Lepage still working with RaceDaySponsor.com: With the continued help of RaceDaySponsor.com, Kevin Lepage is looking for a 2012 full time ride in any of NASCAR’s top 3 Series.(PR)(12-31-2011)
Congrats: Kyle Busch Motorsports CFO John Fuller and his wife Tami Fuller are the proud parents of an 8lb. baby girl by the name of Natalie Marie Fuller born at 12:10pm on December 28, 2011. Both mother and daughter are doing just fine.(12-31-2011)
Jason Miller joins Viva Motorsports as crew chief: Viva Motorsports owner Jimmy Dick and Corrie Stott of Corrie Stott Racing announce the hiring of veteran crew chief Jason Miller for the NACAR Nationwide Series 2012 season. With backing from Viva Auto Group, the team plans to support driver Jamie Dick in twelve to fifteen Nationwide Series races in 2012. The team competed in five Camping World Truck Series races and three Nationwide Series races with Jamie in 2011. Miller has served as crew chief for David Starr in the Camping World Truck Series for the past three years, finishing in the top thirteen in points each year with a best finish of 9th in 2009 and 2010. The team is finalizing their schedule for 2012, and planning testing with two new cars currently being built at CSR’s Denver, NC shop. Stott says the team is currently weighing options to include additional driver(s) to expand their Nationwide Series schedule for 2012.(Stott PR)(12-29-2011)
Randy Hill Racing separates from Spraker Racing Enterprises: Randy Hill Racing announced that it has parted ways with Spraker Racing Enterprises, crew chief and team manager Jeff Spraker effective immediately. The change allows both entities sufficient time to solidify new opportunities and options for the approaching 2012 racing season. “We are extremely appreciative to Jeff (Spraker) and all of his employees for helping ignite our program in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards and NASCAR Nationwide Series,” explained Randy Hill, owner of Randy Hill Racing. Hill, a successful entrepreneur from Texas who still plans to field an entry in the NASCAR Nationwide Series added, “We’re very close to finalizing everything for 2012. We will be at Daytona for the Nationwide race and we’re looking forward to having Casey (Roderick) at the helm of our #08 Ford.(Knight Motorsports Management)(12-28-2011)
Northeastern Supply to sponsor Allgaier: Northeastern Supply, one of the nation’s leading regional distributors of plumbing, heating, HVAC, air conditioning, water systems and hardware supplies will return to team sponsorship in the NASCAR Nationwide Series for the 19th consecutive year in 2012. The Baltimore, Maryland-based company will return as an associate sponsor with Turner Motorsports for the fourth straight season and in support of the #31 Brandt Farm Equipment team and driver Justin Allgaier.(On Track Marketing)(12-28-2011)
Almirola to Richard Petty Motorsport? UPDATE: Aric Almirola, who finished fourth in points in the Nationwide Series this season, has emerged as the leading candidate to take over the #43 Ford for Richard Petty Motorsports in the Sprint Cup Series in 2012. The deal, which has come together very quickly, will be officially announced after the Christmas and New Year’s holidays and will include a sponsor announcement. Almirola, was set to begin his second full season with JR Motorsports’ #88 team in 2012, but his move to the Cup series now leaves his future with that organization unclear. A spokesperson for RPM said Friday night the organization did plan to make a driver announcement for the #43 after the holidays but would have no other comment at this time.(Charlotte Observer)(12-24-2011) UPDATE: David Ragan and Cole Whitt are the leading candidates to replace Aric Almirola in JR Motorsports’ #88 Nationwide team in 2012, sources said. A decision is expected early next week, around the time Almirola’s move to the Sprint Cup Series and Richard Petty Motorsports’ #43 car should be officially announced.(Charlotte Observer)(12-28-2011)
McClure returning to TriStar: Team McClure Inc. and TriStar Motorsports announced that Eric McClure will return to the TriStar organization for the 2012 NASCAR Nationwide Series season, driving the #14 Toyota in all 33 scheduled events. McClure, 33, a native of Chilhowie, Virginia, made his NNS debut in 2003 and has competed in 170 events since that time. In his first year with TriStar Motorsports, McClure ended the 2011 season 19th in Nationwide Series Standings. Reynolds Consumer Products, with its Hefty and Reynolds Wrap brands, will continue its relationship with McClure for the seventh consecutive season by serving as primary sponsor in all 33 scheduled events. The Hefty brand is one of the longest-running sponsors in the Nationwide Series, and the partnership with McClure boasts one of the longest active NNS driver-sponsor combinations. In addition to returning to the familiar orange and blue colors, McClure’s effort for the 2012 season will be led by veteran crew chief Wes Ward, who had a brief stint with TriStar Motorsports early in the 2011 season. Ward, who has 22 years of NASCAR experience, will be at the helm of the #14 team, with John Quinn returning as car chief.(TMI), see an image of the car on the #14 team paint schemes page.(12-27-2011)
Rick Ware announces Ken Glen as Competition Director of RWR: Ken’s background in motorsports is extensive and boasts a long list of very sought after positions with top tier organizations. Ken was lead engineer on the #6 car at Roush during the Mark Martin era and most recently spent the last 5 years heading up the body and aero department at Kevin Harvick, Inc. proving instrumental in 3 championships and 43 wins in both Trucks and Nationwide. “He will be a tremendous asset as we prepare for the 2012 Season and will be able to improve our Nationwide and Truck programs with his quality notebook and experience. Ken is the guy who created innovative body combinations at KHI and lead to some really impressive performances. We have always been focused on marketing success and providing an impressive ROI for our sponsors at RWR. Adding Ken shows that we are also committed to winning races and running up front on a weekly basis”, stated Rick Ware. Ken will spend his first couple of months at RWR getting their current fleet of Nationwide and Truck Series vehicles up to his high standards along with Rolex testing at Daytona Speedway in January.(RWR)(12-24-2011)
Bass Pro/Tracker Boats to sponsor Dillons’ in 2012: Bass Pro Shops will continue its partnership with Richard Childress Racing in 2012, serving as a primary sponsor of both Austin Dillon’s #3 Chevy in the Nationwide Series and Ty Dillon’s #3 Chevy in the Camping World Truck Series. Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boats will be the primary sponsor throughout the year on the #3 truck during Ty Dillon’s first full season in the series. The #1 outdoor retailer leader will also be the primary sponsor for five races of Austin Dillon’s rookie season in the Nationwide Series and an associate sponsor throughout the season. The RCR/Bass Pro Shops partnership began in 1998 as an associate sponsor of RCR’s #3 GM Goodwrench Chevrolet Monte Carlo with legendary driver Dale Earnhardt. The relationship continued with Kevin Harvick and the No 29 Chevrolet and, in 2004, Kerry Earnhardt, Dale’s eldest son, drove RCR’s #33 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet Monte Carlo in six Sprint Cup Series races. Austin Dillon picked up the mantle in 2010, earning two victories and the Truck Series Rookie of the Year honors before capturing the championship in just his second season in the series. Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boats also was a sponsor for Ty Dillon’s championship season in the 2011 ARCA Series presented by Menards. Bass Pro Shops was founded in 1972 and is headquartered in Springfield, Mo. The outdoor retail leader has 58 stores throughout the United States and Canada, serving over 112 million sportsmen a year.(Richard Childress Racing PR)(12-23-2011)
Kyle Busch may not run Nationwide in 2012: Kyle Busch is unlikely to compete in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in 2012, at the request of Joe Gibbs Racing and their Sprint Cup Series sponsor, M&Ms. Kyle Busch Motorsports General Manager Rick Ren confirmed today that there is “a high probability” that Busch will withdraw from the 2012 Truck Series. “That topic is being discussed almost constantly around here right now,” he said, adding, “It is not necessarily something that Kyle chose. If he doesn’t run Trucks this year, it will be at the request (of JGR). Not by demand, but by request. Things change on an hour-by-hour basis,” said Ren today, “but if I had to answer you right now, I’d say he will probably not race in the Truck Series next year. There is a possibility of him running no Nationwide races under certain circumstances, as well. There are a lot of things being discussed right now, which makes it pretty tough on me. I’ve been trying to figure out whether Kyle’s going to be available to run our Trucks and Nationwide cars, then determine whether the individual sponsors will stay around without him behind the wheel.” Ren said many of the team’s sponsors came aboard with the understanding that Busch would drive a specified number of races in their entries. How, with Busch’s participation uncertain at best, many of those negotiations are back to square one. I believe Kyle will drive a KBM Nationwide Series Toyota in a certain number of races next year,” said Ren. “I can’t swear to it, but that’s what it look like today.” (Sirius Speedway)(12-23-2011)
Leffler’s plans still up in the air: Despite a strong season, things are up in the air for Jason Leffler and 2011 may have been his best opportunity at the championship. Steve Turner and the folks at Turner Motorsports are making some changes for the future and it doesn’t look good for Leffler. After six seasons with Leffler, sponsor Great Clips has told Turner Motorsports it would like to be partnered with a different driver. And in October, Turner said he would put up to four cars on the track but only one, driven by Justin Allgaier, would compete full time. The other three would be a rotating combination of current Turner drivers, up-and-coming drivers and Cup Series veterans. So right now, things are uncertain for Leffler. If he stays at Turner, it looks to be in a part-time role. Leffler could look to run for another team, but at 36, he doesn’t exactly have youth on his side. Leffler has expressed a desire to run in the Cup Series again, but rides there are at a premium and it doesn’t appear owners are pounding at Leffler’s door.(NASCAR.com)(12-23-2011)
Hill to run full 2012 season: According to Timmy Hill’s website, he will return next year for a full Nationwide Series season. He is expected to remain with Rick Ware Racing.(12-23-2011)
Kurt Busch still expected to drive for Kyle: On Thursday, Phoenix Racing announced it had hired [Kurt Busch] to drive for its #51 Chevy team next season. The #51 entered every Cup race in 2011 with several different drivers. The news release announcing Busch’s move said he would drive a “full schedule” with the team. Busch is also expected to join forces with his younger brother, Kyle, and drive for Kyle’s Nationwide series team in 2012. One option being considered is for Kurt Busch to run the full Nationwide schedule and compete for the series championship, multiple sources said. Under NASCAR’s current system, Busch will only be able to earn driver points in only one series. It remains unclear what effect Thursday’s Cup announcement will have on the Nationwide plans. A spokesman for Kyle Busch Motorsports said Friday the team was still finalizing its driver lineup and would not have any official announcements until after Jan. 1. (Charlotte Observer)(12-22-2011)
Bullins named crew chief for Keselowski, Kligerman: Penske Racing announced that Jeremy Bullins has been named crew chief of the #22 Discount Tire Dodge Challenger in the Nationwide Series. Bullins makes the move from Richard Childress Racing where he most recently served as race engineer for the #29 car entry in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Bullins will join a team that has quickly become one of the most successful in NNS competition. Over the course of the 2010 and 2011 seasons, the #22 Dodge has scored 12 wins with Brad Keselowski as its primary pilot. In its first season of existence, Keselowski led the #22 team to the 2010 NNS title, the first-ever NASCAR championship for Penske Racing. Bullins will take over for Todd Gordon, who last week was promoted to crew chief of the Penske Racing #22 Shell/Pennzoil Dodge Charger in the NASCAR Cup Series. Over the course of the 2010 and 2011 seasons, the #22 Dodge has scored 12 wins with Brad Keselowski as its primary pilot. In its first season of existence, Keselowski led the #22 team to the 2010 NNS title, the first-ever NASCAR championship for Penske Racing. Keselowski will share the driving duties with Penske Racing development driver Parker Kligerman in the #22 car during the 2012 campaign.(Penske Racing)(12-21-2011)
Norris denies Pastrana Waltrip will shut down: UPDATE: Michael Waltrip Racing General Manager Ty Norris is moving to quell speculation that the team will shut down its Pastrana Waltrip Racing NASCAR Nationwide Series team and highly successful NASCAR K&N Pro Series East operation due to lack of sponsorship. Former Pastrana Waltrip Racing crewchief Jerry Baxter left the team recently to accept a new position as Cale Gale’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series crew chief at Eddie Sharp Racing. Since then, rumors have circulated that MWR will shutter its Nationwide and K&N Pro Series East operations and lay off a number of employees. Norris denied those reports today, saying, “I know where they came from, and they are absolutely untrue.” Norris revealed that PWR is contractually committed to run seven NASCAR Nationwide Series races in 2012 with Pastrana and sponsor Boost Mobile, saying the team “will absolutely honor that commitment. The plan was to run the full K&N Pro Series East schedule with Travis, then use the personnel from the K&N team to support our Nationwide effort,” said Norris. “But we simply don’t have the funding to do the K&N East Series right now. We’ve been hanging onto those (employees) since September because we don’t want to break up a championship team. The question is, how long do we wait when the funding is not there?” Norris doubles as MWR’s Executive Vice President of Business Development, and said there are three companies talking about expanding Pastrana’s 2012 schedule. As of now, however, seven Nationwide races are all the team has sold.(Sirius Speedway)(12-15-2011) UPDATE: Veteran crew chief Jerry Baxter will join Eddie Sharp Racing to compete for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship with Cale Gale during the 2012 season. With 20 years of experience in the motorsports industry, the San Diego, Calif., native will lead the #33 Rheem Chevrolet Silverado team.(ESR PR)(12-21-2011)
Malsam joins TriStar with G-Oil sponsorship: G-Oil, America’s first and only API and USDA certified bio-based full synthetic motor oil, announced that it will sponsor driver Tayler Malsam and the TriStar Motorsports Toyota Camry team for the 2012 NASCAR Nationwide Series. Seattle area native Tayler Malsam, 22, got his first laps aboard the #19 G-Oil Toyota during a day-long recent test at the Walt Disney World Speedway in Orlando. “There is already an energy and excitement building around the G-Oil TriStar Toyota team,” said Malsam. TriStar Motorsports team owner Mark Smith, a 30-year NASCAR veteran, is a key part of the G-Oil program. In addition to his three-car NASCAR Nationwide team, Smith is the owner of Pro Motor Engines (PME) a leading builder of race engines for all three NASCAR series. Smith’s engines have won three NASCAR Truck Series championships (2003, 2004, and 2009). Smith received the prestigious MAHLE Clevite Engine Builder of the Year award in both 2008 and 2009 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series competition.(G-Oil), see an image of the car on the #19 team paint schemes page(12-19-2011)
Efland graduates with engineering degree: Nationwide driver Danny Efland earned his engineering degree on Monday from the University of South Carolina. Now Ryan Newman is not the only engineer/driver in NASCAR. “It has been a real challenge,” said Danny, “I have raced an average of 10 times a year and still attended school full time. At times I have had to fly home between races such as happened between California and Las Vegas last year, to attend 3 days of class while the team stayed out west. I hope now that racing will become full time.”(Efland PR)(12-16-2011)
Acredale Vending returning to Jay Robinson Racing: Acredale Vending (based in Virginia Beach, VA) will return to Jay Robinson Racing in 2012. Acredale has been a small associate sponsor for the past 5 seasons. Vending will serve as the primary sponsor for a least 1 race. Acredale Vending has provided soda and snack machines for businesses,industry and schools in the Tidewater Virginia area for over 28 years.(Acredale PR)(12-16-2011)
Mike Beam to KBM: Former Roush Fenway Racing crew chief Mike Beam has left the organization to accept a new position as crew chief for the Kyle Busch Motorsports NASCAR Nationwide Series team. Beam’s resume’ as a NASCAR crew chief dates back to 1981, with stints atop the pit box for a list of drivers that includes Richard and Kyle Petty, Michael Waltrip, Bill Elliott, Sterling Marlin, Elliott Sadler, Ricky Craven, Kenny Wallace and Bobby Hamilton, Jr. He has three career Cup Series wins; two with Elliott and one with Craven. He most recently served as crew chief for Carl Edwards’ #99 NASCAR Nationwide Series effort at Roush Fenway Racing, leading the team to eight victories in 33 starts last season. Beam revealed that he also considered the vacant Competition Director’s position at Turner Motorsports, overseeing the team’s Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series operations before deciding to sign with KBM. “I won eight races with Carl last year, and I really like that winning part,” said Beam. “This cat (Busch) is going to get it done. It’s going to be hard work, but I really like the look of this deal.” Beam said no driver has been selected for the KBM’s new Nationwide Series Toyota, adding that he hopes a decision is coming soon. “I think Kyle’s getting close on a driver,” he said. “He’s on vacation this week, but I know they’re working on it. I’m not sure who it’ll be yet, but we need to get some seats ordered pretty soon. It’s tough to get anything done through the holidays, so from my point of view, we need to get busy right now.”(Sirius Speedway)(12-15-2011)
Todd Gordon moves to Cup with #22 team: Penske Racing announced that Todd Gordon is the new crew chief of the #22 Shell/Pennzoil Dodge Charger in the NASCAR Cup Series. The internal move comes on the heels of a successful 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) campaign, during which Gordon led the #22 Discount Tire Dodge Charger to six wins and six pole positions. “Our first priority is always to look within the walls of Penske Racing when making personnel decisions,” said Roger Penske. “We want to reward success. The path we are taking with Todd mirrors what we did with Paul Wolfe who led the #2 Miller Lite Dodge to a Chase berth in 2011. We think Todd can get the job done in the same manner.” Gordon made the move to Penske Racing in January of 2011. He and Brad Keselowski quickly developed a driver-crew chief rapport that resulted in another successful season, helping make the #22 Dodge one of the premier entries in NNS competition. “I can’t thank Roger and everyone at Penske Racing enough for this vote of confidence,” said Gordon. “It’s an honor to step into a race-winning team. We have a lot of work ahead of us, but this is an organization full of talented people that know how to get the job done. I look forward to getting the Shell/Pennzoil Dodge back in Victory Lane.” Penske Racing continues to evaluate drivers to fill the seat of the #22 Shell/Pennzoil Dodge.(Penske Racing), could the driver be Sam Hornish Jr.? as he is now listed as a Sprint Cup driver on his Penske Racing driver page.(12-14-2011)
BRANDT returns to sponsor Allgaier: Turner Motorsports announced that BRANDT is returning to the multi-car team as primary sponsor of the #31 Chevy driven by championship contender Justin Allgaier. Allgaier finished the 2011 season third in the overall NASCAR Nationwide Series championship point standings, notching one win, six top-five finishes and 17 top-10 finishes, with the win coming at Chicagoland Speedway, the home track of BRANDT and Allgaier.(Turner Motorsports)(12-14-2011)
Armour sponsoring Harvick in 3 races: Pinnacle Foods Group LLC, a leading packaged foods company, and Richard Childress Racing have reached a partnership agreement for sponsorship of two of RCR’s teams for 2012. Pinnacle’s Armour brand will be the primary sponsor for three NASCAR Nationwide Series races on the #33 Chevy when Kevin Harvick is the driver: March 18 at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway; May 6 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway; and September 8 at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway. The Truck Series team and race will be announced at a later date. Armour canned meats will also be an associate sponsor of the #33 Chevy team in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and one of RCR’s championship-caliber NASCAR Camping World Truck Series teams.(RCR)(12-9-2011)
Gaughan to RCR for limited schedule: Veteran NASCAR driver Brendan Gaughan will compete in 10 races on the 2012 NASCAR Nationwide Series schedule, driving Richard Childress Racing’s #33 Chevy, and in eight races on the 2012 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series schedule, driving RCR’s #2 Chevy. Gaughan, 36, is the 2002 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Rookie of the Year and competed fulltime in the Nationwide Series in 2009 and 2010, earning one pole and 17 top-10 finishes in 71 career starts. He finished ninth in the 2009 driver championship point standings and 11th in 2010. The two-time NASCAR Camping World Series West champion (2000-2001) has also earned eight victories and 63 top-10 finishes in 187 Truck Series starts, finishing 12th in the 2011 driver championship point standings. Gaughan was also part of the five-driver lineup that won the GT3 division of the 2011 Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona sports car race at Daytona International Speedway. Gaughan’s Nationwide and Truck Series races will be sponsored by South Point Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, with the exception of two Nationwide Series events which will be sponsored by Menards. The complete crew chief and remaining driver lineup for the No. 33 Nationwide Series team and the No. 2 Truck Series team will be announced at a later date.(RCR)(12-8-2011)
Stenhouse Jr., team visit Nationwide headquarters: Ricky Stenhouse Jr., the 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series driver champion, and his #6 Roush Fenway Racing team, will take part in a full day – and evening – of activities Thursday, hosted by series sponsor Nationwide Insurance in its headquarters’ hometown of Columbus, Ohio. This is the fourth consecutive year that Nationwide Insurance has welcomed the series driver champion to its home turf, and the second year in succession that his entire team – this year led by crew chief Mike Kelley – also has made the trip. Since the NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Awards Banquet immediately followed this year’s season finale on Nov. 19 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, the schedule allows Stenhouse’s championship celebration to continue a bit longer.(NASCAR)(12-8-2011)
Sad News – Blanche Oneal: Blanche Learning Oneal, age 77, passed away on December 3, 2011 in Hendersonville, TN. Preceded in death by parents, Charles Learning and Kathleen Mugsford Learning; sisters, Joan Morissey and Edna Learning of Canada. Survived by son, Newt (Rhonda) Moore of Hendersonville [crew chief of the #67 Go Canada Racing team] ; daughter, Tina Wright of Madison; grandchildren, Justin and Kristen Wright; sisters, Patsy Williams, Dora Seward, all of Canada; brothers, Sam Learning, Wayne Learning, Charles Learning, Ed Learning all of Canada. Graveside service will be on Thursday, December 8, 2011 at 1 p.m., Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens, 1150 Dickerson Road, Goodlettsville. EASTLAND FUNERAL HOME, 904 Gallatin Road, Nashville, TN 37206; (615) 227-9558.(12-7-2011)
Hunt Brothers sponsoring RCR: Hunt Brothers Pizza will sponsor two of Richard Childress Racing’s NASCAR Nationwide Series teams as well as the #29 Sprint Cup Series team with Kevin Harvick through a multi-year partnership agreement that begins in 2012. Hunt Brothers Pizza will be the primary sponsor for three NASCAR Nationwide Series races on the #33 Chevy when Harvick is the driver: May 26 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C.; June 29 at Kentucky Speedway in Sparta, Ky.; and August 24 at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tenn. The #2 Chevy, with driver Elliott Sadler, will carry the Hunt Brothers Pizza primary sponsor paint scheme for the July 22 NNS event at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Ill. In addition, the Nashville, Tenn.-based company will be an associate sponsor throughout the NNS season for the #2 and the #33 Chevy teams. Hunt Brothers Pizza will also continue its season-long associate sponsorship of Harvick and RCR’s #29 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team, beginning with the Daytona 500 in February.(Richard Childress Racing)(12-7-2011)
ESPN2 to Air NASCAR Sprint Cup, Nationwide Series Season Reviews: With one of the most competitive NASCAR seasons in history now in the record books, ESPN2 will take a look back at the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series seasons in a pair of programs to air later this week. The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season, which ended with Tony Stewart winning his third championship in a hotly-contested battle that went to the final lap of the final race, will be reviewed on Friday, Dec. 9, at 3 p.m. ET. The NASCAR Nationwide Series season, in which Ricky Stenhouse Jr. won his first NASCAR championship, will be reviewed on Thursday, Dec. 8, at 3 p.m. Both 30-minute programs, produced by the NASCAR Media Group, will feature highlights and interviews with drivers and other newsmakers who contributed to the competition in 2011. In 2012, ESPN networks will again televise the final 17 races of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season, including all 10 races in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. In addition, ESPN networks will again be the home of the NASCAR Nationwide Series all season. NASCAR Now, ESPN2’s daily NASCAR news and information program, will return in February. All NASCAR programming on ESPN and ESPN2 throughout 2012 will be available on computers, smartphones and tablets through WatchESPN.com and the WatchESPN app.(ESPN)(12-5-2011)
Donations accepts for Dave Mitchell’s family: “As we move forward please assist me in taking care of the family of our dear friend Dave Mitchell. They have no life insurance and I have promised Dave in prayer to care for his family, just like he would do for mine. Thank you and God Bless. ” Rick Ware. Please send donations to Danielle Mitchell and the Mitchell Family at Rick Ware Racing c/o Danielle Mitchell, 111 Sunrise Center Dr., Thomasville, NC 27360. Please make checks payable to Danielle Mitchell, and write “Dave Mitchell Memorial” in the subject line. Additionally people wishing to donate can do so also, at BB&T Bank “Direct to Fund” Danielle E Mitchell Rtg # 053101121 Acct # 0005200202580.(Rick Ware Racing)(12-5-2011)
Hamilton Means Racing plans to make Cup debut in 2012: Hamilton Means Racing, a team created by four principal owners with various levels of involvement in NASCAR, have announced their intentions to go NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing in 2012. Dell Hamilton, Jimmy Means, Arash Khorsandi and Kelly Owen will team up and look to make their first start in the Cup series at Daytona in February. The team is still reviewing their options for the driver of their newly formed #52. Recruiting talented individuals available in NASCAR and obtaining additional equipment vital to the team’s effort, is the focus of the group at this point. Their plans are to operate from Means Motorsports race shop located in Forest City, NC alongside his fulltime Nationwide team. Means, no stranger to the NASCAR scene, has many years of experience as a Driver/Owner with 455 starts in the Cup series dating back to 1973. He has also owned and managed the #52 Nationwide team for the past 10 season since retiring as a driver. Hamilton Means Racing is hoping to secure additional partnerships and sponsors based on the relationships that Means, aka “Smut”, has developed within the sport.
Hamilton, a businessman from Chattanooga Tennessee, operates Crusader Staffing who has been, and will continue to be, a longtime supporter of MacDonald Motorsports in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Hamilton is excited about his role in the startup of HMR Racing, and stated “after researching what it takes to be competitive in NASCAR’s top series, we are ready to get going and establish our team in the series.” Owen and Khorsandi, Floridian natives, longtime friends and fans of the sport, see this opportunity as a way to fulfill a lifetime dream of being involved in the operations as well as creating new relationships in the sport of NASCAR. Owen entered the sport as a sponsor and has been involved with operations at Means Motorsports dating back to the summer of 2010. The two say they are aware of the obstacles ahead of them but look forward to the challenge.(Crusader Racing PR)(12-1-2011)
Koch will return with full time ride: According to a post on his Facebook page, Blake Koch, who drove the #81 for MacDonald Motorsports in 2011: “I will be back full time in the NASCAR Nationwide Series again, still need some sponsorship but I will be there for sure. I will be able to release the details as far as the team goes in a week or so.”(12-2-2011)
Sad News – Dave Mitchell: David Andrew Mitchell, age 44 passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, November 29, 2011 at his residence in Thomasville. David was born May 15, 1967 in Onslow county, North Carolina to Dallas Mitchell and Barbara Jean Kniess Mitchell. He spent his early years in Dayton, Ohio and received his Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from the University of Phoenix. David moved to Thomasville in 2008 and was currently employed in the Marketing Dept. with Rick Ware Racing Enterprises. He was a devoted member of the NASCAR racing community and his team recently won NNS Rookie of the Year. David’s favorite hobbies were photography and enjoying fishing with his children. He and his family are members of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in High Point. In 1996, he married Danielle Gilliam who survives of the residence. Also surviving are his daughter, Morgan Mitchell and his son, Chase Mitchell of the home and his parents of Dayton, Ohio; his paternal grandmother, Jonnie Webber and his maternal grandmother, Joan Kniess. Also surviving are his sister, Debbie Warren and a nephew Zachary Warren, both of Dayton, Ohio. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday at 1:00 pm in Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 4145 Johnson Street, High Point with the Reverend Father Vincent E. Smith, O.S.F.S. Celebrant. The family will receive friends in the gathering space of the church beginning at 12 Noon Saturday until the hour of the service. David’s cremains will be placed in the church columbarium at a later date. There will be a Memorial Mass at Holy Family Parish in Stow, Ohio on Monday December 5, 2011 at 7:00 p.m., 3450 Sycamore Dr. Stow, Ohio 44224. Memorials may be directed to Kisses 4 Kate, PO Box 2266, Jamestown, NC 27282 or a Memorial Fund for the Family has been established at BBT Banks, and memorials may also be directed there. Thoughts and condolences can be shared with the family at www.sechrestfunerals.com.(12-1-2011)
