Bayne undergoing tests; will not race at Richmond: UPDATE: Roush Fenway’s Trevor Bayne has been hospitalized and is undergoing tests for symptoms that are thought to be related to the insect bite he sustained earlier this month. “Trevor was not feeling well early this week and he is currently being evaluated for lingering symptoms that may be related to his previous insect bite,” said Roush Fenway president Steve Newmark. “Unfortunately Trevor will not be available to drive the #16 Ford for us this weekend in the Nationwide race at Richmond. As of now, our plans are to use a substitute driver from the Roush Fenway family of drivers in place of Trevor at Friday night’s race. Obviously Trevor wanted to be in Richmond and he’s upset about not being able to compete. However, his health is our top priority and we insisted that he have these tests to get to the botto of his symptoms,” added Newmark. “We will work to provide you with further updates as they become available.”(RFR)(4-28-2011) UPDATE: Chris Buescher will drive the #16 Ford in place of Bayne at Richmond.(4-28-2011)
McClure’s home hit by tornado: Many areas in the southeast region of the country have been affected and are seeing mass destruction and devastation, in what the National Weather Service is calling one of the largest tornado outbreaks in the county. NASCAR Nationwide Series driver, Eric McClure, who resides in Abingdon, Virginia with his family, experienced the storm first hand last night. For what seemed like hours of waiting as the storms moved over the small town late last night, McClure finally tweeted, “Thanks for prayers. Moved to Dad’s. House is wrecked; hiding place and most of house flooded; severe damage to the roof, sides, and well, the whole inside. Everyone is safe. God is good.” Despite the loss, the Virginia driver remains positive. “I’m very thankful right now that we are all safe,” said McClure, “some people affected by these storms can’t say that.” “This is by far the worst storm system I have ever seen. This is my first true tornado experience and I can honestly say I hope it is my last. Houses can be replaced but family can’t. I am just thankful that God protected us last night.” McClure still plans to participate in Friday’s Bubba Burger 250 at Richmond International Raceway.(TMR)(4-28-2011)
Key Motorsports week-to-week: Anger, frustration and disbelief filled Curtis Key’s thick voice as he discussed what could be the end of an 18-year dream. The more he talked, the easier words flowed and calm returned. Acceptance and resignation have taken hold of the NASCAR Nationwide Series owner, whose team lacks a full-time primary sponsor. “At the end of the day, my destiny is already set,” Key said. “Guys like me are not going to get sponsorship.” That means one thing. “I don’t see any future for my team,” said the Chesapeake native, who has owned a Nationwide or Truck team since 1993. “I’m not going to go out here and owe a bunch of people a bunch of money and try to race on something that ain’t there. I just paid my American Express bill – almost $100,000. I’m about at the end. I’ve got an entry in for Darlington (next week), but I don’t know if I’ll show up for that.” (Virginian-Pilot), see the full article for more information about the state of sponsorship in the Nationwide Series.(4-28-2011)
DRAW•TITE sponsoring Wimmer, Key Motorsports: Key Motorsports announced DRAW•TITE, with its line of “Tested Tough” hitches will sponsor the #40 Chevy with driver Scott Wimmer in Friday night’s BUBBA Burger 250 NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Richmond. DRAW•TITE, part of Cequent Performance Products, has held the lead in the manufacture of quality towing systems since 1946. (Key Motorsports PR)(4-27-2011)
OneMain Financial primary sponsor on the No. 2 for the rest of 2011 season: This weekend, the #2 Chevy will sport the familiar OneMain Financial paint scheme, which has already adorned the Kevin Harvick Inc. machine three times this season. Richmond will kick off the organization’s 26-race streak as primary sponsor of the #2 until the end of the 2011 season.(KHI)(4-27-2011)
Rensi still in business but scaled back: Team Rensi has scaled back, but has not ceased operation. Kevin Lepage was asked to drive for Means Motorsports by racedaysponsor.com since the #24 is not entered at Richmond. The team is focusing their efforts to run several strategic races for a sponsor, for which Lepage is still the named driver. Additionally, the team will be making a couple of announcements in the coming weeks for the second half of the season and into 2012.(Diamond III PR)(4-27-2011)
Lepage to drive for Means Motorsports: Veteran Driver Kevin Lepage, who started the season with Rensi Motorsports a team that ceased operations after Texas, announced that he will be behind the wheel of the #52 TRX Alliance Chevy this week at Richmond. Kevin started 4 races for Jimmy Means last year to finish out the season. He will work with www.racedaysponsor.com and the team to procure additional funding for the remainder of the year. Along with TRX Alliance as the title sponsor, the #52 will carry the Hyatt Place Richmond as a co-associate sponsor for this week’s Nationwide Bubba Burger 250.(Means Motorsports)(4-26-2011)
Nashville TV Ratings: ESPN’s live telecast of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Nashville Superspeedway on Saturday, April 23, earned a 1.5 final national household coverage rating, averaging 1,990,000 viewers, according to the Nielsen Company. The rating was the highest for the Spring race at Nashville since ESPN began televising the event in 2007. Last year’s race earned a 1.1 rating while the 2009 race earned a 1.3 rating. Across all ESPN networks so far this season, the NASCAR Nationwide Series is averaging a 1.6 U.S. rating, up from a 1.4 average at this point last year. (ESPN)(4-26-2011)
Richardson will continue focus on Nationwide: UPDATE: Although he ran this year’s Daytona 500 for a second year in a row with Bob Jenkins’ FRM, #23-Robert Richardson has no plans to run anymore Cup races this season. “Right now we are going to put most of our focus on R3 Motorsports in the Nationwide Series with the 23 car. We are working on finalizing sponsorship efforts and trying to make our team better then what it has been in the past,” said a hopeful Robert Richardson. In the past, R3 Motorsports has had limited funding with blank quarter panels. This season, however, Richardson will show up to the track with a full time company sponsoring his efforts. “As of now, the Wildlife Conservation Society sponsorship is through the rest of the season. Also, we are re-negotiating for next season,” said an optimistic Richardson. “It’s neat since I am an outdoorsman and that I like to hunt and fish to have the Wildlife Conservation Society on board.”(Racing Experts)(4-25-2011) UPDATE: Am told that the Wildlife Conservation Society sponsorship is not for the full season and the #23 Dodge will have North Texas Pipe on the car at Richmond this weekend as they continue to look for additional sponsorship.(4-26-2011)
Iowa Speedway picks up race sponsor: John Deere is partnering with 10 of its Iowa dealers to sponsor the Iowa John Deere Dealers 250 presented by Pioneer NASCAR Nationwide Series Race. The race is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. on May 22nd at Iowa Speedway in Newton , Iowa. John Deere and the participating Iowa dealers will host more than 3,000 customers during the race. The Iowa John Deere Dealers 250 Presented by Pioneer NASCAR Nationwide Series race creates a national stage to spread positive messages about agriculture — especially the benefits of alternative fuels. John Deere is also using their sponsorship to highlight a cause they are passionate about — Make-A-Wish Foundation of Iowa.(Iowa Speedway PR)(4-26-2011)
Another race for Speed: According to a post on his Facebook page, “Scott will now race another NASCAR Nationwide race for KHI… May 22nd at Iowa”.(4-25-2011)
Means Motorsports gets 4 race sponsor: TRX Alliance will be the title sponsor on the #52 this weekend at Nashville along with at least 4 other races this season. TRX Alliance (TRX) is leading marketer and provider of federal and state income tax software to independent tax preparers and accounting firms throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. Based in Murfreesboro TN, TRX currently serves thousands of independent tax firms accounting for approximately 500,000 tax returns annually. The firms sister company Tax Exact will be an associate sponsor on those races as well. (Means Motorsports) (4-21-2011)
Wicks featured on #09 at Nashville: Rising country music star Chuck Wicks and his new single, “Old School,” will be featured on the #09 Toyota Camry driven by Kenny Wallace this weekend in the NASCAR Nationwide Series Nashville 300 at Nashville Superspeedway. Wicks, known for his 2007 debut single “Stealing Cinderella,” spent his college years discovering his musical talents and moved to Nashville in 2002 to pursue a career in music. A talented singer and song writer, Wicks signed with RCA Recording Nashville in early 2007 and released his first album, “Starting Now,” in January 2008. In addition to being featured on the RAB Racing with Brack Maggard Toyota Camry, Wicks will also play a live post-race concert immediately following the Nationwide Series race on Saturday, April 23, 2011. The race is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. The concert is free to all April 23rd race ticket holders.(RAB Racing)(4-21-2011)
COLORMATCH returns to #01 team:COLORMATCH, a leader in the distribution of collision repair products to the auto body industry, will sponsor the #01 Chevy for this weekend’s race in Nashville, TN. COLORMATCH also sponsored Mike Wallace and JD Motorsports at the race in Bristol, TN earlier this season. Fans will be excited to see the new custom paint scheme for the COLORMATCH Chevrolet, which was performed by the students at the Nashville Auto Diesel College. The Tennessee Collision Repairers Association has been acknowledged by the placement of the TCRA logo on the back deck. COLORMATCH is a family-owned business founded in 1946. Originally started as a small auto parts store, the company has grown to become a leader in the distribution of collision repair products to the auto body industry. (JD Motorsports)(4-21-2011)
Logano driving at Nashville: Due to a lack of sponsorship, the #20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota and driver Joey Logano were not originally scheduled to run this weekend at Nashville Superspeedway. However, a number of factors following this past Saturday’s event at Talladega Superspeedway changed that. First, with Logano’s second-place finish at Talladega, the #20 JGR team extended its points lead in the Nationwide Series Owner’s standings to 13 points over its JGR teammates, the #18 team. Second, a new sponsor jumped on board Sunday evening to make the trip possible. Harvest Investments, LLC & Harvest-Properties.com have signed on with Joe Gibbs Racing for a one-race sponsorship to allow the #20 team and Logano to head to Nashville to continue the strong start to the season and continue the chance to run for the Nationwide Series Owner’s Championship, which Joe Gibbs Racing has won three years in a row. The team was originally scheduled to run the first seven races, with Nashville being the first without sponsorship and not on the schedule. Now, with Nashville back on the schedule, the team will run through Dover. As of now, the team doesn’t have sponsorship for Iowa, but is still looking for interested companies.(Joe Gibbs Racing)(4-18-2011) IMAGE: See a layout of the car on the #20 team paint schemes page.(4-21-2011)
Nationwide Series banquet returns to Miami: NASCAR has announced dates and sites for its 2011 postseason championship celebrations. Riding the momentum of 2010’s highly successful awards shows, all of this year’s events will return to the same sites. The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony will again be held at Wynn Las Vegas. This year, the ceremony is set for Friday, Dec. 2 and will feature the top 10 drivers in the final series standings. The event will culminate NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week in Las Vegas. As in previous years, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony will be accompanied by a number of events designed with fans and media in mind – starting with the immensely popular “NASCAR Victory Lap,” an annual procession of the top 12 drivers in their race cars on Las Vegas Blvd., followed by NASCAR After The Lap, a Q&A event with the top 12 drivers; and the yearly NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Awards Luncheon. Details for these events – as well as many others that will provide a lead-in to the ceremony – will be announced later this year. In addition, the combined awards banquet for the NASCAR Nationwide Series and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will take place in South Florida at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel, one of the jewels of the South Beach area. The date is Nov. 21, the Monday following the season-ending Ford Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway.(NASCAR)(4-20-2011)
Go Canada Racing making debut at Nashville: IMAGE: The new owner of the #67 Nationwide Series Go Canada Racing Ford wanted to make sure there was no doubt about the nationality of his team. So Steve Meehan, a Toronto financial consultant and founder of the Investment Planning Counsel group, decided that his team would sport the same colours — red, black and white — as the myriad of Team Canadas that regularly hoist championship hockey trophies around the globe. “I am passionate about Canada, I am passionate about business and I am passionate about NASCAR racing,” Meehan said Tuesday as he unveiled the team’s new car that will launch its season Saturday at Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway. And to put his money where his mouth is, Meehan has signed 22-year-old JR Fitzpatrick, of Cambridge, Ont., to drive the #67 Ford. Fitzpatrick will drive in at least 10 more Nationwide races this season and possibly a couple of Sprint Cup races for Go Canada.(Toronto Sun), see an image of the car on the #67 team paint scheme page.(4-20-2011)
Rusty Wallace starting 3rd team: UPDATE:Rusty Wallace Racing announced that the team will field a third Toyota Camry in a partial 2011 Nationwide Series schedule. In addition to RWR’s #62 Pilot Flying J Toyota–driven by Michael Annett–and its flagship #66 5-Hour Energy Toyota–piloted by Steve Wallace–the team’s familiar #64 will return to competition in 2011 with Sprint Cup veteran, David Reutimann, former #64 driver, David Stremme and 2011 Toyota All-Star Showdown winner, Jason Bowles sharing the controls. Providing primary sponsorship for four of the events is Syracuse, NY-based Aspen Dental, a network of nearly 300 dental practices across 22 states, that first teamed with RWR late last season. The #64 Aspen Dental Toyota Camry will compete in four races, those at Michigan, Kentucky, Watkins Glen and Bristol. Stremme is slated to pilot the #64 car in several of those events. Meanwhile, Reutimann will lead off the season for the No. 64 team this weekend in Nashville, with sponsorship to be announced later this week. Additional races for Reutimann may be named in the near future. Rounding out the trio of drivers for the No. 64 car is Jason Bowles. Bowles, the 2009 NASCAR K&N West Series Champion, will pilot the #64 Toyota in all three 2011 Nationwide Series road course events. Aspen Dental will back Bowles in the August event at Watkins Glen International, while sponsorship for the Road America and Montreal events will be named in the near future. RWR General Manager and former Sprint Cup crew chief, Larry Carter will return to the pit box to lead the No. 64 team in its limited schedule.(RWR)(4-18-2011) UPDATE: Flatout Flatbread will serve as primary sponsor of the team’s #64–piloted by David Reutimann–in Saturday’s NASCAR Nationwide Series event at Nashville Superspeedway. Michigan-based Flatout sells tasty and healthy flatbreads in deli and bakery sections of nearly all major grocery retailers and drug chains across the country. Flatout is the fastest growing bread in America.(RWR)(4-20-2011)
Cobb to run Richmond for own team: Jennifer Jo Cobb will return to driving the #13 Jennifer Jo Cobb Racing Ford beginning at Richmond International Raceway on Friday, April 29. In addition to her NNS efforts, Cobb will also pilot her #10 JJCR Ford F-150 in at least two more NASCAR Camping World Truck Series events this season, including this week’s Bully Hill Vineyards 200 at Nashville Superspeedway and the O’Reilly Auto Parts 250 at Kansas Speedway on June 4. Cobb has raced in five NNS races in 2011 and one NCWTS event, in which she piloted the #10 JJCR F-150 at Daytona International Speedway and posted a sixth place finish. Following Daytona, Cobb partnered with Chase Mattioli Racing and since, Mattioli has been driving the #10 for his rookie campaign. Mattioli and Cobb will work together in Nashville with Mattioli piloting his #99 Ford F-150. (Breaking Limits)(4-20-2011)
NASCAR The Game to sponsor Wise at Nashville: Eutechnyx will be sponsoring the #7 Josh Wise JRM Car at Nationwide Series Nashville race this weekend.(Eutechnyx), see an image of the car on the #7 team paint scheme page(4-19-2011)
Talladega TV Ratings: ESPN2’s live telecast of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway on Saturday, April 16, earned a 2.1 final national household coverage rating (1.8 U.S. rating) and averaged 2,940,000 viewers, according to the Nielsen Company. Last year’s Talladega race was rained out on Saturday and was run on Sunday following the track’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race. The rescheduled event aired live on ESPN2 and earned a 1.3 rating. Saturday’s rating is the fifth-highest that ESPN2 has earned for a non-Daytona race since ESPN returned to NASCAR in 2007. For the NASCAR Nationwide Series season so far, the ESPN Networks are averaging a 1.6 U.S. rating, up slightly from both 2010 and 2009 at this point.(ESPN)(4-19-2011)
Dillon making KHI debut: Driver Austin Dillon will make his Kevin Harvick Inc. debut this weekend in the Nationwide Series race at Nashville Superspeedway. Dillon, a full-time driver in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series for Richard Childress Racing (RCR), will pilot the #33 Rheem Chevy in what will also be his first Nationwide Series start of the 2011 season.(KHI)(4-18-2011)
Sadler making first trip to Nashville: Despite being a 16-year NASCAR veteran, this weekend Elliott Sadler will encounter the 1.333-mile D-shaped oval of Nashville Superspeedway for the first time since the complex opened in 2001. Although he has yet to make a lap at the intermediate track, by the time he hits the concrete for Saturday’s Nashville 300, he will have already taken a green flag at the Music City track. In addition to this weekend’s NASCAR Nationwide Series event, Sadler is participating in Friday night’s Bully Hill Vineyards 200 in Kevin Harvick Inc.’s #21 Truck Series entry, giving him 150 laps of racing action in preparation for the Nationwide Series event.(KHI)(4-18-2011-2011)
Efland, Means get Talladega sponsor: Danny Efland, whose NASCAR Nationwide career started in 2007 and progressed into being the youngest team owner/driver in the NASCAR Nationwide Series #07 Chevy in 2010, will be behind the wheel of the #52 TRX Alliance Tax Exact Chevy for his first race of his season. TRX Alliance is “America’s #1 Independent tax preparers Alliance Program”. TRX Software development Inc is reintroducing Tax Exact Software . Tax Exact an IRS authorized e-file provider offers online tax preparation services for federal and state income taxes.(Means Motorsports)(4-16-2011)
Howard and #70 team split; Stremme in at Nasvhille: ML Motorsports will be running the #70 Foretravel Chevy at the April 23 event at Nashville Superspeedway with David Stremme driving in place of Shelby Howard, who amicably parted ways with the team earlier this week. Stremme, the 2003 NASCAR Nationwide Series Sunoco Rookie of the Year, brings plenty of experience to ML Motorsports. Stremme has 133 starts in the NASCAR Nationwide Series as well as 119 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts to his credit. In the NASCAR Nationwide Series, Stremme has earned 20 top-five and 49 top-10 finishes. The #70 Chevy also will carry sponsorship from The Franklin Marriott Cool Springs in Nashville which is located 20 minutes south of Nashville and is surrounded by upscale shopping, dining, and history. Foretravel Motorcoach will serve as primary sponsor in the two upcoming events at Nashville Superspeedway and Richmond International Raceway.(ML Motorsports), Dennis Setzer will be in the #70 at Talladega.(4-14-2011)
Bires to drive 2 races for Gibbs: Joe Gibbs Racing, Inc. announced that Kelly Bires will drive two races for its #18 Nationwide Series team as part of a partnership with International Comfort Products, LLC, a leader in the heating and cooling systems industry, with its brands Arcoaire, Comfortmaker, Day & Night, Heil, Keeprite, and Tempstar brands. Bires will be behind the wheel of JGR’s #18 Toyota on April 29 at Richmond International Raceway and June 4 at Chicagoland Speedway. Bires is in his fifth season driving in the NASCAR Nationwide Series with three top-five and 12 top-ten finishes in 82 career starts. He has made four starts so far in 2011. Bires has five career starts in Richmond with a best finish of 11th in 2009 and has made three career starts in Chicago with a best finish of 12th during the 2008 season. (Joe Gibbs Racing)(4-14-2011)
Cobb features Cowboy Dan’s Jerky Emporium at Dega: Rick Ware Racing announced that Cowboy Dan’s Jerky Emporium with the Jerky Kids will be featured on the #41 Ford driven by Jennifer Jo Cobb. Their logo will be featured on C-Post for the running of the Aaron’s 312 at Talladega Superspeedway, Saturday night. Cowboy Dan’s Jerky Emporium is a Christian Family owned & operated business. It was started by Dan & Amanda Stephens in 2010.(Rick Ware Racing)(4-14-2011)
Two team for MacDonald this weekend: This will be the first time this season that MacDonald Motorsports will be entering two cars into a race. Donnie Neuenberger will be back in the Eagle Convenience Stores #81 and Blake Koch will be driving the Daystar.com #82. This creates a lot more work leading up to and during the weekend for the team. The #81 car that Donnie will be driving is locked into the race while the #82 will have to qualify on time.(MacDonald Motorsports)(4-13-2011)
Wise returns to Go Green at Talladega: Josh Wise returns to Go Green Racing this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway and will compete for the Aaron’s 312 win in the #39 Cajun Industries Ford Mustang on Saturday, April 16. Wise is currently in 13th-place in the NASCAR Nationwide Series point standings after scoring four top-20 finishes in six races this season with Go Green Racing and JR Motorsports. In addition, Polk’s Meat Products joins Wise and Go Green Racing as an associate sponsor for the event. (Spire Sports + Entertainment)(4-13-2011)
Efland to drive for Means at Talladega: Danny Efland announced that he is combining efforts with Jimmy Means Racing for the Aaron’s 312 at Talladega SuperSpeedway on Saturday, April 16, 2011. With Jimmy Means vast experience Danny expects to do well in the #52 car at Talladega. It’s been close to five months since Danny and the Danny Efland Racing team have been on a race track competing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. But that will end this weekend. Danny plans to be back in the familiar #07 for the next race he runs. (Danny Efland Racing)(4-13-2011)
Applebee’s to sponsor George: Applebee’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill/Potomac Family Dining Group will sponsor Tim George Jr. in both the ARCA and NASCAR Nationwide Series races at Talladega Superspeedway this weekend. George, 30, will compete in his third full ARCA season in 2011, piloting the #31 Chevy for Richard Childress Racing. He ran 27th in the season opener at Daytona on Feb. 12. Friday’s 3 Amigos 250 at Talladega is the second race on the ARCA schedule. George will pilot the #21 Applebee’s Chevy in the NNS race on Saturday.(Fox Sports)(4-12-2011) UPDATE: Potomac Family Dining Group announced the sponsorship of Tim George Jr., driver of the #31 Richard Childress Racing (RCR) Chevt, in the April 15 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards event at Talladega Superspeedway. Potomac Family Dining Group and Applebee’s will also be the sponsor on the #21 RCR Chevy driven by George Jr. in the NASCAR Nationwide Series event the following day. This will be the first appearance in both racing series for the Washington, D.C.-based restaurant group which is the exclusive franchisee of 30 Applebee’s restaurants in southern Maryland, northern Virginia, and parts of West Virginia and Pennsylvania.(PFDG PR), see an image of the car on the #21 team paint schemes page.(4-13-2011)
5-Hour Energy sponsoring Dover race: 5-hour ENERGY announced that it will be the title sponsor of the Nationwide Series race to be held Saturday, May 14 at the Dover International Speedway, also known as the Monster Mile. NASCAR fans will not only be treated to exciting race action, but also get a chance to try a free sample of 5-hour ENERGY. Brand representatives will be stationed throughout the speedway passing out samples. Dover will not be the first time NASCAR fans see 5-hour ENERGY® at the track. The Michigan- based brand was the title sponsor for last year’s Nationwide Series race in St. Louis, and is in its fourth season as primary sponsor for the Rusty Wallace Racing #66 Toyota driven by Steven Wallace.(Performance PR Plus)(4-13-2011)
STP jumping back into racing: UPDATE: On Wednesday afternoon, STP will announce its return to big league racing, an aggressive sponsorship plan that will have the old familiar “racer’s edge” mantra back in NASCAR’s Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series as well as the NHRA, plus multiple racetrack sponsorships. It begins with NASCAR’s split weekend of June 4-5, when the Saturday night Nationwide Series event at Chicagoland Speedway will be the STP 300 and the following Sunday afternoon’s Sprint Cup race will be the STP 400. That same weekend, Richard Petty’s famous #43 car, driven by A.J. Allmendinger, will carry The King’s iconic 1972 STP paint scheme, marking the first time that car has carried those colors since a two-race deal in 2006. In addition, STP has signed track sponsorship deals with International Speedway Corp. properties, including Daytona, Talladega, Richmond, Darlington, Michigan, Chicagoland and Kansas. The company has also inked a multiyear sponsorship of Infineon Raceway, including title sponsorship of its Wednesday night drag racing series.(ESPN.com)(4-13-2010) UPDATE: When STP and Richard Petty first signed a deal in 1972, it forever changed the sponsorship landscape within the sport of auto racing. To mark its 39 year history in racing, the STP brand is building its presence in the sport through multiple series’ including NASCAR, NHRA, World of Outlaws, Infineon Speedway, and at several International Speedway Corporation (ISC) tracks. STP’s racing portfolio includes:
• Multi-year title sponsorship of the Nationwide and Cup races at Chicagoland Speedway and Kansas Speedway, respectively. This year, the STP 300 Nationwide Series race will take place on June 4 and the STP 400 Cup race will run on June 5.
• The STP-branded #43 car will make its return to the track driven by Richard Petty Motorsports driver, AJ Allmendinger, during the STP 400. The No. 43 STP Ford Fusion will be a modern replica of the 1972 paint scheme featuring the original Petty Blue and STP Day-Glo Red.
• Primary sponsor of two-time NHRA Full Throttle Nitro Funny Car Champion Tony Pedregon for three races (Las Vegas, Houston and Infineon) and an associate sponsorship for the balance of the season.
• Multi-year track sponsorships with a number of ISC properties including Daytona, Talladega, Richmond, Darlington, Michigan, Chicagoland and Kansas.
• Multi-year track sponsorship of Infineon Raceway and title sponsor of Wednesday Night Drags and Bracket Drags.
• Continued sponsorship of Tony Stewart Racing and four-time World of Outlaws Champion Donny Schatz and the World of Outlaws Series.(MATTER, Edelman/STP)(4-13-2011)
Harvick having special guests at Talladega: Kevin Harvick Inc. sponsor Pinnacle Foods will be bringing along some very special guests to the NASCAR Nationwide Series race this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway. Pinnacle Foods, whose brand Armour Vienna Sausages is the primary sponsor of the #4 KHI Chevy driven by Kevin Harvick for Saturday’s event, will host 18 children with the group Magic Moments for a day of fun at the track. Magic Moments, founded in 1984 and based in the Birmingham, Ala. area is dedicated to making the non-medical wishes and dreams come true for children who are not able to live out a normal childhood due to unfortunate illnesses. The group of children will have the opportunity to catch first hand all the NASCAR action at the famed Alabama superspeedway. The VIP guests will get to meet driver and KHI co-owner Harvick during a special Meet and Greet Saturday morning outside of the Media Center. The group will also have the chance to spend time with former NASCAR driver and SPEED personality Kyle Petty during a private Meet and Greet in their hospitality chalet. Harvick’s #4 Chevy will also run a Magic Moments decal in support of the organization.(KHI)(4-13-2011)
Clements gets new sponsor: #51- Jeremy Clements and the team are headed to Talladega for the 7th race of the 2011 season. Coming off another top 20 in Texas and already locked into the field for Saturday’s race, Jeremy is ready for some super Talladega Speedway action. Racedaysponsor.com has united Jeremy Clements Racing with a primary sponsor, Co-ops USA. Co-ops USA has signed on on the #51 Chevy for Talladega, Richmond, Dover and Charlotte. Co-opsUSA is involved with NASCAR to explore how the cooperative message can reach the millions small business owners, individuals, and communities who make up NASCAR’s fan base. For the hundreds and thousands of small businesses directly involved in motor sports in the U.S. and the thousands more struggling to survive the competitive battles on main street and rural towns, cooperative strategies may be a key to business survival. Exposing this audience on the use of cooperative approaches to make them better off is central to NCBA’s mission to strengthen the cooperative sector.(Clements PR)(4-12-2011)
Fuge out at TriStar: UPDATES: Sirius NASCAR Radio’s Sirius Speedway with Dave Moody has learned that crewchief Dave Fuge, Sr., is out as crewchief of Mike Bliss’ #19 NASCAR Nationwide Series entry at Tri-Star Motorsports. Speaking on the condition of anonymity, sources close to the team say the veteran crewchief parted company with the team today, despite ranking ninth in Nationwide Series championship points after three events. Bliss was 17th – three laps down – Saturday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, after finishing 13th in the season opener at Daytona and 20th two weeks ago in Phoenix. A spokesperson for Tri-Star Motorsports confirmed that Fuge is no longer with the team, but declined to discuss reasons for the move. No decision has been made on a possible replacement. (Sirius Speedway)(3-8-2011) UPDATE: TriStar Motorsports owner, Mark Smith, announced that effective immediately Wes Ward will assume crew chief duties for the #19 entry and driver Mike Bliss. A NASCAR veteran of 22 years and former Director of Competition at Rusty Wallace Racing, Ward replaces Dave Fuge at the helm of the #19 team.(3-10-2011) UPDATE 2: Sirius NASCAR Radio’s Sirius Speedway with Dave Moody has learned that Wes Ward has left Tri-Star Motorsports, where he had served as crewchief for Mike Bliss’ NASCAR Nationwide Series team. There is no word on a replacement, and a call placed to Tri-Star in search of comment was not returned.(Sirius Speedway)(4-5-2011) UPDATE: TriStar Motorsports announced that Paul Clapprood will assume crew chief duties of the #19 Impala and driver Mike Bliss beginning with this weekend’s event at Talladega Superspeedway. Clapprood, who most recently worked at TRG Motorsports in the Sprint Cup Series, replaces Wes Ward at the helm of the #19 team.(TriStar Motorsports)(4-12-2011)
Mortal Kombat on the #20: This weekend, the #20 GameStop Toyota will carry the look of the new Mortal Kombat game, which comes out for the XBox 360 and Playstation 3 on April 19. Driven by an all new graphics engine, the fan favorite series is back and presented in more gory detail than ever before. Mortal Kombat introduces a number of game-play features including tag team and the deepest story mode of any fighting game.(JGR), see an image of the car on my #20 team paint schemes page.(4-12-2011)
Applebee’s to sponsor George: Applebee’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill/Potomac Family Dining Group will sponsor Tim George Jr. in both the ARCA and NASCAR Nationwide Series races at Talladega Superspeedway this weekend. George, 30, will compete in his third full ARCA season in 2011, piloting the #31 Chevy for Richard Childress Racing. He ran 27th in the season opener at Daytona on Feb. 12. Friday’s 3 Amigos 250 at Talladega is the second race on the ARCA schedule. George will pilot the #21 Applebee’s Chevy in the NNS race on Saturday.(Fox Sports)(4-12-2011)
Bowyer returns to the #33: Clint Bowyer will climb back behind the wheel of the #33 Rheem Chevy this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway for the first time since the NASCAR Nationwide Series season opener at Daytona International Speedway in February. Bowyer, who sat on the pole, finished a close second to Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) teammate Tony Stewart in the first race of 2011.(KHI)(4-11-2011)
Texas TV Ratings: ESPN2’s live telecast of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Texas Motor Speedway on Friday night, April 8, earned a final national household coverage rating of 1.1, averaging 1,470,000 viewers, according to the Nielsen Company. The race marked the first time that Texas Motor Speedway had held its early-season NASCAR Nationwide Series race on a Friday night. With previous editions scheduled on Saturday afternoons, direct comparisons are not possible. Last year’s early-season TMS event was rained out and held on a Monday. The NASCAR Nationwide Series schedule included a Friday night event at Phoenix International Raceway in the comparable weekend for the past four years, and the Phoenix race earned a 1.0 rating in each of the four years.(ESPN)(4-11-2011)
McMurray driving for Phoenix at Talladega: Phoenix Racing announced it will enter this weekend’s Aaron’s 312 at the 2.66-mile Talladega Superspeedway. The team will do so with a familiar face behind the wheel. Jamie McMurray will pilot the #1 Phoenix Construction Chevy during Saturday’s race. McMurray has two wins for the team, both coming at what is now known as Rockingham Speedway in 2003. McMurray has a total of eight NASCAR Nationwide Series wins and is also one of the best drivers on a restrictor-plate track. He has three Sprint Cup Series wins combining both Talladega and Daytona. He will be looking for his first plate win in the Nationwide Series this weekend with Phoenix Racing. (Breaking Limites/Phoenix Racing)(4-11-2011)
Bayne admitted to hospital: UPDATE: Trevor Bayne was admitted to Carolinas Medical Center-University in Charlotte, NC, on Sunday morning after returning home from the Sprint Cup race at Texas Motor Speedway. According to a Roush Fenway Racing team spokesman Corey Wynn, Bayne’s illness has not been diagnosed. But the 20-year-old winner of this year’s Daytona 500 had tweeted earlier: “Not sure if its a spider bite or a tick bite . . . But either way I’m in a hospital bed with a needle in my arm! #nobueno”. Bayne began exhibiting symptoms Tuesday. On Friday, he was taken to the infield care center at Texas Motor Speedway, where he was administered antibiotics. Then, Saturday night, he went to the emergency room when the Roush plane returned to Charlotte, and he was admitted to the hospital. (Fox Sports)(4-10-2011) UPDATE: Roush Fenway Racing’s Trevor Bayne was treated and released Sunday from Carolina Medical Center University Hospital in Charlotte after a reaction from an apparent insect bite on his left elbow that the 20-year old driver suffered last week while at home. “Trevor has been treated and released from the hospital and is fine to continue with his daily activities – including driving a race car,” said Roush Fenway president Steve Newmark. “Doctors are still waiting for the test results to determine for sure what caused the reaction, but Trevor has been treated, is at home and he is doing fine.” Additional information should be available at the end of the week. Bayne competed in both the Nationwide and Sprint Cup races at Texas Motor Speedway over the weekend. He is scheduled to compete in both events this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway (Ala.).(Roush Fenway PR)(4-10-2011)
HostGator.com returns as primary sponsor of Nemechek: HostGator.com, a leading provider of web hosting services, has teamed back up with Joe Nemechek as primary sponsor of the #87 Toyota Camry for Friday night’s running of the O’Reilly Auto Parts 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Texas Motor Speedway. Houston based HostGator.com, with offices in Austin as well, initially came on board with NEMCO Motorsports last year for a five race deal. (NEMCO)(4-8-2011)
Kentucky race to be Feed The Children 300: Kentucky Speedway’s inaugural NASCAR Sprint Cup Series weekend will evolve into an awareness platform for Feed The Children when the non-profit relief organization serves as title sponsor of the NASCAR Nationwide Series “Feed The Children 300” on Friday, July 8. Headquartered in Oklahoma City, Okla., Feed The Children delivers food, medicine, clothing and other necessities worldwide to children and families who lack such essentials due to famine, war, poverty or natural disaster. From distribution centers in Elkhart, Ind., Houston, Texas, Nashville, Tenn., North Brunswick, N.J., Oklahoma City, and Ontario, Calif., Feed The Children is able to provide help and hope to all 50 states. Feed The Children food boxes hold approximately 25 pounds of canned and shelf-stable foods. Essential care boxes contain soap, shampoo, deodorant, tissue, shaving cream and similar personal items. Recipients are identified through local community partner agencies. The organization will help better the lives of families in Kentucky Speedway’s home Gallatin Co., and the surrounding region by delivering an estimated 200,000 pounds of food and supplies in events connected to the “Feed The Children 300.” Feed The Children also will partner with Speedway Children’s Charities to deliver food and essentials to those in need in areas surrounding Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Infineon Raceway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway. In all, Feed The Children’s distributions in partnership with Speedway Children’s Charities will reach 10,000 families with enough food and supplies to stretch around the Kentucky Speedway 1.5-mile track four times. (Kentucky Speedway)(4-8-2011)
Hill gets associate sponsor: Rick Ware Racing announced that Better Burning Charcoal will be featured on the #15 Ford driven by Timmy Hill. Their logo will be featured on the lower quarter panels and tv panel for the running of the O’Reilly Auto Parts 300 at Texas Motor Speedway, Saturday night. Since 1961, B&B Charcoal Inc. has been a leading Producer and Distributer of a complete line of lump charcoal products made from 100% Natural Oak, Mesquite, and Quebracho Blanco Wood. (RWR)(4-8-2011)
Cobb could stay with Ware if sponsorship is found: Rick Ware Racing plans to have its #1 truck compete in two weeks at Nashville Superspeedway, but whether Jeffrey Earnhardt will be in that truck remains to be seen. Team owner Rick Ware said Thursday that the truck will be at the race but he needs someone with funding to drive it. The team is 17th in the owner standings and is one of the 25 trucks locked in the field. In addition to the truck, Ware has two Nationwide cars. Timmy Hill will continue to drive the team’s entry while the #41 will be driven by Jennifer Jo Cobb this week and next week at Talladega. Starting with Nashville, the driver of the #41 car is still to be determined. “We’re running this weekend and next weekend at Talladega [with Cobb],” Ware said. “Beyond that, we don’t have any answers about sponsorship so we don’t know.”(Scene Daily)(4-7-2011)
Busch would like to take team to Nationwide: It’s Kyle Busch’s goal to take Kyle Busch Motorsports up to the Nationwide level, possibly as early as next season. “I’ve told everybody here that KBM would like to go to Nationwide,” Busch said Thursday at Texas Motor Speedway. “We’d like to have a full-time Nationwide team next year and work toward that.” Busch started KBM last season as a single-truck operation in the Camping World Truck Series. He’s made no secret about the organization being a losing venture financially. On the track, however, it’s been a different story, thanks mostly to Busch himself. In its first year of operation, KBM won eight races (all by Busch) and collected the series’ owner’s championship. (Yahoo Sports)(4-7-2011)
Heil Trailers to sponsor O’Quinn at Texas: Heil Trailer International announced that Danny O’ Quinn Jr. will drive the #39 Ford Mustang in the NASCAR Nationwide series O’ Reilly Auto Parts 300 at Texas Motor Speedway on Friday, April 8th. The primary sponsor for the race will be Heil Trailer International, the world’s leading aluminum tank trailer manufacturer. This year marks the 110th anniversary for Heil Trailer International. To recognize this amazing milestone, Heil will display its special anniversary logo on the hood. Associate sponsors on the #39 Ford Mustang include: Texas Hydraulics, Civacon & Hendrickson.(Heil PR)(4-7-2011)
Hellman’s making debut on #88″ The Hellmann’s brand makes its debut on the #88 Chevy at Texas Motor Speedway this weekend with driver Aric Almirola. It marks the first of four races for Hellmann’s with the 88 team, although it did appear on Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s #5 Chevy at Daytona in February. Hellmann’s joins Degree, Ragu and Suave Men as Unilever brands to have primary paint schemes with JRM this season. The #88 Chevy will also carry the Hellmann’s paint scheme at Richmond (April 29), Charlotte (May 28) and Atlanta. (JR Motorsports)(4-7-2011)
ML Motorsports names Texas sponsors: Shelby Howard and the #70 crew will be back on the track again after two busy off-weeks preparing the #70 Chevy for the O’Reilly Auto Parts 300 at Texas Motor Speedway. ML Motorsports and Howard have Race Fuel Energy Drink and La Quinta Inn & Suites on the #70 Chevy at TMS this week. Race Fuel Energy Drink has served as primary sponsor at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and associate sponsor at Bristol Motor Speedway. Race Fuel owner, Kenny Freeman, has opted to put Race Fuel Energy Drink on the #70 Chevrolet Impala as primary sponsor once again. Long time sponsor, Foretravel Motorcoach of Nacogdoches, Texas, will be featured on the rear quarter panels. (ML Motorsports)(4-6-2011)
Canadian buys Baker Curb Racing team: UPDATES: Toronto businessman Steve Meehan bought Baker Curb Racing Nationwide team in a deal that closed following the Mar. 19 race in Bristol, Tenn. Driver J.R. Fitzpatrick is a key element in a planned all-Canadian NASCAR outfit that promises to take him to the Sprint Cup. “I think it’s fantastic. Steve is a really good guy, he’s Canadian and he really wants to see Canadian corporate sponsorship and Canadian drivers, so I mean it’s really cool,” Fitzpatrick said. “He really believes in me and that’s what I really like. Given that I do need the experience and the time at the tracks and, even if it can’t be a full year, he is definitely going to push my career along and I am glad to be a part of it.” With NASCAR’s exposure and huge popularity, the team should be attractive to Canadian companies who want to use the series to promote themselves in this country and in the U.S., as well as companies from south of the border looking to get their names known in Canada. But with the ink still fresh, Meehan will back the effort mostly with his “love for racing” until the business development part of the plan gets going and the team starts attracting sponsorship. Although plans haven’t been completely finalized, the short-term goal is to run a limited schedule in 2011 with a long-term objective of getting into the top tier Cup Series by 2013. “We will run primarily in Nationwide and likely a few Cup races in 2011 — I think J.R. is comfortable running the road courses in Cup and with a little bit more experience and practice I think he could run an oval or two in Cup,” said Meehan, 46, founder of the Investment Planning Counsel, which was acquired by IGM Financial in 2004 for $95 million in a cash and stock deal. “Our focus is to quickly evolve to a full-time Cup team and I think J.R. is sufficiently talented to get there with the right people behind him.” Fitzpatrick has raced nine times in Nationwide since 2007, with seven of those starts coming on road courses. He also has 13 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts under his belt. Originally, he was slated to race April 8 in Texas, but the change in ownership has the team regrouping and instead planning to hit the stop three weeks away in Nashville.(Globe and Mail)(3-31-2011) UPDATE: Baker Curb Racing says that have not been sold. The team sold 1 transporter, 2 cars and some pit equipment, but nothing else. They are still functioning and seeking sponsors.(4-1-2011) UPDATE 2: Jason Sharpe, Fitzpatrick’s business manager, said that while the driver will race in select Canadian Tire races this season, his main focus will be on a dozen NASCAR Nationwide Series races with one or two Sprint Cup races thrown in later in the year. Sharpe confirm ed that Toronto businessman Steve Meehan had purchased all but the name of the Baker Curb Racing Nationwide team and intends to take Fitzpatrick to the top with the goal of being full-time in Sprint Cup by 2013. Meantime, a press conference is planned in the near future to connect the dots. The new team is aiming to run the Nationwide race at Nashville April 23.(Toronto Star)(4-4-2011) UPDATE 3: Baker Curb again states that they have only sold equipment that they did not need. By no means have they sold the team. They continue to talk to sponsors and have equipment ready to race.(Baker Curb)(4-4-2011) UPDATE 4: Steve Meehan … last week finalized the purchase of two NNS cars, a team transporter and some pit road equipment from Baker Curb Racing of Nashville, Tenn. It was originally reported that Meehan had bought out BCR, but that was not the case. “I should note however that I didn’t buy the Baker Curb organization, I bought the assets,” he told the Sun in an e-mail. “It was reported … I bought the team which is an understandable mistake but I don’t want any confusion about owning the corporation. Gary Baker still owns the name and the corporate entity.” The good news is that J.R. Fitzpatrick, of Cambridge, Ont., who has driven the #27 Baker Curb Racing Ford twice already this season, has a deal with Meehan to be behind the wheel of the new outfit’s car at Nashville Superspeedway for the Nashville 300 on April 23. (Toronto Sun)(4-4-2011) UPDATE 5: A Canadian businessman has purchased some of the assets of Baker Curb Racing and reportedly plans to locate a new NASCAR team in Nashville, with aspirations to eventually compete in the Sprint Cup Series. Sources say Go Canada Racing, owned by Toronto millionaire Steve Meehan, will make its debut in the April 23 Nationwide Series race at Nashville Superspeedway. The car will carry No. 67, with Canadian driver J.R Fitzpatrick behind the wheel. Details will be announced at a press conference prior to the Superspeedway race. Baker Curb Racing co-owner Gary Baker confirmed that some of his team’s equipment has been sold to Meehan, but said the team has not folded. He said, however, that it will not race again until it secures sponsorship that will make its cars competitive on the track. “We sold a transporter, two race cars and some pit road equipment,” Baker said, “but selling off some assets is not the same as selling the team. We have not sold the team.” Fitzpatrick has driven Baker Curb Racing’s No. 27 in some races this year, and Baker said that Meehan has been “paying most of the costs.” “It’s been a joint effort,” Baker said of his team’s association with Meehan. “But Mike Curb and I still own the team. If somebody forms another team here, it will be entirely separate from ours.” (Racin’ Today)(4-6-2011)
Means Motorsports names Texas sponsors: Restore Honor Project and No Bullies Allowed are sponsors for #52 this week at Texas. Means Motorsports will back two causes this weekend, first being Texascountrytv.com, a social media site that supports the Restore Honor Project which looks to end the homeless Veterans crisis by purchasing multi unit apartments and hospitals then turning them into housing for soldiers and their families to live in after service. Currently, there are close to 4000 homeless vets on the street. Also on the hood this week will be “No Bullies Allowed,” a media site created by two mothers and their little girls wanting to make a difference in their school and community. No Bullies Allowed is an organization focused on helping children, parents, and educators combat the growing bullying challenges, facing our schools and communities, through positive messaging. Their goal is to educate, inform and most importantly, influence kids and adults to take a stand against bullying through their personal commitment to make a positive difference.(Means Motorsports PR)(4-6-11)
Hornish returns for second race of season: Sam Hornish Jr., driver of the #12 Alliance Truck Parts Dodge, will make his second start of the 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series season this weekend in the O’Reilly Auto Parts 300 at Texas Motor Speedway. Hornish last competed in the Nationwide Series during the 2011 season opener at Daytona International Speedway, where he qualified 17th and finished 36th. His last Nationwide Series race at TMS was in April of 2008 when he finished 19th. This will be one of three events that Hornish will compete in during the month of April. The former IndyCar champion will also race at Talladega and Richmond later this month.(Penske Racing)(4-5-2011)
Fuge out at TriStar: UPDATES: Sirius NASCAR Radio’s Sirius Speedway with Dave Moody has learned that crewchief Dave Fuge, Sr., is out as crewchief of Mike Bliss’ #19 NASCAR Nationwide Series entry at Tri-Star Motorsports. Speaking on the condition of anonymity, sources close to the team say the veteran crewchief parted company with the team today, despite ranking ninth in Nationwide Series championship points after three events. Bliss was 17th – three laps down – Saturday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, after finishing 13th in the season opener at Daytona and 20th two weeks ago in Phoenix. A spokesperson for Tri-Star Motorsports confirmed that Fuge is no longer with the team, but declined to discuss reasons for the move. No decision has been made on a possible replacement. (Sirius Speedway)(3-8-2011) UPDATE: TriStar Motorsports owner, Mark Smith, announced that effective immediately Wes Ward will assume crew chief duties for the #19 entry and driver Mike Bliss. A NASCAR veteran of 22 years and former Director of Competition at Rusty Wallace Racing, Ward replaces Dave Fuge at the helm of the #19 team.(3-10-2011) UPDATE 2: Sirius NASCAR Radio’s Sirius Speedway with Dave Moody has learned that Wes Ward has left Tri-Star Motorsports, where he had served as crewchief for Mike Bliss’ NASCAR Nationwide Series team. There is no word on a replacement, and a call placed to Tri-Star in search of comment was not returned.(Sirius Speedway)(4-5-2011)
Clements picks up Texas sponsors: Hilton Garden Inn Irving Texas, Jim Sealy of US Petroleum Consultants of Pampa Tx, and Lowry Plumbing of Kerrville TX join www.racedaysponsor.com and www.repairablevehicles.com, Carolina Collision Gaffney SC, Coca Cola, Spartanburg SC and M & S Concrete of McDonough Ga. as sponsors for the OReilly 300 at Texas Motor Speedway Friday April 8th. (Clements PR)(4-5-2011)
75th start for Richardson: The saying “there’s no place like home” couldn’t ring more true for Robert Richardson, Jr. in this weekend’s NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Texas Motor Speedway. Richardson has two mini-milestones to mark this week celebrating his 29th birthday on Monday, April 4, and is making his 75th-career NNS start this weekend at TMS. The graduate of nearby McKinney High School, and former high school quarterback-turned-NASCAR-driver, is ready for the comforts of home right now. (R3 Motorsports)(4-5-2011)
Texas Farms and Ranches sponsoring Starr: As a Texan, David Starr believes in doing things in a big way. Friday’s O’Reilly Auto Parts 300 won’t be any different. Along with Texas Farms and Ranches, the Nationwide Series race will be steeped in Texas pride and tradition. The leading real estate agency that specializes in farm properties and ranches will add its sponsorship and support to the side of Starr’s #05 Chev for one of the biggest races of the season. The #05 Texas Farms and Ranches Chevy will feature a red, white and blue paint scheme with “Lone Star Flag” logo featured on the hood. (PR)(4-4-2011)
American Ethanol partners with RAB at Texas: RAB Racing with Brack Maggard will feature a new primary sponsor at Texas Motor Speedway as American Ethanol partners with RAB Racing and veteran driver Kenny Wallace for the NASCAR Nationwide Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 300 on Friday, April 8th. Wallace, who is the official voice of Family Farmers and represents Sunoco Green E-15 Ethanol, will drive the #09 American Ethanol Toyota, featuring a special black and green paint scheme, in the first night race of the 2011 NASCAR season.(RAB Racing)(4-4-2011)
Menard making 2011 debut: #33-Paul Menard will make his first Nationwide Series start of 2011 and first start with Kevin Harvick Inc. this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway. Menard has nine series starts at the 1.5-mile track, with one top-five and five top-10 finishes. In each of his last four races at Texas, the driver has finished within the top 10. His average start is 13.1 and average finish, 12.9.(KHI)(4-4-2011)
Northland Oil sponsorsing Annett: Iowa-based Northland Oil joins Nationwide Series driver Michael Annett in a multi-race sponsorship program aboard Rusty Wallace Racing’s #62 Toyota. Northland Oil will launch their partnership at Texas Motor Speedway. Northland Oil’s 2011 venture into NASCAR isn’t the first time the Waterloo, Iowa company has showed a presence in the sport. The Northland Oil brand had success partnering with Annett for Iowa Speedway’s inaugural Nationwide Series race in 2009 where they finished 11th. The duo again teamed together in 2010 at Iowa Speedway and brought home a seventh place finish. Northland Oil also has an existing partnership with Iowa Speedway, Annett’s home track, where they’ve served as presenting sponsor for both of Iowa Speedway’s Nationwide Series events. In addition to the Nationwide Series event at Texas Motor Speedway, Annett will also be behind the wheel of Rusty Wallace Racing’s #62 Northland Oil Toyota at Iowa Speedway. (Rusty Wallace Racing)(4-1-2011)
