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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 3:33 p.m., Friday, September 5, 2008

Auto racing: NASCAR's Rock and Roll 400 postponed by Hanna

By Tania Ganguli
The Orlando Sentinel

RICHMOND, Va. — NASCAR postponed the Chevy Rock and Roll 400 until Sunday at 1 p.m. EDT because Tropical Storm Hanna is expected to hit Virginia on Saturday afternoon.

Nationwide and Cup qualifying were rained out, putting Joey Logano on the pole for the Nationwide Series' Emerson Radio 250 and out of the Cup race.

Logano was supposed to make his Cup debut this weekend at Richmond.

Kyle Busch will start from the Cup pole.

Because of a conflict with an Indy Racing League race, the Cup race will air on ESPN and the Nationwide race on ESPN2 at 7 p.m.

There will be no track activity on Saturday and the cars will be locked up in the haulers and released on Sunday when the track opens again.

"I'm kind of glad NASCAR decided to do it this way," Carl Edwards said. "(That way) we aren't waiting around for it to dry."

Edwards, second in points, is on the outside pole and Jimmie Johnson will start third next to Dale Earnhardt Jr. based on owners points.

"Just be lazy, sit around and see if any golf carts flow by or fly by," Johnson said of what he plans to do Saturday.

"I think it'll be a lot easier on the teams and the drivers if we all stay out of trouble."

Busch has other plans, though.

"I'm trying to find a ride home now and then text my dad and try to find out what time practice was tomorrow for the PASS South Series in Newport, Tenn.," Busch said. "A little quarter-mile race track and get some practice for a short track race for Sunday maybe."

The real Tony Stewart?

Rolling Stone magazine featured Tony Stewart in its Sept. 4 issue and, not at all surprisingly, the renegade driver said a few controversial things. The edgy magazine touched on Stewart's temper, his thoughts on other drivers and his exploits with women.

Well, Dale Earnhardt Jr. didn't think it exactly portrayed Stewart accurately.

"You know Tony as well as I do, and I don't think that's really the picture that got painted," Earnhardt said. "I don't think Tony truly carries himself in that manner, even when he's away from the racetrack."

Stewart taps new chief

Stewart officially announced Darian Grubb as his crew chief for the No. 14 Stewart-Haas Chevrolet on Friday. Grubb left Hendrick Motorsports, where he was the engineering manager for the No. 5 and No. 88 cars.

Grubb came recommended by Stewart's current crew chief, who's been his crew chief for 10 years.