NASCAR at "Halfway to Homestead-Miami" Mark; Can IndyCar's Kanaan Mirror Brazilian Comeback?

Six Motorsports Championships…Lots of South Florida Storylines

NASCAR Storylines en route to Ford Championship Weekend
at Homestead-Miami Speedway Nov. 20-22

► Halfway to Homestead-Miami: NASCAR Championship Standings
► Rookie-Phenom Logano Becomes Youngest Sprint Cup Winner
► With Nationwide Win No. 5, Busch Steamrolling Towards Miami
► Miami-Twice: Double-File Restarts for Nov. 21-22 Championships
► Ford to Debut New Car Engine in Miami?
► Florida Fit: Hendrick Mates Martin, Gustafson Eye Championship
► Hornaday Rolling with “The King” and Eyeing the Crown
► Florida’s Reutimann at the Wheel of a New Mustang
► Clearwater’s Carmichael Grants Wish for 18-year-old at Memphis



 Halfway to Homestead-Miami: NASCAR Championship Standings


As NASCAR tonight visits Homestead-Miami Speedway’s neighbor to the north—Daytona International Speedway, for the Coke Zero 400—it represents roughly the halfway mark to Ford Championship Weekend in Miami (Nov. 20-22). And at Daytona, NASCAR’s top names stood atop the Chase for the Sprint Cup leader board: Stewart, Gordon, Johnson, Edwards and the Busch brothers.

…But there were also some names of interest lurking around the all-important Top 12 spot: Miami resident Juan Pablo Montoya, fan-favorites Mark Martin and Kasey Kahne, and former Cup Champion Matt Kenseth. In fact, after 17 of 36 races, only a single point separated 12th-place Montoya and 13th-place Kahne on that Chase bubble—matching the closest-ever Chase cut-off margin through 17 races.

…All of which has Ford Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami shaping up to be quite the series-crowning finale Nov. 20-22.


  Rookie-Phenom Logano Becomes Youngest Sprint Cup Winner

Rookie Joey Logano is a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series winner. The 19-year-old phenom won last weekend’s rain-shortened race in New Hampshire to become the youngest driver to win a Sprint Cup Series race. The teen had to sit out the champagne celebration but was glad to get his first win in front of his hometown crowd.

"This is cool," Logano said. "This is where I watched my first Cup race and where I ran my first Cup race and where I won my first Cup race, so I could not have picked a better place. This is kind of like a home turf place for me, a lot of family and friends here."

The win helped to substantiate the hype that has engulfed Logano since entering the Sprint Cup Series full-time this year as a rookie. Nicknamed “Sliced Bread” (as in, “the best thing since”), Logano won his first career NASCAR Nationwide series race in just his third start and scored a Top 10 in his debut at Homestead-Miami last November.


 With Nationwide Win No. 5, Busch Steamrolling Towards Miami

Last weekend in New Hampshire, 24-year-old Kyle Busch won his Nationwide Series-leading fifth race of the season, passing teammate Joey Logano with 36 laps remaining to take the checkers.

“We just kept working on the car and just kept trying to make it better to get up there and fight with those guys. ...," Busch said. "There at the end, we were just a little bit better than Joey and were able to beat him."

Busch now leads Carl Edwards—last year’s Ford 300 race winner in Miami—by 162 points in the Nationwide Series points standings. “Shrub” is aiming to capture his first Nationwide Series Championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway during Ford Championship Weekend, Nov. 20-22.


 Miami-Twice: Double-File Restarts for Nov. 21-22 Championships

This weekend in Daytona, the NASCAR Nationwide Series adopts the “Double-File Restarts: Shootout Style.” Drivers will line-up double-file each time the field goes back to green, with position Nos. 1 and 2 side-by-side and so on through the field —the same manner in which the race is started. Thus, the stars of both the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series will line-up double-file to decide Series Champions at Homestead-Miami Speedway for Ford Championship Weekend, Nov. 20-22.

The method, instituted by the Sprint Cup Series earlier this season, has received rave reviews from media and fans alike for enhancing the drama of NASCAR racing. The drivers are thrilled too: “It’s going to allow us the opportunity to race for position on the restarts instead of wasting valuable time trying to get by a lapped car," said Jason Leffler, driver of the No. 38 Toyota for Braun Racing. “…I think more often than not, it is going to be a benefit."


 Ford to Debut New Car Engine in Miami?

Ford Motor Company—presenting sponsor of NASCAR’s Ford Championship Weekened—reportedly will have a new toy on the NASCAR track later this year, when it’s expected to unveil the new Cup Series engine for possible full-time use in 2010. The new FR9 engine is specially designed for NASCAR racing with major improvements to increase horsepower on the track. Ford has been developing the engine since the beginning of the year, with team-owners Jack Roush and Doug Yates key to its development.

 “The best part about our approach is we’re the last guys in, so we get to see what everybody else did” Yates said in a news conference earlier this year. “But at the same time we remained very competitive with our current engine.”

According to a statement from racing operations in Detroit, the new engine will be implemented depending on the current performance of the Ford teams. Those drivers who are not in Championship contention will likely put the new engine into action during Ford Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Nov. 20-22.


 Florida Fit: Hendrick Mates Martin, Gustafson Eye Championship

As the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series heads back to the sport’s birthplace in Daytona Beach this weekend, two East Coast residents return to their stomping grounds as partners. Mark Martin and crew chief Alan Gustafson are Hendrick Motorsports teammates and neighbors. Gustafson, of Ormond Beach, Fla., grew up about 20 minutes north of Daytona International Speedway, near  Martin’s current Daytona Beach residence. Gustafson has loved NASCAR racing since he was a kid and long rooted for Martin before joining ranks at Hendrick.

“When I first started watching Mark, I just always admired the way he raced,” Gustafson says. “He races really hard, you can see his dedication and focus, but at the same time, he has certain values that he’s not going to sacrifice to win or be successful… I always was drawn to that, admired the way he raced and the respect he got from his competitors and the things that he accomplished.”

Now that the two have become teammates at Hendricks, the feelings are reciprocal.

“Alan Gustafson is absolutely the best,” Martin said after winning at Phoenix this spring. “I may have been his childhood hero. I’m living a second childhood now, and he’s my childhood hero.”

Winners of three races so far in 2009, these two Florida natives in the thick of the Sprint Cup Series Championship battle when NASCAR returns to the Sunshine State for Ford Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Nov. 20-22.


  Hornaday Rolling with “The King” and Eyeing the Crown

Ron Hornaday—a former Ford 200 winner at Homestead-Miami Speedway—continues to lead the Truck Series standings as he looks to capture his fourth Camping World Truck Series Championship at the Kids-FREE Ford 200 during Ford Championship Weekend, Nov. 20-22.

The 2007 Camping World Truck Series Champion dominated last weekend in Memphis with an overpowering win. Memphis honored its most famous resident, Elvis Presley, with his likeness on the winner’s trophy, the final such time that trophy will be awarded.

“The last Elvis trophy at Memphis, that's pretty cool," Hornaday said in Victory Lane. "It was pretty awesome to come here and win the last Elvis trophy. That means a lot."


 Florida’s Reutimann at the Wheel of a New Mustang

To cap off the greatest month of his racing career, Zephyrhills-native David Reutimann and his crew chief, Rodney Childers, are getting an epic present: the keys to their own 1967 Shelby GT500 Mustangs—reward for winning last month’s Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Reutimann and Childers made a wager with Michael Waltrip Racing co-owner Rob Kauffman that the No. 00 would win bring home the Coke 600 trophy. That win netted them each a trophy muscle car from his RK Collection Auto Restoration shop.

Tagged as “Eleanor” in the movie Gone in 60 Seconds, the Ford beauties were a price worth paying for victory for Kauffman: “I never make a bet I’m not happy to lose,” he said.

“It just seems too amazing to be true; it seems unreal,” said Reutimann, who enters Saturday night’s Cup race just 12 points out of Chase contention for his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series title at Homestead-Miami Speedway during Ford Championship Weekend, Nov. 20-22.


 Clearwater’s Carmichael Grants Wish for 18-year-old at Memphis

Clearwater-native Ricky Carmichael has made just eight Camping World Truck Series starts, but he is still the Greatest of All Time. The former supercross rider has 27 major titles to his two-wheel name and is taking a crack at four-wheel NASCAR Trucks for the first-time this season.

And his legendary status recently led him to grant a wish for 18-year-old Alberta, Calif., native Jason Schmid, who lives and breathes motocross but unfortunately can’t experience it like other fans. Blinded in an accident., Schmidt got to spend last Friday afternoon with Carmichael, just prior to the Truck Series race in Memphis. Schmidt watched as and watch his hero rally to his third Top 15 finish of the season.

“I never thought I'd meet Ricky Carmichael for something other than a couple of minutes at an autograph session," Schmidt said. "Now I'm in his pit at a NASCAR Truck race."

Carmichael is scheduled to race eight more times in 2009 for Kevin Harvick Inc. and is happy to be in his situation in NASCAR.

"Motocross for me, I was always expected to win.” Carmichael said. “When I did win, the reaction was, 'Well that's what you're supposed to do.' But when I do well here, there's a great reaction, so getting up to that level is a personal goal for me."

It remains to be seen if Carmichael will race in the season-ending Kids-FREE Ford 200 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.


 IndyCar and Grand-Am Sports Cars Storylines en route to the
NextEra Energy Resources SpeedJam Championships
at Homestead-Miami Speedway Oct. 9-10


► Special Year Continues: Miami’s Castroneves Nominated for ESPY
► Castroneves Clips Stewart for 2nd Quarter “Driver of the Year”
► Key Biscayne Resident Kanaan Looks for 2nd Brazilian Comeback
► IndyCar’s Changes Apply to Championship Weekend in Miami
► Former Indy 500 Champ Joins West Palm Native in Grand-Am Series
► Miami’s Viso Encouraged by Richmond Results
► Palm Beach’s Howard Finds Himself on Outside Looking In



  Special Year Continues: Miami’s Castroneves Nominated for ESPY

Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves is among the world-class athletes nominated for a 2009 ESPY Award. The televised awards show gathers top celebrities from sports and entertainment to recognize the year’s major sports achievements, relive unforgettable moments and salute leading performers. Castroneves is a nominee for the “Best Moment” category tied to winning May’s Indianapolis 500 after his return to the IndyCar Series following a lengthy legal battle involving tax-evasion charges.

"It's so many things together," Castroneves said of the Indy 500 win. It was a moment for me, a moment for the fans, a moment for the track being 100 years old. It's certainly one moment that I'll never forget."

The Coral Gables also was nominated alongside reigning IndyCar champion Scott Dixon in the "Best Driver" category, alongside Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton, NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson and NHRA Top Fuel champion Tony Schumacher.

Castroneves enters this weekend’s race at Watkins Glen fourth in the race for the 2009 IndyCar Championship, to be crowned Oct. 10 at Homestead-Miami Speedway after the Firestone Indy 300.


 Castroneves Clips Stewart for 2nd Quarter “Driver of the Year”

Castroneves recently topped NASCAR’s Tony Stewart won a hotly-contested vote for the second quarter Driver of the Year 2009. Both drivers are in contention to make a Championship run this fall at Homestead-Miami Speedway—Castroneves when the IndyCar Series crowns a Champion during the SpeedJam Championships Firestone Indy 300 on Oct.10; and Stewart during Ford Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami Nov.20-22.

Castroneves, who drives for IndyCar’s Team Penske Racing, coupled his recent Indy 500 win with a victory at Texas Motor Speedway, while Stewart entered the July 4 Coke Zero 400 atop NASCAR’s Sprint Cup standings. The ageless Mark Martin of NASCAR’s Hendrick Motorsports was third in the voting.

“I’m really honored with the prestige to be included in such an incredible group of drivers,” said ebullient South Florida-resident Castroneves. “Honestly it’s an honor to be in an amazing group. Mark Martin is an incredible driver—nothing against Tony Stewart, [but] I want to be like him when I grow up.”


 Key Biscayne Resident Kanaan Looks for 2nd Brazilian Comeback

When the U.S. men's national soccer team faced Brazil for the FIFA Confederation Cup last week, the match drew interest from IndyCar Series drivers native to both countries.

Key Biscayne resident and 2004 IndyCar Champion Tony Kanaan was predicting victory for his native Brazil prior to the contest: "Of course, I've been following the tournament,” he responded to a question the day before the match. “Brazil beat the U.S. 3-0 last week, and I'm sure that's what's going to happen tomorrow. Brazil has a big tradition about soccer and we played really well, but the U.S. won against Spain. I live here now, but obviously I'm going to cheer for Brazil tomorrow."

Indeed, Brazil came back from a 2-0 halftime deficit to record a thrilling 3-2 victory over the United States. Kanaan and the rest of the Andretti Green Racing contingent hope to make a similar comeback en route to the SpeedJam Championships’ Firestone Indy 300 at Homestead-Miami on Oct.10. As the IndyCar Series heads to Watkins Glen this weekend, TK sits in seventh place followed by teammate—and South Beach resident—Marco Andretti (eighth) and Hideki Mutoh (10th place). AGR’s Danica Patrick entered the weekend in fifth place in the standings.

 IndyCar’s Changes Apply to Championship Weekend in Miami

In response to driver complaints, the sanctioning body of the IndyCar Series has made some changes to enhance racing on ovals, which should make for a tremendous show at Homestead-Miami Speedway during the SpeedJam Championships’ Firestone Indy 300 Oct.10.

IndyCar Series points leader Dario Franchitti called the action in last weekend's three-quarter mile at Richmond International Raceway "dreadful" because of the inability to pass other cars. To combat this, teams now will be allowed to add rear tire ramps, sidepod extenders and backing plates, which league officials project will add an increase of as much as 300 pounds of aerodynamic down force. In general, down force should make it easier for the drivers to use different racing lines.

"It will make for side-by-side racing because we'll have more grip, and that's what the fans want," said Miami’s Tony Kanaan.


 Former Indy 500 Champ Joins West Palm Native in Grand-Am Series

Former Indy 500 winner Buddy Rice (2004) and Antonio Garcia—his teammate in their win at the Rolex 24-Hour Race in Daytona in January—will co-drive the No. 90 Porsche Coyote in this afternoon’s race at Daytona. The event will mark the Rolex Sports Car Series debut for the newest-specification Coyote chassis, which Rice and Garcia will share through the remainder of the 2009 season.

“We want to make a good showing at Daytona, of course, but it’s more about the future and about developing the car, just getting the time, mileage, and understanding of what it takes to make this car fast,” said Rice, who made his first start in Grand-Am competition in 2000.

Rice and Garcia will be in the sister car to the No. 09 Porsche Coyote driven by West Palm Beach native Guy Cosmo and Scott Russell, who are looking for a wave of momentum into Homestead-Miami Speedway for the NextEra Energy Resources SpeedJam Championships Oct. 9-10.


 Miami’s Viso Encouraged by Richmond Results

Miami resident E.J. Viso was encouraged by a solid start to his recent run at Richmond International Raceway. There was cautious optimism of a Top 10 finish during the early portions of the 300-lap race, but two untimely caution periods thwarted the team's efforts.

Viso kept pace with the leaders for much of the race but fell two laps down near the race’s midway point as the caution flag flew while his No. 13 car was on pit road for a scheduled service stop. This same scene again played out when the yellow flag again flew on Lap 248 (of 300). He eventually finished 12th.

"We had a very fast car,” Viso said post-race. I was running at the same pace as the leaders, I was saving fuel all through the race. It's just that yellow came out at the wrong time for us, and that put us a couple laps down….I've been working harder than ever to achieve podiums. We've got the potential, and we've improved the car a lot."

Viso’s attempt to capture race wins continues on the march to Homestead-Miami Speedway for the Oct. 10th IndyCar Championship Firestone Indy 300.


 Palm Beach’s Howard Finds Himself on Outside Looking In

Palm Beach resident Jay Howard has been replaced at Florida-based Team PBIR in the Firestone Indy Lights Series. PBIR signed Richard Philippe to drive five of the final eight races of 2009, including at Homestead-Miami Speedway for the NextEra Energy Resources SpeedJam Championships Oct.9-10.

Howard was on his Palm Beach couch this spring when he agreed to a last-minute deal to be the driver of the No. 37 car for May’s Firestone Freedom 100 at Indianapolis. He missed the first practice session and had to scramble to find other equipment—borrowing the helmet worn by Scott Dixon on Pole Day—before driving to an impressive fourth-place finish. But he’s now again looking for a ride with the insertion of Philippe.

“I am really excited about this opportunity," said Philippe, who tested with the team at Indianapolis in May. “The team's crew is experienced and I think that will build my confidence, get the car setup right, and we will be competitive with the rest of the field right away."