Bloggin' is Racin'

What a deal

Need an excuse to go Darlington Raceway? This may make your decision easier.

The Associated Press reported Monday that NASCAR fans at Darlington Raceway can make a full day's meal out of the Sprint Cup Dodge Challenger 500 on May 10.
The track announced an all-you-can-eat food and beverage ticket that includes seats plus unlimited hamburgers, hot dogs, snacks and soft drinks at the new Colvin Grill before the start of the race. Beer will apparently still cost you extra.
Darlington president Chris Browning says the package is a way to reward the track's loyal fans.
The cost starts at $60 for adults and $55 for children 12 and under. For fans who already have a ticket elsewhere at the raceway, the all-you-can-eat option can be purchased for $15 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under.

Expensive Koni Challenge debut

Fort Worth businessman/racer Don Istook will make good use of the four-month gap between the Koni Challenge Series opener at Daytona International Speedway and Round 2 at Lime Rock Park in Connecticut. Istook's 2003 Audi TT coupe was destroyed 28 laps into Friday's three-hour endurance event when co-driver Colin Cohen of Southlake was rear-ended while entering the pits. The contact sent Cohen spinning into the inside concrete wall at over 100 mph. The car then flipped on its roof before bouncing onto its wheels.

Cohen, who was making his professional racing debut after previously competing with Istook in the SCCA amateur ranks, escaped serious injury thanks to the car's rollcage, seat and his HANS Device. "He didn't get a scratch on him," Istook said, "but he's sore. The next day, he wanted to go racing."

Unfortunately, the twisted Audi is a total loss. Istook spent Monday on the Internet, shopping for a replacement TT to convert into a Street Tuner race car. "We'll salvage what we can, but we're going to secure another chassis and build a better car for the next race," Istook said. Round 2 is May 23-26 at the famed track in Lakeville, Conn.

-- John Sturbin

Cup teams testing in Vegas

Different track, similar results.
Toyotas showed the most speed during two Sprint Cup test sessions Monday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, much like they did at Daytona earlier this month. The Joe Gibbs Racing Toyotas led the way, with Denny Hamlin posting the fastest speed in the morning test session and Kyle Busch and Tony Stewart topping the charts in the afternoon. Wind and wet weather hampered the sessions Monday. Cup drivers will continue testing at Vegas on Tuesday and then travel west to test at California Speedway later in the week.
For complete speed charts, click here.
-- Michele Vincze