John Andretti set to take Kyle Petty's ride for five Nextel Cup races

by Jason Tweed, GrandPrixChamp.com

John Andretti made a less than spectacular return to Indy in May. He finished 30th after an interlude with the wall.

Apparently, he's now returning to NASCAR, at least part time. According to the Allentown Morning Call, local paper to Nazareth, Pennsylvania, where the Andretti's call home, Andretti is returning to Richard Petty's racing team for a few races this season. Kyle Petty is scheduled to do a few races from the broadcast booth, in what would appear to be a long overdue career transition.

Read the full story: John Andretti Set to Take Kyle Petty's Ride for Five Nextel Cup Races

Dale Earnhardt Jr. to Drive for Hendrick Motorsports in 2008

We don't normally report on NASCAR in this forum, but some news impacts all of motor sports. The news that Dale Earnhardt Jr. has signed with Hendrick Motorsports is such a story.

If you haven't been following NASCAR this season, this is important because Dale Earnhardt Jr. failed to reach an agreement with his current team, founded by his late father. Dale Earnhardt Inc. (DEI) is owned and operated solely by Dale Earnhardt Sr.'s widow Teresa. Many fans felt that Dale Earnhardt created the team as a legacy for his son, however Earnhardt Sr. made it very clear in his will, signed only a short time before his death, that 100% ownership of the team would pass to Teresa.

Earnhardt Jr. was renegotiating his contract in this, his last season with DEI. As part of this negotiation, he requested 51% ownership in Dale Earnhardt Incorporated. It was reported that he had come to an agreement with the company, then suddenly reported later that the agreement fell apart before the signing.

Today Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports, announced the Dale Earnhardt Jr. would race with his team. Hendrick Motorsports has multiple NASCAR championship trophies, most notably last year's trophy with Jimmie Johnson and four championships with Jeff Gordon.

Check out this report and video of the press conference with Dale Earnhardt Jr. from ESPN.com.

Bill France Jr., NASCAR pioneer, Dies

Bill France Jr. died today, and NASCAR as well as the entire motorsports world has lost a pioneer. The France name became synonymous with NASCAR during the reign of Bill Jr. NASCAR, founded under his father, grew to maturity under France Jr.'s leadership.

The business of auto racing grew as well. The brand recognition of NASCAR, as well as the parity in competition, created marketing opportunities for businesses that never existed in motorsports.

Bill France Jr. lead NASCAR with an iron fist. His focused vision took NASCAR from a backwoods regional league of southern bootleggers to the national phenomenon that it is today, all without losing its values based in southern roots.

Whether you love NASCAR or hate it, you have to respect the job that Bill France Jr. did.

Check out the full obituary of Bill France Jr. on NASCAR.com.

Juan Pablo Montoya Adjusts Well to NASCAR

Once again, Grand Prix Champ doesn't cover NASCAR, but how can we resist reporting that former formula 1 driver, Juan Pablo Montoya, has captured his first win in NASCAR. He is racing part-time in the NASCAR Busch series, which visited Mexico City this weekend. On the Mexico City road course he gave fellow open wheel road course specialist, and Chip Ganassi teammate, Scott Pruett, a tap in the rear bumper sending him for a spin. Montoya went on to win, relegating Pruett to fifth.

The Sacramento Bee covered it with the story "Montoya Masterful in Mexico"

Open-Wheel Driver Results from NASCAR's Daytona 500

Here at Grand Prix Champ, it disappoints us when talented open-wheel drivers head to the big money of NASCAR. While we don't typically report on NASCAR, we thought you might like to know how some former open wheel drivers fared in today's Daytona 500.

Former Champ Car driver, Robby Gordon, finished 15th, the highest on a disappointing day among the open wheel veterans.

Recent Formula One export, Juan Pablo Montoya, finished 19th after struggling with handling throughout the day.

Former Indy Racing League champ Tony Stewart finished last, in 43rd position, after crashing just past the three-quarter mark. He did, however, lead 35 laps. I know he is far more famous as a NASCAR driver, but in my heart he is still open-wheel.

One last note... Tony Stewart earned over $334,000 for finishing last.