Backstretch Motorsports

Two-Time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion Will Finish 2008 Season in No. 20 Toyota

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (July 9, 2008) – Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) and Tony Stewart have agreed to part ways upon the conclusion of the 2008 season.

The two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion will finish the 2008 Sprint Cup season with JGR behind the wheel of the No. 20 Home Depot Toyota. Stewart will also compete for JGR in the two NASCAR Nationwide Series races still remaining on his original, nine-race Nationwide Series schedule – July 11 at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Ill., and Aug. 16 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn. Stewart will pilot the No. 20 Old Spice Toyota in those two events.

[read more…]

GLENDORA, Calif.– As the investigation continues into the tragic accident that took the life of driver Scott Kalitta, NHRA announced today that beginning at the Mopar Mile High Nationals in Denver, Colorado, both the Top Fuel and Funny Car classes will race to 1,000 feet instead of the traditional 1,320 feet or one-quarter mile. This is an interim step that is being taken while NHRA continues to analyze and determine whether changes should be made to build upon the sport’s long standing safety record, given the inherent risks and ever-present dangers associated with the sport.

[read more…]

Yesterday’s on-track activities at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway were halted by heavy downpours for most of the day. Today isn’t any different.

Current weather radar show a heavy bank of rains stretching clear back to the Indiana/ Illinois border, not holding much promise for teams and drivers that certainly want to find speed, make adjustments, get much needed track time and refine baseline data for the 92nd Indianapolis 500.

Update: All of today’s activites have been postponed until tomorrow, Friday, May 9, at noon.

Carl Edwards announced that he has re-signed with Roush Fenway Racing – a multi-year deal that will keep him behind the wheel of the No. 99 Office Depot Ford Fusion. In addition, crew chief Bob Osborne is back this week after completing his six-week NASCAR suspension. Edwards spoke about those issues after Friday’s practice session at Richmond International Raceway.

CARL EDWARDS – No. 99 Office Depot Ford Fusion – WHAT’S YOUR CONTRACT STATUS? “I signed my contract yesterday, so I’m staying with Roush. I looked at everything and I talked to everybody and, for me, the number one thing is looking into the future and saying, ‘Where can I win the most races and have the most success?’ I was honored at the people who I got to speak with and I just feel like for me personally this is where I want to be for the near future and we got it done. It’s good. I’m real happy about it. It’s a huge relief. It really wasn’t that painful. Geoff Smith and I get along really well and we just pretty much sat down and he’s really easy for me to deal with. It took us about a week-and-a-half of going back and forth with just little things and I feel like the luckiest guy in the world for the contract I got.”

[read more…]

News and Notes

Be sure to check the News and Notes section for Track News, Sponsor News and much more.

[read more…]