Tone of Champion's Week took cue from Stewart
Stewart's personality fit Las Vegas scene and it made for entertaining celebration

Kurt Busch, You're fired ! More to come later today.

Busch to drive No. 51 for Phoenix Racing in 2012
The 2004 NASCAR champion will drive James Finch's car next year on the Sprint Cup tour. Steve Barkdoll, general manager for the Spartanburg, S.C.-based team, confirmed Thursday that Busch would be the team's driver. Busch, reached later by telephone, said he had a one-year deal to run the full schedule.

Busch favorite to exceed expectations after move
Allmendinger, Ambrose, Biffle, Junior picked to improve on 2011 numbers

Daytona Winter Testing on the Speed Channel

Preseason Thunder: Day 3
Morning Practice Speeds

Pos. Driver Time Speed Pos. Driver Time Speed
1. Kasey Kahne 44.655 201.545 16. Kevin Harvick 47.010 191.449
2. Jeff Gordon 44.655 201.545 17. A.J. Allmendinger 47.013 191.436
3. Kurt Busch 45.121 199.464 18. Aric Almirola 47.056 191.261
4. Mark Martin 45.122 199.459 19. Joey Logano 47.102 191.075
5. Dale Earnhardt Jr. 45.134 199.406 20. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 47.176 190.775
6. Jimmie Johnson 45.136 199.397 21. Greg Biffle 47.188 190.726
7. Jeff Burton 45.215 199.049 22. Denny Hamlin 47.195 190.698
8. Regan Smith 45.216 199.045 23. Clint Bowyer 47.217 190.609
9. Jamie McMurray 46.283 194.456 24. Marcos Ambrose 47.260 190.436
10. Juan Montoya 46.644 192.951 25. Martin Truex Jr. 47.276 190.371
11. Paul Menard 46.721 192.633 26. Carl Edwards 47.317 190.206
12. Danica Patrick 46.868 192.029 27. Matt Kenseth 47.408 189.841
13. Tony Stewart 46.904 191.881 28. Brad Keselowski 47.534 189.338
14. Kyle Busch 46.955 191.673 29. Dave Blaney 47.739 188.525
15. Trevor Bayne 46.967 191.624 30. Joe Nemechek 47.855 188.068

Sprint Cup NEXT RACE: Shootout 8 p.m. ET Feb.18
Fox TV

Rolex 24 hours GO FORD

NASCAR open to 'unprecedented' team input
"It's just the way we manage the sport," France said on the media tour's final stop. "It's been incredibly helpful. That's my style and [president Mike Helton's] style, as well.

Shootout Practice - 5 p.m. ET Feb. 17

Speed Channel