RacinToday.com
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.  – NASCAR’s list of eligible competitors for the 2012 Budweiser Shootout covers a timeline from reigning Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart to former Daytona 500 winner Derrike Cope.
The 34th annual season-opening event launches Speedweeks at the 2.5-mile Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, Feb. 18, with start time set for 8:10 p.m. (EST). [...]

By Jim Pedley | Managing Editor
RacinToday.com
Sprint Cup Series team owner/driver Tony Stewart has been reunited with Greg Zipadelli, the crew chief with whom he won the 2002 and 2005 series championships.
Zipadelli on Friday was released from his contract with Joe Gibbs Racing and was quickly hired by Stewart to serve as competition director at Stewart-Haas [...]

NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Tony Stewart was named winner of the 2011 Driver of the Year Award today.
Stewart, the 2011 Cup champion, was awarded the honor by a panel of leading motorsports journalists and broadcasters.
Stewart, co-owner with Gene Haas of the Stewart-Haas Racing team for which he drives, also was the leading vote-getter in balloting [...]

RacinToday.com
Scott Speed has joined Leavine Family Racing for a limited 15-race NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule for 2012 in the No. 95 Ford Fusion.
A veteran of all three of NASCAR’s premier national touring series, Speed joins Leavine Family Racing after making 13 Sprint Cup starts with Whitney Motorsports in the No. 46 Ford.
Speed will be [...]

By Jim Pedley | Managing Editor
RacinToday.com
Race fans, it’s an Adjective Day…
Curious – A lot of signs point to the hiring of David Ragan by Penske Racing. The job, of course, being to take the place of Kurt Busch in the No. 22 Dodge.
And a good job it is: The previous driver was in the Chase [...]

Joe Gibbs Racing announced that Darian Grubb has been named crew chief for Denny Hamlin and his No. 11 FedEx Toyota NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team.
“Darian is a great addition to our organization and person to lead our No. 11 FedEx team,” said Joe Gibbs, owner of Joe Gibbs Racing. “Obviously he has proven the [...]

Larry Woody | Senior Writer
RacinToday.com
In most pro sports an athlete’s popularity rating is determined by his success. He’s adored when he’s winning and scorned – or at least ignored – when he’s losing.
NASCAR fans aren’t like that. They stick by their favorite drivers through fair weather and foul, through good times and bad. Dale Earnhardt [...]

RacinToday.com
Joe Gibbs Racing announced that Mike Ford has been released from his duties as crew chief for its No. 11 Sprint Cup Series team.
“Everyone at Joe Gibbs Racing appreciates what Mike has done for our organization over the past six seasons as crew chief with our No. 11 team,” said Joe Gibbs, owner of Joe [...]

By Jim Pedley | Managing Editor
RacinToday.com
A couple of years back, an old friend in racing suddenly disappeared from a job he had landed with the team for which Kurt Busch was driving.
When next I ran into that person, an old racing hand who been through the wars, I asked; what up?
The normally low-key guy pulled [...]

Michael Waltrip Racing announced Monday that Brian Pattie will serve as crew chief for Clint Bowyer’s No.15 5-hour ENERGY Toyota Camry in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series beginning in 2012.
“Brian is someone whose been on our radar for a very long time,” said Waltrip. “He brings a strong technical background, along with great leadership and [...]