Garage Talk Live

Hosted by: Vince Bonfigli

Pocono July 30-Aug 1 Coverage

Stewart on the Pole, Hamlin and Newman fined for comments made

Tammy Longacre

Long Pond, PA - Tony Stewart took the top spot for Sunday’s Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500 at Pocono Speedway on Friday with a qualifying speed of 171.393.   He will  lead the field to the green with Juan Pablo Montoya .   Denny Hamlin, Jeff Gordon and Ryan Newman round out the top 5 starting spots for Sundays race.  

Both Ryan Newman and Denny Hamlin admitted that they were assessed  fines this week for comments that were  considered “critical”.  While NASCAR did not reveal the exact comments made, Newman implied that his comment was made after his crash at Talladega, and Hamlin mentioned that his may have been for comments made on Twitter.  NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston stated, "It is the sanctioning body's obligation on behalf of the industry and our fans to protect the sport's brand."

Stewart talked prior to qualifying about the recent penalties imposed against teammate Ryan Newman and how negative comments have had an affect on the NASCAR community as a whole.  He noted that the sport and the racing seen on track is “the best that is has ever been and more competitive than it has ever been and that everyone has become so spoiled and have lost site of what this sport has become.”  He continued on to say that when anyone who makes a living off the sport, including drivers and the media members, makes a negative remark about the sport, “we are all shooting ourselves in the foot convincing people that stuff is bad.”  His remarks were echoed by reigning champion Jimmie  Johnson. 

 

 

Elliot Sadler wins the pole and  inaugural Camping World Truck Series Pocono Mountains 125

Tammy Longacre

Long Pond, PA - Elliot Sadler set the speed to beat in practice, and after the new qualifying system tried at  Pocono for the inaugural Camping World Truck Series Pocono Mountains 125 , he was the pole sitter.  At the end of the day, he joined an elite group of drivers that have won a race in all of the top 3 divisions of NASCAR, as he ended his wait to be back in victory lane, by bringing home the win in the final laps of the event.  Kasey Kahne finished second, followed by Matt Crofton, Aric Almirola and Juston  Lofton rounded out the top 5.

 

Sadler was driving the Grand Touring Vodka,  Harvick owned entry in Saturday’s Camping World Truck Series event at Pocono.  He currently drives the number 19, owned by Richard Petty Motorsports in the Cup Series, but had announced on July 9 that he will not be back in that ride in 2011.  His last win came on Sept. 5, 2004 in the Cup series at Fontana. 

 

 

 

Roush Teams carry the motto “Get Back to the Track Jack”, while Biffle returns to Victory Lane

Tammy Longacre

Long Pond, PA -  Greg Biffle celebrated an emotional victory for Roush Racing on Sunday at Pocono.  His car carried decals that said “Get back to the track Jack”, for car owner Jack Roush who was in a plane crash earlier in the week and suffered facial injuries.  He charged to the front after a late race pit stop where he took 2 tires and fuel, and sat on the front row with Sam Hornish for the restart.  Once Biffle took the lead, he pulled away from the field, and never looked back, ending his 64 race winless streak, and bringing home Ford’s first win of the year.  Tony Stewart came home second, followed by Carl Edwards, Kevin Harvick and Denny Hamlin.

 

Elliot Sadler had a hard crash, after Kurt Busch spun out from contact with Jimmie Johnson.    Sadler’s car ended up going nose first into a guardrail, with enough force that the motor became separated from the chassis of the car.  Elliot emerged from the car and then laid on the ground to catch his breath from the impact.  The car was towed away on one flat bed, while the engine was on a separate tow vehicle.  "I'm fine. I'm OK," Sadler said after being checked over in the infield care center. "I'm a little sore, I think, from where the belts grabbed me. It knocked the breath out of me pretty good, but it's definitely the hardest hit I've ever had in a race car. “

 

The race had 5 cautions for a total of 31 laps, and 2 red flag periods.  There were 19 lead changes between 9 different drivers, with Jimmie Johnson leading the most laps.  Kevin Harvick continues to lead the points, followed by Jeff Gordon,  Denny Hamlin, Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Burton.  The teams will now head to New York to tackle the  Watkins Glen road course.