A self-described “old-school racer,” Kurt Busch will attempt to become only the fourth driver to compete in IndyCar’s historic Indianapolis 500 and NASCAR’s 600-mile marathon in the same day over Memorial Day Weekend in May.
Busch, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion in 2004, will team with Andretti Autosport in a bid to qualify for his [...]
By John Sturbin | Senior Writer
RacinToday.com
Last time Tommy Johnson Jr. was employed fulltime as an NHRA Funny Car driver, Jay Leno had yet to retire the first time as host of “The Tonight Show.”
That was 2008, a lifetime in any form of professional motorsports. But the persistent Johnson has joined Don Schumacher Racing’s juggernaut for [...]
By Jim Pedley | Managing Editor
RacinToday.com
A year ago at this time, Shawn Langdon was a driver with things to prove. Important things. Things like proving he belonged on a Top Fuel team that had a championship-winning past.
This year heading into the coming weekend’s NHRA Mello Yellow drag racing series’ season-opening Winternationals, Langdon again has something [...]
By Jim Pedley | Managing Editor
RacinToday.com
NASCAR’s off season of change continued Tuesday with the unveiling of new procedures for issuing penalties. Also dealt with during a teleconference conducted by Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR executive vice president of racing operations, and Robin Pemberton, series vice president, competition and racing development, was the penalty-appeals processes.
O’Donnell said that impetus [...]
By John Sturbin | Senior Writer
RacinToday.com
Funny Car icon John Force says he would be willing to sit out the 2015 NHRA season in favor of daughter Brittany’s fledgling Top Fuel career if his current search for corporate funding falls short.
Brut Force on the sidelines would constitute the extreme worst-case scenario for both John Force Racing [...]
By Deb Williams | Senior Writer
RacinToday.com
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Throughout NASCAR’s history the sanctioning body has modified its point system when it felt necessary, but the new one announced Thursday is the most radical in the sport’s history.
To review, under the new structure winning is everything and consistency is irrelevant; points racing is eliminated. To win [...]
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – NASCAR Sprint Cup crew chief Trent Owens was only 4 months old when his father lost his life in a freak pit accident at Talladega.
That May 4 in the Winston 500 19-year-old Randy Owens was attempting to extinguish a fire in a left front wheel bearing on the No. 43 Dodge when [...]
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Most drivers and team owners reacted positively to NASCAR’s change in its Chase format for 2014, but there were still those who showed little enthusiasm, preferring to take a wait-and-see approach.
Denny Hamlin saw the new format as a way a person could miss a race due to a concussion and still [...]
By Deb Williams | Senior Writer
RacinToday.com
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – NASCAR executives confirmed Thursday what had been rumored and speculated on for several weeks – a major change in the Chase format that will emphasize winning throughout the season and make the season finale a winner-take-all event for the championship.
The new format expands the Chase field to [...]
The NASCAR Wire Service
A class of five new drivers was welcomed Wednesday night into the NASCAR Hall of Fame during an induction ceremony at the Charlotte Convention Center Crown Ballroom.
Engine builder Maurice Petty joined father Lee Petty, brother Richard Petty and cousin and Petty Enterprises crew chief Dale Inman as a member of the NASCAR [...]
By Deb Williams | Senior Writer
RacinToday.com
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – International businessman Roger Penske’s motorsports involvement has covered all major facets of the sport – driver, team and track owner – and he said Wednesday he believed NASCAR was headed in the right direction with its rule changes for 2014.
“Change is an important evolution. There is no [...]