Racing News

Johnson in a walk

Only one real all-star in Charlotte

Monte Dutton

            CONCORD – Surprising none but the most optimistic of observers, Jimmie Johnson captured his third Sprint All-Star Race in an outcome that was hardly surprising. His victory in ... Full story

NOTEBOOK: Burnout is an issue at the speedway

Text messages as determinant

Monte Dutton

            CONCORD – How could one possibly determine what NASCAR driver best executes the celebrity burnout?             Why, text ... Full story

'Assertive, but humble at the same time'

Jordan Anderson keeps his dreams alive

Monte Dutton

            CONCORD – While Jordan Anderson sat in a dentist’s chair, getting lingering damage from an old BMX racing accident repaired, an idea occurred to him.    &n... Full story

Lofton strikes first at Charlotte

Three first-time winners in Trucks

Monte Dutton

            CONCORD – Justin Lofton, whose chief previous claim to fame was an Automobile Racing Club of America championship, became the Camping World Truck Series’ third first-time ... Full story

Too much information

Some drivers just 'let her rip'

Monte Dutton

            CONCORD – Some drivers are a walking encyclopedia about the Sprint All-Star Race. Others just let all the brainiacs – oh, spotter, crew chief, Darrell Waltrip – tell... Full story

NOTEBOOK: Like a typical short track? Not exactly

Monte Dutton

            CONCORD – It’s popular to liken the Sprint All-Star Race to a local short-track program, which conveniently ignores the fact that no local tracks actually run a format tha... Full story

Bojangles Southern 500 Notes & Quotes

Monte Dutton

Sweet 16: That number of races had passed since both Jimmie Johnson and his team, Hendrick Motorsports, visited victory lane. It was also the length of owner Rick Hendrick’s wait before Johnson claimed his team’s 200th triumph at Darlingt... Full story

Johnson collects the elusive 200th

Monte Dutton

            DARLINGTON, S.C. – Funny how Martinsville (twice), Texas (twice), Phoenix (twice), Talladega (twice), Homestead-Miami, Daytona, Las Vegas, Bristol, Charlotte, Fontana and Richmo... Full story

Hendrick still awaits 200th triumph

Earnhardt Jr. seeks a Darlington first

            DARLINGTON, S.C. –  Dale Earnhardt Jr. said all four Hendrick Motorsports Chevys are faster this year than last. What’s more, he said the entire operation – enc... Full story

NOTEBOOK: Stewart wants to fill in a blank

Never a Cup win at Darlington

Monte Dutton

            DARLINGTON, S.C. – Tony Stewart is back to being serious again.             After last week’s Aaron’s 499 at ... Full story

Southern 500 Fact Sheet

Monte Dutton

Well, it is Southern fried chicken: Bojangles Southern 500. Too tough to tame: Darlington (S.C.) Raceway. Memorable upset: Not many underdogs win at NASCAR’s most challenging track. It happened last year when Regan Smith pulled off a victory ... Full story

Keselowski picks up the slack

Seizes control at Talladega

Monte Dutton

            TALLADEGA, Ala. – Not only did Brad Keselowski win the Aaron’s 499. He saved the day.             Who was that mask... Full story

Aaron's 499 Notes & Quotes

Monte Dutton

Unseemly hybrid: NASCAR officials were successful in preventing tag-team drafting until the end of the Aaron’s 499, but the so-called pack drafting wasn’t the same as in past years, either. With accelerated worries about overheating, most... Full story

NOTEBOOK: Busch, Kenseth graceful in defeat

Monte Dutton

            TALLADEGA, Ala. – Given the fact that they finished second and third, respectively, the compliments of Kyle Busch and Matt Kenseth toward Aaron’s 499 winner Brad Keselowsk... Full story

NOTEBOOK: For one car, it's all about 'me'

Kurt Busch in Ricky Bobby knock-off

Monte Dutton

            TALLADEGA, Ala. – At first glance, Kurt Busch would seem to be the most self-centered driver in NASCAR.             That&... Full story

Either it's Earnhardt's best shot ...

... or just another track

Monte Dutton

            TALLADEGA, Ala. – Dale Earnhardt Jr. doesn’t look like a man who is obsessed with ending that pesky streak. During a Saturday-morning media conference, he seemed as carefr... Full story

Aaron's 499 Fact Sheet

Monte Dutton

It’s because that’s what the sponsor wants to call it: Aaron’s 499 (188 laps = 500.08 miles). A huge ribbon of asphalt: Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway. Missed it by … that much: Clint Bowyer missed sweeping last year’... Full story

NOTEBOOK: The silence breaks

Hamlin, Ford talk about the parting

Monte Dutton

            TALLADEGA, Ala. – Mike Ford brings considerable cachet to his new role as Aric Almirola’s crew chief, having nearly won the 2011 championship with Denny Hamlin.  &nb... Full story

Capital City 400 Notes 'n' Quotes

Monte Dutton

Quick change: Carl Edwards may have won if not for a controversial pit-road penalty. Tony Stewart may have won if not for a late caution flag for debris. But Kyle Busch, whose Toyota beat Stewart’s Chevy out of the pits, did win, and Dale Earnh... Full story

Kyle Busch roars back

Monte Dutton

            RICHMOND, Va. – The joy Kyle Busch experienced at Richmond International Raceway was the usual kind.             The youn... Full story