2009 Chase for the Sprint Cup NASCAR News

November 2009

• 20 Friday 09
  • Jeff Gordon has no regrets about discovering Jimmie Johnson 0
• • Penske Racing's Kurt Busch leads lone Friday Cup practice at Homestead 0
• • Rick Hendrick expects Jeff Gordon to drive several more years 2
• • Rick Hendrick, Jimmie Johnson pleased with new contract, working to sign Chad Knaus 6
• • Lee Montgomery: Jimmie Johnson has a date with history 4
• • Kasey Kahne looking at another team after 2010 Cup season 5
• • Roush Fenway Racing's Carl Edwards optimistic as NASCAR season comes to a close 1
• • Mark Martin says setup is key to running well at Homestead-Miami Speedway 0
• • Jimmie Johnson, Lowe's sign contract extensions with Hendrick Motorsports 6
• 19 Thursday 09
  • 7 reasons to watch the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway: No. 4 – History in the making 8
• • Photos: A look at NASCAR racing at Phoenix International Raceway 0
• • Chase For The Sprint Cup glance: Homestead-Miami Speedway 11
• • Crew chief Chad Knaus says competition within Hendrick pushes Jimmie Johnson's team 17
• • Jimmie Johnson, Mark Martin take different paths toward winning 2009 Cup title 14
• 17 Tuesday 09
  • Mark Martin runs well at Phoenix, but loses ground in championship race 14
• • 7 reasons to watch the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway: No. 2 - The track 9
• 16 Monday 09
  • Championship battle may not be tight, but Chase still has some intrigue 79
• • 7 reasons to watch the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway: No. 1 - The other guys 10
• 15 Sunday 09
  • Penske Racing's Kurt Busch continues recent surge in performances with strong Phoenix run 3
• • Hendrick Motorsports' Jeff Gordon effectively eliminated from championship race 24
• • Tony Stewart says organization exceeded expectations by winning races, making Chase 3
• • Joe Gibbs Racing's Denny Hamlin third in NASCAR Cup race at Phoenix … again 6
• • Hendrick Motorsports' Jimmie Johnson dominates at Phoenix; takes commanding lead into final race 37
• • Mark Martin delivers message to fellow competitors during Cup drivers meeting 13
• • Hendrick Motorsports' Mark Martin comfortable with place in history; potential runner-up finish 4
• • Mike Hembree: Hendrick vs. Hendrick vs. Hendrick 9
• 14 Saturday 09
  • Penske Racing's Kurt Busch enjoys busy week after big Cup win at Texas 1
• • Jimmie Johnson's plan for putting Texas behind him? Get back on the track 6
• • U.S. Army to continue sponsorship of Ryan Newman with 15 races in 2010 4
• 13 Friday 09
  • Denny Hamlin using Twitter to voice opinions about NASCAR, other drivers 31
• • Kenny Bruce: Time, opportunities running out 3
• 12 Thursday 09
  • 7 reasons to watch the Checker O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway: No. 4 - Carl Edwards, Jimmie Johnson 2
• 11 Wednesday 09
  • Roush Fenway Racing's Greg Biffle hopes to keep up momentum at Phoenix 4
• • Bob Pockrass: Crown NASCAR national tour champions on different weekends 8
• 10 Tuesday 09
  • Juan Pablo Montoya says making Chase field heightens 2010 expectations 3
• • NASCAR announces schedule for 2009 Champion's Week in Las Vegas 7
• • Kurt Busch wins with a 'full team effort' from Penske Racing 13
• • Chase For The Sprint Cup glance: Phoenix International Raceway 6
• • Source: Earnhardt Ganassi Racing will remain Chevrolet team 4
• 08 Sunday 09
  • Jared Turner: Time can be the only missing link to success in NASCAR 1
• • Competing in Nationwide Series just doesn't 'make any sense' to Jimmie Johnson 38
• • Penske Racing's Kurt Busch conserves fuel to take win as Jimmie Johnson falters at Texas 37
• • Joe Gibbs Racing's Kyle Busch looks to make NASCAR history today at Texas 25
• • Mike Hembree: The Amazing Race 9
• • 7 reasons to watch the Dickies 500 at Texas Motor Speedway: No. 7 - Reverse racing 1
• 07 Saturday 09
  • Hendrick Motorsports' Mark Martin wants to race, not crash, in final title races 3
• • Jimmie Johnson leads final Cup practice at Texas 8
• • Ryan Newman meets with NASCAR officials in effort to learn from scary wreck at Talladega 27
• • Toyota executive addresses Formula One decision, Earnhardt Ganassi possibility 23
• • David Reutimann leads morning Cup practice at Texas 0
• 06 Friday 09
  • RCR's Clint Bowyer paces lone Cup practice at Texas 0
• 05 Thursday 09
  • Chase For The Sprint Cup glance: Texas Motor Speedway 12
• • Chasing wins becomes name of the game as Cup drivers prepare for Texas showdown 6
• 04 Wednesday 09
  • 7 reasons to watch the Dickies 500 at Texas Motor Speedway: No. 3 - Jimmie Johnson 14
• • Stewart-Haas Racing's Ryan Newman receives outpouring of support after Talladega crash 29
• 03 Tuesday 09
  • Jimmie Johnson escapes final-lap chaos at Talladega; takes commanding points lead 45
• • Bob Pockrass: NASCAR needed to change rules, but Talladega race shows more needed 31
• 02 Monday 09
  • 7 reasons to watch the Dickies 500 at Texas Motor Speedway: No. 1 - Jeff Gordon 1
• 01 Sunday 09
  • Richard Petty Motorsports' Kasey Kahne uses patience to finish second at Talladega Sunday 10
• • Ryan Newman uninjured after flipping, landing on roof in horrifying Talladega crash 45
• • Drivers told they will be penalized for bump-drafts in turns at Talladega 51
• • Mark Martin eerily calm heading into Talladega tempest 5
• • Drivers anxious to see how NASCAR officiates bump-drafting at Talladega 14
• • 7 reasons to watch the Amp Energy 500 at Talladega Superspeedway: No. 7 - Anything can happen 3

October 2009

• 31 Saturday 09
  • Jimmie Johnson doing his best to not let Talladega get inside his head 6
• • Steve Addington disappointed, surprised to be removed as crew chief for Kyle Busch’s Cup team 38
• • Juan Pablo Montoya tossing distractions aside, focusing on the Chase 8
• 30 Friday 09
  • Kasey Kahne paces opening Cup practice at Talladega 7
• • Kenny Bruce: More evidence that in NASCAR, winning isn’t everything 27
• • Mike Hembree: Something Talladega this way comes 1
• 29 Thursday 09
  • Vote now: What’s your opinion of Jimmie Johnson? 50
• • 7 reasons to watch the Amp Energy 500 at Talladega Superspeedway: No. 4 - Surprise winner 3
• • Sprint Cup drivers hope to avoid crashes at Talladega Superspeedway 11
• 28 Wednesday 09
  • Photos: A look inside Juan Pablo Montoya's 2009 Cup season 4
• • 7 reasons to watch the Amp Energy 500 at Talladega Superspeedway: No. 3 – The draft 2
• • Chase For The Sprint Cup glance: Talladega Superspeedway 3
• 27 Tuesday 09
  • Cup cars, engines taken at Martinsville pass inspection 18
• • Jimmie Johnson's Hendrick Motorsports crew wins Tissot Pit Road Precision Award for Martinsville 4
• • Hendrick Motorsports’ Mark Martin says title hopes dimming with Jimmie Johnson’s incredible run 5
• • Rea White: Making the Chase is plenty to be proud of 8
• • 7 reasons to watch the Amp Energy 500 at Talladega Superspeedway: No. 2 - Jimmie Johnson 8
• 26 Monday 09
  • Fifth-place finish at Martinsville keeps Jeff Gordon third in Chase standings 11
• • Roush Fenway Racing's Jamie McMurray earns best finish of season at Martinsville 2
• • Penske Racing's Kurt Busch struggles at Martinsville as title hopes virtually end 1
• 25 Sunday 09
  • Earnhardt Ganassi Racing executive calls Bob Griese comment unfortunate 18
• • Teammates Ryan Newman, Tony Stewart take different routes to top-10 finishes 4
• • Hendrick Motorsports’ Jimmie Johnson satisfied with second-place run at Martinsville 23
• • Juan Pablo Montoya unfazed by comment by ESPN's Bob Griese 14
• • Juan Pablo Montoya finishes third at Martinsville but can't gain ground in Chase 8
• • Denny Hamlin holds off challengers in closing laps to win Martinsville Cup race 34
• • Jimmie Johnson is known for his ability to dominate at Martinsville Speedway 6
• • Hendrick Motorsports' Jeff Gordon capable of beating teammate Jimmie Johnson at Martinsville 6
• • 7 reasons to watch the Tums Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway: No. 7 - Chevrolet 1
• 24 Saturday 09
  • Tony Stewart doing all he can to outperform Jimmie Johnson in order to win Cup title 6
• • Mission impossible for some Chase drivers attempting to win Cup championship 3
• • Go-kart racer donates winnings to Denny Hamlin Foundation 3
• • 7 reasons to watch the Tums Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway: No. 6 - Brakes 0
• 23 Friday 09
  • Hendrick Motorsports' Mark Martin leads lone Cup practice at Martinsville 0
• • Stewart-Haas Racing's Ryan Newman earns second pole of season at Martinsville 11
• • Hendrick Motorsports' Mark Martin flattered by praise from other Cup drivers 2
• • Proceed with caution: Chase drivers react to debut of double-file restarts at Martinsville 11
• • Earnhardt Ganassi Racing's Juan Pablo Montoya remains confident despite Chase setback 1
• • Jared Turner: All-Hendrick Motorsports championship battle bad for business 36
• 22 Thursday 09
  • RCR announces crew chief changes for Jeff Burton, Casey Mears 6
• • Video: SceneDaily.com staffers look at Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s season 17
• • Photos: A look inside Jeff Gordon's 2009 Cup season 4
• • Roush Fenway Racing's Carl Edwards looks to improve performance at Martinsville 2
• • Frustrations abound in this year's Chase for Joe Gibbs Racing's Denny Hamlin 6
• • Jimmie Johnson credits Tony Stewart for Martinsville success 5
• • 7 reasons to watch the Tums Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway: No. 4 - Jeff Gordon 7
• 21 Wednesday 09
  • RCR's Jeff Burton says Todd Berrier was the best choice to make cars go fast 1
• • Mark Martin not abandoning title hopes as Cup series heads to Martinsville 14
• • 7 reasons to watch the Tums Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway: No. 3 - Double-file restarts 0
• • Hendrick Motorsports' Jeff Gordon hopes to maintain momentum heading into Martinsville 6
• • Tony Stewart keeps radar locked on winning 2009 Cup championship 9
• • David Ragan, Marcos Ambrose and Sam Hornish Jr. still have work to do this Cup season 2
• 20 Tuesday 09
  • Chase For The Sprint Cup glance: Martinsville Speedway 11
• • Jimmie Johnson cruises to sixth win of season; extends points lead at Charlotte 54
• • Solid Charlotte outing for Roush Fenway Racing's Matt Kenseth 12
• • Need for speed: Kasey Kahne settles for third-place Charlotte finish 21
• • Kris Johnson: Getting to the heart of dislike for Jimmie Johnson 75
• 19 Monday 09
  • Major changes looming at Richard Childress Racing 12
• • Juan Pablo Montoya sees championship hopes plummet 15
• • Engine trouble at Charlotte spoils Denny Hamlin's chances to rebound in Chase 7
• 18 Sunday 09
  • Lee Montgomery: Who can stop Hendrick Motorsports' Jimmie Johnson? No one 21
• • Hendrick Motorsports' Jeff Gordon says high finishing averages possible in Chase 2
• 17 Saturday 09
  • Fourth-place finish for Jeff Gordon at Charlotte allows him to climb Chase ladder 20
• • Rookie Joey Logano rolls to top-five finish at Charlotte 12
• • Mark Martin surprised by 17th-place finish at Charlotte 11
• • Rick Hendrick says Dale Earnhardt Jr. frustration expected; no decision yet on crew chief 64
• • NASCAR OK with record speeds at Lowe’s Motor Speedway 10
• • Kyle Busch healthy behind the wheel 3
• • Can a driver win a championship without winning a race? 14
• • Mark Martin calm despite championship pressure 2
• 16 Friday 09
  • Jimmie Johnson leads Friday Cup practice at Lowe's Motor Speedway 0
• • Jimmie Johnson paces final Cup practice at Lowe's Motor Speedway 0
• • Fatherhood in the forecast for Roush Fenway Racing's Carl Edwards 21
• • Jeff Gordon Foundation commits $2.5 million to pediatric cancer research and treatment 5
• • Kasey Kahne ready to put California setbacks behind him 5
• 15 Thursday 09
  • Juan Pablo Montoya hoping to keep hot streak intact at Charlotte 2
• • Jimmie Johnson juggernaut continues with pole run at Lowe's Motor Speedway 24
• • Felix Sabates not surprised with Juan Pablo Montoya surge 1
• • Jimmie Johnson leads lone Cup practice at Lowe's Motor Speedway 4
• • Penske Racing's Kurt Busch still optimistic he has a shot at Cup title 2
• • Is Jimmie Johnson still the one to watch at Lowe's Motor Speedway? 4
• 14 Wednesday 09
  • Chase For The Sprint Cup glance: Lowe's Motor Speedway 0
• • Jimmie Johnson, Chad Knaus finding rhythm in Chase races once more 13
• • Kenny Bruce: Over? This Chase is just getting started 16
• • Kasey Kahne still questions legitimacy of late caution at California 36
• 13 Tuesday 09
  • Feels like home: California native Jimmie Johnson wins at Auto Club Speedway, takes point lead 73
• • Jeff Gluck: Kasey Kahne says debris caution was bogus, but so what? 87
• • Jeff Gordon discusses life and his NASCAR Cup career 22
• 12 Monday 09
  • Tough day for Denny Hamlin just part of troubles for Joe Gibbs Racing in California 14
• • Tony Stewart makes gains in California despite penalty 12
• • Chase blues of Red Bull Racing's Brian Vickers continue in California 0
• • 7 reasons to watch the NASCAR Banking 500 at Lowe's Motor Speedway: No. 2 - The competition 3
• • Mike Hembree: Stop Jimmie Johnson? Might want to bring reinforcements 27
• • Championship hopes of Kurt Busch, Greg Biffle take a blow in California 6
• 11 Sunday 09
  • It takes two: Kasey Kahne knocked out of Pepsi 500 with second late-race crash 15
• • Mark Martin falls to second in points with fourth-place finish at Auto Club Speedway 6
• • Juan Pablo Montoya posts another top-five, still loses ground at California 15
• • Second class? Jeff Gordon frustrated with result from California 38
• • New Ford engine debut pushed to Talladega 1
• • Joe Gibbs Racing's Kyle Busch doesn't expect to complete Sunday's Cup race at Fontana 15
• • Rea White: Roush Fenway Racing still in contention to win Cup championship 10
• • Tony Stewart, Stewart-Haas Racing maintain same approach in Chase 3
• 10 Saturday 09
  • Roush Fenway Racing's Carl Edwards off crutches, committed to title run 5
• • Juan Pablo Montoya leads lone Cup practice at Fontana 0
• • Hendrick Motorsports' Mark Martin says his wife is the secret to his success 12
• • Earnhardt Ganassi Racing's Juan Pablo Montoya hopes to gain ground at California track 1
• • Brian Vickers: No matter the venue, NASCAR racing remains exciting 7
• 09 Friday 09
  • Hendrick Motorsports' Jimmie Johnson confident he can bounce back at California 8
• • Greg Biffle sees increase in performance at Roush Fenway Racing 2
• • Joe Gibbs Racing's Denny Hamlin races non-Chasers hard in battle for points 0
• • Cup drivers express mixed emotions about Auto Club Speedway being part of the Chase 16
• • Roush Fenway Racing's Greg Biffle thinks he's turned the corner on improving performance 3
• • Final TV rating for Kansas Cup race off 8.6 percent 16
• 07 Wednesday 09
  • Roush Fenway Racing's Carl Edwards looking for old form at Auto Club Speedway 7
• 06 Tuesday 09
  • 7 reasons to watch the Pepsi 500 at Auto Club Speedway: No. 2 - Roush Fenway duo 4
• • Gambling man: Tony Stewart wins at Kansas with two-tire pit stop 16
• • NASCAR clears Hendrick Motorsports cars of Mark Martin, Jimmie Johnson 41
• • Chase For The Sprint Cup glance: Auto Club Speedway 3
• 05 Monday 09
  • Gutsy pit call at Kansas gives Tony Stewart enough to reemerge as title contender 4
• 04 Sunday 09
  • Rick Hendrick thankful, but not concerned, over NASCAR tech warning 4
• • It's all heart for Mark Martin and No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports team 5
• • Mark Martin, Jimmie Johnson find themselves discussing inspection of their legal cars 21
• • Penske Racing's Kurt Busch hoping to keep momentum going at Kansas 0
• • Juan Pablo Montoya not all that surprised by team's success in the Chase 3
• 03 Saturday 09
  • Kansas Speedway a welcome sight for Hendrick Motorsports' Jeff Gordon 6
• • Denny Hamlin determined to dust off Dover disappointment at Kansas 3
• • Tony Stewart's team having fun despite Chase pressure 2
• • 7 reasons to watch the Price Chopper 400 at Kansas: No. 6 - Juan Pablo Montoya 1
• • Lee Montgomery: Don't count out Jeff Gordon in the championship run 6
• • Brian Vickers focused on own effort, not that of drivers leading title race 0
• • Business in Racing: New Hendrick Motorsports movie remembers key figures in team's history 6
• • Joey Logano ready to get back to racing days after riveting Dover crash 2
• 02 Friday 09
  • Ryan Newman, Stewart-Haas Racing look to capitalize on strong runs 1
• • Roush Fenway Racing's Greg Biffle seeking improvement while chasing title 6
• • Mark Martin leads trio of Hendrick Motorsports drivers in Kansas qualifying 22
• • Chase For The Sprint Cup glance: Kansas Speedway 32
• 01 Thursday 09
  • Hendrick Motorsports' Jeff Gordon remains confident of his championship potential 22

September 2009

• 30 Wednesday 09
  • Kasey Kahne to use older R5 engine at Kansas, possibly for rest of season 25
• • Kurt Busch sponsor Miller Lite to make charity donations based on driver's success 0
• 29 Tuesday 09
  • Jeff Gordon 'really disappointed' after sixth-place finish at Dover 28
• • Mark Martin second in the race, but still first in the Chase 8
• • Contender: Juan Pablo Montoya finishes fourth at Dover 3
• 28 Monday 09
  • Dover a struggle for Chase drivers Denny Hamin, Brian Vickers 1
• • Kasey Kahne rallies to finish eighth in AAA 400 at Dover 4
• 27 Sunday 09
  • Stewart-Haas drivers see improvement – but still lose ground in Chase 13
• • Penske Racing's Kurt Busch has another good run in the Chase 1
• • Hendrick Motorsports' Jimmie Johnson shows top form in Dover win 33
• 16 Wednesday 09
  • Battle for Chase berth lasted until final lap at Richmond; field now set 111
• 14 Monday 09
  • Brian Vickers races into his first Chase For The Sprint Cup berth 7
• • Denny Hamlin finally conquers hometown Richmond track 32
• • Mike Hembree: Predicting the unpredictable 8
• • Matt Kenseth misses Chase, says team needs to focus on improving cars 7
• • 7 reasons to watch the Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire: No. 1 - New Chase teams 5
• 12 Saturday 09
  • Mark Martin 'whole new person' after locking into Chase, taking over Cup points lead 14

June 2009

• 24 Wednesday 09
  • Infineon Cup ratings drop 7.0 percent 20