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Week of 11/13/05
Musgrave is Truck Series Champion
Ted Musgrave wins the 2006 Truck Series Championship
Race Results
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Race - Ford 200
Homestead-Miami Speedway
Homestead, Fla.
Saturday, November 19, 2005
1. (9) Todd Bodine, Toyota, 134, $57,800.
2. (3) Jack Sprague, Toyota, 134, $28,175.
3. (7) Johnny Benson, Toyota, 134, $22,850.
4. (25) Mike Bliss, Chevrolet, 134, $15,675.
5. (2) Bill Lester, Toyota, 134, $16,925.
6. (15) Kyle Busch, Chevrolet, 134, $13,375.
7. (11) Todd Kluever #, Ford, 134, $16,425.
8. (14) Mark Martin, Ford, 134, $12,975.
9. (13) Ron Hornaday Jr., Chevrolet, 134, $16,525.
10. (10) Matt Crafton, Chevrolet, 134, $16,075. November 19, 2005
Truex wins 2nd Busch Championship
Race Recap: Ryan Newman Wins Sixth of 2005, Truex Gets Second Straight Title
Ryan Newman won the battle, but Martin Truex Jr. won the war as he picked up his second consecutive NASCAR Busch Series championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway. He becomes the fifth driver in series history to win back-to-back titles.
Truex had to work his way through the field from the back of the pack twice during a day of frustration and drama to finish seventh. Truex ended the race 68 points ahead of Clint Bowyer to win the 2005 NASCAR Busch Series championship. Bowyer finished the event in eighth spot.
Point leader Truex came into the season’s final event leading by a margin of 64 points over second place Bowyer. Truex wrecked his primary car in qualifying, had to go to an untried back-up car and started on the back of the pack in 42nd spot. He worked his way into the top 20 by lap 16. Shortly after, title hopes were nearly dashed for the two point leaders as J.J. Yeley’s car broke loose between Truex and Bowyer as Truex tried to make it three wide in turn 4.
Truex experienced a vibration due to a loose rear wheel and had to make a green flag pit stop on lap 60 putting him a lap down to the field.
He made up the lap but again was forced to work his way through the entire field. Truex moved steadily to the front, brushing the wall in turn 4 as he passed Carlos Contreras on the outside, though Truex’s Chevrolet was not affected by the contact.
Ryan Newman picked up his sixth NASCAR Busch Series win in eight starts for 2005. Newman and runner-up Greg Biffle had many stirring fender-to-fender duels throughout the event with their main competitor Kasey Kahne being taken out in a multi-car incident on lap 87. Kahne was penalized during the first caution period for entering pit road while it was closed and had to start on the end of the longest line at the restart. Kahne was caught in traffic at the time of the incident.
Brent Sherman brought out the ninth and final caution on lap 193 to set up a three lap shootout between Newman and Biffle who led at the restart. Newman went to the outside of treacherous turn 1 for the lead and held on for the win. Biffle hung on for second spot – his eighth runner-up finish in NASCAR Busch Series competition for 2005. Mark Martin, Kevin Harvick and Paul Menard rounded out the top five. There were 14 lead changes among four drivers.
The top five finishers in series points for 2005 where Truex, Bowyer, Carl Edwards – who also won the Rookie of the Year Award – Reed Sorenson and Denny Hamlin. All five drivers will be regulars in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series in 2006. November 19, 2005
Who's Hot - Homestead Miami
Who's hot going into this weekend?
Championship leader Tony Stewart is not there by mistake, he has 17 top 5's, 25 top 10's this season, the most of any driver
Carl Edwards and Jimmie Johnson each have 2 Chase wins
Denny Hamlin has 4 top 15's and one poll in his first 6 career Cup starts November 18, 2005
TRACK STATS | HOMESTEAD/MIAMI
Distance: 1.5-mile oval
Banking/Turns 1-4:18-20 º
Length/Frontstretch: 1,760 ft.
Length/Backstretch: 1,760 ft.
Miles/laps: 400.5 miles, 267 laps
Last year's poll sitter: Kurt Busch
Last year's winner: Greg Biffle
Up for grabs: $5.1 million, and that little thing called The Nextel Cup Championship November 18, 2005
TV Schedule - Homestead Miami
This is it, the last race weekend until next February...(depressing isn't it)
NEXTEL CUP SERIES FINAL PRACTICE @ 6pm Friday on Speed
TRUCK SERIES RACING @ 8pm Friday on Speed
BUSCH SERIES QUALIFYING @ 11am Saturday on Speed
NEXTEL CUP SERIES QUALIFYING @ 1pm Saturday on Speed
BUSCH SERIES RACING @ 4pm Saturday on TNT
NEXTEL CUP SERIES RACING FROM HOMESTEAD-MIAMI SPEEDWAY @ 3pm Sunday on NBC
All times are eastern November 18, 2005
Sherman lands Cup ride #49
Busch Series driver Brent Sherman is moving up to the Cup Series next year and will drive the #49 BAM Racing Dodge. This is quite an opportunity considering he's never even started a Cup race, and has only 1 top 10 in the Busch Series. November 16, 2005
Evernham shuffles the deck for 2006
Tommy Baldwin is out at Evernham as they shake things up for 2006. Tommy will stay on as a consultant for this weekend, before moving on to start his own team. Evernham is changing their team structures to include a team director, car director, and an engineer for each of their 3 cars next season.
TEAM RELEASE
For 2006, the leadership and team members of Evernham Motorsports will shift their alignment to better share the knowledge and thought-processes throughout the organization.
· The team that comprises the No. 91 Evernham Dodge Charger today will move to the No. 19 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge Charger, driven by Jeremy Mayfield. It will be led by Chris Andrews as Team Director. Kirk Almquist will be the Car Director and Tim Malinovsky will be the Engineer. This will allow Chris Andrews to build a team that meets the standards of Evernham Motorsports and has the endurance and momentum to finish strong on the season.
· The No. 19 team will shift to the No. 9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge Charger, which Kasey Kahne will continue to drive. Kenny Francis will be the Team Director for the No. 9 team, Mike Shiplett will be the Car Director and Keith Rodden will be the Engineer. This puts the most consistent team and stable environment with Kasey Kahne, giving him the support he needs for a solid season in 2006.
· The No. 9 team will support the new No. 10 Valvoline/Stanley Tools Dodge Charger and driver Scott Riggs. Rodney Childers is the acting Team Director, and the leadership team will be announced at a later date.
"Just like major corporations move their leadership teams into new assignments every 12 to 24 months to expand their experience and collectively build the organization, we want to share our Group IQ to increase our performance and success," said Evernham. "The No. 19 team is our most stable, consistent team and I want to share that foundation with the No. 9 and Kasey Kahne. I feel like he needs that additional support to be successful. The No. 9 currently has a number of guys who have been with Evernham Motorsports since we opened the doors, and we want them to share that knowledge and history with the No. 10 as our newest team. And the No. 91 team has been built by Chris Andrews, so it makes sense that he continues to lead and grow this team with his new responsibilities on the No. 19."
"I think this is going to be good for our long term success," said Mayfield. "Chris Andrews is a great leader and Tim Malinovsky has great understanding of how we can improve the performance of this car. We've proven we have what it takes to get into the Chase, now we just need the horsepower for next year to keep the momentum going once we get in."
Kasey Kahne supported his teammate's opinion.
"I've really learned a lot from Tommy -- it has been good learning from him over the last two years," said Kahne. "We've become great friends. I've developed a close relationship with him and look forward to continuing to be very good friends. I'm excited that he's going to be able to go after his long-term goals.
"We're looking forward to next season and coming back with a strong car, a strong team and some strong performances," Kahne added. "I look forward to working with the new team structure and getting started with Kenny Francis and Mike Shiplett. We're ready to compete for a spot in the 2006 Chase for the Championship."
The new team structure will be in effect for the final race of the 2005 season at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 20, 2005.
Tommy Baldwin, Team Director of the No. 9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge Charger, will serve as a team consultant at Miami before moving on to pursue his dreams of running his own team.
"Tommy will be leaving Evernham Motorsports to hopefully start his own operation," added Evernham. "He's very interested in being a team owner, and I want to help him get started just like Rick Hendrick helped me get started. I've known Tommy since he was 10 or 11 years old, and wish him the very best in the future."
"I appreciate the opportunity to work with Ray for several years," said Baldwin. "I've learned an awful lot from him. I also appreciate him letting me move on and helping me accomplish what I want to accomplish in the future. I came to Ray some time ago and told him this is what I've wanted to do. He didn't have any problems with that. He was in the same position with Rick (Hendrick) when he wanted to move on. Ray has helped me through all this and helped my decision making. I'm thankful for his friendship.
"Kasey and I have talked about this," he added. "He's going to win plenty of races with me or without me. He just has a God-given talent. I'm not worried about that. I'm glad I've become really good friends with him, and hopefully we can carry that into the future."
The remaining positions within the new team structure at Evernham Motorsports are expected to be named in the next few weeks. November 16, 2005
What-If's - The Chase
With a 52 point lead Tony Stewart is fairly comfortable going into this weekend. However if Jimmie Johnson leads the most laps, Tony will need to finish 8th or better. 9th or better if he leads just 1 lap. November 16, 2005
Homestead-Miami TV Schedule
This is it, the last race weekend until next February...(depressing isn't it)
NEXTEL CUP SERIES FINAL PRACTICE @ 6pm Friday on Speed
TRUCK SERIES RACING @ 8pm Friday on Speed
BUSCH SERIES QUALIFYING @ 11am Saturday on Speed
NEXTEL CUP SERIES QUALIFYING @ 1pm Saturday on Speed
BUSCH SERIES RACING @ 4pm Saturday on TNT
NEXTEL CUP SERIES RACING FROM HOMESTEAD-MIAMI SPEEDWAY @ 3pm Sunday on NBC
All times are eastern November 16, 2005
Kenny has second shot at #97
Between Sunday evening and right now, the driver of the #97 car this weekend was still up in the air. The official word now is that Kenny Wallace will be back behind the wheel according to Roush Racing president Geoff Smith. Kenny finished an impressive 16th, having never even sat in the seat of the car before. November 16, 2005
Don't forget about Rusty and Ricky
The big focus this weekend is of course The Chase for the Championship, but don't forget we are also saying goodbye to a couple of NASCAR legends. Rusty Wallace will run his last race in the famous "blue deuce", and ironman Ricky Rudd is stepping back from full time racing as well after Sunday's race. The sport will never be the same again. November 16, 2005
POINT STANDINGS | BUSCH & TRUCK SERIES
BUSCH SERIES
5 Denny Hamlin
4 Reed Sorenson
3 Carl Edwards
2 Clint Bowyer
1 Martin Truex Jr. leads by 64
TRUCK SERIES
5 Mike Skinner
4 Ron Hornaday
3 Todd Bodine
2 Dennis Setzer is 58 back of leader...
1 Ted Musgrave November 16, 2005
B. Labonte joins Petty for 2006
2000 Champion Bobby Labonte has joined Petty Enterprises to drive the #43 Cheerios Dodge next year. Bobby brings the experience of that one championship along with 21 cup wins to the team. Earlier this year, it was announced that former Jeff Gordon crew chief Robby Loomis will join the team for next year as well. November 15, 2005
Yeley lands #18 Cup ride
Since Bobby Labonte is leaving the #18 machine, who will drive that next year? J.J. Yeley will take over the wheel of that car for 2006 and will compete for the rookie of the year honors. In the Busch Series J.J. has 4 top 5's and 15 top 10's to date. November 15, 2005
POINT STANDINGS - The Chase
Only one race left to determine the 2005 Champion. It's really a two man race, but it's still possible drivers 3 and 4 could take the title if something dramatic happens.
At # 4 is Greg Biffle -102
#3 Carl Edwards -87
#2 Jimmie Johnson -52
#1 Tony Stewart is your leader going into Homestead-Miami
We'll go over all of the "What-if's" later in the week... November 15, 2005
One Busch suspended, one Busch wins
RACE RECAP | PHOENIX
10 Travis Kvapil 2nd top 10 this year
9 Dale Jarrett
8 Robby Gordon using a DEI engine
7 Jimmie Johnson
6 Carl Edwards
5 Bobby Labonte
4 Tony Stewart now leads the points by 52
3 Jeff Gordon moves to 11th in points
2 Greg Biffle led the most laps
VICTORY LANE
1 - Kyle Busch picks up his second win of 2005 and of his Cup career
OTHER STORIES ON THE DAY
-Poll Sitter Denny Hamlin finished 13th after running top 10 most of the day
-Last year's winner Dale Earnhardt Jr. gets his 6th DNF after a flat right front tire
-Matt Kenseth fought brake problems to a 32nd place finish
-Kurt Busch was suspended by Roush Racing for the last two races of the season after police pulled him over for reckless driving near Phoenix International Receway on Friday night. Kenny Wallace takes over the ride and finished 16th on Sunday.
November 13, 2005
Roush Racing Suspends Kurt Busch
-Kurt Busch was suspended by Roush Racing for the last two races of the season after police pulled him over for reckless driving near Phoenix International Receway on Friday night. Kenny Wallace takes over the ride and finished 16th on Sunday.
OFFICIAL ROUSH RELEASE
Roush Racing Suspends Kurt Busch
PHOENIX, A.Z. (November 13, 2005) - Roush Racing announced that effective immediately it has suspended Kurt Busch for the remainder of the season.
"This suspension is made after full review of all the circumstances surrounding Kurt's Friday night altercation with the Arizona police, and after consultation with our primary sponsors, Newell Rubbermaid and Diageo," said Jack Roush, team owner. "All parties are in complete support that the action being taken today is necessary and appropriate under the circumstances.
"We give our profound apology and support to the arresting officer and the entire Maricopa County Sheriff's Office and thank all of the officers for the great job they do with helping the Phoenix International Raceway bring our event to so many wonderful Arizona race fans," Jack Roush continued. November 13, 2005
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