2012 Sponsor Schedule:
Bud Shootout, 2/18, Farmers Insurance
Daytona, 2/26, Farmers Insurance
Phoenix, 3/4, Farmers Insurance
Las Vegas, 3/11, Farmers Insurance
Bristol, 3/18, Farmers Insurance
Auto Club, 3/25, Quaker State Oil
Martinsville, 4/1, Hendrickcars.com
Texas, 4/14, Farmers Insurance
Kansas, 4/22, Farmers Insurance
Richmond, 4/28, Farmers Insurance
Talladega, 5/6, Farmers Insurance
Darlington, 5/12, Rockwell Tools
All-Star Race, 5/19, Farmers Insurance
Charlotte, 5/27, Quaker State Oil
Dover, 6/3, Hendrickcars.com
Pocono, 6/10, Farmers Insurance
Michigan, 6/17, Farmers Insurance
Infineon, 6/24, Farmers Insurance
Kentucky, 6/30, Quaker State Oil
Daytona, 7/7, Hendrickcars.com
New Hampshire, 7/14, Farmers Insurance
Indianapolis, 7/29, Farmers Insurance
Pocono, 8/5, Farmers Insurance
Watkins Glen. 8/12, Farmers Insurance
Michigan, 8/19, Farmers Insurance
Bristol, 8/25, Hendrickcars.com
Atlanta, 9/2, Hendrickcars.com
Richmond, 9/8, Quaker State Oil
Chicago, 9/16, Hendrickcars.com
New Hampshire, 9/23, Farmers Insurance
Dover, 9/30, Farmers Insurance
Talladega, 10/7, Hendrickcars.com
Charlotte, 10/13, Hendrickcars.com
Kansas, 10/21, Farmers Insurance
Martinsville, 10/28, Hendrickcars.com
Texas, 11/4, Hendrickcars.com
Phoenix, 11/11, Farmers Insurance
Homestead, 11/18, Farmers Insurance

Hendrick Motorsports Fan Fest May 25th: Hendrick Motorsports will host a fan appreciation day on Friday, May 25 during Charlotte Motor Speedway race weeks. The Hendrick Motorsports Fan Fest will be held at the team's Concord facility and feature an array of family-friendly activities, including scheduled appearances by NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers Kasey Kahne, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Free and open to the public, the Hendrick Motorsports Fan Fest will run from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. ET.
In addition to driver appearances, the Hendrick Motorsports Fan Fest will feature activities for children, interactive sponsor displays, food vendors and a stage with live music and question-and-answer sessions. The Hendrick Motorsports crew chiefs and teams will be on hand for autographs and athletic demonstrations.
Throughout the event, the Hendrick Motorsports Museum and Team Store will offer merchandise discounts and feature special displays. Fans will be invited to visit the race shops of Kahne, Gordon, Johnson and Earnhardt, who are scheduled to take questions and be available for autograph sessions.
Autograph session wristbands will be distributed at 11 a.m. the day of the event on a first come, first served basis. A maximum number of 225 wristbands will be available for each driver (one autographed item per wristband; one wristband per person).
Fan Fest parking will not be available on the Hendrick Motorsports campus. Free parking will be at Lot Z off Bruton Smith Boulevard in Concord, courtesy of Charlotte Motor Speedway. Shuttles will offer roundtrip transportation to Hendrick Motorsports from Lot Z beginning at 9 a.m.
More Hendrick Motorsports Fan Fest information -- including maps, parking directions, schedules, autograph session details and additional event announcements -- will be available at www.HendrickMotorsports.com/FanFest and via social media.(HMS)(5-12-2012)

Contact Status: Sponsors: 2014; Drivers: 2015; Crew Chief: ?

Hendrick Motorsports 200th Cup Win: With Jimmie Johnson's win Saturday night in the #48 Lowe's Kobalt Tools Chevy at Darlington Raceway, Hendrick Motorsports recorded its 200th points-paying victory in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series competition, marking a major milestone for the organization and car owner Rick Hendrick.
STAT LEADER: When it comes to NASCAR's modern era (1972-present), Hendrick Motorsports leads all Sprint Cup teams in wins (200), top-five finishes (818), top-10s (1,352) and pole positions (181). Hendrick is NASCAR's all-time leader in poles and top-10s, while ranking behind only Petty Enterprises in Cup wins. The Petty team recorded 268 Cup victories in more than half a century of competition. Hendrick Motorsports' first season was 1984.
MILESTONE WINS: Hendrick Motorsports' first win came April 29, 1984, at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway with Geoff Bodine at the wheel. Jeff Gordon notched the team's 50th on March 24, 1996, at Darlington Raceway and its 100th on June 10, 2001, at Michigan International Speedway. Jimmie Johnson scored the 150th Cup win for Hendrick Motorsports on March 11, 2007, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
FIRST-TIME WINNERS: Eight drivers recorded their first career Cup wins while driving for car owner Rick Hendrick: Bodine, Kyle Busch, Gordon, Johnson, Casey Mears, Jerry Nadeau, Ken Schrader and Brian Vickers. Gordon and Johnson have raced for Hendrick for their entire Cup careers.
DRIVERS AND TRACKS: Since being founded in 1984, Hendrick Motorsports has sent 15 Cup drivers to Victory Lane at 25 different racetracks (see full lists below). The organization has scored double-digit Cup wins at nine tracks, including a team record 18 at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. Hendrick has won at four inactive Cup racetracks: Nashville, Tenn., North Wilkesboro, N.C., Riverside, Calif., and Rockingham, N.C.
WINNING WAYS: Hendrick Motorsports has posted at least one Cup-level win in 28 straight seasons (1986-2012), the longest active streak in NASCAR. The streak began Feb. 16, 1986, when Bodine won Hendrick's first Daytona 500. Bodine won three races in 1984 before scoring three runner-up finishes but no wins in 1985.
TWO LEFT: There are only two active tracks on the Sprint Cup circuit where Hendrick Motorsports has yet to reach Victory Lane. Those venues are Homestead-Miami Speedway, which hosts the Sprint Cup season finale, and the newly added Kentucky Speedway.(Hendrick Motorsports)(5-12-2012)

Drive to End Hunger Charlotte 1 Million Coming to Hendrick Motorsports Fan Fest: NASCAR fans and volunteers will be able to compete alongside Hendrick Motorsports pit crews in meal packaging races on May 25 through the Drive to End Hunger Charlotte 1 Million.
As part of its upcoming Fan Fest, Hendrick Motorsports is hosting the last stage of the Charlotte 1 Million. AARP Foundation's week-long series of volunteer-driven events will package and donate one million meals to help hungry older North Carolinians. Up to 200 volunteers will be needed to help package an expected 50,000 meals on the Hendrick Motorsports campus. Twelve lucky volunteers will win the opportunity to package meals alongside pit crew members from the #24 Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet, #5 Farmers Insurance Chevrolet, #48 Lowe's Chevrolet and #88 Diet Mountain Dew/National Guard Chevrolet as they compete in head-to-head races.
The centerpiece of the Charlotte 1 Million will be a two-day meal packaging event at the Charlotte Convention Center on May 24-25, where volunteers will be able to see and work alongside stars including four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon, tennis legend Martina Navratilova, host of "CBS NFL Today" James "JB" Brown, Miss Sprint Cup and others.
With two weeks left until the event starts, the #24 Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet will race in Darlington this weekend with a paint scheme that includes the Charlotte 1 Million logo on the TV panel and rear quarter panels. The TV panel will also promote DrivetoEndHunger.org/Meals, where fans can visit to find additional information and sign up to volunteer.(AARP/Drive to End Hunger)(5-12-2012)

Hendrick in longest winless streak since 2002: More than a decade has passed since Hendrick Motorsports slogged through this kind of drought. Back in 2001, Hendrick went the final eight races without a win. Then in 2002, the squad went the first nine winless. That 17-race drought ranks as the team's sixth-longest in an NSCS history that began in 1984. The seventh longest? This one. Right here, right now. Sixteen races have passed since Hendrick's last win, but one of its top tracks awaits - Darlington Raceway. Hendrick has 13 victories at The Track Too Tough To Tame, most by any owner all-time. On Hendrick's personal wins list, Darlington ranks tied for third with Dover behind only Martinsville (18) and Charlotte (16).(NASCAR)(5-9-20120)

Rockwell Tools to sponsor Kahne at Darlington: Through its Rockwell Tools brand, Positec Tool Corp., a global company that manufactures and markets power tools and lawn and garden equipment, will serve as primary sponsor of the #5 Chevy driven by Kasey Kahne for the Sprint Cup race at Darlington Raceway. It will mark Rockwell Tools' first sponsorship of a Sprint Cup team. Rockwell Tools recently sponsored Kahne's Camping World Truck Series entry when NASCAR returned to Rockingham Speedway for the first time since 2004.(Hendrick Motorsports)(5-7-2012)

Kahne featured in public service advertisements about texting: Sixty percent of young adult drivers (16-24) said they have texted while driving, according to a national survey released by the Ad Council. To educate young adult drivers about the dangers of texting while driving, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the State Attorneys General and Consumer Protection Agencies, and the Ad Council revealed new public service advertisements featuring #5-Kasey Kahne. NHTSA reports that distracted driving is the number one killer of American teens. In 2010, more than 3,000 people were killed and an additional 416,000 were injured due to distracted driving, which includes texting while driving. Created pro bono by advertising agency RPA, the television, radio and digital PSAs remind young adult drivers that it is dangerous to do anything that takes your attention away from the road and serve as a reminder to leave the risky driving to the professionals. The PSAs direct audiences to StopTextsStopWrecks.org, a website where teens and young adults can find facts about the impact of texting while driving and tips for how to curb the behavior.(PR)(5-4-2012)

Earnhardt Jr., Kahne and Stewart to guest on The Cleveland Show: NASCAR stars #88-Dale Earnhart Jr., #5-Kasey Kahne and #14-Tony Stewart will guest-voice on Fox's The Cleveland Show next season. In the episode, Cleveland (voiced Mike Henry) convinces Donna (voiced Sanaa Lathan) to lighten up and have a few drinks when she takes her run for local office way too seriously. "Unfortunately, they party way too hard - and wake up on the infield of a NASCAR track. It's up to guest stars Earnhardt, Jr., Stewart and Kahne to race Donna and Cleveland home," executive producer Rich Appel says.(TV Guide)(4-27-2012)

Another spotter for Kahne: #5-Kasey Kahne is still searching for the best spotter for his Hendrick Motorsports program as he will use his third different spotter of the year when he starts the STP 400 on Sunday at Kansas Speedway and plans to work with a fourth sometime next month. Kahne replaced longtime spotter Kole Kahne (his cousin) with former #24-Jeff Gordon spotter Shannon McGlammery after the fifth race of the season. That tryout was designed for two races (Martinsville and Texas) and now Kahne will use Richard Childress Racing spotter Kevin Hamlin the next three weeks. "(Hamlin) is just spotting for a few weeks and someone else will spot after that," Kahne said Saturday at Kansas Speedway. "That's kind of where we're at right now."(Sporting News)(4-22-2012)

Hendrick's Returns To Site 199th - And Last - Win and: Thirteen races have passed since Hendrick Motorsports last victory, and though it doesn't seem like a big number, for Hendrick it is. Its last win came at Kansas Speedway (by Jimmie Johnson), site of Sunday race. That's the longest drought Hendrick has had since the end of 2002 and the beginning of 2003 when it went 15 races without a win. Coincidentally, that streak began after a Kansas win as well. Rick Hendrick has attended all 13 races since then but hasn't been able to celebrate his organization's 200th win in NASCAR's premier series. Hendrick holds more wins than any other owner at Kansas with four.(NASCAR)(4-18-2012)
UPDATE: Hendrick Motorsports will reach and surpass its 3,000th Cup start when its teams line up for Sunday's race at Kansas. The organization, which is the first to reach the start milestone in Cup history, will leave Kansas with 3,003 career starts.(HMS)(4-19-20012)

Kahne wins at the Rock: Kasey Kahne capped a successful weekend of triple-duty Sunday afternoon, winning the Good Sam Roadside Assistance 200 to mark NASCAR's return to Rockingham Speedway for the first time since 2004. Kahne -- who finished seventh in the Sprint Cup Series on Saturday and third in the Nationwide Series on Friday at Texas Motor Speedway -- surged to the front in the 155th lap of 200 to notch his fourth win in five starts in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. James Buescher finished second with Matt Crafton third. Brad Sweet qualified the #4 truck fifth, but Kahne had to start at the rear of the field because of the driver change. John King's grasp on the series' points lead fizzled early in the race, when he spun and nosed into the inside wall on the backstretch on Lap 4 to bring out the race's first caution. King returned to the track after repairs, but wound up completing finishing 33rd (NASCAR Wire Service). See more as it becomes available on the Jayski Truck Series site.(4-15-2012)

Kahne gets new spotter: Kasey Kahne will have a new voice on his radio this weekend as Shannon McGlamery takes over spotting duties for the #5 Hendrick Motorsports driver. Kole Kahne, Kasey's cousin, has been the driver's longtime spotter. But after Kahne was involved in an accident two weeks ago at Bristol, his spotter came under question. A source familiar with the situation said Kahne wanted to try something new. McGlamery has served as a spotter for Jeff Gordon and as a mechanic at Hendrick.(Fox Sports)(3-30-2012)
UPDATE: Kahne discussed his spotter change Friday at Martinsville.
IS SHANNON (MCGLAMERY) SPOTTING FOR YOU ALL WEEKEND? IT LOOKED LIKE THAT WOULD BE A REACTION TO WHAT HAPPENED AT BRISTOL. IS IT? ARE YOU GOING TO MAKE A CHANGE?
"No, I would say it is something I wanted to do, something different. I was a little unpleased after California. We are just looking at something for a couple of week. We are going to see after Texas. We are going to sit down and decide if that is the direction I want to go or if I feel comfortable with Kole (Kahne) doing it again or what. I'm going to wait. I'm going to do two weeks with someone else and then decide after Texas what I want to do."
SO WHO ARE GOING TO USE THE TWO WEEKS?
"I'm using Shannon (McGlamery) for the next two weeks then I'm going to decide what I am going to do from there. It's just a couple of week deal."(Chevy PR)(3-31-2012)

HendrickCars.com on #5: Hendrickcars.com, which returns as a primary partner with the #5-Kasey Kahne Chevy this weekend at Martinsville Speedway, will open its first physical retail location on Monday, April 2, in Charlotte, N.C. The dealership, located at 9029 South Boulevard, brings the online inventory of Hendrickcars.com to the offline shopper in a retail facility. Hendrickcars.com offers 20,000 new and used vehicles, including trucks, SUVs, commercial vehicles and motorcycles. Hendrickcars.com also features classic cars, available for purchase, from Rick Hendrick's personal collection. A second Hendrickcars.com physical location will open later this month in Hickory, N.C.(Hendrick Motorsports), see an image of the car on the #5 team paint schemes page.(3-30-2012)

Kahne says knees are better: While #5-Kasey Kahne hasn't had much to smile about this season, he can smile about two things: His left knee and his right knee. Kahne had arthroscopic surgery for a partial medial meniscus removal in his left knee about seven weeks ago in Charlotte. In April 2011, Kahne had the procedure done on his right meniscus. He also had surgery on both knees in December 2010 to repair a condition known as "plica syndrome," the result of a buildup of tissue in the knees. "They're really good," Kahne said Tuesday during an appearance at Charlotte Motor Speedway. "I started running last week. I'm kind of slow-paced for what I'm used to. My right knee is perfect. It feels great. It's the best it's felt in two years and my left knee is not there yet, but it's on its way."(Scene Daily)(3-28-2012)

Kahne makes Quaker State debut at ACS: Kasey Kahne will drive the #5 Quaker State Chevy for the first time this season during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series weekend at Auto Club Speedway. Quaker State has partnered with Hendrick Motorsports for 17 years and played a role in nine Sprint Cup Series championships and 151 race victories with the organization. The #5 also will carry the Quaker State colors at Charlotte in May, Kentucky in June and Richmond in September (HMS)(3-22-2012)

Kahne close to picking up new sponsor: Hendrick Motorsports is close to finalizing a nine-race primary sponsorship with Trina Solar, a Chinese solar panel manufacturer, for its #5 NASCAR Sprint Cup Chevy. The deal will see Trina appear on Kasey Kahne's car at nine races this season. Financial terms of the agreement weren't available. Trina Solar executives could not be reached before deadline. Hendrick Motorsports was unavailable for comment.(Sporting News / Sports Business Journal)(3-6-2012)

Hendrickcars.com to sponsor three NASCAR teams: HendrickCars.com will sponsor three NASCAR teams in select races in early 2012. The sponsorships will promote the new-look retail automotive website, which re-launched Feb. 1, and coincide with the HendrickCars.com "2012 Indy Dream Weekend" sweepstakes. The program will kick off during Speedweeks in Daytona Beach, Fla., with primary sponsorship of #51 Phoenix Racing and 2004 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Kurt Busch in the Feb. 25 Nationwide Series race and Feb. 26 Daytona 500. It will continue with primary sponsorship of JR Motorsports and driver #88-Cole Whitt in the March 17 Nationwide event at Bristol. In addition, HendrickCars.com will be a major associate sponsor of the Richard Childress Racing #33 Chevy with driver Elliott Sadler in NASCAR's biggest race, the Daytona 500. "Last year's Daytona 500 broadcast alone averaged more than 15 million viewers, and we expect 2012 will be even stronger," said Rick Hendrick, Chairman of Hendrick Automotive Group, which owns HendrickCars.com. "Combined with our sponsorship in the Nationwide Series, that's tens of millions of people seeing our brand, hearing our message and then visiting HendrickCars.com. We wanted to showcase the new site, and there's no more effective marketing tool than NASCAR."
"We're proud to have HendrickCars.com as our primary sponsor for both races in Daytona," said James Finch, Owner of Phoenix Racing. "The Hendrick people know how well sponsorships like this work when they're done the right way. Daytona is a big opportunity for our team to build some positive momentum to start the season. Having a sponsor for Speedweeks means a lot to us, and we're going to do everything we can to put HendrickCars.com up front." In 2011, HendrickCars.com was a sponsor of Hendrick Motorsports driver Chase Elliott, who competes full-time in the NASCAR K&N Series East. HendrickCars.com will continue to support Elliott in 2012, along with having associate sponsor placement on the #5 Chevy of Hendrick Motorsports driver Kasey Kahne throughout the entire Sprint Cup Series season.(RCR PR) see images of a couple of the Hendrickcars.com schemes on my #5 Team Schemes page and #51 Team Schemes page.(2-13-2012)

Kahne undergoes knee surgery: Hendrick Motorsports driver Kasey Kahne will be ready for the Feb. 18 Budweiser Shootout, the Feb. 26 Daytona 500 and all of Daytona Speedweeks after undergoing successful outpatient knee surgery this morning. Kahne, driver of the #5 Chevy, had an MRI Thursday after experiencing swelling in his left knee. The MRI revealed a torn meniscus, which was treated this morning with a partial medial meniscus removal. Following the common arthroscopic procedure, he was released from an outpatient facility in Charlotte, N.C. Kahne will practice, qualify and race throughout NASCAR's season-opening Speedweeks, and Hendrick Motorsports has no plans to have a backup driver on standby in Daytona Beach, Fla. In April 2011, Kahne had a procedure on his right meniscus and earned a third-place finish the following race at Richmond, Va.(Hendrick Motorsports)(2-10-2012)

2013 cars to be tested at Homestead: UPDATES: All four 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series car models are scheduled to be tested at Homestead-Miami Speedway February 1st&in a test that will apparently be closed. That may be the first time crewmen get to see all four models. Why is NASCAR, and its big marketing operation, taking such seemingly a low-keyed approach? Apparently because the sanctioning body has not yet 'aero-matched' the four models in the wind tunnel. Ford is billing its new model as a Fusion (not Mustang, as once planned), and when the car maker officially unveiled its 2013 street version, it was then free to take the wraps off the NASCAR version  which is decidedly different from the current Sprint Cup model, the still controversial and not greatly liked by many car-of-tomorrow. Chevrolet, for example, still hasn't officially named its model for its 2013 NASCAR Cup racer.(MikeMulhern.net)(1-25-2012)
UPDATE: #5-Kasey Kahne tweeted that he will be participating in the test. No other drivers have been announced.(2-1-2012)
UPDATE 2: #18-Kyle Busch (Toyota), #17-Matt Kenseth (Ford), and Sam Hornish, Jr. (Dodge) are also participating.(PRN Garage Pass)(2-1-2012)

Frye ends up at Hendrick UPDATE: Hearing that former Red Bull Racing General Manager and Vice President Jay Frye is now working at Hendrick Motorsports as a consultant in a variety of roles.(1-4-2012)
UPDATE: Jay Frye and Rick Hendrick have been friends since the 1980s, when Frye was a rep for first Budweiser and then Valvoline, and Hendrick was an ambitious car dealer trying to gain a toehold in NASCAR. So when Red Bull Racing closed its doors at the end of 2011, it made sense that Frye, the former team's vice president and general manager, would turn to Hendrick. On Wednesday, Hendrick Motorsports announced that Frye will work with the team as a consultant for 2012, focusing on business development. "Jay is one of the most well-connected people in the sport, and he's going to be a great resource to help develop strong partnerships," said Marshall Carlson, president of Hendrick Motorsports. "We've known him for a long time, so there's an immense level of trust and respect between us. The opportunity to work with Jay again and have the benefit of his experience is something we're excited about." In NASCAR parlance, "business development" means helping the team find sponsorship and build relationship with sponsors. Frye's long friendship with Hendrick, as well as his familiarity with former Red Bull driver Kasey Kahne should benefit the team hugely in that department.(SPEED)(1-5-2012)

Evernham settles lawsuit with Gillett: Ray Evernham has settled his lawsuit against George Gillett over money owed from the 2007 sale of his Sprint Cup organization. Evernham, the former owner of Evernham Motorsports and a three-time Cup champion as the crew chief for Jeff Gordon at Hendrick Motorsports, was seeking $19 million from Gillett. The case was settled outside of court and dismissed last week. No details of the settlement were released.(ESPN)(1-3-2012)

Kahne sorry for breastfeeding comments: #5-Kasey Kahne has apologized for comments he made on his Twitter account about public breastfeeding. According to multiple media reports, Kahne posted messages on his account that he saw a mother breastfeeding a child in a supermarket, calling it "nasty" and saying he didn't "feel like shopping any more or eating." After apparently deleting the offending posts from his Twitter feed, Kahne posted an apology on his Facebook page Wednesday, saying it wasn't his intention "to offend any mother who chooses to breastfeed her child, or, for that matter, anyone who supports breast feeding children. I want to make that clear." Kahne said he understands his comments were "offensive to some people" and apologized.(AP, see many posts about this on the Article Links page)(12-30-2011)

Rick Hendrick talks to media: Rick Hendrick held a teleconference Monday and discussed a wide variety of issues:
About Darian Grubb:
A: I have had discussions with Darian. When he left (at the end of 2008), we told him we'd always have a place for him if he wanted to come back. Darian is a very smart guy. I know he's entertaining a lot of offers out there. We don't have a crew chief role. We have an engineering role that we think Darian would be really good in. But at the end of the day it's got to be what Darian wants to do. I know he is close to all of our people and our guys are close to him. We'd love to have him back in the organization, but I quite honestly don't know where he's going to end up. We would like to have him, but whether or not he's going to decide he wants to be in the role we've offered him or he wants to do something somewhere else, I'm just not sure.
Crew chiefs for 2012:
A: Yes. [All teams will have the] Same crew chief-driver combination.
The plane wreck:
A: We were going into Key West (Fla.), and some kind of failure with the brakes, and we went off the end of the runway. Of course, you don't remember everything exactly how it happened, but somehow, my seat belt was on, and something came lose in the seat itself. I hit the bulkhead and my wife. I think my chest and head went into the seat in front of me, and that's where I got my (broken) ribs and had a concussion. Broke four ribs and my clavicle. We were very fortunate. We were glad that it wasn't any worse than it was. We're healing up, and we don't have any of the answers yet on exactly what happened there, but a lot of smart people are involved, so we'll get that figured out here pretty soon, I hope.(Chevy PR)(11-29-2011)

Rick Hendrick released from hospital: According to Hendrick Motorsports, "Happy to report Mr. Hendrick is now resting at home. He was released from the hospital [Monday] afternoon.(11-8-2011)

Martin to MWR, Reutimann out. UPDATES: The puzzle pieces for the 2012 season continue to fall into place with the latest speculation putting Mark Martin in the Michael Waltrip Racing stable for a partial schedule next year. #56-Martin Truex Jr. will return to drive MWR's NAPA Toyota with newcomer Clint Bowyer coming on board in a partner Toyota entry carrying 5-Hour Energy sponsorship for the bulk of the campaign. Sponsorship for the #00 entry driven by David Reutimann will not be in place for the entire 2012 schedule opening the door for Martin to take over and compete on a partial basis. Michael Waltrip Racing has an announcement planned Friday at Texas Motor Speedway where it is expected the team's firm 2012 plans will be unveiled.(CBS Sports)(11-1-2011)
UPDATE: Mark Martin is expected to drive a part-time 2012 Sprint Cup schedule for Michael Waltrip Racing in the #00 Toyota currently driven by David Reutimann, multiple sources close to the situation confirmed Tuesday. Sources said team owner Michael Waltrip, a two-time Daytona 500 winner, likely will drive all or a portion of the four restrictor-plate races at Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway. MWR's lineup for 2012 will be Martin, recently signed Clint Bowyer from Richard Childress Racing, and Martin Truex Jr. Sources said an announcement could come Friday at Texas Motor Speedway, where MWR has a 10:30 a.m. local time news conference scheduled. MWR officials declined to comment. Reutimann, attending the SEMA Auto Show for Toyota, would neither confirm nor deny the information. "Talk to Michael," Reutimann told ESPN.com, referring to his owner.(ESPN)(11-1-2011)
UPDATE 2: Michael Waltrip Racing announced that driver David Reutimann will not return to the team for the 2012 season. Team officials notified Reutimann this week. "David has been a significant part of Michael Waltrip Racing since the very beginning and will forever be a part of our heritage," said Co-Owner Michael Waltrip. "We want to thank David for his contribution to our growth and success over the past five years and wish him well in the future." Reutimann will remain with the team for the final three races of the 2011 season.(MWR)(11-3-2011)
UPDATE 3: Michael Waltrip Racing announced it has hired Mark Martin to share in driving duties of the #00 Toyota and extended its 30-race sponsorship with Aaron's, Inc. through the 2013 Sprint Cup season. Martin will drive in 25 Sprint Cup events each of the next two seasons, sharing the #00 Aaron's Dream Machine with Michael Waltrip, who will drive five events with Aaron's sponsorship. Martin will join Martin Truex Jr. and recently acquired Clint Bowyer in the MWR stable next season. Martin will begin his tenure with MWR at the 2012 Daytona 500. Waltrip will run the remaining restrictor plate races plus the race in his home state of Kentucky. MWR plans to run a combination of drivers and sponsor partners to fill the remaining races when Martin and Waltrip are not behind the wheel.(MWR)(11-4-2011)
UPDATE 4: Before qualifying sixth for Sunday's AAA 500 at Texas, Reutimann told reporters "it's a bad time to be out of a job" in NASCAR. "I'm just struggling a little bit with it," said Reutimann, who had signed a multiyear extension last July after winning at Chicagoland Speedway. "You've just got to wonder if it's worth it in the long run. I don't know.' The alternative is not doing it at all and that's not a great alternative to have. I want it worse than anybody that's ever set foot in this garage and I still do. I can still win races, I can still get the job done. Let's not forget last year that we were able to win and actually had a shot at making it in the Chase. That's only been a year ago. I can still do that if I can get into the right situation. It's unfortunate that things worked out like they did."(USA Today)(11-5-2011)

NTSB issues preliminary report on Hendrick plane crash: The plane carrying Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick and his wife, Linda, crossed a 600-foot overrun, impacted the far side of a ditch, crossed a dirt road, cleared another ditch and came to a stop 820 feet from the departure end of the runway when the brakes failed Monday in Key West, according to the National Transportation Safety Board. The NTSB preliminary report, released Thursday evening, said the Gulfstream G150, manufactured by Israel Aircraft Industries, sustained "substantial damage" after it lost its brakes and the nose landing gear collapsed. The flight originated in Stuart, Fla., at 7 p.m. and the accident happened at 7:40 p.m. The NTSB will continue its investigation and considers all of its current findings "preliminary" until its investigation is complete.(Scene Daily)(10-5-2011)

Rick Hendrick's plane runs off runway: UPDATES: Early Monday evening, a Gulfstream G150 aircraft operated by Hendrick Motorsports ran off the runway after experiencing braking issues upon landing at Key West International Airport in Key West, Fla. There were no serious injuries to any of the four people on board, including two pilots, Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick and his wife, Linda Hendrick. All four were taken to a local hospital for evaluation. Hendrick Motorsports is gathering additional information on the incident.(Hendrick Motorsports)(10-31-2011)
UPDATE: A private G150 Gulfstream jet containing four people missed the runway while landing at Key West International Airport and ran into the salt ponds at 7:45 p.m. No one was seriously injured. The airplane was co-owned by Jimmie Johnson Racing II Inc. and Hendrick Motorsports LLC of Charlotte, N.C. Some officials said it did not appear that the NASCAR driver was on board, but that has not been officially confirmed. Everyone was taken by ambulance to Lower Keys Medical Center for evaluation. Only two complained of injuries: one for neck pain and one for shortness of breath/heart palpitations, according to Monroe County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Deputy Becky Herrin. There were two pilots and two passengers, but it was unclear who was injured. The airport was closed for about an hour, but has reopened. Some fuel spilled, but it was unknown how much. (Key West News)
AND Jenna Fryer, of the Associated Press, posted a photo from the sheriff's office.(10-31-2011)
UPDATE 2: A small jet carrying the owner of NASCAR's top team and his wife lost its brakes and crash landed at a Key West, Fla., airport Monday evening, and the couple suffered minor injuries, officials said. According to the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, the pilot and co-pilot radioed that the plane had no brakes upon landing in Key West. Horton said the plane ran off the runway, and then 100 feet beyond a 600-foot safety area that was finished in May. "If we hadn't done that, it likely would have been a different story," Horton said of the safety area that is meant as a runway overrun space. The National Transportation and Safety Board will investigate the cause of the crash.(Associated Press/ESPN)(11-1-2011)
UPDATE 3: All four people on board - Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick, his wife, Linda Hendrick, and two Hendrick Motorsports pilots - were released from Lower Keys Medical Center early Tuesday morning. Rick Hendrick was diagnosed with a broken rib and a broken clavicle, and Linda Hendrick was treated for minor cuts and bruises. Both pilots were evaluated and released without injury. All four have safely returned to North Carolina. The aircraft, which is joint-owned by Hendrick Motorsports and Jimmie Johnson Racing, remains in Key West.(Hendrick Motorsports)(11-1-2011)
UPDATE 4: Upon returning home to Charlotte, N.C., on Tuesday, Mr. Hendrick was further evaluated as a precautionary measure by his personal physician. He was diagnosed with four broken ribs (previously stated as one broken rib), a broken clavicle (as previously stated) and bruising. No other injuries have been identified. Due to discomfort from the injuries, Mr. Hendrick was admitted Tuesday afternoon to a medical facility in the Charlotte area, where doctors believe the pain can most effectively be managed. He is in good spirits and is expected to be released by the end of the week.
Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports: "Linda and I have been overwhelmed by all the words of encouragement and genuine concern we've received. We are blessed to have such a wonderful support system, and our family is extremely grateful for the thoughts and prayers. We extend our sincere thanks to everyone. I'm so proud of how our pilots handled the situation, and we're extremely appreciative of the folks in Key West who went above and beyond to help us. It's good to be back in Charlotte as we regroup and focus on our family."(Hendrick Motorsports)(11-2-2011)

CARQUEST returns to the #5: CARQUEST Auto Parts, a major partner with the #5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevy since 2005, will be back on the hood this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway for its eighth and final NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race of the season.(Hendrick Motorsports), see an image of the car on my #5 team paint schemes page.(11-2-2011)

CARQUEST returns to the #5: CARQUEST Auto Parts, a major partner with the #5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevy since 2005, will be back on the hood this weekend at Martinsville Speedway for its seventh Sprint Cup Series race of the season. CARQUEST's final race of the 2011 season will be next Sunday at Texas Motor Speedway.(Hendrick Motorsports), see an image of the car on my #5 team paint schemes page.(10-27-2011)

Martin still has no ride for 2012: from a post qualifying press conference with #5-Mark Martin, winner of the pole at Talladega Superspeedway:
Q) CAN YOU UPDATE US ON YOUR PLANS FOR 2012, COULD THIS BE YOUR LAST TALLADEGA CUP RACE?
Martin: "(Laughs) don't start that last, last, it could be last, don't even go there and please don't even go there. I don't know about that, and we do not need to touch on the Talladega part, I don't have anything, although I did answer a question last week which got a lot of talk going, and I should have probably not answered the question, it was a fan at a hospitality, that asked would I be driving next year and I said yes, and I have a lot of confidence and the only full schedule that I have been considering is the truck schedule, but nationwide racing, cup racing would be more of a limited schedule, like I did in 2007 and 2008, that is where my heart is at, and with the things that are starting to move, there is starting to be a little bit of movement going on, I am confident that I will be racing and that was the answer and that caused a little bit of things to get ruffled up, I don't have anything and it has been extremely quiet throughout the year and it is very late in the season, but there is still going to be something happening and sponsorship things that are going to happen, they are just going to happen later in the year and we have seen in the past and what I do is sponsorship driven and I think you guys know that. It is sponsorship driven, where I land and what I do. No news yet, but I was asked quite a while back, and people kind of smirked when I said it and probably thought I was being a smart aleck, and they said when do you want to have, when do you expect to have or whatever, and I said November or December, and I am still, not going to miss that by much. I am still hoping it is November or December and not January."(Team Chevy)(10-23-2011)

Kahne gets in Hendrick #5 for first time: Kasey Kahne climbed from the non-descript gray car, dusted off his non-descript firesuit noticeably lacking in sponsorship decoration, and smiled. His first day in the #5 Chevy for Hendrick Motorsports had gone well. One of 11 drivers permitted to participate in an electronic fuel-injection (EFI) engine test for NASCAR on Monday at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Kahne said he thoroughly enjoyed his time behind the wheel of the car he will begin driving full-time in the Sprint Cup Series next season. "There were more differences than I expected. But then I thought back to Red Bull, and how much different that was from the prior year [at Richard Petty Motorsports], and how the cars are. It's all little things, but they keep adding up and it kind of takes time to kind of figure out that feel."(NASCAR.com)(10-18-2011)

Martin confident he will have a ride in 2012: #5-Mark Martin said before Saturday night's race at Charlotte that he's feeling better about running a partial Cup schedule next year. Martin was asked in a hospitality appearance before the race if he'll be racing. "I said, 'Yes for sure,' " Martin said. "I don't have a team yet. I have nothing. They asked me if I was going to be driving and they're all worried I'm not going to be driving. I am going to be driving. I will be in the Cup series for a limited schedule. I won't be in the Cup series fulltime. There's nothing new. I don't have a deal. But I will have. A month ago, I could have told you I don't know if I'll have (one). I'm feeling sure that I will because things are starting to move. There wasn't anything moving before. I see some movement. I feel confident this is going to work out well." Tony Stewart has expressed interest in having Martin run the races Danica Patrick does not in her limited Cup schedule next year. There could be other options in the garage with younger drivers. Much of it is dependent on sponsorship for those teams.(Virginian-Pilot)(10-16-2011)

Carquest welcomes guests: As winners of the Carquest Auto Parts Professional Choice sweepstakes, Michael Zimmerman, owner of T&T Tire and Auto Center in Columbus, Ga., and his daughter Michelle will serve as honorary crew members on the #5 Hendrick Motorsports team and Mark Martin this weekend. They will be joined by Tim Downey and Jason Barker who work at Carquest Auto Parts in Columbus, Zimmerman's servicing store.(HMS)(10-8-2011)

Kahne to test the #5 car at Charlotte: Kasey Kahne revealed following the Bank of America Motorsports Career Day at the NASCAR Hall of Fame on Wednesday that he will test for the first time in the #5 Chevy he will drive next year for Hendrick Motorsports on that Monday following the Saturday night Bank of America 500 race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Kahne [current driver of the #4 Red Bull Toyota] said he will receive his first opportunity to drive his car of the future during a fuel-injection test at CMS. He also said he expects it to be his only opportunity to test in the car before moving from Red Bull to Hendrick Motorsports at the end of this season. "I'm going to get into the 5 for the Charlotte test the Monday after the race. That'll be the first time I've been in one of those cars. That will be the first and maybe the only chance I'll get in those [fuel-injection] tests that are coming up," Kahne said. Kahne said the #4 car he currently drives will not be included in the limited group of cars testing on Oct. 17, so there was no conflict with his current team. He also said the test will be conducted under the watchful eyes of current and future crew chief Kenny Francis, who will be making the jump from Red Bull to Hendrick with him at the end of the season.(NASCAR.com)(9-29-2011)

HMS teams running 9/11 decals at Richmond: In remembrance of Sept. 11, all four Hendrick Motorsports Chevys will carry a special decal at Richmond. The black, white and gray decal features the phrase, "Never Forget 9.11 2001-2011" and will be placed on the roof near each driver's name on the car: #5-Martin, #24-Gordon, #48-Johnson & #88-Earnhardt Jr.(HMS)(9-9-2011)

Quaker State colors for Martin at Richmond: Quaker State will adorn the hood of the #5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevy of Mark Martin for the fourth and final time this season on Saturday night at Richmond. Quaker State, a partner of Hendrick Motorsports since 1996, will return to the #5 Chevy for four NASCAR Sprint Cup races in 2012 whe nKasey Kahne takes over the ride.(HMS), see images of the car/scheme on the #5 Team Schemes Page.(9-9-2011)

Stewart would like to have Martin but: Could Mark Martin be driving for Tony Stewart next year? Stewart would like it. Martin has stated that he's looking for a part-time ride in Cup next year after he moves on from his Hendrick Motorsports ride after this season (Kasey Kahne takes over that ride next year). Danica Patrick is scheduled to run eight to 10 races in a third entry for Stewart's team, Stewart-Haas Racing. Pairing Patrick and Martin could give Patrick an additional mentor, besides Stewart, and also give the team a driver to run the remaining races Patrick doesn't. "I would love to have him," Stewart said of Martin. "The biggest thing is us getting the financial backing to run the remainder of those races. I would love nothing more than Mark in all the races that Danica doesn't run next year. I've been a Mark Martin fan for a long time and trust me I would love nothing more than to have Mark in one of our cars."(Roanoke Times)(9-5-2011)

Farmers 2012 car unveiled: the #5 Farmers Insurance Chevy that Kasey Kahne will drive for Hendrick Motorsports in the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series was unveiled. Kahne designed the paint scheme himself. "I hope you guys like my 2012 Farmers paint scheme," Kahne said. "It was cool to be a part of the process, and I appreciate Farmers letting me have some input on the car design."
"The new design is a winner," said Paul Patsis, president of Enterprise Marketing for Farmers Insurance. "We are so pleased Kasey took such an active role in the redesign, and we think it represents our partnership well: it's dynamic, it's fresh and full of energy."(HMS), see an image of the scheme on the 2012 #5 Team Schemes page.(8-26-2011)

Farmers Insurance returns to the #5: Farmers Insurance returns to the hood of the #5 Chevy driven by Mark Martin this weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway. This will mark Farmers final race of the 2011 season before coming on board as the primary sponsor on the #5 team in 2012. The 2012 #5 Farmers Insurance Chevrolet will be unveiled layer-by-layer this week on HendrickMotorsports.com. Each day at 12 p.m. ET, a new layer of the Chevy's paint scheme, designed by 2012 driver Kasey Kahne, will be revealed. The final, complete scheme will go live at noon on Friday.(HMS)(8-25-2011)

Evernham returning to NASCAR garage: Former championship-winning crew chief and Sprint Cup Series team owner Ray Evernham told Sirius XM NASCAR Radio's Sirius Speedway with Dave Moody that he will return to the NASCAR garage next season in an unofficial capacity with Hendrick Motorsports. Evernham has spent this season away from the NASCAR garage, working as a consultant for the Hendrick Companies overseeing strategic initiatives for Hendrick's auto dealerships and aftermarket retail business, while driving his own Sprint Car in a limited schedule of events, He said his driving career could come to an end in the near future, however, as he transitions back to NASCAR in 2013. "I've got six or seven more Sprint Car races before the end of the year, then I'm probably going to have to make a decision about how much I'm going to race next year," said Evernham. "I'd like to get back to the (NASCAR) race track more in 2012, so I think my Sprint car racing is going to suffer." Evernham said he has no desire to return to the crew chief ranks, saying his role will be unofficial and undefined. "I will have no real official capacity, other than being a part of Hendrick Motorsports," he said.(Sirius-Speedway)(8-24-2011)

Honorary pit crew members for Martin: Gil Evoy and Susan Dancy from RA Howard Bus Service in Athens, Ontario, will be honorary crew members with the #5 Hendrick Motorsports team this weekend at Michigan. Evoy and Dancy won a recent CARQUEST Auto Parts sweepstakes in May by purchasing CARQUEST Premium wheel hubs. They will be joined this weekend by Chris and Amanda Collingridge. Chris Collingridge manages CARQUEST Auto Parts in Brockville, Ontario, which services RA Howard Bus Service.(HMS)(8-21-2011)

No 2012 plans for Martin yet: Mark Martin is emphatic when talking about his lack of 2012 plans and he isn't looking for a full-time ride anyway. "I have nothing, and it don't matter," Martin said Friday at Michigan International Speedway. "I'll have nothing until I have something. You guys don't even need to ask because there is absolutely goose egg going on. There ain't no hiding [information], no nothing. I think there will be shuffle, but it will be late. There's going to be something for me. I'm not in a running for a full-time Cup ride; I never have even really wanted one." He knows he won't be back at Hendrick Motorpsorts, and he said he has always raced in the moment, not thinking about building for years to come. Obviously one of the possible scenarios is Martin sharing a third Stewart-Haas Racing car with Danica Patrick, who is expected to run at least seven or eight Cup races for the team in 2012. Martin and SHR would need to find sponsorship for him to run the races Patrick doesn't.(SceneDaily)(8-20-2011)

Martin returns to the Truck Series: For the first time since 2007, Mark Martin will compete in the Camping World Truck Series. Martin will drive the #32 Turner Motorsports Chevy with Hendrick Motorsports horsepower in Saturday's race at Pocono. In his previous 23 truck starts, Martin has earned seven wins, 16 top-five and 19 top-10 finishes. He has a 7.1 average finish in the series.(HMS)(8-5-2011)

Hendrick cars to run special Chevy schemes: Hendrick Motorsports has been driving Chevrolets to Victory Lane since 1984. As a salute to Chevrolet's 100th Anniversary, our four race teams will run commemorative paint schemes on Oct. 15. In addition to awarding daily prizes for 100 days straight, HMS is also going to be giving away a 2012 Hendrick Motorsports VIP Racing Experience in Charlotte, N.C., to tour the Hendrick Motorsports facilities, meet your favorite Hendrick Motorsports driver and see a race in-style.(Hendrick Motorsports), see images of the cars on the #5 Team Schemes page, #24 Team Schemes page, #48 Team Schemes page and/or #88 Team Schemes page.(7-28-2011)

Kenny Francis to join Hendrick Motorsports for 2012: Veteran crew chief Kenny Francis will lead the #5 Sprint Cup Series team when driver Kasey Kahne moves to Hendrick Motorsports for the 2012 season. Francis will join the organization after the conclusion of the 2011 NASCAR schedule. The 41-year-old Francis has 11 Sprint Cup victories as a crew chief, with all but one coming with Kahne behind the wheel. Since being teamed for the first time in the final race of the 2005 campaign, the pair has posted 10 wins, 13 pole positions, 34 top-five finishes and 71 top-10s at NASCAR's elite level. "Our people have a lot of respect for Kenny and what he's accomplished," said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. "We know the chemistry is already there with Kasey, and there's no doubt Kenny will communicate very well with our folks. He's a character guy who brings an awful lot to the table as a crew chief. When we look at 'fit factor,' it's a great situation." Francis, who holds a mechanical engineering degree from the University of Florida, debuted as a Sprint Cup crew chief in 2003. Throughout his career, the Jacksonville, Fla., native has worked in various capacities with multiple drivers, including NASCAR champions Bill Elliott and Dale Jarrett.
"Joining Hendrick Motorsports and continuing to work with Kasey next year is an opportunity I'm excited about," Francis said. "He's a championship-caliber driver and good friend, and I'm looking forward to building on our relationship. Mr. Hendrick has built an impressive team and culture, and it's going to be fun to be a part of that when the time comes. I'm very optimistic about the rest of this season and focused on getting to Victory Lane with the #4 team. I want to thank Jay Frye and everyone with the organization for the chance to be part of such a great group of people. We still have goals to achieve there, and those are foremost on my mind right now." Lance McGrew, 43, will complete the 2011 Sprint Cup campaign as crew chief of the #5 Chevy team. After the season, he will remain in a key role with Hendrick Motorsports focusing on research and development and special projects, including work on the new Chevrolet Sprint Cup car scheduled to debut in 2013.(Hendrick Motorsports)(7-27-2011)

Martin: no plans to own a team: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Mark Martin joined Dave Despain Sunday on Wind Tunnel and debunked rumors he is interested in becoming a NASCAR team owner upon his departure from Hendrick Motorsports at the end of the season. Following are excerpts from the interview:
Despain: Do you want to be an owner in NASCAR?
Martin: "No, Dave, I don't. I am very interested and would love to commit to Jay Frye (Red Bull Racing vice president and general manager) and that organization to help Jay move forward and rebuild that organization in all forms. There's a lot of things I want to do in the sport still, including driving race cars, and outside of driving race cars. But as an equity owner, I can't see it happening anywhere. I'm not interested in doing that."
Despain: So, what are you interested in doing outside race cars?
Martin: "I just think that I've got something to offer to a race team. I love racing and I love NASCAR. I've done it ever since I was 15 years old. I thought in 2005 that I wanted to go home and sit on the couch for the rest of my life. That's not the case & it seemed like a good idea at the time and I tried that. But I know what I want to do. I want to be a part of the sport that I love so much and all the people. Driving race cars is cool. My time is somewhat limited in that area and there are other things I can do to help race teams. I can bring something to the table. I'm interested in getting an opportunity to do that. I'm really excited about 2012 and opening a new chapter in my life. I've had the time of my life being part of Hendrick Motorsports. I've won eight or nine poles and five races, all big bonuses to what I'd expected when I was sitting looking at things in 2008. I've had the time of my life but it's time to open the next chapter and I'm really excited about it. I couldn't be more excited about what comes next and I'm not sure what that is. But it's going to be fun and I'm looking forward to it."(SPEED's Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain)(7-5-2011)

Farmers Insurance to sponsor Kahne in 2012: Beginning in 2012, Farmers Insurance will be the majority sponsor of the #5 Chevy fielded by Hendrick Motorsports and driven by 11-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race winner Kasey Kahne. Covering the 2012, 2013 and 2014 racing seasons, the agreement secures primary paint schemes for Farmers Insurance in 22 Sprint Cup Series events annually and prominent brand placement in all non-primary races. A new #5 Farmers Insurance Chevy car design will be unveiled at a later date. "Kasey Kahne is a very talented driver and a class act," said Paul Patsis, president of Enterprise Marketing for Farmers Insurance. "He will represent Farmers well, and we are all so proud to have him driving what will be a successful partnership, both on and off the racetrack."
In April, Los Angeles-based Farmers Insurance joined Hendrick Motorsports as a five-race primary sponsor of the #5 Chevys for 2011, debuting with a special paint [#25 car] scheme at the May 21 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. Farmers Insurance also is an associate-level sponsor of the #5 team this season.
"It's extremely positive when a company of this caliber sees the value of NASCAR and immediately wants to do more," said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. "Farmers will have an excellent spokesperson in Kasey, and we're committed to putting him in a position to win races and championships. Our organization is proud to extend this partnership, and we look forward to a very bright future with everyone at Farmers."
In addition to his 11 race wins, Kahne has earned 21 pole positions, 51 top-five finishes and 92 top-10s in Sprint Cup competition. Currently in the midst of his eighth full-time season at NASCAR's elite level, the Enumclaw, Wash., native will join Hendrick Motorsports following the 2011 campaign. "I've had a chance to meet the Farmers people, and they're doing some exciting new things from a marketing standpoint," said Kahne, 31, who is signed to drive for Hendrick Motorsports through 2015. "I'm looking forward to being a part of their team and helping grow the Farmers brand. To have this kind of support, and to have it come together so early, is such a boost for all of us."
In addition to the Hendrick Motorsports relationship, the professional sports properties of Farmers Insurance include naming rights to the planned professional football stadium in Los Angeles, the PGA Tour Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines and the ATP World Tour Farmers Classic held on the campus of UCLA.(Hendrick Motorsports)(6-7-2011)

Hendrick & Penske...in Indycar?: Spotted on the grid of the Centennial Indy 500 were Hendrick Motorsport decals on the wings of two Team Penske Racers. The decals were on the inside rear wingplate on Will Power's #6 Dallara Honda and #12 Ryan Honda. This leads to speculation of an alliance of Penske and Hendrick in IndyCar especially due to the entry of Chevrolet engines into the open wheel series in 2012. Penske officials are keen to add Simona de Silvestro to their team but are having financial issues with three cars and would not comment on the why HMS decals were on the two cars. An alliance with Hendrick, a big Chevrolet dealer, could help.(see image at Auto123)(5-30-2011)

Danica's sponsor expects her to move to NASCAR; sponsor Kahne? Bob Parsons, CEO and founder of Danica Patrick sponsor GoDaddy.com, said Sunday he expects her to make the move full-time to NASCAR next season. "She hasn't told me she will, but I believe she will and we'll be ready," Parsons said. "Here's the fact: She loves [NASCAR], it's much more exciting than IndyCar, with all due respect, and the TV audience for NASCAR is off the hook." Parsons was at Indianapolis Motor Speedway Sunday to watch Patrick compete in the event. Patrick is working on a plan to race full-time in the Nationwide Series is 2012 and move to Sprint Cup in 2013, sources confirmed earlier this week. "She came up to me right after she did her first NASCAR race [the 2010 Nationwide race at Daytona]," Parson said. "She said to me, 'I absolutely loved it. This is what I was born to do.' " Parsons emphasized he is behind her whatever decision she makes. "As long as I can stroke the check," he said. "I tell you what, she doesn't exactly work for minimum wage. I usually don't get into that too much until the decision's been made. But I've told her I would sponsor her if she started ice skating." Along with Patrick's IndyCar ride at Andretti Autosport and her Nationwide car at JR Motorsports, GoDaddy also sponsors Mark Martin's Cup car at Hendrick Motorsports. Martin is leaving after this season and Kasey Kahne is taking over in that car. Will GoDaddy sponsor Kahne in 2012? "We're working on that," Parsons said. "I can tell you Mr. [Rick] Hendrick runs an awfully good team and he's been a great business partner for us."(ESPN.com)(5-29-2011)

Johnson to run the #5 in All-Star race UPDATE 2 image: hearing Jimmie Johnson will run the #5 Lowe's car in the All Star Race to promote a special promotion for Lowe's 5% off purchase at Lowe's when using your Lowe's consumer credit card. Could be one reason Mark Martin is running the #25 in the event. Have seen nothing to confirm this yet or any images.(4-20-2011)
UPDATE: Jimmie [Johnson] will drive a special #5 Lowe's Chevy in the All Star race to promote 5% off every day or special financing on purchases over $299 on Lowe's Home Improvement's consumer credit card purchases. Pictures of the special paint scheme will be unveiled exclusively here (facebook) on May 15.(Lowe's Racing Facebook)(4-22-2011)
IMAGE added an image of the scheme to the #48 Team Schemes page, unveiled on the Lowe's Racing Facebook page.(5-16-2011)

Martin not worried about 2012: #5-Mark Martin, whose contract with Hendrick Motorsports runs out at the end of this year, doesn't know where he'll be racing in 2012. Nor is the veteran driver particularly concerned about it. "Well, lucky for me, I don't need a job, so I don't have to worry about it," Martin, 52, said on a national teleconference this week. "If I was 20 years younger, I would be concerned about it. But I'm in a good position right now, you know, being able to wait it out and let things play out the way they will." Martin, who joined Hendrick in 2009 and later agreed to remain with the company through 2011, has previously indicated he plans to continue Sprint Cup racing next season in either a full-time or part-time role with another organization. "Something really, really fun and exciting is going to work out for me, something that will be very rewarding, and I'm in no hurry to force that to happen," said Martin, who will be replaced by Kasey Kahne at Hendrick next season. "I'll just wait until it sort of falls in my lap, just like the 5 car did. I wasn't looking for a job when the 5 thing fell into my lap."(SPEED)(5-13-2011)

Farmers Insurance to sponsor Martin; run #25: Farmers Insurance has joined Hendrick Motorsports as a five-race primary sponsor of the Chevys driven by Mark Martin in the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, with plans to kick off the relationship by fielding a special "throwback" paint scheme. The agreement secures primary placement for Farmers Insurance in five events and associate-level sponsorship on Martin's cars throughout the remainder of this season. The NASCAR team sponsorship is the first for Los Angeles-based Farmers since February 2009, when it executed a one-race program at Fontana, CA.
At the May 21 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, Farmers Insurance will launch its program with a special #25 Farmers Insurance Throwback Chevy. The paint scheme will resemble the red #25 cars fielded by Hendrick Motorsports for the first time in 1986 -- 25 years ago. That season, the combination of driver Tim Richmond and crew chief Harry Hyde won seven races and eight pole positions.
Returning to his customary car number, Martin also will drive the #5 Farmers Insurance Chevy in four points-paying Sprint Cup Series races: June 5 at Kansas, June 12 at Pocono, June 26 at Infineon Raceway and Aug. 27 at Bristol. "We're excited about this new partnership with Farmers and the opportunity to represent its nearly 24,000 employees and more than 50,000 agents," said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. "It's an innovative company with very strong corporate values, and I'm confident that we'll continue to work together for a long time to come. When you have a partner that's essentially new to the sport, kicking off a program with a nod to the past is a unique approach. The #25 was my dad's car, and it's always held a special place in our history. Farmers choosing this paint scheme for its first race with Mark and Hendrick Motorsports means a lot, and I think our fans will really like it."(Hendrick Motorsports), see an image on the #5 Team Schemes page.(4-20-2011)

CARQUEST on the #5 at Talladega: CARQUEST Auto Parts, a major partner on the #5 team since 2005, will adorn the hood of the #5 Chevy this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway. The red, white and blue paint scheme will be featured in a total of eight races this season.(CARQUEST), see an image of the scheme on the #5 Team Schemes page(4-15-2011)

Martinsville Marks Milestones: Longevity and performance are hallmarks in the career of #5-Mark Martin due to celebrate his 800th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start in Sunday's Goody's Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway. Martin's signature start comes nearly to the day of his first NASCAR Sprint Cup appearance (April 5, 1981) at North Wilkesboro (N.C.) Speedway where the then 22-year-old Batesville, Ark., native finished 27th. Over the course of 29 seasons, Martin has:
" Won 40 NASCAR Sprint Cup races and posted 96 victories across three national series, tops among active drivers.
" Finished among the top three in NASCAR Sprint Cup points standings nine times, most recently in 2009 when he finished second.
" Martin is only the eighth NASCAR Sprint Cup competitor to reach the 800-start plateau and likely will pass Darrell Waltrip (seventh with 809) and Kyle Petty (fifth with 829) later this year. His combined 1,055 national-series starts are second only to the 1,185 appearances of NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty.
Martin isn't the only NASCAR Sprint Cup driver celebrating career milestones at Martinsville.
" #16-Greg Biffle and #1-Jamie McMurray will mark career starts No. 300. Biffle, a former NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion, will make his 625th national series appearance.
" #14-Tony Stewart remains one top-10 shy of career No. 250.
Additionally, Kyle Busch could reach yet another lap-leader milestone in the Goody's Fast Pain Relief 500. Busch, who celebrated his 10,000 NASCAR Nationwide Series lap led on March 19 at Bristol Motor Speedway, is 332 laps from leading his 20,000th across the three national series.(NASCAR)(3-30-2011)

Should drivers communicate with each other during races? UPDATE: Drivers were able to communicate with non-teammates for the first time during the Daytona 500, which added an intriguing element to NASCAR's biggest race. Because there was a need for two-car tandems to work together while the race was going on, many drivers set their radios up so they could speak with their competitors. But some drivers believe the practice should be banned. "I think NASCAR should step in on drivers getting on other teams' radios," #22-Kurt Busch said. "... We shouldn't be able to communicate with radios." #5-Mark Martin had only four drivers among his options for chatting: His three teammates and #43-AJ Allmendinger. But the veteran agreed with Busch, saying he hopes his competitors "clean the radios up." #27-Paul Menard said he had 12 different drivers on his radio during the Daytona 500 - and was just fine with continuing the practice for future restrictor-plate races if NASCAR doesn't pass a rule against it. #99-Carl Edwards backed the open radio communication between drivers based on safety reasons, calling it "necessary."(SB Nation)(2-26-2011)
UPDATE: According to Mike Mulhern, "NASCAR's Robin Pemberton says no changes planned for radio rules for Talladega April 17th.(3-6-2011)

Forbes names most valuable NASCAR teams & highest paid drivers: The weak economy has pummeled NASCAR over the past three years, with sponsorships, merchandise sales, race winnings and subsidies from automakers falling. Fans have tuned out, sending TV ratings down 24% since 2006 and leaving more than 40,000 empty seats at some races last year. One of its longest-tenured teams, Richard Petty Motorsports, was scrambling for cash on a week-to-week basis so it could race on weekends last fall. Is NASCAR headed for a full-blown meltdown? Hardly. Yes, the value of the top 10 teams slid 5% in 2010, on average, to $136 million by [Forbes] count, as prize money dropped and sponsors dialed back their commitment, but a rebound in 2011 for the sport is a strong possibility. NASCAR's strongest and most valuable team remains Hendrick Motorsports. With a valuation of $350 million on revenues of $177 million in 2010, Hendrick is worth 56% more than the next-highest-grossing team, Roush Fenway Racing, which [Forbes] value at $224 million on revenues of $140 million last year. Hendrick earned a NASCAR-high $18 million in operating income (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) in 2010. Richard Childress Racing was third on the list, followed by Joe Gibbs Racing and Penske Racing. Rounding out the top 10: Stewart-Haas, Michael Waltrip Racing, Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing, Richard Petty Motorsports, and Red Bull Racing.
AND: Despite his lack of success in recent years on the track, Dale Earnhardt Jr. remains NASCAR's highest-paid driver, earning $29 million in 2010 thanks to merchandise sales that are the best in the sport and reportedly account for one-third of all NASCAR licensed merchandise sales. Other income streams include a 10-figure annual salary from Hendrick and a 50% share of his $4.9 million in winnings and bonuses in 2010 from Sprint Cup races. Earnhardt also has a bevy of personal endorsements, including Chevrolet, Nationwide and Wrangler. Hendrick teammate Jeff Gordon follows Earnhardt in the NASCAR money standings with earnings of $25 million last year. It is a clean sweep for Hendrick at the top with five-time Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson, the third-highest-paid driver at $24 million. The rest of the top 10: Tony Stewart, Kevin Harvick, Carl Edwards, Kyle Busch, Kasey Kahne, Denny Hamlin, and Matt Kenseth.(Forbes)(2-24-2011)

Hendrick signs Bill Elliott's son Chase: Hendrick Motorsports has signed Chase Elliott to a multi-year driver agreement. Elliott, the son of 1988 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Bill Elliott, will continue to compete for his family-owned team until meeting age requirements for entering NASCAR national series events. Bill Elliott Racing, based in Dawsonville, Ga., will field Chevrolets with support from Hendrick Motorsports. "The apple hasn't fallen far from the tree with Chase," said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. "I've always admired Bill's ability in a race car and how he handled himself with the fans. I see those same traits in Chase, with his natural driving talent and an awareness of what he needs to do away from the track to be successful. He comes from a great racing family, and it shows. We think it's a terrific situation. Chase already has a strong support system in place (in Dawsonville) that will allow him to focus on his education and grow as a driver, and Hendrick Motorsports will provide whatever kind of assistance the Elliotts need in any area."
A 15-year-old freshman in high school, Elliott already has competed against some of the best short-track racers in the United States. In 40 late model starts last season, he posted 13 victories, 27 top-five finishes and 37 top-10s. "I've always been taught that teamwork and people are important, and that's something Mr. Hendrick really believes in," Elliott said. "Everyone at Hendrick Motorsports has high standards and takes a lot of pride in what they do. Racing with all of their support, and the support of my family, is going to be incredible. I'm going to work really hard to make them proud and make the most of this opportunity."
In 2010, Elliott became the youngest driver to win the Blizzard Series at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Fla., the Miller Lite Series at Mobile (Ala.) International Speedway and the overall Sunoco Gulf Coast championship. The Dawsonville native also posted victories in the prestigious Winchester 400 and at the re-opening of historic North Wilkesboro (N.C.) Speedway. Elliott already is two-for-two in 2011 after sweeping the Speedfest late-model features last month at Lanier National Speedway in Braselton, Ga. This season, he plans to enter a combination of super late model, pro late model and NASCAR regional touring series events.(HMS)(2-16-2011)

Martin Not Rushing Decision: Mark Martin is set for the 2011 season back behind the wheel of the Hendrick Motorsports #5 GoDaddy.com Chevy. But beyond that, Martin's not interested in discussing his future plans. The veteran driver is concentrating on his third year with Hendrick and a run at a Sprint Cup Series championship and does not intend to look beyond the coming year at this point. "I'm not talking about 2012 until I have something to talk about," Martin said. "I'm not worried about it. I am embracing 2011. I'm more exciting than I can remember being to get back to the race track where there competitors are, where the fans are. This is the best part. I'm living the best part of my life right now."(Motor Racing Network)(2-11-2011)

Hendrick Building Training Facility: Hendrick Motorsports is building an outdoor pit-crew training facility that will include a six-lane, 60-yard track where crew members can work out doing sprints and shuttle runs. The facility will include a 75-yard AstroTurf field and a 40-by-40 foot sand pit for outdoor strength and conditioning training for explosiveness and endurance.(SceneDaily)(2-9-2011)

Hendrick Motorsports rent CMS for pit practice: Hendrick Motorsports held a fully suited dress rehearsal for its pit crews at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Thursday. Apparently the organization rented the track for a closed session for all four NASCAR Sprint Cup teams. The four cars used for the exercises include two #5's (of Mark Martin), the #48 with Jimmie Johnson behind the wheel and the #88 Chevy with Dale Earnhardt Jr. behind the wheel. The #24 team of Jeff Gordon was pitting the second #5 car. The drivers were running different sequences and pitting in every other pit with the pit stops being filmed from the flagstand, according to a source who attended the test. The session lasted less than three hours (FoxSports)
UPDATE: the HMS test was a pit road practice only. At no time did a car leave pit road. CMS has availability next week 2/6-10/11 for any other NASCAR Series team who would like to practice team pit stops. Charlotte Motor Speedway track rentals info at charlottemotorspeedway.com.(CMS)(2-4-2011)

Mark Martin not finished after this year: Mark Martin may be in the final year of his NASCAR Sprint Cup contract with Hendrick Motorsports, but don't count him out of racing. Wednesday at the Hendrick Motorsports shop, Martin erased any doubt that he could be racing in 2012. "I'm absolutely, without a doubt, going to be driving race cars next year, just not going to be in any hurry to worry about that," he said. "I'm focused on 2011 and really enjoying being a part of Hendrick Motorsports." Asked further about the issue later, he said that it was too early to be even thinking in that direction and that it would be better to approach him about what he'll be racing, and for whom, late in the season.(Fox Sports)(1-27-2011)

Martin holds record for wins in a season for the #5 car: Mark Martin made 2009 the most successful season ever [in term of wins] for the #5 car in terms of wins, Martin won five races in 2009, the most ever by the #5 car. The car #5 has won a total of 39 races in 1277 starts. Below are the top four seasons for wins by the #5 car.
Year, Driver, Wins
2009, Mark Martin, 5
1995, Terry Labonte, 3
1994, Terry Labonte, 3
1984, Geoff Bodine. 3
Most Wins in car #5: Terry Labonte with 12
BUT Terry Labonte won the 1996 Sprint Cup Championship running the #5 car, winning 2 races.(ESPN and Racing Reference)(11-27-2009)

Oldest Sprint Cup Race Winners
Driver, Date, Track, Age
1) Harry Gant, 8/6/1992, Michigan, 52 years, 7 months, 6 days
(Gant won 8 races after turning 50, and his last pole was at 54 years old, Bristol 1994)
2) Morgan Shepherd, 3/20/1993, Atlanta, 51 years, 4 months, 27 days
3) Mark Martin, 4/18/2009, Phoenix, 50 years, 3 months, 9 days
4) Bobby Allison, 2/14/1988, Daytona, 50 years, 2 months, 11 days
5) Dale Earnhardt, 10/15/2000, Talladega, 49 years, 5 months, 16 days
6) Dale Jarrett, 10/2/2005, Talladega, 48 years, 10 months, 6 days
7) Bill Elliott, 11/9/2003, Rockingham, 48 years, 1 month, 1 day
8) Rusty Wallace, 4/18/2004, Martinsville, 47 years, 8 months, 4 days
9) Geoffrey Bodine, 8/11/1996, Watkins Glen, 47 years, 3 months, 24 days
10) Richard Petty, 7/4/1984, Daytona, 47 years, 2 days
11) Terry Labonte, 8/31/2003, Darlington, 46 years, 9 months, 15 days