in NASCAR Articles

Storylines galore last weekend in Tennessee!

Youngster Kyle Busch put his name forever in trivia lore by claiming the win at Bristol – the first race ever run in NASCAR’s Car of Tomorrow (“COT”) program. The COT sleds, which implement enhanced safety features, contain infinitely adjustable front and rear aerodynamic structures (front splitter and rear-fin) and provide purported cost-efficiency, will run fifteen more races this season, twenty-six races in 2008, and then every race of the 2009 season.

Kasey Kayne and Tony Stewart’s Cars of Tomorrow were clearly the fastest cars in the first half of the race but unfortunate circumstances forced each out of the race hundreds of laps before it was complete. Kasey Kayne’s car spun out of the race with more than 200 laps to go and, moments later, Stewart’s car lost its power.

The fifteenth caution flag of the race required the drivers to line up for a green-white checkered finish pitting Busch against wily veteran teammate, Jeff Gordon, who would start immediately behind Busch on the re-start. Busch pulled away and ultimately battled and defeated Jeff Burton to claim the checkered flag. In a warm show of sportsmanship, Burton discussed that he had the opportunity to spin out Busch to claim the win but that Busch’s decision not to do the same thing to Burton two weeks ago in Las Vegas made the difference. Burton did not press and Busch won.

Gordon finished third followed by: Kevin Harvick, Greg Biffle, Jeff Green, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Clint Bowyer.

Chevrolet’s COT program clearly outpaced its competitors on Sunday. Eight of the top-ten finishers were Chevrolet cars and only Ford cracked the top-ten (Biffle came 5th and Jamie McMurray 9th).

Mark Martin was the Nextel Cup points leader entering the weekend but, by deciding not to race in Bristol, he surrendered the top spot to Gordon. Behind Gordon in the standings now are: Jeff Burton, Jimmie Johnson, Matt Kenseth and Kevin Harvick. Martin now finds himself in seventh place, behind Kyle Busch.

The Cup heads East to Martinsville, Virginia for this weekend’s Goody’s Cool Orange 500. The Martinsville track was built in 1947 and is a one-mile true oval with 12-degree banking in the turns.

Like Bristol’s short-track, both races at Martinsville will feature the Car of Tomorrow cars. As will become clear in a moment, Chevy’s dominance of this program thus far bodes well for the drivers who have historically thrived at this Virginia track.

Tony Stewart (Chevy) claimed the checkered rag at last year’s spring race in Martinsville at the DirectTV 500. After Stewart, the rest of the top-ten, in finishing order, from last year’s spring race were: Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt, Jr, Kyle Busch, Elliott Sadler, Kevin Harvick, Brian Vickers, Jamie McMurry and Scott Riggs.

Jimmie Johnson (Chevy) won last year’s fall race at Martinsville (Subway 500), beating out Denny Hamlin, Terry Labonte, Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon, Casey Mears and Kasey Kahne.

Gordon (Chevy), this year’s current Cup leader, would be a good bet this weekend. He has a history of finishing very well at this track, including sweeps of both Martinsville races in a single season, having done so twice (in 2003 and 2005).

Martinsville Motor Speedway

April 1, 2007; 1:30PM EST

If you love motor sports, you’ll love to Join BetUS.com today and you’ll soon love how online sports betting makes each lap exciting.