NASCAR reduced the penalties for the teams of Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano for violations April 13 at Texas Motor Speedway and also reduced the suspensions of seven crew members from six points races to two, reports NASCAR.com.

Both drivers work for Roger Penske Racing.

But NASCAR upheld 25-point deductions to the drivers and $100,00 fines to the crew chiefs of both drivers. It trimmed four weeks off suspensions, so the suspensions will begin this weekend at Darlington Raceway and end prior to the June 2 event at Dover International Speedway.

The violations stemmed from infractions in rear-end housings and it led to a rushed change-out of equipment in the Penske cars before the Texas race.

“Obviously, I’m very happy with the outcome,” Penske said at the NASCAR Research and Development Center. “As you know, this sport has been built on innovation. All of us try to innovate in areas that are not defined in the rule book. We were in that area. … To me, it’s past it now. We’ve moved on. I have to say again the process was very fair and equitable that NASCAR was able to provide for Penske Racing and our whole team.”

Sean Collier, the MIT officer slain in the line of duty Thursday night in Cambridge, Mass. during an armed altercation with suspects of the Boston Marathon bombing, was the brother of a Hendrick Motorsports machinist.

Hendrick Motorsports released a statement regarding machinist Andrew Collier and his brother’s death.

NASCAR looks for improvement to fencing after this accident at Dayton last weekend. (Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

NASCAR is looking to examine changes to race track fencing because of the Nationwide racing accident at Daytona that injured more than 20 spectators, reports NASCAR.com.

NASCAR will look to outside experts to see if changes are needed and will also seek to apply any short-term improvements to the next restrictor-plate race at Talladega in May.

During last weekend’s race Kyle Larson’s car flew up into the Daytona catchfence during the last lap and parts of Larson’s car, including the tires and engine, went through the fence. Two spectators who were injured remain hospitalized in a Daytona Beach, Fla. hospital.

“To do this right, we’ve got to take the time to reconstruct the car, reconstruct the fence, reconstruct the accident,” Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR’s senior vice president for race operations said, “and then go out and say — OK, here’s what we know happened, and what would prevent that moving forward?”

Military flyovers at sporting events, like these aircrafts appearing during the National Anthem at a Tigers-Athletics 2012 playoff game, could be a ritual of the past because of looming budget cuts by the federal government. (Leon Halip/Getty Images)

Military aircrafts that have flown over stadiums during sporting events as part of an American tradition might soon be a ritual of the past if the federal government implements a budget sequestration of $1.2 trillion over 10 years.

According to a USA Today Sports interview with Wendy Varhegyi, chief of the engagement division for Air Force public affairs, the Thunderbirds, which have become a part of the pre-race celebrations for NASCAR races, might be the last of the flyover tradition when the planes take to the skies on March 10 to make an appearance above a NASCAR race at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway:

“The Thunderbirds are expected to stand down effective April 1. (Las Vegas) is pretty much going to be, I think, the last flyover you’ll see for a while from us.”

In January, a B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber flew over the Rose Bowl and the Major League Baseball All-Star Game in July. The Navy Blue Angels, which have also been a part of the tradition, were scheduled to perform at Navy’s graduation in May but would also likely see an end to their appearances over stadiums.

“It’s no additional cost to the government for support of any public events. Typically, if you see a unit fly over a football game, that is 90 seconds out of a several hour training sorte that they’re flying.”

But she noted that the government would curtail the number of required training hours as part of the proposed budget cuts.

In total, the Air Force conducts approximately 1,000 flyovers each year above sports venues and other events. Varhegyi said the situation would be reevaluated at the end of the fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30.

NASCAR has indefinitely suspended Nationwide Series drive Jeremy Clements for making an “intolerable and insensitive remark” during the course of an interview, according to senior vice president of racing operations Steve O’Donnell.

NASCAR announced the suspension was a violation of its code of conduct, but provided no other details.

Clements finished 33rd in Saturday at Daytona after dropping out with an oil line problem.

The suspension and lack of details from NASCAR created speculation on Twitter as to what Clements said in the unspecified interview.

Dunno if this is it, but I just found an interview with Clements from last week in which he speculated NASCAR fixed the pole for Danica.—
Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) February 27, 2013

28 people in the stands were injured during a last-lap crash at Daytona. (Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

At least 33 people were injured, including two critically, after debris flew into the grandstands after a 12-car crash on the final lap of NASCAR’s DRIVE4COPD 300 Nationwide race at Dayton International Speedway, USA Today reports.

Kyle Larson’s car went airborne into the frontstretch catch fencing, slicing off the front half of the car and leaving large pieces of the vehicle inside the fencing. At least one tire from Larson’s car flew into the stands.

Driver Michael Annett was taken to a local hospital after his car slammed head on into the SAFER barrier. Tony Stewart ended up winning the race, and Sam Hornish, Jr. finished second.

A Daytona Beach Police spokesman said 17 fans were injured, with two suffering “major injuries.” Eleven were sent to Halifax Medical Center where one adult is in surgery with life-threatening head trauma, and a 14-year-old is in critical, but not life threatening condition.

NASCAR senior vice president of racing information Steve O’Donnell and DIS president Joie Chitwood made a statement at 7 p.m. but provided no further details on the fans’ condition.

The Daytona 500 will go on as scheduled at 1 p.m. Eastern on Sunday.

Ex-NASCAR driver Timothy Tyler Andrew Walker led authorities on a chase through Nevada and southern Utah on Wednesday. Walker had marijuana, pills and open containers of alcohol in his vehicle.

Walker failed to stop for an officer in Nevada, and Arizona Department of Public Safety officers unsuccessfully tried to deflate the tires of his car. Walker’s luxury BMW sedan came to a stop in Utah after two Utah Highway Patrol troopers set up spike strips. He tried unsuccessfully to flee on foot before being arrested.

The former NASCAR driver  was charged with evading police, driving under the influence, possession of marijuana, possession of paraphernalia, possession of cannabis, possession of amphetamine, driving with an open container of alcohol and transporting alcohol across state lines.

Walker competed in 28 NASCAR races before being suspended for violating the association’s drug policy in 2007. He drove in 19 NASCAR Nationwide series and nine Camping World Truck Series races during his career.

Kyle Busch won only Sprint Cup race in 2012 and missed the Chase. (Rob Kim/Getty Images)

Kyle Busch has signed a long-term extension with Joe Gibbs Racing two officials with direct knowledge of the deal told USA Today.

Busch, whose contract at JGR was scheduled to end after the 2013 season, reportedly signed a yet unannounced multiyear deal in December.

Busch would not confirm the extension following a 12-car wreck during Friday afternoon’s session at Daytona.

“Everybody will find out (at the team’s) media day what’s coming down,” Busch told USA Today.

The four-day Sprint Cup media tour begins Jan. 21.

The extension follows a disappointing 2012 season in which Busch registered only one win, finished 13th in the points standings and missed the Chase. Despite the down year, Busch’s 24 career Cup victories and a record 51 Nationwide Series wins positioned him to be the biggest pending free agent on the NASCAR market.

Danica Patrick announced that she was divorcing her husband, Paul Hospenthal (left). The two had been married for seven years. (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Danica Patrick said on Tuesday that she and her husband, Paul Hospenthal, were ending their seven-year marriage. Patrick made the announcement on her Facebook page:

“I am sad to inform my fans that after 7 years, Paul and I have decided to amicably end our marriage. This isn’t easy for either of us, but mutually it has come to this. He has been an important person and friend in my life and that’s how we will remain moving forward.”

Hospenthal is a physical therapist; the two met when he was treating Patrick for a nonracing injury. Patrick is 17 years younger than Hospenthal–she turned 30 in March. The couple married in 2005.

Patrick just completed her first full NASCAR season. She finishing 10th in Nationwide points and broke Sara Christian’s 1949 record for the highest-finishing female driver in the history of NASCAR’s three national series.

Danica Patrick could be ending ties with Go Daddy. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

NASCAR star Danica Patrick is reportedly on shaky ground with longtime sponsor GoDaddy.com after USA Today Sports indicated that the company, which has not featured her in an ad for months, has no plans through January to use her in a spot:

“The question at hand is: Is she in the Super Bowl or not?” says Barb Rechterman, chief marketing officer at Go Daddy. “What we’re trying to do is redefine sexy to be a small-business owner running a successful business. So we want to explore options of how we make our advertising new.”

Patrick’s appearance in a Super Bowl ad has become somewhat of a tradition; she has appeared in more Super Bowl ads than any other celebrity, including Michael Jordan and Cindy Crawford. Her contract with Go Daddy runs through 2013, so it’s possible she could still be slated for a commercial in February’s Super Bowl.

Patrick released the following statement through GoDaddy.com:

“I absolutely hope I am in the new Go Daddy Super Bowl commercials. I don’t think it would feel quite like a Super Bowl if we don’t do the commercials again this year.”

But Henry Schafer, executive vice president at The Q Scores Co., said her “likability” has gone down this year. The company tracks the marketability of athletes through a score-rating system. Patrick rated a 29 in 2010 but a 19 in 2012. The average Q score for a race car driver, according to the report, is 13:

“It raises a warning signal to evaluate the strength of her emotional connection with consumers,” says Henry Schafer

Patrick, who has previously won the IndyCar Series, is currently the most successful female in American open-wheel racing history. She is the only woman to win the IndyCar Series and her third place finish at the Indianapolis 500 is on record as being the highest finish by any woman at the event.

Fox will extend its NASCAR and Daytona 500 television rights. (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

NASCAR could announce an eight-year television rights extension with Fox as soon as today, according to a Sports Business Daily report.

The agreement would keep the Daytona 500 and first half of NASCAR seasons through 2022 on Fox.

Sources valued the deal at more than $2.4 billion over eight years, a sizable increase from Fox’s current eight-year, $1.76 billion agreement. The network’s new eight-year extension will see it retain the broadcast rights for 13 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races and the entire Camping World Truck Series.

The deal also includes TV Everywhere rights, which will allow Fox to stream its races to a Fox Sports-affiliated website. These streaming rights have become a standard part of media deals.

It’s been more than a decade since Fox’s NASCAR contracts have included an increase in fees.

NASCAR officials were optimistic that increased Major League Baseball television rights fees recently paid by Fox, Turner and ESPN would help their negotiations.

The Fox extension should give NASCAR some leverage in negotiating second-half season rights with Turner and ESPN next summer.

If those parties balk at the price, NASCAR will turn to the open market and look to bring in NBC, CBS or another network.

Richard Childress said Elliott Sadler will not drive for RCR in 2013. (Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

Team owner Richard Childress bump-drafted Elliott Sadler from his RCR plans, possibly to Joe Gibb’s Racing.

According to CBS Sports, Childress used his appearance on SIRIUS/XM NASCAR Radio Sunday to let the NASCAR world know that Sadler won’t be racing for RCR in 2013.

“I think he’s gone somewhere else…we’re disappointed, you know, he’s had his best season,” said Childress. “We don’t know what more we could have done.”

Childress’ comments came the morning after Lee Spencer of Fox Sports reported that Sadler told his crew prior to Saturday’s NNS race that he didn’t have a deal with RCR for next season. RCR officials said that wasn’t so.

Speculation has had Sadler landing at Joe Gibbs Racing’s Nationwide Series program in 2013, depending on whether Joey Logano stays with Gibbs Racing as a Sprint Cup driver, gets bumped down to Nationwide or is given his walking papers.

Sadler originally joined RCR when the team added Kevin Harvick Inc. following the 2011 NASCAR season.

Two sons of NASCAR and IndyCar team owner Roger Penske were arrested Thursday for a break-in at the Nantucket Yacht Club in Massachusetts after two women said they were assaulted in the club’s parking lot, reports The Inquirer and Mirror of Nantucket.

Jay Penske, 33, the CEO of the digital media company PMC, who owns the IndyCar racing team Dragon Racing and the web site Deadline.com, along with his brother Mark Penske, 35, were arrested just before 2 a.m. Thursday on South Beach Street.

The incident was reported as an assault and battery when two women approached police saying they had been assaulted by two men, who were later identified as the Penske brothers.

Police say they arrested Jay Penske trying to run away from the club, and found Mark Penske at the employee apartment after he had fallen down the staircase.

“There were three people living in the apartment and only two saw the suspects enter the house and they got startled when they were confronted,” according to the report.

The newspaper reported that one of the women claimed the Penske brothers were urinating in the parking lot, and when she confronted Jay Penske, he “turned and continued to urinate on her boots.”

The Penske brothers were released on personal recognizance with pretrial hearings set for Aug. 20.

NASCAR’s AJ Allmendinger agreed to enter a recovery program after failing a drug test. (Jerry Markland/Getty Images)

NASCAR driver AJ Allmendinger said Wednesday he will enter a recovery program immediately so he can be re-instated to racing as soon as possible, reports ESPN.com.

Allmendinger was suspended indefinitely by NASCAR after his “B” sample urine test supported an original test that violated NASCAR’s substance abuse policy. He will enter into NASCAR’s Road to Recovery program. Most programs run five months or longer, which could effectively end Allmendinger’s season.

“While we await further information from testing to determine the cause [of the positive test], we have notified NASCAR that AJ will participate in the Road to Recovery program starting immediately,” said Tara Ragan, Allmendinger’s business manager. “As we have stated earlier, we respect NASCAR’s drug testing policies. They are first and foremost in place to protect drivers and AJ being among those.”

Allmendinger said last week that the positive test was for a stimulant that could have been the result of a supplement or over-the-counter drug he was using. Allmendinger signed a one-year deal with Penske Racing before the season and no decision has been made about his status for next season.

NASCAR announced on Tuesday that Sprint Cup driver A.J. Allmendinger has been suspended indefinitely for violating the sport’s substance abuse policy. NASCAR had Allmendinger’s B sample tested on Tuesday, and presumably it came back positive as well.

According to the NASCAR rule book, NASCAR will now provide Allmendinger with a letter outlining the process for reinstatement.

Allmendinger had been temporarily suspended on July 7. NASCAR has not specified the substance that turned up in Allmendinger’s tests. (Allmendinger’s business manager has said that the driver tested positive for a stimulant and that he did not knowingly take a banned substance.)

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2012/07/24/cup-b-test-today-for-allmendinger/#ixzz21amQILZ8

Sam Hornish Jr. will drive the No. 22 car for Penske Racing in Allmendinger’s place.

AJ Allmendinger failed a random NASCAR drug test recently and has been pulled from the Coke Zero 400 race at Daytona Saturday night, ESPN’s Marty Smith reported on Twitter. Allmendinger is “temporarily suspended” from racing. Sam Hornish Jr. will replace Allmendinger in Daytona on Saturday.

NEWS: AJ Allmendinger has failed a random drug test by NASCAR. Sam Hornish will drivethe No. 22 Dodge tonight at Daytona.

— Marty Smith (@MartySmithESPN) July 7, 2012

The positive sample came from testing last weekend in Kentucky before the Quaker State 400. Allmendinger currently ranks 23rd in Sprint Cup points.

The positive A-Sample was taken from Allmendinger during a random drug test at Kentucky Speedway.

— Marty Smith (@MartySmithESPN) July 7, 2012

NASCAR did not get into specifics about what caused the positive test. Allmendinger can request a test of his “B” sample within 72 hours.

We do not know what substance was found in Allmendinger’s drug test. NASCAR did not mention it and did not take questions.

— Marty Smith (@MartySmithESPN) July 7, 2012

Meanwhile, Penske Racing teammate Brad Keselowski preemptively tweeted that he would not comment on Allmendinger’s failed drug test.

Note- No comments on 22 car tonight as we focus on tonight’s race. Thank u in advance.

— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) July 7, 2012

Despite a spat of off-track and on-track incidents from Kurt Busch, Phoenix Racing will retain the driver according to tweets from ESPN’s Marty Smith, quoting Phoenix Racing’s owner James Finch.

James Finch says Kurt Busch will remain with Phoenix Racing as its driver.—
Marty Smith (@MartySmithESPN) June 12, 2012

Finch: “We have met w Kurt. At end of day, we are racers so we’re going racing together with Kurt and the No. 51 Phoenix RacingChevrolet."—
Marty Smith (@MartySmithESPN) June 12, 2012

Finch cont: "We know adjustments have to be made but how we fix that is between Kurt and myself."—
Marty Smith (@MartySmithESPN) June 12, 2012

Finch final: "We’re going to go to track, work hard, race hard & workon trying to attract a sponsor – and we’re going to do that together.”—
Marty Smith (@MartySmithESPN) June 12, 2012

Busch had been in hot water recently after verbally abusing a reporter at Dover two weeks ago. In response, NASCAR suspended the driver for this past weekend’s race at Pocono, and also extended his probation through the end of the year. Busch originally received probation after clashing with a fellow driver earlier in the season.

Kurt Busch has found himself in hot water with his owner after his most recent outburst. (Todd Warshaw, Getty Images)

Kurt Busch hasn’t won many new fans over the past several months, with a series of wrecks, disputes, and outbursts tainting his image. Now it appears even the president of his team is getting fed up. NASCAR suspended Busch for a week yesterday after threatening a reporter at Dover over the weekend, in addition to extending his probation to the end of the year. Phoenix Racing owner James Finch expressed his frustrations and urged Busch to get back on track today in an interview with SiriusXM’s NASCAR channel, published in USA Today.

“Here’s the deal: Quit wrecking the cars, get a good finish, be nice to people. That’s not real hard to do.”

Finch also intimated that Phoenix is having trouble getting sponsors because of Busch’s repeated bad behavior.

“It’s affecting me. If I can’t get a sponsor, I can’t keep running without a sponsor,” Finch said. “That’s a slow death. I don’t want to do that.

“Hopefully if we can get Kurt’s mind right, we can win some races. If we can’t get his mind right so we can race into the future, then I’ll go do something else. It’s just that simple.”

Busch joined Phoenix Racing this year after parting company with Penske Racing after the 2011 season. Busch’s split with Penske came after another verbal tirade at a report, this time ESPN’s Jerry Punch.

Kurt Busch was suspended by NASCAR for this weekend’s races for comments made to a reporter on Sunday. (Patrick Smith, Getty Images)

Kurt Busch will be absent from this weekend’s racing action after being suspended for offensive comments made to a reporter last week, NASCAR announced today. The suspension applies to all NASCAR races, including the Sprint Cup Pocono 400. NASCAR also extended Busch’s probation, originally set to expire on July 25, until the end of the calendar year. Busch received probation for a May 12 altercation with driver Ryan Newman’s crew.

The official release, from NASCAR:

NASCAR has suspended Kurt Busch until June 13 and has extended his probation until Dec. 31 for his actions following the Nationwide Series race June 2 at Dover International Speedway.

Busch violated Section 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing; violation of probation; verbal abuse to a media member) of the 2012 NASCAR Rule Book. Busch had been placed on probation May 15 for his actions during the May 12 Sprint Cup Series event at Darlington Raceway. That probation was scheduled to end July 25.

Busch’s suspension comes as a result of comments made to Sporting News reporter Bob Pockrass over the weekend. Asked about driving while under probation, Busch hit back by threatening physical harm upon Pockrass. CBS Sports has video of the incident.

The suspension and probation extension is the latest in a series of disciplinary dealings Busch has had with NASCAR. Busch was fined $50,000 for abusing ESPN racing commentator Dr. Jerry Punch and making an obscene hand gesture at cameras while pulling into a garage for repairs during a 2011 race at the Homestead. Busch also has a history of feuds with other drivers, for which he has been repeatedly fined.

Kurt Busch threatened a reporter following Saturday’s Nationwide Series race and could face disciplinary action from NASCAR. (Todd Warshaw/Getty Images)

Kurt Busch, currently on probation for his altercation with fellow NASCAR driver Ryan Newman during the Sprint Cup race at Darlington last month, is facing more disciplinary action after he threatened a Sporting News reporter on Saturday after the Nationwide Series race in Delaware, according to ESPN’s David Newton.

According to the report, Busch was annoyed when the reporter asked him how his probation dictated how he would act on Saturday in dealing with issues he was having with driver Justin Allgaier.

According to Newton, Busch had some harsh words for the reporter.

“It refrains me from not beating the s— out of you right now because you ask me stupid questions,” Busch told the reporter, an interview captured on video by Speed. “But because I’m on probation I suppose that’s improper to say as well.”

NASCAR president Mike Helton and vice president of competition Robin Pemberton met with Busch regarding Saturday’s comments before Sunday’s Cup race at Dover. Officials plan to meet again — likely Tuesday — to decide whether Busch violated the rules of his probation and faces further penalties.

“We are in the process of collecting all the facts and details surrounding the incident to assist us in making a correct and fair decision,” NASCAR spokesperson Kristi King said in a statement. “Nothing happened today. The focus was on the race.”

Jeff Gordon won the pole for Sunday’s race at Talladega Speedway with a lap at 191.623 mph, according to the Palm Beach Post.

“We all know that sitting on the pole at Talladega doesn’t really guarantee anything for the race,” Gordon said. “The biggest positive is just the fact we’ve had a rough start to the season, not a lot has gone our way other than we’ve had fast cars but not a lot of results to show for it. To me, right now, we’ll just take any kind of positive boost that we possibly can and this is a good one.”

It is Gordon’s first pole since this race last year and the 71^st of his career, according to the Post. Gordon has just two top finishes in the season’s first nine races and is ranked 17^th in the Sprint Cup Series standings.

“One win is not going to turn our entire season around, but it’s definitely something we would welcome,” Gordon said. “Anything positive would be a great thing for us.”

Conservative radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh condemned NASCAR driver Danica Patrick during his show Monday, asking, “What do you expect from a woman driver,” according to New York Daily News.

“She said, ‘I leave it up to the government to make good decisions for America.’ Limbaugh said in response to Patrick openly supporting the Obama’s administration’s contraception rule requiring faith-based institutions to provide free birth control to their employees, “What do you expect from a woman driver? I don’t know why everybody was so shocked.”

A day before Limbaugh’s slur, Fox San Diego sports anchor Ross Shimabuku was suspended for saying a vulgar slur about Patrick during a live broadcast.

Patrick has not yet responded on Limbaugh’s comment.

NASCAR will not fine Brad Keselowski for using Twitter during the red-flag delay of the Daytona 500, according to Yahoo Sports. In fact, in a statement released today, the racing governing body encouraged Keselowski for his creative use of social media during the race.

“Nothing we’ve seen from Brad violates any current rules pertaining to the use of social media during races,” NASCAR said in a statement. “As such, he won’t be penalized. We encourage our drivers to use social media to express themselves as long as they do so without risking their safety or that of others.”

Keselowski drew headlines when he sent several tweets during a delay at the Daytona 500. As a result of his “Twitterfest” during the Daytona 500 he increased his following by 135,000. He has also been winning accolades from the sport’s world for his move.

Here is one of the Tweets he sent during the race.

Closest I got to the scene of the fire. @KaytiNowak: @keselowski post another picture!! i'm loving this right now” http://t.co/COJLdy8b

—
Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) February 28, 2012

NASCAR announced Tuesday that they would not penalize driver Brad Keselowski for tweeting during a red flag period of Monday’s Daytona 500, according to ESPN.com.

The stoppage lasted over two hours, and Keselowski tweeted photos and answered questions from fans. NASCAR has encouraged drivers to be more communicative with fans, and they found no fault in what Keselowski did Monday night.

“NASCAR will not penalize Brad Keselowski for his use of Twitter during last night’s Daytona 500,” NASCAR said in a statement, according to ESPN. “Nothing we’ve seen from Brad violates any current rules pertaining to the use of social media during races. As such, he won’t be penalized. We encourage our drivers to use social media to express themselves as long as they do so without risking their safety or that of others.”

The Daytona 500 has been postponed until noon on Monday due to weather, according to the official NASCAR Twitter account. It is the first time in history the race has been postponed.

The 54th running of the #DAYTONA500 has been postponed until noon ET on Monday @DISUpdates on @NASCARONFOX @SiriusXMNASCAR @MRNRadio #NASCAR

—
  (@NASCAR) February 26, 2012

The race was officially supposed to start a 1:29 p.m., but rain pushed the start time back.

“It’s one of those days here in Daytona where it pops up and falls off and pops up and falls off,” NASCAR president Mike Helton said earlier on Sunday, according to the Chicago Tribune. “But as the day progresses, we think the chances of the popups diminish quite a bit. Hopefully this will be the last big cell we see and things will start falling apart and we can get the track dry and go on and run the Daytona 500 today.”

When the race starts tomorrow, Carl Edwards will be on the pole and teammate Greg Biffle will start on the outside of the front row.

Jeff Gordon was in the worst crash of his career today at the Budweiser Shootout, but he appears to be OK:

#JeffGordon in a huge wreck! #JG says he is fine. #Team24 #NASCAR

—
Jeff Gordon (@JeffGordonWeb) February 19, 2012

Gordon’s Chevrolet crashed into Kurt Busch’s car and flipped over before skidding a long distance on its side and overturning again. Miraculously, he was able to emerge from the car and walk away.

The crash came toward the end of the race, with just two laps to go. Kyle Busch ultimately won the race, edging Tony Stewart.

Penske Racing has elected not to bring Kurt Busch back to drive the No. 22 car next season, according to Jim Utter of ThatsRacin.com.

The decision comes following an obscene tirade during the finale of the Nascar Sprint Cup Series at Homestead-Miami Speedway, during which Busch verbally berated ESPN racing commentator Dr. Jerry Punch after making obscene gestures at him.  The incident was captured on video and posted online, resulting in a fine for Busch and a written apology from Penske Racing.

According to Utter, an official announcement on Busch’s fate is expected on Monday.  It is unclear who Penske Racing could turn to as a replacement for Busch, nor where Busch could resurface following this turn of events.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden will serve as grand marshals for the Ford 400 in Miami, ABC News reports. Their involvement is related to their work in Joining Forces, which is a group that aides military families.

The race is scheduled for November 20, and it is the final race of the NASCAR season.

The White House released a statement, saying: “As part of the season-ending NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship race, NASCAR will rally its millions of fans at the speedway and online to serve military families through the holiday season by asking them to visit www.NASCAR.com/Unites and JoiningForces.gov to find service opportunities and ideas to give back to those who serve our country.”

One of Kyle Busch’s sponsors has asked for him to be removed from the season-ending Nationwide Series race in wake of his aggressive driving at Texas Motor Speedway, ESPN reports.

The sponsor, Z-Line Designs, has asked for Denny Hamlin to take Busch’s place in the Nationwide race at Homestead. Other racers are being considered to replace Busch in the final two Sprint Cup Series races as well, while Busch’s primary sponsor, M&M’s, sorts out its sponsorship relationship with Busch.

The Busch fallout comes after he intentionally wrecked Ron Hornaday Jr. early on in last Friday’s race at Texas that cost the driver $50,000, a suspension from all races at Texas and probation though the end of the year.

The 26-year-old driver was believed to be the favorite to win the Sprint Cup championship.

NASCAR has fined Kyle Busch $50,000 and has placed the driver on probation through the remainder of the year, according to ESPN.com

The penalty comes as a result of his retaliatory actions at Texas Motor Speedway last week. Busch was not allowed to race in Saturday’s Nationwide Series race and Sunday’s Sprint Cup race as a result of his actions.

“I understand why I was taken out of the car for the rest of the weekend. NASCAR officials had to act, and I accept their punishment and take full responsibility for my actions,” Busch said in a statement to the media. “As a racecar driver, the hardest thing to do is to sit on the sidelines listening to cars on the track when you know you should be out there competing. For this, I have no one to blame but myself.”

As part of NASCAR’s probation, if Busch has any other actions this season that the governing body determines as detrimental to NASCAR, he will immediately be suspended.

Bush will be allowed to race this weekend at Phoenix International Raceway.

TMZ reports that in addition to finding methamphetamine at ex-NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield’s home, police have also seized roughly 40 firearms from his North Carolina house.

Catawba County Sheriff’s office Joel Fish tells TMZ most of the guns were rifles and shotguns with a few handguns.

The police were initially called to search Mayfield’s home after a tip suggested there was stolen property stored there. Reports claim there was stolen merchandise in the home including sound equipment and Red Bull Racing gear.

After the police raid, Mayfield was arrested for felony possession of methamphetamine. This is not Mayfield’s first incident with illegal substances. His narcotic use in 2009 had him suspended by NASCAR.

In honor of NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon’s 85^th career victory, North Carolina has agreed to re-name a stretch of I-85 the “Jeff Gordon Expressway,” according to Business Insider.

The 1.6 mile stretch will be in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, an area just outside the Charlotte city limits. NASCAR originally proposed the idea to the county in light of his recent victory milestone as well as his notable charitable work, and the Mecklenburg County Board of County Commissioners have reportedly agreed.

Gordon will join fellow racers Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt, and Junior Johnson who have also had roads named after them in the area.

The 40-year-olds 85^th victory came this September when he won the AdvoCare500 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Georgia.