Xxxtreme Motorsport to debut at Daytona: Newly formed Xxxtreme Motorsport will make its debut this weekend at Daytona International Speedway in the NASCAR Nationwide Series race. Cavi Clothing/Macy’s will be the primary sponsor on two cars in the race for Xxxtreme Motorsport – the #07 driven by rookie Chase Austin and the #58 with veteran driver Mike Harmon. This is also the first race in the Nationwide Series at Daytona International Speedway for Austin. In his first-ever attempt at on the 2.5-mile tri-oval earlier this year in the Camping World Truck Series race, Austin finished an impressive 13th. Cavi Clothing/Macy’s looks forward to their first foray into NASCAR by bringing home solid finishes under the lights this Friday night.(XXXtreme Motorsport PR)(6-30-2009)
First Nationwide race of 2009 for Kahne: Kasey Kahne makes his first of four 2009 Nationwide Series appearances on Friday at Daytona International Speedway. Braun Racing will field the #10 McDonald’s McCafe car for Richard Petty Motorsports in each race. Kahne is a seven-time winner in the series while Braun has visited victory lane four times in its history and posted seven top-five finishes in 2009 with Jason Leffler and Brian Vickers.(Richard Petty Motorsports PR)(6-30-2009)
Final 2009 race for Klondike: This weekend marks the final time for sponsor Klondike on the hood of Brad Keselowski’s #88 JR Motorsports Chevy. Klondike was the primary sponsor of the #88 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway, where Keselowski earned the sponsor’s highest finish of ninth.(JR Motorsports PR)(6-30-2009)
McDonald’s to serve up McCafé twice more in July The mocha brown and creamy white of McDonald’s McCafé returns on two Richard Petty Motorsports cars racing under the lights in July. First, Kasey Kahne will pilot the #10 McDonald’s McCafé [Toyota] around the famous banks of Daytona in the July 3rd Nationwide Series race. The next week Reed Sorenson will take the #43 McDonald’s McCafé Dodge Charger to Chicagoland Speedway for the July 11th Sprint Cup race.(McDonalds PR), see an image of the Nationwide car on the #10 Nationwide paint scheme page.(6-29-2009)
Mattioli could run more Nationwide races: If NASCAR approves Chase Mattioli to run at tracks over a mile in length, his schedule may see some changes to incorporate other Nationwide Series events. Currently, Mattioli is set to compete in three races throughout the month of July, beginning with the ARCA RE/MAX Prairie Meadows 200 at Iowa Speedway (July 11th), the Barber Motorsports ParkKONI Grand-Am Challenge in Birmingham, Alabama (July 19th), and the Pocono ARCA 200 at Pocono Raceway (August 1st).(Activ8/Mattioli PR)(6-29-2009)
Nationwide Series on ESPN in Prime Time from Daytona: A high-speed, Friday night shootout in prime time is expected when the NASCAR Nationwide Series makes its second visit of the season to Daytona International Speedway this weekend. ESPN will have a live, high definition telecast of the Subway Jalapeno 250 on Friday, July 3, beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET with NASCAR Countdown. ESPN2 is the home of the NASCAR Nationwide Series all season, with selected races on ESPN and ABC. The race re-airs Saturday, July 4, at 3 a.m. on ESPN2 and again at noon on ESPN Classic. Also this weekend, live coverage of NASCAR Nationwide Series qualifying airs Friday at 1 p.m. on ESPN2, while coverage of final practice airs Thursday, July 2, at 5:30 p.m. Dr. Jerry Punch will be lap-by-lap announcer for ESPN on ABC’s coverage, with analysis by Dale Jarrett and Andy Petree. Reporting from the pits will be Dave Burns, Jamie Little, Mike Massaro and Shannon Spake, with Tim Brewer in the ESPN Craftsman Tech Garage. Allen Bestwick will host the pre-race NASCAR Countdown program with analysis by Jarrett and Brad Daugherty in the ESPN pit studio.(ESPN PR)(6-29-2009)
Racing Resources Says…
Kyle Busch won the Camping World RV Sales 200 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Busch became the youngest race winner at New Hampshire at 24 years, one month and 25 days. He also became the 23rd different race winner in 23 series races at New Hampshire.
Busch has finished first or second in eight of the 16 races this season.
Busch won from a ninth-place starting position. He scored his series-leading fifth victory in 16 starts this season. He scored his 26th series victory in his 154th race.
Busch posted his first victory at New Hampshire in his fourth race. His last win came at Nashville, three races ago.
It was Joe Gibbs Racing’s 35th Nationwide victory and seventh in 2009.
Busch led twice for 37 laps, including the final 36. Busch ended an eight-race streak of leading the most laps that began at Talladega in April. He has led 1,523 laps this season, the most by any driver.
Busch leads the Nationwide standings by 162 points over Edwards, who finished sixth.
This marked the fifth 1-2 finish for JGR and the first Busch has won.
Joey Logano (second) posted his 24th career top-10 finish in 32 series starts (75 percent).
Brad Keselowski (third) extended a streak of 13 consecutive top-15 finishes that began at Bristol.
Kevin Harvick (fifth) has scored eight straight top-10 finishes at New Hampshire.
Erik Darnell (ninth) was the highest-finishing rookie of the year contender. He scored his fourth straight top-15 finish.
Jason Leffler (10th) has finished in the top 10 in the past 11 series races, a streak that began at Nashville in April.
The three cautions tied the record at New Hampshire. The average speed of 111.912 mph set a track record. The 15 caution laps were the fewest in a race at New Hampshire.
The top 10 consisted of three Chevrolets, three Fords and four Toyotas.(ESPN.com)(6-29-2009)
Sheltra in the #81 at Daytona: MacDonald Motorsports and Sheltra Motorsports announced that ARCA RE/MAX Series veteran Patrick Sheltra has been tapped to drive the #81 D.H. Griffin-Quality Turf-Buffalo Wings & Rings Dodge in Friday’s Subway Jalapeno 250 at Daytona. For Sheltra, he will make his third career NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) start but most notably make his dramatic return to the “World Center of Racing” since surviving a breathtaking accident in the 2009 ARCA RE/MAX Series opener in February which nearly halted the 23 year’s old racing career.(Sheltra PR)(6-28-2009)
Kerry Earnhardt gets sponsor for Daytona: Rick Ware Racing announced that Liberty Port, a value added distributor of IT & Telecommunications products, has joined the organization as the primary sponsor for the #31 with Kerry Earnhardt. Liberty Port’s product portfolio includes routers, switches, servers, and security solutions designed for customers of all sizes. Due to the diverse nature of their products, Liberty Port is able to cater to large customers within the financial, education, and commercial development sectors, while still providing cost effective solutions for intermediary businesses.(Rick Ware PR), see an image of the car on the #31 Team paint scheme page.(6-29-2009)
22 winners at NHMS: UPDATE: Some might call it an anomaly, but the string of 22 different winners in 22 NASCAR Nationwide Series races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway stands as the longest such streak at active tracks in each of NASCAR’s national series.(NASCAR PR)(6-23-2009) UPDATE: #18-Kyle Busch is the 23rd different winner in 23 series races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.(NASCAR PR)(6-28-2009)
Latest on Double File Restarts: UPDATE: Starts at Daytona: Double-file restarts for the leaders, a two-week old procedure for Sprint Cup, probably will become practice in the Nationwide Series within the next month. “We’re just taking our time,” series director Joe Balash said. “We don’t see any red flags with what we’ve seen in the Cup Series, and we think it’s something we can implement with everything we have here and provide a little more excitement for the fans.” NASCAR’s policy was to have lead-lap cars in one lane for a restart and lapped cars in the other. Now the leader of the race has the option to start at the front of the inside or outside line, and the other drivers on the lead lap follow in order.(Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)(6-21-2009) UPDATE: Double-file restarts with the leaders up front for the Nationwide Series aren’t far away. They may come as soon as Daytona in two weeks. Indications are that NASCAR’s secondary series will turn to the format that the Sprint Cup series adopted three races ago at Pocono in time for the July 4th weekend in Florida. It’s worked in Cup with few hiccups. The chaos some predicted this past weekend at Infineon never happened.(ESPN Insider)(6-22-2009) UPDATE 2: NASCAR announced the addition of “Double-File Restarts – Shootout Style” throughout each race for the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Beginning next weekend at Daytona International Speedway, the first- and second-place cars will line up side-by-side as the green flag is displayed for each restart.
The NASCAR Nationwide Series will use the same double-file restart format as NASCAR Sprint Cup. The race leader will have the option to restart on the inside or outside lane. The second-place car then restarts next to the leader. Regardless of the leader’s starting position, cars in odd-number positions (3rd, 5th, 7th places, etc.) will restart on the inside lane, while those in even-number positions (4th, 6th, 8th places, etc.) will restart on the outside. All restarts will use the same format regardless of the number of laps remaining in the race.
\ The first-place car will continue to control the timing of restarts in a designated zone on the track, while the rest of the cars are to stay in line until they reach the start/finish line. The first eligible car a lap or more down will continue to earn one lap back following a caution, which is known as the “free pass.” Also, the “free pass” will remain in effect the entire race instead of being eliminated with 10 or fewer laps to go in the event.
Lapped cars choosing to remain on the track will be “waved around” the caution car and will restart the race in respective track position, thereby picking up a lap on the leader, provided the leader also pits. This will also remove lapped cars from behind the pace car, allowing the leaders to take the green without interference.(NASCAR PR)(6-26-2009)
Fogle to be Daytona Grand Marshal: Subway Restaurants national spokesman, Jared Fogle, has been named Grand Marshal for the Subway Jalapeño 250 Powered By Coca-Cola NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Daytona International Speedway (DIS) on Friday night, July 3. Fogle will utter the most famous words in racing, giving the command of: “Gentlemen, start your engines!”(Daytona Speedway PR)(6-25-2009)
Pardue to miss New Hampshire: Roush Fenway Racing #16-NASCAR Nationwide Series crew chief Eddie Pardue will miss this weekend’s race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway to again stay home with his ailing daughter. Pardue also missed last Saturday’s race at the Milwaukee Mile to be with Lani Pardue, who has a kidney illness, a team spokesperson confirmed. Pardue will be replaced this weekend by Chad Norris.(Scene Daily)(6-25-2009)
JR Motorsports & Fellows reuniting for two road-course races: JR Motorsports announced today that accomplished road-course racer Ron Fellows will return to drive its #5 Chevy in NASCAR Nationwide Series races at Watkins Glen International Speedway on Aug. 8 and Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on Aug. 30, with Fastenal on board as the primary sponsor.(JR Motorsports PR)(6-25-2009)
Toyota not pulling out of NNS or CWTS: Toyota has no plans to leave the Nationwide or Truck Series as has been reported and speculated. Lee White, who heads Toyota Racing Development, said the Japan-based manufacturer has eliminated its financial support in both series over the past couple of seasons. But technical, he added, support continues. “We’re not going out of the series,” White said. “We’re not leaving. In fact, as we kind of moderated our involvement we gained truck count and car count in [both series].” White said it’s unfair to say Toyota is following other manufacturers that have pulled financial support from the Nationwide and Truck series over the past few months.(ESPN Insider)(6-24-2009)
Whitt Leaves Specialty Racing: UPDATE: Brandon Whitt has decided to part ways with #61-Specialty Racing to pursue other opportunities and would like to wish Doug Taylor, Charles Shoffner and everybody at Specialty Racing the very best.(BrandonWhitt.com)(6-22-2009) UPDATE: Specialty Racing announced that Matt Carter will immediately take over the driving duties of the #61 Ford in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Carter, who replaces Brandon Whitt, will make his debut with the team this weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.(Specialty Racing PR)(6-24-2009)
Baker Curb to celebrate 20th anniversary of Petty’s 200th: Baker Curb racing will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of Richard Petty’s 200th win with a special paint scheme on the #27 Scott Products/Walmart Ford that will be driven by Jason Keller in the Subway Jalapeno 250 at Daytona. Keller’s Grabber Blue and Orange Neon Ford Fusion is reminiscent of the scheme Petty carried on his Mike Curb owned STP Pontiac in the historic Firecracker 400, July 4, 1984.(Baker Curb PR), see an image of the car on the #27 paint schemes page.(6-24-2009)
Mattioli to make Series debut: Milazzo Industries, a Pennsylvania-based manufacturer and national distributor of Qik Joe ice melting products and Lake Shore charcoal products, will sponsor 19-year old Chase Mattioli in his NASCAR Nationwide debut this Saturday, June 27th. Chase will be driving the #07 Chevy in the Camping World RV Sales 200.(Mattioli PR)(6-24-2009)
100 starts for Vickers: This weekend marks the 100th NNS start for #32-Brian Vickers, who made his NASCAR debut on July 1, 2001 at The Milwaukee Mile. Then seventeen-year old Vickers drove the #29 Engineered Machine Products car owned by his father, Clyde, to a 37th-place finish.(Braun Racing PR)(6-24-2009)
Sadler in the #10 at New Hampshire: Elliott Sadler makes Richard Petty Motorsports’ 2009 Nationwide Series debut on Saturday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Braun Racing will field the #10 Auto Value Bumper to Bumper car as well as the cars for Kasey Kahne at the four remaining Petty Nationwide Series races in 2009.(Richard Petty Motorsports PR)(6-23-2009)
New Hampshire Rookie Notes:
Erik Darnell was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the June 20 Northern Tool.com 250 at The Milwaukee Mile. Darnell scored a fourth-place finish, equaling his best effort in six NASCAR Nationwide Series races. He claimed his second top-five and third top-10 in 2009 and captured top rookie honors for the second time in 2009. Darnell led twice for 19 laps and was the only Raybestos Rookie to lead a lap in the race.
Darnell won his first pole position at Milwaukee and joined Brendan Gaughan as the only Raybestos® Rookie drivers to capture a pole this season.
At least one Raybestos Rookie has scored top-10 finishes in the last 13 consecutive NASCAR Nationwide Series races.
Gaughan leads Justin Allgaier by five points (159-154) in the overall Raybestos Rookie standings entering the June 27 Camping World RV Sales 200 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
Two Raybestos Rookies are in the top-10 in the NASCAR Nationwide Series championship standings: Gaughan (seventh) and Allgaier (eighth). The two are separated by just one point.
Dario Franchitti was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2008 Camping World RV Sales 200, claiming a 13th-place finish.
Landon Cassill won the pole for the 2008 race at New Hampshire. Cassill joined Shane Hmiel (2002) as the only Raybestos Rookies to win a pole at the 1.058-mile speedway since the NASCAR Nationwide Series began competing at the track in 1990 (22 races). He joins Shane Hmiel, who captured the top starting spot in 2002.
The best finish by a Raybestos Rookie at New Hampshire is second by Steve Park in 1997. Park finished .106 seconds behind race winner Mike McLaughlin.
Only once in 19 previous June races at New Hampshire have two Raybestos Rookies finished inside the top-five at New Hampshire: Carl Edwards (second) and Denny Hamlin (third) in 2005.
(Raybestos/Camp & Assoc. PR)(6-23-2009)
Double-duty for Keselowski at New Hampshire: Brad Keselowski will be making his second series start this weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in the #88-GoDaddy.com Chevy. Keselowski will be attempting to make the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at NHMS this weekend in the #09 Miccosukee Indian Gaming Chevrolet for Phoenix Racing. The last time Keselowski piloted the #09 was at Talladega Superspeedway where he drove to his first win in only his fifth series start.(JR Motorsports PR)(6-23-2009)
Scott Wimmer returns to pilot #40 at NHMS: Scott Wimmer returns to pilot the #40 StopRepairBills.com Chevrolet after a one week stint with JR Motorsports. Wimmer has a solid record at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, with only one finish outside the top-15 in his six starts at the track. (Key Motorsports PR)(6-23-2009)
Racing Resources Says…
Carl Edwards won the NorthernTool.com 300 at The Milwaukee Mile. He won from an “official” 11th-place starting position, but actually started 43rd after dropping to the rear under penalty for a driver change. (His car was qualified by Colin Braun since Edwards was absent for qualifying.) Edwards led twice for 46 laps, including the final 45. This marked the third time Edwards has won when he dropped to the rear and second straight at Milwaukee. He also won from the rear at Memphis in October 2008.
Edwards scored his first series win in 15 starts this season. His win at Milwaukee one year ago was also his first win of that season.
Edwards is the 10th different series winner in 2009. He scored his 21st career series victory in his 156th race.
Edwards posted his second victory at Milwaukee in his fifth race and became the second repeat race winner in 19 races. He scored his third straight top-10 finish at Milwaukee.
Edward’s last win came at Homestead last November.
It was Roush Fenway Racing’s 103rd series victory and fifth in 2009.
Edwards posted his 100th career top-10 finish in 156 starts in the series.
This was Roush’s fourth win at Milwaukee, the most by any car owner.
Kyle Busch, the points leader entering by 137 over Edwards, finished second. Busch now leads the points by 127 over Edwards.
Busch has led the most laps in the last eight series races, extending a streak that began at Talladega in April. He led once for 80 laps at Milwaukee.
Busch has led 1,486 laps this season, the most by any driver. He has led at least one lap in the last 12 races, extending a streak that began at Bristol. The record is 19 set by Sam Ard in 1984.
Brad Keselowski (third) extended a streak of 12 consecutive top-15 finishes that began at Bristol. Keselowski finished 22nd, 27th and 27th in the first three races of the season before posting his first top-15 finish of the season at Bristol (12th). It marked his seventh top-3 finish in his last 11 races. Keselowski has scored top-10 finishes in the last five races, a streak that began at Lowe’s. He has been running at the finish in the last 47 series races, the longest current streak.
Erik Darnell (fourth) tied his career-best finish. He was the highest finishing Rookie of the Year contender.
Ricky Stenhouse (fifth) posted his career-best finish.
Jason Leffler (10th) has finished in the top 10 in the last 10 series races, extending a streak that began at Nashville in April. This is the longest current streak. He has scored 14 straight top-15 finishes, extending a streak that began at race No. 2 in California in February. Leffler has scored four straight top-10 finishes at Milwaukee.
Mike Bliss (seventh) climbed from ninth to sixth in the points standings, the biggest gain in the race among the top 20 drivers.
Ford posted its fifth win in 15 races in 2009. Toyota has six wins and Chevy has four while Dodge has none.
The top 10 consisted of five Chevys, three Fords and two Toyotas. (ESPN.com)(6-22-2009)
Nationwide Series on ABC from New Hampshire: The Magic Mile, New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, N.H., hosts the NASCAR Nationwide Series this weekend, and the race will air on ABC with a live, high definition telecast on Saturday, June 27, beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET with NASCAR Countdown. ESPN2 is the home of the NASCAR Nationwide Series all season, with selected races on ESPN and ABC. The race re-airs Sunday, June 28, at 3 a.m. on ESPN2 and again at 10 a.m. on ESPN Classic. Marty Reid will be lap-by-lap announcer for ESPN on ABC’s coverage, with analysis by Dale Jarrett and Andy Petree. Reporting from the pits will be Dave Burns, Jamie Little, Shannon Spake and Vince Welch, with Tim Brewer in the ESPN Craftsman Tech Garage. Allen Bestwick will host the pre-race NASCAR Countdown program with analysis by Rusty Wallace and Brad Daugherty in the ESPN pit studio.(ESPN PR)(6-22-2009)
Toyota to leave Nationwide and Truck Series? UPDATE: Toyota appears ready to withdraw its financial support of NASCAR Truck and Nationwide teams, though continuing engineering support, in the wake of General Motors’ decision to join Ford and Chrysler in withdrawing all but engineering support for those two NASCAR tours. There has been no specific comment on that yet from Toyota executives.(MikeMulhern.net)(6-22-2009) UPDATE: Word in the Infineon Raceway garage over the week was that Toyota has decided to follow its three corporate rivals and pull all but engineering and technical support and parts supplies from the two NASCAR tours. Lee White, head of Toyota’ racing development operations: “Toyota and TRD have been in the process for over a year, of adapting our series support for the Truck/Nationwide programs to be appropriate to the value of each series. Our process in the future will not be determined by other manufacturer’s actions but by the value delivered by each series. At this point there is no plan to change our involvement for the remainder of this season. As always we will re evaluate each series over the winter and could make appropriate adjustments.”(MikeMulhern.net)(6-22-2009) Comment here
Braun and Stenhouse in NNS in 2010: UPDATE: From an Jack Roush interview with the Detroit Free Press:
Q: Young Colin Braun won the truck race for you at MIS on Saturday. What do you think of him?
A: He’s got great potential, and he’s a great person. There are some drivers who can’t ever come through your organization again, and he’s not one of them. We’ll run Colin and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. in the Nationwide Series in 2010.(Detroit Free Press)(6-18-2009) UPDATE: Roush Fenway Racing would like to put all three of its development drivers in the Nationwide Series next year, team President Geoff Smith says. Smith said Sunday that the perfect plan would involve moving Roush Fenway’s lone Camping World Truck Series team with Colin Braun to Nationwide to form one team and use two of its current teams to run Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Erik Darnell full time in the series. “We are sure we want them in Nationwide,” Smith said. “We’re working really hard in keeping a full employment scenario at Roush Fenway Racing going into next year, which requires the Colin program to convert from a Truck program to a Nationwide program.”(Scene Daily)(6-22-2009)
Edwards plans another full season in 2010: Five consecutive seasons of running the Sprint Cup and Nationwide series schedules full time apparently isn’t enough for Roush Fenway Racing’s Carl Edwards. After earning his first NASCAR Nationwide Series victory of the season at the Milwaukee Mile, Edwards said he plans on running full time in the series again in 2010.(Scene Daily)(6-21-2009)
Hendrick meeting with Keselowski about 2010: Sprint Cup team owner Rick Hendrick said he plans to meet with Nationwide Series driver #88-Brad Keselowski this week to discuss his plans for moving up to Sprint Cup in 2010. Hendrick mentioned two possible options for Keselowski — a third car at Stewart-Haas Racing, which is affiliated with Hendrick Motorsports, or a chance to stay at JR Motorsports if Dale Earnhardt Jr. decides to move his Nationwide team to Cup next year.(ESPN.com)(6-21-2009)
Leffler expects to return to Braun in 2010: NASCAR Nationwide Series driver #38-Jason Leffler said Friday he is “90 percent sure” he will return to Braun Racing next season. Leffler is fourth in the Nationwide Series standings heading into Saturday’s NorthernTool.com 250 at the Milwaukee Mile. He has driven for Braun since 2006. “Anything could change, but I think [sponsor] Great Clips and everybody are all back on board,” Leffler said. “I’m looking forward to it.”(Scene Daily)(6-20-2009)
RFR crew chief Pardue skipping Milwaukee: Roush Fenway Racing crew chief Eddie Pardue will skip this weekend’s NASCAR Nationwide Series race at the Milwaukee Mile to be with his ailing daughter, a team spokesperson confirmed. Pardue’s daughter, Lani, is having problems with her kidneys. It is not considered to be life-threatening for the girl, who turns four on Sunday. Matt Puccia, a former Roush Fenway crew chief who serves in that role for Yates Racing’s part-time Nationwide team, will replace Pardue this weekend. Rookie Ricky Stenhouse Jr. is driving the car at Milwaukee.(Scene Daily)(6-20-2009)
Clements to attempt Chicago race: Jeremy Clements and his #50 car plan to make their next race attempt at the Chicagoland Speedway. The #50 team has attempted for and qualified for NNS races at Nashville and Charlotte in 2009. The team had planned to contest races at Nashville and Kentucky as the Nationwide Series embarked on its standalone stretch, but those plans were changed when Clements reached a deal with Joe Gibbs Racing to practice cars for Kyle Busch at Nashville and Joey Logano at Kentucky.(Frontstretch)(6-19-2009)
Valvoline Instant Oil on the #01 Valvoline Instant Oil Change will be the primary sponsor for Danny O’Quinn, Jr’s. #01 Chevy for the Milwaukee NASCAR Nationwide Series event. Valvoline Instant Oil Change has 28 franchised stores in the Milwaukee market area. These franchised stores are part of the 104-store Great Lakes Quick Lube group that is headquartered in Milwaukee.(J-D Motorsports PR)(6-19-2009)
Series could use COT next year on road courses, restrictor plate events: NASCAR is considering introducing the Nationwide Series car of tomorrow at restrictor-plate races and road-course races in 2010, series director Joe Balash confirmed Friday at the Milwaukee Mile. The rule book for the car is close to being finished, Balash said. All four manufacturers have had their cars’ aerodynamic profiles approved by NASCAR. Many Nationwide team owners did not want the COT to be introduced until 2011, citing the prohibitive cost of building new cars. Using the new car at five races – two at Daytona and one each at Talladega, Montreal and Watkins Glen – could appease some of the concerns of car owners. A town-hall type of meeting like NASCAR had recently with its Sprint Cup teams is a possibility with Nationwide teams, Balash said. Once NASCAR finishes its discussions with competitors and an agreement is made, Balash said the sanctioning body can release the rules so teams can start building cars.(Scene Daily)(6-19-2009)
O’Quinn to do coin toss at Arena Football game: Danny O’Quinn, Jr. has been selected to participate in the opening coin toss for the Milwaukee Iron Arena 2 Football game. Danny will toss the coin on Friday night at the game between the Iron and the Quad City Steamwheelers at the Bradley Center. Kickoff is at 7:00 PM Friday night. The Iron head coach and management personnel will then join Danny and the J-D Motorsports crew in the pit area for the Milwaukee Nationwide Series race. The Milwaukee Iron will be an Associate Sponsor on the #01 Chevy for the race.(Hufco Pro-motion / Johnny Davis PR)(6-18-2009)
Kentucky TV Ratings: ESPN2’s live telecast of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Kentucky Speedway on June 13 earned a final household coverage rating of 1.2, down from the 1.3 rating earned for the race in both 2007 and 2008. The telecast averaged 1,490,292 viewers.(ESPN PR)(6-18-2009)
Bobby Jr. returns to the #81 at Milwaukee: MacDonald Motorsports and driver Bobby Hamilton Jr. look to rebound in this Saturday Night’s Northern Tool 250 at The Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, Wisconsin. MacDonald Motorsports would also like to share that they have sponsorship opportunities available for this weekend’s race in Milwaukee.(MacDonald Motorsports PR)(6-18-2009)
Anderson’s Maple Syrup on the #49: For Anderson’s Maple Syrup, sponsoring a NASCAR Nationwide Series team at arguably the most storied automobile racing track was an opportunity that was too good to pass up. A family-owned company, Anderson’s Maple Syrup will sponsor Jay Robinson Racing’s #49 Chevy for this Saturday night’s race at the Milwaukee Mile. The #49 will be driven by veteran Nationwide Series competitor Mark Green.(Jay Robinson Racing PR)(6-18-2009)
Peels Plus on the #07 at Milwaukee: PeelsPlus.com will be the primary sponsor of the #07 car driven by Mike Harmon during this Saturdays Nationwide Series Milwaukee Mile. PeelsPlus.com is an environmentally responsible cleaner & degreaser for industrial, institutional and household use.(Peel Plus PR)(6-17-2007)
Fastenal on the #5: Fastenal serves as the primary sponsor of the #5 Chevy for the next nine races in which the team competes. You can see the blue and white Fastenal Chevy in races at Milwaukee, Daytona, Chicago, O’Reilly Raceway Park (Indianapolis), Iowa, Watkins Glen, Michigan, Bristol and Montreal. Fastenal will run its final two races at Richmond and Kansas.(JR Motorsports PR)(6-17-2009)
Mike Wallace in the #0 for three races: UPDATE: JD Motorsports has announced that Mike Wallace will drive the #0 Chevy for JDMS at New Hampshire and Daytona with other races TBD. “I am happy to join a team that is growing, stated Wallace. “JD Motorsports now has three full time teams in the Nationwide Series. That is tough to do without the right people in place, especially with today’s economy.” Mike Wallace’s Nationwide Series resume includes 4 wins and 59 Top 10 finishes and brings tremendous experience and knowledge to a growing team.(Hufco Pro-motion / Johnny Davis PR)(6-17-2009) AND The announcement above includes a reference to three full time teams. With Kertus Davis leaving Jay Robinson Racing and entered this week in the #04, it appears that team will now be entered in each race.(6-17-2009) UPDATE: Johnny and Lori Davis to announce the continued development and expansion of J-D Motorsports. Beginning with the Milwaukee Nationwide event and for the foreseeable future, J-D Motorsports will field three cars for each Nationwide Series event. Kertus Davis has returned to the family-operated team after gaining valuable experience with two other operations during the past 18 months. Kertus will manage and drive the third J-D Motorsports entry #04 beginning at Milwaukee.(Hufco Pro-motion / Johnny Davis PR)(6-17-2009)
New crew chief for Gaughan? UPDATE 2: Wallace Hearing that Tripp Bruce, who served as Johnny Benson’s crew chief at Red Horse Racing until the team shut down last week, is the new crew chief for #62-Brendan Gaughan. No word on whether or not its a permanent change.(6-16-2009) UPDATE: Bruce is taking over as crew chief for #66-Steve Wallace, effective this weekend at Milwaukee.(6-17-2009) UPDATE 2: Officials of Rusty Wallace Racing announced that reigning NASCAR Truck Series champion crew chief, Trip Bruce, has been named crew chief for Steve Wallace and the team’s #66 entry, effective immediately. The team further announced that after leading Wallace to his current top-ten ranking, former #66 crew chief, Dale Ferguson, has been promoted to the role of Lead Engineer for the organization. Ferguson will also serve as Wallace’s Race Engineer for the remainder of the 2009 Nationwide Series season.(RWI PR)(6-17-2009)
Sauter practicing for Busch in Milwaukee: CTS regular Johhny Sauter will practice and qualify the #18 Toyota in Milwaukee for Kyle Busch. Busch will fly into Milwaukee after Saturday practice at Infineon Speedway.(6-17-2009)
Almirola to drive for Key Motorsports: UPDATE: Two years after being awarded his first NASCAR Nationwide Series in arguably the strangest scenario in the Series’ history, Aric Almirola will finally return to the Milwaukee Mile in hopes of actually taking the checkered flag. Key Motorsports has confirmed that Almirola will be driving their #40 StopRepairBills.com Chevy in five races starting this weekend in Milwaukee. Almirola will get his shot at a second Nationwide Series victory at the Milwaukee Mile, plus he will also be behind the wheel for four other races this season including ORP, Iowa, Richmond and either Bristol or Kansas.(Hardcore Race Fans)(6-15-2009) UPDATE: Key Motorsports welcomes driver Aric Almirola, who will make his first of several starts this season with the team.(Key Motorsports PR)(6-16-2009)
Combos on the #18 at Milwaukee: Combos and Kyle Busch, as a racing combination, are a perfect two-for-two in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series competition. They’ll be looking to bring that winning magic to the NASCAR Nationwide Series this weekend as the talented 24-year-old driver straps himself behind the wheel of the #18 Combos Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) during Saturday night’s NorthernTool.com 250 at The Milwaukee Mile.(TrueSpeed/Joe Gibbs PR)(6-16-2009)
Nationwide Series In Prime Time from Milwaukee: The NASCAR Nationwide Series makes its only appearance of the season at the Milwaukee Mile this weekend and ESPN2 will have a live, high definition telecast in prime time on Saturday, June 20, at beginning at 8 p.m. ET with NASCAR Countdown. The green flag flies at 8:45 p.m. and the telecast is presented by Toyo Tires. ESPN2 is the home of the NASCAR Nationwide Series all season, with selected races on ESPN and ABC. The race re-airs Sunday, June 21, at 7 a.m. on ESPN Classic. ESPN2 airs same-day coverage of NASCAR Nationwide Series qualifying at 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Ray Evernham, a regular analyst on ESPN2’s NASCAR Now, joins anchor announcer Dr. Jerry Punch and Rusty Wallace in the booth to call the race. Reporting from the pits will be Dave Burns, Jamie Little and Shannon Spake, with Tim Brewer in the ESPN Craftsman Tech Garage. Allen Bestwick will host the pre-race NASCAR Countdown program with analysis by Wallace and Brad Daugherty, in the ESPN pit studio.(ESPN PR)(6-15-2009)
Milwaukee Rookie Notes:
Brendan Gaughan was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 13 Meijer 300 at Kentucky. Gaughan scored a fourth-place finish, his second top-five of the season and led the race twice for six laps. He claimed top rookie honors for the fourth time in 2009.
Justin Allgaier posted a fifth-place finish at Kentucky, his third top-five and seventh top-10 this season and led the race three times for five laps. He also claimed fifth-place finishes this season at Bristol Motor Speedway and Darlington Raceway. Allgaier is sixth in the NASCAR Nationwide Series championship standings, best of any Raybestos Rookie.
Michael Annett claimed a seventh-place finish in the Meijer 300, his first top-10 in 15 Nationwide Series races.
At least one Raybestos Rookie has scored top-10 finishes in the last 12 consecutive NASCAR Nationwide Series races.
Gaughan and leads Allgaier by one point (149-148) in the overall Raybestos Rookie standings entering the June 20 Northern Tool.com 250 at The Milwaukee (West Allis, Wisc.) Mile.
Two Raybestos Rookies are in the top-10 in the NASCAR Nationwide Series championship standings: Allgaier (sixth) and Gaughan (seventh).
Cale Gale was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2008 Northern Tool.com 250, scoring a 12th-place finish.(Camp & Assoc / Raybestos PR)(6-16-2009)
Racing Resources Says…
Joey Logano won the Meijer 300 presented by RITZ Crackers at Kentucky Speedway. Logano won from the pole. He scored his second series win in his 12 starts this season.
Logano is the third driver to score multiple wins in 2009, joining Kyle Busch (four) and Greg Biffle (two).
Logano scored his third career victory in his 31st race. He posted his second victory at Kentucky in his second race and became the first repeat race winner in nine Kentucky races. He also won this race from the pole one year ago.
Logano’s last win came at Nashviile last April.
It was Joe Gibbs Racing’s 34th victory and third by Logano and sixth in 2009. This marked the fourth 1-2 finish for JGR in 2009.
Logano led two times for 20 laps, including the final 10.
Kyle Busch, the points leader entering by 65 over Carl Edwards, finished second. Edwards finished 20th. Busch now leads the points by 137 over Edwards.
Busch has led the most laps in the past seven races, extending a streak that began at Talladega in April. He led six times for 162 laps Saturday night. Busch has led 1,406 laps this season, the most by any driver. He has led the most laps in three of the last four Kentucky races without a victory.
Brad Keselowski (third) extended a streak of 10 consecutive top-15 finishes that began at Bristol. Keselowski finished 22nd, 27th and 27th in the first three races of the season before posting his first top-15 finish of the season at Bristol (12th). Keselowski has been running at the finish in the last 46 races, the longest current streak.
Brendan Gaughan (fourth) posted his second career top-5 finish. He climbed from 10th to seventh in the standings. He was the highest-finishing rookie of the year contender.
Rookie Justin Allgaier (fifth) has scored top-15 finishes in his past five races, extending a streak that began at Darlington. He climbed from eighth to sixth in the point standings.
Jason Leffler (sixth) has finished in the top 10 in the past nine races, extending a streak that began at Nashville in April. This is the longest current streak. Leffler has scored 13 straight top-15 finishes, extending a streak that began at race No. 2 in California in February.
Toyota posted its sixth win in 14 races in 2009. Chevy has four and Ford has four, while Dodge has none.
Carl Edwards (20th) ended a five-race streak of top-10 finishes that began at Richmond.
The top 10 consisted of three Chevys, one Fords, five Toyotas and one Dodge.(ESPN.com)(6-15-2009)
Hornaday in the #33 at Milwaukee: This weekend when Ron Hornaday takes the green-flag at The Milwaukee Mile from behind the wheel of the #33 Jimmy John’s Chevy, he will make his 10th career Nationwide Series start at Milwaukee. In nine previous starts at the track in the Nationwide Series, Hornaday has one win, three top-five and five top-10 finishes and has led 119 laps.(KHI PR)(6-15-2009)
Able Body Labor to sponsor Phoenix race: Phoenix International Raceway announced that Able Body Labor has joined PIR’s team of corporate partners and will be the title sponsor of the track’s November NASCAR Nationwide Series race – the Able Body Labor 200. The race entitlement is the first such partnership for Able Body Labor in NASCAR.(Phoenix Raceway PR)(6-15-2009)
Pony cars coming with Nationwide COT: NASCAR is bringing sexy back — and in the case of race cars, it’s long overdue. If the Car of Tomorrow comes to fruition in the Nationwide Series in 2010, the vehicle list will include “pony cars” from the manufacturers that choose to use the series to market those models to the public. That includes the iconic Mustang — the quintessential pony car. Ten-fold better than a Cup car,” the official said of the designs, which must be submitted for approval by June 26 according to the NASCAR Rule Book. The new cars are expected to be closer to stock than any vehicle that the sanctioning body has run in the top two series since the dreaded term “aero-matching” rolled off spin-doctor tongues in 2000. Currently, only Ford and Dodge will compete with models that differ from Cup. Despite Chevy rolling out the new Camaro to dealers, there doesn’t seem to be an urgency to promote that brand or the Malibu in NASCAR other than for pace cars at this time. Toyota has discontinued its two-door Solara, so expect the Camry nameplate in NNS.(FoxSports)(6-14-2009)
Bryan Berry suspended by NASCAR: UPDATE 3: NASCAR announced today that Bryan Berry, crew chief for the #62 Chevy in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, has been indefinitely suspended due to a rule violation that occurred during this past Saturday’s event at Nashville Superspeedway. Berry was suspended for violating Section 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing; involved in an altercation with another team) of the 2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series rule book. The infractions occurred on June 6.(NASCAR PR) AND: Statement from Marc Davis [who was involved in the incident with Brendan Gaughan on pit road]: “NASCAR has clear and precise policies covering all racing conduct and procedures. Mr. Gaughan and his crew actions do not merit response. NASCAR has resolved the issue.”(6-11-2009) UPDATE: NASCAR suspended crew chief Bryan Berry indefinitely on Thursday for what his team owner, Rusty Wallace, termed “an alleged racial slur” against African-American driver Marc Davis at last Saturday night’s Nationwide race. NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston termed the violation “an inappropriate comment that won’t be tolerated.” Berry is crew chief for Brendan Gaughan on the Wallace team. During Saturday night’s race at Nashville Superspeedway, Gaughan was entering his pit and hit Davis, who was trying to turn left through a gap in the pit wall. Both cars were heavily damaged. Gaughan returned to the track, but on the radio he ordered his crew to not let Davis, 19, leave the track until “he sees me.” Gaughan also complained vehemently to ESPN reporters after the race. The reasons for the penalty “were his [Berry’s] actions and what he said,” Poston said. “Bryan looked me in the eye and told me he didn’t say it,” Wallace said. “But NASCAR said they had two people, two sponsorship representatives [for the Davis team] who heard it. I don’t know who to believe.” Wallace said he did tell Berry directly, “I hope to God you didn’t do what they said you did.” Wallace said he scheduled a team meeting for the entire Rusty Wallace Racing team for Friday at 8 a.m., with the intention of telling all personnel, “I’d better not ever hear that out of our team.” Wallace said NASCAR told him that “their goal is to get Bryan back into NASCAR as soon as they can,” and that part of the conditions for Berry’s return include sensitivity training. In Berry’s absence, Wallace said, car chief Shane Huffman will move to crew chief for Gaughan, beginning with Saturday night’s race at Kentucky Speedway.(ESPN.com)(6-11-2009) UPDATE 2: NASCAR Nationwide Series team oner Rusty Wallace said Friday at Kentucky Speedway that he will not appeal the suspension of crew chief Bryan Berry despite disagreeing with the penalty handed down Thursday. Wallace said he hopes the suspension lasts two weeks at the most and that NASCAR President Mike Helton told him his goal is to get Berry back as soon as possible.(Scene Daily)(6-12-2009) UDPATE 3: Harry Davis did call Rusty Wallace to apologize for the situation that resulted in Rusty Wallace Racing crew chief Bryan Berry being indefinitely suspended for allegedly saying a racial slur against Marc Davis after Davis made contact with RWR driver Brendan Gaughan on pit road. Wallace has been saying that Davis called him to apologize for the situation from last week’s race at Nashville Superspeedway, where Gaughan was darting into his pit when Davis was turning into the garage and the two cars collided, causing tempers to escalate. But Harry Davis, Marc’s father, said that he was apologizing for Gaughan, whom he believes should be blamed for what transpired. Harry Davis said Gaughan’s anger and saying that Georgetown University was better than Howard University, whose radio station sponsored the 19-year-old African-American driver, inflamed the situation.(Scene Daily)(6-14-2009)
Congrats: Scott & Kathy Abshire welcome the new arrival of a baby girl. Scott, owner of Acredale Vending & Coffee Service is a small associate sponsor for Jay Robinson Racing in the Nationwide series and Hermie Sadler in the Camping World Truck series. Scott also serves as a part time crew member for J.R.R.(6-13-2009)
Cup plans for 2010 on hold at Rusty Wallace Racing: Rusty Wallace Racing’s plans to move to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2010 are on hold, as Wallace said Friday at Kentucky Speedway that his two-car team will remain in the Nationwide Series next year. Wallace had wanted to move drivers Steve Wallace and Brendan Gaughan to Cup for next season but realized he couldn’t pull it off. “That’s totally on hold right now,” Wallace said. “We have totally make a decision to go Nationwide racing with Brendan and Stephen next year. “My goal is still to get in Cup, but not now. Too much weird [stuff] is happening with this economy. Our Nationwide cars are funded real well. I’m happy with that. It’d be too much for me to bite off [to move to Cup].” Wallace said he is working on a deal to get son Steve as many as 10 Sprint Cup races next season, pending sponsorship. When asked if he would stay with Chevy next year, Wallace said it’s “too early to say.”(Scene Daily)(6-12-2009)
David Green helping Townley: 1994 NNS champ David Green is #09-John Wes Townley’s new driver coach/spotter.(RAB PR)(6-12-2009)
GM cutting support in Nationwide & Truck Series: UPDATE: General Motors is cutting factory support for Chevy teams competing in NASCAR’s Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series as the automaker restructures under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, according to a story that will appear in Friday’s edition of SportsBusiness Journal. According to SBJ’s Michael Smith, who wrote the story, the cost-cutting measures are likely to have the greatest affect on larger organizations, such as Kevin Harvick Inc., which fields teams in both series, and Rusty Wallace Inc. and JR Motorsports, which field teams in the Nationwide Series. As Smith points out, support from manufacturers typically comes in the forms of engines, parts and cash. In most cases, factory support goes to larger, more substantial organizations, while smaller teams receive little assistance, if any. “Chevy’s (and GM’s) involvement in racing is a sound business decision that translates directly into the sale of cars and trucks,” an unidentified GM spokesperson said in a statement provided to SBJ. “It is essential, however, that we continue to look at every penny we spend as General Motors takes the necessary steps to become a leaner company with a significantly stronger balance sheet. While Chevy Racing is talking to its business partners about ways to reduce cost and maximize the return on investment, it is our policy to not talk about the details of business relationships with our partners.”(Sporting News)(6-12-2009) UPDATE: General Motors is planning to cut back on its support of NASCAR teams in all of the sanctioning body’s professional series. Chevy spokesman Terry Rhadigan says GM, which is reorganizing through bankruptcy, is discussing what he described as incremental cutbacks in support. He says cuts will be made soon and that the discussions are “indeed NASCAR-wide.” Rhadigan would not say if one series would be affected more than others, nor would he say the size of the cuts or how much GM spends on NASCAR. The automaker, through its Chevy brand, provides cash and other support to teams including engines and parts.(Associated Press)(6-12-2009) UPDATE 2: Statement from Kelley Earnhardt, vice president and general manager of JR Motorsports, regarding General Motors’ decision to discontinue its funding of JRM’s NASCAR Nationwide Series programs:
“Obviously the automotive industry is dealing with unprecedented business challenges, and we understand the need for restructuring to accommodate the need to reduce costs and maximize return. We have been proud supporters of the Chevy brand our entire lives and don’t anticipate that ever changing. We are fully capable of adjusting our business model to accommodate this change, and with the backing of Hendrick Motorsports, we will continue to lend our full support to Chevy. The manufacturer support GM provides at the NASCAR Sprint Cup level is more critical in nature than in the Nationwide Series, and I hope Chevy is able to continue supporting that level, as the promotion of NASCAR works well for its demographics.”Comment here
Kevin Hamlin to drive #49 at Kentucky, will also practice #34: Kevin Hamlin will be pulling double duty this weekend at Kentucky and Michigan, but in a different way than that of his NASCAR counterparts. Not only will Hamlin’s name scroll past twice on the ribbon during NASCAR Nationwide Series practice Friday at Kentucky, but the driver will also head to the spotter’s stand for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race in Michigan on Sunday. Hamlin will practice in two different Nationwide Series cars on Friday at Kentucky Speedway when the series heads to the Blue Grass State for the Meijer 300 Presented by Ritz. Juggling practice time in two different Nationwide Series cars at Kentucky Speedway on Friday, Hamlin will pilot the #34 Chevy for Front Row Motorsports as well as the #49 Chevy for Jay Robinson Racing. Although Tony Raines will drive the #34 in the Nationwide Series race on Saturday, he will be in Michigan for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice and qualifying and unable to be in Kentucky for practice. Although already committed to practice the #34 for Front Row Motorsports, Hamlin was asked by Jay Robinson Racing to take over driving duties in the #49 Chevy for Saturday’s Meijer 300.(Rising Star PR) AND am hearing that Kertus Davis left the #49 and has returned back to Johnny Davis Motorsports.(6-11-2009)
#42 Smith Ganassi team returns at Kentucky: Team owner Evander Holyfield announced that Zach Bonner, and 11-year-old philanthropist, will be the special guest of Smith/Ganassi Racing and the #42 Dodge team this weekend at Kentucky Speedway. Zach is walking 668 miles from Atlanta to the White House in Washington, DC to rally support for homeless kids in America and youth volunteerism. As the team comes into Kentucky, driver Kenny Hendrick is back behind the wheel.(Smith Ganassi PR)(6-11-2009)
Viox Services to sponsor Shepherd at Kentucky: Cincinnati-based Viox Services will sponsor Morgan Shepherd’s #89 Racing With Jesus Chevy during this weekend’s Nationwide Series event at Kentucky Speedway. Viox Services, which is celebrating 60 years of service, combines the responsiveness of a hometown contractor with the problem-solving resources and expertise of a national facility management firm.(Faith Motorsports PR)(6-11-2009)
Prototype on the #20 at Kentucky: Prototype, an action game developed by Radical Entertainment and available on Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360 and Playstation 3, will adorn the #20 GameStop Toyota this weekend at the Kentucky Speedway. Featured on the hood of the car is Alex Mercer, antihero of the story who has enemy-absorbing and shapeshifting powers. Logano will be flying back and forth from Michigan International Speedway to Kentucky in his only true “double” of the year. He will attempt to defend his 2008 win at Kentucky.(MCG Sports/Gibbs PR), see an image of the car on the #20 Paint scheme page.(6-10-200)
Bobby Jr. back in the #81; Creation Museum on the car: MacDonald Motorsports is proud to announce that the Creation Museum will support their car in this weekend’s Meijer 300 at the Kentucky Speedway. Making his third appearance behind the wheel of the #81 Creation Museum car will be Bobby Hamilton Jr.(MacDonald Motorsports PR)(6-10-2009)
Memphis pole winner to receive guitar: A sleek, black, acoustic Sun Studio guitar will be awarded to the pole winner on NASCAR race days at Memphis Motorsports Park, starting this summer with the MemphisTravel.com 200 presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts on Saturday, June 27. Just a few blocks from Beale Street in downtown Memphis, Sun Studio is the legendary ‘Birthplace of Rock ‘n’ Roll’ and the ‘Million Dollar Quartet’ – Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash. Those associations alone draw thousands of tourists to the National Historic Landmark.(Memphis Motorsports Park PR)(6-10-2009)
Fans sponsorsing Kenny Wallace at Montreal: Whether it’s on the track or on TV, Kenny Wallace has always been a favorite of NASCAR fans. Now his “friends” have chosen to show their support for the Hermanator by sponsoring his #28 Chevy in the NASCAR Nationwide Series race on August 30th at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, Canada. Acting on an idea that was founded and cultivated by the online social-networking community who support and consistently interact with him, Wallace is extending the opportunity to all NASCAR fans to help continue his climb up this year’s championship point standings and participate in one of the most unique fan-driven sponsorship programs in the history of NASCAR. For $20 per name, fans will have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become a sponsor of Wallace and the #28 Chevy. This unique fan car will carry a special paint scheme designed by the Hermanator, listing each participating sponsor’s name on the #28 Chevy. After the race, an autographed picture of the car will be presented to each sponsor. Fans will have until July 31st to become a sponsor and can visit kennywallace.com/sponsorkenny for more information.(WSM Group PR)(6-10-2009)
Petty partners with Braun for 5 races: Richard Petty Motorsports announced it will partner with Braun Racing to compete in five Nationwide Series races in 2009. The Petty team competed full-time in the series until this season when it chose to run a fourth Sprint Cup team. Team officials said the agreement with Braun Racing makes a successful return to the series more likely. Elliott Sadler will drive the Auto Value Bumper to Bumper car in the June 27 race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on ABC television while Kasey Kahne will race in the remaining four races. Kahne’s schedule and paint schemes include: #9 McDonald’s McCafe car in the July 3 Daytona race, #9 McDonald’s car in the Aug. 21 Bristol race, #9 Fritos car in the Sept. 5 Atlanta race, and #43 Auto Value Bumper to Bumper car in the Oct. 16 Charlotte race.(PRM PR)(6-9-2009)
100,000 miles for Keller: With as many milestones as #27-Jason Keller has surpassed in his NASCAR Nationwide Series career, its hard to remember the 19-year veteran just recently celebrated his 39th birthday. He’s the series’ “Iron Man,” holding the mark for all-time starts and preparing for his 470th at Kentucky. He’s also its winnings leader, is third among all drivers with 82 top-five finishes and his 170 top 10s are ranked among the top 11 drivers in series history. He’s been a surprise to many – although he shouldn’t be – with his current seventh-place ranking in the driver standings. All Keller has done when in a fulltime ride during his series career is finish in the top 10 in the standings nine out of 10 seasons, including seven in succession from 1999-2005. Three weeks ago at his home track, Darlington Raceway, the Greenville, S.C., native became the first series driver to surpass 5,000 miles at the unique, egg-shaped oval. Saturday at Kentucky, he’s eyeing another mile marker – 100,000 miles logged in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.(NASCAR PR)(6-9-2009)
Nashville TV Ratings: ESPN2’s live telecast of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race from Nashville Superspeedway on June 6 earned a 1.3 household coverage rating, down from a 1.9 rating earned for last year’s race that also aired on ESPN2. The telecast averaged 1,747,104 viewers.(ESPN PR)(6-9-2009)
Westerman sponsoring the #40 at Kentucky: Westerman Companies, long-time sponsor of Key Motorsports’ NASCAR Camping World Truck Series entry, will be making its first ever appearance as primary sponsor of a NASCAR Nationwide Series racecar. Westerman announced a few weeks ago that the company would upgrade its sponsorship support to the NNS after Key decided to cut back his Truck Series schedule to part-time in order to focus on the Nationwide program.(Key Motorsports PR)(6-9-2009)
Sun Drop adds Kentucky race to #01 sponsorship: JD Motorsports will go green once again as Sun Drop Citrus Soda builds more momentum by adding another race to its 2009 race schedule with Danny O’Quinn Jr’s #01 Chevy. This is the third race in four weeks Sun Drop will be the Primary Sponsor for the #01.(Hufco Promotion / Johnny Davis PR)(6-9-2009)
Stout to make second attempt of year: Driver of the #19 Nationwide Series race car JC Stout, will load his single car with the help of his all volunteer crew and head to Kentucky Speedway this week. Before first light Thursday morning, the team will begin it’s second journey of the year in the Nationwide Series hoping for a smoother ride than they experienced at Lowe?s Motor Speedway a couple weeks ago.(Stellar-Quest Racing PR)(6-9-2009)
Kyle Busch Foundation on the #18: Joining NOS Energy Drink on the #18 car will be The Kyle Busch Foundation. Founded by Busch in 2006, KBF concentrates its efforts on assisting organizations across the country in fostering a safe environment for less fortunate children to live, learn, and challenge themselves.(Motorsports Management PR)(6-9-2009)
American Patriot Getaways on the #0: American Patriot Getaways, an overnight rental company in the Great Smoky Mountains, has partnered with JD Motorsports to be the Primary Sponsor for Mark Green and the #0 car in the June 13th running of the “Meijer 300 Presented by Ritz” at Kentucky Motor Speedway. Also joining the #0 from Owensboro as an associate sponsor is the Owensboro, KY Chamber of Commerce.(Hufco Promotion / Johnny Davis PR)(6-9-2009)
Nashville Rookie Notes:
Michael McDowell was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the Federated Auto Parts 300 at Nashville. McDowell finished eighth, his third top-10 of the season, and claimed top rookie honors for the fourth time in 2009. He also led the race once for one lap.
Erik Darnell grabbed a ninth-place finish at Nashville, his second top-10 in three starts this season. Darnell also led the race once for one lap.
Justin Allgaier leads Brendan Gaughan by one point (132-131) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the Meijer 300 at Kentucky Speedway.
At least one Raybestos Rookie has scored top-10 finishes in the last 11 consecutive NASCAR Nationwide Series races.
Three Raybestos Rookies are in the top-10 in the NASCAR Nationwide Series championship standings: Allgaier (eighth), McDowell (ninth) and Gaughan (10th).
Bryan Clauson was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2008 Meijer 300, scoring a fifth-place finish.(Camp & Assoc. / Raybestos PR)(6-9-2009)
Nationwide Series on ESPN2 from Kentucky: The NASCAR Nationwide Series makes its only appearance of the season at Kentucky Speedway this weekend and ESPN2 will have a live, high definition telecast from the 1.5-mile track on Saturday, June 13, at 8 p.m. ET as the series races for 300 miles. ESPN2 is the home of the NASCAR Nationwide Series all season, with selected races on ESPN and ABC. The race re-airs Sunday, June 14, at 8 a.m. on ESPN Classic. Also this weekend, ESPN2 airs coverage of NASCAR Nationwide Series qualifying at 5 p.m. on Saturday, as well as a practice session on Friday, June 12, at 6:30 p.m. The race is the second of four events that make up the Nationwide Insurance Dash 4 Cash, a competition program involving four stand-alone races on the NASCAR Nationwide Series this season and providing Nationwide Series drivers an opportunity to race for their own bonus program. In the Kentucky race, if an eligible driver takes the victory, he will receive an additional $25,000 bonus from Nationwide. At the end of the season, the eligible driver with the highest accumulated points from the four races will win an additional $50,000. Dr. Jerry Punch will be the lap-by-lap announcer, joined in the booth for analysis by Rusty Wallace and Andy Petree. Reporting from the pits will be Jamie Little, Mike Massaro and Vince Welch, with Tim Brewer in the ESPN Craftsman Tech Garage. Allen Bestwick will host the pre-race NASCAR Countdown program with analysis by Wallace and Brad Daugherty in the ESPN pit studio.(ESPN PR)(6-8-2009)
Bires back in the #33 at Kentucky: Kelly Bires will be making his second career Nationwide Series start for Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) when he climbs behind the wheel of the #33 KHI Copart Chevy at Kentucky Speedway.(KHI PR)(6-8-2009)
Racing Resources Says…
Kyle Busch won the Federated Auto Parts 300 at Nashville Superspeedway. Busch won from the first-place starting position, joining Reed Sorenson (March 2005) as the only two drivers to win from the pole in 17 races at Nashville.
Busch scored his fourth Nationwide win in 13 races this season, the most by any driver. It was his 25th series victory in his 151st race. He is the youngest driver to 25 victories (24 years, 1 month, 4 days).
This marked Busch’s 51st combined NASCAR victory, giving him sole possession of 11th all-time. He passed Ned Jarrett, Junior Johnson and Greg Biffle.
Busch posted his first victory at Nashville in his eighth race here. He became the 13th different winner in 17 races at Nashville. He is the first driver to lead at the halfway point and win in the past six races at Nashville.
Brad Keselowski (second) extended a streak of 10 consecutive top-15 finishes that began at Bristol. Keselowski finished 22nd, 27th and 27th in the first three races of the season before posting his first top-15 finish of the season at Bristol (12th).
This was the second Joe Gibbs Racing victory at Nashville, both in 2009. It was Gibbs’ 33rd series victory and the 13th by Busch in 32 starts with Gibbs.
Toyota posted its fifth win in 13 races in 2009. Chevy and Ford have four each.
Busch led four times for 173 laps, including the final 24 laps. He has led 1,244 laps this season, the most among all drivers. He has led the most laps in the past six series races.
Busch entered the race leading the standings by 40 points over Carl Edwards. Edwards finished third. Busch now leads the points by 65 over Edwards.
Edwards (third) has finished second, third, 10th, fifth and third in the past five races.
Jason Leffler (fifth) has scored 12 straight top-15 finishes, extending a streak that began at California in February. Leffler has finished in the top 10 in the past eight races, extending a streak that began at Nashville in April. This is the longest current streak.
Michael McDowell (eighth) was the highest-finishing rookie of the year contender.
Richard Childress Racing made its 700th series start at Nashville. Stephen Leicht finished sixth and Sean Caisse finished 29th.
The top 10 consisted of four Chevys, two Fords and four Toyotas.(ESPN.com)(6-8-2009)
700 starts for RCR: With #2-Sean Caisse and #29-Stephen Leicht in the field at Nashville, Richard Childress Racing will be making their 700th NASCAR Nationwide start tonight.(NASCAR PR)(6-6-2009)
100 starts for Wallace: #66-Steve Wallace will make his 100th series start tonight at Nashville Superspeedway.(ESPN2 Qualifying Coverage)(6-6-2009)
Coleman, Clements to back up Gibbs Nationwide drivers at Kentucky: Brad Coleman will serve as Kyle Busch’s backup for next week’s NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Kentucky Speedway, while Jeremy Clements will fill in for Joey Logano for the Meijer 300, Coleman said Friday at Nashville Superspeedway. Busch and Logano plan to travel from Michigan International Speedway, where the Sprint Cup Series is racing next weekend, in time for next Saturday’s Nationwide race at Kentucky. Coleman was originally going to fill in for Logano but his shoulders were too wide to fit in Logano’s seat.(Scene Daily)(6-5-2009)
New scheme for #6 team at Nashville: #6-Erik Darnell will be sporting a new look on the #6 Northern Tool + Equipment / Discount Tire Ford this weekend at Nashville. See an image of the car on the #6 paint scheme page.(6-5-2009)
RAB/Townley racing for Red Cross: As the NASCAR Nationwide Series heads to Nashville Superspeedway this weekend for the Federated Auto Parts 300, many of the residents of Murfreesboro, Tenn., and surrounding areas are still feeling the effects of a tornado that touched down during the April 2009 race weekend. Nationwide Insurance along with NASCAR and the Nashville Superspeedway have teamed up to support the local American Red Cross Nashville Chapter. RAB Racing and John Wes Townley, driver of the #09 Zaxby’s Ford, are stepping up to support future disaster relief efforts by announcing a personal challenge. Along with collecting donations through the RAB Racing team, Co-Owner and General Manager, Robby Benton and driver, John Wes Townley have agreed to donate a portion of the teams winnings following the Federated Auto Parts 300 at Nashville Superspeedway to the Nashville Area Chapter of the American Red Cross. In honor of the Red Cross, their logo will be displayed on the rear quarter panel of the #09 Zaxby’s Ford this weekend.(RAB Racing PR)(6-5-2009)
Bayne to drive 8 races for MWR: UPDATE: Former Dale Earnhardt Inc. developmental driver, Trevor Bayne will drive Michael Waltrip Racing’s #99 Toyota in eight NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) races this season.The 18 year-old Knoxville, Tenn., native finished 23rd in his March 21st NNS debut at Bristol driving Jimmy Mean’s #52 entry. Bayne will make his first appearance behind the wheel of the #99 Toyota Camry this weekend at Nashville Superspeedway. The seven additional races include: Kentucky, Milwaukee, Gateway, ORP, Iowa, Bristol and Phoenix.(Michael Waltrip Racing PR)(6-1-2009) UPDATE: Trevor Bayne has added one more Nationwide Series race to his schedule, making a total of nine races this season. Bayne was told he will either run at Charlotte on October 13 or Texas on November 7.(WBIR.com)(6-5-2009)
State Water Heaters joins Relief Fund Team Challenge: State Water Heaters in conjunction with Baker Curb Racing has pledged to donate $5,000 to the American Red Cross to assist in tornado relief efforts as part of the NASCAR Nationwide Series Relief Fund Team Challenge. The NASCAR Nationwide Series Relief Fund Team Challenge is taking place this week at Nashville Superspeedway and is a competition between crews to see who can make the largest donation to the Nashville Chapter of the American Red Cross. The winning crew will receive recognition from ESPN 2 during the pre-race coverage of Saturday’s Federated Auto Parts 300.(Baker Curb PR)(6-4-2009)
Dover TV ratings: ESPN on ABC’s live telecast of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Dover International Speedway earned a final national rating of 1.6, averaging 2,232,613 viewers. The race aired on ESPN2 the past two years.(ESPN PR)(6-3-2009)
PeelsPlus.com co-primary sponsor of #31 at Nashville: PeelsPlus.com becomes co-primary sponsor for the #31 Rick Ware Racing entry with Daryl Harr. PeelsPlus.com, is an environmentally responsible cleaner & degreaser for industrial, institutional and household use. The proprietary blend of Nature’s most powerful cleaners is designed to satisfy every requirement of the “Green” consumer.(Rick Ware Racing PR)(6-4-2009)
Double-File restarts coming to Nationwide soon: As a part of the announcement that NASCAR was implementing double-file restarts in the Nextel Cup Series, they stated, “The format will be adapted for the NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in the near future”.(6-4-2009)
Federated Auto Parts on the #40 at Nashville: Federated Auto Parts, 14-year sponsor of this weekend’s Federated Auto Parts 300, will appear as primary sponsor for this weekend’s race on the #40. This is Federated Auto Parts’ second race as primary sponsor for Key Motorsports, debuting on the car earlier this year in Las Vegas where Wimmer scored Key Motorsports’ best NNS finish since 1995: 11th.(Key Motorsports PR)(6-3-2009)
Hillman takes over as Annett’s crew chief: Germain Racing has added veteran NASCAR Sprint Cup Series crew chief Peter Sospenzo to lead the efforts of the #13 GEICO Camry and driver Max Papis in the highest level of NASCAR competition. This move allows general manager Mike Hillman Sr. to work with the #15 Pilot Travel Centers/HYPE Energy Drinks Camry team and driver Michael Annett in NASCAR’s number two series.(Germain Racing PR)(6-3-2009)
Portions of Montreal track to be resurfaced: Stock-Car Montréal, promoter of the NAPA Auto Parts 200 presented by Dodge, initiated major track resurfacing work this week on crucial portions of Circuit Gilles Villeneuve for the upcoming August 29-30 NASCAR race. The work, carried out by contractor Construction DJL in close cooperation with Shell Bitumen, will enable drivers of the Grand-Am and NASCAR Nationwide Series to negotiate the Montreal track’s demanding bends on a smooth surface worthy of the great international racetracks.(Stock Car Montreal PR)(6-3-2009)
Western Kentucky University on the #05: The Western Kentucky University red towel will be waving Saturday night when the greennascar flag drops for the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Nashville Superspeedway. The WKU logo will appear on the hood of the #05 Chevy at the Federated Auto Parts 300. The car’s back bumper will have a link to www.gowku.com, which will direct Internet users to WKU’s homepage.(Western Kentucky PR), see an image of the car on the #05 paint schemes page.(6-2-2009)
Clements to fill in for Busch at Nashville: This weekend’s race will serve as a bit of a challenge for #18-Kyle Busch as he will likely miss practice and possibly qualifying due to his obligations with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway. Jeremy Clements will serve as the substitute driver in Busch’s absence.(MMI PR)(6-2-2009)
Tornado Relief Fund Autograph Session this Saturday at Nashville: When the tornado roared through Middle Tennessee on Good Friday, April 10, the NASCAR Nationwide Series Drivers were huddled in the Nashville Superspeedway Media Center watching TV reports of the devastation in Murfreesboro, just minutes south of the track. The memory of that day lives on in the minds of many of the drivers, and so when they roll back into town this weekend for the Federated Auto Parts 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race they wanted to give back to the community. Nationwide Insurance, NASCAR and the Nashville Superspeedway will host a “Tornado Relief Fund Autograph Session” at the Nationwide Display on Expo Row Saturday, June 6 from Noon to 1 p.m. The autograph session is free; however, donations are welcome to benefit the Nashville area American Red Cross.(Nashville Superspeedway PR)(6-2-2009)
2 RCR cars at Nashville: For just the second time in 2009, RCR will field multiple entries in a Nationwide Series event. Stephen Leicht will pilot chassis No. 066 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Nationwide Series stable in this weekend’s Federated Auto Parts 300. Sean Caisse will make his RCR debut this weekend driving the Welcome, N.C.-based race team’s flagship #2 Chevy. The 23-year old driver will have to qualify on time during Saturday’s time trials in order to secure a spot in the race. (RCR PR)(6-2-2009)
Coleman returns to Nationwide Series: The last time Brad Coleman was in a NASCAR Nationwide Series race was August of 2008 when he brought home a Top 10 finish at Watkins Glen. Ten months later, the 21 year-old Joe Gibbs Racing driver is looking to regain momentum when he gets back on track at Nashville in the #20 Rudys.com JGR Toyota at the Federated Auto Parts 300.(Coleman PR)(6-2-2009)
Nationwide races for Ryan Truex? While his older brother is in the news with a possibility of switching rides and racing under the Michael Waltrip Racing banner next season, Ryan Truex is carving his own path to success at MWR. At South Boston Speedway (VA) for the NASCAR Camping World East Series event, the younger Truex snagged the pole position and lead early, but faded to third at the end of the race. Truex might not have entered victory lane with his newer Toyota team affiliation, but it appears he will have many chances over multiple years to get there, as well as multiple series as he moves his way up the ranks of racing with Michael Waltrip Racing. “Right now my deal (with Michael Waltrip Racing) is just to run the full Camping World East season this year. It is a one year contract with a two year extension I think, so hopefully next year I will run a few Nationwide races and probably Camping World East again.”(Speed51)(6-2-2009)
Nashville Rookie Notes:
Justin Allgaier was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the Heluva Good! 200 at Dover. Allgaier scored a 10th-place finish, his sixth top-10 this season. He became the first Raybestos Rookie to score a top-10 in the spring race at Dover since Marcos Ambrose placed sixth in 2007.
Michael Annett led the Dover race once for one lap and was the only Raybestos Rookie to lead the race.
Allgaier and Brendan Gaughan are tied for the lead in the Raybestos Rookie standings (124-124) entering the Federated Auto Parts 300 at Nashville Superspeedway.
At least one Raybestos Rookie has scored top-10 finishes in the last 10 consecutive NASCAR Nationwide Series races.
Two Raybestos Rookies are in the top-10 in the NASCAR Nationwide Series championship standings: Gaughan (seventh) and Allgaier (10th).
Scott Lagasse Jr. was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2009 Nashville 300, scoring a 10th-place finish.
Landon Cassill was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2008 Federated Auto Parts 300, claiming a ninth-place finish. Cassill was also the only Raybestos Rookie to lead the race, holding the top spot once for 10 laps.(Camp & Assoc / Raybestos PR)(6-2-2009)
Racing Resources Says…
Brad Keselowski won the Heluva Good! 200 at Dover International Speedway. This marked the 850th Nationwide Series race in NASCAR history (since 1982). Keselowski earned his first series win of the season. He is the ninth different winner this season.
Keselowski scored his third Nationwide victory in his 81st race. He posted his first victory at Dover in his fifth race there. He has finished in the top 10 in all four of his Dover starts in the No. 88. Keselowski’s last win came at Bristol this past August (20 races ago). All three of Keselowski’s Nationwide wins have come on concrete.
Keselowski extended a streak of nine consecutive top-15 finishes that began at Bristol. Keselowski finished 22nd, 27th and 27th in the first three races of the season before posting his first top-15 finish of the season at Bristol (12th).
JR Motorsports scored its fifth series win and its first at Dover.
Keselowski led only two laps, the fewest laps led by a Dover winner.
Joe Gibbs Racing led 195 of the 200 laps.
Keselowski won from a 12th-place starting position.
Chevy posted its fourth win in 12 races in 2009. Toyota and Ford also have four wins.
Kyle Busch, who entered the race 73 points ahead of Carl Edwards, finished 17th in his 150th series race. Edwards finished fifth. Busch now leads the points by 40 over Edwards.
Busch has led the most laps in the past five Nationwide races. He has led 394 laps of the 523 laps raced in the past three races yet has failed to win. He has led 1,071 laps this season.
Joey Logano (second) has scored 10 top-15 finishes in the 10 series races in which he has competed this season.
Edwards has finished second, third, 10th and fifth in the past four series races.
Jason Leffler (eighth) has scored 11 straight top-15 finishes, extending a streak that began at California in February. Leffler has finished in the top 10 in the past seven Nationwide races, extending a streak that began at Nashville. His is the longest current streak. This was his 200th series race. He started at the rear (41st) under penalty.
Justin Allgaier (10th) was the highest-finishing rookie contender.
The top 10 consisted of two Chevys, three Fords, four Toyotas and one Dodge.
(ESPN.com)(6-1-2009)
Nationwide Series on ESPN2 from Nashville: The NASCAR Nationwide Series returns to Nashville Superspeedway this weekend for its second and final appearance of the 2009 season, and ESPN2 will have a live, high definition telecast from the 1.33-mile track on Saturday, June 6, at 7 p.m. ET as the series races for 300 miles. The telecast is presented by Pennzoil. ESPN2 is the home of the NASCAR Nationwide Series all season, with selected races on ESPN and ABC. The race re-airs Sunday, June 7, at 8 a.m. on ESPN Classic. Also this weekend, ESPN2 airs coverage of NASCAR Nationwide Series qualifying at 3 p.m. on Saturday, as well as a practice session on Friday, June 5, at 6 p.m. Dr. Jerry Punch will be the lap-by-lap announcer, joined in the booth for analysis by Rusty Wallace and Andy Petree. Dave Burns, Jamie Little and Shannon Spake will report from the pits, with Tim Brewer in the ESPN Craftsman Tech Garage. Allen Bestwick will host the pre-race NASCAR Countdown program with analysis by Wallace and Brad Daugherty, in the ESPN pit studio.(ESPN PR)(6-1-2009)
Four drivers for KHI in June: During the month of June, the #33 car will see four different faces in the driver’s seat for four different races. Beginning at Nashville Superspeedway, Cale Gale will pilot the car, followed by Kelly Bires at Kentucky Speedway, Ron Hornaday at The Milwaukee Mile and rounding out the month with Kevin Harvick at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.(Kevin Harvick Inc. PR)(6-1-2009)
