April 27, 2016
- Sprint Cup Drivers Council To Donate Stewart’s Fine To Autism Delaware: The Sprint Cup Drivers Council will donate the $35,000 it raised last week to pay Tony Stewart’s fine to Autism Delaware. Artie Kempner, coordinating director, NASCAR on FOX, and his wife, Marcy, founded Autism Delaware in 1998. It has raised more than $5 million and served more than 1,000 children and adults living with autism. “I appreciated the Drivers Council support, but I didn’t want them to pay the fine. We decided as a group to donate the money to charity,” Stewart said. “Artie is such a good friend to all of us and his foundation does a lot of great work.” The Drivers Council was formed in 2015 and meets periodically with NASCAR to discuss various issues from competition to safety. The Drivers Council is comprised of Kyle Busch, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, Brad Keselowski, Kyle Larson, Joey Logano and Stewart. Hamlin will present the check to Kempner at his Drive for Autism golf tournament May 12 in Wilmington, Delaware.(True Speed Communications)(4-27-2016)
- Richmond post-race penalties and warnings; #17 crew chief suspended: Following the Sprint Cup race at Richmond International Raceway, the team of #17-Stenhouse, Jr. team was given P3 penalty for violation of Section 20.13.I-1.d. [related to the steering system]. Stenhouse, Jr’s crew chief, Nick Sandler, has been fined $20,000, suspended from one race, and placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31. The violation was found on opening day inspection.
In addition, the #48-Johnson and #14-Stewart teams were given written warnings. The #48 team failed template inspection twice The #14 team failed laser inspection twice. Both violations were found in pre-race inspection.
See the Richmond Post-Event Penalty & Warning Report (pdf) for more.(4-27-2016) - Stewart can still make the Chase with relief driver: #14-Tony Stewart doesn’t plan on finishing the race Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway, but NASCAR rules could make him a big winner. Stewart, who missed the first eight races with a broken back and returned to racing last weekend at Richmond, plans to get out of his car at the first caution Sunday because of the increased potential to be involved in a crash in this race. Ty Dillon will be his relief driver and, with the unpredictable nature of restrictor-plate racing, a win isn’t out of the question. NASCAR rules have always credited the initial driver with the result of the relief driver. Most notably in recent years, Aric Almirola was credited with the victory in the Xfinity Series when he started the race but handed off to a late-arriving Denny Hamlin in 2007 at Milwaukee. A NASCAR spokesman confirmed Tuesday that according to the interpretation of its Chase for the Sprint Cup eligibility rules, if a relief driver is first to cross the finish line, the initial driver can use that win to make the Chase. Stewart must win a race and be in the top 30 in points after the season’s 26th race to make the Chase. [NASCAR] has no written rule on relief drivers and the Chase, with the exception that driver changes are not permitted by the four championship-eligible drivers in the season finale.(ESPN.com)(4-27-2016)
- Love’s and CSX team up with Buescher at Talladega: Chris Buescher’s #34 Ford Fusion will have the support of his two biggest partners at Talladega Superspeedway’s Geico 500. Love’s Travel Stops and CSX will serve as co-primary sponsors of the Front Row Motorsports entry for the May 1 Sprint Cup Series race, promoting safety on the roads and around railroad tracks. Love’s and CSX are the #34 team’s principal sponsors for the 2016 season, combining for 26 of the series’ 36 points races. The Talladega race will serve as an opportunity for the two transportation-based companies to come together to promote a unified message during one of the season’s most anticipated and action-packed races. CSX has used its Front Row Motorsports partnership for four straight seasons to promote its message to ‘Play It Safe’ around railroad tracks. And, with more than 370 locations in 40 states, Love’s has a customer base of recreational and professional drivers around the country who encounter railroad crossings every day.(Front Row Motorsports), see an image of the car on the #34 team paint schemes page.(4-27-2016)
- Rimrock Devlin sponsoring Go Fas at Dega: Go Fas Racing announced that Jacksonville, FL based company Rimrock Devlin will return to Go Fas Racing as the primary sponsor of Bobby Labonte’s #32 Ford Fusion at Talladega Superspeedway for this weekend’s Geico 500. Rimrock Devlin Development is a partnership established by two industry experts, fueled by the desire to build solid relationships and strong communities. They have worked to build an organization capable of managing large development projects while providing personal, reliable service, customized to meet clients’ individual needs. (Go Fas Racing), see an image of the car on the #32 team paint schemes page.(4-27-2016)
- Robb Rogers hired as Pit Crew Coach at Richard Petty Motorsports: Richard Petty Motorsports secured 36-year-veteran coach Robb Rogers to lead the pit crews for both Sprint Cup Series teams and the XFINITY Series team. Rogers brings a varied resume with experience training emerging athletes to first round picks, Olympians to soccer moms, walk on free agents to perennial All-Pro athletes. His diverse experience will bring a new perspective to pit crew coaching for Richard Petty Motorsports. Rogers will coach 18 athletes who’s focus is to train throughout the week to perform solid pit stops in 11 seconds or less on race day. A pivotal aspect of the race, both the Sprint Cup #43 and #44 teams rely on their crews to keep and ideally enhance their position each pit stop during the race. “We are thrilled to add Robb (Rogers) to our team,” said Sammy Johns, Vice President of Operations. “We feel like Robb will bring a different approach with his very diverse background. We have a very robust and seasoned pit crew that I feel can benefit from a coach with a strong background in strength and conditioning and coaching in other fields.” A professional coach since 1980, Rogers is certified by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), USA Weightlifting and is a Master Strength and Conditioning Coach (MSCC) as certified by the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association. Rogers has been a national/international lecturer since 1985, teaching and consulting with coaches around the world from the United States to China, Australia and Europe.(Richard Petty Motorsports)(4-27-2016)
- JACOB Companies joins Richard Petty Motorsports as associate sponsor: Returning for a second year in 2016, JACOB Companies has partnered with Richard Petty Motorsports and the #44 team as an associate partner. JACOB Companies joined Richard Petty Motorsports in 2015 and is continuing the partnership through the 2016 season with Brian Scott and the #44 team. JACOB Companies is a nationwide full service General Contractor offering design, development, construction, technology and management services to a diverse portfolio of clients in various industries. JACOB Companies specializes in High Rise Structures, Universities, Hotels, Automotive Dealerships, Athletic Facilities both Professional and Collegiate, and Parking Structures.(Richard Petty Motorsports)(4-27-2016)
- Lixar Becomes a Preferred Technology Partner of NASCAR: NASCAR and Lixar, a technology company driven by mobile and data science innovation, announced a multi-year deal, designating the company as a preferred technology partner of NASCAR. Lixar specializes in mobile solutions for enterprise airline, automotive and travel clients and will work with NASCAR to enhance the guest experience at national series events, specifically related to garage access. NASCAR’s Garage Access Program is a three-year initiative to enhance guests’ experience while visiting the garage. The initial steps of the project debuted during 2016 Daytona Speedweeks when NASCAR’s in-house credentialing and registration operations merged to form The Guest Fulfillment Center. Working with Lixar, NASCAR plans to integrate state-of-the-art technology that will make the credential process easier and faster. With the rapid evolution of mobile technology, Lixar specializes in connected product platforms and mobile-to-everything software solutions. Through personalized architecture, design, development, implementation, and support, Lixar will evolve the credential system and help push forward NASCAR’s renewed focus on improving the event experience.(NASCAR)(4-27-2016)
- David Starr released by TriStar; JJ Yeley to the #44: In an ongoing effort to increase the competitive level of the #44 Zachry Toyota, TriStar Motorsports announces a driver change effective immediately. Starting this weekend with the NASCAR XFINITY Series race in Talladega, JJ Yeley will transfer over to fill the seat of the #44 Zachry Toyota, until further decisions are made. Yeley drove the #44 Zachry Toyota last weekend in Richmond and earned a 12th place finish. Driver David Starr has been released from TriStar Motorsports. Starr joined the team full-time in 2015. For the 2016 season, he has competed in seven races with a best finish of 17th and is currently ranked 20th in Driver Standings. “We have made significant changes in an effort to improve our overall program,” said team owner Mark Smith. “With our commitment to our sponsor, we felt that an immediate change was necessary. We have every confidence in the team we have assembled and we will continue to pursue our competitive goals. We wish David all the best in his career and we will announce further plans as they are confirmed.”(TriStar Motorsports)(4-27-2016)
- Brandon McReynolds in the #24 at Talladega UPDATE: Brandon McReynolds tweeted Monday that he will drive the #24 Toyota for JGL Racing at Talladega on May 1. It will be his second career XFINITY Series race.(4-12-2016)
UPDATE: Brandon McReynolds will be making his first career NASCAR XFINITY Series start at Talladega Superspeedway. The #24 Toyota will sport the colors of two sponsors for the running of the Sparks Energy 300 at Talladega Superspeedway. Hard rockers Monster Truck will be featured on the hood of the #24 Toyota. “Don’t Tell Me How To Live,” the first single from Monster Truck’s recently released album, SITTIN’ HEAVY, is now #23 at Active Rock radio. In the band’s native Canada, “Don’t Tell Me How To Live” catapulted into the Top 5 at Canadian Rock radio just three weeks in. As part of an ongoing relationship with FOX Sports, Monster Truck will be filming segments at the track this weekend involving the #24 Toyota and the band – which will be aired during Saturday’s race. Also joining the #24 Toyota this week is the Redneck Rivera brand which will be featured on the upper rear quarter panels. Redneck Riviera has developed into a lifestyle brand that celebrates the everyday Americans who “Work Hard and Play Hard”.(Integrity Sports Marketing), see an image of the car on the #24 team paint schemes page.(4-27-2016) - Derrike Cope Racing Announces Talladega Sponsors: DCR with JP Motorsports is ready to do battle at the Talladega Superspeedway for the Sparks Energy 300, and announce our partners for the upcoming NASCAR Xfinity Series race. Returning to the #70 once again as a co-primary sponsor is Buddy’s Home Furnishings. Buddy’s offers a huge selection of name brand, quality furniture, appliances, electronics, computers and much more. ICE-AID – formerly known as Beer Frost – an environmentally safe, all natural, mineral based product that turns your cooler of ice into a freezer – will continue its support of DCR and will be featured as a co-primary sponsor at the Sparks Energy 300 on the #70 Camaro. E-hydrate, a unique line of natural, hydrating, and nutritious drink mixes, will be displayed prominently on the #70 Camaro as an associate sponsor for the Sparks Energy 300. Also on board the #70 will be Honeybaked Ham Cafe in Oxford. Selling only the finest meats, sides and desserts, DCR will enjoy devine eats throughout the entire Talladega weekend.(Derrike Cope Racing)(4-27-2016)
- Talladega race officials named: Talladega Superspeedway announced the Honorary Officials for Saturday’s Sparks Energy 300 NASCAR XFINITY Series race at the biggest, baddest race track on the planet. Wayne Sternbergh, of Heyworth, Illinois, will serve as the Grand Marshal and give the most famous command in motorsports, “Drivers, Start Your Engines!” just prior to the start of the 113-lap event. Sternbergh, who will be celebrating his 30th birthday on Saturday, has raced Sprint and midget cars, competitively, for over twenty years and is an avid NASCAR fan. Bringing the field to the green flag to start the race will be the event’s Honorary Starter, Michael Zappone, Manager of Resource Acquisition for Eversource Energy.
Sunday’s National Anthem for the GEICO 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race will be complimented by a C-130 flyover. Housed at Maxwell Air Force Base (Montgomery, AL), the plane is a 1985 Vintage H-2. In addition, the traditional patriotic pace lap by Johnny Ray – which features his iconic semi-truck displaying a giant American Flag blowing in the wind – will once again make its way through the tri-oval to the excitement of fans young and old alike. The Star Spangled Banner will be performed by the 313th United States Army Band, comprised of 30-plus citizen-soldiers who train and perform as Army musicians. The event’s military theme will continue with Master Sergeant Larry D. Nix, the Grand Marshal for the GEICO 500, bringing the field to life with the command to start engines, while Senior Airman Maxime V. Copley, Aerospace Medical Services Technician, will be serving as Honorary Starter and will waive the green flag to get the event started. Following the race, the Freedom Trophy, one of Talladega Superspeedway’s newest and most unique patriotic traditions, will be presented to the race winner by Commander Daniel G. Straub of the soon-to-be commissioned USS Montgomery. Earlier on Sunday morning, the United States Air Force will conduct a DEP (Delayed Enlistment Program) swear-in on the pre-race stage, located on the frontstretch near the start/finish line.(Talladega Superspeedway)(4-27-2016) - Panthers player Greg Olsen named All-Star pace car driver: While many in the professional football world are focused on the NFL Draft, Carolina Panthers Pro Bowl tight end Greg Olsen will lead a different kind of draft when he drives the Toyota Camry pace car prior to the unforgettable, action-packed May 21 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race during the 10 Days of NASCAR Thunder at Charlotte Motor Speedway. “Since arriving in Charlotte I have developed a great admiration for NASCAR and their athletes,” Olsen said. “Their concept of teamwork and commitment to excellence is second to none and I have a great deal of respect for the drivers and their teams. I am honored to be included in such an event and I am looking forward to driving the pace car to kick off the 2016 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race.” Olsen, one of the NFL’s premier pass catchers, is no stranger to NASCAR. For the past two years, the Charlotte, North Carolina, resident has participated in fundraising efforts with NASCAR Sprint Cup Series superstar Dale Earnhardt Jr. to support The Dale Jr. Foundation and The Greg Olsen Foundation’s HEARTest Yard campaign. Olsen has also attended race events at Charlotte Motor Speedway in the past, but never in a dignitary role. Last season, the veteran tight end earned his second Pro Bowl nod after recording a career-high 1,104 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. Olsen’s efforts helped the Panthers finish with a franchise-best 15-1 record in a (Charlotte Motor Speedway)(4-27-2016)
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