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Top NASCAR stories of the year

The Star-Telegram's John Sturbin was one of five McClatchy motorsports writers who voted on NASCAR's 12 biggest stories of the year. To read about the results of the survey, click here.

Chili Bowl has all-star entry list

NASCAR stars Tony Stewart, Kasey Kahne, Ryan Newman and J.J. Yeley and NHRA veterans Gary Scelzi and Cruz Pedregon are among the 277 drivers scheduled to participate in the 22nd annual Chili Bowl Midget Nationals in Tulsa on Jan. 8-12. The races on Jan. 12 will be broadcast live on HBO pay-per-view.

-- Michele Vincze

Dakar Rally on Versus

Versus announced it will again broadcast daily highlights from the Dakar Rally, which begins on Jan. 5 in Lisbon, Portugal. Versus will air a 30-minute show at 2:30 p.m., with a repeat airing at 5:30 p.m., starting on Jan. 6. The 15-stage event runs through Jan. 20 and ends in Dakar, Senegal. Versus is scheduled to air an hour-long review show on Jan. 27. For a list of air times, click here.

American NASCAR and off-road star Robby Gordon will compete in his fourth Dakar Rally. Gordon and co-driver Andy Grider will again race a Hummer and Gordon will be joined by a new teammate, Dakar veteran and off-road driver Ronn Bailey, who will team with Kevin Heath in a second Robby Gordon Motorsports-built Hummer. Gordon and Grider became the first Americans to win a stage when they claimed the sixth stage in 2007 and finished eighth overall in the car class. To follow Gordon and his team in the 2008 rally, check back daily at robbygordon.com or try Gordon's new interactive community site, robbysuprising.com.

This article will get you in the mood to watch some Dakar Rally action.

-- Michele Vincze

Countdown to Daytona

Are you suffering from NASCAR withdrawal? If your answer is yes, then we've got some good news. Testing at Daytona International Speedway is set to begin next month, and SPEED TV will provide 22 days of testing coverage from the high banks in Daytona Beach, as well as Las Vegas Motor Speedway and California Speedway, beginning Jan. 7.

The comprehensive coverage will include test sessions for the Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Craftsman Truck series.

Want some better news? SPEED is finally making the switch to HD on Feb. 7 with 100 hours of coverage from Daytona Speedweeks. Beginning with the Gatorade Duel 150s on Feb. 14 and Craftsman Truck race on Feb. 15, SPEED will broadcast all NASCAR programming leading up to the 50th Daytona 500 in HD.

-- Dusty Schwab

DEI locks up crew chief

Kevin "Bono" Manion signed a three-year extension to remain at DEI as crew chief for Martin Truex Jr.

Manion helped guide Truex to his first Cup victory and first berth in the Chase in 2007. Truex finished 11th in the Chase and recorded seven top-five and 14 top-10 finishes in addition to his lone victory.

-- Dusty Schwab

It's all for charity

This really isn't news, but when times are slow, like they are now, anything about Cup champ Jimmie Johnson and Jessica Simpson's ex hubby deserves a post.

Jimmie Johnson and good friend Nick Lachey, left, told The Associated Press on Thursday they have partnered to form the Super Skins Celebrity Golf Classic, which will be held in Scottsdale, Ariz., in conjunction with the Super Bowl in February.
Ironically, it was during a similar celebrity tournament last winter that Johnson fell off a golf cart and broke his wrist. Reports say he was horsing around. Johnson admitted he could be persuaded to board another golf cart for his tournament.
“I might be talked into such a thing, if I can get some bindings to hold me on and make sure I won't fall off,” he joked. “It is for charity, after all.”
“We're going to play chicken on top of the golf carts,” Lachey quickly chimed in.

We're guessing Tony Romo won't be invited.

-- Michele Vincze

Manning staying with A.J. Foyt Racing

Indycar.com reported Tuesday that A.J. Foyt Racing announced driver Darren Manning has re-signed to drive the No. 14 ABC Supply Dallara/Honda in the IndyCar Series next season. Read more here.

Hamilton is bad fast

Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton had his driver's license suspended for a month in France after he was caught speeding by police, The Associated Press reported Tuesday. Hamilton was clocked going 123 mph in a Mercedes on the A26 highway near the northern town of Laon on Sunday night, police spokesman Arnaud Dujardin said Tuesday. Hamilton's car was taken away by police and he was transported back to his hotel. Dujardin said the police officers did not recognize Hamilton, who was alone in the car, until they looked at his identification papers. Hamilton, who drives for McLaren, finished second in the 2007 standings to Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen.

-- Michele Vincze