Charlotte winner gets special trophy: When drivers take to the track for the NASCAR Nationwide Series HISTORY 300 on Saturday, May 25, they'll be racing for more than just the bragging rights that come with winning at NASCAR's home track. Rick Dale of HISTORY's American Restoration has designed a one-of-a-kind trophy that will be awarded to the winner of the 300-mile race. As last year's Honorary Starter for the HISTORY 300, Dale awarded the trophy to the 2012 winner, Brad Keselowski, who mentioned that Dale should have designed the trophy as well. With Charlotte Motor Speedway's blessing, Dale embraced the challenge and designed 2013's HISTORY 300 trophy with a reverence for racing and its history. A 1940 Ford Coupe steering wheel, representing the beginning of stock car racing, forms the centerpiece of the trophy. Two gas pump nozzles from a 1936 North Carolina highway gas station, notoriously frequented by moonshine runners, provide the frame. A Custer Car drive gear completes the design, symbolizing the first go-kart a child builds when dreaming about becoming a race car driver.(CMS)(5-21-2013)

Annett cleared to return at Charlotte UPDATE: #43-Michael Annett tweeted Monday afternoon, "Pumped to announce I'll be making my return to the #43 car this weekend at Charlotte. Can't wait to get back in the seat". Annett broke his sterum at the end of the Daytona race and has been sidelined since then.(5-20-2013)
UPDATE: After being sidelined for eight races, Michael Annett will return to the driver's seat of the #43 Pilot Flying J Ford this weekend at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Annett was medically cleared today after suffering a broken and dislocated sternum after an accident in the season-opening NASCAR Nationwide Series event at Daytona International Speedway. The NNS series regular underwent surgery for his injuries after the accident and has been sidelined for three months to allow his injuries to heal. Annett has been preparing for his return by participating in physical therapy over the last three weeks. Medical doctors, along with NASCAR officials, determined he was cleared to drive in the upcoming NNS race at Charlotte Motor Speedway following an MRI on Monday afternoon.(RPM)(5-21-20013)

Steve Wallace making first attempt of 2013: After finishing among the top-ten in Nationwide Series points from 2009-2011, Steve Wallace will attempt his first Nationwide Series start of 2013 this weekend at Charlotte. Backing Wallace's effort is Richard Tocado Companies, a Charlotte, NC-based provider of mortgage and real estate consulting services. Wallace will pilot a former Roush-Fenway Mustang in the event, powered by Roush Yates Engines. While Wallace's Ford Mustang was prepared out of the Rusty Wallace Racing shops, pit road duties will be handled by Michael Waltrip Racing's #55 Sprint Cup Series team. Blake Bainbridge will serve as crew chief and former #66 car chief, Ricky Cade, will have the same role this weekend.(Rusty Wallace Racing)(5-21-2013)

Cobb's transporter stolen from race shop UPDATE 5: On Saturday, May 11, 2013, at around 3:00 AM, the Jennifer Jo Cobb Racing team transporter was stolen from the team's race shop in Mooresville, N.C. The value with the contents included is well over $250,000. Rowan County Sheriff's Department and Detective Carl Dangerfield is pursuing leads and has issued arrest warrants in connection with this case. "It is my sole concern to get the transporter back so that we can make Friday night's Camping World Truck Series race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway," said Cobb. "We are working with other teams right now to borrow the necessary items in the event our hauler and its contents are not returned. We are pleased with the diligent work that the Rowan County Sheriff's Department has shown in solving this crime." Any information on the whereabouts of the stolen property can be directed to the lead investigator, Detective Carl Dangerfield 704-216-8711.(Jennifer Jo Cobb Racing PR)(5-15-2013)
UPDATE: The Rowan County Sheriff's Office said it has issued warrants for the arrest of Mike Joseph Harmon and Sheila Rae Rice for felony larceny and breaking and entering in connection with the case. It values the hauler and contents at $279,000. Harmon, a NASCAR driver and team owner primarily in the Nationwide Series, has worked with Cobb in the past. Harmon used to be the team manager for Cobb's Nationwide team.(Sporting News)(5-15-2013)
UPDATE 2: Mike Harmon tweeted twice Wednesday evening, "I want it known that I have never stolen so much as a piece of bubble gum in my life. I did not take JJC hauler, there is no video of me anywhere near her shop. Today she was the windshield & I was the bug, but when we get in FEDERAL court in a couple wks there's a boulder coming".(5-15-2012)
UPDATE 3: A NASCAR driver is out on bond after deputies in Cleveland County arrested him and charged him with stealing a competitor's trailer from a Rowan County business park. He says he didn't do it. According to the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office, Mike Harmon was arrested on Wednesday afternoon and charged with breaking and entering a motor vehicle and felony larceny. He was later released from the jail on a $10,000 bond. Harmon told WBTV that he has a strong alibi, he wasn't even in the state. He says he was in Darlington, SC for the race over the weekend, watching a friend drive his car in the Darlington 500. Investigators told WBTV on Thursday morning that they are still working to recover the stolen trailer. Harmon has attempted to get the trailer back in the past, through the court system, but the ruling went against him, investigators say. The Rowan County Sheriff's Office want the public to know that if someone is hiding the trailer until the situation gets sorted out, they could be charged with receiving stolen goods - a felony charge.(WBTV)(5-16-2013)
UPDATE 4: Two days after racing in the North Carolina Education Lottery 200 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, NASCAR driver Mike Harmon found himself being charged, again, by Rowan County Sheriff's detectives in an ongoing feud he's having with fellow driver and Camping World Truck Series team owner Jennifer Jo Cobb. On Sunday, Harmon was charged with obstruction of justice and released on $20,000 bond. Harmon is accused of stealing Cobb's race hauler. On Friday night he had his cell phone confiscated by deputies as they investigate the crime. Deputies are reportedly using his cell phone to track Harmon's GPS, text messages and phone calls. Another man, David Novak, is charged with conspiring to commit felony larceny and obstructing justice for admitting to deputies that he knew the location of the trailer but did not tell investigators. Novak is the former business partner of Cobb.(WBTV)(5-21-2013)
UPDATE 5: Mike Harmon knew where the Jennifer Jo Cobb hauler was located and initially told police he would release it to them as long as they didn't return it to Cobb, according to a probable cause affidavit released by the Rowan County Sheriff's Office. Cobb's hauler, is part of an ongoing property dispute between Cobb and her former business partner David Novak. Novak, who was romantically involved with Cobb before they stopped working together in 2012, claims in a lawsuit filed in federal court that Cobb took the hauler from storage at Harmon's shop in January. His motion for an injunction against Cobb and for the return of the hauler was denied in February, and Cobb alleges in a document filed Thursday that Novak "hired others to proceed to misappropriate" property from her shop. A warrant was issued for the arrest of Novak on Saturday on an obstruction of justice charge and a charge of conspiring to commit felony larceny. According to the arrest warrant, Novak allegedly conspired with Harmon to steal the hauler and he acknowledged to a Rowan County detective that he knew where the hauler was but would not reveal its location. Novak, who lives in Illinois, has not turned himself in. Harmon, who worked for Novak as a team manager for the Jennifer Jo Cobb Racing team in 2010, and Harmon's girlfriend already had been arrested Wednesday on charges of felony larceny and breaking and entering. An additional charge against Harmon of obstruction of justice was added Saturday, and Harmon also was forced to give up his cell phone, which could indicate his whereabouts when the hauler was stolen at approximately 3 a.m. May 11. Harmon told reporters Thursday he has paperwork that shows Novak is the one who bought the hauler and equipment from Circle Bar Racing. When asked Thursday if he knew where the hauler was, Harmon told reporters he did not and that he was on his way back from Darlington at the time the hauler was taken. Harmon was asked point-blank by reporters if it was his cab that pulled the hauler out. He said: "No." He also was asked if he knew what happened to the hauler: "I definitely don't (know)," he said. That is different from what a Rowan County police detective believes and what he testified Harmon told him. According to a probable cause affidavit released Tuesday, a Rowan County detective testified that two days after the hauler was stolen, Harmon "indicated he knew where the car hauler was located but would not reveal that information unless I promised him it would not be returned to the victim," according to the affidavit. The detective said Harmon told him May 14 that he would deliver the hauler to the sheriff's department at 8 a.m. the next day. "Mr. Harmon did not return the car hauler & as he had promised," the detective said in the affidavit. "I called Mr. Harmon and he stated he had changed his mind and was prepared to be arrested if necessary." The detective said in the affidavit that Harmon's semi matches the video surveillance of the truck that towed Cobb's hauler away and that a car whose license plate matches that of the car of Harmon's girlfriend was seen at the Cobb shop at the time of the crime. (Sporting News)(5-21-2013)

Kwasniewski to trucks?: Dylan Kwasniewski graduates from Faith Lutheran High School on June 7, obviously a landmark day in a young person's life. So is the day someone turns 18, and for Kwasniewski that day is May 31. It is then that Kwasniewski, considered a potential future star driver, will be eligible to compete in a NASCAR Nationwide or Camping World Truck series race. He will finish the season in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East but will look to possibly run in one of those other series during breaks in the schedule. "I'm confident we'll have some Truck or some Nationwide or some combination of both," said Chris Newman, president of Spire Sports & Entertainment, which represents Kwasniewski. Newman said Kwasniewski could make his debut in either of those series in Sparta, Ky., at the Truck race June 27 or Nationwide race June 28. Kwasniewski drives for Turner Scott Motorsports, which owns three full-time Truck and three full-time Nationwide teams. Turner Scott could provide Kwasniewski with a fourth seat for either or both races, but Newman said the team would need at least three or four weeks to put it together. (Las Vegas Review Journal)(5-17-2013)
NOTE: Kwasniewski is already of age to race in trucks since the age limit was moved back to 16 prior to the start of the 2013 season.

Road America gets race sponsor: Road America is on a roll  if you'll pardon the pun  with title sponsorships for the biggest weekend of its schedule. Although the naming rights deal has not been announced, a Sheboygan Falls sausage maker has joined a Neenah-connected papermaker to bring more Wisconsin flavor to June 22. The NASCAR Nationwide Series race at the track in Elkhart Lake is going by the name Johnsonville Sausage 200. Title sponsorship for Road America's Nationwide Series races has been held previously by Bucyrus (2010-'11) and Sargento (2012), both also state companies. Nelson Piquet Jr. is the defending champion.(Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)(5-16-2013)

NNS & NCWTS banquet returns to Miami: NASCAR announced the postseason awards dates for the annual NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, set for Monday, Nov. 18 at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel in Miami Beach, Fla. For the fifth consecutive season, the NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will share the awards stage, honoring the series driver and owner champions as well as the top-five drivers in each series. "Winning a NASCAR championship in one of our national series is a remarkable accomplishment, and the reason why the postseason awards shows are such significant dates on the NASCAR calendar," said Steve Phelps, NASCAR chief marketing officer. "Returning to a major market such as Miami for the Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series Awards will shine a bright spotlight on the special and unique achievements of our champions." For the first time in two years, NASCAR will crown a new champion in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, as reigning two-time titlist Ricky Stenhouse Jr. now races full time in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. JR Motorsports driver Regan Smith currently owns the top spot in the standings, followed by three-time IndyCar champion Sam Hornish Jr., last year's championship runner-up Elliott Sadler, Justin Allgaier and Brian Vickers. Reigning NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion James Buescher returned to the series in 2013 to defend his crown, and currently ranks sixth after four races. Johnny Sauter leads the points, followed by Matt Crafton and a trio of young rising stars Jeb Burton, Ryan Blaney and Ty Dillon. NASCAR previously announced the date for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards  Dec. 6 at Wynn Las Vegas.(NASCAR)(5-15-2013)

Pillow Pets to sponsor Bayne: Roush Fenway Racing has announced a multi-race partnership with Pillow Pets. The leader in plush toys will serve as the primary sponsor on Trevor Bayne's #6 Ford Mustang in the May 25th Nationwide Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. As part of the Memorial Day Weekend festivities, Pillow Pets will take part in Charlotte Motor Speedway's "Welcome Home our Troops; Let Freedom Race" program, billed as the largest welcome home ceremony for returning troops. The company will provide Patriotic Pillow Pets to the families of military recently returning home from active duty. In addition to the Nationwide Series race at Charlotte, Pillow Pets will serve as the primary partner on Bayne's #6 Ford Mustang at Indianapolis (July 27) and Dover (Sept. 28).(Roush Fenway Racing)(5-15-2013)

#54 team penalized after Darlington: NASCAR announced that NASCAR Nationwide Series crew chief Adam Stevens (#54 team) has been fined and placed on probation for violations during this past weekend's event at Darlington Raceway. In addition, the team's car chief Christopher Landis has been placed on probation for the remainder of the year. Stevens has been fined $10,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31. Landis has likewise been placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31. The rules violations referred to Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4J (any determination by NASCAR officials that the race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules detailed in Section 20-A of the rule book); 20A-2.1E (streamlining of the contours of the car, beyond what is approved by the series director will not be permitted. Installation of air directional devices, underpans, baffles, shields or the like beneath the car or the car's hood and fender area, front firewall, floor, rear firewall area, rear deck and quarter panel area will not be permitted. If, in the judgment of NASCAR officials, any part or component of the car not previously approved by NASCAR has been installed or modified to enhance aerodynamic performance, will not be permitted. Addition of body fillers of any type, to the underside of the body, chassis or suspension components will not be permitted. All cars must remain standard in appearance); 20A-3.10A (front upper bumper cover must be from the respective OEM manufacturer and must be approved by NASCAR. The front lower bumper cover and rear bumper cover must be from an approved manufacturer and must be approved by NASCAR. Once approved, the front lower bumper covers may be used on all approved models. NASCAR officials may use bumper covers provided by the respective manufacturer as a guide in determining whether a competitor's bumper cover conforms to the specifications of the NASCAR rule book. Unless otherwise authorized by the series director, cutting and reshaping of bumper covers will not be permitted.) The infractions were discovered during opening day inspection on May 9.(NASCAR)(5-14-2013)

Crew members suspended for violating Substance Abuse Policy: Jackson L. Dodson II, a crew member in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and Frank W. Earnhardt, a crew member in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, have been indefinitely suspended from NASCAR for violating the sanctioning body's substance abuse policy. On May 9, Dodson was found to have violated Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing) and 19 (violation of the NASCAR substance abuse policy) of the 2013 NASCAR Rule Book. On May 10, Earnhardt was found to have violated Sections 12-1 and 19.(NASCAR)(5-14-2013)

Logano driving #22 at Iowa: Iowa Speedway officials announced that NASCAR Sprint Cup star Joey Logano, who won the Newton track's first-ever NASCAR race in May of 2007 at 16 years of age, will drive a #22 Penske Ford Mustang in the track's first Nationwide Series race of the season, the 'DuPont Pioneer 250' on Saturday evening, June 8. Logano, now 22 and in his fifth full season of Sprint Cup Series racing, is perhaps best known as the youngest race winner ever in both the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series. But to Iowa race fans, he is also known as the kid from Connecticut who beat Kevin Harvick in Iowa Speedway's inaugural NASCAR K&N Pro Series East vs. West challenge race on May 18, 2007.(Iowa Speedway)(5-8-2013)

Viva Motorsports looking for additional driver: Viva Motorsports is looking for drivers to fill out the rest of the season. Fresh off their 12th place finish at Talladega, Viva Motorsports has a full fleet of #55 Chevy Camaros and is looking for the right partner to put in the driver's seat for selected races throughout the remainder of the 2013 season. The team currently has plans to run approximately half of the remaining races, but the equipment and the personnel are in place to run more races if funding can be found.(Viva Motorsports)(5-6-2013)

Robby Benton starts new team....in Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo Series: Successful real estate developer and Lamborghini Carolinas CEO Eddie Littlefield, along with winning NASCAR team owner Robby Benton, and NASCAR driver and Sprint Cup Series Rookie-of-the-Year Kevin Conway announce the formation of Change Racing - a new team that will compete full time in the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo Series.Change Racing is based in Concord, NC, housed in a state of the art 40,000 square foot facility.In addition to competing for the 2013 Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo Series World Championship, Change Racing with Lamborghini Carolinas will be providing trackside support, engineering, and program management for other Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo Series teams and drivers throughout North America. Change Racing also announced a multi-year driver agreement with NASCAR driver and team principal, Kevin Conway as the team’s lead driver.(Change Racing)(5-3-2013)

RCR appealing suspension of crew members: Richard Childress Racing has appealed the four-week suspensions to Brian Scott crewmen Michael Scearce and Thomas Costello, who were arrested last week following the Nationwide Series race at Richmond International Raceway. Scearce faces two misdemeanor assault charges and Costello faces one misdemeanor assault charge after a fight with Turner Scott Motorsports driver Nelson Piquet Jr. in the driver/owner parking lot Friday night at RIR. NASCAR has deferred the suspensions pending appeal, so both Scearce and Costello will work with the team this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway. No appeal date has been set. Scearce and Costello have a June 25 court date in Richmond.(Sporting News)(5-2-2013)

Scott, Piquet tangle after race; crew members arrested UPDATES - Penalties: Henrico County Police had two adult males in custody Friday night after a fight in the driver/owner lot of Richmond International Raceway following a Nationwide Series race where Richard Childress Racing and Turner Scott Racing crews and drivers nearly brawled. The police department did not reveal details of who was involved in the altercation but Richard Childress Racing confirmed its involvement and multiple sources said Turner Scott Motorsports personnel and driver Nelson Piquet Jr. were talking to police in the motorhome lot. A statement from Richard Childress Racing Director of Communications Tim Packman confirmed the team's involvement. "We are aware an incident took place outside of the track's infield following Friday night's NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Richmond International Raceway involving members of our team and others from another team," the statement said. "We are cooperating with the local authorities in this matter." The incident occurred a little more than an hour after the race.
Two separate incidents following the Nationwide Series race involved RCR and Turner Scott Motorsports, sparked by an on-track incident between Piquet and RCR driver Brian Scott. Following the race, both crews nearly came to blows and Scott went up to Piquet, who shoved Scott away and then kicked him in the groin. Piquet later apologized for kicking Scott, saying it was in self-defense.(Sporting News)(4-27-2013) UPDATE: Police have released the names of two Richard Childress Racing crew members arrested for alleged assault at Richmond International Raceway late Friday night. Michael A. Scearce, 50, and Thomas F. Costello, 35, were taken into custody after a postrace incident spilled over to the driver/owner motorhome lot. The assault injured one of the two adult male victims, whose names were not released. Scearce and Costello are both members of RCR's #2 team, which fields cars for Brian Scott. Both men were charged with misdemeanors and released early Saturday morning, according to Henrico County police Lt. Linda Toney. A court date for both will be determined at a later time.(USA Today)(4-27-2013)
UPDATE 2: Statement from Richard Childress: "I didn't witness what took place last night outside of the race track. Our team members were walking to their cars and words were exchanged with members from another team, which led to an altercation. I am still learning all the exact details and, because it did happen outside of the track, local authorities became involved. We are working with them to resolve this matter. We are now concentrating on winning the Sprint Cup race tonight."(RCR)(4-27-2013)
UPDATE 3: Statement from Turner Scott Motorsports: "Turner Scott Motorsports can confirm that an incident occurred near the Driver/Owner parking lot of Richmond International Raceway following the NASCAR Nationwide Series race on Friday, April 26th. Several members of another race team confronted a group that included Nelson Piquet Jr., resulting in the arrest of two individuals from the other race team. TSM will have no further comment on the incident as the matter is an active case with the Henrico Police Department."(TSM)(4-27-2013)
UPDATE 4: Penalties have been levied to two NASCAR Nationwide Series teams as a result of their involvement in separate post-race incidents following last Friday's race at Richmond International Raceway. Thomas Costello and Michael Scearce, both crew members for the #2 team, have each been fined $15,000 and suspended from NASCAR until the completion of the next four NASCAR Nationwide Series Championship events. They have also been placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31. Both Costello and Scearce were found to be in violation of Section 12-1 (Actions detrimental to stock car racing. Involved in an altercation with another competitor after the race had concluded). Drivers Nelson Piquet Jr. (#30 car) and Brian Scott (#2 car) have been placed on NASCAR probation until June 26 for violating Section 12-1 and their involvement in an on-track altercation with their two cars after the race had concluded. Crew chiefs Chris Carrier (#30 car) and Phil Gould (#2 car) have likewise been placed on NASCAR probation until June 26 as a result of the on-track incident between their two drivers.(NASCAR)(4-30-2013)

ESPN may bid for only a portion of Nationwide races: Rights to the Nationwide Series could be in play this summer when NASCAR opens its negotiations with ESPN, according to several sources. ESPN and NASCAR have not begun formal talks about renewing a media rights package that includes the Nationwide Series' entire 33-race season and 17 Sprint Cup races. But ESPN has had internal conversations about bidding only on the Nationwide races that overlap with its Sprint Cup schedule instead of the entire season. The reason has more to do with production expenses than ratings points. From August to November, when it airs both Nationwide and Sprint Cup races, ESPN is able to use the same production crew, production trucks and other resources to cover both Nationwide Series races and Sprint Cup races on the same weekend. It's much costlier for ESPN to produce the Nationwide Series' first 16 races during the first half of the NASCAR season, when Fox and Turner hold the rights to the Sprint Cup races held at the same tracks on those weekends. ESPN has had rights to the Nationwide Series since 2007 and put considerable promotional and programming resources behind it. The secondary circuit aired on Fox and NBC from 2001 to 2006. ESPN declined to comment. Formal renewal talks are scheduled to begin later this summer, and its executives have not spoken to NASCAR about the Nationwide Series. Any move by ESPN to bid only on the second half of the Nationwide Series would allow NASCAR to experiment with new ways of selling its secondary series and offer it great flexibility. The sanctioning body could decide to split the Nationwide package between its Sprint Cup rights holders. That would allow Fox to buy the first half of the season and ESPN, or another broadcaster, to take the second half. Such a move would give both broadcasters the type of cost efficiencies ESPN wants, both in production and advertising sales. Fox has expressed interest in obtaining the rights to the first part of the Nationwide Series but has not had any formal talks with the sanctioning body. NASCAR also could decide to test the market and create a separate package for the entire Nationwide Series that it would sell independently of the Sprint Cup Series.(Sports Business Journal)(4-30-2013)

Recovery slower than anticipated for Annett: When Michael Annett's surgeon first saw the X-ray of the broken sternum the NASCAR Nationwide Series driver had suffered in a crash at Daytona International Speedway, he told his new patient the recovery time would be two to three months. Being a racer hoping for the quickest return possible, Annett heard only the first of those numbers. "I think in his head," Annett admitted Monday, "he was thinking three." Which is why it may now be Memorial Day weekend before the Richard Petty Motorsports driver returns from an injury that has sidetracked his 2013 season. Annett's breastbone was fractured and dislocated in a head-on impact with the wall late in the Nationwide season opener at Daytona, and he had surgery the following week in which screws and a metal plate were used to repair the damage. Annett had originally hoped to be back in his #43 car this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway, but that won't be the case. He said a scan last week revealed that the bones and plates at the injury site aren't fusing together as quickly as doctors had hoped, and his surgeon wasn't comfortable with the idea of him withstanding another big hit. Annett said he is scheduled to start physical therapy this week, which will involve weight training exercises like the bench press designed to rebuild strength in his chest. Meanwhile he continues to keep a close eye on his race team, which this past Friday night at Richmond recorded its best result of the season after substitute Reed Sorenson finished 10th. Sorenson, a close friend of Annett's, will stay in the car until the regular driver returns.(NASCAR.com)(4-29-2013)

Hackenbracht announces 7 race deal with TriStar: In February, TriStar Motorsports announced that former ARCA Racing Series winner Chad Hackenbracht had inked a deal to drive for the team in a partial NASCAR Nationwide Series schedule. Now, the team has announced plans for Hackenbracht to compete in seven races including Iowa (June 7th), New Hampshire (July 13th), Chicagoland (July 21st), Mid-Ohio (August 17th), Bristol (August 23rd), Charlotte (October 11th) and Phoenix (November 9th). Hackenbracht will share the #44 Toyota with Sunoco Rookie of the Year Contender, Hal Martin. Hackenbracht, 21, spent the 2012 season competing full-time in the ARCA Racing Series for his family owned team, CGH Motorsports. Last season, he recorded one win, two pole positions, five top-five and 12 top-10 finishes before closing out the year fifth in the Championship Point Standings. This year, the New Philadelphia, Ohio native will run a partial schedule in preparation for a shot at Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors in 2014. Pro Motor Engines will supply the powerhouse under Hackenbracht's Toyota and Crew Chief Greg Conner will lead the team's efforts.(TriStar Motorsports)(4-29-2013)

e-Swisher expands sponsorship of Sorenson: e-Swisher has reached an agreement to extend their partnership with The Motorsports Group to be primary sponsor of the #40 Chevy Camaro driven by Reed Sorenson in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, beginning with the Memorial Day weekend event at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 25. e-Swisher previously partnered with TMG and Sorenson at the season-opening race at Daytona International Speedway.(TMG PR)(4-23-2013)

Dibenedetto to debut with Vision in Darlington: Vision Racing has changed engine builders over the winter months from Arrington Engines to PME engines. In addition to engine build changes, Vision Racing recently secured its new 21,000 square foot shop, in Mooresville, NC, in order to build a program capable of handling it's team objectives of racing on a weekly basis starting with the Richmond race in April. "We have added the #37 car in addition to the #17 that Tanner Berryhill has driven. We will have the capability of running different drivers along with their sponsoring companies in the #37, should that opportunity come about," said team owner Adrian Berryhill. Vision Racing is excited about announcing the newly formed partnership with Keller Williams Realty in addition to promoting the National book tour of Gary Keller and Jay Papasan's best selling book, The One Thing. Vision Racing will debut the #37 at Darlington with signed driver Matt Dibenedetto.(Vision Racing PR)(4-19-2013)

Hornish testing at Mid-Ohio UPDATE: Sam Hornish, Jr., driver of the #12 Alliance Truck Parts / WURTH Ford Mustang for Penske Racing is testing at Mid-Ohio Monday, April 15. The test is open to fans for free from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fans looking to attend the test are asked to enter at Gate 3. The Infield and The Keyhole will be open. The tower, pits, paddock and garage area are closed to fans. Fans are welcome to take photos and videos of the cars on track as well as bring food and/or drinks as concession stands will be closed.(Mid-Ohio PR)(4-15-2013
UPDATE: Hornish was the only driver at the track Monday for the two-day test. His team and NASACAR officials were in Lexington to collect data for tires and gear ratios that will be shared with everyone in the Nationwide Series. Although Hornish joked he wasn't going to share anything with his competitors, he was picked due to his extensive knowledge of the track and his Buckeye roots, being a native of Defiance who used to come to the track as a kid to watch the races in the 1980s and early 1990s. Hornish also had video camera on board to tape his laps around the track so other drivers could watch and get a feel for the nuances of the 2.25-mile, 13-turn road course. Besides getting information to share with all the teams, NASCAR was using the two days to decide on things like the start/finish line, qualifying procedures and how the garage area (paddock) and the pits would be arranged. Auton said one thing they know for sure is the start, the finish and all restarts will take place in front of the Goodyear Tower. IndyCar and other series start their races on the backstraight. (Mansfield News Journal)(4-16-2013)

Ganassi not rushing Larson: Kyle Larson, who has been praised as a potential superstar by Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart and Kasey Kahne, is back to work crisscrossing the country racing anywhere he can during a long break in NASCAR's second-tier Nationwide Series. He spent last weekend at home in California racing at Antioch and Calistoga in Outlaws and 360 sprints, was back in North Carolina to run his kart at MMX on Wednesday, then was off again Thursday to Sacramento to repeat last week's schedule at Antioch and Calistoga again. Next week it's back to MMX for karting and then on to Texas Motor Speedway to resume racing in the Nationwide Series. So far, team owner Chip Ganassi hasn't been disappointed. But Ganassi is being cautious. It is early, after all, and Larson has just five races with Turner Scott Motorsports under his belt. Just how long Ganassi actually allows Larson to be a kid is another question. He holds options for next year on both #1-Jamie McMurray and #42-Juan Pablo Montoya, who sit 16th and 30th in the Sprint Cup standings right now. His loyalty to Montoya is unquestioned, but he's admittedly frustrated that the results still aren't there as the duo heads into their seventh season together in NASCAR. If Ganassi has something already in mind for Larson as a potential replacement to one of his Cup drivers he isn't saying. He initially joked there was no firm plan for Larson, "we just, every Monday morning, we just throw a dart at the board," before getting serious about the importance of going slow with his young driver.(Associated Press)(4-5-2013)

ISC pays insurance deductible on Nationwide crash: Daytona International Speedway parent company International Speedway Corporation has paid a $1.1 million deductible in insurance costs related to the treatment of injuries for more than 30 fans hurt by debris Feb 23. On the final lap of the Nationwide Series race, the car driven by Kyle Larson got airborne and hit the catch fence in the area that can be unattached to allow fans and officials to go to and from the stands before and after a race. Fourteen people were admitted to the hospital following the accident. All have been released, ISC President John Saunders told financial analysts Thursday. In discussing its financial results for the first quarter of 2013 (December-February), ISC chief financial officer Dan Houser said the company had paid $1.1 million for the insurance deductible because of the Larson accident. The actual amounts expected to be paid out by insurance were not disclosed. According to the standard NASCAR sanctioning agreement filed by Dover International Speedway with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, tracks are required to carry $50 million in insurance to cover costs of injuries and lawsuits arising from NASCAR races.(Sporting News)(4-5-2013)

Cassill joins JD Motorsports: JD Motorsports with Gary Keller has inked a deal with Landon Cassill to be the primary driver of the #4 Flex Seal Chevy for the remainder of the 2013 NASCAR Nationwide Series. The agreement covers all the companion events on the NASCAR Nationwide Series schedule, beginning next week at Texas Motor Speedway. Cassill, 23, comes to the team with a vast racing experience over the past five years, including winning the 2008 NASCAR Nationwide Series Rookie of the Year. "I am really happy to be joining JD Motorsports and racing the #4 Flex Seal Chevy in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. I went down to the shop and met with Johnny and the guys, and I am excited for the opportunity. I look forward to helping them improve over the course of the season, and I believe we can race competitively starting at Texas." said Cassill.(JD Motorsports)(4-3-2013)