Nothing is gained by Tony Stewart doing the double

   Tony Stewart has unsuccessfully attempted the Coca-Cola 600-Indy 500 double twice and has run the 500 five times total in his career. His last venture into a competitive IndyCar race was 2001.

    Yet Roger Penske's sort of serious offer to field an entry for him in 2013 has sparked much interest. Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials would love to see Stewart in the race and even an ESPN executive has suggested the network would be willing to alter the race's planned start time to help.

    What, really, though is there for Stewart to gain? There is no physically possible way he can put in everything necessary - time and preparation - to run the 500 like the rest of IndyCar's regular competitors. The Indy 500 is the crown jewel of open-wheel racing and as such participants spend weeks at the track leading up to the race. The Coke 600 is one of 36 points-paying races in NASCAR's Sprint Cup series, meaning there are other races prior and immediately after that also require the same attention.

    Would Stewart have a shot at the one trophy that has eluded him? Perhaps. But at what cost? And what does his participation do for either IndyCar or NASCAR? He's already attempted this feat twice previously - so the newness factor is muted.

    For those who believe the attempt would help IndyCar, attention on the Indy 500 is not the series' biggest problem. It's getting eyes on the rest of the year that needs help. Stewart running the 500 does not add a single viewer for the season finale in Fontana, Calif.

    Nice offer from Penske. But when it comes to doing the double, Stewart should simply say, "Been there, done that."

Check out Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s 2013 NASCAR ride

Here's a look at the main paint scheme for Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet in 2013.

Erik Jones bests Kyle Busch to win Snowball Derby

   Erik Jones, a 16-year-old who spent the last two Snowball Derbys watching from the grandstands, won the prestigious late model race in part by besting NASCAR star Kyle Busch at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Fla.

   Earlier in the race, Busch wrecked leader T.J. Reaid and was penalized and sent to the rear of the field. He battled back to do battle with Jones before fading to third at the finish.

   Race Results
1.Erik Jones
2.Jeff Choquette
3.Kyle Busch
4.Jeff Fultz
5.Chase Elliott
6.Grant Enfinger
7.Kyle Benjamin
8.David Ragan
9.Chris Davidson
10.John Hunter Nemechek
11.Ross Kenseth
12.Dwayne Buggay
13.D.J. Vanderley
14.Johanna Long
15.Donnie Wilson
16.Hunter Robbins
17.Chuck Barnes Jr
18.Clay Alexander
19.Kyle Jones
20.Austin Theriault
21.Casey Smith
22.Steven Wallace
23.David Rogers
24.Ben Kennedy
25.Brad Rogers
26.T.J. Reaid
27.Bubba Pollard
28.Nelson Piquet Jr
29.Daniel Hemric
30.Logan Boyett
31.Mike Garvey
32.Stephen Nasse
33.Jeremy Pate
34.Brian Campbell
35.Paul Kelley
36.Augie Grill
37.Steve Dorer

Check out Brad Keselowski's 2013 NASCAR ride

With Penske Racing's move to Ford next season, the ride of 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Brad Keselowski will have a different look.

S.C. woman wins Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award

   During Friday night’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards at the Wynn Las Vegas, Lorri Shealy Unumb, creator of “Ryan’s Law”, was named the recipient of the second annual Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award.

    As a mother of three, Unumb was deeply impacted when her oldest son, Ryan, was diagnosed with severe autism at a young age; she then learned that insurance would not cover the cost of treatment for children with autism. As a result, the 44-year-old drafted a bill – now known as “Ryan’s Law” that has been enacted in 31 other states – to require insurance companies to cover treatments for autism. Unumb also founded the Autism Academy of South Carolina, a non-profit organization that protects the interests of children with the disability and helps families affected by autism.

   The NASCAR Foundation’s donation of $100,000 will be used to create a scholarship fund to assist children who would otherwise not be able to attend the Autism Academy.

    Unumb, a 44-year-old native of Lexington, S.C., and former Miss Southern 500 Pageant winner, was chosen from a group of four finalists by a national fan vote on NASCAR.com. Through this award, The NASCAR Foundation honors passionate NASCAR fans making an impact with children in their local communities and reflecting the commitment Betty Jane France has demonstrated with her charitable works and community efforts.

Tony Stewart's list of 2012 NASCAR award winners

   Winners of the sixth annual ‘Stewie Awards’ were announced Thursday night by three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart live on Sirius XM Radio and in front of a studio audience in Las Vegas.

   The ‘Stewie Award’ winners were decided by fans who voted for the best, boldest and funniest moments of the NASCAR season. 

   ‘The Stewies’ will be rebroadcast on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio several times over the coming weeks, including this Saturday, Dec. 1 (3 p.m. ET) and Sunday, Dec. 2 (7 p.m. ET).

   The 2012 winners of the 'Stewie Awards':

   Best Original Drama, For the year’s most dramatic moment or sequence -- The season-long “competitive drama” between Brad Keselowski and Jimmie Johnson lasts to the AdvoCare 500 at Phoenix (11/11), the penultimate race of the Chase, when Jimmie Johnson loses a tire and hits the wall with less than 80 laps to go. Johnson was running seventh at the time and was only 3 points behind Brad Keselowski in the standings but the accident and Johnson’s 32nd place finish put him 20 back heading into season finale.

    Bonehead Move of the Year Award -- During the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas (10/21) Danica Patrick, in an attempt to spin Landon Cassill as payback for what she felt was overly aggressive driving, ends up putting herself into the wall.

    “Feels Like The First Time” Award, For the most notable “first” of the NASCAR season --  Dale Earnhardt Jr. ends a 144 race winless streak by taking the checkered flag at Michigan (6/17).

    Best Vocal Performance, For the year’s most memorable quote -- After the Aaron’s 499 at Talladega (5/6), Tony Stewart meets with the media and shares his thoughts on the wrecks during the race. Audio here: www.siriusxm.com/stewieawards

    Best “Driver2Crew Chatter” -- Carl Edwards plays an April Fool’s joke on then crew chief Bob Osborne during the Goody’s Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville (4/1).   Audio here: www.siriusxm.com/stewieawards

    Best Original Comedy, For the year’s most entertaining “incident” -- After the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte (5/27) when no moderator shows for Matt Kenseth’s media availability, Kenseth takes it upon himself to host the proceedings.

    Hal Needham Award (Best Stunt Sequence), For the year’s most remarkable crash -- On lap 161 of the Daytona 500 (2/27), Juan Pablo Montoya loses control and hits a jet dryer in Turn 3. The fiery crash ignites a fuel spill that burns the track, causing a two hour race delay.

    ‘Boys, Have At It” Award -- Jeff Gordon vs. Clint Bowyer in the final laps of the AdvoCare 500 at Phoenix (11/11).

    The Social Stewie Award, For the year’s best tweet -- @MattKenseth: “Talked to #DaleJr yesterday, told him I was glad he was coming back…being the most popular driver was really hard work. #imkidding” (10/23)

    Golden Stewie Award honoring a legendary figure from the Golden Era of racing -- Presented to journalist and broadcaster Dr. Dick Berggren.

    “Stewie” Lifetime Achievement Award -- Presented to longtime broadcaster Bob Jenkins.

Check out the 2013 NASCAR Chevrolet SS