The North Carolina News Network

The Cup Series Face-lift

The New Sprint Cup Series Logo

(DAYTONA BEACH, FL) -- The NASCAR Nextel Cup Series is changing its name...again, but according to NASCAR Chairman Brian France, they knew the Nextel name would change even when the Cup Series left the long-time Winston name behind. The NASCAR Nextel Cup Series will become the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2008. "When we originally entered into the first agree with Nextel we actually and they actually contemplated the possibility that this might happen," said France.

This was even before Nextel merged with Sprint in 2005. "Just the resources they can bring to the table are much greater than if they just went along under the Nextel brand." France maintains that the move gives NASCAR even more leverage to grow the sports. "I think it's going to help the exposure issue that we're always pushing ourselves." This marks only the third name change for the Cup Series in NASCAR's 60 year history.

Last Updated ( Tuesday, 10 July 2007 )

Hard Feelings From Kyle Bush?

Kyle Busch

(DAYTONA BEACH, FL) -- Jamie McMurray took the win at the Pepsi 400 on Saturday night. "If you can pick a racetrack to win at, Daytona is it. This is the home to our sports. I raced go-carts here as a kid and you dream of racing here much less winning a Nextel Cup race, so it's huge," said McMurray.

Saturday night's race provided the closest finish in Daytona International Speedway history with Kyle Busch missing the win by five one-thousandths of a second. He was frustrated he did not get any drafting help from his Hendrick teammates. "Ya know there was about two friends out there we had, my brother and the 40 car. Just a tough effort there at the end to try to win with none of your teammates helping you, I guess I'm not their teammate anymore," said Busch.

Busch will, of course depart from Hendrick Motorsports at the end of this season to make room for Dale Earnhardt Jr. Busch's Hendrick teammate, Jeff Gordon finished fifth. Gordon remains the Nextel Cup points leader.