March 23, 2016
- Audi to NASCAR?: While many have speculated that Audi is looking to enter Formula One, NASCAR.com’s Matthew Dillner says the German manufacturer is preparing to enter stock-car racing with NASCAR. “I’ve heard rumors for two years of Audi entering #NASCAR and know the interest has been there,” Dillner tweeted on Tuesday. “My prediction is that it will happen.”(AutoWeek)(3-23-2016)
- Kurt Busch still interested in Indy 500 this year UPDATE: Could Kurt Busch make another run at the Indianapolis 500/Coca-Cola 600 double? It sure sounds like he’s interested. After Busch won the pole for Sunday’s Kobalt 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, FOXSports.com asked Busch if he had any update on his hopes to find an Indy 500 ride this year. “Nothing new on Indy. Part of the reason for staying here in Vegas extra is a few different meetings have popped up,” said Busch. “We are going to go through some of the meetings, even bumped into (Verizon IndyCar Series team owner) Sam Schmidt today. There is definitely the interest, the intrigue, but nothing to announce right now.” This year will mark the 100th running of the Indy 500, which would make competing in the race even more attractive than usual.(Fox Sports)(3-6-2016)
UPDATE: “After seriously contemplating making another run at “The Double”, and in response to the many questions I receive on the subject as the Month of May approaches, I wanted to state that I will not be participating in this year’s 100th running of the Indianapolis 500. I must say this was not an easy decision and it does not in any way reflect upon my desire to compete again in one of the world’s greatest races; it is based solely on a need to maintain the focus and momentum we have built early in this NASCAR season with our #41 Stewart-Haas Racing, Haas Automation/Monster Energy Chevy team – hopefully all the way to Homestead and the championship weekend. My experience with Andretti Autosport and its drivers was so very positive and the way in which the IndyCar fans and media welcomed me, it is undoubtedly one of the highlights of my career both personally and professionally. Fortunately, Michael and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway have left the door open for a future run, and perhaps one day I will take them up on that, it just won’t be this year.”(KurtBusch.com)(3-23-2016)
- Vickers under consideration for Indy 500 ride: The race to land one of the most coveted open seats for the Indy 500 is winding down as a NASCAR driver, an Indy veteran, a new team, and the most recent Rookie of the Year chase the third Schmidt Peterson Motorsports entry. RACER has learned current Stewart-Haas Racing Sprint cup driver Brian Vickers, who is filling in for the injured Tony Stewart, nine-time Indy 500 starter Townsend Bell, the new Grace Autosport team, and 2015 Verizon IndyCar Series/Indy 500 RoY Gabby Chaves are in the running for SPM’s available Dallara DW12-Honda. “Those four are on the list, and we’d really like to run any of those people,” Schmidt told RACER. Among the four options, Bell has the most experience with the team, having raced for SPM at Indy from 2010-2012 with a best finish of ninth.
With the allure of the 100th Indy 500 in mind, more first-timers like Vickers could try to make the race, although according to Schmidt, running a driver with no recent open-wheel experience on the sport’s biggest stage could be a stumbling block. “I’d think Brian is the least likely only because he hasn’t done it before and we’re unsure if he’ll still be driving for Tony [Stewart], so with that unknown, it’s hard to figure out the costs and the logistics,” Schmidt said. “Granted, he’s very experienced and very mature, so I’m sure he’d get the job done, but I’m not sure we need any distractions with a rookie. He’s an option, though, and we aren’t ruling him out. I know how badly he wants to be in the race. We’re still trying to find money for all of them, they’re all trying to find money, but it’s not completely there.”(Racer)(3-23-2016)
- Menards sponsoring Penske in Indy 500: Team Penske announced that Menards, the industry-leading home improvement store company with locations throughout the Midwest, will sponsor the #22 car and driver Simon Pagenaud for two races during the 2016 Verizon IndyCar Series, including this year’s 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 29th. Menards will adorn the side of the #22 Team Penske Dallara/Chevrolet both at the Indy 500 as well as the series’ return to Road America in June. The company will also be an associate sponsor on the #22 Team Penske car for the balance of the 2016 season. The announcement marks a return for Menards to the Verizon IndyCar Series. The Wisconsin-based company raced as a sponsor in INDYCAR from 1996-2003 but the return to action this season represents Menards first taste of series competition in 13 years. A Menards-sponsored car captured the Indy Racing League title in both 1997 with driver Tony Stewart and in 1999 with driver Greg Ray. With its track record of success in INDYCAR, Menards returns this season with a clear goal of winning its first Indianapolis 500. In addition to its history in INDYCAR competition, Menards has been a long-time supporter in other forms of motorsports, including NASCAR.(Team Penske)(3-23-2016)
- Keloorah returns to Michigan Speedway: NASCAR race fans and music festival fans both will have reasons to celebrate this summer at Michigan International Speedway. Keloorah, a music festival experience, will take place on Friday and Saturday of each NASCAR weekend at MIS this summer. Keloorah kicks off in June when GROUPLOVE, Third Eye Blind, Fitz and the Tantrums, Andy Grammer, The Neighbourhood, Elle King, as well as Joe Hertler and the Rainbow Seekers take the stage. The action does not stop in August as country music is featured over two nights of fun at Keloorah. Fans can sing along with Chase Rice, Chase Bryant, Kip Moore, Drake White and The Big Fire and Tim Dugger. The track is offering a special presale for fans to get in on all of the celebration at Keloorah. Fans that have already purchased NASCAR Sprint Cup Series admissions can call 800.354.1010 beginning March 23 to get your two-day admission to Keloorah for just $20. All you need to do is ask for the Keloorah add-on admission. If haven’t purchased NASCAR admissions yet, no problem. Ask the agent about the Keloorah packages. The presale is only available on the phone. The call center is open 9:00am-9:00pm Monday-Friday and 9:00am-7:00pm Saturday-Sunday. Special packages and VIP experiences are also available for fans looking to make it a weekend of partying.(MIS)(3-24-2016)
- Shane Lee running partial CWTS schedule for SS Green Light: Shane Lee will make his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut at Martinsville Speedway in the Alpha Energy 250 on April 2nd driving the #07 LeeBoy Toyota Tundra for Bobby Dotter and SS Green Light Racing. Shane Lee made his ARCA Racing Series debut last month in the Lucas Oil 200 at Daytona International Speedway and continues to compete on local short tracks across North Carolina. Lee has competed full time in the NASCAR Whelen All-American series for the past four seasons at tracks across the southeast picking up 18 wins along the way including two limited latemodel track championships at Hickory Motor Speedway in 2012 and 2013 along with the North Carolina rookie of the year in NASCAR Whelen All-American series in 2013. Veteran crew chief Jamie Jones will oversee the SS Green Light Racing entry for Shane Lee. Jones, Lee, and the SS Green Light Racing team will kick off their 2016 NCWTS racing season at Martinsville Speedway on April 2, followed by Gateway Motorsports Park on June 25, and Michigan International Raceway on August 27.(SS Green Light), see an image of the truck on the #07 team paint schemes page.(3-23-2016)
- Magpul Industries sponsoring Pole Day at Kentucky: Magpul Industries Corp., is expanding its partnership with Kentucky Speedway by becoming the official Pole Day sponsor for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR XFINITY Series Friday, July 8. The Magpul partnership has given the brand numerous signage opportunities throughout the race weekends. In addition, Magpul is a proud sponsor of Kentucky Speedway’s annual Top Cop Challenge program where police officers from regional jurisdictions compete in NASCAR stock cars to identify the fastest officer. This year’s Top Cop Challenge will be held in September. Magpul was founded in 1999 with the intent of developing a simple device to aid in the manipulation of rifle magazines while reloading under stress. The company’s name comes from this original product called the Magpul. Over the last decade Magpul has continued to grow and develop using much the same mission and process with a focus on innovation, simplicity, and efficiency. Kentucky Speedway’s 2016 season begins in July with the return of a NASCAR tripleheader weekend anchored by the July 9 Sprint Cup Series Quaker State 400 presented by Advance Auto Parts. The Camping World Truck Series starts the weekend with the Buckle Up in Your Truck 225 Thursday, July 7 and the XFINITY Series Alsco 300 Friday, July 8.(Kentucky Speedway)(3-23-2016)
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