NHRA Coming To Charlotte

The gaping “To Be Announced” hole in the 2008 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series schedule has finally been filled.

To the surprise of absolutely nobody, the September 11-14 event will be held in Charlotte, N.C., at the new “Dragway At Lowe's Motor Speedway,” which is currently being built by Speedway Motorsports Inc. As a result of recently announced modifications to its Countdown to the Championship, the new NHRA Carolinas Nationals will begin the post-season playoff schedule.

SMI Chairman and CEO Bruton Smith announced the move, saying, “What a fabulous way to open the doors at what will be the world's premier drag racing facility. We've entertained more than 1.75 million fans at NHRA events at our tracks, and we expect nothing but tremendous things when the Carolinas Nationals comes to Charlotte.”

The quarter-mile strip will join Lowe’s Motor Speedway’s 1.5-mile superspeedway and 4/10ths-mile dirt track. Preliminary grading is underway, and construction on the grandstands will begin in early February. The dragway will be located on 125 acres of property across U.S. Highway 29 from the superspeedway, adjacent to The Dirt Track. The track, pit areas and midway will cover 46.5 acres, or two million square feet. Engineers estimate construction will require moving 750,000 cubic yards of dirt; placing 65,000 tons of stone and laying down 50,000 tons of asphalt.

NHRA Funny Car star Ron Capps will join us at 4 p.m. ET this afternoon to talk about the new track.

"Pepsi Steve" has been at it again! Looks like we're wheelin' a Whelen Modified this week. Thanks Steve!

One Last "Godfather's Elf," Just Because She's SO DARNED CUTE!

Allie Kate is a fairly new Sirius Speedway listener, but already has strong negative feelings aboout the Top-35 rule.

They're Laying Down The Asphalt At Darlington Raceway Today!

Engine noise could be heard coming from historic Darlington Raceway today, well in advance of the 2008 Dodge Challenger 500. The engine noise wasn't from race cars, but from the equipment being used to lay the first of two layers of new asphalt at the track “Too Tough to Tame.”

“This is a historic day for Darlington Raceway,” said Chris Browning, Darlington Raceway President. “It has been a busy off-season at Darlington Raceway and we look forward to showcasing our new racing surface and infield access tunnel for fans and competitors during the upcoming Dodge Challenger 500 weekend.”

The new asphalt surface at Darlington is part of a $10 million dollar capital improvement project that began following the 2007 Dodge Avenger 500. In addition to the new racing surface, work is also underway on a new infield access tunnel large enough to accommodate race car haulers, motorcoaches and emergency vehicles.

Notes From Daytona Testing II

Preseason testing wrapped up for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at Daytona International Speedway yesterday, with Roush-Fenway Racing’s Erik Darnell recording the fastest overall speed at 178.547. Scott Lynch, Mike Skinner, Justin Marks and Stacy Compton completed the Top-Five.

Schrader Finds A Ride: BAM Racing will field a Dodge Charger for veteran Ken Schrader in both the Bud Shootout and Daytona 500, with David Hyder as crewchief and engines by Gillett-Evernham Motorsports.

Schrader is in attendance for the second round of Sprint Cup Series testing -- which began this morning at the World Center of Racing -- and confirmed that he will drive for BAM at Daytona, and in tests at California and Las Vegas later this month. Wood Brothers Racing co-owner Eddie Wood told Sirius Speedway last week that Schrader could still drive a limited number of races in the #21 Ford, but that there is currently no sponsorship in place to make those plans a reality.

In a related story, the Wood Brothers and JTG Racing owner Tad Geschickter have stepped back from the full partnership they have enjoyed over the last two seasons. The teams will continue to work together on marketing and technology, with Geschickter overseeing sponsor procurement for both operations. The teams will now have separate operating budgets, however. Wood Brothers Racing will field the #21 Sprint Cup Ford with drivers Bill Elliott, Jon Wood and Marcos Ambrose, along with the #21 NCTS Ford for brothers Jon and Keven Wood. JTG Racing will field a #47 Little Debbie-sponsored Sprint Cup Ford in four races for Ambrose this season -- at Indianapolis, Kansas, Atlanta and Homestead -- full-time Nationwide Series cars for Ambrose and Kelly Bires, and a NCTS entry for Scott Lagasse Jr. The teams will continue to work out of their 120,000-square foot shop in Harrisburg, N.C.

Frye To Red Bull Racing: Red Bull Racing Team has hired former Ginn Racing General Manager Jay Frye to serve as its new GM, effective immediately. Frye has 16 years of experience in the NASCAR industry, most recently as CEO and GM of Ginn Racing and MB2 Motorsports for the last 12 years. He fills a hole left when Marty Gaunt left the team in June of last year.

New Sponsor For Smith: It appears that Principal Financial Services will serve as one of the sponsors for Dale Earnhardt Inc.’s #01 Sprint Cup Chevrolet, driven by Regan Smith. Smith tested the car this morning at Daytona International Speedway in a Principal Financial Services uniform, with the company’s logo on the rear quarterpanel of the car. DEI President Max Seigel said DEI has a letter of intent with Principal Financial for a 2008 sponsorship relationship of some kind, but that details are still being negotiated.

Kentucky Suit Not Over Yet: Lawyers for Kentucky Speedway made it official Friday, notifying the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that they will challenge Judge William O. Bertelsman’s recent decision to dismiss the track’s antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR and International Speedway Corporation. Attorney Stan Chesley said Friday, “We’re moving forward. We wanted to move on that appeal as quickly as we could.” The track sued in July of 2005, asking that the court develop “objective factors” to determine where the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races; that the France family be forced to relinquish control of either ISC or NASCAR; and that ISC be forced to sell at least eight of the 12 tracks it owns. The speedway also sought more than $200-million in damages

Notes From Daytona Testing

Mark Martin said yesterday what most drivers almost certainly think in private; that a full day of single-car testing at Daytona International Speedway serves no useful purpose.

NASCAR forbids drafting in packs on the first day of the annual Daytona test, limiting teams to single car runs. Drafting is expected to be on the menu this afternoon. Martin said NASCAR's insistence on one-at-a-time testing is misplaced, saying, "I feel that we're wasting our time with single-car runs. We should be drafting already, but it is what it is. Once we start drafting, we're really working on racing. The rest of this stuff is idiotic.”

Martin also revealed that Dale Earnhardt, Inc., is negotiating to sign motocross star Ricky Carmichael to run for the Camping World East Series championship this season. Martin has worked with Carmichael in his short-track efforts with the former Ginn Racing.

Jason Keller is testing the Gillett-Evernham Motorsports' #98 Dodge at Daytona this week, under the watchful eye of test team director Pete Rondeau. Gillett-Evernham General Manager Keith Barnwell said the car will run a limited schedule of events again in 2008, with no driver locked in yet. It will not be a part of upcoming tests at Las Vegas and California.

Despite widespread reports that there are a pair of sponsors in the pipeline at Yates Racing, Travis Kvapil tested two cars at Daytona yesterday clad only in orange numbers, the Yates Racing logo and the website sponsoryates.com. The website included a letter from team owner Doug Yates saying the team still has primary sponsorship opportunities available on both cars.

In a related story, Kvapil announced yesterday that he will not compete in the Nationwide Series for Roush Fenway Racing, after all. The team had planned to run Kvapil in the full Nationwide Series schedule, but the effort has now been scrapped due to lack of sponsorship.

McGill Motorsports will not compete in the 2008 Nationwide Series, due to lack of sponsorship. Crewchief Ricky Pearson confirmed that the independent team will take the year off, after team owner John McGill declined to continue funding the team out of his own pocket. Pearson said McGill Motorsports has sold off some of its equipment, but is still searching for a sponsor to return to the track in 2009.

AAA will end its NASCAR sponsorships at the end of this season, withdrawing as primary sponsor of David Ragan’s #6 Roush Fenway Racing Ford, and the official auto insurance of International Speedway Corporation. Their departure could clear the way for Nationwide Insurance -- the new sponsor of the series formerly known as the NASCAR Busch Series – to become the official auto insurance for ISC’s 19 speedways around the country. Nationwide already serves in that capacity at the Speedway Motorsports Inc. tracks.

The moves reportedly came after complaints from AAA Auto Clubs located away from Sprint Cup events. Those regional clubs said they do not receive sufficient return on their investment, prompting AAA to let the individual clubs make their own sponsorship choices from now on. That decision could bode well for February’s Auto Club 500 at California Speedway, AAA’s “Official Motor Club” status at Dover International Speedway, and its sponsorship of the May Craftsman Truck Series race there.

"Pepsi Steve" And The Sirius Speedway Racing Team Are Ready To Roll!

After a long winter of work, Steve Buhala and the #10 Sirius Speedway Racing Team are ready to hit the track with two new Chevrolet Monte Carlo Late Models and a state-of-the-art transporter.

An up-close look at Steve's potent #10 Sirius Speedway Chevrolet; coming soon to a Victory Lane near you.

The new Sirius Speedway race truck is also a looker.

BREAKING NEWS: Court Throws Out Kentucky Speedway Antitrust Lawsuit

U.S. District Court in Kentucky granted summary judgment in favor of International Speedway Corporation and NASCAR today, dismissing the Kentucky Speedway antitrust lawsuit in its entirety. This brings an end to Kentucky Speedway’s effort to litigate its way onto the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule, and establishes -- once and for all -- NASCAR’s right to determine when and where the sport will compete.

The suit alleged that ISC and NASCAR had worked together to prevent Kentucky Speedway from acquiring a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. But in an opinion issued this morning, U.S. District Court Judge William O. Bertlesman ruled that even if he gave Kentucky Speedway the benefit of the doubt on all of its allegations, the track had failed to make a case. NASCAR and ISC had asked for that summary judgment in an effort to avoid a trial scheduled for March. Kentucky Speedway has the right to appeal the ruling.

International Speedway Corporation Executive Vice President and COO John Saunders will joins us live today at 3:30 p.m. ET to discuss the case, along with a spokesperson for NASCAR. We are also hoping to speak live with a representative of Kentucky Speedway.

McClure: "We Don't Have A Thing."

Morgan McClure Motorsports General Manager Larry McClure has confirmed what Sirius Speedway first told you early last week; that State Water Heaters will not return to sponsor the team in 2008. In addition, McClure says Ward Burton will likely not return as driver.

Haas CNC Racing driver Scott Riggs told Sirius Speedway Friday this his new team is in negotiations to put State Water Heaters on the side of his #66 Chevrolet this season, and McClure said this weekend that he believes the move has already happened. "Right now, we don’t have a thing,” he said. “It must have been an instant decision, because we had no idea it was going to happen. We found out before Christmas, and it became official after the holiday.’’ McClure said Burton “probably won’t be back," adding, "we’re looking at using either Mike Wallace or P.J. Jones for testing, and we will go from there."

McClure sad he is looking for a driver who can bring sponsorship to the team, and is negotiating with a major Sprint Cup Series operation to serve as a “satellite team,” sharing information in 2008. The deal is contingent on sponsorship, however.

Lucas Oil will return as an associate sponsor in 2008, but McClure said more is needed to make a full the 2008 season happen. "We’re just going to see how much money we get in the door,’’ he said. "We’re not going to race on our own money anymore."

Kahne Pleads Not Guilty: Kasey Kahne pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor battery charges stemming from an incident with a security guard at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 16th. The written plea was filed last Thursday, and cancels an arraignment scheduled for tomorrow in Florida.

Kahne has hired Richard Sharpstein -- the attorney representing the family of murdered Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor – to represent him in the case. The speedway security guard claims Kahne pushed him to the ground, causing injuries that have left him unable to work. Kahne's representatives say the Sprint up Series driver was simply pushing the guard's hands off him.

McDowell To MWR: 2007 ARCA Remax Series runner-up Michael McDowell will succeed David Reutimann in the #00 Sprint Cup car at Michael Waltrip Racing. McDowell will take over the #00 Toyota in late March at Martinsville Speedway, when Reutimann moves to the #44 UPS Toyota being vacated by Dale Jarrett .

MWR tested both McDowell and Josh Wise extensively during the offseason, with McDowell apparently getting the nod. Wise could end up in a Nationwide Series ride this season, if sponsorship can be found. A formal announcement from the team is expected in the near future.

The OTHER Dave Moody

Billy Ray Cyrus' bass player, NOT the Sirius Speedway host, or the Dove Award-winning gospel singer.

MRN Radio's Rich Culbreth -- Our Beloved Board Op -- Was The Mullet King!

It's just too horrible not to be true! Don't look straight at him, or you'll turn to stone!

Deanna in Kentucky's Tequila Christmas Cake -- OUR FAVORITE SO FAR

TEQUILA CHRISTMAS CAKE

1 Cup Water
1 Tsp. Baking Soda
1 Cup Sugar
1 Tsp. Salt
1 Cup Brown Sugar
Lemon Juice
4 Large Eggs
Nuts
1 Bottle of Tequila
2 Cups Dried fruit

Sample the Tequila to check quality.

Take a large bowl. Check the tequila again to be sure it
is of the highest quality - pour one level cup and drink.
Repeat

Turn on the electric mixer

Beat one cup of butter in a large fluffy bowl.

Add one teaspoon of sugar. Beat again.

At this point it's best or make sure the tequila is still OK. Try
another cup...just in case.

Turn off the mixerer thingy.

Break 2 leggs and add to the bowl and chuck in the cup of dried fruit.

Pick the frigging fruit up off the floor.

Mix on the turner.

If the fried druit gets stuck in the beaterers just pry it loose with a drewscriver.

Sample the tequila to check for tonsisticity.

Next, sift two cups of salt. Or something.

Check the tequila.

Now shift the lemon juice and strain your nuts.
Add one table.

Add a spoon of sugar, or somefink. Whatever you can find.

Greash the oven.

Turn the cake tin 360 degrees and try not to fall over.

Don't forget to beat off the turner.

Finally, throw the bowl through the window.

Finish the tequila and wipe counter with the cat.

CHEERY MISTMAS !

Join The Ranks Of The Godfather's Christmas Elves!

It's the season for giving, and Sirius Speedway is inviting all our female listeners to brighten up the holidays by joining the ranks of The Godfather's Christmas Elves! Just send along a photo -- PG-13 if you want to see it published here -- and wish "Happy Holidays" to your fellow Road Dogs!

Suzy Q. models her Gucci Santa Hat. She wanted to show a little more cleavage, but Pyro Boy wouldn't allow it. Boo for Pyro Boy!

Kathy In Las Vegas shows how it's SUPPOSED to be done. Her other photos were also lovely, but sadly, not suitable for publication. Hooray for Kathy!

Jan Goes For A Ride At PIR

Sirius Speedway regular Jan in Arizona (aka The Horny Crazy Blind Broad) took a spin around Phoenix International Raceway last weekend, courtesy of fellow listener Ross Scott and the Richard Petty Driving Experience.
Jan and Ross before the big ride. She doesn't LOOK nervous!

Jan gets a little help suiting up. OK, so maybe she's a LITTLE nervous.

Climbing in isn't easy when you can't see the roll bars!

Back, safe and sound. Judging from the smile, I'd say she had fun. Special thanks to Ross and the Richard Petty Driving Experience for making Jan's big adventure possible.

Baker, Curb Acquire Brewco Motorsports

Nashville businessman Gary Baker and record executive Mike Curb have assumed full ownership of the Brewco Motorsports NASCAR Nationwide Series team from former owners Clarence and Tammy Brewer.

Baker announced that he had acquired a controlling interest in the team back in September, and now owns the team outright, along with Curb. Both men have long histories in motorsports. Baker is the former owner of Bristol Motor Speedway and Nashville Speedway, while Curb is best known for sponsoring Dale Earnhardt’s 1980 Winston Cup Championship car, and serving as car-owner for Richard Petty’s 200th career win at Daytona in 1984. He has been a major player in the recording industry, as well, with his Curb Records’ lineup including artists such as LeAnn Rimes, Wynonna Judd, Hank Williams, Jr., Rodney Atkins and Tim McGraw.

“We are looking forward to creating a winning professional sports team that NASCAR and the City of Nashville can be proud of,” said Baker. “Gary and I are going to build a world-class race organization that can compete in today’s challenging NASCAR environment. We have already moved the team to a brand new shop in Nashville, hired some top-notch talent, and put a great young driver on our roster to get us started.”

Brad Coleman will drive the team’s No. 27 Kleenex Ford Fusion beginning at Daytona in February, but Baker admitted there is still work to do before then.

“We still have a long way to go to be ready for Daytona,” he said. “We are making some big-time hires, signing sponsor partners, getting the new website ready and a myriad of other important initiatives that need to be finished before we call it a year.”

It's Official: Pemberton Out, Richert In at DEI

Dale Earnhardt Inc., confirmed today what Sirius Speedway first reported on Monday; that crewchief Ryan Pemberton has left the team, to be replaced by former Red Bull Racing crewchief Doug Richert.

DEI General Manager John Story confirmed the move, saying, "Ryan is immensely talented, and has always been sought-after. He's now chosen to pursue some of those opportunities, and we wish him nothing but the best." Unconfirmed reports have him headed to Penske Racing as crewchief for rookie Sam Hornish, Jr. Pemberton spent eight years with MB2/Ginn Motorsports, moving to DEI when Ginn sold his team to Teresa Earnhardt last season.

Johnson Inks Nationwide Slate: Lowe’s and Hendrick Motorsports announced today that Jimmie Johnson will drive the No. 5 Lowe’s Chevrolet in three Nationwide Series races next season; at Lowe’s Motor Speedway on May 24 and Oct.10, and at California Speedway on Aug. 30. Johnson has just one Nationwide Series win in 87 starts; that coming at Chicagoland Speedway in 2001.

ISC Announces Losses: Motorsports Authentics will lose between $45 and $50 million this year, according to a financial report released yesterday by International Speedway Corporation.

Motorsports Authentics is a 50-50 partnership between ISC and Speedway Motorsports, and produces NASCAR-related licensed products and souvenirs. ISC Chief Financial Officer Susan Schandel said she expects the company to break even in 2008, and blamed this year’s disappointing numbers on Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s May announcement that he would leave Dale Earnhardt Inc., along with other driver moves that were announced earlier than usual.

Schandel said she expects better sales in 2008, as fans gobble-up products featuring the new driver/team combinations. Motorsports Authentics will decrease the number of at-track merchandise trailers this season, and use what she called “a more targeted apparel strategy.” The company has already laid off more than 20 percent of its staff, and has changed a number of operational procedures.

Justice Ain't Cheap: As part of ISC’s financial update, it was revealed that the company spent approximately $6 million to defend the Kentucky Speedway antitrust lawsuit this year, and expects to spend another $5 million to $6 million in 2008. The case is scheduled to go to trial in March, though the presiding judge has urged both sides to return to the negotiating table.

Johns To NCTS: Published reports today say that former Team Rensi Racing driver Richard Johns has signed a two-year deal to drive the #60 Wyler Racing Toyota on the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, with sponsorship from HavFun.com, a family based internet website.

Johns finished 44th in NASCAR Busch Series points last season, starting 15 races for Team Rensi Racing, with a best finish of 15th at Nashville. He replaces Jack Sprague, who will join series champion Ron Hornaday, Jr., in the Kevin Harvick, Inc., stable this season.

In other Truck Series news, sources say four drivers are in the running to replace the departed David Starr in the Circle Bar Racing #10 Ford; Brendan Gaughan, Bobby East, Clay Rogers and Bradley Riethmeyer. Gaughan is easily the most experienced of the four, but East is believed to have the support of Ford Motor Company.

Herm TV?: A Texas-based company has announced plans to develop a reality TV show around the life of NASCAR driver and television commentator Kenny Wallace. Reality Racing has signed a non-binding development agreement with Wallace, with the intent of developing a reality-based programs.

A press release said the company will also “initiate an aggressive multichannel program of sponsor and investment outreach such that Kenny Wallace's annual racing needs will be entirely met for the 2008 Nationwide season."

Notes From Champions Week In NYC

Dodge confirmed today that it will race the Dodge Charger in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2008 and beyond. Dodge Brand Director Mike Accavitti made the announcement today, calling the Charger the cornerstone of Dodge’s NASCAR heritage. He said that Dodge’s 2,500 dealers have expressed "overwhelming support" for the Charger brand to continue in NASCAR. Dodge’s 2008 lineup will feature 12 drivers with five teams.

Petty/GEM Merger Off: Kyle Petty said yesterday that he and his father have decided not to merge with Gillett Evernham Motorsports, at least for now. The two teams had discussed a partnership that would have allowed Petty Enterprises to maintain its identity.

Petty also announced that he and his wife, Pattie, are determined to build a second camp for seriously ill children in the Midwest; most likely in the Kansas City area. Petty called the project a question of, “not if we build, (but) when we build.”

The Pettys have run the Victory Junction Gang Camp in Randleman, N.C., since 2004. They were scheduled to meet with civic and corporate leaders last Tuesday night to talk about the “long-term sustainability” of the project. Petty said that if the details can be worked out, the camp could open in 2009 or 2010

Musgrave Out, Marks In At Germain: Germain Racing owner Bob Germain has confirmed what Sirius Speedway first told you back on November 2nd; that the team will not renew its NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series contract with Ted Musgrave.

ARCA driver Justin Marks will replace Musgrave, bringing sponsorship from Croc Shoes to the team. Marks ran four truck races for Germain Racing this season, finishing eighth in the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Musgrave has not announced his plans for 2008, but he is expected to replace Jack Sprague at the wheel of the #60 Wyler Racing Toyota.

NASCAR In No Hurry On Fike: NASCAR says it will move slowly in evaluating the status of suspended driver Aaron Fike.

Fike was recently sentenced to two years' probation after a plea agreement reduced a pair of felony charges resulting from his arrest last summer for possession of heroin and drug paraphernalia. As part of his plea agreement, Fike has promised to speak and pass out anti-drug literature at schools and speedways.

NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston says the sanctioning body will procede slowly with Fike, saying he has "got some work to do” before any possibility of reinstatement. Poston said Fike needs to complete the legal process, undergo evaluation by NASCAR’s substance abuse experts, and follow the prescribed program they set for him.

There is currently no timetable for reinstatement, but Fike has said he'll do whatever it takes.

Penske Points Swap Legal, But Wrong

Roger Penske said this week that he may take advantage of a NASCAR rule allowing him to swap owners’ points between Kurt Busch’s #2 team and the new, #77 Dodge he will field for rookie Sam Hornish, Jr., next season. That move will guarantee Hornish a spot in the Top-35 to begin the 2008 season, and assure that he will qualify for the first five races of the year. Busch will also be a guaranteed starter for the first five races, based on his status as a past Nextel Cup Series champion.

Penske’s point swap is absolutely legal and aboveboard. However, it clearly goes against the spirit of the rule, and exposes a loophole in NASCAR’s regulations that needs to be closed.

NASCAR’s Top-35 rule – flawed as it may be – was devised for a very simple reason; to reward top teams for their loyalty to the series by ensuring that they are in the starting field every week. Unfortunately, NASCAR’s “point-swap” loophole allows a team owner like Penske to circumvent the intent of the rule. Instead of rewarding Busch’s team for its 2007 performance, NASCAR will reward a team that did not even exist this season.

After some savvy front-office finagling, Hornish – who has attempted to qualify for only seven races this season (succeeding just once) – will receive a guaranteed starting spot for the season-opening Daytona 500, while drivers like Brian Vickers, AJ Allmendinger, David Reutimann and Michael Waltrip – each of whom attempted all 36 races in 2007 – will not. In effect, NASCAR will issue a free pass to a team that has no equity in the series, while penalizing teams that have invested a full season of blood, sweat and tears.

That cannot be what NASCAR had in mind.

Fortunately, the loophole is a simple one to close. NASCAR needs to make its car owner points non-transferable, and award them to a specific team, rather than the owner of that team. No more backdoor maneuvering, no more buying points from part-time teams (a gamble that blew up in Morgan-McClure’s face earlier this season), and no more smoke and mirrors.

Ward Replaced For Homestead Finale

Ward Burton is out of the State Water Heaters Chevrolet this weekend at Homestead Miami Speedway, replaced by former NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion Todd Bodine.

Morgan-McClure Motorsports President Tim Morgan made that announcement today, saying that both Burton and the team have agreed to the change, in an effort to evaluate the performance of the team. "Ward has worked hard for us this year, he is a good driver and a friend," said Morgan. "Todd has been helpful to us in the past and has agreed to step in and help us benchmark our efforts as we get ready for the 2008 season."

Morgan said State Water Heaters will return to the team next season, and that he is searching for additional sponsorship. No decision has been made on a full-time driver for the 2008 NASCAR season.

Records Possible For Johnson, Biffle: Only two drivers have ever won more than four consecutive NASCAR Nextel Cup Series races. Jimmie Johnson has a chance to be the third.

Richard Petty actually accomplished the feat twice, winning five straight in 1971 at Malta and Islip (NY), Trenton (NJ), Nashville and Atlanta; and an incredible 10 in a row as part of a 1967 season that saw him win 27 of 48 races overall. In 1971, Bobby Allison claimed five-straight checkered flags at Charlotte, Dover, Michigan, Riverside and Texas World Speedways.

Greg Biffle has a chance to extend a hot streak of his own this weekend by winning his fourth consecutive Nextel Cup race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Biffle has won the season-ending Ford 400 in each of the last three seasons, and said he is confident that a fourth checkered flag could be just around the corner. "The car has been really fast everywhere we've taken it, and I'm positive that we can at least challenge for (the win)," he said. He will drive the same car Sunday that won at Kansas Speedway earlier this season. Biffle said a fourth Homestead win would equal his personal high of four consecutive Late Model wins set early in his career at Tri-Cities Speedway.

Tempers Flare: It’s been a long, hard 2007 season, and the mental strain is beginning to show in certain NASCAR Nextel Cup Series garage stalls.

After Sunday’s race, Martin Truex, Jr., was extremely critical of the call made by crewchief Kevin “Bono” Manion to remain on the track during the race’s final caution. Truex inherited the lead when all the other frontrunners elected to pit for tires and fuel, but faded back to seventh in the final laps.

Truex said he was “a sitting duck” in the final laps, and called the decision to remain on the track “unfortunate,” prompting an angry reaction from Manion. “It is my decision,” he said. “I wanted to stay out, (because) I thought that was our best chance. We make calls on the pit box to win races. We don’t make calls to run seventh. We don’t make pit decisions to run us out of gas. No matter what…we decide on the pit box, we get ridiculed and criticized by the driver. It is tough to swallow.”

Best Buy To GEM, Sadler

Best Buy, Inc., confirmed today what Sirius Speedway first told you more than a week ago, that the nation’s leading electronics retailer will sponsor Elliott Sadler's No. 19 Gillett Evernham Motorsports Dodge Avenger in 15 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races next season, beginning with the 50th Anniversary Daytona 500.

Best Buy is expected to share sponsorship of the car with Valvoline and Stanley Tools.

Gillett Evernham Motorsports co-owner (and Sirius Speedway regular) Ray Evernham called the deal, "a natural fit," and Sadler said, "I’ve always been a ‘gadget guy.’ My house, car, boat and even my motor home are all tricked out with stereos, speakers, gaming systems, GPS, flat screens, DVD players, you name it. The employees at the Mooresville Best Buy store already know me by name, but they’ll be seeing even more of me now.”

Since 2000, Gillett Evernham Motorsports has posted 13 wins, 24 poles, 67 top-five and 130 top-10 finishes in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series competition. Sadler has recorded three career Sprint Cup wins, 55 top-10 finishes and seven poles.