NASCAR Daily News Headlines * March 1, 2008

NASCAR Puts Three To End Of The Inspection Line

The effect seemed minimal on Johnson, who turned only nine laps and still posted the third-fastest speed. But the two-time defending champion, who is seeking his fourth consecutive victory at Vegas, wasn't pleased when an area of the nose was off by a 16th of an inch. "We could have used the extra practice time," Johnson said. "NASCAR is cracking down on everything going through the tech line. It's hard to believe a 16th would keep you from getting on track."

Tony Eury Jr., crew chief for Earnhardt, said his car had a similar issue and couldn't receive its wing from NASCAR until the problem was fixed. Earnhardt turned the sixth-fastest lap and qualified eighth. "We were really good off the truck, so that's always a bonus," Eury said. "If you're sitting here and then not running good, that can potentially be devastating."

Eury said Earnhardt's Chevy hadn't been presented at a track before. "You try your best to stay on top of it and measuring hard points, but it's just the characteristics of the car," he said. "That car will never have that issue again. It only usually happens when you have a new car. The other (cars) you know they didn't like this, so we need to flub this or that area."

NASCAR asked Eury's crew to put a weld on the deck lid to ensure the rear height couldn't be adjusted. "It's something we should have done earlier, but the cars left before we got back from California, and the communication didn't get translated," he said.(usatoday.com)

TMS Offers Helmet Throwing Reward

“I’m offering $15,000 for any helmet thrown by a Cup series driver during a race between now and the April 6th Samsung 500,” Gossage said in a statement from TMS released Friday. “I have a huge helmet collection from drivers through the years and it would be great to add to the collection.”

NASCAR officials said earlier this year that past on-track incidents involving participants in its Sprint Cup Series led to stiffer penalties for such infractions. As a result, fans have complained that much of the color and emotion has been removed from the sport.

Brian France, NASCAR CEO, said in January that officials were looking at the situation, “and making sure that our policies of enforcement don’t make it where our drivers can’t express themselves.

“There are lots of characters in our sport. There’s lots of emotion flying fast and heavy at the events,” France said. “What you’re always worried about really isn’t necessarily the specific incident, it’s really escalation. That’s what commissioners and officials in any sport are mostly concerned with. But on your way to making sure things don’t escalate, you want to be pretty stern with your penalties. There’s no question it can ... restrict ... the drivers expressing themselves. We want to see more of that.”

Gossage, continually looking for ways to promote his sprawling facility, as well as the sport itself, says he believes that “as NASCAR allows the drivers to open up and show their personalities – even their frustrations – I imagine the likelihood of true emotions are more likely to bubble to the top.

“I’ve seen some helmets thrown during a race and never have they injured anyone or damaged another driver’s car. We’ll see what happens.”

The $15,000 is available to the driver or will be paid to the charity of the driver’s choice. The helmet must be thrown on the race track during competition.()

Counterfeit Merchandise Still A Problem

On Thursday, the U.S. District Court issued a preliminary injunction against producers of counterfeit merchandise. Materials can be seized within a 10-mile radius of a track from 48 hours before qualifying to 24 hours after the completion of a race.

Ten individuals were listed in the most recent order as violating the order. None of those individuals challenged the injunction during a hearing Thursday.

Among the teams and drivers that joined NASCAR in the suit are Richard Childress Racing, Roush Fenway Racing, Joe Gibbs Racing, Hendrick Motorsports, Jeff Gordon, JR Motorsports, Rusty Wallace Inc., Penske Racing, Dale Earnhardt Inc., Gillett Evernham Motorsports, Red Bull Racing, Michael Wlatrip Racing and Chip Ganassi Racing.(scenedaily.com)

Martin Wins Sam's Town 300

Carl Edwards restarted third with Greg Biffle, Clint Bowyer and Mark Martin in tow, all on new tires. Edwards slipped by Franchitti without much trouble and was waging a side-by-side battle with Keselowski. Meanwhile Martin had gotten by Bowyer and Biffle and was now squarley behind Edwards in the bottom lane and Keselowski was still riding the high side. Martin got into the back Edwards forcing him into Keselowski's car. Both creened out of control and Martin took the lead. That set up a green-white-checkers situation and Martin won the race pulling away from Biffle and Bowyer.

"I couldn't stop it once it started," said Martin, "I ran into the back of Carl, I hate it, I just hate it. I sure didn't intend for it to turn out like that." Edwards wanted to be mad but just couldn't. "I would like to be really mad at Mark," Edwards said. "But he's a guy we all look up to. I am sure he just made a mistake."

Kevin Harvick slipped into the fourth spot on the final lap and David Stremme finished fifth. Rounding out the top ten were rookie Dario Franchitti, who had a race best finish with a sixth place followed by Mike Wallace, Patrick Carpentier, Brad Coleman and David Ragan. Tony Stewart was going for a third consecutive victory in the Nationwide Series and was leading on lap 137 of 200 when David Reutimann and he battled for the top position. Reutimann and Stewart made contact and both cars wrecked, ending Stewart's quest for three. The Nationwide Series moves to the Atlanta Motor Speedway next Saturday, March 8th.

Vickers On Sam's Town 300 Pole

Kyle Busch Wrecks Nationwide Car