Tony Stewart later won his second straight NASCAR Nationwide Series race, holding off Kyle Busch for the second consecutive week
The Rays have had internal discussions about the prospect of pursuing Barry Bonds . Manager Joe Maddon said he knew “little” about what was going on but acknowledged some thought has been given to Bonds.
The St.
Griffin said details will be forthcoming in a news conference next week.
Both sides have struggled for fans, sponsors and TV ratings since the IRL, founded by Indianapolis Motor Speedway president Tony George, began competition in 1996, competing against the established CART series.
CART later went into bankruptcy and was bought by its current owners, Kevin Kalkhoven, Gerald Forsythe and Paul Gentilozzi, all team owners in what is now Champ Car.
George was in Orlando, Fla., Tuesday, attending a meeting.
He’s considered one of the favorites to win the 50th running of the race.
“I feel like we’ve got a shot,” Earnhardt said. “Nobody’s boastful enough, I don’t think, personality-wise to come in here and claim that. I wouldn’t expect anybody to do that, but I thought we got a great shot. We’ve won some races down here, so we got to be in the group if there’s a group of them.”
Hamlin and teammate Tony Stewart gave Toyota a one-two finish in the second qualifying race.
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“The accident was a racing incident,” Pemberton said. “How they conducted themselves after that, after the accident and coming onto pit road and from there through the rest of the evening is why the penalties were equal.”
NASCAR officials came into this season saying drivers would be given more latitude to show emotion this year, and the relatively light nature of Tuesday’s punishments would seem to support that.
Seconds after taking the checkered flag, Earnhardt declared himself a favorite for next week’s season-opening Daytona 500.
“What a race car!” Earnhardt yelled over his radio. “This might be a (Daytona) 500 winner here and you don’t know it.”
The winner of the 70-lap exhibition has gone on to win the Daytona 500 five times, with Dale Jarrett the last in 2000.
Earnhardt spun his new white No.
The hype surrounding Earnhardt’s move to Hendrick Motorsports is in high gear, and only figures to grow when he takes his new ride down South later this week to prepare for the season-opening Daytona 500. NASCAR’s biggest star will make his debut with NASCAR’s best team, and the pressure is on everyone to make sure it’s a resounding success.
Considered by some to be an overrated driver who inherited his late father’s fan base, Earnhardt knows he has an opportunity to prove his talent level warrants his superstar status.
Earnhardt wants to fit into Rick Hendrick ‘s racing empire. The fastest way is to satisfy the sponsor. PepsiCo’s energy drink, AMP, and the National Guard will co-sponsor Earnhardt’s car. When PepsiCo shot commercials in Los Angeles recently, Earnhardt showed up on time. Lulu showed up on cue and Earnhardt saddled up.
“That was really weird,” Earnhardt, right, said. “I mean, that thing’s big.
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“I didn’t say that,” Franchitti disputed. “If you didn’t speak much English, how do you know what I said?”
“You said it,” Montoya insisted. “I know what you said.”
The incident was almost 14 years ago, but it sparked a friendship that has steadily grown through the years and could ultimately be the key to Franchitti’s success in NASCAR.
As the reigning IndyCar Series champion and Indianapolis 500 winner makes the move into stock cars this season, Franchitti will lean on Montoya, who made a similar switch last year.