Hendrick Dominance Continues, Johnson Wins at Dover

Johnson celebrates in victory lane 
Photo – Getty Images


By Jason Schultz


Jimmie Johnson wins his third race in the last four weeks Sunday afternoon at Dover International Speedway. 


Johnson gives fans a dominating performance the entire race, as Hendrick Motorsports continues its string of wins with its fourth straight victory. All four Hendrick cars were competitive, running up front all day and consistently in the top-five – top-ten. But it was Jimmie Johnson celebrating in victory lane at the end of the race.


And it was Jimmie Johnson leading the first six laps before pole-sitter Mark Martin retakes the lead. 


The first caution of the day comes out early with controversy on lap ten and the biggest wreck in the 2012 season. Tony Stewart makes contact with Landon Cassill coming out of turn two, turning Cassill sideways. Regan Smith was running below Stewart as Stewart also goes low to avoid making any further contact with Cassill and results in Smith turning Stewart. 


Cars start sliding down the banked backstretch and more cars pile into the fray. After Juan Pablo Montoya slides in, Dave Blaney gets into Michael McDowell with McDowell spinning into the wreck and collecting a hand-full of more cars. 


Scott Speed makes a hard hit on Landon Cassill after the cars were still slowing down and the track becomes impassable. The red flag waves to clean up all of the debris scattered on the backstretch. 


This incident was similar to a 2008 wreck at Dover, also with cars wrecking and blocking the backstretch, and with other cars piling into the mess on the track. 


Overall, 13 cars were involved in the wreck, including; Casey Mears, Tony Stewart, Reed Sorenson, Stephen Leicht, Dave Blaney, David Gilliland, Juan Pablo Montoya, Regan Smith, Scott Speed, Landon Cassill, Joe Nemechek, Travis Kvapil and Michael McDowell. Tony Stewart commenting afterward about the wreck said, he was in the “wrong place at the wrong time.” 


Considering races at Daytona and Talladega already this season, it is surprising, the biggest wreck of the season occurs at Dover. The red flag lasts for almost 20 minutes while crews work diligently to get the track ready for more racing. 


On lap 30, Jimmie Johnson passes Mark Martin for the lead after Martin leads every lap but six up to this point. 


The first round of green-flag pit stops begin on lap 69, with Johnson and Martin swapping the lead once again after the pit stops. By lap 90, Johnson retakes the lead. 


The second caution of the day came out on lap 111 as David Reutimann becomes the first to lose an engine. 


On lap 165, one of the favorites to win the race, Carl Edwards, hit the wall after a blown tire. Edwards goes behind the wall for repairs but eventually comes back out and finishes in 26th place. 


Kyle Busch experiences problems around halfway when his engine let go. Kyle commenting in the garage area said, he “couldn’t keep up with the track.” After a decent last few weeks for Busch, this was a disappointment for the No.18 crew. 


The next caution comes out on lap 226 for debris in turn four, leading to an issue that may have cost Kevin Harvick a race win. Harvick came into the pits third and overshot his pit stall, costing him valuable track position. 


On the restart, Jeff Gordon is the leader and on lap 246, Jimmie Johnson takes the lead from Jeff Gordon, as the No. 24 car starts experiencing major issues and goes to pit road. 


After another round of green-flag pit stops, Jeff Gordon, who pitted earlier, stays out and inherits the race lead. With 76 laps to go, Jeff Gordon gives up the lead to pit, leaving Jimmie Johnson as the new leader. 


With 55 laps to go, Kurt Busch blows an engine, ending his day; and the third blown engine of the day occurs with 39 laps to go as Jeff Burton, who was having a great run, blows an engine. 


Coming to the checkered flag, Kevin Harvick is unable to catch Johnson who goes on to win his second point’s race of the season. 


In victory lane, Jimmie Johnson says, the victory is a “team effort.” He also took time to thank long-time NASCAR broadcaster, Dick Berggren, on a great career. 


Bergeren, 70, is retiring from broadcasting after NASCAR on FOX’s final broadcast of the season today in Dover. 


Jimmie Johnson and Hendrick Motorsports continue their winning streak at Dover 


Next week the Sprint Cup Series heads to newly repaved Pocono Raceway for an exciting race. Make sure to tune-in to TNT for next week’s race.


Results & Point Standings via Nascar.com 

SPONSOR
STATUS
1
2
48
Chevrolet
Lowe’s Madagascar
48/5
400
Running
2
6
29
Chevrolet
Jimmy Johns
42/0
400
Running
3
5
17
Ford
Best Buy
42/1
400
Running
4
17
88
Chevrolet
AMP Energy / Diet Mtn. Dew / National Guard
41/1
400
Running
5
4
15
Toyota
5-hour Energy
39/0
400
Running
6
12
43
Ford
Jani-King / Smithfield
38/0
400
Running
7
18
56
Toyota
NAPA Auto Parts
37/0
400
Running
8
11
20
Toyota
The Home Depot
36/0
400
Running
9
13
5
Chevrolet
HendrickCars.com
35/0
400
Running
10
21
9
Ford
Stanley
34/0
400
Running
11
7
16
Ford
3M / Heilind (EMD)
33/0
400
Running
12
16
2
Dodge
Miller Lite
32/0
400
Running
13
14
24
Chevrolet
DuPont
32/1
400
Running
14
1
55
Toyota
Aaron’s Dream Machine
31/1
400
Running
15
3
39
Chevrolet
Quicken Loans
29/0
400
Running
16
23
22
Dodge
Shell / Pennzoil
28/0
400
Running
17
20
27
Chevrolet
Menards / Pittsburgh Paints
27/0
400
Running
18
10
11
Toyota
FedEx Freight / Autism Speaks
27/1
400
Running
19
24
1
Chevrolet
Bass Pro Shops / Allstate
25/0
400
Running
20
22
47
Toyota
Scott Products
24/0
399
Running
21
28
34
Ford
MHP / 8 Hour Alert
24/1
398
Running
22
15
31
Chevrolet
BB&T
22/0
364
Engine
23
42
93
Toyota
Burger King / Dr Pepper
21/0
348
Running
24
9
51
Chevrolet
Phoenix Construction Services
20/0
338
Engine
25
29
14
Chevrolet
Mobil 1 / Office Depot
19/0
331
Running
26
19
99
Ford
Subway
18/0
318
Running
27
26
78
Chevrolet
Furniture Row / CSX “Play it Safe”
17/0
306
Running
28
31
42
Chevrolet
Target
16/0
296
Running
29
8
18
Toyota
M&M’s
15/0
202
Engine
30
38
32
Ford
FAS Lane Racing
0
124
Accident
31
39
10
Chevrolet
Tommy Baldwin Racing
13/0
110
Engine
32
41
36
Chevrolet
Tommy Baldwin Racing
12/0
65
Accident
33
32
30
Toyota
Inception Motorsports
11/0
63
Overheating
34
34
249
Toyota
America Israel Racing / JPO Absorbents
10/0
41
Overheating
35
37
33
Chevrolet
Little Joes A
utos.com
9/0
29
Accident
36
36
119
Toyota
Humphrey Smith Racing
0
23
Steering
37
43
23
Chevrolet
North Texas Pipe
7/0
21
Vibration
38
27
83
Toyota
Burger King / Dr Pepper
6/0
9
Accident
39
35
87
Toyota
AM / FM Energy Wood & Pellet Stoves
0
9
Accident
40
30
38
Ford
Autism Speaks
4/0
9
Accident
41
40
13
Ford
GEICO
3/0
8
Accident
42
33
98
Ford
Phil Parsons Racing
2/0
8
Accident
43
25
179
Ford
Team Kyle / Koma Unwind
1/0
8
Accident

Race Day Chat – FedEx 400 – June 3, 2012

Replay available until Wed. June  6th.

  • Join us for a live Race Day Chat for NASCAR’s Sprint Cup FedEx 400
  • If you want a reminder sent prior to this live event, please enter your email in the form above and select the time-frame for your reminder. 
  • The live event will begin at 11:30am CDT
  • You can access this live event in two ways

  1. On our Fan4Racing facebook page click the – Race Day Chat – link just below the cover photo. 
  2. On our Fan4Racing website click the – Race Day Chat – tab

  • This live event is FREE and participants are not required to log-in to participate

  • You may choose to sign-in via your twitter or facebook account – it’s up to you.

  • It’s also up to you if you just want to read the live updates or comment on what is happening. All comments are moderated, prior to being published.

  • If you can’t watch this event on TV, this is a great way to still participate and get updates of the FedEx 400 race action. Just bookmark the page on your mobile phone to receive live updates throughout the race.


Gordon Celebrates 20th Season with Sponsors – Motivation to Chase a Wild Card!

Hard to believe it’s been twenty-years for NASCAR driver and four-time Sprint Cup champion Jeff Gordon with his legendary owner Rick Hendrick.

Jeff Gordon’s 20-year Anniversary #24 Car
Photo – DuPont.com

With this season marking their twenty-year anniversary, Jeff Gordon and Hendrick Motorsports along with DuPont, are celebrating the longest running driver – owner – sponsor partnership in NASCAR.


Together, they plan to celebrate the conclusion of their 20th season at Homestead, with a special “Hot Hues Cosmic Dust” silver metallic paint-scheme, designed by NASCAR’s first officially licensed artist Sam Bass. 


In the last twenty-years, Gordon has notched an amazing 85 career victories. And that along with his marketing prowess during his storied career is legendary in it’s own right. DuPont reinforces the value of their long-standing partnership at the unveiling of their special paint scheme. “Jeff Gordon has been an ideal ambassador for the DuPont brand…,” said Scott Coleman, chief marketing and sales officer for DuPont. “He is a consummate professional and a true champion both on and off the track.”


Other Jeff Gordon sponsors agree with Coleman’s assessment. In addition to DuPont, Gordon’s other long-standing and new sponsors include: AARP/Drive to End Hunger, Pepsi MAX, GM, Quaker State, Time Warner Cable and DVX. An enviable list for any driver and especially to those struggling for sponsorship in today’s economy.  


A lot of fans are familiar with Jeff Gordon’s commitment with AARP and their Drive to End Hunger by his recent paint schemes and promotions. In Charlotte this past two-weeks AARP organized another Drive to End Hunger event involving fans and NASCAR notables to help feed thousands in the Charlotte, NC area. 

Pepsi MAX promotional photo

Recently, Gordon was also seen on twitter and facebook, teasing a new Pepsi MAX promotion coming soon with a photo of the new commemorative No. 24 Jeff Gordon collection of Pepsi MAX bottles. 


Pepsi MAX is planning an exciting, interactive promotion with fans in the coming weeks with daily giveaways. Fans will also be able to purchase and collect the No. 24 Jeff Gordon Pepsi MAX bottles. 


Because of Gordon’s twenty-year anniversary, everyone will want to include the Pepsi MAX collector bottles as part of their personal memorabilia to celebrate this historic year and the career of a NASCAR hero. 


Although Jeff Gordon’s season has not been going to plan for the first half of the year, with the celebration of his twentieth season, it would be no surprise to see a reversal of his fortune going into the second half. Gordon fans will proudly voice their vote of confidence for a win from the No. 24 team coming soon! 


Gordon has his sights set on being in victory lane at least once. “I’m looking forward to hopefully taking this special DuPont…paint scheme to Victory Lane in November to thank all of the amazing DuPont employees and customers who I’ve come to know like family and who have supported me loyally over the past two decades,” says Gordon.


But if Gordon has his way, the best way to celebrate his twenty-years in NASCAR with his fans, will be in victory lane as many times as possible in the next half of this season. 


Watch out all other Sprint Cup teams! Look for the No. 24 team to Chase a “Wild Card” in the coming weeks!

FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks at Dover Preview

Kenseth celebrates after last season’s victory at Dover 
Photo –  Getty Images

By Jason Schultz


Race Info
Date- Sunday June 3rd, 2012
Location- Dover, Delaware
Start Time- 1:15 PM EST
Distance- 400 Laps, 400 Miles
Broadcast TV- FOX
Broadcast Radio- MRN
Weather Forecast
High 78 F Low 60 F
Chance of rain- 10%
Partly Cloudy
Past Race Winners
2011- Matt Kenseth
2010- Kyle Busch
2009- Jimmie Johnson
2008- Kyle Busch
2007- Martin Truex Jr.
Notables yet to win Spring Race at Dover
Brad Keselowski
Kasey Kahne
Denny Hamlin
Kevin Harvick
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Carl Edwards
News & Notes
Hendrick looks to win for the fourth straight week
Martin Truex Jr. looks for first Sprint Cup Series win since Dover in 2007
Kyle Busch looks for third Dover win
Greg Biffle looks to remain point’s leader


Dale Earnhardt Jr. looks for first win since 2008
Final FOX Broadcast of the season, TNT Summer Series start next week at Pocono
Matt Kenseth looks to win back-to-back Spring Dover races
Jason’s Fantasy Racing Picks
Group A- Jimmie Johnson, Carl Edwards
Group B- Martin Truex Jr, Carl Edwards, Ryan Newman, Joey Logano
Group C- David Ragan, Landon Cassill
Event Schedule
Cup Practice 11:00 AM EST Friday on SPEED
Cup Practice 2:45 PM EST Friday on SPEED
Cup Qualifying 12:00 PM EST Saturday on SPEED
Cup Race 12:30 PM EST Sunday on FOX
Next Race- Pocono 400 at Pocono Raceway Pocono, Pennsylvania
Entry List via Nascar.com
HOMETOWN
SPONSOR
OWNER
1
Joplin, MO
Chevrolet
Bass Pro Shops / Allstate
Felix Sabates
2
Rochester Hills, MI
Miller Lite
Roger Penske
5
Enumclaw, WA
Chevrolet
HendrickCars.com
Linda Hendrick
9
Launceston, Tasmania
Ford
Stanley
Richard Petty
10
Zephyrhills, FL
Chevrolet
Tommy Baldwin Racing
Tommy Baldwin
11
Chesterfield, VA
Toyota
FedEx Freight / Autism Speaks
J D Gibbs
13
Bakersfield, CA
Ford
GEICO
Bob Germain
14
Rushville, IN
Chevrolet
Mobil 1 / Office Depot
Margaret Haas
15
Emporia, KS
Toyota
5-hour Energy
Rob Kauffman
16
Vancouver, WA
Ford
3M / Heiland (EMD)
Jack Roush
17
Cambridge, WI
Ford
Best Buy
John Henry
18
Las Vegas, NV
Toyota
M&M’s
Joe Gibbs
20
Middletown, CT
Toyota
The Home Depot
Joe Gibbs
22
Los Gatos, CA
Shell / Pennzoil
Walter Czarnecki
23
Bahama, NC
Chevrolet
North Texas Pipe
Robert Richardson
24
Pittsboro, IN
Chevrolet
DuPont
Rick Hendrick
26
Riverside, CA
Ford
MDS Transport
Jerry Freeze
27
Eau Claire, WI
Chevrolet
Menards / Pittsburgh Paints
Richard Childress
29
Bakersfield, CA
Chevrolet
Jimmy Johns
Richard Childress
30
South Bend, IN
Toyota
Inception Motorsports
Kevin Buckler
31
South Boston, VA
Chevrolet
BB&T
Richard Childress
32
Peachtree City, GA
Ford
TBA
Jack Roush
33
Asheville, NC
Chevrolet
Little Joes A
utos.com
Richard Childress
34
Unadilla, GA
Ford
MHP / 8 Hour Alert
Bob Jenkins
36
Hartford, OH
Chevrolet
Tommy Baldwin Racing
Allan Heinke
38
Riverside, CA
Ford
Front Row Motorsports
Brad Jenkins
39
South Bend, IN
Chevrolet
Quicken Loans
Tony Stewart
42
Bogota, Colombia
Chevrolet
Target
Chip Ganassi
43
Tampa, FL
Ford
Jani-King / Smithfield
Richard Petty
47
Corpus Christi, TX
Toyota
Scott Products
Tad Geschickter
48
El Cajon, CA
Chevrolet
Lowe’s Madagascar
Jeff Gordon
51
Las Vegas, NV
Chevrolet
Phoenix Construction Services
James Finch
52
Susanville, CA
Toyota
CrusaderStaff
ing.com
Kelly Owen
55
Batesville, AR
Toyota
Aaron’s Dream Machine
Bill Jenkins
56
Mayetta, NJ
Toyota
NAPA Auto Parts
Michael Waltrip
74
Alpine, CA
Chevrolet
Turn One Racing
Vickie Compton
78
Cato, NY
Chevrolet
Furniture Row / CSX “Play it Safe”
Barney Visser
83
Cedar Rapids, IA
Toyota
Burger King
Thomas Ueberall
87
Lakeland, FL
Toyota
AM / FM Energy Wood & Pellet Stoves
Andrea Nemechek
88
Kannapolis, NC
Chevrolet
AMP Energy / National Guard
Rick Hendrick
93
Janesville, WI
Toyota
Burger King
Thomas Ueberall
98
Phoenix, AZ
Ford
Phil Parsons Racing
Mike Curb
99
Columbia, MO
Ford
Subway
Jack Roush
19
Milwaukie, OR
Toyota
Humphrey Smith Racing
Randy Humphrey
79
Manteca, CA
Ford
Team Kyle
Archie St. Hilaire
49
Phoenix, AZ
Toyota
America Israel Racing / JPO Absorbents
Jay Robinson