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Stock Car Insider - April 3rd Issue

Upcoming Events in the World of NASCARhis average with a 13th place finish.
If you're looking for a fan of races atThe only driver to finish in the top 10
Martinsville, don't look at me. I havewas Jamie McMurray (9th) who currently
never felt that any track with asits in 17th place in the Nextel Cup
qualifying speed less than 100 mphPoints standings. The remaining Roush
should be a part of NASCAR's topdrivers finished as follows:
circuit. However, yesterday's DirecTVKenseth - 24th
500 was exhilarating. Watching NASCAR'sBiffle - 31st
top drivers, Jeff Gordon and DaleEdwards - 16th
Earnhardt Jr come from the back multipleKenseth was poised to take an 8th place
times to finish in the top 5 proves thatfinish, but that opportunity was dashed
there is action to be seen atwhen he lost his brakes with 8 laps to
Martinsville.go.
Next week's Samsung/RadioShack 500 atHowever, Roush fans do not be dismayed.
Texas Motor Speedway will be anythingThe Roush Racing organization has
but slow! Just ask Bill Elliot who holdscommitted themselves to the most popular
the fastest qualifying time at Texastype of track on the Nextel Cup circuit,
with a speed of 194.2236 mph. Of thethe 1 1/2 mile to 2-mile tracks.
current Nextel Cup drivers, JimmieFast forwarding to next week, NASCAR
Johnson has held the key to Texas. In 5heads to Texas Motor Speedway (1 1/2
starts, Johnson has 5 top 10's with anmile track). Of the current drivers, the
average finish of 6th.Roush drivers rank as follows:
However, Johnson will have his work cutJamie McMurray - 3rd
out for him next week. There are aCarl Edwards - 5th
number of drivers, both the young andMatt Kenseth - 10th
the seasoned, who have had success atMark Martin - 11th
Texas.Greg Biffle - 22nd
Other drivers to note:Last Week's Headlines
Jamie McMurrayRecap of the 2006 DirecTV 500 at
Kurt BuschMartinsville Speedway:
Carl EdwardsI don't like to repeat myself, but here
Casey MearsI go. Reference the "Upcoming Events in
All of the above drivers average a topthe World of NASCAR" section above:
10 finish."If you're looking for a fan of races at
Next Week's Schedule:Martinsville, don't look at me. I have
(all times CST)never felt that any track with a
Nextel Cupqualifying speed less than 100 mph
4/07/06 - 12:05pm Samsung/RadioShack 500should be a part of NASCAR's top
Practicecircuit. However, yesterday's DirecTV
4/07/06 - 3:40pm Samsung/RadioShack 500500 was exhilarating. Watching NASCAR's
Qualifyingtop drivers, Jeff Gordon and Dale
4/08/06 - 12:05pm Happy Hour PracticeEarnhardt Jr come from the back multiple
4/09/06 - 1:00pm Samsung/RadioShack 500times to finish in the top 5 proves that
Busch Seriesthere is action to be seen at
4/06/06 - 1:00pm O'Reilly 300 PracticeMartinsville."
4/06/06 - 6:05pm O'Reilly 300 QualifyingThere was almost as much paint and
4/08/06 - 2:00pm O'Reilly 300rubber swapping at Martinsville as last
Craftsman Truck Seriesweek in Bristol. Even after 500 laps of
Off till April 29th when they head tobeating and banging in the Food City
Gateway International Raceway.500, no car finished the race looking as
Who's Hot?cool as Dale Earnhardt Jr's! Who new
With disappointing finishes last weekthat losing a right front fender can
from their top drivers, Jimmie Johnsonactually be beneficial? It turns out the
and Jeff Gordon, the Hendricklack of sheet metal on the right front
Motorsports organization redeemed itselfhelped improve airflow over the right
in an action packed DirecTV atfront brakes. With the extremely low
Martinsville Speedway.banks at Martinsville (only 12 degrees
Three Hendrick drivers finished in thecompared to 36 degrees at Bristol),
top 5 (Jeff Gordon-2nd, Jimmiekeeping the brakes cool is crucial.
Johnson-3rd, and Kyle Busch-5th). JeffOn a side note, I'm not sure why NASCAR
Gordon has the most eventful day wherebelieves it has to punish aggressive
he came from dead last after he cut abehavior. I'm referring to the $10,000
tire on lap 89 to challenge Tony Stewartfine and probationary period slapped on
for the win.Jeff Gordon after shoving Matt Kenseth
Leaving Martinsville, the Hendrickafter last week's Food City in Bristol.
drivers rank as follows in the race forAvid sports fans love to know they're
the Nextel Cup Championship:cheering for passionate competitors. We
Jimmie Johnson-1stall love a good fight and trash talk in
Kyle Busch-5thfootball, and nothing beats a good 'ole
Jeff Gordon-7thfashioned shirt pulled over your head
Brian Vickers-15thhockey fight. So why not show the few
Who's Not?altercations that do occur at a NASCAR
Martinsville is no friend of Jack Roush.race after the race? In my opinion,
The only driver in the Roush stable whoNASCAR should only concern itself with
has had any measure of success atpolicing aggressive behavior on the
Martinsville is Mark Martin. In 40track. Whatever happens off the track is
starts, Mark has only 2 wins with anfor the fans' enjoyment.
average finish of 13th.A recap of EverythingStockCar.
Yesterday, in the DirecTV 500, Mark met



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