March 19, 2015
- Sprint Fan Vote returns for All-Star race: A favorite isn’t always the winner – as the Sprint Fan Vote’s history suggests. In the last 10 seasons, fans have voted 10 different drivers into the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, including names like Danica Patrick, Kasey Kahne and Dale Earnhardt Jr. You never know who will win. That’s what makes voting so important. Polls are open for the 2015 Sprint Fan Vote – and unpredictability will take center stage until the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race on Saturday, May 16. Fans can vote their favorite Sprint Fan Vote-eligible driver into the All-Star Race by casting ballots daily. Voting closes at 7:00pm/et on Friday, May 15, one day before the green flag. For the first time in program history, votes shared via Facebook and/or Twitter will count as double towards a driver’s total. Fans can vote daily with a maximum of one vote per day per unique email address by downloading the NASCAR MOBILE application or visiting NASCAR.com/SprintFanVote. Eligible voters can also enter into the Sprint Fan Vote sweepstakes, in which one lucky Sprint Fan Vote participant will win a trip for two to any 2015 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup race. The winner of the Sprint Fan Vote will be announced in Victory Lane following the conclusion of the Sprint Showdown at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Friday, May 15. To date, 32 drivers are eligible for the 2015 Sprint Fan Vote. Eligibility for participation is restricted to those drivers who have been approved by NASCAR for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series competition and have met all other eligibility requirements. Amongst those eligibility requirements, drivers must have attempted to qualify for the 2015 Daytona 500 and race in the Sprint Showdown. Any eligible Sprint Fan Vote candidate who wins a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race during the 2015 season will automatically earn a spot in the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race and the driver’s name will be removed from the Sprint Fan Vote ballot with their existing votes voided.(NASCAR)(3-19-2015)
- Elliott voted into NMPA Hall of Fame: Less than two months after being inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame, legendary driver Bill Elliott has been selected for induction into yet another notable motorsports hall of fame. This September, the 1988 Winston Cup champion will become the 95th inductee in the National Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame, the organization announced. In voting of the NMPA membership, Elliott was a near-unanimous selection, being chosen on 98 percent of the ballots. A minimum of 65 percent of the total votes is necessary for a candidate to be eligible for induction. Others receiving votes were: former drivers L.D. Ottinger and Sterling Marlin, former crew chief/driver Kirk Shelmerdine and sportswriter David Poole. Elliott’s induction will be held Sept. 4 at the Darlington (S.C.) Country Club. Founded in 1965, the NMPA Hall of Fame and museum is located on the grounds of nearby Darlington Raceway.(NBC Sports)(3-19-2015)
- Chip Ganassi Racing expands into Red Bull Global Rallycross: Chip Ganassi Racing Teams announced the formation of a two-car team in the Supercar class of Red Bull Global Rallycross with new partner Loenbro and drivers Brian Deegan and Steve Arpin. CGRT joins the vibrant and growing series and looks to continue its history of on-track success while also complementing the team’s continued focus on reaching millennials as a vehicle to grow interest in motorsports. CGRT joins forces with energy services and construction company Loenbro, which serves clients throughout the Rocky Mountain region and beyond, to field the two-car team out of CGRT’s Concord, N.C.-based shop that houses their NASCAR Sprint Cup and XFINITY Series programs. Founding brothers Paul and Jon Leach are entrepreneurs who built a company on a foundation of strong core values and a tireless effort to exceed clients’ expectations, and have had life-long personal interests in the world of motorsports. The 16-time X-Games medalist Deegan will pilot the #38 RockStar Energy Drink Ford Fiesta ST, with teammate Arpin in the #00 ENEOS Ford Fiesta ST. Arpin will run the full 12-race calendar, with Deegan competing in seven races. The two will also compete in X Games Austin this summer as it returns to Circuit of the Americas from June 4-7.(Chip Ganassi Racing)(3-19-2015)
- Janssen sponsoring Vickers in California: Racing has been Brian Vickers’ passion of choice since a young age when he climbed behind the wheel of his family’s race cars. It led to fame and fortune as trophies filled the trophy case. But battles with life threatening illness in adulthood made the young racer turn his passion towards health. After overcoming health obstacles himself, he has continued to share his journey to help and inspire others. This weekend Vickers combines his passion for health and racing at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif. where he’ll drive the #55 Janssen Toyota Camry for Michael Waltrip Racing. Since last year Vickers has partnered with Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. a company that works to solve some of the most important unmet medical needs of our time in oncology, immunology, neuroscience, infectious diseases and vaccines, and cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. In addition to its relationship with Vickers and MWR, Janssen will sponsor Saturday’s NASCAR XFINITY race at Auto Club Speedway. In 2013 Janssen also sponsored races at Auto Club and Chicago Speedways.(MWR), see an image of the car on the #55 team paint schemes page.(3-19-2015)
- Aspen Dental on the #10 at Auto Club Speedway: For this weekend’s Auto Club 400, Danica Patrick’s car will sport the blue-and-white colors of Aspen Dental, one of the largest and fastest-growing networks of dental care providers in the U.S., with nearly 500 locations in communities across 30 states, providing millions of Americans with access to quality, affordable dental care. Every Aspen Dental-branded practice provides much-needed access to affordable, quality care, including dental services that range from dentures and preventive care to general dentistry and restoration. Patrick is driving the #10 Aspen Dental Chevrolet SS at both Fontana this weekend and at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Illinois in September.(Stewart Haas Racing), see an image of the car on the #10 team paint schemes page.(3-19-2015)
- Clean Harbors debuts on the #16: Clean Harbors has their first primary paint scheme on the #16 of Greg Biffle this weekend in Fontana and is celebrating their 35th anniversary as North America’s leading provider of environmental, energy and industrial services. Clean Harbors provides safe, environmentally responsible solutions that help customers prevent the release of hazardous material into the environment and, in situations where that has already occurred, help recover and decontaminate any pollutants that have been released. Clean Harbors is the largest provider of emergency services in North America.(Roush Fenway Racing), see an image of the car on the #16 team paint schemes page.(3-19-2015)
- Auto Club Speedway Notes & Facts – Thursday – history:
” Groundbreaking for California Speedway, as Auto Club Speedway was originally known, took place in November 1995.
” The first race at Auto Club Speedway was a NASCAR K&N Pro Series, West race won by Ken Schrader on June 21, 1997.
” The first NASCAR Sprint Cup race was held on June 22, 1997 and won by Jeff Gordon.
” September 2004 was the first night race at Auto Club Speedway and that also was the first year both the NASCAR Sprint Cup and NASCAR Nationwide Series ran two races in a season there.
” The track name was changed to Auto Club Speedway (ACS) in February 2008.
(NASCAR)(3-19-2015)
- Shakey’s Pizza joins Chastain at Fontana: Ross Chastain will be racing with one of the country’s most popular pizza restaurants when he challenges Auto Club Speedway Saturday in the Drive4Clots.com 300 NASCAR Xfinity Series race. Shakey’s Pizza Parlor has joined JD Motorsports with Gary Keller and Chastain for the popular Fontana, Calif. race. Shakey’s will be prominently displayed on the team’s #4 Chevy in the fifth race of the Xfinity season. Shakey’s, based in Alhambra near Los Angeles, has 60 locations, most in southern California. Shakey’s also has restaurants in Washington, Hawaii and Alabama.(JD Motorsports)(3-19-2015)
- Stanton Barrett in the #15 at Fontana: On the heels of directing his latest Hollywood movie, stuntman Stanton Barrett eyes his own stunning performance in Saturday’s DRIVE4CLOTS.com 300 at Auto Club Speedway. Making his return to Auto Club Speedway (ACS) for the first time since 2009, Barrett hopes his 12th race at the 2.0-mile oval will produce his personal best NASCAR XFINITY Serie effort, just 50 miles west of “Tinseltown.” Barrett will drive the #15 Rick Ware Racing Chevy Camaro. Among the sponsors for the fifth NASCAR XFINITY Series race of the season is 4Caring.org. Founded by Barrett and friend Kenny Crosswhite, 4Caring.org is an organization to reach out and comfort those with personal crisis. The organization’s primary desire is to reach out those in hospital waiting rooms like children’s cancer centers, intensive care units and other related children’s area. However, the organization is not restricted to just children, but people in need for care. In addition to 4Caring.org, Rick Ware Racing in a partnership with MAKE Motorsports welcomes BUBBA burger and Burnie Grills as associate sponsors for Barrett’s 194th-career NXS start.(Rick Ware Racing)(3-19-2015)
- Bubba Burgers sponsoring Cassill: Get ready for some great burgers – really fast. Bubba Burger has joined with JD Motorsports with Gary Keller to sponsor driver Landon Cassill in Saturday’s Drive4Clots.com 300 NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif. A long-time NASCAR sponsor, Bubba burger will have a big presence at this weekend’s race. Bubba burgers will be grilled outside the track, and fans will have a chance to enjoy the unique flavor of one of the country’s best burgers. Bubba Burger is sold nationwide though a variety of grocery store locations.(JD Motorsports)(3-19-2015)
- Gase gets associate sponsor for Auto Club Speedway: Joey Gase and Jimmy Means Racing announced Elicit Herbal Chew will be teaming up with them as an associate sponsor for the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Fontana March 21st. Elicit Herbal Chew is a new tobacco free chew for people trying to get off traditional cancer causing tobacco products. They have three different levels of nicotine in the chew you can choose from- full, half, and zero. By starting with full or half-strength Elicit Herbal Chew, and moving down the scale to zero strength, you can manage your addiction and habit with unparalleled control.(Joey Gase Racing)(3-19-2015)
- McKnight to perform National Anthem prior to Auto Club XFINITY race: Award-winning R&B artist, Brian McKnight, will sing the National Anthem prior to the start of the NASCAR Xfinity Drive4Clots.com 300 race at Auto Club Speedway, on Saturday, March 21. As an Honorary Race Official, McKnight will be on the main stage for pre-race ceremony activities including Xfinity driver introductions and special NASCAR awards. McKnight has been honored with multiple awards including Billboard Songwriter of the Year, American Music Awards, Soul Train Awards, and 16 Grammy nominations. To date, McKnight has released 15 albums and has sold over 20 million albums which include top hits “Back at One,” “Anytime,” and “Only One For Me.” The male vocalist also plays nine instruments including piano, guitar, bass, drums, percussions, trombone, tuba, flugelhorn and trumpet. He has collaborated with performers across every genre including: Quincy Jones, Justin Timberlake, Mariah Carey, Diddy, Christina Aguilera, Rascal Flatts, Nelly, Vanessa Williams, Willie Nelson and Kenny G.(ASC)(3-19-2014)
- Shooter Jennings playing pre-race concert at Kansas: Doing it his way may be the best way to describe Shooter Jennings, who will play a pre-race concert at Kansas Speedway on May 9 before the SpongeBob SquarePants 400. Jennings, who is the son of country music legends Waylon Jennings and Jessi Coulter, has been around music his entire life, and has been following his own path in the music world for almost as long. Releasing his first album in 2005 (Put the O Back in Country), he released his latest album, The Other Life (a live album) last year from label Black Country Rock (BCR). And recently, Jennings has been out on his “Don’t Wait Up (For Shooter) Tour” with the Waymore Outlaws, Waylon Jennings original recording and touring band. In addition to being a musician, Jennings is also a producer, composer, BCR president and radio host.(Kansas Speedway)(3-19-2015)
- Keloorah – a place to celebrate race weekend at MIS: Michigan International Speedway is taking the post-race concert experience to a whole new level with “Keloorah.” Keloorah is two days of post-race live music and activities on Fridays and Saturdays during the June and August NASCAR weekends at MIS. It’s a music, party and entertainment festival inside the bigger NASCAR weekend festival at MIS. Keloorah will have live concerts, deejays, a go-kart experience a mobile video game arcade, an outdoor sports bar, tailgate games, foam parties and paint parties – all within the NASCAR event weekends and on MIS property. A Sunday admission ticket or infield or APEX wristband that allows access to the Sunday Quicken Loans 400 and/or Pure Michigan 400 will gain access to Keloorah on Friday and Saturday of those event weekends. But what is “Keloorah”? MIS staff made it up. “Keloorah” is the phonetic pronunciation of Ceiliúradh, the Celtic word for “celebration.” MIS is in the Irish Hills of Brooklyn, Michigan, and the team wanted something that would tie back to the speedway’s brand – all while being something new and different. Keloorah is open with activities from 4-11pm Friday and 4-11pm Saturday, June 12-13; and 4-11pm Friday and 4-11pm Saturday, August 14-15. The concert lineup and available activities and vendors will be announced soon.(MIS)(3-19-2015)
2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997