NASCAR Cup Series

With the temperatures soaring and the ‘monster’ on the prowl, here is what was surprising and not surprising from the 44th annual FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks at Dover International Speedway.

The small snippet on the scanner conversation between Jimmie Johnson, who had just blown a sure win by jumping the start in Sunday’s Fed Ex 400, spotter Earl Barban, and crew chief Chad Knaus. I thought I heard the quote, but having it replayed today on SiriusXM’s NASCAR Radio channel proved I did hear that. My only question is who is “they” and why do they not want Johnson to win?

Going the Distance: 2012 marked the first season that NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Pocono were scheduled for 400 miles. Prior to 2012 all NASCAR Sprint Cup races were 500 miles at Pocono Raceway

Denny Hamlin started from the pole, led three times for 41 laps and was running among the top-five with less than 25 laps remaining in Sunday’s FedEx 400 benefitting Autism Speaks NASCAR race at Dover (Del.) International Speedway when a flat right-front tire on the #11 FedEx Freight/Autism Speaks Toyota sent Hamlin hard into the outside wall in Turn 1 and delivered the FedEx Racing team a disappointing 34th-place finish.

Penalties have been handed down to the No. 2 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team following last Sunday’s race at Dover International Speedway.

No. 15 RK Motors Toyota driver Clint Bowyer and Crew Chief Brian Pattie are in their second season together at Michael Waltrip Racing. Their first season culminated in a runner-up finish for the 2012 Chase for the Sprint Cup. The pair heads to Pocono Raceway this weekend in third-place in the standings ahead of their 2012 pace in top-fives, top-10s, laps led and seven spots higher in the point standings.

Valvoline first partnered with RFR in 1989 and served as the primary sponsor on the No. 6 Sprint Cup Ford. In 2011, RFR first adopted NextGen motor oil technology, testing it at the lab and on track. Since 2011, overall regular season race wins using Valvoline with NextGen technology total 55, with 17 of those in NASCAR with RFR. In addition, Valvoline with NextGen technology won the last two NNS championships with RFR and Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

Although some may think it's too early to be talking about the "Chase for the Sprint Cup," Marcos Ambrose and the No. 9 Richard Petty Motorsports team know it's not the case. Ambrose will visit the 'Tricky Triangle' this weekend looking to master the three, very different turns at the Pocono (Penn.) Raceway. Carrying the DEWALT colors, the No. 9 Ford team will also be looking for a win to help secure a spot in the "Chase."

The No. 43 Smithfield Ford teams heads to Pocono (Penn.) Raceway 17 points outside of the coveted top-10 in championship points. Aric Almirola hopes to out-trick the 'Tricky Triangle' and bring home a top-10 finish to help propel the team in points.

The last time Jeff Gordon visited Pocono Raceway, the No. 24 Chevrolet had a great finish. This time he will have the same great finish - just with a different name.