Tag Archives: Goody’s Fast Relief 500

Kevin Harvick Stumbles in Martinsville

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Photo - Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images

Photo – Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images

Like the first two rounds in the Chase for the Sprint Cup, Stewart-Haas Racing driver Kevin Harvick likely finds himself in a must win position to send him into the Championship 4 at Homestead-Miami Speedway in three weeks.

Harvick’s No. 4 Chevrolet was never a factor in Sunday’s Goody’s 500 at Martinsville Speedway, in fact, none of the Stewart-Haas Racing cars were. Harvick led the SHR brigade with a 20th place finish, while teammate and fellow Chase Kurt Busch were 22nd followed by Danica Patrick 24th and co-owner Tony Stewart 26th. Continue reading →

AJ Allmendinger Captures Third Straight Top-Ten Finish at Martinsville

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Photo - Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images

Photo – Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images

With the rumors swirling on whether JTG-Daugherty Racing will move to two cars in 2017, AJ Allmendinger is certainly giving early indications that the team may be ready to do so.

After delivering two top-ten finishes the past two weeks at Kansas Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway, Allmendinger came to Martinsville and made it three-for-three with a tenth-place showing in Sunday’s Goody’s 500. Continue reading →

Denny Hamlin’s Day has a Much Happier Ending than Beginning

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Photo - Daniel Shirey/Getty Images

Photo – Daniel Shirey/Getty Images

Considering the way Sunday started for Denny Hamlin, a third-place finish in the Goody’s Fast Relief 500 might have defied the omens from early in the day.

Hamlin was on the way to an early-morning appearance when the driver introduction stage, being hauled by a tractor, collided with the golf cart in which Hamlin was riding. The golf car was totaled, but Hamlin saw the accident coming and leaped out of the vehicle before the impact.

Before the race, Hamlin’s No. 11 Toyota fell off its jack, forcing the team to do extra work to get it through inspection. Continue reading →

After Blown Tire, Edwards Faces Uphill Battle

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Photo - Robert Laberge/Getty Images

Photo – Robert Laberge/Getty Images

A blown tire late in Sunday’s race almost certainly put Carl Edwards in a win-or-bust position for the next two races in the Round of 8 in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.

Edwards was running ninth when the blown tire sent him hard into the outside wall on lap 358 of 500. Ultimately, Edwards finished 36th, 23 laps down and trails teammate Kyle Busch by 32 points for the final spot in the Championship 4 finale, set for Nov. 20 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Continue reading →

Gordon Enjoys – Perhaps – his Last Run at Martinsville

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Photo - Robert Laberge/Getty Images

Photo – Robert Laberge/Getty Images

Jeff Gordon doesn’t plan to race again in a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series car – unless team owner Rick Hendrick twists his arm.

But Gordon hopes circumstances won’t force him into another substitute role. Competing in place of ailing Dale Earnhardt Jr. for the last time this season, Gordon finished sixth on Sunday in his Martinsville swan song.

“Well, I had a lot of fun out there,” Gordon said after the race. “It’s great to be here in front of all these awesome short track and Martinsville NASCAR fans. It’s just a special place to me, and I had a lot of fun and had a great car. This No. 88 Nationwide Chevrolet was really good. I knew we didn’t have the short-run speed for some of those Gibbs cars…

“I would rather have won. I felt like we had a fourth-or-fifth-place car the run before that (last run), so I always wanted to get the most out of it. I was a little disappointed it didn’t take off there at the last yellow, but very proud of this team proud of my performance. Best finish I’ve had in this car (subbing for Earnhardt). Good way to finish my run this year in the No. 88 Chevy.”

Notice Gordon said “my run this year” and not “my career.”