The Friday Numbers

Yes, I realize it is not yet Friday in some parts of the world, but we post when we can, calendar be damned. Since the Chicago Auto Show is this weekend and F1 testing has begun on the heels of the Daytona 500, we've got cars on the brain. Here you go:

- After F1 testing on January 26, 2008, Nick Heidfeld of BMW Sauber said of the new vehicle: "Last year [at this stage] things seemed better to me. Last year the balance was there quicker and we were more where we expected to be." In 2008, Nick Heidfeld would complete 1,112 out of a possible 1,117 race laps, the most of any driver.

- The Fastest Lap in the 2008 Bahrain Grand Prix was 1:33.6 set by Felipe Massa of Ferrari
- The Fastest Lap in 2009 testing at Bahrain was 1:32.01 by Kimi Raikonnen of Ferrari
- Massa and Raikkonen finished 1/2 respectively at the 2008 race.
Lesson: Ferrari is really fast at Bahrain.

- Matt Kenseth won this year's rain-shortened Daytona 500. The Daytona 500 has been rain-shortened 4 times in it's 51 history.

- The American Le Mans Series will begin it's schedule with the Twelve Hours of Sebring in March. The past 10 winners of the 24 Hours of Le Mans raced at Sebring prior to their Le Mans victory.

- In 2008, Toyota had 445 Million USD available for its F1 program through suppliers, ownership contributions and sponsorships. It had the most money at its disposal of any F1 team. In 2009 a budget cap will be introduced, believed to be 150 Million USD. Only three teams on the F1 grid had less than 150 Million at their disposal for the 2008 campaign.

- The 2009 schedule for NASCAR will result in 37 stops between now and November. That number is more than double the events scheduled for Formula One, IndyCar Series, LeMans Series and WRC Rally Car.