2011 NASCAR Season News, Rumors, and Stats

[bradk12fan]

I know that I haven't been posting and results for this season as of yet, but I will start, and catch up next week. In the mean time, there's been some controversy in the Nationwide Series:

Jennifer Jo Cobb refuses to race after being told 10 minutes before the race that she would be starting and parking. Team owner Rick Russell disputes JJC's claims:

Cobb, 2nd Chance Motorsports split: Jennifer Jo Cobb was scheduled to start Saturday's Nationwide race 41st but when the command to start was made, Cobb was not in the #79 car. She refused to drive it after she said team owner Rick Russell told her he wanted her to start and park just before the race began. Here's what Jennifer Jo Cobb said about the situation: "There were rumblings all week about our team starting and parking. I have made a commitment to my sponsors, my fans and NASCAR that I'm not a start-and-park driver. I'm really serious about this. I have to work hard to prove to people that I'm serious about this. The conversation was never had with me until 10 minutes before the race started that I was to start and park. I had already bought & tires to run this race, so you can imagine, it was a blow both to my principles and my finances to hear this. As the owner of this team, he has the right to ask NASCAR to black flag me and said he would do so. After thinking about it & I tried to come up with a solution and there's also rumblings around town that he was going to surprise me and take me out of the car at California (next week). We have a five-race agreement that says that I'm racing for him and that's why I took the Nationwide points vs. the truck points. Because of the promises he's made, I've made decisions about my career and so 10 minutes before the race he told me not only am I starting and parking to save his car for California but that he would be replacing me as a driver in California and that he was the owner of the car and there was nothing (she) could do about it.
Car owner Rick Russell gives his side of what happened with Jennifer Jo Cobb before Saturday's race and what resulted. "Five minutes before the race, she took her crew and left. We had a crew meeting here on Friday morning and I explained to everyone what our purpose was here this weekend. In Vegas we destroyed a car through Kyle Busch's accident. We only had one car, so had to have the body completely replaced on the car except for the roof, decklid and rear bumper, so without a sponsor the total of about $16,000 about broke me to get this car together. We already had our entry in for here and California, so rather than try to roll this and lose this, we decided we'd come up here and I let everybody know we were here in a conservative mode. We would practice smart. We would qualify and we would make a few laps and then we would park the car and save it for California. She waited until five minutes until start time and told her crew chief and her other people that worked for her and they left. I'm sitting on pit road with a car without a driver and made myself look stupid, NASCAR look stupid, the whole bunch of us look stupid.'' Also, Rick Russell said that Tim Andrews will drive the team's car at California next weekend. (Hampton Roads)(3-19-2011)

http://msn.foxsports.com/nascar/story/NASCAR-female-racer-refuses-to-start-and-park-gets-replaced-at-Bristol

http://www.examiner.com/nascar-camping-world-truck-series-in-national/jennifer-jo-cobb-2nd-chance-motorsports-divorce-via-social-media-at-bristol

http://hamptonroads.com/2011/03/driver-refuses-start-nationwide-race-after-she-says-owner-ordered-her-start-and-park

Take your pick as to whether you believe Jennifer Jo Cobb, or if you believe team owner Rick Russell, but be sure that you read each side of the story before you decide.

[bradk12fan]

Some more articles on the ongoing Jennifer Jo Cobb vs. Rick Russell debacle:

http://www2.tricities.com/sports/2011/mar/19/sacco-patricks-performance-cobbs-defiance-should-w-ar-915806/

http://www.frontstretch.com/bjones/33179/

http://www.mikemulhern.net/DailyBriefing/jennifer-jo-cobb-i-wont-start-and-park

http://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/blog/from_the_marbles/post/Jennifer-Jo-Cobb-refuses-to-start-and-park-quit?urn=nascar-335504

[bpratt]

Without reading all those other articles you've linked to, I reckon that's a joke that you "start and park".

If you go to a race, you go to race to the end of the race, you don't simply do a couple of laps, then pack away a car that is still in full working order.

Teams that do this "start and park" should be fined very heavily, as it makes it a joke.

[bradk12fan]

Without reading all those other articles you've linked to, I reckon that's a joke that you "start and park".

If you go to a race, you go to race to the end of the race, you don't simply do a couple of laps, then pack away a car that is still in full working order.

Teams that do this "start and park" should be fined very heavily, as it makes it a joke.

Well, Jennifer Jo Cobb refused to drive for Rick Russell after he ordered her to start and park, and now there's a huge he said, she said debate going on

[Oldtony]

The Russell team should be canned for "Bringing the series into disrepute" if that was the intention.
A starting money special that you know is going to fail during the race is one thing, but "start and park" is defrauding the paying fans.

[bradk12fan]

Fan voting for drivers to get a free spot into the 2011 NASCAR All-Star race has begun:

http://www.nascar.com/promos/allstar/2011/index.html

I don't know about you guys, but I'm voting for Brian Vickers, he had a rough year last year and deserves the support.

[Mothers Worry]

Thanks Brad. Let's get to voting!

[Edit]My vote is in; no guesses as to who I voted for. [/Edit]

[bradk12fan]

2012 NASCAR Hall of Fame nominees announced:

Nominees announced for 2012 NASCAR Hall of Fame Class: NASCAR announced the list of 25 nominees for the NASCAR Hall of Fame’s third induction class to be enshrined in January 2012. From that list, five inductees will be elected by the NASCAR Hall of Fame Voting Panel, which includes a nationwide fan vote on NASCAR.COM.
Of the 25 nominees, 20 return from last year’s group. Five are first-timers: H. Clay Earles, Bobby Isaac, Cotton Owens, Les Richter and Leonard Wood.
This round of nominees, which again includes many of the sport’s legendary names, were selected by a 21-person nominating committee consisting of representatives from NASCAR, the NASCAR Hall of Fame and track owners from both major facilities and historic short tracks. The committee’s votes were tabulated by accounting firm Ernst & Young.
The NHOF’s inductees will be determined by the Voting Panel, which has 54 members – the entire Nominating Committee, media members, manufacturer representatives, retired competitors (drivers, owners, crew chiefs) and recognized industry leaders. In addition, the fan vote will result in the Voting Panel’s 55th and final ballot. Fan voting on NASCAR.COM opens on April 28 and closes June 12.
Following are the 25 nominees, listed alphabetically:
* Buck Baker,first driver to win consecutive NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series championships (1956-57)
* Red Byron, first NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series champion, in 1949
* Richard Childress, 11-time car owner champion in NASCAR’s three national series
* Jerry Cook, six-time NASCAR Modified champion
* H. Clay Earles, founder of Martinsville Speedway
* Richie Evans,nine-time NASCAR Modified champion
* Tim Flock, two-time NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series champion
* Rick Hendrick, 13-time car owner champion in NASCAR’s three national series
* Jack Ingram, two-time NASCAR Busch (now Nationwide) Series champion
* Dale Inman, eight-time NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series championship crew chief
* Bobby Isaac, 1970 NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series champion
* Fred Lorenzen, 26 wins and winner of the Daytona 500 and World 600
* Cotton Owens, driver-owner, won 1966 owner championship with David Pearson
* Raymond Parks, NASCAR’s first champion car owner
* Benny Parsons, 1973 NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series champion
* Les Richter, former NASCAR executive; former president of Riverside International Raceway
* Fireball Roberts, won 33 NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series races, including the 1962 Daytona 500
* T. Wayne Robertson, helped raise NASCAR popularity as R.J. Reynolds Senior VP
* Herb Thomas, first two-time NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series champion, 1951, ’53
* Curtis Turner, early personality, called the “Babe Ruth of stock car racing”
* Darrell Waltrip, 84 wins and three NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series championships
* Joe Weatherly, two-time NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series champion
* Glen Wood, as driver, laid foundation for Wood Brothers’ future team success
* Leonard Wood, part-owner and former crew chief for Wood Brothers, revolutionized pit stops
* Cale Yarborough, three consecutive NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series titles, 1976-78
The Class of 2012 will be announced live on SPEED on June 14 at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, N.C and inducted next January. The 2011 class, which includes David Pearson, Bobby Allison, Ned Jarrett, Lee Petty, and Bud Moore will be enshrined at the NASCAR Hall of Fame on Monday, May 23. The 21-person Nominating Committee, as well as the additional 34 members who make up the Voting Panel, are as follows...
NOMINATING COMMITTEE
NASCAR Hall of Fame: Executive Director Winston Kelley; Historian Buz McKim.
NASCAR Officials: Chairman/CEO Brian France; Vice Chairman Jim France; Senior Vice President Paul Brooks; President Mike Helton; Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton; Senior Vice President of Racing Operations Steve O'Donnell; Competition Administrator Jerry Cook; former Vice President Ken Clapp.
Track Owners/Operators: International Speedway Corporation CEO Lesa Kennedy; Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell; Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage; Atlanta Motor Speedway President Ed Clark; former Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Tony George; Dover Motorsports CEO Denis McGlynn; Pocono Raceway owner Doc Mattioli; Bowman Gray Stadium operator Dale Pinilis; Riverhead Raceway operators Jim and Barbara Cromarty (1 vote); Toyota Speedway at Irwindale operator Jim Williams; Rockford Speedway owner Jody Deery.
VOTING PANEL
The Voting Panel consists of the above 21-member Nominating Committee and the following 34 representatives.
National Motorsports Press Association: Rea White, NMPA President; Kenny Bruce, SceneDaily.com; Dustin Long, Landmark Newspapers; Nate Ryan, USA Today; Jenna Fryer, Associated Press; Jim Pedley, RacinToday.com; NASCAR.COM representative TBD.
Eastern Motorsports Press Association: Ernie Saxton, EMPA President.
American Auto Racing Writers & Broadcasters Association: Dusty Brandel, AARWBA President.
Broadcasters: Mike Joy, FOX; Jerry Punch, ESPN; Kyle Petty, TNT; Barney Hall, MRN; Doug Rice, PRN; Rick Allen, SPEED; Dave Moody, Sirius NASCAR Radio.
Manufacturers: Chevrolet – Jim Campbell, former General Manager; Ford – Edsel B. Ford II, Board of Directors; Toyota – Lee White, President/General Manager, Toyota Racing Development USA.
Retired Drivers: Harry Gant; Ned Jarrett; Richard Petty; Ricky Rudd.
Retired Car Owners: Bud Moore; Cotton Owens; Junior Johnson.
Retired Crew Chiefs: Barry Dodson; Waddell Wilson; Buddy Parrott.
Industry leaders:Former Charlotte Motor Speedway President Humpy Wheeler; retired Associated Press writer Mike Harris; former motor sports journalist Tom Higgins; former broadcaster Ken Squier.
Fan Vote.(NASCAR)(4-19-2011)

from jayski.com

[Mothers Worry]

Thanks Brad.

Keep that good stuff coming Mr. NASCAR!

[bradk12fan]

Mark Martin to run the #25 at the All-Star race, Jimmie Johnson in the #5????:

Farmers Insurance to sponsor Martin: Farmers Insurance has joined Hendrick Motorsports as a five-race primary sponsor of the Chevys driven by Mark Martin in the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, with plans to kick off the relationship by fielding a special "throwback" paint scheme. The agreement secures primary placement for Farmers Insurance in five events and associate-level sponsorship on Martin's cars throughout the remainder of this season. The NASCAR team sponsorship is the first for Los Angeles-based Farmers since February 2009, when it executed a one-race program at Fontana, CA.
At the May 21 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, Farmers Insurance will launch its program with a special #25 Farmers Insurance Throwback Chevy. The paint scheme will resemble the red #25 cars fielded by Hendrick Motorsports for the first time in 1986 -- 25 years ago. That season, the combination of driver Tim Richmond and crew chief Harry Hyde won seven races and eight pole positions.
Returning to his customary car number, Martin also will drive the #5 Farmers Insurance Chevy in four points-paying Sprint Cup Series races: June 5 at Kansas, June 12 at Pocono, June 26 at Infineon Raceway and Aug. 27 at Bristol. "We're excited about this new partnership with Farmers and the opportunity to represent its nearly 24,000 employees and more than 50,000 agents," said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. "It's an innovative company with very strong corporate values, and I'm confident that we'll continue to work together for a long time to come. When you have a partner that's essentially new to the sport, kicking off a program with a nod to the past is a unique approach. The #25 was my dad's car, and it's always held a special place in our history. Farmers choosing this paint scheme for its first race with Mark and Hendrick Motorsports means a lot, and I think our fans will really like it."(Hendrick Motorsports), see an image on the #5 Team Schemes page.(4-20-2011)

Johnson to run the #5 in All-Star race? hearing Jimmie Johnson will run the #5 Lowe's car in the All Star Race to promote a special promotion for Lowe's 5% discount for using their credit cards. Could be one reason Mark Martin is running the #25 in the event. Have seen nothing to confirm this yet or any images.(4-20-2011)

from jayski.com

[bradk12fan]

I know I'm still behind with the results, I just haven't had as much time lately as I used too.

Bayne hospitalized:

Bayne undergoing tests; will not race at Richmond: UPDATES: Roush Fenway's Trevor Bayne has been hospitalized and is undergoing tests for symptoms that are thought to be related to the insect bite he sustained earlier this month. "Trevor was not feeling well early this week and he is currently being evaluated for lingering symptoms that may be related to his previous insect bite," said Roush Fenway president Steve Newmark. "Unfortunately Trevor will not be available to drive the #16 Ford for us this weekend in the Nationwide race at Richmond. As of now, our plans are to use a substitute driver from the Roush Fenway family of drivers in place of Trevor at Friday night's race. Obviously Trevor wanted to be in Richmond and he's upset about not being able to compete. However, his health is our top priority and we insisted that he have these tests to get to the botto of his symptoms," added Newmark. "We will work to provide you with further updates as they become available."(RFR)(4-28-2011)
UPDATE: Chris Buescher will drive the #16 Ford in place of Bayne at Richmond.(4-28-2011)
UPDATE 2: Bayne no longer believes an insect bite is behind the symptoms that have landed him in the hospital. "Still at the hospital!" Bayne posted on Twitter on Saturday night. "Don't think its related to the bite ... But we'll see!" Roush Fenway Racing announced Thursday that Bayne had been hospitalized to be tested for symptoms that were believed to be from an insect bite in early April. Team owner Jack Roush told the Motor Racing Network that Bayne has been hospitalized at the Mayo Clinic. The team has released very few details about the 20-year-old, and has not said how long he's been hospitalized (Associated Press)(5-1-2011)

from jayski.com

[SLE355]

Heres a question for you bradk12fan, Nascar Now has just started on ESPN2 over here this week which is great, theres been talk about the Montoya/Newman incident and the tantrums from kurt Busch and Truex but not one word has been said about JJ taking out Logano?? You'd have expected that after the race they would have had a microphone in Logano's face asking what he thought.

[bradk12fan]

Heres a question for you bradk12fan, Nascar Now has just started on ESPN2 over here this week which is great, theres been talk about the Montoya/Newman incident and the tantrums from kurt Busch and Truex but not one word has been said about JJ taking out Logano?? You'd have expected that after the race they would have had a microphone in Logano's face asking what he thought.

Well, on tv, no one really said anything, but on the radio, specifically MRN (Motor Racing Network),  they did interview Joey, and he said that he felt like he was taken out, but also admitted that Johnson probably got loose, and got into him

[bradk12fan]

Also, Trevor Bayne will most likely NOT be back for Darlington, Chris Buescher will fill-in for him if need be. It's being kept 'hush-hush' but Bayne most likely has either Lyme Disease or MS. If it's MS, his career is over.

[bradk12fan]

Montoya, Newman feud continues:

Montoya, Newman fued continues at Darlington: UPDATE: Tempers were still raging Friday between #42-Juan Pablo Montoya and #39-Ryan Newman, who had a heated discussion at Darlington Raceway about an extended on-track feud. Newman, asked if he hit Montoya during what sources called a heated session inside the NASCAR hauler, said, "That's speculation." Asked the same question Montoya said, "I don't know. Ask him." Both drivers tried to downplay their latest flare-up in their morning media sessions, but a later meeting moderated by NASCAR did not go well. The two were called in to discuss their actions last Saturday night at Richmond, where Newman wrecked Montoya early in the race, and Montoya later retaliated by intentionally crashing Newman. "We did have a meeting with both Ryan and Juan relative to their incident, and we made it clear to them that this is their final warning. We also made it clear to them that we will be watching them very closely," NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp said. "The meeting did not go as well as we had hoped it would." NASCAR told the two drivers the discussion is not finished.(Associated Press/ESPN.com)(5-6-2011)
UPDATE: The Juan Pablo Montoya/Ryan Newman feud erupted Friday afternoon at Darlington Raceway. Sources tell FOXSports.com that an altercation broke out between the drivers in the NASCAR hauler, the sanctioning body's at-track office where private meetings can be held. One source told FOXSports.com that Montoya said after the incident that "Newman hits like a girl." When asked directly about the incident after his qualifying run Friday, Montoya said, "I'm not going to tell you s---. Let's leave it at that. What happened in the trailer was between me, Ryan Newman and NASCAR. That's it." Asked about whether Newman threw a punch, Montoya smiled and said, "That's just speculation. It was a private meeting; that's why we met in the hauler."(Fox Sports)(5-7-2011)

from jayski.com

[bradk12fan]

NASCAR teams to be allowed to use fuel injection during certain tests:

NASCAR says teams can use fuel injection at some tests: NASCAR told Sprint Cup teams Saturday that they can use fuel injection at NASCAR-sanctioned tests this season. The Cup series will switch from carburetors, used since the series' inception in 1949, to fuel injection next year. NASCAR told teams that they'll be allowed to test fuel injection at Kentucky in July - where teams will be given an extra day of practice since this will be the first Cup race there - at Goodyear tire tests, and at a test later this year on Phoenix's repaved surface. John Darby, Sprint Cup series director, also said that he would like to have additional fuel injection tests for all teams at a restrictor-plate track and a 1.5-mile track. A possibility is for teams to test at Talladega the day after the Cup race there in October and to a test at Charlotte Motor Speedway, since most teams are located near that 1.5-mile track, sometime this fall. Another option would be for teams to test in Daytona in January. Two years ago, teams did not test at Daytona, as part of NASCAR's testing ban. Last year, teams tested at Daytona because it had a new track surface. Fuel injection could allow Cup teams to test at Daytona in January for the second year in a row.(Virginian-Pilot)(5-8-2011)

from jayski.com

[bradk12fan]

Richard Childress punches Kyle Busch, RC fined:

Altercation between Busch & Childress: UPDATE 4 NASCAR penalizes Childress for actions at Kansas; RC issues statement: Multiple witnesses tell SPEED there was a physical confrontation between Richard Childress and Kyle Busch after today's NASCAR Truck Series race..RCR driver Joey Coulter and Kyle battled for position..Kyle hit Coulter's truck on the cool-down lap..multiple sources say Childress took matters into his own hands...developing details on SPEED Center tonight at 8:30 ET after the Rolex race.(Facebook-SPEED Center)(6-4-2011)
UPDATE: None of the principals have confirmed it, but Ray Dunlap, pit reporter for SPEED, was confident in his sources to post a Twitter message that car owner Richard Childress and driver Kyle Busch had a physical altercation after Saturday's Camping World Truck Series race at Kansas Speedway. "There are some eyewitnesses, crew members who were there and another driver who were right there," Dunlap said Saturday night after he arrived home in Charlotte. "There were some punches thrown." Kerry Tharp, NASCAR director of communications for competition, said that NASCAR officials were investigating the reports. The source of Childress' frustration was Busch's damaging the right side of rookie Joey Coulter's truck during the cool-down lap after Coulter, who finished fifth for Childress' team, bumped Busch's car while the two battled for position on the final lap. "His fender must have got caught in there and tore a bunch of the truck up," Dunlap said. "Richard was aggravated about the fact (Busch) had caused damage postrace, when it wasn't a racing accident, it was stupidity." Dunlap said Childress, 65, went to Busch's garage with the intention of talking to him, but "what my friends who were there told me, said Kyle lipped off to him, and said, 'Don't worry about it old man,' or something like that, and that really fired him up. Apparently Childress had him in a headlock," Dunlap said, "and there were multiple punches thrown & but I don't know if he was hitting him in the face or in the back of the head or what, but they said for sure, it was physical, he did throw physical punches." Dunlap, who conducts the victory lane interviews, said he did not see any incidents on pit road. "That's where it usually happens, guys jump out of the truck and have their words there," he said, "but this spilled back into the garage, obviously."(Kansas City Star)6-5-2011)
UPDATE 2: "NASCAR has reviewed the incident involving Richard Childress and Kyle Busch after the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race Saturday at Kansas Speedway. We have met with all parties involved and have determined what happened yesterday is unacceptable and will not be tolerated by NASCAR. Richard Childress's actions were not appropriate and fell far short of the standard we expect of owners in this sport. We have met with Childress this morning and made our position very clear to him. Further, we expect he will make it clear to all in his organization to ensure this situation does not escalate any further. We will announce our actions regarding this incident Monday. Kyle Busch remains on probation with NASCAR and we continue to watch his actions carefully. However, we have determined that Kyle's involvement in this incident does not violate his probation and no further action is required."(NASCAR PR)(6-5-2011)
UPDATE 3: NASCAR has fined owner Richard Childress $150,000 and placed him on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31 for violating Section 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing -- involved in an altercation in the garage area) of the 2011 NASCAR rule book. The violation occurred following the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race June 4 at Kansas Speedway. The probation includes all NASCAR-sanctioned events. STATEMENT FROM NASCAR: The penalty we have announced today for Richard Childress reflects NASCAR's response to the incident at Kansas Speedway on Saturday. We feel this action is appropriate and are confident all parties involved understand our position on this matter and will move forward appropriately.(NASCAR Integrated Marketing PR)(6-6-2011)
UPDATE 4: The following is a statement by Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing, regarding the penalty announced today by NASCAR regarding an incident he was involved in June 4 incident at Kansas Speedway: First of all, I'm responsible for my actions, plain and simple. As you know, I am a very principled person and have a passion for what we do at Richard Childress Racing. I believe passionately in defending my race teams and my sponsor partners. In this instance, I let that passion and my emotions get the best of me. I accept the penalty NASCAR announced today and, as a company, we will now focus on this week's races at Pocono Raceway and Texas Motor Speedway.(Richard Childress Racing PR)(6-6-2011)

from jayski.com

[Bowyang]

Perhaps we need to introduce Richard Childress to  the DUD ,  Kyle needs an attitude adjustment and so does the DUD