My guess is the Cup boys aren't impounded; we've got Happy Hour today at 1:20 our time (tape-delayed by Speed until 4:30 Central).
LAS VEGAS (AP) -- Changes to Las Vegas Motor Speedway received mixed reviews on Friday after a bumpy opening at the track.
The track was overhauled during the offseason, with the surface repaved and the banking increased from 12 degrees to 20 in a project speedway owner Bruton Smith believes will improve the quality of racing.
But after speeds in the January test reached levels two-time champion Tony Stewart deemed ``ridiculous,'' NASCAR threw the teams a curve by mandating the use of a smaller gas tank. Goodyear followed by issuing harder left-side tires that the drivers universally seem to loathe.
Stewart, the two-time series champion, was critical of the track changes earlier in the week but had shifted his anger to the tires by Friday.
``I will guarantee you that this is definitely the worst Goodyear tire I think I have ever been on in my entire nine years of driving the Nextel Cup Series,'' he said. ``It never ceases to amaze me on how they can always trump their ace on how bad they can build tires for us.''
It all made for an interesting day of track activity, especially during qualifying, when a flat right front tire sent Bobby Labonte into the wall and David Gilliland wrecked when he spun on his lap. Both drivers will go to backups for Sunday's race.
Ken Schrader wasn't as lucky. He wrecked and will have to go home -- ending a streak of 111 consecutive races -- because he wasn't guaranteed a spot in the field. Same for Michael Waltrip, who spun and will miss his second straight race.
Still, two-time Las Vegas winner Jimmie Johnson said the track is good.
``I think the track is in good shape,'' he said. ``It's not the smoothest resurface job that we've been on, but I think it will help us find an outside lane to make for better racing.
---------------------------------------------------------- My wife is starting to follow MikeyW and can't believe he's going to miss two races in a row...that IS bad for him.
Most everyone is not sure about the impound rule for this year. In looking at Talladega's schedule I see that both races have qualifying on Saturday..........so that means the plate races are impound. Considering the fall race is COT I can't understand WHY they are impounding but that's just me. Last year both races at the plate tracks and Richmond were impound. I haven't checked Richmonds schedule yet, I don't have time. The race is on Saturday night at Richmond for both races. I can't find qualifying.
Here are the COT races.
2007:(16 races)
Bristol [2 races]
Martinsville [2]
Phoenix [2]
Richmond [2]
Dover [2]
New Hampshire [2]
Darlington
Infineon Raceway
Watkins Glen
Talladega [fall 2007]
Thanks. Have munchkin football today so I may miss the Busch boys.