May 2, 2013
- Hamlin plans to start at Talladega UPDATE2 Hamlin cleared: #11-Denny Hamlin plans to start Sunday’s Sprint Cup race at Talladega Superspeedway, but don’t look for him to be in the car long. Assuming nothing changes during practice or qualifying, it will be the first race back for the Joe Gibbs Racing driver since suffering a compression fracture in his lower back on the final lap of the March 24 event at Auto Club Speedway in California. Hamlin tweeted on Tuesday that he was cleared “just to start,’ Hamlin told ESPN.com at Kansas he would drop to the back of the pack at Talladega and ride around until the first caution, then give way to backup driver Brian Vickers.(ESPN)(4-30-2013)
UPDATE: NASCAR confirmed that medical clearance has not yet been given for Denny Hamlin to return to racing the #11 FedEx Toyota (many sources on Twitter)(5-1-2013)
UPDATE2: Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin has received medical clearance to return to on-track activity beginning with this weekend’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Talladega Superspeedway in the #11 FedEx Express Toyota. Hamlin was injured during an accident at Auto Club Speedway and has missed the past four NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races while recovering. Exact plans for this weekend will be determined by the team at Talladega.(JGR)(5-3-2013) - Final Richmond TV Ratings: NASCAR Sprint Cup series racing on FOX delivered a 3.7/7 with 6.067 million viewers on Saturday night for the Richmond 400. That’s up +3% over last year’s 3.6/7 (5.914 million viewers) and ranks as the highest-rated and most-watched event of the day; second overall for the weekend behind only ABC’s Heat-Bucks NBA Playoff game. Since the Daytona 500, NASCAR Sprint Cup Races on Fox were the top-rated events of their respective weekends five out of nine telecasts thus far this season. Saturday night’s race also powered Fox to an easy first place Primetime finish among all Broadcast and Cable Networks on Households and Adults 18-49. Season-to-date, NASCAR Sprint Cup on Fox is averaging a 5.1/11 with 8.34 million viewers, up +2% over last year’s 5.0/10 (8.35 million viewers). See past races for 2013 and 5-year comparison chart on the 2013 NASCAR TV Ratings page.(5-2-2013)
- Curb Records Featuring the Bobby Bones Show to Sponsor McDowell at Talladega: Joining Michael McDowell at Talladega Superspeedway will be Curb Records featuring the Bobby Bones Show, which will serve as primary sponsor on his #98 Phil Parsons Racing Ford Fusion. The Bobby Bones Show is a multiple award winning country music radio show based in Austin, Texas, on 96.7 KISS FM that is syndicated across the United States. The show is broadcast live weekday mornings from 6:00 to 10:00 a.m. CT. “I can’t wait to go racing at Talladega,” McDowell said. “Our team had such a good run at Daytona and that has us really excited about this week. We know that we’re capable of having a great run. We just have to put all of the pieces together. Fortunately one of the biggest pieces is already in place. We got Curb Records Featuring the Bobby Bones Show as a partner for the race. We’re thrilled to have them on our car and will do our best to give them a good ride.” McDowell will be at the helm of the same car he piloted to a top-10 finish at Daytona. The car took the checkered flag at Daytona without a scratch on it.(Phil Parsons Racing), see an image of the scheme on the #98 Team Schemes page.(5-2-2013)
- Ambrose, Almirola Set to Test at Sonoma, May 7th: Race fans will be treated to a FREE NASCAR test session and also get a sneak peek at some tasty new food options on Tuesday, May 7, at Sonoma Raceway. The test will also mark the debut of the new NASCAR Gen-6 car in Sonoma. Richard Petty Motorsports will visit the road course for a two-day NASCAR Sprint Cup Series test with #9-Marcos Ambrose and #43-Aric Almirola in preparation for the Toyota/Save Mart 350, June 21-23. This will be the first time the new Gen-6 NASCAR stock car will lay tracks on the Sonoma Valley road course. Ambrose claimed the pole in Sonoma last year and nearly took the checkers in 2010 before a late-race stall cost him the victory. In addition to the great on-track action, fans can also preview the raceway’s newest concession concept, the Sears Point Grill. Located at the north-end of the main grandstand, the Sears Point Grill will feature handmade burgers, locally-sourced sausages and other savory grilled items. Three Sears Point Grill locations will open officially during NASCAR race weekend, but fans can purchase food and drinks near the main grandstand during the test session from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. A press conference and fan event with the drivers will be held at the Sears Point Grill during the lunch break at approximately 12:15 p.m., and fans are welcome to attend. Fans can also test their skills with Grand Prix Karting in front of the Simraceway Driving Performance Center during the test session. Karting will take place from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Tuesday in front of the racing school and is free for attendees. Testing will span from approximately 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Fans who purchase tickets to the Toyota/Save Mart 350 during the test on May 7 can save up to $50 on a special NASCAR ticket package. Tickets for NASCAR’s 25th annual visit to the Sonoma Valley are also available at 800-870-RACE (7223) or racesonoma.com/nascar. Great options are still available, including the all-new NASCAR Express train package, Save Mart 2-Pack and more.(Sonoma Raceway)(5-2-2013)
- Peak Motor Oil debuts at Talladega: Michael Waltrip Racing and Clint Bowyer welcome PEAK Motor Oil as the primary sponsor of the #15 Toyota Camry for this weekend’s Aaron’s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway. PEAK will serve as the #15’s primary sponsor carrying a BlueDEF Diesel Exhaust Fluid paint scheme at Daytona in July and a PEAK Antifreeze scheme at Chicagoland in September. PEAK also serves as a major associate sponsor in every race. PEAK’s commitment to the sport goes beyond paint schemes. PEAK’s commercials featuring Bowyer and Waltrip air during race broadcasts and this year the Northbrook, Ill company initiated the “PEAK Stock Car Dream Challenge“, a search for the sport’s next star.(MWR), see an image of the scheme on the #15 Team Schemes page.(5-2-2013)
- Time Warner on the #5 next three races: Time Warner Cable will adorn the hood of Kasey Kahne’s #5 Chevy this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway and will be the primary sponsor on the car for three more Sprint Cup Series events this year: Darlington Raceway on May 11, Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 26 and Kansas Speedway on Oct. 6. Kahne welcomed Time Warner Cable on the hood of his #5 Chevy for the first time at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Sprint Cup Series event on Oct. 13, 2012.(Hendrick Motorsports), see an image of the scheme on the #5 Team Schemes page.(5-2-2013)
- Goodyear Tire Testing at Chicago: Goodyear is scheduled to be hosting a tire test at Chicagoland Speedway on Tuesday, May 7 & Wednesday, May 8. Drivers tentatively scheduled to participate in the tire test include: #1-Jamie McMurray, #16-Greg Biffle, #18-Kyle Busch, #29-Kevin Harvick, #39-Ryan Newman and #48-Jimmie Johnson. The test is closed to the public.(Chicagoland Speedway)(5-2-2013)
- Ty Dillon fastest in happy hour: #33-Ty Dillon was quickest during happy hour for the Aaron’s 312 with a speed of 192.131mph. He was followed by: #6-Trevor Bayne, #60-Travis Pastrana, #43-Reed Sorenson, #7-Regan Smith, #5-Kasey Kahne, #12-Sam Hornish, Jr., #22-Joey Logano, #3-Austin Dillon, and #54-Joey Coulter. 38 drivers participated in the session. See complete results on the Talladega practice 2 speeds page (pdf).(5-2-2013)
- Bayne fastest in first practice: #6-Trevor Bayne was fastest during opening practice at Talladega Superspeedway with a speed of 190.472mph. #5-Kasey Kahne was second, followed by: #30-Nelson Piquet, Jr., #32-Kyle Larson, #12-Sam Hornish, Jr., #22-Joey Logano, #32-Reed Sorenson, #60-Travis Pastrana, #77-Parker Kligerman, and #2-Brian Scott. 41 drivers practiced during the session. See complete results on the Talladega practice 1 speeds page (pdf).(5-2-2013)
- RCR appealing suspension of crew members: Richard Childress Racing has appealed the four-week suspensions to Brian Scott crewmen Michael Scearce and Thomas Costello, who were arrested last week following the Nationwide Series race at Richmond International Raceway. Scearce faces two misdemeanor assault charges and Costello faces one misdemeanor assault charge after a fight with Turner Scott Motorsports driver Nelson Piquet Jr. in the driver/owner parking lot Friday night at RIR. NASCAR has deferred the suspensions pending appeal, so both Scearce and Costello will work with the team this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway. No appeal date has been set. Scearce and Costello have a June 25 court date in Richmond.(Sporting News)(5-2-2013)
- Coulter in the #54 at Talladega: A new name will be over the door of the Monster Energy Camry this weekend, that of a young driver tackling the 33 degree banking of Talladega Superspeedway for the first time in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Kyle Busch Motorsports driver Joey Coulter will have the wheel of the #54 Toyota on Saturday with Joe Gibbs Racing in the Aaron’s 312 event. It will be the first of three Nationwide Series races this season in which Coulter will support the JGR/KBM Monster Energy program, this weekend at the 2.66-mile high banks of Talladega, July 21 at Chicagoland Speedway and September 21 at Kentucky Speedway. The 22-year-old’s full-time ride is currently the #18 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series entry at KBM where he has earned this year, one top-five and one top-10 finish along with 15 laps led.(KBM)(5-2-2013)
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