Garage chatter: What's the news prior to Texas Motor Speedway?
Nov. 5 news and notes
Petty team receives Phoenix cars — 10:45 a.m. ET
Richard Petty Motorsports received its cars and engines for the upcoming race at Phoenix International Raceway this week.
RPM sources say the trucks carrying the Phoenix cars will leave the Concord, N.C., shop on Friday for Texas Motor Speedway so the teams can swap out cars for next weekend’s event.
Richard Petty, who is currently working to secure the finances to gain majority interest in the company that bears his name, is expected to be at the track on Saturday.
One potential partner for Petty appears to be Medallion Financial Group. Petty discussed a partnership with MFG principal Andrew Murstein in the spring of 2008 prior to aligning with Boston Ventures that June. Petty merged the revered No. 43 into the Gillett Evernham Motorsports organization at the start of the 2009 season, but Boston Ventures retained management over the Richard Petty Driving Experience.
Murstein also approached several other NASCAR owners starting with Robert Yates in 2006.
— Lee Spencer
Dodge announces new nose for car — 11 a.m. ET
The new Dodge Charger nose has been approved by NASCAR for the 2011 Sprint Cup Series season.
The development of the Charger nose has been a cooperative effort by Dodge Motorsports Engineering and Penske Racing. According to a news release, the new nose “gives Dodge better brand identify for the Charger while remaining within the NASCAR approval process.”
“With the introduction of the all-new 2011 Dodge Charger for the street, we worked closely with Penske Racing to develop the Dodge brand identity while maintaining neutral aerodynamics within the NASCAR rules,” said Dave Bailey, senior manager of Dodge Motorsports engineering. “Coupled with NASCAR’s new common lower nose for 2011, the revised front end carries the image and character of the Charger forward in true Dodge performance fashion.”
Nov. 4 news and notes
Report: Sadler lands new ride for 2011 -- 10 p.m. ET
Elliott Sadler's future plans look set to be revealed Friday afternoon.
Kevin Harvick Inc. has called a press conference for Friday afternoon at Texas Motor Speedway, and according to a report on the Charlotte Observer's website, the team will reveal that Sadler will drive full-time for them in the Nationwide Series in 2011.
The deal allows Sadler, who is in the last year of his contract at Richard Petty Motorsports in the Sprint Cup Series, to compete for the Nationwide championship next season in a KHI Chevrolet.
Sadler won a Camping World Truck Series race at Pocono for KHI earlier this season.
Nov. 2 news and notes
Cast your ballots — 10 a.m. ET
Who are you voting for today?
No, no – this isn’t a question about Republicans or Democrats – who is your favorite of the 12 Chase for the Sprint Cup drivers?
Texas Motor Speedway is partnering with Clara Love Elementary today to educate grade-school children on the importance of Election Day and the actual voting process. During the course of their lunch and recess periods, students will fill out and deposit their secret ballots in a mock election setup in the Clara Love Elementary library, just steps away from where adults will be casting their votes for local officials.
Who gets your vote? Before making a final decision, check out their campaign messages to the students (drivers listed in order of the points standings as of Election Day):
Jimmie Johnson – I love ice cream. If you like ice cream, I’m your guy.
Denny Hamlin – Because I promise to always give my best on the racetrack and work hard for my team and my teammates.
Kevin Harvick – I love to win!
Jeff Gordon – (No message)
Kyle Busch – Who doesn’t love M&M’s?
Carl Edwards – Because I do back-flips when I win!
Tony Stewart –I get paid money to drive fast – legally.
Matt Kenseth – I like kids and I'm fair, honest, and would be happy to sign an autograph for you if you ask.
Kurt Busch – Because I really am a good guy. I hope our paths can cross one of these days.
Jeff Burton – Because I have a tractor on the side of my race car.
Greg Biffle – I have braces and having braces is cool.
Clint Bowyer – Because Cheerios make you healthy and strong!
Make your voice heard in the poll.
— Jorge A. Mondaca
Nov. 1 news and notes
From the editors’ desks ... — 1:30 p.m. ET
Talladega Superspeedway did exactly what it's capable of — wreaked havoc for some Chase for the Sprint Cup contenders while tightening the championship field even more.
With a finish under caution, and time taken to review film to determine Clint Bowyer was the race winner, the event featured horrific crashes, final ends to some championship dreams and a solid performance by each of the three men racing at the front.
In the end, another driver flipped and a trio of drivers left the track within 38 points of one another.
The incidents started in the Camping World Truck Series race, where two-time champion Ron Hornaday flipped his vehicle before Kyle Busch topped Aric Almirola in a photo finish. Todd Bodine took a hit in the standings, putting Kyle Busch Motorsports in the lead for the owners title at this point.
On the Cup side, things started out wild with drivers topping 201 mph in the opening practice session. After that, some opted to sit out the final practice. Then the Amp Energy Juice 500 at Talladega Superspeedway offered the usual fireworks. Dale Earnhardt Jr. enjoyed a significant run at the front, then was later involved in a crash with Jeff Burton that led to an apology. The racing continued to be wild, with AJ Allmendinger getting airborne and setting up the caution that led to confusion over the winner.
Bowyer was declared the winner, but after a time some of those further back changed positions as the final results were altered as officials continued to sort out the field based on scoring loops. It is Bowyer's second win of the season, and just his latest career accomplishment. (Race highlights)
The Chase standings are now the closest they've ever been at this point in the season. Is there a favorite among the top three of Johnson, Hamlin and Harvick?
Off the track, the news was disheartening as longtime NASCAR executive Jim Hunter lost his 12-month battle with cancer. He was 71.
In other NASCAR news over the weekend, Richard Petty Motorsports officials indicated the team will complete the 2010 NASCAR season. Meanwhile, Shane Hmiel continues to recover from injuries he sustained in a crash last month.
This weekend, all three NASCAR series return to action. Brad Keselowski could clinch the Nationwide Series crown this weekend, giving Penske Racing its first NASCAR title. Next up is the fast 1.5-mile Texas Motor Speedway, where NASCAR begins a three-race stretch of triple-header weekends.
Keep up here. FOXSports.com is up-to-date on all aspects of the Chase, with complete coverage, photos, analysis and news appearing on our Chase Central page.
— Jorge A. Mondaca and Rea White
