Searching for NASCAR Answers

Think Dale Earnhardt Jr. is the most searched driver on the 'net? Think again! According to the folks at Ask.com, more people searched for Tony Stewart and Jeremy Mayfield (this past week at least) than ol' Junebug.

You might also be surprised to learn that NASCAR statistics take a back seat to more -- errrr -- interesting aspects of racing. In fact, more folks want to know how NASCAR drivers go to the bathroom during a race than say who won the Lifelock 400. The answer to the bathroom conundrum per Ask.com? "Drivers take measures to prevent needing to go during a race."

The top NASCAR releated searches for the week are below. You just never know what some folks are dying to find out!


Top-10 driver searches on Ask.com
1. Tony Stewart
2. Jeremy Mayfield
3. Dale Earnhardt Jr
4. Jeff Gordon
5. Dale Earnhardt
6. Kasey Kahne
7. Mark Martin
8. Jimmie Johnson
9. Kyle Busch
10. Carl Edwards

Top-10 NASCAR-related questions on Ask.com
1. How do NASCAR drivers use the bathroom?
2. What does NASCAR stand for?
3. How many times has Jeremy Mayfield been married?
4. Who won the Lifelock 400?
5. Who is Tony Stewart dating?
6. How much do NASCAR drivers get paid?
7. How do NASCAR drivers go to the bathroom?
8. At Indianapolis Motor Speedway , the 1/8 mile short straight-aways between the first and second, and third and fourth turns are termed what?
9. Who holds the cup series qualifying record at Indianapolis Motor Speedway?
10. When is the next NASCAR race?

Top search results are for the week of 7/13/2009 – 7/19/2009

Labonte Might Just Shine at Pocono

There's been lots of big NASCAR news during the past few weeks -- the impressive performance of Stewart-Haas, Dale Jr's crew chief shift, Jeremy Mayfield's indefinite suspension, et cetera, et cetera. And while the media has been shining its spotlight on these high- profile stories, one new Cup team has been quietly plugging away and will likely surprise some folks before the season is over.

Though you probably haven't noticed it, Bobby Labonte and his Ask.com Ford Fusion have been steadily getting better. And last week, if it weren't for a pit road speeding penalty, Labonte and Co. would have bagged their best finish yet.

That's why I'm looking forward to seeing what the #96 team has in store for the Pocono 500. After all, Mark Martin isn't the only Cup veteran who's still got it. When it comes to racing at Long Pond, Labonte has got the goods. He's a three-time Pocono winner, with three top-five finishes and seven top tens to his credit. And if his crew can get his car in shape, he and the boys at Hall of Fame Racing may put on quite a show come Sunday.

“Last week I saw this team come together in the pits and on the track," said Labonte's crew chief Ben Leslie. "The guys have started really getting Bobby out of the box fast and Bobby’s really been racing what we give him hard. I think we’re in for a good weekend in Pocono.”

Let's hope so. This fan would love to see Labonte back in Victory Lane.