News and notes from NASCAR

Kentucky Speedway has filed another appeal in their antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR and the International Speedway Corporation. Kentucky Speedway alleges that NASCAR and the ISC have conspired in violation of antitrust laws to keep Sprint Cup races at their own tracks. In its appeal, the Speedway alleges that NASCAR is demanding independent speedways sell to ISC for less than market value. The Kentucky Speedway is one of the best facilities to handle any NASCAR event and it would be a shame if they did not get a date for a Sprint Cup Race. Maybe one of those boring, never sold out, California race dates. ‘ New England Patriots Wide Receiver Randy Moss announced the formation of a new race team, Moss Motorsports, LLC. Moss Motorsports plans to run a limited schedule in the Craftsman Truck series later this year, and then run a full schedule in 2009. No sponsorship or driver has been announced. ‘ Belle Island Village in Pigeon Force, Tenn., along with Darrell Waltrip and Jeff Hammond, have announced the opening of a NASCAR-related theme park this fall. The Darrell Waltrip Racing Experience will have a number of race car simulators, remote-controlled car competitions held in a mini-Bristol Motor Speedway, an interactive theater, permanent and rotating exhibits, a gift shop and an arcade that will boast the latest in NASCAR and racing-related games. It’s estimated that it will take the average visitor about two and a half hours to tour the new facility which will have a little something for everyone. Additionally, the park will have visits from drivers, crew chiefs, announcers, and team owners throughout the year to bring visitors even deeper into the experience of the world of motor sports. ‘ Kyle Busch, the winner of numerous races in each of the NASCAR series, has won honors as the First Quarter Driver of the Year for 2008. The voting panel is made up of individuals knowledgeable in the numerous disciplines of U.S. motor racing. Carl Edwards finished second and Danica Patrick of Indy Car fame came in third. The voting period ended after the Talladega race and well before Kyle’s confrontation with fan favorite Dale Earnhardt Jr., but Earnhardt Nation will not be allowed to cast votes in the Second Quarter Driver of the Year for 2008. ‘ The last race at Darlington should have eliminated any doubts about the durability of the COT. Kyle Busch slammed into the wall on numerous occasions but came away unscathed and the winner of the race. Many other drivers had incidents with the walls of the track noted as ‘too tough to tame,’ but there were only two DNF’s and they were not for crashes. Kyle still bad mouths the COT as the race develops but he has been the most successful in the car. It’s time for him to shut up and just drive. ‘ For years there seemed to be a ‘sophomore slump’ in NASCAR. Not so this year. Five drivers are entering their second full year of Sprint Cup racing. So far David Ragan has had the most success staying near the top 12. Ragan, Montoya, Reutimann, and Menard are all higher in the point standings then they were at this time last year. Only A. J. Allmendinger is lagging behind but remember, he sat out for nearly two months as Mike Skinner tried to get the car into the top 35. Seeing the dismal failures of this year’s rookie crop, things can only get better next year for any of them getting a 2009 ride.