Aug 19, 2004

Michael "Fatback" McSwain has joined the Wood Brothers #21 team to again work with Ricky Rudd as crew chief. They have 3 wins and 4 polls together at Robert Yates Racing. Ben Leslie took a job with Ford Racing Technology. McSwain starts his new job at Bristol.

You can bid on Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s 33-foot boat, and all the money will go to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The boat has been appraised at $118,000, but bidding starts at $50,000. http://www.ebay.com/dalejrwishboat

The Busch Series Points are tight right now, and this weekend the competition at Michigan will be elevated. There are 19 drivers planning the double duty including: Bobby Labonte, Tony Stewart, Rusty Wallace, Mark Martin, Kevin Harvick, Michael Waltrip, and Matt Kenseth....you might even say there are TWO Cup races this weekend.
FULL LIST
Rusty Wallace, Mark Martin, Kasey Kahne, Joe Nemechek, Hermie Sadler, Bobby Hamilton Jr., Michael Waltrip, Greg Biffle, Matt Kenseth, Tony Stewart, Kevin Harvick, Robby Gordon, Casey Mears, Jamie McMurray, Kenny Wallace, Derrike Cope, Kevin Lepage, Carl Long and Kyle Busch.

ON TV
BUSCH SERIES QUALIFYING @ 1 p.m. Friday on Speed

NEXTEL CUP QUALIFYING @ 3 p.m. Friday on TNT

NEXTEL CUP HAPPY HOUR @ Noon Saturday on TNT

BUSCH SERIES RACING @ 1 p.m. Saturday on TNT

NEXTEL CUP RACING FROM MICHIGAN @ 1:30 p.m. Sunday on TNT

All times are eastern

Aug 18, 2004

Jeff Gordon has a shot at clinching his spot for the Chase for the Championship by winning this weekend in Michigan. If he wins his 70th race, all he would need to do is just start the next 3 races to be locked into the Top 10. We all know he'd rather hang out in victory lane instead.

Bill Henderson has been named the new crew chief for Kyle Petty's #45 ride starting this weekend. He was recently the car chief for Scott Riggs.

TESTING | KENTUCKY
Truck Series driver Carl Edwards had his first taste of driving a Cup car at the track. Carl takes over the 99 ride full time this weekend at Michigan, as Jeff Burton moves over to the #30 AOL Chevy. One thing he didn't test was his trademark winning back flip...he said "If it gets to that, I guarantee you I'll get that figured out,"

POINT STANDINGS | BUSCH SERIES
5 David Green
4 Greg Biffle
3 Jason Keller
2 Kyle Busch
1 Martin Truex Jr. by 117

POINT STANDINGS | TRUCK SERIES
5 Matt Crafton
4 Carl Edwards
3 Chad Chaffin
2 Dennis Setzer
1 Bobby Hamilton leads by 84

Aug 17, 2004

With the Olympic Games going on in Greece, Watkins Glen race winner Tony Stewart's car will feature an Olympic paint scheme this coming weekend at Michigan. There are currently 71 Home Depot employees in Athens competing.

Daytona International Speedway is doing it's part to help the Daytona Beach area recover from hurricane Charlie. The speedway was used as a staging area for the local power company, and a generator was provided to help keep the water supply going to the city. By the way the Speedway's rebuilding project was not affected by Charlie.

TESTING | BRISTOL

Teams on the track checking their setups this week include: Ryan Newman, David Green, Jeff Green, Kyle Petty, Jimmy Spencer, and Michael Waltrip. The Bristol race weekend is in two weeks.

POINT STANDINGS | CUP SERIES | ON THE BUBBLE

With only 4 races until the Chase for the Championship, these guys are all within 123 points of 10th place.

15 Jamie McMurray
14 Dale Jarrett
13 Mark Martin
12 Ryan Newman
11Kasey Kahne is just 24 points outside of the 10th spot
10 Jeremy Mayfield bumps Ryan Newman out

Aug 16, 2004

RACE RECAP | WATKINS GLEN

10 Kurt Busch
9 Matt Kenseth
8 Ricky Rudd
7 Jeremy Mayfield jumps to 10th in points
6 Kevin Harvick
5 Dale Earnhardt Jr.
4 Casey Mears first career top 5
3 Mark Martin
2 Ron Fellows came from 43rd
1 Tony Stewart led the most laps at 46, overcame an upset stomach, and leg cramps, plus even considered putting Boris Said in the car.

OTHER STORIES ON THE DAY

-A horrible day for Hendrick Motorsports
--Points leader Jimmie Johnson missed a shift on a restart, tore up his transmission, then his motor blew up for his second DNF in a row
--Jeff Gordon lost every gear except 4th, plus brake problems, and finished 21st
--Terry Labonte had mechanical problems
--Brian Vickers found the sand trap, and took Dale Jarrett with him

-The 12 car of Ryan Newman had brake problems all day, he finished 26th and drops out of the top 10 in points to 12th

-Brendan Gaughan was running second late in the race when he found the sand trap

-Defending race winner Robby Gordon had a strong car early, but it fell off late in the race.

TRUCK SERIES
Bobby Hamilton takes home the guitar trophy for his 4th win of the year

Updated: Sunday, October 31, 2004 | 9:45 AM Pacific