NASCAR docks Kyle Busch 25 Nationwide points

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP)—NASCAR has docked Kyle Busch 25 Nationwide points and fined crew chief Jason Ratcliff $5,000 after Busch’s No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota failed inspection before last week’s race at Texas.

NASCAR also placed Ratcliff on probation through the end of the year for actions detrimental to stock car racing, using improper equipment and use of an improperly attached weight.

The penalty means Busch now leads Carl Edwards by 247 points with two races remaining. The infraction was discovered last Thursday at Texas Motor Speedway. Busch won the Nationwide race at the 1.5-mile track on Saturday.

NASCAR also fined crew chief Brad Parrott $5,000 and placed him on probation until the end of the year for rules violations on the No. 09 Ford driven by John Wes Townley.

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Parrott out as crew chief of No. 09

CONCORD, N.C. -- Brad Parrott was released from his duties as crew chief on the No. 09 Zaxby's Ford Fusion in the Nationwide Series, RAB Racing announced Monday.

Car chief Ben Gable will assume those responsibilities for the final two races of 2009.

The No. 09 is 32nd in points. Driver John Wes Townley, who finished 18th on Saturday at Texas, has a season-best finish of 16th, at Bristol in March. His average finish is 28th with 10 DNFs. Townley also has failed to qualify for six races

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Truex penalized for rule infraction at Texas

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- NASCAR announced penalties for the car No. 1 team in the Sprint Cup Series for a violation that occurred during post-race inspection Sunday at Texas.

The team was penalized for violating Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4-I (any determination by NASCAR officials that the race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules); and 20-12.8.1B (front of the car did not meet the required height specification; too low in post-race inspection).

Crew chief Kevin Manion was fined $50,000 and remains on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31. Car owner Teresa Earnhardt and driver Martin Truex Jr. were penalized with the loss of 50 owner and 50 driver points.

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You Got Me Under Pressure

First of all, I think ZZ Top still rocks! As for the ho-hum race, not so much.

Ok, ok so Jimmie Johnson wrecked in the 2nd lap. Big deal. The guy still has a seventy something lead going on. I don't believe anyone will put much more of a dent in his point lead unless something catastrophic happens like Sunday's little accident.

Anyway, my hopes of Junior having a top 5 pretty much stalled like Junior's car did on pit row. Yep, something or someone always seems to ruin Junior's day. But I have to say I was absolutely giddy when Kyle Busch had the same thing happen to him. That pretty much shut everyone's trap.

I was so sick and tired hearing the commentators talk about Kyle's potential historic weekend that I wanted to throw the TV right out the front door.

And speaking of TV, did anyone see who finished in what place? I saw Kurt Busch and that was it. ESPN was so preoccupied with Kyle Busch, Jimmie Johnson and Kurt Busch that they didn't even bother to show the rest of the field crossing the finish line. What is up with that?

So, let me know if I am the only one that thinks ESPN should not be covering NASCAR races until they read the "how to broadcast a NASCAR race properly" manual. Pfft.

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CUP: Hendrick Wants Earnhardt’s Problems Fixed

CUP: Hendrick Wants Earnhardt’s Problems Fixed

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Keselowski to make first start in 12 car at Texas

Penske announced Sept. 1 that Keselowski will drive the No. 12 Dodge full time in the Sprint Cup Series next year, and the team has opted to get an early start on the transition.

"Penske Racing wants to give Brad an opportunity to work with the team and get to know the racecar as we prepare for the 2010 season," owner Roger Penske said Monday. "These three races will provide a good base for both Brad and the team as we head into next year."

Keselowski, 25, has been driving part time in the Cup Series for Hendrick Motorsports and James Finch's Phoenix Racing while competing full time in the Nationwide Series for JR Motorsports. Keselowski is third in the Nationwide standings with four victories, the most recent coming Oct. 24 at Memphis Motorsports Park.

"I am very excited to begin working with the Penske Racing team, and I look forward to competing in the No. 12 Penske Dodge in the final three Cup Series races of the year," Keselowski said. "We all have high expectations for next season and beyond and being able to race with the team this year will only help us as we look toward 2010."

Keselowski finished eighth at Talladega Superspeedway in his last ride in Finch's No. 09 Chevrolet. Keselowski has four top-10s in 12 Cup starts in 2009 and scored his only win in the series at Talladega in April driving for Finch.

Stremme, 32, is winless in 108 Cup starts and does not have a top-10 finish in 33 starts this season. He is 31st in the points standings. This was his first year in the Cup Series with Penske Racing after breaking in with Chip Ganassi Racing in 2005.

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