The Motorsports Informer

It's No Secret: Newman to Join Stewart-Haas Racing

2008-07-31T00:48:00.002-05:00

Just a few weeks back at Chicagoland, Tony Stewart confirmed the rumors and stated that he will own 50% of HAAS-CNC Racing in 2009. The name will be changed to Stewart-Haas Racing once the season starts, and Stewart will be an owner/driver.

Since Haas currently has two cars (#66, #70) there were rumors floating all around about who would join Stewart-Haas in the team's second car. Many rumors had it narrowed down to Martin Truex Jr. & Ryan Newman. However, the majority of the rumors all pointed to fellow Hoosier Newman joining the team come 2009. Turns out that those rumors were correct.

Newman verbally committed to joining Stewart-Haas Racing in 2009 today.

The deal could take up to a month to finalize and announce as the team is still looking for sponsorship for the second team car. Stewart already has Old Spice and Office Depot on board with his #14 car next season.

It was also confirmed that Newman will sport the #4 car next season when he joins Stewart-Haas Racing.

Once Joe Gibbs Racing was unable to nail down a sponsorship for a possible 4th team, Newman committed to joining Stewart-Haas. J.D. Gibbs has said that a 4th car is now very unlikely.

Personally, I think Tony should have waited. Newman used to be a good driver a few years back, but he isn't anything special these days. He isn't even the qualifying machine that he used to be, although he's still a pretty good qualifier. I have a feeling that Newman will also receive the #66's owner points from this year if the car stays in the Top 35 in owner's points. Stewart would have a past champion's provisional to fall back on if needed.

Tons of Racing Results from the Weekend

2008-07-20T23:31:00.004-05:00

NHRA -- Seattle, Washington -- Schuck's Auto Supply Mationals

Pro Stock: Jason Line def. Allen Johnson
Funny Car: Tony Bartone def. Ron Capps
Top Fuel: Tony Schumacher def. Brandon Bernstein

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series -- Sparta, Kentucky -- Built Ford Tough 225

1. Johnny Benson
2. Michael Annett
3. Matt Crafton
4. Dennis Setzer
5. David Starr
6. Kyle Busch
7. Mike Skinner
8. Terry Cook
9. Marc Mitchell
10. Ron Hornaday
11. Jon Wood
12. Stacy Compton
13. Ted Musgrave
14. Rick Crawford
15. Willie Allen
16. Colin Braun
17. Ryan Lawler
18. Jason White
19. Timothy Peters
20. Donny Lia
21. John Wes Townley
22. Jack Sprague
23. Chad Chaffin
24. Justin Allgaier
25. T.J. Bell
26. Jennifer Jo Cobb
27. Todd Bodine
28. Brendan Gaughan
29. Erik Darnell
30. Chad McCumbee
31. Justin Marks
32. Brian Scott
33. Chrissy Wallace
34. Brent Raymer
35. J.C. Stout
36. Shelby Howard

IRL -- Lexington, Ohio -- Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio

1. Ryan Briscoe
2. Helio Castroneves
3. Scott Dixon
4. Will Power
5. Oriol Servia
6. Vitor Meira
7. Tony Kanaan
8. Darren Manning
9. Hideki Mutoh
10. Ryan Hunter-Reay
11. Justin Wilson
12. Danica Patrick
13. Bruno Junqueira
14. Jaime Camara
15. Ed Carpenter
16. Graham Rahal
17. Dan Wheldon
18. A.J. Foyt IV
19. Mario Dominguez
20. Buddy Rice
21. Marty Roth
22. E.J. Viso
23. Milka Duno
24. Mario Moraes
25. Marco Andretti
26. Enrique Bernoldi

Formula 1 -- Hockenheim, Germany -- Formula 1 Grosser Preis Santander Von Deutschland 2008

1. Lewis Hamilton
2. Nelsinho Piquet
3. Felipe Massa
4. Nick Heidfeld
5. Heikki Kovalainen
6. Kimi Raikkonen
7. Robert Kubica
8. Sebastian Vettel
9. Jarno Trulli
10. Nico Rosberg
11. Fernando Alonso
12. Sebastien Bourdais
13. David Coulthard
14. Kazuki Nakajima
15. Adrian Sutil
16. Giancarlo Fisichella
17. Jenson Button
18. Rubens Barrichello
19. Mark Webber
20. Timo Glock

Rolex Sports Car Series -- Birmingham, Alabama -- Porsche 250 by Bradley Arant

1. Pruett/Rojas (DP)
2. Donohue/Law (DP)
3. James/Pew (DP)
4. Negri/Patterson (DP)
5. Frisselle/Taylor (DP)
6. Angelelli/Valiante (DP)
7. Barbosa/France (DP)
8. Goossens/Matthews (DP)
9. Lester/Lewis (DP)
10. Garcia/Kimber-Smith (DP)
11. Plumb/Sigal (DP)
12. Auberland/Hand (DP)
13. Jonsson/Zonta (DP)
14. Ham/Tremblay (GT)
15. Miller/Werner (GT)
16. George Jr./Lally (GT)
17. Davis/Liddell (GT)
18. Ballou/Pumpelly (GT)
19. Collins/Edwards (GT)
20. Bunting/Reese (GT)
21. Nonnamaker/Nonnamaker (GT)
22. Nonnamaker/Sahlen (GT)
23. Keen/Lux (GT)
24. Sellers/Smith (GT)
25. Alessi/Phinny (GT)
26. Borkowski/Constantine (GT)
27. Camirand/Cosmo (DP)
28. Dempsey/Foster (GT)
29. Grant/Grant/Grant (GT)
30. Frisselle/Wilkins (DP)
31. Maher/Stanton (GT)
32. Fogarty/Gurney (DP)
33. Assentato/Segal (GT)
34. Gutierrez/Schroeder (GT)
35. Krohn/van de Poele (DP)
36. Gidley/Jaeger (DP)
37. Johnson/Westbrook (GT)
38. Borcheller/Lewis Jr. (GT)
39. (withdrew) Dumoulin/Nastasi (GT)

American Le Mans Series -- Lexington, Ohio -- Acura Sports Car Challenge at Mid-Ohio

1. Werner/Luhr (P1)
2. Capello/Pirro (P1)
3. Bernhard/Dumas (P2)
4. Sharp/Brabham (P2)
5. Diaz/Fernandez (P2)
6. Maassen/Long (P2)
7. Dyson/Smith (P2)
8. Leitzinger/Franchitti (P2)
9. Farnbacher/Mueller (GT2)
10. Pilet/van Overbeek (GT2)
11. Henzler/Bergmeister (GT2)
12. Westbrook/Werner (GT2)
13. Melo/Salo (GT2)
14. Matos/Montagny (P2)
15. Lewis/Faulkner (P1)
16. Brix/Friesacher (GT2)
17. Milner/Sutherland (GT2)
18. Tafel/Figge (GT2)
19. Pastorelli/Pastorelli (GT2)
20. Devlin/Bonilla (P2)
21. O'Connell/Magnussen (GT1)
22. Beretta/Gavin (GT1)
23. Drayson/Cocker (GT2)
24. Murry/Robertson/Robertson (GT2)
25. McMurry/Willman (P1)
26. de Ferran/Pagenaud (P2)
27. Feinberg/Hall (GT2)
28. Neiman/Pechnik (GT2)
29. Pappas/Lazzaro (GT2)
30. Field/Berry/Field (P1)

NASCAR Nationwide Series -- Madison, Illinois -- Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers 250

1. Carl Edwards
2. Joey Logano
3. Jason Keller
4. Jason Leffler
5. Brad Keselowski
6. Landon Cassill
7. James Buescher
8. Clint Bowyer
9. David Stremme
10. David Ragan
11. Mike Wallace
12. Cale Gale
13. Chase Miller
14. Mark Green
15. Marcos Ambrose
16. Josh Wise
17. Brad Coleman
18. Kenny Wallace
19. Shane Huffman
20. Bobby Hamilton Jr.
21. Eric McClure
22. Jeremy Clements
23. Brad Teague
24. Stanton Barrett
25. David Reutimann
26. Steven Wallace
27. Jamie McMurray
28. Brandon Whitt
29. Reed Sorenson
30. Scott Wimmer
31. Mike Bliss
32. Kelly Bires
33. Casey Atwood
34. Derrick Cope
35. Johnny Chapman
36. Kenny Hendrick
37. Morgan Shepherd
38. Danny Efland
39. Justin Hobgood
40. Brian Keselowski
41. Ruben Pardo
42. Larry Gunselman
43. Kertus Davis

Speed Aiming for 2008 Cup Debut, Ambrose to Cup in 2009

2008-07-16T13:03:00.005-05:00

Former F1 driver Scott Speed hopes to make his first NASCAR Sprint Cup debut before the conclusion of the 2008 season.

In a recent interview with Autosport magazine, Speed said that he will test a Sprint Cup car for Red Bull Racing later this month. Speed also mentioned that his focus will be racing full-time in the Craftsman Truck Series next year, paring that with occasional Cup outings.

Personally, I'll be glad to welcome Speed to the Cup Series. A lot of people don't like him. They think he has a bad attitude, or he's arrogant. I like Speed, a think he has the potential to be a talent in the Cup Series sometime down the road.

The rumors of JTG Racing moving the the Cup Series in 2009 have been confirmed. Marcos Ambrose will be the driver of the car. The team is now named JTG Daugherty Racing because ESPN "analyst" Brad Daugherty has bought part-ownership of the team. The team will continue to field two Nationwide Series cars next season, but will also field a Cup car with Ambrose behind the wheel. The car number will be #47, and it will be sponsored by Little Debbie snack cakes.

Personally, I'm glad Marcos Ambrose gets a shot at Cup. Albeit with a lack-luster team. I hate Brad Daugherty though, and I believe the only reason he's in ESPN's booth is because he's a minority. He offers no knowledge to fans watching the race. He just makes predictions and comments on his mood towards the race.

Personally, I'd like Kelly Bires to get the ride instead of Ambrose. Bires is younger by years, and has more potential, in my opinion. Plus, he's done much better in the Nationwide Series this year despite a lot of bad luck as far as equipment is concerned. I know Ambrose did good at Infineon early this year in the Cup Series, but you have to realize that road courses are his specialty. He tried to qualify in the #21 at New Hampshire, but failed to make the race.

Much Improved -- Vickers & Ragan

2008-07-15T20:35:00.004-05:00

By far the two most improved drivers this year on the Sprint Cup circuit are David Ragan and Brian Vickers.

Ragan drives the #6 AAA Ford Fusion for Roush-Fenway Racing. Brian Vickers drives the #83 Red Bull Toyota Camry for Red Bull Racing.

When Ragan first broke into the Cup Series, Tony Stewart referred to him as a dart without feathers due to the fact that he was always spinning out and brining out cautions.

Vickers is a Hendrick Motorsports outcast. He won the Busch Series championship with the team, but struggled with the constantly ignored #25 car for HMS. In his tenure with HMS in the Cup Series, Vickers only captured one win, and boy was it controversial. Remember Talladega? When Vickers hit his teammate Jimmie Johnson, sending him into Dale Earnhardt Jr. While they both spun into the grass, Vickers went on to capture his first Cup Series win under caution.

Let's take a look at last year's statistics for the drivers.

David Ragan

Starts: 36 (All Races)
Average Start: 29.1
Average Finish: 24.5
Points: 3251
Earnings: $4,728,400

(Sorry for not going extremely in depth).

Brian Vickers

Starts: 23 (Yep, bunch of DNQs)
Average Start: 23.0
Average Finish: 25.1
Points: 2065
Earnings: $2,105,820

Now, here's their current stats, through 19 races of 36.

David Ragan

Starts: 19
Average Start: 18.2
Average Finish: 16.8
Points: 2185
Earnings: $2,185,860

So, although it doesn't look like he's done much better, Ragan is definitely on pace to break his marks set last season. Yes, that includes points and earnings. He also sits 15th in points, very close to making his way into the Top 12, which would get him a spot in the Chase.

Brian Vickers

Starts: 19
Average Start: 26.6
Average Finish: 17.1
Points: 2188
Earnings: $2,039,470

With Vickers, you can easily see that he's done way better than he did last year. He's already surpassed his points total from last season, and one more race will push him past his earnings for last season. Vickers is one spot ahead of Ragan in the points (14th) and is also very close to earning a spot in the Chase.

Which one has improved more? You decide.

Information on Mike Alessi following recent Red Bud crash

2008-07-15T15:42:00.003-05:00

Rockstar Makita Suzuki Factory Racing's rider Mike Alessi has been the main competition this year to the man who is dominating the 250CC class, James Stewart.

Alessi was sitting pretty second in points behind the undefeated Stewart heading into Red Bud in Buchanan, Michigan. (I believe this took place on July 4th weekend).

Alessi had a very strong Moto 1, getting the holeshot (what else is new?), and coming home with a very nice second place finish.

Moto 2 didn't end as well for Alessi. Alessi crashed hard in Moto 2 and was unable to finish the race. The injuries were pretty bad. Alessi suffered two broken scapulas, a broken rib, and a bruised lung.

Roger Decoster - Team Manager on Mike Alessi's Crash

“We were pretty concerned after seeing Mike’s crash. It happened in a very fast section and he ended up coming to rest on a blind part of the track and was then hit by several riders. Due to the nature and severity of his injuries, it is not likely that we’ll see Mike back in action this season. It’s unfortunate as Mike has done an exceptional job all season with capturing nearly all of the holeshots and sitting in a strong second place in championship points. In fact, in the first moto of this weekend, Mike got the holeshot once again and finished in second place over 30 seconds ahead of his nearest competitor. He has shown a lot of heart this year and we’ll be anxious to get him back healthy again.”

So, sadly, it looks like Mike will be out of competition for the remainder of the season. I wish the kid a speedy recovery and hope he comes out of the gate swinging next season. He'll be a real threat to win a championship for years to come.

Mike's Crash

Newman and Penske to Officially Part Ways Following This Season

2008-07-14T23:54:00.004-05:00

Penske Racing and Ryan Newman have mutually agreed to move in new
directions
at the conclusion of the 2008 season.

"We want to thank Ryan for
his hard work and contributions to Penske Racing
over the past nine years,"
said team owner Roger Penske. "We wish Ryan all the
best for the future and
we'll continue to focus our efforts on making the Chase
with Ryan and the
Alltel Dodge team this season."

The driver of the Penske Racing
#12 Alltel car for the 2009 NASCAR Cup
season will be announced in the near
future.

This news all but confirms that Newman will join the newly announced Stewart/Haas Racing team for the 2009 season. Still, there is no word what his car number would be. However, Richard Childress Racing has stated that Jack Daniels is in a contract with the team until the conclusion of the 2009 season, and that UPS will NOT be joining the #07 team of Clint Bowyer. So it looks like UPS could be on board with Newman if the jump is made to Stewart/Haas Racing.

Now, that leaves the empty seat in the #12 car for 2009. It would seem that the lead candidates would be David Stremme and Casey Mears. Stremme continued to improve his performance the last few seasons, but has been regulated to the Nationwide Series this year thanks to Chip Ganassi's bringing Dario Franchitti on board. Shows what Chip knows with NASCAR, as that team has closed due to sponsership issues. Stremme has also been running test sessions for Penske Racing for much of the year as well. Mears was recently confirmed to be out of the #5 car for Hendrick Motorsports following this season and will be replaced by seasoned veteran Mark Martin. Mears was able to show some potential at Ganassi (but so was Stremme). However, I'd give Casey a break on his struggles at HMS. The #25/#5 has always been the red-headed stepchild car at HMS. Honestly, I have no idea who it will be in the #12 next year, but both are deserving of a ride. I'm pulling for Stremme though.

One other note of importance. Penske Racing will need a new sponsor for the #12 next season as Alltel has been bought out by Verizon. Since Sprint is a phone company, all major competiting phone companies will be gone from the sport following this year. Yes, this includes the AT&T sponsorship on Jeff Burton's car. Alltel and Cingular were granted right to stay in the Cup Series as sponsors, that was until they were taken over by other companies (Verizon, AT&T). So, maketability may also become a factor in Penske's decision.

Schumacher, Wilkerson, Anderson, & Smith win at Mopar Mile-High Nationals

2008-07-14T13:42:00.004-05:00

Thanks to the genius idea of the Bandimere family, there was good racing action at the 29th Annual Mopar Mile-High Nationals in Denver, Colorado thanks to a new cooling system that lowers the track temperatures a good 40 degrees at the start of the drag strip.

If you hadn't heard, the Nitro categories (Top Fuel and Funny Car) were only running to 1,000 feet instead of the normal 1/4 Mile (1,320 Ft.) due to the untimely death of Scott Kalitta a few weeks ago in Englishtown, New Jersey.

Road to the Final Round (Pro Stock Motorcycle)

Matt Smith
Round 1: Def. Hector Arana 7.349 @ 181.54 to 7.532 @ 173.56
Round 2: Def. Matt Guidera 7.386 @ 179.25 to 7.419 @ 176.14
Round 3: Def. Peggy Llewellyn 7.370 @ 181.06 to 7.529 @ 176.1

Steve Johnson
Round 1: Def. Junior Pippin 7.352 @ 180.28 to 7.592 @ 171.16
Round 2: Def. Andrew Hines 7.390 @ 178.90 to 7.432 @ 178.17
Round 3: Def. Eddie Krawiec 7.853 @ 169.66 to Broke

Road to the Final Round (Pro Stock)

Greg Anderson
Round 1: Def. V Gaines 7.020 @ 195.87 to 7.075 @ 193.88
Round 2: Def. Jeg Coughlin 7.046 @ 195.70 to 7.065 @ 194.07
Round 3: Def. Kurt Johnson 7.031 @ 196.10 to 7.052 @ 195.36

Allen Johnson
Round 1: Def. Warren Johnson 7.030 @ 195.45 to 7.073 @ 195.90
Round 2: Def. Larry Morgan 7.043 @ 195.70 to 7.062 @ 194.86
Round 3: Def. Ron Krisher 7.050 @ 195.17 to 7.069 @ 194.60

Road to the Final Found (Funny Car)

Tim Wilkerson
Round 1: Def. Ashley Force 4.261 @ 285.35 to 5.082 @ 155.67
Round 2: Def. Mike Neff 4.322 @ 285.47 to 4.410 @ 273.00
Round 3: Def. Robert Hight 4.260 @ 280.84 to 4.316 @ 284.03

Jack Beckman
Round 1: Def. Tommy Johnson Jr. 4.296 @ 292.33 to 4.487 @ 254.57
Round 2: Def. Gary Densham 4.362 @ 281.77 to 4.345 @ 285.71
Round 3: Def. Cruz Pedregon 4.334 @ 290.82 to 4.474 @ 278.46

Road to the Final Round (Top Fuel)

Tony Schumacher
Round 1: Def. Steve Chrisman 4.032 @ 299.53 to 4.353 @ 262.23
Round 2: Def. Doug Herbert 4.041 @ 300.46 to 4.290 @ 231.40
Round 3: Def. Larry Dixon 4.039 @ 300.46 to 4.146 @ 288.95

Antron Brown
Round 1: Def. Rod Fuller 3.995 @ 298.21 to 4.115 @ 277.43
Round 2: Def. Bob Vandergriff 4.259 @ 268.92 to 4.282 @ 261.12
Round 3: Def. Cory McClenathan 4.245 @ 257.73 to 4.236 @ 246.12

Final Round (Pro Stock Motorcycle)

Matt Smith Def. Steve Johnson 7.326 @ 180.74 to 7.340 @ 180.81

Final Round (Pro Stock)

Greg Anderson Def. Allen Johnson 7.024 @ 196.39 to 7.028 @ 195.79

Final Round (Funny Car)

Tim Wilkerson Def. Jack Beckman 4.398 @ 262.23 to 4.661 @ 205.41

Final Round (Top Fuel)

Tony Schumacher Def. Antron Brown 4.007 @ 304.05 to 4.137 @ 276.97