Newman On Coca-Cola 600 Pole
Ryan Newman and Kurt Busch gave Penske Racing a grip on the front row for the Coca-Cola 600. Now they hope to end Penske's drought at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Newman won his 39th career pole Thursday with a lap at 185.312 mph. Busch, showing no ill effects after getting tangled up with brother Kyle Busch in a wreck during last weekend's All-Star race, qualified second at 185.065. Elliott Sadler qualified third, followed by Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Matt Kenseth. Denny Hamlin was sixth, followed by Ricky Rudd, Dave Blaney, Bobby Labonte and David Stremme, giving Dodge five of the top 10 qualifiers.

With the race a 100 miles longer than any other NASCAR competition, the pole Sunday night has less significance. The drama involved who would make the field. With 49 drivers entered, six missed the race. That included Michael Waltrip, who failed to qualify for his 11th straight race after wrecking during his second qualifying lap. Waltrip, who brushed the wall in practice, lost control of his Toyota high on the track in the second turn. He missed hitting the outside wall, but his spinning car slammed into the inside wall, ripping off a front tire. The car hit the wall a second time before coming to rest. He was not injured. "I really struggled hanging on to it," Waltrip told his crew.

Waltrip's teammate, rookie David Reutimann, also crashed and didn't make the field. Jeff Green wrecked in the second turn but will use a provisional to make the race. Ward Burton, Kevin Lepage, Mike Bliss and Paul Menard weren't so lucky. All failed to make the race. Teams who qualified later had the advantage, as the slippery track cooled.(espn.go.com)

DEI Courting Biffle?
Pat Tryson doesn't know where he'll work next, but he hasn't rule out a reunion with driver Greg Biffle. Fired as Biffle's crew chief at Roush Fenway Racing this week, Tryson said on Thursday at Lowe's Motor Speedway that he's been contacted about a job from officials at Dale Earnhardt Inc. He also said that Biffle has had ongoing conversations with DEI even before Dale Earnhardt Jr. announced he was leaving the organization that his father built.

"I know if they want to keep Greg Biffle, [Roush] better get some stuff together," Tryson said during practice for Sunday's Coca-Cola 600. "I don't think Greg's shopping himself. I also don't believe he's going to rush to sign."

Biffle, whose contract with Roush Fenway runs through 2008, said he hasn't spoken with anybody from DEI directly. He also didn't rule out that the organization has spoken to one of his representatives. He added that he remains active in renegotiating an extension with Roush and that he believes it will get done.

At the same time, Earnhardt Jr. insisted until the day he announced his split with DEI that a deal would get done there. And Biffle wouldn't be the first person to get out of a Roush contract a year early. Kurt Busch left a year after the 2005 season to join Penske Racing.

Asked if he could be reunited with Tryson, Biffle said, "You never know. But I've got to be a team player." Biffle was referring to Roush's decision to dismiss Tryson against his will.

"I don't have a problem with Pat at all," Biffle said. "I didn't want the change. But in order to have the support of the company and to better my opportunities in my career and going forward, this is what needed to be done."

Biffle added that Roush wanted to make the change four or five races into the season, noting Tryson resisted making changes to the pit crew that Roush felt were needed.(espn.go.com)

Martinsville Rebuilds RV Parking Area
Martinsville Speedway’s new Champions’ Overlook will offer the most spectacular race-day view of any RV spots in racing. RV sites in the Champions’ Overlook will sit just above the third-turn and backstretch seats and will allow fans a close-up view of the entire racing surface from the comfort of their RV or their site.

“We believe these RV sites will quickly become the most popular, sought-after RV spots in the sport,” said Martinsville Speedway president Clay Campbell. “Fans will be able to park their RVs in these spots, be within 100 feet or so of the racing surface and see the entire race track.”

Also included in the overall project is the creation of more level camping spots and enlarging and paving the accessible parking lot. There will be 30 sites in the Champions’ Overlook, each site named for a former winner at Martinsville Speedway.

More than 20,000 cubic yards, or over 1,500 dump trucks of dirt have been moved in leveling ground for the Champion’s Overlook and other RV sites in the backstretch area. That dirt was moved to other areas of the campground to create more level areas for campers.

“When race fans come to the track this fall, they will immediately see a new look to the backstretch with the addition of the Champions’ Overlook,” said Campbell. “But more than that, it’s going to make camping at Martinsville Speedway a much better experience.”

The improved accessible parking lot outside the second-turn area of the track will be easily-served by the Speedway’s disabled guest assistance.

NASCAR NEXTEL Cup action returns to Martinsville Speedway on Sunday, Oct. 21 with the running of the SUBWAY 500. The Kroger 200 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 20. Tickets for both events are available and can be purchased by calling 1.877.RACE.TIX or by visiting (www.racetickets.com).

Martinsville Speedway will also host the Made In American Whelen 300 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race on Saturday, Sept. 1. It is the only race run under the lights at Martinsville each year.

The Bailey’s 300 NASCAR Late Model Stock Car race will be run on Sunday, Sept. 30 at Martinsville

Tickets for both events can be purchased by calling 1.877.RACE.TIX or online at (www.racetickets.com).

Nashville Tickets On Sale
General Admission Tickets are on sale now for the Federated Auto Parts 300 presented by Dollar General NASCAR Busch Series Race on Saturday, June 9. General Admission Tickets are $35. Carl Edwards will return from his April victory to compete for the Sam Bass designed Gibson Les Paul Trophy Guitar.