Stewart Wins Pocono 500

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 Russ Friedman 400

Kyle Busch took the lead from Jeff Gordon with about 30 laps to go, and drove away from the field to win the Crown Royal presents the Russ Friedman 400 at Richmond International Raceway. The victory is his third victory of the Sprint Cup season.

Top 5: Busch, Tony Stewart, Jeff Burton, Ryan Newman, and Mark Martin.

Sam Hornish Jr, Jamie McMurray, Jeff Gordon, Casey Mears, and Juan Pablo Montoya rounded out the top 10.

Notables: Kurt Busch (12th), Matt Kenseth (13th), Denny Hamlin (14th), Greg Biffle (17th), Clint Bowyer (18th), Carl Edwards (26th), Dale Earnhardt Jr (27th), David Reutimann (28th), Kasey Kahne (29th), Kevin Harvick (34th), and Jimmie Johnson (36th).

Give a call to Sam Hornish Jr. He ran well all night, inside the top 10, and pulled home a sixth-place finish.

Busch Wins Lipton Tea 250

Kyle Busch pulled away from Carl Edwards on the final restart and won the Lipton Tea 250  at Richmond International Raceway.

Top 5: Busch, Edwards, Matt Kenseth, Brad Keselowski, Kevin Harvick.

Joey Logano, Mark Martin, Michael McDowell, Jason Keller, and Jason Leffler finished sixth through 10th, respectively.

Notables: Steven Wallace (11th), Scott Wimmer (16th), Joe Nemechek (18th), Kenny Wallace (23rd), and Jeff Burton (31st).

Lead Lap Turns One Year Old

Last week, the Lead Lap quietly turned one year old. It’s hard to believe that it has been a year.

History

The concept for this blog started many years before in launched. I kicked the idea around for several years, but could never come up with a niche for my blog. Should I cover NASCAR news?  How will that be unique compared to all other NASCAR coverage?

Eventually, I settled on the idea that I would feature a synopsis and analysis of the media coverage of NASCAR. But, that idea quickly evolved into what the Lead Lap has become today: a mix of news, rumors, and opinions.

I wanted to create a blog that featured current NASCAR news interjected with my thoughts and opinions. I also wanted to bring in other types of stories that were tangentally related to NASCAR — for example the economic conditions and their affect on NASCAR, and the companies involved in NASCAR.

In one year’s time, I think I have acheived those goals. I hope that you’ve enjoyed reading this blog as much as I have enjoyed writing it.

Future

In the future, I hope to continue to grow this blog, and maybe eventually expand to a full-blown website. I’m still kicking around ideas for what the website would feature and how it would fit in with other sites like Jayski and SceneDaily.

A redesign may also be coming. I’m hoping to give the Lead Lap a better look and feel.

Stats

Looking back at the last year, I’ve put together some stats I would like to share. In April 2007, the Lead Lap generated 41 views — most of those coming from my girlfriend. Since then, the Lead Lap has grown to an average of 832 views per month, with a high of 1,500 views in July of 2007.

When this blog was launched, the hottest NASCAR story was the speculation surrounding Tony Stewart’s 2009 plans. As a matter of fact, my first posting was on this very subject. At that time, it was unclear whether or not Stewart would be released from his contract.

Coincidentally, the Lead Lap’s top post by page views was the official announcement that Tony Stewart would be driving the Old Spice, Office Depot Chevy for Stewart Haas Racing. The number 2 post? Army sponsoring Ryan Newman and SHR.

Last week’s story on fans injured during Carl Edwards Talladega wreck was the most viewed non-SHR story. But, the Car and Driver hoax article story is right behind it, and is still closing the gap.

Lastly, I want to thank everyone who has visited, and continues to visit, this blog and those of you who share your insights and opinions via comments. I do my best to respond to each one, and will continue to do so. Last but certainly not least, I would like to thank my girlfriend who helped me get this blog off the ground and, even though she is not a NASCAR fan, still continues to check it out daily. Thanks.

Teenage Fan Suffers Broken Jaw From Debris From Edwards Wreck

A seventeen year old girl was among those injured in the wreck that occured on the final lap of the Aaron’s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway.

Blake Bobbitt was hit by a piece of sheet metal that flew into the grandstands where she and her father were seated after Carl Edwards hit the catchfence and sent debris flying into the stands after making contact with Brad Keselowski and being sent airborne by contact with Ryan Newman.

Bobbitt suffered a broken jaw. She was stabilized, and taken to the infield care center. Shortly thereafter, she was transported to the a local hospital where she underwent reconstructive surgery and inserted two plates into her jaw.

Edwards called the hospital to check on her status, and make sure she was okay.

She is expected to make a full recovery, and is expected to be released from the hospital sometime today.

I, for one, am glad to hear that.