NSCS Etc.
Homestead-Miami Milestones
A number of streaks are in jeopardy this week — none longer than Greg Biffle’s (No. 16 3 M Ford) run of six consecutive seasons with at least one victory.
Also needing a win at Homestead-Miami Speedway to preserve a streak is Jeff Burton (No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet), who has victories in three consecutive seasons. A runner-up finish in Sunday’s race at Phoenix suggests the Richard Childress Racing driver might be close.
Winless in 2009 after posting victories a year ago are defending Ford 400 winner Carl Edwards, Clint Bowyer (No. 33 Cheerios/Hamburger Helper Chevrolet), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (No. 88 National Guard/AMP Energy Chevrolet) and Ryan Newman (No. 39 Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet).
Kasey Kahne (No. 9 Budweiser Dodge) continues to chase a Coors Light Pole to extend his consecutive fast qualifying streak to six seasons.
Floridians In The Garage
From David Reutimann’s No. 00 Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota team: driver David Reutimann (Zephyrhills).
From Martin Truex Jr.’s No. 1 Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boats Chevrolet team: gas man Preston Cordell (Middleburg), and spotter Joey Meier (Marathon).
From Mark Martin’s No. 5 Kellogg’s/CARQUEST Chevrolet team: crew chief Alan Gustafson (Ormond Beach) and transport driver Dean Mozingo (Tampa).
From Casey Mears’ No. 07 Jack Daniel’s Chevrolet team: front tire changer Ryan Pepe (Orlando).
From Kasey Kahne’s No. 9 Budweiser Dodge team: crew chief Kenny Francis (Jacksonville).
From Greg Biffle’s No. 16 3M Ford team: pit support Bobby Bakeeff (Fort Lauderdale).
From Kyle Busch’s No. 18 M&Ms Toyota team: shock specialist Charlie Orr (Mountverde).
From Elliott Sadler’s No. 19 Best Buy Dodge team: mechanic Allen Mincey (Fort Lauderdale).
From Jeff Burton’s No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet team: media relations representative Christine Brownlow (Miami Springs).
From Ryan Newman’s No. 39 Stewart-Haas Chevrolet team: crew chief Tony Gibson (Daytona Beach); engine tuner Jay Nolan (Jacksonville); and driver support Jay Guarneri (Naples).
From Juan Pablo Montoya’s No. 42 Target Chevrolet: crew chief Brian Pattie (Zephyrhills); jack man Mark Jacobs (Fort Walton Beach) and spotter Tab Boyd (Pensacola).
From AJ Allmendinger’s No. 44 Ford Drive One Ford: spotter Shawn Reutimann (Zephyrhills).
From Scott Speed’s No. 82 Red Bull Toyota: mechanic Scott Kilbury (Fort Lauderdale).
Hendrick Nears Owner Record
Based upon owner championships won, Hendrick Motorsports is the New York Yankees of NASCAR.
Drivers in Rick Hendrick-owned cars and trucks have won 11 NASCAR national series titles. Either Jimmie Johnson or Mark Martin will add a record 12th championship on Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
The record currently is shared by Hendrick and Richard Childress Racing.
Four drivers — Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Terry Labonte and Jack Sprague — have won NASCAR national owner championships for Hendrick. Gordon, Johnson and Labonte won NASCAR Sprint Cup titles. Sprague is a three-time NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion.
Rick Hendrick’s NASCAR Championships
Yr. Driver Series
1995 Jeff Gordon Sprint Cup
1996 Terry Labonte Sprint Cup
1997 Jeff Gordon Sprint Cup
1997 Jack Sprague Camping World Trucks
1998 Jeff Gordon Sprint Cup
1998 Jack Sprague Camping World Trucks
2001 Jeff Gordon Sprint Cup
2002 Jack Sprague Camping World Trucks
2006 Jimmie Johnson Sprint Cup
2007 Jimmie Johnson Sprint Cup
2008 Jimmie Johnson Sprint Cup
2008 Jimmie Johnson Sprint Cup
or Mark Martin
Up Next: Champion’s Week Comes West, To California And Las Vegas
Champion’s Week heads west next month with activities beginning Sunday, Nov. 29 in San Diego where the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion will attend the NFL game between the hometown Chargers and the visiting Kansas City Chiefs.
On Monday, it’s on to Camp Pendleton, the West Coast home of the U.S. Marines, where the champion will meet with hundreds of service personnel. SIRIUS-XM personality Mojo Nixon will host the appearance.
Tuesday’s activities include an appearance before fans and ticket holders at Auto Club Speedway and visits to a number of West Coast-produced television shows.
Then it’s on to Las Vegas.
Wednesday’s Chasers for Charity and Roast is a first for Champion’s Week and takes place at Las Vegas Motor Speedway during afternoon and evening hours.
The awards trail begins in earnest on Thursday, Dec. 3 with such traditional activities as the NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers 2009 Awards ceremony at the Venetian Hotel.
That’s followed by the popular Victory Lap, which begins at 1 p.m. and this year follows the famous Las Vegas Strip. An additional activity — After the Lap Q&A — will be held at 4:30 p.m. in the Hollywood Theater at the MGM Grand.
Fast Facts
The Race: Ford 400
The Place: Homestead-Miami Speedway (1.5-mile banked oval)
The Date: Sunday, Nov. 22
The Time: 3:15 p.m. ET
Race Distance: 400.5 miles/267 laps
2008 Winner: Carl Edwards
2008 Polesitter: Jamie McMurray
Schedule: Friday: Practice, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Qualifying, 3:10 p.m. Saturday: Practice, 1:30-2:15 p.m. and 2:50-3:50 p.m.
2009 Top 12 Drivers
Driver Points
1 Jimmie Johnson 6,492
2 Mark Martin 6,384
3 Jeff Gordon 6,323
4 Kurt Busch 6,281
5 Tony Stewart 6,207
6 Juan Pablo Montoya 6,203
7 Greg Biffle 6,171
8 Denny Hamlin 6,140
9 Ryan Newman 6,081
10 Kasey Kahne 6,016
11 Carl Edwards 5,972
12 Brian Vickers 5,826
| 
|