Welcome along to an all-new season of NASCAR Cup. 2011 has been brewing all throughout the winter, and we know there's been nothing that you've been more excited for with the new year being the NASCAR season that comes with it. Many exciting changes to the calendar have been implemented over the offseason, and as your host, it is my duty to walk you through a few key points from higher up.
Key: Retired - Dropped - Rookie - Changed Teams
- Kentucky makes its long-anticipated premiere on the Sprint Cup Circuit. This 1.5-mile tri-oval has drawn the best genes from Darlington, Texas, and Kansas, three icons of the modern age.
- The first Phoenix event of the season has been shortened from 600 to 500K, and the 312-lap event has been moved to become the second race of the season.
- While on the subject of the spring Phoenix race, the track will be reconfigured this year to implement variable banking, and a sharper dogleg to provide more exciting racing.
- The Pepsi Max 400 at Auto Club has been removed from the schedule, and will be replaced with an event in Kansas, the STP 400 which takes place in early June.
- And finally, Auto Club's spring race has been reduced to 400 miles.
Key: Retired - Dropped - Rookie - Changed Teams
- Elliott Sadler has retired from full-time racing in Cup to race full-time for Kevin Harvick Incorporated in the Nationwide Series, though he has stated that a part time return is "not out of the question".
- Sam Hornish Jr. has fallen back, with Penske assistance, to the Nationwide series, due to sponsorship conflicts. This allows rookie Steve Wallace to make his Cup Series debut driving the 77 for his father in the season-opening Daytona 500.
- After a successful part-time debut with the Red Bull Racing Team, Kasey Kahne will be going full-time with the organization driving the #4 to partner a returning Brian Vickers, who sat out a majority of the season due to blood clots and the ensuing surgery. This move has forced Scott Speed out of a ride, and as such is currently pursuing a lawsuit against the team due to an alleged contract violation.
- Bill Elliott has left his part-time ride with Wood Brothers Racing to drive the #09 for Phoenix Racing in at least the opening four rounds of the season. This allows 20-year-old Trevor Bayne to make his debut with the historic #21 team.
- Paul Menard leaves his ride with Richard Petty Motorsports to drive for the new RCR #27 team.
- A shuffle at Team Penske has resulting in Kurt Busch moving from the #2 to the #22 car for the team, with Brad Keselowski and many of the members of his former #12 team relocating to the now vacated #2.
- Due to Kahne departing the #9 team for RPM, the team has chosen to sign Marcos Ambrose over from JTG Daugherty Racing to take the wheel. In turn, the #47 seat has been taken up by Bobby Labonte, who spent the majority of the previous year starting with various outfits on a part-time basis for each as to make near to the full schedule.
- After winning Rookie of the Year this past season driving mostly for the various Front Row Motorsports teams, Kevin Conway moves over to the #97 driving for Joe Nemechek's NEMCO Motorsports team
- Brian Keselowski will be attempting to follow his brother into the sport, but will be driving for his family-owned K-Automotive Motorsports team in the #92.
- Andy Lally will be contending for Rookie of the Year, sat in the #71 for TRG motorsports for the full season.
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