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The Speedwaymedia.com 1.5 mile fall challenge: Baldwin and Bradley qualify

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SM Staff
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Drivers competed in three qualifying events at Anarchy Motorsports Server (AMS) in order to be eligible to win a cash bonus. The Speedwaymedia.com 1.5 mile fall challenge began on August 30th at Texas Motor Speedway and will end on Thursday October 11th at Charlotte Motor Speedway with two drivers eligible.

The challenge consisted of just winning one of qualifying events to be eligible. Dalton Baldwin, who won at Texas and Las Vegas and Matthew Bradley, who won at Atlanta, are both eligible for the cash bonus.

Baldwin, a veteran at AMS has captured several championships since joining in early 2008.

“I won my first cup series championship in our 2010A season. In the 2010B season, I won both the Cup Series and Nationwide Series championships.”

The first qualifying race was at Texas Motor Speedway on August 30th and it went all Baldwin’s way. Baldwin made a statement by starting from the pole and then dominating the entire race by leading 104 of the 125 laps while lapping the entire field.

Baldwin continued on in the second qualifying race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on September 13th. Baldwin started eighth but struggled with adjustments all race long but still led 94 of the 125 laps and held off Bradley to win the second qualifier.

“At Texas, I just really figured out the setup and had it down. But at Vegas it wasn’t the same story. I just couldn’t get the car to respond to adjustments how I wanted it to. I had a decent and comfortable setup and I put it in and drove it as hard as I could. Matthew Bradley and I had an awesome battle for the lead for a long time during that race. He definitely had a faster car than I did, but he got messed up by a late caution during green flag pit stops.”

The third and final qualifying race was at Atlanta Motor Speedway on September 27th. Baldwin started from the pole and led 70 laps while Bradley, who started fourth, led 30 laps before taking the checkered flag and won the final qualifying race.

“I won the final qualifying race so I knew it was my last shot. I worked on my setup for about 15 hours during the previous two weeks until I got it to a point where I was very confident on a full fuel run. This is much longer than I would normally spend on a setup. When it got to the race I quickly realized that I had the fastest car but I was most worried about getting into trouble on a restart. However, I went too fast on pit road trying to race Dalton out of pit road and then I got involved in a wreck shortly after the restart. I was two laps down after repairs and passed the entire field twice to get back on the lead lap and eventually to the lead. So it was a very tough race.” Bradley said.

Charlotte was going to be a great battle between Baldwin and Bradley for the bonus. But unfortunately, Baldwin is also a NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour driver and will have to race in the rescheduled race also being run on October 11th.

“Unfortunately, the Whelen Southern Modified Tour race at Charlotte is the Thursday night of our SpeedwayMedia.com 188 at Charlotte. So, unless the modified race was rained out or something, there’s no way I could make it. It sucks, because I really like Charlotte on iRacing, it’s an awesome track, and I was looking forward to racing for the promo money.”

Be sure to tune in on October 11th to see if Baldwin make it or if Bradley can win it for himself at Charlotte.

If you are looking for an iRacing league to join, check out AMS.

“I love this league. It’s an awesome league with great guys. I’ve never been apart of something that’s so competitive, yet so much fun, and everyone gets along so well. I would suggest that anyone looking for a league to join on iRacing to seriously consider us.” Baldwin said.

“I’d like to thank all the admin at Anarchy Motorsports for running such a fair, friendly and welcoming league. I’d also like to thank them for working tirelessly to get sponsors for races and to arrange incentives for winners. I’ve been involved in several leagues before but this is the best organized and most enjoyable league I’ve been involved in.” Bradley added.

About SpeedwayMedia.com

SpeedwayMedia.com provides exclusive content, news, photography and statistics about NASCAR’s top-3 touring series, Sprint Cup, Nationwide and the Camping World Truck Series. SpeedwayMedia.com also provides exclusive coverage of other racing series events and distributes a daily newsletter.

SpeedwayMedia.com is part of NASCAR’s latest media initiative, the NASCAR Citizen Journalist Media Corps (CJMC.) The NASCAR CJMC was created in 2009 to acknowledge the changing media landscape and give the same access that traditional media outlets possess to a select group of media web sites. SpeedwayMedia.com was one of the original sites asked to participate in NASCAR’s CJMC program.

Visit us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/speedwaymedia

Twitter: @speedwaymedia

About Anarchy Motorsports Server

If you are an individual, group or business that would like to sponsor an event or events, please contact admin@anarchymotorsportsserver.com. Every sponsor will be able to choose which event(s) they wish sponsor and have their choice of the event name. Also, upon approval of staff, they would also have their website added to our partners and links page, and various other media. The minimum sponsorship per race is $10 US.

Visit Anarchy Motorsports Server for more information or on Twitter at @AMSLeague.

CHARLOTTE “BREAK”THROUGH FOR GORDON?

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SM Archive
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Mike Wallace to make 750th career NASCAR start at Charlotte on Friday

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SM Archive
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JR Motorsports & TaxSlayer.com agree to multi-year sponsorship extension

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SM Archive
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The Numbers for the Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway

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SM Archive
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Rutledge Wood Gives Insight to his Incredible Job

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SM Staff
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www.therutledgewood.com

Everyone agrees that Rutledge Wood is one funny, interesting and cool talent for the SPEED Channel. Rutledge has had an incredible and interesting journey to working for SPEED and he now is able to enjoy his passion, racing. You can see Rutledge every weekend at the race track and as well as on TV for Top Gear, a show all about cars. Rutledge went from being a motorsports enthusiast to a full-time worker in NASCAR. Over the last eight years, Rutledge has enjoyed working in the NASCAR industry and we all enjoy seeing him on TV.

Recently I was able to conduct an interview with Rutledge, and below he gives me some insight to his job and some other interesting facts.

You got an interesting start in NASCAR; tell us how you came to work for SPEED?

“I started in the marketing department and worked my way up until I got a chance to be in front of the camera. This is my 8th year on the road for SPEED.”

What are some of the jobs you have gotten to do for the SPEED Channel?

“I have gotten to work as Speed Road Tour manager, emcee, and on-air talent.”

Since you began working for NASCAR, what has been your favorite memory you have had at the track?

“When I got to fly over Daytona Int’l Speedway flying in an F16 with the Thunderbirds, that’s one of the coolest things I’ve ever done.”

Who are some of your favorite SPEED co-workers?

“I love them all, but Kyle Petty is my best friend, so he’s my favorite!”

You are a co-host on Top Gear, how did you end up on that show?

“They found me doing my job on SPEED…I’m really lucky to have two of the best jobs in the world.”

What has been your favorite adventure you have had on Top Gear?

“Our trip to Alaska was one of my favorites…so was Death Valley. They’ve all been really fun in their own way. The producers love coming up with insane twists to seem like a normal trip.”

Your fellow co-host’s on Top Gear are Adam Ferrara and Tanner Foust, what’s it like to work with them?

“It’s awesome. They’re two of the funniest, nicest, crazy driving guys in the world.”

What is a normal race day like for Rutledge Wood?

“Get there early, have a meeting about our show(s), then head in to the track to interview the drivers. It’s a pretty fast paced world even though it’s spread over three days.”

What’s the best part about working for SPEED?

“The best part is getting to be a part of such a fun sport that so many people love. All the fans that I’ve met over the years have been so supportive of me. It’s like one big family.”

How do you think the Sprint Cup Season will turn out?

“I think it’s going to come down to Jimmie Johnson, Denny Hamlin, and Brad Keselowski. Those three guys all seem like the team to beat.”

You can follow Rutledge on Twitter @RutledgeWood or twitter.com/rutledgewood and watch for him on SPEED channel throughout the remainder of the NASCAR season.

The Final Word – A Canadian’s Thanksgiving for Talladega

By
Ron Thornton
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[media-credit name=”Credit: Jerry Markland/Getty Images for NASCAR” align=”alignright” width=”250″][/media-credit]With this having been the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend, there are a number of things I am thankful for. Among them is the track in Talladega, Alabama and a race that lived up to expectations. A race where I watched lap after lap and did not feel compelled to wander away to find a ball game of some sort to break the monotony.

The sweeping camera angles as the cars flashed by going nose to tail at high speeds. No way on God’s green earth could we find ourselves heading down a local through-fare with that much trust in those idiots around us, never mind there was not a brake light to be found between them. Even if there were, it would only indicate an impact was probably forthcoming in the next split second.

I like to think that I am a pretty good driver, but I know that running even at close quarters at Richmond or Martinsville would be more than I could handle. What Talladega does is it brings that reality in no uncertain terms to the television audience. We ride with the boys on the seat of our pants while sitting in our favorite chair at home, knowing that even the slightest miscue could take out half the field. If only they could find the camera angles, to discover the shots, that could bring it home to us from all the tracks and not just the super speedways. That would be something.

We got a three car wreck early, just to remind us that these gents are just fooling around early. Carl Edwards went from minding his own business to riding around in a junker as even Landon Cassill drove away from him.

We got Kurt Busch losing power, finding the fence, and just when he has emergency crews leaning in his windows, a bag of their gear atop the car, and even with his own helmet off, Busch fires it up and droves off. NASCAR parked him for his recklessness, but he then proceeds to do all the right things, thanking his crew, giving them hugs, talking sweetly to the cameras. You want to like the guy, but he had just done something stupid, endangering others. Busch finished 39th, the guy he replaces next week in the Furniture Row entry was 5th. At least, I think NASCAR will still let him race next week.

We watched the tight, high speed action. We saw some incredible saves. We also saw one hell of a mess when Michael Waltrip got pushed into Tony Stewart on the final lap, and discovered once again why none of these cars have collision insurance. Matt Kenseth took his little pink car to the winner’s circle, yet sits 12th in the Chase more than 60 points behind Brad Keselowski, who was 7th. Jimmie Johnson is 14 points back, the only guy within 20 of the leader, and he finished 17th in a smoking heap of metal.

I admit, Talladega spoils me, as does Daytona, yet we also have Bristol and Charlotte to usually provide us with a great level of televised excitement. Next weekend, they return home, to the home of the World 600, home of the All-Star race, and home to this Saturday night’s Bank of America 500 in Charlotte, North Carolina. As for the Chase, even with six to go it is all but over unless, or until, Mr. Keselowski has himself a bad day.

Finally, there are those who claim that Talladega is not racing. Maybe they are right, just like the forward pass is not true football or home runs have no place in baseball. However, I know what I like. I watched each and every lap on Sunday. I just wish more televised races caused me, and you, to do the same. Enjoy the week.

Chasing the Chase – Week 4: NASCAR’s horrible restrictor plate racing holds up to its reputation at Talladega

By
SM Staff
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[media-credit name=”Credit: John Harrelson/Getty Images for NASCAR” align=”alignright” width=”271″][/media-credit]As NASCAR’s fourth fiasco ended, Matt Kenseth and a few other lone cars made it back to the finish line in somewhat one piece.

Kenseth held off, blocked and/or kept himself were he needed to be on Sunday and won the Good Sam 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. Kenseth was out in front just enough not to be involved in a huge pileup on the final turn that collected over 20 drivers.

This was Kenseth’s first win at Talladega in his 26th start and his second win of the season. Kenseth has finished third or better in all four restrictor plate races in 2012.

“I just looked in my mirror and saw them coming at me three-wide. I kind of let Tony have his spot there. It didn’t look like he had a big push behind him and lined up with Kevin and we pretty much stayed locked together there until we got to turn three and I thought it was gonna be a drag race to the finish. I didn’t know what was gonna happen and I’m still not sure what happened. Somehow I think Tony got turned and caused a big wreck.” Kenseth said.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. summed it up best after being asked by the media, “I know it sucks for you guys but for the fans it’s awesome to watch.” Earnhardt Jr. replies, “Really? It’s not safe. Wrecking like that is ridiculous. It’s blood-thirsty if that is what people want. It’s ridiculous.”

Chase drivers Jeff Gordon finished second, Greg Biffle sixth and Brad Keselowski finished seventh and managed to make it though NASCAR’s misguided restrictor plate non-racing event to capture decent finishes.

“I didn’t see anything but Kasey Kahne’s rear bumper. That was the craziest, craziest finish I’ve ever experienced here at Talladega. For a change, I finally came out on the good side of it. I had my teammate in front of me which is perfect.” Gordon said. “I got hit by the No. 18 and somehow that turned me down on the apron and I just put it back to the floor and drove by every car, and I came out of that second behind the No. 17 car. That is definitely what we needed to do. That is like a win. I am sure we survived it. We’ll see what we can do with it from here on out.”

“If I told you, you wouldn’t believe me. Unbelievable. I was probably 20th and five-wide up against the wall and then cars started wrecking. A car flew over the top of my car as I turned to the bottom and missed guys by three inches. It was like Days of Thunder coming through the smoke and the grass and just kept it going straight. That’s all I did and once I was clear of all the stuff I kept going to the start-finish line, but it was the craziest thing I’ve ever been involved in, in my life.” Biffle said.

Keselowski’s seventh place finish extends his lead to 14 points over Johnson.

“We made all the right calls today. I tried to run up front but didn’t have any success at it. Everyone on the team did a good job executing with a smart race and we got a good finish.” Keselowski said. “That’s pretty big. I just feel lucky to survive Talladega.”

Kevin Harvick finished 11th, Kasey Kahne 12th, Martin Truex Jr. 13th, Denny Hamlin 14th, Jimmie Johnson 17th, Dale Earnhardt Jr. 20th, Tony Stewart 22nd and Clint Bowyer finished 23rd.

Official Chase Standings/Stats
After race 4 of 10
Good Sam 500, Talladega Superspeedway
http://www.speedwaymedia.com/cup/chase.php

Pos. Driver (+/-) Wins Top-5 Top-10 Bon. Avg St Ave Fin Laps Ttl Laps Points Bnd
1 Brad Keselowski 0 2 2 4 9 15 3.8 1156 1156 2179 0
2 Jimmie Johnson 0 0 3 3 5 12.3 6.3 1156 1156 2165 -14
3 Denny Hamlin 0 1 1 2 7 16 9.8 1155 1156 2156 -23
4 Kasey Kahne 2 0 2 2 2 5.5 8.8 1153 1156 2143 -36
5 Clint Bowyer -1 0 1 3 3 6.5 11.5 1154 1156 2139 -40
6 Jeff Gordon 4 0 3 3 3 8.3 10.5 1079 1156 2137 -42
7 Tony Stewart -2 0 0 2 3 15 13.8 1152 1156 2133 -46
8 Martin Truex Jr. 0 0 0 2 0 9.8 11.3 1156 1156 2131 -48
9 Greg Biffle 2 0 0 1 1 11.5 13.3 1153 1156 2130 -49
10 Kevin Harvick -1 0 0 0 1 21.3 11.8 1153 1156 2130 -49
11 Dale Earnhardt Jr. -4 0 0 1 1 13.8 13 1154 1156 2128 -51
12 Matt Kenseth 0 1 1 1 6 13.8 17 1126 1156 2117 -62

*Note: These stats consist of only the final 10 chase races.
(http://www.speedwaymedia.com/cup/chase.php)

Since this is NASCAR’s fourth fiasco of the season, all awards will be off this week.

Biggest loser(s) after race 4: 20+ cars filed up on the frontstretch. But let’s not forget the car owners.

Biggest gainer after race 4: NASCAR! Great job NASCAR!

Biggest movers after race 4 (+/-): Jeff Gordon +4

Charlotte Motor Speedway Announces Race Week Dignitaries

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SM Archive
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James Buescher – Charlotte II NNS – Race Preview

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SM Archive
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