KANSAS CITY, Kan. – A freakily rare February lightening storm crawled into Kansas City on Friday morning. The big kind. The kind that kicks the danger factor of rush-hour traffic up to absurd. The kind that can worry pilots and close airports.
Not the kind, however, that was going to turn Lesa France Kennedy’s airplane around [...]
FEATURE STORY, NASCAR - Sprint Cup Series »
Woody: Danica Wriggles Way Into Daytona 500
Danica Patrick will drive in the Daytona 500 later this month, but did she take the back roads to get there? (RacinToday/HHP file photo by Christa L Thomas)
Larry Woody | Senior Writer
RacinToday.com
In the spirit of full disclosure, let me say that I’m glad Danica Patrick will be racing in this month’s Daytona 500.
I’ve always admired Danica’s sass, spunk and spirit, and following her endeavors will make the races she runs considerably more interesting.
Having said that, however, the way she got an automatic starting spot without having ever turned a competitive lap in a Sprint Cup race is absurd, and nudges NASCAR ever closer to the pro wresting precipice.
Here’s how it happened (I think):
Although Danica signed with Stewart-Hass Racing, she will run some Cup races for Tommy Baldwin Racing. Why? Because Baldwin’s team finished in the top 35 last year, and under NASCAR’s system it is therefore guaranteed a start spot in the first five races this season.
Presto! Putting Danica in Baldwin’s car – while employed by Stewart-Hass – gets her into the Daytona 500.
Last year’s top 35 are guaranteed starting spots in this season’s first five races, then the automatic starts revert to the top 35 in the current owner’s points.
Larry Woody | Senior Writer
RacinToday.com
In the spirit of full disclosure, let me say that I’m glad Danica Patrick will be racing in this month’s Daytona 500.
I’ve always admired Danica’s sass, spunk and spirit, and following her endeavors will make the races she runs considerably more interesting.
Having said that, however, the way she got an automatic [...]
RacinToday.com
Sports Car Racing Notes:
Scottish sportscar ace Marino Franchitti has been selected as the first driver for the unique DeltaWing program that will debut at this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Franchitti’s name was revealed today at the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) press conference that announced the entries for this year’s twice round-the-clock endurance classic.
Launched [...]
The Top Fuel-car canopy being developed by Don Schumacher Racing will be at this weekend’s Winternationals in Pomona, Calif., but it will not be on the DSR cars. That’s unfortunate, driver Tony Schumacher said Wednesday.
“I want (it) to be in that car right away,” Schumacher said.
The canopy, designed to protect drivers in Top Fuel, was [...]
RacinToday.com
Mark Lyle, long-time starter in NHRA’s Division 6 and a certified team member of the NHRA Safety Safari presented by AAA, has been named official NHRA Chief Starter, one of drag racing’s most storied positions. There have only been two chief starters in the sport’s 60-plus year history, Buster Couch (1955-1996) and Rick Stewart (1996-2011).
Beginning [...]
By John Sturbin | Senior Writer
RacinToday.com
John Force Racing will chase the NHRA Funny Car world championship with a four-car Ford Mustang lineup in 2012, a season featuring Courtney Force’s highly anticipated nitro debut.
But team-owner John Force, a 15-time Funny Car world champion, says as many as two Top Fuel cars – driven by daughters Brittany [...]
RacinToday.com
PHOENIX – Race fans and motorcycle enthusiasts will celebrate diversity during the 2nd Annual Checkered Flag Run to Phoenix International Raceway’s NASCAR Weekend on March 2-3. The exciting two-day event will include a ride to Phoenix International Raceway and an opportunity to enjoy the Bashas’ Supermarkets 200 NASCAR Nationwide Series Race.
“We [...]
Stewart-Haas Racing on Tuesday announced it has taken steps to ensure that Danica Patrick will race in next month’s Daytona 500.
SHR has entered into a collaborative partnership with Tommy Baldwin Racing where TBR will field the No. 10 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet Impala for all 10 of Danica Patrick’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races in 2012.
The alliance [...]
RacinToday.com
Former John Force Racing crew chief John Medlen said Tuesday that he will return to JFR in the new capacity of Director of Technology and Safety.
“I found out John Medlen became available over the weekend and I offered him a job to come back to work with us on safety,” team owner John Force said. [...]
By Jim Pedley | Managing Editor
RacinToday.com
The first big race of 2012 is history and, truly historical the Rolex 24-hour race was. Not to mention exciting and entertaining.
Some random thoughts about the 24, its cars, its drivers, its teams and its big moments.
– The race was devoid of mega NASCAR driving stars like Jimmie Johnson, Tony [...]
Formula 1 veteran Rubens Barrichello drove an Indycar on Monday and said afterward that he is unsure if the drive would lead him to a job in 2012 with the Indianapolis-based series.
“We’ll see,” said Barrichello, who drove a second car prepared by KV Racing Technology at Sebring International Raceway in Florida when asked if fans [...]
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NASCAR - Sprint Cup Series
- France Kennedy, ISC Bring Hollywood To Kansas
- Woody: Danica Wriggles Way Into Daytona 500
- Deal Assures Danica Spot In Daytona 500 Field
- Williams: Memories Of Media Tour Then And Now
- It Was A Week Of Loss For Racing
NASCAR - Nationwide Series
- Busch Brothers Team Up
- Earnhardt Jr. Is Proud Of His Star-Making Role
- Lucas Replaces Ratcliff at JGR
- Kurt Busch To Drive NNS For Phoenix
- Mark Martin To Drive For Gibbs In NNS
NASCAR - Camping World Trucks
- Ward Burton Returning To NASCAR
- Leffler To Drive Truck For Kyle Busch
- Reutimann To Go Truckin’
- Stewart Heads RacinToday.com 2011 All Pro Team
- Gaughan To Drive For Childress
INDYCAR
- Barrichello Testing Indycar
- Lotus Testing Picks Up Steam At Homestead
- Danica Patrick Says She Won’t Drive In Indy 500
- Oriol Servia To Drive For Dreyer & Reinbold
- Andretti Signs Hinchcliffe
NHRA
- Testing Of DSR’s Top Fuel Canopy Is Under Way
- NHRA Names New Chief Starter
- Force May Turn To Top Fuel, Another Daughter
- Medlen Returns To JFR
- John Force Says It’s ‘Game On’ For His ‘Baby Girl’
Sports Cars
- Sports Car Notes: Marino Franchitti In Delta Wing
- Pedley: Rolex A Great Watch As Season Begins
- Lally’s Late Pass Seals GT Win At 24
- Allmendinger Steps Up, Closes Door at Rolex
- Ford Riley’s Lead At 16-Hour Mark
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