March 29 – Today in Jayski’s NASCAR history

March 29, 2011

• • • Biffle Victorious in Four-Wide Showdown with John Force, Kenseth and Ragan: Roush Fenway Racing driver Greg
      Biffle scored an upset victory in a four-wide battle of NASCAR stars versus an NHRA legend today at zMAX Dragway during a race held to promote the second annual VisitMyrtleBeach.com NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, April 14-17. Defending VisitMyrtleBeach.com NHRA Four-Wide Nationals Funny Car champion John Force welcomed Biffle and fellow Roush Fenway Racing drivers Matt Kenseth and David Ragan to his turf today for a four-wide elimination battle in 2011 supercharged Ford Mustang GTs. Ragan, driver of the #6 UPS Ford in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, was the driver with the slowest time on the first pass and the first driver to be eliminated. In an outcome that surprised everyone in attendance, including media and visiting soldiers from Fort Bragg, N.C., Force was eliminated with the slowest time on the second pass. The final elimination pass left Biffle, driver of the #16 3M Ford in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, battling fellow Roush Fenway Racing driver Kenseth, driver of the #17 Crown Royal Ford. The race was close, but Biffle emerged victorious, winning the final round with an elapsed time of 13.284 on the world’s only four-lane, all concrete drag strip.
      Fifteen-time NHRA Funny Car champion driver and 17-time champion car owner Force was in Charlotte, N.C., today for the race and a media tour promoting the VisitMyrtleBeach.com NHRA Four-Wide Nationals (CMS)(3-29-2011)
    • NASCAR may let fans stay forever: NASCAR fans who consider Daytona International Speedway their home away from home could soon make it their final resting place, too — albeit less quiet and peaceful than a traditional cemetery. Legislation making its way through the Florida House and Senate would allow construction of an on-site columbarium — a building or structure that houses urns — at both Daytona International Speedway and Homestead Miami Speedway. International Speedway Corp. spokesman Lenny Santiago said many NASCAR fans have inquired over the years about having their ashes laid to rest at Daytona International Speedway. “We have a lot of fans that are very, very loyal to NASCAR races and to Daytona in general,” Santiago said. “This opens that door, this bill, and we’re hopeful that this will get passed.” If it passes, the bill would become law July 1. It has been approved by two House committees and has its first Senate committee hearing today. Daytona International Speedway doesn’t have a proposed location for the structure yet or any timeline for building it until the bill passes, Santiago said, although it would be somewhere public that fans would be able to see. He also said he didn’t know what kind of fees the Speedway might charge to fans looking to place their ashes there.(Daytona Beach News Journal)(3-29-2011)
    • Raikkonen to NASCAR?: after years of rumors, there is a report that 2007 Formula One champ, Kimi Raikkonen, will drive some NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races this summer. Raikkonen has been out of F1 for a while and driving in the World Rally Championship. According to a newspaper in his native Finland, Raikkonen will drive some time this summer in NASCAR’s Truck Series and eventually move to Nationwide and Sprint Cup. Raikkonen supposedly will drive for a new team called ICE1 that will have Foster Gillett as a partner. Gillett, of course, is the son of sports magnate George Gillett and until last year was running Richard Petty Motorsports.
      From Turun Sanomat: The world champion of Formula One and current rally star Kimi Raikkonen expands his field of experiences: The 31-year-old Finn is going to race in the most popular North American race series NASCAR. The NASCAR debut for Raikkonen will be before the becoming summer. Kimi is going to carry on with WRC Rally, too. He has agreed to do eight more rallies this year. There will bea brand new team to race in NASCAR level: ICE1 Racing. Raikkonen joins forces with Foster Gillett. He will be the major partner of the Finnish team. Among others Foster’s family was the former majority owners of the Montreal Canadiens NHL franchise and the former co-owners of Liverpool football club.
      Last year Foster Gillett was operating with Richard Petty Motorsport in NASCAR. Now he is about to break new ground with Raikkonen and ICE1 Racing.
      “I’m really looking forward to get there to familiarize to the world of NASCAR. I have been following it for a long time. I know, it’s a very tough and open top racing series. I just love the American spirit of racing. It feels just great to get involved with that. Obviously, it will be very challenging and great fun for me”, Raikkonen told the Turun Sanomat. The negotations for the car for ICE1 Racing team are just about to be finished. Raikkonen will race both in ovals and normal track circuits.(Turun Sanomat)(3-29-2011)
      UPDATE – Evernham: Ray Evernham, a former partner of Foster Gillett at Richard Petty Motorsports was a little bit astounded when he learned of the rumor of Kimi Raikkonen coming to NASCAR with a new team owned by Foster Gillett. “I really don’t know why Kimi would partner with people who continually fail with sports franchises,” Evernham told Auto123.com. “I don’t know how they could leave with so many unpaid bills and return to the sport,” Evernham added. Evernham says he was not paid over $19USD million and brought a lawsuit against his former partner earlier this year in a state court in North Carolina.(Auto123.com)(3-29-2011)
    • Jeff Gordon to appear in Cars 2: #24-Jeff Gordon will make an appearance in Cars 2 as Jeff Gorvette, an up-and-coming Chevrolet Corvette C6.R that’s “turning hoods wherever he competes.” More than just a cameo, Gordon’s character will compete as a “respected competitor – and legitimate threat – at the World Grand Prix.” Pixar makes no obvious connection to Gordon’s actual roots in NASCAR, but the character of Jeff Gorvette is a Chevrolet and will wear #24 like Gordon’s actual racecar, although obviously it isn’t an Impala.(Jeff Gordon site)(3-29-2011)
    • Bayne & Wingo to to be honored at Wood Brothers Racing Museum: When the NASCAR circuit returns to Martinsville, Va. next week for the Goody’s Fast Relief 500, Eddie, Len and Kim will host an event at their racing museum in Stuart that brings together the best of both Wood Brothers Racing worlds. On Friday night, April 1, from 7 to 9 p.m., fans and friends of the Wood Brothers will get a chance to meet both the original Wood Brothers and the team’s latest Daytona 500 winners, driver Trevor Bayne and crew chief Donnie Wingo. Representing the Original Wood Brothers that began racing 61 years ago are team founder and driver Glen Wood, crew chief Leonard Wood, tire changer Ray Lee Wood and jackman Delano Wood. For Wood family friends and race fans in the area, to see Bayne drive the #21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Fusion at nearby Martinsville Speedway, it’s a rare opportunity to see the Original Wood Brothers. Ray Lee retired in 1965 and Delano in 1983 and neither has been to a NASCAR race since. “This is probably the first time the four of them have been together in a racing setting since 1965,” Eddie Wood said. Trevor, Donnie and The Wood Brothers will all be on hand to greet friends and family and to sign autographs. Eddie Wood said the event is his generation’s way of recognizing the family members, as well as the friends and fans, who have stood by them through the good times in the past as well as the lean times in between victories. “We just want to thank the people that have supported us through the years,” he said. The Wood Brothers Racing Museum at 21 Performance Drive in Stuart, Va. will be open Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. As always, admission is free.(Wood Brothers Racing)(3-29-2011)
    • VA Mortgage Center.com returns to sponsor #32 car: VA Mortgage Center.com, the nation’s No. 1 dedicated VA lender, is again proud to sponsor Ken Schrader and the FAS Lane Racing team at the Goody’s Fast Relief 500 on Sunday, April 3. Schrader, a Missouri native, will be behind the wheel of the VA Mortgage Center.com #32 Ford for the annual springtime NASCAR Sprint Series Cup event at Martinsville Speedway. He’ll also be looking for a bit of redemption after just missing the cut at the recent Jeff Byrd 500 presented by Food City at Bristol Motor Speedway. “It’ll be great to get back to Martinsville for another shot at a Sprint Cut series win,” Schrader said. “Frank and his crew will have the VAMC car ready for another fast-paced run at one of the country’s best tracks.” This will mark Kenny’s third race for FAS Lane, which crew chief Frank Stoddard formed in February. Stoddard owns the VAMC #32 car, a Ford Fusion from Roush-Fenway Racing and Richard Petty Motorsports. A unique feature of the #32 car is the motto on the bumper: “Enhance Lives.” The phrase is one of VAMC’s core values. It’s also inscribed on the underside of the hood, along with the company’s other two major values – “Be passionate and have fun” and “Deliver results with integrity.” Stoddard said he’s grateful for VAMC’s continued support of FAS Lane Racing and NASCAR. “We’re excited to have the VA Mortgage Center.com #32 car back in action at Martinsville,” Stoddard said. “We’re proud to have the support of a company that’s committed to helping military members and their families.” VA Mortgage Center.com is committed to helping Kenny Schrader and Frank Stoddard make the 2011 racing season a success. “Kenny and Frank have tremendous track records and legions of fans nationwide,” said Nathan Long, CEO of VA Mortgage Center.com. “These are racing veterans who know what it takes to win. We’re excited to be a part of the team.”(FAS Lane Racing)(3-29-2011)
    • Gander Mountain to sponsor #34 at Texas: Gander Mountain announced that the outdoor retailer will be the primary sponsor of Front Row Motorsports’ (FRM) #34 Sprint Cup Ford at Texas Motor Speedway on Saturday, April 9. The car will be piloted by veteran NASCAR driver David Gilliland. Gander Mountain returns as a racing sponsor for the third season due to the number of NASCAR fans who also enjoy hunting, fishing and camping, according to Steve Uline, Gander Mountain’s executive vice president of marketing. “David Gilliland is an avid outdoorsman, as are many NASCAR fans,” he said. “One of David’s favorite pastimes outside of NASCAR is fishing. He understands Gander Mountain’s ‘We Live Outdoors’ culture and is the perfect driver to help us take our message to race fans under the lights at Texas.” Gander Mountain, with 116 stores in 23 states, is the nation’s largest retail network of stores for hunting, fishing, camping, marine and outdoor lifestyle apparel, products and services. The company offers thousands of products in its online store and now includes free standard shipping. In addition, the on line site now offers a firearms department with a broad selection of ammunition, rifles, handguns, shotguns, and accessories.(Front Row Motorsports/Breaking Limits) see an image of the scheme on the #34 Team Schemes page.(3-29-2011)
    • Jay Robinson Racing to run Cup? Although Jay Robinson Racing [#28 team in NNS] is no stranger to the NASCAR Nationwide Series, Robinson also gave details about going Cup racing this season—very soon. “It’s not a matter of if, but when. We already have the car, the license, and the car number. ” The team is hoping to within the next couple of months.(Racing Experts)(3-29-2011)
    • Gibbs working to identify cause of engine problems: Joe Gibbs Racing officials are scrambling to uncover the cause of an unusually high number of engine issues during the first five races of the Sprint Cup season. JGR had two issues this past weekend at Auto Club Speedway in California. The engine in #20-Joey Logano’s Toyota had to be replaced on Saturday when valve leakage was discovered following the final practice. #11-Denny Hamlin’s engine failed 105 laps into the race due to an unrelated value train issue. In all, JGR has had three engine failures in races and three more engines replaced prior to a race because problems arose. Last season, the organization had only two DNFs due to engine failure between Hamlin, Logano and #18-Kyle Busch. “Is there concern? Of course,” said Jimmy Makar, JGR’s senior vice president of race operations. “We’ve had a lot more issues than we’d like to see, this early in the season especially. Probably the bigger issue is for the most part they are non-related. That makes things harder to figure out. If you had the same thing happening over and over again you could focus on it.” Makar said only Hamlin’s failure on Sunday showed signs of a potential bad part. More alarming, Makar said there were very few changes made to the engines during the offseason. He said the organization purposely left things the way they were, with minor adjustments to improve fuel mileage that may have cost Hamlin the championship last season, before experimenting with new ideas.(ESPN.com)(3-29-2011)
    • Clint Bowyer building community center for his hometown: Clint Bowyer strapped on a hard hat instead of a racing helmet and gripped a gold-tipped shovel in place of a steering wheel. Then, as he does each Sunday as a Sprint Cup driver, Bowyer awaited the command, this one coming from Dan Foltz, the president of KBS Constructors Inc: “Gentleman, start your … shovels!” Bowyer and 11 other dignitaries responded by digging into the dirt on a chilly Monday morning and ceremonially broke ground for the Bowyer Community Building at the Lyon County Fairgrounds. The $1 million, 6,500 square-foot building is scheduled to open in September. It will serve Bowyer’s hometown as a community center for business and organizational meetings, wedding receptions, graduation parties and simply as a safe and friendly place where youngsters can hang out. The community center is a private-public partnership. The building will be paid for through Bowyer’s 79 Fund – named for the number of his first dirt car – and the county will provide street and parking improvements.(Kansas City Star)(3-29-2011)
    • 811 logos on the #22 during April: For the third consecutive season, Shell and the Common Ground Alliance are teaming up to raise awareness of 811, the national ‘Call Before You Dig’ number. Shell will leverage its partnership with Penske Racing in an effort to protect America’s underground infrastructure. During National Safe Digging Month in April, the 811 logo will run on the #22 Shell-Pennzoil Dodge driven by Kurt Busch.(Shell/Sports Dimensions)(3-29-2011)
    • Kansas June race, qualifying on Saturday: In a continual effort to optimize the fan experience while allowing fans to stretch their entertainment dollar, Kansas Speedway President Patrick Warren announced that NASCAR Sprint Cup Series qualifying for the Kansas Speedway 400 will take place on Saturday, June 4, 2011. “We feel that that by moving Sprint Cup qualifying from Friday to Saturday will allow fans to be more involved in the entire weekend’s festivities while easing some travel and lodging concerns,” said Warren. “Our fans will be able to see Sprint Cup and Camping World Truck Series qualifying in addition, to the O’Reilly Auto Parts 250 truck series event on the same day.” NASCAR Camping World Truck Series teams will vie for the pole position beginning at 9:40 am followed by NASCAR Sprint Cup Series qualifying at 11:10 am. Opening ceremonies for the O’Reilly Auto Parts 250 will begin at 12:30 pm with trucks taking the green flag at 1:00 pm. O’Reilly Auto Parts Qualifying Day for the Oct. 9 Hollywood Casino 400 Sprint Cup race at Kansas Speedway will be on Friday, Oct. 7. Tickets are available for all races by calling 866.460.RACE (7223) or by logging onto www.kansasspeedway.com. Parking at Kansas Speedway is always free and fans may bring one 14x14x14-inch soft-sided cooler into the grandstands to enjoy their favorite food and beverages.(Kansas Speedway)(3-29-2011)
    • ’24 Special’ ticket package at Sonoma: Race fans can once again secure preferred access to a scheduled question and answer session with NASCAR star and Vallejo native Jeff Gordon at the Toyota/Save Mart 350 in Sonoma with the “24 Special” ticket package. Gordon will be front-and-center for race fans with a special chalk-talk session just hours before the drop of the green flag for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. For the third consecutive year, Infineon Raceway will offer race fans the “24 Special,” which gets you one ticket to the Toyota/Save Mart 350 on Sunday, June 26, plus the second ticket for just $24 (total price, $119). That’s a savings of $70 on two tickets. Race fans can purchase the “24 Special” by calling 800-870-RACE (7223) or visiting infineonraceway.com/24Special. The Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR weekend at Infineon Raceway is scheduled for June 24-26.(Infineon Raceway)(3-29-2011)
    • Charlotte Motor Speedway and NASCAR Hall of Fame Provide Added Benefits to Members: Season ticket holders and Speedway Club members at Charlotte Motor Speedway and NASCAR Hall of Fame members will reap the benefits of an ongoing partnership between the two motorsports entities with the creation of new, exclusive benefits for these select groups. All Victory Lane Season Ticket holders and Speedway Club members will receive a 10% discount on admission at the NASCAR Hall of Fame, as well as a 10% discount in the Hall of Fame Gear Shop when they show their Victory Lane Hard Card or Speedway Club membership card and photo ID. Members can also take advantage of racing simulator rides for just $3, a savings of 40 percent. When NASCAR Hall of Fame members visit Charlotte Motor Speedway, they’ll receive a 10% discount on event tickets, as well as a 10% discount on merchandise and souvenirs in the Charlotte Motor Speedway gift shop. To receive the discount, Hall of Fame members need only to show their membership hard card at the ticket office or gift shop.(CMS)(3-29-2011)
    • Auto Club TV Ratings: ESPN’s live telecast of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif., on Saturday, March 26, earned a final national household coverage rating of 1.6, averaging 2,148,001 viewers, according to the Nielsen Company. The Fontana race was moved to a different time in the series schedule this year. In comparison to the race that was held at Nashville Superspeedway in the same timeframe last year, the rating was up as the Nashville race earned a 1.1 rating on ESPN. In 2010, the Fontana race was held in February, as the second race of the season, and earned a 1.7 rating on ESPN2. Overall, the combined network average U.S. rating for the NASCAR Nationwide Series so far this season is a 1.7, the same as it was at this point in both 2009 and 2010.(ESPN)(3-29-2011)
    • RWR ends relationship with Jeffrey Earnhardt: UPDATE: RWR & JEI mend fences; headed to Martinsville: Rick Ware Racing recently became aware how small of a sandbox the NASCAR community is. Over the past few weeks the out pouring condolences from fans/drivers and team owners resulting from the death of two crew members of RWR (Dean Shaut and Stephen “Dirt” Masch) has been uplifting but the same network of owners also delivered disturbing news to the organization within the same week. “We have been informed by several team owners that our driver (Jeffrey Earnhardt) and his management company (Jeffrey Earnhardt Inc) has been shopping around for another team, eluding that sponsorship was coming with them,” stated owner Rick Ware. This aggressive move by Jeffrey Earnhardt Inc. has resulted in a breach of contract between RWR and JEI. Rick Ware Racing will now put the focus on finding a driver for the #1 Fuel Doctor Chevy at Martinsville and the rest of the season. “We have proven that our equipment can get to the front. We have had several top 10 qualifying and finishes in the past eight months and we won’t let this stop us!”(Rick Ware Racing PR)(3-29-2011)
      UPDATE: Unfolding today were some disturbing events for Jeffrey Earnhardt and Jeffrey Earnhardt Inc. as they were informed through a press release written today by Rick Ware Racing that Jeffrey would not be driving for their team effective immediately. In addition to the release stating that Jeffrey will not be driving the #1 NCWTS Fuel Doctor Racing truck and continuing his battle for the Rookie of the Year standings where he currently sits in 2nd in points, the team also made an announcement that contains erroneous claims that JEI and Jeffrey have breached their contract with RWR. “To read that release was very upsetting and I’m disappointed to hear the inflammatory and disparaging statements personally made by Rick Ware about me and my company. The facts support that we did reach out to other race teams after the sponsor notified Rick Ware and my group that they were pursuing alternative marketing venues and after we were contacted by Rick Ware informing us that he would be unable to support me without the sponsor’s funding. This past Sunday, Rick advised us that he would only race me in Martinsville providing we signed a release to allow him out of his contract with JEI. That release never arrived and we notified him in writing on Monday that we expected to drive the #1 truck in Martinsville, in accordance with our contract. To suggest anything other than these facts does not reflect the truth and is unfair to the fans and us.” stated Earnhardt. “We are extremely thankful for Fuel Doctor’s support over the past two years and will avoid compromising our progress this season by giving credence to the misinformation coming from RWR. This news speeds up the need to find an alternative ride and we look forward to continuing our run for rookie of the year with a new team,” said Earnhardt. JEI is taking the official position that there will be no further comment.(Jeffrey Earnhardt Inc. PR)(3-29-2011)
    • Kvapil makes stop in Nashville to promote upcoming race: Travis Kvapil, driver of the No. 5 International Truck/Monaco RVs Toyota Tundra for Randy Moss Motorsports, stopped in Nashville, Tenn., on Tuesday to promote the upcoming Bully Hill Vineyards 200 at Nashville Superspeedway. The day kicked off with several interviews with area radio and television stations. That afternoon, Kvapil joined NASCAR Nationwide Series regulars Reed Sorenson and Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., to meet fans and give a few lucky guests a ride around the concrete track as the Richard Petty Driving Experience provided a free rides to attending season ticket holders. Country music stars Bucky Covington and Carter’s Chord also attended the event drawing media from the music industry.(Randy Moss Motorsports PR)(3-29-2011)
    • VAR teams prepared for Martinsville at Gresham: Justin Johnson, No. 51 Wounded Warrior Project/Vision Airlines Toyota Tundra, Dusty Davis, No.15 Vision Airlines/Emerald Coast Resorts Toyota, and the VAR crew went to Georgia last week for a test session on the half mile Gresham Motorsports Park. After two days of testing the crew felt they learned a lot. Davis commented, “This test has really allowed me to learn some things that I know will help me during my Martinsville debut next week.” Davis will also visit Rich Acres Elementary school this week in Martinsville, VA. As a spokesperson for Driven to Read, a merit based program designed to encourage youngsters to increase their reading proficiency through the power of NASCAR, Davis will visit with students to talk about the importance of reading. Driven to Read plans to visit more area schools around the Camping World Truck Series circuit where Davis and his Vision Aviation Racing team will be competing in 2011.(Vision Aviation Racing PR)(3-29-2011)
    • Busch set to drive #18 at Martinsville: Kyle Busch Motorsports heads to Martinsville Speedway atop the owners’ standings in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. A win in the Kroger 250 would give the defending owners’ champions a third consecutive trip to victory lane in 2011. To-date, Busch has yet to pick up a win at Martinsville.
      Some Fast Facts:
      *Captured his first career pole at Martinsville, qualifying first for the 2010 Kroger 200 (10/23/10)
      *Second-place finish in the Kroger 200 was highest in 19 career starts between Cup and Trucks at Martinsville (10/23/10)
      *Led a race-high 139 laps in the 2009 Kroger 250 but finished 17th after being penalized for a commitment line violation late in the race (3/30/09)
      *Ranks first among NCWTS drivers over the last 12 races at Martinsville with an average running position of 7.9; average speed in traffic of 91.13 mph
      *Has won 28.7% of the NCWTS races he has entered and finished first or second in 47.1%
      *Currently ranks first in the NCWTS in wins (2), laps led (212) and fastest laps run (59)
      (Kyle Busch Motorsports PR)(3-29-2011)
    • Crafton heads to Martinsville as points leader: ThorSport Racing driver Matt Crafton and the No. 88 Menards/Tarkett Chevy team return to Martinsville Speedway this weekend. The current points leader makes his 19th appearance at the famed “Paperclip” short track. The only driver to have three top 10 finishes in as many races in the 2011 NCWTS season, Crafton’s results speak for themselves in consistency – four top 10 finishes in the last four appearances. Crafton on leading the points…”We talk a lot about the points. Again, it’s so early on in the year, and while it’s great to be on top and we’re not in a position to have to ‘come back’ later on – I don’t put a lot of stock in it. There’s just too much competition to say that.(ThorSport Racing PR)(3-29-2011)
    • Sauter on “baby watch” this weekend: ThorSport Racing driver Johnny Sauter returns to Martinsville Speedway with the No. 13 Safe Auto/Curb Records Chevrolet crew on April 2nd. Sauter returns for his seventh appearance at the track in the NCWTS; he currently sits 5th in driver points. Sauter currently on “baby Watch as his wife Courtney is due with their second child, their first daughter, on Monday, just after the race weekend.(ThorSport Racing PR)(3-29-2011)
    • Additional sponsorship for Carmichael: Turner Motorsports and Monster Energy are pleased to welcome Kroger and Apple Market to the lower-rear quarter panels of the No. 4 Monster Energy Silverado. The Kroger Co., headquartered in Cincinnati, is one of the nation’s largest grocery retailers, with fiscal 2010 sales of $82.2 billion. The Kroger Co. spans many states with store formats that include grocery and multi-department stores, convenience stores and mall jewelry stores. Workman Oil Company is the operator of 45 convenience stores under the “Apple Market” banner in central and southwest Virginia and Eastern Kentucky. The company also operates as a franchisee for Subway, Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken, Krystal, and Blimpie. Workman Oil Company also has a proprietary food service operation in 13 Apple Market convenience stores under the Granny Smith’s name. In preparation for this weekend’s Kroger 250, Carmichael along with Turner Motorsports teammate James Buescher tested at Motor Mile Speedway on Tues., March 29. Motor Mile Speedway is a flat, four tenths-mile paved oval located near Radford, Va. (Turner Motorsports PR)(3-29-2011)
    • Marks to make 2nd career Martinsville start: Justin Marks will make his second career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series start at Martinsville Speedway on Saturday. Marks and the No. 66 GoPro team took their Chevrolet Silverado race truck to Motor Mile Speedway in Dublin , Va. last week for a private test session to prepare for the Kroger 250 at Martinsville Speedway. Virginia’s own Van-Go Rentals – “Your Temporary Transportation Solution” is a team sponsor of Turn One Racing. Van-Go Rentals is based in Lynchburg , Va. and is locally owned and operated. In addition, the team receives support from Grand Springs Water, a co-packaging facility and private label bottling company that offers natural spring water with an exceptional taste.(Turn One Racing PR)(3-29-2011)
    • Sweet makes first Martinsville start: his weekend’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event at Martinsville Speedway will mark Brad Sweet’s first start at the famed .526-mile track. The rookie driver hopes to build on his learning experience this season in the NCWTS by adding to his solid start thus far. The No. 32 Great Clips Chevrolet Silverado team will bring chassis TMS-017 to the half-mile Martinsville Speedway for Saturday’s 250-lap event. This chassis was run earlier this season at Phoenix International Raceway where Sweet finished 11th.(Turner Motorsports PR)(3-29-2011)
    • Goess readies at Little Rock for first trip to Martinsville: For the third-straight race, Goess will compete at a track he has never faced before. Piloting the No. 46 Greenville Toyota of N.C., Goess will take his first laps around the .526-mile track. The southern Virginia track is the shortest track on the NCWTS schedule this season. Goess and the No. 46 team headed to Rockingham, N.C., last weekend to test at the Little Rock track behind Rockingham Speedway. The team had the opportunity to have a private test at the .5-mile, 11-degree banked oval to prepare for this weekend at the .526-mile Martinsville Speedway. Goess remained in the 14th position in the NCWTS point standings after his 19th-place finish at Darlington Raceway. The Greenville, N.C., resident moved up three positions in the 2011 NCWTS rookie standings to the fourth position. He is currently 18 points behind rookie points leader Cole Whitt.(Eddie Sharp Racing PR)(3-29-2011)

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