Bloggin' is Racin'

Paul Menard headed for Yates Racing

Paul Menard will leave Dale Earnhardt Inc. at the end of the season and move to Yates Racing. It's an important pickup for Yates since Menard comes with sponsorship from his father's hardware chain. The departure leaves DEI with three drivers but only one full-time sponsor for 2009. Bass Pro Shops will continue to sponsor Martin Truex Jr.'s No. 1 Chevy, but the No. 8 of Aric Almirola and No. 01 of Regan Smith may not have full-time backing in 2009.

-- Michele Vincze

Allmendinger proves his worth

AJ Allmendinger picked a great time to record his career-best NASCAR Sprint Cup finish. In a week in which he was told he will not be returning to Red Bull Racing next season, Allmendinger went out and finished ninth Sunday at Kansas Speedway to show any potential suitors that he really can drive a racecar. The finish had to help the free-agent driver, who doesn't even know if he'll be racing his No. 84 Toyota at Talladega next weekend. Read more about Allmendinger's day here.

Update: Red Bull Racing has decided to let Allmendinger go early to pursue other offers. Mike Skinner will pilot the No. 84 Toyota at Talladega this weekend and again at Lowe's Motor Speedway the week after. Scott Speed will finish the season in the car, including the Dickies 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on Nov. 2.

-- Michele Vincze

Schumacher back to his winning ways

O'Reilly NHRA Mid-South Nationals
Memphis (Tenn.) Motorsports Park

Top Fuel: Tony Schumacher's loss to J.R. Todd last week at the Texas Motorplex in Ennis apparently was a just a blip in his run to another title. Schumacher got back to winning Sunday when he defeated Doug Herbert in the event final. It was Schumacher's ninth consecutive final-round appearance.

Funny Car: Tim Wilkerson spoiled a potential all-John Force Racing semifinals when he turned back John Force, Robert Hight, and Ashley Force in consecutive rounds. Wilkerson beat Ashley Force in the final 4.166 to 4.183. Wilkerson remains the points leader in the class with three events remaining.

Pro Stock: Mike Edwards earned his second victory of the season with a final-round win against Jason Line. Edwards jumped from ninth to fifth in the Countdown to 1 standings. Jeg Coughlin Jr. maintained his points lead despite losing in the quarterfinals to Allen Johnson.

Pro Stock Motorcycle: Craig Treble defeated Eddie Krawiec in the final to earn his first victory of the year. Matt Smith still leads the class despite losing to Krawiec in the semifinals.

Full points standings can be found here.

-- Michele Vincze