Autoblog

Man commits suicide at NASCAR's NRA 500 race in TX

Jeffrey N. Ross — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 10:33:00 EST

A suicide during this weekend's NRA 500 at the Texas Motor Speedway will likely only add to the controversy behind the National Rifle Association's title sponsorship of the NASCAR Sprint Cup race. Kirk Franklin, 42, of Saginaw, TX, shot and killed himself in the infield of the track during late stages of the race Saturday night following an argument with other race fans.

According to a report from The Huffington Post, Franklin shot himself at 10:30 PM, and his body was found in the back seat of a pickup truck. Texas law prohibits guns at the racetrack, so it isn't clear how or why Franklin smuggled the gun in to the track in the first place.

Man commits suicide at NASCAR's NRA 500 race in TX originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Apr 2013 10:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Watch NASCAR racer Brad Keselowski do a burnout... in a hotel conference room

Jeffrey N. Ross — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 19:15:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Ford, Racing

A vast majority of hotels frown upon smoking inside the building these days, but Brad Keselowski doesn't follow the rules. During his introduction at the 2013 MiilerCoors Distribution Convention, the reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup champion smoked the tires of his Miller-sponsored Ford Fusion stock car, adding a pair of thick, black stripes to the carpeting of the Marriott World Center's conference room.

This definitely isn't a high-quality video, but it's the perfect vantage point to watch Keselowski lay down some rubber and receive a well-deserved standing ovation after pulling up in front of the crowd. Check out the short-but-sweet video posted below.

Continue reading Watch NASCAR racer Brad Keselowski do a burnout... in a hotel conference room

Watch NASCAR racer Brad Keselowski do a burnout... in a hotel conference room originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Mar 2013 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Danica Patrick becomes first woman to win Sprint Cup pole

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 20:50:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Celebrities

196.434 miles per hour. That's the top speed hit by Stewart-Haas racing driver Danica Patrick during Saturday's qualifying for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Not only was that speed good enough to earn Patrick pole position for the race on Sunday, February 24, it is the fastest speed recorded in qualifying for Daytona since 1990.

"You can do anything you want to do, and gender doesn't matter," said Patrick. And she's right: Danica Patrick can now claim to be the first woman to win pole position in NASCAR's top racing division. Since this will be her first full year in the Sprint Cup, she's also the first rookie driver to score pole since Jimmie Johnson managed the feat in 2002.

So, how do you celebrate winning pole position at Daytona? "I'm probably gonna grab some beers," said Patrick. Sounds like a winning plan to us. Scroll down below to watch a video from NASCAR highlighting the historic event.

Continue reading Danica Patrick becomes first woman to win Sprint Cup pole

Danica Patrick becomes first woman to win Sprint Cup pole originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 17 Feb 2013 20:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Watching Kyle Busch's NASCAR racer get its game face on is a wrapper's delight

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Toyota, Racing

The start of the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup season is just six weeks away, and the contenders are beginning to get dressed up for the battle. Joe Gibbs Racing TV shows how that's done with a time-lapse video of Kyle Busch's No. 18 Toyota Camry getting its bright, tailored suit of logos headed by sponsor M&Ms.

Of note, the base racecar is already wrapped to look like a Camry in matte black, and we raised at least one eyebrow watching how the puzzle pieces of the top wrap get put together over the bodywork. See for yourself in the video below.

Continue reading Watching Kyle Busch's NASCAR racer get its game face on is a wrapper's delight

Watching Kyle Busch's NASCAR racer get its game face on is a wrapper's delight originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Jan 2013 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 NASCAR Chevrolet SS revealed

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 13:22:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Sedan, Chevrolet, Racing

As a throwback Las Vegas magician might say while whipping the sheet of his latest trick, "Alakazam!" The 2013 NASCAR Chevrolet SS race car has just been unveiled in Vegas and these are the first images. It will campaign in the top-tier Sprint Cup series next year, replacing the Impala nameplate that has done 12 years in stock car racing over two stints, the most recent from 2007 to the end of this year's season.

There are more hopes resting on the bulging wheel arches of the NASCAR SS than race wins. True, even though it's powered by a small-block Chevrolet V8, its Car of Tomorrow architecture means it bears little actual connection to the coming SS production sedan. But there's every hope the race car can provide an oval-tested halo for that road car, the latter being the first Chevrolet sedan in 17 years to be rear-wheel drive.

Chevrolet says that a "limited production version" of the SS will hit dealer showrooms late next year as a 2014-model-year sedan. Before that, the NASCAR SS will debut at next year's Daytona Speed Week that runs from February 16-23. Supposedly during that week, on February 21, the production car will be revealed, too - the same day as the next-generation Holden Commodore, which birthed the SS, is being revealed in Australia.

There's a press release below with a bit more info, and we'll be bringing you live images and more details on the long awaited Bowtie racer soon.

Continue reading 2013 NASCAR Chevrolet SS revealed

2013 NASCAR Chevrolet SS revealed originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Nov 2012 13:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NASCAR Sprint Cup crowns winner as Dodge bows out of series [spoilers]

Zach Bowman — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 16:33:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Dodge, Racing

Dodge is leaving NASCAR on a high note. The automaker snagged the 2012 Sprint Cup series championship on Sunday when Penske and Brad Keselowski took the checkered flag at the Ford EcoBoost 400 at the Homestead-Miami Speedway. The championship win marks the fifth such title for Dodge and the company's first since 1975. That last championship victory came at the hands of none other than Richard Petty.

That's a long time, but Penske has been waiting a spell for its first series win, too. The team first entered the NASCAR Sprint Cup series in 1972 but never quite managed to seal the deal. In 1993, Rusty Wallace brought the team as close as it ever came: second place. But after overcoming a few mechanical issues early in the season, Keselowski and Penske stayed consistent enough to see themselves seeded fourth in the Chase. After taking the checkers at Chicagoland, Keselowski became an early favorite for the win, and his performance at Homestead-Miami sealed the deal. Check out the full press release below for more information.

Continue reading NASCAR Sprint Cup crowns winner as Dodge bows out of series [spoilers]

NASCAR Sprint Cup crowns winner as Dodge bows out of series [spoilers] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Nov 2012 16:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NASCAR coverage going Spanish, including Daytona 500 live en Español

Jeffrey N. Ross — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 18:31:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports

In order to combat declining attendance at races, NASCAR is looking to tap into a new demographic of fans by teaming up with Fox Deportes to attract more Latino race fans. Starting with the 2013 season, Fox Deportes will provide coverage for 15 Sprint Cup races including six live races as well as creating original programs and news updates for the sport.

According to NASCAR.com, Fox Deportes is the top Latino sports network in the U.S. and the network already covers Formula One racing, but this deal will bring NASCAR's most prestigious Sprint Cup Series to Spanish-speaking fans. Not surprisingly, the live broadcasts will come from the sport's most popular venues including Talladega and Bristol and Daytona - including the 2013 Daytona 500 and Daytona Shootout - which will mark the first time there will be a Spanish-speaking broadcast for "The Great American Race."

More than just race coverage, Fox Deportes will also create a series of original shows including four 30-minute productions that aim to introduce Latino race fans to the history of stock car racing.

NASCAR coverage going Spanish, including Daytona 500 live en Español originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Aug 2012 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NASCAR tracks battling attendance downturn by adding amenities

Scott Burgess — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 09:13:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports

It was bound to happen: NASCAR couldn't grow forever.

Now, as attendance for Sprint Cup Series races falls, NASCAR track owners around the country continue to add things like faster wireless internet services, newer restrooms and big-name concerts before a race to put more fans in the stands.

NASCAR attendance is down 2.4 percent from last year and 8.5 percent from 2009, according to USA Today.

Fans have either abandoned the sport or just opted to watch from the comfort of their own home. Some of the drop has been attributed to the recent economic struggles around the country as well as the rising costs associated with going to a race. Fans have told track owners that everything from the lack of access to drivers to tracks not offering a more family friendly experience has pushed them away.

Owners, in turn, have tried to provide extended pit tours, additional driver appearances and other amenities at the track ranging from better shower houses for campers to shuttles that pick you up at your car and drop you off near you seat.

NASCAR tracks battling attendance downturn by adding amenities originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Aug 2012 09:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Watch Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda drive the new NASCAR Camry

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 28 May 2012 12:01:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Toyota, Racing

When Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda wanted to give his company's 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Camry a shakedown run, Kyle Busch was chosen to ride shotgun. Even though Busch has won 85 races driving Toyotas in three NASCAR series, it was Toyoda who took the driver's seat for a spin around Daytona International Speedway.

The redesigned Camry stocker is expected to be submitted for approval this summer, and you can watch Akio Toyoda put it through its paces in the video below.

Continue reading Watch Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda drive the new NASCAR Camry

Watch Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda drive the new NASCAR Camry originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 May 2012 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota aims to put more "stock" into stock cars with 2013 NASCAR Camry

Noah Joseph — Tue, 22 May 2012 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Sedan, Toyota, Racing

NASCAR may have once been a form of motorsport in which only domestic automakers competed. And that's largely still the case, with one notable exception: Toyota. The Japanese automaker faced some difficulty breaking into the Good Ol' Boys racing series, but though some purists may still malign it, Toyota is in NASCAR to stay. And this is its latest car.

"Based", in design anyway, on the latest Camry, the new stock car from Toyota Racing Development is set to compete in the Sprint Cup next season, alongside the new Ford Fusion (among other competitors from Dodge and Chevy). The result of "an aggressive redesign", the new racer was developed with input from the company's Calty Design studio to look more like the road-going Camry than ever before.

Yes, it does bear a resemblance to its road-going cousin, especially in the fascia. That said, it's still a composite body over a tube frame powered by a V8 engine driving the rear wheels. In other words, this is a Camry in name only.

Of course it doesn't hurt Toyota's case that the Camry is built in America with more American components than most "domestic" vehicles, and now the stock car looks more stock, too. Keep reading below for the full press release.

Continue reading Toyota aims to put more "stock" into stock cars with 2013 NASCAR Camry

Toyota aims to put more "stock" into stock cars with 2013 NASCAR Camry originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 May 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevrolet to replace Impala in NASCAR for 2013, new production model hinted

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 19:28:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Chevrolet, GM, Racing

According to Chevrolet, the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will kick off without an Impala on the starting grid. That's news itself, considering how intertwined the Impala is with Chevy's NASCAR presence, earning 70 wins since 2007.

Even more intriguing, though, is that Chevy says it "will be racing a vehicle based on a new nameplate to the brand's lineup." That means the 2013 racer won't be a Malibu or Cruze. Whatever it may be, Chevrolet says that both the race version and the production version will be debuted "in the coming year."

As far as speculation goes, it's hard not to point a finger in the direction of the Chevrolet Caprice, which is currently available in the United States for police duty only. Will everyday consumers finally get another crack at a high-performance rear-wheel-drive Chevy sports sedan? If so, what will it be called, and will it wear the coveted SS nomenclature?

We have no idea. What we do know, however, is that Jim Campbell, vice president of Chevrolet Performance Vehicles and Motorsports, says the automaker is testing camouflaged vehicles and that the production version will be "just like" the race car. We'll just have to wait and see about that... In the meantime, see the complete press release below.

Continue reading Chevrolet to replace Impala in NASCAR for 2013, new production model hinted

Chevrolet to replace Impala in NASCAR for 2013, new production model hinted originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Mar 2012 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 NASCAR Dodge Charger Sprint Cup car unveiled in Las Vegas

Alex Nunez — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 15:15:00 EST

Filed under: Dodge, Racing

Dodge has officially unveiled the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Charger, and as you can see, it follows in the footsteps of the 2013 Ford Fusion Cup car, with styling and detailing that's more true to the street car than the generic silhouettes being run by all teams this season.

SB Nation's Jeff Gluck reports that at the ceremony, SRT CEO Ralph Gilles was upbeat about the new race car's prospects for next season, saying that there's already a lot of interest from different Cup outfits, and that he expects to announce which team or teams will be running the car in 2013 by mid-summer.

The new car's unveiling puts a more upbeat spin on an otherwise down week for Doge and SRT's motorsports arm, which absorbed a punch to the gut when Penske Racing announced that it was ending its relationship with Dodge after this season to campaign the new NASCAR Ford Fusion in the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

After all the pre-race ceremonies concluded, the new racer hit the track to lead the field on the pace lap for today's Kobalt 400 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Continue reading 2013 NASCAR Dodge Charger Sprint Cup car unveiled in Las Vegas

2013 NASCAR Dodge Charger Sprint Cup car unveiled in Las Vegas originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 11 Mar 2012 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dodge teases 2013 Charger NASCAR Sprint Cup car

Jonathon Ramsey — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 16:02:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Dodge, Racing

Dodge has teased its 2013 Charger car for the Sprint Cup series, and perhaps it goes farthest with NASCAR's switch to bodies at its top level that look more like their street counterparts. In the deep red and shadows above you can make out the same greenhouse and character lines from the Charger in the showroom.

It will be revealed in full on March 11, just before the Sprint Cup race at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. While we'll know what it will look like then, we probably won't know who'll be driving it in the aftermath of Roger Penske's announcement that he's switching his team to Ford.

The Charger body, however, has already been revealed accidentally. Scale modeler Randy Ayers paid a visit to Roger Penske's shop to get details on liveries for other modelers, and while he was there in the public area, two shop employees wheeled the new body across the floor. If it's any conslation to Dodge, we agree with Sam Hornish: it does look good.

Follow the jump for Dodge's press release on the new car.

Continue reading Dodge teases 2013 Charger NASCAR Sprint Cup car

Dodge teases 2013 Charger NASCAR Sprint Cup car originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 03 Mar 2012 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Penske switches NASCAR team from Dodge to Ford

Jonathon Ramsey — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 15:01:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Dodge, Ford

Roger Penske has run a NASCAR operation off and on since 1972, and continuously since 1991. In that time his drivers have piloted cars from AMC, Mercury, Pontiac, Chevrolet, Ford and, for the last nine years, Dodge. Penske announced this week, though, that 2012 would be his team's last year with Dodge and that 2013 would inaugurate a new partnership with Ford. There's another Dodge in the Sprint Cup field driven by Robby Gordon, but Penske has been Dodge's marquee and development team.

Autoweek reports that the move isn't over money, but Penske's desire "to 'benchmark' his team's position against some same-brand competition, and that the association with Ford would make that possible. To us that sounds like excessive chivalry. Had Penske Racing been winning with Dodge, would it really swap makers just to make closer comparisons? In the last eight years Penske took the Nationwide series in 2010 with Brad Keselowski, but in the Sprint Cup, the team has won just 18 times in 764 starts.

The 2013 Dodge Charger Sprint Cup car is set to be revealed next week at the race in Las Vegas. The question now is, who will run the new car?

Both Penske and SRT CEO Ralph Gilles say they're focused on winning this year, and in a statement Gilles added, "We do value our NASCAR program and will be evaluating the opportunities available moving forward."

Follow the jump for the press releases from Dodge and Ford on the latest events.

Continue reading Penske switches NASCAR team from Dodge to Ford

Penske switches NASCAR team from Dodge to Ford originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 03 Mar 2012 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford reveals fresh new face for its 2013 Fusion NASCAR racer

Noah Joseph — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Ford, Design/Style, Racing

Win on Sunday, sell on Monday. It's a marketing motto nearly as old as racing itself, but while today's NASCAR stock cars may have about as much in common with the cars they represent as a Halloween superhero costume from Walmart will actually give your kid superpowers, NASCAR remains the biggest spectator sport in America. So you can imagine that participating automakers would think themselves foolish to pass up the opportunity to make the connection in fans' eyes to cars they can actually buy at their local dealership.

That's why the "stock cars" packing Chevrolet engines carry the name and tacked-on fascia of the Impala SS, Dodge racers that of the Charger, while Toyota models are made to look like the Camry and Ford makes its racers resemble the Fusion. The Blue Oval has gone with the Fusion since 2006, but before that it was the Taurus, and for the better part of two decades prior, the Thunderbird. Now that Ford has released a radically redone Fusion, however, it has updated its NASCAR racer to reflect its new look.

Unveiled today at Charlotte Motor Speedway, the 2013 Ford Fusion NASCAR Sprint Cup car is the product of a year's worth of design and aerodynamics work, and it's intended to bridge the widening gap between production and race car. It will undergo what you can bet will be rigorous testing throughout this year in preparation for its race debut at the Daytona 500 in February 2013, but you can check it out now in our high-res image gallery and the pair of press releases after the jump.

Continue reading Ford reveals fresh new face for its 2013 Fusion NASCAR racer

Ford reveals fresh new face for its 2013 Fusion NASCAR racer originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kurt Busch lands ride with Phoenix Racing for 2012

Zach Bowman — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Chevrolet, Celebrities, Specialty, Racing

Kurt Busch has landed with Phoenix Racing after parting ways with Penske following a particularly rough season, even by Busch family standards. Busch drew the ire of fans, teammates and team leaders alike this year after cursing at an ESPN reporter and making a habit of demeaning his crew over the radio during races. Busch's long-time crew chief Steve Addington left the Penske team after the end of the season, reportedly thanks in part to Busch's toxic attitude. While Addington is headed to a new position with series champion Tony Stewart, Busch has joined forces with Phoenix Racing.

According to USA Today, Busch will helm the number 51 Chevrolet for Phoenix. The 33-year-old racer has previously campaigned under both the Dodge and Ford banner at various points in his career, and Busch says he's excited to get back to "old-school" racing. While Phoenix Racing team owner James Finch has been critical of Busch in the past, he likes the racer's track record. Busch has had 24 victories in 400 Sprint Cup starts. A.J. Allmendinger, meanwhile, will take Busch's spot with Penske.

Kurt Busch lands ride with Phoenix Racing for 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Dec 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NASCAR Sprint Cup season ends in nail-biting climax at Homestead [spoilers]

Noah Joseph — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 09:31:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports

Ties don't typically happen in racing. Other sports, sure, but not motorsports. Because while the issue can sometimes come down to a fraction of a second, someone always crosses the finish line first. And when it comes to championship points, someone always comes out ahead. Well, almost always.

In a stunning, nail-biting end to the NASCAR Sprint Cup season, Tony Stewart clinched his third title. But it sure didn't come easy.

Entering this weekend's season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway three points behind his chief rival Carl Edwards, Stewart was at a big disadvantage, starting from 15th place on the grid. He then suffered some major setbacks over the course of the race, dropping one, two or even three laps behind his rivals as flying debris caused damage to the front end of his Chevrolet Impala, causing him to pit an extra two times.

However, Stewart overcame the odds, pulling off 118 passes to catch up with and then pass Edwards for the lead. Over 267 laps, the lead changed a record 26 times, but it was Stewart who took the checkered flag. The win itself, however, wasn't enough to decide the title, as it left Stewart and Edwards tied for points. The decision came down to race wins, as Stewart's five wins in the Chase trumped Edwards' single regular-season win. And that, ladies and gentlemen, was all she wrote.

NASCAR Sprint Cup season ends in nail-biting climax at Homestead [spoilers] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Nov 2011 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Danica Patrick making NASCAR Sprint Cup debut at Daytona 500

Noah Joseph — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Celebrities

It's official, ladies and gents: IndyCar starlet Danica Patrick is moving up to the big leagues in NASCAR. The official announcement came in over the weekend that Patrick will be making her Spring Cup debut at no less lofty a race than the Daytona 500 come February 26, where she'll be driving for Stewart-Haas Racing.

The move to America's premier closed-wheel series comes after several lower-level stock car races in the ARCA and Nationwide series, efforts that saw Danica leading five times at the Subway Jalapeno 250 back in July.

In starting the Daytona 500, Danica will be only the third woman to contest the iconic race, joining the likes of Janet Guthrie (who finished 12th in 1977 and 11th in 1980) and Shawna Robinson (24th in 2002). You'll find more details in the press release after the jump.

Continue reading Danica Patrick making NASCAR Sprint Cup debut at Daytona 500

Danica Patrick making NASCAR Sprint Cup debut at Daytona 500 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Nov 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Watch the crash that got Kyle Busch banned from racing this weekend

John Neff — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 22:01:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Safety, Videos

We know there's lots of drama in NASCAR, and for some reason, Kyle Busch often finds himself in the middle of it. Back in June, Busch found himself in a headlock after a race courtesy of a fellow driver who felt the 26-year-old driver had intentionally bumped him during a cool down lap. Busch also recently lost his drivers license for 45 days after being caught by police doing 128 miles per hour in a Lexus LFA. Fortunately for Busch, NASCAR doesn't require its drivers to have a valid drivers license to race.

Maybe they should, as Busch has again dove headlong into a heap of trouble after intentionally putting Ron Hornaday's truck into the wall during Friday night's Camping World Truck Series race at Texas Motor Speedway. The incident happened after the two drivers made contact on lap 13, which brought out a caution flag. At that point, Busch aimed his truck at the back of Hornaday's and accelerated, sending his competitor - who happened to be competing for the series championship - into the wall and out of the race.

NASCAR pulled Busch from Friday's race and then followed up by also suspending him for this weekend's Nationwide Series and Sprint Cup races, as well. The governing body has said more penalties are possible and will be considered on Monday.

Busch has already released an open letter apologizing for the crash, which can be read after the jump.

Continue reading Watch the crash that got Kyle Busch banned from racing this weekend

Watch the crash that got Kyle Busch banned from racing this weekend originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 05 Nov 2011 22:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NASCAR could test fuel injection as early as July

Chris Shunk — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Technology

Chances are that just about every car you've ever owned featured some form of fuel injection, but the long-standard engine tech remains foreign territory in NASCAR. The sport has used carburetors since the racing series began in 1949, but that looks set to change later this year.

NASCAR reports on its website that fuel injection testing could happen as soon as July 7 at Kentucky Speedway. The date has been singled out due to the fact that this is the first time the Cup Series has raced there, and NASCAR has given racing teams an extra four hours of testing on the Thursday before the race.

Danny Lawrence, chief engine builder for Earnhardt-Childress Racing Engines, is hoping NASCAR comes up with specifications so the teams can prepare, adding "I know they're working on it really hard, and hopefully, they'll have it figured out in a few days."

NASCAR is working with McLaren and Freescale Semiconductor to develop and manufacture engine control units to manage fuel and ignition systems. A wiring harness has reportedly already been developed, and the fuel-injector specification will be the next step. Teams are still wondering at this point if they'll receive a specification for the fuel injection system or if NASCAR will provide systems that everyone must use. Hat tip to Pawager!

[Source: NASCAR | Image: Todd Warshaw/Getty]

NASCAR could test fuel injection as early as July originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Apr 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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