Black 3 is back in victory lane in a car. Dominating performance by Austin Dillon. That kid will be a star one day driving that car.

Speedofsand;1214892 wrote:Michael Andretti buying Penske's engine plant and running Dodges with Kenseth next year.
Petty expected to run Dodge too. Matt chose Andretti over Petty.

Everything I've heard has him going to Joe Gibbs Racing.

Beautiful night in Sparta. Here's to seeing the 24 in victory lane tonight! Haven't been at a race he's won since 03 I think, but then again, only been to 2 races since 03.

Did they get the parking situation fixed?

I think so. Didn't come in the normal way but think it was fine. Also looks like there are 20-30,000 less people here so I'm sure that helped.

Terry_Tate;1215975 wrote:I think so. Didn't come in the normal way but think it was fine. Also looks like there are 20-30,000 less people here so I'm sure that helped.

Probably couldnt get there as I'm sure most were coming from Columbus area, I know 4 that didnt make it.
Decent race so far.

Was driving from Mansfield to Wooster during the 8:00 hour and they were saying on PRN that apparently the traffic issues went off without a hitch

ts1227;1216083 wrote:Was driving from Mansfield to Wooster during the 8:00 hour and they were saying on PRN that apparently the traffic issues went off without a hitch

Glad to hear that. I know they had the Highway Patrol in charge of the parking, plus bought 200 additional acres of land to use. It was such a mess last year. I hope they got all the other problems they had worked out too.

Happy 75th Birthday for Richard Petty today. Long Live The King

http://www.news-journalonline.com/racing/nascar/2012/07/02/petty-still-busy-as-he-turns-75.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

GoChiefs;1216086 wrote:Glad to hear that. I know they had the Highway Patrol in charge of the parking, plus bought 200 additional acres of land to use. It was such a mess last year. I hope they got all the other problems they had worked out too.

I caught briefly on the radio this morning as I was flipping through that it apparently was a bitch getting out of there after the race

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Fireworks By Santore is adding a new twist to the largest fireworks show in the Southeast, which takes place immediately following the conclusion of the 54th annual Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Saturday night, July 7.

During the 15-minute show that will illuminate the sky above Daytona International Speedway, Fireworks By Santore will use specially developed shells to produce the letters “U S A” high above the speedway. The show will be shot from 16 different locations spread across the infield along the Superstretch.

To put together the largest fireworks show in the Southeast, Fireworks by Santore uses:
-- Shells ranging in size from 1” to 8”
-- 10,000+ lbs of explosive powder
-- 11,000 individual explosions

The types of shells range from the more traditional such as Chrysanthemum, Peonies, Dahlias, Willows and Salutes to specialty shells such as, Smiley Faces, Star Patterns, Double Rings, 4 Color Changing, Shell of Shells, Crossettes, Strobing Diadems, Twilight Glitters and vibrant new pastel colors.

The finale will last for approximately one minute, 30 seconds and will have over 2,000 individual pieces. The show uses enough control wire to wrap a lap around the legendary 2.5-mile tri-oval.


ooooh aaaah

Saw Bill Elliott this morning. He is driving the #50 Walmart car this week, so he made an appearance at a store. I took a couple of posters from 1985, Daytona 500 and Southern 500 'Million Dollar Bill' with his Coors TBird on them and he signed them for me. He was in Georgia last night, where his son Chase won the race at Gresham with Bill spotting.


Speed51.com photo

I took my Rolex hat to the Speed trackside show last nite and got AJ Dinger to sign it. That hat is complete now, had to get AJ since he won with a great stint the last 3 hours.

Allmendinger suspended for substance abuse :thumbdown: , and Jimmie Johnson & Jeff Gordon both just wrecked. :thumbup:

I've never in my life seen someone have as bad of luck as Jeff has had this year. Has no issues tonight, running third, coming to pit, and someone wrecks from behind up into him. Unbelievable.

Matt was fast, but Smoke is AMAZING.

Terry_Tate;1220515 wrote:I've never in my life seen someone have as bad of luck as Jeff has had this year. Has no issues tonight, running third, coming to pit, and someone wrecks from behind up into him. Unbelievable.

I thought Jr. had bad luck back in 2010, but Gordon makes him look fortunate this year with the bad breaks he has had

Friend from Indy was here for his first Daytona race. The big wreck in turn 1 w/ten to go was right in front of them. They are hooked, already making 2013 plans to bring their kids. Once the sun went down I've never had better weather for any race. It was probably 70s, great breeze in your face, plenty of room from empty seats all around. Only paid $5 to park, got in free.

[h=2]Updated AJ Allmendinger Information[/h] July 11, 2012 Charlotte, NC (July 11, 2012)

“In an effort to help our colleagues in the media report on this in a timely and accurate manner, we wanted to provide some additional details regarding AJ’s sample “A” test results. AJ tested positive for a stimulant. He has no idea why the first test was positive, and he has never knowingly taken any prohibited substance. AJ is collecting his medicines and supplements for testing to determine whether an over the counter product caused his positive test. AJ and all of us at Walldinger Racing respect NASCAR's testing program, and he has requested that his "B" sample be tested as part of the process of getting to the bottom of this. We will have the opportunity to review all of the scientific data surrounding the test following the "B" sample test, but our understanding is that AJ's test was slightly above the threshold. As of this morning, we have not been given notice of when the testing of the “B” sample will take place. Thanks again for all of the support of our fans, team, and sponsors as we continue working through the process.”

I hear a lot of people comparing AJ to Mayfield, and I just laughed, now I really find it funny.

"Breaking news from ESPN's Marty Smith: AJ Allmendinger tells me in exclusive interview he tested positive for prescription Adderall. Details soon on ESPN.com."

That was one of the best last laps I've ever seen. Flipped it on with 2 to go and glad I did. What an awesome finish.

Definitely in my top 5 as well. Exactly why I like having road courses on the schedule.

Effing Labonte blows up and causes havoc. Gordon wrecked because of it too. Johnson back in points lead...damn it. Jr drops to 4th after wrecking with 10 laps to go.

Another riveting interview by Jr. Damn, just quit putting a microphone in front of him.

GoChiefs;1245365 wrote:Another riveting interview by Jr. Damn, just quit putting a microphone in front of him.

That.


And reps to Labonte.