With five races behind us in the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup season, we are at the point where it’s time to make it on your own or hit the long road back to North Carolina.
What am I talking about, you ask? Well, it’s time for the end of the Top 35 carry-over positions based on how drivers finished the season in 2008. And from what I can tell by looking at the overall points standings, there are some popular drivers that might get sent home if they can’t figure out how to make sure their cars are fast.
First up is Aric Almirola. Almirola is sitting in 36th place and needs to move up in the points if he wants a guaranteed starting spot. Next is David Gilliland, who is in 37th place and is followed in the points by Paul Menard, Travis Kvapil, Regan Smith, Joe Nemechek, Bill Elliott, Scott Riggs, Dave Blaney, Jeremy Mayfield, Terry Labonte, Todd Bodine, Max Papis, Brad Kesolowski, Sterling Marlin and Mike Bliss in 51st position.
Okay, all of these drivers have to worry about being sent home but in reality some of them will be in the race because they can get the job done in qualifying. NASCAR takes the Top 35 automatically and the fastest of the remaining “Go or Go Homers” are then placed into the field based on their qualifying efforts.
The official entry list from NASCAR has 48 drivers vying for 43 positions and everyone past 35 spot is fighting among themselves for a spot in the race. It’s quite possible that some unfamiliar names could be racing on Sunday while guys like Menard and Mayfield will be watching the race from their couches.
We’ll just have to wait and see.
Now, I have some news about NASCAR racing that everyone can get a chance to go out and see. If you thought the only way you could see a real, live NASCAR race was to go off to somewhere like Texas Motor Speedway or Talladega Superspeedway, you were wrong. Although you won’t be watching the Dale Earnhardt Jr. Show, you can get up close and personal with the future stars of NASCAR by going out to Houston Motorsports Park. The track is now a NASCAR-sanctioned facility and will have bi-weekly racing. Weekly divisions at the track include NASCAR Fiesta Late Models, NASCAR Cricket Modifieds, Pro Trucks, Pro Stocks, Limited Modifieds, Eco-Stocks, Legends and Bandoleros.
The season kicks off this Saturday, March 28, with the Fiesta Speedfest 2009 sponsored by Cricket Wireless.
If you go, look for me, as I will probably be somewhere on the infield checking out all of the action. And the best part about local NASCAR racing — the price. General admission tickets are $5 with advance purchase at Fiesta stores and $15 at the track. Drinks and hot dogs are only a buck and so is beer, but because I have a severe allergy to that stuff, I will be sticking with Diet Coke. The action starts at 5 p.m. For more information, call Houston Motorsports Park at 281-458-1972.
In other news, I am getting ready for next weekend’s race at TMS in Fort Worth. The weekend will kick off with a celebration inducting Bobby Labonte into the Texas Motorsports Hall of Fame on April 1. The event will take place inside the Speedway Club ballroom at the track for his commitment to auto racing in Texas. Also being inducted will be Speedway Motorsports Chairman and CEO Bruton Smith. Smith built SMI into a major motorsports operation that was the first of its kind to trade on the New York Stock Exchange.
In other news about TMS, I just got an update that there will be two Earnhardts on the track during the NASCAR Nationwide Series event — at least if they both qualify.
According to a release sent out Tuesday, Dale Jr.’s older brother Kerry Earnhardt is scheduled to drive for Rick Ware Racing. Kerry’s son and Junior’s nephew, Jeffrey, will make his Nationwide Series debut at Dover later this season.
I am also hearing that Mark Martin wants to extend his deal with Rick Hendrick to race another full season in 2010. The deal is probably done but we are all waiting on the final word, which could come any day.
That’s about it for this week. I want to thank Brad Klein at NASCAR’s PR department for hooking me up with the cool numerology story that is running this week. I hope you enjoy it, as I try to continue to expand The Examiner’s NASCAR coverage.
That’s it for this week. I hope you have the opportunity to come up to Texas Motor Speedway next weekend for the Samsung 500 but if you can’t make it, I understand. Remember, there is also some great NASCAR action just over an hour away at Houston Motorsports Park.
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