Skip navigation
Site powered by
Latest news:
msnbc.com: Top msnbc.com headlines: Foos win 4 Grammys, overshadowed by Houston

Could be no new winner for 1st time since '04

Time running out in season dominated by big teams, veteran drivers

Bank of America 500 PracticeGetty Images for NASCAR
Regan Smith appeared to be a first-time Sprint Cup winner Oct. 5, but he was disqualified after he drove below the yellow line while hitting the finish line first at Talladega.

Not since 2004 has a Sprint Cup season passed without a first-time winner, and time is running out in 2008. This season's biggest roadblock to drivers still seeking their first victory: the dominance of the top teams.

The four organizations that put three drivers each in the Chase — Hendrick Motorsports, Roush Fenway Racing, Joe Gibbs Racing and Richard Childress Racing — accounted for 29 victories in the first 33 races. Three drivers have 21 of those wins — Kyle Busch has eight, Carl Edwards seven and Jimmie Johnson six.

The pool of drivers with no career wins includes nearly a dozen veterans but only two full-time rookies — Regan Smith and Sam Hornish — because the 2008 class has been thinned by sponsorship and performance issues. Plus, there were fewer breakthrough candidates entering the season after four drivers got their first wins in 2007.

The issue would be moot, of course, had NASCAR ruled in Smith's favor after he dipped — or was forced — below the yellow line Oct. 5 at Talladega and beat Tony Stewart to the checkered flag.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is among some who said Smith should have been declared the winner, but NASCAR sent Stewart to victory lane and demoted Smith to 18th for an illegal pass.

"The No. 01 (Smith) was forced below the line," Earnhardt said. "The two didn't make contact. He was on the inside of Tony, and he had no other choice than to move away from Tony, and that sends him below the line. In my opinion, the No. 01 wins the race."

© 2012 Sporting News

advertisement
Slideshow
Kobalt Tools 500
  Earning a trip to victory lane
Take a look at every NASCAR driver who has claimed a checkered flag this racing season.

NBCSports.com

Slideshow
SUBWAY Fresh Fit 600
  Revved up for racing
Take a look at how some NASCAR fans express their dedication to the drivers and to the sport.

NBCSports.com

Slideshow
Danica Patrick,  Helio Castroneves
  Danica Daze
Danica Patrick is expanding her repertoire from the IRL to NASCAR.

more photos

Slideshow
Coca-Cola 600
  Celebs at the track
Take a look at the stars who have attended NASCAR races.

NBCSports.com

Slideshow
Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Mark Martin, Brian Vickers
  NASCAR crashes
Sparks fly and cars spin out wildly when NASCAR drivers get into accidents.

NBCSports.com

INTERACTIVE
"Taxi" Film Premiere
NASCAR wives and girlfriends
They're fixtures in pit row, but they don't drive on the track or work on the cars. Take a look at some notable NASCAR wives and girlfriends.
Special feature
Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500
NASCAR crashes
Sparks fly and cars spin when NASCAR drivers get into accidents.
Slideshow
Image: Snee, 8, son of New York Giants player Chris Snee and head coach Coughlin's grandson plays in the confetti after the New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots in the NFL Super Bowl XLVI football game in Indianapolis
  The Week in Sports Pictures
The Giants on top of the football world, getting ready for the London Olympics and more.

more photos