NEXT RACE: Daytona 500 Race Information/Stats page
including.......

• Gatorade Duel 150 Starting Lineups
  

• Martin wins pole for Daytona 500: #5-Mark Martin won the Coors Light Pole Award for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway with a lap of 191.188mph [3 mph faster then last years pole of 188.001] for his 1st career Daytona 500 pole and 49th pole of his career. #5-Mark Martin is the oldest pole sitter ever for a Sprint Cup race at Daytona at 51 years, 0 months, 27 says (Dale Jarrett held the record at 48 years, 2 months, 17 days). #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. took the outside pole. Martin and Earnhardt Jr. are the only two drivers with their starting spots set for the Daytona 500. All other starting positions will be determined following the Gatorade Duel 150 qualifying races on Thursday.
  The rest of the top five for qualifying were #39-Ryan Newman, #21-Bill Elliott and #42-Juan Pablo Montoya. #21-Elliott, #82-Speed and #87-Nemechek are the three go-or-go-homers [not in the top-35 of end of season owners points] who are guaranteed of making the race via speed. #71-Bobby Labonte is now guaranteed to make the race, at least thru the past champions provisional. Four other drivers can get in via their speed IF the four already in [Elliott, Speed, Nemechek, Labonte] race in via the Gatorade Duels [top 2 in each get in]: #51-Waltrip, #36-Bliss, #32-Sorenson and #90-Mears.
  So it is the top 2 are in, followed by spots 3-39 [33 from the top 35 and 4 from the Gatorade Duel], then spots 40, 41 and 42 from the next fastest cars, then then the most recent past champion in 43rd. If not needed, then the fastest driver not already in, would get the spot.
  See the qualifying results, qualifying procedures and more on my Daytona 500 Qualifying Results Page.(2-6-2010)

• Qualifying Fast Facts - Daytona 500:
  Mark Martin won the Coors Light Pole Award for the Daytona 500 with a lap of 47.074 seconds, 191.188 mph.
  This is his 49th pole in 759 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races. He is now tied with Bobby Isaac for eighth on the all-time poles list.
  Mark Martin, at 51 years, 27 days, is the oldest Daytona 500 pole winner. The previous oldest was Dale Jarrett, who was 48 years, 2 months, 17 days when he won the Daytona 500 pole in 2005.
  This is his first Daytona 500 pole. It is his second Daytona pole overall. His last came in the Coke Zero 400 in 1989.
  Martin also started on the front row for the 2009 Daytona 500. He started second and finished 16th.
  Nine Daytona 500 pole winners have won the Daytona 500. The last was Dale Jarrett in 2000.
  Dale Earnhardt Jr. (second) will make his second Daytona 500 front row appearance. His last was 2003 when he started second and finished 36th.(NASCAR Statistics)(2-6-2010)

• Daytona 500 qualifying: is quite different then regular qualifying. See my Daytona 500 Qualifying Procedures for more info.

• Changes for the Daytona 500: NASCAR announced two changes for the 2010 Daytona 500.
  · Bump-drafting restrictions of recent years have been eliminated.
  · Restrictor plate openings have been increased to 63/64 inch  the largest plate NASCAR has run there since one-inch openings were used at the 1989 Daytona 500.
  

• Qualifying Order/Results
• Practice Speeds Page
• Entry List
• Event Schedule
• Special Paint Schemes this race
• Track Specs, News & Links
• Weather Links
• Local News & Newspapers
• Daytona International Speedway News Page
• 2009 Chase Rules, Notes History
• 2009 Results, Points
• 2010 Race Officials
• All-Time Pole Winners page
• Qualifying Rules

NEXT EVENT: Budweiser Shootout News/Rules Info page
including.......

• Harvick wins the Budweiser Shootout: #29-Kevin Harvick won the Budweiser Shootout at Daytona International Speedway, for his 2nd Shootout win in a row and 2nd overall. It is the 7th time Richard Childress Racing has won the race (5 with Earnhardt and 2 with Harvick). #9-Kahne [who didn't pit during the 4th caution] finished 2nd, followed by #1-McMurray, #18-Busch, #11-Hamlin, #83-Vickers, #20-Logano, #24-Gordon, #14-Stewart and #42-Montoya. There was a big wreck after a green-white-checked finish was called to start lap 75. #16-Biffle, the other driver who didn't pit during the 4th caution, either lost a tire or got lifted by #24-Gordon and spun around, collecting five other cars, including #99-Edwards who led the most laps, #17-Kenseth, #71-Labonte, #39-Newman and #5-Martin.
  See the race results on my 2010 Budweiser Shootout page.(2-6-2010)

LAST RACE RUNDOWN: Homestead Race Information/Stats page including.......

• Hamlin wins at Homestead
• Race Results/Awards
• Drivers Points Standings
• Owners Points Standings
• Race notes, lucky dogs, penalties
• Pit Stall Selections
• Johnson on the pole
• Starting Lineup
• Qualifying Order/Results
• Practice Speeds Page
• Goodyear Tire Notes
• Entry List
• Homestead-Miami Speedway News Page

• See my Racing Charities page for more news or to see how you can help out folks devastated by the earthquake in Haiti

• A PLETHORA of paint schemes added 22 of the 24 cars that are running the Bud Shootout have been posted [no #83-Vickers and #75-Cope] AND 46 of the 54 cars that practiced for the DAytona 500 at DIS on Friday have been posted. See my Paint Scheme Gallery for links to all the images
  PLUS Scott and Nancy have been adding many new 2010 Nationwide Series schemes and 2010 Camping World Truck Series schemes recently

• HBO's 24/7 Jimmie Johnson Episode 3 on Tuesday: HBO Sports' all-access show 24/7 Jimmie Johnson: Race to Daytona continues with its third episode, debuting Tuesday, Feb. 9 at 10:00-10:30pm/et/pt. The four-week series spotlights one of racing's biggest stars, reigning four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson, and gives viewers an inside look at the driver and his #48 Hendrick Motorsports team as they prepare for the Daytona 500, the Super Bowl of auto racing. The intensity builds for the 48 team as they head to Florida to prepare for the all-important Daytona 500 time trials. The series finale of 24/7 Jimmie Johnson: Race to Daytona debuts Tuesday, Feb. 16 (10:00-10:30pm/et/pt), two days after the race, with cameras tracking all the drama and excitement surrounding Johnson and his team on race day. All four episodes will have multiple replay dates on HBO, and be available on HBO On Demand.More info, schedules and previews at HBO.com and see TV Listings page(2-9-2010)

• Snap-on to Sponsor Sprint Cup, Nationwide Teams: For the 30th consecutive season, Snap-on Toolswill sponsor Penske Racing. This year Penske will have teams in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (#2-Kurt Busch, #77-Sam Hornish Jr. and #12-Brad Keselowski) and the NASCAR Nationwide Series (#12-Justin Allgaier and #22-Brad Kesolowski). Snap-on will also sponsor the Rusty Wallace Racing Nationwide Series team, featuring up-and-coming NASCAR stars #62-Brendan Gaughan and #66-Steve Wallace.(Snap-on Tools)(2-9-2010)

• Roush Fenway Racing looking for 400th win: With the 2010 NASCAR season underway, Roush Fenway Racing is looking for its 400th overall win. The team enters the weekend with eight entries between the Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series events and hopes to add to its 21 wins at Daytona International Speedway. Roush Fenway's 21 Daytona wins include 14 road course wins, five Sprint Cup Series wins and two Truck Series wins. One notable missing accolade, a Nationwide win. But that could change with veteran Carl Edwards behind the wheel of the #60 Copart/Fastenal Ford for his sixth full-time Nationwide season and two up-and-coming rookies in Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. and Colin Braun. Paul Menard will also be a factor in the Nationwide race as Roush Fenway's fourth full-time entry. Of Roush Fenway's seven drivers competing this weekend, three have won at the track including Matt Kenseth's Daytona 500 win just a year ago. Greg Biffle captured his first career Sprint Cup win at Daytona in July of 2003 and Edwards drove the No. 99 F-150 to victory lane in the Truck Series in 2004.
  Roush Fenway's first win came on June 3, 1984 in the Trans-Am Series at Sears Point in California. Greg Pickett took the checkered flag that day and since that time, Roush Fenway has seen 43 drivers bring home a total of 399 victories. Drivers that include Paul Newman, Lyn St. James, Robby Gordon, Wally Dallenbach, Jr., Bruce Jenner, Max Jones, Mark Martin, Jeff Burton, and six of the current Roush Fenway drivers. The team is hoping to capture that 400th win this weekend&.maybe even with a 44th driver.(RFR)(2-9-2010)

• ESPN Expands Daytona Schedule: ESPN has expanded its schedule from Daytona International Speedway this week and will now televise live the two-hour opening practice for the NASCAR Nationwide Series on Wednesday, Feb. 10, from 3:00-5:00pm/et on ESPN2. The practice session will mark the NASCAR debut of open-wheel racing star Danica Patrick. ESPN2 will televise live the NASCAR Nationwide Series 2010 season opener at Daytona on Saturday, Feb. 13. ESPN2 also airs NASCAR Nationwide Series qualifying Friday, Feb. 12, at 3:00pm/et, as well as NASCAR Nationwide Series final practice Thursday, Feb. 11, at 11:30 am/et. NASCAR Countdown starts ESPN2's race day at 12:00pm/et, with the green flag at 1:34pm/et. Marty Reid will be the lap-by-lap announcer with analysts Dale Jarrett and Andy Petree. NASCAR Countdown will be hosted by Allen Bestwick from the ESPN Pit Studio with analysts Rusty Wallace, Ray Evernham and Brad Daugherty.

• Ask.com leaves NASCAR: This time a year ago, Ask.com was preparing to make the splash of the season at Daytona. It had a custom-made motor coach, pretty girls dressed in red and white to act as Ask Ambassadors throughout the speedway, and up to 30 new 15-second ad spots. The eager search engine had seemingly thought of everything for its first year of an official partnership with NASCAR and a team sponsorship at Hall of Fame Racing. But as the industry rolls into Daytona this week for the start of the 2010 season, the major question will be: What happened to Ask.com? Despite trumpeting successful results from its sponsorships and advertising in NASCAR last year, the Barry Diller-owned company opted not to return this year, allowing its NASCAR partnership and team deal to expire after one year. A change in leadership -- CEO Jim Safka did the NASCAR deals last year but was replaced by president Doug Leeds in October -- led to changes in marketing. Ask.com spent about $15 million on its NASCAR sponsorships and activation last year, industry insiders said. Its official deal with NASCAR was in the low seven figures, while the team sponsorship cost Ask.com $4 million. The majority of NASCAR sponsors whose deals were up last year renewed, including Dodge, Unilever, DuPont, DirecTV, Kraft, and Procter & Gamble brands Gillette, Old Spice and Prilosec OTC. NASCAR also added Screenvision and Drive4COPD as new partners, with Screenvision being the official cinema ad agency and Drive4COPD, a group that drives awareness and screening for lung disease, serving as the official health initiative. Among the sponsors that didn't renew for this year: P&G brand Duracell, Best Western, Yardman/Cub Cadet, and Kellogg's, along with Ask.(Sporting News/NASCAR.com)(2-8-2010)

• Bud Shootout TV Ratings: The 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series on FOX kicked off on Saturday with a 1.6/4 for the Daytona Pole Qualifying, down -24% year-to-year and a 4.2 rating/7 share for the Budweiser Shootout, up +3% year-to-year. For the first time since FOX has broadcasted Qualifying and Shootout, the two were scheduled to run on the same Saturday. See TV Tatings season comparisons on my 2009 TV Ratings page.(2-8-2010)

• NASCAR Hall of Fame adds staff: The NASCAR Hall of Fame recently added eight employees for the 150,000-square-foot interactive, entertainment attraction set to open May 11, 2010 in Charlotte, N.C. "We are less than 100 days away from our opening, and building the right team truly is one of the most important factors in ensuring an exceptional and meaningful guest experience," Winston Kelley, executive director of the NASCAR Hall of Fame said. "We are fortunate to have had an overwhelming number of talented people interested in working at this world-class venue. Each team member was selected from several hundred applications per position. The competitive nature has allowed us to assemble a talented team of professionals who bring extensive experience from all types of family entertainment." The additions to the external relations and education department are: Imani Clenance, intern; Joelle Lapsley, administrative assistant; and Natividad Lewis, external relations specialist. All report directly to external relations manager Kimberly Meesters. The additions to the operations department are: Cathy Buchhofer, assistant operations manager; Chris Manley, A/V technical supervisor; and Jonathan Mitchell, box office manager. All report directly to operations manager Steve Burrell. Also, Seth Denton joined the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority as the NASCAR Hall of Fame business manager. He works closely with the NASCAR Hall of Fame operations department and reports to Steve Bagwell, CPA, director of management reporting for the CRVA. The additions to the sales and marketing department are: Matt Aldrich, membership sales manager; and Angela Basso, group sales manager. Both report directly to sales and marketing manager Leslie Horne.(NASCAR Hall of Fame PR)(2-8-2010)

• Danica Patrick to make NASCAR debut at Daytona: Danica Patrick will make her NASCAR Nationwide Series debut in the #7 GoDaddy.com Chevy this Saturday at Daytona International Speedway, JR Motorsports general manager Kelley Earnhardt announced. Patrick, Earnhardt, and team officials convened Sunday following the ARCA event at Daytona, in which Patrick raced to a sixth-place finish in her stock-car debut. The decision for Patrick to compete in the Daytona Nationwide Series event is supported by sponsor GoDaddy.com and JRM co-owners Dale Earnhardt Jr., Tony Eury Jr., and Rick Hendrick. "To be the one driving that Go Daddy car at Daytona means a lot to me," Patrick said. "Racing in the Nationwide Series race was my goal during this entire two-month preparation process, but we wanted to make sure it was the right thing to do. The ARCA race was a blast, and I'm not ready for my first Daytona Speedweeks to end just yet. I want more racing." Patrick's entry in the Drive4COPD 300 puts her in a JR Motorsports tandem with Dale Earnhardt Jr., who will drive the #88 Hellmann's Chevy. Patrick will continue her Nationwide Series schedule on Feb. 20 at Auto Club Speedway and Feb. 27 at Las Vegas. Patrick is guaranteed starting positions in all three races based off JRM's acquisition of points from CJM Racing's #11 team, which finished 15th in the 2009 Nationwide Series owners point standings. GoDaddy.com will be the primary sponsor for 11 of Patrick's 13 Nationwide Series races in 2010. She started 12th in the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 and finished sixth, including a late rally from 23rd position all the way to the front pack in just under 20 laps.(JR Motorpsorts)(2-8-2010)

• Johnson sells NYC loft, but...: #48-Jimmie Johnson has just sold his 3,200-square-foot loft in Chelsea [New York City] for $4 million. Johnson paid $3.975 million for the three-bedroom three-and-a-half bath condo in 2007. He put it on the market last March for $4.395 million, eventually cutting the price to $4.25 million. He and his wife, Chandra, a former model, used the apartment as a pied-à-terre 9a temporary or second lodging); their primary home is in Charlotte, NC. The couple are expecting their first child in July. The listing agent, Lisa Rose of Halstead Property, declined to comment. He is not forsaking New York City. He recently closed on another three-bedroom three-and-a-half bath condo, this one for $8.33 million, at Superior Ink, a new complex with a 61-unit building and seven town houses at West 12th and West Streets in the West Village.(New York Yimes)(2-7-2010)

• USA Weekend to feature three drivers and their kids: Jeff Burton, Juan Pablo Montoya or Michael Waltrip and their children are families featured in the February 14 issue of USA WEEKEND magazine. One third of the magazines published feature the each driver family on the cover while the other two thirds feature the other two and their respective children on the cover. The national publication, which is found in 600 newspapers across the country, also features an in-depth column on how the drivers juggle their racing career and father duties along with a pull-out poster, featuring all three families together.(2-7-2010)

• Johnson honored by NC House of Reps: The North Carolina House of Representatives on Tuesday passed a Patrick McHenry-sponsored resolution honoring NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson. Johnson was the first NASCAR driver to win four consecutive Sprint Cup Championships. Republican Patrick McHenry has represented North Carolina's 10th Congressional District of North Carolina since 2005. The district covers Avery, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cleveland, Lincoln and Mitchell counties, along with parts of Gaston, Iredell and Rutherford. James Finch II.(Charlotte Observer)(2-7-2010)

• Sad News - Harry Davis - Services: from Marc Davis' website - Marc Davis Motorsports has lost a father, a leader, and a true inspiration with the passing of Harry Davis. We will always remember his courage, dedication, and the marks he left on the challenging road to make his son's dreams a reality. Funeral arrangements are pending at this time. You may send a note of condolence to: 136 Bridle Path Lane, Mooresville, NC 28117 or by email, for the address, go to marcdavismotorsports.com or Marc Davis - Facebook.
  See nice article by Bob Pockrass: scenedaily.com.(1-21/24-2010)
  SERVICES Due to the severe winter weather the funeral services have been postponed until Saturday, February 13, 2010. A Memorial Service will be held in the Mooresville, North Carolina area at a later date yet to be determined. Funeral Services: Saturday, February 13, 2010; Wake  10:00am; Funeral  11:00am at the Saint John The Baptist Catholic Church, 12319 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, Maryland 20904. Internment: Meadowridge Memorial Park, 7250 Washington Blvd, Elkridge, Maryland 21075. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that memorial contributions be made to the charity of your choice.(2-6-2010)

• Gerhart wins wild Daytona ARCA race; Danica 6th: Veteran ARCA Racing Series driver Bobby Gerhart earned a historic sixth Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 Daytona race victory on Saturday evening, using patience and fuel strategy in ARCA's wreck-filled season opener to notch his seventh-career restrictor plate victory while Danica Patrick finished sixth in her stock car debut. Patrick, who is expected to decide on Monday if she will compete in next week's NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Daytona, used the ARCA race to learn how to adapt to big, heavy stock cars. More info and results, go to ARCARacing.com.(2-7-2010)

• RCR Honors Former Crew Member D.J Richardson: Richard Childress Racing will honor former pit crew member and front tire changer D.J. Richardson with memorial decals during Speedweeks at Daytona International Speedway. The #29 Shell-Pennzoil Chevy will carry the decals behind the front tires for the February 6 Budweiser Shootout. The helmets of the #29 Shell-Pennzoil over-the-wall crew members will also don special decals for the 2010 season. All three of RCR's Sprint Cup Series entries will carry the decals for the 52nd annual Daytona 500 on February 14, and its Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series entries will also carry the decals for their season-opening races. Richardson passed away December 25, 2009, from complications from the H1N1 virus. He joined RCR in July 2009 and finished the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season with the #29 Shell-Pennzoil Chevy team. The 2005 Sprint Cup All-Star Rear-Tire Changer Champion began his Cup Series career with Andy Petree Racing in 1999. He also worked for Penske Racing, Hendrick Motorsports and Braun Racing. The Leominster, Mass., native was 37. "D.J. should be jumping off the wall and changing tires for us again this season so we wanted to honor him in this special way," said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. "He was a valued member of the RCR family and is missed as we start the 2010 season."(RCR)(2-6-2010)

• Window World and Andretti racing with Heavy Hearts: Window World Inc., John Andretti and the Window World Racing community will be racing in the memory of Window World CEO Todd Whitworth during the 2010 race season. Whitworth passed away unexpectedly on February 5. Window World's foundation, Window World Cares, is the primary sponsor of John Andretti and the #34 Ford team for Front Row Motorsports and Boris Said and the #26 Ford team for Latitude 43. Window World has been heavily involved in motorsports since the beginning of 2009. America's largest window replacement company first partnered with Andretti during the 2009 Daytona 500. The relationship expanded to seven NASCAR Sprint Cup events and the famed Indianapolis 500 when Andretti raced with Richard Petty Motorsports. Window World and Andretti were the only driver/sponsor combination to race in both the Daytona and Indianapolis 500 - two of the largest sporting events in the world.
  "This loss is monumental on all levels," said Blair Ingle, President, Window World. "His passion for auto racing, Window World Cares, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and Veteran's Airlift Command were immeasurable. We know in our heart that Todd would want to have John (Andretti) and Boris (Said) continue to race this weekend and raise support for Window World Cares and St. Jude. We will all feel pride knowing that the legacy of Todd will be carried through their efforts." Andretti and the #34 Front Row Motorsports with Yates Racing team plan to memorialize Whitworth by running a decal on the car during the duration of Speedweeks and wearing black armbands around their uniform sleeves. "My heart is heavy," said Andretti. "Todd was more than a sponsor partner of mine. He was a true friend and I'm deeply saddened by his sudden loss. Todd and I met a few years ago and he almost immediately became a part of the Andretti family. His family and extended Window World family are all in my prayers, especially his wife Tammy and children Anna Grace, Wyatt and Tucker. In 2009, Window World Cares was named a corporate partner of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. More info at www.windowworld.com.(Breaking Limits/FRM)(2-6-2010)

• Monster Energy to sponsor Gordon at Daytona: Robby Gordon Motorsports announced an extension of their partnership with Monster Energy, who will serve as the primary sponsor for the Daytona 500 of the #7 Toyota. Monster Energy and Robby Gordon already have a well-developed partnership through Robby's off-road endeavors. Monster Energy currently serves as the one of the primary sponsors on Gordon's Trophy Truck and Hummer. Robby Gordon's off-season did not include much downtime, instead the driver of the #7 Monster Energy Camry spent most of his time racing. After securing the SCORE International Off-Road Racing 2009 Championship in the Monster Energy / Toyo Tires Trophy Truck, Robby Gordon and the Robby Gordon Off-Road team quickly turned their focus to the 2010 Dakar Rally, which took place January 2-16 in South America. In that event, Gordon raced his Monster Energy / Toyo Tires HUMMER across the deserts of Argentina and Chile where he won Stage 4 and finished 8th-place overall in the grueling 14-stage event. Immediately after crossing the finish line in the Dakar Rally, Gordon headed to Laughlin, Nev., where he raced the Monster Energy / Toyo Tires trophy truck in the Laughlin Desert Challenge for the SCORE International Off-Road Racing Series. Robby's Remarks  "I had a lot of fun during the NASCAR off-season," commented Gordon. "It gave me a chance to return to my off-road racing roots, secure a championship and celebrate victory with the Robby Gordon Off-Road team. Even as much as I love off-road racing, I'm ready for the NASCAR Season to get underway. We are very fortunate to have Monster Energy on the hood of our Camry for the Daytona 500, and I'm excited to extend our partnership with them. Monster Energy is a great brand that I love representing. We have been very strong at Daytona in the past, so I hope that we can bring home a great finish for Monster Energy's 2010 NASCAR debut."(RGM), see images of the Monster Energy race car and hauler on my #7 Team Schemes page.(2-6-2010)

• Congrats: #18-Kyle Busch proposed to his girlfriend Samantha Sarcinella on Tuesday and she said yes, no wedding date has been set yet.(2-5-2010)

• Crown Royal to sponsor Kenseth for more races: Roush Fenway Racing announced that Crown Royal has extended the number of races in which it will be primary sponsor of driver Matt Kenseth and the #17 Sprint Cup Series team. Crown Royal will serve as the primary sponsor for 35 Sprint Cup Series races in 2010 [of 38 races counting the Bud Shootout & All-Star race). The makers of Crown Royal Canadian whisky, a subsidiary of Diageo plc, have been partners with Roush Fenway Racing dating back to 2003. "I'm thrilled that Crown Royal chose to expand their sponsorship of our team for the entire 2010 season," said Kenseth, one of only five drivers in NASCAR history to win the Sprint Cup rookie of the year award, a Sprint Cup Championship and the Daytona 500. "I know that this is going to be a successful season for our #17 team and it will be great to represent the Crown Royal brand for 35 Cup Series events. I had the honor of working with DIAGEO and their Smirnoff ICE brand back in 2003 where we developed a great relationship. In addition to the sponsorship, we look forward to helping Crown Royal promote its responsible drinking platform, as well as kick-off the annual Crown Royal "Your Name Here" program this week, which awards naming rights to the Spring race at Richmond International Raceway to an adult fan." Kenseth will make his inaugural run in the #17 Crown Royal Ford on Saturday, Feb. 6 for the non-points exhibition event, the Budweiser Shootout, at Daytona International Speedway. The first points race of the season will be the Daytona 500 the on Sunday, Feb. 14 in which Kenseth is the defending champion of the event (Roush Fenway Racing). Supposedly Valvoline will be the sponsor for the other three races.(2-5-2010)

• #09 Team loses sponsor: James Finch learned late Thursday afternoon that Miccosukee Resort and Gaming will no longer sponsor his Phoenix Racing teams. Finch had a contract for the full Nationwide Series schedule (#1-James Buescher) and 18 Sprint Cup races (#09-Aric Almirola) but when the Chairman of the Miccosukee tribe Billy Cypress lost the last election, Phoenix Racing became sponsor-less for Daytona and beyond. "They're not going to do anything," Finch said of the Miccosukee future involvement in NASCAR. "We had a contract, but our only recourse is to go in front of the tribal council and that's not a case I'm going to win. If it was back in the old days, I could go in the parking lot and steal some hubcaps to race, but no one uses hubcaps anymore." Although Finch attempted to make light of the situation, he seemed more distressed by his inability to lock into the Daytona 500 field. Finch won the Aaron's 499 at Talladega last spring but was 38th in points after running just 27 Cup races. "If I could buy my way into the Daytona 500 I would," Finch said. "Losing my sponsor isn't going to keep me from racing next Sunday. I could finish fourth in the 150s and go home. The rules are (messed) up. I'm not going to pay more for the points than I can get for winning. I've seen a lot of people come and go from this sport. I stay because I'm a racer. But when you get to where you can't race because of the rules, that's B.S."(FoxSports)(2-5-2010)

• Get well Lynda Petty UPDATE: Lynda Petty, wife of NASCAR legend Richard Petty, will undergo a medical procedure Friday to determine the underlying cause of an ongoing medical condition. "My family has always been my number one priority. I hate to miss any racing or racing-related event but at this time being with my wife Lynda is where I need to be," Richard Petty said. The Petty family is thankful for the support from family, friends, fans, and all those in the racing community and asks for the continued respect for their privacy during this time. Richard and Lynda Petty celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2009.(NASCAR.com)(1-22-2010)
  UPDATE: Richard Petty's wife, Lynda, has been diagnosed with CNS (Central Nervous System) Lymphoma. Mrs. Petty will be treated at the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke University Medical Center. "We are thankful for the medical team at Duke. My wife Lynda is in good hands," Richard Petty said Thursday in a team statement. "The doctors and our family are very optimistic that the treatment for this cancer will be successful." The Petty family appreciates the support from family, friends, and fans as well as the continued respect for their privacy during this time.(NASCAR.com/RPM)(2-4-2010)

• Gordon expecting baby #2: during NASCAR Media Day coverage on ESPNEWS, #24-Jeff Gordon announced that wife, Ingrid Vandebosch, is expecting their second child due this coming summer, joining daughter Ella, currently two years old.(2-4-2010)
  

  
  

  Select Car#/Driver Team-Driver Table/Chart Team Address / Phone #00-Reutimann #02-Ash #08-Carter Racing #09-Almirola #1-McMurray #2-Busch #4-Morgan-McClure #5-Martin #6-Ragan #7-RGordon #9-Kahne #11-Hamlin #12-Keselowski #13-Papis #14-Stewart #16-Biffle #17-Kenseth #18-Busch #19-Sadler #20-Logano #21-Elliott #24-JGordon #26-Said #27-Shelmerdine #29-Harvick #31-Burton #32-Sorenson #33-Bowyer #34-Kvapil #35-Sauter #36-Bliss #37-Conway #38-Gilliland #38-Robertson Jr. #38-Andretti #39-Newman #42-Montoya #43-Allmendinger #46-Cook #47-Ambrose #48-Johnson #49-BAM Racing #51-Waltrip #55-McDowell #56-Truex Jr. #66-Blaney #71-BLabonte #75-Cope #77-Hornish Jr. #78-Smith #82-Speed #83-Vickers #87-Nemechek #88-Earnhardt Jr. #90-Mears #98-Menard #99-Edwards John Andretti Patrick Carpentier Carl Long Sterlin Marlin Jeremy Mayfield Danica Patrick Tony Raines Scott Riggs Ken Schrader David Stremme Scott Wimmer J.J. Yeley
  
  

• Jayski's - 2010 Sprint Cup Race Results Page and/or Jayski's - 2009 Sprint Cup Race Results Page
  (pole and race winner with speed and starting/finishing position, links to race results, drivers & owners points, pit stall selections, qualifying results/starting lineup, practice speeds and chase stats as well as link to race track and race information page for each race)