NASCAR (in English)

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http://www.nascar.com/news/110107/ev...ler/index.html

Evolution of the pit stop

From 45 seconds to 11 seconds. From mechanics to trained athletes. Things have changed dramatically on pit road in the past 50 years. Joe Menzer sat down with five legends of the pit stop to get their thoughts on how much things have evolved.

Video: A roundtable discussion with Wood, Inman, Shelmerdine, Evernham and Miller

http://www.nascar.com/video/none/non...top/index.html



Ray Evernham, Kirk Shelmerdine, Leonard Wood, Greg Miller and Dale Inman have all played a pivotal role in where pit stops are today.

Evolution of the pit stop
Five of NASCAR's best in the pits talk about how much has changed in 50 years



Roundtable

Joe Menzer sat down with five icons from pit road -- Leonard Wood, Dale Inman, Kirk Shelmerdine, Ray Evernham and Greg Miller -- and discussed how dramatically things have changed on pit road throughout the years.

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Bright star fading

A little more than a year ago, Fred Lorenzen was moved into a nursing home after being diagnosed with the onset of dementia. For his friends and family, the decline of a man once at NASCAR's pinnacle is hard to fathom on so many levels.

Video: Lorenzen discusses first contract and career's biggest victory

http://www.nascar.com/video/cup/2009...car/index.html

As dementia slows Lorenzen, daughter appreciates his NASCAR legacy



He remembers every single thing from racing like it was yesterday. It's incredible. ... When I talk to him about what's going on right now, it's not that crystal clear. It's interesting how the mind works. -- Amanda Gardstrom

There are glorious moments when Fearless Freddy returns, and the triggers are almost always the same. The very best days he enjoys now take place when Lorenzen talks about racing, when in his mind's eye he's back behind the wheel of the famed No. 28 Holman Moody Ford. He's winning the biggest races the sport has to offer all over again. He's back on top of the world.

The Golden Boy

Fred Lorenzen never ran even close to a full schedule in NASCAR's Grand National ranks, what would today be considered the Sprint Cup Series. The races he did run, however, were something to behold.

Between 1961 and 1967, the years he captured his first and last victories, Lorenzen won 26 times in 112 starts.
Just one of Lorenzen's victories came on a paved track of less than a half-mile in length, and just one took place on dirt.

In 1963, Lorenzen started just 29 of the season's 55 races. He made the most of his time on the track that year, though, winning six times and posting 23 top-10s on the way to becoming the first NASCAR competitor to earn more than $100,000 in a single season. The handsome young superstar was good, alright. He was better than good.

Prior to the 1964 season, Waddell Wilson moved over from Fireball Roberts' Holman Moody team to work with Lorenzen building engines and jacking the car during pit stops. Wilson and Lorenzen hit it off immediately, the common denominator being, Wilson says, a shared desire to win. After stumbling through their first four races together, Lorenzen reeled off wins in his next five starts.

He worked on the race car at the shop and at the race track, just like we did.

"He knew every part about that race car, what it took to make it do what he wanted it to do. He was the first person I ever saw measure tires. He'd come to the race track race morning, and he'd be back there behind the pits selecting out his tire sets. He was ahead of his time."

Roberts and Lorenzen were Holman Moody teammates for a little more than a year, and they became close. Lorenzen finished fourth in the May 24, 1964 World 600 at Charlotte. He'd started second, and saw the accident take place.

Junior Johnson and Ned Jarrett got caught up on the eighth lap, and Roberts looped his car to avoid them. The car backed into a concrete wall on the backstretch, flipped and caught on fire. Although he rallied substantially in the coming days and weeks, Roberts died a little more than a month later on July 2.

When asked years later if Roberts' passing impacted him, Lorenzen replied very briefly, "Yep ... did." More than 40 years later, Lorenzen took a long pause before finally adding, "It hurt. He was a very good friend of mine, very close. I saw it happen. I saw it coming, the accident. He didn't have a fire suit on."

The very next time back at Charlotte, Lorenzen won in his final start of 1964. He won again in a rain-shortened Daytona 500 the following year, and then took home yet another Charlotte trophy a few months later. This time it was for the World 600, the same event that cost his friend's life the year before. He ran several races in 1966, and just five more in 1967. After a brief comeback attempt in the early 1970s, Lorenzen's career was over.

At 33, Gardstrom was born well after her father's heyday in the sport as was her older brother, Christopher. She never knew much about his time in NASCAR, and only now is she beginning to piece together why.

The trophy room

For all the hurt caused by the loss of Roberts and the inevitable frustrations that are simply a part of NASCAR, he missed it. The sport was very much a part of him. Still, over the years, Lorenzen turned down offer after offer to make appearances at various tracks. It wasn't that he didn't want to go, Gardstrom now realizes.

No, Lorenzen probably wanted to go a little too much.

"He missed it," Gardstrom said. "The way for him to deal with it for the rest of his life -- missing it, loving it and having so much passion for it -- was to not be a part of it."


Lorenzen with daughter Amanda Gardstrom and granddaughter Ella.

It was not until Lorenzen finally accepted an offer to attend festivities surrounding the 50th running of the Daytona 500 in 2008 that it truly began to sink in just what her father had meant to so many people. Even then, Gardstrom says her dad tried to find a way out of attending the event.

He demanded that he and his family be flown in on a private jet, thinking that would kill the deal. It didn't.

"My dad was joking," Gardstrom said. "He tried to make it as outlandish as possible, so that it would turn on the other guy and he wouldn't have to go. They sent the private jet. He said, 'Pack your bags. We're going!'"

The decline

At some point in the future, Lorenzen will follow other trophies of his into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte. His place as an inductee is almost assured, and Gardstrom hopes against hope that the honor comes sooner rather than later.

Watch: The Pride of NASCAR: Fred Lorenzen

http://www.nascar.com/news/110107/florenzen-legacy/null

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http://www.nascar.com/news/110110/20...iew/index.html

Still the one

Another year, still the same favorite. The NASCAR.COM staff made their picks for driver to beat in 2011 and Jimmie Johnson was the nearly unanimous choice. But there were others in the conversation with the ability to dethrone the five-time champ.

More: Top 5: Drivers to watch in 2011

http://www.nascar.com/news/101231/to...011/index.html



Of NASCAR.COM's top five races of 2010, which race was your favorite?
No. 1: Talladega in April = 33 %
No. 4: Daytona 500 = 29 %
No. 3: Bristol Night Race = 25 %
No. 2: Martinsville in April = 7 %
No. 5: Brickyard 400 = 6 %
Total Votes: 19886



Vickers back in car, testing at Orlando
Turns first laps of 2011, says everything fits 'just like I left it.'



KHI names Carrier chief of third team
Team adds the No. 8 in the Truck Series with Piquet behind the wheel.
Piquet to drive



With five championships on the mantle, Jimmie Johnson is once again the preseason favorite.
Johnson the driver to beat in '11
Staff says five-time champ the favorite, with Hamlin, Edwards top challengers







KHI names Carrier chief of third Truck Series team
Kevin Harvick Inc. announced Monday that Chris Carrier will lead the organization's third Truck Series team as crew chief in 2011. The No. 8, will be driven full time by Nelson Piquet Jr.
Carrier, who has more than 30 years of experience in the sport, has wins as a crew chief in each of NASCAR's top-three series.
Piquet will begin his full-time Truck Series effort in the No. 8 on Feb. 18 at Daytona International Speedway

Piquet Jr., 25, competed in five truck races last season for two teams. He scored a best finish of sixth at Daytona.
He finished on the lead lap in four of his five starts, and also had an eighth at Texas and a 10th at Michigan.
He made his Nationwide debut at Watkins Glen, where he finished seventh.

Piquet, son of former Formula One champion Nelson Piquet, will be considered a rookie and compete for the rookie title.

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http://www.nascar.com/news/110110/ru...hip/index.html

Can only pick one

The driver application for the 2011 season has been sent out and there is a new box drivers have to check -- in which series will you accumulate driver points.

More: France to meet with teams in the coming weeks

http://www.nascar.com/news/110110/bf...ams/index.html


Which driver has the best chance of dethroning Jimmie Johnson (#48 Chevy) as Cup Series champion?
#29 Kevin Harvick 26% - Chevy
#24 Jeff Gordon 24% - Chevy
#11 Denny Hamlin 23% - Toyota
#18 Kyle Busch 16% - Toyota
#99 Carl Edwards 12% - Ford
Total Votes: 13666



Vickers back in car, testing at Orlando
Hopes session puts to rest any speculation about his health in '11.



Faith Motorsports to run two cars in '11
Shepherd, Rowe to run five races under Faith banner, hope for more.
Charity trip matters


2010 highlights:
Cup race at the Glen
Take a look back at the race at Watkins Glen as Juan Montoya snapped a 113 race winless streak.
Montoya highlights

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http://www.nascar.com/news/110113/20...iew/index.html

Keep an eye out

Opinions were split when NASCAR.COM writers were asked who was worthy of a spot on their radar. Paul Menard alone got multiple votes; other contenders made the cut.

More: Topping expectations | Less than predicted | Drivers to beat



Of the four drivers who won a race last year but didn't make the Chase, which is most likely to make the cut in 2011?

#1 Jamie McMurray 49 %
#39 Ryan Newman 32%
#42 Juan Montoya 12%
#00 David Reutimann 7%

Menard tops list of drivers to watch for 2011
Staff picks, while divided, also include Logano, Newman and Kyle Busch



Montoya, Logano favorites to exceed expectations
Staff opinions split as Bowyer, Earnhardt among those receiving votes



Opinions mixed on who won't meet expectations
Staff says Hamlin, Earnhardt Jr., McMurray among those that could fall short in '11





Restrictor plate size reduced for final test
Call made after speeds at repaved Daytona neared 200 mph.


Wood Brothers hope to start with Bayne
No. 21 has no deals done, but Bayne testing for second time.
No. 21 highlights


Evernham free to work on own terms
Caraviello: No longer under team constraints, destiny again his own.
Working with Hendrick
Once again, Evernham can work on his own terms


I will do projects if other NASCAR teams brought projects ... But I don't have an interest in being a crew chief, going to races every week, or ever certainly being a full-time owner again.


Bodine set to run three Daytona races
For the first time in 24-year career, Bodine to compete in all three.
Two-time Truck champ to take wheel in Cup, Nationwide races as well

Lofton joins Germain
Lofton joins Germain Racing lineup for 2011
Second-year driver excited to work with defending Truck Series champ Bodine


Martin joins Turner for Nationwide, Truck
Veteran signs on for select races at some of his favorite tracks.


"I’ve got to get back to Victory Lane in the Dollar General car so I can keep Kyle [Busch] from breaking my Nationwide record." -- MARK MARTIN


Elledge chief of No. 31
Elledge named crew chief for Allgaier in 2011
Turner Motorsports announced Wednesday that veteran crew chief Jimmy Elledge has joined the team to lead the efforts of the No. 31 Chevrolet driven by Justin Allgaier.


SHR to train, employ No. 78 team's crew
Smith's over-the-wall pit crew to come from Stewart-Haas stables.
DENVER, Colo. -- Regan Smith's No. 78 over-the-wall pit crew for Furniture Row Racing will be employed and trained by Stewart-Haas Racing during the 2011 Sprint Cup season.

Smith set for Shootout
Past rookies of the year added to Bud Shootout
Award winners from 2001-10 join list of 30 cars for season-opening race
Regan Smith 2008 rookie of the year


Auto Club drops Cup race to 400 miles
Taking cue from October race, track to feature shorter race.
After October experience, track opts for fewer laps, more action for March date
October's "gem" resulted in a Tony Stewart victory by 0.466 seconds over Clint Bowyer -- one of the closest races ever recorded at the Southern California facility.

* Seats in the Auto Club Members section are available at discounts up to 50 percent.
* With the purchase of a $75 upper reserved seat, fans will receive a free pre-race pit pass.
* Save $10 on any ticket for the March 26 Nationwide Series race.


Marks returning to the Truck Series
Will race full time with Turn One; sponsor to be named later.

Turn One Racing announced Tuesday that Justin Marks will drive the No. 66 Chevrolet full-time in the Camping World Truck Series, starting with the season-opener at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 18.


Sunoco offering free fuel, 2011 Explorer in contest

Sunoco, Inc., the official fuel of NASCAR, has launched the "Decal Race"-- a contest that gives customers a chance to win a 2011 Ford Explorer or free fuel for an entire year. All contestants need to do is take a picture of a car with a Sunoco decal on the bumper, and upload it to www.decalrace.com where they can enter to win.

Consumers can create an online profile, which allows them to upload and share photos when they see a decal out on the road. Sunoco rewards the member who has uploaded the most photos each week with a $100 gift card, and each photo submitted automatically enters them into a grand prize drawing of a 2011 Ford Explorer.

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http://www.nascar.com/news/110115/ti...nse/index.html

The more things change ...

As drivers choose which series they'll compete in for a title, David Caraviello wonders just how much change, if any, is in store for the Nationwide Series this season.

More: Drivers now have to make tough decision | France, teams to meet

Under new Nationwide rule, will anything change?
Series will almost certainly look the same, with Cup drivers owning win column

NASCAR drivers must elect championships in '11
Martin joins Turner for Nationwide, Truck races



If Brad Keselowski wants to repeat as Nationwide champion, he won't be able to compete for the Cup title.

NASCAR drivers must elect championships in '11
Must declare on application if they will collect points in Cup, Nationwide or Truck

Drivers in NASCAR's three national series will have to elect a single championship to chase in 2011, eliminating the ability of drivers such as Brad Keselowski, Carl Edwards and Paul Menard -- who were full-time double-dippers in 2010 -- to chase two championships at once.

"Of course I checked 'Nationwide,' " Wallace said. "These are changing times. So the details you'd be looking for are in section 17-3 of the rule book. [Last] Friday was the first day [they were available]."

France to meet with teams in the coming weeks

NASCAR typically does not make public what it plans to discuss with the teams. But last summer, executives of several teams met separately from NASCAR to talk about potential solutions to cost containment issues such as the number of people that travel on race weekends and the current ban on testing at tracks that have NASCAR national touring series events.



Seven are unanimous to make Chase in '11
As for the other five ... well, opinions vary in NASCAR.COM poll.
Topping expectations



Jamie McMurray and Juan Montoya hope to have the final laugh on those NASCAR.COM staffers who think the EGR teammates will narrowly miss out on the Chase in 2011.

Seven drivers unanimous picks to return to Chase
Burton, Biffle, Busch among those that could miss the postseason party in 2011

NASCAR.COM Chase Predictions - TOTAL
8 Points = 5 Chevy + 2 Toyota
Clint Bowyer #33 Chevy
Kyle Busch #18 Toyota
Jeff Gordon #24 Chevy
Denny Hamlin #11 Toyota
Kevin Harvick #29 Chevy
Jimmie Johnson #48 Chevy
Tony Stewart #14 Chevy
7 Points
Carl Edwards #99 Ford
6 Points
Matt Kenseth #17 Ford
5 Points
Greg Biffle #16 Ford
Kurt Busch #2 Dodge
4 Points
Jamie McMurray #1 Chevy
Juan Montoya #42 Chevy
3 Points
Ryan Newman #39 Chevy
2 Points
Joey Logano #20 Toyota
Mark Martin #5 Chevy
1 Point
Jeff Burton #31 Chevy
Dale Earnhardt Jr. #88 Chevy

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The more things change ...

As drivers choose which series they'll compete in for a title, David Caraviello wonders just how much change, if any, is in store for the Nationwide Series this season.

More: Drivers now have to make tough decision | France, teams to meet


Which Cup Series driver driving for a new team in 2011 will have the best season?
#4 Kasey Kahne (Red Bull Racing Team) 50 %
#27 Paul Menard (Richard Childress Motorsports) 32 %
#9 Marcos Ambrose (Richard Petty Motorsports) 12 %
# Bobby Labonte (JTG Daugherty Racing) 7 %


Stewart questioned following altercation
Police interview driver stemming from incident at Australia track.
Stewart highlights


2010 highlights: Budweiser Shootout
The Shootout is less than 30 days away. Take a look back at the action from last year's race.
'11 Shootout lineup


2010 highlights: Subway Fresh 600
Ryan Newman gambled in Phoenix and it led to his first win since '08. Watch all the highlights.
Newman highlights


2010 highlights: LifeLock.com 400
Relive last year's race at Chicagoland as David Reutimann silenced his critics with the win.
Reutimann highlights


Best of Rutledge at Large: Make a deal
Rutledge and Kyle Petty take some time off to visit a garage sale in Michigan.
No. 4: Ping-pong play

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Making a difference

Juan and Connie Montoya having been changing kids' lives through their Formula Smiles foundation since 2003. But the offseason gives the Montoyas the opportunity to witness first-hand the positive changes their foundation provides.

More: Montoya to drive in Rolex 24 | NASCAR Foundation | Shop: Montoya gear



Juan Montoya has been helping children through his foundation since 2003.
Montoya helps children in Miami on eve of season
Offseason provides opportunity to give back to kids in Colombia, United States

NASCAR driver Juan Montoya and his wife, Connie, became parents for the third time last year, and they're enjoying the experience tremendously.



There's a lot of foundations that look after [adults] -- where they're gonna eat [and] where they're gonna sleep. But nobody really cares about what the kids do, and we're trying to provide education through sports -- how to be a team player, to share and to respect -- to get them off drugs and bad habits.

http://foundation.nascar.com/NetComm...=183&srcid=183



The NASCAR Foundation Contributes $3.3 Million In Charitable Support And Unites Record Number Of Volunteers In 2010

http://foundation.nascar.com/NetComm...e.aspx?pid=206

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http://www.nascar.com/news/110118/ch...013/index.html

Car of the future

Although we're on the threshold of the 2011 season it's never too early to start thinking about the future, and that's exactly what Chevrolet is doing with its 2013 redesign.

More: Peformance cars being targeted; Camaro, pehaps?

Chevrolet working hard on its car of the future
Among changes slated for 2013 is the redesign to an identifiable street look

For Chevrolet, that means more closely aligning what fans will see on the track to what they manufacture for the street.

We are working on a car for 2013 that will look like a production car that will be in the market at that time.

In any case, the manufacturers believe they are getting more of a say as to the style details of the next generation Cup car. Campbell said NASCAR chairman Brian France, president Mike Helton and vice president of competition Robin Pemberton are working together with carmakers to return the sport to its "race on Sunday, sell on Monday" roots.

"But it's hard work. You can't let up for a minute. While things like 2013 seem like a long ways away, they're really not. A lot of the work has to be under way, and it is."

France has spoken about the possibility of eliminating carburetors in favor of fuel injection, a move that Campbell wholeheartedly supports.

What are the next elements of technology we can bring in? It's about relevant technologies that don't drive the cost so high that you can't get a return on investment, where the costs of competing become unaffordable.

"That's a delicate balance. That's almost a technology-by-technology decision we have to make in conjunction with the sanctioning body. In the end, they set the rules. What we need to do is make sure we're being clear with them on what the priorities are."

At the same time, Campbell supports NASCAR's due diligence when it comes to keeping drivers safe.

Even though attendance and television ratings for Cup events have eroded in recent years, General Motors still sees value in participating in NASCAR, according to Campbell.

"The motorsports platform at Chevrolet accounts for over half of the leads we get from sales promotion platforms in general," Campbell said. "We still have amazing scale and reach in this sport. So we will not miss that opportunity to help us drive our business with that scale and reach."

http://www.nascar.com/2010/news/feat...els/index.html

Ford will run the Mustang when the Nationwide Series debuts its new car.
Pony up: Performance cars possibility for Cup by '13



Braces coming off
One change coming to all makes in 2011 is a redesign of the front bumper, which will feature a new valance and splitter combination.



The Chevy Camaro can be seen from time to time at NASCAR sites as a pace car.

Running the pony cars in the Cup Series would require a rule change. Currently, the Cup Series is restricted to sedans, but that's not a major obstacle. NASCAR vice president of competition Robin Pemberton pointed out that, in 1998, the Cup Series featured only two-door cars. Clearly, the current rule requiring sedans wouldn't be a deal-breaker, should NASCAR and the car makers collectively opt to move in a different direction.

Pemberton also said that any move to cars of different design would require aero-matching of all four models at the same time, similar to the process used in approving the new Nationwide cars.

http://www.nascar.com/2010/news/head...ces/index.html

NASCAR changing the look of front splitter for 2011
New valance design will eliminate need for braces

As we work forward, that's not the last change. We're looking on some stuff that actually has to coincide with the manufacturers and their introduction of new cars to sell.

Replacing the unpopular rear wing with the spoiler was the first step, according to Pemberton.

So what will the new front bumper look like? According to Pemberton, it'll incorporate a lot of the Nationwide design.

That could mean more changes to make the current generic chassis a little more manufacturer-specific, Pemberton said, perhaps as early as 2012 or '13.

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http://www.nascar.com/video/preview/...own/index.html

New look for fantasy

Need something to rev your motors? Try out NASCAR Fantasy Live, our newest game, and get ready for real-time updates. Fein, Kimm and Estes offer lineup suggestions.

Games: NASCAR Fantasy Live | Fantasy Face-Off | More: Drivers to watch in 2011



When Chevrolet finishes its redesign for the 2013 NASCAR season, what model would you most like the design to reflect?

Camaro 78 %
Impala 12 %
Malibu 5 %
Volt 5 %



For NASCAR, it all starts with Daytona
Caraviello: Time to begin anew, which means trip to one special place.
Order Daytona tickets

For NASCAR, it all starts with famed Daytona
It's time for the sport to begin anew, which means a trip to only one place



NASCAR reducing restrictor plate
Fan Fest appearances set
Expectations and excitement
Order all your Daytona tickets

Dodge and even Ferrari had cars named after it, a world capital of speed and danger and daring.

That's the place that for NASCAR faithful is a shrine, and for competitors is the holy grail.

There are still all kinds of unknowns, from the new track surface at Daytona International Speedway to the new ethanol-blended fuel to trial balloons and innuendo over potential changes to the points system or the Chase.

For years, it wasn't even the season opener -- as difficult as it is to believe now, Daytona didn't assume that perch until 1982, with Riverside International Raceway in Southern California serving as the premier division's jumping-off point for the decade prior.

But for NASCAR, it all starts with Daytona, and has since founder Bill France had it carved out of a cypress swamp 52 years ago.

Five decades ago they called it the Big D, and it sat alongside Volusia Avenue, near where General Electric was marshaling its engineers for work on the space program at Cape Canaveral.

Today it's just Daytona, and the address is International Speedway Boulevard, and it's surrounded by acres of office parks and commercial developments

"It was out of this world," former driver Cotton Owens said of the inaugural Daytona 500 in 1959.

No question, the place has a dark side. The names of men like Billy Wade, Bruce Jacobi, Neil Bonnett, Rodney Orr, and Dale Earnhardt stand as a testament to the fact that the quest for speed is not without its human costs.

At times Daytona has been too big, too fast, too much for tires to handle, too unpredictable for aerodynamic packages to harness.
The fondness that so many competitors have for Daytona is often mixed with a fearsome respect.

It's late January, and the sky is leaden, and even in much of the South there's still snow on the ground.

It's time for the sport to shake off the frost and begin anew, which means a trip to only one place. It's time to go back to Daytona.

http://www.daytonainternationalspeed...ode=NDCPROMO45




More than 40 teams expected at testing
Teams prepared to gather data on cars, new surface at Daytona.


Essentially it's an all-new track for us.The first step for us will be to look, set-up-wise and see what we may need to have different with the new surface.



Steve Wallace set for Daytona 500 debut
Fourth member of his racing family to run the 500, setting track mark.
Hornish's slate limited

Steve Wallace to make Cup debut in Daytona 500
Deal with Penske locks Nationwide driver in field with points from No. 77
Third-generation racer Steve Wallace will make his Sprint Cup Series debut -- and some Daytona International Speedway history -- as a guaranteed starter in the 2011 Daytona 500, driving a No. 77 Toyota fielded by Rusty Wallace Racing.

The program was facilitated by fellow team owner Roger Penske, who formed a partnership with Steve's father Rusty Wallace -- who drove in Cup for Penske from 1991 until he retired as a driver after the 2005 season -- in order to use the guaranteed spot in the top 35 of the owners' standings earned by Penske driver Sam Hornish Jr. in 2010.

When he starts the 53rd Daytona 500 on Feb. 20, Steve Wallace will become the fourth member of his family to race in the Great American Race, along with his father and uncles Mike and Kenny Wallace. Previously, the Wallaces were tied with the Allison, Bodine, Earnhardt and Petty families with three members each.



"There are a lot of people that just hate me and they hate Steve and they're jealous of what we've been able to put together -- and I don't blame 'em -- I understand."



Elliott plans part-time ride with Phoenix
Will drive in at least 18 Cup races, starting with the Daytona 500.
Elliott auction for JDRF



Elliott, 55, has driven a part-time schedule for Wood Brothers Racing the past four years, but the Wood Brothers are working to put together a deal for Trevor Bayne, leaving Elliott to look for another Cup ride.

Elliott, the 1988 Cup champion, won the Daytona 500 in 1985 and '87.

His best 2010 finish was 15th in the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

With 821 career starts, Elliott ranks 15th all time with 44 career victories. His last full-time season was 2003.



Three with NASCAR ties make Int'l Hall
Rex White, Maurice Petty and John Holman among those to be honored.
White tells his story

Former Cup champ White, engine builder Petty, co-owner Holman to be feted

Rex White, who won the 1960 Cup championship and 28 races during a nine-year career, famed engine builder Maurice Petty and legendary team co-owner John Holman are three of this year's five-person class scheduled for induction in April into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in Talladega, Ala.

White, 81, won six times, with 25 top-five finishes in 40 starts to beat Richard Petty for the 1960 title.

Maurice Petty made 26 starts as a driver (1960-64), with a career-best, third-place finish at Spartanburg, S.C., but is best known as the head engine builder at Petty Enterprises, where his engines powered more than 200 victories and more than 750 top-10 finishes for the team's drivers.

A seven-time Mechanic of the Year selection, Petty's engines helped carry brother, Richard, to five of his seven Cup titles.

Holman was one-half of the famed Holman-Moody team that won two Cup titles (1968-69) with driver David Pearson, as well as 96 races with more than 30 different drivers.

Brian Redman (Formula One/Can-Am) and legendary sprint car driver Jan Opperman complete the 2011 class.