The leader is in sight … do you wreck him to win?

Anyone who watched this past weekend’s Nationwide race at Memphis saw the dilemma David Reutimann faced as the final laps wound down.Passing was nearly impossible, and he was at Carl Edwards’ bumper. His only way to win was to knock Edwards out of the way … but he didn’t.After the race, Reutimann said, “I should’ve moved him,“ but went on to say that’s not the way he races.This brings up an

Edwards impressive in win, but Johnson steals show with amazing comeback

Associated Press photo Carl Edwards celebrates after winning Sunday's race at Atlanta Motor Speedway.The saying goes that when someone gives you lemons, you make lemonade.In coming back from a lap down in the back of the pack to a 2nd-place finish Sunday at Atlanta, Jimmie Johnson went one further … he took those lemons and made a SoCo and lemonade mixed drink that he ended up sipping while on

NASCAR teams angry they got caught, not that their people were cheating

When teams get caught cheating in NASCAR, they give the standard response.After a scapegoat is found, the team will issue a statement saying it was an isolated incident. They’ll fire or suspend some of the people involved (as long as they‘re not too important to the team) and act like they’re taking the high road. It happened this week at Red Bull Racing and earlier this year at Joe Gibbs Racing

Economy has Ford struggling … but their commitment to Roush, NASCAR stands

Henry Ford drove this car to victory in a 10-lap race in 1901 at the Detroit Driving Club in Grosse Pointe, Michigan.Anyone who has read the news lately knows that Ford Motor Company, as well as the rest of the automobile business, is not in the best shape right now.Sales are down by record numbers, billionaire Kirk Kerkorian is considering selling off his millions of shares in Ford on fears it

Johnson on pace to pass teammate Gordon in record books

Jimmie Johnson doesn’t know the meaning of the word parity.NASCAR has done everything it can to try to make the sport as equal as possible between teams -- a place where as large a number as possible of drivers and teams are regularly competing for race wins and championships.Jimmie Johnson and his #48 Hendrick Motorsports team has taken all those efforts and kicked them to the curb, all in the

Tough economy hitting DEI, many other NASCAR teams

Anyone who’s watched the news in the past few months knows the U.S. economy isn’t exactly in a good state. Layoffs are affecting thousands as the end result of a number of crises in the housing, credit and stock markets. Meanwhile, people are seeing all the money they’ve earned through investments over the years go down the toilet.When it comes to teams of NASCAR, the effect of this economy is

NASCAR fans, prepare for the possibility of just one U.S. automaker

For those of you who haven’t heard, it appears GM and Chrysler are engaging in somewhat serious talks about some sort of merger or acquisition, depending on the details that they might come to an agreement on.It’s no secret the entire auto industry is reeling due to the global economic downturn and sales numbers are way down, particularly in the U.S., and more and more people are being laid off

No shortage of excitement in ARCA finale

A four-way battle for the championship … Beating and banging among the series’ top leaders. … Drivers duking it out for the win as the race comes to an end.Now that’s what I call a great final race of the season … and it was great to see, because it’s nothing we’re likely to see in a Cup season finale anytime soon.For those of you who missed it, Penske developmental driver Justin Allgaier won his

No tires, no problem … Burton wins, boosts title hopes; Edwards likely out of picture

Associated Press photo Jeff Burton takes the checkered flag Saturday in Charlotte.Every race counts in the Chase, and no one knows that better than Jimmie Johnson.Every year when the playoffs start, the man appears to be made of stone, and nothing can budge him from his weekly top-5 and top-10 runs. When wrecks happen in front of him, he always manages to dodge them. And mechanical failures

NASCAR too quick to cancel qualifying, should be more flexible with schedule

The qualifying session for Saturday night’s Bank of America 500 was going to be an interesting one.Three drivers -- Scott Speed, Brad Keselowski and Bryan Clauson -- were going to attempt to make their first ever start in a Cup race. Also, where would the Chase contenders line up on Saturday night?But Mother Nature stepped in, and tonight’s qualifying session was rained out.I’m fully aware NASCAR

Parts are in place, now Stewart’s team faces steep challenge in 2009

The parts are coming together perfectly, just like a jigsaw puzzle, for Stewart-Haas Racing.-- Drivers? Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman, who I would qualify as great and solid drivers, respectively.-- Sponsor money? Plenty of that, too, with Old Spice and Office Depot backing Stewart and Army soon to be announced as Newman’s sponsor.-- Crew chiefs? Darien Grubb will come over from Hendrick

Rule gives Stewart the win, but that doesn’t mean the rule is fair

Associated Press photo Regan Smith leads Tony Stewart Sunday at the finish of the AMP Energy 500 at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala. Smith passed Stewart below the yellow line and was penalized by NASCAR.It was another classic Talladega finish ... Tony Stewart and Regan Smith (that’s not a typo) battling side-by-side for the win on the last lap in the last corner. And the winner was ...

Dega is best chance for Dale Jr. to make a points move

This is Dale Jr.’s track.Talladega has been very kind to Dale Jr. since he started in NASCAR’s top division. He has five wins, seven top-5s and 10 top-10s in 17 starts at the track, and has led a total of 616 laps.He picked up right where his dad left off. Most fans remember Sr.’s breathtaking drive in fall of 2000 when he passed 16 cars in four laps to take his final career win. Soon after that,

Does anyone retire anymore? … Rusty talking comeback; Petty may go elsewhere if forced out

The hottest new rumor, brought to the masses by his own brother Kenny, is that Rusty Wallace -- inspired by the success of fellow sports elders Mark Martin and Brett Favre in their recent comebacks -- may be back in the Cup series next season, probably with DEI.Rusty apparently believes he can outrun at least half the drivers currently racing, and he’s probably right. He’s a legend who still