Stock Car Insider - April 10th Issue

Upcoming Events in the World of NASCARwreck and take out several others. A tire could go
Need a breather? NASCAR does. Next week, theflat after running over a piece of debris. Or, just ask
Nextel Cup teams will take a rest, and return toJeff Gordon with his experience in Martinsville a few
action on April 22nd at Phoenix International Racewayyears ago, a piece of racetrack could break up and
in the Subway Fresh 500. The Busch teams,damage part of your car.
however, don't get it quite so easy. They travel toSuch has been the experience of Carl Edwards this
Nashville for the Pepsi 300 at the Nashvilleyear. The witchdoctors have apparently singled him
Superspeedway. The Craftsman Truck teams are offout and cast several spells on the 99 team. After
until April 29.having strong cars and racing strong for much of the
Expect the Hendrick drivers to return to dominance inseason, something always seems to go wrong
the Subway Fresh 500. Of all current drivers, Kyletowards the end of the race.
Busch, Jeff Gordon, and Jimmie Johnson have theCarl arguably had one of the strongest cars in the
best records at Phoenix. Of course, you can neverfield in yesterday's Samsung/Radioshack 500 at
forget Tony Stewart and Mark Martin. BothTexas Motor Speedway. However, with only 77 laps
areblistering the 2006 schedule!to go, Carl entered turn 2 too fast while racing for
Next Week's Schedule:the 2nd position. Carl currently sits 22nd in points. He
(all times CST)has his work cut out for him if he plans to make the
Nextel CupChase, and duplicate his success from the 2005
Off until 4/22/06season.
Busch SeriesLast Week's Headlines
4/15/06 - 10:05am Pepsi 300 QualifyingRecap of the 2006 Samsung/Radioshack 500 at
4/15/06 - 3:03pm Pepsi 300Texas 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?yet another driver, etc... But the two things that
Is Kasey Kahne pouring it on now or what? After astand out from yesterday's Samsung/Radioshack 500
dismal 2005 season, he is finally answering all skepticsare Kasey Kahne's 3rd career win and Tony
out there. Yes, folks the boy is not only the subjectStewart's near domination.
of every female NASCAR fan's desire, he can alsoSome of the best action of the day came in the
compete at NASCAR's top level. Through 9 races ofclosing laps where Tony Stewart tried to hold of a
the 2006 season, Kasey has finished with 5 top 5'scharging Kasey Kahne. Kasey and his car were too
placing him tied for 3rd in the 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?tracks on the schedule. I expect Tony to make up
A big part of competing in NASCAR is luck. There areground and position himself to be in the top 3
so many variables that can work against a driver thatheading towards the middle part of the season.
are out of his control. At any moment, a car could