Nearly 2,000 miles, three time zones and over 2,100 feet in elevation.
That’s what separates the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series’ first two annual preseason test sessions — the first at Daytona International Speedway earlier this month, and the second next week at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Stacy Compton has agreed to terms on a contract that will make him ESPN’s “lead analyst,” the driver confirmed Thursday. He said the contract is for one year with a two-year option for 2008 and 09. ESPN will make a formal announcement of Compton’s hiring next Tuesday. Compton made his first ESPN appearance on Thursday [...]

Add Helio Castroneves’ name to the list of open-wheel stars wanting to try NASCAR. The two-time Indy 500 winner said late Wednesday he is intrigued by the possibility of racing in America’s most popular series. “Because of the popularity and attention the sport has gotten, there is no question I would like to try,” he [...]

Team Owner Ray Evernham disclosed Thursday, is that robots are part of the team’s car-building future. NASCAR’s ultra-strict chassis rules involving its Car of Tomorrow, which will debut in March at Bristol, Tenn., make it possible for robots to perform welding and similar duties in the chassis-building process.