Sprint Cup Series

The Sprint Cup Series is a motorsports racing series in NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing). It has also been known as the Strictly Stock Series (1949), Grand National Series (1950-1970), Winston Cup Series (1971-2003, and NEXTEL Cup Series (2004-2007). The many name changes are due to new sponsors who wanted to rename the series.

Red Byron was the first winner in 1949, capturing the title with 2 wins out of 6 races. Jimmie Johnson has won the series the last four years starting in 2006. Dale Earnhart and Richard Petty are tied for first in all-time wins with 7.

The current Spring Cup Series has four constructors vying for a championship: Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, and Toyota.

A driver's starting position in a race is based on the times in their qualifying run. Only 43 cars are allowed in any race, so some are sent home to try again another week. The top 35 teams in points are guaranteed a spot. Seven spots are given to qualifiers and the remaining spot is given to a former winner that did not qualify during the trials.http://racer-web.com/racerpedia/n/nascar-sprint-cup/index.php

2010 Schedule

February 14 - Daytona 500 -Daytona: won by Jamie McMurrayhttp://nascar.fanhouse.com/schedule-and-results/sprint/2010
February 21 - Auto Club 500 - Auto Club (California): won by Jimmie Johnson
February 28 - Shelby American - Las Vegas: won by Jimmie Johnson
March 7 - Kobalt Tools 500 - Atlanta: won by Kurt Busch
March 21 - Food City 500 - Bristol: won by Jimmie Johnson
March 28 - Goody's Fast Relief 500 - Martinsville: won by Denny Hamlin
April 10 - Subway Fresh Fit 600 - Phoenix: won by Ryan Newman
April 19 - Samsung Mobile 500 - Texas: won by Denny Hamlin
April 25 - Aaron's 499 - Talladega: won by Kevin Harvick
May 1 - Crown Royal 400 - Richmond: won by Kyle Busch
May 8 - Southern 500 - Darlington: won by Denny Hamlin
May 16 - Autism Speaks 400 - Dover
May 22 - NASCAR Spring All-Star Race - Charlotte
May 30 - Coca-Cola 600 - Charlotte
June 6 - Pocono 500 - Pocono
June 13 - LifeLock 400 - Michigan
June 20 - Toyota / Save Mart 350 - Infineon (Sears Point)
June 27 - LENOX Industrial Tools 301 - Loudon
July 3 - Coke Zero 400 - Daytona
July 10 - LIfeLock.com 400 - Chicagoland
July 25 - Allstate 400 at The Brickyard - Indianapolis
August 1 - Pennsylvani 500 - Pocono
August 8 - Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips - Watkins Glen
August 15 - CARFAX 400 - Michigan
August 21 - Sharpie 500 - Bristol
September 5 - Pep Boys Auto 500 - Atlanta
September 11 - Chevy Rock and Roll 400 - Richmond
September 19 - Sylvania 300 - Loudon
September 26 - AAA 400 - Dover
October 3 - LifeLock 400 - Kansas
October 10 - Pepsi Max 400 - Auto Club (California)
October 16 - Bank of America 500 - Charlotte
October 24 - Subway 500 - Martinsville
October 31 - UAW-Ford 500 - Talladega
November 7 - Dickies 500 - Texas
November 14 - Checker Auto Parts 500 - Phoenix
November 21 - Ford 400 - Homesteadhttp://www.nascar.com/series/cup/

2009 Season

The 2009 season kicked off on February 15, 2009, at the Daytona International Speedway in Florida. The last race will take place on November 22 at the Homestead Miami Speedway. Total distance covered by the drivers during the season on the racetrack will be over 14,000 miles. One rule change was implemented for the season, allowing for a single-line restart during the last 20 laps, versus the previous rule which only included the last 10 laps. The economy has played a role in this season, as corporate sponsors are finding it harder to finance various teams because of the economic downturn in profitability.