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.

Jamie McMurray talks about his wreck in final practice

   NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Jamie McMurray, who has been fast all weekend at New Hampshire, was involved in wreck in the closing minutes of Saturday's final practice session. 

   Q: Looks like you had a tire going down?

   McMurray: Yeah, I actually felt it pop or go flat really early.  I just couldn’t get slowed down.  Every time I got on the brakes it wheel hopped.  I felt like I was going to turn right.  I was trying to get the car slowed down and I knew for a long time I just couldn’t get slowed down enough.    

 

   We cut a left rear tire down. It’s the exact same thing that happened to the No. 42 car (Juan Pablo Montoya) the third lap of practice yesterday. It’s weird, because we had just put new tires on and actually added air to the left rear, trying to make it better. We hadn’t had a problem, but we were just trying to be safe. So it’s a little puzzling that it actually blew out now, when we were trying to be more conservative.

 

   Q: Looks like the car has a lot of damage. Are you going to be able to get it fixed?

   McMurray: I don’t know.  It’s torn up pretty good, but we qualified okay so I hope they tell me they can fix it, but I’m not real sure.

 

   Q: Are you Okay? You looked a little ginger when you got out of the car?

   McMurray: I’m fine. It’s ironic that happened because we actually had added air to the left-rear tire to try to be safe. Then we had a tire go down, so I’m a little bit puzzled more than I am hurt.

 

   Q: Has a decision been made whether to fix the car or use a backup?

   McMurray: So, we’re going to try to fix it because we qualified 11^th and it’s really hard to pass here. And I thought our car was really good in practice; it’s definitely the best car I’ve had here at Loudon. So we want to race this car. It’s mainly cosmetic. So if they can get the panels out and get it where it’s presentable, I think we’re going to try to race this car tomorrow.

 

   It does look better now that they’ve pulled some of the bent pieces off. The right-rear quarter panel I think is going to be the most critical thing because it was tore up pretty good. But it looks much better than it did 20 minutes ago.

Ryan Newman will not return to Stewart-Haas Racing in 2014

   Although not a total surprise, Stewart-Haas Racing co-owner Tony Stewart confirmed on Friday that driver Ryan Newman will not return to the Sprint Cup Series organization in 2014.

   Newman had only signed a one-year deal that expires at the end of this season. After officially announcing Kevin Harvick's move to the organization next year, Stewart said SHR was not in position to run a fourth Cup team.

   "We're not ready to expand to a fourth team," said Stewart. "Unfortunately, this will be the last year we have Ryan."

   Danica Patrick also drives fulltime for SHR.

   "I believe in him 100 percent," Stewart said of Newman. "I truly wish we were able to facilitate four teams."

   Newman said he’s “had a good run” at SHR.

   “I look forward to the opportunity to make the Chase this season and win the championship. I do not know what my future holds,” Newman said.

   “There are organizations out there that are capable of winning races and championships and it is obvious there are seats that could potentially become available.”