The Lead Lap

The Lead Lap Is Moving

leadlap — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 04:32:22 +0000

The official redesign of The Lead Lap and its migration to its new URL is complete, three weeks ahead of schedule.

From this point forward, Lead Lap can be found at its new site. This site will no longer be updated on a daily basis.

For the latest NASCAR news and updates, be sure to check The Lead Lap at its new address here. Be sure to update your favorites and links to the new URL.

Thank you,

Lead Lap

RPM Lays Off Nine, Reduces Salaries

leadlap — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 12:39:57 +0000

As a result of Chryler’s bankruptcy filing, Richard Petty Motorsports has laid off nine employees and reduced salaries throughout the team.

RPM is anticipating cutbacks from Dodge, and the team has already said that money has been slow coming from Dodge.

RHR Ceases Operations Of No. 1 Truck

leadlap — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:59:39 +0000

Red Horse Racing has decided to cease operations of its No. 1 truck driven by current defending Camping World Truck Series driver Johnny Benson.

The truck ran sponsorless in all but one race this season.

The team will continue to field Toyotas for TJ Bell, as their No. 11 truck does have sponsorship.

Stewart Wins Pocono 500

leadlap — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 22:34:07 +0000

Tony Stewart after starting from the rear of the field in a backup car, Tony Stewart drove to the front and then conserved fuel to win the Pocono 500.

Jimmie Johnson was battling Carl Edwards for second when he ran out of fuel and finished seventh.

Top 5: Stewart, Edwards, David Reutimann, Jeff Gordon, and Ryan Newman.

Marcos Ambrose, Jimmie Johnson, Juan Montoya, Jeff Burton, and Sam Hornish Jr rounded out the top 10.

Notables: Greg Biffle (11th), Clint Bowyer (12th), Kasey Kahne (15th), Matt Kenseth (16th), Mark Martin (19th), Kyle Busch (22nd), Kevin Harvick (24th), Dale Earnhardt Jr (27th), Kurt Busch (37th), and Denny Hamlin (38th).

Busch Wins Federated Auto Parts 300

leadlap — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 03:50:45 +0000

Kyle Busch easily won the Federated Auto Parts 300 at Nashville Speedway. The victory is Busch’s fourth of the season, and his ninth victory in NASCAR’s top three series.

Top 5: Busch, Brad Keselowski, Carl Edwards, Mike Bliss, and Jason Leffler.

Stephen Leicht, Steve Wallace, Michael McDowell, Erik Darnell, and Brad Coleman rounded out the top 10.

Notables: Justin Allgaier (13th), Bobby Hamilton Jr (14th), Kenny Wallace (16th), Tony Raines (19th), Jason Keller (26th), and Scott Wimmer (33rd).

Ricky Stenhouse Jr spun on lap 126, setting off a five-car accident that involved Jason Keller and Trevor Bayne.

Bodine Wins WinStar World Casino 400

leadlap — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 03:49:07 +0000

Todd Bodine stretched his fuel for 64 laps to win the Camping World Truck Series’ WinStar World Casino 400 at Texas Motor Speedway. With the victory, Bodine became the first driver to win five times at one track in the series.

Matt Crafton finished second and assumed the points lead after Ron Hornaday lost a lap due to a penatly for the right-side tire violation, and later lost oil pressure in the closing laps. Hornaday finished 19th.

Top 5: Bodine, Crafton, Colin Braun, Johnny Benson, and Rick Crawford.

Johnny Sauter, David Starr, Jason White, Tayler Malsam, and Mike Skinner rounded out the top 10.

Notables: Ricky Carmichael (11th), Aric Almirola (16th), Dennis Setzer (17th), Ron Hornaday (19th), Terry Cook (20th), and Stacey Compton (21st).

GM Reaches Deal With Penske For Saturn Brand

leadlap — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 16:35:07 +0000

General Motors reached a tentative agreement to sell its Saturn brand to NASCAR Sprint Cup team owner Roger Penske, of Penske Championship Racing and Penske Automotive Group.

Penske plans to offer all Saturn dealerships new franchise agreements.

Penske also said he is in discussions with manufacturers about building the vehicles in the future. In the meantime, GM will continue producing them.

NASCAR Moves To Double-File Restarts

leadlap — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 20:30:09 +0000

NASCAR has announced that starting at this weekend’s race at Pocono Raceway, the first- and second-place cars will line up side by side for restarts.

Brian France said:

We’ve heard the fans loud and clear: ‘double-file restarts — shootout style’ are coming to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. This addition to the race format is good for competition and good for the fans.

Tony Stewart and Kevin Harvick praised the decision, saying that it allows lead-lap cars and lap-down cars to race with each other, instead of having to race with competitors on different laps.

The new restart process allows the leader to pick whether they would like the inside or outside restart position.

The free pass will still remain, but going forward, the free pass will occur through the entire race. Previously, there was no free pass inside of 10 laps to go.

Also, lapped cars who chose to stay out will be allowed to pass the pace car and go to the tail of the field in their respective positions to allow the leaders a clean track in front of them on the restart.

Prelude to the Dream Postponed

leadlap — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 18:30:46 +0000

The Prelude to the Dream has been postponed until Sept. 9 due to persistent rain at Eldora Speedway.

Those who have already purchased the event on pay-per-view will received refunds. Those who bought tickets can apply the face value of the ticket to the price of another ticket to any Eldora event.

No decision about the broadcast of the Sept. 9 event has been made at this time.

Lead Lap Redesign Almost Complete

leadlap — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 14:59:12 +0000

The Lead Lap redesign is almost complete. We hope to have the site completely rolled out by July 1.

Here’s a snapshot of the site so far: (keep in mind things are still changing):

As a part of the redesign, The Lead Lap will also be on Twitter. Follow us here.