Monday, November 25, 2013

LVH Super Book Opening Odds to win 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup

How about Denny Hamlin bouncing back in 2013? He's 8/1 at LVH
2014 SPRINT CUP CHAMPIONSHIP

JIMMIE JOHNSON 2
KYLE BUSCH 6
MATT KENSETH 7
DENNY HAMLIN 8
BRAD KESELOWSKI 12
KASEY KAHNE 12
JEFF GORDON 15
DALE EARNHARDT JR 15
TONY STEWART 15
KEVIN HARVICK 18
KURT BUSCH 18
JOEY LOGANO 18
CARL EDWARDS 20
CLINT BOWYER 25
GREG BIFFLE 30
RYAN NEWMAN 40
MARTIN TRUEX JR 60
BRIAN VICKERS 60
JAMIE McMURRAY 100
RICKY STENHOUSE JR 100
AUSTIN DILLON 100
PAUL MENARD 200
KYLE LARSON 200
MARCOS AMBROSE 500
DANICA PATRICK 1000
FIELD 60

William Hill U.S. first Las Vegas sports book to post 2014 Daytona 500 odds

Jimmie Johnson first driver to sweep Daytona since Bobby Allison (1982)
TO WIN 2014 DAYTONA 500
Sunday, February 23, 2014
Daytona Int. Speedway - Daytona Beach, FL


BET#  DRIVER                                      ODDS
6201 DALE EARNHARDT JR. 10 / 1
6202 MATT KENSETH 12 / 1
6203 KYLE BUSCH 12 / 1
6204 JIMMIE JOHNSON 12 / 1
6205 KEVIN HARVICK 12 / 1
6206 JEFF GORDON 15 / 1
6207 TONY STEWART 15 / 1
6208 BRAD KESELOWSKI 15 / 1
6209 KASEY KAHNE 15 / 1
6210 CLINT BOWYER 15 / 1
6211 DENNY HAMLIN 15 / 1
6212 CARL EDWARDS 18 / 1
6213 GREG BIFFLE 20 / 1
6214 JOEY LOGANO 20 / 1
6215 KURT BUSCH 22 / 1
6216 MARTIN TRUEX JR. 25 / 1
6217 RYAN NEWMAN 30 / 1
6218 JAMIE MCMURRAY 30 / 1
6219 RICKY STENHOUSE JR. 30 / 1
6220 BRIAN VICKERS 40 / 1
6221 PAUL MENARD 40 / 1
6222 AUSTIN DILLON 40 / 1
6223 ARIC ALMIROLA 50 / 1
6224 MARK MARTIN 50 / 1
6225 MARCOS AMBROSE 60 / 1
6226 A.J. ALLMENDINGER 60 / 1
6227 KYLE LARSON 60 / 1
6228 MICHAEL WALTRIP 60 / 1
6229 JEFF BURTON 60 / 1
6230 DANICA PATRICK 60 / 1
6231 TREVOR BAYNE 75 / 1
6232 DAVID RAGAN 75 / 1
6233 CASEY MEARS 100 / 1
6234 JUSTIN ALLGAIER 100 / 1
6235 FIELD 30 / 1

2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Champions week in Las Vegas schedule

NASCAR Speeds Into Las Vegas For Annual NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week
NASCAR Celebrates Five Years In Las Vegas With Action-Packed Schedule Of Events
 
NASCAR Champions week in Vegas is always a must see fun event
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Nov. 5, 2013) — For the fifth-consecutive year, NASCAR will return to Las Vegas for the postseason NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week™, a star-studded, entertainment-filled celebration for the series champion and fans, culminating with one of NASCAR’s marquee events, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards. Since 2009, the awards have been held at Wynn Las Vegas and have grown in stature and prestige with each passing year.
 
This year’s awards will take place Dec. 6, returning to Wynn Las Vegas with FOX Sports 2 and NASCAR.com providing coverage from 9 p.m. – midnight ET. Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90 will provide live coverage beginning at 8 p.m. ET. The show will also re-air on FOX Sports 1 at noon ET on Dec. 8.
 
Among the fan-friendly and interactive events this year are the NASCAR National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) Myers Brothers Awards Luncheon, the annual event where drivers and teams collect a number of year-end awards and accolades; NASCAR Victory Lap down the world-famous Las Vegas Strip, featuring burnouts and an authentic pit stop; and NASCAR After The Lap™ sponsored by Ford and Coca-Cola, an interactive Q&A session between fans and all 13 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup™ drivers.
 
Once again this year, fans will join drivers, team owners and industry leaders in celebrating the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion™ at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards. Approximately 200 tickets were made available to fans through various promotions, contests and giveaways sponsored by NASCAR Official Partners, race tracks and race teams. Fan tickets will offer fans access to the following NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week experiences:
 
·        NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Awards Luncheon
·        NASCAR After The Lap  
·        NASCAR Fan Reception and Red Carpet Walk
·        NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards
 
Following is a rundown of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week activities; all times are local.
 
Tuesday, Dec. 3
·        NASCAR Live: For the third year in a row, Eli Gold will sit down for an hour with the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion to discuss the 2013 season and what winning the championship means. NASCAR Live will air from inside the Sports Book at Wynn Las Vegas from 4-5 p.m. on Motor Racing Network Radio. This event is free to the public and fans in attendance will have a chance to participate in the live broadcast.
 
Tuesday – Wednesday, Dec. 3 – 4
·        2013 NASCAR Motorsports Marketing Forum: The 14th annual NASCAR Motorsports Marketing Forum, presented by SportsBusiness Daily/Global/Journal, is the motorsports industry’s most comprehensive business forum. Held at Aria Resort & Casino, the Forum will provide a 360-degree overview of motorsports by featuring insight and perspective from sports and marketing executives both within and outside the motorsports industry. Registration is required at www.MotorsportsMarketingForum.com.
 
Tuesday – Friday, Dec. 3 – 6
·        NASCAR Pit Stop Tour: The NASCARPit Stop Tour consists of Official Partner show cars featured in iconic locations throughout the Las Vegas Strip from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. each day. Fans can get up close and personal with the cars at the following locations: Tropicana (Chevrolet), The Palazzo (Ford), Harrah’s (Ford), the “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign (2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion show car), the Coca-Cola store and M&M’S World.
 
·        M&M’S® To Make the CHASE FOR THE NASCAR SPRINT CUP™ ‘BETTER WITH M’: Should Kyle Busch, driver of the No. 18 M&M’S Toyota Camry, capture the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship, the brand will celebrate with America by giving away one million free bags of M&M’S. The giveaway in Las Vegas will be part of the NASCAR Pit Stop Tour, with sampling teams up and down the Las Vegas Strip.
 
Wednesday, Dec. 4
·        Fanfest Presented by Las Vegas Motor Speedway: The fifth annual LVMS Fanfest will again be held at the Fremont Street Experience, and begin at 1:30 p.m. with the arrival of the 13 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers. This event is free to the public and will consist of a red carpet walk by the 13 drivers, followed by a special “game show format” on-stage event featuring the drivers. Race fans will have the chance to win two tickets to the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards to be held two nights later at Wynn Las Vegas.
 
·        Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award Reception: This year’s finalists for the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award will be honored at a reception at Wynn Las Vegas from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. The NASCAR Foundation will announce the award winner during this year’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards on Friday, Dec. 6. Fans can cast their vote for the 2013 Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award winner by visitingwww.NASCAR.com/award before 11:59 p.m. ET on Dec. 5.
 
Thursday, Dec. 5
·        NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Awards Luncheon: The annual awards luncheon and industry gathering will be held from 11 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. in the Encore Ballroom at Wynn Las Vegas, where several team and individual awards will be presented. Among those awards included are the Champion Sponsor, Champion Crew Chief, Sunoco Rookie of the Year and NMPA Most Popular Driver awards. The event will be live-streamed onwww.NASCAR.com.
 
·        NASCAR Victory Lap: The green flag on the fan-favorite NASCAR Victory Lap will wave at 3:30 p.m., with pre-lap festivities to begin at 2:45 p.m., when the 13 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers parade down Las Vegas Boulevard in their race cars. NASCAR Victory Lap will start and finish in front of the Miracle Mile Shops on Las Vegas Boulevard and will once again provide fans with a unique experience to feel the excitement of NASCAR, featuring driver introductions, an authentic pit stop in front of the Fountains of Bellagio (performed by members of the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Pit Crew Development Program Presented by Sprint) and two burnout sections – with viewing areas along the route. Portions of the event will be broadcast live on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90 and www.NASCAR.com will live-stream the event.
·        NASCAR After The Lap sponsored by Ford and Coca-Cola: One of the premier events of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week, NASCAR After The Lap sponsored by Ford and Coca-Cola will be held from 5-6:30 p.m. at The Pearl Palms Concert Theater inside the Palms Casino Hotel. Fans can purchase tickets atwww.NASCARAfterTheLap.com for $20 each (all ticket proceeds benefit The NASCAR Foundation) to attend the fan-favorite event featuring all 13 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers. Among the many highlights from NASCAR After The Lap’s humorous history are Jeff Gordon break dancing and Denny Hamlin doing “The Dougie.” The event will be broadcast live on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90 and www.NASCAR.com will live-stream the event.
 
Friday, Dec. 6
·        2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards: The postseason black-tie event will begin at 5 p.m. at Wynn Las Vegas, where the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion driver and owner will be crowned and the top-10 drivers in the final standings will be honored. The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards, the culmination of Champion’s Week, will feature the NASCAR Fan Reception, Red Carpet Walk, celebrity guests, music and entertainment. FOX Sports 2, www.NASCAR.com, Motor Racing Network Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90 will provide coverage of the event.
 
For more information on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week in Las Vegas, visitwww.NASCAR.com/ChampionsWeek.
 
The next NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race – Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Race No. 9 – will take place at Phoenix International Raceway on Sunday, Nov. 10 at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN, Motor Racing Network Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90, with additional coverage on NASCAR.com.
 
About NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States. NASCAR consists of three national series (the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series, and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series), four regional series, one local grassroots series and three international series. The International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) governs the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship, the premier U.S. sports car series. Based in Daytona Beach, Fla., with offices in eight cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races in more than 30 U.S. states, Canada, Mexico and Europe. For more information, visit www.NASCAR.com and follow NASCAR at www.facebook.com/NASCAR and Twitter: @NASCAR.

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Jimmie Johnson opens 3-to-1 favorite in Las Vegas to win 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup

Denny Hamlin offers some nice value for 2014 at 15/1 odds
LAS VEGAS - Jimmie Johnson hasn't even completed his victory lap around the television talk show circuit after his 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup title, yet on Tuesday afternoon William Hill sports books in Nevada opened up their odds to win 2014's Sprint Cup with, of course, Johnson listed as the driver to beat once again at 3-to-1. 2013 Sprint Cup runner-up Matt Kenseth is the second choice at 11-to-2 (+550, bet $1 to win $5.50) odds.

The big difference between last season's Sprint Cup odds and 2014 is that there aren't a lot of uncertainties coming into the season. The big story coming into the 2013 season was the arrival of the Gen-6 car. The initial belief was that Hendrick Motorsports would be ahead of the curve like they were in 2007 when the Car of Tomorrow was introduced on a limited race schedule, and they lived up to the projections.

Last season also saw the defending Sprint Cup winner Brad Keselowski and his Penske Racing team switch manufacturers from Dodge to Ford. The transition proved to be rough as Keselowski failed to make the Chase and didn't win until race No. 31 at Charlotte, his only win of the season. With a year under his belt in the new car and with Ford, Keselowski is 15-to-1 to win in 2014.

The only major change coming into the 2014 season is Kevin Harvick switching over from Richard Childress Racing, where he's been since 2001 when he took over the legendary No. 3 car for Dale Earnhardt, to Stewart-Haas Racing. Harvick's car will look similar because he'll still be in a Chevy and also brought Budweiser over as a sponsor, but his new can number will be No. 4.

Despite the change, Harvick's odds still resemble what they were last season when his first number posted was 16-to-1 at the Wynn sports book. William Hill has tabbed him at 15-to-1 odds to win in 2014. Stewart-Haas will also welcome Kurt Busch to the team as driver of the No. 41 car with odds on him posted at 30-to-1. The boss, Tony Stewart, comes in at 15-to-1 while the fourth Stewart-Haas driver Danica Patrick, in her second full Cup season, opens at 250-to-1 odds.

Everything begins and ends with Jimmie Johnson who just won his sixth Sprint Cup trophy in eight seasons. One more title and he'll tie NASCAR royalty, Richard Petty and Earnhardt, for the most in history with seven. The thing that was so impressive about Johnson's title in 2013 was that he didn't dominate on the 1.5-mile tracks like he had in his previous five championship seasons. Usually the key to winning a title is by faring well on the type of tracks that there are the most of, yet Johnson only won once in the 11 races held on 1.5-mile tracks.

Kenseth was the best on 1.5-mile tracks in 2013 with four wins, and it was obvious that Joe Gibbs Racing was ahead of everyone else on the big horsepower tracks. Along with Kenseth's four wins, teammate Kyle Busch won twice on those tracks along with a win at Fontana's 2-mile layout. Busch's fourth-place finish in the Chase was the best of his career and he is listed as the third favorite to win in 2014 at 13-to-2 odds.

The big wild card in 2014 will be Denny Hamlin, who came into 2013 as one of the favorites to win it all 7-to-1 just behind Johnson's 7-to-2 odds, but missed four races with a back injury and then got stuck in the middle of Toyota using his car as a Guinea Pig towards the later half of the season. For 2014, William Hill has posted him at 15-to-1 which may be the best value on the board just because of his affiliation with JGR. Not to mention, he closed the 2013 season with a win at Homestead to keep his streak alive of winning at least one race in each of his first eight full seasons.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. failed to earn a checkered flag in 2013, but he still managed to run well enough to compete for wins and finished the season fifth in points. Because of such a successful season and being affiliated with HMS, Earnhardt is listed as the 7-to-1 fourth choice to win the 2014 title. The low odds also have to do with supply and demand. Even though Earnhardt Jr. has never won a title, and has won only two races in seven seasons - both at Michigan - the sports books have to anticipate the Junior Nation coming strong as usual and have saddled his odds lower than they probably should be.

Jeff Gordon has been looking for his fifth Sprint Cup title since 2002 which, not so coincidentally, is the same season he brought Johnson into the HMS stable full-time. Gordon finished sixth in 2013 with only one win and has lots of promise for 2014, but his 10-to-1 odds won't get people running to the bet windows.

Carl Edwards is 18-to-1 followed by Clint Bowyer, Kasey Kahne and Joey Logano at 20-to-1 each. Martin Truex Jr. leaves Michael Waltrip Racing and will drive the No. 78 Furniture Row Chevy in 2014, the car that Kurt Busch ran like one of the best on 1.5-mile tracks in 2013. Truex Jr. is one of the best on 1.5-mile tracks himself and brought his entire pit crew from MWR over to the new team, an area the No. 78 team struggled with throughout 2013. Truex Jr. is 30-to-1 to win it all next season.

The driver everyone is waiting to see what number will be posted is Austin Dillon, the grandchild of Richard Childress. No one cares about his 75-to-1 odds to win the 2014 Sprint Cup as a rookie, but what we all want to see is if Childress believes enough time has passed and unretires the famous No. 3 car. Cheerios is set to be the primary sponsor and Dillon will inherit the stable of cars from the No. 29 garage that Harvick drove to finish third in points.

Read More Here.......William Hill odds to win 2014 Sprint Cup

Jimmie Johnson 2013 Sprint Cup Champion, his sixth title in eight seasons

One of the truest of all champions in any sport....was 7/2 favorite coming into 2013 season at Wynn Las Vegas
Think the championship ring hats will catch on? Hope not 

Johnson only had one win on 1.5-mile tracks, his lowest amount during his six Championship seasons

Six-timer Jimmie Johnson co-hosts ESPN SportsCenter

Jimmie Johnson media tour hits Bristol for ESPN
Six-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson faced his biggest fear Tuesday night: Reading from a teleprompter.

Johnson became the first athlete co-host of ESPN’s SportsCenter when he sat in on the 6 p.m. ET edition of the popular highlight and analysis show, joining regular hosts John Anderson and Lindsay Czarniak.

Johnson was featured in several segments, including one in which he asked analyst Tedy Bruschi six questions about the NFL. During the segment, Johnson and Bruschi discussed the personal foul that was called on Ahmad Brooks for his high hit on Drew Brees during Sunday’s Saints-49ers game. Bruschi emphatically said he believed the hit to be legal, and offered to pay part of Brooks’ fine, just as his fellow ESPN analyst Ray Lewis had.

Bruschi then challenged Johnson to pay part of the fine with him and Lewis. After an awkward pause, Johnson agreed, saying: “Yeah, why not.”

The show tried to make things easy for Johnson, who has little-to-no broadcasting experience, by setting him up for interviews with Boston Red Sox catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, with whom he compared beards and talked about winning a World Series, and Oklahoma Sooners head coach Bob Stoops. Johnson and Stoops are friendly, and shared stories about spending time together in Norman. Johnson’s wife attended Oklahoma.’

Later in the show, the hosts asked Johnson about Donovan McNabb’s recent quote in which the former quarterback said he didn’t believe Johnson was an athlete.

“There’s so much going on inside the car. Everybody is entitled to their opinion, and Donovan certainly is,” said Johnson. “I’d love to invite him out and have him come experience driving a race car and what that all entails. See the hand-eye coordination. It’s blazing hot inside that car. You have four layers of fire suit on. Your heart rate is probably 140 to 150 … over a three-to-four-hour period of time. So there is a lot going on … including all the G-forces that are being put on all the drivers.”

Later in the show, During a NASCAR-only edition of the segment “Not Top Ten,” Johnson made repeated sarcastic references to his fellow drivers not being “athletes,” a gentle way of firing back at McNabb.

The appearance was Johnson’s second national-TV appearance of the day. On Tuesday morning he appeared on ABC’s Live with Kelly and Michael, where hosts Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan had some fun with the driver by giving him time to practice reading from a teleprompter.

“Seriously?” asked Johnson, as he saw what the show had written for him on the teleprompter. He blushed, and after being prodded by Strahan, continued reading:

“Check out Jimmie Johnson, the super sexy six-time champ, on SportsCenter tonight … ”

The crowd cheered and laughed, and then the show cut to commercial.

Read More Here....USA Today

Johnson shouldered a heavy burden for the past three seasons

from Mike Smith on SportingNews.com

Jimmie Johnson takes his profile to new heights with sixth Sprint Cup

Jimmie Johnson captures sixth title in eight seasons...brilliant driver! 
Jimmie Johnson couldn’t be blamed for wanting to truly savor his sixth Sprint Cup championship on Sunday night at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

He wanted to enjoy it for what it was, and not simply as another stepping stone toward seven-time Cup champions Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt.

But he also seemed to know that the debate of ‘greatest NASCAR driver ever’ that has centered for several decades around The King and The Intimidator will intensify further now that he’s made his way into it.

“I have six, and we will see if I get seven,” he said after winning Title No. 6 by 19 points over Matt Kenseth via a ninth-place finish in the season-ending Ford Ecoboost 400.

“Time will tell. I think we need to save the argument until I hang up the helmet – then it’s worth the argument. If people want to argue and fight about it right now, then they can. But let’s wait until I hang up the helmet before we start thinking about this.”

Those words will surely not be heeded by the sport’s diehards, who now must consider Johnson among the greatest stock car drivers of all time.

He continues to thrive in one of, if not the most competitive age in NASCAR history – constantly setting the bar higher and higher. And this dominance seems to have no end in sight.

Johnson would appear to have at least a good decade still ahead of him in the cockpit and his No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports team, led by crew chief extraordinaire Chad Knaus, remains the model of consistency even as its core has changed considerably.

“We’ve taken a group of new individuals, new engineers, mechanics, pit crew members; they’ve all evolved into a pretty spectacular team,” Knaus said. “I don’t think we’re even close to the potential of the team yet. That’s exciting for me.”

Read More Here....NBC Sports

Hamlin wins season finale at Homestead, Johnson wins sixth Sprint Cup

Denny Hamlin has won a race in each of his eight full seasons
HOMESTEAD, Fla. -- Denny Hamlin found redemption for a lost season, as Jimmie Johnson advanced to the threshold of legend. 

Sidelined for four races with a broken back earlier in the season, Hamlin took the checkered flag in Sunday's Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, as Johnson claimed his sixth NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship with a ninth-place finish. 

Johnson finished the season 19 points ahead of polesitter and race runner-up Matt Kenseth, who held off a furious charge by third-place Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the closing laps. With six NASCAR Sprint Cup titles, Johnson is one behind all-time leaders Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt. 

The title was a record 11th for team owner Rick Hendrick.

"I don't even know where to start," Johnson said after the race. "I'm at a loss for words, but I'm so proud and so thankful for this opportunity at Hendrick Motorsports. I'm thankful that Jeff Gordon and Rick Hendrick gave me this opportunity back in 2002.

"This sport is about people, and our people at Hendrick Motorsports -- especially on this 48 car -- rose up and got the job done. I'm so thankful to be able to drive for this race team and so honored and so excited to have a 'six-pack.'"

Hamlin won for the first time this season, the second time at Homestead and the 23rd time in his career. The driver of the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota has won at least one race in each of his eight full seasons in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. 

As elated as he was with the victory, Hamlin took time to acknowledge the excellence of Johnson and his No. 48 team. Johnson's average finish in the 10 Chase races was 5.1.

"I think they do a great job of being consistent," Hamlin said. "Really, I'd say with everyone else in the Chase, you can almost count on them having one bad race. The 48, they just never have that one bad race. I don't know how to explain it, but they just don't make any mistakes. You have to beat him on performance. To do that, that's really hard.

"Unfortunately, we're racing during the Jimmie Johnson Era. We're just unlucky in that sense. I think being out there and racing with him, I can say that I think he's the best that there ever was."

Martin Truex Jr. completed his tenure at Michael Waltrip Racing with a fourth-place run, one spot ahead of teammate Clint Bowyer. Brad Keselowski, Kyle Busch, Joey Logano, Johnson and Kevin Harvick rounded out the top 10. 

Johnson's path to the title was far from easy. Moments after a restart on Lap 194, Paul Menard rammed the back of Johnson's No. 48 Chevrolet as the outside line checked up. The impact jerked Johnson's car sideways, but the five-time champion was able to regain control and keep the car off the outside wall. 

His momentum sapped, however, Johnson plummeted to 23rd in the running order, the precise finishing position he needed to secure his sixth championship. Over the next nine laps, Johnson recovered to 16th and drove the No. 48 out of the danger zone. 

From that point on, he advanced as high as sixth before finishing ninth, and the sixth NASCAR Sprint Cup title was his. 

"I had contact from behind that pushed me into the 20 (Kenseth), and both of us were out of control and sliding toward the outside fence at that point," Johnson said. "I didn't know what to think. That got us mired back in traffic and made the last 50 laps kind of interesting.

"We still had an awesome race car and got the job done."


NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race - Ford EcoBoost 400
Homestead-Miami Speedway
Homestead, Florida
Sunday, November 17, 2013

    1. (5) Denny Hamlin, Toyota, 267, $322350.
    2. (1) Matt Kenseth, Toyota, 267, $293251.
    3. (21) Dale Earnhardt Jr., Chevrolet, 267, $203860.
    4. (8) Martin Truex Jr., Toyota, 267, $174235.
    5. (25) Clint Bowyer, Toyota, 267, $167968.
    6. (4) Brad Keselowski, Ford, 267, $156701.
    7. (11) Kyle Busch, Toyota, 267, $140293.
    8. (3) Joey Logano, Ford, 267, $119518.
    9. (7) Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet, 267, $134221.
    10. (6) Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet, 267, $126246.
    11. (26) Jeff Gordon, Chevrolet, 267, $123596.
    12. (18) Carl Edwards, Ford, 267, $115435.
    13. (13) Kasey Kahne, Chevrolet, 267, $94060.
    14. (10) Elliott Sadler(i), Toyota, 267, $88110.
    15. (20) Kyle Larson(i), Chevrolet, 267, $107593.
    16. (19) Aric Almirola, Ford, 267, $116421.
    17. (15) Ryan Newman, Chevrolet, 267, $113343.
    18. (27) Juan Pablo Montoya, Chevrolet, 267, $105999.
    19. (22) Mark Martin, Chevrolet, 267, $121585.
    20. (24) Danica Patrick #, Chevrolet, 267, $80935.
    21. (2) Kurt Busch, Chevrolet, 267, $104255.
    22. (9) Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #, Ford, 267, $122396.
    23. (14) Jeff Burton, Chevrolet, 267, $85360.
    24. (16) Greg Biffle, Ford, 267, $91660.
    25. (30) Parker Kligerman(i), Toyota, 267, $93543.
    26. (23) Marcos Ambrose, Ford, 267, $103724.
    27. (31) David Gilliland, Ford, 266, $90368.
    28. (40) Casey Mears, Ford, 266, $95568.
    29. (29) David Ragan, Ford, 266, $93157.
    30. (28) Jamie McMurray, Chevrolet, 265, $103230.
    31. (32) David Reutimann, Toyota, 265, $74685.
    32. (37) JJ Yeley, Chevrolet, 264, $71960.
    33. (39) Landon Cassill(i), Chevrolet, 264, $71760.
    34. (41) Ken Schrader, Ford, 263, $71560.
    35. (42) Joe Nemechek(i), Toyota, 263, $71360.
    36. (36) AJ Allmendinger, Toyota, 257, $79135.
    37. (33) Travis Kvapil, Toyota, 248, $78912.
    38. (38) Dave Blaney, Chevrolet, 242, $65750.
    39. (12) Paul Menard, Chevrolet, Accident, 229, $91741.
    40. (17) Trevor Bayne(i), Ford, Engine, 223, $57750.
    41. (35) Josh Wise(i), Ford, Rear Gear, 119, $53750.
    42. (43) Tony Raines(i), Chevrolet, Vibration, 104, $49750.
    43. (34) Michael McDowell, Ford, Brakes, 63, $46250.

Average Speed of Race Winner:  130.693 mph.
Time of Race:  3 Hrs, 03 Mins, 52 Secs. Margin of Victory:  0.799 Seconds.
Caution Flags:  8 for 37 laps.
Lead Changes:  22 among 8 drivers.
Lap Leaders:   M. Kenseth 1-11; D. Hamlin 12-13; M. Kenseth 14; K. Harvick 15; M. Kenseth 16-25; D. Ragan 26; K. Harvick 27; Kurt Busch 28-31; M. Kenseth 32-91; K. Larson(i) 92; M. Kenseth 93-139; D. Earnhardt Jr. 140; M. Kenseth 141-142; D. Earnhardt Jr. 143-153; M. Kenseth 154-166; D. Hamlin 167-207; K. Harvick 208-213; B. Keselowski 214-222; D. Hamlin 223; D. Earnhardt Jr. 224-235; D. Hamlin 236-239; D. Earnhardt Jr. 240-243; D. Hamlin 244-267.
Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led):  M. Kenseth 7 times for 144 laps; D. Hamlin 5 times for 72 laps; D. Earnhardt Jr. 4 times for 28 laps; B. Keselowski 1 time for 9 laps; K. Harvick 3 times for 8 laps; Kurt Busch 1 time for 4 laps; D. Ragan 1 time for 1 lap; K. Larson(i) 1 time for 1 lap.
Top 13 in Points: J. Johnson - 2,419; M. Kenseth - 2,400; K. Harvick - 2,385; Kyle Busch - 2,364; D. Earnhardt Jr. - 2,363; J. Gordon - 2,337; C. Bowyer - 2,336; J. Logano - 2,323; G. Biffle - 2,321; Kurt Busch - 2,309; R. Newman - 2,286; K. Kahne - 2,283; C. Edwards - 2,282.

- NASCAR Wire Service

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Homestead-Miami Driver Chassis Selections: 2013 Ford EcoBoost 400

Ryan Newman using winning Brickyard chassis this week at Homestead
#2-Brad Keselowski: Primary Chassis for Homestead is PRS-866, which last raced at Dover finishing 37th. The backup chassis is PRS-854 which was a backup at several races but not raced.

#9-Marcos Ambrose: The #9 DeWalt team will bring chassis No. 840 to the season finale this weekend. The team ran this chassis at four races this season. Ambrose brought home the chassis best finish of ninth at Kansas in October. Ambrose has five Cup starts at the South Florida track with a best finish of 13th which he tallied last season. He also has two Nationwide starts at the track and brought home a 10th-place finish in 2007.

#10-Danica Patrick: will pilot Chassis No. 10-828 which is a new car that has not been used previously.

#14-Mark Martin: Chassis No. 14-827: This car debuted two weeks ago at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth with driver Mark Martin. The AAA Texas 500 was the first time this car turned wheels on the racetrack, although it had been tested in the wind tunnel numerous times. Chassis No. 14-827 qualified 33rd and rallied to a solid 11th-place finish. It was quickly turned around for its second career start this weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

#15-Clint Bowyer: Primary chassis No. 738 finished 27th at Las Vegas, 11th at Darlington and third at Kentucky. Backup chassis No. 733 raced at Phoenix in March and raced at Pocono.

#16-Greg Biffle: and the Matt Puccia led #16 3M Fan Appreciation Ford Fusion team will bring primary chassis RK-862, which first hit the track at the second Pocono race and more recently has raced at Chicago and then at Charlott in October, finishing 16th. The backup chassis is RK-859 which last ran at Indy and finished 24th. Biffle won at Homestead three years in row, starting in 2004. In addition to his three wins, Biffle has four top-five and five top-10 finishes at the 1.5-mile track.

#17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr.: and the #17 Ford EcoBoost team will be using primary chassis RK-820 which last ran at Kansas and finished 30th. The backup chassis RK- 811 which raced numerous times in 2012 as the #99.

#22-Joey Logano: Primary Chassis is PRS-865 for Homestead, which last ran at Dover and finished 3rd. The Backup Chassis is PRS-842 which last raced at Bristol finishing 5th.

#27-Paul Menard will pilot chassis No. 428 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. This #27 Menards / Moen Chevy was raced previously this season at Indianapolis, Michigan, Chicago and Charlotte. Menard has seven NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at Homestead-Miami Speedway. His best start of 16th came in 2010 and best finish of 11th came in last year's season-ending event. The Wisconsin native has completed 1,864 of 1,870 laps attempted (99.7 percent) at the Florida track.

#29-Kevin Harvick: will pilot chassis No. 438 from the RCR stable at Homestead-Miami Speedway this weekend. This is a new car that will make its first laps on track this weekend. In 12 starts at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Harvick has earned five top fives and 10 top 10s. He has completed 100 percent of the laps run in NSCS competition (3,208 of 3,209) and has an average start of 14.7 and average finish of 7.9. Sunday s race at Homestead-Miami Speedway will mark the end of a chapter in Harvick s racing career his final race for Richard Childress Racing. In his 13 years in the NSCS, Harvick has earned 23 wins, 100 top fives and 208 top 10s. In addition, he s also earned two NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) titles and 35 NNS wins for the team during his career.

#31-Jeff Burton will race chassis No. 426 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stable this weekend at Homestead. This #31 Caterpillar Chevy was utilized earlier this season at Michigan in June, Indianapolis in July, Chicago in September and Charlotte in October. Sunday's event marks Burton's 15th start at the 1.5-mile oval and 691st-career Sprint Cup Series entry. He has amassed four top-five and six top-10 finishes and led 29 laps at the Homestead, Fla.-based race track.

#39-Ryan Newman will pilot Chassis No. 39-733 at Homestaed, a workhorse of the No. 39 fleet, chassis No. 39-733 debuted at Indianapolis in July 2012, when Newman recorded a seventh-place finish. The crew turned the car around in just a couple of days and took it to Pocono, where it finished sixth. Two weeks later, the chassis was back on track at Michigan, where it finished eighth. The chassis earned its first top-five finish at Chicago. The chassis next raced three weeks later at Dover. The chassis made its last start of 2012 at Kansas in October, when Newman was involved in an incident that forced him to retire from the event prematurely. Chassis No. 39-733 was outfitted with a new front clip and a Chevrolet SS body over the offseason and saw its first laps of 2013 at Kansas in April, when Newman finished 14th. He then raced this Chevrolet SS to a 10th-place finish at Darlington in May. Newman again raced Chassis 39-733 at Pocono in June, when he recorded a fifth-place finish. He was in contention to score another top-10 with Chassis 39-733 at Kentucky in June, but a late-race restart saw him shuffled to 14th when the checkered flag waved. Then, Newman qualified the car on the pole and led 45 laps en-route to earning his first win of the 2013 season in July s Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis. A week later, Newman overcame a series of slow stops on pit road at Pocono to record a fourth-place finish. The #39 team then utilized Chassis 39-733 at Michigan in August, when Newman fought through an ill-handling condition to finish 13th. Most recently, Chassis 39-733 was raced at Chicago, where Newman was able to kick off the 2013 Chase for the Sprint Cup with a 10th-place finish.

#43-Aric Almirola:: The #43 Smithfield team will bring chassis No. 864 to the season finale. The #43 team raced this chassis at Chicago in September and Charlotte in October with a best finish of 13th at Chicago. Almirola has three starts at the mile-and-a-half track in the Sprint Cup Series. He scored his best finish when filling in for Kasey Kahne at Richard Petty Motorsports in 2010 when he crossed the finishline in fourth. Last season, he started fifth but ran out of gas on the last lap and finished seventh. He also has six total starts in the Nationwide and truck series where he scored one top-five and two top-10s.

#47-A.J. Allmendinger Crew chief Brian Burns will bring Chassis 708 to Homestead: "The car we will have at Homestead is 708," crew chief Brian Burns said. "AJ raced it at Atlanta Motor Speedway and Kansas Speedway. It is only the third race so it is still a fairly new car. He is familiar with it and we should unload well. We have made some gains on intermediate tracks and should have a pretty good baseline package after learning some things at Texas Motor Speedway."

#48-Jimmie Johnson: will drive chassis No. 797 at Homestead, which last ran and won at Texas in November. And also won at Dover in Sept. Chassis No. 824 serves as the backup.

#55-Elliott Sadler: Primary 792 which has not raced but tested at Homestead on Oct 29-30. In 12 races at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Sadler owns a top-10 finish and has led 18 laps. In 433 Sprint Cup starts he s won three races, eight poles and led 1,244 laps. In 229 Nationwide starts he s won nine races, 15 poles and led 1,422 laps. Sunday marks his fourth race in the No. 55 this season.

#88-Dale Earnhardt Jr.: crew chief Steve Letarte and the #88 team will unload Hendrick Motorsports Chassis No. 88-822. Earnhardt first raced this chassis to an eighth-place finish at the 1.5-mile Kansas Speedway in October. Earnhardt tested this chassis at Homestead in October. In 13 Sprint Cup starts at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Earnhardt has led 93 laps and recorded one top-10 finish and four top-15 results. He scored his best finish -- 10th -- at Homestead in the 2012 season finale.

#99-Carl Edwards.:RK- 854 last ran at Charlotte. RK 831 last ran at Kansas.

- compiled by Jayski.com

Carl Edwards has Homestead-best 6.0 average finish, along with two wins

Carl Edwards has two wins at Homestead; he's 18/1 to win Sunday
Carl Edwards – Ford 400
Team: No. 99 Fastenal Ford Fusion
Crew Chief: Jimmy Fennig
Primary Chassis: RK- 854 last ran at Charlotte
Backup Chassis: RK – 831 last ran at Kansas

ADVANCE NOTES
Edwards at Homestead
Edwards’ average start at Homestead is 11.0, his average finish is 6.0 which is the best of all active drivers. He has also led a total of 560 laps there, the most among active drivers. He has only finished outside the top 10 twice in nine starts.

In the Loop
According to NASCAR’s Loop Statistics compiled over the last nine races at Homestead, Edwards has turned 264 of the track’s fastest laps, spent 1,881 laps in the top 15, and has a driver rating of 119, which leads all active drivers in these categories.

The Car
The team will unload RK – 854 which last ran in the Bank of America 500 where Edwards landed his 16th top-10 finish this season.

QUOTE WORTHY

Edwards quotes on the Ford 400:

“Ford championship weekend at Homestead has always been good to us. As a team, we’ve always been able to perform well at that race. I love going down to south Florida and I had the opportunity to meet some fire fighters and first responders at the Miami-Dade fire district at the start of the chase, so hopefully we get to have a few of those guys and girls out at the race track. Who doesn’t like to go to Florida in November? It’s a beautiful place, they make it a fun event and the race track itself has always been one of my favorite; The pavement is worn out, you can slide the cars sideways, there are three or four distinct grooves in the corners, you can ride right up by the fence or down by the bottom of the racetrack, so to drive it’s a really fun weekend. Our chase has obviously not gone the way we wanted and I don’t’ think we really have anything to lose points wise there. So for us, especially coming off such a disappointing final two laps in Phoenix, we want to wrap this season up standing in victory lane and that’s what we plan on doing. We’re going there for one thing and that’s to win.”

- Roush Fenway Racing

Homestead-Miami Preview: 2013 Ford EcoBoost 400

Jimmie Johnson using his winning Texas chassis this week at Miami
Jimmie Johnson will find himself in another familiar position at Homestead-Miami Speedway this Sunday of not having to race hard while nursing his point lead. He's never won at Homestead over his career because in past situations there, he's just trying to stay out of trouble. On Sunday, all he has to do is finish 23rd or better and he'll win his sixth NASCAR Sprint Cup title in eight seasons.

The likelihood of Johnson winning the title is so great that the LVH SuperBook in Las Vegas has taken their championship odds off the board, citing Johnson's lead too large. Last week with only a seven point lead, he was 1-to-5 (Bet $100 to win $20). What would his odds be with a 28-point lead over Matt Kenseth? Maybe 1-to-25?

However, there is small window of hope if rooting for Kenseth or Kevin Harvick who sits third, 34-points back. Johnson's last two races at Homestead didn't go very well, finishing 32nd there in 2011 and 36th last season while battling Brad Keselowski for the Championship. It's unlikely that Johnson will fare as poorly, but it's still something that has to be dangling around in his head.

Winning the Sprint Championship is inevitable, but winning the race is unlikely, just because he'll be in cruise control mode with no intentions of mixing it up with the leaders. He'll play it safe and keep himself in position to always be out of harm’s way.

Kurt Busch's "last chance" to win for Furniture Row Racing

Kurt Busch posted at 20/1 odds to win at Homestead
DENVER (Nov. 13, 2013) – Closing out the season at a racetrack where he achieved his greatest moment as a NASCAR driver, Kurt Busch is looking for some more magic at Homestead-Miami Speedway, site of Sunday’s final Sprint Cup Series race of 2013.

It was at the 1.5-mile intermediate South Florida track where Busch held off Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon to capture the 2004 Cup championship, the first year of NASCAR’s Chase playoff format.

“Since 2004 there’s been a nostalgic feeling when I get to Homestead,” said Busch. “Winning the championship in the first year of the Chase was a magical time for me. But right now the focus is on the present, not the past.

“This will be my final ride with Furniture Row Racing and I want to make it a good one. We have plenty to shoot for when the green flag drops on Sunday.”

Busch, who is coming off a fifth-place finish at Phoenix, is positioned in 10th place in the Chase driver point standings.

“We want to be 10th or better in the final point standings,” said Busch, a seven-time Chase participant. “Being in the top-10 not only has a better ring to it, but it shows how far this single-car team out of Colorado has come in a short period of time and how well it has fared against the big dogs of the sport.”

An added perk for finishing in the top-10 is that Busch would be invited to speak at the NASCAR’s awards banquet, Dec. 6 at the Wynn Hotel in his hometown of Las Vegas.

But there’s more to shoot for at Homestead than a podium appearance at the annual awards gala.

“This is our last chance to take the Furniture Row/Denver Mattress Chevrolet to Victory Lane,” said Busch, a 2002 winner at Homestead. “There’s nothing I want more for these Furniture Row guys who have worked so hard all year to give me a fast race car.

“Though we have a bunch of top-fives (11) and top-10s (16) we don’t have that W. A victory would cap off an already successful season for our single-car team. It’s been a great ride with a great bunch of guys and with an outstanding organization led by team owner Barney Visser.”

Speaking of top fives, Busch is tied for third with 11 top-five finishes this season. He also is one top-five finish shy of equaling his most top-fives in a season of 12, set in 2002.

Busch has also scored three top-five finishes in the nine Chase races. He was fourth in the Chase opener at Chicago, second at Kansas and fifth at Phoenix.

“Outside of those three races we seemed to have hit a brick wall in the Chase,” noted Busch. “But to finish fifth last week was a big moment and gives us plenty of momentum heading into Homestead.”

                                                      Busch’s 2013 Sprint Cup Series Results
Date
Event
St
Fn
Laps
Led
Status
Money
Points
Standing
2/24
Daytona 500
11
28
195/200
0
Running
336,234
16
26
3/3
Phoenix
25
27
315/316
0
Running
102,920
17/33
29
3/10
Las Vegas
24
20
266/267
0
Running
129,275
24/57
29
3/17
Bristol
19
4
500/500
1
Running
134,255
41/98
16
3/24
Fontana
10
5
200/200
0
Running
146,585
39/137
13
4/7
Martinsville
19
37
457/500
0
Accident
102,961
7/144
19
4/13
Fort Worth
2
37
316/334
0
Running
117,603
7/151
24
4/21
Kansas
13
15
267/267
0
Running
112,855
29/180
22
4/27
Richmond
14
9
406/406
36
Running
114,630
36/216
20
5/5
Talladega
33
30
182/192
2
Accident
116,325
15/231
20
5/11
Darlington
1
14
367/367
69
Running
122,975
31/262
18
5/26
Charlotte
2
3
400/400
8
Running
218,560
42/304
18
6/2
Dover
13
12
400/400
8
Running
128,575
33/337
17
6/9
Pocono
20
7
200/200
0
Running
119,430
37/374
15
6/16
Michigan
2
35
193/200
21
Running
107,340
10/384
20
6/23
Sonoma
7
4
110/110
15
Running
154,860
41/425
17
6/30
Kentucky
27
6
267/267
0
Running
116,455
38/463
14
7/6
Daytona
22
6
161/161
0
Running
150,485
38/501
9
7/14
N. Hampshire
2
31
283/302
102
Running
110,430
15/516
14
7/28
Indianapolis
6
14
160/160
0
Running
192,270
30/546
14
8/4
Pocono
5
3
160/160
9
Running
153,930
42/588
13
8/11
Watkins Glen
13
9
90/90
0
Running
111,330
35/623
11
8/18
Michigan
2
3
200/200
43
Running
136,315
42/665
9
8/24
Bristol
2
31
476/500
54
Running
122,740
14/679
12
9/1
Atlanta
32
4
325/325
0
Running
65,235
40/719
10
9/7
Richmond
2
2
400/400
73
Running
185,355
43/821*
8*
9/15
Chicagoland
16
4
267/267
0
Running
169,960
40/2040
6
9/22
N. Hampshire
4
13
300/300
0
Running
115,830
31/2071
7
9/29
Dover
9
21
397/400
0
Running
108,155
23/2094
9
10/6
Kansas
19
2
267/267
0
Running
229,810
42/2136
7
10/12
Charlotte
10
14
333/334
0
Running
110,280
30/2166
7
10/20
Talladega
30
18
188/188
3
Running
113,030
27/2193
9
10/27
Martinsville
19
18
499/500
0
Running
109,155
26/2219
9
11/3
Fort Worth
31
17
333/334
0
Running
133,505
27/2246
10
11/10
Phoenix
8
5
312/312
0
Running
137,630
39/2285
10
                                              Avg. Start: 13.54  Avg. Finish: 14.51   Laps Led:  444   Top 5s: 11   Top 10s: 16
                                  Poles: 1  Outside Poles: 7   Money: $4,837,283      *Reseeded 10th after Chase points were reset

                      Busch’s Career Record Homestead-Miami Speedway

Year
Start
Finish
Status/Laps
Laps Led
Earnings
2000
10
19
Running, 264/267
0
$50,300
2001
32
23
Running, 267/267
0
49,550
2002
1
1
Running, 267/267
28
297,100
2003
7
36
Running, 147/267
0
63,760
2004
1
5
Running, 271/271
4
130,650
2005
DNE
2006
36
43
Accident, 9/268
0
100,506
2007
5
2
Running, 267/267
17
263,808
2008
38
43
Accident, 207/267
0
61,876
2009
12
4
Running, 267/267
43
157,275
2010
15
18
Running, 267/267
0
112,898
2011
4
34
Running, 220/267
0
108,450
2012
26
9
Running, 267/267
0
107,318

Homestead-Miami Speedway Totals
Races
Win
T5
T10
Pole
Laps Led
Laps Completed
AvgSt
AvgFn
DNF
Money
12
1
4
5
2
92
2720 of 3209 – 84.8%
15.6
19.8
2
$1,503,491
 
Furniture Row Over-the-Wall Crew
Front-tire changerMatt Humphries, Conover, N.C.
Front-tire carrierThad Wymer, Thomasville, N.C.
Rear-tire changerJake Lind, Welcome, N.C.
Rear-tire carrierJosh Sobecki, New Kensington, Pa.
JackmanBrian Gainey, Moline, Ill.
GasmanMilan Rudanovic, Sussex, N.J.
2nd GasmanRyan Bergenty, Plainville, Conn.
Furniture Row Road Crew
General ManagerJoe Garone, Denver, Colo.
Crew ChiefTodd Berrier, Kernersville, N.C. 
Competition DirectorPete Rondeau, Saco, Maine
Car ChiefBlake Harris, Maypearl, Texas
EngineersCole Pearn, London, Ontario,  Matt Faulkner, Memphis, Tenn. 
SpottersRick Carelli, Arvada, Colo., Clayton Hughes, Thomasville, N.C. 
Engine Specialist/BuilderScott Meesters, Hanford, Calif., Earnhardt-Childress Racing
Shock SpecialistNick Kerlin, Old Fort, Ohio
Tire Specialist Chad Krauch, Loveland, Colo.
Technical SupportMichael McCullough, Imperial, Calif. 
MechanicsRyan Bergenty, Plainville, Conn. , Gary Frost, Romeo, Mich.
Transportation
Henry Benfield (also gas runner) Statesville, N.C.  
Jason Churgin, San Fernando Valley, Calif., Jim Gilbert, Belleville, IL.
Dave Hicks, Montcalm, WVa. Chuck Lemay, DeKalb, IL

- DMF Communications for Furniture Row Racing