Marco Melandri took the quickest time from Loris Baz, making this the fourth session with an Italian rider on an Italian bike going quickest. Sylvain Guintoli and Tom Sykes were quicker than Davide Giugliano in this untimed session.
Results:
Monday
Tony Stewart speeds on pit road while leading at Pocono, finishes 13th
Tony Stewart set the stage for the late lap drama between Brad Keselowski and Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Sure, a lot of things could have happened throughout the last 40 laps of Sunday's race at Pocono, but one thing was for certain throughout those first 120 laps: Tony Stewart had a fast car.
But after a pit road speeding penalty on lap 120, Stewart's fast car didn't get the result it deserved, leaving the lead to be fought for in the final laps by Junior and Keselowski.
"100 percent driver error. I just ? I don't know how I got through the (dashboard) lights like I did, but I got to where I blew through all the lights and didn't have any on the tach so I had no clue that I was over it. Just 100 percent driver error. I gave my guys grief last week with a sixth place run, thought we should run in the top three and I throw it away this week."
When Stewart sped, he was in the lead, a place where he had spent 24 laps. He had gotten there a bit on strategy, but mostly on speed. After starting 12th, Stewart picked off places one-by-one since the drop of the green flag. Out front he looked like a beast, capable of challenging Keselowski, who led a race-high 95 laps.
Instead, he was 31st after having to restart at the back of the pack. He never got close to the front of the field again, finishing 13th.
Stewart is winless this season, and while it's easy to say it's because of his recovery from the broken leg he sustained in a sprint car crash in August, his 2014 season doesn't look much different than his 2013 season did at this point. Through 14 races last year, he had a win, two top-fives and four top 10s. This year at that same point, he doesn't have a pit strategy (and race circumstance) win like he did at Dover last year, but he's got two top-fives and five top 10s.
While Kevin Harvick has certainly had speed ? but not necessarily complete races ? in his first season at Stewart-Haas Racing, Stewart is proving that capitalizing on inconsistently fast cars is hard.
Despite the pit road flub, Stewart moved up three spots to 18th in the standings. Plus, he's got some of his best tracks coming up this summer in Michigan, Sonoma, Daytona and New Hampshire. While it may not be likely, a win certainly doesn't look too unlikely either. After his 2011 campaign, in which he famously said his team wasn't Chase-worthy at Michigan in August en route to the championship, it may not be a good idea to doubt Stewart's hopes of a title until he's officially not in the Chase.
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Nick Bromberg is the editor of From The Marbles on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @NickBromberg
Michael Andretti Keith Andrews Elio de Angelis Marco Apicella
Sunday
2014 Misano World Superbike Saturday Roundup: Farewell To Yakhnich
Misano, or Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli to give it its full name, was missed off last year's calendar, but its inclusion in the 2024 season was a welcome one. The first four qualifying sessions in World Superbike were led by an Italian on an Italian bike, with Davide Giugliano and Marco Melandri sharing the spoils, giving local fans plenty to cheer about.
Saturday
2014 Misano World Superbike FP1 Results: Melandri And Guintoli Lead Charge
Marco Menaldri leads his teammate Sylvain Guintoli in the first session. Chaz Davies was third quickest.
Results:
Friday
Stewards confirm review of Perez-Massa collision | 2014 Canadian Grand Prix
Sergio Perez could have his five-place grid penalty for colliding with Felipe Massa in Canada lifted after the stewards agreed to review the incident.
Source: http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2014/06/20/stewards-confirm-review-perez-massa-collision/
Thursday
800-Horsepower Shelby Cobra Crashes During 2014 Gumball 3000
The Gumball 3000 is an exciting thing to be a part of, but when you get hundreds of nice cars together to go on a 3,000-mile road trip, there is bound to be some carnage and general mayhem. Sadly that often means that one of the cool and valuable cars entered in the rally will not be going home in one piece. That story rings true for this modified Shelby Cobra.
The car is said to be good for 800 horsepower, and it looked downright menacing with its matte-black vinyl wrap. At some point during what looks like the UK leg of the trip, the Cobra was involved in an accident that ripped most of the car’s front end clean off. Most of the suspension, wheels and body work are completely missing in the photos gathered by GT Spirit. There is no information on the cause of the crash, but thankfully it appears that all those involved are safe.
The car itself was a 1966 model and as entry number 113, it was the official car from Battery Energy Drink, one of the main sponsors of this year’s rally.
Epic road trips are lots of fun, I love them, but it is important to remember to keep it safe out there. Especially when piloting an 800-horsepower hot rod with no roof.
Click past the jump to read more about the Shelby Cobra.
800-Horsepower Shelby Cobra Crashes During 2014 Gumball 3000 originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 19 June 2014 09:00 EST.
Wednesday
Schumacher ?not in a coma? confirms manager | 2014 F1 season
Michael Schumacher's manager has announced that the former world champion is now out of the medically-induced coma that doctors placed him into following a serious skiing accident.
Source: http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2014/06/16/schumacher-coma-confirms-manager/
Tuesday
Nissan ZEOD RC Breaks Electric Speed Record at Le Mans
Le Mans has a long history of record making and breaking. Since the 24 hour race first began in 1923, it has been a true mecca of speed and innovation. Now Nissan has attacked this legendary course and set a new Le Mans record speed for electric-powered vehicles by achieving a velocity of 300 kph (186 mph) during qualifying with its ZEOD RC. The record was reached in the first run of the second night’s qualifying by driver Satoshi Motoyama as he blasted down the Mulsanne Straight.
The ZEOD RC uses a unique dual-powertrain configuration with both an electric motor and an internal-combustion engine. Nissan has big plans for this new machine and is looking to break many more records over the course of the weekend’s race.
Nissan wasn’t the only company looking to make waves at Le Mans this year either. Toyota challenged the Audi team that dominated for the last several years, and Porsche has returned to challenge for an overall title as well with F1 ace Mark Webber at the wheel. This year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans was quite an exciting time for motorsports.
Click past the jump to read more about the Nissan ZEOD RC.
Nissan ZEOD RC Breaks Electric Speed Record at Le Mans originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 16 June 2014 09:00 EST.
Monday
Sometimes the messenger should be shot
Reading the F1 “news” today all I feel is depression. For want of anything better to write, the Internet monkeys with typewriters have reproduced a string of remarks about F1 from Flavio Briatore. Lest we forget, the sleazy-looking Italian admitted to fixing races and was slung out of the sport five years ago. I make […]
Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2014/06/12/sometimes-the-messenger-should-be-shot/
Slim Borgudd Luki Botha JeanChristophe Boullion Sebastien Bourdais
Sunday
Montreal gets a new deal
I won’t tell you the full story of my trip to Montreal but it involved Avis, a change of hire cars in Albany, 13 sleepless hours, a bunch of insane truck drivers and a surreal moment when I got lost and went for a tour of Princeton University at two in the morning. Lovely place. […]
Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2014/06/07/montreal-gets-a-new-deal/
Saturday
2014 Barcelona MotoGP FP3 Results: Bradl Posts A Scorcher
Stefan Bradl has topped the timesheets in the third session of free practice for the MotoGP class. The LCR Honda rider looked destined to have to battle through Q1, but a blistering lap at the end of the session saw him leap to the stop of the standings. Bradl dislodged Marc Marquez, who had been fast early and was circulating fast throughout, but ended the session in 2nd. Bradley Smith improved on his own very impressive time from yesterday, grabbing 3rd ahead of Dani Pedrosa, the Repsol Honda rider having found a big improvement since Friday.
The Movistar Yamahas ended the session in 5th and 6th, Jorge Lorenzo finishing ahead of Valentino Rossi, though both men showed a decent race pace later in the session. Aleix Espargaro was the only rider not to improve his time from Friday, but still managed a 7th fastest time and is through to Q2 on merit. Yonny Hernandez posted a very impressive lap on the Open Pramac Ducati, though his best times were posted in Rossi's slipstream. Hernandez still finished as best Ducati, ahead of factory rider Andrea Dovizioso, and the second Monster Tech 3 Yamaha rider Pol Espargaro.
Results:
Eric Bernard Enrique Bernoldi Enrico Bertaggia Tony Bettenhausen
Friday
Matt Kenseth has a novel idea for the Sprint All-Star Race
With every All-Star Race, there's chatter about changing up the format and/or location of the race. 2014 is no different, especially after Jimmie Johnson has won the last two in dominating fashion.
The format of the race has been tweaked a lot. It isn't sacred. The location? Well, it has been sacred. Since its inception, the race has always been held at Charlotte Motor Speedway save for 1986 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Charlotte is home base for most teams, so that's an added benefit. But if you follow NASCAR at all, you know that a 1.5 mile track like Charlotte isn't the most conducive for close, side-by-side racing.
It's why switching location of the race has started to dominate that chatter. Should the race go to Bristol? Martinsville? Richmond? Opinions vary, but if there's a consensus, it'd be that the race should go to a short track.
Matt Kenseth likes the idea of moving the All-Star Race, but he suggests none of the three tracks mentioned above.
?Here?s what my idea for the All-Star race has always been ? this might not be popular, but I thought of this a couple year ago.� I think the All-Star race should move every year and I think it should go to a track that we don?t currently race at, but is equipped to have a NASCAR race.� I think it should go to Iowa and Milwaukee and St. Louis and Pikes Peak and maybe even Memphis�? you have to have enough grandstands.� I think it should move around and go to tracks like that�? I think that would be great for all those markets that don?t have a NASCAR race. I think you would sell them out whether that?s 30,000 or 40,000 people, whatever that is. I think the racing would be good and it?s not a points race. I think that would expose a lot of fans to our product live that don?t get to see it now and I think it would be fun.?
Kenseth's on to something here. NASCAR doesn't need the money from attendance at an All-Star Race. It can afford to host it at a track that doesn't seat 80,000 or more people and not even notice it on the overall bottom line. Butts in the seats isn't an issue.
NASCAR is looking for new fans, too. And what better opportunity to get people who may not be normally able to get to a race than to move it to a different market? With potentially good or surprising racing in store at a track where the Cup Series doesn't normally race at, you not only can win over fans who are at the race, but those tuning in to see what the heck NASCAR is all about.
Nothing against Johnson's dominance, but a 10-lap runaway isn't the best way to convince people your sport is awesome.
Plus, it'd be a goodwill gesture to many fans who think NASCAR has "lost its way" or left the racing "back in the day" behind. There wasn't a bad review around of the Truck Series race at Eldora in 2013. There's little reason to think it wouldn't be the same for a race at Memphis, or, say, Gateway, which produced some great Nationwide and Truck Series racing.
But we're also going to be realistic; Kenseth's idea probably isn't going to happen. SMI, the company that owns Charlotte, won't want to let the All-Star Race leave. It owns Bristol, so if the race departs Charlotte, it could satisfy the short track wailing by moving to Bristol.
We appreciate the originality, however. The more logical and reasoned options for the All-Star Race, the better. Because if it's another ho-hum race Saturday night, the cries for changes are only going to intensify before the Coca-Cola 600.
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Nick Bromberg is the editor of From The Marbles on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @NickBromberg
Thursday
F1 WAG: Fernanda Gallegos
Despite a flop 2013 season with McLaren Sergio Perez made it back onto the grid this year with Force India.�Here is an image gallery of his one-time girlfriend Fernanda Gallegos, she’s quite a looker! CLICK ON FERNANDA GALLEGOS TO REVEAL OUR GALLERY
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Formula1Fancast/~3/AT1qKgqeTHM/f1-wag-fernanda-gallegos
Wednesday
Tuesday
It's been almost 20 years since Jeff Gordon's first Cup Series win
How old were you when Jeff Gordon scored his first Sprint Cup Series win? Heck, you might not have even been born yet.
May 29 is the 20th anniversary of Gordon's first career win in the Cup Series. It came at the 1994 Coca-Cola 600, 87 victories ago.
Those victories must have clouded Gordon's memory, because he said he doesn't remember too many details about the win. His win was honored Wednesday morning at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in honor of the anniversary.
"That's why I love this event that I just did," Gordon said. "They showed video from that day and some crucial moments. It really makes me want to go back and get the whole video and watch the race because it was such a special day. There are so many things that I don't remember about that day.
I remember I started on the front row, that we had a good car.� We led quite a few laps.� But Rusty (Wallace) was the car to beat. (Crew chief Ray Evernham) made that great call."
Actually, Gordon didn't lead quite a few laps. He only led 16 of the race's 400 laps. Wallace led 187. After leading the first lap, Gordon didn't lead again until lap 300. He then led the race's final nine laps.
"Even watching me coming down pit road for that final pit stop made me chuckle because they didn't measure pit road speed the same way we do now so it looked like I was speeding, but they didn't have a way to measure other than by a stopwatch," Gordon said.
"I'd love to go back and relive the race because there are a lot of things that I don't remember."
We'll make it easy for you, Jeff. Here's the entire race, and just looking at the starting grid is one big blast from the NASCAR past. Gordon's pole lap of just over 181 MPH is approximately 14 MPH slower than the pole speed at the 2013 Coca-Cola 600. And that year, John Andretti did what Kurt Busch is attempting this season; run both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day.
Gordon says he still has the trophy from the race, but it's not being displayed at the moment. He and wife Ingrid built a house a couple of years ago and Gordon needs to find a spot for it.
"Something I've really never done at home was display really many trophies.� If I had a shelf maybe in an office or somewhere, I might put one or two," Gordon said. "The 600 from '94 has always been a prominent trophy that I've displayed."
"When we did this house, we made an area that has very, very important trophies to me.� I have the four Cup trophies there. I have the first Brickyard, a couple helmets.
"The 600 is in the house but it's not currently being displayed there. It's one that has always been the one that I've displayed, it just didn't fit in there," Gordon said with a laugh. "I have to redesign that area so I can make sure it's there."
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Nick Bromberg is the editor of From The Marbles on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @NickBromberg
Carlo Abate George Abecassis Kenny Acheson Andrea de Adamich
Just six hours after the race
Formula 1 put on a hell of a show in Montreal on a sunny Sunday afternoon as the Mercedes team fumbled and victory went to Infiniti Red Bull Racing’s Daniel Ricciardo, the Australian’s first Grand Prix victory. The race was breathless in the closing stages as Nico Rosberg tried to hold off Sergio Perez, Ricciardo, […]
Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2014/06/09/just-six-hours-after-the-race/
Monday
Tony Stewart playing it coy about when he'll race a sprint car next
Tony Stewart drove laps in a sprint car this week for the first time since he broke his right leg in August, a crash that forced him to miss the conclusion of the 2013 Sprint Cup Series season. But he's not saying when he's going to be in a race in one.
"I will be able to tell you how it went," Stewart said Friday at Dover. "Let?s put it that way.� You won?t know when it?s coming.� When I do go nobody is going to know about it.� I?m going to just slide in and do it.� I want to enjoy it.� I don?t want it to be a cluster.� Judging off the fact of how many people showed up just to talk to me about going and testing for a couple of hours I can imagine what the group is going to be like after I run my first race.?
Oh, Tony. Had you not tweeted the pictures of getting into the car on Monday, few, if anyone, would have known about the matter. When you scream into a megaphone, you can't even fake that you're mad when it gets people's attention.
Guess who got back in a sprint car for the first time today :) #smokewillrise pic.twitter.com/HBWg4dno8q
? Tony Stewart (@TonyStewart) May 27, 2014 ?I?m smiling because I am laughing at you guys because it?s like my God I went and tested a sprint car," Stewart said. "I still laugh about how big a deal this has all been made.� We had Cup drivers get hurt last year.� One had a broken wrist, one had a broken back and nobody said anything.� It was all minor news.� I?ve made more news by getting hurt in a dirt car than any of these guys.� It?s bigger news than the guy that had the same injury I had falling off a bicycle last week. I get chuckled.?
Well, a scar that size in the picture below looks like a big deal, right? And Denny Hamlin missing four races was a big deal at the time, while Martin Truex Jr. didn't miss a race with his wrist injury. And no offense to either Hamlin or Truex, but neither of them are a three-time Sprint Cup Series champion.
And for the grand finally after therapy... pic.twitter.com/CfW3Yh2qvw
? Tony Stewart (@TonyStewart) May 29, 2014 We're not chastising Stewart -- next to racing sprint cars, one of his favorite hobbies is ribbing media members, his comments aren't unexpected. But it's important to note that not everyone can have everything on his or her terms.
Stewart knows that too. He just wants to show he's the same old Tony Stewart. And what better place to do that than at the site of his last Cup win?
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Nick Bromberg is the editor of From The Marbles on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @NickBromberg
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