NASCAR news with Buddy Long (Click Here)

Kenseth takes Irwin Tools Night at the Race at Bristol. 2 races till The Chase!!!

Hello Race fans, I’m Buddy Long. And welcome to this weeks edition of NASCAR News.

Matt Kenseth spent this past Saturday night a little better than 1 year ago. As many may remember, the Wisconsin driver was the recipient of a Tony Stewart fast ball, as Stewart launched his helmet while Kenseth was exiting pit road. What a difference a year makes. With Stewart recovering from a broken right tibia and fibula, Kenseth led 149 of the 500 lap affair Saturday night, taking his 5th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series win of the year, and 29th of his career. Following the Joe Gibbs driver across the stripe were Kasey Kahne, Juan Pablo Montoya, Brian Vickers, and Joey Logano, last weeks winner at Michigan.

 

As for Stewart, his substitute driver, Mark Martin brought the Mobil 1 Chevy home 20th while Sprint Cup Series points leader Jimmie Johnson had another rough outing. Johnson was involved in a wreck, finishing 36th on the night, his points lead over Clint Bowyer shaved to just 18.

 

Here’s a look at the updated standing following Saturdays race.

 

1 Jimmie Johnson

2 Clint Bowyer -18

3 Carl Edwards -53

4 Kevin Harvick -61

5 Kyle Busch -82

6 Matt Kenseth -85

7 Dale Earnhardt Jr -107

8 Kasey Kahne -120

9 Greg Biffle -123

10 Joey Logano -136

Wildcard Spots: Martin Truex Jr, Ryan Newman

 

The series heads to the Atlanta Motor Speedway this weekend for the Advocare 500. The race will be Sunday night. Following that, all roads lead to Richmond for the deciding race to determine the 12 car field for The Chase.

 

Stewart Haas may still field 4th Cup Team. Kurt Busch top candidate:

Despite making the announcement several weeks ago that Kevin Harvick would join Stewart Haas Racing in 2014, leaving Ryan Newman with no future, officials at Stewart Haas dropped a Bristol Bombshell, leaving the door open to a potential 4th team in the new year. If all goes right, Kurt Busch, currently driving for Furniture Row Racing, would be nabbed as the driver for that 4th team. It is also rumored that Rodney Childers, current crew chief at Michael Waltrip Racing, would leave his current post, and come aboard. As for sponsorship, Gene Haas, the current partner with Stewart in Stewart Haas Racing, would put his Haas CNC sponsorship on the car. Haas CNC has sponsored several events this year for Ryan Newman. Stay tuned for more, as Silly Season is upon us.

 

Busch takes Food City 250 Nationwide race at Bristol:

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