Backstretch Motorsports

Long Pond, PA) — Intensity in racing is nothing new. Strategies of speed and performance are tough enough to maintain. Compound them with the unexpected factors that can happen during an event, it can be downright nerve-racking. That is when the heat is on. Winners know it and know how to deal with the heat it brings.

Increasing intensity as the NASCAR Chase for the Sprint Cup looms ever closer is overwhelming, and can take even the most seasoned of championsip contenders to the brink of self-destruction.

Carl Edwards won the Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500, his 11th victory in 142 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races. He not only etched his name into the records books at Pocono Raceway again, he gained another all-important 10 bonus points that put him in second-place potential in the Chase berth.

But not without some heated and unsure moments.

[read more...]

BEACH, FLA. — Fireworks started the Coke Zero 400 Powered by Coca-Cola Saturday night. Fireworks ended the race as well, both on and off the track.

In a wild and wooly finish so typical of races at Daytona International Speedway, Kyle Busch won by a whisker over hard-charging Carl Edwards with a chain-reaction accident behind them sending up a cloud of smoke that covered the track.

[read more...]

After yesterday’s media buzz about the penalties levied against the Roush Fenway No. 99 team and the reprieve granted to Robby Gordon’s operation. There’s always the inevitable talk about NASCAR’s “Law and Order”.

I suppose I should add my two-cents worth.

For all intents and purposes, Carl Edwards didn’t win the UAW-Dodge 400. The records show a “w” for Edwards, but all other evidence, that being a good portion of the cash, points, including the all valuable 10 bonus points are gone.

[read more...]

LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Carl Edwards is one cool customer. It seems nothing can rattle him. He lives for the anxiety of top-level racing.

No. 99 Crew Chief Bob Osborne is a smart cookie. They’re talking about making him wear a helmet to protect that racing brain of his.

Jack Roush is a fiery competitor. After being what he describes as “thousands of unauthorised test miles behind” in last year’s CoT introduction, he’s made it up, with strong personel changes, factory support and dedcated resources that will rival any other team of manufacturer out there.

California last week and Las Vegas today have proven to be the pay-off. Four of Roush Fenway Racing’s entries were top ten finishers. Including the “W” … twice.

[read more...]