NASCAR News from ThatsRacin.com
After Kansas rankings
That’s Racin’s weekly ranking of the top 40 teams in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series as of the Camping World RV 400 at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas. (Last week’s ranking in parentheses):

1. (3) Jimmie Johnson – car No. 48
Kansas victory was his 12th in 43 Chase races held in the history of playoff format.

2. (2) Carl Edwards – car No. 99
Last-lap move to top Johnson as Kansas was more brave than smart, but sure was fun.

3. (1) Greg Biffle – …

NASCAR News from ThatsRacin.com
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Tony Stewart and Joey Logano will not be on probation in the NASCAR Nationwide Series after all.
A three-man panel of the National Stock Car Racing Commission issued a decision Wednesday rescinding the probation handed down to the drivers after the Joe Gibbs Racing team was caught trying to manipulate an engine horsepower test following the Nationwide race at Michigan last month.
The team used magnets under the gas pedals of the Nos. 20 and 18 JGR Toyotas in an attempt to keep NASCAR from …

NASCAR News from ThatsRacin.com
Clint Bowyer has it. David Ragan and Kasey Kahne both want it. One race, one night and only one will go home happy.
Boiled down to its bones, that’s the story for Saturday night’s Chevy Rock & Roll 400 at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway.
Bowyer, Ragan and Kahne may not figure in who wins the 26th race of the 2008 Sprint Cup season, but going in they are the main players in the event’s central drama – the battle for the final spot in this year’s Chase for the …

If Kyle Busch appeared “vulnerable” in recent weeks to some of his fellow NASCAR Sprint Cup competitors, the aura of invincibility returned to the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota on Sunday at Watkins Glen International. Read the full story at NASCAR.com
The younger of the Busch brothers, Kyle has easily shown that he not only belongs among the top names in NASCAR, but that he’s a driver to be reckoned with. Doubters have tried to point out Kyle’s weaknesses, including that he hadn’t won any road courses before. …

Martin Truex Jr. and Dale Earnhardt Inc. principals Max Siegel and John Story appeared at the Watkins Glen International media center to confirm what had been reported earlier in the week — that Truex will drive the No. 1 DEI Chevrolet next season with continued sponsorship from Bass Pro Shops. Read the full story at NASCAR.com
This is great news for DEI, who was at risk of losing Truex Jr. to a higher bidding NASCAR team. The season has already featured several top drivers moving to different teams or being …

Good news for Jimmie Johnson fans – their driver has earned the pole in this weekend’s Allstate 400 race at the Brickyard.
In a Saturday morning qualifying session dominated by Chevrolet and Dodge, Jimmie Johnson won the pole for Sunday’s Allstate 400 at the Brickyard, narrowly edging Mark Martin for the top spot (watch video).
Read the full story at NASCAR.com
Jimmie Johnson currently sits in the 5th spot of the NASCAR driver standings. He has not performed quite up to his capabilities so far this season, but there are quite a …

The man in orange, “smoke”, Tony… whatever you like to call him, Mr. Stewart is on his way out of Joe Gibbs Racing after 10 years together in NASCAR. Reports surfaced yesterday and confirmed today that Tony Stewart, NASCAR’s current “meany”, will be leaving the JGR team to start his own team w/ Haas CNC Racing. The new name will be Stewart/Haas reportedly.

Stewart is my favorite driver, so I am quite upset that all my lovely orange merchandise will have to be thrown out… ok, it’s UGLY orange, so thank …

Kasey Kahne is on a bit of a roll these days. After needing a fan vote to get him into last week’s All-Star race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, Kasey took full advantage enroute to a victory and $1 million dollar payday.
Kahne followed up his All-Star win Sunday night w/ a late victory to win the Coca-Cola 600 (also at Lowe’s). Today’s race was the longest of the racing season – a true test of driving skills, mechanical expertise and a bit of luck. The Coca-Cola 600 spans …

In his first race since joining Hendrick Motorsports this racing offseason, Dale Earnhardt Jr. (#88) passed Tony Stewart (#20) with a few laps left to claim the Budweiser Shootout.  Granted, the win doesn’t count towards points, but it has to feel good for Dale Jr. to get out of DEI and enjoy a win in his first start w/ a new company.
Dale Jr.’s issues w/ DEI are well documented, so I won’t get into them here.  What counts today is that Earnhardt scored a victory in his first race of the 2008 …