April 18, 2012
- Top Gear Goes Behind The Scenes Of NASCAR on BBC America: Top Gear, the world’s biggest car show, sends host Richard Hammond to Texas, fully immersing the native-Brit in the world of NASCAR. During his visit to Texas Motor Speedway, Hammond explores the history of NASCAR and discovers how the sport evolved into the spectacle that it is today. He also discusses American motorsport culture and learns what it’s like to be behind the wheel of a machine running 800-850 horsepower from those who know best, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stars Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon and Juan Pablo Montoya. Hammond even gets a driving lesson from Kyle Petty, former NASCAR driver and son of NASCAR legend Richard Petty. NASCAR fans and petrol-heads alike can catch all the action from race weekend when this episode of Top Gear premieres on BBC AMERICA Monday, April 30 at 8:30pm et/pt (NASCAR)(4-18-2012)
- Mayfield indicted by Iredell County grand jury: Former NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield was indicted by a grand jury in Iredell County on Wednesday for several larcenies dating back to 2010. Mayfield is charged with five counts of felonious breaking and entering of tractor-trailers and one count of felony larceny. He is also charged with two counts of felony breaking and entering and felony larceny from a building. Mayfield was also indicted in February by a Catawba County Superior Court after allegedly stealing more than $1,000 worth of goods from three companies and storing the stolen items at his home.(NewsChannel 36)(4-18-2012)
- The Entry List for the STP 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway is posted, 46 teams/drivers [for 43 spots] are listed, including:
Not in top 35 of owners points:
#12-Sam Hornish Jr. (none/0)
#19-Mike Bliss (45the in owners pts/3 attempts)
#23-Scott Riggs (44/7)
#26-Josh Wise (40/7)
#30-David Stremme (37/7)
#33-TBA (36/7)
#49-J.J. Yeley (39/7)
#74-Tony Raines (47/4)
#79-Tim Andrews (none/0)
#87-Joe Nemechek (42/7)
#98-Michael McDowell (41/7)
In the event that qualifying is cancelled:
the eight who would make it [8]: #’s 33,30,49,26,98,87,23,74
missing the race would be [3]: #’s 19,12,79
See the full entry list at my Jayski’s Kansas Entry List.(4-16/18-2012) - Drivers with most points, last 10 races: #56-Martin Truex Jr. credits the entire Michael Waltrip Racing organization for his impressive start to the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. He’s especially appreciative of the chance to work with teammate #55-Mark Martin again. The veteran driver’s feedback may be an asset to Truex this weekend as he tackles one of his toughest tracks, the Kansas Speedway. Coming off of a pole and his fourth consecutive top-10 finish at Texas, the two-time Nationwide Series champion is a serious contender for a Chase berth this year. In seven races, Truex ranks fourth in the standings. Since MWR completed its major overhaul 10 races ago, only one driver has outperformed Truex – the reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion #14-Tony Stewart:
Points in Last 10 Races
1) #14-Tony Stewart, 372
2) #56-Martin Truex Jr., 355
3) #16-Greg Biffle, 354
4) #17-Matt Kenseth, 347
5) #99-Carl Edwards, 345.(MWR)(4-18-2012) - Overnight Texas TV Ratings: NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing on Fox averaged a 3.6/7 Saturday night for the race from Texas. Though off one-tenth from last year’s 3.7/7 for the same race, NASCAR powered FOX to an easy first place finish for the night (8-11p) beating CBS by +13% (3.6 vs. 3.2), ABC by +24% (3.6 vs. 2.9), and NBC by +125% (3.6 vs. 1.6). Through seven races caution flags are down -34% (40 vs. 61) and lead changes, arguably one of the strongest indicators of exciting racing, are down -43% (125 vs. 220). Season-to-date, NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing on FOX is averaging a 4.6/9 in the meters, off -6% from last year’s average of a 4.9/11. See season TV Ratings and 4-year race comparison chart on the 2012 TV Ratings page.(4-18-2012)
- Hornish Jr. to attempt Kansas Sprint Cup race: Sam Hornish Jr., will debut the #12 SKF Dodge Charger and make his first start of the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) season Sunday afternoon in the STP 400 at Kansas Speedway (KS). Hornish’s return to Kansas marks his first time back to the track since 2010, when he competed in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. This will mark Hornish’s fourth NSCS start at KS. From 2006 to present, Hornish has made a total of 109 NSCS starts. He has scored two top-five and eight top-10 finishes during that time. Hornish is also scheduled to drive the #12 SKF Dodge Charger at Talladega in the Good Sam Club 500 NSCS race in October. SKF is a leading global supplier of bearings, seals, mechatronics, lubrication systems and services which include technical support, maintenance and reliability services, engineering consulting and training. SKF is represented in more than 130 countries and has 15,000 distributor locations worldwide. This race marks the first time that SKF will be a primary sponsor of the Penske Racing Dodge Charger in the Sprint Cup Series and this is its 15th year as a NSCS sponsor. The #12 SKF Dodge crew is comprised of the members of the Penske Racing #12 Alliance Truck Parts/Wurth Dodge Nationwide Series team, with a couple of personnel changes to the pit crew.(Penske Racing), see an image of the SKF scheme on my #12 Team Schemes page.(4-18-2012)
- Kulwicki Named to SE Wisconsin Short Track HOF: Former two time Slinger Speedway Champion and 1992 NASCAR Winston Cup champion, the late Alan Kulwicki, is among the 10 newest selections for induction into the Southeastern Wisconsin Short Track Hall of Fame. The sixth annual ceremony is scheduled for Nov. 3 at the Schauer Arts and Activities Center, at the Wisconsin Automotive Museum in Hartford. Find information about the event and about previous inductees at www.sewishorttrackhof.com.(4-18-2012)
- Hendrick’s Returns To Site 199th – And Last – Win: Thirteen races have passed since Hendrick Motorsports last victory, and though it doesn’t seem like a big number, for Hendrick it is. Its last win came at Kansas Speedway (by Jimmie Johnson), site of Sunday race. That’s the longest drought Hendrick has had since the end of 2002 and the beginning of 2003 when it went 15 races without a win. Coincidentally, that streak began after a Kansas win as well. Rick Hendrick has attended all 13 races since then but hasn’t been able to celebrate his organization’s 200th win in NASCAR’s premier series. Hendrick holds more wins than any other owner at Kansas with four.(NASCAR)(4-18-2012)
- STP to donate to Victory Junction, run scheme: To celebrate 40 years with “The King,” STP is presenting Richard Petty and Victory Junction campers with a $43,000 donation on Friday, April 20, 2012. Petty and STP forever changed the sponsorship landscape within the sport of auto racing back in 1972, and this weekend STP will like to thank Richard for 40 wonderful years. As part of the celebration, Richard Petty Motorsports driver Aric Almirola will pilot the #43 STP Ford Fusion featuring a modern replica of the 1972 paint scheme with the original Petty Blue and STP Day-Glo Red. After the STP 400 at Kansas Speedway, STP, in conjunction with Victory Junction and Richard Petty Motorsports, will auction off Aric Almirola’s race-worn firesuit signed by both Almirola and Petty. In addition, as part of the celebration STP will be providing race-day tickets for service members from Fort Riley and Fort Leavenworth. Service members will enjoy an afternoon of fun, taking in all the action on the 1.5 mile tri-oval. To cap off the 40th Anniversary, STP will be launching a national television campaign, entitled the Left Lane Club, featuring Richard Petty. The advertisement will premiere during the STP 400 at Kansas Speedway on FOX and will continue to run through the summer.(RPM PR), see an image of the scheme on my #43 Team Schemes page.(4-18-2012)
- Stewart, 2011 Chase meet with the President: Three-time and reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart will be honored by President Barack Obama at the White House on Tuesday, April 17 [approx 4:20pm/et]. The event also will include NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France and each member of the 2011 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup field: Carl Edwards, Kevin Harvick, Matt Kenseth, Brad Keselowski, Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, Denny Hamlin, Ryan Newman, Kurt Busch and Kyle Busch. This event will be livestreamed at www.whitehouse.gov/live.(NASCAR)(4-12/17-2012)
UPDATE: Reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart and his fellow 2011 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series contenders changed their attire – from standard fire suits to business suits – for their annual visit to the White House on Tuesday.
President Barak Obama honored Stewart for capturing his third Sprint Cup Series title and celebrating the other 11 drivers who qualified for NASCAR’s postseason last year. Speaking from the South Lawn, the President addressed the 12 drivers, honored quests and dignitaries in attendance in an approximate 4-minute speech. He thanked NASCAR CEO Brian France and NASCAR President Mike Helton for their leadership, NASCAR’s commitment and support of the military, singled out driver Jimmie Johnson’s unparalleled achievement of claiming five consecutive championships and 2011 Sprint Cup runner-up Carl Edwards’s sportsmanship in the aftermath of falling just short of winning the title in the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway last November, which was attended by First Lady Michelle Obama.
But, The President saved his best material in addressing Stewart, playing tribute to the 2011 champion’s heart, attitude and determination as last season’s regular season was coming to a close and Stewart on the postseason bubble. “Nobody saw it coming,” said President Obama. “We’ve all heard about athletes who say they’re going to do what it takes to win it all, but back in August with the season winding down, Tony predicted he wouldn’t be able to pull it off. In fact, he said if he did end up winning the championship, and this is a quote, ‘I’ll declare I’m a total bumbling idiot.’ But I think Tony’s hero, the great AJ Foyt, put it best when he said the reason Tony won is because ‘he drove the best race of his life, period.’”
Stewart’s day started early with a behind-the-scenes tour of the iconic 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue residence and a meet-and-greet with the President. The champion roamed the famous halls and stepped foot in rooms frequented by the first family, including the East Room, the Library and more before heading to the South Lawn, where he was joined by fellow drivers Johnson, Edwards, Kevin Harvick, Matt Kenseth, Brad Keselowski, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Jeff Gordon, Denny Hamlin, Ryan Newman, Kurt Busch and Kyle Busch. The day ended with “Smoke” engaging in small talk with Obama by his No. 14 Chevrolet, which was prominently positioned off to the side of the podium.(NASCAR)(4-18-2012) - Victory Junction Camper Ambassadors named Kansas Grand Marshals: As part of their 40th anniversary celebration with Richard Petty, STP has named Victory Junction Campers, Keyley Bolding, Isaac Roberson, Sarah Roberson and Zac Roberson as Grand Marshals for Sunday’s STP 400. “Victory Junction is synonymous with the Petty Family, as is STP, so it is great that STP has chosen to name these campers as grand marshals for the STP 400,” said Kansas Speedway President Patrick Warren.”We take great pride in our partnership with STP and look forward to a wonderful weekend of racing.” In addition to naming these campers as Grand Marshals, STP is donating $43,000 to Victory Junction to help make campers dreams come true. As part of STP’s anniversary with Richard Petty, a 1972 iconic STP car will be on display all weekend long for race fans to connect with the history of NASCAR and STP’s long-standing involvement with the sport. Tickets for Kansas Speedway’s 2012 race events, including the STP 400 and the Hollywood Casino 400 (Oct. 21) are on sale now by calling 866.460.RACE (7223) or visiting www.kansasspeedway.com. Every season ticket comes with a Track Pass that provides you with access to the infield for the pre-race concert, driver introductions and much more! Parking is always free at Kansas Speedway and fans can bring in one 14x14x14-inch soft-sided cooler with their favorite food and beverages.(Kansas Speedway)(4-18-2012)
- Kansas Speedway Builds Homes In Joplin: Kansas Speedway is joining six other athletic organizations in a Joplin, Mo.-area Habitat for Humanity effort to build 35 homes in Joplin, which was devastated by tornadoes last year. The program aims to build 35 new homes in the heart of Joplin during 2012 to provide continued aid to the city’s recovery. Others participating are: the Kansas City Chiefs, the Kansas City Royals, the University of Missouri Athletic Department, the St. Louis Cardinals, the St. Louis Rams and the St. Louis Blues.(PR)(4-18-2012)
- “Burn Notice” films at Homestead: Homestead-Miami Speedway and the City of Homestead hosted USA Network for filming of its spy-drama “Burn Notice,” [Jayski Fave] on Monday (March 26). The episode will air this summer. The hit show returned to Homestead-Miami Speedway for its second taping in two years. A cast and crew of more than 120 turned Homestead-Miami Speedway into an outdoor TV studio for the taping of the episode that will air as part of “Burn Notice’s” sixth season. The same stretch of Homestead streets that fans will traverse this spring to attend the Grand Prix of Miami (April 27-29) and this fall for NASCAR’s Ford Championship Weekend (Nov. 16-18) functioned as a TV set for the episode. “We found this location based on our storyline,” said “Burn Notice” location manager Beverly Visitacion. “We chose this particular site because filming at the Speedway is great and it has a certain look with the palm trees lining the road.” The storyline for the Homestead-based episode includes a dramatic wreck involving a semi-trailer taking place on SW 142nd Street.(HMS)(4-18-2012)
- Daytona / NASCAR honor local First Responders for their role in hosting the Daytona 500:Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood, NASCAR President Mike Helton and Daytona Beach Mayor Glenn Ritchey, along with representatives of the France Family, International Speedway Corporation and Volusia County, hosted a special reception last night at the Velocitorium inside the Daytona International Speedway Ticket and Tours Building to honor local first responders including police, fire and safety rescue workers, and others for their efforts during the 54th annual Daytona 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on February 27, 2012. The race was originally scheduled to run on Sunday, February 26, but was delayed for the first time in history due to rain. With approximately 40 laps remaining, a bizarre fiery accident involving a jet dryer caused a two-hour red flag delay. Ultimately, the area of Turn 3 where the accident took place was repaired and the race was able to be completed.(DIS)(4-18-2012)
- KBM picks up new sponsor for five; Leffler/Scott share driving duties; image added: The #18 Tundra will be sporting a new paint scheme this weekend as Shore Lodge – the premiere resort in Central Idaho and a quintessential mountain retreat located on the southern shores of the stunningly beautiful Payette Lake in McCall, Idaho – will adorn the hood of Kyle Busch Motorsports flagship truck for the first of five races where the historic lodge will serve as primary sponsor this season. Leffler will be behind the wheel of the Shore Lodge Tundra for three races, including this weekend, while fellow Toyota driver Brian Scott will pilot the #18 for his home-state sponsor in the remaining two races. Since making his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis in August of 2000, Jason Leffler has collected one win, 10 poles, 19 top-five and 30 top-10 finishes in 49 starts spread out over seven seasons. The California native is hoping to celebrate his 50th career Truck Series start with win number two Saturday in the SFP 250 at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City.(Kyle Busch Motorsports PR)[Rendering of the #18 Shore Lodge / Dollar General Toyota is posted on the #18 NCWTS 2012 Paint Schemes page.](4-18-2012)
- Setup show to feature Newlyweds: Tune in to The Setup from Kansas Speedway this weekend to see a special segment featuring Cale and Jennifer Gale. The newlyweds will compete against Matt & Ashley Crafton and James & Kris Buescher in “Just Married!”-a newlywed game show with host Rick Allen. The couples will go head-to-head to find out who knows their new spouse best. [Setup scheduled to air at 1:30pm/et on Speed].(ESR PR)(4-18-2012)
- Buescher has new sponsor on board for Kansas: The #31 machine with driver James Buescher, will have a new look this weekend in Kansas Speedway. PROGENEX will adorn the hood and sides of the #31 Chevrolet on Saturday afternoon. PROGENEX is a fitness industry leader for products that accelerate muscle recovery, growth, repair and strength in the body. PROGENEX can be found in every NFL locker room, in the hands of Olympians and with top professional athletes around the world. Buescher has picked up 12 positions in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series point standings over the last two races. Buescher sits fourth in the standings only 10 points behind leader Timothy Peters.(Turner Motorsports PR)[Rendering of the #31 PROGENEX Chevrolet is posted on the #31 NCWTS Paint Schemes page.](4-18-2012)
- Piquet helping to raise carbon emissions awareness: Nelson Piquet Jr. and the #30 Turner Motorsports team will be running a “zero-carbon” decal on their 30 Qualcomm Autotrac Chevrolet this weekend. Piquet Jr. has teamed up with climatecare.org to bring more fan awareness to the issue of CO2 emissions. Climatecare.org is an independent organization that works to offset the environmental impact companies can have on the environment. Using ethanol has helped decrease emissions in NASCAR by over 20% in the last two years. Piquet Jr. and the #30 team had the dominant truck for last weekend’s inaugural race at Rockingham Speedway. The Brazilian native claimed his first NCWTS pole and led 107 laps of the 200-lap event. An unfortunate pit road speeding penalty forced the team restart from the back of the field with 20 laps to go. Piquet Jr. battled back to an impressive seventh-place finish. Piquet made his first start at Kansas in 2011 where he started 4th and ended with an 8th place finish.(Turner Motorsports PR)(4-18-2012)
- Dillon returns to site of first ARCA win: Ty Dillon will return to the site of his first ARCA Racing Series victory this weekend as the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series heads to Kansas Speedway. The 20-year-old rookie driver started the 2010 100-lap affair from the fourth position and began his trek to the front of the field. With five laps remaining in the event, Dillon passed Steve Arpin to take the lead and went on to win his first ARCA victory in only his second start. This will be his first NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race in the #3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet at Kansas Speedway. After Dillon’s eighth-place showing at Rockingham Speedway, he gained one position, advancing to third, in the Camping World Truck Series driver’s championship point standings just seven markers behind the leader Timothy Peters. Dillon took over the lead for the 2012 Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors after last weekend’s finish at “The Rock.” He is 12 points ahead of driver John King after four races on the Camping World Truck Series schedule.(Richard Childress Racing PR)(4-18-2012)
- Burton, another first; intermediate tracks: After a solid performance in Rockingham, powering from the 27th starting spot all the way to an 11th place finish, Jeb Burton finds himself in attack mode in his #27 State Water Heaters Chevy Silverado. This time, the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series rookie will take his talent on the road — to a series of fast 1.5 mile tracks between Kansas, Charlotte and Dover Motor Speedway. Burton comments: “Again, it’s my first time at each one of these tracks wherever I go. My experience up until this point has been in late models. So the approach is to learn first, fast laps second. We’ll be taking as many turns of the racetrack as possible on Friday’s practice runs, just to get the lay of the land. It’s such a tricky place for tires and pit strategy, not to mention all the other components like speed and corners. The weather might be a factor too, with all the wind they’ve had lately. So we’ll see. I just have to go into it looking for knowledge and to come out with a great finish. If we can get a top 10, we’d be over the moon.”(Jeb Burton PR)(4-18-2012)
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