May 4, 2010
- FedEx plans to continue sponsorship of JGR: FedEx, which announced Monday it has dropped its 20-year sponsorship of the Orange Bowl, does not have plans to do the same with Joe Gibbs Racing and driver Denny Hamlin, according to a FedEx executive. Although no formal announcement has been made of an extension with JGR beyond 2010, FedEx Sports Marketing Manager Katherine Flee indicated Monday night that Hamlin and JGR are in good shape for next year and beyond. “While we have recently decided to end our relationship with the Bowl Championship Series and the Orange Bowl, FedEx remains committed to its long-term relationship with Joe Gibbs Racing and our sponsorship of Denny Hamlin and the No. 11 car,” Flee said in an e-mail. “We are looking forward to running for our fifth-consecutive Chase for the championship [this year].” Joe Gibbs Racing is planning on FedEx continuing as the Hamlin sponsor.(Scene Daily)(5-4-2010)
- Cook leaves #46 team UPDATE 2 Yeley In: per his Facebook page, Terry
Cook announced – “Terry Cook, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Raybestos Rookie of the Year contender, is no longer with Whitney Motorsports effective immediately. Terry, who has been serving as Team Manager/ Driver, was uncomfortable with the direction that the team was heading towards and opted to leave the team.” No word who will drive the #46 Dodge at Darlington.(5-3-2010)UPDATE: per the Whitney Motorsports Facebook page, J.J. Yeley will drive the #46 Dodge at Darlington. This will be Yeley’s first attempt in a Sprint Cup race since the 2009 Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, when he tried to qualify Mayfield’s #41 Toyota but failed to make the race.(5-3-2010)UPDATE: Whitney Motorsports announced yesterday that JJ Yeley will be in their Whitney Motorsports Dodge #46 Nascar Sprint Cup car at Darlington Raceway this weekend in the Showtime Southern 500. Yeley will be in the #46 for two races, Darlington and possibly Charlotte. If things go well more races could be added. JJ is excited to get back on track and give it all he’s got to get the #46 a great finish.(JJ Yeley site)(5-4-2010) - Johnson testing: hearing that #48-Jimmie Johnson is testing today at Carolina Motorsprots Park.(5-4-2010)
- Congrats – Matt Yocum: congrats to FOX/TNT pit reporter Matt Yocum who became a father on April 26th when Madison Keller Grace Yocum was born at 12:30pm/et, weighing in at 6 pounds 14 oz.(5-4-2010)
- Chase Notes & Stats: Kyle Busch is rowdy once again with a dominant win at Richmond. He (752, +7) and teammate Denny Hamlin (753, +12) have scored more points than any other driver over the last five races and Hamlin has made up the most positions in the standings over that period. Sophomore teammate Joey Logano is much improved over last year, but is struggling to overcome some recent adversity and needs a solid top 10 at Darlington to stay in close contact with the Top 12. Dale Earnhardt Jr. fell out of the T12 with his disappointing 32nd place finish at RIR, and Carl Edwards swept in to 11th place on the strength of a fifth at RIR. How significant
is it to be out of the T12 with 16 races to go? Not necessarily so much. Four members of the T12 after 10 races last year fell out before the cutoff. A developing story is the struggles of Stewart Haas Racing, and Tony Stewart in particular. Stewart has the lowest points over the last five among contenders and has dropped 10 positions. Ryan Newman had a difficult start, and has moved up 10 spots over the same period, but still remains 71 points out in 16th place. For season-to-season comparision, who was the furtherest back to come back and get in the chase? and more, see my Chase stats after Richmond page and 2010 Chase Rules, Notes and History page.(5-4-2010) - Johnson Adds Personal Touch to NASCAR Hall of Fame: the NASCAR Hall of Fame announced four prominent historic items to be on display at the 150,000-square-foot interactive, entertainment attraction – Jimmie Johnson’s four NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Trophies. The reigning four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion has loaned his four personal trophies to the venue for six months. “The NASCAR Hall of Fame is going to have so many cool things, showing the history of our sport. I was definitely humbled that they asked for something of mine to display,” said Johnson. “It’s an honor for me and the whole 48 Lowe’s team. I hope fans appreciate seeing the trophies up close. I know how special they are to me, and I’ve certainly enjoyed seeing them the past four years.”While the NASCAR Hall of Fame is dedicated to honoring the history and heritage of NASCAR, a current item such as Johnson’s trophies recognizes the importance of history in the making. Eight years ago today, Johnson captured his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series win on April 28, 2002 at California Speedway, and since then, he has earned a spot in the record books as the only driver to win four consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championships (2006-2009).“To showcase all four of Jimmie’s personal trophies emphasizes the importance of the NASCAR Hall of Fame for the veterans of the sport and the history-makers of today,” said Winston Kelley, executive director of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. “These trophies represent his back-to-back championships and are iconic to this new era of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racing. We are honored to show these to the public. We initially requested Jimmie’s 2009 championship trophy to display, and Jimmie graciously offered to loan us all four. Of course we were thrilled. His offer really illustrates how supportive the sport has been of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. We sincerely appreciate Jimmie and all the other members of the NASCAR community for their generosity and support.”The NASCAR Hall of Fame opens to the public May 11 at 10:00am/et. The opening ceremony for the high-tech, interactive attraction begins at 9:00am/et. The one-hour ceremony will culminate with NASCAR celebrities, elected officials and other dignitaries officially opening the venue. The opening ceremony will be followed by free outdoor activities from 10:00am/et through the late evening. Activities will include NASCAR celebrities, question-and-answer sessions, strolling entertainment, food vendors, and free concerts by country music artists Lee Brice, Bomshel and Love And Theft. For schedule of events for the grand opening, ticket info and more, see nascarhall.com.(NASCAR Hall of Fame)(5-4-2010)
- Newman’s Crew Captures Tissot Pit Road Award in Richmond: Ryan Newman’s U.S. Army over-the-wall crew claimed the Tissot Pit Road Precision Award in Saturday night’s Crown Royal Heath Calhoun 400 Sprint Cup race at Richmond International Raceway. The Army crew put together a string of fast pit stops which helped Newman post an eighth-place finish in the 400-lap, 300-mile race at the .75-mile short track. Newman’s #39 Army Medicine Chevrolet, which paid tribute to the U.S. Army Medical Department and Army Health Care personnel, spent the least amount of time on pit road – 197.999 seconds. Newman’s over-the-wall crew consists of: Scott Brzozowoski (front-tire changer), Josh Mick (front-tire carrier), Ryan Pepe (rear-tire changer), James Houk (rear-tire carrier), Andrew Turner (jackman), Michael Moore (gasman), Andy Rueger (catch can) and Jay Guarneri (Eighth Man). The team’s crew chief is Tony Gibson and the pit crew coach is Joe Piette. The winning pit crew in each Sprint Cup race will earn $5,000 and a Tissot V8 Quartz Chronograph watch. The team with the most Tissot Pit Road Precision Award wins at the completion of the 36-race schedule will receive a $105,000 bonus plus Tissot watches for the over-the-wall crew members and driver. After 10 races Martin Truex’s No. 56 crew leads the Tissot standings with two wins. Eight teams are tied for second with one win.(Tissot), for past winners and more on pit crews, see my 2010 Pit Crew News and Awards page.(5-4-2010)
- Petty & Earnhardt added to Darlington Legends Walk: Just days before their induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame, Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt have both been added to the Darlington Legends walk on the grounds of the famed 1.366-mile egg-shaped oval. “Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt were obvious choices when we looked at who should be added to the Legends Walk,” said Darlington Raceway President, Chris Browning. “Petty was one of the pioneers of NASCAR and paved the way for the fan-driver interaction we know today. Earnhardt certainly left his mark on NASCAR and is still second on the all-time Darlington victory list with nine victories. Both drivers loved racing here and we are happy to honor them.” Keeping with the historic racing theme present throughout the Darlington Raceway facility, each of the Darlington Legends Walk monuments resembles a Goodyear racing tire and old style pit board. Each monument is made of solid granite and marble and weighs nearly 2,300 pounds. This is the third consecutive year new monuments have been added and the track plans to continue adding new monuments each year. “This is a great way for Darlington to put some of the history of NASCAR and our track on display for fans to enjoy,” said Browning. “The history of Darlington Raceway is so rich and we are going to do everything we can to preserve it for many generations to come.” Darlington Raceway Tickets can be purchased by calling the Darlington Raceway ticket office at 866-459-RACE or online at darlingtonraceway.com/tickets/.(Darlington Raceway)(5-4-2010)
- Hendrick To Be Inducted Into Infineon Raceway Wall of Fame: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team owner Rick Hendrick will be inducted into the Infineon Raceway Wall of Fame during the Toyota/Save Mart 350 race weekend, June 18-20. Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports, is the most successful team owner in NASCAR history at Infineon Raceway with five Sprint Cup victories, all courtesy of Vallejo native Jeff Gordon. Gordon holds the record for most wins in Sonoma, including a three-peat in 1998-2000 (other wins, 2004 and 06). Hendrick drivers have also posted nine pole positions, including three consecutive poles by Ricky Rudd (1990-92), and 23 top-5 finishes in Sonoma. Brian Vickers also earned a victory for Hendrick Motorsports in the NASCAR West Series at Infineon Raceway in 2006. Hendrick will join Gordon, who was inducted in 2006, on the Wall of Fame, as well as NASCAR drivers Rusty Wallace, Mark Martin and Rudd. He will be inducted into the Wall of Fame during a ceremony in the Wine Country Winner’s Circle on Friday, June 18. Race fans are invited to attend. To learn more about the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway, visit infineonraceway.com/NASCAR or call 800-870-RACE.(Infineon Raceway)(5-4-2010)
- ETV Profiles “The Lady in Black” on May 6th: On Thursday, May 6 at 9:00pm/et, just one day before drivers once again take to the track “Too Tough To Tame,” ETV premieres its newest “Carolina Stories” documentary, “The Lady in Black.” Encore broadcasts will air on Sunday, May 9 at 4:00pm/et on ETV and Monday, May 10 at 9:00pm/et on the South Carolina Channel. Using a blend of original and NASCAR footage from the archives, this fast-paced program tracks the history of the Darlington Raceway, as told by the true legends of the sport, including Cale Yarborough, Cotton Owens, Junior Johnson, and David Pearson as well as some of today’s biggest names, such as Jeff Gordon, Jeff Burton, Mark Martin, Richard Childress, and the “Iron Man” of the Nationwide Series, Jason Keller. And thanks to Baker Curb Racing, ETV gives fans a rare opportunity to go behind-the-scenes, riding along in the big rig as the #27 car is brought through the tunnel, and then prepared for the big race. Keller was driving for Baker Curb Racing in 2009 when the documentary was shot, and this year the Greenville native is closing in on his 500th start, which very well might take place at Darlington. Interviews with everyone from track officials to fans who have been returning to camp in the infield year after year, help define what makes Darlington so unique, and has become the single biggest weekend event in the Palmetto State. ETV is South Carolina’s statewide network with 11 television stations, eight radio stations and a closed-circuit educational telecommunications system in more than 2000 schools, colleges, businesses, and government agencies. More info at SC ETV site.PR)(5-4-2010)
- Musical production about the History of Stock Car Racing starts May 6th: Heaven on Wheels, an uproarious musical about the history of stock car racing, will make its World Premiere at Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte on Thursday May 6, 2010, and run through May 29-coinciding with three prominent NASCAR races and the opening of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Heaven on Wheels is a co-production of Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte and Once Upon a Blue Ridge Production Company of Meadows of Dan, VA. Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte is supported in part by a Basic Operating Grant from the Arts & Science Council of Charlotte/Mecklenburg, Inc., a General Support Grant from the North Carolina Arts Council, and an Operating Grant from the Shubert Foundation. Tickets are on sale and can be purchased through the Box Office at (704) 342-2251 and online at actorstheatrecharlotte.org. Heaven on Wheels is recommended for those aged 13 and older.(PR)(5-4-2010)
- Tickets available for Darlington races: The 2010 Showtime Southern 500 is only days away and time is dwindling for fans who have not yet purchased their tickets to see NASCAR’s oldest tradition live. Tickets remain available for the event which has hosted a capacity crowd four of the last five years. During the offseason Darlington Raceway officials reduced prices on over 40,000 seats making the 2010 event the most affordable on record. Tickets can be purchased by calling 866-459-RACE, online at Darlington Raceway.com or by visiting the ticket office at the track “Too Tough To Tame.” Phones are open from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, the ticket office at the track will be open from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm and fans can purchase online 24 hours-a-day.(Darlington Raceway)(5-4-2010)
- Zipadelli out at Braun: In an effort to optimize on-track performance, Braun Racing is making structural changes to its #38 Nationwide Series team. Trip Bruce will serve as interim crew chief of the team with driver, Jason Leffler, for the next three races to include events at Darlington Raceway, Dover International Speedway and Charlotte Motor Speedway. “We felt it was necessary to make some changes on the #38 team as performance has struggled this season,” says team owner, Todd Braun. “We are looking for a spark to ignite the team and improve their on-track performance. We have been through a lot of good races with Jason and I feel like this is a better team than results have shown.”(Braun Racing PR)(5-4-2010)
- Hornaday, Bodine & Skinner to take part in Hall of Fame ceremony UPDATE: Three former NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champions are among those who will represent the trucks in the Grand Opening of the NASCAR Hall of Fame May 11 in Charlotte. Ron Hornaday Jr., Todd Bodine (#30 Toyota) and Mike Skinner, three of the series’ original drivers, will participate in the opening ceremonies. Joining them will be Ricky Carmichael (# 4 Monster Energy Chevrolet), who will sign autographs at the event. ornaday’s day will be full. Along with Richard Petty and Junior Johnson, as well as other NASCAR national defending champions Jimmie Johnson and Kyle Busch, Hornaday will officially open the NASCAR Hall of Fame between 9:30 and 9:50am. The group will then be the first to enter the building after its official opening and each driver will participate in a five-minute meet-and-greet session with fans. Skinner, the 1995 champion, will be in attendance for the opening ceremony and participate in a media event at 10 a.m. He will also take part in fan activities from 10:30-11:30am. Bodine, the 2006 series champion, is also scheduled to take part in the opening ceremonies, media event and fan activities throughout the day.(NASCAR PR)[For more info on the Hall of Fame Grand Opening, visit the Jayski Appearances Page.](5-4-2010)
UPDATE: Have confirmed that former Camping World Series Champion, Johnny Benson will also be in attendance for the Grand Opening Ceremony of the NASCAR Hall of Fame.(5-4-2010) - Ellis to manage NCWTS Public Relations: NASCAR has announced that Amanda Jones Ellis has been named communications manager for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Ellis brings a solid public relations background in NASCAR racing to the position. Most recently, she was public relations account manager for Turner Motorsports, where she coordinated the publicity for NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver Ricky Carmichael, former motocross legend and holder of a record 15 AMA Pro Racing titles. Ellis also worked one season as media relations manager for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Martin Truex Jr. Ellis began her public relations career in NASCAR racing in 2004, where she worked as a public relations account manager for Bobby Hamilton Racing. In her first season with that organization, Hamilton captured the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship. Ellis was named the 2007 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Public Relations Representative of the Year. A native of Paris, Tenn., Ellis holds a bachelor’s degree in public relations from Union University in Jackson, Tenn. She and her husband, Jonathon, reside in Mooresville, N.C.(NASCAR PR)(5-4-2010)
- Bruce to serve as interim crew chief for three NNS races with Braun: In an effort to optimize on-track performance, Braun Racing is making structural changes to its #38 Nationwide Series team. Trip Bruce will serve as interim crew chief of the team with driver, Jason Leffler, for the next three races to include events at Darlington Raceway, Dover International Speedway and Charlotte Motor Speedway.(Braun Racing PR)(5-4-2010)
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