THE CAR: NASCAR made it official May 22, announcing its Car of Tomorrow (COT) will be come “the car” beginning next season. The CoT will be utilized in all Nextel Cup Series races next year. Originally, the sanctioning body had planned a gradual roll out for the CoT, which did not see it being used in every race until 2009.
IN THE COURTS: A judge ruled in favor of AT&T, issuing a preliminary injunction allowing the company to use its logos on the No. 31 Cingular Chevy of Jeff Burton and Richard Childress Racing in the Nextel Cup Series. NASCAR and Sprint-Nextel had sought to keep AT&T, which recently purchased Cingular, from displaying its logos on the car because of the exclusivity clause in Sprint-Nextel’s contract to sponsor the series. Cingular was allowed to remain in the series because it was involved prior to Sprint-Nextel’s commitment.
STREAK OVER: Indiana sprint-car driver Jon Stanbrough won six consecutive races at five different tracks during a two-week period, including a triumph in the Tony Hulman Classic at Terre Haute, Indiana. The streak ended May 20 at Kokomo Speedway when Dave Darland claimed the victory.
BACK ON TRACK: Champ Car World Series driver Paul Tracy is expected back on the track when the series resumes June 10 at Portland International Raceway. Tracy has been out of action since he was injured at Long Beach, California, in April.
TESTER: Three-time defending Champ Car World Series title winner Sebastien Bourdais tested for the second time with the Scuderia Toro Rosso Formula One team. He is expected to test again in June for a potential seat with the team in 2008.
PARTNERSHIP: Richard Childress Racing and Dale Earnhardt Inc. have formed a partnership to create Earnhardt-Childress Racing Technologies, which will build engines for both NASCAR race teams and sell powerplants to other teams as well.
NO. 1: NASCAR Nextel Cup Series point-leader Jeff Gordon remains on top of the National Speed Sport News Power Rankings.
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