Save Mart 350 at the Infineon Raceway. The No.18 M&M's Toyota crossed the finish line 1.717 seconds ahead of David Gilliland. The ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/06/23/busch-earns-fifth-win-of-2008/ 06/21/2008 THERE are many reasons to like Dale Earnhardt, Jr., some that don't make much sense. He has a famous father. He has a smile and a wit that can light up a room. And he looks pretty good and comfortable in a pair of jeans in a TV commercial. But, c'mon. The ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/06/23/dave-albee-junior-nation-stands-behind-its-leader/ June 21, 2008 Remember all that hype? Remember those who wondered if it was just too much? Could an 18-year old with no experience at the level he was entering handle the eyes of a NASCAR world intently focused on him without falling on his face? Well, it's starting to look ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/06/22/amazing-out-of-the-gate-in-fourth-start-logano-finishes-second-to-carl-edwards-at-milwaukee/ Sunday, Jun 22, 2008 Jeff Gordon had 30 top-10 finishes, including six wins, in 36 Sprint Cup races last year. SONOMA, Calif. NASCAR's annual trip to Sonoma has always been a celebration for Jeff Gordon. Surrounded by family and friends, he enjoys some fine wine, a game or two of croquet ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/06/22/victory-celebration-for-birthday-party-winless-gordon-has-run-well-on-the-road-at-infineon-raceway/ 6/21/08 If only stock were available in Kasey Kahne, and I’d have bought about a month ago. Mind you, after seeing what he did during All-Star Weekend-first in being voted into the show-which in an of itself was no surprise, considering he has more female voters than Hillary Clinton-then driving from ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/06/22/nascar-infineon-preview-with-a-twisting-road-course/ Associated Press - June 21, 2008 6:53 PM ET ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. (AP) - Scott Kalitta died Saturday when his Funny Car crashed and burst into flames during qualifying for the Lucas Oil NHRA SuperNationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park. State police confirmed that the 46-year-old Kalitta, a 2-time Top Fuel champion ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/06/22/nhras-scott-kalitta-killed-in-crash/ Nancy Gay, Chronicle Staff Writer - San Francisco Chronicle Friday, June 20, 2008 Kasey Kahne captured his second pole in his last three NASCAR Sprint Cup races - and his first road course pole - on Friday with a smooth, conservative dance through Infineon's Raceway's twisting and blazing hot course. He'll be in ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/06/21/kahne-has-inside-track-no-9-car-wins-the-pole-at-sonoma-county-road-course/ June 20, 2008 SONOMA, Calif. -- Kasey Kahne, a driver who's never had a top-10 finish in a NASCAR Sprint Cup race on a road course, will have a leg up on breaking that drought Sunday, having claimed the pole for the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway. Though Kahne has never ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/06/21/kahnes-roll-continues-with-infineon-pole/ Gender no issue, unlike other series Ashley Force and Melanie Troxel battle for Funny Car titles. Hillary Will competes in Top Fuel. Angelle Sampey and Karen Stoffer race Pro Stock motorcycles. And no one cares that they are women. In a motorsports year in which so much has been made of Danica Patrick's ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/06/21/nhra-women-are-in-top-gear/ There was a litany of significant firsts for Dale Earnhardt Jr. June 15 at Michigan International Speedway. First, just winning a NASCAR Sprint Cup race that had more irregularities in the waning laps than a Florida vote tally was a momentous achievement, especially when you consider that Junior passed the pace ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/06/20/junior-lets-emotions-flow-after-fathers-day-win-at-michigan-june-20-2008/ In the dominance of Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards this season, there have been at least two top drivers that have not been to victory lane yet this season. Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart have done well in the past at the road course race track, winning 7 of the ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/06/20/chance-to-win-first-cup-race-of-season-at-infineon-june-20-2008/ BROOKLYN, Mich. — The Car of Tomorrow is making life hotter for NASCAR's drivers today. Heat-stricken drivers had just enough strength to rant about the topic earlier this month at the Pocono 500 and the conversation was a hot topic again last week at Michigan International Speedway. "I heard someone make a ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/06/19/nascar-drivers-have-to-cope-with-60-degree-heat-behind-the-wheel/ Jeff Gordon expects to be able to bounce back from a few difficult weeks to contend for victory once again on Sunday at the first road course race of the season at Infineon Raceway. The four-time Sprint Cup champion has the best record among active drivers at the track, with five ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/06/18/jeff-gordon-expects-to-rebound-at-sonoma/ BROOKLYN, Mich. - What began as a bruising week for NASCAR, which suspended two officials named in a blockbuster $225 million racial discrimination and sexual harassment lawsuit filed by a former Nationwide Series technical inspector, culminated on a positive note when one of its marquee names, winless for almost two ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/06/16/earnhardt-ends-skid-coasts-to-1st-win-since-2006/ Unlike other big league professional sports, NASCAR’s teams and drivers don’t disclose compensation. The public knows what Peyton Manning, Alex Rodriguez and Kobe Bryant earn, but can only guess and wonder about Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kyle Busch. NASCAR does release money won from purses, and it’s a recognized ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/06/04/nascar-drivers-salaries-are-skyrocketing/ It was a rough weekend for many top drivers of NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series, as half of the top 12 in points were damaged in a monster wreck. I could go play-by-play on how the wreck took place, but why not just check it out below? One thing I found disturbing ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/06/03/nascar-tony-stewart-takes-blame-for-boring-race/ DOVER, Del. – When Joe Gibbs hung out his shingle as a NASCAR team owner nearly 17 years ago, Joey Logano was just learning to walk. Now, having turned 18 just last weekend, Logano could very well become a big part of the future of Joe Gibbs Racing. After several years of ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/05/31/no-pressure-kid-just-win/ The two exchanged heated words at the Coca-Cola 600. 1 NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series races at Dover (Del.) International Speedway on Sunday, and it remains to be seen whether Kyle Busch and Jeff Gordon have put their recent mini-feud behind them. Gordon is a four-time winner at Dover, a high-banked, concrete ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/05/30/gordon-busch-may-not-have-put-mini-feud-behind-them/ Saturday, Joey Logano is slated to make his first start in the NASCAR Nationwide Series in the Helluva Good 200 at Dover International Speedway. It's the first time Logano, a developmental driver for Joe Gibbs Racing, will get the chance to get behind the wheel in one NASCAR's national division's. For ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/05/27/back-in-time-with-joey-logano-1997-a-quarter-the-way-there/ Montoya may drive for Gibbs next season ■ Chip Ganassi won the Indianapolis 500 Sunday with Scott Dixon, but over in Ganassi's NASCAR camp things aren't going quite so well. In fact, Juan Pablo Montoya appears to be getting fed up with the way that things are going and there is speculation ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/05/27/montoya-may-drive-for-gibbs-next-season/ CONCORD, N.C. – Former Hendrick Motorsports teammates Kyle Busch and Jeff Gordon had a brief conversation after the Coca-Cola 600 after Busch was apparently upset with how hard Gordon was racing him. Busch refused to answer a question about it in his postrace news conference, saying the conversation would remain ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/05/27/former-teammates-gordon-busch-displeased-with-one-another/ CONCORD -- In my Opinion: SCOTT FOWLER (The Charlotte Observer) As I watched the Coca-Cola 600 unfold Sunday night, I kept thinking about TV shows. The 600 -- ultimately won by Kasey Kahne -- was like "Survivor." Worthy contenders kept getting eliminated, seemingly voted out under mysterious circumstances because they were too ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/05/26/nascars-idol-a-survivor/ The Associated Press Published: May 26, 2008 1, Kyle Busch, 1,860. 2, Jeff Burton, 1,766. 3, Dale Earnhardt Jr., 1,721. 4, Denny Hamlin, 1,596. 5, Clint Bowyer, 1,578. 6, Carl Edwards, 1,538. 7, Kevin Harvick, 1,517. 8, Tony Stewart, 1,511. 9, Jimmie Johnson, 1,493. 10, Jeff Gordon, 1,486. 11, Greg Biffle, 1,483. 12, ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/05/26/nascar-sprint-cup-leaders/ Kasey Kahne was barely finished counting the million dollars that he pocketed last week. Kahne won the Sprint All-Star race at Lowe's Motor Speedway last Saturday night after he was voted into the race by the fans. Sometimes you have a little bit of luck, sometimes fate intervenes and other times ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/05/26/fate-intervenes-again-kahne-wins-coca-cola-600/ CONCORD, N.C. - For years, especially since the split between IndyCar circuits IRL and CART in 1996, stock-car racing has enjoyed a lofty existence as the premier form of motorsports in the United States. Now that IRL and CART have solved their differences and unified into one circuit, many wonder how ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/05/25/unified-irl-could-pose-threat-to-nascar/ Concord, NC (Sports Network) - Kyle Busch is not only a "lead foot," but he knows how to make a fuel economy run too. He did just that filling up with 69 laps to go and made it work capturing Saturday night's Carquest Auto Parts 300 at the Lowe's Motor ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/05/25/busch-makes-fuel-run-work-for-win-at-lowes/ Tania Ganguli called this in from the track in Concord - In the final laps of the Nationwide race at Lowe's Motor Speedway, Denny Hamlin retaliated after a perceived slight and wrecked Brad Keselowski's number 88 JR Motorsports car. The contact tore off his fender and drew the ire of both ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/05/25/denny-hamlin-scuffles-with-dale-earnhardt-jrs-nationwide-team/ CONCORD, N.C. -- Haas CNC Racing's two qualified Sprint Cup cars for Sunday night's Coca-Cola 600 were confiscated by NASCAR Saturday afternoon at Lowe's Motor Speedway and taken to its nearby research and development center. The garage had barely opened when the two Haas cars were summoned to NASCAR's template "grid" ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/05/25/haas-cnc-racing-has-both-cars-confiscated-at-lms/ COMPILED BY RON GREEN JR. The Charlotte Observer Friday, May. 23, 2008 Some notes, observations and one-liners from pole night at Lowe's Motor Speedway: By The Numbers 4 Times Kyle Busch had started on the pole in his 126 Cup starts. 8 Number of tracks to be owned by Speedway Motorsports Inc. after the announcement Thursday that it ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/05/24/coca-cola-600-pre-race-notes-and-observations/ By Ryan McGee ESPN The Magazine I was just glancing over our ESPN.com Top 25 Drivers of All Time list, and, going from the bottom up, everything seemed pretty normal. Granted, Don Garlits being ranked behind Shirley Muldowney was a little odd, and I'm not sure where Bobby Allison, Parnelli Jones and ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/05/24/the-king-in-sixth-there-needs-to-be-a-recount/ By Keven Kelly and Patrick Crowley / The Cincinnati Enquirer Posted: May 22, 2008 The Kentucky Speedway in Sparta is being sold to one of professional auto racing's biggest operators. Speedway Motorsports Inc. of Charlotte, N.C., and its founder and chairman Bruton Smith will announce this afternoon that it is purchasing the speedway ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/05/23/kentucky-speedway-sold/ JRM TO FIELD 3 CARS AT LMS – For the first time in JR Motorsports history the team will field three Chevrolets in NASCAR Nationwide Series competition in Saturday’s CARQUEST Auto Parts 300 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Brad Keselowski will drive the No. 88 Navy Salute the Troops Chevrolet ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/05/23/charlotte-jr-motorsports-nascar-nationwide-race-preview/ CONCORD, N.C. -- Several of NASCAR's top Sprint Cup drivers hope to end long winless streaks Sunday at the series' longest race of the season. Dale Earnhardt Jr. and former Cup champions Tony Stewart and Matt Kenseth are among those trying to end dry spells -- and slow the momentum of ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/05/22/big-names-hope-to-end-droughts-at-nascar-coca-cola-600/ ARLINGTON, S.C. (May 9, 2008) NASCAR driver Brad Keselowski, driver of the No. 88 Navy Chevrolet Monte Carlo, takes a moment for photographs with members of the crew of high-speed vessel (HSV) 2 Swift prior to the start of the Diamond Hill Plywood 200 at Darlington Raceway. Swift Sailors attended ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/05/22/twin-88s-dale-earnhardt-jr-brad-keselowski-drive-for-the-military/ Updated: May 8, 2008, 1:20 PM ET - DARLINGTON, S.C. Dale Jr.: Busch has “Intimidator’s style Kyle Busch just might have a little “Intimidator” in him. And that’s from someone who’d know best, Dale Earnhardt Jr. It was only a few days ago Busch and Earnhardt Jr. collided chasing victory at ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/05/22/dale-jr-busch-has-initimidators-style/ by JORGE A. MONDACA, FOXSports.com, Updated: May 20, 2008 First and foremost, let's face the facts. Both the Sprint Showdown and the Sprint All-Star Race were exhibition races, and certain teams took them more seriously than others. So results from the weekend should be taken with a grain of salt. Still, ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/05/22/numbers-tell-the-story-at-the-all-star-race/ GLENDORA, Calif. (May 20, 2008) NHRA has announced that Lucas Oil Products will be the title sponsor of the 2008 Lucas Oil NHRA SuperNationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, N.J., June 19-22. Lucas Oil Products has sponsored many events through the years in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/05/21/lucas-oil-products-to-be-title-sponsor-of-lucas-nhra-supernationals-in-englishtown-nj/ By Seth Livingstone, USA TODAY CONCORD, N.C. — Some NASCAR drivers would give their spare tires for the chance to compete in the Indianapolis 500. Not 2000 Indy 500 winner Juan Pablo Montoya. Been there, done that. "I've done it. I've won it. It's hard to think about doing ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/05/21/nascar-drivers-raise-caution-flag-on-racing-in-indy-500/ By Allen Gregory Sports Writer / Bristol Herald Courier Published: May 18, 2008 BRISTOL, Tenn. — Melanie Troxel came to Bristol Dragway this weekend searching for her first win of the season. The first-year Funny Car driver left Thunder Valley with a piece of history and a win in the O’Reilly NHRA ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/05/21/troxel-leaves-bristol-with-a-piece-of-history/ Jimmy Elledge, who was serving as crew chief for Juan Pablo Montoya in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, has been released from his role by the team and will be replaced by Brian Pattie with immediate effect, autosport.com has learned. Elledge had recently swapped roles with Donnie Wingo, changing from his ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/05/21/montoyas-crew-chief-replaced-again/ CONCORD, N.C. (May 20, 2008) - Jeff Gordon and Team DuPont need to "get a grip," especially if they are to win back-to-back races at Lowe's Motor Speedway (LMS). Gordon, who won the October event last year at LMS, and the No. 24 team tested extensively on intermediate tracks this ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/05/21/team-dupont-winning-consecutive-lms-races-get-a-grip/ Sitting on the pit wall at Darlington Raceway, Leonard Wood shakes his head in disbelief. Mere minutes before the start of the Dodge Challenger 500, the legendary mechanic can't help but chuckle as he looks at all the horsepower around him. Man, he thinks to himself, what his Wood Brothers ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/05/21/finely-tuned-athletes-replace-traditional-grease-monkeys-on-nascars-pit-road/ Canadian Press CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It was a matchup NASCAR could only dream of: Melanie Troxel and Ashley Force going head-to-head in the first all-female Funny Car elimination round. Troxel won the round, made it to the finals and ultimately claimed the title Sunday at Thunder Valley Nationals - making her the ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/05/20/nascar-still-looking-for-its-own-danica-patrick-or-ashley-force/ Matt Kenseth is about to join a group of former Cup champions that already includes Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon and Kurt Busch. His membership will be official when he becomes another former Cup champion who has failed to make the Chase, NASCAR’s version of the playoffs. Kenseth still has time to make ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/05/20/kenseth-may-be-next-champ-to-miss-chase/ Bristol, TN (AHN) - Move over Danica Patrick and Ashley Force and make room for Melanie Troxel. Troxel got to Victory Lane before both Patrick and Force in their respective racing leagues, but on Sunday Troxel became the first woman in NHRA history to win in both Top Fuel and Funny ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/05/19/nhra-troxel-wins-funny-car-at-bristol/ By Raygan Swan, NASCAR.COM May 19, 2008 CONCORD, N.C. -- Joe Gibbs Racing's head engine builder, Mark Cronquist, knows if he's going to build outside the proverbial box, the All-Star race is the time to do it. And so he did, but after watching three engines fail in one weekend, Cronquist admits he ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/05/19/jgr-engine-experiment-backfires-in-all-star-event-all-three-cars-experience-trouble-busch-hamlin-get-dnfs/ CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — Kasey Kahne technically wasn't eligible to run the All-Star race. He didn't let that stop him from stealing the $1 million prize. Kahne earned his berth in Saturday night's show not through accomplishment on the track, but in a popularity contest that permitted one driver voted ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/05/19/kahne-gambles-to-win-all-star-race-and-1m-prize/ Dale Jarrett finished 22nd out of 24 drivers in his final race, Saturday night's NASCAR Sprint All-Star event. It's nowhere indicative of the kind of driver and champion Jarrett has been over the years. Although he didn't make our all-time All-Star list (see it here), he was one of the ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/05/18/ned-jarrett-says-dale-jarrett-is-leaving-nascar-at-the-right-time/ By Sporting News Wire Service May 17, 2008 CONCORD, N.C. -- Open-wheel stars A.J. Allmendinger and Sam Hornish Jr. raced their way into Saturday night's NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race at Lowe's Motor Speedway by finishing 1-2 in the Sprint Showdown, which preceded the main event. Unofficial Results Pos. Driver Make 1. A.J. Allmendinger ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/05/18/allmendingers-showdown-win-makes-him-an-all-star/ “Go all-out,” is the response Jeff Gordon had when asked how he was going to approach Saturday night's All-Star event at Lowe's Motor Speedway. “I think the All-Star race is a fantastic event.” Gordon and the late Dale Earnhardt are tied for the most victories in the All-Star race with three. ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/05/16/gordon-to-go-all-out-in-all-star-race/ Busch Wins at Darlington: #18 Kyle Busch in the one time Indiana Jones Paint Scheme won the Dodge Challenger 500 at Darlington Raceway for his 3rd win of 2008 and his 7th career win. He dominated the later stages of the race and led 169 laps on the night. #99 ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/05/15/darlington-race-results/ MADISON, Ill. – One week after his daughter made Funny Car history with a breakthrough victory in Atlanta, Ga., John Force celebrated his 59th birthday Sunday by becoming the first driver to win 1,000 competitive rounds in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. When Force drove his Castrol GTX High ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/05/12/force-beats-capps-for-historic-1000th-round-win-in-st-louis/ Bristol Dragway, Friday, May 9, 2008 BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Jeg Coughlin Jr., is the defending Pro Stock champion at the O’Reilly Thunder Valley Nationals, defeating Ken Koretsky in the final round. At the 2007 O’Reilly Thunder Valley Nationals, Jeg Coughlin qualified in the No. 1 spot. Jeg has qualified in ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/05/10/coughlin-bristol-fast-facts-o%e2%80%99reilly-thunder-valley-nationals/ DARLINGTON, S.C.: Car owner Richard Childress watched Dale Earnhardt win a lot of races and wreck his share of competitors through the years. And while Kyle Busch has gained a reputation for hard driving Earnhardt-style, Childress says the 23-year-old is no "Intimidator." "I don't think there's a comparison," Childress said Friday. ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/05/10/childress-busch-no-intimidator-yet/ Michael Waltrip sat helpless in the garage as the laps counted down at Richmond last Saturday night. Parked by NASCAR after contact with Casey Mears turned into an ugly, intentional wreck, the 45-year-old veteran could do nothing to save face in the latest of a series of missteps since his ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/05/09/waltrip-reaches-a-crossroads/ Testing at Lowe's Motor Speedway is over: Sprint Cup testing at Lowe's Motor Speedway ended Tuesday evening, with 51 cars running laps, the fastest was Jamie McMurray #26 at 185.720mph in a Ford followed by the Dodge of  Ryan Newman #12, the Toyota of AJ Allmendinger #84, Scott Riggs #66 ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/05/07/testing-at-lowess-motorspeedway/ Kyle Busch, like most prairie fires and runaway trains, arrived when the world wasn't ready for him. For instance, the story at Hendrick Motorsports this year was supposed to be the arrival of Dale Earnhardt Jr., not the departure of Busch. Many knew of Busch's talent, but few anticipated that ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/05/07/kyle-busch-rapidly-making-an-impact/ Clint Bowyer wins at with the BB&T #07 Richmond: #07 Clint Bowyer won the Crown Royal Presents The Dan Lowry 400 at Richmond International Raceway for his first win of 2008 and 2nd of his career after #18 Kyle Busch and #88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. tangled with a couple laps ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/05/04/clint-bowyer-wins-at-richmond/ Edwards re-signs with Roush: Carl Edwards, driver of the #99 Ford for Roush Fenway Racing has signed a multi-year stay with the team on Thursday. His old contract was thru the end of 2008. Carl Edwards said Friday he signed a multiple-year contract extension to continue driving the #99 Ford, ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/05/04/carl-edwards-re-signs-with-roush/ Ten years, two NASCAR Sprint Cup Championships, 29 Cup wins and the partnership between Tony Stewart, Joe Gibbs Racing and The Home Depot is still going strong. 2008 marks the tenth anniversary of one of the sport’s most recognizable pairings as Tony Stewart continues to carry the intense orange color ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/05/03/tony-stewart-10th-anniversary/ The championship was called the Nextel Cup, a vehicle called the Car of Tomorrow was still in the development stages, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. was still the face of Dale Earnhardt Inc. on that Saturday two years ago in the capital of the old South. NASCAR's most popular driver recorded ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/05/01/richmond-a-tough-reminder-for-dale-jr/ Jeff Gordon announces his foundation’s latest partnership with Speed Racer Enterprises. A special paint scheme featuring The Jeff Gordon Foundation, along with the iconic characters from Classic Speed Racer, was unveiled during the show in addition to a new line of Action Racing Collectables die-cast from merchandise partner Motorsports Authentics, ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/04/25/jeff-gordon-foundation-speed-racer-special-paint-scheme/ Motorsports Authentics is offering a Fantasy diecast car to commemorate the Opening of Dale Jr's New Whiskey River Bar. They are only offering 1/24th scale diecast version of this car. Dale Earnhardt Jr has opened a bar named Whisky River in downtown Charlotte, NC in April 2008. With a unique ... http://copperstateracing.com/nascarcars/2008/04/25/dale-earnhardt-jr-whisky-river-fantasy-paintscheme/