Stories from David Newton Nascar Column on ESPN
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David Ragan, Roger Penske meet; result may affect Kurt Busch
David Newton Nascar Column on ESPN &bull Dec 9, 2011
James Finch, the owner of Phoenix Racing, said he had a deal with Ragan to drive the No. 51 Chevrolet next season subject "to him getting a better deal.' Finch told ESPN.com on Friday that Ragan contacted him Thursday to… Full Story »
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Darian Grubb to be Denny Hamlin's new crew chief, sources say
David Newton Nascar Column on ESPN &bull Dec 9, 2011
Darian is a great addition to our organization and person to lead our No. 11 FedEx team," Gibbs said in a news release. Grubb was released after leading Tony Stewart to his third Sprint Cup title this year. He will… Full Story »
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NASCAR - Dale Earnhardt Jr. is opening up
David Newton Nascar Column on ESPN &bull Dec 8, 2011
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Lost in the celebration of Tony Stewart's third Sprint Cup championship and the "mutual split" -- excuse me while I clear my throat -- between Kurt Busch and Penske Racing, was arguably the biggest news of the 2011 offseason. There have been rumors that NASCAR's most popular driver for nine consecutive seasons has been dating someone for over a year, but until last week's champion's celebration in Las Vegas he hadn't gone public about his relationship with Amy Reimann. Todd Warshaw/Getty Images/NASCAR Dale Earnhardt Jr.… Full Story »
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Kurt Busch leaves Penske Racing in mutual split
David Newton Nascar Column on ESPN &bull Dec 5, 2011
The 2004 Sprint Cup champion lost favor with Penske Racing and primary sponsor Shell Pennzoil during a season in which he had multiple behavioral run-ins on and off the track. Every time you looked up, Kurt Busch was in the headlines for the wrong reason. It was a nightmare season for the 2004 champion, writes Terry Blount. Leaving a great organization and a lucrative contract is not easy, but it's an… Full Story »
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Penske Racing officials to meet Monday to determine Kurt Busch's fate, sources say
David Newton Nascar Column on ESPN &bull Dec 4, 2011
Penske officials were contacted by ESPN.com on Sunday, but would not confirm or deny the meeting over Busch's status, while the Charlotte Observer reported that Busch has been fired. Busch, who drives the No. 22 Dodge for the organization in the NASCAR… Full Story »
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NASCAR - Tony Stewart showed why NASCAR needs him
David Newton Nascar Column on ESPN &bull Dec 3, 2011
LAS VEGAS -- If you missed the start of Friday night's Sprint Cup banquet at the Wynn Las Vegas, you missed one of the funnier moments of the week, one of the funnier moments of any celebration involving NASCAR's champion. Ethan Miller/Getty ImagesFive-time champ Jimmie Johnson, left,… Full Story »
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Kurt Busch says he's seeing sports psychologist to help manage anger
David Newton Nascar Column on ESPN &bull Dec 1, 2011
LAS VEGAS -- Kurt Busch is working with a sports psychologist to help him with anger issues that led to a $50,000 fine by NASCAR after the final Sprint Cup race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Working with a sports psychologist I've gotten a… Full Story »
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NASCAR - 'The Newlywed Game,' NASCAR-style
David Newton Nascar Column on ESPN &bull Dec 1, 2011
Todd Warshaw/Getty ImagesRoush Fenway Racing drivers Matt Kenseth, left, and Carl Edwards disagreed like an old married couple during a twisted version of "The Newlywed Game" in old Vegas on Wednesday. LAS VEGAS -- Oh, the things you can learn about NASCAR's 2011 Chase class during a twisted version of "The Newlywed Game" -- like… Full Story »
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Dale Earnhardt Jr. wins ninth straight most popular driver award
David Newton Nascar Column on ESPN &bull Dec 1, 2011
Earnhardt was seventh in the Chase this season, his best finish in six years. Although he didn't win this season, extending his winless streak to 129 consecutive races, he had more top-5 finishes and more top-10s (12) than he had… Full Story »
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NASCAR - Gene Haas deserves credit for rolling dice with Tony Stewart
David Newton Nascar Column on ESPN &bull Nov 28, 2011
LAS VEGAS -- The person who made Stewart-Haas Racing's first Sprint Cup championship possible won't be on the main stage at the head table during Friday night's awards banquet at the Wynn Las Vegas. This is about Gene Haas, who in 2008 while serving a prison sentence for tax fraud gave Stewart half of what was then CNC Haas Racing in exchange for Stewart's driving talent and name to help give his struggling organization what it needed to hire a top supporting cast. Haas never wanted to be at the forefront of… Full Story »
