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Lofton Injured; Fred’s 250 Ends In Junk Yard

By
SM Staff
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Credit: NASCAR via Getty Images

Mayhem struck the front straightaway on the final lap at Talladega like it’s done many times in the past. Miguel Paludo went flipping across the line and was taken to the infield care center but later released. Justin Lofton on the other hand was one of the unlucky that was injured in the carnage.

Lofton was taken to a local hospital for further evaluations. Family members have confirmed that Lofton was taken due to an injury on his left hand. Luckily Lofton’s injuries shouldn’t keep him over night at the hospital.

NSCS driver, Kyle Busch was also involved in the wreck and shaken up afterwards. Busch smacked the exit of pit road wall where there is no safer barrier. “Rowdy” would then sit down along the front stretch wall until medial officials got to him. He was later released from the infield care center.

“I don’t know where it started,” Busch said after being checked out at the infield care center. “Yeah, there was a couple really good licks I took. There was no sense sitting in the vehicle. I just needed to get out and get some fresh air.”

Rookie, Darrell Wallace Jr. was another one caught up in the destruction as his No. 54 Toyota took a hard lick into the wall.

“Jesus Christ, hardest hit of my career,” Wallace said outside the care center. “It scared the hell out of me. Makes you want to go 10 mph under the speed limit in your regular car because pushing 200 and wrecking that hard, I’d die. That’s scary. I’m freaking myself out again. Just couldn’t breathe. I’m all good, not sore anywhere. My pride’s hurt. As long as my Vols won and beat South Carolina, I’m all good.”

“It’s a pretty eerie sight when you come in the med center and see half the field there,” Red Horse Racing driver John Wes Townley said after he was cleared from an earlier wreck.

Other drivers involved in the wreck, all of whom have been cleared, include: pole sitter Jeb Burton — son of former Cup driver Ward Burton, Ron Hornaday, Matt Crafton, Chris Fontaine, Clay Greenfield, Ross Chastain, Max Gresham and Parker Kligerman.

Dakota Armstrong driving the No. 60 just got released from the infield care center, he was the last one to leave around 8:00 PM EST.

Sauter wins wild one at Talladega

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SM Staff
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Photo Credit: Kala Perkins/Speedway Media

Johnny Sauter, driver of the ThorSport No. 98 Carolina Nut/Curb Records Toyota, survived the carnage of yet another wild Talladega finish to score his third win of the season.

As Sauter and his teammate came off turn four hooked together in a tandem draft, their rearview mirror filled with the chaos. Miguel Paludo got into the back of Jeb Burton sending him up the track into the No. 51 truck of Kyle Busch. As Busch bounced off the wall back across traffic he slammed into the trucks of Paludo and Darrell Wallace Jr.. Paludo’s truck instantly began flipping down the frontstretch.

To add insult to injury, the trucks of Busch and Wallace came back across the track for another round of destruction. The second place truck of points leader, Matt Crafton, Sauter’s teammate at ThorSport racing, got clipped and turned around. The No. 19 truck of Ross Chastain, who had ran well all day, was turned head on onto the outside wall along with Parker Kligerman.

In total twelve trucks were involved in the final crash as the field neared the start finish line. Fortunately, all driver were treated and released from the infield care center, with the exception of one. Justin Lofton was transported to a local hospital for further evaluation.

Johnny Sauter commented about the win after the race, “This is awesome. I’m so proud of everybody …” he continued about the crash behind him, “I had a pretty good idea what was going to happen. Everybody was fighting for the same real estate.”

Though Crafton was involved in the last lap crash, he managed to make across the finish line in ninth place. Additionally, he actually increased his points lead from 41 to 57. James Buescher who was involved in an earlier crash fell from second to third in points, losing the spot to Ty Dillon.

Talladega once again lived up to its reputation as the wildcard event. Fortunately, for the ThorSport team, they held all the wildcards today.

The series now travels to the shortest track on the circuit, Martinsville Speedway for the Kroger 200 on Saturday October 26, 2013.

Aric Almirola will start from the pole as qualifying is rained out at Talladega

By
SM Staff
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Photo Credit: Kala Perkins/ Speedway Media

Richard Petty Motorsports driver, Aric Almirola, will start from the pole in Sunday’s Camping World RV Sales 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. The qualifying session was rained out due to morning rain showers that moved into the area on Saturday. Almirola commented, “We went into practice with a plan, me and Marcos got a big run on the pack and put up a good lap, we knew there was a small chance of rain today.”

Almirola was awarded the pole based on first practice speeds per the NASCAR rulebook. He turned a lap of 202.000 mph edging out Richard Childress Racing driver, Jeff Burton. Burton turned a lap of 201.987 mph in the Caterpillar Chevrolet. Burton talked about his outlook for tomorrow, “I think my outlook is probably about like everybody else’s – hope we miss the big wreck and make through that part and make it to the end.”

Almirola’s teammate, Marcos Ambrose, will start third in the DeWalt Ford after completed 21 laps in practice with a best lap of 201.876 mph. “It was a great day for Richard Petty Motorsports, we had a plan going in, we knew what we wanted to try to do, we had an expectation that there was a chance of rain today, so we played our strategy really well as a group and we’re going to get the benefit of that with the starting position tomorrow.”, Ambrose said after the lineup was set.

Martin Truex Jr. and Carl Edwards round out the top five. Other notables: Spring race winner, David Ragan, will start seventh. Dale Earnhardt Jr. will roll off eighth. The two drivers atop the standings, will share row six, with Johnson in 11th, and Kenseth in 12th.

Ford took six of the top ten spots, along with three Chevrolets and one Toyota. The green flag for the Camping World RV Sales 500 will fall at 1:00 pm local time.

My view of Dale Earnhardt and the #3 issue

By
Michelle Lippold
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Photo Credit: TONY RANZE/Getty Images 1951-2001

I know this is going to cause a lot of flack and comments, but this is my opinion to which I am entitled to. So for those that disagree with me fine I understand, that’s your opinion and I have no grudge against that so, to each their own.

I realize that so many think the #3 should be out on the track in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS). I disagree and think the #3 should be retired out of respect to the man that made the number something more than just a number, Dale Earnhardt. I know that many are not going to understand this, as many new fans were little when he died and have no clue the kind of impact he had on NASCAR. He was NASCAR, he was the best driver to so many fans, to others he was the one to cheer against.

We avid fans know that the #3 was driven before him by other drivers and that Richard Childress owns the right to use that number however he wants. We also know that not even Richard Petty’s number has been retired, and we also know that Dale Jr has stated his consent, but what about us fans? Why do we not get a say? Dale made the number 3 more than a number, something no other driver will do and I dare say even Richard Petty is included in that category. Dale made that car and number a part of himself almost as if car, driver, and number were one unit that became the Intimidator. It was as if car and number were an extension of what he was on the track as a driver.

The day Dale died is the day the car and number for so many of us died too. I know people will say it’s time to bring it back etc, but how many of them watched their favorite driver/icon die in the car? Most of them saw it perhaps when they were young, many that disliked him will say it was just a number and can’t fathom how a number can come to mean so much to his fans, but it did, and it should rest with the man that made it famous. Why? Because any driver you put in it will never be seen as part of that number, it will always be seen by fans as Dale’s and no amount of time will change that.

I have nothing against RCR for wanting to use it but as a fan I don’t think you should but, realistically I know you will so as a fan honor Dale make it different. Does it have to be black and white? Can you make the #3 look different so it does not look like Dales? Compromise let us keep our memories in tact while you still use that number. Is that really asking too much? I don’t think so.

For those of you that will think this is something you don’t “get”, let’s pray you never find out what it feels like to lose your hero because that is the only way to understand what I am talking about.

CHEVY NSCS AT TALLADEGA TWO: Qualifying Cancelled Due to Rain; Jeff Burton Press Conf. Transcript

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SM Archive
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Almirola On Pole after Rain Washes Talladega Qualifying

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SM Archive
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Reigning Nationwide Series Champion Stenhouse Jr. Returns to NNS at Texas

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SM Archive
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Jeb Burton takes the pole in the Fred’s 250 at Talladega

By
SM Staff
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Photo Credit: Mike Holtsclaw/ On Pit Road

Turner-Scott Motorsports driver, Jeb Burton, scores his sixth pole of the season on Friday at Talladega Superspeedway. Burton turned in a lap of 176.182 mph in his Arrowhead/Kangaroo Express Chevrolet. Burton currently sits fourth in points, 73 points behind leader, Matt Crafton.

Burton, when was asked about his success this season in qualifying responded, “Well I feel like – raw seed, out team has been the best from practice to qualifying, we have the speed, we just haven’t been able to finish it in the race. Even if we’re struggling, we’re fast, we’re at the top of the charts every week. I feel like this year we’re building a notebook for my team and next we will really be able to go get some wins.”

Max Gresham earns his best starting position of the season starting from the outside pole. Gresham turned a lap of 176.020 mph in the Made in USA Chevrolet. Burton and Gresham edged out Sprint Cup Series regular, Kyle Busch. Busch will start third in the Toyota Care Toyota, turning a lap of 175.910 mph.

Kyle was asked about his Kyle Busch Motorsports driver lineup for next year he replied, “Unfortunately, we don’t and a lot of that comes from the unknown of what’s going on in the world of sponsorship and for the truck series it’s very tough for Kyle Busch Motorsports it’s been very tough and obviously without the support of Toyota that we get, we probably wouldn’t be here.”

Rounding out the top five were James Buescher in fourth and Ty Dillon starting fifth. Buescher’s lap of 175.900 mph was just .003 seconds slower than Busch. Buescher, the defending series champion, is trying to catch Matt Crafton in the standings. He is currently 41 points out of the lead with just five races to go.

Dillon currently sits third in points, 53 behind leader Crafton. Dillon turned a lap of 175.861 mph in his Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet.

Other notables: Ross Chastain and Ryan Blaney who led practice, qualified seventh and 13th respectively. KBM driver, Darrell Wallace Jr will start tenth with points leader, Matt Crafton taking the green in 23rd.

The green falls on the Fred’s 250 at Talladega Superspeedway at 3:00pm local time.

NCWTS: Mingus Ready For Debut, He Starts 11th For Tomorrow’s Race

By
SM Staff
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Success rained throughout Mason Mingus’s 2013 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards season. Despite not seeing victory lane the 18-year-old finished second overall for the Win-Tron Racing team in the points standings. Soon after the ARCA season had been completed Mingus and WinTron announced that they would compete in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) at the treacherous Talladega Super Speedway.

The Mooresville, North Carolina based team of Win-Tron have entered the No. 35 Chevrolet into the Fred’s 250 for Saturday’s NCWTS event. This isn’t just Mingus’s debut but also Win-Tron’s in any of NASCAR’S top 3-series. Mark Rette, the 2009 ARCA champion crew chief will lead the efforts for Win-Tron Racing in the series 19th race of the year

“While, I’m most excited about this opportunity, the key is to get the seat time in the truck and learn how to handle it in the draft and how the air affects them compared to an ARCA car. I’m most nervous about figuring out who I can draft with and catching onto the two very different styles of drafting between the truck and an ARCA car.

Mingus has 34 starts throughout his ARCA career, which include five top-five finishes and 25 top-ten finishes  as well as 2-second place finishes at the 2.66 mile Super Speedway of Talladega.

Friday’s practice was the first time Mingus took to the track, he did so very cautiously. He ran a total of 15 laps and ended up 31st at the finish of final practice. The team was feared to not run around other trucks because they have no back-up truck. Mingus did as told and ran mock qualifying runs as they are forced to qualify in on time.

Not running around other trucks might not benefit the rookie come Saturday when 36-trucks are stacked together within 2-seconds of each other.

Either way this weekend could be the deciding factor to whether Mingus will make it to the biggest stage in NASCAR. Restrictor plate racing can be friendly or deadly and Mingus knows that very well.

“This is like an early, early Christmas present,” said Mingus “I’m really excited about the opportunity to race (again) at Talladega. Everyone at Win-Tron Racing has worked very hard to put a truck together for me. I have had success at Talladega in an ARCA car and I hope to continue that success over to the trucks.”

“You have to enter races like these with the best outlook possible, but at the same time, you can’t be disappointed if your weekend doesn’t pan out. This is Talladega after all.” said the Brentwood, Tennessee native (Mingus)

Qualifying played into Mingus’s hands as mentioned before he’d have to qualify in on time and he did so in dominating fashion. Rolling off early in qualifying wasn’t an advantage for Mingus as he’d come out 8th out of 37 trucks. After 29 more trucks took times Mingus locked himself in the field and will start in the 12th position.

In addition to Talladega, Mingus and Win-Tron Racing will also compete in the final two NCWTS races of the year from Phoenix (Ariz.) International Raceway (November 8) and Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway (November 15) respectively.

Kenseth leads the pack, heading into Talladega

By
SM Staff
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Photo Credit: Mike Holtsclaw/ On Pit Road

When Matt Kenseth made the move from Roush-Fenway Racing to Joe Gibbs Racing, many thought it would there would be an adjustment period. After all, Kenseth had been driving for the same team and manufacturer for his entire Sprint Cup Series career with the exception of his very first start subbing for an injured Bill Elliott.

It would not take long to quiet the critics. Kenseth found victory lane in just his third start for his new team. He would also follow that up with six more wins. Now the Wisconsin native, who is many credit for causing NASCAR to implement the Chase format, is leading the Chase standings halfway through the ten race playoff.

Kenseth is definitely is the midst of the best season of his career. In addition to the six wins, he has accumulated nine top-5’s, and 17 top-10’s. In 2003, his championship season, he only scored one win, but had 25 top-10’s. The fact that he won the title with just one win, is the reason many think NASCAR created the Chase format.

Kenseth currently has a slim four point lead over five time series champion, Jimmie Johnson. The two, however, have a solid 29 point lead over third place, Kevin Harvick. But there is still. . . . Talladega!

The 2.66 mile superspeedway that is credited with giving several driver their one and only win. However, it is also known for ending the championship hopes of many drivers. The track does not discriminate – it doesn’t matter if you are a mid-pack racer or a popular one. Just Dale Earnhardt Jr. He sat out two races in 2012 due to a concussion received in a crash triggered by Tony Stewart.

When asked about coming back Talladega, Kenseth replied, “Yeah, so Talladega – man, I don’t know. Yeah, I mean obviously the Chase has been pretty good up to this point, so I’m glad to be leading, glad we had a good run last week – got a pretty good finish out of it – and at Talladega, the driver will draft a little bit today, kind of look at the weather and see if we need to put up a lap time or what we need to do. So, that makes practice kind of interesting if there is a threat of rain with everybody trying to lay back and get fast times and do all that.”

Kenseth won this race last fall, but all-in-all, does not have a stellar record at Talladega. In 27 starts, he has just the one win with five top-5’s and nine top-10’s. Fortunately, for Kenseth, Johnson’s record at Talladega is not much better. In 23 starts, he has two wins, and only ten top-10’s.

Both drivers have been extremely strong throughout the first half if the Chase. Kenseth opened the Chase two wins, Johnson followed suit with a win in race three. Kenseth did stumble just slightly at Kansas with an eleventh. Johnson’s worst finish is a sixth in the same race. Ironically enough, third place Kevin Harvick has almost identical stats as the two frontrunners. Harvick has scored one win and ten-10’s in 25 starts.

As Kenseth points out, at Talladega you have more cars to worry about due to a more level playing field – “ the interesting thing about the races here is pretty much any of the 43 cars under the right circumstances could have a shot to win it. You really don’t know what’s going to happen and usually when you go race at Texas you probably can’t say that. So anyway, you just want to, I think, try to figure out how to be one of those cars and certainly I think your guard is up maybe a little bit more than normal.”

It seems as if no driver near the top of the standings has a statistical advantage over the other. Given the nature of this track and the equality in stats. This weekend could lead to one driver having a large lead in the standings, or possibly creating a scenario where as many as five drivers are within striking distance. Either way it is sure to be an exciting race on Sunday in the Camping World RV Sales 500.

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