2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series

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Jimmie Johnson, the 2009 Sprint Cup Series champion. This was the fourth of his five consecutive titles. JimmieJohnsonAugust2007.jpg
Jimmie Johnson, the 2009 Sprint Cup Series champion. This was the fourth of his five consecutive titles.
Mark Martin came in second behind Johnson by 141 points. It was his first full season since 2006. Mark Martin 2007 Daytona 500 (cropped).jpg
Mark Martin came in second behind Johnson by 141 points. It was his first full season since 2006.
Jeff Gordon finished third in the championship in a 1-2-3 sweep for Hendrick Motorsports in the standings in 2009. National Guard Bureau.jpg
Jeff Gordon finished third in the championship in a 1-2-3 sweep for Hendrick Motorsports in the standings in 2009.
Joey Logano, the 2009 NASCAR Rookie of the Year. Joey Logano (4722352284).jpg
Joey Logano, the 2009 NASCAR Rookie of the Year.
Chevrolet won the Manufacturer's championship with 18 wins & 248 points. Mark Martin 2009.jpg
Chevrolet won the Manufacturer's championship with 18 wins & 248 points.

The 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series was the 61st season of professional stock car racing in the United States, the 38th modern-era Cup series, and the last Cup season of the 21st century's first decade, the 2000s. The season included 36 races and two exhibition races with the regular season beginning with the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway and ending with the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The final ten races were known as 2009 Chase for the Sprint Cup. Rick Hendrick won the Owners' Championship, while Jimmie Johnson won the Drivers' Championship with a fifth-place finish at the final race of the season. Chevrolet won the Manufacturers' Championship with 248 points.

2009 was the first season without NASCAR legends Johnny Benson (since 1995), Dale Jarrett (since 1985) and Kyle Petty (since 1978) after they retired following the 2008 season. It was also, significantly, the first in Cup Series history in which no Petty family driver competed during the season.

Teams and drivers

Complete schedule

Because of the merger of Dale Earnhardt, Inc. with Chip Ganassi Racing, the No. 01 and No. 15 teams closed after the 2008 season. However, the owners' points from the No. 15 were transferred to the No. 34, while points from either the No. 01 or No. 41 was transferred to the No. 07, with the No. 33 car, owned by Richard Childress, receiving the other. (NASCAR allows for a transfer if the original owner maintains some stake in the team to which points are transferred.) 2009 also saw the demise of Petty Enterprises, which merged with Gillette Evernham Motorsports. The new company would be called Richard Petty Motorsports, forming a 4 car team with Kasey Kahne in the No. 9, Elliott Sadler in the No. 19, Reed Sorenson driving the famed No. 43, and A. J. Allmendinger driving the No. 44. Also Bill Davis Racing was bought by Triad Racing, however the No. 22 was bought by Penske Racing with Bill Davis holding minority interest. The No. 22's points were transferred to the No. 77, thus guaranteeing that car a spot in the Daytona 500 should all other transfers occur. There were 41 full-time teams in 2009. [1]

ManufacturerTeamNo.Race driverCrew chief
Chevrolet Earnhardt Ganassi Racing 1 Martin Truex Jr. Kevin Manion
42 Juan Pablo Montoya Brian Pattie
Front Row Motorsports 34 John Andretti 34Steve Lane
Tony Raines 2
Hendrick Motorsports 5 Mark Martin Alan Gustafson
24 Jeff Gordon Steve Letarte
48 Jimmie Johnson Chad Knaus
88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Tony Eury Jr.
Richard Childress Racing 07 Casey Mears Gil Martin
29 Kevin Harvick Todd Berrier
31 Jeff Burton Scott Miller
33 Clint Bowyer Shane Wilson
Stewart-Haas Racing 14 Tony Stewart Darian Grubb
39 Ryan Newman Tony Gibson
TRG Motorsports 71 Mike Wallace 1 Slugger Labbe
David Gilliland 25
Andy Lally 1
Bobby Labonte 7
Mike Bliss 2
Phoenix Racing 09 Brad Keselowski 6Marc Reno
Ron Fellows 2
David Gilliland 1
David Stremme 1
Dodge Sterling Marlin 12
Mike Bliss 12
Aric Almirola 2
Penske Championship Racing 2 Kurt Busch Pat Tryson
12 David Stremme 33Roy McCauley
Brad Keselowski 3
77 Sam Hornish Jr. Travis Geisler
Ford Roush Fenway Racing 6 David Ragan Jimmy Fennig
16 Greg Biffle Greg Erwin
17 Matt Kenseth Drew Blickensderfer
26 Jamie McMurray Donnie Wingo
99 Carl Edwards Bob Osbourne
Yates / Hall of Fame Racing 96 Bobby Labonte 29 Todd Parrott 10
Ben Leslie 26
Erik Darnell 7
98 Paul Menard Larry Carter
Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing 11 Denny Hamlin Mike Ford
18 Kyle Busch Steve Addington
20 Joey Logano (R) Greg Zipadelli
JTG Daugherty Racing 47 Marcos Ambrose Frank Kerr
Michael Waltrip Racing 00 David Reutimann Rodney Childers
55 Michael Waltrip 34 Bootie Barker
Gene Nead
Patrick Carpentier 2
NEMCO Motorsports 87 Joe Nemechek 36Phillipe Lopez
Scott Speed 2(R) [N 1]
Prism Motorsports 66 Terry Labonte 1Bill Henderson
Dave Blaney 34
Michael McDowell 1
Red Bull Racing Team 82 Scott Speed (R)Jimmy Elledge
83 Brian Vickers Ryan Pemberton
Robby Gordon Motorsports 7 Robby Gordon 35Kirk Almquist
David Gilliland 1
Tommy Baldwin Racing 36 Scott Riggs 12 Tommy Baldwin Jr.
Mike Skinner 6
Patrick Carpentier 5
Brian Simo 2
Michael McDowell 10
Robert Richardson Jr. 1
Dodge
Ford 		Richard Petty Motorsports 9 Kasey Kahne Kenny Francis
19 Elliott Sadler Kevin Buskirk
43 Reed Sorenson Mike Shiplett
44 A. J. Allmendinger Sammy Johns

Limited schedule

ManufacturerTeamNo.Race driverCrew chiefRound(s)
Chevrolet Ash Motorsports 02 Brandon Ash Kenneth Wood 3
Furniture Row Racing 78 Regan Smith Jay Guy20
Earnhardt Ganassi Racing 8 Aric Almirola Doug Randolph7
TRG Motorsports 70 David Gilliland 1
Mike Skinner 2
Kevin Conway 1
Hendrick Motorsports 25 Brad Keselowski Lance McGrew 8
Norm Benning Racing 57 Norm Benning Mark Tutor1
Morgan-McClure Motorsports 4 Eric McClure 1
Scott Wimmer 2
R3 Motorsports 23 Mike Skinner 1
Dodge BlackJack Racing51 Kelly Bires Ryan Bergenty1
David Starr 1
Dexter Bean (R)6
Boys Will Be
Boys Racing Co.		06 Trevor Boys Iain Moncrieff2
David Starr 2
Carl Long Racing 46 Carl Long 1
Dennis Setzer 1
Cope/Keller Racing 75 Derrike Cope Rich Markle6
H&S Motorsports73 Mike Garvey Buddy Sisco4
Tony Raines 1
Josh Wise 1
Ford Yates / Hall of Fame Racing 28 Travis Kvapil Ben Leslie 5
Wood Brothers Racing 21 Bill Elliott David Hyder12
David Gilliland 1
Carter/Simo Racing 08 Boris Said Frank Stoddard 3
Toyota Terry Labonte Tony Furr5
Joe Gibbs Racing 02 David Gilliland Wally Brown 3
Germain Racing 13 Max Papis (R) Bootie Barker 21
35 Todd Bodine 1
Gunselman Motorsports 64 Geoff Bodine Doug Richert 2
Todd Bodine 9
Mike Wallace 8
Derrike Cope 1
Kirk Shelmerdine Racing 27 Kirk Shelmerdine 1
Tom Hubert 1
Ted Christopher 1
Robby Gordon Motorsports 04 P. J. Jones Bob Gordon2
David Gilliland 1
Mayfield Motorsports 41 Jeremy Mayfield Tony Furr11
J. J. Yeley 1
Chevrolet
Dodge 		Front Row Motorsports 37 Tony Raines Scott Eggleston21
Chris Cook 1
Tony Ave 1
Kevin Hamlin Peter Sospenzo1
Travis Kvapil 3

Notes

  1. ↑ At Darlington (Race #11) and Sonoma (Race #16), Speed, who was scheduled to drive the No. 82 for Red Bull Racing Team failed to qualify his No. 82, so Nemechek who made the field, gave up his ride for Speed run both races, driving the No. 87 instead.

Major news stories

Economic effects

Mergers, contractions, and alliances

The economic crisis of 2008 caused problems even before the 2009 season began. While gas (and diesel) prices came down to nearly $2.00 per gallon, corporate America was reluctant to shell out millions of dollars to sponsor teams due to the volatility of the stock market. As a result, Chip Ganassi Racing merged with Dale Earnhardt, Inc. to form Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates. They fielded the No. 1 and No. 8 from DEI and No. 42 from Ganassi, and shut down the DEI No. 01 and No. 15 teams as well as Ganassi's No. 40 and No. 41 teams, as the No. 40 was a full-time team in 2008 until July, when it was closed for a lack of sponsorship. The No. 42 team will run under the Chevrolet banner under the merger as it changes from Dodge. In addition, Front Row Motorsports has EGR support for their No. 34 car, to be driven by John Andretti. On January 19, Petty Enterprises merged with Gillett Evernham Motorsports for the merger with Petty's famous No. 43 joining the newly renamed Richard Petty Motorsports. On December 22, 2008, Bill Davis Racing was sold to California businessman Mike Held and BDR vice president Marty Gaunt, and was renamed Triad Racing Development. Hall of Fame Racing announced an alliance with Yates Racing on January 13, 2009, and named Bobby Labonte as the new driver of the No. 96 team as they move from Toyota to Ford. The first in-season casualty was the No. 28 team of Travis Kvapil owned by Yates Racing, ceasing operations following the Food City 500 on March 22. On April 7, the second casualty of the season was the famous No. 8, which folded because of a lack of sponsorship, leaving Aric Almirola without a ride. On September 10, it was announced that Yates Racing and RPM would merge, closing the No. 44 and No. 96 teams as a result for the 2010 season and the No. 9, No. 19 and No. 43 teams will switch to Ford.

The elimination of testing

On November 14, 2008, NASCAR announced, as another cost-cutting measure, that teams will no longer be allowed to test on NASCAR-sanctioned tracks in all three major series. Traditionally, they had had preseason tests at Daytona and Las Vegas, along with as many as four additional in-season sessions at tracks, but all teams also use unsanctioned tracks (such as Rockingham Speedway) for their tests. The testing ban covers all tracks used on NASCAR's three national series, plus tracks that host events in the Camping World East and West circuits. This radically reduces the number of tracks that can be used for testing, with Rockingham being one of the few major tracks still available. This meant that the annual "Pre-Season Thunder" testing events, which covered all three major touring series at Daytona was cancelled for 2009. However, a fan fest remained in place with the thunder provided by the Richard Petty Driving Experience for fans to ride in a special two-seat stock car. However, Goodyear will still conduct tire tests, such as at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. A total of seven tests were conducted at Indianapolis following the 2008 Allstate 400 at the Brickyard tire debacle.

Reduction in manufacturer support

Following General Motors' bankruptcy, GM cut all financial support in the Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series, and considerably reduced financial support in the Sprint Cup Series. Similarly, the Chrysler bankruptcy led to several Dodge Sprint Cup teams, including Richard Petty Motorsports, losing their manufacturer support; as stated earlier, RPM will merge with Yates and have the No. 9, No. 19 and No. 43 cars switch to Ford for the 2010 season. Dodge claims that "funding is on hold." Toyota gave a small reduction in funding before the season, but has not made any mid-season cuts. Rumors have floated that Toyota may leave the Camping World Truck Series or Nationwide Series; the automaker has denied these reports. Ford, the healthiest of all the automakers, continues funding at pre-crisis levels. From the 2005 season it has been rumored that Honda will join the Nationwide and Sprint Cup series, and the rumor gets stronger entering the 2009 season, as Dodge claimed its funding on hold. This was denied by the manufacturer.

Town-hall meeting

On Tuesday, May 26, 2009, NASCAR held a town-hall meeting closed to the public and media with its drivers and owners to discuss a range of topics. Major topics discussed included the Jeremy Mayfield substance abuse suspension controversy, along with double-file restarts, the controversial Car of Tomorrow, sponsorship, testing, the reduction in TV ratings and attendance, and competition in general. All attendees considered the meeting a success.

Double-file restarts

Before the start of the season, NASCAR changed restart rules regarding the final moments of all races in the Sprint Cup, Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series. Previously, when the race was inside the final ten laps, all cars/trucks on the lead lap were in a single-file restart in that window. As of the 2009 season, the window changed to the final 20 laps. The "lucky dog"/"free pass" rule will still be eliminated in the last ten laps of a race.

However, before the June Pocono race, the entire restart procedure changed entirely in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. After being run successfully at the NASCAR Sprint Cup All-Star Race and in the Budweiser Shootout, NASCAR implemented a double-file restart system starting at Pocono for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. This change came at the request of fans, drivers, owners, and the media and as a result in a decrease in TV ratings during the NASCAR on Fox portion of the season. (The June Pocono race was the first race of the 2009 season on TNT.) The entire field will line up double-file, much like the start of the race at every restart. The leaders and other lead lap cars are now in front always when taking the green flag. Cars who choose to stay out and not pit during a caution flag who are in front of the leaders are now waved-around to restart (double file) at the back of the field. The lucky dog/free pass rule is now in effect the entire distance of the race, and the double-file restarts are for every restart, including green-white-checkered finishes. The only reasons cars do not line up double-file in the order they are position wise on the leaderboard is if they are serving a penalty (in most cases, for pit road violations). The leader of the race also has the option of selecting which lane, inside or outside, to restart in, however, the 3rd place car (and 5th, 7th, and so on) will always restart on the inside.

The new restart procedure began in the NASCAR Nationwide Series on July 3 at Daytona. NASCAR said it will not be it in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series until at least 2010.

Jeremy Mayfield substance abuse controversy

Suspension

Two hours prior to the race at Darlington, NASCAR announced that driver Jeremy Mayfield has been suspended for a substance abuse policy violation. Mayfield said that the positive test was due to an interaction between a prescription drug and an over-the-counter drug. Mayfield had failed to qualify for the race.

Mayfield violated his suspension by being at Lowe's Motor Speedway for a press conference during the all-star race weekend.

The suspension is indefinite until Mayfield completes NASCAR's substance abuse program, which includes rehabilitation and additional testing.

Controversy

In the ensuing days and weeks following the initial suspension, NASCAR was widely criticized by fans, drivers, owners, the media, and the World Anti-Doping Agency for not publicly identifying the drug found in Mayfield's test and failing to publish its drug policy or a list of banned substances. NASCAR's drug policy was later published and reports and court filings (see below) indicate that the test was positive for amphetamines. Despite releasing this information, NASCAR has still not published a definitive list of banned substances, leading to continued criticism. However, NASCAR addressed the issue in its May meeting with the NASCAR owners and drivers, who now say they understand why NASCAR doesn't publish a list. Nonetheless, some remained skeptical of NASCAR's intentions, claiming that "if NASCAR sees something they don't like, they can suspend anyone at anytime." In the middle of the controversy, NASCAR randomly tested 10 NASCAR drivers, officials, and crew members during a rain delay at the Coca-Cola 600 during Memorial Day weekend.

ESPN reported on June 9 that Mayfield tested positive for methamphetamines. This was later confirmed in court.

Lawsuit

Mayfield sued NASCAR to have his suspension lifted. Mayfield says that he had taken Claritin-D, an allergy drug, in addition to Adderall, a prescription medication used to treat attention deficit disorder. Adderall is an amphetamine.

An initial court hearing for a restraining order that would have allowed Mayfield to compete at Dover was ruled in NASCAR's favor. Mayfield's team, which has been taken over by his wife and driver J. J. Yeley, withdrew from the race at Dover. Mayfield sold his team in late July to raise funds for his legal defense. NASCAR has said that Mayfield's team may continue to compete with a different driver and under a different owner. Since Mayfield is suspended, he cannot be in the NASCAR garage area or anywhere where a NASCAR license is required.

NASCAR has successfully moved the case to federal court. NASCAR has also countersued Mayfield, accusing the suspended driver of willfully violating the substance abuse policy, breach of contract, and defrauding competitors of earnings. Mayfield earned approximately $150,000 from May 1 in NASCAR earnings. May 1 is when Mayfield claims he began taking the Claritin-D. On June 25, Mayfield formally denied ever taking methamphetamines in a pre-hearing affidavit filed in U.S. District Court, while NASCAR said that the test results proved he was a chronic user of meth and was a danger to public safety.

On July 1, U.S. District Court granted Mayfield a temporary injunction that lifted Mayfield's suspension and allowed him to resume his role as driver and owner. The court ruled the damage to Mayfield and was far exceeding the damage to NASCAR, and that there was a high probability that the second test sample was compromised. Mayfield did not return to the track, as his race team was low on funds and sponsors did not want to associate with Mayfield. He sold his team in late July.

On July 7, NASCAR appealed the U.S. District Court's ruling. On July 8, NASCAR formally filed an appeal with the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, one step away from the United States Supreme Court. NASCAR claimed that the district court's ruling undermines NASCAR's ability to police drug use and is asking that Mayfield may be re-suspended. The 4th Circuit Court of Appeals granted NASCAR a motion to re-suspend Mayfield on July 24 following a second drug test. NASCAR re-suspended Mayfield immediately.

Second drug test

On July 7, Mayfield submitted to a drug test. NASCAR said Mayfield was notified by an Aegis representative at 1:18 pm Monday to report to a nearby testing center within two hours, but the driver said he had to first speak to his attorney. After a delay, Mayfield's attorney told NASCAR that Mayfield couldn't get to the center by 3:18 pm, so NASCAR said it found a lab closer to his location. At 3:45 pm, Mayfield called the lab to say he was close but lost, and a receptionist offered to talk him the rest of the way. NASCAR said Mayfield told the lab he would call right back but no one was contacted until 5:30 pm, when Mayfield's attorney called NASCAR to inform them Mayfield could not find the location so the lawyer had sent him to an independent laboratory. Two testers and a NASCAR security officer arrived at Mayfield's home in Catawba County, N.C., at 7:20 pm, could not gain access for 10 minutes, and then weren't able to persuade Mayfield to give a sample until 8:20 pm. NASCAR called this seven-hour layover between the time requested for a test and the time a test was given a "classic delay tactic".

On July 15, NASCAR filed documents in U.S. District Court that indicated that Mayfield had once again tested positive for methamphetamines. In addition to the second test results, NASCAR also submitted an affidavit from Mayfield's stepmother in which she says that Mayfield used meth over 30 times in 7 years through snorting it up his nose. [2] Mayfield says that "Brian France talking about effective drug programs is like having Al Capone talking about effective law enforcement," and that "I don't trust anything NASCAR does, anything (program administrator) Dr. David Black does, never have, never will." As for his stepmother, Mayfield says that "She's basically a whore. She shot and killed my dad." [3] Lisa Mayfield (Jeremy's stepmother) has since filed a lawsuit suing Mayfield for $20,000 in damages. [4] [ needs update ] Mayfield says that he has been tested almost daily by an independent lab and every test result has come back negative.

Mayfield Motorsports' general manager resigned the same day, hours before the test results were released. The team has since been sold, and a few expect Mayfield to return to the track soon, if ever again.

Effect on drug testing

Many drivers have said that since the controversy began, the drug testing time has gone from a quick 5-minute in and out to a prolonged 45-minute process that includes identity verification.

Verizon Wireless and Penske Racing

In late 2008, Verizon merged with Alltel. As a result, per the grandfather clause, the team would run Verizon red on the No. 12 car, but would not run Verizon as a sponsor, placing Penske logos instead.[ citation needed ]

Schedule

The most significant schedule changes in the 2009 NASCAR schedule realignment included the addition of the Pepsi 500 at Auto Club Speedway to the 2009 Chase, the shifting of the AMP Energy 500 at Talladega Superspeedway to a later autumn date, and the placement of the Pep Boys Auto 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway to Labor Day weekend as a night race. Additionally, there was a fourth off-week between the Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway and the Pep Boys 500. The schedule changes are listed in boldface on the chart below.

No.Race title Track Date
Budweiser Shootout Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach February 7
Gatorade Duels February 12
1 Daytona 500 February 15
2 Auto Club 500 Auto Club Speedway, Fontana February 22
3 Shelby 427 Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas March 1
4 Kobalt Tools 500 Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton March 8
5 Food City 500 Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol March 22
6 Goody's Fast Pain Relief 500 Martinsville Speedway, Ridgeway March 29
7 Samsung 500 Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Worth April 5
8 Subway Fresh Fit 500 Phoenix International Raceway, Avondale April 18
9 Aaron's 499 Talladega Superspeedway, Lincoln April 26
10 Crown Royal presents the Russell Friedman 400 Richmond International Raceway, Richmond May 2
11 Southern 500 presented by GoDaddy.com Darlington Raceway, Darlington May 9
NASCAR All-Star Race XXV Lowe's Motor Speedway, Concord May 16
Sprint Showdown
12 Coca-Cola 600 May 25
13 Autism Speaks 400 presented by Heluva Good! Cheese Dover International Speedway, Dover May 31
14 Pocono 500 Pocono Raceway, Long Pond June 7
15 Lifelock 400 Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn June 14
16 Toyota/Save Mart 350 Infineon Raceway, Sonoma June 21
17 Lenox Industrial Tools 301 New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Loudon June 28
18 Coke Zero 400 Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach July 4
19 LifeLock.com 400 Chicagoland Speedway, Joliet July 11
20 Allstate 400 at the Brickyard Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Speedway July 26
21 Sunoco American Red Cross Pennsylvania 500 Pocono Raceway, Long Pond August 3
22 Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at The Glen Watkins Glen International, Watkins Glen August 10
23 Carfax 400 Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn August 16
24 Sharpie 500 Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol August 22
25 Pep Boys Auto 500 Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton September 6
26 Chevy Rock & Roll 400 Richmond International Raceway, Richmond September 12
Chase for the Sprint Cup
27 Sylvania 300 New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Loudon September 20
28 AAA 400 Dover International Speedway, Dover September 27
29 Price Chopper 400 Kansas Speedway, Kansas City October 4
30 Pepsi 500 Auto Club Speedway, Fontana October 11
31 NASCAR Banking 500 only from Bank of America Lowe's Motor Speedway, Concord October 17
32 TUMS Fast Relief 500 Martinsville Speedway, Ridgeway October 25
33 AMP Energy 500 Talladega Superspeedway, Lincoln November 1
34 Dickies 500 Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Worth November 8
35 Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 Phoenix International Raceway, Avondale November 15
36 Ford 400 Homestead-Miami Speedway, Homestead November 22
Coca-Cola 600, Sunoco American Red Cross Pennsylvania 500, and Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at The Glen were scheduled to have been run on Sunday, but were rescheduled to Monday due to rain.

Television and radio

United States

In their third year of the current NASCAR television agreement, Fox carried the Bud Shootout, the Daytona 500 and the first 13 races through Dover's June race. Fox-owned Speed Channel aired the Gatorade Duels and Sprint All Star Race XXV. TNT then picked up the next six races starting at Pocono including the summer race at Daytona, the Coke Zero 400 with its "wide open format" coverage and ending at Chicago. The Allstate 400 at the Brickyard started ESPN/ABC's coverage, including the entire Chase for the Sprint Cup on ABC.

New to Fox telecasts was 3-D CGI animated adventures of "Digger", the network's gopher cam mascot and his friends, Annie, Marbles, Grandpa and rival Lumpy Wheels (named after former Lowe's Motor Speedway chief Humpy Wheeler). According to Digger's backstory, created by Fox Sports chairman David Hill, Digger lives underground at Talladega Superspeedway. The characters were also used in segues into and out of commercial breaks. However, Digger later became a harbor of criticism, as well as what most have cited as a cause of a deeper ratings decline than in years past, adding to already lower-than-normal ratings. More is mentioned here.

Hours before the July New Hampshire race on TNT, Bill Weber was removed from the broadcast booth and replaced by Ralph Sheheen for undisclosed personal reasons. TNT and NASCAR announced on July 1 that Sheheen would replace Weber for the final two races on TNT at Daytona and Chicagoland.

The annual changes at ABC/ESPN continue. Mike Massaro became a third host of NASCAR Now on ESPN2; Vince Welch replaced Massaro on pit road and Marty Reid is doing selected Nationwide Series events as well. But ESPN continues to face heavy criticism from NASCAR fans in result of bored announcers, bad camera work, excessive commercials and lack of post-race coverage.

On radio, Sirius XM Radio will carry all races in the series. Terrestrial radio rights are being handled as follows:

Speed (replacing ESPN Classic) and MRN will be the broadcasters at the annual Sprint Cup Banquet at the Wynn Las Vegas Hotel Casino in said city on December 4. Las Vegas replaces New York City as the host after 27 years there, 26 of the banquets being staged in The Waldorf=Astoria Hotel.

Other North American channels

In Canada, TSN and TSN 2 covered the 2009 season.

International

In Australia, Fox Sports showed all of the Sprint Cup races live across their networks. Network Ten also showed Qualifying, Final Practice (Happy Hour), a 1-hour highlights package and selected races live on its new digital sports multichannel, ONE.

In Portugal, all races this season were telecast on SportTv 3, while in Sweden, Viasat Motor televised the races. In nearby Finland, Urheilu+Kanava telecasted the season's events, and in Great Britain and Ireland, the whole season was again telecasted on Sky Sports, in Spain Teledeporte televised six races of the season live.

In Latin America all the races were broadcast on Speed Latin America. They did not telecast practices or qualifying.

2009 season races

Regular season

Budweiser Shootout

The Budweiser Shootout, ran on February 7, is an exhibition race that traditionally is contested by all pole winners from the previous season. This year however, after an announcement made during the previous season, the top six teams from each competing manufacturer based on 2008 owner's points, plus a wild card entry from each manufacturer would be entered to run this race. Paul Menard drew the pole.

Top 10 results

  1. 29 – Kevin Harvick
  2. 26 – Jamie McMurray
  3. 14 – Tony Stewart
  4. 24 – Jeff Gordon
  5. 44 – A. J. Allmendinger
  6. 9 – Kasey Kahne
  7. 99 – Carl Edwards
  8. 17 – Matt Kenseth
  9. 2 – Kurt Busch
  10. 18 – Kyle Busch

Gatorade Duels

The Gatorade Duels, held on February 12, are a pair of qualifying races to set the field for the Daytona 500.

Race 1 results

  1. 24 – Jeff Gordon
  2. 14 – Tony Stewart
  3. 48 – Jimmie Johnson
  4. 20 – Joey Logano
  5. 8 – Aric Almirola
  6. 2 – Kurt Busch
  7. 9 – Kasey Kahne
  8. 36 – Scott Riggs
  9. 98 – Paul Menard
  10. 26 – Jamie McMurray

Race 2 results

  1. 18 – Kyle Busch
  2. 5 – Mark Martin
  3. 83 – Brian Vickers
  4. 42 – Juan Pablo Montoya
  5. 11 – Denny Hamlin
  6. 96 – Bobby Labonte
  7. 88 – Dale Earnhardt Jr.
  8. 99 – Carl Edwards
  9. 41 – Jeremy Mayfield
  10. 44 – A. J. Allmendinger

2009 Daytona 500

The 2009 Daytona 500 was held on February 15. Martin Truex Jr. qualified on the pole. On lap 152, the race was halted because of rain and when NASCAR determined they could not get the race restarted, the race was called official.

Top 10 results

  1. 17 – Matt Kenseth
  2. 29 – Kevin Harvick
  3. 44 – A. J. Allmendinger
  4. 33 – Clint Bowyer
  5. 19 – Elliott Sadler
  6. 6 – David Ragan
  7. 55 – Michael Waltrip
  8. 14 – Tony Stewart
  9. 43 – Reed Sorenson
  10. 2 – Kurt Busch

Failed to qualify: No. 87 – Joe Nemechek, No. 08 – Boris Said, No. 09 – Brad Keselowski, No. 27 – Kirk Shelmerdine, No. 71 – Mike Wallace, No. 37 – Tony Raines, No. 73 – Mike Garvey, No. 75 – Derrike Cope, No. 23 – Mike Skinner, No. 51 – Kelly Bires, No. 46 – Carl Long, No. 64 – Geoff Bodine, No. 57 – Norm Benning, No. 60 – James Hylton (withdrew)

Auto Club 500

The Auto Club 500 was run on February 22 at Auto Club Speedway. Brian Vickers won the pole for this race, but had to start in the back of the field due to an engine change. Despite the caution flag coming out for rain on 4 occasions, NASCAR was still able to complete this race in its entirety. Matt Kenseth took the checkered flag and became the first driver since Jeff Gordon in 1997 to start off a Cup season by winning the first two races of the year.

Top 10 results

  1. 17 – Matt Kenseth
  2. 24 – Jeff Gordon
  3. 18 – Kyle Busch
  4. 16 – Greg Biffle
  5. 2 – Kurt Busch
  6. 11 – Denny Hamlin
  7. 99 – Carl Edwards
  8. 14 – Tony Stewart
  9. 48 – Jimmie Johnson
  10. 83 – Brian Vickers

Failed to qualify: No. 64 – Todd Bodine, No. 37 – Tony Raines, No. 51 – David Starr, No. 73 – Mike Garvey, No. 09 – Sterling Marlin

Shelby 427

The Shelby 427 was run at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 1. Normally this race is 267 laps and 400 miles long, but for this year's running, Carroll Shelby International took over the title sponsorship of the race and decided to run the race 27 miles longer in honor of the Shelby 427 sports car. Kyle Busch qualified on the pole for the race, but had to start in the back due to an engine change. Busch would rally in the last part of the race to win from the pole.

Top 10 results

  1. 18 – Kyle Busch
  2. 33 – Clint Bowyer
  3. 31 – Jeff Burton
  4. 00 – David Reutimann
  5. 96 – Bobby Labonte
  6. 24 – Jeff Gordon
  7. 16 – Greg Biffle
  8. 83 – Brian Vickers
  9. 26 – Jamie McMurray
  10. 88 – Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Failed to qualify: No. 28 – Travis Kvapil, No. 66 – Dave Blaney, No. 73 – Mike Garvey, No. 41 – Jeremy Mayfield, No. 09 – Sterling Marlin, No. 36 – Scott Riggs, No. 37 – Tony Raines, No. 51 – Dexter Bean

Kobalt Tools 500

The Kobalt Tools 500 was held on March 8 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Mark Martin won the pole. Kurt Busch started on the outside front row from second place and would go on to lead 234 laps on his way to a dominating win. This race was extended from 325 to 330 laps due to a green-white-checkered finish.

Top 10 results

  1. 2 – Kurt Busch
  2. 24 – Jeff Gordon
  3. 99 – Carl Edwards
  4. 29 – Kevin Harvick
  5. 83 – Brian Vickers
  6. 33 – Clint Bowyer
  7. 9 – Kasey Kahne
  8. 14 – Tony Stewart
  9. 48 – Jimmie Johnson
  10. 1 – Martin Truex Jr.

Failed to qualify: No. 35 – Todd Bodine, No. 36 – Scott Riggs, No. 41 – Jeremy Mayfield, No. 64 – Geoff Bodine, No. 37 – Tony Raines

Food City 500

The Food City 500 was held on March 22 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Mark Martin started on the pole. One week after Kurt Busch dominated at Atlanta, his brother Kyle Busch would dominate this race. Kyle Busch led 378 of the races 503 laps despite starting mid pack in 19th place. This race was extended to 503 laps from its scheduled 500 due to a green-white-checkered finish.

Top 10 results

  1. 18 – Kyle Busch
  2. 11 – Denny Hamlin
  3. 48 – Jimmie Johnson
  4. 24 – Jeff Gordon
  5. 9 – Kasey Kahne
  6. 5 – Mark Martin
  7. 39 – Ryan Newman
  8. 31 – Jeff Burton
  9. 42 – Juan Pablo Montoya
  10. 47 – Marcos Ambrose

Failed to qualify: No. 36 – Scott Riggs, No. 41 – Jeremy Mayfield

Goody's Fast Pain Relief 500

The Goody's Fast Pain Relief 500 was held at Martinsville Speedway on March 29. Qualifying was rained out and points were used to set the field. Jeff Gordon would be given the pole starting spot as a result. Denny Hamlin led the bulk of the laps, leading 296 of 500. Jimmie Johnson however, would hold off a hard charging Hamlin and give car owner Rick Hendrick an emotional win as Hendrick Motorsports was celebrating their 25th anniversary of the organization's first win right at this very track.

Top 10 results

  1. 48 – Jimmie Johnson
  2. 11 – Denny Hamlin
  3. 14 – Tony Stewart
  4. 24 – Jeff Gordon
  5. 33 – Clint Bowyer
  6. 39 – Ryan Newman
  7. 5 – Mark Martin
  8. 88 – Dale Earnhardt Jr.
  9. 44 – A. J. Allmendinger
  10. 26 – Jamie McMurray

Failed to qualify: No. 09 – Sterling Marlin, No. 37 – Tony Raines, No. 46 – Dennis Setzer, No. 75 – Derrike Cope, No. 73 – Mike Garvey (withdrew)

Samsung 500

The Samsung 500 was held on Sunday April 5, at Texas Motor Speedway. David Reutimann won the pole. Jeff Gordon would hold on from a hard charging Jimmie Johnson who was cutting into Gordon's lead and take the victory. This was Jeff Gordon's first career victory at Texas.

Top 10 results

  1. 24 – Jeff Gordon
  2. 48 – Jimmie Johnson
  3. 16 – Greg Biffle
  4. 14 – Tony Stewart
  5. 17 – Matt Kenseth
  6. 5 – Mark Martin
  7. 42 – Juan Pablo Montoya
  8. 2 – Kurt Busch
  9. 31 – Jeff Burton
  10. 99 – Carl Edwards

Failed to qualify: No. 87 – Joe Nemechek, No. 82 – Scott Speed, No. 41 – Jeremy Mayfield, No. 64 – Todd Bodine, No. 36 – Scott Riggs

Subway Fresh Fit 500

The Subway Fresh Fit 500 was run on Saturday, April 18, at Phoenix International Raceway. Mark Martin started on the pole, led 157 of the race's 312 laps, and went on to become the fourth driver in Cup Series history to win a points race over the age of 50.

Top 10 results

  1. 5 – Mark Martin
  2. 14 – Tony Stewart
  3. 2 – Kurt Busch
  4. 48 – Jimmie Johnson
  5. 16 – Greg Biffle
  6. 11 – Denny Hamlin
  7. 1 – Martin Truex Jr.
  8. 00 – David Reutimann
  9. 77 – Sam Hornish Jr.
  10. 99 – Carl Edwards

Failed to qualify: No. 64 – Todd Bodine, No. 41 – Jeremy Mayfield, No. 51 – Dexter Bean, No. 02 – Brandon Ash, No. 06 – Trevor Boys

Aaron's 499

The Aaron's 499 was run on Sunday, April 26, at Talladega Superspeedway. Juan Pablo Montoya won the pole. This race is forever remembered for the final lap. The tandem duo of Ryan Newman and Dale Earnhardt Jr. were running first and second coming to the white flag when another tandem duo of Carl Edwards and Nationwide Series regular Brad Keselowski drafted and blew right by Newman and Earnhardt Jr., breaking away down the back straightaway to settle the race among themselves. Coming into the tri oval, Brad Keselowski started to peak outside, causing Edwards to react high when Keselowski quickly turned back into the inside finding some room and some momentum to start making a pass down to the inside. Edwards tried to block Keselowski but when Brad's front end made contact with Carl's back end, it turned Carl Edwards' car sideways, causing the back end of his car to lift before being slammed into from the oncoming car of Ryan Newman. The impact sent Carl Edwards' car crashing up into the catch fence that separates the fans from the action. Brad Keselowski took the checkered flag to win his first career Sprint Cup Series race in just his 5th start.

Top 10 results

  1. 09 – Brad Keselowski
  2. 88 – Dale Earnhardt Jr.
  3. 39 – Ryan Newman
  4. 47 – Marcos Ambrose
  5. 82 – Scott Speed
  6. 2 – Kurt Busch
  7. 16 – Greg Biffle
  8. 83 – Brian Vickers
  9. 20 – Joey Logano
  10. 31 – Jeff Burton

Failed to qualify: No. 66 – Michael McDowell, No. 4 – Eric McClure, No. 64 – Geoff Bodine

  • Not only was this Brad Keselowski's first career win in the Sprint Cup Series, it was also car owner James Finch's first and only career win in the series as well.
  • After Carl Edwards' car came to a stop from his last lap crash just short of the finish line, Edwards got out of his car and physically ran from the wreckage to across the finish line, paying homage to the movie Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby . Edwards was officially credited with a 24th-place finish, completing 187 of 188 laps.

Crown Royal presents the Russ Friedman 400

The Crown Royal presents the Russ Friedman 400 was held on Saturday, May 2 at Richmond International Raceway. Brian Vickers won the pole.

Top 10 results

  1. 18 – Kyle Busch
  2. 14 – Tony Stewart
  3. 31 – Jeff Burton
  4. 39 – Ryan Newman
  5. 5 – Mark Martin
  6. 77 – Sam Hornish Jr.
  7. 26 – Jamie McMurray
  8. 24 – Jeff Gordon
  9. 07 – Casey Mears
  10. 42 – Juan Pablo Montoya

Failed to qualify: No. 64 – Todd Bodine, No. 06 – Trevor Boys

Southern 500 presented by GoDaddy.Com

The Southern 500 presented by GoDaddy.com was held at Darlington Raceway on Saturday, May 9. Matt Kenseth won the pole.

Top 10 results

  1. 5 – Mark Martin
  2. 48 – Jimmie Johnson
  3. 14 – Tony Stewart
  4. 39 – Ryan Newman
  5. 24 – Jeff Gordon
  6. 1 – Martin Truex Jr.
  7. 25 – Brad Keselowski
  8. 16 – Greg Biffle
  9. 20 – Joey Logano
  10. 17 – Matt Kenseth

Failed to qualify: No. 41 – Jeremy Mayfield*, No. 82 – Scott Speed, No. 64 – Geoff Bodine (withdrew)

  • First time since 1999 that Mark Martin won multiple races in a single season.
  • Jeremy Mayfield had already failed to make the field, but just a few short hours before the start of the race, it has been announced that Mayfield has been suspended by NASCAR for violating its substance abuse policy. This marked the end of his career.
  • Scott Speed would race after Joe Nemechek gave up his seat.

Sprint All-Star Race XXV

The 2009 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race is a non-points event, held on Saturday, May 16, at the Lowe's Motor Speedway. Sam Hornish Jr. won the Sprint Showdown race prior to the start of the All-Star Race, allowing him and runner up Jamie McMurray to transfer into the main event. Joey Logano won the fan vote that also lets one driver not eligible to run the All-Star race to make the event on account of a popular vote by the fans. Jimmie Johnson led the first 50 laps in the event before the lead switched back and forth between Kyle Busch and Jeff Gordon. Matt Kenseth would take the lead on lap 95, but with four laps to go Tony Stewart pulled up alongside in what was an exciting battle for the lead. Stewart would overtake Kenseth with two laps to go and hold on for the race win.

Top 10 results

  1. 14 – Tony Stewart
  2. 17 – Matt Kenseth
  3. 2 – Kurt Busch
  4. 11 – Denny Hamlin
  5. 99 – Carl Edwards
  6. 5 – Mark Martin
  7. 18 – Kyle Busch
  8. 20 – Joey Logano
  9. 26 – Jamie McMurray
  10. 88 – Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Coca-Cola 600

The 50th Coca-Cola 600, NASCAR's longest race of the season, was scheduled to run on Sunday, May 24, but due to rain the race was postponed to Monday, May 25 on Memorial Day. Ryan Newman won the pole. On lap 222, rain hit the track throwing out the yellow flag. When drivers and teams decided on pit strategy in the ensuing couple laps, David Reutimann chose to stay out on the track, inheriting the race lead. The race was stopped on lap 227 and never restarted. Reutimann was declared the winner.

Top 10 results

  1. 00 – David Reutimann
  2. 39 – Ryan Newman
  3. 7 – Robby Gordon
  4. 99 – Carl Edwards
  5. 83 – Brian Vickers
  6. 18 – Kyle Busch
  7. 9 – Kasey Kahne
  8. 42 – Juan Pablo Montoya
  9. 20 – Joey Logano
  10. 17 – Matt Kenseth

Failed to qualify: No. 41 – J. J. Yeley, No. 73 – Mike Garvey, No. 64 – Todd Bodine, No. 06 – David Starr

  • This was David Reutimann's first career Sprint Cup Series victory.
  • The win was also the first for Michael Waltrip Racing and for Michael Waltrip as an owner.
  • This was the shortest running of the Coca-Cola 600 in the race's history.
  • Due to the race being held on Memorial Day, on lap 163, or at 3:00 pm EDT, NASCAR threw the caution flag and then momentarily threw the red flag and stopped the race to hold a moment of silence in honor of those who died serving in the United States Military.

Autism Speaks 400

The Autism Speaks 400 was held at Dover International Speedway on Sunday, May 31. David Reutimann won the pole for the race. Jimmie Johnson was the class of the field, leading 298 of 400 laps. Johnson would pass Tony Stewart with a couple laps to go and take the win.

Top 10 results

  1. 48 – Jimmie Johnson
  2. 14 – Tony Stewart
  3. 16 – Greg Biffle
  4. 17 – Matt Kenseth
  5. 2 – Kurt Busch
  6. 9 – Kasey Kahne
  7. 99 – Carl Edwards
  8. 39 – Ryan Newman
  9. 07 – Casey Mears
  10. 5 – Mark Martin

Failed to qualify: No. 25 – Brad Keselowski, No. 13 – Max Papis, No. 75 – Derrike Cope, No. 06 – David Starr, No. 41 – J. J. Yeley (withdrew), No. 64 – Todd Bodine (withdrew)

Pocono 500

The Pocono 500 was held on Sunday, June 7 at Pocono Raceway. Tony Stewart won the pole. He came from the rear of the field due to starting in a backup car after crashing in practice. And Stewart also won the race.

Top 10 results

  1. 14 – Tony Stewart
  2. 99 – Carl Edwards
  3. 00 – David Reutimann
  4. 24 – Jeff Gordon
  5. 39 – Ryan Newman
  6. 47 – Marcos Ambrose
  7. 48 – Jimmie Johnson
  8. 42 – Juan Pablo Montoya
  9. 31 – Jeff Burton
  10. 77 – Sam Hornish Jr.

Failed to qualify: No. 75 – Derrike Cope, No. 64 – Mike Wallace, No. 37 – Tony Raines, No. 06 – Trevor Boys (withdrew)

Lifelock 400

The LifeLock 400 was held on Sunday, June 14 at Michigan International Speedway. Brian Vickers took the pole but Mark Martin won the race.

Top 10 results

  1. 5 – Mark Martin
  2. 24 – Jeff Gordon
  3. 11 – Denny Hamlin
  4. 99 – Carl Edwards
  5. 16 – Greg Biffle
  6. 42 – Juan Pablo Montoya
  7. 14 – Tony Stewart
  8. 2 – Kurt Busch
  9. 83 – Brian Vickers
  10. 33 – Clint Bowyer

Failed to qualify: No. 36 – Mike Skinner

Toyota/Save Mart 350

The Toyota/Save Mart 350 was held on Sunday, June 21 at Infineon Raceway. Brian Vickers took the pole but Kasey Kahne won the race.

Top 10 results

  1. 9 – Kasey Kahne
  2. 14 – Tony Stewart
  3. 47 – Marcos Ambrose
  4. 48 – Jimmie Johnson
  5. 11 – Denny Hamlin
  6. 42 – Juan Pablo Montoya
  7. 44 – A. J. Allmendinger
  8. 33 – Clint Bowyer
  9. 24 – Jeff Gordon
  10. 19 – Elliott Sadler

Failed to qualify: No. 82 – Scott Speed, No. 27 – Tom Hubert, No. 37 – Chris Cook, No. 36 – Brian Simo, No. 87 – Joe Nemechek (qualified but was replaced by Scott Speed)

Lenox Industrial Tools 301

The Lenox Industrial Tools 301 was held on Sunday, June 28 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Tony Stewart took the pole. The race was stopped on lap 273 due to rain, giving Joey Logano the win.

Top 10 results

  1. 20 – Joey Logano
  2. 24 – Jeff Gordon
  3. 2 – Kurt Busch
  4. 00 – David Reutimann
  5. 14 – Tony Stewart
  6. 09 – Brad Keselowski
  7. 18 – Kyle Busch
  8. 77 – Sam Hornish Jr.
  9. 48 – Jimmie Johnson
  10. 9 – Kasey Kahne

Failed to qualify: No. 51 – Dexter Bean, No. 27 – Ted Christopher, No. 64 – Mike Wallace (withdrew)

  • This was Joey Logano's first career Cup Series victory.

Coke Zero 400

The Coke Zero 400 was held on Saturday, July 4 at Daytona International Speedway. Tony Stewart took the pole and won the race. Stewart spun Kyle Busch coming to the finish line to win the race.

Top 10 results

  1. 14 – Tony Stewart
  2. 48 – Jimmie Johnson
  3. 11 – Denny Hamlin
  4. 99 – Carl Edwards
  5. 2 – Kurt Busch
  6. 47 – Marcos Ambrose
  7. 83 – Brian Vickers
  8. 17 – Matt Kenseth
  9. 42 – Juan Pablo Montoya
  10. 19 – Elliott Sadler

Failed to qualify: No. 13 – Max Papis, No. 64 – Mike Wallace (withdrew)

LifeLock.com 400

The LifeLock.com 400 was held on Saturday, July 11 at Chicagoland Speedway. Brian Vickers took the pole but Mark Martin won the race.

Top 10 results

  1. 5 – Mark Martin
  2. 24 – Jeff Gordon
  3. 9 – Kasey Kahne
  4. 14 – Tony Stewart
  5. 11 – Denny Hamlin
  6. 39 – Ryan Newman
  7. 83 – Brian Vickers
  8. 48 – Jimmie Johnson
  9. 33 – Clint Bowyer
  10. 42 – Juan Pablo Montoya

Failed to qualify: No. 64 – Mike Wallace, No. 51 – Dexter Bean, No 37 – Tony Raines

Allstate 400 at the Brickyard

The Allstate 400 was held on Sunday, July 26 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Mark Martin took the pole but Jimmie Johnson won the race.

Top 10 results

  1. 48 – Jimmie Johnson
  2. 5 – Mark Martin
  3. 14 – Tony Stewart
  4. 16 – Greg Biffle
  5. 83 – Brian Vickers
  6. 29 – Kevin Harvick
  7. 9 – Kasey Kahne
  8. 00 – David Reutimann
  9. 24 – Jeff Gordon
  10. 17 – Matt Kenseth

Failed to qualify: No. 09 – Sterling Marlin, No 13 – Max Papis, No. 75 – Derrike Cope, No. 64 – Mike Wallace (withdrew)

Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500

The Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500 was held on Monday, August 3 at Pocono Raceway. Tony Stewart took the pole but Denny Hamlin won the race.

Top 10 results

  1. 11 – Denny Hamlin
  2. 42 – Juan Pablo Montoya
  3. 33 – Clint Bowyer
  4. 77 – Sam Hornish Jr.
  5. 9 – Kasey Kahne
  6. 83 – Brian Vickers
  7. 5 – Mark Martin
  8. 24 – Jeff Gordon
  9. 2 – Kurt Busch
  10. 14 – Tony Stewart

Failed to qualify: No. 75 – Derrike Cope (withdrew)

Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at The Glen

The Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at The Glen was held on Monday, August 10 at Watkins Glen International. Jimmie Johnson took the pole but Tony Stewart won the race.

Top 10 results

  1. 14 – Tony Stewart
  2. 47 – Marcos Ambrose
  3. 99 – Carl Edwards
  4. 18 – Kyle Busch
  5. 16 – Greg Biffle
  6. 42 – Juan Pablo Montoya
  7. 2 – Kurt Busch
  8. 13 – Max Papis*
  9. 33 – Clint Bowyer
  10. 11 – Denny Hamlin

Failed to qualify: No. 87 – Joe Nemechek, No. 36 – Brian Simo, No. 70 – David Gilliland

  • Max Papis picked up his best finish in the Cup Series and his first top-ten finish.

Carfax 400

The Carfax 400 was held on Sunday, August 16 at Michigan International Speedway. Brian Vickers took the pole and won the race.

Top 10 results

  1. 83 – Brian Vickers
  2. 24 – Jeff Gordon
  3. 88 – Dale Earnhardt Jr.
  4. 99 – Carl Edwards
  5. 77 – Sam Hornish Jr.
  6. 07 – Casey Mears
  7. 20 – Joey Logano
  8. 33 – Clint Bowyer
  9. 00 – David Reutimann
  10. 11 – Denny Hamlin

Failed to qualify: No. 37 – Tony Raines, No. 08 – Terry Labonte (withdrew), No. 64 – Mike Wallace (withdrew)

Sharpie 500

The Sharpie 500 was held on Saturday, August 22 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Mark Martin took the pole but Kyle Busch won the race.

Top 10 results

  1. 18 – Kyle Busch
  2. 5 – Mark Martin
  3. 47 – Marcos Ambrose
  4. 16 – Greg Biffle
  5. 11 – Denny Hamlin
  6. 39 – Ryan Newman
  7. 2 – Kurt Busch
  8. 48 – Jimmie Johnson
  9. 88 – Dale Earnhardt Jr.
  10. 17 – Matt Kenseth

Failed to qualify: No. 36 – Mike Skinner, No. 13 – Max Papis, No. 64 – Mike Wallace, No. 09 – Aric Almirola, No. 51 – Dexter Bean (withdrew)

Pep Boys Auto 500

The Pep Boys Auto 500 was held on Sunday, September 6 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Martin Truex Jr. took the pole but Kasey Kahne won the race.

Top 10 results

  1. 9 – Kasey Kahne
  2. 29 – Kevin Harvick
  3. 42 – Juan Pablo Montoya
  4. 00 – David Reutimann
  5. 5 – Mark Martin
  6. 11 – Denny Hamlin
  7. 83 – Brian Vickers
  8. 24 – Jeff Gordon
  9. 39 – Ryan Newman
  10. 16 – Greg Biffle

Failed to qualify: No. 78 – Regan Smith, No. 36 – Patrick Carpentier, No. 37 – Tony Raines

Chevy Rock & Roll 400

The Chevy Rock & Roll 400 was held on Saturday, September 12 at Richmond International Raceway. Mark Martin took the pole but Denny Hamlin won the race.

Top 10 results

  1. 11 – Denny Hamlin
  2. 2 – Kurt Busch
  3. 24 – Jeff Gordon
  4. 5 – Mark Martin
  5. 18 – Kyle Busch
  6. 33 – Clint Bowyer
  7. 83 – Brian Vickers
  8. 77 – Sam Hornish Jr.
  9. 29 – Kevin Harvick
  10. 39 – Ryan Newman

Failed to qualify: No. 37 – Tony Raines

Chase for the Sprint Cup

Sylvania 300

The Sylvania 300 was held on Sunday, September 20 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Juan Pablo Montoya took the pole but Mark Martin won the race.

Top 10 results

  1. 5 – Mark Martin
  2. 11 – Denny Hamlin
  3. 42 – Juan Pablo Montoya
  4. 48 – Jimmie Johnson
  5. 18 – Kyle Busch
  6. 2 – Kurt Busch
  7. 39 – Ryan Newman
  8. 19 – Elliott Sadler
  9. 16 – Greg Biffle
  10. 33 – Clint Bowyer

Failed to qualify: No. 75 – Derrike Cope, No. 51 – Dexter Bean

  • This was Martin's 40th and final victory in his Cup career.

AAA 400

The AAA 400 was held on Sunday, September 27 at Dover International Speedway. Jimmie Johnson took the pole and won the race.

Top 10 results

  1. 48 – Jimmie Johnson
  2. 5 – Mark Martin
  3. 17 – Matt Kenseth
  4. 42 – Juan Pablo Montoya
  5. 2 – Kurt Busch
  6. 24 – Jeff Gordon
  7. 44 – A. J. Allmendinger
  8. 9 – Kasey Kahne
  9. 14 – Tony Stewart
  10. 39 – Ryan Newman

Failed to qualify: No. 4 – Scott Wimmer

Price Chopper 400

The Price Chopper 400 was held on Sunday, October 4 at Kansas Speedway. Mark Martin took the pole but Tony Stewart won the race.

Top 10 results

  1. 14 – Tony Stewart
  2. 24 – Jeff Gordon
  3. 16 – Greg Biffle
  4. 42 – Juan Pablo Montoya
  5. 11 – Denny Hamlin
  6. 9 – Kasey Kahne
  7. 5 – Mark Martin
  8. 00 – David Reutimann
  9. 48 – Jimmie Johnson
  10. 99 – Carl Edwards

Failed to qualify: No. 04 – David Gilliland, No. 36 – Michael McDowell, No. 37 – Kevin Hamlin

Pepsi 500

The Pepsi 500 was held on Sunday, October 11 at Auto Club Speedway. Denny Hamlin took the pole but Jimmie Johnson won the race.

Top 10 results

  1. 48 – Jimmie Johnson
  2. 24 – Jeff Gordon
  3. 42 – Juan Pablo Montoya
  4. 5 – Mark Martin
  5. 14 – Tony Stewart
  6. 99 – Carl Edwards
  7. 6 – David Ragan
  8. 2 – Kurt Busch
  9. 33 – Clint Bowyer
  10. 29 – Kevin Harvick

Failed to qualify: No. 37 – Tony Raines, No. 64 – Mike Wallace

NASCAR Banking 500 only from Bank of America

The NASCAR Banking 500 only from Bank of America was held on Saturday, October 17 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Jimmie Johnson took the pole and won the race.

Top 10 results

  1. 48 – Jimmie Johnson
  2. 17 – Matt Kenseth
  3. 9 – Kasey Kahne
  4. 24 – Jeff Gordon
  5. 20 – Joey Logano
  6. 33 – Clint Bowyer
  7. 07 – Casey Mears
  8. 18 – Kyle Busch
  9. 1 – Martin Truex Jr.
  10. 2 – Kurt Busch

Failed to qualify: No. 36 – Michael McDowell, No. 09 – Sterling Marlin, No. 66 – Dave Blaney, No. 37 – Travis Kvapil, No. 64 – Mike Wallace (withdrew)

TUMS Fast Relief 500

The TUMS Fast Relief 500 was held on Sunday, October 25 at Martinsville Speedway. Ryan Newman took the pole but Denny Hamlin won the race.

Top 10 results

  1. 11 – Denny Hamlin
  2. 48 – Jimmie Johnson
  3. 42 – Juan Pablo Montoya
  4. 18 – Kyle Busch
  5. 24 – Jeff Gordon
  6. 26 – Jamie McMurray
  7. 39 – Ryan Newman
  8. 5 – Mark Martin
  9. 14 – Tony Stewart
  10. 29 – Kevin Harvick

Failed to qualify: No. 73 – Josh Wise, No. 75 – Derrike Cope (withdrew)

AMP Energy 500

The AMP Energy 500 was held on Sunday, November 1 at Talladega Superspeedway. Jimmie Johnson took the pole but Jamie McMurray won the race.

Top 10 results

  1. 26 – Jamie McMurray
  2. 9 – Kasey Kahne
  3. 20 – Joey Logano
  4. 16 – Greg Biffle
  5. 31 – Jeff Burton
  6. 48 – Jimmie Johnson
  7. 55 – Michael Waltrip
  8. 09 – Brad Keselowski
  9. 19 – Elliott Sadler
  10. 71 – Bobby Labonte

Failed to qualify: No.37 Tony Raines (withdrew)

Dickies 500

The Dickies 500 was held on Sunday, November 8 at Texas Motor Speedway. Jeff Gordon took the pole but Kurt Busch won the race.

Top 10 results

  1. 2 – Kurt Busch
  2. 11 – Denny Hamlin
  3. 17 – Matt Kenseth
  4. 5 – Mark Martin
  5. 29 – Kevin Harvick
  6. 14 – Tony Stewart
  7. 33 – Clint Bowyer
  8. 16 – Greg Biffle
  9. 31 – Jeff Burton
  10. 44 – A. J. Allmendinger

Failed to qualify: No. 37 – Tony Raines, No. 66 – Dave Blaney, No. 13 – Max Papis, No. 09 – Mike Bliss, No. 08 – Derrike Cope (withdrew)

Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500

The Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 was held on Sunday, November 15 at Phoenix International Raceway. Martin Truex Jr. took the pole but Jimmie Johnson won the race.

Top 10 results

  1. 48 – Jimmie Johnson
  2. 31 – Jeff Burton
  3. 11 – Denny Hamlin
  4. 5 – Mark Martin
  5. 1 – Martin Truex Jr.
  6. 2 – Kurt Busch
  7. 33 – Clint Bowyer
  8. 42 – Juan Pablo Montoya
  9. 24 – Jeff Gordon
  10. 00 – David Reutimann

Failed to qualify: No. 78 – Regan Smith, No. 70 – Kevin Conway, No. 02 – Brandon Ash

Ford 400

The Ford 400 was held on Sunday, November 22 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Jimmie Johnson took the pole but Denny Hamlin won the race.

Top 10 results

  1. 11 – Denny Hamlin
  2. 31 – Jeff Burton
  3. 29 – Kevin Harvick
  4. 2 – Kurt Busch
  5. 48 – Jimmie Johnson
  6. 24 – Jeff Gordon
  7. 99 – Carl Edwards
  8. 18 – Kyle Busch
  9. 1 – Martin Truex Jr.
  10. 44 – A. J. Allmendinger

Failed to qualify: No. 87 – Joe Nemechek, No. 66 – Dave Blaney, No. 70 – Mike Skinner, No. 13 – Max Papis, No. 09 – David Stremme, No. 7 – Matt Crafton (qualified for Robby Gordon)

Results and standings

No.Race Pole position Most laps ledWinning driverManufacturerReport
Budweiser Shootout Paul Menard Dale Earnhardt Jr. Kevin Harvick Chevrolet Report
Gatorade Duel 1 Martin Truex Jr. Jeff Gordon Jeff Gordon Chevrolet Report
Gatorade Duel 2 Mark Martin Kyle Busch Kyle Busch Toyota
1 Daytona 500 Martin Truex Jr. Kyle Busch Matt Kenseth Ford Report
2 Auto Club 500 Brian Vickers Matt Kenseth Matt Kenseth Ford Report
3 Shelby 427 Kyle Busch Jimmie Johnson Kyle Busch Toyota Report
4 Kobalt Tools 500 Mark Martin Kurt Busch Kurt Busch Dodge Report
5 Food City 500 Mark Martin Kyle Busch Kyle Busch Toyota Report
6 Goody's Fast Pain Relief 500 Jeff Gordon Denny Hamlin Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Report
7 Samsung 500 David Reutimann Jeff Gordon Jeff Gordon Chevrolet Report
8 Subway Fresh Fit 500 Mark Martin Mark Martin Mark Martin Chevrolet Report
9 Aaron's 499 Juan Pablo Montoya Kyle Busch Brad Keselowski Chevrolet Report
10 Crown Royal presents the Russ Friedman 400 Brian Vickers Denny Hamlin Kyle Busch Toyota Report
11 Southern 500 presented by GoDaddy.com Matt Kenseth Greg Biffle Mark Martin Chevrolet Report
Sprint Showdown Kirk Shelmerdine Jamie McMurray Sam Hornish Jr. Dodge Report
NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race Jimmie Johnson Kevin Harvick Tony Stewart Chevrolet
12 Coca-Cola 600 Ryan Newman Kyle Busch David Reutimann Toyota Report
13 Autism Speaks 400 David Reutimann Jimmie Johnson Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Report
14 Pocono 500 Tony Stewart Carl Edwards Tony Stewart Chevrolet Report
15 LifeLock 400 Brian Vickers Jimmie Johnson Mark Martin Chevrolet Report
16 Toyota/Save Mart 350 Brian Vickers Kasey Kahne Kasey Kahne Dodge Report
17 Lenox Industrial Tools 301 Jimmie Johnson Jimmie Johnson Joey Logano Toyota Report
18 Coke Zero 400 Tony Stewart Tony Stewart Tony Stewart Chevrolet Report
19 LifeLock.com 400 Brian Vickers Mark Martin Mark Martin Chevrolet Report
20 Allstate 400 at the Brickyard Mark Martin Juan Pablo Montoya Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Report
21 Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500 Tony Stewart Denny Hamlin Denny Hamlin Toyota Report
22 Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at The Glen Jimmie Johnson Tony Stewart Tony Stewart Chevrolet Report
23 Carfax 400 Brian Vickers Jimmie Johnson Brian Vickers Toyota Report
24 Sharpie 500 Mark Martin Mark Martin Kyle Busch Toyota Report
25 Pep Boys Auto 500 Martin Truex Jr. Martin Truex Jr. Kasey Kahne Dodge Report
26 Chevy Rock & Roll 400 Mark Martin Denny Hamlin Denny Hamlin Toyota Report
Chase for the Sprint Cup
27 Sylvania 300 Juan Pablo Montoya Juan Pablo Montoya Mark Martin Chevrolet Report
28 AAA 400 Jimmie Johnson Jimmie Johnson Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Report
29 Price Chopper 400 Mark Martin Greg Biffle Tony Stewart Chevrolet Report
30 Pepsi 500 Denny Hamlin Jimmie Johnson Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Report
31 NASCAR Banking 500 only from Bank of America Jimmie Johnson Jimmie Johnson Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Report
32 TUMS Fast Relief 500 Ryan Newman Denny Hamlin Denny Hamlin Toyota Report
33 AMP Energy 500 Jimmie Johnson Jamie McMurray Jamie McMurray Ford Report
34 Dickies 500 Jeff Gordon Kyle Busch Kurt Busch Dodge Report
35 Checker Auto Parts 500 Martin Truex Jr. Jimmie Johnson Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Report
36 Ford 400 Jimmie Johnson Denny Hamlin Denny Hamlin Toyota Report

Drivers' championship

(key) Bold - Pole position awarded by time. Italics - Pole position set by owner's points standings. * – Most laps led.

Pos.Driver DAY CAL LVS ATL BRI MAR TEX PHO TAL RCH DAR CLT DOV POC MCH SON NHA DAY CHI IND POC GLN MCH BRI ATL RCH NHA DOV KAN CAL CLT MAR TAL TEX PHO HOM Points
1 Jimmie Johnson 31924*9312430362131*722*49*281131233*8361141*91*1*26381*56652
2 Mark Martin 164040316761*435117101913514381*2723312*5412741782844126511
3 Jeff Gordon 13262441*2537851426429228298372238315622452013966473
4 Kurt Busch 105231*111883612163453781535172797367382651181017301646446
5 Denny Hamlin 266221322*1262214*13113638351535341*1010561*222537421*38231*6335
6 Tony Stewart 8826817342232319217251*43101*173311171491513935625226309
7 Greg Biffle 2047343928357178*20311528181831415520410139133*2016254814146292
8 Juan Pablo Montoya 141131279127242010208308661291011*2619253193*44335319378386252
9 Ryan Newman 362825227615163442852317292061414211569107102215117361220236175
10 Kasey Kahne 291211751919133629237615211*101537517112811238863433223315176128
11 Carl Edwards 18717315261010242632472*413194141518341637151711106392014391676118
12 Brian Vickers 3910852933161981531525219163577561111277111837293411132638205929
Chase for the Sprint Cup cut-off
Pos.Driver DAY CAL LVS ATL BRI MAR TEX PHO TAL RCH DAR CLT DOV POC MCH SON NHA DAY CHI IND POC GLN MCH BRI ATL RCH NHA DOV KAN CAL CLT MAR TAL TEX PHO HOM Points
13 Kyle Busch 41*31181*24181725*1346*2322132271433381642311355311224†841511*1284457
14 Matt Kenseth 11*431233235271713101041620182282310111414101225233391321424318134389
15 Clint Bowyer 41926135222639183736111210820299183982129610152196191277114359
16 David Reutimann 1214432122011826282911831931436128292591742012218181516261610154221
17 Jeff Burton 2832314815915103122516926343116372521381818341816162330141559224022
18 Marcos Ambrose 1722203810144114411332620631323611223423532322201414232227341511353830
19 Kevin Harvick 238124301127303834114117241829342619612351238293212241018102152433796
20 Joey Logano (R)432613303832302191999152325191191812271673422142142281451231921243791
21 Casey Mears 152430162421212016936339142423113428192515613253013171511718252127193759
22 Jamie McMurray 37169153710381142722211413111433112221204032112827182831363361*2019183604
23 Martin Truex Jr. 112732102629257332262321183625372516171928212226*37193316229283114593503
24 A. J. Allmendinger 329331716934353521173229303973217132017132237202325717332334331013103476
25 Dale Earnhardt Jr. 273910111482031227274012271426133915362839391721352036253829112535283422
26 Elliott Sadler 5252920203132321925143127251210261027402432252621348302032262192228413350
27 David Ragan 61742192727372212233824242615333813252422243014333333243572022171723343252
28 Sam Hornish Jr. 3223163731341793463016131029388323837436535358372618124036404017213203
29 Reed Sorenson 921343323173612112019351920274017332413353129192716363526312124163626403147
30 Bobby Labonte 222054022164029283118122828282021212123362043361831222343263113103139313128
31 Paul Menard 3837352825251323133015293229342130233529261926241528341930272723422929262979
32 David Stremme 331318231922141831382422313438392835261632261320142628292516193322DNQ2919
33 Michael Waltrip 7152725321324372124403035173024372035312731323227363817323072336302839
34 Robby Gordon 3430152621403939291628333311736252234283318373216243434383037322722392699
35 Scott Speed (R)354121352839DNQ3453326+1837323737+36313631232234152436312527212831271833272690
36 John Andretti 193128293435263827323435333016273032303028303129262733193626232434332597
37 David Gilliland 3314243636293340394327434232324040423041DNQ4039192439DNQ4225392830291928
38 Brad Keselowski DNQ382317DNQ624322438131283537251528
39 Regan Smith 211931281521223327123924DNQ4032283932DNQ321440
40 Joe Nemechek DNQ4341394141DNQ411440QL37384142QL3941414339DNQ39414235404142394338434240DNQ1342
41 Dave Blaney 42DNQ4143424342434128394040424243434240424243434342374041DNQ4041DNQ42DNQ1204
42 Bill Elliott 2336281516292616192934161095
43 Max Papis 3635183542DNQ3512DNQDNQ8DNQ403732354129DNQ32DNQ1047
44 Mike Bliss 43423743404038414240414324DNQ577
45 Tony Raines DNQDNQDNQDNQ4341253942DNQ434130DNQ42DNQ42DNQDNQ4343DNQWthDNQ43528
46 Aric Almirola 30353921353733DNQ29527
47 Erik Darnell 30302937303136472
48 Scott Riggs 2536DNQDNQDNQ30DNQ3641423938448
49 Travis Kvapil 4218DNQ4218DNQ4337378
50 Patrick Carpentier 431143423733DNQ351
51 Terry Labonte 243340393742338
52 Michael McDowell DNQ414138DNQ40DNQ41414143326
53 Sterling Marlin DNQDNQ40DNQ40423941DNQ38DNQ35316
54 Jeremy Mayfield 4034DNQDNQDNQ38DNQDNQ3235DNQ288
55 Mike Skinner DNQ41DNQ394141DNQ43DNQ200
56 Ron Fellows 2729158
57 Boris Said DNQ2434152
58 Todd Bodine DNQ37DNQ4243DNQDNQDNQDNQ123
59 Robert Richardson Jr. 18109
60 Andy Lally 2782
61 Mike Wallace DNQDNQWthWthDNQWth43WthDNQ39DNQWth80
62 Scott Wimmer 29DNQ76
63 Dexter Bean DNQDNQ36DNQDNQDNQ55
64 P. J. Jones 434140
65 Brandon Ash DNQ41DNQ40
66 Derrike Cope DNQDNQDNQDNQDNQDNQ4237
67 Tony Ave 4334
68 Mike Garvey DNQDNQDNQWthDNQ
69 Geoff Bodine DNQDNQWth
70 Carl Long DNQ
71 Kirk Shelmerdine DNQ
72 Norm Benning DNQ
73 Kelly Bires DNQ
74 David Starr DNQDNQDNQ
75 Dennis Setzer DNQ
76 Trevor Boys DNQDNQWth
77 Eric McClure DNQ
78 J. J. Yeley DNQWth
79 Brian Simo DNQDNQ
80 Tom Hubert DNQ
81 Chris Cook DNQ
82 Ted Christopher DNQ
83 Kevin Hamlin DNQ
84 Josh Wise DNQ
85 Kevin Conway DNQ
86 James Hylton Wth
Pos.Driver DAY CAL LVS ATL BRI MAR TEX PHO TAL RCH DAR CLT DOV POC MCH SON NHA DAY CHI IND POC GLN MCH BRI ATL RCH NHA DOV KAN CAL CLT MAR TAL TEX PHO HOM Points
† – Due to feeling sick, Kyle Busch did not complete the race and during a caution, he was replaced by David Gilliland after he started and parked his normal No. 71 car. Since Busch started the race, he is officially credited with the 24th-place finish.
+ Scott Speed failed to qualify his normal ride, the No. 82 Red Bull Toyota at Darlington and Infineon, but drove Joe Nemechek's No. 87 Toyota for those two races, replacing Nemechek, who made the field and had a relationship with Jay Frye, vice president of Red Bull and the listed owner of Nemechek's No. 13 Ginn Racing Chevrolet in 2007 that would later be merged with Dale Earnhardt, Inc. on July 25, 2007.

Note:This list does not include exhibition races.

[5]

Rookie of the Year

The clear favorite for Rookie of the year was 18-year-old standout Joey Logano. Despite struggling early in the year, Logano became the youngest winner in Sprint Cup Series history by winning the rain shortened Lenox Industrial Tools 301. The other competitors, former Formula One drivers Scott Speed and Max Papis, struggled to adjust to stock cars.

See also

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References

  1. ↑ Pockrass, Bob (February 3, 2009). "Penske Racing's Sam Hornish locked in Daytona 500 with points from Bill Davis Racing". SceneDaily. Archived from the original on February 7, 2009. Retrieved February 4, 2009.
  2. ↑ Long, Dustin (July 15, 2009). "Mayfield fails another test; Stepmom claims he's used meth for years". The Virginian-Pilot . Norfolk, VA. Retrieved August 30, 2012.
  3. ↑ "Mayfield comes out swinging". ESPN. July 17, 2009. Retrieved August 30, 2012.
  4. ↑ "Stepmother sues suspended Mayfield over comments". ESPN. July 29, 2009. Retrieved August 30, 2012.
  5. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on June 4, 2011. Retrieved July 21, 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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