N'Wide: Two, two, two? for Busch

In two races this weekend, Kyle Busch finished second in both. How interesting would it be for him to finish second in Sunday's Cup LifeLock 400.

Our View: NASCAR is filled with symmetrical finishes just like that, but Busch's crew is going to have to find something overnight. In terms of average speed during long runs in the combined practice sessions at Michigan, the No. 18 was only 12th quickest with a speed of 183.370 during 74 laps.

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N'Wide: Perfection for Logano at Kentucky

Perfection is an overused word in auto racing, but it fits tonight. Joey Logano won back-to-back races from the pole at Kentucky Speedway. He became the first repeat driver in both of those statistics.

Our View: Kyle Busch led the most laps, but you had the sense that Logano was biding his time. Busch certainly thought so and credited his teammate with having the best car.

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Burton on crate engines

GIVEN THE GM SITUATION IN THE NATIONWIDE AND TRUCK SERIES DO YOU THINK IT'S TIME FOR NASCAR TO GO TO A CRATE MOTOR TO SAVE COST?

“It’s a double-edged sword because on the surface a crate engine thing sounds like a great idea, but at the same time there is a lot of resources that are channeled through Hendrick Motorsports, through RCR, through Roush that make our companies that make our companies more stable and enable us to make the investments necessary to be here.

"So on the surface of it the crate thing for a lower budget Nationwide team the crate engine thing makes a lot of sense. For the Nationwide teams that are winning races, I don’t think it makes a lot of sense. I think in some ways it lessens a team’s ability to serve the sport.

"If you go to a crate motor it takes away and there are a lot of people that are employed today that would not be employed. You know every time we start talking about saving money we are talking about people. That’s what it ends up being. We have to be careful because it’s a double-edged sword.

"I’ll tell you that if I owned a Nationwide team and somebody said your engine bill is going to be cut in half that would sound pretty enticing to me. At the same time, it's kind of like paying taxes. I don’t want to pay any more taxes than I need to pay, but if me paying some taxes makes our infrastructure better and health care better then I’m okay with it. So in some ways, spending more money in our sport makes our sport stronger and spending less money is not all positives.

"If you do the crate thing, I think it really hinders our opportunity for Chevrolet to want to be involved in the Nationwide series or Ford to want to be involved in the Nationwide series. So that’s probably not a good thing either.

"With the IRL and Honda doing that, I don’t know how that thing works but in these times, it's like hey man if we weren’t relying on the manufacturers that might be a good thing but the majority of the time the manufacturers being here has been very beneficial to this sport. Marketing, merchandising, technology. The manufacturers have brought a lot to this sport. The manufacturers really started pushing the safety thing and put funding into that safety thing before anyone else. The manufacturers have brought a lot to this sport so going to that sounds good but there also some real serious negatives to it that aren’t as good as it looks on the surface of it.“

From a GM Press Release

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N'Wide: Kentucky lineup, with avg. start/fin

Qualification at Kentucky Speedway was about perfection. Joey Logano won last year's edition of this race from the pole and he's picking up where he left off. He'll lead the field to green with a lap of 174.865 mph and should be considered one of the favorites to win Saturday night.

The only other driver in his league was teammate Kyle Busch, who had the other car that broke the 174 mph mark. That gives Joe Gibbs Racing a perfect sweep of the front row and these two drivers will be each other's toughest competition.

The next four spots were all taken by rookies—which is as close to perfection as they are likely to find in their first year. Justin Allgaier qualified third, Michael Annett is fourth, Erik Darnell is fifth and Brendan Gaughan will start sixth.

Lineup, with average start/finish

Start	Driver	Avg. Fin	Avg. Start	Attempts
1	Joey Logano	1.00	1.00	2
2	Kyle Busch	14.67	5.00	4
3	Justin Allgaier		3.00	1
4	Michael Annett		4.00	1
5	Erik Darnell		5.00	1
6	Brendan Gaughan		6.00	1
7	Ricky Stenhouse Jr		7.00	1
8	Trevor Bayne		8.00	1
9	Brad Keselowski	4.00	11.00	2
10	Carl Edwards	22.50	9.40	5
11	Jason Leffler	19.25	16.20	5
12	Stephen Leicht	5.50	15.00	3
13	Steve Wallace	16.67	13.25	4
14	John Wes Townley		14.00	1
15	Scott Lagasse Jr		15.00	1
16	Jason Keller	16.57	11.63	8
17	Bobby Hamilton Jr	22.33	10.57	7
18	Burney Lamar	25.50	20.33	3
19	Kevin Hamlin	21.00	24.00	2
20	Kenny Wallace	23.33	23.71	7
21	Mike Bliss	12.75	14.40	5
22	Mark Green	23.50	28.00	5
23	Michael McDowell		23.00	1
24	Shelby Howard	27.00	21.50	2
25	Brandon Whitt		25.00	1
26	Chris Horn	38.33	37.25	4
27	Kevin Conway		27.00	1
28	Derrike Cope	31.00	31.50	2
29	Morgan Shepherd	42.25	32.60	5
30	Scott Wimmer	6.40	19.33	6
31	Johnny Chapman	36.00	34.00	2
32	Kenny Hendrick	26.33	33.75	4
33	Danny O'Quinn Jr	30.50	17.00	3
34	Brad Baker	18.00	38.50	2
35	Stanton Barrett	30.50	30.00	5
36	Ken Butler III		36.00	1
37	Eric McClure	34.33	38.25	4
38	Tony Raines	8.50	29.40	5
39	Chad Blount	22.00	30.50	2
40	Mike Harmon	38.67	34.50	4
41	Brian Keselowski	35.00	38.50	2
42	Kelly Bires	13.00	26.33	3
43	Justin Hobgood	38.00	32.00	2
DNQ	Jeff Green	31.00	2.00	1
DNQ	J C Stout
DNQ	Benny Gordon
DNQ	Blake Bjorkland
DNQ	Kevin Lepage	18.00	24.50	2
DNQ	Travis Kittleson

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N'Wide: Logano on Kentucky pole

Last year, Joey Logano won the Kentucky race from the pole and he's picking up where he left off. He will lead the field to green in tonight's Meijer 300.

Our View: Logano was one of the favorites to win before this lap and he's even more highly regarded now. He also started from the pole in his last effort at Dover and finished second in a car that could have won.

In that race, his teammate Kyle Busch cut a tire and did not inform Logano that he would be slow on the restart, causing both Joe Gibbs Racing drivers to slow dramatically.

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N'Wide: Bires crashes in quals, rolls out backup

Kelly Bires crashed during his qualification lap and will be forced to roll out a backup car, according to @NASCAR_NNS.

Our View: His Kevin Harvick, Inc. backup car will be fast and this shouldn't automatically disqualify him for your roster. If he fits a niche, keep him, but if you're considering another driver at his level, err on the side of caution and park him.

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Trucks: Michigan results, with avg. finish

It doesn't matter what series is on the track; if Jack Roush is fielding a car or truck, its driver is a favorite to win. Roushketeer Colin Braun dogged Kyle Busch during the final green flag segment and forced him into a mistake. With 25 laps remaining, the No. 51 tried to go low beneath a lapped car and Braun pounced on the outside. Once in the lead, the victory was never in question.

After pacing the field for 62 laps, Busch was forced to settle for second, but his protégé made him proud. Brian Ickler sat on the pole and we predicted he would fall back through the pack. He had plenty of opportunities to prove us correct when he nearly crashed early and often. As the race settled down, Ickler maintained and finished third.

Matt Crafton finished fourth and padded his point lead. This was his sixth consecutive top-10 finish in the Camping World Truck Series, which has made him a place-and-hold driver.

Results, with average finish

Finish	Start	Driver	Laps	Laps Led	Status	Avg Fin
1	12	Colin Braun	100	26	Running	3.50
2	4	Kyle Busch	100	62	Running	3.25
3	1	Brian Ickler	100		Running	3.00
4	2	Matt Crafton	100		Running	16.63
5	7	Mike Skinner	100		Running	7.29
6	14	Tayler Malsam	100		Running	6.00
7	5	Ron Hornaday Jr	100	1	Running	14.33
8	18	Timothy Peters	100		Running	22.67
9	11	Dennis Setzer	100		Running	10.30
10	21	Terry Cook	100		Running	9.70
11	20	David Starr	100		Running	16.70
12	10	Rick Crawford	100		Running	13.00
13	3	Todd Bodine	100	6	Running	7.40
14	13	Jason White	99		Running	23.00
15	30	Chris Fontaine	99		Running	15.00
16	6	Johnny Sauter	98		Running	16.00
17	32	Norm Benning	95		Running	17.00
18	19	T J Bell	83		Running	19.33
19	16	Stacy Compton	70		Running	14.50
20	24	J J Yeley	68		Overheating	16.50
21	8	J R Fitzpatrick	63		Accident	21.00
22	25	Ryan Hackett	51	3	Accident	22.00
23	25	Wayne Edwards	32		Fuel Pump	28.00
24	15	Chad McCumbee	27		Accident	17.50
25	26	Chris Jones	21		Quit	29.50
26	23	Ryan Matthews	19		Quit	21.00
27	36	Trevor Boys	18		Quit	27.00
28	31	Andy Ponstein	17		Quit	28.00
29	33	Brandon Knupp	15		Quit	29.00
30	28	Brent Raymer	13		Quit	30.00
31	22	Mario Gosselin	12	1	Quit	30.00
32	27	Nick Tucker	9		Quit	31.50
33	9	James Buescher	8		Accident	33.00
34	17	Brian Scott	8		Accident	29.50
35	34	Sean Murphy	6		Quit	26.50
36	29	John Jackson	4		Quit	36.00

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N'Wide: Logano looking to repeat at Kentucky

In eight previous Nationwide races, no one has repeated as winner at Kentucky Speedway. Last year's winner Joey Logano hopes to end that streak, according to Kypost.com.

Our View: To do so, however, he's going to have to beat his teammate Kyle Busch who won in 2004.

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Braun's first, Roush's 50th Truck win

Colin Braun made a dramatic pass on Kyle Busch as the two drivers negotiated traffic with 25 laps to go and it was clear sailing after that. With 10 to go, Busch admitted defeat as the No. 6 continued to extend its advantage. This was Braun's first Truck victory and Jack Roush's 50th in the series.

Our View: Roush continues to absolutely dominate Michigan International Speedway, which is a good prediction of how his drivers will run in Sunday's Cup race.

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Bowyer wins Michigan Happy Hour

Clint Bowyer posted the quickest average speed in Michigan's Happy Hour with a speed of 181.688 mph during nine laps.

Our View: Running so few laps is kind of a double-edged sword. He was happy with his car, but we would have preferred to see a little more track time to form a firm opinion.

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Martin fastest in Michigan Happy Hour

On the heels of posting the quickest average speed in the morning session, Mark Martin posted the fastest single lap in Happy Hour with a speed of 185.257 mph.

Our View: Better yet, he was second quickest over the course of 24 laps and that makes him a must have on your roster.

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Martin wins Michigan practice 2

Mark Martin may have had only the second fastest single lap, but over the long haul, he was best. The No. 5 posted an average speed of 183.169 mph during 22 laps.

Our View: Races are not won in a single circuit, so Martin has to be considered one of the best values of the LifeLock 400.

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Hamlin fastest in Michigan practice 2

Denny Hamlin posted the fastest single lap in Michigan's Saturday morning practice session with a lap of 187.911 mph.

Our View: Hamlin should simply be happy that he was not one of the many drivers who crashed or spun. Still, this is not one of his better tracks and he is riding a wave of misfortune, so it's hard to recommend him.

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Biffle also spins in Michigan practice 2

Add Greg Biffle to the list of drivers who suffered incidents in the Saturday morning session. He spun in practice two, according to a tweet from @NASCARSays.

Our View: Apparently he also survived without significant damage. This has been a wild session.

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Action packed Michigan practice 2

Looks like television picked the wrong session to go dark: In the first practice, Jimmie Johnson spun either just in front of or off the nose of Tony Stewart and then Max Papis crashed with Dave Blaney, according to tweets from @NASCAR_Says and @NASCAR_TNT. And this is just practice.

Johnson and Stewart appear to have survived without damage.

Neither Papis nor Blaney returned to the track in that session.

Our View: Rain is in the forecast for later in the afternoon, and apparently there is a sense of desperation.

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Trucks: Ickler on Michigan pole

Rookie Brian Ickler will lead point leader Matt Crafton and the remainder of the green for the Michigan 200, according to a tweet from @NASCAR_Trucks.

Our View: If he can hang onto a top-10 finish, he will be a good value, but don't expect miracles. Ickler has only four previous Camping World Truck Series starts and one top-10. Notably, that was a fifth in his first Truck start at Kansas this April.

His teammate Kyle Busch starts one row back in fourth, and he remains a better value.

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LifeLock 400 lineup, with avg. start/finish

Brian Vickers has become a qualifying fool. On Friday, he earned his third pole of the season, tying him with Mark Martin for the most this season. This track type has been incredibly kind to him since his switch to Red Bull Racing and Toyota. He's finished 12th or better in his last seven attempts at Michigan International Speedway and Auto Club Speedway, so this is a promising start.

Vickers grabbed the pole from Kyle Busch, who has similarly been grateful to the two-mile tracks. He's finished 13th or better on these tracks in the last 10 attempts and the winner could very well come from the front row.

Results with average start/finish

Start	Driver	Avg. Fin	Avg. Start	Attempts
1	Brian Vickers	17.30	12.10	10
2	Kyle Busch	17.38	8.50	8
3	Jimmie Johnson	14.36	9.14	14
4	David Reutimann	21.75	21.75	4
5	Kurt Busch	20.13	13.50	16
6	A J Allmendinger	26.00	37.67	3
7	Juan Montoya	33.00	24.75	4
8	Kasey Kahne	16.40	14.80	10
9	Clint Bowyer	25.17	18.33	6
10	John Andretti	23.90	19.67	21
11	Tony Stewart	12.45	22.35	20
12	Kevin Harvick	15.25	18.38	16
13	Robby Gordon	26.11	23.22	18
14	Denny Hamlin	15.50	14.50	6
15	Bill Elliott	13.91	10.25	56
16	Matt Kenseth	9.11	20.63	19
17	Bobby Labonte	14.48	13.27	33
18	Ryan Newman	18.60	11.80	15
19	Martin Truex Jr	13.83	15.50	6
20	Greg Biffle	13.17	15.17	12
21	Scott Speed
22	Jeff Burton	15.80	18.33	30
23	David Ragan	12.50	22.00	4
24	Joey Logano
25	Elliott Sadler	22.60	18.85	20
26	David Stremme	27.00	26.50	4
27	Jeff Gordon	11.75	8.59	32
28	Reed Sorenson	23.50	29.67	6
29	Carl Edwards	6.56	18.33	9
30	Dale Earnhardt Jr	16.68	12.58	19
31	Jamie McMurray	18.50	29.58	12
32	Mark Martin	13.13	11.39	46
33	Marcos Ambrose	43.00	39.00	1
34	Sam Hornish Jr	22.00	29.00	2
35	David Gilliland	27.20	26.80	5
36	Michael Waltrip	20.43	22.47	47
37	Casey Mears	19.42	19.58	12
38	Paul Menard	21.20	34.80	5
39	Dave Blaney	23.56	25.00	18
40	Joe Nemechek	25.00	19.17	30
41	Tony Raines	33.89	33.78	9
42	Sterling Marlin	18.45	20.16	44
43	Max Papis
DNQ	Mike Skinner	27.13	24.13	16

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Burton on Kyle Busch's role as villain

YOU HAVE MENTIONED BEFORE THAT NASCAR NEEDS VILLAINS IN THE SPORT TO BALANCE THINGS OUT. CAN YOU EXPRESS AGAIN WHY YOU THINK NASCAR NEEDS VILLAINS AND IS KYLE BUSCH FILLING THAT ROLE?

“He is certainly one of them. He has that personality and the success that people are going to love or hate. You don’t sit on the fence with Kyle. He invokes passion. There are a lot of people that don’t like him at all and there is [sic] an awful lot of people that passionately like him.

"That’s the same way you feel about the Boston Red Sox or the New York Yankees and that is a good thing. That’s what makes the fans come and that is what makes sports fun because it's just as fun to pull against someone as it is to pull for them.

"I think that our sport needs those people. Kyle seems to enjoy it and seems to relish in it and many times provoke it just because he wants to. And you know, that’s his business and that is the way he wants to do it and its okay with me. I think it's funny when he gets out and bows because I know that three-quarters of those people want to throw something at him and the other quarter want to throw something at the people that threw something at him. That’s cool. That fan passion is what makes our deal work.

"I don’t think you should fabricate it. I don’t think it's something that can be fabricated because you either invoke that passion or you don’t and I don’t think he does fabricate it. I think it's just him being him. And I think he likes it when he pisses somebody off to be quite honest and he stands pat and says this is how it is, this is who I am and this is what it is and that’s okay.

From a GM Press Release

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Gordon on starting last at Michigan

IS THERE A LOT OF PRESSURE ON THE DRIVER TO COME FROM THE BACK LIKE YOU WILL HAVE TO DO ON SUNDAY?

“It is, but I feel like there is always a lot of pressure on anybody on this team to step up and do their part and I’m just one of those guys. We all make mistakes including myself and you have to support everybody on the team when it happens. Then you have to go out there and do your best not to overdrive or panic or anything like that and slowly but surely work our way back to the front. You saw what a great job Tony Stewart did last week coming from the back and it’s the same thing for us because we know we can do it and we’ve got the car and the team that can do it and we have to make good decisions all day long.

From a GM Press Release

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Newman on GM cutbacks

WHEN TONY MADE HIS ANNOUNCEMENT CHEVROLET WAS A BIG PART OF THAT, THEY ANNOUNCED THEY ARE GOING TO BE CUTTING BACK THEIR NATIONWIDE AND TRUCK SERIES PROGRAMS, DOES THAT WORRY YOU KNOWING YOUR TEAM GETS SUPPORT FROM THEM?

“I don’t know the entire financial situation on any of the big three. My first comment in respect to all of this back when Chrysler announced something, I don’t think it was bankruptcy but they announced something and the bottom line was we’re here to support all the manufacturers because Chevrolet doesn’t just win a race against Ford they win a race against Chrysler and Toyota and everybody else. The bottom line is we’re here to support all of them and whatever we can do as drivers, team owners, sponsors to help the economy, to help the situation, to help GM, Ford, Chrysler, Toyota is what we need to do. I don’t know financially their situation as far as what they’re going to pull from and how much they’re going to pull and how long this is going to last and all that stuff. That’s a question for the Chevrolet people but the bottom line is as media, as drivers, as everybody else we need to help out their situation.”

From a GM Press Release

Jeff Burton on GM cutbacks
Dale Earnhardt Jr. on GM cutbacks
Jeff Gordon on GM cutbacks
Fantasy racing perspective on GM cutbacks

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Kurt Busch on improving a car at the track

CAN YOU EXPLAIN THE PROCESS OF GETTING YOUR CAR BETTER THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND?

“The biggest thing is to utilize practice time in the best way that you can. Without testing this year, when we show up at these race tracks, I feel the best thing for us to do is to knock out a few odds-and-ends items that you wouldn’t normally run at a specific race track like Michigan. We’ll try this or try that and then settle in to our normal changes that we would work on with our Miller Lite Dodge and try to dial it in on the high lane, low lane; there’s so many lanes to choose from here at this race track that they handle differently. You’re keeping an overall perspective on how to work through practice trying to finesse through big changes at the beginning, then the smaller ones at the end of practice and then fine-tune it. Then as the race progresses, the track rubbers in and the low line isn’t preferred, but you have to go down there to make some decent passes and make sure that your car runs on long runs because fuel mileage always pops up here in Michigan. Finally, with the double-file restarts, you’re always going to have to pay attention how quick your car takes off on fresh tires because you’re going to be stacked side-by-side with guys that you’re racing for position instead of having lapped cars down there.”

From a Dodge Press Release

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Johnson is about due at Michigan

IS THIS GETTING TO BE A TRACK WHERE YOU ARE ABOUT DUE?

“I think so. That stat we are well aware of it (14 starts at MIS no victories). I feel that we have had some really good chances to have victories here. We had a fuel mileage situation one time get us, last year leading when the whole pit cycle started and the No. 88 was able to make it in one. I think we are closing in on it. We knew early in our career that this was a tough track for us. I think over the last three or four seasons, we’ve done a very good job of being competitive, we just haven’t been able to be there on the last lap in the right position. With all the work that has gone in to it and how consistent, we have been leading laps and running up in the top-five, I think it is out there for us.”

From a GM Press Release

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N'Wide: Logano still fastest

Joey Logano was fastest in the first practice session at Kentucky and he proved that was no fluke by posting the fastest time in the second session as well with a lap of 174.842 mph.

Our View: In fact, he was head and shoulders above second place Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

However, Kyle Busch is liable to be his closest competition on Saturday and he was not at the track, having stayed in Michigan to spot for Brian Ickler.

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ARCA: Buescher finishes fourth at Michigan

One of the two drivers doing double duty with the ARCA and Camping World Truck Series, James Buescher finished fourth in the Racing for Wildlife 200.

Our View: This is a good warm-up for the truck driver; seat time in any vehicle is valuable.

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Burton on GM Cutbacks

CHEVY HAS ANNOUNCED THAT THEY ARE GOING TO BE PULLING BACK SUPPORT TO THE NATIONWIDE AND TRUCK SERIES. HOW DEVASTATING IS THAT TO THESE SERIES?

“I hate to comment on it because I don’t know a whole lot about it. I haven’t had a chance to talk to Richard (Childress) this morning a whole lot about it but I will tell you that I know Chevrolet is going to do everything that they can to do the best job that they can in motorsports.

"This is an unprecedented time and in many ways it’s a sad time and in many ways it’s an exciting time. Chevrolet having to pull support is a big deal because so many people rely on and they have been such a big part of the series.

"So I don’t know everything I need to know about it to comment a hundred percent but I can just tell you that in my talks with Chevrolet is that they want to do everything they can to stay involved and be a part of the NASCAR deal. And I think they are but they have some tough decisions to make.”

From a GM Press Release

Dale Earnhardt Jr. on GM cutbacks
Jeff Gordon on GM cutbacks
Fantasy racing perspective on GM cutbacks

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ARCA: Kligerman wins at Michigan

Parker Kligerman won the Racing for Wildlife 200 by holding off Richard Childress' grandson Austin Dillon and the field. His passed two cars for the lead before the final caution for a spin involving Justin Marks.

Our View: This team was scheduled to run only eight times this year unless a sponsor was found. This was the eighth time and they still don't have a sponsor, but they do have two wins in 2009.

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Gordon on GM cutbacks

ANY REACTION TO REPORTS THAT GM IS PULLING OUT OF THE NATIONWIDE AND TRUCK SERIES?

“I think we all have been watching and waiting to see the reaction and I think it is no surprise that there are going to be big cutbacks. And as a dealer as well as a race car driver, we’re doing everything we can to keep our business going strong and doing everything we can to support them in the decisions that they’re making so that we see a great company, whether it’s smaller than it was before or not, come out of it with continued good products out there and giving the customers what they want as well as thinking that NASCAR racing is important to them from a marketing standpoint. So, you know they’re going to make cutbacks and it’s unfortunate for those that have to deal with that. We’re involved with that with the Nationwide Series with JR Motorsports and Hendrick Motorsports being involved with that. So, it’s unfortunate, but those guys have to make decisions and do the best they can to keep their business and we’re going to stand by them.”

From a GM Racing Press Release

Earnhardt on GM cutbacks
Fantasy racing perspective on GM cutbacks

N'Wide: Logano paces practice 1

Joey Logano got to the track after the first practice session at Kentucky Speedway started, but he wasted no time getting to the top of the charts. He posted the fastest lap in this session with a speed of 172.783 mph, according to @NASCAR_NNS, the official tweet of NASCAR PR.

Our View: Logano was already one of our favorites. If he's just as fast in the evening, he could become THE favorite to win.

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Yahoo! Qualification Story – Michigan

Historically, qualification had been important at Michigan. We say "historically," however, because that is well in the past. In recent years, winners are just as likely to come from outside the top 10 as inside that mark. Check out this week's Yahoo! story(.pdf) of who's going to be hot at in the LifeLock 400.

Skinner goes home from Michigan

Mike Skinner was the slowest of the "go-or-go-home" drivers, and he will be the only driver heading home early from the LifeLock 400.

Our View: Not that it would have mattered; Skinner is one of the start and park drivers.

Fantasy perspective on GM cutbacks

In the light of GM filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, major cutbacks are expected NASCAR-wide, according to both the Associated Press and The Sporting News.

Our View: Earlier this week, Richard Petty Motorsports announced major layoffs among their teams after a similar declaration from Dodge. This won't effect superteams like Hendrick Motorsports, but in general, Ford drivers might be better values for the remainder of the season.

Earnhardt on GM cutbacks

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Vickers wins Michigan pole

Brian Vickers was the 12th driver to hit the track and he knocked Kyle Busch off the provisional pole. He held off the remaining 30-odd drivers to win his third pole of the season.

Our View: That ties him for the season with Mark Martin and this dark horse has been solid on the two-mile tracks since switching to Toyotas and Red Bull Racing.

Trucks: changes expected to 2010 schedule

The Camping World Truck Series schedule has not been released yet, but ThatsRacin.com is anticipating some major changes. These include the removal of the Milwaukee Mile and additions at Darlington Raceway and Iowa Speedway.

Our View: The Trucks have been extremely exciting at Darlington in the past so we certainly hope that one comes true. Rusty Wallace's Iowa Speedway would also be a welcome addition; it's a short track patterned after Richmond International Raceway.

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Skinner, Marlin slowest in practice

Only one driver will go home this week without racing and if practice is any indication, that driver will be either Mike Skinner (44th fastest with a speed of 181.616 mph) or Sterling Marlin (41st – 181.887).

Our View: Both of these teams are start and park operations, so it won't make any difference to your fantasy roster.

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Gordon's got what he's got

Jeff Gordon was never able to return to the track after he blew an engine and was forced to change the powerplant. He completed only five laps of practice.

Our View: Worse still, he landed only 37th on the grid. This could be a long week for the No. 24 team.

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Earnhardt on GM cutbacks

From a JR Motorsports Press Release

“Obviously the automotive industry is dealing with unprecedented business challenges, and we understand the need for restructuring to accommodate the need to reduce costs and maximize return. We have been proud supporters of the Chevrolet brand our entire lives and don’t anticipate that ever changing. We are fully capable of adjusting our business model to accommodate this change, and with the backing of Hendrick Motorsports, we will continue to lend our full support to Chevrolet. The manufacturer support GM provides at the NASCAR Sprint Cup level is more critical in nature than in the Nationwide Series, and I hope Chevy is able to continue supporting that level, as the promotion of NASCAR works well for its demographics.”

- Kelley Earnhardt, vice president and general manager of JR Motorsports

Johnson fastest in Michigan practice 1

Jimmie Johnson posted the fastest single lap in NASCAR's first practice session at Michigan with a lap of 188.818.

Our View: He'll be the 23rd driver to take time and if the track improves (which we're not sure it will), he should be considered a favorite for the pole.

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N'Wide, Trucks: KHI, JR Motorsports lose GM support

According to @BobPockrass and @DustinLong, in the widening financial crisis for the Big Three automakers, Kevin Harvick, Inc. and JR Motorsports have confirmed they have lost factory support.

Our View: Both organizations vow to keep fielding strong cars, but also hint that restructuring is in order. However, smaller crews will mean less resources and in turn, less speed.

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Michigan qualifying order

Jayski.com has published this week's qualifying order. David Ragan will be the first driver on track and Sam Hornish Jr. is scheduled at 35th.

Our View: The track shouldn't change much between the first and 35th driver, but no one want to the be the first guy out.

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ARCA: Ickler Fastest in Michigan practice

Brian Ickler posted the fastest lap in Friday morning's practice session at Michigan, according to ARCAracing.com. He topped 41 drivers.

Our View: Ickler will be doing double duty this week in the ARCA and Camping World Truck Series this week. James Buescher will also run the double header on Friday.

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Gordon blows up in Michigan practice 1

Jeff Gordon blew up in the first practice session. He will have to change the engine and will have to start at the back of the pack regardless of where he qualifies.

Our View: This is another setback for a driver and team that is losing momentum, but four drivers have already won this season after being sent to the back of the pack with an engine or car change.

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Mears scrapes Michigan wall in mirror incident

Casey Mears scraped the wall in an incident that was almost identical to David Reutimann's. His accident happened on his first lap of practice as well.

Our View: The drivers are on full kill from the time they leave the garage. They may want to scale back to 95%.

See also: Reutimann scrapes wall at Michigan

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N'Wide: Blue skies above

According to reports from the track by @BobPockrass, the sun is shining over Kentucky Speedway. All on track activity should get in the books without problem.

Our View: It would certainly be nice to make a weekend without rain delays. This will allow the Nationwide Regulars to develop some rhythm.

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Reutimann scrapes wall at Michigan

David Reutimann scraped the wall early in Michigan's first practice session before he even made his first lap. The splitter drug the ground and caused the incident before he even started the timing clock.

Our View: That's not a very good start for a driver looking for his first top-10 on this track.

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Trucks: Crafton tops Michigan practice 1

Matt Crafton topped the first practice session for the Michigan Camping World Truck Series race, according to @NASCAR_Trucks. Rookie Brian Ickler was second quick.

Our View: Crafton is the current points' leader in this series, and this is a great way to start defending his lead.

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