Miami State High School and 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series: Difference between pages

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Difference between pages)
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
RFBROWN (talk | contribs)
15 edits
mNo edit summary
 
NoseNuggets (talk | contribs)
49,870 edits
 
Line 1: Line 1:
{{2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup}}
{{Advert|date=June 2008}}
{{current-sport|image=Motorsport current event.png|event=NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season}}
{{Infobox Aust school|
The '''2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series''' began on February 9, 2008 at [[Daytona International Speedway]] with the [[2008 Budweiser Shootout|Budweiser Shootout]], followed by pole qualifying on Sunday, February 10, 2008 for the [[2008 Daytona 500|50th Daytona 500]] on February 17. The season will continue with the [[2008 Chase for the Sprint Cup]] beginning on September 14 with the [[Sylvania 300]] at [[New Hampshire Motor Speedway]] and conclude with the [[Ford 400]] at [[Homestead-Miami Speedway]] on November 16. Due to the merger in 2005 of [[Sprint Nextel|Sprint and Nextel]], NASCAR's premier series will be known as the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series for the 2008 season and beyond,<ref>[http://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/nascar/2007-07-07-sprint-cup_N.htm USA Today: NASCAR changing top series name to Sprint Cup]</ref> and will crown the first champion under the new Sprint sponsorship. The series has no connection with [[Sprint car racing]], as NASCAR uses [[Car of Tomorrow|stock car bodies]]. [[Coors Brewing Company|Coors Light]] also replaced [[Budweiser (Anheuser-Busch)|Budweiser]] as Official Beer of NASCAR, thereby becoming the new sponsor of the Pole Award given to [[pole position|pole winner]] in each Sprint Cup Series race. But Budweiser will still be the official sponsor for [[Budweiser Shootout|Bud Shootout]] at [[Daytona International Speedway|Daytona]] in February.
name = Miami State High School|
image = [[Image:Miami State High School.jpg|150px]] |
motto = ''Semper Floreat Costa'' |
established = April, 1963 |
type = [[Public school|Public]], [[Secondary school|Secondary]], [[Day school]] |
principal = Mr James Baker |
city = [[Miami, Queensland|Miami]] |
state = [[Queensland|QLD]] |
country = [[Australia]] {{flagicon|Australia}} |
campus = [[Urban area|Urban]] |
enrolment = ~870 (8-12)|
colours = Yellow, Blue and White {{color box|Yellow}}{{color box|Blue}}{{colorbox|White}}|
homepage = [http://www.miamishs.eq.edu.au/ miamishs.eq.edu.au] |
}}


==Top Stories==
EARLY HISTORY
===Car of Tomorrow===
All Sprint Cup races utilize the [[Car of Tomorrow]] (CoT) template.<ref>[http://www.nascar.com/2007/news/headlines/cup/05/22/cot.full.time/ NASCAR.com: It's official: CoT will be used full time in '08 season]</ref> NASCAR announced on May 22, 2007 that the original timetable, which would have the full-time use of the single car template in 2009, was being abandoned as 80% of all owners were in favor of moving the full-time use of the CoT one year ahead so they would not race with two sets of rules for all but ten races. The cars that have been approved for the 2008 season will be the [[Chevrolet Impala]], the [[Dodge Charger (LX)|Dodge Charger]], the [[Ford Fusion (North America)|Ford Fusion]] and the [[Toyota Camry]]. Dodge had used the [[Dodge Avenger|Avenger]] in the 2007 CoT races, but has stated that the Charger will be used full time in 2008.



Originally named South Coast District State High School, Miami High was officially opened in April, 1963. It soon became known as Miami High and, after a number of years, the more compact name was officially adopted. It was built to meet the needs of the rapidly expanding population on the Gold Coast. At the time, the only public high schools were Southport High and Tweed River High, about 35 km apart, with the site of Miami High about midway between the two on the Gold Coast Highway at the very northern end of Miami.

=== Economic problems affect NASCAR ===
The chosen site presented a number of construction challenges because the southern half was a swamp and the northern half was on the steep slope of Nobby's Headland, an upthrust of schist about 50 m high at its highest point. The challenges were met by the simple expedient of blasting the slope and dumping the rubble in the swamp, but with a consequent complete loss of topsoil that created enduring problems for many years.
The [[Economic crisis of 2008]], with high gas prices over [[United States dollar|$]]4 a gallon has caused NASCAR's largely [[Blue-collar worker|blue-collar]] fan base to feel the pinch.<ref>[http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080630/sp_nm/economy_usa_nascar_dc High U.S. gas prices pinch NASCAR fans]</ref> While [[Bristol Motor Speedway|Bristol]] is one of a few tracks that still sell out, others have seen crowds shrink. [[Daytona International Speedway]] sold out the [[Daytona 500]], the [[Coke Zero 400]] did not. Some track ticket packages now include all-you-can-eat deals, and tracks also offer nearby campgrounds to entice those who come for several days to see [[Nationwide Series|Nationwide]] and [[Craftsman Truck Series|Craftsman Truck]] races. For their [[2008 Bank of America 500|fall race]], [[Lowe's Motor Speedway]] is offering discounts on local hotel rooms, novelties and food and drink.

Construction always stayed behind the needs of the students throughout the sixties. This was for three reasons: (a) it was an entirely new school competing with established schools for resources in a state that had allowed chronic neglect of its education infrastructure and which was in far worse condition than the larger states of Victoria and New South Wales, (b) Miami High's construction co-incided precisely with the transition of the baby-boomer generation from primary school to high school, and (c) in 1964, Queensland's primary schools ceased to teach the eighth year, which was transferred to the high schools, so that the entry year to high school became year 8.
The economy has also affected the teams themselves with high [[diesel|diesel fuel]] prices, with that fuel is needed to power the [[semi-trailer truck]]s which transport the race cars to and from racetracks. Sponsorships are also getting increasingly harder to come by further separating the gap between teams.<ref>[http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/tom_bowles/01/15/sponsors/index.html NASCAR feeling pinch of struggling U.S. economy]</ref> Before the season began, [[Morgan-McClure Motorsports]] ceased operations for their single-car team, while [[Yates Racing]] has had no major sponsor on the #28 and #38 cars that they run in the series, as their [[M&M's]] sponsorships moved to the [[Joe Gibbs Racing]]'s #18 team. The Yates team is making due right now in piecemeal fashion, finding companies to sponsor a few races at a time, a practice that pays the bills but stretches the marketing department. As a result of the cutbacks, half of the one hundred employees at Yates were laid off.

Consequently, in 1964, the infant Miami High went from catering to year 9 to catering to years 8, 9 and 10 with the state barely able to provide enough classrooms for the start of the year. 1965 and 1966 saw open underschool areas, originally intended for protection from sun and rain, being converted to temporary classrooms and several flimsy demountable buildings being installed as other temporary classrooms. Despite their nominally temporary nature, many of these structures were still in use twenty years later. In 1967, the Australian federal government built a two-story, four-laboratory science block, as part of a program to improve the teaching of science throughout Australia. Several of the laboratories were promptly pressed into service as regular classrooms.
Even better sponsored teams have struggled. On July 1, [[Chip Ganassi Racing]] shut down its #40 team with [[2007 IndyCar Series season|2007 IndyCar Champion]] and [[2007 Indianapolis 500|Indianapolis 500]] winner [[Dario Franchitti]] driving because of a lack of sponsorship funding, becoming the first major victim.<ref>[http://www.nascar.com/2008/news/headlines/cup/07/01/dfranchitti.cganassi.two.teams/index.html NASCAR.com: Lack of funding forces Ganassi to shut down #40 team]</ref> Ganassi Racing lost 70 jobs as a result of the closure. Other companies are also switching teams for [[2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series|2009]]. [[Caterpillar Inc.]], despite its decade long relationship with [[Bill Davis Racing]] and its flagship #22, will head for [[Richard Childress Racing]]'s #31 car driven by [[Jeff Burton]], while [[General Mills]], associating itself with [[Petty Enterprises]] since 2000 will also leave to head for RCR's fourth team.

The first principal was Claude Rayner, an immensely capable man, whose integrity, approachability and fair-mindedness, made him universally respected and popular. Unfortunately, the rapid growth of the school led to its being re-classified at a higher level and a more senior principal, John Rowe, was given the position in 1967. Claude Rayner died a premature death of a heart attack a few years later in his early fifities. John Rowe was principal from 1967 to 1968. Bill Callinan took over as principal in 1969. Known in some circles as "dollar bill", he placed a very high priority on building a large assembly hall at the school. His vigorous pursuit of this aim and the funding targets placed on individual classes to raise money for the project were not universally welcomed.
To counter many of these problems, teams have also taken on financial partners, much like [[Fenway Sports Group]] joining [[Jack Roush]] and [[George Gillett]] teaming up with [[Ray Evernham]] last year. In June 2008, Petty Enterprises sold a majority share to Boston Ventures as another example of the current economic struggles.

The first deputy principal was Ken Maynard, appointed in 1967. The first senior mistress was Beryl McSloy (later Hallam), who later became one of the deputy principals. Ken Maynard went on to become principal of Bremer River High. Beryl Hallam died in a road accident. The first school captains, George Gilltrap jnr and Frola Skovlund, were appointed in 1964.
== Scheduled races to be run ==

Race names and start times are subject to change. All races on [[ESPN on ABC|ABC]].

CURRENT STATUS
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;"
|-
The current principal is Mr James Baker and attendance at the school has reached 870 with over 50 staff members. Miami High has also introduced an international exchange program with students from all over the world now attending the school. With the sudden increase in population on the Gold Coast, Miami High expect; and are on track with their target enrolment figures of 900 to 950 students.
!colspan="9"|[[2008 Chase for the Sprint Cup]]
|-
Miami High boasts a student attendance rate of 91%, with the school opinion survey showing higher levels of satisfaction compared to "like schools" in many of the social climate items. The School Opinion Survey on data regarding school community relations indicates higher school means compared to "like schools".
!Date
!Race
Expenditure on teacher participation in professional development for the year 2006 reached a total of $24530. Permanent and temporary staff at the school had an attendance rate of 96% for the same year. The retention rate of staff from 2005 to 2006 was 95%. Student retention rates from year 8 to year 12 was 75%.
!Distance
!Venue
!Radio<sup>♠</sup>
!Times<br/><small>([[North American Eastern Time Zone|US ET'''*''']])</small>
|-
| 10/19
| [[TUMS QuikPak 500]]
| 500 Laps ({{convert|263|mi|km}})
| [[Martinsville Speedway]]
| MRN
| 1 PM
|-
| 10/26
| [[Pep Boys Auto 500]]
| {{convert|500.5|mi|km}}
| [[Atlanta Motor Speedway]]
| PRN
| 1 PM
|-
| 11/02
| [[Dickies 500]] <sup>♣</sup>
| {{convert|501|mi|km}}
| [[Texas Motor Speedway]]
| PRN
| 3 PM
|-
| 11/09
| [[Checker Auto Parts 500]]
| {{convert|500|km|mi}}
| [[Phoenix International Raceway]]
| MRN
| 3 PM
|-
| 11/16
| [[Ford 400]] <sup>♣</sup>
| {{convert|400.5|mi|km}}
| [[Homestead-Miami Speedway]]
| MRN
| 3 PM
|}

<nowiki>*</nowiki> - All times listed are the tentatively scheduled TV start times, with coverage beginning with a 60-minute prerace show. Add about 75-80 minutes to the start time listed above.<br/>
'''♣''' — Race will run at night, or start in the afternoon, and finish at night.<br/>
'''♠''' — All races broadcast on [[Sirius Satellite Radio]].

==Driver Standings==
See [[2008 Chase for the Sprint Cup#Drivers|2008 Chase for the Sprint Cup]] for the current standings.

==Owners Standings==
Teams that must qualify on speed each week are listed with their owners' points standing in '''bold'''.

===Full time===
The following is a list of teams that are trying to run the full 36 race schedule in 2008.

'''''NOTE:''' Chase teams standings have a yellow background.''
{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;"
|-
! Car #
! Driver(s)
! Sponsor(s)
! Make
! Team
! Current Standing
|-
!00
|{{flagicon|Florida}}[[David Reutimann]]<sup>1</sup> /<br/>{{flagicon|Arizona}} [[Michael McDowell (driver)|Michael McDowell]] '''(R)''' / <br/>{{flagicon|California}} [[Mike Skinner (NASCAR)|Mike Skinner]] /<br/>{{flagicon|Missouri}} [[Kenny Wallace]] /<br>{{flagicon|California}} [[A. J. Allmendinger]]
|[[Aaron's Rents, Inc.|Aaron's]] / [[Champion Mortgage]] /<br/>[[Microsoft|Microsoft Small Business]] /<br/>[[National Automotive Parts Association|NAPA Auto Parts]]
|[[Toyota]]
|[[Michael Waltrip Racing]]
| '''36th'''
|-
!01
|{{flagicon|New York}} [[Regan Smith]] '''(R)''' /<br>{{flagicon|Ontario}} [[Ron Fellows]]
|[[Principal Financial Group]] /<br/>[[Steak-umm]] / [[Coors Brewing Company#United States|Coors Light]]
|[[Chevrolet]]
|[[Dale Earnhardt, Inc.]]
| 29th
|-
!07
|bgcolor="yellow"|{{flagicon|Kansas}} [[Clint Bowyer]]
|[[Jack Daniel's]] / [[DirecTV]] / [[BB&T]]
|Chevrolet
|[[Richard Childress Racing]]
|bgcolor="yellow"|5th
|-
!1
|{{flagicon|New Jersey}} [[Martin Truex, Jr.]]
|[[Bass Pro Shops]] / [[Cub Cadet]]
|Chevrolet
|Dale Earnhardt, Inc.
|18th
|-
!2
|{{flagicon|Nevada}} [[Kurt Busch]] <sup>§</sup>
|[[Miller Lite]]
|[[Dodge]]
|[[Penske Racing]]
|19th
|-
!5
|{{flagicon|California}} [[Casey Mears]]
|[[Kellogg Company|Kellogg's]] / [[Carquest]] /<br/>[[Cheez-It]] / [[Delphi (auto parts)|DELPHI]]
|Chevrolet
|[[Hendrick Motorsports]]
|23rd
|-
!6
|{{flagicon|Georgia (U.S. state)}} [[David Ragan]]
|[[American Automobile Association|AAA]] / [[Boston Red Sox]]
|[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
|[[Roush Fenway Racing]]
|13th
|-
!7
|{{flagicon|California}} [[Robby Gordon]]
|[[Jim Beam]] / [[Camping World]] /<br/>[[Charter Communications|Charter]] / [[Ashland Inc.|Valvoline]] /<br/>[[Mapei]] / [[Menards]]
|Dodge
|[[Robby Gordon Motorsports]]
|35th
|-
!8
|{{flagicon|Arkansas}} [[Mark Martin (NASCAR)|Mark Martin]] /<br/>{{flagicon|Florida}} [[Aric Almirola]] '''(R)'''
|[[United States Army|U.S. Army]] /<br/>Principal Financial Group / Steak-umm
|Chevrolet
|Dale Earnhardt, Inc.
|14th
|-
!9
|{{flagicon|Washington}} [[Kasey Kahne]]
|[[Budweiser (Anheuser-Busch)|Budweiser]] /<br/>[[Allstate]] / [[LifeLock]]
|Dodge
|[[Gillett Evernham Motorsports]]
|15th
|-
!10
|{{flagicon|Quebec}} '''[[Patrick Carpentier]] (R)''' /<br>{{flagicon|Texas}} [[Terry Labonte]]<sup>§</sup> /<br>{{flagicon|Missouri}} [[Mike Wallace (NASCAR)|Mike Wallace]] /<br/>{{flagicon|California}} A.J. Allmendinger
|Valvoline / LifeLock /<br/>Charter / [[Cintas]] /<br/>[[Auto Value / Bumper to Bumper]] /<br/>Tow Truck in a Box /<br/>[[Sears Holdings|Sears]] Auto Centers /<br/>Berlin City Auto Group
|Dodge
|Gillett Evernham Motorsports
| '''39th'''
|-
!11
|bgcolor="yellow"|{{flagicon|Virginia}} [[Denny Hamlin]]
|[[FedEx]]
|Toyota
|[[Joe Gibbs Racing]]
|bgcolor="yellow"|12th
|-
!12
|{{flagicon|Indiana}} [[Ryan Newman]]
|[[Alltel]] / [[Kodak]] / [[Avis]]
|Dodge
|Penske Racing
|16th
|-
!15
|{{flagicon|Wisconsin}} [[Paul Menard]]
|Menards / [[Moen (company)|Moen]] /<br/>[[Johns-Manville]] / [[Osram Sylvania|Sylvania]]
|Chevrolet
|Dale Earnhardt, Inc.
|27th
|-
!16
|bgcolor="yellow"|{{flagicon|Washington}} [[Greg Biffle]]
|[[3M]] / [[Dish Network]] /<br/>[[American Red Cross|Red Cross]] /<br/>[[Jackson Hewitt]] / [[Citi]]
|Ford
|Roush Fenway Racing
|bgcolor="yellow"|3rd
|-
!17
|bgcolor="yellow"|{{flagicon|Wisconsin}} [[Matt Kenseth]] <sup>§</sup>
|[[DeWalt]] / [[R&L Carriers]] /<br/>[[Carhartt]] / [[USG Corporation|USG]] /<br/>Dish Network
|Ford
|Roush Fenway Racing
|bgcolor="yellow"|9th
|-
!18
|bgcolor="yellow"|{{flagicon|Nevada}} [[Kyle Busch]]
|[[M&M's]] / [[Interstate Batteries]] /<br/>[[Combos]] / [[Pedigree Petfoods|Pedigree]] / [[Snickers]]
|Toyota
|Joe Gibbs Racing
|bgcolor="yellow"|11th
|-
!19
|{{flagicon|Virginia}} [[Elliott Sadler]]
|[[Best Buy]] / [[Stanley Works|Stanley Tools]] /<br/>[[McDonald's]] / [[Siemens AG|Siemens]] / [[Garmin]]
|Dodge
|Gillett Evernham Motorsports
|22nd
|-
!20
|bgcolor="yellow"|{{flagicon|Indiana}} [[Tony Stewart]] <sup>§</sup>
|[[The Home Depot]] / [[Subway (restaurant)|Subway]]
|Toyota
|Joe Gibbs Racing
|bgcolor="yellow"|5th
|-
!21
|{{flagicon|Virginia}} [[Jon Wood]] /<br/>{{flagicon|Georgia (U.S. state)}} [[Bill Elliott]] <sup>§</sup>/<br/>{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Marcos Ambrose]]
|[[McKee Foods#Little Debbie|Little Debbie]] / [[United States Air Force|U.S. Air Force]] /<br/>[[Motorcraft]]
|Ford
|[[Wood Brothers Racing]]
| '''42nd'''
|-
!22
|{{flagicon|Ohio}} [[Dave Blaney]]
|[[Caterpillar Inc.|Caterpillar]]
|Toyota
|[[Bill Davis Racing]]
|32nd
|-
!24
|bgcolor="yellow"|{{flagicon|California}} [[Jeff Gordon]] <sup>§</sup>
|[[DuPont]] / [[Pepsi]] / [[Nicorette]]
|Chevrolet
|Hendrick Motorsports
|bgcolor="yellow"|8th
|-
!26
|{{flagicon|Missouri}} [[Jamie McMurray]]
|[[Crown Royal]] / [[Irwin Industrial Tools|Irwin]]
|Ford
|Roush Fenway Racing
|21st
|-
!28
|{{flagicon|Wisconsin}} [[Travis Kvapil]]
|Ford / [[K&N Engineering, Inc.|K&N Air Filters]] /<br/>[[Lumber Liquidators]] /<br/>[[Zaxby's]] / Dish Network /<br/>[[California Highway Patrol]] /<br/>[[Hitachi, Ltd.|Hitachi Power Tools]] /<br/>Northern Tool + Equipment / [[Carfax (company)|Carfax]] /<br/>Valvoline
|Ford
|[[Yates Racing]]
|25th
|-
!29
|bgcolor="yellow"|{{flagicon|California}} [[Kevin Harvick]]
|[[Royal Dutch Shell|Shell]] / [[Pennzoil]] / [[Reese's]]
|Chevrolet
|Richard Childress Racing
|bgcolor="yellow"|6th
|-
!31
|bgcolor="yellow"|{{flagicon|Virginia}} [[Jeff Burton]]
|[[AT&T Mobility]] / [[Procter & Gamble|Prilosec OTC]] /<br/>[[Newell Rubbermaid|Lenox Industrial Tools]]
|Chevrolet
|Richard Childress Racing
|bgcolor="yellow"|4th
|-
!34
|{{flagicon|Kentucky}} '''[[Jeff Green (NASCAR)|Jeff Green]]''' /<br/>{{flagicon|Indiana}} [[Tony Raines]] /<br/>{{flagicon|Indiana}} '''[[John Andretti]]''' /<br/>{{flagicon|California}} [[Brian Simo]]<sup>¶</sup>
|Unsponsored / [[South Beach Beverage Company|SoBe NoFear]]
|Chevrolet/Ford<sup>¶</sup>
|[[Front Row Motorsports]] /<br/>[[No Fear Racing|NoFear Racing]]<sup>¶</sup>
| '''44th'''
|-
!38
|{{flagicon|California}} [[David Gilliland]]
|[[FreeCreditReport.com]] /<br/>Citi Financial / Dish Network
|Ford
|Yates Racing
|28th
|-
!41
|{{flagicon|Georgia (U.S. state)}} [[Reed Sorenson]] /<br> {{flagicon|California}} [[Scott Pruett]]
|[[Target Corporation|Target]] / [[Polaroid Corporation|Polaroid]] /<br/>[[Energizer Holdings|Energizer]] / [[GlaxoSmithKline|Tums]]
|Dodge
|[[Chip Ganassi Racing]]
|30th
|-
!42
|{{flagicon|COL}} [[Juan Pablo Montoya]]
|[[Havoline|Texaco Havoline]]<!---Please DO NOT SEPERATE as they are both one in the same.---> /<br/>[[Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company|Big Red and Juicy Fruit]]
|Dodge
|Chip Ganassi Racing
|24th
|-
!43
|{{flagicon|Texas}} [[Bobby Labonte]] <sup>§</sup>
|[[General Mills]] / [[Marathon Oil]]
|Dodge
|[[Petty Enterprises]]
|20th
|-
!44
|{{flagicon|North Carolina}} [[Dale Jarrett]]<sup>1</sup>/ <br/>{{flagicon|Florida}} [[David Reutimann]]
|[[United Parcel Service|UPS]]
|Toyota
|Michael Waltrip Racing
|26th
|-
! 45
|{{flagicon|North Carolina}} [[Kyle Petty]] /<br/>{{flagicon|North Carolina}} [[Chad McCumbee]] /<br/>{{flagicon|Texas}} Terry Labonte<sup>§</sup>
|[[Wells Fargo]] / Marathon Oil /<br/>[[Paralyzed Veterans of America|PVA.org]] / [[Coca-Cola]]-[[Coke Zero]]
|Dodge
|Petty Enterprises
| '''40th'''
|-
!48
|bgcolor="yellow"|{{flagicon|California}} [[Jimmie Johnson]] <sup>§</sup>
|[[Lowe's|Lowe's / Kobalt Tools]]
|Chevrolet
|Hendrick Motorsports
|bgcolor="yellow"|1st
|-
!55
|{{flagicon|Kentucky}} [[Michael Waltrip]]
|NAPA Auto Parts
|Toyota
|Michael Waltrip Racing
|31st
|-
!66
|{{flagicon|North Carolina}} [[Scott Riggs]] /<br/>{{flagicon|ITA}} [[Max Papis]]
|[[State Water Heaters]] /<br/>[[Haas Automation]] /<br/>[[Hunt Brothers Pizza]]
|Chevrolet
|[[Haas CNC Racing]]
|33rd
|-
!70
|{{flagicon|Kentucky}} '''[[Jeremy Mayfield]]''' / <br/>{{flagicon|Wisconsin}} [[Johnny Sauter]] /<br/>{{flagicon|California}} [[Jason Leffler]] /<br/>{{flagicon|North Carolina}} Scott Riggs /<br/>{{flagicon|ITA}} Max Papis
|Haas Automation /<br/>Hunt Brothers Pizza /<br/>[[Atlas Copco]]
|Chevrolet
|Haas CNC Racing
|'''43rd'''
|-
!77
|{{flagicon|Ohio}} [[Sam Hornish, Jr.]] '''(R)'''
|[[Mobil 1]] / [[Penske Truck Rental]]
|Dodge
|Penske Racing
|'''37th'''
|-
!78
|{{flagicon|Florida}} [[Joe Nemechek]]
|[[Furniture Row|Furniture Row / Denver Mattress]]
|Chevrolet
|[[Furniture Row Racing]]
| '''41st'''
|-
!83
|{{flagicon|North Carolina}} [[Brian Vickers]]
|[[Red Bull]]
|Toyota
|[[Team Red Bull]]
|17th
|-
!84
|{{flagicon|California}} Mike Skinner /<br/>{{flagicon|California}} '''A. J. Allmendinger''' /<br/>{{flagicon|California}} [[Scott Speed]]
|Red Bull
|Toyota
|Team Red Bull
|34th
|-
!88
|bgcolor="yellow"|{{flagicon|North Carolina}} [[Dale Earnhardt, Jr.]]
|[[AMP Energy]] / [[Mountain Dew]] /<br/>[[National Guard of the United States|National Guard]]
|Chevrolet
|Hendrick Motorsports
|bgcolor="yellow"|10th
|-
!96
|{{flagicon|Arizona}} '''[[J.J. Yeley]]''' /<br/>{{flagicon|Texas}} [[Brad Coleman]] /<br/>{{flagicon|Missouri}} [[Ken Schrader]] /<br>{{flagicon|Connecticut}} [[Joey Logano]]
|[[DLP|Texas Instruments DLP HDTV]] / <br/>Home Depot
|Toyota
|[[Hall of Fame Racing]]
|'''38th'''
|-
!99
|bgcolor="yellow"|{{flagicon|Missouri}} [[Carl Edwards]]
|[[Office Depot]] / [[Aflac]] /<br/>[[Schering-Plough|Claritin]] / Dish Network
|Ford
|Roush Fenway Racing
|bgcolor="yellow"|2nd
|}

'''(R)''' - Denotes a [[NASCAR Rookie of the Year|Rookie of the Year]] candidate.<br/>
'''§''' - As a past series champion, this driver will have a maximum of six provisionals available to enter races if needed.<br/>
'''1''' — Dale Jarrett drove the #44 car for the first five points races of 2008 while David Reutimann drove the #00 car. McDowell took over the #00 at Martinsville for the spring race, while Reutimann took over the #44 car. Jarrett then drove the #44 in the All-Star Race for his final race before taking over as a broadcaster full-time.<br/>
'''¶''' — Brian Simo drove the #34 car with Ford as the manufacturer and ownership from No Fear Racing at Sonoma.

'''''NOTES:''' 1. [[Bill Davis Racing]]'s [[Bill Davis Racing#Car 27 History|#27 team]] suspended operations on March 10, 2008, due to lack of sponsorship. The team had originally planned to run the full schedule with former [[Formula One|F1]] driver [[Jacques Villeneuve]]. That team is officially listed as 47th in owners points.<br/>2. Chip Ganassi Racing's [[Chip Ganassi Racing#Car #40 History|#40 team]] suspended operations on July 1, also due to a lack of sponsorship. [[Dario Franchitti]] was to have run the full schedule, and was listed as 40th in owners points at that time. [[Bryan Clauson]] was scheduled to run in the #40 at the [[2008 Bank of America 500|Bank of America 500]], but qualifying was rained out and the car did not make the field.''

'''Drivers in bold were released during the season.'''

===Part time===
The following is a list of teams that will run part time in 2008.
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size: 90%;"
|-
! Car #
! Driver(s)
! Sponsor(s)
! Make
! Team
! Current Standing
|-
!02
|{{flagicon|Connecticut}} Joey Logano
|Home Depot
|Toyota
|Joe Gibbs Racing
|'''57th'''
|-
!08
|{{flagicon|North Carolina}} '''[[Carl Long]]''' /<br/>{{flagicon|California}} '''[[Burney Lamar]]''' /<br/>{{flagicon|Indiana}} Tony Raines
|[[Rhino's Energy Drink]] / [[Millstar Tools]] / [[getFUBAR.com]]
|Dodge
|[[E&M Motorsports]]
| '''48th'''
|-
!09
|{{flagicon|Tennessee}} [[Sterling Marlin]]
|[[Miccosukee|Miccosukee Resort & Gaming]]
|Chevrolet
|[[Phoenix Racing]]
| '''47th'''
|-
!25
|{{flagicon|Michigan}} [[Brad Keselowski]]
|[[GoDaddy.com]]
|Chevrolet
|Hendrick Motorsports
|'''61st'''
|-
!33<sup>♦</sup>
|{{flagicon|Wisconsin}} [[Scott Wimmer]] /<br/>{{flagicon|Pennsylvania}} [[Kirk Shelmerdine]] /<br/>{{flagicon|Missouri}} Ken Schrader
|[[Camping World]]
|Chevrolet
|Richard Childress Racing
| '''51st'''
|-
!37
|{{flagicon|North Carolina}} [[Eric McClure]] /<br/> {{flagicon|Missouri}} Kenny Wallace
|[[Hefty]] / [[JEGS High Performance]]
|Chevrolet
|Front Row Motorsports
| '''55th'''
|-
!46
|{{flagicon|North Carolina}} Carl Long
|Romeo Guest Construction
|Dodge
|
|'''58th'''
|-
!47<sup>♦</sup>
|{{flagicon|Australia}} Marcos Ambrose
|Little Debbie / [[Kingsford (charcoal)|Kingsford]] / [[Clorox]]
|Ford
|[[JTG Daugherty Racing]]
| '''56th'''
|-
!49
|{{flagicon|Missouri}} Ken Schrader /<br/>{{flagicon|North Carolina}} Chad McCumbee
|Marathon / Microsoft / [[Qtrax|Qtrax.com]] /<br/>[[Healthlife.com]]
|Toyota / Dodge
|[[BAM Racing]] / [[Petty Enterprises]]
|'''46th'''
|-
!50
|{{flagicon|California}} [[Stanton Barrett]]
|[[NOS (drink)|NOS Energy Drink]] / [[Check 'n Go]]
|Chevrolet
|[[SKI Motorsports]]
|'''52nd'''
|-
!57
|{{flagicon|Pennsylvania}} [[Norm Benning]]
|[[Shodeen Inc.]] / [[SponsorNorm@Shodeen.net]]
|Chevrolet
|[[Norm Benning Racing]]
| '''54th'''
|-
!60
|{{flagicon|New York}} [[Boris Said]]
|[[7-Eleven]] [[Slurpee]] /<br/>[[Advance Auto Parts]] / SoBe NoFear
|Ford
|NoFear Racing
| '''50th'''
|-
!75
|{{flagicon|California}} Derrike Cope
|
|Dodge
|Derrike Cope Inc.
|'''60th'''
|-
!82
|{{flagicon|California}} Scott Speed
|[[Red Bull]]
|Toyota
|Red Bull Racing
|'''59th'''
|-
!87
|{{flagicon|Missouri}} Kenny Wallace
|[[Furniture Row|Denver Mattress]]
|Chevrolet
|Furniture Row Racing
| '''53rd'''
|}

'''♦''' - These teams are scheduled to become full time teams in [[2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series|2009]].<br/>
'''''NOTES:''' 1. [[Morgan-McClure Motorsports]] closed their shop on January 14th, 2008, citing a lack of sponsorship, and will more than likely not field the #4 team this season.<br/>2. [[BAM Racing]] has suspended operations, at first making a transition from Dodge to Toyota, and then due to a loss of a sponsorship. They are expected to return in the fall. Chad McCumbee raced in the #49 (the car was Dodge) for [[Petty Enterprises]] in the Sprint Showdown.''

==Television==
===United States===
The 2008 season marks the second year of television contracts with [[NASCAR on FOX|FOX]], [[NASCAR on TNT|TNT]] and [[NASCAR on ESPN|ESPN]]/[[ESPN on ABC|ABC]]. <ref>[http://www.nascar.com/2005/news/headlines/officia;/12/07/tv_deal NASCAR.com: Eight-Year, Multi-Network TV Deal Announced.]</ref> The biggest changes involve ESPN and ABC, as [[Dale Jarrett]] becomes the network's lead race color commentator and [[Rusty Wallace]] becomes the pre-race analyst. Dale, who completed his driving career with the [[2008 Sprint All-Star Race|Sprint All-Star Race XXIV]], follows in the footsteps of his father, [[Ned Jarrett|Ned]], who worked with ESPN through most of the 1980s through the 2000 NASCAR season. [[Allen Bestwick]] has taken over the hosting role for all races as well as some editions of [[ESPN 2]]'s ''[[NASCAR Now]]'', replacing [[Brent Musburger]] and [[Suzy Kolber]] on the pre-race show, with [[Shannon Spake]] taking Bestwick's place as pit reporter. Also, veteran NASCAR reporter [[Nicole Manske]] (along with Ryan Burr) takes over as a part-time host of ''NASCAR Now'' show for [[Erik Kuselias]].<ref>[http://www.nascar.com/2008/news/headlines/cup/01/23/espn.2008.lineup.djarrett/index.html NASCAR.com: ESPN Makes Changes To Its' 2008 Broadcast Team]</ref> No major changes were made by Fox and TNT for the 2008 season.

One innovation was FOX's "Gopher Cam", placed below the track near the inside of the turns for a unique perspective. In the need for a name for their new mascot, Fox turned to internet users and even drivers for suggestions, and the gopher cam mascot was named "Digger".<ref>[http://msn.foxsports.com/other/story/7836266/Help-FOX-Sports-name-the-gopher FOX Sports.com: Digger The Gopher Is Born]</ref> "Digger" is now emblazoned on T-shirts, hats and even as a plush toy.
Another innovation was TNT's "RaceBuddy", an internet application that showed multiple views of the race and radio feeds from drivers (using NASCAR.com's RaceDay Scanner).

===Canada and Mexico===
In Canada NASCAR races are seen on [[The Sports Network|TSN]] and [[Réseau des sports|RDS]] in English and French, while [[SPEED|Speed Channel Latin America]] holds the rights in Mexico and all of Latin America, including the Bud Shootout, the Gatorade Duels and the Sprint All-Star Race.

===Outside North America===
[[Sky Sports]] holds the rights in [[United Kingdom|Great Britain]], while [[Five US]] airs a one hour highlights package proceeding each race. In [[Australia]] the 2008 Sprint Cup Series season will be covered by FOX SPORTS as usual however, [[Free-to-air]] TV's TEN HD will present marquee events LIVE along with one hour highlights packages from all other rounds the Saturday after the event. TenHD will also present the entire Nationwide series season, marking the first time that a full NASCAR Championship will be shown on Free-to-Air TV in Australia, mostly in part of [[Marcos Ambrose]]'s involvement in the series. [[Nippon Television|NTV]] holds the rights in [[Japan]], while [[Sky Italia]] holds rights in [[Italy]] (only [[NASCAR Nationwide Series|NNS]]) and [[Premiere (pay television network)|Premiere Sport]] holds the [[Germany|German]] rights. In [[Spain]], [[Teledeporte]] will broadcast six live races and hour-long summaries of the remaining thirty.

==2008 competition changes==
On January 21, 2008, [[NASCAR]] announced various competition changes for the [[2008 in NASCAR|2008 season]].<ref>[http://www.nascar.com/2008/news/headlines/official/01/21/competition.update/index.html NASCAR.com: 2008 competition changes]</ref>

===Qualifying procedures===
* In all three national series, teams that are not locked into the starting field via the Owners Points exemption will qualify together as a group at the end of their respective qualifying sessions. This rule has been dubbed '''"[[NASCAR rules and regulations#Qualifying|The Boris Said Rule]]"''' as per what happened during qualifying for the [[2007 Pepsi 400]], where Said was the provisional pole sitter when rain washed out the remainder of qualifying, and rules required that all cars must attempt to make a lap before inclement weather stops all activities. The session was washed out, and Said did not make the field as the field was set by the rulebook (Top 35 in points among owners, past race winners and qualifying attempts).

===Revisions to pit road rules===
* Over-the-wall pit crews in NASCAR's three national series will be able to hand push their car no more than three pit boxes away from their assigned pit box -- limiting the crews to the same three-box length for pushing as the vehicles can drive through getting onto pit road.
*Outside tires that have been removed from a vehicle during a pit stop can no longer be free-rolled from the outside of the pit box to the wall. The tires must be hand-directed to the inner half of the pit box before being released.

===Fuel cell size===
* All three national series will run the same upgraded 17¾ gallon fuel cell which was used in the [[2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series|2007 Nextel Cup Series]]. The fuel cell was a safety feature that was added that year, replacing the old 22-gallon cell.

===Engines===
* A new engine combination package introduced in the Nationwide and Craftsman Truck series will allow for cost-saving opportunities for teams. Modifications reduce RPMs and horsepower, which will help engines and pieces to last longer. In turn, teams will have the opportunity to run multiple races using the same engine components.

===Tire usage at non-sanctioned tests===
* Teams in all three national series will receive an allotment of tires to use for non-NASCAR sanctioned tests. Cup Series teams will have access to 200 tires over the course of the year (except for tests that are sanctioned by [[Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company|Goodyear]]); Nationwide teams will get 160 tires and Truck teams will get 120 tires.

===NASCAR fines===
*Money collected from fines issued to drivers and others will now go to the [http://foundation.nascar.com/ NASCAR Foundation], which supports a variety of charitable initiatives. Previously, fine money was added to the season-ending point funds paid to drivers based on their finish in the point standings.

==Testing==
The first tests followed the change of the calendar at Daytona International Speedway in the first two full weeks of January. Teams that finished in odd numbered positions (1, 3, 5, etc.) through the [[2007 USG Sheetrock 400]] tested January 7 through 9, while even numbered finishers (2, 4, 6, etc.) through that same period tested January 14 through 16. Speed televised nightly reports throughout this period, as well as the events of the annual Media Tour in Charlotte and the tests in Las Vegas (held on January 28th and 29th) and California (held on January 31st and February 1st).<ref>[http://www.nascar.com/2007/news/headlines/official/08/01/daytona.preseason.test.dates.2008/index.html Daytona 2008 preseason test dates announced]</ref>

The remaining dates and tracks that were announced December 4th, 2007 are:

*Phoenix International Raceway - March 3 and 4
*Pocono Raceway - May 27 and 28
*Lowe's Motor Speedway - September 23 and 24

On April 15th, an additional practice session was announced by NASCAR at Lowe's to be held on May 5th and 6th due to problems that were unforeseen at both Las Vegas and Texas during their spring races.

==2008 season races==

''See [[List of 2008 NASCAR races]] for a complete list and schedule of the 2008 season races.''

===Budweiser Shootout===
{{main|2008 Budweiser Shootout}}
The 2008 NASCAR season and the 2008 edition of [[Speedweeks]] began with the thirtieth annual [[Budweiser Shootout]] on February 9 at [[Daytona International Speedway]] in [[Daytona Beach, Florida]]. The non-points race, featured the previous season's pole winners and past winners of the event. Following tradition teams randomly picked their starting positions, [[Kurt Busch]] drew the pole, but ultimately had to start near the rear due to a crash in final practice. The 2008 race set a record with 23 drivers starting the race, the largest field ever in the event. [[Dale Earnhardt, Jr.]] won his first NASCAR race with his new team [[Hendrick Motorsports]] and his first Sprint Cup Series win since May 2006 at Richmond, leading a record 47 of the 70 laps.

{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;"
|-
!colspan=9|Top Ten Finishers
|-
! Pos.
! Car #
! Driver
! Make
! Team
|-
| 1
| 88
| {{flagicon|North Carolina}} [[Dale Earnhardt, Jr.]]
| [[Chevrolet]]
| [[Hendrick Motorsports]]
|-
| 2
| 20
| {{flagicon|Indiana}} [[Tony Stewart]]
| [[Toyota]]
| [[Joe Gibbs Racing]]
|-
| 3
| 48
| {{flagicon|California}} [[Jimmie Johnson]]
| Chevrolet
| Hendrick Motorsports
|-
| 4
| 24
| {{flagicon|California}} [[Jeff Gordon]]
| Chevrolet
| Hendrick Motorsports
|-
| 5
| 41
| {{flagicon|Georgia (U.S. state)}} [[Reed Sorenson]]
| [[Dodge]]
| [[Chip Ganassi Racing]]
|-
| 6
| 5
| {{flagicon|California}} [[Casey Mears]]
| Chevrolet
| Hendrick Motorsports
|-
| 7
| 22
| {{flagicon|Ohio}} [[Dave Blaney]]
| Toyota
| [[Bill Davis Racing]]
|-
| 8
| 8
| {{flagicon|Arkansas}} [[Mark Martin (racecar driver)|Mark Martin]]
| Chevrolet
| [[Dale Earnhardt, Inc.]]
|-
| 9
| 11
| {{flagicon|Virginia}} [[Denny Hamlin]]
| Toyota
| Joe Gibbs Racing
|-
| 10
| 9
| {{flagicon|Washington}} [[Kasey Kahne]]
| Dodge
| [[Gillett Evernham Motorsports]]
|-
|}

===Daytona 500===
====Pole Qualifying====
Qualifying for the 2008 [[Daytona 500]] in Daytona Beach, Florida at Daytona International Speedway took place on February 10 of that year. [[Jimmie Johnson]] won the pole with [[Michael Waltrip]] starting second who had been the center of controversy during a [[2007 NASCAR Gatorade Duel scandal|cheating scandal]] in [[2007 Daytona 500|last year's race]].

====Gatorade Duels====
{{main|2008 Gatorade Duels}}
The [[Gatorade Duels]] were held on February 14, 2008, which established the starting order for the 2008 Daytona 500. [[Dale Earnhardt, Jr.]] won the first race which was wreck free, while the second race was won by [[Denny Hamlin]] driving a [[Toyota]]. This was the first win for Toyota in the [[Sprint Cup Series]], and the first win by a foreign make since 1954. [[Bill Elliott]] driving the #21 [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] for [[Wood Brothers Racing]] failed to race his way in during the first duel, this will be the first time the Wood Brothers team has not competed in NASCAR's signature event in 46 years. A wreck in the second race on Lap 17 took out [[Jacques Villeneuve]], [[Stanton Barrett]], [[Dario Franchitti]], and [[Jamie McMurray]] after Villeneuve got loose in Turn 3.

(Drivers who were top two not in previous season's Top 35 points are in '''boldface'''.)

{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;"
|-
!colspan=9|Top Ten Finishers (Race #1)
|-
! Pos.
! Car #
! Driver
! Make
! Team
|-
| 1
| 88
| {{flagicon|North Carolina}} [[Dale Earnhardt, Jr.]]
| [[Chevrolet]]
| [[Hendrick Motorsports]]
|-
| 2
| 41
| {{flagicon|Georgia (U.S. state)}} [[Reed Sorenson]]
| Dodge
| [[Chip Ganassi Racing]]
|-
| 3
| 12
| {{flagicon|Indiana}} [[Ryan Newman]]
| Dodge
| [[Penske Racing]]
|-
| 4
| 5
| {{flagicon|California}} [[Casey Mears]]
| Chevrolet
| Hendrick Motorsports
|-
| 5
| 99
| {{flagicon|Missouri}} [[Carl Edwards]]
| [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| [[Roush Fenway Racing]]
|-
| 6
| 43
| {{flagicon|Texas}} [[Bobby Labonte]]
| Dodge
| [[Petty Enterprises]]
|-
| 7
| 42
| {{flagicon|Colombia}} [[Juan Pablo Montoya]]
| Dodge
| Chip Ganassi Racing
|-
| 8
| 87
| {{flagicon|Missouri}} '''[[Kenny Wallace]]'''
| Chevrolet
| [[Furniture Row Racing]]
|-
| 9
| 77
| {{flagicon|Ohio}} [[Sam Hornish, Jr.]]
| Dodge
| Penske Racing
|-
| 10
| 15
| {{flagicon|Wisconsin}} [[Paul Menard]]
| Chevrolet
| [[Dale Earnhardt, Inc.]]
|}

Also qualifying for Daytona 500: '''[[Brian Vickers]]''' (#83 [[Team Red Bull]] [[Toyota]]).

{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;"
|-
!colspan=9|Top Ten Finishers (Race #2)
|-
! Pos.
! Car #
! Driver
! Make
! Team
|-
| 1
| 11
| {{flagicon|Virginia}} [[Denny Hamlin]]
| [[Toyota]]
| [[Joe Gibbs Racing]]
|-
| 2
| 20
| {{flagicon|Indiana}} [[Tony Stewart]]
| Toyota
| Joe Gibbs Racing
|-
| 3
| 24
| {{flagicon|California}} [[Jeff Gordon]]
| Chevrolet
| Hendrick Motorsports
|-
| 4
| 9
| {{flagicon|Washington}} [[Kasey Kahne]]
| Dodge
| [[Gillett Evernham Motorsports]]
|-
| 5
| 8
| {{flagicon|Arkansas}} [[Mark Martin (NASCAR)|Mark Martin]]
| Chevrolet
| Dale Earnhardt, Inc.
|-
| 6
| 6
| {{flagicon|Georgia (U.S. state)}} [[David Ragan]]
| Ford
| Roush Fenway Racing
|-
| 7
| 29
| {{flagicon|California}} [[Kevin Harvick]]
| Chevrolet
| [[Richard Childress Racing]]
|-
| 8
| 16
| {{flagicon|Washington}} [[Greg Biffle]]
| Ford
| Roush Fenway Racing
|-
| 9
| 44
| {{flagicon|North Carolina}} '''[[Dale Jarrett]]'''
| Toyota
| [[Michael Waltrip Racing]]
|-
| 10
| 34
| {{flagicon|Indiana}} '''[[John Andretti]]'''
| Chevrolet
| [[Front Row Motorsports]]
|}

'''''NOTE:''' Race Two finish was extended four laps due to [[green-white-checker finish]] rule.''

==== Daytona 500 ====
{{main|2008 Daytona 500}}

The 50th annual running of the Daytona 500 was held on February 17, 2008, marking the 50th anniversary since the inaugural running in [[1959 Daytona 500|1959]]. [[Ryan Newman]] won the race with teammate [[Kurt Busch]] finishing second, it marked team owner [[Roger Penske]]'s first win on a restrictor-plate track. The win also ended Ryan Newman's 81 race winless drought in Sprint Cup Series racing. [[Jeff Burton]] led during the last restart with 3 laps left and immediately lost the lead. [[Tony Stewart]] led during the last lap but it was the [[Penske Racing]] teammates of Ryan Newman and Kurt Busch who denied Stewart the win as he tried for the 10th time to win the race.

[[Image:Daytona 2008 Earnhardt.jpg|thumb|300px|#48-[[Jimmie Johnson]] takes the green flag along side #55-[[Michael Waltrip]] in the start of the 50th running of "The Great American Race".]]

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;"
|-
!colspan=9|Top Ten Finishers
|-
! Pos.
! Car #
! Driver
! Make
! Team
|-
| 1
| 12
| {{flagicon|Indiana}} [[Ryan Newman]]
| [[Dodge]]
| [[Penske Racing]]
|-
| 2
| 2
| {{flagicon|Nevada}} [[Kurt Busch]]
| Dodge
| Penske Racing
|-
| 3
| 20
| {{flagicon|Indiana}} [[Tony Stewart]]
| [[Toyota]]
| [[Joe Gibbs Racing]]
|-
| 4
| 18
| {{flagicon|Nevada}} [[Kyle Busch]]
| Toyota
| Joe Gibbs Racing
|-
| 5
| 41
| {{flagicon|Georgia (U.S. state)}} [[Reed Sorenson]]
| Dodge
| [[Chip Ganassi Racing]]
|-
| 6
| 19
| {{flagicon|Virginia}} [[Elliott Sadler]]
| Dodge
| [[Gillett Evernham Motorsports]]
|-
| 7
| 9
| {{flagicon|Washington}} [[Kasey Kahne]]
| Dodge
| Gillett Evernham Motorsports
|-
| 8
| 7
| {{flagicon|California}} [[Robby Gordon]]
| Dodge
| [[Robby Gordon Motorsports]]
|-
| 9
| 88
| {{flagicon|North Carolina}} [[Dale Earnhardt, Jr.]]
| [[Chevrolet]]
| [[Hendrick Motorsports]]
|-
| 10
| 16
| {{flagicon|Washington}} [[Greg Biffle]]
| [[Ford]]
| [[Roush Fenway Racing]]
|-
|}

'''Failed to Qualify:'''

* Race #1: [[A. J. Allmendinger]] (#84), [[Bill Elliott]] (#21), [[Boris Said]] (#60), [[Sterling Marlin]] (#09), [[Carl Long]] (#08).
* Race #2: [[Ken Schrader]] (#49), [[Patrick Carpentier]] (#10), [[Eric McClure]] (#37), [[Jacques Villeneuve]] (#27), [[Stanton Barrett]] (#50)

'''''NOTE:''' Robby Gordon, owner/driver of the #7 Dodge, was penalized both 100 championship driver and owner points after NASCAR officials confiscated an unapproved Dodge Charger nose piece on his Car of Tomorrow during opening day inspection for the Daytona 500 on February 8. Gordon's crew chief Frank Kerr was fined $100,000 and suspended for the next six Sprint Cup Series events until April 9. The points penalty dropped him to 40th place after finishing 8th in the season opener. However, on March 5, an appeals committee overturned the point penalty and suspension, but increased the fine to $150,000. Gordon's infraction occurred because of a nose that Gillett Evernham Motorsports had given the team was not yet approved. The team had switched to Dodge from Ford after Daytona testing and has assistance from Gillett Evernham Motorsports, which gave the nose in question. <ref>[http://www.nascar.com/2008/news/headlines/cup/02/20/daytona.penalties/index.html NASCAR.com: R. Gordon loses 100 points, crew chief suspended]</ref>

===Auto Club 500===
{{main|2008 Auto Club 500}}
The 2008 [[Auto Club 500]] was run on February 24 and February 25 due to rain at the newly renamed [[Auto Club Speedway|Auto Club Speedway of Southern California]] (previously California Speedway) in [[Fontana, California]]. Qualifying was canceled for the [[Sprint Cup Series|Sprint Cup]], [[Nationwide Series|Nationwide]] and [[Craftsman Truck Series]] after periods of rain showers fell for most of the day on Friday. As a result, the race lineup was determined by the NASCAR rule book.<ref>[http://www.nascar.com/2008/news/headlines/cup/02/22/cup.truck.quals.rained.out/index.html NASCAR.com: Rain washes out qualifying events Friday at California]</ref> The race began on late Sunday afternoon but was red flagged and eventually postponed until Monday morning. Veteran NASCAR driver Mark Martin made his 700th Sprint Cup Series start. The first caution of the race was brought out when [[Denny Hamlin]] lost control in Turn 3 after running over some water that had seeped up through cracks in the track surface. The next caution involved a large wreck when [[Casey Mears]] spun out in Turn 2 after also running over water. The wreck collected Casey's teammate [[Dale Earnhardt, Jr.]].

[[Reed Sorenson]] and [[Sam Hornish, Jr.]] were also involved. Hornish hit Sorenson's car causing his car's hood to come up and hit his windshield obscuring his vision leading him to rear end the back of Casey Mears' car causing Mears' car to tumble onto its side. The race was [[Racing flags#The red flag|red flagged]] as track workers cleaned up and tried to repair the water problem by cutting into the track. Drivers who were involved in early wrecks notably Earnhardt, Jr. and Mears complained that NASCAR should not have started the race with water still seeping onto the track.<ref>[http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/columns/story?seriesId=2&columnist=newton_david&id=3263302 ESPN.com: Did the Auto Club 500 show have to go on? Many drivers said no.]</ref> Eventually a seventh caution for rain put the race on hold, at 11:00 PM [[Pacific Time Zone|PT]] (2:00 AM [[Eastern Time Zone (North America)|ET]]), NASCAR decided to postpone the remaining race laps until Monday morning at 10:00 AM PT (1:00 PM ET) due to seeping water on the track. When the race resumed, it was [[Hendrick Motorsports]] teammates [[Jeff Gordon]] and [[Jimmie Johnson]] leading the race until [[Carl Edwards]] took the lead from Johnson to win his first race at Auto Club Speedway. The [[2008 NASCAR Nationwide Series#Stater Brothers 200|Nationwide Series race]] was run one hour after the conclusion of the Sprint Cup race.

{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;"
|-
!colspan=9|Top Ten Finishers
|-
|-
! Pos.
! Car #
! Driver
! Make
! Team
|-
| 1
| 99
| {{flagicon|Missouri}} [[Carl Edwards]]
| [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| [[Roush Fenway Racing]]
|-
| 2
| 48
| {{flagicon|California}} [[Jimmie Johnson]]
| [[Chevrolet]]
| [[Hendrick Motorsports]]
|-
| 3
| 24
| {{flagicon|California}} [[Jeff Gordon]]
| Chevrolet
| Hendrick Motorsports
|-
| 4
| 18
| {{flagicon|Nevada}} [[Kyle Busch]]
| [[Toyota]]
| [[Joe Gibbs Racing]]
|-
| 5
| 17
| {{flagicon|Wisconsin}} [[Matt Kenseth]]
| Ford
| Roush Fenway Racing
|-
| 6
| 1
| {{flagicon|New Jersey}} [[Martin Truex, Jr.]]
| Chevrolet
| [[Dale Earnhardt, Inc.]]
|-
| 7
| 20
| {{flagicon|Indiana}} [[Tony Stewart]]
| Toyota
| Joe Gibbs Racing
|-
| 8
| 29
| {{flagicon|California}} [[Kevin Harvick]]
| Chevrolet
| [[Richard Childress Racing]]
|-
| 9
| 9
| {{flagicon|Washington}} [[Kasey Kahne]]
| [[Dodge]]
| [[Gillett Evernham Motorsports]]
|-
| 10
| 12
| {{flagicon|Indiana}} [[Ryan Newman]]
| Dodge
| [[Penske Racing]]
|-
|}

'''Failed to make race as qualifying was canceled due to rain:''' [[Patrick Carpentier]] (#10), [[Mike Skinner (NASCAR)|Mike Skinner]] (#27), [[Ken Schrader]] (#49), [[A. J. Allmendinger]] (#84), [[Burney Lamar]] (#08)

===UAW-Dodge 400===
{{main|2008 UAW-Dodge 400}}
The [[UAW-Dodge 400]] was run on March 2 at [[Las Vegas Motor Speedway]]. [[Kyle Busch]], a [[Las Vegas, Nevada|Las Vegas]] native won the pole and led 56 laps in the race before slipping to 11th. [[Matt Kenseth]] also ran strong during the race leading 70 laps and was running third with five laps to go when he was spun by [[Jeff Gordon]]. Gordon's car hit hard against the inside retaining wall which did not have a [[SAFER barrier]], this caused his car's [[radiator#Automobiles|radiator]] to fly out from the chassis into the path of oncoming traffic. Kenseth was able to recover from the spin without hitting anything. The wreck brought a red flag on lap 264 as track workers cleaned up, Jeff Gordon walked away sore from the wreck and made the point that SAFER barriers should be installed to the inside walls.<ref>[http://www.nascar.com/2008/news/headlines/cup/03/02/jgordon.crash.safety.vegas/index.html NASCAR.com: Crash has Gordon wanting safety upgrades at LVMS]</ref> [[Carl Edwards]] went on to win his second race in a row and the ninth of his career.

Following the race it was announced that the #99 car driven by Edwards had failed post-race inspection. On March 5, Edwards was docked 100 championship points with team owner [[Jack Roush]] also docked 100 owner points. Carl Edwards' crew chief Bob Osbourne was fined $100,000 and suspended for six races until April 30. In the event the 99 team qualifys for the [[2008 Chase for the Sprint Cup|Chase for the Sprint Cup]], the team will not receive 10 bonus points for the UAW-Dodge 400 victory used for determining the Chase seeding order.<ref>[http://www.nascar.com/2008/news/headlines/cup/03/05/cedwards.penalized.lasvegas/index.html NASCAR.com: Edwards hit with penalty, loses lead in Cup standings]</ref>

{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;"
|-
!colspan=9|Top Ten Finishers
|-
! Pos.
! Car #
! Driver
! Make
! Team
|-
| 1
| 99
| {{flagicon|Missouri}} [[Carl Edwards]]
| [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| [[Roush Fenway Racing]]
|-
| 2
| 88
| {{flagicon|North Carolina}} [[Dale Earnhardt, Jr.]]
| [[Chevrolet]]
| [[Hendrick Motorsports]]
|-
| 3
| 16
| {{flagicon|Washington}} [[Greg Biffle]]
| Ford
| Roush Fenway Racing
|-
| 4
| 29
| {{flagicon|California}} [[Kevin Harvick]]
| Chevrolet
| [[Richard Childress Racing]]
|-
| 5
| 31
| {{flagicon|Virginia}} [[Jeff Burton]]
| Chevrolet
| Richard Childress Racing
|-
| 6
| 6
| {{flagicon|Georgia (U.S. state)}} [[David Ragan]]
| Ford
| Roush Fenway Racing
|-
| 7
| 9
| {{flagicon|Washington}} [[Kasey Kahne]]
| [[Dodge]]
| [[Gillett Evernham Motorsports]]
|-
| 8
| 28
| {{flagicon|Wisconsin}} [[Travis Kvapil]]
| Ford
| [[Yates Racing]]
|-
| 9
| 11
| {{flagicon|Virginia}} [[Denny Hamlin]]
| [[Toyota]]
| [[Joe Gibbs Racing]]
|-
| 10
| 8
| {{flagicon|Arkansas}} [[Mark Martin (racecar driver)|Mark Martin]]
| Chevrolet
| [[Dale Earnhardt, Inc.]]
|}
'''Failed to Qualify:''' [[A. J. Allmendinger]] (#84), [[Joe Nemechek]] (#78), [[John Andretti]] (#34), [[Johnny Sauter]] (#21; crashed on first lap)

'''''NOTE:''' [[Burney Lamar]] (#08) withdrew prior to qualifying.

===Kobalt Tools 500===
{{main|2008 Kobalt Tools 500}}
The [[Kobalt Tools 500]] was held on March 9 at [[Atlanta Motor Speedway]]. [[Jeff Gordon]] won the pole. [[Carl Edwards]] had the car to beat along with [[Kyle Busch]], although Edwards' engine expired late in the race. Busch would go on to lead 173 laps and win the race giving [[Toyota]] its first [[Sprint Cup Series]] victory. The win also marked the first win by a foreign make since 1954.

{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;"
|-
!colspan=9|Top Ten Finishers
|-
! Pos.
! Car #
! Driver
! Make
! Team
|-
| 1
| 18
| {{flagicon|Nevada}} [[Kyle Busch]]
| [[Toyota]]
| [[Joe Gibbs Racing]]
|-
| 2
| 20
| {{flagicon|Indiana}} [[Tony Stewart]]
| Toyota
| Joe Gibbs Racing
|-
| 3
| 88
| {{flagicon|North Carolina}} [[Dale Earnhardt, Jr.]]
| [[Chevrolet]]
| [[Hendrick Motorsports]]
|-
| 4
| 16
| {{flagicon|Washington}} [[Greg Biffle]]
| [[Ford]]
| [[Roush Fenway Racing]]
|-
| 5
| 24
| {{flagicon|California}} [[Jeff Gordon]]
| Chevrolet
| Hendrick Motorsports
|-
| 6
| 07
| {{flagicon|Kansas}} [[Clint Bowyer]]
| Chevrolet
| [[Richard Childress Racing]]
|-
| 7
| 29
| {{flagicon|California}} [[Kevin Harvick]]
| Chevrolet
| Richard Childress Racing
|-
| 8
| 17
| {{flagicon|Wisconsin}} [[Matt Kenseth]]
| Ford
| Roush Fenway Racing
|-
| 9
| 83
| {{flagicon|North Carolina}} [[Brian Vickers]]
| Toyota
| [[Team Red Bull]]
|-
| 10
| 31
| {{flagicon|Virginia}} [[Jeff Burton]]
| Chevrolet
| Richard Childress Racing
|}

'''Failed to Qualify:''' [[Ken Schrader]] (#49), [[Bill Elliott]] (#21), [[Johnny Benson]] (#27), [[John Andretti]] (#34), [[Burney Lamar]] (#08)

===Food City 500===
{{main|2008 Food City 500}}
The [[Food City 500]] was held on March 16 at [[Bristol Motor Speedway]] in [[Bristol, Tennessee]]. Qualifying was canceled due to a day-long rain on March 14, and as a result, the field was set by NASCAR's rulebook, giving [[Jimmie Johnson]] the 2007 series champion, the pole position. [[Jeff Burton]] won the race after it was extended six laps due to the [[green-white-checker finish]] rule when [[Denny Hamlin]] had fuel pump problems on the final restart.

{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;"
|-
!colspan=9|Top Ten Finishers
|-
! Pos.
! Car #
! Driver
! Make
! Team
|-
| 1
| 31
| {{flagicon|Virginia}} [[Jeff Burton]]
| [[Chevrolet]]
| [[Richard Childress Racing]]
|-
| 2
| 29
| {{flagicon|California}} [[Kevin Harvick]]
| Chevrolet
| Richard Childress Racing
|-
| 3
| 07
| {{flagicon|Kansas}} [[Clint Bowyer]]
| Chevrolet
| Richard Childress Racing
|-
| 4
| 16
| {{flagicon|Washington}} [[Greg Biffle]]
| [[Ford]]
| [[Roush Fenway Racing]]
|-
| 5
| 88
| {{flagicon|North Carolina}} [[Dale Earnhardt, Jr.]]
| Chevrolet
| [[Hendrick Motorsports]]
|-
| 6
| 11
| {{flagicon|Virginia}} [[Denny Hamlin]]
| [[Toyota]]
| [[Joe Gibbs Racing]]
|-
| 7
| 9
| {{flagicon|Washington}} [[Kasey Kahne]]
| [[Dodge]]
| [[Gillett Evernham Motorsports]]
|-
| 8
| 8
| {{flagicon|Florida}} [[Aric Almirola]]
| Chevrolet
| [[Dale Earnhardt, Inc.]]
|-
| 9
| 38
| {{flagicon|California}} [[David Gilliland]]
| Ford
| [[Yates Racing]]
|-
| 10
| 17
| {{flagicon|Wisconsin}} [[Matt Kenseth]]
| Ford
| Roush Fenway Racing
|}
'''''NOTE:''' Race extended six laps due to green-white-checker finish.''

'''Failed to make race as qualifying was canceled due to rain:''' [[Patrick Carpentier]] (#10), [[Jeff Green (NASCAR)|Jeff Green]] (#21), [[John Andretti]] (#34).

As a result of the standings after this race, two teams that were not in the Top-35 in owners points, the #83 [[Red Bull]] [[Toyota Camry]] of [[Brian Vickers]] and the #2 [[Miller Lite]] [[Dodge Charger]] of [[Kurt Busch]] (owners points were given to the #77) will be locked into the Top 35 after the first five races.

=== Goody's Cool Orange 500 ===
{{main|2008 Goody's Cool Orange 500}}

The [[Goody's Cool Orange 500]] was held on March 30 at [[Martinsville Speedway]] in [[Ridgeway, Virginia]]. [[Jeff Gordon]] won the pole. [[Kyle Petty]] failed to make the race after [[Dario Franchitti]] tied with his qualifying time, due to the fact that Franchitti was 38th in owners points and Petty was 40th, marking the first time since 2004 that he failed to make a race. [[Denny Hamlin]] won this race, the second for Toyota in Sprint Cup history. The race was notable for having 20 caution periods, the second most cautions during a NASCAR Sprint Cup race; only the 22 cautions at the 2005 Coca Cola 600 holds that record.

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;"
|-
!colspan=9|Top Ten Finishers
|-
!Pos.
!Car #
!Driver
!Make
!Team
|-
| 1
| 11
| {{flagicon|Virginia}} [[Denny Hamlin]]
| [[Toyota]]
| [[Joe Gibbs Racing]]
|-
| 2
| 24
| {{flagicon|California}} [[Jeff Gordon]]
| [[Chevrolet]]
| [[Hendrick Motorsports]]
|-
| 3
| 31
| {{flagicon|Virginia}} [[Jeff Burton]]
| Chevrolet
| [[Richard Childress Racing]]
|-
| 4
| 48
| {{flagicon|California}} [[Jimmie Johnson]]
| Chevrolet
| Hendrick Motorsports
|-
| 5
| 20
| {{flagicon|Indiana}} [[Tony Stewart]]
| Toyota
| Joe Gibbs Racing
|-
| 6
| 88
| {{flagicon|North Carolina}} [[Dale Earnhardt, Jr.]]
| Chevrolet
| Hendrick Motorsports
|-
| 7
| 5
| {{flagicon|California}} [[Casey Mears]]
| Chevrolet
| Hendrick Motorsports
|-
| 8
| 26
| {{flagicon|Missouri}} [[Jamie McMurray]]
| [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| [[Roush Fenway Racing]]
|-
| 9
| 99
| {{flagicon|Missouri}} [[Carl Edwards]]
| Ford
| Roush Fenway Racing
|-
| 10
| 07
| {{flagicon|Kansas}} [[Clint Bowyer]]
| Chevrolet
| Richard Childress Racing
|}

'''Failed to Qualify:''' Kyle Petty (#45), [[Tony Raines]] (#08), [[John Andretti]] (#34), [[Joe Nemechek]] (#78)

===Samsung 500===
{{main|2008 Samsung 500}}
The [[Samsung 500]] was held on April 6 at [[Texas Motor Speedway]] in [[Fort Worth, Texas]]. [[Dale Earnhardt, Jr.]] won the pole. The race was won by [[Carl Edwards]] who started 2nd and led 123 laps. The major story of the race weekend was [[Michael McDowell (NASCAR)|Michael McDowell's]] near head on crash during qualifying after he lost control heading into Turn 1 on his second lap.<ref>[http://www.nascar.com/2008/news/headlines/cup/04/04/mmcdowell.texas.quals.crash/index.html NASCAR.com: McDowell OK after near head-on crash in qualifying]</ref> McDowell's car slammed into the Turn 1 [[SAFER barrier]] and spun upside down for several hundred yards before the car began a series of at least eight barrel rolls, coming to rest at the bottom of the race track near the infield. McDowell exited the car and was ok. Qualifying was delayed 1 hour and 12 minutes as NASCAR officials assessed and repaired damage to the SAFER barrier.

{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;"
|-
!colspan=9|Top Ten Finishers
|-
!Pos.
!Car #
!Driver
!Make
!Team
|-
|1
|99
|{{flagicon|Missouri}} [[Carl Edwards]]
|[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
|[[Roush Fenway Racing]]
|-
|2
|48
|{{flagicon|California}} [[Jimmie Johnson]]
|[[Chevrolet]]
|[[Hendrick Motorsports]]
|-
|3
|18
|{{flagicon|Nevada}} [[Kyle Busch]]
|[[Toyota]]
|[[Joe Gibbs Racing]]
|-
|4
|12
|{{flagicon|Indiana}} [[Ryan Newman]]
|[[Dodge]]
|[[Penske Racing]]
|-
|5
|11
|{{flagicon|Virginia}} [[Denny Hamlin]]
|Toyota
|Joe Gibbs Racing
|-
|6
|31
|{{flagicon|Virginia}} [[Jeff Burton]]
|Chevrolet
|[[Richard Childress Racing]]
|-
|7
|20
|{{flagicon|Indiana}} [[Tony Stewart]]
|Toyota
|Joe Gibbs Racing
|-
|8
|8
|{{flagicon|Arkansas}} [[Mark Martin (racecar driver)|Mark Martin]]
|Chevrolet
|[[Dale Earnhardt, Inc.]]
|-
|9
|17
|{{flagicon|Wisconsin}} [[Matt Kenseth]]
|Ford
|Roush Fenway Racing
|-
|10
|07
|{{flagicon|Kansas}} [[Clint Bowyer]]
|Chevrolet
|Richard Childress Racing
|}

'''''NOTES:''' 1. Race extended five laps due to a [[green-white-checker finish]].''<br/>
''2. During post race inspection [[Ryan Newman|Ryan Newman's]] #12 car was found to be one-eighth of an inch higher beyond the allotted half-inch tolerance. As a result, Newman and car owner [[Roger Penske]] were penalized 25 championship driver and 25 championship owner points, respectively. Crew chief Roy McCauley was fined $25,000 and placed on [[probation]] until December 31.<ref>[http://www.nascar.com/2008/news/headlines/cup/04/08/rnewman.texas.penalty/index.html NASCAR.com: Newman hit with 25-point penalty for Texas infraction]</ref>''

'''Failed to Quailfy''': [[Dario Franchitti]] (#40), [[Chad McCumbee]] (#45), [[Burney Lamar]] (#08)

===Subway Fresh Fit 500===
{{main|2008 Subway Fresh Fit 500}}
The [[Subway Fresh Fit 500]] was held on April 12 at [[Phoenix International Raceway]] in [[Avondale, Arizona]]. [[Ryan Newman]] won the pole. Coverage of the pre-race was interrupted when [[2008 Subway Fresh Fit 500#Yankees / Red Sox coverage|FOX switched over to cover the remaining Yankees-Red Sox baseball game]].<ref>[http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3345276 ESPN.com: Fans confused when Fox shifts from Red Sox/Yanks finish to NASCAR]</ref> [[Jimmie Johnson]] won the race by not [[pit stop|pitting]] for fuel during the last laps. The win marked [[Hendrick Motorsports|Hendrick Motorsports']] first win of the 2008 season.

{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;"
|-
!colspan=9|Top Ten Finishers
|-
!Pos.
!Car #
!Driver
!Make
!Team
|-
|1
|48
|{{flagicon|California}} [[Jimmie Johnson]]
|[[Chevrolet]]
|[[Hendrick Motorsports]]
|-
|2
|07
|{{flagicon|Kansas}} [[Clint Bowyer]]
|Chevrolet
|[[Richard Childress Racing]]
|-
|3
|11
|{{flagicon|Virginia}} [[Denny Hamlin]]
|[[Toyota]]
|[[Joe Gibbs Racing]]
|-
|4
|99
|{{flagicon|Missouri}} [[Carl Edwards]]
|[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
|[[Roush Fenway Racing]]
|-
|5
|8
|{{flagicon|Arkansas}} [[Mark Martin (racecar driver)|Mark Martin]]
|Chevrolet
|[[Dale Earnhardt, Inc.]]
|-
|6
|31
|{{flagicon|Virginia}} [[Jeff Burton]]
|Chevrolet
|Richard Childress Racing
|-
|7
|88
|{{flagicon|North Carolina}} [[Dale Earnhardt, Jr.]]
|Chevrolet
|Hendrick Motorsports
|-
|8
|1
|{{flagicon|New Jersey}} [[Martin Truex, Jr.]]
|Chevrolet
|Dale Earnhardt, Inc.
|-
|9
|16
|{{flagicon|Washington}} [[Greg Biffle]]
|Ford
|Roush Fenway Racing
|-
|10
|18
|{{flagicon|Nevada}} [[Kyle Busch]]
|Toyota
|Joe Gibbs Racing
|}

'''Failed to Qualify:''' [[Kyle Petty]] (#45), [[John Andretti]] (#34)

===Aaron's 499===
{{main|2008 Aaron's 499}}
The [[Aaron's 499]] was held April 27 at [[Talladega Superspeedway]] in [[Talladega, Alabama]]. The race marked the one-quarter mark of the season. [[Joe Nemechek]] won the pole. [[David Stremme]] substituted for [[Dario Franchitti]], who fractured his left ankle in a hard crash during the [[Nationwide Series]] [[2008 NASCAR Nationwide Series#Aaron's 312|Aaron's 312]] race. Kyle Busch won the race after leading only 12 laps. The race featured only eight cautions. Most of those cautions were results of one or two car incidents. However, the last caution was a result of the "Big One" that occurred in the final moments of the race. Because the crash occurred after the white flag had been waved, the race was allowed to finish under caution.

{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;"
|-
!colspan=9|Top Ten Finishers
|-
!Pos.
!Car #
!Driver
!Make
!Team
|-
|1
|18
|{{flagicon|Nevada}} [[Kyle Busch]]
|[[Toyota]]
|[[Joe Gibbs Racing]]
|-
|2
|42
|{{flagicon|Colombia}} [[Juan Pablo Montoya|J.P. Montoya]]
|[[Dodge]]
|[[Chip Ganassi Racing]]
|-
|3
|11
|{{flagicon|Virginia}} [[Denny Hamlin]]
|Toyota
|Joe Gibbs Racing
|-
|4
|6
|{{flagicon|Georgia (U.S. state)}} [[David Ragan]]
|[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
|[[Roush Fenway Racing]]
|-
|5
|83
|{{flagicon|North Carolina}} [[Brian Vickers]]
|Toyota
|[[Team Red Bull]]
|-
|6
|28
|{{flagicon|Wisconsin}} [[Travis Kvapil]]
|Ford
|[[Yates Racing]]
|-
|7
|5
|{{flagicon|California}} [[Casey Mears]]
|[[Chevrolet]]
|[[Hendrick Motorsports]]
|-
|8
|12
|{{flagicon|Indiana}} [[Ryan Newman]]
|Dodge
|[[Penske Racing]]
|-
|9
|07
|{{flagicon|Kansas}} [[Clint Bowyer]]
|Chevrolet
|[[Richard Childress Racing]]
|-
|10
|88
|{{flagicon|North Carolina}} [[Dale Earnhardt, Jr.]]
|Chevrolet
|Hendrick Motorsports
|}

'''Failed to Qualify:''' [[Dave Blaney]] (#22), [[J. J. Yeley]] (#96), [[John Andretti]] (#34)

===Crown Royal Presents The Dan Lowry 400===
{{main|2008 Crown Royal Presents the Dan Lowry 400}}
The [[Crown Royal Presents The Dan Lowry 400]] was held on May 3 at [[Richmond International Raceway]] in [[Richmond, Virginia]]. [[Denny Hamlin]] won the pole and went on to lead 381 of the 400 laps. However, a leaking right-front tire caused him to fall back with 18 laps left. It then appeared that [[Dale Earnhardt, Jr.]] whose last Sprint Cup win came at this race two years ago would be able to win the race and end his winless streak, but was spun out by [[Kyle Busch]] with Three laps to go. The race was won by [[Clint Bowyer]] who was running third at the time of Earnhardt's spin.

{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;"
|-
!colspan=9|Top Ten Finishers
|-
!Pos.
!Car #
!Driver
!Make
!Team
|-
|1
|07
|{{flagicon|Kansas}} [[Clint Bowyer]]
|[[Chevrolet]]
|[[Richard Childress Racing]]
|-
|2
|18
|{{flagicon|Nevada}} [[Kyle Busch]]
|[[Toyota]]
|[[Joe Gibbs Racing]]
|-
|3
|8
|{{flagicon|Arkansas}} [[Mark Martin (racecar driver)|Mark Martin]]
|Chevrolet
|[[Dale Earnhardt, Inc.]]
|-
|4
|20
|{{flagicon|Indiana}} [[Tony Stewart]]
|Toyota
|Joe Gibbs Racing
|-
|5
|1
|{{flagicon|New Jersey}} [[Martin Truex, Jr.]]
|Chevrolet
|Dale Earnhardt, Inc.
|-
|6
|12
|{{flagicon|Indiana}} [[Ryan Newman]]
|[[Dodge]]
|[[Penske Racing]]
|-
|7
|99
|{{flagicon|Missouri}} [[Carl Edwards]]
|[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
|[[Roush Fenway Racing]]
|-
|8
|29
|{{flagicon|California}} [[Kevin Harvick]]
|Chevrolet
|Richard Childress Racing
|-
|9
|24
|{{flagicon|California}} [[Jeff Gordon]]
|Chevrolet
|[[Hendrick Motorsports]]
|-
|10
|9
|{{flagicon|Washington}} [[Kasey Kahne]]
|Dodge
|[[Gillett Evernham Motorsports]]
|}
'''''NOTE:''' Race was extended by eight laps due to [[green-white-checker finish]].''

'''Failed to Qualify:''' [[Ken Schrader]] (#40), [[Scott Wimmer]] (#33), [[Jon Wood]] (#21), [[John Andretti]] (#34)

===Dodge Challenger 500===
{{main|2008 Dodge Challenger 500}}
The [[Dodge Challenger 500]] was run May 10 at the newly repaved [[Darlington Raceway]] in [[Darlington, South Carolina]]. [[Greg Biffle]] won the pole, breaking [[Ward Burton|Ward Burton's]] long standing pole speed by 5.6 mph, mostly due to the repaved surface on the track. [[Kyle Busch]] was the winner of the race. this would be the last race under the "Dodge Challenger 500" name; next year the race will return to the original name of the [[Southern 500]].

{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;"
|-
!colspan=9|Top Ten Finishers
|-
!Pos.
!Car #
!Driver
!Car Make
!Team
|-
|1
|18
|{{flagicon|Nevada}} [[Kyle Busch]]
|[[Toyota]]
|[[Joe Gibbs Racing]]
|-
|2
|99
|{{flagicon|Missouri}} [[Carl Edwards]]
|[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
|[[Roush Fenway Racing]]
|-
|3
|24
|{{flagicon|California}} [[Jeff Gordon]]
|[[Chevrolet]]
|[[Hendrick Motorsports]]
|-
|4
|88
|{{flagicon|North Carolina}} [[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]]
|Chevrolet
|Hendrick Motorsports
|-
|5
|6
|{{flagicon|Georgia (U.S. state)}} [[David Ragan]]
|Ford
|Roush Fenway Racing
|-
|6
|17
|{{flagicon|Wisconsin}} [[Matt Kenseth]]
|Ford
|Roush Fenway Racing
|-
|7
|11
|{{flagicon|Virginia}} [[Denny Hamlin]]
|Toyota
|Joe Gibbs Racing
|-
|8
|28
|{{flagicon|Wisconsin}} [[Travis Kvapil]]
|Ford
|[[Yates Racing]]
|-
|9
|22
|{{flagicon|Ohio}} [[Dave Blaney]]
|Toyota
|[[Bill Davis Racing]]
|-
|10
|31
|{{flagicon|Virginia}} [[Jeff Burton]]
|Chevorlet
|[[Richard Childress Racing]]
|}

'''Failed to Qualify:''' [[Johnny Sauter]] (#70), [[Jeff Green (NASCAR)|Jeff Green]] (#34)

===Sprint All-Star Race XXIV===
{{main|2008 Sprint All-Star Race}}
[[NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race|Sprint All-Star Race XXIV and the Sprint Showdown]] were both held on May 17 at [[Lowe's Motor Speedway]] in the [[Charlotte, North Carolina]] suburb of [[Concord, North Carolina|Concord]]. This non-points race involved winners of the [[2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series|2007]] and 2008 season, along with past Sprint Cup champions and All-Star Race winners from the past decade (1998 through 2007) plus the top two finishing drivers of the Sprint Showdown and a driver voted in by fans from the Showdown who's car had to be raceable. On the line was [[United States dollar|$]]1,000,000 in prize money for the winner. [[Kasey Kahne]] finished fifth in the Showdown and was voted into the All-Star event and went onto capture the victory, becoming the third driver to qualify from the preliminary race and win the main event and the first chosen by the fan vote to do the same. The only cautions the race had was after all 4 segments ended which was 4 cautions.

====Sprint Showdown====
{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;"
|-
!colspan=9|Top Two Finishers
|-
!Pos.
!Car #
!Driver
!Make
!Team
|-
|1
|84
|{{flagicon|California}} [[A.J. Allmendinger]]
|[[Toyota]]
|[[Team Red Bull]]
|-
|2
|77
|{{flagicon|Ohio}} [[Sam Hornish Jr.]]
|[[Dodge]]
|[[Penske Racing]]
|-
!colspan="9"|Qualified via Fan Voting
|-
|5
|9
|{{flagicon|Washington}} [[Kasey Kahne]]
|Dodge
|[[Gillett Evernham Motorsports]]
|}

====All-Star Race====
{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;"
|-
!colspan=9|Top Ten Finishers
|-
!Pos.
!Car #
!Driver
!Make
!Team
|-
|1
|9
|{{flagicon|Washington}} [[Kasey Kahne]]
|Dodge
|Gillett Evernham Motorsports
|-
|2
|16
|{{flagicon|Washington}} [[Greg Biffle]]
|[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
|[[Roush Fenway Racing]]
|-
|3
|17
|{{flagicon|Wisconsin}} [[Matt Kenseth]]
|Ford
|Roush Fenway Racing
|-
|4
|48
|{{flagicon|California}} [[Jimmie Johnson]]
|[[Chevrolet]]
|[[Hendrick Motorsports]]
|-
|5
|20
|{{flagicon|Indiana}} [[Tony Stewart]]
|[[Toyota]]
|[[Joe Gibbs Racing]]
|-
|6
|12
|{{flagicon|Indiana}} [[Ryan Newman]]
|Dodge
|Penske Racing
|-
|7
|77
|{{flagicon|Ohio}} Sam Hornish, Jr.
|Dodge
|Penske Racing
|-
|8
|88
|{{flagicon|North Carolina}} [[Dale Earnhardt, Jr.]]
|Chevrolet
|Hendrick Motorsports
|-
|9
|8
|{{flagicon|Arkansas}} [[Mark Martin (NASCAR)|Mark Martin]]
|Chevrolet
|[[Dale Earnhardt, Inc.]]
|-
|10
|99
|{{flagicon|Missouri}} [[Carl Edwards]]
|Ford
|Roush Fenway Racing
|}

===Coca-Cola 600===
{{main|2008 Coca-Cola 600}}
NASCAR's longest race in terms of distance, the [[Coca-Cola 600]] was run on May 25 at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina, a suburb of Charlotte. [[Kyle Busch]] won the [[pole position|pole]]. [[Tony Stewart]] led the race in the final laps after making a pit stop for fuel only, but with three laps remaining Stewart blew a tire giving the lead to [[Kasey Kahne]] who was running five seconds behind. Kahne and [[Greg Biffle]] finished first and second respectively for the second week in a row. Kahne became the first driver to win the Coca-Cola 600 and the [[NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race|All-Star Race]] in the same year since [[Jimmie Johnson]] in [[2003 NASCAR Winston Cup Series|2003]], and the sixth overall.<ref>[http://www.nascar.com/2008/news/headlines/cup/05/25/kkahne.wins.coca.cola.600/index.html NASCAR.com:Stewart's late slip hands Kahne Coca-Cola 600 win]</ref>

{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;"
|-
!colspan=9|Top Ten Finishers
|-
!Pos.
!Car #
!Driver
!Make
!Team
|-
|1
|9
|{{flagicon|Washington}} [[Kasey Kahne]]
|[[Dodge]]
|[[Gillett Evernham Motorsports]]
|-
|2
|16
|{{flagicon|Washington}} [[Greg Biffle]]
|[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
|[[Roush Fenway Racing]]
|-
|3
|18
|{{flagicon|Nevada}} [[Kyle Busch]]
|[[Toyota]]
|[[Joe Gibbs Racing]]
|-
|4
|24
|{{flagicon|California}} [[Jeff Gordon]]
|[[Chevrolet]]
|[[Hendrick Motorsports]]
|-
|5
|88
|{{flagicon|North Carolina}} [[Dale Earnhardt, Jr.]]
|Chevrolet
|Hendrick Motorsports
|-
|6
|31
|{{flagicon|Virginia}} [[Jeff Burton]]
|Chevrolet
|[[Richard Childress Racing]]
|-
|7
|17
|{{flagicon|Wisconsin}} [[Matt Kenseth]]
|Ford
|Roush Fenway Racing
|-
|8
|19
|{{flagicon|Virginia}} [[Elliott Sadler]]
|Dodge
|Gillett Evernham Motorsports
|-
|9
|99
|{{flagicon|Missouri}} [[Carl Edwards]]
|Ford
|Roush Fenway Racing
|-
|10
|44
|{{flagicon|Florida}} [[David Reutimann]]
|Toyota
|[[Michael Waltrip Racing]]
|}

'''Failed to Qualify:''' [[Jeff Green (NASCAR)|Jeff Green]] (#34), [[Stanton Barrett]] (#50), [[Jon Wood]] (#21), [[Joe Nemechek]] (#78), [[Tony Raines]] (#08)

=== Best Buy 400 ===
{{main|2008 Best Buy 400 benefiting Student Clubs for Autism Speaks}}

The [[Best Buy 400]] was held on June 1 at [[Dover International Speedway]] in [[Dover, Delaware]]. [[Greg Biffle]] won the [[pole position|pole]]. A wreck on Lap 17 ruined the day for championship contenders [[Tony Stewart]], [[Kevin Harvick]], [[Denny Hamlin]], [[Dale Earnhardt, Jr.]], [[Clint Bowyer]], and [[Kasey Kahne]]. The wreck occurred when [[Elliott Sadler]] made slight contact with [[David Gilliland]], Sadler's car spun out and blocked traffic down the narrow backstretch.<ref>[http://www.nascar.com/2008/news/headlines/cup/06/01/tstewart.dhamlin.kharvick.dearnhardtjr.esadler.wreck.dover/index.html NASCAR.com: Early Dover wreck ruins day for nearly half of top 12]</ref> Polesitter Greg Biffle dominated the early laps leading 164 of them. Although an alternator problem on Lap 170 forced Biffle to relinquish his lead to teammate [[Carl Edwards]]. Biffle switched batteries and kept going, although he was forced to leave the cooling fans off inside his car. In the final 153 Laps there were no cautions allowing [[Kyle Busch]] to build a lead over 8 seconds to second place runner Carl Edwards. Busch took the lead from Edwards during green-flag pit stops that ended on Lap 237.<ref>[http://www.nascar.com/2008/news/headlines/cup/06/01/kybusch.wins.dover/index.html NASCAR.com: Early Dover wreck ruins day for nearly half of top 12]</ref> Only the top six cars managed to stay on the lead lap.

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;"
|-
!colspan=9|Top Ten Finishers
|-
! Pos.
! Car #
! Driver
! Make
! Team
|-
| 1
| 18
| {{flagicon|Nevada}} [[Kyle Busch]]
| [[Toyota]]
| [[Joe Gibbs Racing]]
|-
| 2
| 99
| {{flagicon|Missouri}} [[Carl Edwards]]
| [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| [[Roush Fenway Racing]]
|-
| 3
| 16
| {{flagicon|Washington}} [[Greg Biffle]]
| Ford
| Roush Fenway Racing
|-
| 4
| 17
| {{flagicon|Wisconsin}} [[Matt Kenseth]]
| Ford
| Roush Fenway Racing
|-
| 5
| 24
| {{flagicon|California}} [[Jeff Gordon]]
| [[Chevrolet]]
| [[Hendrick Motorsports]]
|-
| 6
| 1
| {{flagicon|New Jersey}} [[Martin Truex, Jr.]]
| Chevrolet
| [[Dale Earnhardt, Inc.]]
|-
| 7
| 48
| {{flagicon|California}} [[Jimmie Johnson]]
| Chevrolet
| Hendrick Motorsports
|-
| 8
| 31
| {{flagicon|Virginia}} [[Jeff Burton]]
| Chevrolet
| [[Richard Childress Racing]]
|-
| 9
| 22
| {{flagicon|Ohio}} [[Dave Blaney]]
| Toyota
| [[Bill Davis Racing]]
|-
| 10
| 26
| {{flagicon|Missouri}} [[Jamie McMurray]]
| Ford
| Roush Fenway Racing
|-
|}

'''Failed to Qualify:''' [[Jason Leffler]] (#70), [[Chad McCumbee]] (#45)

=== Pocono 500 ===
{{main|2008 Pocono 500}}

The [[Pocono 500]] was held on June 8 at [[Pocono Raceway]] in [[Long Pond, Pennsylvania]]. [[Kasey Kahne]] won the [[pole position|pole]], he went on to win the race. Starting with Pocono [[NASCAR on TNT|TNT]] started its' six race broadcast schedule. [[Kyle Busch]] qualified tenth but in the second practice hit the wall and started from the back. He finished dead last after a crash with [[Jamie McMurray]], but had a big enough cushion in the standings to remain in first place over [[Jeff Burton]] by 21 points.

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;"
|-
!colspan=9|Top Ten Finishers
|-
!Pos.
!Car #
!Driver
!Make
!Team
|-
|1
|9
|{{flagicon|Washington}} [[Kasey Kahne]]
|[[Dodge]]
|[[Gillett Evernham Motorsports]]
|-
|2
|83
|{{flagicon|North Carolina}} [[Brian Vickers]]
|[[Toyota]]
|[[Team Red Bull]]
|-
|3
|11
|{{flagicon|Virginia}} [[Denny Hamlin]]
|Toyota
|[[Joe Gibbs Racing]]
|-
|4
|88
|{{flagicon|North Carolina}} [[Dale Earnhardt, Jr.]]
|[[Chevrolet]]
|[[Hendrick Motorsports]]
|-
|5
|31
|{{flagicon|Virginia}} [[Jeff Burton]]
|Chevrolet
|[[Richard Childress Racing]]
|-
|6
|48
|{{flagicon|California}} [[Jimmie Johnson]]
|Chevrolet
|Hendrick Motorsports
|-
|7
|17
|{{flagicon|Wisconsin}} [[Matt Kenseth]]
|[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
|[[Roush Fenway Racing]]
|-
|8
|2
|{{flagicon|Nevada}} [[Kurt Busch]]
|Dodge
|[[Penske Racing]]
|-
|9
|99
|{{flagicon|Missouri}} [[Carl Edwards]]
|Ford
|Roush Fenway Racing
|-
|10
|8
|{{flagicon|Arkansas}} [[Mark Martin (NASCAR)|Mark Martin]]
|Chevrolet
|[[Dale Earnhardt, Inc.]]
|}
'''Failed to Qualify:''' [[J. J. Yeley]] (#96)

'''''NOTE:''' [[Tony Raines]] (#34) withdrew before the qualifying session.''

=== LifeLock 400 ===
{{main|2008 Lifelock 400}}

The [[LifeLock 400]] was held on June 15 at [[Michigan International Speedway]] in [[Brooklyn, Michigan]]. Qualifying was cancelled because of rain after twelve drivers took times, and the field was set by the NASCAR rulebook. With a [[green-white-checker finish]] extending the race, and fuel economy usage, [[Dale Earnhardt, Jr.]] won his first points paying race in 76 attempts in the first win by a driver from North Carolina in a NASCAR Sprint Cup race since October 2006 at Talladega when [[Brian Vickers]] won; ironically, Vickers won for Earnhardt's new team, [[Hendrick Motorsports]]. It also marked the first time a Chevrolet has gone to victory lane in the last 14 Sprint Cup races there.

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;"
|-
!colspan=9|Top Ten Finishers
|-
!Pos
!Car #
!Driver
!Make
!Team
|-
|1
|88
|{{flagicon|North Carolina}} [[Dale Earnhardt, Jr.]]
|[[Chevrolet]]
|[[Hendrick Motorsports]]
|-
|2
|9
|{{flagicon|Washington}} [[Kasey Kahne]]
|[[Dodge]]
|[[Gillett Evernham Motorsports]]
|-
|3
|17
|{{flagicon|Wisconsin}} [[Matt Kenseth]]
|[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
|[[Roush Fenway Racing]]
|-
|4
|83
|{{flagicon|North Carolina}} [[Brian Vickers]]
|[[Toyota]]
|[[Team Red Bull]]
|-
|5
|20
|{{flagicon|Indiana}} [[Tony Stewart]]
|Toyota
|[[Joe Gibbs Racing]]
|-
|6
|48
|{{flagicon|California}} [[Jimmie Johnson]]
|Chevrolet
|Hendrick Motorsports
|-
|7
|99
|{{flagicon|Missouri}} [[Carl Edwards]]
|Ford
|Roush Fenway Racing
|-
|8
|6
|{{flagicon|Georgia (U.S. state)}} [[David Ragan]]
|Ford
|Roush Fenway Racing
|-
|9
|19
|{{flagicon|Virginia}} [[Elliott Sadler]]
|Dodge
|Gillett Evernham Motorsports
|-
|10
|26
|{{flagicon|Missouri}} [[Jamie McMurray]]
|Ford
|Roush Fenway Racing
|}

'''Failed to make race as qualifying was cancelled due to rain:''' [[Jason Leffler]] (#70), [[Tony Raines]] (#34).<br/>'''''NOTES:''' 1. Race extended three laps due to green-white-checker finish.<br/>2. The #87 [[Furniture Row|Denver Mattress]] car driven by [[Kenny Wallace]] as well as the #08 car without a driver were withdrawn earlier in the week.''

=== Toyota/Save Mart 350 ===
{{main|2008 Toyota/Save Mart 350}}
The first of two [[road course]] races on the schedule, the [[Toyota/Save Mart 350]], was raced at [[Infineon Raceway]] at [[Sears Point]] in [[Sonoma, California]] on Sunday, June 22. [[Kasey Kahne]] won the pole, but Kyle Busch dominated the field again starting from the 30th position and winning.

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;"
|-
!colspan=9|Top Ten Finishers
|-
!Pos
!Car #
!Driver
!Make
!Team
|-
|1
|18
|{{flagicon|Nevada}} [[Kyle Busch]]
|[[Toyota]]
|[[Joe Gibbs Racing]]
|-
|2
|38
|{{flagicon|California}} [[David Gilliland]]
|[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
|[[Yates Racing]]
|-
|3
|24
|{{flagicon|California}} [[Jeff Gordon]]
|[[Chevrolet]]
|[[Hendrick Motorsports]]
|-
|4
|07
|{{flagicon|Kansas}} [[Clint Bowyer]]
|Chevrolet
|[[Richard Childress Racing]]
|-
|5
|5
|{{flagicon|California}} [[Casey Mears]]
|Chevrolet
|Hendrick Motorsports
|-
|6
|42
|{{flagicon|COL}} [[Juan Pablo Montoya]]
|[[Dodge]]
|[[Chip Ganassi Racing]]
|-
|7
|12
|{{flagicon|Indiana}} [[Ryan Newman]]
|Dodge
|[[Penske Racing South]]
|-
|8
|17
|{{flagicon|Wisconsin}} [[Matt Kenseth]]
|Ford
|[[Roush Fenway Racing]]
|-
|9
|19
|{{flagicon|Missouri}} [[Carl Edwards]]
|Ford
|Roush Fenway Racing
|-
|10
|20
|{{flagicon|Indiana}} [[Tony Stewart]]
|Toyota
|Joe Gibbs Racing
|}

'''Failed to Qualify''': [[J.J. Yeley]] (#96), [[Scott Riggs]] (#70), [[Dario Franchitti]] (#40), [[Brandon Ash]] (#02)<br/>'''''NOTE:''' Race was extended by two laps due to [[green-white-checker finish]].''

=== Lenox Industrial Tools 301 ===
{{main|2008 Lenox Industrial Tools 301}}
The [[Lenox Industrial Tools 301]] was raced on Sunday, June 29 at [[New Hampshire Motor Speedway]] in [[Loudon, New Hampshire]]. The big surprise was sprung in qualifying when following a rain delay of nearly two hours, Québécois [[Patrick Carpentier]] won the pole position over [[Bobby Labonte]]. Another big surprise was when [[Kurt Busch]] won the race, curtailed 17 laps shy of the scheduled distance as severe thunderstorms hit the area under the seventh and final caution.

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;"
|-
!colspan="9"|Top Ten Finishers
|-
!Pos.
!Car #
!Driver
!Make
!Team
|-
|1
|2
|{{flagicon|Nevada}} [[Kurt Busch]]
|[[Dodge]]
|[[Penske Racing]]
|-
|2
|55
|{{flagicon|Kentucky}} [[Michael Waltrip]]
|[[Toyota]]
|[[Michael Waltrip Racing]]
|-
|3
|96
|{{flagicon|Arizona}} [[J.J. Yeley]]
|Toyota
|[[Hall of Fame Racing]]
|-
|4
|1
|{{flagicon|New Jersey}} [[Martin Truex, Jr.]]
|[[Chevrolet]]
|[[Dale Earnhardt, Inc.]]
|-
|5
|19
|{{flagicon|Virginia}} [[Elliott Sadler]]
|Dodge
|[[Gillett Evernham Motorsports]]
|-
|6
|41
|{{flagicon|Georgia (U.S. state)}} [[Reed Sorenson]]
|Dodge
|[[Chip Ganassi Racing]]
|-
|7
|5
|{{flagicon|California}} [[Casey Mears]]
|Chevrolet
|[[Hendrick Motorsports]]
|-
|8
|11
|{{flagicon|Virginia}} [[Denny Hamlin]]
|Toyota
|[[Joe Gibbs Racing]]
|-
|9
|48
|{{flagicon|California}} [[Jimmie Johnson]]
|Chevrolet
|Hendrick Motorsports
|-
|10
|43
|{{flagicon|Texas}} [[Bobby Labonte]]
|Dodge
|[[Petty Enterprises]]
|}

'''''NOTE:''' Race was cut short to 283 laps due to rain.''

'''Failed to qualify:''' [[Marcos Ambrose]] (#21), [[Tony Raines]] (#34)

=== Coke Zero 400 ===
{{main|2008 Coke Zero 400 Powered by Coca-Cola}}

The [[Coke Zero 400|Coke Zero 400 Powered by Coca-Cola]] was held on July 5 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. [[Martin Truex, Jr.|Martin Truex, Jr.'s]] car was seized by NASCAR, after the roof template would not fit during opening day technical inspection. Penalties of 150 owner and driver points penalties and a $100,000 fine along with his crew chief and his assistant (car chief) were both suspensded for six races being announced on July 8. [[Paul Menard]] won the [[pole position|pole]], the first of his Sprint Cup career. [[Tony Stewart]] became extremely ill on lap 73 and was replaced by former teammate [[J. J. Yeley]]. [[Kyle Busch]] won his sixth race of the season and the tenth of his career.

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;"
|-
!colspan="9"|Top Ten Finishers
|-
!Pos.
!Car #
!Driver
!Make
!Team
|-
| 1
| 18
| {{flagicon|Nevada}} [[Kyle Busch]]
| [[Toyota]]
| [[Joe Gibbs Racing]]
|-
| 2
| 99
| {{flagicon|Missouri}} [[Carl Edwards]]
| [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| [[Roush Fenway Racing]]
|-
| 3
| 17
| {{flagicon|Wisconsin}} [[Matt Kenseth]]
| Ford
| Roush Fenway Racing
|-
| 4
| 2
| {{flagicon|Nevada}} [[Kurt Busch]]
| [[Dodge]]
| [[Penske Racing]]
|-
| 5
| 6
| {{flagicon|Georgia (U.S. state)}} [[David Ragan]]
| Ford
| Roush Fenway Racing
|-
| 6
| 7
| {{flagicon|California}} [[Robby Gordon]]
| Dodge
| [[Robby Gordon Motorsports]]
|-
| 7
| 9
| {{flagicon|Washington}} [[Kasey Kahne]]
| Dodge
| [[Gillett Evernham Motorsports]]
|-
| 8
| 88
| {{flagicon|North Carolina}} [[Dale Earnhardt, Jr.]]
| [[Chevrolet]]
| [[Hendrick Motorsports]]
|-
| 9
| 07
| {{flagicon|Kansas}} [[Clint Bowyer]]
| Chevrolet
| [[Richard Childress Racing]]
|-
| 10
| 8
| {{flagicon|Arkansas}} [[Mark Martin (NASCAR)|Mark Martin]]
| Chevrolet
| [[Dale Earnhardt, Inc.]]
|}
'''''NOTE:''' Race was extended two laps under a [[green-white-checker finish]].''

'''Failed to Qualify:''' [[Scott Riggs]] (#66), [[J. J. Yeley]] (#96)

=== LifeLock.com 400 ===
{{main|2008 LifeLock.com 400}}

The second half of the season began with the [[LifeLock.com 400]], held under the lights for the first time on July 11 at [[Chicagoland Speedway]] in in the [[Chicago, Illinois]] suburb of [[Joliet, Illinois|Joilet]]. It also serveed as the conclusion of TNT's Summer Series schedule. Qualifying was cancelled due to rain, so the field was set by NASCAR's rulebook. Points leader Kyle busch won his seventh race of the season.

{|class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;"
|-
!colspan=9|Top Ten Finishers
|-
!Pos.
!Car #
!Driver
!Car make
!Team
|-
|1
|18
|{{flagicon|Nevada}} [[Kyle Busch]]
|[[Toyota]]
|[[Joe Gibbs Racing]]
|-
|2
|48
|{{flagicon|California}} [[Jimmie Johnson]]
|[[Chevrolet]]
|[[Hendrick Motorsports]]
|-
|3
|29
|{{flagicon|California}} [[Kevin Harvick]]
|Chevrolet
|[[Richard Childress Racing]]
|-
|4
|16
|{{flagicon|Washington}} [[Greg Biffle]]
|[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
|[[Roush Fenway Racing]]
|-
|5
|20
|{{flagicon|Indiana}} [[Tony Stewart]]
|Toyota
|Joe Gibbs Racing
|-
|6
|83
|{{flagicon|North Carolina}} [[Brian Vickers]]
|Toyota
|[[Team Red Bull]]
|-
|7
|17
|{{flagicon|Wisconsin}} [[Matt Kenseth]]
|Ford
|Roush Fenway Racing
|-
|8
|6
|{{flagicon|Georgia (U.S. state)}} [[David Ragan]]
|Ford
|Roush Fenway Racing
|-
|9
|1
|{{flagicon|New Jersey}} [[Martin Truex, Jr.]]
|Chevrolet
|[[Dale Earnhardt, Inc.]]
|-
|10
|12
|{{flagicon|Indiana}} [[Ryan Newman]]
|[[Dodge]]
|[[Penske Racing]]
|}
'''Failed to make race as qualifying was cancelled due to rain:''' [[Johnny Sauter]] (#08) and [[Tony Raines]] (#34).

=== Allstate 400 at The Brickyard ===
{{main|2008 Allstate 400 at the Brickyard}}
The [[Allstate 400 at The Brickyard]], kicking off [[NASCAR on ESPN|ESPN]] and [[ESPN on ABC|ABC]]'s portion of the schedule, was run on July 27 at the legendary [[Indianapolis Motor Speedway]] in the [[Indianapolis, Indiana|Indianapolis]] suburb of [[Speedway, Indiana]]. [[Jimmie Johnson]] won the [[pole position|pole]] and then the race, which was slowed by nine out of eleven competition cautions because of extreme tire wear.

{|class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;"
|-
!colspan=9|Top Ten Finishers
|-
!Pos.
!Car #
!Driver
!Car make
!Team
|-
|1
|48
|{{flagicon|California}} [[Jimmie Johnson]]
|[[Chevrolet]]
|[[Hendrick Motorsports]]
|-
|2
|99
|{{flagicon|Missouri}} [[Carl Edwards]]
|[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
|[[Roush Fenway Racing]]
|-
|3
|11
|{{flagicon|Virginia}} [[Denny Hamlin]]
|[[Toyota]]
|[[Joe Gibbs Racing]]
|-
|4
|19
|{{flagicon|Virginia}} [[Elliott Sadler]]
|[[Dodge]]
|[[Gillett Evernham Motorsports]]
|-
|5
|24
|{{flagicon|California}} [[Jeff Gordon]]
|Chevrolet
|Hendrick Motorsports
|-
|6
|26
|{{flagicon|Missouri}} [[Jamie McMurray]]
|Ford
|Roush Fenway Racing
|-
|7
|9
|{{flagicon|Washington}} [[Kasey Kahne]]
|Dodge
|Gillett Evernham Motorsports
|-
|8
|16
|{{flagicon|Washington}} [[Greg Biffle]]
|Ford
|Roush Fenway Racing
|-
|9
|31
|{{flagicon|Virginia}} [[Jeff Burton]]
|Chevrolet
|[[Richard Childress Racing]]
|-
|10
|84
|{{flagicon|California}} [[A.J. Allmendinger]]
|Toyota
|[[Team Red Bull]]
|}

'''Failed to qualify:''' [[Bill Elliott]] (#21), [[Johnny Sauter]] (#08), [[Tony Raines]] (#34), [[Stanton Barrett]] (#50)

===Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500===
{{main|2008 Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500}}
The [[Pennsylvania 500|Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500]] was held on August 3 of this year at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. For the second straight week, [[Jimmie Johnson]] won the pole, but this time, it was [[Carl Edwards]] getting the win.

{|class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;"
|-
!colspan=9|Top Ten Finishers
|-
!Pos
!Car #
!Driver
!Make
!Team
|-
|1
|99
|{{flagicon|Missouri}} [[Carl Edwards]]
|[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
|[[Roush Fenway Racing]]
|-
|2
|20
|{{flagicon|Indiana}} [[Tony Stewart]]
|[[Toyota]]
|[[Joe Gibbs Racing]]
|-
|3
|40
|{{flagicon|California}} [[Jimmie Johnson]]
|[[Chevrolet]]
|[[Hendrick Motorsports]]
|-
|4
|29
|{{flagicon|California}} [[Kevin Harvick]]
|Chevrolet
|[[Richard Childress Racing]]
|-
|5
|6
|{{flagicon|Missouri}} [[David Ragan]]
|Ford
|Roush Fenway Racing
|-
|6
|07
|{{flagicon|Kansas}} [[Clint Bowyer]]
|Chevrolet
|Richard Childress Racing
|-
|7
|9
|{{flagicon|Washington}} [[Kasey Kahne]]
|[[Dodge]]
|[[Gillett Evernham Motorsports]]
|-
|8
|8
|{{flagicon|Arkansas}} [[Mark Martin (NASCAR)|Mark Martin]]
|Chevrolet
|[[Dale Earnhardt, Inc.]]
|-
|9
|26
|{{flagicon|Missouri}} [[Jamie McMurray]]
|Ford
|Roush Fenway Racing
|-
|10
|24
|{{flagicon|California}} [[Jeff Gordon]]
|Chevrolet
|Hendrick Motorsports
|}

'''Failed to qualify:''' [[Chad Chaffin]] (#34).

=== Centurion Boats at The Glen ===
{{main|2008 Centurion Boats at the Glen}}

The [[Centurion Boats at the Glen]], the second and final road course race of the season, was held on August 10 at [[Watkins Glen International]] in [[Watkins Glen, New York|the New York village of said racetrack]]. Qualifying was canceled due to rain, and the field was set by the rulebook. Kyle Busch swept both road races with his eighth Cup win and sixteenth overall in all three major series, and clinched the top position in the Chase for the Cup.

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;"
|-
!colspan="9"|Top Ten Finishers
|-
!Pos.
!Car #
!Driver
!Make
!Team
|-
|1
|18
|bgcolor="greenyellow"|{{flagicon|Nevada}} [[Kyle Busch]]
|[[Toyota]]
|[[Joe Gibbs Racing]]
|-
|2
|20
|{{flagicon|Indiana}} [[Tony Stewart]]
|Toyota
|Joe Gibbs Racing
|-
|3
|21
|{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Marcos Ambrose]]
|[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
|[[Wood Brothers Racing]]
|-
|4
|42
|{{flagicon|COL}} [[Juan Pablo Montoya|J.P. Montoya]]
|[[Dodge]]
|[[Chip Ganassi Racing]]
|-
|5
|1
|{{flagicon|New Jersey}} [[Martin Truex, Jr.]]
|[[Chevrolet]]
|[[Dale Earnhardt, Inc.]]
|-
|6
|29
|{{flagicon|California}} [[Kevin Harvick]]
|Chevrolet
|[[Richard Childress Racing]]
|-
|7
|48
|{{flagicon|California}} [[Jimmie Johnson]]
|Chevrolet
|[[Hendrick Motorsports]]
|-
|8
|11
|{{flagicon|Virginia}} [[Denny Hamlin]]
|Toyota
|Joe Gibbs Racing
|-
|9
|99
|{{flagicon|Missouri}} [[Carl Edwards]]
|Ford
|[[Roush Fenway Racing]]
|-
|10
|2
|{{flagicon|Nevada}} [[Kurt Busch]]
|Dodge
|[[Penske Racing]]
|}
'''Failed to make race as qualifying was cancelled due to rain:''' [[Boris Said]] (#60) and [[Brian Simo]] (#34).

===3M Performance 400===
{{main|2008 3M Performance 400}}
The [[3M Performance 400]] will be held August 17 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan. [[Team Red Bull]]'s first pole position was earned by [[Brian Vickers]] in qualifying. A varitable parade of [[Roush Fenway Racing]] was led by race winner [[Carl Edwards]], as four of the top five were all from the RFR stable and all five made the top ten.

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;"
|-
!colspan="9"|Top Ten Finishers
|-
!Pos.
!Car #
!Driver
!Make
!Team
|-
|1
|99
||{{flagicon|Missouri}} [[Carl Edwards]]
|[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
|[[Roush Fenway Racing]]
|-
|2
|18
|bgcolor="greenyellow"|{{flagicon|Nevada}} [[Kyle Busch]]
|[[Toyota]]
|[[Joe Gibbs Racing]]
|-
|3
|6
|{{flagicon|Georgia (U.S. state)}} [[David Ragan]]
|Ford
|Roush Fenway Racing
|-
|4
|16
|{{flagicon|Washington}} [[Greg Biffle]]
|Ford
|Roush Fenway Racing
|-
|5
|17
|{{flagicon|Wisconsin}} [[Matt Kenseth]]
|Ford
|Roush Fenway Racing
|-
|6
|8
|{{flagicon|Arkansas}} [[Mark Martin (NASCAR)|Mark Martin]]
|[[Chevrolet]]
|[[Dale Earnhardt, Inc.]]
|-
|7
|83
|{{flagicon|North Carolina}} [[Brian Vickers]]
|Toyota
|[[Team Red Bull]]
|-
|8
|29
|{{flagicon|California}} [[Kevin Harvick]]
|Chevrolet
|[[Richard Childress Racing]]
|-
|9
|19
|{{flagicon|Virginia}} [[Elliott Sadler]]
|[[Dodge]]
|[[Gillett Evernham Motorsports]]
|-
|10
|26
|{{flagicon|Missouri}} [[Jamie McMurray]]
|Ford
|Roush Fenway Racing
|}

'''Failed to Qualify:''' [[Johnny Sauter]] (#08).

===Sharpie 500===
{{main|2008 Sharpie 500}}
The [[Sharpie 500]] was held August 23 at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee. [[Carl Edwards]], the defending race champion, would start on the pole and in the process, wrapped up a position in the Chase for the Sprint Cup. He then would go on to win the race, but on-track fireworks ensued afterwards when runner up Kyle Busch, whom Edwards would pass with 30 laps to go on a bump and run, turned Edwards' #99 Office Depot Ford sideways on the cooldown lap.

{|class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;"
|-
!colspan="9"|Top Ten Finishers
|-
!Pos
!Car #
!Driver
!Car Make
!Team
|-
|1
|99
|bgcolor="greenyellow"|{{flagicon|Missouri}} [[Carl Edwards]]
|[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
|[[Roush Fenway Racing]]
|-
|2
|18
|bgcolor="greenyellow"|{{flagicon|Nevada}} [[Kyle Busch]]
|[[Toyota]]
|[[Joe Gibbs Racing]]
|-
|3
|11
|{{flagicon|Virginia}} [[Denny Hamlin]]
|Toyota
|Joe Gibbs Racing
|-
|4
|29
|{{flagicon|California}} [[Kevin Harvick]]
|[[Chevrolet]]
|[[Richard Childress Racing]]
|-
|5
|24
|{{flagicon|California}} [[Jeff Gordon]]
|Chevrolet
|[[Hendrick Motorsports]]
|-
|6
|12
|{{flagicon|Indiana}} [[Ryan Newman]]
|[[Dodge]]
|[[Penske Racing]]
|-
|7
|07
|{{flagicon|Kansas}} [[Clint Bowyer]]
|Chevrolet
|Richard Childress Racing
|-
|8
|20
|{{flagicon|Indiana}} [[Tony Stewart]]
|Toyota
|Joe Gibbs Racing
|-
|9
|17
|{{flagicon|Wisconsin}} [[Matt Kenseth]]
|Ford
|Roush Fenway Racing
|-
|10
|6
|{{flagicon|Georgia (U.S. state)}} [[David Ragan]]
|Ford
|Roush Fenway Racing
|}

'''Failed to qualify:''' [[Jeff Green (NASCAR)|Jeff Green]] (#34), [[Johnny Sauter]] (#08), [[Patrick Carpentier]] (#10), [[Stanton Barrett]] (#50).

===Pepsi 500===
{{main|2008 Pepsi 500}}
The [[Pepsi 500]] was held on August 31 at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California. As part of the [[NASCAR Realignment#Realignment 2009|2009 NASCAR realignment]], this became the final race to be held here on [[Labor Day]] weekend. In [[2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series|2009]], this race becomes part of the [[2009 Chase for the Sprint Cup]], taking over the spot occupied for the fall race at [[Talladega Superspeedway]], and was to have concluded ESPN's portion of the television schedule. [[Jimmie Johnson]] took the pole position, and dominated the race to win.

{|class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;"
|-
!colspan="9"|Top Ten Finishers
|-
!Pos.
!Car #
!Driver
!Make
!Team
|-
|1
|48
|bgcolor="greenyellow"|{{flagicon|California}} [[Jimmie Johnson]]
|[[Chevrolet]]
|[[Hendrick Motorsports]]
|-
|2
|16
|bgcolor="greenyellow"|{{flagicon|Washington}} [[Greg Biffle]]
|[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
|[[Roush Fenway Racing]]
|-
|3
|11
|{{flagicon|Virginia}} [[Denny Hamlin]]
|[[Toyota]]
|[[Joe Gibbs Racing]]
|-
|4
|29
|bgcolor="greenyellow"|{{flagicon|California}} [[Kevin Harvick]]
|Chevrolet
|[[Richard Childress Racing]]
|-
|5
|17
|{{flagicon|Wisconsin}} [[Matt Kenseth]]
|Ford
|Roush Fenway Racing
|-
|6
|99
|bgcolor="greenyellow"|{{flagicon|Missouri}} [[Carl Edwards]]
|Ford
|Roush Fenway Racing
|-
|7
|18
|bgcolor="greenyellow"|{{flagicon|Nevada}} [[Kyle Busch]]
|Toyoya
|Joe Gibbs Racing
|-
|8
|9
|{{flagicon|Washington}} [[Kasey Kahne]]
|[[Dodge]]
|[[Gillett Evernham Motorsports]]
|-
|9
|44
|{{flagicon|Florida}} [[David Reutimann]]
|Toyota
|[[Michael Waltrip Racing]]
|-
|10
|07
|{{flagicon|Kansas}} [[Clint Bowyer]]
|Chevrolet
|Richard Childress Racing
|}
'''Failed to qualify:''' [[Tony Raines]] (#70).

===Chevy Rock & Roll 400===
{{main|2008 Chevy Rock & Roll 400}}
The final "regular season" race, the [[Chevy Rock and Roll 400]], was scheduled to have been held on Saturday, September 6 at Richmond International Raceway in Henrico County, Virginia. However, [[Hurricane Hanna (2008)|Tropical Storm Hanna]] forced a postponement to Sunday, September 7 in the afternoon and television was moved from [[ESPN on ABC|ABC]] to [[ESPN]] due to prior commitments to carry an [[2008 WNBA season|WNBA]] game and an [[IndyCar Series]] race from [[Chicago, Illinois]]. This race set the field for the [[2008 Chase for the Sprint Cup]] with the top 12 drivers becoming eligible, and having their points reset to 5,000 with a ten-point bonus for each win they earned in the first 26 races of the season. As Hanna canceled qualifying for the race, the field was set by rulebook.

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;"
|-
!colspan="9"|Top Ten Finishers
|-
!Pos
!Car #
!Driver
!Car make
!Team
|-
|1
|48
|bgcolor="greenyellow"|{{flagicon|California}} [[Jimmie Johnson]]
|[[Chevrolet]]
|[[Hendrick Motorsports]]
|-
|2
|20
|bgcolor="greenyellow"|{{flagicon|Indiana}} [[Tony Stewart]]
|[[Toyota]]
|[[Joe Gibbs Racing]]
|-
|3
|11
|bgcolor="greenyellow"|{{flagicon|Virginia}} [[Denny Hamlin]]
|Toyota
|Joe Gibbs Racing
|-
|4
|88
|bgcolor="greenyellow"|{{flagicon|North Carolina}} [[Dale Earnhardt, Jr.]]
|Chevrolet
|Hendrick Motorsports
|-
|5
|8
|{{flagicon|Arkansas}} [[Mark Martin (NASCAR)|Mark Martin]]
|Chevrolet
|[[Dale Earnhardt, Inc.]]
|-
|6
|31
|bgcolor="greenyellow"|{{flagicon|Virginia}} [[Jeff Burton]]
|Chevrolet
|[[Richard Childress Racing]]
|-
|7
|29
|bgcolor="greenyellow"|{{flagicon|California}} [[Kevin Harvick]]
|Chevrolet
|Richard Childress Racing
|-
|8
|24
|bgcolor="greenyellow"|{{flagicon|California}} [[Jeff Gordon]]
|Chevrolet
|Hendrick Motorsports
|-
|9
|44
|{{flagicon|Florida}} [[David Reutimann]]
|Toyota
|[[Michael Waltrip Racing]]
|-
|10
|5
|{{flagicon|California}} [[Casey Mears]]
|Chevrolet
|Hendrick Motorsports
|}

'''Failed to make race as qualifying was canceled due to rain:''' [[Joey Logano]] (#02), [[Sterling Marlin]] (#09), [[Tony Raines]] (#34).

'''Drivers in green made Chase for Sprint Cup.'''

==Chase for the Sprint Cup==
{{main|2008 Chase for the Sprint Cup}}

===Sylvania 300===
{{main|2008 Sylvania 300}}
The first race of the 2008 Chase, and the 27th race of the season, the [[Sylvania 300]], was run September 14 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, New Hampshire. Qualifying was canceled due to rain, so for the second week in a row, NASCAR's rulebook set the field. When Kyle Busch suffered mechanical problems with a bad sway bar, Greg Biffle won his first race since last October.

{|class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;"
|-
!colspan="9"|Top Ten Finishers<br/><small>(Chase Drivers highlighted in yellow)</small>
|-
!Place
!Car #
!Driver
!Car Make
!Team
|-
|1
|16
|bgcolor="yellow"|{{flagicon|Washington}} [[Greg Biffle]]
|[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
|[[Roush Fenway Racing]]
|-
|2
|48
|bgcolor="yellow"|{{flagicon|California}} [[Jimmie Johnson]]
|[[Chevrolet]]
|[[Hendrick Motorsports]]
|-
|3
|99
|bgcolor="yellow"|{{flagicon|Missouri}} [[Carl Edwards]]
|Ford
|Roush Fenway Racing
|-
|4
|31
|bgcolor="yellow"|{{flagicon|Virginia}} [[Jeff Burton]]
|Chevrolet
|[[Richard Childress Racing]]
|-
|5
|88
|bgcolor="yellow"|{{flagicon|North Carolina}} [[Dale Earnhardt, Jr.]]
|Chevrolet
|Hendrick Motorsports
|-
|6
|2
|{{flagicon|Nevada}} [[Kurt Busch]]
|[[Dodge]]
|[[Penske Racing]]
|-
|7
|1
|{{flagicon|New Jersey}} [[Martin Truex, Jr.]]
|Chevrolet
|[[Dale Earnhardt, Inc.]]
|-
|8
|20
|bgcolor="yellow"|{{flagicon|Indiana}} [[Tony Stewart]]
|[[Toyota]]
|[[Joe Gibbs Racing]]
|-
|9
|11
|bgcolor="yellow"|{{flagicon|Virginia}} [[Denny Hamlin]]
|Toyota
|Joe Gibbs Racing
|-
|10
|29
|bgcolor="yellow"|{{flagicon|California}} [[Kevin Harvick]]
|Chevrolet
|Richard Childress Racing
|}

'''Failed to make race as qualifying was canceled due to rain:''' [[Tony Raines]] (#34) and [[Carl Long]] (#46).<br/>
'''''NOTE:''' The #02 car, which was to have been driven by [[Joey Logano]] was withdrawn as he was entered in the #96 ride.''

===Camping World RV 400===
{{main|2008 Camping World RV 400}}

The [[Camping World RV 400]], the second race in the 2008 Chase and the 28th race overall, was run September 21 at Dover International Speedway in Dover, Delaware. Jeff Gordon won his third pole of the season, but it was Greg Biffle winning his second straight race.

{|class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;"
|-
!colspan="9"|Top Ten Finishers<br/><small>(Chase Drivers highlighted in yellow)</small>
|-
!Place
!Car #
!Driver
!Car Make
!Team
|-
|1
|16
|bgcolor="yellow"|{{flagicon|Washington}} [[Greg Biffle]]
|[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
|[[Roush-Fenway Racing]]
|-
|2
|17
|bgcolor="yellow"|{{flagicon|Wisconsin}} [[Matt Kenseth]]
|Ford
|Roush Fenway Racing
|-
|3
|99
|bgcolor="yellow"|{{flagicon|Missouri}} [[Carl Edwards]]
|Ford
|Roush-Fenway Racing
|-
|4
|8
|{{flagicon|Arkansas}} [[Mark Martin]]
|[[Chevrolet]]
|[[Dale Earnhardt, Inc.]]
|-
|5
|48
|bgcolor="yellow"|{{flagicon|California}} [[Jimmie Johnson]]
|Chevrolet
|[[Hendrick Motorsports]]
|-
|6
|29
|bgcolor="yellow"|{{flagicon|California}} [[Kevin Harvick]]
|Chevrolet
|[[Richard Childress Racing]]
|-
|7
|24
|bgcolor="yellow"|{{flagicon|California}} [[Jeff Gordon]]
|Chevrolet
|Hendrick Motorsports
|-
|8
|07
|bgcolor="yellow"|{{flagicon|Kansas}} [[Clint Bowyer]]
|Chevrolet
|Richard Childress Racing
|-
|9
|31
|bgcolor="yellow"|{{flagicon|Virginia}} [[Jeff Burton]]
|Chevrolet
|Richard Childress Racing
|-
|10
|55
|{{flagicon|Kentucky}} [[Michael Waltrip]]
|[[Toyota]]
|[[Michael Waltrip Racing]]
|}

'''Failed to qualify:''' [[Chad Chaffin]] (#34), [[Johnny Sauter]] (#08), [[Stanton Barrett]] (#50).

===Camping World RV 400 presented by Coleman===
{{main|2008 Camping World RV 400 presented by Coleman}}
The [[Camping World RV 400 presented by Coleman]], the third race in the Chase and the 29th overall this season, is scheduled for September 28 at [[Kansas Speedway]] in [[Kansas City, Kansas]]. [[Juan Pablo Montoya]] won his first NSCS pole for this race, however, he was disqualified and placed in the back of the field because of illegal [[shock absorbers]] that exceeded the maximum allowed by NASCAR, and [[Jimmie Johnson]], who was second, was
awarded the pole and went on to win the race.

{|class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;"
|-
!colspan="9"|Top Ten Finishers<br/><small>(Chase Drivers highlighted in yellow)</small>
|-
!Place
!Car #
!Driver
!Car Make
!Team
|-
|1
|48
|bgcolor="yellow"|{{flagicon|California}} [[Jimmie Johnson]]
|[[Chevrolet]]
|[[Hendrick Motorsports]]
|-
|2
|99
|bgcolor="yellow"|{{flagicon|Missouri}} [[Carl Edwards]]
|[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
|[[Roush Fenway Racing]]
|-
|3
|99
|bgcolor="yellow"|{{flagicon|Washington}} [[Greg Biffle]]
|Ford
|Roush Fenway Racing
|-
|4
|24
|bgcolor="yellow"|{{flagicon|California}} [[Jeff Gordon]]
|Chevrolet
|Hendrick Motorsports
|-
|5
|17
|bgcolor="yellow"|{{flagicon|Wisconsin}} [[Matt Kenseth]]
|Ford
|Roush Fenway Racing
|-
|6
|29
|bgcolor="yellow"|{{flagicon|California}} [[Kevin Harvick]]
|Chevrolet
|[[Richard Childress Racing]]
|-
|7
|31
|bgcolor="yellow"|{{flagicon|Virginia}} [[Jeff Burton]]
|Chevrolet
|Richard Childress Racing
|-
|8
|6
|{{flagicon|Georgia (U.S. state)}} [[David Ragan]]
|Ford
|Roush Fenway Racing
|-
|9
|84
|{{flagicon|California}} [[A.J. Allmendinger]]
|[[Toyota]]
|[[Team Red Bull]]
|-
|10
|55
|{{flagicon|Virginia}} [[Elliott Sadler]]
|[[Dodge]]
|[[Gillett Evernham Motorsports]]
|}

'''Failed to qualify:''' [[Michael McDowell]] (#00), [[Johnny Sauter]] (#08).

===AMP Energy 500===
{{main|2008 AMP Energy 500}}
The [[AMP Energy 500]], the fourth race in the 2008 Chase and the 30th overall in the season, was held on October 5 at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Alabama. [[Tony Stewart]] won the race, his first victory of the 2008 season, ending a winless streak of 43 races. [[Travis Kvapil]] pulled off a "Talladega Surprise" and won the pole position. In a race that saw a record 64 lead changes among 28 drivers, [[Regan Smith]] crossed the finish line in first place. However, he was dropped to 18th place (the last position on the lead lap) for illegally passing eventual winner Stewart in the tri-oval by driving below the yellow line on the inside of the track, which is prohibited at [[restrictor plate]] tracks. This race will be moved to November 1, [[2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series|2009]] as part of the [[NASCAR Realignment#Realignment 2009|2009 NASCAR Schedule Realignment]] and the [[Pepsi 500]] at [[Auto Club Speedway]] will be run in this spot next season.


{|class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;"
|-
!colspan="9"|Top Ten Finishers<br/><small>(Chase Drivers highlighted in yellow)</small>
|-
!Place
!Car #
!Driver
!Car Make
!Team
|-
|1
|20
|bgcolor="yellow"|{{flagicon|Indiana}} [[Tony Stewart]]
|[[Toyota]]
|[[Joe Gibbs Racing]]
|-
|2
|15
|{{flagicon|Wisconsin}} [[Paul Menard]]
|[[Chevrolet]]
|[[Dale Earnhardt, Inc.]]
|-
|3
|6
|{{flagicon|Georgia (U.S. state)}} [[David Ragan]]
|[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
|[[Roush Fenway Racing]]
|-
|4
|31
|bgcolor="yellow"|{{flagicon|Virginia}} [[Jeff Burton]]
|Chevrolet
|[[Richard Childress Racing]]
|-
|5
|07
|bgcolor="yellow"|{{flagicon|Kansas}} [[Clint Bowyer]]
|Chevrolet
|Richard Childress Racing
|-
|6
|43
|{{flagicon|Texas}} [[Bobby Labonte]]
|[[Dodge]]
|[[Petty Enterprises]]
|-
|7
|66
|{{flagicon|North Carolina}} [[Scott Riggs]]
|Chevrolet
|[[Haas CNC Racing]]
|-
|8
|7
|{{flagicon|California}} [[Robby Gordon]]
|Dodge
|[[Robby Gordon Motorsports]]
|-
|9
|48
|bgcolor="yellow"|{{flagicon|California}} [[Jimmie Johnson]]
|Chevrolet
|[[Hendrick Motorsports]]
|-
|10
|19
|{{flagicon|Virginia}} [[Elliott Sadler]]
|Dodge
|[[Gillett Evernham Motorsports]]
|}

'''Failed to qualify:''' [[Sam Hornish, Jr.]] (#77), [[Patrick Carpentier]] (#10).<br/>'''''NOTES:''' 1. The #08 car, which was to have been driven by [[Boris Said]], was withdrawn earlier in the week.<br/>2. Race extended two laps due to [[green-white-checker finish]] rule.''

===Bank of America 500===
{{main|2008 Bank of America 500}}
The [[Bank of America 500]], the sole night race on the Chase schedule which marks its' halfway point and the 31st overall race of the season, was held Saturday night, [[October 11]] at Lowe's Motor Speedway in the Charlotte, North Carolina suburb of Concord. Qualifying was cancelled due to rain and the field was set by the rulebook for the eighth time this season. [[Jimmie Johnson]] was the polesitter, while [[Jeff Burton]] won the race and became a contender in the [[2008 Chase for the Sprint Cup|Chase for the Cup]] once again.

{|class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;"
|-
!colspan="9"|Top Ten Finishers<br/><small>(Chase Drivers highlighted in yellow)</small>
|-
!Place
!Car #
!Driver
!Car Make
!Team
|-
|1
|31
|bgcolor="yellow"|{{flagicon|Virginia}} [[Jeff Burton]]
|[[Chevrolet]]
|[[Richard Childress Racing]]
|-
|2
|9
|{{flagicon|Washington}} [[Kasey Kahne]]
|[[Dodge]]
|[[Gillett Evernham Motorsports]]
|-
|3
|2
|{{flagicon|Nevada}} [[Kurt Busch]]
|Dodge
|[[Penske Racing]]
|-
|4
|18
|bgcolor="yellow"|{{flagicon|Nevada}} [[Kyle Busch]]
|[[Toyota]]
|[[Joe Gibbs Racing]]
|-
|5
|26
|{{flagicon|Missouri}} [[Jamie McMurray]]
|[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
|[[Roush Fenway Racing]]
|-
|6
|48
|bgcolor="yellow"|{{flagicon|California}} [[Jimmie Johnson]]
|Chevrolet
|[[Hendrick Motorsports]]
|-
|7
|16
|bgcolor="yellow"|{{flagicon|Washington}} [[Greg Biffle]]
|Ford
|Roush Fenway Racing
|-
|8
|24
|bgcolor="yellow"|{{flagicon|California}} [[Jeff Gordon]]
|Chevrolet
|Hendrick Motorsports
|-
|9
|8
|{{flagicon|Arkansas}} [[Mark Martin]]
|Chevrolet
|[[Dale Earnhardt, Inc.]]
|-
|10
|6
|{{flagicon|Georgia (U.S. state)}} [[David Ragan]]
|Ford
|Roush Fenway Racing
|}

'''Failed to make race as qualifying was cancelled due to rain:''' [[Brad Keselowski]] (#25), [[Scott Speed]] (#82), [[Bryan Clauson]] (#40), [[Derrike Cope]] (#75).

===TUMS QuikPak 500===
{{mian|2008 TUMS QuikPak 500}}

The [[TUMS QuikPak 500]], race number six in the Chase for the Sprint Cup and the 32 overall race of the season, is scheduled to be run on [[October 19]] at Martinsville Speedway in Ridgeway, Virginia.

== Points deductions ==
The following drivers (and teams) were penalized both drivers and owners points for violations:
* Carl Edwards (#99 Roush Fenway Racing Ford) - 100 points plus 10 bonus points entering the 2008 Chase - Las Vegas (A post-race inspection found opened oil tank lid after UAW-Dodge 400.)
* Ryan Newman (#12 Penske Racing Dodge) - 25 points - Texas (Car was ⅛" higher than ¼" tolerance following Samsung 500.)
* Scott Riggs and Johnny Sauter (#66 and #70 CNC Haas Chevrolets) - 150 points each - Charlotte (Illegal adjustments of wings on both cars; they drove their backup cars in Coca-Cola 600.)
* Martin Truex, Jr (#1 Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Chevrolet) - 150 points - Daytona (Roof on primary car failed inspection prior to Coke Zero 400; drove a backup car.)
Robby Gordon was originally docked 100 points following the Daytona 500 for use of an illegal nose on his car; however, on March 5th, the points were given back to his drivers and owners points total, but the team was fined $150,000 instead of $100,000 for said infraction.

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==See also==
*[[2008 NASCAR Nationwide Series]]
*[[2008 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series]]
*[[2008 Chase for the Sprint Cup]]
*[[List of 2008 NASCAR races]]
*[[List of NASCAR all-time cup winners]]
*[[2008 in sports]]

== External links ==
* [http://www.nascar.com NASCAR.com]<!-- DO NOT REMOVE -->
* [http://www.racingone.com RacingOne]
* [http://www.jayski.com Jayski's Silly Season Site]
* [http://www.speedtv.com Speed Channel]
* [http://www.thatsracin.com ThatsRacin.com]

{{NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship}}

[[Category:NASCAR seasons]]

[[de:NASCAR Sprint Cup Saison 2008]]
[[sv:NASCAR Sprint Cup 2008]]

Revision as of 14:59, 12 October 2008

The 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series began on February 9, 2008 at Daytona International Speedway with the Budweiser Shootout, followed by pole qualifying on Sunday, February 10, 2008 for the 50th Daytona 500 on February 17. The season will continue with the 2008 Chase for the Sprint Cup beginning on September 14 with the Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and conclude with the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 16. Due to the merger in 2005 of Sprint and Nextel, NASCAR's premier series will be known as the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series for the 2008 season and beyond,[1] and will crown the first champion under the new Sprint sponsorship. The series has no connection with Sprint car racing, as NASCAR uses stock car bodies. Coors Light also replaced Budweiser as Official Beer of NASCAR, thereby becoming the new sponsor of the Pole Award given to pole winner in each Sprint Cup Series race. But Budweiser will still be the official sponsor for Bud Shootout at Daytona in February.

Top Stories

Car of Tomorrow

All Sprint Cup races utilize the Car of Tomorrow (CoT) template.[2] NASCAR announced on May 22, 2007 that the original timetable, which would have the full-time use of the single car template in 2009, was being abandoned as 80% of all owners were in favor of moving the full-time use of the CoT one year ahead so they would not race with two sets of rules for all but ten races. The cars that have been approved for the 2008 season will be the Chevrolet Impala, the Dodge Charger, the Ford Fusion and the Toyota Camry. Dodge had used the Avenger in the 2007 CoT races, but has stated that the Charger will be used full time in 2008.


Economic problems affect NASCAR

The Economic crisis of 2008, with high gas prices over $4 a gallon has caused NASCAR's largely blue-collar fan base to feel the pinch.[3] While Bristol is one of a few tracks that still sell out, others have seen crowds shrink. Daytona International Speedway sold out the Daytona 500, the Coke Zero 400 did not. Some track ticket packages now include all-you-can-eat deals, and tracks also offer nearby campgrounds to entice those who come for several days to see Nationwide and Craftsman Truck races. For their fall race, Lowe's Motor Speedway is offering discounts on local hotel rooms, novelties and food and drink.

The economy has also affected the teams themselves with high diesel fuel prices, with that fuel is needed to power the semi-trailer trucks which transport the race cars to and from racetracks. Sponsorships are also getting increasingly harder to come by further separating the gap between teams.[4] Before the season began, Morgan-McClure Motorsports ceased operations for their single-car team, while Yates Racing has had no major sponsor on the #28 and #38 cars that they run in the series, as their M&M's sponsorships moved to the Joe Gibbs Racing's #18 team. The Yates team is making due right now in piecemeal fashion, finding companies to sponsor a few races at a time, a practice that pays the bills but stretches the marketing department. As a result of the cutbacks, half of the one hundred employees at Yates were laid off.

Even better sponsored teams have struggled. On July 1, Chip Ganassi Racing shut down its #40 team with 2007 IndyCar Champion and Indianapolis 500 winner Dario Franchitti driving because of a lack of sponsorship funding, becoming the first major victim.[5] Ganassi Racing lost 70 jobs as a result of the closure. Other companies are also switching teams for 2009. Caterpillar Inc., despite its decade long relationship with Bill Davis Racing and its flagship #22, will head for Richard Childress Racing's #31 car driven by Jeff Burton, while General Mills, associating itself with Petty Enterprises since 2000 will also leave to head for RCR's fourth team.

To counter many of these problems, teams have also taken on financial partners, much like Fenway Sports Group joining Jack Roush and George Gillett teaming up with Ray Evernham last year. In June 2008, Petty Enterprises sold a majority share to Boston Ventures as another example of the current economic struggles.

Scheduled races to be run

Race names and start times are subject to change. All races on ABC.

2008 Chase for the Sprint Cup
Date Race Distance Venue Radio♠ Times
(US ET*)
10/19 TUMS QuikPak 500 500 Laps (263 miles (423 km)) Martinsville Speedway MRN 1 PM
10/26 Pep Boys Auto 500 500.5 miles (805.5 km) Atlanta Motor Speedway PRN 1 PM
11/02 Dickies 500 ♣ 501 miles (806 km) Texas Motor Speedway PRN 3 PM
11/09 Checker Auto Parts 500 500 kilometres (310 mi) Phoenix International Raceway MRN 3 PM
11/16 Ford 400 ♣ 400.5 miles (644.5 km) Homestead-Miami Speedway MRN 3 PM

* - All times listed are the tentatively scheduled TV start times, with coverage beginning with a 60-minute prerace show. Add about 75-80 minutes to the start time listed above.
♣ — Race will run at night, or start in the afternoon, and finish at night.
♠ — All races broadcast on Sirius Satellite Radio.

Driver Standings

See 2008 Chase for the Sprint Cup for the current standings.

Owners Standings

Teams that must qualify on speed each week are listed with their owners' points standing in bold.

Full time

The following is a list of teams that are trying to run the full 36 race schedule in 2008.

NOTE: Chase teams standings have a yellow background.

Car # Driver(s) Sponsor(s) Make Team Current Standing
00 FloridaDavid Reutimann1 /
Arizona Michael McDowell (R) /
California Mike Skinner /
Missouri Kenny Wallace /
California A. J. Allmendinger 		Aaron's / Champion Mortgage /
Microsoft Small Business /
NAPA Auto Parts 		Toyota Michael Waltrip Racing 36th
01 New York (state) Regan Smith (R) /
Ontario Ron Fellows 		Principal Financial Group /
Steak-umm / Coors Light 		Chevrolet Dale Earnhardt, Inc. 29th
07 Kansas Clint Bowyer Jack Daniel's / DirecTV / BB&T Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing 5th
1 New Jersey Martin Truex, Jr. Bass Pro Shops / Cub Cadet Chevrolet Dale Earnhardt, Inc. 18th
2 Nevada Kurt Busch § Miller Lite Dodge Penske Racing 19th
5 California Casey Mears Kellogg's / Carquest /
Cheez-It / DELPHI 		Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports 23rd
6 Georgia (U.S. state) David Ragan AAA / Boston Red Sox Ford Roush Fenway Racing 13th
7 California Robby Gordon Jim Beam / Camping World /
Charter / Valvoline /
Mapei / Menards 		Dodge Robby Gordon Motorsports 35th
8 Arkansas Mark Martin /
Florida Aric Almirola (R) 		U.S. Army /
Principal Financial Group / Steak-umm 		Chevrolet Dale Earnhardt, Inc. 14th
9 Washington (state) Kasey Kahne Budweiser /
Allstate / LifeLock 		Dodge Gillett Evernham Motorsports 15th
10 Quebec Patrick Carpentier (R) /
Texas Terry Labonte§ /
Missouri Mike Wallace /
California A.J. Allmendinger 		Valvoline / LifeLock /
Charter / Cintas /
Auto Value / Bumper to Bumper /
Tow Truck in a Box /
Sears Auto Centers /
Berlin City Auto Group 		Dodge Gillett Evernham Motorsports 39th
11 Virginia Denny Hamlin FedEx Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing 12th
12 Indiana Ryan Newman Alltel / Kodak / Avis Dodge Penske Racing 16th
15 Wisconsin Paul Menard Menards / Moen /
Johns-Manville / Sylvania 		Chevrolet Dale Earnhardt, Inc. 27th
16 Washington (state) Greg Biffle 3M / Dish Network /
Red Cross /
Jackson Hewitt / Citi 		Ford Roush Fenway Racing 3rd
17 Wisconsin Matt Kenseth § DeWalt / R&L Carriers /
Carhartt / USG /
Dish Network 		Ford Roush Fenway Racing 9th
18 Nevada Kyle Busch M&M's / Interstate Batteries /
Combos / Pedigree / Snickers 		Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing 11th
19 Virginia Elliott Sadler Best Buy / Stanley Tools /
McDonald's / Siemens / Garmin 		Dodge Gillett Evernham Motorsports 22nd
20 Indiana Tony Stewart § The Home Depot / Subway Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing 5th
21 Virginia Jon Wood /
Georgia (U.S. state) Bill Elliott §/
Australia Marcos Ambrose 		Little Debbie / U.S. Air Force /
Motorcraft 		Ford Wood Brothers Racing 42nd
22 Ohio Dave Blaney Caterpillar Toyota Bill Davis Racing 32nd
24 California Jeff Gordon § DuPont / Pepsi / Nicorette Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports 8th
26 Missouri Jamie McMurray Crown Royal / Irwin Ford Roush Fenway Racing 21st
28 Wisconsin Travis Kvapil Ford / K&N Air Filters /
Lumber Liquidators /
Zaxby's / Dish Network /
California Highway Patrol /
Hitachi Power Tools /
Northern Tool + Equipment / Carfax /
Valvoline 		Ford Yates Racing 25th
29 California Kevin Harvick Shell / Pennzoil / Reese's Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing 6th
31 Virginia Jeff Burton AT&T Mobility / Prilosec OTC /
Lenox Industrial Tools 		Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing 4th
34 Kentucky Jeff Green /
Indiana Tony Raines /
Indiana John Andretti /
California Brian Simo 		Unsponsored / SoBe NoFear Chevrolet/Ford Front Row Motorsports /
NoFear Racing 		44th
38 California David Gilliland FreeCreditReport.com /
Citi Financial / Dish Network 		Ford Yates Racing 28th
41 Georgia (U.S. state) Reed Sorenson /
California Scott Pruett 		Target / Polaroid /
Energizer / Tums 		Dodge Chip Ganassi Racing 30th
42 Colombia Juan Pablo Montoya Texaco Havoline /
Big Red and Juicy Fruit 		Dodge Chip Ganassi Racing 24th
43 Texas Bobby Labonte § General Mills / Marathon Oil Dodge Petty Enterprises 20th
44 North Carolina Dale Jarrett1/
Florida David Reutimann 		UPS Toyota Michael Waltrip Racing 26th
45 North Carolina Kyle Petty /
North Carolina Chad McCumbee /
Texas Terry Labonte§ 		Wells Fargo / Marathon Oil /
PVA.org / Coca-Cola-Coke Zero 		Dodge Petty Enterprises 40th
48 California Jimmie Johnson § Lowe's / Kobalt Tools Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports 1st
55 Kentucky Michael Waltrip NAPA Auto Parts Toyota Michael Waltrip Racing 31st
66 North Carolina Scott Riggs /
Italy Max Papis 		State Water Heaters /
Haas Automation /
Hunt Brothers Pizza 		Chevrolet Haas CNC Racing 33rd
70 Kentucky Jeremy Mayfield /
Wisconsin Johnny Sauter /
California Jason Leffler /
North Carolina Scott Riggs /
Italy Max Papis 		Haas Automation /
Hunt Brothers Pizza /
Atlas Copco 		Chevrolet Haas CNC Racing 43rd
77 Ohio Sam Hornish, Jr. (R) Mobil 1 / Penske Truck Rental Dodge Penske Racing 37th
78 Florida Joe Nemechek Furniture Row / Denver Mattress Chevrolet Furniture Row Racing 41st
83 North Carolina Brian Vickers Red Bull Toyota Team Red Bull 17th
84 California Mike Skinner /
California A. J. Allmendinger /
California Scott Speed 		Red Bull Toyota Team Red Bull 34th
88 North Carolina Dale Earnhardt, Jr. AMP Energy / Mountain Dew /
National Guard 		Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports 10th
96 Arizona J.J. Yeley /
Texas Brad Coleman /
Missouri Ken Schrader /
Connecticut Joey Logano 		Texas Instruments DLP HDTV /
Home Depot 		Toyota Hall of Fame Racing 38th
99 Missouri Carl Edwards Office Depot / Aflac /
Claritin / Dish Network 		Ford Roush Fenway Racing 2nd

(R) - Denotes a Rookie of the Year candidate.
§ - As a past series champion, this driver will have a maximum of six provisionals available to enter races if needed.
1 — Dale Jarrett drove the #44 car for the first five points races of 2008 while David Reutimann drove the #00 car. McDowell took over the #00 at Martinsville for the spring race, while Reutimann took over the #44 car. Jarrett then drove the #44 in the All-Star Race for his final race before taking over as a broadcaster full-time.
— Brian Simo drove the #34 car with Ford as the manufacturer and ownership from No Fear Racing at Sonoma.

NOTES: 1. Bill Davis Racing's #27 team suspended operations on March 10, 2008, due to lack of sponsorship. The team had originally planned to run the full schedule with former F1 driver Jacques Villeneuve. That team is officially listed as 47th in owners points.
2. Chip Ganassi Racing's #40 team suspended operations on July 1, also due to a lack of sponsorship. Dario Franchitti was to have run the full schedule, and was listed as 40th in owners points at that time. Bryan Clauson was scheduled to run in the #40 at the Bank of America 500, but qualifying was rained out and the car did not make the field.

Drivers in bold were released during the season.

Part time

The following is a list of teams that will run part time in 2008.

Car # Driver(s) Sponsor(s) Make Team Current Standing
02 Connecticut Joey Logano Home Depot Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing 57th
08 North Carolina Carl Long /
California Burney Lamar /
Indiana Tony Raines 		Rhino's Energy Drink / Millstar Tools / getFUBAR.com Dodge E&M Motorsports 48th
09 Tennessee Sterling Marlin Miccosukee Resort & Gaming Chevrolet Phoenix Racing 47th
25 Michigan Brad Keselowski GoDaddy.com Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports 61st
33♦ Wisconsin Scott Wimmer /
Pennsylvania Kirk Shelmerdine /
Missouri Ken Schrader 		Camping World Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing 51st
37 North Carolina Eric McClure /
Missouri Kenny Wallace 		Hefty / JEGS High Performance Chevrolet Front Row Motorsports 55th
46 North Carolina Carl Long Romeo Guest Construction Dodge 58th
47♦ Australia Marcos Ambrose Little Debbie / Kingsford / Clorox Ford JTG Daugherty Racing 56th
49 Missouri Ken Schrader /
North Carolina Chad McCumbee 		Marathon / Microsoft / Qtrax.com /
Healthlife.com 		Toyota / Dodge BAM Racing / Petty Enterprises 46th
50 California Stanton Barrett NOS Energy Drink / Check 'n Go Chevrolet SKI Motorsports 52nd
57 Pennsylvania Norm Benning Shodeen Inc. / SponsorNorm@Shodeen.net Chevrolet Norm Benning Racing 54th
60 New York (state) Boris Said 7-Eleven Slurpee /
Advance Auto Parts / SoBe NoFear 		Ford NoFear Racing 50th
75 California Derrike Cope Dodge Derrike Cope Inc. 60th
82 California Scott Speed Red Bull Toyota Red Bull Racing 59th
87 Missouri Kenny Wallace Denver Mattress Chevrolet Furniture Row Racing 53rd

♦ - These teams are scheduled to become full time teams in 2009.
NOTES: 1. Morgan-McClure Motorsports closed their shop on January 14th, 2008, citing a lack of sponsorship, and will more than likely not field the #4 team this season.
2. BAM Racing has suspended operations, at first making a transition from Dodge to Toyota, and then due to a loss of a sponsorship. They are expected to return in the fall. Chad McCumbee raced in the #49 (the car was Dodge) for Petty Enterprises in the Sprint Showdown.

Television

United States

The 2008 season marks the second year of television contracts with FOX, TNT and ESPN/ABC. [6] The biggest changes involve ESPN and ABC, as Dale Jarrett becomes the network's lead race color commentator and Rusty Wallace becomes the pre-race analyst. Dale, who completed his driving career with the Sprint All-Star Race XXIV, follows in the footsteps of his father, Ned, who worked with ESPN through most of the 1980s through the 2000 NASCAR season. Allen Bestwick has taken over the hosting role for all races as well as some editions of ESPN 2's NASCAR Now, replacing Brent Musburger and Suzy Kolber on the pre-race show, with Shannon Spake taking Bestwick's place as pit reporter. Also, veteran NASCAR reporter Nicole Manske (along with Ryan Burr) takes over as a part-time host of NASCAR Now show for Erik Kuselias.[7] No major changes were made by Fox and TNT for the 2008 season.

One innovation was FOX's "Gopher Cam", placed below the track near the inside of the turns for a unique perspective. In the need for a name for their new mascot, Fox turned to internet users and even drivers for suggestions, and the gopher cam mascot was named "Digger".[8] "Digger" is now emblazoned on T-shirts, hats and even as a plush toy. Another innovation was TNT's "RaceBuddy", an internet application that showed multiple views of the race and radio feeds from drivers (using NASCAR.com's RaceDay Scanner).

Canada and Mexico

In Canada NASCAR races are seen on TSN and RDS in English and French, while Speed Channel Latin America holds the rights in Mexico and all of Latin America, including the Bud Shootout, the Gatorade Duels and the Sprint All-Star Race.

Outside North America

Sky Sports holds the rights in Great Britain, while Five US airs a one hour highlights package proceeding each race. In Australia the 2008 Sprint Cup Series season will be covered by FOX SPORTS as usual however, Free-to-air TV's TEN HD will present marquee events LIVE along with one hour highlights packages from all other rounds the Saturday after the event. TenHD will also present the entire Nationwide series season, marking the first time that a full NASCAR Championship will be shown on Free-to-Air TV in Australia, mostly in part of Marcos Ambrose's involvement in the series. NTV holds the rights in Japan, while Sky Italia holds rights in Italy (only NNS) and Premiere Sport holds the German rights. In Spain, Teledeporte will broadcast six live races and hour-long summaries of the remaining thirty.

2008 competition changes

On January 21, 2008, NASCAR announced various competition changes for the 2008 season.[9]

Qualifying procedures

  • In all three national series, teams that are not locked into the starting field via the Owners Points exemption will qualify together as a group at the end of their respective qualifying sessions. This rule has been dubbed "The Boris Said Rule" as per what happened during qualifying for the 2007 Pepsi 400, where Said was the provisional pole sitter when rain washed out the remainder of qualifying, and rules required that all cars must attempt to make a lap before inclement weather stops all activities. The session was washed out, and Said did not make the field as the field was set by the rulebook (Top 35 in points among owners, past race winners and qualifying attempts).

Revisions to pit road rules

  • Over-the-wall pit crews in NASCAR's three national series will be able to hand push their car no more than three pit boxes away from their assigned pit box -- limiting the crews to the same three-box length for pushing as the vehicles can drive through getting onto pit road.
  • Outside tires that have been removed from a vehicle during a pit stop can no longer be free-rolled from the outside of the pit box to the wall. The tires must be hand-directed to the inner half of the pit box before being released.

Fuel cell size

  • All three national series will run the same upgraded 17¾ gallon fuel cell which was used in the 2007 Nextel Cup Series. The fuel cell was a safety feature that was added that year, replacing the old 22-gallon cell.

Engines

  • A new engine combination package introduced in the Nationwide and Craftsman Truck series will allow for cost-saving opportunities for teams. Modifications reduce RPMs and horsepower, which will help engines and pieces to last longer. In turn, teams will have the opportunity to run multiple races using the same engine components.

Tire usage at non-sanctioned tests

  • Teams in all three national series will receive an allotment of tires to use for non-NASCAR sanctioned tests. Cup Series teams will have access to 200 tires over the course of the year (except for tests that are sanctioned by Goodyear); Nationwide teams will get 160 tires and Truck teams will get 120 tires.

NASCAR fines

  • Money collected from fines issued to drivers and others will now go to the NASCAR Foundation, which supports a variety of charitable initiatives. Previously, fine money was added to the season-ending point funds paid to drivers based on their finish in the point standings.

Testing

The first tests followed the change of the calendar at Daytona International Speedway in the first two full weeks of January. Teams that finished in odd numbered positions (1, 3, 5, etc.) through the 2007 USG Sheetrock 400 tested January 7 through 9, while even numbered finishers (2, 4, 6, etc.) through that same period tested January 14 through 16. Speed televised nightly reports throughout this period, as well as the events of the annual Media Tour in Charlotte and the tests in Las Vegas (held on January 28th and 29th) and California (held on January 31st and February 1st).[10]

The remaining dates and tracks that were announced December 4th, 2007 are:

  • Phoenix International Raceway - March 3 and 4
  • Pocono Raceway - May 27 and 28
  • Lowe's Motor Speedway - September 23 and 24

On April 15th, an additional practice session was announced by NASCAR at Lowe's to be held on May 5th and 6th due to problems that were unforeseen at both Las Vegas and Texas during their spring races.

2008 season races

See List of 2008 NASCAR races for a complete list and schedule of the 2008 season races.

Budweiser Shootout

Main article: 2008 Budweiser Shootout

The 2008 NASCAR season and the 2008 edition of Speedweeks began with the thirtieth annual Budweiser Shootout on February 9 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. The non-points race, featured the previous season's pole winners and past winners of the event. Following tradition teams randomly picked their starting positions, Kurt Busch drew the pole, but ultimately had to start near the rear due to a crash in final practice. The 2008 race set a record with 23 drivers starting the race, the largest field ever in the event. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. won his first NASCAR race with his new team Hendrick Motorsports and his first Sprint Cup Series win since May 2006 at Richmond, leading a record 47 of the 70 laps.

Top Ten Finishers
Pos. Car # Driver Make Team
1 88 North Carolina Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
2 20 Indiana Tony Stewart Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing
3 48 California Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
4 24 California Jeff Gordon Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
5 41 Georgia (U.S. state) Reed Sorenson Dodge Chip Ganassi Racing
6 5 California Casey Mears Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
7 22 Ohio Dave Blaney Toyota Bill Davis Racing
8 8 Arkansas Mark Martin Chevrolet Dale Earnhardt, Inc.
9 11 Virginia Denny Hamlin Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing
10 9 Washington (state) Kasey Kahne Dodge Gillett Evernham Motorsports

Daytona 500

Pole Qualifying

Qualifying for the 2008 Daytona 500 in Daytona Beach, Florida at Daytona International Speedway took place on February 10 of that year. Jimmie Johnson won the pole with Michael Waltrip starting second who had been the center of controversy during a cheating scandal in last year's race.

Gatorade Duels

Main article: 2008 Gatorade Duels

The Gatorade Duels were held on February 14, 2008, which established the starting order for the 2008 Daytona 500. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. won the first race which was wreck free, while the second race was won by Denny Hamlin driving a Toyota. This was the first win for Toyota in the Sprint Cup Series, and the first win by a foreign make since 1954. Bill Elliott driving the #21 Ford for Wood Brothers Racing failed to race his way in during the first duel, this will be the first time the Wood Brothers team has not competed in NASCAR's signature event in 46 years. A wreck in the second race on Lap 17 took out Jacques Villeneuve, Stanton Barrett, Dario Franchitti, and Jamie McMurray after Villeneuve got loose in Turn 3.

(Drivers who were top two not in previous season's Top 35 points are in boldface.)

Top Ten Finishers (Race #1)
Pos. Car # Driver Make Team
1 88 North Carolina Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
2 41 Georgia (U.S. state) Reed Sorenson Dodge Chip Ganassi Racing
3 12 Indiana Ryan Newman Dodge Penske Racing
4 5 California Casey Mears Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
5 99 Missouri Carl Edwards Ford Roush Fenway Racing
6 43 Texas Bobby Labonte Dodge Petty Enterprises
7 42 Colombia Juan Pablo Montoya Dodge Chip Ganassi Racing
8 87 Missouri Kenny Wallace Chevrolet Furniture Row Racing
9 77 Ohio Sam Hornish, Jr. Dodge Penske Racing
10 15 Wisconsin Paul Menard Chevrolet Dale Earnhardt, Inc.

Also qualifying for Daytona 500: Brian Vickers (#83 Team Red Bull Toyota).

Top Ten Finishers (Race #2)
Pos. Car # Driver Make Team
1 11 Virginia Denny Hamlin Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing
2 20 Indiana Tony Stewart Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing
3 24 California Jeff Gordon Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
4 9 Washington (state) Kasey Kahne Dodge Gillett Evernham Motorsports
5 8 Arkansas Mark Martin Chevrolet Dale Earnhardt, Inc.
6 6 Georgia (U.S. state) David Ragan Ford Roush Fenway Racing
7 29 California Kevin Harvick Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing
8 16 Washington (state) Greg Biffle Ford Roush Fenway Racing
9 44 North Carolina Dale Jarrett Toyota Michael Waltrip Racing
10 34 Indiana John Andretti Chevrolet Front Row Motorsports

NOTE: Race Two finish was extended four laps due to green-white-checker finish rule.

Daytona 500

Main article: 2008 Daytona 500

The 50th annual running of the Daytona 500 was held on February 17, 2008, marking the 50th anniversary since the inaugural running in 1959. Ryan Newman won the race with teammate Kurt Busch finishing second, it marked team owner Roger Penske's first win on a restrictor-plate track. The win also ended Ryan Newman's 81 race winless drought in Sprint Cup Series racing. Jeff Burton led during the last restart with 3 laps left and immediately lost the lead. Tony Stewart led during the last lap but it was the Penske Racing teammates of Ryan Newman and Kurt Busch who denied Stewart the win as he tried for the 10th time to win the race.

#48-Jimmie Johnson takes the green flag along side #55-Michael Waltrip in the start of the 50th running of "The Great American Race".
Top Ten Finishers
Pos. Car # Driver Make Team
1 12 Indiana Ryan Newman Dodge Penske Racing
2 2 Nevada Kurt Busch Dodge Penske Racing
3 20 Indiana Tony Stewart Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing
4 18 Nevada Kyle Busch Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing
5 41 Georgia (U.S. state) Reed Sorenson Dodge Chip Ganassi Racing
6 19 Virginia Elliott Sadler Dodge Gillett Evernham Motorsports
7 9 Washington (state) Kasey Kahne Dodge Gillett Evernham Motorsports
8 7 California Robby Gordon Dodge Robby Gordon Motorsports
9 88 North Carolina Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
10 16 Washington (state) Greg Biffle Ford Roush Fenway Racing

Failed to Qualify:

NOTE: Robby Gordon, owner/driver of the #7 Dodge, was penalized both 100 championship driver and owner points after NASCAR officials confiscated an unapproved Dodge Charger nose piece on his Car of Tomorrow during opening day inspection for the Daytona 500 on February 8. Gordon's crew chief Frank Kerr was fined $100,000 and suspended for the next six Sprint Cup Series events until April 9. The points penalty dropped him to 40th place after finishing 8th in the season opener. However, on March 5, an appeals committee overturned the point penalty and suspension, but increased the fine to $150,000. Gordon's infraction occurred because of a nose that Gillett Evernham Motorsports had given the team was not yet approved. The team had switched to Dodge from Ford after Daytona testing and has assistance from Gillett Evernham Motorsports, which gave the nose in question. [11]

Auto Club 500

Main article: 2008 Auto Club 500

The 2008 Auto Club 500 was run on February 24 and February 25 due to rain at the newly renamed Auto Club Speedway of Southern California (previously California Speedway) in Fontana, California. Qualifying was canceled for the Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Craftsman Truck Series after periods of rain showers fell for most of the day on Friday. As a result, the race lineup was determined by the NASCAR rule book.[12] The race began on late Sunday afternoon but was red flagged and eventually postponed until Monday morning. Veteran NASCAR driver Mark Martin made his 700th Sprint Cup Series start. The first caution of the race was brought out when Denny Hamlin lost control in Turn 3 after running over some water that had seeped up through cracks in the track surface. The next caution involved a large wreck when Casey Mears spun out in Turn 2 after also running over water. The wreck collected Casey's teammate Dale Earnhardt, Jr..

Reed Sorenson and Sam Hornish, Jr. were also involved. Hornish hit Sorenson's car causing his car's hood to come up and hit his windshield obscuring his vision leading him to rear end the back of Casey Mears' car causing Mears' car to tumble onto its side. The race was red flagged as track workers cleaned up and tried to repair the water problem by cutting into the track. Drivers who were involved in early wrecks notably Earnhardt, Jr. and Mears complained that NASCAR should not have started the race with water still seeping onto the track.[13] Eventually a seventh caution for rain put the race on hold, at 11:00 PM PT (2:00 AM ET), NASCAR decided to postpone the remaining race laps until Monday morning at 10:00 AM PT (1:00 PM ET) due to seeping water on the track. When the race resumed, it was Hendrick Motorsports teammates Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson leading the race until Carl Edwards took the lead from Johnson to win his first race at Auto Club Speedway. The Nationwide Series race was run one hour after the conclusion of the Sprint Cup race.

Top Ten Finishers
Pos. Car # Driver Make Team
1 99 Missouri Carl Edwards Ford Roush Fenway Racing
2 48 California Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
3 24 California Jeff Gordon Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
4 18 Nevada Kyle Busch Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing
5 17 Wisconsin Matt Kenseth Ford Roush Fenway Racing
6 1 New Jersey Martin Truex, Jr. Chevrolet Dale Earnhardt, Inc.
7 20 Indiana Tony Stewart Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing
8 29 California Kevin Harvick Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing
9 9 Washington (state) Kasey Kahne Dodge Gillett Evernham Motorsports
10 12 Indiana Ryan Newman Dodge Penske Racing

Failed to make race as qualifying was canceled due to rain: Patrick Carpentier (#10), Mike Skinner (#27), Ken Schrader (#49), A. J. Allmendinger (#84), Burney Lamar (#08)

UAW-Dodge 400

Main article: 2008 UAW-Dodge 400

The UAW-Dodge 400 was run on March 2 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Kyle Busch, a Las Vegas native won the pole and led 56 laps in the race before slipping to 11th. Matt Kenseth also ran strong during the race leading 70 laps and was running third with five laps to go when he was spun by Jeff Gordon. Gordon's car hit hard against the inside retaining wall which did not have a SAFER barrier, this caused his car's radiator to fly out from the chassis into the path of oncoming traffic. Kenseth was able to recover from the spin without hitting anything. The wreck brought a red flag on lap 264 as track workers cleaned up, Jeff Gordon walked away sore from the wreck and made the point that SAFER barriers should be installed to the inside walls.[14] Carl Edwards went on to win his second race in a row and the ninth of his career.

Following the race it was announced that the #99 car driven by Edwards had failed post-race inspection. On March 5, Edwards was docked 100 championship points with team owner Jack Roush also docked 100 owner points. Carl Edwards' crew chief Bob Osbourne was fined $100,000 and suspended for six races until April 30. In the event the 99 team qualifys for the Chase for the Sprint Cup, the team will not receive 10 bonus points for the UAW-Dodge 400 victory used for determining the Chase seeding order.[15]

Top Ten Finishers
Pos. Car # Driver Make Team
1 99 Missouri Carl Edwards Ford Roush Fenway Racing
2 88 North Carolina Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
3 16 Washington (state) Greg Biffle Ford Roush Fenway Racing
4 29 California Kevin Harvick Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing
5 31 Virginia Jeff Burton Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing
6 6 Georgia (U.S. state) David Ragan Ford Roush Fenway Racing
7 9 Washington (state) Kasey Kahne Dodge Gillett Evernham Motorsports
8 28 Wisconsin Travis Kvapil Ford Yates Racing
9 11 Virginia Denny Hamlin Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing
10 8 Arkansas Mark Martin Chevrolet Dale Earnhardt, Inc.

Failed to Qualify: A. J. Allmendinger (#84), Joe Nemechek (#78), John Andretti (#34), Johnny Sauter (#21; crashed on first lap)

NOTE: Burney Lamar (#08) withdrew prior to qualifying.

Kobalt Tools 500

Main article: 2008 Kobalt Tools 500

The Kobalt Tools 500 was held on March 9 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Jeff Gordon won the pole. Carl Edwards had the car to beat along with Kyle Busch, although Edwards' engine expired late in the race. Busch would go on to lead 173 laps and win the race giving Toyota its first Sprint Cup Series victory. The win also marked the first win by a foreign make since 1954.

Top Ten Finishers
Pos. Car # Driver Make Team
1 18 Nevada Kyle Busch Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing
2 20 Indiana Tony Stewart Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing
3 88 North Carolina Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
4 16 Washington (state) Greg Biffle Ford Roush Fenway Racing
5 24 California Jeff Gordon Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
6 07 Kansas Clint Bowyer Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing
7 29 California Kevin Harvick Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing
8 17 Wisconsin Matt Kenseth Ford Roush Fenway Racing
9 83 North Carolina Brian Vickers Toyota Team Red Bull
10 31 Virginia Jeff Burton Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing

Failed to Qualify: Ken Schrader (#49), Bill Elliott (#21), Johnny Benson (#27), John Andretti (#34), Burney Lamar (#08)

Food City 500

Main article: 2008 Food City 500

The Food City 500 was held on March 16 at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee. Qualifying was canceled due to a day-long rain on March 14, and as a result, the field was set by NASCAR's rulebook, giving Jimmie Johnson the 2007 series champion, the pole position. Jeff Burton won the race after it was extended six laps due to the green-white-checker finish rule when Denny Hamlin had fuel pump problems on the final restart.

Top Ten Finishers
Pos. Car # Driver Make Team
1 31 Virginia Jeff Burton Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing
2 29 California Kevin Harvick Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing
3 07 Kansas Clint Bowyer Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing
4 16 Washington (state) Greg Biffle Ford Roush Fenway Racing
5 88 North Carolina Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
6 11 Virginia Denny Hamlin Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing
7 9 Washington (state) Kasey Kahne Dodge Gillett Evernham Motorsports
8 8 Florida Aric Almirola Chevrolet Dale Earnhardt, Inc.
9 38 California David Gilliland Ford Yates Racing
10 17 Wisconsin Matt Kenseth Ford Roush Fenway Racing

NOTE: Race extended six laps due to green-white-checker finish.

Failed to make race as qualifying was canceled due to rain: Patrick Carpentier (#10), Jeff Green (#21), John Andretti (#34).

As a result of the standings after this race, two teams that were not in the Top-35 in owners points, the #83 Red Bull Toyota Camry of Brian Vickers and the #2 Miller Lite Dodge Charger of Kurt Busch (owners points were given to the #77) will be locked into the Top 35 after the first five races.

Goody's Cool Orange 500

Main article: 2008 Goody's Cool Orange 500

The Goody's Cool Orange 500 was held on March 30 at Martinsville Speedway in Ridgeway, Virginia. Jeff Gordon won the pole. Kyle Petty failed to make the race after Dario Franchitti tied with his qualifying time, due to the fact that Franchitti was 38th in owners points and Petty was 40th, marking the first time since 2004 that he failed to make a race. Denny Hamlin won this race, the second for Toyota in Sprint Cup history. The race was notable for having 20 caution periods, the second most cautions during a NASCAR Sprint Cup race; only the 22 cautions at the 2005 Coca Cola 600 holds that record.

Top Ten Finishers
Pos. Car # Driver Make Team
1 11 Virginia Denny Hamlin Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing
2 24 California Jeff Gordon Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
3 31 Virginia Jeff Burton Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing
4 48 California Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
5 20 Indiana Tony Stewart Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing
6 88 North Carolina Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
7 5 California Casey Mears Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
8 26 Missouri Jamie McMurray Ford Roush Fenway Racing
9 99 Missouri Carl Edwards Ford Roush Fenway Racing
10 07 Kansas Clint Bowyer Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing

Failed to Qualify: Kyle Petty (#45), Tony Raines (#08), John Andretti (#34), Joe Nemechek (#78)

Samsung 500

Main article: 2008 Samsung 500

The Samsung 500 was held on April 6 at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. won the pole. The race was won by Carl Edwards who started 2nd and led 123 laps. The major story of the race weekend was Michael McDowell's near head on crash during qualifying after he lost control heading into Turn 1 on his second lap.[16] McDowell's car slammed into the Turn 1 SAFER barrier and spun upside down for several hundred yards before the car began a series of at least eight barrel rolls, coming to rest at the bottom of the race track near the infield. McDowell exited the car and was ok. Qualifying was delayed 1 hour and 12 minutes as NASCAR officials assessed and repaired damage to the SAFER barrier.

Top Ten Finishers
Pos. Car # Driver Make Team
1 99 Missouri Carl Edwards Ford Roush Fenway Racing
2 48 California Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
3 18 Nevada Kyle Busch Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing
4 12 Indiana Ryan Newman Dodge Penske Racing
5 11 Virginia Denny Hamlin Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing
6 31 Virginia Jeff Burton Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing
7 20 Indiana Tony Stewart Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing
8 8 Arkansas Mark Martin Chevrolet Dale Earnhardt, Inc.
9 17 Wisconsin Matt Kenseth Ford Roush Fenway Racing
10 07 Kansas Clint Bowyer Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing

NOTES: 1. Race extended five laps due to a green-white-checker finish.
2. During post race inspection Ryan Newman's #12 car was found to be one-eighth of an inch higher beyond the allotted half-inch tolerance. As a result, Newman and car owner Roger Penske were penalized 25 championship driver and 25 championship owner points, respectively. Crew chief Roy McCauley was fined $25,000 and placed on probation until December 31.[17]

Failed to Quailfy: Dario Franchitti (#40), Chad McCumbee (#45), Burney Lamar (#08)

Subway Fresh Fit 500

Main article: 2008 Subway Fresh Fit 500

The Subway Fresh Fit 500 was held on April 12 at Phoenix International Raceway in Avondale, Arizona. Ryan Newman won the pole. Coverage of the pre-race was interrupted when FOX switched over to cover the remaining Yankees-Red Sox baseball game.[18] Jimmie Johnson won the race by not pitting for fuel during the last laps. The win marked Hendrick Motorsports' first win of the 2008 season.

Top Ten Finishers
Pos. Car # Driver Make Team
1 48 California Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
2 07 Kansas Clint Bowyer Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing
3 11 Virginia Denny Hamlin Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing
4 99 Missouri Carl Edwards Ford Roush Fenway Racing
5 8 Arkansas Mark Martin Chevrolet Dale Earnhardt, Inc.
6 31 Virginia Jeff Burton Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing
7 88 North Carolina Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
8 1 New Jersey Martin Truex, Jr. Chevrolet Dale Earnhardt, Inc.
9 16 Washington (state) Greg Biffle Ford Roush Fenway Racing
10 18 Nevada Kyle Busch Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing

Failed to Qualify: Kyle Petty (#45), John Andretti (#34)

Aaron's 499

Main article: 2008 Aaron's 499

The Aaron's 499 was held April 27 at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Alabama. The race marked the one-quarter mark of the season. Joe Nemechek won the pole. David Stremme substituted for Dario Franchitti, who fractured his left ankle in a hard crash during the Nationwide Series Aaron's 312 race. Kyle Busch won the race after leading only 12 laps. The race featured only eight cautions. Most of those cautions were results of one or two car incidents. However, the last caution was a result of the "Big One" that occurred in the final moments of the race. Because the crash occurred after the white flag had been waved, the race was allowed to finish under caution.

Top Ten Finishers
Pos. Car # Driver Make Team
1 18 Nevada Kyle Busch Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing
2 42 Colombia J.P. Montoya Dodge Chip Ganassi Racing
3 11 Virginia Denny Hamlin Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing
4 6 Georgia (U.S. state) David Ragan Ford Roush Fenway Racing
5 83 North Carolina Brian Vickers Toyota Team Red Bull
6 28 Wisconsin Travis Kvapil Ford Yates Racing
7 5 California Casey Mears Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
8 12 Indiana Ryan Newman Dodge Penske Racing
9 07 Kansas Clint Bowyer Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing
10 88 North Carolina Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports

Failed to Qualify: Dave Blaney (#22), J. J. Yeley (#96), John Andretti (#34)

Crown Royal Presents The Dan Lowry 400

Main article: 2008 Crown Royal Presents the Dan Lowry 400

The Crown Royal Presents The Dan Lowry 400 was held on May 3 at Richmond International Raceway in Richmond, Virginia. Denny Hamlin won the pole and went on to lead 381 of the 400 laps. However, a leaking right-front tire caused him to fall back with 18 laps left. It then appeared that Dale Earnhardt, Jr. whose last Sprint Cup win came at this race two years ago would be able to win the race and end his winless streak, but was spun out by Kyle Busch with Three laps to go. The race was won by Clint Bowyer who was running third at the time of Earnhardt's spin.

Top Ten Finishers
Pos. Car # Driver Make Team
1 07 Kansas Clint Bowyer Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing
2 18 Nevada Kyle Busch Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing
3 8 Arkansas Mark Martin Chevrolet Dale Earnhardt, Inc.
4 20 Indiana Tony Stewart Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing
5 1 New Jersey Martin Truex, Jr. Chevrolet Dale Earnhardt, Inc.
6 12 Indiana Ryan Newman Dodge Penske Racing
7 99 Missouri Carl Edwards Ford Roush Fenway Racing
8 29 California Kevin Harvick Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing
9 24 California Jeff Gordon Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
10 9 Washington (state) Kasey Kahne Dodge Gillett Evernham Motorsports

NOTE: Race was extended by eight laps due to green-white-checker finish.

Failed to Qualify: Ken Schrader (#40), Scott Wimmer (#33), Jon Wood (#21), John Andretti (#34)

Dodge Challenger 500

Main article: 2008 Dodge Challenger 500

The Dodge Challenger 500 was run May 10 at the newly repaved Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina. Greg Biffle won the pole, breaking Ward Burton's long standing pole speed by 5.6 mph, mostly due to the repaved surface on the track. Kyle Busch was the winner of the race. this would be the last race under the "Dodge Challenger 500" name; next year the race will return to the original name of the Southern 500.

Top Ten Finishers
Pos. Car # Driver Car Make Team
1 18 Nevada Kyle Busch Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing
2 99 Missouri Carl Edwards Ford Roush Fenway Racing
3 24 California Jeff Gordon Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
4 88 North Carolina Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
5 6 Georgia (U.S. state) David Ragan Ford Roush Fenway Racing
6 17 Wisconsin Matt Kenseth Ford Roush Fenway Racing
7 11 Virginia Denny Hamlin Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing
8 28 Wisconsin Travis Kvapil Ford Yates Racing
9 22 Ohio Dave Blaney Toyota Bill Davis Racing
10 31 Virginia Jeff Burton Chevorlet Richard Childress Racing

Failed to Qualify: Johnny Sauter (#70), Jeff Green (#34)

Sprint All-Star Race XXIV

Main article: 2008 Sprint All-Star Race

Sprint All-Star Race XXIV and the Sprint Showdown were both held on May 17 at Lowe's Motor Speedway in the Charlotte, North Carolina suburb of Concord. This non-points race involved winners of the 2007 and 2008 season, along with past Sprint Cup champions and All-Star Race winners from the past decade (1998 through 2007) plus the top two finishing drivers of the Sprint Showdown and a driver voted in by fans from the Showdown who's car had to be raceable. On the line was $1,000,000 in prize money for the winner. Kasey Kahne finished fifth in the Showdown and was voted into the All-Star event and went onto capture the victory, becoming the third driver to qualify from the preliminary race and win the main event and the first chosen by the fan vote to do the same. The only cautions the race had was after all 4 segments ended which was 4 cautions.

Sprint Showdown

Top Two Finishers
Pos. Car # Driver Make Team
1 84 California A.J. Allmendinger Toyota Team Red Bull
2 77 Ohio Sam Hornish Jr. Dodge Penske Racing
Qualified via Fan Voting
5 9 Washington (state) Kasey Kahne Dodge Gillett Evernham Motorsports

All-Star Race

Top Ten Finishers
Pos. Car # Driver Make Team
1 9 Washington (state) Kasey Kahne Dodge Gillett Evernham Motorsports
2 16 Washington (state) Greg Biffle Ford Roush Fenway Racing
3 17 Wisconsin Matt Kenseth Ford Roush Fenway Racing
4 48 California Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
5 20 Indiana Tony Stewart Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing
6 12 Indiana Ryan Newman Dodge Penske Racing
7 77 Ohio Sam Hornish, Jr. Dodge Penske Racing
8 88 North Carolina Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
9 8 Arkansas Mark Martin Chevrolet Dale Earnhardt, Inc.
10 99 Missouri Carl Edwards Ford Roush Fenway Racing

Coca-Cola 600

Main article: 2008 Coca-Cola 600

NASCAR's longest race in terms of distance, the Coca-Cola 600 was run on May 25 at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina, a suburb of Charlotte. Kyle Busch won the pole. Tony Stewart led the race in the final laps after making a pit stop for fuel only, but with three laps remaining Stewart blew a tire giving the lead to Kasey Kahne who was running five seconds behind. Kahne and Greg Biffle finished first and second respectively for the second week in a row. Kahne became the first driver to win the Coca-Cola 600 and the All-Star Race in the same year since Jimmie Johnson in 2003, and the sixth overall.[19]

Top Ten Finishers
Pos. Car # Driver Make Team
1 9 Washington (state) Kasey Kahne Dodge Gillett Evernham Motorsports
2 16 Washington (state) Greg Biffle Ford Roush Fenway Racing
3 18 Nevada Kyle Busch Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing
4 24 California Jeff Gordon Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
5 88 North Carolina Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
6 31 Virginia Jeff Burton Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing
7 17 Wisconsin Matt Kenseth Ford Roush Fenway Racing
8 19 Virginia Elliott Sadler Dodge Gillett Evernham Motorsports
9 99 Missouri Carl Edwards Ford Roush Fenway Racing
10 44 Florida David Reutimann Toyota Michael Waltrip Racing

Failed to Qualify: Jeff Green (#34), Stanton Barrett (#50), Jon Wood (#21), Joe Nemechek (#78), Tony Raines (#08)

Best Buy 400

Main article: 2008 Best Buy 400 benefiting Student Clubs for Autism Speaks

The Best Buy 400 was held on June 1 at Dover International Speedway in Dover, Delaware. Greg Biffle won the pole. A wreck on Lap 17 ruined the day for championship contenders Tony Stewart, Kevin Harvick, Denny Hamlin, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Clint Bowyer, and Kasey Kahne. The wreck occurred when Elliott Sadler made slight contact with David Gilliland, Sadler's car spun out and blocked traffic down the narrow backstretch.[20] Polesitter Greg Biffle dominated the early laps leading 164 of them. Although an alternator problem on Lap 170 forced Biffle to relinquish his lead to teammate Carl Edwards. Biffle switched batteries and kept going, although he was forced to leave the cooling fans off inside his car. In the final 153 Laps there were no cautions allowing Kyle Busch to build a lead over 8 seconds to second place runner Carl Edwards. Busch took the lead from Edwards during green-flag pit stops that ended on Lap 237.[21] Only the top six cars managed to stay on the lead lap.

Top Ten Finishers
Pos. Car # Driver Make Team
1 18 Nevada Kyle Busch Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing
2 99 Missouri Carl Edwards Ford Roush Fenway Racing
3 16 Washington (state) Greg Biffle Ford Roush Fenway Racing
4 17 Wisconsin Matt Kenseth Ford Roush Fenway Racing
5 24 California Jeff Gordon Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
6 1 New Jersey Martin Truex, Jr. Chevrolet Dale Earnhardt, Inc.
7 48 California Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
8 31 Virginia Jeff Burton Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing
9 22 Ohio Dave Blaney Toyota Bill Davis Racing
10 26 Missouri Jamie McMurray Ford Roush Fenway Racing

Failed to Qualify: Jason Leffler (#70), Chad McCumbee (#45)

Pocono 500

Main article: 2008 Pocono 500

The Pocono 500 was held on June 8 at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. Kasey Kahne won the pole, he went on to win the race. Starting with Pocono TNT started its' six race broadcast schedule. Kyle Busch qualified tenth but in the second practice hit the wall and started from the back. He finished dead last after a crash with Jamie McMurray, but had a big enough cushion in the standings to remain in first place over Jeff Burton by 21 points.

Top Ten Finishers
Pos. Car # Driver Make Team
1 9 Washington (state) Kasey Kahne Dodge Gillett Evernham Motorsports
2 83 North Carolina Brian Vickers Toyota Team Red Bull
3 11 Virginia Denny Hamlin Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing
4 88 North Carolina Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
5 31 Virginia Jeff Burton Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing
6 48 California Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
7 17 Wisconsin Matt Kenseth Ford Roush Fenway Racing
8 2 Nevada Kurt Busch Dodge Penske Racing
9 99 Missouri Carl Edwards Ford Roush Fenway Racing
10 8 Arkansas Mark Martin Chevrolet Dale Earnhardt, Inc.

Failed to Qualify: J. J. Yeley (#96)

NOTE: Tony Raines (#34) withdrew before the qualifying session.

LifeLock 400

Main article: 2008 Lifelock 400

The LifeLock 400 was held on June 15 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan. Qualifying was cancelled because of rain after twelve drivers took times, and the field was set by the NASCAR rulebook. With a green-white-checker finish extending the race, and fuel economy usage, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. won his first points paying race in 76 attempts in the first win by a driver from North Carolina in a NASCAR Sprint Cup race since October 2006 at Talladega when Brian Vickers won; ironically, Vickers won for Earnhardt's new team, Hendrick Motorsports. It also marked the first time a Chevrolet has gone to victory lane in the last 14 Sprint Cup races there.

Top Ten Finishers
Pos Car # Driver Make Team
1 88 North Carolina Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
2 9 Washington (state) Kasey Kahne Dodge Gillett Evernham Motorsports
3 17 Wisconsin Matt Kenseth Ford Roush Fenway Racing
4 83 North Carolina Brian Vickers Toyota Team Red Bull
5 20 Indiana Tony Stewart Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing
6 48 California Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
7 99 Missouri Carl Edwards Ford Roush Fenway Racing
8 6 Georgia (U.S. state) David Ragan Ford Roush Fenway Racing
9 19 Virginia Elliott Sadler Dodge Gillett Evernham Motorsports
10 26 Missouri Jamie McMurray Ford Roush Fenway Racing

Failed to make race as qualifying was cancelled due to rain: Jason Leffler (#70), Tony Raines (#34).
NOTES: 1. Race extended three laps due to green-white-checker finish.
2. The #87 Denver Mattress car driven by Kenny Wallace as well as the #08 car without a driver were withdrawn earlier in the week.

Toyota/Save Mart 350

Main article: 2008 Toyota/Save Mart 350

The first of two road course races on the schedule, the Toyota/Save Mart 350, was raced at Infineon Raceway at Sears Point in Sonoma, California on Sunday, June 22. Kasey Kahne won the pole, but Kyle Busch dominated the field again starting from the 30th position and winning.

Top Ten Finishers
Pos Car # Driver Make Team
1 18 Nevada Kyle Busch Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing
2 38 California David Gilliland Ford Yates Racing
3 24 California Jeff Gordon Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
4 07 Kansas Clint Bowyer Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing
5 5 California Casey Mears Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
6 42 Colombia Juan Pablo Montoya Dodge Chip Ganassi Racing
7 12 Indiana Ryan Newman Dodge Penske Racing South
8 17 Wisconsin Matt Kenseth Ford Roush Fenway Racing
9 19 Missouri Carl Edwards Ford Roush Fenway Racing
10 20 Indiana Tony Stewart Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing

Failed to Qualify: J.J. Yeley (#96), Scott Riggs (#70), Dario Franchitti (#40), Brandon Ash (#02)
NOTE: Race was extended by two laps due to green-white-checker finish.

Lenox Industrial Tools 301

Main article: 2008 Lenox Industrial Tools 301

The Lenox Industrial Tools 301 was raced on Sunday, June 29 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, New Hampshire. The big surprise was sprung in qualifying when following a rain delay of nearly two hours, Québécois Patrick Carpentier won the pole position over Bobby Labonte. Another big surprise was when Kurt Busch won the race, curtailed 17 laps shy of the scheduled distance as severe thunderstorms hit the area under the seventh and final caution.

Top Ten Finishers
Pos. Car # Driver Make Team
1 2 Nevada Kurt Busch Dodge Penske Racing
2 55 Kentucky Michael Waltrip Toyota Michael Waltrip Racing
3 96 Arizona J.J. Yeley Toyota Hall of Fame Racing
4 1 New Jersey Martin Truex, Jr. Chevrolet Dale Earnhardt, Inc.
5 19 Virginia Elliott Sadler Dodge Gillett Evernham Motorsports
6 41 Georgia (U.S. state) Reed Sorenson Dodge Chip Ganassi Racing
7 5 California Casey Mears Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
8 11 Virginia Denny Hamlin Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing
9 48 California Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
10 43 Texas Bobby Labonte Dodge Petty Enterprises

NOTE: Race was cut short to 283 laps due to rain.

Failed to qualify: Marcos Ambrose (#21), Tony Raines (#34)

Coke Zero 400

Main article: 2008 Coke Zero 400 Powered by Coca-Cola

The Coke Zero 400 Powered by Coca-Cola was held on July 5 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. Martin Truex, Jr.'s car was seized by NASCAR, after the roof template would not fit during opening day technical inspection. Penalties of 150 owner and driver points penalties and a $100,000 fine along with his crew chief and his assistant (car chief) were both suspensded for six races being announced on July 8. Paul Menard won the pole, the first of his Sprint Cup career. Tony Stewart became extremely ill on lap 73 and was replaced by former teammate J. J. Yeley. Kyle Busch won his sixth race of the season and the tenth of his career.

Top Ten Finishers
Pos. Car # Driver Make Team
1 18 Nevada Kyle Busch Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing
2 99 Missouri Carl Edwards Ford Roush Fenway Racing
3 17 Wisconsin Matt Kenseth Ford Roush Fenway Racing
4 2 Nevada Kurt Busch Dodge Penske Racing
5 6 Georgia (U.S. state) David Ragan Ford Roush Fenway Racing
6 7 California Robby Gordon Dodge Robby Gordon Motorsports
7 9 Washington (state) Kasey Kahne Dodge Gillett Evernham Motorsports
8 88 North Carolina Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
9 07 Kansas Clint Bowyer Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing
10 8 Arkansas Mark Martin Chevrolet Dale Earnhardt, Inc.

NOTE: Race was extended two laps under a green-white-checker finish.

Failed to Qualify: Scott Riggs (#66), J. J. Yeley (#96)

LifeLock.com 400

Main article: 2008 LifeLock.com 400

The second half of the season began with the LifeLock.com 400, held under the lights for the first time on July 11 at Chicagoland Speedway in in the Chicago, Illinois suburb of Joilet. It also serveed as the conclusion of TNT's Summer Series schedule. Qualifying was cancelled due to rain, so the field was set by NASCAR's rulebook. Points leader Kyle busch won his seventh race of the season.

Top Ten Finishers
Pos. Car # Driver Car make Team
1 18 Nevada Kyle Busch Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing
2 48 California Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
3 29 California Kevin Harvick Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing
4 16 Washington (state) Greg Biffle Ford Roush Fenway Racing
5 20 Indiana Tony Stewart Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing
6 83 North Carolina Brian Vickers Toyota Team Red Bull
7 17 Wisconsin Matt Kenseth Ford Roush Fenway Racing
8 6 Georgia (U.S. state) David Ragan Ford Roush Fenway Racing
9 1 New Jersey Martin Truex, Jr. Chevrolet Dale Earnhardt, Inc.
10 12 Indiana Ryan Newman Dodge Penske Racing

Failed to make race as qualifying was cancelled due to rain: Johnny Sauter (#08) and Tony Raines (#34).

Allstate 400 at The Brickyard

Main article: 2008 Allstate 400 at the Brickyard

The Allstate 400 at The Brickyard, kicking off ESPN and ABC's portion of the schedule, was run on July 27 at the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the Indianapolis suburb of Speedway, Indiana. Jimmie Johnson won the pole and then the race, which was slowed by nine out of eleven competition cautions because of extreme tire wear.

Top Ten Finishers
Pos. Car # Driver Car make Team
1 48 California Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
2 99 Missouri Carl Edwards Ford Roush Fenway Racing
3 11 Virginia Denny Hamlin Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing
4 19 Virginia Elliott Sadler Dodge Gillett Evernham Motorsports
5 24 California Jeff Gordon Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
6 26 Missouri Jamie McMurray Ford Roush Fenway Racing
7 9 Washington (state) Kasey Kahne Dodge Gillett Evernham Motorsports
8 16 Washington (state) Greg Biffle Ford Roush Fenway Racing
9 31 Virginia Jeff Burton Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing
10 84 California A.J. Allmendinger Toyota Team Red Bull

Failed to qualify: Bill Elliott (#21), Johnny Sauter (#08), Tony Raines (#34), Stanton Barrett (#50)

Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500

Main article: 2008 Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500

The Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500 was held on August 3 of this year at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. For the second straight week, Jimmie Johnson won the pole, but this time, it was Carl Edwards getting the win.

Top Ten Finishers
Pos Car # Driver Make Team
1 99 Missouri Carl Edwards Ford Roush Fenway Racing
2 20 Indiana Tony Stewart Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing
3 40 California Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
4 29 California Kevin Harvick Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing
5 6 Missouri David Ragan Ford Roush Fenway Racing
6 07 Kansas Clint Bowyer Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing
7 9 Washington (state) Kasey Kahne Dodge Gillett Evernham Motorsports
8 8 Arkansas Mark Martin Chevrolet Dale Earnhardt, Inc.
9 26 Missouri Jamie McMurray Ford Roush Fenway Racing
10 24 California Jeff Gordon Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports

Failed to qualify: Chad Chaffin (#34).

Centurion Boats at The Glen

Main article: 2008 Centurion Boats at the Glen

The Centurion Boats at the Glen, the second and final road course race of the season, was held on August 10 at Watkins Glen International in the New York village of said racetrack. Qualifying was canceled due to rain, and the field was set by the rulebook. Kyle Busch swept both road races with his eighth Cup win and sixteenth overall in all three major series, and clinched the top position in the Chase for the Cup.

Top Ten Finishers
Pos. Car # Driver Make Team
1 18 Nevada Kyle Busch Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing
2 20 Indiana Tony Stewart Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing
3 21 Australia Marcos Ambrose Ford Wood Brothers Racing
4 42 Colombia J.P. Montoya Dodge Chip Ganassi Racing
5 1 New Jersey Martin Truex, Jr. Chevrolet Dale Earnhardt, Inc.
6 29 California Kevin Harvick Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing
7 48 California Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
8 11 Virginia Denny Hamlin Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing
9 99 Missouri Carl Edwards Ford Roush Fenway Racing
10 2 Nevada Kurt Busch Dodge Penske Racing

Failed to make race as qualifying was cancelled due to rain: Boris Said (#60) and Brian Simo (#34).

3M Performance 400

Main article: 2008 3M Performance 400

The 3M Performance 400 will be held August 17 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan. Team Red Bull's first pole position was earned by Brian Vickers in qualifying. A varitable parade of Roush Fenway Racing was led by race winner Carl Edwards, as four of the top five were all from the RFR stable and all five made the top ten.

Top Ten Finishers
Pos. Car # Driver Make Team
1 99 Missouri Carl Edwards Ford Roush Fenway Racing
2 18 Nevada Kyle Busch Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing
3 6 Georgia (U.S. state) David Ragan Ford Roush Fenway Racing
4 16 Washington (state) Greg Biffle Ford Roush Fenway Racing
5 17 Wisconsin Matt Kenseth Ford Roush Fenway Racing
6 8 Arkansas Mark Martin Chevrolet Dale Earnhardt, Inc.
7 83 North Carolina Brian Vickers Toyota Team Red Bull
8 29 California Kevin Harvick Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing
9 19 Virginia Elliott Sadler Dodge Gillett Evernham Motorsports
10 26 Missouri Jamie McMurray Ford Roush Fenway Racing

Failed to Qualify: Johnny Sauter (#08).

Sharpie 500

Main article: 2008 Sharpie 500

The Sharpie 500 was held August 23 at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee. Carl Edwards, the defending race champion, would start on the pole and in the process, wrapped up a position in the Chase for the Sprint Cup. He then would go on to win the race, but on-track fireworks ensued afterwards when runner up Kyle Busch, whom Edwards would pass with 30 laps to go on a bump and run, turned Edwards' #99 Office Depot Ford sideways on the cooldown lap.

Top Ten Finishers
Pos Car # Driver Car Make Team
1 99 Missouri Carl Edwards Ford Roush Fenway Racing
2 18 Nevada Kyle Busch Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing
3 11 Virginia Denny Hamlin Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing
4 29 California Kevin Harvick Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing
5 24 California Jeff Gordon Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
6 12 Indiana Ryan Newman Dodge Penske Racing
7 07 Kansas Clint Bowyer Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing
8 20 Indiana Tony Stewart Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing
9 17 Wisconsin Matt Kenseth Ford Roush Fenway Racing
10 6 Georgia (U.S. state) David Ragan Ford Roush Fenway Racing

Failed to qualify: Jeff Green (#34), Johnny Sauter (#08), Patrick Carpentier (#10), Stanton Barrett (#50).

Pepsi 500

Main article: 2008 Pepsi 500

The Pepsi 500 was held on August 31 at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California. As part of the 2009 NASCAR realignment, this became the final race to be held here on Labor Day weekend. In 2009, this race becomes part of the 2009 Chase for the Sprint Cup, taking over the spot occupied for the fall race at Talladega Superspeedway, and was to have concluded ESPN's portion of the television schedule. Jimmie Johnson took the pole position, and dominated the race to win.

Top Ten Finishers
Pos. Car # Driver Make Team
1 48 California Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
2 16 Washington (state) Greg Biffle Ford Roush Fenway Racing
3 11 Virginia Denny Hamlin Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing
4 29 California Kevin Harvick Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing
5 17 Wisconsin Matt Kenseth Ford Roush Fenway Racing
6 99 Missouri Carl Edwards Ford Roush Fenway Racing
7 18 Nevada Kyle Busch Toyoya Joe Gibbs Racing
8 9 Washington (state) Kasey Kahne Dodge Gillett Evernham Motorsports
9 44 Florida David Reutimann Toyota Michael Waltrip Racing
10 07 Kansas Clint Bowyer Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing

Failed to qualify: Tony Raines (#70).

Chevy Rock & Roll 400

Main article: 2008 Chevy Rock & Roll 400

The final "regular season" race, the Chevy Rock and Roll 400, was scheduled to have been held on Saturday, September 6 at Richmond International Raceway in Henrico County, Virginia. However, Tropical Storm Hanna forced a postponement to Sunday, September 7 in the afternoon and television was moved from ABC to ESPN due to prior commitments to carry an WNBA game and an IndyCar Series race from Chicago, Illinois. This race set the field for the 2008 Chase for the Sprint Cup with the top 12 drivers becoming eligible, and having their points reset to 5,000 with a ten-point bonus for each win they earned in the first 26 races of the season. As Hanna canceled qualifying for the race, the field was set by rulebook.

Top Ten Finishers
Pos Car # Driver Car make Team
1 48 California Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
2 20 Indiana Tony Stewart Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing
3 11 Virginia Denny Hamlin Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing
4 88 North Carolina Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
5 8 Arkansas Mark Martin Chevrolet Dale Earnhardt, Inc.
6 31 Virginia Jeff Burton Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing
7 29 California Kevin Harvick Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing
8 24 California Jeff Gordon Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
9 44 Florida David Reutimann Toyota Michael Waltrip Racing
10 5 California Casey Mears Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports

Failed to make race as qualifying was canceled due to rain: Joey Logano (#02), Sterling Marlin (#09), Tony Raines (#34).

Drivers in green made Chase for Sprint Cup.

Chase for the Sprint Cup

Main article: 2008 Chase for the Sprint Cup

Sylvania 300

Main article: 2008 Sylvania 300

The first race of the 2008 Chase, and the 27th race of the season, the Sylvania 300, was run September 14 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, New Hampshire. Qualifying was canceled due to rain, so for the second week in a row, NASCAR's rulebook set the field. When Kyle Busch suffered mechanical problems with a bad sway bar, Greg Biffle won his first race since last October.

Top Ten Finishers
(Chase Drivers highlighted in yellow)
Place Car # Driver Car Make Team
1 16 Washington (state) Greg Biffle Ford Roush Fenway Racing
2 48 California Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
3 99 Missouri Carl Edwards Ford Roush Fenway Racing
4 31 Virginia Jeff Burton Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing
5 88 North Carolina Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
6 2 Nevada Kurt Busch Dodge Penske Racing
7 1 New Jersey Martin Truex, Jr. Chevrolet Dale Earnhardt, Inc.
8 20 Indiana Tony Stewart Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing
9 11 Virginia Denny Hamlin Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing
10 29 California Kevin Harvick Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing

Failed to make race as qualifying was canceled due to rain: Tony Raines (#34) and Carl Long (#46).
NOTE: The #02 car, which was to have been driven by Joey Logano was withdrawn as he was entered in the #96 ride.

Camping World RV 400

Main article: 2008 Camping World RV 400

The Camping World RV 400, the second race in the 2008 Chase and the 28th race overall, was run September 21 at Dover International Speedway in Dover, Delaware. Jeff Gordon won his third pole of the season, but it was Greg Biffle winning his second straight race.

Top Ten Finishers
(Chase Drivers highlighted in yellow)
Place Car # Driver Car Make Team
1 16 Washington (state) Greg Biffle Ford Roush-Fenway Racing
2 17 Wisconsin Matt Kenseth Ford Roush Fenway Racing
3 99 Missouri Carl Edwards Ford Roush-Fenway Racing
4 8 Arkansas Mark Martin Chevrolet Dale Earnhardt, Inc.
5 48 California Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
6 29 California Kevin Harvick Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing
7 24 California Jeff Gordon Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
8 07 Kansas Clint Bowyer Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing
9 31 Virginia Jeff Burton Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing
10 55 Kentucky Michael Waltrip Toyota Michael Waltrip Racing

Failed to qualify: Chad Chaffin (#34), Johnny Sauter (#08), Stanton Barrett (#50).

Camping World RV 400 presented by Coleman

Main article: 2008 Camping World RV 400 presented by Coleman

The Camping World RV 400 presented by Coleman, the third race in the Chase and the 29th overall this season, is scheduled for September 28 at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas. Juan Pablo Montoya won his first NSCS pole for this race, however, he was disqualified and placed in the back of the field because of illegal shock absorbers that exceeded the maximum allowed by NASCAR, and Jimmie Johnson, who was second, was awarded the pole and went on to win the race.

Top Ten Finishers
(Chase Drivers highlighted in yellow)
Place Car # Driver Car Make Team
1 48 California Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
2 99 Missouri Carl Edwards Ford Roush Fenway Racing
3 99 Washington (state) Greg Biffle Ford Roush Fenway Racing
4 24 California Jeff Gordon Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
5 17 Wisconsin Matt Kenseth Ford Roush Fenway Racing
6 29 California Kevin Harvick Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing
7 31 Virginia Jeff Burton Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing
8 6 Georgia (U.S. state) David Ragan Ford Roush Fenway Racing
9 84 California A.J. Allmendinger Toyota Team Red Bull
10 55 Virginia Elliott Sadler Dodge Gillett Evernham Motorsports

Failed to qualify: Michael McDowell (#00), Johnny Sauter (#08).

AMP Energy 500

Main article: 2008 AMP Energy 500

The AMP Energy 500, the fourth race in the 2008 Chase and the 30th overall in the season, was held on October 5 at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Alabama. Tony Stewart won the race, his first victory of the 2008 season, ending a winless streak of 43 races. Travis Kvapil pulled off a "Talladega Surprise" and won the pole position. In a race that saw a record 64 lead changes among 28 drivers, Regan Smith crossed the finish line in first place. However, he was dropped to 18th place (the last position on the lead lap) for illegally passing eventual winner Stewart in the tri-oval by driving below the yellow line on the inside of the track, which is prohibited at restrictor plate tracks. This race will be moved to November 1, 2009 as part of the 2009 NASCAR Schedule Realignment and the Pepsi 500 at Auto Club Speedway will be run in this spot next season.


Top Ten Finishers
(Chase Drivers highlighted in yellow)
Place Car # Driver Car Make Team
1 20 Indiana Tony Stewart Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing
2 15 Wisconsin Paul Menard Chevrolet Dale Earnhardt, Inc.
3 6 Georgia (U.S. state) David Ragan Ford Roush Fenway Racing
4 31 Virginia Jeff Burton Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing
5 07 Kansas Clint Bowyer Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing
6 43 Texas Bobby Labonte Dodge Petty Enterprises
7 66 North Carolina Scott Riggs Chevrolet Haas CNC Racing
8 7 California Robby Gordon Dodge Robby Gordon Motorsports
9 48 California Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
10 19 Virginia Elliott Sadler Dodge Gillett Evernham Motorsports

Failed to qualify: Sam Hornish, Jr. (#77), Patrick Carpentier (#10).
NOTES: 1. The #08 car, which was to have been driven by Boris Said, was withdrawn earlier in the week.
2. Race extended two laps due to green-white-checker finish rule.

Bank of America 500

Main article: 2008 Bank of America 500

The Bank of America 500, the sole night race on the Chase schedule which marks its' halfway point and the 31st overall race of the season, was held Saturday night, October 11 at Lowe's Motor Speedway in the Charlotte, North Carolina suburb of Concord. Qualifying was cancelled due to rain and the field was set by the rulebook for the eighth time this season. Jimmie Johnson was the polesitter, while Jeff Burton won the race and became a contender in the Chase for the Cup once again.

Top Ten Finishers
(Chase Drivers highlighted in yellow)
Place Car # Driver Car Make Team
1 31 Virginia Jeff Burton Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing
2 9 Washington (state) Kasey Kahne Dodge Gillett Evernham Motorsports
3 2 Nevada Kurt Busch Dodge Penske Racing
4 18 Nevada Kyle Busch Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing
5 26 Missouri Jamie McMurray Ford Roush Fenway Racing
6 48 California Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
7 16 Washington (state) Greg Biffle Ford Roush Fenway Racing
8 24 California Jeff Gordon Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
9 8 Arkansas Mark Martin Chevrolet Dale Earnhardt, Inc.
10 6 Georgia (U.S. state) David Ragan Ford Roush Fenway Racing

Failed to make race as qualifying was cancelled due to rain: Brad Keselowski (#25), Scott Speed (#82), Bryan Clauson (#40), Derrike Cope (#75).

TUMS QuikPak 500

Template:Mian

The TUMS QuikPak 500, race number six in the Chase for the Sprint Cup and the 32 overall race of the season, is scheduled to be run on October 19 at Martinsville Speedway in Ridgeway, Virginia.

Points deductions

The following drivers (and teams) were penalized both drivers and owners points for violations:

  • Carl Edwards (#99 Roush Fenway Racing Ford) - 100 points plus 10 bonus points entering the 2008 Chase - Las Vegas (A post-race inspection found opened oil tank lid after UAW-Dodge 400.)
  • Ryan Newman (#12 Penske Racing Dodge) - 25 points - Texas (Car was ⅛" higher than ¼" tolerance following Samsung 500.)
  • Scott Riggs and Johnny Sauter (#66 and #70 CNC Haas Chevrolets) - 150 points each - Charlotte (Illegal adjustments of wings on both cars; they drove their backup cars in Coca-Cola 600.)
  • Martin Truex, Jr (#1 Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Chevrolet) - 150 points - Daytona (Roof on primary car failed inspection prior to Coke Zero 400; drove a backup car.)

Robby Gordon was originally docked 100 points following the Daytona 500 for use of an illegal nose on his car; however, on March 5th, the points were given back to his drivers and owners points total, but the team was fined $150,000 instead of $100,000 for said infraction.

References

  1. ^ USA Today: NASCAR changing top series name to Sprint Cup
  2. ^ NASCAR.com: It's official: CoT will be used full time in '08 season
  3. ^ High U.S. gas prices pinch NASCAR fans
  4. ^ NASCAR feeling pinch of struggling U.S. economy
  5. ^ NASCAR.com: Lack of funding forces Ganassi to shut down #40 team
  6. ^ NASCAR.com: Eight-Year, Multi-Network TV Deal Announced.
  7. ^ NASCAR.com: ESPN Makes Changes To Its' 2008 Broadcast Team
  8. ^ FOX Sports.com: Digger The Gopher Is Born
  9. ^ NASCAR.com: 2008 competition changes
  10. ^ Daytona 2008 preseason test dates announced
  11. ^ NASCAR.com: R. Gordon loses 100 points, crew chief suspended
  12. ^ NASCAR.com: Rain washes out qualifying events Friday at California
  13. ^ ESPN.com: Did the Auto Club 500 show have to go on? Many drivers said no.
  14. ^ NASCAR.com: Crash has Gordon wanting safety upgrades at LVMS
  15. ^ NASCAR.com: Edwards hit with penalty, loses lead in Cup standings
  16. ^ NASCAR.com: McDowell OK after near head-on crash in qualifying
  17. ^ NASCAR.com: Newman hit with 25-point penalty for Texas infraction
  18. ^ ESPN.com: Fans confused when Fox shifts from Red Sox/Yanks finish to NASCAR
  19. ^ NASCAR.com:Stewart's late slip hands Kahne Coca-Cola 600 win
  20. ^ NASCAR.com: Early Dover wreck ruins day for nearly half of top 12
  21. ^ NASCAR.com: Early Dover wreck ruins day for nearly half of top 12

See also

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Miami_State_High_School&oldid=244782781"