Piquet & Paludo to run at Road America: Turner Motorsports announced it will field four NASCAR Nationwide Series entries in the upcoming race at Road America. Brazilian drivers Nelson Piquet Jr. and Miguel Paludo will join full-time NNS championship competitor #31-Justin Allgaier and #38 driver Brad Sweet in the June 23rd race at the 4.048-mile road course in Elkhart Lake, Wis. Paludo, who is slated to drive the #32 Chevy Impala, will be making his first career NNS start. A two-time champion in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Brasil, Paludo has extensive road racing experience, but has only made one start on a NASCAR road course circuit (Lime Rock Park in the NASCAR K&N; Pro Series East, where he started and finished ninth). Piquet Jr., scheduled to pilot the #30 Chevy Impala, has two previous career NNS starts. Hailing from the road course circuits of Formula 1, Piquet Jr. made his NNS debut at Watkins Glen International in 2010, earning a seventh-place finish, his best NNS finish to date.(Turner Motorsports)(5-31-2012)
Basketpong joins MAKE Motrosports: MAKE Motorsports announced their new partnership with XTREME Pong Sports Basketpong. Basketpong is beginning their partnership this weekend at the 5-Hour Energy 200 at Dover International Speedway. This partnership is expected to be an extended one throughout the rest of the season. Basketpong is a tailgating game that combines the skill and competitiveness of Basketball with the fun and excitement of beer pong. The portable game is tailored for tailgating with a vertical backboard that attaches to a pole that is supported by a base, similar to a basketball hoop. The company prides itself on being made in the USA. Basketpong will be featured on the rear quarter panels and TV Panel of the #50 Chevy this weekend along with the crew members wearing Basketpong Shirts.(MAKE Motorsports), see an image of the car on the #50 team paint schemes page.(5-31-2012)
Truex cleared to race at Dover: #20-Ryan Truex underwent an emergency appendectomy after feeling severe discomfort in the early morning hours of Tuesday, May 22. Doctors operated on Truex, removing his appendix that afternoon after determining that surgery was needed. The 20-year old NNS competitor has been cleared and is ready to compete in this weekend’s 200-lap event at The Monster Mile. “I felt fine Monday evening, but around 2 a.m. felt a sharp pain in my stomach. I went to the hospital to find out that my appendix hadn’t burst, but needed surgery to be removed,” said Truex. “The procedure went extremely well and I’m ready to get back in the #20 Grime Boss Toyota this weekend…I’ll just be a little lighter.”(JRG)(5-30-2012)
Keen Parts sponsoring ML Motorsports: Keen Parts will be sponsoring our the ML Motorsports #70 car at both Kentucky races, Indy, and Richmond. Keen Parts is a supplier of Corvette performance parts or whatever one would need to restore a Corvette.(ML Motorsports), see an image of the car on the #70 team paint schemes page.(5-30-2012)
Green in for McClure at Dover: Jeff Green will make his fourth consecutive start in the #14-Hefty/Reynolds Wrap Camry while Eric McClure, the team’s primary driver, continues to recuperate from the accident suffered at Talladega. The Owensboro, KY native will be making his 320th Nationwide Series start and his 20th at Dover Int’l Speedway. In his previous events, Green has two poles, one win, five top-five, and eight top-10 finishes.(TMI)(5-9-2012)
Ty Dillon making Nationwide debut at Dover: Ty Dillon, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series regular and 2011 ARCA Racing Series champion, will make his NASCAR Nationwide Series debut with Richard Childress Racing in the #33 South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet in the June 2 Dover 200 at Dover International Speedway. “Ty has shown a lot of progress so far this season in the Camping World Truck Series and he’s definitely earned the opportunity to make his NASCAR Nationwide Series debut. He’ll be in very good hands with Ernie Cope (crew chief) and the #33 Chevrolet team,” said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. “South Point Hotel & Casino has quickly become a great partner with RCR and we appreciate their decision to expand their overall program with backing Ty in this once-in-a-career opportunity.” Dillon, 20, is currently in his first full season of Camping World Truck Series competition for RCR.(RCR)(5-29-2012)
Teams penalized after Charlotte: NASCAR has penalized two NASCAR Nationwide Series teams for rules infractions that were committed last week at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The #41 car was found to be in violation of Section 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4J (any determination by NASCAR officials that race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules); and 20A-12.8.1(B) (body height requirements car failed to meet the minimum front car heights) of the 2012 NASCAR rule book. As a result, crew chief George Church has been fined $10,000 while owner Rick Ware and driver Timmy Hill have been penalized with the loss of six championship owner and six championship driver points, respectively. The violation was discovered during post-race inspection May 26.
Philippe Lopez, crew chief for the #43 car, and Michael Wright, car chief for the #43 car, have been penalized for rules infractions discovered during opening day inspection May 24. Lopez has been fined $10,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31. Wright has also been placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31. The #43 car rules violations referred to Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4J (any determination by NASCAR officials that the race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules detailed in Section 20-A of the rule book); 20A-2.1E (streamlining of the contours of the car, beyond what is approved by the series director will not be permitted. Installation of air directional devices, underpans, baffles, shields or the like beneath the car or the car’s hood and fender area, front firewall, floor, rear firewall area, rear deck and quarter panel will not be permitted. If, in the judgment of NASCAR officials, any part or component of the car not previously approved by NASCAR has been installed or modified to enhance aerodynamic performance, will not be permitted. All cars must remain standard in appearance); 20A-3.10A (front upper bumper cover must be from the respective OEM manufacturer and must be approved by NASCAR. The front lower bumper cover and rear bumper cover must be from an approved manufacturer and must be approved by NASCAR. Once approved, the front lower bumper covers may be used on all approved models. NASCAR officials may use bumper covers provided by the respective manufacturer as a guide in determining whether a competitor’s bumper cover conforms to the specifications of the NASCAR rule book. Unless otherwise authorized by the series director, cutting and reshaping of bumper covers will not be permitted.)(NASCAR)(5-29-2012)
MAKE Motorsports adds Apex Construction as associate partner: #50-MAKE Motorsports announced that Apex Contracting and Restoration has signed a long term associate sponsorship program. The Southern California based company began their partnership with MAKE this year with the Royal Purple 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California. Apex specializes in new construction and restoration after storm or flood damage. The partnership began this past week at Charlotte Motor Speedway for the History 300 on May 26th.(MAKE Motorsports)(5-29-2012)
Townley doubles up at Dover; new sponsor on board: Barberitos Southwestern Grille and Cantina will partner with RAB Racing with Brack Maggard and driver John Wes Townley for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and Nationwide Series races at Dover International Speedway June 2 and 3. Barberitoshas 26 restaurant franchise locations in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee and Florida. The Athens, Ga.-based restaurant franchising company recently announced plans to open an additional 15 locations. The Watkinsville, Ga.-native made his Nationwide Series debut at Dover in 2008, and posted a career-best eighth-place qualifying effort at the one-mile concrete oval in his first full season of Nationwide Series competition the next year.(RAB Racing PR)(5-29-2012)
Danica would like to run Indy 500, Coca-Cola 600 together next year: Danica Patrick wants to compete in her eighth Indianapolis 500. Her Sprint Cup team owner, Tony Stewart, said before the season he hoped Patrick would be ready to ascend from the Nationwide Series to Sprint Cup full time in 2013. With Patrick unlikely to skip a Cup race as a full-time driver, especially NASCAR’s Coca-Cola-sponsored Memorial Day event and especially after recently joining the brand’s line of endorsers, there is now the highly intriguing possibility of one of sports’ most recognizable figures resurrecting the fabled but fallow Indianapolis-Concord “double.” Charlotte Motor Speedway president Marcus Smith wants to do his part, as do many in motorsports. “That’s a big deal,” he said of Patrick’s aspirations. “She’s a competitor. She’s hungry and she wants to race. I think that’s another piece of the story here, just for her to say that is a big deal. I don’t think she’d say it if she didn’t mean it. Man, if she wanted to do that I definitely would love to help any way we could. We would spring for the helicopter ride to get her from the airplane to the speedway.” Stewart said he would support Patrick if she wanted to attempt both races. “Absolutely. She’s more than welcome to do it,” he said. “I’m sure it would be big.” Patrick’s agent, Mark Dyer, said he is “developing plans” for a possible double bid, “whether it happens next year or not.” Though the pursuit would be highly documented and likely garner mainstream attention, it would not be attempted simply for publicity, he said.(in part from ESPNW)(5-27-2012)
Coulter currently not planning additional NNS races: #21-Joey Coulter, in his Nationwide Series debut with Richard Childress Racing came through with a respectable 14th-place, lead-lap finish. Does a strong run mean more Nationwide starts are in his future? “Right now it’s just this one we’re playing it by ear,” he said. “Going one race at a time and staying nice and focused on winning that Truck Championship.” At the very least, some ARCA races have been added to Coulter’s schedule, including next month’s event at the repaved Michigan Speedway.(Frontstretch)(5-26-2012)
Roderick hopes to continue driving: To use baseball terminology: Casey Roderick is behind in the count, but hoping to get a pitch he can drive. Which is somewhat appropriate, given that his car at Charlotte Motor Speedway was sponsored by the West Virginia Miners, a team in collegiate summer baseball Prospect League. Roderick’s sister, Ashlee, is an account executive with the Miners, and she’s the one who convinced owners Doug and Linda Epling to take the unconventional marketing route of sponsoring a race car. Like the players who will take the field for the Miners in their season opener Tuesday in Beckley, W.Va., Roderick has dreams of making it to the big leagues some day. But having million-dollar dreams is fine and dandy, until you get socked in the face by the harsh reality of trying to do it on a two-bit budget. The SR2 Motorsports operation, like a number of mid-level Nationwide teams, just doesn’t have the money or the manpower to buy or build what it takes to consistently run up front. Roderick smiles as he talks, but perhaps not as often as you’d expect from someone who won’t turn 20 until August. But there may be a good reason for that. This could be the last race with the Miners sponsorship, and Roderick faces an uncertain future. “After Charlotte, it’s kind of a wait-and-see situation,” Roderick said. “I’ve got people working on trying to come up with more sponsorship dollars. It’s a tough thing to do, especially with this economy. You have to be smooth when you’re talking to people, because you’ve got to get them emotionally attached. But we’ll get it going. I’m not going to give up.” But he’s been in this situation before, and things have worked out. In 2008, the native of Lawrenceville, Ga., was racing Legends cars during the Summer Shootout series at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Money troubles were able to force the family operation to shut down when Bill Elliott offered him a ride in a late model car. That lasted two years, until Chase Elliott was ready to move up and Roderick couldn’t find sponsorship to keep going. Roderick then worked for James Finch, which resulted in him getting a ride with Randy Hill in the middle of 2011. Roderick finished 25th at Watkins Glen in his Nationwide debut, eventually running two more races near the end of the season. Roderick has the talent. He’s won at every level throughout his career, including a 2010 victory for Finch in the ARCA Series. What he doesn’t have is the financial banking necessary to pair that talent with top-notch equipment. The baseball team sponsorship is approximately $100,000 less than the top teams are spending each week. So, for Roderick, it’s not just a matter of doing more with less. It’s first and foremost keeping yourself in the game, and then hoping something good comes out of it.(NASCAR.com)(5-26-2012)
Sacred Power Motorsports aligns with Nemechek: UPDATE: Sacred Power Motorsports (SPM), a Native American owned and operated motorsports and marketing firm announced an alliance with NEMCO Motorsports in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. SPM will race at least 6 events in 2012, starting with driver Joe Nemechek driving in the History 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 26th. SPM will then switch to New Mexico-based driver Alex Kennedy as its primary driver as well as development Native American driver A.J. Russell. Says David Melton, team owner, “We’re excited to get Sacred Power Motorsports back on the track. We’ve had an 8 month hiatus after making our debut in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Now we’re in the NASCAR Nationwide Series for at least 6 races this year. We could not be happier than to be aligned with a well-respected, professional team such as NEMCO.”(Sacred Power Motorsports PR)(5-23-2012) UPDATE: NEMCO Motorsports / Sacred Power Motorsports announced Global Barter Corp has signed on as a sponsor and will be on the hood of the #87 this weekend in the History 300.(Sacred Power Motorsports PR)(5-24-2012)
OneMain Racing takes part in The REAL Heroes Program: Kicking off this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway, the #2 OneMain Financial team will participate in The REAL Heroes campaign, a project designed to salute the troops, the real heroes of the country, throughout the summer. In collaboration with NASCAR Unites An American Summer program, the OneMain Racing team will show support for the military and their family at races from Charlotte Motor Speedway through the event at Daytona International Speedway in July. In addition, the #2 OneMain Financial team will run a special red, white and blue paint scheme at Charlotte and Daytona. Driver Elliott Sadler and the #2 OneMain Financial team will host military members and their families with a VIP experience at select Nationwide Series races this summer, celebrating their service and sacrifice. Fans also have several ways to get involved to show support for the troops. Through social media platforms, fans can send photos and videos of how they support the real heroes in their communities and abroad. Each week, Sadler will ask a different question, and fans will submit their answers, photos and videos through Facebook and Twitter. Also, at OneMain Financial branch show car and driver appearances throughout the summer, fans will be able to write thank you notes which will be sent to troops in service around the world.(OneMain)(5-24-2012)
Red, White, & Blue for T.J. Bell: T.J. Bell and the #50 Liberty Tire Recycling will sport a theme of Red, White, and Blue this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway for the History 300 on May 26th. This theme is in honor of Memorial Day for all those who have served in all branches of the military past, present, and future. Liberty Tire Recycling and Pinnacle Rubber Mulch will be the primary sponsors on the car for this weekend. This is the first primary event Liberty as they have been an associate sponsor for much of the year. Associate sponsors will continue to be GulfCoast Loss Prevention , Twin Oaks Services South and Apex Construction.(MAKE Motorsports)(5-24-2012)
Koch not driving at Charlotte: According to a post on Facebook, Black Koch says he will not drive at Charlotte. “I will not be racing this weekend, I have decided to take a step back and focus on doing everything I can to race the full race competitively. I am working harder than I ever have on sponsorship to make that happen and very excited to see what Gods plans are for the future. Pray Hard, Work Hard, never give up! “.(5-24-2012)
Tim Bainey in the #24 at Dover: It’s been more than a year since Philipsburg’s Tim Bainey Jr. was officially in a race car, but on June 2 he’ll be running against some of NASCAR’s best drivers. Bainey Jr. will drive for SR2 Motorsports in the Nationwide Series’ “5-Hour Energy 200” at Dover International Raceway on June 2. “I’m pretty excited,” said Bainey, Jr., who found out Tuesday that he would have a shot behind the wheel of the #24 Chevy. “I’ve been trying to do this for awhile. We finally got something together. It was kind of a last-minute deal.” Bainey Jr. said several factors played a part in landing the ride. He said friend Benny Gordon, who he raced against on the USAR Hooters ProCup Series several years ago, helped in the process. Gordon has run six races with the team this season, including a 12th-place finish at Daytona. But Gordon doesn’t have sponsorship for the whole season, so several drivers with their own sponsorship deals have the opportunity to race in car. Gordon put in a good word for Bainey Jr. Bainey already had sponsors Window World and DelGrosso’s Pasta Sauces lined up for some other racing opportunities, but both were on board when Bainey Jr. had a shot at the Nationwide ride.(Centre Daily Times)(5-24-2012)
Green will again sub for McClure: 2000 NASCAR Nationwide Series Champion Jeff Green will continue to sub for the #14 team’s injured primary driver Eric McClure, who is still awaiting for medical clearance to return to NNS competition. McClure said, “I am disappointed to not have the opportunity to be back in the car. Although I continue to show improvement, I haven’t progressed quite as quickly as I would have liked. There is no timetable to return, although we will evaluate my status each week. In the meantime, I will be the best teammate I can be to Jeff and TriStar Motorsports and I know that our car is in good hands.”(TMI)(5-23-2012)
Sacred Power Motorsports aligns with Nemechek: Sacred Power Motorsports (SPM), a Native American owned and operated motorsports and marketing firm announced an alliance with NEMCO Motorsports in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. SPM will race at least 6 events in 2012, starting with driver Joe Nemechek driving in the History 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 26th. SPM will then switch to New Mexico-based driver Alex Kennedy as its primary driver as well as development Native American driver A.J. Russell. Says David Melton, team owner, “We’re excited to get Sacred Power Motorsports back on the track. We’ve had an 8 month hiatus after making our debut in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Now we’re in the NASCAR Nationwide Series for at least 6 races this year. We could not be happier than to be aligned with a well-respected, professional team such as NEMCO.”(Sacred Power Motorsports PR)(5-23-2012)
Clements saluting service members: As the #51 of Jeremy Clements pulls into Charlotte for the History Channel 300, the deck lid will be adorned with the American flag and the names of over 50 service members or their families as a tribute to NASCAR Unites – An American Salute. NASCAR will unite the industry to celebrate America and support our Military and their families. All proceeds from the fan car have been given to the Marine Corps Community Services of Cherry Point to sponsor the summer Kick-off party for the single Marines. (Jeremy Clements PR)(5-23-2012)
National Wild Turkey Federation on the #3: The National Wild Turkey Federation’s turkey logo is flying around the track again this weekend on Richard Childress Racing’s Bass Pro Shops sponsored #3 Chevy driven by Austin Dillon in the Nationwide Series. Dillon is hoping the turkey will land across the finish line first in the History 300 race on Saturday, May 26th at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Charlotte, North Carolina. The salute to the NWTF is a part of the Conservation Fund’s “Racing for America’s Wildlife” program. The program is designed to engage the NASCAR community in conserving America’s hunting and fishing heritage through habitat protection, restoration, education, and outreach. The NWTF is the leader in upland wildlife habitat conservation in North America. A nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving the wild turkey and preserving our hunting heritage, the NWTF, its volunteers and partners have raised and spent more than $331 million to conserve nearly 16 million acres of habitat. Wild turkeys and hundreds of other species of upland wildlife, including quail, deer, grouse, pheasant and songbirds, benefit from this improved habitat.(Bas Pro Shops), see an image of the car on the #3 team paint schemes page.(5-23-2012)
Strutmasters to sponsor Darnell at Charlotte: Erik Darnell and the #40 Strutmasters.com The Motorsports Group team will make the 11th stop of the NASCAR Nationwide Series schedule, History 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Saturday May 26th, 2012. Erik Darnell and the #40 Strutmaster.com TMG team head into the History 300, 17th in the point standings after their 18th place run at Iowa Speedway. Erik Darnell will make his 31st career start in the NASCAR Nationwide Series this weekend, his 5th at Charlotte Motor Speedway through the 3-top levels of NASCAR.(The Motorsports Group)(5-23-2012)
Sadler’s team penalized after Iowa: NASCAR has penalized the #2 team in the NASCAR Nationwide Series as a result of rule infractions discovered during post-race inspection Sunday at Iowa Speedway. The #2 car was found to be in violation of Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4J (any determination by NASCAR officials that race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules); and 20A-12.8.1C (body height requirements car failed to meet the minimum rear car heights) of the 2012 NASCAR rule book. As a result, crew chief Luke Lambert has been fined $10,000, while owner DeLana Harvick and driver Elliott Sadler have been penalized with the loss of six championship owner and six championship driver points, respectively. (NASCAR)(5-22-2012)
Iowa TV Ratings: ESPN’s live telecast of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Iowa Speedway on Sunday, May 20, earned a 1.2 household coverage rating (1.0 U.S. rating), averaging 1,451,807 viewers, according to the Nielsen Company. Last year’s race, which marked the first time that the track had staged an event in May after receiving a second Nationwide Series date, aired on ABC and earned a 1.6 U.S. rating.(ESPN)(5-22-2012)
Wish For Our Heroes on the #70 at Charlotte: Johanna Long and the ML Motorsports team will be running a red, white & blue paint scheme on the #70 Chevrolet at Charlotte Motor Speedway to bring recognition to Wish For Our Heroes. Wish For Our Heroes was first launched in November 2009 and is dedicated to assisting the men and women of the United States active-duty military. The organization began with a goal of providing one wish for every deserving military member. The ML Motorsports team will grant a wish by having several troops accompany them to the race on Saturday. The paint scheme is part of NASCAR Unites An American Salute that begins with this weekend’s Memorial Day celebration. The #70 Chevy will also carry the patriotic paint scheme at Daytona in July.(ML Motorsports), see an image of the car on the #70 team paint schemes page.(5-22-2012)
Hitman: Absolution on the #20 at Charlotte: Hitman: Absolution will ride on the side of the #20 GameStop Toyota this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Hitman: Absolution follows The Original Assassin undertaking his most personal contract to date. Betrayed by the Agency and hunted by the police, Agent 47 finds himself pursuing redemption in a corrupt and twisted world. In addition to the paint scheme on the GameStop Toyota this weekend, Logano will also have a special suit that is sure to make people take notice.(JGR)(5-22-2012)
Biagi returning to Nationwide Series: UPDATE: According to their website, “Biagi-DenBeste Racing is proud to anounce that we will be fielding the 98 car for the 2012 Nationwide race season. The car will commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Shelby American. We will not be doing a full season, but we are confirmed to race at Charlotte, Kentucky, Daytona, and Indianapolis. Driver information to be coming shortly.” Biagi first appeared in the Nationwide Series in 2001 and operated until 2007. Team drivers included Mike Wallace, Mark Green, Jeff Green, and Ryan Hemphill.(5-18-2012) UPDATE: Biagi-DenBeste Racing will be fielding the 98 Ford Mustang in the History 300 Nationwide Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, NC on Saturday, May 26th. After a brief hiatus away from racing, the Biagi-DenBeste team is excited to be back on the oval. Team co-owner Bill DenBeste said “Racing is a passion for us. We stepped away for a few years to focus on other business ventures, but we could not be more excited to be back chasing the checkered flag.” The team has experience on the track, taking home the checkered flag in the Winn-Dixie 250 at Daytona International Speedway in July of 2004 with the #4 GEICO car. Driven by Reed Sorenson, the #98 Ford will be black and gold. The car is designed to mirror the new Super Snake from Shelby American in celebration of their 50th Anniversary. The 50th Anniversary Shelby logo will adorn the hood, along with the Super Snake racing stripes. The Carroll Shelby Engine Company is the primary sponsor for the 98 Ford and will be featured on the quarter panels.(Biagi-DenBeste Racing)(5-21-2012)
Coulter to make NNS debut at Charlotte: Richard Childress Racing and Sherwin Williams announced their partnership as primary sponsor of Joey Coulter’s NASCAR Nationwide Series debut during the May 26 History 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Coulter, a native Miami Springs, Fla., will drive the #21 Sherwin Williams Chevy at the 1.5-mile race track in Concord, N.C. Sherwin Williams, a family-owned organization based in Cleveland, Ohio, has maintained a relationship with RCR since 2000, serving as an associate sponsor over the years with a presence on a majority of RCR’s NASCAR Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series entries.(RCR)(5-21-2012)
Homestead to host Season Finales, now with new Race Names: Ford Motor Company and Homestead-Miami Speedway today announced that NASCAR’s season-ending championship races in South Florida will be named the Ford EcoBoost 200, Ford EcoBoost 300 and Ford EcoBoost 400 for 2012. The races, which crown season champions in NASCAR’s top three national series, are set for this fall:
The Camping World Truck Series Ford EcoBoost 200 Friday, November 16
The Nationwide Series Ford EcoBoost 300 Saturday, November 17
Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 Sunday, November 18
Formerly known as the Ford 200, Ford 300 and Ford 400, the three contests comprise Ford Championship Weekend. This fall’s events will mark the 11th consecutive year that Homestead-Miami Speedway has hosted NASCAR’s championship races in all three series and under the Ford banner. The race entitlements at Homestead-Miami Speedway will cap a year-long campaign for Ford EcoBoost in racing, which includes a presence in NASCAR, GRAND-AM, World Rally Car (WRC) and National Hot Rod Association (NHRA). Specific to NASCAR, Ford EcoBoost serves as the primary sponsor on the Sprint Cup Series cars of #99-Carl Edwards and #17-Matt Kenseth for select races. Ford EcoBoost also appears for select races on the Mustang race cars of defending Nationwide Series champion Ricky Stenhouse and Trevor Bayne. Tickets for Ford Championship Weekend went on sale to the general public earlier this month. They are available at www.homesteadmiamispeedway.com or by calling 866.409.RACE.(Homestead-Miami Speedway)(5-21-2012)
Threewide Clothing joins Jeremy Clements Racing: Jeremy Clements Racing announces their newly formed partnership with Threewide Clothing. Threewide Clothing will be on board the #51 as associate sponsor beginning with Sunday’s John Deere 250 in Iowa. Threewide is the maker of a wide assortment of race appearal for race teams and fans . They will offer an extended line of Jeremy Clements Racing merchandise.(Clements PR)(5-18-2012)
F.W. Webb to sponsor New Hampshire race: Over the last three years, they have sponsored races in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and Camping World Truck Series, as well as the most posh and expensive bathroom in New Hampshire. Now, in its fourth year with New Hampshire Motor Speedway, F.W. Webb Company is piping in again. The Northeast’s largest plumbing, heating, cooling and industrial supplies distributor has signed on as the official title sponsor for the July 14 NASCAR Nationwide Series race, the F.W. Webb 200. “F.W. Webb has become a key fixture here at the speedway,” said Jerry Gappens, executive vice president and general manager of NHMS. “In addition to the sponsorships, they have been an integral part of our building and renovation projects over the past four years. Through their great products and support, they are literally helping build a better New Hampshire Motor Speedway for our guests. This is a great example of a true business-to-business partnership. NHMS and F.W. Webb Company have been in partnership since signing a multi-year deal back in 2009. Since then, F.W. Webb Company has sponsored two Whelen Modified Tour races (a third this September named the F.W. Webb 100), a Camping World Truck Series race and Frank Webb’s Bath House, a mammoth on-site bathhouse for race fans. It has also helped supply materials for millions of dollars in renovations throughout the speedway facility.(NHMS)(5-18-2012)
Matt Carter to practice #87 at Iowa: While NASCAR driver Matt Carter continues to pursue sponsorship in order to return to the NASCAR Nationwide Series scene, he has been hustling in the garage area over the past month working in a variety of roles with Go Green Racing (GGR). This weekend, the Denver, North Carolina native will practice and qualify the #87 AM / FM Energy Wood Pellet Stoves Toyota Camry for NEMCO Motorsports at Iowa Speedway. The 31-year old will temporally pinch-hit for car owner Joe Nemechek who will be partaking in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series activities at Charlotte Speedway. While the avid racecar driver won’t be behind the wheel for race day, he will spot for the former NASCAR Nationwide Series champion.(Carter PR)(5-17-2012)
Villeneuve returns to the #22 for 2 races: One of the most accomplished racers in recent history will join Penske Racing for two upcoming road course races on the 2012 NASCAR Nationwide Series schedule. Former world champion driver Jacques Villeneuve will compete behind the wheel of the #22 Discount Tire Dodge Challenger in the NNS races at Road America (June 23) and Circuit Gilles Villeneuve (August 18). He will return to the Dodge at these venues for the second-consecutive season. Villeneuve has made 10 NASCAR starts over the past five seasons, including seven in the Nationwide Series. He owns his top NASCAR finish at both courses when he finished third at Montreal in 2010 and Road America in 2011. In addition, he led the field to the green flag in last year’s event at Montreal. Competing at both Road America and Montreal, Villeneuve will return to two tracks where he’s enjoyed some impressive history. He has already been to Victory Lane at Road America as he won the CART Series races there in both 1994 and 1995. He will then race in his hometown of Montreal, Quebec, Canada at the circuit named after his famous father, former Formula One driver Gilles Villeneuve. (Penseke Racing)(5-17-2012)
Sweet returns to the #38: Brad Sweet will return to the seat of the #38 Great Clips machine this weekend for the Nationwide Series’ first of two stops at Iowa Speedway. This event will mark the Grass Valley, Calif.-native’s third NNS start of the season after proving impressive in his first race at Auto Club Speedway where he brought home a sixth-place finish. In his second start at Talladega, Sweet ran solidly inside the top-10 before being collected in a late-race accident. While Sweet has not competed at Iowa Speedway in NASCAR competition, he knows the place well having wheeled Silver Crown cars and midgets around the 7/8-mile track throughout his open-wheel career.(Turner Motorsports)(5-17-2012)
Angela Cope to make 2012 debut at Charlotte: Charlotte Motor Speedway will mark the start of Angela Cope’s 2012 NASCAR Nationwide 2012 season. On May 26, 2012, Angela Cope will pilot SR� Motorsports Chevy #00 in the History 300/Global RallyCross. Highland Wealth Advisors will adorn the hood of the #00.Luichiny� shoes will be displayed on the upper quarter panels of SR� Motorsports #00.(SR� Motorsports)(5-15-2012)
Darrell Wallace Set For Iowa Debut: UPDATE: Many in fact, most drivers make their debuts in the Nationwide Series without much fanfare. Decidedly, that will not be the case May 20 when Darrell Wallace Jr. is scheduled to race in NASCAR’s #2 series for the first time. He’s scheduled to debut in the Joe Gibbs Racing #20 Toyota at Iowa Speedway. Wallace’s name has carried a certain degree of prominence for the past two seasons as he has been the standout driver in NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity program, a much-ballyhooed but to date largely unsuccessful attempt to put a minority driver in a potentially winning situation in one of NASCAR’s three national series. Wallace, an African-American, appears to have the talent and standing to make it work. He has scored wins in the past three years in NASCAR’s K&N; Pro Series East competition and was the series runnerup last year, when he finished in the top 10 in 11 of 12 races. A developmental driver for the Gibbs’ team, the 18-year-old from Concord, N.C., has the connections and the cars to make a name for himself.(SPEED)(5-8-2012) UPDATE: Joe Gibbs Racing sponsor Dollar General has teamed with Darrell Wallace Jr. for his highly anticipated debut in the NASCAR Nationwide Series this week at Iowa Speedway. Wallace’s #20 Toyota will be one of two Dollar General Camrys on the track in Newton, Iowa this weekend. His paint scheme will be a unique reversal of Dollar General’s familiar colors with a black base and yellow lettering. Shore Lodge, along with Coke and Toyota will serve as associate sponsors for Wallace’s inaugural Nationwide Series race. (JGR)(5-15-2012) IMAGE: see a picture of the car on the #20 team paint schemes page.
Kligerman making 2012 NNS debut: This weekend’s event at Iowa Speedway will be #22-Parker Kligerman’s first NNS start of the season. He has made a total of 15 series starts since his debut in 2009. His best finish, an eighth came on the road course at Montreal, Quebec, Canada in 2010. (Penske Racing)(5-15-2012)
Jamie Dick returns to the #23: Viva Motorsports, Corrie Stott Racing, and R3 Motorsports are looking forward to taking driver Jamie Dick to the Iowa speedway this weekend for the May 20th Nationwide race. It is the “home track” if you will for Corrie who grew up in the south east Iowa town of Keokuk. Jamie has run K&N; cars, Camping World Trucks and one Nationwide race at the Iowa Speedway. Vivaautogroup.com, Viva Power Sports, and Bestwayautos.com will again be the primary sponsors for this race. (CSR)(5-15-2012)
Darlington TV Ratings: ESPN2’s live telecast of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway on Friday night, May 11, earned a 1.2 household coverage rating (1.0 U.S. rating), averaging 1,590,786 viewers, according to the Nielsen Company. The rating was up from last year’s Darlington race, which earned a 1.0 coverage rating. NASCAR Nationwide Series ratings are up seven percent across ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC this season compared to last year at this point and up 23 percent over this point in 2010. Of the eight races run so far this season that aired on ESPN networks last year, six have shown ratings increases.(ESPN)(5-15-2012)
New scheme for the #14 team: Beginning with this weekend’s Pioneer Hi-Bred 250 at Iowa Speedway, the #14 Hefty/Reynolds Wrap Toyota Camry in the Nationwide Series will sport a Red, White, and Blue Patriotic scheme to Support Our Troops. The last race for this special scheme will be the Subway Jalapeno 250 on July 6 at Daytona International Speedway.(TMI), see an image of the car on the #14 team paint schemes page.(5-14-2012)
Koch gets sponsor for Darlington: Nationwide Series driver #41-Blake Koch doesn’t like to be the center of controversy, but a recent controversy surrounding his religious beliefs has brought some sponsorship to his Rick Ware Racing team. Earlier this year, Koch lost a 20-race sponsorship at least partially because of a dispute with ESPN over what Koch believes was the religious and political overtones of his sponsor’s message. Blake Koch, right, is a believer in good things happening from tough situations, and that’s certainly happened to him at Darlington. (AP Photo)Koch was sponsored by the Rise Up and Register Campaign, which is designed to educate people about the importance of registering to vote in upcoming elections. But ESPN rejected the advertisement from the campaign, Koch said, because of his religious activism. After losing the sponsorship, Koch had to start and park his car two weeks ago at Richmond and then missed the race at Talladega when rain washed out qualifying and he was in the team’s third car because he didn’t have a sponsor. This weekend at Darlington Raceway, he’ll get to run the entire race thanks to an unlikely source. Dr. Gregory Sexton, a South Carolina doctor, doesn’t follow NASCAR but saw Koch on Fox News talking about losing some support from Rise Up and Register and decided to put his Capital Plastic Surgery logo on the car. It’s the second one-race sponsorship Koch has landed since the controversy. Christiancinema.com sponsored him at Texas.(Sporting News)(5-11-2012)
McClure injured at Talladega: UPDATE 8: #14-Eric McClure was injured Saturday during a mutlicar crash near the end of Nationwide Series race at Talladega Superspeedway. McClure’s car was one of several swept into a chain-reaction crash and slammed nose-first into the SAFER barrier on the inside retaining wall. He had to be cut from his car. NASCAR officials said Saturday that McClure was alert and talking to medical personnel. He was taken to University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital. The extent of McClure’s injuries were not immediately known, but NASCAR officials said that McClure was communicating with safety workers.(Sporting News)(5-5-2012) UPDATE:According to Emily Brandt, McClure’s sister and PR representative, “@ericmcclure is alert and taking to family members. He is being kept overnight 4 further observation”.(5-5-2012 UPDATE 2: According to Eric’s Facebook page, “Eric is awake and alert. He has pain in the right arm and leg. He’s going to be bruised and sore for a while but should be okay. They are keeping him in the hospital overnight for observation.”(5-5-2012) UPDATE 3: Eric McClure, driver of the #14 Hefty/Reynolds Wrap Toyota, is stable and alert following a late-race incident yesterday (Saturday) during the NASCAR Nationwide Series event at Talladega Superspeedway. He is undergoing tests and remains under observation at the University of Alabama at Birmingham hospital. McClure and his family would like to express their thanks to the NASCAR community for their thoughts, support and concern. The team will release any updates as they occur.(TMI)(5-6-2012) UPDATE 4: Eric McClure, driver of the #14 Hefty/Reynolds Wrap Toyota will remain hospitalized overnight for further observation at UAB Medical Center in Birmingham, Alabama.(TMI)(5-6-2012) UPDATE 5: Update from Emily Brandt regarding Eric McClure: Eric McClure, driver of the #14 Hefty/Reynolds Wrap Toyota, was released this evening [May 7th] from the UAB Medical Center in Birmingham, AL where he was airlifted Saturday afternoon following a racing incident at Talladega Superspeedway. McClure suffered a concussion and mild internal bruising and is expected to make a full recovery. This week he will follow up with specialists regarding his injuries. McClure has said he will make himself available to the media in the Jim Hunter Media Center at Darlington Raceway on Friday, May 11, time to be announced.(TMI)(5-7-2012) UPDATE 6: It is NASCAR’s policy that a driver that receives a concussion must be cleared by a neurosurgeon with at least five years of experience with sports-related head injuries before being allowed back in the car. In some sports leagues the athlete must wait at least seven days before returning to action. There will be only six days between Saturday’s crash and Friday’s race. Brandt said McClure will meet with a specialist on Tuesday or Wednesday to determine his status. He is scheduled to hold a press conference on Friday at Darlington. “He’s sore and just needs to rest a few days and be with his family and go to his doctor appointments,” Brandt said. After his release McClure was driven back to his Chilhowie, Va., home by his father, who has been with him at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Medical Center since the accident.(ESPN)(5-7-2012) UPDATE: TMI (Team McClure, Inc.) announced that due to injuries sustained last Saturday following a crash at Talladega Superspeedway, Eric McClure will be sidelined for Friday night’s NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Darlington Raceway. Jeff Green, the 2000 NASCAR Nationwide Series champion and teammate to McClure at TriStar Motorsports will drive the #14 Hefty/Reynolds Wrap Toyota at Darlington.(TMI)(5-9-2012) UPDATE 8:Eric McClure says he remembers only bits and pieces of his accident at Talladega, but knows he had lost his brakes before the impact. McClure suffered a concussion and internal bruising in the accident in the Nationwide Series race on Saturday. He says he believed he was headed toward his first career top-10 when the accident began in front of him. McClure was then hit by another car, and heading toward the inside wall, he says he “went to hit the brake pedal and the brakes were not there.”(AP/ESPN.com)(5-11-2012)
JD Motorsports partners with Tradebank Intl: Tradebank International Inc.and JD Motorsports announced today that they have entered into a comprehensive partnership whereby Tradebank will be the exclusive barter sponsor of JD Motorsports in NASCAR’s Nationwide series. Tradebank will be featured on both the #4 and the No. 01 car in every race throughout the rest of the 2012 Nationwide series. In addition, Tradebank will utilize its media division to bring additional sponsors to the JD Motorsports team. Tradebank International, headquartered in Lawrenceville, Georgia, has franchised and company owned barter outlets in over 50 locations throughout North America. This year also commemorates Tradebank’s 25th anniversary in the barter industry.(JD Motorsports PR)(5-11-2012)
“Join The Dew Crew” on the #88 at Iowa: In front of a frenzied crowd at Walmart’s Race Time event Thursday night, JR Motorsports team owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. and driver Cole Whitt unveiled the #88 “Join the Dew Crew” Chevy that Whitt will drive in the May 20th NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Iowa Speedway. The unveiling was part of a one-race partnership announcement between JR Motorsports and PepsiCo that will drive awareness of Dew Crew, an online Facebook community that gives fans the opportunity to get more involved with Dale Jr. and Diet Mountain Dew, while having a voice and making key decisions for the #88 Hendrick Motorsports team. Fans can become a member of the Dew Crew free of charge at www.DewCrew.com. A first-year driver for JR Motorsports, Whitt will pilot the #88 “Join the Dew Crew” Chevy in the Pioneer Hi-Bred 250 at Iowa.(JR Motorsports), see an image of the car on the #88 team paint schemes page.(5-10-2012)
Safety equipment on McClure’s car worked: While the steering column did move quite a bit toward driver Eric McClure during his nasty crash Saturday at Talladega Superspeedway, the TriStar Motorsports team did not see anything out of the ordinary when inspecting the car after the accident, crew chief Wes Ward said Thursday. Ward, who has spent 22 years in the sport, and NASCAR officials looked over the car Monday at the TriStar shop to determine if any of the safety features failed. “The steering column went up quite a bit,” Ward said. “But from what they’re telling me, that’s pretty common with a frontal impact like that. & From what they’re telling me, I don’t think he actually hit the steering wheel that hard. It just kind of moved up. His helmet or face didn’t really go down into it that hard because of the HANS and the seat belts. There wasn’t anything in the car that we could say was bad. Everything did what it was supposed to do and everything held up.” The car was originally built at Rusty Wallace Racing, where Ward was shop foreman. The seat was manufactured by MasterCraft.(Sporting News)(5-10-2012)
Patrick wrecks Hornish after race: UPDATES: After finishing 13th, likely unsatisfying and not indicative of how well she competed most of the race, #7-Danica Patrick wrecked old friend/former house guest and fellow IndyCar alum #12-Sam Hornish Jr. on the cool-down lap. NASCAR took no immediate action. Patrick restarted 18th on a second attempt at a green/white/checker finish and worked her way to 10th beginning the final lap before #2-Elliott Sadler — with whom she had been involved in an earlier incident — and Kenny Wallace opted to work together and leave her without a draft partner and plummeting back through the running order. Patrick regained a spot in line and rallied but was audibly agitated, responding to a question over team radio if she was “all right” with, “Absolutely fine. … I don’t know. It seems like people don’t frickin’ like me, man.” Early in the cool-down lap, where cars slow before returning to pit road, Patrick had run alongside Sadler and Hornish, who were nose-to-tail, when it appeared Hornish veered wide right, nearly blocking her into the wall. Patrick subsequently chased Hornish down and used her bumper to turn him into the wall. Hornish said after the race he veered because of a tire problem. Patrick said Hornish apologized.(ESPN)(5-5-2012) UPDATE: Danica Patrick will hear from NASCAR officials about sending Sam Hornish Jr. into the wall following the Nationwide Series race Saturday at Talladega Superspeedway, but she likely won’t be penalized, NASCAR officials said Sunday morning. The two drivers, whose rivalry goes back to their days racing go-karts and extended to the IndyCar Series, likely will both be talked to by NASCAR officials prior to practice next Friday at Darlington Raceway for what happened after the Aaron’s 312 on Saturday. “We talked a little bit to the folks last night and we’ll talk to them again at Darlington,” NASCAR Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton said Sunday morning. “But there’s not a history (in NASCAR) there. There’s not a lot of things. Pemberton indicated that Patrick’s actions did not rise to the level of Kyle Busch retaliating against Ron Hornaday in a Truck Series race last November at Texas Motor Speedway, where Busch was suspended for the Nationwide and Cup events later that weekend.(Sporting News)(5-6-2012) UPDATE 2: Danica Patrick said Thursday she isn’t sure if NASCAR will penalize her for intentionally wrecking Sam Hornish Jr. at Talladega Superspeedway. Patrick was angry after Hornish ran her up the track on the last lap of the Nationwide Series race. She retaliated on the cool-down lap, but insisted her intent was only to hit Hornish to show her displeasure. After watching a replay of the accident, she called both Hornish and Nationwide Series director Joe Balash. She also exchanged emails with Hornish team owner Roger Penske. “I was definitely surprised he hit the wall; that was completely unintentional,” she said during an appearance for new sponsor Coca-Cola at Charlotte Motor Speedway. “Sam didn’t mean to put me in the wall, either. We’re both good, and I know we’re both looking forward to Darlington.” Patrick was not called to the NASCAR hauler after the race, and has not been punished for her actions. She wasn’t sure if that will change once she arrives Friday at Darlington Raceway. “I have no idea,” she said. “That’s not my department. I don’t make those kinds of decisions. That’s up to NASCAR and the things that they look at, and the things they take into consideration.”(ESPN)(5-10-2012)
Danica Patrick joining Coca-Cola Racing Family: #7-Danica Patrick will be introduced as the first female member of the Coca-Cola Racing Family during a Thursday news conference at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The 30-year-old fulltime Nationwide Series driver and part-time Sprint Cup driver joins current CCRF members Greg Biffle, Jeff Burton, Denny Hamlin, Bobby Labonte, Joey Logano, Jamie McMurray, Ryan Newman and Tony Stewart. Patrick will be directly branded with Coke Zero. Among her first promotional appearances wil be at the Coca-Cola 600 weekend at CMS to promote the adventure movie “Battleship” with one of the movie’s stars, Brooklyn Decker. She also will compete in the 600 as the third of her 10 Cup races this season. “To be with Coca-Cola is one of those things you only dream about as a driver,” Patrick told ESPN.com. “A lot of legendary drivers have been a part of the Coke family, so I feel very fortunate.”(ESPN)(5-10-2012)
Hyland’s and Shepherd to tackle ‘Lady In Black’: After 45 years of racing at countless venues, 70-year-old #89-Morgan Shepherd will tell you that Darlington is his favorite. Hyland’s, Inc., a homeopathic all-natural medicine company based in Los Angeles will jump on board this weekend at Darlington with Shepherd as an associate sponsor to help the #89 team to compete for the entire event. Hyland’s and MorganShepherd.comwill be on both sides and the rear decklid of Shepherd’s #89 entry this Friday night for the VFW Sport Clips/Help A Hero 200 at Darlington.(Shepherd Racing Ventures)(5-10-2012)
Carl Edwards to join ESPN for two Nationwide races: #99-Carl Edwards will move from the cockpit of his race car to the broadcast booth as he becomes an analyst for ESPN on two upcoming telecasts of NASCAR Nationwide Series races. Edwards will make his debut during ESPN2’s live telecast of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Darlington Raceway on Friday night, May 11, at 6:30 p.m. ET. Edwards also will serve as an analyst for the June 29 event at Kentucky Speedway. For the Darlington race telecast, Edwards will join lap-by-lap announcer Allen Bestwick and analyst Andy Petree in the booth. While Edwards has never called a race, he has worked closely with ESPN the past two years during ESPN’s portion of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule by doing post-race analysis for SportsCenter. “I am humbled by this opportunity to broadcast for ESPN and be part of their team,” said Edwards. “This Friday in Darlington, I will hop out of my Sprint Cup Car and trade my firesuit for a suit and tie to see the Nationwide race from a totally different perspective. I am honestly a little nervous as it will be my first time being part of the broadcast,” he said. “ESPN has been a great partner for everyone in NASCAR and I hope I can add some insight for the fans.” Edwards, who drives for Roush Fenway Racing, stopped competing in NASCAR Nationwide Series races this season after racing fulltime in both the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series the past seven years. He was the Nationwide Series driving champion in 2007, and earned the 2011 series owner’s championship for Roush Fenway Racing, but decided to concentrate his efforts on the Sprint Cup Series this season. “Having a past NASCAR Nationwide Series champion and active NASCAR Sprint Cup driver in the booth will certainly bring some unique perspective to our viewers,” said Rich Feinberg, ESPN vice president, motorsports, production. “We have a very strong on-air team for NASCAR and this addition makes it even stronger.”(ESPN)(5-9-2012)
Kurt Busch will run both Iowa races: Kurt Busch says he’s planning to run both Nationwide series races at Iowa Speedway this season. Busch says he’s slated to run both the May 20 and August 4 races in Iowa this season in the #54 Toyota for Kyle Busch Motorsports. Kurt Busch, the 2004 Cup champion, has tested at Iowa but hasn’t raced there. Busch says that Iowa’s short oval reminds him of similar setups in Richmond and Phoenix. Kyle Busch won a Nationwide race at the Iowa Speedway in 2010. Kurt says his brother has told him the key to success at Iowa is to maneuver the car through bumps in the track’s first two turns.(Associated Press/ESPN)(5-8-2012)
Darrell Wallace Set For Iowa Debut: Many in fact, most drivers make their debuts in the Nationwide Series without much fanfare. Decidedly, that will not be the case May 20 when Darrell Wallace Jr. is scheduled to race in NASCAR’s #2 series for the first time. He’s scheduled to debut in the Joe Gibbs Racing #20 Toyota at Iowa Speedway. Wallace’s name has carried a certain degree of prominence for the past two seasons as he has been the standout driver in NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity program, a much-ballyhooed but to date largely unsuccessful attempt to put a minority driver in a potentially winning situation in one of NASCAR’s three national series. Wallace, an African-American, appears to have the talent and standing to make it work. He has scored wins in the past three years in NASCAR’s K&N; Pro Series East competition and was the series runnerup last year, when he finished in the top 10 in 11 of 12 races. A developmental driver for the Gibbs’ team, the 18-year-old from Concord, N.C., has the connections and the cars to make a name for himself.(SPEED)(5-8-2012)
Penske teams have to change bumper covers: Penske Racing’s Nationwide teams spent Thursday afternoon replacing the upper front bumper covers of the cars of #22-Brad Keselowski and #12-Sam Hornish Jr. at Talladega Superspeedway. Bumper covers appear to have been a point of emphasis for NASCAR officials at the last two races. Last week at Richmond, NASCAR confiscated the bumper covers of all three Richard Childress Racing cars and all three Turner Motorsports cars. The Penske teams will be allowed to participate in all track activitiespractice is scheduled for Thursday afternoon but heavy rains are putting those sessions in jeopardy. Any penalties will be announced next week.(Sporting News)(5-3-2012) UPDATE: NASCAR announced that two NASCAR Nationwide Series crew chiefs had been fined and placed on probation for violations during this past weekend’s event at Talladega Superspeedway. In addition, the teams’ respective car chiefs have also been placed on probation for the remainder of the year. Crew chiefs Jeremy Bullins (#22 team) and Chad Walter (#12 team) have each been fined $10,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31. Additionally, the teams’ respective car chiefs Thomas Clavette (#22) and Raymond Fox (#12) have been placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31. The rules violations referred to Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4J (any determination by NASCAR officials that the race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules detailed in Section 20-A of the rule book); 20A-2.1E (streamlining of the contours of the car, beyond what is approved by the series director will not be permitted. Installation of air directional devices, underpans, baffles, shields or the like beneath the car or the car’s hood and fender area, front firewall, floor, rear firewall area, rear deck and quarter panel will not be permitted. If, in the judgment of NASCAR officials, any part or component of the car not previously approved by NASCAR has been installed or modified to enhance aerodynamic performance, will not be permitted. All cars must remain standard in appearance); 20A-3.10A (front upper bumper cover must be from the respective OEM manufacturer and must be approved by NASCAR. The front lower bumper cover and rear bumper cover must be from an approved manufacturer and must be approved by NASCAR. Once approved, the front lower bumper covers may be used on all approved models. NASCAR officials may use bumper covers provided by the respective manufacturer as a guide in determining whether a competitor’s bumper cover conforms to the specifications of the NASCAR rule book. Unless otherwise authorized by the series director, cutting and reshaping of bumper covers will not be permitted.)(NASCAR)(5-8-2012)
Talladega TV Ratings: ABC’s live telecast of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway on Saturday, May 5, drew the network’s third-largest audience ever for a Nationwide Series race. An average of 3,501,477 people watched the race, earning a 2.3 rating, according to the Nielsen Company. The only audiences larger for a Nationwide Series race on ABC were the 2008 Talladega race (4,061,007 average) and 2007 at Las Vegas (3,650,562). Last year’s race aired on ESPN2 with a 1.8 U.S. rating, averaging 2,938,308 viewers. The last time the race aired on ABC was in 2009, with that telecast earning a 1.9 rating and averaging 2,675,244 viewers. Across ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC, NASCAR Nationwide Series races are averaging a 1.7 U.S. rating this season, up six percent from a 1.6 at this time last year.(ESPN)(5-8-2012)
Dick returns to the #23: Jamie Dick returns to the Nationwide series at “the lady in black” this weekend in the R3/Viva Motorsports/Corrie Stott Racing #23 Chevy. Jamie has one race under his belt at Darlington in the Camping world truck series event in 2011 with a 23rd place finish. Vivaautogroup.comVivapowersports.comBestwayautos.com will be primary sponsors for this great event. After finishes of 23rd in Phoenix and 22nd in the Bristol NW races this year, Jamie and the team had a good test at Nashville in mid April and feel good about the upcoming Darlington race.(CSR PR)(5-8-2012)
Jeffrey Earnhardt planning full Nationwide effort next season: Jeffrey Earnhardt wheels the #15 Fastwax.com Ford for Rick Ware Racing, a team that he was supposed to run for Rookie of the Year honors with last year, until funding fizzled out. Now a driver in the NASCAR Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series, Earnhardt explains his short term and long term plans in NASCAR. “We’re in the process of trying to put some sponsorship together to do the limited amount of races this year, so that way I can still keep my rookie status for next year,” he told News/Talk WSB Saturday, just before the Nationwide Series driver’s meeting. “We’ve got a lot of good stuff going for us sponsorship-wise, trying to seal up those deals and be able to run a full season next year in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, that’s our ultimate goal. We’re going to do as much as we can this year to make that happen.”(WSB Radio)(5-5-2012)
Gase working to return to Nationwide Series: Joey Gase didn’t expect attending opening night at Hawkeye Downs Speedway. The 19-year-old race car driver anticipated being in Talladega, Ala., after signing a deal to run a full NASCAR Nationwide Series schedule with Go Green Racing in January. After racing the first five Nationwide Series races, sponsorship issues have kept Gase from running the last two contests and Saturday’s Aaron 312. In the cut throat business of racing, if you can find the cash then you can get a ride. A deal with a sponsor didn’t work out and Gase was without an opportunity after posting a season-best 23rd-place finish March 24 in the Royal Purple 300 at Auto Club Speedway where he completed 148 of 150 laps. “We still have a really good relationship with them,” Gase said of Go Green Racing. “We need sponsor help right now. A bunch of people do. It’s kind of sad how many guys were doing the whole season on Nationwide and then their sponsor fell through.” He admits it can be a little frustrating taking a step back after being in one of the nation’s top series. “You just have to deal with it,” said Gase, noting Nationwide driver Blake Koch is experiencing the same thing and Timmy Hill dropped from NASCAR Sprint Cup to Nationwide Series competition due to sponsorship. “You see how many guys it happens to and I know I still have a lot of time.”(The Gazette)(5-5-2012)
Tradebank sponsoring JD Motorsports at Talladega: Tradebank International Inc. announced its foray into NASCAR racing. Tradebank will sponsor two cars, owned by JD Motorsports, in the NASCAR Nationwide Series race on Saturday, May 5 at Talladega Superspeedway. Tradebank is the primary sponsor of the #4 Tradebank Chevy car which will be driven by Danny Effland. Concurrently, Tradebank is also an associate sponsor of the #01 Restaurant.com Chevy driven by veteran driver, Mike Wallace.(JD Motorsports)(5-5-2012)
Penske teams have to change bumper covers: Penske Racing’s Nationwide teams spent Thursday afternoon replacing the upper front bumper covers of the cars of #22-Brad Keselowski and #12-Sam Hornish Jr. at Talladega Superspeedway. Bumper covers appear to have been a point of emphasis for NASCAR officials at the last two races. Last week at Richmond, NASCAR confiscated the bumper covers of all three Richard Childress Racing cars and all three Turner Motorsports cars. The Penske teams will be allowed to participate in all track activitiespractice is scheduled for Thursday afternoon but heavy rains are putting those sessions in jeopardy. Any penalties will be announced next week.(Sporting News)(5-3-2012)
MAKE Motorsport to honor tornado victims: T.J. Bell and the #50 Gulfcoast Loss Prevention MAKE Motorsports team will be teaming up with the Toomer’s for Tuscaloosa Organization to honor those who lost their lives during the tornado outbreak that begin on April 27th, 2011. Gulfcoast Loss Prevention will be the primary sponsor on the #50 Chevrolet sporting a special tribute on the hood of the Chevy Impala. The hood will have the names of those that lost their lives during these deadly tornadoes listed along with the Toomer’s for Tuscaloosa logo, which symbolizes the rivalries between Auburn University and The University of Alabama coming together. A portion of the sponsorship gained for this weekend will be donated to Toomer’s for Tuscaloosa who assists in disaster recovery efforts. A few of the Victims’ families will also be at the race to see this special car.(MAKE Motorsports), see an image of the hood on the #50 team paint schemes page.(5-2-2012)
Josh Richards to make Nationwide debut at Talladega: Josh Richards will make his Nationwide Series debut at Talladega Superspeedway in the #39 Joy Ford Mustang fielded by Go Green Racing on Saturday. Richards will compete in the 2012 NNS with partner Joy Global. The US based mining manufacture returns to NASCAR following their support in 2011 when the Shinnston, W. Va. native entered the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS). Richards’ Ford Mustang will also show support for the Naval Special Warfare Kids (NSW Kids), showcasing their logo on his car to bring attention to a charity started by a Mooresville, N.C. family. Richards and NSW Kids partnered for the first time in 2011 at Martinsville Speedway.(Richards PR)(5-2-2012)
Townley in the #24 at Talladega: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., announced that driver John Wes Townley will carry the colors of the Toyota ‘Save in May’ Sales Event in the May 5 NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) event at Talladega Superspeedway and in the May 18 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) event at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Townley, 22, will drive the #24 Toyota ‘Save in May’ Sales Event Toyota Camry at Talladega Superspeedway in a collaborated effort between SR2 Motorsports and RAB Racing with Brack Maggard. Townley’s NCWTS crew chief, Chris Rice, will be atop the pit box for the Watkinsville, Ga., native’s Nationwide Series efforts.(RAB Racing)(5-12-2012)
Teams have bumper covers confiscated: UPDATES: All three Richard Childress Racing teams and all three Turner Motorsports teams replaced the upper front bumper covers on their Nationwide Series cars Thursday after NASCAR confiscated modified bumper covers during inspection. Nationwide teams went through inspection Thursday at Richmond International Raceway to prepare for practice Friday morning and the race Friday night. Any penalties will be announced next week. No crew members were ejected from the track. Included in the group were the cars of series points leader #2-Elliott Sadler, who drives for RCR and has a four-point lead on Roush Fenway Racing’s #6-Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Along with Sadler, other drivers who had their front bumper covers confiscated were RCR’s #3-Austin Dillon and #33-Kevin Harvick and Turner’s #30-James Buescher, #31-Justin Allgaier and #38-Kasey Kahne.(Sporting News)(4-26-2012) UPDATE: Elliott Sadler, interviewed on SiriusXM Radio Monday afternoon said that the team crew chiefs and car chiefs had been placed on probation and fined $10,000. NASCAR has not yet officially announced the penalty.(5-1-2012) UPDATE 2: NASCAR announced that six NASCAR Nationwide Series crew chiefs had been fined and placed on probation for violations during this past weekend’s event at Richmond International Raceway. In addition, the teams’ respective car chiefs have also been placed on probation for the remainder of the year. Crew chiefs Luke Lambert (#2 team), Danny Stockman (#3 team), Trent Owens (#30 team), Jimmy Elledge (#31 team), Ernie Cope (#33 team), and Mike Shiplett (#38 team) have each been fined $10,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31. Additionally, the teams’ respective car chiefs Phil Gould (#2), Robert Strmiska (#3), Shannon Rursch (#30), Ronald Hornaday III (#31), Paul Balmer (#33), and Christopher Meyers (#38) have likewise been placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31. The rules violations referred to Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4J (any determination by NASCAR officials that the race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules detailed in Section 20-A of the rule book); 20A-2.1E (streamlining of the contours of the car, beyond what is approved by the series director will not be permitted. Installation of air directional devices, underpans, baffles, shields or the like beneath the car or the car’s hood and fender area, front firewall, floor, rear firewall area, rear deck and quarter panel will not be permitted. If, in the judgment of NASCAR officials, any part or component of the car not previously approved by NASCAR has been installed or modified to enhance aerodynamic performance, will not be permitted. All cars must remain standard in appearance); 20A-3.10A (front upper bumper cover must be from the respective OEM manufacturer and must be approved by NASCAR. The front lower bumper cover and rear bumper cover must be from an approved manufacturer and must be approved by NASCAR. Once approved, the front lower bumper covers may be used on all approved models. NASCAR officials may use bumper covers provided by the respective manufacturer as a guide in determining whether a competitor’s bumper cover conforms to the specifications of the NASCAR rule book. Unless otherwise authorized by the series director, cutting and reshaping of bumper covers will not be permitted.)(NASCAR)(5-1-2012)
Richmond TV Ratings: ESPN2’s live telecast of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Richmond International Raceway on Friday night, April 27, earned a 1.0 household coverage rating (0.9 U.S. rating), averaging 1,391,701 viewers, according to the Nielsen Company. Viewership was up slightly from the last time the race aired on ESPN2 in 2010. Last year’s race aired on the SPEED network. In 2010, the race aired on ESPN2 and earned a 1.1 household coverage rating, averaging 1,357,449 viewers.(ESPN)(5-1-2012)
Kenny Wallace back in the driver’s seat at Talladega: Kenny Wallace will pilot RAB Racing with Brack Maggard Chassis #38 in Saturday’s Aaron’s 312 at Talladega Superspeedway. This chassis last saw action in the season-opener at Daytona International Speedway, where Wallace led a lap early and had a strong run going, but an unavoidable multi-car incident on lap 104 eliminated the St. Louis native prematurely, crediting him with a 29th-place finish. American Ethanol returns as the primary sponsor of the #99 RAB Racing machine this weekend.(RAB Racing)(5-1-2012)
Truex returns to the #20: Ryan Truex steps back into the #20 Grime Boss Toyota Camry this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway with Joe Gibbs Racing. The 20-year-old Mayetta, N.J. native earned his fourth consecutive top-10 finish his last time out with the organization at Bristol Motor Speedway, finishing 10th. Inseven events with JGR, he has claimed one top-five and five top-10 finishes, and has an average start of 7.0 and average finish of 9.14 in the #20.(Joe Gibbs Racing)(5-1-2012)
JD Motorsports loses hauler to fire: UPDATE: JD Motorsports, the #01 Chevy in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, suffered a total loss to their hauler on Sunday evening when it caught fire at their race shop. There were no injuries and the tractor was detached and pulled away before suffering any damages. However, their hauler loaded with equipment, some uniforms, back-up parts, engines, shocks and springs for their operation was a total loss. The only good part was the primary and backup #01 Restaurant.com Chevys for this weekend’s NASCAR race at Talladega Superspeedway were not on the hauler. The race shop itself didn’t suffer any damage, as well. “The fire department told me the fire started near the refrigerator on the hauler;” said Johnny Davis, team owner. “That’s powered by propane, like everyone else’s is on these haulers. It started around 7 p.m. and we were able to detach the tractor before anything happened to it and get that out of the way. The hauler itself is a total loss; almost everything on there is burnt beyond use. Luckily, the fine folks at Robby Benton Racing (NASCAR Camping World Truck Series) stepped up and will let us use their hauler for this weekend’s race. We were also fortunate enough to have Black’s Tire helps us out to get to race this weekend, too. On behalf of everyone on my team, we’d all like to thank them for their help.”(JD Motorsports)(4-30-2012) UPDATE: HalfOffDeals.com, a co-Sponsor of the JD Motorsports #01 Restaurant.com Chevy driven by Mike Wallace, NeoFill’s discount deals program, would like to help the team rebuild following the total loss of the team’s hauler in a fire on Sunday evening at their race shop. “Restaurant.com and HalfOffDeals.com are already partnering to provide an incredible value for consumers,” said Jim Varga, CEO and Founding Partner of NeoFill. “Now, we want to make it even better and help to take care of our JD Motorsports and NASCAR families at the same time by donating 10% of sales to the JD Motorsports team.” Visit www.HalfOffDeals.com/donate to purchase a $200 eGift Card to Restaurant.com for only $35 with 10 percent from all related sales going back to the team throughout the month of May. All in all, Restaurant.com offers diners the opportunity to choose from nearly 50,000 dining deals at more than 18,000 neighborhood restaurants nationwide.(JD Motorsports)(5-1-2012)
Second start of the season for Sweet: Brad Sweet, will make his second start of the season in the #38 Great Clips Chevy this weekend at the famed Talladega Superspeedway. His first start of 2012 came at Auto Club Speedway where he proved impressive by bringing home a sixth-place finish. Sweet shares driving duties of the #38 with Kasey Kahne this season with Kahne scheduled to compete in 15 races and Sweet competing in the balance of the 33-race schedule.(Turner Motorsports)(5-1-2012)
