April 24, 2013
- Hamlin still waiting on clearance to race UPDATE – still out at Richmond: #11-Denny Hamlin’s latest scan is done. Now he’s waiting for doctors to read the results and arrive at a consensus of opinion as to whether he can race this weekend at Richmond International Raceway. “A doctor has seen a scan [Tuesday], but, obviously, there’s a large team of doctors who have to have a consensus,” Hamlin said Wednesday morning during a visit to the Grooming Lounge in downtown Washington. “Until all of them get the images, we’re still waiting on that. They should have them this morning. “Hopefully, by the end of the day, everyone will have consensus and have time to review what’s the safe thing to do.” Whether he’s approved to race at Richmond or not, Hamlin plans to start the race the following week at Talladega and then give way to a relief driver. He’ll exit the car at Talladega at the first opportunity after riding in the back. “We do have an agreement, I believe, on starting next week and getting out, so at least we’ll get some points starting next week,” Hamlin said. “After that, I don’t know. It just depends on what the doctors, the results of this (the scan) are and when they want to re-scan and check progression again.
Hamlin is leaning toward back surgery during the offseason — or perhaps sooner if his prospects of making the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup evaporate — because the compression fracture exacerbated a problem with bulging disks that existed before the crash. The bulging disks are far more painful to the 32-year-old-driver than the compression fracture was. “(The accident) really screwed ’em up,” Hamlin said. “I’m at the point now where, if they don’t let me back in the car in a timely fashion, where I’m going to be racing for nothing for the rest of the year, I’d just as soon do it now and get it over with and come back next year strong and ready to go.” (NASCAR Wire Service)(4-24-2013)
UPDATE: Hamlin tweeted Wednesday evening, “Unfortunately I won’t be racing this weekend at Richmond. It kills me to not be in the car for my team and sponsors but after long discussions with the doctors we have decided to wait on my return back to racing. Thanks to all of my fans who have sent encouraging messages over the last month. I’ll be back in no time.”(4-24-2013) - TRD Statment on #20 penalties: TRD Statement: “During NASCAR’s routine post-race tear down of Matt Kenseth’s race-winning car and engine from Kansas Speedway, one of our engine connecting rods weighed in approximately three grams under the legal minimum weight of 525 grams. None of the other seven connecting rods were found to be under the minimum weight. We take full responsibility for this issue with the engine used by the #20 Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) team this past Sunday in Kansas — JGR is not involved in the process of selecting parts or assembling the Cup Series engines. It was a simple oversight on TRD’s part and there was no intent to deceive, or to gain any type of competitive advantage. Toyota is a company that was built on integrity, and that remains one of the guiding principles of the company. The goal of TRD has always been — and will continue to be — to build high-performance engines that are reliable, durable and powerful, and within the guidelines established by NASCAR.”(TRD)(4-24-2013)
- Kenseth’s engine fails post race inspection UPDATE – penalties; team will appeal: The engine in #20-Matt Kenseth’s race-winning car from Kansas failed inspection at NASCAR’s Research and Development Center. NASCAR officials were discussing Wednesday what penalties to levy against Kenseth and Joe Gibbs Racing, multiple people familiar with the inspection told the AP on the condition of anonymity because no decision has been made. The engine failed because one of the connecting rods not meeting the minimum weight requirement. Kenseth drove the #20 Toyota to his second win of the season Sunday in Kansas. It is standard procedure for the race winning engine to go back to Concord for a thorough inspection. The JGR engines are supplied by Toyota Racing Development out of Costa Mesa, Calif., but NASCAR would hold the team responsible for any infractions.(Associated Press)(4-24-2013)
UPDATE: Penalties have been handed down to the #20 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team as a result of rule violations discovered in the post-race engine inspection April 23 at the NASCAR Research and Development Center. The #20 car was found to have violated Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4J (any determination by NASCAR officials that the race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules); and 20-5.5.3 (E) (Only magnetic steel connecting rods with a minimum weight of 525.0 grams will be permitted; connecting rod failed to meet the minimum connecting rod weight) of the 2013 rule book. As a result of this violation, NASCAR has assessed the following penalties:
• Crew chief Jason Ratcliff has been fined $200,000 and suspended from NASCAR until the completion of the next six NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship points events (a period of time that also includes the non-points NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race) and placed on probation until Dec. 31.
• Car owner Joe Gibbs has lost 50 championship car owner points; the first place finish from April 21 at Kansas Speedway will not earn bonus points toward the accumulated aggregate car owner points total after the completion of the first 26 events of the current season and will not be credited towards the eligibility for a car owner Wild Card position; has had the owner’s license for the #20 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series car suspended until the completion of the next six championship points events, therefore being ineligible to receive championship car owner points during that period of time.
• Driver Matt Kenseth has lost 50 championship driver points; the Coors Light Pole award from April 19 at Kansas Speedway will not be allowed for eligibility into the 2014 Sprint Unlimited; the first place finish from April 21 at Kansas Speedway will not earn bonus points toward the accumulated aggregate driver points total after the completion of the first 26 events of the current season and will not be credited towards the eligibility for a driver Wild Card position.
• The loss of five NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Manufacturer Championship points.
(NASCAR)(4-24-2013)
UPDATE 2: Joe Gibbs Racing Statement: Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) is aware of the penalty issued by NASCAR today regarding the engine in our #20 car used in last week’s Sprint Cup Series race in Kansas. It is our understanding that one of the eight connecting rods on the engine was ruled too light. We are working with our partners at TRD on this issue. In the meantime we will plan to appeal the penalty.(JGR)(4-24-2013) - Blue Deuce turns red at Richmond: This weekend, the #2 Ford will branch out with a different paint scheme. REDD’S Apple Ale, a new product from MillerCoors, will adorn Brad Keselowski’s ride for this weekend’s race at Richmond International Raceway. Crisp like an apple. Brewed like an ale. REDD’s is different to the core – the perfect ale for the curious drinker looking for a fresh, new kind of beer.(Penske Racing), see an image of the car on the #2 team paint schemes page.(4-24-2013)
- “Goodyear Gives Back” program to return at Charlotte: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company announced that its fourth-annual “Goodyear Gives Back” military charity campaign will kick off during Charlotte Motor Speedway’s May Speedweeks and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coca-Cola 600. To raise awareness for this year’s program, Goodyear will once again transform the appearance of its iconic NASCAR tires, replacing the traditional Goodyear “Eagle” and “Wrangler” sidewalls with a symbolic desert camouflage design reading “Support Our Troops.” The tires will be run during all NASCAR events at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May, including the Sprint All-Star Race, the Camping World Truck and Nationwide Series races, and the Coca-Cola 600. In the first three years of the program – with the running of Support Our Troops tires at Daytona International Speedway in both 2010 and 2012, and Chicagoland Speedway in 2011 – Goodyear and NASCAR fans have generated more than $700,000 in cash and product donations to help military members and their families through the “Support Our Troops” organization. In addition to launching its own charity program, Goodyear will also support the Charlotte Motor Speedway’s “Welcome Home Our Troops” program to help bring troops and their families to the Coca-Cola 600.(Goodyear)(4-24-2013)
- Swan Racing launching Swan Racing TV: In an effort to better connect with its fans on a more personal level, Swan Racing, in conjunction with Wheelhouse Media, is set to launch Swan Racing TV this week leading into the upcoming Toyota Owners 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race weekend at Richmond International Raceway. Swan Racing TV will feature the cast and characters of Swan Racing and consist of 32 weeks of high quality, entertaining, fun and informative “reality show style” original content edited down to three to six minutes in length per weekly video. The videos’ purposes are to help raise the profile of Swan Racing and keep its fans up to speed on the weekly happenings of the team away from the track back at the shop as well as cast the team members as personable characters so that Swan Racing’s fans will feel an immediate connection to them. The first video out of the 32-week series will be rolled out this Thursday, April 25. Follow @SwanRacingTV, @SwanRacingCo, @DavidStremme, & @SwanEnergyInc on Twitter to catch the weekly webisodes.(Swan Racing)(4-24-2013)
- Brian Keselowski teams up with Go Green Racing for Richmond UPDATE: Archie St Hilaire (Go Green Racing) announced that his team would be making their first attempt of the season Saturday night at the Toyota Owners 400 in Richmond. St Hilaire also confirmed that he was joining forces with Brian Keselowski Motorsports (BKM) and Kelly Owen who have been working together this year in an effort to best utilize their resources with the new Gen 6 car with hopes of expanding their options for running the entire race when they compete. The group has plans for at least 10 more events this season. The team plans to run a mixtures of Toyota or Ford. Brian Keselowski will drive the #52 Toyota at Richmond, his father Bob is listed as the owner and the engine package from Triad. Ben Leslie will be working with the team as the crew chief.(Go Green Racing)(4-23-2013)
UPDATE: Brian Keselowski will pilot his #52 Brian Keselowski Motorsports Toyota at Richmond International Raceway with high expectations of successfully qualifying to race in the Toyota Owners 400. Brian Keselowski Motorsports has worked hard to get back on track since attempting the Daytona 500 in February 2013. The unfortunate event of not making the “Great American Race” only added a log to Keselowski’s fire to come back and be successful on track. BKM welcomes back some of their sponsors that supported them in February to include, major associate sponsor, Highland Wealth Advisors, LLC, a company who works closely with High Net-Worth individuals to help them accomplish their Personal and Financial goals and objectives. Previous sponsors, Twisted Graphix and The Carolina Basset Hound Rescue, will once again be displayed on Keselowski’s #52 along with newcomers, Virginia Software Group, Inc. and Infield Jen. Support continues to come from Keselowski’s loyal fans who signed up to have their names on his race car.(BKM PR)(4-24-2013) - Bell Helicopter sponsoring Harvick: Bell Helicopter will make its only scheduled appearance on the Richard Childress Racing #29 of Kevin Harvick Saturday night at Richmond. Bell Helicopter, a wholly owned subsidiary of Textron Inc., is an industry-leading producer of commercial and military, manned and unmanned vertical-lift aircraft and the pioneer of the revolutionary tiltrotor aircraft. Globally recognized for world-class customer service, innovation and superior quality, Bell’s global workforce serves customers flying Bell aircraft in more than 120 countries.(Richard Childress Racing), see an image of the car on the #29 team paint schemes page.(4-24-2013)
- Airgas/Bulwark on the #31 at Richmond: Jeff Burton will have new sponsors on his #31 Chevy when the Sprint Cup Series hits Richmond this weekend. Bulwark is the North American market leader in durable flame resistant protective garments. Born in the Canadian oilfields 42 years ago, and the choice of industry professionals ever since. They offer the widest assortment of flame resistant shirts, pants, jeans, coveralls and outerwear in the industry. Airgas, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is one of the nation’s leading suppliers of industrial, medical and specialty gases, and hardgoods, such as welding equipment and related products. Airgas is a leading U.S. producer of atmospheric gases with 16 air separation plants, a leading producer of carbon dioxide, dry ice, and nitrous oxide, one of the largest U.S. suppliers of safety products, and a leading U.S. supplier of refrigerants, ammonia products, and process chemicals.(Richard Childress Racing), see an image of the car on the #31 team paint schemes page.(4-24-2013)
- Depends on the #42: Longtime partner of the Target Chip Ganassi Racing program, Kimberly-Clark, will feature the Depend brand on the #42 Chevy SS at Richmond International Raceway. Juan Pablo Montoya will drive the black Chevy SS with Depend branding under the lights Saturday night. Depend is the market leader in the adult incontinence category in North America.(Earnhardt Ganassi), see an image of the car on the #42 team paint schemes page.(4-23-2013).
- Richmond Goodyear Tire Notes: Teams in both the NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series will run the same tire codes at Richmond this week . . . this is the same combination of left- and right-side tires that teams in both series have run at Richmond the last two seasons . . . Sprint Cup and Nationwide teams also ran this left-side tire code (D-4416) with a different right-side code at Bristol last month . . . as on most NASCAR ovals one mile or less in length, teams will not run inner liners in their tires at Richmond. Goodyear will also supply tires for the K&N Series race at Richmond on Thursday night . . . teams will run tire codes D-2267 on the left-side and D-2268 on the right-side . . . this tire set-up is also run by these teams at New Hampshire . . . Goodyear will bring 260 tires per side for this event . . . teams are allowed three sets for the event. See tire codes, pressures, set limits and more on the Richmond Race Info page – Goodyear Tire section.
- Sad News – Monty Grice: The Earnhardt Ganassi Racing family lost a wonderful friend and teammate…Monty Grice, long time EGR employee, passed away at his home last night surrounded by family after a courageous battle with cancer. Monty Grice worked professionally on race cars for more than 30 years, but he actually began at an early age working in his Dad’s shop building Super-Modifieds, and fabricating racing wheels. His well-known love for dirt racing earned him the nickname of “Dirt” in the fab shop among his fellow co-workers. He is actually quite proud of the name, as it takes him back to his roots of racing. Monty passion for dirt racing led him to starting his own chassis building business, so he started Freedom Dirt Chassis on his own and built many successful race winning cars that were a great source of pride. Monty was especially proud to have been part of Jamie McMurray’s wins in the Daytona 500 and the Brickyard 400 in 2010. But, as far as dirt racing goes, his favorite racing memory would be the 100th win of his own Freedom Chassis. That win ironically happened to be at the Susan B. Komen race for the cure. Details to follow on service arrangements.(EGR)(4-24-2013)
- Sauter’s fuel cell confiscated UPDATE: Inspectors confiscated the fuel cell from Truck Series points leader Johnny Sauter this weekend at Kansas Speedway and will review it the first part of next week. NASCAR did not say what issue was found with the fuel cell, which was taken Thursday during the opening day inspection. Any potential penalties would also be handed down next week. Sauter won the first two races of the season at Daytona and Martinsville, and finished fourth at Rockingham. He stayed out of trouble in a crash-filled race Saturday at Kansas to finish fifth, maintaining a 12-point lead over Matt Crafton in the series standings.(Associated Press)(4-21-2013)
UPDATE: NASCAR announced penalties and fines to the #98 team that competes in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, as a result of rule infractions at Kansas Speedway. The #98 truck was found to have violated Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4K (if in the judgment of NASCAR Officials, race equipment that has been previously verified or previously approved and/or sealed by NASCAR for use in an event, pursuant to sub-section 8-6 and/or 8-12, has been altered, modified, repaired, or changed in any manner); 20B-16 (once a fuel cell or fuel cell components have been certified, modifications of any kind will not be permitted to the fuel cell or fuel cell components); and 20B-16.1B (standard black, safety foam with minimum free-standing height of eight (8) inches, acceptable to NASCAR Officials, and used as provided by an approved fuel cell manufacturer, must be used: Fuel cell safety foam modification.) of the 2013 rule book. As a result of this violation, crew chief Joel Shear has been fined $10,000 and suspended from NASCAR competition until the completion of the next four (4) NASCAR Camping World Truck Series events. He has been placed on NASCAR probation until December 31. The team has also been docked 25 championship driver (Johnny Sauter) and 25 championship owner (Mike Curb) points. The violations involving the #98 truck occurred in opening day inspection.(NASCAR)(4-24-2013) - CMS announces Coca-Cola 600 Pre-Race Show: Charlotte Motor Speedway is continuing the rich tradition of paying tribute to the U.S. Armed Forces with a Welcome Home Our Troops pre-race spectacular at the May 26 Coca-Cola 600. The program will include a one-of-a-kind air parade with 10 vintage warbirds, a patriotic flyover and a flight by an American bald eagle over the infield during the national anthem.
Bridging the worlds of military and motorsports, the pre-race flyover will include P-51 Mustangs, owned by NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team owner Jack Roush. The Welcome Home Our Troops Coca-Cola 600 pre-race show will also include a performance of “I Will Give My All” by country music artist Jamie Tate and the 82nd Airborne All-American Chorus, a bagpipe performance of “Amazing Grace” by the Charlotte Fire Department Pipe Band and “Taps” played by a Fort Bragg bugler. There will also be a 21-gun salute from the Fort Bragg Firing Squad.
Fans will be able to salute the troops when 600 soldiers from Fort Bragg walk through the grandstands to the infield to participate in pre-race ceremonies.
In addition, NASCAR drivers and Charlotte-area VIPs will participate in special welcome home and military dedication video messages that will be displayed on the world’s largest HDTV, and a gigantic American flag the size of a football field will be unfurled across the frontstretch.
Medal of Honor recipients Bob Patterson (Vietnam), Gary Littrell (Vietnam) and Walter Joseph Marm (Vietnam) will be recognized on the pre-race stage.(CMS)(4-24-2013) - Harvick, Burton, Labonte to speak at Darlington hospitality: Race fans who want to get up close and personal with today’s NASCAR stars need to look no further than Darlington Raceway’s hospitality areas on May 10-11. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick, along with Jeff Burton and Bobby Labonte, who are both Coca-Cola Racing Family members, are scheduled to participate in 15-minute question and answer sessions for race fans in the track’s Darlington Stripe Zone Hospitality club, prior to the running of the Bojangles’ Southern 500. For $140 per package (plus the cost of a grandstand ticket), fans receive a pre-race cold pit pass (shirt and shoes required), full meal and snacks, unlimited non-alcohol beverage service until the scheduled race start, four beer coupons to guests 21 years of age and older, a Darlington-branded gift, event program and live entertainment. Combine that with scheduled driver appearances by Harvick, Burton and Labonte and it’s the perfect package for a race fan.(Darlington Raceway)(4-24-2013)
Main Page | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997