Homestead: Tayler Malsam NASCAR Truck Race Preview
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Making his debut in a Bill Davis Racing Toyota Tundra, 19-year-old Tayler Malsam qualified in the top 25 for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Malsam took the green flag from the 22nd position and never fell out of the top 25, earning a 21st-place finish in only his second NCTS start.
The NCTS teams participated in two practice sessions Thursday afternoon, and the young driver spent that time getting himself acclimated to both the track and the truck. With a team led by veteran Crew Chief Gene Nead, the No. 24 Tundra posted solid times during both practice sessions. Malsam was the 30th of 37 competitors to take to the track for qualifying Friday evening and earned a solid 22nd-place starting... // PaddockTalk
13/11/2008 21:06 Homestead: James Buescher NASCAR Nationwide Race Preview PaddockTalk
Homestead: James Buescher NASCAR Nationwide Race Preview
James Buescher Homestead-Miami Speedway Fast Facts
• The Ford 200 will mark Buescher’s first-career NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series start
• Buescher has never competed at Homestead-Miami Speedway prior to this weekend
• Buescher has competed in six NASCAR Nationwide Series races, averaging a 22nd-place start and a 17th-place finish
• Buescher won the NNS pole position at Memphis Motorsports Park this season driving the No. 32 Braun Racing Toyota
• The No. 15 team’s best finish at Homestead-Miami Speedway is 6th (Kyle Busch, 2005)
Buescher Comments on Homestead-Miami Speedway
"This weekend will mark a lot of firsts for me. This will be the first time I’ve raced a truck, the... // PaddockTalk
James Buescher Homestead-Miami Speedway Fast Facts
• The Ford 200 will mark Buescher’s first-career NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series start
• Buescher has never competed at Homestead-Miami Speedway prior to this weekend
• Buescher has competed in six NASCAR Nationwide Series races, averaging a 22nd-place start and a 17th-place finish
• Buescher won the NNS pole position at Memphis Motorsports Park this season driving the No. 32 Braun Racing Toyota
• The No. 15 team’s best finish at Homestead-Miami Speedway is 6th (Kyle Busch, 2005)
Buescher Comments on Homestead-Miami Speedway
"This weekend will mark a lot of firsts for me. This will be the first time I’ve raced a truck, the... // PaddockTalk
13/11/2008 19:32 Brad Keselowski: NASCAR Sprint Cup - Homestead Preview Auto Racing Daily
LOOKING TO MAKE SECOND CUP START: Brad Keselowski, driver of the No. 25 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet, will
attempt to qualify for his second NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race
this weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Keselowski, 24, made his
Cup debut earlier this month at Texas Motor Speedway and picked up
Sunday’s race at Homestead after his first qualifying attempt
at Lowe’s Motor Speedway was rained out.
LAST TIME IN THE NO. 25: Keselowski joined... // Auto Racing Daily
LAST TIME IN THE NO. 25: Keselowski joined... // Auto Racing Daily
13/11/2008 18:44 Dale Earnhardt Jr.: NASCAR Sprint Cup - Homestead Preview Auto Racing Daily
13/11/2008 18:22 Dale Earnhardt Jr.: NASCAR Nationwide Series: Homestead Preview Auto Racing Daily
13/11/2008 11:46 Homestead: Chip Ganassi Racing preview Motorsport.com
13/11/2008 09:54 Homestead: Dale Earnhardt Jr. NASCAR Sprint Cup Race Preview PaddockTalk
Homestead: Dale Earnhardt Jr. NASCAR Sprint Cup Race Preview
MEDIA AVAILABILITY: Dale Earnhardt Jr. will be available to members of the media at the No. 88 transporter in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series garage immediately following his qualifying run on Friday afternoon.
HOMESTEAD STATS: In eight NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Dale Earnhardt Jr. has led 93 laps and completed almost 100 percent of all laps he has attempted (2,130 of 2,141). Earnhardt has recorded two top-15 finishes and four top-20s at the 1.5-mile oval. He scored his best finish -- 13th -- at Homestead during his rookie season in November 2000.
2008 IN REVIEW: Since his Budweiser Shootout win in February, Earnhardt has built up a highlight reel in his first year with Hendrick Motorsports. In... // PaddockTalk
MEDIA AVAILABILITY: Dale Earnhardt Jr. will be available to members of the media at the No. 88 transporter in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series garage immediately following his qualifying run on Friday afternoon.
HOMESTEAD STATS: In eight NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Dale Earnhardt Jr. has led 93 laps and completed almost 100 percent of all laps he has attempted (2,130 of 2,141). Earnhardt has recorded two top-15 finishes and four top-20s at the 1.5-mile oval. He scored his best finish -- 13th -- at Homestead during his rookie season in November 2000.
2008 IN REVIEW: Since his Budweiser Shootout win in February, Earnhardt has built up a highlight reel in his first year with Hendrick Motorsports. In... // PaddockTalk
13/11/2008 09:50 Homestead: Red Bull NASCAR Sprint Cup Race Preview PaddockTalk
Homestead: Red Bull NASCAR Sprint Cup Race Preview
ENTRIES: Red Bull No. 83 Scott Speed and Red Bull No. 84 Brian Vickers
TRACK: Homestead-Miami Speedway, Homestead, FL
Red Bull Racing Team’s two drivers will swap cars, colors and crews for this weekend’s finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway, as Brian Vickers climbs out of the blue No. 83 and into the silver No. 84 to help that team close the season strong. Teammate Scott Speed will pilot Vickers’ Red Bull Toyota.
"I support the team’s decision to change things up this weekend and feel this will only strengthen our team in the long run," Vickers said. "Red Bull makes great cars so driving the No. 84 won’t be any different than driving the No. 83. We expect both cars to be fast. It will be fun driving... // PaddockTalk
ENTRIES: Red Bull No. 83 Scott Speed and Red Bull No. 84 Brian Vickers
TRACK: Homestead-Miami Speedway, Homestead, FL
Red Bull Racing Team’s two drivers will swap cars, colors and crews for this weekend’s finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway, as Brian Vickers climbs out of the blue No. 83 and into the silver No. 84 to help that team close the season strong. Teammate Scott Speed will pilot Vickers’ Red Bull Toyota.
"I support the team’s decision to change things up this weekend and feel this will only strengthen our team in the long run," Vickers said. "Red Bull makes great cars so driving the No. 84 won’t be any different than driving the No. 83. We expect both cars to be fast. It will be fun driving... // PaddockTalk
13/11/2008 09:50 Homestead: Dale Earnhardt Jr. NASCAR Nationwide Race Preview PaddockTalk
Homestead: Dale Earnhardt Jr. NASCAR Nationwide Race Preview
MEDIA AVAILABILITY: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the No. 5 National Guard Chevrolet, will be available to members of the media at the No. 88 transporter in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series garage immediately following his qualifying run on Friday afternoon.
AT HOMESTEAD: In four NASCAR Nationwide Series starts at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Dale Earnhardt Jr. has recorded one top-five finish, two top-10s and led a total of 125 laps. He has an average start of 13.2 and an average finish of 16th. Earnhardt, driver of the No. 5 National Guard Chevrolet, scored a seventh-place result during his last Nationwide Series outing at Homestead in November 2006.
IN THE NATIONWIDE SERIES: In 105 career starts in the Nationwide Series, Earnhardt... // PaddockTalk
MEDIA AVAILABILITY: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the No. 5 National Guard Chevrolet, will be available to members of the media at the No. 88 transporter in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series garage immediately following his qualifying run on Friday afternoon.
AT HOMESTEAD: In four NASCAR Nationwide Series starts at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Dale Earnhardt Jr. has recorded one top-five finish, two top-10s and led a total of 125 laps. He has an average start of 13.2 and an average finish of 16th. Earnhardt, driver of the No. 5 National Guard Chevrolet, scored a seventh-place result during his last Nationwide Series outing at Homestead in November 2006.
IN THE NATIONWIDE SERIES: In 105 career starts in the Nationwide Series, Earnhardt... // PaddockTalk
13/11/2008 09:50 Phoenix: Kelly Bires NASCAR Nationwide Race Recap PaddockTalk
Phoenix: Kelly Bires NASCAR Nationwide Race Recap
As long as the cars were on the racetrack at full speed, Kelly Bires and the No. 47 Glad Odor Shield Ford was all right. Pit road, however, was another story.
Bires had to race through the field twice during last Saturday’s Hefty Odor Block 200 at the Phoenix International Raceway after having problems on pit road. A broken air hose and a collision kept JTG Daugherty Racing from enjoying a Top-10 finish, but the team still managed a 17th-place effort.
The first problem came during the first round of pit stops. Bires started 17th and was moving toward front when he made his first stop. The broken air hose dropped him out of the Top 20 and into the middle of traffic.
During Bires’ third pit stop, his Ford was struck by... // PaddockTalk
As long as the cars were on the racetrack at full speed, Kelly Bires and the No. 47 Glad Odor Shield Ford was all right. Pit road, however, was another story.
Bires had to race through the field twice during last Saturday’s Hefty Odor Block 200 at the Phoenix International Raceway after having problems on pit road. A broken air hose and a collision kept JTG Daugherty Racing from enjoying a Top-10 finish, but the team still managed a 17th-place effort.
The first problem came during the first round of pit stops. Bires started 17th and was moving toward front when he made his first stop. The broken air hose dropped him out of the Top 20 and into the middle of traffic.
During Bires’ third pit stop, his Ford was struck by... // PaddockTalk
13/11/2008 09:40 Homestead: Casey Mears NASCAR Sprint Cup Race Preview PaddockTalk
Homestead: Casey Mears NASCAR Sprint Cup Race Preview
MEARS AT HOMESTEAD: Casey Mears, driver of the No. 5 Kellogg's/CARQUEST Chevrolet, led 75 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series laps en route to his career-best Homestead-Miami Speedway finish of fifth in 2005. Last season, Mears led one lap and posted a 16th-place finish in the No. 25 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports.
NO. 5 AT HOMESTEAD: Alan Gustafson, crew chief of the No. 5 Kellogg's/CARQUEST team, will call his fourth Homestead race on Sunday. During that time, the team has qualified well at the track -- averaging a start of 8.3 -- and posted a best finish of 20th, which happened last season. The No. 5 team has led 29 laps in its three Homestead races under Gustafson.
MEARS AT HENDRICK: Sunday's race will mark the final start for Mears at... // PaddockTalk
MEARS AT HOMESTEAD: Casey Mears, driver of the No. 5 Kellogg's/CARQUEST Chevrolet, led 75 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series laps en route to his career-best Homestead-Miami Speedway finish of fifth in 2005. Last season, Mears led one lap and posted a 16th-place finish in the No. 25 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports.
NO. 5 AT HOMESTEAD: Alan Gustafson, crew chief of the No. 5 Kellogg's/CARQUEST team, will call his fourth Homestead race on Sunday. During that time, the team has qualified well at the track -- averaging a start of 8.3 -- and posted a best finish of 20th, which happened last season. The No. 5 team has led 29 laps in its three Homestead races under Gustafson.
MEARS AT HENDRICK: Sunday's race will mark the final start for Mears at... // PaddockTalk
13/11/2008 09:36 Homestead: Randy Moss Motorsports NASCAR Truck Race Preview PaddockTalk
Homestead: Randy Moss Motorsports NASCAR Truck Race Preview
RACE NOTES: Friday's running of the Ford 200 will mark Lia's second start at the one-mile oval.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR STATUS: Donny Lia trails Colin Braun and Brian Scott in the Raybestos® Rookie standings with just one race remaining in the 2008 season. Lia sits third 37 points behind leader Colin Braun and 11 points behind second-place Brian Scott.
SPONSORSHIP: NationRides.com will be an associate sponsor of the No. 81 RMM Chevrolet's for the remaining races of the 2008 season.
CHASSIS: Crew chief Eric Phillips has picked chassis No. 101 for the race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The same chassis was run at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in September and Atlanta Motor Speedway in October. The RMM team finished 10th at Las Vegas and... // PaddockTalk
RACE NOTES: Friday's running of the Ford 200 will mark Lia's second start at the one-mile oval.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR STATUS: Donny Lia trails Colin Braun and Brian Scott in the Raybestos® Rookie standings with just one race remaining in the 2008 season. Lia sits third 37 points behind leader Colin Braun and 11 points behind second-place Brian Scott.
SPONSORSHIP: NationRides.com will be an associate sponsor of the No. 81 RMM Chevrolet's for the remaining races of the 2008 season.
CHASSIS: Crew chief Eric Phillips has picked chassis No. 101 for the race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The same chassis was run at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in September and Atlanta Motor Speedway in October. The RMM team finished 10th at Las Vegas and... // PaddockTalk
13/11/2008 03:53 No Luck in the Pits for Bires, No. 47 Glad Race Team WhoWon.com
12/11/2008 21:07 Homestead: Erik Darnell NASCAR Truck Race Preview PaddockTalk
Homestead: Erik Darnell NASCAR Truck Race Preview
Erik Darnell on racing at Homestead-Miami Speedway:
"It’s hard to believe this is our last race of the season. It seems like it was just yesterday that we were testing down at Daytona. There’s a lot riding on this weekend’s race for the No.99 team. If we can come out Friday night with a really good finish and depending on what happens to Todd Bodine we still have a shot at finishing in the top three. I also have a battle on my hands with Matt Crafton who is just four points away from the fourth spot. After all this team has been through this year, it sure would be great to end the season on a high note. A victory would make it even sweeter."
Crew Chief Matt Puccia on racing at Homestead-Miami Speedway:
"Homestead is... // PaddockTalk
Erik Darnell on racing at Homestead-Miami Speedway:
"It’s hard to believe this is our last race of the season. It seems like it was just yesterday that we were testing down at Daytona. There’s a lot riding on this weekend’s race for the No.99 team. If we can come out Friday night with a really good finish and depending on what happens to Todd Bodine we still have a shot at finishing in the top three. I also have a battle on my hands with Matt Crafton who is just four points away from the fourth spot. After all this team has been through this year, it sure would be great to end the season on a high note. A victory would make it even sweeter."
Crew Chief Matt Puccia on racing at Homestead-Miami Speedway:
"Homestead is... // PaddockTalk
12/11/2008 20:57 Homestead: Brad Keselowski NASCAR Sprint Cup Race Preview PaddockTalk
Homestead: Brad Keselowski NASCAR Sprint Cup Race Preview
LOOKING TO MAKE SECOND CUP START: Brad Keselowski, driver of the No. 25 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet, will attempt to qualify for his second NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race this weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Keselowski, 24, made his Cup debut earlier this month at Texas Motor Speedway and picked up Sunday's race at Homestead after his first qualifying attempt at Lowe's Motor Speedway was rained out.
LAST TIME IN THE NO. 25: Keselowski joined elite company after making his Cup debut on Nov. 2 at Texas Motor Speedway, rallying from a 37th-place starting spot to finish 19th. Of his four Hendrick Motorsports teammates, only Dale Earnhardt Jr. did better in his Cup debut. Earnhardt scored a 16th-place finish at Lowe's Motor Speedway in... // PaddockTalk
LOOKING TO MAKE SECOND CUP START: Brad Keselowski, driver of the No. 25 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet, will attempt to qualify for his second NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race this weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Keselowski, 24, made his Cup debut earlier this month at Texas Motor Speedway and picked up Sunday's race at Homestead after his first qualifying attempt at Lowe's Motor Speedway was rained out.
LAST TIME IN THE NO. 25: Keselowski joined elite company after making his Cup debut on Nov. 2 at Texas Motor Speedway, rallying from a 37th-place starting spot to finish 19th. Of his four Hendrick Motorsports teammates, only Dale Earnhardt Jr. did better in his Cup debut. Earnhardt scored a 16th-place finish at Lowe's Motor Speedway in... // PaddockTalk
12/11/2008 20:52 Homestead: Chase Miller NASCAR Nationwide Race Preview PaddockTalk
Homestead: Chase Miller NASCAR Nationwide Race Preview
Chase Miller and the No. 9 Verizon Wireless/Motorola Dodge team wrap up the 2008 Nationwide Series schedule this weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Miller makes his 14th and final NASCAR Nationwide Series start of the 2008 season. The 21-year-old Canton, Ga. native will make his 20th career start on Saturday at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, Fla. He recorded his series-best, sixth-place finish at Memphis in 2008.
"The 2008 season has been a great learning experience," said Miller. "We’ve raced to a couple of top-10 finishes, gained experience and had a lot of fun along the way. We’ve worked hard this year and made a lot of changes, but I feel like I’ve gotten better each race and I look forward to... // PaddockTalk
Chase Miller and the No. 9 Verizon Wireless/Motorola Dodge team wrap up the 2008 Nationwide Series schedule this weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Miller makes his 14th and final NASCAR Nationwide Series start of the 2008 season. The 21-year-old Canton, Ga. native will make his 20th career start on Saturday at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, Fla. He recorded his series-best, sixth-place finish at Memphis in 2008.
"The 2008 season has been a great learning experience," said Miller. "We’ve raced to a couple of top-10 finishes, gained experience and had a lot of fun along the way. We’ve worked hard this year and made a lot of changes, but I feel like I’ve gotten better each race and I look forward to... // PaddockTalk
12/11/2008 20:48 Homestead: Brad Keselowski NASCAR Nationwide Race Preview PaddockTalk
Homestead: Brad Keselowski NASCAR Nationwide Race Preview
SEASON STATS – Keselowski comes into the final race of the year ranked third points, 353 back from leader Clint Bowyer. In 34 races so far in 2008, Keselowski and the No. 88 Navy team have scored two wins, one pole award, 10 top-fives and 19 top-10 finishes. Keselowski’s average finish is 11.2. He has led 293 laps and completed 98.5 percent of the total laps run this year.
KESELOWSKI AT HOMESTEAD-MIAMI SPEEDWAY – This will be Keselowski’s third start at Homestead-Miami Speedway in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. In his previous two starts, Keselowski’s best finish came in last year’s season finale where he took the checkers in 17th.
LOVE THE INTERMEDIATE TRACKS – In his last... // PaddockTalk
SEASON STATS – Keselowski comes into the final race of the year ranked third points, 353 back from leader Clint Bowyer. In 34 races so far in 2008, Keselowski and the No. 88 Navy team have scored two wins, one pole award, 10 top-fives and 19 top-10 finishes. Keselowski’s average finish is 11.2. He has led 293 laps and completed 98.5 percent of the total laps run this year.
KESELOWSKI AT HOMESTEAD-MIAMI SPEEDWAY – This will be Keselowski’s third start at Homestead-Miami Speedway in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. In his previous two starts, Keselowski’s best finish came in last year’s season finale where he took the checkers in 17th.
LOVE THE INTERMEDIATE TRACKS – In his last... // PaddockTalk
12/11/2008 20:48 Homestead: Clint Bowyer NASCAR Sprint Cup Race Preview PaddockTalk
Homestead: Clint Bowyer NASCAR Sprint Cup Race Preview
• This Week’s Jack Daniel’s Chevrolet at Homestead-Miami Speedway … Clint Bowyer will pilot Chassis No. 247 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stable in this weekend’s Ford 400. Built new for 2008, this is the same Jack Daniel’s Chevy Bowyer raced to a fourth-place finish two races ago at Texas Motor Speedway. Prior to that, Bowyer drove this car in June at Pocono Raceway but left with a 39th-place finish after a lap 81 incident on the front straightaway.
• Homestead Highlights … In two previous Sprint Cup Series starts at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Bowyer has a 10th-place finish to call a career best. A broken exhaust pipe, which ultimately resulted in a... // PaddockTalk
• This Week’s Jack Daniel’s Chevrolet at Homestead-Miami Speedway … Clint Bowyer will pilot Chassis No. 247 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stable in this weekend’s Ford 400. Built new for 2008, this is the same Jack Daniel’s Chevy Bowyer raced to a fourth-place finish two races ago at Texas Motor Speedway. Prior to that, Bowyer drove this car in June at Pocono Raceway but left with a 39th-place finish after a lap 81 incident on the front straightaway.
• Homestead Highlights … In two previous Sprint Cup Series starts at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Bowyer has a 10th-place finish to call a career best. A broken exhaust pipe, which ultimately resulted in a... // PaddockTalk
12/11/2008 20:47 Homestead: Ganassi NASCAR Sprint Cup Race Preview PaddockTalk
Homestead: Ganassi NASCAR Sprint Cup Race Preview
Reed Sorenson and the No.41 Target Dodge (NSCS)
Helping a Teammate’s Cause: Sorenson will be attending the BeLive Charity Gala, hosted by Connie and Juan Pablo Montoya, on Tues., Nov. 11 at Jungle Island in Miami. The event proceeds will benefit Connie and Juan’s foundation, Formula Smiles, and other charities to help raise awareness for Montoya’s home country of Colombia.
HMS History: This will be Sorenson’s fourth NSCS start at Homestead-Miami Speedway. His best finish of 16th and best start of 11th came in 2006 at the 1.5-mile oval.
Last Race: Sorenson and the No.41 Target Dodge started 12th and appeared to have a car that would contend for a solid finish last Sunday at Phoenix International Raceway, but... // PaddockTalk
Reed Sorenson and the No.41 Target Dodge (NSCS)
Helping a Teammate’s Cause: Sorenson will be attending the BeLive Charity Gala, hosted by Connie and Juan Pablo Montoya, on Tues., Nov. 11 at Jungle Island in Miami. The event proceeds will benefit Connie and Juan’s foundation, Formula Smiles, and other charities to help raise awareness for Montoya’s home country of Colombia.
HMS History: This will be Sorenson’s fourth NSCS start at Homestead-Miami Speedway. His best finish of 16th and best start of 11th came in 2006 at the 1.5-mile oval.
Last Race: Sorenson and the No.41 Target Dodge started 12th and appeared to have a car that would contend for a solid finish last Sunday at Phoenix International Raceway, but... // PaddockTalk
12/11/2008 11:04 BENSON: Homestead is His Kind of Track TruckSeries.com
* This week's race truck for Homestead-Miami Speedway is Chassis
No. 23-104. Chassis No. 23-104 took the No. 23 team to victory
earlier this season at The Milwaukee Mile.
* Nice Battery. Exide Batteries will serve as the primary sponsor of the No.23 Bill Davis Racing Toyota Tundra team Friday night at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Exide has been a partner of Bill Davis Racing since the 2006 season.
* Welcome to the Team. Tayler Malsam will join the Bill Davis Racing stable this weekend in a fourth BDR Toyota Tundra entry. The 19-year-old Washington native will drive for the High Point, N.C.-based operation throughout the entire 2009 NCTS season.
* Reigning Champion. The No. 23 Exide Batteries team returns to the 1.5-mile Homestead-Miami Speedway as the reigning race champion. The team won... // TruckSeries.com
* Nice Battery. Exide Batteries will serve as the primary sponsor of the No.23 Bill Davis Racing Toyota Tundra team Friday night at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Exide has been a partner of Bill Davis Racing since the 2006 season.
* Welcome to the Team. Tayler Malsam will join the Bill Davis Racing stable this weekend in a fourth BDR Toyota Tundra entry. The 19-year-old Washington native will drive for the High Point, N.C.-based operation throughout the entire 2009 NCTS season.
* Reigning Champion. The No. 23 Exide Batteries team returns to the 1.5-mile Homestead-Miami Speedway as the reigning race champion. The team won... // TruckSeries.com
12/11/2008 10:24 Homestead: David Gilliland NASCAR Sprint Cup Race Preview PaddockTalk
Homestead: David Gilliland NASCAR Sprint Cup Race Preview
Quoting Digital TV Transition driver David Gilliland on Homestead:
"I’m looking forward to going to Homestead this weekend because the track reminds me of Irwindale Speedway, which is a speedway back home in California that I grew up racing at. Homestead allows you to run the bottom, middle, or tops lines and I just have enjoyed racing there the few chances I’ve had so far. This weekend’s Ford Championship Weekend is the last race of the season and you want to always finish the year out on the best result possible. The track is going to change a lot during Sunday’s race going from late afternoon into the night, so we have to make sure that we have built adjustability into our car so that we can change... // PaddockTalk
Quoting Digital TV Transition driver David Gilliland on Homestead:
"I’m looking forward to going to Homestead this weekend because the track reminds me of Irwindale Speedway, which is a speedway back home in California that I grew up racing at. Homestead allows you to run the bottom, middle, or tops lines and I just have enjoyed racing there the few chances I’ve had so far. This weekend’s Ford Championship Weekend is the last race of the season and you want to always finish the year out on the best result possible. The track is going to change a lot during Sunday’s race going from late afternoon into the night, so we have to make sure that we have built adjustability into our car so that we can change... // PaddockTalk
12/11/2008 10:24 Homestead: Travis Kvapil NASCAR Sprint Cup Race Preview PaddockTalk
Homestead: Travis Kvapil NASCAR Sprint Cup Race Preview
Quoting ALL SPORT driver Travis Kvapil on Homestead: "Homestead is a really nice track and when they reconfigured it a few years ago, I think they made it even better with the multiple grooves and the added banking. Ford Championship Weekend really is exciting for our team because we always want to produce a strong run for Ford. Homestead is just a really fun track and I like the fact that it’s a 1.5-mile oval track because not many 1.5-mile tracks are oval-shaped. The banking just makes it exciting for the drivers and the fans and I like the fact that we have multiple lines and lanes that we can race in. We’re bringing a very strong ALL SPORT Ford with us this weekend and based on our races at Michigan and... // PaddockTalk
Quoting ALL SPORT driver Travis Kvapil on Homestead: "Homestead is a really nice track and when they reconfigured it a few years ago, I think they made it even better with the multiple grooves and the added banking. Ford Championship Weekend really is exciting for our team because we always want to produce a strong run for Ford. Homestead is just a really fun track and I like the fact that it’s a 1.5-mile oval track because not many 1.5-mile tracks are oval-shaped. The banking just makes it exciting for the drivers and the fans and I like the fact that we have multiple lines and lanes that we can race in. We’re bringing a very strong ALL SPORT Ford with us this weekend and based on our races at Michigan and... // PaddockTalk
12/11/2008 10:13 Homestead: Ryan Newman NASCAR Sprint Cup Race Preview PaddockTalk
Homestead: Ryan Newman NASCAR Sprint Cup Race Preview
• Ryan Newman, driver of the Penske Racing No. 12 Alltel Dodge Charger in the NASCAR Cup Series, has two top-10 finishes in six starts at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Newman’s best finish at the 1.5-mile track is a sixth-place effort in 2002. He also finished in seventh place in 2005.
• In the final race of the 2007 season, Newman qualified on the outside pole and led seven laps before eventually finishing 18th. Newman also qualified in the second spot in 2005.
• Newman has two NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) starts to his credit at Homestead-Miami Speedway. He made his first NNS start at the south Florida track in 2001. Newman started second and finished eighth in that race. He followed that up with a dominating... // PaddockTalk
• Ryan Newman, driver of the Penske Racing No. 12 Alltel Dodge Charger in the NASCAR Cup Series, has two top-10 finishes in six starts at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Newman’s best finish at the 1.5-mile track is a sixth-place effort in 2002. He also finished in seventh place in 2005.
• In the final race of the 2007 season, Newman qualified on the outside pole and led seven laps before eventually finishing 18th. Newman also qualified in the second spot in 2005.
• Newman has two NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) starts to his credit at Homestead-Miami Speedway. He made his first NNS start at the south Florida track in 2001. Newman started second and finished eighth in that race. He followed that up with a dominating... // PaddockTalk
12/11/2008 10:13 Homestead: Tayler Malsam NASCAR Truck Race Preview PaddockTalk
Homestead: Tayler Malsam NASCAR Truck Race Preview
• THIS WEEK’S RACE TRUCK…The No. 24 Bill Davis Racing team will utilize chassis No. 102 in this Friday’s Ford 200 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Chassis No. 102 is the same truck Scott Speed drove in September at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
• FIRST AND FINAL…Tayler Malsam will make his debut behind the wheel of a BDR Toyota in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series finale this weekend. Malsam, who hails from Sammamish, Wash., comes to the team from the ARCA RE/MAX Series. The 19-year-old driver competed full-time in the No. 4 Dodge Driver Development machine for Georgia-based Cunningham Motorsports in the ARCA RE/MAX Series, where Malsam was a Penske Racing Development driver.
• NEAD TO... // PaddockTalk
• THIS WEEK’S RACE TRUCK…The No. 24 Bill Davis Racing team will utilize chassis No. 102 in this Friday’s Ford 200 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Chassis No. 102 is the same truck Scott Speed drove in September at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
• FIRST AND FINAL…Tayler Malsam will make his debut behind the wheel of a BDR Toyota in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series finale this weekend. Malsam, who hails from Sammamish, Wash., comes to the team from the ARCA RE/MAX Series. The 19-year-old driver competed full-time in the No. 4 Dodge Driver Development machine for Georgia-based Cunningham Motorsports in the ARCA RE/MAX Series, where Malsam was a Penske Racing Development driver.
• NEAD TO... // PaddockTalk
12/11/2008 10:08 Homestead: Jeff Burton NASCAR Nationwide Race Preview PaddockTalk
Homestead: Jeff Burton NASCAR Nationwide Race Preview
• This Week’s Prilosec OTC Wal-Mart Chevrolet at Homestead-Miami Speedway … Jeff Burton will race Chassis No. 066 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Nationwide Series stable. Previously run as the No. 2 machine, Clint Bowyer drove this Chevy Monte Carlos SS to a seventh-place finish in Chicago and to a ninth-place effort in Kentucky this season. Most recently, Stephen Leicht piloted this car to an 18th-place finish at Texas two weeks ago. In 2007, Timothy Peters steered this No. 21 Chevy to a 17th-place finish in Kentucky after starting 23rd. Since then, the car has been completely rebuilt and outfitted with all the NASCAR-mandated 2008 updates.
• The Homestead Report … Burton boasts two wins,... // PaddockTalk
• This Week’s Prilosec OTC Wal-Mart Chevrolet at Homestead-Miami Speedway … Jeff Burton will race Chassis No. 066 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Nationwide Series stable. Previously run as the No. 2 machine, Clint Bowyer drove this Chevy Monte Carlos SS to a seventh-place finish in Chicago and to a ninth-place effort in Kentucky this season. Most recently, Stephen Leicht piloted this car to an 18th-place finish at Texas two weeks ago. In 2007, Timothy Peters steered this No. 21 Chevy to a 17th-place finish in Kentucky after starting 23rd. Since then, the car has been completely rebuilt and outfitted with all the NASCAR-mandated 2008 updates.
• The Homestead Report … Burton boasts two wins,... // PaddockTalk
12/11/2008 10:08 Homestead: Jeff Burton NASCAR Sprint Cup Race Preview PaddockTalk
Homestead: Jeff Burton NASCAR Sprint Cup Race Preview
• This Week’s AT€¦ Jeff Burton will race Chassis No. 255 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Cup Series stable. Built new for 2008, this is the same AT€¢ Homestead Facts … In nine starts at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Burton boasts three top-five and four top-10 finishes. Although he has yet to capture a Cup Series victory at the Sunshine State facility, the South Boston, Va., native has two Nationwide Series checkered flags on his Homestead resume (1998 and 2007). The 21-time Cup Series race winner has been running at the end of all nine events held at HMS and has completed 98.2 percent of the laps contested.
• Double Down in Homestead … In addition to his driving duties behind the wheel of the... // PaddockTalk
• This Week’s AT€¦ Jeff Burton will race Chassis No. 255 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Cup Series stable. Built new for 2008, this is the same AT€¢ Homestead Facts … In nine starts at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Burton boasts three top-five and four top-10 finishes. Although he has yet to capture a Cup Series victory at the Sunshine State facility, the South Boston, Va., native has two Nationwide Series checkered flags on his Homestead resume (1998 and 2007). The 21-time Cup Series race winner has been running at the end of all nine events held at HMS and has completed 98.2 percent of the laps contested.
• Double Down in Homestead … In addition to his driving duties behind the wheel of the... // PaddockTalk
12/11/2008 09:46 Phoenix: Robby Gordon NASCAR Sprint Cup Race Preview PaddockTalk
Phoenix: Robby Gordon NASCAR Sprint Cup Race Preview
The No. 7 Jim Beam / Operation Homefront team expected a good finish in Sunday’s Checker O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 following strong runs in practice and qualifying. After a long day of racing including two red-flag periods, they left Phoenix International Raceway with a 28th-place finish and maintained their current owner points position.
Shortly after the drop of the green flag, the No. 7 Jim Beam / Operation Homefront Charger developed a slight loose condition. An opportune caution on Lap 19 gave the team a chance to tighten up the car. By Lap 35, the handling on Gordon’s Charger was perfect. He called into the crew to say, "If we can pick up some track position, we have a really strong car here."
The red flag... // PaddockTalk
The No. 7 Jim Beam / Operation Homefront team expected a good finish in Sunday’s Checker O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 following strong runs in practice and qualifying. After a long day of racing including two red-flag periods, they left Phoenix International Raceway with a 28th-place finish and maintained their current owner points position.
Shortly after the drop of the green flag, the No. 7 Jim Beam / Operation Homefront Charger developed a slight loose condition. An opportune caution on Lap 19 gave the team a chance to tighten up the car. By Lap 35, the handling on Gordon’s Charger was perfect. He called into the crew to say, "If we can pick up some track position, we have a really strong car here."
The red flag... // PaddockTalk
12/11/2008 09:29 Homestead: Colin Braun NASCAR Truck Race Preview PaddockTalk
Homestead: Colin Braun NASCAR Truck Race Preview
Team: No. 6 Con-way Freight Ford F-150
Crew Chief: Mike Beam Chassis: RK-43
Last outing: Texas, Oct. ’08 – finished fifth
Braun on racing at Homestead-Miami Speedway: "I’ve never raced on the oval at Homestead, but I have run sports car races there on the road course. I’m looking forward to this weekend since we’re taking the same truck that ran so well in Texas a few weeks ago. Unless something really drastic happens we should win the Raybestos Rookie award. I’ll be the sixth Roush Fenway driver to win so that’s pretty cool. To be in the same category with Greg Biffle and Carl Edwards is an honor. They’ve both gone on to achieve quite a bit, so I hope to continue that tradition... // PaddockTalk
Team: No. 6 Con-way Freight Ford F-150
Crew Chief: Mike Beam Chassis: RK-43
Last outing: Texas, Oct. ’08 – finished fifth
Braun on racing at Homestead-Miami Speedway: "I’ve never raced on the oval at Homestead, but I have run sports car races there on the road course. I’m looking forward to this weekend since we’re taking the same truck that ran so well in Texas a few weeks ago. Unless something really drastic happens we should win the Raybestos Rookie award. I’ll be the sixth Roush Fenway driver to win so that’s pretty cool. To be in the same category with Greg Biffle and Carl Edwards is an honor. They’ve both gone on to achieve quite a bit, so I hope to continue that tradition... // PaddockTalk
12/11/2008 08:54 Homestead: Travis Kvapil NASCAR Truck Race Preview PaddockTalk
Homestead: Travis Kvapil NASCAR Truck Race Preview
Last outing: Texas in Oct. with Kvapil, finished seventh
Travis Kvapil on racing at Homestead-Miami Speedway: "We’ve got one more shot to get a win for the Zaxby’s team this season. I thought we had a chance at Texas a few weeks ago until our truck got too free the longer we ran toward the end of the race. We led 15 laps and the guys had great pit stops all night. We’re taking the same truck to Homestead, so hopefully we can get that last adjustment just right this time and get to victory lane. Chad (Norris, crew chief) and the guys have worked hard all year so it would be great to end the season with a win."
Crew chief Chad Norris on racing at Homestead-Miami Speedway: "Homestead is a pretty cool track and most of... // PaddockTalk
Last outing: Texas in Oct. with Kvapil, finished seventh
Travis Kvapil on racing at Homestead-Miami Speedway: "We’ve got one more shot to get a win for the Zaxby’s team this season. I thought we had a chance at Texas a few weeks ago until our truck got too free the longer we ran toward the end of the race. We led 15 laps and the guys had great pit stops all night. We’re taking the same truck to Homestead, so hopefully we can get that last adjustment just right this time and get to victory lane. Chad (Norris, crew chief) and the guys have worked hard all year so it would be great to end the season with a win."
Crew chief Chad Norris on racing at Homestead-Miami Speedway: "Homestead is a pretty cool track and most of... // PaddockTalk
12/11/2008 08:54 Phoenix: Randy Moss Motorsports NASCAR Truck Race Recap PaddockTalk
Phoenix: Randy Moss Motorsports NASCAR Truck Race Recap
Donny Lia and the Randy Moss Motorsports (RMM) team had a decent run in Friday night's Lucas Oil 150 at Phoenix International Raceway. After starting in the 15th position, Lia fought a loose handling race truck to finish 16th.
"Phoenix was a bit of a rollercoaster for us," commented Lia. "We made some headway in both practices but really could never get our truck where we needed it to be. It sure wasn't from a lack of effort though as the guys really worked hard all weekend as usual."
"For me it was a great learning experience," continued Lia. "I really enjoyed the race track. It was very challenging and unique. I definitely look forward to going back there next year with some more experience under my belt."
After avoiding a lap... // PaddockTalk
Donny Lia and the Randy Moss Motorsports (RMM) team had a decent run in Friday night's Lucas Oil 150 at Phoenix International Raceway. After starting in the 15th position, Lia fought a loose handling race truck to finish 16th.
"Phoenix was a bit of a rollercoaster for us," commented Lia. "We made some headway in both practices but really could never get our truck where we needed it to be. It sure wasn't from a lack of effort though as the guys really worked hard all weekend as usual."
"For me it was a great learning experience," continued Lia. "I really enjoyed the race track. It was very challenging and unique. I definitely look forward to going back there next year with some more experience under my belt."
After avoiding a lap... // PaddockTalk