Sept. 28 news and notes What will happen with Bowyer appeal? -- 9 a.m. ET The biggest story this week will take place tomorrow as Clint Bowyer goes through the appeal process for his penalty after winning the New Hampshire Sprint Cup Series race two weeks ago.
I have very mixed feelings about it.
There's one part of me that feels like Richard Childress Racing might have a little bit of a case, especially once you look at the postrace footage of the wrecker and other competitors hitting Bowyer's car. We definitely know the rear bumper was broken loose, the quarterpanel was buckled and braces were broken loose. RCR may have a case.
But on the other hand, the case NASCAR has is that the No. 33 car had been warned once (and maybe more than once) about some of these body mounts.
I find it hard to believe the appeal committee is going to rule 100 percent for RCR and that they will take off the penalties, fines and suspensions, but they may actually reduce them.
I'm as anxious to see what happens tomorrow as for any other appeal we've had in the past.
I think the goal for all parties is for this to be put to bed by the time we get to Kansas Speedway, so expect a result out of the hearing sooner rather than later. I talked to Shane Wilson, crew chief of the No. 33, at Dover and he's very anxious to get this past the team. He knows he has a six-race suspension coming if they uphold the penalty, and he does not want this to bleed into 2011.
-- Larry McReynolds
Sept. 27 news and notes Rusty Wallace Racing makes change -- 8 p.m. ET Jason Overstreet will be the interim crew chief for Brendan Gaughan at Rusty Wallace Racing.
Overstreet served as crew chief for current Sprint Cup Series star David Reutimann during his Truck series days, but most recently worked at Robby Gordon Motorsports. His assignment will free up Larry Carter, who was recently hired as general manager at RWR.
--Lee Spencer
Ryan Truex replaces Trevor Bayne at Kansas -- 5 p.m. ET Ryan Truex will replace Trevor Bayne in the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Kansas Speedway this weekend, according to the entry list.
FOXSports.com reported late last week that a deadline date on an option in Bayne's contract had passed without action being taken by Diamond Waltrip Racing, a partnership of Michael Waltrip Racing and Gary Bechtel.
Martin Truex Jr. is also listed as an entry in the race ... FULL STORY | KANSAS NATIONWIDE ENTRY LIST
Braun Racing, Brian Scott part way -- 2:45 p.m. ET Braun Racing officials announced today the team and NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Brian Scott are parting ways, effective immediately.
Scott has five top-10 finishes, three of them top fives, in the No. 11 Braun Racing Toyota this season. He currently leads the NASCAR Nationwide Series rookie of the year standings.
"Brian has done a great job this year for AccuDoc Solutions and BigSpot.com," said team co-owner Harry Scott Jr. "We are very proud of our rookie of the year efforts together and we wish him well in the future."
Last week, Turner Motorsports announced it is acquiring the assets of Braun Racing and will field the four Nationwide and two original Turner Camping World Truck Series teams this season.
-- Rea White
From the editors' desks ... -- 11:30 a.m. ET Well, NASCAR's Chase for the Sprint Cup hasn't slacked off the pace in terms of fireworks. At Dover International Speedway, those started well before the drivers even got onto the track when Denny Hamlin offered his take on Clint Bowyer's post-New Hampshire penalties.
That continued with an on-track bump and in-garage argument between Hamlin and Bowyer teammate Kevin Harvick, but not into the AAA 400.
For those who missed an entire week of action, Bowyer was assessed a 150-point penalty and his car chief and crew chief were each suspended for six races after the group's car was found to be beyond NASCAR parameters at an ensuing inspection at the NASCAR Research and Development Center. Team owner Richard Childress is appealing the penalty and both he and Bowyer made compelling arguments for their case Friday at Dover.
Joe Gibbs Racing's Hamlin, though, waded into the fray with comments questioning the legality of that team's cars this season. The remark brought more attention to the issue, and the ensuing fracas which Lee Spencer captured in this story .
Then everyone got back to actual racing.
And that's when Hendrick Motorsports' Jimmie Johnson took over. He and crew chief Chad Knaus once more proved that a bad opening to the Chase just isn't that big of a deal, virtually erasing the setback of a 25th-place finish at New Hampshire. Johnson took the pole position at Dover, then led the most laps and earned his sixth victory of the season. ( Highlights ) That boosted him back into Chase contention - and should silence all doubts of whether he can win the title or not.
The only question now is, what will NASCAR do if he does manage to win his fifth consecutive Cup championship?
Hamlin finished ninth at a track that has been his nemesis to maintain his points lead as the standings tightened back up considerably.
In the Nationwide Series, Kyle Busch turned in a stirring win to set yet another NASCAR record. He topped Sam Ard's long-standing record of 10 Nationwide victories in a season as he took his 11th trip to Victory Lane in the series this year. ( Highlights ) Busch, 25, just keeps tallying those wins.
Where does he rank all time? Check this out .
In the Camping World Truck Series, a fresh face of the future - and the latest descendant of a NASCAR star to steal headlines - won his second series race . Austin Dillon, grandson of team owner Richard Childress, took the No. 3 truck to Victory Lane at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
On the news front, the Bowyer penalty and ensuing appeal - which will be heard Sept. 29 - took the headlines. But that wasn't the only news.
First, the expected move of Turner Motorsports acquiring Braun Racing's Nationwide Series came to pass. Then, Lee Spencer got the inside scoop on hot young talent Trevor Bayne's contract status and the interest other teams are showing in the 19-year-old. Then, there was the fallout from the Hamlin-Harvick incident as JGR President J.D. Gibbs weighed in on the issue. And Danica Patrick earned her first top-10 finish in a NASCAR race , though it came in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series race at Dover, where she finished sixth.
And we're only two weeks into the Chase. What will happen this week? Obviously, the appeal will be the top news, but it's doubtful that will be it.
Stay tuned for more news and updates as teams both compete for the title and try to prepare for 2011.
FOXSports.com is ready for the Chase, with complete coverage, photos, analysis and news appearing on our Chase Central page.
-- Jorge A. Mondaca and Rea White
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