captainthunderracing.com

NASCAR CLEARS UP THEIR COMMENTS ABOUT PASSING BELOW YELLOW LINE

At Sunday's drivers' meeting, NASCAR reiterated the rule about passing under the yellow line and provided the same information to all drivers and crew chiefs in a hand out, as it has done in past Daytona and Talladega races.

The verbatim language is ...

This is your warning: race above the yellow line. If, in NASCAR's judgment, you go below the yellow line to improve your position, you will be black-flagged. If in NASCAR's judgment you force someone below the yellow line (in an effort to stop him from passing you), you may be black-flagged.

"During the last lap of [Sunday's] race at Talladega Superspeedway the driver of the No. 01 violated NASCAR policy by driving under the yellow line to improve his position," NASCAR president Mike Helton said. "In NASCAR's opinion he was not forced below the yellow line. NASCAR correctly took immediate action to enforce the policy by penalizing the No. 01 and scoring the No. 20 as the race winner.

Helton concluded by saying ...

"Since the end of the race there has been some confusion as to what is allowable during the last lap at Daytona and Talladega. To be clear, as we go forward, there will be no passing under the yellow line at any time during NASCAR races at Daytona or Talladega, period. This includes any passing below the yellow line near the start/finish line on the final lap." - nascar pr

THE 'DINGER' IN MWR #00 AT LOWE'S

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- A.J. Allmendinger will drive the No. 00 Toyota for Michael Waltrip Racing at Lowe's Motor Speedway this weekend.

Allmendinger will have to qualify the car on speed to make the field for the race Saturday night because the team is ranked 36th in owner points.

"I think this is a great opportunity," Allmendinger said. "Over the past couple of months the organization has really picked up with how everyone has been running. Hopefully, I can go out there and do a good job and get the ... team back inside the top 35."

Kenny Wallace raced the car to a season-high 12th-place finish at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday. Now MWR is turning to Allmendinger, who is looking for a full-time job since he was let go by Red Bull Racing Team two weeks ago.

Allmendinger was a career-best ninth at Kansas Speedway two weeks ago in his final race for Red Bull. In races at Lowe's this year, Allmendinger finished 20th in the Coca-Cola 600 and won the qualifying race to earn a spot in the All-Star event.

"I feel comfortable around Lowe's Motor Speedway because it is a track that I have been able to race around a lot in my career," he said.

Michael McDowell drove the No. 00 for MWR for most of the season, but was pulled from the car after he failed to qualify for Kansas. Waltrip said he's got to try other drivers in an effort to get the car back inside the top 35.

"The decision for us to continue to make changes is about our organization," Waltrip said. "We're still closely evaluating the remaining Cup races. We're moving in the direction of having multiple drivers based on their experiences at particular tracks." - ap

CAPTAIN THUNDERS BLOG OCTOBER 6TH 2008

October 6, 2008

J.J. ON HIS WAY TO THREE IN A ROW!

Thanks to Carl Edwards, Jimmie Johnson is on his way to his third straight Sprint Cup Championship. Edwards made the 'Boneheaded' move of the race, and perhaps the 'Boneheaded' move of the 2008 season Sunday when he bump drafted himself and teammate Greg Biffle right out of Championship contention.

As Talladega was coming to a close, Edwards bump drafted Biffle in the middle of a turn and wrecked a slew of Chase drivers including himself and teammates Biffle and Matt Kenseth. Johnson now leads Edwards by 72-points, Biffle by 77-points, and now appears in total control of his own destiny.

After 'Smoke's' controversial win at 'Dega, I received more than 100 e-mails asking me my opinion of the finish of the race. Here is my take on it, and trust me, I probably watched it ten times on my Tivo. Regan faked 'Smoke' to the high side, 'Smoke' went up to block him. Regan then dropped low to make the pass on the inside and 'Smoke' came down the track, blocked him again, and DID force Regan below the yellow line. Now, as far as the rules go, who knows! NASCAR makes them up as they go along.

If you want to hear Regan Smith's take on the controversial finish, check out 'BURNING RUBBER' with Captain Thunder Tuesday night at 9:00 PM. Regan will join me for a very special interview. We'll talk about the 'Dega race, his 2008 rookie season, and what he expects for 2009.

Have you gone to your local short track lately? If not, you have to get out there. Pack a cooler, make some sandwiches, bring the kids, and go have a blast. I ventured out to my local track, the New Smyrna Speedway , last week and had a blast! There is nothing like being that close to the action, breathing in the smell of race fuel and burning rubber, and watching the local boys bump and bang there way around the track. Not to mention, the local tracks could really use our support as this economy continues to take it's toll on everyone.

How about my Miami Dolphins baby! Two in a row and both wins against very good football teams. I know, I know, we aren't going to the SuperBowl anytime soon, but we now have double the wins we had last season! Way to go 'Fins!

Thank you to everyone for all of the support at www.RaceMySpace.com the site is growing everyday and some really cool people are joining our growing network. You guys ROCK!

If you would like to e-mail me or 'The Big Man', you can send your messages to Captain Thunder or The Big Man

Don't forget to tune in to my segments with John 'The Freak' Renshaw every Thursday at 5:40 PM to hear me recap and preview each week's NASCAR action live on ESPN Radio.

Make sure all of you satellite radio subscribers tune in to listen to my live segments on 'The Scott Ferrall Show' EVERY Friday night during the Sprint Cup season LIVE on Sirius Satellite Radio, "The Scott Ferrall Show", channel 101 The Howard Stern Network. Each week, I preview the upcoming race, give out my Legendary Top-5 and pick to win the race, and take questions from NASCAR fans. Check out scottferrall.com , scottbeatstheman.com , & sirius.com You can dial in to the show by calling 888-STERN-101.

Make sure you and your NASCAR friends get together each week and listen to our two radio shows, "Burning Rubber" and "Twisted Metal" . "Burning Rubber" airs each Tuesday night at 9:00 PM e.s.t. You can listen by clicking the link on our homepage, and you can also listen to replays in our RADIO REPLAYS section.

"Twisted Metal" is an UNCENSORED show and is NOT for those under the age of 18. If you are not a prude or an old lady, check out "Twisted Metal" , it is the wildest show on radio and is not for the timid! "Twisted Metal" airs every Thursday evening at 9:00 PM e.s.t. and replays are also available in our RADIO REPLAYS section. You can listen to both shows live every Tuesday and Thursday night at 9:00 PM by clicking here - LIVE RADIO

Keep the pictures coming! We encourage you to send us the wildest race pictures you have. Please email them to us and we will post them in our photo section.

Remember to check the site every day! We will continue to update it daily with all of the breaking NASCAR news from around the country!

See You At The Track,

John "Captain Thunder" Nevins

DEI FACING EXTINCTION?

The once proud organization that is Dale Earnhardt Inc. is now one that is facing tumultuous times and is perceived by many to be one that might - just might � find itself on the brink of extinction.

That seems a bit dire, but as of now, the evidence suggests that it is a possibilty unless the situation changes dramatically.

Here�s what has happened: It has now lost Paul Menard, and the sponsorship provided by his father, to Yates Racing. Menard felt it was best for him to move along because he felt he could take advantage of the competitive relationship Yates has with Roush Fenway Racing.

He indicated it had allowed Yates� current drivers, David Gilliland and Travis Kvapil, to do far better than most had expected.

That Gilliland and Kvapil have exceeded expectations without the benefit of solid sponsorship is true.

But there is the assumption that Menard moved along because he thought the future of DEI was grim.

After Menard�s announced departure, Martin Truex Jr. and Bass Pro Shops are the only driver-sponsor package DEI has for 2009.

This hasn�t been a season Truex would have liked, not at all.

After he won at Dover and made the Chase For The Sprint Cup last year, prior to the race at Talladega, he had just three top-five finishes and eight among the top-10. He was a disappointing 16th in points.

DEI�s Regan Smith � who has performed admirably as seen in his rank atop the standings in the battle for Raybestos Rookie of the Year - hasn�t had a permanent sponsor and has raced this season without one several times this year.

The rising Aric Almirola, the driver who has shared time with Mark Martin in the No. 8 car Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Budweiser left prior to this season � something many think has been costly to DEI - will lose the U.S. Army as his sponsor

The U.S. Army is reportedly going to be the sponsor, in some form, for Ryan Newman on the new Stewart-Haas team.

Martin has already announced he is moving to Hendrick Motorsports for yet another attempt to win a championship.

Which leaves DEI with this situaiton: It has one team with a sponsor intact. It has now lost one driver and sponsor to another organization. It has two teams, one of which has no full-time sponsor and the other which will lose its backer at the end of the year.

Which begs the question: What is DEI going to do?

Given these hard economic times, the prognosis does not seem good.

That is intensified by the fact that DEI has won just one race and has failed to put a car into the top 10 in points since 2006.

It�s likely DEI supporters will be quick to blame the organization�s top executive, Teresa Earnhardt � the business foundation for the team her husband created - for all of this. She is accused of being distant from the day-to-day operations, although Truex Jr., among others, will say she has provided the proper leadership. He will add that if she wasn�t interested in sustaining the team, why would she still own it?

The task of what is to become of DEI seems to have fallen into the hands of executives Max Siegel and John Story.

It is their task to right the ship and end all perception that DEI is the Titanic bearing down on the iceberg.

They have to overcome perceived mistakes in the merger with Ginn Racing � which means, to some, the loss of key Ginn personnel � secure sponsorships for the teams that are currently in place and significantly improve on-track performance.

No one has to tell them that. I would not be surprised if they have already vigorously applied strategies that they hope will make the needed changes.

Certainly DEI faces plenty of adversity. It is not alone.

But what it is is not what it once was. If it cannot find its way out of its current situation, then it is fair to ask what is to become of it.

It is obviously going to take dedication and effort to restore DEI to a team that rises from the brink and challenges for wins and a championship.

I have no doubt those at DEI believe it can be done.

At present, many think otherwise. The perception that failure is imminent is out there.

Siegel knows that.

He also knows the only way it will disappear.

He said: �What�s killing me now is the perception that�s out there right now, and we have to do something to overcome it. But there is nothing I can say or do short of bringing in a sponsor or winning on the track to change people�s perception of the race team.�

He is exactly right. - scenedaily.com

WOW...LOWE'S NATIONWIDE ENTRY LIST BOASTS 53 RACECARS

One of the longest entry lists of the season in the NASCAR Nationwide Series has been posted for the Dollar General 300 at Lowe�s Motor Speedway, with 53 cars entered for Friday night�s race.

Twelve Sprint Cup drivers are entered, and seven of those are in the Chase For The Sprint Cup: Clint Bowyer (Richard Childress Racing), Jimmie Johnson (JR Motorsports), Denny Hamlin (Braun Racing), Kyle Busch (Joe Gibbs Racing), Jeff Burton (Richard Childress Racing), Kevin Harvick (Kevin Harvick Inc.) and Carl Edwards (Roush Fenway Racing).

The other Cup drivers entered are David Ragan (Roush Fenway), Kasey Kahne (Gillett Evernham Motorsports), Jamie McMurray (Roush Fenway), Brian Vickers (Braun) and David Reutimann (Michael Waltrip Racing).

Part-time drivers entered with full-time teams are Larry Gunselman and Danny Efland (Davis Motorsports), Derrike Cope (Jay Robinson Racing), Burney Lamar (Day Enterprises Racing), Joey Logano (JGR), Andrew Ranger (Fitz Motorsports), Bryan Clauson (Chip Ganassi Racing), Brad Teague (Means Racing), D.J. Kennington (MacDonald Motorsports) and Johnny Chapman and Justin Hobgood (MSRP Motorsports).

Several part-time teams have entered the Charlotte race, including second cars from MWR (for Josh Wise), Germain Racing (Justin Marks), Team Rensi Motorsports (Danny O�Quinn) and Gillett Evernham (Chase Miller).

Also, Penske Racing has entered Justin Allgaier in its No. 12 Dodge as Allgaier will attempt to make his Nationwide debut. - scenedaily.com

'DEGA TV RATINGS DOWN 5%

ABC�s broadcast of Sunday�s Amp Energy 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Talladega Superspeedway earned a 4.0 overnight rating from Nielsen Media Research, Street & Smith�s SportsBusiness Daily reports.

The rating is 4.8 percent lower than the 4.2 the Cup race earned overnight on ABC in 2007. - scenedaily.com

JGR HAS MIXED FEELINGS AFTER 'SMOKE'S' CONTROVERSIAL VICTORY

Joe Gibbs Racing enjoyed a rather bittersweet outing in Sunday's Amp Energy 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Talladega Superspeedway.

While the organization was thrilled that driver Tony Stewart earned his first win of the season, it also watched as the team�s Denny Hamlin hit the wall so hard that he ended up spending the night in a Birmingham, Ala., hospital for observation. And its third driver, Kyle Busch, wound up in one of the day�s big wrecks, although he came back to finish 15th.

So the team's executives found themselves leaving Talladega Superspeedway with some mixed emotions.

"It's kind of two different days for us," President J. D. Gibbs said. "We have Denny's run first, have the tire go, hits the wall. That was scary. Get him to Birmingham, have the doctors check him out. He had a little headache, his foot was hurting. You go from that, come back over here, watching at the end of the race, Kyle [Busch] got caught up in the accident there. Then Tony to go where he was, to not have a win all year, that was a big deal for us."

At first, Gibbs didn't think Stewart had won at all. He actually crossed the line behind Regan Smith, the Dale Earnhardt Inc. rookie who passed Stewart on the final lap after going below the yellow line. NASCAR doesn't allow a driver to complete a pass in that spot, though drivers seemed a little hazy on how that rule worked on the final lap of the race, especially since Smith thought he was forced below the line. In that case, NASCAR penalizes the driver who made the aggressive move that put another driver below that line.

The result in this case was that Smith was penalized by being put as the final car on the lead lap, and Stewart was awarded the win.

"The way we won it, you go, 'Man, we were so close.' Then you realize you can't go below the yellow line," Gibbs said. "We've been caught a few times at the other end of that. [Crew chief Greg Zipadelli] knew right away you can't do that from past experience."

Team owner Joe Gibbs agreed.

It had been 43 races since Stewart's last victory. After 10 years and two championships with Zipadelli, Stewart has announced plans to leave the organization at the end of this season. Although he�s in the field of the Chase For The Sprint Cup, Stewart had not been in the mix of the championship hunt before the race, but the driver and team were intent on getting at least one more win together before parting company. Sunday they accomplished that.

"The thing I kind of focused on right after the race was, you know, it's been with Zippy and Tony, all of us together with Home Depot, it's 33 wins," Joe Gibbs said. "That's awesome. I mean, it just doesn't happen that often in sports that you get to enjoy those kinds of wins. This one took us a while to get this one.

"Zippy has done a great job managing, handling the team, keeping everyone together. Obviously went through a lot this year with all the things that have happened to the race team. I really appreciate them and their attitude. They kept a great attitude all year."

Throughout this season, Zipadelli and team have maintained their confidence. Despite setbacks in races, they never seemed to doubt whether they could make it to victory lane by season's end.

Sunday's race was, in many ways, a testament to the team's ability to maintain its focus throughout a series of distractions.

"It's been tough this year, up and down, keeping everybody just focused and trying to not get frustrated over the things that are going to happen or that we went through," Zipadelli said. "My guys, they've done a good job all year of trying to stay focused doing their job, you know, trying to prepare good race cars. Hopefully, this will give us a little momentum for the last few races, [so] we can get ourselves back in the top five where I think we belong."

As to Stewart himself, he was simply glad nothing went wrong. In a race where it briefly looked as if he might have to settle for being the runnerup at the track once more, things finally went his way.

On this day, that was enough.

"It's no secret we've been a little bit off all year," he said. "But there's been opportunities, like we mentioned earlier, that we've had opportunities to win, and something's happened. It was nice today. I mean, you look at all the things that happened on the race track, and we weren't a part of it. We finally had one of those days where everything went right for us. You know, we were able to finish it off.

"Man, I mean, there's been a lot of nights going home at night going, 'Man, what do I have to do? How long is this slump going to be? What do we have to do to get out of it?' At least for the next six days, I get to say that I'm out of it." - scenedaily.com

MONTOYA GETTING THE HANG OF BUMP DRAFTING

Juan Pablo Montoya has figured out restrictor-plate racing. Montoya had his Dodge up front all day, leading the race and pushing other drivers into the lead with bump-drafting. His prowess at bump-drafting even won him the respect of Dale Earnhardt Jr. "Me and Juan were having an awesome time out there together," said Earnhardt, who partnered with Montoya to push each other through the field. Driving for the much-maligned Chip Ganassi team, the former Formula One champion finished second in the April race at Talladega, pushing Kyle Busch to the win when a caution came out on the last lap. But Montoya's race came to a crashing halt in the Big One near the end of the race, just as Earnhardt's did. Montoya finished 25th. "I thought that we avoided the wreck and somebody went to the bottom," Montoya said. "I thought I was clear and then somebody wrecked the 41 (teammate Reed Sorenson) and he came right into me." -- Birmingham News

HARVICK'S NON-DNF RECORD REACHES 74 RACES

Kevin Harvick might not win every race he starts, but he at least finishes them. Although he finished 20th in Sunday's race, he was running when the checkered flag dropped, pushing his modern-era record of consecutive races running to 74. It was threatened for a while. He went for a wild ride with 23 laps to go, spinning down into the infield grass, but he saved the car and got it back on the track. Then he got collected in the Big One that involved 12 cars just14 laps from the finish. But his crew was able to patch his car back together and send him back on the track. "You know, coming here you've got a 50-50 chance of making something happen," Harvick said as his team worked on his car after the Big One. "I felt like we raced hard all day and our fans are going to be proud of us for racing hard. -- The Anniston Star

DALE JR SAYS ECONOMY WILL HURT TEAMS GAMBLING ON NEW DRIVERS

Dale Earnhardt Jr. may be the most popular driver in NASCAR, but that doesn't make it any easier when he walks into a corporate board room to pitch sponsorship for his Nationwide series team. And times are tough all over. Earnhardt said that means gambling on racing newcomers might not be in the cards for a while. "It is harder now to pull a guy out of the Super Late Model series, a guy who has never been on a radial tire, and plug them in," Earnhardt said. "Even though those guys would eventually make it at this level without a doubt -- they are talented -- but you can't afford to go through the learning curve with them. "You can't afford that learning curve with them. "Like Clint Bowyer: How many cars did he wreck his first season? I think half the garage didn't think Clint was going to make it, he was backing in the wall so much. "But somebody has to go through that process with him until he gets out the other end of it and becomes the race driver he is today. "But the economy the way it is now, you can't hardly afford to do that anymore." Little wonder that Kenny Wallace said his brother, Rusty, might be wooed out of retirement to get back in a ride. -- Winston-Salem Journal