Denny Hamlin on his pit box Photo – Mike DiNovo, USA TODAY Sports
Denny Hamlin will race this weekend. How Much? That is still unknown, but Hamlin has been medically cleared to get back in the race car for this weekend. This is the first time Denny Hamlin will get in a race car since his wreck at Auto Club Speedway over four weeks ago.
Denny Hamlin tweeted earlier this week that he would be getting back in the race car, only to have NASCAR say they do not have medical clearance from doctors. Well, last night NASCAR confirmed that Denny Hamlin has been medically cleared by doctors to race this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway. Continue reading →
In the aftermath of the bombings in Boston, NASCAR is asking that teams be on the look out as they roam through the garage for any suspicious activity going forward.
A crew chiefs-only meeting was called Saturday morning at Richmond International Raceway to ask teams to be more aware of activity going on in the pit area. NASCAR is asking teams to be more aware of their surroundings going forward into the season and to report any irregular activity. Continue reading →
Matt Kenseth, driver of the #20 The Home Depot/Husky Toyota, celebrates with a burnout after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series STP 400 at Kansas Speedway on April 21, 2013 Photo – Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images
Another élite organization is facing major penalties Wednesday. The Associated Press first reported that Matt Kenseth’s engine from his winning car at Kansas did not pass NASCAR‘s standards at the Research and Development Center.
The AP reported early Wednesday that one connecting rod did not meet minimum weight. Joe Gibbs Racing gets their engines from Toyota Racing Development out of Costa Mesa, California. Joe Gibbs Racing does not make their own engines. The part that failed inspection at the R&D Center may not have given Kenseth any advantage on Sunday when he won in Kansas. But NASCAR will still hold the 20 team responsible for the failed part. Continue reading →
Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Miller Lite Dodge, celebrates with a burnout after winning the series championship for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Homestead – November 18, 2012 Photo – Todd Warshaw/Getty Images
Dodge is organizing for a return back to NASCAR, perhaps sooner than expected
Promising news is emerging that may have NASCAR and Dodge fans excited. Funding for the Dodge program in NASCAR has been approved says, Ralph Gilles.
Ray Alexander first reported that Ralph Gilles, President and CEO of the SRT Brand and Senior Vice President of Design at Chrysler Group LLC, said that NASCAR funding is approved by Chrysler but lack of personnel played a large role in Dodge’s exit from the sport. Personnel needed for Dodge’s NASCAR program includes engine builders, as well as a winning and championship contending team. But Gilles added, Chrysler is already talking to potential teams to bring back Dodge in the sport..
Possible teams that could be part of a Dodge return to NASCAR are uncertain. Chrysler tried to find potential teams to stay in the sport last season after Penske Racing announced that they would be switching to Ford. Chrysler was unable to find a suitable team that met their criteria and decided to back out of NASCAR at the end of the 2012 season.
A possible suitor is, Richard Petty Motorsports, as they have been running slightly better in 2013, including three straight top-ten performances between the No. 9 and No. 43 the past three weeks. Only Dodge knows exactly the criteria they are looking for in a potential team.
Ralph Gilles did not mention when Chrysler plans to have a Dodge back in the Sprint Cup field. Gilles also did not mention any additions to personnel for the NASCAR program at this time. But the recent news is a move in the right direction for Dodge’s return and any sign is better than no sign.
More potential news of a return for Dodge may come as the summer months draw closer and teams finalize deals for 2014. It is also possible for Dodge to plan a return that will come after 2014, only time will tell the rest of this story.
