Racing Resources Says…
• Kyle Busch won the Tech-Net Auto Service 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. It was his 35th series victory in his 185th race. It was Busch’s sixth Charlotte win in 14 races, tying Mark Martin for the most. Busch has won four of the past five at CMS.
• Busch posted his 71st NASCAR win across the three major series.
• Busch led once for 64 laps. He has led in all 12 Nationwide races in 2010. He is 91 laps short of passing Mark Martin for the most laps led all-time in the series.
• Busch was nearly two laps down and as low as 32nd after a loose wheel and serving a pit-speeding penalty on Lap 53.
• Joe Gibbs Racing posted its 48th series victory and sixth win in 2010, leading all owners. JGR has won six of the past seven 1.5-mile races.
• Toyota posted its fourth Charlotte victory, all by Busch, and sixth win in 2010, leading all teams.
• Points leader Brad Keselowski (second) led the most laps for just the fifth time in his career. He has led more laps in 2010 than in all of 2009. Keselowski has a one-point lead over second-place Busch, but Busch and Harvick (third in points) are not running the full season. Carl Edwards is fourth in points, 257 off the pace.
• Joey Logano (third) scored his eighth top-10 finish in his nine starts in 2010.
• Justin Allgaier (fourth) scored his first top-10 finish since starting the year with five top-10 finishes.
• Ryan Newman (fifth) has top-5 finishes in both starts this season.
• Kasey Kahne (26th) led 29 laps before having to pit with an 11-second lead to change a battery.(ESPN.com)(5-31-2010)
Bliss making KHI debut at Nashville: Mike Bliss will make his first career start for Kevin Harvick Inc. this week behind the wheel of the #33 Charter Chevy at Nashville Superspeedway.(KHI PR)(5-31-2010)
Wise, Pressley to drive for JR Motorsports: JR Motorsports will continue its search for its new development driver this week in the June 5 Nationwide Series race at Nashville Superspeedway as Coleman Pressley will drive the #88 car and Josh Wise will drive the #7 car, a team spokesman confirmed Sunday. Wise, a former Michael Waltrip Racing development driver, has been driving this season for Specialty Racing, a low-budget Nationwide team. The 27-year-old Wise, who has driven for Tony Stewart Racing in USAC and won the 2005 USAC Midget national title, has a best NASCAR Nationwide Series finish of fifth at O’Reilly Raceway Park in 2008 driving for Fitz Motorsports. Pressley, son of former Nationwide Series driver Robert Pressley, has eight career Nationwide Series starts, including three this year for R3 Motorsports. The 21-year-old Pressley has 26 short-track victories in his career and has a best Nationwide finish of 15th earlier this month at Darlington.(Scene Daily)(5-30-2010)
NASCAR takes eight engines to R&D: NASCAR took eight Nationwide Series engines back to its research and development center after the Tech-Net Auto Service 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. NASCAR does a yearly dynomometer test of engines, spokesperson Tracey Judd said. Engines taken were the Chevys of #33-Kevin Harvick (Kevin Harvick Inc.), #1-Ryan Newman (Phoenix Racing) and #40-Mike Bliss (Key Motorsports), the Toyotas of #20-Joey Logano (Joe Gibbs Racing), #38-Kasey Kahne (Braun Racing) and #15-Michael Annett (Germain Racing), the Dodge of #22-Brad Keselowski (Penske Racing) and the Ford of #27-Greg Biffle (Baker Curb Racing).(NNS Racing)(5-29-2010)
Double duty drivers lining up subs: Drivers who will attempt to compete in Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series events at different tracks on the same weekends next month are lining up drivers to practice and possibly qualify their cars for them. Over the next three weeks, the Cup series will be at Pocono while the Nationwide Series is at Nashville; at Michigan while Nationwide is at Kentucky; and at Infineon while Nationwide is at Road America in Wisconsin. Three drivers are expected to try to run every race in both series – Roush Fenway Racing’s #60-Carl Edwards, Richard Petty Motorsports’ #98-Paul Menard and Penske Racing’s #22-Brad Keselowski. They possibly could do most of the practice sessions on Friday at Nashville and Kentucky depending on their qualifying draws at Pocono and Michigan. They should be able to make it for Nationwide qualifying on those weekends. At Road America, the Cup drivers will be able to practice there Thursday as the race weekend is extended a day because it is a new venue for the Nationwide Series. They then will spend all of Friday at Infineon (missing Nationwide practice) and all of Saturday at Road America (missing Cup practice). Keselowski, the series points leader, likely will have Penske development driver Parker Kligerman on standby over the next three weeks while Edwards will use Roush Fenway development driver Erik Darnell. Menard, who drives for Roush Fenway in the Nationwide Series, will have several other drivers in his car for practice and qualifying. Colin Braun, who started the year as the full-time Nationwide driver in the #16 Roush Fenway car, will practice for Menard at Nashville while Brian Ickler, who is now splitting time with Braun in the #16 car, will sub for Menard at Kentucky. Michel Jourdain Jr. will practice the car at Road America.(Scene Daily)(5-29-2010)
Lepage, Mac Hill join RaceDaySponsor.com: #56-Kevin Lepage and MacHill Motorsports announce a partnership with RaceDaySponsor.com. RaceDaySponsor has created a way to find money so MacHill Motorsports can start racing week to week. Representatives will call small business around each race track weeks before the Series races and give each small business owner the option to have their name on the car for $1,000 and a shot at having their name on the hood, as well as pit passes. A computer program will pick out a the location on the car of all participating small businesses. The program is designed to give small business the opportunity to sponsor a car, that they otherwise could not afford.(Lepage/MacHill PR)5-29-2010)
Zaxby’s revises Childress sponsorship: Richard Childress Racing and Zaxby’s have revised their partnership agreement, with the Southeast favorite for chicken fingers and Buffalo wings to sponsor the #21 team for 10 more races in the 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series season. Clint Bowyer will drive the #21 Zaxby’s Chevry at Charlotte Motor Speedway (May 29 and Oct. 15), Daytona International Speedway (July 2), Bristol Motor Speedway (Aug. 20), Atlanta Motor Speedway (Sept. 4), Richmond International Raceway (Sept. 10), Texas Motor Speedway (Nov. 6) and Homestead-Miami Speedway (Nov. 20). Scott Riggs will drive the car at Nashville Superspeedway (June 5) and Kentucky Speedway (June 12). For the remaining races, Zaxby’s will be an associate sponsor with Zaxby’s branding to be displayed on the car’s lower-rear quarter panels.(RCR PR) no word on the status of John Wes Townley, but he’s not scheduled to drive any of the races.(5-28-2010)
Coleman partners with SafeWay Driving Centers: Joe Gibbs Racing driver Brad Coleman’s search for sponsorship for his NASCAR Nationwide Series races in the #18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota this season yielded an unexpected opportunity that blossomed into both a business acquisition and sponsorship for his first race of the year at Nashville Superspeedway on June 5 from SafeWay Driving Centers. The 22 year-old Texan has made the most of his relationship with several NASCAR Partners to acquire one of Texas’ largest driving school companies. When visiting his hometown of Houston over the Thanksgiving holidays last year, Coleman stopped by SafeWay Driving Centers, where he had received his Texas drivers license when he was 16. A visit with then owner and company founder Gene Walker about the prospects of sponsoring one of the schools’ most famed graduates ultimately compelled Coleman to return to Charlotte with the idea of buying the 37-year-old chain of driving schools.(SafeWay PR)(5-28-2010)
Webster Radiator sponsoring Jay Robinsoon Racing at Charlotte: Jay Robinson Racing and Webster Radiator & AC announced that Websterradiator.com will serve as the primary sponsor of the #70 Chevy driven by Mark Green and Major Associate Sponsor on the #28 Chevy Driven by Kenny Wallace in the NASCAR Nationwide Series race Saturday May 28th in Charlotte. Webster Radiator & AC, of Concord, NC a leading distributor of radiators, condensers and a full line of auto ac parts. They have one of the largest most extensive inventory’s on the east coast of quality parts and they ship anywhere in the world.(Jay Robinson PR) see a rendering of the car on my #70 Nationwide team paint schemes page.(5-28-2010)
OUT! Pet Care sponsoring Bayne for 18 races: Diamond-Waltrip Racing announced that OUT! Pet Care, a pet products company based in Dallas, will join Trevor Bayne’s #99 Toyota Camry as a primary sponsor beginning this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The OUT! Pet Care decals will adorn the #99 Diamond-Waltrip Racing Toyota in 18 of the final 24 races in the 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series season, beginning this week in Charlotte. OUT! Pet Care along with Aaron’s gives Bayne a full season of sponsorship in his first full season driving the #99. OUT! Pet Care was started to fill a need for pet owners – a helpful way to clean up after and train your pet conveniently and practically.(Diamond-Waltip PR)(5-27-2010)
Harvick will not run full Nationwide schedule: #33-Kevin Harvick announced Friday that he will not run the full Nationwide Series schedule. Mike Bliss will drive the #33 at Nashville, Kentucky, and Gateway. Ron Hornaday will drive at Road American and O’Reilly Raceway Park.(5-27-2010)
TireBuyer.com sponsoring Mike Wallace: Mike Wallace announced that TireBuyer.com will sponsor his #01 Chevy for the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Charlotte May 29, 2010. TireBuyer.com is the place to buy tires and wheels on-line. With millions of top brand tires and wheels in stock, TireBuyer.com typically will have your choice of tires and/or wheels shipped locally to one of thousands of qualified installers in 1-3 days.(J-D Motorsports PR), see a rendering of the car on my #01 Nationwide team paint schemes page.(5-25-2010)
Phoenix Racing may go to part-time schedule: UPDATE 3: Phoenix Racing posted its best NASCAR Nationwide Series finish of the season Saturday with a second-place by Ryan Newman at Dover International Speedway. But general manager Marc Reno said the team may cut its schedule back in upcoming races. Rookie James Buescher left the team earlier this week, and Newman got a call about 4 p.m. on Wednesday about driving the #1 Chevy this weekend. Newman said yes, and Reno hopes he does that some more this year. Asked if any other drivers are on the team’s radar, Reno said no and then added that the team may skip upcoming standalone races at Nashville and Kentucky. “We’re probably going to be a did-not-show-up at Nashville,” Reno said. “I would say Nashville and Kentucky and some of those places. We’ll probably run all the new-car races, maybe the road races if we can get Max (Papis) or somebody to drive – or Ryan might drive. But we’re going to cut it back to races (car owner) James (Finch) has fun at. Otherwise, he’s going to get out of here pretty quick.” Finch has said his team for sale, but Reno said Finch originally planned to sell the Nationwide Series operation to Steve Turner, owner of the Turner Motorsports Camping World Truck Series team and father to Buescher’s fiancé. “It all started a few weeks ago or a month ago when he offered to sell the (Nationwide) team to Steve Turner,” Reno said. “Well, then the press picked up on it and the Internet got a hold of it, and all of a sudden it turned into, ‘It’s wide open for a sale. (Finch is) pretty down on the (Nationwide) Series right now. He doesn’t think that a lot of the things they’re doing are productive for this series. But we’re building five of those new cars, so if he’s quitting, I don’t know why we’re doing that.” Reno said Phoenix will be at the test of the new Nationwide Series car at Daytona next week, likely with Mike Bliss driving.(NNS Racing)(5-15-2010) UPDATE: Unsponsored Phoenix Racing will officially begin cutting back its Nationwide schedule next month. A source told Frontstretch the organization has decided to pull out of the series’ three road course races, turning down a turnkey driver/sponsor opportunity to run at Road America fully-funded in mid-June. Instead, races at Watkins Glen and Montreal will be skipped as owner James Finch reorganizes his effort, focusing on the series’ three Car of Tomorrow races while attempting to put the #1 car back up for sale. Originally, Finch had sold the No. 1 to Truck Series owner Steve Turner, but the deal fell through, a move that triggered in part the firing of struggling rookie James Buescher. Buescher has now moved to Turner Motorsports full-time to run in that series, while Finch is planning on a hodgepodge of drivers to fill seat time in selected races over the next few months.(Fronststretch)(5-19-2010) UPDATE 2: been told that the team does want to run the road course races and will address their future schedule in more detail on Monday.(5-20-2010) UPDATE 3: hearing that there was a large round of layoffs at the Phoenix Racing shop on Thursday, with more than 20 employees being let go.(5-20-2010) UPDATE: 4: Phoenix Racing, which saw longtime sponsor Miccosukee Resorts drop its Nationwide and Cup sponsorship of the organization a week before the 2010 NASCAR season began, will continue its Sprint Cup program but will cut back its Nationwide effort following this week, team general manager Marc Reno said Thursday at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The team likely will skip the next four Nationwide Series races and return to the series July 2 at Daytona International Speedway when the new Nationwide Series car is scheduled to debut. Reno said he hopes to have Ryan Newman, who is driving for the team for the second consecutive Nationwide race this weekend, behind the wheel to run seven or eight more races this year. The departure of Phoenix Racing from full-time competition in the series will drop it out of a locked-in position, as it is currently 20th in the owner standings.(Scene Daily)(5-27-2010)
Leslie takes over as crew chief for #16 team: Ben Leslie has been named interim crew chief for the Roush Fenway Racing #16 Nationwide Series team, a team spokesman has confirmed. He replaces Eddie Pardue. Leslie, who started the year as crew chief for Ricky Stenhouse Jr., had more recently been overseeing the Nationwide program for Roush Fenway. Pardue, a Nationwide Series crew chief for more than four years and an employee at Roush Fenway for seven, is no longer with the organization.(Scene Daily) (5-27-2010)
50 starts for Logano: Joey Logano will make his 50th-career Nationwide Series start this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Logano climbs behind the wheel of the #20 Sport Clips Toyota after a three week hiatus. Sport Clips will adorn the No. 20 Nationwide Toyota this weekend for the second of four primary races this season.(JGR PR)(5-27-2010)
Pilot Travel Centers, St. Jude on the #15 at Charlotte: As Charlotte Motor Speedway hosts NASCAR’s annual Memorial Day weekend of stock car racing competition, Michael Annett and Germain Racing’s #15 Nationwide Series team will help bring awareness to the lifesaving mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for Saturday’s Nationwide Series Tech-Net Auto Service 300. The #15 Toyota Camry will feature the St. Jude logo on the hood, deck lid and rear quarter panels in support of St. Jude, one of the world’s premier pediatric cancer research centers. Loyal sponsor, Pilot Travel Centers takes pride in supporting St. Jude and their mission of finding cures and saving children.(Germain Racing PR)(5-26-2010)
Pre-race benefit concert at Nashville to support the flood relief efforts: The June 5, 2010 Nationwide Series race at Nashville Superspeedway will directly benefit flood relief efforts happening in and around Nashville through a partnership between renowned Warner Bros. recording artist John Rich, Nashville Superspeedway, Nationwide Insurance, Big Machine Records, Gibson Guitar, and Hands On Nashville. A portion from tickets sold for the June 5 “Federated Auto Parts 300” event will benefit Hands On Nashville, a volunteer agency assisting those affected most by the recent floods in Nashville. Nashville Superspeedway will also collect canned goods to support the Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. Fans can drop their canned food items in collection bins located at the outside of the entrance gates to the main grandstands. Sam Bass, NASCAR’s first officially licensed artist and designer of the famed Gibson Les Paul trophy guitar handed out in Victory Lane at Nashville, has designed a special-edition guitar that will be autographed by Bass, John Rich and the winner of the “Federated Auto Parts 300” in Victory Lane at the conclusion of the race. The guitar will be auctioned on eBay with all proceeds benefiting Hands On Nashville.(Nashville PR)(5-25-2010)
Charlotte Rookie Notes:
• Brian Scott was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the Heluva Good! 200 at Dover International Speedway. Scott scored a ninth-place finish, his third top-10 of the 2010 season. He claimed top rookie honors for the FIFTH time this season and for the second consecutive race.
• Scott leads Ricky Stenhouse Jr. by 13 points (116-103) in the overall Raybestos Rookie standings entering the TECH-NET Auto Service 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
• Colin Braun posted a 10th-place finish at Dover, his first top-10 of the season and his second in 16 NASCAR Nationwide Series races. He became the fourth Raybestos Rookie to score a top-10 finish this season, joining Scott, James Buescher and Stenhouse Jr.
• Brendan Gaughan was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2009 TECH-NET Auto Service 300, scoring a second-place finish.
• A Raybestos Rookie has scored a top-10 finish in four of the past six spring races at Charlotte.
• Kyle Busch won the 2004 TECH-NET Auto Service 300 and is the only Raybestos Rookie driver to win the spring Nationwide Series race at Charlotte since the rookie program was created in 1989 (21 previous races). Busch also led the most laps in the race (three times for 93 laps).
• Greg Biffle holds the record for most laps led by a Raybestos Rookie in the spring race at Charlotte. Biffle led the 2001 event three times for 154 of the 200 laps on his way to a sixth-place finish. Biffle and Busch are the only Raybestos Rookies to lead the most laps in the TECH-NET Auto Service 300.(Raybestos/Camp & Assoc PR)(5-26-2010)
Congressional candidate on the #40 at Charlotte: IMAGE Tim D’Annunzio said he is sponsoring a car in the NASCAR Nationwide Series TECH-NET Auto Service 300. Mike Bliss’ #40 Chevy will be decked out in a “Vote Tim D’Annunzio for Congress” paint scheme for Saturday’s race. The campaign spent $25,000 to be the car’s main sponsor for one race, said D’Annunzio’s press secretary, Lauren Slepian. Former NASCAR driver Lake Speed recently endorsed D’Annunzio and made a television ad for him. Speed recommended D’Annunzio to Bliss as a potential sponsor, Slepian said. D’Annunzio has spent more than a $1 million of his own money and has raised more individual contributions than his opponents in his race to unseat U.S. Rep. Larry Kissell.(Independent Tribune), see an image of the car on my #40 Nationwide team paint schemes page.(5-25-2010)
Motorola on the #12 at Charlotte: Motorola, an official handset partner of Verizon Wireless, will have branding on Allgaier’s #12 Dodge this weekend at Charlotte. In addition to their presence on the car, Motorola will host a number of clients and customers at the speedway.(Penske PR)(5-25-2010)
Ickler making Roush-Feway debut: Brian Ickler will be making his Roush Fenway Racing debut this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway in the #16 Con-way Freight Ford. The San Diego, Calif. native has made three previous Nationwide Series starts, but this will be his first series start at the 1.5-mile speedway.(Roush-Fenway PR)(5-25-2010)
HelpTruckers.com on the #23: R3 Motorsports and HelpTruckers.com have signed a marketing partnership for the team’s #23 Chevy in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. HelpTruckers.com is the newest, innovative online source for over-the-road truckers and the trucking industry. In addition to offering a 24-hour, nationwide breakdown service, they will also offer personal service to the entire trucking business in regards to industry blogs/forums, shopping and a travel network.(R3 Motorsports PR)(5-25-2010)
TireBuyer.com sponsoring Mike Wallace: Mike Wallace announced that TireBuyer.com will sponsor his #01 Chevy for the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Charlotte May 29, 2010. TireBuyer.com is the place to buy tires and wheels on-line. With millions of top brand tires and wheels in stock, TireBuyer.com typically will have your choice of tires and/or wheels shipped locally to one of thousands of qualified installers in 1-3 days.(J-D Motorsports PR)(5-25-2010)
Catawba County sheriff candidate on the #89: Nationwide Series driver Morgan Shepherd will carry a message of support for Catawba County, NC sheriff candidate Coy Reid during the Tech-Net Auto Service 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway this weekend. Shepherd has great respect for the Catawba County Sheriff’s Department and current Sheriff David Huffman due to their many years of service and dedication to keeping their community safe. Reid joined the Catawba County Sheriff’s Department in 1977 where he has served in various capacities, including road patrol, criminal investigations, and most recently the department’s chief executive officer.(Faith Motorsports PR)(5-24-2010)
Sellers returns to Series at Charlotte: Peyton Sellers returns to where he most wants to be, behind the wheel of a Nationwide Series car in the upcoming Tech-Net Auto Service 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 29th. The Danville, Virginia native makes his first return to the Nationwide series since 2009 where he had a solid rookie performance, running 11 races with Cardinal Motorsports. Sellers, a former NASCAR Whelen All-American Series National Champion, will drive the #25 Sellers Racing Chevy powered by Earnhardt-Childress Racing engines and carrying the SkillsUSA banner. Sellers Racing is a small, family-run team that will be making its first outing in the Nationwide Series this year. Marcus Richmond will serve as crew chief. Richmond worked as a crew chief for Bobby Hamilton Racing in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series from 2006-2008. In 2009, Richmond moved to Wyler Racing with driver Stacy Compton, the team finished 11th in series point standings.(Sellers PR)(5-24-2010)
Miracle Whip sponsoring Harvick: Kevin Harvick Inc. announced that Miracle Whip dressing, a Kraft Foods brand, will serve as the primary sponsor on the #33 Nationwide Series car for the May 29 TECH-NET Auto Service 300 at Charlotte (N.C) Motor Speedway with two-time Nationwide Series champion Kevin Harvick behind the wheel. Making their only scheduled appearance on the #33 KHI Chevy at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Miracle Whip dressing will bring NASCAR fans its unique blend of spices and distinctive turkey-smacking, ham-pumping, sandwich-kicking flavor, according to Harvick.(KHI PR), see images of the car on the #33 Nationwide team page schemes page.(5-24-2010)
Arpin back in the #7 at Charlotte: Steve Arpin obviously made an impact with the JRM bunch, as he confirmed that he’ll be back in the #7 car for the upcoming Nationwide race at Charlotte next weekend. And that’s perhaps surprising. While Arpin had flashes of brilliance in his three starts (especially at Talladega, where he qualified fourth), the stats sheet wasn’t so kind; Arpin failed to crack the top 20 in any of them. And this with an organization that fired Kelly Bires after only five starts due to a lack of performance that included four top 20 finishes.(Frontstretch)(5-23-2010)
Sorenson will replace Vickers in #32 for Braun: Braun Racing announced that Reed Sorenson will drive the #32 Dollar General Toyota in the NASCAR Nationwide Series races scheduled at Charlotte Motor Speedway (May and October), Daytona Superspeedway (July), Michigan International Speedway (August) and Atlanta Motor Speedway (September). Brian Vickers was originally scheduled to drive the #32 in these events.(Braun Racing PR)(5-21-2010)
NNS New Car test at Daytona: Tuesday and Wednesday, May 18-19, the NASCAR Nationwide Series will conduct a verification tire test for its new car at Daytona. It’s the final test before the new car competes in its first points race on July 2, also at DIS. Thursday, May 20, is set aside as a rain date. As many as 15 teams and 25 drivers are listed to participate during the two-day test. Drivers scheduled to test include reigning series champion Kyle Busch, current standings leader Brad Keselowski, Justin Allgaier, the top series-only regular in the standings (fifth) and Brian Scott, the Raybestos Rookie standings leader. The garage opens both days at 8 a.m., with testing from 9 a.m.-noon and 1-5 p.m. each day. NASCAR Nationwide Series director Joe Balash and Allgaier will provide a new car “Tech Talk” for media and fans in the Sprint FANZONE.(NASCAR PR), see more information on the new Nationwide car on my Nationwide COT page.(5-14-2010) UPDATE: Drivers schedule to participate include: Joey Logano (May 19 only); Kyle Busch; Steve Wallace; Brendan Gaughan; Kevin Harvick; Brad Keselowski; Justin Allgaier; Ricky Stenhouse Jr.; Paul Menard; Carl Edwards (May 19 only); Erik Darnell (May 18 only); Michael Annett; Shelby Howard; Reed Sorenson; Brian Scott; Jason Leffler; Clint Bowyer (May 19 only); Austin Dillon (May 18 only); Scott Wimmer; Landon Cassill; Steve Arpin; Tony Raines; Jason Keller (tentative).(NASCAR PR)(5-17-2010)
Levine Children’s Hospital on the #11 at Charlotte: Braun Racing is pleased to announce that Levine Children’s Hospital will adorn the hood of its #11 Toyota Camry for the upcoming Nationwide Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 29th. 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series Rookie of the Year points leader, Brian Scott, will drive the Levine Children’s Hospital Toyota Camry.(Braun Racing PR)(5-20-2010)
Dover TV Ratings: ABC’s live telecast of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Dover International Speedway on Saturday, May 15, earned a final national rating of 1.3, down from the 1.6 rating for last year’s race that also aired on ABC. The telecast averaged 1,973,066 viewers. ESPN2 is the home of the NASCAR Nationwide Series, with select races airing on ESPN and ABC. The next event at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 29 is the last of four races this season that were scheduled to air on ABC. The race at Talladega Superspeedway was scheduled for ABC but aired on ESPN2 after being postponed a day due to rain.(ESPN PR)(5-20-2010)
Danica to test with JR Motorsports next month: While Danica Patrick is tied up for the month of May at the Brickyard with her day job — as an IndyCar driver of the Andretti AutoSport team — she will soon be testing with JR Motorsports again. Crew chief Tony Eury Jr. says Patrick will test with the team June 14 and 15 at the Milwaukee Mile in preparation for New Hampshire. The team will then move on to Road America where the series has an open test on July 17th before the debut of the Bucyrus 200 on June 19th.(Fox Sports)(5-20-2010)
C3i Sports sponsoring Efland at Charlotte: Danny Efland announced that C3i Sports will again be the primary sponsor for the #07 Chevy in the NASCAR Nationwide Series race May 29, 2010 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. C3i Sports, a Columbia, South Carolina company sponsored the Danny Efland Racing Impala at Darlington where Danny brought the car home in a respectable 26th place. C3i Sports creates computerized systems for tracking performance, conditioning, and progress of professional athletes.(Efland PR)(5-20-2010)
Newman will return to the #1 at Charlotte: Posted on Ryan Newman’s Facebook page, “Ryan will be driving the #1 Phoenix Racing Chevy in the Tech-Net Auto Service 300 on Saturday May 29th”.(5-19-2010)
Baker Curb losing RedMan sponsorship: UPDATE 3: Allen Bestwick reported during ESPN2’s coverage of the Nationwide Series race that RedMan, the sponsor of the #27-Baker Curb Racing team, would have to be off the car by the end of June due to new federal regulations on smokeless tobacco products.(4-30-2010) UPDATE: the FDA rule containing a broad set of federal requirements designed to significantly curb access to and the appeal of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products to children and adolescents in the United States. The new rule, Regulations Restricting the Sale and Distribution of Cigarettes and Smokeless Tobacco to Protect Children and Adolescents, restricts the sale, distribution, and promotion of these products to make them less accessible and less attractive to kids. Published March 19, 2010, the new rule becomes effective June 22, 2010, and has the force and effect of law. New Requirements Relating to Sale and Distribution
* Prohibits the sale of cigarettes or smokeless tobacco to people younger than 18.
* Prohibits the sale of cigarette packages with fewer than 20 cigarettes.
* Prohibits the sale of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco in vending machines, self-service displays, or other impersonal modes of sales, except in very limited situations.
* Prohibits free samples of cigarettes and limits distribution of smokeless tobacco products.
New Requirements Relating to Marketing (Labeling, Advertising, and Promotion)
* Prohibits tobacco brand name sponsorship of any athletic, musical, or other social or cultural event, or any team or entry in those events.
* Prohibits gifts or other items in exchange for buying cigarettes or smokeless tobacco products.
* Requires that audio ads use only words with no music or sound effects.
* Prohibits the sale or distribution of items, such as hats and tee shirts, with tobacco brands or logos.
(FDA)(5-2-2010) UPDATE 2: Greg Biffle, who currently ranks seventh in the NASCAR Nationwide Series point standings, makes his final start in the #27-Red Man Moist Snuff Ford Saturday, May 29th, when the series heads to Charlotte Motor Speedway (Baker Curb PR)(5-18-2010) UPDATE 3: Rick Viers spent Tuesday and Wednesday at Daytona International Speedway, watching other teams test the new Nationwide car. It was a mission of hope for Viers, the crew chief on the #27 Ford for Baker Curb Racing. The car is eighth in owner points, but doesn’t have full sponsorship past the June 12 race at Kentucky Speedway. “What we’ve been trying to focus on is the mentality that all we can do is do what we’ve been doing so far and let the marketing and PR guys do what they can do,” Viers said. [Team co-owner Gary] Baker said he is “very optimistic” that the team can strike a deal with a sponsor or sponsors to keep the car running full-time. He said he hasn’t delved into how things will go if something doesn’t get lined up by the time the federal restrictions come into play, but he has no intention of breaking up the team. “My initial thoughts on it would be we want to keep the team together, even if that meant, as much as I hate to say the words, if that meant start and park, that is a possibility,” Baker said. “We want to keep it together, especially if we’re real close on these sponsors.(NASCAR.com)(5-19-2010)
NASCAR parks Bowyer: UPDATE: Clint Bowyer says he remembers when he was racing Late Models that when one car took out another car on a restart, the driver that got taken out typically retaliated. Bowyer relived those days Saturday in the Nationwide Series’ Heluva Good! 200 at Dover International Speedway. Running second when he was spun by Denny Hamlin on a restart with two laps remaining in the scheduled distance, Bowyer went to pit road and, after a brief red-flag period, returned to the track and turned Hamlin while the race was under caution. NASCAR promptly parked Bowyer for the remainder of the event. NASCAR officials met with Bowyer following the race. NASCAR, which instituted a new policy this year to allow drivers to show more emotion on the track, has issued three-week probations to drivers involved in similar incidents this year. “[They said] you’re not supposed to do that,” said Bowyer, who apologized for his actions. “We’re professionals and we’re supposed to be out there putting on a show for the fans and not carrying on [like] that.”(Scene Daily)(5-15-2010) UPDATE: NASCAR has placed Clint Bowyer, driver of the #21 car in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, on probation until June 16 for a rule violation he committed during the race at Dover International Speedway on May 15. Bowyer was found to have violated Section 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing – aggressive driving) of the 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series Rule Book.(NASCAR PR)(5-19-2010)
Carpentier to run Montreal race: Rue Frontenac received confirmation that the NAPA 200 NASCAR Nationwide series will turn into a duel of the automotive parts retailers. Patrick Carpentier will drive a Toyota for Michael Waltrip Racing with NAPA sponsorship. He will face a Ron Fellows driven Chevy from JR Motorsports with sponsorship from Canadian Tire, a NAPA archrival. Cal Wells, vice president of Michael Waltrip Racing, said Carpentier will be in one of his cars for the second consecutive year. “We decided with the help of NAPA, to prepare a second car in NASCAR Nationwide only for Patrick. Trevor Bayne will be in our regular car, since he is fighting for the championship, but Patrick runs so well in Montreal that would have been foolish to do without his talent. ” And Carpentier will benefit more from the fact that the Sprint Cup takes a break that race weeked. Bootie Barker will be Carpentier’s crew chief. (Rue Frontenac) translated using Google Translate.(5-19-2010)
Stenhouse gets Daytona sponsor: Ricky Stenhouse Jr. has an appetite for fast cars and good food and the two will come together when the Nationwide Series hits the track at Daytona International Speedway on Friday, July 2, 2010. Roush Fenway Racing has announced that Stenhouse’s #6 Ford will feature Blackwell Angus beef as a sponsor of the first-ever NASCAR race for the muscle car.(Roush Fenway PR)(5-18-2010)
Great Clips sponsoring Atlanta race: Great Clips, the world’s largest hair salon brand, will serve as title sponsor for the Sept. 4th NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway, the Great Clips 300. The Great Clips 300 will feature a 195-lap format on Atlanta Motor Speedway’s 1.54-mile quad-oval track and is slated for a 7:00 p.m. start time on Saturday of Atlanta’s Labor Day NASCAR night racing weekend.(Atlanta PR)(5-18-2010)
Ickler Joins Roush Fenway: Roush Fenway Racing has announced that Brian Ickler will join the organization for the Nationwide Series test this week at Daytona International Speedway. Ickler will share laps with Colin Braun in the #16 Roush Fenway Ford Mustang at the test that will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday at the trac.’ Ickler, who hails from San Diego, Calif., will also drive the #16 Roush Fenway Ford next weekend in the Nationwide Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. “We are excited about having Brian join the Roush Fenway Team, and participate in the #16 program along with Colin Braun who, as scheduled, will continue to drive the #16 car with Con-way Freight and 3M in 14 more races this year,” said team owner Jack Roush. “We are in the fortunate position to have races available in the Nationwide Series, and we intend to use these races to continue our traditional commitment to the development of young drivers in NASCAR, such as Colin, Ricky (Stenhouse Jr.) and Brian. Brian (Ickler) will race for us at the Daytona Mustang test and the upcoming race at Charlotte. Putting Brian in the Charlotte race gives us the rare opportunity to evaluate a young, talented driver while also helping to foster his development on the track.” The 24-year old Ickler has finished top five in each of his two starts in the Camping World Truck Series this season, including a third-place run at Martinsville and a fourth-place finish at Kansas. He has experience in both the NASCAR Truck and Nationwide Series, and has won a total of seven races in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and West divisions. Roush said the organization will remain open to evaluating additional talent going forward. “We are keeping our options open for the future and are looking for the right fit for Roush Fenway Racing,” added Roush. The #16 will be one of four Roush Fenway cars taking part in the two-day test session at Daytona (#6, #60 and #98).(Roush Fenway Racing)(5-18-2010)
Sacks in #88 for JR Motorsports at Daytona: Greg Sacks will return to the driver’s seat in a JR Motorsports entry in the July 2nd NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Daytona International Speedway, kicking off a brand new partnership between JR Motorsports and Grand Touring Vodka. Sacks will drive the #88 Grand Touring Vodka Chevrolet in the Subway Jalapeño 250, joining a JR Motorsports stable that will include Steve Arpin in the #7 Chevrolet and Dale Earnhardt Jr. in a special tribute #3 Wrangler Chevrolet for the Daytona event. Grand Touring Vodka’s debut at Daytona begins a two-year sponsorship with JR Motorsports that will feature primary branding on the #88 Chevrolet for 25 Nationwide Series events, 10 of which will come in 2010. Grand Touring Vodka’s races this season following Daytona will include O’Reilly Raceway Park, Watkins Glen, Michigan, Richmond, Kansas, California, Texas, Phoenix, and Homestead-Miami. Driver plans for the #88 in those races have not been determined.(JR Motorsports PR)(5-18-2010)
Racing Resources Says..
• Kyle Busch won the Heluva Good! 200 at Dover International Speedway. It was Busch’s 34th series victory in his 184th race and his second Dover win in 12 races, both victories coming from the pole. It was his fourth victory of 2010 — the most of all drivers.
• Busch led two times for 191 laps. He led the most laps in the past four Dover races, and he’s led a series-high 691 laps in 2010.
• Joe Gibbs Racing posted its 47th series victory and fourth win in the past six Dover races, tying Dale Earnhardt Inc. and Frank Cicci Racing for most all-time there. It was JGR’s fifth win in 2010, leading all owners.
• JGR drivers led 932 of 1,212 laps in the past six Dover races (77 percent).
• Toyota posted its third Dover victory and fifth win in 2010, leading all teams. Chevrolet and Dodge each have three victories and Ford is winless.
• The top 10 consisted of four Toyotas, three Chevrolets, two Fords and one Dodge.
• Points leader Brad Keselowski finished seventh.
• Brian Scott (ninth) was the highest-finishing rookie of the year contender.
• Carl Edwards (11th) has been running at the finish in the past 10 Dover races.
• Jason Keller finished 33rd in his 500th race (broken shock mount).(ESPN.com)(5-17-2010)
Nationwide Series banquet returns to Miami: The combined awards banquet for the NASCAR Nationwide Series and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will again take place in South Florida at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel. The date is Nov. 22, the Monday following Ford Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway.(NASCAR PR)(5-17-2010)
Kahne’s shock fails inspection: UPDATES: #38-Kasey Kahne and his Braun Racing NASCAR Nationwide Series team faces possible penalties after the left-front shock absorber from Kahne’s #38 Toyota failed post-race inspection Friday night at Darlington Raceway. Kahne finished fourth in the Royal Purple 200. For the Nationwide Series, NASCAR compresses the shock in post-race inspection and then gives it 90 seconds to rebound to its proper position. Kahne’s shock apparently didn’t rebound in the required time. “We will take a front left shock back to the R&D center to look at it further and discuss it further in our Tuesday meeting,” NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp said late Friday. “Any penalties that would be coming would be announced probably Tuesday afternoon.” The incident appears similar to what happened to Brad Keselowski after he won at Talladega two races ago. The right-front shock on Keselowski’s car didn’t rebound in the allotted time, and NASCAR fined Keselowski and the team 25 points and crew chief Paul Wolfe $10,000.(NNS Racing)(5-8-2010) UPDATE:: NASCAR has issued penalties to the #38 team that competes in the Nationwide Series as a result of rule violations during this past weekend’s event at Darlington Raceway. The #38 car was found to be in violation of Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4-J (any determination by NASCAR officials that the race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules) and 20A-12.3T (unapproved left front shock absorber) of the 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series Rule Book. The infractions were discovered during post-race inspection on May 7. Crew chief Stewart Cooper has been fined $10,000. Team owner Ralph Braun was penalized with the loss of 25 NASCAR Nationwide Series championship owner points and driver Kasey Kahne was docked 25 NASCAR Nationwide Series championship driver points>(NASCAR PR)(5-12-2010) UPDATE 2: Braun Racing will appeal the penalties handed down by NASCAR for an unapproved shock absorber discovered after last weekend’s Nationwide Series race at Darlington Raceway, crew chief Stewart Cooper said Friday at Dover. Cooper said the shock in question needed two minutes to rebound the first time it was tested and five minutes the second time. “Something is definitely wrong,” Cooper said Friday morning at Dover. “We’re definitely not wanting to argue with NASCAR on it, by no means. That’s not the reason why we’re going to try to appeal the fine. We just want to find a reason why.” Cooper said there was no intent to cheat with the shock at Darlington.(NNS Racing)(5-14-2010)
NNS New Car test next week at Daytona: Tuesday and Wednesday, May 18-19, the NASCAR Nationwide Series will conduct a verification tire test for its new car at Daytona. It’s the final test before the new car competes in its first points race on July 2, also at DIS. Thursday, May 20, is set aside as a rain date. As many as 15 teams and 25 drivers are listed to participate during the two-day test. Drivers scheduled to test include reigning series champion Kyle Busch, current standings leader Brad Keselowski, Justin Allgaier, the top series-only regular in the standings (fifth) and Brian Scott, the Raybestos Rookie standings leader. The garage opens both days at 8 a.m., with testing from 9 a.m.-noon and 1-5 p.m. each day. NASCAR Nationwide Series director Joe Balash and Allgaier will provide a new car “Tech Talk” for media and fans in the Sprint FANZONE.(NASCAR PR)(5-14-2010)
Sponsor returns for Mike Wallace: Mike Wallace will once again be sponsored by One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning at Dover on Sat. May 15th. At Darlington last week, Mike brought the #01 Chevy to a fine 13th place finish. One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning was thrilled to see their car up front and quite pleased with the exposure their brand received.(J-D Motorsports PR)(5-14-2010)
Blue Ox sponsoring Kenny Wallace at Dover: Jay Robinson Racing and Blue Ox Products jointly announced that Blue Ox Products will serve as the primary sponsor of the #28 Chevy driven by Kenny Wallace, in the NASCAR Nationwide Series race Saturday May 15th in Dover. Blue Ox, of Pender, Neb., is a leading manufacturer of recreational vehicle and towing industry supplies and accessories.(Jay Robinson Racing PR)(5-14-2010)
Strutmasters sponsoring Bliss: Driver Mike Bliss inhabits the seat of the #40 Strutmasters.com Chevy for the return of Key Motorsports to the Monster Mile. The one-race sponsorship reunites Oregon native with old friends that sponsored many of his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series engagements. The last-minute primary sponsorship agreement will place the Strutmasters.com logos on the hood, quarter panels, and TV panel of the red-and-white #40 Chevy.(Key Motorsports PR)(5-13-2010)
Food Lion on the #20 at Dover: Denny Hamlin will be seeking to tame the Monster Mile at Dover International Speedway in the Nationwide Series for the third time in his career when he pilots Joe Gibbs Racing’s #20 Food Lion/Feeding America Toyota in Saturday’s Heluva Good! 200. This will be the first time Hamlin will be partnered with Food Lion. Food Lion is one of the longest supporters of JGR. In fact, they were the second major sponsor to sign on with JGR. Food Lion provides financial support for programs and organizations dedicated to feeding the hungry through Feeding America agencies. Food Lion and Feeding America’s feeding-the-hungry partnership spans nearly two decades and each year contributes more than 28 million pounds of food to help feed the hungry.(JGR PR)(5-13-2010)
Red Cross back on the #43: Once again this week, Scott Lagasse Jr.’s #43 Ford will sport an American Red Cross scheme on the Nashville-based Baker Curb Racing entry. Fans can Text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation to the American Red Cross of Nashville to help fund volunteer efforts in the rebuilding of Nashville and the surrounding areas after last week’s devastating floods.(Baker Curb PR)(5-11-2010)
McCumbee in the #09 for next 2 races: Chad McCumbee will make his 3rd start in the NASCAR Nationwide Series behind the wheel of the #09 Ford for RAB Racing in this weekend’s event at Dover International Speedway. McCumbee is also scheduled to be back behind the wheel for the sophomore team at Charlotte Motor Speedway in two weeks for the Tech-Net Auto Service 300.(RAB Racing PR)(5-11-2010)
Gable leaves #09 team: UPDATE: been told that crew chief Ben Gable has left the #09 RAB Racing team effective immediately.(5-11-2010) UPDATE: Gable’s exact status with the #09 team is unknown, but the #09 team denies he has left.(5-11-2010) UPDATE 2: A statement from RAB Racing owner Robby Benton: “As of Sunday, May 9, Ben Gable is no longer with our team. He is pursuing other opportunities and we wish him the best. A replacement for his role will be announced soon. We have a solid plan in place for the upcoming events at Dover and Charlotte and look forward to having Chad McCumbee in for both races.” (RAB Racing PR)(5-12-2010)
Dover Rookie Notes:
• Brian Scott was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the Royal Purple 200 at Darlington Raceway. Scott grabbed top rookie honors for fourth time this season and was credited with a 25th-place finish.
• Scott leads James Buescher by six points (103-97) in the overall Raybestos Rookie standings entering the Heluva Good! 200 at Dover International Speedway.
• Three Raybestos Rookies have scored top-10 finishes this season: Scott, Buescher and Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
• Michael McDowell was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2009 Heluva Good! 200 at Dover, scoring an eighth-place finish. McDowell also led the race once for one lap.
• Erik Darnell scored a ninth-place finish in the 2009 spring race Dover, giving the Raybestos Rookie class two top-10 finishers in the same race for just the second time in 21 previous spring races. The other drivers who accomplished the feat were Scott Wimmer (seventh) and Greg Biffle (ninth) in 2001.
• Three Raybestos Rookies have scored top-five finishes in the spring race at Dover since the program was created in 1989: 1991 Jeff Gordon, second; 1997 Steve Park, fifth; 2004 Kyle Busch, fifth
• Kevin Harvick (2000) is the only Raybestos Rookie to win the pole for the spring race at Dover.
(Raybestos / Camp & Assoc PR)(5-12-2010)
Newman in the #1 at Dover: Ryan Newman will be in the #1 car at Dover as Phoenix Racing re-evaluates its schedule and the sale of the team.(Phoenix Racing) no word on the status of James Buescher.(5-11-2010) UPDATE: James Buescher and Phoenix Racing have parted ways effective immediately. Buescher, a 20-year-old Texas native, will compete full-time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series for the remainder of the 2010 season, piloting the #31 Turner Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado. Buescher returns to the driver’s seat of the #31 Wolf Pack Rentals Chevrolet this Friday as the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series embarks on the sixth race of the season.(Buescher PR)(5-11-2010)
NASCAR teams in all three series to sport the Autism Speaks logo during May 14-16 race weekend at Dover: For the fourth consecutive year, Dover International Speedway has teamed up with Autism Speaks to create awareness for the special cause through the entitlement of the Monster Mile’s spring NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race titled the “Autism Speaks 400 presented by Hershey’s Milk & Milkshakes.” The NASCAR community has embraced the messaging of Autism Speaks, and throughout the May 14-16, 2010 race weekend in Dover, 27 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series cars, 21 NASCAR Nationwide Series cars and 13 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series trucks will sport the colors of the Autism Speaks blue puzzle piece logo as a sign of support for the nation’s leading autism science and advocacy organization.
Participating Nationwide drivers and teams include:
Ricky Stenhouse Jr., #6 CitiFinancial Ford
Landon Cassill, #7 GoDaddy.com Chevy
TBA, #09 RAB Racing with Brack Maggard Ford
Jason Leffler, #10 ABF Toyota
Brian Scott, #11 AccuDoc Solutions Toyota
Justin Allgaier, #12 Verizon Wireless Dodge
Michael Annett, #15 Germain.com Toyota
Colin Braun, #16 Con-way Freight Ford
Clint Bowyer, #21 Zaxby’s Chevy
Brad Keselowski, #22 Ruby Tuesday Dodge
Robert Richardson, #23 R3 Motorsports Chevy
Eric McClure, #24 Hefty Ford
Greg Biffle, #27 Red Man Moist Snuff Ford
Reed Sorenson, #32 Dollar General Toyota
Kevin Harvick, #33 Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Chevy
Kasey Kahne, #38 Great Clips Toyota
Scott Lagasse Jr., #43 Baker Curb Ford
Carl Edwards, #60 Fastenal Ford
Jamie McMurray, #88 K’NEX Chevy
Morgan Shepherd, #89 Victory in Jesus Chevy
Trevor Bayne, #99 Diamond-Waltrip Racing Toyota
(Dover PR)(5-11-2010)
Darlington TV Ratings: ESPN2’s live telecast of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Darlington (SC) Raceway on Friday night, May 7, earned a final national household coverage rating of 1.1, the same rating that the telecast earned in 2009. The telecast averaged 1,430,464 viewers. ESPN’s NASCAR Nationwide Series coverage shifts to ABC for Saturday’s race from Dover, Del.(ESPN PR)(5-11-2010)
O’Quinn to drive for Go Green at Dover: UPDATE: The 2006 NASCAR Busch Series Rookie of the Year and former Roush Racing driver Danny O’Quinn will drive the #39 Nationwide Ford for Go Green Racing at Dover International Speedway on May 15 in the Heluva Good! 200. This will be O’Quinn’s first race for Go Green Racing.(Go Green Racing PR)(4-19-2010) UPDATE: Danny O’Quinn will have the #39 car dressed in Shadow Beverage’s Ironclad Energy Drink for the Heluva Good! 200 at Dover International Speedway this weekend. This is Ironclad’s first entry into NASCAR as a sponsor. Sam Jones of Shadow Beverage and Archie St. Hilaire of GGR are hoping this is the start of a long partnership between the two young companies and think that they can both grow business through the Nationwide Series sponsorship.(Go Green PR), see an image of the car on my #39 Nationwide Series paint scheme page.(5-10-2010)
Neuenberger in the #31 at Dover: Making his 10th start at Dover in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, Neuenberger calls Dover his home track. This weekend will mark a milestone for him and his Rick Ware Racing team as Neuenberger will be pulling double duty, Nationwide and Camping World Truck style. The Maryland native will also be carrying the great new paint scheme for his sponsor, Plan B Technologies. Plan B Technologies, Inc. (PBT) is a unique engineering and full-service “cradle to grave” IT solutions provider offering a wide variety of services from consultation, assessments, advanced network design and integration to full-service support and maintenance. In addition to Plan B, Donnie will have EZ-Slider Cylinder Liners as a major associate sponsor for his NASCAR Nationwide Series event.(Rick Ware PR)(5-10-2010)
Darlington Notes & Facts:
• Denny Hamlin won his 10th Nationwide Series race in his 121st start. Hamlin started on the pole, and the past five Darlington races were won from a top-six starting position. Hamlin’s victory was his first series win in 2010 in his second start. There has been a different race winner for each race in 2010. Hamlin’s last series victory was at Kansas in September 2008. It was Hamlin’s third Darlington victory in five series starts, with all three coming from the pole. Hamlin has posted top-10 finishes in all five of his Darlington races. Hamlin has finished in the top 10 in his past three series races. He led 111 of 147 laps, the most of all drivers. Hamlin’s win was the first in the series for crew chief Kevin Kidd.
• The driver who has led the most laps has won six of the past eight races at Darlington. The driver who led the most laps has won six of 10 races in 2010.
• Joe Gibbs Racing won for the 46th time in series history. It was JGR’s fourth win in 2010 (Kyle Busch — 3, Hamlin — 1). It was JGR’s fifth series Darlington victory, including four of the past five. With Kyle Busch finishing second, it was the 10th 1-2 finish by Gibbs teammates in series history. The No. 20 has won four of the past five Darlington races.
• Busch tied his best Darlington finish, set in August 2003. Busch has led in all 10 races in 2010, the only driver to do so.
• Jamie McMurray (third) has posted top-5 finishes in three of his past four Darlington races; it marked his third top-10 in four starts in 2010.
• Kasey Kahne (fourth) posted his best finish in eight Darlington races.
• Jason Leffler (fifth) scored his best finish of the season.
• Coleman Pressley (15th) scored his career-best finish.
• Justin Allgaier (17th) posted his worst finish of the season. He had finished 15th or better in the first nine races in 2010.
• Kahne, Leffler and Brian Vickers (ninth) marked the third time Braun Racing had three cars finish in the top 10 (Chicago and Dover in 2009). The victory was the second series win at Darlington for Toyota. It was the manufacturer’s fourth series win in 2010 (Toyota — 4, Chevrolet — 3, Dodge — 3, Ford — 0). The last series Ford win came at Phoenix last November.(ESPN)(5-10-2010)
March of Dimes logo returns to the #6: This weekend in Dover and for the second time this season, the CitiFinancial #6 Ford will carry the March of Dimes logo on the deck lid to bring awareness to the national March for Babies. Over the coming weeks, hundreds of CitiFinancial employees and CitiFinancial customers from across the country will be walking and raising money to ensure that all babies will one day be born healthy. CitiFinancial customers will be recognized for their March of Dimes support by a $50,000 donation from CitiFinancial to the March of Dimes.(CitiFinancial PR)(5-10-2010)
Don and Lisa Frantz to serve as grand marshal of Charlotte race: Don and Lisa Frantz, Owners of Frantz Automotive Center in Cary, North Carolina will serve as Grand Marshals for the TECH-NET Auto Service 300 Powered by CARQUEST at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 29, 2010. Don and Lisa will deliver the most famous words in motorsports – “Gentleman, Start Your Engines!” Don and Lisa Frantz will also attend the pre-race driver’s meeting and will be in victory lane to celebrate with the eventual race winner.(Frantz Automotive PR)(5-10-2010)
Ollies Bargain Outlet sponsoring Harvick: This week Kevin Harvick Inc. welcomes Ollie’s Bargain Outlet, the Mid-Atlantic’s largest retailer of closeouts and salvage merchandise, as the primary sponsor on the #33 KHI Nationwide Series car. “To have Ollie’s Bargain Outlet join KHI is exciting as we continue to grow in this sport,” said KHI co-owner Kevin Harvick. “It’s always exciting to announce a new partnership and I can’t wait to get to Dover to drive their car. We haven’t gotten the finishes we wanted the last few times at Dover, but hopefully we can change that this year with Ollie’s on board and knock out my first career Nationwide Series win at the ‘Monster Mile’.”(KHI PR)(5-10-2010)
Kahne’s shock fails inspection: #38-Kasey Kahne and his Braun Racing NASCAR Nationwide Series team faces possible penalties after the left-front shock absorber from Kahne’s #38 Toyota failed post-race inspection Friday night at Darlington Raceway. Kahne finished fourth in the Royal Purple 200. For the Nationwide Series, NASCAR compresses the shock in post-race inspection and then gives it 90 seconds to rebound to its proper position. Kahne’s shock apparently didn’t rebound in the required time. “We will take a front left shock back to the R&D center to look at it further and discuss it further in our Tuesday meeting,” NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp said late Friday. “Any penalties that would be coming would be announced probably Tuesday afternoon.” The incident appears similar to what happened to Brad Keselowski after he won at Talladega two races ago. The right-front shock on Keselowski’s car didn’t rebound in the allotted time, and NASCAR fined Keselowski and the team 25 points and crew chief Paul Wolfe $10,000.(NNS Racing)(5-8-2010)
Keller talks about needing sponsorship: On future in the #35: Every week they ask me to come back and race, that’s all I can go off of. Our guys are doing everything they can. We’re not able to buy the full allotment of tires, we’re not being able to do a lot of things that even the two Roush cars do that we’re competing against to get in the top 30. We’re not being able to do anything close to what they’re doing. We’ll go as long as we possibly can. Our intent is to go all the way. But I’ve been in this business long enough to know that unless we get some sort of sponsorship on here, that that intent could change. On whether he would start-and-park: Not for me. For this team, maybe it could be. But I’ll tell you one thing for sure right now, it’s not for me. If we don’t have some intent to race, it’s not for me. I’m not going to take time from my family to be a part of that.(Frontstretch)(5-7-2010)
Fitzpatrick in the #7 for road course races: Rising talent J.R. Fitzpatrick was named driver of the JR Motorsports #7 Chevy for three road-course events in NASCAR’s Nationwide Series, co-owner and general manager Kelley Earnhardt announced. Schick Canada will serve as primary sponsor for Fitzpatrick’s three starts at Road America on June 19th, Watkins Glen International on Aug. 7th and Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on Aug. 29th.(JR Motorsports PR)(5-7-2010)
Townley out at RCR? DENIED Richard Childress Racing has parted ways with Nationwide Series driver John Wes Townley. Although the decision has not been made public by RCR, sources close to situation state that the move is already a done deal. Speculation surrounding Townley’s future in the #21 car was set in motion after he was “sent home” by RCR officials after smacking the wall during the first Nationwide practice out in Phoenix. Rumors about Townley’s future resurfaced again a couple of weeks ago when David Green (Townley’s spotter) was let go by RCR. Green’s removal signified that major changes were soon in store for the #21 team. According to the sponsorship agreement between Zaxby’s and RCR, Zaxby’s will continue to be the primary sponsor of the No.21 car for at least 12 more races in 2010 despite Townley’s absence. Once Zaxby’s sponsorship obligation is up, RCR plans to sell or “rent” the #21 car out to up-and-coming drivers who are looking for valuable seat time. However, RCR hasn’t ruled out shutting the #21 team all together if they are unable to sell/rent the car out on a week-to-week basis.(Spotters Stand)(5-7-2010) UPDATE: John Wes Townley remains as a Richard Childress Racing development driver, a spokesperson for the NASCAR Nationwide Series team said Friday at Darlington Raceway. Team spokesperson Jackie Franzil said that while she didn’t know the upcoming driver schedule for RCR’s #21 Chevrolet, she said Townley is still under contract as a development driver.(NNS Racing)(5-7-2010)
Jasper returns to the #23: Coleman Pressley will have some familiar decals on the #23 Chevy of R3 Motorsports for Friday night’s NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Darlington Raceway. For the second time this season, Jasper Engines and Transmissions has come on board as a primary partner with Pressley and the team. The first time was for the NNS race at Bristol Motor Speedway in March. R3 Motorsports is still seeking primary and associate marketing partnerships to round out the 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series season.(R3 Motorsports PR)(5-7-2010)
AAA Parking sponsoring Kenny at Darlington: AAA Parking is hitting the fast lane this weekend at Darlington as the sponsor for Kenny Wallace in the #28 Chevy. While the company does not encourage fast driving while parking, AAA Parking is asking Kenny to put the pedal to the metal Friday night at Darlington. Wallace has started 453 Nationwide Series races during his career, which is 2nd in the all-time list. (AAA Parking PR), see an image of the car on the #28 Nationwide Series paint scheme page.(5-6-2010)
Mike Wallace gets Darlington sponsor: Mike Wallace and J-D Motorsports introduce One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning as the Primary Sponsor of the #01 Chevy for Friday’s Darlington race. True to their motto, “Always on time or you don’t pay a dime!,” One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning couldn’t have been more time appropriate in backing Mike Wallace. The company’s affiliation with Wallace and the J-D Motorsports team falls on the heels of One Hour’s season sponsorship of a Sunday night network TV show. The car is co-sponsored by One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning’s sister companies: Mister Sparky, American’s On Time Electrician and Benjamin Franklin, the Punctual Plumber.(J-D Motorsports PR), see an image of the car on the #01 Nationwide Series paint scheme page.(5-6-2010)
American Red Cross on the #43 at Darlington: Baker Curb Racing announced that they will assist in the relief efforts for the flooding in Nashville by running an American Red Cross paint scheme on Scott Lagasse Jr.’s #43 Ford Friday in the Royal Purple 200 at Darlington Raceway. In addition, Greg Biffle’s #27 Red Man Moist Snuff Ford Fusion will carry an American Red Cross symbol on the C post. NASCAR fans can show their support for The Nashville Area Red Cross and help in the efforts to continue providing relief to victims of disaster flooding several ways:
• Visit www.nashvilleredcross.org and click DONATE NOW to make an online gift
• Mail a check to the Nashville Area Red Cross, 2201 Charlotte Avenue, Nashville, TN 37203
• Call (615) 250-4300 to make a donation by phone
• Text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation on your mobile phone
(Baker Curb PR), see an image of the car on the #43 Nationwide Series paint scheme page.(5-5-2010)
Salvation Army logo on the #01: The J-D Motorsports #01 entry at Darlington will carry the logo of the Salvation Army. J-D Motorsports marketing VP, Tony Priscaro, is a strong supporter of the charitable work of the Salvation Army and the team wants to give that organization a boost during these lean times. Please take time out from your busy day to remember the work of the Salvation Army is not just at Christmas.(J-D Motorsports PR)(5-5-2010)
Z-Line on the #18 & #20 at Darlington: Last fall, it was the Battle of Richmond. This week, it’s the Duel at Darlington. And just like last year, thanks to Z-Line Designs, the real winners will be the charities of Operation Helmet and Racing for Kids. Kyle Busch and Jim Sexton (Z-Line Designs founder and CEO), along with Racing for Kids, will square off against Denny Hamlin, Monica Sexton (Jim’s wife) and Operation Helmet in Friday night’s Royal Purple 200 presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway. Bragging rights will be on the line as Z-Line Designs, the designer and import manufacturer of ready-to-assemble furniture, will sponsor both the #18 Toyota of Busch and the #20 Toyota of Hamlin. Busch’s #18 Z-Line Designs Toyota will feature the logo of Racing for Kids, a charity founded in Detroit in 1989 that uses the popularity of motorsports to focus public attention and funding on the health care needs of children. Hamlin’s #20 Z-Line Designs Toyota will feature the logo of Operation Helmet, a 100-percent volunteer, non-partisan charitable organization headquartered in Montgomery, Texas, that provides helmet upgrade kits free of charge to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. And while Jim and Monica Sexton will be cheering on their respective drivers to victory lane, the charities will ultimately come out victorious. Prior to the race, the Sextons will present checks for $25,000 apiece to Racing for Kids and Operation Helmet. And the Z-Line Designs driver that finishes the highest in the race will earn an extra $10,000 for the charity represented on their car.(Joe Gibbs Racing PR), see an image of the cars on the #20 Nationwide Series paint scheme page.(5-5-2010)
Gubernatorial candidate on the #1 at Darlington: Phoenix Racing Inc. will support Andre Bauer’s campaign for Governor by running his campaign logo at the Royal Purple 200 presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts at Darlington Motor Speedway on May 7th, 7:00pm EST. Rookie of the year contender James Buescher will be driving the #1 Phoenix Racing car wrapped with the Andre Bauer Republican for Governor logo.(Phoenix Racing PR)(5-5-2010)
Mobile-Shop sponsoring #81 for 5 more races: The Mobile-Shop Company will extend its primary sponsorship of the #81 Dodge, fielded by MacDonald Motorsports and driven by Michael McDowell in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, for five upcoming events. After previously adorning the hood and quarter-panels of the #81 in four previous races this season, Mobile-Shop will join MacDonald Motorsports for races in Darlington, S.C. (May 7), Dover, Del. (May 15), Concord, N.C. (May 29), Lebanon, Tenn. (June 5), and Sparta, Ky. (June 12).(MMI / MacDonald PR)(5-5-2010)
Richmond TV Ratings: ESPN2’s live telecast of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Richmond International Raceway on Friday, April 30, earned a final national household coverage rating of 1.1, averaging 1,357,449 viewers. The rating was down from the 1.2 rating earned for last year’s race, which also aired on ESPN2. Excluding Monday rain-out races, ESPN2’s average rating for NASCAR Nationwide Series races so far this season is 1.8, up from a 1.7 average at this point last year.(ESPN PR)(5-5-2010)
Kids Embrace sponsoring Barrett: Stanton Barrett has a date with the Lady in Black, also known as Darlington Raceway, this weekend in the NASCAR Nationwide series Rick Ware Racing (RWR) #41 Kids Embrace Chevy. Kids Embrace, maker of the convertible child safety seat, is the primary sponsor, and Barrett, who designs, directs, and executes crash scenes for top Hollywood films, understands the importance of using the proper safety restraint system.(Rick Ware Racing PR)(5-5-2010)
Darlington Rookie Notes:
• James Buescher was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the BUBBA Burger 250 at Richmond International Raceway. Buescher scored a 12th-place finish and claimed top rookie honors for the second time this season.
• Brian Scott leads Buescher by five points (92-87) in the overall Raybestos Rookie standings entering the Royal Purple 200 at Darlington Raceway.
• Scott is 10th-place overall in the NASCAR Nationwide Series championship standings, the best of any Raybestos Rookie.
• Three Raybestos Rookies have scored top-10 finishes this season: Scott, Buescher and Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
• Erik Darnell was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2009 Royal Purple 200. Darnell scored a fourth-place finish, the best by a rookie at Darlington since Johnny Benson placed fourth in the 1994 fall race.
• Justin Allgaier posted a fifth-place finish last year at Darlington, giving the Raybestos rookie class two top-five finishers in the same race at the historic racetrack for the first time since the program was created in 1989 (37 previous races).
• The best finish by a Raybestos Rookie at Darlington is third-place by Todd Bodine in 1991 (fall race).
• Kyle Busch is the most recent Raybestos Rookie to lead a lap at Darlington, holding the top spot once for 12 laps in 2004 (fall race).
(Raybestos / Camp & Assoc PR)(5-5-2010)
Zipadelli out at Braun: In an effort to optimize on-track performance, Braun Racing is making structural changes to its #38 Nationwide Series team. Trip Bruce will serve as interim crew chief of the team with driver, Jason Leffler, for the next three races to include events at Darlington Raceway, Dover International Speedway and Charlotte Motor Speedway. “We felt it was necessary to make some changes on the #38 team as performance has struggled this season,” says team owner, Todd Braun. “We are looking for a spark to ignite the team and improve their on-track performance. We have been through a lot of good races with Jason and I feel like this is a better team than results have shown.”(Braun Racing PR)(5-4-2010)
Racing Resources Says…
• Brad Keselowski won the Bubba Burger 250 at Richmond International Raceway. It was his eighth series win in his 113th start and his second win in 2010. His last victory came at Talladega one race earlier. It was Keselowski’s first Nationwide Richmond victory in eight starts there.
• Keselowski led 189 of 252 laps, most of all drivers and most in a single race in his 113-race career. The driver who led the most laps has won five of the nine races in 2010.
• Crew chief Paul Wolfe posted his second series victory, both in the past two weeks.
• Penske Racing posted its 12th Nationwide victory and third win of 2010. It marked Penske’s first series win at Richmond.
• Dodge posted its first Nationwide Richmond win and third series win in 2010.
• Greg Biffle (second) has finished in the top 10 in his past six series starts.
• Jamie McMurray (third) had his best finish since taking third at Watkins Glen in 2006.
• Kyle Busch (fourth) has finished in the top 4 in five of his past six races.
• Carl Edwards (fifth) ended a two-race streak of finishes of 30th or worse.
• James Buescher (12th) was the best-finishing rookie of the year contender.
(ESPN.com)(5-3-2010)
Upillar.com to sponsor Jason Keller’s 499th start at Darlington:Upillar.com, a free nationwide classified ad website, will sponsor TriStar Motorsports Jason Keller #35 at Darlington this weekend. “We are very excited to introduce Upillar.com to NASCAR” stated Keith Barnwell General Manager of TriStar Motorsports. “We hope to have another great run like Talladega and Richmond, and show Upillar.com the value of sponsorship in the NASCAR Nationwide Series”. Jason Keller added “To put a new sponsor on our car here in my home state of South Carolina is exciting. We need everyone here to jump on board with TriStar Motorsports and welcome Upillar.com to NASCAR Nationwide Series racing. I am looking forward to representing Upillar.com.” Upillar.com is a family friendly, safe, online classified website that reaches from California to New York. Along with classified ads, upillar.com also offers real estate listings, jobs, motors, and soon will offer free online dating. Upillar.com is a great alternative for automotive dealerships, costing them only $750 a year to list their entire inventory, unlike many competitors that charge tens of thousands of dollars per year for similar service. Jason Keller finished 4th in Talladega, and starts his 499th race in Darlington. (TriStar PR)(5-3-2010)
Chad McCumbee returns to the #09: UPDATE: Robby Benton, owner of the #09 RAB Racing Ford, tweeted Monday morning: “Chad McCumbee will drive our #09 NNS entry @ Darlington this weekend. Looking forward to working with him again!(5-3-2010) UPDATE: Chad McCumbee grew up a little more than two hours away from Darlington Raceway. Funny that despite his many years years of racing and growing up a huge fan of NASCAR, the 25-year-old has been to the famed ‘Lady in Black’ just once. And that was a a spectator. On Friday, McCumbee not only will be at Darlington Raceway for the first time in over seven years, he be driving the #09 car for RAB Racing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series Royal Purple 200, his second career start in the series. McCumbee’s car in Darlington will be sponsored by the gpsstore.com, which is based in Ocean Isle Beach. The online-based company has been a supporter of McCumbee’s young career in NASCAR. McCumbee’s future in the Nationwide Series car is not clear. He said if sponsors will come on board, more opportunities may arise. “Right now, the team is on a week to week basis with sponsors,” McCumbee said. “If all goes well, hopefully we’ll find more. But it is so disheartening as a driver because your hands are tied. Owners are struggling. Drivers are struggling. It’s a totally different world now than a few years ago.” McCumbee also is hopeful to have an opportunity to drive in the Camping World Too Tough to Tame 200 on Aug. 14 at Darlington. His chances to race again will ride on the ability to get a sponsor, he said.(The Sun)(5-3-2010)
Mears in the 21 for some races: Casey Mears finished 26th in his debut with Tommy Baldwin Racing at Richmond. He is slated to drive the #21 Zaxby’s Chevy for RCR at the NNS stand-alone events at Nashville and Kentucky next month. He is also interested in running this year’s Indy 500.(Hot Lap)
Ruud on the #33 at Darlington: For the Royal Purple 200 this weekend at Darlington Raceway, Ruud Heating and Cooling will serve at the primary sponsor of the #33 Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) Chevrolet. Ruud Heating and Cooling is the oldest member of the ‘Rheem Family of Quality Brands,’ with a 100-plus year reputation for reliability and durability.(KHI PR)(5-3-2010)
Amrose to run Nationwide race at Watkins Glen: Two northwestern Pennsylvania companies will co-sponsor NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Marcos Ambrose in the Zippo 200 NASCAR Nationwide Series race August 7 at Watkins Glen International. Zippo Manufacturing Company, Bradford, PA; and Warren, PA based United Refining Company, through its Kwik Fill / Red Apple convenience store chain, will share joint sponsorship of the #47 Kwik Fill / Zippo Toyota. Ambrose posted back-to-back Zippo 200 Nationwide Series wins in 2008 and 2009, and looks to continue his winning ways with his Kwik Fill / Zippo sponsorship.(Source One PR) see an image of the car on the #47 Nationwide Series paint scheme page.(5-2-2010)
Baker Curb losing RedMan sponsorship: UPDATE: Allen Bestwick reported during ESPN2’s coverage of the Nationwide Series race that RedMan, the sponsor of the #27-Baker Curb Racing team, would have to be off the car by the end of June due to new federal regulations on smokeless tobacco products.(4-30-2010) UPDATE: the FDA rule containing a broad set of federal requirements designed to significantly curb access to and the appeal of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products to children and adolescents in the United States. The new rule, Regulations Restricting the Sale and Distribution of Cigarettes and Smokeless Tobacco to Protect Children and Adolescents, restricts the sale, distribution, and promotion of these products to make them less accessible and less attractive to kids. Published March 19, 2010, the new rule becomes effective June 22, 2010, and has the force and effect of law. New Requirements Relating to Sale and Distribution
* Prohibits the sale of cigarettes or smokeless tobacco to people younger than 18.
* Prohibits the sale of cigarette packages with fewer than 20 cigarettes.
* Prohibits the sale of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco in vending machines, self-service displays, or other impersonal modes of sales, except in very limited situations.
* Prohibits free samples of cigarettes and limits distribution of smokeless tobacco products.
New Requirements Relating to Marketing (Labeling, Advertising, and Promotion)
* Prohibits tobacco brand name sponsorship of any athletic, musical, or other social or cultural event, or any team or entry in those events.
* Prohibits gifts or other items in exchange for buying cigarettes or smokeless tobacco products.
* Requires that audio ads use only words with no music or sound effects.
* Prohibits the sale or distribution of items, such as hats and tee shirts, with tobacco brands or logos.
(FDA)(5-2-2010)
C3i Sports to sponsor Efland at Darlington: C3i Sports, a Columbia South Carolina company will be on the hood of the #07-Danny Efland Racing Chevy for the Darlington Nationwide Race on Friday May 7, 2010. C3i Sports creates computerized systems for tracking performance, conditioning, and progress of professional athletes. Also on board for the Royal Purple 200 will be Americans Honoring Americans. It is a Dover Delaware based organization devoted to helping America’s disabled veterans. Two of these heroes will be honorary crew members of the Danny Efland team.(Efland PR)(5-1-2010)
Coleman to replace Busch at standalone races: Kyle Busch may not like it, but Brad Coleman will drive the #18 Joe Gibbs Racing NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Nashville Superspeedway next month. Busch, third in the Nationwide points standings after Friday’s race at Richmond, has said he wants to try to defend his Nationwide championship, but JGR team principals Joe and J.D. Gibbs are against that idea. Steve DeSouza, vice president of the team’s Nationwide Series operations, said Friday at Richmond that Coleman will drive the #18 in the remaining standalone races. “Brad’s going to do about seven races in the 18 car,” DeSouza said, “and Matt (DiBenedetto) going to run six in the 20 car.”(NNS Racing)(5-1-2010)
NASCAR recinds Edward’s penalty at end of race: NASCAR didn’t have Roush Fenway Racing’s #60-Carl Edwards in its top five as the checkered flag flew Friday night on the Bubba Burger 250 Nationwide Series race at Richmond International Raceway, but Edwards parked his car with the rest of the top five on pit road. And 10 minutes later, NASCAR had ruled that Edwards had, in fact, finished fifth. Edwards was flabbergasted about the black flag NASCAR initially issued him for passing on the restart of the green-white-checkered finish. Justin Allgaier, running second, spun his wheels on the double-file restart. As he did, Brad Keselowski, in fourth, moved to the inside to keep from hitting him from behind. Edwards, in sixth, went to the outside and made it three-wide. Going into Turn 1, Edwards gave Keselowski his position back because he had gotten next to him on the restart. NASCAR initially black-flagged Edwards for getting up next to Keselowski on the restart but then rescinded the penalty after the event because Edwards had given Keselowski his position back.(Scene Daily)(5-1-2010)
