March 17, 2010
- #26 to donate sponsorship to ANG: NASCAR Sprint Cup series owner Bill Jenkins of Latitude 43 Motorsports announced that his team will be campaining the colors of the Air National Guard as a tribute to the men and women of the serving our country. The Latitude 43 Motorsports #26 Ford and driver David Stremme will pay tribute to the Air National Guard at the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Latitude 43 Motorsports has also announced a brand-new team website on Wednesday at www.lat43.com.(Vermont Motorsports Magazine), see images of the scheme on my #26 Team Schemes page.(3-17-2010)
- NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race Adds Exciting New Wrinkle: The 26th running of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race will once again feature a 10-lap shootout as its final segment and will add a new wrinkle that should make the competition even more exciting for the fans. The NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, set for Saturday, May 22 at Charlotte Motor Speedway (SPEED, 7pm), will consist of four segments, concluding with a 10-lap sprint and a $1 million pay-out to the race winner. There’s an added twist this year before the green flag drops for the final segment: once the field takes a lap behind the pace car, all cars must enter pit road for a four-tire stop. The order in which the cars exit off pit road is how they will line up for the final 10 laps, placing an even greater premium on the efficiency of the pit crews.The 2010 format is as follows:· Segment 1: 50 laps with a mandatory green-flag pit stop on Lap 25 at which time teams must pit and take on four tires. Following the end of Segment 1, the caution flag will be displayed for an optional pit stop.· Segment 2: 20 laps with the caution flag displayed at the end of Segment 2 for an optional pit stop.· Segment 3: 20 laps with a 10-minute break at the end of Segment 3. Teams may make normal adjustments to their cars during this break. The finishing order after the third segment determines the field’s lineup for the pace lap prior to the start of the fourth segment.· Segment 4: Once the field takes a lap behind the pace car, all cars must enter pit road for a four-tire stop. The order in which the cars exit pit road is how they will line up for the 10-lap shootout with only green-flag laps counting.The eligibility standards for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race remain the same:race winners from either the 2009 or 2010 season through May 16 or any past champions of the all-star event or NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (over the previous 10 years) are eligible for the race. In addition, the top-two finishers in the Sprint Showdown, a 40-lap preliminary race scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and the winner of the Sprint Fan Vote, all advance into the all-star race lineup. Joey Logano won the Sprint Fan Vote last year.Individual tickets for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race and CREED pre-race concert start at just $39, and four-pack prices with four tickets, four hot dogs and four soft drinks start at just $35 per person. Tickets can be obtained by calling the Charlotte Motor Speedway ticket office at (800) 455-FANS or online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.comThe sixth annual NASCAR Sprint Pit Crew Challenge presented by Craftsman returns to kick off the all-star week’s competition, Wednesday, May 19 at 7 p.m. at the Time Warner Cable Arena. The event’s finishing order determines pit selection for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. The No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet team is the defending Pit Crew Challenge champion. Tickets for the NASCAR Sprint Pit Crew Challenge presented by Craftsman start at $15 and can be purchased online at www.pitcrewchallenge.com or by calling the Charlotte Bobcats ticket office at (800) 495-2295.(NASCAR) for eligible drivers, past results and more, see my
- 2010 All-Star Race page.(3-17-2010)
- Fin to be implemented with spoiler: The 3½ inch fin that NASCAR implemented for the left side of the rear deck lid and window for the Daytona 500 will be used at all tracks once the spoiler is introduced, expected to be at Martinsville on March 28, to help keep cars on the ground. It was determined during wind tunnel tests after #12-Brad Keselowski’s car went airborne in the closing laps at Atlanta Motor Speedway two weeks ago that the fin would decrease the probability of liftoff. They were introduced at the Daytona 500 with the intent of being used only at restrictor plate tracks. “It is an asset we can use everywhere,” series director John Darby said. Kurt Romberg, the chief of aerodynamics at Hendrick Motorsports, said the fin helps break up the air and prevent a low pressure area from developing across the top of the car that creates liftoff.(ESPN)(3-17-2010)
- Spoiler/Tire test news from Talladega UPDATE: Twenty-four NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams assembled Tuesday at Talladega Superspeedway in an R&D test session that was used to confirm that the gear ratio was compatible with the restrictor plate size for next month’s running of the Aaron’s 499. The cars ran with the spoiler on the rear of the cars, as NASCAR announced in January that it was going to transition from the wing to the traditional spoiler sometime during the first quarter of this season. Teams started the day with a 1 1/32-inch sized restrictor plate. For the majority of the morning session, the teams participated in single-car runs over the 2.66-mile superspeedway. However, five cars hooked up for some drafting shortly before the lunch break and the speeds picked up a bit, with #48-Jimmie Johnson putting up the quickest speed of 196.467 mph. Teams began drafting in earnest after lunch. The plate size went down to 31/32″ and the teams adjusted the size of their rear spoilers in order to find that happy medium between high speeds and handling. Robin Pemberton, NASCAR’s vice president of competition, was pleased with how the adjustments went during the afternoon practice. “We saw that the closure rates were a little too quick in the initial drafting session after lunch,” said Pemberton. “So, we had the teams make some adjustments, including going down on the plate size and trimming the spoiler back some. We believe we came away here today with a good starting point and are looking forward to coming back here next month with a great race.” More than 1,500 fans participated in a Fan Q&A session during the lunch break. Sitting in the track’s newly renovated grandstands on the frontstretch, the fans heard from drivers #2-Kurt Busch and #31-Jeff Burton, along with NASCAR Managing Director of Competition John Darby. Some of the fans were seen waiting in line outside the gates as early as 6 a.m. Tuesday. NASCAR also has a test planned next week – March 23-24 at Charlotte Motor Speedway – for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams to test the spoiler on a 1.5-mile race track.(NASCAR)(3-16-2010)UPDATE: Tuesday’s Sprint Cup series test at Talladega Superspeedway was all about cutbacks. First NASCAR reduced the size of the restrictor plate hole from 1-1/32 inches to an inch to 31/32ths of an inch after speeds reached 213 mph. Then it trimmed two inches off the height from the outer edges of the spoiler that will replace the wing in two weeks and an inch from each side. #88-Dale Earnhardt and others agreed handling with the spoiler, despite more downforce, was about the same as the wing with the exception of more vibrations and shaking. The real test for the spoiler won’t come until next Tuesday and Wednesday [March 23-24] at Charlotte Motor Speedway where handling will be an issue. Talladega is mostly about speed, and as NASCAR and the 24 teams discovered the first to plate holes created way too much in large drafts. “When I got to 208 [mph] I knew that was crazy stupid,” Ryan Newman said. Speeds still were in the 203 mph range after NASCAR reduced the hole from 1-1/32 inches — 7/64ths of an inch larger than the hole used at Talladega in October and 3/64ths larger than the hole used earlier this year in the Daytona 500 — to one inch. It later was reduced to 31/32nds of an inch, where speeds dropped to the mid-190s that satisfied the governing body, whose main concern was excessive closing speed. NASCAR originally planned this test to determine the size of the plate hole, but then added the spoiler since that will be used when the series runs here on April 25. For the most part teams were pleased with the spoiler, saying it added more rear and front end downforce as advertised. They were pleased with the way the car handled in the draft, although some complained that it was hard to separate after pulling up tight to bump draft. That prompted NASCAR to reduce the overall height of the spoiler from 6½-inches on the outside to 4½ inches all the way across. The spoiler is projected to be four inches all the way across for all non-restrictor plate tracks, beginning with its likely debut on March 28 at Martinsville. Initial speeds during single-car runs were around 188 mph, in range with last year’s pole speed of 188.171 mph. They increased to the mid-190s when Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Tony Stewart, Brian Vickers and Scott Speed hooked up in a five-car draft to close out the morning session.(ESPN.com)(3-17-2010)
- Sad News – Mae Mann: Mae Elizabeth Diehl Mann, longtime employee of the Wood Brothers [#21 Ford] and many other NASCAR teams as a scorer from 1974 through 1992, including trips to victory lane with Bobby Allison, Kyle Petty and Dale Jarrett, died Monday, March 15, 2010, at the age of 86. Born March 29, 1923, her long career included World War II service in the Women’s Army Corps and civilian employ with the Army until 1982, when she and John began following NASCAR around the country full-time. Memorial service on Friday, March 19, 2010, at 2:00pm at Nokesville Church of the Brethren, Fitzwater Drive, Nokesville, Virginia. Survivors include husband of 60 + years, John, their 3 children and their spouses, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Condolences may be sent to John P. Mann III, The Oaks #317, 305 Oak Springs Drive, Warrenton, VA 20186. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Noah’s Outreach or Victory Junction Gang in her name. See a full obit and leave online condolences to Mae’s family at www.foundandsons.com.(3-17-2010)
- Lawson looking for second Nationwide start: This weekend Chris Lawson will be attempting his second NASCAR Nationwide Series start at Bristol Motor Speedway behind the wheel of Jimmy Means’ #52 Ford. This marks the duo’s fifth Nationwide attempt over the past three years. The team always has the challenge of qualifying in on time due to lack of owner points. Last season Chris made his Nationwide series debut at O’Reilly Raceway Park. In Phoenix the team missed the race by only two one-thousandths of a second, after picking up over 1.5 seconds from practice. This weekend the #52 Ford will have the power of a Roush Yates engine under the hood.(Lawson PR)(3-17-2010)
- Ryan Truex to run 6 Nationwide Races: Ryan Truex celebrates his 18th birthday Thursday and couldn’t be happier with his present from Michael Waltrip Racing. MWR announced Truex will race in six NASCAR Nationwide Series races in 2010 in addition to running the full 10-race K&N Filters Pro Series East schedule in defense of his 2009 championship title. “I’m a racer and the best present anyone can give me is a chance to race,” said Truex who won three races and three poles in the former Camping World East Series last season. “Now I have a full plate of racing in the East Series in 2010 and six Nationwide races. Our eye is on running full-time Nationwide in 2011, so I couldn’t be happier.” Truex will make his Nationwide series debut on July 17 at Gateway Speedway just outside of St. Louis. Also tentatively scheduled are Michigan, Richmond, Kansas the fall Charlotte race and Homestead-Miami Speedway. MWR will be pursuing sponsorship support for Truex’s 2010 racing, as well as full-time support for the 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series effort.(MWR PR)(3-17-2010)
- Bristol Rookie Notes:
• Colin Braun was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the Sam’s Town 300 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Braun was credited with a 28th-place finish and grabbed top rookie honors for the first time this season.
• James Buescher leads Brian Scott by four points (34-30) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the Scotts Turf Builder 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway.
• Justin Allgaier was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2009 Scotts Turf Builder 300, scoring a fifth-place finish.
• The best finish by a Raybestos Rookie in 21 previous spring races at Bristol is second by David Green in 1991.
• The most Raybestos Rookies to finish inside the top-10 in the Scotts Turf Builder 300 are three in 2005: Reed Sorenson (third), Carl Edwards (seventh) and Denny Hamlin (ninth).
• Scott Riggs is the only Raybestos Rookie to win a pole in the spring race at Bristol. Riggs won his first career pole came in 2002 in just his fifth career start.(Raybestos / Camp & Assoc PR)(3-17-2010) - Wyler Racing switches manufacturer: Wyler Racing announced today that the team has switched manufacturers and will begin fielding Chevrolet Silverado race trucks in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series beginning with next weekend’s Kroger 250 at Martinsville Speedway. The decision to switch manufacturers did not come easy for the team, who has experienced much success as a Toyota team including three wins, 20 top-five, 45 top-10s and four pole positions since joining the series in 2005. “Toyota has been an incredible partner of our race team for the last few years,” said Stacy Compton, who has driven the #60 SafeAuto Tundra for Wyler Racing in the last 27 events. “I can’t thank them enough for their support through the years. They are truly committed to NASCAR and were a huge part of our team’s growth over the years.” By switching to Chevrolet, Wyler Racing will be racing with the brand that has the most wins in NASCAR history. “We look forward to being involved with a manufacturer that has such a strong history in NASCAR,” Compton said.(Wyler Racing PR)(3-17-2010)
- RBR to debut with Setzer at Martinsville: RBR Motorsports announced today that the racing team will make its NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut at Martinsville, VA, with veteran driver, Dennis Setzer, behind the wheel; crew chief will be Michael Hester. Setzer will pilot the #92 fleetHQ/BTS Tire & Wheel Distributors Chevrolet Silverado at the Martinsville Speedway on Saturday, March 27 in the third race of the season. Setzer made his NASCAR debut in the Busch Series in 1991. Setzer has 18 wins in the NCWTS, with his last win taking place at the Martinsville Speedway in 2008. RBR Motorsports is headquartered in Cerro Gordo, NC and has been racing since the early 1990s. “We are extremely excited to get into the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series,” said Ricky Benton, RBR Team Owner. “From our standpoint, teaming up with a veteran such as Dennis will complement our organization. RBR also brings on fleetHQ as a new marketing member for the #92 entry. fleetHQ is a business solutions provider for commercial trucking fleets and servicing tire dealers all across North America. fleetHQ provides 24-hour support, and helps fleets reduce operating cost while making it easier to do business. BTS Tire & Wheel Distributors and Black’s Tire Service will continue to serve as associate sponsors. BTS Tire & Wheel Distributors offers wholesale distribution services to tire and automotive dealers across the Southeast. Black’s Tire Service operates a total of 32 locations in the Carolinas.(RBR Motorsports PR) [Image of the #92 fleetHQ/BTS Tire & Wheel Distributors Chevrolet is posted on the #92 Paint Schemes Page.](3-17-2010)
- Crawford to address VA Forum: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series veteran Rick Crawford will participate in Thursday’s White House Fatherhood Forum along with Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki, other government officials, community leaders and military parents. The public also is being invited to attend the 4 to 7 p.m. ET event discussing the roles, responsibilities and challenges of fatherhood. The forum, being held at the John D. Fuller, Sr. Recreational/Athletic Complex, 6627 Bunce Road, Fayetteville, N.C., is part of President Obama’s National Conversation on Responsible Fatherhood. It will explore challenges affecting military and Veteran dads and their families and how community organizations, faith-based groups, government and families can come together to meet those challenges. Crawford, whose 21-year-old son Adam is a member of his Circle Bar Racing crew and an aspiring race car driver, knows first-hand the challenges of being an absent parent. “Being away from your family for an extended period of time is one of the hardest things for a father to do and I experienced that with my son Adam at the start of my racing career. My sacrifices can’t be compared to those that are serving in our military but I hope that by sharing how I was able to be an active part of my son’s childhood while being on the road and away from home can help them with the challenges they face.” Crawford and Shinseki, the event’s keynote speaker, will be available for media interviews prior to the conference at 3:30 p.m. ET. Members of the public wishing to attend the forum can register at CircleSolutions.com.(Circle Bar Racing PR)(3-17-2010)
2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997