Archive for February 16th, 2007

Sprague gives Toyota first Truck win at Daytona

Posted by on February 16th, 2007

Jack Sprague used a dramatic move on the final lap Friday night to give Toyota its first win at Daytona International Speedway.

Sprague and fellow Toyota driver Johnny Benson teamed up to close the gap on Travis Kvapil coming off the final turn, then Sprague shot to the outside while Benson dropped low to make it a three-truck race to the line.

Sprague won by a few feet, claiming the season-opening Craftsman Truck series race.

NASCAR

Childress cars searching for speed

Posted by on February 16th, 2007

Richard Childress Racing’s resurgence was the talk of Daytona Speedweeks last year.

This year, the RCR cars appear to be a little bit behind.

Jeff Burton and Kevin Harvick posted practice speeds outside the top 20 on Friday, and Clint Bowyer didn’t practice at all.

Burton, who sat on the Daytona 500 pole for RCR last year, hinted on Friday morning that he hoped the team could find him more horsepower for Sunday’s Daytona 500.

“We felt good about racing yesterday pretty well,” Burton said.

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Daytona 500 field at a glance

Posted by on February 16th, 2007

A glance at the drivers competing in the 2007 Daytona 500, listed by starting position:

1. David Gilliland, No. 38 M&M’s Ford Fusion, Robert Yates Racing:

Born: April 1, 1976

Hometown: Riverside, Calif.

Crew chief: Todd Parrott

Making first Daytona 500 start and second career start from the pole, providing a boost for Yates team. … Gave up chance to run for 2007 rookie of the year by running 15 races last year in place of Elliott Sadler. …

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Gordon trying to make history at Daytona

Posted by on February 16th, 2007

Jeff Gordon came to Daytona with a solid shot at tying Dale Earnhardt’s mark of 76 career victories.

Then his Chevrolet failed inspection.

To tie the mark Gordon must do what no driver ever has done before - win the Daytona 500 from the 42nd starting position. Bobby Allison holds the record, coming back from 33rd to win NASCAR’s biggest race in 1978.

Gordon knows it won’t be easy.

“You’ve got to avoid the obstacles that lie in the way. You’ve got to make sure you don’t create a wreck.

NASCAR

Rudd wins Sirius in-car-audio fan vote

Posted by on February 16th, 2007

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — When NASCAR Nation talks, Sirius Satellite Radio listens.

NASCAR’s official satellite radio provider announced tonight that Ricky Rudd was voted by fans to be the “Fan’s Choice” broadcast for Sunday’s Daytona 500.

More than 10,000 fans cast their votes at www.sirius.com/driver2crew this week.  As the top vote-getter, Rudd’s …

NASCAR

Speed Reading: Cheating nothing new at Daytona

Posted by on February 16th, 2007

This week’s rules violations are nothing new to the Great American Race. In fact, Ryan McGee recalls a year in which several top drivers were caught in a web of deceit. And it ended up being just a footnote to a classic race.

NASCAR

NASCAR Busch-Orbitz300 Lineup

Posted by on February 16th, 2007

Gibbs’ Almirola wins second Busch pole

Posted by on February 16th, 2007

Aric Almirola outran Jason Leffler on Friday to grab his second NASCAR Busch Series pole in his 10th attempt - and this time he’ll race, too.

The 22-year-old Hispanic driver won his first pole last June in Milwaukee, sitting in for Nextel Cup star Denny Hamlin, who was qualifying the same day in Sonoma, Calif.

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It will take more than record losses and massive staff cutbacks to push Ford out of NASCAR.

After a company record $12.7 billion loss in 2006 and a planned staff reduction of 40,000 this year, racing boss Dan Davis admitted he was nervous about getting the estimated $20 million racing budget for nine full-time Cup cars approved.

“But there was no problem,” he said. “This is something that the people at the top levels of the company believe is a positive force for Ford.

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