Blogginisracin

Force returns from injury

John Force, the 14-time National Hot Rod Association Funny Car champion who was seriously injured in an accident at Texas Motorplex in Ennis in September, returned to racing with the fastest run in preseason testing in Phoenix on Tuesday.

Force, 58, reached a top speed of 327.51 mph and covered Firebird International Raceway’s quarter-mile drag strip in 4.782 seconds in a Ford Mustang.

De Ferran to join ALMS

Former open-wheel star Gil de Ferran, who went out a winner at Texas Motor Speedway in 2003, is ready to return to racing as an owner/driver. De Ferran Motorsports will field a factory-backed Acura ARX-01b entry in the American Le Mans Series' LMP2 division around mid-season, with de Ferran as the current lead driver.

De Ferran made his most recent start on Oct. 12, 2003, when he won the IRL IndyCar season-ender at TMS in Fort Worth. "I certainly missed the thrill of pushing myself and a car to the limit _ that is something that is hard to replace," said De Ferran, who won the 2003 Indianapolis 500 for Team Penske. "Even though I've been out of the cockpit for four years, I'm doing my very best to regain my form and fitness. If I'm able to do that, then hopefully, I'll be competitive."

De Ferran, a native of Brazil, won Championship Auto Racing Teams driver's titles in 2000-01 for car-owner Roger Penske. After retiring from the IRL cockpit, De Ferran served as Sporting Director for Honda Formula One from 2005-07. De Ferran, who plans to establish his team's headquarters in the Indianapolis area, said he is studying a short list of potential co-drivers.

-- John Sturbin

Speeds increase at Vegas

Day 2 of testing at Las Vegas Motor Speedway saw speeds increase and some new faces at the top of the charts. In the morning session, Carl Edwards and his Roush Fenway Ford topped the charts at 184.256 mph (29.307 sec.). David Reutimann was second in a Toyota and Kyle Busch was fast again in his Toyota. In the afternoon session, the Dodges cruised to the top of the list, led by Juan Pablo Montoya (186.761 mph/28.914 sec.). Kasey Kahne (fourth), Reed Sorenson (fifth) and Elliott Sadler (sixth) helped bolster Dodge's position in the top 10. Casey Mears had the top Chevrolet speed for the day at 185.344 mph. (29.135 sec.) and A.J. Allmendinger had the top overall speed for the Toyotas (185.752 mph/29.071 sec.) in the afternoon session.

For a complete list of Vegas testing speeds, click here.

Jeff Gordon says don't believe the hype.

-- Michele Vincze

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

Ganassi team earns three-peat

The red, white and blue No. 01 car with the bulls-eye on the side dodged all the necessary bullets and outran the field, earning Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates its third consecutive Rolex 24 at Daytona overall victory. Scott Pruett brought the car home three laps ahead of the No. 99 Bob Stalling's Lowe's/GAINSCO Pontiac Riley. The No. 01 Lexus Riley was co-driven by Memo Rojas and NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers Dario Franchitti and Juan Pablo Montoya. To read more about the race, click here.
-- Michele Vincze

Lofty phrases, big expectations

So what do the phrases "Bellagio of drag racing," "Disney World of racing," and "the new motorsports Mecca of the United States" have in common? One hint: Bruton Smith is involved. Read more about Bruton's latest marketing joy here.

-- Michele Vincze