The result of Sunday’s race is all about confidence.
On the one side, Carl Edwards won his second race of the season on a 1.5-mile track, winning in dominating fashion. On the flip side, Jeff Gordon battled a car that handled so badly – and we’re talking Jeff Gordon here – he couldn’t finish the race, winding up dead last.
From my perspective, these two results aren’t just about Edwards gaining in points and Gordon losing them. No, mostly it’s about confidence.
Edwards leaves Texas knowing his team has figured out these tracks 1.5-mile and larger – he won at California, too – while Gordon headed home wondering what’s going to happen when they return to Texas in November, not to mention the rest of the intermediate tracks that dominate the Sprint Cup schedule.
Haas CNC Racing announced on Tuesday it has released Jeremy Mayfield.
The move comes a day after replacing Mayfield with Johnny Sauter as driver of its No. 70 Chevrolet for Saturday night's Sprint Cup Series race at Phoenix International Raceway.
"Jeremy's proven resume behind the wheel of a Cup car was a real benefit to our team," team general manager Joe Custer said. "He stepped into the seat and did everything we asked him to and more.
"Ultimately, we were unable to provide him with the right balance, handling and speed he needed to be successful. We wish Jeremy nothing but the best for his future."
A team release said Haas CNC, which also fields a No. 66 Chevrolet for Scott Riggs, was "exploring several scenarios regarding a replacement driver."
Sauter last year drove the No. 70 car for Haas -- which was a new team that Sauter immediately moved into the top 35 in owner points, where it remained all season. He teamed with the No. 66's pilot, the veteran Jeff Green, who accrued three top-10 finishes. But the team chose to go with Mayfield and Riggs as its two drivers for the 2008 season. Both have struggled.
Brienne Davis, one of NASCAR's few full-time female inspectors, was killed in a car accident Tuesday night. She was 28.
Davis joined NASCAR in 2004 and traveled every weekend to inspect carburetors and manifolds. She was scheduled to work this weekend at Phoenix International Raceway.
NASCAR has issued penalties and fines to the No. 12 team that competes in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, as a result of rule infractions found last Sunday at Texas Motor Speedway.
The No. 12 car driven by Ryan Newman was found to be in violation of Sections 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock-car racing); 12-4-Q (car, car parts, components and/or equipment used do not conform to NASCAR rules); and 12.8.1C (right-rear quarter panel height did not meet the required specification; too high in post-race inspection) of the 2008 NASCAR rule book.
As a result, Newman and car owner Roger Penske have been penalized 25 championship driver and 25 championship owner points, respectively. Crew chief Roy McCauley has been fined $25,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31.
2008 Projected Sprint Cup Drivers & Teams
