ON PIT ROAD: Rain brings unlikely winner at New Hampshire
Kurt Busch was having less than a stellar day Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway when Jamie McMurray got into Dale Earnhardt Jr., bringing out a caution with 28 laps remaining.
Being far back in the field, Busch and his team decided to take a chance and stay out as the leaders pitted for the last time. It was questionable if anyone had enough fuel to finish. As the leaders pitted, Kurt inherited the lead, and when another caution came on lap 281 so did the rain. After three caution laps, NASCAR dropped the red flag and eventually called the race, declaring Busch the winner.
Here we are in July, and the NASCAR silly season is running full steam with rumored moves.
Hendrick Motorsports announced that Casey Mears would not return in 2009, and the strong rumor is that Mark Martin will move to HMS for one final attempt at a championship.
Tony Stewart has stated that he wants to win at least part of a team, with indications that he will leave Joe Gibbs racing and head to Haas CNC as part owner.
Ryan Newman, whose Alltel sponsorship will end after this year, has stated that he wants to be in a competitive car for 2009. Newman is rumored to be headed to Haas CNC with Stewart.
Local Racing
•Crossville Raceway had their mid-season championships last Friday before a large crowd, as rain forced the cancellation of numerous area tracks on Saturday. Crossville will be off this week and will return to action on Friday, July 11.
•I-40 Dragway turned up the heat Friday with a tuning session as well as bike runs, and beat the rain on Saturday for their Bounty Races.
Winners on Saturday were Pro Street Bounty Billy Smith, winner and German Valdez, runner-up; Real Street, Eddie Patrick, winner and Jeff Carpenter, runner-up; Outlaw 8.5 Winner was Craig Watson and Brandon Coday, runner-up; 6.00 winner was Reese Young; and 7.00 winner was Jason Young.
Young Picked up the $500 bonus money for best package as well.
I-40 will run their regular programs this week.
On Friday and Saturday at the Community Complex, the House of Hope will present the Lucas Oil Pro Pullers Truck Pull. The action starts at 6:15 p.m. both nights with qualifying on Friday and the final events on Saturday. Among the top contenders will be Crossville's Phil Cox and Jamestown's Tim Beaty. There will be a car show by the Crossville Cruisers on Saturday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. with free admission.
