Landon Cassill wins Raybestos Rookie Cooking Challenge Landon Cassill is one of the few who can truthfully say he left Las Vegas a winner. Cassill won the Third Annual Raybestos Rookie Cooking Challenge Thursday afternoon at ESPN Zone on the world famous Las Vegas Strip. He created a delicious serving of chicken pesto penne pasta that wowed the judges – 25 members of the Las Vegas Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Drivers Cale Gale and Michael McDowell joined Cassill for the competition and learned cooking tricks of the trade from ESPN Zone Executive Chef Tom Keaveny.(Raybestos PR)(2-29-2008)
Save-A-Lot Sponsorsing Edwards for 12 Races: Roush Fenway Racing announced today that Save-A-Lot Food Stores has signed on as the primary sponsor for Carl Edwards and the #60 Ford for 12 races in the Nationwide Series in 2008. The Sam’s Town 300 at Las Vegas will mark the first race for Save-A-Lot as the primary sponsor.(Roush Fenway PR)(2-29-2008)
MC2 Joins MacDonald Motorsports at Vegas: MacDonald Motorsports announced that Beverage Plus, a Nevada Corporation based in Las Vegas has joined the organization in sponsorship. MC2 Energy Drink will be displayed on the trunk lid of the MacDonald Motorsports #81 entry driven by DJ Kennington this weekend in the Sam’s Town 300 race in Las Vegas.(MacDonald Motorsports PR)(2-29-2008)
Krisiloff Driving for Ganassi at Las Vegas: Kyle Krisiloff will pilot the #41 Nationwide Series Dodge this weekend at Las Vegas, and also a select number of races early this season. CGRFS reached an agreement that would allow Krisiloff to drive the #41 Dodge in order to get him added track time while CGRFS continues to search for sponsorship opportunities for 18-year-old Bryan Clauson. Krisiloff competed a full season in the NNS last year in the #14 car for Greg Pollex, grabbing one top-five and two top-10 finishes.(CGRFS PR)(2-28-2008)
Marshall University-Themed Team Planned: UPDATE: Herd Racing, LLC, a West Virginia based Nationwide Series team has received permission to put together a proposed Marshall-themed Nationwide Series car for the 2008 season, using university approved logos. The team has applied for #75 in honor of the 75 lives lost in the Marshall football plane crash on November 14, 1970. Dana Tomes is the Herd Racing majority shareholder, along with his wife Tonya, and both are alumnus of Marshall, and are excited about entering the Nationwide Series and promoting his, and many of his race team’s, alma mater. Marshall University will not pay any sponsorship money for the car as Tomes said Herd Racing, LLC, is trying to promote the university and the Tri-state. Just like the cars, plans to get sponsorship are now under the caution flag, so to speak, for the approaching 2008 NASCAR season now less than a month away. Tomes has some sponsors, and hopes to announce them soon, and is working on more, needing $300,000 to just go to the opening race of 35 this year on the former Busch series. Tomes, and driver Brett Rowe, hope support will come either locally as well as regionally to make the Marshall car, and Herd Racing, LLC, go at top speeds once the flag drops.(Scout.com), more information available at HerdRacing.com. An image is posted on the 2008 Nationwide Paint Schemes page.(1-14-2008) UPDATE: With its engine’s roar resonating off the state Capitol, Gov. Joe Manchin unveiled the #75 Marshall University stock car Thursday, the latest school to lend its name to marketing efforts in NASCAR. Backers are hoping to drum up enough sponsors to enter the car on the Nationwide circuit later this season. Marshall alumni Dana Tomes and his wife, Tonya, approached the university with the idea last October as a way to get additional exposure for Marshall and it was met with immediate enthusiasm. Tomes said Herd Racing needs a minimum of $50,000 to $75,000 per race depending on the location. That doesn’t include paying the crew. And if the car wrecks, the costs go much higher. Racing the car for a full season would take a minimum of $3 million to $6 million, he said. Tomes hopes to find enough sponsors to compete in the Sharpie Mini 300 on March 15 in Bristol, Tenn. If not, the next goal is a race near Charlotte, N.C., in late May.(Huntington, WV Herald-Dispatch)(2-28-2008)
Crew Chief Change for #70 Team: ML Motorsports and veteran crew chief Tom Sokoloski have mutually agreed to part ways, according to team officials. “Tom was with us for five seasons,” said Team President Ed Mullen. “We thank him for everything and wish him all the best.” Sokoloski spent five full seasons working with the Warsaw, Indiana-based team, working with drivers Jason Jarrett, Chad Blount, Justin Diercks and Mark Green. Brian Ross is currently working as the interim crew chief for Team 70.(ML Motorsports PR)(2-27-2008)
Dodge to be Presenting Sponsor at Memphis Race: Memphis Motorsports Park announced that the Southern Dodge Dealers will serve as presenting sponsor of the Nationwide Series race Oct. 24-25. The Memphis 250 presented by the Southern Dodge Dealers represents several “firsts”: the first race run under the new Nationwide Series banner in Memphis; the first time a presenting sponsor has been officially associated with the Memphis event; and the first time the race will have a new title sponsor. Sam’s Town Tunica was the only title sponsor of the event and only corporate partner name incorporated in the event title from 1999-2007. Discussions are ongoing to secure a new title sponsor for the 2008 event.(MMP PR)(2-26-2008)
Hornish to Drive 11 Nationwide Races: Sam Hornish Jr., driver of the Penske Racing #12 Penske Truck Rental Dodge, makes his 2008 Nationwide Series debut this weekend at Las Vegas. Hornish Jr. is scheduled to compete in a total of 11 Nationwide Series races and one ARCA Series race this season. Included in the 2008 schedule is the Nationwide Series road course event in Mexico City.(Penske Racing PR)(2-26-2008)
Female Crew Chief for Kertus Davis: Cindy Woosley didn’t set out to be a pioneer. She’ll be the first to tell you she’s “all about the cars.” But this weekend at Las Vegas, a woman who has always had an affinity for working on cars, has worked as a sheet metal fabricator as well as a skilled home builder, will add another line to her resume – the first female crew chief in NASCAR national series history. Woosley will lead the #01 Lori Morgan LLC Chevy of JD Motorsports with Kertus Davis as the driver at Las Vegas. She moved to the top of the pit box following a six-race suspension imposed on regular crew chief Gene Allnut, who was one of five crew chiefs suspended due to a rule violation at Daytona. Woosley has been with the team since last year and has been involved in racing for two seasons.(NASCAR PR)(2-26-2008)
Rookie Notes for Las Vegas: Dario Franchitti was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the Stater Bros. 300 at Auto Club Speedway. Franchitti posted a 24th-place finish in the race. Bryan Clauson holds a four-point lead (25-21) over Franchitti in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the Sam’s Town 300 at Las Vegas. Marcos Ambrose was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2007 Sam’s Town 300 at Las Vegas, scoring a 10th-place finish. Ambrose also earned WIX Filters Lap Leader of the Race honors in the event.(Raybestos PR)(2-26-2008)
Nationwide Series Action Live from Las Vegas Saturday: ESPN2 continues its season-long coverage of the Nationwide Series with live, flag-to-flag coverage of the 300-mile race from Las Vegas Motor Speedway Saturday, March 1, beginning at 4 p.m. ET with NASCAR Countdown. Dr. Jerry Punch will be the lead announcer for ESPN2’s coverage, joined in the booth for analysis by Dale Jarrett and Andy Petree. Dave Burns, Jamie Little, Mike Massaro and Shannon Spake will report from the pits, while Tim Brewer will be in the ESPN DISH Tech Center. Allen Bestwick will host NASCAR Countdown with analysis by Jarrett and Brad Daugherty in the ESPN pit studio. NASCAR Countdown and the race will be simulcast on ESPN360.com, ESPN’s signature broadband sports network, and on ESPN Deportes, the domestic Spanish-language network.(ESPN PR)(2-25-2008)
M-150 Energy Drink Sponsoring Harmon in 2 Races: M-150 Energy Drink has joined forces with Mike Harmon and Elite 2 Racing as the primary sponsor of their #84 Chevy for the Nationwide Series races at Auto Club Speedway and Las Vegas. The bright red logo of M-150 Energy Drink will be display on the hood and quarter panels of the #84 for the Stater Bros. 300 at Fontana as well as the Sam’s Town 300 at Las Vegas on March 1st.(Elite 2 Racing PR)(2-23-2008)
Mahindra Joins MacDonald Motorsports: Mahindra USA, the leader in affordable, high-quality farm equipment, is proud to announce a new partnership with the MacDonald Motorsports race team. Under the new agreement, driver DJ Kennington’s car #81 will feature the Mahindra logo on it’s hood and side panels at NASCAR races at California, Atlanta and Texas.(MacDonald Motorsports PR)(2-23-2008)
Fitz Teams Up with Hard Rock Hotel & Casino: The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino has teamed up with Fitz Motorsports as an associate sponsor on both the #22 Supercuts Dodge driven by Mike Bliss, and the #36 Shark Energy Dodge driven by Kenny Wallace for the Nationwide Series event at Las Vegas.(Fitz Motorsports PR)(2-23-2008)
NASCAR Eliminates Rookie Practice for Nationwide and CTS: NASCAR has eliminated the rookie practice portion of its weekend schedule for Nationwide and Craftsman Truck Series teams. For the last two years, the Nationwide and truck rookies would get an extra practice (typically a half-hour session). They would get a set of tires specifically for that test session. Now, practice sessions have been increased by about 30 minutes for the entire field. But rookies get an extra set of tires for the race weekend. That extra set can only be used in practice.(SceneDaily.com)(2-22-2008)
Guaranteed Starting Positions: This weekend at California, three teams that were locked into the top 30 from last year (#16-RoushFenway, #18-Joe Gibbs Racing, and #77-Kevin Harvick, Inc.) did not enter the race and, therefore, give up their top 30 locked-in status. The #0-team was the only team that ran all the races last year, but not locked into the starting field. The #0 team of JD Motorsports now moves into a locked in position based on last year’s points beginning at California and continuing through the Bristol Spring race. As a result, the Nationwide Series will have only 28 guaranteed starting positions for these races.(2-22-2008) UPDATE: The #14 team of Carl Hass withdrew from the California race. The number of locked in cars are now down to 27.(2-22-2008)
Brian Keselowski Driving for Jay Robinson at California: Jay Robinson Racing announced that Brian Keselowski will be driving the #28 Fanista.com Chevy in California. This will be Brian’s first time driving for the JRR Team and also a first for sponsor Fanista.com. The sponsorship package is a one race primary on the #28 Chevy for the California Race. Fanista.com is the first and only destination where people who are passionate about music, movies, and video games can come together; champion their favorite artists, music, movies and other entertainment; buy those products; and be rewarded for being the entertainment fans they already are.(Jay Robinson PR)(2-22-2008)
JVC Back on the #4: Jay Robinson Racing announced that JVC, the primary sponsor on the #4 Chevy in Daytona will continue their presence in the Nationwide Series as primary sponsor on the #4 in California. The Nationwide Series race at California is the second primary race for JVC. The sponsorship agreement is a year long relationship between JVC and JRR, which includes three more primary races for JVC at Las Vegas, ORP and the first trip the Nationwide Series takes to Lowe’s.(Jay Robinson Racing PR)(2-22-2008) AND: Jay Robinson said Robert Richardson Jr. will run at least 20 Nationwide Series races in the #4 Chevy. The team is seeking additional sponsors to expand that schedule. Richardson plans to race in both Nationwide events at Texas Motor Speedway.(Dallas Morning News)(2-22-2008)
Willis Rubber Company on #89 at California: A family-owned rubber company based in Minnesota will be an associate sponsor on Faith Motorsports’ #89 entry in Saturday’s Stater Brothers 300 at California Speedway. Willis Rubber Company, Inc., a business which manufactures rubber and plastics injection molded products, will have its corporate logos on the car’s lower rear quarter panels during practice, qualifying and the race this weekend.(Faith Motorsports PR)(2-22-2008)
Energizer on the #40 at California:The #41 CGRFS Dodge, driven by Bryan Clauson, will be adorned with the silver and blues colors of Energizer e2 Lithium, which is the world’s longest lasting battery in high tech devices.(CGRFS PR)(2-21-2008)
McMurray to Run First Race in #17: Jamie McMurray and Roush Fenway Racing’s #17 CitiFinancial team are set to have a weekend of firsts at California Speedway. Saturday’s Nationwide Series race will mark McMurray’s first outing with the #17 team and crew chief Drew Blickensderfer. This weekend will also mark CitiFinancial’s debut with the #17 Ford. CitiFinancial made its Roush Fenway Racing debut last weekend during the Nationwide Series race at Daytona, finishing 7th with Greg Biffle and the #16 team.(RoushFenway PR)(2-20-2008)
Keselowski to Fly with Blue Angels: After competing in Saturday’s race, #88-Brad Keselowski will travel to El Centro, Calif., to fly with the Navy’s Blue Angels on Monday, Feb. 25. In honor of his flight with the Blue Angels, Keselowski will wear a gold visor this weekend at California Speedway and next weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The Navy’s Blue Angels wear gold visors on their helmets.(JR Motorsports PR)(2-20-2008)
Five Qualifying Times Disallowed: UPDATE 3: Penalties Announced: Qualifying speeds for #77-Cale Gale, #1-Johnny Sauter, #14-David Gilliland, #64-David Stremme, and #0-Kertus Davis were found to have illegal modifications to their cars following qualifying. #0-Kertus Davis will now miss the race.(2-15-2008) UPDATE: After qualifying, NASCAR announced the times for David Gilliland, David Stremme, Johnny Sauter, Cale Gale and Kertus Davis were disallowed. All cars were found in violation of a NASCAR rule involving the lid on the oil tank behind the driver’s seat. All but Davis regained entry based on owner points. Dwayne Leik replaces Davis in the 43-car field.(USA Today)(2-15-2008) UPDATE 2: Kertus Davis will drive the #01 in place in Dewayne Leik.(2-16-2008) UPDATE 3: NASCAR announced that seven of its teams in the Nationwide Series have been penalized due to rule violations during Speedweeks at Daytona. The # 5 car was found to be in violation of Sections 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4-Q (car, car parts, components and/or equipment used that do not conform to NASCAR rules); 20A-3.1.1E (1) (the rear ends of the spoiler did not meet the specified height); and 20A-3.12.1A (altered rear spoiler after passing template inspection to enhance aerodynamic performance) of the 2008 NASCAR rule book. The violation occurred following practice on Feb. 14. Driver Dale Earnhardt, Jr. has been penalized with the loss of 50 championship driver points, while car owner Rick Hendrick has been penalized 50 championship owner points. Crew chief Chad Walter has been fined $25,000 and suspended for the next six Nationwide Series events until April 9 and placed on probation until Dec. 31, 2008.
The # 0, #1, #14, #64, and #77 cars were all found to be in violation of Sections 12-4-A; 12-4-Q; and 20A-8.4C (the oil reservoir tank cover was not fastened securely). These violations were discovered during post-qualifying inspection on Feb. 15. Each of the cars’ respective drivers and owners — Kertus Davis/Johnny Davis for the #0; Johnny Sauter/James Finch for the #1; David Gilliland/Carl Haas for the #14; David Stremme/Ed Rensi for the #64; and Cale Gale/ DeLana Harvick for the #77 have been penalized with the loss of 25 driver and owner championship points.
Crew chiefs Gene Allnutt (#0); Newt Moore (#1); Bob Edwards (#14); Steve Darne (#64); and Charlie Wilson (#77) have each been fined $15,000 and suspended for the next six Nationwide Series events until April 9 and placed on probation until Dec. 31, 2008.
Additionally, Jerry Baxter, crew chief for the #99 car received a $5,000 fine and was placed on probation until July 9 for violating Sections 12-4-A, 12-4-Q and 20A-5.10.1B(3) (carburetor venturies exceeded the specified size). This infraction took place during opening day inspection on Feb. 12.(NASCAR PR)(2-20-2008)
Sherman Testing Indy Pro Cars: UPDATE: There’s been no shortage of open-wheel racers switching to NASCAR. Now we have someone going the other way. Former Nextel Cup and Busch Series driver Brent Sherman has tested for Panther Racing’s Indy Pro Series car. Sherman isn’t a stranger to open-wheelers, though. He spent two years racing in the Barber Dodge Pro Series. In 2000 he tested a Toyota Atlantic car.(Palm Beach Post)(1-10-2008) UPDATE: Panther Racing announced it has signed former NASCAR driver Brent Sherman to pilot its Indy Pro Series car for the 2008 season. Sherman recently completed a test with Panther on the road course at Homestead Miami Speedway, and Panther team owner John Barnes believes the Minnesota-born driver can lead his IPS team to another championship season.(2-19-2008)
Camping World on the #2 at California: After sporting its traditional burgundy, white and gold BB&T colors last weekend at Daytona, Clint Bowyer’s #2 Chevy will showcase a Camping World paint scheme for this weekend’s Stater Bros. 300.(RCR PR)(2-19-2008)
Ferguson Named Interim Crew Chief of #64 Team: Rusty Wallace Racing has announced that the team’s lead engineer, Dale Ferguson, has been named interim crew chief for its newly founded #64 entry in the Nationwide Series. The #64 Chevy is piloted by David Stremme, Max Papis and Chase Austin. Ferguson replaces Steve Darne at the helm of the #64.(NASCAR.com)(2-19-2008)
Raybestos Rookie Notes for California: Bryan Clauson was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the Camping World 300 at Daytona. Clauson scored a sixth-place finish in the race, his best finish in six Nationwide Series races. Clauson holds a six-point lead (16-10) over Dario Franchitti in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the Stater Bros. 300 at California. At least two Raybestos Rookies have been in the top-10 in the Nationwide Series championship standings for 21 consecutive races, dating back to the 2007 race at Kentucky. Timothy Peters was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2007 Stater Bros. 300, scoring a 17th-place finish. David Ragan scored the best finish by a Raybestos Rookie last season at California Speedway. Ragan grabbed a 10th-place finish in the September event.(Raybestos PR)(2-19-2008)
Nationwide Series Action Live from California Saturday Night: ESPN2 continues its season-long coverage of the Nationwide Series with live, flag-to-flag coverage of the 300-mile race from California Speedway, Saturday, Feb. 16, beginning at 7 p.m. ET with NASCAR Countdown. ESPN2 will be the home of the Nationwide Series all season, with selected races on ESPN and ABC. Dr. Jerry Punch will be the lead announcer for ESPN2’s coverage, joined in the booth for analysis by Dale Jarrett and Andy Petree. Dave Burns, Jamie Little, Mike Massaro and Shannon Spake will report from the pits, while Tim Brewer will be in the ESPN DISH Tech Center. Allen Bestwick will host NASCAR Countdown with analysis by Rusty Wallace and Brad Daugherty in the ESPN pit studio.(ESPN PR)(2-18-2008)
Planters Sponsoring Edwards: Planters Peanuts will be the sponsor of #60-Carl Edwards this year in Michigan. See an image of the car on the 2008 Nationwide Series Schemes Page.(2-17-2008)
Gibbs #18 Team Will Skip California Race: Kyle Busch finished second to Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Tony Stewart in Saturday’s Camping World 300 Nationwide Series race at Daytona, but the #18 team will skip the upcoming race at California Speedway. JGR’s #18 and #20 teams ran the full schedule in 2007 and the team wanted to run both cars full time this season. But a lack of sponsorship will keep the #18 from running all of the 35 Nationwide races in 2008.(SceneDaily.com)(2-17-2008)
Team Rensi Will Skip Two Nationwide Races Without Sponsorship: Bobby Hamilton Jr. said he will miss two Nationwide Series races this season because his Team Rensi Motorsports team doesn’t have sponsorship for those events. Hamilton Jr. will skip the road-course events at Mexico City and Montreal. The #25 Ford team has sponsorship for 30 races, Hamilton Jr. said, but anticipates getting a backer for three other events. “As of now, we’re not going to Canada or Mexico,” Hamilton Jr. said. “It’s not sponsored. We’ll do what we need to do. The bottom line is, it’s not in the budget.”(SceneDaily.com)(2-16-2008)
Chevy won’t use Camaro as Nationwide COT: UPDATE: Chevy will not use the Camaro brand when the Nationwide Series goes to the car of tomorrow, sources said Thursday at Daytona. Richard Childress Racing built the new car for General Motors that has been tested in the wind tunnel. The current version is an Impala – the same as the Sprint Cup car – but that could change to a Malibu. NASCAR hopes to go to a COT for the series in 2009 but has yet to announce definite plans. Only Dodge, which will use the Challenger, has announced its Nationwide brand for the COT.(SceneDaily.com)(2-14-2008) UPDATE: There still is an ongoing dialogue between the four manufacturers and NASCAR as to which models will be used on the Nationwide cars when they debut in 2009. After hundreds of thousands of dollars spent in wind tunnel development by Chevy and Ford, the latest word is that both have abandoned the muscle car in favor of a more marketing department-friendly choice. As a result, all signs point to Chevy using the Malibu nameplate for its Nationwide effort. Speculation is that Ford marketing execs have suggested reintroducing the Taurus. The Taurus nameplate, which was the model used by Ford in both Nationwide and Cup competition from 1998 until 2005, recently resurfaced on the street version of the somewhat redesigned Ford 500. When quizzed about which model eventually would be used, [Ford’s Dan] Davis said that Ford was not prepared to announce it as of yet, and he hinted that it could end up being an altogether different car, one that has yet to be introduced to the American public. And despite his refusal to acknowledge that Dodge is moving forward with its plans to use the Challenger, [Dodge’s Mike] Accavitti did admit that when it came to making the decision which model Dodge would use, as a former marketing executive, he was empowered to make the decision.(Yahoo Sports)(2-16-2008)
SKI Motorsports Plans Full Nationwide Season; Announces Associate Sponsor: SKI Motorsports is stepping up their 2008 campaign forging partnerships that will help grow the program both on and off the track. Plans include running a full season in the Nationwide Series highlighted by an attempt to qualify for four of NASCAR’s premier Sprint Cup Series events with driver Stanton Barrett and veteran crew chief Ricky Pearson. Together with an accompanying schedule of nine Nationwide Series events, the NOS Energy Drink racing program will feature unique fan promotions and activation with retail partners such as Wal-Mart, Circle K, Kroger and Food 4 Less. Barrett will pilot the #30 NOS Energy Drink Chevy in Nationwide Series events at Daytona (both events), Las Vegas, Bristol, Texas (both events), Montreal, California and Dover. In addition, SKI Motorsports announced the signing of VelocityMoney.com as associate sponsor for their 2008 campaign. (SKI Motorsports PR)(2-15-2008)
Michael Waltrip Racing Faces Penalties: [NASCAR] officials … confiscated the carburetor from the #99 Nationwide car driven by David Reutimann, who drives for Michael Waltrip Racing. The carburetor’s venturis were too large, allowing more air to pass through and providing a potential horsepower advantage.(USA Today)(2-15-2008)
Earnhardt Jr.’s Car Impounded by NASCAR: Speedweeks at Daytona International Speedway hasn’t been perfect for Dale Earnhardt Jr. after all. The #5 car Earnhardt will drive in Saturday’s Nationwide Series opener was impounded by NASCAR on Thursday night after officials discovered the team altered the spoiler to create an aerodynamic advantage following inspection. The car was returned on Friday morning minus the trunk lid and spoiler, repaired and sent back through inspection. It will be allowed to run in the race. Joe Balash, the Nationwide Series director, said further sanctions against the team and crew chief Chad Walter will be issued on Tuesday. NASCAR officials considered sending Walter home because the offense was considered blatant, but opted to hold off on what could result in a suspension.(ESPN.com)(2-15-2008)
Sponsor for Team Rensi: UPDATE 4: Hearing that Team Rensi Motorsports has secured a primary sponsor for a large majority of the 2008 races for the #35 team and Bobby Hamilton, Jr. An announcement is expected next week. Rensi will look for sponsorship to round out the full season. The team has not found sponsorship for the #25 team and will not run it unless that changes.(12-6-2007) UPDATE: How close did Bobby Hamilton Jr. come to not driving in 2008 in the NASCAR series soon to be known as Nationwide? Not at all sure that Team Rensi Motorsports would have a sponsor and that he even would have a job, Hamilton accepted a ride in the regional Busch East Series because, after all, a guy’s gotta eat. “As close as we came, as far as Tuesday, I was talking to another organization about another job. We didn’t have nothing done (sponsor-wise) until probably 30 minutes before I got on the airplane to come down here,” Hamilton said. “They’ll make their announcement next week, that’s how close it was.”(FloridaToday.com)(12-7-2007) UPDATE 2: Interviewed in Sirius Radio’s Sirius Speedway Friday afternoon, Hamilton Jr. said he will still drive as many Busch East races as possible next year as well as some ARCA races. In addition, he said Team Rensi is considering running changing his car number to #25 next year [which this year was run by Rensi with David Gilliland and Richard Johns].(12-7-2007) UPDATE 3: The sponsorship, according to a source, is from Eckrich Meats. Team Rensi, which fielded two cars in the 2007 Busch Series season, has yet to find sponsorship for its No. 25 Ford. The team was forced to lay off 18 employees before the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Team Rensi’s sponsorship, which is slated to be announced any day, is for 30 of the 35 Nationwide races next year.(SceneDaily.com)(12-14-2007) UPDATE 4: New sponsor, new number, same determination for Bobby Hamilton, Jr. The Greenbrier, TN resident enters the 2008 season with longtime Team Rensi Motorsports marketing partner, Smithfield Foods on the side of his Ford Fusion. Also new for Hamilton this season, a return to the #25. After piloting the #35 for Team Rensi Motorsports last season, Hamilton jumped at the opportunity to place the familiar #25 back on his car.(Team Rensi PR), see an image of the car on the 2008 Nationwide Series Schemes Page.(2-14-2008)
Nationwide announces launch of The Up To Speed Challenge on ESPN.com: Nationwide Insurance today announced the launch of The Up To Speed Challenge, a new, free on-line fantasy contest, on ESPN.com. The NASCAR Nationwide Series first-of-its kind, on-line fantasy contest offers fans a chance to win $100,000 and other great prizes throughout the season. In addition, the contest keeps fans in the driver’s seat for all the latest NASCAR Nationwide Series action. Fans can participate by logging onto ESPN.com and searching keyword “Nationwide Insurance.”
In this season-long interactive contest, fans can log on weekly and have a chance to pick the winning driver in a series of speed categories. The fan with the most points at the end of the season will win a $100,000 grand prize. Weekly winners may get some of the best seats at the track or autographed merchandise. If fans think they know racing and the series, they can log onto ESPN.com to test their skills. Additional details and complete official rules are available at ESPN.com.(Nationwide PR), click here to find out more.(2-14-2008)
Nationwide Series team swap points: Nine Nationwide Series teams in the top 30 in owners points from 2007 have swapped points with other teams in deals approved by NASCAR. Points from Robert Yates Racing’s #90, which finished 19th in the owners standings last year, were sold to the #7 Germain Racing team driven by Mike Wallace. The points from the #7 Phoenix Racing team were sold to the #4 of Jay Robinson Racing, the #25 of Team Rensi Motorsports were sold to the #64 Rusty Wallace Racing team, and the points from the #36 of McGill Motorsports were sold to the #24 Front Row Motorsports team for Eric McClure. That guarantees starting spots in the first five races of 2008 for Wallace, McClure and the #64 and 4 teams, both of which will use multiple drivers this season. The other six teams swapped points among teammates: The #21 Richard Childress Racing team’s points will go to the #2 (driven full time by Clint Bowyer), with the #2’s points going to the #21. The #35 Team Rensi’s points will switch to the #25 to be driven by Bobby Hamilton Jr., Braun Racing’s #10 will be used by the team’s #32 and Chip Ganassi Racing’s #42 will be used by its #40 team.(SceneDaily.com)(2-14-2008)
Johnny Davis Motorsports Honoring Stephen Pyle at Daytona: #0-Kertus Davis and the JD Motorsports team have been working with one of the highest government offices in the nation along with Military Order of the Purple Heart to identify men and women around the country who will be honored by team JD Motorsports at each race during the 2008 Nationwide series. Saturday, Davis will honor Stephen Pyle. He will be named an honorary crew member for the day.(CAR PR USA)(2-14-2008)
RWI Looking for Top-30 Spot for #64 Car: [Rusty Wallace] is trying to engineer a deal to transfer the owner points from one of the top-30 teams from last season that disbanded for 2008 to his #64, to lock it into the first five races this season, but he wasn’t ready to announce that.(NASCAR.com)(1-23-2008) UPDATE: Ed Rensi is the listed owner of the #64 car this weekend. The team will use the point from last year’s Team Rensi Motorsports #25 car. (Bobby Hamilton Jr. is driving the #25 this year, but it’s last year’s #35 team.)(2-13-2008)
Interest in Ambrose Has NASCAR on TV in Australia: Enormous interest in Australian NASCAR driver, #59-Marcos Ambrose, has resulted in Network Ten securing the television rights to the 2008 Nationwide Series and selected races of the 2008 Sprint Cup Series. The deal marks the first time that a full season of NASCAR will appear on free-to-air television in Australia and will also be the first time NASCAR has been shown in Australia in high definition.(BAM PR)(2-13-2008)
Rheem Sponsoring Kevin Harvick, Inc.: Rheem Manufacturing Company announced a new primary sponsorship with Kevin Harvick Inc. Rheem will be the primary sponsor of the #33 Rheem Chevy driven by Kevin Harvick. Rheem will also be the primary sponsor of KHI’s #77 car driven by Cale Gale. Rheem will be the primary sponsor for four Nationwide Series premier races in 2008 and the company’s Ruud brand will be an associate sponsor for the same four races. The 77 car driven by Gale will debut for the season opener at Daytona and will race again at Atlanta. Harvick will drive the 33 car at Richmond (May 2) and at Lowe’s (Oct. 10). Rheem has also signed on to be a KHI full-season associate sponsor of the 33 and 77 cars as well as on KHI’s 33 Chevy truck in the Craftsman Truck Series races.(KHI PR), see an image of the #33 car on the 2008 Nationwide Series Schemes Page.(2-13-2008)
Logano Looking for a Ride….Until May: Joey Logano grudgingly played spectator during the Budweiser Shootout Saturday night at Daytona. It’s a game the 17-year-old driver knows he’s going to have to play for a while, though he’s not happy doing so. “I just want to be racing right now and I don’t have anywhere to do it,” Logano said. “It’s really pretty aggravating watching everybody and not being able to drive.” Logano is stuck in limbo until he turns 18 May 24, when he will be eligible for the Nationwide Series. He’s scheduled to make his Nationwide debut May 31 at Dover for Joe Gibbs Racing. Until then, beyond testing for Gibbs’ Sprint Cup teams, he doesn’t know when he’ll be on the track.(Hartford Courant)(2-13-2008)
Raybestos Rookie Notes for Daytona: At least two Raybestos Rookies have been in the top-10 in the [Nationwide] Series championship standings for 20 consecutive races, dating back to the 2007 race at Kentucky Speedway (race #16).
Marcos Ambrose was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2007 Camping World 300 at Daytona, scoring a 16th-place finish.
Four Raybestos Rookies have scored top-five finishes in the Camping World 300:
2000: Jay Sauter, fourth
2000: Kevin Harvick, fifth
2002: Shane Hmiel, fifth
2006: Burney Lamar, second
Only two Raybestos Rookies have won the pole for the Camping World 300 since the program was created in 1989: Kenny Wallace (1989) and David Green (1991). Wallace’s pole run came in the first race in the history of the program.(Raybestos PR)(2-13-2008)
Rimco to Sponsor McDowell at Daytona: Rimco announced a partnership with Michael Waltrip Racing to sponsor Michael McDowell and the #00 Toyota in the Nationwide Series Camping World 300 at Daytona on Saturday. Rimco is a division of Aaron’s Sales and Lease Ownership offering custom wheels, tires, accessories and more.(Michael Waltrip Racing PR)(2-12-2008)
Realtree Sponsoring Labonte at Daytona: Realtree, the home of America’s most versatile camo patterns and a long-time associate sponsor of Richard Childress Racing, will sponsor Bobby Labonte and RCR’s #21 Nationwide Series Chevy in the Camping World 300.(RCR PR)(2-12-2008)
CJM Announces Daytona Sponsors; Commits to First 10 Races: Veteran driver Jason Keller has signed on to drive the #11 CJM Racing entry for at least the first 10 races in the 2008 season. CJM Racing is currently seeking a full-time sponsor to help the team compete for the 2008 NNS championship title. The team will run www.sponsorcjm.com on the deck lid and TV panel to assist in the sponsorship search. Conrad Yelvington Distributors, Inc. will serve as the primary sponsor this weekend at DIS. The one race sponsorship is a result of a business-to-business relationship between CYDI and team owner Tony Mullet.(CJM PR)(2-11-2008)
Unique Scheme for Coleman at Daytona: Brad Coleman will have 181 co-passengers with him when he races in Saturday’s Camping World 300 at Daytona. Through a unique partnership between Coleman’s primary sponsor, Kimberly-Clark, and retailer Kroger, the #27 Baker Curb Racing entry will sport a paint scheme that includes 181 Kroger employees from the southwest division that have been recognized for their service. The familiar #27 paint scheme has been replaced by the faces of the Kroger employees from various departments. The hood of the car garners the tag line that embodies the mission of all parties involved in the program: “Together, we’re powered to win.”(Taylor PR), see an image of the car on the 2008 Nationwide Series Schemes Page.(2-12-2008)
BarrNunn Sponsoring MacHill: Barr-Nunn will be an associate sponsor this year with Mac Hill and Danny O’Quinn in the Nationwide Series for the 2008 season. O’Quinn’s #56 Mac Hill Chevy car will have Barr-Nunn’s decals on it this weekend at Daytona. Barr-Nunn is also an associate sponsor on both Mac Hill Motor Sports USAR Hooters Pro Cup cars for the entire 2008 season.(Barr-Nunn / Bayard Advertising PR)(2-12-2008)
Insterstate Batteries Sponsorship Kyle Busch in 2 Races: The Camping World 300 will be the first of two Nationwide Series races where Interstate Batteries – the founding sponsor of JGR – will back Busch and the #18 team. The second race will be the March 1 Sam’s Town 300 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.(JGR / True Speed Communications PR)(2-12-2008)
Shelmerdine Driving for Jay Robinson at Daytona: Jay Robinson Racing announced that Kirk Shelmerdine will be driving the #28 Chevy for the Nationwide Series Camping World 300 race at Daytona. The #28 Chevy will be sponsored by Lilly Trucking of Virginia. The sponsorship agreement between Lilly Trucking of Virginia and JRR is a one race deal for Daytona.(Jay Robinson Racing PR)(2-11-2008)
Nationwide Series Action Live from Daytona: The 2008 season for the Nationwide Series kicks off this weekend, and ESPN2 will have live, flag-to-flag coverage of the Camping World 300 presented by Chevy from Daytona International Speedway Saturday, Feb. 16, beginning at noon ET with NASCAR Countdown. ESPN2 will be the home of the Nationwide Series (formerly Busch Series) all season, with selected races on ESPN and ABC. The mammoth Daytona track is the scene for the series’ biggest event of the year as stars from the series battle drivers from the Sprint Cup Series for 300 miles. Kevin Harvick won last year’s race, while Carl Edwards had a strong run to start his championship season in the series. Dr. Jerry Punch will be the lead announcer for ESPN2’s coverage, joined in the booth for analysis by Dale Jarrett and Andy Petree. Dave Burns, Jamie Little, Mike Massaro and Shannon Spake will report from the pits, while Tim Brewer will be in the ESPN DISH Tech Center. Allen Bestwick will host NASCAR Countdown with analysis by Rusty Wallace and Brad Daugherty in the ESPN pit studio. ESPN2 also will have live coverage of Nationwide Series qualifying Friday, Feb. 15, at 3 p.m. and final practice Thursday, Feb. 14, at 9:30 a.m.(ESPN PR)(2-11-2008)
Kevin Lepage Joins Specialty Racing: Specialty Racing announced Kevin Lepage has signed with the organization to compete in the Nationwide Series for 2008, driving the team’s #61 Ford. Lepage will immediately begin driving for the team by attempting to qualify in the Nationwide Series season opener at Daytona. Specialty Racing and Lepage are in final negotiations to secure primary sponsorship for the full season and anticipate making a formal announcement in the near future.(Specialty Racing PR)(2-11-2008)
New Number for MacDonald Motorsports AND adds Sponsor: MacDonald Motorsports has a new attitude and a new number for the 2008 season in the Nationwide Series. For years, the organization has raced the #72 in the Nextel Cup Series, Craftsman Truck Series and the Nationwide Series, but all that will change beginning this week. The team’s new number, #81, will make its debut during the Camping World 300 at Daytona.(MacDonald Motorsports PR)(2-10-2008) AND: MacDonald Motorsports announced that the Sunday Hauler has joined the team in sponsorship for the 2008 Nationwide Series. The Sunday Hauler will appear during the Camping World 300 and more prominently at the Stater Brothers 300 at California Speedway on February 23rd.(MacDonald Motorsports PR)(2-10-2008)
McCumbee Could Run Some Nationwide Races: It appears there could be several keys on Chad McCumbee’s keychain this year. He is planning to run his third full season in the Craftsman Truck Series. There is the possibility of driving in a Nationwide Series car for Petty Enterprises. There are plans for as many as five Sprint Cup races in Kyle Petty’s #45 car. And there is also a chance the Supply, N.C., native could drive in additional Sprint Cup races in a third car for CNC/Haas Racing. McCumbee said he has talked within the past 10 days with Petty Enterprises about a Nationwide Series ride. Although nothing has been solidified, McCumbee said the chances of driving in the former Busch Series could improve after the first quarter of the season. “There’s definitely some stuff going on,” he said, “but nothing that we can say is going to happen for sure.”(Myrtle Beach Sun)(2-10-2008)
Cope to Drive at California & Las Vegas: From the Derrike Cope website: “I will be driving a Chevy Nationwide Series car in California and Las Vegas for Jimmy Means with the #52. I do not have all the particulars as of yet, but I will be getting fitted in the car on Monday.”(DerrikeCope.com)(2-10-2008)
Marcos Ambrose “Mayor Of The Day” In Melbourne, Fla.: Marcos Ambrose, a native of Australia and the driver of the #59 Kingsford Ford in the Nationwide Series, will be recognized as Mayor of the Day in Melbourne, Fla., on Feb. 12. Mayor Harry Goode will proclaim Ambrose as “Mayor of the Day” and present him a key to the city.(NASCAR PR)(2-10-2008)
Nationwide Deal for Kenny Wallace? UPDATE 5: hearing Kenny Wallace will make his 2008 Nationwide Series announcement at Gateway Internationl Raceway on Friday, Jan 25th. Wallace tested at Daytona in the #37 Baker Curb Racing Ford and has been rumored to be driving for that team or for the #22 Fitz Motorsports ride.(1-24-2008) UPDATE: Kenny Wallace announced that he will drive a second Nationwide Series car for Fitz Motorsports. Wallace unveiled his plans at a news conference that also announced the Dodge sponsorship of the Nationwide race at Gateway International Raceway. Wes Ward, formerly of JR Motorsports, will be the crew chief for Wallace. The number and sponsor will be announced prior to the season-opening race, Feb. 16 at Daytona International Speedway.(SceneDaily.com)(1-25-2008) UPDATE 2: Hearing that Wes Ward will not be the crew chief, but will continue to work with Mark McFarland in the Hooters Pro Cup Series.(1-25-2008) UPDATE 3: “Kenny is a great guy who has multiple wins in the NNS and we are very excited to have him drive for us this year,” owner Armando Fitz stated. “We have a great sponsor lined up and we are looking forward to what we can do with two cars on the track this year. I think it will be very beneficial to our entire team.”(Fitz PR)(1-27-2008) UPDATE 4: Fitz Motorsports will have a sponsorship announcement and car unveiling on Thursday, February 7 at 12:30pm at the SPEED Stage – outside of the Turn 4 tunnel at Daytona International Speedway.(2-6-2008) UPDATE 5: Shark Energy Racing will be making a big splash in the Nationwide Series this season as it has joined forces with Kenny Wallace- driver and popular TV personality- and Fitz Motorsports. Shark Energy will be the primary sponsor on the #36 Dodge driven by Wallace. As one of the most popular energy drinks in the world, Shark has recently made its formal debut into the United States after forty years of prevalence in over 70 countries.(Fitz Motorsports PR), see an image of the car on the 2008 Nationwide Series Schemes Page.(2-7-2008)
Robert Richardson to Drive for Jay Robinson at Daytona; Car Number Now 4: Jay Robinson Racing announced that Robert Richardson Jr. will be behind the wheel of the #4 JVC Chevy for the Nationwide Series Camping World 300 race at Daytona. The sponsorship agreement between JVC and JRR will be a year long relationship. The package includes five primary races starting with Daytona, when the #4 JVC Chevy EVERIO Gem color scheme is unveiled and also includes an associate for the remainder of the #4 Chevy’s season.(2-7-2008), see an image of the car on the 2008 Nationwide Series Schemes Page
Bobby Hamilton, Jr. buys into Sadler Racing: UPDATE: Earl Sadler gave Bobby Hamilton Jr. his first opportunity to drive a Nationwide car in 1998. Ten years later Hamilton has joined Sadler’s racing team again — as a co-owner. Hamilton said he has purchased 50 percent of the team, which will now be Sadler Hamilton Racing. The team plans on running a limited schedule of Nationwide, ARCA and Camping World races. Willie Allen has been signed for the Feb. 16 Camping World 300 — the Nationwide Series season opener at Daytona. Hamilton said he hopes to help build the team into a full-fledged program by next year — either in ARCA, Nationwide or Craftsman Truck.(Tennessean.com)(2-5-2008) UPDATE: Willie Allen has signed on to pilot the #95 Dodge for newly formed Sadler Hamilton Racing at the Nationwide Series opener in Daytona on February 16. Allen, the 2007 Craftsman Truck Series Rookie of the Year will open the season for Sadler Hamilton Racing with primary sponsorship provided by USALABS.com. USALABS.com provides nutritional food supplements for a wide range of individuals, catering to athletes, everyday couples with busy lifestyles, and children. Lowery Plumbing will also continue their support of Allen as an associate sponsor for the Daytona event.(Modern Management PR)(2-8-2008)
Pearson to Crew Chief for Barrett: Ricky Pearson’s year won’t be spent the way he originally planned. Don’t think that’ll keep him away from the racetrack, though. Pearson had been working for Boiling Springs-based McGill Motorsports. But that team, sponsorless, will be out of action this year as it tries to retool for 2009. So, in the meantime, Pearson’s got a new gig. #30-Stanton Barrett, a Hollywood stuntman/extreme sportsman turned stockcar driver, hired Pearson to be his crew chief for this season. Barrett, team owner of Stanton Barrett Motorsports, will attempt about 15 to 17 races on the Nationwide Series — formerly the Busch Series — and four or five Sprint Cup events. He’s been running a limited schedule of Busch races since 1992.(Spartanburg Herald Journal)(2-8-2008)
KHI and the VFW? hearing that the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) will be the sponsor in 2008 for four races on the Kevin Harvick Inc #2 Craftsman Truck Series Chevy and also for four races on the #77 KHI Nationwide Series Chevy and be an associate sponsor for 28 races, with Camping World as the primary. Supposedly the scheme is a blue and red scheme, with the VFW Cross of Malta design. Jack Sprague is scheduled to drive the #2 Truck, no word on the #33 driver. The first scheduled race for the sponsorship is at Daytona in July on the Nationwide car.(11-7-2007) UPDATE: Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) announced a partnership with the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW) for the 2008 season. VFW Racing will be a partner in every Craftsman Truck Series and Nationwide Series race this season, both on and off the track. Reigning Craftsman Truck Series Champ Ron Hornaday’s #33 truck will feature the new VFW Racing paint scheme and logo in several races this year. He, along with Nationwide Series Rookie of the Year contender Cale Gale, will also drive VFW’s #77 car in the Nationwide Series. The red, white and blue VFW car and truck will compete in eight of this season’s events.(Kevin Harvick Inc. PR), see an image of the car on the 2008 Nationwide Series Schemes Page.(2-7-2008)
Morgan Shepard Planning Full Season: UPDATE: Faith Motorsports has plans to enter Morgan Shepherd and his #89 Dodge in all 35 Nationwide Series events in 2008. For the first time since its formation in August 2006, Faith Motorsports now has a stable of cars capable of running each of the tracks on the Nationwide Series. “We are still actively seeking sponsorship for all 35 races, but we are planning at this time to make a run at a full season,” Shepherd said Wednesday as the team was making final preparations on its Camping World 300 entry.(Faith Motorsports PR)(2-6-2008) UPDATE: Ben Gitlin has been chosen as crew chief for Morgan Shepherd’s #89 Faith Motorsports team for the 2008 season.(Faith Motorsports PR)(2-7-2008)
Freightliner Sponsoring Truex at Daytona: Freightliner Trucks will be the primary sponsor on Dale Earnhardt Inc.’s #8 Chevy at the upcoming Nationwide series race at Daytona International Speedway. Two-time Nationwide Series champion Martin Truex Jr. will pilot the machine during the Feb. 16 season opener.(DEI PR)(2-6-2008)
Vickers / ABF Freight Team up with Braun: Braun Racing announced the partnership of Brian Vickers and long time team sponsor, ABF Freight System, for the 2008 Nationwide Series season. In a growing partnership with Braun Racing, ABF has increased their sponsorship from five races in 2007 to up to nine races in 2008. Vickers is currently slated to drive the ABF Camry in nine Nationwide Series races this season beginning with the 2008 season opener at Daytona. Vickers will pilot the #32 entry at Atlanta Speedway, Texas in April, Michigan, California in August, Richmond in September and Kansas. During select 2008 events where Braun Racing’s stable expands to three cars, Vickers and ABF will compete as the #10 entry including at Daytona in February, Lowe’s in May, and Bristol in August.(Braun PR)(2-6-2008)
Old Spice Sponsoring Stewart in 7 Races: Old Spice will give Tony Stewart seven chances to visit victory lane in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, as the iconic red and white colors of Old Spice will adorn Stewart’s signature #20 Joe Gibbs Racing machine. The #20 Old Spice Toyota will debut March 1 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and compete again April 5 at Texas, April 26 at Talladega, May 9 at Darlington, June 28 at New Hampshire, July 11 at Chicagoland, and Aug. 16 at Michigan.(Joe Gibbs Racing PR)(2-5-2008)
Fernandez to Drive #5 at Mexico City: Lowe’s and Hendrick Motorsports announced that Adrian Fernandez will drive the #5 Lowe’s car in the April 20 Nationwide Series race in Mexico City. Fernandez will practice in the #5 car on Friday in Mexico City then turn driving duties over to David Green who will qualify the car on Saturday. Fernandez will miss Saturday’s events in Mexico while he is in Long Beach for the American Le Mans Series race that afternoon. Fernandez will return to Mexico City on Sunday for the Nationwide race.(Fernandez/Hendrick PR)(2-5-2008)
Mike Harmon Plans Full Nationwide Effort: Mike Harmon Racing has partnered with Elite 2 Sports and Entertainment to form Elite 2 Racing and plans to run the entire 2008 Nationwide Series schedule. Elite 2 Sports and Entertainment is a Florida-based company with clients in both the sports and entertainment industry. Harmon will be driving the #84 D.A.B. Constructors, Inc. Chevy in the Camping World 300. Elite 2 Racing will also partner with Mike Bartlett of Mooresville, North Carolina for the 2008 season-opening event.(Harmon/Elite 2 PR)(2-5-2008)
Brad Baker Driving #37 at Daytona: Brad Baker acknowledges this will be his best shot for helping his career as a race driver. Baker, the son of Baker Curb Racing majority owner Gary Baker, will have double duty at Daytona. He will compete in Saturday’s ARCA 200 as well as the Feb. 16 Nationwide Series’ Camping World 300.(Tennessean)(2-5-2008)
McClure to Honor Laura Chichester at Daytona: Eric McClure will run a special decal on the C-post of his #24 Hefty® brand Chevy during Speedweeks at Daytona honoring Laura Chichester of Cornelius, North Carolina. Chichester, who has been part of the NASCAR family since graduating from the University of South Carolina in 2001 with a degree in Sport and Entertainment Management, passed away on December 20, 2007 at the age of 28. Chichester, an account executive at GMR Marketing in Charlotte, North Carolina for Alltel Racing, was close friends with Eric’s sister, Emily McClure, who coordinated the tribute with Front Row Motorsports and Chichester’s family.(McClure PR)(2-5-2007)
Best Western Sponsoring Reutimann at Phoenix: Best Western International will serve as an associate sponsor of the #55 [Sprint] Cup Car driven by Michael Waltrip. In addition, the hotel chain will be the primary sponsor of the #99 [Nationwide] Series Camry, featuring Reutimann behind the wheel, at Phoenix on April 20. For all other [Nationwide] Series races in [2008], Best Western will serve as an associate sponsor of Reutimann and the #99 Car.(Walkulla.com)(2-3-2008)
MacDonald Motorsports Announces Daytona Associate Sponsor: MacDonald Motorsports announced that TotalRaceBabe.com will be an associate sponsor on their entry for the Camping World 300 at Daytona on February 16th. TotalRaceBabe.com over the years has been associated with other race teams, but made their debut with MacDonald Motorsports and Randy MacDonald in the Craftsman Truck Series.(MacDonald Motorsports PR)(2-2-2008)
Front Row Motorsports Announces Associate Sponsor for Daytona: Front Row Motorsports announced it has acquired sponsorship from Waverly Property Group for the 2008 Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series events at Daytona International Speedway. Waverly Property Group, Daytona’s #1 independent real-estate company, with a focus on waterfront properties, will serve as an associate sponsor on FRM’s #34 and #37 Sprint Cup entries and the #24 Nationwide Series entry during February and July events at DIS.(Eric McClure PR)(2-1-2008)
Braun Racing Announces Drivers for #10& #32: UPDATE 2: Dollar General Corp. welcomes a trio of Sprint Cup all-stars into the driver’s seat of the Dollar General Toyota Camry for the 2008 Nationwide Series season. Brian Vickers, Kyle Busch, and Denny Hamlin will pilot the Dollar General Camry in select races. Recently, Braun Racing announced that Dollar General would be joining its sponsor line-up for the 2008 season through a diverse support program. In addition to an associate sponsorship on the #38 Great Clips Camry driven by Jason Leffler, Dollar General will serve as the primary sponsor for a total of 12 races on the #32 and the #10.(Braun Racing PR)(1-30-2008) UPDATE: Braun Racing announced the return of Hass Avocados from Mexico to its 2008 Nationwide Series sponsor lineup, along with the addition of two all-stars from the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series – Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch. Hamlin and Busch are on loan from Joe Gibbs Racing, with the duo partnering for a total of nine Nationwide Series races with Braun Racing. The two drivers will share the seat of the #32 Toyota, with Hamlin running seven races and Busch driving in two events.(Braun Racing PR)(1-31-2008) UPDATE 2: Braun Racing announced the return of Beringer Vineyards for the 2008 Nationwide Series sponsor line-up and the addition of Kyle Busch as the driver of the #32 Beringer Camry. Beringer Vineyards had their first taste of NASCAR sponsorship in 2007 when they served as the primary sponsor of the #10 Braun Racing entry in one Nationwide Series event. Expanding that relationship even further in 2008, Beringer will serve as the primary sponsor of the #32 Camry in three events.(Braun Racing PR)(2-1-2008)
