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May 2014 News Archives

News from May 31, 2014

  • Blaney skips practice for HOF induction: Eighteen (18) current National Sprint Car Hall of Fame (NSCHoF) inductees have indicated that they will be in Knoxville this weekend for the twenty-fifth annual National Sprint Car Hall of Fame induction banquet, set for Saturday afternoon, May 31, at 12 Noon. They will be here to honor this year’s inductees, Dave Argabright of Indiana, Dave Blaney of North Carolina, Bobby Davis, Jr., of Tennessee, Mark Kinser of Indiana, William “Windy” McDonald of Arizona, and Chuck Merrill of Illinois, all of whom have indicated that they will be at the banquet, too.(NSCHoF)(5-31-2014)
  • Final practice for the FedEx 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway is over after 50 scheduled minutes, the top five, slowest and any notes
    #48-Johnson 158.863
    #2-Keselowski 158.270
    #31-Newman 158.263
    #11-Hamlin 158.193
    #4-Harvick 157.798
    slowest: #44-Yeley 152.123 & #32-Koch 149.464. No speed: #77-Blaney
    See the speeds, laps run on the Dover practice 3 speeds page (pdf).(5-31-2014)
  • First Saturday practice for the FedEx 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway is over after 50 scheduled minutes, the top five, slowest and any notes
    #2-Keselowski 159.702
    #4-Harvick 159.341
    #99-Edwards 158.856
    #55-Vickers 158.716
    #20-Kenseth 158.513
    slowest: #33-Stremme 152.879 & #32-Koch 151.815. No speed: #44-Yeley, #77-Blaney.
    See the speeds, laps run on the Dover practice 2 speeds page (pdf).(5-31-2014)

  • Cassill picks up Dover sponsor: Hillman Racing and Joe Falk announced that Newtown Building Supplies, Inc., a top marketer of windows, doors, siding, installation and a range of building materials to commercial builders and residential home owners in Hampton Roads, Virginia, will sponsor Landon Cassill and the #40 Sprint Cup Series entry at Dover international Speedway in Sunday’s FedEx 400. Known for its wide selection of building materials and superb customer service with builders, NBS’ logo will be displayed on the hood and rear quarter panels of Cassill’s #40 Newtown Building Supplies Chevy SS.(Hillman Racing), see an image of the car on the #40 team paint schemes page.(5-31-2014)

  • Gordon’s back better this weekend: #24-Jeff Gordon had to cut happy hour short at Charlotte last week and had Regan Smith on standby during the race because of back spasms. He updated the media on the issue Friday at Dover:
    COULD YOU UPDATE US ON YOUR BACK AND HOW YOU ARE FEELING? REGAN SMITH SAID HE WASN’T ON STANDBY, SO ARE WE TO ASSUME YOU DON’T HAVE TO TAKE THAT MEASURE THAT WEEK?
    Gordon: “I wouldn’t say I’m 100%. I’m back closer to normal, which is just always aggravation and some discomfort. I’m still feeling some of the affects of what went on last week, but I felt good in the car. I didn’t have any sharp pains, so that’s good. I just had a week of rest and normal activity. Lots of ice this week. I was pretty sore on Monday and Tuesday after that long 600, but that’s not totally unusual; but probably just a little bit more than normal because of all that I went through. So, I feel good for this weekend.
    LAST WEEK, DID YOU HAVE ANY PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR YOUR BACK? AND HAS THIS MAKE YOU THINK ANY MORE ABOUT RETIREMENT?
    “The issues that I’ve had in the past never really were like what I dealt with last weekend. That’s the first time that something like that happened in the car, on qualifying day, into a race weekend. I’ve rolled out of bed and had things like that happen, and that’s just being tight and just not having the muscles with blood flow and being loose, and that’s part of just getting older. So, it was a little bit foreign to me to have that and that’s why I had to get out of the car. The treatment that I had was I had an epidural as well as another type of injection. I don’t know what they call it. It’s some type of Cortisone that’s fairly typical and common. I don’t know all the different stuff that was in there that made the pain go away and helped more of the inflammation, is I think what they were trying to accomplish. So, that’s the first time I’ve ever had to do that on a race weekend. I’ve done that before on a different part of my back that didn’t really do much for me. This one luckily did. I think that it really more pointed toward some things that I have to address throughout a race weekend and how I handle the downtime. I’ve been working a lot harder on my training and riding a bike and exercising and the problem with that is that it tightens everything up even more so than normal. If I don’t stay loose and ice and do other things that keep me loose when I get to the race weekend, what happened could possible occur again. So, that’s the biggest thing I’m focused on; not thinking or focusing on anything else. I can tell you if that happens many more times, I won’t have a choice (regarding retirement).”(Chevy PR)(5-31-2014)

  • Stewart still not back to 100%: #14-Tony Stewart was asked how his leg is healing following last year’s accident:
    ARE YOU ON SCHEDULE YOU THINK WITH HOW YOU THOUGHT YOU WOULD FEEL OR HOW YOU HOPED YOU WOULD FEEL AT THIS POINT BOTH MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY?
    Stewart: “I honestly thought I would be done with all this by now. As far as rehab, pain, all that stuff I thought it would all be done. I thought we would be healed 100 percent by now. But keep going to the doctor on our scheduled appointments and they keep updating us on how it’s going and what they think the outlook is for it. We just adjust it. When you haven’t gone through something like this you don’t know what to think and don’t know how to feel about it. You don’t know what to judge for recovery times and this and that because you’ve just never been through it. If it ever happens again I will have a better idea of how to answer that. You just take it a day at a time still.”(Chevy PR)(5-31-2014)

  • Dover Notes & Facts – Saturday – drivers:
    • Mark Martin leads the series in runner-up finishes at Dover with eight; followed by Dale Earnhardt with five. Jeff Gordon leads all active drivers with four.
    • Mark Martin leads the series in top-five finishes at Dover with 24; followed by Dale Earnhardt with 19. Jeff Gordon leads all active drivers with 17.
    • Mark Martin leads the series in top-10 finishes at Dover with 33; followed by Richard Petty and Ricky Rudd with 26 each. Jeff Gordon leads all active drivers with 24.
    • Ryan Newman leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in average starting position at Dover with a 9.042.
    • Jimmie Johnson leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in average finishing position at Dover with an 8.667; Carl Edwards (10.000) is the only other active driver with an average finish in the top 10.
    • 11 of the 12 active NASCAR Sprint Cup Series winners at Dover International Speedway participated in at least one or more races before visiting Victory Lane. Jimmie Johnson won at Dover in his first two appearances.
    • Jeff Burton competed at Dover International Speedway 25 times before winning in the fall of 2006; the longest span of any the 16 active NASCAR Sprint Cup Series winners.
    • Among the 16 active NSCS Dover winners Kurt Busch (22) and Matt Kenseth (14) made 10 or more attempts before their first win.
    • Joe Nemechek leads the series among active drivers with the most NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at Dover without visiting Victory Lane at 39; followed by Kevin Harvick with 26.
    • Two female drivers have competed at Dover International Speedway in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series: Janet Guthrie and Danica Patrick.
    • Eight drivers in NASCAR national series history have their home state recorded as Delaware; none of the eight have recorded a victory in NASCAR national series competition.
    • Three NASCAR Sprint Cup Series active drivers have made their first career start at Dover International Speedway: Matt Kenseth (9/20/98), Kurt Busch (9/24/00) and David Ragan (9/24/06).
    • Two active drivers have posted their first career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coors Light pole at Dover International Speedway: Matt Kenseth (06/02/02) and Michael Waltrip (06/03/1991).
    • One active NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver has posted his first career win at Dover International Speedway: Martin Truex Jr. (06/04/07).
    • Jimmie Johnson leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in laps led at Dover with 2,704 laps led in 24 starts.
    • If Jimmie Johnson leads 296 laps or more this weekend he will surpass the 3,000 laps led mark at Dover International Speedway, becoming the seventh driver in series history to lead 3,000 or more laps at a single track. Jeff Gordon is the only other active driver to accomplish the feat (Martinsville – 3,593 laps led).(NASCAR)(5-31-2014)
  • Sad News – Ray DeWitt: Former NASCAR Winston Cup and Busch Series team owner Ray DeWitt passed away Thursday evening after suffering a heart attack at his home in Sunset Beach, NC. He was 63. DeWitt fielded cars on the local and regional scene for many years, including an American Speed Association (ASA) operation that included eventual NASCAR drivers Ted Musgrave and Tim Fedewa. DeWitt’s NASCAR national series career began when he fielded Sprint Cup Series Chevrolets for drivers Rich Vogler and Ted Musgrave in a trio of 1990 races at Pocono, Michigan and Rockingham. He teamed with former driver DK Ulrich to form RaDiUs Racing in 1992, running the full Winston Cup championship schedule with Musgrave, crew chief Buddy Parrott and sponsor Jasper Engines. The following year, RaDiUs Racing claimed a pair of Top-5 finishes at Pocono and Michigan with Musgrave at the controls, finishing 25th in the final standings. DeWitt also fielded a full-time Busch Grand National Series effort with driver Tim Fedewa under the D-R Racing banner, finishing 18th in points. In 1994, DeWitt ended his partnership with Ulrich and concentrated mainly on the NASCAR Busch Series, finishing 10th in points with Fedewa. He also made 18 Winston Cup starts that year with drivers Jimmy Hensley, Fedewa and Butch Miller.(Godfather Motorsports)(5-31-2014)
  • Busch wins Nationwide race at Dover: #18-Kyle Busch won the Buckle Up 200 at Dover International Speedway. #6-Trevor Bayne finished second followed by #22-Joey Logano, #20-Matt Kenseth, #9-Chase Elliott, #42-Kyle Larson, #2-Brian Scott, #3-Ty Dillon, #11-Elliott Sadler, and #7-Regan Smith.
    There were 4 cautions for 27 laps and 3 lead changes among 3 leaders. Complete results are on the Dover race results page (pdf).
    (5-31-2014)
  • Dover Nationwide Race Fast Facts:
    Kyle Busch(i) won the 33rd Annual Buckle Up 200 presented by Click It or Ticket, his 66th victory in 280 NASCAR Nationwide Series races. This is his third victory and 10th top-10 finish in 2014.
    This is his fourth victory and 13th top-10 finish in 18 races at Dover International Speedway.
    Trevor Bayne (second) posted his fifth top-10 finish in six races at Dover International Speedway. It is his 10th top-10 finish in 2014.
    Joey Logano(i) (third) posted his eighth top-10 finish in 11 races at Dover International Speedway.
    Chase Elliott (fifth) was the highest finishing rookie.
    Regan Smith leads the point standings by 4 points over Elliott Sadler.
    Busch becomes the first driver to win both the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series races in the same weekend at Dover. He is the only driver to sweep all three NASCAR national series in a weekend (Bristol, August 2010).(NASCAR Integrated Marketing)(5-31-2014)
  • Driver standings following Dover:
    1) #7-Regan Smith 448
    2) #11-Elliott Sadler 444 -4
    3) #9-Chase Elliott # 426 -22
    4) #6-Trevor Bayne 421 -27
    5) #3-Ty Dillon # 414 -34
    6) #2-Brian Scott 391 -57
    7) #62-Brendan Gaughan 341 -107
    8) #99-James Buescher 332 -116
    9) #60-Chris Buescher # 328 -120
    10) #31-Dylan Kwasniewski # 303 -145
    See complete standings on the driver standings page (pdf).(5-31-2014)
  • Nationwide Owner Standings following Dover are posted (pdf).(5-31-2014)
  • Logano on Nationwide pole at Dover: #22-Joey Logano won the Coors Light Pole for the Buckle Up 200 at Dover International Speedway with a speed of 155.474mph. #9-Chase Elliott will start second followed by: #2-Brian Scott, #54-Kyle Busch, #6-Trevor Bayne, #20-Matt Kenseth, #42-Kyle Larson, #60-Chris Buescher, #11-Elliott Sadler, #62-Brendan Gaughan, #7-Regan Smith, and #3-Ty Dillon.
    #22-Logano was quickest in the opening qualifying session at 154.579mph
    Did Not Qualify: none. The starting lineup is posted on the Dover starting lineup page (pdf).(5-31-2014)
  • Dover Nationwide Qualifying Notes:
    Joey Logano(i) won the Coors Light Pole Award for the 33rd Annual Buckle Up 200 presented by Click It or Ticket with a lap of 23.155 seconds, 155.474 mph.
    This is his 24th pole in 128 NASCAR Nationwide Series races.
    This is his first pole and second top-10 start in 2014.
    This is his fourth pole in 11 races at Dover International Speedway.
    Chase Elliott (second) posted his eighth top-10 start of 2014 and his first at Dover International Speedway.
    Brian Scott (third) posted his fifth top-10 start at Dover International Speedway. It is his 10th in 12 races this season.
    Chase Elliott (second) was the fastest qualifying rookie.(NASCAR Integrated Marketing)(5-31-2014)
  • Fan-Driven events to debut at Pocono: Pocono Raceway announced three first-time, fan-driven activities to occur at the June 6-8 Pocono 400 race weekend. These new events include a 50/50 raffle, the opportunity to be upgraded to the Red Carpet #SelfieSuite at Pocono’s Tricky Triangle Club Presented by Kalahari Resorts and Conventions, featuring appearances by movie stars Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum and NASCAR driver Kasey Kahne, and the possibility to enjoy the Infield Block Party on Saturday night for a small donation, per car, to Pocono Raceway’s local fire department. Next weekend fans will have the opportunity to participate in a weekend-long 50/50 contest where one lucky winner will take home a 50% share of the total jackpot. The efforts of the Mattioli Foundation, the Raceway’s official charitable foundation and hosts of the raffle, should yield an estimated jackpot of $30,000. Proceeds from the contest will benefit the NASCAR Foundation. The Infield Block Party, usually reserved for Camping/RV guests only, will be open to the general public on Saturday night. For a small donation of $5, per car, to the Tunkhannock Township Fire Department, fans will be able to enjoy all the Infield Block Party has to offer.(Pocono Raceway)(5-31-2014)
  • Sonoma Raceway unveils Fan Council: Sonoma Raceway will introduce an all-new Fan Council for the 2014 race season; part of the facility’s continued efforts to enhance and improve the race-day experience for its guests. Following an initial application process, the raceway has selected a group of 14 fans who will provide a reflection of what they see, hear and experience while attending Sonoma Raceway events. They will be tasked with communicating directly and routinely with track personnel to provide feedback and suggestions for improving raceway operations and offerings. The inaugural group includes a cross section of fans of varying ages, genders, backgrounds, racing interests, hometowns and race-day preferences, who will provide day-of communication and complete post-event surveys. Members will also participate in a group meeting in the fall to offer an overview of the 2014 season. All fans have committed to an initial one-year term.(Sonoma Raceway)(5-31-2014)

    News from May 30, 2014

  • Pit Stall Selections: The selections of pit stalls for the FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway have been made.
    Pole sitter #2-Keselowski chose pit stall 1 [as do most pole sitters].
    Outside pole sitter #18-Busch took pit stall 10, the first pit stall in front of it.
    #22-Logano, who starts 3rd took the 9th pit stall, with an opening behind it.
    The 43rd and final pit stall was taken by #48-Johnson, who starts 4th.
    To see where the drivers/teams pit stall is, see the pit selection chart on the Pit Stall Selection chart.(5-30-2014)
  • Keselowski wins Dover pole: #2-Brad Keselowski won the pole for the FedEx 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway with TRACK RECORD speed of 164.444mph for his 2nd pole of 2014, 1st at Dover and 5th of his career.
    #18-Busch is on the outside pole, followed by #22-Logano, #48-Johnson, #42-Larson, #24-Gordon, #11-Hamlin, #4-Harvick, #55-Vickers, #15-Bowyer, #47-Allmendinger, and #16-Biffle.
    With 43 cars at the track, no one missed the race.
    See starting lineup, qualifying results by round, pdf links and more on Jayski’s Starting Lineup / Qualifying page.(5-30-2014)
  • Qualifying Fast Facts – Dover:
    Brad Keselowski won the Coors Light Pole Award for the 45th Annual FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks with a lap of 21.892 seconds, 164.444 mph (new track record).
    This is his fifth pole in 174 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.
    This is his second pole and 10th top-10 start in 2014.
    This is his first pole in nine races at Dover International Speedway.
    Kyle Busch (second) posted his sixth top-10 start of 2014 and his 10th in 19 races at Dover International Speedway.
    Joey Logano (third) posted his third top-10 start at Dover International Speedway. It is his 10th in 13 races this season.
    Kyle Larson (fifth) was the fastest qualifying rookie.(NASCAR Statistics)(5-30-2014)
  • Friday practice for the FedEx 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway is over after 80 scheduled minutes, the top five, slowest and any notes
    #18-Busch 166.297
    #14-Stewart 165.609
    #42-Larson 165.183
    #31-Newman 165.130
    #2-Keselowski 164.888
    slowest: #77-Blaney 154.659 & #32-Koch 150.150.
    notes: Qualifying is scheduled for this afternoon at 3:40pm/et on FoxSports1.
    See the speeds, laps run on the Dover practice 1 speeds page (pdf). (5-30-2014)
  • Qualifying Order for the FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway is posted. 43 cars/drivers are listed.
    The first of the drivers scheduled to go out is #3-Dillon.
    The final driver scheduled to go out is #2-Keselowski.
    Qualifying order is set by a random draw, held about an hour before the first practice.
    See the full qualifying order on the Dover Qualifying Page.(5-22-2014)

  • Burton planning a few more races UPDATE: Jeff Burton lone start came at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March. If plans come through, Burton and Michael Waltrip Racing are intending to run at least two more races this season. “It’s still up in the air, to be quite honest,” Burton said. “[We’re] planning on doing Kentucky and Michigan, and maybe a few more before then, maybe not.” The semi-retired driver will be moving to the broadcast booth in 2015 for NBC.(TheRacingExperts)(5-24-2014)
    UPDATE: Jeff Burton, easing off the throttle of his NASCAR driving career as he prepares to move into the broadcast booth for NBC Sports, found himself back inside a race car this week, testing for Michael Waltrip Racing at Pocono Raceway on Tuesday. He won’t be competing at the 2.5-mile track when the Sprint Cup Series hits to the uniquely shaped three-turn layout next month, but will make his second appearance of the season at Michigan the following week. When he’s not been in the car, either competing or taking part in tests for MWR, Burton, a 21-time winner in Cup, has been getting acclimated to life on the other side of the camera. His only 2014 start so far this season came at Las Vegas, where he qualified 19th and finished 17th in the #66 MWR Toyota. Other starts beyond the Michigan race are likely, although no schedule has been announced.(NASCAR.com)(5-30-2014)

  • Special Autism Speaks scheme for Hamlin: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Toyota, will run a special Autism Speaks puzzle piece paint scheme on his car throughout the NASCAR race weekend at Dover International Speedway. This marks the fourth straight year Hamlin will sport a unique paint scheme at the spring Dover event, headlined by the June 1 “FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks” Sprint Cup Series race. This year’s design allowed fans to make donations to Autism Speaks and in return have their first name and last initial displayed on a puzzle piece in the car’s design. The campaign was a one-of-a-kind opportunity for fans to help in raising funds for the autism community while having something personal take part in the racing action at the Monster Mile. In addition to Hamlin’s specialized car design, drivers across all three series – NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series – will show their support for Autism Speaks throughout the weekend by displaying a puzzle piece decal on their cars. In total, 28 drivers from the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 19 drivers from the NASCAR Nationwide Series and 20 drivers from the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series are participating. This marks the eighth straight year that the Monster Mile is partnering with Autism Speaks, and the fourth year in a row that FedEx has been involved. Autism Speaks is the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization, to help raise funds and awareness for the cause throughout the weekend. Cup team running the puzzle piece decal include: #1-McMurray, #3-Dillon, #4-Harvick, #7-Annett, #9-Ambrose, #10-Patrick, #13-Mears, #14-Stewart, #15-Bowyer, #16-Biffle, #17-Stenhouse Jr., #20-Kenseth, #23-Bowman, #26-Whitt, #27-Menard, #31-Newman, #34-Ragan, #36-Sorenson, #38-Gilliland, #41-Busch, #42-Larson, #43-Almirola, #47-Allmendinger, #51-Allgaier, #55-Vickers, #78-Truex Jr., #83-Truex, and #99-Edwards.(Dover Speedway PR), see an image of the car on the #11 team paint schemes page.(5-30-3014)

  • American Ethanol returns to the #3: RCR’s #3 Chevy team will sport the black and green colors of American Ethanol this weekend at Dover International Speedway. American Ethanol, a renewable source of cleaner burning energy from the bounty of America’s farmers, helps create new green jobs and a renewed sense of pride for the American worker, while helping to achieve greater energy security for our country. Launched by Growth Energy and the National Corn Growers Association, along with the support of other partners, American Ethanol is a breakthrough brand that seeks to expand consumer awareness of the benefits of ethanol and E15, and takes the NASCAR Green initiative to the next level.(RCR), seen an image of the car on the #3 team paint schemes page.(5-30-2014)

  • NASCAR Sprint Cup at the one-third mark: The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series has run 12 races, a third of its 36-race schedule. At this milestone marker, [NASCAR] felt it fitting to delve into some of the competition statistics at this juncture – many of which provide some hard proof of what many drivers have suggested: It’s been an ultra-competitive start to the 2014 season.
    • 10 different race winners through the first 12 races, the most since 2003, when there were 11. And there are only two multiple winners (Joey Logano and Kevin Harvick), adding drama to an already intriguing new Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup format.
    • 10 different Coors Light Pole winners through the first 12 races, most since 1991, when there were also 10.
    • Average of 12.2 leaders per race through 12 races, compared to 9.1 at this point last year.
    • Average of 27.7 lead changes per race, compared to 17.7 at this point last year last year.
    • 36 different drivers have led at least one lap.
    • Average margin of victory is .651 seconds, the lowest through 12 races since the inception of electronic timing and scoring in 1993.
    • 7 of the 12 races have had a margin of victory under one second.
    • 56,657 green flag passes through the first 12 races, the most since the inception of loop data in 2005.
    • 603 green flag passes for the lead through the first 12 races, the most since the inception of loop data in 2005.(NASCAR)(5-30-2014)

  • Dover Notes & Facts – Friday – poles:
    • David Pearson won the inaugural Coors Light pole at Dover in 1969 with a speed of 130.430 mph.
    • 37 drivers have Coors Light poles at Dover, led by David Pearson with six. Jeff Gordon and Ryan Newman lead all active drivers in poles with four each.
    • Nine drivers have won consecutive Coors Light poles at Dover. David Pearson holds the record for most consecutive poles at Dover with three; from 1973 to the spring race of 1974.
    • Two active drivers have posted consecutive Coors Light poles at Dover: Ryan Newman (fall 2005 and spring 2006), and Denny Hamlin (fall 2012 and spring 2013).
    • 34 different drivers have won at Dover International Speedway, led by Jimmie Johnson with eight wins (2002 sweep, fall 2005, 2009 sweep, 2010 fall, spring 2012 and fall 2013).
    • 12 drivers have posted consecutive wins at Dover International Speedway, including three consecutive by David Pearson (fall 1972 and 1973 sweep), Rusty Wallace (fall 1993 and 1994 sweep) and Jeff Gordon (fall 1995 and 1996 sweep).
    • Hendrick Motorsports has the most wins at Dover in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with 15: Jimmie Johnson (eight), Jeff Gordon (four), Geoff Bodine (one), Ken Schrader (one) and Ricky Rudd (one).
    • Nine different manufacturers have won in the NSCS at Dover; led by Chevrolet with 34 victories; followed by Ford with 25.
    • 13 of the 88 (14.7%) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Dover have been won from the Coors Light pole; the two most recent were Jimmie Johnson in 2009 and 2010.
    • The second-place starting position is the most proficient starting position in the field, producing more winners (15) than any other starting position at Dover International Speedway.
    • 28 of the 88 (31.8%) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Dover have been won from the front row: 13 from the pole and 15 from second-place.
    • 69 of the 88 (78.4%) NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Dover have been won from a top-10 starting position.
    • Five of the 88 (5.6%) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Dover have been won from a starting position outside the top 20 – most recently: Tony Stewart, spring 2013 (22nd-place starting position)
    • The deepest in the field that a race winner has started at Dover was 37th, by Kyle Petty in the spring of 1995.(NASCAR)(5-30-2014)
  • Drivers running Autism Speaks puzzle piece at Dover: Denny Hamlin, driver of the No. #11 FedEx Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, will run a special, Autism Speaks puzzle piece paint scheme on his car throughout the May 30-June 1 NASCAR race weekend at Dover. This marks the fourth straight year Hamlin will sport a unique paint scheme at the spring Dover event, headlined by the June 1 “FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks” NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. This year’s design allowed fans to make donations to Autism Speaks and in return have their first name and last initial displayed on a puzzle piece in the car’s design. In addition to Hamlin’s specialized car design, drivers across all three series – NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series – will show their support for Autism Speaks throughout the weekend by displaying a puzzle piece decal on their cars. In total, 28 drivers from the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 19 drivers from the NASCAR Nationwide Series and 20 drivers from the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series are participating. Nationwide drivers include: #2-Scott, #3-Dillon, #10-Koch, #11-Sadler, #14-Green, #15-Ellis, #16-Reed, #19-Bliss, #20-Kenseth, #31-Kwasniewski, #42-Larson, #43-Armstrong, #44-Harraka, #51-Clements, #54-Busch, #60-Buescher, #62-Gaughan, #93-Reaume, and #99-Buescher.(Dover Speedway)(5-30-2014)
  • Elliott fastest in Nationwide happy hour: #9-Chase Elliott was quickest during happy hour for the Buckle Up 200 with a speed of 154.692mph. He was followed by: #2-Brian Scott, #6-Trevor Bayne, #22-Joey Logano, #54-Kyle Busch, #20-Matt Kenseth, #42-Kyle Larson, #62-Brandan Gaughan, #3-Ty Dillon, and #11-Elliott Sadler. 39 drivers participated in the session. See complete results on the Dover practice 2 speeds page (pdf).(5-30-2014)
  • Elliott fastest in first Nationwide practice: #9-Chase Elliott was fastest during opening practice at Dover International Speedway with a speed of 157.618mph. #33-Cale Conley was second, followed by: #3-Ty Dillon, #60-Chris Buescher, #22-Joey Logano, #42-Kyle Larson, #2-Brian Scott, #11-Elliott Sadler, #7-Regan Smith, and #6-Trevor Bayne. 33 drivers practiced during the session. See complete results on the Dover practice 1 speeds page (pdf).(5-30-2014)
  • Earnhardt gets Dover sponsors: The JD Motorsports with Gary Keller team announced Friday that Fast Wax and the Austin Hatcher Foundation will sponsor Jeffrey Earnhardt’s #4 Chevy in Saturday’s Buckle Up 200 Nationwide Series race at Dover International Speedway. Fast Wax is a high-performance cleaning wax which allows for waterless wash and wax of your vehicle. Fast Wax comes in an aerosol can and can clean and wax an average-sized vehicle in under 30 minutes. One can will wax the same car three or four times. The Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer’s mission is to erase the effects of pediatric cancer and optimize each child’s quality of life. The foundation provides services to children with cancer as well as their families through its cancer care center, Hatch’s House of Hope.(JD Motorsports)(5-30-2014)
  • Busch wins at Dover: #51-Kyle Busch won the Lucas Oil 200 at Dover International Speedway. #29-Ryan Blaney finished second followed by: #98-Johnny Sauter, #33-Brandon Jones, #21-Joey Coulter, #8-John Hunter Nemechek, #31-Ben Kennedy, #19-Tyler Reddick, #77-German Quiroga, and #17-Timothy Peters. There were 7cautions for 38 laps and 6 lead changes among 4 leaders. Complete results are on the Dover race results page (pdf).(5-30-2014)
  • Dover Race Fast Facts:
    Kyle Busch(i) won the 15th Annual Lucas Oil 200, his 39th victory in 119 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races.
    This is his fourth victory and fourth top-10 finish in 2014.
    This is his fourth victory and sixth top-10 finish in nine races at Dover International Speedway.
    Ryan Blaney (second) posted his second top-10 finish in two races at Dover International Speedway. It is his third top-10 finish in 2014.
    Johnny Sauter (third) posted his third top-10 finish in six races at Dover International Speedway.
    Ben Kennedy (seventh) was the highest finishing rookie.
    Timothy Peters leads the point standings by 1 points over Matt Crafton.
    Today’s win is the 31st victory in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series for crew chief Eric Phillips.
    (NASCAR Statistics)(5-30-2013)
  • Driver standings following Dover:
    1) 2) #17-Timothy Peters, 185, – 11
    2) #88-Matt Crafton, 184, -1
    3) #98-Johnny Sauter, 184, -1
    4) #77-German Quiroga, 179, -6
    5) #30-Ron Hornaday, 170, -15
    6) #31-Ben Kennedy, 169, -16
    7) #29-Ryan Blaney, 166, -19
    8) #5-John Wes Townley, 159, -26
    9) #13-Jeb Burton, 153, -32
    10) #21-Joey Coulter, 142, -43
    See complete standings on the driver standings page (pdf).(5-30-2014)
  • Owner Standings following Dover are posted (pdf).(5-30-2014)
  • Busch fastest in final practice: #51-Kyle Busch was quickest during final practice for the Lucas Oil 200 with a speed of 156.788 mph. He was followed by #29-Ryan Blaney, #17-Timothy Peters, #88-Matt Crafton, #54-Darrell Wallace, Jr., #19-Tyler Reddick, #8-John Hunter Nemechek, #98-Johnny Sauter, #77-German Quiroga, and #13-Jeb Burton. 33 drivers practiced during the session. See complete results on the Dover practice 2 speeds page (pdf).(5-30-2014)
  • Teams to recognize Autism Speaks in Dover: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, will run a special, Autism Speaks puzzle piece paint scheme on his car throughout the May 30-June 1, 2014 NASCAR race weekend at Dover International Speedway. This marks the fourth straight year Hamlin will sport a unique paint scheme at the spring Dover event, headlined by the June 1 “FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks” NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. In addition to Hamlin’s specialized car design, drivers across all three series – NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series – will show their support for Autism Speaks throughout the weekend by displaying a puzzle piece decal on their cars. In total, 28 drivers from the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 19 drivers from the NASCAR Nationwide Series and 20 drivers from the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series are participating. They include: #0-Ryan Ellis,#02-Tyler Young, #5-John Wes Townley, #8-John Hunter Nemechek, #10-Jennifer Jo Cobb, #13-Jeb Burton, #17-Timothy Peters, #19-Tyler Reddick, #29-Ryan Blaney, #30-Ron Hornaday, #31-Ben Kennedy, #32-Ben Rhodes, #33-Brandon Jones, #35-Mason Mingus, #52-Kyle Busch, #57-Norm Benning, #77-German Quiroga, #88-Matt Crafton,#98-Johnny Sauter, and #99- Bryan Silas.(Dover Speedway)(5-30-2014)
  • Michigan International Speedway economic impact: Michigan International Speedway’s economic footprint is more than $414 million a year – and on an annual basis, according to a University of Michigan study. Speedway President Roger Curtis released the economic impact figures alongside U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow and Michigan Lt. Gov. Brian Calley during the Detroit Regional Chamber’s annual Mackinac Policy Conference at The Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. The study, conducted by University of Michigan and Mark S. Rosentraub, Ph.D., Bruce and Joan Bickner Endowed Professor of Sport Management, and research assistant Matthew Rust, candidate for a degree in planning and real estate finance from the University of Michigan’s Taubman College and Ross School of Business, shows:
    ” Michigan International Speedway generates more than $414 million in total economic activity annually, with nearly $173 million of that in direct economic benefit to Michigan.
    ” Michigan International Speedway annually pays $2.4 million in local property taxes and more than $8.3 million in state sales and use taxes.
    ” The total economic footprint of Michigan International Speedway and its national effect produces $226.6 million in earnings and 5,413 jobs.
    ” About 385,000 people visit MIS on an annual basis.
    ” More than half of the attendees at Michigan International Speedway’s NASCAR events come from outside the state of Michigan.
    The speedway has branched out to innovate and diversify itself as a business, hospitality and entertainment venue, bringing in several new events the past year. Not only does the speedway annually host the Michigan Wine and Beer Fest presented by Experience Jackson, but it also hosts Faster Horses, a three-day country music festival produced by Live Nation, and Tough Mudder, an obstacle and endurance course. The speedway also hosts driving schools, car shows and most recently, about 100 colleges from around the world for Formula SAE, one of only three venues in the Unites States to host this renowned competition.(Michigan Speedway)(5-30-2014)
  • Family-Friendly pricing at Sonoma Raceway: Sonoma Raceway is making it easier and more affordable than ever for families to enjoy the Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race weekend, June 20-22. For the first time, Sonoma Raceway will offer discounted kids’ tickets, as well as family-friendly ticket packages that will ignite the engines of any racing family. Kids (12 and under) will be admitted FREE on Great Clips Fast Friday, June 20, for just $10 on Lean1 Pole Day, June 21 and for as low as $35, half the price of an adult admission ticket, on race day, June 22. Another great family option is the Jimmie Johnson Friends & Family Pack, which includes a Sunday reserved-seat in the Turn 2 or Turn 3 Terrace, a hot dog, drink and exclusive race-day Q&A with the six-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion. Jimmie Johnson Friends & Family Pack tickets are just $30 for children 12-and-under and $65 for adults. In addition, the Toyota/Save Mart 350 weekend will feature a kids-only NASCAR autograph session with Kevin Harvick, Kasey Kahne and Joey Logano at noon on Saturday, June 21. Plus, kids can watch as students compete in a STEM Gravity-Powered Race Car Challenge at 9:30 a.m. in the Wine Country Winner’s Circle where finalists from three North Bay elementary schools will compete for a grand prize. The main paddock will also feature a ton of kid-friendly activities, including the Sonoma Raceway Kids Club booth featuring Burnin’ Bovine, the Kids Club mascot, a EuroBungy jump, ferris wheel and FREE NASCAR souvenir poster pickup at the Ticket Pit Stop.(Sonoma Raceway)(5-30-2014)

    News from May 29, 2014

  • TNT Revs Up for NASCAR Coverage: TNT’s presentation of the 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will feature all-access coverage throughout the six-week NASCAR Summer Series. TNT’s coverage will start Sunday, June 8, at Pocono, continuing throughout the summer with behind-the-scenes content featuring a select driver and their team, along with special “off the track” segments and more.
    The Toyota Camry Test Car, a new addition for this year’s race coverage, will take viewers inside the car and bring them closer to the action. TNT analysts Kyle Petty and Wally Dallenbach will use the car for pre-race driving segments on the track, taking viewers into the turns and down the straightaways before the green flag drops each week. Additionally, the car will be a resource for analyst Larry McReynolds during the race as the former crew chief will outline key performance features and mechanical challenges during the race.
    TNT will once again follow a driver and their team over the course of the entire week as they travel and prepare for the upcoming race, with coverage beginning when the driver leaves the previous track and continuing throughout the network’s next NASCAR Summer Series telecast. Featured drivers will include #42-Kyle Larson (Pocono), #3-Austin Dillon (Michigan) and #47-AJ Allmendinger (Daytona), among others. The all-access pieces will air during the pre-race Countdown to Green served by Sonic show.
    The network will return its marquee commentator crew with analysts Petty, Dallenbach and McReynolds joining play-by-play announcer Adam Alexander for each race. Alexander will also host the network’s 60-minute Countdown to Green served by Sonic pre-race show with Petty, Dallenbach and McReynolds. In addition, veteran reporters Ralph Sheheen, Marty Snider, Matt Yocum and Chris Neville will patrol pit road to bring viewers comprehensive coverage and access prior to and during each race.(Turner Sports)(5-29-2014)

  • Click It Or Ticket on the #36: Reed Sorenson and the #36 Delaware Office of Highway Safety Tommy Baldwin Racing Chevy are ready to tame Miles the Monster this weekend at Dover International Speedway. The #36 will be supporting the DOHS’s “Click It Or Ticket” campaign whose emphasis is on saving lives through enforcement of the seat belt law in Delaware. When a car is stopped for seat belt violations the driver is the one who receives the ticket in Delaware. This encourages drivers to make sure that all of their passengers are buckled up before they even start on their journey.(140 Buzz/TBR), see an image of the car on the #36 team paint schemes page.(5-29-2014)

  • Cottonelle on the #42 at Dover: Target Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates is partnering with Kimberly-Clark brand Cottonelle to get the NASCAR community talking about their “bum’s” and the benefit of a complete bathroom pit stop. Cottonelle spokesperson and native of London, England, Cherry Healey, will be joining Team Target this weekend at the track to experience the fun and excitement of NASCAR up close and personal, as well as to spread the message about the benefits of using Cottonelle’s combination of toilet paper and Fresh Care Flushable Cleansing Cloths. Cottonelle is the primary sponsor on the #42 Chevy SS for Sunday’s FedEx 400 at Dover International Speedway, and will be featured on the car along with an image of Cherry.(Chip Ganassi Racing), see an image of the car on the #42 team paint schemes page.(5-29-2014)

  • Dover Notes & Facts – Thursday – history:
    • The official opening of Dover International Speedway, then called Dover Downs International Speedway, was in 1969.
    • The first NASCAR Sprint Cup race was held on July 6, 1969 – won by Richard Petty.
    • The first two races at Dover were 300 miles. The race length was changed to 500 miles in 1971.
    • The track surface was changed to concrete in 1995.
    • The race length was changed to 400 miles beginning with the second race in 1997.
    • The track name was changed to Dover International Speedway in 2002.
    • There have been 88 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Dover International Speedway, one race in 1969 and 1970, two races per year since 1971.(NASCAR)(5-29-2014)
  • Dover Goodyear Tire Notes: While teams in all three NASCAR series will run the same right-side tire code (D-4440) at Dover this week, those in Sprint Cup will run a different left-side code (D-4556) than those in Nationwide and Camping World Truck . . . in Sprint Cup, this is the same combination of left- and right-side tires that has been run at Dover since 2012 . . . these teams also ran this same tire set-up at Kentucky in 2013 . . . Goodyear held a confirmation test at Dover on May 6-7 . . . Sprint Cup teams/drivers that participated in that test were the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota with Kyle Busch, No. 78 Furniture Row Racing Chevrolet with Martin Truex Jr., and No. 99 Roush Fenway Ford with Carl Edwards . . . Nationwide drivers Ty Dillon and Elliott Sadler, as well as Camping World Truck drivers Ryan Blaney and Darrell Wallace Jr., also took part in the test . . . Dover is unique among NASCAR ovals one mile or less in length, in that inner liners are required in all four tire positions . . . air pressure in those inner liners should be 12-25 psi greater than that of the outer tire.(Goodyear), see full notes, tire codes, trie pressures, set limits and more on the Dover Race Info page – Goodyear section.
  • Chassis selections for this weeks race: see the list of many teams [that report or post them] and what chassis were selected by the team to run in the Coca Cola 600 Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway on the Dover Race Info page – Chassis selection area.
  • Nemechek names Dover sponsor: It’s a father/son weekend at Dover for the Nemechek family as John Hunter Nemechek will make his Dover debut in the Lucas Oil 200 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event on Friday, May 30. In addition, Joe Nemechek will compete in his NEMCO-owned NASCAR Nationwide Series entry for the Buckle Up 200 on Saturday, May 31. Primary sponsorship on Joe Nemechek’s #87 Camry will come from long-time partner, Herbal Mist Teas together with ACME Markets. (NEMCO Motorsports)(5-29-2014)
  • Busch on truck pole at Dover: #51-Kyle Busch will start from the pole for the Lucas Oil 200 at Dover International Speedway after rain forced NASCAR to set the field based on owner’s points. #88-Matt Crafton will start second, followed by: #17-Timothy Peters, #77-German Quiroga, #19-Tyler Reddick, #98-Johnny Sauter, #8-John Hunter Nemechek, #30-Ron Hornaday, Jr., #32-Ben Rhodes, and #31-Ben Kennedy. 35 trucks entered the event, giving all 35 a starting spot. See complete lineup on the Starting lineup (pdf) page.(5-29-2014)
  • Busch fastest in truck practice: #51-Kyle Busch was fastest during the rain-shortened practice at Dover International Speedway on Thursday with a speed of 156.488 mph. #77-German Quiroga was second, followed by #8-John Hunter Nemechek, #54-Darrell Wallace, Jr., #17-Timothy Peters, #19-Tyler Reddick, #88-Matt Crafton, #5-John Wes Townley, #31-Ben Kennedy, and #98-Johnny Sauter. 26 drivers practiced during the session. See complete results on the Dover practice 1 speeds page (pdf).(5-29-2014)
  • Hard Rock Energy joins Nemechek in Dover: SWM-NEMCO Motorsports will unveil their latest partnership venture with Hard Rock Energy who will be the primary sponsor together with ACME Markets on John Hunter Nemechek’s #8 Tundra for the Lucas Oil 200. The sponsorship parameters, which will build throughout the 2014 season, will allow Hard Rock Energy to showcase their local market grocery and convenience store partners on the race truck at various tracks this season, with the end goal being to partner with stores in every stop on the NCWTS schedule in 2015.(SWM-NEMCO Motorsports)(5-29-2014)
  • Dover Motorsports selling Nashville Superspeedway: Dover Motorsports, Inc. announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Nashville Superspeedway facility to NeXovation, Inc. Under the terms of the agreement, Dover Motorsports and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Nashville Speedway U.S.A., Inc., will sell the Nashville Superspeedway facility along with some related equipment and assets for $27 million in cash and the assumption by NeXovation of obligations of Dover Motorsports under certain Variable Rate Tax Exempt Infrastructure Revenue Bonds. The Bonds are the obligation of the Sports Authority of the County of Wilson, Tennessee and were issued by the Sports Authority in 1999 in order to build certain infrastructure improvements benefiting the speedway. Debt service on the Bonds, which have a remaining principal balance of $18,800,000, is payable from property and sales taxes generated by the facility. Principal and interest on the Bonds are secured by a letter of credit provided by Dover Motorsports which will be replaced by a letter of credit provided by NeXovation. Commenting on the sale, Dover Motorsports CEO, Denis McGlynn said, “This is a great deal for all concerned insofar as we can transfer an under-utilized, high quality asset to NeXovation, who will create and implement a new business model and re-activate Nashville Superspeedway for the benefit of everyone in the area.” Closing is expected to take place in the third quarter and is subject to customary closing conditions.(Dover Motorsports)(5-29-2014)
  • Dover names FedEx 400 grand marshals: Country music artist Luke Bryan and Joey Principe, a 17-year-old Delawarean with Asperger’s Syndrome, have been announced as the grand marshals for the Sunday, June 1 “FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks” Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway. Bryan has quickly become one of Nashville’s most sought after entertainers. His “That’s My Kind of Night Tour” is currently playing across the U.S. and Canada, selling out all concerts to date. This summer, the tour will feature Bryan’s first-ever stadium shows in four cities – Pittsburgh, Chicago, Boston and Philadelphia. His previous tour performed for 1.3 million fans in 2013. Principe is a 17-year-old young man with a high functioning form of autism called Asperger’s Syndrome. He is about to complete his junior year at Delcastle Technical High School in Newport, Del. in the Production & Imaging Department. He enjoys music and video games, and loves bowling with his friends from school. Principe has a 15-year-old sister, Samantha, who has autism. This marks the eighth straight year the Monster Mile is partnering with Autism Speaks, the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization, to help raise funds and awareness for the cause throughout the weekend.(Dover Speedway)(5-29-2014)
  • Phoenix race tickets on sale Friday: Phoenix International Raceway announced that tickets for the final race of its 50th Anniversary season, the Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500 NASCAR race weekend will go on-sale May 30. Tickets for NASCAR’s semifinal race weekend start at just $25 and can be purchased by visiting PhoenixRaceway.com or by calling 866-408-RACE (7223). The popular fall weekend at PIR historically sells out and features a full weekend of NASCAR action, including from the semifinal races in each of NASCAR’s top three series, headlined by the Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Sunday, Nov. 9. The event weekend also features the NASCAR Nationwide Series 200 race on Saturday, Nov. 8 and the Lucas Oil 150 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on Friday, Nov. 7. The weekend of racing kicks off with the Casino Arizona 100 – the championship race in the K&N Pro Series-West – on Thursday, Nov. 6.(PIR)(5-29-2014)

    News from May 28, 2014

  • Charlotte TV Ratings: Saturday (5/24) night’s Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway posted a 4.1/9 household rating/share and 7.0 million viewers on FOX according to national figures released by Nielsen. It was the most-watched sports telecast of the weekend, out-distancing such high-profile events as Pacers-Heat on ESPN (6.8 million) and the Indianapolis 500 on ABC (5.9 million, according to Nielsen fast nationals). The Coca-Cola 600 led FOX to be the No. 1 network in rating and audience in prime time among all broadcast and cable competition. The audience for the Coca-Cola 600 peaked at 9.3 million viewers at 10:30 pm/et.(FOX).
    See past races for 2014 and 5-year comparison chart on the 2014 NASCAR TV Ratings page.(5-28-2014)

  • Haas to delay F1 entry: Haas Formula will defer its Formula One debut until 2016, Motorsports.com has learned. The decision to wait an extra year will offer the organization more time to put its program together and align itself with the proper partners moving forward. Although team owner Gene Haas said on Sunday morning that he was “leaning towards Ferrari” because “they’re more open to what we need to do” the additional time could open other doors for the rookie team with other technical partners. It was clear that Haas was feeling the time crunch when he acknowledged, “It just seems that it’s taking longer to accomplish what we wanted to do than we thought.” While Haas Formula has its team principal in place, there’s still the question of technical partner, designers and drivers.(Motorsport.com)(5-28-2014)

  • Kurt Busch named Indy 500 Rookie of the Year: Andretti Autosport driver Kurt Busch has been named the winner of the prestigious 2014 Sunoco Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year Award for his performance during the 98th Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race on Sunday, May 25 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. In the first Verizon IndyCar Series race of his career, Busch, in his #26 Andretti Autosport Suretone Honda, was the fastest qualifier (12th) and highest finisher (6th) among the seven rookies in this year’s Indianapolis 500. In addition to the prestige of being named Sunoco Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year, Busch also earned a $25,000 bonus from Sunoco as part of his total race winnings of $423,889. Busch was presented with his award Monday night at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during the Indianapolis 500 Victory Awards Celebration.(Indianapolis Motor Speedway)(5-28-2014)

  • Testing at Pocono this week UPDATES: Twelve drivers are scheduled to test at Pocono Raceway on Tuesday, May 27, 2014. Drivers scheduled to test: #51-Justin Allgaier, #7-Michael Annett, #15-Clint Bowyer, #66-Jeff Burton, #3-Austin Dillon, #42-Kyle Larson, #1-Jamie McMurray, #27-Paul Menard, #31-Ryan Newman, #36-Reed Sorenson, #78-Martin Truex, Jr. and #55-Brian Vickers. No Ford teams are scheduled to test. The test is closed to the public. In the event of inclement weather, rain date is Wednesday, May 28th. Drivers scheduled to test may change without notice.(Pocono Raceway)(5-26-2014)
    UPDATE: Pocono Raceway will open their gates, for fans, for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams who will be testing on Tuesday, May 27 and Wednesday, May 28. A limited seating section of the Grandstands will be open from 9 am – 5 pm both day. Fans may access the Grandstands by entering the track property at Gate 5 (off Long Pond Road). From there, cones will guide fans to park by Gate 11. Admission and parking is FREE for the two-day test session. Fans may bring coolers, but glass of any kind, is strictly prohibited.(Pocono Raceway)(5-26-2014)
    UPDATE 2: More than two dozen NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers were testing Tuesday at various tracks across the country. Pocono Raceway was busy with teams from Michael Waltrip Racing, Richard Childress Racing, Chip Ganassi Racing, Furniture Row Racing, HScott Motorsports, Tommy Baldwin Racing and Go Fas Racing. Richard Petty Motorsports tested Tuesday with #9-Marcos Ambrose and #43-Aric Almirola at Michigan International Speedway and will return Wednesday. Several teams tested at road courses in preparation for next month’s race at Sonoma Raceway. Testing at Virginia International Raceway on Tuedsay: #41-Kurt Busch, #4-Kevin Harvick, #99-Carl Edwards, #16-Greg Biffle, #17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr., #23-Alex Bowman, #83-Ryan Truex, #26-Cole Whitt and #13-Casey Mears. Testing at Road Atlanta on Tuesday: #2-Brad Keselowski, #22-Joey Logano, #10-Danica Patrick and #14-Tony Stewart.(Motor Racing Network) (5-28-2014)

  • Biffle extends DNF streak: #16-Greg Biffle has been running at the finish of 84 consecutive races. He broke #15-Clint Bowyer’s record last weekend in the Coca-Cola 600. Herman Beam had a streak of 84 races where he was running at the end but those races were not consecutive. The last race Biffle failed to finish was the 2011 season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway when he was sidelined early by an engine issue.(Motor Racing Network)(5-28-2014)

  • iRacing forms partnership with Phil Parsons Racing: Typically recognized as an ‘underdog’ in NASCAR, Phil Parsons Racing and driver Josh Wise have been able to break the stereotypical mold this year with the support of the online community. With successful crowd sourcing efforts on reddit behind funding for three primary race sponsorships of the #98 Chevy SS and the election of Wise into the Sprint All-Star race, Phil Parsons Racing has formed another internet-based partnership. This time, the “little team that could” will partner with the world’s premier motorsports racing simulation, iRacing. From May 27, 2014 through June 30, 2014, both new and current iRacing subscribers will have the opportunity to support Wise and Phil Parsons Racing through select purchases on the online racing simulation site.(Phil Parsons Racing)(5-28-2014)

  • Gilliland gets Dover sponsor: The Pete Store, the largest privately owned Peterbilt dealer by sales in the country, makes its 2014 return to the #38 Ford Fusion at Dover. The dealer has a store down the road from the “Monster Mile” in Seaford, Del.(Front Row Motorsports), see an image of the car on the #38 team paint schemes page.(5-28-2014)

  • Congrats to Michael & Jami McDowell: #95-McDowell tweeted Tuesday that his wife Jami had given birth to a daughter, “Rylie Kristine McDowell is a 8.1 lbs healthy sweet girl. [Jami] pulled last minute audible and went natural.”(5-28-2014)
  • Charlotte Race and Commercial Breakdown: For those of you NASCAR fans that like stats and love to hate commercials, here is the breakdown for Sunday’s race. Began recording the times at the Invocation of the race at 6:00 PM, and stopped at the waving of the checkered flag at 10:31 PM (all times are EST). Did not keep records for the pre- and post-race coverage. Fox was the broadcast team for this event.
    Total number of commercials: 165
    Total number of companies or entities advertised: 69
    Number of traditional commercials (not split-screen): 153
    Total number of companies or entities advertised: 66
    Number of ‘Side-by-Side’ commercials during race broadcast (split-screen): 12
    Total number of companies or entities advertised: 10
    Number of times Fox utilized ‘Side-by-Side’ commercials during this broadcast: 3
    Total number of brief promos of products/services during the race broadcast: 52
    Total amount of time these brief promos take during broadcast: app. 6 min. 5 sec.
    Start time to record race/commercial periods: 6:00 PM
    End time to record race/commercial periods: 10:31 PM
    Total minutes of complete race broadcast: 271
    Minutes of race broadcast: 197
    Minutes of traditional commercials (not split-screen): 74
    Minutes of ‘Side-by-Side’ commercials (split-screen): 6
    Number of missed restarts: 0
    Number of ‘mystery cautions’ (debris not shown): 1
    Total race brdcst time 197 Total comm. brdcst time 74
    See past races and links to past 2014 races on the 2014 TV Commercials page.(5-28-2014)

  • Top 10 Driver Ratings at Dover:
    1) #48-Jimmie Johnson……….121.1
    2) #20-Matt Kenseth…………107.9
    3) #18-Kyle Busch…………..106.0
    4) #99-Carl Edwards…………101.3
    5) #16-Greg Biffle………….101.0
    6) #24-Jeff Gordon…………..93.7
    7) #41-Kurt Busch……………92.5
    8) #15-Clint Bowyer………….91.6
    9) #78-Martin Truex Jr……….89.4
    10) #31-Ryan Newman………….89.4
    Note: Driver Ratings compiled from 2005-2013 races (18 total) among active drivers at Dover International Speedway.
    Finishes, Top-15 Finishes, Average Running Position While on Lead Lap, Average Speed Under Green, Fastest Lap, Led Most Laps, Lead-Lap Finish. Maximum: 150 points per race.(NASCAR)

  • Dale Earnhardt, Jr. partners with eBay: Dale Earnhardt Jr. announced a partnership with eBay that will pair NASCAR’s 11-time Most Popular Driver with one of the world’s largest online marketplaces. The extensive partnership consists of several facets that will engage eBay’s community of automotive enthusiasts and include charitable initiatives with The Dale Jr. Foundation. Additionally, Earnhardt Jr. will drive an eBay-themed primary paint scheme for JR Motorsports in the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Michigan International Speedway June 14. It will be Earnhardt Jr.’s fourth and final Nationwide Series race in 2014. An avid eBay user, Earnhardt Jr. became deeply engrossed in the eBay marketplace in 2012, building out and adding to his collection of vintage stock car magazines and racing memorabilia. His infatuation expanded into eBay Motors, and starting today Earnhardt Jr.’s personal car collection will be displayed on his eBay Garage profile. (JR Motorsports)(5-28-2014)
  • Breyer’s on the #7 at Dover: In its first of two races on the year, Breyers Ice Cream will be on board with Regan Smith and the #7 team at Dover International Speedway. Breyers, an American classic since 1866, is part of the Unilever family. The company joins Best Foods, Hellmann’s and Ragu as other Unilever brands with primary paint schemes this season. (JR Motorsports)(5-28-2014)
  • Dunkin’ Donuts named official coffee of Dover: Dover International Speedway and Dunkin’ Donuts have announced a new partnership that names Dunkin’ Donuts the official coffee of the track, beginning with the May 30-June 1, 2014 NASCAR race weekend at the Monster Mile. With DD Perks, Dunkin’ Donuts guests earn five points for every dollar they spend on qualifying purchases at Dunkin’ Donuts when they pay using an enrolled Dunkin’ Donuts Card, either plastic or via the Dunkin’ Mobile App. Once a member accrues 200 points, he or she receives a coupon for a free medium beverage of choice, redeemable at participating Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants. Additionally, throughout the year DD Perks members will receive exclusive, personalized, special offers to earn bonus points for specific food and beverage purchases. To enroll in DD Perks and for complete details about the program, visit www.ddperks.com/philly. As part of this partnership, Dunkin’ Donuts will kick off race weekend with the chance for fans to earn an extra 50 points when they register for DD Perks using the promo code “DOVER.” Fans can also sample Dunkin’ Donuts coffee and have fun at the Dunkin’ Donuts Photobooth and display in the FanZone, located just outside Turn 4 of the track throughout race weekend.(Dover Speedway)(5-28-2014)

    News from May 27, 2014

  • Entry List for the FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway is posted, 43 teams/drivers [for 43 spots] are listed, including: #32-Koch, #33-Stremme, #44-Yeley, #66-Moffitt, #77-Blaney.
    Since only 43 cars are entered, all drivers will make the race.
    See the full entry list at my Jayski’s Dover Entry List

  • Sorenson get Pocono sponsor: Tommy Baldwin Racing announced a partnership with Theme Park Connection starting at Pocono Raceway through Daytona International Speedway. TPC will be the primary sponsor for the #36 Chevy of Reed Sorenson on June 8, 2014 at Pocono. They will continue their partnership with TBR as an associate sponsor through the July 5, 2014 race at Daytona. The primary sponsorship will consist of a patriotic paint scheme to honor TBR’s “Salute the Troops” campaign. For over a decade, Theme Park Connection has been America’s online choice for Disney Collectibles and Movie Memorabilia. They specialize in rare and unique items found in the Parks and Attractions from around the world. Now NASCAR fans can benefit from their extensive experience in providing that one of a kind collectible, and own their favorite piece of history.(140 BUZZ/TBR), see an image of the car on the #36 team paint schemes page.(5-27-2014)

  • Brett Moffitt to make Cup debut at Dover: Jay Robinson Racing announced Brett Moffitt will make his Sprint Cup Series debut at Dover International Speedway on June 1 driving the team’s #66 Toyota. Moffitt, 21, of Grimes, Iowa is a nine-time winner in K&N Pro Series East competition and serves as a test driver for Toyota Racing Development (TRD) and Michael Waltrip Racing. Moffitt finished ninth in his lone Nationwide Series start in August 2012 at Iowa Speedway. He finished 14th and 17th in 2013 Camping World Truck Series races at Kentucky and Michigan.(Spire Sports PR)(5-27-2014)

  • Biffle leaving Roush? While all eyes have been on #16-Greg Biffle’s teammate, #99-Carl Edwards, to be the biggest domino to fall, could Biffle actually be the one to set everything in motion? As recently as April, the 44-year-old stated his intention was to stay at Roush Fenway Racing and that a new deal was imminent. “We’ve been working pretty diligently on that,” he told Frontstretch back then. “It has been a pretty good negotiation so far. There are a lot of new people on both sides of the table, so everyone is kind of getting a feel for the program and learning it. We feel pretty good that we’ll have something to announce before we get to summer.” But as May rolled around, warm weather looming Biffle suddenly sounded colder, less confident in his status for the future. “I think there’s plenty of opportunities in the industry to be in competitive cars,” he said in an interview on SiriusXM Radio earlier this month. “I enjoy being at Roush Fenway. I love 3M. We have a great relationship and the program works really, really well for 3M … Plain and simple, I’ve got options. I know I’m going to be racing. I know I’m going to be driving a car. So I’m not worried.”
    Supposedly things have deteriorated from there. Despite saying two weeks ago in Kansas Biffle was “absolutely, 100%” not looking outside his current organization, I’ve learned that’s not the case. Sources claim the driver’s plans lie elsewhere for 2015, that he is actively seeking other employment and that the feeling is mutual. One link in particular, direct to the Roush organization who wished to remain anonymous said he’s been told the future for Biffle involves “anything but” RFR, the only NASCAR team he’s really driven for. If the driver, a Roush Cup full-timer since 2003, does not return next year, speculation has been rampant that he will take sponsor 3M with him. A red flag went up about that possibility on Saturday, when RFR announced that they planned to return their #6 to the track next year. Owner Jack Roush said that he plans for the new team, driven by Trevor Bayne, to be a fourth car, but it’s also possible he’s prepping to lose financial backing for 2015.(Frontstretch)(5-27-2014)

  • Stewart drives a sprint car for first time since August: #14-Tony Stewart drove a sprint car Monday for the first time since badly breaking his leg in an August crash, according to Stewart’s Twitter account. Stewart, who co-owns Stewart-Haas Racing and also drives the team’s #14 car in the Sprint Cup Series, tweeted six pictures of his sprint car and added, “Guess who got back in a sprint car for the first time today 🙂 #smokewillrise. This was a huge day for me,” Stewart tweeted to his 240,000 followers. “9 1/2 months since I’ve been in one.” Stewart likes to race sprint cars as a hobby, as do many NASCAR drivers who came up through the dirt ranks. But Stewart snapped his right leg in two places after crashing during an Aug. 5 sprint car race in Iowa, which forced him to miss the rest of the 2013 NASCAR season. Three surgeries later, Stewart is still feeling the affects of his injury despite returning to the track. He has a rod in the leg, walks with a limp and said he will not be 100% for months as physical therapy continues. But it should be taken as a good sign that he’s feeling well enough to get back in a sprint car again. It’s unclear when he might race one, though — Monday’s session at an unspecified location was “only a private test,” according a tweet from Eddie Jarvis, Stewart’s business manager. Jarvis tweeted the driver “has been waiting for several months to get back in a sprint car.”(USA Today)(5-27-2014)

  • Hall of Famers visit CMS before race: NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Rex White and the family of inductee Wendell Scott were in the Charlotte Motor Speedway media center Sunday reflecting on the honor. The Scott family was represented by his three of his seven children, Sybil, Franklin and Wendell Jr. “There was this feeling in my heart that I can’t describe,” said Wendell Scott Jr. of hearing his father’s name called. “This excited me tremendously and has yet to subside. You have so many mixed emotions. There were so many people we raced with. I started remembering laps, races and making strategy for dad. We would try and get a position just for ten extra dollars because it meant shoes for one of the girls or extra money for mom. All of that just imploded in my mind. And all of them were happy moments. It’s all about dad and mom. It’s just bigger than life.” Scott was a gifted mechanic with no formal education who honed his skills driving through the mountains of his hometown of Danville, Virginia. Scott ran several years in the old sportsman circuit before making the move to the Sprint Cup Series. His only Sprint Cup win came in 1963 at Jacksonville, Florida, during a short-track race.
    Rex White is NASCAR’s oldest living champion, winning the Sprint Cup Series Championship in 1960. He was also a participant in the first annual Coca-Cola 600 held that same year. “I had no idea I would go in this year,” said White. “I was so surprised. It is just so great to be inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame; it’s a big honor for me to be even thought about to go in.” After surviving a bout with polio as a child, White said he was attracted to racing thanks to a poster hanging in the gas station where he worked. “I looked at that poster for about a month before I got enough money to go to a race,” White said. “And the first stock car that I ever saw go around a race track, I knew that’s what I wanted to do. I set out to get in the pits and learn more about them. I met Frankie Schneider (former driver) and I started helping him. And that kicked my racing career off.”(CMS Pit Notes)(5-27-2014)

  • Haas getting closer to deciding on technical partners for F1 team: Gene Haas [co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing in Sprint Cup] is edging closer to announcing a technical partner for Haas Formula and it’s apparent that Ferrari is his top choice. “We haven’t exactly signed a formal contract but we’re pretty close,” Haas told Motorsport.com prior to Sunday’s Indianapolis 500. “We’re leaning towards Ferrari. They’re more open to what we need to do. It’s not that Mercedes isn’t right for us, it’s just that we need more help than Mercedes would want to do at this time.” Haas, who was granted a Formula One license last month, was in Indy to support his NASCAR driver Kurt Busch on his Double quest. Haas also visited with chassis builder Dallara during his trip to Indy and acknowledged that the meeting “went good”.
    “They all can do it, they all want to do it, they’re all very interested in helping us,” Haas said. “I think they’re looking at it as a good long-time partnership but it just comes down to you have to order things and it takes time to order things and get things scheduled. It just seems that it’s taking longer to accomplish what we wanted to do than we thought. So, it’s taken a couple of weeks but in another week then we’ll definitely know.” After Haas establishes his technical partners, his focus will shift to driver and designer candidates in hopes of testing come January. However, at this point of the season Haas is accepting the reality that his current schedule of making it to the grid in 2015 is ambitious.(Motorsport)(5-27-2014)
  • Nationwide Entry List:There are 40 cars on the preliminary entry list for Saturday’s Buckle Up 200 at Dover International Speedway. A few notes:
    Blake Koch is in the #10 for TriStar;
    Matt Carter is in the #13;
    Ryan Ellis is entered in the RWR #15;
    Timmy Hill returns to the #23;
    Paulie Harrraka will drive the #44 for TriStar;
    Todd Bodine will be back in the #55;
    Josh Reaume will drive the #93.(5-27-2014)
    See the complete list on the Dover entry list page.
  • Harraka in the #44 at Dover: Making his TriStar Motorsports debut this weekend at Dover International Speedway, Paulie Harraka will pilot the #44 Buckle Up/Click It or Ticket Camry for the Buckle Up 200 Presented by Click It or Ticket. With only four Nationwide Series starts, Harraka’s #44 Camry will carry yellow rookie strips on the rear of the car. Harraka has one start at the “Monster Mile” in the Camping World Truck Series, where he started 25th and finished 17th. Harraka is eager to get behind the wheel at what is considered to be his “home track” and turn his first laps in a TriStar Motorsports Camry. (TriStar Motorsports)(5-27-2014)
  • Camping World Entry list: There are 34 trucks on the preliminary entry list for Friday’s Lucas Oil 200 at Dover International Speedway. A few notes:
    Cole Custer is in the #00;
    Jake Crum is in the #08;
    John Hunter Nemechek is in the #8;
    Tyler Reddick in the #19;
    Gray Gaulding is in the #20;
    Ben Rhodes is in the #32;
    Brandon Jones is in the #33;
    Todd Peck is in the #40;
    Raymond Terczak Jr. is in the #56;
    Scott Riggs is in the #92;
    (5-27-2014)
    See the complete list on the Dover entry list page.
  • Special hood for Busch in Dover: The #51 ToyotaCare Tundra will have a special logo adorning the hood this weekend promoting the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award that is presented by the NASCAR Foundation. The Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award honors the unwavering commitment that The NASCAR Foundation Chairwoman Betty Jane France has demonstrated with her philanthropic and community efforts. For the fourth-consecutive year, the award will be given to one dedicated NASCAR fan who has made a profound impact on children in his or her local community.(Kyle Busch Motorsports)(5-27-2014)

  • Estes Express Lines joins Burton for remainder of season: Estes Express Lines today announced that it will serve as primary sponsor for ThorSport Racing’s #13 Toyota Tundra driven by Jeb Burton for the balance of the 2014 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season, beginning with Friday’s Lucas Oil 200 at Dover International Speedway. Estes’ president and CEO Rob Estes was the keynote speaker at an unveiling ceremony for the #13 Estes Toyota at the transportation company’s Richmond, Va., headquarters. Estes and other company leaders expressed widespread enthusiasm for their first motorsports program in the company’s 83-year history, anticipating the sponsorship will help Estes raise brand visibility to a national level, while aligning with stated company values of service, performance and family. Burton, 21, is a second-generation stock-car racer whose father, Ward Burton won the 2002 Daytona 500 and whose uncle, Jeff Burton is a 21-race winner in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. With shared roots in the small towns of rural southern Virginia, the Estes and Burton families are distant relatives. The relationship between Estes and ThorSport Racing came as the result of a business growth opportunity shared among the freight provider and ThorWorks Industries, a conglomerate of diverse businesses including ThorSport Racing based in Sandusky and owned by Duke and Rhonda Thorson.(See an image of the truck on the #13 Team Paint Schemes Page)(ThorSport Racing)(5-27-2014)
  • Kentucky Speedway could get repaved soon: Look to add Kentucky Speedway to the repave list in the near future. Track president Mark Simendinger says that the racing surface, while providing outstanding action thanks to its advanced age, is on its last legs. The track is doing everything they can to keep it together and hold off on the repaving project as long as possible, but a date to pour new asphalt appears inevitable. Sources say Goodyear’s tire test recently was, in part designed to see if a compound can be built to withstand the current surface well enough to “ward off” such a process within the next year or two. (The speedway was bit by several tire failures in 2013).(Frontstretch)(5-27-2014)
  • Calling All “Legends of The Glen”: With over 65 years of legendary racing, Watkins Glen International is now accepting nominations from fans for the 2014 Legends of the Glen. Last year, Geoff Bodine and Otto Linton were inducted into the Legends of the Glen, joining 18 other distinguished individuals. Fans will need to act quickly as nominations are being accepted now until May 31st. Information on nominating a legend, go to theglen.com.(WGI)(5-27-2014)
  • “The 48 Family Experience” Daytona Ticket Package: A popular ticket package for the upcoming NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event on Saturday night, July 5 at Daytona International Speedway has returned. Jimmie Johnson, six-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion and the two-time Daytona 500 winner, will team up once again with Daytona International Speedway for a special ticket package named “The 48 Family Experience.” The special ticket package, available starting at $48 per ticket for adults and $10 for children 12 and under, includes:
    · A grandstand ticket to the Coke Zero 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Saturday, July 5
    · 15-minute question-and-answer session with Johnson inside the air-conditioned Velocitorium that is located outside Turn 4
    · Prior to the question-and-answer session, children will have the opportunity to put together a Lowe’s Build and Grow race car
    · Special Daytona International Speedway giveaways
    Tickets for “The 48 Family Experience” ticket package are available at daytonainternationalspeedway.com/48 or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.(DIS)(5-27-2014)

    News from May 26, 2014

  • Testing at Pocono this week UPDATE: Twelve drivers are scheduled to test at Pocono Raceway on Tuesday, May 27, 2014. Drivers scheduled to test: #51-Justin Allgaier, #7-Michael Annett, #15-Clint Bowyer, #66-Jeff Burton, #3-Austin Dillon, #42-Kyle Larson, #1-Jamie McMurray, #27-Paul Menard, #31-Ryan Newman, #36-Reed Sorenson, #78-Martin Truex, Jr. and #55-Brian Vickers. No Ford teams are scheduled to test. The test is closed to the public. In the event of inclement weather, rain date is Wednesday, May 28th. Drivers scheduled to test may change without notice.(Pocono Raceway)(5-26-2014)
    UPDATE: Pocono Raceway will open their gates, for fans, for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams who will be testing on Tuesday, May 27 and Wednesday, May 28. A limited seating section of the Grandstands will be open from 9 am – 5 pm both day. Fans may access the Grandstands by entering the track property at Gate 5 (off Long Pond Road). From there, cones will guide fans to park by Gate 11. Admission and parking is FREE for the two-day test session. Fans may bring coolers, but glass of any kind, is strictly prohibited.(Pocono Raceway)(5-26-2014)

  • Kurt Busch’s double starts well, ends bad: #41-Kurt Busch was in position to do what only his team co-owner Tony Stewart had accomplished before: complete all 1,100 miles of the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t meant to be. Busch became just the fourth driver to compete in the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day, joining Stewart, John Andretti and Robby Gordon. Busch’s sixth-place finish at the Indianapolis 500 earlier in the day had him on track for the historic feat. The open-wheel result was the best by any rookie in Sunday’s race and tied him with teammate Stewart for the best finish by a driver attempting The Double. Stewart finished sixth in the 2001 Indianapolis 500. Per the NASCAR rulebook, Busch was forced to start the Coca-Cola 600, the second race of his Double attempt, from the rear of the field due to the fact he could not make the trip back from Indianapolis to Charlotte in time for the Sprint Cup Series driver meeting. Busch arrived by helicopter on the Charlotte Motor Speedway frontstretch approximately 20 minutes before the start of driver introductions. The #41 Haas Automation Chevrolet methodically worked its way forward in the beginning laps of NASCAR’s longest event. By the halfway point of the race, Busch and the #41 team remained on the lead lap in 13th position. During the pit cycle on lap 216, Busch raced as high as fifth before coming to pit road for adjustments. When Busch came to pit road for routine service on lap 217, the #41 was hit by the #17 car as it exited its pit stall. The incident caused damage to the left rear of the Haas Automation machine. Shortly after the pit-road incident, on lap 225 Busch told the team that he dropped a cylinder. One lap later he told the crew over the radio that he lost a second cylinder. Busch did his best to nurse the engine for the remainder of the race, but the #41 suffered a complete engine malfunction on lap 271, ending his night in 40th position, 129 laps short of the full-race distance.
    “The motor blew,” Busch said. “It acted like it swallowed three cylinders all at once, and so it was really slow. It’s kind of a shame, you know. It almost symbolizes how tough it has been this year on the Haas Automation team. We gave it our all, and the way we were clawing it up there and got a lucky break with the caution one time. I thought we were making good gains on the car, and it was great to race in traffic. To feel the stock car right after driving the Indy car was a day I’ll never forget. I can’t let the mood here with the car dampen what happened up at Indy today. That was very special. It takes a big team – it takes a team everywhere. Andretti Autosport gave me a top-five car to try and win the 500 with, and these Stewart-Haas guys gave me a good car tonight. The motor just went, sometimes that happens. All in all I gave it my all. I tried hard. I had a lot of people helping me out. I want to say thanks to Gene Haas, Tony Stewart, Michael Andretti and this whole group. Everyone worked hard on this on both sides.”(SHR)(5-26-2014)

  • Humpy Wheeler enters Great Race with grandson, Hudson: Former CMS president and GM H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler has always had an affinity for the Great Race, so when he began exploring activities he could do with his grandchildren it seemed like the perfect event for the Wheeler and his 16-year-old grandson. “I’ve always wanted to run in it,” Wheeler said about the annual event that began in 1983 as a rally for pre-World War II vehicles. “I was thinking I needed to do something with my grandkids, so this was a perfect opportunity. One of my grandkids, Austin Hardy, is out of (Providence Day) school then. He’s a superb mathematician. I put him through a couple of tests and he did great. So he’s going to be my co-pilot/navigator.” Scheduled for June 21-29, the event for cars from 1972 and older begins in Ogunquit, Maine, and ends in The Villages, Fla. The seven-day journey will take the vintage cars through New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, the Carolinas and Georgia. Rudy Zeck, who worked with Wheeler at 600 Racing, will travel in the support vehicle and handle any mechanical needs Wheeler’s car might encounter. “I have been working on this Hudson Coupe for about three years,” Wheeler said. “It got finished about three weeks ago.” Wheeler is turning the Hudson into a replica of the one in the Pixar movie “Cars.” That character – Doc Hudson – was voiced by Paul Newman. Wheeler also appeared in the movie as the voice of Tex Dinoco, a 1975 Cadillac Coupe de Ville.(in part from Lake Norman News)(5-26-2014)

    News from May 25, 2014

  • Johnson wins Coca Cola 600: #48-Jimmie Johnson won the Coca Cola 600 Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Seedway for his 1st win of 2014, 7th win at Charlotte and his 67th career win.
    #4-Harvick finished 2nd followed by #20-Kenseth, #99-Edwards, #1-McMurray, #55-Vickers, #24-Gordon, #27-Menard, #18-Busch and #2-Keselowski.
    #48-Johnson, who won the pole, won from the pole for his 14th time in 33 poles.
    #24-Gordon, who came into the race as the points leader, finished 7th and still leads the points by 11 over #20-Kenseth.
    #22-Logano leads the Chase Seeding with two wins. #4-Harvick is second, also with 2 wins, but lower in points. They are followed by #24-Gordon, #18-Busch and #99-Edwards.
    There were 34 lead changes among 9 drivers and there were 8 cautions for 44 yellow flag laps.
    The average speed was 145.484.
    See unofficial race results, awards, money won, laps led, cautions and more on the Unofficial Charlotte Race Results page (pdf) and check out the Charotte Penalty Report (pdf).
    See OFFICIAL race results & points standings on the Official Charlotte Race & Points Report (pdf).(5-25-2014)
  • Race Fast Facts – Charlotte Motor Speedway:
    #48-Jimmie Johnson won the 55th Annual COCA-COLA 600, his 67th victory in 447 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races. Johnson ranks eighth on the all-time series wins list.
    This is his first victory and seventh top-10 finish in 2014. With the win, Johnson is virtually locked into the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.
    This is his seventh victory and 17th top-10 finish in 26 races at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Johnson is now the all-time series points wins leader at Charlotte Motor Speedway, breaking a tie with NASCAR Hall of Famers Bobby Allison and Darrell Waltrip.
    This is Johnson’s fourth win in the Coca-Cola 600. Only Darrell Waltrip (five) has more wins in the 600.
    Johnson has now won at least one race in 13 consecutive seasons, which is tied for the ninth longest streak all-time with NASCAR Hall of Famers Lee Petty and Cale Yarborough.
    #4-Kevin Harvick (second) posted his 10th top-10 finish in 27 races at Charlotte Motor Speedway. It is his sixth top-10 finish in 2014.
    #20-Matt Kenseth (third) posted his 16th top-10 finish in 30 races at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
    #24-Jeff Gordon leads the point standings by 11 points over #20-Matt Kenseth.(NASCAR Integrated Sports Marketing)(5-25-2014)
  • 2014 Sprint Cup Driver Chase Championship Points Standings:
    [after Charlotte, race 12 of 36]
    1) #24-Jeff Gordon [1 win], 432
    2) #20-Matt Kenseth, 421, -11
    3) #18-Kyle Busch [1 win], 408, -24
    4) #99-Carl Edwards [1 win], 408, -24
    5) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. [1 win], 394, -38
    6) #48-Jimmie Johnson [1 win], 388, -44
    7) #22-Joey Logano [2 wins], 378, -54
    8) #55-Brian Vickers, 365, -67
    9) #2-Brad Keselowski [1 win], 361, -71
    10) #31-Ryan Newman, 361, -71
    Other drivers with at least one win, likely will make the Chase:
    12) #4-Kevin Harvick [2 wins], 345, -87
    14) #11-Denny Hamlin [1 win], 340, -92
    28) #41-Kurt Busch [1 win], 215, -217 (51 pts ahead of 31st)
    See OFFICIAL race results & points standings on the Official Charlotte Race & Points Report (pdf).(5-25-2014)
  • Current 2014 Sprint Cup Driver Chase Seedings:
    [after Charlotte, race 12 of 36 if Chase seeding started after this race]
    1) #22-Joey Logano, 2 wins, 7th in points
    2) #4-Kevin Harvick, 2 wins, 12th
    3) #24-Jeff Gordon, 1 win, 1st
    4) #18-Kyle Busch, 1 win, 3rd
    5) #99-Carl Edwards, 1 win, 4th
    6) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., 1 win, 5th
    7) #48-Jimmie Johnson, 6th
    8) #2-Brad Keselowski, 1 win, 9th
    9) #11-Denny Hamlin, 1 win, 14th
    10) #41-Kurt Busch, 1 win, 28th
    (no wins, in by points)
    11) #20-Matt Kenseth, 2nd
    12) #55-Brian Vickers, 8th
    13) #31-Ryan Newman, 10th
    14) #16-Greg Biffle, 11th
    15) #42-Kyle Larson, 13th
    16) #3-Austin Dillon, 15th
    (5-25-2014)
  • Charlotte Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points:
    #3-Dillon, finished 16th, 11 rookie points
    #42-Larson, 18th, 10
    #26-Whitt, 27th, 9
    #7-Annett, 28th, 8
    #23-Bowman, 33rd, 7
    #51-Allgaier, 37th, 6
    #83-Truex, 38th, 5
    Kligerman, Did Not Race
    (5-25-2014)


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  • Kurt Busch going for the double – Indy 500 & Coca Cola 600: On Sunday, for the ninth time, a driver will attempt to race both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. Kurt Busch is the latest to sign up for this most daring of double-duty, driving at Indy for Andretti Autosport. Green flag is at noon (ET) for open-wheel’s biggest race. Later Sunday afternoon he’ll jet down to Charlotte to jump into his #41 Haas Automation Made in America Chevy for the 6:00pm/et start.
    The eight previous double-dips have been divided up by only three drivers – John Andretti (1994), Robby Gordon (1997, 2000, 2002-2004) and Tony Stewart (1999 and 2001). Stewart has the best result – by far – in the books, having finished sixth at Indy and third at Charlotte in 2001, in the process becoming the only driver to complete all 1,100 miles between the two races.
    The results in the ‘doubles’:
    (year – driverL Indy Finish, CMS finish, total laps / total miles)
    1994 – John Andretti: 10, 36, 416 / 820
    1997 – Robby Gordon: 29, 41, 205 / 326.5
    1999 – Tony Stewart: 9, 4, 596 / 1090
    2000* – Robby Gordon: 6, 35, 335 / 702.5
    2001 – Tony Stewart: 6, 3, 600 / 1100 (all laps both races)
    2002 – Robby Gordon: 8, 16, 599 / 1098.5
    2003 – Robby Gordon: 22, 17, 444 / 835
    2004 – Robby Gordon: 29, 20, 485 / 815.5
    UPDATE: 2014 – Kurt Busch: 6, 40, 471 / 906.5
    *Note: in 2000 Gordon arrived late to CMS and P.J. Jones started the car, Gordon ran 135 laps and finished 35th, credited to Jones.
    Busch will start 12th for the Indianapolis 500, but crashed in a Monday practice session and will be forced to a back-up car, but maintains his starting position. Busch will start 28th in the Coca Cola 600.(in part from NASCAR and in part from research)(5-25-2014)

  • Back spasms derail Gordon’s practice time UPDATE2: during FoxSports1 coverage of Coca Cola 600 practice on Saturday at Charlotte Motor Speedway, #24-Jeff Gordon said back spasms flared up and he only ran 11 laps in the first practice on Saturday. Gordon said he would sit out Happy Hour practice and that Regan Smith would stand-by during the race on Sunday in case needed to sub for Gordon.
    UPDATE: from a Team Chevy press release / transcript: #24-Jeff Gordon will sit-out second NASCAR Sprint Cup practice session today (Saturday) due to back issue.
    Q) NORMALLY WE WOULD ASK ABOUT YOUR RACE CAR. BUT INSTEAD, HOW ARE YOU?
    Gordon: “Yeah, unfortunately I had a back spasm the other night in that last qualifying run that I made. And I’ve been trying to get it worked out by today, and I got in the car and it just wasn’t. The good news is that the car is awesome. So, I made 11 laps and it was everything I could do to do that. I just had to tell the team that I think it would be best if I sit out the rest of the day so that I can be prepared for this long, tough race that’s going to happen tomorrow.”
    Q) WHAT IS THE PLAN FOR THE 1:00 PM PRACTICE? WILL THERE BE A SUBSTITUTE DRIVER OR WILL THEY JUST LEAVE THE CAR THE WAY IT IS?
    Gordon: “Well, at this point we’re going to have Regan Smith standing by for tomorrow. But I don’t think they’re going to do anything more today. Again, luckily we had a good 11 laps there (in first practice session) and we’ve got our teammates and information that we’re going to be able to gather from them. It’s all coming together very fast right now. It’s unfortunate. I’ve had some spasms in the past, but this one it a little bit different. And so, I just want to really be cautious and take care of it. It doesn’t do me any good to be in the car right now; especially when the car is as good as it is. It’s really about getting prepared for 600 miles tomorrow. I have no doubts that I can be in this car and be competitive tomorrow if I just take it easy over the next 24 hours.”(Team Chevy)(5-24-2014)
    UPDATE2: Gordon told Motor Racing Network after the drivers meeting Sunday: “I think we should be arlight. I’m not 100%, but I feel a lot better than I did yesterday. I’ve got a good team on the race track preparing a great car and off the track as well that did a nice job getting me ready. If I get in there, I don’t think I’ll be getting out. We’ll see what happens. I feel good enough to do it right now.” Regan Smith will be Gordon’s standby driver today.(MRN)(5-25-2014)

  • Special website follows Kurt Busch’s attempt at ‘the double’ UPDATE: Join Kurt Busch as he becomes the 4th NASCAR driver ever to attempt the “Double” – racing in both the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend. By pledging a small amount for every lap Kurt completes, you can ride alongside the Outlaw as he helps to provide assistance to our brave men and women of the Armed Forces when they need it most.
    Kurt Busch isn’t the only one doing the double this Memorial Day weekend. Country music star Brantley Gilbert will be attending the Indianapolis 500 on May 25 as part of the sponsorship of Indy rookie, Sage Karam, and then fly to Charlotte to perform a pre-race concert for the Coca-Cola 600.
    Basis will be with Kurt Busch every step of the way – literally – as he prepares for 1,100 miles of grueling, intense racing. Fans will be able to see his progress as he focuses on getting in tip-top shape, ensuring the right amount of rest for recovery and keeping things under control with his frequent heart rate checks. Basis is a revolutionary wrist-based device that tracks physiological data like heart rate, sweat level, skin temperature and movement 24/7. Basis is the world’s most advanced health tracker and will be tracking Busch’s progress, including his races and workouts, leading up to this epic racing challenging. You can check out Basis, info on donating by laps to Armed Forces Foundation and follow Busch at kurtbuschdouble.com.(5-20/25-2014)
    UPDATE Kurt Busch has successfully completed the Indianapolis 500 — the first step in his bid to become the second driver to finish the prestigious race as well as the Coca-Cola 600 in the same day. Busch finished sixth in Indy after starting 12th. The Double has been attempted by just three drivers, the last being Robby Gordon in 2004. Only one, Tony Stewart in 2001, successfully completed the two races, finishing sixth at Indy and third at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Ahead for Busch was a plane ride to North Carolina for the second race Sunday night. He will start 28th in NASCAR’s longest race of the season.(ESPN/AP). The Indy 500 was won by Ryan Hunter-Reay (Robby Gordon’s brother-in-law)(5-25-2014)

  • U.S. Senate and House Honor Charlotte Motor Speedway: Key members of the North Carolina delegation and prominent supporters of U.S. Armed Forces initiatives have come together to salute the military celebration held annually at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The speedway has annually hosted the largest military recognition initiative on Memorial Day Weekend for more than five decades, beginning in the 1960s hosting WWI, WWII and Korean War veterans among the race fans. Over the 55 years of the Memorial Day Weekend celebration at Charlotte Motor Speedway for the Coca-Cola 600, millions of race fans have joined together to celebrate the nation’s military heroes and honor their service of protecting and preserving the country’s freedom.
    In a proclamation that named May 2014 as “LET FREEDOM RACE CELEBRATION MONTH AT CHARLOTTE MOTOR SPEEDWAY”, Sen. Richard Burr (R- NC) and Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC) both recognized Charlotte Motor Speedway and its annual celebration of military heroes on Memorial Day Weekend. The House presentation was carried live on C-SPAN.(PR)(5-25-2014)

  • Charlotte Notes & Facts – Sunday – race:
    · 520 drivers have competed in at least one NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points paying race at Charlotte Motor Speedway; 371 in more than one. 427 drivers have competed in Coca-Cola 600; 285 in more than one.
    · Five of the 110 races at Charlotte Motor Speedway have been shortened due to weather conditions; the most recent was the 2009 Coca-Cola 600 won by David Reutimann and Michael Waltrip Racing. Four of the five races shortened were the 600-mile events (1968, 1997, 2003 and 2009).
    · Since the advent of electronic scoring the closest margin of victory (MOV) in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Charlotte Motor Speedway was the May 29, 2005 race won by Jimmie Johnson over Bobby Labonte with a MOV of 0.027 second.
    · 45 different drivers have won at Charlotte Motor Speedway, led by Darrell Waltrip, Bobby Allison and Jimmie Johnson with six wins each.
    · There have been three NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races resulting with a green-white-checkered finish at Charlotte Motor Speedway, but only once for the Coca-Cola 600 (Scheduled No. of Laps/Actual No. of Laps): fall of 2005 (334/336), fall of 2007 (334/337) and the 2011 Coca-Cola 600 (400/402).
    · 30 different drivers have won the Coca-Cola 600, led by NASCAR Hall of Famer Darrell Waltrip with five; Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Kasey Kahne lead all active drivers with three each.
    · Nine drivers have posted consecutive wins at Charlotte Motor Speedway, including three consecutive by Fred Lorenzen (fall 1964 and both 1965) and four straight by Jimmie Johnson (both in 2004 and 2005).
    · A season sweep at Charlotte has occurred eight times, including each season from 2004-2007.
    · Seven times from seven different drivers has the winner of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star race gone on to win the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway: Darrell Waltrip (1985), Davey Allison (1991), Dale Earnhardt (1993), Jeff Gordon (1997), Jimmie Johnson (2003), Kasey Kahne (2008) and Kurt Busch (2010).
    · Hendrick Motorsports has the most wins at Charlotte in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with 17: Jimmie Johnson (six), Jeff Gordon (five), Darrell Waltrip (two), Ken Schrader (one), Terry Labonte (one), Casey Mears (one) and Kasey Kahne (one).
    · Eight different manufacturers have won in the NSCS at Charlotte; led by Chevrolet with 41 victories; followed by Ford with 29. Chevrolet also has the most Coca-Cola 600 wins at 22.
    · The deepest in the field that a race winner has started at Charlotte was 37th, by Jimmie Johnson in the Coca-Cola 600 of 2003.(NASCAR)(5-25-2014)

  • Wood Brothers looking for a driver: The Announcement that Trevor Bayne will join the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series full time in 2015 with Roush Fenway Racing raises at least one interesting question: Who will the Wood Brothers tap to fill Bayne’s part-time #21 Sprint Cup seat? Team co-owner Eddie Wood, speaking in the Charlotte Motor Speedway garage on Saturday afternoon, indicated the team hasn’t begun a formal search for Bayne’s replacement, but added that — whoever the driver is –?? he will likely run a limited schedule as the Wood Brothers have done since 2007. “(The search) has just kind of started,” Wood, who co-owns the organization with father Glen, brother Len and sister Kim, told FOXSports.com. “We’ll probably start talking about it sooner than later. I’ve got to get with Motorcraft, Quick Lane and Ford Motor Company because there’s a lot of people involved in our world, so we’ll sit down with them and figure out what they want to do next. So we’re like, you know, Day One.” While the Wood Brothers don’t know yet who Bayne’s successor will be, this much is certain: The team, which has been in racing since 1950 and collected 98 top series NASCAR victories with a host of drivers, isn’t going away. “No, no, no,” Wood said. “We’ve had, I think, over 75 drivers in our car over the years. You move through racing as you move through life, and, no, no, we won’t do that.”(FoxSports)(5-25-2014)

  • Twitter Guinness World Record Attempt at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Sunday: Charlotte Motor Speedway and Coca-Cola will recognize the tremendous impact of twitter with an attempt to set the Guinness World Record for World’s Largest Tweetup at the Coca-Cola 600 on May 25, 2014, by having more than 1,000 people tweet the same message from a single location simultaneously. Coca-Cola and Charlotte Motor Speedway with Coca-Cola Racing Family driver Greg Biffle, special guests Jeff Gluck, USA Today reporter, Wendy Venturini, Fox reporter, Kyle Petty, Fox reporter and Coca-Cola Racing Family driver, Doug Rice, PRN host.
    Fans will be tweeting: “I made history @cltmotorspdwy May 25, 2014 #WorldsLargestTweetUp #CocaCola600” on Sunday, May 25, at 2:00pm/et.(5-25-2014)

  • Savage Outdoor TV Joins TBR at Charlotte: Tommy Baldwin Racing announced that Savage Outdoors TV has joined the #36 team with Reed Sorenson for the Coca-Cola 600 race weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Savage Outdoors TV is one of the premier big game hunting shows in the hunting industry. The show airs on The Sportsman Channel in the Realtree Hunting Camp Block on Tuesday nights at 10:00pm/et. Host Jamie Satterfield commented, “The Savage crew; Mike, Jacob, Uncle Randy and I are in the hunting camp and ready for racing at Charlotte Motor Speedway. So let’s lock and load, let the 36 car launch on Sunday! ”
    “We are glad to have Savage Outdoors TV come on board the #36 Chevrolet this weekend,” team owner Tommy Baldwin commented. “It’s great to have Jamie and his family on board, especially in a sport who’s fan base loves the outdoors. Naturally it was a great fit.”(TBR)(5-26-2014)

  • Fans to vote on #43 paint scheme for Phoenix race: Farmland is teaming up with the Folds of Honor Foundation, which provides support to families of fallen or disabled armed forces members, to pay tribute to military heroes. Under this partnership, Farmland will salute the Foundation by including its logo on the #43 Farmland Ford during the Kansas and Texas races; donating $5,000 to the Foundation’s scholarship program each time the #43 Ford leads a race lap, or has a top-10 finish in the Sprint Cup series; and featuring Folds of Honor as part of the #43 paint scheme that will be chosen by fan votes for the November Veterans Day Weekend race in Phoenix. Representatives from Farmland and Folds of Honor alongside Almirola will unveil two paint scheme options – on which fans will be able to vote – during a press conference at the Charlotte Motor Speedway media center on Sunday, May 25th, at 1:30pm. In addition to the announcement, two beneficiaries of Folds of Honor will share their stories of how the Foundation has provided vital assistance to their families during significant times of need. Following the press conference, race fans and Foundation supporters can go to www.Facebook.com/FarmlandFoods from May 25th through September 1st to vote for their preferred paint scheme and track which option is leading the vote. In addition to voting, racing fans are encouraged to help “Take The Lead” by posting a salute on Farmland’s Facebook wall in support of Folds of Honor and Almirola.(RPM)(5-25-2014)

  • McMurray Gunning For Charlotte Sweep: Only seven drivers have swept Charlotte “Speedweeks,” winning both the all-star race and the Coca-Cola 600: Darrell Waltrip (1985), Davey Allison (1991), Dale Earnhardt (1993), Jeff Gordon (1997), Jimmie Johnson (2003), Kasey Kahne (2008) and Kurt Busch (2010). Five of those drivers have won one or more NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championships. #1-Jamie McMurray already has won the Daytona 500 and Brickyard 400. His first career win came in the October Charlotte race, in his second career start. His last two points paying wins came in the Chase race at Talladega Superspeedway and the fall 500-mile race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. McMurray has even won the Sprint Showdown at CMS. The only Charlotte race McMurray is missing at this point in his career is the Coca-Cola 600. McMurray’s best finish in the Coca-Cola 600 came 2010, with a second place finish. He has three top-10 finishes in the Coca-Cola 600, in 11 starts. McMurray’s average finish in the race is an 18.2.(NASCAR)(5-25-2014)

  • Former NASCAR exec nominated to Obama administration post: On Thursday, President Obama nominated former NASCAR executive Marcus Jadotte as assistant secretary for industry and analysis in the department of Commerce. Jadotte’s position will require Senate approval. Jadotte served as the vice president of public affairs and multicultural development at NASCAR from 2011 to 2014. He led the development of the NASCAR Drive for Diversity and NASCAR Pit Crew Development programs which focus on developing the skills of promising female, Asian, Latino and African-American drivers and crew members in NASCAR. He has held several other positions at NASCAR, including managing director of public affairs from 2006 to 2011 and senior manager of public relations from 2005 to 2006.(Charlotte Observer)(5-25-2014)

  • Johanna Long looking to return to NASCAR: It’s like staring all over again for Johanna Long. Johanna Long is not entered in Saturday’s NASCAR Nationwide Series race in Charlotte. It’s not because she lost the determination, will or talent that once made her an intriguing prospect – she just lost her ride. As a result, Long was back home in Pensacola, racing at her home track, Five Flags Speedway in the second-year Southern Super Series Late Model tour. Long wants desperately to return and says that she is nearing closer to securing a deal that will see her return to the upper echelon of stock car racing later this summer. “Right now it’s all about trying to find sponsorship that can take me back to the next level,”” Long told Popular Speed on Friday. “When my team (ML Motorsports) shut down last year, I lost my ride – which was understandable – but it was a reminder to keep pressing forward to get back to Nationwide or somewhere in NASCAR. Long says she has been humbled by the number of “big name teams” that have reached out to her but conceded that she has to work diligently at supplying the funding to join them. “We are working really hard,” Long said. “We have some leads right now and are presenting them to different teams and them to the sponsors. So I think that by the end of the year, you should see me back out there but if you don’t, it’s not because I’ve given up. You’ve got to keep on digging.”(Popular Speed)(5-25-2014)
  • Friday named Bandit Chippers Pole Day at MIS: Michigan International Speedway announced a partnership with Bandit Industries-another Michigan-based company-to bring fans the Bandit Chippers Pole Day on Friday, June 13 and Friday, Aug. 15. NASCAR’s new qualifying format in 2014 has added excitement to the weekend as drivers and teams compete against each other and the clock to post the fastest time. The new format is concise, competitive and compelling as drivers battle to advance to the next round. Fans at MIS will experience three rounds of qualifying on Friday as part of the Bandit Chippers Pole Day. Bandit is a proud, Michigan-based manufacturer of wood processing equipment that has nearly doubled its workforce and sales volume over the past few years using Michigan talent. Bandit equipment serves numerous industries, including tree care, logging/forestry, biomass, land clearing and wood waste recycling. Tickets are on sale at MISpeedway.com or by phone at 800-354-1010.(MIS)(5-25-2014)
  • Inaugural Halftime Party Announced for Pocono 400: Pocono Raceway will host their first-ever ‘Halftime Party’ from lap 60 to lap 120 of the Pocono 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Sunday, June 8. This exclusive party will allow fans, ages 21 and older, to access a VIP-only area which will include beer, food, beer games, live music and a big-screen television to watch the race broadcast. “We are really excited about today’s announcement,” said Pocono Raceway President/CEO, Brandon Igdalsky. “To the best of our knowledge, this is the first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series mid-race party of its kind. Fans can enhance their Pocono race-day experience by getting out of the sun for a few laps, grabbing a few beers with friends and enjoying the live entertainment we’re offering with the Halftime Party. All this without missing the action on the track.” Fans have two options to gain access to the Pocono Raceway’s Inaugural Halftime Party. The first is a $69 ticket package which includes a 100-level Grandstand ticket to the Pocono 400 and the Halftime Party Access Pass. The second option is a $19 Halftime Party Access Pass, for those who either have previously purchased Pocono 400 tickets or are looking to purchase higher-level seats. To purchase this one-of-a-kind access, and for more information, please visit poconoraceway.com/halftime.(Pocono Raceway)(5-25-2014)

    News from May 24, 2014

  • Race Coverage of the Coca Cola 600 Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway is scheduled for Sunday, May 25, 2014.
    Television (TV): FOX at 6:00 pm/et; Pre-Race show at 5:30pm/et; green flag approx. 6:16pm/et
    Radio: Performance Racing Network (PRN) and Sirius XM Satellite NASCAR Radio 90
    Scheduled Race Re-Airs:
    Monday, May 26 at 1:00pm/et on FS1;
    Tuesday, May 27 at 7:30pm/et on FS1;
    Thursday, May 29 at 7:00pm/et on FS1
  • Happy Hour practice for the Coca Cola 600 Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway is over, after 60 scheduled minutes, the top five, slowest and any notes
    #18-Busch 188.640 (wrecked)
    #22-Logano 188.265
    #10-Patrick 187.846
    #16-Biffle 187.663
    #48-Johnson 187.656
    slowest: #32-Koch 180.717 & #7-Annett 183.275
    no speed listed: #24-Gordon, #66-Nemechek, #36-Sorenson
    most laps run: #42-Larson 51; #88-Earnhardt Jr 50
    #48-Johnson has the best consecutive 10 lap average at 186.008mph of 24 drivers.
    notes: #18-Busch hit the wall after running a fast lap, and pancaked the right side of the car, the team will go to a backup car. #18-Busch was able to get the backup car out for practice with 30 minutes left in the session.
    See the speeds, laps run on the Charlotte Happy Hour practice speeds page (pdf).(5-24-2014)
  • Saturday 1st practice for the Coca Cola 600 Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway is over, after 50 scheduled minutes, the top five, slowest and any notes
    #99-Edwards 192.802
    #47-Allmendinger 192.383
    #78-Truex Jr. 192.280
    #48-Johnson 192.260
    #2-Keselowski 192.109
    slowest: #32-Koch 181.366 & #36-Sorenson 186.200
    most laps run: #5-Kahne 42; #33-Scott 41; #48-Johnson 40
    #24-Gordon has the best consecutive 10 lap average at 189.094mph of 17 drivers.
    See the speeds, laps run on the Charlotte practice 2 speeds page (pdf).(5-24-2014)

  • Back spasms derail Gordon’s practice time: during FoxSports1 coverage of Coca Cola 600 practice on Saturday at Charlotte Motor Speedway, #24-Jeff Gordon said back spasms flared up and he only ran 11 laps in the first practice on Saturday. Gordon said he would sit out Happy Hour practice and that Regan Smith would stand-by during the race on Sunday in case needed to sub for Gordon.
    UPDATE: from a Team Chevy press release / transcript: #24-Jeff Gordon will sit-out second NASCAR Sprint Cup practice session today (Saturday) due to back issue.
    Q) NORMALLY WE WOULD ASK ABOUT YOUR RACE CAR. BUT INSTEAD, HOW ARE YOU?
    Gordon: “Yeah, unfortunately I had a back spasm the other night in that last qualifying run that I made. And I’ve been trying to get it worked out by today, and I got in the car and it just wasn’t. The good news is that the car is awesome. So, I made 11 laps and it was everything I could do to do that. I just had to tell the team that I think it would be best if I sit out the rest of the day so that I can be prepared for this long, tough race that’s going to happen tomorrow.”
    Q) WHAT IS THE PLAN FOR THE 1:00 PM PRACTICE? WILL THERE BE A SUBSTITUTE DRIVER OR WILL THEY JUST LEAVE THE CAR THE WAY IT IS?
    Gordon: “Well, at this point we’re going to have Regan Smith standing by for tomorrow. But I don’t think they’re going to do anything more today. Again, luckily we had a good 11 laps there (in first practice session) and we’ve got our teammates and information that we’re going to be able to gather from them. It’s all coming together very fast right now. It’s unfortunate. I’ve had some spasms in the past, but this one it a little bit different. And so, I just want to really be cautious and take care of it. It doesn’t do me any good to be in the car right now; especially when the car is as good as it is. It’s really about getting prepared for 600 miles tomorrow. I have no doubts that I can be in this car and be competitive tomorrow if I just take it easy over the next 24 hours.”(Team Chevy)(5-24-2014)

  • Roush and AdvoCare to Bring Iconic #6 Back to Sprint Cup in 2015: Roush Fenway Racing has announced it will again field its iconic #6 Sprint Cup entry in the 2015 NASCAR season, with 2011 Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne piloting the car. The Ford Fusion will have full multi-year primary partnership from AdvoCare, which currently sponsors Bayne in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. “I’m both excited and humbled to be a part of bringing the #6 back to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series,” said Trevor Bayne. “And to be able to make that move with AdvoCare makes it that much more special. They are a true partner that aligns with my foundation and core values in every way. I know the history of the #6 and what it means to Jack (Roush) and the entire Roush Fenway organization and our goal is to continue to add to its rich legacy in the sport.”
    “There will always be a special place in my heart for the #6,” said former Roush Fenway driver Mark Martin. “It’s the number we used when Jack and I first went racing in 1988. There is so much history associated with that number and with the trials and successes that we went through as we helped build RFR into a premiere NASCAR team. I’m very proud of what we were able to accomplish during that time together; a part of me will always be the #6, and I’m happy to see it return with Jack, Trevor and AdvoCare next season.”
    “AdvoCare is excited to move to the Sprint Cup Series with Roush Fenway and Trevor next season,” said Mike Vaught, AdvoCare director of sponsorships. “Roush Fenway is a great partner, and Trevor and his wife Ashton are great ambassadors for AdvoCare. We are looking forward to the #6 car racing in the Sprint Cup Series in 2015, carrying the AdvoCare colors.
    The #6 was Roush Fenway’s first NASCAR entry and served as the flagship team for the organization during its first 20 years. In 1988 when Jack Roush started what would become the winningest team in NASCAR history, he enlisted Martin – a young and hungry driver from Batesville, Ark. – to sit behind the wheel of his No. 6 Ford. Roush’s attention to detail and commitment to winning, combined with Martin’s unbridled desire to succeed would help the two forge one of the most successful combinations in NASCAR history. The duo combined for 35 wins and forever etched the number’s historical significance in NASCAR history.
    “That number brings back a lot of memories,” said team owner Jack Roush. “It reminds me of all the battles we fought to get to where we are today; the victories and the defeats. Success in NASCAR does not come easy. It comes at a price and requires a great deal of passion, sacrifice, dedication and hard work. To me the No. 6 exemplifies all of that. It’s been a goal of the organization to put the #6 back out there on track in the Sprint Cup Series and I’m pleased to have AdvoCare behind us as we make the move with Trevor to full-time Cup racing,” added Roush. “AdvoCare is a first-class organization from top to bottom. They have been a great partner in the Nationwide Series and I’m confident they will be there with us step-by-step as we make the move up and put the #6 back on track on Sundays.”
    Bayne is no stranger to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series or famous numbers, having competed part time in the series with the legendary Wood Brothers since 2010. Bayne drove the historic #21 into victory lane in the 2011 Daytona 500, in one of the most memorable moments in NASCAR history. “I am kind of getting used to filling big shoes,” added Bayne. “Having driven the Wood Brothers #21 for the last few years in the Sprint Cup Series has been a great experience. I’ll always hold special the opportunity to drive for the Wood Brothers. Those guys are true legends in the sport and I can’t say enough about the unforgettable relationships I forged there and of course our huge win in the Daytona 500.”(Roush Fenway Racing)(5-24-2014)

  • Wood Brothers Racing Statement On Trevor Bayne Departure In 2015: “Trevor Bayne will always be part of our family. And we will always share that great Daytona 500 moment together. It’s something that will always be so special for all of us,” said Eddie Wood, co-owner, Wood Brothers Racing. “We will always be Trevor Bayne fans, so we are happy he is getting his shot to race for the Sprint Cup Championship. We are going to do everything in our power to get him to victory lane one more time in the #21 Fusion.”(Wood Brothers Racing)(5-24-2014)

  • Cassill gets Charlotte sponsor and a patriotic scheme: Hillman Racing announced that CRC Automotive will be the primary sponsor of the #40 CRC Brakleen Chevy under the lights at Charlotte Motor Speedway for the Memorial Day weekend Coca-Cola 600. With a patriotic backdrop to the Hillman Racing entry, CRC will promote its industry-leading CRC Brakleen® Brake Parts Cleaner on the Sprint Cup Series entry driven by Landon Cassill in the network primetime race. “I can’t thank CRC enough for coming on board for this weekend’s race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Besides the special stars-and-stripes paint scheme honoring those that have served our country, this race is one of the sport’s crown jewels because it’s the longest race of the year and you’re racing in front of family, friends and the team personnel that might only make it to one or two races a year,” said Cassill, who posted a Sprint Cup Series career-best 11th-place finish at Talladega Superspeedway earlier this month. “Over the course of four days of preparation and 600 miles of rigorous racing at Charlotte, I can only imagine how much CRC Brakleen® the guys will use prepping the car, and I’m glad we’ve got our arsenal of CRC products to help us get us to the finish line on Sunday night.”(Hillman Racing), see an image of the scheme on the #40 Team Schemes page.(5-24-2014)

  • McMurray to honor fallen firefighter in Coke 600: Jamie McMurray, LiftMaster, and the #1 Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS) team will honor fallen Asheville, North Carolina firefighter, Captain Jeffrey Bowen, by racing with his name above the passenger side door of McMurray’s car in Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway (CMS). The recognition of Bowen’s service to his community during Memorial Day weekend is the result of the relationship between McMurray’s sponsor, LiftMaster, and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. The NFFF was created in 1992 to remember America’s fallen fire heroes and provide assistance to their families. The Bowen family has a full weekend of activities planned starting with the presentation of Thursday night’s LiftMaster Pole Award, and before the green flag waves on Sunday, they will volunteer their time in support of the Firefighter Combat Challenge. The event is hosted during the Charlotte race weekend at the LiftMaster display and is the fifth stop on the Challenge schedule. In addition to honoring Captain Bowen, LiftMaster also presented a $5,000 donation to the NFFF at Charlotte Motor Speedway.(CGR)(5-24-2014)

  • Goodyear Honors Troops with ‘Goodyear Gives Back’ Campaign: Continuing its long history of supporting the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces, the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, exclusive tire supplier of NASCAR’s three major national series, has launched its fifth annual “Goodyear Gives Back” charitable program benefitting the Support Our Troops organization. To kick off the program, Goodyear will once again transform its NASCAR race tires by replacing the “Eagle” sidewall design with “Support Our Troops” messaging on all tires used during Memorial Day weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. This effort coincides with the launch of Goodyear’s charity auction at www.Goodyear.com/GivesBack, which features autographed NASCAR memorabilia, VIP race experiences and rides on the Goodyear Blimp. Goodyear will match funds raised through the charity auction up to $50,000. Proceeds benefit Support Our Troops®, a nonprofit nationwide organization that works to bolster the morale and well-being of America’s troops and their families. To-date, the Goodyear Gives Back program has provided more than $800,000 in cash and product to help troops and their families. Fans can get involved by visiting www.Goodyear.com/GivesBack through July 31, 2014 to bid on unique items and VIP experiences, purchase Support Our Troops merchandise (while supplies last), send notes of thanks to troops, or make direct donations to Support Our Troops.(Goodyear)(5-24-2014)

  • NASCAR ticket sales see smaller drop in 2013: Ticket revenues at NASCAR tracks continued to decline in 2013, but at a slower rate than in previous years, federal security filings show. Attendance at NASCAR’s three publicly traded companies – which host 35 of the 38 race weekends (36 points races and two special events) – dropped for a sixth consecutive year:
    ” Admission revenue at Charlotte-based Speedway Motorsports Inc., fell 8.6% to $106 million. That’s an improvement from an 11% decline in 2012.
    ” International Speedway Corp., the country’s largest track operator and owner of Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway, lost 4.6% of its admission revenue to $129.8 million after losing 6% in 2012.
    ” Delaware’s Dover Motorsports, which lost nearly a quarter of its admissions revenue for its two NASCAR race weekends in 2012, had a decline of 8.7% to $9.5 million.
    Overall, revenues of $245.4 million are down 47% from their peak of $467.4 million in 2007.(in part from the Charlotte Observer)(5-24-2014)

  • Burton planning a few more races: Jeff Burton lone start came at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March. If plans come through, Burton and Michael Waltrip Racing are intending to run at least two more races this season. “It’s still up in the air, to be quite honest,” Burton said. “[We’re] planning on doing Kentucky and Michigan, and maybe a few more before then, maybe not.” The semi-retired driver will be moving to the broadcast booth in 2015 for NBC.(TheRacingExperts)(5-24-2014)
  • Charlotte Goodyear Tire Notes: Teams in both the NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series will run the same Goodyear tire codes at Charlotte this week . . . as was the case at Charlotte last week, all tires will carry a “Support Our Troops” decal as part of the Goodyear Gives Back program . . . this is the same combination of left- and right-side tires that teams in all three of NASCAR’s national touring series have run at Charlotte since 2012 . . . while Charlotte is the only track at which teams run this left-side tire code, Sprint Cup and Nationwide teams also run this right-side tire code at Darlington . . . as on all NASCAR ovals greater than one mile in length, teams are required to run inner liners in all four tire positions at Charlotte . . . air pressure in those inner liners should be 12-25 psi greater than that of the outer tire.(Goodyear), see full notes, tire codes, trie pressures, set limits and more on the Charlotte Race Info page – Goodyear section.

  • Waltrip – Hammond: daughters getting married on same day: NASCAR on FOX’s “old married couple” are marrying off their daughters on the same day this weekend, and true to the stereotype that married folks don’t communicate, neither Darrell Waltrip nor Jeff Hammond realized their girls had chosen the same wedding date until a few weeks prior to the big day. Waltrip and Hammond, longtime NASCAR on FOX teammates, will be absent from Charlotte Motor Speedway on Saturday this weekend in order to give their daughters away — on the same day and at their respective family homes in Tennessee and North Carolina. However, both analysts return from the festivities in time for FOX’s live broadcast of Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 from Charlotte Motor Speedway. The men, who paired for the 1982 and 1985 Sprint Cup Series championships and 43 wins, spin their calendar oversights as evidence of them “being on the same page” as opposed to failure to communicate regarding one of the most significant moments of their parenting lives.
    “We had no idea they were getting married on the same day,” Waltrip explained. “Who would have thought that out of the 365 days a year, our daughters would have chosen the same one? Hammond didn’t tell me and I didn’t tell him. We sent out invitations and still didn’t catch it. He was talking to me about a wedding recently, and I thought he was talking about ours. At some point in time, Hammond said something about a tent, and I said, ‘We’re not having a tent.’ He said, ‘I’m going to have a tent,’ and I asked, ‘What do you need a tent for?’ He said, ‘For the wedding!’ I asked, ‘What wedding?’
    “We then figured out they were getting married on the same day,” Waltrip continued. “Hammond said Heather (Hammond) had chosen that date because it’s a day he could get off of work for NASCAR on FOX, which is the same reason Sarah (daughter), Stevie (Waltrip) and I had chosen it. There is no on-track activity Friday, and Saturday is a light day on the track for FOX. For my family, Saturday was the only day that worked well for the kids and enabled me to be in town for the reception, rehearsal dinner and so forth. Hammond chose this weekend for the exact same reason.”
    Oddly enough, the date of the weddings, May 24, is the same day Hammond’s son, Colt, was born in 1988 after his wife was induced in order to allow Hammond to be back atop the pit box for Waltrip for the May 29 Coca-Cola 600. Waltrip won the race that weekend and dedicated the victory to Colt.(FoxSports)(5-24-2014)
  • Larson wins at Charlotte: #42-Kyle Larson won the History 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. #22-Brad Keselowski finished second followed by #54-Kyle Busch, #5-Kevin Harvick, #2-Brian Scott, #20-Matt Kenseth, #7-Regan Smith, #6-Trevor Bayne, #60-Chris Buescher, and #3-Ty Dillon.
    There were 3 cautions for 13 laps and 9 lead changes among 6 leaders. Complete results are on the Charlotte race results page (pdf).
    (5-24-2014)
  • Charlotte Race Fast Facts:
    Kyle Larson won the 33rd Annual History 300 , his second victory in 43 NASCAR Nationwide Series races.
    This is his second victory and ninth top-10 finish in 2014.
    This is his first victory and second top-10 finish in three races at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
    Larson led a race-high and career-high 82 laps today. His previous career-high was 54 laps led at Homestead-Miami Speedway in 2013.
    Brad Keselowski (second) posted his 10th top-10 finish in 14 races at Charlotte Motor Speedway. It is his fourth top-10 finish in 2014.
    Kyle Busch (third) posted his 19th top-10 finish in 22 races at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
    Chris Buescher (ninth) was the highest finishing rookie.
    Regan Smith leads the point standings by 5 points over Elliott Sadler
    (NASCAR Integrated Marketing)(5-24-2014)
  • Driver standings following Charlotte:
    1) #7-Regan Smith 414
    2) #11-Elliott Sadler 409, -5
    3) #9-Chase Elliott # 386, -28
    4) 5) #6-Trevor Bayne 379, -35
    5) #3-Ty Dillon # 378, -36
    6) #2-Brian Scott 354, -60
    7) #62-Brendan Gaughan 309, -105
    8) #99-James Buescher 303, -111
    9) #60-Chris Buescher # 295, -119
    10) #31- Dylan Kwasniewski # 285, -129
    See complete standings on the driver standings page (pdf).(5-24-2014)
  • Owner Standings following Charlotte are posted (pdf).(5-24-2014)
  • Lucky Dogs – Who got a lap back on each caution at Charlotte: (and their finish)
    Caution 1: #17- Tanner Berryhill, 40th
    Caution 2: #19- Mike Bliss, 20th
    Caution 3: #3-Ty Dillon, 10th
    (5-24-2014)
  • Busch on pole at Charlotte: #54-Kyle Busch won the Coors Light Pole for the History 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway with a speed of 183.094mph. #22-Brad Keselowski will start second followed by : #42-Kyle Larson, #31-Dylan Kwasniewski, #5-Kevin Harvick, #2-Brian Scott, #20-Matt Kenseth, #7-Regan Smith, #9-Chase Elliott, and #11-Elliott Sadler.
    Fastest in the second round of qualifying was #54-Kyle Busch.
    #54-Kyle Busch was quickest in the opening qualifying session at 180.832 mph.
    Did Not Qualify: none. The starting lineup is posted on the Charlotte starting lineup page (pdf).(5-24-2014)
  • Charlotte Qualifying Notes:
    Kyle Busch won the Coors Light Pole Award for the 33rd Annual History 300 with a lap of 29.493 seconds, 183.094 mph.
    This is his record-extending 38th pole in 279 NASCAR Nationwide Series races.
    This is his second pole and seventh top-10 start in 2014. Busch’s first Charlotte pole came last October, for a race he won.
    This is his second pole in 22 races at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
    Brad Keselowski (second) posted his third top-10 start of 2014 and his sixth in 14 races at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
    Kyle Larson (third) posted his second top-10 start at Charlotte Motor Speedway. It is his sixth in ten races this season.
    Dylan Kwasniewski (fourth) was the fastest qualifying rookie.
    (NASCAR Integrated Marketing)(5-24-2014)
  • Major Gen. Tom Sadler to Receive Stonewall Jackson Award: Keeping with the tradition of honoring the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces during the Coca-Cola 600 pre-race festivities, Charlotte Motor Speedway will present Major Gen. Tom Sadler with the coveted Stonewall Jackson Award on Sunday, May 25. Given annually since 1992, the Stonewall Jackson Award recognizes recipients who have demonstrated, by example, the highest standards of patriotism through personal support of the military and/or by personal service to sacrifice above the call of duty. Born in 1925, in Canton, Ohio, Sadler entered the Army Air Corps in August 1943. A command pilot with more than 9,360 flying hours, Sadler is credited with more than 400 combat missions in World War II, Korea and Southeast Asia. His military decorations and awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with 15 oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, Purple Heart and the Italian Solidarity Star, 1st degree. He retired from the U.S. Air Force on Oct. 1, 1983. Fans can catch Sadler’s recognition during the Coca-Cola 600 pre-race salute to the troops Sunday. Tickets start at just $49 for Sunday’s historic 55th running of the Coca-Cola 600, and include a Brantley Gilbert pre-race concert. Tickets can be purchased online atwww.charlottemotorspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-455-FANS (3267).(CMS)(5-24-2014)

    News from May 23, 2014

  • Pit Stall Selections: The selections of pit stalls for the Coca Cola 600 Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway have been made.
    Pole sitter #48-Johnson chose pit stall 1 [as do most pole sitters].
    Outside pole sitter #2-Keselowski took pit stall 15, the first pit stall in front of it.
    #5-Kahne, who starts 3rd took the 22nd pit stall, the 2nd stall with an opening in front of it.
    The 43rd and final pit stall was taken by #4-Harvick, who starts 11th.
    To see where the drivers/teams pit stall is, see the pit selection chart on the Pit Stall Selection chart.(5-23-2014)

  • Winds cause damage at Speed Street in Charlotte: Wind gusts estimated by forecasters to have reached 40 mph toppled tents and aluminum barricades and hurled trash barrels along Speed StreetFriday morning. Speed Street is uptown Charlotte’s NASCAR-themed festival in conjunction with this weekend’s Coca-Cola 600. Winds shot decorative glass Mason jars into South Tryon from owner Carla Brasher’s Personalized South tent between 3rd and 4th streets. At least 10 to 12 tents in and near that block were flattened onto South Tryon, said Todd Powell of Prowler Magazine, whose tent is near Thrasher’s. Merchants said the gusts felt more like 50 to 70 mph, like “a tornado had kind of stepped down,” Powell said. A couple of blocks south on Tryon, workers at a large Chevrolet tent in the middle of the street said a trash barrel hurled toward them but didn’t strike anyone. No injuries were reported along Speed Street, but WSOC-TV said three people were taken to the hospital after scaffolding collapsed at the Sheraton Hotel on South McDowell Street. Their conditions were unknown. The National Weather Service had issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Mecklenburg and Cabarrus counties and elsewhere across the region.(more at the Charlotte Observer)(5-23-2014)

  • Ambrose expects to race in USA next season: #9-Marcos Ambrose talked to the media at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Thursday and a few questions were asked about his 2015 plans, the Q&A:
    Q) DO YOU ANTICIPATE RACING IN THE U.S. NEXT YEAR?
    Ambrose “Yeah, I do. I do anticipate racing in the U.S. There are a lot of changes in the midst at RPM and I’m part of that. I have to renew my contract with them, but I’m gonna do whatever I can to get Richard Petty where he wants to go and his whole company.”
    Q) HAS YOUR MANAGEMENT TALKED TO YOU ABOUT A MANUFACTURER AND HAVE YOU GIVEN THEM INPUT?
    Ambrose “No, I haven’t given them input, but we have a great opportunity at Richard Petty Motorsports to improve the situation. Whenever you get a period of time like this where you can shuffle the cards and shuffle the deck, it allows your team to get better. So I think they’re in a great position. They’ve got choices, which is the most important thing, and I’m sure they’ll make the right choices for Richard Petty Motorsports and I fully support them whatever they choose to do.”
    Q) HAVE YOU SEEN RPM DO MORE TESTING AND IMPROVE WITH MORE FINANCES AT ITS DISPOSAL?
    Ambrose “Yeah. Look, I’ve been part of the Petty Motorsport family since they went through all the turmoil with the Gillett crossover and they’ve gone through various stages. Obviously, they had to really just get some stability and then now we’ve gotten past stability and we’re working toward the future and bringing new sponsors to NASCAR. We definitely have more funding, we have more infrastructure, we have better people around us, and I think you’re going to the next level for Richard Petty Motorsports. I have seen direct results of the extra money that’s gone into our company. I think we needed to to keep up and we certainly have made up some ground since 2013, but we’ve got a ways to go. You’ve got to look at everything to get better and I know that everybody at Richard Petty Motorsports is doing that, they really are looking at it from the outside-in, seeing what they can do and where they need to go to be the best they can be.”(Ford Racing)(5-23-2014)

  • What happened to Harvick in Qualifying at Charlotte: #4-Kevin Harvick and #20-Matt Kenseth misjudged the amount of time remaining in the final qualifying session and did not post a time, failing to complete laps within the segment.(CMS)
    AND Kevin Harvick had perhaps the fastest car but didn’t have the chance to prove it in the final five-minute round. When the clock ran out in the session, Harvick was approaching the start/finish line, but because he failed to start his lap before time expired, he didn’t post a lap that counted in the session. Accordingly, Harvick, one of the favorites to win the 600, will start 11th. Matt Kenseth, who likewise failed to take the green in Round 3, starts 12th.(AutoWeek)
    AND II: Kevin Harvick and Matt Kenseth each did not get on the track before the end of the final session and will start 11th and 12th. Harvick’s crew chief, Rodney Childers, apologized on Twitter for the mistake. “We had a big miscommunication tonight and didn’t get @KevinHarvick off of pit road in time to run a lap in the final qualifying session,” Childers tweeted. “Apologies to all of the sponsors and fans. We will make sure it doesn’t happen again.”(Motor Racing Network)(5-23-2014)

  • Kurt Busch says crash at Indy was a valuable lesson: Kurt Busch often has a unique perspective, but being glad he wrecked his car during practice for the Indianapolis 500-isn’t that taking things a bit too far? Not when you hear Busch explain it. “When I made the mistake on Monday, it was because I just started to tell myself, ‘Settle in, get into this 500-mile rhythm, and know that you have 600 miles later on,'” said Busch, who will attempt the Indy 500/Coca-Cola 600 double on Sunday. “It was the setup I had from the previous Thursday, where I was the most comfortable during drafting practice. I made some adjustments inside the car, didn’t stay on top of Turns 1 and 2. The south end of the track (Turns 1 and 2) is different than the north end of the track there. The wind angle was the most different, awkward angle that I’ve had during the whole month of May. Turn 2 bit me.”
    Before flying to Charlotte for the Coke 600, Busch will start the Indy 500 in a backup car. Under IndyCar rules, however, he won’t lose the 12th-place starting position he earned in last Sunday’s qualifying session. And in Monday’s crash, Busch learned a valuable lesson. “I’m glad I experienced it,” he said. “I might sound stupid by saying that I’m glad I wrecked at 220 mph, but if I didn’t put myself in that position, I would have done that on Sunday, possibly 50 laps into the race. That’s how you have to advance through life is to learn from your mistakes. It was a mistake that I wholeheartedly put myself in. It’s because I just started to feel comfortable. I just let my guard down a little bit, and that IndyCar jumped up and bit me.”(NASCAR Wire Service)(5-23-2014)

  • Most Popular Driver Voting starts in July: The National Motorsports Press Association’s Most Popular Driver Award will officially launch in July as the association welcomes a new presenting sponsor for the 62-year-old program. The Most Popular Driver Award is the only major NASCAR award determined solely by fan vote. The winner is announced during the annual Myers Brothers Luncheon held in conjunction with Champions’ Week activities in Las Vegas. “We sincerely appreciate the interest expressed by so many fans surrounding the Most Popular Driver program during the past few months,” NMPA president Kenny Bruce said. “Their continued participation, passion and loyalty are the reason for the program’s amazing success and longevity.” Dale Earnhardt Jr. collected his 11th consecutive NMPA Most Popular Driver Award in 2013 as NASCAR fans cast more than 1 million votes throughout the season. Bill Elliott holds the record for most MPD awards as the 1988 NASCAR champion earned the honor 16 times.(NMPA)(5-23-2014)

  • Chip Ganassi Racing signs PNC as sponsor: Chip Ganassi Racing Teams (CGRT) and The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. announced a new multi-year sponsorship agreement. The agreement is the second between Ganassi and PNC, which have also had a banking relationship that goes back 25 years. With the wide range of racing that CGRT participates in across three national touring series of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS), the Verizon IndyCar Series and the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship (TUSC), the agreement provides PNC with business development and client entertainment opportunities throughout the year. The agreement will focus on the following five racing markets in 2014: Indianapolis, Atlanta, Chicago, Charlotte and Richmond, Va. PNC, which has a business presence in all five regions, will use the high interest in auto racing and the CGRT relationship to offer unique events and behind-the-scenes activities to clients and prospects.(CGR)(5-23-2014)

  • Kansas Notes & Facts – Friday – drivers:
    · NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty leads the series in starts at Charlotte with 64. Terry Labonte leads all active drivers with 57 starts; followed by Mark Martin with 56. Bill Elliott has made the most Coca-Cola 600 starts with 31; Jeff Gordon leads all active drivers in 600 starts with 21.
    · Richard Petty leads the series in runner-up finishes at Charlotte with nine. Kasey Kahne and Matt Kenseth lead all active drivers with three.
    · NASCAR Hall of Famers Richard Petty and Bobby Allison are tied for the series most top-five finishes at Charlotte with 23. Jeff Gordon leads all active drivers with 16.
    · Richard Petty leads the series in top-10 finishes at Charlotte with 31. Jeff Gordon leads all active drivers with 22.
    · Ryan Newman leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in average starting position at Charlotte with a 7.038.
    · Joey Logano leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in average finishing position at Charlotte with a 10.400.
    · Joe Nemechek leads the series among active drivers with the most NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at Charlotte without visiting Victory Lane at 35; followed by Dale Earnhardt Jr. with 28.
    · Seven NASCAR Sprint Cup Series active drivers have made their first career start at Charlotte Motor Speedway: Michael Waltrip (5/26/85), Elliott Sadler (5/24/98), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (5/30/99), Jimmie Johnson (10/7/01), Brian Vickers (10/11/03), David Reutimann (10/15/05) and Sunoco Rookie of the Year candidate Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (5/29/11).
    · Four active NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers have posted their first career win at Charlotte Motor Speedway: Jeff Gordon (5/29/94), Matt Kenseth (5/28/00), Jamie McMurray (10/13/02) and Casey Mears (5/27/07).
    · Jimmie Johnson leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in laps led at Charlotte with 1,569 laps led in 25 starts.
    · Two female drivers have competed at Charlotte Motor Speedway in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series: Janet Guthrie (4 races, best finish of 9th in Oct 1977) and Danica Patrick (3 races, best finish 20th in Oct 2013).(NASCAR)(5-23-2014)
  • Voxer to sponsor Rhodes in Charlotte: Harrison Rhodes is currently scheduled to drive the #93 Dodge Challenger for JGS Racing at the Charlotte Motor Speedway/Nationwide race Saturday May 23rd. In a last minute sponsorship deal “App” maker www.Voxer.com has stepped in as the primary sponsor for the car/driver. This is Voxer’s first entrance into NASCAR/Nationwide.(Harrison Rhodes PR)(5-23-2014)

    News from May 22, 2014

  • Johnson wins Charlotte pole: #48-Jimmie Johnson won the pole for the Coca Cola 600 Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway with speed of 194.911mph for his 1st pole of 2014 and 33rd of his career. Johnson has won 13 races from the pole.
    #2-Keselowski is on the outside pole followed by #5-Kahne, #10-Patrick, #15-Bowyer, #11-Hamlin, #18-Busch, #22-Logano, #9-Ambrose, #88-Earnhardt Jr., #20-Kenseth and #4-Harvick. #20-Kenseth and #4-Harvick didn’t get a timed lap in. Harvick just missed the clock and Kenseth didn’t get back out.
    Missing the race were: #77-Blaney and #44-Yeley.
    See starting lineup, qualifying results by round, pdf links and more on Jayski’s Starting Lineup / Qualifying page(5-22-2014)
  • Qualifying Fast Facts – Charlotte:
    #48-Jimmie Johnson won the Coors Light Pole Award for the 55th Annual COCA-COLA 600 with a lap of 27.705 seconds, 194.911 mph.
    This is his 33rd pole in 447 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races. He moves into a tie for 20th on the all-time series poles list with Fonty Flock.
    This is his first pole and sixth top-10 start in 2014.
    This is his fourth pole in 26 races at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Johnson has twice won from the pole at Charlotte (5/30/04 and 10/17/09).
    Johnson has six points wins at Charlotte Motor Speedway, which is tied for most all-time at Charlotte with NASCAR Hall of Famers Darrell Waltrip and Bobby Allison.
    #2-Brad Keselowski (second) posted his ninth top-10 start of 2014 and his third in ten races at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
    #5-Kasey Kahne (third) posted his 15th top-10 start at Charlotte Motor Speedway. It is his fourth in 12 races this season. (NASCAR Statistics)(5-22-2014)
  • Second Round of Qualifying for the Coca Cola 600 Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway is over after 10 scheduled minutes.
    #10-Patrick 194.595
    #18-Busch 194.510
    #11-Hamlin 194.084
    #4-Harvick 193.959
    #48-Johnson 193.555
    the rest of the top 12: 5 2 15 20 9 88 22;
    out of the top 12 and not advancing to round 3: 43 21 78 55 51 14 33 47 27 99 17 16
    (5-22-2014)
  • First Round of Qualifying for the Coca Cola 600 Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway is over after 25 minutes.
    #4-Harvick 193.931
    #55-Vickers 192.534
    #51-Allgaier 192.472
    #78-Truex Jr 192.424
    #14-Stewart 192.226
    Drivers who will miss the race: #77-Blaney & #44-Yeley.
    (5-22-2014)
  • Thursday practice for the Coca Cola 600 Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway is over, after 80 scheduled minutes, the top five, slowest and any notes
    #88-Earnhardt Jr. 193.264
    #4-Harvick 192.164
    #48-Johnson 192.014
    #17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 191.782
    #78-Truex Jr. 191.775
    slowest: #7-Annett 182.921 & #32-Koch 183.275
    notes: if qualifying were to get rained out, the field would be set based on the practice speeds from this practice. Qualifying is scheduled for Thursday, May 22nd ay 7:00pm/et on FoxSports1.
    See the speeds, laps run on the Charlotte practice 1 speeds page (pdf).(5-22-2014)
  • Coverage of Qualifying for the Coca Cola 600 Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway is scheduled for Thursday, May 22, 2014 at 7:10pm/et.
    Television (TV): FS1, 7:00pm/et
    Radio: Live online at Performance Racing Network (PRN)
    Scheduled Qualifying Re-Air: Friday, May 23 at 4:30am/et on FS1; and Saturday, May 24 at 11:00pm/et on FS2
  • Qualifying Order for the Coca Cola 600 Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway is posted. 45 cars/drivers are listed.
    The first of the drivers scheduled to go out is #41-Busch.
    The final driver scheduled to go out is #32-Koch.
    Qualifying order is set by a random draw, held about an hour before the first practice.
    See the full qualifying order on the Charlotte Qualifying Page.(5-22-2014)
  • Thursday practice for the Coca Cola 600 Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway is over, after 80 scheduled minutes, the top five, slowest and any notes
    #88-Earnhardt Jr. 193.264
    #4-Harvick 192.164
    #48-Johnson 192.014
    #17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 191.782
    #78-Truex Jr. 191.775
    slowest: #7-Annett 182.921 & #32-Koch 183.275
    notes: if qualifying were to get rained out, the field would be set based on the practice speeds from this practice. Qualifying is scheduled for Thursday, May 22nd ay 7:00pm/et on FoxSports1.
    See the speeds, laps run on the Charlotte practice 1 speeds page (pdf).(5-22-2014)

  • Fastenal to Honor Military Workforce with Three Car Salute at CMS: For the third straight year,Fastenal will display appreciation for our nation’s military forces through its sponsorship of the entire Roush Fenway Racing (RFR) fleet at the Coca-Cola 600. The patriotic paint schemes that will grace the racecars of #99-Carl Edwards, #16-Greg Biffle and #17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr. represent the organization’s gratitude to military personnel who are a part of the Fastenal Blue Team as well as all other men and women who have served our country. In 2013, Fastenal held an essay contest for its active and retired military employees, selecting three winners who were individually featured on the hoods of the #99, #17 and #16 cars. This year, 630 Fastenal employees who have represented our great nation will see their names under the lights of Charlotte Motor Speedway as they are proudly displayed on the hood of the #99.
    “Behind every one of those names is a story of tremendous sacrifice,” said Fastenal President Lee Hein. “It’s our small way of paying tribute to their service and letting them know that we couldn’t be more proud to have them as members of the Fastenal Blue Team.”
    Twelve of the 630 veterans highlighted on the hood of Edward’s car will be in attendance at Charlotte Motor Speedway this Memorial Day weekend for a behind-the-scenes experience at the 55th running of the Coca-Cola 600. Former Army Sergeant Robert Thompson, who now works out of Lincolnton, N.C. as a Fastenal Sales Associate, is proud to be part of an organization that recognizes its large military workforce.
    “It feels pretty awesome that I work for a company like Fastenal that honors, respects and values veterans,” said Thompson. “In the short time that I have been with Fastenal I have come to find out that there are a lot of veterans at the company. They realize that the military gives their personnel a wide assortment of skills. It’s great to see that Fastenal understands that and hires us to perform those skills.”
    In addition, Fastenal would like to acknowledge Roush Fenway Racing employee and veteran Randy Fuller by including his name on the hood as an honorary Blue Team member. Fuller, who served in the Air Force for 26 years and retired as a Chief Master Sergeant, has been the Media Relations Manager for Edwards for over a decade. This is Fastenal’s third season in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series as the primary sponsor for Edwards in the #99 Ford Fusion. (RFR / Fastenal Racing), see image of the schemes on the #99 Team Schemes page.(5-22-2014)

  • Cargill ‘Beefs Up’ Partnership with Roush Fenway, Stenhouse Jr.: Roush Fenway Racing has announced that long-standing partner Cargill Beef will move to the Sprint Cup Series, serving as a primary partner for the #17 team with NASCAR Champion driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. The pair will make its debut together at Daytona International Speedway in the July 5th Coke Zero 400. “We are pleased to continue to grow our partnership with Roush Fenway Racing and to reunite with Ricky Stenhouse Jr.,” said John Keating, president of Cargill Beef. “We recognize that NASCAR fans love beef and they have proven to be brand loyal by supporting companies that back teams within the sport. This makes NASCAR an ideal marketing venue for Cargill and our customers. Beef is a perfect choice for NASCAR racing fans everywhere, including trackside grilling, and this partnership provides us the avenue to make Cargill Beef products their top choice.” Cargill previously partnered with Stenhouse and NASCAR champion crew chief Mike Kelley during the duo’s back-to-back NASCAR Nationwide Series Championships in 2011 and 2012. Cargill first joined Roush Fenway Racing during the 2010 season.
    “It’s only fitting that Cargill has opted to make the move up to Sprint Cup with Ricky,” said team owner Jack Roush. “Cargill entered the sport in 2010 and took a chance on a young and unproven driver in Ricky. They went on to play a major role in his back-to-back Nationwide Series Championships, and we are excited to extend our relationship into the Sprint Cup Series as Ricky’s career continues to grow and as his potential is further realized.”
    “I’m thrilled to have Cargill become a part of the #17 team,” said Stenhouse. “They have been a great partner with Roush Fenway for the past four seasons and we had a great run with them in the Nationwide Series. It is our intention to pick up where we left off in 2012. I can’t think of a better way to bring them into the Sprint Cup Series than racing for a win at Daytona on July 4th weekend — the biggest grilling weekend of the year.”
    In addition to serving as a primary partner with Stenhouse in 2010, 2011 and 2012. Cargill teamed with Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne in 2013 in the Nationwide Series. “We are delighted to grow our partnership and to team up with Ricky coming off his Sprint Cup rookie-of-the-year season,” stated Tammy Shaw, Cargill Beef vice president of marketing. “The enthusiasm we have experienced from our customers, employees, and race fans during our time with Roush Fenway Racing has confirmed that high quality beef products and NASCAR racing fit perfectly together. Our customers provide consumers value by promoting Cargill beef and our affiliation with Roush Fenway Racing on the NASCAR circuit has served as a clear point of differentiation. We look forward to another terrific season with Roush Fenway, Ricky and Mike and to continue to find unique ways to market our products and support our customers through NASCAR.”
    Cargill will serve as the primary partner on the #17 car for five races during the 2014 season. (RFR)(5-22-2014)

  • Dogecoin and reddit to sponsor the #98 and Wise at Talladega: One week after voting NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Josh Wise and the #98 Phil Parsons Racing team into the All-Star Race, the Dogecoin and reddit communities kicked off another collective effort in support of Wise’s NASCAR team. This time, the group focused on primary sponsorship for a second Sprint Cup Series race. With their fundraising goals met in less than a week, Dogecoin and reddit will again sponsor Wise’s #98 Ford Fusion at Talladega Superspeedway on October 19.
    “I can’t begin to explain how awesome this partnership with Dogecoin and reddit has been for our team at Phil Parsons Racing,” commented Wise. “Like I said before, we’re just a small team. When we were initially approached with this idea, we never expected it to get as big as it has become. We’ve been able to accomplish some pretty amazing things with the help of the Dogecoin and reddit communities. It means so much to us to have all that support. We’re working as hard as we can, to do the best job that we possibly can, each and every week.”
    With widespread demand for the Dogecoin shirts worn by the Phil Parsons Racing team throughout the Talladega Superspeedway and Sprint All-Star race weekends, the team agreed to not only produce similar t-shirts, but also to utilize the proceeds of the sales for another primary race sponsorship. Needing to sell at least 5,000 t-shirts, they were able to meet their goal within just six days to confirm sponsorship for the Geico 500 at Talladega Superspeedway later this year.
    “We’re really excited to expand our partnership with Dogecoin and reddit,” commented team owner Phil Parsons. “With all of the support we received for the All-Star Race and the number of people asking about apparel, it made sense to have t-shirts produced and turn it into an opportunity to fund a second race. We’re fortunate that Denis Pavel noticed Josh while watching the Bristol race on television. The relationship has opened some great opportunities and has helped get Phil Parsons Racing’s name out.”
    Earlier this year, reddit user and tech fan Denis Pavel noticed a plain black car with a driver he felt ‘raced the wheels off the car’ during a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. The lack of sponsorship caused Pavel to think of some of the significant fundraisers that he’s witnessed on the reddit platform, and drove the 16-year-old to utilize the Dogecoin currency to raise sponsorship funds for Wise. Setting and exceeding their goal within the opening week, Dogecoin and reddit partnered with Phil Parsons Racing for the May race at Talladega Superspeedway.(Phil Parsons Racing)(5-22-2014)

  • Charlotte Notes & Facts – Thursday – poles:
    · Fireball Roberts won the inaugural Coors Light pole at Charlotte Motor Speedway (World 600) in 1960 with a speed of 133.904 mph.
    · 41 drivers have Coors Light poles at Charlotte, led by David Pearson with 14. Ryan Newman and Jeff Gordon lead all active drivers in poles at CMS with nine.
    · David Pearson and Ryan Newman are tied for the series most Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR Sprint Cup Coors Light poles with six each; followed by Jeff Gordon with five.
    · 12 drivers have won consecutive Coors Light poles at Charlotte. David Pearson holds the record for most consecutive poles at Charlotte with 11; from the fall of 1973 through 1978.
    · Jeff Gordon won five straight Coca-Cola 600 poles at Charlotte between 1994 and 1998.
    · 14 of the 110 (12.7%) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Charlotte have been won from the Coors Light pole; the two most recent were Jimmie Johnson in 2004 (Coca-Cola 600) and 2009 (fall event).
    · The second-place starting position is the most proficient starting position in the field, producing more winners (17) than any other starting position at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
    · 31 of the 110 (28.1%) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Charlotte have been won from the front row: 14 from the pole and 17 from second-place.
    · 83 of the 110 (75.4%) NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Charlotte have been won from a top-10 starting position.
    · Nine of the 110 (8.1%) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Charlotte have been won from a starting position outside the top 20.
    · Qualifying has been cancelled due to weather conditions in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Charlotte Motor Speedway twice; the fall race of 2002 and the fall race of 2008.
    · Four active drivers have posted their first career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coors Light pole at Charlotte Motor Speedway: Jeff Gordon (10/10/93), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (5/28/00), Ryan Newman (5/27/01) and Aric Almirola (5/27/12).(NASCAR)(5-22-2014)

  • Silver scheme for Larson at Charlotte: On Sunday, May 25, Chip Ganassi Racing Teams (CGRT) will celebrate 25 years of partnership with Target by running special silver paint schemes on Scott Dixon’s and Tony Kanaan’s Target Chevrolet’s in the Verizon IndyCar Series for the 98th Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and on Kyle Larson’s #42-Target Chevrolet SS in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) for the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Few relationships in motorsports endure as long as that between CGRT and Target, and it is with great pride that the partnership is being celebrated on one of the biggest days of the racing year.(CGR), see images of the scheme on the #42 Team Schemes page.(5-22-2014)
  • Kulwicki Driver Development Program announced: Family members of 1992 NASCAR Champion Alan Kulwicki announced today the establishment of the Kulwicki Driver Development Program (KDDP). A formal announcement is to come Wednesday evening in the Speedway Club at Charlotte Motor Speedway. “This is a great way to help some worthy driver along the way in reaching their dream, while at the same time keeping Alan’s memory and legacy alive moving forward,” said Thelma H. Kulwicki, the late driver/team owner’s step-mother and Board of Directors member for the project. “Alan will always be remembered as a driver whose level of intelligence, dedication and determination helped him achieve the pinnacle of success. At the same time, Alan was always a giving person who was so appreciative of the support he received along his journey to the top. This new program is appropriate in supporting what Alan believed in and will be effective in keeping his dream alive. To be able to help some racer get an opportunity that he or she otherwise would not have is something that Alan would fully endorse.”
    While the new program is still in its formative stages, some key players associated with the project were identified. Tom Roberts, who served as Kulwicki’s advisor and public relations representative throughout his NASCAR career, was appointed executive director for the KDDP. Paul Andrews, crew chief for Kulwicki’s 1992 championship team, and Tony Gibson (current crew chief for #10-Danica Patrick), car chief for the ’92 crew, were the first advisory board members named. The full advisory board will be named in upcoming months. It will include Kulwicki’s former colleagues, members of the NASCAR racing community, business leaders and legal, accounting and financial professionals.
    The board will work together in formulating the criteria for the selection process. It will work as a team in identifying aspiring driver/candidates, providing sponsorships and providing publicity for the drivers and the program. It will also offer a networking system to build industry relationships for the drivers and provide strategic ideas for the direction of the program.
    The KDDP is expected to be fully up and running in 2015. When completely functional, the non-profit organization will provide a host of funding and services to worthy drivers. The program will provide financial support in covering operational expenses, transportation costs, entry fees and assistance with necessary equipment. It will also provide other resources such as sponsorship and business education and industry networking and relationship building. In upcoming weeks, the KDDP will be extremely active in creating a web presence. In addition to launching a new website, the organization will also utilize social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter.(TRPR)(5-22-2014)

  • Stars, Stripes and Air Planes Adorn the #43 in for Coca-Cola 600: Aric Almirola and the #43 team will sport stars, stripes and air planes this weekend as they run the first of two U.S. Air Force paint schemes (the other at Daytona in July). Headed into the team’s home track, Charlotte Motor Speedway, the Richard Petty Motorsports team is hopeful that they can endure 600 miles and come out victorious to mark Almirola first Sprint Cup Series win and the #43’s first win since 1999.(RPM), see an image of the scheme on the #43 Team Schemes page.(5-22-2014)

  • Special look for Kurt Busch’s #41 at CMS: In preparation for the most grueling feat in oval racing, #41-Kurt Busch has spent the month of May traveling back and forth to Indianapolis from NASCAR events in Kansas City, Kansas, Talladega, Alabama and Charlotte. While Busch has been splitting his time between IndyCar and stock cars, rookie crew chief Daniel Knost has led the #41 team and has kept it focused on the task at hand – the Coca-Cola 600. Knost and team have diligently prepared and carefully gone over the #41 Haas Automation “America’s Machine Tool” Chevrolet in hopes of giving Busch a chance to not just complete the final 600 miles of his odyssey, but also to win the NASCAR side of “The Double.” A victory at Charlotte on Memorial Day weekend would be a fitting end for Busch, who focuses his charitable efforts on paying tribute to the military. As part of the Memorial Day weekend festivities, the #41 Haas Automation “America’s Machine Tool” Chevrolet will feature a special red, white and blue paint scheme. The paint scheme pays tribute to the American success story that is Haas Automation, whose products are manufactured at the company’s expansive facility in Oxnard, California – the largest, most modern machine tool manufacturing operation in the United States. Parker Kligerman, most recently of Swan Racing, will serve as a practice and standby driver for Kurt Busch this week. Busch will be traveling back and forth to Indianapolis as he attempts to run the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 Sunday at Charlotte. Kligerman practiced the Haas Automation Chevrolet SS Friday in preparation for Saturday night¡¦s Sprint All-Star Race.(Stewart Haas Racing), see an image on the #41 Team Schemes page.(5-22-2014)

  • Pennzoil Platinum scheme for Logano at Charlotte: Joey Logano’s #22 Ford Fusion will carry a special Pennzoil Platinum paint scheme in Sunday’s race. The special design scheme continues a month-long schedule of activities celebrating the launch of Pennzoil Platinum and Pennzoil Ultra Platinum Full Synthetic motor oils with PurePlus Technology. PurePlus Technology is a patented, revolutionary process that converts pure natural gas into a first-of-its-kind, high quality full synthetic base oil.(Team Penske), see an image on the #22 Team Schemes page.(5-22-2014)

  • Hendrickcars.com to sponsor #51 at CMS: Justin Allgaier will be making his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) start at Charlotte Motor Speedway (CMS) this weekend in the #51 Hendrickcars.com Chevy. Hendrickcars.com joins the HScott Motorsports family as the primary sponsor of the #51 Chevrolet SS at CMS. Hendrickcars.com is the fastest way to research and purchase more than 25,000 new and pre-owned cars, classic cars, commercial vehicles and motorcycles from the inventory of Hendrick Automotive Group’s more than 100 franchises (HScott Motorsports), see an image of the scheme on the #51 Team Schemes page.(5-22-2014)

  • #78 Honoring Fallen Heroes at CMS: Martin Truex Jr.’s Colorado-based team will carry a special paint scheme on the hood of its #78 Furniture Row/Denver Mattress Chevrolet. The flat-black car will showcase the Colorado Freedom Memorial, which honors every fallen Colorado military veteran, dating back to the Spanish American war in 1896. Nearly 6000 names are printed on the glass panels of the Colorado Freedom Memorial, located outside of Denver in Aurora, CO. “We have a big race this weekend, but we can’t forget that this is also a weekend of reflection to remember all those veterans who have perished in battle to preserve our freedom,” said Truex. “NASCAR has been a big supporter of the military over the years and I am happy that our owner Barney Visser donated the hood of our car to the Colorado Freedom Memorial.”(FRR), see an image of the scheme on the #78 Team Schemes page.(5-22-2014)

  • Military scheme for Mears at CMS, Take 5 returns as associate: Associate sponsor Take 5, Home of the 5-Minute Oil Change, has held onto the #13 GEICO Chevy through the bumps and bangs of short track action at Richmond, and the high speed chess match at Talladega. This time, Take 5 is staged to participate in the marathon of NASCAR – the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The race starts in the dimming light of early evening, finishes under the lights over Memorial Day weekend and involves large doses of strategy, endurance and luck. Take 5 Oil Change offers convenient drive-thru oil changes featuring liquid engineering in Castrol products. This is the third race for Take 5 with the GEICO Chevy SS, but the 600 weekend features a very special military-themed GEICO Chevy, complete with camouflage striping to tie into the Memorial Day weekend.(Germain Racing), see an image of the scheme on the #13 Team Schemes page.(5-22-2014)
  • Elliott fastest in happy hour: #9-Chase Elliott was quickest during happy hour for the History 300 with a speed of 178.330mph. He was followed by: #2-Brian Scott, #7-Regan Smith, #31-Dylan Kwasniewski, #5-Kevin Harvick, #6-Trevor Bayne, #42-Kyle Larson, #20-Matt Kenseth, #22-Brad Keselowski, and #98-Jeb Burton. 37 drivers participated in the session. See complete results on the Charlotte practice 2 speeds page (pdf).(5-22-2014)
  • Scott fastest in first practice: #2-Brian Scott was fastest during opening practice at Charlotte Motor Speedway with a speed of 178.684mph. #54-Kyle Busch was second, followed by: #20-Matt Kenseth, #22-Brad Keselowski, #5-Kevin Harvick, #42-Kyle Larson, #9-Chase Elliott, #7-Regan Smith, #3-Ty Dillon, and #11-Elliott Sadler. All 40 drivers practiced during the session. See complete results on the Charlotte practice 1 speeds page (pdf).(5-22-2014)

  • Crum license downgraded following Charlotte: NASCAR has downgraded the license of Truck Series driver Jake Crum for an incident at Charlotte Motor Speedway last week. NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp said Crum has been blocked from driving at tracks longer than 1.25 miles. He is also allowed to drive on road courses. The discipline stems from Crum’s interaction with Ryan Ellis in last Friday’s race. After the two tangled earlier in the race, Crum and Ellis were racing side by side when Crum drove into Ellis and sent him into the wall. Tharp said NASCAR would monitor Crum at future races and determine when it might allow him to again drive as longer race tracks.(Charlotte Observer)(5-22-2014)

  • Michigan truck race dubbed Careers for Veterans 200: The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Michigan International Speedway will be named the Careers for Veterans 200. The race, scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 16 will be presented by The Cooper Standard Foundation and Brad Keselowski’s Checkered Flag Foundation. MIS, The Cooper Standard Foundation and Brad Keselowski’s Checkered Flag Foundation are joining forces to showcase the importance of hiring military veterans, who have sacrificed for our country and need assistance entering the civilian workforce. In addition, The Cooper Standard Foundation will support non-profit organizations that provide vocational education and transition job training for veterans to help ensure success in the workforce. Cooper Standard has been a proud partner with Brad Keselowski Racing in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series since 2011. Cooper Standard’s relationship with Keselowski was originally based on his Michigan roots and the shared interests in assisting military veterans. Keselowski’s race career has flourished, and the Michigan native continues to support this important cause. As the title sponsor, the race at Michigan International Speedway allows Cooper Standard the opportunity to promote its Careers for Veterans Program through television, radio and print mediums on a state and nationwide basis. It also gives the organization access to a tremendous social media network already built by MIS and NASCAR.(Michigan International Speedway)(5-22-2014)

    News from May 21, 2014

  • 2015 NASCAR Hall Of Fame Class Announced: NASCAR announced the inductees who will comprise the 2015 class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. The five-person group – the sixth in NASCAR Hall of Fame history – consists of Bill Elliott, Fred Lorenzen, Wendell Scott, Joe Weatherly and Rex White. In addition, NASCAR announced that Anne B. France won the inaugural Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR. Next year’s Induction Day is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 30, 2015, broadcast on NBC Sports Network from Charlotte, NC. The NASCAR Hall of Fame Voting Panel met today in a closed session in Charlotte to vote on both the induction class of 2015 and the Landmark Award. NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France made the announcements this afternoon in the NASCAR Hall of Fame’s “Great Hall.”
    Next year’s class was determined by votes cast by the Voting Panel, which for the first time included the reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion – in this case, Jimmie Johnson. The panel also included representatives from NASCAR, the NASCAR Hall of Fame, track owners from major facilities and historic short tracks, media members, manufacturer representatives, retired competitors (drivers, owners, crew chiefs), recognized industry leaders and a nationwide fan vote conducted through NASCAR.com – which counted for the 54th and final vote. In all, 54 votes were cast, with two additional Voting Panel members recused from voting as potential nominees for induction (Jerry Cook and Robert Yates). The accounting firm of Ernst & Young presided over the tabulation of the votes.
    Voting for next year’s class was as follows: Bill Elliott (87%), Wendell Scott (58%), Joe Weatherly (53%), Rex White (43%) and Fred Lorenzen (30%). The next top vote-getters were Jerry Cook, Robert Yates and Benny Parsons.
    Results for the NASCAR.com Fan Vote, in order of votes received, were Wendell Scott, Bill Elliott, Benny Parsons, Rex White and Terry Labonte.(NASCAR)(5-21-2014)
  • Class of 2015 Inductees:
    Bill Elliott In a 37-year driving career, Bill Elliott compiled a list of accolades that put him near the top of a number of NASCAR’s all-time lists. His 44 wins rank 16th all-time and his 55 poles rank eighth. But his most prestigious accomplishment came in 1988 when he won the NASCAR premier series championship with six wins, 15 top fives and 22 top 10s in 29 races. In addition, he won a record 16 Most Popular Driver Awards, in part because of his excellence on the big stage; he won the Daytona 500 twice and the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway three times.
    Fred Lorenzen Fred Lorenzen was one of NASCAR’s first true superstars even though he was a “part-time” driver, never running more than 29 of the season’s 50-plus races. Lorenzen got his start in NASCAR as a mechanic with the famed Holman-Moody team in 1960, but was elevated to lead driver by the end of the year. Lorenzen won three races in only 15 starts the following season. Lorenzen’s best overall season came in 1963 as he finished with six wins, 21 top fives and 23 top 10s in 29 starts. Despite missing 26 races that season, he finished third in the standings. In 1965, he won two of NASCAR’s major events – the Daytona 500 and the World 600.
    Wendell Scott One of NASCAR’s true trailblazers, Wendell Scott was the first African-American to race fulltime in NASCAR’s premier series, as well as the first to win a NASCAR premier series race. Scott posted a remarkable 147 top 10s and 495 starts during his 13-year premier series career. He won more than 100 races at local tracks before making his premier series debut, including 22 races at Southside Speedway in Richmond, Virginia, in 1959 en route to capturing both the Sportsman Division and NASCAR Virginia Sportsman championships. Part of Scott’s NASCAR legacy extends to present day with NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity program, the leading youth development initiative for multicultural and female drivers across the motorsport industry since 2004.
    Joe Weatherly Joe Weatherly won two championships (1962-63) and 25 races in NASCAR’s premier series. But that’s only part of his story, which is long on versatility. A decade earlier in 1952-53, he won 101 races in the NASCAR Modified division, capturing that championship in 1953. He even tried his hand in NASCAR’s short-lived Convertible Division from 1956-59 winning 12 times. When he won his first NASCAR premier series championship, in 1962, he drove for legendary owner Bud Moore. When he repeated as champion a year later, he drove for nine different teams.
    Rex White Consistency was the hallmark of Rex White’s NASCAR career. He finished among the top five in nearly a half of his 233 races and outside the top 10 only 30 percent of the time. White was a short-track specialist in an era in which those tracks dominated the schedule. Of his 28 career wins in NASCAR’s premier series, only two came on tracks longer than a mile in length. Driving his own equipment, White won six times during his 1960 championship season, posting 35 top 10s in 40 starts. He finished in the top 10 six of his nine years in the series including a runner-up finish in 1961.
    Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR:
    Anne Bledsoe France Anne Bledsoe France, paired with her husband, NASCAR founder Bill France Sr., would create what today is one of the largest and most popular sports in the world. Anne played a huge role in the family business. “Big Bill” organized and promoted races; she took care of the financial end of the business. She first served as secretary and treasurer of NASCAR, and when Daytona International Speedway opened in 1959, served in the same roles for the International Speedway Corporation. She also managed the speedway’s ticket office. France remained active in family and business life until her passing in 1992.(NASCAR)(5-21-2014)
  • Chassis selections for this weeks race: see the list of many teams [that report or post them] and what chassis were selected by the team to run in the Coca Cola 600 Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on the Charlotte Race Info page – Chassis selection area.

  • Charlotte Notes & Facts – Wednesday – history:
    · Construction began on Charlotte Motor Speedway (CMS) in 1959.
    · The track’s first NASCAR Sprint Cup race was held on June 19, 1960 – won by Joe Lee Johnson.
    · The track was repaved midseason in 1994.
    · The track name changed from Charlotte Motor Speedway to Lowe’s Motor Speedway in 1999. It changed back to Charlotte Motor Speedway for the 2010 season.
    · The track was re-paved again before the 2006 season.
    · There have been 110 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points races at Charlotte Motor Speedway, two races per year since the track opened in 1960. In 1961, there were two 100-mile qualifying points races held the week before the May race. The first six fall races at Charlotte were 400-mile events (1960-65).
    (NASCAR)(5-21-2014)

  • Vickers crashes in Kentucky test, is OK: #55-Brian Vickers crashed at Kentucky Speedway Wednesday during a Goodyear Tire test. The #55 Aaron’s Toyota crashed in turn 3, supposedly a right front wheel came apart. Vickers reports he is sore but OK and has already logged 10 laps in other car.(Brian Vickers Twitter / Michael Waltrip Racing Twitter)(5-21-2014)

  • Superman featured on the #88 at Charlotte: Superman, the world’s first and most recognized Super Hero, will be featured on Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s #88 Chevrolet SS this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The Superman-themed paint scheme will pair the Army National Guard with the Superman Hall of Heroes, a new online gift-giving portal that empowers consumers to honor their personal heroes; those who have made a positive impact on their lives or the lives of others. More info at supermanhallofheroes.com (HMS), see images of the car on the #88 Team Schemes page.(5-21-2014)

  • Twisted Tea Comes on Board with Ambrose for Coke 600: This weekend the #9 Ford will have a slightly twisted look. One of Richard Petty Motorsports (RPM) newest partners, Twisted Tea Brewing Company, will be the primary partner on the #9 Ford driven by Marcos Ambrose in this Sunday’s 600-mile feature at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Twisted Tea joined the team for the 2014 season and is now a season-long associate sponsor for Ambrose and the #9 team. They have also stepped up to sponsor one of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series crown jewel events, the 600. In addition, Twisted Tea will serve as a primary sponsor of the team at Dover International Speedway during the fall race event. Founded in 2001, Twisted Tea Brewing Company offers hard iced tea in eight flavors all brewed to taste like real ice tea (RPM), see images of the car on the #9 Team Schemes page.(5-21-2014)
  • Final Sprint All Star Race TV Ratings: Ratings and viewership for NASCAR’s All-Star Race were the lowest ever on Fox Sports 1 (previously Speed Channel). Saturday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup All-Star Race drew a 2.1 U.S. rating and 3.4 million viewers on FS1, down 9% in ratings and 5% in viewership from last year (2.3, 3.7M), down 5% and 7%, respectively, from 2012 (2.2, 3.8M), and the lowest rated, least-viewed All-Star Race ever on the network (eight telecasts dating back to 2007). This year marked the first All-Star Race since Speed Channel became FS1 last August. The race ranks as the network’s second-most watched program since rebranding, trailing only the NASCAR Sprint Unlimited on February 15 (3.5M). The top three programs have all been NASCAR races, with the conclusion of the March 16 Food City 500 ranking third (3.2M). In other All-Star weekend action, Friday’s NASCAR All-Star Showdown drew 1.2 million viewers on FS1.(Sports Media Watch / Bloomberg)
    See TV Ratings for the 2014 races and a 5-year comparison chart on the 2014 TV Ratings page.(5-21-2014)

  • Beef Jerky Outlet Concord Partners with TBR to “Salute the Troops”: Tommy Baldwin Racing announced a new supporter in our “Salute the Troops” campaign beginning this week. The Beef Jerky Outlet of the Carolinas (Concord, NC) will be an associate sponsor on Reed Sorenson’s #36 Chevy during the Coca-Cola 600. Beef Jerky Outlet shoppers now have the opportunity to sign “Thank You” cards that we will be sent to troops overseas. Store owner Lisa Adams is also offering a discount, where you can buy one bag of jerky and receive 50% off a second bag of equal or lesser value, which they will send to troops overseas. The Adams store is a regular supporter of the armed forces, offering a discount to military members past or present with the presence of a military ID. With the support of the Armed Forces Foundation and Chevrolet, the “Salute the Troops” campaign was launched to give back to those who have sacrificed for our freedom. Fans can sign the “Thank You” cards at the Chevrolet display from now until the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speed. Chevrolet has donated a total of 60,000 minutes of calling cards to be distributed.(TBR)(5-21-2014)

  • Dogecoin/Reddit now targeting the Most Popular Driver award? Now that a pair of websites found a loophole to gain an advantage in the voting for last week’s Sprint All-Star race, they now have set their goals for a loftier goal – taking down Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the Most Popular Driver award. Dogecoin and reddit.com, fresh off a stunning victory that earned Josh Wish a spot in the sport’s all-star race last Saturday at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, already are laying out plans to flood the internet with votes for a driver who’s never had a top-10 finish in 79-career starts. A large group of fans were able to affect the vote – FOX Sports reported one fan voted as many as 82,000 times – to get a starting spot in the all-star race. reddit.com, it boasted of being able to get its “shibes” to get Wise 98,000 votes in the final 11 hours of the balloting. The same web site now wants Wise to beat Earnhardt, who’s won the most popular vote for 11 consecutive years. According to reddit.com, Wise supports the project. The voting format for the most popular driver award was posted on the web site, with suggestions of how to beat the intended system again.(Florida Times Union), voting for the Most Popular Driver award has not started yet. It was announced in March 2014 that voting would start sometime in May 2014.
    BUT Reddit.com is the largest online community on the planet, and hardly qualifies as a “small fan base.” Reddit and Dogecoin members did not engage in “manipulation,” they simply worked harder – and smarter – than any other group. They mobilized their fan base in a way that was both impressive and 100-percent legal.(Godfather Motorsports)
    AND Dogecoin and Reddit are selling #98 Dogecoin tshirts in which the proceeds from the campaign will be put towards sponsorship of #98-Josh Wise in the Fall Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway in October. They have already reached their goal of 5,000 tshirts to do the sponsorship.(5-21-2014)
  • ‘NASCAR: An American Salute’ Unites Industry to Honor Military: NASCAR will continue its long-standing tradition of supporting the United States Armed Forces with NASCAR: An American Salute, a platform that rallies teams, tracks, fans and partners to collectively honor active and retired service members and military families. NASCAR: An American Salute kicks-off Memorial Day weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway’s Coca-Cola 600 and concludes Independence Day weekend at Daytona International Speedway’s Coke Zero 400. NASCAR has a long-standing tradition of supporting the brave men and women who devote their lives to protecting our country. During this special time period running from May 25-July 5, the industry will have the opportunity to collectively express our reverence, respect, and gratitude to the millions of members of the United States Armed Forces for the sacrifices they have made in defending our nation.
    “Honoring our nation’s military is a long standing tradition in our sport,” said NASCAR President Mike Helton. “The NASCAR: An American Salute platform truly enables us to collectively express our gratitude to the millions of members of the U.S. armed forces and their families for the sacrifices they have made in defending our nation.” During the seven-week span between the two races, teams, tracks, partners and fans will show their thanks through various activities on and off the track. The wider NASCAR community can show gratitude by visiting www.NASCAR.com/Salute and using the hashtag #NASCARsalutes on Instagram and Twitter. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series teams will showcase their support by displaying patriotic-themed elements and paint schemes on their race vehicles at Charlotte, Dover, Pocono, Michigan, Sonoma, Kentucky, Daytona, Texas, Gateway and Road America.(NASCAR), see full PR on Jayski’s NASCAR News page.(5-21-2014)

  • Lynda Petty honored at N.C. legislature: NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty joined lawmakers at the North Carolina General Assembly in honoring his late wife. Petty sat in the gallery Tuesday as Sen. Jerry Tillman, R-Randolph, read a statement recognizing the contributions of Lynda Petty, who died in March. She was recognized by the General Assembly for her service to her community and NASCAR. Tillman said Lynda Petty was known as the “First Lady of NASCAR.” She served on the Randolph County Board of Education for 16 years, helped found several philanthropic organizations and served on several charitable boards throughout Randolph County.(Associated Press)(5-21-2014)

  • Miller Lite Stars & Stripes scheme: The #2 Miller Lite Ford Fusion of Brad Keselowski will be decked out in patriotic splendor this weekend in recognition of Miller Time in America and the NASCAR “An American Salute” platform beginning with Memorial Day Weekend’s Coca-Cola 600.(Team Penske), see an image on the #2 Team Schemes page.(5-21-2014)

  • Budweiser Folds of Honor featured on the #4: The #4 Budweiser Folds of Honor Chevy of Kevin Harvick will don a special patriotic paint scheme for Sunday’s 600-mile event at CMS to reflect the special red, white and blue packaging featured on the iconic Budweiser bottles and cans this summer. Now through August 15, beer drinkers can enter a code contained inside specially marked packages of Budweiser on Budweiser.com/donate to trigger a $1 donation to Folds of Honor, accounting for up to $1 million combined with wholesaler contributions for a more than $3 million total donation to Folds of Honor in 2014. Through scholarships and other assistance, Folds of Honor gives back to the families of soldiers killed or disabled in action. Since first partnering with the Folds of Honor Foundation in 2010, Budweiser and its wholesalers have raised nearly $10 million for military families, accounting for thousands of scholarships across the country.(SHR/Budweiser), see an image on the #4 Team Schemes page.(5-21-2014)

  • McDowell gets a sponsor for Charlotte: JPO Absorbents announced Tuesday their single-event sponsorship of Leavine Family Racing. JPO Absorbents will be the primary sponsor on the #95 Ford Fusion for Michael McDowell in the Coca-Cola 600. JPO Absorbents, owned and operated by CEO Jamie P. O’Brien, is committed to “saving our environment one clean up at a time” with extraordinary products that will clean up virtually any liquid, on any surface, in any industry, and at a competitive price. The #95 Ford Fusion team will sport the red, white and blue colors this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway, with JPO Absorbents adorning the hood and quarter panels. The #95 JPO Absorbents Ford Fusion will don a special patriotic paint scheme for Sunday’s 600-mile event at Charlotte Motor Speedway in honor of Memorial Day.(Leavine Family Racing), see images on the #95 Team Schemes page.(5-21-2014)

  • Latest on the OXYwater Fraud Scheme: Federal agents have arrested 42-year-old Preston Harrison on charges of tax fraud and money laundering. Harrison is alleged to have bilked investors, who invested in the company he founded called OXYwater, out of millions of dollars. IRS and FBI agents came to Harrison’s Lewis Center home on Tuesday to arrest Harrision and his wife Lovena. Harrison and his partner were founders of the company, which produced a vitamin-enhanced sports drink that contained added oxygen. When the company filed bankruptcy with no assets in 2013, the government says investors lost $9 million dollars. “It’s unfortunate that all these people invested $9 million dollars of hard earned savings into this product and won’t get back those dollars,” said Assistant US Attorney Laura Fulton. According to court records, in an effort to make OXYwater appear profitable, Harrison defrauded investors by creating false sales and profit data. Records show, Harrison took the investors’ money and laundered it through his wife’s daycare business called Forever Now, which filed for bankruptcy in 2013. The government says Harrision took the cash and bought a pool for his home along with a 7-series BMW, Cadillac Escalade, and 8 weapons. Harrison faces more than 30 charges involving tax evasion and money laundering. If convicted he could face decades in prison.(10tv.com).
    OXYWater was announced as the primary sponsor of the #32 FAS Lane Racing Ford team early in the 2013 season and a few weeks later reports had the IRS probing OXYwater founders. The final race OXYwater was on the #32 Ford was at Indianapolis in July 2013 with Timmy Hill driving.(5-21-2014)

  • #18 Hauler driver wins Charlotte event: Jamie Price, #18 Joe Gibbs Racing, won the Pilot Flying J Truck Driver Challenge in the NASCAR Chicane #1 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. More info at pfjtruckchallenge.com.(5-21-2014)
  • Charlotte Motor Speedway announces some dignitaries for Coca Cola 600: A United States Congresswoman, the North Carolina Senate Leader and a military hero will lead race fans in the commencement of the nation’s largest Memorial Day Weekend celebration as they serve as race officials for the 2014 Coca-Cola 600. Master Sergeant Cedric King will be the Grand Marshal, United States Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito will be the Honorary Starter and North Carolina Senate Leader Phil Berger will serve as the Honorary Race Director for the 55th running of NASCAR’s only 600-mile race at the famed Charlotte Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 25. As race officials, Capito and Berger will be honored at a pre-race event, attend the official drivers meeting, address the crowd of more than 100,000 fans, participate in the pre-race spectacular and present the trophy to the winning driver in Victory Lane. As Grand Marshal, King will give the race command, while Capito will wave the green flag over the 43-car field to start NASCAR’s most challenging race. As Honorary Race Director, Berger will ride in an official pace car. Continuing a decades-old tradition of hosting the biggest Memorial Day Weekend celebration in America, the Coca-Cola 600 pre-race show will once again honor veterans and active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces for their service and sacrifice. Coca-Cola is partnering with the USO to continue the momentum of the Every Moment Counts campaign that rallies Americans to show their support for troops and their families in a record breaking way. The American people are invited to show their gratitude for men and women in uniform through the simple act of giving a signature, in an attempt to set a Guinness World Record for “most signatures on a flag.” NASCAR fans will get their chance to participate when the center portion of the Every Moment Counts flag is unfurled during a special pre-race presentation. Individual panels from the Every Moment Counts flag will be available to sign by race attendees and NASCAR drivers alike to help the USO break the world record. With packages starting at just $99, fans can experience all the action and excitement that surrounds Coca-Cola 600 weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway with the Coca-Cola 600 Weekend Pass. Fans can purchase tickets by calling 1-800-455-FANS or online at CharlotteMotorSpeedway.com.(CMS)(5-21-2014)
  • Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill Named Grand Marshals at Pocono: Pocono Raceway announced Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum, stars of Columbia Pictures/Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures’ upcoming comedy 22 Jump Street, have been named Grand Marshals for the Pocono 400 on Sunday, June 8. Both movie stars will be on hand to give the honorary command to fire engines, take part in a VIP question-and-answer session, and enjoy the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at “The Tricky Triangle.” Hill and Tatum will make a special, pre-race appearance at Pocono’s Tricky Triangle Club. The Tricky Triangle Club is a ticket add-on which features access to driver and special guest appearances, lunch, food, beverages, a Pit Tour Pass, four adult beverages (for those ages 21 and older) and more. Tickets to the Tricky Triangle Club require a Pocono 400 ticket. Both are available for purchase by visiting www.poconoraceway.com or by calling the Pocono Raceway ticket office at 1-800-RACEWAY (1-800-722-3929).(Pocono Raceway)(5-21-2014)

    News from May 20, 2014

  • NASCAR Hall of Fame to unveil sixth class of inductees on Wednesday: The NASCAR Hall of Fame will unveil its sixth class of inductees on Wednesday afternoon. Five inductees to the 2015 class will be announced at 4:00pm/et by NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France in the “Great Hall” area of the hall of fame in downtown Charlotte. Also announced will be the inaugural winner of the hall’s Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR.
    The five new inductees will be chosen from a list of 20 nominees, via a meeting Wednesday morning of the NASCAR Hall of Fame Voting Panel. The panel’s make-up:
    · 22 members of the hall’s Nominating Committee;
    · 33 others, a group consisting of former drivers, former owners, former crew chiefs, manufacturer representatives, media members and community leaders;
    · One ballot representing the results of a nationwide on-line fan vote on NASCAR.com (closed);
    · And, for the first time, the reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup series champion, in this case Jimmie Johnson;
    NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2015 nominees
    · Buddy Baker, won 19 times in NASCAR’s premier (now Sprint Cup) series, including the Daytona 500 and Southern 500
    · Red Byron, first NASCAR premier series champion, in 1949
    · Richard Childress, 11-time car owner champion in NASCAR’s three national series
    · Jerry Cook, six-time NASCAR Modified champion
    · Bill Elliott, 1988 premier series champion, two-time Daytona 500 winner and 16-time Most Popular Driver
    · Ray Fox, legendary engine builder and car owner
    · Rick Hendrick, 14-time car owner champion in NASCAR’s three national series
    · Bobby Isaac, 1970 NASCAR premier series champion
    · Terry Labonte, Two-time NASCAR premier series champion
    · Fred Lorenzen, 26 wins including the Daytona 500 and the Coca-Cola 600
    · Raymond Parks, NASCAR’s first champion car owner
    · Benny Parsons, 1973 NASCAR premier series champion
    · Larry Phillips, only five-time NASCAR Whelen All-American Series champion
    · Wendell Scott, first African-American NASCAR premier series race winner
    · O. Bruton Smith, builder of Charlotte Motor Speedway and architect of Speedway Motorsports Inc.
    · Mike Stefanik, winner of record-tying nine NASCAR championships
    · Curtis Turner, early personality, called the “Babe Ruth of stock car racing”
    · Joe Weatherly, two-time NASCAR premier series champion
    · Rex White, 1960 NASCAR premier series champion
    · Robert Yates, NASCAR premier series champion as engine builder and car owner
    Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR nominees
    · H. Clay Earles, founder of Martinsville Speedway
    · Anne Bledsoe France, helped build the sport with husband Bill France Sr. Affectionately known as “Annie B.,” she is the first woman to be nominated for induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
    · Raymond Parks, NASCAR’s first champion car owner
    · Ralph Seagraves, formed groundbreaking Winston-NASCAR partnership as executive with R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    · Ken Squier, legendary radio and television broadcaster; inaugural winner / namesake of Squier-Hall Award for NASCAR Media Excellence (NASCAR Wire Service)(5-20-2014)

  • Speed Stick GEAR Partners with BK Racing to Support Cole Whitt: BK Racing announced that Speed Stick GEAR is sponsoring Cole Whitt and the #26 Toyota for six NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races. Speed Stick GEAR launched its sponsorship of BK Racing last weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway, as Whitt competed in the Sprint Showdown in an attempt to qualify for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. Speed Stick GEAR will be the primary sponsor for the #26 BK Racing Toyota for the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte, then at Michigan, Indianapolis, Bristol, Texas and Homestead. These race weekends will include show car and driver appearances in each race market. Additionally, Speed Stick GEAR will be an associate sponsor of the #26 for the remainder of the 2014 NASCAR season. The partnership reunites Speed Stick GEAR and Whitt in which Speed Stick GEAR was the primary sponsor of the #26 and Whitt earlier this year at the Daytona 500. Speed Stick GEAR is a line of antiperspirants with DRYCORE technology designed for advanced performance, keeping guys dry even in the most pulse-inducing conditions imaginable – like competing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. New Speed Stick GEAR is now available at mass retail and grocery stores nationwide. To learn more about Speed Stick GEAR products, please visit www.speedstick.com.(BK Racing), see images of the car on the #26 Team Schemes page.(5-20-2014)

  • Haas Formula gameplan taking shape: Gene Haas could decide on a technical partnership for his Formula One team as early as this week. As for a Formula Haas debut, all indications are that the newest F1 licensee is leaning toward a 2015 start which could inevitably determine the entrant’s supplier based on availability. Haas met with his team principals over the weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway to hash out their plans. “We’re still finalizing the numbers, so I don’t want to say anything wrong,” Haas told Motorsport.com. “We should know something in the next week or so what year we’re going to go with and everything else. We really only got a license a month ago, so there’s been a lot of going back and forth. There’s just a lot of things to cover. Obviously, we want to partner with a partner that can help us the most because we don’t have much time – and that’s a little bit of it, too. One partner might be saying 2016. One partner might be saying 2015. My thing is, no matter what year it is, it’s going to be a tough year that first year, so I’d like to get it over with myself.” With the current race season nearly reaching the halfway point, Haas is concerned that “schedules have to be met” for both Ferrari and Mercedes that could affect which manufacturer would best be able to accommodate an additional team. While the choice of a technical partner is still in the works, the applications are pouring from potential drivers-roughly 25 of them at this point. Haas said they’ve already had 200 to 300 aspiring employees looking to join Formula Haas, but prior to obtaining a F1 license, perusing the submissions was impractical.(Motorsport)(5-20-2014)

  • More about RPM possibly switching manufacturers: During a visit to Goodlettsville (TN) on Monday, Richard Petty says he is considering move his racing team [Richard Petty Motorsports] from Ford. “We talk to everybody all the time; I’ve been talking to Volkswagen,” said Petty, who visited Dollar General’s annual Race Day at the company’s headquarters. After getting a few chuckles from a group of reporters Petty’s tone became more serious as he talked more about his team’s future. Richard Petty Racing currently has two Fords driven by Aric Almirola and Marcos Ambrose in the Sprint Cup Series. News outlets have reported that Petty met with representatives from Toyota in April to talk about a possible alliance. “We’ve got to look at our team and look at our circumstances,” Petty said. “We’ve got to look and say, ‘Okay, what’s going to be the best for us right now, what’s going to the best for us two years down the road, what’s going to be the best for us five years down the road?'” Petty moved his team from Dodge to Ford at the end of the 2009 season. Petty indicated he is indeed looking at other possibilities. “We’re out looking and seeing what all the factories have got laid out for their future to see if we can fit into any of that,” Petty said.(The Tennessean)(5-20-2014)

  • Testing at Kentucky: A trio of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams will visit Kentucky Speedway this week for a two-day Goodyear tire test before turning their attention to the season’s longest race. The teams for #2-Brad Keselowski, #1-Jamie McMurray and #55-Brian Vickers will spend Tuesday and Wednesday testing Goodyear tires at Kentucky Speedway ahead of next month’s Quaker State 400. The tire test also will include representatives from the Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series. Expected to participate are the Nationwide teams for #7-Regan Smith and #6-Trevor Bayne. Representing the Camping World Truck Series will be the #88 ThorSport Racing Toyota team (Matt Crafton) and #31 Turner Scott Motorsports Chevy (Ben Kennedy). One of the Nationwide teams and one of the Camping World Truck teams will be at the track each day. Sprint Cup teams will participate both days before returning to North Carolina. Opening practice for this weekend’s Coca-Cola 600 is Thursday at Charlotte Motor Speedway. (Kentucky Speedway)(5-20-2014)

  • Special website follows Kurt Busch’s attempt at ‘the double’: Join Kurt Busch as he becomes the 4th NASCAR driver ever to attempt the “Double” – racing in both the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend. By pledging a small amount for every lap Kurt completes, you can ride alongside the Outlaw as he helps to provide assistance to our brave men and women of the Armed Forces when they need it most.
    Kurt Busch isn’t the only one doing the double this Memorial Day weekend. Country music star Brantley Gilbert will be attending the Indianapolis 500 on May 25 as part of the sponsorship of Indy rookie, Sage Karam, and then fly to Charlotte to perform a pre-race concert for the Coca-Cola 600.
    Basis will be with Kurt Busch every step of the way – literally – as he prepares for 1,100 miles of grueling, intense racing. Fans will be able to see his progress as he focuses on getting in tip-top shape, ensuring the right amount of rest for recovery and keeping things under control with his frequent heart rate checks. Basis is a revolutionary wrist-based device that tracks physiological data like heart rate, sweat level, skin temperature and movement 24/7. Basis is the world’s most advanced health tracker and will be tracking Busch’s progress, including his races and workouts, leading up to this epic racing challenging. You can check out Basis, info on donating by laps to Armed Forces Foundation and follow Busch at kurtbuschdouble.com.(5-20-2014)

  • Dick Trickle Memorial Ground Breaking: It’s been one year since the shocking death of racing legend Dick Trickle. The Wisconsin native raced on the NASCAR circuit but is known all over the country as the king of short track racing, having won more than 1,200 feature races. Trickle grew up in the small community of Rudolph and much of his racing career took place on tracks throughout the state. On Sunday, hundreds gathered at an event in Rudolph, WI to kick off the process of raising money to construct a memorial in Trickle’s honor. Friends and family broke ground for the memorial at the Rudolph Community Park. The memorial will feature an 8-foot bronze statue of Trickle waving to his fans, as he was always known for doing. Granite walls with laser-etched displays of Trickle’s cars and accomplishments will surround the statue. The entire memorial is estimated to span about 34 feet wide at the park. Organizers say it will take a couple years for the monument to be constructed. The kick-off event also had an auction of Trickle memorabilia and commemorative shovels that were used during the ground breaking ceremony, all in effort to raise funds for the project. On Memorial Day, The Dick Trickle Memorial Fund Race will be held at Golden Sands Speedway in Plover, WI. The speedway will be donating $1 of every race ticket sold to the memorial project. For more information on donating funds, visit The Dick Trickle Memorial Project group on Facebook.(waow.com)(5-20-2014)
  • Overnight All-Star Race TV Ratings: Overnight ratings dropped by double-digits for the first NASCAR All-Star Race since Speed Channel became Fox Sports 1. The NASCAR Sprint Cup All-Star Race earned a 1.7 overnight rating on Fox Sports 1 Saturday night, according to ShowBuzz Daily, down 15% from last year on Speed Channel (2.0). Speed Channel, of course, became Fox Sports 1 last August. Keep in mind Speed Channel was in 86.0 million viewers at the time of last year’s race, just shy of the most recent available tally for Fox Sports 1 (86.7M in March). Saturday’s 1.7 overnight is just shy of FS1’s first NASCAR telecast of the season, the Sprint Unlimited on February 15 (1.8). That race aired opposite the Winter Olympics. Despite the lower numbers, NASCAR was still a much bigger draw for FS1 than its other programming. The network earned a mere 0.3 overnight for the Pirates/Yankees Major League Baseball game earlier in the day.(Overnights from ShowBuzz Daily; Sprint Unlimited overnight from Sports Business Daily; FS1 distribution from Sports Business Daily)
    See TV Ratings for the 2014 races and a 5-year comparison chart on the 2014 TV Ratings page.(5-20-2014)
  • All-Star Race and Commercial Breakdown: For those of you NASCAR fans that like stats and love to hate commercials, here is the breakdown for Saturday’s race. Began recording the times at the Invocation of the race at 9:03 PM, and stopped at the waving of the checkered flag at 11:20 PM (all times are EST). Did not keep records for the pre- and post-race coverage. FS1 was the broadcast team for this event.
    Total number of commercials: 53
    Total number of companies or entities advertised: 31
    Number of traditional commercials (not split-screen): 49
    Total number of companies or entities advertised: 31
    Number of ‘Side-by-Side’ commercials during race broadcast (split-screen): 4
    Total number of companies or entities advertised: 4
    Number of times FS1 utilized ‘Side-by-Side’ commercials during this broadcast: 1
    Total number of brief promos of products/services during the race broadcast: 16
    Total amount of time these brief promos take during broadcast: app. 1 min. 50 sec.
    Start time to record race/commercial periods: 9:03 PM
    End time to record race/commercial periods: 11:20 PM
    Total minutes of complete race broadcast: 137
    Minutes of race broadcast: 113
    Minutes of traditional commercials (not split-screen): 24
    Minutes of ‘Side-by-Side’ commercials (split-screen): 2
    Number of missed restarts: 0
    Number of ‘mystery cautions’ (debris not shown): 0
    Total race brdcst time 113 Total comm. brdcst time 24
    See past races and links to past 2014 races on the 2014 TV Commercials page.(5-20-2014)
  • Next Wave of NASCAR Talent Joins NASCAR Diversity Internship Program: Established nearly 15 years ago to expose multicultural college students to employment opportunities in one of the largest professional sports industries, the NASCAR Diversity Internship Program welcomed the next wave of students seeking to learn about the industry during the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race weekend. Throughout the 10-week, paid internship, 14 students will contribute to the multi-faceted motorsports workforce by learning from leading NASCAR executives in weekly lunch and learns and networking with professionals across the industry, starting with orientation. For many, attending the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race, Sprint Showdown and NASCAR Sprint All-Star race live from Charlotte Motor Speedway this past weekend, was their first live racing experience.
    The NASCAR Diversity Internship Program has created opportunities for students to take on substantive projects in the industry to prepare them for long-term success. At the conclusion of last year’s program, five interns were offered fulltime employment opportunities across NASCAR and the International Speedway Corporation (ISC), including:
    – Antoinette Diaz, a graduate of the University of West Georgia, joined ISC’s Sales and Marketing department;
    – Jusan Hamilton, an All-American track and field athlete from Ithaca College, joined NASCAR’s Integrated Marketing Communications department;
    – Robert Harbour, a graduate of Florida State University, joined Octagon;
    – Lauren Houston, a University of North Carolina Chapel Hill graduate, joined NASCAR’s Diversity Affairs department; and
    – Cameron McCarty, a graduate of North Carolina State University, joined NASCAR’s Media Operations.
    Students were treated to an exclusive look at safety and technology innovations with guided tours of the NASCAR Research & Development Center during orientation. They also visited NASCAR Productions, the NASCAR Hall of Fame, Hendrick Motorsports and the Sam Bass Gallery to conclude their overall introduction before diving into day-to-day work with their respective departments. In addition to the NASCAR and International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) offices in Daytona Beach, Fla., and Charlotte, N.C., Rev Racing, the development arm of the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Program, also welcomes an intern to their team. The 2014 NASCAR Diversity Internship class includes the following students from colleges and universities around the nation:
    Interns, Internship Assignments, College or University, Hometowns
    Aaron Hinton, NASCAR Information Technology, University of Missouri at St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO
    Chloe Kerr, NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications, Georgetown University, Bolingbrook, IL
    Cyrus Ghadimi, NASCAR Licensing, University of South Florida, Holly Hill, FL
    Gabriela Nazario, NASCAR Human Resources, University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, Cidra, PR
    Gregory Carty, NASCAR Industry Services, Winston-Salem State University, Durham, NC
    Hakeem Onafowokan Jr., NASCAR Public Affairs, The University of Minnesota Law School, Minneapolis, MN
    Jessica Sisk, NASCAR Weekly and Touring, University of Alabama in Huntsville, Estillfork, AL
    Karmen Robinson, Rev Racing, North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University, Richmond, VA
    Laura Fuentes Burgos, NASCAR Digital Media-Mobile, University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, Bayamón, Puerto Rico
    Lucia Ha, NASCAR Product Engineering, Syracuse University, Artesia, CA
    Miguel Ortiz Burgos, The NASCAR Foundation, Stetson University, Humacao, Puerto Rico
    Pedro Mojica, International Motor Sports Association (IMSA), University of Texas at San Antonio, Killeen, TX
    Yan (Stella) Zhuang, NASCAR Market and Media Research, Columbia University, Jiaxing City, Zhejiang Province, China
    Wesley Robinson , NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications, Benedict College, Estill, SC
    (NASCAR)(5-20-2014)
  • National Wild Turkey Federation on the #3: The National Wild Turkey Federation, a non-profit organization aimed to preserve the wild turkey population and hunting heritage, will be featured on the #3 Chevy Camaro this weekend. NWTF has partnered with Bass Pro Shops and RCR in the past when it was featured on Dillon’s No. 3 Chevrolet Silverado in the Truck Series the past two spring races in Charlotte.(RCR)(5-20-2014)
  • Anderson’s Maple Syrup returns to the #2: This weekend, Anderson’s Maple Syrup will return as primary sponsor on the #2 Chevy Camaro. Food Lion grocery chain will also serve as co-primary sponsor alongside Anderson’s Maple Syrup at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The family-owned and operated business was on board the #2 Chevrolet Camaro Auto Club Speedway in March. In addition to the primary sponsorship, the Wisconsin-based company has associate sponsorships with the #2 and #62 RCR teams for the 2014 season.(RCR)(5-20-2014)
  • Townley and #25 team return to track: John Wes Townley will return to Charlotte Motor Speedway Saturday, May 24th for the running of the History 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race in the #25 Zaxby’s Toyota Camry. Townley is coming off a fourth-place finish in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series at the 1.5-mile Concord, NC speedway last Friday. Townley and Athenian Motorsports hope to repeat the solid finish. In Athenian Motorsports Nationwide Series debut, Townley posted a 13th-place finish at Talladega Superspeedway.(Athenian Motorsports PR)(5-20-2014)
  • Special scheme for Reed: Roush Fenway Racing’s Ryan Reed unveiled a new patriotic design for the #16 American Diabetes Association Drive to Stop DiabetesM presented by Lilly Diabetes Ford Mustang. The design will run in five of the six NASCAR Nationwide Series races during NASCAR’s ‘An American Salute’ program. NASCAR’s ‘An American Salute’ program launches on Memorial Day weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway and runs through Independence Day weekend at Daytona International Speedway.(Roush Fenway Racing), see an image of the car on the #16 team paint schemes page.(5-20-2014)
  • Fowler in the #86 at Charlotte: Kyle Fowler will drive the #86 Bubba burger Chevy Camaro this Saturday in the History 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series event at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Fowler, a native of Smyrna, GA returns to one of his favorite tracks on the NASCAR Nationwide Series schedule. “Joe Nemechek did a tremendous job for us in our 2014 debut at Richmond,” added DRG Motorsports managing partner Scott Deware, “and we look forward to working with both Joe and Kyle at additional events throughout the season.”(DRG Motorsports)(5-20-2014)

  • Red Horse Racing suspending #7 team operations: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team Red Horse Racing announced that to focus on the championship efforts with the #17 and #77 Toyota Tundra teams, it will suspend operations of the unfunded #7 entry. Timothy Peters and Germán Quiroga currently rank second and third, respectively, in the Camping World Series driver championship point standings. Quiroga is the only driver in the series to have finished in the top 10 in every event of the 2014 season. “We have been a competitive fixture for nine years in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, and in order to remain so, sometimes requires difficult decisions to be made,” said team owner Tom DeLoach. “Brian Ickler is a very talented driver and an upstanding young man, and we will continue to search for sponsorship opportunities for him. He did a great job for us at Red Horse Racing. Unfortunately, the funding for that team was only through the race at Charlotte (Motor Speedway). We are a family at Red Horse Racing, and have always prided ourselves on that. To restructure is not an easy thing to do. I am very proud of everyone who has been a part of Red Horse Racing, and we will continue to remain focused on the big picture and our goal of winning a championship title.”(Red Horse Racing)(5-20-2014)
  • Dover names Nationwide race sponsor: The Delaware Office of Highway Safety and Dover International Speedway have teamed up for the “Buckle Up 200 presented by Click It or Ticket” NASCAR Nationwide Series race, set for 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 31, 2014. Throughout the May 30-June 1, 2014 race weekend at the Monster Mile, the Delaware Office of Highway Safety (OHS) will promote and educate fans on the importance of wearing a seat belt on every trip and the ramifications that come with failing to do so. The Click It or Ticket program, now 14 years old, is a national seat belt enforcement campaign aimed at saving lives by enforcing seat belt laws and ticketing motorists who fail to buckle up. OHS conducts year-round seat belt enforcement with state and local police agencies in Delaware, which is directed toward high crash locations and scheduled during times of the year when unrestrained crashes peak. This enforcement is coupled with several education and outreach activities throughout the state, including partnerships with schools, corporate agencies and little league organizations, as well as the “Buckle Up 200 presented by Click It or Ticket” with Dover International Speedway.(Dover Speedway)(5-20-2014)

    News from May 19, 2014

  • Entry List for the Coca Cola 600 Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway is posted, 45 teams/drivers [for 43 spots] are listed, including: #21-Bayne, #32-Koch, #33-Scott, #66-Nemechek and #95-McDowell.
    Drivers who need to be in the top-36 in speed and have no provisional available to them: #95-McDowell and #77-Blaney
    If qualifying is cancelled the following drivers would miss the race, lowest race attempts: #21-Bayne (4) and #95-McDowell(8)
    See the full entry list at my Jayski’s Charlotte Entry List

  • added all images of all 22 cars that ran in the Sprint All Star race on Saturday night: #1 Bass Pro Shops, #2 Miller Lite, #4 Hunt Brothers Pizza, #5 Time Warner Cable, #11 FedEx Express, #14 Bass Pro Shops, #15 Charter, #16 3M, #18 M&M’s, #20 Husky Tools, #22 Pennzoil/Shell, #24 Drive to End Hunger, #31 Caterpillar / Quicken Loans, #34 Taco Bell, #41 Haas Automation, #47 Freightliner / Miller Welding, #48 Lowe’s Patriotic, #55 Aaron’s, #78 Furniture Row, #88 National Guard, #98 Dogecoin/Reddit.com, #99 Fastenal to the 2014 Sprint All Star Race Paint Schemes page.

  • Kurt Busch crashes in Indy 500 practice: Kurt Busch slammed the Turn 2 wall at Indianapolis Motor Speedway with the right side of the Andretti Autosport car at 1:35 pm. today. Busch got out of the car under his own power. Busch was following a group of cars in race-preparation practice when the car wiggled and then shot to the wall as he tried to save it from crashing. It was a big hit. “Settling into the race trim and the draft and the tows that you get and I was starting to feel comfortable,” he said. “Maybe that’s where I made the mistake of letting my guard down or settling into that long-run-type of mentality whereas with an Indy car you have to be on edge. You have to keep track of where you are at all times and the adjustments in the car. Maybe I didn’t keep up with keeping the car underneath me. Trying to get into that rhythm and feel other things around you and I got behind on my adjustments in the car.” Busch, a rookie in this Indianapolis 500 field, is scheduled to start 12th in Sunday’s 500, but this car would seem to be destroyed. Team manager Kyle Moyer put the possible rebuilding of the car at “50-50.” Using another car in this circumstance will not cost Busch his position. Moyer said the team has spare cars back at the shop on Zionsville Road.(Indianapolis Star)(5-19-2014)

  • Kurt Busch qualifies 12th for Indianapolis 500: #41-Kurt Busch will start on the outside of row 4 in the May 25 Indianapolis 500, as he will attempt to become the first driver in a decade to do the Indy 500/Coca-Cola 600 double on the same day. Busch, the 2004 NASCAR Cup Series champion, qualified 12th for the 500-mile race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway with a four-lap average speed of 230.782 mph. The driver of the #26 car for Andretti Autosport will share the fourth starting row with Juan Pablo Montoya from Team Penske and Scott Dixon from Chip Ganassi Racing. “I’m very happy with a fourth-row starting position,” Busch said. “It’s amazing when you’re going up against guys like Juan Pablo Montoya and Scott Dixon for that fourth row. Good company. I’ve got a great team at Andretti. They’re helping me out. Now we need to get back into race mode.” Busch will try to become the fourth driver to compete in the Indy 500, which is held in the afternoon, and then head to Charlotte Motor Speedway to run in the 600-mile Sprint Cup race there, scheduled to start in the evening. John Andretti, Tony Stewart and Robby Gordon are those drivers who have raced at Indianapolis and Charlotte on the same day. Gordon was the last one to accomplish the feat in 2004.(Sports Network)(5-19-2014)

  • Ganassi, McElreath, Mehl, Rahal, Simpson to be inducted into Auto Racing Hall of Fame: The five 2014 Auto Racing Hall of Fame inductees who will be honored on Thursday night, May 22, as part of the annual Indianapolis 500 Oldtimers dinner at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Indianapolis are as diverse as any class in recent history. And with A.J. Foyt being recognized for not only his four Indianapolis 500 wins but his win 50 years ago in the 1964 Indy 500, it is sure to be an exciting and memorable evening. The five 2014 Auto Racing Hall of Fame inductees are Chip Ganassi, Jimmy McElreath, Leo Mehl, Bobby Rahal and Bill Simpson. The first induction class was recognized in 1952, and there are now 148 members in this elite fraternity. The Auto Racing Hall of Fame is located at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum. A very limited number of tickets for the event are still available. If interested, contact Ellen Bireley (317) 492-6784.(IMS)(5-19-2104)

  • Rob Fuller Names Tony Eury Jr. General Manager at LFR Chassis: LFR Chassis, Inc., a manufacturer of modified, late model and super late model race cars, will now have daily management and oversight from one of the top racing crew chiefs and mechanics in the business as Tony Eury Jr. joins the company effective this week. Tony Eury Jr. has over 20 years of experience working at the top levels of NASCAR as a crew chief, car chief, mechanic and tire changer. He has led the top teams in motorsports – including Dale Earnhardt Inc. (DEI), Hendrick Motorsports and JR Motorsports – to numerous wins and championships. Fuller and Eury Jr. first met in 1997 at DEI where the duo was part of Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s NASCAR Busch Series team. The two reunited in 2005 at DEI to give Michael Waltrip his most competitive year to date. (LFR Chassis)(5-19-2014)
  • added all images of all 23 cars that ran in the Sprint Showdown on Friday night: #3 Dow, #7 Pilot Flying J, #9 DeWalt, #10 GoDaddy Cars, #13 GEICO Military, #15 Charter, #17 Building for America Bravest, #23-Dr Pepper, #26 Speed Stick Gear, #27 Serta / Menard’s, #32 SupportMilitary.org, #33 Little Joe’s Autos, #36 Tommy Baldwin Racing, #38 Love’s Travel Stops, #40 Hillman Racing, #42 Target, #43 Smithfield, #44 Phoenix Warehouse, #47 Freightliner / Miller Welding, #66 LandCastle Title, #77 Amy L. Fochler, #83 Burger King, #98 Dogecoin/Reddit.com to the 2014 Sprint Showdown Paint Schemes page.
  • Sad News – Henry “Spook” Caspers: Henry “Spook” Habbe Caspers, Jr., 76, died May 17, 2014 at Regional Hospice Home. Caspers was born May 3, 1938 in New Bern, Nebraska. Mr. Caspers retired as a veteran of the U.S. Navy after 20 years of service, serving four tours of duty in Viet Nam. He then worked at Lockheed in aerodynamics contract work helping design engines for the A-10 Warhog, and then he began his NASCAR career retiring as a truck driver with Phoenix Racing and NASCAR affiliation for over 30 years. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, 18251 Quantico Gateway Dr., Triangle, VA, 22172. Services and more info at bobofuneralchapel.com.(5-19-2014)
  • Sad News – Jack Brabham: Jack Brabham, the three-time Formula One champion who famously pushed his car to the finish line to claim his first season title, died Monday, May 19, 2014, his Gold Coast home. He was 88. The Australian driver — known as Sir Jack in racing paddocks around the world after he was knighted in 1979 — won world titles in 1959 and 1960 and became the only F1 driver to win a world championship in a car of his own construction — the rear-engined BT19 — which he drove to the title in 1966. The following year the Brabham team won its second successive world championship when New Zealander Denny Hulme drove the BT20 to victory. Brabham won his final Grand Prix race in South Africa in 1970 before retiring from F1 at the age of 44. Brabham continued to compete at different venues after his F1 retirement and his three sons, Geoff, Gary and David also had professional racing careers. Two of his grandsons, Matthew and Sam, are racing in the U.S. and Britain. Brabham returned to Australia after he retired and his new interests included developing a farm, car dealership and aviation company. He was also a spokesman for a major Japanese automaker and maintained his interest in the sport, visiting numerous major international races. Indianapolis Motor Speedway President J. Douglas Boles described Brabham, a four-time Indianapolis 500 starter, as “the patriarch of a racing dynasty.”(full story at ESPN.com)(5-19-2014)
  • Nationwide Entry List:There are 42 cars on the preliminary entry list for Saturday’s History 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. A few notes:
    Blake Koch is in the #10 for TriStar;
    Matt Kenseth returns to the #20;
    John Wes Townley and the #25 team return;
    David Star is in the TriStar #44;
    Ross Chastain will drive the #55 for Viva Motorsports;
    Johnny Sauter returns with the #80 team;
    Kyle Fowler is in the #86;
    Jeb Burton will drive the #98 for Biagi DenBeste.(5-19-2014)
    See the complete list on the Charlotte entry list page.
  • Teams testing at Kentucky: A trio of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams will visit Kentucky Speedway this week for a two-day Goodyear tire test before turning their attention to the season’s longest race. The teams for Brad Keselowski (#2 Penske Racing Ford), Jamie McMurray (#1 Chip Ganassi Racing Chevy) and Brian Vickers (#55 Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota) will spend Tuesday and Wednesday testing Goodyear tires at Kentucky Speedway ahead of next month’s Quaker State 400. The tire test also will include representatives from the Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series. Expected to participate are the Nationwide teams for Regan Smith (#7 JR Motorsports Chevy) and 2011 Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne (#6 Roush Fenway Racing Ford). Representing the Camping World Truck Series will be the #88 ThorSport Racing Toyota team (Matt Crafton) and #31 Turner Scott Motorsports Chevy (Ben Kennedy). One of the Nationwide teams and one of the Camping World Truck teams will be at the track each day. Sprint Cup teams will participate both days before returning to North Carolina. Opening practice for this weekend’s Coca-Cola 600 is Thursday at Charlotte Motor Speedway. (Kentucky Speedway)(5-19-2014)
  • David Starr returns to the #44: TriStar Motorsports announced that Central Texas Lath & Plaster LTD will be the primary sponsor on David Starr’s #44 Toyota Camry this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Central Texas Lath & Plaster LTD is a sub-contracting company, who ensure the highest quality of work and the necessary manpower builders expect. Central Texas Lath & Plaster is located in Bulverde, Texas. David Starr has 14 starts at Charlotte Motor Speedway across NASCAR’s top-three series. This includes one top-5 finish, three top-10 finishes and one pole win in the Camping World Truck Series.(TriStar Motorsports)(5-19-2014)

  • American Ethanol partners with Gateway: Officials for Gateway Motorsports Park announced that American Ethanol will serve as the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series “Drivin’ for Linemen 200” official presenting sponsor. The event marks NASCAR’s first visit to the St. Louis area since the 2010 racing season. In 2010, NASCAR embraced the desire for greener, American-job-producing fuels when it announced its decision to move to an ethanol racing fuel called Sunoco Green E15 for NASCAR’s three national series. American Ethanol was established by Growth Energy in partnership with the National Corn Growers Association to increase the awareness of the reliability, performance capabilities and affordability of American-made ethanol.(Gateway Motorsports Park)(5-19-2014)

    News from May 18, 2014

  • Kligerman headed to Indy to search for IndyCar ride: Parker Kligerman, who filled-in Kurt Busch in the #41 Chevy on Friday for Sprint All-Star race practice, is headed to Indianapolis on Sunday. “I’m going to be meeting with some people,” Kligerman said Friday at Charlotte Motor Speedway. “That will be fun. … We’ll see (about my future).” The 23-year-old Kligerman, who started the year driving for Swan Racing before it discontinued operations last month, will be on standby for Stewart-Haas Racing’s Kurt Busch at Charlotte for the Coca Cola 600, although Busch should be at all practices and qualifying sessions. Kligerman will have to drive the car in practice to have a few laps in case Busch doesn’t get from the Indianapolis 500 to Charlotte in time as he attempts both big races on the same day. “I’m just very grateful and honored to have the opportunity and for someone like Kurt, a champion in our sport, to give me that call and have the belief in me and do this for him,” Kligerman said. After these two weeks, Kligerman said he wants the best opportunity. He had planned to be in Indianapolis all this weekend until the call two weeks ago to be on standby for Busch. “It’s all in the working stage, building stage and some of that is going out to Indy meeting some of those people and those sorts of things going on,” Kligerman said about his future. “My sole focus right now is when an opportunity comes it’s the right opportunity. … I’ve got time on my side. I feel like making sure the opportunity is the right one, it’s the one I want to do, it’s one I am enthused about and hopefully that can forward my career and I can do good job in.”(Sporting News)(5-18-2014)

  • Kahne Frustrated With NASCAR over wreck: #5-Kasey Kahne watched $1 million slide away in Saturday night’s Sprint All-Star race when he said a patch of oil sent him into the wall. Kahne won two of the first three 20-lap segments before pancaking the wall and ruining his chances for the win in the fourth segment. Instead, he finished 14th, while Jamie McMurray won the race. “NASCAR just didn’t clean the track,” Kahne said in the garage after the race. “They cleaned it after that session. (Ryan) Newman hit it harder than I did. I hit it right behind him. We’re trying to race. These short runs, you’ve got to go, go, go and the track is not capable. I don’t mean to point too many fingers. That’s not our deal, that’s their deal.” Kahne said the oil came from the incident with Jeff Gordon, Martin Truex Jr. and Greg Biffle earlier in the fourth segment. “They put speedy dry down and they didn’t clean it off and you could also see the oil through the speedy dry,” said Kahne, who led 20 of the race’s 90 laps. “When we got up there, we’re all racing two or three-wide. That’s where I ended up and Newman and we shot into the wall like we hit ice. They cleaned it after the fact.”
    NASCAR issued a statement in response to Kahne’s comments, stating: “The caution came out and the track had oil and debris on the surface in Turn 4 onto pit road. Oil was covered up by two clean up trucks and broomed in by the same. Vacuumed up and then blown by jets. Competitors drove past the area in question twice at reduced speed under caution. No drivers or crew chiefs passed along any reservations of the restorations. NASCAR Officials in the pace car confirmed the track was ready. The race was restarted.”(Motor Racing Network)(5-18-2014)

  • Is Joe Gibbs Racing ready to expand? with Edwards? With silly season in full swing, it’s not surprising that Joe Gibbs is in the middle of it. Over the last month, the rumors of Carl Edwards considering a move to JGR have picked up considerably. But Coach says it would take a lot for JGR to add a fourth team. “I’m not going to guess on stuff and the rumors and everything,” Gibbs said. “We get into this every year and there’s a period we kind of got to go through, I’ve come to feel.” When asked specifically about Edwards, Gibbs would not offer a definitive answer. “Anything that’s going on right now, to me, is kind of that rumor time – and I don’t think I need to be commenting on it,” Gibbs said. “So many times when the top guys come up, everybody in the sport kind of looks at it. There’s a couple of guys this year – that are on their last year, so it kind of happens.” JGR expanded to three full-time teams in 2005, but moved to three full-time drivers with the addition of Denny Hamlin in 2006. Inevitably, it’s a question as to whether a fourth team makes sense for JGR. “We have said for the last five years that when things come up we have always looked at it,” Gibbs said. “But it’s hard to do. Like I’ve said, it’s extremely hard to do cause you’ve get so many things to work to make it happen. I’d say for the last four to five years we’ve looked at it, but it’s hard to do and we haven’t been able to think it’s best for us.”(Motorsport)(5-18-2014)

  • Earnhardt Jr. not in a rush to push Elliott to Cup: #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr met with media on Friday at Charlotte Motor Speedway and was asked about Chase Driver who drives for JR Motorsports in the Nationwide Series:
    Q) REGARDING CHASE ELLIOTT, DO YOU FEEL YOU NEED TO SPEED UP HIS PREP BASED ON WHAT HE HAS BEEN DOING, OR DO YOU FEEL YOU NEED TO SLOW DOWN HIS PREP?
    Earnhardt Jr.: “I don’t think you do either one. I think you just set a plan from the start, and you stick with it. We have like a two-year plan I suppose, that he runs in the Nationwide Series and I think you just stick with the plan regardless of the success he is having. You have the commitments in line with sponsors and what have you, so I think it will suit him well to relax and not have to worry about that and just follow the plan that he has had in front of him from the start. He is really young too, so he has a lot of time on his hands and time to get to Cup level to realize that potential, one day. But yes, I think he can just sit there and relax knowing what we tried to set out to do from the start and not really adjust.”(Team Chevy)(5-18-2014)
  • Charlotte Motor Speedway Announces 2013 Russ Catlin Awards for Excellence in Motorsports Journalism: The 29th annual Charlotte Motor Speedway Russ Catlin Awards for Excellence in Motorsports Journalism ceremony was held today, honoring five individuals with the most sought-after accolades in motorsports media. This year’s honorees are Nate Ryan (USA Today), J.A. Ackley (Dick Berggren’s Speedway Illustrated), Lauren Stowell (ESPN), Chris Weaver (WGHP FOX8) and Mark J. Rebilas (USA Today Sports) for their outstanding work in 2013.
    This year marked Ryan’s fifth time receiving the award (2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2013). It was the second time receiving the honor for Stowell (2010, 2013) and Rebilas (2010, 2013). It was the sixth time that a representative from USA Today was honored with the award, the ninth time for ESPN and the second time for WGHP FOX8.
    The awards, which pay homage to motorsports journalism pioneer Russ Catlin, recognize the best motorsports coverage in five categories: Daily and Non-Daily Writing, National and Local Broadcast and Photojournalism. Entries are open to all forms of motorsports coverage and no affiliation or membership is required for participation. “The quality of this year’s entries reflects how gifted and talented our journalists are,” said Scott Cooper, Vice President of Communications at Charlotte Motor Speedway. “We understand the time, effort and sacrifice it takes to cover such a demanding sport. They do an unbelievable job conveying the thrills, the excitement and the passion of motorsports. We appreciate all of our journalists’ efforts and are excited to reward the best of the best.”
    Russ Catlin was a forerunner of motorsports public relations and journalism. Catlin was one of the best known racing writers and historians, contributing articles and information to Speed Age, Automobile Quarterly, Open Wheel and numerous other publications. Catlin served as publicist for Darlington Raceway during the 1960s and guided several influential figures in the motorsports field, including former Charlotte Motor Speedway General Manager Humpy Wheeler, who established the awards in his honor.
    As in years past, The Indiana University School of Journalism judged the entries and determined the winners. All five winners were given a trophy and were awarded a $1,000 scholarship in their name to the school of their choice. The recipients also had their names engraved on the perpetual trophy kept at Charlotte Motor Speedway that lists all of the past winners. The award has been among the most coveted in motorsports journalism since it began in 1985. Reporters from top media outlets such as USA Today, CBS Sports, Sports Illustrated, New York Times and The Washington Post have all been past winners.(See past winners and more at CharlotteMotorSpeedway.com)(5-18-2014)
  • Hornish wins Nationwide race at Iowa: #54-Sam Hornish, Jr. won the Get To Know Newton 250 at Iowa Speedway for his 3rd Nationwide Series win. #22-Ryan Blaney finished second followed by #7-Regan Smith, #9-Chase Elliott, #11-Elliott Sadler, #2-Brian Scott, #20-Michael McDowell, #3-Ty Dillon, #6-Trevor Bayne, and #01-Landon Cassill.
    There were 5 cautions for 31 laps and 9 lead changes among 3 leaders. Complete results are on the Iowa race results page (pdf).
    See OFFICIAL race results & points standings on the Official Iowa Race & Points Report (pdf).(5-18-2014)
  • Iowa Nationwide Race Fast Facts:
    Sam Hornish Jr. won the 4th Annual Get To Know Newton 250 presented by Sherwin-Williams, his third victory in 101 NASCAR Nationwide Series races.
    This is his first victory and second top-10 finish in 2014.
    This is his first victory and fourth top-10 finish in six races at Iowa Speedway.
    Ryan Blaney(i) (second) posted his third top-10 finish in three races at Iowa Speedway. It is his fourth top-10 finish in 2014.
    Regan Smith (third) posted his second top-10 finish in three races at Iowa Speedway.
    Chase Elliott (fourth) was the highest finishing rookie.
    Chase Elliott # leads the point standings by 2 points over Elliott Sadler.(NASCAR Integrated Marketing)(5-18-2014)
  • Nationwide Driver standings following Iowa:
    1) #9-Chase Elliott # 379
    2) #11-Elliott Sadler 377, -2
    3) #7-Regan Smith 377, -2
    4) #3-Ty Dillon # 344, -35
    5) #6-Trevor Bayne 343, -36
    6) #2-Brian Scott 315, -64
    7) #62-Brendan Gaughan 282, -97
    8) #99-James Buescher 269, -110
    9) #60-Chris Buescher # 260, -119
    10) #01-Landon Cassill 258, -121
    See complete standings on the driver standings page (pdf).(5-18-2014)
  • Nationwide Owner Standings following Iowa are posted (pdf).(5-18-2014)

    News from May 17, 2014

  • Jamie McMurray wins the Sprint All Star Race #1-Jamie McMurray won the Sprint All Star Race Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway for his first All-Star race win. McMurray led 31 of 90 laps and came off pit road 2nd after segment 4. Pole winner #99-Edwards came off pit road with the lead but finished 5th. #4-Harvick finished 2nd followed by #20-Kenseth, #88-Earnhardt Jr., #99-Edwards, #48-Johnson, #15-Bowyer, #55-Vickers, #11-Hamlin and #2-Keselowski. Fan vote winner, #98-Josh Wise, finished 15th.
    7 cautions for 12 laps. 9 lead changes among 6 drivers. The average speed was 100.517 mph.
    REPORT: Streaking away from an intense battle with polesitter Carl Edwards to open the final 10-lap segment Saturday night at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Jamie McMurray won the Sprint All-Star Race-and the million-dollar-plus prize that goes with the victory-for the first time in his career. McMurray held off fast-closing Kevin Harvick, who crossed the finish line .696 seconds behind the race winner. Matt Kenseth ran third, followed by Dale Earnhardt Jr., Edwards and four-time Sprint All-Star Race winner Jimmie Johnson. Earlier in the day, McMurray’s son carter had asked the driver what his plans for the day were. “He asked me what I was going to do today, so I asked him what he was going to do today,” said McMurray, who has tallied two of his seven Sprint Cup victories in points races at Charlotte. “And he said, ‘Oh, I’m going to play in my sandbox. What are you going to do, Dad?’
    “I said, ‘I’m going to race for a million bucks, Carter.’ It’s so cool that we were actually able to win.” The advantage McMurray opened after his breathtaking three-lap battle against Edwards gave him enough margin to hold off Harvick, who was closing fast in the final laps. “It was three or four of the hardest laps I’ve ever driven in my racing career,” McMurray said.
    It was first-year crew chief Keith Rodden’s strategy, however, that put McMurray in position to win. After a pit stop on Lap 26, McMurray didn’t take four tires again until the break between the final two segments, and on that final stop, superb work by his crew got him off pit road second and in a position to challenge Edwards for the lead. “Keith Rodden made some great calls tonight,” said team owner Chip Ganassi, a Sprint All-Star Race winner for the first time. “The call was really made in segment 2 (the Lap 26 stop for tires) for him to be able to win the race.” That call enabled McMurray to get by with two tires or to stay out between segments until the final stop. “Keith did an unbelievable job,” McMurray said. “He was a huge secret in the garage (as an engineer at Hendrick Motorsports), and I’m so glad that I get the opportunity to work with him. We’ve had good cars all year long. We had some bad luck. But this is one of those races that makes up for a lot of bad times.”
    But before McMurray took the checkered flag, fans at the 1.5-mile track saw an action-packed race with a multitude of twists and turns.
    Halfway through the first 20-lap segment, Kyle Busch passed pole winner Carl Edwards for the lead and held it until the first scheduled caution, but that was the end of the highlights for the driver of the #18 Toyota. Six laps into the second segment, Busch tapped the rear bumper of Clint Bowyer’s Camry after Bowyer blocked Busch’s moved to the inside. Busch took evasive action, diving toward the apron, when Bowyer’s car got out of shape, but Bowyer’s Toyota clipped Busch’s and the #18 spun. Joey Logano couldn’t avoid Busch and plowed into the spinning car, knocking both machines out of the race. “We had a good run through (Turns) 1 and 2 and off (Turn) 2,” Busch explained after the accident. “Kurt (Busch) got real bottled up on the outside and slowed down, so I knew I was clear to go to the bottom and swoop down and try to get underneath Bowyer. And when I did, he blocked me, and I hit him, and he got squirrely, and then I was still under him, and it hit me and turned me around the wrong way on the backstretch and got in the outside wall.”
    After the subsequent restart on Lap 31, AJ Allmendinger’s Chevrolet nosed into the inside wall on the backstretch after contact with Brian Vickers’ Toyota. Kasey Kahne grabbed the lead for the first time on Lap 35 and pulled away to win the second segment. With four cars staying out between segments and two more changing just two tires, Kahne started eighth for segment No. 3, but on Lap 47 he passed Jamie McMurray (who had not changed tires) for the top spot. By the time the third segment ended, Kahne was a comfortable 1.411 seconds ahead, with Harvick giving chase. On the opening lap of the fourth segment, a mechanical failure in Jeff Gordon’s car sent the #24 Chevy into the outside wall in Turn 3, collecting the Chevrolet of Martin Truex Jr. and the Ford of Greg Biffle.
    Kahne had two brushes with the wall in segment No. 4, ending his strong run with the sort of disappointment that has plagued him in points races all season long. With the best average finish in the first four segments, Harvick entered pit road first for a mandatory four-time stop before the final 10-lap dash. McMurray, who made a huge track position gain by staying out between the third and fourth segments, was second onto pit road, followed by Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Edwards. But Edwards used the No. 1 pit stall to advantage, winning the race off pit road over McMurray and Harvick. Matt Kenseth started the final segment in the fourth spot, with Johnson and Earnhardt behind him in fifth and sixth.
    Edwards, however, couldn’t keep McMurray behind him, and after watching replays of the battle, the driver of the #99 Roush Fenway Racing Ford was already second-guessing himself. “Jamie just did a perfect job on the start,” Edwards said. “I had him cleared for a minute. If I would have pulled in front of him in Turn 1, if I would have gone high, I think we would have won that race, but I was just so reluctant to give up the bottom. Jamie just did a perfect job. He ended up sweeping around the outside of me, dragging me down, and it was a drag race. My hat is off to him. He did a great job. He earned it. I drove as hard as I could while he was on the outside and he gave me just the right amount of room to not wreck me, but still beat me. If I had it to do over again, I’d do it differently but that’s racing. You’ve just got to make the best decision you can and move on. It’s a really tough one, though.”
    Though Edwards and McMurray inched ahead of each other at various junctures after then final restart, McMurray led at the finish line for each of the final 10 laps. Once he cleared Edwards three laps into the run, McMurray pulled away. The 31 laps McMurray led Saturday night were the first he had ever led in the All-Star Race.(NASCAR Wire Service)
    See race results, segment results, four-segment average to pit and more on the 2014 All Star Race page – Results section.(5-17-2014)
  • NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race Fast Facts:
    #1-Jamie McMurray won the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, his first victory in the annual non-points race.
    McMurray¡¦s previous best finish in the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race was eighth, in May of 2013. This is his third top 10 in the all-star race.
    McMurray led a race-high 31 laps, the first laps he has led in his NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race career. He has started eight all-star races.
    This is the first NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race victory for Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates.
    #4-Kevin Harvick finished second, scoring his third top-five and eighth top-10 finish in the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race.
    #20-Matt Kenseth finished third, his sixth top-five and 11th top-10 finish.(NASCAR Statistics)(5-17-2014)
  • Sprint All Star Race Results:
    Pos., Car#, Driver (start pos), Sponsor & manufacturer, laps run, laps led
    1) #1-Jamie McMurray(11), Bass Pro Shops Chevy, 90/90, 31
    2) #4-Kevin Harvick(3), Hunt Brother’s Pizza Chevy, 90/90, 5
    3) #20-Matt Kenseth(8), Home Depot Husky Toyota, 90/90
    4) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr.(6), National Guard Chevy, 90/90
    5) #99-Carl Edwards(1), Fastenal Ford, 90/90, 18
    6) #48-Jimmie Johnson(5), Lowe’s Patriotic Chevy, 90/90
    7) #15-Clint Bowyer(9), Charter Toyota, 90/90
    8) #55-Brian Vickers(16), Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota, 90/90
    9) #11-Denny Hamlin (22), FedEx Express Toyota, 90/90, 5
    10) #2-Brad Keselowski(13), Miller Lite Ford, 90/90
    11) #41-Kurt Busch(18), Haas Automation Chevy, 90/90
    12) #14-Tony Stewart(15), Bass Pro Shops Chevy, 90/90
    13) #34-David Ragan(20), Taco Bell Ford, 90/90
    14) #5-Kasey Kahne(7), Time Warner Cable Chevy, 90/90, 20
    15) #98-Josh Wise(19), Dogecoin/Reddit.com Chevy, 90/90
    16) #31-Ryan Newman (21), CAT/Quicken Loans Chevy, 77/90, accident
    17) #24-Jeff Gordon (4), Drive to End Hunger Chevy, 60/90, accident
    18) #78-Martin Truex Jr.(12), Furniture Row Chevy, 60/90, accident
    19) #16-Greg Biffle (14), 3M Ford, 60/90, accident
    20) #47-A.J. Allmendinger(17, Freightliner / Miller Chevy, 30/90, accident
    21) #18-Kyle Busch(2), M&M’s Toyota, 25/90 laps, 11 led, accident
    22) #22-Joey Logano(10), Shell Pennzoil Ford, 25/90, accident
  • Sprint All Star Restart after segment 4 pit stops:
    Pos., Car#, Driver (start pos), Sponsor & manufacturer
    1) #99-Carl Edwards(1), Fastenal Ford
    2) #1-Jamie McMurray(11), Bass Pro Shops Chevy
    3) #4-Kevin Harvick(3), Hunt Brother’s Pizza Chevy
    4) #20-Matt Kenseth(8), Home Depot Husky Toyota
    5) #48-Jimmie Johnson(5), Lowe’s Patriotic Chevy
    6) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr.(6), National Guard Chevy
    7) #11-Denny Hamlin (22), FedEx Express Toyota
    8) #15-Clint Bowyer(9), Charter Toyota
    9) #41-Kurt Busch(18), Haas Automation Chevy
    10) #55-Brian Vickers(16), Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota
    11) #2-Brad Keselowski(13), Miller Lite Ford
    12) #14-Tony Stewart(15), Bass Pro Shops Chevy
    13) #34-David Ragan(20), Taco Bell Ford
    14) #5-Kasey Kahne(7), Time Warner Cable Chevy
    15) #98-Josh Wise(19), Dogecoin/Reddit.com Chevy
  • Sprint All Star Segment 4 Results:
    Pos., Car#, Driver (start pos), Sponsor & manufacturer, laps run, laps led
    1) #4-Kevin Harvick(3), Hunt Brother’s Pizza Chevy, 80/80, 5
    2) #1-Jamie McMurray(11), Bass Pro Shops Chevy, 80/80, 21
    3) #2-Brad Keselowski(13), Miller Lite Ford, 80/80
    4) #41-Kurt Busch(18), Haas Automation Chevy, 80/80
    5) #55-Brian Vickers(16), Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota, 80/80
    6) #11-Denny Hamlin (22), FedEx Express Toyota, 80/80, 5
    7) #20-Matt Kenseth(8), Home Depot Husky Toyota, 80/80
    8) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr.(6), National Guard Chevy, 80/80
    9) #15-Clint Bowyer(9), Charter Toyota, 80/80
    10) #99-Carl Edwards(1), Fastenal Ford, 80/80, 18
    11) #48-Jimmie Johnson(5), Lowe’s Patriotic Chevy, 80/80
    12) #5-Kasey Kahne(7), Time Warner Cable Chevy, 80/80, 20
    13) #14-Tony Stewart(15), Bass Pro Shops Chevy, 80/80
    14) #34-David Ragan(20), Taco Bell Ford, 80/80
    15) #98-Josh Wise(19), Dogecoin/Reddit.com Chevy, 80/80
    16) #31-Ryan Newman (21), CAT/Quicken Loans Chevy, 77/80, accident
    17) #24-Jeff Gordon (4), Drive to End Hunger Chevy, 60/80, accident
    18) #78-Martin Truex Jr.(12), Furniture Row Chevy, 60/80, accident
    19) #16-Greg Biffle (14), 3M Ford, 60/80, accident
    20) #47-A.J. Allmendinger(17, Freightliner / Miller Chevy, 30/80, accident
    21) #18-Kyle Busch(2), M&M’s Toyota, 25/80 laps, 11 led, accident
    22) #22-Joey Logano(10), Shell Pennzoil Ford, 25/80, accident
  • Sprint All Star Segment 3 Results:
    Pos., Car#, Driver (start pos), Sponsor & manufacturer, laps run, laps led
    1) #5-Kasey Kahne(7), Time Warner Cable Chevy, 60/60, 20
    2) #4-Kevin Harvick(3), Hunt Brother’s Pizza Chevy, 60/60
    3) #1-Jamie McMurray(11), Bass Pro Shops Chevy, 60/60, 6
    4) #2-Brad Keselowski(13), Miller Lite Ford, 60/60
    5) #20-Matt Kenseth(8), Home Depot Husky Toyota, 60/60
    6) #48-Jimmie Johnson(5), Lowe’s Patriotic Chevy, 60/60
    7) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr.(6), National Guard Chevy, 60/60
    8) #24-Jeff Gordon (4), Drive to End Hunger Chevy, 60/60
    9) #55-Brian Vickers(16), Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota, 60/60
    10) #78-Martin Truex Jr.(12), Furniture Row Chevy, 60/60
    11) #31-Ryan Newman (21), CAT/Quicken Loans Chevy, 60/60
    12) #11-Denny Hamlin (22), FedEx Express Toyota, 60/60, 5
    13) #99-Carl Edwards(1), Fastenal Ford, 60/60, 18
    14) #15-Clint Bowyer(9), Charter Toyota, 60/60
    15) #41-Kurt Busch(18), Haas Automation Chevy, 60/60
    16) #16-Greg Biffle (14), 3M Ford, 60/60
    17) #14-Tony Stewart(15), Bass Pro Shops Chevy, 60/60
    18) #34-David Ragan(20), Taco Bell Ford, 60/60
    19) #98-Josh Wise(19), Dogecoin/Reddit.com Chevy, 60/60
    20) #47-A.J. Allmendinger(17, Freightliner / Miller Chevy, 30/60, accident
    21) #18-Kyle Busch(2), M&M’s Toyota, 25/60 laps, 11 led, accident
    22) #22-Joey Logano(10), Shell Pennzoil Ford, 25/60, accident
  • Sprint All Star Segment 2 Results:
    Pos., Car#, Driver (start pos), Sponsor & manufacturer, laps run, laps led
    1) #5-Kasey Kahne(7), Time Warner Cable Chevy, 40/40, 6
    2) #4-Kevin Harvick(3), Hunt Brother’s Pizza Chevy, 40/40
    3) #99-Carl Edwards(1), Fastenal Ford, 40/40, 18
    4) #16-Greg Biffle (14), 3M Ford, 40/40
    5) #41-Kurt Busch(18), Haas Automation Chevy, 40/40
    6) #48-Jimmie Johnson(5), Lowe’s Patriotic Chevy, 40/40
    7) #24-Jeff Gordon (4), Drive to End Hunger Chevy, 40/40
    8) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr.(6), National Guard Chevy, 40/40
    9) #55-Brian Vickers(16), Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota, 40/40
    10) #1-Jamie McMurray(11), Bass Pro Shops Chevy, 40/40
    11) #20-Matt Kenseth(8), Home Depot Husky Toyota, 40/40
    12) #31-Ryan Newman (21), CAT/Quicken Loans Chevy, 40/40
    13) #15-Clint Bowyer(9), Charter Toyota, 40/40
    14) #2-Brad Keselowski(13), Miller Lite Ford, 40/40
    15) #78-Martin Truex Jr.(12), Furniture Row Chevy, 40/40
    16) #14-Tony Stewart(15), Bass Pro Shops Chevy, 40/40
    17) #98-Josh Wise(19), Dogecoin/Reddit.com Chevy, 40/40
    18) #34-David Ragan(20), Taco Bell Ford, 40/40
    19) #11-Denny Hamlin (22), FedEx Express Toyota, 40/40, 5
    20) #47-A.J. Allmendinger(17, Freightliner / Miller Chevy, 30/40, accident
    21) #18-Kyle Busch(2), M&M’s Toyota, 25/40 laps, 11 led, accident
    22) #22-Joey Logano(10), Shell Pennzoil Ford, 25/40, accident
  • Sprint All Star Segment 1 Results:
    Pos., Car#, Driver (start pos), Sponsor & manufacturer, laps run, laps led
    1) #18-Kyle Busch(2), M&M’s Toyota, 20/20, 11
    2) #24-Jeff Gordon (4), Drive to End Hunger Chevy, 20/20
    3) #4-Kevin Harvick(3), Hunt Brother’s Pizza Chevy, 20/20
    4) #5-Kasey Kahne(7), Time Warner Cable Chevy, 20/20
    5) #99-Carl Edwards(1), Fastenal Ford, 20/20, 9
    6) #48-Jimmie Johnson(5), Lowe’s Patriotic Chevy, 20/20
    7) #15-Clint Bowyer(9), Charter Toyota, 20/20
    8) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr.(6), National Guard Chevy, 20/20
    9) #20-Matt Kenseth(8), Home Depot Husky Toyota, 20/20
    10) #22-Joey Logano(10), Shell Pennzoil Ford, 20/20
    11) #1-Jamie McMurray(11), Bass Pro Shops Chevy, 20/20
    12) #47-A.J. Allmendinger(17, Freightliner / Miller Chevy, 20/20
    13) #2-Brad Keselowski(13), Miller Lite Ford, 20/20
    14) #55-Brian Vickers(16), Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota, 20/20
    15) #31-Ryan Newman (21), CAT/Quicken Loans Chevy, 20/20
    16) #16-Greg Biffle (14), 3M Ford, 20/20
    17) #78-Martin Truex Jr.(12), Furniture Row Chevy, 20/20
    18) #41-Kurt Busch(18), Haas Automation Chevy, 20/20
    19) #11-Denny Hamlin (22), FedEx Express Toyota, 20/20
    20) #14-Tony Stewart(15), Bass Pro Shops Chevy, 20/20
    21) #34-David Ragan(20), Taco Bell Ford, 20/20
    22) #98-Josh Wise(19), Dogecoin/Reddit.com Chevy, 20/20


    ESPN.com’s Racecast – Live Coverage and Chat Racing Live! on ESPN.com Listen Live Online at Motor Racing Network

  • Race Coverage of the Sprint All-Star Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway is scheduled for Saturday, May 17, 2014.
    Television (TV): FoxSports 1 at 8:30 pm/et; NASCAR Raceday 2:00pm/et; green flag approx. 9:26pm/et
    Radio: Motor Racing Network (MRN) and Sirius XM Satellite NASCAR Radio 90
    Scheduled Race Re-Airs:
    Sunday, May 18 at 3:30am/et on FS1;
    Sunday, May 18 at 4:30pm/et on FS2;
    Monday, May 19 at 7:30pm/et on FS1;
    Wednesday, May 21 at 1:30pm/et on FS1;
    Wednesday, May 21 at 7:00pm/et on FS2;
    Saturday, May 24 at 3:00am/et on FS1
  • Edwards wins pole for the Sprint All Star Race #99-Carl Edwards won the pole for the Sprint All Star Race Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway after running 3 laps and completing a 4-tire pit stop in a time of 110.268 seconds. #18-Busch will start 2nd followed by #4-Harvick, #24-Gordon, #48-Johnson, #88-Earnhardt Jr., #5-Kahne, #20-Kenseth, #15-Bowyer and #22-Logano. Fan vote winner, #98-Josh Wise will start 19th.
    See qualifying results, pit stop times, penalties and more on the 2014 All Star Race page – qualifying section.(5-17-2014)

  • Kurt Busch heads back to Charlotte for All-Star race: Kurt Busch took his first tangible step toward his May 25 Indianapolis 500/Coca-Cola 600 double, posting a lap at 229.960 mph in the first round of qualifying at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. That speed was third fastest when Busch left Indy for his regular job-driving the #41 Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet in Saturday night’s Sprint All-Star Race. As drivers continued to run laps at the Brickyard, Busch slipped down the speed chart, but no matter. The starting order, including the pole for the Indy 500, won’t be determined until the second qualifying session on Sunday. Tony Stewart, new to Twitter but well-versed in all aspects of motorsports, posted a message of encouragement to his Stewart-Haas Racing teammate. “Congrats to my teammate @Kurt Busch for qual for his first #Indy500,” wrote Stewart, who obviously is getting the hang of Twitter handles and hashtags. “Thnx, Boss-let’s go get ‘er done tonight!” Busch replied before boarding a plane back to North Carolina.(NASCAR Wire Service)(5-17-2014)

  • All-Star Race draws fans from around the world: Hawaii is now the 50th and final state to be represented at this year’s NASCAR Sprint All-Star race. Charlotte Motor Speedway would like to extend a special welcome to Benjamin Amay from Volcano, Hawaii! Benjamin bought five tickets to tonight’s NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race earlier this week, and now fans from all 50 states will be on hand for tonight’s festivities. Fans from Australia, France, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand, the UK, Canada, the United States and representatives from more than 1,800 cities worldwide will be at Charlotte Motor Speedway for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race,(CMS Pit Notes)(5-17-2014)

  • Johnson plans to run Over the Mountain Triathlon: The 15th annual Over the Mountain Triathlon is expecting #48-Jimmie Johnson to be among the competitors on May 17 in Kings Mountain, NC. Johnson is planning to compete in the triathlon, race director Ellis Noell said he has been told by representatives of the driver, though that could change. The Sprint All-Star Race is in Concord that night. The triathlon will include a one-mile open water swim across Moss Lake, a 30-mile bike ride and a 10K run through the West Side Historic District.(Gaston Gazette)(5-17-2014)

  • Richard Petty Motorsports considering move to Toyota? UPDATE: Was that the King meeting with representatives from [Toyota] at Richmond? According to multiple sources, Richard Petty Motorsports [#9-Ambrose & #43-Almirola] is contemplating leaving Ford when its contract expires at the end of this year. One sticking point, however, could be engines. TRD currently has the capability to provide eight teams with engines. Although there are only three teams from Joe Gibbs Racing and three from Michael Waltrip Racing exercising that option, who’s to say that either of those operations isn’t considering expansion in the future. Without TRD engines, a partnership with Toyota isn’t nearly as attractive. After having your cars powered by Roush Yates engines, Triad would certainly be a step down.(Motorsport)(5-9-2014)
    UPDATE: Will Richard Petty Motorsports remain in the Ford Racing camp beyond 2014? According to Jamie Allison, director, Ford Racing, RPM’s contract does not expire at the end of this season. “We don’t want to get into the nuances of agreements, but at the end of the day, we have a relationship with RPM that’s available to them that goes beyond 2014,” Allison said. Petty met with Toyota at Richmond last month. However, sources says a Toyota deal would not include the coveted Toyota Racing Development engine deal. There’s been talk that RPM would make a nice fit with Richard Childress Racing similar to the alliance that Stewart-Haas Racing enjoys with Hendrick Motorsports. Two former RPM principals Eric Warren and Mark McArdle have already made strong contributions in Welcome. “Obviously, these manufacturer/team contracts are not for public negotiations,” Allison said. “We’re at a good place with the King. As a matter of fact, he was with us, literally, yesterday in Dearborn (Mich.). We are going through and understanding could be available and what they’re interests are.(Motorsport)(5-17-2014)

  • Special Guest to Help #16 Team “Survive” All-Star Race: Greg Biffle’s #16 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team will have a special guest in the pits this weekend for the annual Sprint All-Star race. Jeremiah Wood, a recent castoff of the hit show Survivor, will join the 3M team Saturday evening at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Wood made it all the way to episode nine of season 28 of Survivor before being voted out of Cagayan, Philippines. Wood hails from Dobson, N.C., which also happens to be the hometown of Greg Biffle’s longtime spotter Joel Edmonds.(RFR)(5-17-2014)
  • Final Kansas TV Ratings:
    Last Saturday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race from Kansas earned a 3.5 final rating and 5.8 million viewers on FOX, down 17% in ratings and 11% in viewership from last year (4.2, 6.5M) and down 19% and 16%, respectively, from 2012 (4.3, 6.8M). Prior to this year, the race took place on Sunday afternoon. Despite the lower numbers, the race edged last week’s Heat/Nets NBA playoff game on ABC head-to-head (5.8M to 5.6M). The events had the same rating.(Sports Media Watch / Sports Business Daily)
    See more 2014 TV Ratings and 5-year comparison chart on the 2014 TV Ratings page.(5-17-2014)

  • NASCAR champ’s son moves to Grand Rapids area after joining Jenison team: Ross Kenseth, the son of #20-Matt Kenseth, has taken the year off from his studies at Clemson University, and he moved to the Grand Rapids, MI area after signing to drive for the Jenison-based Boyne Machine Racing team. Car owner Mike Blackmer has hired Kenseth to race his #77 Enterprise Iron & Metal Ford Fusion template-bodied Late Model in big-dollar races as well as select programs at Berlin – the team’s home track. Kenseth, 20, will be competing in Saturday night’s Super Late Model race at the Berlin half-mile. Kenseth’s father won the 2003 Sprint Cup championship and finished runner-up to Jimmie Johnson a year ago. Kenseth’s ultimate goal is to someday be battling for championships in the NASCAR ranks, too, and his journey has taken him to West Michigan this season. Blackmer hired Kelly Bires to serve as Kenseth’s crew chief.(Michigan Live)(5-17-2014)

  • Sprint Adds Julianna White to 2014 Miss Sprint Cup Lineup: Nearly 1.5 million fans and followers on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter were given the first look this morning as Sprint unveiled the newest member of the 2014 Miss Sprint Cup lineup, Julianna White of Haddon Township, N.J. Since Monday, four-year Miss Sprint Cup veteran Kim Coon and rookie Madison Martin have posted clues on the Miss Sprint Cup social networks hinting at White’s identity. White, a former Miss New Jersey USA, is the youngest in her family, with one older sister and 38 first cousins. In 2011, she graduated with a degree in Communication Studies from The College of New Jersey. White is making her debut this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway as the track plays host to the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race Weekend.(Sprint PR)(5-17-2014)

  • Roush Leads Kentucky HoF Inductees: One of the most successful team owners in all of motorsports, a legendary car show promoter and some of Louisville ‘s most successful short track oval racers will be part of the 2014 class of the Kentucky Motorsports Hall of Fame. The seventh annual induction ceremony will be held in October at the SpeedZeum inside the Owensboro Museum of Science and History in downtown Owensboro. Topping the class of 2014 is Covington native Jack Roush, whose motorsports career has spanned the upper echelon of NASCAR, drag racing, sports car racing and automotive aftermarket engineering and development.
    Other members of this year’s class include: Carl Casper and Chub Lorah of Louisville, promoters of the annual Carl Casper custom car show in Louisville; V.V. Cooke race team, a Louisville-based oval racing team; Hal Miller, of Owensboro , who built and promoted the first oval race track and drag strip in Owensboro; Bob Taylor of Louisville , a nationally recognized show car builder, painter and pin-stripe artist; Chuck Winders of Louisville, the most successful driver in the history of the former Louisville Motor Speedway. In addition, this year the Hall of Fame will present only its third Pioneer Award to Tony Schiller of Frankfort.(National Speed Sport News)(5-17-2014)
  • Blaney on Nationwide pole at Iowa: #22-Ryan Blaney won the Coors Light Pole for the Get To Know Newton 250 at Iowa Speedway with a speed of 136.081mph. #54-Sam Hornish, Jr. will start second followed by: #20-Michael McDowell, #7-Regan Smith, #42-Dylan Kwasniewski, #9-Chase Elliott, #2-Brian Scott, #11-Elliott Sadler, #01-Landon Cassill, and #62-Brendan Gaughan.
    #62-Gaughan was quickest in the opening qualifying session at 135.589.mph
    Did Not Qualify: none. The starting lineup is posted on the Iowa starting lineup page (pdf).(5-17-2014)
  • Iowa Nationwide Qualifying Notes:
    Ryan Blaney(i) won the Coors Light Pole Award for the 4th Annual Get To Know Newton 250 presented by Sherwin-Williams with a lap of 23.148 seconds, 136.081 mph.
    This is his first pole in 21 NASCAR Nationwide Series races.
    This is his first pole and fifth top-10 start in 2014.
    This is his first pole in three races at Iowa Speedway.
    Sam Hornish Jr. (second) posted his second top-10 start of 2014 and his fifth in six races at Iowa Speedway.
    Michael McDowell(i) (third) posted his sixth top-10 start at Iowa Speedway. It is his first in one races this season.
    Dylan Kwasniewski (fifth) was the fastest qualifying rookie.(NASCAR Integrated Marketing)(5-17-2014)

  • Dash 4 Cash returns: Rookies and veterans alike will have money on the mind as “Dash 4 Cash” returns to the NASCAR Nationwide Series for a sixth consecutive year. Designed to highlight the unique competition between the series’ regulars, “Dash 4 Cash” kicks off with its qualifier at Daytona International Speedway, concluding its four-race program with a finale at Iowa Speedway. There will be more than just fireworks at Daytona as the track becomes the qualifier for the beginning of “Dash 4 Cash,” the popular NASCAR Nationwide Series program that could result in $1 million awarded to one talented driver. Daytona determines the four eligible drivers that will then compete for one of four $100,000 payouts beginning July 12 at New Hampshire. Following New Hampshire, the next three series races are Dash 4 Cash (D4C) events: Chicagoland Speedway (July 19), Indianapolis Motor Speedway (July 26) and Iowa Speedway (August 2). Here’s how the Dash 4 Cash (Twitter – #Dash4Cash) program works:
    ” The top-four finishers in the Daytona race who are eligible to receive NASCAR Nationwide Series championship driver points will qualify for the first D4C race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
    ” The highest finisher of those four drivers at New Hampshire – he or she does not have to win the race – will win the first $100,000 D4C award and automatically qualify for the next event at Chicago. The remaining three highest finishing points-eligible drivers at New Hampshire will qualify for the race at Chicago.
    ” Those rules will apply for the remaining three events. If one driver wins the first three D4C awards and then wins the Iowa race outright, Nationwide Insurance will award the driver an additional $600,000 bonus, bringing the total payout to $1 million. (NASCAR)(5-17-2014)

    News from May 16, 2014

  • Coverage of Qualifying for the Sprint All-Star Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway is scheduled for Saturday, May 17, 2014 at 7:00pm/et.
    Television (TV): FS1, 7:00pm/et
    Radio: Live online at Motor Racing Network (MRN)
  • Race Coverage of the Sprint All-Star Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway is scheduled for Saturday, May 17, 2014.
    Television (TV): FoxSports 1 at 8:30 pm/et; NASCAR Raceday 2:00pm/et; green flag approx. 9:26pm/et
    Radio: Motor Racing Network (MRN) and Sirius XM Satellite NASCAR Radio 90
    Scheduled Race Re-Airs:
    Sunday, May 18 at 3:30am/et on FS1;
    Sunday, May 18 at 4:30pm/et on FS2;
    Monday, May 19 at 7:30pm/et on FS1;
    Wednesday, May 21 at 1:30pm/et on FS1;
    Wednesday, May 21 at 7:00pm/et on FS2;
    Saturday, May 24 at 3:00am/et on FS1
  • Clint Bowyer wins the Sprint Showdown #15-Clint Bowyer won the Sprint Showdown Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway and will transfer to the Sprint All-Star Race. #47-A.J. Allmendinger finished 2nd and will also transfer. #98-Josh Wise, who finished 18th, won the Sprint Fan Vote and will transfer to the All-Star race.
    #13-Mears finished third followed by #9-Ambrose, #43-Almirola, #42-Larson, #15-Bowyer, #17-Stenhouse Jr., #3-Dillon, #27-Menard and #10-Patrick.
    The Average Speed was 117.711mph. There were 4 lead changes among 3 drivers and 2 cautions for 3 laps.
    See results and links on the 2014 All-Star Race Page.(5-16-2014)
  • Sprint Showdown – Fast Facts:
    #15-Clint Bowyer won the Sprint Showdown, his first victory in annual non-points race that sets the remainder of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race field. With the victory, he earns a spot in Saturday night¡¦s NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race.
    This will be Bowyer¡¦s sixth start in the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. His best finish was 12th, in 2009.
    #47-AJ Allmendinger finished second, earning a spot in the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. This will be Allmendinger¡¦s third all-star start. His best finish in the all-star race was 11th, in 2012.
    #98-Josh Wise won the Sprint Fan Vote to transfer into Saturday night¡¦s NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. This will be Wise’s first start in the all-star race.(NASCAR Statistics)(5-16-2014)
  • Sprint Showdown Results:
    Pos., Car#, Driver (start pos), Sponsor & manufacturer
    1) #15-Clint Bowyer(4), Charter Toyota, 193.826 – TRANSFER, WON
    2) #47-A.J. Allmendinger(2), Freightliner / Miller Chevy, 194.098 – TRANSFER, 2nd
    3) #13-Casey Mears(9), GEICO Chevy, 192.417
    4) #9-Marcos Ambrose(5), DeWalt Ford, 193.625
    5) #43-Aric Almirola(10), Smithfield Ford, 190.927
    6) #42-Kyle Larson(3), Target Chevy, 194.014
    7) #17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr.(8), Building for America Bravest Ford, 192.623
    8) #3-Austin Dillon(1), Dow Chevy, 194.616
    9) #27-Paul Menard(6), Serta/Menards Chevy, 193.126
    10) #10-Danica Patrick(7), GoDaddy Cares Chevy, 192.795
    11) #38-David Gilliland(15), Long John Silver’s Ford, 188.383
    12) #26-Cole Whitt(11), Speed Stick Gear Toyota, 190.691
    13) #23-Alex Bowman(13), Dr.Pepper Toyota, 189.089
    14) #77-Dave Blaney(14, Ford, 188.950
    15) #7-Michael Annett(17), Pilot Flying J Chevy, 187.298
    16) #66-Joe Nemechek(21), Land Castle Title Toyota, 185.230
    17) #40-Landon Cassill(18), Hillman Racing Chevy, 186.761
    18) #98-Josh Wise(16), Dogecoin/Reddit.com Chevy, 188.062 – TRANSFER, Sprint Fan Vote Winner
    19) #83-Ryan Truex(19), Burger King Toyota, 186.593
    20) #44-JJ Yeley(12), Phoenix Warehouse Chevy, 190.349
    21) #36-Reed Sorenson(20), TBR Chevy, 185.624
    22) #32-Blake Koch(22), Supportmilitary.org Ford, 183.680
    23) #33-David Stremme(23), Little Joe’s Autos Chevy, 177.731, -15 laps
    (all but #33-Stremme finished on the lead lap)
  • Race Coverage of the Sprint Showdown Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway is scheduled for Friday, May 16, 2014.
    Television (TV): FoxSports 1 at 7:00 pm/et; Pre-Race show at 5:30pm/et; green flag approx. 7:31pm/et
    Radio: Motor Racing Network (MRN) and Sirius XM Satellite NASCAR Radio 90
    Scheduled Race Re-Airs:
    Saturday, May 17 at 11:00am/et on FS2;
    Saturday, May 17 at 1:00pm/et on FS1
  • Austin Dillon wins pole for the Sprint Showdown #3-Austin Dillon won the pole for the Sprint Showdown Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway with a speed of 194.616mph. #47-Allmendinger will start 2nd followed by #42-Larson, #15-Bowyer, #9-Ambrose, #27-Menard, #10-Patrick, #17-Stenhouse Jr., #13-Mears and #43-Almirola. See the qualifying results / starting lineup and links on the 2014 All-Star Race Page.(5-16-2014)
  • Qualifying Order for the Sprint All-Star Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway is posted. 22 cars/drivers are listed.
    The first of the drivers scheduled to go out is #55-Vickers.
    The final driver scheduled to go out is the Sprint Fan Vote Winner.
    Qualifying order is set by a random draw, held about an hour before the first practice. Qualifying is three laps, including a four-tire pit stop, with no pit road speed limit. Total elapsed time determines the starting lineup. For the first time the Sprint Fan Vote Winner and two Sprint Showdown cars can participate in NASCAR Sprint All-Star qualifying, rather than automatically starting at the rear of the all-star field.
    See the full qualifying order on the 2014 All-Star Race Page.(5-16-2014)
  • Final and Only practice for the Sprint All-Star Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway is over, after 85 scheduled minutes, the top five, slowest and notes:
    #88-Earnhardt Jr. 193.562
    #55-Vickers 193.382
    #11-Hamlin 193.271
    #4-Harvick 193.023
    #16-Biffle 191.666
    slowest of 19 drivers: #34-Ragan 185.008 and #78-Truex Jr. 187.259.
    After this practice is over. Teams will have 15 minutes to do pitstop practice. Qualifying is scheduled for 7:10pm/et on FoxSports1 on Saturday night. A 3-lap run with a 4-tire pitstop. The two drivers who transfer from the Sprint Showdown and the Sprint Fan Vote winner will also qualify. 22 drivers will make and start the race. Qualifying is for starting position and pit stall selection.
    See fastest speeds, laps run and more on the Sprint All-Star Race Practice Speeds page (pdf).(5-16-2014)
  • Qualifying Order for the Sprint Showdown Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway is posted. 23 cars/drivers are listed.
    The first of the drivers scheduled to go out is #10-Patrick.
    The final driver scheduled to go out is #40-Cassill.
    Qualifying order is set by a random draw, held about an hour before the first practice. Drivers will run two laps, with the fastest as the lap of record.
    See the full qualifying order on the 2014 All-Star Race Page.(5-16-2014)

    (5-16-2014)

  • Final and Only practice for the Sprint Showdown Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway is over, after 95 scheduled minutes, the top five, slowest and notes:
    #42-Larson 194.105
    #43-Almirola 192.438
    #15-Bowyer 192.431
    #9-Ambrose 192.041
    #27-Menard 191.388
    slowest of 23 drivers: #32-Koch 181.555 and #33-Stremme 183.181.
    Qualifying is scheduled for 4:10pm/et on FoxSports1 and will be the old format, two laps with the fastest being the lap of record. All 23 drivers will make and start the race. Qualifying is for starting position and pit stall selection. The Sprint Showdown is scheduled for 7:15pm/et, also on FoxSports1 and consists of 20 laps, a short break, then 20 green only laps to finish the race.
    See fastest speeds, laps run and more on the Sprint Showdown Practice Speeds page (pdf).(5-16-2014)

  • Bass Pro Shops sponsors McMurray in All-Star Race: Bass Pro Shops will salute the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) this weekend at the Sprint All-Star Race with a special NWTF paint scheme on the #1 Chevy of Jamie McMurray. Through vital partnerships with state, federal and provincial wildlife agencies, the NWTF and its members have helped restore wild turkey populations throughout North America, spending more than $412 million to conserve nearly 17.2 million acres of habitat. The NWTF is a national nonprofit organization that is the leader in upland wildlife habitat conservation in North America. Founded in 1973, the NWTF is headquartered in Edgefield, S.C., and has local chapters in every state. The last time that the #1 team ran the Bass Pro Shops livery, Jamie McMurray drove the car to victory in the 2013 Sprint Unlimited at CMS to advance his way into the Sprint All-Star Race, where he started 20th and finished eighth (CGR), see images of the car on the #1 Team Schemes page.(5-16-2014)

  • Delaware Office of Highway Safety Returns to sponsor the #36 at Dover: Tommy Baldwin Racing announced that the Delaware Office of Highway Safety for the 2014 season. The DOHS will be returning to the #36 Chevy of Reed Sorenson for Dover International Speedway’s first race on Sunday, June 1, 2014. The #36 of Sorenson will sport a patriotic paint scheme to align with NASCAR’s American Salute campaign and Tommy Baldwin Racing’s own Salute the Troops campaign. During this campaign, fans will be encouraged to write a ‘Thank You’ letter to send to our military members overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan. In addition, the DOHS patriotic paint scheme is a way for the state of Delaware to say thank you, and remind the troops that their service is greatly appreciated.
    The DOHS is currently participating in the national “Click It or Ticket” campaign that enforces seat belt laws. Delaware law requires drivers and all passengers, including those in the back seat, to wear a seat belt. An officer can pull over a driver if he sees any person in the vehicle not wearing a seat belt, even if there is no other violation. The ticket, which goes to the driver no matter who is unbuckled in the vehicle, totals $83.50. “As we kick-off the busy summer driving season it’s important that everyone buckles up every time they go out, both day and night – no excuses,” said Jana Simpler, Director for the Office of Highway Safety. “Delaware law enforcement officers are prepared to ticket anyone who is not wearing their seat belt – Click It or Ticket.”(TBR), see an image of the scheme on the #36 Team Schemes page.(5-16-2014)

  • Sterling Marlin back racing: Sterling Marlin, winner of back-to-back Daytona 500s in 1994 & 1995, has committed to racing in the Howie Lettow 150, ARCA Midwest Tour vice president Steve Einhaus said. ARCAFest runs June 7-8 at the Milwaukee Mile. Marlin, 56, won 10 times in 748 starts in NASCAR’s top division, including Daytona in 1994 and ’95. His best seasons was 2002 when he won twice for Chip Ganssi and Felix Sabates and led the standings for 25 straight weeks before suffering a neck injury that caused him to miss the final seven races. Although the colorful Tennessean retired from NASCAR national series competition in 2009, he has raced some on the local short tracks.(Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)(5-16-2015)

  • Petty and Almirola to appear on CMT Hot 20 Countdown: Recently, Aric Almirola and Richard Petty joined CMT and Eckrich filmed in their first special “Operation Inspiration” CMT Hot 20 Countdown show with hosts Cody Allen and Alecia Davis. The show was filmed with over 100 military members and their families from Ft. Campbell in Tenn. as guests of Eckrich and featured one family, The Nuckoles family from nearby Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. Sergeant Ray Nuckoles III and his wife Amanda got a special surprise from Eckrich spokespeople, Aric and Richard. The surprise will be unveiled during the show debut on Saturday, May 17th at 11am/10c with an encore on Sunday, May 18th at 11am/10c.(PR)(5-16-2014)

  • New books released about race tracks: From Creek Indian land to a World War II airfield, Talladega Superspeedway has a history as exciting as its NASCAR races. Author Kent Whitaker chronicles the track’s development in Talladega Superspeedway, Arcadia Publishing’s newest addition to its NASCAR Library Collection. In more than 200 vintage images, Whitaker recounts the dreams, challenges, and triumphs of businessmen and racecar drivers with a national dream. Whitaker even devoted a chapter to female drivers. Available at area bookstores, independent retailers, and online retailers, or through Arcadia Publishing at (888)-313-2665 or online.
    AND To celebrate and acknowledge its 50th anniversary, Phoenix International Raceway published a limited-edition commemorative book, ‘Phoenix At 50: A Half-Century of Racing’ documenting the last five decades of racing in the Valley of the Sun. After debuting during PIR’s spring NASCAR race weekend, the book is now available for purchase online at Amazon.com. Fans can find the book by searching for ‘Phoenix International Raceway’ or ‘Phoenix at 50’. The book, which retails for $49.99, is a comprehensive journey through the track’s first 50 years, featuring a series of vignettes and short stories focusing on many of the most exciting races and the greatest drivers to compete in Phoenix (PIR).(5-16-2014)
  • Elliott fastest in third Nationwide practice: #9-Chase Elliott was fastest during Friday’s third and final practice for the Get to Know Newton 250 with a speed of 135.566mph. #62-Brendan Gaughan was second, followed by:#20-Michael McDowell, #42-Dylan Kwasniewski, #54-Sam Hornish, Jr., #31-Chase Pistone, #7-Regan Smith, #11-Elliott Sadler, #6-Trevor Bayne, and #2-Brain Scott. 29 drivers practiced during the session. See complete results on the Iowa practice 3 speeds page (pdf).(5-16-2014)
  • Scott fastest in second Nationwide practice: #2-Brian Scott paced the second practice at Iowa with a speed of 134.811mph. #9-Chase Elliott was second, followed by: #11-Elliott Sadler, #20-Michael McDowell, #6-Trevor Bayne, #31-Chase Pistone, #7-Regan Smith, #54-Sam Hornish, Jr., #60-Chris Buescher, and #62-Brendan Gaughan. 32 drivers practiced during the session. See complete results on the Iowa practice 2 speeds page (pdf).(5-16-2014)
  • Elliott fastest in first Nationwide practice: #9-Chase Elliott was fastest during opening practice at Iowa Speedway with a speed of 134.690mph. #2-Brian Scott was second, followed by: #54-Sam Hornish, Jr., #6-Trevor Bayne, #11-Elliott Sadler, #20-Michael McDowell, #7-Regan Smith, #31-Chase Pistone, #62-Brendan Gaughan, and #3-Ty Dillon. Just 27 drivers practiced during the session. See complete results on the Iowa practice 1 speeds page (pdf).(5-16-2014)

  • Harraka to drive for TriStar at Dover: TriStar Motorsports announced the addition of Paulie Harraka to their driver line-up starting with the Buckle Up 200 Presented by Click It or Ticket at Dover International Speedway on May 31st. Harraka will pilot the #44 Toyota Camry with the Delaware Office of Highway Safety as the primary sponsor. Harraka is a graduate of Duke University and an alumnus of NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity program. With four previous Nationwide Series starts, the Wayne, New Jersey native is looking forward to getting behind the wheel of the #44 TriStar Motorsports Camry.(TriStar Motorsports), see an image of the car on the #44 team paint schemes page.(5-16-2014)
  • Busch wins at Charlotte: #51-Kyle Busch won the NC Education Lottery 200 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. #88-Matt Crafton finished second followed by: #19-Brad Keselowski, #5-John Wes Townley, #17-Timothy Peters, #98-Johnny Sauter, #20-Austin Dillon, #31-Ben Kennedy, #77-German Quiroga, and #9-Justin Lofton. There were 9 cautions for 47 laps and 2 lead changes among 2 leaders. Complete results are on the Charlotte race results page (pdf).(5-16-2014)
  • Charlotte Race Fast Facts:
    Kyle Busch won the 12th Annual North Carolina Education Lottery 200, his 38th victory in 118 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races.
    This is his third victory in three starts in 2014, and fourth victory in his last four NCWTS starts dating back to his Homestead-Miami Speedway win in November 2013.
    This is his sixth victory and eighth top-10 finish in nine races at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
    Toyota has now won six consecutive races, dating back to November 2013, which matches its longest NCWTS streak.
    Matt Crafton (second) posted his ninth top-10 finish in 12 races at Charlotte Motor Speedway. It is his third top-10 finish in 2014.
    Brad Keselowski (third) posted his second top-10 finish in five races at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Ben Kennedy (eighth) was the highest finishing rookie.
    Matt Crafton leads the point standings by 11 points over Timothy Peters.
    (NASCAR Statistics)(5-16-2013)
  • Driver standings following Charlotte:
    1) #88-Matt Crafton,162
    2) #17-Timothy Peters, 151, – 11
    3) #77-German Quiroga, 144, -18
    4) #98-Johnny Sauter, 143, -19
    5) #30-Ron Hornaday, 137, -25
    6) #31-Ben Kennedy, 132, -30
    7) #5-John Wes Townley, 127, -35
    8) #13-Jeb Burton, 127, -35
    9) #29-Ryan Blaney, 123, -39
    10) #54-Darrell Wallace, Jr., 108, -54
    See complete standings on the driver standings page (pdf).(5-16-2014)
  • Owner Standings following Charlotte are posted (pdf).(5-16-2014)
  • Lucky Dogs – Who got a lap back on each caution at Charlotte: (and their finish)
    Caution 1: #82-Jake Crum, 21st
    Caution 2: #08-Jimmy Weller, 14th
    Caution 3: #99-Bryan Silas, 13th
    Caution 4: #35-Mason Mingus, 20th
    Caution 5: #08-Jimmy Weller, 14th
    Caution 6: #10-Jennifer Jo Cobb, 16th
    Caution 7: #10-Jennifer Jo Cobb, 16th
    Caution 8: #10-Jennifer Jo Cobb, 16th
    Caution 9: none
    (5-16-2014)
  • Busch on pole at Charlotte: #51-Kyle Busch won the Keystone Light Pole for the NC Education Lottery 200 at Charlotte Motor Speedway with a speed of 183.773mph. #88-Matt Crafton will start second, followed by: #19-Brad Keselowski, #30-Ron Hornaday, Jr., #7-Brian Ickler, #31-Ben Kennedy, #98-Johnny Sauter, #13-Jeb Burton, ##17-Timothy Peters, and #29-Ryan Blaney.
    Fastest in the second round of qualifying was #7-Brian Ickler.
    #13-Jeb Burton was quickest in the opening qualifying session at 181.378mph.
    Blake Koch will race the #07 in place of JJ Yeley.
    See complete lineup on the Starting lineup (pdf) page.(5-16-2014)
  • Charlotte Qualifying Notes:
    Kyle Busch won the Keystone Light Pole Award for the 12th Annual North Carolina Education Lottery 200 with a track qualifying record lap of 29.384 seconds, 183.773 mph.
    This is his 14th pole in 118 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races.
    This is his second pole and third top-10 start in 2014.
    This is his third pole in nine races at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
    Matt Crafton (second) posted his fourth top-10 start of 2014 and his fourth in 12 races at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
    Brad Keselowski (third) posted his third top-10 start at Charlotte Motor Speedway. It is his first in one races this season.
    Ben Kennedy (sixth) was the fastest qualifying rookie.
    (NASCAR Integrated Marketing)(5-16-2014)
  • Busch fastest in practice: #51-Kyle Busch was fastest during the one and only practice at Charlotte Motor Speedway with a speed of 180.820 mph. #29-Ryan Blaney was second, followed by #17-Timothy Peters, #19-Brad Keselowski, #88-Matt Crafton, #54-Darrell Wallace, Jr., #30-Ron Hornaday, Jr., #98-Johnny Sauter, #7-Brian Ickler, and #23-Max Gresham. 33 drivers practiced during the session. See complete results on the Charlotte practice 1 speeds page (pdf).(5-16-2014)
  • Cobb hauler stolen again: A law firm is offering a $2,500 cash reward in an effort to find a race hauler which has been reportedly stolen for a second time. The hauler is driver Jennifer Jo Cobb’s 2004 race team UltraComp hauler. This is the second time Cobb’s former hauler has been reportedly stolen. The first time was in May 2013 before a race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Warrants were initially issued against driver Mike Harmon and business partner David Novak. Each was wanted for breaking and entering and larceny after breaking and entering. WBTV was there as deputies recovered two cars and five trucks from Harmon’s two garages in late May 2013. Deputies say Harmon stole the cars from Cobb at the end of 2012. The vehicles were seized from Harmon’s shop in Mooresville, and from a storage facility in Catawba County. Harmon maintained his innocence throughout saying he “never stolen as much as a piece of bubble gum.” In court documents, detectives stated that Harmon indicated to deputies that he knew where the race hauler was being held, but wouldn’t reveal the location unless deputies promised that it would not be returned to Cobb. Harmon had attempted to get the trailer back in the past, through the court system, but the ruling went against him. Cobb was unable to qualify for the 2013 Camping World Truck Series race due to equipment failure. In October 2013, Cobb has asked that criminal charges against Harmon and Novak be dropped.(WBTV)(5-16-2014)
  • Brantley Gilbert to Perform Coca-Cola 600 Pre-Race Concert: Chart-topping country music star Brantley Gilbert will get fans pumped for the Coca-Cola 600 with a special 45-minute frontstretch pre-race concert presented by Coca-Cola and the USO on Sunday, May 25 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Gilbert will amp up the energy, performing “Bottoms Up” and more new songs from his upcoming album JUST AS I AM (The Valory Music Co.), slated for release on May 19. For just $99, fans can get a Coca-Cola 600 weekend ticket package with a frontstretch ticket to the race, delivering the best views of the Brantley Gilbert concert on Sunday, May 25. The weekend package also includes a ticket to LiftMaster Pole Night and the Saturday afternoon History 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race. Tickets can be purchased by calling the speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS (3267) or online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com.(CMS)(5-16-2014)
  • Nominate Your “Hometown Hero” for Recognition at the Toyota/Save Mart 350: Sonoma Raceway, Toyota, Save Mart and Lucky Supermarkets will team up to honor local heroes at the Toyota/Save Mart 350, June 20-22. Toyota, Save Mart and Lucky have recently launched the Hometown Heroes contest, a new Facebook-based promotion that will allow race fans and community members to nominate a local hero for recognition and incredible VIP experiences during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race weekend in Sonoma. Heroes can take many forms, so nominations for members of the Armed Forces, first responders, teachers and other public servants are encouraged. To nominate your hero, simply “like” Toyota Fan Zone, Save Mart and/or Lucky Supermarkets on Facebook and then click through to the Hometown Heroes contest. Submissions will be accepted through May 31. When the entry phase closes on May 31, voting will open for selection of 12 winners. The 12 nominees with the most votes at the end of the voting period on June 11 will be eligible for VIP experiences at the Toyota/Save Mart 350. Winners will be announced on June 16. Three grand prize winners will enjoy one-of-a-kind experiences at the Toyota/Save Mart 350. Two grand prize winners will get all 43 NASCAR drivers fired up by giving the “Drivers, start your engines!” command prior to the start of the race, while another will actually start the Toyota/Save Mart 350 by waving the green flag. The selected Hometown Heroes will also be recognized during pre-race ceremonies. The remaining top nominees will receive four weekend passes for the Toyota/Save Mart 350, as well as a chance to drive a NASCAR driver around the road course during the parade lap of pre-race festivities. More info at Sonoma Raceway’s Facebook page.(Sonoma Raceway)(5-16-2014)

    News from May 15, 2014

  • Chassis selections for this weeks race: see the list of many teams [that report or post them] and what chassis were selected by the team to run in the Sprint All Star Race and Sprint Showdown at Charlotte Motor Speedway on the Sprint All Star Race Info page – Chassis selection area.

  • Roush Fenway Racing makes a change: Release of long-time Roush Fenway Racing lead engineer Chip Bolin signals change in direction for NASCAR powerhouse Chip Bolin and Roush Fenway Racing have parted ways. Roush Fenway Racing confirmed on Thursday morning that Bolin had been released. Bolin, 40, joined RFR in 1998 along with Bob Osborne to start the company’s engineering department following an internship with Andy Petree Racing. The North, S.C.-native has worked in a variety of roles at RFR over the years including as both crew chief and team engineer. His first season was 1999, the same year Matt Kenseth and Robbie Reiser (now GM). Bolin became the #17 team engineer in 2001 and was an integral part of Kenseth’s 2003 Sprint Cup championship. At the end of 2007 season when Reiser transitioned into a management role, Bolin was named crew chief for Kenseth’s team. Bolin’s release comes at a time when both of Roush’s top drivers have contracts up for renewal. While Biffle insists it’s his intent to remain with the organization, there has been a rash of speculation surrounding Edwards’ plans.(Motorsport)(5-15-2014)

  • Warner Bros/DC Entertainment join forces with Hendrick Motorsports: Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP), in conjunction with DC Entertainment (DCE), has joined forces with Hendrick Motorsports in a unique three-year agreement that will allow the team and its partners to develop consumer promotions and original content to engage youth, drive fan excitement and energize licensed merchandise initiatives. WBCP and DCE will work with Hendrick Motorsports and its partners to build on- and off-track programs teaming drivers #5-Kasey Kahne, #24-Jeff Gordon, #48-Jimmie Johnson and #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. with the most recognized characters in Super Hero lore, including Batman, Superman, The Flash and Green Lantern.
    Potential programs include co-developed car paint schemes, comic books and digital content incorporating DC Comics Super Heroes and illustrated likenesses of Hendrick Motorsports drivers. Team partners will have exclusive opportunities to align with upcoming Warner Bros. Consumer Products and DC Comics-inspired programming and releases.
    The first joint program will come to life around upcoming Sprint Cup events at Charlotte Motor Speedway (May 25) and Michigan International Speedway (June 15) where Superman, the world’s first and most recognized Super Hero, will be featured on Earnhardt’s #88 Chevy. The Superman-themed paint scheme will pair the Army National Guard with the Superman Hall of Heroes, a new online gift-giving portal that empowers consumers to honor their personal heroes; those who have made a positive impact on their lives or the lives of others. The #88 National Guard/Superman Chevrolet SS will be unveiled May 21. Fans can learn more by following Hendrick Motorsports on Facebook and Twitter.(Hendrick Motorsports)(5-15-2014)

  • NASCAR will implement its automated pit road officiating technology: In yet another nod to the priority NASCAR has placed on innovation, NASCAR Executive Vice President of Racing Operations Steve O’Donnell spoke in Boston at the Front End of Innovation, a cross-industry conference bringing together industry executives, practitioners, academics and experts in innovation, product development and research and development. Joining leaders and innovators from best-in-class companies such as Walt Disney, Procter and Gamble, MasterCard, IBM and Microsoft, O’Donnell today presented a case study on the Air Titan 2.0 drying technology, as well as provided an update on NASCAR’s technology-driven pit road officiating system. O’Donnell touched on these and other initiatives spearheaded by NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France and borne out of the NASCAR Research & Development Center in Concord, N.C., including safety and competition enhancements, as well as fan engagement and event experience.
    “Innovation helps drive NASCAR, and it is central to the sport’s evolution,” said O’Donnell, who last year spoke at both the Harvard Business School’s Cyberposium and the World Innovation Convention in Cannes, France. “There are several examples of it improving the sport, none more recent – and impressive – than Air Titan 2.0. The next wave of NASCAR innovation is the pit road officiating technology, which will increase the overall quality of in-race officiating.”
    Beginning in 2015, NASCAR will implement its automated pit road officiating technology – becoming the first sport to use technology to officiate each of its events. This technology will be used on every lap, in every race, O’Donnell announced. Testing of this technology is currently underway. This innovative pit road technology will employ numerous video cameras, which will be mounted to inspect and gather data – in real time – from all areas of pit road. Following O’Donnell’s overview of the new system, he discussed future incarnations, including the use of the collected data to improve the fan experience while in the stands at-track or watching at home on television.(NASCAR)(5-15-2014)
  • New Ford Technical Support Center to Increase Vehicle Performance: Ford announced the opening of its new Ford Technical Support Center in Concord, N.C. on Wednesday. The state-of-the-art facility will add an array of tools to develop future performance vehicles and help increase Ford’s overall success in motorsports. Expected to be fully operational later this summer, the 33,000-square-foot building will serve as a center for Ford Racing technical support and for teams to develop and test their cars for competition. The location was selected because of its proximity to the NASCAR research and development center and a majority of race car team headquarters. Beyond its direct and immediate effect on Ford Racing, the new technical center with its advanced simulation and measurement tools is just the latest investment by Ford in its pursuit to offer a profitable lineup of performance vehicles. The new infrastructure will allow swifter and smarter leverage of the latest in product development technology.
    Initially, the facility will focus on supporting NASCAR teams in all three major touring divisions, but will eventually expand to include other Ford Racing teams participating in other series. The centerpiece of the building is a full-motion platform simulator that will allow Ford Racing teams to optimize their setups for individual track configurations, and for drivers to practice driving a track ahead of an upcoming race weekend. Similar technology has been used in Formula One. After the simulator has been proven through racing, Ford will apply that knowledge to further improve vehicle dynamics on its high-performance street vehicles. In addition, the simulator will help hone communication between driver, crew chief and engineer, while also refining predictability and accuracy of simulation software.
    The support facility will also serve as a parts distribution warehouse. The various pieces of test equipment include:
    · Kinematics machine: This machine can test and measure suspension kinematics – camber, toe, scrub and various loads with tires and springs. Race teams use this weekly to set up their front suspensions for different track configurations
    · Chassis torsional twist rig: Used to quantify the chassis structurally in the torsional mode – the key parameter for a chassis. It can be used to determine the entire torsional stiffness of the car, the stiffness of the chassis independently, or the influence of various components on the car
    · Vehicle center of gravity machine: This is used to precisely measure the center of gravity height of a completed car. It can be used to quantify improvements over time. Race teams generally use the machine once a quarter to gauge progress and test their latest theories
    · Coordinate measurement machine: This machine enables teams to measure their components for quality control and to build simulation models, which allows them to make sure their cars comply with regulations.(Ford Racing)(5-15-2014)

  • Patrick to run GoDaddy Cares scheme in Showdown: #10-Danica Patrick to continue her upward trend Friday night in the Sprint Showdown at Charlotte and get herself into Saturday’s Sprint All-Star Race. She can finish in the top two positions and qualify for the All-Star Race or become the top vote-getter online. Patrick won the online vote last year and is hoping to do so again. If Patrick gets into Saturday’s race, her #10 GoDaddy Cares Chevy will be decked out with an all-star lineup of logos from nonprofit organizations, all in support of education. Three organizations are represented: the Boys and Girls Club of America, which helps promote youth development; the SCORE Foundation, which provides free small-business advice for entrepreneurs; and DonorsChoose, a group that promotes K-12 education. GoDaddy is donating $10,000 to each non-profit organization and encouraging customers to chip in as part of the GoDaddy Round-Up program, which gives customer a choice to ’round up’ to the nearest dollar on the purchase for a non-profit organization.(TSC/SHR), see an image of the scheme on the #10 Team Schemes page.(5-15-2014)

  • Indy 500 practice update: Kurt Busch is back in Charlotte: Indianapolis 500 practice resumed Wednesday afternoon after rain fell just prior to 2:00pm/et on Tuesday, halting the session. Kurt Busch, who spent Sunday through Tuesday at the track, headed back to Charlotte for Wednesday to check in with his Stewart-Haas Racing #41 team on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series side. With rain falling in Indianapolis, it made no sense for Busch to stick around. Still, he’s pleased with where he’s at right now. “It definitely wasn’t on my radar. But what I’ve been able to do as a student is each day progress at a strong rate, and progressing is being able to digest the information and then being able to apply it the next day,” he said, in a statement released by the team. Busch compared Indianapolis a bit to another abnormal oval design, Darlington. “As far as guys getting tows and posting those good laps, some of my drafting experience helps from what I’ve seen at Daytona and Talladega; Indianapolis has a little bit of Darlington characteristics into it,” Busch said. “What I mean by that is you have to be single file and you have to know which corner you are approaching at all times, and it’s a matter of give and take with the other drivers out on the track.” Busch is expected to be back in Indianapolis for Thursday’s practice, stay through qualifying on Saturday and then fly to Charlotte for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race.(NBC Sports)(5-15-2014)

  • GEICO and Germain Racing to salute military at Charlotte UPDATE: As the month of May gets underway, the racing season is in full swing. Casey Mears and his GEICO team have been on a solid run, notching three top 20 finishes in their last three outings and now announce an initiative to honor our nation’s military. GEICO’s history with the military is long and rich and the company will now pay tribute to the troops by running a special paint scheme at the Sprint Showdown on Friday, May 16th, and also throughout Memorial Day weekend at the Coca-Cola 600. The #13 GEICO Chevy SS will feature camouflage accents on the side of the car, along with the Gecko wearing a military helmet and ‘GEICO Military’ across the hood. ‘Thank You For Your Service’ will adorn the decklid, while the television panel of the car will feature the Gecko offering a salute while standing at attention. GEICO also honors members of the U.S. military each year for their contributions toward drug and alcohol abuse prevention, fire safety and fire prevention or traffic safety and accident prevention with the GEICO Military Service Awards.(Player Management International)(5-9-2014)
    UPDATE Fast Lube Plus to be associate sponsor on #13: This week is a very special week for Germain Racing driver Casey Mears and the #13 GEICO Chevy team. Fast Lube Plus, with locations in and around Cary, NC, is joining Mears in the debut of a very special paint scheme being featured on the #13 GEICO Chevy at Charlotte. The camouflaged GEICO Chevy will first race Friday night in the Sprint Showdown – a qualifying event for Saturday’s Sprint All Star Race. Mears is in the Top 10 for fan votes which could mean he is voted into the Sprint All Star Race field if he doesn’t gain entry via the Sprint Showdown. Fast Lube Plus offers Castrol liquid technology in their oil changes at locations in Cary, Morrisville, Holly Springs, Apex and Garner. Stop into Fast Lube Plus for shock and suspension service, too.(Germain Racing), see an image of the scheme on the #13 Team Schemes page.(5-15-2014)
  • Sprint Showdown & All-Star Race Goodyear tire Notes: Teams in both the NASCAR Sprint Cup and Camping World Truck Series will run the same Goodyear tire codes at Charlotte this week . . . throughout Charlotte’s Speed Weeks, all tires will be branded with “Support Our Troops” as part of the Goodyear Gives Back program . . . this is the same combination of left- and right-side tires that teams in both of these series have run at Charlotte since 2012 . . . while Charlotte is the only track at which NASCAR teams run this left-side tire code, Sprint Cup teams also run this right-side tire code at Darlington . . . as on all NASCAR ovals greater than one mile in length, teams are required to run inner liners in all four tire positions at Charlotte . . . air pressure in those inner liners should be 12-25 psi greater than that of the outer tire (Goodyear), see tire pressures, codes, set limits and more on the 2014 Sprint All-Star Race Info page – Goodyear section.(5-15-2014)

  • NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race Stats & Facts:
    · There have been 29 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Races.
    · The first NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race was in 1985.
    · 28 have been held at Charlotte Motor Speedway. In 1986, the event was held at Atlanta Motor Speedway, and won by Bill Elliott. That season was also the first year for what is now known as the Sprint Showdown.
    · 91 drivers have run in at least one NASCAR Sprint All-Star race, with 76 competing in more than one.
    · Mark Martin has participated in 24 races, more than any other driver. Jeff Gordon leads all active drivers in Sprint All-Star starts with 20, followed by Tony Stewart with 15.
    · There have been 19 different winners of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star race.
    · Jimmie Johnson (2003, 2006, 2012 and 2013) leads the series with the most NASCAR Sprint All-Star race wins with four.
    · Dale Earnhardt (1987, 1990 and 1993) and Jeff Gordon (1995, 1997 and 2001) are three-time winners of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star race.
    · NASCAR Hall of Famer Darrell Waltrip won the inaugural NASCAR Sprint All-Star race in 1985 at 161.184 mph.
    · The race has featured a field that ranged from 10 drivers in 1986 to 27 in 2002. This year’s field will have 22 participants.
    · Davey Allison (1991 and 1992), Terry Labonte (1988 and 1999) and Mark Martin (1998 and 2005) are the only other drivers to post multiple victories in the NASCAR Sprint All-Star race.
    · Davey Allison (1991, 1992) and Jimmie Johnson (2012, 2013) are the only drivers to ever win consecutive Sprint All-Star events.
    · Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2000) and Ryan Newman (2002) are the only drivers to win the NASCAR Sprint All-Star race in their rookie season.
    · Jeff Gordon is the youngest winner of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race at 23 years, 9 months and 18 days (1995). Mark Martin is the oldest at 46 years, 4 months and 12 days (2005).
    · Joey Logano (three starts) leads the series among active drivers with an average finish of 4.3 in the NASCAR Sprint All-Star race.
    · Eight drivers including Joey Logano, have an average finish in the top 10 for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star race: Jimmie Johnson (6.2), Matt Kenseth (6.5), Tony Stewart (8.2), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (8.3), Brian Vickers (9.3), Ryan Newman (9.6) and Jeff Gordon (9.7).
    · Terry Labonte won the inaugural Coors Light pole for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star race in 1985.
    · 16 drivers have won Coors Light poles for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star race, led by Bill Elliott with five. Kyle Busch leads all active drivers with three. Carl Edwards won last season’s pole.
    · Three drivers have won consecutive Coors Light poles for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star race: Davey Allison (1991, 1992) Bill Elliott (1997, 1998) and Kyle Busch (2011, 2012).
    · The NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race has been won from the pole position four times; the first three came in consecutive years: Dale Earnhardt (1990) and Davey Allison (1991 and 1992). Kurt Busch posted the fourth win from the pole in 2010.
    · The front row starting positions are the two most proficient starting positions in the field, producing more winners (four each) than any other starting positions in the NASCAR Sprint All-Star race.
    · Eight of the 29 (27.5%) NASCAR Sprint All-Star races have been won from the front row: four from the pole and four from second-place.
    · 21 of the 29 (72.4%) NASCAR Sprint All-Star races have been won from a top-10 starting position.
    · Two of the 29 (6.8%) NASCAR Sprint All-Star races have been won from a starting position outside the top 20.
    · The deepest in the field a NASCAR Sprint All-Star race winner has started was 27th, by Ryan Newman in 2002.
    · Hendrick Motorsports drivers have won eight NASCAR Sprint All-Star races: Jimmie Johnson (four), Jeff Gordon (three) and Terry Labonte (one).
    · NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt leads the series in top-five finishes in the NASCAR Sprint All-Star race with nine; followed by Tony Stewart (eight) and Jimmie Johnson (eight).
    · Bill Elliott leads the series in top-10 finishes in the NASCAR Sprint All-Star race with 13; followed by Dale Earnhardt with 12. Dale Earnhardt Jr. leads all active drivers with 11 each.
    · Five drivers have won the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship in the same year: Darrell Waltrip (1985), Dale Earnhardt (1987, 1990, 1993), Rusty Wallace (1989), Jeff Gordon (1995, 1997, 2001) and Jimmie Johnson (2006, 2013).
    · In 2008, Kasey Kahne became the first driver to get into the NASCAR Sprint All-Star race by the Sprint Fan Vote and go on to win the event.
    · Seven times from seven different drivers has the winner of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race gone on to win the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway the following weekend: Darrell Waltrip (1985), Davey Allison (1991), Dale Earnhardt (1993), Jeff Gordon (1997), Jimmie Johnson (2003), Kasey Kahne (2008) and Kurt Busch (2010).
    · The record for lead changes in a NASCAR Sprint All-Star race is 10 in 2004.
    · The record for different leaders in the NASCAR Sprint All-Star race is nine in 2002.
    · The series best Driver Rating performance by a NASCAR Sprint All-Star race winner was Carl Edwards posting a 141.7 in 2011.(NASCAR)(5-15-2014)

  • Ryan Gifford to run two races for Biagi-DenBeste: NASCAR Drive for Diversity and NASCAR Next driver Ryan Gifford returns to the NASCAR Nationwide Series May race at Iowa Speedway with Biagi-DenBeste Racing after securing a ninth-place finish in his national series debut last August. Gifford will pilot the #98 Carroll Shelby Engine Co. Ford on May 18 and June 27 at Kentucky Speedway with the mikeroweWORKS Foundation. The partnership joins an up-and-coming driver with a veteran race team as Gifford climbs the racing-career ladder. The 25-year-old earned his first NASCAR win last year racing in the K&N Pro Series East, where he has raced for five seasons. He made history in 2010, becoming the first African-American to win a K&N East pole. The upcoming Iowa start will be his first with Biagi-DenBeste. The Winchester, Tenn., native is a current member of NASCAR Drive for Diversity, an academy-style youth development program for multicultural and female drivers, and NASCAR Next, a program rooted in identifying future stars of the sport across NASCAR’s regional and touring series. Gifford’s two races in the Biagi-DenBeste Ford Mustang will promote the mikeroweWORKS Foundation, created by “Dirty Jobs” TV host Mike Rowe. The mrW Foundation promotes hard work and supports the skilled trades, primarily by awarding scholarships and providing other assistance to men and women who have illustrated both an interest and an aptitude to master a trade. mikeroweWORKS has created more than $1.6 million in education scholarships with schools around the country.(Biagi-DenBeste Racing), see an image of the car on the #98 team paint schemes page.(5-1-2014)
    UPDATE: On Sunday, May 18th, Ryan Gifford will sport a Wendell Scott Hall of Fame Nomination decal on the #98 Biagi-DenBeste Ford Mustang at Iowa Motor Speedway. Scott, the only one African-American in NASCAR win a race in what is now considered the Sprint Cup Series, has continued to be an inspiration to minority drivers in the sport. “Both myself and Biagi-DenBeste Racing feel honored to be driving the #98 car in support of Wendell Scott’s life and accomplishments. Being a part of the Drive for Diversity Program has opened a lot of opportunities for me. I will continue to be inspired by Scott and focus on making my own history in the sport,” said Gifford.(Rev Racing)(5-15-2014)

  • Chastain to make Nationwide debut at Charlotte: Ross Chastain will be making the next leap in his career this Saturday when he straps into the #55 Watermelon.org Chevy for the History 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. This will mark the first start in the NASCAR Nationwide Series for the Alva, Florida driver. At the young age of 21, Chastain has already established himself as the racer to watch in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series where he has accumulated 5 top 5s, 12 top 10s, and 2 pole awards. Now Chastain looks to take on the next challenge with the help of Viva Motorsports.(Viva Motorsports), see an image of the car on the #55 team paint schemes page.(5-15-2014)
  • Chase Elliott graduating from high school this weekend: #9-Chase Elliott’s white-hot start in the Nationwide Series has prompted lots of speculation about when the second-generation star will graduate to NASCAR’s premier circuit. Academia, though, will be the focus of advancement this weekend for Elliott, 18. The JR Motorsports driver will be commuting between Iowa Speedway and Alpharetta, Ga., swapping his firesuit for a cap and gown in Saturday’s graduation from Kings Ridge Christian School.(USA Today)(5-15-2014)
  • McDowell returns to the #20: Returning to Iowa Speedway for the first time since 2012, McDowell will be making his seventh-career start at the .875-mile track and the fifth time he will carry the Pizza Ranch colors. In his previous six starts at the track, McDowell’s best finish came in 2012 when he finished third. In addition to his third-place finish, McDowell has five top-10 finishes, an average start of 9.7 and an average finish of 7.7. He has led 36 laps and completed 100 percent of laps attempted (1,500 of 1,500). Pizza Ranch returns to Joe Gibbs Racing as a primary sponsor in the NASCAR Nationwide Series for their fifth season with the team following a hiatus in 2013. This season Pizza Ranch will serve at the primary sponsor for Michael McDowell and the #20 Toyota Camry team for both NNS races at Iowa Speedway.(Joe Gibbs Racing)(5-15-2014)
  • NCDOT, Highway Patrol, CATS Join CMS Officials to Prepare Fans for Race Week Traffic: In preparation for the 10-Day Blockbuster of Racing at Charlotte Motor Speedway May 16-25, speedway officials want to make sure race fans and area residents are equipped to handle increased race day traffic by providing safe and efficient travel routes and information. With help from the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol (NCSHP), Charlotte Motor Speedway is working to ease travel for fans heading to and from the races. The heaviest traffic is expected on I-85, U.S. 29, N.C. 49 and Bruton Smith Boulevard. See tips from Charlotte Motor Speedway and NCDOT at charlottemotorspeedway.com.(CMS)(5-15-2014)
  • Atlanta Motor Speedway Offering Buy One, Get One Front Stretch Seats: For one week only, Atlanta Motor Speedway is making an unbelievable discount offer available to fans for the Labor Day Weekend NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race on Sunday, Aug. 31. Race fans can purchase “buy one, get one” Lower Champions Grandstand seats located near the start/finish line of the Speedway. This offer represents a 50% discount off the normal value, and allows purchasers the opportunity to get two front stretch tickets for only $99. This promotion is only available while supplies last and will end at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, May 18. Tickets available for the special promotion are in limited supply and fans are strongly encouraged to act quickly before supplies run out. NASCAR night racing returns to Atlanta Motor Speedway this Labor Day weekend. For more information, call the Atlanta Motor Speedway Ticket Office at (770) 946-4211, (877) 9-AMS-TIX, or visit www.atlantamotorspeedway.com.(AMS)(5-15-2014)

    News from May 14, 2014

  • Fan Days in Charlotte NC area: some teams are hold Fan Days / Fan Fests in the Charlotte, NC area when NASCAR races at Charlotte Motor Speedway the last two weekends of May. Including: Chip Ganassi Racing (5/15); Michael Waltrip Racing (5/21); Richard Petty Motorsports (5/22); Roush Fenway Racing (5/22); Hendrick Motorsports (5/23); JR Motorsports (5/23); plus Speed Street in Charlotte. For more info, see the Driver Appearances page.

  • Parker Kligerman To Serve as Backup Driver for Kurt Busch: Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) has tabbed Parker Kligerman to serve as the backup driver for Kurt Busch in the #41 Haas AutomationChevrolet SS during the May 16-17 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race and the May 22-25 Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Kligerman has made 10 Sprint Cup starts, 51 NASCAR Nationwide Series starts, 50 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts and 23 ARCA Racing Series starts. The 23-year-old from Westport, Connecticut, earned a Camping World Truck Series victory in 2012 at Talladega and has nine ARCA wins, all of which came in 2009 when he finished second in the championship standings. SHR selected Kligerman in the event that Busch, who is attempting to compete in the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day, is unable to practice, qualify or potentially start his #41 Haas Automation Chevy due to a schedule conflict or logistical issue. “I’m grateful for the opportunity and want to thank everyone at Stewart-Haas Racing for entrusting me with the Haas Automation Chevy,” said Kligerman, who has competed in eight Sprint Cup races in 2014. “For these next two weeks, my sole focus is to help the #41 team compete at a high level, no matter how big or small my role might be.”
    On May 25, Busch will compete in the Indianapolis 500 before getting on a plane and traveling to North Carolina to compete in the Coca-Cola 600. Practice for the Indianapolis 500 began May 11 and continues through May 16, with qualifying May 17 and Pole Day May 18. The May 16 practice at Indianapolis conflicts with practice for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. And Indianapolis 500 qualifying on May 17 lasts until 6pm/et, which makes for a short turnaround time for Busch to be back at Charlotte in time for the 7:10 pm qualifying session for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race.
    The Indianapolis 500 is scheduled to begin at 12:15 pm on May 25, with the Coca-Cola 600 set to get underway at 6:00pm. The Indianapolis 500 should be completed at approximately 3:30pm, allowing Busch two-and-a-half hours to get from Indianapolis Motor Speedway to Charlotte before the green flag waves for the Coca-Cola 600, the longest race on the Sprint Cup schedule. In the event Busch does not make it back to Charlotte on time, Kligerman will start the Coca-Cola 600. Upon Busch’s arrival, Kligerman will yield the seat of the #41 Haas Automation Chevy to Busch, whereupon Busch will finish the race [if Parker starts the Coke 600, he would get the drivers points and Busch would not].
    “Parker and I were teammates a few years ago when we were together at Penske and his feedback was always really good,” Busch said. “Plus, we’re built about the same, and that’s really important as we don’t want to have to adjust seats or pedal positions inside the racecar. I’m confident in Parker’s abilities and know that my Haas Automation Chevrolet is in good hands.”(SHR)(5-14-2014)

  • Kurt Busch 2nd in Tuesday’s Indy 500 practice: Andretti Autosport teammates EJ Viso and Kurt Busch were the speed demons at Indianapolis Motor Speedway Tuesday when heavy rain arrived at 1:30pm. Viso field-leading lap was 224.488 mph. Busch was second at 224.159 mph. This is his first IndyCar event. Two other of Michael Andretti’s cars were fourth and fifth: Ryan Hunter-Reay and Marco Andretti, respectively. Hunter-Reay ran 223.612 mph with Andretti at 223.605 mph. Third was Team Penske driver Juan Pablo Montoya at 224.115 mph. There still have been no accidents on the oval portion of this month.(Indianapolis Star)(5-14-2014)

  • #78 Team to feature Colorado Freedom Memorial on hood at Charlotte: The Colorado Freedom Memorial is proud to announce that Denver-based Furniture Row Racing will be honoring generations of Colorado’s fallen veterans when the #78 Chevy competes in the 55th Annual Coca-Cola 600 this Memorial Day Weekend, with only the Colorado Freedom Memorial logo emblazoned on its hood. The Colorado Freedom Memorial (CFM) honors every fallen Colorado military veteran by name, from every branch of service and every conflict dating back to the Spanish American War in 1896. The Memorial, which is located in Aurora, is made up of glass panels on which nearly 6000 Colorado heroes are honored. “Donating the hood of our #78 Furniture Row Chevrolet SS to the Colorado Freedom Memorial is a small, but meaningful way that we can pay tribute to those who have offered the greatest sacrifice for our freedoms,” said Furniture Row Racing Owner, Barney Visser. Visser, who is a Vietnam veteran, maintains a personal connection with the Colorado Freedom Memorial. Prior to the May 25 race, the Furniture Row Chevrolet will be unveiled at an event open to the public at the Colorado Freedom Memorial on Tuesday, May 20 from 4 – 6 p.m. The Memorial is located across the street from Buckley Air Force Base at Aurora’s Springhill Community Park: 756 Telluride St., Aurora, CO 80011. “The tribute by Furniture Row Racing to the fallen veterans from their home state of Colorado is wonderful,” said Colorado Freedom Memorial Founder and President Rick Crandall. “Thousands of Colorado families will know their loss has not been forgotten on a weekend dedicated to their sacrifice.” During the race in North Carolina on May 25, the Colorado Freedom Memorial will be hosting its annual dedication ceremony in Aurora, Colo.(FRR), see an image of the scheme on the #78 Team Schemes page.(5-14-2014)

  • Garry Hill profiled on WCNC: Garry Hill wanted to be a racer but that didn’t work, so he pursued his passion in another direction. Hill became a motorsports artist, capturing “victories” in racing by recording the sport’s great moments and rich tradition. On Tuesday morning on WCNC’s Larry’s Look, they got an inside look at Hill’s work (garryhill.com) in his studio near Lake Norman, NC. Garry’s amazing prints chronicle the great history of NASCAR, showcasing some of the most amazing moments in the history of the sport. See full story and video at WCNC.(5-14-2014)
  • Kansas Race and Commercial Breakdown: For those of you NASCAR fans that like stats and love to hate commercials, here is the breakdown for Saturday’s race. Began recording the times at the Invocation of the race at 7:31 PM, and stopped at the waving of the checkered flag at 11:30 PM (all times are EST). There was a brief rain delay during this race. I did not keep records for the pre- and post-race coverage. Fox was the broadcast team for this event.
    Total number of commercials: 117
    Total number of companies or entities advertised: 59
    Number of traditional commercials (not split-screen): 106
    Total number of companies or entities advertised: 56
    Number of ‘Side-by-Side’ commercials during race broadcast (split-screen): 11
    Total number of companies or entities advertised: 10
    Number of times Fox utilized ‘Side-by-Side’ commercials during this broadcast: 3
    Total number of brief promos of products/services during the race broadcast: 40
    Total amount of time these brief promos take during broadcast: app. 2 min. 40 sec.
    Start time to record race/commercial periods: 7:31 PM
    End time to record race/commercial periods: 11:30 PM
    Total minutes of complete race broadcast: 222
    Minutes of race broadcast: 168
    Minutes of traditional commercials (not split-screen): 54
    Minutes of ‘Side-by-Side’ commercials (split-screen): 7
    Number of missed restarts: 1
    Number of ‘mystery cautions’ (debris not shown): 0
    Total race brdcst time 168 Total comm. brdcst time 54
    See past race reports and links to full reports on the 2014 TV Commercials page.(5-14-2014)

  • NASCAR Numbers after Kansas:
    1: The number of cars on the lead lap of Saturday night’s 5-Hour Energy 400 when Clint Bowyer spun to cause the first caution. Brad Keselowski was the only driver who hadn’t pitted under green at that point, creating an unusual circumstance where second-place Kevin Harvick was the free-pass beneficiary.
    1: The number of laps led by Kyle Busch in Saturday night’s race at Kansas Speedway. Busch’s progress toward the career milestone of 10,000 career laps led has been slowed of late. Busch, who needs 28 more laps led to reach 10,000, has been out front for a total of two laps in the last four races.
    7: The career-best NASCAR Sprint Cup Series finish for Danica Patrick in Saturday night’s 5-Hour Energy 400 at Kansas Speedway. Patrick ran competitively against the best drivers in the sport and climbed as high as third in the running order before posting the top-10 finish.
    11: The number of consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races this year in which six-time champion Jimmie Johnson has not gone to Victory Lane. His streak of 11 straight winless races to start a season matches his career longest. In 2003, Johnson didn’t win until the 12th race of the season, at Charlotte.
    4: The record number of NASCAR Sprint All-Star races won by Jimmie Johnson, who is the two-time defending champion as the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series heads to Saturday night’s million-dollar non-points shootout. Johnson took the checkered flag in 2003, 2006, 2012 and 2013. Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt are the only three-time winners.(NASCAR Wire Service)(5-14-2014)

  • Industry-Wide Effort Drives NASCAR Race To Green Initiative For Second Straight Year: As part of the NASCAR Race to Green campaign celebrated in the month of April, NASCAR announced that more than 180,000 trees are being planted in areas across the country, including those affected by natural disaster, a 20 percent increase from last year. NASCAR Race to Green is an annual month-long initiative that galvanizes teams, tracks, drivers, Official NASCAR Partners, and fans to take action steps toward preserving and protecting the environment. “Building on last year’s success, the industry’s coordinated effort to amplify sustainable practices played a major role in helping us exceed the number of trees being planted across the country,” said Dr. Mike Lynch, NASCAR vice president, NASCAR Green Innovation. “While our dedication to positively impact the environment is a year-long affair, the NASCAR Race to Green initiative serves as reminder that our collective efforts can make a powerful impact on the health of our planet.” This cross-platform campaign encouraged fans to engage online by sharing their own green efforts by using #NASCARGreen. Highlights of the industry’s efforts during April were featured on a social hub that lived on NASCAR.com/Green. #NASCARGreen was used more than 10x the amount it was used in 2013. As part of the NASCAR Green Clean Air Tree Planting Program Delivered by UPS, a number of NASCAR-sanctioned tracks planted trees in their local communities and helped spread awareness about sustainable behavior including Darlington Raceway, Daytona International Speedway, Martinsville Speedway, Richmond International Raceway and Texas Motor Speedway.(NASCAR)(5-14-2014)

  • Kwasniewski in #42 for standalone events UPDATE: Turner Scott Motorsports announced that the #42 car of Kyle Larson would undergo a driver change at the NASCAR Nationwide Series standalone races this season, placing Dylan Kwasniewski behind the wheel of the #42 up & up by Target car at five events. Current NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver Chase Pistone will replace Kwasniewski at Iowa Speedway in the #31 Chevrolet Camaro. Kwasniewski currently drives the #31 Rockstar Energy Drink Chevrolet for TSM in the NNS and was recently announced as a Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates development driver. Pistone is also no stranger to racing. As a racecar builder of Legends Cars and Super Late Models, Pistone helps develop and field several drivers out of his North Carolina shop, Chase Pistone, Inc. The grandson of “Tiger” Tom Pistone, the 30-year-old driver has one previous NNS start and has competed in both the Pro Cup and ARCA Racing Series, where he claimed a top-10 finish in his ARCA debut at Iowa Speedway. Although the #31 and the #42 cars will undergo a driver change at these select events, the TSM crews will remain the same for each car, with Kwasniewski under the direction of crew chief Scott Zipadelli, and Pistone under the direction of Pat Tryson at Iowa Speedway.(Turner Scott Motorsports)(5-12-2014)
    UPDATE: Target is expanding its sponsorship in the NASCAR Nationwide Series to include the up & up brand as the primary sponsor on the #42 Turner Scott Motorsports’ Chevy Camaro for five races. The up & up brand will make its track debut this weekend during the Get to Know Newton 250 Presented by Sherwin Williams NNS race at Iowa Speedway. Dylan Kwasniewski will drive the #42 up & up Chevy to fill-in for Kyle Larson during five of the NNS races where the series does not race at the same track as the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.(Chip Ganassi Racing), see an image of the car on the #42 team paint schemes page.(5-14-2014)

  • ENEOS to sponsor Larson in two races: Chip Ganassi Racing Teams announced a new partnership with Japan’s largest oil company, JX Nippon Oil & Energy Corp., which will see their brand, ENEOS, as the primary sponsor on the #42 Chevy Camaro for two NASCAR Nationwide Series races with driver Kyle Larson at Turner Scott Motorsports. Larson will compete in the ENEOS colors in the History 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Saturday, May 24, as well as the Food City 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway on Friday, August 22. In addition, ENEOS will be a full-time associate partner on the #42 Chevy Camaro throughout the remainder of the NNS season. ENEOS has a long and successful history in numerous racing series around the world, but has yet to expand its sponsorship to the higher ranks of NASCAR. In partnering with CGRT, ENEOS joins the only NNS driver of Japanese ancestry, and has an exciting stage on which to showcase their brand.(Chip Ganassi Racing)(5-14-2014)
  • Darius Rucker, Luke Kuechly Added to Lineup At NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race: The best of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series are no strangers to sharing the spotlight when they take to the high banks of Charlotte Motor Speedway for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, with celebrities from the world of sports and music often adding to the star-studded affair. This year will be no different as Charlotte Motor Speedway welcomes country music superstar Darius Rucker and Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly. A Grammy-Award-winning musician and avid sports fan, Rucker will take the stage to perform the national anthem before the green flag falls on NASCAR’s blockbuster all-star event. Rucker burst onto the music scene as front man for the popular group Hootie & The Blowfish before branching out into a solo career. Since 2008, Rucker has made himself at home on the country music charts with hits like “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It,” “It Won’t Be Like This for Long,” “Alright,” “Comeback Song” and a cover of Old Crow Medicine Show’s “Wagon Wheel.”
    Kuechly, the Panthers leading tackler for the last two seasons and the 2013 Associated Press Defensive Player of the year, will lead the field in the official Toyota Camry pace car as honorary pace car driver at the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. In his rookie season, Kuechly, the ninth overall draft pick out of Boston College, made an immediate impact by leading the NFL in tackles an earning 2012 Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. Tickets can be purchased online at charlottemotorspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-455-FANS (3267).(CMS)(5-14-2014)

    News from May 13, 2014

  • Blake Koch to drive the #32 UPDATE at CMS and Dover: Blake Koch posted on his Facebook page that he will “get to race a few Cup races in the #32 starting this weekend and also next weekend for the 600”. Koch drove the #35 for Front Row Motorsports at Phoenix in March and failed to qualify at Las Vegas. He had one Cup start last season – the fall Charlotte race in the #95 for Leavine Family Racing.(5-13-2014)
    UPDATE: Go FAS Racing announced that Blake Koch will pilot the #32 Ford in the Sprint Showdown at Charlotte Motor Speedway as well as running the Coca-Cola 600 at CMS and the race at Dover on June 1st. “I had Blake in our part time cup ride last year at Charlotte and was very impressed with his ability to adapt to the increased horsepower from his Nationwide ride to the Cup car. We have a sponsor that would like to see how he can handle the grueling 600 mile race and Frank (Stoddard) and I also feel it’s time to start looking at a few drivers for the 2015 season now that Terry Labonte has announced that this will be his final season in NASCAR. The season is already one third over so it’s time to see who’s out there so we can make a final decision this fall on next years driver.” commented Go FAS partner Archie St. Hilaire. Sponsorship for the races will be announced later this week.(Go FAS Racing)(5-13-2014)

  • Gilliland cleared to race Friday: #38-David Gilliland tweeted Monday afternoon, “Just got the ALL GOOD to race! Time to go racing again!!!!! Big credit to NASCAR and the safety of our sport!”. Gilliland was involved in a tough wreck Saturday evening at Kansas Speedway when his car was hit by #51-Allgaier.(5-13-2014)

  • HScott Motorsports skipping Showdown: HScott Motorsports and driver #51-Justin Allgaier are skipping Friday’s Sprint Showdown. They posted on Twitter, Fans, Harry Scott Jr. and Steve Addington have decided to focus on the Coca Cola 600 which is a points race for [Allgaier].(5-13-2014)

  • Top 10 Driver Ratings for Sprint All Star Race:
    #18-Kyle Busch…………..110.3
    #48-Jimmie Johnson……….106.3
    #20-Matt Kenseth…………88.3
    #22-Joey Logano………….87.3
    #41-Kurt Busch…………..86.4
    #99-Carl Edwards…………82.8
    #24-Jeff Gordon………….81.6
    #5-Kasey Kahne…………..79.7
    #55-Brian Vickers………..79.6
    #31-Ryan Newman………….79.1
    Note: Driver Ratings compiled from 2005-2013 races (9 total) among active drivers at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
    Finishes, Top-15 Finishes, Average Running Position While on Lead Lap, Average Speed Under Green, Fastest Lap, Led Most Laps, Lead-Lap Finish. Maximum: 150 points per race.(NASCAR)
  • Tweaker Energy Shot returns to #19 team: Tweaker Energy Shots will be back on board the #19 Toyota Camry, piloted by Mike Bliss, this weekend at Iowa Speedway. This is Tweaker’s second season with TriStar Motorsports and Mike Bliss. During the fall race at Iowa Speedway last year, Bliss and the #19 Tweaker Energy Shot Camry qualified 24th and finished the race 18th. In Bliss’ nine starts at the speedway, he has posted one top-10 finish. He has an average start of 19.5 and an average finish of 16.2. With over 60 starts on short-tracks in the Nationwide Series, Bliss has posted seven top-5 and 19 top-10 finishes. Bliss’ average start at short-tracks is 17.7 with an average finish of 16.1.(TriStar Motorsports)(5-13-2014)

  • Jeb Burton in the #98 at Charlotte: Biagi-DenBeste Racing will have two new names on track for the May 24 History 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway: rising-star driver Jeb Burton and new partner Kendall-Jackson AVANT wines. The event will be Burton’s second in a NASCAR Nationwide Series car and his first in 2014. He will drive the #98 Kendall-Jackson AVANT® Ford in a first-time partnership between Biagi-DenBeste and the California winery.(Breaking Limits)(5-13-2014)

    News from May 12, 2014

  • Kansas overnight TV Ratings down: Overnight ratings for NASCAR from Kansas were the lowest in the young history of the race. The NASCAR Sprint Cup race from Kansas earned a 3.3 overnight rating on FOX Saturday night, down 15% from last year (3.9), down 11% from 2012 (3.7), and the lowest overnight in the four year history of the race. Until this year, the race took place on Sunday afternoon. Saturday’s 3.3 overnight is tied as the third-lowest ever for Sprint Cup racing on FOX, matching the 2009 Phoenix race. Eight of the nine lowest rated races on FOX in the metered markets have aired on a Saturday night, including all three of this year’s Saturday night races. The Darlington race drew a 3.2 overnight on April 12, and the Richmond race hit an all-time low 3.0 on April 26. For the weekend, the race was the top non-NBA sporting event on any network, finishing comfortably ahead of the final round of The Players Championship (2.6).(Sports Business Daily / Sports Media Watch)(5-12-2014)
  • Entry Lists for the Sprint Showdown and Sprint All-Star race at Charlotte Motor Speedway are posted, 23 teams/drivers are listed for the Showdown, including: #32-Koch, #33-Stremme, #44-Yeley.
    19 drivers are listed for the All-Star Race, 2 more drivers will come from the Showdown and one more driver from the Sprint All-Star Vote.
    See the full entry lists at my Jayski’s All-Star Race page

  • Sprint Fan Vote Top 10 drivers named: Monday morning Miss Sprint Cup released the names of the 10 drivers leading the Sprint fan vote for this weekend’s All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. They are (in alphabetical order): #47-A.J. Allmendinger, #43-Aric Almirola, #9-Marcos Ambrose, #15-Clint Bowyer, #3-Austin Dillon, #42-Kyle Larson, #13-Casey Mears, #10-Danica Patrick, #17-Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., and #98-Josh Wise. The winner of the fan vote will earn a spot in the Saturday’s All-Star race. See more details on the 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series All-Star Racepage.(5-12-2014)

  • Indy 500 practices underway for Kurt Busch: The runs Kurt Busch had made up to Sunday in the #26 Suretone Honda for Andretti Autosport were solely single-car runs, where he had a chance to acclimate simply to the nature and handling of the lighter, less powerful IndyCar compared to the heavier, more brutal and higher horsepower NASCAR Sprint Cup Series car. Sunday marked Busch’s first chance to run in traffic, in dirty air, in a moment he appreciated. He banked 31 laps on the day, with his fastest on lap 29 of 220.352 mph good for P12 on the time sheets. “It was a nice rookie day to go play in traffic,” said the 2004 Sprint Cup champion. “The Andretti Autosport guys ramped up where we are with the levels, to get in dirty air. Today was a nice shakedown, and the second run was a baseline run. It was nice to have a champion, Ryan Hunter-Reay, take me around, and then with Munoz and E.J. Viso. It’s just neat to move to the next step, which is to go out there in dirty air and draft with teammates.” Busch described the difference of running in traffic in NASCAR versus traffic in IndyCar as “times 10,” in IndyCar, so he could easily catch the car in front of them. With less horsepower, it’s a lot to digest. Busch and the rest of the five-car Andretti Autosport effort resume practice on Monday.(NBC Sports)(5-12-2014)
  • Sad News – Patricia Petty: Patricia Petty, wife of Maurice Petty and sister-in-law to Richard Petty, passed away Sunday, May 11. Richard Petty offered the following statement: “We all love Patricia. She was another cornerstone in the Petty family and was always there for Maurice and allowed us to do what we loved to do. She was just another special part of the family. We’ll miss her and give our love and support to Maurice and his family at this time.”(Richard Petty Motorsport)(5-12-2014)

  • Kwasniewski in #42 for standalone events: Turner Scott Motorsports announced that the #42 car of Kyle Larson would undergo a driver change at the NASCAR Nationwide Series standalone races this season, placing Dylan Kwasniewski behind the wheel of the #42 up & up by Target car at five events. Current NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver Chase Pistone will replace Kwasniewski at Iowa Speedway in the #31 Chevrolet Camaro. Kwasniewski currently drives the #31 Rockstar Energy Drink Chevrolet for TSM in the NNS and was recently announced as a Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates development driver. Pistone is also no stranger to racing. As a racecar builder of Legends Cars and Super Late Models, Pistone helps develop and field several drivers out of his North Carolina shop, Chase Pistone, Inc. The grandson of “Tiger” Tom Pistone, the 30-year-old driver has one previous NNS start and has competed in both the Pro Cup and ARCA Racing Series, where he claimed a top-10 finish in his ARCA debut at Iowa Speedway. Although the #31 and the #42 cars will undergo a driver change at these select events, the TSM crews will remain the same for each car, with Kwasniewski under the direction of crew chief Scott Zipadelli, and Pistone under the direction of Pat Tryson at Iowa Speedway.(Turner Scott Motorsports)(5-12-2014)
  • Nationwide Entry List:There are 41 cars on the preliminary entry list for Sunday’s Pioneer Hi-Bred 250 at Iowa Speedway. A few notes:
    Austin Theriault will drive the #5 for JR Motorsports;
    Blake Koch is entered in the TriStar #10;
    Ryan Ellis will drive the #15 for RWR;
    Michael McDowell is in the #20 for Joe Gibbs;
    Chase Pistone is in the #31 for Turner Scott while Dylan Kwasniewski moves to the #42;
    Sam Hornish is in the JGR #54;
    The #55 is TBA;
    Ryan Gifford will drive the #98 for Biagi DenBeste.(5-12-2014)
    See the complete list on the Iowa entry list page.

  • Ellis to drive for Rick Ware; SR2 Motorsports shut down? Ryan Ellis will have multiple organizations to call home for the remainder of the NASCAR season. Ellis, 24, recently signed a deal to race for Jennifer Jo Cobb Racing in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series for multiple events. After making his Nationwide Series season debut with a career-best finish at Las Vegas, the Virginia native was signed by SR2 Motorsports to become the team’s lead driver. However, the team has not attempted any races since the fifth event of the year at the Auto Club Speedway with Jason White. Ellis has now been signed by Rick Ware Racing for a large portion of the remaining events on the NASCAR Nationwide Series schedule. He will be attempting his debut with the organization this weekend at the Iowa Speedway in the #15 car, but will also be running the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event for FDNY Racing. According to Ellis, SR2 Motorsports has experienced “financial difficulties.” Entering 2014, SR2 Motorsports, owned by Jason Sciavicco, was set to run two full-time cars, the #00 and #24 Toyota Camry’s. Now, the team is reportedly closing shop. SR2 Motorsports has not been active on social media since the conclusion of March. A phone call was made to SR2 Motorsports, but there was no answer and “the inbox was full.” (Speedway Digest)(5-12-2014)
  • Camping World Truck Entry list: There are 30 trucks on the preliminary entry list for Friday’s NC Education Lottery 200 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. A few notes:
    The #07 is TBA;
    The #9 is TBA;
    Brad Keselowski in the #19;
    Austin Dillon is in the #20;
    Max Gresham is in the #23;
    Jake Crum is in the #82;
    Ross Chastain is in the #92;
    (5-12-2014)
    UPDATE: Justin Lofton will drive the #9.
    (5-12-2014)
    See the complete list on the Charlotte entry list page.
  • New partner for Weller in Charlotte: Jimmy Weller and SS Green Light Racing will welcome a new partner to their #08 Chevy Silverado at Charlotte Motor Speedway as Joedance Film Festival comes onboard for the annual event in NASCAR’s heartland. The Charlotte-based film festival looks to raise funds and awareness for rare pediatric cancers, as well as support research and clinical trials at Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte. The Joedance Film Festival was founded on July 6, 2010 in memory of Joe Restaino, a movie lover, who passed away after a four-year battle with Osteosarcoma (bone cancer) at the age of 20. Designed to showcase original film entries from Charlotte’s film industry producers, writers and directors, the Joedance Film Festival is held annually during the first weekend of August in the courtyard of the 10th Street Townhomes in Charlotte’s Fourth Ward District.(Jimmy Weller Racing)(5-12-2014)
  • Lofton to drive for NTS: Justin Lofton to make first NASCAR Camping World Truck Series start of 2014 this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway in the #9 Qore-24 Chevy Silverado. A successful two day test at Nashville Super Speedway led to NTS Motorsports and Lofton working together in three races starting with Friday nights NC Education Lottery 200 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Lofton is also scheduled to race Texas Motor Speedway on June 6th and Las Vegas Motor Speedway on September 27th. Lofton will work with crew chief Ryan McKinney.(NTS Motorsports)(5-12-2014)
  • Presidential candidate Wells to sponsor Cobb in Charlotte: 2016 Democratic Presidential candidate, Robby Wells has partnered with Jennifer Jo Cobb Racing and will be the sponsor for the #10 truck driven by Jennifer Jo Cobb on Friday, May 16 at the NC Education Lottery 200 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Cobb, the only female driver / owner in NASCAR enters the North Carolina Education Lottery 200 tied for 12th in the point standings of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.(Robby Wells for President)(5-12-2014)
  • New leadership for Empire team entering Charlotte: Empire Racing, a racing organization in both the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, and ARCA Racing Series as well as a development program announced Monday that Mike ‘Grumpy’ Cheek, crew chief, will expand his involvement with the team through Grumpy’s Performance, Inc. Team manager John Bellesfield and Excel Motorsports Services have parted ways with Empire Racing. Excel Motorsports Services was the firm managing the team. The team management firm Grumpy’s Performance, Inc. will immediately take over the operation of the team. Established in 2009 within the ARCA Racing Series, Empire Racing started to compete in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in 2012 with driver Sean Corr. With the partnership of Grumpy’s Performance, Inc., the team is scheduled to field a team at Charlotte Motor Speedway in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series with driver Jake Crum.(Empire Racing)(5-12-2014)

    News from May 11, 2014

  • Edwards not commenting on contract negotiations UPDATE: #99-Carl Edwards talked to the media Friday at Kansas Speedway:
    You mentioned contracts. Has there been progress? “You guys know that I don’t like to talk about that stuff in the media. To me, that is business and I have made the mistake of letting that turn into a big media thing before so I would rather not talk about that and keep that between me and Jack and Steve Newmark.”
    Are some teams more enticing that others? “Part of me not talking about it would be not answering that question.”(Ford Racing)(5-10-2014)
    UPDATE: #99-Carl Edwards has played his cards extremely close to the vest on whether or not he’ll remain with Roush Fenway Racing once his contract expires at the end of this season. But before Saturday night’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Kansas Speedway, Edwards was left flustered and stammered a bit when Fox Sports announcer Darrell Waltrip came right out and asked Edwards bluntly, “Can you win a championship at Roush?” It was rather obvious Edwards was taken back by Waltrip’s question and was not prepared for it. “That’s a good question,” Edwards said. “I think we can, I mean we’ve been very close. We sure looked real close at it, but we just haven’t got it done. It’s been 10 years and really, overall that’s my goal. I believe if I work hard enough and Roush works hard enough, I believe we can do it.” But then Edwards may have inadvertently slipped and gave what appeared to be a potential hint that he very well may be in his last year at RFR. “There’s not a better year than this year with Jimmy Fennig, the Chase format, and finishing Ford Championship Weekend at Homestead, so yes, I know we can and we have to do it this year. We’ve just got to keep digging,” Edwards said. The key phrase in that quote: “We have to do it this year.” Such a phrase, at least on the surface, gives the implication that winning a championship – or at least coming close – will be the ultimate decision-maker for Edwards to remain at RFR for another three seasons. That, plus his comment about being at RFR for 10 years and having no Cup championships to show for it, are also good hints for clue hunters.(NBC Sports)(5-11-2014)
  • Final Talladega TV Ratings: Television ratings for NASCAR’s spring race at Talladega were the lowest since at least 1997. Last Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Aaron’s 499 earned a 4.4 final rating and 6.9 million viewers on FOX, down 4% in ratings and 5% in viewership from last year (4.6, 7.3M), and down 14% and 17%, respectively, from 2012 (5.1, 8.3M). The 4.4 rating is the lowest for the spring Talladega race since it returned to broadcast television in 1998, tying rainout coverage in 2006. The previous low was set last year. Prior to last year, the spring race had never dipped below 5.0. Excluding the two rainouts, all eight NASCAR Sprint Cup telecasts this season have had declines in ratings compared to last year, and seven of the eight have had declines in viewership. Despite the lower numbers, the race was the #2 sporting event of the weekend on any network, trailing only the Kentucky Derby (9.4, 15.3M).(Sports Media Watch / Sports Business Daily)
    See past races for 2013 and 5-year comparison chart on the 2014 NASCAR TV Ratings page.(5-11-2014)

  • Charlotte giving Johnson “Key to the City”: Six-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver #48-Jimmie Johnson will be presented with the “Key to the City” during the regularly scheduled Charlotte City Council meeting on Monday. Johnson will be recognized by Mayor Dan Clodfelter for his outstanding philanthropic contributions to the Charlotte region and other parts of the country the Jimmie Johnson Foundation. The Jimmie Johnson Foundation was launched in 2006 by Johnson and his wife, Chandra, and is dedicated to assisting children, families and communities in need throughout the United States. To date, more than $6.7 million has been contributed to various organizations. The foundation currently focuses on funding K-12 public education.(Charlotte Observer)(5-11-2014)

    News from May 10, 2014

  • Gordon wins at Kansas: #24-Jeff Gordon won the 5-hour Energy 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway for his 1st win of 2014, 3rd at Kansas, and his 89th career win.
    Pole sitter #4-Harvick finished 2nd followed by #5-Kahne, #22-Logano, #88-Earnhardt, Jr., #99-Edwards, #10-Patrick [her career best finish], #43-Almirola, #48-Johnson, and #20-Kenseth.
    #24-Gordon, who came into the race as the points leader, extended his points lead to 15 over #20-Kenseth.
    The race started about 35 minutes late after storms moved just north of the track, causing NASCAR to go into a holding pattern.
    #22-Logano leads the Chase Seeding with two wins. #4-Harvick is second, also with 2 wins, but lower in points. They are followed by #24-Gordon, #18-Busch, and #88-Earnhardt, Jr.
    There were 25 lead changes among 10 drivers and there were 8 cautions for 47 yellow flag laps.
    The average speed was 128.149mph.
    See unofficial race results, awards, money won, laps led, cautions and more on the Unofficial Kansas Race Results page (pdf) and check out the Kansas Penalty Report (pdf).
    (5-10-2014)
  • Race Fast Facts – Kansas Speedway:
    Jeff Gordon won the 4th Annual 5-hour ENERGY 400 Benefiting Special Operations Warrior Foundation, his 89th victory in 736 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.
    This is his first victory and eighth top-10 finish in 2014.
    This is his third victory and 12th top-10 finish in 17 races at Kansas Speedway.
    Kevin Harvick (second) posted his eighth top-10 finish in 17 races at Kansas Speedway. It is his fifth top-10 finish in 2014.
    Kasey Kahne (third) posted his seventh top-10 finish in 14 races at Kansas Speedway.
    Kyle Larson (12th) was the highest finishing rookie.
    Jeff Gordon leads the point standings by 15 points over Matt Kenseth.
    Danica Patrick posted her best career finish (7th) in tonight’s race.
    (NASCAR Integrated Sports Marketing)(5-10-2014)
  • 2014 Sprint Cup Driver Chase Championship Points Standings:
    [after Kansas, race 11 of 36]
    1) #24-Jeff Gordon [1 win], 394
    2) #20-Matt Kenseth, 379, -15
    3) #18-Kyle Busch [1 win], 373, -21
    4) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. [1 win], 368, -26
    5) #99-Carl Edwards [1 win], 367, -27
    6) #22-Joey Logano [2 wins], 346, -48
    7) #48-Jimmie Johnson, 340, -54
    8) #31-Ryan Newman, 332, -62
    9) #16-Greg Biffle, 328, -66
    10) #55-Brian Vickers, 327, -67
    Other drivers with at least one win, likely will make the Chase:
    11) #2-Brad Keselowski [1 win], 326, -68
    12) #11-Denny Hamlin [1 win], 318, -76
    15) #4-Kevin Harvick [2 wins], 302, -92
    28) #41-Kurt Busch [1 win], 211, -183 (52 pts ahead of 31st)
    See UNOFFICIAL drivers championship points standings on the Unofficial Drivers Points Standings (pdf).
    See the UNOFFICIAL owner points standings on the Unofficial Owners Points Standings page (pdf).
    (5-10-2014)
  • Current 2014 Sprint Cup Driver Chase Seedings:
    [after Kansas, race 11 of 36 if Chase seeding started after this race]
    1) #22-Joey Logano, 2 wins, 6th in points
    2) #4-Kevin Harvick, 2 wins, 19th
    3) #24-Jeff Gordon, 1 win, 1st
    4) #18-Kyle Busch, 1 win, 3rd
    5) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., 1 win, 4th
    6) #99-Carl Edwards, 1 win, 5th
    7) #2-Brad Keselowski, 1 win, 11th
    8) #11-Denny Hamlin, 1 win, 12th
    9) #41-Kurt Busch, 1 win, 28th
    (no wins, in by points)
    10) #20-Matt Kenseth, 2nd
    11) #48-Jimmie Johnson, 7th
    12) #31-Ryan Newman, 8th
    13) #16-Greg Biffle, 9th
    14) #55-Brian Vickers, 10th
    15) #42-Kyle Larson, 13th
    14) #3-Austin Dillon, 14th
    (5-10-2014)
  • Kansas Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points:
    #42-Larson, finished 12th, 11 rookie points
    #3-Dillon, 19thth, 10
    #7-Annett, 25th, 9
    #26-Whitt, 28th, 8
    #23-Bowman, 35th, 7
    #51-Allgaier, 36th, 6
    #83-Truex, 43rd, 5
    Kligerman, Did Not Race
    See rookie rules, standings and history on the 2014 Rookie of the Year page.(5-10-2014)

  • 5-Hour Energy “good” with NASCAR: After questioning NASCAR’s integrity last season, the president of 5-Hour Energy said the company’s sponsorship extension with Clint Bowyer is an endorsement of the Sprint Cup Series’ direction. “We’re good,” 5-Hour president Scott Henderson said Friday at Kansas Speedway, where the company launched a new flavor that will help benefit the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. “Obviously, we wouldn’t have signed up for three more years if we weren’t OK with it.” Last September at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Henderson cast doubt on the sponsor’s future in NASCAR in the wake of a race manipulation scandal at Richmond International Raceway. NASCAR levied an unprecedented penalty on Michael Waltrip Racing drivers Bowyer, Martin Truex Jr. and Brian Vickers, but the sanctioning body issued lighter punishments to Team Penske and Front Row Motorsports. NASCAR chairman Brian France also expanded the Chase for the Sprint Cup field to 13 drivers, which didn’t seem to please Henderson. Henderson said Friday he hadn’t talked to France since the incident but indicated approval of NASCAR’s long-term handling in the aftermath. “I’m not in charge,” he said. ” I wouldn’t change the rules in the middle of the season, but I think we’re OK.” Henderson said 5-Hour began putting together the extension for Bowyer’s #15 Toyota at the end of last season.(USA Today)(5-10-2014)

  • Edwards not commenting on contract negotiations: #99-Carl Edwards talked to the media Friday at Kansas Speedway:
    You mentioned contracts. Has there been progress? “You guys know that I don’t like to talk about that stuff in the media. To me, that is business and I have made the mistake of letting that turn into a big media thing before so I would rather not talk about that and keep that between me and Jack and Steve Newmark.”
    Are some teams more enticing that others? “Part of me not talking about it would be not answering that question.”(Ford Racing)(5-10-2014)

  • Sam Bass looking forward to return to track: It’s not often that people find life at 200 mph to be calm, but after the year that Sam Bass has had, NASCAR’s first officially licensed artist looks forward to returning to his “status quo” life in the fast lane. After two near death experiences over the last three months, Bass plans to finally be back at the track debuting art for his 75th and 76th consecutive program covers at Charlotte Motor Speedway this month. Excited for a new race season and busy upcoming year, Bass visited Elon University and Appalachian State University as a guest lecturer during the month of January. However, rather than making his usual February trek to NASCAR’s birthplace in Daytona Beach, Fla., Bass spent NASCAR’s Speedweeks fighting for his life as a previously undetected diabetic-related blood infection turned to septic shock. Four related surgeries within the time span of two and a half weeks took its toll. “It was very touch-and-go there for a bit,” commented Bass. “While the recovery process from losing more than 33% of the tissue in my left leg has been frustrating at times, for the first time in 90 days I am finally able to walk without crutches. Honestly, I’m just really happy to still be here.” With his recovery on track, Bass expects to return to his normal appearance and travel schedule beginning with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.(Sam Bass PR)(5-10-2014)

  • Kansas Notes & Facts – Saturday – race:
    ” 111 drivers have competed in at least one NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas; 83 in more than one.
    ” Only one of the 16 races at Kansas Speedway has been shortened due to weather conditions: fall of 2007.
    ” Since the advent of electronic scoring the closest margin of victory in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Kansas Speedway was the (10/10/2004) race won by Joe Nemechek with a MOV of 0.081 second. ” There has been one NSCS race resulting with a green-white-checkered finish at Kansas Speedway: fall of 2011 (267/272).
    ” Denny Hamlin has participated in the most NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Kansas Speedway without posting a DNF (11).
    ” 11 different drivers have won at Kansas Speedway, led by Greg Biffle, Matt Kenseth, Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart and Jimmie Johnson with two each.
    ” Roush Fenway Racing and Hendrick Motorsports are tied for the most wins at Kansas in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with four each.
    ” Chevrolet leads the series in wins at Kansas with eight victories; followed by Ford with four wins.
    ” The deepest in the field that a race winner has started at Kansas Speedway was 25th, by Brad Keselowski in the spring of 2011.
    (NASCAR)(5-10-2014)
  • NASCAR Express Offers Train to NASCAR in Sonoma: For the second consecutive year, NASCAR fans can get on board the NASCAR Express train to the Toyota/Save Mart 350 Sprint Cup Series event at Sonoma Raceway. The raceway will partner with Key Holidays to offer an express train that will transport fans directly from the Sacramento area to the raceway on race day, Sunday, June 22. The train will depart from Sacramento, with stops in Davis and Suisun City, and traverse some of Northern California’s most spectacular scenery before dropping passengers just steps from the raceway’s main entrance. Last year’s inaugural NASCAR Express sold out five days before race weekend, and this year’s train is also expected to be a sellout. To meet increased demand, seating capacity for the train has been increased from 500 to 700 passengers. It’s a one-stop shop to purchase your race-day ticket and NASCAR Express pass. The $199 premium package includes: A reserved-seat in the Main Grandstan; Round-trip travel from Sacramento, Davis or Suisun; VIP main-gate entry, On-track access to driver introduction and pre-race ceremonies; and Special T-shirt. Seats are limited, so for more information on the NASCAR Express or to purchase your ticket package today, call 800-870-RACE (7223) or visit www.racesonoma.com/nascarexpress.(Sonoma Raceway)(5-10-2014)

    News from May 9, 2014

  • Pit Stall Selections: The selections of pit stalls for the 5-hour Energy 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway have been made.
    Pole sitter #4-Harvick chose pit stall 1 [as do most pole sitters].
    Outside pole sitter #22-Logano took pit stall 7, the first pit stall with an opening behind it.
    #2-Keselowski, who starts 3rd took the 18th pit stall,with an opening in front of it.
    The 43rd and final pit stall was taken by #99-Edwards, who starts 4th.
    To see where the drivers/teams pit stall is, see the pit selection chart on the Pit Stall Selection chart.(5-9-2014)
  • Harvick wins Kansas pole: #4-Kevin Harvick won the pole for the 5-hour Energy 400 Benefiting Special Operations Warrior Foundation Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway with speed of 194.252mph for his 2nd pole of 2014, 2nd at Kansas and 8th of his career. He broke the track record during the second round of qualifying with a speed of 194.658mph.
    #22-Logano is on the outside pole, followed by #2-Keselowski, #99-Edwards, #42-Larson, #41-Busch, #31-Newman, #14-Stewart, #10-Patrick, #16-Biffle, #1-McMurray, and #42-Almirola.
    Missing the race was: #77-Blaney.
    See starting lineup, qualifying results, round results and more on the Kansas Starting Lineup / Qualifying Results page.(5-9-2014)
  • Qualifying Fast Facts – Kansas:
    Kevin Harvick won the Coors Light Pole Award for the 4th Annual 5-hour ENERGY 400 Benefiting Special Operations Warrior Foundation with a lap of 27.799 seconds, 194.252 mph (a new track record).
    This is his eighth pole in 477 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.
    This is his second pole and sixth top-10 start in 2014.
    This is his second pole in 17 races at Kansas Speedway.
    Joey Logano (second) posted his eighth top-10 start of 2014 and his sixth in ten races at Kansas Speedway.
    Brad Keselowski (third) posted his third top-10 start at Kansas Speedway. It is his eighth in 11 races this season.
    Kyle Larson (fifth) was the fastest qualifying rookie.
    Kansas Speedway becomes the sixth track in 2014 to set a new qualifying track record joining Phoenix, Las Vegas, Bristol, Martinsville and Darlington.
    (NASCAR Statistics)(5-9-2014)
  • Second Round of Qualifying for the 5-hour Energy 400 Benefiting Special Operations Warrior Foundation Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway is over after 10 scheduled minutes. 23 drivers ran faster than the track record of 191.748mph, set by Matt Kenseth last April and #4-Harvick broke the track record and was faster then the record set in the 1st round, running a lap of 194.658mph.
    #4-Harvick 194.658
    #14-Stewart 193.847
    #22-Logano 193.715
    #43-Almirola 193.639
    #41-Busch 193.583
    the rest of the top 12: 99 31 42 16 2 1 10
    outside the top 12: 24 48 55 27 5 51 3 17 12 88 15 18
    (5-9-2014)
  • First Round of Qualifying for the 5-hour Energy 400 Benefiting Special Operations Warrior Foundation Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway is over, after 25 minutes. 10 drivers broke the track record of 191.748mph, set by Matt Kenseth last April.
    #41-Busch 193.611
    #42-Larson 193.223
    #16-Biffle 193.126
    #99-Edwards 193.119
    #5-Kahne 193.057
    Driver who will miss the race: #77-Blaney.
    (5-9-2014)
  • Happy Hour practice for the 5-hour Energy 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway is over after 50 scheduled minutes, the top five, slowest and notes:
    #14-Stewart 192.809
    #15-Bowyer 192.321
    #48-Johnson 192.239
    #42-Larson 192.178
    #4-Harvick 192.109
    slowest: #40-Cassill 184.420 & #36-Sorenson 193.387
    See the fastest speeds, 10-lap consecutive lap average and laps run on the Kansas Happy Hour Practice speeds page (pdf).(5-9-2014)

  • Biffle unsure of 2015 plans? UPDATE: #16-Greg Biffle told Motorsport.com last month at Darlington that it was his “intent” to stay at Roush Fenway Racing and he had “a feeling (he was) getting closer” to inking a new deal. However, following his conversation Wednesday night with Claire B. Lang on Sirius/XM NASCAR Radio, Biffle’s plans didn’t sound so concrete. “I think there’s plenty of opportunities in the industry to be in competitive cars,” Biffle said. “I enjoy being at Roush Fenway. I love 3M. We have a great relationship and the program works really, really well for 3M … Plain and simply, I’ve got options. I know I’m going to be racing. I know I’m going to be driving a car. So I’m not worried about it.”(Motorsport)(5-9-2014)
    UPDATE: Greg Biffle has no desire to leave Roush Fenway Racing when his contract expires at season’s end. “No, not a bit,” Biffle said Friday at Kansas Speedway when asked if he was looking outside of the Roush organization. “Absolutely, 100 percent ‘No.’ “Biffle said earlier this week on SIRIUS/XM NASCAR Radio’s “Dialed In” that negotiations are continuing with current sponsor 3M to extend the company’s deal to back Biffle’s #16 Ford. While nothing is imminent in terms of finalizing a new contract, Biffle says talks are continuing in the right direction. “We have a great relationship. They’re very happy with the program,” said Biffle. “There is a bunch of new people trying to get their arms around all of the business. They’ve got a lot of business units inside that ‘3M’ … which likes having all these sponsors in the garage part of one company. This is a big deal for them.”(Motor Racing Network)(5-9-2014)

  • Bowyer’s mother to wave green flag: #15-Clint Bowyer has one more reason to follow his mother’s instructions: She’ll wave the green flag at Kansas Speedway. It’s a NASCAR-style Mother’s Day celebration when Jana Bowyer waves the flag to start Saturday night’s Sprint Cup race. Clint Bowyer grew up in Emporia, Kansas, and was honored to have his mom picked to help start the 400-mile race. “We are a pretty close family so we’ve been ragging on her a little bit,” Bowyer said. “`Don’t drop the flag mom, whatever you do, don’t drop the flag.’ It’s pretty cool. I hope there’s not a caution.”(Associated Press)(5-9-2014)
  • First Friday practice for the 5-hour Energy 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway is over after 90 scheduled minutes, the top five, slowest and notes:
    #42-Larson 189.076
    #43-Almirola 188.620
    #15-Bowyer 188.528
    #77-Blaney 188.455
    #5-Kahne 188.042
    slowest: #26-Whitt 182.630 & #33-Hill 181.184.
    notes: Qualifying will be this evening at 6:40pm/et and shown on FoxSports 1.
    See the fastest speeds and laps run on the Kansas Practice 1 speeds page (pdf).(5-9-2014)
  • Coverage of Qualifying for the 5-hour Energy 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway is scheduled for Friday, May 9, 2014 at 6:40pm/et.
    Television (TV): FS1, 6:30pm/et
    Radio: Live online at Motor Racing Network (MRN)
    Scheduled Qualifying Re-Air: 4:30am/et on FS1
  • Qualifying Order for the 5-hour Energy 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway is posted. 44 cars/drivers are listed.
    The first of the drivers scheduled to go out is #42-Larson.
    The final driver scheduled to go out is #14-Stewart.
    Qualifying order is set by a random draw, held about an hour before the first practice.
    See the full qualifying order on the Jayski’s Kansas Qualifying Page.(5-9-2014)

  • Richard Petty Motorsports considering move to Toyota? Was that the King meeting with representatives from [Toyota] at Richmond? According to multiple sources, Richard Petty Motorsports [#9-Ambrose & #43-Almirola] is contemplating leaving Ford when its contract expires at the end of this year. One sticking point, however, could be engines. TRD currently has the capability to provide eight teams with engines. Although there are only three teams from Joe Gibbs Racing and three from Michael Waltrip Racing exercising that option, who’s to say that either of those operations isn’t considering expansion in the future. Without TRD engines, a partnership with Toyota isn’t nearly as attractive. After having your cars powered by Roush Yates engines, Triad would certainly be a step down.(Motorsport)(5-9-2014)

  • National Guard NASCAR sponsorship examined by Congress UPDATE: The National Guard spent $26.5 million to sponsor NASCAR racing in 2012 to bolster its marketing and recruitment but failed to sign up a single new soldier to its ranks, according to data provided to USA Today. Even though the Guard spent $88 million as a NASCAR sponsor from 2011 to 2013, it is unclear how many new recruits, if any, signed up because of it, according to documents. The Guard on Wednesday would not confirm the figures on prospects and recruits developed through its NASCAR sponsorship. Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., who will hold a hearing on the recruitment program Thursday, assailed the Guard for “wasting a bunch of money on a very expensive sports sponsorship.” The Guard received 24,800 recruiting prospects from the program in 2012, documents show. In those cases, potential recruits indicated the NASCAR affiliation prompted them to seek more information about joining. Of that group, only 20 met the Guard’s qualifications for entry into the service, and not one of them joined. In 2013, the number of prospects associated with NASCAR dropped to 7,500, according to briefing materials for the Senate subcommittee on Financial and Contracting Oversight led by McCaskill. The National Guard needs 1 million leads to meet its annual recruiting goal of 50,000 soldiers. The NASCAR initiative, along with the $38 million spent on an IndyCar racing sponsorship, over the same period, will be the target of the hearing led by McCaskill. Rick Breitenfeldt, a National Guard spokesman, said 90% of Army National Guard soldiers who enlisted or re-enlisted from 2007 to 2013 indicated that they had been exposed to information about the service through NASCAR-related recruiting and retention materials. Sponsoring NASCAR and driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. puts the Guard’s name in front of 77 million fans, he said.(USA Today)(5-7-2014)
    UPDATE: Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., questioned the Army National Guard’s sponsorship in NASCAR and IndyCar during a subcommittee hearing Thursday afternoon, and the official overseeing those programs said he planned to evaluate them. The National Guard will sponsor Dale Earnhardt Jr. for 20 Sprint Cup races this season. Military contacts are done on a yearly basis. Sen. McCaskill said that the National Guard’s budget for NASCAR amounts to $32 million from a sports marketing budget of more than $56 million. The National Guard does not differentiate between what goes to the team and what goes toward activation. No decision has been set by the National Guard for next season. “I will be … reviewing all these programs in the next, probably, month,” Maj. Gen. Judd Lyons, acting director, Army National Guard, said during the hearing.
    At one point during the hour-long hearing Sen. McCaskill said: “I don’t understand … how you can justify the fact that nobody is getting recruited from the NASCAR. The facts speak for themselves. the data is very clear. You’re not getting recruits off NASCAR. This is data you gave us. The reason we know is this because you told us.”
    Said Maj. Gen. Lyons: “I’m trying to analyze these programs for exactly the reasons that you’re saying. Are they achieving the intended affect? Are they the best use of our our taxpayer dollars? Is that the right thing to be doing? These are things I’m considering as the acting director as a path forward.”(Motor Racing Network)(5-9-2014)

  • Whitt gets Kansas sponsor: BK Racing’s newest driver Cole Whitt will have a new look for this weekend’s first-ever night race at the Kansas Speedway. The ##26 team welcome’s The Iowa Chop House on-board it’s Toyota Camry. Opening in July, 2014, The Iowa Chop House is an approachable, rustic, farm-to-table style restaurant and tap room offering the finest in Iowa-sourced, organic and seasonal ingredients, from prime cuts to craft beers and wine. Fittingly located in the heart of the historical downtown district of Iowa City, The Iowa Chophouse brings together local entrepreneurs and a team of talent that is focused on highlighting why Iowa has the best in food and libations.(BK Racing), see an image of the car on the #26 team paint schemes page.(5-9-2014)

  • GEICO and Germain Racing to salute military at Charlotte: As the month of May gets underway, the racing season is in full swing. Casey Mears and his GEICO team have been on a solid run, notching three top 20 finishes in their last three outings and now announce an initiative to honor our nation’s military. GEICO’s history with the military is long and rich and the company will now pay tribute to the troops by running a special paint scheme at the Sprint Showdown on Friday, May 16th, and also throughout Memorial Day weekend at the Coca-Cola 600. The #13 GEICO Chevy SS will feature camouflage accents on the side of the car, along with the Gecko wearing a military helmet and ‘GEICO Military’ across the hood. ‘Thank You For Your Service’ will adorn the decklid, while the television panel of the car will feature the Gecko offering a salute while standing at attention. GEICO also honors members of the U.S. military each year for their contributions toward drug and alcohol abuse prevention, fire safety and fire prevention or traffic safety and accident prevention with the GEICO Military Service Awards.(Player Management International), see an image of the car on the #13 paint schemes page.(5-9-2014)

  • 300th start for Bowyer; 200th for Sorenson: In Saturday night’s 5-hour ENERGY 400, #15-Clint Bowyer will make his 300th Sprint Cup Series start. Over the first 299, he has tallied eight wins, 52 top fives and 140 top 10s – and made the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup five times in his eight full-time seasons, including 2012 when he finished second in championship points. Bowyer will look to become the first driver to win in his 300th start since … Denny Hamlin on Sunday at Talladega.
    AND: #36-Reed Sorenson will be making a milestone career start this weekend; his 200th in the series.(NASCAR)(5-9-2014)

  • Associate sponsor joins Germain at Kansas Speedway: Heading to the Midwest following a wild and competitive race weekend in Alabama, Casey Mears and the #13 GEICO Chevy SS will bring a familiar local Castrol oil change service center to the track with them for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series’ “5-hour Energy 400” at Kansas Speedway. Dipman Automotive Service of Olathe, KS, will be featured as an associate sponsor throughout the team’s trip to the 1.5 mile tri-oval located about 15 miles west of downtown Kansas City. Located on West Sante Fe Street in Olathe, KS, Dipman is a Goodyear tire center that offers the liquid engineering of premium quality Castrol oil products.(Germain Racing)(5-9-2014)

  • Gilliland’s home for sale: NASCAR driver #38-David Gilliland is selling his 66-acre Lake Norman estate in Sherrills Ford for $4.9 million, Lake Norman Realty President Abigail Jennings said Tuesday. Formerly owned by NASCAR’s Michael Waltrip, the estate includes equestrian facilities, two race shops, an indoor basketball-racquetball court, a helicopter pad, a wine cave and ponds stocked with bass and catfish.(Charlotte Observer)(5-9-2014)

  • Kansas Notes & Facts – Friday – poles:
    ” Jason Leffler won the inaugural Coors Light pole at Kansas Speedway in 2001 with a speed of 176.499 mph.
    ” 11 drivers have Coors Light poles at Kansas, led by Jimmie Johnson and Kasey Kahne with three each.
    ” Jimmie Johnson is the only driver to win consecutive Coors Light poles at Kansas Speedway (2007 and 2008).
    ” Four of the 16 (25%) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Kansas Speedway have been won from the Coors Light pole; Joe Nemechek (2004), Jimmie Johnson (2008), Matt Kenseth (spring 2013), Kevin Harvick (fall 2013).
    ” Qualifying has never been cancelled due to weather conditions in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Kansas Speedway.
    ” Jason Leffler (09/30/2001) is the only driver to post his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coors Light pole at Kansas Speedway.
    ” Jimmie Johnson leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in average starting position at Kansas Speedway with a 10.800.
    ” Five of the 16 (31.2%) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Kansas Speedway have been won from the front row: four from the pole and one from second-place.
    ” 10 of the 16 (62.5%) NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Kansas Speedway have been won from a top-10 starting position.
    ” Two of the 16 (12.5%) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Kansas Speedway have been won from a starting position outside the top 20.
    (NASCAR)(5-9-2014)
  • Sad News – Wilbur Rakestraw: In the early years of stock car racing, Wilbur Rakestraw of Paulding County (GA) was one of the stars of Atlanta-area tracks such as Lakewood Speedway and the Dallas Speed Bowl. He also was well-known on the NASCAR circuit now known as Sprint Cup and on NASCAR’s old Convertible Series. Rakestraw, who died Wednesday at age 85 of congestive heart failure, was among the drivers who made the transition from the old beach course at Daytona to the 2.5-mile Daytona International Speedway. He ran the first three Daytona 500s as well as the first race at the track now known at Atlanta Motor Speedway, finishing 11th. Rakestraw ran 30 points-paying races in the Cup Series and 11 in Convertibles. But his best performance came in a non-points event at Daytona International Speedway in 1961 in which he finished second to Junior Johnson and just ahead of Fred Lorenzen (Atlanta Journal Constitution), service info coming at ClarkFuneralHome.comno info on services yet.(5-9-2014)
  • Busch wins at Kansas: #51-Kyle Busch won the SFP 250 at Kansas Speedway. #88-Matt Crafton finished second followed by: #19-Joey Logano, #20-Austin Dillon, #32-Tayler Malsam, #13-Jeb Burton, #77-German Quiroga, #30-Ron Hornaday, Jr., #8-Joe Nemechek, and #35-Mason Mingus.
    There were 9 cautions for 46 laps and 15lead changes among 6 leaders. Complete results are on the Kansas race results page (pdf).(5-9-2014)
  • Kansas Race Fast Facts:
    Kyle Busch(i) won the 14th Annual SFP 250, his 37th victory in 117 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races.
    This is his second victory and second top-10 finish in 2014.
    This is his first victory and second top-10 finish in three races at Kansas Speedway.
    Matt Crafton (second) posted his sixth top-10 finish in 14 races at Kansas Speedway. It is his second top-10 finish in 2014.
    Joey Logano(i) (third) posted his first top-10 finish in two races at Kansas Speedway.
    Mason Mingus (10th) was the highest finishing rookie.
    Matt Crafton leads the point standings by 8 points over Timothy Peters.
    (NASCAR Statistics)(5-9-2013)
  • Driver standings following Kansas:
    1) ) #88-Matt Crafton,120
    2) #17-Timothy Peters, 112, – 8
    3) #30-Ron Hornaday, 112, -8
    4) #77-German Quiroga, 109, -11
    5) #98-Johnny Sauter, 105, -15
    6) #29-Ryan Blaney, 101, -19
    7) #13-Jeb Burton, 98, -22
    8) #31-Ben Kennedy, 96, -24
    9) #54-Darrell Wallace, Jr., 90, -30
    10) #5-John Wes Townley, 87, -33
    See complete standings on the driver standings page (pdf).(5-9-2014)
  • Owner Standings following Kansas are posted (pdf).(5-9-2014)
  • Lucky Dogs – Who got a lap back on each caution at Kansas: (and their finish)
    Caution 1: none
    Caution 2: none
    Caution 3: none
    Caution 4: #10-Jennifer Jo Cobb, 13th
    Caution 5: #57-Norm Benning, 18th
    Caution 6: #5-John Wes Townley, 11th
    Caution 7: #57-Norm Benning, 18th
    Caution 8: #57-Norm Benning, 18th
    Caution 9: #13-Jeb Burton, 6th
    (5-9-2014)
  • Busch on pole at Kansas: #51-Kyle Busch won the Keystone Light Pole for the SFP 250 at Kansas Speedway with a speed of 178.921mph. #29-Ryan Blaney will start second, followed by: #98-Johnny Sauter, #7-Brian Ickler, #19-Joey Logano, #13-Jeb Burton, #20-Austin Dillon, #17-Timothy Peters, #88-Matt Crafton, and #21-Joey Coulter.
    Fastest in the second round of qualifying was #19-Joey Logano.
    #51-Kyle Busch was quickest in the opening qualifying session at 176.713mph.
    #31-Ben Kennedy wrecked during the opening session of qualifying and will race a back-up truck.
    See complete lineup on the Starting lineup (pdf) page.(5-9-2014)
  • Kansas Qualifying Notes:
    Kyle Busch(i) won the Keystone Light Pole Award for the 14th Annual SFP 250 with a lap of 30.181 seconds, 178.921 mph (a new track record).
    This is his 13th pole in 117 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races.
    This is his first pole and second top-10 start in 2014.
    This is his first pole in three races at Kansas Speedway.
    Ryan Blaney (second) posted his third top-10 start of 2014 and his first in two races at Kansas Speedway.
    Johnny Sauter (third) posted his fourth top-10 start at Kansas Speedway. It is his second in three races this season.
    Tyler Young (15th) was the fastest qualifying rookie.
    (NASCAR Integrated Marketing)(5-9-2014)
  • Kansas Speedway, Kansas Lottery renew partnership: Kansas Speedway and Kansas Lottery officials announced a multi-year renewal of their partnership, which has been in place since Kansas Speedway opened in 2001. The partnership means the Kansas Lottery will remain the entitlement sponsor of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race (Kansas Lottery 300), which returns to Kansas Speedway on Oct. 4, and the Kansas Lottery will continue as the “Official Lottery of Kansas Speedway.” “I’m excited that we are able to continue our partnership with the Kansas Lottery,” said Kansas Speedway President Patrick Warren. “The Lottery has been a tremendous supporter of ours and their continued sponsorship of Kansas Speedway and as the entitlement partner on our NASCAR Nationwide Series race is incredible. It’s going to be a great year at Kansas Speedway and I’m glad that the Kansas Lottery will be a part of it.”(Kansas Speedway)(5-9-2014)
  • Darlington expects to keep race in April: Darlington Raceway President Chip Wile likes where his old, country track stands in NASCAR, even if it’s no longer the sports’ backdrop for honoring mothers this week. The 65-year-old facility had spent the previous nine years building the formerly off weekend of Mother’s Day into a can’t-miss race for NASCAR moms, who walked across the stage with their sons or daughters during driver introductions and combined for the combined for the unique call of “Drivers and sons, start your engines!” But Wile believes that the switch in is Darlington’s best interest long term and will keep NASCAR’s oldest superspeedway relevant with a new generation of race fans. Wile said he’s heard little except raves from NASCAR leaders and officials at Darlington’s parent company, International Speedway Corp. After a few weeks to review numbers and catch their breaths, Wile says track leaders have started plans to make things even better in 2015. He’s confident the April race weekend will stick and give fans something to count on each season. The track had sold out its first four Mother’s Day weekend races, but attendance had fallen off in recent years. Wile said the track came close to a full house a month ago, although he would not provide details about attendance, citing track policy.(Associated Press)(5-9-2014)

    News from May 8, 2014

  • Carsforsale.com adds 3 races to sponsorship of #40 team: Carsforsale.com, one of the fastest-growing online automotive websites, announced a three-race Sprint Cup Series partnership with driver Landon Cassill and Hillman Racing as primary sponsor of the #40 Chevy SS beginning with this weekend’s 5-hour Energy 400 race event under the lights at Kansas Speedway. Building on the success of its sponsorship of Cassill and the #40 in the Daytona 500, Carsforsale.com will also serve as the primary sponsor of the #40 Carsforsale.com Chevy SS at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (July 27) and Talladega Superspeedway (October 19), where just last week Cassill posted a Sprint Cup Series career-best 11th-place finish.(Hillman Racing), see an image of the car on the #40 team paint schemes page.(5-8-2014)

  • National Guard NASCAR sponsorship examined by Congress: The National Guard spent $26.5 million to sponsor NASCAR racing in 2012 to bolster its marketing and recruitment but failed to sign up a single new soldier to its ranks, according to data provided to USA Today. Even though the Guard spent $88 million as a NASCAR sponsor from 2011 to 2013, it is unclear how many new recruits, if any, signed up because of it, according to documents. The Guard on Wednesday would not confirm the figures on prospects and recruits developed through its NASCAR sponsorship. Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., who will hold a hearing on the recruitment program Thursday, assailed the Guard for “wasting a bunch of money on a very expensive sports sponsorship.” The Guard received 24,800 recruiting prospects from the program in 2012, documents show. In those cases, potential recruits indicated the NASCAR affiliation prompted them to seek more information about joining. Of that group, only 20 met the Guard’s qualifications for entry into the service, and not one of them joined. In 2013, the number of prospects associated with NASCAR dropped to 7,500, according to briefing materials for the Senate subcommittee on Financial and Contracting Oversight led by McCaskill. The National Guard needs 1 million leads to meet its annual recruiting goal of 50,000 soldiers. The NASCAR initiative, along with the $38 million spent on an IndyCar racing sponsorship, over the same period, will be the target of the hearing led by McCaskill. Rick Breitenfeldt, a National Guard spokesman, said 90% of Army National Guard soldiers who enlisted or re-enlisted from 2007 to 2013 indicated that they had been exposed to information about the service through NASCAR-related recruiting and retention materials. Sponsoring NASCAR and driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. puts the Guard’s name in front of 77 million fans, he said.(USA Today)(5-7-2014)

  • Ryan Blaney to attempt Cup debut at Kansas: This weekend, Ryan Blaney will make his Sprint Cup Series debut behind the wheel of the #12 SKF Ford for Team Penske. Blaney will run two NSCS races for Team Penske in 2014, with the second scheduled for Talladega in October. Jeremy Bullins and the #22 Team Penske NASCAR Nationwide Series team will crew the #12 SKF Ford this weekend in Kansas, along with a few additional team members. It will be the first time Bullins will get a chance to serve as crew chief of a NSCS team. He’s earned 15 wins since taking over as crew chief of the #22 NNS car at Team Penske in 2012. Blaney will get a chance to race alongside his father, veteran NASCAR and Sprint Car driver Dave Blaney, in Kansas.(Team Penske), see an image of the car on the #12 team paint schemes page.
    AND Should both Blaneys qualify for the race, it would be the first time a father and son have competed in the same Cup race since #04-Bobby Hamilton and #32-Bobby Hamilton Jr. started at Atlanta in October 30, 2005.(5-8-2014)

  • New look for Bowyer at Kansas: The week doesn’t get any less eventful for Clint Bowyer as he spends the week in his hometown of Emporia, Kan., for various appearances and then heads to his home track of Kansas Speedway. The rest of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will join him for the track’s first race under the lights in Saturday’s 5-hour ENERGY 400. Bowyer’s #15 Toyota will be specially painted for the event as well. In support of a new 5-hour ENERGY flavor, Bowyer pilots the #15 Cherry 5-hour ENERGY benefiting Special Operations Warrior Foundation Toyota.(MWR), see an image of the car on the #15 team paint schemes page.(5-8-2014)

  • Eli Gold to be inducted in Alabama Sports Hall of Fame: Veteran Motor Racing Network broadcaster Eli Gold will be honored later this month with induction into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. In addition to being one of the most recognizable announcers in MRN’s award-winning lineup of motor sports professionals, Gold has been the play-by-play voice of University of Alabama football since 1988. Gold – a native of Brooklyn, N.Y. – started in the sports broadcasting field in 1972. In a career now spanning five decades, he’s done play-by-play for a number of hockey teams including the Birmingham Bulls, St. Louis Blues and Nashville Predators; as well as a four-year stint as the play-by-play announcer for the Birmingham Barons baseball team. He joined the Motor Racing Network in 1976 and began his current tenure as the voice of Crimson Tide football 12 years later. In that role, Gold has been named Alabama Sportscaster of the year four times. The induction ceremony for the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2014 will take place on Saturday, May 17, in Birmingham.(Motor Racing Network)(5-8-2014)

  • Fans can pick Kyle Busch’s Pocono paint scheme: It’s draft week …NFL teams across the country are ramping up for a big weekend, but M&M’S Racing is working with Joe Gibbs to let NASCAR fans draft a #1 pick of their own. Between now and May 19, fans can share which M&M’S flavor they would draft – M&M’S Peanut, M&M’S Peanut Butter, or M&M’S Pretzel. The flavor with the top picks by May 19 will serve as the featured paint scheme on the #18 M&M’S Toyota during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race in Pocono, Pa, on June 8. For more info, see the Jayski NASCAR Related Contest page.(5-8-2014)

  • Kansas Notes & Facts – Thursday – drivers:
    ” Seven drivers have started all 16 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Kansas Speedway – #24-Jeff Gordon, Jeff Burton(not entered), #4-Kevin Harvick, #41-Kurt Busch, Mark Martin(not entered), #20-Matt Kenseth and #31-Ryan Newman.
    ” Martin Truex Jr., Kasey Kahne and Ryan Newman are tied for the series most runner-up finishes at Kansas Speedway with two each.
    ” Jeff Gordon leads the series in top-five finishes at Kansas Speedway with nine; followed by Greg Biffle with seven.
    ” Jimmie Johnson leads the series in top-10 finishes at Kansas Speedway with 13; followed by Jeff Gordon (11), Edwards, Biffle, Kenseth and Stewart each have nine.
    ” Jimmie Johnson (7.533) leads the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in average finishing position at Kansas Speedway – he is the only driver with an average finish in the top-10 at Kansas.
    ” Kevin Harvick competed at Kansas Speedway 15 times before winning last fall; the longest span of any the 11 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series winners at Kansas.
    ” Kevin Harvick (15) and Matt Kenseth (13) have made 10 or more attempts before their first win at Kansas Speedway.
    ” Kurt Busch leads the series with the most NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at Kansas Speedway without visiting Victory Lane at 16.
    ” Jimmie Johnson leads the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in laps led at Kansas Speedway with 562 laps led in 15 starts.
    (NASCAR)(5-8-2014)
  • Goodyear tire notes for Kansas: While teams in both the NASCAR Sprint Cup and Camping World Truck Series will run the same left-side tire code (D-4604) at Kansas this week, they will run distinct right-side codes . . . in the Sprint Cup Series, this is the same left-side code that teams ran at Kansas lastOctober . . . this is the first time they have run this right-side code (D-4586) . . . this right-side is a single compound tread and features a slight change from what was run on the traction zone of last October’s multi-zone right-side at Kansas . . . this tire set-up came out of a Goodyear tire test at Kansas on April 14 . . . one team per Sprint Cup organization was invited to that test . . . as on all NASCAR ovals greater than one mile in length, teams are required to run inner liners in all four tire positions at Kansas . . . air pressure in those inner liners should be 12-25 psi greater than that of the outer tire.(Goodyear) See tire codes, tire pressures, set limits and more on the Kansas Race Info page – Goodyear section.
  • Chassis selections for this weeks race: see the list of many teams [that report or post them] and what chassis were selected by the team to run at Kasnas Speedway on the Kansas Race Info page – Chassis selection area.
  • Sad News – Norman Toshio Koshimizu: Norman Toshio Koshimizu [longtime Robert Yates Racing gasman of the #28/#38 car], 69, of Mooresville, NC., died May 7, 2014 at CMC Main. Arrangements are incomplete.(James Funeral Home), no full obituary or details on services yet.(5-8-2014)
  • Las Vegas enhancing RV experience:Las Vegas Motor Speedway has augmented its reputation as one of the top facilities in which to attend a NASCAR race by making recent enhancements to the RV experience for fans who “live” on the grounds during NASCAR Weekend. The two major improvements include the paving of more than 1,100 RV spaces and making shower facilities free to anyone in the RV lots. In the past month, LVMS paved 968 RV parking spaces in the Boulevard A, B and C lots behind the backstretch along Las Vegas Boulevard. An additional 168 spaces were paved in the Bullring RV lot, which is located next to the 3/8-mile short track. The shower units consist of eight portable trailers, each with 16 private showers and dressing areas. Two of the trailers will be located in the speedway infield, two in the Boulevard A, B and C lots and one each in the Boulevard D, Bullring, Checkered Flag and Burnout RV lots. The showers will be available Thursday through Sunday on NASCAR Weekend.(LVMS)(5-8-2014)

    News from May 7, 2014

  • Yates talks about horsepower reduction: Doug Yates from Roush Yates Racing Engines talks about what’s coming in regards to reduced horsepower for Cup teams:
    Yates: So where we are today is reducing RPM, talking about taking 500 RPM away. Effectively, that reduces speed on the racetrack and goes along with making the parts last longer. Talking about roller cams. The Cup series is the only series that has a flat tappet cam. It is a really hard application and it is probably the only series in the world that has a flat tappet cam. It gets it more like Nationwide and Truck so the parts could be passed down and they would last longer. If we need to reduce power more, we’d do it through a reduced throttle body size, reducing the air flow through the throttle body. Those are the mechanisms that will be utilized to reduce power.
    They are [also] looking at [limiting RPM] through gear ratios. We crossed that bridge years ago when we decided to limit the RPMs and they did it with the final drive ratio. It was a really good way to do it. If the engine will achieve more RPM because it is making more power or the driver gets off of the corner better and he achieves more RPM, then so be it. I think the final drive ratio is a good, easy-to-police way to get there. That is the adjustment they’ll make. They do the same thing today in Nationwide and Trucks based on the RPM range they want to run. That has been a good, effective way to run.
    NASCAR has had more engagement with the engine building community than they ever have before. We’ve had five meetings now and Gene Stefanyshyn has done a great job leading those meetings. At first, it was a little bit of going through a process to get everyone to talk and open up. Our lives are about competition so those meetings, at first, were a bit of “I can outdo you on this.” Everybody has now settled in to try and achieve Brian France and NASCAR’s two initiatives of trying to improve racing through a reduction of horsepower and to try and figure out how to save some cost for the teams.”(Frontstretch)(5-7-2014)

  • RFR, Stenhouse Jr. Building for America’s Bravest at Shootout: Roush Fenway Racing and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. announced they are teaming with the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation to support the organizations’ continued effort to build ‘smart’ homes for injured military heroes. In addition, the organizations’ ‘9/11 Never Forget’ mobile exhibit will make its return to its North Carolina roots at RFR’s Fan Appreciation Day on May 22. The exhibit was built in North Carolina and was unveiled in Fayetteville in September 2013. Stenhouse’s #17 Sprint Cup Ford Fusion will run a special paint scheme in the Sprint Cup Showdown. The partnership will help raise awareness to build a smart home for Tom McRae, a Marine Gunnery Sgt. who served three tours of duty in Iraq before suffering life altering injuries while on his second deployment in Afghanistan. The ‘9/11 Never Forget’ mobile display is a traveling monument that honors those who lost their lives in the 9/11 attacks. It will be on hand at Roush Fenway for its annual fan day on May 22, marking its first appearance at the team’s headquarters. The partnership marks the fourth season that RFR has teamed with the Stephen Siller Tunnel of Towers Foundation to raise awareness.(RFR / Lionel Racing), see an image of the scheme on the #17 Team Schemes page.(5-7-2014)

  • Kansas Farm Bureau on the #66 at Kansas: As the Joe Nemechek #66 car accelerates around Kansas Speedway for the Kansas 400 Sprint Cup race this Saturday, it will carry Kansas Farm Bureau’s ‘Voice of Agriculture’ message on each lap. The farm-grown ethanol powered race car will help show race fans and a huge television audience the importance of agriculture, from growing the food they enjoy, to the clothing they wear, to the high octane ethanol powering the cars around the track. “This sponsorship represents the hard-working farm and ranch families in rural Kansas,” said Kansas Farm Bureau President Steve Baccus. “We are pleased to work with the #66 team to illustrate both the professionalism of our farmer and rancher members and an excellent race team.”(Identity Ventures Racing), see an image of the car on the #66 team paint schemes page.(5-7-2014)

  • Tire test underway at Dover UPDATE: Goodyear is conducting a tire test Tuesday and Wednesday at Dover International Speedway. Drivers participating are #18-Busch, #78-Truex, Jr., and #99-Edwards.(Goodyear Racing)(5-6-2014)
    UPDATE: Nationwide drivers Ty Dillon (Richard Childress Racing) and Elliott Sadler (JGR), as well as two teams from the Camping World Truck Series (the #29 from Brad Keselowski Racing and #51 from Kyle Busch Motorsports), are at Dover, too. Goodyear says that Busch, Truex and Edwards will be running both days, while Dillon and Sadler will get one day each.(NBC Sports)(5-7-2014)

  • Kwikset debuts on the #31: Kwikset, a leading brand of the Hardware and Home Improvement division of Spectrum Brands Holdings SPB, will debut a brand new paint scheme for Richard Childress Racing driver Ryan Newman’s #31 Chevy for the Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway. The paint scheme is part of Kwikset’s season-long partnership with the 15-time NASCAR championship racing organization. The partnership between Kwikset and Newman is a natural one, as the driver and leader in residential locks both share a passion for innovative technology and advanced engineering. On the hood of the car, Kwikset will promote its new smart lock Kevo, an industry-first Bluetooth-enabled deadbolt that allows authorized users to unlock their door with the touch of a finger while their smartphone remains in their pocket. Kwikset is also the company behind first-of-its-kind SmartKey Re-Key Technology, which lets homeowners re-key their locks in seconds without removing them from the door. Kwikset SmartKey locks also offer superior pick resistance and pass the most stringent security standards.(Kwikset PR), see an image of the car on the #31 team paint schemes page.(5-7-2014)

  • Kansas Notes & Facts – Wednesday – history:
    ” Groundbreaking was held on May 25, 1999.
    ” The official opening of Kansas Speedway was in 2001, with the first events being an ARCA race and a NASCAR K&N Pro Series West race on the same day – June 2.
    ” The first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race was on Sept. 30, 2001 – won by Jeff Gordon.
    ” During the 2012 season, between the April and October events the 1.5-mile track underwent a repave adding variable banking in the corners.
    ” There have been 16 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Kansas Speedway, one NSCS event from 2001 – 2010 and two races per year since 2011.
    (NASCAR)(5-7-2014)
  • Congrats: JTG Daugherty Racing’s #47 Kingsford Chevrolet SS rear mechanic Dustin Kirk and his wife Nicole welcomed a baby boy, Brantley Tyler Kirk, into the world at 2:00am Wednesday morning. Brantley weighed in at 6lbs, 7oz, 20 inches long. (5-7-2014)

  • Townley to make more Nationwide starts: Athenian Motorsports announced they will be competing in a total of thirteen NASCAR Nationwide Series races with John Wes Townley as driver of the #25 Zaxby’s Toyota Camry. Townley comes off a 13th place finish in the Nationwide Series in the team’s debut at Talladega Superspeedway, Saturday, May 3, 2014. Athenian Motorsports, LLC will enter Townley at both Charlotte Motor Speedway races, Kentucky Speedway, Daytona Int’l Speedway, Chicagoland, Indianapolis, Bristol, Richmond, Kansas, Texas, Phoenix and Homestead Miami Speedway NASCAR Nationwide Series events. Townley will continue to compete full time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck and ARCA Racing presented by Menards Series in 2014.(Athenian Motorsports)(5-7-2014)
  • Hal Martin to make 2014 debut at Iowa: TriStar Motorsports announced that Nationwide Series driver Hal Martin will be back behind the wheel of the #44 American Custom Yachts Toyota Camry at Iowa Speedway. This will be the “Ragin Cajun’s” first Nationwide Series start at the 7/8-mile asphalt paved tri-oval speedway. American Custom Yachts has partnered with Hal Martin and TriStar Motorsports for the 2014 season. The Stuart, Florida-based, operation encompasses a 63-acre marine facility providing a full range of marine services on site, including yacht construction, repair, repowering and refitting. Located at mile marker 46 on the Okeechobee Waterway, ACY is a one-stop shop for all marine service needs.(TriStar Motorsports)(5-7-2014)
  • George returns to Mittler Brothers team: MB Motorsports heads to Kansas Speedway with crew chief Doug George atop the pit box. “Mike [Mittler] and I go way back,” says George. “I drove for the team back in ’98 and now I’m here as crew chief.” Driver Justin Jennings, a native of LaGrange, MO, returns for his second start at the mile and a half track in the Mittler Brothers Machine & Tool / LG SEEDS Chevy Silverado. He is currently 12th in the drivers point standings.(MB Motorsports)(5-7-2014)
  • Polaris and MotoPlex of Norfolk join Weller: Jimmy Weller will have a new partner on board his #07 Chevy Silverado this weekend. Competing for SS Green Light Racing, Weller will partner with Polaris and MotoPlex of Norfolk for the race at Kansas Speedway. Decals for each company will be visible on the rear quarter panels, as well as the TV panel on the rear of the truck.(Jimmy Weller Racing)(5-7-2014)
  • Johnson headlines Kid-Focused events for Pocono 400: Pocono Raceway will host the fourth-annual Jimmie Johnson Fan Experience, which includes an exclusive, kids-focused question-and-answer session with the six-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion, prior to the start of the Pocono 400 on Sunday, June 8. In addition to the ticket package, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers Clint Bowyer and Jamie McMurray will visit Pocono’s seventh annual Bowlopolis Kids Day on Saturday, June 7. The 2014 Jimmie Johnson Fan Experience will feature a kid-generated question-and-answer session with the three-time Pocono race winner and a Lowe’s Build and Grow Clinic, prior to the start of Sunday’s 400-mile race. Pocono 400 ticket holders have two options to choose from for this pre-race experience: the $48 family-four pack or the $20 individual pass. For more information and to purchase access passes, please visit www.poconoraceway.com/jj48. Clint Bowyer and Jamie McMurray will visit Pocono Raceway’s annual Bowlopolis Kids Day, a free event for all to enjoy, for their question-and-answer session on June 7. Bowyer and McMurray will appear in the Chalet Village, located behind the Grandstands and near Gate 8, in between the two scheduled NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practices on Saturday morning.(Pocono Raceway)(5-7-2014)

    News from May 6, 2014

  • Kahne and Truex Jr. qualifying times disallowed UPDATE: after qualifying for the Aaron’s 499 Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway, NASCAR announced that the times for #5-Kasey Kahne and #78-Martin Truex Jr. had been disallowed. Kahne’s car did not meet the minimum weight requirement and Truex Jr’s car did not meet minimum height requirement that is used for restrictor-plate tracks. Kahne will start 41st and Truex Jr will start 42nd. #5 crew chief Kenny Francis and Truex Jr. offered these quotes about the situation:
    Kenny Francis, Crew chief of the #5 Farmer Insurance / Thankamillionteachers.com Chevy on the #5 teams time getting disallowed: “Basically we had a malfunction with a ballast container. The cap that holds the ballast in came out. It could be mechanical or human error we are not really sure what happened. At the end of the day 25 pounds of ballast came out and we were 25 pounds light at the scales. The time was disallowed and we will have to start at the back.”
    Martin Truex Jr., #78 Furniture Row Chevy – time was disallowed after failing post qualifying inspection: “After positing the fastest practice speed yesterday, today’s result and infraction were disappointing to say the least. That’s the bad news. The good news is that we have a fast car for tomorrow’s race, and as we have said many times, qualifying really doesn’t mean that much here.”(Team Chevy)(5-4-2014)
    UPDATE: Kenny Francis, the crew chief for the #5 team that competes in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, has been penalized for rules violations committed during qualifying May 3 at Talladega Superspeedway. The infraction is a P3 level penalty and violates Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing) and 12-4.3(A)1-c (unapproved added weight and/or weight affixed improperly) of the 2014 rule book. As a result, Francis has been fined $25,000. The infraction was discovered in post-qualifying inspection.(NASCAR)(5-6-2014)
  • RFR, Stenhouse Jr. Building for America’s Bravest at Shootout: Roush Fenway Racing and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. announced they are teaming with the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation to support the organizations’ continued effort to build ‘smart’ homes for injured military heroes. In addition, the organizations’ ‘9/11 Never Forget’ mobile exhibit will make its return to its North Carolina roots at RFR’s Fan Appreciation Day on May 22. The exhibit was built in North Carolina and was unveiled in Fayetteville in September 2013.
    “It’s a great cause and I am proud to carry their colors on our race car,” said two-time NASCAR champion Ricky Stenhouse Jr. “It’s our duty as American Citizens to give back to the guys that give everything for our freedom and are true heroes. They are the ones that allow us to be able to chase our dreams each week – on and off the race track – and I am very excited to be able to help raise awareness for the work that these great organizations are doing to give back to them.”
    Stenhouse’s #17 Sprint Cup Ford Fusion will run a special paint scheme in the Sprint Cup Showdown. The partnership will help raise awareness to build a smart home for Tom McRae, a Marine Gunnery Sgt. who served three tours of duty in Iraq before suffering life altering injuries while on his second deployment in Afghanistan.
    “We are honored that the Roush Fenway Racing team, and their driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr., are supporting our efforts to build ‘smart’ homes for our catastrophically injured military heroes,” said Frank Siller, chairman of the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation. “By featuring our ‘Building for America’s Bravest’ and ‘Tunnel to Towers’ logos on the paint scheme of Ricky’s #17 Ford Fusion, they are helping to raise awareness for the work we’re doing. Then, the fact that Lionel Racing will be making die-cast cars of the model, and donating a portion of the proceeds to us, makes it even more fantastic.”
    “Having Ricky Stenhouse Jr. drive his racecar in the All-Star Race with the ‘Building for America’s Bravest’ logo is really cool,” said McRae. “I can’t thank him and the Roush Fenway Racing team enough. And to know that Lionel Racing is going to take Ricky’s car and make die-cast models of it, and that part of the money raised from sales will go to building smart homes for military like me who’ve been badly injured, makes it really awesome.”
    The ‘9/11 Never Forget’ mobile display is a traveling monument that honors those who lost their lives in the 9/11 attacks. It will be on hand at Roush Fenway for its annual fan day on May 22, marking its first appearance at the team’s headquarters. The partnership marks the fourth season that RFR has teamed with the Stephen Siller Tunnel of Towers Foundation to raise awareness.(RFR / Lionel Racing), see an image of the scheme on the #17 Team Schemes page.(5-6-2014)
  • Overnight Talladega TV Ratings UPDATE: not much info but the Aaron’s 499 Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway had a overnight rating of 4.0, which is down on the 2013 overnight rating of 4.4(ShowBuzzDaily). No 2014 viewership numbers were posted. 2013’s final TV Rating was a 4.6 with 7.345 million viewers and in 2012 the rating was 5.1 with 8.348 million viewers.
    See past races for 2014 and a five-year comparison chart on the 2014 NASCAR TV Ratings page.(5-5-2014)
    UPDATE: A weak season for NASCAR on FOX continued with the lowest overnight from Talladega in at least sixteen years. Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Aaron’s 499 from Talladega earned a 4.0 overnight rating on FOX, down 9% from last year (4.4), down 15% from 2012 (4.7), and the lowest overnight for the spring Talladega race since at least 1998. The previous low was set last year. The multi-year low comes on the heels of the two lowest overnights in NASCAR on FOX history – Darlington’s 3.2 and Richmond’s 3.0. So far this season, FOX has earned its lowest overnights ever at Daytona, Phoenix, Martinsville, Las Vegas, Darlington, Richmond and Talladega, and its second-lowest overnight at Fontana. Despite the lower numbers, Sunday’s race earned the fourth-highest overnight of the weekend for a sporting event on broadcast or cable, trailing only three NBA Game 7s – Grizzlies/Thunder on TNT (4.1), Warriors/Clippers on TNT (4.3), and Mavericks/Spurs on ABC (4.9). Because final ratings for NASCAR tend to rise from the overnights, it is entirely possible that the race will end up having been the top sporting event of the week when the final numbers are released.(Sports Media Watch)(5-6-2014)

  • Hungry Jack joins JTG Daugherty for 2 races: JTG Daugherty Racing has some of the finest quality brands activating in the Sprint Cup Series with the #47 Chevy SS team and announce the addition of Hungry Jack pancake mixes and breakfast syrups, which are part of The J.M. Smucker Company. Hungry Jack will have prominent positioning on the #47 Chevy SS race car during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Sunday, August 31, 2014, and the season-finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Sunday, November 16, 2014. The brand will also have presence as an associate partner for the remainder of the season, including in-store opportunities for its retail partners.(JTG Daugherty Racing), see an image of the car on the #47 team paint schemes page.(5-6-2014)

  • Tire test underway at Dover: Goodyear is conducting a tire test Tuesday and Wednesday at Dover International Speedway. Drivers participating are #18-Busch, #78-Truex, Jr., and #99-Edwards.(Goodyear Racing)(5-6-2014)

  • NASCAR Numbers Heading to Kansas:
    4: The number of finishes outside the top 20 for Jimmie Johnson in the first 10 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races. That’s the most since 2009, when Johnson also had four results outside the top 20 in the first 10 races. But, oh, by the way, Johnson went on to win the series championship that year.
    5: The number of former NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champions involved in “The Big One” in Sunday’s Aaron’s 499 at Talladega. On Lap 137, 2012 champion Brad Keselowski triggered a wreck that also collected Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart and Matt Kenseth, who have 14 titles between them.
    11: The finishing position at Talladega of Landon Cassill, who kept the #40 Hillman Racing Chevrolet in the top 10 for much of Sunday afternoon. That result was a career best for Cassill in 201 Sprint Cup starts, bettering a pair of 12th-place finishes at Michigan and Daytona.
    23.3: Kyle Busch’s average finish in 13 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Kansas Speedway, statistically Busch’s worst track. The driver of the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota has but two top 10s at Kansas, and no top fives. He has led 85 laps there, his lowest total by far at a 1.5-mile intermediate speedway.
    5: The number of drivers who have won two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway, suggesting that success breeds success at the 1.5-mile track. In 16 total races at Kansas, Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Greg Biffle, Jimmie Johnson and Matt Kenseth have won twice each. Kenseth is the only one of the five to win in two different car makes a Ford and a Toyota.(NASCAR Wire Service)(5-6-2014)

  • Top 10 Driver Ratings at Kansas:
    #48-Jimmie Johnson…………………… 118.9
    #20-Matt Kenseth……………………….. 109.6
    #16-Greg Biffle………………………….. 106.9
    #24-Jeff Gordon………………………….. 99.6
    #14-Tony Stewart…………………………. 97.5
    #99-Carl Edwards………………………… 96.6
    #4-Kevin Harvick………………………… 95.9
    #78-Martin Truex Jr………………………. 91.5
    #5-Kasey Kahne………………………… 91.1
    #15-Clint Bowyer…………………………. 90.1
    Note: Driver Ratings compiled from 2005-2013 races (12 total) among active drivers at Kansas Speedway.
    Finishes, Top-15 Finishes, Average Running Position While on Lead Lap, Average Speed Under Green, Fastest Lap, Led Most Laps, Lead-Lap Finish. Maximum: 150 points per race.(NASCAR)

  • Marcos Ambrose Allows Fans to Pay Fine Forward: Marcos Ambrose and his #9 Richard Petty Motorsports team are on a mission from now to the Sprint Showdown to make the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. If Ambrose does make it to All-Star night, he will pay forward the $25,000 fine he received after the event at Richmond International Raceway to Victory Junction. Ambrose and the team have committed to pay the fine forward from potential All-Star Race winnings and donate it to the camp founded by Kyle and Pattie Petty in honor of their son, Adam. Victory Junction enriches the lives of children with serious illnesses by providing life-changing camping experiences that are exciting, fun and empowering, at no cost to children or their families.
    Ambrose first entertained the idea after so many of his fans here in the United States and his native Australia wanted to aid monetarily with his fine. The 2013 All-Star has now found a unique way for fans to not only support him, but to help children experience life-changing moments at Victory Junction and assist the camp helped built by his boss, “The King” Richard Petty.
    “I had a tremendous outpouring of support after Richmond from so many fans,” said Ambrose. “But, that situation was between myself and another driver. I had to pay the consequences from that and my fans had nothing to do with what happened. But, they have been so supportive of me in NASCAR, that maybe there was something we could do so they could make a difference. If they want to support me, they can vote for me and we’ll take the total of the fine and pay it forward to Victory Junction. I’ve been to Victory Junction a few times. It’s a place like no other and really can take your breath away when you see the kids having so much fun. I’m a father and this is a place that really hits home. So, this is an opportunity to take an unfortunate situation and we can all come together to make a difference. The fans can just vote for me for the All-Star race and I’ll try to race in. We’ll do this together and hopefully do something special.” Ambrose will have three opportunities to be eligible for the Sprint All-Star Race. He can win this weekend at Kansas Speedway, finish first or second in the Sprint Showdown before the Sprint All-Star Race and finally fans can vote him in. Fans have three different methods to vote for Ambrose leading into the All-Star Race, including using the NASCAR Mobile application on their mobile device. Votes from a mobile handset count double. Fans can also go online to NASCAR.com/SprintFanVote and also visit the Sprint Experience at the track and vote. Voting will end on May 16.(RPM)(5-6-2014)

  • GM Starts Work on New Performance and Racing Center: Last week General Motors began construction of a state-of-the-art facility for race engine design and development, as well as an electric motor laboratory and gear center. GM’s continued investment in motorsports comes from the time-tested belief that racing is the ultimate proving ground for much of the technology that applies to the vehicles GM sells. Engineers and technicians from GM’s race engineering center in Wixom, Mich. will move to the new facility in mid-2015. The relocation will centralize North American powertrain engineering expertise for production engines as well as advanced and racing propulsion programs. Condensing the engineering to one large space is an excellent way to develop race-bred engineers whether they work on production or performance vehicles. The move will include about 100 employees who work on powertrain racing development, electric motors and in the gear center. The new building is expected to be opened and in use by mid-2015 and completed by early 2016. The GMPRC is part of a $200 million investment GM announced last January to build a new 138,000 sq.-ft. test wing. At that time, the company announced work at four remote locations would consolidate on the Pontiac campus, helping to reduce development timing for GM’s next-generation advanced propulsion technologies. When the moves are complete, about 400 jobs will be added to the Pontiac campus. Engineers at the GMPRC will work on powertrain-related projects for GM’s involvement in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, Verizon IndyCar Series, TUDOR United SportsCar Championship, Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge, Pirelli World Challenge, NHRA (COPO Camaro Program) and Global Rally Cross.(in part from a GM PR)(5-6-2014)

  • Tagliani to drive 2 races for Penske: Accomplished road racer Alex Tagliani will drive the #22 Discount Tire Ford Mustang for Team Penske in two 2014 NASCAR Nationwide Series road course races. Tagliani will compete for the team in the June 21 event at Road America and again on August 16 at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. The No. 22 Discount Tire Ford won at both Road America and Mid-Ohio last season with AJ Allmendinger behind the wheel. A native of Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Tagliani has made four NNS starts over the course of his racing career, which has included memorable performances in IndyCar, CART, Sports Cars, V8 Supercars and several other forms of motorsports. He made two NNS starts in 2009, and competed in one series race in both 2011 and 2012. In 2011, Tagliani drove the #12 car for Team Penske in his home race at Montreal, where he started second and finished second after leading 11 laps. Tagliani is also a former Indianapolis 500 pole winner, as he captured the prestigious pole position in 2011. He is a former winner at Road America as he took the checkered flag in the 2004 CART Series race at the legendary road course. Tagliani has also won in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series in his career. (Team Penske)(5-6-2014)

  • Hattori Racing to focus on Nationwide Series: Hattori Racing Enterprises’ owner, Shigeaki Hattori, announced that the team will be scaling back in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series and running more NASCAR Nationwide Series races. “We started our Nationwide Series program this year with intentions to run only a few Nationwide Series races and to have two cars full time in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East. At this point in the season, however, we have decided that we need to focus more on our Nationwide Series program,” explains Shigeaki. “There are several factors that have influenced this choice, and we have received a lot of support from our sponsors encouraging this decision. We are still a small team, and I believe we need to run more Nationwide Series races to gain more experience so that we can be even stronger next season.” Hattori’s first attempt at the Nationwide Series far surpassed expectations. The HRE #80 Goodyear Toyota, driven by Johnny Sauter, surprised many by qualifying 9th for season opener at Daytona International Speedway, and then ran well for the majority of the race. HRE is sponsored by a number of Japanese companies, many of whom were impressed with HRE’s first Nationwide Series start enough to provide support for future races. Several companies have decided to shift their sponsorship from the HRE’s K&N Series cars to the Nationwide Series car. HRE will continue to enter the #1 Big Machine Records Toyota in select NKNPSE races with David Garbo Jr. behind the wheel. The next Nationwide Series race for HRE will be the History 300, May 24th at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Johnny Sauter will once again be piloting the #80 for the Charlotte race. HRE will announce future schedules as the season progresses.(Hattori Racing Enterprises)(5-6-2014)
  • Blaney set for busy Kansas week: Hopefully, the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series drivers enjoyed the break – because things are about to get a lot busier for the series. And few will be as busy as Ryan Blaney. After racing only twice so far this season, the 2014 schedule will get hectic over the next couple of weeks. For the first time this season, the series will be in action in back-to-back weekends with the SFP 250 this Friday night at Kansas Speedway and next week at Charlotte Motor Speedway. For Blaney, it will be a full weekend in Kansas as the 20-year-old driver will race in both Friday night’s SFP 250 and Saturday night’s 5-hour ENERGY 400. It would be the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series debut for Blaney, who will drive the No. 12 Ford for Team Penske on Saturday. The race also could provide an opportunity for Blaney to compete against his father Dave, which would make them the first father/son duo to compete in in the same NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event since Bobby Hamilton Sr. and Jr. raced at Atlanta on October 30, 2005. Both Blaneys raced against one another last season in the historic truck race at Eldora Speedway.(NASCAR)(5-6-2014)
  • Nemechek to recognize the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center: Joe Nemechek and his SWM-NEMCO Motorsports team will give The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center a high-speed salute this weekend as they sport the MD Anderson logo on their #8 Toyota Tundra in this weekend’s SFP 250 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event at Kansas Speedway. Sid Mauldin, owner of SWM and partner in SWM-NEMCO Motorsports is currently receiving treatment at MD Anderson, located in Houston, TX and wanted to share his experience with the NASCAR community while showing support for the facility that has provided such impeccable care. Nemechek, who is sharing the NCWTS season with his 16 year-old son, John Hunter, had what he considers one of his most memorable racing moments at the 1.5-mile tri-oval. In October 2004, Nemechek swept the weekend, winning both the NASCAR Nationwide and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.(SWM-NEMCO)(5-6-2014)
  • Cobb returns home with sponsor support: Kansas City native, Jennifer Jo Cobb, returns home for the first ever night race for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, Friday, May 16. Cobb will be driving the #10 Mark One Electric Chevy Silverado, debuting a new body style for the 1.5 mile tracks. Cobb starts the race on Friday currently 15th in points with primary and returning sponsor Mark One Electric on the hood. This race marks the ninth time Mark One Electric has sponsored her at the Kansas Speedway. She was recently in town to help them celebrate their 40th Anniversary by making an appearance at a private event held at their Kansas City MO facility. Other local Kansas City businesses supporting Cobb are Arrow Truck sales which sells pre-owned medium and heavy duty trucks throughout North America, and Pizza Shoppe Kansas City’s Original Neighborhood Pizza Place. Additional sponsors include Referral Leaders International, Candlewood Suites and Race4Girls.com, a Kansas City based women owned organization dedicated to helping female racers. Jennifer is a fixture in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. She has broken records for females in the series including the highest points finisher in 2010, the highest race finisher (sixth at Daytona) in 2011 and in 2012 she finished the season as the female with the most series starts.(Jennifer Jo Cobb Racing)(5-6-2014)
  • Vertx joins GMS: GMS Racing is pleased to announce Vertx, a tactical and outdoor apparel brand, has joined the team as a partner for the 2014 season. Vertx will serve as primary sponsor for driver Joey Coulter and the #21 Chevy Silverado team in this week’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Kansas Speedway. In addition, Vertx, the “Official Tactical Clothing Supplier of GMS Racing,” will be an associate sponsor on all GMS entries in the Truck Series and ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards for the remainder of the 2014 season.(See an image of the truck on the #21 Paint Schemes page)(GMS Racing)(5-6-2014)
  • Dillon to drive for NTS in Kansas: Austin Dillon will drive the #20 Chevy Silverado for Bob Newberry and NTS Motorsports at Kansas Speedway this week. Dillon, the 2011 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Champion, will make his first series start of 2014 after making only two starts in 2013 (Eldora Speedway and Chicagoland Speedway). Veteran crew chief Jeff Hensley will serve as crew chief for Dillon.(NTS Motorsprots)(5-6-2014)
  • Shafer returns to truck racing for multiple races: After a several year absence from NASCAR racing, veteran Ohio racer Todd Shafer returns to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in the Thunder Exhaust #08 for SS Green Light Racing Friday night at the Kansas Speedway. Shafer is scheduled to run several races for the Bobby Dotter-led team during 2014 beginning with the SFP 250 under the lights in America’s heartland. Todd began racing at the age of eight and has raced in a wide variety of vehicles for nearly thirty years including micro-sprints, WoO Sprint Cars, asphalt late models, ARCA and both the NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. His last start in the NCWTS came at Iowa in 2012 where he was the victim of another driver’s misfortune. When he’s not at the track, Shafer is busy with his business; Thunder Exhaust which manufacturers low-profile NASCAR style exhaust tips for most any vehicle. He spends some of his time away from the shop with his eight-year old son Jonathan who is currently racing quarter-midgets around their native Ohio home. In June of 2001 Shafer was seriously injured in a wreck at Michigan International Raceway while competing in the ARCA Series. Suffering severe injuries to his back and neck, it took months for Todd to recover before returning behind the wheel in July of 2002.(SS Green Light)(5-6-2014)

  • July Nationwide race at Chicago becomes EnjoyIllinois.com 300: As part of a longstanding partnership, Chicagoland Speedway announced the Illinois Office of Tourism as the title sponsor of its July NASCAR Nationwide Series race. The EnjoyIllinois.com 300 will run under the lights on Saturday, July 19, during a rare off-weekend for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, providing a national platform for Illinois’ flourishing tourism industry. Tickets for the EnjoyIllinois.com 300, Chicagoland’s only Saturday night race of the season, start at just $30 for adults and $5 for kids, while Fan Zone Pit Passes are only $25. A race ticket also includes access to the Ansell ActivArmr 150 ARCA Racing Series race, running on the same day.(Chicagoland Speedway)(5-6-2014)
  • Coca-Cola 600 to Feature Spectacular Pre-Race Salute to Troops: When the biggest Memorial Day weekend celebration kicks off at Charlotte Motor Speedway before the green flag drops on the Coca-Cola 600, fans will be part of one of the biggest military tributes in the race’s 55-year history. From special recognitions of some of our military’s bravest, to a one-of-a-kind helicopter flyover and the return of the Patriot Partners program and Papa John’s Pizza Party for the troops, the Salute to the Troops portion of the Coca-Cola 600 pre-race show presented by the NRA will be something to behold. Seven vintage war birds will take to the skies before Sunday’s race as part of an aerial salute to the troops. The privately owned fleet includes a SNJ 5, a C-45, a T-28 Alpha, a T-28 Bravo and a C-46, among others. Astronaut Steve Swanson to Give Command from International Space Station. As the national anthem plays during pre-race festivities, more than 120 volunteers will unfurl a football field-sized American flag on the infield. The flag measures 150-by-300 feet. With packages starting at just $99, fans can experience all the action and excitement that surrounds Coca-Cola 600 weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway with the Coca-Cola 600 Weekend Pass. The package includes tickets to see the stars of NASCAR hit the track to lay down the fastest lap during LiftMaster Pole Night on Thursday, May 22; a Saturday afternoon showdown as the NASCAR Nationwide Series drivers battle it out in the HISTORY 300 on May 24; and culminating with the historic 55th running of one of NASCAR’s most prestigious events, the Cola-Cola 600 on Sunday, May 25. More info at charlottemotorspeedway.com.(CMS)(5-6-2014)
  • Fans Can Attend NASCAR Drivers’ Meeting in Sonoma: Race fans who’ve wondered exactly what transpires in the Sunday NASCAR drivers’ meeting can see for themselves during the 2014 Sprint Cup Series weekend at Sonoma Raceway. For the first time ever in Sonoma, select fans will be granted access to the NASCAR drivers’ meeting on Sunday morning, June 22, shortly before the green flag for the Toyota/Save Mart 350. The offer is only available to fans who purchase their Sunday race tickets prior to May 31. The drivers’ meeting will take place on the road course inside the hairpin at Turn 11, and will offer fans a chance to see all 43 NASCAR drivers, crew chiefs and race dignitaries, as well as a peek into what goes on during this pre-race tradition. “This is an incredible opportunity for our guests to go behind the curtain on race day and be part of the action,” said Steve Page, president and general manager of Sonoma Raceway. “We are grateful to NASCAR for arranging this special access to Sonoma’s race fans.” Weekend and single-day tickets are available now for NASCAR’s only stop in Northern California, starting as low as $49 on race day. Get your tickets today for the best value and first-time exclusive access to the NASCAR drivers’ meeting. This offer expires and ticket prices go up on June 1. For more information, visit www.racesonoma.com/nascar or call 800-870-RACE (7223).(Sonoma Raceway)(5-6-2014)

    News from May 5, 2014

  • Entry List for the 5-hour Energy 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway is posted, 44 teams/drivers [for 43 spots] are listed, including: #12-Ryan Blaney, #33-Stremme, #32-Kvapil, #66-Nemechek, #77-Blaney. The #35 Front Row Motorsports Ford is NOT entered after attempting all 10 races so far in 2014.
    Driver who needs to be in the top-36 in speed and have no provisional available to them: #12-Ryan Blaney, lowest in owners points
    If qualifying is cancelled, the driver who would miss the race: #12-Ryan Blaney, no race attempts
    See the full entry list at my Jayski’s Kansas Entry List

  • MWR announces extensions with Bowyer, Pattie and 5-Hour Energy & a baby: Michael Waltrip Racing announced today it has signed multiyear contract extensions with sponsor 5-hour ENERGY, driver Clint Bowyer and crew chief Brian Pattie to race its #15 Toyota Camry in the NASCAR Sprint Cup series starting in 2015. The trio joined MWR in 2012 and has scored three wins and earned two Chase berths including a runner-up finish in 2012. “This is big news for all of us,” said Bowyer, an eight-time winner in NASCAR Sprint Cup competition. “It creates great stability and excitement about what the next few years can bring. MWR is my racing home and continuing this relationship with 5-hour ENERGY was a high priority. It’s time to put the paperwork in a drawer and focus on winning.”
    “Since the first day 5-hour ENERGY, Clint and Brian showed up at MWR, we have been a contender for wins and championships. I am so thankful that we get to continue and add to what we have built,” said co-owner Michael Waltrip. “I am most happy for the employees of MWR who are the foundation of everything we do.”
    The familiar red, black and yellow brand colors of 5-hour ENERGY will adorn the #15 in 24 NASCAR Sprint Cup events each year starting in 2015. Additional primary partners on the #15 include PEAK and AAA Mid-Atlantic. “We have clearly aligned ourselves with one of the most competitive and energetic drivers in racing and we felt it was really important for us to continue the equity we have built over the past three years,” said Scott Henderson, president of 5-hour ENERGY. “We love Clint, the people at MWR and the sport of NASCAR. The extension decision was also based on our racing program’s success with our sales team and all of our participating retailers.” Bowyer celebrates his 300th start Sunday at Kansas Speedway.(MWR). Bowyer also announced on his Twitter that he and wife Lorra are expecting a baby.(5-5-2014)
  • Overnight Talladega TV Ratings: not much info but the Aaron’s 499 Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway had a overnight rating of 4.0, which is down on the 2013 overnight rating of 4.4(ShowBuzzDaily). No 2014 viewership numbers were posted. 2013’s final TV Rating was a 4.6 with 7.345 million viewers and in 2012 the rating was 5.1 with 8.348 million viewers.
    See past races for 2014 and a five-year comparison chart on the 2014 NASCAR TV Ratings page.(5-5-2014)

  • Kyle Busch cited for speeding: #18-Kyle Busch was issued a speeding citation on April 29 in Denver, NC on suspicion of traveling 60 mph in a 45 mph zone. According to the police report, the stop happened in front of Beach’s Grocery. Busch said he thought the speed limit was 55 mph. The officer commented in the police report that Busch had a “disrespectful attitude.” He was driving a Lexus sedan when he was stopped around 7:45 pm. This is not Busch’s first documented driving incident. In 2006, he was ticketed for reckless driving after he “chirped” his tires while pulling out of a Richmond, Va., gas station and into a fast-food restaurant next door. Busch was cited for careless and reckless driving and speeding in 2011 when he was stopped in Iredell County for going 128 mph in a 45 mph zone.(WWOC)(5-5-2014)
  • Camping World extends NASCAR deal to sponsor Truck Series: NASCAR announced it has reached a seven-year agreement with Camping World to remain the entitlement sponsor of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series through 2022. The new deal ensures that Camping World will own exclusive rights as title sponsor for a total of 14-consecutive years, equaling the longest entitlement sponsorship in the history of the national series, which is celebrating its 20th season. The renewed partnership aligns two brands in the midst of significant growth. Since originally becoming series entitlement sponsor in 2009, Camping World has expanded its number of stores by 35%, resulting in the company eclipsing $3 billion in annual revenue. The new deal provides Camping World exclusive rights to market its Good Sam Roadside Assistance program as the Official Roadside Assistance of NASCAR. With a network that includes 40,000 tow and service providers in North America, Good Sam Roadside Assistance has provided roadside services to more than two million stranded motorists in the past 30 years. Additionally, the new agreement provides official NASCAR status to two growing automobile companies; CarCash as the Official Auto Buying Service of NASCAR, and AutoMatch USA, as the Official Pre-owned Automobile Retailer of NASCAR. CarCash, featured on Season 1 of CNBC’s The Profit, purchases used cars from individuals in return for immediate cash. AutoMatch USA, featured on Season 2 of CNBC’s The Profit, specializes in the sale of foreign and domestic pre-owned cars of all makes and models.(NASCAR)
    AND The recreational vehicle retailer, which became title sponsor of the series in 2009, signed a seven-year extension that will begin in 2016. The deal is valued at more than $5 million a year in rights fees and media commitments.(Sports Business Journal)(5-5-2014)
  • Win 204 for car #11: #11-Denny Hamlin’s win in the Aaron’s 499 Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway on May 4, 2014 was car #11’s 204th win in the Sprint Cup Series. This win is now five wins ahead of the iconic #43 for all-time wins in Sprint Cup Series history for a car number. Richard Petty, who drove the #43 for most of his 200 wins, actually won 192 races running the #43 and 8 in other car numbers [#41 & #42]. The car number in third is the car #3 with 97 wins. See all kinds of car number stats and records on my Wins by Car Number page.(5-5-2014)
  • Breakdown of wins by driver in the #11:
    Cale Yarborough (55)(won 3 championships in car #11)
    Ned Jarrett (49)(won 2 championships in car #11)
    Darrell Waltrip (43)(won 3 championships in car #11)
    Denny Hamlin (24)
    Junior Johnson (11)
    Bill Elliott (6)
    Geoff Bodine (4)
    Terry Labonte (4)
    Bobby Allison (3)
    Buddy Baker (2)
    A.J. Foyt (1)
    Mario Andretti (1)(won 1967 Daytona 500)
    Parnelli Jones (1)(1st driver to win in #11)
    TOTAL WINS = 204

  • Hamlin joins a select crowd, winning in 300th start: #11-Denny Hamlin won the Aaron’s 499 Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway for his 24th career win in his 300th career start. Four other drivers to have won in their 300th start:
    Ned Jarrett in 1965, Rusty Wallace in 1993, Kasey Kahne in 2012 and Kyle Busch in 2013.(5-5-2014)

  • Johnson’s non-win streak to start the season, his third longest: #48-Jimmie Johnson has now run 10 races to start the 2014 without a win. It is tied for the third longest such streak of his career. In his rookie season of 2002, Johnson won in this 10th race that season at Auto Club Speedway (his 1st career win in his 13th career race) and finished the season 5th in the championship. In 2012 Johnson didn’t win his first race for that season until the 11th race at Darlington, finishing 3rd in the championship. Johnson’s longest streak was in 2003, his 2nd full-time season, not winning his first race of the season until Charlotte, the 12th race of the season and finishing 2nd in the championship.(5-5-2014)

  • Patrick records best Talladega finish for female: Three female drivers have competed at Talladega in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series: Janet Guthrie (3 races), Patty Moise (1 race) and Danica Patrick (now 3 races). Before Patrick finished 22nd on Sunday. Guthrie’s finish of 29th in August of 1978 was the best finish at Talladega by a female driver. Patrick had finished 33rd in both 2013 Talladega starts. Patrick also lead the race twice for 6 laps, becoming the first female driver to lead a lap at Talladega in a Sprint Cup race.(5-5-2014)
  • Talladega Race and Commercial Breakdown: For those of you NASCAR fans that like stats and love to hate commercials, here is the breakdown for Sunday’s race. Began recording the times at the Invocation of the race at 1:00 PM, and stopped at the waving of the checkered flag at 4:38 PM (all times are EST). Fox was the broadcast team for this event.
    Total number of commercials: 117
    Total number of companies or entities advertised: 61
    Number of traditional commercials (not split-screen): 106
    Total number of companies or entities advertised: 59
    Number of ‘Side-by-Side’ commercials during race broadcast (split-screen): 11
    Total number of companies or entities advertised: 9
    Number of times Fox utilized ‘Side-by-Side’ commercials during this broadcast: 3
    Total number of brief promos of products/services during the race broadcast: 46
    Total amount of time these brief promos take during broadcast: app. 6 min. 40 sec.
    Start time to record race/commercial periods: 1:00 PM
    End time to record race/commercial periods: 4:38 PM
    Total minutes of complete race broadcast: 218
    Minutes of race broadcast: 162
    Minutes of traditional commercials (not split-screen): 56
    Minutes of ‘Side-by-Side’ commercials (split-screen): **
    Number of missed restarts: 0
    Number of ‘mystery cautions’ (debris not shown): 1 referred to, but not shown
    Number of references to ‘Digger’, the long-lost track mascot: 1 D.W. said he’s ‘retired’
    Total race brdcst time 162 Total comm. brdcst time 56
    See past races and links to full reports on the 2014 TV Commercials page.(5-5-2014)

  • Keselowski comments on Talladega wrecks: #2-Keselowski, six laps down on lap 136, was in the middle of a big pack when the car appeared to get loose and spun in front of #21-Trevor Bayne, which started a wreck that involved over a dozen cars. Keselowski commented on the wreck and and incident on lap 145 with #10-Patrick:
    Q) WHAT HAPPENED?
    Keselowski: “I just spun out in front of the whole field. I don’t know why, if I just busted my butt on my own or lost a tire, but I feel bad for everyone that got torn up. We had a really fast Team Penske Ford, but I just feel bad for the whole Miller Lite team.”
    Q) WHAT HAPPENED IN THE FIRST INCIDENT? Keselowski: “We took the lead there and made a really aggressive move to take the lead and then it all just kind of bottlenecked from there. I don’t know if I cut somebody off or got ran over, but just enough to get spun out and tear the car up.”
    Q) WHAT HAPPENED?
    Keselowski: “We were just racing really hard towards the front half of the field. I was trying to get my lap back and those guys are trying to lead laps. There’s obviously a long way to go and I just had to get to the front and try to stay up there to try and get my lap back. I was racing really hard for that, but for some reason the car took off on me and I spun out. I don’t know why, but I feel bad that we tore up a bunch of cars.”
    Q) WHAT HAPPENED WITH DANICA?
    Keselowski: “I’m not really sure what happened. I made an aggressive move to take the lead and the next thing I knew I was spinning, so I’m not really sure. Obviously, there was some kind of contact but I don’t know what happened.”
    Q) A BYPRODUCT OF TALLADEGA?
    Keselowski: “Every wreck is a byproduct of Talladega. That’s just the track we’re on, but racing hard – everybody wants to lead laps, everybody wants to run up front and certainly I wanted to get my laps back and have a shot to win at the end and the only way I was gonna do that was by being really aggressive at the front half of the field.”
    STILL 41 CARS ON THE LEAD LAP.
    Keselowski: “Yeah, and that’s even more the reason why I had to race hard to get my lap back because I was at the back half of that.”
    Q) HOW AGGRESSIVE WAS THIS RACE BY COMPARISON TO THE LAST COUPLE YEARS?
    Keselowski: “The cars are handling a lot worse than I thought they would and I think everybody is kind of fighting that. Everybody still has the same level of aggression as when the cars handled a little better and sometimes we learn the hard way.”
    Q) THERE’S A FINE LINE BETWEEN FRUSTRATION AND SUCCESS.
    Keselowski: “Yeah, we had a lot of close calls and I guess most of them were my fault, but I’m just being real aggressive. That’s what it’s gonna take to win here and whoever wins here will be really aggressive, too.”
    Q) WAS IT A CASE WHERE DANICA DIDN’T GIVE YOU ENOUGH ROOM?
    Keselowski: “I don’t know. I’d have to go back and look at it.”
    Q) WHAT GOES THROUGH YOUR MIND AT THE END? IS THERE A FEELING SOMETHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN?
    Keselowski: “You assume something is gonna happen, but you don’t know. That’s why I had to race so hard. I was one or two debris yellows from being back in the race and I wasn’t gonna give up.”(Ford Racing)(5-5-2014)
  • Nationwide Teams to test at Iowa: Five NASCAR Nationwide Series teams will participate in a test session Tuesday at Iowa Speedway as the track prepares to host the Get To Know Newton 250 on Sunday, May 18. Brian Scott (Richard Childress Racing #2 Chevrolet), Trevor Bayne (Roush Fenway Racing #6 Ford), Chase Elliott and Austin Theriault (JR Motorsports #9 Chevrolet), Brad Keselowski (Team Penske #22 Ford) and Sam Hornish Jr. (Team Penske #54 Toyota) will be on hand. “It’s basically a confirmation test for the track,” Wayne Auton, NASCAR Nationwide Series director, said. “There are a couple of areas we want to look at and, if necessary, address before we get into the race week. We told the teams they can bring as many drivers as they want, but we limited them to just the five cars. There’s an open test on Friday of race week, so we believe everyone will have (adequate) track time.” According to track officials, fans are welcome to attend Tuesday’s test, which is scheduled to run from 10am-12pm and 1-6 pm Backstretch viewing will be available.(NASCAR.com)(5-5-2014)
  • Entry list: There are 32 trucks on the preliminary entry list for Friday’s SFP 250 at Kansas Speedway. A few notes:
    Ryan Ellis in the #0;
    Todd Shafer in the #08;
    Joey Logano in the #19;
    Austin Dillon is in the #20;
    Tayler Malsam is in the #32;
    TBA in the #36;
    Charles Lewandoski in the #42;
    TJ Bell in the #50;
    TBDA in the #74;
    (5-5-2014)
    See the complete list on the Kansas entry list page.
  • Malsam to run for Turner: Turner Scott Motorsports is pleased to announce that Tayler Malsam will be behind the wheel of the #32 Outerwall Inc. Chevy Silverado during 12 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races throughout the 2014 season, beginning at Kansas Speedway. The 25-year-old made his NCWTS debut in 2008 and competed full time in 2009, where he garnered 10 top-10 finishes and ranked 12th in NCWTS Driver Point Standings. A native of Seattle, Washington, Malsam began racing go-karts at the age of 16 and quickly progressed to the ARCA Racing Series, where he ran a full season as a Penske Development Driver. While competing in the NCWTS for Kyle Busch Motorsports in 2010, Malsam got a midseason opportunity to advance to the NASCAR Nationwide Series with Braun Racing, where he ran 11 events for the now-Turner Scott Motorsports team. Currently, Malsam is competing in sprint cars and will balance both racing schedules throughout the 2014 season. Malsam will be under the direction of two-time NCWTS championship-winning crew chief Mike Hillman Jr. throughout the 12 races. Hillman and Malsam will team up for the following races: Kansas, Michigan, Charlotte, Chicagoland, both Texas events, Las Vegas, Gateway, Talladega, Kentucky, Iowa, and Homestead-Miami.(See an image of the truck on the #32 Paint Schemes page)(Turner Scott Motorsports)(5-5-2014)
  • Camping World to extend title sponsorship UPDATE 3: Camping World, which has sponsored NASCAR’s truck series since 2009, will announce in about a month an extension to its original seven-year deal, company chairman Marcus Lemonis said Sunday. Lemonis, whose reality television show “The Profit” was the sponsor of the Sprint Cup race Sunday at Phoenix International Raceway, revealed the plans when talking about the company’s involvement in NASCAR. The original contract went through 2015.”In about a month, we’ll be announcing a significant extension to that contract,” Lemonis said. “It’s been great for us.” Last year, Lemonis said he wanted to see how Fox Sports 1, the network rebranded from the former Speed network and the channel that now handles truck telecasts, treats the series. The network has more viewers but also more sports. “I’m happy enough with what I’ve seen and NASCAR has reassured me they’re going to stay very involved in that process,” Lemonis said. “Week 1 of ratings for the truck series down in Daytona were up 11 percent. “I was told it was going to be closer to 40-50 percent, so the jury is still out. But the coverage I thought was fantastic.”(Sporting News)(3-2-2014)
    UPDATE: “We are interested in extending our agreement with Camping World and we know the company is as well. While we don’t have a signed agreement yet, we are very pleased with the direction in which our discussions are headed. We love our partnership with Camping World and as soon as we have news to share, we will let you know.”(NASCAR)(3-2-2014)
    UPDATE 2: Camping World has extended its title sponsorship of NASCAR’s truck series through 2022. The recreational vehicle retailer, which became title sponsor of the series in 2009, signed a seven-year extension that will begin in 2016. The deal is valued at more than $5 million a year in rights fees and media commitments. Camping World CEO Marcus Lemonis, who stars in the CNBC show “The Profit,” credited the Camping World Truck Series sponsorship with helping his company increase its revenue from $1.5 billion annually in 2009 to $3 billion annually today. He also said it helped in adding 27 new retail locations and reducing the age of Camping World customers from a 47- to 65-year-old demographic to a 35- to 65-year-old demographic.
    In addition to renewing Camping World’s title sponsorship of the truck series, Lemonis managed to extend NASCAR sponsorships to several of his other businesses. Camping World will be able to market its Good Sam Roadside Assistance towing service as the official roadside assistance of NASCAR. CarCash.com, which buys and sells used cars, will become the official auto buying service of NASCAR, and AutoMatch USA, which sells used cars, will be the official pre-owned automobile retailer of NASCAR.
    Camping World didn’t work with an agency on the extension and doesn’t use an agency to activate its sponsorship assets. Lemonis said that he prefers to have his marketing team oversee promotional efforts. He said that group will have to help Camping World’s NASCAR-related promotions evolve over the next seven years to keep it engaging for fans.
    A year ago, Lemonis expressed concern that truck ratings might suffer after Fox recast its motorsports network Speed as the all-sports network Fox Sports 1. But he said he’s been pleased with the ratings on the network, which was part of the reason he extended the deal. On Speed, the Camping World Truck Series averaged 681,000 viewers per race in 2012. The same races on Fox Sports 1 last year averaged 736,000 viewers per race, an 8 percent increase.(Sports Business Journal)(5-5-2014)
    UPDATE 3: NASCAR announced today it has reached a seven-year agreement with Camping World to remain the entitlement sponsor of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series through 2022. The new deal ensures that Camping World will own exclusive rights as title sponsor for a total of 14-consecutive years, equaling the longest entitlement sponsorship in the history of the national series, which is celebrating its 20th season. The renewed partnership aligns two brands in the midst of significant growth. Since originally becoming series entitlement sponsor in 2009, Camping World has expanded its number of stores by 35 percent, resulting in the company eclipsing $3 billion in annual revenue.
    “The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series has one of the most consistent and durable audiences in all of sports, averaging approximately 800,000 or more television viewers per event over the past six years,” said Steve Phelps, NASCAR chief marketing officer. “Camping World’s seven-year continued commitment to our sport demonstrates its confidence in our on-track product and strength of our brand loyal fan base.”
    The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series features some of the toughest and most competitive racing in the sport. The series has helped catapult the careers of many of the sport’s most popular and successful drivers, such as Greg Biffle, Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, Kevin Harvick and Brad Keselowski. Currently, the series houses a young crop of stars that are talented, dynamic and diverse including Ben Kennedy, German Quiroga Jr. and Darrell Wallace Jr.
    “Camping World and NASCAR are mutually invested in the growth of a national series that is celebrated for its exciting brand of racing and the most loyal fan base in the country,” said Camping World and Good Sam Enterprises Chairman and CEO Marcus Lemonis. “Six years ago we felt strongly that the sponsorship would dramatically increase our customer base and it’s delivered. We expect to see continued success in the coming years.”
    NASCAR fans are outdoors enthusiasts who enjoy a variety of activities. According to Experian Consumer Research, NASCAR fans are 40 percent more likely than non-fans to go camping. When it comes to camping gear, NASCAR fans are at least 50 percent more likely than non-fans to have tents, lanterns, and other camping equipment.
    The new deal provides Camping World exclusive rights to market its Good Sam Roadside Assistance program as the Official Roadside Assistance of NASCAR. With a network that includes 40,000 tow and service providers in North America, Good Sam Roadside Assistance has provided roadside services to more than two million stranded motorists in the past 30 years.
    Additionally, the new agreement provides official NASCAR status to two growing automobile companies; CarCash as the Official Auto Buying Service of NASCAR, and AutoMatch USA, as the Official Pre-owned Automobile Retailer of NASCAR. CarCash, featured on Season 1 of CNBC’s The Profit, purchases used cars from individuals in return for immediate cash. AutoMatch USA, featured on Season 2 of CNBC’s The Profit, specializes in the sale of foreign and domestic pre-owned cars of all makes and models.(NASCAR)(5-5-2014)

    News from May 4, 2014

  • Hamlin wins at Talladega: #11-Denny Hamlin won the Aaron’s 499 Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway for his 1st win of 2014, his first restrictor plate track win and his 25th career win.
    #16-Biffle finished 2nd followed by #15-Bowyer, #55-Vickers, #47-Allmendinger, #27-Menard, #4-Harvick, #5-Kahne, #42-Larson and #17-Stenhouse Jr.
    #40-Landon Cassill scored his career best finish at 11th and #7-Michael Annett scored his career best finish at 16th.
    #33-Scott, who won the pole, was involved in a wreck on lap 137 and finished 42nd.
    #24-Gordon, who came into the race as the points leader, was involved in the first big wreck and finished 39th but still leads the points by 3 over #20-Kenseth.
    #22-Logano leads the Chase Seeding with two wins. #4-Harvick is second, also with 2 wins, but lower in points. They are followed by #18-Busch, #99-Edwards and #88-Earnhardt, Jr.
    There were two big wrecks:
    On lap 137: #2-Keselowski, who was 6 laps down at the time, got loose and spun, involving: #21-Bayne, #24-Gordon, #14-Stewart, #7-Annett, #18-Busch, #20-Kenseth, #23-Bowman, #26-Whitt, #27-Menard, #33-Scott and #48-Johnson.
    On lap 175: #48-Johnson got loose, got into #17-Stenhouse, moved up into #22-Logano who went into the outside wall involving: #41-Busch, #34-Ragan, #95-McDowell and #36-Sorenson.
    There were 48 lead changes among 23 drivers and there were 8 cautions for 31 yellow flag laps.
    The average speed was 152.103.(5-4-2014)

    See unofficial race results, awards, money won, laps led, cautions and more on the Unofficial Talladega Race Results page (pdf) and check out the Talladega Penalty Report (pdf).
    See OFFICIAL race results & points standings on the Official Talladega Race & Points Report (pdf).(5-4-2014)

  • Race Fast Facts – Talladega Superspeedway:
    #11-Denny Hamlin won the 45th Annual Aaron’s 499 , his 24th victory in 300 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.
    This is his first victory and third top-10 finish in 2014. With the win, Hamlin is all but locked into the 2014 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. In 2013, he missed the Chase for the first time in his career.
    This is his first victory and sixth top-10 finish in 17 races at Talladega Superspeedway. It is his first points race win at a restrictor plate track (he has four non-points race wins at Daytona).
    #16-Greg Biffle (second) posted his sixth top-10 finish in 23 races at Talladega Superspeedway. It is his fourth top-10 finish in 2014.
    #15-Clint Bowyer (third) posted his ninth top-10 finish in 17 races at Talladega Superspeedway.
    #42-Kyle Larson (10th) was the highest finishing Sunoco Rookie of the Year candidate. It is his fifth top 10 this season.
    #24-Jeff Gordon leads the point standings by 3 points over #20-Matt Kenseth.(NASCAR Integrated Sports Marketing)(5-4-2014)
  • 2014 Sprint Cup Driver Chase Championship Points Standings:
    [after Talladega, race 10 of 36]
    1) #24-Jeff Gordon, 347
    2) #20-Matt Kenseth, 344, -3
    3) #18-Kyle Busch [1 win], 343, -4
    4) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. [1 win], 328, -19
    5) #99-Carl Edwards [1 win], 328, -19
    6) #22-Joey Logano [2 wins], 305, -42
    7) #48-Jimmie Johnson, 304, -43
    8) #16-Greg Biffle, 300, -47
    9) #31-Ryan Newman, 299, -48
    10) #55-Brian Vickers, 297, -50
    Other drivers with at least one win, likely will make the Chase:
    11) #2-Brad Keselowski [1 win], 294, -53
    12) #11-Denny Hamlin [1 win], 292, -55
    19) #4-Kevin Harvick [2 wins], 258, -89
    27) #41-Kurt Busch [1 win], 196, -151 (52 pts ahead of 31st)
    See OFFICIAL race results & points standings on the Official Talladega Race & Points Report (pdf).(5-4-2014)
  • Current 2014 Sprint Cup Driver Chase Seedings:
    [after Talladega, race 10 of 36 if Chase seeding started after this race]
    1) #22-Joey Logano, 2 wins, 6th in points
    2) #4-Kevin Harvick, 2 wins, 19th
    3) #18-Kyle Busch, 1 win, 3rd
    4) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., 1 win, 4th
    5) #99-Carl Edwards, 1 win, 5th
    6) #2-Brad Keselowski, 1 win, 11th
    7) #11-Denny Hamlin, 1 win, 12th
    8) #41-Kurt Busch, 1 win, 27th
    (no wins, in by points)
    9) #24-Jeff Gordon, 1st
    10) #20-Matt Kenseth, 2nd
    11) #48-Jimmie Johnson, 7th
    12) #16-Greg Biffle, 8th
    13) #31-Ryan Newman, 9th
    14) #55-Brian Vickers, 10th
    15) #42-Kyle Larson, 13th
    15) #3-Austin Dillon, 14th
    (5-4-2014)

  • Kahne and Truex Jr. qualifying times disallowed: after qualifying for the Aaron’s 499 Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway, NASCAR announced that the times for #5-Kasey Kahne and #78-Martin Truex Jr. had been disallowed. Kahne’s car did not meet the minimum weight requirement and Truex Jr’s car did not meet minimum height requirement that is used for restrictor-plate tracks. Kahne will start 41st and Truex Jr will start 42nd. #5 crew chief Kenny Francis and Truex Jr. offered these quotes about the situation:
    Kenny Francis, Crew chief of the #5 Farmer Insurance / Thankamillionteachers.com Chevy on the #5 teams time getting disallowed: “Basically we had a malfunction with a ballast container. The cap that holds the ballast in came out. It could be mechanical or human error we are not really sure what happened. At the end of the day 25 pounds of ballast came out and we were 25 pounds light at the scales. The time was disallowed and we will have to start at the back.”
    Martin Truex Jr., #78 Furniture Row Chevy – time was disallowed after failing post qualifying inspection: “After positing the fastest practice speed yesterday, today’s result and infraction were disappointing to say the least. That’s the bad news. The good news is that we have a fast car for tomorrow’s race, and as we have said many times, qualifying really doesn’t mean that much here.”(Team Chevy)(5-4-2014)

  • Bayne Set To Make 50th Career Sprint Cup Start: When Trevor Bayne takes the green flag on Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway, it will mark his 50th career Sprint Cup race, and all of them have come in the #21 Ford Fusion fielded by the famed Wood Brothers race team. “That’s definitely the best of them,” Bayne said. “And if I get to 400 starts, that will still be the best.” Team co-owner Eddie Wood said Bayne, now 23, has been a good fit for his family-owned team since making his Cup debut and his first run in the #21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Fusion in the fall of 2010 at Texas Motor Speedway, where he finished a strong 17th. “We’ve had a lot of good runs with Trevor,” Wood said. “It’s worked out well for both of us, especially with us running a part-time schedule and him having a full-time Nationwide Series ride with Roush Fenway Racing.”(Wood Brothers Racing)(5-4-2014)
  • Final Richmond TV Ratings: Fox Sports earned its lowest NASCAR television rating in 13 years televising the sport last week. NASCAR Sprint Cup racing from Richmond earned a 3.3 final rating and 5.6 million viewers on FOX last Saturday, down 11% in ratings and 8% in viewership from last year (3.7, 6.1M), and down 8% in both measures from 2012 (3.6, 5.9M). The 3.3 rating is the lowest ever for NASCAR Sprint Cup racing on FOX, falling below the previous mark of 3.6 set on multiple occasions. Of the sixteen lowest rated Sprint Cup races ever on FOX, fifteen have taken place since the start of the decade. Of note, ten of the sixteen lowest rated races have taken place on Saturday nights, including five from Richmond alone. Last week’s 3.3 rating also ranks as the lowest for the spring Richmond race 2004 on FX (2.9). Despite the lower numbers, the race was the #2 sporting event of the weekend on broadcast or cable, trailing only ABC’s Clippers/Warriors NBA playoff game (4.2, 6.5M).(Sports Media Watch / Sports Business Daily).
    See past races for 2014 and a five-year comparison chart on the 2014 NASCAR TV Ratings page.(5-4-2014)

  • Talladega Notes & Facts – Sunday – races:
    · 433 drivers have competed in at least one NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega; 297 in more than one.
    · Only two of the 89 races at Talladega Superspeedway have been shortened due to weather conditions: spring of 1987 and fall of 1996.
    · Since the advent of electronic scoring the closest margin of victory in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Talladega Superspeedway was the (04/17/2011) race won by Jimmie Johnson with a MOV of 0.002 second – the MOV is tied with the 2003 Darlington race as the closest finishes in the NSCS using electronic scoring.
    · There have been seven NSCS races resulting with a green-white-checkered finish at Talladega Superspeedway: spring of 2005 (188/194), fall of 2005 (188/190), spring of 2007 (188/192), fall of 2008 (188/190) spring of 2010 (188/200), fall of 2012 (188/189) and spring of 2013 (188/192).
    · 43 different drivers have won at Talladega Superspeedway, led by Dale Earnhardt with 10. Jeff Gordon leads all active drivers with six.
    · Richard Childress Racing has the most wins at Talladega in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with 12; followed by Hendrick Motorsports with 11.
    · Nine different manufacturers have won in the NSCS at Talladega; led by Chevrolet with 38 victories; followed by Ford with 21.
    · The deepest in the field that a race winner has started at Talladega was 36th, by Jeff Gordon in the spring of 2000.
    (NASCAR)(5-4-2014)

  • David Gilliland’s son wins First Late Model race: Thirteen-year-old Todd Gilliland [son of #38-David Gilliland]earned his first late model win Friday night at Ace Speedway (Altamahaw, N.C.) in just his seventh start in a stock car. The win came after a day of sweeping the top spots in the event’s practice sessions and earning the pole. The David Gilliland Racing driver started from the third position in the 40-lap Limited Late Model race after the top three cars were inverted after qualifying. It was Gilliland’s first pole in a stock car. The eighth-grader from Sherrills Ford, N.C., didn’t take long to push his No. 98 Ford up to the front, taking the second spot within the first 10 laps and then taking the lead with 24 to go. Said Todd, “I just wish my dad (NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver David Gilliland) had been there, but he’s in Talladega. I couldn’t wait to talk to him after. I want to be just like him when I grow up.”(Breaking Limits)(5-4-2014)

    News from May 3, 2014


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  • Race Coverage of the Aaron’s 499 Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway is scheduled for Sunday, May 4, 2014.
    Television (TV): FOX at 1:00 pm/et; Pre-Race show at 12:30pm/et; green flag approx. 1:19pm/et
    Radio: Motor Racing Network (MRN) and Sirius XM Satellite NASCAR Radio 90
    Scheduled Race Re-Airs: Friday, May 9 at 3:00am/et on FS1
  • Scott wins Talladega pole: #33-Brian Scott won the pole for the Aaron’s 499 Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway with speed of 198.290mph after the 3rd and final session of group qualifying. It is Scott’s 1st career pole in the Sprint Cup Series and puts him into the 2015 Sprint Unlimited.
    #27-Menard qualified on the outside pole (2nd) followed by #47-Allmendinger, #13-Mears, #3-Dillon, #31-Newman, #10-Patrick, #4-Harvick, #41-Busch, #99-Edwards, #24-Gordon and #14-Stewart is 12th.
    For the first time in 2014 group qualifying, #22-Logano didn’t advance into all the rounds, qualifying 16th in round 2.
    #5-Kahne’s Chevy was too light in post-qualifying tech and #78-Truex Jr.’s car didn’t meet height requirements and both cars had speeds/times disallowed and will have to use provisionals with #5-Kahne starting 42nd and #78-Truex Jr. starting 43rd.
    Missing the race were: #35-McClure, #44-Yeley, #77-Blaney, #87-Nemechek.
    See starting lineup, qualifying results, round results and more on the Talladega Starting Lineup / Qualifying Results page.(5-3-2014)
  • Pit Stall Selections: The selections of pit stalls for the Aaron’s 499 Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway have been made.
    Pole sitter #33-Scott chose pit stall 17, the first pit stall in front of it.
    Outside pole sitter #27-Menard took pit stall 1.
    #47-Allmendinger, who starts 3rd took the 29th pit stall, the 2nd stall with an opening in front of it.
    The 43rd and final pit stall was taken by #99-Edwards, who starts 10th.
    To see where the drivers/teams pit stall is, see the pit selection chart on the Pit Stall Selection chart.(5-3-2014)
  • Qualifying Fast Facts – Talladega:
    #33-Brian Scott won the Coors Light Pole Award for the 45th Annual Aaron’s 499 with a lap of 48.293 seconds, 198.290 mph.
    This is his first pole in five NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races. His previous best start was 12th, in this year’s Daytona 500.
    This is his first top-10 start in 2014.
    In the first round, #18-Kyle Busch and #22-Joey Logano posted laps of 200.574 mph and 200.171 mph, respectively. Those are the first qualifying laps faster than 200 mph at Talladega since 1987.#27-Paul Menard (second) posted his third top-10 start of 2014 and his fourth in 16 races at Talladega Superspeedway.
    #47-AJ Allmendinger (third) posted his third top-10 start at Talladega Superspeedway. It is his first in ten races this season.
    #3-Austin Dillon (fifth) was the fastest qualifying rookie.(NASCAR Statistics)(5-3-2014)
  • Second Round of Qualifying for the Aaron’s 499 Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway is over after 10 scheduled minutes. The top five after round 2.
    #33-Scott 196.911
    #47-Allmendinger 196.754
    #99-Edwards 196.681
    #13-Mears 196.653
    #3-Dillon 196.576
    the rest of the top 12: 31 14 4 24 27 41 10;
    out of the top 12 and not advancing to round 3: 2 95 43 22 5 7 55 18 48 20 36 21
    (5-3-2014)
  • First Round of Qualifying for the Aaron’s 499 Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway is over, after 25 minutes. The top-five after round 1.
    #18-Busch 200.574
    #22-Logano 200.171
    #48-Johnson 199.912
    #95-McDowell 199.812
    #2-Keselowski 199.766
    the rest of the top 24: 20 4 14 10 41; 24 21 27 43 33 13 47 3 55 31; 5, 7, 99 & 36.
    Drivers who will miss the race: #35-McClure, #44-Yeley, #77-Blaney and #87-Nemechek.
    (5-3-2014)
  • Goodyear tire notes for Talladega: Teams in both the NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series will run the same tire codes at Talladega this weekend . . . this is the same combination of left- and right-side tires that Sprint Cup and Camping World Truck teams ran at this track last October and teams in all three of NASCAR’s top series ran at Daytona in February . . . as on all NASCAR ovals greater than one mile in length, teams are required to run inner liners in all four tire positions at Talladega . . . air pressure in those inner liners should be 12-25 psi greater than that of the outer tire. See tire codes, tire pressures, set limits and more on the Talladega Race Info page – Goodyear section.
  • Group qualifying under the three-round qualifying format:
    ” Round 1 — All entries will have 25 minutes to post a qualifying time, after which the 24 registering the fastest laps will advance to the second round. Those failing to advance will be sorted based on first-round times in descending order (from fastest to slowest). Four drivers will not make the race.
    ” Round 2 — The 24 fastest from the first round will have 10 minutes to post a second-round qualifying time, with the 12 fastest advancing to a third round. Those not advancing will earn starting positions 13 through 24 based on time, again in descending order.
    ” Round 3 — The final round will be five minutes in length. The fastest times from this session will determine the first (Coors Light Pole Award) through 12th starting positions.
    There will be a five-minute break between each round; teams may make adjustments to their entries only during the individual breaks. They will not be allowed to jack the vehicle or raise the hood, and once the car or truck enters the garage, it will no longer be permitted to return to the track for additional qualifying attempts.

  • Some driver comments about knockout qualifying at Talladega: comments made by a few drivers regarding the new group qualifying being used for the first time at Talladega on Saturday, May 3rd (FOX at 1:00pm/et):
    #20-Matt Kenseth: “I guess the truth is none of us really know. Obviously the bigger the group is and the farther you are back from it to a certain point the bigger run you’re going to go and the fastest lap time you are going to get. That’s not a secret and everybody knows that so everybody is waiting for that group. There’s never going to be a group, so I think it’s going to be kind of funny to watch. I don’t know how it’s going to work. We did the first round at Daytona in Nationwide and it was a little crazy, but the field is obviously better in Cup. I don’t know what’s going to happen. It should be interesting especially having three rounds. I think obviously the first round is where you’re going to have your fast lap times and that one you’re going to have to probably make more calculations or more aggressive moves or however you want to put it to get that lap once they start thinning this field out and you get down to 12 or even 25 or 24 or whatever it’s going to change a little bit. There’s always a potential for a wreck when you put 43 cars out there. I think everybody is going to try to do a strategy to get the fastest lap they can to start as far as they can toward the front. What that’s going to look like I honestly just don’t really know. It depends what everybody does and there’s no way to predict what everybody is going to do. The people in the big pack aren’t going to be the ones running the fast lap, it’s going to be the people behind the big pack. Everybody knows that so there might not be a big pack. I’m not really sure exactly how it’s going to go down.”
    #22-Joey Logano: “I don’t think anyone knows for sure what’s gonna happen. I will say that we have a little game plan to work and try to make sure our cars not only stay safe but are able to go out there and post a good lap and just try to get through all of the segments. Our car is still the only car to get through every segment this year so far. That’s something to be proud of. This is the one real wild card because there’s a good chance the fastest car may not get the pole this week. That’s gonna be something very different. There’s a lot of strategy that’s gonna go into this. We’re gonna watch Nationwide qualifying and see what they do there, and then also I think if you look at the practice we had here last year when we knew qualifying was gonna get rained out and everyone kind of did it, it took five laps for everyone to get going because no one wanted to be the lead guy. I think guys are just gonna go and go out there. I think there will be a point that there are gonna be a lot of cars out there. I think you have to put your lap up very quick because I think after the first five minutes the top 18 cars or so are probably gonna pit, and not be out there. So the less cars that are on the race track, the harder it is to run that fast lap. I’ve been working with my teammate Brad, and also McDowell some I think and kind of figure out what we’ve got to do to put together a good package for us to run a fast lap and have the right strategy, and also stay out of the crash because I think it’s gonna happen. I think there will be a wreck within this qualifying session just because the closing rate you’re gonna be catching some of these guys. For guys in the middle of the race track and then you’re going to the bottom, he decided he wants to get out of the way and goes to the bottom, oh, shoot, you’re gonna get in a crash. So you’ve got to be on your toes throughout the whole session. I think as each session goes it’s gonna get a little bit calmer because obviously there are gonna be less cars out there.”
    #34-David Ragan: “There’s no question that we’re gonna run together. The bigger the pack and the more cars you have, the faster you go, but everyone has to sit down and think about what they want to achieve from qualifying. Do you want to sit on the pole? If you want to set fast time or qualify in the top three or four you’re gonna have to be aggressive and make some risky moves. If you want to be conservative and just make the race, you can be a little conservative and maybe ride behind the pack or have a clean lap and come in and just park it. You just need to determine what you want to get out of qualifying, but there’s no doubt there will be a fairly large pack, I would assume the first part of that qualifying and there’s no secret – the bigger the pack, the more cars that are in line, the faster you’re going to go. You’ll have some guys that realize they’ll have a chance for the pole that maybe wouldn’t have a chance for the pole and they’ll take some chances, but I think in our case we just want to play it cool. Obviously get into the race. It would be great to qualify in the top 15 or 20 where we could get a little better pit stall selection, but I didn’t really come down here to just set my focus on sitting on the pole. We came down to try to do everything we can to win the race. It doesn’t really matter where you qualify.”
    #48-Jimmie Johnson: “I don’t know what is going to exactly happen. But to win the pole, you’re going to have to go out there and race. And the run that you can get on a group that it a football-field-or-two ahead of you, is so dramatic that I even think that a 10 or 12-car line won’t be as fast as somebody who falls way back in the pack and has a chance over a lap or two to pull up into the pack. So that’s what every driver is going to try to do. And setting that up is going to be tough because one, everybody is going to be trying it; and two, if you see someone behind you coming, why are you going to stay on the gas to help them? So, bailing out of the gas, breaking up the pack, and things like that are all possible. So, I don’t know. It’s going to be exciting for sure. We’ll all clearly be working on it during practice. And then qualifying itself will be very exciting. The thing I’m trying to come to grips with is where do I take a large risk? Trying to qualify well or trying to work my way through the pack to get to the front? And we’re just not sure right now what to expect. We wanted to come here with a plan in place of how we were going to qualify, but our opinion seems to change every 15 minutes. And we’re going to wait until after P2 and decide what we’re going to do.”
    #78-Martin Truex Jr.: “We would like to be in the same position as we were today. At the start of practice we got in front of a line of cars and were able to make a run up there. The difference tomorrow is that we don’t know what everyone else’s plan is going to be. Everyone will be trying to do what we did in practice today and that’s to be in the right position to get the fastest speed. And at the same time it’s going to be a risky session. Our No. 1 goal right now is to make sure this Furniture Row/Denver Mattress Chevrolet races on Sunday. If we feel like we’re in a danger zone we’ll abort. It really doesn’t matter where you start here.”
    #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr.: “Nobody knows. I just don’t know. We will just have to see. The guy that gets the pole is going to have to hit it just right. We built a brand new race car so our willingness to take risks is going to be pretty limited throughout that process. We just you know need to get into the field with the car it doesn’t matter where you start other than just picking on pit road. Not sure exactly what our approach is yet. We’ve still got some conversations to have between Steve (Letarte) and our teammates and just sort of feel out everybody’s opinion about what they want to do and how they want to try to accomplish the best result they can. I don’t think right now anybody has any answers.”(PR’s)(5-3-2014)
  • The 20th Anniversary Kyle Petty Charity Ride: Former NASCAR driver and racing analyst Kyle Petty is gearing up for his 20th Anniversary Ride Across America. From May 3-10, Petty will lead more than 200 participants – including several celebrities- from Carlsbad, California to Daytona Beach, Florida to raise awareness and funds for Victory Junction. For more info and links, go to Jayski’s Victory Junction News page.(5-3-2014)

  • Talladega Notes & Facts – Saturday – poles:
    · Bobby Isaac won the inaugural Coors Light pole at Talladega in 1969 with a speed of 196.386mph. Isaac won the first three poles at the 2.66-mile superspeedway. Charlie Glotzbach had won the pole at 199.998 mph, but did not run the race, due to the boycott and was not credited with the pole.
    · 36 drivers have Coors Light poles at Talladega, led by Bill Elliott with eight. Joe Nemechek leads all active drivers with four.
    · 10 drivers have won consecutive Coors Light poles at Talladega. Bill Elliott holds the record for most consecutive poles at Talladega with six (1985 – 1987).
    · 13 of the 89 (14.6%) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Talladega have been won from the Coors Light pole. Jeff Gordon (2007) is the only active driver to be able to accomplish the feat.
    · The outside front row (second-place) starting position is the most proficient starting position in the field, producing more winners (20) than any other starting position at Talladega.
    · David Gilliland (10/08/2006) and Travis Kvapil (10/05/2008) posted their first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coors Light poles at Talladega.
    · Jimmie Johnson leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in average starting position at Talladega with a 10.125. · Qualifying has been cancelled due to weather conditions in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Talladega Superspeedway five times; most recently fall of 2013. · 33 of the 89 (37%) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Talladega have been won from the front row: 13 from the pole and 20 from second-place.
    · 62 of the 89 (69.6%) NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Talladega have been won from a top-10 starting position.
    · 7 of the 89 (7.8%) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Talladega have been won from a starting position outside the top 20.
    (NASCAR)(5-3-2014)

  • Earnhardt Jr. squashes marriage rumor: #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. met with members of the media at Talladega Superspeedway and discussed a few things, among them was marriage/weddings. The transcript in part:
    Q) FROM EVERYTHING I UNDERSTAND YOU ARE A PRETTY FRUGAL GUY SO COULD YOU EVER IMAGINE IF YOU WERE EVER TO GET MARRIED THAT YOU WOULD SPEND TWO MILLION DOLLARS LIKE THE NATIONAL ENQUIRER SAYS THAT YOU ARE GOING TO BE DOING LATER THIS YEAR?
    Earnhardt Jr.: “I definitely would have a hard time writing that check (laughter).”
    Q) WOULD YOU DO IT AT DAYTONA?
    Earnhardt Jr.: “No of course not. I would not force everybody to go down to Daytona for my wedding. I probably would just have it right there in the back yard, but whatever is easiest. That was funny. I read that and it was a roller coaster of an article. Pretty good.”
    Q) DID YOU KNOW YOU WERE GETTING MARRIED?
    Earnhardt Jr.: “I didn’t. So we just skipped the engagement I guess, went right to the wedding.”(Team Chevy)(5-3-2014)

  • C&J Energy Services sponsors Terry Labonte’s 60th Talladega Start: For the fourth consecutive year, C&J Energy Services is teaming up with Terry Labonte. Labonte will pilot the #32 C&J Energy Services Ford in the Aaron’s 499 at Talladega. C&J Energy Services, who has supported Terry for the past three seasons, will continue their partnership past Talladega for two more races during the 2014 season including Daytona in July and Talladega in October. This year’s Aaron’s 499 will mark Labonte’s 60th start at the famed 2.6 mile high-banked superspeedway. Labonte made his first Talladega start in 1979.
    “We are very proud and excited to be associated with GO FAS Racing and Terry Labonte,” commented Josh Comstock, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of C&J Energy Services. “Like C&J, both GO FAS and Terry have strong family values and a competitive spirit. Also like C&J, they generate more with a smaller asset base than most of their much larger competitors and deliver superior performance through technology and efficiency. This team truly exemplifies our slogan of “Competitive Horsepower”. We are looking forward to participating with Terry and GO FAS at the Daytona and Talladega events.”
    “It is exciting for the GO FAS Racing team to be heading to Talladega once again with Terry Labonte and have C&J Energy Services back with us for a fourth season,” said team owner Frank Stoddard. “Terry doesn’t get rattled behind the wheel at these tracks, and I think his numbers speak volumes. You don’t have to worry about him making mistakes and he takes care of the car for you. It is very important for our team to not only run competitive, but also finish the race and run all of the laps.”(GoGreen Racing)(5-3-2014)

  • Golden Corral returns to the #36: For the second time this season, Golden Corral is back onboard the #36 Tommy Baldwin Racing Chevy of Reed Sorenson at Talladega Superspeedway. “I am looking forward to having Golden Corral back on board my #36 Chevrolet this weekend at Talladega,” Sorenson commented. “We had a great run back in February with Golden Corral and were up front for most of the night. A top 10 would be great for our team, then kids would get to eat free on Monday.”(TBR), see images of the car on #36 Team Schemes page.(5-3-2014)
  • Sadler wins at Talladega: #11-Elliott Sadler won the Aaron’s 312 at Talladega Superspeedway. #60-Chris Buescher finished second followed by #7-Regan Smith, #98-David Ragan, #54-Sam Hornish, Jr., #87-Joe Nemechek, #28- JJ Yeley, ##01-Landon Cassill, #44- David Starr, #6-Trevor Bayne.
    There were 7 cautions for 29 laps and 27 lead changes among 13 leaders. Complete results are on the Talladega race results page (pdf).(5-3-2014)
  • Talladega Race Fast Facts:
    Elliott Sadler won the 23rd Annual Aaron’s 312, his 10th victory in 239 NASCAR Nationwide Series races.
    This is his first victory and seventh top-10 finish in 2014. He ends a 54-race win drought; his last win was at Iowa Speedway on Aug. 4, 2012.
    This is his first victory and third top-10 finish in six races at Talladega Superspeedway.
    Chris Buescher (second) posted his first career top-five finish. His previous best career finish was seventh (three times). It is his third top-10 finish in 2014.
    Regan Smith (third) posted his second top-10 finish in four races at Talladega Superspeedway.
    Chase Elliott # leads the point standings by 1 points over Elliott Sadler.
    (NASCAR Integrated Marketing)(5-3-2014)
  • Driver standings following Talladega:
    1) #9-Chase Elliott# 339
    2) #11-Elliott Sadler, 338, -1
    3) #7-Regan Smith, 336, -3
    4) #6-Trevor Bayne 308, -31
    5) #3-Ty Dillon# 308, -31
    6) #2-Brian Scott 277, -62
    7) #62-Brendan Gaughan 250, -89
    8) #99-James Buescher 244, -95
    9) #60- Chris Buescher # 229, -110
    10) #16-Ryan Reed# 225, -114
    See complete standings on the driver standings page (pdf).(5-3-2014)
  • Owner Standings following Talladega are posted (pdf).(5-3-2014)
  • Lucky Dogs – Who got a lap back on each caution at Talladega: (and their finish)
    Caution 1: #76-Tommy Joe Martins, 14th
    Caution 2: #43-Dakoda Armstrong, 18th
    Caution 3: #14- Eric McClure, 17th
    Caution 4: #3-Ty Dillon, 15th
    Caution 5: None
    Caution 6: #6-Trevor Bayne, 10th
    Caution 7: #6-Trevor Bayne, 10th
    (5-3-2014)
  • Florida Legislature Approves Sports Stadium Funding Process Bill: on Friday, the Florida Legislature approved House Bill 7095, recommending the bill be signed by Gov. Rick Scott. The bill establishes a process by which sports franchises are able to apply to receive sales tax refunds from the state based on the amount of sales tax generated by the facility. Daytona International Speedway’s DAYTONA Rising project, a $400 million reimagining of an American icon, is eligible for application under the bill to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
    International Speedway Corporation CEO Lesa France Kennedy: “Today’s decision by the Florida Legislature makes evident that the State recognizes the tremendous value that DAYTONA Rising has and continues to deliver to our area. If signed, the legislation will set the framework to potentially provide additional capital for the project, allowing us to build upon the already massive economic benefits being generated in the region – from thousands of new jobs to millions of dollars in new tax revenues. We are proud of our efforts with DAYTONA Rising, and are especially grateful to all our local community supporters who rallied on our behalf to help keep these dollars in our community and region. We’re also grateful to the leaders in Tallahassee for their willingness to create a means by which to partner with us to build a better economic future together.”
    Daytona International Speedway Joie Chitwood III: “The Florida Legislature sent a clear message in favor of prudent economic growth today by setting up an equitable process for sports stadium projects to compete for funds that generate a return for our communities. We are thankful for their support, foresight and leadership, and look forward to the next step in the legislative process as the bill moves to the Governor’s office for signing. DAYTONA Rising is an unprecedented $400 million project that has already yielded significant economic benefits. If the bill is signed, DAYTONA Rising will stand as the model for a true private-public partnership with far-reaching advantages for Florida.” For tickets and more information on Daytona International Speedway events, visit www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or call 1-800-PITSHOP.(DIS)(5-3-2014)

    News from May 2, 2014

  • Coverage of Qualifying for the Aaron’s 499 Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway is scheduled for Saturday, May 3, 2014 at 1:10pm/et.
    Television (TV): FOX, 1:00pm/et
    Radio: Live online at Motor Racing Network (MRN)
    Scheduled Qualifying Re-Air: Sunday, May 4 at 10:00am/et on FS1
  • FOX moves Talladega qualifying to FOX: NASCAR ramped up its pre-race excitement level for the 2014 season, making qualifying more relevant and much more entertaining by introducing a highly competitive “knockout” system, beginning with 43-plus race cars on the track at the same time at tracks 1.25 miles or longer. NASCAR on FOX, which covers the first 13 NASCAR Sprint Cups Series of the season, is showing its enthusiasm for the new system, moving the (Saturday) May 3 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series qualifying at unpredictable Talladega Superspeedway from FOX Sports 2 to FOX, marking the first time a non-Daytona qualifying session has aired on FOX. “This move is a direct result of the double-digit ratings gains NASCAR’s new knockout qualifying format is delivering every weekend,” said Bill Wanger, EVP of Programming, Research & Content Strategy. “We are thrilled to be able to highlight this new format on FOX, and what more exciting place to do that than Talladega Superspeedway.” The new qualifying system, which moves away from single-car qualifying and is supported by double-digit, year-to-year ratings growth, allows for all cars to qualify collectively for up to 25 minutes, with the top 24 based on fastest laps advancing for a subsequent 10-minute session. The top 12 from that group advance to the final, five-minute round. The 90-minute Talladega qualifying session begins on FOX on Saturday, May 3 at 1:30 pm/et(FOX).
    NOTE so far FoxSports has aired qualifying time delayed, 5-10 minutes behind live qualifying. Results will be posted LIVE on Jayski.com, and Jayski’s Twitter & Facebook…so spoiler alert….(5-2-2014)
  • Qualifying Order for the Aaron’s 499 Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway is posted. 47 cars/drivers are listed.
    The first of the drivers scheduled to go out is #7-Annett.
    The final driver scheduled to go out is #55-Vickers.
    Qualifying order is set by a random draw, held about an hour before the first practice and is drawn to determine how the drivers will go on the track at the start of qualifying and go thru inspection.
    See the full qualifying order on the Talladega Qualifying Page.(5-2-2014)
  • Happy Hour practice for the Aaron’s 499 Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway is over, after 50 scheduled minutes, the top five, slowest and notes:
    #21-Bayne 199.015
    #99-Edwards 198.965
    #14-Stewart 198.912
    #18-Busch 198.516
    #41-Busch 198.413
    slowest: #22-Logano 162.275 (ran a few slow laps) & #87-Nemechek 179.926
    27 of the 47 cars ran a lap, 20 cars didn’t practice.
    notes: Most of the speeds were in the draft, since qualifying will be in a group on Saturday at 1:00pm/et (on FOX). Many drivers/cars will not run this practice and protect the car for qualifying.
    See the fastest speeds, 10-lap consecutive lap average and laps run on the Talladega Happy Hour Practice speeds page (pdf).(5-2-2014)
  • First Friday practice for the Aaron’s 499 Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway is over, after 50 scheduled minutes, the top five, slowest and notes:
    #78-Truex Jr. 200.721
    #51-Allgaier 200.666
    #34-Ragan 200.599
    #9-Ambrose 200.540
    #42-Larson 200.372
    slowest: #44-Yeley 187.331 & #32-Labonte 188.493
    notes: Most of the speeds were in the draft, since qualifying will be in a group on Saturday at 1:00pm/et (on FOX). #9-Ambrose lost a right front tire during practice, but stopped on the apron and only had slight damage on the car. In the unlikely event that qualifying is rained out (no rain in forecast), this practice would set the starting lineup.
    See the fastest speeds and laps run on the Talladega Practice 1 speeds page (pdf).(5-2-2014)

  • Nationwide Insurance to sponsor Earnhardt Jr.: The #88 Hendrick Motorsports team will “Join the Nation” in 2015 thanks to a new three-year partnership that will pair Nationwide Insurance, a leading insurance and financial services organization, with driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. As the exclusive insurance and retirement planning sponsor of Earnhardt’s #88 Chevy, Nationwide Insurance will be a primary partner for 12 Sprint Cup races in 2015 and 13 events in both 2016 and 2017. The company also will be an associate-level sponsor of the #88 race cars throughout all three seasons.
    “The Earnhardt family has trusted Nationwide for their insurance needs for more than 35 years, and Dale Jr. has a positive impact on our brand’s reputation and brings pride to Nationwide members and our associates,” said Matt Jauchius, chief marketing officer for Nationwide Insurance. “Expanding that relationship to incorporate the prestigious operations at Hendrick Motorsports and collaborating with Rick Hendrick and his team is a great fit for Nationwide Insurance.”
    Hendrick Motorsports will work with Nationwide Insurance to support consumer, business and employee offerings in the auto, home, life and classic car insurance and retirement categories. NASCAR fans can immediately benefit through insurance discounts offered via the free JR Nation fan club. Membership is available by visiting www.jrnation.com.
    “Nationwide is always top of mind when you think of companies that truly leverage the power of NASCAR,” said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. “We’re proud to welcome them to the #88 team and grow their relationship with Dale Jr. Working together, we’ll build another program that moves the needle for their business. The opportunities are endless.”
    “I’ve always enjoyed working with Nationwide and really believe in their products and services,” said Earnhardt, who Nationwide Insurance has featured in national advertising since 2009. “It’ll be fun to work with them in a new way, and I know everyone on the team is looking forward to the partnership. They’ve invested in our sport and built a strong reputation with NASCAR fans, and this opens up doors to do even more great things.”(HMS)
    AND Hendrick Motorsports teammate #5-Kasey Kahne is sponsored by Farmers Insurance. Hendrick Motorsports issued a statement regarding Farmers’ status: “Our team has a terrific relationship with the people at Farmers Insurance, and we’re having positive discussions about the future. The announcement regarding the #88 team does not impact our ability to continue the partnership beyond 2014.”(MRN)(5-2-2014)

  • Nine race fans settle over Speedway accident: Nine fans injured when a race car flew into a safety fence and sprayed debris in the grandstands at Daytona International Speedway last year have reached a settlement with the track. International Speedway Corp. will not release the amount of the settlement with the nine claimants represented by the Morgan & Morgan law firm, said Lenny Santiago, ISC senior director of public relations. Santiago declined to reveal details in the interest of the privacy of the fans involved. “I can say that we have reached settlements with several claimants related to the incident, but, as has been our practice throughout, we are not going to discuss any of the details,” Santiago said. At least 28 spectators were injured including 14 who were taken to local hospitals when Kyle Larson’s car crashed into the fence and sprayed a tire and other debris into the grandstands during the Nationwide Series Drive4COPD 300 on Feb. 23, 2013. Andrew Felix, an attorney with Morgan & Morgan, said the settlement covered all of the people represented by the personal injury firm, but he also declined to reveal the amount or any other details.(Daytona Beach News Journal)(5-2-2014)

  • Different look for the #48 at Dega: Jimmie Johnson will drive the #48-Lowe’s/Valspar Reserve Chevy in this weekend’s race. Valspar Reserve, available exclusively at Lowe’s starting May 1, is a new interior and exterior paint with HydroChroma Technology that is stain resistant and fade resistant – so the colors you love stay the colors you love.(HMS), see images of the car on the #48 Team Schemes page.(5-2-2014)

  • Career start #300 for Hamlin: #11-Denny Hamlin will make his 300th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start on Sunday at Talladega. In the first 299, Hamlin has 23 wins, which ranks tied for 30th on the all-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series wins list.(NASCAR)(5-2-2014)

  • McClure Returns to #35 Ford with Front Row Motorsports: Eric McClure, driver of the #35 Hefty Ultimate/Reynolds Wrap Ford, comments on returning to Front Row Motorsports at Talladega Superspeedway: “I am very appreciative of the opportunity Bob (Jenkins) and Front Row Motorsports have given me to drive the #35 car at Talladega. After having a fast car at Daytona (International Speedway in February), the disappointment of missing that race still lingers a bit for me. I am optimistic we can make the show at Talladega and have the chance to compete for a great finish.” McClure has two Sprint Cup starts at Talladega (2004, 2006)(Front Row Motorsports)(5-2-2014)

  • Bass Pro Shops on the #3 Talladega: Austin Dillon and his team will sport the colors of the nation’s #1 outdoor retailer, Bass Pro Shops, on the #3 Chevrolet this weekend at Talladega. A longtime motorsports supporter, Bass Pro Shops’ association with Dillon dates back to 2010 when the company partnered with RCR for Dillon’s first foray into full-time NASCAR competition with sponsorship of the #3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet in the Camping World Truck Series. The Bass Pro Shops/Dillon duo earned the Camping World Truck Series Championship in 2011 and Bass Pro Shops was also partners with Dillon and RCR in the Nationwide Series, where Dillon earned the 2012 title. Bass Pro Shops, which specializes in outdoor fun, operates 85 retail stores and Tracker Marine Centers across America and Canada that are visited by more than 116 million people every year. Bass Pro Shops stores, many of which feature restaurants, offer hunting, fishing, camping and other outdoor gear while their catalogs and website serve shoppers throughout the world (RCR). See images of the scheme on the #3 Team Schemes page.(5-2-2014)

  • Take 5 to ride again with #13 Talladega: The #13 GEICO Chevy driven by Casey Mears will again feature associate sponsor Take 5, Home of the 5-Minute Oil Change. This time, Take 5 will ride along for the high speed thrills of the “Aaron’s 499” at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday, May 4th. Take 5 is celebrating “30 Years of the Fastest Oil Change on the Planet” and what better way to celebrate than by taking a trip to Talladega? Take 5 Oil Change opened it’s sponsorship of the #13 GEICO Chevy SS driven by Casey Mears last weekend at Richmond.(Germain Racing)(5-2-2014)

  • Talladega Notes & Facts – Friday – drivers:
    · Dave Marcis leads the series in starts at Talladega with 61. Jeff Gordon leads all active drivers with 42 starts; followed by Joe Nemechek with 38.
    · Buddy Baker and Tony Stewart are tied for the series’ most runner-up finishes at Talladega with six each.
    · NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt leads the series in top-five finishes at Talladega with 23. Jeff Gordon leads all active drivers with 15.
    · Dale Earnhardt leads the series in top-10 finishes at Talladega with 27. Jeff Gordon leads all active drivers with 19.
    · Nine drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series have posted consecutive wins at Talladega Dale Earnhardt Jr. leads the series in consecutive wins at Talladega after posting four straight from the fall of 2001 – 2003.
    · 11 of the 12 active NASCAR Sprint Cup Series winners at Talladega Superspeedway participated in at least one or more races before visiting Victory Lane. Brad Keselowski is the only active series driver to win at Talladega in his first appearance.
    · Matt Kenseth competed at Talladega Superspeedway 25 times before winning the fall of 2012; the longest span of any the 12 active NASCAR Sprint Cup Series winners.
    · Brad Keselowski leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in average finishing position at Talladega with a 14.200.
    · Joe Nemechek leads the series among active drivers with the most NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at Talladega without visiting Victory Lane at 38.
    · Jeff Gordon leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in laps led at Talladega with 843 laps led in 42 starts.
    · Three female drivers have competed at Talladega in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series: Janet Guthrie, Patty Moise and Danica Patrick.
    (NASCAR)(5-2-2014)
  • DAYTONA Rising May Project Update: Construction activities for the $400 million DAYTONA Rising redevelopment project are heating up. In less than 12 months, Daytona International Speedway has installed 7,000 tons of steel and poured over 13,000 cubic yards of concrete to develop the world’s first motorsports stadium. Less than one week ago, the first escalator was raised and installed on the West end of the frontstretch as part of the new vertical transportation. Additionally, the Speedway continued steel and metal stud installation during the last month of construction.
    Upcoming construction activities include:
    · Continue installing stairs and escalators at West and East ends of the project
    · Completion of elevator shaft in Injector 1 and 5 will occur in early to mid May
    · Ongoing steel installation in Injectors 2, 3 and 4
    · Interior build out of restrooms, merchandise areas, concession stands and neighborhood bar in Injector 1
    · Service level masonry work in all areas is in progress
    · Continuing Installation of litter shield, seating treads and risers in Injector 1
    · Underground cable pulling for the stadium’s new power system to feed the new stadium is in progress
    Race fans can follow the progress of the DAYTONA Rising project by visiting www.daytonarising.com.(DIS)(5-2-2014)
  • Sad News – Wayne Rust: Wayne Edward Rust, 70, of Georgetown, passed away Wednesday, April 30, 2014, at Beebe Healthcare, Lewes, DE. Rust worked as a civil engineer for DelDOT for 33 years, retiring in 1990. He also worked for Sunoco at NASCAR for 26 years. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: Georgetown Little League, P.O. Box 105, Georgetown, DE 19947, or S.P.C.A. Sussex County, 22918 S. DuPont Hwy., Georgetown, DE 19947.(Cape Gazette)(5-2-2014)
  • Rocky Ridge Custom Trucks joins Elliott: Rocky Ridge Custom Trucks has signed a full-year sponsorship agreement with JR Motorsports and will receive associate branding on Chase Elliott’s #9 NAPA AUTO PARTS Chevy starting this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway. Based out of Franklin Springs, Ga., Rocky Ridge Custom Trucks is a family-owned and operated special vehicle manufacturer (SVM) for General Motors specializing in truck conversions and upgrades. Elliott enters this weekend’s Aaron’s 312 at Talladega as the Nationwide Series points leader.(JRM)(5-2-2014)
  • Nationwide not returning? In its final year as the title sponsor of NASCAR’s No. 2 series, Nationwide will spend at least as much money on NASCAR next year as it does this year as it transfers its marketing focus to Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Nationwide will sponsor Earnhardt for 12 Cup races in 2015 and 13 races in each of the 2016 and 2017 seasons. Since 2009, Nationwide has had a personal services deal with Earnhardt. Nationwide felt it had to establish itself as a NASCAR sponsor through its series sponsorship before moving on to more of a Cup focus starting in 2015.(Sporting News)(5-2-2014)
  • Smoke -N- Sear joins Nemechek for Talladega: NEMCO Motorsports today announced England’s Stove Works, Inc.’s new Smoke -N-Sear product line will take the primary sponsorship role on Joe Nemechek’s #87 Toyota Camry for this Saturday’s Aaron’s 312 NASCAR Nationwide Series event at Talladega Superspeedway. The company formally introduced its newest product line, ‘Smoke -N- Sear’ in March of this year in order to highlight its latest product offerings, which include a pellet grill/smoker, as well as accessories such as cooking pellets, a branded grill cover, and rub and sauce products. The grill, which is based on a patented design, actually has a direct cooking area on one side (over a cast grate) and an indirect cooking area on the other side (over nickel plated grates). This makes the product a grill and a smoker, and even leaves room near the top for convection-heated warming racks. It is also one-of-a-kind in that it has been safety tested to UL 2728. With 19 NASCAR Nationwide Series starts at the 2.66-mile oval, Nemechek boasts two wins, five poles, seven top-five and eight top-10 finishes. With a strong showing at the season’s first restrictor plate race in Daytona, Nemechek looks for a solid run in his Smoke -N- Sear Camry.(NEMCO)(5-2-2014)
  • Hornish on pole at Talladega: #54-Sam Hornish, Jr. won the Coors Light Pole for the Aaron’s 312 at Talladega Superspeedway with a speed of 186.783mph. #11-Elliott Sadler will start second followed by : #20-Darrell Wallace, Jr., #16-Ryan Reed, #43-Dakoda Armstrong, #22-Ryan Blaney, #3-Ty Dillon, #60-Chris Buescher, #99-James Buescher, and #2-Brian Scott.
    Fastest in the second round of qualifying was #20-Darrell Wallace, Jr.
    #62-Brendan Gaughan was quickest in the opening qualifying session at 191.058mph
    Did Not Qualify: #70-Derrike Cope and #58-Chad Boat. The starting lineup is posted on the Talladega starting lineup page (pdf).(5-2-2014)
  • Talladega Qualifying Notes:
    Sam Hornish Jr won the Coors Light Pole Award for the 23rd Annual Aaron’s 312 with a lap of 51.268 seconds, 186.783 mph.
    This is his sixth pole in 100 NASCAR Nationwide Series races.
    This is his first pole and first top-10 start in 2014. His last pole came at Homestead-Miami Speedway in 2013.
    This is his first pole in four races at Talladega Superspeedway.
    Elliott Sadler (second) posted his sixth top-10 start of 2014 and his fifth in six races at Talladega Superspeedway.
    Darrell Wallace Jr (third) posted his first top-10 start at Talladega Superspeedway. It is his first in one races this season.
    Ryan Reed (fourth) was the fastest qualifying rookie.
    (NASCAR Integrated Marketing)(5-2-2014)

    News from May 1, 2014

  • Chassis selections for this weeks race: see the list of many teams [that report or post them] and what chassis were selected by the team to run at Talladega Superspeedway on the Talladega Race Info page – Chassis selection area.

  • Ambrose & Petty discuss penalty and the punch: #9-Marcos Ambrose was involved in a post-race altercation with #13-Casey Mears last weekend at Richmond International Raceway. Ambrose, who was fined $25,000 and put on probation until the end of the year by NASCAR for his role, spoke publicly for the first time about the incident on Thursday during a press event at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
    Q) CAN YOU GO THROUGH WHAT HAPPENED AFTER THE RACE?
    Ambrose: “The altercation I had with Casey was quite impromptu. As I was walking past the 13 car, as he’d finished the race, I was actually heading over to have a chat with David Gilliland (#38) just to say we’re all good after we got into each other a couple of times. Some words were said and I was confused about why Casey was so annoyed at me, and I think you just see a lot of the passion that the drivers have and the commitment we have to try to win these races and try to run at the front. That passion kind of got out of hand and got out of control pretty quick. To be honest with you, once he put his hand on me and started pushing me around I was just trying to stand up for myself and my country and my family and my reputation and I threw a punch down on him to get him out of the way and let him know that I didn’t respect him not giving me my private space. As it goes down, if I had my chance to think back about it, a wiser man would have walked away a little bit earlier and not got himself in that situation. I don’t apologize for my actions. I was just standing up for myself and my team and my family and letting people know that you can’t get in my private space like that and expect not to have any consequences.”
    Q) HAVE YOU TWO TALKED?
    Ambrose: “We have. We’ve spoken in-depth more than once. I honestly believe that we’ll enjoy having a beer with each other. I think we have a mutual respect for each other. I like Casey a lot. I didn’t have any beef with him after the race, but emotions just got out of hand and we both recognized that if we had our time again it wouldn’t happen again, but now it has, you can’t take back what has happened. I’ve spoken to him and I’m not carrying anything forward. He has to decide what he wants to do moving forward, but if we get ourselves in a pub somewhere I’d buy him a beer no problem.”
    Q) WERE YOU UPSET AT THE PENALTY?
    Ambrose: “No, I got myself in a bad situation. I caused an action that NASCAR needed to reprimand, so I’m happy to pay it and happy to move on. It’s a heavy fine. That’s the biggest fine I’ve ever received in racing and I think that NASCAR needed to do something and whatever they chose to do I’ll pay it.” Q) HAS THAT EVER HAPPENED TO YOU IN AUSTRALIA?
    Ambrose: “No, I have not. I’ve never been in this situation before, and it was for 18th. That just shows you the passion we have in our sport that I’m able to get myself in a physical fight and draw a claret to finish 18th. That just shows you how deep the talent is and how much passion and commitment we all have to what we’re doing.”
    Q) IT LOOKED LIKE ONE OF THE CREW GUYS TRIED TO PUNCH YOU.
    Ambrose: “I did not get punched. I was able to duck and weave and get out of trouble. The person in question, I haven’t seen the footage, so I don’t know if there was a swing thrown, but there certainly was aggression at the end. I’ve had a phone call from somebody to apologize for his actions and that’s it for me. I’ve got no beef with him, either. I’m happy to move on and put the week behind us. It’s certainly not a proud moment of mine, but I certainly don’t take anything back that I did. Casey and I spoke about it and he said, if the shoe was on the other foot he probably would have done the same thing. I was just standing up for myself and standing up for my family and you get to a point where you’ve got to defend yourself and that’s exactly what I did.”
    Q) SOME SAY YOU SHOULDN’T BE FINED BECAUSE WHEN THEY PROMOTE THAT RACE THEY’RE GOING TO SHOW THAT FOOTAGE. HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT?
    Ambrose: “I think my NASCAR career may well be remembered by one of the best finishes of all-time and one of the best fights of all-time, too. It’s OK. Our sport is made up of passion and everyone has their own angle. Certainly, it’s not a great thing to explain to your kids on Sunday what you did. I’ll take that penalty and the repercussions from my actions and pay it, and then people can do whatever they want from there. It’s not for me to call NASCAR out on taking advantage of a situation like that.”
    Q) ANY IDEA WHY HE WAS SO MAD AFTER THE RACE?
    Ambrose: “He was mad at the race and he was mad at himself and we were around each other at the end of the race. It’s a full contact sport out there. I’m charged up. I’m full of adrenaline too. I was actually pretty calm. I think one of the reasons I laid down such a good shot on him was that I wasn’t riled up. I was actually fairly lucid in my thoughts and was able to get a good punch off because I wasn’t bound up with too much adrenaline, but adrenaline is just part of what we do. It was an emotional race. A lot of drivers got into each other and there was a lot of action up and down the grid. I look back at it and it’s a beef and an argument between myself and Casey. Unfortunately, it got put on national TV and three-and-a-half million people saw it.”
    Q) SO YOU KNOW WHO TOOK A SWING AT YOU?
    Ambrose: “Yes. I’m not even sure it was a swing. I haven’t seen the footage, but I know there was aggression by the people out there and I’ve got no problem with it, I really don’t. Casey’s team is standing up behind Casey and my team stands up behind me and that’s just what we do.”
    Q) IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU MIGHT DO THE SAME THING IF A SIMILAR SITUATION ARISES
    Ambrose: “I would walk away earlier before it got out of hand. I could tell it was getting out of hand, but I just didn’t walk away quick enough and get out of that situation. So if I look back at it, I could tell it was not going well and I should have taken up. We spoke for maybe a minute-and-a-half before he started shoving me around and I should have walked away a lot sooner than what I tried to.”
    Q) DID HE SAY ANYTHING OR WAS IT MORE OF THE FACT HE WAS HOLDING YOU?
    Ambrose: “There was plenty of stuff said, but before the pushing. He was upset and he was letting me know how upset he was and then when I went to walk away he just couldn’t handle it any longer. As soon as he grabbed hold of me there, I knew I was gonna have to get a shot in and I was just waiting for the right moment.”
    Q) WHY IS RIGHT AFTER THE RACE THE RIGHT TIME TO ADDRESS AN ISSUE LIKE THAT?
    Ambrose: “It’s not, and I think I’ve learned my lesson on that one. I think next time I might scamper into the race hauler or scamper back to the plane and have a sleep on things. There’s just so much emotion. In this example, this is the first time I’ve been involved in something like this. At the time, even after the incident went down, I didn’t think much of it. I just thought, ‘Well, he started pushing me around and I just had to get him away from me,’ because I didn’t know what was gonna happen next. If he starts pushing me in the toolbox what happens next? Is he gonna try to throw one on me? So I was trying to get out of there and it wasn’t until a few hours later that the adrenaline starts to whoa down and you start to realize what you had done. And then the next day when you have to talk to your kids about it and your wife is mad at you, you realize that walking away would have been a much smarter option.”
    RPM Owner Richard Petty comments
    Q) DO YOU FEEL IF YOU’RE PROVOKED YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO DEFEND YOURSELF?
    Petty: “You’ve got to defend yourself no matter what, but if he knew he was gonna be fined $25,000 he might have let the guy take another swing at him (laughing). As you can see in the tape, he did not initiate any of that. He was trying to get away, so I think, from that standpoint, I don’t know what their rationale is. I’ll just have to talk to them (NASCAR) and see what they come up with.”
    Q) WERE YOU EVER IN ANY SCRAPS OF NOTE?
    Petty: “No comment (laughing). It used to go on a little bit all the time, but they didn’t have all of the TV cameras and all that stuff, so you could go around behind a truck and do what you needed to do and there wasn’t very many people who knew about it.”
    Q) HOW DO YOU APPROACH THE INCIDENT IN RETROSPECT?
    Petty: “I always look at it as you have to defend yourself no matter what the circumstances are, and that’s what I saw in the Marcos situation. What provoked it? I have no idea. I don’t even think Marcos knows really what provoked the whole thing, but in the scheme of things if you can’t protect yourself, then NASCAR is not gonna come and protect you, so he had to do what he had to do.”(see the full transcript at Ford Racing)(5-1-2014)
  • Earnhardt Jr. voted first quarter Driver of the Year: Two-time Daytona 500 winner, #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., was named winner of the first quarter Driver of the Year Award 2014. NASCAR’s perennial fan favorite won title in the voting by an elite panel of American broadcasters and journalists Ending an almost two-year winless drought Earnhardt took the checkered flag in the season opening, and rain-delayed, Daytona 500. In the first quarter, which ended with race in Darlington, he added three second-place and one third-place finishes. In the voting Earnhardt, who drives the #88 National Guard Chevy for Hendrick Motorsports, had seven first-place ballots and totaled 88 points according to the Driver of the Year points system. Kevin Harvick, who drives the #4 Budweiser Chevy in NASCAR, and Australia’s Will Power who drives the #12 Verizon Dallara-Chevrolet for Team Penske tied for second place with 80 points. Harvick had five first-place votes and Australia’s Power had three. Chase Elliott burst into the limelight scoring 37 points, one first-place vote and finished fourth, in the ballot driving for Earnhardt’s JRM Nationwide Series team. And Kyle Busch also garnered one first-place vote A total of 20 drivers scored points in the first quarter voting. In its’ 48th year, the Driver of the Year title is unique. The panel of 17 leading journalists and broadcasters from across the U.S. determines the winner. In quarterly voting, points are awarded on a declining 9, 6, 4,3,2,1 basis. Earnhardt will receive a trophy and a Tissot wristwatch to be presented at a race weekend at to be determined.(DOTY)(5-1-2014)

  • Dogecoin and Reddit Partner with Phil Parsons Racing for Talladega: In a partnership effort between Dogecoin and Reddit, the #98 Ford Fusion of Phil Parsons Racing will have a new look at Talladega. Earlier this year, Reddit user and tech fan Denis Pavel noticed a plain black car with a driver he felt ‘raced the wheels off the car’ during a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. The lack of sponsorship caused Pavel to think of some of the significant fundraisers that he’s witnessed on the Reddit platform.
    “I didn’t really know much about Dogecoin or Reddit when Denis Pavel initially reached out to us about the race at Talladega Superspeedway,” commented Parsons. “He watched a race on television and was excited about what he saw from Josh Wise and our team. We were able to connect on Twitter and everything took off from there-it’s amazing how social media allows sports fans to actually connect to us, and that it would allow something like this to come together. As far as I know, this is the first online effort like this that’s been able to fund sponsorship for a NASCAR team, so it’s pretty cool to be a part of it.”
    “I knew that Dogecoin had done some significant fundraisers, like sending the Jamaican bobsled team to the Olympics,” Pavel said. “I was thinking what kind of response I would get if I did ask the (Reddit) community about sponsoring a Sprint Cup car. They were all with it.”
    Familiar with the digital currency Dogecoin, the 16-year-old Pavel from Niles, Ill., decided to utilize the currency to raise sponsorship funds for driver Josh Wise and the #98 Ford Fusion team. Exceeding their initial goal by 10% within the opening week, Dogecoin and Reddit were able to partner with Phil Parsons Racing for the Sprint Cup Series event at Talladega Superspeedway.
    “We are all about fun and goofiness,” commented Ben Doernberg, board member at the Dogecoin Foundation. “At the same time, we want to make sure that digital currency is really giving back to the world. We do feel like this is a technology that can make the world a better place, and we want to put that into practice by doing fundraisers.”
    To date, this marks the first fundraising effort through Dogecoin and Reddit to sponsor a NASCAR race team. In addition to raising funds online, the team also took to the internet allowing Reddit users to vote on a paint scheme for Sunday’s event. “The more we’ve walked through this fundraising effort, it has really been special to us,” commented Wise. “People are noticing our effort. We’re a tiny little team with seven or eight employees. The amount of support we’re getting from the Reddit community … we’re just trying to do the best job we can.”(Phil Parsons Racing), see images of the scheme/car on the #98 Team Schemes page.(5-1-2014)

  • McMurray discusses NASCAR’s handling of Mears-Ambrose fight: Following NASCAR dishing out fines and probation to #9-Marcos Ambrose and #13-Casey Mears for their Richmond post-race scuffle, #1-Jamie McMurray was hoping neither driver would have gotten punished. “I’d hoped NASCAR would let that go…they’ve preached to all of us that they want us to be who we are, said McMurray. “I think it’s good that you have some characters in the sport that — I’m not calling Casey or Marcos out, but not everyone is willing to — or is the type of guy that would punch someone, right? I think you can count on one hand the guys that would actually throw a punch. Everyone is talking about it. I’m building a house, and when I got up to the home site, that’s all the guys wanted to talk about and they wanted to know if I have any inside scoop. I think it’s great. I don’t want to see anyone get punched, but it’s been — how many years ago has it been since someone actually punched someone? It’s got everyone talking about the sport and I think it’s good you see those guys’ passion. I was really hoping that NASCAR was going to let it go or that the fines would be less because that’s a huge — $25,000 is massive. My opinion of that is that you won’t see it happen again because I think people will think about that and be like, it’s not worth it. It’s not worth $25,000 for me to express exactly how I feel at this time.” McMurray admitted there have been a few times where he’s been in the same situation but that it’s been a long time. “If it was happening every week, I think it would be different, but if they hadn’t fined those guys, I don’t think it would have happened again for a long time. I think it’s very circumstantial with the two right guys, you know. I don’t think Casey had any intentions of throwing a punch. Casey went over there and was wanting to get his point across. I don’t think he had any — when he got hit, you could tell he was like, I can’t believe I just got punched, right? I don’t think anyone had that mindset going into it.”(PRN’s Garagepass)(5-1-2014)

  • Talladega Notes & Facts – Thursday – history:
    · Construction began on what was then known as the Alabama International Motor Speedway on May 23, 1968.
    · The first NASCAR Sprint Cup race was held on Sept. 14, 1969 – won by Richard Brickhouse.
    · The name changed to Talladega Superspeedway in 1989.
    · Fourth repaving completed on Sept. 19, 2006.
    · There have been 89 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Talladega Superspeedway, one NSCS event in 1969 and two races per year since 1970.
    · Talladega Superspeedway is tied with Michigan International Speedway for holding the ninth most NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points paying races (89).
    (NASCAR)(5-1-2014)

  • New look for Patrick’s car at Talladega: Danica Patrick will be sporting a new look in the #10 GoDaddy Peeker Chevy with the GoDaddy “Peeker” logo, which is usually on the side of the bright green car, adorning the hood this weekend. Patrick will also run this stylish ride at Kansas on May 10 and during the Coke 600 on May 25. See images of the scheme on the #10 Team Schemes page.(5-1-2014)

  • Kahne to debut new look on the #5 at Dega, to thank teachers: Kasey Kahne will debut his special #5 Farmers Insurance “Thank A Million Teachers” Chevy paint scheme this weekend at Talladega. Kahne will drive the special paint scheme two more times during the month of May, which is National Teacher Appreciation Month: Kansas on May 10 and Charlotte on May 25. As part of the “Thank A Million Teachers” program, Farmers is urging America to thank teachers, past and present, on www.ThankAMillionTeachers.com for the positive impact they have had in communities across the nation. Farmers also has invited teachers to submit proposals for $2,500 grants, and in all, they are committed to donating $1 million to teachers and education programs in 2014. On behalf of Farmers Insurance’s “Thank A Million Teachers” initiative, Kahne will visit Oxmoor Valley Elementary School in Birmingham, AL, on Friday to thank its educators. Kahne also will unveil his #5 Farmers Insurance “Thank A Million Teachers” Chevrolet SS paint scheme during a school-wide assembly (HMS). See an image of the scheme on the #5 Team Schemes page..(5-1-2014)

  • Brian Scott returns to the #33 at Dega: Brian Scott returns to the wheel of the #33 Shore Lodge Chevy for the Aarons 499 at Talladega Superspeedway. Scott will be making his first Sprint Cup Series start at Talladega Superspeedway in the Aaron’s 499, but has four NASCAR Nationwide Series races under his belt at the 2.66-mile track. Scott has captured one top-10 finish and led three laps. Shore Lodge will be the sponsor of the #33 at Talladega. It’ll be Scott’s third Sprint Cup Series of the 2014 season.(Circle Sport), see an image of the #33 Shore Lodge Chevy on the #33 Team Schemes page.(5-1-2014)

  • Joie Chitwood III to be Honorary Chairman of the 2014 MSHFA Induction Ceremony: Joie Chitwood III, president of Daytona International Speedway, will be the honorary chairman of the 26th Annual Motorsports Hall of Fame of America’s Induction Ceremony to take place August 6 at The Fillmore Theater in Detroit. His grandfather, historic open-wheel race car driver and legendary showman Joie Chitwood, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2010. In January, it was announced that the Hall of Fame will be relocating to the grounds of the Daytona International Speedway by 2016.(MSHFA)(5-1-2014)
  • Martins fastest in happy hour: #76-Tommy Joe Martin was quickest during happy hour for the Aaron’s 312 with a speed of 185.891mph. He was followed by: #4-Jeffrey Earnhardt, #42-Kyle Larson, #6-Trevor Bayne, #62-Brendan Gaughan, #39-Ryan Sieg, #2-Brian Scott, #25-John Wes Townley, #43-Dakoda Armstrong, and #40-Josh Wise. 29 drivers participated in the session. See complete results on the Talladega practice 2 speeds page (pdf).(5-1-2014)
  • Bayne fastest in first practice: #6-Trevor Bayne was fastest during opening practice at Talladega Superspeedway with a speed of 190.378mph. #60-Chris Buescher was second, followed by: #16-Ryan Reed, #42-Kyle Larson, #98-David Ragan, #3-Ty Dillon, #2-Brian Scott, #62-Brendan Gaughan, #11-Elliott Sadler, and #99-James Buescher. 36 drivers practiced during the session. See complete results on the Talladega practice 1 speeds page (pdf).(5-1-2014)
  • NC Gov. Pat McCrory to Make Special Proclamation at CMS: on Thursday, May 1st, North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory is scheduled to be joined by Richard Petty, Marcos Ambrose and Charlotte Motor Speedway President and General Manager Marcus Smith to make a special proclamation. #9-Marcos Ambrose will then take Gov. McCrory for a ride along in an 800-horsepower stock car on the legendary 1.5-mile superspeedway.(CMS)(5-1-2014)
    UPDATE NC Governor Pat McCrory Declares May ‘Motorsports Month’, see images at Charlottemotorspeedway.com.
    AND NASCAR mogul Bruton Smith is no stranger to controversy and catching people off guard. He did just that on Thursday when he asked North Carolina’s governor for $100 million to improve his Concord-based race track. Governor Pat McCrory was at the Charlotte Motor Speedway on Monday to proclaim May as “Motorsports Month” in North Carolina, ahead of the All Star Race and Coca Cola 600 later this month. “Racing and motorsports have helped define our state and drive our economy,” said Governor McCrory. “We are proud of the rich history of motorsports in North Carolina and that so many teams, tracks and events call our state home. Today we celebrate that legacy, as well as the industry’s bright future.” The governor was joined by NASCAR Hall of Fame member Richard Petty, Bruton and Marcus Smith, and NASCAR driver Marcos Ambrose to sign the proclamation.
    That’s when Smith told the governor he’d be coming for some money. “While you’re here, I’ve got to find some time to talk to you,” Bruton said to McCrory. “We want to spend about $100 million here to improve our situation and I certainly would like to have you to say ‘you know well that’s a good thing’.”
    “I’m gonna fight for you,” McCrory responded while laughing. He then pointed to driver Marcos Ambrose . “And I’m bringing my man to help it.”
    “Now that I’ve got you here, we only wanna spend a hundred, okay? Downtown Charlotte spending $88 million on something that was built a few years ago. Well, I built this place in 1960. That was a while back.” That’s when Smith asked if McCrory wanted him to come see him to talk or if he wanted to talk “right here in front of God and everybody else.” McCrory took the microphone from Smith saying he’d just come from a prayer breakfast, so “why don’t we do it later.”(wbtv.com)(5-1-2014)
  • Talladega’s Tribute – “The Alabama Gang Superstretch” Unveiled: Talladega Superspeedway announced that the back straightaway will forever be known as “The Alabama Gang Superstretch”, paying tribute to the original members – racing legends Bobby and Donnie Allison, and Red Farmer, all of whom have played a significant role in the track’s history and are today huge supporters of the 2.66-mile venue. For this weekend’s Aaron’s Dream Weekend at Talladega, The Alabama Gang Superstretch name will be displayed in huge, block lettering midway down the outside retaining wall of the backstretch, which measures over 4,000 feet. The monumental, new addition to the track will “stretch” more than 200 feet.
    The trio will serve in “official” capacities during what will be a busy and exciting Saturday at the track. The Allisons will serve as the Grand Marshal’s for the International Motorsports Hall of Fame 200 ARCA race, while Farmer will be the Honorary Starter from atop the flag stand.
    “This place is special,” said Bobby of the speedway. “We (The Alabama Gang) have always felt like we were a part of it.”
    “When you won Talladega, there was something extra special about it,” added Donnie. “It was a huge deal to us, our family and friends.”
    “We made each other the best we could be since we raced against each other in the early years,” quipped Farmer of he and the Allisons. “We liked racing against each other, and Talladega was the ultimate place to race.”
    The Alabama Gang is also represented atop The Alabama Gang Superstretch. From the exit of turn two to the entrance of turn three, fans now have additional RV options from which to view all races at Talladega Superspeedway. They include Allison Motorhome Ridge, Farmer Motorhome Overlook and Bonnett Corporate Motorhome Summit.
    The Alabama Gang continues to live on today with a new generation of racers. The torch of the Allison legacy is passed from Donnie and Bobby to their grandsons Justin and Robbie. Justin Allison, with the help from his grandfather Donnie, has recently emerged on the racing scene in the ARCA Racing Series. Robbie Allison, grandson of Bobby and son of Davey, now lives in Mooresville, NC and is competing in Legends and Late Model cars, as well as Pro Champion Karts. Both Justin and Robbie have high aspirations. Interestingly enough, since Talladega Superspeedway opened in 1969, there have been more than 50 drivers from the state of Alabama to compete at the most competitive facility in the world, and all can say they are a part of “The Alabama Gang.”
    The track was also had former crew chief Larry McReynolds, a Birmingham native, who helped Davey Allison to several wins, on hand at Wednesday’s event. Bonnett’s widow Susan Bonnett Northcutt and Liz Allison Hackett and Krista Allison, widow and daughter of Davey Allison, respectively, joined in on Wednesday’s ceremonies, as well. For a variety of ticket packages for the Aaron’s Dream Weekend, log onto talladegasuperspeedway.com or call 1-877-Go2-DEGA.(TSS)(5-1-2014)
  • Enjoy Talladega Superspeedway from Crew Member Vantage Point: Want to see Talladega Superspeedway from a crew member’s perspective with access to pit road and other pre-race activities? Fans now have the chance to do just that with the Pre-Race Pit Pass – for the Aaron’s Dream Weekend, May 2-4, at NASCAR’s Most Competitive track. For only $50 (admission ticket required) fans with the Pre-Race Pit Pass can stroll pit road on the morning of Sunday, May 4, before the running of the Aaron’s 499 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event. Walking among the crews as they prepare for the battle ahead, Pre-Race Pit Pass holders will experience the sights and sounds as anticipation mounts for one of NASCAR’s most spectacular events. As a part of race day prep, the Pre-Race Pit Pass allows access to the see the Sprint Cup Series drivers, crew chiefs, team owners, celebrities and NASCAR officials walk the Red Carpet to the mandated drivers meeting, where race procedures and protocol will be explained. The $50 Pre-Race Pit Pass goes in effect on Sunday from 8 am until 11 am for the Sprint Cup event. To purchase, simply log onto www.talladegasuperspeedway.com or call 1-877-Go2-DEGA.
    Additionally, fans can upgrade their experience for $25 more with the Pit Pass Upgrade. Get up close with NASCAR’s gladiators and take in Driver Introductions at the start-finish line, and see some of the sports personalities conduct a question/answer session that morning from the stage. Now those are memories that will last a lifetime. After time spent on Pit Road it will feel great settling into Talladega’s roomy and comfortable 21 and 22-inch wide chairback seats. And, new for the 2014 Aaron’s Dream Weekend, is the addition of Sprint Vision video boards that are four times the size of previous ones, placed along the frontstretch to provide views of the whole track to every seat in the house.(TSS)(5-1-2014)