The Last Turn NASCAR Blog

FOXNews.com - What happened to NASCAR's would-be king?

2010-03-03T07:54:00.000-08:00

FOXNews.com - What happened to NASCAR's would-be king?

Greg Biffle and Joey Logano trade paint and barbs after NASCAR Nationwide Series race

2010-02-21T19:13:00.001-08:00

Greg Biffle and Joey Logano trade paint and barbs after NASCAR Nationwide Series race

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Patrick learning NASCAR results won't come easily - USATODAY.com

2010-02-21T19:08:00.000-08:00

Patrick learning NASCAR results won't come easily - USATODAY.com

WhoWon.com ... The Internet Source for Motorsports News and Information

2010-02-16T12:19:00.000-08:00

WhoWon.com ... The Internet Source for Motorsports News and Information: "HAMPTON, Ga. -- Defending Kobalt Tools 500 champion Kurt Busch will appear at The Varsity on Wednesday, Feb. 17 and fans are encouraged to come to the event for a chance to win lunch with the former NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion.

Select NASCAR fans will be chosen to eat lunch with Busch at Atlanta’s downtown Varsity location. Busch is in Atlanta to assist promoting the upcoming Kobalt Tools 500 on March 7 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Fans are encouraged to wear their best NASCAR, Kurt Busch or Atlanta Motor Speedway gear and members of the Atlanta Motor Speedway staff will select the most-appropriately dressed fans to join Busch at approximately 12:15 p.m.

For more information on the upcoming Kobalt Tools 500 race weekend or to purchase tickets, contact the Atlanta Motor Speedway Ticket Office at (770) 946-3917, (877) 9-AMS-TIX, or visit www.atlantamotorspeedway.com."

Elliott is a daddy! Congrats Elliott!

2010-02-15T17:55:00.000-08:00

Seems like yesterday that Elliott was just breaking into "Winston Cup" and he was doing PR for Outback and me and my wife went to a private luncheon they were hosting. Did I mention that my wife was a HUGE Sadler fan?! Well our first child had just been born a few months prior and guess who won Bristol the day after she was born none other than Elliott! So our new baby was at the luncheon too! We have a pic someone where of my wife talking to him telling him she was born the day before he won. We had pit passes that weekend in Atlanta and saw Elliott again and he remembered talking with us and that made all the better for my wife! Ahh the NASCAR memories! CONGRATS Elliott and Amanda on the birth of Wyatt!

NASCAR: Jeremy Mayfield tests positive for meth a second time

2009-07-16T09:32:00.000-07:00

NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield tested positive for methamphetamine for the second time and lawyers for the racing series argued the driver should have his ban reinstated, according to a motion filed in federal court Wednesday.
The urine sample collected on July 6 "conclusively" showed that Mayfield had again used the addictive street drug, NASCAR's lawyers wrote in the filing that urges a U.S. District Court judge in Charlotte to reconsider the temporary restraining order that lifted the 40-year-old driver's suspension.

COURT FILING: NASCAR's complaint against Mayfield (.pdf)

Mayfield again disputed the results.

"I didn't think they were going to come back and say I was clean," Mayfield said on Sirius Satellite Radio. "They have a hard time admitting when they're wrong."

Wednesday's filing also included an affidavit from Mayfield's' estranged stepmother, Lisa Mayfield. In the document, she alleged she was "personally aware" of his use of meth between 1998 and 2005 and that Jeremy Mayfield cooked up his own batch the drug before the sale of major ingredient for the drug, pseudoephedrine, was restricted.

FIND MORE STORIES IN: Nascar | Jeremy Mayfield | Sirius Satellite Radio Inc.
Lisa Mayfield also recounted an incident in 1999 when she claimed to have witnessed Mayfield use the drug before a race at Darlington Raceway.

"I was concerned about his heavy use and talked to his father about it," Lisa Mayfield said. "I saw Jeremy use methamphetamine by snorting it up his nose at least 30 times during the seven years I was around him."

Mayfield denied those claims as well.

"I'm not even going to call that lady my stepmom," Mayfield said. "She's a very evil lady who can be bought."

David Black said the second test reaffirms the initial test from May 1 that began more than two months of legal wrangling.

"This is a drug that is very problematic and it's not too surprising that you would have a second positive," said Black, whose Tennessee-based Aegis Analytical Laboratories run's NASCAR's screening program. "The evidence shows that we have a meth user who should not be allowed to compete in NASCAR. He presents a risk to himself and others. I think this outcome demonstrates the strength of NASCAR's drug policy and the policy as applied does work."

Even if the court fails to reinstate the ban, it's unclear when Mayfield will race again. Mayfield has been eligible to race the last two Sprint Cup events, but his one-car team has missed the last nine events. Mayfield has no employees left working for his team after GM Bob Wooten left the team Wednesday and it could be unlikely that many owners would take a flyer on Mayfield.

Mayfield's racing future could hinge on the so-called "B" sample, urine collected the same time the initial test was run. The sample currently resides with Aegis even though Mayfield's lawyers have requested the sample be sent to another lab.

"It's our view that Jeremy's B sample should be tested by an independent lab to confirm the test," said John Buric, one of Mayfield's lawyers. "We have asked NASCAR to send the it to a lab of our choosing and they have refused to do so."

It may be up to a judge to rule where the B sample will be sent.

Buric said Mayfield's urine was free from any illegal substances when he was tested July 6 — the same day NASCAR collected its urine sample that led to the most recent positive — at a lab. Buric refused to provide the results, although he said they would be made public at future court filing.

"Mr. Mayfield does not have a meth problem," Buric said.

Mayfield's lawyers also filed their response Wednesday to NASCAR's motion last week to overturn Mullen's injunction.

The brief, which didn't include the results of Mayfield's latest drug case, argued NASCAR was trying to "fashion the rules to their liking" by not meeting the requirements needed to overturn the ruling. Mayfield's lawyers argued Mullen had correctly ruled that Mayfield faced irreparable harm from a suspension and doubts remain about the accuracy of NASCAR's testing policy.

"NASCAR is absolutely corrupted by power, and it's untenable motion to stay should be denied," his lawyers wrote.

Contributing: Nate Ryan, The Associated Press

Seperated at Birth!!

2009-06-06T21:12:00.001-07:00

I can't believe it I didn't know there was a third Busch brother!! Butthead!!

How Would You Like to be a NASCAR Reporter?

2009-06-03T22:52:00.000-07:00

I have been to many races and even did some work for NAPA for a while where I had garage and pit access but nothing like being able to provide the inside scoop for millions of people. How cool would it be to be in on the latest press conference, interview the hottest driver, or break the news of a driver change. Hearing the cars at full speed still makes the hair on the nape of my neck stand up even after all these years and being able to mingle and report on my favorite sport would just be icing on the cake.

NASCAR has realized that there are not as many reporters from the print media and is starting to embrace the grassroots form of media/reporting known as blogging; and with the power of such social networking sites as Twitter, Facebook, etc., it is an easy decision for NASCAR to tap into these reporters and resources.

I believe that this could be a win win for all parties involved. There will definitely be a new perspective that some reporters might not give seeing as they are always at the tracks and their routines become repetitive. I would envision seeing passionate reporting possibly more opinion based but maybe that opens the doors to continue the discussion in a forum environment.

Here are some excerpts from the press release:

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) today announced its intention to invite the top independent NASCAR-related websites to join a newly-formed “NASCAR Citizen Journalists Media Corps.” NASCAR is providing this group of new media access to cover the sport while maintaining their independence. The initial list of Citizen Journalists will be formally announced in the coming weeks.

The media landscape has changed dramatically in recent months especially for sports coverage. As the newspaper industry adjusts to a new age of information, NASCAR fans and former traditional media have taken it upon themselves to report, cover and opine on the sport. Today there are thousands of NASCAR related websites. Many of these sites cover the sport on a daily basis and offer unique and fresh perspectives to a large audience.

The Citizen Journalists will be selected as part of a review process including: professionalism, reporting and commentary, use of social networking tools.

“Many of these outlets have covered NASCAR from afar for many years, but now they have the opportunity to cover the sport up close and personal,” said Managing Director of Corporate Communications, Ramsey Poston. “The Citizen Journalists will have the very same access as the traditional media including credentials to race events, access to media centers, press boxes, press conferences, teleconferences, news releases, video, audio, photos, stats and graphics. We expect the Citizen Journalists to maintain their journalistic independence and continue to provide unique points of view,” said Poston.

I am eagerly awaiting to find out who the Citizen Journalists are and follow their reporting. I have always said my dream job would involve NASCAR, wish it was me!!

Smith: Jack man of heart

2009-06-03T18:50:00.001-07:00

Smith: Jack man of heart

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Mayfield suspension case moved to federal court

2009-06-03T10:20:00.000-07:00

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- NASCAR on Tuesday moved Jeremy Mayfield's challenge of his indefinite suspension to federal court, a move that could keep the driver out of his car another week.

http://www.nascar.com/2009/news/headlines/cup/06/03/jmayfield.move.to.federal.ap/index.html?eref=/rss/drivers/jmayfield

Jeff Gordon Pulls Out of Prelude Race

2009-06-03T08:49:00.001-07:00

For precautionary reasons, four-time Sprint Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon pulled out of Wednesday night’s “Prelude to the Dream” charity dirt track race at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio.

Gordon, who has been dealing with back problems and sought treatment for the pain in mid-May, elected to skip the event to make sure he would be in good physical condition for this weekend’s Cup race at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pa.

Gordon was involved in a hard wreck last weekend during his qualifying run at Dover, Del., and spent much of the day Tuesday testing at Road Atlanta, a physically demanding road course north of Atlanta.

“As a precaution, I have decided not to race at Eldora on Wednesday night,” Gordon said in a statement released Wednesday. “Due to my recent back procedure and a road course test on Tuesday, I believe the best course of action for me is to bypass the Prelude to The Dream so that I can be in the best physical shape possible for the No. 24 DuPont team at Pocono.

“I wish Tony (Stewart) the best with the event and I can't wait to get back to Eldora in the very near future.”

Fellow Cup series driver Marcos Ambrose is scheduled to replace Gordon in the lineup for Wednesday night’s race, according to Eldora officials, where the event is taking place.

Gordon, who has experienced progressively worse back pain in recent years, had a facet block procedure last month which he hoped would rid himself of much – if not all – of his back pain.

Facet block injections are a diagnostic tool used to isolate and confirm a specific source of back pain. They also have a therapeutic effect, numbing the source of the pain and soothing inflammation.

Facet joints are paired joints in the back that have opposing surfaces of cushioning tissue (cartilage) and a surrounding capsule. Twisting injuries can cause damage to one or both of the joints.

Joey Logano, 2009 Pocono 500 NSCS Race Preview

2009-06-03T08:39:00.000-07:00

Joey Logano No. 20 Home Depot Toyota Camry

Pocono 500 at Pocono Raceway

The Home Depot Team Notes of Interest

· Joey Logano will make his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series debut at Pocono Raceway this weekend in The Home Depot Toyota Camry. In preparation for Sunday’s 500-mile event, Logano will compete in Saturday’s ARCA RE/MAX event in the No. 25 Home Depot car.

· Logano gained another two positions in the NASCAR Sprint Cup point standings to 23rd with his 15th-place finish in Dover. He passed Kevin Harvick and Reed Sorenson in the standings and is now 26 points out of 22nd and 56 out of 20th. In the last five races beginning at Talladega, Logano has completed every lap of competition and finished in the top 20 including three ninth-place efforts.

· Welcome aboard The Home Depot Associates from store # 6808 from Pflugerville, Texas. The store number will be represented on the No. 20 Toyota this weekend in the Pocono 500. Pflugerville, rich in German heritage, is located in the heart of Central Texas just 12 minutes from downtown Austin.
· The Home Depot Racing Team and crew chief Greg Zipadelli have 20 starts at Pocono Raceway. In 20 Sprint Cup events at the Pennsylvania track the team has amassed one win, six top-five and 12 top-10 finishes. The team finished 35th in last year’s Pocono 500.

· Logano will compete in the Prelude to the Dream on Wednesday at Eldora Speedway in Ohio. Logano’s dirt car will carry The Home Depot logo as he competes for the first time in the annual charity race presented by Tony Stewart. The race will be available on HBO Pay-Per-View. The live, commercial-free broadcast will begin at 7 p.m. EDT.

· Logano currently leads the Raybestos Rookie standings by 16 points (146-130) over Scott Speed after his 15th-place finish in Dover. Logano earned rookie of the race honors for the 10th time this season. Last year’s top rookie finished 27th at Pocono Raceway. Logano’s teammate Denny Hamlin is the only rookie to win the Pocono 500.

· The Home Depot Team is taking chassis #237 to the track this weekend. Logano has raced this chassis twice this season. He drove it to a 21st-place finish at Phoenix International Raceway and most recently to a 19th-place finish at Richmond International Raceway.

· Giving back: The Home Depot is partnering with the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) to present The NMPA Home Depot Humanitarian Award. The 2009 NASCAR season is the third year the award will be presented and the winner of the 2009 award will be announced at NASCAR NMPA Myers Brother Awards luncheon in Las Vegas in December. The award recognizes an individual in the NASCAR community that has shown a dedication to helping others and improving communities through their service and giving. The award winner will receive a $100,000 donation made by The Home Depot to the recipient’s charity of choice while the two finalists will each receive a $25,000 donation to their designated non-profit organization. To nominate an individual for the NMPA Home Depot Humanitarian Award log onto www.homedepotracing.com/humanitarian.

· HomeDepotRacing.com has been revamped for the 2009 season. Fans can track Joey’s races and appearances throughout the season, read about his experiences during his rookie campaign in Joey’s Journal and ask Joey questions that he will answer for fans.

Logano Quotes:

“The last few weeks have been going so well for The Home Depot Team. Dover was tough because it’s not like we started up front and ran there all day, we worked really hard as a team to fight for that 15th-place finish. This week it’s off to Pocono. I have never been to Pocono so I have no idea what to expect. That’s why I’m running the ARCA race there for Venturini Motorsports. It’s such a different track that I think any laps I can get on the track will help on Sunday. I think we are at a point now as a team that I know what I want out of the car and how to explain it to Zippy so he knows what changes to make. We’ve come so far, I can’t wait to come back to some of these tracks for a second time.”

- Elevation Group of Companies for Joe Gibbs Racing/Home Depot Racing, Press Release

Johnson Passes for the Win and Stewart Moves Into Point Lead

2009-05-31T18:18:00.001-07:00

Jimmie Johnson had the car to beat today for sure, but on the last green flag start it didn't look like he was going to make back to the lead. Starting in 8th on lap 374many of the cars ahead of Johnson only took on two tires including race leader Tony Stewart which caused Jimmie to be better in the long run. Tony held off Johnson until two laps to go and then Jimmie made his move.

"Fortunately, I had such a good car that I could run around the top," said Johnson, who climbed one position to third in the series standings. "My hat's off to Tony Stewart. That was one heck of a race. I had to drive so far over my head to get by him. I'm just very proud of what we did out there on the racetrack [Sunday].
"I wasn't going to give up. I had no idea what was going to happen, but I knew I had a great race car. I knew there were some laps left, and it was just time to go -- and I got it done. To have to run that hard to pass that many good cars to get the lead, that's a challenge. I really had to suck it up and get going. I thought I was going to pound the wall a couple of times on the top. I cooked it off in there too fast and slid right up to the crumbs, and I'm like, 'Please stay, please.' And it stuck, and I made it back around."

Tony finished second but not all was lost, he took over the current NASCAR Sprint Cup Series point lead, moving ahead of Jeff Gordon. Tony also became the first since Alan Kulwicki to lead the points as a driver/owner in 1992.

"We had an opportunity," said Stewart, "We got to the lead there and got by Biffle and just couldn't hold off Jimmie. He was like a freight train coming. I mean, I was surprised I could hold him off as long as I did, but I was pretty happy that we were able to do it for that long."I mean, when you're the fastest car and you're coming as fast as he was, it was just a matter of getting the opening that he needed, and we did everything we could to take his line away from him as often as we could, but just couldn't do it long enough."

Jr. vs Kyle who would win?!!

2009-05-31T08:47:00.000-07:00

After Kyle made his comments about Jr. I was thinking what if this was Brewster from "Six Pack", Swifty would have said, "Brewster don't take that shit off that yellowbelly sap sucker!!" and a fight would have surely ensued later. That would bring back the NASCAR Spirit. Now in the "Politically Correct" NASCAR world Jr. has to bite his tongue and keep quiet. I would love to see some BREAKING NEWS on SPEED and they would break in on RaceDay to report that Jr. has beat the living hell out of Kyle and he might not make the race, but it won't happen. Kyle will keep popping off at the mouth cause he knows no one can do anything to him physically. So if anyone else feels this way please weigh in and let me know how you feel!!

Reutimann wins pole at Dover

2009-05-30T06:07:00.000-07:00

David Reutimann has carried his momentum into Dover and won the pole position for the Autism Speaks 400 race on Sunday at 1pm. Off the heels of his first win Reutimann and Michael Waltrip racing are on a recent high and enjoying the win and doing what some thought was impossible. David had to play another waiting game during qualifying similar to his recent victory at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Reutimann went out 11th and had to wait for most of the field to complete their laps. His comments about the Coca Cola 600 were similar to what he experienced during qualifying. "I'm kind of a nervous person anyway, so waiting around to see if we won the race and then waiting around to see everybody have a shot at us became nerve-racking over time," he said.

Kyle Couldn't Help Himself

2009-05-30T05:52:00.000-07:00

Well it sounded as if NASCAR hotshot Kyle Busch was just waiting to take a shot at Dale Earnhardt Jr. In the media center yesterday at Dover "It's never Junior; it's always the crew chief," said Busch, who fired the opening shots when asked about team owner Rick Hendrick's dismissal of Tony Eury Jr. as Earnhardt's crew chief a day earlier. Jr. handled the comments in stride and handled as professionally as he could "He's always had a chip on his shoulder for me," Earnhardt said of Busch, "so I expect any time he gets an opportunity to throw a jab in there he's going to do it. That's just his personality."

It is now time for Jr. to get to work and put his head down and focus on getting his team together and producing some positive results.

Jeremy Mayfield Update

2009-05-29T14:44:00.001-07:00

Kyle Busch takes swipe at Dale Jr. on crew chief

2009-05-29T08:58:00.001-07:00

Kyle Busch takes swipe at Dale Jr. on crew chief

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Should Danica Move Over to NASCAR?

2009-05-29T06:50:00.001-07:00

There has been much rumor about Danica Patrick coming over to try her hand at what I consider to be the toughest league of racing, NASCAR, and many people say she should and many that say she shouldn't. I think the transition would be a difficult one that has been proven by many of the open wheel drivers that have moved over in recent years. There is no doubt that she would be popular if not more than she already is, and NASCAR is a marketing machine that would be right up her alley.

Her main sponsor GoDaddy.com is already involved in NASCAR in the Nationwide Series and I am sure would jump all over the Sprint Series involvement. She would definitely create a new category for "Hottest Driver". All kidding aside it is hard to tell what would happen as far as driving, but the track record by some of her fellow Indy mates has proven futile. I am all for seeing her give it a try, just hopes she remembers "Rubbin in Racin"

Down a Jr. at HMS

2009-05-28T22:04:00.000-07:00

Looks like it finally happened Tony Eury Jr. is out of the long time crew chief position for his cousin, Dale Earnhardt Jr. The announcement today Rick Hendrick said "Our performance hasn't been where it should be, It's impossible to pin that on any one factor, but a change is the right decision at this point. We have a plan in place, and we're going to move forward with it."
Taking over the reigns for Jr. will be team manager Brian Whitesell this weekend. Lance McGrew will take over next week on an interim basis as team owner Rick Hendrick figures out a long-term plan for NASCAR's most popular driver. Hopefully this will get Jr. back on track to the success he has known in the past.

Welcome To The Last Turn NASCAR Blog

2009-05-28T20:56:00.000-07:00

I have been working on changing the layout and have decided to go wth a all NASCAR blog eventhough some other things may pop up from time to time. Hope to keep everyone interested.

Lowe's Rain Delay gives FOX time to discuss HOT topics in NASCAR

2009-05-24T15:35:00.000-07:00

Rain delay gives the boogity, boogity, boogity boys some time to talk about the fines with Carl Long and the drug charges with Jeremy Mayfield. I was glad to hear that Mike Joy, Larry Mac, and DW were outspoken in their opinions about the crazy fines. The Carl Long fines were nonsense, they were to draw the attention off of Mayfield but I think more people were outraged than they expected. Does anyone else think that there is not another car out there that is not off by 1/1000th of an inch? Come on give it a break! They are not going to go after the superstars! NASCAR really needs to evaluate what they are doing. Over the last few years they have slowly slipped from the roots that made them so popular and I am afraid it could ruin the sport. What happened to the fights and arguing after a race and drinking beer in victory lane and kissing the girls! Where is the dirty face and the worn out driver? These guys get out of the cars like they just drove to the mall! Have a retro race and let these new drivers take a 78 monte carlo out for a spin, bet the end result would be way different!! You surely wouldn't see 16 year olds out driving like they do now. I saw NASCAR when the real superstars drove and the cars were real and the sponsors were local dumpster services and trucking companies. NASCAR don't ruin the best spectator sport ever!!

Microsoft’s supposedly “fake” Twitter link indicates a Zune phone in May

2009-05-18T21:23:00.000-07:00

Microsoft’s supposedly “fake” Twitter link indicates a Zune phone in May
May. 18, 2009 (4:12 pm) By: Christian Zibreg
An accidental link to a Twitter account on the official Office 2010 mini-site has indicated a Zune phone in May. Although Microsoft removed the link following the incident, the Zune phone rumor just won’t go away.

If you have been avid follower of corporate accounts on Twitter, you may have noticed an interesting Twitter account linked on Microsoft’s Office 2010 mini-site last week. While at first sight there’s nothing out of ordinary about this account, a closer history inspection reveals this interesting status message that reads as follows:

“New product launch, that’s all I’m allowed to say. Hold off from buying an iPhone/Pre. :)”

On top of this suggestion that a Zune phone will become a reality sometime between Palm Pre and the next iPhone launches, other posts made by the account holder also claim that Office 2010 will be release for Mac as well. There is also post that claims that Word will be tightly integrated with Facebook and Twitter.

Shortly after the incident, Microsoft couldn’t deny or confirm the rumor to Gizmodo but Brian Seitz, group marketing manager of Zune, did tell the publication that the Office team “has no control or involvement with the Twitter account,” adding that it was a “rogue twitter.”

Microsoft has also removed the link in question on the Office 2010 mini-site, having it replaced with a link to a new Twitter account that looks legit. The account has three posts so far, one of them saying that the account “only stars Office at this point though, no Zune.”

We don’t know for a fact if Microsoft’s linking to an external Twitter account over which the company supposedly didn’t have “control or involvement” is plain sloppiness or part of a broader viral marketing strategy designed to hype a Zune phone.

One thing is certain: There are many people who would like to see Microsoft release both a Zune phone and Zune HD, an alleged touch-enabled music player designed to take on Apple’s “funnest iPod ever.”

Is this alleged Windows Mobile 7/Zune-branded handset a potential iPhone killer?

Christian’s opinion

With each passing day, Microsoft’s Zune phone seems more and more obvious, despite the software maker’s refusal to come clean on the matter. In fact, it’s Microsoft’s ambiguous stance on the rumor that adds fuel to tremendous speculations out there.

Taking a page from Apple’s book, Microsoft is, in my opinion, driving expectations wild by offering comments that don’t exclude the prospect of a Zune phone entirely. Alternatively, Microsoft could be cleverly using the power of the Zune rumor to draw attention to upcoming version of the Office suite.

Microsoft’s behavior in this matter is notably in contrast with other cases when the software maker would rebuff media speculations about products that weren’t in the pipeline. If you ask me, I find it rather unbelievable that Microsoft would link to a third-party Twitter account on the official Office 10 promo site. However, although problematic posts on aforementioned suspicious Twitter account looks real, it’s most likely someone’s practical joke.

That said, a Zune phone rumor still sounds convincing enough. We reported last week about possible leaked specs for the first Windows Mobile 7 phone that appears to run a modified version of the Zune software. Paired with jaw-dropping design, the handset looks like it could give Apple’s iPhone serious run for its money.

However, you shouldn’t definitely assume that a Zune-branded mobile phone will be necessarily built and sold by Microsoft as the company might be simply offering third-party vendors a reference hardware platform paired with Windows Mobile 7 and Zune software. To me, there is too much evidence pointing to a Zune phone to be ignored and Microsoft would be really shooting themselves in the foot if they don’t plan on releasing Zune-branded smartphone.