Stock Car Insider - April 10th Issue

Upcoming Events in the World of NASCAR Need aothers. A tire could go flat after running over a piece
breather? NASCAR does. Next week, the Nextel Cupof debris. Or, just ask Jeff Gordon with his
teams will take a rest, and return to action on Aprilexperience in Martinsville a few years ago, a piece of
22nd at Phoenix International Raceway in theracetrack could break up and damage part of your
Subway Fresh 500. The Busch teams, however, don'tcar.
get it quite so easy. They travel to Nashville for theSuch has been the experience of Carl Edwards this
Pepsi 300 at the Nashville Superspeedway. Theyear. The witchdoctors have apparently singled him
Craftsman Truck teams are off until April 29.out and cast several spells on the 99 team. After
Expect the Hendrick drivers to return to dominance inhaving strong cars and racing strong for much of the
the Subway Fresh 500. Of all current drivers, Kyleseason, something always seems to go wrong
Busch, Jeff Gordon, and Jimmie Johnson have thetowards the end of the race.
best records at Phoenix. Of course, you can neverCarl arguably had one of the strongest cars in the
forget Tony Stewart and Mark Martin. Both arefield in yesterday's Samsung/Radioshack 500 at
blistering the 2006 schedule!Texas Motor Speedway. However, with only 77 laps
Next Week's Schedule:to go, Carl entered turn 2 too fast while racing for
(all times CST)the 2nd position. Carl currently sits 22nd in points. He
Nextel Cuphas his work cut out for him if he plans to make the
Off until 4/22/06Chase, and duplicate his success from the 2005
Busch Seriesseason.
4/15/06 - 10:05am Pepsi 300 QualifyingLast Week's Headlines Recap of the 2006 Samsung
4/15/06 - 3:03pm Pepsi 300Radioshack 500 at Texas Motor Speedway:
Craftsman Truck SeriesTexas is fast, there's no doubt about it! It was so
Off till April 29th when they head to Gatewayfast, I almost can't remember anything about it.
International Raceway.There was your normal race action, Kurt Busch spins
Who's Hot? Is Kasey Kahne pouring it on now oryet another driver, etc... But the two things that
what? After a dismal 2005 season, he is finallystand out from yesterday's Samsung/Radioshack 500
answering all skeptics out there. Yes, folks the boy isare Kasey Kahne's 3rd career win and Tony
not only the subject of every female NASCAR fan'sStewart's near domination.
desire, he can also compete at NASCAR's top level.Some of the best action of the day came in the
Through 9 races of the 2006 season, Kasey hasclosing laps where Tony Stewart tried to hold of a
finished with 5 top 5's placing him tied for 3rd in thecharging Kasey Kahne. Kasey and his car were too
championship standings.good for even the former two-time Nextel Cup
The next stop on the Nextel Cup schedule is Phoenix.champion. In the end, Kasey pulled away from Tony
Expect Kasey to finish well there. In 3 starts, hisand the rest of the field to win his 3rd career Nextel
average finish is 16th.Cup race, and his 2nd of the 2006 season.
An important fact about all 3 of Kasey's careerOne thing I find utterly amazing is that Tony Stewart
Nextel Cup victories is that he was the pole sitter forhas led every race this year. Currently, Tony sits in
each race.5th place, and has had success at the upcoming
Who's Not? A big part of competing in NASCAR istracks on the schedule. I expect Tony to make up
luck. There are so many variables that can workground and position himself to be in the top 3
against a driver that are out of his control. At anyheading towards the middle part of the season.
moment, a car could wreck and take out several