March 16, 2012
- Biffle wins pole at Bristol: #16-Greg Biffle won the pole for the Food City 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway with a speed of 125.215mph for his 1st pole of 2012 and 10th career pole. Biffle has never won from the pole. #22-Allmendinger was 2nd fastest followed by #39-Newman, #24-Gordon, #2-Keselowski, #78-Smith, #43-Almirola, #99-Edwards, #20-Logano and #5-Kahne
The go-or-go homers who made the race (8): #30-Stremme, #36-Blaney, #26-Wise, #74-Sorenson, #98-McDowell, #49-Yeley, #87-Nemechek and #23-Riggs
The go-or-go homers who failed to qualify for the race (2):#37-Hill & #7-Gordon (withdrew)
See qualifying results & starting lineup on the Qualifying Results page (pdf) and/or Starting Lineup page (pdf).(3-16-2012) - Qualifying Fast Facts – Bristol:
#16-Greg Biffle won the Coors Light Pole Award for the 52nd Annual Food City 500 with a lap of 15.324 seconds, 125.215 mph.
This is his 10th pole in 334 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.
This is his first pole and fourth top-10 start in 2012. Biffle is now locked into next year’s Shootout at Daytona field.
This is his first pole in 19 races at Bristol Motor Speedway. His previous best start at Bristol was second, three times (most recently March of 2011).
#22-AJ Allmendinger (second) posted his first top-10 start of 2012 and his third in ten races at Bristol Motor Speedway.
#39-Ryan Newman (third) posted his 14th top-10 start at Bristol Motor Speedway. It is his second in four races this season. (NASCAR Statistics)(3-16-2012) - Coverage of Qualifying for the Food City 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway is scheduled for Friday, March 16, 2012 at 3:40pm/et.
Television (TV): SPEED, 3:30pm/et
Qualifying Re-Air: on SPEED at 8:00pm/et - Qualifying Order for the Food City 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway is posted. 45 cars/drivers are listed.
The first of the drivers scheduled to go out is #7-Gordon, who failed to run practice due to engine issues.
The final driver scheduled to go out is #99-Edwards, who was fastest in first practice.
Qualifying order is set by the first practice session, with slowest driver going out by speed and the fastest going out last. The non-top 35 drivers are mixed in with the top-35 in owners points, slowest to fastest.
See the full qualifying order on the Bristol Qualifying Page.(3-16-2012) - Friday practice for the Food City 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway is over, after 90 scheduled minutes, the top five, slowest and notes:
#99-Edwards 123.921
#22-Allmendinger 123.881
#9-Ambrose 123.865
#20-Logano 123.826
#39-Newman & #24-Gordon 123.730
slowest: #23-Riggs 119.618 & #32-Schrader 120.566
no speed; #7-Gordon could not get the engine started.
This practice will set the order of qualifying, which is scheduled fror 3:40pm/et and be televised on SPEED.
See fastest speeds. laps run, 10-lap average speeds on the Bristol Practice 1 Speeds (pdf) page.(3-16-2012) - Go-or-Go Homers practice for the Food City 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway. Where did the drivers who do not have a guaranteed starting spot in the race, where in the practice rank were the drivers:
These drivers would make the race if things stay the same:
#36-Dave Blaney, 32nd
#30-David Stremme, 34th
#74-Reed Sorenson, 35th
#26-Josh Wise#, 36th
#98-Michael McDowell, 37th
#49-J.J. Yeley, 39th
#37-Timmy Hill#, 41st
#87-Joe Nemechek, 42nd
These drivers would miss the race if things stay the same:
#23-Scott Riggs, 44th
#7-Robby Gordon, no speed, couldn’t get the engine started
(3-16-2012) - Kurt Busch signs up with Monster Energy: #51-Kurt Busch has entered into a personal services agreement with Monster Energy Company to become the newest Monster Energy Team Athlete, effective immediately. This news follows the announcement in January that Busch would partner with his brother Kyle in the NASCAR Nationwide Series to drive the #54 Monster Energy Toyota Camry for Kyle Busch Motorsports in select races and compete for the Nationwide Series owner championship. Through this new partnership, Monster Energy will be part of Busch’s Sprint Cup activities in addition to his Nationwide Series activities. Monster Energy branding will be included on Busch’s racing helmet, firesuit and trackside apparel.(True Speed Communication)(3-16-2012)
- Nine race sponsor for #49 team: JPO Absorbents, formerly known as Green Stuff Sales & Supply, is sponsoring the Robinson Blakeney Racing Team for their first of nine races in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Bristol Motor Spewedway with JJ Yeley as the driver for the #49 Robinson-Blakeney Racing Toyota. JPO Absorbents is owned by James P. O’Brien. Its corporate offices are located in Fairfield, Connecticut and its National Distribution Center is in Kansas City, Missouri.JPO Absorbents is the national distributors of Green Stuff Absorbent and HTP Absorbent. The Company will continue its theme of “Saving the Environment One Cleanup at a Time” throughout the 2012 NASCAR Season.(Robinson-Blakeney Racing PR via Catchfence), per a JPO Absorbents PR, the first race was supposed to be at Texas in April and for eight other races.(3-16-2012)
- BB&T; returns to sponsor RCR car, this time the #31: The #31 BB&T; Chevy paint scheme will debut this weekend when competitors hit the track for Sprint Cup Series practice on Friday at Bristol Motor Speedway. The full-service financial institution will serve as primary sponsor for six races on the #31 Chevy including a special co-branded scheme with Caterpillar in the 2012 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, retaining its status as official bank of RCR. BB&T;’s primary race sponsorship occurs within the corporation’s branch footprint, which covers 12 states and Washington D.C.(RCR), see images of the scheme on the #31 Team Schemes page.(3-16-2012)
- Chassis selections for this weeks race: see the list of many teams [that report or post these] and what chassis were selected by the team to run in the Food City 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway on the Bristol Race Info page – Chassis selection area.
- Cheez-It colors for Edwards: The #99 Roush Fenway Racing Ford of Carl Edwards will have Cheez-It as the primary sponsor this weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway (RFR). The scheme is scheduled to run one more unknown race in 2012. See image of the scheme on the #99 Team Schemes page.(3-16-2012)
- Almirola to sport different sponsor at Bristol: The colors of Charter Communications will debut as the primary sponsor on the Richard Petty Motorsports #43 Ford that Aric Almirola will drive this weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway. Charter, the fourth-largest cable operator in the United States, is a yearlong associate sponsor for the organization.(RPM)(3-16-2012)
- 811 scheme for Biffle at Bristol: The #16 3M Ford of Greg Biffle will have an 811 paint scheme this weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway. 811 is the national number to “Call Before You Dig.” This is the third consecutive year Biffle has supported 811.(RFR)(3-16-2012)
- Hamilton Means pushes back debut to Martinsville: Hamilton Means Racing plans to make its first appearance of the year on April 1st in the Goody’s Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway. HMR has hired veteran Johnny Sauter to pilot the #52 Crusaders Staffing Toyota. From a team spokesman: “Johnny has had success in all three levels of NASCAR with over 350 combined starts which include multiple wins in the Truck and Nationwide series along with top fives in Sprint Cup. Now that we have overcome the normal obstacles that present themselves to a small team during start up along with the development of the EFI program, we are ready to make our start in the series. With Johnny’s natural talent and driving experience at the upcoming tracks we hope that everything has come together to result in success at these early races which will attract new sponsorship to help fund the future of Hamilton Means Racing. The effort by the team to overcome the challenges has made it that much more exciting to see our plans come to fruition.” Hamilton Means Racing will run Toyotas purchased from Michael Waltrip Racing and plans to lease engines from Pro Motor Engineering. Crusaders Staffing, founded by HMR co-owner Dell Hamilton, will be the primary sponsor for the #52 team while the team reaches out to new partnerships.(HMR)(3-16-2012)
- Daytona to repave area related to jet dryer crash & fire: The following statement can be attributed to Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III: “We’re looking forward to a successful Daytona 200 on Saturday. Since the jet dryer incident occurred on Feb. 27 [in the Daytona 500], we have washed and cleaned the affected area of the racetrack in Turn 3 multiple times, and applied street bond. We have worked closely with AMA Pro Racing officials and we’re both very confident it will not present any issues during the Daytona 200. Once we complete our motorcycle events, we are going to conduct long-term repairs to that area of the asphalt, which will include removing and repaving the affected areas. Lane Construction, the team who worked on the track repave in 2010, will handle the repave project. Once this work is complete, we expect to have no further issues related to the jet dryer crash and we’ll be ready to go for the Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola in July.”(DIS)(3-16-2012)
- BMS App Debuts this weekend: Race fans visiting Bristol Motor Speedway for this weekend’s racing activities have a new informational tool to help them keep track of all the excitement at the “World’s Fastest Half-Mile.” The Bristol Motor Speedway app provides fans access to race and event schedules, GPS-enabled property maps and several other features to help them get even more from their experience at BMS. Guests can use GPS maps to find their current position, as well as various locations around the BMS property. Restrooms, ATMs, first aid stations and entrance gates are just a few of the amenities featured on the maps. One of the apps most popular features, fans can set GPS coordinates to make finding their seat or locating their car or campsite a breeze. Adding to the app’s interactivity, guests can create their own customized schedule, called “My Schedule,” which will alert them when a special event is set to take place. Additionally, fans can add driver appearances and other activities to their individual schedule. For more info or to download the App, go to bristolmotorspeedway.com.(BMS)(3-16-2012)
- Watkins Glen asks for fans input in naming new grandstands: The grandstands have changed at Watkins Glen International and now is the time for the names to change as well. With the replacement of the remaining grandstands ongoing, The Glen has decided to rename five existing grandstands prior to the start of the 2012 season. Fan submissions will be accepted through Saturday, March 31 for suggestions on new names for the Green, Silver, Red, White and Blue, Turn 10 and Turn 11 stands.
The Glen staff, appreciating fans’ extensive knowledge, knows its fans will provide outstanding suggestions. Fans are encouraged to pass along their ideas through email or regular mail prior to the March 31 deadline. From a comprehensive list including names submitted by fans, The Glen will select the new names and release them to the public leading up to Opening Weekend (April 21-22). To submit ideas or for tickets to the races, go to TheGlen.com.(WGI)(3-16-2012) - Auto Club 500 National Anthem singer announced: JoJo, the youngest artist to ever reach #1 at the Top 40 Radio Format and the youngest solo artist to have a #1 song on Billboard Charts (both at age 13), will perform the National Anthem prior to the start of the Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway on Sunday, March 25. The now 21-year-olds newest album, her third, Jumping Trains, is scheduled for release this year. Named after one of her favorite songs on the upcoming Interscope Records project, says JoJo, “moving from Boston to L.A., transitioning from being a girl to being a young woman, living on my own, taking a different direction sonically, and just really finding myself and just jumping into a new chapter of life.” For more information or to purchase tickets call 800-944-RACE (7223), log on to www.autoclubspeedway.com or visit the Auto Club Speedway ticket office.(ACS)(3-16-2012)
- Danica to run Prelude to the Dream: #7-Danica Patrick has committed to drive in team owner Tony Stewart’s Prelude to the Dream Late Model charity race at Eldora Speedway. Patrick said the June 6 event will be only her second time driving on dirt. The other was in a go-kart on a track outside of Charlotte Motor Speedway when she was about 14 years old. Stewart hosts the annual event with superstars from NASCAR, NHRA and other forms of motorsports to raise money to help needy children. Other drivers who have committed so far include: Ryan Newman, Kenny Wallace, Bobby Labonte, Ty Dillon and Aric Almirola.(ESPN)(3-16-2012)
- Tanner returns to Martinsvile with MB: Tyler Tanner makes his 2012 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut at legendary Martinsville Speedway in the Kroger 250 on March 31. Tanner will drive the #65 MB Motorsports Ford F-150 sponsored by EF-65 Hand Cleaner. Tanner, an Auburn High graduate and engineering student at Arizona State University, is the son of former Northwest circuit standout Kelly Tanner. Mentoring Tanner will be Mittler, the MB Motorsports owner who has been instrumental in the careers of Carl Edwards, Jamie Mc Murray, Brad Keselowski, Regan Smith and Justin Allgaier. Tanner enjoyed a successful short-track season locally in 2011. He posted seven pole positions, three victories and eight top-three finishes in his EF-65 Hand Cleaner-sponsored late model Chevrolet at Rochester’s South Sound Speedway. He also raced at Spokane County Raceway, Yakima Speedway and Evergreen Speedway in Monroe.(Auburn-Reporter.com)(3-16-2012)
- RCR to honor team member Frankie Allen: UPDATE memorial info: Richard Childress Racing’s NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series teams will carry a special decal this weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway in honor of Frankie Allen, a valued employee and three-year veteran of the RCR team, who passed away earlier this week. Allen worked as the shock specialist on the #2 Camping World Truck Series entry with drivers Kevin Harvick, Brendan Gaughan and Tim George Jr. The Rock Hill, S.C., native served as the car chief for George Jr’s #31 ARCA Racing Series team for the 2010 and 2011 seasons. In addition to running memorial decals on RCR’s Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series cars this weekend, the three RCR Truck Series teams will carry the decal honoring Allen for the Kroger 250 race at Martinsville Speedway on March 31. “Frankie put in a lot of hard work and effort at RCR and truly became a friend to me and others at the shop,” said Mike Dillon, Vice President of Competition for RCR. “One of his favorite sayings was ‘hurry up’ so it seemed appropriate to have that phrase on the decals the cars will carry. He will definitely be missed at the shop and our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this tough time.” Allen is survived by his wife Renee. Funeral arrangements are pending.(Richard Childress Racing PR)(3-15-2012)
UPDATE: Memorials in Frankie Allen’s honor can be made to the Victory Junction Gang Attn: Nona Pryor, 4500 Adam’s Way, Randleman, NC 27317.(RCR PR)(3-16-2012) - Sauter to drive for HMR Cup debut at Martinsville: UPDATE Sauter deal not in place: Hamilton Means Racing will make its Sprint Cup debut at Martinsville Speedway in two weeks. Team co-owner Kelly Owen tells News/Talk WSB that Johnny Sauter will drive the #52 Toyota in HMR’s first few Sprint Cup races. Owen says the main factor delaying the team’s debut in the Cup Series is their delay in obtaining the proper equipment for the new NASCAR-mandated Electronic Fuel Injection systems. The components are in high demand, Owens says, that their order did not arrive until one week ago.(WSBRadio.com)(3-16-2012)
UPDATE: Been told by team representative that Johnny Sauter does not have a deal in place to run Martinsville,with HMR and that he will not be running the Martinsville Cup race.
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