NASCAR on TV this week

Is Second Place Already the First Loser in the Truck, Nationwide Series?

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Ironically (or perhaps not surprisingly), it’s the two NASCAR national touring series that don’t have a Chase system that are currently enjoying tight races atop the standings as the 2012 season hits the summer stretch. The Nationwide ranks is playing host to Sadler vs. Stenouse Redux, featuring Austin Dillon, while the Truck ranks see four regulars all within nine markers of each other heading into Iowa.

The commonalities between the two are numerous. Richard Childress Racing has a presence in both. Both feature a Dillon brother. And both now have a second-place driver facing the first major uncertainties of their respective seasons. When Austin Dillon takes to the track this Saturday at Loudon, it will be without crew chief Danny Stockman, who has been suspended after his No. 3 team was penalized for rules violations each of the last two race weekends. And when Justin Lofton leaves Iowa, the No. 6 team faces an uncertain sponsorship situation, following the announcement this week that backer CollegeComplete.com was departing.

Kenny Wallace Driver Diary: Bad Luck, Good Racing…and the Wizard

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Michigan was really disappointing. We qualified 10th and had a really good car. It gave us no warning whatsoever; I guess the motor broke right as we were coming to get the green flag. As we were coming to the green flag, I went to take off and the motor blew up right then. That’s the second time that’s ever happened in my career. It happened at Phoenix back in like 1993, where my motor blew up on the very first lap. I guess if you race enough like me, those things will happen. So that was a bummer. It was just that quick at Michigan: we qualified 10th, it blew up coming to take the green flag and that’s it, we were out of the race.

Charity Corner: NAPA, Truex, Jr. Team Up for Wounded Soldiers

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Americans love their military heroes and appreciate their sacrifices as they allow us to maintain the freedoms that so many people take for granted each day, and NASCAR fans are no different. Now, you’ve got a chance to go ahead and honor a wounded soldier in a very special way via the NAPA Fallen Heroes Program.

NAPA Auto Parts and the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund have teamed up to send two service men and women to the first race in the Chase for the Sprint Cup at Chicagoland Speedway in September. The winners will serve as honorary pit crew members and enjoy all kinds of perks included in their weekend including a meet and greet with Martin Truex, Jr. Additionally, they’ll receive VIP accommodations, a tour of the pit area and track, an official pit crew shirt and their names on the No. 56 NAPA Toyota for the GEICO 400.

Professor Of Speed: The Numbers Game

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With the recent successes (give or take a couple rules violations) of 22-year old Austin Dillon in the Camping World Truck and Nationwide Series, NASCAR fans are getting used to seeing a familiar number back in victory lane. The sport went nearly a decade since any race car bearing the No. 3 rolled into the winner’s circle anywhere. It was Austin Dillon who put the legendary number back in the spotlight with a K&N Pro Series East win at Greenville-Pickens Speedway in April of 2008. Until that event, the No. 3 hadn’t crossed the finish line first since Dale Earnhardt did so in dramatic fashion at Talladega Superspeedway during the fall race in 2000.

Dollars And Sense: U.S. Army is Downsizing, Starting With NASCAR’s Ryan Newman

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Tuesday the U.S. Army announced that it will not continue to pursue sponsorship opportunities within NASCAR. The much anticipated announcement is unfortunate to say the least for Stewart-Haas Racing and Ryan Newman, driver of the No. 39 U.S. Army Chevrolet.

Other drivers could be caught up in the resulting whirlwind, because someone is expected to be displaced in the forthcoming Silly Season ripple effect, should Ryan Newman test the free agency market due to losing the Army as a 12 race primary sponsor. Not having a full-docket of sponsorship for the 2013 season is likely to send Newman searching elsewhere, causing another driver to start searching for a new employment.

Potts’ Shots: How Much To Run It, The Bluebird Walls It, And A Name Game

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I got quite a few e-mails last week about my comments regarding Linda Vaughn.

One guy, calling himself simply “Old Timer” says,

_I have a picture of me getting a nice, big hug from Linda in the garage in Daytona in 1972 after the Firecracker 400, when I was 12 years old! Yep, one never forgets a hug from Linda Vaughn! Especially when you are eyeball-level with her…neck._

I don’t think there is anything I can add to that.

MPM2Nite: Short Takes Before A Short Break

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Some of you might not realize but after Sunday’s race at New Hampshire, the Cup regulars get a weekend off before the Brickyard 400; that off-weekend will be the last one of the season. Right now we’re in the midst of a 12-day heat wave that has sent temperature soaring into the triple digits, and by the time the Cup season ends I’ll likely be burning my wood stove. I’ve said it before and I’ll reiterate: the Cup schedule is simply too long and needs to b e shortened by 25 percent, with a few off weekends added during the summer especially.

So before my week off, I wanted to comment on a few topics causing a buzz amongst the fans right now.