MotoX News: 5/13/12

Saturday

Perez: 2011 Monaco crash a ?watershed? moment | 2012 Monaco Grand Prix

Perez: 2011 Monaco crash a “watershed” moment is an original article from F1 Fanatic. If this article has been published anywhere other than F1 Fanatic it is an infringement of copyright.

Sergio Perez says his crash during qualifying for last year's Monaco Grand Prix was a "watershed" moment for his career.

Perez: 2011 Monaco crash a “watershed” moment is an original article from F1 Fanatic. If this article has been published anywhere other than F1 Fanatic it is an infringement of copyright.

Source: http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/05/18/perez-2011-monaco-crash-watershed-moment-2/

Alberto Colombo Erik Comas Franco Comotti George Connor

Jeff Gordon overheated and adrift after Talladega

TALLADEGA, Ala. ? It's been a rough year for Jeff Gordon, and Talladega was the cruelest kind of torture: A weekend that began so well ended in wreckage.

Gordon started on the pole at Talladega, but couldn't even lead a single lap. Constant problems with overheating dogged him all afternoon long, and finally on Lap 142, a multi-car wreck collected him and put him in the garage for good. He lost six positions in the standings and now sits in 23rd place, needing wins to have any hope of making the Chase.

"Man, this is just one of the most bizarre years that this DuPont Chevrolet team and Drive To End Hunger Chevrolet team has ever gone through," he said after climbing from the wreck and taking a moment to cool down in his hauler. "I mean, it's almost comical at this point. That was not fun. I didn't like hitting the wall. Gosh, I thought I was clear ... That's just the way our season has been going."

In particular, Gordon hammered on the temperature issue that plagued many cars all afternoon. A reduction in the front grille size allows less air to cool the engine, leading to more overheating problems almost from the start of every green flag.

"This temp thing is kind of a joke," he said. "They are going to have to fix that. We all knew that was going to be a big issue, but when you can't really even race because the temps, even in a regular pack, are an issue, we have to address that ? Nobody is really pushing a whole lot out there."

Gordon conceded that NASCAR walks a fine line in trying to balance the desire for pack racing with the desire to let drivers run the best way possible on the track. "There is just that fine line between getting the temperatures right and not being able to push," he said. "To me, right now we are teetering on the side of having to be just a little too conservative. I'd like to be up there taking it three-wide, pushing cars and making some good exciting moves because I know we have a car that can be up front, but it's just too risky at this point in the race. That is why we were in the back where we were [when the wreck happened]."

So what can be done? Gordon noted that the actual solution was a matter for the engineers, but indicated that he hoped there could be some kind of concession made before the next plate race, Daytona in July. Otherwise, he suggested, we could see a lot more of the tentative, conservative kind of racing we saw through much of Talladega on Sunday. And nobody, drivers and fans alike, wants more of that.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nascar-from-the-marbles/jeff-gordon-overheated-adrift-talladega-000103753.html

Cliff Allison Fernando Alonso Giovanna Amati George Amick

F1 and GP1

There is a blistering irony in the suggestion that exiled Formula 1 team boss Flavio Briatore is busy writing the rules for a new series called GP1. Briatore writing rules? That is like handing over the keys to the bank to Bonnie and Clyde. Let us not forget that this Briatore person was busted from [...]

Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2012/05/19/f1-and-gp1/

Louis Chiron Joie Chitwood Bob Christie Johnny Claes

Lamborghini wreck: Oh yeah, you could totally handle a high-powered car

You know your idiot friends who bust on NASCAR by saying that it's "just driving"? Yeah, show 'em this video from the Chicago suburbs of a Lamborghini driver who's a little out of his (her? nah, gotta be a he) league. Enjoy.

[Via The Big Lead]

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nascar-from-the-marbles/lamborghini-wreck-oh-yeah-could-totally-handle-high-125606473.html

Duke Dinsmore Frank Dochnal Jose Dolhem Martin Donnelly

The Kentucky Derby/Talladega Double chat

This past weekend saw the running of both the Kentucky Derby and the spring Talladega NASCAR race, and Yahoo! Sports' Jay Busbee covered both from the infield ... and lived to tell the tale. Read the full article here, then come gather around to chat about the races, the mud, the depravity and the stories that didn't make the official accounts. We won't check IDs, we promise.

Tweet your questions ahead of time using the hashtag #DerbyDega, and we'll answer right here on Tuesday.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nascar-from-the-marbles/kentucky-derby-talladega-double-chat-184131759.html

Pablo Birger Art Bisch Harry Blanchard Michael Bleekemolen

Friday

Gearing up for the new F1 season

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/jakehumphrey/2012/03/gearing_up_for_the_new_f1_seas_1.html

Pedro Diniz Duke Dinsmore Frank Dochnal Jose Dolhem

Blue Crown Spark Plug Specials saga

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/nofenders/zbjv/~3/bC7W6GH6SLs/blue-crown-spark-plug-specials-saga.html

Sebastien Bourdais Thierry Boutsen Johnny Boyd David Brabham

Joey Logano beats Kyle Busch to line with last-gasp pass to win Talladega Nationwide race

In what could be a harbinger of things to come for Sunday's Cup race, Joey Logano pushed Kyle Busch close to the finish line and then passed him before the stripe, taking Saturday's Nationwide Series race at Talladega.

As the race restarted with two laps to go for the second attempt at a green-white-checker finish, the fight for the win quickly came down to tandem drafting, with Logano pushing Busch, his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate in the Sprint Cup Series, and Ricky Stenhouse pushing Cole Whitt.

Whitt and Stenhouse, however, were unable to make a serious charge on the final lap, and by the time that they got to Logano's back bumper, he had already made the move to pass Busch on the outside as they exited the tri-oval, nipping Busch at the line.

While tandem drafting was pivotal in the outcome, the practice didn't dominate on Saturday, a good sign for those who dislike the tandem draft, as the Nationwide Series cars are capable of tandem drafting for longer periods of time than the Sprint Cup Series cars thanks to their larger radiators and grille openings.

The race wasn't without a significant heart-stopper though, and that moment came during "The Big One," which happened on the backstretch during the race's first green-white-checker finish attempt. Eric McClure was collected in the crash, which started when Michael Annett made contact with Brad Keselowski and Kevin Harvick at the front of the field. McClure slid head-on into the SAFER barrier on the inside backstretch wall.

The race was immediately red-flagged and track safety workers had to cut the roof off of McClure's car to extricate him. (The process took approximately 10 tense minutes.) McClure, who NASCAR said was talking with safety workers during the extrication process, was removed from the car and taken to an ambulance on a stretcher. He was transported to a local hospital, where according to NASCAR, he is under evaluation.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nascar-from-the-marbles/joey-logano-beats-kyle-busch-line-last-gasp-231321537.html

Keith Andrews Elio de Angelis Marco Apicella Mбrio de Araъjo Cabral

2012 Le Mans Moto3 Preview: Young Guns Ready for the French Grand Prix

The first three races in the history of the new Moto3 class have given three different winners and, with round four just around the corner at Le Mans, any one of Sandro Cortese, Maverick Viñales or Romano Fenati could get their second win of the season. Or perhaps Spaniard Luis Salom will find that tiny thing he still needs to become part of the exclusive club of new “quarter litre” category winners.

With an intelligent victory at the first race in Qatar, Viñales started 2012 season as he finished 2011, winning in a very consistent way and becoming the favourite among the fastest contenders for the first Moto3 world championship season. But just as life was not easy in the 125 class, neither is it in Moto3, so Viñales’s sixth place finish in round two at Jerez proved once more the old saying that a winner one week can be mid-pack the next. Back in the front again fighting for victory one week later in Portugal, Viñales and his FTR Honda suffered clear problems of top speed against Sandro Cortese’s KTM on Estoril's main straight. At the end, victory was decided when both riders touched each other while accelerating at the start of the third sector of the track, with advantage for Cortese on the inside line. Viñales was far from happy with the episode, and he even tapped Cortese’s arm after the checkered flag. Maybe Cortese’s move was not such fair play, but Viñales’ action should not have gone unnoticed by Race Direction, but it did. Back on the track Viñales got his first ever win last year at Le Mans, a track with such strong braking points that top speed does not seem to be a crucial issue.

Race results and championship standings

2012

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MotoGPMatters/~3/IM1tmMxPKSg/2012_le_mans_moto3_preview_young_guns_re.html

Tom Bridger Tony Brise Chris Bristow Peter Broeker

Button gets 2012 season off to a flier

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson/2012/03/albert_park_melbourne_statemen.html

Allen Berg Georges Berger Gerhard Berger Eric Bernard

Thursday

Sauber gives Kalternborn a third of his F1 team

In a surprise move Peter Sauber has transferred a one-third stake in the Sauber Group to his CEO, Monisha Kalternborn. The team says the deal has been done ?in the interests of continuity.? Sauber retains the remaining stake and is … Continue reading →

Source: http://adamcooperf1.com/2012/05/16/sauber-gives-kalternborn-a-third-of-his-f1-team/

Giovanna Amati George Amick Red Amick Chris Amon

Jeff Gordon overheated and adrift after Talladega

TALLADEGA, Ala. ? It's been a rough year for Jeff Gordon, and Talladega was the cruelest kind of torture: A weekend that began so well ended in wreckage.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nascar-from-the-marbles/jeff-gordon-overheated-adrift-talladega-000103753.html

Johnny Boyd David Brabham Gary Brabham Jack Brabham†

Gearing up for the new F1 season

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/jakehumphrey/2012/03/gearing_up_for_the_new_f1_seas_1.html

Manny Ayulo Luca Badoer Giancarlo Baghetti Julian Bailey

A somewhat Long ?N Strange trip indeed...

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/nofenders/zbjv/~3/rzuS_qhXaV8/somewhat-long-n-strange-trip-indeed.html

Alan Brown Walt Brown Warwick Brown Adolf Brudes

Wednesday

INDYCAR: Power Rankings (The Month of May)

Source: http://www.popoffvalve.com/2012/5/11/3013803/indycar-power-rankings-the-month-of-may

JeanDenis Deletraz Patrick Depailler Pedro Diniz Duke Dinsmore

Eric McClure speaks on his scary Talladega wreck

One week after a terrifying wreck at Talladega that could have ended so much worse, Eric McClure made a public appearance at Darlington to talk about the injury, NASCAR's response, and his plans to race again.

In the wreck that came in the closing laps of the Talladega Nationwide race, McClure appeared to drive straight into the inside wall. He suffered a concussion and mild (relatively speaking) internal injuries. While McClure only remembers "bits and pieces" of the time during and after the wreck, he did recall that his brakes were gone as he tried to stop:

"I hit the brakes when I saw the smoke, and they just weren't there," he said. "It was a little bit of a heart-sinking feeling. It created the impression that I was speeding up or going faster than everyone when I hit, which obviously I was."

The brakes-are-out phenomenon has cost many a driver their lives, so it's good news that the safety cage, the head restraint and the walls held strong. Inspections of McClure's car later found that the car itself was intact, though the steering wheel had broken off.

McClure has four daughters, ranging in age from two months to five years, and he noted that having them at the track (though not witnessing the accident) added a layer of heartache to the day.

"There were some times with family when everything died down that made me understand how lucky I was and thankful I had a family like that," he said. "This week has been good. The 3-year-old brought stethoscopes in and said she'd make my heart better and try to rub the bruises. They've been really sweet."

As for his future? "I live to race," he said. "Sometimes I question how good I am, but I never had a doubt about it." He said he will return to the track once he's cleared by NASCAR, though there is as yet no timetable for his return.

One positive note: McClure noted that Mario Andretti had called him "one tough dude" on Twitter. Any time you can get Mario to say that, you've done something ... if not necessarily something you'd want to do again.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nascar-from-the-marbles/eric-mcclure-speaks-scary-talladega-wreck-193835758.html

Ray Crawford Alberto Crespo Antonio Creus Larry Crockett

Video: Hennessey Ford GT&#39;s 212.9 mph standing 1/2 Mile world record

Back in March 2012, the Hennessey Ford GT became the fastest car at Texas Mile with an impressive top speed of 257.7 mph. Now, the supercar has set a new world record. With Sean Kennedy behind the wheel, the Hennessey GT posted a new standing half-mile record of 219.9mph in the half mile. This impressive result was achieved at the 8,000-foot runway of Ellington Airport, the Houston Half Mile.

The Hennessey Ford GT that established this impressive record was powered by an Accufab Racing V8 engine updated with two Precision Turbochargers for an impressive output of 2000 bhp. By comparison, the most powerful Hennessey Ford GT is the GT1000, a model that has a Twin-Turbo 5.4-liter supercharged V-8 engine that produces 1,000 horsepower at 6,600 rpm. The GT1000 has a 0-60 mph time of 2.8 seconds, a quarter-mile time of 10.6 seconds at 142 mph, and an increased top speed of 245 mph.

gallery: 2006 Ford GT1000 Twin-Turbo by Hennessey

Video: Hennessey Ford GT's 212.9 mph standing 1/2 Mile world record originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 16 May 2012 12:00 EST.

Source: http://www.topspeed.com/cars/car-news/video-hennessey-ford-gt-s-2129-mph-standing-1-2-mile-world-record-ar129658.html

Kurt Ahrens Jr Christijan Albers Michele Alboreto Jean Alesi

Lewis Hamilton: ?It was the best I could do??

Lewis Hamilton put his qualifying frustrations behind him with a charging drive in Spain, one that saw him the only driver to make it to the flag on two pit stops. He finished the race with a marathon 31-lap third … Continue reading →

Source: http://adamcooperf1.com/2012/05/14/lewis-hamilton-it-was-the-best-i-could-do/

Harry Blanchard Michael Bleekemolen Alex Blignaut Trevor Blokdyk

Vettel Believes The Bahrain Circuit Very Demanding On The Pilots

Sebastian Vettel, who won the Formula 1 world the past two years, believes the Bahrain circuit, which will be played this weekend, the fourth grand prix of the season, “requires a lot of pilots” because “the constant change of curves means that you can not accommodate, “the agency EFE. “Furthermore, as the track is built [...]

Source: http://www.autocarblog.co.uk/228-vettel-believes-the-bahrain-circuit-very-demanding-on-the-pilots.html

Jean Behra Derek Bell Stefan Bellof Paul Belmondo

Tuesday

Massa under pressure to raise his game

A seemingly routine story on Ferrari?s website has underlined the fact that Felipe Massa is coming under ever increasing pressure to perform. The Scuderia?s post-Barcelona report spoke of Massa?s ?drop-off? and said that the team is ?expecting a change of … Continue reading →

Source: http://adamcooperf1.com/2012/05/14/massa-under-pressure-to-raise-his-game/

Don Branson Tom Bridger Tony Brise Chris Bristow

A somewhat Long ?N Strange trip indeed...

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/nofenders/zbjv/~3/rzuS_qhXaV8/somewhat-long-n-strange-trip-indeed.html

Gerhard Berger Eric Bernard Enrique Bernoldi Enrico Bertaggia

ROP Overview

Source: http://www.16thandgeorgetown.com/2012/05/rop-overview.html

Johnny Claes David Clapham Jim Clark† Kevin Cogan

Hamilton put to back of grid in Spain

Lewis Hamilton has been excluded from qualifying in Spain and put to the back of the grid. Pastor Maldonado and Fernando Alonso thus start on the front row. Drivers are obliged to get back to the pits after the end … Continue reading →

Source: http://adamcooperf1.com/2012/05/12/hamilton-put-to-back-of-grid-in-spain/

Eitel Cantoni Bill Cantrell Ivan Capelli Piero Carini

Rossi running Friday practice for Caterham

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/nofenders/zbjv/~3/eZ2JNSOHhUc/rossi-running-friday-practice-for.html

Adriбn Campos John Cannon Eitel Cantoni Bill Cantrell

Monday

What went wrong for the back of the grid?

It was another frustrating season at the back of the grid for F1?s relative new boys. Lotus, HRT and Virgin all in their sophomore seasons in Formula One all failed, again, to score points in 2011. So what went wrong last season and what does 2012 have in store. Lotus They?ve arguably been the best [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Formula1Fancast/~3/v07lfgzGM6w/what-went-wrong-for-the-back-of-the-grid

Gianmaria Bruni Jimmy Bryan Clemar Bucci Ronnie Bucknum

Mini-Racing: Get the best of the Darlington weekend right here

It was a fine weekend of racing at the Lady in Black, and Jimmie Johnson brought home the long-awaited 200th win for Hendrick Motorsports. But that wasn't the only highlight of Saturday night's events; skip 15 minutes of work and watch the race breakdown above.

And if that's too much time, we've got an even more distilled version of the weekend's events below:

Fine stuff all the way around, and we're setting up well for some lovely drama heading into this weekend's All-Star Race. Think there'll be a few scores to be settled?

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nascar-from-the-marbles/mini-racing-best-darlington-weekend-120025137.html

John Cordts David Coulthard Piers Courage Chris Craft

Danica Patrick?s first dance with the Lady in Black was a rocky one

Well, it's a start.

Danica Patrick has met the Lady in Black, and the first round goes to Darlington. In the first practice, Patrick recorded the slowest time of any driver, 167.997, nearly 10 mph slower than leader Kevin Harvick.

Now, before the freakouts begin: Patrick knows exactly where she belongs in the Sprint Cup pecking order. "I'm not coming in thinking I should be anywhere in particular based on my extreme lack of experience and knowledge of this place," she said after the practice. "Darlington was chosen as a track to come to in a Cup car because of how difficult it is and because of how much track time it takes to get comfortable."

Patrick earned her first Darlington stripe, hitting the wall once in the Nationwide car and four times in the Cup car. "I definitely think getting through the night with a respectable night is what I'm hoping for in the Nationwide car," she said. "And as far as the Cup car, I just want to finish.� I just want to finish, which is going to be a challenge I think."

[Jay Busbee: Danica Patrick deserved punishment for wrecking Hornish Jr.]

Other drivers have sympathy for Patrick in her initial run at Darlington, which Dale Earnhardt Jr. called "one of the toughest tracks that we run on.� I think it's great for her to come here and get that experience early for a full season next year ... Only a very few drivers come in here for their first time and really walk away with a successful weekend.� Most drivers that come here for the first time do struggle, so I wouldn't be too concerned if I was her if she didn't get the results that she was expecting.� This is a place that you have to learn the ropes and pay your dues or it will jump out and get you when you least expect it."

Patrick's lessons begin Friday night in the Nationwide race. Any bets on how long she'll last?

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nascar-from-the-marbles/danica-patrick-first-dance-lady-black-rocky-one-195156192.html

Jay Chamberlain Karun Chandhok Alain de Changy Colin Chapman

Plenea Build A Volkswagen Assembly Plant in Northwestern China

Shanghai Volkswagen, a joint venture of the German auto giant Volkswagen AG in China, this year plans to build an assembly plant in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region to explore the markets of North-West and Central Asia, a source said Thursday authorities local trade. The plant, located in Urumqi, the regional capital, will become operational in [...]

Source: http://www.autocarblog.co.uk/222-plenea-build-a-volkswagen-assembly-plant-in-northwestern-china.html

Birabongse Bhanubandh Lucien Bianchi Gino Bianco Hans Binder

Hamilton?s pole under threat from FIA

Lewis Hamilton?s Barcelona pole is under threat after he stopped on his slowing down lap at the end of Q3. Hamilton did the same after getting pole in Montreal in 2010 because the team was concerned that would not have … Continue reading →

Source: http://adamcooperf1.com/2012/05/12/hamiltons-pole-under-threat-from-fia/

Pedro Matos Chaves Bill Cheesbourg Eddie Cheever Andrea Chiesa

Sunday

Travis Pastrana finishes 22nd in NASCAR Nationwide Series debut

Travis Pastrana's race wasn't perfect, but he'll take it.

The motocross and X-Games star finished 22nd in his NASCAR Nationwide Series debut Friday night at Richmond International Raceway. While he was disappointed at a pit road speeding penalty under green that relegated him two laps down, he said he was happy about the finish.

"I think the lowlight was having to go through pit road twice," Pastrana said after the race about his pass-through penalty as a result of that speeding violation. "It was my first pit under green and I definitely got a little excited."

"But I expected to do worse. I hoped to do better. I think we can run top 20, I believe we were in the top 20 for a bit of the race in the middle until I messed up the pit area, but I'm happy."

Pastrana was locked into the race by virtue of Pastrana Waltrip Racing's alliance with RAB Racing, which had previously fielded cars for Kenny Wallace and Ryan Truex this season. He started 25th.

His next race is at Darlington in two weeks. Wallace will be behind the wheel at Talladega.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nascar-from-the-marbles/travis-pastrana-finishes-22nd-nascar-nationwide-series-debut-021536523.html

Zsolt Baumgartner Elie Bayol Don Beauman Karl Gunther Bechem

Power Rankings: Through the first 10 races, the Biff is at the pinnacle

The race is done, and that means it's time for Power Rankings. Each week throughout the season, we'll size up who's rising and who's falling, based on current standings, behind-the-scenes changes, expected staying power, recent history and general gut feelings. It is not scientific, nor is it meant to be. And remember, whoever your favorite driver is, we're biased against him and like someone else better. We continue with a guy who is consistent at being consistent, which isn't what he was consistent at last year...

1. Greg Biffle: You got any other ideas here? The Biff was up near the front at Talladega, but it was d�j� vu all over again when he couldn't get to Matt Kenseth's bumper over the last two laps. But the consistency that he lacked last year is back this year. Will it be there for the final 10 races?. Last week: 4.

2. Matt Kenseth: Did Flatline just find out how it feels to lose when your car is too good? No one could get to his bumper all day on Sunday, and that was his undoing at the end. Or was it the fact that his car was falling apart like Best Buy's stock? Last week: 6.

3. Dale Earnhardt Jr.: Here is where we will write another post saying that Junior is really, really, really, really close to winning. Honest. Promise. Swear it on his beard. What's that? His beard is gone? Well, we're standing by our word. Until we get tired and have to sit down. Last week: 3.

Carl Edwards 4. Brad Keselowski: Believe it or not, @Kes is 12^th in the points standings despite the two wins. And, perhaps even more surprising, he made it through an entire restrictor plate race without tweeting from the car. Of course, we didn't have any jet dryers explode either. Last week: NR.

5. Kyle Busch: Sunday was the perfect opportunity for Busch to do what Joey Logano did to him on Saturday. Thing is, Brad Keselowski knew it too. Next time, Kyle, make your move on Lap 1. No one will be expecting that. Last week: 10.

6. Tony Stewart: Maybe NASCAR will secretly fine Tony Stewart for his sarcastic comments about racing at Talladega. Alas, all fines are public knowledge. Maybe instead, NASCAR will force Stewart to race with a restrictor plate for the next five races. Or just fine him and not tell him about it, thus keeping it super-duper secret. Last week: 1.

7. Martin Truex Jr.: Looked like Other Junior's plan was to be just another driver for most of the race before coming to the front at the end. But he didn't make it to the end, getting caught up in The Big One 1.0. At least by being caught up in a big crash he made his race airtime roughly equivalent to that of his sponsor's commercials. Last week: 7.

8. Jimmie Johnson: Sunday was the second time that five-time has suffered an engine malfunction with oil copiously leaking from the car. This time, he didn't have a golden horseshoe of a red flag for rain to save him. Last week: 2.

9. Clint Bowyer. Clint rolled with the Tide all day at Talladega and finished sixth. Bowyer didn't have any conflict of interest running that Alabama paint scheme all weekend because, last we checked, the university that Bowyer usually cheers for doesn't have a football team. Last week: 12.

10. Kasey Kahne: Carnage! Crashes! Hendrick engines going sour! And Kahne wasn't involved in any of it. Maybe Talladega was the truest sign that Kahne's trend of bad luck is ending. Last week: 11.

11. Denny Hamlin: Hamlin had a strong car and was a staple at the front of the field until he went a lap down because of an extended green-flag pit stop. And then he got his lap back and got back to the front and got crashed. That's so Hamlin. Last week: 2.

12. Kevin Harvick: Cupcake was content to play the waiting game too, until the Spirits of Talladega struck and he had a mysterious fuel problem. Like Hamlin, he too was able to get back on the lead lap, but also got crashed. All this crash talk is making Tony Stewart excited.Last week: 9.

Dropping out: Carl Edwards

Lucky Dog: Danica Patrick. Yeah, she didn't race in the Sprint Cup Series last weekend but she escaped a post-race hauler visit after crashing Sam Hornish Jr. on the cool-down lap and is locked into the field for her first Cup start at Darlington on Saturday. Plus, we'd like to use this space to stop any and all "Lady in Black" references to Patrick's race at Darlington before they begin.

DNF: Poor, poor Jeff Gordon. This kind of feels like piling on at this point, but the dude started first, didn't lead a lap, saw his gauges start flashing all like Tom Cruise in "Top Gun" and then got crashed right as it looked like he was going to snake through the carnage. At this rate, Gordon could go win the last 13 races of the year and the Cup and we'd view it as progression back to the mean.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nascar-from-the-marbles/power-rankings-first-10-races-biff-pinnacle-162245811.html

Jean Alesi Jaime Alguersuari Philippe Alliot Cliff Allison

Juan Pablo Montoya has a much better life than you

Juan Pablo Montoya was at Homestead Speedway a few months early, taking the nine contestants on Univision's Nuestra Belleza Latina for a spin around the track. Or, as the show's website puts it, "Las 9 finalistas estuvieron con el reconocido corredor de autos, el colombiano Juan Pablo Montoya, quien las dirigi� en una aventura de m�xima velocidad. Esto es un adelanto de lo que ver�n el pr�ximo domingo 22 de abril en la s�ptima gala." Whatever that means. A little translation help?

Taking nine beautiful women for a high-speed drive in Miami. Yeah, Montoya really doesn't much care what you think of his performance this season.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nascar-from-the-marbles/juan-pablo-montoya-much-better-life-133031285.html

Jim Clark† Kevin Cogan Peter Collins Bernard Collomb

Ferrari 599XX Evolution

There’s no better way to mark the end of production for the most extreme Ferrari 599 ever built then to give it a kickass special edition, and Ferrari is doing just that with the 599XX Evolution. The new Evolution package boasts of aerodynamic advancements, as well as a boost in power, and will be available to clients participating in the track-based research and development program for the 2012-2013 seasons.

The new 599XX Evolution features improved chassis dynamics thanks to an active aerodynamic package integrated with the vehicles’ electronic control systems and the adoption of new Pirelli tires. The new aero package uses an active rear wing that features two flaps, with profiles similar to those used in Formula 1, which rotate electronically to adjust the downforce between the front and rear axles in function of vehicle speed and the maneuver being effected.

The most impressive feature, however, is the addition of an extra 50 HP for the 599XX’s 6.3L V12 engine. This addition brings the 599XX’s total power up to 750 HP at 7000 rpm and 516 lb-ft of torque. Helping the engine along is a weight reduction of 77 lbs compared to the standard model.

UPDATE 12/02/2011: Thanks to Marchettino, we now have a video of the 599XX Evo when it debuted at the 2011 Bologna Motor Show. Hit the jump to check it out!

UPDATE 05/11/2012: Ferrari has just dropped a new set of images featuring the 599XX at the opening round to the European Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli at Monza. Its next stop will be at California?s Laguna Seca circuit, a few miles from the attractions of Monterey, which will host the third Ferrari Racing Days of the season on May 20, 2012.