NASCAR Cup Series

A mulligan is a do over, a chance to remove from consideration what one has done in the hopes of replacing it with something done better. This year in the Chase, a mulligan was no more than the name of a steam shovel operator from a book in primary school.

I didn’t think much of it and it has nothing to do with who did or did not win the championship. I couldn’t care less about that. Once upon a time, winning races mattered, but today it’s the Chase from February until November.

Tony Stewart fans have spoken, and they’ve made it clear that they cannot wait to see the driver of the No. 14 Bass Pro Shops/Mobil 1 Chevrolet back on the track, even if it is on the cover of a video game.

Swan Racing announced today that it is expanding to a multicar organization in 2014 and will compete in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with rising stars Parker Kligerman and Cole Whitt driving Toyota Camrys. This is a major step for Swan Racing as it seeks to improve its organization and to be more competitive in the upcoming season. Swan Racing completed its inaugural season this year under the leadership of team owner Brandon Davis.

For the fifth-consecutive year, NASCAR returns to Las Vegas for the start of the postseason NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week™, a star-studded, entertainment-filled celebration for the series champion and fans, culminating with one of NASCAR’s marquee events, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards™. Since 2009, the awards have been held at Wynn Las Vegas and have grown in stature and prestige with each passing year.

“For nearly 40 years I have measured myself against the best stock car drivers of the era. It’s ben #1HellOfaRide.”

Richard Petty Motorsports (RPM) announced today the hiring of one of the sports most talented crew chiefs in the NASCAR garage. Trent Owens has been assigned as the leader of Aric Almirola and the No. 43 Ford team beginning immediately. Owens has made his name known in the NASCAR Nationwide Series over the past seven years as a crew chief at both Braun Racing and Turner Scott Motorsports. The 38-year-old is a five-time winner on the Nationwide circuit with five different drivers. This will be Owens first full-time opportunity to be a crew chief at the Sprint Cup level.

Michael Waltrip Racing announced today it has contracted Jeff Burton to test and drive in a select number of races during the 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup season in the No. 66 Toyota Camry.

As an American racing fan, be it NASCAR, IndyCar, F1, or just about anything else, you know racing really isn't covered well at all by mainstream sports media.

Randy Miller and I spoke at length with veteran spotter Tim Fedewa. The conversation ranged from the new Gen 6 car and the struggles of the Ford camp to find speed through out the season to what Tim is looking forward to doing during the off season (hunting for those wondering).