March 26, 2016
- Kenseth’s spotter finally well enough to return to the track: Chris Osborne will celebrate Easter weekend and feel blessed. He will spend it with his wife, Melissa, and son, Austin, and they will consider themselves fortunate despite the hell they have experienced the last three months. Five days after Easter, Osborne plans to embark on an emotional trek to a racetrack. He will return to the job he loves as Matt Kenseth’s spotter and will enjoy every breath he takes of the cool mountain air at Martinsville Speedway. The Osborne family had their lives forever changed at 10:04 p.m. Dec. 17 when, less than 10 minutes from the Osborne home in Sophia, North Carolina, a driver who would later be charged with driving under the influence lost control of his car while going 60 mph and smashed into Osborne’s vehicle, crushing the entire front of the car. That driver, with prior DUIs in 2006 and 2007, has a date in court Monday. Osborne suffered a shattered right leg that needed 25 screws to hold the rod and plates together. His wife, Melissa, in the back seat, was catapulted over her son Austin in the front passenger seat and suffered a broken hip, pelvis and right elbow — all needed reconstructive surgery — in addition to nine broken ribs and a broken shoulder. Austin suffered a partially collapsed lung, a bruised sternum, a concussion, a broken nose, a bruised shoulder and lost a couple of teeth. All were wearing seat belts.
Osborne has spent more than two decades in the NASCAR garage (he also used to drive the hauler), and now it’s time for him to get back to work. He will wear an air cast on his right leg, which allows him to wear sneakers. He will spot for both Daniel Suarez in trucks and Kenseth at Martinsville. He will have a walker or a cane for as long as he needs — getting to the spotter stand he expects will be the toughest part. His doctor approved his putting 100 percent weight on his leg March 12, but he doesn’t expect the leg will ever be the same as it was prior to the accident. Osborne notes that one of the screws has broken inside his leg, but because it hasn’t caused a problem, it remains among the 25 inside of him. While obeying his doctor’s orders and confident that if he can’t do the job, he will tell the team he needs more time, Osborne hasn’t had it easy watching races from home and listening to the in-car radio.(ESPN.com)(3-26-2016)
- Auto Club XFINITY TV Ratings: NASCAR Xfinity Series racing from Fontana drew 1.5 million viewers on Fox Sports 1 last Saturday afternoon, up 4% from last year (1.4M) but down 18% from 2014 on ESPN (1.8M). The race ranks as the first Sprint or Xfinity Series telecast this season to score an increase in viewership.(ShowBuzz Daily / Sports Media Watch)(3-26-2016)
- Bisci joins Gateway Motorsports Park: Gateway Motorsports Park officials announced that 28-year motorsports veteran John Bisci has joined the staff of Gateway Motorsports Park in the new position of Media and Promotions Manager. With more than 40 years of experience in the entertainment industry, Bisci will be actively involved in the promotion of the NHRA-sanctioned Dragplex and Gateway Kartplex. Bisci brings event development experience that will be utilized for schedule expansion and racing diversity. Bisci’s experience includes media relations for NHRA-sanctioned tracks, as a publicist for Mello Yello Drag Racing Series teams and representation for multiple NASCAR sponsors and drivers. Bisci joins the track’s expanding public relations team and will be working closely with Susan Ryan, who has led the public and media relations efforts for Gateway Motorsports Park since its rebirth in 2011. “I am proud and excited to join the Gateway Motorsports Park team,” Bisci said. “It is important to work for, and with, people who share my passion for the sport. This is an exciting time for Gateway Motorsports Park, and I am pleased to be a part of the continued growth of one of the fastest growing, up-and-coming motorsports facilities in the United States.”(Gateway Motorsrports Park)(3-26-2016)
- Andy Grammer Concert added to All-Star Weekend at Charlotte: One of the fastest-rising stars on the Billboard Top 100 charts will kick off the biggest all-star event in sports when triple-platinum recording artist Andy Grammer takes the stage for a free concert before the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race on May 21 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The full 70-minute Andy Grammer All-Star Race Concert Powered by Rayovac, will kick off the pre-race festivities of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race between Turns 1 and 2 of the Charlotte Motor Speedway infield. Entry is free for all All-Star Race ticket holders. For just $20, fans can upgrade to a special Golden Ticket for early access to a reserved area directly in front of the stage. Golden Tickets are limited and can be purchased by calling the speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS (3267) or online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com. Los Angeles-born, New York-raised singer-songwriter Andy Grammer has gone from hustling street performer to multi-platinum selling recording artist. He has released two albums, “Andy Grammer” and “Magazines or Novels,” producing debut top 10 hit singles including “Fine by Me” and triple-platinum No.1 single “Honey, I’m Good.” Most recently, Grammer released his new hit single “Good To Be Alive (Hallelujah)” dazzling the Billboard Top 100 charts.(CMS)(3-26-2016)
2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997