April 30, 2009
- Final Talladega TV Ratings: NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing posted a 5.0/12 (8.1 million viewers) on Sunday for the race from Talladega. Though that’s down -12% from last year’s 5.7/13 for the same race, Sunday’s telecast was the top-rated event of the weekend, and was FOX’s highest-rated and most-watched NASCAR event in nearly two months. Sunday’s race opened with a 4.4/12 (6.9 million viewers), and grew steadily throughout the race peaking at a 6.6/15 (10.8 mill). Season-to-date, NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing on FOX is averaging a 5.5/11 (9.2 million viewers), down -13% from last year’s 6.3/13, but remains the highest-rated and most-watched sport in season.(4-30-2009), see race-by-race chart and more on my 2009 TV Ratings page.
- Prospective Members Of Nominating Committee, Voting Panel Announced For Inaugural NASCAR Hall Of Fame Class: NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France has sent letters of invitation to 50 people asking them to serve on the NASCAR Hall of Fame Nominating Committee and/or Voting Panel. The hall’s inaugural class, consisting of five members, is scheduled to be enshrined in May 2010. That class will be selected by the Voting Panel from a list of 25 candidates assembled by a 21-person Nominating Committee. The Voting Panel will consist of the members of the Nominating Committee and 29 others from throughout the NASCAR industry. There also will be one more ballot, decided by a nationwide fan vote, for a total of 51 Voting Panel ballots. Prospective members of the Nominating Committee represent NASCAR, the NASCAR Hall of Fame, major race track ownership groups and operators of historic short tracks. See the full Voting Panel on my NASCAR Hall of Fame page. Voting, to include a fan vote, will be completed by October 2009 with the results announced soon after.(NASCAR PR)(4-30-2009)
- UPS Unveils new scheme for Richmond: NASCAR fans will see a different look for the #6 UPS Ford this weekend when David Ragan hits the track at Richmond International Raceway for the Russ Friedman 400 presented by Crown Royal. Taking a break from the traditional brown UPS paint scheme, Ragan’s car will feature a special UPS Freight design to promote the Richmond, Va.-based division of UPS. The design incorporates the gray of UPS Freight with new brown and gold trim using a unique paint formula that includes crushed glass to make the vehicle sparkle. UPS Freight offers a wide range of ground freight shipping options for customers who need to ship anything from a single oversized package to a heavy pallet or full truckload of freight across North America, Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands. To kick off the Richmond race weekend, Ragan will make a special appearance at the UPS Freight headquarters today to spend time with local UPS employees. UPS Freight employs nearly 2,000 people in the Richmond area and roughly 17,000 total around the country. In addition to the special UPS Freight paint scheme, the UPS Freight Charlotte Service Center will be featured on the wing of Ragan’s #6 Ford as part of UPS’s ‘Maximum Center’ program. UPS launched the program this year to recognize UPS operating facilities for accomplishments in service, safety and performance.(UPS Racing PR), see an image of the scheme on my #6 Team Schemes page.(4-30-2009)
- Chrysler (Dodge) to file for bankruptcy: Chrysler will file for bankruptcy after talks with a small group of creditors crumbled just a day before a government deadline for the automaker to come up with a restructuring plan, two administration officials said Thursday. The Obama administration had long hoped to stave off bankruptcy for Chrysler LLC, but it became clear that a holdout group wouldn’t budge on proposals to reduce Chrysler’s $6.9 billion in secured debt, according to the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the filing plans are not public. Clearing those debts was a needed step for Chrysler restructure by the Thursday night deadline. Bankruptcy doesn’t mean the nation’s third largest automaker will shut down. And the privately-held Chrysler is expected to sign a partnership agreement with the Italian company Fiat as early as Thursday as part of its restructuring plan. A Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing would allow a judge to decide how much the company’s creditors would get.(ABC News), NO word how or if this will effect Dodge’s involvement in NASCAR.(4-30-2009)
- Richmond Pivotal Track For Chase Hopefuls: Richmond International Raceway — the site of Race 10 on the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule — has proven to be pivotal to the hopes of potential Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup contenders. Nearly 80% of the drivers who have been Chase eligible coming out of the spring Richmond race have gone on to qualify for the Chase, with the championship field set following the second Richmond race. The breakdown is as follows: 2004 (8-10); 2005 (6-10); 2006 (8-10); 2007 (11-12); and 2008 (10-12).(NASCAR)(4-30-2009)
- Interesting Stat – only one Birthday winner EVER: Cale Yarborough is the only Sprint Cup driver to ever win a points paying race on his birthday, which is March 27. In 1977 at North Wilksboro Speedway AND 1983 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. NOTE, since much email was first recieved with guess’s, a few items were covered and checked: Richard Petty never won on his birthday [July 2nd] [in Cup] and neither did Jeff Gordon [August 4th]. In fact, the Brickyard 400 was only been held on Gordon’s birthday once, in 2002, when Bill Elliott won. Gordon’s first Brickyard 400 came on August 6, 1994. Why do I bring this up? #18-Kyle Busch will celerbate his 24th birthday on Saturday, May 2nd [the same as Uncle Bud] amd could be the 2nd driver ever to win on his birthday.(4-30-2009)
- After rain leaves, drivers test tires at Indy: Rain again disrupted a Goodyear test today at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, but once the track dried shortly after noon, four NASCAR teams were able to get in nearly six hours of tire testing. The purpose of the one-day session, which was a continuation of last week’s rain-plagued test, was to settle on the tire compound Goodyear will bring to a final test June 15-16. That session will involve about a dozen teams as Goodyear works to avoid the embarrassing problems that marred last year’s Allstate 400 at the Brickyard. This year’s race is scheduled July 26. #39-Ryan Newman (Chevy), #17-Matt Kenseth (Ford), #83-Brian Vickers (Toyota) and #9-Kasey Kahne (Dodge) were the participating drivers Wednesday.(Indianapolis Star)(4-30-2009)
- Primary Sponsorship for Prilosec OTC on Two RCR Cars in 2009: Prilosec OTC, the No. 1 doctor and pharmacist recommended over-the-counter acid reducer, will be the primary sponsor of two of Richard Childress Racing teams for three races during the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. Prilosec OTC will be the primary sponsor of the #31 Prilosec OTC-Walmart Chevy driven by Jeff Burton at Richmond International Raceway in May and Indianapolis Motor Speedway in July. Primary sponsorship will then be featured on the #33 Prilosec OTC-Walmart Chevy driven by Clint Bowyer at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif., in October. Prilosec OTC has been an associate sponsor of RCR’s #31 team since 2006. “Over the last four seasons, we’ve engaged millions of race fans, educating them on how Prilosec OTC can treat their frequent heartburn and get them back to enjoying NASCAR to the fullest,” said Robert Cleveland, Prilosec OTC Brand Manager. “Our partnerships with RCR and NASCAR play an important role in showcasing Prilosec OTC’s product benefits and its ability to treat frequent heartburn all day and all night with one pill a day.” Throughout the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season, Prilosec OTC has been featured on the rear quarter panel of the #31 Caterpillar Chevy as well as the uniforms and firesuits of Burton and the entire #31 team. In addition to the RCR team partnership, Prilosec OTC will sponsor the “Prilosec OTC BBQ Shootout Series” throughout the 2009 Sprint Cup Series race season. The mobile tour will travel to six NASCAR cities during the spring and summer months showcasing the country’s best BBQ Pit Masters [Texas a few weeks ago, Richmond in May, Charlotte in May, Indy in July, Bristol in August and Atlanta in Sept.](RCR PR), see an image of the #31 car on my #31 Team Schemes page.(4-30-2009)
- PVA scheme for A.J. at Richmond: #44-A.J. Allmendinger takes his vote campaign to Richmond International Raceway for Saturday night’s Sprint Cup Series race on the three-quarter mile, D-shaped oval. Last weekend in Talladega, Allmendinger gave away about 250 pizzas to fans while his wife Lynne, and their Labrador Misty, one of the puppies featured in the movie Marley and Me, sported shirts seeking votes to gain entrance in the All-Star race in Charlotte. The top two finishers from the Sprint All-Star Challenge transfer into the All-Star race while the third is voted in by the race fans. The 27-year-old Californian has pledged to “do anything” to earn the fan vote if he doesn’t race his way into the field. At Richmond, Allmendinger’s Dodge will carry a paint scheme promoting the “King’s Cup Karting for a Cause” race on May 19 in Mooresville, N.C. The event will feature a four-hour endurance go-kart race, along with appearances by ‘The King’ Richard Petty and other Richard Petty Motorsports drivers, entertainment and a silent auction. Money raised goes to the Paralyzed Veterans of America.(RPM PR)(4-30-2009)
- Smallsponsor.com joins up with Mayfield: Mayfield Motorsports is welcoming Small Sponsor.com to the #41 Toyota. Small Sponsor is providing businesses throughout the country with the opportunity to be part of the NASCAR sponsorship community. Small Sponsor.com has created a NASCAR Marketing phenomenon that provides small businesses with a way to benefit from 70 million people each week seeing the Small Sponsor logo which is an online portal linking directly to their businesses. “We are fortunate at Mayfield Motorsports to have Small Sponsor.com as a partner. We believe that this will give us the ability to step up our program and allow us to give Small Sponsor.com the marketing presence that they are looking for” says Jeremy Mayfield. Starting today [April 29th] and for the next 30 days, Small Sponsor will be recruiting thousands of people across the country to start a new and rewarding career in sports marketing advertising. Small Sponsor will be using its own unique business model to provide an opportunity for people to work in their local area and realistically earn $40,000 per year, while, at the same time, creating a whole new segment of official NASCAR sponsors. More info at SmallSponsor.com.(Mayfield Motorsports PR)(4-30-2009)
- Fans injured in Edwards wreck UPDATE 3: Seven spectators suffered injuries at the end of the Aaron’s 499 Sunday when the #99 Ford of Carl Edwards went airborne and slammed into the catchfence on the frontstretch. “None of the injuries are dangerous or life-threatening,” said Dr. Bobby Lewis, medical director at Talladega Superspeedway. “It’s mostly bumps and bruises with possible minor fractures.” Two women were airlifted to an area hospital, but Lewis said that was for traffic concerns and not because of the severity of their injuries. “One has a lacerated lip and possible broken jaw,” Lewis said. “The other person was not injured, but has unrelated medical problems.” When the car hit the catchfence, pieces exploded off the car as catch fencing bent back severely, but did not break. “I’m not sure if it was pieces of car or pieces of debris from the fence that hurt the spectators,” Lewis said.(ESPN)(4-26-2009)
UPDATE on fan: A woman who was injured during a wreck at Talladega Superspeedway is listed in fair condition at UAB Hospital. Another woman who was taken to Brookwood Hospital in Birmingham for treatment of a medical condition after the wreck was discharged Sunday night. Her name was not released. A spokesman for UAB Hospital said the fan still being treated, Blake Bobbitt, was in fair condition Monday afternoon. Seven fans sustained minor injuries caused by flying debris Sunday when Carl Edwards’ car went into the safety fence on the final lap of the Aaron’s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway. The other injured fans received treatment at the track and did not have to go to a hospital.(ESPN/AP)(4-27-2009)
UPDATE 2: A teenager from the Shoals area was among the spectators injured in a crash at the Talladega Super Speedway. Blake Bobbitt, 17, of Rogersville, was one of seven NASCAR fans injured when Carl Edwards’ car went into the safety fence on the final lap of the Aaron’s 499 at Talladega on Sunday. WHNT News 19 spoke exclusively with Bobbitt’s father, whose grateful that his daughter is still alive. Terry Bobbitt owns the Minnow Bucket convenience store in Rogersville. He works long hours and does not get many days off. He saw Sunday as the perfect opportunity to take a break, have a good time and escort his teenage daughter to Talladega. “It was her first trip,” says Bobbitt. Bobbitt and his daughter, Blake, landed seats on the second row. It was an exciting race. However, as it neared the end, the fun came to a crashing halt. “Basically, it was headed to us,” says Bobbitt. Carl Edwards’ race car flipped into another car and slammed into the metal safety fence – only a few feet from stunned and scared spectators. Metal debris flew everywhere. Terry and Blake took cover, but it wasn’t quick enough. “When it actually happened, I turned and I pointed to her to make sure she saw the car that was coming in the air,” says Bobbitt. “All in that same motion, I grabbed her and it took her down. I didn’t know she’d been hit at all until we got up.” A piece of metal broke Blake’s jaw. Emergency responders rushed her to UAB Hospital. Doctors performed reconstructive surgery and had to insert two plates into her jaw. As a result, her mouth will be wired shut for the next six weeks. Blake Bobbitt attends Lauderdale County High School. Her 18th birthday and graduation are both within the next month. Her parents say it’s bad timing, but still a big blessing. Terry says it’s a miracle that Blake wasn’t hurt worse. “She’s alive. I’m alive,” says Bobbitt. “That’s the main thing. We had a guardian angel over us, no doubt.” Terry Bobbitt and his wife both say that the community has been extremely supportive. Beyond that, Carl Edwards even called the hospital to check on Blake after the surgery. Terry says they’re expecting doctors to release Blake from the hospital on Wednesday.(whnt.com)(4-29-2009)
UPDATE 3: A UAB Hospital spokeswoman said that Lauderdale County High School senior Blake Bobbitt was discharged on Wednesday. Bobbitt had reconstructive surgery to repair a broken jaw. Bobbitt’s mother said she had her lower jaw reconstructed. Blake was in the second row of the grandstands with her father when the wreck occurred.(Associated Press)(4-30-2009) - Talladega TV ratings down: ABC’s live telecast of the Aaron’s 312 NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Talladega Superspeedway earned a final national rating of 1.8, down from the 2.6 earned for last year’s race that also aired on ABC. The telecast averaged 2,675,244 viewers. Last year’s Talladega event set a record for the largest audience ever for a NASCAR Nationwide Series event on ABC. The 2007 edition of the race earned a 2.1 rating.(ESPN PR)(4-30-2009)
- Westerman Companies to sponsor Key Motorsports: Just a few days after announcing that Key Motorsports would discontinue its full-time effort in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, team owner Curtis Key has announced that Westerman Companies will sponsor the #40 Key Motorsports Nationwide Series entry for five races. Westerman Companies has opted to transfer their support from Key’s NCWTS program, putting their sponsorship dollars behind the full-time NNS team for races at Kentucky Speedway (June 13), O’Reilly Race Park (July 25), Bristol Motor Speedway (August 21), Richmond International Raceway (September 11), and Lowe’s Motor Speedway (October 16). The driver of the #40 Westerman Companies Chevy for those selected races has yet to be announced. Scott Wimmer has piloted the Key Motorsports NNS ride for the first 8 races of 2009, his best finish of the season being 11th at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in February. Wimmer is not running a full-time schedule with Key Motorsports, but is committed to at least seven more races this season with StopRepairBills.com and Federated Auto Parts as sponsors.(Key Motorsports PR)(4-30-2009)
- #90 Crew member suspended for rules violations at Kansas: Wesley Lane, a crew member for the #90 team in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, has been suspended from the next six NASCAR Camping World Truck Series events and all NASCAR activity until July 1 for rule violations at Kansas Speedway. Lane was found to be in violation of Section 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing) and Section 3-5 (permitting someone else to use your NASCAR License). Lane has also been placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31.(NASCAR PR)(4-30-2009)
- Germain Racing welcomes Copart to #30 Toyota: Germain Racing is proud to announce Copart as the primary sponsor of the #30 Copart Tundra driven by Todd Bodine for six NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races. “Copart is an exciting company and we are glad to have them sponsor Germain Racing. We’re looking forward to developing the relationship with Copart both at the race track and at our dealerships. Copart wants to get the message out that people can find a variety of cars at Copart.com and the #30 Copart Tundra will help deliver that message to the NASCAR fans,” said team owner Bob Germain. The Copart Tundra will race first at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte on Friday night, May 15, 2009. Also sponsoring: May 29, Dover International Speedway; June 5, Texas Motor Speedway; June 13, Michigan International Speedway; June 27, Memphis Motorsports Park and July 18, Kentucky Speedway.(Germain Racing PR)(4-30-2009)
- Images added: New images added of the #5-Bad Boy Mowers Toyota driven by race winner, Mike Skinner & the #33-Copart.com Chevy driven by Ron Hornaday Jr. at Kansas. Images are posted on the 2009 Paint Scheme Page.(4-30-2009)
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