The
2008 Pepsi 500 was the twenty-fifth race of the
2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup seasonThe 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series began on February 9, 2008 at Daytona International Speedway with the Budweiser Shootout, followed by pole qualifying on Sunday, February 10, 2008 for the 50th Daytona 500 on February 17...
and the next-to-last race to determine the twelve drivers to compete in the
2008 Chase for the Sprint CupThe 2008 Chase for the Sprint Cup was the ten-race playoffs which concluded the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The Chase began with the Sylvania 300 on September 14, 2008 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and ended with the Ford 400 on November 16, 2008 at Homestead-Miami Speedway...
. The race was held on Sunday night, August 31 at Auto Club Speedway in
Fontana, CaliforniaFontana is a city in San Bernardino County, California, United States. Located in the heart of the Inland Empire region of southern California, the City of Fontana is a fast-growing community known for its varied and colorful history, and for some of its important new local landmarks...
. ESPN carried the race beginning at 7 PM
US EDTThe Eastern Time Zone of the Western Hemisphere falls mostly along the east coast of North America and the west coast of South America. Its time offset is −5 hrs GMT or UTC−5 during standard time and UTC−4 during daylight saving time...
and
MRNThe Motor Racing Network is the principal radio broadcasting operation of NASCAR, promoting themselves as "The Voice of NASCAR." It broadcasts coverage of most major NASCAR races at the top three levels of NASCAR at tracks owned by International Speedway Corporation as well as Dover International...
along with
Sirius Satellite RadioSirius Satellite Radio is a satellite radio service operating in the United States and Canada, owned by Sirius XM Radio. Headquartered in New York City, with smaller studios in Los Angeles and Memphis, Sirius was officially launched on July 1, 2002 and currently provides 69 streams of music and...
having radio coverage starting at 7:15 PM US EDT. This year marked the final time that this race would be run on Labor Day Weekend.
The
2008 Pepsi 500 was the twenty-fifth race of the
2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup seasonThe 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series began on February 9, 2008 at Daytona International Speedway with the Budweiser Shootout, followed by pole qualifying on Sunday, February 10, 2008 for the 50th Daytona 500 on February 17...
and the next-to-last race to determine the twelve drivers to compete in the
2008 Chase for the Sprint CupThe 2008 Chase for the Sprint Cup was the ten-race playoffs which concluded the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The Chase began with the Sylvania 300 on September 14, 2008 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and ended with the Ford 400 on November 16, 2008 at Homestead-Miami Speedway...
. The race was held on Sunday night, August 31 at Auto Club Speedway in
Fontana, CaliforniaFontana is a city in San Bernardino County, California, United States. Located in the heart of the Inland Empire region of southern California, the City of Fontana is a fast-growing community known for its varied and colorful history, and for some of its important new local landmarks...
. ESPN carried the race beginning at 7 PM
US EDTThe Eastern Time Zone of the Western Hemisphere falls mostly along the east coast of North America and the west coast of South America. Its time offset is −5 hrs GMT or UTC−5 during standard time and UTC−4 during daylight saving time...
and
MRNThe Motor Racing Network is the principal radio broadcasting operation of NASCAR, promoting themselves as "The Voice of NASCAR." It broadcasts coverage of most major NASCAR races at the top three levels of NASCAR at tracks owned by International Speedway Corporation as well as Dover International...
along with
Sirius Satellite RadioSirius Satellite Radio is a satellite radio service operating in the United States and Canada, owned by Sirius XM Radio. Headquartered in New York City, with smaller studios in Los Angeles and Memphis, Sirius was officially launched on July 1, 2002 and currently provides 69 streams of music and...
having radio coverage starting at 7:15 PM US EDT. This year marked the final time that this race would be run on Labor Day Weekend. In
2009The 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series is the 61st season of professional stock car racing in the United States, which began at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, with the 2009 Budweiser Shootout at Daytona, a race for the top six teams of the four brands in the 2008 season on...
, this race will move into the current spot occupied to
Talladega SuperspeedwayTalladega Superspeedway is a motorsports complex located in Eastaboga, Alabama, United States. It was constructed in the 1960s in place of the abandoned Anniston Army Airfield by International Speedway Corporation, a business controlled by NASCAR's founding France family along with Daytona...
as part of the NASCAR 2009 realignment.
Pre-Race News
- Jeff Burton
Jeffrey Brian Burton also sometimes referred to as "JB" is a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver. He drives the #31 Caterpillar Chevrolet Impala SS for Richard Childress Racing. He also races part-time in the Nationwide Series driving the #29 Holiday Inn Chevrolet...
joined the NASCAR 500 Start club this week.
- In this week's edition of "The Worst Kept Secret in NASCAR", Joe Gibbs Racing
Joe Gibbs Racing is a group of NASCAR racing teams owned and operated by former Washington Redskins coach Joe Gibbs, who first started racing on the NASCAR circuit in 1991, and J.D. Gibbs, his son...
officially announced August 25th that Joey LoganoJoseph Thomas Logano nicknamed "sliced bread" by Randy LaJoie, is an American race car driver who currently drives the #20 Home Depot Toyota Camry in the Sprint Cup Series and the #20 GameStop/Sport Clips Toyota Camry in the Nationwide Series for Joe Gibbs Racing.Logano's first major NASCAR win...
will officially take the place of the soon-to-be-departing Tony StewartAnthony Wayne Stewart is an American auto racing driver and owner. Throughout his racing career Stewart has won titles in Indy cars and stock cars, as well as midget, sprint and USAC Silver Crown cars, giving him the recognition of "one of the finest racers of his generation." Tony currently owns...
in the #20 Home Depot-sponsored Toyota for the 2009 season. Logano will debut in the series next week at RichmondThe 2008 Chevy Rock & Roll 400, was the twenty-sixth race of the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup season, but more importantly, served as the final "regular season" race before the 2008 Chase for the Sprint Cup, where the top twelve drivers were "locked into" the ten-race playoff...
driving the #02 car, which will be painted in the reverse colors of the #20.
- Reed Sorenson
Bradley Reed Sorenson is a NASCAR driver who currently drives the #43 Air Force/McDonald's Dodge Charger in the Sprint Cup Series for Richard Petty Motorsports.- Early career :...
will leave Chip Ganassi RacingChip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates is an automotive racing organization with teams competing in the IndyCar Series and Rolex Sports Car Series. It is owned by businessmen Chip Ganassi and Felix Sabates...
and the #41 DodgeDodge is a United States-based brand of automobiles, minivans, sport utility vehicles, and pickup trucks, manufactured and marketed by Chrysler Group LLC in more than 60 different countries and territories worldwide....
and become a driver for Gillett Evernham Motorsports in 2009. His car number and sponsors will be announced at a later date. There was some good news to come out of it for CGR. Target StoresTarget Corporation, usually known simply as Target, is an American retailing company that was founded in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1902 as the Dayton Dry Goods Company. In 1962, the company opened its first Target store in nearby Roseville...
will return for one of the planned two rides.
- The Budweiser Shootout
Budweiser Shootout at Daytona is an annual NASCAR Sprint Cup Series exhibition event held at Daytona International Speedway in February, the weekend before the Daytona 500. Busch Clash was the mind child of Monty Roberts Brand Manager of the newly formed Busch beer which had formerly been Busch...
has undergone a major format change for 2009. In the past, as BudweiserBudweiser is an American-style lager and is one of the most popular beers in the United States. Budweiser is made with a large proportion of rice in addition to hops and barley malt. Budweiser is produced in various breweries located around the United States and the rest of the world. It is a...
was an official NASCAR sponsor, the race featured winners of the previous season's pole position at each NASCAR race. This has changed with Coors Light becoming the pole position sponsor. Only 24 cars and their drivers, representing the top six points finishers from each brand running in the series (ChevroletChevrolet is a brand of automobile produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant in 1911, Chevrolet was acquired by General Motors in 1917...
, Dodge, FordThe Ford Motor Company is an American multinational corporation based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury brands, Ford also owns Volvo Cars of Sweden, and a small stake...
and Toyota) will compete. In addition, the first segment will be increased to 25 laps.
- Drew Carey
Drew Allison Carey is an American comedian, actor, photographer, and game show host. After serving in the U.S. Marines and making a name for himself in stand-up comedy, Carey eventually gained popularity starring on his own sitcom, The Drew Carey Show, and serving as host on the U.S...
was the Grand Marshal, and attendance at this race inspired the "ultimate fan package" prizes offered on The Price Is RightThe Price Is Right is an American game show centered on the pricing of merchandise and grocery products to win cash and prizes. The current version of the show premiered on September 4, 1972 on CBS and was hosted by Bob Barker until his retirement on June 15, 2007...
. Carey told NASCAR.COM, "I wish (the VIP treatment) was a prize they could give away to the average person, or somebody could win this so they could get a police escort in, get to sit in the pit, get to hang out in the Presidential Suite with all The Price is Right models."
Qualifying
Jimmie Johnson Jimmie Kenneth Johnson is a current NASCAR Sprint Cup race car driver who drives the #48 Lowe's/Kobalt Tools Chevrolet Impala SS co-owned by Rick Hendrick and his teammate Jeff Gordon and operated by Hendrick Motorsports. Johnson is the reigning three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion...
took the top position for the fourth time this season and 17th in his career, and A.J. Allmendinger closed fast to take the other front row spot, edging Johnson's Hendrick teammate,
Jeff GordonJeffery Michael Gordon is a professional American race car driver. He was born in Vallejo, California, raised in Pittsboro, Indiana, and currently lives in Charlotte, North Carolina...
.
Failed to qualify: Tony RainesFloyd Anthony Raines is an American race car driver. He is a former National Touring Series champion in the now defunct American Speed Association and 1999 Rookie of the Year in the NASCAR Nationwide Series...
(#70).
Race
A caution came out early in the race due to debris when one of the track's caution lights fell onto the track itself. Another caution came out on lap 43 when Kurt Busch spun due to tire tread separation on his left rear tire. Caution #4 came out when Joe Nemecheck over corrected for over steer and hit the wall. Caution #5 came out around lap 102 due to debris on the track. Caution #6 on 160 was also due debris that was from a small piece of another caution light falling on the track. Caution #7 came out with 70 laps to go due to Robby Gordon spinning out. Caution #8 came out due to Marcos Ambrose's car hitting a wall, after which Jimmie Johnson won the race, leading 228 of 250 laps. Three drivers - Johnson,
Dale Earnhardt, Jr.Ralph Dale Earnhardt, Jr. is a professional American race car driver who drives the #88 AMP Energy/National Guard Chevrolet Impala SS in the NASCAR Sprint Cup series for Hendrick Motorsports, and drives in the Nationwide Series part-time for the #5 car for his own team, JR Motorsports...
and Jeff Burton - all locked up spots in the
2008 Chase for the Sprint CupThe 2008 Chase for the Sprint Cup was the ten-race playoffs which concluded the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The Chase began with the Sylvania 300 on September 14, 2008 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and ended with the Ford 400 on November 16, 2008 at Homestead-Miami Speedway...
.
Greg BiffleGregory Jack Biffle is a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver who drives the #16 3M Ford Fusion for Roush Fenway Racing. He now lives in Mooresville, North Carolina.-Early career:...
, who finished second, also all but wrapped up a spot in the Chase as well, and all he'll have to do is qualify his car and start in
RichmondRichmond International Raceway is a 3/4-mile , D-shaped, asphalt race track located just outside Richmond, Virginia in Henrico County. It hosts the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and Nationwide Series. "America's Premier Short Track" also was formerly host to the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series...
next week.
Polesitter Johnson dominated, leading 238 out of 250 laps to score his 36th victory at the venue wher he scored his first just more than six years prior.
Results
| Top Ten Finishers |
| Pos. |
Car # |
Driver |
Car Make |
Team |
| 1 |
48 |
California Jimmie Johnson Jimmie Kenneth Johnson is a current NASCAR Sprint Cup race car driver who drives the #48 Lowe's/Kobalt Tools Chevrolet Impala SS co-owned by Rick Hendrick and his teammate Jeff Gordon and operated by Hendrick Motorsports. Johnson is the reigning three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion...
|
ChevroletChevrolet is a brand of automobile produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant in 1911, Chevrolet was acquired by General Motors in 1917...
|
Hendrick MotorsportsHendrick Motorsports is a stock car racing team that currently competes in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The team is principally owned by Rick Hendrick, but Jeff Gordon and Mary Hendrick are listed as the owners of the #48 and #5 respectively...
|
| 2 |
16 |
Washington Greg BiffleGregory Jack Biffle is a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver who drives the #16 3M Ford Fusion for Roush Fenway Racing. He now lives in Mooresville, North Carolina.-Early career:...
|
Ford The Ford Motor Company is an American multinational corporation based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury brands, Ford also owns Volvo Cars of Sweden, and a small stake...
|
Roush Fenway Racing |
| 3 |
11 |
Virginia Denny HamlinJames Dennis Alan Hamlin, Jr. is an American race car driver. He currently drives the #11 Fedex Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup series.-Racing prior to NASCAR:...
|
Toyota |
Joe Gibbs Racing Joe Gibbs Racing is a group of NASCAR racing teams owned and operated by former Washington Redskins coach Joe Gibbs, who first started racing on the NASCAR circuit in 1991, and J.D. Gibbs, his son...
|
| 4 |
29 |
California Kevin HarvickKevin Michael Harvick is an American race car driver and car owner, competing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series for Richard Childress Racing, driving the #29 Shell Pennzoil Chevrolet Impala SS...
|
Chevrolet |
Richard Childress RacingRCR Enterprises, LLC, doing business as Richard Childress Racing, is a NASCAR team based in Welcome, North Carolina and is owned and operated by former driver now businessman Richard Childress...
|
| 5 |
17 |
Wisconsin Matt KensethMatthew Roy Kenseth is an American stock car driver. Matt currently drives the #17 DeWalt Ford in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series for Roush Fenway Racing. He is currently the defending Daytona 500 champion, having won a rain-shortened race in 2009, the first Daytona 500 win for the Roush Fenway...
|
Ford |
Roush Fenway Racing |
| 6 |
99 |
Missouri Carl Edwards Carl Michael Edwards, II is an American NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and Nationwide Series driver for Roush Fenway Racing.In the Sprint Cup Series, Edwards Drives the #99 Aflac Ford Fusion...
|
Ford |
Roush Fenway Racing |
| 7 |
18 |
Nevada Kyle Busch Kyle Thomas Busch is an American race car driver. He drives the #18 Mars/Interstate Batteries/NOS Energy Drink Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing in the Sprint Cup Series, the #18 Z-Line Designs/NOS Energy Drink Toyota Camry for Gibbs in the Nationwide Series, and the #51 Miccosukee Resorts Toyota...
|
Toyota |
Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 8 |
9 |
Washington Kasey KahneKasey Kenneth Kahne is a race car driver full time in NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series and part-time in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. For the 2009 season, he drives the #9 Budweiser Dodge Charger for Richard Petty Motorsports with teammates Elliott Sadler, Reed Sorenson,...
|
DodgeDodge is a United States-based brand of automobiles, minivans, sport utility vehicles, and pickup trucks, manufactured and marketed by Chrysler Group LLC in more than 60 different countries and territories worldwide....
|
Gillett Evernham Motorsports |
| 9 |
44 |
Florida David ReutimannDavid Reutimann is the driver the #00 Aaron's Dream Machine Toyota Camry for Michael Waltrip Racing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and the #10 Beringer Vineyards/Camping World Toyota Camry for Braun Racing in the Nationwide Series...
|
Toyota |
Michael Waltrip Racing |
| 10 |
07 |
Kansas Clint BowyerClint Bowyer is an American NASCAR driver. He currently pilots the #33 General Mills/BB&T/The Hartford Chevrolet Impala SS in the Sprint Cup Series and the #29 Holiday Inn Chevrolet Impala SS in the Nationwide Series part-time, both for Richard Childress Racing...
|
Chevrolet |
Richard Childress Racing |