NNS - Carquest Auto Parts 300 5/23

Rain was the uninvited guest @ Lowe's Motor Speedway for the Nationwide Series on Saturday night.

After an hour long rain delay slowed the start of the race, wet weather hit with 30 laps to go.

It was the first time a race has been called for rain in series history @ Lowe's.

Mike Bliss was declared the race winner. He stayed out on the track for position when the front of the field headed down pit road during caution. Bliss took the lead from Brendan Gaughan and led what turned out to be the final 3 laps. Gaughan was trying to battle back for the lead as the red flag came out with Kyle Busch behind him. Gaughan finished 2nd.

It's the 2nd career win for Bliss in the Nationwide Series; his 1st since '04 and 2nd win @ Lowe's. It's his 1st win and 5th top-10 finish this season.

"I'm just tickled to death. It hasn't sunk in, but I'm getting there," Bliss said in the rain. "We stayed out as long as we could, just in case something happens. You never know, and it worked."

Once again, Kyle Busch had the car to beat. After having to start the race in the back due to an engine change, Kyle took the lead for the 1st time on lap 41. He led 3 times for the race high 98 laps. Kyle swept both Nationwide races @ Lowe's last year and was going for his 3rd consecutive win. He finished 3rd.

Brian Vickers finished 4th followed by Joey Logano, Jason Leffler, David Ragan, Brad Keselowski, Jeff Burton and Carl Edwards - in the top-10.

For unofficial results, click here.

There were 5 cautions for 26 laps and 13 lead changes among 8 drivers.

Kyle Busch remains the point leader by 73 points over Carl Edwards.

On Track - Saturday 5/23

Dodging rain drops @ Lowe's. Plus there's a chance of rain and thunderstorms on Sunday for the Coca-Cola 600.

NSCS First practice on Saturday:

Denny Hamlin posted the fastest speed with Greg Biffle, Casey Mears, Kyle Busch and Brian Vickers in the top 5. Jamie McMurray and Reed Sorenson made contact. Sorenson hit the wall. McMurray had some damage to the right side of the car.

Rain washed out Happy Hour practice after 8 minutes of practice time. Jimmie Johnson was fastest followed by Carl Edwards, Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano and Brian Vickers. Kasey Kahne, Michael Waltrip, Tony Raines and Max Papis didn't make it out on the track. The practice session wasn't without incident. Robby Gordon slid up the track and hit the wall. He did some damage to the right side.

NNS practice:
1.Kyle Busch
2. Carl Edwards
3. Greg Biffle
4. Brian Vickers
5. Joey Logano

NNS Happy Hour:
1.Carl Edwards
2. Greg Biffle
3. Paul Menard
4. David Ragan
5. Brian Vickers
NNS Qualifying:

Carl Edwards won the pole for the Nationwide Series Carquest Auto Parts 300. It's his 4th pole of the year. Kyle Busch qualified second, but will have to start in the back due to an engine change the team made on Thursday). Greg Biffle qualified 3rd followed by David Ragan, Brian Vickers, Michael McDowell, David Gilliland, Kevin Harvick, Jeff Burton and Mike Bliss - starting in the top 10. Other notables: Joey Logano will start 12th. Dale Jr - 13th. Scott Speed -14th. Brad Keselowski will start 40th and beside his brother Brian.

Burney Lamar took a spin during qualifying and hit the wall. He'll go to a back-up and start 41st.

The race starts at 7 on ESPN2.

IRL - Indy 500 Weekend

I was asked by a couple of people recently if I was going to post anything regarding the Indy 500? Certainly. In a perfect world, I would've posted a lot more throughout the month since so much has been going on @ Indianapolis Motor Speedway. I just haven't had much of a chance until now. Here ya go Mike & Jim!

2-time Indy 500 Helio Castroneves will start from the pole. His 3rd Indy pole and taking the annual pit stop contest. His Penske Racing teammate Ryan Briscoe will start next to him in the middle of the front row. That 1-2 punch gives team owner Roger Penske a good shot at his 15th Indy win. Sam Hornish Jr scored the last Indy 500 win for Penske in '06.

“We’ve got a good chance this year with two cars on the front row,” said Penske. “But, to win here, everything has to work perfectly, everything.”

Penske will have 3 cars in the Indianapolis 500 for the 1st time since '94. Even though Castroneves is back in, Will Power was rewarded with his own ride. He had been subbing for Castroneves until his legal issues were resolved. It was announced on Friday that federal prosecutors dropped the remaining tax evasion conspiracy charge against Castroneves and his sister.

“I feel very lucky,” Castroneves said. “My life is starting all over again. I’m having fun doing what I love doing best, and I’m going to try to win Indy again. It is definitely going to be an interesting race.”

Castroneves might be the favorite to win. It could come down to Penske vs. Ganassi. Target Chip Ganassi Racing's Scott Dixon and Dario Franchitti are the past 2 Indanapolis 500 and IndyCar Series champions.

Andretti Green Racing's Tony Kanaan is another driver to mention. In 7 starts, he has yet to win even though he's led laps in each of his Indy 500 races - a record. He was runner-up in the '04 race - his best Indy 500 finish.

Look for Paul Tracy on Sunday. He'll start from the inside of the 5th row. He leads all active drivers with 31 career wins. “I’m not here just to race and have a good day,” Tracy said. “I want to win.”

We can't forget the confrontation between Tracy and Castroneves after their "controversial" side by side finish under caution in 2002's Indy 500. Tracy insisted he passed Castroneves coming to the checkered flag. It took 6 weeks for race officials to analyze video and announce Castroneves was the legit winner. Whew.



33 cars to start on Sunday. An estimated 250,000 is expected to attend.

There's also a slight chance for thunderstorms in the forecast.

2009 Indianapolis 500 starting line-up, click here.

Just announced! Kid Rock @ M.I.S.

Just announced today (5/22) Detroit’s own Kid Rock will serve as Grand Marshal for the LifeLock 400 at Michigan International Speedway on Sunday, June 14.

In addition to Grand Marshall duties, he'll join driver Robby Gordon in the speedway’s fan hospitality club, Acceleration.

“I’m a huge race fan, so being asked to be Grand Marshal for the Michigan race to help kick off my summer tour with (tour sponsor) Red Stag seemed like a fun way to get the word out,” Kid Rock said.

Tickets, camping and Acceleration passes are on sale now. Sprint Cup Series tickets as low as $40 for the June and August races are on sale now! Make it an affordable weekend of fun with family & friends! Call the MIS Ticket Hotline at 800-354-1010 or visit MISpeedway.com.

Michigan International Speedway — 2009 Schedule

Friday, June 12 ARCA RE/MAX Series Racing for Wildlife 200
Saturday, June 13 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
Sunday, June 14 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series LifeLock 400

Friday, Aug. 14 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Gatorade Pole Day
Saturday, Aug. 15 NASCAR Nationwide Series CARFAX 250
Sunday, Aug. 16 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series

I've actually bumped into Kid Rock numerous times inside the Cup garage at M.I.S. A few years ago when he was with Pam Anderson, he even brought her to the track. I remember she's a Tony Stewart fan. She showed up wearing her #20 gear. I'll have to see if I can dig up some of those pictures.

On Track - Thursday 5/21

Thursday night marked the return of "Flyin' Ryan". Newman won the pole for Sunday night's longest race of them all - Coca-Cola 600 @ Lowe's Motor Speedway.

It's his 1st pole of the season, but it comes less than a week after his "boss" won the All-Star race last Saturday night. Should this surprise anyone? Newman leads all active drivers with 8 poles @ Lowe's Motor Speedway. It's his 44th pole in 272 Sprint Cup Series races.

Jason Smith/Getty Images

Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman have yet to win the 600-mile race @ Lowe's. Stewart is currently 2nd in the point standings and Newman is 8th. Points matter this weekend.

Kyle Busch qualified 2nd followed by the Hendrick power of Jeff Gordon, Mark Martin and Jimmie Johnson.

For the starting line-up, click here.

Cars were on the track during the afternoon for a 90-minute practice session.

Mark Martin was fastest followed by Jimmie Johnson, Denny Hamlin, Juan Pablo Montoya and Brian Vickers.

Need For Speed Race Preview: Lowe's

400 laps = 600 miles

Strap in this weekend for the longest race of them all - the Coca-Cola 600. Some will jokingly ask can you stay awake? It's been a Memorial Day tradition for 50 years and actually ever since June 19, 1960. The 600-miler that year was pushed back a few weeks due to unfinished construction at the track.

"I think it's more of a mental thing that our minds are programmed for 500 miles," said three time Coca-Cola 600 winner, Jimmie Johnson. "When you hear halfway and you look up at the scoreboard and you realize you've gone 300 and you've got 300 to go, it's kind of a mental thing that you have to focus on."

Just 4 active drivers have multiple 600 wins: Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson have 3. Jeff Burton and Kasey Kahne have 2 each. Jimmie Johnson is the only driver to have 3 consecutive 600 mile victories - winning from 2003-2005.

"I do like the 600-mile race from a history standpoint," he said. "And I also like the challenge, to work on the car all night long. Start in the day, go to the night, the longer the race, all the aspects that come with it."

Johnson has racked up 5 wins, 8 top-5 finishes and 12 top-10's to date @ Lowe's with an average finish of 8.9. He's the only driver with an average finish under 10.

Six times has the winner of the All-Star Race gone on to win the 600-mile race the next week @ Lowe's. Jeff Gordon did it in '97; Johnson in '03 and Kasey Kahne was the last driver to accomplish the feat last year.

An even more interesting stat: the Coca-Cola 600 has never gone to a green-white-checkered finish.

TV coverage begins at 5 pm this Sunday night on FOX.

Have a great holiday weekend.

2009 Sprint All-Star - Saturday 5/16

Tony Stewart won the All-Star Race Saturday night under the lights @ Lowes Motor Speedway!

Tony Stewart passed Matt Kenseth through turn 2 on lap 99 of 100 for his 1st All-Star race win and his 1st as an owner/driver.

"There's a lot of races I still haven't won yet. But it's a hard race to win," Stewart said soon after scoring his first win for Stewart-Haas. "There's nobody holds anything back. I mean, you look at the racing out there tonight, and how many times you see Jimmie Johnson spin out? How many times did Jeff Gordon get spun out? Three wide for the lead with less than 10 laps to go. You don't see that very often. You know, this is a special race. You know it's different. You know it's going to be more difficult because of that. And we always, in the past last 10 years here, were always good on long runs and always good late in the race. And this kind of format never fit our package that we had. And tonight it just worked out for us."



No points were on the line - just hard racin' and a cool million dollar pay check! To which Stewart says:

"There's guys on this team that haven't been to Victory Lane before. And that was something I was really looking forward to was getting there and congratulating Gene on his first win and these guys that have been with the organization and haven't been in Victory Lane, to see those guys get their first win and be a part of it with them was what I was really looking for. But they've been an awesome group of guys to work with up to this point. And that's the most gratifying part about it. It's about seeing those guys and seeing them celebrating and smiling in Victory Lane when I got there and seeing how happy they were and the excitement on their faces. There's no check that you can write in any amount that's going to make up for that and could take the place of it."

We knew he was getting close to that first win as an owner-driver. In 11 point races so far this season, Stewart has posted 8 top-10 finishes and has posted 5 top-5 finishes in the past 6 (point) races. His driver, Ryan Newman has finished in the top-10 five times.

Matt Kenseth held on for a runner-up finish. Kurt Busch ran third followed by Denny Hamlin and Carl Edwards - rounding out the top 5.

100 laps = 150 miles which were broken down into 4 segments.

1st segment: Jimmie Johnson started from the pole and lead all the laps of the 50-lap first segment. Johnson was the winner of the 1st segment.

2nd segment: Kyle Busch led all 20 laps of the 2nd segment. Busch was the winner of the 2nd segment.

3rd segment: Kyle Busch stayed out on the race track between the 2nd and 3rd segments for track position. Kyle surrendered the lead to Jeff Gordon half way through the 3rd segment. Jeff Gordon led the final 10 laps and won the 3rd segment.

4th segment: While Jeff Gordon was leading, Ryan Newman and Kyle Busch went 3-wide for the lead which didn't work out so well and sent Gordon spinning in the grass and contact with the wall. Jimmie Johnson took a spin during the final segment which dropped him back to a 13th place finish. Kenseth took the lead from Kyle for 4 laps before Stewart took over to win.

For All-Star race results, click here.

There were 7 cautions for 3 laps and 7 lead changes among 5 drivers:

J. Johnson 1-50; Kyle Busch 51-80; J. Gordon 81-90; Kyle Busch 91; J. Gordon 92; Kyle Busch 93-94; M. Kenseth 95-98; T. Stewart 99-100.

Sam Hornish Jr won the Sprint Showdown. Jamie McMurray finished 2nd. Both advanced into the All-Star race.

For Sprint Showdown results, click here.

Hornish Jr would go on to finish the All-Star race - 16th. McMurray posted an 9th place finish.

Joey Logano won the Sprint Fan vote. He finished the All-Star - 8th.