Doug Kalitta has high expectations for Bristol’s Thunder Valley
April 27, 2004
Bristol, Tenn., April 27, 2004 – The bright red Mac Tools Top Fuel dragster, driven by 15-time NHRA national event winner Doug Kalitta, wants to revisit hallowed ground in the mountains of East Tennessee this weekend – the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series winner’s circle at Bristol Dragway.
Currently third in Top Fuel championship points, Kalitta and his nitro rail are hoping for a repeat performance of their victory at the O’Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals in 2001. This weekend’s festivities, April 30-May 2, will mark the sixth event of the 23-event, $50 million 2004 NHRA season.
Doug Kalitta has high expectations for Bristol”s Thunder Valley
April 27, 2004
Bristol, Tenn., April 27, 2004
Junqueira At Indy 500
April 26, 2004
Bruno will be heading up the Newman-Haas effort for their return to the Indy 500. Frankly, I think they would have been better off with Sebastian Bourdais behind the wheel, in spite of Bruno’s 2002 pole at Indy. Who knows, they are preparing two cars, maybe Sebastian will get to show up poor Bruno yet again.
Driver and Crew Notes - Aaron’s 499
April 26, 2004
Here are the collected driver and crew notes following the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Aaron’s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway.
Jeff Gordon Wins Talladega Under Yellow
April 25, 2004
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Photo: JeffGordon.com
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Jeff Gordon, playing a game of luck and skill, rolled the dice with only six laps left to run, passing Dale Earnhardt Jr to take the lead of the Aaron’s 499 just before a caution flew for Brian Vickers’ spin. The caution came out after the red-flag lap limit, freezing the field with Gordon just ahead of Earnhardt. The race was slowed by eleven cautions for 55 laps, as 23 different drivers swapped the lead 55 times.
The race lasted three hours, 52 minutes and 19 seconds, for a race speed of 129.199 mph. A horde of ill-behaved so-called “fans” showered the track with beer cans and other objects as Gordon took his victory lap and did his burnout.
New Dance, Same Old Song
April 25, 2004
In the hands of Michael Schumacher, this years Ferrari is a fine instrument indeed. And versatile. Michael alternatively used his car as: 1. A battering ram when he drove Juan Montoya off course; 2. A winch in the first nine laps as he reeled in Jenson Button, cutting his lead from 2.7 seconds to less than .7 of a second.; 3. The rocket we expect, when he blazed around the track after Jenson’s first pit stop, taking the lead and effectively winning the race.
Qualifying Shocker - Button On Pole At San Marino!
April 24, 2004
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Photo: PlanetF1.com
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Are your eyes deceiving you? Have you fantasized about anyone but Ferrari succeeding in F1 for so long now that you are actually seeing things? Did Schumacher spin out and wreck his qualifying lap? NO! The BARs really ARE that quick this weekend at San Marino. The Gods of F1 are finally smiling on fans around the world and have seen fit to bestow an interesting race scenario on us. Button, the young British rising star, sealed up his first ever pole position in San Marino today with a lap of 1′19″753 over Schumacher’s 1′20″011.
Williams driver Juan Pablo Montoya was third fastest, ahead of the second Ferrari of Rubens Barrichello and Ralf Schumacher’s Williams. McLaren are having another miserable weekend.
Robbie Buhl Retires, Will Continue As Owner
April 24, 2004
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Photo: Dreyer & Reinbold Racing
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(Indianapolis) After 21 years in the driver’s seat, Robbie Buhl will be watching IndyCar Series races from a new perspective when the Indy Racing League takes to the track for the remainder of the 2004 season. Buhl will remain on the other side of the wall wearing his owner’s hat full time instead of the familiar fluorescent orange and white helmet, as the 40 year-old Detroit native and IndyCar Series veteran announced his retirement here today.
Talladega Driver Quotes
April 24, 2004
Here are the collected notes and quotes from various drivers and crew members following yesterday’s qualifying at Talladega.
Much Ado About Nothing
April 23, 2004
The F1 press is giddy over the posting of Jenson Button’s BAR P1 in the second practice session today at Imola, with Takuma Sato claiming second. And the fact that Michael Schumacher’s third place time was 2/10 of a second behind Jenson. Hello, did anyone pay ANY attention to Schumachers first session best lap time?