April 23, 2008
- Fans Can ‘Ride with Dale Jr.’ in the AMP Energy 500: If #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. goes to Victory Lane in the Oct. 5 AMP Energy 500 at Talladega Superspeedway, he will bring the names of more than 70,000 members of JR Nation with him. To become one of the many people who will catch a “Ride with Dale Jr.,” all consumers need is one can of AMP Energy drink and a computer. Beginning April 22, Earnhardt fans can simply take the code found on the bottom of any AMP Energy can, log onto www.AMPEnergy.com and register. The first 70,000 will have their names featured on the special #88 AMP Energy “Ride with Dale Jr.”/National Guard Chevy paint scheme.(Hendrick Motorsports PR), see more details on my Contests Page.(4-23-2008)
- Tire test scheduled at Indy: UPDATE: Goodyear has scheduled a NASCAR tire test at IMS for April 22-23. Data learned from #48-Jimmie Johnson (Chevrolet), #2-Kurt Busch (Dodge) and #83-Brian Vickers (Toyota) will be used by Goodyear to select the tires it brings to the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard on July 27.(Indianapolis Star)(4-11-2008)
UPDATE:Given the opportunity to replace Hendrick Motorsports teammate #48-Jimmie Johnson for a two-day tire test this week at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. didn’t have to be asked twice. With tires being an issue at several tracks this season as the teams and Goodyear struggle to learn the nuances of NASCAR’s new-generation car, every day on the racetrack is a learning experience. “I want to tire test as much as possible under the circumstances that we have this season,” Earnhardt said on a teleconference during a break in testing Tuesday. “I want to be the guy they call first.” Earnhardt, representing Chevy, is joined by Kurt Busch (Dodge) and Brian Vickers (Toyota) for the test, which concludes today. Data from the test will be used by Goodyear to select the tires it will supply for the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard on July 27.(Indianapolis Star)(4-23-2008) - Burnouts and Donuts Highlight Pre-Race Show For Sprint All-Star Race: Top Sprint Cup Series drivers will prove who can execute the best burnout and donuts during the inaugural Pennzoil Victory Challenge prior to the Sprint All-Star Race on Saturday night, May 17, at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. The timed-competition will include five drivers who must demonstrate four essential skills of any victory celebration: a tire-smoking burnout; spectacular donuts; precision driving into “Victory Lane;” and, as with anything in racing, speed. Clint Bowyer, a first-time Sprint All-Star Race participant and driver of the #07 Jack Daniel’s Chevy, is the first official entry for the inaugural event. Other participants will be announced at a later date. The Pennzoil Victory Challenge will take place on the frontstretch of the 1.5-mile superspeedway at 6:15 p.m., just prior to the start of the Sprint Showdown. Each driver will be in similarly prepared Richard Petty Driving Experience cars wrapped with Sprint All-Star Race decals. A $10,000 donation will be made to the winner’s designated charity. The inaugural Pennzoil Victory Challenge will be televised live during SPEED Channel’s pre-race coverage of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race.(LMS PR)(4-23-2008)
- Max Papis in the #70?: UPDATE: Hearing that Haas CNC Racing has talked to Max Papis about running the two Sprint Cup road course races in the #70 car. Papis’ agent confirmed talks and said he “feels as though they are close to a deal”. Papis was originally planning to drive the Phoenix Racing #09 at both road course events.(4-21-2008)
UPDATE: Max Papis will drive the #70 Haas Automation Chevy during the two road-course races on the 2008 Sprint Cup Series schedule.(Haas CNC Racing PR)(4-23-2008) - Important two months ahead for Truex: If free agent-to-be #1-Martin Truex Jr. is considering employment with another team, the next two months should help him make up his mind. Starting with last year’s spring race at Talladega, Truex shrugged off a slow start with finishes of 11th or better in six of nine races — including a dominant win at Dover. During that stretch, Truex rose from 20th in the standings to ninth. But Truex’s situation is much different this season. He’s feeling the pressure to duplicate last year’s performance and is unable to sneak up on competitors. The good news is that Truex may not have to worry about finding a new employer. His performance to date has been much better than in the first eight races of last year. If Truex decides to bolt, Richard Childress Racing’s new fourth car would be a step up. Truex is a good qualifier and probably wouldn’t sweat too much over the first five races of next season, when he would have to qualify solely on time. Also, Truex would be joining an organization whose current drivers rank among the top eight in points. If Truex’s cars don’t measure up to his expectations during these next two months, the decision to leave will become that much easier. And it would leave DEI without any full-time premier drivers.(NASCAR.com)(4-23-2008)
- “Tri Primary” Scheme for Kyle Petty at Talladega: Kyle Petty: “Petty Enterprises is truly fortunate in that we have three great primary sponsors on my #45 Dodge. So this weekend we are going to show our appreciation by sporting a tri-primary paint scheme. Marathon American Spirit Motor Oil, Wells Fargo and the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) will all get primary treatment.”(Petty Racing PR)(4-23-2008)
- Turtle Wax on the #15 at Talladega: In addition to his on track competition, #15-Paul Menard will have car care on his mind this weekend as he sports the colors of Turtle Wax on the hood of his Chevy.(Co-Pilott Motorsports Marketing)(4-23-2008)
- Up and Down Day for Team Dakar USA in the Central Europe Rally: It was a seesaw day for Team Dakar USA. Over the past three stages when things have gone well for Robby Gordon and his Monster Hummer, BJ Baldwin and the Vanguard Hummer has had its set of challenges. Today the roles were reversed. The Central Europe Rally shifted back to Hungary and revisited the site of the first special in Dubras, just outside Budapest. Gordon impressed on the first special of the day, finishing third in the opening segment. BJ Baldwin was in full attack mode as well but managed to tangle with a tree. That episode relegated him to seventh on the first special. Team Dakar USA then travelled 201km to the start of the second special in Veszprem where the rally will be for the next two days. There was no holding back for either of the two hummer teams. Gordon and Grider were flying when a rock managed to sever the rear brake line. The duo acted quickly to cap of the line and continue with only front brakes. Navigation errors by some of the top rivals allowed them to close up the gap only to give it back when the Hummer H3 went off the track just a few kilometers from the end of the special. The second special was the best moment yet for BJ Baldwin and navigator Kevin Heath. Coming from the back the team scored an impressive 5th place finish which vaulted them up to 15th in the overall classifications. With Gordon’s mechanical luck he dropped back to eight in the standings, 7:05 adrift.(Robby Gordon PR), earlier updates about the rally are available on the #7 Team Page.(4-23-2008)
- Dollar General to Sponsor Chicago Race: Dollar General announced a multi-year agreement with Chicagoland Speedway to be the title sponsor for the Nationwide Series race at the 1.5-mile tri-oval. The Dollar General 300 Powered by Coca-Cola on July 11 will mark the first ever Nationwide Series night race at Chicagoland Speedway.(Chicagoland Speedway PR)(4-23-2008)
- Chrissy Wallace signs deal for 2009; to run for ROTY? UPDATE Six more in ’08; possible full time in ’09: On Sirius Radio’s Morning Drive program, it was reported that Chrissy Wallace has signed an agreement with Germain Racing for the 2009 season and will run for Rookie of the Year.(4-21-2008)
UPDATE: Statement from Mike Hillman Sr., General Manager for Germain Racing: “We have built a schedule for Chrissy Wallace to run six more NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races with us in 2008. Her next race is Milwaukee, followed by Kentucky, Nashville, Gateway, Atlanta and Homestead. We are looking at building some ARCA RE/MAX Series races into that schedule, if funding becomes available. And, ideally, we’d like to see Chrissy Wallace in a fully-sponsored campaign for Raybestos Rookie of the Year in a Tundra for Germain Racing in 2009. We’re very excited about working with Chrissy and I think we’re all looking forward to Milwaukee.”(Germain Racing PR)(4-23-2008) - Kansas Speedway and Univ. of Kansas Hospital partner for cancer screenings: Kansas Speedway and the University of Kansas Hospital announced today that they are partnering to offer free head, neck and oral cancer screenings on Saturday, April 26 as part of Kansas Speedway’s race weekend. Screenings will be offered starting at Noon on Saturday outside Gate B and each screening will only take about 15 minutes. The screenings were requested by Bobby Hamilton Racing, who lost their team owner, Bobby Hamilton, last year to head and neck cancer. Lori Hamilton, Bobby’s widow, is a spokesperson for Head, Neck and Oral Cancer Awareness Week, and the Univ. of Kansas Hospital doctors, nurses and support staff are volunteering their time for the screenings.(Kansas Speedway PR)(4-23-2008)
- Cassill in #46 at Kansas for Morgan-Dollar Motorsports: Morgan-Dollar Motorsports will field Hendrick Motorsports development driver Landon Cassill in the #46 Chevy for the O’Reilly Auto Parts 250 at Kansas Speedway.(Chevy Racing PR)(4-23-2008)
- Double-duty for Wood this weekend: UPDATE 2 Whitt to practice & qualify: On Sirius Radio’s Morning Drive program, it was reported that Jon Wood will be driving the #21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford at Talladega and will also run the truck at Kansas Speedway.(4-21-2008)
UPDATE: Jon Wood will make his 2008 Sprint Cup Series debut in the Wood Brothers Racing #21 Honey Buns Ford in the Aaron’s 499 at the famed Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday, April 27. Since the race was not a scheduled event for Bill Elliott, the team felt that Jon was a logical choice given his experience in the Nationwide and Craftsman Truck Series on superspeedways. Jon has a busy schedule this week as he is also entered to drive the #21 Air Force Ford in the O’Reilly Auto Parts 250 at the Kansas Speedway on April 26. The team is making every effort to make sure Jon participates in both events. An alternative driver is being considered to practice, qualify and possibly race the truck if arrangements cannot be made to get Jon to the Kansas Speedway. To start the week, Wood Brothers Racing and Jon Wood will be conducting a two day test at Iowa Speedway this Tuesday April 22 and Wednesday April 23.(Wood Brothers Racing PR)(4-21-2008)
UPDATE 2: A game plan has been put into place for both Wood Brothers race teams. Jon Wood will practice and qualify the Wood Brothers #21 Honey Buns Ford Fusion at Talladega Saturday morning. Following qualifying, Jon will catch a waiting plane to Kansas in hopes of making it on time for the 5:00pm/ct start of the Craftsman Truck Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 250 at the Kansas Speedway. The #21 Air Force Ford F-150 truck team has secured the driving services of Brandon Whitt to practice and qualify the truck.(Wood Brothers Racing PR)(4-23-2008)
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