Indianapolis TV Ratings: ESPN’s live telecast of the inaugural NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Saturday, July 28, earned a 1.6 household coverage rating (1.4 U.S. rating), averaging 2,025,378 viewers. Last year’s NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Raceway earned a 1.5 household coverage rating.(ESPN)(7-31-2012)
Moffitt to make Nationwide debut at Iowa: RAB Racing with Brack Maggard will partner with current NASCAR K&N; Pro Series East points leader Brett Moffitt when he makes his NASCAR Nationwide Series debut this weekend at Iowa Speedway. The Grimes, Iowa native is currently in his fourth full season of NASCAR K&N; Pro Series East competition. He has compiled nine wins, 27 top-five and 32 top-10 finishes in 42 series starts, and holds a 22-point advantage in the driver standings with nine of 14 events completed on the 2012 schedule. (RAB Racing)(7-30-2012)
McDowell returns to the #18 at Iowa: Michael McDowell will be back behind the wheel of the #18 Pizza Ranch Toyota at Iowa Speedway for his fourth of five races with Joe Gibbs Racing in 2012. McDowell is also slated to pilot the #18 Camry at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal on August 18. In McDowell’s first three races in the Pizza Ranch car this season, he notched a third place finish at Iowa Speedway (May 20), a seventh place finish at Michigan International Speedway (June 16) and a runner-up finish at Road America (June 23).(Joe Gibbs Racing)(7-30-2012)
Darrell Wallace returns to the #20 at Iowa: Darrell Wallace Jr., who often goes by the nickname Bubba, made his highly anticipated Nationwide Series debut on May 20 at Iowa Speedway. Wallace will return to the Newton, Iowa track this weekend for his second career Nationwide Series start. After qualifying eighth for his debut, Wallace impressed the crowd with a ninth place finish in his first time behind the wheel of Joe Gibbs Racing’s #20 Toyota. The young driver will again be led by crew chief Adam Stevens for this weekend’s U.S. Cellular 250.(Joe Gibbs Racing)(7-30-2012)
Sadler black-flagged on restart at Indy: #2-Elliott Sadler was black-flagged for beating race leader Brad Keselowski to the start line with precious few laps remaining in Saturday’s NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Indianapolis, causing controversy and prompting questions from even the drivers who race under the rules every week. With 18 laps to go, #22-Brad Keselowski was the race leader and chose the inside line in front of Penske Racing teammate #12-Sam Hornish Jr. Sadler was the No. 2 starter and had fourth-place Austin Dillon a Richard Childress Racing teammate behind him. Keselowski started the race in the restart zone, but then he appeared to check up (hit his brakes or got out of the gas). At the same time, teammate Sam Hornish Jr. gave him a push which caused Keselowski to spin his tires. Sadler had already hit the gas and contended it was too late to stop, especially since he was being pushed by Dillon. But that wasn’t an excuse for Sadler to be so far ahead, NASCAR vice president of competition Robin Pemberton said. “(Keselowski) went first and was in front of Elliott at the start, and then he checks up like he does every week and false-started,” team owner Richard Childress said. “I mean, that’s racing. These guys are doing what they have to do to win, but I hate to lose one and I hate to see Elliott and those guys lose like that, too.”(Read more details at SB Nation) and see transcripts of what Robin Pemberton and Elliott Sadler said, as posted by Dustin Long.(7-28-2012)
Dash 4 Cash: Round 3: UPDATE: Big money rolls into Indianapolis this weekend when the NASCAR Nationwide Series hits the famous 2.5-mile speedway for the first time in series history. Not only does winning at Indianapolis Motor Speedway have a level of prestige in itself, but an additional $100,000 up for grabs among #2-Elliott Sadler, #6-Ricky Stenhouse Jr., #31-Justin Allgaier and #43-Michael Annett should sweeten the pot even more in the third straight Dash 4 Cash race. Although Kenny Wallace finished higher (fourth) than Annett (fifth) coming out of the Chicagoland race, Wallace’s car was a post-entry, meaning it was entered following the entry deadline. According to the entry blank/rule book, the driver and car owner of a post-entry do not receive driver and owner championship points. The D4C rules state that the driver must receive driver championship points in the event to be eligible for the bonus or to become eligible for the following D4C race. Last weekend’s D4C recipient and race winner Sadler is on a roll this season. He has led the standings for 14 of the 18 weeks of the season including the last seven consecutive weeks. In 18 starts he has posted two poles, three wins and seven top fives and is tied with RCR teammate Austin Dillon for the series’ most top 10s with 14. Sadler extended his points lead with his win at Chicago to 11 points over Dillon. Sadler holds one advantage at Indianapolis over the three other Dash 4 Cash eligible drivers: he has competed at the track before. Sadler has made 12 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at Indianapolis, logging 1,452 laps and posting two top-five finishes. (NASCAR)(7-24-2012 UPDATE: #43-Michael Annett’s 6th place finish earned him the Dash 4 Cash money at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The drivers eligible at Iowa will be #12-Hornish, Jr., #3-Austin Dillon, #43-Michael Annett, and #6-Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.(7-28-2012)
Jimmy Means Racing gets Indy sponsor; to honor Colorado shooting victim: The NASCAR Nationwide Series #52 team, owned by Jimmy Means, will show support this weekend for Matt McQuinn who lost his life shielding two people from gunfire in last weekend’s tragic events that unfolded in Aurora, CO. Each crew member, as well as driver Tim Schendel, will have stickers placed on their helmets and the car will have a sticker of memoriam to honor Matt’s life. Crew member, Mark Sanders, is from Matt’s hometown of Springfield, OH and currently sits on the board for the Friends of Brandon – a 501(c)3 non-profit organization who supports people affected by violence. Sanders and this organization approached Means for support, and Means did not hesitate to show his admiration and support for Matt. Matt was only 27 years old at the time of his death. He reacted instantaneously and heroically by shielding his girlfriend from the gunfire that broke out in the cinema. The injuries he sustained took his life while his girlfriend survived.(Jimmy Means Racing) AND: Means Motorsports announced that the Better Business Bureau will be the team’s title sponsor for the Inaugural Nationwide race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The Better Business Bureau has 400,000 accredited Businesses nationwide and is celebrating 100 years of being a leader in advancing trust and ethics in the marketplace. The BBB provides an accreditation process to deliver consumers to trustworthy businesses while helping those same companies grow and reach the right customers. Tim Schendel, making his 10th start of the season will pilot the BBB.org Chevrolet for the Indiana 250 on Saturday afternoon. Along with the Indianapolis Better Business Bureau the #52 will have All Sports Tailgating as an associate sponsor for the event. The locally based company has a top notch team of professionals with 13 years of experience in the Hospitality industry. All Sports Tailgating takes pride in providing the BEST fan experience for the top sporting events around the country.(Means Motorsports PR) (7-27-2012)
Advance Payment Systems joins Kyle Busch Motorsports:Advanced Payment Services is teaming up with Kyle Busch Motorsports as an associate sponsor with NASCAR Nationwide Series #54 Monster Energy Toyota and the Camping World Truck Series Dollar General/Shore Lodge #18 Toyota, with continuing business solutions for Kyle Busch Retail and the Kyle Busch Foundation. Advanced Payment Services [APS] is a Long Island based company in New York and a registered ISO/AGENT of HSBC Bank USA, National Association, Buffalo, NY that provides Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover merchant services. With national merchant accounts, APS has developed into the premier Independent Sales Organization (ISO).(KBM)(7-27-2012)
Chevy will race the Camaro in Nationwide in 2013: Chevrolet will have a new entry in the NASCAR Nationwide Series in 2013: Camaro, the top- selling sports car in America, will make its series debut next February at Daytona International Speedway. “Chevrolet is proud to bring the Camaro to the NASCAR Nationwide Series in 2013,” said Jim Campbell, vice president, Chevrolet Performance Vehicles and Motorsports. “The Camaro Nationwide race car incorporates many of the distinctive styling elements of the production Camaro, including the unique power-bulge hood and deep recessed grille. In addition, the design incorporates the distinctive halo light rings and dual-port grille appearances, and the gold bowtie.” Camaro, which led its segment in sales in 2010 and 2011 and currently leads in 2012, will continue the proud heritage of Chevrolet performance vehicles in one of America’s most prestigious racing series. Chevrolet has more wins, more manufacturers’ championships and more driver’s championships than any other manufacturer competing in the Nationwide Series. “Our team of Chevrolet designers and aerodynamic engineers did a fantastic job capturing the great looks and styling cues of the production Camaro, while providing our NASCAR Nationwide teams with a highly competitive aero platform,” said Pat Suhy, manager, Chevrolet Racing Oval Track Group. “For the remainder of 2012, our engineers will be busy working with our Chevy teams on wind tunnel and on-track testing to fine-tune the car in preparation for next year. It will be great to see Camaro compete on the track against its showroom competition starting with the 2013 season opener at Daytona.”(Chevy PR), see an iamge of the car on the 2013 Chevy paint schemes page.(7-26-2012)
Danica to run Nationwide part-time in 2013: #7-Danica Patrick plans to run a limited Nationwide Series schedule for JR Motorsports in 2013 as she moves to the Sprint Cup series full time for Stewart-Haas Racing. Kelley Earnhardt-Miller, the co-owner of JRM, said on Thursday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway that Patrick likely will split time in a car with Dale Earnhardt Jr. She said the number of races has yet to be determined. Earnhardt-Miller said the hope is to run the #88 and the #7 full time, with possibly a third car (#5) part-time with Patrick and Earnhardt. She said there’s a possibility that Patrick, Earnhardt and another driver could split the second car if sponsorship can’t be found for one driver the entire season. The plan is to leave Cole Whitt in the #88 full time. GoDaddy.com, which sponsors Patrick in the Nationwide and Cup series, would remain with her in those series in 2013.(ESPN.com)(7-26-2012)
Keen Parts returns to the #70: Johanna Long and the ML Motorsports team have Keen Parts back on board this weekend as the primary sponsor of the #70 Chevrolet. Keen Parts, located in Cleves, OH, is an Official GM Licensed supplier of Corvette parts and accessories for classic Corvettes through the new model year. In addition, Keen Parts offers detailed diagrams specific to the manufacture year and model to help Corvette enthusiasts with repair and restoration projects.(ML Motorsports)(7-26-2012)
Bandit Industries continues sponsorship of Bliss: Bandit Industries has inked an 11th-hour deal to sponsor NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Mike Bliss this Saturday, July 28, for the Indy 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This will be the first Nationwide Series race held at the iconic track, and it also marks Bandit’s first trip to the Brickyard as a sponsor. Bliss drives the #44 BanditChippers.com Toyota with TriStar Motorsports and is currently 8th in Nationwide Series points. Based in mid-Michigan, Bandit Industries is a leading global manufacturer of wood chippers, stump grinders, and other wood processing equipment.(Bandit Industries PR)(7-26-2012)
Fastenal sponsoring Stenhouse at Iowa: Fastenal returns to the Nationwide Series and will serve as the primary sponsor for the reigning 2011 NASCAR Nationwide champion, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., and his #6 team during the U.S Cellular 250 at Iowa Speedway on August 4. The #6 Fastenal Ford will resemble the #99 Fastenal Ford driven by Roush Fenway Racing teammate Carl Edwards in the NASCAR Sprint Cup series. Stenhouse has captured three consecutive wins at Iowa Speedway. The 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Champion became the first Nationwide driver to win three consecutive races at a track since Kyle Busch won three straight at Texas Motor Speedway in 2009-2010.(Roush Fenway Racing)(7-26-2012)
Hyland’s continues sponsorship of Shepherd: At 70 years of age, #89-Morgan Shepherd still shows he’s got the juice from the fans. Backed by Hyland’s, Inc. once again at this weekend’s inaugural Nationwide 250 at Indianapolis, the “Be There, Do That!” inspirational Masters Athlete twitter contest has blown up the past two weeks. Fans can simply follow on twitter @HylandsActive and tweet for autographed merchandise, apparel, tickets to races and be a guest of the legendary driver.(Shepherd PR)(7-26-2012)
WESCO sponsoring Ty Dillon in two NNS Races: WESCO Distribution, Inc., a leading full-line wholesale distributor of electrical, industrial, utility and data communications products and advanced supply chain procurement services, has entered a sponsorship with Richard Childress Racing for the 2012 season. The Pittsburgh -based company will serve as primary sponsor of the #51 Chevy driven by Ty Dillon in two NASCAR Nationwide Series races this season. The 20-year-old driver’s first scheduled race in the WESCO Chevrolet is set to take place at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 28, marking a historical weekend for the Nationwide Series as they make their inaugural visit to the famed 2.5-mile track. Dillon is slated to return to the WESCO Chevrolet this fall under the lights in the Nationwide Series event at Richmond International Raceway on Sept. 7.(RCR PR)(7-25-2012)
Wallace’s car too light after race:UPDATES: Kenny Wallace’s #09 Toyota was found to be light on weight during post-race inspection. NASCAR is expected to render a penalty this week, but history says it should not affect his fourth-place finish.(NASCAR.com)(7-22-2012) UPDATE: NASCAR has issued penalties to the #09 team in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, as a result of rules infractions found on July 22 during post-race inspection at Chicagoland Speedway. Crew chief Scott Zipadelli has been fined $10,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until Sept. 5 for violating 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 detailed in Section 20A of the rule book or has not been approved by NASCAR prior to the event); 20A-2.3A (improperly attached weight); and 20A-2.4B (car failed to meet minimum weight requirements in post-race inspection). Car chief Travis Young has been placed on NASCAR probation until Sept. 5 for the same infractions. Driver Kenny Wallace and owner Robby Benton have been penalized with the loss of six championship driver and six championship owner points for violating Sections 12-1; 12-4J; and 20A-2.4B.(NASCAR)(7-24-2012) UPDATE 2: “We accept the penalty and fines levied by NASCAR with respect to failing to meet minimum weight requirements in post-race inspection at Chicagoland Speedway,” said Robby Benton, owner of RAB Racing with Brack Maggard. “We experienced a part failure that resulted in a piece of ballast being lost from within its container during the event. It was unintentional, and of no fault of Scott (Zipadelli, crew chief) or Travis (Young, car chief), but the crew chief and car chief are held liable for such cases. We will not appeal NASCAR’s decision, and will move on to this weekend’s inaugural Nationwide Series race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.”(RAB Racing)(7-25-2012)
Biagi-DenBeste Racing attempting third race of the season: Reed Sorenson and Biagi-DenBeste Racing will unite two of American motorsports’ most revered icons – Carroll Shelby and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway – this weekend when the #98 Carroll Shelby Engine Company Ford Mustang makes its third start of the 2012 racing season in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. This weekend marks the first occasion that the Nationwide Series competes at the heralded speedway, known worldwide as “The Brickyard.” Although it will be the initial start at the 2.5-mile track for Biagi-DenBeste Racing, its driver is not lacking in experience. Sorenson captured a pole for the 2007 Brickyard 400. Sorenson earned a fifth-place finish that year and also has finishes of 13th and 17th in 2009 and 2008, respectively.(Biagi-DenBeste Racing)(7-25-2012)
Piquet, Jr. in the #30 at Bristol: Turner Motorsports announced that Nelson Piquet Jr. will return to the cockpit of the #30 Turner Motorsports Chevy at the upcoming Nationwide Series event at Bristol Motor Speedway. This will be Piquet Jr.’s second NNS start of 2012, and the fourth of his career. The 26-year-old Brazilian earned his first ever stock-car victory earlier this season when he took the checkered flag in the NASCAR K&N; Pro Series East event at “The World’s Fastest Half Mile.” In his most recent NNS start at Road America in June, Piquet Jr. claimed his first victory in one of NASCAR’s top-three touring series. Piquet Jr.’s 39 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) starts have resulted in one pole, nine top-fives, and 19 top-10 finishes. (Turner Motorsports)(7-25-2012)
Tagliani driving the #30 at Montreal: Turner Motorsports will field the #30 Chevy with driver Alex Tagliani for the Nationwide Series race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal on August 18, 2012. Tagliani, a hometown favorite in Montreal, will compete on the circuit he knows well after narrowly finishing second in an epic battle to the finish during last year’s event. He hopes to better that result in 2012. “I’m always proud to come back to Montreal and to be able to race on this fantastic road course named after one of my all-time racing heroes, Gilles Villeneuve,” said Tagliani. “I really wanted to race here again, so when the opportunity presented itself with Turner Motorsports and we were no longer scheduled to be overseas, I was pretty excited. In Formula Atlantic, I won here from the pole and also had a pole in Indy Car. Montreal has been good to me to date and I’m hoping to better my race history here. Having a competitive car to challenge for the win is all I can wish for.”(Turner Motorsports)(7-25-2012)
Special scheme on the #38 at Indy: At the Brickyard this weekend, the #38 Great Clips Chevy will have a special look honoring the 30th birthday of Great Clips, the longest-running sponsor in the NNS. Though the actual birthday was on July 12th, Turner Motorsports felt there was no better place in which to honor the milestone than in the inaugural NNS race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Established in 1982 in Minneapolis, Great Clips now has more than 3,000 salons throughout the United States and Canada, making it the world’s largest salon brand.(Turner Motorsports)(7-25-2012)
Wings Etc. on the #81 at Indy: MacDonald Motorsports welcomes Wings Etc. to their American Majority #81 Toyota this weekend at Indianapolis. Wings Etc. is a family-friendly Restaurant & Pub, with a diverse menu featuring Award-Winning Jumbo Buffalo Wings, Wood-Smoked Babyback Ribs, Cold Beer, and a great atmosphere. (MacDonald Motorsports)(7-24-2012)
Dash 4 Cash: Round 3: Big money rolls into Indianapolis this weekend when the NASCAR Nationwide Series hits the famous 2.5-mile speedway for the first time in series history. Not only does winning at Indianapolis Motor Speedway have a level of prestige in itself, but an additional $100,000 up for grabs among #2-Elliott Sadler, #6-Ricky Stenhouse Jr., #31-Justin Allgaier and #43-Michael Annett should sweeten the pot even more in the third straight Dash 4 Cash race. Although Kenny Wallace finished higher (fourth) than Annett (fifth) coming out of the Chicagoland race, Wallace’s car was a post-entry, meaning it was entered following the entry deadline. According to the entry blank/rule book, the driver and car owner of a post-entry do not receive driver and owner championship points. The D4C rules state that the driver must receive driver championship points in the event to be eligible for the bonus or to become eligible for the following D4C race. Last weekend’s D4C recipient and race winner Sadler is on a roll this season. He has led the standings for 14 of the 18 weeks of the season including the last seven consecutive weeks. In 18 starts he has posted two poles, three wins and seven top fives and is tied with RCR teammate Austin Dillon for the series’ most top 10s with 14. Sadler extended his points lead with his win at Chicago to 11 points over Dillon. Sadler holds one advantage at Indianapolis over the three other Dash 4 Cash eligible drivers: he has competed at the track before. Sadler has made 12 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at Indianapolis, logging 1,452 laps and posting two top-five finishes. (NASCAR)(7-24-2012)
Chicagoland TV Ratings: ESPN’s live telecast of the STP 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Chicagoland Speedway on Sunday, July 22, earned ESPN’s second-highest cable rating this season and saw a 57 percent ratings increase from last year’s event. The telecast earned a 2.2 household coverage rating (1.9 U.S. rating), averaging 2,818,857 viewers, according to the Nielsen Company. Last year’s race, which was run on a Saturday night, earned a 1.4 household coverage rating. The rating was ESPN’s highest on cable since the season-opening event at Daytona that earned a 3.3 rating and had the largest cable viewership ever for a NASCAR Nationwide Series race. ESPN’s pre-race NASCAR Countdown program for the Chicagoland race also had a large ratings increase, jumping 133 percent from a 0.6 last year to a 1.4 on Sunday. Across ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC, NASCAR Nationwide Series races are averaging a 1.5 U.S. rating, up seven percent from this point in 2011 and up 15 percent from 2010.(ESPN)(7-24-2012)
Dash 4 Cash – Round 2: UPDATES: Chicagoland hosts the second of four consecutive NNS “Dash 4 Cash” races where the highest finisher (not necessarily the winner) among the four eligible drivers for this race Austin Dillon, Ricky Stenhouse, Sam Hornish and Elliott Sadler will take home a $100,000 bonus in addition to his race purse. Indianapolis and Iowa round out the 2012 D4C races. Dillon won the first $100,000 D4C bonus last week at New Hampshire with his third-place finish, best among the eligible drivers. When asked what he would do with the money, Dillon said with a chuckle, “I think I am going to get a pool. Maybe I’ll be smart like my grandpa (Richard Childress) and invest it somehow.” Dillon is the remaining driver with a chance at $1 million should he capture the bonus at Chicago and the Brickyard on July 28 and then win outright at Iowa. The bonus winner from Chicago automatically advances to Indianapolis. The next three highest finishers among series regulars from Chicago also are eligible for the bonus at Indianapolis.(NASCAR)(7-17-2012) UPDATE: #2-Elliott Sadler captured the bonus with the Chicago win. He will be eligible for the next bonus at Indianapolis, as will #6-Stenhouse, Jr., #31-Allgaier, and #09-Wallace.(7-22-2012) UPDATE 2: Kenny Wallace will not be eligible for the Dash 4 Cash at Indy because he was a late entry for Chicago. #43-Michael Annett will be the fourth driver elibile.(7-23-2012)
M&M;’S Brand Snack Mix on the #43 at Indy: Mars Chocolate North America and the new M&M;’S Brand Snack Mix will be featured on the #43 Pilot Flying J Ford Mustang for Richard Petty Motorsports driver Michael Annett in the inaugural NASCAR Nationwide Series race at the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Saturday, July 28. The branding and imagery of the M&M;’S Brand Snack Mix joins Annett, who is presently sixth in the NNS driver point standings, for his first career start at “The Brickyard.”(Rising Star PR)(7-23-2012)
Dillon will run full Nationwide season in 2013: Richard Childress is in no rush to push grandson #3-Austin Dillon into full-time Sprint Cup competition. “I’ve seen too many young guys come along and get moved up too quick,” Childress said Sunday at Chicagoland Speedway, where Dillon finished sixth in the STP 300. “We don’t want to do that.” So Dillon, battling teammate Elliott Sadler atop this year’s points standings, can expect to run another full Nationwide schedule in 2013, at the same time, getting a bit more exposure in Cup. Ideally, Childress said he can expect seven Sprint Cup races. “We’re going to run him next year in Nationwide for a full season and we’ll run him in a few more Cup races and look at how we progress there,” Childress said. “That’s always been the plan — kind of the plan we laid out when they were 13, 15 years old. You get two years in the Truck, two years in [Nationwide]. That’s sort of the game plan for his brother [Ty] as well. We’ll run him two years in Truck, then move him up. Of course, they’ve got to prove themselves every week.”(NASCAR.com)(7-23-2012)
Kenny Wallace to drive #24 at Indy: Veteran NASCAR driver and SPEED TV personality Kenny Wallace, who finished fourth in Sunday’s STP 300 Nationwide Series race at Chicagoland Speedway, announced a few hours later on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio’s “The Backstretch” with Jerry Bonkowski that he will indeed race in the historic first-ever Nationwide Series race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Saturday, July 28. “I drive for RAB Racing, about 11 races this year,” Wallace said. “NASCAR, everybody got involved — I have the most starts in the history of the series and they thought it was a crime that I wasn’t going to be in the race. “Luckily, Family Farmers, American Ethanol and the National Corn Growers Association, they came up with quite a bit of money four days ago … and I’m going to drive the #24 Nationwide car. We just did the deal right before qualifying (today). “My team is going to be behind me, it’s going to be a Toyota with a Triad motor, but the 24 team — Benny Gordon usually drives the car — we put the deal together, Farmers are going to have their name on it, they said it was a crime that I had the most starts in the history (of the Nationwide Series) and for me not to be in the first-ever Nationwide race at Indy.”(PR) AND Wallace announced on MRN following the race that he will drive the #22 for Penske Racing in at least one race this season.(7-22-2012)
Wallace’s car too light after race: Kenny Wallace’s #09 Toyota was found to be light on weight during post-race inspection. NASCAR is expected to render a penalty this week, but history says it should not affect his fourth-place finish.(NASCAR.com)(7-22-2012)
#24 team to honor Colorado shooting victims: Due to the horrific events that took place, July 20, 2012, in Aurora Colorado theater shooting, SR� Motorsports has asked their sponsors to allow them to dedicate their #24 car to remember all the victims. Sunday July 22, 2012 at Chicagoland Speedway, Benny Gordon will pilot SR� Motorsports #24, in the NASCAR Nationwide Series STP 300. “Remember Aurora Colorado” with a purple and white ribbon will adorn SR� Motorsports #24 Chevy Impala.(SR� Motorsports)(7-20-2012)
Clements picks up Chicago sponsors: Phoenix Automotive Cores, International Automotive Core Supplier & Processor of Catalytic Converters and the USS James E. Williams DDG 95 courtesy of the Williams Family will be on board the #51 Chevy of Jeremy Clements this weekend in Chicagoland. Both sponsors have signed on for multiple races.(Clements PR)(7-20-2012)
Hyland’s sponsoring Shepherd at Chicago: Hyland’s, Inc. will once again be a sponsor for Morgan Shepherd and the #89 team at this Sunday’s STP 300 at Chicago. After a very successful Twitter test run at New Hampshire last week, Hyland’s will offer a Twitter contest for fans to win cool Morgan Shepherd merchandise with a grand prize of being a personal guest of Morgan at a race of your choice simply by Tweeting. Hyland’s has looked and found three of the most inspiring people in America as their Master Athletes with Morgan Shepherd being one of them. To learn more about them or the contest rules, go to http://betheredothat.hylands.com or follow on Twitter @HylandsActive.(Shepherd PR)(7-20-2012)
Gerber Collision & Glass sponsoring both JD Motorsports cars: For the third time in as many years, Mike Wallace and the #01 Chevy team will have Gerber Collision & Glass as a marketing partner for the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Chicagoland Speedway. This year, they return to being the team’s primary partner. With 44 Chicagoland repair center and nearly 200 locations in North America, Gerber is the largest provider of collision repair services in North America. And, they will once again let the motorsports world know that they support NASCAR with their backing of JD Motorsports w/ Gary Keller this Sunday. The company will also be an associate partner on the #4 Chevy of Wallace’s teammate, Danny Efland, for the weekend.(JD Motorsports)(7-19-2012)
Truex making consecutive NNS starts: This Sunday’s STP 300 marks the first time #18-Ryan Truex will step behind the wheel consecutive weeks in 2012. The 20-year-old Joe Gibbs Racing driver has two prior starts at the mile and half speedway. He boasts a strong average starting position of 6.5, and has never qualified outside the top 10. He best start of fourth came in the fall of last year behind the wheel of the #20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota. He has an average finishing position of 16.5 after suffering issues in both 2011 events.(JGR)(7-18-2012)
New Hampshire TV Ratings: ESPN’s live telecast of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, N.H., on Saturday, July 14, earned a 1.5 household coverage rating, averaging 1,912,000 viewers, according to the Nielsen Company. The rating was down from last year’s race, which earned a 1.6 household coverage rating.(ESPN)(7-17-2012)
Dash 4 Cash – Round 2: Chicagoland hosts the second of four consecutive NNS “Dash 4 Cash” races where the highest finisher (not necessarily the winner) among the four eligible drivers for this race Austin Dillon, Ricky Stenhouse, Sam Hornish and Elliott Sadler will take home a $100,000 bonus in addition to his race purse. Indianapolis and Iowa round out the 2012 D4C races. Dillon won the first $100,000 D4C bonus last week at New Hampshire with his third-place finish, best among the eligible drivers. When asked what he would do with the money, Dillon said with a chuckle, “I think I am going to get a pool. Maybe I’ll be smart like my grandpa (Richard Childress) and invest it somehow.” Dillon is the remaining driver with a chance at $1 million should he capture the bonus at Chicago and the Brickyard on July 28 and then win outright at Iowa. The bonus winner from Chicago automatically advances to Indianapolis. The next three highest finishers among series regulars from Chicago also are eligible for the bonus at Indianapolis.(NASCAR)(7-17-2012)
Kenny Wallace returns to the #09: #09-Kenny Wallace will pilot RAB Racing with Brack Maggard chassis No. 42 in Sunday’s NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Chicagoland Speedway. This Toyota Camry made its 2012 debut at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March, where Kenny Wallace started 18th and finished 11th. Wallace then raced it at Auto Club Speedway, where he started sixth and finished seventh. In May, Travis Pastrana piloted this chassis to a 24th-place finish at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Most recently, Wallace drove this chassis from a 26th-place starting position to an 11th-place finish at Kentucky Speedway. For the first time in their brief NASCAR Nationwide Series history, RAB Racing with Brack Maggard will be fielding two NASCAR Nationwide Series cars this weekend at Chicago. Driver of the #99 Boost Mobile Toyota Camry, Travis Pastrana, will serve as teammate this weekend to Wallace as the two help make history for the Concord, N.C.-based team.(RAB Racing)(7-17-2012)
Blaney to run some race for Penske Racing: Penske Racing announced that Ryan Blaney has joined the organization and he will compete in the #22 Dodge in selected NASCAR Nationwide Series events over the balance of the 2012 season. Blaney, the 18-year-old son of current Sprint Cup Series driver Dave Blaney, will make his Penske Racing debut in the #22 Discount Tire Dodge Challenger in the Nationwide Series race at Iowa Speedway on Saturday, August 4th. Blaney will also drive for the team in at least two other races this season. He will race the #22 Snap-on Dodge at Richmond and he’ll drive the #22 Discount Tire Dodge at Kentucky. “Ryan is a driver with a great racing pedigree and we believe he has a very bright future in NASCAR,” said Tim Cindric, President of Penske Racing. “We’ve been keeping an eye on Ryan’s development and we feel he’ll be a great addition to the #22 Nationwide Series team.”
With a winning junior developmental track record established in Quarter Midgets, Bandolero and Legends cars, Blaney has also raced successfully in Super Late Models and the ARCA Series as well as the NASCAR K&N; Pro Series. Continuing his development in 2012, Blaney has made three Nationwide Series starts this season for #36 Tommy Baldwin Racing and he was impressive in a seventh-place finish at Richmond earlier this year.
“I’m very excited about the opportunity to drive for Penske Racing for the rest of this season,” said Blaney.”With the team’s strong tradition of success and the winning program they’ve established in the Nationwide Series, I believe I can learn a lot and hopefully we can produce some strong finishes in the #22 car.”(Penske Racing)(7-17-2012)
Stenhouse, Jr. collapses after race: #6-Ricky Stenhouse Jr. did a television interview right after the Nationwide Series race Saturday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. About 45 minutes later, he jokingly admitted he never even saw the camera. Stenhouse, who had battled the flu all week, passed out on pit road after that interview. Medics quickly attended to him, put him on a stretcher and got him to the track’s infield medical center. After getting fluids intravenously, Stenhouse walked out with a smile. “I feel OK now,” said Stenhouse, who had finished fifth in the F.W. Webb 200. “They gave me some fluids and got me good to go. “Being sick all week and not eating much and not drinking enough fluids caught up with me after the race.” (Sporting News)(7-14-2012)
Better Business Bureau returns to the #52: Means Motorsports announced that Better Business Bureau will be the title sponsor for the F.W. Webb 200 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The Better Business Bureau has 400,000 accredited Businesses nationwide and is celebrating 100 years of being a leader in advancing trust and ethics in the marketplace. The BBB provides an accreditation process to deliver consumer to a trustworthy business while helping those same companies grow and reach the right customer. Along with Boston’s BBB, the team announced that Anglerskin.com will continue as an associate sponsor for this weekend’s race at New Hampshire. Anglerskins.com allows you to customize your jersey and fishing gear with the help of their online designer program. (Means Motorsports) (7-13-2012)
Wendy Venturini returns to radio booth at New Hampshire: Performance Racing Network will bring back Wendy Venturini to the broadcast booth for the F.W. Webb 200 NASCAR Nationwide Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, after tremendous fan feedback on her debut performance as the first-ever female to co-host a NASCAR radio broadcast at Charlotte. This Saturday, PRN will pair Venturini with PRN co-host Mark Garrow in the booth to announce Saturday’s F.W. Webb 200 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Venturini joins the broadcast team of turn announcers Rob Albright and Brad Gillie, pit reporters Steve Richards, Brett McMillan, Jim Noble and Pat Patterson, director Alicia Lingerfeldt and technical director Harrill Hamrick. Venturini spends most weekends as a reporter for SPEED’s pre-race show, NASCAR RaceDay, and other SPEED programming, in addition to working as a pit reporter for selected races for PRN. Previously, she was a pit reporter in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Venturini is a 2000 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In 2007, Venturini was one of the commentators for DIRECTV NASCAR HotPass, making her the first female play-by-play television announcer in auto racing history. On Sunday, July 15, host Doug Rice will return to the booth with Mark Garrow for the broadcast of the LENOX Industrial Tools 301. Now, fans can tune in to the weekend’s PRN broadcast of the NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at New Hampshire Motor Speedway from almost anywhere in the world online or on any iPhone, iPod, iPad, Android or Smartphone. Fans just need to visit www.GoPRN.com and click on the “listen here” live streaming icon.(PRN)(7-13-2012)
Trevor Bayne to drive at Bristol: Trevor Bayne will pilot an orange-themed car at the Food City 250 at Bristol Motor Speedway Aug. 24 for a very special Tennessean. Bayne, a Knoxville resident and big University of Tennessee fan will drive a “We Back Pat-themed Roush Fenway Ford sponsored by YourRaceCar.com in the in the Food City 250 in honor of Pat Summitt. The promotion is designed to raise national awareness of The Pat Summitt Foundation’s mission and contribution to the fight against Alzheimer’s disease. Summitt, the all-time winningest coach in NCAA basketball history who won eight NCAA national championships while coaching the Vols, was diagnosed in August of 2011 with early on-set Alzheimer’s disease. She retired in April of this year and now serves as head coach emeritus for the Lady Vols. Summitt also will serve as grand marshal for the Food City 250.(Roush Fenway Racing)(7-13-2012)
Wildco sponsoring Nemechek at New Hampshire: Wildco Petroleum Equipment is joining the #87 NEMCO Nationwide and Sprint Cup teams as a first-time sponsor. As a one-race sponsor, Wildco will be aboard driver Joe Nemechek’s #87 Toyota for NASCAR Nationwide Series entry for the F.W. Webb 200 on Saturday July 14, 2012 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Wildco also will be an associate sponsor on Nemechek’s #87 Toyota NASCAR Sprint Cup entry for the LENOX Industrial Tools 301 on Sunday July 15, 2012, at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Wildco, with offices in Bloomfield, CT and Manchester, NH, is aiming to be the premier petroleum equipment distributor in the northeastern United States.(NEMCO)(7-12-2012)
Jamie McMurray in the #30 at New Hampshire: LiftMaster, through its partnership with Earnhardt Ganassi Racing, will serve as the primary sponsor on the #30 Chevy. LiftMaster is an associate sponsor on the #1 Sprint Cup Series entry driven by Jamie McMurray, and will serve as the primary sponsor on that car for the September 23 NSCS race NHMS later this season. LiftMaster is the number one brand of professionally installed residential garage door openers, as well as a major manufacturer of commercial door operators, residential and commercial gate operators, telephone entry systems and related access control products.(Turner Motorsports)(7-11-2012)
Ryan Truex to run first Chicago race: In place of the September 15th Nationwide Series event at Chicagoland Speedway, Ryan Truex will compete in the Nationwide Series’ first stop at the Illinois-based track on July 22nd, for Joe Gibbs Racing. By competing in the consecutive events (New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Chicagoland Speedway) Truex will have the opportunity to qualify for Nationwide Insurance’s “Dash 4 Cash” program and vie for $100,000.(Joe Gibbs Racing)(7-11-2012)
Daytona TV Ratings: ESPN’s live telecast of the Subway Jalapeno 250 NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Daytona International Speedway on Friday night, July 6, earned a 1.6 household coverage rating, averaging 2,046,043 viewers, according to the Nielsen Company. The rating was the same for last year’s race telecast.(ESPN)(7-10-2012)
Dillon’s and Logano’s teams penalized after Daytona: The #3 team in the NASCAR Nationwide Series was found to be in violation of Sections 12-1; 12-4J and 20A-2.1J (unapproved open vent hose inside of the car). This violation occurred during post-qualifying inspection on July 6. Crew chief Danny Stockman has been fined $10,000 and due to the violation of his probation, has been suspended from NASCAR until July 25. Car chief Robert Strmiska has also been suspended from NASCAR competition until July 25 due to the violation of his probation. This past May 1, both Stockman and Strmiska were placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31, for rules violations committed at Richmond International Raceway. Driver Austin Dillon and owner Morgan Shepherd have been penalized with the loss of six championship driver and six championship owner points, respectively.
The #18 car in the NASCAR Nationwide Series was found to be in violation of Sections 12-1; 12-4J; and 20A-12.8.1(B) (car failed to meet minimum front car heights). This violation occurred during post-race inspection July 6. Crew chief Adam Stevens has been fined $10,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until Aug. 22. Car chief Christopher Landis has been placed on NASCAR probation until Aug. 22. Owner Joe Gibbs has been penalized with the loss of six championship owner points.(NASCAR)(7-10-2012)
$100,000 Up For Grabs To Four Drivers In Dash 4 Cash: “Show me the money,” was the famous line from the popular 1996 film Jerry McGuire, and that’s exactly what’s on the minds of four of the top NASCAR Nationwide Series drivers as they battle for the Dash 4 Cash by Nationwide Insurance this weekend.� The four eligible drivers to collect a $100,000 bonus include the top three in NNS points plus a fourth member of the current top 10 in the standings. #2-Elliot Sadler, #3-Austin Dillon and defending series champion #6-Ricky Stenhouse Jr. are joined by #43-Michael Annett, who collected career-best finishes his past two starts. New Hampshire Motor Speedway plays host to a race within race as the top finisher of the four wins the $100,000 and eligibility for the next round at Chicagoland Speedway on July 15. The next three points-eligible finishers in New Hampshire also qualify for the following week’s $100,000 face-off. Should the same driver win all four rounds, New Hampshire, Chicago, Indianapolis and Iowa, plus win the Iowa 250 overall, his total winnings will reach $1 million.()(-2012)
John Blankenship to run in four Nationwide races for Tommy Baldwin:John Blankenship and Tommy Baldwin Racing announce a partnership that will move the 2009 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Rookie of the Year into the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Blankenship is slated to make his debut in a TBR Chevy sponsored by Coal America’s Energy at Iowa Speedway on August 4, 2012. In addition to Iowa, Blankenship will run with TBR in the final three races of the 2012 NASCAR Nationwide Series season, which will take place at Texas Motor Speedway on November 3, Phoenix International Raceway on November 10 and the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 17. Coal America’s Energy will be Blankenship’s sponsor in all four races. During the past month, Blankenship has been on a roll with a win at the Wythe Raceway in Wytheville, Va., and three second-place finishes at The Dream 100 held at Eldora Speedway, Show-Me 100 at Lucas Oil Speedway and Budweiser 50 at Muskingum County Speedway. Blankenship is currently sixth in the very tight points battle in the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series and will continue to run the entire schedule of Lucas Oil Series races in 2012. Veteran crew chief Brad Parrot will act as Blankenship’s crew chief for all four races.(Tommy Baldwin Racing)(7-10-2012)
Rick Ware penalty upheld: On July 10, 2012, the National Stock Car Racing Appeals Panel heard and considered the appeal of the #41 Rick Ware Racing NASCAR Nationwide Series team. The penalties concern Section 12-1: Actions detrimental to stock car racing; Section 12-4J: Any determination by NASCAR Officials that Race Equipment used in the Event does not conform to the NASCAR Rules detailed in Section 20-A of the NASCAR Rule Book, or has been approved by NASCAR prior to the Event; Section 20A-12.8.1(B): Cars must be constructed with the front fender height for both right and left front fenders of 30 inches, with the main frame rails set at six (6) inches in the front and eight (8) inches in the rear above the construction surface. The height of the front of the car will be measured using NASCAR-approved front height gauges. The gauges will contact the front fenders at a designated location at the intersection of the NASCAR C (Front Hood Lateral) template and the hood seam. For inspections prior to competition, the front car heights will be a minimum of 29-5/8 inches and a maximum of 30 inches. For inspections after competition, the minimum front car heights permitted will be 29-1/4 inches, and the maximum front car heights permitted will be 30-1/2 inches: The car failed to meet the minimum front car heights. This stemmed from a post-race inspection for the NASCAR Nationwide Series at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 26, 2012. The original penalties assessed were: Car Owner (Rick S. Ware): Loss of 6 NASCAR Nationwide Series Championship Car Owner Points; Crew Chief (George D. Church): $10,000 fine; Car Driver (Tim G. Hill): Loss of 6 NASCAR Nationwide Series Championship Driver Points. The Appellant acknowledged the car failed to meet the minimum front car heights during the post-race inspection per the 2012 rulebook. Upon hearing the testimony and carefully reviewing the facts, the majority decision of the National Stock Car Racing Appeals Panel was to uphold the original penalties assessed by NASCAR.(NASCAR)(7-10-2012)
Carpentier to drive for RAB at Montreal: Canadian driver Patrick Carpentier will drive RAB Racing with Brack Maggard’s #99 Napa Auto Parts Toyota in the NAPA Auto Parts 200 NASCAR Nationwide Series race at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve at Parc Jean-Drapeau in Montreal on Aug. 18. The Joliette (Quebec) native won the pole for this race in 2007 and posted second-place finishes in 2007 and 2008. The last three Montreal races saw Carpentier as one of the fastest on the track before mechanical issues or an accident ended his races early. “The Montreal race is my Daytona 500,” said the 40-year-old Carpentier, who has led 14 laps on the 2.71-mile road course. “I know I said last year would be my final race, but I’m a racer. When they called and asked if I would run Montreal again it didn’t take long for me to answer. I’ve said many times that winning in Montreal would definitely be a highlight in my career.” Moreover, this year’s race is different, because my participation will benefit the Montreal Sainte-Justine Hospital Foundation.(RAB Racing)(7-10-2012)
Amber Cope in the #24 at New Hampshire: Amber Cope is ready to strap on her helmet and is excited to be back in the seat, making her 2012 debut at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on July 14, 2012 in the NASCAR Nationwide Series F.W. Webb 200. Amber Cope will pilot SR� Motorsports #24 Chevy, with her Twin sister Angela Cope supporting her at every turn, trackside. Maxelence, Amber’s primary sponsor at New Hampshire, is a brand new endurance muscle recovery drink that is infused with Ribose and fast absorbing electrolytes.(SR� Motorsports)(7-9-2012)
Morgan Shepherd skips Daytona: For the first time since 2008, there will not be a #89 attempting a NASCAR Nationwide Series race. Morgan Shepherd has decided to skip this weekends annual 4th of July event at Daytona. “It was a business decision we had to make.” says Shepherd. “We’re dissappointed, but sometimes you have to take a step back to take two steps forward. I know alot of our loyal fans will be dissappointed, but we’ll be back for New Hampshire next weekend.” Shepherd’s 89 team has been a full-time effort since the beginning of 2009 and has not missed an attempt to qualify in over three years. “I’ve been very blessed and we’ve been fortunate to still be going this long.” Shepherd continues. “I want to thank the fans for their unwaivering support and ask them to keep the faith! I’m not quitting!”(Morgan Shepherd PR)(7-6-2012)
MAKE Motorsports to honor 156th Airlift Squadron: T.J. Bell and the #50 Gulfcoast Loss Prevention Chevry prepare to honor the 156th Airlift Squadron for the Subway Jalapeno 250 night race at Daytona International Speedway. The #50 will honor those that were killed or injured in a recent incident in South Dakota. The #50 Chevy will sport the 156th Airlift Squadron Emblem on the hood of the Impala. This is in honor of the North Carolina Air National Guard C-130 that went down while helping with the wild fires in the west. Four airmen died and two others were seriously injured when a Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS) equipped C-130 belonging to the 145th Airlift Wing, North Carolina Air National Guard, based out of Charlotte, North Carolina, crashed Sunday evening while fighting a woodland fire in Southwestern South Dakota. Dead are Lt. Col. Paul K. Mikeal , 42, of Mooresville, N.C.; Maj. Joseph M. McCormick, 36, of Belmont, N.C.; Maj. Ryan S. David, 35, of Boone, N.C.; Senior Master Sgt. Robert S. Cannon, 50, of Charlotte. Mark Beaver was a member of the North Carolina Air National Guard in the 1980’s and is also a Co-Owner of MAKE Motorsports.(MAKE Motorsports)(7-6-2012)
Nationwide Series Dash 4 Cash Program Begins With Daytona Qualifier: On Friday, July 6 at Daytona International Speedway, NASCAR Nationwide Series drivers will qualify twice. No, there hasn’t been a competition rule change. Instead, a change to the popular NASCAR Nationwide Series Dash 4 Cash bonus program will be in place. This year, Daytona will serve as the qualifier to determine the four eligible drivers who will vie for the first of four $100,000 bonus payouts beginning July 14 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Following New Hampshire, the next three series races also are Dash 4 Cash (D4C) events: July 22 at Chicagoland Speedway; July 28 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway the series’ inaugural race at the famed Brickyard and Aug. 4 at Iowa Speedway.
Here’s how the Dash 4 Cash program works: The top-four finishers to receive NASCAR Nationwide Series championship driver points at Daytona will qualify for the first D4C race at New Hampshire. The highest finisher of those four drivers at NHMS he or she does not have to win the race will win the $100,000 D4C award payout and automatically qualify for the next event at Chicagoland. Additionally, the top-three finishing drivers to receive championship driver points at NHMS also will qualify for the next event at Chicagoland. Those rules will apply for the remaining three events. If one driver wins the three previous D4C awards and wins the Iowa race outright, Nationwide Insurance will award an additional $600,000 bonus, bringing the total payout to $1 million.(NASCAR)(7-5-2012)
Nemechek to feature Tourette Syndrome Association at Daytona: Nemco Motorsports announced that their organization will highlight The Tourette Syndrome Association by featuring the TSA logo on the hood of Joe Nemechek’s NEMCO Motorsports #87 Toyota, for the running in the Daytona 11th Annual Subway Jalapeno 250. The #87 also includes sponsors D.A.B. Constructors and AM/FM Energy Wood and Pellet Stoves in an effort to highlight the needs and awareness of TSA, which is the only national volunteer organization aimed at educating the public and working for a treatment and ultimate cure of TS. Tourette Syndrome is a neurological disorder that usually becomes evident between the ages of 3 and 9. Most signs of Tourette Syndrome are repetitive, involuntary movements (tics) and vocalizations. Tics can increase with excitement or stress, and decrease with relaxation or involvement in an absorbing activity.(NEMCO)(7-4-2012)
Hamlin not driving at Daytona; Bowyer in the #20: Joe Gibbs Racing announced that it has altered its driver lineup for Friday night’s NASCAR Nationwide Series Subway Jalapeno 250 at Daytona International Speedway. Denny Hamlin, who was scheduled to drive the #18 Dollar General Toyota will now take the night off in order to rest a sore back in preparation for Saturday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race. Joey Logano will move from the #20 to now pilot the #18 Sport Clips Toyota. Clint Bowyer will now drive the #20 Dollar General Toyota for JGR. Brian Scott will remain behind the wheel of the #1 Dollar General Toyota. “My hope was to run the Nationwide Series race Friday night, but I woke up with a sore back earlier this week and feel it’s in the best interest of the team to sit it out,” said Hamlin. “Luckily it’s nothing serious and the extra rest will help me on Saturday night.”(JGR)(7-4-2012)
Bandit Industries extends sponsorship of Mike Bliss: After several successful races with NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Mike Bliss and TriStar Motorsports, Michigan-based Bandit Industries has signed up for an additional three Nationwide Series races with Bliss in the #44 BanditChippers.com Toyota, starting this Friday with the Subway Jalapeno 250 powered by Coca Cola at Daytona. Bandit and Bliss will then team up to attack Bristol on August 24 and close out the NASCAR season at Homestead-Miami Speedway in November. Based in mid-Michigan, Bandit Industries manufactures wood chippers, stump grinders, forestry mowers and horizontal wood waste grinders supporting a variety of industries around the world.(Bandit Industries)(7-3-2012)
G-OIL Toyota to Race for Noah’s Light at Daytona: The Green Earth Technologies, Inc. #19 Noah’s Light / G-OIL Toyota Camry will be on a mission at Daytona’s Subway Jalapeno 250 NASCAR Nationwide Series race July 6th. The TriStar Motorsports team and driver Tayler Malsam will be racing to promote awareness for the Noah’s Light Foundation and the “Fast Forward” campaign for pediatric brain cancer research. Created in 2010 by Amber and Dennis Larkin, the Winter Garden, Florida based Noah’s Light Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, was created in honor of young Noah Larkin who lost his fight with pediatric brain cancer earlier this year. The Fast Forward campaign is designed to accelerate research and cures for pediatric cancer through an aggressive and collaborative program including a number of leading cancer research organizations. (TriStar Motorsports), see an image of the car on the #19 team paint schemes page.(7-3-2012)
Wish for our Heros on the #70 at Daytona: Johanna Long and the ML Motorsports team will be running a red, white & blue paint scheme on the #70 Chevy at Daytona International Speedway in support of Wish For Our Heroes. The paint scheme is part of NASCAR Unites An American Salute that began during the Memorial Day celebration at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Wish For Our Heroes was first launched in November 2009 and is dedicated to assisting the men and women of the United States active-duty military. The organization began with a goal of providing one wish for every deserving military member. The ML Motorsports team will grant a wish by having troops accompany them to the race on Friday. For more information on Wish for Our Heroes, you can visit their website at www.wishforourheroes.org. The #70 Chevy will also carry the Portable Shade decal for the remainder of the season. Portable Shade is located in Cocoa, Florida and is a supplier of outdoor branded foldaway shade products.(ML Motorsports), see an image of the car on the #70 team paint schemes page.(7-3-2012)
Kentucky TV Ratings: ESPN2’s live telecast of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Kentucky Speedway on Friday night, June 29, earned a 0.9 household coverage rating, averaging 1,153,792 viewers, according to the Nielsen Company. Due to severe power outages in parts of the country over the weekend, ratings information for the race telecast does not include the Baltimore, Columbus, Ohio, Dayton, Ohio, Philadelphia, Richmond and Washington, D.C., markets. The rating was down from a 1.2 for last year’s race, the first time the track had staged a Nationwide Series race on a Friday night. All previous events had been run on Saturday nights.(ESPN)(7-3-2012)
Dollar General on the #11 & #18 at Daytona: Although both Dollar General Toyotas endured a tough race at Kentucky Speedway last week, the duo will be back in full force on Friday in Daytona. Brian Scott will be behind the wheel of his #11 Dollar General Camry and Denny Hamlin will again pilot the #18 Dollar General car. With 15 of 33 races on the 2012 Nationwide Series schedule completed, Joe Gibbs Racing has earned Dollar General three wins, five top-five finishes and 10 top-10 finishes with drivers Joey Logano, Brian Scott and Darrell Wallace Jr.(JGR)(7-3-2012)
Sport Clips returns to the #20: Sport Clips, a national sport-themed hair-care franchise for men and boys founded in 1993 with nearly 1,000 stores nationwide, will make its fourth appearance of 2012 with the Joe Gibbs Racing Nationwide Series program on Friday night at Daytona International Speedway. It will make the first race of the season as a sponsor with Joey Logano. Sport Clips has sponsored Logano’s JGR teammate Denny Hamlin in three other races this season Texas, Darlington and Charlotte.(Joe Gibbs Racing)(7-3-2012)
G&K; Services on the #01 at Daytona: Mike Wallace and the #01 G&K; Services Chevy team will depart from their normally-red colored G&K; Services paint scheme for the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Daytona International Speedway this Friday night. Instead, they will have a black Chevy with long-time partner G&K; Services adorning the car’s hood and quarter panels. Wallace, the 2006 winner of this race, and team are hoping to turn all their Daytona bad-luck finishes into a great one at the World Center of Speed in Florida.(JD Motorsports)(7-3-2012)
Salt Life joins Blake Koch: Florida-based apparel brand, Salt Life, is joining Blake Koch at Daytona as an associate sponsor on the Silver Saver #82. Salt Life is an ocean sport, performance and lifestyle brand that embraces those that love the ocean and everything associated with Living the Salt Life.(Blake Koch Motorsports)(7-3-2012)
Bass Pro Shops Plans to Feature New NRA Museu on #3 at Daytona: Bass Pro Shops NASCAR teams will feature paint schemes over the Independence Day weekend to highlight the new NRA Museum that is set to open at the main Bass Pro Shops store in Springfield, MO early in 2013. Jamie McMurray will drive the #1 Bass Pro Shops Chevy in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Daytona while Austin Dillon will pilot the #3 Bass Pro Shops Chevy in the NASCAR Nationwide Series July 6 and 7 respectively. The over 10,000 square foot NRA Museum will be inside Missouri’s No. 1 tourist attraction, the over 400,000 square foot Bass Pro Shops store and will be home to the finest sporting arms collection in the world. This spectacular showcase will offer the unique opportunity to view some of America’s most significant firearm treasures as well as learn many historic facts about the NRA.(Bass Pro), see an image of the car on the #3 team paint schemes page.(7-3-2012)
Dillon’s car fails post-race inspection: UPDATE: NASCAR officials announced that Austin Dillon’s #3 Richard Childress Racing car which won the NASCAR Nationwide Series Feed The Children 300 at Kentucky Speedway failed postrace inspection because the car’s heights were too low in the rear. A penalty will be issued [on Tuesday].(Kentucky Speedway)(6-29-2012) UPDATE: NASCAR has penalized the #3 team in the NASCAR Nationwide Series as a result of rule infractions discovered during post-race inspection last Friday at Kentucky Speedway. The #3 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-12.8.1C (body height requirements car failed to meet the minimum rear car heights) of the 2012 NASCAR rule book. As a result, crew chief Danny Stockman Jr. has been fined $10,000, while owner Morgan Shepherd and driver Austin Dillon have been penalized with the loss of six championship owner and six championship driver points, respectively. In addition, Stockman and car chief Robert Strmiska continue to remain on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31.(NASCAR)(7-2-2012)
