March 16, 2016
- Kevin Harvick & Cal Ripken Jr. unveil Kevin Harvick Foundation Park: Kevin Harvick continued his commitment to supporting his hometown of Bakersfield, Calif., when the Kevin Harvick Foundation and Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation opened a multi-purpose Youth Development Park in the city. Sport superstars Cal Ripken Jr. and Kevin Harvick cut the ribbon to unveil the Kevin Harvick Foundation Park, which will provide a clean and safe environment in which local youth can play, learn and grow. The Bakersfield facility marks the second collaboration between the two organizations, which commenced their alliance by opening the Kevin Harvick Foundation Park in Greensboro, N.C., in November 2015.
“The Kevin Harvick Foundation once again is honored to partner with the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation to provide an amazing facility for so many underserved children to develop physically and mentally,” Harvick said. “Sports played a pivotal role in my youth and development later in life, and I am looking forward to seeing these children derive the same benefits from this facility, particularly the ones who wouldn’t otherwise have an opportunity to play and let loose in such a clean, safe atmosphere.”
Much like the Greensboro park, the Bakersfield state-of-the-art facility is designed for multi-sport use, featuring four outdoor fitness stations, a rubber track surface circling the field’s perimeter and a digital scoreboard. The park, a gift to The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club of Kern County, will be maintained by the organization, with whom the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation and Kevin Harvick Foundation will collaborate to create and implement character education programming and clinics for the children who utilize the facility.
Guest speakers at Wednesday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony included: Ripken, Baseball Hall ofFamer and Ripken Foundation vice chairman; Harvick, 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion and Kevin Harvick Foundation co-founder; Harvey Hall, Bakersfield Mayor; Jason Cohen, former President of Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club of Kern County; Vanessa Emo, President, Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club of Kern County; and Steve Salem, President, Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation. Following the ceremony, the group christened the new Kevin Harvick Foundation Park when Ripken, Harvick and the children hit the field for a Quickball clinic – a fast-paced, easy-to-learn version of America’s pastime.
“We are thrilled to have another opportunity to collaborate with the Kevin Harvick Foundation and continue to provide a safe place for our youth to play and learn,” Ripken said. “It’s very rewarding to unite with such a like-minded organization toward a greater cause. Together, we can continue to expand our reach and make a difference for kids everywhere.” The Bakersfield park marks the 52nd Youth Development Park completed by the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation for use by Boys & Girls Clubs across the country. The Kevin Harvick Foundation assists in funding the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation, as the two charitable organizations share the common goal of supporting underprivileged youth across the United States in various ways. During the last five years, the Ripken Foundation has developed more than 50 multi-purpose turf facilities in 16 states, impacting more than 220,000 youth. Since 2009, the Ripken Foundation has had presence in numerous communities throughout North Carolina through its Badges for Baseball law enforcement youth mentoring programand Youth Development Park initiative. In addition to Kevin Harvick Foundation Park, the Ripken Foundation has three Youth Development Parks in use by youth-serving organizations in Charlotte, Greenville and Raleigh – two of which are adaptive fields to provide children with special needs a safe place to play and grow. Kevin Harvick Foundation Park marks the second Ripken Foundation Youth Development Park in California, joining LA Dodgers Dreamfield adaptive field.(Kevin Harvick Foundation)(3-16-2016) - Three teams given written warnings for failing Phoenix inspections: Three NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams were warned for failing inspection at Phoenix International Raceway. #78-Martin Truex Jr. was given a written warning by NASCAR for failing NASCAR’s Laser Inspection System twice in pre-race inspection. #38-Landon Cassill’s car failed template inspection twice before qualifying at Phoenix and was given a warning. #17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr.’s car failed the Laser Inspection System three times in pre-race inspection and was given a warning and will lose 15 minutes of practice time on Friday at Auto Club Speedway. See the Phoenix Post-Event Penalty & Warning Report (pdf) for more.(3-16-2016)
- Logano Presents Helmet to Student in Anti-bullying Campaign: On Sunday, March 13th, Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford Fusion for Team Penske made a presentation in Victory Lane at Phoenix International Raceway. The Fuel for Success program, created a multi-state anti-bullying campaign that was focused on promoting anti-bullying at the elementary school level. Over 900 students across three states and four districts submitted race helmet designs as part of the campaign. The top five were chosen from police officers involved with the FFS program and then the winning design was selected from those five by Joey Logano. Felecia Na from the Colton Unified School District, CA was the overall winner. She and her family were provided a trip to the NSCS race at Phoenix International Speedway on Sunday, March 13th where driver Joey Logano presented her with an actual helmet, painted in her design.(Sport Dimensions)(3-16-2016)
- Stewart to be Honored at the Speedway Children’s Charities Gala: The 36th annual Sonic Automotive Speedway Children’s Charities Gala will recognize one of NASCAR’s great philanthropists during a truly unforgettable evening on Wednesday, May 25. Tony Stewart will be honored for his successes on and off the track, including his incredible contributions to Speedway Children’s Charities across all eight Speedway Motorsports chapters. Stewart announced last year that 2016 would be his final season as a NASCAR driver, with the three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion transitioning full-time into the role of owner at Stewart-Haas Racing, the title-winning Sprint Cup team he co-owns with Gene Haas, founder of Haas Automation. Stewart will never be far from the racetrack, be it in NASCAR or in the other realms of motorsports where he has a presence. Since 2009, Stewart has raised more than $1 million for Speedway Children’s Charities with his annual “Smoke Show” event. This day-long stock-car fantasy camp gives attendees a chance to drive a stock car around the 1.5-mile Texas Motor Speedway, with personal instruction from Stewart, as well as enjoy a three-lap ride-a-long around the oval’s high banks. Stewart is also an annual participant in SCC’s “Ride of a Lifetime” promotion. This online auction allows fans to bid on a chance to ride in the back of a pick-up truck with their favorite driver during the pre-race parade at speedways around the country. Stewart has participated in this fundraiser at each of the eight Speedway Motorsports facilities. The Speedway Children’s Charities Gala is among the top fundraising events in the area, with proceeds going to the grant program of Speedway Children’s Charities’ Charlotte Chapter. More info on Jayski.com’s Racing Charities page.(3-16-2016)
- Updates on Tony Stewart’s health and return UPDATE2: #14-Tony Stewart already has defied his doctor’s orders, but there is one order he won’t ignore: The order that he won’t return to racing until the broken bone in his back has healed. The three-time Sprint Cup champion said Friday he will be ready to race once doctors give him the OK. He just has no clue when that will come. His first X-rays since the Feb. 3 surgery for his fractured L1 vertebra will be Wednesday, and that will let him know his progress and possibly set the schedule for his rehab and potential return. Stewart also wouldn’t rule out making the Chase for the Sprint Cup in his final season, hopeful that NASCAR will award him a waiver to miss races, just like it did with Kyle Busch, while still requiring a win and a top-30 regular-season finish in the standings to make the Chase.(ESPN.com)(3-5-2016)
UPDATE: Tony Stewart was evaluated today by doctors, who checked on the injury he sustained in a Jan. 31 all-terrain vehicle accident where the driver of the #14 Chevy for Stewart-Haas Racing suffered a burst fracture of the L1 vertebra. Satisfied with the amount of healing that has taken place, doctors implemented a rehabilitation regimen that will hasten Stewart’s recovery. Future evaluations will be necessary before a timetable is known for Stewart’s return to racing. A full recovery is expected for the three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion, as is a return to the #14 Chevy this season. Plans for an interim driver have not been finalized.(Stewart-Haas Racing)(3-9-2016)
UPDATE2: Tony Stewart has good news to savor in terms of his health. “You’re not waiting on me as far as my mind, I’m ready to go,” Stewart told SiriusXM NASCAR Radio after Sunday’s Good Sam 500, won by SHR driver Kevin Harvick in thrilling fashion. Four races into his final season, Stewart has yet to turn a lap because of a burst fracture of his first lumbar (L1) vertebra — the uppermost bone in the lower back — in an all-terrain vehicle accident Jan. 31. “It’s just, we had a good doctor visit this week and the X-rays were good,” he added. “It wasn’t really to see about the bone growth as much as just making sure the rods and screws were staying in place where they wanted them. They were really happy.” A return to the cockpit is still on indefinite hold for Stewart. “The funny part was when the doctor told me, or the surgeon cleared me to drive a street car,” Stewart said of his most recent doctor’s visit March 9. “I didn’t have the heart to tell him I’ve been driving for almost three weeks. I’m not really one to follow the doctor’s orders anyway, so we’re fine. I’ve been up all day today and I feel great, so we’re excited about where we’re at right now.” Stewart told SiriusXM that part of his rehabilitation has involved strengthening his core; he is expected to make a full recovery. Stewart also indicated that his next scheduled doctor’s appointment would come in late April.(in part from NASCAR.com)(3-15-2016) - TaxAct returns to #10 car at Auto Club: TaxAct, the official tax preparation software partner of Stewart-Haas Racing and driver Danica Patrick, will return to the track this weekend for the Auto Club 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. To celebrate the 2016 debut of the #10 TaxAct Chevy and gear up for the end of tax season, TaxAct has joined forces with SHR to give race fans another opportunity to save money when filing their taxes with the launch of “Premium Finish.” TaxAct is offering race fans the chance to purchase its top-tier online tax preparation and filing solution at a highly discounted price. If Patrick or any member of the SHR team grabs a top-10 finish in select upcoming races, fans can register to file their 2015 federal and state tax returns using the TaxAct Online Premium Bundle for only $10 (originally priced at $49.98). This gives filers access to the federal and state forms needed to complete their return no matter how complex their situation, all in, for $10. In the event none of the SHR drivers finish in the top-10 in those selected races, a $10 discount off federal returns will be extended to honor the savings opportunity. Tax filers can get a “Premium Finish” starting Sunday with the running of the Auto Club 400, with applicable discounted pricing available through the following Saturday. TaxAct will offer additional opportunities for NASCAR fans to file returns with “Premium Finish” pricing for the races following the Auto Club 400 up to the tax filing deadline on April 18, 2016 (or April 19, 2016 for residents of Massachusetts and Maine). These races include Martinsville on April 3, Texas on April 9 and Bristol on April 17. Fans can lock in their “Premium Finish” price by visiting TaxAct.com/Ten. With TaxAct’s Price Lock Guarantee, filers are guaranteed to pay the price offered at the time they register, no matter when they choose to file. *Offer and prices subject to change (SHR), see an image of the car on the #10 team paint schemes page.(3-16-2016)
- New award in motorsports dedicated to race mechanics: In the sport of racing, you won’t find too many awards beyond the drivers, owners and crew chiefs. The Brian Lunniss Lifetime Achievement Award by Mechanix Wear is dedicated to the hardest working hands in racing. The unsung hereos of motorsports. Those who possess exceptional drive and inspire the team to win. The Brian Lunniss Award is reserved for motorsport mechanics who demonstrate remarkable achievement during their career. Ted Abdon Director of Mechanix Wear Racing: “Brian’s the epitome of the award. We want to give back to those people in all forms of racing who helped us make the best products for mechanics. When you put his name on it, his success, his determination, his drive; you know exactly why that person is getting the award.” Brian Lunniss has dedicated his life to spinning wrenches and rolling out winning machines on race day. His days as a championship Motocross mechanic, trainer and mentor has set the bar for factory mechanics in the sport today. Brian created an atmosphere tuning for the likes of Donnie Hanson, Bob Hannah, Ricky Johnson, and Damon Bradshaw where he walked away with 11 championships from 1971 to 1997. His transition from two wheels to four first landed him in IndyCar as a suspension technician for Dan Gurney’s All American Racers team. In 1999, Brian packed his tools and joined Joe Gibbs Racing where he won a NASCAR championship with Bobby Labonte in 2000.(Mechanix Wear)(3-16-2016)
- NBC Sports announces 2016 NASCAR Broadcast Schedule:After presenting more than 360 hours of live, trackside NASCAR coverage across 22 states in 2015, NBC Sports Group returns as the home of NASCAR’s Championship run in 2016. NBC Sports’ NASCAR XFINITY and Sprint Cup Series racing schedule kicks off in primetime, amid Independence Day weekend festivities, on Friday, July 1 and Saturday, July 2, at the newly-renovated Daytona International Speedway. NBC Sports Group’s exclusive coverage of the 2016 Chase for the Sprint Cup swings into action on Sunday, Sept. 18 from Chicagoland Speedway and culminates with the Sprint Cup Championship from Miami on Sunday, Nov. 20.
NASCAR XFINITY Series racing makes its 2016 return to NBC Sports Group on Friday, July 1, at 7:30 pm/et on NBCSN. NBC Sports Group’s coverage of the XFINITY Series, where “Names Are Made,” consists of four races on NBC, 12 races on NBCSN, two races on USA Network, and one race on CNBC.
NASCAR on NBC’s 12-person on-air team returns in 2016 for NASCAR Sprint Cup and XFINITY Series race coverage. Lead race announcer Rick Allen returns to the booth alongside Daytona 500-winning crew chief Steve Letarte and 21-time Sprint Cup race winner Jeff Burton. Krista Voda returns to host pre- and post-race coverage, alongside NASCAR Hall of Fame driver Dale Jarrett and analyst Kyle Petty. Marty Snider, Mike Massaro, Kelli Stavast, and Dave Burns return to report from pit road in 2016, in tandem with features reporter Rutledge Wood and NBCSports.com lead motorsports writer Nate Ryan.(NBC)(3-16-2016) - Erik Jones fails post-race inspection: In post-race inspection, Erik Jones’ #20 was cited for rear toe outside of tolerance when measured by the laser inspection station. NASCAR will address possible sanctions at next week’s competition meeting.(NASCAR Wire Service)(3-12-2016)
UPDATE: The #20 Joe Gibbs Racing team of Erik Jones has been penalized following the XFINITY race at Phoenix. The team’s crew chief has been fined $5,000.
In addition the #21 team of Spencer Gallagher has been given a written warning for failing pre-race laser inspection 3 times during pre-race inspection. In addition, the team will lose 15 minutes of practice time at Auto Club Speedway.(NASCAR)
See the Phoenix Post-Event Penalty & Warning Report (pdf) for more.(3-16-2016) - E-Hydrate sponsoring Cope in Fontana UPDATE: Derrike Cope Racing and E-hydrate team up for Xfinity NASCAR in Fontana March 19th 2016 to launch new Protein On-the-Go ACTIVE. E-hydrate has announced it’s primary sponsorship of Derrike Cope’s #70 car for the NASCAR Xfinity Series race on March 19th at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California to launch E-hydrate’s new natural protein and joint health product, ACTIVE Protein On-the-Go. This race will be the fourth in a series that kicked off in Daytona this year and is part of the brand’s sponsorship of Derrike Cope’s NASCAR West Coast Swing that also included Las Vegas and Phoenix. Protein On-the-Go ACTIVE is the world’s first ready-to-mix natural protein and joint health product designed for active adults. ACTIVE will be available at Target stores nationwide starting the first week of April, 2016.(Derrike Cope Racing)(3-15-2016)
UPDATE: DCR with JP Motorsports has three returning associate sponsors on board for Fontana this weekend. Goodwin’s Market in Crestline California has been family owned and operated since 1946. The store is located directly across the street from beautiful Lake Gregory in the San Bernardino Mountains. Nestled high in the beautiful San Bernardino National Forest is Sleepy Hollow Cabins and Hotel. Sleepy Hollow has great rates, comfy accommodations, romantic fireplaces, fully equipped kitchens, and all of the conveniences of home. ICEAID continues to support DCR as an associate for this weekend’s event. This all natural, mineral based and environmentally safe ice additive will turn your cooler into a freezer by reducing the temperature of ice to as low as 10 degrees.(Derrike Cope Racing)(3-16-2016) - Ballast Point Brewing sponsoring Almirola: Biagi-DenBeste Racing will unveil a new sponsor and paint scheme this weekend at Auto Club Speedway. Ballast Point Brewing Company will be the primary sponsor of the #98 Ford Mustang for Saturday’s XFINITY Series race. A first-time partnership for the race team and the brewery, both are looking forward to great on-track results for the Ford. Founded in 1996 by Jack White, Ballast Point brings the perfect balance of taste and aroma to IPAs, beers and liquors. What started as a small group of home brewers, who simply wanted to make a better beer, evolved into the adventurers known today as Ballast Point. Headquartered in San Diego, Calif., Ballast Point recently sought out a larger space to keep up with demand and settled into a 107,000 square foot brewing facility. The TreatMyClot.com 300 will be the third outing of the 2016 season for the #98 Biagi-DenBeste Ford Mustang. With two Top-15 finishes to start the season, the team is looking to ride the positive momentum and compete with the XFINITY Series leaders at the front of the pack.(Biagi-DeBeste Racing)(3-16-2016)
- Brad Keselowski & Kyle Busch to be honored at Auto Club Speedway: Brad Keselowski, winner of the 2015 NASCAR Auto Club 400, and Kyle Busch, winner of the 2014 Auto Club 400, will be inducted into Auto Club Speedway’s Walk of Fame on Friday, March 18, 2016: Kyle Busch at 9:40am and Brad Keselowski at 1:00pm. The Walk of Fame is located outside the O’Reilly Auto Parts Fan Zone at Gate B of Auto Club Speedway. To purchase tickets to NASCAR Auto Club 400 race weekend, call 800-944-RACE (7223), or visit www.autoclubspeedway.com.(ACS)(3-16-2016)
- Texas Motor Speedway honorary positions announced: Sadie Robertson, who finished runner-up in last year’s “Dancing With The Stars” competition and one of the stars of A&E;’s reality hit show “Duck Dynasty,” has been named the Honorary Starter for the Duck Commander 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Saturday, April 9, at Texas Motor Speedway. Sadie Robertson will have the honor of waving the green flag from the starter’s stand for the 40-car field in the first Saturday night race of the Sprint Cup season that will be televised live on FOX. Robertson was a fan favorite on “Dancing With The Stars” as she advanced to the finals with partner Mark Ballas before finishing runner-up to actor Alfonso Ribeiro and partner Witney Carson. Sadie will be one of several members of the Robertson clan or associated with Duck Commander that will be in honorary positions for NASCAR’s third-highest paying race. Those include:
Jase Robertson and 12-year-old Rowdy Robertson, the recently adopted son of Willie and Korie who is from Texas, as the tandem that will provide the most famous words in motorsports in their role as co-Grand Marshals.
Uncle Si will spice up driver introductions as he will announce the top-10 starting lineup for the Duck Commander 500 while his brother and family patriarch, Phil, will deliver the invocation.
Justin Martin, a Duck Commander employee and “Duck Dynasty” co-star, will drive one of the pace cars and lead the field to the green flag.
Willie Robertson, CEO of Duck/Buck Commander, will culminate the day by helping present the Duck Commander 500 trophy to the race winner in Sunoco Victory Lane.(TMS)(3-16-2016)
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