Johnson On Sunday's Pole
Jimmie Johnson isn't letting the grass grow beneath his feet. With one final race in the 2007 season -- Johnson and team served notice that they are going pounce on the NASCAR Nextel Cup Championship. Johnson started by putting his No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet on the pole for Sunday's Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Johnson turned a lap of 30.545 seconds around the 1.5-mile track for a speed of 176.788 mph. This the fourth pole of the 2007 season for Johnson and the 13th of 219 career tries. Ryan Newman will join Johnson on the front row outside, he turned a lap of 30.583 seconds, translating to a speed of 176.569. Kasey Kahne starts third and Matt Kenseth will roll off in the fourth spot. Kurt Busch qualified in fifth followed by Mark Martin, rookie David Ragan, Kevin Harvick, Jeff Burton and Carl Edwards to round out the top ten. Six drivers failed to qualify, A.J. Allmendinger, John Andretti, Joe Nemechek, Michael Waltrip, Todd Bodine and Burney Lamar. Bill Elliott took a past champion's provisional to make the race.
For Full Starting Lineup...     (Insider Racing News)

NASCAR Plates Available
The NASCAR Foundation, in partnership with the Florida Sports Foundation (FSF), has announced a new NASCAR-themed, official Florida license plate that will be available to fans for purchase at this weekend’s Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway (3 p.m. ET, ABC). Net proceeds from the sale of the specialty plate will benefit The NASCAR Foundation and the Florida Sports Foundation.

“We are happy to partner with the Florida Sports Foundation and the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to be able to offer our fans this specialty plate,” said Sandy Marshall, executive director of The NASCAR Foundation. “This is a great opportunity for fans to show their love of the sport, while at the same time contributing to two organizations that do a lot of good work in the state of Florida.”

The Florida Sports Foundation is the official sports promotion and development organization of the state of Florida. The Foundation’s mission is to promote and develop professional, amateur and participatory sports for the citizens of Florida. The FSF will distribute proceeds to support the marketing of motorsports-related tourism in the state and 50% to support The NASCAR Foundation's charitable organizations. Last year alone, The NASCAR Foundation donated $250,000 to Speediatrics, a racing-themed pediatrics unit in Daytona Beach and Homestead, Fla. The FSF will also be distributing the proceeds from the NASCAR plate to support its regional grant program, which is designed to assist communities and host organizations in attracting sporting events that generate out-of-state economic impact for the state of Florida.

“NASCAR and auto racing annually bring thousands of visitors and millions of dollars in economic impact to the state of Florida,” said Larry Pendleton, president and CEO of the Florida Sports Foundation. “We are happy to be working with NASCAR to assist these programs and to give racing fans another way to support their favorite sport by purchasing a NASCAR license plate.”

This weekend, Florida residents traveling to Homestead-Miami Speedway can pick up their plate at a mobile FLOW (Florida Licensing On Wheels) unit stationed at the track. The units are equipped with the technology and ability to bring valuable DHSMV services right to the customers, including the ability to issue specialty plates on the spot. The units will be parked near Gate 11 at Homestead-Miami Speedway from Friday, Nov. 16 through Sunday, Nov. 18.

To purchase a NASCAR specialty plate, fans must prove that they have a vehicle registered in the state of Florida, a valid Florida driver’s license and proof of insurance. The annual specialty license plate is $27. Residents not traveling to the track this weekend may still purchase a NASCAR specialty plate at their local Department of Motor Vehicles. For more information, please visit (www.hsmv.state.fl.us).

Old School Racing Series Formed
If you are a race fan, especially an old school race fan, you will want to mark May 18, 2008, on your calendar. Old school and everyday race fans will be able to see their favorite old school drivers back on the track. Racing legends David Pearson, Dave Marcis, Harry Gant, James Hylton, Geoff Bodine and more have signed up to race in The Old School Racing Champions Tour (OSRCT) in 2008. The OSRCT will debut at the Concord Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina with a 10 race schedule. A champion will be crowned at the New Smyrna Speedway in February of 2009 during a Last Chance and Championship Race.

"I have been an ARCA Truck Series Team owner for many years, have a few wins under our belt, but OSR is the most exciting thing I have ever been involved with in racing,” said Gene Weaver a Managing Partner of the OSRCT.

The OSRCT is for former winners in any of NASCAR’s top three series, former ARCA, CART and Indy Car Champions, or previous Indianapolis 500 winners that are not currently competing full-time in any of the above listed series.

“These drivers are legends in auto racing and I hope that OSR can provide a platform that will allow us to show them how much we appreciate what they have done for this sport,” added Weaver. “They deserve recognition as the pioneers of racing and it is the least we can do for them at this stage of their lives."

Driver safety is priority number one with the OSRCT. All tracks on the schedule are ¾ a mile or less and include such venues as two-time Cup Series Champion Tony Stewart’s Eldora Speedway, the Music City Motorplex, Southside Speedway, Hickory Motor Speedway, South Boston Speedway, Flat Rock Speedway and the Springport Speedway. The night of the race to these legendary drivers delight they will strap into equally prepared, maintained cars, provided to the drivers by OSRCT. While the drivers are excited about another turn around the track, the competitive spirit that made them Champions will compel them to drive for the win. Two time Busch Series Champion Larry Pearson probably summed it up best saying, “I can’t wait to do this.”

Adding a twist to traditional racing where drivers show up to qualify for every race, in the OSRCT drivers will only be eligible to race in 6 of the 10 races on the schedule and points will be based on the driver’s five best finishes. To make things even more exciting, only about 15 drivers will be able to compete in any regular season race and only 20 or so drivers in the championship races. With all race sign-ups being on a first come first serve basis all drivers must select their races not only early but also wisely.

As the drivers race for each win and the championship, the car will display the logo of the drivers chosen charity. Half of all the driver’s winnings will go to that charity, including half of the half million dollar Championship purse. This will give recognition to each charity as well as a generous donation on behalf of every driver that competes in the OSRCT.

Mark your calendars and get ready for the most exciting racing series to debut in years. “Competitiveness is bred within and Remains for Life” as these legends will exhibit starting May 18th 2008. Summing up the excitement surrounding the series debut, managing partner Norm Weaver said “Hold on to your hats, it’s going to be something.”

For further information on the OSRCT please visit the OSRCT website at (osrct.com)......Via Jayski

Benson Wins Final Truck Race
Johnny Benson passed leader Kyle Busch on the last lap of a green-white-checkers finish to win the Ford 200 Craftsman Truck Series race at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Friday night. It was Benson's ninth victory in his 100 race career and was his fourth win this year. Kyle Busch held on to finish second and needless to say, he wasn't happy with the result. "I wasn't the one that threw the caution," said Benson. "That's his gripe with whomever. But it sure made for a great event for the fans." Rick Crawford brought his Ford home in the third spot and Kevin Harvick finished fourth. Rounding out the top ten were Jason Leffler, David Starr, Ron Hornaday, Justin Marks, Regan Smith and Dave Blaney.