2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series, Races, Camping World RV Sales 200 presented by Turtle Wax
The Camping World RV Sales 200 presented by Turtle Wax was held June 27 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Joey Logano won the pole for the third straight race he attempted. Kyle Busch won the race.


2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series, Races, Camping World RV Sales 200 presented by Turtle Wax
Did not qualify: Justin Hobgood (#41), Morgan Shepherd (#89), Kertus Davis (#04), Mike Wallace (#0).


2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series, Races, Subway Jalapeño 250
The Subway Jalapeño 250 was held July 3 at Daytona International Speedway. Clint Bowyer took the pole and won the race.


2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series, Races, Subway Jalapeño 250
Did not qualify: Terry Cook (#91), Brian Keselowski (#26), Mike Wallace (#0).


2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series, Races, Dollar General 300 (Chicagoland)
The Dollar General 300 was held July 10 at Chicagoland Speedway. Carl Edwards took the pole but Joey Logano won the race.


2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series, Races, Dollar General 300 (Chicagoland)
Did not qualify: Johnny Chapman (#90), J. C. Stout (#19), Stanton Barrett (#31), Kevin Hamlin (#52), Morgan Shepherd (#89), Brian Keselowski (#96).


2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series, Races, Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers 250
The Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers 250 was held July 18 at Gateway International Raceway. Brad Keselowski took the pole but Kyle Busch won the race.


2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series, Races, Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers 250
Did not qualify: Morgan Shepherd (#89), Jeff Green (#85), Kertus Davis (#04), Joe Ruttman (#71), Stanton Barrett (#31), Brad Teague (#52).


2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series, Races, Kroger 200
The Kroger 200 was held July 25 at O'Reilly Raceway Park. Trevor Bayne took the pole but Carl Edwards won the race.


2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series, Races, Kroger 200
Did not qualify: Dennis Setzer (#96), Brian Keselowski (#26), Joe Ruttman (#71), John Wes Townley (#09), Mike Wallace (#0).


2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series, Races, U.S. Cellular 250
The U.S. Cellular 250 was held August 1 and was the inaugural Nationwide series race at Iowa Speedway. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Justin Allgaier tied for the pole but Stenhouse started 1st. Brad Keselowski won the race.


2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series, Races, U.S. Cellular 250
Did not qualify: Shelby Howard (#70), Peyton Sellers (#77), Kenny Hendrick (#75), Derrike Cope (#78), Andy Ponstein (#96), Jack Smith (#52), Chris Horn (#58).


2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series, Races, Zippo 200
The Zippo 200 was held August 8 at Watkins Glen International. Kevin Harvick took the pole but Marcos Ambrose won the race.


2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series, Races, Zippo 200
Did not qualify: Peyton Sellers (#77), Daryl Harr (#31), Brad Baker (#05), Scott Gaylord (#52), Brett Rowe (#75).


2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series, Races, Carfax 250
The Carfax 250 was held August 15 at Michigan International Speedway. Brian Vickers took the pole but Brad Keselowski won the race.


2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series, Races, Carfax 250
Did not qualify: Kevin Lepage (#73), Jason White (#07), Casey Atwood (#05), Kertus Davis (#0), Derrike Cope (#78), J. C. Stout (#19), Morgan Shepherd (#89), John Wes Townley (#09).


2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series, Races, Food City 250
The Food City 250 was held August 21 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Brad Keselowski took the pole but David Ragan won the race.


2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series, Races, Food City 250
Did not qualify: Dennis Setzer (#96), Kertus Davis (#0), Shelby Howard (#70), Travis Kittleson (#31), Scott Lagasse Jr. (#42), Morgan Shepherd (#89).


2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series, Races, NAPA Auto Parts 200 presented by Dodge
All practice and qualifying was done in the wet using rain tires. The final 16 laps of the race were also run under wet conditions using rain tires. For the third consecutive year, Marcos Ambrose dominated the race, but he blew the final corner by jumping over the curb too high, giving Edwards the win. Ambrose also won the pole.


2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series, Races, Degree Men V12 300
The Degree Men V12 300 was held September 5 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Dale Earnhardt Jr. took the pole but Kevin Harvick won the race.


2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series, Races, Degree Men V12 300
Did not qualify: Derrike Cope (#73), Morgan Shepherd (#89), John Wes Townley (#09), J. C. Stout (#0), Tony Ave (#52).


2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series, Races, Virginia 529 College Savings 250
The Virginia 529 College Savings 250 was held September 11 at Richmond International Raceway. Denny Hamlin took the pole but Carl Edwards won the race.


2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series, Races, Virginia 529 College Savings 250
Did not qualify: Derrike Cope (#73), Casey Atwood (#05), Morgan Shepherd (#89), Chris Lawson (#52).


2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series, Races, Dover 200
The Dover 200 was held September 26 at Dover International Speedway. Kyle Busch took the pole but Clint Bowyer won the race.


2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series, Races, Kansas Lottery 300
The Kansas Lottery 300 was held October 3 at Kansas Speedway. Parker Kligerman got his first Nationwide series career pole. Joey Logano won the race.


2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series, Races, Kansas Lottery 300
Did not qualify: Michael McDowell (#96), Kevin Hamlin (#52), Willie Allen (#92), Derrike Cope (#73), Jennifer Jo Cobb (#79), Morgan Shepherd (#89), Chris Horn (#58), Andy Ponstein (#02).


2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series, Races, Copart 300
The Copart 300 was held October 10 at Auto Club Speedway. Joey Logano took the pole and won the race.


2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series, Races, Copart 300
Did not qualify: Stanton Barrett (#31), Jarit Johnson (#44), Casey Atwood (#05).


2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series, Races, Dollar General 300 (Charlotte)
The Dollar General 300 was held October 16 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Carl Edwards took the pole but Kyle Busch won the race.


2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series, Races, Dollar General 300 (Charlotte)
Did not qualify: Terry Cook (#91), Kevin Lepage (#78), Casey Atwood (#05), Derrike Cope (#73), Peyton Sellers (#77), Morgan Shepherd (#89).


2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series, Races, Kroger on Track for the Cure 250
The Kroger on Track for the Cure 250 was held October 24 at Memphis Motorsports Park. Justin Allgaier got his first Nationwide career pole. Kyle Busch nudged Brad Keselowski on the final turn but Keselowski held on and won the race.


2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series, Races, Kroger on Track for the Cure 250
Did not qualify: Johnny Chapman (#90), Todd Kluever (#42), Kevin Lepage (#78), Nick Joanides (#31), Mark Green (#49), Jarit Johnson (#44), Brad Teague (#52).


2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series, Races, O'Reilly Challenge
The O'Reilly Challenge was held November 7 at Texas Motor Speedway. Matt Kenseth took the pole but Kyle Busch won the race.


2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series, Races, O'Reilly Challenge
Did not qualify: Casey Atwood (#85), Mike Harmon (#84), Andy Ponstein (#02).


2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series, Races, Able Body Labor 200
The Able Body Labor 200 was held November 14 at Phoenix International Raceway. Denny Hamlin won the pole with a new track record. Carl Edwards won the race.


2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series, Races, Able Body Labor 200
Did not qualify: Chris Lawson (#52), Blake Koch (#05), Morgan Shepherd (#89), Daryl Harr (#31).


2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series, Races, Ford 300
The Ford 300 was held November 21 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Carl Edwards won the pole. Kyle Busch won the race and the championship. Denny Hamlin also spun Brad Keselowski earlier in the race.


2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series, Races, Ford 300
Did not qualify: Jeremy Clements (#0), Chase Austin (#58), Johnny Borneman, III (#83), Parker Kligerman (#22), Morgan Shepherd (#89), Eddie MacDonald (#39), Jennifer Jo Cobb (#84), Brian Keselowski (#96), Benny Gordon (#72).


2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series, Final standings, Full Drivers' Championship
(key) Bold – Pole position awarded by time. Italics – Pole position set by owner's points. * – Most laps led.


2009 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race
The NASCAR Sprint Showdown and Sprint All-Star Race XXV was the 25th Anniversary running of NASCAR's special non-points race involving winners of the 2008 and 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races through the 2009 Southern 500 presented by GoDaddy.com as well as Sprint All-Star Race XV-XXIV winners, and past Sprint Cup champions from the decade covering 1999 to 2008. The event was run Saturday night, May 16, 2009, at the 1.5 miles (2.4 km) Lowe's Motor Speedway in the Charlotte, North Carolina suburb of Concord. Both the All-Star Race and the Showdown were broadcast on Speed in the United States while MRN broadcast it on the radio and Sirius XM Radio on satellite radio.


2009 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, Eligible drivers and teams
The following drivers qualified for the race in these categories:


2009 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, Eligible drivers and teams, Past Cup champion drivers
The following six drivers fit into the past Champions category:


2009 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, Eligible drivers and teams, Past All-Star Race winning drivers
The following five drivers were eligible as a past winner of the event in the last decade:


2009 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, Eligible drivers and teams, 2008 and 2009 race winners
The following seven drivers were eligible by winning a Sprint Cup points race in 2008 or 2009:


2009 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, Eligible drivers and teams, Received the 2009 Fan Vote
NOTE: Joey Logano was the youngest driver to race the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race in the 25 years of the event.


2009 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, Qualifying
The qualifying for the Showdown, which was scheduled for May 15 was cancelled for the first time in history, due to rain. Usually, NASCAR rules state that the cars would start on the rulebook factor (top 35 owners, plus qualifying attempts and past champions), but as this was a non-points race, the cars starting position were based on the qualifying order draw. And as a result, Kirk Shelmerdine was on the pole. However, he and outside pole winner Carl Long started from the back as neither had presented their cars on time, so David Stremme and Dave Blaney started the race up front.


2009 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, Qualifying
For the All-Star Race, the format is different from the regular qualifying that occurs in the weekly events. There are three laps, including a four-tire pit stop following either the first or second lap with penalties for loose lugnuts and violating the pit road speed limit on entry. Jimmie Johnson had the fastest time, and started on the pole. Tony Stewart only took two tires but then backed up and changed the other two tires on his pit stop. He did not receive a penalty since he went back and changed the other two tires, but it did cause him to start 15th.


2009 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, Format change
For 2009, the race remained 100 laps, but the four segments were altered. The first "quarter" consisted of 50 laps, with a mandatory green flag pit stop at Lap 25. This was followed by two 20-lap segments, then a ten-minute intermission and a final, 10-green flag lap shootout for the cash.


2009 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, Format change
Also, only drivers qualified for the race, unlike previous years, where drivers and teams both qualified for the event by winning a race from the 2008 Daytona 500 until the 2009 Southern 500 presented by GoDaddy.com.


2009 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, Format change
Sam Hornish Jr. and Jamie McMurray finished 1st and 2nd in the Sprint Showdown (a pair of 20-lap races—20 laps in the first, 20 green flag laps in the second). Sprint customers and fan balloting onsite at NASCAR events voted in Joey Logano.


2009 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, Skills challenges, Pit Crew Challenge presented by Craftsman
The "Skills Challenges" of the Sprint All-Star Race began with the May 14 Craftsman NASCAR All-Star Pit Crew Challenge at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte. A winning pit crew - the Jeff Burton #31 RCR team – and individual tire changers, carriers, and fuelers were crowned as champions of the skills challenge. For winning the event, the Burton team got the first pick on pit road.


2009 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, Skills challenges, Pennzoil Victory Challenge
The second annual Pennzoil Victory Challenge was held as part of the pre-race activities.


2009 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, Skills challenges, Pennzoil Victory Challenge
This year's event was changed from a timing skills to a freestyle event similar to NBA Slam-Dunk and NHL Trick Shot challenges.


2009 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, Skills challenges, Pennzoil Victory Challenge
Kevin Harvick won the event, beating Clint Bowyer, Jeff Gordon, Greg Biffle, Kasey Kahne, Kyle Busch and Darrell Waltrip


2009 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, Skills challenges, Pennzoil Victory Challenge
Harvick challenged the Fox Sports analyst, who won Sprint All-Star Race I, to the event on an episode of Trackside Live! on Speed, and Waltrip, who had driven for Dale Earnhardt, Inc. with the #1 Chevrolet in 1998, accepted Harvick's challenge to participate in the Victory Challenge as part of Sprint All-Star Race XXV.


2009 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, Carl Long's record penalty
In practice  for the Sprint Showdown, Carl Long blew a motor and requested to change his engine. Per NASCAR procedure and the one-engine per weekend rule, NASCAR confiscated the blown motor and allowed Long to change his engine. However, in inspecting the blown engine, the engine was found to be 358.17 cubic inches, 0.17 cubic inches too big. (NASCAR reportedly has a tolerance to 0.10 cubic cm.) Long was penalized 200 driver and owner points (despite the race being a non-points event), crew chief Charles Swing was fined $200,000, and the team was suspended for 12 races, a record penalty.


2009 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, Carl Long's record penalty
Long appealed, claiming the excessive size was due to engine wear and the blowing-up of the engine. He also said the engine had 50 less horsepower that NASCAR's top teams despite being 0.17 cubic cm too big. After initially not being able to pay the fine, a number of donations, including some from NASCAR drivers has allowed the fine to be paid. Although Long lost his appeal, the appeals board did allow Long to compete in lower-level racing series, such as NASCAR Nationwide Series races. The penalty was later reduced from 12 to eight races, but the $200,000 fine was retained.


2009 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, Carl Long's record penalty
The $200,000 fine record was broken in 2013 when Michael Waltrip Racing was fined $300,000 for their involvement in Spingate. Long was eventually reinstated and cleared to compete in the Cup Series in May 2017.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
The 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series was the 61st season of professional stock car racing in the United States, the 38th modern-era Cup series, and the last Cup season of the 21st century's first decade, the 2000s. The season included 36 races and two exhibition races with the regular season beginning with the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway and ending with the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The final ten races were known as 2009 Chase for the Sprint Cup. Rick Hendrick won the Owners' Championship, while Jimmie Johnson won the Drivers' Championship with a fifth-place finish at the final race of the season. Chevrolet won the Manufacturers' Championship with 248 points.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
2009 was the first season without NASCAR legends Dale Jarrett (since 1983) and Kyle Petty (since 1978) after they both retired following the 2008 season. It was also, significantly, the first in Cup Series history in which no Petty family driver competed during the season.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Teams and drivers, Complete schedule
Because of the merger of Dale Earnhardt, Inc. with Chip Ganassi Racing, the No. 01 and No. 15 teams closed after the 2008 season. However, the owners' points from the No. 15 were transferred to the No. 34, while points from either the No. 01 or No. 41 was transferred to the No. 07, with the No. 33 car, owned by Richard Childress, receiving the other. (NASCAR allows for a transfer if the original owner maintains some stake in the team to which points are transferred.) 2009 also saw the demise of Petty Enterprises, which merged with Gillette Evernham Motorsports.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Teams and drivers, Complete schedule
The new company would be called Richard Petty Motorsports, forming a 4 car team with Kasey Kahne in the No. 9, Elliott Sadler in the No. 19, Reed Sorenson driving the famed No. 43, and A. J. Allmendinger driving the No. 44. Also Bill Davis Racing was bought by Triad Racing, however the No. 22 was bought by Penske Racing with Bill Davis holding minority interest. The No. 22's points were transferred to the No. 77, thus guaranteeing that car a spot in the Daytona 500 should all other transfers occur. There were 41 full-time teams in 2009.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Major news stories, Economic effects, Mergers, contractions, and alliances
The economic crisis of 2008 caused problems even before the 2009 season began. While gas (and diesel) prices came down to nearly $2.00 per gallon, corporate America was reluctant to shell out millions of dollars to sponsor teams due to the volatility of the stock market. As a result, Chip Ganassi Racing merged with Dale Earnhardt, Inc. to form Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates. They fielded the No. 1 and No. 8 from DEI and No. 42 from Ganassi, and shut down the DEI No. 01


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Major news stories, Economic effects, Mergers, contractions, and alliances
and No. 15 teams as well as Ganassi's No. 40 and No. 41 teams, as the No. 40 was a full-time team in 2008 until July, when it was closed for a lack of sponsorship. The No. 42 team will run under the Chevrolet banner under the merger as it changes from Dodge. In addition, Front Row Motorsports has EGR support for their No. 34 car, to be driven by John Andretti. On January 19, Petty Enterprises merged with Gillett Evernham Motorsports for the merger with Petty's famous No. 43 joining the newly renamed Richard Petty Motorsports.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Major news stories, Economic effects, Mergers, contractions, and alliances
On December 22, 2008, Bill Davis Racing was sold to California businessman Mike Held and BDR vice president Marty Gaunt, and was renamed Triad Racing Development. Hall of Fame Racing announced an alliance with Yates Racing on January 13, 2009, and named Bobby Labonte as the new driver of the No. 96 team as they move from Toyota to Ford. The first in-season casualty was the No. 28 team of Travis Kvapil owned by Yates Racing, ceasing operations following the Food City 500 on March 22.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Major news stories, Economic effects, Mergers, contractions, and alliances
On April 7, the second casualty of the season was the famous No. 8, which folded because of a lack of sponsorship, leaving Aric Almirola without a ride. On September 10, it was announced that Yates Racing and RPM would merge, closing the No. 44 and No. 96 teams as a result for the 2010 season and the No. 9, No. 19 and No. 43 teams will switch to Ford.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Major news stories, The elimination of testing
On November 14, 2008, NASCAR announced, as another cost-cutting measure, that teams will no longer be allowed to test on NASCAR-sanctioned tracks in all three major series. Traditionally, they had had preseason tests at Daytona and Las Vegas, along with as many as four additional in-season sessions at tracks, but all teams also use unsanctioned tracks (such as Rockingham Speedway) for their tests. The testing ban covers all tracks used on NASCAR's three national series, plus tracks that host events in the Camping World East and West circuits.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Major news stories, The elimination of testing
This radically reduces the number of tracks that can be used for testing, with Rockingham being one of the few major tracks still available. This meant that the annual "Pre-Season Thunder" testing events, which covered all three major touring series at Daytona was cancelled for 2009. However, a fan fest remained in place with the thunder provided by the Richard Petty Driving Experience for fans to ride in a special two-seat stock car. However, Goodyear will still conduct tire tests, such as at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. A total of seven tests were conducted at Indianapolis following the 2008 Allstate 400 at the Brickyard tire debacle.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Major news stories, The elimination of testing, Reduction in manufacturer support
Following General Motors' bankruptcy, GM cut all financial support in the Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series, and considerably reduced financial support in the Sprint Cup Series. Similarly, the Chrysler bankruptcy led to several Dodge Sprint Cup teams, including Richard Petty Motorsports, losing their manufacturer support; as stated earlier, RPM will merge with Yates and have the No. 9, No. 19 and No. 43 cars switch to Ford for the 2010 season. Dodge claims that "funding is on hold." Toyota gave a small reduction in funding before the season, but has not made any mid-season cuts.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Major news stories, The elimination of testing, Reduction in manufacturer support
Rumors have floated that Toyota may leave the Camping World Truck Series or Nationwide Series; the automaker has denied these reports. Ford, the healthiest of all the automakers, continues funding at pre-crisis levels. From the 2005 season it has been rumored that Honda will join the Nationwide and Sprint Cup series, and the rumor gets stronger entering the 2009 season, as Dodge claimed its funding on hold. This was denied by the manufacturer.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Major news stories, Town-hall meeting
On Tuesday, May 26, 2009, NASCAR held a town-hall meeting closed to the public and media with its drivers and owners to discuss a range of topics. Major topics discussed included the Jeremy Mayfield substance abuse suspension controversy, along with double-file restarts, the controversial Car of Tomorrow, sponsorship, testing, the reduction in TV ratings and attendance, and competition in general. All attendees considered the meeting a success.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Major news stories, Double-file restarts
Before the start of the season, NASCAR changed restart rules regarding the final moments of all races in the Sprint Cup, Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series. Previously, when the race was inside the final ten laps, all cars/trucks on the lead lap were in a single-file restart in that window. As of the 2009 season, the window changed to the final 20 laps. The "lucky dog"/"free pass" rule will still be eliminated in the last ten laps of a race.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Major news stories, Double-file restarts
However, before the June Pocono race, the entire restart procedure changed entirely in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. After being run successfully at the NASCAR Sprint Cup All-Star Race and in the Budweiser Shootout, NASCAR implemented a double-file restart system starting at Pocono for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. This change came at the request of fans, drivers, owners, and the media and as a result in a decrease in TV ratings during the NASCAR on Fox portion of the season. (The June Pocono race was the first race of the 2009 season on TNT.)


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Major news stories, Double-file restarts
The entire field will line up double-file, much like the start of the race at every restart. The leaders and other lead lap cars are now in front always when taking the green flag. Cars who choose to stay out and not pit during a caution flag who are in front of the leaders are now waved-around to restart (double file) at the back of the field. The lucky dog/free pass rule is now in effect the entire distance of the race, and the double-file restarts are for every restart, including green-white-checkered finishes.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Major news stories, Double-file restarts
The only reasons cars do not line up double-file in the order they are position wise on the leaderboard is if they are serving a penalty (in most cases, for pit road violations). The leader of the race also has the option of selecting which lane, inside or outside, to restart in, however, the 3rd place car (and 5th, 7th, and so on) will always restart on the inside.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Major news stories, Double-file restarts
The new restart procedure began in the NASCAR Nationwide Series on July 3 at Daytona. NASCAR said it will not be it in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series until at least 2010.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Major news stories, Jeremy Mayfield substance abuse controversy, Suspension
Two hours prior to the race at Darlington, NASCAR announced that driver Jeremy Mayfield has been suspended for a substance abuse policy violation. Mayfield said that the positive test was due to an interaction between a prescription drug and an over-the-counter drug. Mayfield had failed to qualify for the race.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Major news stories, Jeremy Mayfield substance abuse controversy, Suspension
Mayfield violated his suspension by being at Lowe's Motor Speedway for a press conference during the all-star race weekend.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Major news stories, Jeremy Mayfield substance abuse controversy, Suspension
The suspension is indefinite until Mayfield completes NASCAR's substance abuse program, which includes rehabilitation and additional testing.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Major news stories, Jeremy Mayfield substance abuse controversy, Controversy
In the ensuing days and weeks following the initial suspension, NASCAR was widely criticized by fans, drivers, owners, the media, and the World Anti- Doping Agency for not publicly identifying the drug found in Mayfield's test and failing to publish its drug policy or a list of banned substances. NASCAR's drug policy was later published and reports and court filings (see below) indicate that the test was positive for amphetamines. Despite releasing this information, NASCAR has still not published a definitive list of banned substances, leading to continued criticism.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Major news stories, Jeremy Mayfield substance abuse controversy, Controversy
However, NASCAR addressed the issue in its May meeting with the NASCAR owners and drivers, who now say they understand why NASCAR doesn't publish a list. Nonetheless, some remained skeptical of NASCAR's intentions, claiming that "if NASCAR sees something they don't like, they can suspend anyone at anytime." In the middle of the controversy, NASCAR randomly tested 10 NASCAR drivers, officials, and crew members during a rain delay at the Coca-Cola 600 during Memorial Day weekend.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Major news stories, Jeremy Mayfield substance abuse controversy, Controversy
ESPN reported on June 9 that Mayfield tested positive for methamphetamines. This was later confirmed in court.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Major news stories, Jeremy Mayfield substance abuse controversy, Lawsuit
Mayfield sued NASCAR to have his suspension lifted. Mayfield says that he had taken Claritin-D, an allergy drug, in addition to Adderall, a prescription medication used to treat attention deficit disorder. Adderall is an amphetamine.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Major news stories, Jeremy Mayfield substance abuse controversy, Lawsuit
An initial court hearing for a restraining order that would have allowed Mayfield to compete at Dover was ruled in NASCAR's favor. Mayfield's team, which has been taken over by his wife and driver J. J. Yeley, withdrew from the race at Dover. Mayfield sold his team in late July to raise funds for his legal defense. NASCAR has said that Mayfield's team may continue to compete with a different driver and under a different owner. Since Mayfield is suspended, he cannot be in the NASCAR garage area or anywhere where a NASCAR license is required.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Major news stories, Jeremy Mayfield substance abuse controversy, Lawsuit
NASCAR has successfully moved the case to federal court. NASCAR has also countersued Mayfield, accusing the suspended driver of willfully violating the substance abuse policy, breach of contract, and defrauding competitors of earnings. Mayfield earned approximately $150,000 from May 1 in NASCAR earnings. May 1 is when Mayfield claims he began taking the Claritin-D. On June 25, Mayfield formally denied ever taking methamphetamines in a pre-hearing affidavit filed in U.S. District Court, while NASCAR said that the test results proved he was a chronic user of meth and was a danger to public safety.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Major news stories, Jeremy Mayfield substance abuse controversy, Lawsuit
On July 1, U.S. District Court granted Mayfield a temporary injunction that lifted Mayfield's suspension and allowed him to resume his role as driver and owner. The court ruled the damage to Mayfield and was far exceeding the damage to NASCAR, and that there was a high probability that the second test sample was compromised. Mayfield did not return to the track, as his race team was low on funds and sponsors did not want to associate with Mayfield. He sold his team in late July.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Major news stories, Jeremy Mayfield substance abuse controversy, Lawsuit
On July 7, NASCAR appealed the U.S. District Court's ruling. On July 8, NASCAR formally filed an appeal with the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, one step away from the United States Supreme Court. NASCAR claimed that the district court's ruling undermines NASCAR's ability to police drug use and is asking that Mayfield may be re-suspended. The 4th Circuit Court of Appeals granted NASCAR a motion to re-suspend Mayfield on July 24 following a second drug test. NASCAR re-suspended Mayfield immediately.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Major news stories, Jeremy Mayfield substance abuse controversy, Second drug test
On July 7, Mayfield submitted to a drug test. NASCAR said Mayfield was notified by an Aegis representative at 1:18 pm Monday to report to a nearby testing center within two hours, but the driver said he had to first speak to his attorney. After a delay, Mayfield's attorney told NASCAR that Mayfield couldn't get to the center by 3:18 pm, so NASCAR said it found a lab closer to his location. At 3:45 pm, Mayfield called the lab to say he was close but lost, and a receptionist offered to talk him the rest of the way.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Major news stories, Jeremy Mayfield substance abuse controversy, Second drug test
NASCAR said Mayfield told the lab he would call right back but no one was contacted until 5:30 pm, when Mayfield's attorney called NASCAR to inform them Mayfield could not find the location so the lawyer had sent him to an independent laboratory. Two testers and a NASCAR security officer arrived at Mayfield's home in Catawba County, N.C., at 7:20 pm, could not gain access for 10 minutes, and then weren't able to persuade Mayfield to give a sample until 8:20 pm. NASCAR called this seven-hour layover between the time requested for a test and the time a test was given a "classic delay tactic".


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Major news stories, Jeremy Mayfield substance abuse controversy, Second drug test
On July 15, NASCAR filed documents in U.S. District Court that indicated that Mayfield had once again tested positive for methamphetamines. In addition to the second test results, NASCAR also submitted an affidavit from Mayfield's stepmother in which she says that Mayfield used meth over 30 times in 7 years through snorting it up his nose. Mayfield says that "Brian France talking about effective drug programs is like having Al Capone talking about effective law enforcement," and that "I don't trust anything NASCAR does, anything (program administrator) Dr. David Black does, never have, never will."


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Major news stories, Jeremy Mayfield substance abuse controversy, Second drug test
As for his stepmother, Mayfield says that "She's basically a whore. She shot and killed my dad." Lisa Mayfield (Jeremy's stepmother) has since filed a lawsuit suing Mayfield for $20,000 in damages. Mayfield says that he has been tested almost daily by an independent lab and every test result has come back negative.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Major news stories, Jeremy Mayfield substance abuse controversy, Second drug test
Mayfield Motorsports' general manager resigned the same day, hours before the test results were released. The team has since been sold, and a few expect Mayfield to return to the track soon, if ever again.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Major news stories, Jeremy Mayfield substance abuse controversy, Effect on drug testing
Many drivers have said that since the controversy began, the drug testing time has gone from a quick 5-minute in and out to a prolonged 45-minute process that includes identity verification.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Schedule
The most significant schedule changes in the 2009 NASCAR schedule realignment included the addition of the Pepsi 500 at Auto Club Speedway to the 2009 Chase, the shifting of the AMP Energy 500 at Talladega Superspeedway to a later autumn date, and the placement of the Pep Boys Auto 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway to Labor Day weekend as a night race. Additionally, there was a fourth off-week between the Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway and the Pep Boys 500. The schedule changes are listed in boldface on the chart below.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Television and radio, United States
In their third year of the current NASCAR television agreement, Fox carried the Bud Shootout, the Daytona 500 and the first 13 races through Dover's June race. Fox-owned Speed Channel aired the Gatorade Duels and Sprint All Star Race XXV. TNT then picked up the next six races starting at Pocono including the summer race at Daytona, the Coke Zero 400 with its "wide open format" coverage and ending at Chicago. The Allstate 400 at the Brickyard started ESPN/ABC's coverage, including the entire Chase for the Sprint Cup on ABC.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Television and radio, United States
New to Fox telecasts was 3-D CGI animated adventures of "Digger", the network's gopher cam mascot and his friends, Annie, Marbles, Grandpa and rival Lumpy Wheels (named after former Lowe's Motor Speedway chief Humpy Wheeler). According to Digger's backstory, created by Fox Sports chairman David Hill, Digger lives underground at Talladega Superspeedway. The characters were also used in segues into and out of commercial breaks. However, Digger later became a harbor of criticism, as well as what most have cited as a cause of a deeper ratings decline than in years past, adding to already lower-than-normal ratings. More is mentioned here.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Television and radio, United States
Hours before the July New Hampshire race on TNT, Bill Weber was removed from the broadcast booth and replaced by Ralph Sheheen for undisclosed personal reasons. TNT and NASCAR announced on July 1 that Sheheen would replace Weber for the final two races on TNT at Daytona and Chicagoland.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Television and radio, United States
The annual changes at ABC/ESPN continue. Mike Massaro became a third host of NASCAR Now on ESPN2; Vince Welch replaced Massaro on pit road and Marty Reid is doing selected Nationwide Series events as well. But ESPN continues to face heavy criticism from NASCAR fans in result of bored announcers, bad camera work, excessive commercials and lack of post-race coverage.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Television and radio, United States
On radio, Sirius XM Radio will carry all races in the series. Terrestrial radio rights are being handled as follows:


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Television and radio, United States
Speed (replacing ESPN Classic) and MRN will be the broadcasters at the annual Sprint Cup Banquet at the Wynn Las Vegas Hotel Casino in said city on December 4. Las Vegas replaces New York City as the host after 27 years there, 26 of the banquets being staged in The Waldorf=Astoria Hotel.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Television and radio, Other North American channels
In Canada, TSN and TSN 2 covered the 2009 season.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Television and radio, International
In Australia, Fox Sports showed all of the Sprint Cup races live across their networks. Network Ten also showed Qualifying, Final Practice (Happy Hour), a 1-hour highlights package and selected races live on its new digital sports multichannel, ONE.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Television and radio, International
In Portugal, all races this season were telecast on SportTv 3, while in Sweden, Viasat Motor televised the races. In nearby Finland, Urheilu+Kanava telecasted the season's events, and in Great Britain and Ireland, the whole season was again telecasted on Sky Sports, in Spain Teledeporte televised six races of the season live.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Television and radio, International
In Latin America all the races were broadcast on Speed Latin America. They did not telecast practices or qualifying.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Regular season, Budweiser Shootout
The Budweiser Shootout, ran on February 7, is an exhibition race that traditionally is contested by all pole winners from the previous season. This year however, after an announcement made during the previous season, the top six teams from each competing manufacturer based on 2008 owner's points, plus a wild card entry from each manufacturer would be entered to run this race. Paul Menard drew the pole.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Regular season, Gatorade Duels
The Gatorade Duels, held on February 12, are a pair of qualifying races to set the field for the Daytona 500.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Regular season, 2009 Daytona 500
The 2009 Daytona 500 was held on February 15. Martin Truex Jr. qualified on the pole. On lap 152, the race was halted because of rain and when NASCAR determined they could not get the race restarted, the race was called official.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Regular season, 2009 Daytona 500
Failed to qualify: No. 87 – Joe Nemechek, No. 08 – Boris Said, No. 09 – Brad Keselowski, No. 27 – Kirk Shelmerdine, No. 71 – Mike Wallace, No. 37 – Tony Raines, No. 73 – Mike Garvey, No. 75 – Derrike Cope, No. 23 – Mike Skinner, No. 51 – Kelly Bires, No. 46 – Carl Long, No. 64 – Geoff Bodine, No. 57 – Norm Benning, No. 60 – James Hylton (withdrew)


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Regular season, Auto Club 500
The Auto Club 500 was run on February 22 at Auto Club Speedway. Brian Vickers won the pole for this race, but had to start in the back of the field due to an engine change. Despite the caution flag coming out for rain on 4 occasions, NASCAR was still able to complete this race in its entirety. Matt Kenseth took the checkered flag and became the first driver since Jeff Gordon in 1997 to start off a Cup season by winning the first two races of the year.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Regular season, Auto Club 500
Failed to qualify: No. 64 – Todd Bodine, No. 37 – Tony Raines, No. 51 – David Starr, No. 73 – Mike Garvey, No. 09 – Sterling Marlin


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Regular season, Shelby 427
The Shelby 427 was run at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 1. Normally this race is 267 laps and 400 miles long, but for this year's running, Carroll Shelby International took over the title sponsorship of the race and decided to run the race 27 miles longer in honor of the Shelby 427 sports car. Kyle Busch qualified on the pole for the race, but had to start in the back due to an engine change. Busch would rally in the last part of the race to win from the pole.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Regular season, Shelby 427
Failed to qualify: No. 28 – Travis Kvapil, No. 66 – Dave Blaney, No. 73 – Mike Garvey, No. 41 – Jeremy Mayfield, No. 09 – Sterling Marlin, No. 36 – Scott Riggs, No. 37 – Tony Raines, No. 51 – Dexter Bean


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Regular season, Kobalt Tools 500
The Kobalt Tools 500 was held on March 8 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Mark Martin won the pole. Kurt Busch started on the outside front row from second place and would go on to lead 234 laps on his way to a dominating win. This race was extended from 325 to 330 laps due to a green-white-checkered finish.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Regular season, Kobalt Tools 500
Failed to qualify: No. 35 – Todd Bodine, No. 36 – Scott Riggs, No. 41 – Jeremy Mayfield, No. 64 – Geoff Bodine, No. 37 – Tony Raines


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Regular season, Food City 500
The Food City 500 was held on March 22 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Mark Martin started on the pole. One week after Kurt Busch dominated at Atlanta, his brother Kyle Busch would dominate this race. Kyle Busch led 378 of the races 503 laps despite starting mid pack in 19th place. This race was extended to 503 laps from its scheduled 500 due to a green-white-checkered finish.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Regular season, Food City 500
Failed to qualify: No. 36 – Scott Riggs, No. 41 – Jeremy Mayfield


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Regular season, Goody's Fast Pain Relief 500
The Goody's Fast Pain Relief 500 was held at Martinsville Speedway on March 29. Qualifying was rained out and points were used to set the field. Jeff Gordon would be given the pole starting spot as a result. Denny Hamlin led the bulk of the laps, leading 296 of 500. Jimmie Johnson however, would hold off a hard charging Hamlin and give car owner Rick Hendrick an emotional win as Hendrick Motorsports was celebrating their 25th anniversary of the organization's first win right at this very track.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Regular season, Goody's Fast Pain Relief 500
Failed to qualify: No. 09 – Sterling Marlin, No. 37 – Tony Raines, No. 46 – Dennis Setzer, No. 75 – Derrike Cope, No. 73 – Mike Garvey (withdrew)


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Regular season, Samsung 500
The Samsung 500 was held on Sunday April 5, at Texas Motor Speedway. David Reutimann won the pole. Jeff Gordon would hold on from a hard charging Jimmie Johnson who was cutting into Gordon's lead and take the victory. This was Jeff Gordon's first career victory at Texas.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Regular season, Samsung 500
Failed to qualify: No. 87 – Joe Nemechek, No. 82 – Scott Speed, No. 41 – Jeremy Mayfield, No. 64 – Todd Bodine, No. 36 – Scott Riggs


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Regular season, Subway Fresh Fit 500
The Subway Fresh Fit 500 was run on Saturday, April 18, at Phoenix International Raceway. Mark Martin started on the pole, led 157 of the race's 312 laps, and went on to become the fourth driver in Cup Series history to win a points race over the age of 50.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Regular season, Subway Fresh Fit 500
Failed to qualify: No. 64 – Todd Bodine, No. 41 – Jeremy Mayfield, No. 51 – Dexter Bean, No. 02 – Brandon Ash, No. 06 – Trevor Boys


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Regular season, Aaron's 499
The Aaron's 499 was run on Sunday, April 26, at Talladega Superspeedway. Juan Pablo Montoya won the pole. This race is forever remembered for the final lap. The tandem duo of Ryan Newman and Dale Earnhardt Jr. were running first and second coming to the white flag when another tandem duo of Carl Edwards and Nationwide Series regular Brad Keselowski drafted and blew right by Newman and Earnhardt Jr., breaking away down the back straightaway to settle the race among themselves.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Regular season, Aaron's 499
Coming into the tri oval, Brad Keselowski started to peak outside, causing Edwards to react high when Keselowski quickly turned back into the inside finding some room and some momentum to start making a pass down to the inside. Edwards tried to block Keselowski but when Brad's front end made contact with Carl's back end, it turned Carl Edwards' car sideways, causing the back end of his car to lift before being slammed into from the oncoming car of Ryan Newman. The impact sent Carl Edwards' car crashing up into the catch fence that separates the fans from the action. Brad Keselowski took the checkered flag to win his first career Sprint Cup Series race in just his 5th start.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Regular season, Aaron's 499
Failed to qualify: No. 66 – Michael McDowell, No. 4 – Eric McClure, No. 64 – Geoff Bodine


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Regular season, Crown Royal presents the Russ Friedman 400
The Crown Royal presents the Russ Friedman 400 was held on Saturday, May 2 at Richmond International Raceway. Brian Vickers won the pole.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Regular season, Crown Royal presents the Russ Friedman 400
Failed to qualify: No. 64 – Todd Bodine, No. 06 – Trevor Boys


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Regular season, Southern 500 presented by GoDaddy.Com
The Southern 500 presented by GoDaddy.com was held at Darlington Raceway on Saturday, May 9. Matt Kenseth won the pole.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Regular season, Southern 500 presented by GoDaddy.Com
Failed to qualify: No. 41 – Jeremy Mayfield*, No. 82 – Scott Speed, No. 64 – Geoff Bodine (withdrew)


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Regular season, Sprint All-Star Race XXV
The 2009 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race is a non-points event, held on Saturday, May 16, at the Lowe's Motor Speedway. Sam Hornish Jr. won the Sprint Showdown race prior to the start of the All-Star Race, allowing him and runner up Jamie McMurray to transfer into the main event. Joey Logano won the fan vote that also lets one driver not eligible to run the All-Star race to make the event on account of a popular vote by the fans.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Regular season, Sprint All-Star Race XXV
Jimmie Johnson led the first 50 laps in the event before the lead switched back and forth between Kyle Busch and Jeff Gordon. Matt Kenseth would take the lead on lap 95, but with four laps to go Tony Stewart pulled up alongside in what was an exciting battle for the lead. Stewart would overtake Kenseth with two laps to go and hold on for the race win.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Regular season, Coca-Cola 600
The 50th Coca-Cola 600, NASCAR's longest race of the season, was scheduled to run on Sunday, May 24, but due to rain the race was postponed to Monday, May 25 on Memorial Day. Ryan Newman won the pole. On lap 222, rain hit the track throwing out the yellow flag. When drivers and teams decided on pit strategy in the ensuing couple laps, David Reutimann chose to stay out on the track, inheriting the race lead. The race was stopped on lap 227 and never restarted. Reutimann was declared the winner.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Regular season, Coca-Cola 600
Failed to qualify: No. 41 – J. J. Yeley, No. 73 – Mike Garvey, No. 64 – Todd Bodine, No. 06 – David Starr


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Regular season, Autism Speaks 400
The Autism Speaks 400 was held at Dover International Speedway on Sunday, May 31. David Reutimann won the pole for the race. Jimmie Johnson was the class of the field, leading 298 of 400 laps. Johnson would pass Tony Stewart with a couple laps to go and take the win.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Regular season, Autism Speaks 400
Failed to qualify: No. 25 – Brad Keselowski, No. 13 – Max Papis, No. 75 – Derrike Cope, No. 06 – David Starr, No. 41 – J. J. Yeley (withdrew), No. 64 – Todd Bodine (withdrew)


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Regular season, Pocono 500
The Pocono 500 was held on Sunday, June 7 at Pocono Raceway. Tony Stewart won the pole. He came from the rear of the field due to starting in a backup car after crashing in practice. And Stewart also won the race.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Regular season, Pocono 500
Failed to qualify: No. 75 – Derrike Cope, No. 64 – Mike Wallace, No. 37 – Tony Raines, No. 06 – Trevor Boys (withdrew)


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Regular season, Lifelock 400
The LifeLock 400 was held on Sunday, June 14 at Michigan International Speedway. Brian Vickers took the pole but Mark Martin won the race.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Regular season, Toyota/Save Mart 350
The Toyota/Save Mart 350 was held on Sunday, June 21 at Infineon Raceway. Brian Vickers took the pole but Kasey Kahne won the race.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Regular season, Toyota/Save Mart 350
Failed to qualify: No. 82 – Scott Speed, No. 27 – Tom Hubert, No. 37 – Chris Cook, No. 36 – Brian Simo, No. 87 – Joe Nemechek (qualified but was replaced by Scott Speed)


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Regular season, Lenox Industrial Tools 301
The Lenox Industrial Tools 301 was held on Sunday, June 28 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Tony Stewart took the pole. The race was stopped on lap 273 due to rain, giving Joey Logano the win.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Regular season, Lenox Industrial Tools 301
Failed to qualify: No. 51 – Dexter Bean, No. 27 – Ted Christopher, No. 64 – Mike Wallace (withdrew)


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Regular season, Coke Zero 400
The Coke Zero 400 was held on Saturday, July 4 at Daytona International Speedway. Tony Stewart took the pole and won the race. Stewart spun Kyle Busch coming to the finish line to win the race.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Regular season, Coke Zero 400
Failed to qualify: No. 13 – Max Papis, No. 64 – Mike Wallace (withdrew)


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Regular season, LifeLock.com 400
The LifeLock.com 400 was held on Saturday, July 11 at Chicagoland Speedway. Brian Vickers took the pole but Mark Martin won the race.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Regular season, LifeLock.com 400
Failed to qualify: No. 64 – Mike Wallace, No. 51 – Dexter Bean, No 37 – Tony Raines


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Regular season, Allstate 400 at the Brickyard
The Allstate 400 was held on Sunday, July 26 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Mark Martin took the pole but Jimmie Johnson won the race.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Regular season, Allstate 400 at the Brickyard
Failed to qualify: No. 09 – Sterling Marlin, No 13 – Max Papis,  No. 75 – Derrike Cope, No. 64 – Mike Wallace (withdrew)


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Regular season, Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500
The Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500 was held on Monday, August 3 at Pocono Raceway. Tony Stewart took the pole but Denny Hamlin won the race.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Regular season, Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at The Glen
The Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at The Glen was held on Monday, August 10 at Watkins Glen International. Jimmie Johnson took the pole but Tony Stewart won the race.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Regular season, Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at The Glen
Failed to qualify: No. 87 – Joe Nemechek, No. 36 – Brian Simo,  No. 70 – David Gilliland


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Regular season, Carfax 400
The Carfax 400 was held on Sunday, August 16 at Michigan International Speedway. Brian Vickers took the pole and won the race.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Regular season, Carfax 400
Failed to qualify: No. 37 – Tony Raines, No. 08 – Terry Labonte (withdrew),  No. 64 – Mike Wallace (withdrew)


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Regular season, Sharpie 500
The Sharpie 500 was held on Saturday, August 22 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Mark Martin took the pole but Kyle Busch won the race.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Regular season, Sharpie 500
Failed to qualify: No. 36 – Mike Skinner, No. 13 – Max Papis, No. 64 – Mike Wallace,  No. 09 – Aric Almirola, No. 51 – Dexter Bean (withdrew)


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Regular season, Pep Boys Auto 500
The Pep Boys Auto 500 was held on Sunday, September 6 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Martin Truex Jr. took the pole but Kasey Kahne won the race.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Regular season, Pep Boys Auto 500
Failed to qualify: No. 78 – Regan Smith, No. 36 – Patrick Carpentier, No. 37 – Tony Raines


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Regular season, Chevy Rock & Roll 400
The Chevy Rock & Roll 400 was held on Saturday, September 12 at Richmond International Raceway. Mark Martin took the pole but Denny Hamlin won the race.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Chase for the Sprint Cup, Sylvania 300
The Sylvania 300 was held on Sunday, September 20 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Juan Pablo Montoya took the pole but Mark Martin won the race.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Chase for the Sprint Cup, Sylvania 300
Failed to qualify: No. 75 – Derrike Cope, No. 51 – Dexter Bean


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Chase for the Sprint Cup, AAA 400
The AAA 400 was held on Sunday, September 27 at Dover International Speedway. Jimmie Johnson took the pole and won the race.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Chase for the Sprint Cup, Price Chopper 400
The Price Chopper 400 was held on Sunday, October 4 at Kansas Speedway. Mark Martin took the pole but Tony Stewart won the race.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Chase for the Sprint Cup, Price Chopper 400
Failed to qualify: No. 04 – David Gilliland, No. 36 – Michael McDowell, No. 37 – Kevin Hamlin


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Chase for the Sprint Cup, Pepsi 500
The Pepsi 500 was held on Sunday, October 11 at Auto Club Speedway. Denny Hamlin took the pole but Jimmie Johnson won the race.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Chase for the Sprint Cup, Pepsi 500
Failed to qualify: No. 37 – Tony Raines, No. 64 – Mike Wallace


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Chase for the Sprint Cup, NASCAR Banking 500 only from Bank of America
The NASCAR Banking 500 only from Bank of America was held on Saturday, October 17 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Jimmie Johnson took the pole and won the race.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Chase for the Sprint Cup, NASCAR Banking 500 only from Bank of America
Failed to qualify: No. 36 – Michael McDowell, No. 09 – Sterling Marlin, No. 66 – Dave Blaney, No. 37 – Travis Kvapil, No. 64 – Mike Wallace (withdrew)


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Chase for the Sprint Cup, TUMS Fast Relief 500
The TUMS Fast Relief 500 was held on Sunday, October 25 at Martinsville Speedway. Ryan Newman took the pole but Denny Hamlin won the race.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Chase for the Sprint Cup, TUMS Fast Relief 500
Failed to qualify: No. 73 – Josh Wise, No. 75 – Derrike Cope (withdrew)


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Chase for the Sprint Cup, AMP Energy 500
The AMP Energy 500 was held on Sunday, November 1 at Talladega Superspeedway. Jimmie Johnson took the pole but Jamie McMurray won the race.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Chase for the Sprint Cup, Dickies 500
The Dickies 500 was held on Sunday, November 8 at Texas Motor Speedway. Jeff Gordon took the pole but Kurt Busch won the race.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Chase for the Sprint Cup, Dickies 500
Failed to qualify: No. 37 – Tony Raines, No. 66 – Dave Blaney,  No. 13 – Max Papis, No. 09 – Mike Bliss, No. 08 – Derrike Cope (withdrew)


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Chase for the Sprint Cup, Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500
The Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 was held on Sunday, November 15 at Phoenix International Raceway. Martin Truex Jr. took the pole but Jimmie Johnson won the race.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Chase for the Sprint Cup, Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500
Failed to qualify: No. 78 – Regan Smith, No. 70 – Kevin Conway, No. 02 – Brandon Ash


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Chase for the Sprint Cup, Ford 400
The Ford 400 was held on Sunday, November 22 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Jimmie Johnson took the pole but Denny Hamlin won the race.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 2009 season races, Chase for the Sprint Cup, Ford 400
Failed to qualify: No. 87 – Joe Nemechek, No. 66 – Dave Blaney, No. 70 – Mike Skinner, No. 13 – Max Papis, No. 09 – David Stremme, No. 7 – Matt Crafton (qualified for Robby Gordon)


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Results and standings, Drivers' championship
Bold - Pole position awarded by time. Italics - Pole position set by owner's points standings. * – Most laps led.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Results and standings, Drivers' championship
+ Scott Speed failed to qualify his normal ride, the No. 82 Red Bull Toyota at Darlington and Infineon, but drove Joe Nemechek's No. 87 Toyota for those two races, replacing Nemechek, who had a relationship with Jay Frye, vice president of Red Bull and the listed owner of Nemechek's No. 13 Ginn Racing Chevrolet in 2007 that would later be merged with Dale Earnhardt, Inc. on July 25, 2007.


2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Rookie of the Year
The clear favorite for Rookie of the year was 18-year-old standout Joey Logano. Despite struggling early in the year, Logano became the youngest winner in Sprint Cup Series history by winning the rain shortened Lenox Industrial Tools 301. The other competitors, former Formula One drivers Scott Speed and Max Papis, struggled to adjust to stock cars.


2009 NATO Afghanistan headquarters bombing
The 2009 NATO Afghanistan headquarters bombing occurred on August 15, 2009, when a Taliban suicide bomber detonated himself outside the NATO headquarters in Kabul, Afghanistan. The bomber killed at least seven people and injured 91.


2009 NATO Afghanistan headquarters bombing, Attack
The bomber drove his automobile undetected through three or fewer police-checkpoints before detonating his explosive payload, estimated as variously 275 kilograms (606 lb) and 500 kilograms (1,100 lb), 30 yards (27 m) from the main gate of the NATO base. The attack,  coming five days before the country's presidential elections, was the first major attack in the capital since February.


2009 NATO Afghanistan headquarters bombing, Aftermath
The attack wounded 91 people and immediately killed seven civilians, though doctors stated that some patients were in danger of succumbing to injuries later on. Casualties among the military were stated to have been avoided by ISAF Brigadier General Eric Tremblay, though he would not give details. The Taliban claimed differently, stating that they had destroyed four vehicles and killed 24 US embassy employees. Among those wounded was parliament member, Awa Alam Nuristani, and a female campaign manager for President Hamid Karzai. After the attacks Karzai declared that "the enemies of Afghanistan, by conducting such attacks, are trying to create fear among the people as we get close to the election, but people still realise the importance of going to ballot boxes to cast their votes."


2009 NATO Afghanistan headquarters bombing, Aftermath
The attack was claimed by a Taliban spokesperson to have been carried out as a method to disrupt the country's second election. The spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, stated that, "One of our suicide bombers in a (Toyota Hilux) Surf vehicle packed with 500 kilograms of explosives targeted the ISAF headquarters... We will continue this kind of operation in the future and we will accelerate our operations against the Afghan and foreign forces."


2009 NATO Afghanistan headquarters bombing, Aftermath
The blast occurred in one of the city's most heavily guarded streets, which runs between the United States Embassy and the presidential palace. The blast did not affect them, nor did it cause substantial damage to the NATO headquarters. It was the first attack on the NATO compound since its construction in 2002.


2009 NATO Afghanistan headquarters bombing, Aftermath
The incident marked the beginning of a wave of intimidation by unknown perpetrators, mostly spread by telephone calls and text messaging, warning Afghans not to participate in polling at risk of being killed and targeted alongside foreign forces.


2009 NBA All-Star Game
The 2009 NBA All-Star Game was an exhibition basketball game that was played on February 15, 2009, during the National Basketball Association's (NBA) 2008–09 season. It was the 58th edition of the NBA All-Star Game, and was played at the US Airways Center in Phoenix, Arizona, home of the Phoenix Suns. The Western Conference defeated the Eastern Conference, 146–119. The West's Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal were named joint winners of the All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award.


2009 NBA All-Star Game
This was the third time that Phoenix had hosted the All-Star Game; the city had previously hosted the event in 1975 and 1995. Phoenix was awarded the All-Star Game in an announcement by commissioner David Stern on November 8, 2007. The other reported contenders for the 2009 contest were Air Canada Centre at Toronto, Madison Square Garden at New York City, Oracle Arena at Oakland and Bradley Center at Milwaukee.


2009 NBA All-Star Game
The All-Star Weekend began on Friday, February 13, 2009 with the Celebrity Game and the Rookie Challenge, a game between the league's best rookies and second-year players. On Saturday, the event continued with the All-Star Saturday Night, which featured the Shooting Stars Competition, Skills Challenge, Three-Point Shootout and Slam Dunk Contest. The H–O–R–S–E Competition was first introduced and was played before the All-Star Saturday Night. The third D-League All-Star Game and the second D-League Dream Factory Friday Night, the latter of which was modeled after the NBA All-Star Saturday Night, also took place during the All-Star Weekend. The D-League Dream Factory Friday Night was held on Friday and the D-League All-Star Game was held on Saturday.


2009 NBA All-Star Game
In the Rookie Challenge, the Sophomores defeated the Rookies, with Sophomores' Kevin Durant named as the game MVP. In the All-Star Saturday Night events, Nate Robinson won his second Slam Dunk Contest while Daequan Cook and Derrick Rose won the Three-Point Shootout and Skills Challenge respectively. Team Detroit won their second Shootings Stars Competition, beating the home team, Team Phoenix in the final round. Kevin Durant also took home another trophy by winning the inaugural H–O–R–S–E Competition.


2009 NBA All-Star Game, All-Star Game, Coaches
The coaches for the All-Star game are the head coaches who currently lead the teams with the best winning percentage in their conference through the Sunday two weeks before the All-Star game. The head coaches from the previous year, Doc Rivers and Byron Scott were not eligible for selection.


2009 NBA All-Star Game, All-Star Game, Coaches
The coach for the Western Conference team was Los Angeles Lakers head coach Phil Jackson. This was the fourth time Jackson was selected to be an All-Star coach, after previously selected in 1992, 1996 and 2000. The Lakers entered the All-Star break with 42–10 record, the best winning percentage in the Western Conference and in the league.


2009 NBA All-Star Game, All-Star Game, Coaches
The coach for the Eastern Conference team was Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Mike Brown. This was the first time Brown was selected to be an All-Star coach. He became only the second Cavaliers coach to lead an All-Star team, after Lenny Wilkens in 1989. The Cavaliers entered the All-Star break with 40–11 record, the second best winning percentage in the Eastern Conference, behind Doc Rivers' Boston Celtics.


2009 NBA All-Star Game, All-Star Game, Players
The rosters for the All-Star Game is chosen in two ways. The starters were chosen via a fan ballot. Two guards, two forwards and one center who receive the highest vote were named the All-Star starters. The reserves were chosen by votes among the NBA head coaches in their respective conferences. The coaches were not permitted to vote for their own players. The reserves consists of two guards, two forwards, one center and two players regardless of position. If a player is unable to participate due to injury, the commissioner will select a replacement.


2009 NBA All-Star Game, All-Star Game, Players
Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic topped the All-Star Ballots with 3,150,181 votes, which earned him a starting position in the Eastern Conference team. He became the first player to get more than 3 million votes from the fans. LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Kevin Garnett and Allen Iverson completed the Eastern Conference starting position. The Eastern Conference reserves includes 4 first-time selections, Danny Granger, Devin Harris, Jameer Nelson and Mo Williams, who was named as a replacement for the injured Chris Bosh. Jameer Nelson was unable to participate due to injury and Ray Allen was named to replace him. Both Boston Celtics and Orlando Magic were represented by three players on the roster.


2009 NBA All-Star Game, All-Star Game, Players
The Western Conference leading vote-getter was Kobe Bryant with  2,805,397 votes. Yao Ming, Tim Duncan, Amar'e Stoudemire and Chris Paul completed the Western Conference starting position. The Western Conference roster includes five international players in Yao Ming (China), Tim Duncan (U.S. Virgin Islands), Pau Gasol (Spain), Dirk Nowitzki (Germany) and Tony Parker (France). Shaquille O'Neal returned to the All-Star game after one-year absence with his 15th selection, the second most selections in NBA history, behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar with 19 All-Star selections. This also marked the first time O'Neal and Bryant were in the same team since their much publicized feud.


2009 NBA All-Star Game, All-Star Game, Players
Bryant and O'Neal also reunited with coach Phil Jackson. The three of them won three successive NBA championship together with the Los Angeles Lakers in early 2000s. Four teams, Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, New Orleans Hornets, and San Antonio Spurs, had two representations at the All-Star Game with Bryant/Gasol, Stoudemire/O'Neal, Paul/West, and Duncan/Parker.


2009 NBA All-Star Game, All-Star Game, Roster
Jameer Nelson and Chris Bosh were unable to participate due to injury. Ray Allen was named as a replacement for Jameer Nelson. Mo Williams was named as a replacement for Chris Bosh. Although the NBA listed Chris Bosh as a forward in the All-Star ballot, he was selected as a reserve center by the head coaches.


2009 NBA All-Star Game, All-Star Game, Game
Phoenix Suns' Shaquille O'Neal marked his return to the NBA All-Star Game after one-year absence with an unusual entry to the game. O'Neal, the last reserve called during the player introduction, came out with a white mask and began dancing with the dance group JabbaWockeeZ before finally opening his mask and joining the rest of the players on the court. O'Neal and previous year's regular season MVP Kobe Bryant led the West to a 146–119 victory and were named co-MVPs. This was the third All-Star Game MVP award for both players.


2009 NBA All-Star Game, All-Star Game, Game
The East led 20–10 early in the game before West coach, Phil Jackson decided to send O'Neal to the court. With O'Neal and Bryant on the court for the first time since 2004 NBA Finals, the West embarked on a 19–0 run to take the lead. The West continued to extend the lead in the second half and finally won the game by 27 points. Bryant finished with 27 points while Chris Paul added a game high 14 assists. Previous year's All-Star Game MVP LeBron James led the East with 20 points, but was unable to prevent the loss.


2009 NBA All-Star Game, All-Star Game, Guest performances
Five-time Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter John Legend and 17-time Latin Grammy winner Juanes performed during the halftime. Both singers collaborated in the extended version of Legend's song "If You're Out There", a song about hope and inspiration. The extended version includes Spanish lyrics which was sung by Juanes. A special taped message from the United States President, Barack Obama, also aired during the halftime. In the message, President Obama encouraged people to do more public service for the community. A ring ceremony to honor the gold medalists at the 2008 Olympics was also held during the halftime. Six members of USA men's national basketball team, Chris Bosh, Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard, LeBron James, Chris Paul and Dwyane Wade, and two members of USA women's national basketball team, Lisa Leslie and Tina Thompson were awarded with their ring at the ceremony.


2009 NBA All-Star Game, All-Star Game, Guest performances
The national anthem of both the United States and Canada were sung before the game. Arizona native and American Idol winner Jordin Sparks sang U.S. national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner". The Canadian national anthem, "O Canada" were sung by Tamia, Canadian singer who is also the wife of Phoenix Suns player Grant Hill. The pre-game introduction included a dance performance by the America's Best Dance Crew winner, the Jabbawockeez. Grammy-nominated singer Chris Brown was originally scheduled to appear during the pre-game introductions. He, however, withdrew from the performance due to an ongoing domestic violence case against him.


2009 NBA All-Star Game, All-Star Game, Guest performances
Other musical guests during the All-Star Weekend were singers Corbin Bleu and Kevin Rudolf. Bleu performed "Moments That Matter" at the halftime of the Rookie Challenge on Friday while Rudolf performed "Let It Rock" during the NBA All-Star Saturday Night.


2009 NBA All-Star Game, All-Star Weekend, Rookie Challenge
The T-Mobile Rookie Challenge featured a team of standout first-year players ('Rookies') against a team of standout second-year players ('Sophomores'). The game was divided into two twenty-minute halves, similar to college basketball. The participating players were chosen by voting among the league's assistant coaches. The Rookies team includes the first overall draft pick in 2008 NBA draft, Derrick Rose. The rest of the Rookies team consists of five of the top ten pick in the 2008 Draft and three players from the 2007 NBA draft who were in their first NBA season. The three players are the first overall draft pick Greg Oden and two Spanish players Rudy Fernández and Marc Gasol. The Sophomores team features four players from the previous Rookie Challenge game which are Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, Al Horford and Luis Scola.


2009 NBA All-Star Game, All-Star Weekend, Rookie Challenge
The head coaches for the Rookies and Sophomores teams were the lead assistants from the 2009 NBA All-Star Game coaching staffs, Kurt Rambis from the Los Angeles Lakers and John Kuester from the Cleveland Cavaliers. For the first time in the game's history, two active NBA players were selected as leading assistant coach. Two All-Star starters Dwyane Wade and Dwight Howard were selected as the assistant coaches for the Rookies and Sophomores team respectively.


2009 NBA All-Star Game, All-Star Weekend, Rookie Challenge
This year, the first ever EA Sports Jersey Creator Contest was held to design the jerseys for both the rookie and the sophomore team. The contest called for the participants to come up with a computer-generated jersey design that would replace the individual team jerseys worn by the players during the Rookie Challenge. Of 12,000 participants, 18-year-old Tim Ahmed, a freshman at Baruch College, won the contest. Ahmed won a free trip to Phoenix and a chance to meet players. This marks the first time that a fan-designed uniform has ever been worn during an NBA game or NBA event. The Sophomores wore fan-designed white jerseys and the Rookies wore fan-designed purple jerseys in the game.


2009 NBA All-Star Game, All-Star Weekend, Rookie Challenge
The Sophomores won the game 122–116 with Sophomore Kevin Durant named as the Rookie Challenge MVP. Durant scored a record 46 points in the game, breaking Amar'e Stoudemire's 36-point record from 2004. The Rookies led by 3 at halftime, but then Durant took over, scoring 30 of his 46 points in the second half as the Sophomores outscored the Rookies by 6 points to win the game. The game marked the seventh consecutive loss for the Rookies team.


2009 NBA All-Star Game, All-Star Weekend, Slam Dunk Contest
The Sprite Slam Dunk Contest was contested by defending champion Dwight Howard, 2006 champion Nate Robinson, 2005 contestant J. R. Smith and rookie Rudy Fernández. Fernández won the online voting on NBA.com to determine the fourth contestants, beating fellow rookies Joe Alexander and Russell Westbrook. This was the first time a dunk contestant was chosen by the fans. Fernández also became the first ever international player to participate in the contest. Smith was named as a late replacement for Rudy Gay, who was forced to withdraw from the contest due to injury.


2009 NBA All-Star Game, All-Star Weekend, Slam Dunk Contest
Each contestant performed two slam dunks in each round. The two best contestants in the first round, as rated by the panel of judges, advanced to the final round, where the winner was determined by fan voting. The panel of judges for this year contest consists of five former Phoenix Suns players, the inaugural Slam Dunk champion Larry Nance, 1992 champion Cedric Ceballos, 1987 All-Star Game MVP Tom Chambers and three-time All-Stars, Kevin Johnson and Dan Majerle.


2009 NBA All-Star Game, All-Star Weekend, Slam Dunk Contest
Dwight Howard began his title defence with two 50-point dunks to advance to the final round with a perfect score. One of his dunks employed a 12-foot high hoop. Howard also used a prop phone booth to change into his Superman cape before completing the dunk on the 12-foot hoop. Nate Robinson also advanced to the final round with 87 points, beating Smith and Fernández who had 85 and 84 points respectively.


2009 NBA All-Star Game, All-Star Weekend, Slam Dunk Contest
In the final round, Robinson changed his uniform into the New York Knicks' green uniform originally designed for Saint Patrick's Day. The green uniform symbolized  Kryptonite, a fictional substance known to have detrimental effects on Superman. The Krypto-Nate vs. Superman theme continued when Robinson, in his final dunk, used a green basketball and leaped over the 6'11" Howard who wore his Superman cape. Robinson ended up with 52% of fan vote to win his second dunk title. He joined Michael Jordan, Dominique Wilkins, Harold Miner and Jason Richardson as the only two-time winners of the contest.


2009 NBA All-Star Game, All-Star Weekend, Slam Dunk Contest
Unable to participate due to injury. J. R. Smith was named as a replacement for Rudy Gay.


2009 NBA All-Star Game, All-Star Weekend, Three-Point Shootout
The Foot Locker Three-Point Shootout was contested by six players. Two-time winner Jason Kapono returned to defend his title along with two former contestants, Rashard Lewis and Mike Bibby. They were joined by three first-time contestants, Daequan Cook, Danny Granger and Roger Mason. In this contest, contestants attempt to make as many three-point field goals as possible from five shooting stations behind the three-point arc in one minute. Players begin shooting from one corner of the court, and move from station to station along the three-point arc until they reach the other corner. Each station has four standard balls, worth one point each, and one specially colored "money ball", worth two points.


2009 NBA All-Star Game, All-Star Weekend, Three-Point Shootout
Cook won the first round with 18 points as he advanced to the final round along with Lewis and Kapono. The second round was a tight contest between Cook and Lewis, both tied at 15 points, and Kapono, with 14. Because of the tied score, Cook and Lewis played an extra tiebreaker round. Cook went on to beat his first round score with 19 points, while Lewis finished with 7 points.


2009 NBA All-Star Game, All-Star Weekend, Skills Challenge
The PlayStation Skills Challenge was contested by four players. Derrick Rose, the first overall draft pick in 2008 NBA draft, was joined by three All-Star guards, Devin Harris, Jameer Nelson and Tony Parker. However, Nelson was injured and was subsequently replaced by All-Star Mo Williams. In this contest, the contestants have to complete an "obstacle course" consisting of dribbling, passing and shooting stations. A contestant who finish the course with the fastest time wins the contest. All contestants must comply with basic NBA ball-handling rules while completing the course.


2009 NBA All-Star Game, All-Star Weekend, Skills Challenge
Rose led all the contestants with 33.3 seconds in the first round, 3.3 seconds ahead of Harris. Williams was eliminated after recording 37.5 seconds, 4.2 seconds behind the lead. Parker was eliminated with the slowest time in the Skills Challenge history with 50.8 seconds. He previously held the slowest time of 45.5 points during the 2003 competition. In the second round, Harris went first and finished the course with 39.6 seconds, 3.1 seconds worse than his previous attempt. Rose went on to win the contest by recording a 35.3 seconds time while finishing the course with a dunk. Rose also became the first rookie winner of the Skills Challenge competition.


2009 NBA All-Star Game, All-Star Weekend, Skills Challenge
Unable to participate due to injury. Mo Williams was named as a replacement for Jameer Nelson.


2009 NBA All-Star Game, All-Star Weekend, Shooting Stars Competition
The Haier Shooting Stars Competition was competed between four teams of three players, with each team representing a city which has both NBA and WNBA teams. Each team consisted of one current NBA player, one current WNBA player, and one NBA legend. Team San Antonio, the defending champion, was joined by the inaugural champion, Team Los Angeles, 2005 champion, Team Phoenix and 2007 champion, Team Detroit. In this competition, each team must make six shots from six shooting locations of increasing difficulties. The team who makes all six shots with the fastest time wins the competition.


2009 NBA All-Star Game, All-Star Weekend, Shooting Stars Competition
In the first round, the defending champion, Team San Antonio was eliminated along with Team Los Angeles. Both teams took over 15 shots from the half court location to score. Team Detroit and Team Phoenix both advanced to the final round. Team Phoenix recorded the fastest completion time in the first round with 53.3 seconds, six seconds faster than Team Detroit. In the final round, Team Detroit made the first five shots in 13 attempts and used only 7 attempts to make the half court shot with a time of 58.4 seconds.


2009 NBA All-Star Game, All-Star Weekend, Shooting Stars Competition
Team Phoenix responded by making their first five shots in a single attempt each. However, they needed 22 attempts to make the half-court shot, finishing with a time of 1 minute and 19 seconds. Team Detroit won their second Shooting Stars title, joining Team San Antonio as the only two-time winners of the competition. Detroit Pistons legend and Detroit Shock head coach, Bill Laimbeer also became the first person to win the Shooting Stars Competition twice; he won his first title with Team Detroit in 2007.


2009 NBA All-Star Game, All-Star Weekend, H–O–R–S–E Competition
On February 5, 2009, TNT announced the addition of H–O–R–S–E to its All-Star Weekend coverage. The competition was held outdoors on a half-sized court during the special Inside the NBA show prior to the All-Star Saturday Night events. The objective of this competition is to accrue as few of the five letters as possible. A player is given a letter every time they fail to duplicate the shot of another player. Each player was given 24 seconds to make or duplicate the shot (dunking was prohibited). Each player who fails to duplicate five shots was eliminated from the competition. An NBA referee was assigned to rule whether the shot was done properly.


2009 NBA All-Star Game, All-Star Weekend, H–O–R–S–E Competition
The inaugural H–O–R–S–E Competition was sponsored by American auto insurance company GEICO and hence the word G–E–I–C–O was used in replacement of H–O–R–S–E. Three NBA players, Kevin Durant, Joe Johnson and O. J. Mayo were selected to compete in the H–O–R–S–E competition. Johnson was the first to be eliminated, having failed to duplicate Mayo's shot from the free-throw line. Durant then made a series of three-point shots to eliminate Mayo to win the inaugural H–O–R–S–E Competition.


2009 NBA All-Star Game, All-Star Weekend, Celebrity Game
The 2009 McDonald's NBA All-Star Celebrity Game was played on Friday, February 13 at the Phoenix Convention Center. A total of 16 celebrities took part in the game, including several former NBA players. Basketball Hall of Famers Magic Johnson and Julius Erving, who combined for 23 NBA All-Star appearances, served as coaches for the celebrity teams. NBA legends, Dominique Wilkins and Clyde Drexler, were joined by former players, Dan Majerle and Rick Fox, in the celebrity team roster. WNBA stars Lisa Leslie and Kara Lawson also participated in the game along with four Harlem Globetrotters players.


2009 NBA All-Star Game, All-Star Weekend, Celebrity Game
Previous year's MVP, Terrell Owens scored a game-high 17 points and led the East Sunrisers to a 60–57 victory over the West Sunsetters. Owens, an American football star for Dallas Cowboys, was also named as the Celebrity Game MVP for the second successive year. The game was marked by a surprise appearance by another Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman in the middle of the game, where she joined and played with the East Sunrisers. ESPN play-by-play commentator Mike Breen also made a surprise appearance as the referee for the game.


2009 NBA All-Star Game, D-League All-Star, D-League All-Star Game
Twenty of the NBA Development League's top players were selected to the D-League All-Star Game rosters by a combination of fan balloting on the official D-League website and voting by the 16 head coaches of D-League teams. The selections were divided up into two teams, the Red Team and the Blue Team, by members of the NBA and NBA D-League's Basketball Operations staff. Players who have been selected by coaches and fans must be on an active roster of a D-League team. Iowa Energy head coach Nick Nurse and Austin Toros head coach Quin Snyder were selected as the coach for the Red Team and the Blue Team respectively. Both coaches earned the honor by securing the best records in the D-League through January 27.


2009 NBA All-Star Game, D-League All-Star, D-League All-Star Game
Unable to participate due to a recall by the San Antonio Spurs. Unable to participate due to injury. Unable to participate due to a call-up to the Charlotte Bobcats. Named as replacement for the unavailable players.


2009 NBA All-Star Game, D-League All-Star, D-League All-Star Game
In the third annual D-League All-Star Game, the Red Team defeated the Blue team 113–103. The Red Team trailed by 8 points at the half, but managed to outscore the Blue Team 70–52 in the second half to secure the win. Dakota's guard Blake Ahearn scored 13 points and dished 13 assists while Iowa's center Courtney Sims scored 15 points and grabbed 8 rebounds. Both players were named Co-MVPs of the D-League All-Star Game.


2009 NBA All-Star Game, D-League All-Star, D-League Dream Factory Friday Night, Slam Dunk Contest
James White won the second annual D-League Slam Dunk Contest, beating Keith Clark in the final round with a perfect score of 100. Defending champion Brent Petway was unable to repeat his last year's performance and was eliminated in the first round along with Othyus Jeffers.


2009 NBA All-Star Game, D-League All-Star, D-League Dream Factory Friday Night, Three-Point Shootout
Blake Ahearn won the second annual D-League Three-Point Shootout, beating Ernest Scott in the final round by a score of 22–19. Ahearn scored four of the five money balls in the last stations. For the first time, the last station consists of five "money balls", instead of four standard balls and one "money ball". Gary Forbes and Trey Johnson were eliminated in the first round.


2009 NBA All-Star Game, D-League All-Star, D-League Dream Factory Friday Night, H–O–R–S–E Competition
Will Conroy won the second annual D-League H–O–R–S–E Competition, beating the defending champion Lance Allred with a through-the-legs-off-the-backboard lay-up.


2009 NBA All-Star Game, Broadcast
Turner Broadcasting Network (TNT) broadcast the All-Star Game for the sixth straight year in the United States while The Sports Network (TSN) broadcast the All-Star Game in Canada. TNT also broadcast the Rookie Challenge and the All-Star Saturday Night events. The Celebrity Game was broadcast by ESPN and the D-League All-Star events were broadcast by NBA TV.


2009 NBA All-Star Game, Broadcast, International
Aside from TNT and TSN in United States and Canada, the following television channels also broadcast the All-Star game all around the world.


2009 NBA Development League draft
The 2009 NBA Development League Draft was the ninth draft of the National Basketball Association Development League (NBADL). The draft was held on November 5, 2009 before the 2009–10 season. In this draft, all 16 of the league's teams took turns selecting eligible players. The D-League uses a "serpentine" format whereby the order of selections for each team alternates in each round. For example, the Albuquerque Thunderbirds won the number one overall selection, but in round two they picked last (16th selection, 32nd overall).


2009 NBA Development League draft
Carlos Powell of South Carolina was the first overall selection and was taken by Albuquerque Thunderbirds. Coincidentally, Powell had been selected second overall in the 2007 Draft, making him the only player to have been chosen as the first and second overall selections in D-League Draft history. Six players taken in the 2009 Draft had also previously been selected in an NBA Draft: Deron Washington (2008), JamesOn Curry (2007), Latavious Williams (2010), Orien Greene (2005), Reece Gaines (2003) and Yaroslav Korolev (2005). Two players, Nate Miles and Brian Kortovich, played college basketball solely at the junior college level. The highest drafted international player was Amara Sy, who holds a dual citizenship with both Mali and France, as the Bakersfield Jam selected him fourth overall.


2009 NBA Development League draft
Although some of the players chosen in the 2009 NBA Development League Draft had played semi-professional and/or professional basketball after college graduation, only the United States colleges they attended are listed.


2009 NBA Development League draft, Draft
^ a: Amara Sy is a native of Mali and plays for their national team, but also holds dual citizenship with France. ^ b: Latavious Williams became the first player ever to skip college basketball and play a year in the D-League before getting drafted in the NBA, which adhered to the rule that players must be at least one year removed from high school in order to be eligible for an NBA Draft. ^ c: Chad Toppert is American but is also eligible to play for the German national team because his grandfather is German. ^ d: Brian Kortovich became a dual citizen of Croatia in May 2010.


2009 NBA Development League expansion draft
The 2009 NBA Development League expansion draft was the fourth expansion draft of the National Basketball Association Development League (NBADL). The draft was held on September 2, 2009, so that the newly founded Springfield Armor and Maine Red Claws could acquire players for the upcoming 2009–10 season. The Armor was created when the Anaheim Arsenal relocated from the West Coast to the East Coast in an effort for the league to establish a greater presence in the east.


2009 NBA Development League expansion draft
Springfield was able to retain the rights to many of Anaheim's players, but with the addition of the Maine Red Claws, a need for an expansion draft arose. The Colorado 14ers were also putting the 2009–10 season on hiatus before their eventual move to Frisco, Texas to become the Texas Legends, which evened out the number of teams in the NBADL at 16.


2009 NBA Development League expansion draft
A random drawing determined who was awarded the first pick, which went to the Springfield Armor. The draft took place via teleconference from the NBADL headquarters in New York City. The first overall selection was Marcus Campbell who had played collegiately at Mississippi State. Maine's first choice, the second overall pick, was James White, who had spent most of his collegiate career at Cincinnati. White was also among four players chosen who had also been selected previously in an NBA Draft, while he was one of six who had been honored as an NBA D-League All-Star before. The only non-American player selected in the 2009 NBA Development League Expansion Draft was Malick Badiane of Senegal. He had not played at the college level in the United States; rather, he had spent his post-high school years playing professionally in different countries before embarking on his D-League career.


2009 NBA Europe Live Tour
The 2009 NBA Europe Live Tour was a basketball exhibition tour featuring teams from the NBA and Real Madrid from the Euroleague, as a part of the NBA Global Games. The hosting countries were England and Spain.


2009 NBA Europe Live Tour
The 2009 tour was combined with the Euroleague American Tour to create an eleven-game global preseason schedule.


2009 NBA Finals
The 2009 NBA Finals was the championship series of the National Basketball Association's (NBA) 2008–09 season. The best-of-seven playoff was contested between the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers (who were also the defending Western Conference champions), and the Eastern Conference champion Orlando Magic. The Lakers were favored to win the championship over the Magic. The Lakers defeated the Magic, four games to one, to win the franchise's 15th NBA championship. The 63rd edition of the championship series was played between June 4 and June 14 and was broadcast on U.S. television on ABC.


2009 NBA Finals
The Lakers earned their berth into the playoffs by winning the Pacific Division. The Magic won the Southeast Division to earn their berth. The Lakers reached the NBA Finals by defeating the Utah Jazz in the best-of-seven Western Conference First Round, the Houston Rockets in the best-of-seven Western Conference Semifinals, and the Denver Nuggets in the best-of-seven Western Conference Finals.


2009 NBA Finals
The Magic reached the NBA Finals by defeating the Philadelphia 76ers in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference First Round, the defending champion Boston Celtics in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference Semifinals, and the league best Cleveland Cavaliers in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference Finals. The NBA Finals were staged under a 2–3–2 rotation, with the Lakers holding home-court advantage as they had a better regular season record than the Magic.


2009 NBA Finals
Kobe Bryant led the team to a Game 1 win with 40 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists. Game 2 was a high-scoring affair that the Lakers ultimately won on both strong defensive play and last minute heroics by Bryant, Derek Fisher, and Pau Gasol during the overtime. A record-breaking performance from the Magic's 65% team shooting ensured the team a Game 3 win and the first Finals victory in franchise history.


2009 NBA Finals
Although they trailed the Magic as much as 12 at halftime, the Lakers won Game 4 in overtime on the back of Trevor Ariza's 13 points in the second half and Fisher's pair of three-point clutch shots. Dominant offensive play coupled with a spectacular defense by both starters and reserves from the second quarter until the buzzer helped the Lakers to win Game 5 and secure the series. Bryant was named Most Valuable Player of the Finals.


2009 NBA Finals
This series was nicknamed the "Disney Series" for its connections to The Walt Disney Company. Disney owns both ESPN, and Finals broadcaster ABC; Walt Disney World is located 20 miles (32 km) from Orlando in nearby Lake Buena Vista, and Disneyland is located 30 miles (48 km) from Los Angeles in nearby Anaheim.


2009 NBA Finals, Background
The two team captains (the Lakers' Kobe Bryant and the Magic's Dwight Howard) were teammates and starters on the United States men's national team the previous summer, winning a gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Each player defeated another fellow Olympic starter in his respective conference final series: Bryant defeated Carmelo Anthony's Denver Nuggets and Howard advanced past LeBron James' Cleveland Cavaliers.


2009 NBA Finals, Background, Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers were the favorite to emerge from the Western Conference, but their road to the Finals was a tough one. They played three physical series against the Utah Jazz, Houston Rockets, and Denver Nuggets, winning in 5, 7, and 6 games, respectively. Going into the Finals, the Lakers finished off the Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals with two good performances in Games 5 and 6, making analysts pick them as the favorites in the Finals. It marked a record-extending sixth Finals appearance of the decade and a record-extending 30th Finals appearance overall, the most for any NBA team.


2009 NBA Finals, Background, Orlando Magic
The Magic were overlooked by many to even reach the Eastern Conference Finals, as they played in the shadows of the #1-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers, led by regular-season MVP LeBron James, and defending champion #2-seed Boston Celtics. However, after dispatching the Philadelphia 76ers in six games, the Magic stunned the Celtics by winning Game 7 in Boston. The Celtics were previously 32–0 when leading a series 3–2, and 17–3 previously in Game 7s at home. Orlando assistant coach Patrick Ewing had publicly "guaranteed" that Orlando would win Game 7.


2009 NBA Finals, Background, Orlando Magic
In the next round, Orlando was given little chance by many to defeat the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers, but a combination of three-point shooting and the inside presence of Dwight Howard created a matchup nightmare for Cleveland on defense, and Orlando ultimately won in six games. In Game 6, Howard's stellar performance with 40 points and 14 rebounds helped the franchise earn its second Finals appearance (they were swept by the Houston Rockets in the 1995 Finals during Shaquille O'Neal and Penny Hardaway era).


2009 NBA Finals, Background, Series preview
Although the Magic won both regular-season matchups with the Lakers, Los Angeles was able to take four out of five games in this series. Both regular-season games and three of the NBA Finals games were close contests, decided by six points or fewer or in overtime. The Lakers won Game 2 on June 7 101–96 in overtime. Then they won Game 4 on June 11 in overtime as well.


2009 NBA Finals, Background, Series preview
Tyronn Lue, a backup point guard with Orlando, appeared with the Lakers during their initial championship run in the early 2000s and faced his former team in the finals. Lue and another backup point guard, Anthony Johnson were the only players on Orlando's roster with NBA Finals experience. However, neither saw playing time during the series, as Lue was inactive with an injury and Johnson lost his minutes to teammate Jameer Nelson, who returned from a shoulder injury in time for the Finals, where he led the Magic to sweep the Lakers in regular season. Trevor Ariza, the Lakers starting small forward, faced the team that traded him to the Lakers in 2007.


2009 NBA Finals, Background, Series preview, Regular-season series
The Orlando Magic won both games in the regular-season series:


2009 NBA Finals, Game summaries, Game 1
After an evenly battled first quarter, the Magic took the lead thanks to field goals and assists from point guard Jameer Nelson, who was playing his first game since injuring his shoulder during the regular season in February. Down 33–28 with 8:38 left in the 2nd quarter, the Lakers went on a 10–0 run and never looked back.


2009 NBA Finals, Game summaries, Game 1
The Lakers ended the 3rd quarter on a 25–10 run, led by the fierce play from Kobe Bryant, who finished with 40 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists, joining the likes of Shaquille O'Neal, Michael Jordan, and Jerry West to put up those numbers in a single NBA Finals game. The 25-point margin of victory was the 6th-largest in NBA Finals Game 1 history.


2009 NBA Finals, Game summaries, Game 1
Due to stellar defense by the Lakers, Dwight Howard was a dismal 1–6 from the field, his fewest made field goals in his playoff career, and finished with 12 points, 10 of which came from free throws. The Magic shot only 29.9% (23–77) from the field, the second lowest percentage in the NBA Finals.


2009 NBA Finals, Game summaries, Game 2
Both teams got off to a slow start and were tied at 15 after the first quarter, setting a record-low for combined score (30) in the first quarter of an NBA Finals game. The Lakers picked up the pace in the 2nd quarter, but Rashard Lewis kept the Magic in the game, scoring 18 of the team's 20 points in the quarter, including the final 16, on his way to a playoff career-high and Finals franchise-high 34 points for the game. The Magic outscored the Lakers in the 3rd quarter to take a 2-point lead in the 4th.


2009 NBA Finals, Game summaries, Game 2
With the game tied at 84, Rashard Lewis hit a jumper with 1:32 remaining to give the Magic a 2-point lead. Kobe Bryant responded with a jumper of his own to tie the game. With 47 seconds left, Hedo Türkoğlu hit a jumper that was originally called a three-pointer. However, replay showed that his foot was on the line, giving the Magic a two-point lead. With 33 seconds remaining, Dwight Howard was able to deflect, but not steal, a Derek Fisher pass, and Pau Gasol was able to again tie the game at 88 with a layup.