Unofficial Nextel Cup Raybestos 2007 Rookie of the Year (ROTY) Page
ROOKIE NEW and NOTES 2006
NEWS AND NOTES FROM THE Raybestos ROOKIE CONTENDERS NASCAR NEXTEL CUP SERIES
News and Notes - Pre-Homestead, Post-Phoenix:
#11-Denny Hamlin was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the November 12 Checker Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway. Hamlin finished third, his seventh top-five and 19th top-10 finish of the 2006 season. He took Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors for the 17th time in 35 races.
· Hamlin is fourth in the Nextel Cup Series championship standings, 90 points behind leader Jimmie Johnson. He is 27 behind second-place Matt Kenseth and leads fifth-place Dale Earnhardt Jr. by 25.
· The Steak Stays Alive: A Raybestos Rookie has finished in the top 15 in all 35 races this season.
· Did You Know? Hamlin and Jeff Gordon are the only Chase drivers to score six top-10 finishes in the nine races in the Chase.
· Hamlin leads Clint Bowyer by 60 points (294-234) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the Nov. 19 Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
* Did You Know? Tony Stewart is the only Raybestos Rookie to win a Nextel Cup Series race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. He won the inaugural Ford 400 in 1999 by 5.289 seconds over Bobby Labonte. Stewart led the race four times for 44 laps.
* Did You Know? The only other Raybestos Rookie to score a top-five finish in six previous races at Homestead is Casey Atwood, who finished third in 2001.
* Did You Know? The most laps led by a Raybestos Rookie at Homestead is 52 by Atwood in 2001.
* Did You Know? The only Raybestos Rookie to win a pole in six Nextel Cup races at Homestead is Jamie McMurray. McMurray won his first-career pole at the 2003 Ford 400 on his way to claiming Raybestos Rookie of the Year honors. McMurray finished ninth in the race, his 13th top-10 finish of the 2003 season.
* The most Raybestos Rookies to finish inside the top-10 at Homestead are Three in 2001: Atwood, Kevin Harvick (seventh), and Jason Leffler (10th). Harvick led the race three times for 47 laps.
* The only other race where TWO or more Raybestos Rookies finished inside the top-10 was the 2002 Ford 400. Ryan Newman finished sixth while Jimmie Johnson grabbed an eighth-place finish.
* The 2002 race is also the most recent event where at least one Raybestos Rookie has led a lap. Newman led once for 28 laps while Johnson held the top spot one time for 27 laps.
* Top-five finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway:
1999: Tony Stewart, first
2001: Casey Atwood, third
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway:
1999: Tony Stewart, first
2000: Dave Blaney, ninth
2001: Casey Atwood, third
2001: Kevin Harvick, seventh
2001: Jason Leffler, 10th
2002: Ryan Newman, sixth
2002: Jimmie Johnson, eighth
2003: Jamie McMurray, ninth
2004: Brendan Gaughan, sixth
· Raybestos Rookies that have led at least one lap in the Ford 400:
1999: Tony Stewart (four times for 44 laps) 2001: Casey Atwood (twice for 52 laps) 2001: Kevin Harvick (three times for 47 laps) 2002: Ryan Newman (once for 28 laps) 2002: Jimmie Johnnson (once for 27 laps)
· Did You Know? The most recent Raybestos Rookie to lead the Nextel Cup Series championship standings is Jimmie Johnson in 2002. He led after the Kansas event (race No. 28).
· Did You Know? Tony Stewart owns the best points finish by a Raybestos Rookie in the sport’s modern era (post 1971), placing fourth in the championship standings in 1999. James Hylton holds the best points finish by a Raybestos Rookie in the sport’s
history, a second-place effort in 1966.
· Did You Know? The most recent race where multiple Raybestos Rookies finished in the top five occurred at Chicagoland Speedway on July 14, 2002. Jimmie Johnson finished fourth, just ahead of fifth-place Ryan Newman.(Raybestos PR)(11-16-2006)
News and Notes - Pre-Phoenix, Post-Texas:
#07-Clint Bowyer was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the November 5 Dickies 500 at Texas Motor Speedway. Bowyer finished fifth, his fourth top-five and 10th top-10 of the 2006 season. He scored his first top-five finish since he placed third at California (race No. 25). Bowyer collected Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors for the eighth time this season.
· #11-Denny Hamlin finished 10th at Texas, his 18th top-10 finish of the 2006 season. Hamlin is fourth in the Nextel Cup Series championship standings, 80 points behind leader Jimmie Johnson and two behind third-place Dale Earnhardt Jr. Hamlin leads fifth-place Kevin Harvick by 25 points.
· Hamlin leads Clint Bowyer by 51 points (284-233) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the Nov. 12 Checker Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway.
· The Streak Stays Alive: A Raybestos Rookie has finished in the top 15 in all 34 races this season.
· Did you know? Hamlin and Jeff Gordon are the only Chase drivers to score five top-10 finishes in eight Chase races.
· Raybestos Rookies #18-J.J. Yeley and #40-David Stremme each led a lap at Texas. Yeley led once for three laps while Stremme held the top spot once for one lap.
· · Did you know? The most recent Raybestos Rookie to lead the Nextel Cup Series championship standings is Jimmie Johnson in 2002. He led after the Kansas event (race No. 28).
· Did you know? Tony Stewart owns the best points finish by a Raybestos Rookie in the sport’s modern era (post 1971), placing fourth in the championship standings in 1999. James Hylton holds the best points finish by a Raybestos Rookie in the sport’s history, a second-place effort in 1966.
· Kyle Busch won the 2005 Checker Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix, crossing the finish line .609 seconds ahead of Greg Biffle.
* Did you know? Busch and Tony Stewart are the only Raybestos Rookies to win at Phoenix in 20 NASCAR Nextel Cup races. Stewart won from the pole in 1999, beating Mark Martin to the checkered flag by 2.081 seconds.
* Bowyer was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in April’s race at Phoenix, scoring a fifth-place finish.
* Did you know? Only FOUR Raybestos Rookies have scored top-five finishes in 20 races at Phoenix: 1999: Tony Stewart, FIRST 2004: Kasey Kahne, fifth 2005: Kyle Busch, FIRST 2006: Clint Bowyer, fifth
* Did you know? Stewart is the only Raybestos Rookie to lead the most laps at Phoenix, leading three times for 150 laps.
* THREE Raybestos Rookies have won pole positions at Phoenix: Stewart, Casey Atwood (2001) and Ryan Newman (2002).
* Did you know? TWO or more Raybestos Rookies have finished inside the
top-10 TWICE at Phoenix 1989: Dick Trickle (seventh) and Jimmy Spencer (10th) 2005: Kyle Busch (first) and Travis Kvapil (10th)
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Checker Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix: 1989: Dick Trickle, seventh 1989: Jimmy Spencer, 10th 1993: Bobby Labonte, eighth 1999: Tony Stewart, FIRST 2000: Dave Blaney, eighth 2004: Kasey Kahne, fifth 2005: Kyle Busch, FIRST
* Raybestos Rookies that have led a lap in the fall race at Phoenix: 1991: Stanley Smith (once for 12 laps) 1991: Bobby Hamilton (once for one lap) 1993: Jeff Gordon (led once for 48 laps) 1993: Bobby Labonte (once for two laps) 1995: Ricky Craven (once for one lap) 1999: Tony Stewart (three times for 150 laps) 2001: Casey Atwood (twice for 71 laps) 2002: Ryan Newman (three times for 14 laps) 2002: Jimmie Johnson (once for one lap) 2005: Kyle Busch (three times for 63 laps)
· Did you know? The most recent race where multiple Raybestos Rookies finished in the top five occurred at Chicagoland
Speedway on July 14, 2002. Jimmie Johnson finished fourth, just ahead of fifth-place Ryan Newman.(Raybestos PR)(11-9-2006)
News and Notes - Pre-Texas, Post-Atlanta:
none sent
News and Notes - Pre-Atlanta, Post-Martinsville:
#11-Denny Hamlin was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the Oct. 22 Subway 500 at Martinsville Speedway. Hamlin finished second, .544 seconds behind race winner Jimmie Johnson. He claimed his sixth top-five and 16th top-10 finish and took Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors for the 15th time this season.
· Hamlin is fourth in the Nextel Cup Series championship standings, 47 points behind leader Matt Kenseth. He leads fifth-place Jeff Burton by one point and sixth-place Dale Earnhardt Jr. by 47.
· Hamlin leads Clint Bowyer by 54 points (277-223) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the October 29 Bass Pro Shops 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
· THE STREAK STAYS ALIVE: A Raybestos Rookie has finished in the top 15 in all 32 races this season.
· Did You Know? The most recent Raybestos Rookie to lead the Nextel Cup Series championship standings is Jimmie Johnson in 2002. He led after the Kansas event (race No. 28).
· Did You Know? Tony Stewart owns the best points finish by a Raybestos Rookie in the sport’s modern era (post 1971), placing fourth in the championship standings in 1999. James Hylton holds the best points finish by a Raybestos Rookie in the sport’s history, a second-place effort in 1966.
· Did You Know? The most recent race where multiple Raybestos Rookies finished in the top five occurred at Chicagoland Speedway on July 14, 2002. Jimmie Johnson finished fourth, just ahead of fifth-place Ryan Newman.
* Reed Sorenson was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the March race at Atlanta (race No. 4) earlier this season, scoring a 10th-place finish.
* Kyle Busch was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2005 Bass Pro Shops 500, posting a 12th-place finish. Busch also led the race once for four laps.
* Did You Know? Since 1975, Kenny Irwin is the only Raybestos Rookie to win a pole at the fall race in Atlanta. Irwin grabbed the top spot for the 1998 Bass Pro Shops 500.
* Did You Know? Since 1975, FIVE Raybestos Rookies have posted a top-five finish in the fall race at Atlanta: 1979: Dale Earnhardt, second 1987: Davey Allison, fifth 1994: Mike Wallace, fifth 1997: Jeff Green, fourth 2001: Kevin Harvick, third
* Did You Know? The best finish by a Raybestos Rookie in the fall race at Atlanta (since 1975) is second by Earnhardt in 1979. Earnhardt finished one-half car length behind winner Neil Bonnett.
* Earnhardt also holds the record for most laps led by a Raybestos Rookie in the fall race at Atlanta, holding the top spot six times for 69 laps in 1979.
* Did You Know? Since 1975, SIX Raybestos Rookie have posted a top-five finish in the fall race at Atlanta:
1979: Dale Earnhardt, second
1987: Davey Allison, fifth
1994: Mike Wallace, fifth
1997: Jeff Green, fourth
2001: Kevin Harvick, third
2004: Kasey Kahne, fifth
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Bass Pro Shops 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway (since 1975):
1976: Sam Sommers, ninth
1977: Ricky Rudd, eighth
1979: Dale Earnhardt, second
1979: Terry Labonte, seventh
1979: Joe Millikan, ninth
1980: Jody Ridley, sixth
1982: Mark Martin, 10th
1987: Davey Allison, fifth
1992: Jimmy Hensely, eighth
1994: Mike Wallace, fifth
1997: Jeff Green, fourth
2000: Matt Kenseth, ninth
2001: Kevin Harvick, third
2002: Ryan Newman, 10th
2004: Kasey Kahne, fifth
2004: Brian Vickers, seventh.(Raybestos PR)(10-27-2006)
News and Notes - Pre-Martinsville, Post-Charlotte:
#40-David Stremme was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the October 14 Bank of America 500 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Stremme finished 15th and took top rookie honors for the first time this season.
· Denny Hamlin scored a 28th-place finish at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Hamlin is sixth in the NEXTEL Cup Series championship
standings, 137 points behind leader Jeff Burton. He is 31 behind fifth-place Dale Earnhardt Jr. and leads seventh-place Jimmie Johnson by nine points.
· Hamlin leads Clint Bowyer by 44 points (266-222) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the October 22 Subway 500 at Martinsville Speedway.
· THE STREAK STAYS ALIVE: A Raybestos Rookie has finished in the top 15 in all 31 races this season.
· DID YOU KNOW? The most recent Raybestos Rookie to lead the NEXTEL Cup Series championship standings is Jimmie Johnson in 2002. Johnson led after the Kansas event (race No. 28).
· DID YOU KNOW? Tony Stewart owns the best points finish by a Raybestos Rookie in the sport’s modern era, placing fourth in the championship standings in 1999. James Hylton holds the best points finish by a Raybestos Rookie in the sport’s history, a second-place effort in 1966.
· DID YOU KNOW? The most recent race where multiple Raybestos Rookies finished in the top-five occurred at Chicagoland Speedway on July 14, 2002. Jimmie Johnson finished fourth, just ahead of fifth-place Ryan Newman.
* Reed Sorenson was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in April’s DirecTV 500 at Martinsville, scoring a 12th-place finish. He was the only Raybestos Rookie to finish on the lead lap.
* J.J. Yeley is the only Raybestos Rookie to lead a lap at Martinsville this season, holding the top spot once for one lap in the DirecTV 500.
* Kyle Busch was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2005 Subway 500, grabbing a ninth-place finish.
* DID YOU KNOW? The most recent top-five finish by a Raybestos Rookie in the Subway 500 is third by Dick Trickle in 1989.
* DID YOU KNOW? Since 1975, only THREE Raybestos Rookies have scored a top-five finish in Subway 500 at Martinsville: 1977: Sam Sommers, fifth 1979: Joe Millikan, third 1989: Dick Trickle, third
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies in Subway 500 at Martinsville (since 1975): 1977: Sam Sommers, fifth 1979: Joe Millikan, third 1979: Terry Labonte, ninth 1980: Jody Ridley, ninth 1981: Ron Bouchard, sixth 1987: Dale Jarrett, 10th 1989: Dick Trickle, third 2002: Jimmie Johnson, sixth 2003: Jamie McMurray, eighth 2005: Kyle Busch, ninth
* DID YOU KNOW? Only once since 1975 have TWO Raybestos Rookies finished in the top-10 in the Subway 500. In 1979, Joe Millikan finished third while Terry Labonte placed ninth.
* DID YOU KNOW? Only one Raybestos Rookie has won a pole for the Subway 500 since 1975: Ryan Newman in 2002.
* DID YOU KNOW? A Raybestos Rookie has finished on the lead lap in each of the past FIVE consecutive Subway 500 races at Martinsville: 2001:
Ron Hornaday, 18th 2002:
Jimmie Johnson, seventh 2003:
Jamie McMurray, eighth 2004:
Kasey Kahne, 13th 2005:
Kyle Busch, ninth
* DID YOU KNOW? The most Raybestos Rookie to lead a lap in the fall race at Martinsville is TWO in 1981. Tim Richmond led twice for 14 laps while Morgan Shepherd led one for 18 laps.
* DID YOU KNOW? The most laps led by a Raybestos Rookie in the Subway 500 (since 1975) is 53 by Geoffrey Bodine in 1982.
* Raybestos Rookies that have led a lap in the fall race at Martinsville (since 1975):
1979: Joe Millikan (once for 74 laps)
1981: Tim Richmond (twice for 14 laps)
1981: Morgan Shepherd (once for 18 laps)
1982: Geoffrey Bodine (three times for 53 laps
1984: Rusty Wallace (twice for two laps)
1986: Alan Kulwicki (once for one lap)
1989: Dick Trickle (once for one lap)
1992: Jimmy Hensley (once for six laps)
1995: Ricky Craven (once for two laps)
2001: Kurt Busch (once for 38 laps)
2001: Kevin Harvick (once for 20 laps)
2001: Casey Atwood (once for one lap)
2002: Ryan Newman (once for 33 laps)
2004: Kasey Kahne (once for 17 laps)(Raybestos PR)(10-21-2006)
Stremme rookie of the race at LMS: #40-David Stremme finished15th and took Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors for the first time this season. A rookie has finished in the top 15 in all 31 races this season. #11-Denny Hamlin UNOFFICIALLY scored a 28th-place finish tonight at Lowe ’s Motor Speedway and is sixth in the Nextel Cup Series championship standings, 137 points behind leader Jeff Burton. #07-Clint Bowyer led tonight’s race twice for three laps and was the only Raybestos Rookie to lead the race, finishing 23rd.(Raybestos PR)(10-15-2006)
News and Notes - Pre-Charlotte, Post-Talladega:
Martin Truex Jr. was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the October 8 UAW-Ford 500 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway. Truex Jr. finished fifth, his best finish in 39 Nextel Cup Series races and the best by a Raybestos Rookie on a restrictor plate track this season. Truex Jr. scored the fifth top-10 finish of his career at Talladega and took Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors for the second time in 2006.
· Denny Hamlin scored a 21st-place finish at Talladega. He is fifth in the Nextel Cup Series championship standings, 51 points behind leader Jeff Burton. Hamlin is 18 behind fourth-place Kevin Harvick and leads sixth-place Dale Earnhardt Jr. by 55. Hamlin led once for one lap.
· THE STREAK STAYS ALIVE: A Raybestos Rookie has finished in the top 15 in all 30 races this season.
· DID YOU KNOW? The most recent Raybestos Rookie to lead the Nextel Cup Series championship standings is Jimmie Johnson in 2002. Johnson led after the Kansas event (race No. 28).
· Hamlin leads Clint Bowyer by 45 points (265-220) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the October 14 Bank of America 500 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway (Concord, N.C.).
· DID YOU KNOW? Tony Stewart owns the best points finish by a Raybestos Rookie in the sport’s modern era, placing fourth in the championship standings in 1999. James Hylton holds the best points finish by a Raybestos Rookie in the sport’s history, a
second-place effort in 1966.
· DID YOU KNOW? The most recent race where multiple Raybestos
Rookies finished in the top-five occurred at Chicagoland Speedway on July 14,
2002. Jimmie Johnson finished fourth, just ahead of fifth-place Ryan Newman.
* Hamlin was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the May 28 Coca-Cola
600 at Charlotte (race No. 12), grabbing a ninth-place finish. He was also the
only Raybestos Rookie to lead a lap in the race (three times for 25 laps).
* Travis Kvapil was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2005 Bank
of America 500, posting a 17th-place finish.
* DID YOU KNOW? Kasey Kahne holds the record for most laps led by a
Raybestos Rookie in the Bank of America 500 at Charlotte (since 1975). Kahne
led the 2004 race four times for 207 of the 334 laps.
* DID YOU KNOW? A Raybestos Rookie has finished in the top-10 in four
of the past five fall races at Lowe’s Motor Speedway: 2000: Matt Kenseth,
ninth 2001: Kevin Harvick, eighth 2002: Jimmie Johnson,
sixth 2002: Ryan Newman, seventh 2003: Jamie McMurray,
seventh
* DID YOU KNOW? Since 1975, only TWO Raybestos Rookies have won pole
positions for the fall race at Charlotte: Jeff Gordon (1993) and Ward Burton
(1994).
* DID YOU KNOW? Since 1975, only TWO Raybestos Rookies have scored a
top-five finish in the fall race at Charlotte: Ron Bouchard (fifth in 1981) and
Jeff Gordon (fifth in 1993).
* DID YOU KNOW? Since 1975, the most Raybestos Rookies to finish
inside the top-10 in the Bank of America 500 at Charlotte is THREE in 1980:
Lake Speed (seventh), Jody Ridley (eighth) and Kyle Petty (ninth).
* DID YOU KNOW? The most Raybestos Rookies to lead a lap in the fall
race at Charlotte is TWO. In 1994, John Andretti led twice for 30 laps and
Ward Burton led once for one lap. In 1979, Dale Earnhardt led three times for
55 laps while Harry Gant held the top spot once covering seven laps.
* Raybestos Rookies that have led a lap in the fall race at Charlotte
(since 1975): 1979: Dale Earnhardt (three times for 55 laps) 1979: Harry Gant
(once for seven laps) 1982: Geoffrey Bodine (once for 5 laps) 1983: Trevor
Boys (once for two laps) 1986: Alan Kulwicki (twice for six laps) 1993: Jeff
Gordon (once for one lap) 1994: Ward Burton (once for 29 laps) 1994: John
Andretti (twice for 30 laps) 2000: Matt Kenseth ((once for one lap) 2002:
Jimmie Johnson (three times for 66 laps) 2003: Jamie McMurray (once for one
lap) 2004: Kasey Kahne (four times for 207 laps) 2005: Kyle Busch (once for
seven laps) 2005: Travis Kvapil (once for one lap)
* Top-five finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Bank of America 500 at
Lowe’s Motor Speedway (since 1975): 1981: Ron Bouchard, fifth 1993:
Jeff Gordon, fifth
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Bank of America 500 at
Lowe’s Motor Speedway (since 1975): 1977: Janet Guthrie, seventh 1979: Harry
Gant, seventh 1979: Dale Earnhardt, 10th 1980: Lake Speed, seventh 1980:
Jody Ridley, eighth 1980: Kyle Petty, ninth 1981: Ron Bouchard, fifth 1981:
Morgan Shepherd, eighth 1993: Jeff Gordon, fifth 1998: Kevin Lepage, sixth
2000: Matt Kenseth, ninth 2001: Kevin Harvick, eighth 2002: Jimmie Johnson,
sixth 2002: Ryan Newman, seventh 2003: Jamie McMurray, seventh.(Raybestos PR)(10-14-2006)
News and Notes - Pre-Talladega, Post-Kansas:
#07-Clint Bowyer was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the October 1 Banquet 400 at Kansas Speedway. Bowyer finished ninth, his ninth top-10 of the 2006 season and second consecutive. He took Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors for the seventh time in 2006. Bowyer led the Kansas race three times for 43 laps and was the only Raybestos Rookie to lead a lap in the race.
· Denny Hamlin finished 18th at Kansas and is second in the Nextel Cup Series championship standings, 69 behind leader Jeff Burton. Hamlin leads third-place Mark Martin by one point and fourth-place Matt Kenseth by 15.
· THE STREAK STAYS ALIVE: A Raybestos Rookie has finished in the top 15in all 29 races this season.
· DID YOU KNOW? The most recent Raybestos Rookie to lead the Nextel Cup Series championship standings is Jimmie Johnson in 2002. Johnson led after the Kansas event (race # 28).
· Hamlin leads Bowyer by 45 points (264-219) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the October 8 UAW-Ford 500 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway.
· DID YOU KNOW? Tony Stewart owns the best points finish by a Raybestos Rookie in the sport’s modern era, placing fourth in
the championship standings in 1999. James Hylton holds the best points finish by a Raybestos Rookie in the sport’s history, a second-place effort in 1966.
· DID YOU KNOW? FOUR Raybestos Rookies led a lap in the Pepsi 400
at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway (race # 17), the most to lead a race
this season: ---Truex Jr., once for three laps ---Stremme, twice for two laps
---Sorenson, once for one lap ---J.J. Yeley, once for one lap
· DID YOU KNOW? The most recent race where multiple Raybestos
Rookies finished in the top-five occurred at Chicagoland Speedway on July 14,
2002. Jimmie Johnson finished fourth, just ahead of fifth-place Ryan Newman.
* Yeley was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race at Talladega this past May
(race #9), scoring an 11th-place finish. He also led the race once for one
lap.
* Travis Kvapil was Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2005 UAW-Ford
500, grabbing a 16th-place finish. Kvapil also led the event once for one lap,
the only first-year driver to lead the race.
* DID YOU KNOW? The only Raybestos Rookie to win the fall race at
Talladega is Ron Bouchard. Bouchard won the 1981 Talladega 500 over Darrell
Waltrip and Terry Labonte in a photo finish.
* TWO Raybestos Rookies have won the pole for the UAW-Ford 500 twice
since 1975: Geoffrey Bodine (1982) and Jimmie Johnson (2003).
* TWO or more Raybestos Rookies have finished in the top-10 in the fall
race at Talladega THREE times since 1975: 1980: Lake Speed, eighth 1980: Kyle
Petty, ninth 1981: Ron Bouchard, first 1981: Stan Barrett, ninth 2000: Mike
Bliss, ninth 2000: Matt Kenseth, 10th
* DID YOU KNOW? The most Raybestos Rookies to lead a lap in the fall
race at Talladega is FOUR in 2000: Dale Earnhardt Jr. (five times for 28 laps),
Mike Bliss (once for four laps), Stacy Compton (once for two laps) and Matt
Kenseth (once for one lap).
* DID YOU KNOW? The late Davey Allison holds the record for most laps
led by a Raybestos Rookie in the fall race at Talladega. Allison led seven
times for 77 laps on his way to a second place finish in 1987.
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the UAW-Ford 500 at Talladega (since 1975):
1976: Skip Manning, ninth
1977: Ricky Rudd, fourth
1979: Harry Gant, seventh
1980: Lake Speed, eighth
1980: Kyle Petty, ninth
1981: Ron Bouchard, first
1981: Stan Barrett, ninth
1984: Tommy Ellis, ninth
1987: Davey Allison, second
1999: Tony Stewart, fifth
2000: Mike Bliss, ninth
2000: Matt Kenseth, 10th
2002: Ryan Newman, seventh
2004: Brendan Gaughan, fourth
* Since 1975, only FIVE Raybestos Rookies have scored a top-five finish in the fall race at Talladega:
1977: Ricky Rudd, fourth
1981: Ron Bouchard, first
1987: Davey Allison, second
1999: Tony Stewart, fifth
2004: Brendan Gaughan, fourth.(Raybestos PR)(10-5-2006)
News and Notes - Pre-Kansas, Post-Dover:
#1-Martin Truex Jr. was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the September 24 Dover 400 at Dover International Speedway. Truex Jr. scored a sixth-place finish and took Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors for the first time this season. The finish was the best for Truex Jr. in 37 Nextel Cup Series starts. He scored his first top-10 since the Pennsylvania 500 at Pocono Raceway (race No. 20) and has racked up three top-10 finishes this season.
· Clint Bowyer scored an eighth-place finish at Dover, his eighth top-10 this season. Bowyer has claimed two top-10 finishes in his last four races.
· Denny Hamlin finished ninth at Dover, his 15th top-10 of the season. Hamlin is fourth in the Nextel Cup Series championship standings, 18 points leader Jeff Burton and 12 behind second-place Jeff Gordon. He leads fifth-place Kevin Harvick by 36.
· Three Raybestos Rookies finished in the top-10 at Dover, equaling the most freshman drivers to finish in the top-10 in a race this season. Three freshman drivers finished in the top-10 USG Sheetrock 400 at Chicagoland Speedway (race No. 18).
· Reed Sorenson (once for 39 laps) and David Stremme (once for three laps) were the only Raybestos Rookies to lead a lap at Dover. Stremme was the only Raybestos Rookie to lead a lap in BOTH Dover races this season.
· THE STREAK STAYS ALIVE: A Raybestos Rookie has finished in the top 15 in all 28 races this season.
· DID YOU KNOW? The most recent Raybestos Rookie to lead the Nextel Cup Series championship standings is Jimmie Johnson in 2002. Johnson led after the Kansas event (race No. 28).
Hamlin leads Bowyer by 49 points (263-214) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the October 1 Banquet 400 at Kansas Speedway.
· DID YOU KNOW? Tony Stewart owns the best points finish by a Raybestos Rookie in the sport’s modern era, placing fourth in the championship standings in 1999. James Hylton holds the best points finish by a Raybestos Rookie in the sport’s history, a second-place effort in 1966.
· Hamlin is the only Raybestos Rookie to lead the most laps in a race this season, capturing the WIX Filters Lap Leader of the Race award in both events at Pocono Raceway.
· DID YOU KNOW? FOUR Raybestos Rookies led a lap in the Pepsi 400 at Daytona International Speedway (race No. 17), the most to lead a race this season: ---Truex Jr., once for three laps ---Stremme, twice for two laps ---Sorenson, once for one lap
---J.J. Yeley, once for one lap
· DID YOU KNOW? The most recent race where multiple Raybestos Rookies finished in the top-five occurred at Chicagoland Speedway on July 14, 2002. Jimmie Johnson finished fourth, just ahead of fifth-place Ryan Newman.
* Kyle Busch was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2005 Banquet 400 at Kansas, logging a 21st-place finish. Travis Kvapil was the only Raybestos Rookie to lead the race, holding the top spot once for one lap.
* DID YOU KNOW? The best finish by a Raybestos Rookie in five previous Nextel Cup races at Kansas is second by Ryan Newman in 2002. Newman is the only Raybestos Rookie to finish inside the top-five at Kansas Speedway. He finished second, .618 seconds behind race winner Jeff Gordon.
* DID YOU KNOW? Jason Leffler is the only Raybestos Rookie to win a pole in five races at Kansas Speedway. Leffler took the top starting spot in the inaugural Banquet 400 in 2001.
* DID YOU KNOW? At least one Raybestos Rookie has finished in the top 10 in four of the five previous races at Kansas, but only once have TWO or more freshman drivers finished inside the top-10: Newman and Jimmie Johnson (10th) in 2002.
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Banquet 400 at Kansas: 2001: Kurt Busch, ninth 2002: Newman, second 2002: Johnson, 10th 2003: Jamie McMurray, eighth 2004: Brendan Gaughan, 10th
* DID YOU KNOW? A Raybestos Rookie has led at least one lap in four of the five previous Nextel Cup races at Kansas: 2001: Leffler, once for eight laps 2002: Newman, twice for 81 laps 2004: Kasey Kahne, four times for 39 laps 2005: Kvapil, once for one lap. Raybestos ROOKIE HISTORY
The way to the NASCAR Nextel championship is to win Raybestos Rookie of the Year. Since 1979, SIX Raybestos Rookie of the Year drivers have gone on to win a NASCAR Nextel Cup title: Dale Earnhardt (1979), Rusty Wallace (1984), Alan Kulwicki (1986), Jeff Gordon (1993), Tony Stewart (1999, 2005) and Kenseth (2000).
At least one Raybestos Rookie has won a Bud Pole in each of the last 11 years (1996-2006). There has been a first-time Bud Pole winner in each of the last 20 years (1987-2006).
* Ryan Newman holds the all-time Raybestos Rookie record for most poles (6), most top-fives (14) and most top-10s (22).
* Kasey Kahne holds the record for most earnings by a Raybestos Rookie ($5.4 million in 2004).
* The record for most wins by a Raybestos Rookie is three, shared by Stewart (1999) and Jimmie Johnson (2002).
* A Raybestos Rookie has posted multiple victories SEVEN times in NASCAR Cup history: Davey Allison (two wins in 1987), Stewart (three wins in 1999), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (two wins in 2000), Kevin Harvick (two wins in 2001), Johnson (three wins in 2002), Kyle Busch (two wins in 2005), and Denny Hamlin [two wins so far in 2006)
* At least one Raybestos Rookie has won a Bud Pole in each of the last 11 years (1996-2006).
* Johnson also holds the best ever points finish by a Raybestos Rookie, placing fifth in the championship standings in 2002.
* More than one Raybestos Rookie has posted victories in their rookie season only three times: Morgan Shepherd and Ron Bouchard (one each in 1981), Earnhardt Jr. (two) and Kenseth (2000), Johnson (three) and Newman (2002).(Raybestos PR)(9-29-2006)
News and Notes - Pre-Dover, Post-New Hampshire:
#11-Denny Hamlin was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the September 17 Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire International Speedway. Hamlin finished fourth and moved into second-place in the Nextel Cup Series championship standings. He is just 35 points behind leader Kevin Harvick.
· Hamlin scored his fifth top-five and 14th top-10 finish this season and took Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors for the 14th time in 27 races this season. Hamlin posted his 10th straight top-15 finish and led the race once for four laps.
· DID YOU KNOW? The most recent Raybestos Rookie to lead the Nextel Cup Series championship standings is Jimmie Johnson in 2002. Johnson led after the Kansas event (race No. 28).
· THE STREAK STAYS ALIVE: A Raybestos Rookie has finished in the top 15 in all 27 races this season.
* J.J. Yeley scored an eighth-place finish at New Hampshire, equaling his best effort in 33 Nextel Cup Series races. Yeley also finished eighth on February 26 at California Speedway. He also led the race once for four laps.
· DID YOU KNOW? Tony Stewart owns the best points finish by a Raybestos Rookie in the sport’s modern era, placing fourth in the championship standings in 1999. James Hylton holds the best points finish by a Raybestos Rookie in the sport’s history, a second-place effort in 1966.
· Hamlin leads Clint Bowyer by 52 points (260-208) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the September 24 Dover 400 at Dover International Speedway.
· DID YOU KNOW? Hamlin is the first Raybestos Rookie since Jimmie Johnson in 2002 to post a multiple-win season in the Nextel Cup Series. A Raybestos Rookie has now posted multiple victories SEVEN times in NASCAR Nextel Cup Series history. The others: Davey Allison (two wins in 1987), Tony Stewart (three wins in 1999), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (two wins in 2000), Kevin Harvick (two wins in 2001), Jimmie Johnson (three wins in 2002), and Kyle Busch (two wins in 2005).
· DID YOU KNOW? The most Raybestos Rookies to finish in the top-10 this season is THREE in the July 9 USG Sheetrock 400 at Chicagoland (Joliet, Ill.) Speedway: Reed Sorenson (seventh), Bowyer (ninth) and J.J. Yeley (10th).
· Hamlin is the only Raybestos Rookie to lead the most laps in a race this season, capturing the WIX Filters Lap Leader of the Race award in both events at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway.
· DID YOU KNOW? FOUR Raybestos Rookies led a lap in the July 1 Pepsi 400 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway (race No. 17), the most to lead a race this season: ---Martin Truex Jr., once for three laps ---David Stremme, twice for two laps ---Sorenson,
once for one lap ---Yeley, once for one lap
· DID YOU KNOW? The most recent race where multiple Raybestos Rookies finished in the top-five happened at Chicagoland Speedway on July 14, 2002: Jimmie Johnson (fourth) and Ryan Newman (fifth).
* Hamlin was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the June 4 Neighborhood Excellence 400 at Dover, claiming an 11th-place finish.
* David Stremme led the June race once for one lap, the first lap he led in his Nextel Cup Series career. Stremme was the only first-year driver to lead a lap in the race.
* Kyle Busch finished second in the 2005 MBNA RacePoints 400 at Dover, claiming a second-place finish .080 seconds (less the one-car length) behind race winner Jimmie Johnson.
* DID YOU KNOW? Jimmie Johnson is the only Raybestos Rookie to win both Nextel Cup races at Dover. Johnson swept both events in 2002, and led the most laps in each race. Johnson is the only first-year driver to lead the most laps in the fall race at Dover (four times for 170 laps) and is the most recent freshman driver to lead a lap at the one-mile Delaware speedway.
* DID YOU KNOW? The best qualifying effort by a Raybestos Rookie for the fall race at Dover is third by Tony Stewart (1999), Brian Vickers (2004) and Busch (2005).
* DID YOU KNOW? The most recent Raybestos Rookie to lead a lap in the fall race at Dover is Jimmie Johnson in 2002 (four times for 170 laps). He is also the most recent Raybestos Rookie to score a top-five finish in the fall event.
* Raybestos Rookies that have led a lap in the fall race at Dover (since 1975): 1979: Dale Earnhardt (twice for 46 laps) 1982: Geoffrey Bodine (twice for 4 laps) 1984: Rusty Wallace (once for two laps) 1988: Ken Bouchard (three times for four laps) 1989: Dick Trickle (once for 15 laps) 1993: Jeff Gordon (three times for 80 laps) 1994: John Andretti (once for one lap) 1994: Jeff Burton (once for eight laps) 1994: Steve Grissom (once for one lap) 1995: Robert Pressley (once for 11 laps) 1999: Tony Stewart (six times for 97 laps) 2000: Dave Blaney (once for four laps in 2000) 2002: Johnson (four times for 170 laps)
* DID YOU KNOW? The most Raybestos Rookies to lead the fall race at Dover is FOUR in 1994: Steve Grissom, Jeff Burton, Joe Nemechek, and John Andretti.
* Top-five finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the fall race at Dover (since 1975): 1975: Bruce Hill, fifth 1979: Joe Millikan, fifth 1981: Ron Bouchard, fourth 1982: Geoffrey Bodine, fourth 1999: Tony Stewart, second 2002: Jimmie Johnson, first 2005: Kyle Busch, second
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies in MBNA America 400 at Dover (since 1975): 1975: Bruce Hill, fifth 1977: Sam Sommers, 10th 1979: Joe Millikan, fifth 1979: Dale Earnhardt, ninth 1980: Jody Ridley, ninth 1981:Ron Bouchard, fourth 1981: Tim Richmond, ninth 1982: Geoffrey Bodine, fourth 1986: Alan Kulwicki, seventh 1989: Jimmy Spencer, 10th 1991: Bobby Hamilton,
eighth 1993: Bobby Labonte, seventh 1994: Steve Grissom, eighth 1999: Tony Stewart, second 2001: Kevin Harvick, sixth 2001: Casey Atwood, ninth 2002: Jimmie Johnson, first 2002: Ryan Newman, eighth 2003: Jamie McMurray, sixth 2003: Greg Biffle, seventh 2005: Kyle Busch, second.(Raybestos PR)(9-20-2006)
News and Notes - Pre-New Hampshire, Post-Richmond:
#11-Denny Hamlin finished 15th in the September 9 Chevy Rock & Roll 400 at Richmond International Raceway to clinch a spot in the Chase for the Nextel Cup. Hamlin is the first Raybestos Rookie to qualify for the Chase. He is fifth in the Nextel Cup Series championship standings, 20 points behind leader Matt Kenseth. Hamlin led the Richmond race once for 19 laps, the only Raybestos Rookie to lead a lap in the event.
· Clint Bowyer was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race at Richmond, scoring a 12th-place finish. He took top rookie honors for the sixth time this season.
THE STREAK STAYS ALIVE: A Raybestos Rookie has finished in the top 15 in all 26 races this season.
· Jimmie Johnson owns the best points finish by a Raybestos Rookie, placing fifth in the championship standings in 2002.
· Hamlin leads Bowyer by 44 points (251-207) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the September 17 Sylvania 300 at New
Hampshire International Speedway.
· Did You Know? Hamlin is the first Raybestos Rookie since Jimmie Johnson in 2002 to post a multiple-win season in the Nextel Cup Series. A Raybestos Rookie has now posted multiple victories SEVEN times in NASCAR Nextel Cup Series history. The others: Davey Allison (two wins in 1987), Tony Stewart (three wins in 1999), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (two wins in 2000), Kevin Harvick (two wins in 2001), Jimmie Johnson (three wins in 2002), and Kyle Busch (two wins in 2005).
· Did You Know? The most Raybestos Rookies to finish in the top-10 this season is THREE in the July 9 USG Sheetrock 400 at Chicagoland Speedway: Reed Sorenson (seventh), Bowyer (ninth) and J.J. Yeley (10th).
· Did You Know? FOUR Raybestos Rookies led a lap in the July 1 Pepsi 400 at Daytona International Speedway (race No. 17), the most to lead a race this season: ---Martin Truex Jr., once for three laps ---David Stremme, twice for two laps ---Sorenson,
once for one lap ---Yeley, once for one lap
* Hamlin was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the July 16 Lenox Industrial Tools 300 at New Hampshire, scoring a sixth-place finish. He led the race once for one lap.
* Sorenson led the July race once for 31 laps, the most laps led by a Raybestos Rookie in the event. A late pit stop for fuel dropped Sorenson to 28th in the final rundown, the last car to complete all 308 laps.
* Did You Know? Ryan Newman is the only Raybestos Rookie to win the September race at New Hampshire. Newman held off Kurt Busch to win the race in 2002. The event was shortened to 207 of the scheduled 300 laps because of rain. Newman is also the only freshman driver to win the pole for the fall race and the only Raybestos Rookie to win from the pole. He is also the only first-year driver to lead the most laps in the fall event, leading three times for 143 laps.
* Did You Know? A Raybestos Rookie has scored a top-10 finish in three of the last four fall races at New Hampshire.
* Did You Know? Kasey Kahne is the most recent Raybestos Rookie to lead a lap in the fall race at New Hampshire. Kahne led twice for 31 laps in the 2004 event.
* Raybestos Rookies that have led a lap in the fall race at New Hampshire:
1999: Tony Stewart (twice for 40 laps)
2001: Kevin Harvick (once for one lap)
2002: Newman (three times for 143 laps)
2004: Kahne (twice for 31 laps)
* Top-five finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Sylvania 300:
1999: Stewart, second
2002: Newman, first
2004: Kahne, fourth
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Sylvania 300
1999: Stewart, second
2002: Newman, first
2003: Jamie McMurray, 10th
2004: Kahne, fourth.(Raybestos PR)(9-13-2006)
News and Notes - Pre-Richmond, Post-California:
· Clint Bowyer was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the September 3 Sony HD 500 at California Speedway. Bowyer placed third, his best finish in 26 career Nextel Cup Series starts and took Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors for the fifth time this season. He racked up his third top-five and seventh top-10 finish of the season.
· Denny Hamlin finished sixth,his seventh consecutive top-10 finish and 13th of the 2006 season. In 31 career Nextel Cup Series starts, Hamlin has logged 16 top-10 finishes.
· Hamlin leads Bowyer by 47 points (250-203) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the September 9 Chevy Rock & Roll 400 at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway.
· Hamlin is seventh in the Nextel Cup Series championship standings. He trails sixth-place Dale Earnhardt Jr. by one point and is 31 ahead of eighth-place Tony Stewart.
· Did You Know? Hamlin will clinch a spot in the 2006 Chase for the Nextel Cup by finishing 16th or better at Richmond, regardless of where 11th-place Kasey Kahne finishes (lap leader points are not included).
THE STREAK STAYS ALIVE: A Raybestos Rookie has finished in the top 15 in all 25 races this season.
· Did You Know? Hamlin is the first Raybestos Rookie since Jimmie Johnson in 2002 to post a multiple-win season in the Nextel Cup Series. A Raybestos Rookie has now posted multiple victories SEVEN times in NASCAR Nextel Cup Series history. The others: Davey Allison (two wins in 1987), Tony Stewart (three wins in 1999), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (two wins in 2000), Kevin
Harvick (two wins in 2001), Jimmie Johnson (three wins in 2002), and Kyle Busch (two wins in 2005).
· Did You Know? The most Raybestos Rookies to finish in the top-10 this season is THREE in the July 9 USG Sheetrock 400 at Chicagoland (Joliet, Ill.) Speedway: Reed Sorenson (seventh), Bowyer (ninth) and J.J. Yeley (10th).
· Hamlin is the only Raybestos Rookie to lead the most laps in a race this season, capturing the WIX Filters Lap Leader of the Race award in both events at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway.
· Did You Know? FOUR Raybestos Rookies led a lap in the July 1 Pepsi 400 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway (race No. 17), the most to lead a race this season: ---Martin Truex Jr., once for three laps ---David Stremme, twice for two laps ---Sorenson, once for one lap ---Yeley, once for one lap
· Hamlin was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in May’s Crown Royal 400 at Richmond. He finished second,.572-seconds behind race winner Dale Earnhardt Jr.
* Kyle Busch was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2005 Chevy Rock & Roll 400, grabbing a fourth-place finish.
* Did You Know? A Raybestos Rookie has finished in the top-five in each of the past two Nextel Cup Series races at Richmond.
* Did You Know? Since 1975, THREE Raybestos Rookies have won the pole for the September race at Richmond: Dale Earnhardt (1979), Bobby Labonte (1993), and Jimmie Johnson (2002). Johnson nabbed the top starting spot for the 2002 event over fellow Raybestos Rookie Ryan Newman.
* Did You Know? The first time in Nextel Cup’s modern-era that two Raybestos Rookies claimed front row starting positions occurred at the 2002 Chevy Rock & Roll 400. Jimmie Johnson won the pole while Ryan Newman claimed the second-place starting position. An all-rookie front row has occurred just one other time, at the 2004 Pocono 500 (Kasey Kahne first and Brian Vickers
second).
* Did You Know? Since 1975, two or more Raybestos Rookies have not finished in the top five in the September race at Richmond.
* Did You Know? The most Raybestos Rookies to finish in the top-10 is THREE in 1979: Earnhardt (fourth), Harry Gant (ninth) and Joe Millikan (10th).
* Did You Know? Since 1975, only TWO Raybestos Rookies have led the most laps in a fall race at Richmond: Tony Stewart (1999) and Ryan Newman (2002). Stewart led five times for 333 of the 400 laps, the most led by a first-year driver since 1975. Newman led twice for 145 laps.
* Did You Know? The only Raybestos Rookie to win the September race at Richmond is Tony Stewart, who captured the 1999 Chevy Rock and Roll 400. Stewart scored his first Nextel Cup Series win by 1.115 seconds over Bobby Labonte.
* Raybestos Rookies that have led a lap in the Chevy Rock and Roll 400 (since 1975): 1979: Earnhardt (twice for 19 laps) 1993: Bobby Labonte (twice for 12 laps) 1996: Johnny Benson (once for 13 laps) 1998: Kenny Irwin (once for one lap) 1999: Stewart (five times for 333 laps) 2001: Kevin Harvick (once for 12 laps) 2002: Newman (twice for 145 laps) 2003: Biffle (once for two laps) 2005: Busch (three times for 10 laps) 2005: Travis Kvapil (once for one lap)
* Top-five finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Chevy Rock and Roll 400 (since 1975): 1977: Sam Sommers, fifth 1979: Dale Earnhardt, fourth 1980: Jody Ridley, fifth 1999: Tony Stewart, first 2001: Kevin Harvick, second 2002: Ryan Newman, second 2005: Kyle Busch, fourth
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Chevy Rock and Roll 400 (since 1975): 1975: Bruce Hill, eighth 1976: Terry Bivins, ninth 1977: Sam Sommers, fifth 1979: Dale Earnhardt, fourth 1979: Harry Gant, ninth 1979: Joe Millikan, 10th 1980: Jody Ridley, fifth 1983: Trevor Boys, ninth 1989: Dick Trickle, eighth 1989: Hut Stricklin, ninth 1993: Jeff Gordon, 10th 1994: Steve Grissom, seventh 1996: Johnny Benson, 10th 1998: Kenny Irwin, 10th 1999: Tony Stewart, first 2001: Kevin Harvick, second 2002: Ryan Newman, second 2005: Kyle Busch, fourth(Raybestos PR)(9-6-2006)
News and Notes - Pre-California, Post-Bristol:
· Denny Hamlin was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the August 26 Sharpie 500 at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway. Hamlin took the honor for the 13th time this season and was the only first-year driver to finish inside the top-10.
· Hamlin scored his SIXTH consecutive top-10 finish and 12th of the 2006 season. In 31 career NEXTEL Cup Series starts, Hamlin has logged 15 top-10 finishes. He leads Clint Bowyer by 53 points (244-191) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the September 3 Sony HD 500 at California Speedway.
· Hamlin is sixth in the NEXTEL Cup Series championship standings. He trails fifth-place Jeff Gordon by 21 points and leads
seventh-place Jeff Burton by six.
· THE STREAK STAYS ALIVE: A Raybestos Rookie has finished in the top 15 in all 24 races this season.
· DID YOU KNOW? Hamlin is the first Raybestos Rookie since Jimmie Johnson in 2002 to post a multiple-win season in the NEXTEL Cup Series. A Raybestos Rookie has now posted multiple victories SEVEN times in NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series history. The others: Davey Allison (two wins in 1987), Tony Stewart (three wins in 1999), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (two wins in 2000), Kevin Harvick (two wins in 2001), Jimmie Johnson (three wins in 2002), and Kyle Busch (two wins in 2005).
· DID YOU KNOW? The most Raybestos Rookies to finish in the top-10 this season is THREE in the July 9 USG Sheetrock 400 at Chicagoland (Joliet, Ill.) Speedway: Reed Sorenson (seventh), Bowyer (ninth) and J.J. Yeley (10th).
· Hamlin is the only Raybestos Rookie to lead the most laps in a race this season, capturing the WIX Filters Lap Leader of the Race award in both events at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway.
· Hamlin has led 24 times in eight races for a total of 337 laps, 726.608 miles, best among the Raybestos Rookie class.
· DID YOU KNOW? FOUR Raybestos Rookies led a lap in the July 1 Pepsi 400 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway (race No. 17), the most to lead a race this season: ---Martin Truex Jr., once for three laps ---David Stremme, twice for two laps ---Sorenson, once for one lap ---Yeley, once for one lap
· J.J. Yeley was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in February’s Auto Club 500 at California Speedway, claiming an eighth-place
finish.
* Kyle Busch became the first Raybestos Rookie to win at California Speedway when he captured the 2005 Sony HD 500. Busch scored his first NEXTEL Cup victory by .554 seconds over Greg Biffle and is the only Raybestos Rookie to win in 12 NEXTEL Cup Series races at the 2.0-mile speedway.
* DID YOU KNOW? A Raybestos Rookie has won the pole position in THREE OF THE LAST FIVE races at California Speedway:
2004: Kasey Kahne, Auto Club 500
2004: Brian Vickers, Pop Secret 500
2005: Kyle Busch, Auto Club 500
· DID YOU KNOW? A Raybestos Rookie has led the most laps in a NEXTEL Cup Series race at California Speedway just twice: Kyle Busch (95 laps in 2005 fall race) and Matt Kenseth (120 laps in 2000 spring race).
* Top-five finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Sony HD 500:
2004: Kahne, second
2005: Busch, FIRST
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Sony HD 500:
2004: Kahne, second
2004: Scott Riggs, seventh
2005: Busch, FIRST
* Raybestos Rookies that have led a lap in the Sony HD 500:
2004: Vickers (four times for 44 laps)
2004: Kahne (four times for 39 laps)
2005: Busch (five times for 95 laps) (Raybestos PR)(9-1-2006)
News and Notes - Pre-Bristol, Post-Michigan:
Reed Sorenson was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the August 20 GFS Marketplace 400 at Michigan International Speedway. Sorenson finished eighth and took top rookie honors for the fifth time this season. He scored his fifth top-10 finish of the season at Michigan and first since he placed seventh at Chicagoland (race No. 18).
· Denny Hamlin placed ninth at Michigan, his 11th top-10 finish of the 2006 season. Hamlin leads Clint Bowyer by 47 points (237-190) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the August 26 Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway.
· Hamlin is eighth in the Nextel Cup Series championship standings, two points behind seventh-place Kyle Busch. He is four points ahead of ninth-place Jeff Burton and 39 in front of 10th-place Dale Earnhardt Jr.
· THE STREAK STAYS ALIVE: A Raybestos Rookie has finished in the top 15 in all 23 races this season.
· DID YOU KNOW? Hamlin is the first Raybestos Rookie since Jimmie Johnson in 2002 to post a multiple-win season in the Nextel Cup Series. A Raybestos Rookie has now posted multiple victories SEVEN times in Nextel Cup Series history. The others: Davey Allison (two wins in 1987), Tony Stewart (three wins in 1999), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (two wins in 2000), Kevin
Harvick (two wins in 2001), Jimmie Johnson (three wins in 2002), and Kyle Busch (two wins in 2005).
· DID YOU KNOW? The most Raybestos Rookies to finish in the top-10 this season is THREE in the July 9 USG Sheetrock 400 at Chicagoland (Joliet, Ill.) Speedway: Reed Sorenson (seventh), Bowyer (ninth) and J.J. Yeley (10th).
· Hamlin is the only Raybestos Rookie to lead the most laps in a race this season, capturing the WIX Filters Lap Leader of the Race award in both events at Pocono Raceway.
· Hamlin has led 24 times in eight races for a total of 337 laps, 726.608 miles, best among the Raybestos Rookie class.
· DID YOU KNOW? FOUR Raybestos Rookies led a lap in the July 1 Pepsi 400 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway (race No. 17), the most to lead a race this season: ---Martin Truex Jr., once for three laps ---David Stremme, twice for two laps ---Sorenson, once for one lap ---Yeley, once for one lap
* Hamlin was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the March 26 Food City 500 at Bristol, grabbing a 14th-place finish.
* Travis Kvapil was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2005 Sharpie 500 at Bristol, logging a 19th-place finish.
* DID YOU KNOW? The best finish by a Raybestos Rookie in the Sharpie 500 at Bristol is second by Kevin Harvick in 2001.
* DID YOU KNOW? Since 1975, only one Raybestos Rookie has won the pole position for the August race at Bristol: Tony Stewart. Stewart grabbed the top starting spot for the 1999 Sharpie 500.
* Stewart is also the only Raybestos Rookie to lead the most laps in the August race at Bristol. Stewart led once for 225 laps in the 1999 race on his way to a fifth-place finish. Since 1975, no Raybestos Rookie has led more laps than Stewart in the night race at Bristol.
* DID YOU KNOW? Stewart is the most recent Raybestos Rookie to lead a lap in the Sharpie 500. No first-year driver has led a lap in any of the past six night races at Bristol.
* Top-five finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Sharpie 500 at Bristol (since 1975):
1981: Ron Bouchard, fifth
2001: Kevin Harvick, second
2003: Jamie McMurray, third
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Sharpie 500 at Bristol (since 1975):
1975: Bruce Hill, 10th
1977: Janet Guthrie, sixth
1978: Roger Hamby, 10th
1979: Joe Millikan, sixth
1979: Terry Labonte, eighth
1981: Ron Bouchard, fifth
1981: Tim Richmond, eighth
1982: Geoffrey Bodine, 10th
1984: Greg Sacks, ninth
1986: Alan Kulwicki, 10th
1989: Jimmy Spencer, eighth
1992: Jimmy Hensley, seventh
1993: Kenny Wallace, ninth
1998: Kevin Lepage, 10th
1999: Tony Stewart, fifth
2001: Kevin Harvick, second
* Raybestos Rookies that have led a lap in the Sharpie 500 at Bristol (since 1975): 1979: Harry Gant (once for 16 laps) 1981: Morgan Shepherd (once for 104 laps) 1986: Alan Kulwicki (twice for two laps) 1994: Joe Nemechek (once for 14 laps) 1995: Ricky Craven (once for one lap) 1999: Tony Stewart (once for 225 laps)(Raybestos PR)(8-23-2006)
News and Notes - Pre-Michigan, Post-Watkins Glen:
Denny Hamlin was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the August 13 AMD at the Glen at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International. Hamlin finished 10th and took top rookie honors for the 12th time this season. He collected his 10th top-10 of the 2006 season and scored the best finish by a first-year driver on a road course this season.
· Hamlin maintains a comfortable lead in the Raybestos Rookie standings. He holds a 44-point edge (233-189) over Clint Bowyer entering the August 20 GFS Marketplace 400 at Michigan International Speedway.
· WIX Filters is an associate sponsor for Joe Gibbs Racing. WIX Filters and Raybestos brand brakes are members of the Affinia family of brands.
· Hamlin is eighth in the Nextel Cup Series championship standings. He is 12 points behind seventh-place Tony Stewart and 26 ahead of ninth-place Jeff Gordon.
· THE STREAK STAYS ALIVE: A Raybestos Rookie has finished in the top 15 in all 22 races this season.
· Reed Sorenson was the only Raybestos Rookie to lead a lap at Watkins Glen, holding the top spot once for two laps. Sorenson is the first Raybestos Rookie to lead a lap on a road course since Brendan Gaughan at Watkins Glen in 2004.
· DID YOU KNOW? Hamlin is the first Raybestos Rookie since Jimmie Johnson in 2002 to post a multiple-win season in the Nextel Cup Series. A Raybestos Rookie has now posted multiple victories SEVEN times in NASCAR Nextel Cup Series history. The others: Davey Allison (two wins in 1987), Tony Stewart (three wins in 1999), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (two wins in 2000), Kevin Harvick (two wins in 2001), Jimmie Johnson (three wins in 2002), and Kyle Busch (two wins in 2005).
· DID YOU KNOW? The most Raybestos Rookies to finish in the top-10 this season is THREE in the July 9 USG Sheetrock 400 at Chicagoland (Joliet, Ill.) Speedway: Reed Sorenson (seventh), Bowyer (ninth) and J.J. Yeley (10th).
· Hamlin is the only Raybestos Rookie to lead the most laps in a race this season, capturing the WIX Filters Lap Leader of the Race award in both events at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway.
· Hamlin has led 24 times in eight races for a total of 337 laps, 726.608 miles, best among the Raybestos Rookie class.
· DID YOU KNOW? FOUR Raybestos Rookies led a lap in the July 1 Pepsi 400 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway (race No. 17), the most to lead a race this season: ---Martin Truex Jr., once for three laps ---David Stremme, twice for two laps ---Sorenson, once for one lap ---Yeley, once for one lap
* Sorenson was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 3M Performance 400 this past June at Michigan. Sorenson placed fifth in the rain-shortened event after leading the race once for three laps. He was the only Raybestos Rookie to finish inside the top-10 and the only first-year driver to lead a lap in the event.
* Travis Kvapil was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2005 GFS Marketplace 400. He was credited with a 38-place finish.
* DID YOU KNOW? The best finish by a Raybestos Rookie in the August race at Michigan (since 1975) is a third place effort by Tony Stewart in 1999.
* DID YOU KNOW? Only one Raybestos Rookie has won the pole position for the August race at Michigan since 1975: Davey Allison, who captured the top starting spot for the 1987 race.
* The most Raybestos Rookies to lead an August race at Michigan (since 1975) is FOUR in 2004.
* DID YOU KNOW? A Raybestos Rookie has led at least one lap in each of the past SEVEN CONSECUTIVE August races at Michigan:
1999: Tony Stewart (led twice for 4 laps)
2000: Dale Earnhardt Jr. (led once for 13 laps)
2001: Ron Hornaday (led once for three laps)
2002: Ryan Newman (led once for one lap)
2003: Greg Biffle (led once for 19 laps)
2004: Kasey Kahne (twice for six laps)
2004: Scott Riggs (twice for 12 laps)
2004: Scott Wimmer (once for three laps)
2004: Brendan Gaughan (once for two laps)
2005: Kyle Busch (once for 28 laps)
* DID YOU KNOW? A Raybestos Rookie has finished in the top-10 in six of the past seven August races at Michigan: 1999: Tony Stewart, third 2000: Matt Kenseth, eighth 2001: Casey Atwood, 10th 2002: Jimmie Johnson, seventh 2003: Greg Biffle, fourth 2004: Kasey Kahne, fifth
* DID YOU KNOW? The most Raybestos Rookies to finish in the top-10 in the same August race at Michigan is FOUR, which occurred in 1977: ---Sam Sommers, fourth ---Ricky Rudd, seventh ---Terry Ryan, ninth ---Janet Guthrie, 10th
* Top-five finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the August race at Michigan:
1977: Sam Sommers, fourth
1982: Geoffrey Bodine, fourth
1987: Davey Allison, fifth
1989: Hut Stricklin, fourth
1993: Jeff Gordon, third
1999: Tony Stewart, third
2003: Greg Biffle, fourth
2004: Kasey Kahne, fifth
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the August race at Michigan: 1975: Bruce Hill, eighth 1977: Sam Sommers, fourth, 1977: Ricky Rudd, seventh 1977: Terry Ryan, ninth 1977: Janet Guthrie, 10th 1979: Joe Millikan, sixth 1981: Mike Alexander, 10th 1982: Geoffrey Bodine, fourth 1987: Davey Allison, fifth 1989: Hut Stricklin, fourth 1993: Jeff Gordon, third 1993: Bobby Labonte, eighth 1995: Ricky Craven, seventh 1996: Johnny Benson, seventh 1999: Tony Stewart, third 2000: Matt Kenseth, eighth 2001: Casey Atwood, 10th 2002: Jimmie Johnson, seventh 2003: Greg Biffle, fourth 2004:Kasey Kahne, fifth(Raybestos PR)(8-16-2006)
News and Notes - Pre-Watkins Glen, Post-Indy:
#07-Clint Bowyer was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the
August 6 Allstate 400 at the Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Bowyer
posted a fourth-place finish in the race, his best effort in 22 career NEXTEL
Cup Series starts. His previous best was fifth earlier this season at Phoenix
(race No. 8). This is Bowyer’s second top five and sixth top-10 finish of
his career. Bowyer took Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors for the fourth
time this season. · Denny Hamlin finished 10th at Indianapolis, his
ninth top 10 of the season and third consecutive. Hamlin holds a 41-point edge
over Bowyer in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the August 13 AMD at
The Glen at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International. · Hamlin is seventh in
the NEXTEL Cup Series championship standings, best of any Raybestos Rookie.
He is 64 points behind sixth-place Mark Martin and 21 ahead of eighth-place
Jeff Gordon. · Did You Know? At least one Raybestos Rookie has posted
a top-10 finish in each of the last five races.
· THE STREAK STAYS ALIVE: A Raybestos Rookie has finished in the
top 15 in all 21 races this season. · Did You Know? Hamlin is the first
Raybestos Rookie since Jimmie Johnson in 2002 to post a multiple-win season
in the NEXTEL Cup Series. A Raybestos Rookie has now posted multiple
victories SEVEN times in NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series history. The others: Davey
Allison (two wins in 1987), Tony Stewart (three wins in 1999), Dale Earnhardt
Jr. (two wins in 2000), Kevin Harvick (two wins in 2001), Jimmie Johnson (three
wins in 2002), and Kyle Busch (two wins in 2005).
· Did You Know? The most Raybestos Rookies to finish in the top-10
this season is THREE in the July 9 USG Sheetrock 400 at Chicagoland (Joliet,
Ill.) Speedway: Reed Sorenson (seventh), Bowyer (ninth) and J.J. Yeley (10th).
· Hamlin is the only Raybestos Rookie to lead the most laps in a
race this season, capturing the WIX Filters Lap Leader of the Race award in
both events at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway. · WIX Filters is an associate
sponsor for Joe Gibbs Racing. WIX Filters and Raybestos brand brakes are
members of the Affinia family of brands. · Hamlin has led 24 times in
eight races for a total of 337 laps, 726.608 miles, best among the Raybestos
Rookie class. · DID YOU KNOW? FOUR Raybestos Rookies led a lap in
the July 1 Pepsi 400 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway (race No. 17),
the most to lead a race this season: ---Martin Truex Jr., once for three laps
---David Stremme, twice for two laps ---Sorenson, once for one lap ---Yeley,
once for one lap.
* Kyle Busch was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2005 race at
Watkins Glen, posting a 33rd-place finish.
* Did You Know? The best finish by a Raybestos Rookie at Watkins Glen
is second by Ryan Newman in 2002. Only one other Raybestos Rookie has scored
a top-five finish at Watkins Glen: Robby Gordon, who placed fourth in 1997.
* Did You Know? The best qualifying effort by a Raybestos Rookie at
Watkins Glen is second by Greg Biffle in 2003.
* Did You Know? A Raybestos Rookie has led a lap in three of the past
four races at Watkins Glen: 2002: Newman (twice for 11 laps) 2003: Biffle (once
for 23 laps) 2003: Jamie McMurray (once for one lap) 2004: Brendan Gaughan (once
for seven laps)
* Biffle holds the record for most laps led by a Raybestos Rookie at
Watkins Glen, holding the top spot once for 23 laps in 2003.
* Did You Know? The most Raybestos Rookies to finish inside the top 10
at Watkins Glen is THREE. In 1993, Bobby Labonte placed seventh, followed by
P.J. Jones (eighth) and Kenny Wallace (ninth).
* TWO or more Raybestos Rookies have led the same race at The Glen only
twice: In 1991, Ted Musgrave led once for one lap while Dorsey Schroeder led
once for three laps. In 2003, Biffle (once for 23 laps) and McMurray each led
a lap.
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies at Watkins Glen:
1993: Bobby Labonte, seventh
1993: P.J. Jones, eighth
1993: Kenny Wallace, seventh
1994: Joe Nemechek, eighth
1995: Ricky Craven, 10th
1997: Robby Gordon, fourth
1999: Tony Stewart, sixth
2000: Matt Kenseth, 10th
2001: Kevin Harvick, seventh
2002: Ryan Newman, second.(Raybestos PR)(8-11-2006)
News and Notes - Pre-Indy, Post-Pocono:
Denny Hamlin was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the July 23 Pennsylvania 500 at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway. Hamlin scored his second win of the 2006 season in the race, crossing the finish line 1.510 seconds ahead of second-place Kurt Busch. He grabbed top rookie honors for the 11th time in 20 races.
· Hamlin led five times for 151 laps at Pocono to win the WIX Filters Lap Leader of the Race award, the second time he has captured the honor. He is the only Raybestos Rookie to lead the most laps in a race this
season.
· Hamlin enjoys a 48-point lead (223-175) over Clint Bowyer in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the August 6 Allstate 400 at the Brickyard at Indianapolis (Ind.) Motor Speedway.
· Hamlin is eighth in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series championship standings, one point behind seventh-place Kasey Kahne. He leads ninth-place Jeff Gordon by two points and tenth-place Tony Stewart by 37.
· WIX Filters is an associate sponsor for Joe Gibbs Racing. WIX Filters and Raybestos brand brakes are members of
the Affinia family of brands.
· THE STREAK STAYS ALIVE: A Raybestos Rookie has finished in the top-15 in all 20 races this season.
· DID YOU KNOW? FOUR Raybestos Rookies led a lap in the July 1 Pepsi 400 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway (race number 17), the most to lead a race this season: Martin Truex Jr., once for three laps David Stremme, twice for two laps Reed Sorenson, once for one lap J.J. Yeley, once for one lap.
· Did You Know? The most Raybestos Rookies to finish in the top-10 this season is THREE in the July 9 USG Sheetrock 400 at Chicagoland (Joliet, Ill.) Speedway: Sorenson (seventh), Bowyer (ninth) and Yeley (10th).
* Kyle Busch was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2005 Allstate 400 at the Brickyard, posting a 10th-place finish.
* Truex Jr. is the only member of the 2006 Raybestos Rookie class to compete at Indianapolis. Truex Jr. started 17th and finished 42nd in the 2005 race, departing the event early due to an accident.
* Did You Know? A Raybestos Rookie has finished in the top-10 in each of the past SEVEN consecutive races at Indianapolis.
* Jamie McMurray’s third-place finish in 2003 is the best by a Raybestos Rookie in 12 previous Brickyard 400 races. McMurray is also the most recent first-year driver to lead a lap in the race.
* The best starting position by a Raybestos Rookie at Indianapolis is third by Casey Atwood in 2001.
* Did You Know? Only once in 12 previous races at Indianapolis have TWO or more Raybestos Rookie qualified inside the top-10. In 1997, Mike Skinner started sixth while David Green claimed the ninth-place starting position.
* Johnny Benson holds the record for most laps led by a Raybestos Rookie at Indianapolis and is also the only Raybestos Rookie to lead the most laps in the race. Benson led three times for 70 laps to earn WIX Filters Lap Leader of the Race honors in the 1996 event.
* Raybestos Rookies that have led a lap in the Brickyard 400 at Indy: 1996: Benson (three times for 70 laps) 1997: Skinner, (once for eight laps) 2000: Stacy Compton (once for one lap) 2001: Kurt Busch (once for one lap) 2001: Kevin Harvick (once for 18 laps) 2003: McMurray (twice for 22 laps)
* Top-five finishes by Raybestos Rookies at Indy:
2001: Kurt Busch, fifth
2002: Ryan Newman, fourth
2003: McMurray, third
2004: Kasey Kahne, fourth
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies at Indy:
1996: Benson, eighth
1997: Skinner, ninth
1999: Tony Stewart, seventh
2000: Scott Pruett, 10th
2001: Kurt Busch, fifth
2002: Newman, fourth
2002: Jimmie Johnson, ninth
2003: McMurray, third
2004: Kahne, fourth
2005: Kyle Busch, 10th.(Raybestos PR)(8-3-2006)
News and Notes - Pre-Pocono, Post-Loudon:
Denny Hamlin was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the July 16 Lenox Industrial Tools 300 at New Hampshire International Speedway. Hamlin finished sixth, scoring his seventh top-10 of the season and took Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors for the 10th time in 19 races. Hamlin led the New Hampshire race once for one lap, the seventh race he has led in 2006.
Hamlin enjoys a 34-point lead over Clint Bowyer in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the July 23 Pennsylvania 500 at Pocono
(Long Pond, Pa.) Raceway.
Hamlin scored his first NEXTEL Cup Series win in the June 11 Pocono 500. Hamlin won by 1.328 seconds over Kurt Busch.
He became the first Raybestos Rookie to win in 57 races at Pocono Raceway.
Hamlin also led the most laps in the race to win the WIX Filters Lap Leader of the Race award. He held the top spot six times for 83 laps and is the only Raybestos Rookie to lead the most laps in a race this season. Hamlin has led more laps (186) and more miles (349.108) than any other Raybestos Rookie in 2006.
Hamlin is 12th in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series championship standings, 18 points behind 10th-place Greg Biffle. Hamlin leads
13th-place Carl Edwards by 128 points and 14th-place Kurt Busch by 188.
David Stremme posted an 11th-place finish at New Hampshire, his best in 22 career NEXTEL Cup Series starts.
Reed Sorenson led the New Hampshire race once for 31 laps, the most laps that he's led in a race this season. Sorenson has led at least one lap in each of the last three consecutive events.
THE STREAK STAYS ALIVE: A Raybestos Rookie has finished in the top-15 in all 19 races this season.
DID YOU KNOW? FOUR Raybestos Rookies led a lap in the July 1 Pepsi 400 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway (race number 17), the most to lead a race this season: Martin Truex Jr., once for three laps Stremme, twice for two laps Sorenson, once for one
lap J.J. Yeley, once for one lap.
DID YOU KNOW? The most Raybestos Rookies to finish in the top-10 this season is THREE in the July 9 USG Sheetrock 400 at Chicagoland (Joliet, Ill.) Speedway: Sorenson (seventh), Bowyer (ninth) and J.J. Yeley (10th).
* The best finish by a Raybestos Rookie in the Pennsylvania 500 is second by Ward Burton in 1994.
* The 1994 Pennsylvania 500 had THREE Raybestos Rookies place inside the top-five, the best performance by a rookie class in 57 previous NEXTEL Cup races at Pocono. Three rookies finished in the top-five: Burton, Joe Nemechek (third) and Jeff Burton (fourth).
* Top-Five finishes by Raybestos Rookies at Pennsylvania 500:
1987: Davey Allison, fifth
1994: Ward Burton, second
1994: Joe Nemechek, third
1994: Jeff Burton, fourth
1996: Johnny Benson, fifth
1999: Tony Stewart, fourth
2000: Matt Kenseth, fifth
2002: Ryan Newman, fifth
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies at Pennsylvania 500:
1982: Mark Martin, 10th
1984: Rusty Wallace, sixth
1987: Davey Allison, fifth
1994: Ward Burton, second
1994: Joe Nemechek, third
1994: Jeff Burton, fourth
1996: Johnny Benson, fifth
1997: Mike Skinner, sixth
1999: Tony Stewart, fourth
2000: Matt Kenseth, fifth
2002: Ryan Newman, fifth
* Raybestos Rookies who have led a lap in the July race at Pocono:
1982: Mark Martin (once for one lap) 1984: Rusty Wallace (once for one lap) 1986: Michael Waltrip (once for one lap) 1989: Dick Trickle (once for seven laps) 1993: Bobby Labonte (once for one lap) 1994: Ward Burton (twice for six laps) 1994: Jeff Burton (once for 16 laps) 1994 John Andretti (once for one lap). 1995: Ricky Craven (once for two laps) 1996: Johnny Benson (twice for five laps) 2002: Jimmie Johnson (once for two laps) 2003: Casey Mears (once for eight laps) (Raybestos PR)(7-20-2006)
News and Notes - Pre-Loudon, Post-Chicago:
#41-Reed Sorenson was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the July 9 USG Sheetrock 400 at Chicagoland Speedway. Sorenson scored a seventh-place finish, his fourth top-10 in 20 career Nextel Cup Series starts and his second in the last four races. He led the race once for six laps, the third event he has led in 2006. Sorenson claimed top Raybestos Rookie honors for the fourth time this season. Three Raybestos Rookies finished in the top-10 at Chicagoland, the most freshman drivers to finish in the top-10 in a race this season: Sorenson, #07-Clint Bowyer (9th) and #18-J.J. Yeley (10th). Denny Hamlin leads the Raybestos Rookie standings by 24 points (202-178) over Bowyer entering the July 16 LENOX Industrial Tools 300 at New Hampshire International Speedway. Bowyer scored his second consecutive top-10 finish and fifth of the 2006 season at Chicagoland. He also moved up two spots in the Nextel Cup Series championship standings to 16th entering the race at New Hampshire. Bowyer trails 15th-place Casey Mears by 54 points. A Raybestos Rookie has finished in the top-15 in all 18 races this season. Hamlin is 12th in the Nextel Cup Series championship standings, best of any Raybestos Rookie. He is three points behind 11th-place Greg Biffle and 50 behind 10th-place Jeff Gordon. Hamlin holds an 82-point lead over 13th-place Kurt Busch.
*DID YOU KNOW? Hamlin has led 18 times in six races for 185 laps, 348.050 miles, best of any Raybestos Rookie. He is the only first-year driver to lead the most laps in a race this season, holding the top spot six times for 83 laps in the June 11 Pocono 500 at Long Pond, Pa. (race number 14).
* Kyle Busch was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2005 LENOX Industrial Tools 300, scoring a fourth-place finish. Busch joined Ryan Newman (fifth in 2002) as the only Raybestos Rookies to finish in the top-five in the July race at New Hampshire International Speedway.
* DID YOU KNOW? A Raybestos Rookie has posted a top-10 finish in each of the last FIVE consecutive July races at New Hampshire: 2001: Kevin Harvick, eighth 2002: Ryan Newman, fifth 2003: Greg Biffle, 10th 2004: Kahne, eighth 2005: Busch, fourth
* DID YOU KNOW? Tony Stewart is the only Raybestos Rookie to lead the most laps in the July race at New Hampshire. Stewart led twice for 118 laps in the 1999 New England 300.
* Jamie McMurray is the most recent Raybestos Rookie to lead a lap in the July event at New Hampshire, hold the top spot once for 13 laps in 2003.
* The best start by a Raybestos Rookie at New Hampshire is third by Jeff Gordon in 1993.
* Two or more Raybestos Rookies have finished in the top-10 just once 12 NEXTEL Cup races at New Hampshire. In 1993, Gordon finished seventh while Bobby Labonte placed 10th.
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies at New Hampshire (July race): 1993: Jeff Gordon, seventh 1993: Bobby Labonte, 10th 1996: Johnny Benson, ninth 1999: Tony Stewart, 10th 2001: Kevin Harvick, eighth 2002: Ryan Newman, fifth 2003: Greg Biffle, 10th 2004: Kahne, eighth 2005: Busch, fourth
* Raybestos Rookies who have led a lap at New Hampshire (July race): 1993: Jeff Gordon (twice for three laps) 1996: Johnny Benson (once for 17 laps) 1999: Tony Stewart (twice for 118 laps) 2001: Kevin Harvick (once for 13 laps) 2002: Ryan Newman (once for one lap) 2003: Jamie McMurray (once for 13 laps) (Raybestos PR)(7-13-2006)
News and Notes - Pre-Chicago, Post-Daytona:
Clint Bowyer was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the July 1 Pepsi 400 at Daytona International Speedway. Bowyer finished
10th and took Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors for the third time this season. He scored his fourth top-10 finish of the 2006 season. Bowyer became the first Raybestos Rookie to score a top-10 in the Pepsi 400 since Brian Vickers finished ninth in 2004.
* THE STREAK STAYS ALIVE: A Raybestos Rookie has finished in the top-15 in all 17 races this season.
* Denny Hamlin leads the Raybestos Rookie standings by 28 points (194-166) over Bowyer entering the July 9 USG Sheetrock 400 at Chicagoland Speedway.
* FOUR Raybestos Rookies (Martin Truex Jr., Reed Sorenson, David Stremme, and J.J. Yeley) led a lap in the Pepsi 400, the most rookies to lead a lap in a race this season.
* Hamlin is 10th in the NEXTEL Cup Series championship standings, 40 points behind ninth-place Kyle Busch. He holds a six-point advantage over 11th-place Greg Biffle.
* DID YOU KNOW? Hamlin has led 18 times in six races for 185 laps, 348.050 miles, best of any Raybestos Rookie. He is the only first-year driver to lead the most laps in a race this season, holding the top spot six times for 83 laps in the June 11 Pocono 500 at Long Pond, Pa. (race number 14).
* TWO Raybestos Rookies rank among the top-20 in the NEXTEL Cup Series championship standings: Hamlin and Bowyer (18th).
* Kyle Busch was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2005 USG Sheetrock 400, grabbing a 14th-place finish.
* The most recent Raybestos Rookie to lead a lap at Chicagoland is Kasey Kahne, who led the 2004 race twice for 10 laps.
* DID YOU KNOW? Kevin Harvick is the only Raybestos Rookie to win in five NEXTEL Cup races at Chicagoland Speedway. He won the 2001 Tropicana 400 by .649 seconds over Robert Pressley. Harvick is also the only Raybestos Rookie to lead the most laps in the four races at Chicagoland, holding the top spot five times for 113 laps.
* DID YOU KNOW? Ryan Newman is the only Raybestos Rookie to win a pole position in five races at Chicagoland Speedway, taking the top starting spot in the 2002 USG Sheetrock 400.
* TWO more Raybestos Rookies have finished inside the top-five just once in four NEXTEL Cup races at Chicagoland: In 2002, Jimmie Johnson placed fourth while Ryan Newman finished fifth.
* Two or more Raybestos Rookies have finished in the top-10 in two of the four races at Chicagoland. In addition to Johnson and Newman in 2002, Harvick and Kurt Busch (eighth) both finished inside the top-10 in 2001.
* A Raybestos Rookie has led at least one lap in four of the five races at Chicagoland: 2001: Harvick (five times for 113 laps) 2002: Ryan Newman (twice for 86 laps) 2002: Jimmie Johnson (once for two laps) 2003: Jamie McMurray (once for one lap) 2004: Kasey Kahne (twice for 10 laps)
* Top-five finishes by Raybestos Rookies at Chicagoland:
2001: Harvick, first
2002: Jimmie Johnson, fourth
2002: Ryan Newman, fifth
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies at Chicagoland.
2001: Harvick, first
2001: Kurt Busch, eighth
2002: Jimmie Johnson, fourth
2002: Ryan Newman, fifth
2003: Jamie McMurray, eighth
(Raybestos PR)(6-30-2006)
News and Notes - Pre-Daytona, Post-Sonoma:
Denny Hamlin was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the June 25 Dodge/Save Mart 350 at Infineon (Sonoma, Calif.) Raceway. Hamlin finished 12th and took Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors for the ninth time this season.
Hamlin stretched his lead in the Raybestos Rookie standings to 31 points (185-154) over Clint Bowyer entering the July 1 Pepsi 400 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway.
THE STREAK STAYS ALIVE: A Raybestos Rookie has finished in the top-15 in all 16 races this season.
Hamlin is 11th in the NEXTEL Cup Series championship standings, nine points behind 10th-place Kevin Harvick. He holds an 11-point
advantage over 12th-place Kyle Busch.
TWO Raybestos Rookies rank among the top-20 in the NEXTEL Cup Series championship standings: Hamlin and Bowyer (18th).
* Travis Kvapil was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2005 Pepsi 400, scoring a 23rd-place finish. Kvapil was the only first-year driver to finish on the lead lap.
* DID YOU KNOW? Greg Biffle is the only Raybestos Rookie to win the Pepsi 400. Biffle won the race in 2003, scoring his first career win in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series. Biffle crossed the finish line 4.102 second ahead of second place finisher Jeff Burton and led only once, covering the final 21 laps. He was the only Raybestos Rookie to score a win during the 2003 season.
* DID YOU KNOW? Since 1975, only THREE Raybestos Rookies have scored a top-five finish in the Pepsi 400: 1979: Dale Earnhardt, third 1993: Jeff Gordon, fifth 2003: Greg Biffle, first
* DID YOU KNOW? Since 1975, THREE Raybestos Rookies have won the pole position for the Pepsi 400 at Daytona: Geoffrey Bodine (1982), Davey Allison (1987), and Mike Skinner (1997).
* DID YOU KNOW? Davey Allison is the only Raybestos Rookie since 1975 to lead the most laps in the Pepsi 400. He led the 1987 event twice for 32 laps.
* Raybestos Rookies that have led at least one lap in the Pepsi 400
(since 1975): 1979: Dale Earnhardt (once for one lap) 1981: Mike Alexander
(once for four laps) 1981: Stan Barrett (once for three laps) 1982: Geoffrey
Bodine (once for four laps) 1987: Davey Allison (twice for 32 laps) 1987: Brett
Bodine (once for one lap) 1990: Rob Moroso (once for four laps) 1993: Jeff
Gordon (once for three laps) 1994: Loy Allen (once for one lap) 1997: Mike
Skinner (once for two laps) 1998: Kenny Irwin (once for 15 laps) 1999: Elliott
Sadler (once for one lap) 2001: Kevin Harvick (twice for two laps) 2003: Greg
Biffle (once for 21 laps) 2004: Kasey Kahne (once for one lap)
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Pepsi 400 at Daytona
(since 1975): 1975: Ritchie Panch, sixth 1977: Sam Sommers, seventh 1977:
Terry Ryan, 10th 1979: Dale Earnhardt, third 1979 Harry Gant, seventh
1979 Joe Millikan, eighth 1979: Dale Earnhardt, sixth 1980: Jody
Ridley, seventh 1980: John Anderson, ninth 1981: Mike Alexander, seventh
1981: Ron Bouchard, ninth 1982: Geoffrey Bodine, sixth 1986: Alan Kulwicki,
10th 1989: Dick Trickle, eighth 1989: Hut Stricklin, 10th 1990: Rob
Moroso, ninth 1993: Jeff Gordon, fifth 1999: Tony Stewart, sixth 2002: Jimmie
Johnson, eighth 2004: Brian Vickers, ninth.(2002).(Raybestos PR)(6-30-2006)
News and Notes - Pre-Sonoma, Post-Michigan:
Reed Sorenson was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the June 18 3M Performance 400 at Michigan International Speedway. Sorenson finished fifth, his best effort in 17 career NEXTEL Cup Series races. He took Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors for the second time this season.
* Sorenson scored his first top-five and third top-10 finish. Prior to the Michigan event, Sorenson's best finishes were 10th-place efforts at Atlanta (race number four) and Charlotte (race number 12).
* Sorenson led the Michigan race once for three laps, the first race he has led in the NEXTEL Cup career. He was the only Raybestos Rookie to lead a lap in the event.
* Denny Hamlin leads the Raybestos Rookie standings by 29 points (174-145) over Clint Bowyer entering the Dodge/Save Mart 350 at Infineon (Sonoma, Calif.) Raceway.
* Hamlin remains ninth in the NEXTEL Cup Series championship standings, 40 points behind eighth-place Kevin Harvick. He holds a two-point advantage over 10th-place Greg Biffle.
* THREE Raybestos Rookies rank among the top-20 in the NEXTEL Cup Series championship standings: Hamlin, Bowyer (18th) and Sorenson (20th).
* At least one Raybestos Rookie has scored a top-15 finish in all 15 races this season.
* Travis Kvapil was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2005 Dodge/Save Mart 350, collecting a 21st-place finish on the lead lap.
* The best finish by a Raybestos Rookie at Infineon Raceway is ninth, which is shared by Kenny Irwin (1998) and Ryan Newman (2002).
* DID YOU KNOW? Only one Raybestos Rookie has led a lap in 17 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup races at Infineon Raceway. Scott Pruett led twice for 10 laps in the 2000 race.
* The best start by a Raybestos Rookie at Infineon Raceway is second, shared by Jerry Nadeau (1998) and Tony Stewart (1999). Raybestos ROOKIE HISTORY
The way to the NASCAR NEXTEL championship is to win Raybestos Rookie of the Year. Since 1979, SIX Raybestos Rookie of the Year drivers have gone on to win a NASCAR NEXTEL Cup title: Dale Earnhardt (1979), Rusty Wallace (1984), Alan Kulwicki (1986), Jeff Gordon (1993), Tony Stewart (1999, 2005) and Kenseth (2000).
At least one Raybestos Rookie has won a Bud Pole in each of the last 11 years (1996-2006). There has been a first-time Bud Pole winner in each of the last 20 years (1987-2006).
* Ryan Newman holds the all-time Raybestos Rookie record for most poles (6), most top-fives (14) and most top-10s (22).
* Kasey Kahne holds the record for most earnings by a Raybestos Rookie ($5.4 million in 2004).
* The record for most wins by a Raybestos Rookie is three, shared by Stewart (1999) and Jimmie Johnson (2002).
* A Raybestos Rookie has posted multiple victories SIX times in NASCAR Cup history: Davey Allison (two wins in 1987), Stewart (three wins in 1999), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (two wins in 2000), Kevin Harvick (two wins in 2001), Johnson (three wins in 2002), and Kyle Busch (two wins in 2005).
* More than one Raybestos Rookie has posted victories in their rookie season only three times: Morgan Shepherd and Ron Bouchard (one each in 1981), Earnhardt Jr. (two) and Kenseth (2000), Johnson (three) and Newman (2002).(Raybestos PR)(6-19-2006)
News and Notes - Pre-Michigan, Post-Pocono:
Raybestos Rookie Denny Hamlin scored his first NEXTEL Cup
Series victory June 11 in the Pocono 500 at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway. The win came
in his 21st career start. Hamlin's previous best finish was second at
Richmond (race number 10). He took Raybestos Rookie of the race honors for
the fifth consecutive race and for the eighth time in 14 races this season.
Hamlin holds a 26-point edge (164-138) over Clint Bowyer in the
Raybestos Rookie standings entering the June 18 3M Performance 400 at
Michigan International Speedway. Hamlin became the first Raybestos
Rookie to win in 57 races at Pocono Raceway.
* DID YOU KNOW? At least one Raybestos Rookie has scored a top-15
finish in all 14 races this season.
* Clint Bowyer led the Pocono 500 once for eight laps. The Pocono
event was the first race Bowyer has led since Phoenix in April (race number
eight).
* Hamlin is ninth in the NEXTEL Cup Series championship standings, 33
points behind eighth-place Kevin Harvick. He holds a 13-point advantage over
10th-place Kyle Busch. DID YOU KNOW? Hamlin is the first
Raybestos Rookie to win from the pole since Jimmie Johnson in the September
2002 at Dover International Speedway. TWO Raybestos Rookies rank
among the top-20 in the NEXTEL Cup Series championship standings: Hamlin and
Bowyer (16th).
* Kyle Busch was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2005 3M
Performance 400 at Michigan, claiming a ninth-place finish.
* DID YOU KNOW? Since 1975, only FOUR Raybestos Rookies have scored a
top-five finish in the June race at Michigan:
1979: Joe Millikan, fourth
1993: Jeff Gordon, second
2002: Ryan Newman, third
2004: Kasey Kahne, second
* DID YOU KNOW? Only twice since 1975 have TWO or more Raybestos
Rookies have led the spring race at Michigan. In 2004, Brendan Gaughan (once
for 13 laps) and Scott Riggs (once for one lap) led the race. In 1986, Alan
Kulwicki (once for one lap) and Michael Waltrip (once for two laps) also led a
lap in the June race.
* The most laps led by a Raybestos Rookie in the 3M Performance 400 is
25 by Jimmie Johnson in 2002. Other Raybestos Rookies to lead at least one
lap in the spring race (since 1975): 1975: Ritchie Panch (once for four laps)
1979: Dale Earnhardt (once for one lap) 1982: Mark Martin (once for one lap)
1986: Alan Kulwicki (once for one lap) 1986: Michael Waltrip (once for two
laps) 1993: Jeff Gordon (once for one lap) 2003: Greg Biffle (once for one
lap) 2004: Brendan Gaughan (once for 13 laps) 2004: Scott Riggs (once for one
lap)
* DID YOU KNOW? The only Raybestos Rookie to win a pole in 37
previous 3M Performance 400 races at Michigan is Loy Allen. Allen grabbed the
top starting position for 1994 race.
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the June race at Michigan
(since 1975): 1975: Ritchie Panch, sixth 1977: Sam Sommers, eighth 1979: Joe
Millikan, fourth 1979: Dale Earnhardt, sixth 1980: Jody Ridley, sixth 1980:
Kyle Petty, seventh 1981: Ron Bouchard, 10th 1982: Geoffrey Bodine, ninth
1993: Jeff Gordon, second 1994: Joe Nemechek, seventh 1999: Tony Stewart,
ninth 2000: Kevin Harvick, 10th 2002: Ryan Newman, third 2004: Kasey Kahne,
second 2004: Brian Vickers, ninth 2005: Kyle Busch, ninth.(Raybestos PR)(6-15-2006)
News and Notes - Pre-Pocono, Post-Dover:
Denny Hamlin was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the June 4 Neighborhood Excellence 400 at Dover (Del.) International Speedway. Hamlin finished 11th and grabbed top rookie honors for the seventh time in 13 races and for the fourth consecutive race.
Hamlin holds a 14-point edge over Clint Bowyer (143-129) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the June 11 Pocono 500 at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway.
STAYING CLOSE TO THE CHASE: Hamlin gained one position in the NEXTEL Cup Series championship standings. He enters the Pocono 500 11th in points, 80 behind 10th-place Kyle Busch.
* DID YOU KNOW? At least one of the Raybestos Rookie of the Year contenders has scored a top-15 finish in all 13 races this season.
TWO Raybestos Rookies rank among the top-20 in the NEXTEL Cup Series championship standings: Hamlin (11th) and Bowyer (16th).
A FIRST FOR STREMME: David Stremme led once for one lap at Dover, the first time he has led a lap in his 17-race NEXTEL Cup Series career.
* Kyle Busch was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2005 Pocono 500, scoring a fifth-place finish.
* Since 1975, Busch and Jimmie Johnson are the only Raybestos Rookies to score a top-five finish in the June race at Pocono. Johnson placed third in 2002, the best finish by a freshman driver in the June event.
* Raybestos Rookies Kasey Kahne and Brian Vickers made history at Pocono during time trials for the 2004 Pocono 500. Kahne won the pole while Brian Vickers grabbed the second starting position. The 2004 event was the first time ever two Raybestos Rookies started on the front row at Pocono and only the second time in the spor's modern-era where there was an all rookie front row. Kahne is the only Raybestos Rookie to win a pole in 56 races at Pocono Raceway.
* Only once since 1975 have two or more Raybestos Rookies finished in the top-10 in the June race at Pocono: Tim Richmond finished ninth and Ron Bouchard placed 10th in the 1981 Mountain Dew 500.
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the June race at Pocono (since 1975): 1975: Bruce Hill, eighth 1977: Ricky Rudd, seventh 1979: Joe Millikan, sixth 1980: Kyle Petty, seventh 1981: Tim Richmond, sixth 1981: Ron Bouchard, 10th 1982: Geoffrey Bodine, eighth 1989: Larry Pearson, ninth 1987: Davey Allison, first 1992: Jimmy Hensley, ninth 1999: Tony Stewart, sixth 2002: Jimmie Johnson, third 2005: Kyle Busch, fourth
* Only five Raybestos Rookies have led a lap in the June race at Pocono since 1989:
1989: Larry Pearson, once for two laps
1992: Jimmy Hensley, twice for five laps
1999: Tony Stewart, once for one lap
2005: Kasey Kahne, three times for four laps
2005 Brian Vickers, once for one lap.(Raybestos PR)(6-5-2006)
News and Notes - Pre-Dover, Post-Charlotte:
Denny Hamlin was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the May
28 Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's (Concord, N.C) Motor Speedway. Hamlin finished
ninth, scoring his fifth top-10 of the 2006 season and third consecutive. He
grabbed top rookie honors for the sixth time in 12 races and for the third
consecutive race.
* Reed Sorenson posted a 10th-place finish in the Coca-Cola 600, his
second top-10 in 14 career NEXTEL Cup Series starts. Hamlin holds
a 13-point edge over Clint Bowyer (132-119) in the Raybestos Rookie standings
entering the June 4 Neighborhood Excellence 400 at Dover (Del.) International
Speedway. STAYING CLOSE TO THE CHASE: Hamlin enters the Dover race
12th in the NEXTEL Cup Series championship standings, 64 points behind
10th-place Kevin Harvick. Fellow Raybestos Rookie Bowyer remains in contention for a spot in
the top 10, trailing Harvick by 139. The top 10 drivers and any within 400
points of the leader will qualify for the Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup.
* DID YOU KNOW? At least one of the Raybestos Rookie of the Year
contenders has scored a top-15 finish in all 12 races this season.
DID YOU KNOW? Hamlin has racked up two top-five finishes this
season, more than any other freshman driver. THREE Raybestos
Rookies rank among the top-20 in the NEXTEL Cup Series championship standings:
Hamlin (12th), Bowyer (15th) and Sorenson (20th).
* Kyle Busch was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2005
Neighborhood Excellence 400 at Dover. Busch finished second, 4.281 seconds
behind winner Greg Biffle. Busch also led the race twice for 90 laps
* DID YOU KNOW? At least one Raybestos Rookie has finished in the
top-five in three of the past four spring races at Dover.
* DID YOU KNOW? Only two Raybestos Rookies have won the spring race at
Dover: Jimmie Johnson and Davey Allison, who both scored their second career
wins at Dover. Johnson won the 2002 race while Allison captured the 1987
event.
* Only three Raybestos Rookies have led the most laps in the spring
race at Dover: Johnson (four times for 187 laps), Allison (six times for 212
laps), and Tony Stewart in 1999 (three times for 127 laps).
* DID YOU KNOW? The most Raybestos Rookies to finish in the top-10 in
the MBNA 400 at Dover is THREE in 1979: Dale Earnhardt (fifth), Terry Labonte
(sixth), and Joe Millikan (eighth).
* At least two Raybestos Rookies have finished in the top-10 in
Dover'
s spring race THREE other times:
2000: Matt Kenseth (second) and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (10th).
2002: Jimmie Johnson (first) and Ryan Newman (fifth) in 2002.
2004: Scott Riggs (fifth) and Scott Wimmer (ninth).
* DID YOU KNOW? The best start by a Raybestos Rookie in the spring
race at Dover is second by Morgan Shepherd in 1981.
* Top-five finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the spring race at Dover
(since 1975): 1979: Dale Earnhardt, fifth 1982: Mark Martin, fifth 1987:
Davey Allison, first 1999: Tony Stewart, fourth 2000: Matt Kenseth, second
2002: Jimmie Johnson, first 2002: Ryan Newman, fifth 2004: Scott Riggs, fifth
2005: Kyle Busch, second
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the spring race at Dover
(since 1975): 1975: Bruce Hill, eighth 1979: Dale Earnhardt, fifth 1979: Terry
Labonte, sixth 1979: Joe Millikan, eighth 1980: Jody Ridley, sixth -more- -3-
1981: Morgan Shepherd, sixth 1983: Sterling Marlin, 10th 1985: Ken Schrader,
10th 1987: Davey Allison, first 1992: Jimmy Hensley, eighth 1997: Mike
Skinner, ninth 1999: Tony Stewart, fourth 2000: Matt Kenseth, second 2000:
Dale Earnhardt Jr., 10th 2002: Jimmie Johnson, first 2002: Ryan Newman,
fifth 2004: Scott Riggs, fifth 2004: Scott Wimmer, ninth 2005: Kyle Busch,
second (Raybestos PR)(6-2-2006)
News and Notes - Pre-Charlotte, Post-Darlington:
Denny Hamlin was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the May 13 Dodge Charger 500 at Darlington Raceway. Hamlin finished 10th,
scoring his fourth top-10 of the 2006 season. He grabbed top rookie honors for the fifth time in 11 races.
DID YOU KNOW? Hamlin has racked up two top-five finishes this season, more than any other freshman driver.
Hamlin holds a nine-point edge over Clint Bowyer (119-110) entering the May 28 Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway (Concord, N.C.).
* DID YOU KNOW? At least one of the Raybestos Rookie of the Year contenders has scored a top-15 finish in all 11 races this season. Two Raybestos Rookies rank among the top-20 in the NEXTEL Cup Series championship standings: Hamlin (13th) and Bowyer (16th).
DID YOU KNOW? Martin Truex Jr. is the only member of the 2006 Raybestos Rookie class to compete in the Coca-Cola 600. Truex Jr. finished seventh after starting 30th in the 2005 event. He also led the race once for four laps.
* Kyle Busch was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2005 Coca-Cola 600, logging a 25th-place.
* DID YOU KNOW? Matt Kenseth is the only Raybestos Rookie to win the Coca-Cola 600. Kenseth captured the 2000 600-mile race by .573-seconds over Bobby Labonte.
* DID YOU KNOW? TWO or more Raybestos Rookies have finished in the top-five only once in 46 previous 600-mile races at Charlotte. In 2000, Kenseth won the race while Dale Earnhardt Jr. placed fourth.
* TWO or more Raybestos Rookies have finished in the top-10 in the Coca-Cola 600 three times since 1975: 1981: Morgan Shepherd (sixth) and Elliott Forbes-Robinson (tenth). 1993: Jeff Gordon (second) and Bobby Labonte (eighth). 2000: Matt Kenseth (first) and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (fourth).
* DID YOU KNOW? Jimmie Johnson is the only Raybestos Rookie to win the pole in 46 previous Coca-Cola 600 races at Charlotte. Johnson took the top starting spot for the 2002 race [NOTE: Dale Earnhardt Jr.also won the pole as a rookie in 2000].
* DID YOU KNOW? Only TWO Raybestos Rookies have led the most laps in the Coca-Cola 600: Dale Earnhardt Jr. led 175 laps in 2000 while Jimmie Johnson led 263 laps in 2002.
* DID YOU KNOW? Only once since 1975 have THREE Raybestos Rookies led a lap in the Coca-Cola 600. In 1993, Jeff Gordon (once for three laps), Bobby Labonte (twice for four laps) and Rich Bickle (once for one lap) each led the 600.
* DID YOU KNOW? At least one Raybestos Rookie has led at least one lap in each of the last SEVEN CONSECUTIVE 600-mile races at Charlotte: 1999: Tony Stewart (three times for 13 laps) 2000: Matt Kenseth (twice for 31 laps) 2000: Dale Earnhardt, Jr. (five times for 124 laps) 2001: Kevin Harvick (once for one lap) 2002: Jimmie Johnson (five times for 250 laps) 2003: Greg Biffle (once for one lap) 2004: Kasey Kahne (once for five laps) 2005: Kyle Busch (twice for 55 laps) 2005: Travis Kvapil (twice for 23 laps)
* Raybestos Rookies who have scored top-10 finishes in the Coca-Cola 600 (since 1975): 1977: Sam Sommers, ninth 1980: Kyle Petty, seventh 1981: Morgan Shepherd, sixth; Elliott Forbes-Robinson, 10th 1993: Jeff Gordon, second and Bobby Labonte, eighth 1995: Ricky Craven, tenth 1999: Tony Stewart, fourth 2000: Matt Kenseth, first; Dale Earnhardt
Jr., fourth 2001: Kevin Harvick, second 2002: Jimmie Johnson, seventh
* Raybestos Rookies who have scored top-five finishes in the Coca-Cola 600 (since 1975):
1993: Jeff Gordon, second
1999: Tony Stewart, fourth
2000: Matt Kenseth, first; Dale Earnhardt Jr., fourth
2001: Kevin Harvick, second.(Raybestos PR)(5-23-2006)
News and Notes - Pre-Darlington, Post-Richmond:
Denny Hamlin was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the May 6 Crown Royal 400 at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway. Hamlin finished second, his best effort in 17 career NEXTEL Cup Series races. He took top rookie honors for the fourth time this season, more than any other driver. Hamlin has racked up two top-five finishes this season, more than any other freshman driver. · For the second time this season, Hamlin grabbed the lead in the Raybestos Rookie standings. He holds a five-point edge over Clint Bowyer (107-102) entering the May 13 Dodge Charger 500 at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway. Two Raybestos Rookies rank among the
top-20 in the NEXTEL Cup Series championship standings: Bowyer (15th) and Hamlin (16th).
DID YOU KNOW? Since 2001, TWO Raybestos Rookies have won pole positions at Darlington Raceway: Kurt Busch (2001) and Kasey Kahne (2004).
DID YOU KNOW? A Raybestos Rookie has scored a top-10 finish in six of the past seven seasons at Darlington: 1999: Tony
Stewart, sixth 2000: Matt Kenseth, sixth 2001: Kevin Harvick, eighth 2002: Ryan Newman, fifth (spring race) 2002: Jimmie Johnson, sixth (spring race) 2002: Ryan Newman, second (fall race) 2002: Jimmie Johnson, ninth (fall race) 2003: Jamie McMurray, fourth (fall race) 2003: Greg Biffle, 10th (fall race) 2004: Kasey Kahne, fifth (fall race)
* Top-five finishes by Raybestos Rookies at Darlington (since 1975):
1975: Bruce Hill, fifth (fall race)
1979: Terry Labonte, third (fall race)
1984: Rusty Wallace, fourth (fall race)
2002: Ryan Newman, second (fall race)
2002: Ryan Newman, fifth (spring race)
2003: Jamie McMurray, fourth (fall race)
2004: Kasey Kahne, fifth (fall race)
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies at Darlington (since 1975):
1975: Bruce Hill, fifth (fall race) 1975: Bruce Jacobi, ninth (spring race)
1977: Ricky Rudd, seventh (fall race) 1978: Ronnie Thomas, ninth (fall race)
1979: Terry Labonte, third (fall race) 1979: Joe Millikan, 10th (spring
race) 1980: Lake Speed, eighth (spring race) 1980: Jody Ridley, 10th (spring
race) 1981: Tim Richmond, eighth (fall race) 1982: Geoffrey Bodine, seventh
(fall race) 1982: Mark Martin, seventh (spring race) 1984: Rusty Wallace,
fourth (fall race) 1984: Phil Parsons, seventh (fall race) 1984: Phil Parsons,
eighth (spring race) 1991: Bobby Hamilton, 10th (fall race) 1993: Kenny
Wallace, 10th (fall race) 1994: Jeff Burton, eighth (fall race) 1999: Tony
Stewart, sixth (spring race) 2000: Matt Kenseth, sixth (spring race) 2001:
Kevin Harvick, eighth (fall race) 2002: Ryan Newman, second (fall race) 2002:
Ryan Newman, fifth (spring race) 2002: Jimmie Johnson, sixth (spring race)
2002: Jimmie Johnson, ninth (fall race) 2003: Jamie McMurray, fourth (fall
race) 2003: Greg Biffle, 10th (fall race) 2004: Kasey Kahne, fifth (fall
race)
* Raybestos Rookies that have led a lap at Darlington (since 1975): 1975: Bruce Hill, once for one lap (fall race) 1979: Dale Earnhardt, once for four laps (spring race) 1984: Rusty Wallace, once for one lap (spring race)
1987: Davey Allison, three times for 86 laps (fall race)
1991: Bobby Hamilton, two for five laps (fall race)
1991: Ted Musgrave, once for one lap (fall race)
1992: Bob Schacht, once for two laps (spring race)
1993: Jeff Gordon, once for three laps (fall race)
1993: Jeff Gordon, once for one lap (spring race)
1997: Mike Skinner, once for eight laps (spring race)
2000: Dale Earnhardt Jr., once for 16 laps (fall race)
2000: Matt Kenseth, once for three laps (spring race)
2001: Kurt Busch, twice for 73 laps (fall race)
2002: Ryan Newman, once for one lap (fall race)
2002: Jimmie Johnson, once for one lap (fall race)
2003: Jamie McMurray, once for 21 laps (fall race)
2003: Greg Biffle, three times for 70 laps (fall race)
2004: Kasey Kahne, three times for 24 laps (spring race)
(Raybestos PR)(5-9-2006)
News and Notes - Pre-Richmond, Post-Talladega:
J.J. Yeley was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the May 1 Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway. Yeley finished 11th and took
Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors for the second time this season. He was also the top freshman driver in the Auto Club 500 at California Speedway.
DID YOU KNOW? Yeley led once for one lap, the fourth consecutive race he has led at least one lap. Raybestos Rookie Denny Hamlin also led once for one lap.
DID YOU KNOW? The Aaron's 499 is the third consecutive race where TWO or more Raybestos Rookie drivers have led a lap. Clint Bowyer holds a four-point lead (91-87) over Denny Hamlin in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the May 6 Crown Royal 400 at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway. Bowyer has led the standings in eight of the nine races this season.
DID YOU KNOW? Three Raybestos Rookies are inside the top-20 in the NEXTEL Cup Series championship standings: Bowyer
(18th), Hamlin (19th) and Martin Truex Jr. (20th).
* Kyle Busch was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2005 Crown Royal 400 at Richmond, grabbing a fourth-place finish.
* Brian Vickers won the pole for the 2004 Crown Royal 400, his first NEXTEL Cup Series pole position. Since 1975, Vickers and Morgan Shepherd (1981) are the only Raybestos Rookies to win a pole for the spring race at Richmond.
* DID YOU KNOW? Since 1980, just six Raybestos Rookies have led a lap in the spring race at Richmond:
1980: Tommy Houston (10 laps)
1981: Morgan Shepherd (150 laps)
1989: Dick Trickle (one lap)
2000: Dale Earnhardt Jr. (31 laps)
2002: Ryan Newman (48 laps)
2004: Brian Vickers (32 laps)
* DID YOU KNOW? Since 1975, only one Raybestos Rookie has won the spring race at Richmond: Earharhardt Jr. in 2000. He led the race just once covering the final 31 laps and officially scored his second career win by .159 second over Terry Labonte.
* DID YOU KNOW? Only once since 1975 have TWO or more Raybestos Rookies finished in the top-10 in the Crown Royal 400. In 1979, Joe Millikan finished sixth followed by Terry Labonte, who claimed an eighth place finish.
* Only four Raybestos Rookies that have scored top-five finishes in the Crown Royal 400 at Richmond (since 1975): 1981: Morgan Shepherd, fourth 2000: Dale Earnhardt Jr., first 2002: Ryan Newman, second 2005: Kyle Busch, fourth
* Nine Raybestos Rookies that have scored top-10 finishes in the Crown Royal 400 at Richmond (since 1975):
1979: Joe Millikan, sixth, and Terry Labonte, eighth
1989: Larry Pearson, sixth
1993: Jeff Gordon, sixth
1998: Kenny Irwin, ninth
2000: Dale Earnhardt Jr., first
2002: Ryan Newman, second
2004: Brian Vickers, eighth
2005: Kyle Busch, fourth
(Raybestos PR)(5-5-2006)
News and Notes - Pre-Talladega, Post Phoenix:
Clint Bowyer was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the April 22 Subway Fresh 500 at Phoenix International Raceway. Bowyer finished fifth, his first top-five in nine career NEXTEL Cup Series starts. He led for the first time in his NEXTEL Cup Series career, holding the top spot three times for 21 laps. Bowyer took top rookie honors for the second time this season. Bowyer qualified eighth at Phoenix, the best qualifying effort of his NEXTEL Cup career.
Bowyer took the lead in the Raybestos Rookie standings over Denny Hamlin at Phoenix. He enjoys an eight-point lead (85-77)
over Hamlin entering the April 30 Aaron's 499 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway,
Bowyer scored the best finish by a Raybestos Rookie in two spring races at Phoenix. A Raybestos Rookie has now scored two
consecutive top-10 finishes in the spring race at Phoenix. Kyle Busch finished eighth in 2005.
DID YOU KNOW? The Subway Fresh 500 is the second consecutive race where TWO or more Raybestos Rookies led at least one lap: Bowyer and J.J. Yeley, who led once for one lap.
DID YOU KNOW? Yeley is the only Raybestos Rookie to lead a lap in THREE consecutive races this season. In addition to Phoenix, Yeley led once for one lap in the DIRECTV 500 at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway and once for two laps in the Samsung/RadioShack 500 at Texas Motor Speedway.
The Subway Fresh 500 marked the second consecutive race where THREE Raybestos Rookies qualified in the top-10: Bowyer, Denny Hamlin (sixth), and Martin Truex Jr. (ninth). This is the career-best start for Bowyer.
DID YOU KNOW? The 2002 Tropicana 400 at Chicagoland Speedway is most recent NEXTEL Cup Series race where TWO Raybestos Rookies finished inside the top five. Jimmie Johnson finished fourth ahead of Ryan Newman, who placed fifth.
* The late Davey Allison is the only Raybestos Rookie to win the Aaron's 499 at Talladega. He won the 1987 event by .78 second over Terry Labonte. Allison also led the most laps in the race, holding the top spot six times for 108 of the 178 laps (the event was shortened by 10 laps due to darkness). Allison remains the only Raybestos Rookie to lead the most laps in the Aaron's 499 and holds the record for most laps led by a rookie in the spring race at Talladega.
* Since Allison's win in 1987, a Raybestos Rookie has finished in the top-five in the Aaron's 499 just twice: Tony Stewart (fifth in 1999) and Kurt Busch (third in 2001).
* DID YOU KNOW? Only one Raybestos Rookie has won the pole position in 35 previous Aaron's 499 races at Talladega Superspeedway: Jimmie Johnson (2002). Johnson won the second pole of his career and posted a seventh place finish.
* DID YOU KNOW? At least one Raybestos Rookie finished in the top-10 in four consecutive Aaron's 499 races at Talladega from 1979 through 1982: Joe Millikan (fifth) and Terry Labonte (ninth) in 1979, Lake Speed (seventh) and Jody Ridley (tenth) in 1980, Tim Richmond (sixth) in 1981, and Mark Martin (tenth) in 1982.
* DID YOU KNOW? Only once since 1969 have TWO or more Raybestos Rookies finished in the top-10 in consecutive spring races at Talladega: Joe Millikan (fifth) and Terry Labonte (ninth) in 1979, Lake Speed (seventh) and Jody Ridley (tenth) in 1980.
* Top-five finishes by a Raybestos Rookie in the Aaron's 499 (since 1975): 1979: Joe Millikan, fifth 1987: Davey Allison, first 1999: Tony Stewart, fifth 2001: Kurt Busch, third
* Top-10 finishes by a Raybestos Rookie in the Aaron's 499 (since 1975): 1977: Sam Sommers, 10th 1979: Joe Millikan, fifth 1979: Terry Labonte, ninth 1980: Lake Speed, seventh 1980: Jody Ridley, 10th 1981: Tim Richmond, sixth 1982: Mark Martin, 10th 1984: Phil Parsons, seventh 1987:Davey Allison, first 1994: Steve Grissom, 10th 1996: Johnny Benson, 10th 1999: Tony Stewart, fifth 2001: Kurt Busch, third 2002: Jimmie Johnson, seventh.(Raybestos PR)(4-28-2006)
News and Notes - Pre-Phoenix, Post Texas:
Denny Hamlin was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the April 9 Samsung/RadioShack 500 at Texas Motor Speedway. Hamlin finished fourth, his best finish in 14 career NEXTEL Cup Series starts. He led the race three times for 41 laps, and took top rookie honors for the third time this season and for the second time in the last three races.
For the first time this season, Hamlin grabbed the lead in the Raybestos Rookie standings. He leads Clint Bowyer by three points (71-68) entering the April 22 Subway Fresh 500 at Phoenix International Raceway. Martin Truex Jr. finished eighth at Texas, his first top-10 finish of the 2006 season. The Samsung/RadioShack 500 was the first race this season where TWO or more Raybestos Rookies have finished inside the top 10.
The Samsung/RadioShack 500 is the only race this season where THREE or more Raybestos Rookies led at least one lap in the same race: Hamlin, Truex Jr. (once for two laps) and J.J. Yeley (once for two laps).
DID YOU KNOW? Yeley is the only Raybestos Rookie to lead a lap in two consecutive races this season. In addition to Texas, Yeley led once for one lap in the DIRECTV 500 at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway.
DID YOU KNOW? THREE Raybestos Rookies rank inside the top 15 in the NEXTEL Cup Series championship standings: Bowyer (13th), Hamlin (14th) and Truex Jr. (15th).
DID YOU KNOW? The 2002 Tropicana 400 at Chicagoland Speedway is most recent NEXTEL Cup Series race where TWO Raybestos Rookies finished inside the top five. Jimmie Johnson finished fourth ahead of Ryan Newman, who placed fifth. -more-
* Kyle Busch was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2005 SUBWAY Fresh 500 at Phoenix. He finished eighth after leading the race once for eight laps.
* Busch and Tony Stewart are the only Raybestos Rookies to win in 19 NEXTEL Cup races at Phoenix. Stewart won the 1999 Checker Auto Parts 500 from the pole, beating Mark Martin to the checkered flag by 2.081 seconds. Busch scored his second career NEXTEL Cup Series win when he captured the 2005 fall race at Phoenix by .609 seconds over Greg Biffle.
* DID YOU KNOW? Stewart is the only Raybestos Rookie to lead the most laps at Phoenix, leading the race three times for 150 laps in his 1999 win.
* DID YOU KNOW? THREE Raybestos Rookies have won pole positions at Phoenix, all coming in the October race: Stewart, Casey Atwood (2001) and Newman (2002).(Raybestos PR)(4-19-2006)
News and Notes - Post-Martinsville/Pre-Texas:
Reed Sorenson was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the April 2 DIRECTV 500 at Martinsville Speedway. Sorenson finished 12th and took top Raybestos Rookie honors for the second time this season and twice in the last three races.
J.J. Yeley led the Martinsville race once for one lap. He is first Raybestos Rookie to lead a lap in the spring race at Martinsville since Kasey Kahne in 2004. Yeley is the only first-year driver to lead a lap in two short-track races this season.
* Clint Bowyer holds a five-point advantage over Yeley (60-55) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the April 9 Samsung/RadioShack 500 at Texas Motor Speedway.
* DID YOU KNOW? Only once in 10 races at Texas has a Raybestos Rookie won the race. Dale Earnhardt Jr. scored his first career NEXTEL Cup Series win by 5.920 seconds over Jeff Burton in 2000. Earnhardt Jr. led six times for 106 laps, more than any other driver.
* Earnhardt Jr. and Kahne (2004 spring race) are the only Raybestos Rookies to lead the most laps in a NEXTEL Cup race at Texas.
* DID YOU KNOW? A Raybestos Rookie has finished in the top-10 at Texas in six of the past eight races: 1999 (Tony Stewart, sixth, and Elliott Sadler, 10th), 2000 (Earnhardt Jr., first), 2001 (Kurt Busch, fourth, and Kevin Harvick, seventh), 2002 (Jimmie Johnson, sixth), 2003 (Jamie McMurray), and 2004 (Kahne, second).
* DID YOU KNOW? TWO or more Raybestos Rookies have finished in the top-10 just twice in 10 previous races at Texas: 1999: Stewart (sixth) and Sadler (10th) 2001: Busch (fourth) and Harvick (seventh)
* TWO or more Raybestos Rookies have led the same Texas race just once: (Earnhardt Jr. and Scott Pruett in 2000).
* The best start by a Raybestos Rookie at Texas is third by Kahne in 2004.(Raybestos PR)(4-7-2006)
News and Notes - Post-Atlanta/Pre-Bristol:
Reed Sorenson was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the March 20 Golden Corral 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Sorenson finished 10th, his first top-10 finish in six NEXTEL Cup Series starts and took top rookie honors for the first time this season. The finish was the best effort of Sorenson's NEXTEL Cup career. His previous best effort came February 26 at California Speedway where he logged a 21st-place finish.
FOUR RACES, FOUR DIFFERENT FACES: A different driver has claimed the honor in each of the first four NEXTEL Cup Series races in 2006. A Raybestos Rookie has finished in the top 10 in all four NEXTEL Cup Series races this season.
* Clint Bowyer holds a five-point advantage over J.J. Yeley (43-38) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the March 26 Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway.
* Bowyer is the only Raybestos Rookie that ranks in the top 10 in the NEXTEL Cup Series championship standings. He is currently 10th entering the Bristol event, 19 behind ninth-place Dale Jarrett.
* Travis Kvapil was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2005 Food City 500 at Bristol, grabbing a seventh-place finish. Kvapil was the only freshman driver to finish in the top-10 on the lead lap.
* DID YOU KNOW? A Raybestos Rookie has finished in the top-10 in three of the last four Food City 500 races at Bristol: Kvapil, Greg Biffle (fifth in 2003) and Jimmie Johnson (seventh in 2002).
* The best finish by a Raybestos Rookie in the Food City 500 came in 1979 when Dale Earnhardt scored his first career win. Since Earnhardt's victory, only three drivers have finished in the top-five in the spring race: Morgan Shepherd (fourth in 1981), Dick Trickle (fifth in 1989), and Biffle (fifth in 2003).
* Tony Stewart is the only Raybestos Rookie to win the pole at Bristol in his rookie season. Stewart took the top spot in the 1999 Sharpie 500 (August race) at Bristol. He is also the only Raybestos Rookie to lead the most laps in a race at Bristol, leading the 1999 Sharpie 500 once for 225 laps.
* DID YOU KNOW? Only once since 1975 have THREE Raybestos Rookies finished in the top-10 at a race in Bristol. In 1979. Dale Earnhardt scored his first career win in the Food City 500 and was joined in the top-10 by Terry Labonte (seventh) and Joe Millikan (eighth).
* DID YOU KNOW? Only once since 1981 have TWO or more Raybestos Rookies finished in the top-five in the Food City 500. In 1981, Morgan Shepherd placed fourth and Tim Richmond finished 10th.
* Since 1975, A Raybestos Rookie has finished in the top-10 just four times in the Food City 500 at Bristol: Robert Pressley (10th in 1995), Jimmie Johnson (seventh in 2002), Greg Biffle (fifth in 2003) and Travis Kvapil (seventh in 2005).
* Since 1975, Tim Richmond is the only Raybestos Rookie to score top-10 finishes in both Bristol races. In 1981, Richmond finished 10th in the Food City 500 and 10th in the Sharpie 500.
* Two or more Raybestos Rookies have finished in the top-10 in both races at Bristol just once since 1975. In 1981, Morgan Shepherd (fourth) and Tim Richmond (10th) logged top-10 finished in the Food City 500 while Ron Bouchard (fifth) and Richmond (eighth) finished in the top-10 in the Sharpie 500.(Raybestos PR)(3-23-2006)
News and Notes - Post-Las Vegas/Pre-Atlanta:
Denny Hamlin was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the March 13 UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Hamlin finished 10th, taking top rookie honors for the first time this season. A different driver has claimed the honor in each of the first three races.
Hamlin scored his best finish of the 2006 season. He racked up the fourth top-10 finish of his 10-race NEXTEL Cup Series career.
A Raybestos Rookie has finished in the top 10 in all three NEXTEL Cup Series races this season.
A Raybestos Rookie has now finished inside the top-10 in each of the past three consecutive Las Vegas races and in six of the past seven.
* Clint Bowyer holds a seven-point advantage over Hamlin and J.J. Yeley (35-28) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the March 19 Golden Corral 500 at Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway.
* Bowyer is the only Raybestos Rookie that ranks in the top 10 in the NEXTEL Cup Series championship standings. He is currently seventh entering the Atlanta event, 14 behind sixth-place Kyle Busch and 151 behind leader Jimmie Johnson.
* Kyle Busch was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2005 Golden Corral 500 at Atlanta. Busch finished 12th, completing all 325 laps of the race.
* Kevin Harvick scored a memorable win as a Raybestos Rookie in the 2001 Golden Corral 500. He beat Jeff Gordon by just .006 seconds to capture his first NEXTEL Cup Series victory in just his third career start.
* Raybestos Rookies Robby Gordon (1997) and Johnny Benson (1996) scored their first career Bud Poles in back-to-back spring race at Atlanta. Gordon won the pole in his 11th career start. Benson took the top spot in just his fourth career start.
* DID YOU KNOW? Gordon is the most recent Raybestos Rookie to win the pole for the spring race at Atlanta.
* Top-five finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Golden Corral 500 (since 1975): 1987: Davey Allison, fifth 1989: Dick Trickle, third 1994: Jeff Burton, fourth 1998: Kenny Irwin, fifth 2001: Kevin Harvick, first 2002: Jimmie Johnson, third 2004: Kasey Kahne, third
* DID YOU KNOW? The most recent Raybestos Rookie to lead a lap in the Golden Corral 500 is Ryan Newman, who led 15 circuits in the 2002 race.
* DID YOU KNOW? The late Kenny Irwin holds the record for most laps led by a Raybestos Rookie in the spring race at Atlanta. In 1998, Irwin led five times for 112 laps.
* Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookie in the Golden Corral 500 (since 1975):
1978: Connie Saylor, eighth
1979: Joe Millikan, eighth
1980: Jody Ridley, sixth
1980: Slick Johnson, 10th
1981: Morgan Shepherd, eighth
1982: Jim Sauter, 10th
1987: Davey Allison, fifth
1989: Dick Trickle, third
1989: Hut Stricklin, eighth
1994: Jeff Burton, fourth
1998: Kenny Irwin, fifth
2001: Kevin Harvick, first
2002: Jimmie Johnson, third
2002: Ryan Newman, 10th
2004: Kasey Kahne, third
* TWO or more Raybestos Rookies have finished in the top 10 in the spring race at Atlanta Motor Speedway three times (since 1975).
* From 1978 until 1982, at least one Raybestos Rookie finished in the top-10 in the Golden Corral 500, a streak of five consecutive races: Connie Saylor (eighth in 1978), Joe Millikan (eighth in 1979), Jody Ridley (sixth) and Slick Johnson (sixth and 10th, respectably, in 1980), Morgan Shepherd (eighth in 1981), and Jim Sauter (10th in 1982).(Raybestos PR)(3-16-2006)
News and Notes - Post-California/Pre-Las Vegas:
#18-J.J. Yeley was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the February 26 Auto Club 500 at California Speedway. Yeley scored an eighth-place finish, his best effort in eight career NEXTEL Cup starts. He took top Raybestos Rookie honors for the first time in 2006.
Clint Bowyer holds a two-point advantage over Yeley (21-19) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the March 12 UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 at Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway.
Bowyer is the only Raybestos Rookie that ranks in the top 10 in the NEXTEL Cup Series points. He is eighth in the standings entering the Las Vegas event, two points behind seventh-place Ryan Newman and 84 behind leader Jimmie Johnson.
DID YOU KNOW? A Raybestos Rookie has finished in the top 10 in both NEXTEL Cup Series races entering the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400.
Kyle Busch was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2005 UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. He finished second, 1.661 seconds behind race winner Johnson.
Busch equaled the best finish by a Raybestos Rookie in eight NASCAR NEXTEL Cup races at Las Vegas. Kasey Kahne finished second in 2004, 3.426 seconds behind winner Matt Kenseth.
DID YOU KNOW? The first Raybestos Rookie to score a top-five finish at Las Vegas was Newman in 2002.
Busch, Kahne and Newman are the only Raybestos Rookies to score a top-five finish at Las Vegas. Newman placed fourth in 2002.
DID YOU KNOW? In 2000, Dale Earnhardt Jr. was the first Raybestos Rookie to score a top-10 finish at Las Vegas. He was also the first Raybestos Rookie driver to lead a lap (four times for 42 laps).
Top-five finishes by Raybestos Rookies at Las Vegas:
2002: Newman, fourth
2004: Kahne, second
2005: Busch, second
Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies at Las Vegas:
2000: Earnhardt Jr. (10th)
2001: Kevin Harvick (eighth)
2001: Ron Hornaday (ninth)
2002: Newman (fourth)
2002: Johnson (sixth)
DID YOU KNOW? At least one Raybestos Rookie finished in the top 10 in four of the last five races at Las Vegas.
DID YOU KNOW? Two or more Raybestos Rookies have finished in the top 10 twice in eight previous races at Las Vegas (2001 and 2002).
DID YOU KNOW? The first time two or more Raybestos Rookies led at least one lap was in 2002, when Newman led three times for 49 laps and Johnson led once for six laps.
DID YOU KNOW? The most laps led by a Raybestos Rookie at Las Vegas is 49 by Newman in 2002.
(Raybestos/Camp & Associates/)(3-8-2006)
News and Notes - Post California:
Yeley finished eighth, his best effort in eight career NEXTEL Cup starts and took top Raybestos Rookie honors for the first time in 2006.
Where the Raybestos Rookies finished at California: Yeley 8th; Hamlin 12th; Bowyer 14th ; Truex Jr. 15th ; Sorenson 21st ; Stremme 33rd ; Sherman 37th
His previous best was 25th in September 2005 at Dover.
Yeley is 23rd in the NEXTEL Cup Series championship standings.
Yeley is the second different driver to claim Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors this season, joining Clint Bowyer.
Other Raybestos Rookies to score top-10 finishes in the Auto Club 500:
1997: Jeff Green, seventh
1999: Tony Stewart, fourth
2002: Jimmie Johnson, first
2004: Brendan Gaughan, sixth
(Raybestos PR)(2-26-2006)
News and Notes - Post Daytona/Pre-California:
Clint Bowyer was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the February 19 Daytona 500 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway. He scored a sixth-place finish, his first top-10 in two career NEXTEL Cup Series starts and took top rookie honors in the first race of 2006.
Bowyer holds a six-point advantage over Martin Truex Jr. (16-10) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the Feb. 26 Auto Club 500 at California Speedway.
DID YOU KNOW? The most drivers to compete for Raybestos Rookie of the Year is 10 in 1994 (Jeff Burton, Jeremy Mayfield, Joe Nemechek, John Andretti, Steve Grissom, Mike Wallace, Ward Burton, Loy Allen, Billy Standridge and Curtis Markham).
Kyle Busch won the pole for the 2005 Auto Club 500 at California Speedway. He became the youngest pole winner in NASCAR's premier series (19 yrs., 9 mos. and 24 days).
DID YOU KNOW? A Raybestos Rookie has won three of the last four pole positions at California Speedway: Kasey Kahne (spring 2004), Brian Vickers (fall 2004) and Busch.
Jimmie Johnson is the only Raybestos Rookie to win the Auto Club 500 at California Speedway. He captured the 2002 event by .620 seconds over Kurt Busch. The only other first-year driver to score a top-five finish in the Auto Club 500 is Tony Stewart, who placed fourth in 1999.
Kahne holds the record for number of laps led by a Raybestos Rookie in the Auto Club 500. Kahne led five times for 77 laps in the 2004 race. The most Raybestos Rookies to lead at least one lap in the Auto Club 500 is three in 2004: Kahne, Brendan Gaughan (once for one lap), and Brian Vickers (once for one lap).
Top-10 finishes by Raybestos Rookies in the Auto Club 500:
1997: Jeff Green, seventh
1999: Tony Stewart, fourth
2002: Jimmie Johnson, first
2004: Brendan Gaughan, sixth
Raybestos Rookies that have led at least one lap in the Auto Club 500:
1999: Tony Stewart (once for one lap)
2001: Kevin Harvick (twice for two laps)
2002: Ryan Newman (once for three laps)
2002: Jimmie Johnson (four times for 62 laps)
2004: Kasey Kahne (five times for 77 laps)
2004: Brendan Gaughan (once for one lap)
2005: Brian Vickers (once for one lap)
(2-22-2006)(Raybestos PR)
Bowyer best rookie at Daytona: #07-Clint Bowyer scored his first top-10 finish in his second career NEXTEL Cup Series start and took top rookie honors in the first race of 2006. He placed 22nd in his only other NEXTEL Cup Series start in April 2005 at Phoenix International Raceway. Other Raybestos Rookies to score top-10 finishes in the Daytona 500 (since 1975): 1979: Dale Earnhardt, eighth 1980: Jody Ridley, 10th 1989: Rick Mast, sixth 1991: Bobby Hamilton, ninth 1993: Jeff Gordon, fifth 2000: Matt Kenseth, 10th 2002: Ryan Newman, seventh 2004: Scott Wimmer, third. Where the Raybestos Rookies finished at Daytona: #07-Bowyer finished 6th; #1-Truex Jr. 16th; #49-Sherman 21st; #40-Stremme 28th; #41-Sorenson 29th; #11-Hamlin 30th; and #18- Yeley 41st. Unofficial Raybestos Rookie standings: Bowyer 16; Truex Jr. 10; Sherman 9; Stremme 8; Sorenson 7; Hamlin 6; Yeley 5.(Raybestos PR)(2-21-2006)
Raybestos Rookie Contender Notes: #1-Martin Truex Jr., #11-Denny Hamlin, #18-J.J. Yeley, #40-David Stremme, #41-Reed Sorenson, #07-Clint Bowyer, #49-Brent Sherman, and #92-Chad Chaffin plan to compete for Raybestos Rookie of the Year in 2006.
The 2006 season is the first in the history of the Raybestos Rookie program where two organizations have fielded multiple entries with first-year drivers. Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates will have David Stremme and Reed Sorenson behind the wheel while Joe Gibbs Racing will have Denny Hamlin and J.J. Yeley. The 2006 Raybestos Rookie class is the largest since eight drivers competed for the award in 2000. The most drivers to compete for Raybestos Rookie of the Year is 10 in 1994 (Jeff Burton, Jeremy Mayfield, Joe Nemechek, John Andretti, Steve Grissom, Mike Wallace, Ward Burton, Loy Allen, Billy Standridge and Curtis Markham). Since 1975, Scott Wimmer and Jeff Gordon are the only Raybestos Rookies to score a top-five finish in the Daytona 500. Wimmer placed third in 2004 while Gordon finished fifth in 1993. Since 1975, only three Raybestos Rookies have won the pole position for the Daytona 500: Loy Allen (1994), Mike Skinner (1997) and Jimmie Johnson (2002). Gordon is the only Raybestos Rookie to win a Gatorade Duel qualifying race at Daytona in the sport's modern era [1972 to present]. Gordon won his qualifying race in 1993. Denny Hamlin joins Ryan Newman as the only Raybestos Rookies to compete in the Budweiser Shootout. Hamlin earned his way into the special event by winning the pole for the 2005 Checker Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway. In 2002, Newman started eighth and finished 15th, completing all 70 laps of the
race.
Raybestos Rookie History:
The way to the NASCAR NEXTEL championship is to win Raybestos Rookie of the Year. Since 1979, SIX Raybestos Rookie of the Year drivers have gone on to win a NASCAR NEXTEL Cup title: Dale Earnhardt (1979), Rusty Wallace (1984), Alan Kulwicki (1986), Jeff Gordon (1993), Tony Stewart (1999, 2005) and Matt Kenseth (2000). At least one Raybestos Rookie has won a Bud Pole in each of the
last 10 years (1996-2005). There has been a first-time Bud Pole winner in each of the last 19 years (1987-2005).(Raybestos PR)(2-8-2006)
Rookie Page: do not plan on keeping with or trying to figure out the Rookie of the Year standings. Even following the rules has become fruitless and my numbers never match up all the time, so instead of showing folks the incorrect standings, will just post the standings and who was the highest finishing rookie for each race and NASCAR RoTY standings.(2006)
