Tune in This Week for NASCAR:

Auto Club 500
FOX Sun. 3:30 p.m.

Stater Bros. 300
FX Sat. 6 p.m.

racetickets.com 200
SPEED Fri. 9 p.m.

Auto Club 500 qualifying
SPEED Fri. 6:30 p.m.

Don't forget everyone!

Auto Club 500
FOX Sun. 2/26 3:30 p.m.

Stater Bros. 300
FX Sat. 2/25 6 p.m.

Posted on Fri, Feb. 24, 2006

Unofficial NASCAR Nextel Cup qualifying results
ThatsRacin.com Report

Unofficial results from Friday's qualifying for the Auto Club 500 at California Speedway, with position, car number, driver, car make and speed (*-denotes car not in top 35 in final car owner points in 2005 and therefore not guaranteed a starting spot):


1. (2) Kurt Busch, Dodge, 187.086.

2. (16) Greg Biffle, Ford, 186.186.

3. (48) Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet, 185.735.

4. (18) J.J. Yeley, Chevrolet, 185.180.

5. (11) Denny Hamlin, Chevrolet, 184.919.

6. (31) Jeff Burton, Chevrolet, 184.871.

7. (5) Kyle Busch, Chevrolet, 184.800.

8. (01) Joe Nemechek, Chevrolet, 184.758.

9. (24) Jeff Gordon, Chevrolet, 184.720.

10. (6) Mark Martin, Ford, 184.450.

11. (12) Ryan Newman, Dodge, 184.318.

12. (20) Tony Stewart, Chevrolet, 184.303.

13. (9) Kasey Kahne, Dodge, 184.219.

14. *(10) Scott Riggs, Dodge, 184.209.

15. (29) Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet, 184.195.

16. (38) Elliott Sadler, Ford, 183.767.

17. (14) Sterling Marlin, Chevrolet, 183.613.

18. (8) Dale Earnhardt Jr., Chevrolet, 183.570.

19. (88) Dale Jarrett, Ford, 183.566.

20. (42) Casey Mears, Dodge, 183.524.

21. (19) Jeremy Mayfield, Dodge, 183.397.

22. (99) Carl Edwards, Ford, 183.360.

23. (1) Martin Truex Jr., Chevrolet, 183.173.

24. (22) Dave Blaney, Dodge, 183.155.

25. (26) Jamie McMurray, Ford, 183.090.

26. (66) Jeff Green, Chevrolet, 183.020.

27. (43) Bobby Labonte, Dodge, 183.020.

28. (25) Brian Vickers, Chevrolet, 182.913.

29. (41) Reed Sorenson, Dodge, 182.820.

30. *(95) Stanton Barrett, Chevrolet, 182.801.

31. (17) Matt Kenseth, Ford, 182.588.

32. (07) Clint Bowyer, Chevrolet, 182.486.

33. (55) Michael Waltrip, Dodge, 182.454.

34. *(7) Robby Gordon, Chevrolet, 182.380.

35. *(51) Mike Garvey, Chevrolet, 183.320.

36. *(78) Kenny Wallace, Chevrolet, 182.306.

37. *(61) Kevin Lepage, Ford, 182.242.

38. *(4) Scott Wimmer, Chevrolet, 182.007.

39. (45) Kyle Petty, Dodge, 181.461.

40. (40) David Stremme, Dodge, 181.005.

41. (21) Ken Schrader, Ford, 179.341.

42. (49) Brent Sherman, Dodge, 178.169.

43. *(96) Terry Labonte, Chevrolet, 181.059.


Did not qualify: *(32) Travis Kvapil, Chevrolet, 180.090; *(00) Hermie Sadler, Ford, 179.113; *(74) Derrike Cope, Dodge, 178.735; (49) Brent Sherman, Dodge, 178.169; *(34) Randy LaJoie, Dodge, 175.764; *(89) Morgan Shepherd, Dodge, 173.019; *(92) Chad Chaffin, Chevrolet, did not start; *(37) Mike Skinner, Dodge, did not start.

Posted on Thu, Feb. 23, 2006



Waltrip signs extension with Fox Sports

By JIM UTTER
The Charlotte Observer

FONTANA, Calif. -- NASCAR and Fox may have agreed to a new TV deal, but there are some things that won't change.

The trademark phrase "Boogity, boogity, boogity" for one.

Former NASCAR champion-turned TV analyst Darrell Waltrip, who uses the phrase when the field takes the green-flag, has signed a multi-year contract extension with Fox Sports to continue as the network's premier analyst into the new television contract which begins with the 2007 season.

"I firmly believe that whatever value that DW had to the sport when he was a champion driver, has been eclipsed many times over since he retired and became a NASCAR broadcaster," said Fox Sports chairman David Hill.

"His knowledge, passion, and ever increasing skill as a broadcaster, has been instrumental in driving the dramatic growth of the sport since Fox Sports became involved with NASCAR in 2000. And you know what? He's only going to get better."

Said Waltrip: "I love Fox Sports. I love being part of a big sports family. David Hill and Ed Goren (Fox Sports president) have embraced me. I have said it before, it’s like being part of a championship race team.

"I love my job and now I get to do it for a long, long time!"

Prior to joining Fox Sports in 2001, Waltrip compiled 84 wins and three Nextel Cup series championships in an outstanding NASCAR career. He was voted the most popular driver twice (1989-90) and was the recipient of the Bill France Award of Excellence in 2000, honoring his lifetime of achievements.

In 2003, Waltrip was elected into the National Motorsports Press Association's Hall of Fame, an honor followed by an induction into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2005.

Fox Sports begins its 2006 season coverage with Sunday's Auto Club 500 at California Speedway (3:30 p.m. Eastern, Fox).

2006 NASCAR on FX schedule
Date Track Event Time (ET)

Sat. March 11 Las Vegas Motor Speedway Nextel Cup Happy Hour 5 p.m.
Busch prerace show 6 p.m.
Busch Series race 6:30 p.m.

Sat. March 18 Atlanta Motor Speedway Nextel Cup Happy Hour 2 p.m.
Busch prerace show 3 p.m.
Busch Series race 3:30 p.m.

Sat. March 25 Bristol Motor Speedway Nextel Cup Happy Hour 2 p.m.

Sat. April 1 Martinsville Speedway Nextel Cup Happy Hour 10:30 a.m.

Sat. April 8 Texas Motor Speedway Nextel Cup Happy Hour 2 p.m.

Sat. April 15 Nashville Superspeedway Busch prerace show 3:30 p.m.
Busch Series race 4 p.m.

Fri. April 21 Phoenix Int'l. Raceway Busch prerace show 8:30 p.m.
Busch Series race 9 p.m.

Sat. April 29 Talladega Superspeedway Nextel Cup qualifying Noon

Fri. May 5 Richmond Int'l. Raceway Busch prerace show 7:30 p.m.
Busch Series race 8 p.m.

Sat. May 6 Richmond Int'l. Raceway Nextel Cup prerace show 7 p.m.
Nextel Cup race 7:30 p.m.

Fri. May 12 Darlington Raceway Busch prerace show 8 p.m.
Busch Series race 8:30 p.m.

Sat. May 20 Lowe's Motor Speedway Nextel Cup prerace show 7 p.m.
Nextel All-Star Challenge 7:30 p.m.

Sat. May 27 Lowe's Motor Speedway Nextel Cup Happy Hour 6:30 p.m.
Busch prerace show 7:30 p.m.
Busch Series race 8 p.m.

Sat. June 3 Dover Speedway Nextel Cup Happy Hour 2 p.m.
Busch prerace show 3 p.m.
Busch Series race 3:30 p.m.

Sun. June 4 Dover Speedway Nextel Cup prerace show 1:30 p.m.
Nextel Cup race 2 p.m.

Sat. June 10 Pocono Raceway Nextel Cup Happy Hour 6:30 p.m.
Nashville Superspeedway Busch prerace show 7:30 p.m.
Nashville Superspeedway Busch Series race 8 p.m.

Sat. June 17 Michigan Int'l. Speedway Nextel Cup Happy Hour 6:30 p.m.
Kentucky Speedway Busch prerace show 7:30 p.m.
Kentucky Speedway Busch Series race 8 p.m.

Sat. June 24 Infineon Raceway Nextel Cup Happy Hour 7:30 p.m.
Milwaukee Mile Busch prerace show 8:30 p.m.
Milwaukee Mile Busch Series race 9 p.m.

Fri. June 30 Daytona Int'l. Speedway Busch prerace show 7:30 p.m.
Busch Series race 8 p.m.

What an ending to that race. Mostly boring all day and then a green-white-checker. And both my boyz (Dale Jr and Martin) finished in the top 15. And both gained spots in the points. So I'm happy with the results.

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Elaborate changes for Atlanta Motor Speedway
From Track Release
March 2, 2006
11:48 AM EST (16:48 GMT)


HAMPTON, Ga. -- Atlanta Motor Speedway announced today three major facility additions that will be in place for the Oct. 27-29 Bass Pro Shops 500 race weekend.

More than 13,000 new grandstand seats will be added in the newly created Winners Grandstand, located at the Turn 1-end of the front straightaway. The new grandstand will feature more than 7,700 comfortable, individual-style chair seats with drink holders and an additional 5,300 bench-style seats. The chairback seats will be available for purchase annually for $495, including all six days both Nextel Cup race weekends and the bench seats will be available on an event-by-event basis.

Complete Article Here

Today in Mexico:

Telcel-Motorola 200 presented by Banamex
FOX Sun. 2 p.m.


Telcel-Motorola 200 presented by Banamex qualifying
SPEED Sat. 1:30 p.m.

Said wins pole for Busch race in Mexico City
By Will Weissert, The Associated Press
March 4, 2006
06:15 PM EST (23:15 GMT)


MEXICO CITY -- Boris Said, a road-course specialist born in New York, won the pole and two Mexican drivers placed in the top five Saturday for the Telcel-Motorola 200, the second race south of the border in NASCAR's Busch Series.

Said averaged 1 minute, 28.295 seconds while reaching a top speed of 102.665 mph. Most of the top finishers from Friday's practice took the track after him but were unable to post faster times.

It was Said's second pole in six Busch Series starts. His first came during his Busch debut in June 1998 at another road course, Watkins Glen.

Complete Story here

I am VERY MAD at my cable company right now. I went to check the channels that has the NASCAR In Car stuff, and it said 'free preview'. I'm like ... woohoo!!! BUT in order to order it, I have to call the cable company. And since it's Sunday, they only have an answering service to report outages. WTF!?!!? I never got advance notice of a free preview. And how the heck am I supposed to know ahead of time about it. I am SOOOOO mad. I'm tempted to call them on Monday and complain and tell them I want a free preview next weekend since there is no possible way I can get it this weekend.

So ... I'm off to watch the race and have to deal with the annoying FOX broadcasters. I'm tempted to leave the tv on mute and just listen to the MRN/PRN radio broadcast.

I was very surprised when Elliott finished 15th and still moved up 2 spots.

Ugh...a second place finish for Kenseth. Damn cautions.

For our viewing pleasure:

Golden Corral 500
FOX Sun. 1 p.m.

Nicorette 300
FX Sat. 3 p.m.

John Deere 200
SPEED Fri. 9 p.m.

Golden Corral 500 qualifying
SPEED Fri. 7 p.m.

Kahne captures pole, but Lester steals show
By Mike Harris, The Associated Press
March 18, 2006
12:58 AM EST (05:58 GMT)


HAMPTON, Ga. (AP) -- Bill Lester stole the show from pole-winner Kasey Kahne on Friday night at Atlanta Motor Speedway, earning a spot in the Golden Corral 500 to become the the first black driver to qualify for a race in NASCAR's top series in nearly 20 years.

Driving a Dodge fielded by Bill Davis Racing and facing enormous pressure, the slim, quiet NASCAR truck series regular put up a lap of 190.502 mph early in the Nextel Cup series qualifying session on the 1.5-mile oval.

That was nearly 6 mph faster than he ran in practice. But Lester still had to wait for more than an hour to see if it would be good enough to make it into the 43-car field for Sunday's race.

"I only need to hold my breath for 30 or 35 more drivers," a smiling Lester said after getting out of his car. "I'm just glad I was able to realize my dream and get this opportunity."

The top 35 cars from last season's owners points are guaranteed starting spots at every race, leaving only eight places to the other entries like the 45-year-old Lester, trying to make a Cup race for the first time.

He made it easily, qualifying 19th overall and the fastest of 15 drivers who tried to drive their way into the race.

"It's overwhelming," said Lester, who raced later Friday night in the truck race. "This is the culmination of a very long dream that I've had to race at the top level of motorsports. ... I'm hoping to think that this is the beginning, that it will open a few more eyes and get the attention of corporate America.

"This is quite a feat at my age, but I hope I'm still on the rise," added Lester, the first black man to qualify for a Cup race since Willy T. Ribbs ran three events in 1986, the last in June of that year at Michigan International Speedway.

NASCAR's most successful black driver was Wendell Scott, whose 13-year career spanned 495 races and a landmark victory in 1964.

Kahne was also among the earliest of the 52 drivers who made qualifying attempts on the cool, clear night.

His lap of 192.553 was just good enough to beat Ryan Newman's 192.540 and end the latter's run of Atlanta poles at six. The time difference between the fastest qualifiers was just .008-seconds.

Rounding out the top five were Jeff Burton at 191.973, Bobby Labonte at 191.914 and rookie J.J. Yeley at 191.864.

Carl Edwards, who won both Atlanta Cup races last year, qualified just ahead of Lester in 18th. Series points leader Jimmie Johnson, winner of two of the first three races this season, will start 14th.

Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Find this article at:
http://www.nascar.com/2006/news/headlines/cup/03/17/blester.kkahne.atl.pole.ap/index.html

*cough, cough* I think I'm coming down with a 24-hour bug or something ... LOL.

Stupid rain. Guess I should have fixed up my weather machine and sent it down to Atlanta. I was really looking forward to the race. But ... I'll be setting my vcr for it tomorrow and hopefully watch it on my lunch break. I hope it doesn't rain again tomorrow.

My you do look a little pale. I think you should take it easy for a day or two. I think the couch would need you to keep it company.......he, he.

With any luck my clients will not show up and I will be able to give the cable tv in my office a workout today.