NASCAR suspends use of aerial camera systems at its events

   NASCAR on Friday issued a statement indicating that it has suspended all use of aerial camera systems at its events pending further investigation of the incident which took place during the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May.

   Here is the statement issued by NASCAR:

   "Pending further investigation of the cable camera system incident during the NASCAR race in Concord, North Carolina in May, NASCAR has decided, in collaboration with its broadcast partners, to suspend all media partner usage of aerial camera systems that hang over race tracks during its sanctioned events. The safety of our competitors and our fans remains NASCAR’s number one priority, and until total evaluation and analysis have been completed, usage of this particular technology enhancement and any similar enhancements, has been suspended."

   You can read the original story of what took place at Charlotte here.

Ryan Newman is going Truckin'

   Sprint Cup Series star Ryan Newman, a former Camping World Truck Series winner, will to the Truck series for the first time in over two years for Wednesday's Mudsummer Classic at Eldora Speedway.

   Newman will pilot the No. 34 Oral-B/Aggressive Hydraulics/WIX Filter Silverado for Turner Scott Motorsports. Newman has four previous starts in the series, collecting one victory, one pole and four top-five finishes. Newman's most recent Truck start was at Atlanta Motor Speedway in the fall of 2011, where he started and finished fifth while competing for Turner Scott Motorsports.

   Newman participated in a recent test session for Turner Scott Motorsports on July 8 at 311 Motor Speedway in Pine Hall, N.C. TSM's NASCAR Nationwide Series crew chief Chris Carrier will be calling the shots atop the pit box for Newman in the race.

Kyle Busch clarifies his comments about Ryan Newman

   NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kyle Busch posted the following message Tuesday evening to his Twitter account in which he said he wanted to clarify comments he made regarding driver Ryan Newman after Sunday's race at New Hampshire.

   Here is his message:

   "I want to clarify that I was answering what I felt was two separate questions asked to me at the same time in an interview following the race in Loudon. The first was about how fast Kurt was and the second was how I felt about Ryan Newman blaming me for him getting wrecked.

    "First I answered the Kurt part. He was fast... Great to see them running well... Was a shame to see him crashed... Nowhere there did I place blame on who wrecked who. I didn't see it and I still haven't seen it.

    "My second answer came from being upset over an incident I had with RN on the track during the race. I answered it in the same response, but it was intended as a completely separate answer.

    "I was upset because I felt RN raced me poorly, making contact and causing damage to my RF fender that affected the handling on my racecar. This isn't the first time that I've been raced poorly by RN either, which added to my frustration. All this built up and allowed my emotions to spill over for how I felt. I'm not sorry for how I feel in those moments, but could have expressed it better and certainly my comments about someone's livelihood went too far."

   You can see Busch's original comments here.

Where NASCAR ranks in spending on lobbyists on Capitol Hill

   According to the Center for Responsive Politics, the National Football League spent far and away the most money of any sports league or entity on lobbyists on Capitol Hill in 2012.

   NASCAR was tied for seventh-most with the NCAA and International Speedway Corp., which owns several NASCAR tracks. If you combined NASCAR with ISC, the two would rank fifth-highest.

   The top 2012 spending by major sports organizations:

    1. National Football League - $1,140,000
    2. Ultimate Fighting Championship - $620,000
    3. Professional Golfer's Association - $380,000
    4. Major League Baseball - $310,000
    5. Bowl Championship Series - $270,000
    6. U.S. Olympic Committee - $240,000
    T-7. National Collegiate Athletic Association - $150,000
    T-7. NASCAR - $150,000
    T-7. International Speedway Corp. - $150,000
    9. National Basketball Association - $125,000
    10. National Football League Player's Association - $120,000

   You can see the Center for Responsive Politics' report here.

Ryan Newman responds to Kyle Busch

   On Monday, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Ryan Newman responded to Kyle Busch's comments made after Sunday's race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

    Here is what Newman told SiriusXM Satellite Radio.:

    "I’m just afraid if I re-arranged his face I might fix it. (laughs). He’s frustrated finishing third or wherever he was after hitting me first and then getting a little rub down the straightaway, then just imagine how I feel. It is what it is. We know that he’s not very bright. He’s a heck of a talent but he’s not very bright. And I’ll leave it at that.”

Kyle Busch calls Ryan Newman 'the biggest stupid idiot out here'

   When speaking after Sunday's race at New Hampshire about the strong run by his brother, Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch had this to say:

   "The No. 78 was good.  I really hated that Kurt got tore up.  I felt like he had the best car here today.  He was definitely good.  He could definitely roll the long runs for sure.  And was proud of them guys but, man, just stupidity.  I mean, Ryan Newman's the biggest stupid idiot out here and he's a big ogre and can do whatever he wants because he can probably kick anybody's butt.  So no sense in getting in a fight with him but glad he's out of a job."

   The interview was aired on SiriusXM Satellite Radio's postrace show with Claire B. Lang.

NASCAR set to unveil R&D and competition side changes on Monday

  NASCAR is set to unveil a set of initiatives on Monday which will include several changes to its research and development and competition areas, sources familiar with the changes told the Observer. 

   NASCAR has scheduled briefing with members of the media on Monday at its research and development center in Concord in which it is expected to address the changes.

   According to sources, among the changes to be adapted include ending the practice of NASCAR inspectors being assigned to specific series; a change to the process for approval of parts; and a change to the process of how and how often cars are inspected each weekend at the race track.

   A reshuffling or reclassification of some responsibilities of personnel is also likely, sources said. 

   NASCAR officials elected to defer comment until their briefing on Monday.

   The initiatives have been in the works for some time but do address issues which arose as recently as last week at Daytona when 31 Sprint Cup and Nationwide teams had roof-flap spacers confiscated because they did not conform to rules.

   NASCAR eventually elected not to penalize the teams.

   Several teams recently penalized by NASCAR or had parts confiscated for being unapproved have complained of difficulties with the approval process.