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Tune in for
2007 TV Schedule Race Previews & Results Additional Stories 10 Questions from Kyleerview with Mark n Chad McCumbee and John Andretti Named To Drive #45 Dodge
 Robbie Loomis
Feature guest on Loomis looms large for Petty team Inside the Halls of Petty: Welcome back Andretti 2007 NASCAR TV TNT Kyle Petty to serve as Race Analyst Petty Meets Key |
UAW-Ford 500 Schedule Qualifying Race Day Sunday, October 7 Check the SPEED Channel schedule (speedtv.com) for various programs on the race this weekend. |
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Race Preview Petty Encouraged By Recent Runs “Obviously this is going to be an important race with the Dodge Avenger. Not only is it a race in the ‘Chase for the Championship,’ but it will give everyone an idea of what to expect from these cars at Daytona next year. That is one reason I applaud NASCAR for running these cars this week. We don’t need to go into the 50th Daytona 500 with an unknown product.” “There has been talk that NASCAR might change the restrictor plate size and the wicker height from where we tested last month. That may throw everyone a curve ball because not only is it a new car for this track, but now you are basically taking away all of the practice that we’ve had with it. In the end I know that NASCAR will make the right decision and it will be the same for everyone.” “Our test went well at Talladega last month. I think all of the drivers and crew chiefs are pretty happy with the way things turned out. These cars punch such a huge hole in the air. You can get some strong runs and it makes passing up front easier.” “I have seen a lot of changes in my racing career. This ranks up there with the biggest. All year I’ve equated it to when we went to the shorter wheelbase car in the early 80’s. That caused a lot of worry throughout the garage. In the end, it’s still a racecar.” |
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Race Results OVERVIEW: Sunday’s race was full of unknowns. It was the first with the Car of Tomorrow using a restrictor plate on a superspeedway. The race was full of anticipation as teams and drivers guessed what the makeup of the race might look like. As it turned out, it was more single-file racing at Talladega than seen in many years. Drivers lined up single-file and followed each other until the 100-lap mark when guys started making their moves. The cars still put on a great show, racing three and four-wide at ease. The major difference, however, was the cars needing a major bump or push from another driver to overtake someone. In the end, the Dodge drivers of Ryan Newman, Kurt Busch, Elliott Sadler and Juan Montoya all formed one line while the Chevrolets of Gordon, Johnson, Hamlin, and Tony Stewart formed another. They shook up in the final three laps, but Johnson and Gordon never lost control of the front spots. Gordon, who hadn’t led a lap all day, got a push to lead the only lap he needed to win. Petty Enterprises had two very strong cars on Sunday. In April both entries finished in the top 20. Sunday, the team looked as if top-10 runs were nearly guaranteed. Both Petty and Labonte were strong all day and just waiting to make their moves in the final laps. Unfortunately both cars ended their day in the garage. Kyle Petty and the #45 Marathon American Spirit Motor Oil Dodge team started Sunday’s race in the 12th position. Petty waited until lap 100 before making a charge back to the front. By lap 100 he was 23rd after sitting back to avoid any potential problems in front of him. He was 13th on lap 150 with only 33 laps to go. Petty was looking strong and was preparing for that final 10 lap charge before a cut tire ended his day. Petty’s Dodge slammed the wall on lap 163 in Turn Three. He was unhurt in the crash, but it ended the team’s day. Petty finished 28. They remained 34th in owner points. “We had trouble all day with the tires,” said Petty. “I had sets that weren’t in balance. I hate what happened with Dale Jarrett out there. You just can’t see out of the back of these cars. I apologize for having that happen.” Bobby Labonte and the #43 Pillsbury Dodge team started Sunday’s race in the eighth position, but by lap two was leading 42 other drivers to the line at Talladega Superspeedway. Labonte showed his strength early by showing the field he could lead at ease. In fact, Labonte and the #43 Pillsbury Dodge team were at the front two more times leading a total of three laps in Sunday’s race. Labonte ran in the top 10 for the majority of the time all day. He fell back when the situation looked bleak, but otherwise was one of the strongest cars on the track. For Labonte and the team, the day turned sour when they were involved in an 11 car accident on lap 146. Labonte was running in the top 10 when the accident happened. It ended the team’s day. Labonte remains 18th in driver points. “It surprised me (about the start of the accident),” said Labonte. “We didn’t have trouble all day so I’m not sure really what happened. The rear tires are up. There was no issue all day with anything. So, no, I’m not sure what happened. I went into the corner and the back went out from under it. We had a good car and I hate that it happened.” The NASCAR Nextel Cup Series heads to the 1.5-mile Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Concord (N.C.) for Saturday night’s Bank of America 500. The race will be televised live by ABC and broadcast on PRN Radio. Last update |
