March 21, 2013
- Accell Construction Adds to Schedule with #36 team: JJ Yeley and the #36 Chevy SS find a familiar sponsor coming back on board for this weekend’s Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway. Encouraged by the progress of the 2013 season, Accell Construction Inc. found it a perfect fit to join on for another race this season. Accell Construction adorned the hood of the No. 36 Chevrolet SS at Phoenix and Vegas this season and will return again at Auto Club Speedway. Heading into Fontana, JJ Yeley is 27th in the NASCAR Sprint Cup standings, 91 points behind leader Brad Keslowski.(TBR/140Buzz), see images of the car/scheme on the #36 Team Schemes page.(3-21-2013)
- Johnson announces 2013 “Helmet of Hope” program UPDATE: #48-Jimmie Johnson is scheduled to make a stop in Le Mars, Iowa on Thursday [March 21, 2013]. Johnson will be there to announce the 2013 Wells Blue Bunny “Helmet of Hope Campaign” at the Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor in Le Mars. This year marks the second year for Blue Bunny as the title sponsor of the “Helmet of Hope” program. Jimmie Johnson, along with Wells Blue Bunny CEO Mike Wells, will announce the event’s kick-off, and unveil this year’s helmet.(kcautv.com)(3-21-2013)
UPDATE: Five-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson made his first trip to Le Mars, Iowa today to announce the 2013 Blue Bunny Helmet of Hope campaign. Le Mars is the home of Wells Enterprises, maker of Blue Bunny Ice Cream. Johnson was joined by Mike Wells, President and CEO of Wells Enterprises, Inc. to unveil this year’s Jason Beam designed helmet, and to recognize the first charity selected, Make-A-Wish Iowa.(Team Lowe’s/JJF), see more on my NASCAR Racing Charities page.(3-21-2013) - Special scheme for Johnson at Auto Club: Jimmie Johnson will drive the #48 Lowe’s/Jimmie Johnson Foundation (JJF) Chevy at Auto Club Speedway. This is the seventh time Johnson has run the special scheme at his home track in the Sprint Cup Series (September 2007, August 2008, October 2009 and 2010, June 2011 and March 2012). Johnson has won three times with this paint scheme (2007-2009). His worst finish was 10th in last year’s Auto Club 400. The Jimmie Johnson Foundation, founded by Chandra and Jimmie Johnson in 2006, has awarded more than $5.6 million to various organizations (Team Lowe’s), see images of the scheme on the #48 Team Schemes page.(3-21-2013)
- Martin oversee’s MWR training facility: #55-Mark Martin is overseeing the construction of Michael Waltrip Racing’s new 7,500-square-foot training facility. The multi-level gym at the team’s Cornelius, NC. shop will further the skills of pit crew members. The facility includes an inlaid car silhouette so crews can practice agility drills around a car, free weights, weight machines, Cross Fit elements, cardio equipment as well as locker rooms and offices. Construction should begin this week with completion expected within 90 days. Martin said: “I’m really enthused and excited about what we’re working on getting at MWR. This has been a 10-month crusade to get the green light. It’s fun. It’s my second passion. I’ve been consulting with the strength staff and the coaching staff picking out equipment and designing the layout. We hope to have the nicest facility in the sport. You spend a lot of money on equipment in the sport and I think you are starting to see the teams invest even more in human performance.” What is your normal workout routine? “Right now, it’s five days a week — five or four depending on what the schedule is, but usually five days a week. I only lift weights an hour and try not to let my weight lifting last beyond an hour because it’s incredibly intense and somewhat counterproductive to go beyond 60 minutes.”(MWR)(3-20-2013)
- NASCAR video slots take center stage at Gaming Tradeshow & Convention: Bally Technologies’ new NASCAR video slots and Virtual Racing NASCAR application are taking center stage at the NIGA Indian Gaming 2013 Tradeshow & Convention in Phoenix, Ariz. March 24-27, getting ready to bring the horsepower of America’s most popular spectator sport to casino floors everywhere. “We always look forward to NIGA and showcasing our newest games, systems, and interactive technology to our important partners in tribal gaming,” said Ramesh Srinivasan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bally Technologies. “NIGA is the perfect stage to highlight the power of brands like NASCAR and Pawn Stars when combined with Bally’s sleek slot cabinets, high-performing math, and engaging play mechanics.” Srinivasan added that this year, Bally is bringing tribal operators the power of the NASCAR brand across both games and systems through the NASCAR Video Slots and Virtual Racing NASCAR, a floor-wide bonusing application that enables casinos to run a virtual race on nearly every game device – without interrupting gameplay. Bally’s NASCAR innovations, along with nearly 60 unique game titles and a host of award-winning systems and interactive products, will be spotlighted in booth no. 412 at the Phoenix Convention Center. Bally’s product suite is designed to optimize performance for operators and deliver unparalleled player excitement.(Casino City Times)(3-21-2013)
- 10th Annual Sprint Fan Vote Now Open: Race fans can now begin casting ballots for their favorite Sprint Fan Vote eligible driver in the hopes of seeing him or her in the prestigious NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race on Saturday, May 18 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Voting begins today and ends at 5:00pm/et on the day of the race. Fans can vote an unlimited number of times between March 20 and May 18 by downloading the NASCAR Mobile ’13 application or visiting NASCAR.com/SprintFanVote. Votes cast on NASCAR Mobile ’13 will count twice towards a driver’s total. The driver receiving the highest number of votes will earn a spot in the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. More info abour the All-Star race, eligible drivers on my 2013 Sprint All-Star Race page.(3-21-2013)
- Kentucky Speedway Opens its Gates for Fun-Filled Ford Fan Day April 27: Kentucky Speedway’s free Ford Fan Day will give visitors a chance to get a behind-the-scenes look at the 107,000-seat venue while enjoying live music, activities, giveaways, food and INEX U.S. Legends International racing on Saturday, April 27 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fans will be able to tour the media center, garages, owner’s suite, press box and campgrounds, have their photo taken in Victory Lane, see Fire and Safety Team demonstrations on pit road and walk the speedway’s 1.5-mile tri-oval track. Guests also will be able to learn more about the speedway from General Manager Mark Simendinger during “Ask the GM” question-and-answer sessions at noon and 2 p.m. Visitors will be able to talk racing with local media during insightful Racing Roundtable chats at 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. The Raceway Ministries Kids Zone will be filled with activities such as face painting, Hot Wheels car racing, a pit stop tire challenge, inflatables and petting zoo with 20 animals from Honey Hill Farms. The complete Ford Fan Day schedule and info available at kentuckyspeedway.com.(Kentucky Speedway)(3-21-2013)
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