April 1, 2010
- Clarifying The “Fin Rule”: A number of Sirius Speedway listeners and readers have asked about the apparent disparity in the so-called “shark fins” used by Sprint Cup teams last weekend at Martinsville Speedway. Some teams elected to use the full-length fin, running from the top of the rear window to the rear spoiler. Others ran smaller fins, or no fin at all on the trunk lid. NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston provided a clarification of the new rule today, saying that the rear deck fin will not become mandatory until the series races at Texas Motor Speedway on April 18. Fins will be mandated to be 3.5″ tall, and must be at least 17″ in length. Teams may run any length fin from the 17″ minimum to the full 25″ version, tailoring the length to help fine tune the handling characteristics of their cars. Full (25 inch) fins will be mandatory at both Talladega and Daytona.(Sirius Speedway)(4-1-2010)
- Stremme back in the #26 at Phoenix: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team owner Bill Jenkins of Vermont-based Latitude 43 Motorsports confirmed to Vermont Motorsports Magazine that David Stremme will continue to drive the #26 Ford at Phoenix International Raceway on April 10. The Subway Fresh Fit 600 will be Stremme’s third-straight race with Latitude 43. Following Boris Said in the first four races of the year, Stremme raced the Air National Guard car for the team at Bristol Motor Speedway on March 21 and at Martinsville Speedway on Monday. After getting caught in a lap-170 crash that forced the team to replace the car’s radiator, Stremme retired from Martinsville in 37th place with a broken rear gear. Despite the bad finish, Jenkins was impressed with his driver. “I couldn’t be more happy with David,” said Jenkins. “He ran as fast as anyone in the field, even with a damaged car. There was no qutting in him, even though the race didn’t go that well for us.” Jenkins said that Stremme is going to pilot the car at Phoenix, but that Said remains with team: “We’re excited for David to race at Phoenix, but Boris is still a very important part of this team. We’ll take it one race at a time.” First-year owner Jenkins said that he wasn’t happy to have a wrecked race car at Martinsville, but was thrilled with his team’s performance under pressure, led by crew chief Frank Stoddard of North Haverhill, N.H.
“Watching Frankie Stoddard and his crew repair the car was a marvel to behold,” said Jenkins. “They got the radiator changed and fixed everything else from the crash in about 35 laps, which isn’t a lot of time at Martinsville. Nobody quits on this team, they all did an incredible job.”(Vermont Motorsports Magazine)(4-1-2010) - Richard Petty and John Andretti to run Indy 500 again: Andretti Autosport announced it will work in a joint effort with racing legend Richard Petty and Window World, Inc., to field a fifth IZOD IndyCar Series entry for veteran driver John Andretti, first at Kansas Speedway on May 1 and then in the 2010 Indianapolis 500 on May 30. After his debut run at Kansas, John will attempt to make his 11th Indianapolis 500 start behind the wheel of the #43 Team Window World car. A successful qualifying attempt for John on May 22 or 23 will deepen the Andretti family legacy at Indianapolis Motor Speedway as he drives for the team owned by his cousin, Michael.
Window World will enjoy its second-consecutive Indy 500 as primary sponsor of the #43. Window World and Petty first teamed together with the #43 driven by John for last year’s Indy 500. The car will once again feature Petty’s traditional “Petty Blue” and “Day-Glo Red” color scheme made famous by “The King” during his unparalleled career.
The car will also sport the marks of Window World Cares, the charitable foundation of Window World, Inc., which supports St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Petty, a racing icon and one of the most-recognizable figures in NASCAR history, will be participating in his second-straight Indianapolis 500. A 200-time NASCAR race winner and seven-time NASCAR champion, Petty witnessed the Indianapolis 500 in person for the first time in 2007 and participated as a co-owner for the first time last year.(Andretti Autosport/Breaking Limits)(4-1-2010) - New book about Bill France Jr.: A new book about the life of Bill France Jr. is available in stores now. Written by H.A. Branham, NASCAR’s Director
of Written Communications, with a foreword from legendary newsman Tom Brokaw, the book chronicles France’s role in NASCAR’s early years prior to taking over for his father, through his battle with cancer and his mentoring of son and current Chairman/CEO Brian France. Known as a strong leader and colorful character, the stories in this book detail both sides. For example, from the book: “Bill Jr.’s speeches were sometimes spiced with witticisms that became known as “Billisms.” They were short and often politically incorrect. But no matter how they were perceived, they were universally understood whenever they were uttered. One of his favorites, to describe the importance of everyone “being on the same page” when it came to an idea: “We gotta all be pissin’ through the same straw.” More info at NASCAR.com.(4-1-2010) - Special Long John Silver’s scheme for Kvapil: Front Row Motorsports and Long John Silver’s will once again partner this season to help bring the popular Long John Silver’s $1 Baja Fish Taco to NASCAR fans across the nation. Long John Silver’s announced that its $1 Baja Fish Taco colors will be the primary sponsor of the #34 Ford driven by Travis Kvapil; Kvapil will carry these colors at the Autism Speaks 400 at the Dover International Speedway on May 16 and the All-Star Showdown at the Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 22.(Front Row Motorsports/Breaking Limits)(4-1-2010)
- Some stats from the first six races of 2010:
.927 — The average margin of victory, in seconds, in NASCAR Sprint Cup competition.
4 — Races that have had a margin of victory under one second.
12 — Average number of different leaders this season.
30 — Average number of lead changes.
33 — Number of different drivers who have led at least one lap.
113.4 — Jimmie Johnson’s series-best Driver Rating. Only three drivers have a Driver Rating over 100.0 (Kurt Busch, 105.9; Jeff Gordon, 104.9).
53.9 — Percentage of cars that have finished on the lead lap. At the end of 2009, a NASCAR Sprint Cup record 51.9% of the cars finished on the lead lap.
796 — Number of passes by Kyle Busch, most in the series.(NASCAR)(4-1-2010) - Some ‘Passing’ stats going into the Easter break / after 6 races:
Year GFP GFPL
2005: 13,744, 123
2006: 17,556, 156
2007: 18,632, 132
2008: 17,413, 162
2009: 15,813, 89
2010: 22,432, 332
GFP: Green Flag Passes
GFPL: Green Flag Passes for the Lead
(Stat has only been calculated since 2005)(4-1-2010) - Five NASCAR Races at Michigan and Watkins Glen…$95: For the first time ever, two historic tracks both known for their picturesque locations, Watkins Glen International and Michigan International Speedway, have come together to offer race fans two great experiences for one low price. As part of the new Heluva Good! ticket package, NASCAR fans get a total of five exciting races for ONLY $95 including the Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips 400 at MIS on Sunday, June 13, and the Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at The Glen on Sunday, August 8. Both race tracks offer some of the most unique camping opportunities in the sport of racing and are both located in popular vacation destinations. Watkins Glen International is located in the heart of the Finger Lakes Wine Country where tourism to the region has seen a substantial increase in visitation in the past few years as well as being featured in top tier publications such as Travel + Leisure, Budget Travel, and a featured road trip in the 2010 Rand McNally Atlas. This “Heluva Good!” ticket package saves fans $20 compared to the cost of purchasing separate tickets and includes general admission tickets to both of the International Speedway Corporation (ISC) sister facilities. This great package includes two races on the high-speed oval of MIS during Heluva Good! 400 June 12 and 13. Not only will fans be able to watch NASCAR’s first visit of the season to the Great Lake State but also the VFW 200 NASCAR Camping World Series race on Saturday, June 12. Fans that attend the Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at The Glen weekend, August 5-8, in New York’s Wine Country, will not only get to watch the stars of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series challenge The Soul of American Road Racing but also the double-header featuring the Zippo 200 NASCAR Nationwide and Crown Royal 200 GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series races on Saturday, August 7. Any fans that are ready to catch the excitement of the legendary twists and turns of WGI and the high-speed action at MIS simply need to call 800-354-1010 to order their tickets today.(MIS and WGI)(4-1-2010)
- The No-Hassle ‘DEGA Infield Experience: Race fans that want the experience of the Talladega Superspeedway Infield without the hassle of renting or bringing an RV for the weekend are in luck. Talladega Superspeedway introduced an all-inclusive premium RV package. Race fans that purchase the package will have their very own luxury motorhome awaiting them on Wednesday of race weekend. The motorhome will be stationed in the conveniently located Turn 4 Motorhome Park and includes everything four people need to enjoy a weekend at ‘DEGA.
The package includes:
· Delivery/removal and setup of one luxury motorhome for entertainment and lodging use at Talladega Superspeedway, Wednesday – Sunday.
· Reserved 25×50 RV space in the Turn 4 Motorhome Park
· Early infield entry on Wednesday.
· Four (4) infield passes for infield access Wednesday – Sunday.
· Two (2) infield vehicle access/parking passes
· Four (4) pre-race pit passes for Sunday’s Aaron’s 499
· Four (4) souvenir race programs
· Daily water and pumping service
· On-site concierge service
· On-site mechanical service personnel
“A demand has been building at Talladega Superspeedway for a turnkey camping package,” said Talladega Superspeedway Chairman Grant Lynch. “We are excited to offer a convenient solution for our fans that want a carefree weekend at Talladega.” Pricing for the premium RV package is $5,800 and requires a $1,000 refundable deposit. For more information, contact Motacha Blackerby in the Talladega Superspeedway Ticket Office at 256-761-4747. For more information on tickets to Talladega Superspeedway, please visit www.talladegasuperspeedway.com or call 1-877-Go2-DEGA.(TSS)(4-1-2010) - Allen / Day Enterprises headed to home track: UPDATE: sponsor Coming off his best career Nationwide finish at Bristol, Willie Allen looks to ride the momentum wave into his hometown of Nashville. Allen will once again pilot the #05 31-W Insulation/Fox Ridge Homes Chevy for Day Enterprise Racing, his 4th start this year for the Nashville area based team. (Allen PR)(3-31-2010)
UPDATE: Fox Ridge Homes will be teaming up with 31-W Insulation to sponsor the #05 Day Enterprise Racing Chevy for the Nashville 300 Nationwide Series race at the Nashville Superspeedway. Fox Ridge Homes is one of the oldest and most successful builders in the Nashville area.(Day Enterprises PR)(4-1-2010)
- Clements returns to the #04: Excitement is mounting at Jeremy Clements Racing as they prepare to head back out on the road for this weekend’s Nashville 300. After a rough start to the 2010 season, Jeremy and the #04 team are hoping some of Nashville’s magic will rub off on them once again. Jeremy won his first ARCA Remax Series race at Nashville in August of 2007. Jeremy is also excited to debut his new car this weekend, which was recently purchased from Richard Childress Racing. Jeremy will be behind the wheel of the Jeremy Clements Racing owned car, but run a Johnny Davis Motorsports number. So look for Jeremy in the yellow #04 Boudreaux’s Butt Paste, Saxon Group Chevy this weekend at Nashville.(Clements PR)(4-1-2010)
- Tim Schendel in the #52 at Nashville: Sparta, WI native and ASA Midwest Tour Touring Star Tim Schendel will be behind the wheel of the #52 Dodge in the NASCAR Nationwide Series in the Nashville 300 this weekend at Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, TN. Schendel will be driving for Means Racing, owned by former NASCAR driver, Jimmy Means. Oneof 48 cars on the entry list, Schendel will have to qualify by time to make the 43 car field.(ASA PR)(4-1-2010
- Mike Wallace gets Nashville associate sponsors: J-D Motorsports driver, Mike Wallace, has two Associate sponsors that have stepped forward for the Nashville Nationwide race. GK Services, a newcomer in the racing apparel business, and Radiator Specialty Co. makers of GUNK Products, both have renewed interest in the #01 Chevy of Mike Wallace. The team is searching diligently for primary support and additional associate sponsors for the Phoenix and subsequent events.(J-D Motorsports PR)(4-1-2010)
- David Starr – Nashville Fast Facts: Driver of the #81-Zachry Toyota for Randy Moss Motorsports
*Starr is currently tied for third place on the all-time top-10 list with four top-10 finishes in eight starts at the Tennessee superspeedway.
*Starr is tied for second-place on the list for the most top-five finishes, with three top-ten finishes.
*Since Nashville Superspeedway made its debut on the Truck Series schedule in 2001, Starr has competed in eight races at the track making him one of the most experienced drivers on the short track in Friday night’s field.
(Randy Moss Motorsports PR)(4-1-2010)
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