Silly Season Still Going Strong

Ryan Newman is finally confirmed as Tony Stewart's 2009 teammate at Stewart-Haas Racing, but there is still a bit of silliness left in NASCAR Silly Season 2008.

A spokesman for Joey Logano confirmed this weekend that the 18-year old driver will likely make his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series debut next month at Richmond International Raceway. Sirius Speedway reported two weeks ago that Logano will make his Cup debut at Richmond in a Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota; the first of a planned 6-7 race schedule in preparation for a full Rookie of the Year bid in 2009. Spokesman Bill Janitz said the number of races to be run this season is still to be determined, and that no decision has been made on whether he will replace Tony Stewart in JGR’s #20 Toyota next season.

A source close to the team told Sirius Speedway Saturday that Logano will run an orange-and-white #02 Toyota at Richmond with sponsorship from the Home Depot. In addition, that source said the home improvement giant will back the Connecticut youngster in his freshman season of Cup competition in 2009. Team President J.D. Gibbs said the team has not yet finalized plans for Logano, saying, “He'll run some Cup races this year, whether or not he's running the full thing next year or not.”

At least one more vacant seat appears set to be filled this week. Richard Childress would not confirm widespread reports that Casey Mears will be the driver of his new fourth Chevrolet next year, but smiled as he said, “I'll be glad to talk to you about the fourth car next week at Bristol."

Penske Racing spokesman Walter Czarnecki confirmed that David Stremme is one of several drivers being considered to replace Ryan Newman in the No. 12 Dodge next season, adding that "there's a lot of balls still in the air right now.” Czarnecki said the team hopes to have a driver signed within the next two weeks.

Yates Racing is making a concerted bid to sign driver Paul Menard away from Dale Earnhardt, Inc., with the assistance of Roush Fenway Racing. Roush Fenway President Geoff Smith confirmed yesterday that the Roush/Yates alliance is pursuing Menard, saying, “We believe we're the leading contender outside of the incumbent." DEI officials say they are negotiating to re-sign Menard, and feel confident he will return to the team.

Hamlin Blasts JGR Engines: Denny Hamlin lashed out at his Joe Gibbs Racing team yesterday, after an engine failure with six laps remaining dropped him to a 39th place finish. Hamlin now stands 12th in the Sprint Cup standings -- just 26 points away from dropping out of the Chase -- and blamed the JGR engine shop for his predicament.

“We're so far behind," he said. "When we come to the racetrack with a piece that’s got more power, we just hope it lasts. And it just hasn’t yet.”

Hamlin also questioned the team’s decision to run a new engine combination at Michigan Sunday, saying, “We just make stupid choices. We came here with a new engine package, (and) we're a bubble driver. We can't keep our cars together. At this point, we don’t even deserve to be in the Chase. I know the engine guys are doing all they can to keep up, (but) the Hendrick guys seem to be the class of the field right now as far as engines.”

Hamlin has now finished 23rd or worse in eight of his last 14 races.

Sullivan Bids For BDR: 1985 Indianapolis 500 winner Danny Sullivan says he has made a bid to purchase Bill Davis Racing, but that the two sides are still apart on price. Davis confirmed to Sirius NASCAR Radio yesterday that discussions have taken place with Sullivan, but that talks are not as far along as Sullivan implied. He said Sullivan is one of several people who have approached him about purchasing the team, and that he will “do what is best for Bill and Gail Davis.”

Kansas Wants Second Cup Date; Announces Casino Plan

Kansas Speedway will petition NASCAR for a second NASCAR Sprint Cup Series date for the track, if approval is obtained for a proposed 1.5 million square-foot Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on speedway grounds.

The project -– located in the speedway’s Second Turn -- would include a 300-room luxury hotel, a state-of-the-art casino with 3,000 slot machines and 140 gaming tables, 275,000 square-feet of retail, dining and entertainment space and meeting and convention facilities. The project will cost over $700 million, with no public incentives or revenue needed.

A study commissioned by the speedway indicates that the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino would provide an economic benefit of $4.86 billion to the community over 20 years. The proposal includes a temporary casino what would open within eight months, and operate during the construction period.

International Speedway Corporation is not commenting on which of its other tracks would lose a Sprint Cup date to Kansas. ISC President Lesa France Kennedy said she would move one of ISC’s current Cup dates to Kansas, beginning in 2010 or 2011. Seven ISC tracks -- Daytona, Richmond, California, Talladega, Martinsville, Michigan and Phoenix -- currently host two Cup dates each season. Four others -- Darlington, Homestead-Miami, Watkins Glen and Chicagoland – host one each.

`Dega's A Deal: A study commissioned by Talladega Superspeedway shows that the track generates an annual economic impact of $407 million for the region and the state of Alabama. The study, done by the Washington Economics Group Inc., shows that Talladega creates 7,955 jobs, and generates an economic impact equivalent to 11% of Alabama's total tourism revenue. The total economic impact translates to $88.50 for every man, woman and child in Alabama.

And Finally: It’s been interesting to read all the breathless reports in the last few days of Ryan Newman moving to Stewart-Haas Racing next season, especially since Sirius Speedway first broke the news on July 7th. That’s the same day we told you that Tony Stewart would drive a #14 Chevrolet at Stewart-Haas next season, with sponsorship from Office Depot and Old Spice. Since then, virtually every media outlet in the country has claimed to “break” those stories, despite the fact that we’ve been telling you about them for more than a month.

Logano To Make Cup Debut At Richmond

The plan is finally in place for Joey Logano to begin his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series career, with a handful of races scheduled this season in Joe Gibbs Racing Toyotas. A source close to the team said Saturday that Logano will run “six or seven” Sprint Cup races between now and the end of the 2008 campaign, in an effort to gain NASCAR approval for Logano to run for Raybestos Rookie of the Year honors next season.

Plans call for the 18-year old Connecticut native to make his Sprint Cup debut at Richmond International Raceway on September 6th, with additional races to be announced within the next 2-3 weeks. He will also run the ARCA ReMax Series race at Talladega Superspeedway for Venturini Motorsports, to satisfy NASCAR requirements for him to compete in the 2009 Daytona 500.

McDowell Replaced At MIS: Mike Skinner will drive Michael Waltrip Racing’s #00 Champion Mortgage Toyota at Michigan this weekend, replacing Michael McDowell. McDowell admitted last weekend at Watkins Glen that he is investigating his options for next season, since Michael Waltrip Racing currently has no sponsorship on the car for 2009.

Today, Michael Waltrip said Skinner will remain in the car for the upcoming races at Bristol and California. “We’ve asked Mike Skinner to evaluate areas where we can improve our on-track performance," he said. "We feel the same way about Michael McDowell as we did when we signed him, but this is the toughest, most competitive form of racing in the world, and I know Michael and MWR can benefit from Skinner’s input.”

McDowell is scheduled to return to the car at Richmond International Raceway in Setpember, and said he supports the team’s decision.

“No driver wants to get out of the car, but I understand that every part of our program needs to be evaluated, and that certainly includes me. I plan to support Mike Skinner and our team any way I can, and hopefully learn some things that will help when I get back in the car."

Skinner previously subbed for AJ Allmendinger at Team Red Bull for a number of races this season, allowing that team to right itself. Since returning to the cockpit, Allmendinger has surged in the Spring Cup standings, climbing into the Top-35 in owners' points for the first time in his career.

Mears/RCR Close To A Deal: Expect an announcement as early as this weekend that Casey Mears will join Richard Childress Racing next season as the team’s fourth driver. Details of the deal are expected to be finalized this week, with an announcement Friday or Saturday at Michigan International Speedway.


Mears will be tabbed to drive RCR’s #07 Jack Daniels Chevrolet next season, with Clint Bowyer moving to a new, #33 Chevrolet with sponsorship from Cheerios and Betty Crocker. The ride swap became necessary when General Mills – parent company of Cheerios and Betty Crocker – balked at sponsoring Mears, who is currently backed by rival Kellogg’s at Hendrick Motorsports.

RCR will petition NASCAR to transfer owner points from the #07 to the #33 at season’s end, so Bowyer will have a guaranteed starting spot in the first five races of 2009. Mears will be forced to qualify on time for the first five events of the season, and said Sunday that while he is not anxious to put himself in that situation, he would be willing to do so, “on a team that had the personnel and equipment to make the car fast enough to qualify.”

Mears insisted that there is no signed deal between himself and Childress. “I always try to be up front about this stuff,” said Mears, “but the fact is, nothing is signed and I'm still talking to other teams.” Asked if he might have an announcement by the end of the week, he said, "I certainly hope so. The sooner the better.”

And Finally: As if it’s needed, here’s more bad news for anyone hoping to snatch the Sprint Cup title from Kyle Busch’s grasp this season. With Sunday’s victory at Watkins Glen, Busch became the 18th driver in NASCAR history to record eight or more wins in the first 22 races of a season.

Thirteen of the previous 17 drivers went on to win the championship.

Yeley Out, Coleman In At HOF; Kentucky Speedway Sale Now In Doubt

Hall of Fame Racing has announced that NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Brad Coleman will make his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series debut in the No. 96 DLP HDTV Toyota Camry on Aug. 17th at Michigan International Speedway. Coleman replaces J.J. Yeley, who has been released by the team. P.J. Jones will drive the No. 96 Toyota this weekend at Watkins Glen.

Tom Garfinkel, co-owner of Hall of Fame Racing, said of the move, “J.J. is a talented race car driver and a great person, and this was a difficult decision to make. We all share responsibility that our performance hasn’t been what it needs to be, but we concluded it was time to make a change. This is a performance-based industry and we need to perform better.”

Yeley ranked 36th in points with just one Top-5 finish in 17 starts this season; a third at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in June. The No. 96 team has fallen out of the top 35 in owners points -- currently standing 38th -- and Yeley has failed to qualify for four races. The 20-year-old Coleman currently ranks 16th in the Nationwide Series championship point standings driving for Baker Curb Racing. He has also served as Hall Of Fame's Racing's test driver this season.

Smith Snubbed At The Glen: Dale Earnhardt Inc. has withdrawn its entry for Regan Smith’s No. 81 Chevrolet at Watkins Glen, after NASCAR informed the team that the effort violated NASCAR’s four-team limit.

Teams are allowed to enter a fifth car in a maximum of seven races per season, allowing a prospective rookie to gain experience in Sprint Cup competition. NASCAR said that Smith – who has made 20 starts this season – does not fit the criteria for a fifth-car exception.

Canadian Ron Fellows will now steer Smith’s #01 at the Glen with Smith sitting out. That decision effectively scuttled our grassroots bid to make Smith this week’s Fans’ Choice in the Sirius Driver-to-Crew Chat Channel voting. We’ll see what we can do about getting him back in the running next week.

Kentucky Sale Now Questionable: Speedway Motorsports Inc. has less than three weeks to decide whether to carry on with its plan to purchase Kentucky Speedway, and company officials now say they are unsure what the final decision will be.

SMI Chief Financial Officer Bill Brooks told financial analysts yesterday, “The Kentucky due diligence is ongoing right now, and it’s not complete. I can’t answer definitively whether or not we will go forward with the transaction.” A final decision must be made by August 18th, and Chairman Bruton Smith has repeatedly insisted that he will go forward with the $78-million purchase of the track, which now hosts the NASCAR Nationwide and Craftsman Truck Series, and the Indy Racing League.

Iowa Set For Spot On `09 Nationwide Schedule?

NASCAR Vice President of Racing Operations Steve O’Donnell confirmed what Sirius Speedway told you last week, that Iowa Speedway is being considered as a replacement for Mexico City on the 2009 Nationwide Series schedule.

NASCAR announced recently that the series will not return to Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez next season, and sources tell Sirius Speedway that Iowa will take its place. O’Donnell stopped short of confirming that, saying there are more than two tracks under consideration, but admitting that conversations have been had with officials at Iowa Speedway. He also said he expects the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal to be back on the 2009 schedule, which could be announced in as little as two weeks.

Pocono Stabbing Victim Critical: A 43-year old New York man remains in critical condition today, after being stabbed in the heart at Pocono Raceway Sunday. Police said Michael Gualtiere of Seaford, Long Island, N.Y., was treated at the track’s Infield Care Center at about 7 p.m., then flown to Lehigh Valley Hospital Center where he remains in critical condition after surgery.

Police have obtained a warrant to search a vehicle involved in the incident, and have identified what they call a “person of interest.” The investigation is ongoing.

And Finally: There are reports today that P.J. Jones will drive the Hall of Fame Racing Toyota at Watkins Glen this weekend, in place of J.J. Yeley. Yeley failed to qualify on the road course at Infineon Raceway in June, and Jones recently tested the #96 Toyota at Road Atlanta. As of this morning, Yeley was still listed on the official Watkins Glen entry list.

Sirius/XM Merger Complete; Here's All We Know

SIRIUS Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio have completed their merger, resulting in the nation's premier radio company. The new company plans to change its corporate name to SIRIUS XM Radio Inc. The combined company's stock will continue to be traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol "SIRI."

SIRIUS XM Radio begins day one with over 18.5 million subscribers, making it the second-largest radio company, based upon revenue, in the country; and, based upon subscribers, the second largest subscription media business in the U.S. With under 10% penetration of the home and car market, the opportunity for continued growth is significant.

"I am delighted to announce the completion of this exciting merger between SIRIUS and XM," said Mel Karmazin, CEO of SIRIUS XM Radio. "We have worked diligently to close this transaction and we look forward to integrating our best-in-class management teams and operations so we can begin delivering on our promise of more choices and lower prices for subscribers."

"Every one of our constituencies is a winner. Combined, SIRIUS XM Radio will deliver superior value to our shareholders. By offering more compelling packages and the best content in audio entertainment, we are well positioned for increased subscriber growth. Our laser focus on subscribers will continue and listeners can be assured that there will be no disruption in service. We also believe that the completion of the merger will eliminate any confusion that has been lingering in the marketplace," added Karmazin.

XM shareholders will receive 4.6 shares of SIRIUS common stock for each share of XM.

SIRIUS XM Radio broadcasts more than 300 channels of programming, including exclusive radio offerings from Howard Stern, Oprah, Opie & Anthony and Martha Stewart, among others. SIRIUS XM Radio will offer these expanded options to consumers through arrangements with the world's leading automakers and its relationships with nationwide retailers.

As a result of the merger, SIRIUS XM Radio will also be able to offer consumers new packages, including the first-ever a la carte programming option in subscription media. In addition to two a la carte options, the new packages will include: "Best of Both," giving subscribers the option to access certain programming from the other network; discounted Family Friendly packages; and tailored packages including "Mostly Music" and "News, Talk and Sports." The first of the new packages will be available in the early Fall.

"One of the most exciting benefits of this transaction is the ability to offer subscribers the option of expanding their subscriptions to include the Best of Both services. Given the respective popularity of exclusive programming on both SIRIUS and XM, we expect many subscribers will upgrade their current subscription," said Karmazin.

"The upside potential for both consumers and shareholders is huge. Consumers have the ease of adding premier programming without purchasing a new device. For shareholders, this kind of organic growth is a key part of the company's future and the success we expect to see," said Karmazin.

As promised when the merger was first announced, existing radios will continue to work and every subscriber has the option of maintaining their current service package.

Benefits for Shareholders Begin Immediately, Integration Already Under Way

SIRIUS XM Radio expects to begin realizing the synergies expected from this transaction immediately.

"In addition to realizing significant potential revenue growth, the management team will move quickly to capitalize on the synergies that many analysts have predicted for this combination. We expect to begin achieving those synergies without sacrificing any of the world-class programming and marketing we are known for," said Karmazin.

The company today also reiterated guidance for the combined SIRIUS XM Radio. Based upon a preliminary analysis, the combined company expects to realize total synergies, net of the costs to achieve such synergies, of approximately $400 million in 2009; to post adjusted EBITDA exceeding $300 million in 2009; and to achieve positive free cash flow, before satellite capital expenditures, for the full year 2009. The company also expects that both synergies and adjusted EBITDA will continue growing beyond 2009.

"We have all the tools necessary to begin executing as a combined company with high aspirations for subscriber growth and greater financial performance in part from the significant synergies that we begin realizing literally today -- on Day One. We are moving quickly to integrate the operations," said Karmazin.

The corporate headquarters will be located in New York, NY and XM Satellite Radio, the company's wholly-owned subsidiary, will remain headquartered in Washington, DC.

Godfather Survives Enduro 200

Fairlee, Vermont's Troy Gray earned a soggy $2,000 check at Thunder Road International Speedbowl Sunday night, outlasting more than 100 other drivers -- including Sirius Speedway's own Dave Moody -- to win the 24th Annual M&M Beverage Enduro 200.


The race was truly a survival-of-the-fittest ordeal, featuring a half-hour rain storm that failed to elict a caution flag from track officials, two rollovers, a couple of small fires and more twisted sheetmetal than Kyle Busch's backyard. Gray drove a 1995 Mitsubishi Eclipse to the checkered flag, besting runnerup Rory Partlow of Northfield in a thoroughly rusted 1996 Chevy Corsica.


As for your humble "Godfather," he soldiered on through three flat tires, a pair of wild spins, numerous minor collisions and a sometimes-balky electrical system to unofficially finish 16th, completing 180 of the 200 laps.

"Other than not being able to see through the oil, grease and water smeared across my windshield, dealing with an incredibly slick racetrack and dodging a few dozen homocidal maniacs, it was pretty easy," laughed Moody at race's end. "There's not much left of the car, but we drove it on the trailer at the end of the night, and that was my goal!"

What The #@$% Happened At The Brickyard?

You've got questions, but we don't necessary have answers. At least not yet.

In the aftermath of a race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway that can best be described as a debacle, both NASCAR and Goodyear are scrambling today, trying to figure out what went so terribly wrong. For those fortunate enough to have been undergoing root canal surgery yesterday -- with or without anesthesia -- Jimmie Johnson won the AllState 400 at The Brickyard, outrunning Carl Edwards and the rest of the Sprint Cup Series pack in the final laps of a race that featured less excitement than a Girl Scout taffy pull, and more explosions than "Die Hard With A Vengeance."

It's not the first time NASCAR and Goodyear have struggled with tires. In fact, it's not even the first time at Indy. Indianapolis Motor Speedway is similar in some ways to Atlanta, where NASCAR experienced tire trouble earlier this year. Both tracks are very fast, and extremely rough. IMS officials ground the corners of the racetrack in 2002, in an effort to improve grip for the Open Wheel Indy Cars. That made the track extremely abrasive, dramatically increasing tire wear. Fortunately, that tire wear was generally confined to practice and the early laps of the race itself. As more laps were turned, the grooves in the asphalt became filled with rubber, and tire wear improved.

Unfortunately, that did not happen this year. The question is, why?

The answer appears to lie in the interplay between NASCAR’s new racecar and the specific tire Goodyear brought to Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The new car has a much higher center of gravity, and transfers as much as 100 additional pounds to each of the right-side tires. In addition, it appears that Goodyear’s specific tire compound for Sunday’s race never allowed the track to “rubber up.” A number of teams reported that instead of producing “marbles” – chunks of rubber that wear off the tire and are ground into the asphalt – this year’s tire wore into a fine powder that failed to adhere to the racing surface.

Sirius Speedway contributor Diandra Leslie-Pelecky writes at StockCarScience.com that “the different manner in which the tread wore… suggests that there was a problem with either the nature of the tread compound used, or with the tire processing.” However, she points out that the compound used Sunday is identical to that used a year ago, when there were no major issues after the early laps of the race.

This year, NASCAR was forced to mandate a series of competition cautions every 10-11 laps. There were six competition cautions in all, forcing 52 of the race’s 160 laps – roughly one-third of the event -- to be run under the yellow flag caution. That’s a bad deal for everyone involved.

Goodyear seems to have been caught by a “perfect storm” of issues, which combined to doom Sunday’s race:

· A relatively flat track, with high speeds and an extremely abrasive surface.
· A new car with a comparatively high roll center that put added stress on right-side tires.
· A tire compound and construction that is used at no other track but Indy.
· A pre-race tire test that included only three cars, instead of a full-bore, open test.

Goodyear Director of Race Tire Sales Greg Stucker stated the obvious after the race, saying, “The tread wear didn't improve as we thought it would over the course of the afternoon. We don't have the answer as to why that didn't happen, so we've got to go back …and try to figure out how to make it better. I don't think anyone likes to race like this — us included. We're going to try to figure out what we need to do to make it better."

Clearly, Goodyear misjudged the amount of stress that the new car would place on right-side tires. NASCAR erred as well, by electing to conduct only a three-car tire test in advance of the race. That two-day April test -- involving drivers Kurt Busch, Brian Vickers and Dale Earnhardt Jr. -- clearly did not provide Goodyear engineers with sufficient data to build an acceptable tire for Sunday’s race; a mistake that will certainly be addressed before the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series returns to the Brickyard next season.

That doesn’t do anything to placate fans who suffered through one of the worst races in modern memory yesterday, and it does nothing to counteract TV ratings that almost certainly plummeted as the afternoon wore on. At this point, it’s little more than crying over spilled milk. NASCAR and Goodyear will have to take their respective lumps from a disgruntled public, while making plans for a comprehensive tire test before next year’s race to prevent something like this from ever happening again.

Wallace, Newman Still Sparring

Even after all these years, there’s apparently still no shortage of bad blood between Rusty Wallace and Ryan Newman. It bubbled to the surface again late last week, when Wallace claimed Newman was fired recently by team owner Roger Penske.

Newman has contended that the decision to part was mutual, but Wallace said, "That didn't happen. Roger Penske called Ryan Newman up to his office and said, 'I don't need your services next year.'”

The former Sprint Cup Series champion claims Penske is angry with Newman’s recent criticism of the team, which has plummeted to 16th place in championship points after winning the season-opening Daytona 500. "I talked to Roger and he didn't like... all the negative stuff. Roger doesn't like anybody telling him his equipment is junk,” Wallace said. "Ryan and I never got along real well, that's for sure. We hyped forever and ever how (Newman) is an engineer… (but)they can't get that car figured out.

Told of Wallace’s comments, Newman scoffed, "Was he conscious when he said it? It doesn't matter to me. I know Rusty and his personalities - plural - and everybody is different. I don't know what Rusty's grounds are, or what he's trying to prove by saying that, (but) it wasn't the case, point-blank. Roger and I decided mutually not to continue, and it was more of my decision than it was his."

Newman admitted talking plainly to Penske about what he sees as the shortcomings of the #12 team, saying such honesty is part of any successful operation. "Nobody likes to be criticized as a driver, nobody likes to be criticized as an owner, but constructive criticism is part of what I have to do as a driver," he said. "If I don't feel like I have good equipment -- or as good equipment as the guy who is ahead of me -- then I speak up.

"You have to be able to stomach a percentage of that, whether you're a car owner or a crewchief or a guy changing tires. That's part of it. And I would expect the same thing in return."

Stremme In Catbird Seat For 2009 Cup Ride

Sam Hornish Jr. said yesterday that nobody has spoken to him about moving from Penske Racing’s No. 77 Dodge to replace the departing Ryan Newman next season, and that he has no idea who will ultimately end up in the ride. Sources close to the situation continue to tell Sirius Speedway that David Stremme is the leading candidate for the ride, but whether or not those sources are correct, it seems likely that Stremme will find his way back to the Sprint Cup ranks next season, one way or another.

Stremme has turned down a number of offers to return to the Sprint Cup Series this season -- holding out for a ride that he feels is capable of running up front -- while serving as a test driver for Penske Racing. All three Penske drivers -- Newman, Kurt Busch and Hornish -- have praised his work, as has Penske himself.

When Dario Franchitti broke his ankle at Talladega this spring, Stremme was allowed to fill-in for only a single race, despite being offered a longer deal by Ganassi Racing. Most drivers in Stremme’s position have an “out clause” in their contract, allowing them to leave if a quality Cup ride becomes available. The lack of such a clause in Stremme’s contract – or at least his unwillingness to exercise it -- leads me to believe that he has job security at Penske that goes well beyond his current status as a test pilot.

In short, I believe that Stremme may have already received a committment from Roger Penske for a full-time Cup ride in 2009.

Yet another option for career advancement landed on Stremme’s doorstep yesterday, when an executive for ABC/ESPN confirmed that Rusty Wallace could continue as a network analyst if he moves his race team to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

ESPN Vice President of Motorsports Rich Feinberg said yesterday that while the network did not allow Wallace to own a Cup team when he was first hired in 2006, the addition of team owners Ray Evernham and Brad Daugherty to the lineup has prompted a change in policy. Feinberg said, “The choice for Rusty to go into Cup racing is Rusty's, and we have relayed our position to him on that.”

Wallace has not yet commented publically on the possibility of RWI jumping to Cup in the near future. But if he does, Stremme will obviously be at the top of his list of potential drivers.

Harvick Wins At Oxford, DEI Penalty Upheld

Kevin Harvick turned his weekend off from Sprint Cup competition into a paid vacation yesterday, winning the 35th annual TD Banknorth 250 at Maine’s Oxford Plains Speedway.

Harvick dominated the second half of the event that was postponed by rain Sunday, besting Oxford Late Model regular Glen Luce and 19-year old Joey Polewarczyk Jr. to cash a $37,200 winner’s check. He took over from early leader Eddie MacDonald on a lap 126 restart, gave the lead back by a fender six laps later, then held off a late charge by Luce to claim the win.

You can check out the complete finish by clicking HERE.

Penalty Upheld: The National Stock Car Racing Commission has denied a Dale Earnhardt Inc. appeal of the penalties levied by NASCAR to Martin Truex, Jr.s team for infractions during Coke Zero 400 weekend at Daytona International Speedway.

NASCAR found that Truex’s car did not fit roof templates, docking the team and driver 150 points, fining crewchief Kevin Manion $100,000, and suspending Manion and carchief Gary Putnam for six races. DEI did not contest the violations, arguing instead that the penalties were too severe. The commission disagreed, with members Russell Hackett, Jack Housby and George Silbermann ruling unanimously that the violations were “clear-cut” and that the roof was “low across a broad area”

DEI officials had no comment on the commission's ruling. They still have the right to appeal the decision to the National Stock Car Racing Commissioner, but Manion and Putnam will begin serving their suspensions this weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Terry Continues: Kyle Petty's midseason break will be extended for at least one more week. Petty’s job as an analyst for TNT ended last weekend, but replacement driver Terry Labonte will be in the car again Sunday at the Brickyard.

Spokesmen for the team say the move is to ensure that the #45 Dodge will be in the field Sunday -- since Labonte has a Past Champion's Provisional at his disposal – and is only temporary. Petty is expected to return to the car, most likely in two weeks at Pocono. He has an average finish of 34.3 this season, while Labonte has recorded an average finish of 27.5 in his six replacement races.

More details are coming to light on Stewart-Haas Motorsports’ plans for 2009. On last night’s edition of Tony Stewart Live on Sirius NASCAR Radio last night, Stewart said there are no plans for a third – or even a fourth – car next season, saying, “right now we're going to concentrate on getting these two Cup cars exactly where they need to be… before we expand."

Published reports say that Stewart has finalized plans to drive the #14 next season, with sponsorship from Old Spice and Office Depot, with an official announcement coming Friday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The United States Patent and Trademark Office confirms that team General Manager Joe Custer applied for a trademark for the number on July 2nd.

ChiTown Ratings Dip: TNT's final Sprint Cup Series broadcast of the season experienced a significant drop in ratings from last season, due in part to a move from Sunday afternoon to Saturday night. The Chicagoland Speedway race received a 3.7 rating, down 23 percent from the 4.8 it received a year ago. In addition, the previous night’s Nationwide Series race received a 1.6 rating on ESPN, down from the previous year’s 1.9 Saturday afternoon rating on ABC.

RATS! Rain Postpones TD Banknorth 250 Until Monday

For only the third time in its history -- and the first in 22 years -- the legendary TD Banknorth 250 at Maine's Oxford Plains Speedway fell victim to rain Sunday, and was rescheduled for 2 p.m. today. Steady rain delayed the start of qualifying by more than three hours, and interrupted the festivities on three different occasions before a heavy downpour -- and a radar screen filled with ominous color -- forced promoter Bill Ryan to pull the plug.

A total of 87 Late Model drivers from six states and two Canadian provinces were on hand for the $25,000-to-win event, including NASCAR Sprint Cup Series star Kevin Harvick, who qualified second in his heat race behind Maine native Carey Martin. Harvick says he'll be back for Monday's rescheduled race, though wife/boss Delana has decreed that most of his KHI crew will return to North Carolina Monday morning to return to work.

Sirius Speedway host Dave Moody was similarly unfortunate, as family commitments will force him to miss Monday's race, after spending the entire day Sunday dodging raindrops and renewing old friendships in the OPS pit area. Sirius NASCAR Radio colleague Matt Yocum was also crying the blues last night, since his duties as co-host of Tony Stewart Live will force him to return home Monday and miss the rescheduled race.

Today's program will include the sixth and final 20-lap heat race, plus three consolation events, the Last Chance race, a pair of support division features and the 250-lap main event.

HEAT 1 (Qualify four)
Fin. (Start) Driver
1. (1) #72 Scott Robbins
2. (13) #91 Patrick Laperle
3. (5) #04 T.J. Watson
4. (15) #88 Nick Sweet
5. (9) #41 Pete Potvin III
6. (10) #14 Phil Scott
7. (14) #16 Joey Becker
8. (6) #80 Donald Theetge
9. (12) #84 Matt Sanborn
10. (8) #86 Trampas Demers
11. (11) #35 Bruce Thomas Jr.
12. (4) #21 Josh King
13. (3) #02VT Russ Clark
14. (7) #31 Tim Pendergast
15. (2) #07 Scott Luce

HEAT 2 (Qualify four)
Fin. (Start) Driver
1. (1) #6 Tommy Ricker
2. (4) #6VT Cris Michaud
3. (6) #02MA Derek Ramstrom
4. (11) #03E Travis Adams
5. (10) #94 Shawn Martin
6. (7) #9VT Chip Grenier
7. (2) #11 Claude Leclerc
8. (15) #10 Jimmy Childs
9. (9) #85 Travis Stearns
10. (13) #38 Ricky Wolf Jr.
11. (6) #08 Gerald Parlin
12. (12) #69 Dave MacDonald
13. (8) #88ME Alan Tardiff
14. (3) #8 Tom Metcalf
15. (14) #25 Shawn Knight

HEAT 3 (Qualify four)
Fin. (Start) Driver
1. (1) #17 Eddie MacDonald
2. (6) #97 Joey Polewarczyk Jr.
3. (2) #24 Roger Brown
4. (5) #95 Dennis Spencer Jr.
5. (8) #96 Kurt Hewins
6. (11) #29X Ricky Morse
7. (9) #26 Corey Morgan
8. (14) #5 Leon Heckbert
9. (3) #60 Tim Brackett
10. (7) #22 Gary Caron
11. (4) #13 Pete Shepherd III
12. (13) #21X Shane Clark
13. (12) #21QC Jeff Dery
14. (10) #24VT Steve Fisher

HEAT 4 (Qualify four)
Fin. (Start) Driver
1. (1) #55 Brad Leighton
2. (5) #8NH Rick Thompson Jr.
3. (7) #56 Dale Verrill
4. (13) #89 Scott Payea
5. (6) #71 Bobby Dragon
6. (4) #7ME Glen Luce
7. (14) #02NH Randy Potter
8. (3) #59 Tyson Jordan
9. (12) #51 Ricky Rolfe
10. (10) #9ON Jonathan Urlin
11. (2) #73 Joey Doiron
12. (9) #77 Pete Vanderwyst
13. (8) #27 Marc Curtis Jr.
14. (11) #1 Billy Childs Jr.

HEAT 5 (Qualify four)
Fin. (Start) Driver
1. (1) #18 Carey Martin
2. (3) #29 Kevin Harvick
3. (11) #10NH Ben Rowe
4. (6) #0 Bill Whorff Jr.
5. (14) #55VT Brent Dragon
6. (13) #26VT John Donahue
7. (12) #98 Quinny Welch
8. (5) #42 Matt White
9. (10) #2 Dennis Stampfl
10. (7) #75 Pete Fecteau
11. (9) #32 Jean-Paul Cyr
12. (4) #15VT Joey Laquerre
13. (2) #8x Nick Reno
14. (8) ##22X Aaron Ricker

HEAT 6 lineup (0 laps completed)
#48 Robbie Crouch
#9QC Yvon Bedard
#50 Jeff White
#7VT Eric Williams
#15 Ben Ashline
#48QC Karl Allard
#3 Bernie Lantagne
#70 Daren Ripley
#00 Jeremie Whorff
#63 Don Wentworth
#40 Eric Chase
#18VT Jamie Fisher
#78 Ryan Nolin
#37 Larry Gelinas

Crawford's Track Deal Now On Hold

The Montgomery (AL) Board of Adjustment met as scheduled last night, and the end result of that meeting is that the sale of Montgomery Motor Speedway is now on hold.

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Rick Crawford wants to purchase the 63-acre track, but needs a racing permit from the board before the deal can go through.
A handful of local homeowners have hired an attorney to block Crawford’s request permit request, arguing that the track is located on a flood plain, and that a recent three-year shutdown cost the track its grandfathered status as an existing use facility.

Last night’s meeting was contentious at times, with supporters on both sides of the debate packing the City Council chamber. At the end of the evening, board members approved a motion requiring Crawford and the landowners to try to resolve several key issues. The track purchase must be completed by July 31, however, making the timeline for negotiations extremely short. Crawford said his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series schedule will make it difficult for him to meet with the homeowners within the next two weeks, meaning that even if a compromise can be reached, it will cannot be presented to the board until its next meeting on Aug. 21.

Both Crawford and track owner Bill Manfull say they are willing to push back the closing date, if necesary. Crawford said, "I'm going to try and get this resolved and work with everyone to get the place opened back up. This is my dream, and I'm going to keep trying."

Attorney Doyle Fuller, who represents the landowners, was less optimistic, saying, "There's nothing they can do about the noise and the traffic out there. We'll be happy to talk with Mr. Crawford, but I don't know how much we'll be willing to do."

Board Decides Speedway's Fate Tonight

The Montgomery (AL) Board of Adjustment meets tonight, and when it is all over, there’s a decent chance that NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver -- and American Cultural Icon -- Rick Crawford will be told that he didn’t really purchase Montgomery Motor Speedway last month, he purchased a 63-acre parking lot.

Crawford goes before the board tonight to ask that they grant him a license to hold racing events at the Speedway this season, but thanks to a few local homeowners and their attorney, that request may be denied.

Local attorney Doyle Fuller represents the homeowners, and says Montgomery Motor Speedway is now located on a floodplain. How can a track has been in existence since 1953 suddenly find itself in a floodplain? Well, apparently it’s been there all along, causing no problem at all. Despite that, the honorable Mr. Fuller is determined to see that the track never opens again.

In his words, “There are only so many structures you can put in an area like that, and we don't believe a racetrack is one of them."

According to Fuller, the track was operational when the area was first declared a floodplain, and was "grandfathered in" as an existing use facility. But when track owner Bill Manfull shut the speedway down three years ago, Fuller and his clients say he forfeited the track’s grandfathered status. He is demanding that the board treat Montgomery Motor Speedway as a new facility, and deny Crawford a permit to hold races there ever again.

Manfull isn’t going quietly, though. He points out that the law requires only that one race be held each year to maintain the track’s operational status. And he contends that he has met that obligation. He says he personally raced school buses and rental cars around the facility in each of the last three years, while leasing it to Hyundai as a parking lot for newly produced automobiles.

He told the Montgomery Advertiser, “All of that's racing. Nowhere does it say we've got to have a certain number of participants, or fans watching. (It) just says we have to have a race per year. We've done that."

So tonight, the Montgomery Board of Adjustment has a choice to make. They can knuckle under to the legal maneuvering of a small group of people who bought houses next door to a racetrack, without ever considering the possibility of actual racing. Or they can allow Rick Crawford to try and turn a rundown piece of undeveloped property into something the area can once again be proud of.

Good luck, Rick.

Newman/Penske Confirm Split; Stewart-Haas Announcement Could Come At Indy

The dominoes continue to fall in place for next season, after Penske Racing and Ryan Newman announced today that they have agreed to go their separate ways in 2009.

Team owner Roger Penske made the announcement today, saying, “We want to thank Ryan for his hard work and contributions to Penske Racing over the past nine years. We wish Ryan all the best for the future, and we’ll continue to focus our efforts on making the Chase…this season.”

He added that a new driver for the No. 12 Dodge will be announced in the near future.

Newman said, “I appreciate Penske Racing and all they have done for me, but more importantly, I appreciate their friendship and what they have done for my career.”

The Indiana native said Saturday that he has three options to consider -- other than remaining at Penske -- and that ownership is part of at least one of those options. He declined to comment on last week’s Sirius Speedway report that he will join fellow Hoosier Tony Stewart at Stewart-Haas Racing next season, though sources now say that the deal is done and ready to be announced; most likely next weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Newman said last month that he would not sign a new contract with Penske unless the team made significant improvements in performance. He is currently 16th in points after a tenth place finish Saturday night at Chicagoland Speedway.

Testing 1-2-3: NASCAR submitted a proposed 2009 testing policy to its teams Saturday night at Chicagoland, calling for 24 test days per team at tracks where the Sprint Cup Series competes.

Each team would be allowed a maximum of two cars per test, with all of the team’s drivers able to test. No driver will be allowed to test for a team other than his own. The proposal also includes a one-week “blackout period” prior to each race, and an offseason testing ban from November 1 through January 15; not including the regularly schedule Daytona preseason tests.

NASCAR will seek input and feedback from the teams before finalizing the new policy.

Stewart/JGR Part Ways, Smoke To Tell All Tomorrow

Joe Gibbs Racing and Tony Stewart made it official this morning, with an announcement that they have agreed to part ways at the end of this year.

Stewart will finish the 2008 season in JGR’s No. 20 Home Depot Toyota, and also run two more NASCAR Nationwide Series races for them, before moving on to other ventures in 2009. His next ride is expected to be with Haas-CNC Racing as an owner-driver, with sponsorship from Old Spice and Office Depot.

JGR President JD Gibbs said of the move, “While this moment is bittersweet, we’re parting on good terms, and we know that each of us has benefited greatly from the other. While our time together is coming to an end, we know there’s still a lot of racing left this season and we plan to make the most of it. We’re proud of everything we’ve accomplished together, and we wish (Tony) the best in pursuing his dream of NASCAR team ownership.”

Stewart said, “I cannot thank Joe and J.D. Gibbs enough for the opportunity they gave me, and for the support they’ve given me throughout my entire NASCAR career,” Stewart said. “I’ve learned so much from them and have a tremendous amount of respect for what they’ve built.”

Stewart also said that his longtime crewchief, Greg Zipadelli, will not accompany him to his new team, ending the longest active driver/crew chief relationship in NASCAR Sprint Cup racing. A formal announcement of Stewart’s future plans will take place tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. CT in the Infield Media Center at Chicagoland Speedway.

Multiple reports today have said that Stewart was “granted his release” by JGR. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Stewart bought out the final year of his contact with the financial assistance of General Motors and Chevrolet, and I’m told that the buyout did not come cheap. After all, JGR held all the cards in that particular negoatiation. Technically, they could have put Joey Logano in the #20 Toyota next season, paid Tony his salary and forced him to sit on the sidelines for all of 2009; effectvely scuttling all the sponsorship plans he has so painstakingly put in place over the last few weeks.

In short, they said to Tony, “If you want to go play somewhere else next season, that’s fine. But here’s what it’s going to cost. Take it or leave it.”

Elledge To RBR: Red Bull Racing announced today that veteran crewchief Jimmy Elledge will replace Ricky Viers atop the pitbox for the #84 Toyota piloted by AJ Allmendinger, beginning this weekend at Chicagoland Speedway.

Elledge was released as crewchief of Juan Pablo Montoya’s Chip Ganassi Racing Dodge a few weeks ago, and has previously worked with drivers Casey Mears, Reed Sorenson, Kenny Wallace, Bobby Hamilton and Dale Jarrett. There is no word on Viers’ plans for the future, or if he will remain with the team in another capacity.

Franchitti Back In Chi-Town: Dario Franchitti will replace Brian Clauson in Chip Ganassi Racing’s #40 Fastenal Dodge in Friday night’s NASCAR Nationwide Series Camping World 300 at Chicagoland Speedway. Clauson’s entry was withdrawn late Tuesday afternoon, with Franchitti listed as a replacement. After shutting down Franchitti’s Sprint Cup operation last week, Ganassi said he had offered to put the Scotsman in the Nationwide car for the balance of he season. Franchitti said Sunday that he would meet with Ganassi this week before making a decision.

Reutimann Has Options: Published reports today have David Reutimann leaving Michael Waltrip Racing to replace Kyle Petty in the Petty Enterprises #45 Dodge next season. There has been no comment from any of the involved parties, and I will say only what I have said for a number of weeks; that David Reutimann is well-regarded by a number of teams in the Sprint Cup garage, and does not lack for options.

BREAKING NEWS: Teresa Looking To Sell, Newman To Haas-CNC With Jack Daniels Backing

Sirius NASCAR Radio's Sirius Speedway is reporting today that Teresa Earnhardt has enlisted the services of Bear, Stearns and Company to find a buyer -- or at least a major financial investor -- for Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Bear Stearns is an investment bank, securities trading and brokerage firm based in New York City, and has been charged with finding a buyer for the entire operation. Barring that, Earnhardt is said to be interested in selling at least a minority interest in the team.

DEI President of Global Operations Max Siegel declined to comment on the story when contacted earlier today.

DEI finds itself at a competitive crossroads, with Mark Martin leaving the team at season's end for a new ride with Hendrick Motorsports. Martin Truex Jr. is unhappy with the recent performance of his Bass Pro Shops-sponsored Chevrolet, and has not yet signed the contract extension team officials announced more than four months ago. He currently ranks 14th in championship points, but is likely to fall further behind when NASCAR announces penalties this week for the roofline violation found on Truex's car in opening inspection at Daytona. Team officials admitted last week that they may be forced to trim their roster by one next season if sponsorship cannot be found for Regan Smith's #01 Chevrolet, and reports have surfaced that Paul Menard may also be shopping around his Menard's sponsorship for next season.

DEI President of Global Operations Max Siegel declined to comment on the story earlier today.

While the future of DEI appears uncertain, many of the other driver/sponsor dominoes are beginning to fall into place. Tony Stewart is expected to announce a 2009 move to Haas-CNC Racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in three weeks. Reliable sources tell Sirius Speedway that Stewart will also announce sponsorship from Office Depot and Old Spice as part of a new, multi-year package with Haas CNC, and that Penske Racing’s Ryan Newman will join him as a teammate, with sponsorship from Jack Daniels. That surprise move comes as the result of an enviable situation at Richard Childress Racing, which now has five potential sponsors for next season, and only four teams.

Sirius Speedway has learned that UPS will move from Michael Waltrip Racing’s #44 Toyota to the quarterpanels of Clint Bowyer’s #07 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet in 2009, leaving Jack Daniels in search of a new driver. That driver will be Newman, who is set to sign-on with Stewart at Haas CNC after a difficult 2008 season littered with mechanical failures and poor performance.

It appears to be a two-man race for Newman’s soon-to-be-vacant seat at Penske Racing, with Casey Mears and David Stremme in the running. The Mears-Penske connection is well established, with Casey’s uncle, Rick Mears, winning multiple Indianapolis 500 titles with car owner Roger Penske. Stremme, however, is making a strong bid for the ride, doing yeoman work as Penske Racing’s test driver this season. He also stands ninth in NASCAR Nationwide Series points for Rusty Wallace, Inc., despite starting only 16 of 17 races.

In fact, Stremme’s name is being linked with as many as three different Cup openings next year.

While Stewart’s Indy announcement will help to solidify the driver/team lineup for 2009, there are still a number of questions looming over the Sprint Cup Series garage. Scott Riggs and Johnny Sauter will presumably be looking for new rides once Stewart and Newman set up shop at Haas CNC Racing. Truex remains questionable for a return to DEI. David Reutimann, Reed Sorenson, David Ragan, Paul Menard and Dave Blaney are all in the final year of their respective contracts, though Roush Fenway Racing confirmed this weekend that Ragan will return in 2009. Dario Franchitti’s NASCAR career is currently on hold, after his #40 Chip Ganassi Racing Dodge was parked for lack of sponsorship last week.

It looks like Silly Season may drag on a bit longer, after all.

Notes From The Cup Garage

More than 70 team members found themselves on the unemployment line last week when Chip Ganassi parked Dario Franchitti’s Dodge due to lack of sponsorship. Word around the NASCAR garage is that another 30 may soon follow.

Multiple Ganassi team members spoke off the record Saturday at Daytona International Speedway, revealing that some of last week’s layoffs involved longtime employees who predated Ganassi’s purchase of the team from Felix Sabates in 2001. In addition, many of those laid off were members the Reed Sorenson and Juan Pablo Montoya teams, who saw their jobs taken by former Franchitti crewmen.

The layoffs prompted harsh words and hard feelings, and team management reportedly brought in nearly a dozen police officers to maintain order before announcing the moves. The cuts deepened what sources say was already an “us against them” mentality within the three-car operation, and has plunged morale to an all-time low.

Ganassi has offered Franchitti a full-time Nationwide Series ride for the remainder of the season, but the Scotsman has yet to sat whether he will accept that offer.

Light On The Horizon: There may be help on the way for Yates Racing. Jack Roush said this weekend that sponsorship is imminent for fellow Ford team owner Doug Yates; enough to allow him to expand his operation to three cars next season. Despite working with limited sponsorship, Yates currently has two teams in the Top-25. Travis Kvapil is 20th in championship points, and David Gilliland ranks 22nd. No word on who might drive a third Yates Ford next season.

Chevy Will Stay: General Motors Corporation’s NASCAR Program Manager said this weekend that while times are indeed tough in the automotive business, Chevrolet has no plans to pull out of NASCAR, or even reduce its funding.

Alba Colon said that contrary to at least one published report, she expects GM to level-fund its NASCAR operations in 2009, with no reductions from this year. She declined to comment on reports that GM will eliminate its track and race event sponsorships next season, and sources tell Sirius Speedway that while some cuts are possible, negotiations for next season are continuing and reports of a full-scale pullout are premature.

BREAKING NEWS: Ganassi Parks #40 Dodge

Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates announced today that due to a lack of sponsorship, it will cease operation of the No. 40 NASCAR Sprint Cup Dodge driven by Dario Franchitti, beginning this weekend in Daytona.

Team Owner Chip Ganassi announced the move, calling it, “a difficult decision for Felix and I that did not come without its share of anguish. In this tough business environment, continuing to run the car without proper funding has become increasingly difficult.”

Ganassi said he is committed to Franchitti’s continued stockcar development, and is talking with him about options for the future, including the possibility of running the balance of the season in the No. 40 Fastenal Dodge on the NASCAR Nationwide Series.

The move will reportedly have no effect on the Juan Pablo Montoya or Reed Sorenson teams.

DEI Announcement Expected Today; Martin Expected To Jump To Hendrick

Dale Earnhardt Inc. is expected to announce today that Aric Almirola will drive the No. 8 Chevrolet full-time next season, opening the door for Mark Martin to move to the #5 Chevrolet at Hendrick Motorsports.

Team officials decided to promote Almirola to full-time competition because he has developed a good rapport with crewchief Tony Gibson, and because the 24-year old is a better demographic fit for the team’s U.S. Army sponsorship. Sirius Speedway reported two weeks ago that the Army is considering its options for 2009, and could leave DEI for another team. Elevating Almirola to full-time status could bolster DEI’s hopes of retaining the Army sponsorship for another year.

Initially, Almirola’s promotion was believed to be a result of Mark Martin’s decision to move to Hendrick next season. However, it now appears that the opposite was true. DEI reportedly told Martin during All-Star week at Lowe’s Motor Speedway that they had decided to run Almirola full-time in 2009, leaving the Arkansas veteran without a ride. Martin immediately began searching for another opening, and found one at Hendrick Motorsports.

He has been unavailable for comment, but is expected to announce his new ride later this week at Daytona International Speedway.

"Chicken Little" Strikes Again

Sirius Speedway fave Peter De Lorenzo is at it again.

In a recent blog on autoextremist.com entitled, “NASCAR Is About To Feel Detroit's Chill,” DeLorenzo warns that the Detroit automakers are putting their NASCAR budgets “on the chopping block" and are set to dramatically reduce their involvement in the sport.

“The climate has changed dramatically,” warns DeLorenzo, “and all of NASCAR's negatives -- declining attendance, declining TV ratings, the dreaded "Car of Tomorrow," which has destroyed brand recognition and differentiation, the never-ending schedule, and the spike in costs due to the influx of Toyota spending -- have the powers that be…seriously questioning their NASCAR programs.”

DeLorenzo predicts a massive cutback in NASCAR involvement by Detroit’s “Big Three,” beginning with track sponsorships and promotional support programs, followed by national advertising, “high-visibility NASCAR-based promotions,” and finally, direct support to NASCAR teams.

“There is a very real possibility that at least one of the Detroit manufacturers will pull out altogether,” writes DeLorenzo, “…even if it means NASCAR becoming a one-make series (Toyota). At the very least, I can assure you that some of NASCAR's sacred cow teams -- the ones that heretofore would never be considered to be on the block -- will be left by the side of the road by the Detroit manufacturers in the interest of saving money.”

Longtime listeners to Sirius Speedway – and readers of The MotorSports Soapbox – will find many of DeLorenzo’s claims eerily familiar. In fact, he made virtually the same prediction two years ago, in June of 2006. At that time, “Chicken Little Pete” claimed that at least one Detroit automaker was poised to leave NASCAR within the next 12 months, to devote itself to production-based racing series, engine programs for open-wheel racing, and a road-racing effort focused on the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Has anyone seen any of that happen? I thought not.

NASCAR’s Ramsey Poston commented on DeLorenzo’s poorly recycled rant last week, calling it, “a lot of rhetoric and false assumptions about the sport. Obviously, we are going through an economic cycle we've seen before, and naturally that breeds a lot of these stories. But as a sport, we are very confident with where we are.”

DeLorenzo appeared on Sirius Speedway back in 2006, stuttering and stammering uncomfortably as gaping holes were blown in each of his arguments. Before slinking away with his tail between his legs, he admonished listeners to, “wait and see. When a major manufacturer leaves NASCAR in the next few months, you’ll see I was right.”

Not much changes in Peter DeLorenzo’s world. He was wrong then, and he’s wrong now.

Smith: NHMS Cup Dates Are Safe

Speedway Motorsports Inc. Chairman Bruton Smith said yesterday that New Hampshire Motor Speedway's two NASCAR Sprint Cup dates are not in danger of being moved to either Las Vegas or Kentucky.

SMI purchased the one-mile Granite State oval for a reported $340 million earlier this year, triggering a torrent of speculation that one of the track’s Cup dates might be moved to another SMI property. There were empty seats at the Loudon, New Hampshire oval for the first time in its Sprint Cup history Sunday, prompting another round of questions about the track’s future. But when asked about that possibility of moving a race out of the Granite State, Smith responded flatly, "No. We'll try to accomplish that another way. We're working on things."

Sources tell Sirius Speedway that Smith still hopes to purchase Pocono Raceway from the Matiolli family, despite recent assertions by Pocono owner Dr. Joseph Mattioli that his track is not for sale, and has been entrusted to his grandchildren to prevent its sale for decades to come.

A source close to the situation said Smith believes Pocono can still be bought for the right price, and is determined to strike a deal to bring the track under the SMI unbrella. He would then shutter the aging Pennsylvania speedway and move its two NASCAR dates to Kentucky and Las Vegas.

Smith also said he has cooled on the idea of reworking the NHMS track surface from its relatively flat, 12-degree banked configuration to something along the lines of the recently remodeled Las Vegas track. Smith admitted that he has discussed that possibility, as well as building a new racetrack elsewhere on the NHMS grounds. But a completive slate of races for the NASCAR Whelen Modified, Camping World East and Nationwide Series’ has apparenrly convinced him that no immediate changes are needed.

"I was pleasantly pleased with the shows we had, and how racy it was," said Smith Sunday. "Prior to that, I was determined on making some changes. Right now, we're going to look at some things."

Smith said he may now be content to rework spectator areas of the speedway and add additional seats.

Newman On Penske: Ryan Newman stated his case again this weekend, saying that the performance of his Penske Racing Dodges must improve quickly if the team expects him to sign a new, multi-year contract.

“The Daytona (500) win was huge for us, but it's in the past,” he said. “Our engine program is at an all-time low, We don't have the horsepower other teams have…and we don't have the reliability to go along with it. People aren't doing their job. That's the bottom line. They're just not getting the job done."

Newman continues to be linked to the soon-to-be-vacated #5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, and is being mentioned as a possible teammate to Tony Stewart, if Stewart jumps to Haas CNC Racing next season.

Reports: Stewart Seeks Backing For Move To Haas CNC Racing

Two different media outlets are now reporting what Sirius Speedway told you three days ago; that Tony Stewart is actively seeking sponsorship for a jump to Haas CNC Racing next season.

Both ESPN.com and the SportsBusiness Journal say that talks are underway with Office Depot and Old Spice to serve as co-primary sponsors of a Stewart-driven Chevrolet out of the Haas CNC Racing stable next season; similar to Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s deal with Amp Energy Drink and the National Guard.

SportsBusiness Journal said Stewart is working to finalize his ownership investment in Haas CNC, and that the team will likely be rebranded with Stewart's name. ESPN.com cites an unnamed source saying that Stewart is “talking to every major sponsor that is available,” and that Ryan Newman has been approached about leaving Penske Racing to be the team’s second driver. Martin Truex, Jr., has also been linked to the Stewart/Haas CNC deal, with possible sponsorship from Bass Pro Shops.

Stewart has admitted that an offer is on the table from Haas CNC, and that the offer includes part ownership in the team. He continues to insist that he has not asked for a release from the final year of his contract with Joe Gibbs Racing.

Haas CNC General Manager Joe Custer said any deal with Stewart is contingent on him securing a release from his JGR contract. “Nothing can happen until they let him out of his contract,” Custer said. “They hold all the cards. When he becomes available we want to talk to him."

Truex's DEI Deal Still Not Done

Martin Truex, Jr., said yesterday that he is unsure whether he will sign a contract extension with Dale Earnhardt, Inc.

Truex said he and the team continue to discuss the details of a deal, but that he is unhappy with some of the racecars he has been given to drive this season. In his words, “there are some things going on with our racecars… and other teams that I'm not quite sure (about). The performance hasn't been as good… this year for whatever reason. We've run really well at times, and we've run not so well at times. For me, it's just trying to get comfortable (with) what they're doing and the direction they're headed for the future, so I can make sure that we can be together for a long time.”

He said talks are ongoing on a daily basis, but there is no timetable for him to make a decision.

Kentucky Suit Delayed: The August 11 deadline for all sides in the Kentucky Speedway lawsut to submit their final briefs to the court has been extended to October 27th, meaning that the U.S. Court of Appeals will probably not rule until next year on whether the track has enough evidence to continue the suit.

The delay means that a hearing cannot be held until at least a month after the October 27 filing deadline; and likely more. Kentucky Speedway alleges that NASCAR and International Speedway Corporation illegally conspired to prevent them from obtaining a spot on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule. NASCAR and ISC have denied the claims, and a district judge ruled in January that there was insufficient evidence to proceed to trial.

The track’s former ownership group – led by Jerry Carroll – has appealed that decision, and ignored a request by new owner Bruton Smith to either drop or settle the lawsuit.

If It Rains At NHMS: Only 45 cars are on the entry list for Sunday’s Lenox Industrial Tools 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The forecast for Friday calls for cloudy skies with a 20% chance of rain, and if qualifying is rained out, only two drivers -- Johnny Sauter and Tony Raines -- would fail to make the field.

Drivers on the “Go Or Go Home" list who would make the race in the event of rain are Patrick Carpentier, Marcos Ambrose, Dario Franchitti, Terry Labonte, (Past Champion Provisional), Scott Riggs, Joe Nemechek, A.J. Allmendinger and J.J. Yeley. Sauter would miss the race as a result of being 44th in owners points –- last among all teams with 16 qualifying attempts this season -- while Andretti would miss out because his team has made only 14 attempts.

Saturday’s forecast calls for a 30% chance of showers with a high temperature of 76 degrees, while Sunday will be cool – temperatures in the low to mid-60s – with a 60% chance of showers.

Former NCTS Owner Charged in Charity Scam

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has charged former NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series owner Gene Christiansen and others with misuse of charitable funds, alleging that they diverted money from People Against Drugs Affordable Public Housing, Inc., to pay Christiansen’s salary, support the Green Light Racing Craftsman Truck Series team and advance his political career.

The Attorney General has asked the court to prevent further misuse of charitable assets by appointing a temporary receiver, and issuing a temporary injunction against the defendants. A hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday, July 21, in Travis County Probate Court.

The charges say that Christensen founded People Against Drugs as a non-profit housing operation that offered “gang and drug-free living environments.” He and three partners allegedly secured government-backed loans to purchase an apartment complex, which they said would offer qualified individuals reduced-cost rent in a drug-free living environment.

However, an investigation by the Attorney General’s Office allegedly revealed that the defendants operated the apartment complex as a for-profit enterprise, generating approximately $2 million in annual rental revenue. Rather than using that revenue to provide reduced-cost housing to the poor, Christiansen and his partners allegedly spent the money on the Green Light Racing Truck Series team, a violation of the Texas Nonprofit Corporation Act.

Court documents also allege that Christensen used People Against Drugs’ financial resources for his own personal financial gain without authorization from the board, paying himself a salary of at least $102,000 beginning in 2001. In 2005, People Against Drugs paid Christensen $181,000, plus benefits and a company vehicle. Christensen also reportedly received a $119,000, interest-free loan from People Against Drugs.

The state also alleges that Christensen used charitable resources to fund an extravagant lifestyle, using People Against Drugs’ credit cards to charge expensive meals, personal items, and hotel stays in exotic locales. He is also alleged to have spent $40,000 in charitable funds to help finance a film that he produced.

During Christensen’s 2008 primary campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives, he allegedly “loaned” himself $278,000. Of that sum, $94,500 has been traced back to accounts owned by the charity, and investigators say they have reason to believe that the entire amount came from the charity. That loan has yet to be repaid.

People Against Drugs’ 2005 tax forms indicate the defendants spent millions of charitable dollars on vehicle parts, drivers, mechanics and other Green Light Racing-related expenditures. Christensen justified those expenses by claiming that the trucks advertised his anti-drug message, despite the fact that the charity’s decal was roughly three to four inches in diameter.

In addition to being a team owner, Christiansen made six career NCTS starts as a driver in 2001, with a best finish of 30th at Memphis Motorsports Park.

Things Are Looking Bleak At DEI

This has not been a good month for Dale Earnhardt Inc., and it appears to be getting worse by the minute.

Sirius NASCAR Radio's Sirius Speedway first reported last week that the U.S. Army is examining it options for 2009 and beyond, and could leave DEI for another team. Lead driver Martin Truex, Jr., still has not agreed to the provisions of a 2009 contract extension, and now, published reports have Mark Martin leaving DEI to drive for Hendrick Motorsports next season.

Martin has split time with Aric Almirola in each of the last two seasons at DEI, but has reportedly been enticed to return to full-time competition in 2009, replacing Casey Mears in the #5 Chevrolet. DEI Vice President of Motorsports Operations John Story declined to comment on the reports yesterday, but did confirm that Almirola will run a full, 36-race championship schedule next season.

"Aric is ready for a full-time ride," he said. “We're talking to Mark about what his objectives for the future are, and trying to marry that with our own, to make sure Aric has an opportunity to run full time next year… and that Mark is in a good situation."

Mears has one year left on his contract with Hendrick Motorsports, but has only one Top-5 and three Top-10 finishes in 16 starts, en route to 24th place in points. Rick Hendrick said of Mears yesterday, "I'm committed to him right now. I'm committed to him making that car run better right now."

DEI’s Story also confirmed yesterday that the team is still looking for a sponsor for the #01 Chevrolet driven by Regan Smith, and that if no financial backing is found, plans are in place to cut back to three cars. Story did not specify whether the move would come before the end of this season.

In a related story, ESPN’s Angelique Chengelis reported yesterday that the Army sponsorship is likely to move from DEI to Bill Davis Racing's #23 Toyota next season. That report has been denied by several sources, however, and Sirius Speedway has learned that Red Bull Racing is actually a leading candidate for the Army deal.

Red Bull General Manager Jay Frye first brought the Army sponsorship to NASCAR during his tenure at MB2 Motorsports, and is said to be in serious discussions to secure that sponsorship once again in 2009. There is no word on whether the Army would replace Red Bull as sponsor of either Brian Vickers or AJ Allmendinger next season, or if a third car will be added to the team for former Formula One and current NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series star Scott Speed.

No Drags At NHMS: Published reports late last week that Bruton Smith is considering building an NHRA-sanctioned dragstrip at New Hampshire Motor Speedway appear to be false.

The Speedway Motorsports Inc. Chairman was reported to be talking with NHRA executives about building a strip in Loudon, N.H., similar to the one currently being constructed a Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte. NHMS Executive Vice President and General Manager Jerry Gappens flatly denied that report, however, saying that there have been no discussions about a drag strip at NHMS, and that an agreement with the Town of Loudon expressly prohibits drag racing.

If past history is any guide, expect Smith to threaten to move NHMS to a neighboring county within the next few days, if the Loudon town fathers refuse to approve his dragstrip plans.

It's been done before...

Kalitta Killed In Horrific E-Town Crash

Two-time NHRA PowerAde Top Fuel champion Scott Kalitta died Saturday from multiple injuries suffered in a high-speed Funny Car crash during qualifying for the Lucas Oil NHRA SuperNationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, NJ.

Kalitta suffered an engine explosion late in his fourth and final qualifying pass, and the flames from the resulting fire consumed virtually all of his parachutes. The car impacted at high speed at the end of the quarter-mile strip, necessitating a lengthy extraction by NHRA emergency personnel. He was transported to nearby Old Bridge Township Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Kalitta, the son of legendary driver and team owner Connie “The Bounty Hunter” Kalitta, was one of only 14 NHRA drivers to win races in both Top Fuel and Funny Car. In addition to his back-to-back World Top Fuel championships in 1994 and 1995, he won 18 career races, including his final victory in Chicago in 2005. He lost in the finals two weeks ago at that same track, in his 36th NHRA final-round appearance.

Kalitta’s career had been on-and-off since 1997, including two long retirements prompted at least in part by concern over the safety of Top Fuel racing. He sat out most of two seasons beginning in 1997, then came out of retirement for a partial season in 1999. A second, three-year retirement ended when he returned to the family race team as a teammate to his cousin, Doug Kalitta.

Scott was a guest on Sirius Speedway a number of times in recent seasons, and was unfailingly insightful, upbeat and humble about the sport and his place in it. He was gregarious and outgoing at times, but had a "game face" as intense and unflinching as any in sports. Some saw him as gruff or aloof on race day; mistaking his intensity for arrogance. His zest for life off the racetrack (and his impregnable focus on it) had a lot to do with paternal genetics. Like his father, Scott could be a man of few words. But when he spoke, you knew you were getting the staight scoop, straight from the heart and unvarnished. Scott was an eloquent spokesman for the sport of drag racing, and an outstanding representative for one of that sport's most beloved families.

Our good friend and former NHRA PowerAde Funny Car champion Gary Scelzi spoke for many Saturday, saying, “I say a prayer every time I get in the car (for drivers who have perished in racing crashes). I have way too many names on that list, and I had to add Scott Kalitta today. I wish I didn't.”

Kalitta is survived by his father; his wife, Kathy; and sons Corey, 14, and Colin, eight. Scott Kalitta was 46 years of age.

Dillon Out Of Santerre's NCWSE Ride

NASCAR Camping World East Series point leader Austin Dillon has left the Andy Santerre Motorsports team, and will race in next weekend’s event at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in a Chevrolet fielded by his family’s Team Dillon Racing.

The grandson of NASCAR team owner Richard Childress ran the first four races of the year with Andy Santerre Motorsports, winning the season-opener at Greenville-Pickens Speedway when teammate and apparent winner Peyton Sellers was stripped of his victory for illegal shock absorbers. He finished sixth in the US Cellular 200 at Iowa Speedway, second in the Strutmasters.com 150 at South Boston, and 12th last weekend after a last-lap crash on the road course at Watkins Glen. He currently leads Brian Ickler by 55 points in the championship standings.

The 18-year old Dillon confirmed the split to the Boston Herald this week, saying, "This is more convenient for us. Now we're getting exactly what we want for our race program. We weren't as prepared at the racetrack as we wanted to be."

Santerre – a multi-time series champion as both a driver and car owner -- was testing today at Motor Mile Speedway in Radford, Va., and unavailable for comment. The ASM website has been purged of any mention of Dillon.