Not So Hot...

Jeff Gordon could well have completed this past season with success, but his strong start gave way to a frustrating finish. Gordon ended up finishing the season in 9th place, and this final result was his lowest point position since 2005. At the Sprint Cup Awards ceremony in Las Vegas Gordon stated "nobody is more disappointed in our finish than I am." He wishes they could have finished with how they started, but there is always next season.

Watkins

Watkins Glen International will be staring a new $3 million dollar improvement project. The improvements include a new club that was destroyed in 2007, permanent showers added to the infield, and permanent grandstands in the last two turns of the 11-turn circuit. Track president Michael Printup said the attendance has been down and he is hoping this new project will help bring fans to the track.

All-Star Kurt Busch

“At Charlotte Motor Speedway Kurt Busch won the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, along with a $1million dollar prize. Eight days later at the same venue won the Coca-Colas 600; this race is known as the most prominent for points. Kyle crew chief says “I would rather have him than anybody else sitting in the race car, when it comes down to it.”

Driver of the Year: Sporting News

Denny Hamlin didn’t win the Sprint Cup, but on Thursday December 2nd Sporting News awarded him Drive of the Year, while Mike Ford, Hamlin’s crew chief was voted top crew chief. Driver of the Year and top crew chief is voted by Sprint Cup drivers, crew chiefs and owners. Denny Hamlin had an amazing season by keeping his focus of what he and his team wanted to achieve this year, but came short in the end. Hamlin may have the title driver of the year, but next year he wants named the Sprint Cup title.

Dale Earnhardt Jr.: Fan Envy

Dale Earnhardt Jr. has had a rough season, but when it comes to his fans he’s still number 1. On December 2nd National Motorsports Press Association Hamburger Helper Most Popular Driver Award. This would be Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s 8th consecutive time winning this award, while over 1.5 million people casted their vote. Jr.’s fan base has stayed strong, but let’s see what he can do for them out on the track.

Jeff Gordon vs. Jeff Burton

It was the 192 lap of the 334-lap Sprint Cup Series race. Gordon and Burton were going hard for the 18th spot, when their cars tangled as the caution flag flew. Gordon was fuming as he got out of his wrecked car and crossed the track of Texas Motor Speedway. The four-time NASCAR Cup champion Jeff Gordon, then decided to shove Jeff Burton, before NASCAR officials could separate the two drivers. This is something you definitely would not expect from two veterans of NASCAR.

High Speeds at Talladega

It’s the first Sprint Cup practice and there are already concerns… Concerns of high speed, really? Hamlin turned the corner at 201.664 mph, while Kyle Busch second at 201.109 mph. Its NASCAR what do you expect? Drivers are supposed to drive at extreme high speeds.

At least at the last session of practice the speeds were much slower, 197.814 mph. I “guess” it was just the draft, according to Kerry Tharp, NASCARs Director of Communications.