The 2011 Cup Season

When I first heard about all of the new changes NASCAR was making to the 2011 season, I was extremely confused. From changing dates, to changing teams, I couldn't keep up with all of it, so I did my research and I'm here to try to help clear it up for you guys! So I hope this helps!

Let's start off with the date/track changes. Chicagoland Speedway, the 1.5 mile oval located in Joliet, Illinois is going to be opening up the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Chase, replacing Auto Club Speedway. Phoenix International Raceway previously had a spring race in April. Scratch that! Now it will be held on February 27, 2011, making it the second race of the season. Moving on to Kentucky, which has never had a Cup date. Well, that's about to change too! It will be the first new track to appear on the Cup Circuit since 2001. The date for the first race is July 9, 2011.

Moving onto the teams, drivers and sponsor changes. You probably have heard that Kasey Kahne is moving from Richard Petty Racing to Red Bull Racing. All of the details are still up in the air, but he is definitely going there for the 2011 season. In 2012, Kasey will be going to Hendrick Motorsports to replace Mark Martin, in the number five. In four years, he will have driven all four manufacturers.

Richard Childress Racing will sign a fourth team for next year. Paul Menard will be driving the car, and Menards will most likely be the sponsor. That's all we know so far. Budweiser will be sponsoring Kevin Harvick and the 29 team.

Bobby Labonte is eager to start competing again full time for JTG Daugherty. He will be taking Marcos Ambros' place in the number 47.

Marcos Ambrose will take Kasey Kahne's place in the nine at Richard Petty Motorsports and will be sponsored most of the time by Stanley Tools.

As I reread this, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense, but it clears things up a little bit! I will write another blog at the end of this season, explaining all of the final changes being made to the 2011 season. I hope this helped a little bit!