Preseason Thunder archive

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SATURDAY, Feb. 2

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A.J. Allmendinger said he's learning how to communicate inside the car.

Allmendinger's Super Bowl ruined, but not '08 season

Sunday's telecast of the Super Bowl may attract as many as 100 million viewers, but there's at least one regular on the NASCAR circuit who won't be watching. A.J. Allmendinger has seen his last pro football game of the season after his Packers lost.

FRIDAY, Feb. 1

Autostock

Dario Franchitti will listen and learn in 2008.

Notes: Franchitti takes full advantage of test sessions

The last time Dario Franchitti wheeled around California Speedway, it was from the vantage point of an open-wheel cockpit in 2005. Having spent the past two days acclimating both to his new Sprint Cup Series car and a heretofore familiar track, Franchitti was anticipating a quiet Saturday morning.

Edwards wants some laws regarding re-paving tracks

There ought to be a law against repaving speedways. That's what Carl Edwards said Thursday at California Speedway. His reference came in answer to a question about Daytona International Speedway, which will host the 50th Daytona 500 on Feb. 17.

THURSDAY, Jan. 31

Autostock

Raymond Fox will have the same work address, just a different boss.

Notes: Fox finds home with Pettys after years at Yates

Thursday's opening day of the final session of Sprint Cup Preseason Thunder, at California Speedway, marked the completion of the first week that Bobby Labonte's new car chief, Raymond Fox, had spent working for Petty Enterprises on its No. 43 Dodge.

Harvick continues to test well on West Coast swing

Perhaps it was the West Coast air or proximity to his hometown of Bakersfield, but Kevin Harvick was happy to go to work Thursday at California Speedway. The fit and feel of his car during the first session of a two-day Sprint Cup Series test at California also had Harvick distributing verbal kudos.

Notes: Leicht eager to learn from Labonte, RCR bunch

Although Stephen Leicht is currently scheduled to race in just two events this season for Richard Childress Racing in the Nationwide Series, he looks at the opportunity with great anticipation.

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 30

Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images

David Reutimann paced Wednesday morning's Nationwide session at LVMS.

Notes: Reutimann unfazed by double-duty schedule

David Reutimann knows just how hectic a racing schedule can be while competing for two NASCAR championships. But that's fine with him. Reutimann is one of four drivers scheduled for full-time double duty in the Nationwide Series and in the Sprint Cup Series in 2008.

Crash-filled test at LVMS leaves teams scrambling

For the second consecutive year, Sprint Cup Preseason Thunder testing at Las Vegas Motor Speedway turned into a crash-fest, as eight different Cars of Tomorrow were terminally wrecked in two days of testing.

After Vegas test, Kahne sees a return to past glory

Kasey Kahne can only hope the inexorable progress he showed during this week's second round of Sprint Cup Preseason Thunder testing is truly a predictor that he and his Gillett Evernham Motorsports team will return to the league-leading level of performance they displayed two seasons ago.

Petty to wave the green flag for 50th Daytona 500

Seven-time Daytona 500 Champion Richard Petty, who's father Lee won the inaugural Daytona 500 in 1959, will serve as honorary starter for the historic 50th running of the Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 17.

TUESDAY, Jan. 29

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Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the Daytona 500 in 2004.

Earnhardt experienced Daytona 500 heartache with father

Dale Earnhardt Jr. knows the emotions involved in winning stock-car racing's biggest prize -- the Daytona 500 -- and the mental toughness his father needed when he came so close, year after year, without taking home the coveted trophy.

Aumann: With votes still coming in, 2008 race too close to call

We've still got two more days of running cars with primer paint jobs and some "experts" are ready to crown the 2008 title. "Hendrick or Gibbs," they declare. Mark Aumann asks how can one determine a winner if the first election's not for another three weeks?

Sorenson knows it's time to step up at Ganassi team

Reed Sorenson feels the pressure. At 21, he's considered the veteran at Chip Ganassi Racing in terms of stock-car experience amid his two heralded open-wheel teammates. He knows that most folks figure it's past due time for him to get to Victory Lane.

McDowell aims to prove worth at Cup level with MWR

Michael McDowell hasn't made a Sprint Cup start but don't confuse his lack of seat time in NASCAR's top series with inexperience. His resume is extensive. Fans may not recognize the newest face in the Sprint Cup garage and he hopes that will change quickly.

Nationwide Series heads to Las Vegas for test sessions

NASCAR's version of "follow the leader" featuring Preseason Thunder testing continues at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Jan. 30-31 as drivers and teams from the Nationwide Series will descend on the track for a two-day test session there.

MONDAY, Jan. 28

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Carl Edwards said the driver left out at Roush Fenway should know it is strictly a business decision.

Dropping team sure to be rough for Roush Fenway

Five doesn't divide into four evenly. So if Roush Fenway Racing has to pare one team from its stable of five cars before the start of the 2010 season, which one will it be?

Hamlin all positive about Toyota, COT, 'new' JGR

A new chassis, a new manufacturer and a new teammate has Denny Hamlin feeling like a new man. A fast car on Monday during Preseason Thunder at Las Vegas didn't hurt.

Drivers battle jet lag after Rolex 24-Las Vegas schedule

Juan Montoya and Dario Franchitti arrived at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on a cloud, and the brisk winds and mid-40-degree temperatures had nothing to do with it.

Wind makes for difficult testing conditions at LVMS

Sprint Cup teams expected to deal with a number of unknown variables heading into this week's testing at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and California Speedway. But one thing that may have thrown them a curve Monday morning was the weather.

SUNDAY, Jan. 27

Autostock

Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon will leave the beaches of Florida for testing in the Vegas desert.

Preseason Thunder testing resumes Monday at LVMS

Monday begins the second wave of Preseason Thunder testing, this time at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and California Speedway. With the COT making it's debut on mile-and-a-half tracks in 2008, this test is an important one.

FRIDAY, Jan. 25

Turner Sports New Media

Cale Gale is taking advantage of his time at Kevin Harvick Inc. to learn as much as he can.

Off to a very quick start, Gale looks to impress in '08

Young Alabamian Cale Gale has got a couple things going for him as he builds a career in NASCAR racing at Kevin Harvick Inc. He gets along great with his boss, as he shares Harvick's attitude, commitment and dogged work ethic. And oh yeah, he's fast.

Studying NASCAR coming soon to a college near you

Certainly NASCAR is a get your hands dirty, crawl under the hood type sport, but added technology and increasing advancements is demanding higher levels of education for its players. And while NASCAR's CEO Brian France would like to "get back to the basics" of the sport, change is inevitable amidst growth and a diverse talent pool.

THURSDAY, Jan. 24

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Jack Roush said his team could've had twice as many victories as the seven it had last year.

Roush pushing hard in '08 after falling behind in '07

A year ago, Jack Roush stood in front of a roomful of tape recorders, television cameras and microphones in his race shop and basically declared war on Toyota. One year later, Roush stood in the auditorium of what is now known as Roush Fenway Racing and stated flatly that had Toyota spent its money more wisely last year, it might have fared better in NASCAR's premier division.

Is he joking? Is he serious? You don't know with Smith

Bruton Smith has a vision, of the most spectacular pre-race show at a racetrack renowned for them. He wants to take two small elephants, outfit them with remote-controlled parachutes, and drop them from an airplane. The pachyderms would float back to earth wearing roller skates, and upon landing would race one another around the 1.5-mile circumference of Lowe's Motor Speedway.

Feelings mixed on talk of raising age requirement

It was a very small part of the state of the sport address delivered earlier in the week, but the folks at Joe Gibbs Racing heard it loud and clear. Mike Helton, president of NASCAR, admitted that the governing body is considering raising the minimum age requirement to be a driver in the Sprint Cup Series to 21.

Gibbs youngster Davis campaigning for Cup ride

While Barack Obama is campaigning to become the first black president of the United States, a young black man worlds apart from the political scene is campaigning for change himself.

Montoya, Pruett return to defend Rolex 24 title

As the countdown clock inexorably marched toward the start of last year's Rolex 24 at Daytona, Juan Montoya was answering a question about his teams' chances in the Daytona International Speedway race when he paused in mid-sentence.

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 23

Autostock

Dale Earnhardt Jr. made the No. 8 famous at DEI but you wouldn't know it at the DEI race shop.

Caraviello: DEI's new direction is evident in the shop decor

The iconic black No. 3 car greets visitors as they enter the main lobby at Dale Earnhardt Inc. There are display cases featuring trophies and memorabilia for Mark Martin, Martin Truex Jr., and Paul Menard. But to find any trace of the most popular driver ever to compete for DEI, you really have to hunt.

Being themselves has cost drivers plenty in the wallet

Remember Kevin Harvick and Juan Montoya in each other's face at Watkins Glen? NASCAR wants to see more personality from its racers in 2008 but the drivers are concerned about crossing the line and getting punished.

Teams turning shops into interactive fan experience

It only makes sense that the trendiest, most en vogue race team in the Cup Series right now, with its international flair, is making an effort to have equally trendy events this season for fans.

RWI trying to become a top-tier Nationwide team

"Quit" doesn't exist in Rusty Wallace's vocabulary -- even if thinking about it occupied some of his time last season.

Busch, Castroneves team up for Penske in Rolex 24

Kurt Busch, 2004 Sprint Cup Series Champion, and two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves are racing stars who share at least three common aspects in their lives.

Notebook: Hornaday paces first day of Atlanta CTS test

Under grey winter skies, 27 teams in the Craftsman Truck Series took to the track Tuesday for Round Two of preseason testing at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

TUESDAY, Jan. 22

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Scott Riggs' move to Haas/CNC guarantees him a starting spot in the first five races of the season.

Dropping the Top 35 rule would be welcome change

Only hours after NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France stated that it was time to hold the line on changes in the Sprint Cup Series on Monday, driver Jeff Burton of Richard Childress Racing had another idea.

In NASCAR, numbers often lot more than car's identity

Numbers in NASCAR are paramount -- the number of points a driver can win on the track, number of pit-crew members allowed over the wall, number of seconds a car is on pit road.

Schrader to attempt 500 in BAM's 49, Andretti out

Ken Schrader is back in a Cup car -- for one points race, at least. The veteran NASCAR driver will pilot the No. 49 Dodge of BAM Racing in the Budweiser Shootout, and attempt to get the unsponsored car into the 50th Daytona 500 on Feb. 17.

Despite losses, Sprint has no plans to leave NASCAR

If Sprint is suffering from losses announced last week, it wasn't showing Tuesday, when the title sponsor of NASCAR's Cup series held a mimic movie premiere to announce the rebranding of what for the past four seasons has been known as the Nextel Cup tour.

On the Nationwide tour, winning isn't good enough

Stephen Leicht won his first career race in the then-Busch series last season at Kentucky Speedway, and might have won another had the caution not come out when he was leading late in the finale at Homestead. He compiled seven top-10 finishes, placed seventh in final points, and earned a little more than $1 million in his second season on NASCAR's junior circuit. And his reward for all that is a part-time ride for 2008.

Notes: Wimmer keen for new season with RCR

More than anything, Scott Wimmer thought he wanted to run a full Nationwide Series schedule this season with Richard Childress Racing, but on the eve of 2008, Wimmer's satisfied to defend Childress' owners' title in what was previously the Busch Series.

Earnhardt's participation in 2001 Rolex a key moment

As fast as the media could report it, word shot around the world in the fall of 2000 when Dale Earnhardt announced he would compete in the Rolex 24 at Daytona in 2001, barely three months away on Daytona International Speedway's 3.56-mile road course.

MONDAY, Jan. 21

Turner Sports New Media

Steve Wallace's car is loaded onto a flatbed after receiving the worse end of a collision with a metal fence post.

Best change may be none at all

Change, the old saying goes, is really the only constant in NASCAR. But so much change, in such a short period of time, can have a numbing effect. So much of this sport is bound by tradition, in sons following fathers as drivers or spectators. In many minds, the constant change in the past few years has pulled those bonds to a breaking point.

Sabates: No one can touch Hendrick

The key to Hendrick's success throughout the years -- which includes back-to-back championships for the No. 48 car driven by Jimmie Johnson the past two seasons and a total of seven championships since the first of four for driver Jeff Gordon in 1995 -- is loyalty.

Go or go-home drivers to qualify at end

In an attempt to level the playing field among the cars that must make the fields for races based on speed, NASCAR has made a fundamental change to the qualifying procedure for its top three series.

Ambrose enters 2008 with better feel for stock cars

One year ago, Marcos Ambrose was hoping he would be able to stay competitive. The native of Tasmania had moved to the Busch Series from the Craftsman Truck Series and realized the task ahead of him was daunting.

Notes: Metal fence post wins scuffle with Wallace

Rusty Wallace thought 2008 would bring a whole new era to his Nationwide Series race team, with new cars, new engineers, a new engine program and a newly renamed sponsor. He didn't count on his lead driver, son Steve Wallace, misjudging his brakes.

SUNDAY, Jan. 20

Daytona International Speedway

Johnny Sauter said it doesn't matter what series he's in, he just wants to be competitive.

Sauter excited to be back and competitive in N'wide

Johnny Sauter has two top-10 championship finishes in the last four seasons he raced the full schedule in what will be called the Nationwide Series in 2008. So odds are; it's pretty likely Sauter would be a threat to do the same thing this season, when he returns to NASCAR's No. 2 series.

Notes: Green enjoys new role as test driver for HMS

Never in his wildest imagination did David Green think he'd ever get so much satisfaction out of being a test pilot -- and he's glad, as 2008 gets into full swing, he was a little ignorant of the importance of his role in Hendrick Motorsports' ongoing success story.

SATURDAY, Jan. 19

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Kenny Wallace would rather be in Tony Stewart's position than Jimmy Spencer's.

'Humbled' Wallace popular on TV, yet wants to drive

Kenny Wallace will come right out and tell you that he's not yet ready to gain his identity from his career in motorsports television -- he's still a racecar driver.

Notes: Young drivers have limited yet vital experience

As the Nationwide Series drivers prepare to kick off a new season at Daytona International Speedway, the garage is filled with a lot of fresh faces.

FRIDAY, Jan. 18

Autostock

Kevin Harvick will drive his own No. 33 Chevrolet in the Nationwide Series this year.

Harvick ready for different challenge as Nationwide driver

Kevin Harvick's had his cake in the Busch Series with two championships and 32 race wins. So Harvick can be excused this season, the first known as the Nationwide Series, if he has a little different goal, role and attitude when he races on Fridays and Saturdays.

Notes: Subs step in, do well in Friday's Nationwide test

In the final year of the Busch Series, only nine drivers in the top 20 in the final standings competed in all 35 races. Thus, it was no surprise as the first session of the Nationwide Series' Preseason Thunder unfolded, the top of the chart was sprinkled with "subs."

THURSDAY, Jan. 17

Autostock

Jeff Meendering came to Petty Enterprises after 13 years at Hendrick Motorsports.

Meendering's blueprint for Petty success a proven one

When it was revealed that Doug Randolph would be leaving for another job, it seemed a severe blow to Petty Enterprises. The loss of Randolph, however, was already offset by the pending arrival of the man who was going to replace him: Jeff Meendering.

GEM's test gains end with Kahne fastest of the fast

GEM opened Preseason Thunder last week with Elliott Sadler posting mid-pack times on the charts. But his teammates, Kasey Kahne in the No. 9 Dodge and Sprint Cup newcomer Patrick Carpentier in the No. 10 Charger, used his baseline settings to good effect.

Cup drivers finding unique balance as Nationwide owners

While Sprint Cup drivers were relieved to wrap up the so-called "boring" test sessions in Daytona, a handful will turn right back around and do it again this weekend. Only these drivers are on their own dime -- atop the pit box, not behind the wheel.

Nationwide Series ready for '08 Preseason Thunder

A new sponsor is excited to be involved and looks forward to infusing fresh ideas and strategies. The reigning champion returns to defend his title. Veterans are as focused as ever with the influx of new talent. Welcome to the 2008 NASCAR Nationwide Series season.

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 16

Autostock

Tony Stewart and JGR showed up at testing with a few new stickers on their COTs.

Stewart straddles line as Toyota pilot, Chevy owner

After a manufacturer switch this offseason, Tony Stewart is left at times to promote Toyota as a driver on one hand, and Chevy as a car owner on the other. No one should be surprised, since Stewart may be the most complex personality on the Cup circuit.

Drafting speeds difficult to determine who's really fast

Several drivers this week during Preseason Thunder at Daytona formed drafting packs to gage how the new chassis will handle on the rough and slightly bumpy track. It's hard to tell what race conditions will be like until February, but drivers are getting an indication.

Fuller using experience to help Furniture Row team

You never can tell when a deal made now may pay off years down the road, and such is the payoff this week for nearly 50 Busch Series races that Massachusetts native Jeff Fuller drove for Joe Nemechek's NEMCO Motorsports team between 2001 and 2005.

Notes: Said nervous about Daytona 500 chances

Diverse and energetic Boris Said has spent a career looking for races to run, but the sports-car veteran and stock-car hopeful, who says he's cut his 2008 road-racing schedule to save room for stock cars, is real nervous about his next outing.

TUESDAY, Jan. 15

Junior finds peace of mind with new team, owner

Dale Earnhardt Jr. said Tuesday he remembers what it feels like when, as a driver of a racecar about to approach speeds of 200 mph, you're more than a little nervous to get behind the wheel. And the last two days has felt nothing like it.

Racing not just a hobby for driver, stuntman Barrett

In six attempts, Stanton Barrett has never made the Daytona 500. But who cares, right? The 35-year-old has been a stuntman, is the godson of Paul Newman and has a guest appearance on Nip Tuck. But Barrett cares immensely.

Evernham trying to find his new role with race team

If you see Ray Evernham around a NASCAR racetrack this season, you better cherish the moment. Unlike in years past, in 2008 Evernham has no clearly defined role in NASCAR.

Marlin is moving on after losing Ginn ride

Sterling Marlin was smiling and it felt good, he admitted. There were times last year when Marlin couldn't do it, or at least had to strain to smile through the pain after losing his ride unexpectedly halfway through the Cup season when Ginn Racing "merged" with Dale Earnhardt Inc., costing him and many others their jobs.

Offseason agendas varied among drivers in garage

From the last day of racing on Nov. 28 at Homestead-Miami Speedway to the first of day of testing in Daytona last week, NASCAR drivers had exactly 50 days to do whatever they pleased. Some went skiing. Others went hunting. And one took parenting classes.

MONDAY, Jan. 14

Autostock

Dave Blaney led afternoon testing on Monday at Daytona.

Toyotas turn table from last year with solid speeds

Ty Norris, president and general manager of Michael Waltrip Racing, darted into the media center at Daytona on Monday and smiled as he referred to the speed sheet from the day's opening practice session. "Look," he said, "it's just like last year -- only upside down."

Junior gets off to great start in first test in No. 88

Dale Earnhardt Jr. has felt the pressure before. So has his cousin and crew chief, Tony Eury Jr. And they admit they feel it this time. But this time is different, writes Joe Menzer, as the duo begins a new chapter with Hendrick Motorsports

Open-wheelers continue learning process at testing

School is in session for three former open-wheel stars making the shift to NASCAR's top level -- Dario Franchitti, Sam Hornish Jr. and Patrick Carpentier. In their first COT test at Daytona International Speedway on Monday, only one of them passed.

Notes: Harvick glad to be back in Daytona with new goals

Kevin Harvick's best memory of Daytona, obviously, is the one in which he out-raced Mark Martin over the last quarter-lap of the 2007 Daytona 500. On Monday, he tried to out-race the field again and get on the track first -- another victory.

SUNDAY, Jan. 13

Turner Sports New Media

There's a new attitude at Bobby Hamilton Racing for the 2008 season.

For BHR, the dream lives 450 miles east in Virginia

Before his death, Bobby Hamilton started discussions with others about moving his team out of his home state of Tennessee. For the 2008 season, talks have become a reality as BHR has new co-owners and a new home in Virginia.

Notes: Darnell feels heat in third Truck Series season

Erik Darnell stayed on top of the speed charts for the majority of Truck Series testing at Daytona International Speedway and Darnell admits the pressure is on. While the young driver, who enters his third season in the Truck Series, captured his first career win at Kansas in April 2007, the rest of the season brought anything but success.

SATURDAY, Jan. 12

Turner Sports New Media

Scott Lagasse Jr. will drive the No. 20 JTG Ford in 2008.

Wood Brothers, JTG split entire stock-car operation

After two seasons of cooperatively fielding teams in NASCAR's three national tours, Wood Brothers Racing and JTG Racing have split their competition elements for 2008.

Sprague thrilled to be with Hornaday and KHI in 2008

Jack Sprague says his purported bitter rivalry with Ron Hornaday was mostly media hype, and as the defending champion of the Craftsman Truck Series' season-opening Chevy Silverado 250 looks ahead to 2008, he's in pure bliss over having Hornaday as a teammate.

Notebook: Road racers among Truck rookie contenders

While road racers have been part of the Craftsman Truck Series since its inception, none have won rookie of the year honors. This, however, may be the season that breaks the string.

FRIDAY, Jan. 11

Turner Sports New Media

Ted Musgrave was involved in a crash with Brendan Gaughan and David Starr during Friday's test.

Wild 45 minutes wipes out four trucks in draft test

Rookies and veterans appeared equally culpable -- and equally ready to point fingers -- after two accidents in the last 45 minutes of Friday's opening Craftsman Truck Series Preseason Thunder test session at Daytona International Speedway sent at least two teams home and damaged no less than six trucks.

Notes: Roush dominates first round of Truck testing

Three Roush Fenway Fords topped Friday's morning session with now senior member of the team Erik Darnell posting the quickest speed followed by rookie Colin Braun and Joey Clanton.

Trucks prep for 14th year with preseason testing

Ron Hornaday had 55 days to savor his third Craftsman Truck Series championship but it's back to work for the Kevin Harvick Inc. No. 33 Chevrolet team along with Hornaday's fellow competitors.

THURSDAY, Jan. 10

Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images

David Reutimann posted the ninth-fastest time during the first week of Cup tests.

Reutimann confident in challenge for N'wide title

At the end of 2007, some people questioned what Michael Waltrip Racing's program for its No. 99 Toyota would be in the first year of Nationwide's sponsorship, but Reutimann wasn't among them.

Gilmore back at track, working on motors

Richie Gilmore was smiling Wednesday morning at Daytona when the three primary cars carrying ECRT engines were in the top 10 on the Preseason Thunder drafting speed chart. But that was nothing compared to the exhilaration Gilmore felt on Monday morning when the new season's first test opened, as it marked the first time he'd been to a racetrack in more than three months.

Busch says Toyota will win in '08

Write it down. Kyle Busch predicts a victory for Toyota in 2008. "You're going to see a Toyota in Victory Lane this year, for sure," he says. "In fact, with Joe Gibbs Racing switching from Chevrolets to Toyotas for the upcoming season, Busch would be incredibly disappointed if he or teammates Tony Stewart and Denny Hamlin were deprived of the chance to score the first victory for the manufacturer.

NASCAR changes two pit rules for safety

Citing safety concerns, NASCAR has made two adjustments to its 2008 pit road rules for its three national touring series.

Hamlin to be Vickers' crew chief

Veteran race-winning crew chief Kevin Hamlin will be with Red Bull Racing Team's lead driver, Brian Vickers, next week when session two of Sprint Cup Preseason Thunder begins.

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 9

Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images

A.J. Allmendinger's top speed of 187.375 mph was second-fastest during Wednesday's morning test session at Daytona.

Toyota eyeing great leap forward in second season

This isn't the enfeebled Toyota organization that stumbled onto NASCAR's grandest stage last season. This is beginning to look like the one that's collected loads of trophies in open-wheel racing. The one that so spooked Roush, the Ford owner went out and found a business partner to raise more cash. The one Lee White was referring to when he told reporters "look out for us in '08 and '09" at a media event two years ago.

Yeley off to fast start with new team

The catch word seems to be "new" for J.J. Yeley in 2008. New opportunity, new team, new make. Based on this week's Sprint Cup testing at Daytona International Speedway, Yeley hopes to add "and improved" to that. And so far, the No. 96 Toyota has been one of the big surprises -- near the top of the leaderboard seemingly every session.

Internship turned into a career for Bolin

He had grown up a fan of drag racing, had enjoyed a little tractor pulling or mug bogging from time to time, but his NASCAR knowledge was limited to Cale Yarborough, the legendary driver who hailed from his home state. So when his advisor at Clemson University called Chip Bolin and suggested the engineering graduate student pursue an internship at Andy Petree Racing, Bolin had to ask -- who's Andy Petree?

Drivers pleased with how new car handles draft

Horsepower gets you in the field at a restrictor-plate track like Daytona International Speedway. But it's the way the car handles in traffic that gets you to Victory Lane at the end of the Daytona 500.

TUESDAY, JAN. 8

Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images

Mark Martin is excited about "bringing some senior grounding to DEI."

'Old'-timer Martin happy to mentor young DEI drivers

Mark Martin still wants to feel useful. That's why, instead of driving off into the sunset as his 49th birthday looms, he's still running a part-time Sprint Cup schedule and mentoring younger drivers like Aric Almirola and Regan Smith at Dale Earnhardt Inc.

Tire blistering not a concern

Despite a bunch of blistered tires Tuesday in Preseason Thunder testing at Daytona and one crash that might have been a result of that issue, NASCAR vice president for competition Robin Pemberton said don't expect any tire changes before Speedweeks.

Notes: Shelmerdine testing for Childress

Kirk Shelmerdine, a four-time Cup champion as a crew member, is continuing a unique motorsports circle this week as he's testing the No. 33 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing in the opening Preseason Thunder session at Daytona International Speedway.

Expectations higher for Montoya

Gradually in '07, former open-wheeler Juan Montoya began to learn how to communicate to his crew what the stock car he was driving needed. And gradually Montoya grew more comfortable, to the point where he enters this year with his sights set on the Chase.

Sponsorless Yates moves forward with clean slate

Taking over his father's operation as of Dec. 1 with help from Max Jones, master engine builder Doug Yates has the cars, drivers, equipment and personnel in place to go Sprint Cup racing in 2008. The only thing missing? Sponsorship.

Emphasis on testing huge for Gibbs amid changes

Yes, the current testing under way at Daytona International Speedway is important -- for all Sprint Cup teams, and especially so for those fielded by Joe Gibbs Racing as it makes the manufacturer's transition from General Motors to Toyota.

Gibbs resigns as head coach of Redskins

Joe Gibbs resigned as head coach and team president of the Washington Redskins on Tuesday. Gibbs went 31-36, including 1-2 in the playoffs, after emerging from NFL retirement and his NASCAR career to sign a five-year, $27.5 million contract in 2004.

MONDAY, JAN. 7

Robert Laberge/Getty Images

Robby Gordon says the decision to cancel the Dakar Rally "completely put a lot of people in awkward, awkward situations."

Gordon upset how Dakar cancellation was handled

Instead of racing across the Sahara Desert, Robby Gordon found himself at Daytona International Speedway for the opening session of Preseason Thunder. And still stunned at the cancellation of an event he had spent roughly $4.5 million to compete in.

Junior pays surprise visit to opening day

How badly does Dale Earnhardt Jr. want to get behind the wheel of Hendrick equipment? Bad enough that he decided on a whim early Monday morning to fly down to Daytona, and just watch as his teammates tested cars during the opening session of Preseason Thunder.

Johnson confident in three-peat quest

Nightmares aside, two-time defending Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson is confident that this season he can equal Cale Yarborough's historic run of three consecutive championships.

Notes: Martin announces race schedule

Mark Martin, who came within a half-car-length of winning the 2007 Daytona 500, announced a 26-race Sprint Cup schedule -- including a Daytona 500 rematch, 23 other point races and two special events.

Storylines abundant as testing begins

In honor of NASCAR's 60th season, here are six story lines to keep an eye on throughout testing. Some have to do with drivers, some have to do with equipment, but all will play a role in how the 2008 season will be remembered 60 years from now.

NASCAR begins own rites of spring

It is NASCAR's best time of year, its grandest stage. The Daytona 500 springs out of a barren sports landscape, that netherworld between the Super Bowl and the NCAA basketball tournament, almost as if Big Bill France placed it there on purpose.

Junior isn't the only driver who needs to step up

This is Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s year, the year he moves from good equipment to great equipment. Now the pressure is on for Junior to take that next step, from becoming a good driver to a great driver. Yet Junior isn't alone in 2008 when it comes to personal stakes.

Pressure is on for teams like DEI, Evernham

Sometimes, they say, divorce is good for both parties. Such could be the case for DEI without Dale Earnhardt Jr. in 2008. No doubt, the organization is in a period of transition and will face a certain amount of backlash from fans now that the favorite son has left.