April 18, 2013
- Roush Fenway Racing Shows Boston Support with “B-Strong”: In the aftermath of the tragic events that occurred during Monday’s Boston Marathon, Roush Fenway Racing (RFR) will show its support for the city of Boston with a “B-Strong” tribute this weekend at Kansas Speedway. All three Roush Fenway Ford Fusions will carry “B-Strong” decals during this weekend’s NASCAR event and RFR team owner Jack Roush has pledged to donate $100 for every lap the team leads during Sunday’s Sprint Cup race.
“When events occur such as what happened earlier this week in Boston, it is our nature to be overwhelmed with a variety of emotions,” said Roush. “To have to withstand an act of such senselessness and cowardice against innocent people is disheartening to us all. Our hearts go out to the victims and their families, as well as the entire city of Boston. “As Americans we can all be proud of the way the city of Boston – and the entire nation – has banded together in the wake of this tragedy. We are proud of our Boston connections and feel privileged to be able to play a very small part in supporting the ‘B-Strong’ effort.”
Roush Fenway is half owned by Boston’s Fenway Sports Group; the same company that owns and operates the Boston Red Sox, Fenway Park as well as a majority stake in the region’s premier sports network, NESN. In support of its sister team, RFR will carry the “B-Strong” decal that the Red Sox organization has used as a rallying point for Bostonians since the events that tragically took the lives of three people, while wounding well over 100 others. “The deplorable acts committed in connection with the Boston Marathon have impacted the entire nation,” said Roush Fenway president Steve Newmark. “And it is inspiring to watch the resiliency and unyielding determination of the entire city of Boston in the wake of this tragedy. Their resolve helps to remind us what makes our country so great. We obviously work very closely with the Fenway Sports Management group on a regular basis, and for this to happen right there in their back yard really grabs your attention and drives it home. We are humbled as an organization to be able to support the “B-Strong” effort.”
In addition, Roush Fenway will distribute “B-Strong” decals at the race track this weekend that pays tribute to the ‘617’ Boston area code, the “B-Strong” program and provides information on how to support the “The One Fund Boston”, an initiative formed by Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and Boston Mayor Tom Menino to help the people most affected by the tragic events. For more information about “The One Fund Boston” and how you can help those most affected visit: www.onefundboston.org.(Roush Fenway Racing)(4-18-2013) - MWR teams to honor Boston Marathon victims: The events of this week’s attack on the Boston Marathon hit especially close to Michael Waltrip Racing founder and co-owner Michael Waltrip. As the only NASCAR Sprint Cup driver or car owner to have run the Boston Marathon, Waltrip will honor the victims of the marathon tragedy by running special door numbers on his three NASCAR Sprint Cup entries this weekend at Kansas Speedway.
The door numbers on the #15, 55 and 56 MWR Toyota Camrys will replicate the 2013 Boston Marathon runner “bib” numbers, which are pinned on each of the nearly 30,000 runners. Waltrip posted a time of 4 hours, 33 minutes in the 2000 event.
“The news coming out of Boston this week was very personal to me,” said Waltrip. “When I ran the Boston Marathon in 2000, I remember thinking about what a privilege it was to be able to participate and all the hard work it took to be there. When you can see those international flags flying in Copley Square, you know you are about to complete your journey. I know the joy those runners were feeling at that moment when their worlds changed. It was a great moment of pride when they pinned the Boston Marathon bib on me, so I thought it would be great to pin bib numbers on our race cars this week in Kansas. I want to thank our sponsors, NAPA AUTO PARTS, 5-Hour ENERGY and Aaron’s, as well as NASCAR, for giving us permission to show our support. We just want the victims of the attack, the brave men and women who helped after the explosions and the city of Boston to know that we are thinking of them and we will support them anyway we can.”(MWR)(4-18-2013) - NASCAR related TV specials tonight: There will be a couple of opportunities for fans to catch a little NASCAR outside of the weekend competition when the sport appears on the Game Show Network and USA Network tonight, Thursday, April 18.
First, at 9:00pm/et on “American Bible Challenge” on the GSN, #21-Trevor Bayne will appear from the Roush Fenway Racing museum to present the category “Biblical Bumper Stickers” on the faith-based game show hosted by Jeff Foxworthy.
Immediately following at 10:00pm/et on USA Network, former NFL MVP Kurt Warner will get up close and personal with Richard Childress Racing (see story here) and NASCAR in an all-new episode of “The Moment.” Kyle Shields, a once young, aspiring race car driver, had given up on his dream when Warner, who hosts the all-new show, surprises him with a special offer: a second opportunity at becoming a NASCAR driver. After studying with NASCAR Camping World Truck Series veteran Brendan Gaughan of Richard Childress Racing, Kyle must rise to the challenge and demonstrate he still has the necessary skills to land a seat with RCR.(NASCAR)(4-18-2013) - NHRA trounces NASCAR for 19-5 softball win: A squad of highly competitive and terrifically talented NHRA drivers trounced a team of NASCAR stars 19-5 in Wednesday night’s softball game in Kannapolis, N.C., in front of a boisterous crowd at CMC NorthEast Stadium, the home of the Kannapolis Intimidators of the South Atlantic League. Elliot Sadler was the top player on the NASCAR side, flashing big-time leather in the field and ripping a number of line drives. The NASCAR team also included Kurt Busch, Matt Kenseth, Kasey Kahne, Kerry Earnhardt, Johanna Long, Hermie Sadler, Michael Waltrip, Darrell Waltrip, and others. The lone earned run scored by the stock car contingent was actually hit by a Wounded Warrior veteran, Mattias Ferraro, a double-amputee playing on two prosthetic legs. His blast drew one of the biggest ovations on the night, from fans and players alike. In a mid-game Home Run Derby exhibition, Bob Vandergriff and Elliott Sadler tied, with three long balls apiece. The game benefited Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and The Armed Forces Foundation. (see full story at NHRA.com)(4-18-2013)
- Tire test at Daytona UPDATE 2: Goodyear will conduct a tire test at Daytona International Speedway on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 16 & 17. Drivers scheduled to participate include: #1-Jamie McMurray, #5-Kasey Kahne/Regan Smith (Hendrick Motorsports), #10-Danica Patrick, #16-Greg Biffle, #17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr., a driver from Joe Gibbs Racing, #21-Trevor Bayne, #33-Austin Dillon, and #99-Carl Edwards.(DIS)(4-10-2013)
UPDATE Testing continues at Daytona: Goodyear will continue a two-day NASCAR Sprint Cup Series tire test at Daytona International Speedway at 9:00am/et Wednesday as a prep for the July 6 Coke Zero 400. The test is open to the public. Goodyear began testing Tuesday, which was closed to the public and media and scheduled to end at 10:00pm/et. Spectators will be allowed into the Oldfield Grandstand on Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Race fans may access the viewing area through the lobby of the Daytona International Speedway Ticket and Tours Building. There is no charge to watch testing.(Daytona Beach News Journal)(4-17-2013)
UPDATE2 Nine Teams Take Part in Two-Day Goodyear Tire Test: Nine teams shook down tires for Goodyear on Tuesday and Wednesday at Daytona International Speedway ahead of the 55th annual Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Saturday, July 6. Drivers that participated in both single-car runs and drafting sessions in the tire test were: #1-McMurray, #5-Kahne/Smith, #10-Patrick, #16-Biffle, #17-Stenhouse Jr., Michael McDowell (JGR), #21-Bayne, #33-Dillon and #99-Edwards. Drivers turned laps under the lights on Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. while Wednesday’s session was during the daytime. Tickets for all the events that are part of the Coke Zero 400 Weekend Powered By Coca-Cola Weekend At Daytona are available online at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com.(DIS)(4-18-2013) - Farmers Insurance celebrates 85th Anniversary: In celebration of Farmers’ 85th anniversary, #5-Kasey Kahne will race in a special Farmers Insurance 85th Anniversary paint scheme during the April 21 NASCAR Sprint Cup event at Kansas Speedway – a car that will bring to life the memory of Farmers first insured vehicle, a 1925 Cadillac Phaeton, insured in 1928.(HMS)(4-18-2013)
- Hornish Jr. to make 2013 Cup debut at Kansas: #12-Sam Hornish Jr. has 129 NSCS starts with five of those coming at Kansas, but this will mark his first start in the Gen 6 Ford Fusion. Crew chief Greg Erwin likes Kansas Speedway and he has two NSCS victories at the venue (2007 & 2010). This weekend is the first of two NSCS events that Hornish and the #12 SKF Ford are scheduled to compete in this year (fall Talladega race) Due to members of the #12 NNS Penske pit crew having other NSCS roles this weekend, the pit crew of the #22 NNS Penske Ford will pit the #12 SKF Ford with the lone exception being Fueler Kellen Mills, who is a team regular.(Penske Racing)(4-18-2013)
- Sadler to run Sprint Cup race in 2013 UPDATE2: Elliot Sadler is scheduled to run at least one un-named NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race in 2013, running the #81 Alert Energy Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing. This new energy product, was recently introduced by the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company. The scheme is purple, orange-and-yellow.(lionelnascarcollectables.com.(3-26-2013)
UPDATE: Wrigley’s new Alert Energy Caffeine Gum will make its NASCAR Sprint Cup Series debut with Joe Gibbs Racing and driver Elliott Sadler on April 21 at Kansas Speedway. Sadler will pilot the #81 Alert Energy Camry there and at Talladega Superspeedway (May 5 and Oct. 20) for a total of three races during the 2013 race season. The #81 Alert Energy Camry joins an all-star lineup of Mars, Inc. and Wrigley sponsors at Joe Gibbs Racing including Doublemint gum, M&M’S and SNICKERS throughout the 2013 season. “I’m really looking forward to representing Alert Energy in the Sprint Cup Series,” said Elliott Sadler, driver of the #81 Camry. “I’ve been lucky to have a long history with Mars, Inc. and am very excited about working with them again in launching this new product.” Alert will be available nationwide starting in April.(JGR)(4-5-2013)
UPDATE – Sadler returns to the Sprint Cup Series at Kansas: Sunday’s STP 400 marks the first of three races in which Elliott Sadler will pilot the #81 Alert Energy Toyota Camry, with the two races at Talladega Superspeedway in May and October rounding out the schedule. Alert Energy Caffeine Gum is a new energy product available for adults 25 to 49 that lets people control the amount of caffeine they want “on-the-go.” The product launches nationwide later this month. When Sadler takes to the track for this weekend’s STP 400, it will be the first time he has raced a Toyota in the Sprint Cup Series, making him one of only a handful of drivers to have competed in NASCAR’s top series in a Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford and Toyota. Sadler’s three-race schedule with Alert Energy marks the second time in his career he has raced for a brand that’s a subsidiary of Mars, Inc. Sadler was sponsored byM&M’s, as well as other Mars’ brands, when he drove for former car owner Robert Yates in the Sprint Cup Series from 2003 to August 2006.(JGR), see images of the scheme on the #81 Team Schemes page.(4-18-2013) - Code 3 Associates Joins SHR at Kansas: #39-Ryan Newman will run the Code 3 Associates scheme at Kansas Speedway. Code 3 Associates is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization specializing in animal rescue and recovery in disaster areas. The sponsorship was made possible by a benefactor with interests in animal-related causes. Formed in 1985, Colorado-based Code 3 Associates is a national response team that, at the request of local government officials, provides animal rescue and recovery in times of disaster. The organization has evolved from one unpaid volunteer to at roughly 75 professional responders around the country, which include animal welfare, law enforcement, fire, EMS and veterinary specialists from the United States and Canada.(SHR), see an image of the car on the #39 Team Schemes page.(4-18-2013)
- Proposed Victory Junction Midwest camp officially at standstill: The planned Victory JunctionMidwest camp for chronically ill children in Wyandotte County (KS) is on hold. Former NASCAR driver Kyle Petty, who along with his wife, Pattie, founded the original camp in North Carolina, said the economy has not rebounded sufficiently to pursue donations to build and operate a second camp, which is free of charge for children and their families. “We decided at our last board meeting in North Carolina to suspend the operations in Kansas City,” Petty said. “We have just beat our head against the wall with the economy right now. We don’t see in the near future we’re going to be able to raise $30, $40, $50 million, whatever it costs. Obviously, the price keeps going up on it. We’re going to step back. We have not abandoned the idea by any stretch, but instead of just keep dragging it on, we’re going to suspend, regroup and focus on when will be the right time and look at it again.” The project has had its fits and starts since the Pettys announced plans in 2007 to build a $35 million camp in the Kansas City area. They founded the original camp in 2004 on 72 acres in Randleman, N.C., donated by Kyle Petty’s father, Hall of Famer Richard Petty, in tribute to their son, Adam, who was killed in a practice session at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in 2000. NASCAR drivers such as Michael Waltrip, Kurt Busch, Jimmie Johnson and Tony Stewart made sizable donations to build facilities, and when the camp became so popular it couldn’t handle the demand, the Pettys selected the Kansas City area for a second camp, especially to serve children from the Midwest and West. After an enthusiastic response from the Kansas City-area business and civic community, the economic downturn caused donors to cut back on their original pledges. Also, the original site for the camp turned out to have environmental issues after ground was broken, forcing a search for a second site. “It’s really disappointing,” said Petty, who had hoped he would get more backing from Kansas City sports interests as well as from NASCAR drivers. “We made the announcement about the time the bottom fell out of Sprint Cup racing. If you go back and look at it, that was 2007, 2008 when we were riding a peak high in this sport & the most fans, the most dollars, the most TV ratings, most everything.” The Victory Junction Camp in North Carolina is also experiencing about a 25% dip in donations and has had to reduce the number of campers from 120 to 100 for the past few summers.(Kansas City Star)(4-18-2013)
- Niece Companies joins Starr for Kansas: Backing David Starr’s Toyota this weekend will be the Niece Companies of Austin, Texas and Fort Scott, Kansas. Niece Equipment and Niece Products of Kansas manufacture, rent and sell water trucks and fuel/lube trucks to the construction and mining industries. Niece employs over 100 people at its two facilities and not only services local, regional and nationally but is a major exporter to Africa, Australia and South America. Many Niece products are used for dust control in large mines, pits and quarries. (SS Greenlight Racing PR)(4-18-2013)
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