Jeff Gordon (far left), driver of the No. 24 Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet, talks with crew chief Alan Gustafson (second left) while crew members listen - Photo Credit: Jason Smith/Getty Images for NASCAR

AJ Allmendinger and Brad Keselowski, with the identical lap speed of 200.548 mph, posted the second and third fastest speeds respectively, while Kasey Kahne (200.481) was fourth fastest and Denny Hamlin (199.973) was the fifth fastest.

Rounding out the top-ten fastest were Joey Logano (199.969) who was sixth fastest, Martin Truex, Jr. (199.601) seventh, Clint Bowyer (199.596) eighth, Juan Pablo Montoya (199.159) ninth and Jamie McMurray ( 198.904) posting the tenth fastest lap speed.

Next Up: SpeedWeeks, and the NSCS team haulers descend upon Daytona International Speedway Thursday, Feb. 16th, and those participating in the Budweiser Shootout, hit the track for their first practice session on Friday, Feb.17th, from 5:00 PM – 5:45 PM (EDT). (The first practice session for the Daytona 500 is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 18th, from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM – EDT).

Pos No Name                   Make Best Time Best Speed

 1  24 Jeff Gordon          Chv  44.874    200.562
 2  22 AJ Allmendinger      Dge  44.877    200.548
 3   2 Brad Keselowski      Dge  44.877    200.548
 4   5 Kasey Kahne          Chv  44.892    200.481
 5  11 Denny Hamlin         Tyt  45.006    199.973
 6  20 Joey Logano          Tyt  45.007    199.969
 7  56 Martin Truex Jr      Tyt  45.090    199.601
 8  15 Clint Bowyer         Tyt  45.091    199.596
 9  42 Juan Pablo Montoya   Chv  45.190    199.159
10   1 Jamie McMurray       Chv  45.248    198.904
11  88 Dale Earnhardt Jr    Chv  45.310    198.632
12  55 Mark Martin          Tyt  45.368    198.378
13  31 Jeff Burton          Chv  45.378    198.334
14  18 Kyle Busch           Tyt  45.419    198.155
15  43 Aric Almirola        Frd  45.446    198.037
16  16 Greg Biffle          Frd  45.451    198.015
17  17 Matt Kenseth         Frd  45.452    198.011
18   9 Marcos Ambrose       Frd  45.488    197.854
19  99 Carl Edwards         Frd  45.540    197.628
20  78 Regan Smith          Chv  45.541    197.624
21  87 Joe Nemechek         Tyt  46.199    194.809
22  48 Jimmie Johnson       Chv  46.462    193.707
23  27 Paul Menard          Chv  46.560    193.299
24  29 Kevin Harvick        Chv  46.744    192.538
25  21 Trevor Bayne         Frd  46.777    192.402
26   6 Ricky Stenhouse Jr   Frd  47.001    191.485

Kasey Kahne, driver of the No. 5 Farmers Insurance Chevrolet, talks with Jeff Gordon, driver of the No. 24 Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet, during Daytona Preseason Thunder at Daytona International Speedway on Jan. 14, 2012, in Daytona Beach, Fla. - Photo Credit: Jerry Markland/Getty Images for NASCAR

Recorded the second fastest with the identical lap speed of 201.545 mph, was Jeff Gordon, followed by Kurt Busch (199.464) who was third fastest, Mark Martin (199.459) fourth and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. (199.406) who was fifth fastest.

Rounding out the top-ten fastest were Jimmie Johnson (199.397) who was sixth fastest, Jeff Burton (199.049) seventh, Regan Smith (199.045) eighth, Jamie McMurray (194.456) ninth and Juan Pablo Montoya (192.951) posting the tenth fastest lap speed.

The teams will return to the track for their final test/practice session this afternoon, which is scheduled to run from 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM (EDT).

Pos No Name                 Make Best Time Best Speed

 1   5 Kasey Kahne          Chv  44.655    201.545
 2  24 Jeff Gordon          Chv  44.655    201.545
 3  51 Kurt Busch           Chv  45.121    199.464
 4  55 Mark Martin          Tyt  45.122    199.459
 5  88 Dale Earnhardt Jr    Chv  45.134    199.406
 6  48 Jimmie Johnson       Chv  45.136    199.397
 7  31 Jeff Burton          Chv  45.215    199.049
 8  78 Regan Smith          Chv  45.216    199.045
 9   1 Jamie McMurray       Chv  46.283    194.456
10  42 Juan Pablo Montoya   Chv  46.644    192.951
11  27 Paul Menard          Chv  46.721    192.633
12  10 Danica Patrick       Chv  46.868    192.029
13  14 Tony Stewart         Chv  46.904    191.881
14  18 Kyle Busch           Tyt  46.955    191.673
15  21 Trevor Bayne         Frd  46.967    191.624
16  29 Kevin Harvick        Chv  47.010    191.449
17  22 AJ Allmendinger      Dge  47.013    191.436
18  43 Aric Almirola        Frd  47.056    191.261
19  20 Joey Logano          Tyt  47.102    191.075
20   6 Ricky Stenhouse Jr   Frd  47.176    190.775
21  16 Greg Biffle          Frd  47.188    190.726
22  11 Denny Hamlin         Tyt  47.195    190.698
23  15 Clint Bowyer         Tyt  47.217    190.609
24   9 Marcos Ambrose       Frd  47.260    190.436
25  56 Martin Truex Jr      Tyt  47.276    190.371
26  99 Carl Edwards         Frd  47.317    190.206
27  17 Matt Kenseth         Frd  47.408    189.841
28   2 Brad Keselowski      Dge  47.534    189.338
29  36 Dave Blaney          Chv  47.739    188.525
30  87 Joe Nemechek         Tyt  47.855    188.068

Kurt Busch - Photo Credit: Tom Pennington/Getty Images

Regan Smith, with a lap speed of 206.053 mph, was second fastest and was followed by Kyle Busch (205.813) who was third fastest, while Jeff Gordon and Kasey Kahne ran the identical laps (205.747) and were recorded fourth and fifth fastest respectively.

Rounding out the top-ten fastest were Paul Menard (205.100) who was sixth fastest, Kevin Harvick (205.095) seventh, Denny Hamlin (204.997) eighth, Martin Truex, Jr. (204.820) ninth and Clint Bowyer (204.806) posting the tenth fastest lap speed.

The teams will return to the track Saturday for their final two sessions with the first session running from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (EDT) and the afternoon session will run from 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM (EDT).

Pos No Name                 Make Best Time Best Speed

 1  51 Kurt Busch           Chv  43.677    206.058
 2  78 Regan Smith          Chv  43.678    206.053
 3  18 Kyle Busch           Tyt  43.729    205.813
 4  24 Jeff Gordon          Chv  43.743    205.747
 5   5 Kasey Kahne          Chv  43.743    205.747
 6  27 Paul Menard          Chv  43.881    205.100
 7  29 Kevin Harvick        Chv  43.882    205.095
 8  11 Denny Hamlin         Tyt  43.903    204.997
 9  56 Martin Truex Jr      Tyt  43.941    204.820
10  15 Clint Bowyer         Tyt  43.944    204.806
11   2 Brad Keselowski      Dge  43.964    204.713
12  22 AJ Allmendinger      Dge  43.965    204.708
13  10 Danica Patrick       Chv  44.044    204.341
14  14 Tony Stewart         Chv  44.044    204.341
15  88 Dale Earnhardt Jr    Chv  44.046    204.332
16  20 Joey Logano          Tyt  44.074    204.202
17  39 Ryan Newman          Chv  44.078    204.183
18   6 Ricky Stenhouse Jr   Frd  44.103    204.068
19  17 Matt Kenseth         Frd  44.105    204.058
20  16 Greg Biffle          Frd  44.190    203.666
21  21 Trevor Bayne         Frd  44.228    203.491
22  55 Mark Martin          Tyt  44.300    203.160
23  13 Casey Mears          Frd  44.453    202.461
24  43 Aric Almirola        Frd  44.689    201.392
25   9 Marcos Ambrose       Frd  44.693    201.374
26  42 Juan Pablo Montoya   Chv  44.710    201.297
27   1 Jamie McMurray       Chv  44.878    200.544
28  99 Carl Edwards         Frd  44.882    200.526
29  48 Jimmie Johnson       Chv  45.776    196.610
30  31 Jeff Burton          Chv  46.075    195.334
31  36 Dave Blaney          Chv  46.724    192.620
32  87 Joe Nemechek         Tyt  46.856    192.078

Martin Truex with Crew Chief Chad Johnston in the Garage - Photo Credit: Jason Smith/Getty Images for NASCAR

Clint Bowyer, with the identical lap speed of 204.722 mph, was recorded the second quickest, and was followed by Marcos Ambrose (203.142 mph) who was third quickest, Aric Almirola (203.142) fourth and Mark Martin (201.748) was fifth quickest.

Rounding out the top-10 quickest were Jamie McMurray (201.378) who was sixth quickest, Juan Pablo Montoya (201.374) seventh, Jeff Gordon (196.049) eighth, Kurt Busch (196.014) ninth and AJ Allmendinger (195.818) posting the tenth quickest lap speed.

The teams will return to the track for their afternoon session which is scheduled to run from 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM (EDT).

Pos No Name                Make Best Time Best Speed

 1  56 Martin Truex Jr     Tyt  43.962    204.722
 2  15 Clint Bowyer        Tyt  43.962    204.722
 3   9 Marcos Ambrose      Frd  44.304    203.142
 4  43 Aric Almirola       Frd  44.304    203.142
 5  55 Mark Martin         Tyt  44.610    201.748
 6   1 Jamie McMurray      Chv  44.692    201.378
 7  42 Juan Pablo Montoya  Chv  44.693    201.374
 8  24 Jeff Gordon         Chv  45.907    196.049
 9  51 Kurt Busch          Chv  45.915    196.014
10  22 AJ Allmendinger     Dge  45.961    195.818
11  48 Jimmie Johnson      Chv  46.057    195.410
12  14 Tony Stewart        Chv  46.063    195.385
13  10 Danica Patrick      Chv  46.070    195.355
14  27 Paul Menard         Chv  46.072    195.346
15  18 Kyle Busch          Tyt  46.091    195.266
16  31 Jeff Burton         Chv  46.129    195.105
17  39 Ryan Newman         Chv  46.134    195.084
18  20 Joey Logano         Tyt  46.135    195.080
19  88 Dale Earnhardt Jr   Chv  46.155    194.995
20  16 Greg Biffle         Frd  46.184    194.873
21   6 Ricky Stenhouse Jr  Frd  46.192    194.839
22   5 Kasey Kahne         Chv  46.193    194.835
23  29 Kevin Harvick       Chv  46.204    194.788
24  11 Denny Hamlin        Tyt  46.209    194.767
25  78 Regan Smith         Chv  46.232    194.670
26  21 Trevor Bayne        Frd  46.292    194.418
27   2 Brad Keselowski     Dge  46.364    194.116
28  17 Matt Kenseth        Frd  46.559    193.303
29  99 Carl Edwards        Frd  46.703    192.707
30  13 Casey Mears         Frd  46.752    192.505
31  36 Dave Blaney         Chv  46.923    191.804
32  87 Joe Nemechek        Tyt  47.983    187.566

Kyle Busch - Photo Credit: Todd Warshaw / Getty Images

Busch’s fellow Joe Gibbs Racing teammate, Joey Logano, was second fastest with a lap speed of 202.388 mph, and they were followed by Brad Keselowski (202.224) who was third fastest, AJ Allmendinger (202.220) fourth fastest and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. (200.920) who was fifth fastest.

Rounding out the top-ten fastest were Jimmie Johnson (200.915) who was sixth fastest, Denny Hamlin (200.156) seventh, Kasey Kahne (199.791) eighth, Mark Martin (196.584) ninth and Clint Bowyer (196.584) posting the tenth fastest lap speed.

Testing/practice will continue Friday for the second (of three) day, and track activity is scheduled to get underway from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (EDT) for the morning session.

Pos No Name               Make Best Time Best Speed

 1  18 Kyle Busch         Tyt  44.466    202.402
 2  20 Joey Logano        Tyt  44.469    202.388
 3   2 Brad Keselowski    Dge  44.505    202.224
 4  22 AJ Allmendinger    Dge  44.506    202.220
 5  88 Dale Earnhardt Jr  Chv  44.794    200.920
 6  48 Jimmie Johnson     Chv  44.795    200.915
 7  11 Denny Hamlin       Tyt  44.965    200.156
 8  5 Kasey Kahne         Chv  45.047    199.791
 9  55 Mark Martin        Tyt  45.782    196.584
10  15 Clint Bowyer       Tyt  45.782    196.584
11   6 Ricky Stenhouse Jr Frd  46.164    194.957
12  24 Jeff Gordon        Chv  46.482    193.623
13  27 Paul Menard        Chv  46.726    192.612
14  51 Kurt Busch         Chv  46.835    192.164
15  14 Tony Stewart       Chv  46.887    191.951
16  10 Danica Patrick     Chv  46.893    191.926
17  16 Greg Biffle        Frd  46.941    191.730
18  31 Jeff Burton        Chv  46.945    191.714
19  42 Juan Pablo Montoya Chv  46.969    191.616
20  17 Matt Kenseth       Frd  46.997    191.502
21  9 Marcos Ambrose      Frd  47.007    191.461
22  39 Ryan Newman        Chv  47.010    191.449
23  29 Kevin Harvick      Chv  47.052    191.278
24  21 Trevor Bayne       Frd  47.061    191.241
25  56 Martin Truex Jr    Tyt  47.095    191.103
26  1 Jamie McMurray      Chv  47.102    191.075
27  78 Regan Smith        Chv  47.266    190.412
28  99 Carl Edwards       Frd  47.285    190.335
29  43 Aric Almirola      Frd  47.296    190.291
30  36 Dave Blaney        Chv  47.453    189.661
31  13 Casey Mears        Frd  47.671    188.794
32  87 Joe Nemechek       Tyt  48.038    187.352

2011 Jeff Gordon in Garage - Photo Credit: Jerry Markland/Getty Images for NASCAR

Second fastest was Paul Menard with a lap speed of 192.369 mph, and was followed by Kurt Busch (192.361) who was third fastest, Ricky Stenhouse Jr (191.959) fourth fastest and Juan Pablo Montoya (191.853) who was fifth fastest.

Rounding out the top-ten fastest were Jimmie Johnson (191.763) who was sixth fastest, Greg Biffle (191.542) seventh, Danica Patrick (191.473) eighth, Jeff Burton (191.412) ninth and Trevor Bayne (191.400) posting the tenth fastest lap speed.

Pos No Name               Make Best Time Best Speed

 1  24 Jeff Gordon        Chv  46.687    192.773
 2  27 Paul Menard        Chv  46.785    192.369
 3  51 Kurt Busch         Chv  46.787    192.361
 4   6 Ricky Stenhouse Jr Frd  46.885    191.959
 5  42 Juan Pablo Montoya Chv  46.911    191.853
 6  48 Jimmie Johnson     Chv  46.933    191.763
 7  16 Greg Biffle        Frd  46.987    191.542
 8  10 Danica Patrick     Chv  47.004    191.473
 9  31 Jeff Burton        Chv  47.019    191.412
10  21 Trevor Bayne       Frd  47.022    191.400
11  88 Dale Earnhardt Jr  Chv  47.025    191.388
12  14 Tony Stewart       Chv  47.032    191.359
13  18 Kyle Busch         Tyt  47.037    191.339
14  20 Joey Logano        Tyt  47.059    191.249
15  39 Ryan Newman        Chv  47.110    191.042
16  11 Denny Hamlin       Tyt  47.122    190.994
17  17 Matt Kenseth       Frd  47.134    190.945
18   5 Kasey Kahne        Chv  47.160    190.840
19  29 Kevin Harvick      Chv  47.176    190.775
20  15 Clint Bowyer       Tyt  47.199    190.682
21  55 Mark Martin        Tyt  47.225    190.577
22   9 Marcos Ambrose     Frd  47.238    190.525
23  43 Aric Almirola      Frd  47.255    190.456
24   1 Jamie McMurray     Chv  47.269    190.400
25  78 Regan Smith        Chv  47.374    189.978
26  22 AJ Allmendinger    Dge  47.419    189.797
27  99 Carl Edwards       Frd  47.435    189.733
28   2 Brad Keselowski    Dge  47.504    189.458
29  13 Casey Mears        Frd  47.508    189.442
30  56 Martin Truex Jr    Tyt  47.633    188.945
31  87 Joe Nemechek       Tyt  48.304    186.320

Firestone Indy Lights

INDIANAPOLIS (Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2011) -

“Our goal is to prepare Firestone Indy Lights drivers to become successful IZOD IndyCar Series drivers,” said Tony George Jr., manager of business development for Firestone Indy Lights. “We’ve seen how this has worked recently with drivers having success after graduating from the series. The 2012 schedule continues to help us reach that goal by helping our current drivers gain experience and succeed on all types of racing circuits.”

Firestone Indy Lights teams will race at the Raceway at Belle Isle for the first time under INDYCAR sanction on the weekend of June 2-3 as part of the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix. The CART-sanctioned Indy Lights raced at Belle Isle from 1992-2000 with drivers such as Tony Kanaan, Robbie Buhl and Eric Bachelart among the race winners. The series’ return to the 2-mile oval at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif., on Sept. 15 will be the first Firestone Indy Lights race at the track since 2005.

Eight venues that hosted Firestone Indy Lights races in 2011 return and will be run in conjunction with the IZOD IndyCar Series and have additional support from the Mazda Road to Indy. Firestone Indy Lights returns as the headline event at the Grand Prix of Trois Rivieres on the streets of Trois Rivieres, Quebec. An additional event will be announced at a later date.

For the 10^th consecutive year, the Firestone Indy Lights season will begin competition in the state of Florida, with a race on the streets of St. Petersburg on March 24-25. The series will then return to the 2.3-mile Barber Motorsports Park on March 31-April 1 before heading to the streets of Long Beach, Calif., for the fourth time on April 14-15.

The first oval of the season will be the series’ premier event – the Freedom 100 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 25, two days before the Indianapolis 500.

“The opportunity to compete on Carb Day at Indianapolis is an experience that is second to none for our drivers, teams and sponsors and the highlight of the schedule each year,” George said. “We feel like our schedule demands the ability of both drivers and teams to master a variety of venues with the end result of a champion that is fully prepared to be an IZOD IndyCar Series driver.”

The Belle Isle race and the oval event at Iowa Speedway precede the Canadian stretch, which features races on the streets of Toronto’s Exhibition Place, Edmonton City Centre Airport and Trois Rivieres. A return to the streets of Baltimore will lead into the race at Auto Club Speedway.

Firestone Indy Lights is the premier ladder series for drivers and teams striving to compete in the IZOD IndyCar Series and the Indianapolis 500. The top series in the Mazda Road to Indy development system, teams compete for more than $3 million in prize money in cars that are second in speed only to the IZOD IndyCar Series at most tracks they visit. Graduates of this fast and cost-effective series include Marco Andretti, Ana Beatriz, Ed Carpenter, Wade Cunningham, Jay Howard, James Hinchcliffe, JR Hildebrand, Alex Lloyd, Charlie Kimball and Raphael Matos.

The complete 2012 Firestone Indy Lights schedule:

March 24-25 Streets of St. Petersburg, Fla.

March 31- April 1 Barber Motorsports Park

April 14-15 Streets of Long Beach, Calif.

May 25 Indianapolis Motor Speedway

June 2-3 Raceway at Belle Isle Park

June 22- 23 Iowa Speedway

July 7-8 Streets of Toronto

July 21-22 Edmonton City Centre Airport

Aug. 5 Streets of Trois Rivieres, Quebec

Sept. 1-2 Streets of Baltimore

Sept. 15 Auto Club Speedway

TBD TBD

- INDYCAR, Press Release

IZOD IndyCar® Series

The 2012 season, which will feature the return of engine manufacturer competition and a new universal chassis produced by Dallara Automobili, kicks off Sunday, March 25, with the eighth Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.

The IZOD IndyCar Series again presents the most diverse schedule in motorsports with the challenges of races on temporary street circuits, permanent road courses, superspeedways and short ovals in four countries.

“To be crowned IZOD IndyCar Series champion, the driver must be able to master a diversified race schedule that truly challenges the best in the world,” said Randy Bernard, CEO, INDYCAR. “The 2012 schedule offers our drivers and teams the test of conquering both ovals and road and street races. Adding to the diversity of the season, we’re excited with the launch of three engine manufacturers vying for the Manufacturers Trophy.”

The scenic Belle Isle park circuit will be the site of the recently announced Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix on Sunday, June 3. The IZOD IndyCar Series had competed at the Raceway at Belle Isle in 2007 and ’08. Also returning to the schedule is the 2-mile Auto Club Speedway oval in Fontana, Calif., for a race under the lights Saturday, Sept. 15. INDYCAR sanctioned four races at Auto Club Speedway between 2002 and ’05, while CART hosted events at the track from 1997 to 2002.

Night races also will be held at Texas Motor Speedway on Saturday, June 9, and the .875-mile Iowa Speedway on Saturday, June 23.

The Indianapolis 500 is scheduled for Sunday, May 27, with Pole Day on Saturday, May 19.

The IZOD IndyCar Series returns to Barber Motorsports Park for the third consecutive year on Sunday, April 1, and the 38th Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach will be held Sunday, April 15. Also, the series will compete on the streets of Sao Paulo, Brazil, for the third time on Sunday, April 29, as the lead-in to Indianapolis 500 activities.

Back-to-back races in Canada highlight July – on the streets of Exhibition Place in Toronto on Sunday, July 8, and on the exciting City Centre Airport circuit in Edmonton, Alberta, on Sunday, July 22.

The permanent road courses of the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course (Sunday, Aug. 5) and Infineon Raceway (Sunday, Aug. 26) also retain their traditional dates. On Sunday, Sept. 2, the IZOD IndyCar Series will electrify the streets of downtown Baltimore for the second consecutive year.

“INDYCAR is excited about the confirmed races announced today,” said Bernard. “With the new car and engine manufacturer competition, we believe they will be tremendous events that will help INDYCAR grow.

“We are exploring adding additional events to the 2012 schedule. We’re in the process of confirming a 16^th event, while also considering adding a 17^th race to the calendar.”

In addition to the race schedule, the series’ annual preseason Open Test will be held at Sebring International Raceway on March 5-8.

The television lineup and event start times will be announced soon. Also, the 2012 Indy Lights schedule will be announced soon.

Schedule subject to change

- INDYCAR, Press Release

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Logo

A Return To Rockingham, Two Trips To Iowa Short Track Highlight 18th Season

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Nov. 21, 2011) – NASCAR announced today the 2012 schedule for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, highlighted by the sport’s return to historic Rockingham Speedway for the first time since 2004 and a number of familiar venues known for the typically intense battles among the tough trucks.

“The 2012 schedule has a great mix of tracks that will continue to deliver great racing for our fans,” said Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR senior vice president of racing operations. “We’re excited to bring the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series to the famed Rockingham Speedway, along with the addition of a second date at Iowa Speedway. Looking ahead, interest in the truck series continues to grow in a number of different markets and we’re excited about what the future holds for next season and beyond.”

The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will race at Rockingham for the first time in its 17-year history, marking the first time the 1.017-mile track will host a NASCAR national series race since February of 2004.

Next season’s schedule, which features 22 races, opens with the traditional Daytona International Speedway Friday night bout, on Feb. 24. The championship will once again be decided at the season-finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Nov. 16.

With a nod to the sport’s – and the series’ – roots, the trucks will race on short tracks five times, at three different tracks, next season. Martinsville Speedway hosts the first short-track event, on March 31, with a return engagement on Oct. 27.

Iowa Speedway, the popular 7/8th-mile short track, also hosts two NASCAR Camping World Truck events next season – on July 14 and Sept. 15. Bristol Motor Speedway’s high banks will hold its traditional Wednesday night show, on Aug. 22.

For the third consecutive season, the series will race at the 2.5-mile Pocono Raceway triangle for its fast 50-lapper.

2012 NASCAR CAMPING WORLD TRUCK SERIES SCHEDULE

Date Site Network

2/24 Daytona International Speedway SPEED

3/31 Martinsville Speedway SPEED

4/15 Rockingham Speedway SPEED

4/21 Kansas Speedway SPEED

5/18 Charlotte Motor Speedway SPEED

6/1 Dover International Speedway SPEED

6/8 Texas Motor Speedway SPEED

6/28 Kentucky Speedway SPEED

7/14 Iowa Speedway SPEED

7/21 Chicagoland Speedway SPEED

8/4 Pocono Raceway SPEED

8/18 Michigan International Speedway SPEED

8/22 Bristol Motor Speedway SPEED

8/31 Atlanta Motor Speedway SPEED

9/15 Iowa Speedway SPEED

9/21 Kentucky Speedway SPEED

10/6 Talladega Superspeedway SPEED

10/13 Las Vegas Motor Speedway SPEED

10/27 Martinsville Speedway SPEED

11/2 Texas Motor Speedway SPEED

11/9 Phoenix International Raceway SPEED

11/16 Homestead-Miami Speedway SPEED

- NASCAR, Press Release

Tony Stewart next to the 2011 NSCS Championship Trophy - Photo Credit: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images for NASCAR

Stewart’s win put him in a tie with Edwards in the points standings, but with his five wins over Edwards’ one win for the season, Stewart broke the tie-breaker to capture his 3rd career series championship.

Along with his 5th series win of the 2011 season, Stewart also received his 44th series career win, his third series win at Homestead-Miami Speedway; as well as, his and team co-owner, Gene Haas, their first championship as an owner.

Following Stewart and Edwards to the drop of the checkered flag were Martin Truex, Jr., finishing in third, Matt Kenseth fourth, Jeff Gordon fifth, Clint Bowyer sixth, Kasey Kahne seventh, Kevin Harvick eighth, Denny Hamlin ninth and Jeff Burton rounding out the top-ten finishers.

RACE NOTES:

Average Speed: 114.976 MPH
Time of Race: 3 Hrs, 29 Mins, 00 Secs.
Margin of Victory: 1.306 Seconds
Lead Changes: 26 among 15 drivers
Cautions: 8 for 54 laps
Attendance: 73,000

Unofficial Top-Twelve in the Points Standings: 1. Tony Stewart – 2403 (Series Champion With 5 Wins) 2. Carl Edwards – 2403 (0 Points Behind the Champion – 1 Win)  3. Kevin Harvick – 2345 (-58) 4. Matt Kenseth – 2330 (-73) 5. Brad Keselowski – 2319 (-84) 6. Jimmie Johnson – 2304 (-99) 7. Dale Earnhardt Jr. – 2290 (-113) 8. Jeff Gordon – 2287 (-116) 9. Denny Hamlin – 2284 (-119) 10. Ryan Newman – 2284 (-119) 11. Kurt Busch – 2262 (-141) 12. Kyle Busch – 2246 (-157).

Next Up: The 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Season.

2011 NSCS Ford 400 Race Results

(i) Ineligible for Points in this Series
# Denotes Rookie

Brad Keselowski gets ready to celebrate after winning the NASCAR Nationwide Series season-ending Ford 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Saturday, Nov. 19. - Photo Credit: John Harrelson/Getty Images for NASCAR

This was Keselowski’s 5th series win of the 2011 season, his 17th series career win and his 1st series win at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Following Keselowski and Stenhouse to the drop of the checkered flag were Carl Edwards, who’s third-place finish gave Roush Fenway Racing the owners championship, Clint Bowyer finishing fourth and Denny Hamlin finishing in fifth.

Rounding out the top-ten finishing positions were Elliott Sadler finishing sixth, Sam Hornish Jr. seventh, Aric Almirola eighth, Brian Scott ninth and Joey Logano finishing in the tenth position.

The 2011 NNS  Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors go to Rick Ware Racing’s Timmy Hill.

RACE NOTES:

Average Speed: 119.377 MPH
Time of Race: 2 Hrs, 30 Mins, 47 Secs.
Margin of Victory: 0.268 Seconds
Lead Changes: 17 among 9 drivers
Cautions: 9 for 36 laps
Attendance: 38,000

Unofficial Top-Ten in the Points Standings: 1. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. – 1222 (Series Champion) 2. Elliott Sadler – 1177 (-45 Points Behind the Champion) 3. Justin Allgaier – 1105 (-117) 4. Aric Almirola – 1095 (-127) 5. Reed Sorenson – 1062 (-160) 6. Jason Leffler – 1028 (-194) 7. Kenny Wallace – 963 (-259) 8. Brian Scott – 947 (-275) 9. Michael Annett – 944 (-278) 10. Steve Wallace – 921 (-301)

Next Up: The 2012 NASCAR Nationwide Series Season

2011 NNS Ford 300 Race Results

(i) Ineligible for Points in this Series
# Denotes Rookie

Carl Edwards - Photo Credit: Chris Trotman/Getty Images

This was Edwards’ third series pole of the 2011 season, his tenth series career pole and his second series pole at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Starting on the outside pole in second with a qualifying lap speed of 174.808 mph, will be Martin Truex Jr., followed by Kasey Kahne (174.582 mph) who will start third, Kurt Busch (174.520) fourth and Brad Keselowski (174.492) will start fifth.

Rounding out the top-ten starting positions will be Matt Kenseth (174.475 mph) starting sixth, Jeff Gordon (174.436)  seventh, Greg Biffle (174.109) eighth, Jimmie Johnson (174.098) ninth and Denny Hamlin (173.969) will start from the tenth position.

Failing to make the starting lineup were the #46 driven by Scott Speed; #7 driven by Reed Sorenson; #37 driven by Mike Skinner; #36 driven by Geoffrey Bodine; #92 driven by Scott Riggs and the #93 driven by Grant Enfinger.

The green flag for the Ford 400 on Sunday is scheduled to drop around 3:20 PM (ET) and ESPN will begin their (pre-race) television coverage at 2:00 PM (ET).

2011 NSCS Ford 400 Starting Lineup

(i) Ineligible for Points in this Series
# Denotes Rookie
* Required to Qualify on Time

2011 Brad Keselowski on Pole - Photo Credit: Todd Warshaw/Getty Images for NASCAR

This was Keselowski’s 4th series pole of the 2011 season, his 12th series career pole and his 1st series pole at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Sharing the front row with Keselowski and starting second with a qualifying lap speed of 167.131 mph, will be Elliott Sadler, followed by Carl Edwards (166.888 mph) who will start third, series points leader Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (166.251) fourth and Justin Allgaier (166.128) will start fifth.

Rounding out the top-ten starting positions will be Clint Bowyer (165.894) starting sixth, Denny Hamlin (165.695) seventh, Trevor Bayne (165.629) eighth, Joey Logano (165.294) ninth and Aric Almirola (164.880) will start from the tenth position.

Failing to make the starting lineup were the the #44 driven by Jeff Green; #72 driven by Jake Crum; #50 driven by T.J. Bell; #49 driven by Mark Green; #13 driven by Jennifer Jo Cobb and the #75 driven by Johnny Chapman.

The Ford 300 is scheduled to get underway around 4:50 PM (ET) later this afternoon, with ESPN2 beginning their (pre-race) coverage at 4:00 PM (ET).

2011 NNS Ford 300 Starting Lineup

(i) Ineligible for Points in this Series
# Denotes Rookie
* Required to Qualify on Time

2011 NSCS Champion Contender Carl Edwards - Photo Credit: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images for NASCAR

Second fastest and with a lap speed of 170.913 mph, was Edward’s fellow Roush Fenway Racing teammate, David Ragan, and they were followed by Cole Whitt (170.063 mph) who was third fastest, AJ Allmendinger (169.705) fourth fastest and Landon Cassill (169.609) was the fifth fastest.

Rounding out the top-ten fastest during “Happy Hour” were Martin Truex Jr. (169.465 mph) who was sixth fastest, Clint Bowyer (169.306) seventh, Paul Menard (169.141) eighth, Dave Blaney (168.982) ninth and Brad Keselowski (168.966) posting the tenth fastest lap speed.

Qualifying is up next for the teams later this afternoon at 2:40 PM (ET) and then they will return on Sunday for the 3:20 PM (ET) approximate start of the Ford 400 (with ESPN beginning their pre-race television coverage at 2:00 PM ET).

2011 NSCS Ford 400 Final Practice Session Speeds

(i) Ineligible for Points in this Series
# Denotes Rookie
* Required to Qualify on Time

Dale Earnhardt Jr (Photo Credit: Doug Pensinger / Getty Images)

The current series points leader, Carl Edwards, was second quickest with a lap speed of 172.678 mph, while second in the points, Tony Stewart, was 15th quickest with a lap speed of 171.249 mph.

Rounding out the top-ten quickest during practice were Matt Kenseth (172.298) who was third quickest, Ryan Newman (172.068) fourth, Jimmie Johnson (172.013) fifth, Kasey Kahne (171.920) sixth, Landon Cassill (171.887) seventh, Jeff Gordon (171.674) eighth, Kevin Harvick (171.652) ninth and Juan Pablo Montoya (171.581) posting the tenth quickest lap speed.

Following shortly after this session, the teams “Happy Hour” (final) practice session (the last series practice session of 2011)  is scheduled to run from 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM (ET) with qualifying set to get underway at 2:40 PM (ET).

The Ford 400 is scheduled to start around 3:20 PM (ET) on Sunday afternoon, and ESPN will begin their (pre-race) television coverage at 2:00 PM (ET).

2011 NSCS Ford 400 First Practice Session Speeds

(i) Ineligible for Points in this Series
# Denotes Rookie
* Required to Qualify on Time