2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series

The 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series began on February 9, 2008 at Daytona International Speedway with the Budweiser Shootout, followed by pole qualifying on Sunday, February 10, 2008 for the 50th Daytona 500 on February 17. The season will continue with the 2008 Chase for the Sprint Cup beginning on September 14 with the Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and conclude with the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 16. Due to the merger in 2005 of Sprint and Nextel, NASCAR's premier series will be known as the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series for the 2008 season and beyond, [ [http://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/nascar/2007-07-07-sprint-cup_N.htm USA Today: NASCAR changing top series name to Sprint Cup] ] and will crown the first champion under the new Sprint sponsorship. The series has no connection with Sprint car racing, as NASCAR uses stock car bodies. Coors Light also replaced Budweiser as Official Beer of NASCAR, thereby becoming the new sponsor of the Pole Award given to pole winner in each Sprint Cup Series race. But Budweiser will still be the official sponsor for Bud Shootout at Daytona in February.

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Car of Tomorrow

All Sprint Cup races utilize the Car of Tomorrow (CoT) template. [ [http://www.nascar.com/2007/news/headlines/cup/05/22/cot.full.time/ NASCAR.com: It's official: CoT will be used full time in '08 season] ] NASCAR announced on May 22, 2007 that the original timetable, which would have the full-time use of the single car template in 2009, was being abandoned as 80% of all owners were in favor of moving the full-time use of the CoT one year ahead so they would not race with two sets of rules for all but ten races. The cars that have been approved for the 2008 season will be the Chevrolet Impala, the Dodge Charger, the Ford Fusion and the Toyota Camry. Dodge had used the Avenger in the 2007 CoT races, but has stated that the Charger will be used full time in 2008.

Economic problems affect NASCAR

The Economic crisis of 2008, with high gas prices over $4 a gallon has caused NASCAR's largely blue-collar fan base to feel the pinch. [ [http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080630/sp_nm/economy_usa_nascar_dc High U.S. gas prices pinch NASCAR fans] ] While Bristol is one of a few tracks that still sell out, others have seen crowds shrink. Daytona International Speedway sold out the Daytona 500, the Coke Zero 400 did not. Some track ticket packages now include all-you-can-eat deals, and tracks also offer nearby campgrounds to entice those who come for several days to see Nationwide and Craftsman Truck races. For their fall race, Lowe's Motor Speedway is offering discounts on local hotel rooms, novelties and food and drink.

The economy has also affected the teams themselves with high diesel fuel prices, with that fuel is needed to power the semi-trailer trucks which transport the race cars to and from racetracks. Sponsorships are also getting increasingly harder to come by further separating the gap between teams. [ [http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/tom_bowles/01/15/sponsors/index.html NASCAR feeling pinch of struggling U.S. economy] ] Before the season began, Morgan-McClure Motorsports ceased operations for their single-car team, while Yates Racing has had no major sponsor on the #28 and #38 cars that they run in the series, as their M&M's sponsorships moved to the Joe Gibbs Racing's #18 team. The Yates team is making due right now in piecemeal fashion, finding companies to sponsor a few races at a time, a practice that pays the bills but stretches the marketing department. As a result of the cutbacks, half of the one hundred employees at Yates were laid off.

Even better sponsored teams have struggled. On July 1, Chip Ganassi Racing shut down its #40 team with 2007 IndyCar Champion and Indianapolis 500 winner Dario Franchitti driving because of a lack of sponsorship funding, becoming the first major victim. [ [http://www.nascar.com/2008/news/headlines/cup/07/01/dfranchitti.cganassi.two.teams/index.html NASCAR.com: Lack of funding forces Ganassi to shut down #40 team] ] Ganassi Racing lost 70 jobs as a result of the closure. Other companies are also switching teams for 2009. Caterpillar Inc., despite its decade long relationship with Bill Davis Racing and its flagship #22, will head for Richard Childress Racing's #31 car driven by Jeff Burton, while General Mills, associating itself with Petty Enterprises since 2000 will also leave to head for RCR's fourth team.

To counter many of these problems, teams have also taken on financial partners, much like Fenway Sports Group joining Jack Roush and George Gillett teaming up with Ray Evernham last year. In June 2008, Petty Enterprises sold a majority share to Boston Ventures as another example of the current economic struggles.

Scheduled races to be run

Race names and start times are subject to change. All races on ABC.

♦ - These teams are scheduled to become full time teams in 2009. "NOTES: 1. Morgan-McClure Motorsports closed their shop on January 14th, 2008, citing a lack of sponsorship, and will more than likely not field the #4 team this season. 2. BAM Racing has suspended operations, at first making a transition from Dodge to Toyota, and then due to a loss of a sponsorship. They are expected to return in the fall. Chad McCumbee raced in the #49 (the car was Dodge) for Petty Enterprises in the Sprint Showdown."

Television

United States

The 2008 season marks the second year of television contracts with FOX, TNT and ESPN/ABC. [ [http://www.nascar.com/2005/news/headlines/officia;/12/07/tv_deal NASCAR.com: Eight-Year, Multi-Network TV Deal Announced.] ] The biggest changes involve ESPN and ABC, as Dale Jarrett becomes the network's lead race color commentator and Rusty Wallace becomes the pre-race analyst. Dale, who completed his driving career with the Sprint All-Star Race XXIV, follows in the footsteps of his father, Ned, who worked with ESPN through most of the 1980s through the 2000 NASCAR season. Allen Bestwick has taken over the hosting role for all races as well as some editions of ESPN 2's "NASCAR Now", replacing Brent Musburger and Suzy Kolber on the pre-race show, with Shannon Spake taking Bestwick's place as pit reporter. Also, veteran NASCAR reporter Nicole Manske (along with Ryan Burr) takes over as a part-time host of "NASCAR Now" show for Erik Kuselias. [ [http://www.nascar.com/2008/news/headlines/cup/01/23/espn.2008.lineup.djarrett/index.html NASCAR.com: ESPN Makes Changes To Its' 2008 Broadcast Team] ] No major changes were made by Fox and TNT for the 2008 season.

One innovation was FOX's "Gopher Cam", placed below the track near the inside of the turns for a unique perspective. In the need for a name for their new mascot, Fox turned to internet users and even drivers for suggestions, and the gopher cam mascot was named "Digger". [ [http://msn.foxsports.com/other/story/7836266/Help-FOX-Sports-name-the-gopher FOX Sports.com: Digger The Gopher Is Born] ] "Digger" is now emblazoned on T-shirts, hats and even as a plush toy.Another innovation was TNT's "RaceBuddy", an internet application that showed multiple views of the race and radio feeds from drivers (using NASCAR.com's RaceDay Scanner).

Canada and Mexico

In Canada NASCAR races are seen on TSN and RDS in English and French, while Speed Channel Latin America holds the rights in Mexico and all of Latin America, including the Bud Shootout, the Gatorade Duels and the Sprint All-Star Race.

Outside North America

Sky Sports holds the rights in Great Britain, while Five US airs a one hour highlights package proceeding each race. In Australia the 2008 Sprint Cup Series season will be covered by FOX SPORTS as usual however, Free-to-air TV's TEN HD will present marquee events LIVE along with one hour highlights packages from all other rounds the Saturday after the event. TenHD will also present the entire Nationwide series season, marking the first time that a full NASCAR Championship will be shown on Free-to-Air TV in Australia, mostly in part of Marcos Ambrose's involvement in the series. NTV holds the rights in Japan, while Sky Italia holds rights in Italy (only NNS) and Premiere Sport holds the German rights. In Spain, Teledeporte will broadcast six live races and hour-long summaries of the remaining thirty.

2008 competition changes

On January 21, 2008, NASCAR announced various competition changes for the 2008 season. [ [http://www.nascar.com/2008/news/headlines/official/01/21/competition.update/index.html NASCAR.com: 2008 competition changes] ]

Qualifying procedures

* In all three national series, teams that are not locked into the starting field via the Owners Points exemption will qualify together as a group at the end of their respective qualifying sessions. This rule has been dubbed "The Boris Said Rule" as per what happened during qualifying for the 2007 Pepsi 400, where Said was the provisional pole sitter when rain washed out the remainder of qualifying, and rules required that all cars must attempt to make a lap before inclement weather stops all activities. The session was washed out, and Said did not make the field as the field was set by the rulebook (Top 35 in points among owners, past race winners and qualifying attempts).

Revisions to pit road rules

* Over-the-wall pit crews in NASCAR's three national series will be able to hand push their car no more than three pit boxes away from their assigned pit box -- limiting the crews to the same three-box length for pushing as the vehicles can drive through getting onto pit road.
*Outside tires that have been removed from a vehicle during a pit stop can no longer be free-rolled from the outside of the pit box to the wall. The tires must be hand-directed to the inner half of the pit box before being released.

Fuel cell size

* All three national series will run the same upgraded 17¾ gallon fuel cell which was used in the 2007 Nextel Cup Series. The fuel cell was a safety feature that was added that year, replacing the old 22-gallon cell.

Engines

* A new engine combination package introduced in the Nationwide and Craftsman Truck series will allow for cost-saving opportunities for teams. Modifications reduce RPMs and horsepower, which will help engines and pieces to last longer. In turn, teams will have the opportunity to run multiple races using the same engine components.

Tire usage at non-sanctioned tests

* Teams in all three national series will receive an allotment of tires to use for non-NASCAR sanctioned tests. Cup Series teams will have access to 200 tires over the course of the year (except for tests that are sanctioned by Goodyear); Nationwide teams will get 160 tires and Truck teams will get 120 tires.

NASCAR fines

*Money collected from fines issued to drivers and others will now go to the [http://foundation.nascar.com/ NASCAR Foundation] , which supports a variety of charitable initiatives. Previously, fine money was added to the season-ending point funds paid to drivers based on their finish in the point standings.

Testing

The first tests followed the change of the calendar at Daytona International Speedway in the first two full weeks of January. Teams that finished in odd numbered positions (1, 3, 5, etc.) through the 2007 USG Sheetrock 400 tested January 7 through 9, while even numbered finishers (2, 4, 6, etc.) through that same period tested January 14 through 16. Speed televised nightly reports throughout this period, as well as the events of the annual Media Tour in Charlotte and the tests in Las Vegas (held on January 28th and 29th) and California (held on January 31st and February 1st). [ [http://www.nascar.com/2007/news/headlines/official/08/01/daytona.preseason.test.dates.2008/index.html Daytona 2008 preseason test dates announced] ]

The remaining dates and tracks that were announced December 4th, 2007 are:

*Phoenix International Raceway - March 3 and 4
*Pocono Raceway - May 27 and 28
*Lowe's Motor Speedway - September 23 and 24

On April 15th, an additional practice session was announced by NASCAR at Lowe's to be held on May 5th and 6th due to problems that were unforeseen at both Las Vegas and Texas during their spring races.

2008 season races

"See List of 2008 NASCAR races for a complete list and schedule of the 2008 season races."

Budweiser Shootout

The 2008 NASCAR season and the 2008 edition of Speedweeks began with the thirtieth annual Budweiser Shootout on February 9 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. The non-points race, featured the previous season's pole winners and past winners of the event. Following tradition teams randomly picked their starting positions, Kurt Busch drew the pole, but ultimately had to start near the rear due to a crash in final practice. The 2008 race set a record with 23 drivers starting the race, the largest field ever in the event. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. won his first NASCAR race with his new team Hendrick Motorsports and his first Sprint Cup Series win since May 2006 at Richmond, leading a record 47 of the 70 laps.

"NOTE: Race Two finish was extended four laps due to green-white-checker finish rule."

Daytona 500

The 50th annual running of the Daytona 500 was held on February 17, 2008, marking the 50th anniversary since the inaugural running in 1959. Ryan Newman won the race with teammate Kurt Busch finishing second, it marked team owner Roger Penske's first win on a restrictor-plate track. The win also ended Ryan Newman's 81 race winless drought in Sprint Cup Series racing. Jeff Burton led during the last restart with 3 laps left and immediately lost the lead. Tony Stewart led during the last lap but it was the Penske Racing teammates of Ryan Newman and Kurt Busch who denied Stewart the win as he tried for the 10th time to win the race.

Failed to Qualify: A. J. Allmendinger (#84), Joe Nemechek (#78), John Andretti (#34), Johnny Sauter (#21; crashed on first lap)

"NOTE: Burney Lamar (#08) withdrew prior to qualifying.

Kobalt Tools 500

The Kobalt Tools 500 was held on March 9 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Jeff Gordon won the pole. Carl Edwards had the car to beat along with Kyle Busch, although Edwards' engine expired late in the race. Busch would go on to lead 173 laps and win the race giving Toyota its first Sprint Cup Series victory. The win also marked the first win by a foreign make since 1954.

Failed to Qualify: Kyle Petty (#45), Tony Raines (#08), John Andretti (#34), Joe Nemechek (#78)

amsung 500

The Samsung 500 was held on April 6 at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. won the pole. The race was won by Carl Edwards who started 2nd and led 123 laps. The major story of the race weekend was Michael McDowell's near head on crash during qualifying after he lost control heading into Turn 1 on his second lap. [ [http://www.nascar.com/2008/news/headlines/cup/04/04/mmcdowell.texas.quals.crash/index.html NASCAR.com: McDowell OK after near head-on crash in qualifying] ] McDowell's car slammed into the Turn 1 SAFER barrier and spun upside down for several hundred yards before the car began a series of at least eight barrel rolls, coming to rest at the bottom of the race track near the infield. McDowell exited the car and was ok. Qualifying was delayed 1 hour and 12 minutes as NASCAR officials assessed and repaired damage to the SAFER barrier.

Failed to Qualify: Dave Blaney (#22), J. J. Yeley (#96), John Andretti (#34)

Crown Royal Presents The Dan Lowry 400

The Crown Royal Presents The Dan Lowry 400 was held on May 3 at Richmond International Raceway in Richmond, Virginia. Denny Hamlin won the pole and went on to lead 381 of the 400 laps. However, a leaking right-front tire caused him to fall back with 18 laps left. It then appeared that Dale Earnhardt, Jr. whose last Sprint Cup win came at this race two years ago would be able to win the race and end his winless streak, but was spun out by Kyle Busch with Three laps to go. The race was won by Clint Bowyer who was running third at the time of Earnhardt's spin.

All-Star Race

Failed to Qualify: Jason Leffler (#70), Chad McCumbee (#45)

Pocono 500

The Pocono 500 was held on June 8 at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. Kasey Kahne won the pole, he went on to win the race. Starting with Pocono TNT started its' six race broadcast schedule. Kyle Busch qualified tenth but in the second practice hit the wall and started from the back. He finished dead last after a crash with Jamie McMurray, but had a big enough cushion in the standings to remain in first place over Jeff Burton by 21 points.

Failed to Qualify: J.J. Yeley (#96), Scott Riggs (#70), Dario Franchitti (#40), Brandon Ash (#02) "NOTE: Race was extended by two laps due to green-white-checker finish."

Lenox Industrial Tools 301

The Lenox Industrial Tools 301 was raced on Sunday, June 29 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, New Hampshire. The big surprise was sprung in qualifying when following a rain delay of nearly two hours, Québécois Patrick Carpentier won the pole position over Bobby Labonte. Another big surprise was when Kurt Busch won the race, curtailed 17 laps shy of the scheduled distance as severe thunderstorms hit the area under the seventh and final caution.

Failed to make race as qualifying was cancelled due to rain: Johnny Sauter (#08) and Tony Raines (#34).

Allstate 400 at The Brickyard

The Allstate 400 at The Brickyard, kicking off ESPN and ABC's portion of the schedule, was run on July 27 at the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the Indianapolis suburb of Speedway, Indiana. Jimmie Johnson won the pole and then the race, which was slowed by nine out of eleven competition cautions because of extreme tire wear.

Failed to make race as qualifying was cancelled due to rain: Boris Said (#60) and Brian Simo (#34).

3M Performance 400

The 3M Performance 400 will be held August 17 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan. Team Red Bull's first pole position was earned by Brian Vickers in qualifying. A varitable parade of Roush Fenway Racing was led by race winner Carl Edwards, as four of the top five were all from the RFR stable and all five made the top ten.

Failed to qualify: Tony Raines (#70).

Chevy Rock & Roll 400

The final "regular season" race, the Chevy Rock and Roll 400, was scheduled to have been held on Saturday, September 6 at Richmond International Raceway in Henrico County, Virginia. However, Tropical Storm Hanna forced a postponement to Sunday, September 7 in the afternoon and television was moved from ABC to ESPN due to prior commitments to carry an WNBA game and an IndyCar Series race from Chicago, Illinois. This race set the field for the 2008 Chase for the Sprint Cup with the top 12 drivers becoming eligible, and having their points reset to 5,000 with a ten-point bonus for each win they earned in the first 26 races of the season. As Hanna canceled qualifying for the race, the field was set by rulebook.

Failed to qualify: Chad Chaffin (#34), Johnny Sauter (#08), Stanton Barrett (#50).

Camping World RV 400 presented by Coleman

The Camping World RV 400 presented by Coleman, the third race in the Chase and the 29th overall this season, is scheduled for September 28 at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas. Juan Pablo Montoya won his first NSCS pole for this race, however, he was disqualified and placed in the back of the field because of illegal shock absorbers that exceeded the maximum allowed by NASCAR, and Jimmie Johnson, who was second, wasawarded the pole and went on to win the race.

Failed to qualify: Michael McDowell (#00), Johnny Sauter (#08).

AMP Energy 500

The AMP Energy 500, the fourth race in the 2008 Chase and the 30th overall in the season, was held on October 5 at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Alabama. Tony Stewart won the race, his first victory of the 2008 season, ending a winless streak of 43 races. Travis Kvapil pulled off a "Talladega Surprise" and won the pole position. In a race that saw a record 64 lead changes among 28 drivers, Regan Smith crossed the finish line in first place. However, he was dropped to 18th place (the last position on the lead lap) for illegally passing eventual winner Stewart in the tri-oval by driving below the yellow line on the inside of the track, which is prohibited at restrictor plate tracks. This race will be moved to November 1, 2009 as part of the 2009 NASCAR Schedule Realignment and the Pepsi 500 at Auto Club Speedway will be run in this spot next season.

Failed to qualify: Sam Hornish, Jr. (#77), Patrick Carpentier (#10). "NOTES: 1. The #08 car, which was to have been driven by Boris Said, was withdrawn earlier in the week. 2. Race extended two laps due to green-white-checker finish rule."

Bank of America 500

The Bank of America 500, the sole night race on the Chase schedule which marks its' halfway point and the 31st overall race of the season, will be held Saturday night, October 11 at Lowe's Motor Speedway in the Charlotte, North Carolina suburb of Concord. Qualifying was cancelled due to rain and the field was set by the rulebook for the eighth time this season.

Failed to make race as qualifying was cancelled due to rain: Brad Keselowski (#25), Scott Speed (#82), Bryan Clauson (#40), Derrike Cope (#75).

Points deductions

The following drivers (and teams) were penalized both drivers and owners points for violations:
* Carl Edwards (#99 Roush Fenway Racing Ford) - 100 points plus 10 bonus points entering the 2008 Chase - Las Vegas (A post-race inspection found opened oil tank lid after UAW-Dodge 400.)
* Ryan Newman (#12 Penske Racing Dodge) - 25 points - Texas (Car was ⅛" higher than ¼" tolerance following Samsung 500.)
* Scott Riggs and Johnny Sauter (#66 and #70 CNC Haas Chevrolets) - 150 points each - Charlotte (Illegal adjustments of wings on both cars; they drove their backup cars in Coca-Cola 600.)
* Martin Truex, Jr (#1 Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Chevrolet) - 150 points - Daytona (Roof on primary car failed inspection prior to Coke Zero 400; drove a backup car.)Robby Gordon was originally docked 100 points following the Daytona 500 for use of an illegal nose on his car; however, on March 5th, the points were given back to his drivers and owners points total, but the team was fined $150,000 instead of $100,000 for said infraction.

References

ee also

*2008 NASCAR Nationwide Series
*2008 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
*2008 Chase for the Sprint Cup
*List of 2008 NASCAR races
*List of NASCAR all-time cup winners
*2008 in sports

External links

* [http://www.nascar.com NASCAR.com]
* [http://www.racingone.com RacingOne]
* [http://www.jayski.com Jayski's Silly Season Site]
* [http://www.speedtv.com Speed Channel]
* [http://www.thatsracin.com ThatsRacin.com]