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2009 NASCAR Season

The 2009 NASCAR season schedule, previews and race reviews. This is all the latest news and information about the 2009 NASCAR season.
2009 O'Reilly Checker Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway
Only two races remain in the 2009 Chase for the Cup and the Championship battle is heating up. Jimmie Johnson stumbled in Texas allowing Mark Martin cut over 100 points off of the lead. Mark Martin is now just 73 points as the series returns to Phoenix where Mark won in the spring. The 2009 Championship battle still has some life left in it as the 2009 O'Reilly Checker Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix…
2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series Points Standings
Kyle Busch has run away with the NASCAR Nationwide Series point lead. After 33 races he currently leads all drivers in wins (8), top fives (24) top tens (28) and bonus points (235). Kyle Busch will likely clinch the 2009 Nationwide Series Championship in Phoenix.
Chase Tightens As Jimmie Johnson Stumbles in Texas
Jimmie Johnson came to Texas with a massive point lead over his teammate Mark Martin. Many people, including me, had already called Jimmie Johnson the 2009 Champion. While he still has a healthy point lead it is no longer a lock. Kyle Busch dominated the Texas weekend but came up just short of history. He won the Truck race on Friday and the Nationwide Series race on Saturday. He dominated …
2009 Dickies 500 at Texas Motor Speedway
The 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup season is nearing its end. Just three races remain in the 2009 Chase for the Cup and Jimmie Johnson holds a commanding lead. Texas Motor Speedway takes center stage this Sunday for the 2009 Dickies 500. If recent events are any indication then Johnson is in no danger of losing his lead. Is the 2009 Chase for the Cup over?
2009 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Point Standings
Ron Hornaday Jr. is running away with the 2009 Camping World Series points. This was the best points battle in NASCAR but Hornaday has been on a tear lately and is pulling away. Hornaday leads the league in top five finishes (13) in the 22 races held so far. He is also tied for the lead in poles (4) and wins (6). This point lead is looking insurmountable as the season winds down.
Jamie McMurray Claims Talladega Amid Ugly Restrictor Plate Ra…
Talladega once again delivered exactly what we have come to expect from restrictor plate races. 183 laps of nothing and a brutally messy finish. Jamie McMurray earned the win and Jimmie Johnson likely put the 2009 Chase out of reach as each of his main competitors had problems.
2008 AMP Energy 500 at Talladega Superspeedway
This weekend Talladega Superspeedway hosts what many refer to as the biggest wildcard in the 2009 Chase for the Cup. This race track was not kind to the three point leaders when we were here in April. Jimmie Johnson, Mark Martin and Jeff Gordon each crashed with Jimmie Johnson's 30th place effort the best finish of the three. If this happens again during this weekend's 2009 AMP Energy 500 the 200…
2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Points Standings
Jimmie Johnson is peaking at just the right time and currently holds the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points lead. Through the first 26 races Jimmie's average finish was 12.73. Since the Chase started his average finish has jumped to an impressive 3 and is pulling away from Mark Martin in the Chase standings.
Short Track Tempers Flare As Hamlin Wins in Martinsville
Denny Hamlin and Jimmie Johnson were the class of the field during the 2009 Tums Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway. Hamlin proved to be quickest at the end and he ruled a green-white-checkers finish to take the win over Johnson. The tight racing provided some exciting moments as tempers ran high. Fortunately NASCAR stayed out of it and allowed emotion to return to the sport.
2009 Tums Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway
This weekend the 2009 Chase For The Cup rolls into southern Virginia as the series visits Martinsville Speedway for the 2009 Tums Fast Relief 500. This event is guaranteed to feature close-quarters racing since forty-three cars barely fit around the tight half-mile speedway.
Jimmie Johnson Extends Lead With Third Chase Race of 2009
The 2009 NASCAR Banking 500 at Lowes Motor Speedway had a huge effect on the Chase for the Cup. Chase leader Jimmie Johnson won the race for his third win of the 2009 Chase. Second and third place Chasers Mark Martin and Juan Montoya got together on the track damaging their Chase hopes.
2009 NASCAR Banking 500 at Lowes Motor Speedway
This Saturday night the 2009 Chase for the Cup visits Lowes Motor Speedway for the 2009 NASCAR Banking 500. Jimmie Johnson rolls into Lowes Motor Speedway this weekend with the point lead as he searches for his place in history as the first driver to ever win four titles in a row. Johnson has almost certainly reserved his place at the soon-to-open NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Jimmie Johnson Takes Chase Lead With Dominating Performance I…
The 2009 Pepsi 500 at Auto Club Speedway had a new October date and cooler temperatures. However the result was the same as Jimmie Johnson picked up the win for the third year in a row. This win moved Johnson past Mark Martin in the points to give him the lead for the first time in the 2009 Chase. This one had a bunch of interesting stories from the national anthem through the finish.
2009 Pepsi 500 at Auto Club Speedway
The 2009 Pepsi 500 takes off this weekend as race number four in the 2009 Chase for the Cup. This is Auto Club Speedway's first Chase race race as the track gave up Labor Day weekend to trade dates with Atlanta. Scheduling and TV ratings are on top of everyone's mind this weekend as NASCAR is planning changes for 2010.
Tony Stewart Beats Chasers For Kansas Win
Kansas Speedway didn't provide many surprises today as ten Chasers filled the top eleven positions at the checkers. When it was all said and done Tony Stewart stood in Victory Lane and there were very few changes in the 2009 Chase point standings.
2009 Price Chopper 400 at Kansas Speedway
Kansas Speedway is one of the so-called cookie-cutter race tracks that resemble many of the other modern tracks on the circuit. Scheduled right in the heart of The Chase this is a critical race. Can Mark Martin and Jimmie Johnson continue to pull away from the rest of the Chasers? Is this the week that another Chaser makes a big move?
Jimmie Johnson Completes 2009 Dover Sweep
Jimmie Johnson had the field covered today at Dover International Speedway. The 2009 AAA 400 was never really in doubt as Johnson dominated Dover for the second time in 2009 and completed the season sweep. Joey Logano made the highlight reel today as he barrel-rolled through turns three and four but walked away safely.
2009 AAA 400 at Dover International Speedway
After one race in the 2009 Chase for the Cup Mark Martin continues to lead the points. This Sunday the 2009 AAA 400 at Dover International Speedway is race number two in the 2009 Chase for the Cup. This race has a history of upsetting the Chase standings. Can Mark hold onto his Chase lead in Dover?
Mark Martin Extends Chase Lead With New Hampshire Win
The 2009 Sylvania 300 was the first race in the 2009 Chase for the Cup. Mark Martin came into the race as the number one Chase seed. Martin battled through a series of late race double-file restarts to claim the win and extend his Chase lead.
2009 Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway
The 2009 Sylvania 300 in New Hampshire is the first race of the 2009 Chase For The Cup. Ten drivers are within 40 points of the lead with only ten races remaining in the NASCAR Sprint Cup season. The Chase is NASCAR's version of the playoffs and it all begins this week in New Hampshire.
Vickers Races To 2009 Chase Spot
Since the Chase started Richmond International Raceway has had the honor of hosting the final race of NASCAR's regular season. The 2009 Chevy Rock & Roll 400 was one of the best as the battle for the final Chase spot was the closest in history. When the race ended just eight points separated 2009 Chase contender Brian Vickers from also-ran Kyle Busch.
2009t Chase Clinch Scenarios at Richmond International Raceway
The 2009 Rock & Roll 400 at Richmond International Raceway will determine the final 2009 Chase for the Cup contenders. Four drivers are locked in no matter what happens on Saturday night but eleven drivers still battle for eight remaining Chase spots. Who will be in and who will be out? It will all be settled this weekend in Richmond.
Kasey Kahne Outsprints Harvick To Score In Atlanta
The 2009 Pep Boys Auto 500 featured a new date and a new start time. This was Atlanta's first ever Sprint Cup night race as Atlanta took its place in the Race to the Chase. Chase drivers were the story this week. Six of the Chase contenders had problems tonight. Some were tripped up by their teams, some by their equipment and some tripped themselves.
Kyle Busch Revives Chase Hopes With Big Bristol Win
The 2009 Sharpie 500 was a key race in the 2009 Race to the Chase. Mark Martin came to Bristol needing a good race because he was on the bubble. Kyle Busch needed a good race to try to move up from fifteenth into legitimate contention. They both got what they needed with a 1-2 finish.
Brian Vickers Stretches Fuel For Michigan Win
For the second time in 2009 Jimmie Johnson held the lead in the closing laps at Michigan and came up short on fuel. This time it was Brian Vickers who was running second with three laps to go and made it to the checkers for the win in the 2009 CARFAX 400.
Tony Stewart Wins Again at The Glen
Once again rain tested the patience of NASCAR fans and drivers but the race went off on Monday under mostly sunny skies at Watkins Glen International. The day may have been new but the result looked familiar. For the fifth time in eight years Tony Stewart picked up the win at The Glen.
Denny Hamlin Holds On In Pocono
Pocono Raceway was washed out for the weekend as Mother Nature rained out qualifying on Friday and then pushed the start of the 2009 Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500 off until Monday. The race was quiet until the last thirty laps. Drivers turned up the aggression and there was plenty of excitement at the end.
Montoya's Miscue Opens Brickyard 400 Door For Jimmie Johnson
Juan Montoya looked like he was going to run away with the 2009 Allstate 400 at the Brickyard. Montoya lead 116 laps of the 160 lap race and was in front of Mark Martin by more than 4 seconds when he was caught speeding on pit road under green. This left Mark Martin and Jimmie Johnson to battle for the win. Martin took a shot in the closing laps but Jimmie Johnson closed the deal for his third Brickyard 400 victory.
Mark Martin Dominates at Chicagoland Speedway
The 2009 LifeLock.com 400 at Chicagoland Speedway delivered the race that Chicagoland is best known for. Mark Martin thoroughly dominated the event. There was some excitement at the end due to late race cautions and double-file restarts but Mark Martin came out on top.
Tony Stewart Wins Wild Daytona Finish
Daytona International Speedway hosted the Sprint Cup stars on the Fourth of July. This was quite a show as fans saw a typical restrictor plate finish. Kyle Busch was leading off of turn four on the final lap but never made it back to the finish line. Races like this are why many fans love Daytona.
Joey Logano Becomes Youngest Sprint Cup Winner In History With New Hampshire Win
Rookie Joey Logano became the youngest winner in NASCAR Sprint Cup history by winning the 2009 Lenox Industrial Tools 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Logano's crew chief Greg Zippadelli made a great call as rain loomed over NHMS and got Logano his first Sprint Cup win.
Kasey Kahne Takes Infineon For First Career Road Race Win
The 2009 Toyota / Save Mart 350 had teams talking about fuel mileage from the start. However, when the laps were winding down a steady stream of cautions let the drivers race hard for the win. Kasey Kahne survived a string of double-file restarts and claimed his first career road racing victory.
Mark Martin Makes Last Lap Pass In 2009 LifeLock 400
Mark Martin has seen many races slip away unexpectedly in his many years of racing. Today the racing Gods gave him one back as he went from third to first on the last lap to win the 2009 LifeLock 400 at Michigan International Speedway. Mark Martin only lead one lap, but it was the one that matters most.
Tony Stewart Wins 2009 Pocono 500 From the Back
The 2009 Pocono 500 was NASCAR's first event with the new double-file restart rule. Long green flag runs meant that the new rule didn't have much effect as this one came down to a fuel mileage race. Tony Stewart stretched his fuel to the max and claimed the first points win for his new Stewart-Haas Racing team.
Jimmie Johnson Takes Thrilling 2009 Autism Speaks 400 in Dover
The 2009 Autism Speaks 400 was a great sendoff for Fox for the year. Jimmie Johnson and Tony Stewart were side-by-side for the win inside the final ten laps with Johnson finally pulling out the win at the bitter end. This was a thrilling finish as Dover International Speedway delivered once again for the fans.
David Reutimann Picks Up First Career Win In Rainy 2009 Coca-Cola 600
The 2009 Coca-Cola 600 was run in short spurts in between the raindrops. David Reutimann's team made a great call to leave him out under caution. That caution turned into the final red flag and Reutimann scored his first Sprint Cup Series win without leaded a single green flag lap.
Sam Hornish Claims 2009 Sprint All-Star Showdown
The 2009 Sprint Showdown is the last chance for drivers to race their way into the 2009 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. This forty lap event is broken up into two twenty lap segments with a competition yellow in the middle where teams can pit if they choose to. Only the top two drivers make it from the Showdown into the All-Star Race and a shot at $1 million.
Mark Martin Wins 2009 Southern 500
Darlington Raceway is known for being tough. The 2009 Southern 500 reinforced that reputation as this race set a record for cautions. When the dust cleared Mark Martin had the best car and the best strategy and claimed the win.
Kyle Busch Celebrates 24th Birthday in Richmond's Victory Lane
The 2009 Crown Royal presents the Russ Friedman 400 was a tale of two races. The first half of the race went quickly as drivers were patient. The second half of the race saw the aggression turned up as rain was threatening. Kyle Busch dodged a rash of late cautions and made his way to Victory Lane on his 24th birthday.
Brad Keselowski Wins Amid Talladega Mayhem
Talladega Superspeedway bent up a lot of metal today and sent some fans to the hospital. Restrictor plate racing fans had a thrilling finish to love while plate racing haters saw way too many crashes. For better or worse today's 2009 Aaron's 499 was everything that we have come to expect from Talladega.
Mark Martin Returns to Victory Lane with 2009 Phoenix Win
Mark Martin returned to Victory Lane for the first time since October 2005. The 2009 Phoenix winner broke a 97 race losing streak with a convincing win from the pole in the 2009 Subway Fresh Fit 500.
Jeff Gordon Breaks Losing Streak with 2009 Texas Win
Although at the top of the points Jeff Gordon came into today's 2009 Samsung 500 at Texas Motor Speedway riding the longest losing streak of his career. Gordon hadn't been to Victory Lane in a point race since 2007 but left little doubt today as he ruled the closing laps to claim the win.
Jimmie Johnson Celebrates Hendrick Anniversary With Martinsville Win
Hendrick Motorsports is a NASCAR staple. 25 years ago this weekend they picked up their first career win. Today they celebrated that anniversary with a win in the 2009 Goody's Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway. Jimmie Johnson continued his impressive Martinsville streak with an aggressive late-race pass for the win.
Kyle Busch Rolls to Overdue Bristol Win
In the last two Sprint Cup races at Bristol Motor Speedway Kyle Busch has lead a combined 793 laps out of 1000 but only made it to Victory Lane once. Today Kyle Busch finished what he started last August and made it all the way to Victory Lane to claim the 2009 Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Kurt Busch Dominates 2009 Kobalt Tools 500
Atlanta Motor Speedway is famous for providing great racing and exciting finishes. Today's 2009 Kobalt Tools 500 was an exception to that rule as the race was dominated by Kurt Busch. A green-white-checkers "Overdrive" finish added some interest to the finish but this one was never really in doubt.
Kyle Busch Wins Caution-Filled 2009 Shelby 427
The 2009 Shelby 427 as Las Vegas Motor Speedway saw way-too-many cautions as the 2009 Shelby 427 set a record for yellows. Matt Kenseth came into the race with a chance to make NASCAR history but lasted less than ten laps as his motor blew.Kyle Busch would prove to be the best in Vegas as he was fastest at the end and claimed the win from the pole.
2009 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Point Standings
Kyle Busch and Todd Bodine each have one win and two top fives in the two races held so far in 2009. They are separated by just five points at the top of the 2009 Camping World Truck Series Points.
2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series Point Standings
As usual NASCAR Sprint Cup Series regulars dominate the top of the 2009 Nationwide Series point standings. Just two races in Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards are locked in battle at the top of the points.
2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Point Standings
The 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup season is just getting rolling. With two wins Matt Kenseth holds down the point lead over Jeff Gordon.
Matt Kenseth Wins Uneventful 2009 Auto Club 500
Today Matt Kenseth was able to back up his Daytona 500 victory with another 2009 win. Kenseth picked up today's 2009 Auto Club 500 at Auto Club Speedway in California.
Matt Kenseth Wins Rain-Shortened 2009 Daytona 500
The 2009 Daytona 500 was shortened by rain but not before fireworks happened on the track. Matt Kenseth scored the 2009 Daytona 500 win by being out front at the right time. The big story of the day was The Big One as Dale Earnhardt Jr. appeared to intentionally turn Brian Vickers after Vickers blocked him on the backstretch. This set off a ten car crash which knocked out some of the top contenders.
Jeff Gordon and Kyle Busch Claim Gatorade Duels
The 2009 Gatorade Duels provided lots of thrills today as the NASCAR Sprint Cup stars ran two 150 mile races to set the starting lineup for the 2009 Daytona 500. Jeff Gordon and Kyle Busch each won their qualifying races and will start in the second row on Sunday behind Truex and Martin.
Kevin Harvick Survives 2009 Budweiser Shootout to Claim Win
Saturday night's 2009 Budweiser Shootout marked the unofficial start of the NASCAR Sprint Cup season. Kevin Harvick survived an incident-littered race to claim the $200,000 win. By the time the checkered flag fell this race set a record for caution flags as less than half of the starting field made it to the finish.
2009 Daytona 500 Headquarters
It has been called "The Great American Race" and "The Super Bowl of NASCAR." No matter what you call it there is no doubt that the Daytona 500 is the biggest, most-prestigious event on the NASCAR Sprint Cup calendar.
2009 Raybestos Rookie of the Year Preview
The 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup season will see just two drivers eligible for the Raybestos Rookie of the Year honors. Former open-wheeler Scott Speed will square off against young phenom Joey Logano for the 2009 rookie crown.
2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Schedule
The 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup calendar is similar to previous seasons. The main difference is that Atlanta has moved to Labor Day weekend and Auto Club Speedway now has a date in the Chase. Here is the complete 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup schedule.
2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series Schedule
The NASCAR Nationwide series is NASCAR's #2 series. These races often feature a number of Sprint Cup series drivers. Here is the 2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series schedule.
2009 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Schedule
The 2009 NASCAR Truck Series has a new title sponsor as Craftsman leaves and Camping World takes their place. The racing is still some of the best in NASCAR. Here is the complete 2009 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series schedule.

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