Daytona 500 Quick FactsThere are more Toyota’s than Fords this year 9 versus 7First pays about 1.4 millionTotal purse $18,689,238Last place pays a minimum $223865 but you have to make the race and 10 teams did not.In 1959 Lee Petty won $19050.00There is no Sponsor for the 50th running (I don’t know why)Coke will sponsor the July raceMichael Waltrip team will run gold wheels (who else but MW)This will be Dale Jarrett last 500Trisha Yearwood to Perform National Anthem at Daytona 500One person from a heart attack while driving the Richard Petty driving experienceThe 150 duel broadcast 157 of TV time including 51 minutes of commercials

Interesting picture for NASCAR fans [url”>http://www.gavelauction.com/upcoming.htm

Jimmy Johnson is the Champion for the final year of the NEXTEL reign and we send our congratulations to him. I still think he is either bending the rules or cheating but he is the Champ. [b”>90 DAYS TO DAYTONA[/b”>

You have got to be kidding Jimmy Johnson has won 4 in a row. He has got to be cheating. I was at the Daytona 500 a year ago when he was caught cheating and I really think he is again where is NASCAR I would think they would do a inspection of this car

will make the race#83-Brian Vickers, 131.349#10-Patrick Carpentier, 131.267#06-Sam Hornish, 131.062#27-Jacques Villenuve, 131.014#09-Sterling Marlin, 130.933#36-Johnny Benson, 130.757#78-Joe Nemechek, 130.738#21-Bill Elliott [has past champ prov to use”>, 128.411will miss the race:#84-A.J. Allmendinger, 130.572#55-Michael Waltrip, 130.364#4-Ward Burton, 129.538#49-John Andretti, 129.454#44-Dale Jarrett, 128.155#00-David Reutimann, 0.000Crew Chief NoteInteresting the 3 open wheel drivers are making the race while a couple of the good old NASCAR boys are watching. My man Blaney is starting 17 could be an interesting race. I wonder how long Jimmy Johnson & Jeff Gordon can run side by side and not wreck I feelsorry for Richard Childress He must have an ulcer by now of course look at the bucks he is raking in and next year he adds Jr to the mix.Three Indy 500 Champs in field – NOT the first time,,,not the 2nd time: With #06-Sam Hornish (36th), #42-Juan Pablo Montoya (14th) and Jacques Villeneuve (27th) making the field of the Checker Auto Parts 500(k) at Phoenix, it’s the first time three Indianapolis 500 winners will start a NASCAR race.(Indianapolis Star and many sources reported this fact)UPDATE: there have been at least two other NASCAR Cup races where 3 or 4 former Indy 500 winners made the same race:On October 10, 1976, three Indy 500 winners started the National 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway [now Lowe’s Motor Speedway”>Johnny Rutherford (Indy 500 winner in 1974 and 1976) finished 31st.A.J. Foyt (1961, 1964, 1967) finished 38th.Gordon Johncock (1973) finished 39th.And on January 19, 1964, in the Motor Trend 500 at Riverside [road course”>, there were four Indy 500 winners in the field:Troy Ruttman (1952) finished 10th.A.J. Foyt (1961) finished 21st.Parnelli Jones (1963) finished 32nd.Rodger Ward (1962) finished 38th.(researched at racing-reference.info).(11-10-2007) News source: Jayski

Two from Formula OneKimi RaikkonenMichael SchumacherOne From MotorcycleValentino RossiOne From NASCARJeff GordonThese were in the top 25 highest paid athletes Gordon being on the low end maybe I was wrong when I said the drivers were leaving open wheel for the money

Nationwide Series Begins with the 2008 season:NASCAR announced that Nationwide Insurance will become title sponsor of the NASCAR Nationwide Series, replacing Anheuser-Busch’s Busch brand at the start of the 2008 season. Nationwide Insurance will also become the official auto, home and life insurance provider of NASCAR.The seven-year agreement gives Nationwide Insurance the exclusive rights to tie its brand to the most popular form of motorsports in the U.S. Nationwide Insurance will enjoy the support of the most brand-loyal fans in all of sports, including 2.7 million who annually attend races of the series, which features 35 points events at 26 tracks across North America, including Mexico City and Montreal.“We are thrilled that we had the opportunity to select a partner in Nationwide Insurance who is as excited as NASCAR about taking the NASCAR Nationwide Series to even higher levels of popularity,” said NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France. “Nationwide Insurance is an ideal partner for NASCAR, advocating safe driving, and already serving millions of NASCAR fans with its auto, health, and life insurance. The company has a real passion for NASCAR, which will benefit our fans and all the participants in our industry.”“Nationwide is excited about this long-term partnership and recognizes that NASCAR has the most loyal and dedicated fan base of any sport,” said James Lyski, Chief Marketing Officer for Nationwide. “We look forward to putting tremendous energy and resources into supporting this sponsorship and advancing the profile of the NASCAR Nationwide Series.”The NASCAR Nationwide Series, broadcast on ESPN2 and ABC is stronger than ever. The series is the third highest-rated regular-season sport on cable television. Viewership in 2007 to date vs. 2000 is up 52%. The 2005 and 2006 seasons were the most viewed in series history.Nationwide Insurance, which will generate approximately $200 million in annual media exposure through its sponsorship, is already serving millions of NASCAR fans with auto, home, and life insurance. Nationwide Insurance has had a partnership with track operator Speedway Motorsports Inc., for the past eight years, providing “On Your Side” information guides, transportation services and fan pit stops.“Nationwide is a company that helps consumers plan for their futures, so they can achieve their dreams,” Lyski said. “The NASCAR Nationwide Series provides a unique environment for Nationwide to extend its On Your Side brand promise, not only to race fans, but to the next generation of outstanding NASCAR drivers pursuing their dreams of competing at the highest level.”NASCAR fans are more likely to feel loyal towards an insurance company that is a sponsor, according to the ESPN Sports Poll. Additionally, NASCAR fans are more likely to have automobiles, be homeowners, and have children in the household, according to Simmons National Consumer Survey research.(NASCAR PR)(10-3-2007) News source: Jayski

Ever since driving a simulator I have thought it would be cool to drive a Cup car but after watching Dale JRs(can’t spell the drivers name) car go for a ride down the wall in the Busch series race and watching Michael Waltrip spin around on fire I have changed my mind. Also Ricky Rudd has a injured shoulder. It was really hot in the cars and at my age I doubt if it would be enjoyable. I just don’t know why the drivers can’t show a little patience sure some of the non winning ones will see a spot and try to make a run but this is the exception. I think it is time for NASCR to raise the minimum speed required to stay on the track also how much car you have to have left to run it seems like it is always a slower car that is at the start of a wreck. I also thought the car of tomorrow was supposed to eliminate some of the aero problem and not take as much air off the other cars. It looks as if they solved the nose to tail problem of breaking the car loose but have made the side draft easier to take off the other car.

FONTANA, Calif. — Hey, in case you haven’t heard, Joe Gibbs Racing is switching to Toyota for the 2008 Cup season. Yes, the news conference announcing that is still scheduled for next week, but Kyle Busch rendered that exercise largely moot Friday at California Speedway.“We were just always kept in the loop on what exactly was going to happen with that and, when they finally made their decision, they went ahead and called us,” said Busch, who will drive for the No. 18 Gibbs team in 2008.Asked what that call was, Busch replied, “That they were going with Toyota.”Busch said he’s “pretty much OK with” the move.”It’s something more so that crew chiefs, the engineers and all those guys need to approve on,” Busch said. “Us drivers, it doesn’t matter what we’re driving.”Busch said he talked to Mark Cronquist, the head engine builder at Gibbs, about Toyota engines as Busch was considering where he would be going after leaving Hendrick Motorsports this year.“They brought Mark in because I had a bunch of questions about the motor stuff,” Busch said. “You know (Toyota’s) got a lot of questions in that area with the motors because they’ve got, supposedly, the top-end power, but they don’t have the bottom end and stuff like that.“Mark alluded to me that they feel like their package that they have in the Chevrolet engines, especially with the new R-7 stuff, that they can translate that into the Toyota stuff and, hopefully, have a pretty good piece come January.”Crew Chief note: Wonder what they offered Tony Stewart to walk away from GM. News source: Thats Racing

IROC Cars for sale: been told that IROC is selling their fleet of race cars which are race ready with engines and transmissions. All are painted white but can be decaled in the Crown Royal scheme if wanted. For more info contact info at officialraceshop.com.(8-30-2007)To bad Fathers day has come and gone I couldnt find a price if someone does please let me know not that I am going to buy one(unless I win the lottery) just curious