Helton carries the keys to NASCAR's ignition: NASCAR president Mike Helton is not as visible as he once was, but he's still getting the job done

After stuggling to find a comfort level with the HANS head and neck restraint device over the past couple of weeks. Tony Stewart wishes NASCAR, which has banned the Hutchens restraints device, offered an alternative. Stewart met with HANS co-creator Robert Hubbard last Tuesday to develop a solution but doesn't believe there will be a quick fix.

NASCAR's manifest destiny

New York still tops international Speedway Corp.'s track project list, but president Lesa France Kennedy says the Northwest remains a priority market despite the initial site selection falling through. "It was unfortunate, but there's a lot of nice sites in that area," France says. "It hasn't distracted us at all from moving to the Northwest, and we still believe the Northwest will be an excellent market for us. There are a lot of fans in the Northwest, and we want the community to be behind us."

Kennedy says that the New York project is moving at a slower pace than expected, but she believes racing there should be a reality before the end of the decade.

speed reads

A pension plan for NASCAR Cup Drivers is absolutely ludicrous. Two words of advice: financial planning. After 10 years on the tour, there's not a driver who can't afford to retire.

If Kevin Harvick is looking for honesty in 2005 how's this: You posted subpar numbers in 2004. It has been 51 races since your last victory, and you didn't care enough about your team to show up for Daytona testing. The No. 29 teams performance is hardly reminiscent of pre-2001 Goodwrench days. Truth hurt?

The late Jeff Turner's shoes will be impossible to fill at Hendrick Motorsports, but the promotion of Marshall Carlson to general manager is a step in the right direction. Carlson, 32, worked his way through the ranks and has a firm understanding of Hendrick's holdings. Carlson, who is Rick Hendrick's son-in-law, will balance the interests of the Hendrick family and its race teams.

Jason Leffler is hoping the second time around at Joe Gibbs Racing will be a charm. His stock car experience is beneficial, as is the financial commitment from FedEx.

lspencer@sportingnews.com

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