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Rahal to look for NASCAR ride: IndyCar driver Graham Rahal said the chances of participating in the IndyCar season opener next month in Sao Paulo, Brazil are "zero," leading him to meet next week with NASCAR officials to see if there's something available for him in stock car racing. "Every minute going by and by seems to cause more of a concern," Rahal said Tuesday from his home outside Columbus, Ohio. "I should be there" [testing IndyCar at Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama]. Rahal, 21, son of 1986 Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Rahal, joined the free agent market late in the offseason after parting with Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing when McDonald's withdrew its sponsorship to focus on the Olympics.(Indianapolis Star)(2-26-2010)
UPDATE: Graham Rahal figures by the time the IZOD IndyCar Series begins March 14 in Brazil, he will have essentially earned an advanced degree in marketing and promotion. What the 21-year-old really wants, however, is a job behind the wheel of a race car -- preferably a car without fenders. "I know there have been a lot of NASCAR rumors, but right now my focus is 100 percent on being in the IndyCar Series,'' Rahal told FanHouse this weekend. "I'm not just an IndyCar driver, but very much a fan of the sport and to make a big switch like that takes time to consider. As of this second, everything I have going is for IndyCar.'' So instead of joining Danica Patrick in the stock car ranks -- even as a part-time gig -- Rahal has been visiting America's corporate boardrooms hoping to attract financial backing for the 2010 IndyCar season. The timing, however, couldn't be worse.(Motorsports FanHouse)(3-3-2010)

Steven Wallace to make Cup debut UPDATE denied: During SPEED's SPEED Report show, Bob Dillner reported that Rusty Wallace's son, Steven, a regular in the Nationwide Series, will attempt to make his Sprint Cup debut at Richmond International Raceway on May 1st. Steven will run a car from Rusty's team, Rusty Wallace Inc. and plans to attempt four other Sprint Cup races in 2010, no word on those venues.(SPEED)(2-28-2010)
UPDATE - Denied: per Greg Wallace of Rusty Wallace Inc/ Rusty Wallace Racing: "At Rusty Wallace Racing, we continually evaluate opportunities that align with our strategic objectives, including a future involvement in the Sprint Cup Series at some point. However, there are currently no plans for RWR to field a Sprint Cup entry in 2010. As for Steve Wallace, our focus remains on making Steve and the #66 5-Hour Energy Toyota Camry consistent contenders for the 2010 Nationwide Series championship."(RWR)(3-1-2010)

Driver from India hopes to run NASCAR: Starbeast Motorsports wants to be a startup team plucking talent from around-the-world to tap into the interest of the international market. In doing so they’ve entered a technical alliance with JTG-Daughtery [#47 Toyota], which is, itself, aligned with Michael Waltrip Racing [#00, #55, #56 Toyota's]. Last weekend at the ARCA test at Daytona International Speedway, Starbeast imported two stars of its’ own from Asia. Narain Karthikeyan from India and Darryl O’Young from Hong Kong. Narain Karthikeyan, a veteran of Formula One, the 24 Hours of LeMans (which feels to him like a single seater) and A1GP, had a blast adapting to the closed cockpit cars on Daytona International Speedway’s high banks. The first shock was climbing in through the window to get seated. “The weird thing, it was difficult getting into the car -- literally. Putting your legs inside the car and twisting your body. A couple of times I had my helmet on and it got battered and scratched. When we come here it’s a daunting task you have to start from scratch,” said Narain. “The only thing in common (to his experience) is the high speeds. You need to get a good feel of the car, honestly I think after three for laps I was okay and I got the hang of it. It’s quite bumpy and the car moves around a lot.” He said adding the most important aspect is “leeping it flat and hang on to it.” He added “there’s no downforce and it’s comparatively slow,” to the cars he’s driven. He’s hoping to get a shot at a NASCAR-type ride saying it’s “one of the options for next year if these guys can put it together. I’d love to have a go at it.(Auto123.com)(12-27-2009)

Almirola drops lawsuit: Aric Almirola has dropped his breach-of-contract lawsuit against Earnhardt Ganassi Racing and Dale Earnhardt Inc. Almirola, who drove in seven Sprint Cup races this year for the team before his car was parked because of a lack of sponsorship, filed the complaint earlier this month in North Carolina Superior Court. He had it dismissed last Thursday, according to court records.(SceneDaily)(11-26-2009)

Almirola files lawsuit: Aric Almirola has filed a lawsuit in North Carolina Superior Court alleging that Earnhardt Ganassi Racing and Dale Earnhardt Inc. have breached their contract with him. Almirola, who drove in seven Sprint Cup races this year for the team before his car was parked because of a lack of sponsorship, filed the complaint last Thursday. DEI had announced last year that Almirola would run a full season in 2009, but the organization later merged its Cup operation with Chip Ganassi Racing to form Earnhardt Ganassi Racing. The complaint does not detail the circumstances surrounding the breach-of-contract claim and asks the court to refer the matter to arbitration. Almirola had filed two notices of a claim last month, and he had until Thursday to file the actual complaint. He is dismissing his claim against Chip Ganassi Racing and EGR co-owner Teresa Earnhardt but proceeding in the one against EGR and DEI. The team had no comment.(SceneDaily)(11-11-2009)

Almirola files papers against EGR: Aric Almirola has filed paperwork in North Carolina Superior Court indicating that he has a breach-of-contract dispute with Earnhardt Ganassi Racing and Dale Earnhardt Inc. Almirola, who competed in seven Sprint Cup races this year for the team before his [#8 Chevy] car was parked because of a lack of sponsorship, filed the notice in the Charlotte court last Friday [10-16], asking for 20 days to file a complaint in the matter. This type of request results in a summons to the other party and typically is filed to start a civil action but the person hopes the matter gets settled before having to file the lawsuit specifics. Almirola indicates that the nature of his claim is breach of contract and unfair and deceptive trade practices. Almirola filed two notices, one against EGR and DEI and another against Chip Ganassi Racing and team co-owner Teresa Earnhardt. Almirola had a contract with DEI, which merged its Cup operation with Chip Ganassi Racing at the end of the 2008 season to form Earnhardt Ganassi Racing. He has until Nov. 5 to file an actual complaint. “We’re disappointed at the situation with Aric but are hopeful that we will come to an agreement soon,” EGR spokesman John Olguin said. Almirola has 26 career Sprint Cup starts, with a career best finish of eighth at Bristol in March 2008. He drove in 17 races in 2007 and 2008 as he shared the ride with Mark Martin in the #8 Chevy at DEI.(SceneDaily)(10-22-2009)

#8 team returning in 2010? The folks at Dale Earnhardt Inc. are working at bringing the #8 car to both the Nationwide and Cup series next year. The plan would be for Jeffrey Earnhardt, grandson of Dale, to drive the #8 car in the Nationwide series and have that team based out of the DEI shops in Mooresville, N.C. If sponsorship can be found, the #8 car would return to Cup and be based out of the Earnhardt Ganassi Racing shop in Cocord, N.C. "We do have plans to bring the #8 car back for next season,'' Jeff Steiner executive VP and general manager at DEI, told me [Dustin Long] Wednesday afternoon. "We are working with a number of sponsors. It's not a for sure deal. We haven't announced that we are officially bringing it back. .. I don't think we would see anything with the #8 car at the Sprint Cup level in 2009. I think based where we're at with sponsor discussions, I don't foresee that happening this year, but it is one of our aspirations to get that car back on the track together with the #1 and the #42.''
So, would the #8 come back fulltime or would it be acceptable to bring it back part time in 2010?"I think we would consider something part time,'' Steiner told me. "In today's economy and today's NASCAR, we need to look at all potential opportunities to get either young developmental drivers or other people out on the track and if we have an opportunity to do that and get the #8 back on the track in 2010, I think we would certainly consider that.
As for Jeffrey Earnhardt: "That would be something we would be looking at running him in an #8 fulltime in the Nationwide level,'' Steiner said. "We're still working on sponsorships. Our intention ... having him in a family number. I think we're hopeful (of a fulltime schedule for Jeffrey). We're pretty bullish on that potential for 2010."(Roanoke Times)(9-24-2009)

Ganassi to Gibbs? UPDATE2 denied: The latest rumor is that Chip Ganassi somehow will merge his Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing team [Chevy's w/#1-Truex Jr. (leaves end of 2009) and #42-Montoya] with Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota's w/#18-Busch, #11-Hamlin, #20-Logano], possibly eliminating another owner.(SPEEDtv/Jimmy Spencer)(7-23-2009)
UPDATE: Don't believe the latest that has Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates partnering with Joe Gibbs Racing, making Juan Pablo Montoya JGR's fourth driver with Target as the sponsor. Not that there hasn't been some conversation looking at that as a possible marriage. There are conversations between almost every organization about almost everything these days. But this one hasn't been talked about enough to warrant it as a substantial rumor. It likely never will be. Ganassi is under the umbrella of Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with its partnership with DEI, and he's happy with that relationship. "We have an affiliation now," he said Friday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. "We have an affiliation with Earnhardt with EGR [and] with Childress [Richard Childress Racing]. I'm very happy with that. Knock on wood. We've had no issues. The idea of what we put together at the end of the season last year, it's been mission accomplished."(ESPN Insider)(7-25-2009)
UPDATE 2: Statement from Chip Ganassi per the Speculation about Potential Merger with Other Race Teams: “There have been numerous incorrect reports in the media over the last few days about a possible merger of Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates and other race teams and I can tell you that we have never had any such conversation with any team, nor do we plan to. Furthermore, as I have said many times, we are currently a FIVE-car team, we just happen to compete over three different forms of racing. We fully expect to continue to be a two car NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team in 2010 and beyond and have no plans of merging or downsizing at all. We are a Chevrolet team and focused solely on making The Chase for the Sprint Cup.”(EGR)(7-27-2009)

Almirola's future up in the air: Since the #8 team folded, Aric Almirola has gone to almost every Cup race in an effort to keep his name circulating in the garage as a driver looking for a ride. "I've been going and talking to people and showing my face," said the 25-year-old Tampa, Fla., native. "I'm really scared of basically [being] out of sight, out of mind. I've been trying really hard to not let that happen. I don't want to be forgotten, and I want people to think about me if they have an opportunity or if they're looking to put somebody in the seat. … Or if I run into somebody and they're thinking about it, I want to be someone that crosses their mind." Almirola, who remains under contract with EGR, says he has talked with team officials about possibly returning to the seat at some point but has been given no indication that will happen. Whether with EGR or another team, Almirola still wants to return to NASCAR's top series as soon as possible. He says he would be open to taking a full-time Truck ride in 2010, however, if the opportunity arose. Right now, though, he doesn't know what his future in the sport - long term or short team - holds.(SceneDaily)(7-22-2009)

Andretti hopes to run Daytona 500 and Indy 500 in 2010: Veteran racer John Andretti says he'd like to compete in both the Daytona and Indianapolis 500s in 2010 -- as he has the past two years -- but he won't return to Front Row Motorsports this season for a similar schedule as last year. "I'm going to be in Daytona, in the Daytona 500, but with what team how all that will play out is still to be determined, though this week should get something finalized," Andretti said Monday. "The focus is to do some other races, but the second major focus after the Daytona 500 is the Indy 500, similar to the same program I did in 2008, kinda free bird." John Andretti, who in 1994 became the first driver to complete a same-day "double" in the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 Cup race at Charlotte, said he hoped to possibly do some additional Cup races in a third Front Row car.
Travis Kvapil, the 2003 Truck Series champion, last week said on Sirius Speedway that he had a full-time Cup Series ride in 2010 with Front Row. The show's Web site also reported, according to unnamed sources, that Kevin Conway would drive owner Jenkins' second car. Conway has never started a Cup race but has 25 starts in the Nationwide Series and one in the Truck Series. Last month NASCAR announced a new qualifying format for the season-opening Budweiser Shootout event that kicks off Speedweeks at Daytona. Andretti is eligible, as the winner of Daytona's 1997 mid-summer Cup race, and hopes to use it as a bargaining chip.
Andretti said he hoped to possibly do some additional Cup races for Jenkins in a third Front Row car. "It would have to be, because the other two guys are going to do all the races -- though I don't know all the details because I don't need to know and I don't like to talk out of school," Andretti said. "I'd like to do a variety of races, because that keeps me happy, too. We'll probably do some racing together at Front Row this year because Bob and I have talked about that, and he knows there are certain events I really want to run in. It's not going to be a whole bunch of them because it's not fair to do them cherry-picking through the whole year while someone else has to do all the legwork. It's in the discussion stages and it's got to work for them as well as me, but obviously the door is wide open."(NASCAR.com)(1-6-2010)

Full time gig for Kvapil UPDATE 2 to Ford: per a Twitter post, supposedly by driver Travis Kvapil: I'm happy to announce my return to a full timeCup ride for 2010!! More details to follow. I can't wait to get back on track!".
Rumor had Kvapil in one of the Front Row Motorsports [#34, #37] cars in 2010. Kvapil drove a few races in the #37 Dodge/Chevy late in the 2009 season and John Andretti was in the #34 Chevy for 34 of the 36 races.(12-30-2009)
UPDATE: Travis Kvapil told Sirius NASCAR Radio’s Sirius Speedway with Dave Moody Wednesday that he will run the full 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule for Front Row Motorsports. Steven Lane will serve as crewchief on the car – expected to be the #34 – with a new manufacturer to be announced in the near future. The team ran primarily Chevy's [#34 Chevy in every race, #37 a mixed bag] livery a year ago, with Dodges entered in selected events. “It will be a full-time, two- car operation next season,” said Kvapil, “but I can’t really say anything more until all the details are finalized. That’s all for the team to announce.” Sources tell Sirius Speedway that former NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Kevin Conway will fill the seat of the second Front Row Motorsports entry [which was the #37 in 2009, could run the #37, #23 or #70 in 2010], with sponsorship from Extenze Men's Health Supplement.(Sirius Speedway)(12-31-2009)
UPDATE 2: Front Row Motorsports will run under the Ford Motorsports banner in 2010 with Travis Kvapil driving the #34 with Steven Lane as his crew chief. Kevin Conway will pilot the #37 Ford with a crew chief to be named. Conway, 31, ran 12 races with the Extenze sponsorship in the Nationwide Series last season for three different owners -- Joe Nemechek, Robert Richardson and Dusty Whitney. His best finish was 15th at Kentucky in the #87 Chevy. The short list for Conway's crew chief candidates include Peter Sospenzo, who worked with Tony Raines on the #37 last season, as well as Larry Carter and Derrick Findley.(FoxSports)(1-1-2010)

Andretti uncertain of 2010 plans: Veteran barnstormer John Andretti said he is virtually certain to make another attempt to qualify for the Indianapolis 500 in May but said the demands of a NASCAR schedule have brought him to a crossroads in his 22-year career. Andretti, the 46-year-old nephew of legend Mario Andretti, competed in 34 Sprint Cup events, finishing 36th in points, in 2009. He placed 19th for Richard Petty Motorsports in his 10th Indy 500. "I'm kind of at a stage in my life where I want to enjoy everything, my family," said Andretti, who has won national series races in stock, sports, open wheel and drag racing cars. "This last year has been pretty taxing on me because I am gone all the time. So I need to really dig deep to see if I want to do it again. I enjoy the team I am with, I like the owner, and that's really what got me to do this [in 2009]. The Indianapolis 500, I would say just go ahead and write that in, but I don't know if I can go on the road and do 34 races. I am not young, but I am compared to Mark Martin, and I enjoy doing it, so it's tough."(CBS Sports)(12-3-2009)

Carpentier not ready to give up on NASCAR: Veteran Canadian racer Patrick Carpentier broke into the Sprint Cup ranks a few years ago and he isn’t ready to give up on NASCAR. Carpentier, who competed in six Cup races last year and 33 in his career, said he is discussions with some teams about rides for 2010. After being released by Gillett Evernham Motorsports [#10 Dodge] at the end of 2008, four of those six events last year were for #36 Tommy Baldwin Racing, while he competed on the road courses for [#55] Michael Waltrip Racing. Carpentier said he is still committed to pursuing a NASCAR ride and not committing to any other forms of racing. Last year, the calls began coming in March. “Honestly, what I’m looking for right now is a team that wants to build, wants to grow and wants to do the full races,” Carpentier said. “The hardest is the first year. If you go back with a decent car and chief mechanic, it is fun. I am pretty hungry. … It’s my life. We’re starting to look at different businesses, but my primary stuff has always been racing. I’ve been racing for all my life pretty much. That’s what I do.”(SceneDaily)(1-11-2010)

McDowell in the #36; Carpentier out UPDATE: Michael McDowell will drive the #36 Wave Energy Drink Toyota of Tommy Baldwin Racing beginning this weekend at Richmond International Raceway. Patrick Carpenitier is no longer driving the #36 because of a business conflict in Canada. McDowell has been driving full-time in NASCAR Nationwide Series Toyota during the 2009 season and captured five top-10 finishes.(TBR PR), Carpentier was scheduled to run the #36 at Richmond, New Hampshire, Dover, Kansas and California. Mike Skinner was scheduled to run in the final six races. No word if Skinner or McDowell will run those races.(9-10-2009)
UPDATE: After being confirmed as the driver of Tommy Baldwin Racing's car #36 for six races, Patrick Carpentier has been pulled out of it after only one of his six scheduled starts. According to the website Jayski.com [via a TBR PR], Carpentier is no longer driving car #36 because of a business conflict in Canada. The possibility of a conflict between Carpentier being a Canadian citizen and the objectives of a new sponsor of the team was mentioned by some sources contacted by RueFrontenac.com.
Carpentier and Baldwin have confirmed Jayski.com's report. "We left on good terms," said Carpentier. "Obviously it's difficult for me to put aside everything that I prepare for my future in Canada just to qualify the car, run some laps and quit due to the lack of funds." Baldwin has similar thoughts. "Times are tough for everyone, but even more for small companies like us," said the owner and crew chief. "It's just normal that Patrick finds it difficult to put his life on hold whenever we need him and that it's simply to qualify the car." Moreover, with budget cuts everywhere in NASCAR, even Baldwin has had, in recent weeks, difficulties in purchasing enough sets of tires needed for practice and qualifying.(translated from French and in part from RueFrontenac.com)(9-12-2009)

Four more races for Carpentier: #36-Tommy Baldwin Racing has hired Patrick Carpentier for four additional races this year. Carpentier, who was scheduled to make two more starts for the team at Richmond and Dover, will now race at Atlanta, New Hampshire, Kansas City and California.(Translated from Rue Frontenac)(8-19-2009)

Carpentier to Return to the Driver’s Seat of the #55: Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR) announced that Patrick Carpentier will return to the driver’s seat of the #55 NAPA Auto PArts Toyota for driver Michael Waltrip at the upcoming NASCAR Sprint Cup event at Watkins Glen International. Earlier this season, the Canadian driver produced an 11th-place finish for Waltrip at the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway. “Patrick is being rewarded for perserverence,” said Waltrip, who has 22 starts that equate to one top-five, four top-10 and 14 top-20 finishes at the 2.45-mile road course. “At Sonoma, he drove for me and started out with a car he wasn’t happy with. He worked with my crew chief Bootie (Barker) and my NAPA boys to get an 11th-place finish. We also had a little deal on the side. If he was able to finish solidly at Infineon Raceway and he deemed the experience of working with my team as fun and wanted to do again, then he and I would ask NAPA to allow him to drive again. We all agreed so Patrick will drive the #55 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota for NAPA and me at Watkins Glen.” The NAPA Auto Parts team prepared for the upcoming event by testing with Carpentier at Virginia International Raceway on July 22nd.(Michael Waltrip Racing)(8-3-2009)

see #38 Front Row Motorsports News and Links page

Gilliland could return to JGR: David Gilliland could possibly return in a fourth Joe Gibbs Racing car [ran the #02 Farm Bureau Toyota in three races for Gibbs] if it runs select races next year, team President J.D. Gibbs said. Gilliland also has driven for #09 Phoenix Racing this year and is a candidate for that ride, one of the few open rides with sponsorship for next season.(SceneDaily)(11-24-2009)

Sorenson and Mears candidates for #09 ride in 2010 UPDATE: Casey Mears, currently running the #07 Jack Daniel's Chevy for Richard Childress is a leading candidate for the #09 Phoenix Racing ride in 2010. Reed Sorenson, out of the #43 Richard Petty Motorsports ride after the 2009 season is also a candidate for the #09 ride.(FoxSports)(11-7-2009)
UPDATE: Casey Mears and Reed Sorenson are among the four drivers #09 Phoenix Racing is considering for the 2010 Sprint Cup season. The Spartanburg-based organization will run David Gilliland this weekend at Phoenix and David Stremme in the finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. If neither earns the ride through performance, then Mears and Sorenson will become the front-runners, general manager Mark Reno said. Reno said both drivers have called him inquiring about the #09. "A lot of good candidates," he said. See more at ESPN Insider.(11-9-2009)

see #34 Front Row Motorsports News and Links page

Full time gig for Kvapil: per a Twitter post, supposedly by driver Travis Kvapil: I'm happy to announce my return to a full timeCup ride for 2010!! More details to follow. I can't wait to get back on track!".
Rumor had Kvapil in one of the Front Row Motorsports [#34, #37] cars in 2010. Kvapil drove a few races in the #37 Dodge/Chevy late in the 2009 season and John Andretti was in the #34 Chevy for 34 of the 36 races.(12-30-2009)

Kvapil talking to Front Row, but still looking: Travis Kvapil could drive for Front Row next year when that organization plans to expand to two full-time teams. “Nothing yet,” Kvapil said. “I talked to the guys here at Front Row, and it sounds like they’re definitely interested in putting something together, but really we haven’t had any negotiation. We haven’t done anything to put any sort of agreement together. I’ve been talking to a lot of teams. There’s not a lot of opportunities out there. These guys, I really like the direction they’re going. They’ve got some things in the works to make them a better team manufacturer-wise, technical-wise.”(SceneDaily)(11-25-2009)

Kvapil to Front Row ride in 2010: Travis Kvapil, who failed to qualify the #37 Front Row Motorsports Dodge at Charlotte and started and parked at Martinsville the following week, is expected to run the #37 car [Chevy? Dodge?] full-time in 2010.(FoxSports)(11-7-2009)

Kvapil back in a Cup car in 2010?: Travis Kvapil fully expects to race in Sprint Cup next season after a year of unemployment. Kvapil has been in serious discussion with several respectable teams, he said, as well a few lesser ones and some in the Camping World Truck Series as an alternative. Sidelined when Yates couldn't find sponsorship, Kvapil expected to land a fill-in ride during the "silly season," but the traditional round of mid-season firings didn't happen. "There's a handful of guys that don't deserve to have rides if I don't have one - I know I can outrun them - and the demands of sponsors put a lot of pressure on the teams," Kvapil said. "It seems like teams were afraid to make a change and have it look to the sponsors like they're shaking things up."(Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)(9-11-2009)

Kvapil has a truck ride for Nashville: Travis Kvapil, the 2003 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Champion, will pilot the #51 Miccosukee Resort Billy Ballew Motorsports truck at Nashville Superspeedway Saturday, August 1, 2009. Kvapil won the 2007 Truck Series race in his last start at the 1.33-mile superspeedway just outside Nashville, Tennessee. The current Yates Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver [#28 Ford which suspended operations early in the season] has five previous Camping World Truck Series starts at Nashville Superspeedway, posting one win, two top-five and three top-10 finishes. Nashville Superspeedway presents the winner of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race with a Gibson guitar hand painted artist Sam Bass.(Billy Ballew Motorsports)(7-29-2009)

Sterling Marlin....retiring? denied: Sterling Marlin plans to enter Sunday's season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway [Marlin is not on the entry list, but the #70 Chevy driver is listed as TBA-to be announced, so maybe.....] then, after over 30 years of life in the fast lane, will "probably" hang up his helmet. "Will I miss it? Yeah, in some ways," said Marlin, 52, who raced his way out of the Carter's Creek tobacco fields and into international fame with back-to-back Daytona 500 victories in '94 and '95. "But in some ways I'll kinda be glad when it's over. The sport has changed. It's not much fun any more."(Racin' Today)(11-17-2009)
UPDATE: been told that Marlin says he is not retiring but would think about retiring in the off-season because it just wasn't fun anymore. Marlin has no plans to drive at Homestead. Marlin can be heard on a scheduled radio interview, Thurssday, Nov 19th on Race 2 Win Radio around 1:20pm/et.(11-19-2009)

see all the Danica Patrick News on my Danica Patrick News page:

Full time gig for Kvapil UPDATE 2 to Ford: per a Twitter post, supposedly by driver Travis Kvapil: I'm happy to announce my return to a full timeCup ride for 2010!! More details to follow. I can't wait to get back on track!".
Rumor had Kvapil in one of the Front Row Motorsports [#34, #37] cars in 2010. Kvapil drove a few races in the #37 Dodge/Chevy late in the 2009 season and John Andretti was in the #34 Chevy for 34 of the 36 races.(12-30-2009)
UPDATE: Travis Kvapil told Sirius NASCAR Radio’s Sirius Speedway with Dave Moody Wednesday that he will run the full 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule for Front Row Motorsports. Steven Lane will serve as crewchief on the car – expected to be the #34 – with a new manufacturer to be announced in the near future. The team ran primarily Chevy's [#34 Chevy in every race, #37 a mixed bag] livery a year ago, with Dodges entered in selected events. “It will be a full-time, two- car operation next season,” said Kvapil, “but I can’t really say anything more until all the details are finalized. That’s all for the team to announce.” Sources tell Sirius Speedway that former NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Kevin Conway will fill the seat of the second Front Row Motorsports entry [which was the #37 in 2009, could run the #37, #23 or #70 in 2010], with sponsorship from Extenze Men's Health Supplement.(Sirius Speedway)(12-31-2009)
UPDATE 2: Front Row Motorsports will run under the Ford Motorsports banner in 2010 with Travis Kvapil driving the #34 with Steven Lane as his crew chief. Kevin Conway will pilot the #37 Ford with a crew chief to be named. Conway, 31, ran 12 races with the Extenze sponsorship in the Nationwide Series last season for three different owners -- Joe Nemechek, Robert Richardson and Dusty Whitney. His best finish was 15th at Kentucky in the #87 Chevy. The short list for Conway's crew chief candidates include Peter Sospenzo, who worked with Tony Raines on the #37 last season, as well as Larry Carter and Derrick Findley.(FoxSports)(1-1-2010)

What is up with Scott Riggs: Scott Riggs has had a lot of free time lately, 6 months to be exact. So when the former Nascar Sprint Cup series driver got a call from his former late model team, the Bahama, NC native jumped at the opportunity to go out and play. The recent free agent is looking for his second career Myrtle Beach 400 race victory, and recently spent Monday November 16th Testing at Myrtle Beach. He spent the day getting reacquainted with the track regarded as one of the toughest short tracks in the country. “The track has a lot less grip than it did 10 years ago,” Riggs stated after spending some time out on the track before making some changes to the car. But he said the lack of grip and the challenging nature is what gives Myrtle Beach its character, and that’s what makes it so gratifying when you run well. So on Saturday November 21st and Sunday November 22nd the crafty veteran will make his return to Myrtle Beach Speedway driving the Romeo Guest Construction #2 Ford Fusion.(Myrtle Beach Speedway)(11-19-2009)

Sorenson gets part-time Nationwide ride: Braun Racing announced the 2010 driver line-up for the #32 Dollar General Toyota in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Brian Vickers and Reed Sorenson will share time at the helm of the #32 Dollar General Toyota. Crew chief Trent Owens will return for his sixth year at Braun Racing to lead the Dollar General team. Vickers, 26, returns to Braun Racing for his fourth consecutive season. Sorenson joined Braun Racing in 2009, driving the #32 Dollar General entry at Gateway. His stellar performance earned his return to the seat at Phoenix International Raceway, in addition to three starts in the #10 Braun Racing Camry.(Braun Racing PR), Vickers will run at least 10 races and Sorenson will run 23, with two races (Montreal and Road America) to be determined.(1-7-2009)

Stremme in the #26 at Bristol? UPDATE: NASCAR's entry list for the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway lists David Stremme in the #26 for Latitude 43 Motorsports. Boris Said had driven the first four races, but has never made a start at Bristol.(3-15-2010)
UPDATE: Vermont-based Latitude 43 Motorsports will see its first-ever driver change as the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series hits Bristol Motor Speedway this weekend. David Stremme, a veteran of 108 NSCS starts, will take over for Boris Said at the controls of the #26 Ford for Latitude 43 at the Food City 500. The Food City 500 is the fifth race of the season, and Jenkins sits 37th in owner points, just 24 points out of 35th place; after Bristol, all cars outside the top-35 will have to qualify on speed during time trials without the benefit of a provisional. South Bend, Ind., native Stremme, an accomplished short track racer, has been tabbed to drive the car at the treacherous Bristol half-mile. The change, says Jenkins, was Said's idea. "Boris came to me last week and said he thought we needed a different driver for Bristol," Jenkins told Vermont Motorsports Magazine. "Boris is as big a part of this team as anyone, and I can't thank him enough for his willingness to help the whole program. We need to put all of our chips on the table at Bristol, and we need to come out of there strong and inside the top-35. Boris thought putting Stremme in the car was the right move, and I stand behind his decision." Stremme has been idle in NASCAR's three national series since being released from Penske Racing's #12 NSCS Dodge last November. Said has a best finish of 25th in the season-opening Daytona 500. In 39 career Sprint Cup starts, Said has only raced once at a track shorter than 1.5 miles in length, at Loudon, N.H., in 2007.(Vermont Motorsports Magazine)(3-16-2010)

Stremme looking to firm up 2010 plans: NASCAR driver David Stremme said Friday he’s still working to firm up his 2010 plans. “We’re still talking to quite a bit of people,” said Stremme, who lost his Sprint Cup ride with Penske Racing in late October. His immediate focus is trying to win Sunday’s 42nd annual Snowball Derby. Stremme’s biggest Late Model victory came a year ago when he won the Winchester 400. “This is a big race,” Stremme said. “I won the Winchester 400 last year. I definitely want to win this one. It’s a big short track race. You just got to look at the names on the trophy and that tells what it is. This is a pretty stout field. It’s probably the toughest field I’ve seen in a long time.”(Racin' Today), keep up with the Snowball Derby at 51sports.(12-6-2009)

Latest on Stremme's possible 2010 plans: “Stremme has got lots of people who are talking to us about him,” said David Stremme’s agent, Jeff Dickerson. “What’s really cool about David is it seems like people go out of their way to help him. So that’s encouraging, because I don’t feel like David is going to be left with nothing. We’re obviously late in the game. The next few weeks are important for him. We’ve got to see if people’s goodwill generates an actual offer somewhere.” Stremme, who drove most of 2009 for Penske Racing, wrecked during qualifying Friday, which could have hurt his chances to get in the Phoenix Racing car full time.(SceneDaily)(11-26-2009)

Keselowski in the #12 at Texas? UPDATE: Brad Keselowski will begin driving a Penske Racing Dodge in the Sprint Cup series starting this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway. Keselowski will take over for David Stremme in the #12 Dodge, multiple sources have told FOXSports.com.Keselowski, who finished eighth in Sunday's Amp Energy 500 and is currently third in Nationwide Series points, was announced as Roger Penske's latest addition on Sept. 1.(FoxSports)(11-2-2009)
UPDATE: Brad Keselowski will compete for Penske Racing in the final three NASCAR Cup Series races of the 2009 season. Keselowski will drive the #12 Penske Dodge in the upcoming races at Texas (Nov. 8), Phoenix (Nov. 15) and Homestead (Nov. 22). Over the final three Cup Series events of 2009, Keselowski will step in for David Stremme and work with the Penske Dodge team in the car that will become his full-time ride next season. "Penske Racing wants to give Brad an opportunity to work with the team and get to know the race car as we prepare for the 2010 season," said Roger Penske. "These three races will provide a good base for both Brad and the team as we head into next year. Penske Racing also thanks David Stremme for his contributions to the team this year. We wish David the very best moving forward."(Penske Racing PR)(11-2-2009)

Where may some of the drivers looking end up in 2010? Those drivers looking for rides in 2010 — #07-Casey Mears, #96/71-Bobby Labonte, #43-Reed Sorenson and #12-David Stremme — qualified sixth, eighth, ninth and 11th, respectively at Martinsville. How their futures pan out could depend on the status of Jamie McMurray, who remains the top candidate for the #1 Earnhardt Ganassi ride. Mears could stay put in the #07 if sponsorship can be found. Labonte is a strong candidate for one of the two TRG [#71 team] Racing rides. Sorenson is the favorite for the vacancy at Braun Racing [Nationwide Series ride] and Stremme's name has been mentioned for the #34 Front Row Motorsports car[currently a Chevy] (where he would be reunited with crew chief Steven 'Bones' Lane) or in a Nationwide car with Rusty Wallace Inc.(FoxSports)(10-24-2009)

No solid plans for Stremme: David Stremme [who is out of the Penske #12 at the end of the year to make way for Brad Keselowski] on his future: "I think there are a couple of things. When you look at the teams that are going away and don't have sponsors, I think there is going to be so much change for our sport with the teams. We are talking to some people. I don't have nothing solid. I can't even say, "Hey, I feel good about stuff.' Our sport is going through a lot of changes and the thing is if I've got to run Nationwide, Truck, whatever it is, I'm willing to do it. Last year, I had a lot of fun driving for Rusty (Wallace) in the Nationwide. It was a blast and I'd do it again."(Virginian Pilot)(10-10-2009)

Menard & Stremme to reach milestones: #98-Paul Menard and #12-David Stremme are scheduled to make their 100th career Sprint Cup starts this weekend when they race at Atlanta Motor Speedway, becoming the 177th and 178th drivers to reach the century mark in Sprint Cup Series history.(Team PR's.NASCAR)(9-2-2009)

Keselowski officially signs with Penske for 2010: Penske Racing announced that Brad Keselowski will compete for the team full-time, beginning with the 2010 NASCAR season. Keselowski, a 25-year-old native of Rochester Hills, Mich., will drive the #12 Penske Dodge in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series next season. He will also run a full-season schedule in the 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series, where he will compete for a championship with the team. "We are very excited to welcome Brad to the Penske Racing family," said Roger Penske. "Brad has shown terrific success on track the past several years and has quickly established himself as one of the top young stars in racing. He comes from an impressive family background in motorsports. He is a proven winner and a welcome addition to our team."
A third-generation driver, Keselowski has won at every level in which he has competed. He is currently ranked third in the Nationwide Series standings with three wins to his credit in 2009, including a dramatic victory in August at his home track at Michigan International Speedway. Keselowski also scored his first Cup Series win earlier this year at Talladega Superspeedway and he has produced three top-10 finishes in just eight Cup Series starts this season.
"Penske Racing is one of the top teams in all of motorsports and I am honored to join Roger Penske's organization and compete for wins with his Cup and Nationwide Series teams," said Keselowski. "This is a great opportunity for me to continue competing in the Nationwide Series and to run my first full season in the Cup Series with a strong and experienced team."(Penske Racing), no word on Stremme's plans for 2010.(9-1-2009)

Scott Wimmer to purchase speedway: NASCAR driver and Wausau native Scott Wimmer along with Wausau area land developed Ron Wimmer announced their purchase of State Park Speedway. The Speedway, located in the Town of Rib Mountain, just outside of Wausau, WI was put up for sale at the end of the 2009 race season. “State Park Speedway has always been special to me,” says Scott Wimmer, “It’s where I got my start in racing, so to be able to keep SPS as a racetrack and support the racing community that supported me is pretty exciting.” More info at asamidwesttour.com.(11-7-2009)

Morgan-McClure hopes to return to the track: #4 MMM Chevrolet returned to the track for the first time since 2007 Saturday at Bristol Motor Speedway, and team co-owner Tim Morgan is hopeful that the Sharpie 500 can spark a revival. “I’m talking to one particular company that says they’re going to get into racing next year, and hopefully this race will serve as notice that we’re still out here,” Morgan said. Except for a sponsor, Morgan said the MMM team has all the essentials to resume action on a regular basis. “We’ve got the cars and engines,” Morgan said. “In fact, we’ve got six of the COTs [Car of Tomorrow], and I think we’ve got 18-20 race-ready engines. We’ve got everything it takes except the money.” Several former members of the MMM team are now working other jobs, but there were some familiar faces in the #4 pits Saturday. The old gang included Steve Gray, Robert Larkins, Robbie Holt and Todd Cooper. The regular pit crew for the #24 Hefty Ford driven by Eric McClure in the Nationwide Series assisted MMM driver Scott Wimmer Saturday. Abingdon-based Alpha Natural Resources, the third-largest coal producer in the United States, sponsored the #4 car at BMS. Wimmer finished 29th(Bristol Herald Courier)(8-24-2009)

Morgan-McClure and Wimmer to run Bristol: Morgan-McClure Motorsports and Alpha Natural Resources, Inc., a leading U.S. coal producer, will join forces with driver Scott Wimmer for this year’s Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway. The one-race sponsorship announcement marks the beginning of a new chapter for both Abingdon, Va.-based organizations. Attempting to qualify the #4 entry for the Aug. 22 night race at the “World’s Fastest Half-Mile” signals a possible rebirth for MMM, which has been on an approximate two-year hiatus from the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Meanwhile, it caps off a monumental week for Alpha, one in which the company completed a merger with Foundation Coal Holdings to become the nation’s third-largest coal producer. MMM, founded in 1983, is a three-time winner of the season-opening Daytona 500 and boasts a successful history that includes 14 wins, 63 top-fives, 146 top-10s and 13 poles. “Our team, much like Alpha’s owners, was born in coal country; and the first few years we were funded by dealerships that make their income by serving coal miners,” says Tim Morgan, MMM’s co-owner and president. “We couldn’t be prouder to represent a progressive company like Alpha – a recognized leader in producing coal to meet the nation’s energy needs, with an outstanding reputation for being good stewards of the environment while taking care of their customers and employees.” With the Foundation Coal merger, Alpha now operates more than 60 coal mines and 14 preparation plants, maintains one of the most expansive geographic footprints in the industry, and controls reserves of more than 2.3 billion tons of coal.
Wimmer, who has experience in all of NASCAR’s top three divisions – the Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide Series and the Camping World Truck Series – has collected 30 top-fives, 73 top-10s and one pole in his career. The 33-year-old Wausau, Wisc., native is currently 16th in the Nationwide Series point standings. For more info about Alpha Natural Resources see alphanr.com.(Morgan-McClure Motorsports)(8-6-2009)

J.J. Yeley - Ready to Race Again: For J.J. Yeley, being forced to sit idle and watch races as opposed to driving in them has been one of the toughest things he’s had to endure since he first began racing 16 years ago. Everything changed the night of Aug. 22 for the Phoenix native when the Sprint Bandit car he was driving at Lakeside Speedway in Kansas City, Kan., quickly turned Yeley into a passenger on a wild, hair-raising ride. The race had just restarted for the third time when the 2003 USAC Triple Crown champion, who was running third at the time, took off into turn one. As he went into the corner, his car caught the track, flipped and barrel-rolled at least eight times. Although Yeley thought he had nothing more than a sore neck following the crash, he soon learned that he had fractured three vertebrae. Since that night, Yeley has worn a neck collar and undergone neck surgery, where doctors fused two vertebrae with screws and a metal plate. And now, just a month after the outpatient surgery, the 33-year-old is working out daily to rebuild the muscles in his neck and shoulders. So far, his healing process has been speedy, above average according to the specialists and doctors Yeley has spoken with in the last two months. With one more test to pass, he hopes to be cleared by doctors in December, which he says is just in time for the 2010 racing season. With that in mind, Yeley, who has 95 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts and 118 NASCAR Nationwide Series starts, has been working the phones, talking to prospective teams and sponsors about a return to the sport that he loves. Being a spectator has refueled Yeley’s passion, and he is ready to race again.

What happened in that Aug. 22 accident at Lakeside Speedway?
“For the most part it was a typical Sprint Car type of accident. At the start of the race, the racetrack had a lot of grip, so it was real tacky. It was actually the third restart from cars that had already flipped. I just went in the corner by myself, caught a rut, the car bicycled and started flipping off the left side of the cage. It did a good amount of barrel rolls, probably close to eight or 10. It hit two or three times really hard and I’m thinking the next to last hit was the one that jarred me in a way that was kind of like a major whiplash that would have stretched my neck and fractured the vertebrae. It wasn’t necessarily a break as much as it had taken two of the vertebrate in my neck and perched them on top of each other.”

What kind of rehab have you had to undergo?
“That’s the beauty of the surgery that I ended up having. I could’ve went the natural healing route, which would’ve put me in a neck collar for a good three to four months, and at the end of that time the vertebrae would’ve fused themselves. I chose to go ahead and do the surgery with Dr. (Dom) Coric (a neurosurgeon with Carolina Neurosurgery & Spine Associates in Charlotte) in North Carolina who is one of the best neck surgeons in the United States. It was an outpatient procedure. I went in at 7 a.m. and was home by 1 o’clock in the afternoon. They went through the front of my neck, so I will always have a little tiny scar in the front to show my little battle wound. It’s the first time I’ve ever been injured in a racecar. For me, I guess I should consider myself lucky that I’ve made it right at 16 years racing professionally without any kind of major injury. The major thing for me is just basically taking it easy, letting the fusion heal 100 percent for where they inserted the screws and the plates. I do some laser treatments. I do some small things that help speed up the process of the fusion with the bone. It’s been more than a month now since my surgery, so I can start to get back to a regular exercise program just to kind of make up for the muscle I’ve lost from not doing much for the last two months.”

You said that you’re at a point where you can start exercising and working out to get re-conditioned to get back into a racecar. How long will you have to be in rehab? How long will it be before every day, normal things are easy for you?
“They’ve been very easy for me, and I know from talking to some of the different doctors and people who have been in related situations to what I’ve been in that a lot of people are surprised of how far along I already am with my recovery. I’m back to doing all the things I’ve always been able to do. With regard to lifting weights, I’m just taking it easy. I don’t want to push myself too far, too fast. But as far as everyday stuff, I’m able to do regular yard work. I’ve played golf a couple of times and I play just as bad now as I did before I hurt myself ,so I guess I’m back to as normal as possible. For the most part, I feel fine. I have a little more aches and pains than I did before. Racing as long as I have and just racing in general takes a toll on a body, regardless. I do have some lower back pain that I get all the time, so it’s just one added pain that I didn’t have before. For the most part, it almost seemed more like a dream of having this happen to me, and the next has been a reality. I’m just thankful for all the people who have helped out. I guess I never really thought about it or took it seriously – the fact that another quarter-inch or an eighth-inch of movement in my neck, I could’ve been paralyzed or I could’ve been killed, according to the doctors. For me, I had a little bit of a sore neck when I got out of the racecar. Then at the hospital, everybody was in a panic because they thought that it was more severe than I ever would’ve thought.”

Do you still see Dr. Coric on a routine basis? Do you have weekly appointments or physical therapists? Where do you stand with the doctors at this point in your recovery process?
“At this point, I’ve had a follow-up with Dr. Coric. They’ve taken X-rays. They are very happy with the alignment and the way everything looks. Right now, I think I have one hurdle left that I have to get over. They want to do another X-ray in December, and at that time, at the rate I’ve been going, they see no problems to clear me to go back to racing. Obviously, that gives me plenty of time to get ready for the 2010 racing season. For the most part, I’ve got 80 to 85 percent of my original range of motion in my head and neck. I’m able to turn my head fine. I’m just a little slow from looking up. I think that’s probably my most challenging maneuver is to try to look up at the sky. I just don’t have quite the movement I did before. I also understand that by fusing two vertebrae, I’m going to lose a little bit of motion anyway. From the people and specialists I’ve seen, they are already very surprised at how far and advanced I am in getting back to normal.”

When do you think you will be cleared to get back into a racecar?
“I think a lot of that is up to me and how hard I really want to push the envelope. I know that I’ve had a couple of calls and a couple of opportunities to maybe fill-in some rides at the end of the season. I also know that this injury I have – it is very, very serious and pushing it too soon, too fast could either slow down my healing process or obviously put me back into danger. For me, I’ve definitely written off the 2009 season. They want to do another X-ray in December. If they see no problems with it, then I’ll be clear. The doctors tell me that by doing the fusion with the screws and the plates that those vertebrae are actually stronger in that portion of the neck than they would’ve been naturally. Obviously, it’s going to make it a little bit weaker above and below in the natural area, and that’s why I have to focus on getting the strength back in my neck and my shoulders to help support everything. For the most part, the area is stronger now than it was before the accident.”

You said you’ve written off the 2009 season. Is your plan to be able to run the Chili Bowl in January?
“It is my plan. I’ve been spending a lot more time on the phone, talking with different sponsors and scouting out different opportunities. Getting back into NASCAR, it does look like there are some pretty good possibilities for getting back into a Nationwide ride next season. I have some meetings in the next couple of weeks that could secure the sponsorship and make that all happen. As far as looking forward to the Chili Bowl and some of the bigger races that guys always get a chance to go do, I would probably be healed by then. We will just kind of play it by ear and see how things go as far as the big plans for next year.”

Has this accident refueled your passion and desire to get back into NASCAR?
“It makes the passion for me even stronger. I had some opportunities coming up that I basically had to abort because of the injury. It’s different when you’re forced not to be able to do something versus not having the opportunity or the chances or passing up on different rides. Being told that you have to sit idle, that you can’t do something, I guess makes you want it even more. It’s easy to take for granted just the simple things in life when you’re not allowed to do them. For so long I was told not to lift anything over five pounds. I couldn’t do certain things and different activities. It really makes you think about the things you love and the things you want to do. The beauty of it is, I’ve obviously gotten to spend a lot of time with my family and my daughter. In between Kristen (wife) and Faith (daughter), they’ve made this whole process a lot easier on me. But it’s time for me to get back into a racecar and prove myself and get back to doing what I always loved, and that’s trying to win races and go out and do a good job."
“I was out at the racetrack at Charlotte on Friday for a good portion of the day. For the first month before I had the surgery, I was in a collar. Even though I felt fine and there was no real serious injury, just the visual aspect of walking around in a collar, people just form an opinion immediately. I wanted to make sure that I got out to the racetrack, especially at Charlotte, and walk around and talk to some old friends and some prospective teams and let people know that rumor mills run wild in racing and we all know that. I know a lot of people thought I was in a halo, that my neck was broken that it was a lot more serious injury than it actually was.“
“I think it’s something that’s important for everyone to know. As serious as the injury was, it wasn’t a broken neck it and it wasn’t as severe as it could’ve been. Whenever I am cleared, I will be 100 percent ready to go racing. I’ve been doing this for so long, I’m lucky I’ve made it this long before I’ve had any kind of real injury. I just want to educate the people and the fans, let them know that I’m fine and ready to get back to it. I’m just trying to put some of those rumors to rest. Let people know that I’m healthy and hopefully will be ready to go here pretty soon.”

Will you have an announcement soon about your plans for 2010?
“That’s been the major hurdle. Obviously, the economy has hurt every form of racing there is. We’re getting closer and closer to getting something 100 percent signed. Hopefully, in the next two to three weeks, things will go like they are looking and we’ll be able to make an announcement and let everyone know what’s going on with J.J. Yeley and the future for 2010.”(True Speed Communication)(11-11-2009)

Yeley injured in Saturday night race: Former NASCAR driver J.J. Yeley reportedly suffered three broken vertebrae during a crash at Lakeside Speedway in Kansas City, Kan. on Saturday night. Yeley was competing in a race in the Sprint Bandits Series at the half-mile dirt Lakeside track when he was involved in a wreck early in the feature event. Yeley’s car flipped in Turn 1, said Lakeside owner Marc Olson. The flip did not look severe but Yeley complained about neck pain. Yeley was transported to a local hospital late Saturday night. From there, he was transported back to North Carolina.(Racin'Today)(8-25-2009)

Duno to test ARCA car for Braun Racing: [Indy car driver] Milka Duno will make her stock car debut during the ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards open test at Daytona International Speedway December 18, 19 and 20, 2009. Milka will participate in the test behind the wheel of Braun Racing's #90 Toyota. While no stranger to the Daytona Beach, FL-based track, this will be Milka's first opportunity to go around the 2.5-mile tri-oval in a metal-skinned stock car. Her #90 Camry will have less downforce than either the IndyCar Series cars she's driven the past three seasons, or the Rolex Series Daytona Prototypes that she competed in for the three seasons before that. With a second-place finish in 2007, Milka holds the record for the highest finish ever by a female driver in the 45-year history of the 24 Hours of Daytona at Daytona International Speedway. Starting with her four-win season in the American Le Mans Series in 2001 and continuing through her thee-win Rolex Series years, Milka has been offered opportunities to compete in stock cars and in the NASCAR Series virtually every season since.(Braun Racing PR)(12-12-2009)

F1 Drivers check out NASCAR at Homestead: Sebastian Vettel believes Formula 1 can learn something from NASCAR after making a visit to the Sprint Cup Series finale at Homestead. The world championship runner up made his first visit to a NASCAR race courtesy of Red Bull, and got to spend some time with the team's drivers and learn about the series and its appeal in America. Vettel said F1 should take note of the spectacle NASCAR provides for its fans. "Here in NASCAR you have more than 100.000 people coming to see the races, it's always a big show," said Vettel. "So I think there's a lot of things we can learn because sometimes that's what people complain about, that Formula 1 is not exciting enough. Obviously the cars are very different, so it depends on what you like, but still if you're interested in motorsports, I think you can be very passionate about Formula 1, but I think for the show there are things we can learn. "It's always a huge crowd, always packed and I think this is something we can learn in Europe, to make it more interesting for that many people." The German admits to being curious about driving a stock car on an oval, and would like to have the chance to test one day, while stressing that his focus is on F1 for the forseeable future. "To have a try probably yes [I would like to], and to see how it is on the oval," said Vettel. "Speaking to Juan and other drivers, obviously the cars are much heavier, lazier, there's a lot more movement, whereas a Formula 1 car is very sharp and reactive and everything happens very fast - you have to catch the car quickly. Here you're sliding and making a lot of movements with the steering wheel. To have a try in a test would be nice." As well as Vettel, former McLaren driver Heikki Kovalainen also visited Homestead this weekend as a guest of Penske Racing.(Autosport)(11-23-2009)

Raikkonen: I could race in NASCAR...but: 2007 F1 World Champion Kimi Raikkonen reveals that his options are entirely open as to what the future might hold. Kimi Raikkonen has joked that he could race in the North American NASCAR series in 2010 should he so desire – as he remained adamant that he still has 'no plans' beyond the end of the current F1 season. The 2007 world champion is being dropped by Ferrari – for whom he has driven since that title-winning campaign – at the end of the year in favour of Fernando Alonso, the man Raikkonen beat by just a single point two years ago. However, Raikkonen insists he has yet to make any decisions regarding next season, when it has similarly been suggested that he might further indulge his nascent forays into rallying by way of a more full-time switch, or even follow in the wheel tracks of fellow former grand prix stars Jacques Villeneuve and Juan-Pablo Montoya by heading across the Pond to NASCAR, a mooted destination for 'Singapore-gate' protagonist Nelsinho Piquet too. "I have no plans," Raikkonen is quoted as having said by The Associated Press, almost two years to the day to when he claimed his first and thus far only F1 title at Interlagos. "I do what I want with my life. I could race there (in NASCAR) if I wanted – but I'm not one of the biggest fans of NASCAR."(Crash.net)(10-20-2009)

James Hylton injured in ARCA race: ARCA RE/MAX Series driver James Hylton, who was transported to a local hospital following an on-track incident on lap 147 in Sunday's American 200, has been treated and released as of Sunday evening. Hylton's family indicated that the veteran driver was diagnosed with an ankle injury.(ARCA Racing)(10-12-2009)

Franchitti wins IRL title: Dario Franchitti's return to IndyCar racing couldn't have gone better. He's the IRL champion once again. Franchitti successfully emerged from one of the closest points races in series history Saturday, winning the season-ending Indy 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway in the first caution-free IRL race ever. The 2007 champion - who skipped 2008 to explore NASCAR [running the #40 for Chip Ganassi until the merger with DEI when the team closed] - held off Target Chip Ganassi teammate Scott Dixon and Penske Racing's Ryan Briscoe.(Associated Press)(10-10-2009)

Another F1 Driver looking to move to NASCAR: Nelson Piquet Jr., who became the source of a recent scandal known as ‘crash-gate’, will be testing in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series with an eye towards a future in NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series with in two years. Piquet Jr., will get behind the wheel of a Toyota Tundra for Red Horse Racing on October 12th [at Rockingham, NC]. He is expected in the team’s Mooresville, NC shop Monday for a seat fitting. The Renault F1 team fired the 23-year-old Brazilian earlier this season for underperformance. Shortly after details emerged that Piquet had been ordered to cause a crash in the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix that allowed his teammate Fernando Alonso to win. After an investigation and hearing, Formula One’s governing body, the FIA, held a hearing and banned Renault F1’s team boss Flavio Briatore for life and the team’s technical engineer Pat Symonds for five years. They also placed the team on a ‘suspended ban’ for two years. Piquet Jr., was given immunity from sanctions in exchange for his testimony and many in Formula One now consider the son of two time Formula One world champion Nelson Piquet to be ‘damaged goods’.(SPEEDtv)(10-4-2009)

Cobb hopes to race Sprint Cup: Jennifer Jo Cobb will be attempting her 4th NASCAR Nationwide Series start as well as her 8th ARCA Re/Max Series start at her hometown track, the Kansas Speedway, this week. Cobb’s ultimate goal is to be the first woman competing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in over 8 years. For now, she will focus on the next step to that lofty goal in this week’s Kansas Lottery 150 scheduled for Thursday, October 1 and the Kansas Lottery 300 on Saturday, October 3. Capitol Federal Savings will serve as the primary sponsor on Cobb’s #79 CapFed.com Dodge,for team owner Derrike Cope, Inc. with Rick Markle Racing. Cobb will have two teammates, owner/driver, Derrike Cope and the inaugural Kansas Speedway race pole sitter, Kevin Lepage. Cobb works as one of the instructors for the Richard Petty Driving Experience and has logged thousands of laps at Kansas Speedway. Cobb has developed Driver Boutique; her own clothing line for female motorsports fans and www.DrivenMale.com a new clothing line for male race fans.(Jennifer Jo Cobb Racing)(10-1-2009)

F1 driver to test for Waltrip?: Former F1 driver, Miko Salo, supposedly will test for Michael Waltrip Racing in one of the team's Toyota Camry Sprint Cup cars at an undisclosed venue at some point in November. The 42-year-old former grand prix driver has been racing in sportscars since the end of his Formula 1 career in 2002 and won the GT2 class of the American Le Mans Series in 2007. He has had a seat fitting with Michael Waltrip Racing. "It will be great to get to test a NASCAR at last," Salo told this week's AUTOSPORT magazine. "After two years of trying, I finally met the person who could make it happen. Racing sportscars in the US has definitely helped. My hope next year is that I can do some races in Nationwide, maybe even a full season - but I understand that I may have to raise some money to make it happen."(Autosport)(10-2-2009)

NHL star retires; wants NASCAR career now: Montreal Canadiens defenseman Patrice Brisebois retired Thursday, ending his 18-year NHL career with plans to drive on NASCAR's Canadian series. The 38-year-old Brisebois spent 16 seasons with the Canadiens, retiring in third place on the franchise list for games by a defenseman (896), fourth for goals by a defenseman (87) and fifth in points by a defenseman (371). On March 14, he became the 11th player to play 1,000 games for the Canadiens. Brisebois said he's seeking sponsors to fund the next phase of his career, as a driver in NASCAR's Canadian Tire Series. "It's a great team sport, like hockey," Brisebois said of auto racing. "Your mechanic is kind of like your coach, and there's a game plan, race strategy, so it's a bit like a hockey team. I'm going to try and go as far as I can in auto racing. I'd love to be able to move on to the Nationwide or Sprint series, but it's going to be very tough. Another dream of mine would be to do the 24 hours of Le Mans."(Associated Press/ESPN.com)(9-25-2009)