October 9, 2009

Edwards off crutches

Carl Edwards is off his crutches—at least for the moment—according to multiple tweets from the track (see @BobPockrass and @DustinLong).

Our View This comes at a great time since Edwards is typically one of the favorites on either two-mile track. A victory might still be a little stretch, but a solid finish on either side of fifth will make him great value at Auto Club Speedway.

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Official tweets from the track

Danica Rumor Retracted

As quickly as they spread the rumor, ESPN Insider (via Jayski.com) retracted the story saying that the real number per race is likely closer to $50,000 or $100,000.

Our View That would certainly make her more appealing to a sponsor.

One thing the rumor underscores, however, is that even false reports about this superstar will get a lot of media coverage.

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Yahoo! Qualification Story – Auto Club

Grip was at a premium this week in Fontana, Calif. and if some of the Chasers don't find it on Saturday, the Pepsi 500 is going to seem like a 1,000-mile event. Several top contenders are going to come from deep in the pack, but Matt Kenseth has proved that it can be done. For a list of potential comers and goers, check out this week's Yahoo! qualification story .pdf story.

Hamlin wins Auto Club pole

Denny Hamlin posted a lap of 183.870 mph and will lead the field to green in the Pepsi 500. David Reutimann was the only other driver to break the 183 mark with a lap of 183.108.

Our View Hamlin is a flat track master and while this course is steeper than Pocono, New Hampshire and Phoenix, it fits well into his portfolio.

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Official tweets from the track

Montoya fastest in Auto Club practice 1

Juan Montoya topped the speed chart in Friday's practice, with a lap of 183.556 mph.

Our View Montoya continues to be the biggest surprise of the Chase and he is one of the best values in most games.

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Official tweets from the track

Busch blows engine in Auto Club practice 1

Kyle Busch woke up Friday morning with a touch of the flu, but his day got even worse during practice. The No. 18 blew an engine after the driver missed a shift in the first session and the team will be forced to change it.

Our View No matter where he qualifies, Busch will now have to start at the back of the grid. He had a strong run at Auto Club Speedway in the spring, but it appears unlikely he will be able to back that up this week.

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Official tweets from the track

Danica wants $8 Mil for Nationwide Deal?

According to ESPN Insider, Danica Patrick is asking for eight million dollars to run eight Nationwide races in 2010, which would make her one of the most expensive part timers of all time.

Our View She would certainly bring a lot of attention to the series, but it's hard to imagine someone stepping up to the plate for that amount of cash in today's economy.

Wonder how much she wants for the ARCA races...

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IRL: Homestead Avg. Fin

If you were thinking about Dan Wheldon this week – we highly agree.

DriverAvg Finish20082007200620052004
Dan Wheldon1.8031113
Sam Hornish Jr2.25
3321
Helio Castroneves 4.4049252
Scott Dixon8.401251618
Tony Kanaan7.00851138
Ryan Hunter-Reay7.007



Patrick Carpentier7.00


7
Felipe Giaffone 8.00

8

Vitor Meira8.50104164
Tomas Scheckter 8.25
89115
Eddie Cheever Jr10.00

10

Scott Sharp 10.25
127139
Darren Manning9.501313
66
Dario Franchitti12.50
742217
Sarah Fisher11.00
11


Kosuke Matsuura11.25
1661211
P J Chesson12.00

12

Anthony Foyt IV12.75918
915
Oriol Servia12.0012



Ed Carpenter12.2056201812
Marco Andretti12.3322015

Danica Patrick13.006141715
Alex Barron14.33
19
816
Bryan Herta13.33

131413
Buddy Lazier 14.00

14

Franck Perera14.0014



Buddy Rice13.00111018197
Paul Dana14.50

1910
Justin Wilson15.0015



Mario Moraes16.0016



E J Viso17.0017



Roger Yasukawa17.00


17
Jeff Simmons17.00
17


Enrique Bernoldi18.0018



Marty Roth18.002115


Ryan Briscoe19.5019

20
Milka Duno20.0020



Tomas Enge21.00


21
Jay Howard22.0022



Bruno Junqueira23.0023



Hideki Mutoh24.0024



Will Power25.0025



Trulli NASCAR?

Add Jarno Trulli to the list of potential Formula 1/NASCAR crossovers. He will reportedly test a Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota at Lakeland this winter along side Mika Salo.

Our View Trulli could potentially join Nelson Piquet Jr. and IndyCar stars Vitor Meira and Danica Patrick in part= or full-time schedules in 2010. If these stars are capable of bringing any kind of sponsorship to the table, the field is wide open for them with up to 14 percent of the field being taken by "start and park" teams this year.

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