Felipe Massa is on pole position for his home Grand Prix, but qualifying was no cause for celebration for Ferrari, as Michael Schumacher will start only 10th on the grid in his final race - one he must win if he is to stand any chance of leaving with an eighth world title. - Spydertrader <img src=http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/attachment.php?s=&postid=1239811>
Ward NOT signed to run more races with #4, but could be; #4 has sponsor for 2007: Ward Burton hasn't been offered a deal for next season to drive the #4 Chevrolet that he will drive in Sunday's race, but he is the front-runner. "We're looking awfully hard at him,'' said car owner Larry McClure. "From the looks of the tremendous popularity of Ward here, it's hard to discount what he's worth.'' McClure said he's agreed to a sponsorship deal for the #4 next season and is trying to get a deal to start a second team. - Spydertrader <img src=http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/attachment.php?s=&postid=1240189>
Nextel Cup going to unleaded fuel in 2007 MARTINSVILLE, Va. - NASCAR will make the transition to unleaded fuel one year earlier than previously announced as it plans to have all three series run almost the entire 2007 season on unleaded fuel. The lone exception, involving the Nextel Cup Series, will be the season-opening Daytona 500. Crew chiefs said Friday at Martinsville Speedway they were informed of the decision this week, and a NASCAR official confirmed the move. Busch Series and Craftsman Truck Series teams have tested the unleaded fuel at several events this year. Teams have reported few problems with the Sunoco fuel. "It will be fine," Richard Childress Racing Assistant Engine Department Manager Danny Lawrence said. "We've race-simulated it. We're definitely going to keep working on it through our research and development department to make sure we won't have any issues to run 500 miles. "The way everything has looked, it looks like it is not going to be a big issue." The fuel already had been used this year in the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series in addition to the NASCAR events. "We run a lot of unleaded in a lot of our grass-roots programs," Toyota Racing Development Senior Vice President Lee White said. "We have a lot of experience with it. We have been running it in our truck engines for about half of the season off and on. "To be honest with you, a lot of the durability work on the new Cup motor has been done with unleaded fuel already, so we're not really concerned with it."
NASCAR in "Hurry Up" Mode. Green Flag moved up to 12:55 PM Eastern Time, Today. - Spydertrader <img src=http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/attachment.php?s=&postid=1240281>
It sure does tighten up the championship race. Just when I thought The Dupont Chevy didn't have a glass of icewater's chance in in hell, Burton and Company provide a little excitement. With Atlanta, Texas, Phoenix and Homestead remeaining on the Schedule, its beginning to look like this whole deal might go down to the Final Lap. "It ain't over 'til its over." ($1 to Yogi Bera). - Spydertrader <img src=http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/attachment.php?s=&postid=1240466>
Massa's victory, but Alonso's title - Spydertrader <img src=http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/attachment.php?s=&postid=1240469>
Final race from Michael was a dandy. He was as charged and focused as one would imagine from such a fine career. Gonna be interesting next year, only one tire company, many new team drivers and teams to boot. Cosworth is history, Michael is gone (brother did not attend the retirement party). Guess i will watch the end of nascar more now. ,,................
Johnson wins, Burton's luck ends; Chase close. - Spydertrader <img src=http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/attachment.php?s=&postid=1240665>