March 22, 2011
- TRG switching manufacturers? Hearing that the #71 TRG Motorsports team will be switching manufacturers from Chevy to Ford. The team will make the switch starting at Texas after running Chevy at Auto Club Speedway with Andy Lally, then with Hermie Sadler at Martinsville.(3-22-2011)
- Cassill to drive the #09 at Auto Club: Landon Cassill will return to the driver’s seat of the team’s Sprint Cup car, the #09 Chevy, beginning this weekend at Auto Club Speedway. Team owner James Finch said he appreciates the contributions of Bill Elliott, who drove the #09 car in the first four Sprint Cup races of 2011 and helped the team achieve its goal of locking in a spot among the top 35 in car owner points, which assures starting positions for upcoming races. With one race remaining before the switch to this year’s points, Phoenix is 26th in the standings, with a comfortable margin over the 36th-place team. “I am very thankful for what Bill has done for my team and sponsors to date, and we look forward to him running races later on this season,” Finch said. In the meantime, Elliott plans to focus on working with his 15-year-old son Chase, who recently signed a driver agreement with Sprint Cup team owner Rick Hendrick.(Phoenix PR/Bill Elliott site), no word who will drive the #60 Toyota that Cassill was listed to drive at Auto Club.(3-22-2011)
UPDATE: Todd Bodine will drive the #60 Toyota for Germain.(3-22-2011) - Kurt Busch tests at Gresham: #22-Kurt Busch and his Steve Addington-led “Double-Deuce” Dodge team tested Tuesday at Gresham Motorsports Park, the half-mile oval asphalt track located near Jefferson, Ga. “We had originally scheduled the test last week, but the weather didn’t cooperate,” crew chief Addington said. “We’ll be using the day to shake down the car we’ll be racing at Martinsville. We did the same last year and it proved beneficial in getting to the race track ready to get after it. We’ll get out there and check out the brakes, the suspension components and all. The goal is just to get the driver really comfortable behind the wheel of this car.” The team will be testing with a new Dodge Charger – their “PRS-741” – on the track known as “Georgia’s fastest short track.”(Tom Roberts PR)(3-22-2011)
- New crew chief for Kvapil: UPDATE: Derrick Finley, Front Row Motorsports competition director, is the interim crew chief for #38-Travis Kvapil until a replacement is named as crew chief Bill Henderson left the team.(FRM)(3-19-2011)
UPDATE: Travis Kvapil heads to the West Coast this week with confidence his Long John Silver’s Ford will be stronger at Auto Club Speedway this season. He’ll also go with a new crew chief, with Jay Guy coming on board to lead the #38 team. Guy is a veteran in the NASCAR garage, having worked with teams such as Penske Racing, Furniture Row Racing, Wood Brothers and others.(FRM/Breaking Limits)(3-22-2011) - Newman’s Chevy to Pay Tribute to Army’s Partnership for Youth Success: Ryan Newman’s #39 U.S. Army Chevy at this weekend’s Auto Club 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Auto Club Speedway will pay tribute to the Army’s Partnership for Youth Success (PaYS), a program which gives Soldiers from the Army and Army Reserve a leg up on civilian employment. Under the PaYS program, when a Soldier leaves active-duty or Initial Entry Training (IET) for the Army Reserve, they will receive a guaranteed job interview with the civilian employer they chose as part of their enrollment in the program. Currently, there are approximately 400 companies participating in PaYS, more than 50 of which are Fortune 500 companies. The logos for PaYS and Haas Automation, a new partner to the PaYS program, will be featured on the hood of Newman’s Chevy. Haas Automation, which is based in Oxnard, Calif., is America’s leading builder of CNC machine tools and co-owner of the Stewart-Haas Racing team. The company was founded by Gene Haas in 1983. Haas Automation will receive its PaYS certification during an Army ceremony at Auto Club Speedway. More than 18,000 Soldiers are enrolled in the PaYS program for fiscal year 2011 and more than 120,000 Soldiers have taken part in PaYS since the program’s inception in 2000.(US Army Racing), see an image of the scheme on the #39 Team Schemes page.(3-22-2011)
- Geoff Bodine looking for a ride: Geoff Bodine, who raced in one event last season, is wanting to return to any of the three NASCAR national touring series. “I’ve been trying to get a ride and a sponsor, but I’ve had no luck. I’ve talked with Tommy Baldwin [#36 Chevy in Sprint Cup]. He has really good equipment I’ve also talked with a Nationwide [Series] team, but you need money to go racing.” Bodine, now age 62, said he is actively trying to find a way back into NASCAR. “I still think I can go out there and be competitive. If I didn’t feel that way, I would not want to look bad and ruin my reputation. I’d like to be the oldest winner in NASCAR.” Despite being out of the sport for almost a year now, Bodine had been keeping himself busy. “I have raced a little, but not enough,” stated Bodine. Bodine also said that he has done some charity work for Breast Cancer Awareness and the Chamber of Commerce Fireball Run for Melbourne, Florida. On top of those two activities, Bodine says that he plans to run a Wheelen Modified race this year at North Wilkesboro with Danny Bagwell. In addition to the above, Bodine says that he will be opening a new store down the road called Geoff Bodine Power Sports—which will sell motorcycles, accessories, and boats. Bodine also tries to alert people about the lack of nutrition in the foods we eat. “I have to programs called Protandim and Mona-Die. They are fantastic programs. It’s helping a bunch of people.”(TheRacingExperts)(3-22-2011)
- Ragan to visit Shriners Hospitals for Children: David Ragan named Shriners Hospitals for Children his charity of choice in 2008 and has continued to support their great cause over the years in everything that he does. One highlight of Ragan’s relationship with the Shriners is getting a chance to visit the different hospitals and get a firsthand look at the innovative medical advances that the Shriners are doing to help children in need. On his way out to Auto Club Speedway on Thursday, March 24th Ragan will make a stop in Los Angeles to visit with the children at the Shriners Hospitals for Children. Ragan will take a tour and spend the afternoon participating in a racing-themed day with the children and their families. Ragan has started the process to become a Shriner himself and though he hasn’t officially been inducted he has done a lot with the organization over the years.(Roush Fenway Racing)(3-22-2011)
- NC Judge denies Red Bull request to toss Speed’s lawsuit: A North Carolina judge has allowed Scott Speed to proceed with his $6.5 million lawsuit against Red Bull Racing as she denied the race team’s request to make a judgment based solely on what each side has presented in court without any investigation into Speed’s claims. Judge Sharon Barrett’s ruling came after a 35-minute hearing Monday in North Carolina Superior Court. She denied Red Bull’s argument that it could release Speed for not meeting the performance clause in his contract that states if he didn’t finish 15th in NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series standings he could be fired. Speed filed the lawsuit Dec. 10 after he was fired by the team following his second season in Cup. In the lawsuit, Speed claimed that Red Bull did not fund the team as necessary to compete at the Cup level nor did it put forth the required technological resources for him to have a competitive car.(SceneDaily)(3-22-2011)
- Three drivers dominate the short tracks: With his win Sunday at Bristol, #18-Kyle Busch remained a part of an exclusive group. Busch, #48-Jimmie Johnson and #11-Denny Hamlin are the only drivers to have won the last 15 Sprint Cup races at Bristol, Martinsville and Richmond, the circuit’s lone short tracks. The last driver other then those three to win on a short track was #99-Carl Edwards in 2008.(Sports Illustrated)(3-22-2011)
- At Auto Club Speedway:· 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 in February 2008.
· There have been 21 NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Auto Club Speedway since the track opened in 1997.
· Four drivers have competed in all 21 races: Jeff Burton, Jeff Gordon, Bobby Labonte and Joe Nemechek.
· Joe Nemechek won the pole for the inaugural race in 1997.
· There have been 14 different pole winners, led by Kurt Busch (three). Brian Vickers, Jamie McMurray and Jeff Gordon each have two poles.
· Thirteen different drivers have posted victories. Jimmie Johnson leads all drivers with five wins. Jeff Gordon and Matt Kenseth each have won three races.
· Hendrick Motorsports has won nine races, more than any other team.
· Ten of the 21 races were won from starting positions outside the top 10; only one has been won from the pole (Jimmie Johnson in 2008). The most prolific starting position is third, with three victories.
· Matt Kenseth won the 2006 spring race from the 31st starting position, the deepest in the field that a race winner has started.
· Two active drivers have averaged a top-10 finish: Jimmie Johnson (5.3) and Carl Edwards (9.2).
· Kyle Busch won his first NASCAR Sprint Cup pole (2/05) and first race (9/05) at Auto Club Speedway. - Rick Ware Racing soliciting donations for crewmen: from the Rick Ware Racing Facebook: To donate to the Dean Shaut and Steve Masch families please visit your local SunTrust Bank and mention you would like to donate to the Dean Shaut/Steve Masch Fund. On March 11, Dean Shaut, lost control of his vehicle while driving on Ball Park Road in Thomasville, NC and was pronounced dead at the scene. The passenger Stephen Masch was airlifted to Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, N.C., with spinal cord and head injuries and is listed in critical condition. Rick Ware Racing fields entries for the Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series.(3-22-2011)
- Christian Slater named Auto Club 400 Grand Marshal: Actor Christian Slater, star of the upcoming FOX comedy “Breaking In”, will serve as Grand Marshal for NASCAR’s Sprint Cup race – the Auto Club 400 – at Auto Club Speedway on Sunday, March 27. As Grand Marshal, Slater will give the command, “Gentlemen, Start Your Engines,” to the 43-car field of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. With an impressive career that spans the worlds of film, television and stage, Slater has established himself as one of the most talented actors of his generation. “Breaking In”, is an offbeat workplace comedy about a high-tech security firm that takes extreme – and often questionable – measures to sell its protection services. It centers on a team of uniquely skilled oddball geniuses hand-picked to work for OZ (Slater), a larger-than-life head honcho who is a man of mystery and master of manipulation. “Breaking In” premieres Wednesday, April 6 (9:30/8:30c) following “American Idol.” 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)(3-22-2011)
- Legendary Latin Rock Musicians to perforam at Auto Club Speedway: Newly formed rock group Undercover, will perform on the DiscoverIE FanZone Entertainment Stage prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Auto Club 400 race on Sunday, March 27 from 8:30 to 9:15 am at Auto Club Speedway. Undercover band members include legendary Latino rock musicians that have been entertaining fans for years. Lead guitarist, El Vampiro, has been an integral part of Mexico’s most popular rock band MANÁ, where he played thousands of sold out shows all over the world. He most recently played with Jaguares, another one of Mexico’s widely popular rock bands. Mauricio Claveria, who played drums for the legendary Chilean rock band, LA LEY, showcases his musical passion through his drum skills for Undercover. On the bass guitar, Poncho Toledo is best known for playing with Mexican band La Lupita, a group well known for crossing musical boundaries. Finally, providing the vocals for this powerhouse is Serralde, who began his singing and songwriting career in 2001 with his album titled “No Hay na’ Mejor” where it peaked on Billboard’s Top 10. In 2005, Serralde released his second album, “Serralde”, which topped the charts at #1 in the United States and Puerto Rico.In addition to the Latin sounds of Undercover, race fans will be able to enjoy a full weekend of Viva La Fiesta, the Latino festival area located near Gate 14 in the Auto Club Speedway DiscoverIE FanZone. Enjoy great tacos, burritos and salsas from King Taco. Listen to the traditional Mexican melodies of Mariachi Torres de Mexico, a live mariachi band on the Viva La Fiesta stage throughout the weekend. 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)(3-22-2011)
- Darlington and NASCAR Hall of Fame partner for ticket package: Darlington Raceway and the NASCAR Hall of Fame have partnered to bring fans a special ticket package for the Showtime Southern 500, honoring 2011 Hall of Fame inductees and South Carolina natives David Pearson and Bud Moore.Each package includes a seat in the Pearson grandstand for the Showtime Southern 500 on Saturday, May 7, admission to aspecial Q&A session with Pearson and Moore prior to the race, admission to the NASCAR Hall of Fame and a commemorative yearbook honoring – Bill France Sr., Bill France Jr., Richard Petty, Junior Johnson and Dale Earnhardt – the members of the Inaugural 2010 NASCAR Hall of Fame class. Only 500 packages are available and can be purchased by visiting DarlingtonRaceway.com/HallofFame or calling 866-459-RACE. Adult packages can be purchased for $90 each; packages for kids 17 and under are just $50. Tickets can bepurchased by calling the Darlington Raceway ticket office at 866-459-RACE or online at darlingtonraceway.com.(Darlington Raceway)(3-22-2011)
- Russell files report against Cobb: The owner of 2nd Chance Motorsports has filed a police report alleging larceny charges against Jennifer Jo Cobb, the driver who walked away from his Nationwide Series car five minutes before the start of Saturday’s race at Bristol Motor Speedway over a start-and-park issue. Rick Russell alleged that Cobb and crew chief Steve Kuykendall stole $16,000 worth of race car parts from his Mooresville, N.C. facility. Russell said police found about half of the missing parts on Sunday in a storage bin used by Cobb not far from the shop. “Both her and her crew chief said they didn’t know how it got there,” Russell said. “I’m in the race parts-selling business. There were containers of parts that came right off the shelves with the prices still marked on them.” Cobb said the storage units belonged to Russell and that he agreed to let her and Kuykendall move some of the parts there while their partnership existed to clear space in the shop. She said there was no attempt to steal anything and that she told Russell on Sunday to take all the parts that were his. (ESPN.com)(3-22-2011)
- Fitzpatrick returns to the #27: Canada’s J.R. Fitzpatrick will make his second start of the 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series this Saturday, 26th March, as the 22-year-old gets set to tackle the ‘Royal Purple 300’ at the Auto Club Speedway, Fontana, California. Fitzpatrick will again campaign the #27 Baker Curb Racing Ford, with support from Schick Hydro and Energizer Canada, the Ontario-resident returning for the fifth round of the year to the seat he occupied for the season-opener at the Daytona International Speedway in February. (Fitzpatrick PR)(3-22-2011)
- Bristol TV Ratings: ESPN’s live telecast of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Bristol (TN) Motor Speedway on Saturday, March 19, saw an increase in total viewership over the telecast of last year’s race that aired on ABC, according to the Nielsen Company. Saturday’s telecast on ESPN averaged 2,322,153 viewers, up two percent over the 2,286,794 viewership average for last year’s race on ABC. The viewership rise was despite a drop in rating for the telecast – last year’s ABC telecast earned a 1.6 U.S. household rating while Saturday’s ESPN telecast earned a U.S. household rating of 1.5 (1.7 HH coverage rating).(ESPN)(3-22-2011)
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