2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (Start Your Engines!)

Category:Start Your Engines!
The 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series was the 60th season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 37th modern-era Cup series season.
As a result of the merger between Sprint Corporation and Nextel Communications, NASCAR's premier series was renamed as the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series beginning with the 2008 season. Coors Light also replaced Budweiser as the Official Beer of NASCAR, thereby becoming the new sponsor of the Pole Award given to pole winner in each Sprint Cup Series race. However, Budweiser was still the official sponsor for Bud Shootout at Daytona in February, and continued sponsoring Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s #8 Chevrolet.
==Top stories==
===Car of Tomorrow===
In 2003, NASCAR began developing a new body for the SAFER Car chassis introduced in 1997. The new body, colloquially known as the "Car of Tomorrow", was first tested in 2005, and received unanimous criticism, from its boxy shape and lack of differences between manufacturers beyond stickers, to its rear wing that, wind tunnel tests revealed, could render the roof flaps completely useless and cause cars to go airborne, and seeming inability to make a good run. The body was originally meant to debut in 2008, but Dale Earnhardt's damning testimony ("It's a glorified IROC car!") caused massive fan backlash against the proposed change, causing NASCAR to scrap the car entirely and continue using the carbody design introduced in 2003. Ultimately, this design would continue seeing use in the Sprint Cup Series until the New Body Program was initiated in 2011 to create more stock-looking cars, culminating in the debut of a new body for the SAFER Car in 2013.
===Economic problems affect NASCAR===
The Economic crisis of 2008, with high gas prices over US $4 a gallon, caused NASCAR's largely blue-collar fan base to feel the pinch.
While Bristol was one of a few tracks that still sold out, others saw crowds shrink. Daytona International Speedway sold out the Daytona 500, but not the Coke Zero 400. Some track ticket packages now included all-you-can-eat deals, and tracks also offered nearby campgrounds to entice those who come for several days to see Nationwide and Craftsman Truck races. For their fall race, Lowe's Motor Speedway offered discounts on local hotel rooms, novelties and food and drink.
The economy also affected the teams themselves with high diesel fuel prices, with that fuel needed to power the semi-trailer trucks which transport the race cars to and from racetracks. Sponsorships also grew increasingly harder to come by, further increasing the gap between teams. Before the season began, Morgan-McClure Motorsports ceased operations for their single-car team.
Teams attempted to stave off the effects of the "Great Recession" by merging, the biggest example being Dale Earnhardt, Inc. (DEI) and Richard Childress Racing (RCR) merging in 2009 to form Earnhardt Childress Racing (ECR).
===New Round of Retirements===
Several longtime fixtures of the NASCAR circuit retired around 2007-08, including Kyle Petty, Dale Jarrett, Tim Richmond, Sterling Marlin, and Ernie Irvan.
==Teams and drivers==
===Complete schedule===
Manufacturer	Team 	No.	Race driver 	Crew chief 	Model
Chevrolet 	Cale Yarborough Motorsports 	98 	Jeremy Mayfield 	Dave Skog 	2008 Monte Carlo SS
Chevrolet 	Dale Earnhardt, Inc. 	01 	Jerry Nadeau 	Doug Randolph 	2008 Monte Carlo SS
Chevrolet 	Dale Earnhardt, Inc. 	1 	Martin Truex Jr. 	Kevin Manion 	2008 Monte Carlo SS
Chevrolet 	Dale Earnhardt, Inc. 	8 	Dale Earnhardt Jr. 	Tony Eury Jr. 	2008 Monte Carlo SS
Chevrolet 	Dale Earnhardt, Inc. 	14 	Sterling Marlin 	Dan Stillman 	2008 Monte Carlo SS
Chevrolet 	Dale Earnhardt, Inc. 	48 	Jimmie Johnson 	Chad Knaus 	2008 Monte Carlo SS
Chevrolet 	Furniture Row Racing 	78 	Joe Nemechek 	Jay Guy 	2008 Monte Carlo SS
Chevrolet 	Haas CNC Racing 	166	Scott Riggs 	Bootie Barker 	2008 Monte Carlo SS
Chevrolet 	Haas CNC Racing 	166	Max Papis 	Bootie Barker 	2008 Monte Carlo SS
Chevrolet 	Haas CNC Racing 	170	Johnny Sauter 	Steve Genenbacher	2008 Monte Carlo SS
Chevrolet 	Haas CNC Racing 	170	Ken Schrader 	Steve Genenbacher	2008 Monte Carlo SS
Chevrolet 	Haas CNC Racing 	170	Jason Leffler 	Steve Genenbacher	2008 Monte Carlo SS
Chevrolet 	Haas CNC Racing 	170	Scott Riggs 	Steve Genenbacher	2008 Monte Carlo SS
Chevrolet 	Haas CNC Racing 	170	Tony Raines 	Steve Genenbacher	2008 Monte Carlo SS
Chevrolet 	Haas CNC Racing 	170	Max Papis 	Steve Genenbacher	2008 Monte Carlo SS
Chevrolet 	Hendrick Motorsports 	5 	Kyle Busch 	Alan Gustafson 	2008 Monte Carlo SS
Chevrolet 	Hendrick Motorsports 	25 	Ricky Hendrick 	Steve Letarte 	2008 Monte Carlo SS
Chevrolet 	Hendrick Motorsports 	35 	Casey Atwood 	Tony Gibson 	2008 Monte Carlo SS
Chevrolet 	Hendrick Motorsports 	50 	Mark Martin 	Darian Grubb 	2008 Monte Carlo SS
Chevrolet 	Richard Childress Racing 	07 	Clint Bowyer 	Gil Martin 	2008 Monte Carlo SS
Chevrolet 	Richard Childress Racing 	3 	Kevin Harvick 	 	2008 Monte Carlo SS
Chevrolet 	Richard Childress Racing 	30 	Dave Blaney 	Todd Berrier 	2008 Monte Carlo SS
Chevrolet 	Richard Childress Racing 	31 	Jeff Burton 	Scott Miller 	2008 Monte Carlo SS
Dodge 	AK Racing 	7 	Alan Kulwicki 	 	2008 Charger
Dodge 	Bill Davis Racing 	22 	Jeff Gordon 	Tommy Baldwin Jr.	2008 Charger
Dodge 	Bill Davis Racing 	23 	Bobby Labonte 	 	2008 Charger
Dodge 	Bill Davis Racing 	24 	Scott Wimmer (R) 	 	2008 Charger
Dodge 	Chip Ganassi Racing
with Felix Sabates	40 	David Stremme 	Brian Pattie 	2008 Charger
Dodge 	Chip Ganassi Racing
with Felix Sabates	41 	Reed Sorenson 	Jimmy Elledge 	2008 Charger
Dodge 	Chip Ganassi Racing
with Felix Sabates	41 	Scott Pruett 	Jimmy Elledge 	2008 Charger
Dodge 	Chip Ganassi Racing
with Felix Sabates	42 	Juan Pablo Montoya 	Donnie Wingo 	2008 Charger
Dodge 	Gillett Evernham Motorsports 	9 	Kasey Kahne 	Kenny Francis 	2008 Charger
Dodge 	Gillett Evernham Motorsports 	10 	Patrick Carpentier (R)	Rodney Childers 	2008 Charger
Dodge 	Gillett Evernham Motorsports 	10 	Terry Labonte 	Rodney Childers 	2008 Charger
Dodge 	Gillett Evernham Motorsports 	10 	Mike Wallace 	Rodney Childers 	2008 Charger
Dodge 	Gillett Evernham Motorsports 	10 	A. J. Allmendinger 	Rodney Childers 	2008 Charger
Dodge 	Gillett Evernham Motorsports 	19 	Casey Elliott 	Ernie Elliott 	2008 Charger
Dodge 	Kelman Racing 	86 	Ryan Kelman 	Scott Searle 	2008 Charger
Dodge 	McDuffie Racing 	76 	Crissy Hillsworth 	 	2008 Charger
Dodge 	Moroso-Rudd Racing 	82 	Rob Moroso 	 	2008 Charger
Dodge 	Moroso-Rudd Racing 	83 	Brendan Gaughan 	 	2008 Charger
Dodge 	Moroso-Rudd Racing 	84 	Shawna Robinson 	 	2008 Charger
Dodge 	Pacific Coast Racing 	60 	Chloe Johnson 	Jed Luke 	2008 Charger
Dodge 	Pacific Coast Racing 	69 	Jenny Smith 	Barry Baker 	2008 Charger
Dodge 	Pacific Coast Racing 	80 	Tim Johnson 	Charlie Davis 	2008 Charger
Dodge 	Pacific Coast Racing 	85 	Belle Armstrong 	Scott Smith 	2008 Charger
Dodge 	Penske Racing South 	2 	Kurt Busch 	Pat Tryson 	2008 Charger
Dodge 	Penske Racing South 	12 	Sam Hornish Jr. (R) 	Roy McCauley 	2008 Charger
Dodge 	Penske Racing South 	39 	Ryan Newman 	Chris Carrier 	2008 Charger
Dodge 	Penske Racing South 	77 	Blaise Alexander 	 	2008 Charger
Dodge 	Petty Enterprises 	43 	John Andretti 	Jeff Meendering 	2008 Charger
Dodge 	Petty Enterprises 	44 	Kyle Petty 	Billy Wilburn 	2008 Charger
Dodge 	Petty Enterprises 	45 	Adam Petty 	Stewart Cooper 	2008 Charger
Dodge 	Robby Gordon Motorsports 	107	Robby Gordon 	Frank Kerr
Walter Giles
Kirk Almquist	2008 Charger
Ford 	Orr Motorsports 	37 	Rodney Orr 	 	2008 Fusion
Ford 	Robert Yates Racing 	08 	Paul Menard 	 	2008 Fusion
Ford 	Robert Yates Racing 	28 	Clifford Allison 	 	2008 Fusion
Ford 	Robert Yates Racing 	38 	David Gilliland 	 	2008 Fusion
Ford 	Robert Yates Racing 	88 	Jeremy Mayfield 	 	2008 Fusion
Ford 	Roush Racing 	6 	David Ragan 	Jimmy Fennig 	2008 Fusion
Ford 	Roush Racing 	16 	Greg Biffle 	Greg Erwin 	2008 Fusion
Ford 	Roush Racing 	26 	Jamie McMurray 	Larry Carter 	2008 Fusion
Ford 	Roush Racing 	66 	Matt Kenseth 	Chip Bolin 	2008 Fusion
Ford 	Roush Racing 	99 	Carl Edwards 	Bob Osborne 	2008 Fusion
Ford 	Steele Racing with Brett Favre	15 	Tim Steele 	 	2008 Fusion
Ford 	Steele Racing with Brett Favre	90 	Davey Allison 	 	2008 Fusion
Ford 	Wood Brothers Racing 	21 	Bill Elliott 	Gene Nead
Mike Smith
David Hyder	2008 Fusion
Pontiac 	Kennedy Racing 	03 	Melvin Kennedy 	Mark Cutter 	2008 Grand Prix
Pontiac 	Kennedy Racing 	04 	Louise Kennedy 	 	2008 Grand Prix
Toyota 	Hall of Fame Racing 	96 	J. J. Yeley 	Brandon Thomas
Steve Boyer	2008 Camry
Toyota 	Hall of Fame Racing 	96 	P. J. Jones 	Brandon Thomas
Steve Boyer	2008 Camry
Toyota 	Hall of Fame Racing 	96 	Brad Coleman 	Brandon Thomas
Steve Boyer	2008 Camry
Toyota 	Hall of Fame Racing 	96 	Ken Schrader 	Brandon Thomas
Steve Boyer	2008 Camry
Toyota 	Hall of Fame Racing 	96 	Joey Logano 	Brandon Thomas
Steve Boyer	2008 Camry
Toyota 	Joe Gibbs Racing 	11 	Denny Hamlin 	Mike Ford 	2008 Camry
Toyota 	Joe Gibbs Racing 	18 	Dale Jarrett 	Steve Addington 	2008 Camry
Toyota 	Joe Gibbs Racing 	20 	Tony Stewart 	Greg Zipadelli 	2008 Camry
Toyota 	Michael Waltrip Racing 	00 	David Reutimann 	Ryan Pemberton 	2008 Camry
Toyota 	Michael Waltrip Racing 	00 	Michael McDowell (R) 	Bill Pappas
Peter Sospenzo	2008 Camry
Toyota 	Michael Waltrip Racing 	00 	Mike Skinner 	Bill Pappas
Peter Sospenzo	2008 Camry
Toyota 	Michael Waltrip Racing 	00 	Kenny Wallace 	Bill Pappas
Peter Sospenzo	2008 Camry
Toyota 	Michael Waltrip Racing 	00 	A. J. Allmendinger 	Bill Pappas
Peter Sospenzo	2008 Camry
Toyota 	Michael Waltrip Racing 	00 	Mike Bliss 	Bill Pappas
Peter Sospenzo	2008 Camry
Toyota 	Michael Waltrip Racing 	00 	Marcos Ambrose 	Frank Kerr 	2008 Camry
Toyota 	Michael Waltrip Racing 	55 	Michael Waltrip 	 	2008 Camry
Toyota 	Michael Waltrip Racing 	144	Kenny Irwin Jr. 	 	2008 Camry
Toyota 	Team Red Bull 	183	Brian Vickers 	Kevin Hamlin
Randy Cox	2008 Camry
Toyota 	Team Red Bull 	183	Scott Speed 	Jimmy Elledge 	2008 Camry
Toyota 	Team Red Bull 	184	A. J. Allmendinger 	Ricky Viers
Jimmy Elledge	2008 Camry
Toyota 	Team Red Bull 	184	Mike Skinner 	Ricky Viers
Jimmy Elledge	2008 Camry
Toyota 	Team Red Bull 	184	Scott Speed 	Ricky Viers
Jimmy Elledge	2008 Camry
Toyota 	Team Red Bull 	184	Brian Vickers 	Randy Cox 	2008 Camry
=== Limited schedule ===
Manufacturer	Team 	No.	Race driver 	Crew chief 	Model
Chevrolet 	Front Row Motorsports 	137	Eric McClure 	Cal Boprey 	2008 Monte Carlo SS
Chevrolet 	SKI Motorsports 	150	Stanton Barrett 	Ricky Pearson 	2007 Monte Carlo SS
Chevrolet 	Richard Childress Racing	33 	Scott Wimmer 	Shane Wilson 	2008 Monte Carlo SS
Chevrolet 	Richard Childress Racing	33 	Ken Schrader 	Shane Wilson 	2008 Monte Carlo SS
Chevrolet 	Richard Childress Racing	33 	Mike Wallace 	Shane Wilson 	2008 Monte Carlo SS
Chevrolet 	Phoenix Racing 	04 	Rick Mast 	Marc Reno 	2008 Monte Carlo SS
Chevrolet 	Hendrick Motorsports 	52 	Brad Keselowski 	Lance McGrew 	2008 Monte Carlo SS
Chevrolet 	Norm Benning Racing 	57 	Norm Benning 	Stan Hover 	2007 Monte Carlo SS
Chevrolet 	Furniture Row Racing 	87 	Kenny Wallace 	Ed Nathman 	2008 Monte Carlo SS
Dodge 	Bill Davis Racing 	27 	Jacques Villeneuve (R)	Slugger Labbe 	2008 Charger
Dodge 	Bill Davis Racing 	27 	Mike Skinner 	Slugger Labbe 	2008 Charger
Dodge 	Bill Davis Racing 	27 	Johnny Benson 	Slugger Labbe 	2008 Charger
Dodge 	Brandon Ash Racing 	102	Brandon Ash 	Kenneth Wood 	2008 Charger
Dodge 	Carl Long Racing 	46 	Carl Long 	Charles Swing 	2007 Charger
Dodge 	Derrike Cope, Inc. 	75 	Derrike Cope 	Dom Turse 	2008 Charger
Dodge 	E&M Motorsports 	08 	Carl Long 	Tony Furr
Charles Swing	2008 Charger
Dodge 	E&M Motorsports 	08 	Burney Lamar 	Tony Furr
Charles Swing	2008 Charger
Dodge 	E&M Motorsports 	08 	Tony Raines 	Tony Furr
Charles Swing	2008 Charger
Dodge 	E&M Motorsports 	08 	Johnny Sauter 	Tony Furr
Charles Swing	2008 Charger
Dodge 	Pacific Coast Racing 	02 	Dennis Malone 	 	2008 Charger
Dodge 	Pacific Coast Racing 	70 	Ace Johnson 	 	2008 Charger
Ford 	No Fear Racing 	160	Boris Said 	Frank Stoddard 	2007 Fusion
Ford 	JTG Racing 	47 	Marcos Ambrose 	Frank Kerr 	2008 Fusion
Toyota 	Team Red Bull 	182	Scott Speed 	Slugger Labbe 	2008 Camry
Toyota 	Joe Gibbs Racing 	02 	Joey Logano 	Wally Brown 	2008 Camry
Toyota 	Germain Racing 	13 	Max Papis 	Randy Goss 	2007 Camry
Dodge
Toyota	BAM Racing 	49 	Ken Schrader 	David Hyder 	2008 Charger
2008 Camry
Chevrolet
Ford	Front Row Motorsports 	34 	Jeff Green 	Scott Eggleston	2008 Monte Carlo SS
2008 Fusion
Chevrolet
Ford	Front Row Motorsports 	34 	Tony Raines 	Scott Eggleston	2008 Monte Carlo SS
2008 Fusion
Chevrolet
Ford	Front Row Motorsports 	34 	Chad Chaffin 	Scott Eggleston	2008 Monte Carlo SS
2008 Fusion
Chevrolet
Ford	Front Row Motorsports 	34 	Brian Simo 	Scott Eggleston	2008 Monte Carlo SS
2008 Fusion
== Schedule ==
No.	Race title 	Track 	Date 	TV
1 	Toyota/Save Mart 350 	Infineon Raceway, Sonoma 	January 27 	Fox
 	Budweiser Shootout 	Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach	February 9 	CBS
 	Gatorade Duels 	Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach	February 14 	CBS
2 	Daytona 500 	Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach	February 17 	CBS
3 	Subway 400 	Rockingham Speedway, Rockingham 	February 24 	Fox
4 	UAW-Dodge 400 	Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas 	March 2 	Fox
5 	Kobalt Tools 500 	Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton 	March 9 	Fox
6 	Food City 500 	Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol 	March 15 	Fox
7 	San Jose 500 	San Jose Motorplex, Gilroy 	March 23 	Fox
8 	Goody's Cool Orange 500 	Martinsville Speedway, Ridgeway 	March 30 	Fox
9 	Texas 400 	Texas World Speedway, College Station 	April 6 	Fox
10 	TranSouth Financial 400 	Darlington Raceway, Darlington 	April 13 	Fox
11 	Diet Coke 500 	Coca-Cola Superspeedway, Denver 	April 20 	Fox
12 	Aaron's 499 	Talladega Superspeedway, Lincoln 	April 27 	Fox
13 	Crown Royal Presents The Dan Lowry 400 	Richmond International Speedway, Richmond 	May 3 	Fox
14 	Auto Club 500 	Auto Club Speedway, Fontana 	May 10 	Fox
 	Sprint Showdown 	Lowe's Motor Speedway, Concord 	May 17 	Speed
 	Sprint All-Star Challenge 	Lowe's Motor Speedway, Concord 	May 17 	Speed
15 	Coca-Cola 600 	Lowe's Motor Speedway, Concord 	May 25 	CBS
16 	Best Buy 400 	Dover International Speedway, Dover 	June 1 	Fox
17 	Pabst Blue Ribbon 400 	The Milwaukee Mile, West Alliss 	June 8 	TBS
18 	Dodge Challenger 400 	Nazareth Speedway, Nazareth 	June 15 	TBS
19 	Budweiser 400 	Riverside International Speedway, Riverside 	June 22 	TBS
20 	Lenox Industrial Tools 301 	New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Loudon 	June 29 	TBS
21 	Coke Zero 400 Powered by Coca-Cola 	Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach	July 5 	CBS
22 	LifeLock.com 400 	Chicago Motor Speedway, Cicero 	July 13 	TBS
23 	Music City USA 420 	Music City Motorplex, Nashville 	July 20 	TBS
24 	Allstate 400 at The Brickyard 	Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Speedway 	July 27 	ABC
25 	Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500 	Pocono Raceway, Long Pond 	August 3 	ESPN
26 	Centurion Boats at The Glen 	Watkins Glen International, Watkins Glen 	August 10 	ESPN
27 	3M Performance 400 Presented by Bondo 	Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn 	August 17 	ESPN
28 	Sharpie 500 	Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol 	August 23 	ABC
29 	Bojangle's Southern 500 	Darlington Raceway, Darlington 	August 31 	ABC
30 	Chevy Rock & Roll 400 	Richmond International Speedway 	September 7 	ABC
31 	Tyson Holly Farms 400 	North Wilkesboro Speedway, North Wilkesboro 	September 14	ESPN
32 	Camping World RV 400 Presented by AAA 	Dover International Speedway, Dover 	September 21	ESPN
33 	Camping World RV 400 Presented by Coleman 	Kansas Speedway, Kansas City 	September 28	ESPN
34 	AMP Energy 500 	Talladega Superspeedway, Lincoln 	October 5 	ABC
35 	Bank of America 500 	Lowe's Motor Speedway, Concord 	October 11 	ABC
36 	TUMS QuikPak 500 	Martinsville Speedway, Ridgeway 	October 19 	ESPN
37 	Pep Boys Auto 500 	Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton 	October 26 	ESPN
38 	ACDelco 400 	Rockingham Speedway, Rockingham 	November 2 	ESPN
39 	Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 Presented by Pennzoil	Phoenix International Raceway, Avondale 	November 9 	ESPN
40 	Ford 400 	Homestead-Miami Speedway, Homestead 	November 16 	ABC
41 	Apple iPhone 500 	San Jose Motorplex, Gilroy 	November 23 	ABC
42 	Sprite 500 	Coca-Cola Superspeedway, Denver 	November 30 	ESPN
43 	Los Angeles Times 500 	Ontario Motor Speedway, Ontario 	December 7 	ABC
== Television ==
=== United States ===
The 2008 season marked the second year of television contracts with Fox, CBS, TBS and ESPN/ABC. The biggest changes involved ESPN and ABC, as Dale Jarrett became the network's lead race color commentator and Rusty Wallace became the pre-race analyst. Dale, who completed his driving career with the Sprint All-Star Race XXIV, followed in the footsteps of his father, Ned, who worked with ESPN through most of the 1980s through the 2000 NASCAR season, and was now working at CBS. Allen Bestwick took over the hosting role for all races as well as some editions of ESPN2's NASCAR Now, replacing Brent Musburger and Suzy Kolber on the pre-race show, with Shannon Spake taking Bestwick's place as pit reporter; Bestwick also stayed in his role as lead announcer for TBS' NASCAR broadcasts. Also, veteran NASCAR reporter Nicole Manske (along with Ryan Burr) took over as a part-time host of NASCAR Now show for Erik Kuselias. No major changes were made by Fox, CBS, and TBS for the 2008 season.
One innovation was Fox's "Gopher Cam", placed below the track near the inside of the turns for a unique perspective. In the need for a name for their new mascot, Fox turned to internet users and even drivers for suggestions, and the gopher cam mascot was named "Digger". "Digger" is now emblazoned on T-shirts, hats and even as a plush toy.
Another innovation was TBS's "RaceBuddy", an internet application that showed multiple views of the race and radio feeds from drivers (using NASCAR.com's RaceDay Scanner).
=== Canada and Mexico ===
In Canada NASCAR races were seen on TSN and RDS in English and French, while Speed Channel Latin America held the rights in Mexico and all of Latin America, including the Bud Shootout, the Gatorade Duels and the Sprint All-Star Race.
=== Outside North America ===
Sky Sports held the rights in Great Britain, while Five US aired a one-hour highlights package preceding each race. In Australia the 2008 Sprint Cup Series season was covered by Fox SPORTS as usual however, Free-to-air TV's TEN HD presented marquee events live along with one hour highlights packages from all other rounds the Saturday after the event. TenHD also presented the entire Nationwide series season, marking the first time that a full NASCAR Championship was shown on Free-to-Air TV in Australia, mostly due to Marcos Ambrose's involvement in the series. NTV held the rights in Japan, while Sky Italia held rights in Italy (only NNS) and Premiere Sport held the German rights. In Spain, Teledeporte broadcast six live races and hour-long summaries of the remaining thirty.
== 2008 competition changes ==
On January 21, 2008, NASCAR announced various competition changes for the 2008 season.
=== Qualifying procedures ===
* In all three national series, teams that were not locked into the starting field via the Owners Points exemption qualified together as a group at the end of their respective qualifying sessions.
=== Revisions to pit road rules ===
* Over-the-wall pit crews in NASCAR's three national series were able to hand push their car no more than three pit boxes away from their assigned pit box—limiting the crews to the same three-box length for pushing as the vehicles could drive through getting onto pit road.
* Outside tires that had been removed from a vehicle during a pit stop could no longer be free-rolled from the outside of the pit box to the wall. The tires were required to be hand-directed to the inner half of the pit box before being released.
=== Engines ===
* A new engine combination package introduced allowed for cost-saving opportunities for teams. Modifications reduced RPMs and horsepower, which helped engines and pieces to last longer. In turn, teams had the opportunity to run multiple races using the same engine components.
=== Tire usage at non-sanctioned tests ===
* Teams in all three national series received an allotment of tires to use for non-NASCAR sanctioned tests. Cup Series teams had access to 200 tires over the course of the year (except for tests that were sanctioned by Goodyear or Hoosier); Nationwide teams got 160 tires and Truck teams got 120 tires.
=== NASCAR fines ===
* Money collected from fines issued to drivers and others was remitted to the NASCAR Foundation, which supported a variety of charitable initiatives. Previously, fine money had been added to the season-ending point funds paid to drivers based on their finish in the point standings.
==Technical changes==
Changes from 2007 to 2008 were minor. Toyota made minor adjustments to the Camry, while Ford and Dodge made no changes to the Fusion or Charger.
The biggest change was what didn't change. Chevrolet had discontinued the Monte Carlo again, this time for good. However, unlike when the Ford Thunderbird was discontinued after 1997, Chevrolet did not introduce a new model for NASCAR competition. For 2008, all Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series teams continued running the Monte Carlo SS. For 2009, Chevrolet introduced the Impala SS into competition for both series.
== Cars Used in 2008 ==
File:2007 chevrolet monte carlo ss.png|Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS (final year with factory support)
File:2008 ford fusion.png|Ford Fusion
File:2007 dodge charger.png|Dodge Charger
File:2008 toyota camry.png|Toyota Camry
File:2008 pontiac grand prix.png|Pontiac Grand Prix (only used by Kennedy Racing; no factory support)