Local Look: Dover

Event: MBNA 400 "A Salute to Heroes"

Local papers covering: The News-Journal (Wilmington, Del.), Delaware State News

Newman hopes to get in gear at Dover

The deal: Mike Lewis of the Delaware State News says everybody likes to hear a list of their accomplishments. NASCAR Nextel Cup driver Ryan Newman is no different.

	Ryan Newman

On Tuesday, Newman was listening as a NASCAR official read the 26-year-old's resume at Dover International Speedway. He heard how he swept both races at the one-mile concrete oval in 2003. He heard how he has qualified inside the top five in his last three Dover races. He heard how he has never finished outside the top 10 in four career starts at the Monster Mile.

"Those are some pretty good stats," Newman said playfully.

But he also heard how he has yet to win a race this season, after starting the year as one of the favorites to come away with the Nextel Cup.

Right before that, he heard that he was sitting ninth in the Nextel Cup standings, 298 points behind leader Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

Newman would like to improve that part of his resume Sunday at the MBNA 400 Nextel Cup race at Dover.

Why we care: The South Bend, Ind., native will be one of the favorites to take the checkered flag after his two impressive Cup victories here one year ago.

Last June, Newman survived about 200 laps without power steering to hold off Jeff Gordon, becoming the seventh driver in 27 years to win a Dover race from the pole.

In September, Newman was the first beneficiary of NASCAR's "lucky dog" rule, giving him a lap back after a caution period. From there, he engaged with a classic duel against Jeremy Mayfield before pulling away for a 10-car length win.

For more news on Ryan Newman, click here.

Vickers could break through this weekend

The deal: Mike Finney of the News-Journal says if Brian Vickers appears to be lost while strolling through the pits at Dover International Speedway this weekend, please do not take him to the lost children's booth.

	Brian Vickers

He just looks really, really young. The 20-year-old is a rookie in the Nextel Cup Series. He might even shave occasionally.

He will take the jokes and jabs, but he expects to get the last laugh by winning a race this season.

Why we care: Vickers is going through an adjustment period as he competes against such talented drivers as Dale Earnhardt Jr., Matt Kenseth and Jeff Gordon.

It is a far cry from the Busch Series, where he became the youngest champion in NASCAR history last season.

Things appear to be turning around for the young driver. He won the pole position at Richmond (Va.) three weeks ago and is coming off an eighth-place finish there and a 15th at Charlotte last Sunday.

For more news about Brian Vickers, click here.

Waltrip runs, drives long distances

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The deal: Mike Finney of the News-Journal says Michael Waltrip gets his biggest thrill out of running at speeds approaching 200 mph in a Nextel Cup Series race car.

But he admits -- even though he calls it work -- he does enjoy waking up in the morning, putting on his running shoes, and kicking it into stride.

Why we care: Waltrip, a 41-year-old driver from Owensboro, Ky., is a three-time winner on NASCAR's top racing circuit. He has captured the Daytona 500 in 2001 and 2003.

He is also an avid distance runner who has competed in several marathons, including the Boston Marathon back in 2000. He finished that marathon in 4:42.20 and finished 14,315th out of 17,813 runners. The point, Waltrip said, is that he finished.

For more news on Michael Waltrip, click here.

Busch steers to early fame, away from gossip

The deal: Mike Lewis of the Delaware State Journal says Kyle Busch reads sometimes that his quick ascension within the world of stock-car racing is due to his association with Hendrick Motorsports, the team that brought wins, wealth and stardom to Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson.

	Kyle Busch

Busch hears sometimes that a driver still in his teens shouldn't be able to have the success that he has acquired this season in the NASCAR Busch Series.

Kyle Busch understands that people will say what they want. All he can do is go out and try to win.

Why we care: At the tender age of 19, Busch has nine top-10 finishes in a row, including two victories at Richmond and Charlotte. He has a 38-point lead over Martin Truex Jr. in the Busch Series standings, and leads the series in laps led (579) and total earnings ($538,635).

Not bad for someone who graduated from high school two years ago.

"There's definitely a long season to go but we've had some good success," said Busch, who drives the No. 5 Team Lowe's Chevrolet. "You don't want to have to chase down the lead at the end of the season, so we're in a good position."

For more news from about Kyle Busch, click here.