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When you come to Martinsville Speedway, you can expect the usual short-track smack. And this past weekend was no exception.
The mayhem began on Saturday, with the Camping World Truck Series Kroger 200. Matt Crafton sat on pole and got credit for leading a lap, along with Ron Hornaday, Austin Dillon, Todd Bodine and Johnny Sauter. Nine cautions flew in the 200-lap race, mostly for on-track incidents. On a late restart, Denny Hamlin, making a rare (as of this season) non-Cup race appearance, got the lead when Hornaday and one other truck ran wide, allowing him to slip inside and take the race lead and his first truck win. Hornaday held on for second, while third helped Austin Dillon retain the points lead.
The melee continued on Sunday with the Sprint Cup Series Tum's Fast Relief 500. Rain washed out qualifying, so the field was set by the points standings. This put Roush teammates Carl Edwards and Matt Kenseth on the front row. Both of them would lead a lap, two of eleven drivers who did so. Eighteen cautions came out, including one each in the first 10 laps and the last 10 laps. The first one swept up Chase drivers Kurt Busch, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Denny Hamlin. Mike Skinner was the only car out of the race after that accident. A late restart saw the latter two have another run in, only this time, it was Kurt teammate, Brad Keselowski, who went for a spin. Kyle Busch led the most laps on the day, but a myriad of problems left him 7 laps down, ruining his chances at the championship. The aforementioned late restart saw Tony Stewary out-run Jimmie Johnson for the win, moving Stewart to within 8 points of leader Edwards, who finished ninth.
All three series head to Texas next weekend.
In other NASCAR news, comedian Bill Engvall will host this year's post-season After The Lap party with the 2011 Chase drivers in Las Vegas.
http://www.nascar.com/news/111101/six-p ... index.html
And more troubles for suspended driver Jeremy Mayfield, who was arrested Tuesday night on meth possession.
http://www.nascar.com/news/111102/jmayf ... index.html
And Rick Hendrick and his wife had a scare when a plane they were on lost its brakes on landing and crashed. Neither one of them was seriously injured.
http://www.nascar.com/news/111101/rhend ... index.html
Also, David Reutimann has suddenly found himself without a ride in 2012.
http://www.nascar.com/news/111104/dreut ... index.html

Apparently some people forgot they weren't on a short track when they rolled into Texas last weekend.
The fireworks went off big time during Friday night's Camping World Truck Series WinStar World Casino 350K. James Buescher qualified on pole and led much of the early laps. But the big drama of the night - perhaps even the weekend - happened just behind him. And this clip explains it all.
Kyle Busch and Ron Hornaday Texas schmozzle
That incident ended Ron's championship hopes as well as Kyle's race weekend. For that, Busch was parked by NASCAR from both remaining races that weekend.
The rest of the race had only moderate drama. Kevin Harvick would avenge his fallen teammate by winning. Points leader Austin Dillon came home second, padding that points lead.
Saturday's Nationwide Series O'Reilly Challenge would not feature a #18 Toyota on track - the only race that weekend to do so. Elliott Sadler took the pole and led the early laps. He, Michael Annett, and Aric Almirola were the only three drivers to get bonus points for leading a lap. Why? Because Cup driver Carl Edwards had such a dominant car, no one else was really able to mount a successful challenge to him. That and the lack of cautions - only five - gave the race a green-flag look to it. That is, until the final restart, when teammate Trevor Bayne got the jump on him and held on to score his first Nationwide Series win. Teammate Ricky Stenhouse Jr. was the next-highest-placed non-Cup driver, keeping him atop the points standings.
Sunday's Sprint Cup Series AAA Texas 500 saw quite a seesaw battle for the lead from the drop of the green flag. Greg Biffle led a Roush-dominated qualifying session and much of the daylight portion of the race. But as the sun started to set, it was Tony Stewart who had the car to beat. Other lap leaders included Kasey Kahne, Matt Kenseth, Ryan Newman, Jimmie Johnson, Paul Menard, Brad Keselowski and Jeff Burton. Out of them, only Kasey and Matt were a factor on speed. The rest got their turn at the front during the waning laps, when pit strategy and fuel mileage came into play. Burton and Newman both attempted to make it to the end of the race in fuel conservation mode, but they both came up short. Through all that, Tony Stewart went on to make it another back-to-back win streak and close to within 3 points of leader Carl Edwards, who finished second.
The cars head to the newly resurfaced Phoenix International Raceway next weekend.
In other news, with Kevin Harvick Inc. closing down and leaving Ron Hornaday out of a ride for 2012, Kyle Busch Motorsports had been looking to secure his service for next season. So far, nothing has happened.
http://www.nascar.com/news/111111/rhorn ... index.html
Also, the first lady and the vice president's wife will both be grand marshals at the season-ending Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
http://www.nascar.com/news/111111/miche ... index.html

A new look for Phoenix International Raceway resulted in some crazy racing.
The reconstruction project on the one-mile oval included progressive banking in the turns, banking in the kink on the backstraight, the kink itself being pushed out farther, and more paved runoff area. All of which would really test the drivers last weekend.
Saturday's Nationwide Series Wypall 200 kicked off the action. Aric Almirola claimed the pole and led the early laps. Some of which were under caution, including one triggered by an accident at turn 3 on lap 1 that included Brian Scott, Danica Patrick (her car was repaired and she continued), Tim Andrews, Matt Frahm, and Johnny Chapman. Later accident victims included Reed Sorenson, DJ Kennington, and Derrick Cope. But another one later on would have bigger complications. Once again in turn 3, this time on lap 174, a multiple collision collected polesitter Aric Almirola, Jason Leffler, Morgan Shepherd, and championship contender Elliott Sadler. Sadler's main championship rival, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., led for much of the race, only to get shuffle back during a pit stop under a late caution. Sam Hornish Jr. got the lead and subsequently went on to win. Stenhouse's fifth-place finish has put him in a good position to clinch the championship.
Sunday's Sprint Cup Series Kobalt Tools 500 got in at least one green flag lap before trouble reared its ugly head. Nobody was seriously damaged, though. Matt Kenseth sat on pole and led the early going, only to have an accident on lap 238. All other accidents were single-car deals, including Geoffrey Bodine, Regan Smith, and Robby Gordon. The two major championship contenders coming into the race - Carl Edwards and Tony Stewart - each saw time out front, with Stewart leading the most laps. But it was Edwards who finished ahead in that battle, keeping the gap at 3 points. However, they could only manage a 2-3, as once again, pit strategy and fuel mileage came into play, leading Kasey Kahne to score his first win since 2009.
It's all down to the wire now, with Ford Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway looming large on the horizon.
http://www.nascar.com/news/111116/champ ... index.html
In other news, rock band Simplified and comedian John Pinette will perform at the Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series Awards Banquet.
http://nationwide.nascar.com/news/11111 ... index.html

A big, hearty congratulations to our three series champions!

NCWTS: Austin Dillon

NNS: Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

NSCS: Tony Stewart

Breaking news! Kurt Busch has been fired from Penske Racing!
http://nascar.speedtv.com/article/cup-k ... king-news/

Time for a preseason news update:

The entry list for the Budweiser Shootout is in.
http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2012/10 ... _list.html

Kansas Speedway will begin construction on its new infield road course after the April race weekend.
http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/0 ... y-Changes/

Pocono Raceway founder and chairman Joseph Mattioli died after a lengthy battle with an unspecified illness. He was 86.
http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/9 ... -Mattioli/

And Kasey Kahne will be ready for his debut with Hendrick Motorsports following surgery on his left knee.
http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/9 ... e-Surgery/

We're back in business, everyone! And what a fantastic, drama-filled season kick-off it was at Speedweeks. Pack racing was back, last lap wrecks in two of the three points races and two first-time winners. Here the results:

Budweiser Shootout:
1. Kyle Busch
2. Tony Stewart
3. Marcos Ambrose
4. Brad Keselowski
5. Denny Hamlin

Gatorade Duel #1:
1. Tony Stewart
2. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
3. Marcos Ambrose
4. Jeff Burton
5. Carl Edwards

Gatorade Duel #2:
1. Matt Kenseth
2. Regan Smith
3. Jimmie Johnson
4. Elliott Sadler
5. Greg Biffle

NCWTS NextEra Energy Resources 250
1. John King
2. Timothy Peters
3. Justin Lofton
4. Travis Kvapil
5. Jason White
Pole: Miguel Paludo

NNS Drive4COPD 300
1. James Buescher
2. Brad Keselowski
3. Elliott Sadler
4. Cole Whitt
5. Austin Dillon
Pole: Danica Patrick

NSCS Daytona 500
1. Matt Kenseth
2. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
3. Greg Biffle
4. Denny Hamlin
5. Jeff Burton
Pole: Carl Edwards

Next race: Phoenix for NNS and NSCS

Two races in, two different winners for the NASCAR Nationwide Series and Sprint Cup Series.

NNS Bashas Supermarkets 200
1. Elliott Sadler
2. Brad Keselowski
3. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
4. Austin Dillon
5. Kevin Harvick
Pole: Denny Hamlin

That win temporarily netted Elliott Sadler a drive in the #55 Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota for a partial schedule, which collapsed after just two days.
http://www.nascar.com/news/120306/esadl ... index.html

NSCS Subway Fresh Fit 500K:
1. Denny Hamlin
2. Kevin Harvick
3. Greg Biffle
4. Jimmie Johnson
5. Brad Keselowski
Pole: Mark Martin

Before the weekend's activities began, Penske Racing made the shocking announcement that it was switching from Dodge to Ford for 2013.
http://www.nationwide.nascar.com/news/1 ... index.html

Next: Las Vegas for NNS and NSCS

Three race weekends, three different winners. This season is shaping up to be quite a competitive one.

NNS Sam's Town 300
1. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
2. Mark Martin
3. Elliott Sadler
4. Trevor Bayne
5. Brendan Gaughan
Pole: Elliott Sadler
Points leader: Elliott Sadler

NSCS Kobalt Tools 400
1. Tony Stewart
2. Jimmie Johnson
3. Greg Biffle
4. Ryan Newman
5. Carl Edwards
Pole: Kasey Kahne
Points leader: Greg Biffle

Next race: Bristol for both NNS and NSCS

Three race weekends, three different winners. This season is shaping up to be quite a competitive one.

NNS Sam's Town 300
1. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
2. Mark Martin
3. Elliott Sadler
4. Trevor Bayne
5. Brendan Gaughan
Pole: Elliott Sadler
Points leader: Elliott Sadler

NSCS Kobalt Tools 400
1. Tony Stewart
2. Jimmie Johnson
3. Greg Biffle
4. Ryan Newman
5. Carl Edwards
Pole: Kasey Kahne
Points leader: Greg Biffle

Next race: Bristol for both NNS and NSCS

Three race weekends, three different winners. This season is shaping up to be quite a competitive one.

NNS Sam's Town 300
1. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
2. Mark Martin
3. Elliott Sadler
4. Trevor Bayne
5. Brendan Gaughan
Pole: Elliott Sadler
Points leader: Elliott Sadler

NSCS Kobalt Tools 400
1. Tony Stewart
2. Jimmie Johnson
3. Greg Biffle
4. Ryan Newman
5. Carl Edwards
Pole: Kasey Kahne
Points leader: Greg Biffle

Next race: Bristol for both NNS and NSCS

One series has a repeat winner in 2012, another series had its fourth different winner on the season. And some major changes could revert Bristol Motor Speedway back to what it used to be.

NNS Ford EcoBoost 300
1. Elliott Sadler
2. Kasey Kahne
3. Brad Keselowski
4. Joey Logano
5. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Pole: Joey Logano
Points leader: Elliott Sadler

NSCS Food City 500
1. Brad Keselowski
2. Matt Kenseth
3. Martin Truex Jr.
4. Clint Bowyer
5. Brian Vickers
Pole: Greg Biffle
Points leader: Greg Biffle

With six cautions in the Sprint Cup race and four in the Nationwide race, and attendance figures down, changes may be coming to Bristol Motor Speedway.
http://www.nascar.com/news/120320/bsmit ... index.html

Next race: Fontana for NNS and NSCS

Weather was again a factor in the Sprint Cup race. Only this time, the weather won.

NNS Royal Purple 300
1. Joey Logano
2. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
3. Brad Keselowski
4. Brian Scott
5. Austin Dillon
Pole: Joey Logano
Points leader: Elliott Sadler

NSCS Auto Club 400 (rain-shortened to 129 laps out of the scheduled 200)
1. Tony Stewart
2. Kyle Busch
3. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
4. Kevin Harvick
5. Carl Edwards
Pole: Denny Hamlin
Points leader: Greg Biffle

Next race: Martinsville for NCWTS and NSCS

Ummmm...I honestly don't mean to be rude here, and I respect that you like Nascar and all (though automobile racing really isn't something that interests me at all) but, apart from two posts...one of which was completely irrelevant and could have been worded better and more thoroughly, and the other which is nothing more than a bank of pictures...the last posting by anyone else but you, Wolf Bassist, was in April of 2010.

Again, truthfully, no offense, but I'm curious as to why the moderators are allowing repeated, consecutive postings by but one person in a topic where no one else has shown any real participation since what is now actually two years ago.

Agreed, this falls into the spam category, and I don't care for Nascar myself. I think since no one has any interests in this topic it should be locked. If people want news updated on this sport, they can probably could have figured it out themselves by watching the races, or by looking it up themselves.