Jeff Hood, Senior Writer
Jeff Hood wrote for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution from Oct. 2003 through March 2009. He covered NASCAR for the AJC from 2005 through 2008 and had a weekly NASCAR-theme radio show on WMOQ 92.3 FM in Monroe, Ga. from 1999 through 2005. In addition, Jeff wrote press releases and handled the P.A. for Lanier National Speedway in Braselton, Ga. from 1998 through 2004.
Articles by Jeff Hood
TALLADEGA, Ala. – Conventional wisdom would indicate Sunday’s Aaron’s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway is the perfect weekend for Dale Earnhardt Jr. to snap a 138-race winless streak.
But his Hendrick Motorsports teammate, Jimmie Johnson, takes a different stance on the driver who has scored five of his 18 career wins at the 2.66-mile trioval.
“I think (Earnhardt’s) [...]
By Jeff Hood | Senior Writer
RacinToday.com
KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Following Sunday’s STP 400, the racing surface at Kansas Speedway will join the growing list of NASCAR tracks experiencing a facelift.
In 2011, Phoenix International Raceway was completely revamped. Speedways in Michigan and Pocono recently received a fresh coat of asphalt.
Officials at Bristol Motor Speedway are scheduled [...]
By Jeff Hood | Senior Writer
RacinToday.com
ROCKINGHAM, N.C. – Following an eight year absence, NASCAR has officially returned to the track known as “the Rock.”
A total of 42 drivers in NASCAR’s Camping World Truck Series hope to be part of history Saturday afternoon when the 36-truck field for Sunday’s Good Sam Roadside Assistance 200 is set [...]
By Jeff Hood | Senior Writer
RacinToday.com
MARTINSVILLE, Va. – NASCAR returns to Martinsville Speedway this weekend, the site of defending Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart’s remarkable pass around five-time Cup champ Jimmie Johnson during the closing moments of last fall’s 500 lap event here.
Following a late-race restart, Stewart accomplished a rare feat by making the [...]
By Jeff Hood | Senior Writer
RacinToday.com
MARTINSVILLE, Va. – Who is John King?
Five weeks ago, the unknown rookie from Tennessee showed up at Daytona just hoping to log laps during the season opener for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in his eighth career start.
On Friday, he was still walking on air as he sat before [...]
By Jeff Hood | Senior Writer
RacinToday.com
BRISTOL, Tenn. – It was business as usual during Saturday morning’s NASCAR Nationwide Series drivers’ meeting at Bristol Motor Speedway as drivers, crew chiefs, team owners, race and track officials, sponsors, dignitaries and media gathered in a small conference room just inside Turn 3.
There was little fanfare as Nationwide Series [...]
By Jeff Hood | Senior Writer
RacinToday.com
NASCAR team owner Robby Benton has decided to throw his hat into the political arena.
The 32-year-old Benton, who fields the No. 09 Toyotas in the NASCAR Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series, is one of five Republican candidates vying for the District 41 state Senate seat in North Carolina.
The election [...]
The 2012 Daytona 500 will forever be remembered for Juan Pablo Motoya’s No. 42 Chevrolet suffering a mechanical failure under caution and slamming into a jet dryer.
The resulting ball of fire and lengthy cleanup that followed dominated Tuesday morning’s headlines. The incident also overshadowed Matt Kenseth’s victory in the Great American Race.
I’ve followed NASCAR closely [...]
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Engine temperatures continue to be a concern heading into Sunday’s Daytona 500.
A rule change designed to limit drivers from pushing fellow competitors for more than two laps has left engine temperatures approaching the danger point.
It’s resulted in a return to the pack racing that fans seem to favor.
But it’s also led [...]
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Robby Gordon parlayed earning a berth into this weekend’s Daytona 500 into a rare opportunity to hold court with the media on Thursday.
And the maverick racer didn’t disappoint when it came time to offer his opinion on a variety of topics.
Despite nailing down a starting position in NASCAR’s most prestigious event, [...]