NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson has awarded nearly $1 million in education grants to school districts in California, North Carolina and Oklahoma.

Denny Hamlin came through again for Mike Reed. Reed, from St. Albans, was the winner in the championship round of the Great Gazette NASCAR Race prediction contest.

Furniture Row Racing and crew chief Jay Guy have mutually agreed to part ways. “We wish Jay all the best,” general manager Joe Garone said in a team release. “He is a good friend who worked hard to help bring us to where we are at. Jay was a true asset to our organization the past three years and we support him with his new opportunity.”

There seems little chance that the Tony Stewart/Juan Pablo Montoya incident will carry over to next season or get anywhere close to being termed a “rivalry,” which is somewhat of a shame.

Lee Spencer is senior NASCAR writer for FOXSports.com. She also is a correspondent for “Around the Track” on FOX Sports Net.

Lee Spencer is senior NASCAR writer for FOXSports.com. She also is a correspondent for “Around the Track” on FOX Sports Net.

Chad Knaus believes he and Jimmie Johnson can continue to add to their championship total for years to come.

Danica Patrick has finally been confirmed to return to the IndyCar Series. Patrick signed the documents in August but couldn’t comment on her multi-year agreement with Michael Andretti’s team until the contract with Motorola expired.

This is a May 8, 2009, file photo showing IRL driver Danica Patrick, right, and car owner Michael Andretti watching from the pit area during practice for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis.

On the verge of back-to-back V8 Supercar titles, Ford star Jamie Whincup won’t risk his championship for a race win at the upcoming weekend’s Sydney 500.