The Final Lap - with Kerry Murphey

NASCAR News

May 28, 2004

This weekend marks the 10 year anniversary of Jeff Gordon's first Cup Series win. In only his second full season, Jeff made the 600 his first win. The 4 time champion now has enough impressive stats to fill a book. Matt Kenseth and Bobby Labonte also made this race their first wins.

Ken Schrader driver of the #49 Dodge will be celebrating his 49th birthday tomorrow. In honor of the event, his sponsor Schwans will be giving 49,000 fans free ice-cream and refrigerator magnets at the track on Sunday.

Robby Gordon finished up practice yesterday for the Indy 500. His top speed was 13th overall at 214.630mph. He qualified 20th for the Cup race in his 31 car.

QUALIFYING | CUP SERIES | LOWES MOTOR SPEEDWAY

10 Dale Earnhardt Jr.
9 Bobby Labonte
8 Jeff Green
7 Brendan Gaughan
6 Tony Stewart
5 Brian Vickers
4 Elliott Sadler
3 Jeff Gordon
2 Ryan Newman

ON THE POLL

1 He went out last, ends up first Jimmie Johnson with a track record speed of 187.052mph. His first of the year, so he's in next years Bud Shootout.

May 27, 2004

There are at least 50 cars ready to enter this weekends race. Names you haven't heard in a while trying to get one of the 43 spots are Steve Park, Kerry Earnhardt, John Andretti, Hermie Sadler and Tony Raines.

If you've got American Idol fever, then check out your favorites singing the National Anthem before the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday. 8 of the top 10 finalists will be on hand.

David Green, driver of the #37 Timberwolf Busch car will be making his 300th career start in the series. He is the 1994 series champion, has eight wins, and 21 Poles.

ON TV

CUP QUALIFYING @ 7 p.m. Today on Speed

BUSCH SERIES QUALIFYING @ 1:30 p.m. Friday on Speed

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

CUP HAPPY HOUR @ 4 p.m. Saturday on FX

THE COCA-COLA 600 @ 5 p.m. Sunday on Fox

Remember all times are eastern!

May 26, 2004

NASCAR has admitted they accidentally hit the caution lights during last weeks Truck race. This caused leader Carl Edwards to slow, and Dennis Setzer to pass for the lead and eventually win the race. NASCAR apologized for the error, but the race results still stand.

Jeff Burton's 99 car will carry the Roundup Sponsor on the hood again this weekend which extends the deal one more race. Jeff is a two time winner of the Coke 600.

TESTING | DAYTONA

Bill Elliott who is running a very limited schedule is at the track this week for Evernham Motorsports, as well as Kyle Petty and his 45 Dodge.

Michael Waltrip is at Kentucky shacking down his #15 machine.

POINT STANDINGS | BUSCH SERIES

10 Jason Leffler
9 Greg Biffle
8 Robby Gordon
7 Ron Hornaday
6 Bobby Hamilton Jr.
5 Jason Keller
4 Michael Waltrip
3 David Green
2 Kyle Busch
1 Martin Truex Jr. leads by 31 points

May 25, 2004

Tony Stewart created quite a stir on Sunday, when he showed up to qualify an A.J. Foyt car for the Indianapolis 500 this weekend. He was suited up, next to the car with his name already on it, on pit road ready to go. In the end, a contract dispute stopped the whole thing, probably because he was about to drive a Toyota, and his Cup car is of course a Chevy.

Daytona 500 2005 Tickets are going on sale this Saturday at 8am Eastern. This is the earliest chance for fans to get set up for this race next year. Get all the details below.

DAYTONA 500 2005 ORDERING

• Online at www.DAYTONA500.com

• Calling 1-800-PITSHOP

• Visiting the Daytona International Speedway ticket office inside the lobby of DAYTONA USA

Joe Nemechek's 01 US Army car will carry a special paint scheme this weekend. It'll feature a "Salute to the American Soldier"

Click to enlarge

POINT STANDINGS | CUP SERIES

10 Elliott Sadler
9 Kurt Busch
8 Kevin Harvick
7 Bobby Labonte
6 Ryan Newman
5 Tony Stewart
4 Matt Kenseth
3 Jeff Gordon
2 Jimmie Johnson
1 Dale Earnhardt Jr. leads by 40 points

May 24, 2004

RACE RECAP | NASCAR NEXTEL ALL-STAR CHALLENGE

-We start with the Open race, where a major wreck took out a bunch of the field at the green flag before turn one when Casey Mears had transmission problems.

-Jamie McMurray won segment one, and made an incredible save after his car was practically sideways.

-Sterling Marlin takes the win and moves on to the Challenge.

-Ken Schrader also moves on as voted on by you the fan.

THE CHALLENGE

-The 32 of Ricky Craven lost the handling on his car and found the wall

-A huge wreck started by Kurt Busch trying to "push" his team mate Greg Biffle past Kenseth. Involved in the wreck were the 97, 16, 48, 24, 49, 01, 31, 40, 29, 40, 9

-To put it mildly, there were a bunch of unhappy drivers

-Tony Stewart won segment 1, and $75,000

-SEGMENT 2, Dale Jarrett spun with help from Tony Stewart's 20

-Jimmie Johnson called it a night after spinning from losing the handling after damage during the Kurt Busch wreck

-Ryan Newman takes the win for segment 2

-In SEGMENT 3, Ryan Newman shocked everybody when his team chose to stay out and not pit his 12 car.

-It worked for about 15 laps, and then Matt Kenseth got Ryan loose to take the lead.

-Matt Kenseth wins the All Star Challenge and over 1 million dollars in prize money!

TRUCK SERIES

Dennis Setzer wins after Carl Edwards thought a caution came out and slowed.

Updated: Sunday, October 31, 2004 | 9:47 AM Pacific

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