George Gillett, majority owner of Gillett Evernham Motorsports, said Canadian racer Patrick Carpentier will drive a Cup car for them during the Chase this season and probably will race full time in Cup for GEM next year.

ESPN averaged a 3.8 U.S. area rating and 6.1 million viewers for five NASCAR Nextel Cup race telecasts this season, with the Michigan race airing on a Tuesday morning on ESPN2 due to weather, earning a 1.3 rating and 1.8 million viewers.

NASCAR vice president of competition Robin Pemberton said Tuesday that it’s possible a car of tomorrow test next week at Talladega Superspeedway could result in allowing Nextel Cup teams restrictor plates with larger openings for October’s race at the 2.66-mile track.
The Oct. 7 race at Talladega will be the first using the COT for a [...]

NASCAR President Mike Helton, Nextel Cup driver J.J. Yeley and Hampton, Va., Mayor Ross Kearney unveiled plans Thursday for a new NASCAR Sports Grille at the Power Plant of Hampton Roads.
The restaurant’s third location is scheduled to open in May 2008. The other two restaurants are already in operation in Orlando, Fla., and Myrtle Beach, [...]