It’s time to kick back at Charlotte and race just for fun and a lot of cash at this weekend’s All-Star Race. Waltrip Racing enforces its zero tolerance policy on drugs and a driver wanted for theft.

FOX News Radio’s Marghiee “Trackside” Teshineh previews the race:

Download audio file (FOXINTHEFASTLANE_051613.mp3)

FOX in the Fast Lane.

It’s All-Star Race weekend at Charlotte with drivers in the hunt for up to $2 million in prize money.

Martin Truex Jr. is hoping to snag one of three slots left open in the 22-car race by coming in first or second in the pre-race Sprint Showdown because:

(Truex) “The All-Star Race is one of the funnest events of the year and to not be a part of it is pretty miserable.”

The last slot is decided by the fans. Truex, who won the fan vote in 2005, says with competition from newcomers like Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Danica Patrick:

(Truex) “My odds are not very good with Danica being in there.”

Michael Waltrip Racing fires crew member Lee Dodson, after he failed a random drug test. Dodson had joined Waltrip Racing this year and had been working on the car of Clint Bowyer.

And North Carolina police have a warrant for the arrest of driver Mike Harmon. Wanted in connection with the theft of a hauler worth over a quarter million dollars from driver and owner Jennifer Jo Cobb. 

FOX in the Fast Lane, I’m Marghiee Teshineh, FOX News Radio.

Follow FOX News Radio’s Marghiee “Trackside” Teshineh on Twitter: @LadyTrackside

The NASCAR Sprint Cup heads to Darlington Raceway for the Bojangles Southern 500. NASCAR revises penalties against Joe Gibbs and Penske Racing, and Denny Hamlin rides again.

FOX News Radio’s Marghiee “Trackside” Teshineh previews the race:

Download audio file (FOXINTHEFASTLANE_050913.mp3)

FOX in the Fast Lane.

After a second appeal NASCAR upholds the fines and points penalties against Penske Racing, and Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano’s teams for failing inspections at Texas. However, crew suspensions were reduced from six to two races.

Team owner Roger Penske called the revised ruling fair and isn’t worried for this week’s race.

(Penske) “Our bench is strong and that we have people that can step in for the two crew chiefs and the people that won’t be here so, to me, it will be business as usual at Darlington.”

Some good news for Joe Gibbs racing on their appeal NASCAR restoring points to Matt Kenseth from the Kansas race and his crew chief now suspended for one race instead of six.

After being sidelined for months with a back injury how was driving a few laps at Talladega for Denny Hamlin?

(Hamlin) “Gosh it’s probably been months since I felt this good, so I’m definitely looking forward to going back to full competition.”

Darlington will be Hamlin’s first full race since the March crash at Auto Club Speedway.

FOX in the Fast Lane, I’m Marghiee Teshineh, FOX News Radio.

Follow FOX News Radio’s Marghiee “Trackside” Teshineh on Twitter: @LadyTrackside

The Sprint Cup heads to Talladega this weekend for the Aaron’s 499, where they’ll be honoring the local college football champion Crimson Tide.

FOX News Radio’s Marghiee “Trackside” Teshineh previews the race:

Download audio file (FITFLTALLADEGAMT_5213.mp3)

FOX in the Fast Lane.

Matt Kenseth is excited to race this weekend at Talladega, crediting his team for his two wins so far this season.

(Kenseth) “Our performance has been nothing short of spectacular all year.”

NASCAR upholds all the penalties Penske Racing’s teams, led by Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano, after failing pre-race inspections at Texas.  Team owner Roger Penske promises to continue the appeals process.

(Penske) “I feel that, you know, we have a good case and as we are allowed to under the NASCAR rules in the rulebook to appeal this to the next level.”

Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron, who led the Crimson Tide to back-to-back national championships, will lead the field of drivers as the honorary pace car driver at Talladega.  Michael Waltrip’s #55 Aaron’s Toyota will feature an Alabama national championship paint scheme.

And former Cup champion Bobby Labonte makes his 700th career start at Talladega this weekend.

FOX in the Fast Lane, I’m Marghiee Teshineh, FOX News Radio.

Follow FOX News Radio’s Marghiee “Trackside” Teshineh on Twitter: @LadyTrackside

Get ready for some night racing in Richmond this weekend, with the Toyota Owners 400 being the first race for Matt Kenseth since he was penalized after last week’s win in Kansas.

FOX News Radio’s Marghiee “Trackside” Teshineh previews the race:

Download audio file (FITFLRICHMONDMT_42513.mp3)

FOX in the Fast Lane.

After winning Richmond’s Fall race, Clint Bowyer returns to the short track this weekend knowing:

(Bowyer) “Once you win at a race track, every time you go back there after that there’s always something you can carry in, and that’s confidence.”

Kyle Busch, Richmond’s four-time defending Spring race champ, says losing at the same track five months later meant:

(Busch) “We didn’t execute that as we needed to, but we learned from that one and we put that in the memory bank.”

Matt Kenseth and crew punished after failing a post-race engine inspection after Kansas.  Penalties include 50 driver and bonus points gone, and a $200,000 fine and six-race suspension for crew chief Jason Ratcliff.

And Daytona and Talladega Superspeedways to reinforce the crossover gates, which allow fans to move between the grandstands and the infield before and after races.  This in response to the February accident at Daytona that injured nearly 30 fans.

FOX in the Fast Lane, I’m Marghiee Teshineh, FOX News Radio.

The Sprint Cup is in Kansas this weekend for the STP 400. Kansas Speedway ramps up on security after the Boston Marathon bombing and NASCAR punishes Penske Racing.

FOX News Radio’s Marghiee “Trackside” Teshineh previews the race:

Download audio file (FOXINTHEFASTLANE_041813.mp3)

FOX in the Fast Lane.

To finally do well at an intermediate track like Kansas, Danica Patrick knows her team has got to…

(Patrick) “Work on some platforms to see what we can do to make the car better and faster and feel better.”

For Carl Edwards when he looks into the stands at Kansas, it’s not just fans he sees but…

(Edwards) “Literally probably a thousand people up there at every race who have helped me in some way or, you know, let me drive their race car, loaned me parts.”

In the wake of the Boston Marathon bombing, Kansas speedway officials announce increased security at this week’s Truck Series and Sprint Cup races.

And NASCAR comes down hard on Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano for using unauthorized parts at last week’s race in Texas.

The Penske teams face penalties that include the loss of 25 driver and owner points, $100,000 fines for each crew chief, and suspensions for six points races and the non-points All Star Race.

FOX in the Fast Lane, I’m Marghiee Teshineh, FOX News Radio.

Follow FOX News Radio’s Marghiee “Trackside” Teshineh on Twitter: @LadyTrackside

The stars & lights are big & bright for NASCAR this weekend, racing the NRA 500 under the lights at Texas Motor Speedway on Saturday night.

FOX News Radio’s Marghiee “Trackside” Teshineh previews the race:

Download audio file (FITFLNRA500MT_41113.mp3)

Texas native Bobby Labonte thinks racing at Texas Motor Speedway is great because:

(Labonte) “There’s multiple grooves and tires give up, and I think that leads to good racing and excitement for the fans.  So always looking forward to going back there.”

Brad Keselowski is hoping for better luck this season at Texas.

(Keselowski) “We might not of got the win that we wanted last fall, but I feel like we can get it done this Spring.”

For Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Texas holds a special place in his heart because:

(Earnhardt, Jr.) “Just the fact that you got a win here, won your first race here, that’s what makes it so special.”

Former NASCAR champion Dale Jarrett and racing magnate Bruton Smith are among the five new nominees for next year’s Hall of Fame class.

And President Barack Obama honors Sprint Cup champ Brad Keselowski next week at the White House for his achievements on the track and his efforts to give back to the community.  Keselowski will meet with wounded troops during his visit.

FOX in the Fast Lane, I’m Marghiee Teshineh, FOX News Radio.

Follow FOX News Radio’s Marghiee “Trackside” Teshineh on Twitter: @LadyTrackside

A familiar face set up shop in Victory Lane after Sunday’s Sprint Cup race at Martinsville.

FOX News Radio’s Chris Hoenig recaps the race:

Download audio file (NASCARMARTINSVILLECH_4713.mp3)

Jimmie Johnson likes Martinsville.

(Johnson) “Feel like the fastest car won the race.  So it was a very standard Martinsville race, although I thought some guys might peel off and take tires, so… Just a hard race, you know.  This racetrack is tough to get around, but we have a great notebook.”

A clean restart with eight laps to go pushing Johnson to his eighth career Martinsville win in the STP Gas Booster 500 on FOX Sports.  Clint Bowyer finishing second, followed by Jeff Gordon and Kasey Kahne.

Danica Patrick’s first go on Martinsville’s short-track ending with a confidence-building 12th-place finish.

Chris Hoenig, FOX News Radio.

After taking Easter weekend off, NASCAR is roaring into Virginia for the STP Gas Booster 500 at Martinsville, a race that many drivers think can be tricky.

FOX News Radio’s Marghiee “Trackside” Teshineh previews the race:

Download audio file (FITFLSTPGASBOOSTERMT_040413.mp3)

FOX in the Fast Lane.

For Danica Patrick, this week’s race at Martinsville could end up being a great day, or it could be:

(Patrick) “A complete disaster.  I mean, it has that likelihood.  It’s a challenging track.”

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. – the current points leader – says it took awhile to learn how to pace himself at Martinsville because:

(Earnhardt, Jr.) “You just want to really get in there and gouge every corner, but there’s just not enough race car to do that for 500 miles.”

Martinsville defending champ Ryan Newman says it’s not just running a race he has to worry about, but the feuds and the fights between drivers that make their way onto the track, which means:

(Newman) “Watching out for what’s going on whether it’s something that carried over from the past few weeks, or something that has happened that day.”

And national outdoors retailer Gander Mountain Company announced this week it will sponsor Clint Bowyer’s car for the NASCAR Sprint Cup NRA 500 in Texas next week, with a paint scheme that includes the words: “With rights comes responsibility. Secure your firearms.”

FOX in the Fast Lane, I’m Marghiee Teshineh, FOX News Radio.

Follow FOX News Radio’s Marghiee “Trackside” Teshineh on Twitter: @LadyTrackside

Pit row is quiet this week, as NASCAR takes Easter weekend off.  But when they come back, a replacement driver will be behind the wheel of Denny Hamlin’s car and one popular driver will be in the lead.

FOX News Radio’s Chris Hoenig has the latest NASCAR news:

Download audio file (FITFLOFFWEEKCH_32813.mp3)

FOX in the Fast Lane.

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. is the points leader going into next week’s race at Martinsville, and says when it comes to his team’s success, he’s:

(Earnhardt, Jr.) “Just riding the wave, just real happy with how things are going with our team.”

After a 31-race losing streak, Kyle Busch is hoping his win at Fontana will carry over to Martinsville.

(Busch) “We finally had a little bit of luck on our side that we didn’t have all last year, and it seemed like we weren’t quite having this year.”

Denny Hamlin won’t need surgery, but he can’t race for at least six weeks after fracturing a vertebra in his lower back in a last-lap crash involving Joey Logano at the Auto Club Speedway.  Joe Gibbs Racing says Mark Martin – who was not scheduled to race – will drive the #11 Toyota for Hamlin next week in Virginia, but are not specifying how many races he’ll sit in for.

And no fines for Tony Stewart, who got into a post-race shoving match with Joey Logano after the Auto Club 400.  Stewart accusing Logano of blocking him on a late restart.

FOX in the Fast Lane, I’m Chris Hoenig, FOX News Radio.

Follow FOX News Radio’s Chris Hoenig on Twitter: @Chris_Hoenig
Follow FOX News Radio’s Marghiee “Trackside” Teshineh on Twitter: @LadyTrackside

A scary wreck at the end of Sunday’s NASCAR race could keep one Sprint Cup driver on the sidelines for a while.

FOX News Radio’s Chris Hoenig has details:

Download audio file (05388_20130325.mp3)

Denny Hamlin suffering a compression fracture in his back after crashing with Joey Logano on the last lap of Sunday’s Auto Club 400 on FOX Sports.

(Race Play-by-Play) “They touch!  They touch and here comes Kyle!  Hamlin and Logano into the wall!”

Hamlin pulled himself out of the car, but immediately collapsed on the track.  The fracture is at the base of his rib cage in the first lumbar vertebrae, and is common in car and weightlifting accidents.  There’s no immediate timetable on his recovery, but other drivers with similar injuries have missed several weeks.

Chris Hoenig, FOX News Radio.

The Sprint Cup is out west this weekend for the Auto Club 400 in Fontana, California, where drivers are still feeling out their new Gen6 cars.

FOX News Radio’s Marghiee “Trackside” Teshineh previews the race:

Download audio file (FOXINTHEFASTLANEAUTOCLUBFONTANA_32113.MP3)

FOX in the Fast Lane.

Kasey Kahne thinks he can make it to Victory Lane again this weekend because:

(Kahne) “I’m really looking forward to Fontana, I’ve always enjoyed racing there.”

And with the new Generation 6 car, Kahne has this prediction for Fontana:

(Kahne) “I think this new car is going to create a better race for that track, a more aggressive race.”

Kyle Busch, who came in second at Fontana last year, is hoping his luck has changed from the 2012 season.

(Busch) “You know, as far as last year goes, there was plenty of opportunities to win that just didn’t come, and for whatever reason, it was just a terrible year, whether it’s luck-related or whatever.”

Busch holds the record for being the youngest pole winner at Fontana at age 19, and the youngest winner there, at age 20.

And current defending Fontana champ Tony Stewart says even dealing with a new car:

(Stewart) “It’s nice knowing that we actually had a good run there last year and we have a pretty good feel for the track and where we think we need to be on it.”

FOX in the Fast Lane, Marghiee Teshineh, FOX News Radio.

Follow FOX News Radio’s Marghiee “Trackside” Teshineh on Twitter: @LadyTrackside

It’s time for NASCAR to head to Tennessee and the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway, a new team jumps into the Top 10 and Mark Martin is on a break.

FOX News Radio’s Marghiee “Trackside” Teshineh previews the Food City 500:

Download audio file (FOXINTHEFASTLANEBRISTOL_031413.MP3)

FOX in the Fast Lane.

Aric Almirola, who drives No. 43 for Richard Petty Motorsports says drivers are still getting used to the new Generation 6 car as they head to Bristol, and he predicts…

(Almirola) “We’re going to see people running right up against the fence. And I think you’re going to see people trying to fly job each other and trying to make the bottom groove work.”

And with three Top 20 finishes so far this season, Almirola thinks his team, though not yet a championship quality team, are…

(Almirola) “On the cusp of being a consistent Top 10 team.”

Current defending champ at Bristol, Brad Keselowksi is looking to see victory lane this weekend.

(Keselowski) “Because I’m not happy with Top 5′s, I want to win.”

And Mark Martin on a break! The veteran driver with Michael Waltrip Racing is only slated to drive in 24 Sprint Cup points races this season and hands the keys to the No. 55 car to Brian Vickers this weekend in Bristol.

FOX in the Fast Lane, I’m Marghiee Teshineh, FOX News Radio.

Follow FOX News Radio’s Marghiee “Trackside” Teshineh on Twitter: @LadyTrackside

Next stop for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, the Kobalt Tools 400 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. NASCAR is preparing for possible legal action after Daytona’s Nationwide crash, Denny Hamlin has been fined by NASCAR and the NRA is sponsoring a race.

FOX News Radio’s Marghiee “Trackside” Teshineh previews the Kobalt Tools 400:

Download audio file (FOXINTHEFASTLANEVEGAS_030713.MP3)

FOX in the Fast Lane.

After snapping a 70 race losing streak last week in Phoenix, the future looks bright for Carl Edwards and he’s…

(Edwards) “Really excited about Vegas and after seeing my pit crew perform at Phoenix I feel, I mean, I’m going to Vegas to win this thing.”

Edwards’ last win at Vegas was in 2011.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. goes to Las Vegas with…

(Earnhardt Jr.) “A lot of good momentum going and we’re just hoping to keep that up here in Vegas.  We’d love to get this win. It’s a great race track for us.”

NASCAR and International Speedway Corporation have retained a Miami-based law firm to handle injury claims after last month’s crash at the Nationwide season opener at Daytona.

Denny Hamlin is fined $25,000 for negative comments he made about the Generation 6 car after last week’s race at Phoenix.

And the National Rifle Association will be the title sponsor for the April 13th Sprint Cup race in Texas to be called the NRA 500.

FOX in the Fast Lane, I’m Marghiee Teshineh, FOX News Radio.

Follow FOX News Radio’s Marghiee “Trackside” Teshineh on Twitter: @LadyTrackside

There’s the Daytona 500, and now… The NRA 500. The NRA is the newest title sponsor for a NASCAR Sprint Cup race.

FOX News Radio’s Lisa Brady reports:

Download audio file (05158_20130304.mp3)

The National Rifle Association sponsoring a NASCAR Sprint Cup race for the first time, teaming-up with Texas Motor Speedway, in a one-year deal the Track President says, is about sports marketing… not politics.

The NRA sponsored a second-tier Nationwide race last September.

CEO Wayne LaPierre, calls the new deal part of a long history in a growing partnership between the NRA and the NASCAR community.

NASCAR, which essentially has veto power over a track’s sponsors, says this sponsor falls within guidelines for this event.

The NRA 500 will be April 13th, the first scheduled night race in this season’s Cup series.

Lisa Brady, FOX News Radio.

A week after a crash at Daytona injured more than 30 fans, NASCAR is rolling into Phoenix, where a familiar face returns to racing.

FOX News Radio’s Marghiee “Trackside” Teshineh previews the Subway Fresh Fit 500:

Download audio file (FITFLPHOENIX_22813.MP3)

FOX in the Fast Lane.

Jimmie Johnson is glad crew chief Chad Knaus has been understanding about all the celebrating he’s been doing after winning Daytona, and not practicing more for this week’s race at Phoenix.

(Johnson) “Chad is going to cut me some slack this week and I’ll have to catch up on Friday when I get to the track.”

Knaus has helped Jimmie win four times at Phoenix in the Spring and Fall races, and knows:

(Knaus) “Phoenix is always a good race, so I’m looking forward to it.  I think it will be a lot of fun.”

And he predicts:

(Knaus) “I think you have the potential for somebody to break out and be really dominant.”

Personal injury attorney Matt Morgan has been hired by three of the fans injured during NASCAR’s Nationwide Series opener at Daytona.  Over 30 fans were hurt when a last-lap crash sent a tire and debris over and through a safety fence and into the stands.

And A.J. Allmendinger is racing again!  Following his suspension last year for failing a random drug test, he’s making his season debut this weekend, driving the #51 car for Phoenix Racing.

FOX in the Fast Lane, I’m Marghiee Teshineh, FOX News Radio.

Follow FOX News Radio’s Marghiee “Trackside” Teshineh on Twitter: @LadyTrackside