Harvick wins 2nd straight Budweiser Shootout

  by Pete McCole
Kevin Harvick started off his 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup season the same way he started it in 2009 – in the winner’s circle at the Budweiser Shootout at Daytona Int’l Speedway. Fighting the flu and driving a backup car that he hadn’t turned a lap in until Saturday night’s race, Harvick passed Greg Biffle on the second lap of a green-white-checker overtime session just moments before Biffle got sideways in turn three to touch off a eight-car melee with two laps to go.

Gerhart wins 6th ARCA race at Daytona

  Danica comes home 6th in stock car debut
Bobby Gerhart, wheeling the No. 5 Lucas Oil Slick Mist Chevrolet, captured a record sixth Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 under the lights at historic Daytona International Speedway Saturday night, part of a racing tripleheader at the 2.5-mile tri-oval.  Gerhart’s team gambled on fuel, took advantage of caution laps, and led the final 51 laps of the race.

Chevys dominate Daytona 500 Qualifying

  Mark Martin wins pole, Earnhardt 2nd
Hendrick Motorsports teammates Mark Martin and Dale Earnhardt Jr. have secured the front row for next week's Daytona 500. Martin, the only driver to top 191 mph during qualifying Saturday, earned the first pole of his career for the Sprint Cup Series' season-opening race. Earnhardt will start second, trying to rebound from the worst season in his Cup career.

Dallara releases concepts of 2012 IndyCar

  But will Delta Wing Project be better?
Chassis constructor Dallara has released images illustrating its interpretation of the 2012 IndyCar Series car, based on the criteria set forth by the Indy Racing League. Discussions with league officials have resulted in a much lighter, more efficient car with less drag and more downforce.  The design requires less horsepower to achieve the desired level of performance than its predecessor with greater fuel efficiency.

Why Randy Bernard may be just what the IRL needed

  by Ray Masters
My first reaction was...what are they thinking?  A man who has a self proclaimed zero knowledge of auto racing!  But following a moment of reflection and listening to his first interview I am feeling very positive about Mr. Bernard's appointment as CEO of the Indy Racing League.  There can be no denying his ability to get the job done. You have to have some serious marketing chops to make a bull famous!

Virgin Racing reveals 2010 F1 car

  The first virtual Formula 1 launch
The launch of Virgin's 2010 car ended in disappointment on Wednesday, when the live online video stream failed to materialize. Technical problems meant the online event was watched by a global audience of zero, with the first photos of the striking red and black car appearing only hours later. "Calm down people.  I'll ask if I can put a picture on Twitter," said Brazilian driver Lucas di Grassi.

Dreyer& Reinbold sign Wilson and Conway

  Indy Car
Dreyer and Reinbold Racing is excited to announce that British drivers, Justin Wilson and Mike Conway, will join the team’s full-time IZOD IndyCar Series effort for the 2010 season.  Not only does the duo bring an extensive amount of talent to the table, but combined they create an exceptionally strong pairing.  Justin Wilson will be joining the Indianapolis-based squad for the first time.

NASCAR Notebook for February 2nd

  by Dave Grayson
During the last week we learned that teams from all three of NASCAR's national touring series will be looking at a temporary pay cut. A Sprint Cup operation that struggled to make races last year now has a guaranteed start in the Daytona 500 thanks to a new technical alliance and three teams are waiting to hear if their sponsorship programs are going to disappear at the last minute.

Toro Rosso launches STR5 in Valencia

  Formula 1
Toro Rosso team boss Franz Tost says that 2010 is a "landmark" year for his team as for the first time they have designed and built their own Formula One car.  The team unveiled their STR5 at Valencia on Monday morning, displaying the double-decker diffuser and a shark fin engine cover very similar to that incorporated on the new McLaren.

Mercedes Petronas GP launches 2010 car

  Will Ross Brawn's design trump all others again?
Mercedes-Benz unveiled its W01 in the Valencia pit lane on Monday morning, ahead of the first pre-season Formula 1 test. The car features a radical version of the now typical Red Bull Racing RB5-type V-nose configuration, as well as a small fin on the engine cover.

Dempsey in character behind the wheel

  TV star loves to race
Among the many actors who have gained fame on the large and small screens, there are three notable personalities whose talent, sex appeal and blue eyes have made them icons, especially when their rugged personas were embellished by their performance in motorsports: James Dean, Steve McQueen and Paul Newman.  Now another American actor, Patrick Dempsey, the Dr. McDreamy of television's Grey's Anatomy, is set to join that elite club.

Action Express Porsche wins Rolex 24 at Daytona

  Grand-Am season opener
Joao Barbosa took the checkered flag in the 48th Rolex 24 At Daytona to give the No. 9 Action Express Racing the victory along with teammates Mike Rockenfeller, Ryan Dalziel and Terry Borcheller over the No. 01 Ganassi Riley BMW of Scott Pruett.  The SpeedSource Mazda of Jonathan Bomarito won the GT class by 4 laps over the TRG Flying Lizard Porsche.