Thursday, October 10, 2013

NASCAR, team don't condone actions by Travis Kvapil; he returns to car


   A day after being released from the Iredell County Jail, NASCAR driver Travis Kvapil was back in his race car.

   Kvapil, 37, was arrested on Tuesday night on and charged with one count each of assault on a female and false imprisonment stemming from an altercation with his wife at their Mooresville home.

   While he was allowed to participate in practice and qualifying on Thursday at Charlotte Motor Speedway with his BK Racing team, NASCAR issued a statement saying it did not condone Kvapil’s actions.

   “We are disappointed to learn of this incident. We have been in close communication with the race team and are in the process of gathering as much information as possible, the statement read.

   “NASCAR takes this matter very seriously and will continue to monitor the situation as it moves forward.”

   Kvapil’s next scheduled court date is Nov. 19.

   “BK Racing understands the severity of the situation and we don’t condone the actions that Travis has been accused of,” team co-owner Ron Devine said in a statement. “We feel it’s important to let the system take its course.

   “For that reason, we have elected to support Travis and his family and keep Travis in the car for this weekend’s race.”

Will this be NASCAR's 'most popular' 500th career start?

 

Could this be the most popular 500th career start in NASCAR history?
 
Well, it does involve Dale Earnhardt Jr.
 
Only 33 drivers have started 500 races in their NASCAR Sprint Cup Series careers, but this Saturday in the Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway Earnhardt will add his name to that list.
 
Earnhardt made his debut in the series in May 1999 at Charlotte.The Kannapolis native started eighth and finished 16th. 
 
Now, 499 starts later, Earnhardt has 19 wins, 111 top fives, 199 top 10s and 13 poles. If Earnhardt, who celebrated his 39th birthday on Thursday, wins this weekend, he would become the third driver to win in their 500th start (Richard Petty in 1970; Matt Kenseth three weeks ago at New Hampshire).
 
   After a shaky start to the Chase where he finished 35th at Chicagoland, Earnhardt’s come on strong lately with finishes of sixth, second and eighth in the last three races.