Juan Montoya won't defend Mexico City victory Saturday opting for family

[The General]

While the Chip Ganassi Racing driver won?t be there, several road-course veterans will be, including Sam Hornish for Penske Racing. Hornish is a rookie in the Sprint Cup Series and has run select Nationwide Series races the last two years.

?Obviously I haven?t ran one of these cars on a road course before competitively in a race so it?s a good idea for us to go down there and get a race in before we go out to Infineon in June [for Cup] and just try to do it without having any of that experience,? Hornish said Thursday. ?While I?d enjoy the weekend off, we?re not going to get it so we?ll make the best of it in Mexico.?

Mexico native Michel Jourdain is in negotiations to drive the No. 32 car for Braun Racing.

?We?re looking at him,? team owner Todd Braun said. ?The conversation has been had but nothing has been finalized yet.?

Braun is one of several teams opting to go with different drivers for the road-course event scheduled for April 20 in Mexico City.

Jourdain won?t be the only prolific Mexican driver in the field. Adrian Fernandez, one of Mexico?s most well-known athletes, will drive for JR Motorsports but will not be able to practice or qualify because the American Le Mans Series is in Long Beach, Calif., that weekend. Hendrick Motorsports test driver David Green will practice and qualify the car, Vice President of Competition Steve Crisp said Saturday.

Carlos Contreras, another native of Mexico with significant NASCAR experience, also could drive in the race as he has driven for Fitz Motorsports the last few years and that team is using a variety of drivers in its No. 22 car.

As previously announced, Boris Said will drive in place of Bobby Hamilton Jr. for Team Rensi Motorsports. Patrick Carpentier will step into the No. 9 Gillett Evernham Motorsports car.

Driving for the current leader in the owners standings, the No. 33 car of Kevin Harvick Inc., will be truck regular Ron Hornaday.

Veteran road-racer Scott Pruett, who drives for Ganassi in Grand-Am, will drive one of the Ganassi cars while Kyle Krisiloff will pilot the other, team officials confirmed.

Driving for Front Row Motorsports will be Brian Simo instead of Eric McClure, McClure said.

Mexico City will be the site of Erik Darnell?s Nationwide Series debut for Roush Fenway Racing as he will drive the No. 17 car, while Craftsman Truck Series rookie Colin Braun, who has extensive road-course experience, will drive the No. 16 Roush car, according to team officials.

Montoya won't defend Mexico City victory - Nationwide Series - Scenedaily.com

 

[The General]

Re: Juan Montoya won't defend Mexico City victory Saturday opting for family

If you do not typically enjoy NASCAR, this is different, esp if you cite oval racing as your disapproval of Racing. This is a big event with GREAT drivers everywhere.

 

[d ray]

Re: Juan Montoya won't defend Mexico City victory Saturday opting for family

you are correct sir, i don't like nascar because watching oval tracks is boring to me. I watched this last year, and did enjoy.

 

[The General]

Re: Juan Montoya won't defend Mexico City victory Saturday opting for family

Is there an entry list somewhere, YET? Although I bolded some seriously great or potentially great drivers, there are even better teams entering. It will be a good show down there.

 

[The General]

Re: Juan Montoya won't defend Mexico City victory Saturday opting for family

Edwards, Harvick, R Gordon, Hamlin, Stremme, Allmendinger??? Who's in the 18?

 

[The General]

Re: Juan Montoya won't defend Mexico City victory Saturday opting for family

The race is Sunday instead of Saturday so 6 days away.

 

[The General]

Re: Juan Montoya won't defend Mexico City victory Saturday opting for family

ENTRY LIST

Corona Mexico 200 presented by Banamex | Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez

April 20, 2008 | Race 9 of 35
<!--startclickprintexclude-->

<!--endclickprintexclude--><TABLE class=cnnDataTable id=cnnDataTable cellSpacing=0 border=0><TBODY><TR class=cnnTopTR id=cnnTopTR><TD> </TD><TD> </TD><TD> </TD><TD> </TD><TD> </TD><TD class=cnnLast> </TD></TR><TR><TH>CAR</TH><TH>DRIVER</TH><TH>HOMETOWN</TH><TH>MAKE</TH><TH>SPONSOR</TH><TH class=cnnLast>OWNER</TH></TR><TBODY id=cnnDataBody><TR><TD class=cnnBg>0</TD><TD class=cnnBg>Joe Fox</TD><TD class=cnnBg>Charlotte, NC </TD><TD class=cnnBg>Chevrolet</TD><TD class=cnnBg>Lori Morgan </TD><TD class=cnnBg>Johnny Davis </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnDefault>1</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Mike Bliss</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Milwaukie, OR </TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Chevrolet</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Miccosukee Resort & Gaming </TD><TD class=cnnDefault>James Finch </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnBg>01</TD><TD class=cnnBg>Kertus Davis</TD><TD class=cnnBg>Gaffney, SC </TD><TD class=cnnBg>Chevrolet</TD><TD class=cnnBg>RaceGirl</TD><TD class=cnnBg>Johnny Davis </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnDefault>2</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Clint Bowyer</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Emporia, KS </TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Chevrolet</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>BB&T</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Richard Childress </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnBg>4</TD><TD class=cnnBg>Landon Cassill*</TD><TD class=cnnBg>Cedar Rapids, IA </TD><TD class=cnnBg>Chevrolet</TD><TD class=cnnBg>Miccosukee Resort & Gaming </TD><TD class=cnnBg>James Finch </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnDefault>5</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Adrian Fernandez</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Mexico City, Mexico </TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Chevrolet</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Lowe's</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Rick Hendrick </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnBg>05</TD><TD class=cnnBg>Brett Rowe</TD><TD class=cnnBg>Barboursville-
, WV </TD><TD class=cnnBg>Chevrolet</TD><TD class=cnnBg>31-W Insulation / CertainTeed </TD><TD class=cnnBg>Wayne Day </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnDefault>6</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>David Ragan</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Unadilla, GA </TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Ford</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Coats / Discount Tire </TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Jack Roush </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnBg>7</TD><TD class=cnnBg>Mike Wallace</TD><TD class=cnnBg>St. Louis, MO </TD><TD class=cnnBg>Toyota</TD><TD class=cnnBg>GEICO</TD><TD class=cnnBg>Bob Germain </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnDefault>9</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Patrick Carpentier*</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Joliette, Quebec </TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Dodge</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Auto Value </TD><TD class=cnnDefault>George Gillett, Jr </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnBg>12</TD><TD class=cnnBg>Sam Hornish Jr.</TD><TD class=cnnBg>Bryan, OH </TD><TD class=cnnBg>Dodge</TD><TD class=cnnBg>Penske Truck Rental </TD><TD class=cnnBg>Roger Penske </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnDefault>16</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Colin Braun</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Ovalo, TX </TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Ford</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>3M</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Jack Roush </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnBg>17</TD><TD class=cnnBg>Erik Darnell </TD><TD class=cnnBg>Beach Park, IL </TD><TD class=cnnBg>Ford</TD><TD class=cnnBg>CitiFinancial</TD><TD class=cnnBg>Jack Roush </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnDefault>20</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Kyle Busch</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Las Vegas, NV </TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Toyota</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Doosan Infracore </TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Joe Gibbs </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnBg>22</TD><TD class=cnnBg>Ruben Pardo</TD><TD class=cnnBg>Mexico City, Mexico </TD><TD class=cnnBg>Dodge</TD><TD class=cnnBg>Fitz Motorsports </TD><TD class=cnnBg>Armando Fitz </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnDefault>24</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Brian Simo</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Carlsbad, CA </TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Chevrolet</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Hefty</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>John McGill </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnBg>25</TD><TD class=cnnBg>Boris Said</TD><TD class=cnnBg>Carlsbad, CA </TD><TD class=cnnBg>Ford</TD><TD class=cnnBg>No Fear / Team Smithfield </TD><TD class=cnnBg>Ed Rensi </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnDefault>27</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Brad Coleman</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Houston, TX </TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Ford</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Carino's Italian Grill </TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Mike Curb </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnBg>28</TD><TD class=cnnBg>Kenny Wallace</TD><TD class=cnnBg>St. Louis, MO </TD><TD class=cnnBg>Chevrolet</TD><TD class=cnnBg>Jay Robinson Inc. </TD><TD class=cnnBg>Mimi Fitz </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnDefault>29</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Scott Wimmer</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Wausau, WI </TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Chevrolet</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Holiday Inn / Holiday Inn Express </TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Richard Childress </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnBg>30</TD><TD class=cnnBg>Stanton Barrett</TD><TD class=cnnBg>Bishop, CA </TD><TD class=cnnBg>Chevrolet</TD><TD class=cnnBg>SKI Motorsports </TD><TD class=cnnBg>Christopher Lencheski </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnDefault>32</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Michel Jourdain Jr.</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Mexico City, Mexico </TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Toyota</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Visit Durango / Visit Mexico </TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Todd Braun </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnBg>33</TD><TD class=cnnBg>Ron Hornaday</TD><TD class=cnnBg>Palmdale, CA </TD><TD class=cnnBg>Chevrolet</TD><TD class=cnnBg>RoadLoans.com</TD><TD class=cnnBg>DeLana Harvick </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnDefault>37</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Burney Lamar</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>W. Sacramento, CA </TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Ford</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Baker Curb Racing </TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Gary Baker </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnBg>38</TD><TD class=cnnBg>Jason Leffler</TD><TD class=cnnBg>Long Beach, CA </TD><TD class=cnnBg>Toyota</TD><TD class=cnnBg>Great Clips </TD><TD class=cnnBg>Ralph Braun </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnDefault>40</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Scott Pruett</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Sacramento, CA </TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Dodge</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Fastenal</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Floyd Ganassi </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnBg>41</TD><TD class=cnnBg>Kyle Krisiloff</TD><TD class=cnnBg>Carmel, IN </TD><TD class=cnnBg>Dodge</TD><TD class=cnnBg>Polaroid</TD><TD class=cnnBg>Chip Ganassi </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnDefault>47</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Kelly Bires</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Mauston, WI </TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Ford</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Clorox</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Jodi Geschickter </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnBg>52</TD><TD class=cnnBg>Scott Gaylord</TD><TD class=cnnBg>Lakewood, CO </TD><TD class=cnnBg>Chevrolet</TD><TD class=cnnBg>Means Racing </TD><TD class=cnnBg>Jimmy Means </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnDefault>59</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Marcos Ambrose</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Launceston, Tasmania </TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Ford</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Kingsford Hickory Charcoal </TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Tad Geschickter </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnBg>60</TD><TD class=cnnBg>Carl Edwards</TD><TD class=cnnBg>Columbia, MO </TD><TD class=cnnBg>Ford</TD><TD class=cnnBg>Scotts Water Smart </TD><TD class=cnnBg>Jack Roush </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnDefault>64</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Max Papis</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Como, Italy </TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Chevrolet</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Atreus Homes & Communities </TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Edward Rensi </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnBg>66</TD><TD class=cnnBg>Steve Wallace</TD><TD class=cnnBg>Mooresville, NC </TD><TD class=cnnBg>Chevrolet</TD><TD class=cnnBg>Atreus Homes & Communities </TD><TD class=cnnBg>Rusty Wallace </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnDefault>81</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>D.J. Kennington</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>St. Thomas, Ontario </TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Dodge</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>MC2 Energy Drink / NPPL </TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Pat MacDonald </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnBg>88</TD><TD class=cnnBg>Brad Keselowski</TD><TD class=cnnBg>Rochester Hills, MI </TD><TD class=cnnBg>Chevrolet</TD><TD class=cnnBg>U.S. Navy </TD><TD class=cnnBg>Dale Earnhardt, Jr </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnDefault>89</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Morgan Shepherd</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Conover, NC </TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Dodge</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Victory In Jesus </TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Cindy Shepherd </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnBg>90</TD><TD class=cnnBg>Chris Cook</TD><TD class=cnnBg>San Diego, CA </TD><TD class=cnnBg>Chevrolet</TD><TD class=cnnBg>MSRP Motorsports </TD><TD class=cnnBg>Marcia Parsons </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnDefault>91</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Larry Gunselman</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Belfair, WA </TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Chevrolet</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>MSRP Motorsports </TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Stacey Humphrey </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnBg>99</TD><TD class=cnnBg>David Reutimann</TD><TD class=cnnBg>Zephyrhills, FL </TD><TD class=cnnBg>Toyota</TD><TD class=cnnBg>Aaron's Dream Machine </TD><TD class=cnnBg>Michael Waltrip </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnDefault>109</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Kevin O'Connell </TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Newport Beach, CA </TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Chevrolet</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Gen'l Environmental Mgmt / Taleo Grill </TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Susan O'Connell </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnBg>111</TD><TD class=cnnBg>Jason Keller</TD><TD class=cnnBg>Greenville, SC </TD><TD class=cnnBg>Chevrolet</TD><TD class=cnnBg>America's Incredible Pizza Company </TD><TD class=cnnBg>Bryan Mullet </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnDefault>149</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Robert Richardson, II</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>McKinney, TX </TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Chevrolet</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Jay Robinson Inc. </TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Jay Robinson </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnBg>161</TD><TD class=cnnBg>Kevin Lepage</TD><TD class=cnnBg>Shelburne, VT </TD><TD class=cnnBg>Ford</TD><TD class=cnnBg>Specialty Racing </TD><TD class=cnnBg>Charles Shoffner </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnDefault>184</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Jose Luis Ramirez</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Mexico City, Mexico </TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Dodge</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>TW Motorsports </TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Troy Williams </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnBg>186</TD><TD class=cnnBg>Antonio Perez</TD><TD class=cnnBg>Zapopan, Mexico </TD><TD class=cnnBg>Dodge</TD><TD class=cnnBg>Chivas Racing / Telmex </TD><TD class=cnnBg>Troy Williams </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnDefault>198</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Alex Garcia</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Caracas, Venezuela </TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Chevrolet</TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Dixien / OmniSource Corp. </TD><TD class=cnnDefault>Alex Garcia </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnBg>331</TD><TD class=cnnBg>Stan Barrett </TD><TD class=cnnBg>Bishop, CA </TD><TD class=cnnBg>Chevrolet</TD><TD class=cnnBg>Stanton Barrett Racing </TD><TD class=cnnBg>Stanton Barrett </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
* Denotes Rookie

 

[The General]

Re: Juan Montoya won't defend Mexico City victory Saturday opting for family

Carlsbad's Boris Said finally back behind wheel, for Mexico City race.

Boris Said will finally climb back into a cockpit Sunday for the NASCAR Nationwide Series road race in Mexico City.

Said, who has spent much of the past two years as a NASCAR commentator, hasn't been in a race since one of the 150-mile qualifying races before February's season-opening Daytona 500.

?I'm chomping at the bit to go racing again,? said the Carlsbad driver, whose part-time team has failed to crack the field at two other races this year because of NASCAR rules that automatically seed 35 of the 43 spots to drivers ranked among the top 35 in car owner points standings.
?When you run a limited schedule, it's almost impossible to make a race,? said Said. ?At most there are only eight spots open and if past champions are entered, there are fewer than that.

?I understand what NASCAR is thinking, but I believe there should be a change to open at least a few more spots to cars qualifying on speed.?

Said, who will be driving a Ford Fusion this week, believes he has a good shot at winning his first Nationwide Series race this weekend.

?This could be the year of the win,? said Said, who is considered one of NASCAR's top road course drivers. ?I have a great crew and great equipment. My only concern is that I haven't been racing in a while.?

Said has finished fifth, second and third, respectively, in the past three Nationwide races in Mexico City. He has also won a pole.

As with other stops on his around-the-world racing trips ? such as visiting San Quentin Penitentiary before races at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma ? Said says he loves to venture out among the locals in Mexico City.

?As soon as I get to Mexico City, I look for the street vendor taco stands and order a couple of carne asadas ... absolutely delicious,? he said.


Miscellany
Driver and car owner Kevin Harvick and wife DeLana are the latest NASCAR team to begin exploring ownership of a National Hot Rod Association team. Rick Hendrick and Richard Childress have already announced they are expanding into drag racing. The Harvicks are exploring a partnership with Top Fuel veteran Bob Vandergriff Jr.
El Cajon's Austin Cameron was 13th and Ramona's Johnny Borneman 15th in the NASCAR Camping World West prelim at Phoenix International Raceway last week. Pinned between them was Jarit Johnson, another El Cajon native who happens to be the younger brother of Jimmie Johnson. Borneman is fifth in the standings. Mike David won last week's race.

Supercross points leader Chad Reed fell hard in practice Saturday in Detroit, suffering chest and shoulder injuries. He returned to the track from the hospital in time to take a seldom-used provisional to make the field. Reed finished 12th in the race won by Davi Millsaps to retain a 16-point lead over Kevin Windham with three events to go.

Here are top local finishers from the recent SCCA Pro-Solo slalom at El Toro. Firsts: Gary Thomason (Oceanside, super stock), Paul Russell (San Diego, Formula 125); Seconds: Jason Munchoff (San Diego, super stock), Derek Punch (San Diego, street touring), George Doganis (Lakeside, C street prepared), Terry Mayo (Escondido, ladies); Thirds: Jason Rhodes (San Diego, super stock), Jeff Cawthorne (San Diego, A stock); Fourths: Leslie Cohen (Encinitas, super stock), John Brennan (San Diego, bump class).

Chip Ganassi has traded crew chiefs inside his NASCAR Sprint Cup team with Donnie Wingo going from Juan Pablo Montoya's car to Reed Sorenson's and Jimmy Elledge heading in the opposite direction.


CHECKERED FLAGS
ASHLEY FORCE: John's 25-year-old daughter loses in the finals for the second straight meet, but still becomes the first woman in the history of the National Hot Rod Association to lead the Funny Car points standings.

JIMMIE JOHNSON: With a huge assist from crew chief Chad Knaus, who plotted the fuel reserve correctly, scores the first NASCAR Sprint Cup victory of the season for Hendrick Motorsports to climb to fourth in the driver standings.


RED FLAGS
MOTO X I: The X Games set believes this is the direction Supercross must go. Let's see ... Supercross, 60,000-plus on cold Saturday nights in February, Moto X Championships a third of that crowd over two weekend dates in April.
MOTO X II: With the fans baking in near three-digit temperatures, the ESPN set strung out the program to do televised interviews with the competitors, none of which were available to those who bought tickets and attended the ?championships.?

MOTO X III: What did they expect for attendance? The event was neither promoted nor advertised. Stage it on Saturday night with fireworks and stand back.


SCHEDULE
Friday

IndyCar Series: Indy Japan 300, Motegi, Japan (200 laps, 1.5-mile oval; ESPN2, 9 p.m.) ? Tony Kanaan defeated Dan Wheldon by a half-second last year in Japan. Because of a scheduling conflict that could not be resolved in the IRL-Champ Car merger, the former IRL faction is racing in Japan this weekend while the Champ Car World Series stages its final race at Long Beach. After this, everyone will run in the new IndyCar Series.

Saturday

Long Beach Grand Prix: American Le Mans Series, Long Beach (100 minutes, 1.968-mile, 11-turn temporary street course; 4 p.m. television, 2:30 Channel 10, delayed) ? Timo Bernhard and Romain Dumas were the surprise overall winners of last year's race in an LMP2 Porsche Spyder.

Barona 1/8-Mile Drag Strip: Motorcycle Drag Racing Association, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Sunday

Long Beach Grand Prix: Champ Car World Series (100 minutes; 1 p.m., television, 2:30 p.m. ESPN2, delayed) ? Minus four-time Champ Car champion Sebastien Bourdais, who is now with the Formula One set, the field for the last race in series history is led by 19-year-old Graham Rahal. Bobby's son recently became the youngest winner of a major open-wheel race by overcoming an early-race spin to win the combined IndyCar Series race on the streets of St. Petersburg, Fla. Long Beach becomes a part of the merged IndyCar Series next year.

NASCAR Nationwide Series: Mexico 200, Mexico City (80 laps, 2.518-mile road course; ESPN2, 10:30 a.m.) ? Juan Pablo Montoya of Colombia scored his first NASCAR victory in this race a year ago after spinning out teammate Scott Pruett with eight laps to go. Kyle Busch, who won last week's Nationwide race at Phoenix, returns to Mexico City for the first time since 2006, when he spun out race leader ? and hometown favorite ? Michel Jourdain Jr.

Barona 1/8-Mile Drag Strip: Motorcycle Drag Racing Association, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

SignOnSanDiego.com > Sports -- Carlsbad's Boris Said finally back behind wheel, for Mexico City race

 

[Reno Paul]

Re: Juan Montoya won't defend Mexico City victory Saturday opting for family

I remember Pruett getting spun out by Montoya in last year's race. Pruett was pissed.

May just watch it over towards betting it. A definite maybe.

 

[The General]

Re: Juan Montoya won't defend Mexico City victory Saturday opting for family

I think we have to much competition here to wager, bud.

 

[The General]

Re: Juan Montoya won't defend Mexico City victory Saturday opting for family

Nationwide race draws eclectic group to Mexico

Even though NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series is enjoying a weekend off, an all-star lineup will compete in Sunday's Corona Mexico 200 Nationwide Series race in Mexico City.

The entry list for the fourth annual Nationwide race at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez road course includes drivers from the Sprint Cup and Nationwide series, plus international open-wheel superstars, road-course aces and natives of Mexico eager to race in their homeland.

Mexico City's own Adrian Fernandez, one of the country's most famous sports figures, has two top-10 finishes in three races at the road course.

"You hear [the fans] cheering for you and you have that extra bite to try to do your best in front of them," Fernandez said.

The entry list is highlighted by Scott Pruett, last year's runner-up to Juan Pablo Montoya, along with Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, Boris Said, Patrick Carpentier, Sam Hornish Jr., Michael Jordain Jr. and Max Papis.

First things first for Said. He will immediately find the local taco vendors.

"As soon as I get to Mexico City, I look for the street vendor taco stands and order a couple of carne asadas [grilled steak]," Said said. "It is absolutely delicious -- I recommend it to all Mexican food lovers.

"I've enjoyed traveling the world to race cars, but I also have fun taking in the local sights and experiencing the local culture."

King's hat goes to Iraq
Richard Petty, who has racked up a record 200 wins and seven championships in the Cup Series, will send a symbol of himself to the U.S. troops serving in Iraq.

Petty routinely takes part in satellite conference calls over the Freedom Calls Satellite network. The video conference calls connect men and women on the front lines in Iraq with their favorite NASCAR drivers before certain races.

While at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March, Petty was involved in one such call with a group of U.S. Army engineers from the Coalition Network Operations and Security Center (CNOSC).

When the group commented on Petty's signature cowboy hat, he made sure they had one of their own.

"Our soldiers sacrifice so much to allow us to live in a free country," Petty said. "When they asked me to send them one of my Charlie 1 Horse hats, I thought that was the least I could do.

"It meant the world to me that one of my hats could provide them with a little relief from what they deal with on a daily basis."

BAM Racing sidelined
The No. 49 BAM Racing team is the latest Sprint Cup Series organization to hit the sidelines due to an uncertain sponsorship future.

Owner Beth Ann Morgenthau hopes to have the team return to competition this fall.

"We were excited about the potential for the balance of the 2008 season," Morgenthau said. "That excitement was abruptly interrupted this past week by news that a primary sponsorship deal once planned for the majority of the 2008 season had been reduced to a fraction of a season, and that fraction will likely be in the fall."

Nationwide race draws eclectic group to Mexico | delawareonline | The News Journal

 

[The General]

Re: Juan Montoya won't defend Mexico City victory Saturday opting for family

<TABLE borderColor=#000000 cellSpacing=0 width=620 bgColor=#003366 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle width=580>Motor Racing</TD><TD width=20>EXIT</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle width=580>Nationwide Corona Mexico 200 April 18 - 20, 2008 - Odds to win</TD><TD width=20> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> <TABLE borderColor=#000000 cellSpacing=0 width=620 border=0><TBODY><TR bgColor=#003366><TD vAlign=top width=120>4/19/2008 10:30 AM</TD><TD vAlign=top width=500>Driver to win the Coron Mexico 200</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE borderColor=#000000 cellSpacing=0 width=620 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle width=55>501</TD><TD width=300>Scott Pruett </TD><TD width=65> +285 </TD><TD width=200> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE borderColor=#000000 cellSpacing=0 width=620 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle width=55>502</TD><TD width=300>Kyle Busch </TD><TD width=65> +385 </TD><TD width=200> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE borderColor=#000000 cellSpacing=0 width=620 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle width=55>503</TD><TD width=300>Boris Said </TD><TD width=65> +485 </TD><TD width=200> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE borderColor=#000000 cellSpacing=0 width=620 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle width=55>504</TD><TD width=300>Adrian Fernandez </TD><TD width=65> +1150 </TD><TD width=200> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE borderColor=#000000 cellSpacing=0 width=620 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle width=55>505</TD><TD width=300>Clint Bowyer </TD><TD width=65> +885 </TD><TD width=200> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE borderColor=#000000 cellSpacing=0 width=620 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle width=55>506</TD><TD width=300>Carl Edwards </TD><TD width=65> +1050 </TD><TD width=200> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE borderColor=#000000 cellSpacing=0 width=620 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle width=55>507</TD><TD width=300>Patrick Carpenter </TD><TD width=65> +1050 </TD><TD width=200> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE borderColor=#000000 cellSpacing=0 width=620 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle width=55>508</TD><TD width=300>Marcos Ambrose </TD><TD width=65> +725 </TD><TD width=200> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE borderColor=#000000 cellSpacing=0 width=620 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle width=55>509</TD><TD width=300>Michael Jourdain Jr </TD><TD width=65> +2250 </TD><TD width=200> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE borderColor=#000000 cellSpacing=0 width=620 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle width=55>510</TD><TD width=300>Sam Hornish Jr </TD><TD width=65> +2250 </TD><TD width=200> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE borderColor=#000000 cellSpacing=0 width=620 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle width=55>511</TD><TD width=300>Ron Hornaday </TD><TD width=65> +2850 </TD><TD width=200> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE borderColor=#000000 cellSpacing=0 width=620 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle width=55>512</TD><TD width=300>Scott Wimmer </TD><TD width=65> +3500 </TD><TD width=200> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE borderColor=#000000 cellSpacing=0 width=620 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle width=55>513</TD><TD width=300>Max Papis </TD><TD width=65> +1850 </TD><TD width=200> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE borderColor=#000000 cellSpacing=0 width=620 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle width=55>514</TD><TD width=300>Jason Leffler </TD><TD width=65> +2850 </TD><TD width=200> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE borderColor=#000000 cellSpacing=0 width=620 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle width=55>515</TD><TD width=300>David Reutimann </TD><TD width=65> +3300 </TD><TD width=200> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE borderColor=#000000 cellSpacing=0 width=620 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle width=55>516</TD><TD width=300>Field </TD><TD width=65> +925 </TD><TD width=200> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[The General]

Re: Juan Montoya won't defend Mexico City victory Saturday opting for family

Said and Pruett (not my best option, Ganassi) Fernandez, Braun I think comes much road exp and maybe Jourdain (but not best equip there). Maybe Busch or Bowyer with their real teams. Can't wait.

 

[The General]

Re: Juan Montoya won't defend Mexico City victory Saturday opting for family

Braun took the pole for tomorrow. Garage talk says he is the kid to beat.