DAYTONA BEACH, FL: A Chevrolet Corvette carrying a NASA ÒAstronautÓ is part of the pre-race festivities at Daytona International Speedway, giving a plug to the Kennedy Space Center attraction. (Photo by ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images)
DAYTONA BEACH, FL: A Chevrolet Corvette carrying a NASA ÒAstronautÓ is part of the pre-race festivities at Daytona International Speedway, giving a plug to the Kennedy Space Center attraction. (Photo by ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images)
All News Cup News O'Reilly Auto Parts Series News Today in History Truck Series News

March 30 – Today in Jayski’s NASCAR history

March 30, 2020 at 6:14 AM

March 30, 2016

      • Goodyear tire test at Richmond UPDATE: Two-time Richmond race winner #11-Denny Hamlin is one of four NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers scheduled to take part in a one-day Goodyear tire test Tuesday, March 29 at Richmond International Raceway. Also expected to participate in the test are Joey Logano (Team Penske #22 Ford), Greg Biffle (Roush Fenway Racing #16 Ford) and Danica Patrick (Stewart-Haas Racing #10 Chevrolet). Tuesday’s Richmond test is one of two single-day tests by the tire supplier for 2016. A one-day test is also scheduled for Tuesday, May 17 at Michigan International Speedway. The Richmond test is scheduled to run from 10:00am-5:00pm/et. According to track officials, the grandstands will be open and fans attending the test should enter through Gate 70.(NASCAR.com)(3-29-2016)
        UPDATE: In the never-ending quest to improve the racing in the Sprint Cup Series, former Chesterfield resident Denny Hamlin and three other drivers spent Tuesday at Richmond International Raceway testing new tire compounds for this year’s Toyota Owners 400, which is a month away. All NASCAR teams use the same tires, provided by Goodyear. It’s occasionally a contentious issue, as past races have been marred by tires that disintegrated or exploded after a few laps of use. There were no such complaints on Tuesday, though, as the assembled drivers came away pleased with what was offered. Hamlin, a Manchester High graduate, said the tires handled much better than the ones offered in 2015.”Last year it didn’t seem like the track rubbered up a whole lot,” he said. “I definitely feel like we have improvement – we got a little bit faster on the frontside and a little bit slower on the backside. So we’re very encouraged by that.”
        “It was a lot of fun,” Joey Logano said. “They really rubbered up the racetrack. As a driver we all want to see that, and that also puts on a great race for the fans. We want to have cars that can move around and be able to pass people by going to a different lane.” It was also the drivers’ first glimpse at a changed facility. Thousands of seats have been removed along the backstretch at RIR, leaving an empty opening where there were once grandstands. The testing was conducted over the lunch hour, which is standard procedure for the teams, but reflected race conditions for the first time in several years. This year’s spring race will be held in the early afternoon, instead of its traditional nighttime start.(Richmond Times-Dispatch)(3-30-2016)
      • Hallam joins Toyota Racing Development: Steve Hallam, a veteran of motorsports including Formula One, NASCAR and Australia V8 Supercars, has taken a new position with Toyota Racing Development. The Englishman, who spent more than a decade with McLaren Formula One and most recently served as managing director of the TEKNO Autosports V8 Supercars team, will assume his new role as senior manager of vehicle support and team engineering for TRD next week. In an interview Tuesday with Motorsport.com, David Wilson, president and general manager of TRD, confirmed Hallam’s hire and said Hallam would be based in TRD’s Costa Mesa, Calif., headquarters and report directly to Andy Graves, TRD’s group vice president and technical director. TRD had previous experience with Hallam during his tenure as director of race engineering for Michael Waltrip Racing between 2009 and 2011. Wilson said Hallam will work with TRD’s team of engineers, supporting their work across multiple series in which Toyota is involved.(Motorsport)(3-30-2016)
      • Louisiana Hot Sauce to sponsor Allmendinger: JTG Daugherty Racing officials welcome The Original Louisiana Hot Sauce to the team through an expanded relationship with Southeastern Mills in efforts to promote the brand along with Better than Bouillon, Shore Lunch Premium Soup Mixes and Southeastern Mills Gravy Mixes at select events this season. “Southeastern Mills’ business philosophy is in line with ours and we are fortunate to continue to represent a sophisticated food company like theirs and we are pleased to announce the addition of their Original Louisiana Hot Sauce,” JTG Daugherty Racing team owner Tad Geschickter said. Allmendinger, who has one victory, four pole awards, seven top-five and 39 top-10 career finishes, also welcomes The Original Louisiana Hot Sauce brand to the family. It may be the newest addition to be sported on the #47 Chevrolet SS, but The Original Louisiana Hot Sauce has an eighty year reputation for quality and perfection.(JTG Daugherty Racing), see an image of the car on the #47 team paint schemes page.(3-30-2016)
      • 3M on the #24 at Martinsville: 3M will be the primary partner on board Rookie of the Year contender Chase Elliott’s #24 Chevrolet SS this weekend at Martinsville Speedway for the first time this season. 3M, which began its partnership with Hendrick Motorsports in 2015, will be the primary partner on the car for four additional races this year. (Hendrick Motorsports), see an image of the car on the #24 team paint schemes page.(3-30-2016)
      • Martinsville Goodyear Tire Notes: Teams in both the NASCAR Sprint Cup and Camping World Truck Series will run the same Goodyear tire codes at Martinsville this weekend . . . this is the same combination of left- and right-side tires these teams have run at this track since October 2014 . . . this left-side tire code has been run at this track since April 2013 . . . Martinsville is the only track where NASCAR teams are scheduled to run either of these two tire codes . . . as on most NASCAR ovals one mile or less in length, teams will not run inner liners in their tires at Martinsville.(Goodyear), see more nots, tire codes, set limits and more on the Martinsville Race Info page.(3-30-2016)
      • Derek White Targeted in Tobacco-Smuggling Operation: NASCAR driver Derek White was among almost 60 people targeted by Quebec and Ontario police in the biggest tobacco-smuggling bust in North American history, according to law enforcement officials. Authorities said some of the suspects arrested early Wednesday have links to biker gangs and organized crime, buying tobacco in the U.S. and illegally importing it into Canada through three border crossings. The tobacco was ultimately sold on the Kahnawake and Six Nations reserves, according to police. Ingrid Asselin, a spokeswoman for Surete du Quebec, the provincial police force, declined to confirm that the Derek White they arrested is the NASCAR driver. Law enforcement officials, who requested anonymity because of restrictions about commenting beyond the scope of the warrants, said it was the same man. White is listed as one of the top ranking members of the smuggling operation, according to a chart provided by police. Dwayne Zacharie, Kahnawake’s chief peacekeeper, said investigators from Quebec contacted his police force early Wednesday and said they had arrest warrants for three members of the tribe, including NASCAR driver Derek White. Zacharie said his office informed the three suspects of the warrants and told them to contact Quebec police. Lieutenant Jason Allard, spokesman for the Quebec provincial police, said the tobacco operation was tightly organized. It bought shipments of tobacco leaf in North Carolina, trucking them north and reselling them in Canada. Profits from tobacco were used to purchase cocaine, and some of the money was laundered abroad, in Europe, he said. The tobacco shipments were not declared at the border and disclosed to government officials, thereby avoiding taxes and allowing the cigarettes to be manufactured and sold for less money.(Bloomberg)(3-30-2016)
      • Erik Jones says next year already planned out: Rookie Xfinity Series driver Erik Jones said Joe Gibbs Racing knows what they plan to do with him in 2017. “There’s a plan in place that will be in motion here later in the year,” Jones said Wednesday at Texas Motor Speedway’s Media Day at Gilley’s. “There’s a plan in place and really, my performance this year isn’t going to be indicative of where that’s going to end up.” Jones didn’t give specifics on the team’s plan. All four Sprint Cup rides at JGR are filled, but the team formed a technical alliance with Furniture Row Racing before this season. Furniture Row Racing owner Barney Visser has expressed interest in fielding a second car. “It’s the first time in my career where I’ve been in a position like this, where I am set in my future at this point at least, and that’s a great feeling as a young driver, not to really have to really fight every week,” Jones said. “I still fight every week, like I have always, but it’s nice not to have that added pressure of not knowing what the future holds or what’s going to happen. It’s definitely a little bit more relaxed knowing that I can just go out and do my best and hey, if it doesn’t work out, it doesn’t work out.”(NBC Sports)(3-30-2016)
      • Texas Rangers on the #33 at Texas: The Texas Rangers will sponsor Brandon Jones’ #33 Chevrolet for the Xfinity Series race April 8 at Texas Motor Speedway. Jones’ car will be wrapped in Rangers blue and red with baseballs on the doors and the team’s logo on the hood, the club announced Wednesday. Jones’ driver suit will be modeled after the team’s blue jersey top with gray pants. Jones, 19, is in his first full season as a driver for Richard Childress Racing. He is scheduled to throw the ceremonial first pitch before the Rangers’ game Wednesday with the Seattle Mariners.(Ft. Worth Star-Telegram), see an image of the car on the #33 team paint schemes page.(3-30-2016)
      • Melon 1 teams up with Delaware Office of Highway Safety, JD Motorsports: Melon 1, Inc., has teamed up with the Delaware Office of Highway Safety to continue encouraging safe driving this summer with a new “Protect your Melon” campaign. Delaware grocery stores will be carrying watermelons with “Protect your Melon,” and #BuckleUp stickers on them from May to June. From July until September, they will be partnering together on a DUI awareness campaign as well. In addition to the label promotion, Melon 1 and the Delaware Office of Highway Safety are excited to also carry the theme of “Protect Your Melon” to the NASCAR Xfinity Series in partnership with JD Motorsports. Look for their logos on the #4 JD Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro, driven by Ross Chastain, for the Dover Race on Saturday May 14th. The partnership will also continue for the Xfinity Series Drive Sober 200 race on Saturday October 1st. Melon 1, Inc. is one of the nation’s largest and oldest watermelon grower and shippers. The Melon 1 team has been growing, packing and shipping watermelons collectively for over 30 years.(Melon 1 PR)(3-30-2016)
      • Grala to make Truck debut at Martinsville: Seventeen-year-old Kaz Grala will attempt to make his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut in the #33 Chevrolet for GMS Racing. Grala takes the reigns of the #33 from Grant Enfinger, who was originally scheduled to race the whole season, but will now run select events. Grala currently competes in the NASCAR K&N; Pro Series East for Ben Kennedy Racing. In three NKNPSE starts this season, he has produced a top-five finish and two top-10 showings. The Westborough, Massachusetts native finished seventh in the NKNPSE standings in 2014 and 2015. In January, Grala became the youngest driver to ever participate in the Rolex 24.(NASCAR)(3-30-2016)
      • New Truck team to debut at Martinsville: Faith Motorsports has prepared to make their NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut at Martinsville Speedway this coming weekend. The team will run the #62 Toyota with owner/driver Donnie Levister behind the wheel. Kansas City based real estate management company, Property Pro’s will be the first primary sponsor on the #62. Property Pro’s is owned and operated by Faith Motorsports team owner Shane Lamb. Another partner of Faith Motorsports will also be making their NASCAR in 2016. Shawn Magee Design (SMD) is the official graphics partner of Faith Motorsports and will serve as a primary sponsor in the upcoming racing season. The crew chief will be Matt Carter and engines are scheduled top be supplied by TRD. Faith Motorsports plans on attempting to run the remaining Camping World Truck Series races in 2016.(Faith Motorsports)(3-30-2016)
      • Bliss in the #71 at Martinsville: Contreras Motorsports heads to Martinsville Speedway for the third race of the 2016 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season. Mike Bliss will be behind the wheel of the #71 RaceTrac Silverado. Bliss, a past champion of the series in 2002, has 13 wins in the NCWTS and more than 700 starts across NASCAR’s national series. The former Joe Gibbs Racing driver will serve as a fundamental piece of Contreras Motorsport’s development in its debut season. Co-owner of the team and driver of the first two races of the season, Carlos Contreras, will now be serving as chief of racing operations for the team. Carlos’ experience will ease the team’s growth as the season unfolds. The #71 Chevy Silverado will have RaceTrac’s traditional colors for the second time this season, red white and blue.(Contreras Motorsports)(3-30-2016)
      • Martinsville Speedway using Kenseth-Logano feud in advertising: The controversial accident between #20-Matt Kenseth and #24-Joey Logano at Martinsville Speedway last fall happened and track president Clay Campbell will not shy away from it. In a TV commercial advertising the upcoming STP 500, footage is used of Kenseth intentionally wrecking Logano. The act resulted in Kenseth being suspended for two weeks while Logano failed to advance from the second to last round in the Chase. It’s why some are upset the track would use the wreck as a promotional tool. But according to Campbell, including it wasn’t a difficult decision.
        “Yeah, it stirred up controversy but what do people want me to show, the pace lap? That would be like (the media), you write about the deal after it happened but you can’t do it anymore,” Campbell said on Tuesday at the NASCAR Hall of Fame promoting this weekend’s race. “Is that going to sell newspapers? Is that going to sell what you do? I get paid to sell tickets. I don’t think that crossed over the line.” Campbell referenced other incidents that have also been highlighted throughout the years, such as the fight after the 1979 Daytona 500. While lore has it NASCAR didn’t feel it was good for the sport at the time since it was the first race broadcast flag-to-flag on cable TV, it has been shown over and over since then. “No, I wouldn’t think twice about it. Unfortunately, somebody did get penalized on it, that was the bad part about it, but we didn’t make a highlight out of that incident. It was just a small blurb of it. Was it a difficult decision, no,” Campbell reiterated. “I wouldn’t be doing my job, and I don’t think anyone sitting in this room would have done anything any different if what I’m paid to do is sell tickets. The golden rule is that if there’s an injury or anything like that, certainly you don’t cross over that line.”(Popular Speed)(3-30-2016)
      • Big & Rich in concert at Talladega: Guess who is Comin’ to Your Infield City at Talladega Superspeedway. The party will be rockin’ and rollin’ this spring at NASCAR’s biggest and baddest track as the iconic country duo Big & Rich, featuring Cowboy Troy, will perform Talladega Superspeedway’s traditional Saturday Night Concert on April 30 as part of the track’s spring race weekend, featuring the GEICO 500. After a day of epic racing with the Talladega 300 NASCAR XFINITY Series earlier on Saturday, the ‘Dega faithful will be treated to a grand time with Big & Rich for one of the most anticipated Saturday Night Concerts ever at NASCAR’s Most Competitive track. John, Big Kenny and Troy will play a host of all-time favorites, as well as their highly successful album titled “Gravity” that has had back-to-back top ten hits – “Look at You” and “Run Away With You.”America’s Technicolor cowboys, John Rich and Big Kenny Alphin are first-rate musicians, songwriters, producers and entertainers. Together, they are one of the most original musical forces ever unleashed on the industry. Their partner in crime, Cowboy Troy, will be right there as well, as the self-proclaimed “hick-hop” artist continues to amaze the masses with his own brand of southern, country-fried rap that has turned heads for years.(TSS)(3-30-2016)

 

2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997