Random Acts featured on the #81 at Atlanta: Random Acts will be featured on the #81 of Jason Bowles this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Random Acts is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that aims to conquer the world, one random act of kindness at a time. Bowles and the team are excited to represent such a great organization on the #81 for the NRA American Warrior 300 this Saturday night. “I learned about Random Acts through their director, Cinde Monsam,” says team owner Randy MacDonald. “Without sponsorship for Atlanta, I presented them with the opportunity to be highlighted on our racecar this weekend and they were thrilled with the opportunity. It will be great to have Random Acts on the car, and hopefully this will inspire people to perform more random acts of kindness in their daily lives.” Random Acts works to motivate people to demonstrate more kindness on a daily basis. A stranger needs help carrying their groceries; a homebound neighbor could use some cheering up. These opportunities crop up every day and most of us are so busy that we miss them. All you have to do is pay attention and offer kindness whenever, wherever you can. To learn more about Random Acts and how to get involved, please visit www.therandomact.org.(MacDonald Motorsports), see an image of the car on the #81 team paint schemes page.(8-30-2012)
Starr returns to the #50 at Atlanta: The #50 Chevy is sporting a familiar look with Liberty Tire Recycling on the hood but with veteran driver David Starr for this weekend’s events at Atlanta Motor Speedway. This will be the second start for Starr in the #50 for MAKE Motorsports as he piloted the car at Bristol until engine issues ended the race early for the #50 Chevy. Liberty Tire Recycling and Pinnacle Rubber Mulch will be the primary sponsors on the car for this weekend. This is the second primary for them this year with the first being at Charlotte in the spring. Liberty Tire Recycling has supported MAKE Motorsports since their beginning in 2010. A new company coming on board for this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway is Chasco Constructors out of Brown Rock, Texas. Associate sponsors will continue to be GulfCoast Loss Prevention, Basketpong, and Apex Contracting.(MAKE Motorsports)(8-30-2012)
Bandit Chippers returns to #44 team: Bandit Chippers has finished a last-minute deal to continue sponsorship of Mike Bliss in the NASCAR Nationwide Series for this weekend’s race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. They will also be sponsoring Bliss for the Nationwide Series race at Dover on September 29. Mike has been a great ambassador for Bandit this year in NASCAR, and Bandit is very happy to extend sponsorship for these exciting races.(Bandit Chippers)(8-30-2012)
SR� supports “I Back Jack” at Atlanta” SR� Motorsports will take the field on September 1, 2012 at Atlanta Motor Speedway in the NASCAR Nationwide Series NRA American Warrior 300 to raise awareness for Childhood Cancer. September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month; Benny Gordon will pilot SR� Motorsports #24 in memory of Jack Bartosz, Jack passed away on August 27, 2012 after nearly 7 years of fighting Neuroblastoma Cancer. Jack was 10.(SR� Motorsports)(8-30-2012)
NASCAR Bashers on the #88 at Altanta: The NASCAR Bashers brand is featured as primary sponsor of the #88 Chevy this weekend in Atlanta. NASCAR Bashers is a line of toys produced by SpinMaster and styled like an actual NASCAR race car. These cars actually crash, featuring multiple different dramatic crash transformations. NASCAR Bashers are available at major toy retailers like Walmart, Target, Toys R Us, Kmart and more.(JR Motorsports)(8-30-2012)
Iowa announces 2013 race dates; May NNS Race moves: The 2013 Iowa Speedway schedule of events will highlight six major weekends, including feature racing events on four Saturdays and a Sunday afternoon, and the second annual Iowa Grand Motorcycle Rally on a Friday through Sunday. Date changes for the 2013 season include the first NASCAR Nationwide Series event, which is moving from the third weekend of May to Saturday, June 8, and the second NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race, moving from a mid-September Saturday night to Sunday afternoon, September 8. The Iowa Grand Motorcycle Rally will also change dates, coming to Newton on Friday, May 31 Sunday, June 2 instead of late July. The 2013 Racing Schedule will feature two NASCAR Nationwide Series’ races, two NASCAR Camping World Truck Series’ races, and a visit from the IZOD IndyCar Series, with over 1,000 laps of high-speed action on tap over a busy four-month racing season. The 2013 Iowa Speedway Schedule will include the following weekends: May 31-June 2 Iowa Grand Motorcycle Rally; June 7-8 Pioneer Hi-Bred 250 NASCAR Nationwide Series weekend; June 21-22 Iowa Corn Indy 250 IZOD IndyCar Series weekend; July 12-13 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series 200 weekend; August 2-3 U.S. Cellular 250 presented by the Enlist” Weed Control System NASCAR Nationwide Series weekend; September 7-8 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series 200 weekend.(Iowa Speedway)(8-29-2012)
Final start of 2012 for Pastrana: #99 Boost Mobile driver Travis Pastrana embarks on his final of eight 2012 NASCAR Nationwide Series races Saturday at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The action sports star grabbed his first top-15 finish of his Nationwide career in July at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and has shown steady improvement throughout the season.(RAB Racing)(8-29-2012)
100th series start for Scott: Idaho native #11-Brian Scott will make his 100th career start in the NNS this weekend. Scott made his series debut at Nashville Superspeedway in April of 2009 and since then has earned five top fives, 18 top 10s and one pole. Scott currently sits ninth in the series championship point standings.(NASCAR)(8-29-2012)
Bristol TV Ratings: ESPN’s live telecast of Friday night’s NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Bristol also had a ratings increase from last year. The race earned a 1.2 household coverage rating (1.1 U.S. rating), averaging 1,599,526 viewers.(ESPN)(8-28-2012)
Helicopter crashes after Bristol race: UPDATES: A helicopter belonging to grocery store chain Food City crashed into South Holston Lake in Virginia not long after Friday’s Food City 250 Nationwide Series event at Bristol Motor Speedway in nearby Bristol, Tenn. No NASCAR officials were on board. According to television station WJHL, only the pilot of the helicopter was involved in the wreck. Virginia State Police told the television station there is still an active “search and rescue” operation going on overnight. No further information was expected until around noon on Saturday. Washington County Sheriff Fred Newman confirmed that the aircraft went down just before 11 p.m. Rescue teams from his department as well as other agencies were involved in the search for survivors. (Sporting News)(8-25-2012) UPDATE: Virginia State Police divers and troopers continue this morning to for the pilot of a Food City helicopter that crashed into South Holston Lake late Friday. Divers spent much of the night searching the wreckage for the pilot, said Corinne Geller, state police spokesperson, in a written statement sent out this morning. The police search and recovery team will use side-scan sonar today to help look for the pilot. The helicopter remains in the water upside down, she said. Police will work to remove the wreckage today, she said.(TriCities.com)(8-25-2012) UPDATE 2: The Sullivan County, Tenn., Sheriff’s Office dive team joined the search Saturday for a missing corporate pilot whose helicopter crashed lated Friday in South Holston Lake. Search crews who had spend the night searching the wreckage, spent much of Saturday using side-sonar in their efforts. The divers will continue their work through the night Saturday as well, and until the pilot is found, Corinne N. Geller, a public relations officer with the Virginia State Police, said in a written news statement updating the search. Geller confirmed Saturday that the helicopter did break apart upon impact with the water, with the bulk of the aircraft still submerged. The depths of the water at the crash site ranges from about 25 to 40 feet.(TriCities.com)(8-26-2012) UPDATE 3: The body of Bill Starnes, the pilot who crashed his helicopter into South Holston Lake Friday, was recovered today in about 80 feet of water, according to the Virginia State Police. State police officials had used sonar to locate the body and a dive team brought the body to surface around 3 p.m. Starnes was shuttling people back from the NASCAR race Friday at the Bristol Motor Speedway. The helicopter crashed shortly after dropping people off at a residence on the lake. A team will continue to recover the wreckage which is at the bottom of the lake.(TriCities.com)(8-27-2012)
Bayne full-time in 2013: UPDATE: Roush Fenway Racing announced Friday morning that Trevor Bayne will run in the Nationwide Series full-time in 2013 and will continue his part-time schedule with Wood Brothers in the Cup Series.(8-24-2012) UPDATE: Trevor Bayne admitted Friday at Bristol Motor Speedway he has mixed emotions about Ricky Stenhouse Jr. being Matt Kenseth’s replacement at Roush Fenway Racing because he believes they both deserve a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series ride. “At first when they said that [Stenhouse in the #17 next year] I was a little bit bummed out because I wanted them to come to me and say, ‘Hey, we’re gonna run you full-time in a Cup car with the fourth team’ and that didn’t happen,” Bayne said. “But when I did find out I was running Nationwide and I thought about it, I thought that’s probably a good decision to go out there and get that first full season under our belt in the series. I haven’t gotten to go points racing and I think it would be good to get that under our belt before we go to that Cup level when it’s gonna be even tougher to do that and get that experience.” Bayne believes Stenhouse’s move into the #17 Ford is a “great opportunity” for his teammate. “At the same time, I can’t wait to get my opportunity in Cup,” Bayne continued. “I think we could run competitively there every weekend. We do that even with the Wood Brothers part-time. But I’ve just got to be patient in the meantime for that.” Team co-owner Jack Roush has already said he planned to field a full-time Nationwide team for Bayne in 2013. Bayne also plans to continue driving a limited Sprint Cup schedule for the Wood Brothers [#21 Ford]. Bayne said the only way he would consider a move to Penske Racing would be if Roush told him it was an option. “Being under contract, there is no way I would go talk to another team or do anything like that at this point,” the 21-year-old Bayne said. “The more (Ford) teams the better, but I don’t know if that changes opportunities for me or not.”(RacinToday)(8-25-2012)
Bayne full-time in 2013: Roush Fenway Racing announced Friday morning that Trevor Bayne will run in the Nationwide Series full-time in 2013 and will continue his part-time schedule with Wood Brothers in the Cup Series.(8-24-2012)
Bandit Chippers returns to sponsor Bliss at Bristol: The #44 BanditChippers.com Toyota takes back to the Bristol Motor Speedway with Mike Bliss behind the wheel for some short track racing under the lights. The Black & Yellow Chipper paint scheme adorned the #44 at Bristol earlier this year, where Mike finished 15th. Bliss had 14th and 13th place finishes on the back to back NNS road races and currently sits firmly in 8th position in the NNS standings.(TriStar PR)(8-24-2012)
Tradebank sponsoring Mike Wallace at Bristol: After two successful runs as the primary partner on the #01 Chevy of Mike Wallace with JD Motorsports w/Gary Keller, Tradebank has decided to be part of the upward momentum for another race. With that in mind, a deal was put together to have Tradebank come on as primary partner for the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway for Friday night’s race.(JD Motorsports)(8-23-2012)
Crew Member suspended by NASCAR: Ryan Hess, a crew member in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, has been indefinitely suspended from NASCAR for violating the sanctioning body’s substance abuse policy. On Aug. 22, Hess was found to have violated Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing) and 19 (violation of the NASCAR substance abuse policy) of the 2012 NASCAR Rule Book.(NASCAR) Hess was the gas man for the #81 MacDonald Motorsports team.(8-23-2012)
Fain Skinner in the #41 at Bristol: Heading into Bristol Motor Speedway, the #41 car out of Rick Ware Racing will have a new exciting look with familiar name behind the wheel. Live Oak native Fain Skinner has been anxiously waiting for his chance to get back on the track since his notable run at Daytona International Speedway this past February. This Friday he will have his chance as he returns to Bristol Motor Speedway for the second time in his career. Skinner will pilot the Carportempire.com/Keensbuildings.com #41 Ford Mustang for Rick Ware Racing.(GMG Communications)(8-23-2012)
David Starr in the #50 at Bristol: MAKE Motorsports will have David Starr in the #50 for the Food City 250 at Bristol Motor Speedway. David Starr is a multi-time proven winner in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Associate sponsors for this race are GulfCoast Loss Prevention, Liberty Tire Recycling, and Apex Contracting.(MAKE Motorsports)(8-22-2012)
Montreal TV Ratings: ESPN’s live telecast of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race in Montreal on Saturday, Aug. 18, earned a 1.4 household coverage rating (1.2 U.S. rating), averaging 1,720,183 viewers. Last year’s race telecast earned a 1.5 rating.(ESPN)(8-21-2012)
Townley returns to the #99 with Zaxby’s: John Wes Townley will pilot RAB Racing with Brack Maggard #99 in Friday’s Food City 250 at Bristol Motor Speedway. RAB Racing’sToyota Camry will sport familiar colors when the red and yellow paint scheme of Zaxby’s adorns the #99. The Athens, Ga.-based chain was the primary sponsor of RAB Racing’s NASCAR Nationwide Series and ARCA Racing Series entries with Townley from 2008 through 2010. Zaxby’s was also on the hood when RAB Racing scored their first Nationwide Series victory at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in 2010, with Boris Said behind the wheel of the #09 entry.(RAB Racing)(8-21-2012)
Turner #30 & #38 teams swap crews: Turner Motorsports announced changes within two of its NASCAR Nationwide Series teams. Effective immediately, the #30 and No. 38 teams will interchange their entire crews, including crew chiefs, in an effort to evaluate performance and prepare for the 2013 season. Trent Owens, who has led James Buescher and Nelson Piquet Jr. to NNS victories this season, will take over as crew chief for the #38 Great Clips team with drivers Kasey Kahne and Brad Sweet. A former driver himself, Owens is a long-time fixture in the NASCAR garage. Over the years, the Darlington, S.C., native has been successful working with a variety of drivers with different levels of experience and has visited victory lane with both rookies and veterans alike including Buescher, Piquet. Jr., Mark Martin, Dave Blaney and Reed Sorenson. Mike Hillman Jr., who joined the organization this season to lead Miguel Paludo’s efforts in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) this season, will take charge as crew chief of the #30 team, which features a myriad of drivers. Hillman Jr. has served as a NCWTS crew chief since 2005, amassing two championships, 19 wins, 81 top-five and 107 top-10 finishes in 185 races atop the pit box. Hillman Jr.’s most recent NNS event as crew chief came with Paludo at Road America in June of this year.(Turner Motorsports)(8-21-2012)
Clements to promote St. Jude beginning at Bristol race: Jeremy Clements Racing and driver Jeremy Clements announced that St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital will serve as the “Primary Partner” for JCR. The St. Jude logo and website will appear on all available panels of the JCR #51 Chevy for the remainder of the 2012 racing season. “JCR is a family team and we proudly support the research and care that St. Jude provides to families all over the world,” said Jennifer Clements Zellner, marketing manager for JCR. “We feel that while we actively search for sponsors, we can use the marketing power of our racing program to help raise awareness and funding for St. Jude.” With no cost to St. Jude, the possibility of reaching millions of fans is an opportunity that the hospital is happy to embrace. “We are incredibly excited to be a part of Jeremy Clements Racing and their efforts to raise awareness for St. Jude,” said JD Peeples, sports marketing director for ALSAC/St. Jude. “NASCAR fans are exactly the type of caring, loyal and giving people that we strive to reach. The average donation to St. Jude is $30 and it often comes from hard-working families just like those sitting in the stands cheering on their favorite drivers.” Those who want to support St. Jude through the JCR campaign can visit www.stjude.org/clementsracing.(Clements PR)(8-21-2012)
Nemechek gets associate sponsor for Bristol: NEMCO Motorsports announced that AC General, an Alaska-based construction company, will be running aboard the #87 NEMCO Nationwide Toyota at Bristol Motor Speedway in the upcoming Food City 250, Friday August 24, 2012. AC General specializes in the construction of ring wall foundation systems for above-ground fuel storage tanks. The company’s experienced composite crews service projects throughout the United States and are particularly skilled in project coordination and logistics for remote sites and areas that are challenging to access. AC General is sponsoring a NASCAR race team for the first time.(NEMCO), see an image of the car on the #87 team paint schemes page.(8-20-2012)
Villeneuve says Danica gets special treatment: Canadian race-car driver Jacques Villeneuve has torn a strip off Danica Patrick as he prepares to take to the track that bears his father’s name for the NAPA 200 race Saturday in Montreal. Villeneuve, who knocked Patrick out of the Road America race on June 23 and later said he “didn’t care,” told QMI this week the sport’s golden girl gets favourable treatment because she’s a woman. Villeneuve said he was lambasted by other drivers, including Patrick, after bumping her out at Elkhart Lake in Wisconsin. The Quebec-born racer had been knocked off the track in the same race by Michael McDowell and nobody so much as raised an eyebrow, he said. Asked if there’s an unwritten rule that drivers shouldn’t touch Patrick, Villeneuve didn’t mince words. “If it hadn’t been Danica, no one would have said anything,” the Penske Racing pilot told QMI Agency on the eve of practice at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. “It’s never her fault. When Danica knocks out another driver, it’s the fault of the driver who was knocked out, and when a driver knocks out Danica, it’s the other guy’s fault. That’s part of the game, I guess.” (Slam Sports)(8-17-2012)
Annett helps out hockey league: In the midst of his best season driving on the NASCAR Nationwide circuit, Waterloo Black Hawks alumnus Michael Annett has boosted his former team toward its fundraising finish line for travel to the 2012 Junior Club World Cup in Omsk, Russia. “I’ve always considered myself fortunate to participate in two sports that I’m passionate about, hockey and racing, and to do it a high level,” said Annett, previously a Waterloo defenseman. “I’m still a Black Hawk at heart, so I’m thrilled about the opportunity that they are getting to compete in Russia. It’s certainly a once-in-a-lifetime kind of trip that I hope they enjoy.” Travel expenses to bring the USHL team from Iowa to their destination in southeastern Siberia were estimated to total approximately $5,000 per player. Annett requested that the specific amount of his contribution not be made public. “We are grateful for Michael’s generous support,” said Waterloo Black Hawks head coach P.K. O’Handley. “Having the opportunity to stay connected with our alumni whether they find their way into pro hockey or have success in another field has been one of the most satisfying parts of coaching in this organization.”(USHL)(8-16-2012)
Watkins Glen TV Ratings: On the final weekend of the Olympics, ABC’s live telecast of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International on Saturday, Aug. 11, earned a 1.2 U.S. household rating, averaging 1,723,146 viewers, according to the Nielsen Company. The rating was down from a 1.3 U.S. rating when the race aired on ESPN last year.(ESPN)(8-16-2012)
Old Wisconsin’s Snack Bites on the #43 at Atlanta: Old Wisconsin announcde that it will debut its popular Snack Bites products on NASCAR driver Michael Annett’s #43 Pilot Flying J Ford Mustang for Richard Petty Motorsports (RPM) in the NASCAR Nationwide Series event held on September 1, 2012 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. Pilot Flying J currently carries a variety of the family-owned Old Wisconsin products in its 600 retail locations across North America.(Rising Star Management)(8-15-2012)
Scott Wimmer working on return to Nationwide Series: UPDATE: Scott Wimmer is close to finalizing a deal that would put him back in the Nationwide Series beginning later this year in Richmond. The deal would then include a full-time ride for next season. Wimmer hasn’t raced a full season since 2009. He’ll be joining a brand new team and thinks this deal gives him a shot to be very competitive every single week.(WAOW)(6-27-2012) UPDATE: A new website is up for Wild Motorsports, but it does not specifically mention Nationwide races. They look to be searching for sponsorship.(8-15-2012)
More Canadian races in the future? This weekend’s annual Nationwide race in Montreal might be just a taste of what’s to come north of the border for NASCAR. Since 2007, the Nationwide Series has visited the famed Circuit Gilles Villeneuve road circuit. Every year, rain or shine the event draws one of the largest and most enthusiastic crowds of the entire season. The success of the race has sparked speculation more of NASCAR’s top divisions may compete in Canada in the not too distant future including the Sprint Cup Series. Ron Fellows is now co-owner of what was once known as Mosport International Raceway, a storied motorsports facility in Ontario that includes a 2.5-mile road circuit as well as a half mile oval track. Fellows has made it clear he would like nothing more than to bring a NASCAR Nationwide and/or Camping World Truck Series race to what’s now known as Canadian Tire Motorsports Park sooner rather than later. “We’ve talked to NASCAR and yes while we weren’t able to put it together for 2012, we’re pursuing something for our 2013 schedule,” said Fellows. NASCAR CEO Brian France was in Montreal in recent months to meet with Circuit Gilles Villeneuve officials and speculation is the sanctioning body would consider adding a third road course to the Cup schedule and take the series international. But the question is where would the date come from? NASCAR will not add another weekend to the racing schedule. In order for Montreal to host a Sprint Cup event, another track will have to lose one. Therein lies the roadblock for NASCAR to bring its premier circuit to Canada.(CBS Sports)(8-15-2012)
Double duty at Montreal for Timmy Hill: Timmy Hill will pull double duty this weekend at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Canada. On Saturday, August 18th, Hill will drive the Rick Ware Racing #41 Lilly Trucking Ford in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and will also make his NASCAR Canadian Tire Series debut driving the #10 Ispeedzone Chevrolet owned by Derek White.(Hill PR)(8-14-2012)
Childress to be honorary starter for Bristol race: Bristol Motor Speedway’s upcoming triple header continues to be cause for added celebration for one locally owned and operated grocery chain. Twenty years ago, Food City signed on as the title sponsor of the March Food City 500 Sprint Cup event, as well as the August Food City 250 Nationwide Series race. In 1995, Food City signed on for three years as associate sponsor of the #3 GM Goodwrench Chevy, owned by Richard Childress and driven by the late Dale Earnhardt. In commemoration, the regional grocer has named Childress as honorary starter of the 20th Anniversary Food City 250. Childress will wave the green flag to signal the start of the August 24, 2012 event. Food City is Bristol Motor Speedway’s longest running sponsor and the second longest in all of NASCAR motorsports.(BMS)(8-13-2012)
Alex Popow to make NASCAR debut at Watkins Glen in the #19: G-OIL announced that Alex Popow will make his NASCAR debut driving the #19 G-OIL Toyota Camry at this weekend’s NASCAR Nationwide Series event at Watkins Glen International, New York. A native of Venezuela currently racing in North America, Popow has a 2012 Grand Am Series win at Indianapolis Motor Speedway racing in the Brickyard Grand Prix on July 27 and won the 2012 American Le Mans Series PC class at both Sebring and Long Beach. He currently is 1st in the ALMS PC class Championship. “Alex has shown plenty of talent and success on road courses this year and, with Green Earth Technologies expanding our distribution in South America, including Venezuela, it seemed like a natural fit,” said Jeffrey Loch, President & CMO of Green Earth Technologies. “We’ll have the pleasure of watching him behind the wheel of the #19 G-OIL Toyota Camry as he makes his first NASCAR start at one of America’s classic road courses.”(Event Management Corporation )(8-10-2012)
Matt Bell driving for Go Green at Watkins Glen: Matt Bell will return to the NASCAR Nationwide Series for the second time this season as he’s tagged to drive the #39 Go Green Racing Ford Mustang this coming Saturday in the Zippo 200 at Watkins Glen International. Bell, whose debut in the series was two months ago at Road America, stated at that time that he couldn’t wait to get back behind the wheel of the 9000 RPM V8 stock car. Now with fond memories from that event, he’s back behind the wheel again. At Road America Bell drove from the 42nd starting position to 17th in just seven laps before a malfunction led to a 34th place result. As a package deal with Bell, Global Barter Corporation will be wrapped on the Maine based team’s Mustang as Title Sponsor, giving the road course racer a fully sponsored and competitive ride in one of the country’s premier racing series. The opportunity is one that Bell finds to be exciting and humbling as well as a battle he’s ready for.(Bell/P1 Groupe PR), see an image of the car on the #39 team paint schemes page.(8-9-2012)
Derek White making Nationwide debut with SR2: Kahanawake, QC racer Derek White, a former rookie of the year in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, is ready to take the next step up the NASCAR ladder. White has signed with SR2 Motorsports to pilot the #24 Boutique Fashion Broker Chevrolet in the NAPA 200 at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, QC August 18th. In advance of the Montreal race, White has also agreed to work with the SR2 Motorsports this weekend at Watkins Glen International Raceway and attempt to qualify for the Zippo 200 in the #00 Boutique Fashion Broker Chevy. “We all agreed it would be a good idea to get to know the team, work together for a weekend and get to know each other” said White. “We’re not locked in so hopefully we get up to speed quickly and qualify for the race” he added.(TL Sports & Entertainment)(8-9-2012)
Ryan Truex making first Nationwide road course start: This Saturday afternoon will mark Ryan Truex’s NASCAR Nationwide Series road course debut as he returns to the seat of the #20 Grime Boss Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing. This isn’t the first time the youngest Truex has wheeled right-hand turns at Watkins Glen International. The 20-year-old has one previous start in 2009, where he qualified sixth and made a last lap pass to claim his first career NASCAR victory in the K&N; East Pro Series. That season, he went on to capture the first of two consecutive series’ championships along with Rookie of the Year honors.(Joe Gibbs Racing)(8-8-2012)
Alex Kennedy in the #87: NEMCO / Sacred Power Motorsports is on target to compete in its third cooperative event together. The relationship started in Charlotte, then Road America and now Watkins Glen. Alex Kennedy will drive the#87- Global Barter / Loaded Energy Drink Toyota fielded by NEMCO / Sacred Power Motorsports. Alex was as high as 6th at Road America when sidelined with transmission issues. The team will also compete in Montreal with Alex as the driver.(Sacred Power Motorsports)(8-8-2012)
Banz-Zees joins Randy Hill Racing at the Glen: Banz-Zees will be an associate sponsor on Randy Hill Racing’s #08 driven by Louis-Philippe Dumoulin this week at Watkins Glen. www.Banz-Zees.com offer’s schools, charities, and youth leagues a new and highly profitable wristbands for fundraising. This is their second venture into the Nationwide Series.(DBM Marketing Group)(8-8-2012)
Gonzalez returns to the #99: Victor Gonzalez Jr. will return to the cockpit of the #99 Delta Commercial/IMCA Toyota Camry for the first time since the Sargento 200 at Road America in June. Gonzalez has continued racing in various other series throughout the break and recently scored back-to-back wins in the National Motor Racing Championship held at the Autodromo Mobil 1 track in the Dominican Republic. The win marked the first for Toyota’s Lexus brand in the series’ touring car division.(RAB Racing)(8-8-2012)
Canadian Tire returns to the #5: Canadian Tire returns to the #5 Chevy for its third year of partnership with JR Motorsports and driver Ron Fellows. The retailer will be primary sponsor of the #5 at Watkins Glen International and Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Canadian Tire is the largest automotive retailer in Canada with more than 480 stores.(JR Motorsports)(-2012)
#43 team penalized – Revised:NASCAR has penalized the #43 team in the NASCAR Nationwide Series as a result of rule infractions discovered during post-race inspection last Saturday at Iowa Speedway. The #43 car was found to be in violation of Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4J (any determination by NASCAR officials that race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules); and 20A-12.8.1B (body height requirements car failed to meet the minimum front car heights) of the 2012 NASCAR rule book. As a result, crew chief Philippe Lopez has been fined $10,000, while owner Sandra Turner and driver Michael Annett have been penalized with the loss of six championship owner and six championship driver points, respectively. In addition, Lopez and car chief Michael Wright continue to remain on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31.(NASCAR) Corrects rule infraction 20A-12.8.1B. Car failed to meet the minimum front car heights, not rear as originally stated.(8-7-2012)
SKF joins Discount Tire on the #22 at Watkins Glen: Co-primary sponsors will adorn the #22 Dodge this weekend at WGI. Long-time sponsor Discount Tire will be joined by SKF. SKF Group is a leading global supplier of bearings, seals, mechatronics, lubrication systems and services which include technical support, maintenance and reliability services, engineering consulting and training.(Penske Racing)(8-7-2012)
Iowa TV Ratings: ESPN2’s live telecast of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Iowa Speedway on Saturday night, Aug. 4, earned a 0.9 household coverage rating (0.8 U.S. rating), averaging 1,079,432 viewers. Last year’s race earned a 1.2 household coverage rating.(ESPN)(8-7-2012)
Johnson in the #60 at Montreal: According to a post on his Facebook page, Billy Johnson will drive the #60 for Roush Fenway racing in the NAPA Auto Parts 200 at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Johnson is currently a driver for Turner Motorsport in Grand American’s GT series and for Roush Fenway in the Continental Tire Series driving a Ford Mustang.(8-6-2012)
Gase meets man that received kidney from his monther: Cedar Rapids native #39-Joey Gase is known for his calm and collected demeanor. But the 19-year-old, who rarely shows emotion, couldn’t control himself at the sight of Jordan Shaw walking into a room during a visit to Iowa Speedway. Before driving in Saturday’s U.S. Cellular 250, Gase came face-to-face with Shaw, a recipient of a kidney donation from Gase’s late mother, Mary. Mary Gase passed away in April of 2011 from a brain aneurism. Shaw, a 25-year-old from Omaha, Neb., lost kidney function while battling cancer. Shaw met Gase and his younger sister Ashley in the media center at Iowa Speedway. All three shed tears in the meeting, including the normally calm Gase. “It’s been really emotional,” Gase said. “But good at the same time. I think it’s going to help us get through it and move on.” Shaw said it’s a meeting he’s been waiting for since he first wrote to the family in May of 2011. “To finally put a name and face with my kidney has brought a lot of, almost a relaxed state to me,” Shaw said. “It’s a weight off my shoulders.” Gase gave Shaw and his family a tour of his garage and showed him his Go Green Racing Ford, which was sponsored by the Iowa Donor Network. The two plan to stay in contact. “I don’t follow NASCAR that much,” Shaw said. “Obviously, I’m going to do that now.”(Des Moines Register)(8-5-2012)
Dash 4 Cash Wraps Up At Iowa: UPDATE: It all comes down to Dillon, Stenhouse, Sam Hornish Jr. and Michael Annett as they make one final attempt to grab an additional $100,000 bonus. Annett, a Des Moines native, is on a career-best roll as the NASCAR Nationwide Series stops at his home track. In the last five races, Annett has three top-five finishes and a sixth-place performance in last week’s inaugural race at the Brickyard. The Indianapolis finish was good enough to earn him the $100,000 bonus for Round 3 of the Nationwide “Dash 4 Cash.” Dillon also has seen success on the track recently. In his last five races his finishes are first, fourth, third, sixth and fifth. Hornish had a runner-up finish at Indy last week and has posted seven straight top 10s. In the last five races, Stenhouse has posted five top-10 finishes with two runner-up performances. As in years past, the four drivers will each be paired with a fan for the last leg of the “Dash 4 Cash.” In addition to the highest-placing driver receiving a $100,000 bonus, the fan paired with that driver will also win a $100,000 prize.(NASCAR)(8-4-2012) UPDATE: Sam Hornish, Jr. picked up the $100,000 Nationwide Dash 4 Cash prize at Iowa with his 3rd place finish.(8-4-2012)
Randy Hill Racing gets Iowa sponsor: Re-Load Wellness Products will sponsor Randy Hill’s #08 driven by Josh Richards in the U.S. Cellular 250 this Saturday. Re-Load Wellness Products line includes, Re-Load 7 Hour Energy Capsules, Re-Load 3-Protein Single Serve Slurpee Energy Drink, plus many more great products to improve one’s health. “This is our first venture into the Nationwide Series, and we are planning to do more races this year” says CEO Ken Lewis.(DBM Marketing Group)(8-1-2012)
Northland Oil on #43; car will feature missing girls: Michael Annett will have a different look this weekend as Northland Oil will be the primary partner on the #43 Ford Mustang at Iowa Speedway. Northland Products Company, headquartered in Waterloo, Iowa, formulates, manufactures, markets and distributes premium quality engine oil, lubricants, engine coolants and associated fluids throughout North America. In addition, Annett’s car will feature pictures and endangered missing information on Lyric Cook and Elizabeth Collins on the deck lid and C-posts this weekend. Elizabeth and Lyric were last seen riding their bicycles on July 13, 2012. Their bikes were later found near Meyers Lake in Evansdale, Iowa. Anyone having information on the two girls should contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST or the Evansdale Police Department (Iowa) at 319-232-6682.(Richard Petty Motorsports)(8-1-2012)
Edward to run Nationwide race at Watkins Glen: Carl Edwards will return to the NASCAR Nationwide Series next weekend at Watkins Glen International to race the #60 Subway Ford Mustang. It will be Edwards’ first appearance in the series this season after running full time the past seven years. Subway, which also sponsors Edwards in the Sprint Cup Series, will be the primary sponsor at The Glen. In seven Nationwide starts at Watkins Glen, Edwards has earned two top-five finishes and led 25 laps. He has, however, claimed victories on road courses at Montreal and Road America in Nationwide competition. In 17 Nationwide starts on road courses, Edwards has two wins, seven top-five and 10 top-10 finishes.(Roush Fenway Racing)(8-1-2012)
Paludo do drive for Turner at Watkins Glen: Turner Motorsports announced that Miguel Paludo will return to its Nationwide Series lineup at the upcoming event at Watkins Glen International. Paludo will get behind the wheel of the #30 Duroline Brakes and Components Chevrolet Impala at the 2.54-mile road course for his second career NNS start. A two-time champion in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Brasil, Paludo has extensive road racing experience, but has only one previous NNS start, which he made at Road America in June.(Turner Motorsports), see an image of the car on the #30 paint schemes page.(8-1-2012)
