The North Carolina News Network

Cup Drivers Have Fun In The Nationwide Series

Scott Wimmer celebrates winning the Pepsi 300 at the Nashville Superspeedway. (Photo Credit: Padraic Major/NASCAR)

(NASHVILLE, TN) -- The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series took the weekend off, but the Nationwide Series kept some Cup Drivers busy at Nashville Superspeedway. After dominating most of the race, Kyle Busch almost had the Pepsi 300 won, but end up losing control of his car. Clint Bowyer immediately thought this was his chance for the win. "When Kyle hit me, it bent the rear end or whatever, the car got really, really tight right after that," said Bowyer. So, Bowyer's Richard Childress Racing teammate, Scott Wimmer, went past him for the win leaving Bowyer with a second place finish followed by Carl Edwards taking third.

Bowyer's second place finish moved him to first in the Nationwide Series points. After the race, Bowyer and Edwards had a little fun poke at each other. Bowyer: "He just said he was excited that we were running and giving him competition." Edwards: "I am. It makes it fun." Bowyer: "Really." Edwards: "For me, I like competition. I mean, I want to beat you." Bowyer: "Can we go now?" Edwards: "Yeah." They both laughed.

The Nationwide Series will take this coming weekend off while the Sprint Cup Series gets back on the track at Martinsville.

Last Updated ( Monday, 24 March 2008 )

Competition Getting Tougher

Jimmie Johnson

(ROCKINGHAM) -- As the Sprint Cup Series takes the Easter weekend off, reigning series champion Jimmie Johnson pressed on with equipment testing. He spent some time in Rockingham this week and will work at Kentucky Speedway early next week. He said there is a simple reason why the work cannot stop. "I think you have competition getting stronger each and every year," said Johnson.

The talent level in NASCAR both behind the scenes and behind the wheel is getting better and better, according to Johnson. "More crew chiefs that are entering the sport further along than where crew chiefs did 10 years ago, same with drivers. You can have 18-year-old drivers showing up, kids showing up that are flying and impressing everyone." But, he said it's not just an improving talent pool that is creating better competition. "Then on the other side you have NASCAR tightening the rules on everyone and it's just making it closer and closer every year."

Johnson is shooting for his fourth consecutive win at Martinsville next weekend.

Last Updated ( Friday, 21 March 2008 )