Each week of the contest, the votes submitted on NASCAR.COM will be tabulated and the photo with the highest average rating and the minimum number of votes will be selected as that week’s winner and receive a $500 gift card. Fans can also participate in the instant-win game with one hundred (100) fifty dollar ($50.00) gift card instant-win prizes available. All entries receive 15% off a one-time purchase at NASCAR.com, plus free shipping.

The 14 weekly winners will compete head-to-head during the “Final Round.” At the end of the Final Round, three “Finalists” with the most fan votes will vie for the grand prize: a trip to the NASCAR Hall of Fame Museum, $10,000, and a featured display in the NASCAR Hall of FameTM for one year.

It’s an amazing contest, so head over to www.NASCAR.com/mostcolorfulfans and start entering!

To coincide with the contest, we are also having a giveaway right here at EveryJoe.

We are giving away a $200.00 NASCAR.com gift card! To enter our giveaway, just leave a comment here on this post, naming your favorite NASCAR driver.

The gift card giveaway runs through 11:59pm ET on July 31, 2010. We will select one random winner from all the comments to receive the card.

US and Canada only. NASCAR.com gift card provided by Fanscape, Inc.

Post from: EveryJoe

Kevin Harvick's patience paid off in The Sam's Town 300

This is a day that has been a little while coming for Harvick during his current period on the track, but this win puts him back in the books with his 35th career Nationwide Series win, which puts him second on the all time win list for the Nationwide Series. The season has just started though and if Harvick gets his car running fast he could get on a role that will see him lead the pack as we travel further into the 2010 Nationwide Series season. He still has a lot of work to do, but so far things are looking up for a racer most thought would challenge for the Nationwide Series championship in 2010.

Carl Edwards had a pretty good day on Saturday and managed to finish third in the Sam’s Town 300. He looked pretty fast out on the track and just lacked the speed to keep up with the leaders as they came to the final laps. Expect the team to get the car running a little better in the next race and Carl to pick up the pace of his racing. There are many who expect Carl to be one of the challengers for the Nationwide Series title in 2010. They could be right, but he has a lot of work to do if he’s going to challenge the faster cars on the track.

Brad Keselowskifinished fourth in the Sam’s Town 300, just ahead of Brian Vickers in fifth, Trevor Bayne in sixth, Justin Allgaier in seventh, Paul Menard in eighth, Greg Biffle in ninth and the top ten was rounded out by Steve Wallace.

“Image: Zuma Press”

Post from: EveryJoe

Jimmie is looking fast and confident on the track again.

Kevin Harvick has had a slow start to the 2010 Sprint Cup Season and on Friday his start became a little more hectic and chaotic as he ran into the wall during Friday’s practice session and was just able to qualify in 34th place. On Saturday, Harvick’s weekend continued on its trend as he only managed to finish 25th out of 42 cars that were out on the track for two sessions. His difficulties are just part of the trade of racing in NASCAR, so don’t read to much into them just yet. Kevin will get things turned around soon and the team will get the car running fast and nimble before you know it Kevin will once again be near the top of the Sprint Cup Series standings and challenging for the lead.

Things change quickly week to week on the Sprint Cup Series tour and you have to keep informed on the events in order to have a good understanding of what’s going on. A racer can be on a roll one week and sitting in the pit lamenting a crash that has them sitting and wondering what could have been. This of course is the exciting part of NASCAR and the Sprint Cup Series that keeps us all coming back for more excitement and entertainment, week after week. Harvick will keep plugging away though, he’s not a quitter or one to give up, so he’ll be fighting to the last race and corner and this is why we love him so.

Harvick will be out on the track again next week, no matter the result in his last race and he’ll be giving it everything he has to win. This is the goal of every racer in NASCAR, to win as many races as possible, and win the championship at the end of the season.

“Image: Zuma Press”

Post from: EveryJoe

Jeff Burton finished behind Kyle Busch in the Stater Bros 300

Tomorrow Jeff Burton will compete in the Sprint Cup Series competition the Shelby American at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and despite his recent slow period on the track he’s been labelled as a championship contender by many. This might make some of his fans feel a little foolish when they compare this to his results in the Sprint Cup Series in 2009, but it would be a mistake considering Jeff Burton’s first two races of the 2010 Sprint Cup Series season. In the first two races Burton has looked fast and confident enough on the track to win and if things had been a little different he might have won both races.

This is certainly a different start to the 2010 Sprint Cup Series season than most people in NASCAR had envisioned for Jeff Burton considering the year he had in 2009. A nice surprise for all involved and especially Jeff Burton, who must have been having a few thoughts about his career in NASCAR after the 2009 he had on the track. Still, humans and racers are known for making comebacks that amaze us and Jeff Burton’s rise back into the contender picture of the Sprint Cup Series is a nice thing to see after last year.

Tomorrow we’ll get to see whether the first two races were a true indication of Jeff Burton’s recovery from a terrible year and if he’s going to continue to challenge race after race as we expect from such a talented racer.

“Image: Zuma Press”

Post from: EveryJoe

Kyle Busch went past Greg Biffle on the last lap to take the win

The eventual winner of the Stater Bros. 300 would be Kyle Busch, who on the last lap came from behind to pass Greg Biffle. Kyle Busch would end up stealing the show from Biffle who was looking strong, and the racer and car that looked the strongest on the track, Busch’s teammate Joey Logano. Kyle Busch managed to slip ahead of Biffle as they came off the corner and pulled ahead as they approached the line and crossed just .051 seconds ahead of Biffle. This occurred off of a green-white-checkered flag finish that meant the race went two laps beyond the scheduled 150 laps. Joey appeared to spin his tires off the restart, which really put him behind the eight ball during the last lap. He would have had a chance to win, if he had kept his tires solidly on the track, which would have given him a better start, but he’s young and you can bet this won’t happen again.

Kyle Busch was on Biffle’s bumper as they started the last lap of the race and when Biffle wabbled a bit and lost some speed for a second, Busch pounced down inside and took the lead from Biffle. Brad Keselowski pulled up beside Busch and Biffle as they came around for the last lap, but lost a three car race off of Turn 4 to the line. This win is Kyle Busch’s 31st Nationwide Series career victory, which actually puts him in third place on the all time list, tied with Jack Ingram.

Carl Edwards finished fourth in the Stater Bros. 300, just ahead of Joey Logano, who you can bet made a few notes about the race and the things that might have been important to his failing to win. The other racers better keep an eye out for Joey on the track in 2010, he appears ready to make his move.

“Image: Zuma Press”

Post from: EveryJoe

Jamie McMurray probably sending his mother a picture of him on The Late Show With David Letterman

After all, very few racers ever get to experience the moments that Jamie McMurray was going through after his win of the Daytona 500, and celebration is definitely in order during the biggest moment of your career. Jamie had a very tough year on the track and although he did win once, he would probably be the first to tell you he was a little worried about his prospects coming into 2010. This win will certainly help his confidence and prospects for continuing to find a ride in the future, despite the current financial problems in NASCAR. He can go to the next race with a little momentum that he had trouble achieving last year and this in itself is good news when you think you’re struggling.

Jamie’s good luck and fortune of course is in contrast to the problems that Daytona International Speedway officials experienced on Sunday as twice the race had to be stopped due to problems with the track. There are a lot of racing industry professionals looking at officials at the track and asking questions that have the officials feeling a little uncomfortable, but this is to be expected. How can you defend the track coming apart during what’s suppose to be one of the premier races in the industry? This kind of thing has happened before, but it’s very embarressing for sure and something that officials at the track want to make sure doesn’t happen very often. They’re probably prowling around the track in a bad mood this morning and one could hardly blame them considering the time and money that goes into keeping a race track in top condition.

“Image: Zuma Press”

Post from: EveryJoe

Join Kyle Petty and friends for a ride for the kids.

This year is the 16th year for the Anniversary Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America and Kyle Petty and friends invite you to join them as they board their sportbikes and head out on the road to raise awareness for Victory Junction Camp. Kyle will be taking the group on a tour of North Las Vegas, Nevada; Amarillo and Texarkana, Texas; Chattanooga, Tennesse and spots in between. Come on out with your bike and ride along with Kyle as they ride for the kids and have fun doing something that any motorcycle enthusiast loves to do, ride their bike.

There will be plenty of chances for you to meet the big man himself and have something to tell your racing buddies and grand kids about when your sitting around the house. Everyone is welcome to come out and tag along, so grab your motorycle and biking friends and make a date to show up to help the kids.

The worldwide financial crisis has hit the kids of the world even harder than the rest of us and we all need to pitch in for the kids who can’t take care of themselves. We’re all responsible in a way for the young ones of the world, they’re all part of the extended family of the human race and can use your help in this time of need.

Come on out and meet one of the greatest racers in NASCAR history and other celebrities, and make the world a little better in a small way for the kids of the Victory Junction Camp. We’ll save you a place in the line and make a note to expect you on May 1 -9, 2010 in Indian Wells, California. For specific information on the exact time and place to be call the Kyle Petty Charity Ride office at (704) 714-4545.

“Image” Zuma Press”

Post from: EveryJoe

Another party that occurred at Martinsville in 2009. Does it look like fun?

Jimmie Johnson will be trying to extend his lead over Mark Martin in today's Banking 500 on Lowe's Motor Speedway

Jimmie is chasing history and his fourth NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship in a row, while Mark Martin is just trying to do his best and win his first Sprint Cup Championship, which would probably be a nice cherry on a notable, if not spectacular racing career.

If you look at the season statistics you’ll see that both drivers have similar records. They have both won five Sprint Cup races this year and they qualified on the front two together, although Jimmie Johnson will have the inside position on the front row. Don’t get me wrong, it’s going to be hard for Mark Martin to beat Jimmie Johnson in today’s race and for the Sprint Cup Championship. It might come down to who wants it the most, since both competitors have talent and experience, although Martin has no experience closing the show on a season.

Can Mark Martin beat Jimmie Johnson? This is the question isn’t it? How badly does Mark Martin want to win compared to Jimmie Johnson? The best part is we get to find out today and over the remaining races of the Chase. I admit to being a bit sentimental toward the old man Mark Martin, since I am a little long in the tooth myself. Mark Martin has had a long NASCAR career and it would be great to see him finally succeed in taming the tiger he has had by the tail for so many years. On the other hand Jimmie Johnson has already won and is still young and full of energy, so we’ll be seeing lots of him in the years to come.

This situation in NACAR reminds me of the situation in MotoGP at the current moment. Valentino Rossi is battling his Fiat Yamaha team mate Lorenzo for the MotoGP Premier Class World Championship at present, with only a few races remaining. Rossi is chasing history and his eighth MotoGP World Premier Class Championship. The biggest difference of course is the switch in the age of the current champion and challenger in today’s Banking 500, as compared to Valentino and Lorenzo.

“Image: Zuma Press”

Post from: EveryJoe

Martinsville Speedway wants to invite you to a party

The next scheduled big NASCAR event occuring at Martinsville Speedway will be the Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500 on the weekend of March 26-28. Martinsville Speedway and Goody’s have a relationship that has made for one of the best weekends for fans in the industry and you won’t be disappointed if you show up to say hello and take in the race. This year Martinsville Speedway and Goody’s will bring race fans stories on some of the greatest racers in NASCAR history. Fans will even get to ask some of their older heroes a few questions that have been burning a hole in their minds, ask for the autograph that they have dreamed about and grab something to help them remember the event for years to come. This could be your one chance to take in a NASCAR event and talk to racing professionals that will inspire and teach you things about racing you didn’t know.

Fans who come to the weekend affair will also have a chance at one of 10,000 commemorative prints designed by artist Sam Bass, something that will only increase in value with the years. Apparently, the prints include drivers from the early days of NASCAR, as well as those that came later in NASCAR history. If you’re a fan of old time racing, this could be your chance to grab a print with limited availability that only a select few racing fans in the history of NASCAR will have. Sam Bass hails from Virginia and NASCAR fans from Virginia will have a special place in their hearts for these prints.

The weekend is going to be a special tribute, in away, to old time racing and the racers that helped write NASCAR history. Martinsville Speedway wants to invite all race fans to the track on the weekend of March 26-28, for an old time racing-party that will make them laugh and entertain them. The race is going to be a party you don’t want to miss.

“Image: Zuma Press”

Post from: EveryJoe

Get ready, get set! It's time to race!

This week the boys have been out on the track of Daytona International Speedway preparing for the start of the season. About fifty or so cars were present to qualify, practice and prepare for the upcoming Gatorade Duel 150-mile qualifier that is set for Thursday. The racers will soon take part in the Budweiser Shootout and the first Nationwide Series race will start, so things are starting to build toward the start of the season for all the racers and teams.

The teams will collect a mountain of data during this time that they’ll try to use to improve the cars and their chances of winning during the 2010 season, but it might all be for nothing, as the races are basically a roll of the dice for most. Still, they do need to collect the data and make the changes that are indicated, for it could be the difference, despite the element of chance in the races. There are so many aspects that are involved in winning a NASCAR race, you’ll need a computer to have a chance of calculating them and making a useful prediction and even then I doubt you would have much sucesss. There are just to many variables involved and anything can happen at anytime on the track, so good luck with that.

The racers and teams will just have to show up and do the job they normally do and hope that luck evens out through the season for them. Lady Luck can be a friend or a foe, the choice is usually her’s, all you can really do is plan for the worst and hope for the best. Hopefully, by planning for the worst to happen, you can be ready to respond when Lady Luck turns against you and come out of the affair with a chance to still win.

Either way, the 2010 Sprint Cup Series season and Nationwide Series season are close to starting and this is what we have been waiting for. It should be a great year for the fans and NASCAR as a whole and hopefully the economy recovers, which should make for a better year for all.

“Image: Zuma Press”

Post from: EveryJoe