What’s going to be called one of the Memorable moments at Daytona 500: NASCAR on Sunday at the Daytona 500 Push Grip Turn saw the youngest driver who turned 20 years old on Saturday, celebrated his birthday by winning the DAYTONA 500, known as the Great American Race. This will go down as one of the most memorable moments at Daytona 500. He gave the historic Wood Brothers team its fifth Daytona 500 victory – and their first since 1976 with David Pearson. Who was this young fellow that only shaves once a week??? His name is Trevor Bayne who only made one other Sprint Cup Series start.
What all transpired in this historic Daytona 500 race.
For one it was the tenth anniversary of Dale Earnhardt’s tragic death by the fatal accident on the last lap.
To honor him, lap 3 was silent and the fans all held up three fingers in honor of Earnhardt’s car number for that lap.
NASCAR saw a feature record of 74 lead changes among 22 drivers and a record 16 cautions that wiped out many of the leaders. Including Dale Earnhard Jr. on the first attemp at NASCAR’s version of overtime. That is what put Bayne in front. And that is what brought Glen and Leonard Wood’s dry spell to an end. It seem like all the veterans were happy for Trevor, saying how nice of a young man he is to represent this sport with a win. He was so happy that he needed directions to victory lane—go figure. How many stunning races like this are there?? 
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The Youngster takes The Daytona 500
Monday, February 21st, 2011Daytona 500 to Honor
Tuesday, February 15th, 2011Push Grip Turn notes that Sunday’s Race February 20, 2011 Dale Earnhardt, Jr., who won the pole position for the Daytona 500, with a qualifying lap of
186.089 mph. And the race is going to honor Dale Earnhardt, Sr. 
Daytona International Speedway officials have set plans to honor the memory of Dale Earnhardt, Sr. They are asking fans to hold up three fingers — a tribute to Earnhardt’s No. 3 Chevy–during the third lap of the Daytona 500 on Sunday. They are also asking fans for a moment of silence during that third lap.
Earnhardt died in 2001 after crashing on the final lap of the Daytona 500. And the officials of the Daytona International Speedway feel the appropriate way to honor him is in the actual racing. Track president Jole Chitwood says “the best way to appreciate the things Dale did–he was about racing–and how we respect him should be on the track.”
Dale Earnhardt, Jr. says “he enjoys hearing other people talk about him, and not about me.
KURT BUSCH TAKES THE BUD SHOOTOUT !!
Saturday, February 12th, 2011NASCAR NEWS !! A long time in the waiting, Kurt Busch wins his first ever restrictor plate race taking the 2011 Bud Shootout at Daytona Motor Speedway on Saturday Night. Along with his first retrictor plate race was Dodge’s first win in a Shoot out event. With multiple lead changes and NASCAR’s attempt to again interfere with car performance, the drivers took it to the track and won it the old fashioned way ! Cars running in tandem exceeded speeds of 200 m.p.h. and cars running this way following other cars had as much as a 20 m.p.h. advantage on the cars ahead of them. On the final lap, Kurt Busch with Jamie McMurray pushing took over Ryan Newman on the final turn while Newman’s drafting partner Denny Hamlin bailed on him to try to win the event. Winning is what this event is all about isn’t it ?? PUSH GRIP TURN congratulates Kurt Busch on a great clean win !
NEW CHASE SYSTEM….TRULY POINTLESS !!
Thursday, February 10th, 2011Once again NASCAR re-breaks something that is already broken. Having a Playoff System in NASCAR is like having a primary election during the main election. In great detail the new points system was unveiled and now reduces the points the drivers get, but still locks the top 35 teams into guaranteed starting spots without qualifying. When the ‘Chase’ is assembled with the last 10 races left in the season, the top 10 race teams will go on by points, the last two race teams will be ‘Wild Card’ teams based on most wins. HMMMMMMM What if no one wins a race outside of the top ten ?? CRISIS SITUATION !! Then will we go to the most wins in 2010, 2009,2008??? Or how about the most wins by the crew chief or maybe the fastest pit stops !! Or maybe the most completed laps !! Wouldn’t be lovely to let the racers earn the Championship like they used to before this ‘Chase’ stuff came around. Kevin Harvick got ripped off last year when his 300+ point lead was taken away, then he lost by less than 100. The ‘Chase’ is not necessary, stop trying to make the Championship a World Series , Stanely Cup or Superbowl. Racing is racing !!! Good luck to all the racers this year, may the Point System be with you !!! * Submitted by PUSH GRIP TURN
Who wants to be Motivated for a Sprint Cup Title?
Thursday, February 10th, 2011
Push Grip Turn was reading in the Chicago Tribune, as we are digging out of a snow blizzard and below zero temperatures of below zero and wind chill factors to 24 below. I know that we are not the only ones affected by this, the North East Coast has had its share. And what about Dallas with the Super Bowl? They had snow and ice outside the dome. It was the most watched game this past Sunday, with the Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers. I don’t know what team you were wishing to win, but it was a great game. But now, we will soon hear the famous words of “Gentlemen start your engines.”
So, it goes to hearing who wants to over throw Jimmie Johnson, and take away the title reign. As I was reading an article written by George Diaz in the Tribune on his article of Nascar Racing, he was talking about Jeff Gordon.
Jeff Gordon’s motivation for this upcoming NASCAR season is the sound of little children. He has tow Ella who is 3 1/2 and Leo who was born on August 9th last year. As, he was telling press about the little things that Ella says, like why were you wrestling with the other guy (Jeff Burton) in Texas last season. Why were you angry? Its these little questions from a young child that drive you onward.
Gordon need to answer this question pertaining to this NASCAR season “Can he get his mojo back? Jeff Gordon says he knows it has been a long time since he has won. What bothers him is that his team has never won a Sprint Cup, and he has to work hard to get it. He has a new crew chief in Alan Gustafson who replaces Steve Letarte. He thinks that this change may be what will help motive them. “It is not like Jimmie Johnson is unbeatable, they are just really good and it’s going to take a lot to beat them. It’s not about luck.”
Who is Serving Notice
Sunday, January 30th, 2011Push Grip Turn wants to think that there are other drivers that can stop Jimmie Johnson from winning this year’s Sprint Cup title. We have seen inconsistency among the men trying to catch him, especially in the Chase. There has been a different driver in the last five years to finish second behind Jimmie Johnson winning the championship. There has only been one driver that finished second one year and finished third in one of the other five years. That was Jeff Gordon he placed second in 2007 and third in 2009. We have the other drivers who finished in second place as: Denny Hamlin (2010), Mark Martin (2009), Carl Edwards (2008), and Matt Kenseth (2006).
With a month to go before the season opening Daytona 500, there are 30 cars committed to running the entire Sprint Cup schedule. Cup had 34 cares compete in every race last season.
So, in asking which one of the drivers are going to serve notice to Jimmie Johnson that they want to take the Championship away from him this year?
Jeff Gordon, Denny Hamlin, Carl Edwards, Mark Martin, Tony Stewart, Kyle Busch, Kurt Busch, Matt Kenseth, Kevin Harvick, and maybe the one driver that needs to have a good year Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Push Grip Turn is eager to watch how Daytona 500 starts out. See you at the races.
Who is stepping back from NASCAR SPRINT CUP?
Saturday, January 29th, 2011
Push Grip Turn and with NASCAR news want to share with you that one of the Sprint Cup Drivers at the age of 35 years old and with more than a decade of competition of racing is stepping back from the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Elliot Sadler has called that his home since 1999 and now is moving into one of the top rides in the Nationwide Series.
He is going to shift to the Kevin Harvick Inc. organization and challenge for the Nationwide Series title.
He feels that this move will give him the chance to race regularly for wins. His last win was in 2004 when he won at the Auto Club Speedway driving for Yates Racing. Now he says he wants to get back to the way things used to be.
Push Grip Turn has him quoting this: “I feel like I’m rebranding myself because I feel like I’ve lost a little bit in the last couple of years of who Elliot Sadler really is,” he said. “The race car driver that he really is, the love of the sport that heally has–getting back in nationwide racing, getting back to the team that’s going to give me the best equipment week in and week out. And it’s about racing, it’s not about anything else; we talk racing.” “I feel five years younger.”
We at Push Grip Turn knows that he knows the struggles, and now his role is so revered that he finds himself as a championship favorite. Before making the change he discuss this with his long time mentor and teammate of Yates Racing Dale Jarrett. Elliott needs to get back on the track that he was on when he raced for the Yates Racing team. Those days are in him and he knows that, and he’s got to forget about what’s he’s been doing. And get back to racing like he did when he was a kid.
On August 1, 2010 his crash when he slid sideways on a straight away showed Pocono’s safety weakness.
Chase, Points Tweaked
Friday, January 28th, 2011Push Grip Turn has been reading about the new Sprint Cup Series points system. The sport’s Chase for the Cup title playoff and pre-race qualifying.
The changes are intended to boost interest in NASCAR’S premier series, make its points system easier to follow and boost the impetus on winning races. That’s a new concept. “Winning Races”
Each Cup race has 43 cars, and the new sliding-scale system awards 43 points to the winner. 42 to 2nd place car and down the line to one point for the 43rd car. This was discussed by NASCAR Chairman, Brian France at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, N.C.
The race winners also get 3 bonus points for the victory, and they can earn an additional point for leading a lap and another for leading the most laps. Therefore each winner can earn a maximum of 48.
By doing this tweaking for the Chase, France said the new system allows the top 10 drivers after 26 races to advance to the 10-race Chase playoff. Also, two “wild card” drivers outside the top 10 with the most victories that season –and who rank among the top 20 in points– will join the Chase as well.
Previously, the top 12 drivers in points made the Chase. Last year the winner of the Daytona 500 and the Brickyard 400 wast consistent enough to finish in the top 12, and that was Jamie McMurray.
So now Push Grip Turn says let’s go racing at Daytona, and start gathering the points.
NASCAR Races To Be Majors?
Sunday, January 16th, 2011As being Push Grip Turn, I do read articles that I think might draw attention to the readers of this blog. I was reading an article written by Paul Carreau about: NASCAR Should Follow PGA Tour and Designate Races As Majors.
He thinks that it is time for NASCAR to designate four of its races as major championships. Not only, adding buzz and excitement to those particular events, but would wold make winning them that much more special to the competitors. Winning something that is designated as a major champion is always known for being something special. Like with the PGA Tour having The Masters, The U.S. Open, The British Open and The PGA Championship. And these titles means so much more being always known as the “Major Champion………..”
If NASCAR would single out four particular races as its majors, you would have the Major Champion of the Daytona 500 Race, this race should be a no brainer as to why it should be a MAJOR CHAMPION.
Push Grip Turn agrees with what he thinks that the second one should be probably the most famous race track.
That would be Indianapolis –The Brickyard 400. This one is known for having a rich history and what it symbolizes to auto racing as a whole. After racing here the only thing that matters is holding up the trophy. Mark Martin says he would rather win The Brickyard over the Daytona 500.
The other can be debated, but he put in the Coca Cola 600, because it is the longest race of the year. And it is also held every year at Charlotte Motor Speedway, which is known as the home race track of NASCAR. His last pick which was tough, but if you think about it, it should be a major. Bristol Night Race because it is the only race track on the circuit that is fully enclosed by grandstands, and the atmosphere in the stands is always some of the best all season. The high drama and the high tension that it brings. This is another race that if you want to win it, you truly have to earn it.
Like Jamie McMurray, who most people had labeled as an under achiever going into the year, would now be known as ” A Two Time Major Champion.” Kind of has a nice ring to it don’t you think.
Push Grip Turn wants to let Paul Carreau know that we read his articles and want to share them in a shorter version to our readers.
NASCAR what do you think about Major Titles?
Can these be known as “Major Champions of race so and so?”
So What’s Up During The Long Wait
Monday, January 10th, 2011January 10, 2011 As Push Grip Turn looks to what has been going on during the last couple of months
So since the big win by Jimmie Johnson, what kind of updates are there you ask?
Jeff Gordon with his Hunger campaign. See previous article on that subject. Thank you Jeff for that.
Push Grip Turn has More on NASCAR NEWS:
On December 29, 2010, we had The Learning Oaks Cat Haven, which is operated by Beaver Creek Township resident Delores Guay, who receivea a $ 1,000 grant from the Greg Biffle Foundation. With the grant letter from Nicole Biffle to Guay it said. “With this money we hope that you will be able to continue your endeavors in animal welfare. We recognize and appreciate all that you do to help the animals that rely on your assistance.”
Biffle the driver of the #16 3M Ford Fusion for Roush-Fenway Racing.
The Greg Biffle Foundation was founded in 2005 by himself and his wife Nicole to create awareness and serve as an advocate to improve the well being of animals by engaging the power and passion of the motor sports industry. The financial support for the foundation comes from a variety of sources including individual contributions, NASCAR pet calenders, and the sale of various racing and other sports memorabilia.
This is another GOOD Thing that NASCAR drivers and organizations do.
Then Push Grip Turn found out that Scott Speed Sues Red Bull after the Team Relesed him. Speed was released from the team last month to make way for interim driver Kasey Kahne in 2011.
Drivers usually do not sue car owners after being released. What does that do for you. Other teams will not want to get involve with you.
Speed is suing for breach of contract in a complaint asking the court to award him 6.5 million dollars. Stating that Red Bull was unable or unwilling to provide him with supporting equipment satisfactory fir a driver of (his) skill to (be) effective to compete in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
Scott Speed said filing a lawsuit is stupid and ridiculous it is but he has to protect himself. Could have been real easy if Red Bull would have explained to him what the situation were. No comment from Red Bull officials.
On December 17th, 2010, eighteen teams took to the Daytona International Speedway track, following the repaving of it. These drivers gave a big thumbs up in this trail. This was in a Goodyear tyre test. Jamie McMurray praised Goodyear’s job with their tyre selection. He said that the new pavement has made the track easier to drive. Jamie McMurray was last year’s Daytona 500′s winner. All the drivers were happy with the pavement.
Some teams also ran with the new new 2011 nose specification. And some teams ran with the new E15 fuel with positive results. Going Green.
The teams will return to Daytona January 21st and 22nd for pre-season testing .
Biffle's pet calender