March 24, 2011
- Smaller restrictor plate for Dega: Sirius NASCAR Radio’s Sirius Speedway with Dave Moody has learned that NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams have been notified that they will be using a 7/8 inch diameter restrictor plate in next month’s event at Talladega. That represents a 1/64 reduction from what was used in the season-opening Daytona 500. Cooling system regulations will remain the same as at Daytona, with maximum air inlets mandated at three inches high by 20 inches wide.(Sirius Speedway)(3-24-2011)
- Ronald Reagan Centennial Celebration on the #33: The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation’s Centennial Celebration and the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma will be the primary sponsors of Richard Childress Racing’s #33 Chevy that Clint Bowyer will drive in the Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway. The Ronald Reagan Centennial is a historic, year-long celebration to commemorate the 100th birthday of the 40th President of the United States of America. A series of substantive and celebratory events, partnerships and initiatives sponsored by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation are planned throughout 2011. Future announcements including a second phase of RCR’s involvement with the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Mike Curb will be forthcoming. Cheerios and BB&T, the #33 team’s primary sponsors for the majority of the season, will also have prominent identification on the car.(RCR)(3-24-2011)
- Kurt Busch assisting motorists Thursday: #22-Kurt Busch will actually be out on the roadways assisting stranded motorists on Thursday afternoon. “This was a great idea and it struck a nerve personally,” said Busch. “It all came about when we were in California a few months back for a commercial shoot. We were having dinner with all the guys with the AAA team and they were explaining about their roadside assistance program. I couldn’t help but think about when I was a kid growing up and our family traveled to so many races. My dad had the parts business and it seemed like our lives revolved around automobiles and transportation. When we traveled around to the races, we’d always pull over and help stranded motorists change tires, get fuel – even try to help them out with mechanical issues. I can really relate to this and I am really looking forward to getting out there and helping the folks out on the highways near the track on Thursday. And since my guys also sponsor Sunday’s race, we might even be able to put smiles on these motorists’ faces by giving away a few tickets to Sunday’s race. We will have fun with it, I can guarantee you that.”(Tom Roberts PR)(3-24-2011)
- Milestone start for Montoya: #42-Juan Pablo Montoya will be making his 150th career Sprint Cup start at Auto Club Speedway this weekend. Montoya’s first start was in 2006 with Chip Ganassi Racing at Homestead-Miami Speedway. In just four full time seasons, Montoya has recorded two wins, fives poles, 19 top-fives, and 43 top-10 finishes, with Watkins Glen being his most recent win in August of 2010.(Earnhardt-Ganassi PR)(3-24-2011)
- Lowe’s, Johnson celebrating 10 years together: #48-Jimmie Johnson along with crew chief Chad Knaus and Hendrick Motorsports are celebrating 10 years together with sponsor, Lowe’s. The longest running partnership currently in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series between driver, crew chief, team and sponsor will be celebrated throughout the year with a variety of events, several geared toward the team’s loyal fans. That first win at Johnson’s adopted home track of Auto Club Speedway will serve as the official kick off of the 10-year celebration. Fans can relive Johnson’s career-changing accomplishments on the Team Lowe’s Racing fan page on Facebook under a special “Celebrating 10 Years” section. During weekend activities in California, Johnson will debut a specially-designed race helmet which he will wear throughout the year. Johnson, who collaborates with Nevada-based artist Jason Beam on the design of his helmets, worked with Lowe’s on the helmet’s retrospective look. It features historical Lowe’s photos including the first store location in North Wilkesboro, N.C., as well as other original store sites from the 1950s and 1960s. Currently in its 10th full season in the Sprint Cup Series, Johnson and team have amassed a record of 53 wins, 136 top-five and 205 top-10 finishes. Johnson currently ranks 10th on the all-time win list, one victory behind driver Lee Petty. Knaus is the only crew chief to win three consecutive championships in the series.(HMS)(3-24-2011)
- Jeremey Mayfield files appeal: Jeremy Mayfield has reiterated claims that NASCAR Chairman Brian France disliked him and that NASCAR either fabricated the results of a May 2009 drug test or should have known the likelihood of inaccurate results, according to Mayfield’s appeal in his long-running federal lawsuit against NASCAR. Filed late Tuesday night with the U.S. Court of Appeals, Mayfield’s appeal challenges the May 2010 ruling in favor of NASCAR and asks that the case be re-opened, allowing more time for investigation by the parties and proceeding toward trial. NASCAR has until April 25 to respond to the appeal, and Mayfield will have two weeks to respond to NASCAR’s brief. The appeals court – the Fourth Circuit, based in Richmond, Va. – will not hold hearings from June-August, so the earliest the appeals judges would hold a hearing likely is late September, with a decision on the appeal not coming for at least another month.(Scene Daily)(3-24-2011)
- Sad News – Steve ‘Dirt’ Masch: from the Rick Ware Racing Facebook page, “With heavy hearts we are saddened by the loss of Steve ‘Dirt’ Masch [Wednesday]”. 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. where he was treated until succumbing to his injuries. Both men were independent contractors for Rick Ware Racing.(3-24-2011)
- Richmond to Host 2011 Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown: Richmond International Raceway and Chesterfield, Virginia’s Denny Hamlin are joining forces to run the fourth annual Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown to benefit the Denny Hamlin Foundation on Thursday night, April 28 at America’s Premier Short Track. The event will feature several NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers and celebrities battling it out on the ¾-mile track with some of the best local Late Model Stock Car drivers. The addition of the Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown at Richmond International Raceway means the race weekend will now feature four events for race fans to enjoy. The charity race will be a one-day show, featuring practice and qualifying prior to the Blue Ox 100 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race. The Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown will run immediately following the Blue Ox 100, making for an exciting Thursday at Richmond International Raceway. Tickets are available now for the excitement on Thursday, April 28th. All seats are general admission and $25. Children 12 and under are admitted free with a ticketed adult. Tickets include the Blue Ox 100 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race and Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown.(RIR)(3-24-2011)
- Soul Surfer partners with Koch, MacDonald: “Soul Surfer” the movie will be partnering with Blake Koch and the MacDonald Motorsports #81 team this weekend at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, CA. “Soul Surfer” is the inspiring true story of Bethany Hamilton, a young surfer who lost her arm to a shark attack at age 13. Bethany didn’t quit there and four years later, realized her dream of becoming a professional surfer in 2007. The movie stars Anna Sophia Robb as Bethany, as well as Helen Hunt, Dennis Quaid, Lorraine Nicholson, and Carrie Underwood.(MacDonald Motorsports PR)(3-24-2011)
- Long returns to super late model roots this weekend: Johanna Long will return to her Super Late Model roots this weekend at her hometown track, Five Flags Speedway on Friday, then at Mobile International Raceway on Saturday. Long, who is competing for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Rookie of the Year title, will be making her first start at Five Flags Speedway since becoming only the second woman in history to win the Snowball Derby. For more race information visit the Jayski Driver Appearances page.(3-24-2011)
2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997