April 23, 2012
- The Entry List for the Richmond 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Richmond International Raceway is posted, 46 teams/drivers [for 43 spots] are listed, including:
Reed Sorenson listed in the #32 Ford.
Not in top 35 of owners points:
#19-Mike Bliss (46/4)
#23-Scott Riggs (45/8)
#26-Josh Wise (40/8)
#30-David Stremme (38/8)
#33-Stephen Leicht (36/8)
#49-J.J. Yeley (37/8)
#52-TBA (54/1)
#74-Stacy Compton (48/5)
#87-Joe Nemechek (42/8)
#95-Scott Speed (50/1)
#98-Michael McDowell (41/8)
In the event that qualifying is cancelled:
the eight who would make it [8]: #’s 33,49,30,26,98,87,23,74
missing the race would be [3]: #’s 19,95,52
See the full entry list at my Jayski’s Richmond Entry List.(4-23-2012) - Kansas Overnight TV Ratings: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racing on Fox posted a 3.7/9 on Sunday for the STP 400 from Kansas Speedway. Though that’s off -20% from last year’s 4.6/11 for the Talladega 400 which aired on the comparable weekend, it’s off just one-tenth from last year’s Kansas race which aired later in the season, and when the nationals are released, it’s expected to rank as the top-rated event of the weekend. Through eight races, NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing on FOX is averaging a 4.5/9, off -8% from last year’s 4.9/11. See past 2012 races, four-year comparion chart and more on the 2012 TV Ratings page.(4-23-2012)
- Humphrey plans for the #19 in 2012: #19 Humphrey Smith Racing team owner, Randy Humphrey comments on 2012 plans. “It’s taken us a little longer than we planned, and been a little tougher than we thought, but we’re working at it,” said Humphrey, who fielded Mike Bliss’ #19 Toyota in Sunday’s STP 400 at Kansas Speedway. “We’ve been thankful to be here, and NASCAR’s really been good to allow us to keep working at it and it’s been good to us. We’re trying to build our program into a bigger program. It’s all about people, it’s all about sponsors and making everything go.” Humphrey, a veteran racer himself, is in his first season with new business partner Mark Smith after he and previous partner Phil Parsons [was #66, now #98] decided to part ways after the 2011 season. “Phil and I made a decision to do something different,” said Humphrey, who stayed in Topeka during the Speedway race weekend. “They went a different direction and we went a different direction. We partnered up with Mark Smith, who has been building our motors for four years and owns three Nationwide teams,” Humphrey said. “We rented a new big shop. Bliss had been driving for us before, and we got Mike to drive for us.” The #19 car has qualified in three of four races, including the Kansas race, since getting a belated start to the year. “We waited a few races to get ourselves acclimated, to get our equipment built up and get our stuff in order and find the right people,” Humphrey said. “We’re now moving forward and have done really well since we started.” Humphrey’s team continues to employ a start-and-park strategy in most races to save money but has sponsors set up to be able to run complete races later in the season and also will race out of pocket in others. The long-term goal is be able go full bore in the series. “My whole mission is to race,” Humphrey said. “I moved from Kansas to Charlotte to race. Our whole mission is to make this into a full-time racing program, with sponsorship. We’ve talked to some Kansas companies, we’ve talked to some Topeka-based companies and we’re hoping some of those will take notice of us and work with us and come along and help us build our program.”(Topeka Capital Journal)(4-23-2012)
- JGR close to extension with Toyota: Joe Gibbs Racing plans to sign a long-term extension with Toyota within the next month, ending any speculation it could move to Dodge. “We’re working on that,” JGR president J.D. Gibbs told ESPN.com on Sunday after Denny Hamlin’s victory at Kansas Speedway. “We’ll be with Toyota for a long time to come.” Dodge has been looking for a team to anchor its 2013 program since Penske Racing announced earlier this year it would leave the manufacturer for Ford next season. JGR, since its contract with Toyota is up after this season and because the organization has the infrastructure to build its own engines, became a natural target. Gibbs said that is not a consideration (ESPN)(4-23-2012)
- Autism Speaks Day at the Races creates first-ever autism friendly NASCAR race: As part of their ever-growing partnership, Autism Speaks and Dover International Speedway have announced Autism Speaks Day at the Races, a sensory friendly NASCAR event in Dover for the June 3, 2012 “FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks” NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. The all-inclusive event marks the first-ever autism friendly NASCAR race, and gives families an opportunity to experience a NASCAR race in an environment specifically designed for the enjoyment of children with autism. Autism Speaks Day at the Races will be held in Dover’s air-conditioned grandstand, offering a great view of the Monster Mile from the backstretch, and will feature brief presentations by educational speakers in the morning, special appearances by NASCAR personalities, food and drink, and much more.
In addition, the area will offer a dedicated quiet zone, set inside special rooms within the air-conditioned grandstands, where parents can bring their kids to get away from the crowd if necessary. The quiet zone will be sensory friendly, with muted lighting in a calmer environment, while also featuring video screens to keep up with the action on the track. Autism Speaks Day at the Races is just another addition to the now six-year partnership between Autism Speaks and the Monster Mile. Autism Speaks is the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization, helping to raise funds and awareness for the cause throughout race weekend.
The program will kick off with doors opening at 9:30 a.m., followed by brief presentations on “Living on the Spectrum,” “Autism Speaks in the Community,” a science briefing, a presentation by Autism Delaware and more at 10 a.m. At 11:30 a.m., a hot lunch buffet and non-alcoholic drinks will be served, followed by the green flag for the “FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks” NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at 1 p.m. Additional speakers and NASCAR personalities are being confirmed, and will be announced at DoverSpeedway.com.
While parental supervision is required, volunteers from Autism Speaks as well as the Alpha Xi Delta sorority at the University of Delaware will be on hand for assistance. Tickets for Autism Speaks Day at the Races cost $88 for adults and $20 for children ages 14 and younger. The $88 price point is symbolic, as recent studies have shown that one in 88 children are diagnosed with autism by age eight, according to the CDC. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Autism Speaks. To purchase tickets to Autism Speaks Day at the Races, call 800-441-RACE or visit MonsterMileOffers.com/AutismSpeaks.
Tickets are on sale for the June 3 “FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks” NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, the June 2 “5-hour ENERGY 200” NASCAR Nationwide Series race and the June 1 “Lucas Oil 200” NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race. For more information, call 800-441-RACE or visit DoverSpeedway.com.(DIS)(4-23-2012) - Infineon Raceway and NASCAR Plant 77 Trees at a school: Roseland Creek Elementary School will be a little more “green”, thanks to both Infineon Raceway and NASCAR. The North Bay school, which is currently under construction and slated to open for the 2013 school year, received a donation of 77 trees through “NASCAR Green Clean Air” – an initiative that neutralizes all the carbon produced by NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events. A ceremonial planting of three live oak trees was held on Friday at the future site of Roseland Creek Elementary School and attended by Santa Rosa Mayor Ernesto Olivares, Roseland Creek Elementary School Principal, William Nilsen, Superintendant of Roseland Public Schools, Gail Ahlas, representatives from Infineon Raceway and several future elementary school students. Infineon Raceway, which hosts an annual NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event each June, has participated in NASCAR’s Green Clean Air program since 2009. The initiative plants trees for every green flag waved during a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event. There were six green flags at the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway last June, so 77 trees (31 live oak and 46 maple) are being planted at Roseland Creek Elementary School.
NASCAR purchased the trees from Buckeye Nursery, a Women’s Business Enterprise National Council-certified business in Petaluma. The program dovetails well with Infineon Raceway’s Accelerating Sustainable Performance program, which includes an annual summit of sustainability industry leaders, a major solar installation, comprehensive recycling program, water conservation efforts and the use of sheep to maintain the grasses and fire lanes around the raceway, among others.(Infineon Raceway)(4-23-2012) - Talladega Superspeedway Launches Mobile App: Talladega Superspeedway is proud to announce the release of its new mobile application this week. Fans will find it easier than ever to stay in the loop with up to the minute information on all things ‘DEGA. The app will be especially useful on race weekends, when it will provide guests with all that’s needed to plan their trip, get around the facility and have a good time while they are here. The Talladega Superspeedway app is free and supported on most iPhone and Android devices. The key features include:
– Interactive GPS facility map with search capabilities to find the nearest restroom, food stand, souvenir trailer, tram, first aid station, will call booth, ATM and much more
– Customizable schedule with information on all events taking place over the weekend; fans will be able to personalize their race day and receive notifications for the events they wish to attend
– Social network integration with Talladega Superspeedway’s Facebook and Twitter accounts, as well as NASCAR’s, NASCAR on Fox’s and MRN Radio’s social media outlets
– Google directions
– Detailed parking map
– Ability to connect with and locate friends at the race via “Friend Finder”
For tickets and information visit talladegasuperspeedway.com or call 1-877-Go2-DEGA.(TSS)(4-23-2012) - Rusty Wallace Racing to return at Richmond? UPDATES: Asked on Twitter what nephew Steve Wallace was doing now, #09-Kenny Wallace responded, “Steve will be racing the NNS at Richmond with RWI :)”(4-2-2012)
UPDATE: Kenny Wallace tweeted Monday evening, “YES Rusty and Steven will be racing at Richmond in 2 weeks with RWI back by popular demand”.(4-9-2012)
UPDATE 2: Steve Wallace, a perennial Nationwide Series top-ten points finisher as of late, will make his 2012 NNS debut at the helm of RWR’s #4 Loanmax Ford in the April 27th Virginia 529 College Savings 250 at Richmond International Raceway. Although his Rusty Wallace Racing team took a hiatus from Nationwide Series competition following 2011, Wallace looks to return to the Nationwide Series in a limited 2012 schedule, beginning with the Richmond event. Although Wallace’s Ford Mustang was prepared out of the Rusty Wallace Racing shops, his Richmond effort is in collaboration with JTG Daugherty Racing. JTGD’s #47 Sprint Cup crew will pit the #4 car, with #47 crew chief, Todd Berrier, calling the shots for Wallace on race day. Blake Bainbridge, the original RWR crew chief for Jamie McMurray, will head the team during practice, along with Wallace’s 2011 car chief, Ricky Cade.(Rusty Wallace Racing), see an image of the car on the #4 team paint schemes page.(4-23-2012)
UPDATE 3: “I’m really excited to get back on the racetrack finally,” said Wallace. “We’ve worked very hard to make this happen. Blake [Bainbridge] and I, along with a couple of other guys, put the entire car together. We tested it the other day up at Motor Mile Speedway and it went really well. Hopefully we’ll have a smooth race and put together a good finish that can help us firm up some sponsorship to run more races this year.” Wallace, who has nine consecutive top-20 finishes at the 0.75-mile RIR facility, is hoping to parlay this weekend into a part-time ride for the rest of the season. “Right now, our goal is to run 10 or so races this year and look at going racing again full-time in 2013,” said Wallace. “Just like everyone else, though, that’s just dependent on sponsorship. A good run this weekend though, certainly wouldn’t hurt in that department.” (SPEED)(4-23-2012) - Monday Rundown – Racing Resources:
*James Buescher won the SFP 250 on Saturday at Kansas Speedway. It was his first career win in his 76th series start. He has finished second four times.
*Buescher became the 72nd driver to win in Camping World Truck Series and the 12th different driver to win at Kansas in 12 races at the track. His previous best finish at Kansas was fourth last year.
*Buescher became the fourth different driver to win in the first four races of 2012. He is the second first-time winner of 2012. He notched his third top-3 finish of 2012.
*Buescher led five times for 103 laps, including the final 11, the most laps he’s led in a race.
*Turner Motorsports posted its second career win (won last week at Rockingham). Turner became the ninth different organization to win at Kansas.
*Chevrolet posted its fifth Kansas win and third victory of 2012. *Timothy Peters (second) has top-5 finishes in all four races this season.
*Brad Keselowski (third) had only his second top-5 finish in the series.
*Nelson Piquet Jr. (fourth) had his third straight top-10 finish.
*Todd Bodine (fifth) posted his 37th top-5 on a 1.5-mile track, most of all drivers.
*Ron Hornaday Jr. (sixth) recovered after a near spin on Lap 42 for his best finish of the season.
*Justin Lofton (seventh) has top-10 finishes in all four races this season.
*Ty Dillon (ninth) has finished in the top 10 in his past six starts.
*Scott Stanzel finished 23rd in his series debut.(ESPN.com)(4-23-2012)
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