April 14, 2010
- Kahne to Hendrick in 2012 UPDATE 2 HMS PR: #9-Kasey Kahne, the hottest potential free agent in NASCAR entering the season, has signed a multiyear agreement to join Hendrick Motorsports in 2011, multiple sources close to negotiations confirmed to ESPN.com Tuesday. The details of the deal, such as which car Kahne will drive, are still being finalized, sources said. The prevailing thought is Kahne will occupy the #5 car currently driven by Mark Martin, sources said. Martin signed a contract extension last year through the 2011 season. There is room for Martin and Kahne in the Hendrick family. Stewart Haas Racing receives chassis, engines and technical support from HMS. So Kahne could be housed there until Martin’s contract was up, if necessary. In 2008 Dale Earnhardt Jr. signed a five-year deal with Hendrick. Jimmie Johnson last year signed an extension through 2015, and Jeff Gordon has a lifetime contract. Kahne is in the final year of his contract with Richard Petty Motorsports, and plans to finish the season in the #9 Ford, sources said. It is unknown whether Kahne’s sponsor, Budweiser, will accompany him to HMS [which sponsored Hendrick’s #25 Chevy for years]. Hendrick Motorsports officials had no comment. Calls placed to Kahne, who turned 30 last weekend, and to his agent were not returned.(ESPN)
UPDATE: Richard Petty Motorsports announced that driver Kasey Kahne has informed the team he will not renew his contract at the conclusion of the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. Kahne, driver the #9 Budweiser Ford Fusion, has been with RPM since entering NASCAR’s premier series in 2004. “Kasey is a very talented driver and I have enjoyed watching him race. We all wish him nothing but the best and hope he succeeds in anything he chooses to do,” said team owner Richard Petty. “Drivers like Kasey Kahne are the very reason we got into this sport. Kasey has helped us get to where we are today,” George Gillett, owner of Richard Petty Motorsports said. “We wish him well in his future however we have the rest of this season to race together and we’re looking forward to a successful remainder of the year.”(RPM)(4-13-2010)
MORE: It was reported initially that Kahne’s deal with Hendrick would begin in 2011. A source close to the situation told ESPN.com that Kahne will take over the #5 car for the 2012 season, but his 2011 plans are still undecided. “I’ve actually thought a lot about that but I’m not sure what I’m going to do next year,” Kahne said after taking batting practice with the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park on Tuesday. “I’ve given it some thought though.” Sources confirm that Mark Martin will drive the #5 car through the 2011 season. There is room for Martin and Kahne in the Hendrick family. Stewart Haas Racing receives chassis, engines and technical support from HMS. So Kahne could be housed there until Martin’s contract was up. Kahne is in the final year of his contract with Richard Petty Motorsports, and plans to finish the season in the No. 9 Ford, sources said. It is unknown whether Kahne’s sponsor, Budweiser, will accompany him to HMS. Mark Wright, vice president of media, sports and entertainment marketing for Anheuser-Busch, Inc., said Budweiser is currently focused only on the current season with Kahne. “There have been no discussions relative to our sponsorship as of yet. We look forward to having those at the appropriate time,” Wright said.(ESPN)(4-14-2010)
UPDATE2 – HMS PR: Beginning with the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season, Kasey Kahne will drive the #5 Chevys of Hendrick Motorsports after signing a long-term contract with the organization. Mark Martin, 51, the current driver of Hendrick Motorsports’ #5 team, will complete the 2010 and 2011 seasons. When Kahne takes over in 2012, he will join teammates Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. in Hendrick’s four-car stable. “In Kasey, we saw an opportunity to cement a big piece of our future,” said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. “He possesses incredible talent and a tremendous dedication to his craft, and we know he’ll be a great fit within our company. Kasey has earned the respect of his future teammates by the way he’s handled himself on and off the racetrack, and we know he’ll be a contributor to the success of Hendrick Motorsports for many years to come. To have someone of his caliber join our team is an unbelievable opportunity for us.”
“I have a comfort level with Mr. Hendrick, my future teammates and the culture of the organization,” said Kahne, whose contract with Hendrick Motorsports will run through the 2015 Sprint Cup season. “For me, it’s the right fit on every level, and I think it gives me a great chance to win races and compete for championships. “Determining the next step in my career has been an important process, and I’m excited and relieved to have the decision made and announced. Now it’s my responsibility to put all of my energy into winning races and having a successful 2010 with my current team and our sponsors.” Although 2012 and beyond has been solidified, Kahne is not scheduled to drive a Hendrick Motorsports entry in 2011 due to NASCAR’s four-car limit. While who he will race for has not yet been determined, Kahne intends to drive a full Sprint Cup Series schedule next season. “If this opportunity was going to happen, I knew having some unanswered questions would be part of the scenario at this stage,” Kahne acknowledged. “Hendrick Motorsports has a commitment to Mark Martin that they want to fulfill, and that’s important. It’s part of what attracts me to the team.”(Hendrick Motorsports)(4-14-2010)Bliss named to the #09 ride UPDATE: Mike Bliss and Tommy Baldwin Racing [#36 Checy] have parted ways, effective immediately. Bliss will replace Aric Almirola at Phoenix Racing. Bliss ran five of the first seven races for Baldwin. He failed to qualify at Bristol and last week at Phoenix. TBR is currently 38th in owner points. “Mike has been rock solid in qualifying with a Cup car,” Phoenix crew chief Marc Reno said. “We were struggling and we have to make races to keep our guys working. We’re trying to survive until we can land a sponsor. Everybody loves Aric. But we needed someone that could qualify for races. (Owner) James (Finch) has helped Aric out in trucks and if we were in a better position, we’d love to bring him up to speed in Cup as well.”(FoxSports)(4-13-2010)UPDATE: Mike Bliss told Sirius NASCAR Radio’s Sirius Speedway with Dave Moody Tuesday that just moments after parting company with Tommy Baldwin Racing this week, he was offered a chance to return to the #09 Phoenix Racing Chevy. “We missed a couple of races, and last week (at Phoenix) obviously didn’t go too good,” said Bliss. “I did a lot of thinking about what I thought was wrong with the car, and honestly I wondered for a while if it was me. I had a meeting with Tommy Baldwin on Monday, and obviously didn’t feel very good about the way that meeting went. The ironic thing is that for the third time in my career, James Finch called before I was hardly even out the door to offer me a job.” Bliss said the team may be forced to continue as a start-and-park entry this weekend at Texas, but, “James wants to run (the full race) at Talladega where they won a year ago with Brad Keselowski. They are talking with one sponsor in particular that they are hopefull will pay off.”(Sirius Speedway)(4-14-2010) - Keselowski Completes Test at Infineon: #12-Brad Keselowski completed a one-day test session on Tuesday at Infineon Raceway in preparation for the Toyota/Save Mart 350, June 18-20. Keselowski completed 50 laps around the 10-turn, 1.99-mile road course in a late-model stock car provided by a Northern California-based raced team. It was Keselowski’s first time on the serpentine circuit. “This is my first time here at Infineon Raceway, and I have to say that this is impressive,” said Keselowski. “The elevation changes make it a blast to drive. Basically I’m trying to prepare myself for when we come back here in June…and we won’t get much practice. It’s exciting to get in the road-course swing.” #78-Regan Smith is scheduled to test Infineon Raceway on Wednesday, also in the same late-model stock car. Smith placed 30th in his only NASCAR Sprint Cup Series visit to Infineon Raceway in 2007; this will mark Keselowski’s first race in Sonoma. Smith will be coached by road-course veteran Chris Cook, who has also worked with NASCAR drivers #20-Joey Logano and #43-AJ Allmendinger, among others.(Infineon Raceway)(4-14-2010)
- Richard Petty Motorsports in default on loan UPDATE: Richard Petty Motorsports, the NASCAR team owned by George Gillett, has been in default on a roughly $90 million loan since at least February but expects to soon restructure the obligation, sources said last week. The default on the debt underscores the harm NASCAR suffered from the economic collapse of late 2008 and, in particular, the impact of contraction among Detroit’s Big Three automakers on race teams. Gillett, who last year sold the Montreal Canadiens and still owns half of Liverpool FC, lost Chrysler’s backing of his race team when that company filed for bankruptcy protection. Ford is now supporting the four-car team. Gillett declined to comment on specifics of the restructuring because of the ongoing creditor talks, but he emphasized the default is technical in nature, meaning that he did not miss a payment but, rather, failed to meet terms of at least one covenant. Loans commonly have covenants that might, for example, require the borrower to sustain a certain level of cash flow. Prior to the economic troubles of late 2008, lenders were relatively lenient with these kinds of defaults, but they since have become more stringent and less forgiving. One finance source, who requested anonymity because of knowledge of the deal, denied Gillett’s characterization, insisting the default was payment-related.(Sports Business Journal / Fox News)(4-13-2010)
UPDATE: Richard Petty Motorsports agreed Monday night to a deal that would restructure the debt of the company, a source close to the situation told ESPN.com on Tuesday. According to the source, the deal is subject to final signatures and that 10 of the 11 banks involved in the restructuring have agreed to terms. This comes on the heels of a report that RPM, owned by George Gillett, has been in default on a loan of about $90 million since February. The source said the loan is closer to $70 million and that it was allowed to lapse with the hope that it would provide leverage with the banks to restructure. Had the banks opted to foreclose on the loan they could have taken possession of team assets and some revenue from sponsors, but none of Gillett’s personal assets. Gillett would not comment on specifics of the deal but said RPM has no plans of going under. “I don’t think we’ll just survive, we’ll thrive,” Gillett said. Gillett said RPM is operating in the black and making a profit. He said debt incurred over the past few years is the result of trying to survive in a tough economy that saw RPM lose financial support from Chrysler, forcing the move to Ford, and sponsors. “When you look at some of the curveballs thrown at us they’re substantial,” Gillett said. “Yet we’ve overcome them. We’ve overcome the loss of all that revenue from sponsors and Chrysler. Based on everything I know our intention is to restructure the debt, enter into an agreement with banks and buy out the debt with new capital that our family would put into and end up with a company that may end up a few million in debt but end up with a company that is fundamentally debt-free,” he said.(ESPN)(4-14-2010) - SFI and Impact Racing settle case: from a joint SFI Foundation and Impact Racing press release on April 1, 2010:April 1, 2010 – Impact Racing, LLC and SFI Foundation, Inc., in the litigation pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, have agreed that:1. Impact Racing, LLC has provided sworn testimony that, upon review and investigation, no counterfeit SFI Conformance Labels have been used on Impact Racing products during the production years of 2009 and 2010.
2. Impact Racing, LLC has provided sworn testimony that, upon review and investigation, all Impact Racing products manufactured and sold during the production years 2009 and 2010 meet SFI specifications.
3. Based upon this sworn testimony, the decertification against Impact Racing products for the production years 2009 and 2010 is lifted. The decertification of the production years prior to 2009 and 2010 remains in effect. The parties will continue to work cooperatively in an effort to resolve the issues relating to decertification in these years.
4. Impact Racing stands behind the safety of all products it has manufactured and to which SFI Conformance Labels have been affixed. SFI will continue to monitor compliance with product specifications.
5. Impact Racing, LLC and SFI Foundation, Inc. will cooperate in determining whether any Impact Racing product bears a counterfeit SFI Conformance Label and if any safety issue exists in regard to products manufactured prior to 2009 and 2010.
6. If any Impact Racing product does not bear the date of manufacture the purchaser or user is instructed to immediately contact Impact Racing who will provide verification of the date of manufacture. Impact Racing, LLC will immediately notify SFI Foundation, Inc. of this occurrence. Impact Racing, LLC and SFI Foundation, Inc. will work with the sanctioning bodies to determine the best method for product users to present verification of the date of manufacture.
For a downloadable .pdf of this press release, please click on the following link: Joint Press Release 04-01-10. More info at the SFI Foundation and Impact Racing websites.(4-14-2010)
- Red Dead Redemption on the #20 at Texas: Red Dead Redemption will fittingly adorn the #20 GameStop Toyota in Texas just North of Fort Worth “where the West” is said to begin. Red Dead Redemption is an epic battle for survival in a beautiful western world as one man struggles to bury his past. Developed by Rockstar San Diego, Red Dead Redemption is coming for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system on May 18 in North America and on May 21 in Europe.(Gamestop/JGR PR)(4-14-2010)
- I am Second on the #81: The I am Second ministry will adorn the hood and quarter panels of Michael McDowell’s #81 Dodge as the primary sponsor for the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Texas Motor Speedway on Saturday, April 17. In addition to sponsoring the #81 Dodge in Saturday’s race, I am Second is utilizing additional outreaches this weekend at TMS. I am Second logos are featured on the #18 Joe Gibbs Racing car driven by Kyle Busch and is also promoted on the #18 and Daystar (driven at other NASCAR affiliated races by Blake Koch) show cars at the venue. A special video truck that features I am Second videos will be seen at various parts of the speedway, and outreach ministries groups are passing out I am Second-themed materials to fans.(MacDonald Motorsports / MMI PR), see a drawing of the car on the #81 Nationwide team paint scheme page.(4-14-2010)
- Baker Curb promoting Autism Awareness: Baker Curb Racing announced that they are proud to be teaming up with the Autism Society to help promote Autism Awareness Month. The Autism Awareness Puzzle Ribbon will adorn the hood of Scott Lagasse Jr.’s #43 Ford this Saturday, April 17 for the O’Reilly 300 at Texas Motor Speedway and again next Saturday, April 24, in the Aaron’s 312 at Talladega Superspeedway.(Baker Curb PR), see a layout of the car on the #43 Nationwide team paint scheme page(4-14-2010)
- Deal Taker on #89 at Texas: DealTaker.com once again will be highlighted on the rear quarter panels of the money saving green #89/Chevy for the O’Reilly Auto Parts 300 on Saturday, April 17th.(Faith Motorsports PR)(4-14-2010)
- Texas Rookie Notes:
• Ricky Stenhouse Jr. was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the Bashas’ Supermarkets 200 at Phoenix International Raceway. Stenhouse Jr. posted a ninth-place finish, his first top-10 of the season and third in 13 career starts. He collected top rookie honors for the second time in the last three races.
• Brian Scott leads James Buescher by one point (61-60) in the overall Raybestos Rookie standings entering the O’Reilly Auto Parts 300 at Texas Motor Speedway.
• Three Raybestos Rookies have scored a top-10 finish this season: Scott, Buescher and Stenhouse Jr.
• Justin Allgaier was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2009 O’Reilly Auto Parts 300, scoring a 10th-place finish.
• Only once in 18 previous Nationwide Series races at Texas have three Raybestos Rookies finished inside the top-10. Reed Sorenson (third), Carl Edwards (fourth) and Jon Wood (eighth) accomplished the feat in the 2005 O’Reilly Auto Parts 300.
• The best finish by a Raybestos Rookie in 18 previous Nationwide Series races at Texas is second by Kyle Busch in 2004. Busch finished second behind Matt Kenseth in a race that ended under caution.
• Only two Raybestos Rookies have led the most laps in a Nationwide Series race at Texas: Kyle Busch (2004) and Kevin Harvick (2000). Busch led four times for 147 laps, the most laps led by a rookie in 18 races at Texas. Harvick led twice for 67 laps in 2000.
(Raybestos / Camp & Assoc. PR)(4-14-2010) - 21st Century Vitamins and PetSmart were on the #87 at Phoenix: 21st Century Vitamins and PetSmart partnered up with NEMCO Motorsports and driver “Front Row” Joe Nemechek this past weekend at Phoenix International Raceway. The #87 car displayed dual PetSmart and 21st Century logos for both the Nationwide Series and Sprint Cup races.(NEMCO PR)(4-14-2010)
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