April 21, 2011
- Johnson Accepts Driver of the Year Trophy: This past weekend at the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in Talladega, NASCAR president Mike Helton and Barry Schmoyer, president of the Driver of the Year Foundation presented #48-Jimmie Johnson, the Sprint Cup’s five-consecutive time champion with the 2010 Driver of the Year trophy at the International Motorsports Hall of Fame dinner. Johnson was also presented a Tissot timepiece. In its’ 45th year, the Driver of the Year title is unique and the oldest award of its’ type. A panel of 20 leading journalists from across the U.S. determines the winner. In quarterly voting, points are awarded on a declining 9, 6, 4,3,2,1 basis. The winning driver receives a trophy and a Tissot wristwatch. Barry Schmoyer is businessman and sportsman based in Sarasota, FL.(Driver of the Year PR)(4-21-2011)
- Kurt Busch helps give VIP treatment to fan: Josh Carden has become quite a “celebrity” in central Alabama over the last few months and that status is certainly nothing that the senior at Thompson High School cared to be a part of. Nonetheless, with the support of folks in the racing community such as Eli Gold (MRN Radio) and Grant Lynch (Talladega Superspeedway)…and many others…Josh’s life is beginning to take a turn for the good after the youngster has experienced such an unbelievable run of bad luck. Shell-Pennzoil Dodge driver Kurt Busch was “blown away” to hear that Josh was a huge fan of his. Gold has been a leader in the fund-raising aspect for Josh and Lynch launched an effort to give Josh total VIP treatment during this past weekend’s Aaron’s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway.
“Now that was a real tug on the heartstrings,” Busch said on Saturday morning after purposefully “dodging” Carden’s group behind the #22 transporter. Busch wanted to be in full uniform when he emerged from his transporter to encounter Josh. “This kid has all this he’s working against and he’s still the happiest fellow on the grounds of Talladega Superspeedway. It was a real eye-opener. His folks were there and even his bus driver. He’s replaying how we won the Bud Shootout just like it’s the audio from the race…quite amazing…and says we’re gonna’ do well out there in qualifying. We qualified eighth and I really think we might have gotten a bit of luck from Josh…you never know, It was a bit faster of lap that we thought we’d run.” Josh identified Kurt as his favorite driver and will have a special “Kurt Busch Room” in his new home…thanks to Gold, Lynch…and all the #22 Shell-Pennzoil Dodge team sponsors involved. “Josh told me that I was his hero,” said Busch, “but after learning his story, meeting him and spending time with him, I’m saying that Josh Carden is my hero.”(Tom Roberts PR)(4-21-2011) - Lowe’s makes donation to help out folks from NC tornado; Pit Crew Visits: In honor of the heroic efforts of Lowe’s store employees during the April 16 tornado in Sanford, N.C., Lowe’s announced this week it will donate $250,000 to the American Red Cross National Disaster Relief Fund. Lowe’s stores nationwide also will accept customer’s cash donations to the American Red Cross from April 20 to May 22. Lowes.com also will serve as a donation point for customers who wish to contribute to the American Red Cross, making it convenient for people who want to join Lowe’s in making a difference in communities affected by disaster. The donations will support the American Red Cross National Disaster Relief Fund to provide support to the thousands affected by the natural disasters nationwide, including the tornadoes in North Carolina, Alabama and Mississippi; the wildfires in Texas; and the flooding in North Dakota.
In Sanford, no employees or customers lost their lives during the severe weather thanks to the quick response from Lowe’s employees inside the store. All Sanford Lowe’s employees have been offered the opportunity to work in surrounding stores – no jobs will be lost as a result of this disaster. In addition to these efforts and Lowe’s support of the American Red Cross, Lowe’s Employee Relief Fund will continue to assist the company’s own employees faced with rebuilding nationwide. The Lowe’s Employee Relief Fund, which was created in 1999, has contributed $12 million in assistance to more than 11,000 employees and their families. Lowe’s matches each contribution dollar for dollar to make employee donations even more powerful.(HMS)
AND Anne-Marie Rhodes, a Sanford native and the 2007 Miss Sprint Cup, joined NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson’s pit crew on a tour of damage to the Lowe’s Home Improvement store and neighborhoods hit by Saturdays’ tornado.(Sanford Herald) and see an article with images by Rhodes at Motor Racing Digest.(4-21-2011) - Sad News – Wayne Redmond: Wayne L. Redmond, 52, passed away on Sunday, April 17, 2011 at Iowa Methodist Mecial Center in Des Moines. Redmond worked for AERO Race Wheel in Estherville for many years, which put him in touch with many NASCAR drivers and crews. More info and service info at laufersweilerfuneralhome.com. For an article about Redmond, see OneDirt.com.(4-21-2011)
- Toyota Skinner Round-Up Raises $125,000: Last month’s Toyota Skinner Round-Up presented by Rue & Ziffra Personal Injury Attorneys raised $125,000 for five Volusia County, Fla., charities. The two-day event, organized by NASCAR driver Mike Skinner and his wife Angie, included a Hoe Down Bash at Daytona International Speedway followed by golf and poker tournaments the next day at Spruce Creek Country Club in Port Orange, FL. Volusia County charities benefitting from the event include the Council on Aging, Concerned Citizens for Animal Welfare, Greyhound Pets of America, Halifax Foundation and Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. Since the Toyota Skinner Round-Up began in 2005, the event has now raised more than $625,000 toward these charities.
The Hoe Down Bash included a live concert by Nashville recording artist Stacy Mitchhart along with a musical set performed by Edwin McCain, sponsored by Brighthouse Networks. Fans were able to sample food from more than 10 Volusia County restaurants that participated in the popular ‘Taste of Daytona,’ which was free of charge with the purchase of an event ticket. Fifteen items were auctioned off live to the crowd, including a six-seat EZGO golf cart, a Charlie Daniels autographed fiddle, a vacation package to the American Idol finale in Los Angeles, a trip to the 5F Ranch in Texas and much more. Over 100 silent auction items were also available for fans to bid on during the event.
Celebrity guests who came out for the event included, Mitchhart, McCain, three-time NHRA Top Fuel champion Larry Dixon, as well as fellow NASCAR drivers Ron Hornaday Jr. and Steve Park. Daredevil Robbie Knievel, country music comedian Cledus T Judd and NASCAR Sirius Speedway host Dave Moody also attended the event which honored former NASCAR executive Jim Hunter, who was a close friend of the Skinners and passed away last Oct.
“We would like to thank everyone for supporting the Toyota Skinner Round-Up again this year,” added Skinner. “Angie and I could not do this without the help of the sponsors, volunteers and celebrity guests who make this such a successful event. Also, a big thank you to all of the supporters who came out to the Hoe Down Bash at Daytona International Speedway and to the golf and poker tournaments at Spruce Creek Country Club.” For more information on the Toyota Skinner Round-Up presented by Rue & Ziffra Personal Injury Attorneys, including how to donate additional funds, visit www.MikeSkinner.com.(4-21-2011) - Hamilton Jr. & Chaffin team up to keep Fairgrounds Speedway open: A pair of local [Nashville] racers with longtime connections to Fairgrounds Speedway — Bobby Hamilton Jr. and Chad Chaffin — have been awarded a contract to lease the track and keep it open for the 2011 and 2012 seasons. The state fair board awarded the lease to Hamilton and Chaffin on Wednesday following their bid that guarantees a minimum of $53,100 annually to the fair board. Their bid also has a minimum of $8,001 for each night race, with up to five of those races allowed each season. It also includes a guarantee of $1 per ticket for each day race with a minimum of two races required. Tony Formosa Jr., who operated the track last season, made a bid of $5,000 per race without a minimum guarantee. The lease calls for two of the races to be run on the same weekend that the flea market is held at the fairgrounds and one during the Tennessee State Fair. Chaffin said he is confident enough profit will come from the track to cover the guarantee. Formosa declined to comment on his bid and why he did not include a guarantee. Hamilton already operates two other tracks in the area — Highland Rim in Greenbrier and Riverview in Carthage. He said getting all three of the tracks in the area on a schedule that does not conflict with each other will be a key in growing the auto racing fan base, which will benefit each facility.(Tennessean)(4-21-2011)
- Ticket Options for Darlington: The 2011 Showtime Southern 500 weekend at Darlington Raceway will be even more fan-friendly with special ticket pricing and new seating sections geared towards families and military service men and women. The new pricing structure will include discounted youth tickets for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Showtime Southern 500 for the first time in the track’s 60-plus year history. Fan-friendly ticketing options for 2011 include:
New Youth Pricing – All youths, 17 and under, are free in general admission seating for the NASCAR Nationwide Series Royal Purple 200 and just half price in reserved seating for the Royal Purple 200 and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Showtime Southern 500.
Expanded Family Sections –Family Sections are now located in each grandstand and are alcohol and tobacco free.
New Military Pricing – Active and retired service men and women can purchase tickets to any Darlington Raceway event for just half price. Each Showtime Southern 500 military ticket order will receive a free Darlington Raceway camouflage t-shirt. All military members are encouraged to wear these shirts on Showtime Southern 500 race day in order to be recognized during pre-race ceremonies.
Experience Nationwide Race Day as a VIP: New in 2011, the T4 Zone is VIP fan hospitality for the Royal Purple 200 and includes: admission to the T4 Zone tent from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm, pre-race pit access, full meal and snacks, unlimited soda and water until scheduled race start, two beer coupons to all guests 21 years of age and older with valid ID, Darlington-branded gift and official souvenir program.
Earn your Stripe in the Darlington Stripe Zone: The Stripe Zone returns in 2011 and as the ultimate Showtime Southern 500 VIP fan hospitality and includes: a pre-race pit pass, appearance from a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver, full meal and snacks, unlimited soda and water until scheduled race start, four beer coupons to all guests 21 years of age and older with valid ID, Darlington-branded gift, official souvenir program and live entertainment.
For more information on ticket packages or to purchase tickets, call the Darlington Raceway ticket office at 866-459-RACE or go online at darlingtonraceway.com/tickets/.(Darlington Raceway)(4-21-2011) - Perform the National Anthem at New Hampshire: New Hampshire Motor Speedway and the New Hampshire chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities have the perfect opportunity for aspiring performers to belt out the national anthem, with the first-ever Speedway Star performing competition on Saturday, April 23. “The Magic Mile” and WGIR’s “The Morning Buzz” will give two people the opportunity to perform the national anthem in front of thousands of screaming race fans at either the New England 200 NASCAR Nationwide Series race on Saturday, July 16, or the F.W. Webb 175 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on Saturday, Sept. 24. Seventy-five contestants will audition in front of a celebrity panel of judges including; Roadkill from WGIR’s “The Morning Buzz,” Rock 101’s Scorch and Adam Furious; Justin McIsaac of WHEB and rock guitarist Gary Hoey, beginning at 10 a.m. through 2 p.m., during the speedway’s FANtasy Drive 2. At the end of the day six finalists will be selected and videotaped performing the Star Spangled Banner, then posted on the New Hampshire Motor Speedway website for fans to vote. The two people receiving the most votes will be chosen to perform. Registration is just $20 per person and is held on the day of the event only. All proceeds will benefit the New Hampshire chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities.
NHMS’ Season of Speed is fast approaching and tickets for all 2011 events can be purchased by calling the NHMS ticket hotline at (603) 783-4931. Additional information, including camping availability and prices, can be found online at www.nhms.com.(4-21-2011) - Means Motorsports gets 4 race sponsor: TRX Alliance will be the title sponsor on the #52 this weekend at Nashville along with at least 4 other races this season. TRX Alliance (TRX) is leading marketer and provider of federal and state income tax software to independent tax preparers and accounting firms throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. Based in Murfreesboro TN, TRX currently serves thousands of independent tax firms accounting for approximately 500,000 tax returns annually. The firms sister company Tax Exact will be an associate sponsor on those races as well. (Means Motorsports) (4-21-2011)
- Wicks featured on #09 at Nashville: Rising country music star Chuck Wicks and his new single, “Old School,” will be featured on the #09 Toyota Camry driven by Kenny Wallace this weekend in the NASCAR Nationwide Series Nashville 300 at Nashville Superspeedway. Wicks, known for his 2007 debut single “Stealing Cinderella,” spent his college years discovering his musical talents and moved to Nashville in 2002 to pursue a career in music. A talented singer and song writer, Wicks signed with RCA Recording Nashville in early 2007 and released his first album, “Starting Now,” in January 2008. In addition to being featured on the RAB Racing with Brack Maggard Toyota Camry, Wicks will also play a live post-race concert immediately following the Nationwide Series race on Saturday, April 23, 2011. The race is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. The concert is free to all April 23rd race ticket holders.(RAB Racing)(4-21-2011)
- COLORMATCH returns to #01 team: COLORMATCH, a leader in the distribution of collision repair products to the auto body industry, will sponsor the #01 Chevy for this weekend’s race in Nashville, TN. COLORMATCH also sponsored Mike Wallace and JD Motorsports at the race in Bristol, TN earlier this season. Fans will be excited to see the new custom paint scheme for the COLORMATCH Chevrolet, which was performed by the students at the Nashville Auto Diesel College. The Tennessee Collision Repairers Association has been acknowledged by the placement of the TCRA logo on the back deck. COLORMATCH is a family-owned business founded in 1946. Originally started as a small auto parts store, the company has grown to become a leader in the distribution of collision repair products to the auto body industry. (JD Motorsports)(4-21-2011)
- Clements names Nashville sponsor: St. Clair Foods of Memphis, TN has returned as sponsor along with www.racedaysponsor.com and www.repairablevehicles.com for the #51 Impala of Jeremy Clements Racing at Saturday’s Nashville 300.(Clements PR)(4-21-2011)
- Feese added to Turner Motorsports driver lineup: Turner Motorsports is pleased to announce the addition of Blake Feese to their all-star driver line-up for the 2011 season. The 29-year-old Feese will join teammates Ricky Carmichael, Mark Martin, James Buescher and Brad Sweet in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS), piloting the No. 32 Turner Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado in select events this season. He will make his debut with Turner Motorsports at Nashville Superspeedway in July. Feese has two previous NCWTS starts; the last in 2009 at Nashville Superspeedway, bringing home a 12-th place finish after qualifying 18th.(Turner Motorsports PR)(4-21-2011)
- SPEEDtv shadows Crawford’s day at MIS: SPEEDtv spent the day at Mobile International Speedway, a Rick Crawford Performance Track, on Saturday April 23rd to film a feature on Rick Crawford to be aired during a future NASCAR Camping World Truck Series broadcast. SPEED’s first Truck Series broadcast was Crawford’s dramatic win at Daytona and SPEEDtv cameras have been documenting Crawford’s career ever since. Along with documenting a typical day for the Speedway’s new Manager/Promoter, SPEED cameras will be talking with drivers, fans and capturing some of the great racing action on the track to broadcast during the feature.(Mobile International Speedway PR)(4-21-2011)
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