The Plain Truth

Ready for racing? 10 things you need to know about Speedweeks

Scalpers

First Party

155 Laps

Everybody In

Guinea Pigs

No Garage

Cool. Coolers!

Local Holiday

New Scorecard

Let Them Eat

 

2012 RACING SCHEDULE

 

Find out the story CLICK HERE>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

NASCAR newbie Maryeve Dufault got her start as 'Price Is Right' model, Hawaiian Tropic gal

Danica Patrick may need to check her rearview mirror. Maryeve Dufault is the latest beauty to make the jump to the NASCAR circuit. While Patrick crossed over from Indy cars to the big leagues, Dufault jumped from the ARCA circuit to race in a NASCAR Nationwide race in her home country: Canada.

“I started riding motocross at the age of four,” Dufault told FOX411.com. “My dad

and brother race motorcycles, so I grew up at the racetrack. Ever since I was one or two years old, my mom took me there every weekend while my dad was racing.”Dufault moved to California in 2000, and quickly landed a job as a model on “The Price is Right,” despite her shaky grasp of English. 

Maryeve Dufault (born 16 February, 1982 in Sorel, Quebec) is a Canadian race car driver, model and advertising spokeswoman. She has raced in the Skip Barber, formula BMW, Formula Renault, Star Mazda, NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, ARCA Racing Series and Nationwide Series. She has appeared on numerous television series.

While Dufault is gearing up for a race in Daytona in a couple of weeks, the recently single Maxim model is ready to mingle. “I really like athletic guys, people with a lot of energy and ambition,” she said. “Chemistry is important, too. Most of my exes have been athletes, so maybe it’s time to switch that up!

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2012/02/07/nascar-newbie-maryeve-dufault-got-her-start-as-price-is-right-model-hawaiian/#ixzz1lkhj30Ib

Moment young NASCAR racer plunged into sea in father's classic car

This is the jaw-dropping moment a young racing driver lost control of his father's cherished car - and ploughs it into the sea.

George Miedecke was driving the classic Ford Capri Perana after his father let him race in Tasmania, Australia, on the basis 'he didn't crash and he didn't finish second'.

But the 25-year-old left the road on a tight corner at 80mph, plunged off the road and smashed into the sea.

Lost control: George Miedecke, driving his father's Ford Capri, leaves the road and plunges towards the sea while racing in Tasmania, Australia

Split-second: This pictures captures the Ford Capris just inches above the sea as it flies off the road

 

There goes the no claims: With a huge splash, the car hits the water at high speed in front of a car that had already crashed

The corner where he crashed had already seen an accident and Mr Miedecke smashed into another competitor's car in the shallows.

Fortunately, he and his co-driver Daniel Willson both emerged relatively unscathed following their brush with death.

He said: 'It was a tightening corner and obviously somehow we got it wrong, either in the pace notes or I made a mistake, I'm not sure.

'We weren't even pushing that hard, but when you go into a corner that tightens more than you expect it to, there's not much you can do.

'Luckily Daniel and I are both ok.'

Read more PLUS SEE VIDEO: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2097678/Young-racing-driver-George-Miedecke-ploughs-fathers-prized-classic-car-sea.html#ixzz1lkYNKmGs

Deja Blue New York Giants win Super Bowl 21-17 with late-game drive

INDIANAPOLIS — Eli Manning and the Giants scored a last-minute touchdown to beat the New England Patriots 21-17 Sunday night for New York’s fourth Super Bowl title.

It was a rematch of the 2008 NFL championship, when Manning led New York past New England to ruin the Patriots’ bid for a perfect season.

This was the first Super Bowl with two starting quarterbacks who previously won the big game’s MVP award — and they took turns being brilliant. Manning became the first QB to open a Super Bowl with nine consecutive completions. Later, Brady put together a run of 16 completions in a row, breaking another Super Bowl mark.

But in the end, it was Manning — who was selected as the MVP — who directed the nine-play, 88-yard drive that put New York ahead.

Ahmad Bradshaw capped the winning drive with a 6-yard run up the middle. He wanted to stop at the 1-yard line but fell backward into the end zone.

Less than a minute later it came down to one last play, when Tom Brady’s long heave into the end zone fell incomplete among a maze of players.

New England had the ball for all of one play in the first 11 1-2 minutes, and that play was an utter failure, a rare poor decision by Brady. After Steve Weatherford’s punt was downed at the New England 6, Brady dropped to pass in the end zone and had time. With everyone covered and Giants defensive end Justin Tuck finally coming free to provide pressure, Brady heaved the ball downfield while still in the pocket.

Only problem: No Patriots receivers were anywhere near the pass. The Giants were awarded a safety for Brady’s grounding in the end zone.

Manning, meanwhile, couldn’t have been more on target early, hitting six receivers in the first period, completing his first nine throws, a Super Bowl record. He also was aided by Ahmad Bradshaw, who hardly looked like a running back with a bad foot. Bradshaw broke a 24-yard run, and New England made another critical mistake by having 12 men on the field on a third-and-3 on which the Giants fumbled.

Instead, New York got a first down at the 6, and two plays later Victor Cruz beat James Ihedigbo on a slant to make it 9-0, prompting Cruz to break into his signature salsa move.

Manning’s first incompletion didn’t come until 1:19 into the second quarter.

At that point, it was 9-3 after Stephen Gostkowski’s 29-yard field goal. The Patriots got to the Giants’ 11, but All-Pro DE Jason Pierre-Paul blocked a third-down pass.

Soon after, when the Patriots had a three-and-out and Pierre-Paul blocked another throw, Belichick and offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien had a quick discussion. Then O’Brien, soon to take over as Penn State coach, went over to the struggling Brady.

The talk must have helped. On the final series of the opening half, Brady was masterful. Starting at his 4, and ignoring the last time the Patriots began a series in the shadow of the end zone, he was vintage Brady.

With New York’s vaunted pass rush disappearing, Brady went 10-for-10 for 98 yards, capping the drive that included two Patriots penalties with Woodhead’s 4-yard TD reception with 8 seconds to go in the half. Hernandez and Woodhead each had four catches on the drive that, stunningly, put New England ahead despite being outplayed for so much of the first 30 minutes.

Brady kept firing — and hitting — in the third quarter, with five more completions. The Giants didn’t come within shouting distance of the record-setting quarterback. He capped a 79-yard drive to open the second half with a 12-yard TD to Hernandez, but then the game turned. Again.

Consecutive field goals by Lawrence Tynes of 38 and 33 yards brought New York within 17-15. Brady then threw deep for his tight end after weaving away from two pass rushers. His throw was short, and Chase Blackburn picked it off early in the fourth quarter.

Although the Giants moved into New England territory again, as they did on every drive to that point, they bogged down and punted.

 http://www.suntimes.com/sports/10457494-419/new-york-giants-win-super-bowl-21-17.html

Super matchups everywhere with Pats-Giants

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - MVP quarterbacks on marquee franchises. A rematch of a nail-biter from four years ago, featuring many of the same key characters. Madonna and plenty of Manning - Eli, and Peyton, too.

This Super Bowl certainly has all the makings of another thriller, the perfect finish to a season that began in turmoil and wound up the most successful in league history.

The NFL couldn't have planned it any better.  MORE>>>>>>>>

Who is the Lombardi Trophy named after?

by Mike Koehler on February 1st, 2010

Holding aloft the Lombardi Trophy is an iconic moment after every Super Bowl. This year, either the Colts or Saints will hold up the trophy, which has a storied history in the National Football League. The Lombardi Trophy is named for one of the league's greatest coaches.

Vince Lombardi: The Coach

The Lombardi Trophy is named for Vince Lombardi, who coached the Green Bay Packers from 1959 through the end of the 1967 season. Lombardi's hard-nosed style, combined with the early stars of the Packers like Bart Starr, established him as one of the best coaches in the early history of the league. Lombardi had a 105-35-6 record as an NFL head coach.

Vince Lombardi: Super Bowl History

A key reason the Super Bowl Trophy is named for Lombardi is because of the coach's success in the game. Lombardi was 9-1 in postseason play with the Packers, and his teams won the first two Super Bowls over the American Football League's Kansas City Chiefs in 1967 and the Oakland Raiders in 1968. Lombardi's teams had already won NFL titles in 1965, 1966 and 1967.

History of the Lombardi Trophy

The pro football championship trophy was debuted in 1967, but it wasn't named after the coach until 1971, following his death in September 1970. The trophy was originally called the "Titletown Trophy" and was given to the Packers after the first contest between the AFL and NFL champions.

About the Lombardi Trophy

The sterling-silver trophy is topped with a full-scale football and is made by Tiffany and Co. Each trophy weighs seven pounds and takes four months to create. Each trophy is valued at $12,500.

Continued Interest in Vince Lombardi

Despite being dead for nearly 40 years, Vince Lombardi is still the subject of intense interest. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and his son runs a popular website about the coach and speaks about him across the country. Lombardi was recently the subject of a popular book by David Maraniss, titled "When Pride Still Mattered: A Life of Vince Lombardi."

Read more: Who is the Lombardi Trophy named after? | Answerbag http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/1910206#ixzz1DC9t2tE3

Source:

Vincelombardi.com: Biography of Vince Lombardi

Ravensnest.com: About the Lombardi Award

More Information:

NY Times: Early history of the Super Bowl

Read more: Who is the Lombardi Trophy named after? | Answerbag http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/1910206#ixzz1DC9lm4YG

Manning Throws 3 TDs, Giants Stun Packers 37-20

January 16, 2012 at 12:14 am - AP
Dateline: Wisconsin

Eli Manning threw three touchdown passes and the Giants shocked the Packers 37-20 in an NFC divisional playoff game Sunday. Manning threw for 330 yards, sending the Giants to San Francisco for the NFC championship game next Sunday night.

The Most Amazing Racing Accident Video Ever! Cobra Crashes at 130 mph

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Tim Tebow: God's Quarterback

By PATTON DODD

On a brisk Thursday evening in mid-November, I sat high in the stands at a Denver Broncos home game, covering the ears of my 4-year-old son as the fans around us launched f-bombs at Tim Tebow, the Broncos' struggling second-year quarterback. Mr. Tebow was ineffective and off-target for most of the game, and one of his more voluble and obnoxious critics was standing right in front of us.

But the heckler's friend wasn't joining in. "Just wait until the end of the fourth quarter," he said. "That's Tebow time."

And so it was. In the waning moments against the New York Jets, Mr. Tebow manufactured a 95-yard game-winning drive, punctuated by his own 20-yard touchdown dash. He brought the Broncos back from imminent defeat, just as he had done in previous weeks against the Miami Dolphins, Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs.

And when the shouting was over, Mr. Tebow did what he always does—he pointed skyward and took a knee in prayer.    MORE>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

NASCAR’s celebratory banquet has a bit of sadness as Tony Stewart, Darian Grubb part ways

LAS VEGAS — The champion and his race team sit together at the head table during NASCAR’s season-ending awards ceremony.

For Tony Stewart and crew chief Darian Grubb, separated by just three seats Friday night on the stage in the Wynn Las Vegas Resort, it marked the final time they were together as a team. Despite winning the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship, Grubb has been fired from Stewart-Haas Racing and the replacement has already been hired.

It’s made for some awkward moments during Champion’s Week in Las Vegas, and Grubb’s wife, Yolanda, even quipped “we’re like the big elephant in the room everywhere we go.”

That’s not how it felt, though, during Grubb’s acceptance speech Thursday as the champion crew chief. As he struggled to keep his own composure, his words brought NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series director John Darby to tears and driver Carl Edwards hopped to his feet to start a rousing standing ovation for the fired champion crew chief.

“It’s definitely awkward,” Grubb said. “That’s the only problem with the situation. It’s awkward. We’re just trying to put that in the back of our head and go out and enjoy what we’ve accomplished. I think we’re doing a good job of that. But it’s tough.   More>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Jeremy Mayfield Arrested: Ex-NASCAR Driver Busted For Meth Possession

CATAWBA, N.C. — Former NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield, barred from the association since 2009 for a failed drug test, was arrested at his western North Carolina home and charged with possession of methamphetamine, and police said Wednesday he might face more charges.

Mayfield was arrested Tuesday night and charged possessing 1.5 grams of meth, according to records from the Catawba County Sheriff's Office. The 42-year-old Mayfield posted $3,000 bond and was scheduled to appear in district court Wednesday. A call to the clerk's office in Newton was not immediately returned Wednesday.

Detectives from neighboring Lincoln County said roughly $100,000 worth of items that belonged to businesses in that county also were found at Mayfield's home, and they plan to charge him with possession of stolen goods.

The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office says Mayfield had heavy equipment parts, welders and welding accessories, truck parts, an engraving machine and other items that they say were reported stolen from two businesses in late 2010 and early 2011.

An attorney for Mayfield said his client denies all the charges, and the search was executed based on "baseless allegations by an unreliable source."

"Mr. Mayfield has no knowledge of either stolen property or methamphetamine being present on his property and denies the accusation that he was in possession of methamphetamine or any other illegal drug and he denies any suggestion that he knowingly received or possessed stolen property," said Daniel Marino, a Washington, D.C.-based attorney.

"Mr. Mayfield and his attorneys are cooperating with the authorities and they look forward to this matter being resolved quickly. In the meantime, Mr. Mayfield asks that the public reserve its judgment on this matter."

The former Sprint Cup driver was suspended from NASCAR in May 2009  More>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 

Marco Simoncelli Dies in GP Crash

The 24-year-old Simoncelli had his helmet knocked off in the accident, which occurred when the Italian lowsided from his bike at Turn 11.

His bike veered across the track and straight into the path of Edwards and Rossi. The race was immediately red-flagged.

Simoncelli, who was motionless on the track after the impact, had been fourth at the end of lap one.
Edwards also fell but escaped serious injury, while Rossi, on a Ducati, was able to return to the pits.

 

 

Five best pitching performances in World Series history

By D. Benjamin Satkowiak, Yahoo! Contributor Network

Major League Baseball's World Series is the pinnacle of sports championships. Each year, the two best teams from the league do battle for the opportunity to hoist the Commissioner's Trophy. In the annals of its history, there have been memorable performances and brutal blunders, all leaving their mark on the game's legacy.

Cy Young.
http://commons.wikimedia.org

VIDEO: Dan Wheldon Killed In Fiery IndyCar Series Crash At Las Vegas

FROM: http://www.sbnation.com/

 

Indianapolis 500 champion Dan Wheldon has been killed after being involved in one of the worst motor racing crashes in memory today in the IndyCar Series finale at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Wheldon was among 15 cars collected in a wreck of unspeakable magnitude shortly into the race.

The video is below the jump, but we advise you to brace yourself before watching it.

 

MORE: CLICK HERE

Danica Patrick on Achieving Your Dreams

Danica: There’s a first time for everything. Records like being the first woman to win an IndyCar race, or in Las Vegas in the Nationwide Series, becoming the highest finishing a female in a NASCAR race [4th place]. I’ve only done a few races and haven’t competed in a full NASCAR season yet, but to have had the highest finish for a female in history [the record was previously set in 1940 for 5th place] — those are cool statistics to have. I have no idea what the records are until I break them. Then, after, I think to myself, “What?” Being the highest finishing female in Indy and NASCAR! You are looking back on the whole history of something and you have done it better than anyone else. That’s pretty cool!   Read the story>>>>>

Tony Stewart - Is "dead weight" sleeping with the fishes?

This is an update to our story: Is Tony Stewart's Dead Weight, his girlfriend? Won't Say!

By Jim Pedley | Managing Editor
RacinToday.com

Last Sunday’s Sprint Cup victory by Tony Stewart in New Hampshire came with a built-in mystery. A mystery complete with a John Doe victim.

Stewart himself prologued the mystery when he gave an excited, impassioned Victory Lane television interview after winning the Sylvania 300.

During that interview, Stewart was asked why he has won two Chase races in a row after having gone winless during the 26-race non-playoff portion of the 2011 season.

Stewart, in part, said, “Well, we got rid of some dead weight earlier this week. So, it made it a lot easier. It’s been a big weight lifted off our shoulders. Just sometimes you have to make adjustments in your life and we did that and it has definitely helped this weekend for sure.”

The TV reporter, of course, moved on without inquiring about the identity of the mangled victim(s) who was suddenly lying under the bus.

During the portion of post-race interviews held inside the media center at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, other reporters attempted to dig a little deeper.

Stewart’s crew chief, Darian Grubb, was the first to get to the dais in the media center. He

Is somebody missing from this picture from earlier in the year? (RacinToday/HHP photo by Erik J. Perel)

was asked what Stewart was referring to in Victory Lane.

“I’ve heard a lot of people talk about it,” Grubb said. “But I haven’t heard what he was talking about.  I know he went and did a lot of dirt racing and had a lot of fun this week, kind of unloaded everything. Maybe it was a lot of dead weight off his mind.

Grubb was then asked if there were any personnel changes on the team.

“Not that I know of,” Grubb said. “Maybe he’s talking about me and I just don’t know it yet.”

That response was met by laughter.

Stewart was next to the dais and the laughter ceased in mid ha-ha.

Things went like this as soon as the interview was thrown over to the media.

Question: “Tony, ever since you were on TV in Victory Lane, the buzz all around the track and Internet is wondering what you meant when you said, ‘We dropped some dead weight earlier this week’.”

Stewart:   Read More>>>>>>>>>>

Is Tony Stewart's Dead Weight, his girlfriend? Won't Say!

LOUDON, N.H. – Tony Stewart apparently wanted to send a message after his victory at New Hampshire Motor Speedway Sunday, but he is keeping the details of his curious public comment on a need-to-know basis.

After his victory in the Sylvania 300, Stewart said on national television: “We got rid of some dead weight earlier this week, so it made it a lot easier. It’s been a big weight lifted off our shoulders – just sometimes you have to make adjustments in your life and we did that and it has definitely helped.”

What exactly was he referring to? Stewart wouldn’t say afterward.   MORE>>>>>>

Four Wide: NASCAR vs. the NFL begins this weekend

By Jay Busbee

Rounding up some links for your weekend to keep you up with what's new in the NASCAR world. Enjoy, and feel free to hold court in the comments below.

• NASCAR vs. the NFL begins in earnest this weekend. Uh-oh. (Aside: this gives me a chance to link back to the very first article I wrote for this site, comparing NASCAR drivers to their NFL counterparts. See how far off I was ... or wasn't.) [The Daly Planet]

• Remember when Danica Patrick talked about dangers in Japan and everyone thought she was crazy? Turns out that an IndyCar report reached some of the same conclusions. [Racin' Today]

• Here's a pretty oversimplified look at Dale Earnhardt Jr. and the NASCAR media, but since it praises Junior and busts on the media, it'll make some folks happy. [Bleacher Report]

• Goodyear is running special "Support Our Troops" tires this weekend, though you'll have to be a quick reader to see them while they're moving. [Goodyear]

• Clint Bowyer might be headed to Michael Waltrip Racing after all. [NASCAR.com]

Got a link/tip for us? Hit us up at jay.busbee@yahoo.com or via Twitter at @jaybusbee. And follow us on Facebook here and Google+ here. Go!

NASCAR's Dale Earnhardt Jr. enjoys being back in the Chase

Junior Nation is ecstatic.

Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s sprawling fan base lit up NASCAR message boards and websites in celebration last Saturday after the 36-year-old driver earned a Chase for the Sprint Cup berth for the first time since 2008.

But it wasn't easy for a driver who started the season well, then struggled and qualified the hard way.

Maneuvering a damaged No. 88 Chevrolet to a 16th-place finish at Virginia's Richmond International Raceway, Earnhardt locked down the 10th and final automatic Chase berth.

"We ran poorly" late in the season, Earnhardt said last week. "If we would have minimized our own mistakes, we would have had nothing to worry about at Richmond, we would have been locked in."  MORE>>>>>>>>>

Plane Down into the Stands at Reno Air Races

Multiple fatalities feared at the Reno Air Races after an Unlimited plane crashed into the grandstand soon after take-off.

More Plus Video>>>>>>>>>

Williams: NASCAR Drivers Remember 9/11

RICHMOND, Va. – A decade ago on Sunday the terrorist attack known today simply as 9/11 broke America’s heart while unifying a nation and ripping away its innocence.

During that horrifying morning, time stood still for everyone and everything, including NASCAR. The New Hampshire race was postponed until Thanksgiving weekend, private aircraft was grounded and various members of the NASCAR community were stranded far from home.

Jason Leffler, Bobby Labonte, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Johnny Benson, Brett Bodine, Dave Blaney and Joe Nemechek were testing at Kansas Speedway. Rusty Wallace was stranded in Los Angeles and team owner Rick Hendrick in Detroit.

Team owner Richard Childress was out of the country on a hunting trip. Jack Roush was stranded in Reno, Nev., while Matt Kenseth was in Wisconsin. Jimmy Spencer was in Houston when air travel stopped. Joe Gibbs Racing’s head engine builder Mark Cronquist was in England.   MORE>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

NASCAR Drivers Pleased After White House Visit, Meeting With Obama

by Jay W. Pennell

President Barack Obama welcomed NASCAR into the White House Wednesday afternoon to honor five-time defending Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson and seven of his 2010 Chase competitors.

Hailing the drivers for their work both on the track and off, President Obama stood alongside Johnson, Clint Bowyer, Jeff Burton, Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch, Jeff Gordon, Denny Hamlin and Matt Kenseth.

Other 2010 Chase drivers Carl Edwards, Greg Biffle, Kevin Harvick and Tony Stewart said they could not reschedule prior commitments to make the trip. However, the drivers were not the only ones unable to attend Wednesday's ceremonies, as NASCAR CEO Brian France was unable to make the trip due to weather in the area.

Standing in the East Room of the White House, President Obama congratulated Johnson on his five titles and said he was not only one of the best drivers of all time, but "up there with the best sport dynasties" such as the New York Yankees, the Boston Celtics and the Montreal Canadiens.

"Which is not bad for the son of a machine operator and a school bus driver who still has plenty of seasons ahead of him," Obama said.

The president also said he had noticed some "trash-talking" this season, saying that is what makes the sport so exciting to watch.  

The five-time champion thanked the president and presented him with a pair of gloves worn during last year's Chase.   MORE>>>>>>>>>>>>

Auto Racing: Maybe Earnhardt, Hendrick Don't Mix

By Patrick Zier
LEDGER CORRESPONDENT

You can make a strong argument that Hendrick Motorsports is the strongest team in stock car racing.

And you can make an almost irrefutable argument that Dale Earnhardt Jr. is the sport's biggest star; certainly the most marketable.

So, if you put that combination together, both should come out huge winners.

Well, that combination was put together in 2008, and while Hendrick remains one of NASCAR's top teams and Earnhardt remains it's most marketable driver, nothing much has happened on the track.

Since joining Hendrick, Earnhardt has won just once, at Michigan in 2008. He has yet to make the chase, although that could change this year. And he has gone through three crew chiefs.

Thursday, it was announced that Hendrick and Earnhardt have agreed to a five-year contract extension, which will take him through the 2017 season. And if he is going to make the impact most expected, this could be his last chance.

At the end of 2017, Earnhardt will be 43. In NASCAR, most drivers seem to peak from their mid-20s into their late 30s or early 40s. After that, it's pretty much down hill. So this was a big decision for Earnhardt.

Earnhardt joined Hendrick after he and his late father's wife, Teresa, could not come to terms on a contract that would have kept him with the family team. At the time, it was assumed this would be an unbeatable combination, with Earnhardt coming into his own, winning multiple races each year and getting that elusive Sprint Cup title as well.

Those expectations were reasonable, considering he won races every year he was with Dale Earnhardt Inc. except 2007, when the strains on his relationship with Teresa Earnhardt and the contract squabble began to show. In all, he won 17 races for the team, including a breakout season in 2004 when he won six including the Daytona 500, where his father had lost his life.

So there was something to build on there. But as the last few seasons have shown, being with the best doesn't always bring out the best.

Kyle Busch, whom Earnhardt replaced in the Hendrick lineup, had issues there and didn't reach his full potential until he left for Joe Gibbs Racing. At Gibbs, Busch has become NASCAR's biggest winner this year with four victories and currently sits atop the point standings.

Just 26 and considered to have as much or more talent than anyone in the sport, Busch could become the Jeff Gordon of his generation.

All multicar teams will tell you they are equal opportunity employers, that they don't favor one competitor over another. And while everyone may have access to the same equipment, that doesn't make them all equal. Crew chiefs aren't equal; some are better than others. Same for engineers and fabricators, etc. And not all drivers like the same setups, so what works for one may not work for another even if they are teammates.

Maybe, as with Busch, Earnhardt would have been wise to consider other options. The natural fit for Earnhardt has always seemed to be Richard Childress Racing, and even if he had to pull a Kasey Kahne — drive for someone else until Jeff Burton's ride opened up — that might have been the way to go, or at least worth considering.

Earnhardt, though, apparently never even considered other options. In part, that's because he and Hendrick are very close, possibly because Earnhardt lost his father and Hendrick lost his son, as well as several other family members, in a tragic plane crash in 2004.

Both Earnhardt and Hendrick are committed to making this work, but with Jimmie Johnson and Gordon still at the top of their game, and Kahne coming on board next year, it's going to be hard to single out Earnhardt for special attention, and his team may need that.

At Dale Earnhardt Inc., he was the man. Now though, he's just a man among men.

Page 2>>>>>>>

Five NASCAR Drivers Decline President Obama's White House Invitation

President Barack Obama will honor NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson and the 11 other Chase drivers from last year in a White House ceremony on Wednesday – but nearly half of the 2010 playoff contenders won't be there.

NASCAR said Thursday that five drivers – Greg Biffle, Kurt Busch, Carl Edwards, Kevin Harvick and Tony Stewart – will not be attending the White House visit due to "schedule conflicts."

UPDATE: Busch said Friday he will attend the White House visit after all.

MORE>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Yankees' Cano, Martin, Granderson hit grand slams; MLB one-game record

NEW YORK -- The New York Yankees became the first team in major league history to hit three grand slams in a game, with Robinson Cano, Russell Martin and Curtis Granderson connecting Thursday in a 22-9 romp over the Oakland Athletics.

In nearly a century of storied slugging, the Bronx Bombers never enjoyed a day like this.

Read more: http://aol.sportingnews.com/mlb/story/2011-08-25/yankees-cano-martin-granderson-hit-grand-slams-mlb-one-game-record?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl10%7Csec1_lnk3%7C89551#ixzz1W8Rj2Ivh