Logano a quick learner as he posts quickest lap in Nationwide practice

FONTANA, Calif. ? Joey Logano never drove a race car at Auto Club (Calif.) Speedway before Friday.

JJ, AJ take front row at Auto Club Speedway

FONTANA, Calif. - It appeared for a while that there would be an all-Hendrick Motorsports front row for Sunday's Sprint Cup race at Auto Club Speedway.

Keselowski visited Penske but says he was never extended an offer

FONTANA, Calif. - Brad Keselowski said he visited Penske Racing last week but did not have an offer on the table to drive the Sprint Cup No. 12 car next season.

Carpentier keeping the faith despite move

FONTANA, Calif. - Patrick Carpentier has been a racer plenty long enough to know that there are going to be great weeks and not so great weeks. The week leading up to last Saturday's Sprint Cup Series race at Bristol, he says, definitely falls in the latter category.

Keller can't recall Busch Series incident with Earnhardt Jr.

FONTANA, Calif. - Sorry, Dale Earnhardt Jr., but Jason Keller doesn't remember the race you're talking about.

Johnson could have a say in this year's Chase outcome

FONTANA, Calif. - While many are making the Chase For The NASCAR Sprint Cup a Kyle Busch-vs.-Carl Edwards game, two-time defending series champion Jimmie Johnson likely will have a say in who wins the title this year.

Logano lays down quickest lap in Nationwide practice at California

FONTANA, Calif. - Joey Logano is moving to Sprint Cup full time for 2009, but that hasn't slowed him down in the Nationwide Series. Logano paced the first series practice at Auto Club Speedway on Friday, turning a lap of 175.400 mph in the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota.

Earnhardt Jr. believes Busch, Edwards controversy excites fans

FONTANA, Calif. - Dale Earnhardt Jr. understandably took an interest in last weekend's altercation between Carl Edwards and Kyle Busch at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Edwards more focused on racing than Kyle Busch

FONTANA, Calif. - While Kyle Busch joked on Friday that he wanted to go with Carl Edwards to In-N-Out Burger, Edwards had another idea.

Earnhardt Jr. says this new Bud Shootout format isn't for him

FONTANA, Calif. - Dale Earnhardt Jr. blasted the new format for the Budweiser Shootout on Friday, saying he would dread racing in the Shootout next year because of the format.

Kahne hopes to strengthen Chase chances at California

FONTANA, Calif. - This will be the fifth year of the Chase format, and Kasey Kahne is in danger of missing it for the fourth time.

Kyle Busch: I tried to race Edwards clean at Bristol

FONTANA, Calif. - To hear Kyle Busch tell it Friday at Auto Club Speedway, his relationship with Carl Edwards is better than ever.

Red-hot Edwards paces first Cup practice at California

FONTANA, Calif. - Gunning for his third consecutive victory, Carl Edwards led the first Sprint Cup Series practice at Auto Club Speedway on Friday.

Chase scenarios: Who can clinch a championship berth this weekend?

After a season of work and effort, drivers find themselves with two races to go before the Chase For The NASCAR Sprint Cup field is set.

Bowyer not bothered by next season's crew uncertainty, focused on Chase

FONTANA, Calif. - Clint Bowyer is feeling the pressure heading into Sunday night's Pepsi 500 Sprint Cup race at Auto Club Speedway.

Hornish unsure of points, team swap

FONTANA, Calif. - Sam Hornish Jr. says he hasn't had any conversations with Penske Racing officials regarding a possible move from the team's No. 77 Dodge to the No. 12 for 2009, or a possible points swap between the two.

Ragan ready to continue pursuit of Chase berth at California

FONTANA, Calif. - David Ragan is right where he wants to be entering Sunday night's Pepsi 500 at Auto Club Speedway. Well, almost.

Vidovich on standby if Ragan needs Nationwide relief to focus on Cup

FONTANA, Calif. - Roush Fenway Racing has Auggie Vidovich on standby in case David Ragan needs to focus on his Sprint Cup car this weekend at Auto Club Speedway.

Jimmie Johnson Foundation raises more than $500,000 with events

The 2nd Annual Jimmie Johnson Foundation Golf Tournament and dinner auction this week raised more than $500,000 to help with its support of Habitat For Humanity and other charities, according to Foundation officials.

Newman intent on grabbing top finishes in final stretch

Ryan Newman may be leaving Penske Racing at the end of the season, but he's intent on ending his NASCAR Sprint Cup tenure with the team on a high note.

Hamlin volunteers at Foodbank; sponsor donates car

Joe Gibbs Racing's Denny Hamlin spent Thursday at a Los Angeles Regional Foodbank, working in the volunteer kitchen and donating a Toyota Prius hybrid vehicle on behalf of his sponsor, FexEx.

Allmendinger uncertain of driving plans for next season

FONTANA, Calif. - Red Bull Racing's AJ Allmendinger is still uncertain about whether he will return to his NASCAR Sprint Cup team next season. The driver has previously stated he'd like to stay with the group, but he says he continues to wait to hear from the team.

Sailfish Cup trophy to be renamed in France's honor

The late NASCAR Chairman Bill France Jr. will be recognized by the Sailfish Cup fishing tournament on Nov. 12 when the tournament's trophy will be named in his honor.

Gordon's off-road sponsor joins Cup program this weekend

Robby Gordon will carry sponsorship from Monster Energy, a primary sponsor of his off-road racing programs, on his No. 7 NASCAR Sprint Cup Dodge for Sunday's Pepsi 500 at Auto Club Speedway.

Forecast is for calmer conditions at Auto Club Speedway

The last time Auto Club Speedway hosted a NASCAR Cup Series event, back in February, rain plagued the weekend?s proceedings, washing out qualifying and forcing drivers and teams to stay an extra day to complete the race.

Speedway Motorsports proceeding with purchase of Kentucky Speedway

Speedway Motorsports, Inc. is proceeding with the purchase of Kentucky Speedway, company officials announced today.

Jeff Gluck: Auto Club Speedway deserves a chance

FONTANA, Calif. - Are you ready for the howls and shrieks of protest about Auto Club Speedway's lackluster attendance?

Busch spends time with Arizona Wildcats' football team

Kurt Busch took some time from racing this week just to be a sports fan.

Schrader planning busy holiday weekend

Ken Schrader, newly named the Hall of Fame Racing driver for this weekend, will be taking on more than the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in the next few days.

Goodyear completes Kansas Speedway tire test

Goodyear officials held a NASCAR Sprint Cup test at Kansas Speedway Tuesday and confirmed the company's tire recommendation for the Sept. 28 Camping World RV 400.

Burton preparing for 500th career Cup start

Jeff Burton is preparing to make his 500th career NASCAR Cup start this weekend at Auto Club Speedway.

Allmendinger trying hand at drifting

AJ Allmendinger isn't much of a sports guy, not when it comes to something other than racing at high speeds on tracks across the country.

Nemechek to celebrate completion of first year with Furniture Row team

Joe Nemechek will celebrate his first anniversary with Furniture Row Racing when he races this weekend at Auto Club Speedway in the Pepsi 400.

A year has changed Almirola's life dramatically

A year often makes a difference in the life of many people, and it makes a big difference in the life of Aric Almirola.

Mears happy to be back in California, though hoping for improved results

California native Casey Mears loves going back to Southern California to race at Auto Club Speedway, but his last visit to the track didn?t end so well.

Jay Robinson Racing team manager Campbell dies

Kenneth Campbell, team manager for Jay Robinson Racing's NASCAR Nationwide Series team, passed away Friday.

Lee Montgomery: Time to eliminate 'start-and-park' practice

Not long after Saturday night's Camping World RV Service 300 at Auto Club Speedway in California gets the green flag, several cars will begin the parade to the Nationwide Series garage area.

Memphis' Nationwide Series race to be sponsored by Kroger

Memphis Motorsports Park officials announced that the Kroger grocery store chain will sponsor the track's Nationwide Series race in October.

Californian Leffler could use a good run in home state this weekend

Last season, Jason Leffler finished third in Nationwide Series points standings with Braun Racing, the highest showing of any Nationwide-only driver. This season, he has fallen back to eighth as Brad Keselowski leads the way as the series' new breakout star, battling Sprint Cup regulars Clint Bowyer and Carl Edwards for the title.

Leicht, Burton to drive No. 29 RCR Nationwide entry in 2009

Stephen Leicht will join Jeff Burton in driving Richard Childress Racing's No. 29 NASCAR Nationwide Series entry next season, the team announced Thursday.

McClure welcomes second daughter

Eric McClure will be heading to California a little late. The NASCAR Nationwide Series driver spent an extra day at home with good reason - his wife gave birth to their second daughter Wednesday night.

Camping World to sponsor NHMS truck series race

New Hampshire Motor Speedway officials announced that the track's Craftsman Truck Series race later this month will be sponsored by Camping World RV Rental and Winnebago Industries.

Schrader, Logano to split Hall of Fame driving duties

Ken Schrader will drive the Hall of Fame Racing No. 96 Sprint Cup car this weekend at Auto Club (Calif.) Speedway and next week at Richmond International Raceway and then will share the seat with 18-year-old Joey Logano.

Kahne confident he can rally back into top 12 of Cup standings

Time is running out for Kasey Kahne.

California could be what Jeff Gordon needs to lock a place in the Chase

With the Chase For The NASCAR Sprint Cup drawing closer, Jeff Gordon appears to be getting closer to locking up a spot in the 12-driver field that will decide the 2008 championship.

Business as usual for Stewart as former champ could clinch Chase berth

Tony Stewart could mathematically secure a berth in the Chase For The NASCAR Sprint Cup in Sunday night's Pepsi 500 at Auto Club Speedway.

Ganassi leadership not panicking over changes in NASCAR program

Chip Ganassi President Steve Lauletta isn't looking up in the sky and waiting for a boulder to fall on the team

Ganassi: Sorenson's departure was a 'business decision'

Team owner Chip Ganassi says the departure of Reed Sorenson from his No. 41 Sprint Cup entry was simply a "business decision" made by both sides.

Kris Johnson: Settling the most inane debate in all of 'sports'

It's that time of year again, evidently. As sure as autumn follows summer, somebody in the NASCAR media feels a need to reignite the debate as to whether drivers are athletes - or not. Reignite is probably the wrong word. Because, honestly, who really cares at this point?

NASCAR puts Busch, Edwards on six-race probation

NASCAR announced Wednesday it has placed Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards on probation for the next six Sprint Cup Series races as a result of their on-track brush on the cool-down lap of last Saturday night's Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway.