Stock Car Insider - May 15th Issue

Upcoming Events in the World of NASCARMay inforward to the 2006 season, and Biffle's name hasn't
Charlotte is a beautiful! The azaleas are in bloom, thegraced the top 5 in any race until last week at
temperature is mild, and the delivery trucks areRichmond.What's the difference from last year and
delivering the port-o-jons by the thousands. That'sthis year? Luck! Biffle's still attacks every race like a
right, the whole town is gearing up for two actionrabid dog, his crew is the same, and Roush Racing still
packed weeks of racing with the NASCAR Nextelchurns out some of the best equipment in
Cup All-Star race and the Coca-Cola 600.ThousandsNASCAR.It seems in the past two week's, Biffle has
of people will be coming to town for the next twograbbed Lucky the Leprechaun and taped him to his
weeks to witness the longest NASCAR race, thedashboard. Last week, Biffle finished 4th in Richmond,
Coca-Cola 600, making it the second largest sportingand this week romanced the Lady in Black with a win.
event in America.This year's All-Star and 600 racesPerhaps Biffle's string of bad luck (running out of gas
will once again be nail biting terrific. Lowe's Motorat Phoenix, getting wrecked by Kurt Busch at Texas)
Speedway's track was recently re-paved. Theis finally over. He currently sits 97 points away from
levigating days of last year are history, and thequalifying for the Nextel Cup Chase for the
officials at Lowe's Motor Speedway are guaranteeingChampionship, and excels at a number of the
this year's races will be just as fast as last year's andupcoming tracks.Who's Not?I hate to pick on Carl
safer.However, despite what the track officials areEdwards, I really do! The guy is such a winner in so
saying, folks in and around the garages as well asmany ways. Everything he does in life, he does it to
Goodyear reps are saying the speeds this year willthe extreme and never once doubts himself.His 2006
actually be slower. For the 2006 races at Lowe'sseason to date has not gone as Carl wished. He
Motor Speedway, Goodyear is supplying a stiffercurrently sits in 17th spot, 125 points out of qualifying
compound tire which will ensure less blow outs on thefor the Nextel Cup Championship race. It seems the
track. What the drivers gain in safety, they lose inluck Greg Biffle recently found has been lost in Carl
speed. Stiffer tires do not grip the track as well as aEdward's pits. However, unlike Biffle, I'm not sure we
softer tire. Less grip means the drivers cannot carrycan fault luck for Carl's lack of success in 2006.Carl's
as much speed in the turns which will also affect thecrew chief from last year and the early part of 2006,
top end speeds on the straightaways.Some in theBob Osborne, was shuffled over to help jump start
garages are nicknaming the stiffer tires, "restrictorJamie McMurray's team. Obviously, the shuffle has
tires". The tires will rob the cars of speed like thenot gone as planned. Both Carl Edwards and Jamie
restrictor plates used at Daytona and Talladega robMcMurray (currently 20th in the points) stand a
the cars of horsepower. However, fans do not bestrong chance of not qualifying for the championship
dismayed. I very seriously doubt that we willrace-off at the end of the season. Jack Roush and
perceive a 2-5 mph difference in speeds. The action,the rest of management at Roush Racing will soon
like every weekend in NASCAR, will behave to decide whether to leave Bob with Jamie; or
heart-pounding dramatic!Expect Jimmie Johnson tore-unite him with Carl to form the successful duo
have lots of fun the next two weeks. Of the currentthat shocked the world of NASCAR in 2006.Last
drivers with 5 or more starts at Lowe's MotorWeek's HeadlinesRecap of the Carolina Dodge
Speedway, he has the highest average finish ofDealers 500 at Darlington Raceway:Once again,
7th.Other drivers to note:Tony Stewart - AverageDarlington Raceway offered up at incredible race! The
Finish 12tholdest track in NASCAR manages to keep us young
Bobby Labonte - Average Finish 13that heart with incredible racing action. The gritty
Jamie McMurray - Average Finish 14thDarlington asphalt shreads even the stiffest tire
Jeff Gordon - Average Finish 16thNext Week'scompounds after just a few laps leaving drivers no
Schedule:other option but to lean on each other or against the
(all times CST)Nextel Cup: @ Lowe's Motorwall.Twenty drivers earned their Darlington stripe
SpeedwaySaturday night. There is only one driver I know of
5/19/06 - 12:05pm NASCAR Nextel Cup All-Starwho likes to drive with a car sliding up the track, and
Challenge Practicethat's Greg Biffle. Biffle, who also won last year at
5/19/06 - 07:10pm NASCAR Nextel Cup All-StarDarlington, dominated the Carolina Dodge Dealer's 500
Challenge Qualifyingleading 170 of 367 laps.Other drivers in the top 10
5/20/06 - 07:30pm NASCAR Nextel Cup All-Stardidn't fair so well. Casey Mears fell from 10th to 11th
ChallengeBusch Series - off until 5/27 at Lowe'sin the points with a 17th place finish. Kevin Harvick
Motor SpeedwayCraftsman Truck Series: @ Lowe'sfeel 4 sports from 5th to 9th with a 37th place finish,
Motor Speedwayand the pole sitter, Kasey Kahne dropped a spot
5/19/06 - 10:50pm Quaker Steak & Lube 200moving from 7th to 8th with a 21st place finish.Dale
PracticeEarnhardt Jr continued on his hot streak finishing 5th,
5/19/06 - 04:15pm Quaker Steak & Lube 200and jumping one spot from 6th to 5th in the points
Qualifyingstandings. Jeff Gordon moved up 3 spots from 9th
5/19/06 - 08:45pm Quaker Steak & Lube 200Who'sto 6th with a 2nd place finish. And the current points
Hot?With so many variables affecting NASCARleader, Jimmie Johnson, extended his lead to 93
drivers each week, all one needs is a little luck topoints over Tony Stewart with a 4th place finish.This
catapult him to the top.Take Greg Biffle for example,article is provided to you by Everything Sports, Inc. is
2005 was a tremendous year. He finished the seasonowned and operated by Everything Sports, Inc.
2nd in points and compiled 6 wins. Roll the tape