March 24, 2009
- Tuesday Testing at the Rock: seven Sprint Cup teams tested at the Little Rock 1/2 mile track at Rockingham Speedway on Tuesday, March 24th: #2-Kurt Busch, #20-Joey Logano, #96-Bobby Labonte, #98-Paul Menard, #12-David Stremme, #77-Sam Horish Jr and Jamie McMurray in an un-numbered Ford.(3-24-2009)
- Sad News – Lloyd Ruby: Racing legend Lloyd Ruby, a lifelong resident of Wichita Falls, passed away Monday night in Wichita Falls. TX. He was 81. Ruby won seven times on the USAC Championship Car Series in his career and also had endurance racing victories in the 24 Hours of Daytona, the 12 Hours of Sebring and the United States Grand Prix. But he is best known for the race he didn’t win. Ruby raced in 18 straight Indianapolis 500s from 1960-77, led in five of them and was out front for 126 laps. But he never won open wheel racing’s most prestigious prize. His biography, written by Ted Buss in 2000, was titled: “Lloyd Ruby: The Greatest Driver Never to Win the Indy 500.” Ruby’s best finish at Indianapolis was third in 1964. In 1991, he was inducted into the Indianapolis 500 Hall of Fame.(Times Record News), Ruby also ran one Sprint Cup race, at Riverside in January 1967, finishing 22nd in a Junior Johnson owned car. More info and services info on the Sad News page. (3-24-2009)
- Front Row Motorsports plans full season, hires crew chief: Front Row Motorsports has hired Steve Lane from Earnhardt Ganassi Racing to be its crew chief and is still focused on running the entire season, team owner Bob Jenkins said. Driver John Andretti is 33rd in driver points and the team is 33rd in owner points for Jenkins, whose team, prior to this year, had qualified for 34 of 135 Cup races it attempted from 2005 through 2008. The team started 2009 locked into the first five races with the points from the Dale Earnhardt Inc. #15 car as part of an alliance with Earnhardt Ganassi Racing. That brought Lane and other EGR crewmen over to work with the team, and some have now become permanent employees. “We’ve tried to fly under the radar screen and not create a lot of noise about what we’re doing,” Jenkins said Sunday at Bristol Motor Speedway. “I feel like we can stay locked in once we’re there. [EGR] ran Daytona. It was their operation. Since then, we’ve ran it, and John would have made every one of those races on time anyway. I feel good about that. I just don’t want to get to the point where we have to make it on time.” The team bought some cars from EGR but also has raced its own cars this year. It also has been using Pro Motors, except for the races at Daytona and Atlanta, where it used Earnhardt Childress Racing Technologies engines. “When we started this deal, we did a technical alliance with them [at EGR] and shared information both ways,” Jenkins said. “We don’t get full-blown engineering support. We have our own folks to do that. But there has been information-sharing. I think it has helped us and also maybe has helped them. It gives them a chance to test some things at a lower risk [than] if they were doing it on the 1 [of Martin Truex Jr.] or 42 car [of Juan Pablo Montoya].” Knowing that it was in the first five races, Front Row was able to secure sponsorship for four events from Window World. The team is currently unsponsored, but Jenkins hopes to have Window World back on the car. “They won’t do all the races,” Jenkins said. “They could do as many as 10. We don’t know at this point. For sure, they’re going to do Richmond. Beyond that, we’re still working on stuff.” The team’s Cup operation is based in Statesville, N.C., at Travis Carter’s shop. The Nationwide team, with Tony Raines behind the wheel, is in Denver, N.C. Andretti most likely won’t run the full schedule. He plans to compete in the Indianapolis 500 in May and probably will miss two events. Jenkins hasn’t named a driver for those races, but Raines could step into the seat, he said. Raines is competing this weekend at Martinsville in a second Front Row [#37] car because the Nationwide Series is off, but that car likely won’t run much again this year, Jenkins said.(SceneDaily)(3-24-2009)
- Johnson’s #48 Crew Claims Tissot Pit Road Win in Bristol: Jimmie Johnson’s #48 team took top honors by winning the Tissot Pit Road Precision Award in Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Bristol Motor Speedway. The weekly competition, which recognizes the over-the-wall pit crews, has had different winners in each of the first five Cup races of 2009. Johnson’s over-the-wall crew consists of: Mike Lingerfelt (front-tire changer), Art Simmons (front-tire carrier), Jeremy West (rear-tire changer), Andy Brown (rear-tire carrier), Kenneth Purcell (jackman), Rich Gutierrez (gasman), Mike Knauer (catch can) and Ron Malec (eighth man). The team’s pit crew coach is Greg Morin. For winning the Tissot Pit Road Precision Award, the No. 48 team will receive $5,000. The team with the most pit road wins at the completion of the 36-race schedule will earn a $100,000 bonus plus Tissot watches for the driver and over-the-wall crew members.(DMF Communications/Tissot PR)(3-24-2009)
- Racing Resources Says …Sprint Cup Series
* Kyle Busch won the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway.
* Busch, who started 19th, became the second repeat race winner in 2009. Busch also won at Las Vegas. He joined Matt Kenseth, who won the first two races in 2009 (Daytona and California).
* Busch posted his 14th career Cup victory in 155 races. He has won five of the 12 NASCAR races in 2009: two Cup, two Truck and one Nationwide.
* Busch moved to 46th on NASCAR’s all-time wins list with 14 Cup victories, tying Dick Hutcherson, LeeRoy Yarbrough and Greg Biffle.
* Busch posted his second victory in 25 races on the three short tracks (Bristol, Martinsville and Richmond). Both wins have come at Bristol. This was his second Bristol victory in nine races. It was his sixth top-10 finish in his past seven races at Bristol.
* Crew chief Steve Addington posted his 10th Cup victory in his 150th Cup race as a crew chief. All 10 of his crew chief victories have come with Busch.
* This was the first win by a Toyota in a Cup race at Bristol.
* Joe Gibbs Racing scored its second Bristol victory — the other by Tony Stewart. JGR scored its 70th victory overall, which ranks eighth all time. It was JGR’s sixth 1-2 finish. Denny Hamlin finished second.
* Busch led five times for 378 laps in Sunday’s race, including the final 59 laps. He led 415 laps in the August 2008 Bristol race. Combined, Busch has led 793 of the 1,003 laps in those two races. JGR has led 1,172 laps in the 1,509 laps of the past three Bristol races.
* Busch led 156 laps in the Nationwide race Saturday, finishing sixth. He led 534 of the 803 laps raced this weekend (67 percent).
* The Busch brothers, Kyle and Kurt, have won the past three Cup races.
* Jeff Gordon leads the Cup points standings by 76 over second-place Kurt Busch. Gordon finished fourth, posting his fifth top-15 finish of 2009. He’s the only driver to finish among the top 15 in all five races so far this season.
* Gordon extended his winless streak to 46 races since October 2007 at Lowe’s.
* Jimmie Johnson (third) tied his best finish in 15 races at Bristol. Johnson climbed from 13th to ninth in the standings, the first time in 2009 that Johnson has been among the top 12. Johnson began the season ranked 31st after Daytona.
* Clint Bowyer (13th) extended a 78-race streak of running at the finish that began at Homestead in November 2006. Bowyer’s last DNF came at Phoenix on Nov. 12, 2006, when he finished 33rd thanks to oil-pump failure.
* Scott Speed (28th) was the higher-finishing rookie contender among the two rookies in the race. Joey Logano finished 38th.
* This was the third green-white-checkered finish at Bristol, all in the past three spring races.
* The top 10 consisted of six Chevys, one Dodge and three Toyotas. The highest-finishing Ford belonged to Carl Edwards (15th).(ESPN)(3-24-2009) - Gillette could sell NHL team, could race team be next? There are no indications yet that the financial troubles apparently plaguing George Gillett will force him to sell part or all of his interest in Richard Petty Motorsports (RPM). ESPN.com reported on Monday that the 24-time Stanley Cup champion Montreal Canadiens owned by Gillett could be sold in order for Gillett to divest some of his properties. Gillett also is the majority owner or RPM, the English Premier League soccer team Liverpool as well as several ski and golf clubs. Two people close to RPM and its ownership are not aware of any plans to put the Sprint Cup organization on shopping block. That doesn’t mean it couldn’t change as the economy worsens. Gillett purchased Evernham Motorsports from then-owner Ray Evernham two years ago and renamed it Gillett Evernham Motorsports. Evernham still is a minority owner. Gillett recently purchased Petty Enterprises owned by seven-time Cup champion Richard Petty and renamed it RPM.(ESPN Insider)(3-24-2009)
- Bowyer on TV show tonight: NASCAR driver #33-Clint Bowyer gives an inspirational pep talk to “The Biggest Loser” contestants when they face one of their toughest challenges yet – each pulling a two-ton car on NBC’s series “The Biggest Loser: Couples.” The show is scheduled to air Tuesday, March 24 (9-11 p.m. ET/PT) on NBC immediately following President Obama’s primetime news conference at 8:00pm/et.(RCR PR)(3-24-2009)
- Driver changes coming at Rick Ware Racing?: UPDATE: Rick Ware Racing will be conducting a press conference on Tuesday March 24 to announce a new driver lineup with Rick Ware Racing’s Nationwide Series entries of the #31 and #41.(Rick Ware Racing PR), the team had previously announced that Travis Kittleson and Tim Brown would be in the #31 when Stanton Barrett was driving in the IRL. No announcements have been made about the #41, but Cope was expected to be in the car fulltime.(3-19-2009)
UPDATE: Rick Ware Racing announces an addition to their Nationwide Series program, drivers Kerry Earnhardt and Jeffrey Earnhardt.
-Kerry Earnhardt will drive in several races in the NASCAR Nationwide Series for Rick Ware Racing
-Jeffrey Earnhardt will race in 7 races in the NASCAR Nationwide Series for Rick Ware Racing
-Jeffrey Earnhardt will save his Rookie status for the 2010 season in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, as he will compete for Raybestos Rookie of the Year.
-Kerry and Jeffrey Earnhardt will be paired with Championship Crew Chief, Paul Andrews and Clyde McCloud
-Kerry will make his first of several RWR starts at Texas Motor Speedway on April 4th, 2009
-Jeffrey will make his RWR debut at Dover International Speedway on May 30th, 2009
-Jeffrey’s schedule will be a progressive enhancement, consisting of races from 1-mile to 2-mile tracks to prepare him for the 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series season.
-Jeffrey Earnhardt will compete in the Montreal Nationwide Series event, marking the first Earnhardt to race in Canada in one of the Top three NASCAR Series’.
-Kerry and Jeffrey will join Dale Earnhardt Jr as entries in the NASCAR Nationwide Series event at Atlanta, marking the second time that three Earnhardts’ participated in the same event.(Rick Ware Racing PR)(3-24-2009) - 5-Hour Energy expands sponsorship of RWI: Officials of Living Essentials, LLC and Rusty Wallace Racing, LLC announced that LE, through its 5-Hour Energy Extra Strength brand, will expand its 2009 sponsorship program with the team. In addition to LE’s ongoing sponsorship of RWR’s #66 and driver Steve Wallace, 5-Hour Energy Extra Strength will serve as primary sponsor of RWR’s #62 Chevy, driven by fourth-ranked Brendan Gaughan, in 13 2009 Nationwide Series races. Additionally, 5-Hour Energy will have an increased associate sponsor presence on Wallace’s #66 for those 13 events. The overall 2009 5-Hour Energy racing program debuted with Steve Wallace’s top-ten finish in last weekend’s event at Bristol Motor Speedway. The expanded program, featuring the #62 5-Hour Energy Extra Strength Chevy, will make its debut in the April 25th event at Talladega Superspeedway and will conclude with the November 21st season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.(RWR PR)(3-24-2009)
- #2 Images added: Schematic for the KHI #2-Bounty Chevy being driven by Kevin Harvick at Martinsville along with the #2-Charter Chevy Harvick drove at Atlanta are posted on the 2009 Paint Scheme Page.(3-24-2009)
- Harvick in the #2 at Martinsville; Bounty to sponsor: Kevin Harvick Inc. co-owner and driver, Kevin Harvick, will be making his eighth career start at Martinsville Speedway in NASCAR Camping World Truck Series competition this week in the Kroger 250. Harvick will pilot the #2 Bounty Chevrolet Silverado in the 250-lap event, marking his second series start for the 2009 season. In seven previous Truck Series starts at Martinsville, Harvick has recorded two top-five and three top-10 finishes. Harvick is being sponsored by Bounty; America’s most popular paper towel for over 30 years. In the U.S., P&G offers the following premium two-ply paper towel products: Bounty Select-a-Size; Bounty White; Bounty Extra Soft; and Bounty Fun Prints. Additionally, P&G offers Bounty Basic, a quality one-ply paper towel as well Bounty Quilted Napkins.(Kevin Harvick Inc. PR)(3-24-2009)
- Congrats to TJ & Alexis: TJ Bell, driver of the #11-Red Horse Racing Toyota became engaged to long time girlfriend Alexis Gamboa this past weekend in Las Vegas. There has been no date set for the upcoming wedding.(RHR PR)(3-24-2009)
- Benson heads to Martinsville to defend win; still searching for sponsor: The Kroger 250 will mark 2008 NCWTS Champion Johnny Benson’s 12th Camping World Truck Series start at Martinsville Speedway. In 11 previous races, he has earned one win, three top-five and five top-10 finishes. When the Camping World Truck Series last visited Martinsville Speedway, Benson earned his first win at the Virginia “paperclip” shaped short track. The reigning 2008 Camping World Series Champion is still seeking sponsorship for his #1 Tundra. Red Horse Racing is currently running both the #1 Toyota Tundra driven by defending Champion Johnny Benson as well as the #11 driven by TJ Bell, without primary sponsorship.(Red Horse Racing PR)(3-24-2009)
- Key Motorsports welcomes back Westerman as #40 sponsor: Key Motorsports welcomes back Westerman Companies as primary sponsor of the #40 Chevy Silverado for their first race of the 2009 season. The Ohio-based company, which performs a variety of design, engineering, manufacturing, and machining services for the oil, nuclear, and marine industries, will be entering its third consecutive season as a sponsor of the Key Motorsports Chevy Silverado, having first come on board in 2007.Mike Bliss, driver of the #40 Westerman Companies Chevrolet, will be stepping out of his Camping World Truck Series ride for the series’ next race at Kansas Speedway. Bliss, who also races full-time in the NASCAR Nationwide Series for Phoenix Motorsports, will be racing in the Aaron’s 312 at Talladega Superspeedway, which schedule conflicts with Kansas’ O’Reilly Auto Parts 250. Announcements regarding his replacement for the Kansas race are forthcoming.(Key Motorsports PR)(3-24-2009)
- Sad News – Ronnie Renegar: Mr. Ronnie W. Renegar, Sr., 58, passed away on March 21, 2009 at Kate B.Reynolds Hospice Home. He was born June 11, 1950 in Forsyth County to the late William R. and Hazel H. Renegar. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather (Papaw, Grandpa), son, brother and friend. His sense of humor continued to the very end and was priceless. He was employed with UPS for 21 years. He was also a NASCAR Inspector with Goody’s Dash Series and more recently, Craftsman Truck Series (Camping World Truck Series). Services were held Monday, March 23, at Gentry Family Chapel in Yadkinville. Memorials may be directed to Hospice and Palliative Care Center (Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home), 101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem, NC 27103 or Cancer Service, 3175 Maplewood Avenue, Winston-Salem, NC 27103. Online condolences may be made at GentryFuneralService.com.(3-24-2009)
- Brett Butler set to make NASAR debut at Martinsville: Officials from Fast Track Racing have announced that Lilburn, Georgia native Brett Butler will take the wheel of the #47 Rockingham Speedway-Palm Beach Grading Chevrolet Silverado for Saturday’s Kroger 250 at Martinsville Speedway. Butler, the brother of NASCAR Nationwide Series rookie Ken Butler III looks to make his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut in the series’ first short track event of the season. The 23-year old driver rises to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series after a healthy stint in the USARacing Series and most recently in the ARCA RE/MAX Series.(Butler Bros Racing/Fast Track PR)(3-24-2009)
- Malsam to make first Martinsville start: Tayler Malsam, a 20-year-old rookie, has never before raced at Martinsville Speedway. Friday morning’s practice session will be the first laps that Malsam has completed at the legendary Virginia short track. Malsam and the #81 One Eighty Toyota team tested their Martinsville chassis Tuesday, March 24th at the Motor Mile Speedway in Radford, Virginia. The laps paced at the test session where the first laps that Malsam has completed in this Tundra. Once again this weekend, the familiar colors of One Eighty will be back on board the #81 Randy Moss Motorsports Toyota Tundra.(Randy Moss Motorsports PR)(3-24-2009)
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