Shocker: Dale Earnhardt Jr. wins Most Popular Driver award for ninth time

Do yourself a favor and sit down before you read this. Oh, you're already sitting down? OK, cool. Maybe lay down, then, and read this from a prone position. We don't want you to hurt yourself from the shock of the news we're about to tell you.

Ready? OK, here it is: Dale Earnhardt Jr. has won NASCAR's most popular driver award.

I know, crazy, right? But this is the world we're living in now. Junior was named the NASCAR National Motorsports Press Association's Most Popular Driver for the ninth straight year.

Junior took the highest number of the nearly 1.5 million votes cast in the 2011 effort, sponsored by Wheaties Fuel. He beat out the other nine finalists: Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, Jeff Gordon, Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne, Matt Kenseth, Bobby Labonte and Tony Stewart.

[ Related: Four-time Sprint Cup champion Jeff Gordon breakdances ]

You know the rest: Junior was honored, he's hoping to build on the momentum of this year, et cetera et cetera. To be sure, this was a turnaround year for Earnhardt, making the Chase after two straight seasons of disappointment, but he still lacks that elusive next win. Even so, the award shows that he's still got the fans' support, no matter how he runs.

Junior still has a ways to go to catch the all-time leader in Most Popular Driver awards; that would be Awesome Bill Elliott with 16. However, Earnhardt could match Elliott's consecutive streak with 10 if he wins again next year.

So, yes, those of you who wonder what all the fuss is over Junior: this is it. He's got a hell of a lot of fans, like it or not. And these are the diehards. Just imagine what would happen if the dude started winning.

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Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/blog/from_the_marbles/post/Shocker-Dale-Earnhardt-Jr-wins-Most-Popular-Dr?urn=nascar-wp5534

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Has Hamilton finally turned the corner?

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson/2011/11/somehow_you_suspected_that_aft.html

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Bravo to Kurt Busch for seeing a sports psychologist

Amid the festivities and silliness of Champions Week, there have been some serious, even sobering moments. Kurt Busch, who's had a rough season from a public relations perspective, acknowledged this week that he's seeing a sports psychologist.

"I need to be a better person on the radio, to the team, as a leader," Busch said. "It's personal issues, of course, and working with a sports psychologist, I've gotten obviously a small grasp, but there's obviously bigger things that I need to accomplish and things can't happen overnight."

[ Related: Four-time Sprint Cup champion Jeff Gordon breakdances ]

Busch marred a promising year with several outbursts, ranging from profane radio chatter to unruly behavior at Richmond to a foul-mouthed shot at Homestead captured on YouTube. He became a walking punch line ? we too got in on the jokes ? who could explode in rage at any moment.

But the revelation that he's seeing a sports psychologist is very good news indeed. Certainly, there will be those who can't understand this, who see this as either quack science or a way of dodging those "personal issues." That's completely the wrong approach to take here.

Most of us can't possibly understand what it's like to compete at this level. Sorry, but chances are your job and mine aren't the kinds that jack your adrenaline through the roof for hours on end and involve the very real threat of bodily harm. So it's not surprising that you see guys act like Kurt Busch. What's surprising is that you don't see more like him.

Busch conceded, though, that the environment is no excuse, and acknowledged how much harm one can do to one's image with just a single outburst. "You can work 364 days on being positive and building toward a better platform, and it can take just one day to knock it all back," he said. "I need to harness what happens in the race car and keep it there, and then I need to step out of the car and understand that if we didn't reach our goal for that day or that moment, that it's going to be all right at the end."

None of this is meant to say Busch is mentally ill. But the brain needs a tune-up every now and then, too. Bravo to Busch for recognizing that, and for taking the necessary steps. As much fun as it is to hear him explode, it's got that watching-a-car-crash voyeuristic element to it ... if that car was self-destructive and driving itself into guard rails at every turn. Best of luck to Busch with the treatment.

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Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/blog/from_the_marbles/post/Bravo-to-Kurt-Busch-for-seeing-a-sports-psycholo?urn=nascar-wp5540

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2012 MotoGP Calendar Changes: Qatar A Week Earlier, Jerez Confirmed, Calendar Still Provisional

The MotoGP schedule for the 2012 season has been tweaked a little, and there is some good news for fans: the season starts seven days earlier, with the Qatar MotoGP round having been moved up a week to April 8th. The move is in response to the Formula One calendar, which sees the Chinese Grand Prix scheduled for April 15th, the date originally planned for Qatar, and so the decision was taken to start the MotoGP season a week earlier.

The other changes to the calendar are merely confirmations of what had been widely expected. The German GP is now officially set to take place at the Sachsenring, although as the contracts are yet to be completed, the date is still listed as being subject to contract. Those contracts are a mere formality, however, as the ADAC and the regional government came to an agreement earlier this month to keep the German round of MotoGP at the circuit in Hohenstein-Ernstthal. The Jerez round has also been confirmed, with the mayor of the circuit stepping in to ensure the 2012 date. Beyond 2012 is another matter, however, as the circuit is still in financial turmoil, stemming from alterations made back in 2001, and with new rounds in Argentina and Texas scheduled for 2013, Jerez could well be dropped after that date.

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MotoGPMatters/~3/BIGKyRVsguo/2012_motogp_calendar_changes_qatar_a_wee.html

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Brace Yourself For The Off-Season Crew Members

The next couple of weeks will be a time for celebration in NASCAR. We’ll crown three different champions this weekend and then head to the respective banquets. It was a season of improved ratings, competition and the first Cup champion not named Jimmie Johnson since 2005. As some celebrate next week, a lot of others [...]

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Tip: Don?t steal your date?s car, especially not during the date

Well, Michael Pratt is bold. Smart? Probably not.

While on a date at the movies, Pratt asked to borrow his date's car keys because he left something in the car. Innocent enough, right?

From the St. Petersburg Times:

She called him.

He laughed.

"I stole your car," said Michael Pratt, a 27-year-old from New Port Richey, according to the Pasco Sheriff's Office.

He hung up.

Believe it or not, Pratt got away with it for a while because the woman didn't call the sheriff's office until two days after the fateful date because Pratt wouldn't return her calls. Maybe he was a strict adherent of the 72 hour rule?

However, all dating rules probably go out the window after you've stolen your date's car. It would take a special bond for a stolen car not to come between people.

Ultimately, Pratt dumped the car in a Wal-Mart parking lot and was arrested on Wednesday. He was charged with grand theft auto, a crime he's already spent a year in jail for previously, among other things.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/blog/from_the_marbles/post/Tip-Don-t-steal-your-date-s-car-especially-not?urn=nascar-wp5773

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The Paddock Pulse: December 21 Edition

Source: http://www.popoffvalve.com/2011/12/21/2650476/indycar-the-paddock-pulse-december-21-edition

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Your 2012 Budweiser Shootout field

The criteria to qualify for the 2012 Budweiser Shootout was released on Wednesday and once again it's different than it was the previous year.

The 2012 field for the Daytona exhibition race will include the top 25 drivers in driver points and past Daytona winners (any driver who has won a Daytona 500, Coke Zero 400 or Budweiser Shootout).

The result? Well, the odds are that your favorite driver is eligible, because a whopping 33 drivers can run the race. The field is listed below, though it'd take less time to tell you who's not eligible to run the race.

Tony Stewart
Carl Edwards
Kevin Harvick
Matt Kenseth
Brad Keselowski
Jimmie Johnson
Dale Earnhardt Jr
Jeff Gordon
Denny Hamlin
Ryan Newman
Kurt Busch
Kyle Busch
Clint Bowyer
Kasey Kahne
A.J. Allmendinger
Greg Biffle
Paul Menard
Martin Truex Jr.
Marcos Ambrose
Jeff Burton
Juan Pablo Montoya
Mark Martin
David Ragan
Joey Logano
Brian Vickers
Bill Elliott (previous Daytona 500, Coke Zero 400, Budweiser Shootout winner)
Geoff Bodine (previous Daytona 500 and Budweiser Shootout winner)
Derrike Cope (previous Daytona 500 winner)
Michael Waltrip (previous Daytona 500, Coke Zero 400 winner)
Jamie McMurray (previous Daytona 500, Coke Zero 400 winner)
Trevor Bayne (previous Daytona 500 winner)
Terry Labonte (previous Budweiser Shootout winner)
Ken Schrader (previous Budweiser Shootout winner)

Will all 33 drivers attempt the race? At this point it's impossible to say yes. Kurt Busch Ragan, Vickers, Elliott, Bodine, Cope, Bayne, Labonte and Schrader all do not have Sprint Cup rides lined up for 2012 and Martin and Waltrip are slated to share the No. 00 for Waltrip's team. Busch won last year's event.

Perhaps the large field is the precursor to NASCAR banning radio communication between different teams in another effort to break up the tandem drafting. A large pack would be the best possible way to find out if any potential rules changes could break up the 2x2 racing.

Last year's Budweiser Shootout field was the 2010 Chase field, past Sprint Cup champions, past Daytona winners and the rookie of the year winners from 2001-2010.

This year's Shootout is Saturday, February 18, and will be a two-segment 75 lap race.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/blog/from_the_marbles/post/Your-2012-Budweiser-Shootout-field?urn=nascar-wp5743

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Nico Hulkenberg: ?I?ve learned in different ways?

Nico Hulkenberg says that he?s a much stronger driver after his year as Sahara Force India?s reserve. The German drove in 14 practice sessions over the course of 2011, and did enough to justify a race seat for next season. … Continue reading →

Source: http://adamcooperf1.com/2011/12/23/nico-hulkenberg-ive-learned-in-different-ways/

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Luis Perez Sala: ?HRT is a little behind other teams?

Most people have better things to do on a Saturday afternoon before Christmas, but today the hard working HRT press office has dispatched a Q&A with new team principal Luis Perez Sala. Given that the team is undergoing change ? … Continue reading →

Source: http://adamcooperf1.com/2011/12/17/luis-perez-sala-hrt-is-a-little-behind-other-teams/

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Hamilton on path to redemption

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson/2011/10/post_3.html

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Jolly Green Sea Turtles...

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/nofenders/zbjv/~3/-n6dXelPkPo/jolly-green-sea-turtles.html

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Heikki Kovalainen - Classic F1

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Video: BMW 640d M Sport Review

Posted on 12.24.2011 23:00 by Simona Filed under: BMW | coupe | video | BMW 6-Series | luxury cars | BMW M-series | diesel cars | Cars | Car News

Right after unveiling the new 6-Series Coupe, BMW unveiled its M-Sport package to jazz up the coupe that much more. British magazine, Fifth Gear, then went out to test whether the added package was worthy of the added price tag.

When equipped with the M-Sport package, the BMW 6-Series gets special M-Sport elements, including a new front bumper, rear diffuser, side skirts, wheels, and dark chrome tail pipes. Fifth Gear tested the 640d model, specifically, which means they were working with a twin turbocharged diesel powerplant that delivers a total of 313 HP and 464 lbs-ft of torque. This engine allows the vehicle to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.5 seconds and hit a top speed of 155 mph. It delivers a fuel economy of 51.4 mpg.

Fifth Gear’s conclusion was that the BMW 640d M-Sport is an incredible mixture of power, fuel economy, luxury, and excitement. Too bad we won’t be seeing the diesel coupe on our side of the pond anytime soon, if ever.

gallery: 2012 BMW 6-Series M-Sport

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Video: BMW 640d M Sport Review originally appeared on topspeed.com on Saturday, 24 December 2011 23:00 EST.

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Source: http://www.topspeed.com/cars/car-news/video-bmw-640d-m-sport-review-ar121888.html

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Wheldon Incident Investigation Results

Source: http://www.16thandgeorgetown.com/2011/12/wheldon-incident-investigation-results.html

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Green Cars Placed Under Spotlight At the Tokyo Motor Show

The green cars were put under the spotlight at the Tokyo auto show, while Japanese automakers turned over to the efficient technology of fuels to reinvigorate its growth after difficult times. The exhibition, which is fundamental to the Japanese automotive industry, left the media prior to visit and open to the public Saturday. Plug-in hybrids [...]

Source: http://www.autocarblog.co.uk/112-green-cars-placed-under-spotlight-at-the-tokyo-motor-show.html

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The NASCAR Week That Was: Nov. 6-12

Kyle Busch was talk of the week after last weekend’s suspension. On Monday, NASCAR fined the driver $50,000 and put him on probation through the end of the year. Busch’s sponsor Mars opted after the incident to pull sponsorship for the remainder of the season. Busch was also pulled from the remaining Nationwide races after [...]

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Another legendary Race Team turns OUT the Lights

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/nofenders/zbjv/~3/5OSRENGI17g/another-legendary-race-team-turns-out.html

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Jolly Green Sea Turtles...

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/nofenders/zbjv/~3/-n6dXelPkPo/jolly-green-sea-turtles.html

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Want a NASCAR chassis? An old COT wing? Here?s your chance

Ever dreamed of having a NASCAR show car to call your own? Or wondered if you could have a COT wing after they were replaced by the spoilers that are on the current cars?

Well, if you've got some spare cash lying around, you're in luck. Richard Childress Racing is auctioning off some equipment and parts on December 6. (We hear that driveshafts make great Christmas presents.)

Some of the items up for bid include the car chassis , an old Clint Bowyer or Casey Mears era Jack Daniel's show car without the drive train, random car parts and even a copier and an ice maker. RCR is downsizing from four Sprint Cup teams to three after the departure of Bowyer to Michael Waltrip Racing.

If you want some of the stuff, you can sign up at the auction site. We're thinking that this may be a great time to finally go through with our threats to start our own NASCAR team. There seem to be plenty of qualified drivers available.

(If you participate in the online auction or head on over in person, drop us a line. We'd love to see the gas can you purchase.)

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/blog/from_the_marbles/post/Want-a-NASCAR-chassis-An-old-COT-wing-Here-s-y?urn=nascar-wp5518

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