03/14: Power Wins Indy Opener
NCRL-
The first race of the 2010 Indy Racing League
saw Will Power make his way to the checkers. It wasn't an easy
day as fans saw just about everything.
Out of the box there was a major incident in turn one that ended the
days of Micro Andretti, and Mario Moraes. Then as the race got
back under way a major thunderstorm would bring the field to a red
flag.
The rain, which was incredibly heavy, held the race up for over 30
minutes. When they did get back to racing the question was rain
tires or slicks? A number of teams stayed with the rain tires
including the Ganassi teams of Dixon and Franchitti.
Because of the rain the race became a timed race with approximately
45 minutes to finish. The race came down to tack position and
passing as then leader Ryan Briscoe locked his breaks up allowing
Ryan Hunter-Reay get by for the lead.
Four laps later Power would use drafting to blow by Hunter-Reay and
take over the lead holding on for a 1.8 second win.
Power's second IRL win comes after his season ending broken-back
suffered at last year's Indy 500.
Rounding out the podium were Hunter-Reay, and Vitor Meira.
Dario Franchitti was the race pole-sitter won earlier in the morning
after yesterdays qualifying was canceled. Franchitti also lead
the most laps with 29.
The race saw five cautions with a red flag for rain.
________________________________________________________________________
03/13: IRL Qualifying Postponed
NCRL-
The IZOD IndyCar Series had to postpone today's
qualifying due to track conditions. The track at Sao Paulo,
Brazil was slippery enough to have the drivers suggest the
postponement.
So, as a result qualifying will take place tomorrow four hours
before the first race of the IRL season.
Sunday's race will be on a new 2.6 mile, 11 turn track in Sao Paulo,
Brazil.
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03/09: Edwards Decision, Three Race Probation
NCRL-
Excuses me? Did NASCAR penalize Carl
Edwards with only a three race probation? Did I read that
right? This this thing grew legs within minutes after it
happened. NASCAR was shocked, and action was needed. The
victim of this incident Brad Keselowski was asking for suspension,
(of course he despises Edwards). Edwards went public even
telling his Tweet group he did it on purpose and all that came out
of it was a three race probation period. Kind of a "go stand
in the corner" time out.
I know that NASCAR gave the drivers a bit more open
completion over the last few years but this one kind of has some
scratching their heads. Oh, well it is NASCAR.
For drivers who may have said a nasty word on TV they
get fines and probation for the whole session. I guess its not
as bad of a thing to experiment with the aerodynamics of a race car
to see if they can fly.
So, for Carl WOW! nice job.
There was something that did come out of this that NASCAR has their
finger on, that wing on the back of the cars might not be working
the way it should. So, with this incident it may move them a
tad faster to replace it. We will see.
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03/08: Edwards Decision Likely Tuesday
NCRL-
It was pretty clear that Carl Edwards
internally punted Brad Keselowski on the last lap of the race
Sunday, and it is being reported that he told NASCAR that much when
he was called to the trailer Sunday. But, now its really
,official with Edwards tweeting this fans that he did it on purpose.
He also said that he did expect what happened but that he had to do
something.
So, what's next? It appears that Edwards is painting NASCAR
into a corner to take some type of action. Usually you get the
standard "it was a rain thing" NASCAR fines some people, maybe
some probation and loss of points, but this one might be different.
Keselowski has called for Edwards to be suspended which might work
for Edwards. NASCAR is a body that likes to make it's own mind
up regardless of how. But, NASCAR has indicated that they will take
a nice long look at the incident before they make a decision.
It is expected that a decision will come late on Tuesday as to just
what Edwards' penalty might be.
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03/07: Kurt Repeats in Atlanta Spring Race
NCRL-
Kasey Kahne would lead the most laps but when
the money was on the table it was all Kurt Busch. He would
need to hold off Juan Pablo Montoya three times as the new NASCAR
restart for late race cautions was once again in play.
Early in the race Kurt's brother Kyle was the Busch who would be
running up front. But, problems would get the best of him and
he would fall a lap down by lap 76.
Kurt Busch would pick up the top spot for the first time after
yellow flag stops on lap 80. He would hold on the the lead
until Kasey Kahne got by Juan Pablo Montoya on lap 175. This
would set up a long lead run for Kahne until the seventh caution
came out. When they finished stops Kahne would bring the cars
to the green but lose his lead to Busch on the next lap.
Kahne would get by Busch again on lap 244 and hold on to the top
with minor moves by other drivers until another caution. Again
Busch would would win the race out of the pits to take the lead.
Busch would hold onto the lead and appeared to be on his way to a
win over a hard charging Montoya. But, that would all change
when Carl Edwards would get payback when he flipped Brad Keselowski
setting up over-time.
Things did not go well for Edwards who was parked by NASCAR and told
to report to the trailer. It was very apparent that Edwards'
actions were intentional after NASCAR as well as FOX saw him
turn into Keselowski. The outcome for this could be sever for
Edwards who has had something of an ongoing issues with Keselowski.
We will likely know early next week.
With the caution all of the leaders came in for tires and service.
Staying out were Clint Bowyer, Paul Menard, and Jamie McMurray with
Busch and Montoya rounding the top five.
When the green fell Busch would make a bold move and thread the
needle between Bowyer and Menard to regain the lead. But, before
they got too far another accident collecting a number of cars
happened just behind Busch and Montoya.
Take out were McMurray, who got lose and started the mess, Bowyer,
Kyle Busch, Martin, Truex Jr. and Hamlin.
Again NASCAR would have a restart. This time it was Busch on
the inside and Montoya on the outside. When the green fell
Montoya would have a bad start and Busch would run away for the
lead.
Kenseth would get by Montoya picking up the second spot.
Kahne, and Menard would round out the top five spots.
The race would see 11 cautions , 13 leaders, and 33 lead changes.
Kahne would lead the most laps with 143. The big mover of the
race was points leader Kevin Harvick who started in the 35 spot
having a bad day but would finish in the ninth spot maintaining his
lead in the points.
The big question though is what will NASCAR do to Edwards? He
has had a number of incidents that have not been what NASCAR likes.
This incident could find Edwards losing big points and being fined
heavily. However, there is another possibility, and that could
be a suspension. While unlikely, it isn't unheard of, ask Kevin
Harvick. We will just have to waite.
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03/05: Junior Pulls Down the Pole
NCRL-
Dale Earnhardt Jr. came out for qualifying 17th
and finished on the pole for Sunday's race at Atlanta. This is
his first pole since 2008.
Earnhardt's lap was 192.761 mph and was fast enough to bump Kyle
Busch off the top spot by .0481 seconds.
Juan Pablo Montoya will start from the third spot hoping for a good
race after two disasters in the last two weeks. Mark Martin
and Jeff Gordon who had sat on the pole early rounded out the top
five spots.
Race Weather.net is calling for mostly sunny skies and temperatures
in the mid 60's at race time.
You can catch the race on Sunday at 1:00pm ET on FOX.
__________________________________________________________________
02/28: Jeff Gordon Dominates, But Johnson Wins
NCRL-
Is there another driver that comes close to
Jimmie Johnson?
Starting from the 20th spot and driving a car that he said was
"evil" Johnson would drive his way to the top five by lap 66.
By lap 122 he would be in a battle for the lead with his teammate
and car owner Jeff Gordon. He would remain in the hunt through out
the race and when the money was on the line take over and drive to
his second win-in-a-row.
For Jeff Gordon this had to be demoralizing as he dominated everyone
all day until the last 16 laps. While it was apparent that Johnson
would be trouble it appeared that Gordon could handle him.
Gordon could almost at will get to the front of the pack with little
trouble until lap 251.
For Johnson he would pick up the lead for the first time on lap 161
after teams came in for green flag stops. But, Gordon would
regain the lead after the cars had cycled through the stop.
Gordon would resume his dominance until late in the race when after
a caution came out for Kevin Conway who hit the wall in turn two.
Clint Bowyer would take his chance and not pit. He would then
lead Gordon, points leader Harvick, Johnson, and Mark Martin to the
green.
Within two laps Gordon and Johnson were battling for the lead.
They would continue withy Gordon keeping Johnson behind him until
lap 251 when Johnson would get by on the backstretch to take the
lead. Johnson would power to over a one second lead.
By lap 258 Harvick would start to reel Gordon in. He would
catch Gordon and pass him on lap 263 for the second spot.
While the fight between Harvick and Gordon continued Johnson would
roll to the win.
Mark Martin, and Matt Kenseth would finish fourth and fifth.
The race saw seven cautions, had 10 leaders and 20 lead changes.
Jeff Gordon would lead the most laps with 218 of the 267 laps.
Kevin Harvick is still the points leader with teammate Clint Bowyer
in second.
__________________________________________________________________
02/26: Hometown Boy Blisters Vegas Track
NCRL-
Las Vegas native Kurt Busch will start from
Sunday's pole after braking the Vegas track qualifying record with a
188.719 mph lap. Even so, his lap just beat Jeff Gordon who
ran a 188.646 mph lap by .011 seconds.
Another obstacle for Kurt is his younger brother Kyle who is the
defending race winner and will be starting from the fifth spot.
Ryan Newman and Dale Earnhardt Jr. will start from the fourth third
and fourth spots.
Sunday's race weather from our friends at Race Weather.net are
calling for a partly sunny day with temps in the mid 60's. You
can catch the race on FOX starting at 3:00 pm ET.
_____________________________________________________________
02/23: ALMS Opens Sebring Testing
NCRL-
The American Le Mans Series started testing
yesterday with Aston Martin running the fastest times. This
marked Aston Martins return to the ALMS with last years winner of
the LMP2 class title Adrian Fernandez driving the LMP1 Aston to a
1:48:125 lap.
Today they again were the fastest with a 1:47:634 lap, but testing
would come to an end with a crash into the turn 1 barriers.
____________________________________________________________
02/21: Johnson Holds off
Harvick and Burton for California Win
NCRL-
A sparse crowd in Fontana braved cool
temperatures and threatening weather as the laps ticked off and
Jimmie Johnson was up front leading the field and cursing to his
fifth California win.
Over all the race was a not a typical California race with 15
leaders and a total of 28 lead changes. But, the one thing
that is becoming common place is Johnson in victory lane as he
picked up his 48th over all win
Luck played a major part for Johnson even though he lead the most
laps. Johnson had slipped back midway through the race but had
luck come his way when the yellow flag came out for rain on lap 226.
Johnson would get out of the pits just before the caution and just
by Burton to take the lead back.
With 21 to go NASCAR would throw the green and they would go back
racing with Johnson in the lead. The big question was could he
hold off hard charging Kevin Harvick and Jeff Burton.
With Johnson out front teammates Jeff Burton, and Kevin Harvick were
both battling for second and a run on Johnson. As the laps
ticked off and with six to go Jeff Burton would get lose and give
his teammate Harvick the run on Johnson.
Harvick would start to reel
Johnson in after Burton fell back. Harvick running hard would
catch Johnson with four laps to go. But, after going high for
the pass Harvick would clip the wall and lose his momentum allowing
Johnson to cruse to his filth California victory.
Harvick who looked to be the stronger car slipped up early when he
was hit with a speeding penalty. Even with this he would
battle back and pickup the second place finish.
Jeff Burton, Mark Martin, and Joey Logano would round out the top
five spots.
The race had six cautions, with 15 leaders and 28 lead changes.
Johnson would lead the most laps with 101.
___________________________________________________________________________
02/19: For McMurray the Good
Times Continue
NCRL-
After Jamie McMurray's surprise win at Daytona last Sunday some
questioned if he could continue to build on it. Well, today he
took a step to do just that with the pole for Sunday's Auto Club 500
at Fontana, California.
Running a 183.744 mph lap McMurray would take the pole over teammate
Juan Montoya by .057 seconds, setting up a Earnhardt/Ganassi front
row.
Of course winning the pole at Fontana doesn't mean you will likely
get the win. While last year's Roush/Fenway teammate Matt
Kenseth did it there last year the one person you have to beat is
Jimmie Johnson. Johnson who qualified seventh has four wins at
the two mile oval and has an average finish of 5.8.
Behind McMurray and Montoya are Clint Bowyer, Kasey Kahne, and Dave
Blaney round out the top five spots.
Sunday's weather from Race Weather.net is calling for a brisk 59
degrees and partly cloudy at race time. You can catch the race
on FOX starting at 3:00 pm ET.
____________________________________________________
02/14: McMurray Wins Daytona Marathon
NCRL-
In what was a long and drawn-out Daytona 500
Jamie McMurray would hold off a hard charging Dale Earnhardt Jr. to
pick up his first Daytona victory. In what was a 6 hours and 10
minute race McMurray, who as of last year was has not sure of where
he would land or if he would. Because of NASCAR's new team
rules McMurray lost his ride with long time team Roush-Fenway
Racing. He would be picked up by Earnhardt Ganassi Racing to
replace Martin Truex Jr. who had moved
to MTJ Motors. Who could of predicted
that McMurray would have picked up the win.
But, as surprising as McMurray's win was Dale Earnhardt Jr. also
made an undeletable run to the front. With only two laps left in the
race Earnhardt was in the tenth spot and would blow by everyone to
start to reel McMurray in but miss the win by .112 seconds.
The only down point of the race was how long it took to get done.
NASCAR had to fly two red flags when a hole developed on the track.
The first came out on lap 122 when the hole developed. It
would take the track crews 1 hour and 42 minutes to get the cars
back on the track. Then on lap 159 they had to place the race
back under red as the hole came back. This time they were
under the red flag for 46 minutes.
As the race wound down two crashes would set up the
green/white/checker finish. But, because of NASCAR's new
over-time rule that they would try up to three over-times.
NASCAR got their chance to try the new rule when on lap 203 Kasey
Kahne and Robert Richardson got together.
When they went back green Kevin Harvick, who had what was the
strongest car in the race, would lead the field. On the white
flag lap came Carl Edwards would slow Harvick just enough that
McMurray to take the lead and the win.
Behind McMurray and Earnhardt Greg Biffle, Clint Bowyer, and David
Reutimann rounded out the top five spots.
The race would take over 6 hours to complete, they would have
the most lead changes in Daytona history with 58, and 22 leaders.
Kevin Harvick would lead the most laps with 41 but finish seventh.
There were nine cautions and two red flags.
Winner, McMurray would lead only two laps for the win the fewest
laps lead by a Daytona winner.
______________________________________________________________________
02/13: Stewart Wins Nationwide
Opening Race
NCRL-
Tony Stewart picked up the Nationwide season opener
beating Carl Edwards by .309 seconds. This win was Stewarts
third win in a row for the Nationwide series opener at Daytona,
It was also Danica Patrick's Nationwide debut who was going through
a learning experience for most of the race until lap 68 when she was
caught up in a 12 car crash ending her day.
The Big One came on lap 82 when Carl Edwards made a move clipping
Brad Keselowski's car and starting a crash that would collect a
number of cars and send Earnhardt Jr. tumbling down the track on its
roof before righting itself.
NASCAR would fly the red flag because of the debris on the track.
They would get back to business as Stewart would go on to win the
race.
__________________________________________________________
02/11: Johnson and Kahne Win Duels.
NCRL-
Jimmie Johnson would beat Shootout winner
Kevin Harvick by a mere .005 seconds to win today's first Gatorade
Duel. Johnson, who was driving a backup car, and was on old tires
would hold off a hard driving Harvick by just inches to put him
behind his teammates Martin and Earnhardt Jr.
In the second Duel Kasey Kahne would be the winner getting by Tony
Stewart he would hold off Stewart who picked up some help from Juan
Montoya, but Kahne would push it and picked up the win.
Max Papis would finish 15th to pick up a spot for Sunday's 500, and
Michael McDowell picked up the other.
- Green, White, Checkered Rules Change
NASCAR has modified the rules for
finishes where issues may turn the race into an over-time race. The
original rule gave on shoot at a win, but last year there were a
number of races that still had problems finishing.
Now NASCAR will try up to three attempts with the
Green/White/Checkered finishes.
__________________________________________________________
02.08: Danica is in for Nationwide
NCRL-
After her 6th place finish in the ARCA race
Danica Patrick will be making her Nationwide debut in the #7 JR
Motorsport car at Daytona on February 13th.
______________________________________________________
02.07.2010: Hey, What's was that Sound?
NCRL-
It was the old man just like last year as
Mark Martin picked up the 2010 Daytona 500 pole. Martin ran a
191.188 mph and to the dismay of many of the other teams bet out his
teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr. by .068 seconds putting two Hendrick
cars at the head of the pack for February 14th 500.
In the Bud Shootout it was Kevin Harvick who would be a back-to-back
winner of the Shootout.
The Gatorade Duel is set for Thursday the 11th and will set the rest
of the field for Sunday's race. If you want to watch it it
will be televised on Speed starting at 2:00 pm ET for the first
Duel, and 4:00 pm ET for the second.
Oh, yea and about Danica. Well, she would pick up a sixth
place finish in ARCA after some trouble on lap 54 where she spun and
would restart in the 24th spot. But, she would work her way
back and pick up a sixth place finish for her first NASCAR race. Now
the question is will she run in the Nationwide race on the 13th?
She will be answering that question on Monday.
- Been a While But We Are Back
NCRL-
M. Service
All kinds of things have been going on since
my last posting on December 21 when Jimmy Johnson won top honors
from AP. One of the big things is the development of a new
site. So far it is still being worked on with a new software
program. Hopefully it will be up in a short time. It
should be a lot leaner..
This site was developed back in 1998 after a number of friends got
together to do a fantasy NASCAR league. It has grown into a
bit more with news, views, and a lot of rumors covering NASCAR, the
IRL, and the ALMS. While the site has been publishing we
watched CART or also know as Champ Cars fold and the IRL pick up the
American open wheel banner. The American Le Mans series showed
up in 2001 when they came to Washington DC. The NCRL is
published out of Falls Church, Va. a small Virginia Suburb a few
miles out of Washington. So, it made sense that we would not
only report on the race but attend. They only ran the one
because it was found to be too loud.
It appears that the league part of the site will be folding after
starting in 1995 and running for 14 years. But the news will
continue.
Hang in there as we play with the site and its direction. I
hope that it will continue to entertain, and be a source for racing
information..
Thank-you for your support over the years and I hope you have
enjoyed the site.
_____________________________________________________
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