May 3, 2013
- Coverage of Qualifying for the Aaron’s 499 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway is scheduled for Saturday, May 4, 2013 at 12:10pm/et.
TV: SPEED at 12:00pm/et
Radio: Motor Racing Network at motorracingnetwork.com.
Scheduled Qualifying TV Re-Air: 7:00pm/et - Qualifying Order for the Aaron’s 499 Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway is posted. 44 cars/drivers are listed.
The first of the drivers scheduled to go out is #93-Kvapil.
The final driver scheduled to go out is #47-Labonte.
#11-Hamlin returns, the #11 is scheduled to go out 4th.
Fastest in first Friday practice, #99-Edwards, is scheduled to qualify 36th.
Qualifying order is set by a random draw, held about an hour before the first practice.
See the full qualifying order on the Talladega Qualifying Page.(5-3-2013) - Practice held but Qualifying canceled – correction: If the first practice is run, but qualifying is unable to take place, the cars that would make the race are the the highest 36 cars in owners points. The starting lineup will be based on speeds from the car’s fastest lap from the first practice. The top-36 in speeds placed in that order. The next six cars use provisionals with the highest on owners points, not already in the race via speed getting a spot. Then the those six cars are lined up by fastest speed in practice. The 43rd spot is for a past champion to use, if needed. If not, the next team eligible for a provisional gets the spot. So if qualifying gets rained out, #81-Sadler would miss the race due to being lowest in owners points / least attempts.(5-3-2013)
- Happy Hour practice for the Aaron’s 499 Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway is over, after 60 scheduled minutes, the top 5, slowest and any notes – some speds under drafting and some one lap attempts:
#2-Keselowski 195.896
#30-Stremme 195.544
#5-Kahne 195.540
#43-Almirola 195.540
#83-Reutimann 195.445
slowest: #33-Cassill 186.634 & #36-Yeley 187.181
only 27 of 44 drivers ran laps.
See fastest kaps, best ten-lap average, laps run and more on the Talladega Happy Hour Practice Speeds (pdf) page. - First Friday practice for the Aaron’s 499 Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway is over, after 45 scheduled minutes, the top 5, slowest and any notes – speeds are under drafting condistions:
#99-Edwards 199.675
#56-Truex Jr. 199.652
#9-Ambrose 199.608
#22-Logano 199.596
#39-Newman 199.542
slowest: #36-Yeley 177.781 & #33-Cassill 182.105
Notes: cars were doing drafting practice, in a few packs. Denny Halin was in the #11 for the first 20 minutes, then Vickers got in the car with about 10 minutes left in practice. So if qualifying gets rained out, #99-Edwards would start first.
See fastest kaps, best ten-lap average, laps run and more on the Talladega Practice 1 Speeds (pdf) page. - Weather could be a problem at Talladega: For the moment, the weather at Talladega Superspeedway is partly cloudy and comfortable, but it isn’t expected to stay that way, unfortunately. According to weather.com, there is a 50% chance of rain today, with showers already reported nearby. The probability of precipitation rises to 90% on Saturday, with a 60% chance of rain on Sunday. NASCAR has its high-tech Air Titan track drying system at Talladega this weekend, and it looks as if it will get a workout soon.(SPEED), there are no lights at the track, see weather links on my Talladega Race Info page – weather section.(5-3-2013)
- RCR receives Business Family of the Year Award from Wake Forest University: During a ceremony at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C. on Thursday night, Richard Childress Racing received the Family Business of the Year Award, Large Business Category, from the school’s Family Business Center. The award was based off the economic impact and contributions RCR has made in their community through the years. RCR was recognized for the race team’s efforts, plus the Childress Winery, Sapona Ridge Country Club and Childress Institute of Pediatric Trauma. “It is an honor and privilege to accept this award on behalf of our entire Childress and Dillon family,” said Judy Childress, wife of RCR’s president and CEO Richard Childress. “Wake Forest University stands for leadership and progress for our future. Only in America can those dreams come true. Wake Forest is building our leaders for tomorrow, and generations to come through a four-year plan. We are doing the same thing at RCR, but we try to get it done in 500 laps.” The ceremony was held at the Porter B. Byrum Welcome Center on the WFU campus.(RCR)(5-3-2013)
- #78 to Carry Message Honoring Military for Armed Forces Day: In observance of Armed Forces Day (May 18), a holiday for citizens to come together to thank military members for their patriotic service, Kurt Busch’s No. 78 Furniture Row Chevrolet SS will include an added message at the next two Sprint Cup races at Talladega (May 5) and Darlington (May 11). A ribbon on the hood and rear quarter panels of Busch’s car will announce Military Appreciation Night on May 17. The hood will also communicate, At All Furniture Row Stores. This special messaging is in conjunction with the 330 Furniture Row stores nationwide hosting Military Appreciation Night celebrations for all active duty, former, and retired military, as well as reservist and members of the National Guard and their families on the eve of Armed Forces Day.
The Military Appreciation Night on Friday May 17 will be held from 3 – 9 p.m. inside all of Furniture Row’s specialty stores – Denver Mattress, Sofa Mart, Oak Express and Bedroom Expressions. The evening activities will include multiple drawings for Apple iPads and a 60-inch Samsung 180p Plasma HDTV along with free gifts and refreshments. Every item in the stores will be specially priced for this one evening. “I am really proud of Furniture Row for its support of our military,” said Busch. “Having the Military Appreciation Night message on our race car is special to me because I am also a huge supporter of our men and women in uniform with my passionate involvement with the Armed Forces Foundation.” President Harry S. Truman led the effort to establish a single holiday for citizens to come together and thank our military members for their patriotic service in support of our country. On Aug. 31, 1949, Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of an Armed Forces Day to replace separate Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force Days. The single day celebration stemmed from the unification of the Armed Forces under the Department of Defense (FRR), see an image of the scheme on the #78 Team Schemes page.(5-3-2013) - Farm Rich to sponsor #34 team: Georgia-based Farm Rich is teaming up with Unadilla, Ga., native #34-David Ragan for this weekend’s high-speed action at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway – a track where he has a history of finishing up front. The Aaron’s 499 race weekend will be the first time Farm Rich has partnered with a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team. Farm Rich makes wholesome, great-tasting frozen snack and appetizer products such as Farm Rich Mozzarella Sticks, Meatballs and Jalapeño Peppers. They are sold at grocery and club stores nationwide. “Farm Rich is really happy to be involved with David Ragan, the #34 team and Front Row Motorsports,” said Shannon Gilreath, Senior Brand Manager for Farm Rich. “Farm Rich fans love NASCAR, so this is a great way to put two of their favorite things together. It’s going to be a great race and we think fans will be excited to see Farm Rich on the #34 car.”(FRM)(5-3-2013)
- Love’s Travel Stops return to the #38: #38-David Gilliland had a fast Love’s Travel Stops Ford at Daytona International Speedway in February, but “The Big One” kept him from showing what he and his car were capable of. The driver of the #38 Ford Fusion now wants to finish what he started with his Love’s car when the Sprint Cup Series goes to Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway for Sunday’s Aaron’s 499. The black, red and yellow paint scheme of Love’s Travel Stops will be back for its third race with Front Row Motorsports, promoting the MyLoveRewards loyalty program. The travel center company is family-owned and operated with more than 290 locations in 39 states and is currently ranked No. 9 on Forbes’ list of America’s Largest Private Companies. Gilliland has earned one top-five and two top-10 finishes and one pole position in his 11 Sprint Cup starts at the 2.66-mile Talladega Superspeedway. His best finish was fourth in 2007.(FRM), see an image of the car on the #38 Team Schemes page.(5-3-2013)
- Budweiser Launches New Racing App featuring Harvick: Budweiser is giving consumers a whole new look at what it’s like to hit speeds of 190 mph in the No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet SS with the interactive BUD 360° app. The King of Beers’ innovative new app utilizes surround video technology to provide users with a 360-degree look inside Kevin Harvick’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series ride as the driver completes several laps at Charlotte Motor Speedway. While Harvick controls the wheel, the consumer controls the view, allowing them to experience the sensation of speed in never-before-seen angles. The resulting content is available for free in the Apple App Store for both iPhone and iPad users.(Budweiser Racing)(5-3-2013)
- 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) - Pastrana on pole at Talladega: #60-Travis Pastrana won the Coors Light Pole for the Aaron’s 312 at Talladega Superspeedway with a speed of 176.500mph. #3-Austin Dillon will start second. The rest of the top 10: #6-Trevor Bayne, #34-Danica Patrick, #31-Justin Allgaier, #12-Sam Hornish, Jr., #11-Elliott Sadler, #2-Brian Scott, #1-Kurt Busch, and #54-Joey Coulter. Did Not Qualify: #25-John Wes Townley (time disallowed for the car being too low) and #15-Stanton Barrett. The starting lineup is posted on the Talladega starting lineup page (pdf).(5-3-2013)
- Talladega Qualifying Notes:
Travis Pastrana won the Coors Light Pole Award for the 22nd Annual Aaron’s 312 with a lap of 54.255 seconds, 176.500 mph.
This is his first pole in 17 NASCAR Nationwide Series races.
This is his first pole and second top-10 start in 2013.
This is his first pole in his first start at Talladega Superspeedway.
Austin Dillon (second) posted his seventh top-10 start of 2013 and his second in two races at Talladega Superspeedway.
Trevor Bayne (third) posted his second top-10 start at Talladega Superspeedway. It is his sixth in eight races this season.
Alex Bowman (15th) was the fastest qualifying rookie.
This is owner Jack Roush’s first NASCAR Nationwide Series Coors Light pole at Talladega Superspeedway.
(NASCAR Integrated Marketing)(5-3-2013) - Robby Benton starts new team….in Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo Series: Successful real estate developer and Lamborghini Carolinas CEO Eddie Littlefield, along with winning NASCAR team owner Robby Benton, and NASCAR driver and Sprint Cup Series Rookie-of-the-Year Kevin Conway announce the formation of Change Racing – a new team that will compete full time in the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo Series.Change Racing is based in Concord, NC, housed in a state of the art 40,000 square foot facility.In addition to competing for the 2013 Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo Series World Championship, Change Racing with Lamborghini Carolinas will be providing trackside support, engineering, and program management for other Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo Series teams and drivers throughout North America. Change Racing also announced a multi-year driver agreement with NASCAR driver and team principal, Kevin Conway as the team’s lead driver.(Change Racing)(5-3-2013)
- MaddiesPlaceRocks.com returns to the #87: This weekend, NASCAR Nationwide Series Driver Joe Nemechek makes his nineteenth career NNS start at the Talladega Superspeedway behind the wheel of the Purple and White #87 MaddiesPlaceRocks.com Toyota Camry. Joe has snagged 5 poles, 8 Top Tens, 7 Top Fives and 2 victories in his 18 previous NNS starts at Talladega. NEMCO is excited to have MaddiesPlaceRocks.com back as the primary partner for the Nationwide Series race.(NEMCO/JRR)(5-3-2013)
- Harmon gets Talladega sponsor: #74-Mike Harmon will represent Jonesboro local businesses Haag Brown Commercial and Stone Bridge Construction in the Nationwide Series Talladega Superspeedway race. Harmon came about the car sponsorship of Haag Brown Commercial through Rob Hester and John Perry of StoneBridge Construction. Mike is proud to represent a company from Alabama. Mike is the only driver from Alabama still racing in NASCAR full time. He was mentored by the original Alabama Gang. Mike is looking forward to racing in a car he purchased from Penske racing.(Harmon PR)(5-3-2013)
- Two T-28 Trojan Aircraft to Perform Flyover at Talladega: Talladega Superspeedway fans are known for being patriotic, but this Sunday they will have more reason to feel proud to be an American a historic flyover takes them back to the earlier days of the speedway. Two combat veteran T-28 Trojan aircraft from the Museum of Flight, Chattanooga’s Aviation Museum (TN) will soar above Talladega Superspeedway near the conclusion of the National Anthem to the road of thousands of fans, minutes before the start of the Aaron’s 499 Sprint Cup Series Race at NASCAR’s Most Competitive Track.
Lt. Col. Peyton “XMan” Dehart and Pete “Wheeler” O’Hare who both served in Vietnam, will pilot the aircraft, used by the United States Air Force and United States Navy beginning in the 1950s. The T-28 was successfully employed as a Counter-insurgency (COIN) aircraft, primarily during the Vietnam War. They were produced from 1950-58 and was retired in 1994.
The flyover will occur at the end of the Star-Spangled Banner, which will be performed by recording artist Robin Meade, also host of HLN’s “Morning Express with Robin Meade.” Moments later, fans will be treated to Talladega’s famous tradition of presenting an American flag on the back of a semi-truck as it barrels around the track. Sunday is guaranteed to become part of Talladega’s patriotic lore. Both aircraft can now be seen close up at the Museum of Flight, Chattanooga Aviation Museum, located in the suburban community of Hixson, TN. The most competitive racing in NASCAR combined with a mix of southern hospitality returns to Talladega Superspeedway May 3-5 for the Aaron’s Dream Weekend. Experience the excitement as the superstars of NASCAR attempt to tackle the high-banks of ‘DEGA at 200 mph. Secure your tickets at www.talladegasuperspeedway.com or by calling 877-Go2-DEGA.(TSS)(5-3-2013) - Aaron’s partners to help end hunger in Alabama: Aaron’s, Inc. is partnering with the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama to host a can drive at one of the largest sporting events of the year – Aaron’s Dream Weekend at Talladega Superspeedway, May 3-5. More than 200,000 NASCAR fans attending Aaron’s Dream Weekend at NASCAR’s Most Competitive Track will have an opportunity to help the hungry in Alabama by bringing canned food items to the Aaron’s Corporate Display at the speedway, located just outside of the frontstretch grandstands. Throughout the weekend, Aaron’s associates and can-drive volunteers will be collecting non-perishable food items such as canned meat, dry cereal, canned fruits and vegetables, paper towels, toilet paper and hygiene products. For more information on Aaron’s Dream Weekend Can Drive, visit aarons.com/candrive.(TSS)(5-3-2013)
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