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Martin wins Chase opener, extends lead in standings
By Sporting News Wire Service
September 20, 2009
LOUDON, N.H. — Top seeding in the Chase for the Sprint Cup must agree with Mark Martin and, on Sunday, he took the first step toward the championship that has eluded him for more than 20 years.
The driver of the No. 5 Chevrolet held off a ferocious charge by Juan Montoya on a restart with three laps left in the Sylvania 300 and won the race under caution when NASCAR threw the yellow flag as the lead pack streaked through Turn 4 on the final lap.
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Sylvania 300 Results
Pos. Driver Make
1. Mark Martin — Chevrolet
2. Denny Hamlin — Toyota
3. Juan Montoya — Chevrolet
4. Jimmie Johnson — Chevrolet
5. Kyle Busch — Toyota
6. Kurt Busch — Dodge
7. Ryan Newman — Chevrolet
8. Elliott Sadler — Dodge
9. Greg Biffle — Ford
10. Clint Bowyer — Chevrolet
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With the victory, his first in 26 starts at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Martin increased his lead in the Cup standings to 35 points over three-time defending champion Jimmie Johnson, who ran fourth at the Magic Mile in the first race of the Chase, and Denny Hamlin, who finished second.
Hamlin got past Montoya before the final caution to grab the second spot, and Montoya got credit for third. Kyle Busch ran fifth, followed by Chase drivers Kurt Busch and Ryan Newman. Elliott Sadler, Chaser Greg Biffle and Clint Bowyer completed the top 10.
Martin, 50, gave crew chief Alan Gustafson credit for the victory. Under caution on Lap 194 of 300, Gustafson kept Martin on the track with a small group of cars that did not pit. On Lap 204, Martin passed Kurt Busch for the lead and held the top spot until he pitted on Lap 243, earlier than any other top car.
After a cycle of stops that ended when Bobby Labonte pitted on Lap 272, Martin regained the lead and held it for the remainder of the race, despite a spate of late cautions that necessitated three double-file restarts in the final 20 laps.
"Alan won the race," Martin said, after climbing from his car in Victory Lane. "Alan's the man. This is a dream come true. ... We still have the lotto at Talladega [Nov. 1], and [I] think we'll run OK at Martinsville. We finished [seventh] in the spring, but I don't run good there -- but this is my hardest place. It's a tough place.
"But it's just these guys [the No. 5 crew]. It's Alan and the guys that back him up and all the guys that surround him. He is the superstar [Sunday]. I can't believe we won that race. It couldn't be easy. We had to have three caution restarts, and all kinds of chances for me to mess up -- and I did, but just, I guess, not enough to lose."
Montoya, who climbed seven spots to fourth in the standings, said he was unprepared for a move that Martin made in the first set of corners on the next-to-last lap. The maneuver probably cost Montoya second place.
"Martin just screwed me -- he just stopped the car on the apex, right on the bottom, and I had nowhere to go," Montoya said. "I could have pushed him out of the way ... but I respect him a lot. [Next time] I won't wreck him, but I will bump him. ...
"I thought I had him. He cleared me through [Turns] 3 and 4, and when he got to 1 and 2 he just stopped at the bottom."
Montoya chalked it up as a learning experience, and said he won't make the same mistake again.
"I didn't expect that," Montoya said. "I was expecting him to run pretty hard. He just ran very defensively, and I just got caught by surprise. I think if I would have would have been prepared I probably would have jumped to the outside.
"You've got to learn from it. I haven't fought for enough wins."
Martin has consistently said that Montoya is the dark horse of this championship hunt. But after New Hampshire, Montoya said Martin is the clear favorite for the title.
"He keeps saying that, but I think he's the most dangerous guy," Montoya said. "He's the guy with the most experience. He hasn't won a championship, and he wants one, pretty bad."
Tony Stewart, the points leader through the first 26 races, dropped four positions to sixth in the standings after a rare glitch dropped him to 14th at the finish.
Stewart lost track position during a 45-second pit stop under caution on Lap 194, as his crew repaired a loose left rear-axle cap. The driver of the No. 14 Chevy restarted 26th on Lap 198, and though he quickly drove up to 20th in the running order, a tight handling condition prevented him from making further headway.
Brian Vickers likewise had trouble in the pits, as his crew had to push his car backwards to fasten a dropped lug nut under caution on Lap 142. The driver of the No. 83 Toyota, who raced his way into the Chase at Richmond, restarted 30th on Lap 147 and fought back for an 11th-place run, good for eighth in the standings.
"I didn't have reverse," a frustrated Vickers radioed to crew chief Ryan Pemberton after the stop. "I blew it out the first time I tried to back it up. When you're asking me to back it up, and you don't see the car moving, that's your sign to push it."
Kasey Kahne was the first casualty among the Chase drivers. On Lap 67, one circuit short of a green-flag pit stop, Kahne's engine exploded as he rolled through Turn 4.
"I'm having a problem -- I'm blowing up," Kahne radioed to crew chief Kenny Francis, who asked if it might be that the No. 9 Dodge was out of fuel.
"No, it was shaking inside. I could feel it the last lap," Kahne responded, before taking the car to the garage, doomed to a 38th-place finish. Kahne is 12th in the standings, 161 points behind Martin.
Notes: The victory was Martin's fifth of the season, a series-best, and the 40th of his career, good for 16th on the career win list. ... NASCAR waited to throw the caution on the final lap until it became apparent that A.J. Allmendinger -- involved in a multi-car incident as the field approached the white flag -- would not be able to clear the accident scene before the leaders arrived. ... Late handling problems dropped Jeff Gordon to 15th at the finish. He dropped to 10th in the standings, 102 points behind Martin entering next Sunday's race at Dover. ... In post-race inspection, the left front corner of Kyle Busch's No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota was too low. NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said possible penalties will be announced early next week.
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Carl Edwards: The 'Prom King' of NASCAR — Fiercely Competitive Driver with Down-Home Manners Becomes a Fan Favorite
By Courtney Chapman
September 20, 2009
It's eleven o'clock at night, and Carl Edwards has yet to find time to slow down. And that's just the way he likes it. The fiercely competitive Edwards is in Indianapolis for two races, and has spent the majority of his day in the driver's seat.
Edwards, 30, a Columbia, Mo. native, started his racing career as a Craftsman Truck Series driver. He soon transitioned to NASCAR's elite Sprint Cup Series, winning 17 races since 2004. His trademark back flips in victory lane, along with his movie star good looks and down-home manner, have made Edwards a fan favorite. The only time Edwards slows down is when he returns home to Columbia. In fact, it was there that he recently fractured his right foot playing Frisbee with friends. When "Good Morning America Weekend" caught up with Edwards earlier this summer, he needed to qualify for the Sprint Cup race at the Brickyard, before competing in the Nationwide Series race at O'Reilly Raceway. In fact, time was so tight between the two events that he had to travel between them by helicopter. Considering he's used to life moving by at 200 mph, it is no wonder he doesn't want to waste a single second. And it proved to be worth it, Edwards ended the night in victory lane. ABC News' Sharyn Alfonsi caught up with him after his big win.
Alfonsi: So it's 11 o'clock, you are finally sitting down. Are you exhausted?
Edwards: No, this is really good. It's really nice to be the last one to leave the race track.
Alfonsi: You said you liked this race track, is it because your pictures are up on the billboard, by turn #2 there?
Edwards: I noticed, Vitamin water was nice enough to put my picture up. That's a lot of pressure. You got your picture up there with a slogan on it that makes me sound like a really good driver. You have to win at that point I guess.
Alfonsi: You really seem to enjoy it
Edwards: That's what life's about, enjoying things. About eight or nine years ago, I hitchhiked home from here because I didn't have a ride. I just came out here and hung out and passed out business cards. Just came out here looking to make contacts in the industry and try to have a job in racing. It's amazing to sit here and to just have won the Nationwide Series race.
Alfonsi: Have you always been drawn to speed ? Edwards: I just like the challenge. I think there's a lot that I've learned about myself through trying to do something new. Trying to do something well. And for me auto racing is like this giant magnet because it's physically and mentally very challenging. And it's a little bit scary.
Alfonsi: Do you get scared?
Edwards: The first time I drove a racecar I couldn't believe how fast it was. I'd watch a lot of racing and my dad let me drive at this tiny track in Illinois... the whole track would fit here on this front straight away. And I came off the corner and I'm trying to look over the steering wheel and I'm like 14 years old. And I lifted off the throttle way before the flag stand. And I thought "oh this is fast." Right then, I realized it wasn't going to be that easy.
Alfonsi: Do you ever get scared now?
Edwards: I don't get scared anymore of the speed or of the wreck, I'm just scared to make a mistake that could cost us a win or points. I don't like that feeling of making a mistake and having to live with it.
Alfonsi: You ever slow down?
Edwards: Yeah I slow down. That's why I live in Columbia, Missouri. On my days off I try to spend as much time as I can just doing something noncompetitive.
Alfonsi: Who's the guy in the race car?
Edwards: Once I get in the race car, it's time for business. It's really fun to see all these people and get to meet the fans. When I first started this I was always really anxious before the races, but now I try to enjoy it because when you get this many people together who love the sport as much as me and my guys… its really cool.
Alfonsi: Everybody says you are so squeaky clean. Where is the flaw? Someone said you are like the prom king of NASCAR.
Edwards: I'm just like anybody else where I'm frustrated over trivial things I shouldn't be mad about. I get frustrated with myself that sometimes I don't do a better job of focusing on what I need to focus on. Prioritizing what's important in life and I've been working on that a lot lately. But to me it's about challenges. I try really hard not to go for that Ben and Jerry's in the frig but that's really easy. The tough things are just having perspective
Alfonsi: It's right before the race, you've just helicoptered in, everyone is in your face. And you signed everything and you were talking to people, you were asking them questions. Does it ever feel like too much?
Edwards: There are times when I don't want to talk to anyone, I don't want to talk to any fans. I don't want to sign anything. But if I am having a good day and I have my head on straight and I have time, the fans are what make this happen. We can talk about the fact that television ratings are down 8 or 9 percent, or that the tickets sales are down 9 percent, but out of that our sport, like a lot of our economy and a lot of our advertising, will become more efficient and will be a little more grateful for the fans that do come out here. I know I am and I know I see it out of the other drivers. So I'm not the only one that takes the time for the fans.
Alfonsi: How many autographs did you sign today?
Edwards: I don't know how many autographs I signed today. More than normal. I was in a really good mood after the race.
Alfonsi: What's next for you? What goals have you set for yourself?
Edwards: I have some goals. And in racing, my goals are to win the Sprint Cup Championship. To me it would be such an accomplishment considering that 6 or 8 years ago this was a one in a million chance to even be a part of this. So that would be my number one goal. Outside of racing, I'd want to be a good husband and hopefully someday a good father.
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NASCAR Notes: Stewart's slide continues at New Hampshire
By Will Graves
September 20, 2009
LOUDON, N.H. — Tony Stewart's regular season dominance seems a distant memory.
The NASCAR star began his bid for a third series title with a 14th-place finish at New Hampshire. A bolt came loose on the rear axle cap, forcing him to take a lengthy stop that sent him tumbling to the back of the field. He restarted 28th but didn't have enough time to work his way back to the front.
Stewart angrily ripped off his HANS device and stormed away after the race, ignoring reporters while making a beeline for a golf cart.
"I'm sure he's upset about as much as I am, and he should be," crew chief Darian Grubb said. "We let him down. We have to assemble that car to the utmost of our abilities, and we just didn't."
Stewart spent the first half of the race taking turns at the front with Juan Pablo Montoya. He led 51 laps — the most since he won at Watkins Glen last month — but couldn't muster the magic that highlighted his spring and summer.
Now he heads to Dover next week in sixth place, 74 points behind Mark Martin after his fifth straight finish outside the top 10. It's the first time Stewart has been out of the top five in points since March.
The two-time champion admitted before the race he was concerned about his team's recent swoon but seemed confident they could turn it around.
Stewart/Haas Racing teammate Ryan Newman finished seventh and climbed three spots to seventh in the standings, one point behind his boss.
"We're in the hunt," Newman said. "If we get to running like Mark (Martin) there, we'll be alright."
CHASE CHATTER: The hottest driver heading into the Chase cooled off a little bit at New Hampshire, but Brian Vickers hardly seemed worried.
Vickers, who sneaked into the Chase at Richmond, finished 11th in his debut in NASCAR's playoffs and remained eighth in the standings.
Still, things could have been better.
"We had a lot of problems in the pits and some other problems that I think cost us an opportunity at a top five," Vickers said. "We still rallied for close to a top 10, and I'm really proud of that. But if we want to win this championship, we have to stop beating ourselves."
Carl Edwards finished 16th to remain winless on the year but led two laps, the same number he's led in the last 12 races combined.
"It could have been a disaster," Edwards said. "A lot of guys had more trouble than us, so we'll take it."
JUNIOR'S JOLT: Dale Earnhardt Jr. didn't make the Chase but looked like he was going to be a factor after he roared from his 23rd starting position into the top 5 late in the race.
His bid for a breakthrough ended as so many races have this season, with Earnhardt frustrated and wondering when his luck will finally change.
Earnhardt was running alongside David Reutimann as they entered Turn 3 with less than 20 laps to go, when Reutimann drifted into Earnhardt, sending Earnhardt spinning into the wall. His crew briefly tried to bang the body of his No. 88 Hendrick Chevrolet back into shape before giving up. He finished 35th, the 12th time this year he's finished in the back half of the field.
Afterward, Earnhardt did little to hide his frustration.
"David just ran out of talent down there," he said.
"I know that he can't hold his line, and I should have known that," he added. "Some people you just can't race side by side with."
Earnhardt tried to focus on the first 283 laps, when he did something that hasn't happened too often this season — running alongside Hendrick teammates Martin, Johnson and Jeff Gordon.
"It's a great start for a chase, good momentum," he said. "But we've got a lot of work to do."
KYLE'S QUEST: Kyle Busch wasn't kidding when he said he'd do whatever he could to help Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Denny Hamlin win a championship.
Busch, who narrowly missed the Chase after a roller coaster regular season, finished fifth behind Mark Martin on Sunday, slipping past brother Kurt Busch on the final lap. The move cost his older brother four precious points.
"We're just trying to steal points from these guys," Kyle Busch said.
It was a position he didn't think he'd be in after he spent the first half of the race complaining to crew chief Steve Addington about his car's setup.
"We changed this thing around from about a 30th-place car to about a fifth," he said. "We did what we could."
The points might not stick, however. Busch's car failed postrace inspection when officials ruled the left front of the car was too low. Any penalties will be announced later in the week, NASCAR officials said.
SPARK PLUGS: Former champion Bobby Labonte, whose No. 71 TRG Motorsports team needed a last-second cash infusion to race Sunday, got his money's worth. He finished 22nd. ... A crew member for Casey Mears was struck by Hamlin as he left the pits early in the race. The crew member was not seriously injured. ... Hamlin's second-place
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Smoke signals he’s ready to roll
By Jenna Fryer
September 19, 2009
LOUDON, N.H. – Through all the sleepless nights, and there were many, Tony Stewart always had one person to turn to when he worried about the fate of his latest endeavor.
As Stewart made the leap from a comfortable employee at Joe Gibbs Racing to co-owner of a sponsor-strapped, uncompetitive race team, Rick Hendrick was there for him whenever he needed support.
“Rick has been my security blanket,” Stewart said. “There’s nights I’ve called Rick at midnight with a question. Rick has really taken a lot of time with me and always made himself available, and I don’t think someone I could have done this without. I’ve known Rick a long time, and I’ve always trusted Rick.
“I know if I have a question, he’s going to give me an honest answer. He’s really taken a lot of time out of his schedule to make sure I’m comfortable with what I’m doing and to help us get to where we are.”
Where Stewart is now is at the top of his game and one of the favorites in the 12-driver Chase for the championship field. He’s completely rebuilt Haas-CNC Racing – which before Stewart arrived had a whopping one top-five finish in 284 starts over seven seasons – and created an organization that has far exceeded everyone’s expectations.
Flush with sponsor support and Hendrick help, Stewart Haas Racing has a 2-in-12 shot at the Sprint Cup title. Both Stewart and Ryan Newman are in the Chase field, and both are capable of winning the championship.
Of course, it’s Stewart who has the best odds.
He won three races this season, plus the $1 million All-Star event, and built a hefty lead in the points standings. The lead was wiped out when the field was reset for the Chase, so Stewart goes into Sunday’s opener at New Hampshire Motor Speedway ranked second in the standings, 10 points behind leader Mark Martin.
In the old points system, Stewart would be just a few weeks away from locking up a third Cup championship. In the Chase format, it’s anything goes, and there’s no guarantee Stewart will have any hardware when the dust settles after these final 10 races.
And he’s just fine with that.
“I feel like to a certain degree, what has happened so far this year has exceeded the expectations of many and that everything from here on in is a bonus,” he said this week. “I would be lying if I didn’t say we realize we’ve got just as good a shot as anybody to win the championship, and we’re going to work just as hard, if not harder, to accomplish that.
“But whatever we get out of that, we’ll take. We feel like that we’ve got two cars that if we can put together 10 weeks, we’ve got as good a shot as anybody to win the championship.”
It’s an interesting outlook for Stewart, a passionate driver who has struggled at times with managing his intensity and desire. He’s usually good for a meltdown or two a season, but aside from some minor sniping at Goodyear the day before the Daytona 500, Stewart has been fairly drama-free this year.
Granted, he’s been running up front just about every week and it’s hard to get upset about much when things are going so well. Even as his performance slipped a bit over the past month, Stewart has remained upbeat and isn’t obsessing over four subpar results since his win at Watkins Glen.
There was a 17th at Michigan, and a terrible 33rd-place finish at Bristol, when he drove more than half the race without any radio contact. He was 11th at Atlanta, then had another long night with a 17th-place finish last weekend in Richmond.
It’s a roll in the wrong direction as he heads into the Chase, but Stewart doesn’t seem at all concerned.
“A lot of it’s been a weird situation where we’ve been locked in, and if we don’t win, then the rest of it doesn’t mean anything,” he said. “I think if we didn’t have that shot to win, then we took care of ourselves and took care of our cars.”
He didn’t seem to be off at all when he got to New Hampshire, qualifying second for Sunday’s race. He’ll start right next to Chase dark horse Juan Pablo Montoya, the pole-sitter, and surrounded by three other Chase drivers.
Stewart knows firsthand how critical it is to start the Chase with a clean first race. He was wrecked in the 2004 opener, finished 39th and never recovered en route to a sixth-place spot in the final standings. He insisted Friday, though, that Sunday is just the first of 10 races and his approach can’t be any different than it’s been all season.
While he won’t say it outright, there’s got to be a part of Stewart which very much wants to win this championship. He loves to prove people wrong and seems to thrive in challenging situations. In the wake of many calling him nuts for leaving JGR for his own race team, Stewart has enjoyed the in-your-face results this season.
He can cap it off by becoming the first driver since Alan Kulwicki in 1992 to win a championship for his own team. Of course, he’ll have to contend with the guy who has helped him get to the top: Hendrick and his three title-contending drivers Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon and Mark Martin.
Stewart’s had an up-close look at the inner workings at Hendrick and knows how prepared those teams will be. And he’s been beaten by Johnson the last three years in an eye-opening display of a team turning it up another level when the stakes are raised.
Even with all that incentive, Stewart still insists his desire is no greater this year than any other season. And if he falls short, he’ll be fine.
“Every year, you want to win the championship,” he said. “But the cool thing is this year we have the opportunity to do something that Alan Kulwicki was the last to do. Still, there’s not a sense of urgency. It’s not like after this year I am not going to be an owner anymore and this is our only shot.”
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