March 17, 2011
- Sad News – Melissa Loftin: Melissa Loftin, the wife of NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour driver Brian Loftin, passed away Tuesday [March 15th] following an automobile accident in North Carolina. “On behalf of NASCAR and the France family, we send out our thoughts and prayers to Brian, the Loftin family and the entire Whelen Southern Modified Tour community,” said Richard Buck, NASCAR’s director of touring series. “Melissa was a warm and recognizable face in the garage, and she will be missed.” Loftin, the 2008 Whelen Southern Modified Tour champion, earned the Coors Light Pole Award and finished 18th in the season-opener on March 13 following a late-race incident while contending for the lead.(nascar.com)AND Melissa Rierson Loftin, 29, a committed wife, dedicated mother, loving daughter, sister and loyal friend, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday afternoon, March 15, 2011. Born October 20, 1981, Melissa had attended Gospel Light Christian School in Walkertown and was a member of First Christian Church in Kernersville. She was a competitive dancer with Dance Unlimited in Kernersville, a beautiful vocalist and accomplished pianist. She participated in and won numerous local and state beauty pageants, rode motorcycles, and adored shopping. In lieu of flowers, the family has established the Melissa Rierson Loftin Memorial Fund at First Citizens Bank to assist Carson’s future education. For service info and online condolences. go to www.hayworth-miller.com.(3-17-2010)
- Brian Keselowski to have surgery: Brian Keselowski is expected to undergo gallbladder surgery as early as Thursday evening after the driver was rushed to the hospital Tuesday with what was described as “severe abdominal pain,” his K-Automotive Motorsports team said. Keselowski was “diagnosed with a severe case of gallstones,” according to the team, and medication to relieve the pain is not helping. The surgery would put Keselowski – vying for Sprint Cup rookie of the year honors – out of his car for two or three weeks, the team said. Dennis Setzer will attempt to qualify the #92 car at Bristol. Keselowski was described by the team as bending over in pain and begging doctors to remove his gallbladder, saying “Get this thing out of me. I just want this thing out of me so I can get back in my car and race.” The surgery would be done as an outpatient procedure. The team said well-wishes can be sent to Keselowski at K-Automotive Motorsports: 2668 Peachtree Rd., Statesville, NC, 28625.(SB Nation)(3-17-2011)
- Mars continues partnership with Joe Gibbs Racing: Mars, Incorporated announced that it is continuing its partnership with Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) through a new multi-year deal. The deal will extend the winning partnership that has brought the #18 Toyota to victory lane 14 times since 2008. The centerpiece of the partnership will continue to be the popular M&M’S brand as the primary paint scheme on JGR’s #18 Toyota. “From connecting with NASCAR fans to engaging our retail partners, our partnership with Joe Gibbs Racing has proved to be tremendously successful,” explained Debra A. Sandler, Chief Consumer Officer at Mars Chocolate North America. “We’re thrilled to extend this partnership and look forward to celebrating more wins both on and off the track.” The multi-year partnership will continue the current level [approx 30 races] of Mars sponsorship of the #18 Toyota in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, the sport’s top series.(Joe Gibbs Racing)(3-17-2011)
- Jamie McMurray and Scott Dixon Swap Rides: The worlds of NASCAR and IndyCar came together at Talladega Superspeedway and Barber Motorsports Park today. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Jamie McMurray slid behind the wheel of Scott Dixon’s #09 Target Honda IndyCar at Barber, and Dixon took McMurray’s #1 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet for some hot laps at Talladega. See transcript and images on the Jamie McMurray / Scott Dixon swap rides page.(3-17-2011)
- BB&T colors on the #33: For the third time in the last three races, the #33 Chevy will sport a new paint scheme as longtime RCR partner, BB&T, adorns the car. Bowyer last ran the maroon and yellow paint scheme during last year’s Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup event at Talladega Superspeedway, bringing home the checkered flag just ahead of RCR teammate Kevin Harvick (RCR), see an image of the scheme on the #33 Team Schemes page.(3-17-2011)
- Original owner gets involved with sale of Gateway: Original Gateway International Raceway owner Chris Pook and his former construction manager and general manager Rod Wolter have been asked by the track’s current landowners to help facilitate the sale of the Madison track. “We’ve been in discussion with Chris and Rod for several weeks and we’ve just finalized the consent of the group to engage them,” said Clayton attorney Bob West, who represents one of the landowners. “I don’t know if afraid is the right term, but the group recognized that these guys had a lot of knowledge, a lot of experience, a lot of credibility in the racing industry that would let them speak with authority to people that the owners would not otherwise have the opportunity to gain an audience with.”
West also denied Gateway has been sold to Moroso Investment Partners, a Florida firm that owns Palm Beach International Raceway. That group purchased Memphis Motorsports Park at auction in December from Dover Motorsports Inc. and finalized the deal on Jan. 31 for $2.062 million. And, until Feb. 18, Dover had owned parts of and leased parts of Gateway from the four landowners. But the Delaware-based company terminated its leases with the foursome and is no longer involved. Pook originally bought the Gateway property in 1995 and opened the track in 1997. Wolter, 70, who still resides in Edwardsville, was Pook’s construction manager and general manager until Pook sold the facility to Dover Motorsports in 1998.(St Louis Post Dispatch)(3-17-2011) - Tailgater Monthly To Put Its Touch On Pit Stop Park at Texas: Tailgater Monthly Magazine, the ultimate source for tailgaters, will sponsor Texas Motor Speedway’s recently constructed fan amenity that will now be known as The Tailgater Monthly Pit Stop Park at Texas Motor Speedway. Tailgater Monthly Magazine will help fans get geared up in the speedway’s premiere tailgating area located just outside Gate 4. The park will include a Tailgater Monthly Magazine bus that will be equipped with television screens and all the essential tailgating necessities. The Tailgater Monthly Pit Stop Park at Texas Motor Speedway allows fans with personal vehicles to enjoy the luxury of a spacious tailgating spot to accommodate all their tailgating needs. The park will include 76 reserved spaces and feature a portable comfort station; common area featuring picnic tables, horseshoe pits and bean-bag toss areas; security staffing; catering options through Levy Restaurants; daily bagged trash pick-up, and more. Spots for the Tailgater Monthly Pit Stop Park at Texas Motor Speedway are available by contacting the Texas Motor Speedway Ticket Office at (817) 215-8500.(TMS)(3-17-2011)
- ML Motorsports honoring Byrd: In recognition of Food City renaming Sunday’s Sprint Cup race The Jeff Byrd 500, the #70 Chevy driven by Shelby Howard will have a Thank You on the deck lid of the race car during the Scott’s EZ Seed 300 this Saturday. Jeff Byrd was the president of Bristol Motor Speedway. More than that, however, he was of and for the fans. That, more than anything, explained Food City CEO Steve Smith, led the sponsoring company, a fixture at BMS for 20 years, to suggest to speedway officials that Sunday’s race be renamed the Jeff Byrd 500. Track GM, Jerry Caldwell mentioned that “the Jeff Byrd 500 was one of the most selfless acts that I have seen from a company in a long time”. The decal on the rear deck lid reads – “Thank You Food City for Honoring Our Friend Jeff Byrd”. Also on the #70 Chevy is Race Fuel Energy Drink which was the primary sponsor at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.(ML Motorsports)(3-17-2011)
- Daystar Television sponsoring Koch for 10 races: MacDonald Motorsports and Blake Koch announced that Daystar Television Networks will be the primary sponsor on the #81 Dodge Challenger for 10 races in 2011, starting this weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway. They will also be an associate sponsor on the car for another 20 races throughout the season. This will allow Blake to chase the NASCAR Nationwide Series Rookie of the Year title this season. Daystar is the fastest growing faith-based television network in the world, broadcasted into 81 million US homes and 671 million worldwide. Lead by Marcus and Joni Lamb and based out of Dallas, Texas, Daystar provides energetic, inspired, and uplifting programming around the world.(MacDonald Motorsports PR)(3-17-2011)
- Jeremy Clements names Bristol sponsors: Myherocards.com and GoodBelly Probiotic Juice Drink are on board the RaceDaySponsor.com #51 Chevy for this weekend’s race at Bristol Motor Speedway. (Clements PR)(3-17-2011)
- Race Boost joins 2nd Chance Motorsports: , RacerBoost.com and 2nd Chance Motorsports announced plans to form a strategic sponsorship partnership during the 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series season. Pioneering an innovative approach to social media in NASCAR, RacerBoost.com will supply 2nd Chance Motorsports with a stunning web presence that engages their fans and followers and creates fresh mediums for sponsor promotion. (2nd Chance Motorsports)(3-17-2011)
- Preval sponsoring Wimmer at Bristol: UPDATE: Preval has announced that it has reached an agreement with Key Motorsports to sponsor the team’s #40 NASCAR Nationwide Series entry in the Scott’s EZ Seed 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Veteran driver Scott Wimmer will be behind the wheel of the #40 Key Motorsports Chevy. Preval manufactures and distributes the Preval Spray Gun, an aerosol-powered spray gun with multiple industrial and consumer uses in the auto racing industry as well as a multitude of other industries such as aerospace, construction, and arts and crafts. (Key Motorsports)(3-16-2011)
UPDATE: Key Motorsports announced Anderson’s Pure Maple Syrup, manufacturers and distributors of quality maple syrup products, will partner with the #40 team and NASCAR driver Scott Wimmer for Saturday’s 300-lap Nationwide Series event at Bristol Motor Speedway. Key Motorsports enjoyed their best performance of the 2010 season in last spring’s race on the ultra-fast Tennessee track.(Key Motorsports)(3-17-2011) - Kentucky Speedway welcomes UNOH as race sponsor: The University of Northwestern Ohio (UNOH) will bring its motorsports industry expertise to Kentucky Speedway October 1 when the entrepreneurial, not-for-profit institution serves as the title sponsor of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series “UNOH 225.” Located in Lima, Ohio, UNOH grants master’s, baccalaureate, and associate degrees through its Colleges of Technologies, Business, and Distance Learning. The College of Technologies prepares students for careers in the motorsports and automotive industry through specialized Automotive, High Performance Motorsports, Diesel, and Alternate Fuels programs. The UNOH College of Technologies has built a storied racing history through its involvement in the ARCA Racing Series, NASCAR National Series, and events such as the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour UNOH Perfect Storm 150 contested at the Bristol Motor Speedway, in addition to the UNOH Southern Slam 150 held at Charlotte Motor Speedway. UNOH will receive multiple promotional considerations under the undisclosed terms of the entitlement agreement. The “UNOH 225” will open Kentucky Speedway’s second and final event weekend of 2011 with an 8:00 p.m. start. Racing will continue Oct. 2 with an open-wheel doubleheader featuring a 300-mile IZOD IndyCar Series event and a 100-mile Firestone Indy Lights sprint. Kentucky Speedway will open its historic 2011 campaign with an inaugural NASCAR Sprint Cup Series weekend July 7-9. The tripleheader will open with a NCWTS visit for a 225-mile tilt and continue with a July 8 300-mile NASCAR Nationwide Series battle before culminating with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series “Quaker State 400” July 9.(Kentucky Speedway PR)(3-17-2011)
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