October 2012 News Archives

News from October 31, 2012

Special scheme for Truex Jr. and relief effort for Hurrican Sandy: #56 NAPA Auto Parts driver Martin Truex Jr. is leading the charge in the cleanup process from Hurricane Sandy. Truex said he’s stunned by the damage to his hometown of Mayetta, N.J. and in the surrounding areas wrought by this week’s hurricane. Now he’s calling on his and all NASCAR fans to join in the relief effort. His Martin Truex Jr. Foundation is collecting monetary donations and donators are asked to visit his website at martintruexjrfoundation.org to help.
“I want the people of Mayetta and everyone back East impacted by Sandy to know that I’m thinking about them and will do whatever possible to provide relief quickly,” Truex said. “My family, my friends, and everyone impacted by this disaster are in our thoughts. I’m humbled by the generosity of the NASCAR community and want to thank each of you in advance for contributing to our relief effort.” Truex and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway on Sunday in the seventh of the sport’s Chase for the Championship. The Michael Waltrip Racing driver is seventh in points 63 points out of first. His #56 Carlyle Tools by NAPA Toyota will carry a special decal calling attention to the Martin Truex Jr. Foundation’s fundraising effort.(MWR), see an image of the Carlyle Tools by NAPA scheme on my #56 Team Schemes page.(10-31-2012)
Cheerios sponsoring Burton for 6 races in 2013: General Mills’ iconic Cheerios brand will be returning to the track in 2013 in partnership with Richard Childress Racing as the primary sponsor for six races and as a major associate sponsor for the rest of the season with the #31 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team and driver Jeff Burton. America’s No.1 cereal franchise will bring its fan-favorite yellow and black paint scheme to the following races in 2013: Phoenix International Raceway (March 3), Bristol Motor Speedway (March 17), Charlotte Motor Speedway (May 26), Dover International Speedway (June 2), Michigan International Speedway (August 18) and New Hampshire Motor Speedway (September 22). General Mills, with roots as a NASCAR sponsor for more than 15 years, began its partnership with RCR in 2008 with Cheerios brand as primary sponsor of the #33 Sprint Cup Series team. The program moved to the #31 team as a co-primary sponsor for the 2012 Sprint Cup Series season.(RCR)(10-31-2012)
Martinsville TV Ratings: ESPN’s live telecast of the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Martinsville Speedway on Sunday, Oct. 28, earned a 2.8 household coverage rating (2.4 U.S. rating), averaging 3,617,199 viewers, according to the Nielsen Company. Last year’s telecast earned a 3.6 household coverage rating, while the rating was the same as the 2010 race telecast. Greensboro, N.C., led the nation with a 7.6 rating, followed by Birmingham (6.3), Richmond and Charlotte (5.9) and Norfolk (5.6).(ESPN), see ratings for past 2012 ratings and four-year comparison chart on the 2012 TV Ratings page.(10-31-2012)
Huggies on the #42 at Texas: Huggie will make their first appearance on the #42 Chevy this weekend as they are displayed as the primary colors through their partnership with Target. Huggies Snug & Dry Diapers offer long-lasting protection you can count on, so you can focus on all your little one’s daily adventures. Plus, they also come with the trusted leakage protection of the Leak Lockï¿½ System-which is now even more absorbent.(Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing)(10-31-2012)
Green Earth Technologies joins NASCAR as Official Green Partner: In a joint announcement, Florida-based Green Earth Technologies (GET) joined the stable of Official NASCAR Green Partners. GET’s G-CLEAN pressure washers and environment-safe cleaning products and degreasers for concrete, home siding and outdoor mold and mildew stain removal, will offer NASCAR fans a green alternative to use on their homes. GET’s presence in the sport will expand across NASCAR Home Tracks, including participation in the NASCAR Home Tracks Contingency program. GET’s G-CLEAN logo will be featured on-track with a decal on each entry in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series, NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour and NASCAR K&N; Pro Series. Additionally, Green Earth Technologies signage will be prominently featured at Home Track racetracks across the country.(NASCAR)(10-31-2012)
Johnsons’ book gets second printing: Chandra and Jimmie Johnson announced a second edition of “On The Road,” the 208-page, hardcover book that chronicles Johnson’s 2011 unsuccessful quest for an historic sixth consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship. In addition, a partnership with online retailer Amazon has been formed and the book is now available for purchase on Amazon.com. In less than three months, more than 4,200 books have been sold through various outlets, including JimmieJohnson.com and the #48 Lowe’s trackside merchandise hauler – a testament to the passion and loyalty of NASCAR fans that played a significant role in the book’s sellout status. The second edition will be sold at those outlets again in addition to mass distribution through the new relationship with Amazon.com.(True Speed Communication)(10-31-2012)
Texas Goodyear Tire Notes: Teams in both the NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series will run the same Goodyear tire codes at Texas this weekend . . . teams in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will run a similar tire set-up this weekend, using the same left-side tire code (D-4392) but a different right-side code . . . Sprint Cup and Nationwide teams will run the same combination of left- and right-side tires that they ran at Texas earlier this season and during both race weekends at the track last season . . . this is also the same tire set-up that teams in these two series have run at both Chicagoland and Homestead in 2011 and 2012 . . . as on all NASCAR ovals greater than one mile in length, teams are required run inner liners in all four tire positions at Texas . . . air pressure in those inner liners should be 12-25 psi greater than that of the outer tire . . . Goodyear held a tire test with the 2013 Sprint Cup cars at Texas on October 9-10 . . . teams and drivers participating in that test were No. 16 Roush Fenway Ford with Greg Biffle, No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota with Kyle Busch, No. 27 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet with Paul Menard and No. 42 Earnhardt Ganassi Racing Chevrolet with Juan Pablo Montoya.(Goodyear), see tire codes, pressures and more on Jayski’s Texas Race Info page – Goodyear section.(10-31-2012)
Holiday Ticket Package available at Auto Club Speedway: There’s no doubt that the Auto Club Speedway Holiday ticket package will be a treat. By purchasing Auto Club Speedway’s Holiday Ticket Package you and that special NASCAR fan in your life will enjoy the highly anticipated return of 5-wide NASCAR racing to Southern California during Auto Club 400 Weekend, March 22-24. The Holiday Ticket Package offers the best deal around for Auto Club Speedway’s 2013 NASCAR race. The $99 package includes: A pair of lower reserved grandstand tickets (rows 1-14) to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Auto Club 400 race on Sunday, March 24, 2013; A pair of Pre-Race Pit Passes; and a scanner rental with two sets of headphones. For more information or to purchase the best seats available visit the Auto Club Speedway ticket office, located at 9300 Cherry Ave. in Fontana, call 800-944-RACE (7223) or log on to www.autoclubspeedway.com.(Auto Club Speedway)(10-31-2012)
Chelsea Bain singing National Anthem at Phoenix Nationwide race: Country singer and Arizona-native Chelsea Bain will sing “The Star Spangled Banner” prior to the Great Clips 200 NASCAR Nationwide Series Race at Phoenix International Raceway on Saturday, November 10. After spending her teenage years competing on horseback and winning more than ten national and world championships, Bain felt it was time to apply her skills and determination toward rocking music arenas. Embarking on an artist development mission, Bain will be releasing her first full-length album, All-American Country Girl, on Rock Ridge Music distributed through Warner Music. “Rockin’ That Trailer” is the first single from the forthcoming album and is due for release in early 2013.(PIR)(10-31-2012)

News from October 30, 2012
Burton, Ambrose crew chief changes: UPDATES: Silly Season is in full swing for Sprint Cup crew chiefs. Drew Blickensderfer resigned as Jeff Burton’s crew chief on Sunday. Blickensderfer, 36, will return to the Ford camp as the crew chief for Marcos Ambrose and the #9 team at Richard Petty Motorsports. Given Blickensderfer’s nine-year tenure at Roush Fenway Racing, he will be a valuable conduit for RPM with its technical partner. “Blick” replaces Mike Ford, who joined RPM at Talladega Superspeedway in May as Aric Almirola’s crew chief. Before the Chase for the Sprint Cup began, Ford, 42, swapped teams with veteran crew chief Todd Parrott and began leading the #9 crew with Ambrose. Ford said on Sunday at Martinsville Speedway that he worked this season sans contract with RPM but had “options” for 2013 including working with BK Racing. Sources confirmed that Ford has been offered a crew chief’s post at BKR. Luke Lambert will revive his role with Burton and the #31 Caterpillar crew at Richard Childress Racing starting in 2013. Shane Wilson will be interim crew chief for the final three races of the season.(Fox Sports)(10-29-2012)
UPDATE: Championship-winning Richard Childress Racing crew chief Shane Wilson will replace Drew Blickensderfer at the helm of the #31 Caterpillar Chevy team with driver Jeff Burton for the final three races of the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. “I want to thank Drew for all of his effort with the No. 31 Caterpillar team this season,” said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. “He’s a great crew chief and I can’t say enough about his dedication to RCR. Making the move now, before the season is over, gives Drew some additional time to pursue other opportunities. Luke Lambert, who currently calls the shots for RCR’s NASCAR Nationwide Series driver championship point standings leading #2 team with Elliott Sadler, will take over the #31 team crew chief duties for the 2013 season. Lambert served as interim crew chief for the #31 team in 2011.(RCR)(10-29-2012)
UPDATE 2: Richard Petty Motorsports announced Drew Blickensderfer has been assigned as the crew chief of the #9 team and driver Marcos Ambrose. The Mount Zion, Ill., native comes to Richard Petty Motorsports most recently from Richard Childress Racing where he was the crew chief for Jeff Burton. Prior to his time there, Blickensderfer spent the majority of his career with teams associated with Ford Racing and Roush-Fenway Racing. Blickensderfer replaces Mike Ford who is no longer with the organization.(RPM)(10-30-2012)
At Texas Motor Speedway:
• Construction began in 1995.
• The first NASCAR race was a NASCAR Nationwide Series event on April 5, 1997.
• The first NASCAR Sprint Cup race was on April 6, 1997.
• There have been 23 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Texas Motor Speedway, one per season from 1997 through 2004 and two races per year since 2005.
• Four drivers have competed in all 22 Texas races: Jeff Burton, Jeff Gordon, Bobby Labonte and Mark Martin.
• Jeremy Mayfield was the first pole winner, in 1998. Qualifying for the inaugural race in 1997 was canceled.
• Jeff Burton won the first NASCAR Sprint Cup race.
• 16 drivers have scored poles, led by Dale Earnhardt Jr., Bobby Labonte, Ryan Newman, Jeff Gordon and Martin Truex Jr. with two.
• 16 drivers have won races, led by Carl Edwards, with three. Denny Hamlin, Matt Kenseth, Tony Stewart, Jeff Burton and Greg Biffle each have two wins.
• 17 of 23 races have been won from a top-10 starting position. Only one has been won from the pole – Kasey Kahne in 2006.
• Matt Kenseth started 31st en route to his victory at Texas in 2002, the deepest in the field that a race winner has started.
• Both Jeff Burton (1999) and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2000) scored their first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series win at Texas, and 2011 Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne made his first series start at Texas (11/07/10).
• Martin Truex Jr. (11/04/07) and David Ragan (04/09/11) scored their first series poles at Texas.
• Matt Kenseth (8.6) and Jimmie Johnson (9.7) are the only active drivers to average a top-10 finish at Texas.
• Jimmie Johnson (9.2) is the only active driver to average a top-10 starting position at Texas.
• Roush Fenway Racing leads all owners in victories, with nine. Joe Gibbs Racing and Hendrick Motorsports have three wins each.
• There has been two season sweeps, by Carl Edwards in 2008 and Denny Hamlin in 2010.(NASCAR)(10-30-2012)
Little to no damage to tracks from hurricane: UPDATE: Racetracks that play host to NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races in areas impacted by Hurricane Sandy do not report significant damage from the storm as of Tuesday morning. Dover International Speedway, which is less than 10 miles west from Delaware Bay and 45 miles northwest of Rehobeth Beach, Del., did not sustain any significant damage, track spokesman Gary Camp said Tuesday morning. Pocono Raceway, which is 100 miles west of New York City and about 100 miles north of Philadelphia, was without power Tuesday morning but only lost one of the steeples that towers above its grandstands, according to a tweet from track president Brandon Igdalsky. New Hampshire Motor Speedway, about 80 miles northwest of Boston and 50 miles west northwest of Portsmouth, reported no damage and no loss of power.(Sporting News)(10-30-2012)
UPDATE: Watkins Glen, a road course that covers more than 1,800 acres in upstate New York that is 250 miles northwest of New York City, suffered more than an estimated $50,000 worth of damage, according to track president Michael Printup. Part of victory lane was ripped apart, eight billboards were blown down, grandstand signage destroyed and building trim was damaged. Trees also were blown down by winds estimated at 60 miles an hour.(Sporting News)(10-30-2012)
Little to no damage to tracks from hurricane: Racetracks that play host to NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races in areas impacted by Hurricane Sandy do not report significant damage from the storm as of Tuesday morning. Dover International Speedway, which is less than 10 miles west from Delaware Bay and 45 miles northwest of Rehobeth Beach, Del., did not sustain any significant damage, track spokesman Gary Camp said Tuesday morning. Pocono Raceway, which is 100 miles west of New York City and about 100 miles north of Philadelphia, was without power Tuesday morning but only lost one of the steeples that towers above its grandstands, according to a tweet from track president Brandon Igdalsky. New Hampshire Motor Speedway, about 80 miles northwest of Boston and 50 miles west northwest of Portsmouth, reported no damage and no loss of power.(Sporting News)(10-30-2012)
JoJo singing Anthem at Phoenix: Pop singer/songwriter and actress JoJo will sing “The Star Spangled Banner” prior to the AdvoCare 500 Semi-Final NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race at Phoenix International Raceway on Sunday, November 11. The multi-platinum singer burst onto the music scene in 2004 with her debut single “Leave (Get Out)”, making her the youngest artist ever to reach number one on Top- 40 radio with her single, as well as the youngest solo artist to receive at MTV Video Music Award Nomination. Most recently JoJo has released “Disaster” and “Demonstrate” on iTunes in support of her forthcoming third studio album scheduled for a 2013 release.(PIR)(10-29-2012)

News from October 29, 2012
The Entry List for the AAA Texas 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway is posted, 46 teams/drivers [for 43 spots] are listed, including:
Not in top 35 of owners points:
#19-Mike Bliss (45/26)
#21-Trevor Bayne (36/14)
#26-Josh Wise (40/33)
#30-David Stremme (38/33)
#33-Steven Leicht (37/33)
#37-J.J. Yeley (50/17)
#79-Kelly Bires (52/9)
#87-Joe Nemechek (42/33)
#91-Reed Sorenson (52/12)
#95-Scott Speed (43/15)
#98-Michael McDowell (39/33)
In the event that qualifying is cancelled:
the eight who would make it [8]: #’s 21,33,30,98,26,87,19, 37
missing the race would be [3]: # 95,91,79
See the full entry list at my Jayski’s Texas Entry List
Burton, Ambrose crew chief changes: UPDATE: Silly Season is in full swing for Sprint Cup crew chiefs. Drew Blickensderfer resigned as Jeff Burton’s crew chief on Sunday. Blickensderfer, 36, will return to the Ford camp as the crew chief for Marcos Ambrose and the #9 team at Richard Petty Motorsports. Given Blickensderfer’s nine-year tenure at Roush Fenway Racing, he will be a valuable conduit for RPM with its technical partner. “Blick” replaces Mike Ford, who joined RPM at Talladega Superspeedway in May as Aric Almirola’s crew chief. Before the Chase for the Sprint Cup began, Ford, 42, swapped teams with veteran crew chief Todd Parrott and began leading the #9 crew with Ambrose. Ford said on Sunday at Martinsville Speedway that he worked this season sans contract with RPM but had “options” for 2013 including working with BK Racing. Sources confirmed that Ford has been offered a crew chief’s post at BKR. Luke Lambert will revive his role with Burton and the #31 Caterpillar crew at Richard Childress Racing starting in 2013. Shane Wilson will be interim crew chief for the final three races of the season.(Fox Sports)(10-29-2012)
UPDATE: Championship-winning Richard Childress Racing crew chief Shane Wilson will replace Drew Blickensderfer at the helm of the #31 Caterpillar Chevy team with driver Jeff Burton for the final three races of the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. “I want to thank Drew for all of his effort with the No. 31 Caterpillar team this season,” said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. “He’s a great crew chief and I can’t say enough about his dedication to RCR. Making the move now, before the season is over, gives Drew some additional time to pursue other opportunities. Luke Lambert, who currently calls the shots for RCR’s NASCAR Nationwide Series driver championship point standings leading #2 team with Elliott Sadler, will take over the #31 team crew chief duties for the 2013 season. Lambert served as interim crew chief for the #31 team in 2011.(RCR)(10-29-2012)
Race and Commercial Breakdown of the 2012 Tums Faqst Relief 500: For those 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 1:30 PM, and stopped at the waving of the checkered flag at 5:10 PM (all times are EST). Did not keep records for the pre- and post-race coverage. ESPN was the broadcast team for this event.
Total number of commercials: 133
Total number of companies or entities advertised: 79
Number of traditional commercials (not split-screen): 77
Total number of companies or entities advertised: 45
Number of ‘Side-by-Side’ commercials during race broadcast (split-screen): 56
Total number of companies or entities advertised: 34
Number of times utilized ‘Side-by-Side’ commercials during this broadcast: 11
Total number of brief promos of products/services during the race broadcast: 34
Total amount of time these brief promos take during broadcast: app. 6 min.
Start time to record race/commercial periods: 1:30 PM
End time to record race/commercial periods: 5:10 PM
Total minutes of complete race broadcast: 220
Minutes of race broadcast: 189
Minutes of traditional commercials (not split-screen): 31
Minutes of ‘Side-by-Side’ commercials (split-screen): 25
Number of missed restarts: 0 (but four restarts occurred right as broadcast returned from commercials& too close to call)
Number of ‘mystery cautions’ (debris not shown): 0
Total race brdcst time 189 Total comm. brdcst time 31
See past races, other news, links to past races and more on the 2012 TV Commercials page.(10-29-2012)
Chevy Clinches NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Manufacturers’ Championship: #48-Jimmie Johnson’s victory in the TUMS Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway clinched the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Manufacturers’ Championship for Chevrolet. It is the 10th consecutive year, and the 36th time overall that the Bowtie Brand has captured the prestigious title in NASCAR’s top series. In the 33 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races run to-date in 2012, Chevy drivers have captured 12 victories. Chevy won its first Manufacturers’ Cup in 1958, and now with the 2012 Cup secured, Chevy has reached an unprecedented 36th title.(Chevy PR) See more info and complete standings on the Manufacturers Championship page.(10-29-2012)
Almirola close to deal to stay in #43: Aric Almirola said he is close to a deal that will keep him in the famous #43 at Richard Petty Motorsports in 2013 following Sunday’s fourth-place finish at Martinsville Speedway. “I feel like I’m close to getting it done,” said Almirola, who was given a one-year deal for this year. “I want to be there.” Sunday’s finish equaled Almirola’s career best. He was fourth last season in the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. RPM also is close to finalizing a deal to keep Marcos Ambrose in the #9 next season. Team officials said they hope to have everything wrapped up in the next few weeks.(ESPN)(10-28-2012)
Sad News – Jennie Grayson: Mrs. Jennie Jordan Grayson, 54, of Mocksville, N.C. passed away Friday, October 26, 2012 at Duke Medical Center after a courageous seven year battle with cancer. She owned with her husband [Ronnie] and daughter, C.J.R Products, Inc., in Clemmons, N.C., builders of power steering components for NASCAR. Service info and full obiturary at the Winston Salem Journal)(10-29-2012)

News from October 28, 2012
Johnson wins at Martinsville: #48-Jimmie Johnson won the Tums Fast Relief 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway for his 4th win of year, 7th win at Martinsville (tying Jeff Gordon and Rusty Wallace for 3rd most wins at the track) and 59th career win.
#18-Busch finished 2nd followed by #5-Kahne, #43-Almirola, #15-Bowyer, #2-Keselowski, #24-Gordon, #55-Vickers, #47-Labonte, and #16-Biffle. #43-Almirola’s 4th place ties for his best career finish (Homestead 2010).
With #48-Johnson’s win and leading the most laps, he is now in the points lead by 2 over #2-Keselowski.
There were 11 cautions for 64 yellow flag laps. There were 22 lead changes among 9 drivers. The average speed was 77.677mph.
The estimated attendence was 60,000, down from 63,000 in the spring race and down from 62,000 last October.
See race results, awards, money won, laps led, cautions and more on the Martinsville Race Results page (pdf) (10-28-2012)
Where did the 12 Chase drivers finish at Martinsville?
[by points standings before the race (start pos)]
1) #2-Brad Keselowski, 6th (32)
2) #48-Jimmie Johnson, WON (1)
3) #11-Denny Hamlin, 33rd (5)
4) #15-Clint Bowyer, 5th (8)
5) #5-Kasey Kahne, 3rd (15)
6) #56-Martin Truex Jr., 23rd (12)
7) #14-Tony Stewart, 27th (7)
8) #24-Jeff Gordon, 7th (11)
9) #17-Matt Kenseth, 15th (6)
10) #29-Kevin Harvick, 32nd (13)
11) #16-Greg Biffle, 10th (30)
12) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., 21st (20)
(10-26-2012)
2012 Sprint Cup Driver CHASE Championship Points Standings:
[after Martinsville, race 33 of 36]
1) #48-Jimmie Johnson [4 wins], 2291
2) #2-Brad Keselowski [5 wins], 2289, -2
3) #15-Clint Bowyer [3 wins], 2265, -26
4) #5-Kasey Kahne [2 wins], 2262, -29
5) #11-Denny Hamlin [5 wins], 2242, -49
6) #24-Jeff Gordon [1 win], 2237, -54
7) #56-Martin Truex Jr. [0 wins], 22287, -63
8) #17-Matt Kenseth [3 wins], 2226, -65
9) #16-Greg Biffle [2 wins], 2222, -69
10) #14-Tony Stewart [3 wins], 2220, -71
11) #29-Kevin Harvick [0 wins], 2203, -88
12) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. [1 win], 2151, -140
(ties broken by 1sts, 2nds, 3rd, etc)
See drivers championship points standings on the Drivers Points Standings (pdf)
Race Fast Facts – Martinsville
Jimmie Johnson won the 64th Annual TUMS Fast Relief 500, his 59th victory in 396 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.
This is his fourth victory and 23rd top-10 finish in 2012.
This is his seventh victory and 19th top-10 finish in 22 races at Martinsville Speedway.
Kyle Busch (second) posted his eighth top-10 finish in 16 races at Martinsville Speedway. It is his 17th top-10 finish in 2012.
Kasey Kahne (third) posted his third top-10 finish in 18 races at Martinsville Speedway.
Stephen Leicht (34th) was the highest finishing rookie.
Jimmie Johnson leads the point standings by 2 points over Brad Keselowski.
With Jimmie Johnson’s win today Chevrolet has clinched the Manufacturers’ Championship for this season.
(NASCAR Integrated Sports Marketing)(10-28-2012)
Top-35 in Owner Points and guaranteed a starting spot at Texas:
#36 remains in 35th and and drops to 90 points ahead of 36th, the #21 team.
there virtually no chance the top-35 will change the rest of the season.
Rank) Car#-Driver/Team, owners pts, +/-
34) #32-TBA/FAS Lane Racing, 458 +156
35) #36-Blaney/Baldwin, 392 +90 ahead of 36th
these teams / drivers will need to qualify by speed:
36) #21-Bayne/Wood Bros., 302, -90pts out of the top 35
37) #33-Whitt/Childress-Falk, 244, -148
38) #30-Stremme/Inception, 222, -170
The teams are NOT locked in past the next race as the owners points change after each race.
For the owner points standings, see the Owners Points Standings (pdf).(10-28-2012)
2012 Sprint Cup Driver Championship Points Standings without Chase:
(classic system using current points but NOT the chase system)
[after Martinsville, race 33 of 36]
1) #48-Jimmie Johnson(X) [4 wins], 1162
2) #2-Brad Keselowski(X) [5 wins], 1148, -14
3) #16-Greg Biffle(X) [2 wins], 1130, -32
4) #17-Matt Kenseth(X) [3 wins], 1120, -42
5) #15-Clint Bowyer(X) [3 wins], 1117, -45
6) #56-Martin Truex Jr.(X) [0 wins], 1090, -72
7) #11-Denny Hamlin(X) [4 wins], 1080, -82
8) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr.(X) [1 win], 1050, -112
9) #5-Kasey Kahne(X) [2 wins], 1046, -120
10) #29-Kevin Harvick(X) [0 wins], 1044, -118
11) #14-Tony Stewart(X) [3 wins], 1021, -141
12) #24-Jeff Gordon(X) [1 win], 1014, -148
13) #18-Kyle Busch [1 win], 1006, -156
14) #99-Carl Edwards [0 wins], 937, -225
15) #39-Ryan Newman [1 win], 936, -226
(ties broken by 1sts, 2nds, 3rd, etc)
(X) = a Chase driver.
Martinsville Notes-n-Nuggets:
” Jimmie Johnson captured his 59th career win in his 396th race.
” Jimmie Johnson took home his seventh Martinsville win in his 22nd race there, tying Jeff Gordon and Rusty Wallace for third all time.
” Jimmie Johnson’s seven victories at Martinsville ties Dover for his most career wins at a single track.
” This was Jimmie Johnson’s fifth Chase triumph at Martinsville.
” Jimmie Johnson earned his fourth victory of the season while also garnering his first Chase win of 2012.
” Jimmie Johnson won a Chase race for the 21st time, most of all drivers.
” Jimmie Johnson is the only driver to win a race during every Chase.
” Jimmie Johnson started on the pole, this was the 12th Chase race won by the polesitter, seven have been by Johnson.
” Jimmie Johnson took over the points lead by two points over previous leader Brad Keselowski.
” Jimmie Johnson led eight times for 193 laps on the day, including the final 15 laps.
” Hendrick Motorsports garnered its 207th career win, including its series-leading eighth of 2012.
” Hendrick Motorsports was victorious for the 19th time at Martinsville, tying Petty Enterprises for the most all-time wins at the track.
” Chevrolet snapped a 11-race winless streak with its series-leading 12th win of the year.
” Chevrolet clinched its 36th manufacturers championship with its 50th all-time victory at Martinsville, the most of any manufacturer.
” Kyle Busch (second) posted his best Martinsville finish in his 16th race at the track.
” Kasey Kahne (third) garnered his third top-10 finish at Martinsville in his 18th start and first since finishing 7th in this race in 2006.
” Aric Almirola (fourth) ties his best career finish (Homestead, November 2010).
” Clint Bowyer (fifth) ties his best finish at Martinsville; led 150 laps on the day, now is third in points, 26 back of Johnson.
” Brad Keselowski (sixth) had his best Martinsville finish in his sixth start, he has now had or matched his best finish at a track 16 times in 2012.
” Brian Vickers (eighth) has posted five top-10 finishes in eight starts this season.
” Bobby Labonte (ninth) had his best finish of 2012.
” Denny Hamlin (33rd) had two speeding penalties on the day and also had electrical problems while running third. He now sits fifth in points, 49 back of Johnson.
(Racing Resources and Services — Statistics Racing Recall / nascar.com)(10-28-2012)
Added 21 different schemes ran at Martinsville in October: #5 Hendrickcars.com, #9 Black and Decker, #10 TMOne, #18 Halloween M&M;’s, #20 Redbeacon / Home Depot, #24 Pepsi Max, #27 Menard’s / Zecol, #29 Rheem/Pink, #31 EnerSys/ODYSSEY Battery, #32 U.S. Chrome/Southern Pride/pink ribbons,#33 LittleJoesAutos, #34 Where’s Waldo, #36 Mohawk, #37 MaxQworkforce.com, #38 Long John Silver’s, #39 Quicken Loans, #43 Gwaltney, #47 Pine-Sol, #55 MyClassicGarage.com, #91 Plinker Tactical, #99 Geek Squad.
Sterling Marlin has Parkinsonism: For the past year or so, Sterling Marlin’s brain would tell his right hand to complete a fine-motor task, such as cranking a boat or buttoning the collar on a shirt. And the fingers on that hand wouldn’t respond. And with time his hand began to shake. Marlin said symptoms first began after he suffered a laceration to the knuckle on the middle finger of his right hand. The injury, he said, included nerve damage. But rather than go to the doctor he simply Super-Glued it closed. “Cut the knuckle real bad on (my) bird finger … I couldn’t shoot a bird. Just impossible,” said Marlin, reached by phone. “It wouldn’t move and I thought that was the problem. But it got healed up and I said, ‘… Something’s still wrong.’ And it kept getting worse and worse and worse, so I went to the doctor to see what the hell’s going on.” During that visit, Marlin said, doctors revealed that he had developed Parkinsonism.
“I’ve had people say, ‘Man, you got Parkinson’s Disease?’ I say, ‘F— naw!'” laughed Marlin in signature matter-of-fact fashion. “It’s called Parkinsonism. It’s associated with (Parkinson’s Disease), but it’s nothing-near like it. You just take the medicine and you’ll be fine. It ain’t no problem.” According to the Mayo Clinic’s website, Parkinsonism is “any condition that causes a combination of the movement abnormalities seen in Parkinson’s disease — such as tremor, slow movement, impaired speech or muscle stiffness — especially resulting from the loss of dopamine-containing nerve cells (neurons).”(ESPN)(10-28-2012)
Keselowski pleased with 2013 cars: Having heard about some of the aerodynamic difficulties drivers encountered in early tests of the new 2013 Sprint Cup race cars on intermediate speedways, #2-Brad Keselowski was intrigued by the prospect of testing the car himself. The Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup leader was so intrigued, in fact, that he was willing to take a break from intense preparation for the final four Cup races to drive the 2013 Ford Fusion instead of his customary #2 Dodge. He had his chance on Tuesday and Wednesday in a combination new car/Goodyear tire test at Phoenix, the first test of NASCAR’s 2013 models on a one-mile flat track. Keselowski, who will drive Fords next year when Penske Racing makes a manufacturer switch, liked what he saw and felt in the new car. “I thought it was a great test,” Keselowski told the NASCAR Wire Service. “I had heard rumors that things weren’t going so well with that car, so it felt good to kind of just do it on my own and see what was really going on. I thought the test went really well. The cars seemed to have a lot of drivability, and it’s easy to work backwards from there, because certainly we have to balance that, if we make the cars too easy to drive then that’s not going to be great, but they also have to be drivable. And you’d rather start with drivable and work backwards than the alternative.(NASCAR Wire Service)(10-28-2012)

News from October 27, 2012
Final practice for the Tums Fast Relief 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway is over after 50 scheduled minutes, the top-five, slowest and notes:
#55-Vickers95.874
#24-Gordon 95.661
#88-Earnhardt, Jr. 95.661
#18-Busch 95.501
#11-Hamlin 95.492
slowest: #23-Riggs 93.520 & #98-McDowell 93.391.
Light rain showers delayed Truck qualifying briefly so practice started about 10 minutes late.
See speeds, best top-10 average and laps run on the Martinsville practice 3 speeds page (pdf).(10-27-2012)
First Saturday practice for the Tums Fast Relief 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway is over after 55 scheduled minutes, the top-five, slowest and notes:
#55-Vickers 95.966
#24-Gordon 95.898
#42-Montoya 95.796
#48-Johnson 95.777
#18-Busch 95.728
slowest: #38-Gilliland 93.673 & #33-Leicht 93.520.
#99-Edwards spun coming off turn 2 midway through the session and ran over the curb. He didn’t hit anything.
See speeds, best top-10 average and laps run on the Martinsville practice 2 speeds page (pdf).(10-27-2012)
Pit Stall Selections: The selections of pit stalls for the Tums Fast Relief 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Martisnville Speedway have been made.
Pole sitter #48-Johnson chose pit stall 1 [as do most pole sitters].
Outside pole sitter #55-Vickers took pit stall 11, the next pitstall with an opening in front of it.
#18-Busch, who starts 3rd took the 16th pit stall.
The 43rd and final pit stall was taken by #78-Busch, who starts 19th.
To see where the drivers/teams pit stall is, see the pit selection chart on the Pit Stall Selection chart.(10-27-2012)
Martin, Vickers, Waltrip continue to share #55 in 2013: UPDATE: Mark Martin, Brian Vickers and Michael Waltrip will continue to share the driving duties in Michael Waltrip Racing’s #55 Toyota in 2013. MWR announced Friday that Martin will drive in 24 NASCAR Sprint Cup points races, plus the Budweiser Shootout in Daytona and the All-Star race in Charlotte. Waltrip’s three races include the July Daytona race plus both Talladega races. Vickers’ nine races include all the Bristol, Martinsville, New Hampshire and road course events, as well as the Kentucky Speedway race. “I love my schedule and I love our lineup,” said 40-time winner Martin whose four poles in 2012 equal the most of any driver. “Brian has a tremendous amount of experience and talent for such a young driver and you saw at Talladega that Michael Waltrip is as good as anyone in a restrictor plate race.” Martin and Waltrip will continue to drive the Aaron’s Dream Machine paint scheme in 2013 while sponsorship for six of Vickers’ nine races is available.(MWR)(10-26-2012)
UPDATE: Vickers, in negotiations to drive a full-time Nationwide Series schedule for Joe Gibbs Racing next year, has four top-10s in seven starts. He said there are no guarantees Martin will retire after next season and he’ll get the #55 full-time in 2014. “(Am I) in the wings? Yes,” he said. “I don’t think I could be any closer to the wing. There’s no contractual obligation to 2014, but that’s my goal and that’s their goal.” Vickers said he had other opportunities to possibly drive full-time next year, but opted to stay with Michael Waltrip Racing because of the chemistry he has developed with crew chief Rodney Childers and the opportunity to win races. “For me, staying with MWR was a conscious decision to be in the best position to win races,” Vickers said.(ESPN)(10-27-2012)
NASCAR takes over Las Vegas for Champion’s Week: NASCAR will return to Las Vegas for the postseason NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week – a star-studded, entertainment-filled celebration for the series champion and NASCAR fans, culminating with the highly anticipated NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards. This year’s annual awards will take place Nov. 30, returning to Wynn Las Vegas with SPEED, Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio providing live coverage, beginning at 8 p.m. ET.
As in past years, fans can expect an exciting interactive week of activities that celebrate the 2012 season and also build excitement for the 2013 season ahead. Among the events this year are the NASCAR National Motorsports Press Association Myers Brothers Awards Luncheon; NASCAR Victory Lap down the world-famous Las Vegas Strip; and NASCAR After The Lap, an anything-goes Q&A; session between fans and the top 12 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers.
For the fourth-consecutive year, fans will join drivers, team owners and industry leaders in celebrating the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards. Approximately 300 tickets are available to fans, which are being distributed by tracks, NASCAR partners and teams through various fan promotions. For more information on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week in Las Vegas, visit NASCAR.com/ChampionsWeek.(NASCAR)(10-27-2012)
Sad News – Charlie Mitchell: The sport of auto racing lost one of its greatest ambassadors Thursday night with the passing of Charlie Mitchell, former sports editor and longtime writer at The Hour Newspaper (Norwalk CT). Mitchell, 74, was a fixture on the pages of his hometown paper for more than four decades in both news and sports. A lifelong resident of Norwalk, Mitchell began working at The Norwalk Hour (as it was known then) in 1969, following in the footsteps of his grandfather and father. He kept readers abreast of the latest happenings in the world of NASCAR, which was going through its popularity boom. “I never missed a Daytona 500,” he said in 2010 of the sport’s showcase race every February. He also served as a board member of the National Motorsports Press Association and was a member of the nomination and selection committee for the International Motorsports Hall of Fame & Museum at Talladega Speedway. Mitchell retired from The Hour in 2001 after a 32-year career, but he continued writing his auto racing column every Sunday. His final column appeared on Nov. 28. 2010.(The Hour), no word on services.(10-27-2012)
Daytona gets final approval to move forward on site changes: Daytona International Speedway and International Speedway Corporation got the final yes vote they needed out of City Hall to charge forward with their plan to tackle a major overhaul of the Speedway’s front stretch grandstands. The unanimous approval of the site plan Thursday night from the city’s Planning Board was the last of several hurdles ISC and DIS had to clear before they could move from engineers’ drawings to bulldozers in their hopes of redesigning the front stretch grandstands, adding new vendors, creating five new fan entrances, possibly doubling seating and renovating restrooms. The sprawling complex could include up to 2 million square feet of retail space, 1,785 hotel rooms, 1,500 multi-family residential units and movie theaters with a combined 5,000 seats. Speedway officials say it could take decades to reach that full vision, and they’re just now beginning to talk to potential developers and businesses. Those future phases of the project will also require the city to approve additional site plans.(Daytona Beach News-Journal)(10-27-2012)
Mansfield track could be sold for back taxes: The Ohio Supreme Court’s decision not to hear Mansfield Motorsports Park’s appeal of the county tax foreclosure case on the racetrack and grandstand portion of the property appears to leave Richland County free to conduct a sheriff’s sale, county officials said. The court announced its decision Wednesday morning. Two of the seven justices, Paul E. Pfeifer and Terrence O’Donnell, dissented. With a majority of state’s highest court declining to hear an appeal by the track owner, “we could pursue sale of the property,” Assistant Prosecutor Steve Wildermuth said. “Then they can have races again at the speedway.” Track owner Mike Dzurilla declined to comment. His attorney, Robert A. Franco, said he and his client will investigate taking legal issues further. The overall complex is divided into three portions. The portion owned by Mansfield Motorsports Speedway LLC., includes the banked oval track, grandstands, press boxes, concession stands and parking. In 2010, Richland County Treasurer Bart Hamilton filed to foreclose on the racetrack for back taxes. Mansfield Motorsports Speedway owes Richland County $308,827 in taxes, interest and penalties on the track and grandstand portion, Richland County delinquent tax collector Matt Finfgeld said. “The meter has been running” on additional interest and penalties during the course of the appeal, Hamilton said. Mansfield Motorsports Park has been inactive for the past couple of years. No major events were held there during the 2011 or 2012 seasons.(Mansfield News Journal)(10-27-2012)

News from October 26, 2012
Johnson wins pole at Martinsville: #48-Jimmie Johnson won the pole for the Tums Fast Relief 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Martisnville Speedway with a speed of 97.598mph for his 3rd pole of 2012 and 28th career pole.
#55-Vickers will start 2nd followed by #18-Busch, #31-Burton, #11-Hamlin, #17-Kenseth, #14-Stewart, #15-Bowyer, #27-Menard, and #43-Almirola.
The go-or-go homers who made the race (8): #98-McDowell, #26-Wise, #23-Riggs, #87-Nemechek, #91-Sorenson, #30-Stremme, #33-Leicht and #95-Speed.
The go-or-go homers who failed to qualify for the race (2): #37-Yeley, #19-Bliss.
See qualifying results & starting lineup on the Martinsville Qualifying Page.(10-26-2012)
Qualifying Fast Facts – Martinsville:
Jimmie Johnson won the Coors Light Pole Award for the 64th Annual TUMS Fast Relief 500 with a lap of 19.402 seconds, 97.598 mph.
This is his 28th pole in 396 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.
This is his third pole and 22nd top-10 start in 2012.
This is his second pole in 22 races at Martinsville Speedway.
Brian Vickers (second) posted his third top-10 start of 2012 and his second in 15 races at Martinsville Speedway.
Kyle Busch (third) posted his eighth top-10 start at Martinsville Speedway. It is his 19th in 33 races this season.
Josh Wise (31st) was the fastest qualifying rookie.
(NASCAR Statistics)(10-26-2012)
Where will the 12 Chase drivers start at Martinsville?
[by points standings before the race]
1) #2-Brad Keselowski 32ndh
2) #48-Jimmie Johnson 1st
3) #11-Denny Hamlin 5th
4) #15-Clint Bowyer 8th
5) #5-Kasey Kahne 15th
6) #56-Martin Truex Jr. 12th
7) #14-Tony Stewart 7th
8) #24-Jeff Gordon 11th
9) #17-Matt Kenseth 6th
10) #29-Kevin Harvick 13th
11) #16-Greg Biffle 30th
12) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., 20th
(10-26-2012)
Martin, Vickers, Waltrip continue to share #55 in 2013: Mark Martin, Brian Vickers and Michael Waltrip will continue to share the driving duties in Michael Waltrip Racing’s #55 Toyota in 2013. MWR announced Friday that Martin will drive in 24 NASCAR Sprint Cup points races, plus the Budweiser Shootout in Daytona and the All-Star race in Charlotte. Waltrip’s three races include the July Daytona race plus both Talladega races. Vickers’ nine races include all the Bristol, Martinsville, New Hampshire and road course events, as well as the Kentucky Speedway race. “I love my schedule and I love our lineup,” said 40-time winner Martin whose four poles in 2012 equal the most of any driver. “Brian has a tremendous amount of experience and talent for such a young driver and you saw at Talladega that Michael Waltrip is as good as anyone in a restrictor plate race.” Martin and Waltrip will continue to drive the Aaron’s Dream Machine paint scheme in 2013 while sponsorship for six of Vickers’ nine races is available.(MWR)(10-26-2012)
Coverage of Qualifying for the Tums Fast Relief 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Martisnville Speedway is scheduled for Friday, October 26, 2012 at 3:40pm/et.
Television (TV): SPEED, 3:30pm/et
Scheduled Qualifying Re-Air: 8:30pm/et & 1:00am/et
Qualifying Order for the Tums Fast Relief 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Martisnville Speedway is posted. 46 cars/drivers are listed.
The first of the drivers scheduled to go out is #37-Yeley, slowest in practice.
The final driver scheduled to go out is #55-Vickers, who was fastest in first practice.
Qualifying order is set by the first practice session, with slowest driver going out by speed and the fastest going out last. The non-top 35 drivers are now mixed in with the top-35 in owners points, slowest to fastest.
See the full qualifying order on the Martinsville Qualifying Page.(10-26-2012)
Friday practice for the Tums Fast Relief 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway is over after 90 scheduled minutes, the top-five, slowest and notes:
#55-Vickers 97.679
#88-Earnhardt, Jr. 97.488
#11-Hamlin 97.458
#24-Gordon 97.478
#15-Bowyer 94.458
slowest: #36-Blaney 95.175 & #26-Wise 95.046
This practice will determine the qualifying order for this afternoon’s qualifying, scheduled for 3:30pm/et, televised on SPEED.
#51-Allmendinger spun off turn 2 midway through practice but did not hit anything. #56-Truex, Jr spun going into turn 3 with a few minutes remaining but did not hit anything.
See speeds, best top-10 average and laps run on the Martinsville practice 1 speeds page (pdf).(10-26-2012)
Go-or-Go Homers practice at Martinsville: how fast/slow were the drivers who are not in the top-35 of owners points and must qualify by speed to make the Tums Fast Relife 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway, where they practiced in Friday practice:
the eight drivers who would make the race if things stayed the same:
#95-Speed, 23rd fastest overall
#30-Stremme, 31st
#98-McDowell, 32nd
#91-Sorenson, 33rd
#23-Riggs, 35th
#87-Nemechek, 41st
#33-Leicht, 42nd
#19-Bliss, 43rd
the two drivers who would miss the race if things stayed the same:
#26-Wise, 44th
#37-Yeley, 45th
(10-26-2012)
Earnhardt, Jr. happy to be back in car: #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. never seriously thought about missing the rest of the Sprint Cup season after being forced to sit out the last two races with symptoms of a concussion. But NASCAR’s most popular driver is glad he made the decision to tell doctors about the headaches and other symptoms that parked him, and assured he will be more proactive in sharing those symptoms in the future. Earnhardt hasn’t experienced the headaches he had when he first saw neurosurgeon Dr. Jerry Petty on Oct. 12, the day after Petty announced Earnhardt would not be cleared to drive for two weeks. “I felt like I could race at Kansas for sure, probably ran at Charlotte with no problem,” Earnhardt said. “I felt kind of foolish sitting at home and feeling OK and not being in the car. If the doctors said it’s OK, I wanted to be in the car.” Speaking publicly for the first time since Petty parked him, Earnhardt said he can’t wait to race. He’ll do so with a new Stilo Motorsports Helmet instead of the Impact Racing helmet he’s been using, but made it clear he was considering this before his head injuries. “It was really hard to see your car running around without you in it, so that was difficult,” Earnhardt said, adding he understands now more than ever that he made the right decision. He hopes other drivers treat concussions more seriously because of his situation.(ESPN)(10-26-2012)
TMone returns to the #10 at Martinsville: TMone will back Tommy Baldwin Racing at Martinsville Speedway this weekend. David Reutimann will pilot the #10 @TMone Drive Sales&Fast; Chevy in the Tums Fast Relief 500 Sunday, October 28. TMone, with locations in the Midwest and Northern Great Plains, delivers new jobs to America’s hometowns. Domestic Call Center Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) is a people business, and TMone is in the business of augmenting other companies human capital needs. TMone has grown to over 500 employees and secured a spot on Inc. Magazine’s Honor Roll List of Fastest-Growing, Privately-Held, American Companies for the last six years.(TBR)(10-26-2012)
Nadeau still feeling impact of accident: May 2, 2013 will mark the 10th anniversary of the accident that stripped Jerry Nadeau of his passion. He recalls being the fastest thing on site at Richmond International Raceway that day during practice. And after changing a shock, he re-entered the racetrack, barreled off into Turn 1 and spun into the concrete wall, driver’s side. It nearly killed him. Nadeau said his wreck registered at 121 times the force of gravity. By comparison, the hits that recently sent Dale Earnhardt Jr. to the doctor with successive concussions registered 40 G’s at Kansas and 20 G’s at Talladega, respectively. Nadeau suffered a traumatic brain injury, four broken ribs and a collapsed lung. He spent time in a medically induced coma and didn’t regain full consciousness for three weeks. He would never race again.
“I just don’t know what to do now,” he said. “I’m literally lost at times. I wake up like, ‘Well, what am I doing today?’ There are so many times that I forget things. I feel normal. I feel like I’m myself. Sounding OK is one thing. But something’s not right. I used to have so much get-up-and-go. Right now I’m just a loaf. I don’t know if the injury had anything to do with it, but I’m just not interested in doing anything. The hit took a lot out of me. I think right now I’m just surviving. Racing was my life, and it got taken away.”
“My whole life I was selfish. It was always just me — all me,” he said. “Then I realized that if I took one more hit it could be my last hit. It doesn’t take much to injure your brain. I’ve had a few concussions — I’ve had a lot, actually — from go-karts to modifieds to sports cars to the Cup series. And every time you get a concussion you damage something in your brain. I can’t tell you how many times I had headaches — constant headaches. And I never once thought about an injury, or my brain.” Nadeau still suffers from depression. He said he takes medication daily to cope. Before he married Mary Anna four months ago, he said he would at times hole himself up in his bedroom, draw the blinds, order pizza and watch movies all day. When asked if doctors cite his brain injury as a contributing factor to his ongoing depression, Nadeau was uncertain.
He tried for a time to mentor young racers. Frye recalled Nadeau’s pride in working with David Gilliland, leading up to Gilliland’s breakthrough 2006 Nationwide Series victory at Kentucky Speedway. But being at the racetrack was emotionally destructive for Nadeau. He’s a former Cup series winner (one victory in 177 starts), and he was made to feel like just another guy. Nadeau still wonders what’s next. Fortunately he made sound financial choices both before and after the injury. “It’s been hard. It’s been really, really hard. It’s almost like I lost my life.” Read more more at ESPN.com.(10-26-2012)
Sad News – Pam Jenkins: Longtime Indianapolis-based broadcaster Bob Jenkins and friends are mourning the loss of his wife, Pam, who died Thursday evening due to a rare form of brain cancer. She had been in and out of the hospital since April. The Jenkins were married 44 years, and she was his pride and joy, at her side throughout this difficult period. He announced his retirement in a bid to spend more time with her. They did not have children. The Liberty, Ind., native and Indiana University graduate is known for his work with ESPN, NASCAR, IndyCar, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the NBC Sports Network.(Indianapolis Star), service info and more as it becomes available.(10-26-2012)
Cast of ‘Dallas” serving as Grand Marshals at Texas: The drama of cable television’s “Dallas” collides with the drama of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup as cast members of the popular television show will serve as grand marshals for the AAA Texas 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race Sunday, Nov. 4, at Texas Motor Speedway. The all-new “Dallas” brings together stars from the original series – one of the most popular television dramas of all time – with a new generation as the infamous Ewing family continues its bitter battle for power, money and oil while secrets, schemes and betrayals abound at Southfork Ranch. Currently filming its second season in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, “Dallas” airs on TNT and stars Josh Henderson, Jesse Metcalfe, Jordana Brewster, Julie Gonzalo and Brenda Strong, with original “Dallas” stars Patrick Duffy, Linda Gray and Larry Hagman – as J.R. Ewing. All but Strong will be present at Texas Motor Speedway, in person at the pre-race stage to give the command to start the eighth race in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, or via video.(TMS)(10-26-2012)
UFC Champ Cruz honorary pace car driver at Phoenix: Ultimate Fighting Championship bantamweight champion, and former star of The Ultimate Fighter Live on FX, Dominick Cruz has been named Honorary Pace Car Driver for the AdvoCare 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Sunday, November 11. Born and raised in Tucson, Arizona, Cruz, 27, has ascended to the top of his profession. Known for his outstanding speed and footwork, Cruz has compiled a 19-1-0 professional record that includes wins over the likes of Demetrious Johnson, Urijah Faber, Scott Jorgensen, Joseph Benavidez and Brian Bowles. Cruz, partnering with Niner Sports Marketing, will participate in pre-race ceremonies and will make appearances on site at PIR on Sunday, November 11.(PIR)(10-26-2012)

News from October 25, 2012
Great Clips sponsoring Kahne at Texas: Great Clips has joined Hendrick Motorsports as a co-primary sponsor (with Hendrickcars.com) of the #5 Chevy team and Chase contender Kasey Kahne for the Nov. 4 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway. It marks the first Cup-level sponsorship for the world’s largest salon brand. Minneapolis-based Great Clips, which has more than 3,000 locations throughout the United States and Canada, has a long history with Kahne. Since 2003, the company has supported his efforts as both a driver and car owner across multiple racing series.(Hendrick Motorsports)(10-25-2012)
Tire test at Phoenix: UPDATES: Goodyear will conduct a tire test Wednesday at Phoenix International Raceway. Teams participating include #1-McMurray (Chevy) and #2-Keselowski (Dodge).(NASCAR)(10-23-2012)
UPDATE: The testing will be Tuesday and Wendesday. Additional teams include: #11-Hamlin (Toyota), #14-Stewart (Chevy), #27-Menard (Chevy), #78-Busch (Chevy), #99-Edwards (Ford).(10-23-2012)
UPDATE 2: As the 2012 season winds down, the on-track debut of the new 2013 car at Daytona in February looms large. And to that end, major collaborative efforts between NASCAR and its teams highlighted the Goodyear test for the redesigned race car at Phoenix International Raceway. Over the last two days, another bullet was marked off the checklist in preparation for the much-anticipated event as #2-Brad Keselowski, #14-Tony Stewart, #11-Denny Hamlin, #99-Carl Edwards, #78-Kurt Busch, #1-Jamie McMurray, #27-Paul Menard and Brendan Gaughan [in a Childress car] participated in a Goodyear tire test for the next-generation cars at Phoenix International Raceway. Robin Pemberton, NASCAR vice president of competition said information gleaned from drivers has helped hasten the evolution of the 2013 car. “When you have events that are like this – that are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday – your relationships are won,” Pemberton said. “Everyone is working on a test plan and everybody basically pulls on the same end of the rope. And so, people have a tendency to drop their guard and talk more openly about the car and the testing and the results of the things that they are testing. We have great relationships with all of our teams and all of our drivers for the most part.” The next test for Goodyear and the 2013 cars is scheduled for Nov. 6-7 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.(NASCAR)(10-25-2012)
Vickers making final start of 2013: #55 MyClassicGarage.com Toyota driver Brian Vickers makes his eighth and final appearance of the 2012 Sprint Cup season on Sunday at Martinsville Speedway. The Michael Waltrip Racing driver owns three top-five and four top-10 finishes in just seven races in the #55 in 2012. The Rodney Childers led team is 14th in owner points with a driver lineup of Mark Martin, Vickers and Waltrip in 2012.(MWR)(10-25-2012)
Burton says 2013 is “make or break”: The 2013 season will be the 20th of Jeff Burton’s Sprint Cup career, but next year won’t be significant because of a milestone anniversary in NASCAR’s premier series. “It’s very make or break,” Burton said. “It feels really important. It’s on my mind already. It’s been on my mind for a while. We’ve got to right this ship. We’ve got to do it now. This has gone on for two years. It goes on for three, that is too long.” The veteran, who hasn’t won in 145 starts and more than four years, is mired in his worst slump at Richard Childress Racing. His #31 Chevy is 19th in the Sprint Cup standings with four races remaining after ranking 20th in 2011. That puts Burton on pace for his worst back-to-back seasons since entering Cup with finishes of 24th and 32nd in points in 1994-95. “I certainly have less years ahead of me than behind me,” Burton, 45, said. “So every year you don’t have success feels like a big loss. How many more chances are we going to have?”(USA Today)(10-25-2012)
Blaney gets associate sponsor for Martinsville: C & C Audio, Video and Appliance will join Tommy Baldwin Racing at Martinsville Speedway this weekend. The Louisiana-based company will be an associate partner for Dave Blaney and the #36 TBR Chevy in the Tums Fast Relief 500 Sunday, October 28. C & C Audio, Video and Appliance, founded in 1975, is one of the largest home-owned and -operated TV and appliance dealers in Louisiana.(TBR)(10-25-2012)
The Numbers for the Tums Fast Relief 500: at Martinsville Speedway:
1 – fewest cautions (three times, most recent 4/25/71)
1 – fewest cars on lead lap at finish (27 times, most recent 4/27/86)
1 – fewest lead changes (three times, most recent 4/9/61)
2 – fewest leaders (11 times, most recent 9/26/76)
3 – fewest caution laps (4/25/71)
4 – fewest laps led by race winner (John Andretti, 4/18/99)
4 – fewest running at the finish (5/6/51); 35 cars started the 200-lap race on .500-mile dirt track
4 – number of jet dryers available for track drying this weekend
7 – cautions in spring race
14 – most leaders (10/15/01)
15 – most wins by driver (Richard Petty)
19 – races won from the pole
21 – most cautions for a race (10/21/07)
26 – most cars on the lead lap at finish (twice, most recent 10/22/06)
29 – cautions for two races last year: 11 for the Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500 and 18 for TUMS Fast Relief 500
42 – most running at finish (two times, most recent 4/1/07)
47 – different race winners
57 – different pole winners
90 – minutes, amount of time it takes to dry the .526-mile track after a significant rainfall.
127 – Sprint Cup races at Martinsville Speedway since 1949
127 – most caution laps (10/21/07)
493 – most laps led by race winner (Fred Lorenzen, 9/27/64)
2012 Caution Update:
1 – fewest cautions this season (Fontana)
8 – races extended beyond scheduled distance (Daytona, Martinsville, Talladega, Darlington, Sonoma, Michigan2, Atlanta and Talladega2)
14 – most cautions this season (Kansas2)
185 – number of cautions in the first 32 races of 2012; includes 86 for accidents, 50 for debris and 20 for spins
961 of 9,021 – number of laps under caution in 2012
1,359.288 of 12,234.676 – miles under caution in the first 32 races
(Darnell Communications for SRT Motorsports and Dodge)(10-25-2012)
Chassis selections for this weeks race: see the list of many teams [that report or post these] and what chassis were selected by the team to run at Martinsville on the Martinsville Race Info page – Chassis selection area.(10-25-2012)

News from October 24, 2012
Logano turning red for three races: This weekend, the familiar orange Home Depot colors will be replaced with a new red #20 on the track. Redbeacon will join The Home Depot as primary sponsors of the #20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota and driver Joey Logano this weekend at Martinsville, as well as the remaining races at Texas and Homestead. Redbeacon, a fully owned subsidiary of The Home Depot, is a free online and mobile resource for consumers seeking reliable home-service professionals. By simply requesting a service such as a maid, plumber, electrician, painter and more at redbeacon.com or through Redbeacon’s iPhone and Android apps, consumers receive competitive price quotes from qualified local pros in their area.(JGR), see an image of the car on the #20 team paint schemes page.(10-24-2012)
Schrader back in the #32, supporting pink ribbon campaign: Ken Schrader Racing and FAS Lane Racing have partnered with Federated Auto Parts and Schrader’s fans from across the United States to fund a Pink ribbon campaign to benefit the Breast Health Center at CMC NorthEast Medical in Concord, N.C. Schrader will carry these very special Pink ribbons on the #32 FAS Lane Ford in the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Martinsville Speedway on Sunday, October 28. Fans can purchase a Pink ribbon at a cost of $14.70 each, in honor or memory of someone by visiting givenortheastfoundation.org/donate. Follow the prompts, and, in the designation section, select Ken Schrader Racing. Your name of choice will be added to a PINK ribbon that will be displayed on the #32 Ford C-post. More than 60 ribbons will adorn the C-post, many of which have already been purchased. Ken Schrader Racing and its partners support Breast Cancer Awareness month in memory of a dear friend, Lisa Meloni, who lost her battle with cancer in September 2011. Meloni worked within the motorsports community and had many friends in racing, who continue the battle against cancer in her memory. The KSR, Inc. race cars sponsored by Federated Auto Parts have carried PINK designs for the last two years during the month of October.(Ken Schrader Racing)(10-24-2012)
Regan Smith without a ride at Martinsvile: UPDATE: Regan Smith experienced two weeks that most racecar drivers would love to experience, and he will follow that with a weekend few would enjoy. After a two-week stint as the substitute driver for Dale Earnhardt Jr., Smith is without a ride for the Sprint Cup Series race Sunday at Martinsville Speedway. Smith said Tuesday he plans to go to the track but does not have a ride as Earnhardt has been approved to race after having to miss the last two weeks because of a concussion. On Tuesday afternoon, Smith found out that, as expected, Earnhardt was cleared to race this weekend at Martinsville. Phoenix Racing already had decided to keep AJ Allmendinger in the car after a promising two weeks with him as its last-minute replacement. Smith said he held no hard feelings toward Phoenix for not giving him an opportunity in the car this weekend and there is a chance he could race that car later this year. He couldn’t commit to the team before Tuesday and the team had to make plans for Martinsville.(Sporting News)(10-24-2012)
UPDATE: Regan Smith and AJ Allmendinger will share the driving duties for the #51 Phoenix Racing Chevy for the remainder of the 2012 season. Team owner James Finch confirmed his driver lineup on Tuesday. Allmendinger will continue behind the wheel this weekend in Martinsville and the following week at Texas Motor Speedway. Smith will finish the season for Phoenix Racing at Phoenix International Raceway and Miami-Homestead Speedway.(Fox Sports)(10-24-2012)
3000th Cup start for Roush Fenway: This is a milestone week for Roush Fenway Racing owner Jack Roush, whose organization celebrates its 3,000th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start in Sunday’s Tums Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway. Roush’s Ford team made its series debut on Feb. 14, 1988, when Mark Martin finished 41st in the Daytona 500. Since then, Roush has celebrated 130 victories – most recently last weekend, when Matt Kenseth drove his #17 Ford into Victory Lane at Kansas Speedway.(NASCAR)(10-24-2012)
Pine Sol on the #47 at Martinsville: Bobby Labonte is bound and determined to have a clean race with his #47 Pine-Sol Toyota Camry and make it to the finish line with the fenders on his machine during the TUMS Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway. This will be the first time the Corpus Christi, Texas-native has carried The Clorox Company’s Pine-Sol brand on his machine and the 21-time Cup winner wants to make a good first impression and top his 17th-place finish he had at the .526-mile oval in April.(JTG Daughterty Racing)(10-24-2012)
EnerSys / ODYSSEY returns to the #31 at Martinsville: EnerSys, the global leader in stored energy solutions for industrial applications, along with their ODYSSEY Battery brand, will be primary sponsor of the #31 Chevy this weekend at Martinsville Speedway. ODYSSEY Battery, a RCR partner since 2009, delivers the extreme power that racing enthusiasts demand and EnerSys guarantees longer service life to save time and money.(RCR) see an image of the car on the #31 team paint schemes page.(10-24-2012)
Martinsville Goodyear Tire Notes: Teams in both NASCAR series will run the same tire codes at Martinsville this weekend, though the Sprint Cup tires will be branded “Goodyear Eagle,” while the Camping World Truck tires will be branded “Goodyear Wrangler” . . . this is the same combination of left- and right-side tires that teams in both of these series ran at Martinsville earlier this season, as well as last October . . . this right-side tire code (D-4468) is the same one Sprint Cup teams ran on all four tire positions at both road courses this season — Infineon and Watkins Glen . . . as on most NASCAR ovals one mile or less in length, teams will not run inner liners in their tires at Martinsville . . . Goodyear held a tire test with the 2013 Sprint Cup cars at Martinsville on August 7-8 . . . teams and drivers participating in that test were the #29 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet with Kevin Harvick, #48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet with Jimmie Johnson, #56 Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota with Martin Truex Jr. and #99 Roush Fenway Racing Ford with Carl Edwards.(Goodyear), see tire codes, pressures and more on Jayski’s Martinsville Race Info page – Goodyear section.(10-24-2012)
Tickets for Coke Zero 400 on sale October 27: On Saturday, Oct. 27, at 9 am/et, race fans will have their first opportunity to purchase tickets for the 55th annual Coke Zero 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Saturday, July 6 – one of NASCAR’s most exciting nighttime races of the season. Fans can purchase tickets to the mid-summer classic in one of three convenient ways: Online at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com, by calling 1-800-PITSHOP, or visiting the Daytona International Speedway ticket office. Fans who act fast can take advantage of the best pricing available during the public on-sale period. Daytona International Speedway will transform into the largest lighted sports facility in America as the stars of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series battle for 160 laps, 400 miles on the historic 31-degree high banks. Tickets to the Subway Jalapeno 250 Powered By Coca-Cola NASCAR Nationwide Series race on Friday night, July 5, are also available for purchase on Saturday, Oct. 27. Prior to Oct. 27, only ticket renewals for the 55th annual Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola were taken by the ticket office at Daytona International Speedway.(DIS)(10-24-2012)
Talladega accepting applications for Fan Advisory Network: The Talladega Superspeedway Fan Advisory Network was established in 2010 to gain insight on race fan interactions with the track, from the ticket buying process all the way through to the exit procedures after a race. Race fans that would like to participate in the Fan Advisory Network are encouraged to download an application at www.talladegasuperspeedway.com/tssfan. FAN committee members will begin their duties in January 2013. Members will be asked to meet during each event weekend and participate in two teleconferences during the year. The idea is to allow race fans to share thoughts and ideas with the track, while the committee can serve as a focus group for the track when considering facility upgrades and more. All applications must be downloaded, completed, and mailed to Talladega Superspeedway in order to be considered. Applications must be received no later than December 3, 2012.(TSS)(10-24-2012)

News from October 23, 2012
Kansas TV Ratings: ESPN’s live telecast of the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Kansas on Sunday, Oct. 21, earned a 3.0 household coverage rating (2.5 U.S. rating), averaging 3,896,638 viewers. Last year’s race earned a 3.1 rating while the 2010 race earned a 2.7. Among markets around the country, Greensboro, N.C., was the highest-rated for the Sprint Cup race at 8.2, while the race’s home market of Kansas City was fifth at 5.8. Charlotte (6.6), Greenville, S.C. (6.1) and Knoxville, Tenn. (5.9) were second through fourth.(ESPN), see ratings for past 2012 ratings and 4-year comparison chart on the 2012 TV Ratings page.(10-23-2012)
#49 team up for auction: Gavel Auction is scheduled to hold an auction of the complete assets of the #49 Robinson-Blakeney / American Israel team on October 30, 2012, including race cars, engines, hauler, EFI systems, shop equipment, pit road boxes and more. For more info go to my Racing auctions, equipment, decals, helmets and more news and links page.(10-22-2012)
Earnhardt, Jr. cleared to race at Martinsville?: UPDATES – Cleared: ESPN’s Dr. Jerry Punch interviewed Rick Hendrick before the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway and Hendrick stated that #88-Earnhardt, Jr. has been medically cleared to race next weekend at Martinsville.(10-21-2012)
UPDATE: “He’s been cleared to race at Martinsville, so we’re excited to get him back,” Hendrick said during an interview on pit road after driver introductions. “He came through with flying colors. Everything is great,” Hendrick stated. “He can’t wait to get back in the car. He’s really anxious — and we’re anxious to get him back. So, next week he’s been cleared to race Martinsville. So we’re excited, excited to get him back. Dale is a good friend. He means so much to the sport. He means so much to our company. And I care about him. But he’s the sparkplug for this sport and our organization too. It just shows you how fragile things are and how you can get hurt in these cars. As much as we do to make them safe, things can happen. The doctors, we’ve done everything they’ve said and he’s checked out. Everything is 100 percent clear and ready to go, so we’re just really happy,” Hendrick commented. “I hated for him to miss these two races as good as the season is going. But the good news is he’s ok. He’s good. He’s excited. He feels great – no headaches. He’s a racer and he wants to get back in the car.”(NASCAR Wire Service)(10-21-2012)
UPDATE 2: Hendrick later clarified his remarks;
MR. HENDRICK: “I want to apologize to all you guys (the media). I gave you a little bad information out on pit road today. I’ve been out here at the dealerships and I did talk to the doctor (Dr. Jerry Petty, neurosurgeon) with Dale (Earnhardt Jr.) and he said everything looked good and everything was fine. However, I didn’t know until (HMS PR director) Jesse (Essex) informed me that I had gotten ahead of myself and that there is a closed test Monday that Dr. Petty will attend. Dale will be back in the car (for that test) and he’ll make the decision with a final test on Tuesday. So, we don’t foresee any problems but I didn’t read my emails this morning and I kind of got ahead of myself. I talked to the doctor myself and everything went good in Pittsburg (PA, tested Tuesday Oct. 16th)) and Dr. Petty felt real good about it. And I did know that they were going to shake down a car, but I didn’t know that the doctor was going, and that he would actually be evaluating him Tuesday (two separate tests/evaluations). I apologize for that. The test (next) Tuesday is in his (Dr. Petty’s) office. The test Monday is in the (race) car.”
ARE YOU STILL FEELING VERY POSITIVE THAT HE’LL BE BACK IN THE CAR AT MARTINSVILLE?
“I will be shocked if he’s not in the car. Everything looks good. His attitude and the way he feels; he’s had no headaches since Thursday or Friday of Charlotte; and the tests have gone real well. I think Dr. Petty is just being super-cautious and I applaud him for that. I think the sequence is that he (Dr. Petty) will be with him at the test Monday; they will evaluate him in his office Tuesday, and then he will notify NASCAR if he’s okay. Maybe I just heard what I wanted to hear when I talked to (Dr.) Petty because everything in Pittsburg was good.”(Chevy PR)(10-21-2012)
UPDATE 3: Steve Letarte, Earnhardt, Jr’s crew chief tweeted Monday evening, “Back in Concord after a great day of testing with #DaleJr. Looked great and ran some awesome laps.”(10-23-2012)
UPDATE 4 – Cleared: Dale Earnhardt Jr. will return to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series this weekend at Martinsville, Va., after being medically cleared for competition. Since being diagnosed with a concussion following the Oct. 7 race at Talladega, Ala., Earnhardt has participated in a rehabilitation program directed by Charlotte neurosurgeon Dr. Jerry Petty. Throughout the process, Petty consulted with Dr. Micky Collins, director of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Sports Medicine Concussion Program. “Dale Jr. has done everything asked of him,” Petty said. “He hasn’t had a headache since Oct. 12, and we have not been able to provoke any symptoms since that time. I have informed NASCAR and Hendrick Motorsports that he is medically cleared for all NASCAR-related activity.” Earnhardt was evaluated by Collins on Oct. 16 in Pittsburgh. On Monday, Earnhardt ran 123 laps in a Sprint Cup car during a test session monitored by Petty at the half-mile Gresham Motorsports Park in Jefferson, Ga. Petty cleared the driver Tuesday morning following a final neuropsychological evaluation in Charlotte. (Hendrick Motorsports)(10-23-2012)
Regan Smith expected in the #51 if Earnhardt, Jr. cleared to race: UPDATE: Don’t expect Phoenix Racing to jump the gun in announcing its driver lineup for this weekend. However, should Earnhardt Jr. be cleared, Regan Smith will drive the # 51 Chevy. Smith posted his fourth top-10 finish of the season on Sunday subbing in the #88 Hendrick Motorsports car. General manager Steve Barkdoll said Monday morning that the commitment had been made to Smith before AJ Allmendinger filled in. Still Barkdoll, who spotted for Allmendinger during throughout Smith’s absence, described the experience as fun. “The way AJ performed the last two weeks, he deserves to be in a full-time ride,” Barkdoll said.(Fox Sports)(10-23-2012)
UPDATE: AJ Allmendinger will drive the #51 Phoenix Racing Sprint Cup car Sunday at Martinsville Speedway. Allmendinger, who was suspended earlier this season for violating NASCAR’s substance abuse policy, has driven the past two races at Charlotte and Kansas, where he finished 24th and 35th, respectively. General manager Steve Barkdoll said the decision to go with Allmendinger was based on how he has performed over the past two weeks. Barkdoll said it remains a race-by-race decision. He said Regan Smith would have been in the car for the rest of the year had he not been called on to replace Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the #88 the past two weeks. Barkdoll did not rule out the possibility that Smith could be in the car in two weeks at Texas. Earnhardt is awaiting word later Tuesday on whether he will be cleared to return from a concussion to race at Martinsville this weekend.(ESPN) (10-23-2012)
Tire test at Phoenix: UPDATE: Goodyear will conduct a tire test Wednesday at Phoenix International Raceway. Teams participating include #1-McMurray (Chevy) and #2-Keselowski (Dodge).(NASCAR)(10-23-2012)
UPDATE: The testing will be Tuesday and Wendesday. Additional teams include: #11-Hamlin (Toyota), #14-Stewart (Chevy), #27-Menard (Chevy), #78-Busch (Chevy), #99-Edwards (Ford).(10-23-2012)
At Martinsville Speedway:
• Opened in September 1947 by H. Clay Earles, Martinsville, originally a dirt track, is one of the oldest continuously-operating race tracks in the United States.
• The first NASCAR-sanctioned race at Martinsville was on July 4, 1948.
• The first NASCAR Sprint Cup race was Sept. 25, 1949.
• The track was paved in 1955.
• The first 500-lap event at Martinsville was in 1956.
• Concrete corners were added atop asphalt in 1976.
• There have been 127 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Martinsville Speedway, one in the inaugural year and two races per year since 1950.
• Curtis Turner won the pole for the first NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Martinsville in 1949.
• Red Byron won the first NASCAR Sprint Cup race.
• 57 drivers have won poles, led by Darrell Waltrip with eight. Jeff Gordon, with seven poles, can tie that mark this weekend.
• Jeff Gordon, Mark Martin and Darrell Waltrip share the consecutive pole record, each with three.
• 47 different drivers have won, led by Richard Petty’s 15.
• Jeff Gordon leads active drivers with seven wins. Jimmie Johnson has six and Denny Hamlin has four.
• 19 races have been won from the pole, the last by Denny Hamlin in October 2010.
• Petty Enterprises has won 19 races, more than any other organization. Hendrick Motorsports, with 18 wins, can tie that mark this weekend.
• Kurt Busch won the 2002 fall race from the 36th starting position, the furthest back a race winner has started.
• Three active drivers average a top-10: Jimmie Johnson (5.7), Denny Hamlin (6.4) and Jeff Gordon (7.0).
• Youngest NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Martinsville Speedway winner: Richard Petty (4/10/1960 – 22 years, 9 months, 8 days). Oldest NSCS Martinsville Speedway winner: Harry Gant (9/22/1991 – 51 years, 8 months, 12 days).
• Youngest NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Martinsville Speedway pole winner: Ricky Rudd (4/26/1981 – 24 years, 7 months, 14 days). Oldest NSCS Martinsville Speedway pole winner: Morgan Shepherd (04/26/1987 – 45 years, 6 months, 14 days).(NASCAR)(10-23-2012)
NASCAR announces personnel moves in Industry Services: NASCAR announced two personnel moves within its Industry Services department designed to bolster its support of industry partners. Jeff Wohlschlaeger has been hired as managing director of event services and Chad Seigler has been promoted to managing director of team services. Wohlschlaeger joins NASCAR from the Chicago Bulls, where for the past 18 years he served as senior director of game operations. In the newly developed role, Wohlschlaeger will work closely with track partners to design and implement a world-class and unmatched fan experience at all NASCAR events. He will manage the overall development of NASCAR resources for tracks and serve as a resource for track promoters in the development, execution and measurement of fan engagement initiatives. Seigler will continue working closely with race teams within each of NASCAR’s national touring series, providing marketing tools, resources and counsel. With his oversight, his team works in concert with NASCAR Market and Media Research in order to provide consultation and research tailored for specific business objectives.(NASCAR)(10-23-2012)
Military Heroes Named Martinsville Race Dignitaries: For the 65th running of the fall race at Martinsville Speedway, TUMS has selected five soldiers from Fort Bragg to serve as the honorary starter and grand marshals on October 28 at the TUMS Fast Relief 500. Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Solomon from the XVIII Airborne Corps will serve as honorary starter and wave the green flag to start the 500-lap event. Proclaiming the most famous words in racing, “Gentlemen, Start Your Engines,” will be Sgt. Chad Willis from the 1st Sustainment Command (Theater); Sgt. Chase Noble and Spc. Mathew Lee McClintock both from the 1-508th, 4th Brigade Combat Team; and Pfc. Albert Boston from the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne). “The United States military and each base are critical to the defense of our country,” said Steve Kinsey, brand manager for TUMS. “For the TUMS Fast Relief 500, we wanted to salute the servicemen and women that protect our freedom. For the military dignitaries and guests who will be in attendance at the race and for those at home, we can’t thank them enough for their contributions.” In addition, TUMS also provided 500 tickets to the TUMS Fast Relief 500 to soldiers from Fort Bragg and Fort Lee and air men and women from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.(Martinsville Speedway)(10-23-2012)
Phoenix announces driver appearances and entertainment for race weekend: Fans attending the AdvoCare 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race weekend at Phoenix International Raceway will be treated to hearing from some of NASCAR’s top drivers prior to the action on the track Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 10-11. PIR race fans will have an opportunity to visit with 2012 Chase contender Kevin Harvick, racing legend and five-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series runner-up Mark Martin, Arizona native Michael McDowell and 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series runner-up Elliott Sadler- just to name a few. PIR will also offer fans a host of live entertainment options throughout the weekend. Kicking off the weekend in SPEED Cantina, Harry Luge Jr. makes his return to PIR for the November event weekend. Headlining Friday night’s party at PIR: After Dark, the Furious George Band and a fireworks show will continue the night after the on track action concludes. Saturday wraps up with performances by Harry Luge Jr. and Chad Freeman and Redline at the SPEED Cantina.(PIR)(10-23-2012)

News from October 22, 2012
The Entry List for the Tums Fast Relief 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Martisnville Speedway is posted, 45 teams/drivers [for 43 spots] are listed, including:
Ken Schrader returns to the #32; The #33 & #51 are TBA; Dale Earnhardt, Jr. is expected to return to the #88.
Not in top 35 of owners points:
#19-Mike Bliss (45/25)
#23-Scott Riggs (44/29)
#26-Josh Wise (41/32)
#30-David Stremme (38/32)
#33-TBA (37/32)
#37-J.J. Yeley (50/16)
#87-Joe Nemechek (42/32)
#91-Reed Sorenson (52/11)
#95-Scott Speed (43/14)
#98-Michael McDowell (39/32)
In the event that qualifying is cancelled:
the eight who would make it [8]: #’s 33,30,98,26,87,23,19,37
missing the race would be [2]: # 95,91
See the full entry list at my Jayski’s Martinsville Entry List
Diet Mountain Dew cutting back sponsorship of Earnhardt, Jr.: UPDATE: #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. won’t have Diet Mountain Dew as a sponsor for as many races in 2013 as he did in 2012, but he’s not worried about Hendrick Motorsports finding sponsors for those races. NASCAR’s most popular driver will have sponsorship from the Army National Guard for 20 races next year and Diet Mountain Dew for an unspecified number. Mountain Dew sponsored 16 races this year while another Pepsi product, Amp, sponsored four. The National Guard had 18 races this year. Earnhardt is not worried about having an unsponsored car at Hendrick. The organization has had Hendrickcars.com on Kasey Kahne’s car for select races this year when it didn’t sell sponsorships. “We have more demand than we have supply pretty much,” Earnhardt said. “We’ve got a majority of the season with the Guard and Diet Mountain Dew is going to back off a little bit and that makes it a bit of a challenge to fill that small of a gap. If it were a bit larger gap, it would be easier to fill.”(Sporting News)(9-14-2012)
UPDATE: Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his Hendrick Motorsports team are losing 15 races of sponsorship next season as PepsiCo plans to cut back its sponsorship, according to the SportsBusiness Journal. PepsiCo committed to sponsoring Earnhardt for 20 races in 2012. PepsiCo is working on a $10 million deal with Hendrick Motorsports that would include five races annually with Earnhardt (Diet Mountain Dew and Amp), two races with Jeff Gordon (Pepsi) and one with Kasey Kahne (brand TBA). The beverage company had sponsored Earnhardt and his #88 team for 20 races and Gordon’s #24 team for two in each of the past five years. This season, the 20 Earnhardt races were split between Diet Mountain Dew (16 races) and Amp (four races).(Sporting News)(10-22-2012)
Race and Commercial Breakdown of the 2012 Hollywood Casino 400: For those 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 2:03 PM, and stopped at the waving of the checkered flag at 5:51 PM (all times are EST). Did not keep records for the pre- and post-race coverage. ESPN was the broadcast team for this event.
Total number of commercials: 116
Total number of companies or entities advertised: 72
Number of traditional commercials (not split-screen): 65
Total number of companies or entities advertised: 46
Number of ‘Side-by-Side’ commercials during race broadcast (split-screen): 51
Total number of companies or entities advertised: 26
Number of times utilized ‘Side-by-Side’ commercials during this broadcast: 9
Total number of brief promos of products/services during the race broadcast: 32
Total amount of time these brief promos take during broadcast: app. 4 min. 5 sec.
Start time to record race/commercial periods: 2:03 PM
End time to record race/commercial periods: 5:51 PM
Total minutes of complete race broadcast: 228
Minutes of race broadcast: 198
Minutes of traditional commercials (not split-screen): 30
Minutes of ‘Side-by-Side’ commercials (split-screen): 22
Number of missed restarts: 0
Number of ‘mystery cautions’ (debris not shown): 0
Total race brdcst time 198 Total comm. brdcst time 30
See past races, other news, links to past races and more on the 2012 TV Commercials page.(10-22-2012)
Allmendinger taking it race-by-race: AJ Allmendinger came back from a workout at his gym early last Thursday morning to find four missed calls and five text messages on his cell phone. He quickly returned the calls and by 9 a.m. had a job — his first since being reinstated by NASCAR following a three-month suspension for failing a drug test. And after a 24th-place finish at Charlotte last Saturday driving the #51 Phoenix Racing Chevy, Allmendinger got another call this Monday morning. And another job in the #51 this weekend at Kansas Speedway. It’s the new week-to-week, race-to-race reality for Allmendinger, who couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity — a chance made possible because of the domino-effect of Kurt Busch leaving the team and Busch’s initial replacement, Regan Smith, getting a seat filling in for Dale Earnhardt Jr., who is recovering from a concussion.
It’s the small victories and feel-good moments that count most these days. Allmendinger insists the greatest lesson he learned while serving his suspension was that he needed to re-prioritize his life, to find perspective. He completed NASCAR’s Road to Recovery program and maintains that his positive test came after he mistakenly took an Adderall pill — which is often prescribed for attention deficit disorder. In his case, Allmendinger insists there wasn’t a substance-abuse issue. He needed to address his decision-making. “This schedule is so insane, you don’t ever have time to fix anything away from the race track,” Allmendinger explained. “And if you do, all you’re thinking about is fixing the stuff at the race track. I’m by no means a perfect person, but I know I need to work on it. Over the three months, it made me realize how much I really do enjoy being here and how much I missed it. When it’s going bad, I put so much pressure on myself. And driving for Roger Penske was a dream come true and then everything just wasn’t happening right.”
Allmendinger knows that his future is tenuous — both short-term and long-term. He said he is talking with teams about a ride in 2013, but there simply aren’t many vacant seats; certainly not many quality vacant seats. He recognizes that his behavior has probably frightened some sponsors but is hopeful his candor and repentance will attract a company ready to capitalize on his second chance. In the near-term, he doesn’t even know where he will be next week. Phoenix Racing general manager Steve Barkdoll was non-committal.(NASCAR.com)(10-22-2012)
Patrick, Cassill differ on reason for wreck: Danica Patrick vowed to stand up for herself when the time was right, and she deemed Sunday’s NASCAR race at Kansas Speedway to be that time. Patrick, in her eighth Sprint Cup Series race, spun Landon Cassill around the midway point of the Hollywood Casino 400 as frustration over what she said were multiple incidents with the BK Racing driver boiled over. “He got into me on the front straight and said I was just in the way,” Patrick said. “That’s really no good reason to hit me. If it’s one time, I can imagine it’s frustration, but it’s been quite a few times with him. At some point I have to stand up for myself so this doesn’t happen with other people. I chose today.”
Cassill, though, told SB Nation he didn’t slam into Patrick because she was in the way – he moved the #10 car because Patrick was “driving like a maniac making it three-wide on a restart” when others were “staying cool to keep from wrecking.” While the leaders were wrecking at the front of the field, Cassill said he and other drivers racing around the back were “biding our time.” Patrick made it three-wide but didn’t pass him – a move which irked Cassill. “If you’re going to make it three-wide and pass somebody, you’ve got to back it up,” he said by phone after the race. “But she didn’t. She goes under there, and then she’s sliding up the racetrack and then jacks up the field, gets in the way. Then she lets two cars go by, and when I get underneath her, she crowds me. So I was like, ‘No! I’ve been faster than you all day,’ so I was going to move her. And I did. I didn’t hit her because she was in my way and I wanted to pick on her, I hit her because she was driving like an idiot for 30th.”(SB Nation)(10-22-2012)

News from October 21, 2012
Kenseth wins at Kansas: #17-Matt Kenseth won the Hollywood Casino 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway for his 3rd win of year and 24th career win.
#56-Truex, Jr. finished 2nd followed by #27-Menard, #5-Kahne, #14-Steart, #15-Bowyer, #88-Smith, #2-Keselowski, #48-Johnson, and #24-Gordon.
#48-Johnson led a lap early in the race while #2-Keselowski did not lead a lap. With Johnson finishing just behind Keselowski, Keselowski’s points lead remains at 7.
There were a season high 14 cautions for 66 yellow flag laps. There were 16 lead changes among 10X drivers. The average speed was 115.086mph.
The estimated attendence was 78,000, up from 75,000 in the spring race but down from 82,000 last October.
See race results, awards, money won, laps led, cautions and more on the Kansas Race Results page (pdf) (10-21-2012)
Where did the 12 Chase drivers finish at Kansas?
[by points standings before the race (start pos)]
1) #2-Brad Keselowski, 8th (24)
2) #48-Jimmie Johnson, 9th (7)
3) #11-Denny Hamlin, 13th (9)
4) #15-Clint Bowyer, 6th (3)
5) #5-Kasey Kahne, 4th (1)
6) #16-Greg Biffle, 27th (11)
7) #56-Martin Truex Jr., 2nd (15)
8) #14-Tony Stewart, 5th (32)
9) #24-Jeff Gordon, 10th (18)
10) #29-Kevin Harvick, 11th (10)
11) #17-Matt Kenseth, WON (12)
12) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., didn’t race, out with concussion
(10-21-2012)
2012 Sprint Cup Driver CHASE Championship Points Standings:
[after Kansas, race 32 of 36]
1) #2-Brad Keselowski [5 wins], 2250
2) #48-Jimmie Johnson [3 wins], 2243, -7
3) #11-Denny Hamlin [5 wins], 2230, -20
4) #15-Clint Bowyer [3 wins], 2225, -25
5) #5-Kasey Kahne [2 wins], 2220, -30
6) #56-Martin Truex Jr. [0 wins], 2207, -43
7) #14-Tony Stewart [3 wins], 2203, -47
8) #24-Jeff Gordon [1 win], 2199, -51
9) #17-Matt Kenseth [3 wins], 2195, -55
10) #29-Kevin Harvick [0 wins], 2191, -59
11) #16-Greg Biffle [2 wins], 2188, -62
12) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. [1 win], 2128, -122
(ties broken by 1sts, 2nds, 3rd, etc)
See drivers championship points standings on the Drivers Points Standings (pdf)
Race Fast Facts – Kansas
Matt Kenseth won the 12th Annual Hollywood Casino 400, his 24th victory in 468 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.
With the win, Kenseth moves into a tie for 26th on the all-time series wins list with Kurt and Kyle Busch.
This is his third victory and 18th top-10 finish in 2012. This is Kenseth’s second win in the 2012 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup (Talladega Speedway).
This is his first victory and eighth top-10 finish in 14 races at Kansas Speedway.
Martin Truex Jr. (second) posted his second top-10 finish in nine races at Kansas Speedway. It is his 18th top-10 finish in 2012.
Paul Menard (third) posted his second top-10 finish in eight races at Kansas Speedway.
Brad Keselowski leads the point standings by 7 points over Jimmie Johnson.
(NASCAR Integrated Sports Marketing)(10-21-2012)
Top-35 in Owner Points and guaranteed a starting spot at Martinsville:
#36 remains in 35th and and drops to 81 points ahead of 36th, the #21 team.
there virtually no chance the top-35 will change the rest of the season.
Rank) Car#-Driver/Team, owners pts, +/-
34) #32-TBA/FAS Lane Racing, 443 +141
35) #36-Blaney/Baldwin, 383 +81 ahead of 36th
these teams / drivers will need to qualify by speed:
36) #21-Bayne/Wood Bros., 302, -81pts out of the top 35
37) #33-Whitt/Childress-Falk, 234, -149
38) #30-Stremme/Inception, 218, -165
The teams are NOT locked in past the next race as the owners points change after each race.
For the owner points standings, see the Owners Points Standings (pdf).(10-21-2012)
Kansas Notes-n-Nuggets:
” Matt Kenseth picked up the 24th victory of his career in his 468th start.
” Matt Kenseth last won at Talladega two weeks ago.
” This marks the third trip to Victory Lane for Matt Kenseth in 2012 (Daytona in Feb. and Talladega in Oct.).
” Matt Kenseth earned his second victory of the 2012 Chase and fourth career Chase win.
” Matt Kenseth garnered his first win at Kansas in his 14th start there, his previous best was fourth in each of the last two races.
” Matt Kenseth became the 10th different winner at Kansas in 14 races.
” Eight of Kenseth’s 24 career wins have now come on 1.5 mile tracks.
” Matt Kenseth led twice for 78 laps including the final 49.
” Roush Fenway Racing won for the 130th time, including its fifth victory in 2012.
” Roush Fenway Racing picked up its fourth win at Kansas, tying it with Hendrick Motorsports for the most.
” Roush Fenway Racing also garnered its 22nd-career Chase victory in the process.
” Ford won for the sixth time in 2012 and the fourth time overall at Kansas.
” Martin Truex Jr. (second) earned his second consecutive runner-up finish at Kansas; also posted his 18th top 10 this season, three of which have come in the Chase.
” Paul Menard (third) placed in the top five for the first time since his win at Indianapolis last year.
” Kasey Kahne (fourth) posted his fourth top 10 of the Chase, he has yet to finish worse than 15th in a Chase race in 2012.
” Tony Stewart (fifth) picked up his best finish of the Chase so far; he now has nine top 10 showings in 14 races at Kansas.
” Clint Bowyer (sixth) now has top 10s in five of the six Chase races this season.
” Regan Smith (seventh) garnered his fourth top-10 finish of 2012 including two of the last three races.
” 14 cautions is the most ever at Kansas and the most of the 2012 season to date.
(Racing Resources and Services — Statistics Racing Recall / nascar.com)(10-213-2012)
2012 Sprint Cup Driver Championship Points Standings without Chase:
(classic system using current points but NOT the chase system)
[after Kansas, race 32 of 36]
1) #48-Jimmie Johnson(X) [3 wins], 1114
2) #2-Brad Keselowski(X) [5 wins], 1109, -5
3) #16-Greg Biffle(X) [2 wins], 1096, -18
4) #17-Matt Kenseth(X) [3 wins], 1089, -25
5) #15-Clint Bowyer(X) [3 wins], 1077, -37
6) #56-Martin Truex Jr.(X) [0 wins], 1069, -45
7) #11-Denny Hamlin(X) [4 wins], 1068, -46
8) #5-Kasey Kahne(X) [2 wins], 1034, -80
9) #29-Kevin Harvick(X) [0 wins], 1032, -82
10) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr.(X) [1 win], 1027, -87
11) #14-Tony Stewart(X) [3 wins], 1004, -110
12) #24-Jeff Gordon(X) [1 win], 976, -138
13) #18-Kyle Busch [1 win], 964, -150
14) #99-Carl Edwards [0 wins], 911, -203
15) #39-Ryan Newman [1 win], 903, -211
(ties broken by 1sts, 2nds, 3rd, etc)
(X) = a Chase driver.
Earnhardt, Jr. cleared to race at Martinsville?: UPDATES: ESPN’s Dr. Jerry Punch interviewed Rick Hendrick before the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway and Hendrick stated that #88-Earnhardt, Jr. has been medically cleared to race next weekend at Martinsville.(10-21-2012)
UPDATE: “He’s been cleared to race at Martinsville, so we’re excited to get him back,” Hendrick said during an interview on pit road after driver introductions. “He came through with flying colors. Everything is great,” Hendrick stated. “He can’t wait to get back in the car. He’s really anxious — and we’re anxious to get him back. So, next week he’s been cleared to race Martinsville. So we’re excited, excited to get him back. Dale is a good friend. He means so much to the sport. He means so much to our company. And I care about him. But he’s the sparkplug for this sport and our organization too. It just shows you how fragile things are and how you can get hurt in these cars. As much as we do to make them safe, things can happen. The doctors, we’ve done everything they’ve said and he’s checked out. Everything is 100 percent clear and ready to go, so we’re just really happy,” Hendrick commented. “I hated for him to miss these two races as good as the season is going. But the good news is he’s ok. He’s good. He’s excited. He feels great – no headaches. He’s a racer and he wants to get back in the car.”(NASCAR Wire Service)(10-21-2012)
UPDATE 2: Hendrick later clarified his remarks:
MR. HENDRICK: “I want to apologize to all you guys (the media). I gave you a little bad information out on pit road today. I’ve been out here at the dealerships and I did talk to the doctor (Dr. Jerry Petty, neurosurgeon) with Dale (Earnhardt Jr.) and he said everything looked good and everything was fine. However, I didn’t know until (HMS PR director) Jesse (Essex) informed me that I had gotten ahead of myself and that there is a closed test Monday that Dr. Petty will attend. Dale will be back in the car (for that test) and he’ll make the decision with a final test on Tuesday. So, we don’t foresee any problems but I didn’t read my emails this morning and I kind of got ahead of myself. I talked to the doctor myself and everything went good in Pittsburg (PA, tested Tuesday Oct. 16th)) and Dr. Petty felt real good about it. And I did know that they were going to shake down a car, but I didn’t know that the doctor was going, and that he would actually be evaluating him Tuesday (two separate tests/evaluations). I apologize for that. The test (next) Tuesday is in his (Dr. Petty’s) office. The test Monday is in the (race) car.”
ARE YOU STILL FEELING VERY POSITIVE THAT HE’LL BE BACK IN THE CAR AT MARTINSVILLE?
“I will be shocked if he’s not in the car. Everything looks good. His attitude and the way he feels; he’s had no headaches since Thursday or Friday of Charlotte; and the tests have gone real well. I think Dr. Petty is just being super-cautious and I applaud him for that. I think the sequence is that he (Dr. Petty) will be with him at the test Monday; they will evaluate him in his office Tuesday, and then he will notify NASCAR if he’s okay. Maybe I just heard what I wanted to hear when I talked to (Dr.) Petty because everything in Pittsburg was good.”(Chevy PR)(10-21-2012)
NASCAR still monitoring Hamlin after wreck: #11-Denny Hamlin understands why NASCAR was so concerned about the hit he took during a crash earlier this week at Kansas Speedway. The accident – Hamlin’s Toyota tagged the wall while testing the speedway’s newly repaved track Thursday – left Hamlin feeling dizzy and disoriented. Hamlin was ruled OK by doctors and was cleared to race in Sunday’s Hollywood Casino 400. But Hamlin’s crash got NASCAR’s attention, especially after Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s doctor advised him to sit out last week’s race at Charlotte and this weekend at Kansas due to two concussions he’d recently sustained. So Hamlin has been hearing from NASCAR quite a bit over the last few days. “They’re persistent,” said Hamlin, who starts ninth Sunday. “They’re calling and texting you before you even wake up, wanting to check up on you. They do it all the time. Really, in all types of wrecks I’ve been a part of this year, it’s been the next day and the following day that they continue to check up on you to make sure you’re feeling OK.”(Charlotte Observer)(10-21-2012)

News from October 20, 2012
Final practice for the Hollywood Casino 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway is over after 60 scheduled minutes, the top-five, slowest and notes:
#17-Kenseth 182.760
#88-Smith 182.550
#48-Johnson 182.543
#5-Kahne 182.506
#56-Truex, Jr. 182.482
slowest: #10-Patrick 178.719 & #36-Blaney 177.289.
#31-Burton brought out the caution after he dropped fluid on the track. #83-Cassill spun coming off turn 4 but didn’t hit anything.
See speeds, best top-10 average and laps run on the Kansas practice 3 speeds page (pdf).(10-20-2012)
First Saturday practice for the Hollywood Casino 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway is over after 50 scheduled minutes, the top-five, slowest and notes:
#16-Biffle 186.156
#43-Almirola 185.854
#5-Kahne 185.727
#17-Kenseth 185.573
#56-Truex, Jr. 185.370
slowest: #32-Hill 179.360 & #91-Sorenson 179.194.
final practice will be held at 1:50pm/et, following Nationwide qualifying.
See speeds, best top-10 average and laps run on the Kansas practice 2 speeds page (pdf).(10-20-2012)
Pit Stall Selections: The selections of pit stalls for the Hollywood Casino 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway have been made.
Pole sitter #5-Kahne chose pit stall 1 [as do most pole sitters].
Outside pole sitter #55-Martin took pit stall 8, the next pitstall with an opening in front of it.
#15-Bowyer, who starts 3rd took the 38th pit stall, the first stall coming off pit road that has an opening in front of it.
The 43rd and final pit stall was taken by #17-Kenseth, who starts 12th.
To see where the drivers/teams pit stall is, see the pit selection chart on the Pit Stall Selection chart.(10-20-2012)
Ambrose close to deal with RPM for 2013: #9-Marcos Ambrose plans to be back with Richard Petty Motorsports in 2013 and beyond. Although a formal contract has not been signed, Ambrose said Friday at Kansas Speedway all things are headed in the direction for him to remain with RPM. “We are all squared away as far as what the expectations are on both sides and it is just a matter of finishing it off at this point,” said Ambrose. “I can’t see any reason why I wouldn’t want to be a part of Richard Petty Motorsports in 2013. There are a lot of good things to look forward to.” Ambrose has had an average season behind the wheel of the No. 9 Ford but is confident changes made with the race team, including installing Mike Ford as his crew chief, will lead to better days. Since the change at the crew chief position was made earlier this season, Ambrose believes his team has headed in a positive direction. He hopes to build on that foundation.(CBS Sports)(10-20-2012)
Stewart says Danica’s 2012 schedule will help next year: Danica Patrick’s foray into the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series so far has been, to put it politely, a huge challenge. When Stewart planned out Patrick’s part-time Cup schedule for 2012, he deliberately chose some of the toughest tracks and races for the former IndyCar star to run. The logic was that it was far better to expose her to the most challenging tracks so she’ll have a good baseline for next year than to let her pad her statistics at the easier courses. The results have been underwhelming. In six Cup starts this year, Patrick has not led a lap and has an average finish of 28.17.
Despite the ups and downs of the season, Stewart said Friday that he’s sticking by his plans for Patrick. “We picked races that were going to be hard,” Stewart said. “They are not supposed to be easy. Her scenario is a little different than a lot of other drivers. She has been very eager to get to the Cup series and I still think more so than some people do that she has the ability to be successful at this level. The learning curve that she is going through has been a lot shorter than what it probably should have been. But with that, that is why Ryan (Newman) and I are here as a support system to her, why Greg (Zipadelli) was chosen as her crew chief for this year.” Stewart said picking challenging tracks would accelerate Patrick’s learning curve. “There wasn’t anything to learn by going to easy tracks this year on a partial schedule,” Stewart said. “The schedule she is going to have next year she is going to have to go to these hard tracks. Being able to just have the experience of going the year before even if it’s a rough experience you at least learn and get a base of that track anytime you do something for the first time it’s tough. The second time is always easier. I don’t care what it is.”(SPEED)(10-20-2012)
New Track Qualifying Records set in 2012 (so far)
Eight qualifying track records have been set in 2012, including four races in a row during June.
1) Las Vegas, #5-Kasey Kahne, 190.456mph, March 9, 2012 – was 188.884
2) Pocono, #20-Joey Logano, 179.598mph, June 9, 2012 – was 172.533
3) Michigan, #9-Marcos Ambrose, 203.241mph, June 16, 2012 – was 194.232mph
4) Sonoma, #9-Marco Ambrose, 95.262mph, June 22, 2012 – was 94.325
5) Kentucky, #48-Jimmie Johnson, 181.818mph, July 29, 2012 – was no qualifying in 2011
6) Watkins Glen, #42-Juan Pablo Montoya, 127.020mph, August 11, 2012 – was 126.421
7) Charlotte, #16-Greg Biffle, 193.708mph, October 11, 2012 – was 193.216
8) Kansas, #5-Kasey Kahne, 191.360mph, October 19, 2012 – was 180.856 (old layout)
(10-20-2012)
Latest on Canadian speedway project: The land has been purchased, the proposal is in, and just a few small government hurdles separate the Canadian Motor Speedway from becoming a reality. “It is a 65,000 seat venue that will be built right off the QEW here in Fort Erie, and it’ll have a one mile oval track and a 2.5 mile road track in the middle. And we’re hoping to attract some significant races here to the Town of Fort Erie, and this will be expendable to over 100,000 people,” Fort Erie Mayor Doug Martin said. And though nothing has been discussed or signed, the goal is to attract names like NASCAR to Fort Erie. Fort Erie is now waiting to hear back from the Ontario Municipal Board with final approval. The estimated economic impact on Fort Erie of the track would be roughly 400 million dollars. The project also has a big name on board, NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon, who is “designing the speedway.” If everything is approved this year, a groundbreaking is expected shortly, with a year and a half of construction and an inaugural race as early as summer or fall of 2014.(wkbw.com)(10-20-2012)
High Divers, Carnival Side Shows part of TMS’s ‘No Limits’ garage party: Texas Motor Speedway’s recently unveiled “No Limits” Wild Asphalt Circus marketing theme will have a heavy influence on the “No Limits” Garage Party presented by WinStar World Casino for the upcoming AAA Texas 500 with death-defying performances, carnival rides and games, and even an intriguing sideshow. The new theme will be fully integrated into the “No Limits” Garage Party presented by WinStar World Casino on Sunday, Nov. 4, prior to the AAA Texas 500 as the LiftMaster Garage will be transformed into a festive carnival highlighted by a 70-foot dive by seven-time, high-dive world-record holder Dana Kunze.
The LiftMaster Garage will include a 50,000 gallon-sized pool for a “No Limits”-themed high dive show. Diving performances include a fire dive with pyrotechnics, springboard diving, 10-meter tower diving and special comedy diving routine. Kunze and his dive group will not be the only performers with death-defying acts as motorcycle riders will thrill fans as they spin around the 19×14 foot, 7,000-pound, fire-engulfed Globe of Death.
A full carnival setup with a fun house, bumper cars and drop tower ride will be on display. A sideshow tent will interest fans with its world of oddities, wonders and curiosities such as Professor Phineaus T. Barker, The Headless Woman, Contortionist Snake Lady, Paci The Snake Charming Princess, Siamese Twins Irene and I-Lean, Madame Gigi La Busch The Bearded Lady, Jo-Jo the Dog-Faced Boy, Jason The Clown and The Sword Swallower.
The Fort Worth-based group Vocal Trash will bring its unique sounds performed on recycled musical instruments to the “No Limits” Garage Party entertainment stage that also includes NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver and VIP guest Q&A; sessions. The “No Limits” Garage Party presented by WinStar World Casino will begin at 9:30 a.m. CT prior to the AAA Texas 500, the eighth race in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup that begins at 2 p.m. The garage party event is exclusive to PSL, season-ticket and AAA Texas 500 Weekend 4-Pack holders. Fans can secure their ticket to November’s “No Limits” Garage Party presented by WinStar World Casino by purchasing a 2013 season ticket package – which starts as low as $270 – or by purchasing a AAA Texas 500 Weekend 4-Pack starting at $121. Tickets are available by calling the Texas Motor Speedway ticket office at (817) 215-8500 or by visiting www.texasmotorspeedway.com.(TMS)(10-20-2012)

News from October 19, 2012
Kahne wins pole at Kansas: #5-Kasey Kahne won the pole for the Hollywood Casino 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway with a new track record speed of 191.360mph for his 4th pole of 2012 and 26th career pole. Every driver to make a qualifying attempt broke the old track record of 180.856mph.
#55-Martin will start 2nd followed by #15-Bowyer, #18-Busch, #43-Almirola, #39-Newman, #48-Johnson, #20-Logano, #11-Hamlin, and #29-Harvick.
The go-or-go homers who made the race (8): #98-McDowell, #37-Yeley, #19-Bliss, #21-Bayne, #91-Sorenson, #95-Speed, #87-Nemechek and #79-Bires.
The go-or-go homers who failed to qualify for the race (3): #33-Whitt, #30-Stremme and #26-Wise.
See qualifying results & starting lineup on the Kansas Qualifying Page.(10-19-2012)
Qualifying Fast Facts – Kansas:
Kasey Kahne won the Coors Light Pole Award for the 12th Annual Hollywood Casino 400 with a track qualifying record lap of 28.219 seconds, 191.360 mph.
This is his 26th pole in 320 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races. He moves into a tie for 26th on the all-time series poles list with Bobby Labonte.
This is his fourth pole and 23rd top-10 start in 2012.
This is his third pole in 11 races at Kansas Speedway.
Mark Martin (second) posted his 13th top-10 start of 2012 and his sixth in 14 races at Kansas Speedway.
Clint Bowyer (third) posted his fifth top-10 start at Kansas Speedway. It is his 15th in 32 races this season.
All 46 drivers turned a faster qualifying lap than the previous track record of 180.856 mph set by Matt Kenseth in October 2005.
(NASCAR Statistics)(10-19-2012)
Where will the 12 Chase drivers start at Kansas?
[by points standings before the race]
1) #2-Brad Keselowski 24th
2) #48-Jimmie Johnson 7th
3) #11-Denny Hamlin 9th
4) #15-Clint Bowyer 3rd
5) #5-Kasey Kahne 1st
6) #16-Greg Biffle 11th
7) #56-Martin Truex Jr. 15th
8) #14-Tony Stewart 32nd
9) #24-Jeff Gordon 18th
10) #29-Kevin Harvick 10th
11) #17-Matt Kenseth 12th
12) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., will not race, out with concussion
(10-19-2012)
Stewart-Haas announces 2013 crew chief lineup: With an eye on 2013, Stewart-Haas Racing is restructuring its team lineup beginning with the Sprint Cup Series race weekend at Martinsville. Tony Gibson, currently the crew chief of the #39 U.S. Army/Quicken Loans team of driver Ryan Newman, will move to the #10 GoDaddy.com team of driver Danica Patrick. Gibson will get a jump start on the 2013 season by serving as Patrick’s crew chief during her last two Sprint Cup races of the 2012 season – Nov. 4 at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth and Nov. 11 at Phoenix International Raceway. Matt Borland, currently the vice president of competition for SHR, will add to his duties by returning to the role of crew chief when he takes over the #39 team beginning at Martinsville. Borland served as Newman’s crew chief for five years when the two were together at Penske Racing (2002-2006), earning 12 wins and 37 poles. The 2013 structure of the #14 Bass Pro Shops/Mobil 1 team of driver/owner Tony Stewart and crew chief Steve Addington will remain unchanged from 2012.(Stewart-Haas Racing)(10-20-2012)
Hamlin wrecks in Kansas testing: UPDATE: Championship contender Denny Hamlin said he felt “slightly dizzy” and admitted that he would probably not have gone to the infield care center after a testing crash Thursday at Kansas Speedway had a NASCAR official not suggested he do so. Hamlin crashed his #11 Toyota in Turn 1 — the same corner Dale Earnhardt Jr. hit during a tire test on Aug. 29 where he sustained the first of two concussions that is forcing him to miss his second race in a row. Hamlin said he clipped the wall with the right rear going 202 mph entering the corner, sending the car down the track. He overcorrected and hit the wall with the right side, destroying the Camry he intended to race Sunday. After seeing the car’s damage, a NASCAR official suggested that Hamlin go to the infield care center. Hamlin could not recall another time he had driven to the garage and a series official suggested he go to the care center. Hamlin was asked to return to the infield care center an hour later for a re-evaluation before being cleared to drive. He was cleared after a 10-minute evaluation. Hamlin’s last lap before he crashed was 181.409 mph — his fastest lap of the session. The track qualifying record is 180.856 mph set by Matt Kenseth in October 2005. Hamlin said he did not think the attention he received after his crash was related to the prominence of concussions after Earnhardt suffered two concussions within six weeks and will miss his second consecutive race. He said it made sense to be evaluated before getting back in a car.(USA Today)(10-18-2012)
UPDATE: Denny Hamlin said he feels “100 percent” one day after jarring practice-session accident at Kansas Speedway caused him some dizziness. “Today waking up, I was good to go,” Hamlin said Friday afternoon after practice. “I feel 100 percent. I thought I was good yesterday and got better every hour. Now it’s just business as usual for the weekend.” Hamlin took a heavy impact into the wall when his #11 Toyota spun up the track in practice on Thursday. He admitted he was dizzy afterward and said he “got his bell rung.”(ESPN)(10-19-2012)
Coverage of Qualifying for the Hollywood Casino 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway is scheduled for Friday, October 19, 2012 at 5:10pm/et.
Television (TV): ESPN2, 5:00pm/et
Scheduled Qualifying Re-Air: none
Qualifying Order for the Hollywood Casino 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway is posted. 46 cars/drivers are listed.
The first of the drivers scheduled to go out is #36-Blaney, slowest in practice.
The final driver scheduled to go out is #16-Biffle, who was fastest in first practice.
Qualifying order is set by the first practice session, with slowest driver going out by speed and the fastest going out last. The non-top 35 drivers are now mixed in with the top-35 in owners points, slowest to fastest.
See the full qualifying order on the Kansas Qualifying Page.(10-19-2012)
Friday practice for the Hollywood Casino 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway is over after 95 minutes, the top-five, slowest and notes:
#16-Biffle 191.313
#20-Logano 191.002
#43-Almirola 190.894
#99-Edwards 190.624
#5-Kahne 190.590
slowest: #32-Hill 182.082 & #36-Blaney 181.904.
Every car in the field broke the previous track record of 180.856mph.
The session started about 15 minutes late after oil had to be cleaned up on the track following ARCA practice.Practice was extended by 5 minutes.
This practice will determine the qualifying order for tonight’s qualifying, scheduled for 5:10pm/et, televised on ESPN2.
See speeds, best top-10 average and laps run on the Kansas practice 1 speeds page (pdf).(10-19-2012)
Go-or-Go Homers practice at Kansas: how fast/slow were the drivers who are not in the top-35 of owners points and must qualify by speed to make the Hollywood Casino 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway, where they practiced in Friday practice:
the eight drivers who would make the race if things stayed the same:
#21-Bayne, 13th fastest overall
#98-McDowell, 32nd
#37-Yeley, 33rd
#19-Bliss, 34th
#95-Speed, 36th
#87-Nemechek, 37th
#33-Whitt, 38th
#79-Bires, 39th
the three drivers who would miss the race if things stayed the same:
#91-Sorenson, 40th
#30-Stremme, 42nd
#26-Wise, 44th
(10-19-2012)
Richard Petty Motorsports renews with Ford: Richard Petty Motorsports and Ford Racing announced they will continue their manufacturer partnership. The announcement ensures that Richard Petty Motorsports’ two NASCAR Sprint Cup race teams and its Nationwide Series race team will race under the Ford Racing banner into 2013. It will be the fourth consecutive season the team has raced with the manufacturer. Subsequently, RPM will continue its services contract with Roush-Fenway Racing and Roush-Yates Racing to supply new Ford Fusions and Ford horsepower for its entries. RPM will continue to enter the #9 Ford Fusion with partners Stanley and DEWALT and the # 43 Ford Fusion with Smithfield Foods and its family of brands, Smithfield, Eckrich, Farmland and Gwaltney, in the Sprint Cup Series, as well as the #43 Pilot/Flying J Ford Mustang with driver Michael Annett in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. The team is currently in the process of securing its Sprint Cup Series driver agreements.(RPM)(10-19-2012)
Chevy to debut 2013 car at end of November: So far, every 2013 Chevy SS NASCAR Sprint Cup car that’s shown up for testing has looked like something from a Rorschach test or maybe a psychedelic experiment from the 1960s gone horribly wrong, but that’s about to change. Up until now, Chevy has insisted that the SS always run in a bizarre black-and-white wrap to conceal its true appearance. Finally, on Nov. 29 at the Wynn Las Vegas, Chevy will show the SS off in real race trim, minus the headache-inducing graphics. The street version of the SS will be based on Australian Holden VE Commodore, a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive sedan. The SS also bears a close resemblance to the late, lamented Pontiac G8, another Holden-based sedan. GM will be the last of the four automakers currently in NASCAR to formally unveil its 2013 car.(SPEED)see images of the Chevy test car and other 2013 models on the 2013 Manufacturers News and Images page.(10-19-2012)
Taylor Swift on Montoya’s car at Kansas: Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates driver Juan Pablo Montoya is getting a makeover for Sunday’s Hollywood Casino 400 of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. For the Oct. 21 race in Kansas City, Montoya’s #42 Target racecar will be painted “Red”-not the color, but the highly anticipated, deluxe album from six-time GRAMMY-Award winning artist Taylor Swift. The deluxe edition of her fourth studio album, Red, will be available exclusively at Target and Target.com nationwide on Oct. 22, just one day after the big race. His traditionally red racecar will be painted stark white with bright red detailing, and features the artwork from Taylor ‘s Red CD cover.(Earnhardt Ganassi), see an image of the car on the #42 team paint schemes page)(10-19-2012)
Drive For Diversity wraps up Combine: After three days of evaluations — the last two of which consisted of on-track testing at Langley Speedway in Hampton, Va. — Rev Racing personnel will pour over their notes from the 2012 NASCAR Drive for Diversity (D4D) Combine and pick their team for the 2013 racing season. It won’t be an easy task, which for Rev Racing and the NASCAR Drive for Diversity is a good thing. “We saw a ton of talent — a lot more talent than ever before,” said Jefferson Hodges, Rev Racing’s director of competition. “And some of them were the same kids. I don’t know what they did between last year and this year, but they really stepped up their game. I was really happy about it. “I think there are a lot more drivers that deserve an opportunity in our Late Model program than there are openings, so that part of is going to result in some tough decisions.” Thursday’s final session was a half-day, with a handful of drivers making additional runs as officials got a second look to help gather more information. All drivers are still in the running for spots on the 2013 Rev Racing team, which will be selected from among the 2012 Rev Racing drivers and the Combine participants. That selection will take place following the completion of the 2012 season. Rev Racing still has a pair of NASCAR K&N; Pro Series East races on the schedule. The first NASCAR race weekend of 2013 is the UNOH Battle At The Beach on the .4-mile oval on the backstretch of Daytona International Speedway during February’s Speedweeks, which will feature both a NASCAR K&N; Pro Series race as well as a NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Model event.(NASCAR PR), see more information on the Driver Development page.(10-19-2012)
Jamie McMurray Foundation to Donate Greenery for Joplin MO: The Jamie McMurray Foundation announced that it will provide the greenery for homes in Joplin, MO. The homes are being built as part of the recovery efforts in the wake of the EF5 tornado that ravaged NASCAR driver Jamie McMurray’s hometown on May 22, 2011. The donation is to support Missouri Governor Jay Nixon’s, Joplin Challenge with Habitat for Humanity. More info on my NASCAR Charities News / Events page.(10-19-2012)
City council approves rezoning around Daytona Speedway: Mayor Glenn Ritchey knew something historic was happening at City Hall Wednesday night, and decided to slow down before the vote that is now allowing Daytona International Speedway and International Speedway Corp. to create a sprawling racing and entertainment complex that will straddle International Speedway Boulevard. He let each city commissioner explain why they supported the rezoning that will free DIS and parent company ISC to overhaul the grandstand area and chase after dreams of putting hotels, restaurants, shops, new housing, movie theaters, nightclubs and maybe even a casino or two around and near the track in coming decades. “It’s the largest project ever proposed and approved for the city of Daytona Beach,” Ritchey said Wednesday night. “It’s a historical event. It will pay great dividends to the city and Speedway.” The new development will happen over the next few decades, and will likely be driven by developer interest and the economy as it recovers, city leaders have said. Improvements to the 53-year-old Speedway facilities and grandstands will probably happen first, and could be completed within two years. Those improvements could include new metal panel screening on the exterior of the Speedway, five new colorful metal entranceways, escalators and a doubling of seating. The new development could include up to 2 million square feet of retail space, 1,785 hotel rooms, 1,500 multifamily residential units, movie theaters with 5,000 seats total and 950,000 square feet of industrial uses.(Daytona Beach News-Journal)(10-19-2012)

News from October 18, 2012
Testing at Kansas Wednesday & Thursday: UPDATES: Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series teams will get additional track time at Kansas Speedway this week to test setups following the track repaving. Sprint Cup teams will test 2:00-6:00pm/et on Wednesday and 9:30am-12:30pm/et on Thursday. Nationwide teams will test Thursday 2:00-6:00pm/et. Any news and/or results will be posted.(10-17-2012)
UPDATE: So what will come of all those notes Jeff Gordon’s #24 Hendrick Motorsports team accumulated over the last 12 years at Kansas? Into the recycling bin they go. After a two-hour Kansas test session that was delayed by rain, Gordon a two-time Kansas winner said he won’t rely on past experiences at the 1.5-mile oval. The four-time series champion said the track’s recently completed repave project that placed fresh asphalt and variable banking in the turns added a certain mystique to Sunday’s Hollywood Casino 400, the sixth race in the 10-race Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.
There is one guarantee come Sunday: Speed. Of the 47 cars that tested Wednesday afternoon at Kansas, 30 of them turned a faster lap than the current track qualifying record of 180.856 mph set by #17-Matt Kenseth in 2005. #16-Greg Biffle turned the fastest lap of the test session at 184.900 (29.205 seconds).
Among the 47 cars that tested, four were the redesigned 2013 models. The teams testing the 2013 cars were Michael Waltrip Racing, Penske Racing, Earnhardt Ganassi Racing and Wood Brothers Racing.
Kansas Speedway is the third of three 2012 repaves, joining Michigan International Speedway and Pocono Raceway. Drivers and NASCAR officials alike said they expect the racing grooves to multiply as more rubber accumulates, a phenomenon that made Pocono and Michigan one of the more competitive events of the season. Testing at Kansas will continue Thursday morning from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. CT.(NASCAR)(10-17-2012)
UPDATE 2: #11-Denny Hamlin’s wreck wasn’t the only incident in an eventful Thursday test session. Casey Mears’ #13 Ford twice dropped oil on the track, forcing the Germain Racing team to abandon the test car and bring out the primary that will race on Sunday. “Strange issue today,” Mears posted on his Twitter account. “Motor fine? Pumping oil out for some reason?” As reporters were waiting for Hamlin after his second visit to the care center, the engine blew in Tony Stewart’s #14 Chevy, again oiling the track, forcing the team to change power plants. Because of the series of stoppages, NASCAR extended the test session an extra 25 minutes to 1:55pm/et. Regan Smith, subbing for Dale Earnhardt Jr., posted the fastest lap at 186.143 mph.(NASCAR Wire Service)(10-18-2012)
Wednesday Testing Speeds: #16-Biffle was fastest at 184.900mph [track record is 180.856 mph set by Matt Kenseth in October 2005] followed by #55-Martin, #5-Kahne, #9-Ambrose and #78-Busch. #38-Gilliland was slowest at 175.890. See testing speeds on the Kansas Day 1 Test Speeds page (pdf).(10-18-2012)
Thursday Testing Speeds: #88-Regan Smith was fastest in Thursday morning’s session. His top speed was 186.143mph. He was followed by #55-Martin, #16-Biffle, #20-Logano, and #27-Menard. See testing speeds on the Kansas Day 2 Test Speeds page (pdf).(10-18-2012)
Danica could be cut from GoDaddy advertising: UPDATE: Caution lights are flashing for racing star Danica Patrick’s lucrative gig with Go Daddy. The advertising future of Go Daddy’s go-to girl appears to be in limbo as Go Daddy is about to announce the hiring of a new ad agency, Deutsch NY, which will have freedom to drop the sexy racing star from the Web domain company’s Super Bowl ad lineup. Patrick, 30, has starred in more Super Bowl spots – 10 – than any other celebrity, including Michael Jordan and Cindy Crawford. Overall, she’s appeared in 22 Go Daddy commercials since 2007 and is believed to earn upwards of $1 million annually for those commercial efforts. But Patrick has not appeared in a Go Daddy spot for months, and the company says it has no current plans to feature her in any spots at least through January. “The question at hand is: Is she in the Super Bowl or not?” says Barb Rechterman, chief marketing officer at Go Daddy. “What we’re trying to do is redefine sexy to be a small-business owner running a successful business. So we want to explore options of how we make our advertising new.” Patrick’s Q Score, which tracks likability, has recently been heading south, falling from 29 in 2010 to 19 in 2012. The average race car driver rates a 13 Q Score. “It raises a warning signal to evaluate the strength of her emotional connection with consumers,” says Henry Schafer, executive vice president at The Q Scores Co.(USA Today)(10-18-2012)
UPDATE: Danica Patrick is still Go Daddy’s girl, though she may not be featured in the company’s Super Bowl spots for the first time since 2007. Go Daddy on Thursday announced it had signed New York agency Deutsch Inc. to produce its two 30-second Super Bowl spots, the first time the website domain provider has gone outside for the ads it has done itself since 2005. “We love Danica, our relationship is perfectly fine,” [Barb Rechterman, chief marketing officer] said. “Danica, for us, is a valued asset and we have her for the foreseeable future. We are very excited for her upcoming first full season in the Sprint Cup Series, and Go Daddy is looking forward to many more years together with her.” Rechterman said Go Daddy is interested in discussing opportunities with Patrick for the Indianapolis 500 next season. Patrick has said she’d like to run that race if she can partner with a team that gives her a chance to win. But Rechterman doesn’t know if that means Patrick will kick off the year with a spot in the Super Bowl, which is Feb. 3 in New Orleans.(Associated Press)(10-18-2012)
Hamlin wrecks in Kansas testing: UPDATED with additional details: Championship contender Denny Hamlin said he felt “slightly dizzy” and admitted that he would probably not have gone to the infield care center after a testing crash Thursday at Kansas Speedway had a NASCAR official not suggested he do so. Hamlin crashed his #11 Toyota in Turn 1 — the same corner Dale Earnhardt Jr. hit during a tire test on Aug. 29 where he sustained the first of two concussions that is forcing him to miss his second race in a row. Hamlin said he clipped the wall with the right rear going 202 mph entering the corner, sending the car down the track. He overcorrected and hit the wall with the right side, destroying the Camry he intended to race Sunday. After seeing the car’s damage, a NASCAR official suggested that Hamlin go to the infield care center. Hamlin could not recall another time he had driven to the garage and a series official suggested he go to the care center. Hamlin was asked to return to the infield care center an hour later for a re-evaluation before being cleared to drive. He was cleared after a 10-minute evaluation. Hamlin’s last lap before he crashed was 181.409 mph — his fastest lap of the session. The track qualifying record is 180.856 mph set by Matt Kenseth in October 2005. Hamlin said he did not think the attention he received after his crash was related to the prominence of concussions after Earnhardt suffered two concussions within six weeks and will miss his second consecutive race. He said it made sense to be evaluated before getting back in a car.(USA Today)(10-18-2012)
400th Cup start for Newman:This weekend, Newman will become the 51st driver to make his 400th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start. The #39 Code 3 Associates Chevy will carry a special decal commemorating Newman’s accomplishment. Newman is the third driver this season to mark career start 400 . #36-Dave Blaney did it at Las Vegas in March and #29-Kevin Harvick’s came at Martinsville in April.(Stewart-Haas Racing), see an image of the car on the #39 Team Schemes page.
Cintas and Penske extend partnership: Penske Racing and Cintas, a leader in business to business services and the world’s largest corporate identity uniform provider, announced that the organizations have agreed to a multi-year extension of their current partnership. A team sponsor since 2009, Cintas will continue to provide valuable services for the Penske Racing organization under the terms of the extended partnership. Cintas provides uniform rental and sale, document management, first aid and safety services, fire protection and other facility services for Penske Racing, Penske Automotive Group and Penske Corporation. Through the benefits of the relationship with Cintas, Penske Racing is able to ensure all employees are working in a safe and clean work environment.(Penske Racing)(DATE)
Harvick’s team to honor fallen soldier: The #29 Budweiser team will wear a special memorial bracelet in honor of fallen soldier, Army Specialist Chris Horton this weekend at Kansas Speedway. Horton, a sniper in the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the Oklahoma National Guard, was killed during a tour of duty in Afghanistan on Sept. 9, 2011. His wife Jane shares his killed-in-action bracelet with others to remind people of her late husband and all of the soldiers who have lost their lives while serving our country. (RCR)(10-18-2012)
Dollar General colors return to the #20: The black and yellow colors of Dollar General return to the side of the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing this weekend in Kansas Speedway, the next to last race with the DG colors on the car this season. It’s been a successful year with Dollar General as a sponsor with Joe Gibbs Racing and Logano. The 22-year-old has captured four wins in the NASCAR Nationwide Series flying the black and yellow DG colors. On the Cup side, Logano has grabbed one top-five and four top-10 finishes while driving the No. 20 Dollar General Toyota. Dollar General will race with Logano in Kansas this weekend and then will make their final appearance of the season in the next to last race of the year, coming in just a few weeks at Phoenix International Raceway.(JGR), see an image of the car on the #20 team paint schemes page.(10-18-2012)
Geoff Bodine reitred from racing: After competing in 575 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races over 27 seasons, Geoff Bodine is calling it a career. Bodine, who hasn’t run full-time since 1999, has run part-time since his injury in the then NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Daytona opener in 2000. Although he had a sponsor willing to back him this season if an opportunity arose to run with a team in any of NASCAR’s three series, no deal panned out for the veteran. “I hate to use that ‘retirement’ word, but I’m 99.9 percent sure I’ll never drive a racecar again,” said the humble Bodine. Bodine, 63, ran select races in 2011 for Tommy Baldwin Racing. In his four starts last year, Bodine finished with a best of 30th at the season finale Homestead-Miami Speedway. At that time, Bodine didn’t feel that would be his last start in NASCAR, but he now is saying he will retire from the sport due to a number of factors.(Racing Experts)(10-18-2012)
Chassis selections for this weeks race: see the list of many teams [that report or post these] and what chassis were selected by the team to run at Kansas on the Kansas Race Info page – Chassis selection area.(10-18-2012)
The Numbers for the Hollywood Casino 400 Kansas Speedway:
1 – number of drivers winning both the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series race at Kansas Speedway on the same weekend (Joe Nemechek, 2004)
1 – number of drivers winning the fall Chase race at Kansas and the Sprint Cup in the same season (2008 – Jimmie Johnson)
2 – wins from the pole (Joe Nemechek – 2004, Jimmie Johnson – 2008)
2 – most wins by driver (Jeff Gordon, Greg Biffle, Jimmie Johnson & Tony Stewart)
3 – most poles (Jimmie Johnson)
3 – fewest cautions (4/22/12)
5 – fewest laps led by race winner (Tony Stewart, 10/1/06)
6 – number of jet dryers available for track drying this weekend
8 – number of races won from top-10 starting position
8 – most top-five finishes (Jeff Gordon)
9 – different race winners
9 – fewest cars on lead lap at finish (9/29/02)
9 – fewest leaders (twice, most recent 10/9/11)
10 – different pole winners
10 – number of drivers that have competed in all 13 races
13 – fewest lead changes (9/29/02)
13 – most cautions (9/30/01)
14 – most leaders (10/4/09)
18 – fewest caution laps (4/22/12)
26 – most lead changes (10/4/09)
27 – most cars on lead lap at finish (9/30/07)
27 – fewest cars running at finish (9/29/02)
42 – most running at finish (9/28/08)
70 – most caution laps (9/30/01)
105 minutes – approximate amount of time it takes to dry the “new” track surface
197 – most laps led by race winner (Jimmie Johnson, 10/9/11)
2012 Caution Update
1 – fewest cautions this season (Fontana)
8 – races extended beyond scheduled distance (Daytona, Martinsville, Talladega and Darlington, Sonoma, Michigan2, Atlanta and Talladega2)
13 – most cautions this season (Bristol2)
171 – number of cautions in the first 31 races of 2012; includes 78 for accidents, 48 for debris and 18 for spins
895 of 8,754 – number of laps under caution in 2012
1,260.288 of 11,834.176 – miles under caution in the first 31 races
(Darnell Communications for SRT Motorsports and Dodge)(10-18-2012)
Prelude to a Dream will not run in 2013: According to a news release issued Thursday by Eldora Speedway, the track will not host the Prelude to the Dream next year. “Eldora’s commitment to the best possible experience for its loyal fans and competitors attending the Dirt Late Model Dream will result in a schedule change to Dream Week. The logistics associated with the Dream’s expansion for the dirt Late Model teams that supplied the cars for the Prelude, along with speedway officials who must transition the facility, prevents the Prelude to the Dream from being included on the 2013 calendar. Advance ticket holders to the 2012 event will retain their renewal rights for the next scheduled Prelude to the Dream event going forward.”(Eldora Speedway)(10-18-2012)
Texas offering largest purse of Chase races: Texas Motor Speedway and the AAA Texas 500 once again will boast the largest purse of the 10 races in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Texas Motor Speedway will award $6,969,209 among the 43 drivers competing in the AAA Texas 500 on Sunday, Nov. 4. The purse increased more than $111,000 when compared to last year’s AAA Texas 500 purse of $6,857,822. Since 2005, Texas Motor Speedway has played host to the eighth race in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, which annually features the largest purse and largest-attended race of the 10 races in NASCAR’s version of the playoffs. Texas Motor Speedway’s WinStar World Casino 350 Camping World Truck Series and O’Reilly Auto Parts Challenge Nationwide Series races also will include large payouts. The WinStar World Casino 350 on Friday, Nov. 2, features a purse of $547,978 while the O’Reilly Auto Parts Challenge on Saturday, Nov. 3, will award $1,116,776.(TMS)(10-18-2012)

News from October 17, 2012
Testing at Kansas Wednesday & Thursday: UPDATE: Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series teams will get additional track time at Kansas Speedway this week to test setups following the track repaving. Sprint Cup teams will test 2:00-6:00pm/et on Wednesday and 9:30am-12:30pm/et on Thursday. Nationwide teams will test Thursday 2:00-6:00pm/et. Any news and/or results will be posted.(10-17-2012)
UPDATE: So what will come of all those notes Jeff Gordon’s #24 Hendrick Motorsports team accumulated over the last 12 years at Kansas? Into the recycling bin they go. After a two-hour Kansas test session that was delayed by rain, Gordon a two-time Kansas winner said he won’t rely on past experiences at the 1.5-mile oval. The four-time series champion said the track’s recently completed repave project that placed fresh asphalt and variable banking in the turns added a certain mystique to Sunday’s Hollywood Casino 400, the sixth race in the 10-race Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.
There is one guarantee come Sunday: Speed. Of the 47 cars that tested Wednesday afternoon at Kansas, 30 of them turned a faster lap than the current track qualifying record of 180.856 mph set by #17-Matt Kenseth in 2005. #16-Greg Biffle turned the fastest lap of the test session at 184.900 (29.205 seconds).
Among the 47 cars that tested, four were the redesigned 2013 models. The teams testing the 2013 cars were Michael Waltrip Racing, Penske Racing, Earnhardt Ganassi Racing and Wood Brothers Racing.
Kansas Speedway is the third of three 2012 repaves, joining Michigan International Speedway and Pocono Raceway. Drivers and NASCAR officials alike said they expect the racing grooves to multiply as more rubber accumulates, a phenomenon that made Pocono and Michigan one of the more competitive events of the season. Testing at Kansas will continue Thursday morning from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. CT.(NASCAR)(10-17-2012)
Whitt picks up Kansas Sponsor: Moon Shine, LP, a premium designer of Moon Shine Attitude Attire, will mark its first Sprint Cup Series sponsorship this weekend at Kansas Speedway by turning the familiar #33 pink for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month with its Muddy Girl-branded camouflage pattern. Cole Whitt, the 21-year-old development driver for the Dale Earnhardt Jr.-owned JR Motorsports in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, will pilot the #33 Moon Shine Attitude Attire Chevy in Sunday’s Hollywood Casino 400. Whitt will attempt to qualify for his sixth NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race of the 2012 season on the newly re-surfaced Kansas Speedway in addition to his primary duties behind the wheel of the #88 JR Motorsports Chevy in the Nationwide Series.(Circle Sport, LLC)(10-17-2012)
Client One Securities sponsoring Ragan: Client One Securities, LLC., a full service broker dealer and registered investment advisor from the greater Kansas City area serving representatives from all across the country, will join Front Row Motorsports as the primary sponsor of David Ragan’s #34 Ford this weekend at Kansas Speedway. The company’s offering of services include: financial planning, investment advisory services, mutual funds, ETFs, variable products, stocks, bonds, fixed annuities, online account access and more.(Front Row Motorsports/Breaking Limits)(10-17-2012)
#79 gets a sponsor for Kansas: CleanPath Resources will sponsor Go Green Racing’s #79 driven by Kelly Bires in the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas. CleanPath with be putting their line of Wellness products Re-Load on the hood.(DBM Marketing Group)(10-17-2012)
Earnhardt Jr. visits concussion experts: UPDATE: #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. met with renowned concussion specialists at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s sports medicine concussion program Tuesday. Earnhardt was not given medical clearance to participate in this past Saturday’s Sprint Cup race at Charlotte Motor Speedway or this week’s race at Kansas after suffering multiple concussions over the past six weeks. He was accompanied to Pittsburgh by NASCAR primary physician Dr. Jerry Petty as a part of the original rehabilitation plan that was put in place last week. Earnhardt met with Dr. Michael Collins, the executive director of the concussion program that helped developed the ImPACT baseline test used in the IndyCar series and other contact sports.(ESPN)(10-16-2012)
UPDATE: Kelley Earnhardt Miller posted an update about Earnhardt, Jr. on the JR Nation website: “Dale has been following the doctor’s orders to rest up. The doctor did relax his orders a little last week and allowed him to watch some television and play a little video games. He’s not suppose to “stress” his brain, LOL. We spent the day Tuesday in Pittsburgh at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center with a great team of doctors led by Mickey Collins. Dale spent most of the day doing different therapies and exercises. We got back yesterday afternoon and Dale has some different therapies to do at home as he consults with the doctors each day. If all goes according to plan, and he continues to improve to 100%, he will test a race car early next week to be cleared for Martinsville. This has definitely been an eye opening experience and one that I hope we don’t revisit in his career.”(JR Nation)(10-17-2012)
NASCAR announces qualifying & testing changes for 2013: UPDATE: NASCAR announced a number of competition changes for the 2013 season, highlighted by a new qualifying format in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series that places a greater emphasis on speed.
Qualifying Format In The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
In NASCAR Sprint Cup competition, the series will move to a 36-6-1 format where the fastest 36 cars will make the race on speed. The next six highest ranking cars in owners points that have not already earned a starting position through qualifying and who have entered the event by the posted entry deadline will also make the field. The final starting position will be awarded to the most recent eligible past champion driver. If there is no eligible past champion driver, then a seventh car will make the field based upon owners’ points. Provisional positions in the 36-6-1 format will be lined up by owners’ points, not speed.
In 2013, the qualifying order for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events will return to a random draw. However, in the event qualifying is canceled due to rain, the field will be set per the rule book and the starting lineup will continue to be determined by practice speeds.
Additionally, provisional positions in the NASCAR Sprint Cup, NASCAR Nationwide and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will be based upon the previous year’s owner points for the first three races, as opposed to the first five races in previous years for the NASCAR Sprint Cup and the NASCAR Nationwide Series, and four races for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.
Testing Policy Opened Up For 2013
Beginning next season in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, there will be up to four tests per organization available to teams at tracks at which the series competes. Since 2009, teams could only test at tracks that did not hold NASCAR national series events. For the NASCAR Nationwide and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, starting in 2013, there will be up to two tests per organization at tracks where those series compete. If the organization has an official Sunoco Rookie of Year candidate, then that team will receive one additional test. Additionally, NASCAR will open track activity early for extended practice at two additional events per series, to be determined.
Maximum Field Set At 40 Cars For NASCAR Nationwide Series
In an effort to strengthen the ownership base up and create a sense of urgency among teams to make races, the maximum starting field for the NASCAR Nationwide Series will be set at 40, as opposed to the 43-car field in previous years. A maximum NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starting field will remain at 43 cars while the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will hold steady at 36.(NASCAR)(10-16-2012)
UPDATE: There will be no limit to the number of provisionals. NASCAR did not consider heavily just having the best 43 cars in qualifying start a race. “We felt like there always needed to be some sort of opportunity for a guy that has a bad day and points are worth something to make the field,” [NASCAR vice president of competition Robin ] Pemberton said in a phone interview. As far as how NASCAR will set the field for the Daytona 500, it will do it much like it had before the top-35 rule was put into effect. Qualifying speeds will determine the front row, then the 150-mile qualifying races will set the majority of the spots with the remainder of the field set by qualifying speed (among those remaining) and provisionals. “The final details will come out with the entry blank,” Pemberton said during a teleconference. “But there will be a speed element that’s in there along with a finishing order to the (qualifying races) that will be in there. Those final details haven’t been worked out. But basically it all wraps around it being the fastest cars and also the ones that perform in the (qualifying races) to set the 500 lineup.”(Sporting News)(10-17-2012)
NASCAR considers neurological tests: NASCAR will consider making neurological baseline testing a part of drivers’ preseason physicals, just as the IndyCar Series and other contact sports do, officials told ESPN.com. For former Sprint Cup driver Steve Park, it can’t come soon enough. Park suffered a massive brain injury in a 2001 Nationwide Series crash at Darlington. He took the ImPACT baseline test in 2003 on the recommendation of NASCAR physician Dr. Jerry Petty after suffering a second concussion. Because Park never had a test prior to that for comparison, there was no way to determine the full extent of his injury. He has wondered for years why NASCAR hasn’t made the test a part of its preseason health exam. NASCAR does not perform baseline testing as a regular part of its preseason physical but plans to consult with its medical staff to see if it should be added after what has happened to its most popular driver. “We are always evaluating and reviewing our policies and procedures, especially when it comes to safety,” NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp said. “We will continue to work closely and review our policies with the medical experts that advise NASCAR on baseline testing and other medical issues. The test gives physicians a starting point to determine if there is a loss of function after a head injury. It enables them to determine if a concussion has occurred and the severity of it. The test takes about 22 minutes the first time and a little less in future uses. It measures memory, reaction time, mental speed, information processing, anticipation time and other functions of the brain affected by concussions.(ESPN.com)(10-17-2012)
Childers will return to #55 team: Rodney Childers will continue working his magic at Michael Waltrip Racing. The former-driver-turned-crew-chief of the #55 Toyota extended his contract with MWR on Monday – and announced the news on Twitter. Childers, 36, joined MWR in 2008. The following year he was paired with David Reutimann and together they earned the company’s first victory in the 2009 Coca Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway and finished 16th in the standings, the organization’s best finish until this season. Together the pair backed up the win with a second victory at Chicagoland Speedway in 2010. After Reutimann parted ways with MWR at the end of last year, Childers assumed responsibility for the # 55 Toyota team with multiple drivers – Mark Martin, Brian Vickers and team owner Michael Waltrip. Between the three racers the team has posted seven top fives, 14 top-10 finishes and four poles, by Martin. The car is currently 14th in owners points despite four engine failures this season.(Fox Sports)(10-17-2012)
Chevy close to manufacturers championship: Chevy can mathematically clinch its 10th consecutive NSCS Manufacturers’ Championship (and 36th overall) on Sunday in Kansas. If Chevy leads the manufacturer standings by 25 points leaving the race, it will clinch. Chevy currently holds a 24-point lead over Toyota. Finishing ahead of Toyota will guarantee the title.(NASCAR), see rules, race-by-race results, drivers who lead, manufacturer wins and more on the 2012 Manufacturers’ Championship standings page.(10-17-2012)
JR Motorsports looking at Regan Smith for Nationwide: Regan Smith will step out of the #88 Chevy when Dale Earnhardt Jr. is expected to return from a concussion next week, but Smith’s connection with NASCAR’s most popular driver could become more permanent. Earnhardt’s JR Motorsports has targeted Smith as the team’s first choice to contend for a Nationwide Series championship in 2013. “We are in discussions with Regan,” JRM general manager and co-owner Kelley Earnhardt told USA TODAY Sports. “That’s who we would like for that to be. We’ve been in dialogue and are just trying to work some of the details out. So it’s not a done deal, but that’s definitely a direction we’d like to go.” The ongoing talks paved the way for Hendrick Motorsports team owner Rick Hendrick (also a minority owner in JRM) to choose Smith when Earnhardt Jr. was forced to miss two races with a head injury. JRM hopes to run two Chevys full time again next year with a third part-time entry driven by Earnhardt Jr. for at least four races. The car slated for Smith is virtually funded in full, and the team still is seeking full sponsorship for a second car driven by Cole Whitt, who is ranked seventh in Nationwide points in JRM’s #88. “We’re hoping we can get that funding and Cole can stay on board in that car,” Kelley Earnhardt said. Danica Patrick, who is in third year with JRM and first full season, still might run some races for JRM next year when she moves to Sprint Cup with Stewart-Haas Racing.(USA Today)(10-17-2012)
Almirola “Bacon a Difference” at Kansas: Aric Almirola and the #43 Farmland team head to Kansas Speedway a couple days early this week to participate in a two-day test on the newly repaved track. But there’s one “test” that this partnership has already passed – that together they can raise awareness for hunger relief. The Farmland Foods paint scheme on Almirola’s Ford Fusion marks the success of “Bacon a Difference,” a summer-long campaign that raised funds for Harvesters-The Community Food Network. With each package of Farmland bacon purchased from Memorial Day to Labor Day in the Kansas City area, Farmland pledged to donate 4.3 cents to the area food bank, with a minimum donation of $43,000. Total funds raised will be announced by Farmland, Harvesters and race team owner Richard Petty at a special event on Thursday in Kansas City, Mo.(RPM)(10-17-2012)
Truck race possible at Eldora: NASCAR may be considering adding a dirt race at Eldora Speedway to its Truck Series schedule. Multiple sources within the series said they’ve been told a dirt track could be added to the schedule in 2013. Sources also said a Richard Childress Racing truck was prepared for a test at Eldora, owned by three-time Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart. The test was scheduled to take place Monday or Tuesday, the sources said. Officials at Eldora could not be reached for comment. NASCAR officials declined to address specifically whether Eldora was under consideration for a truck race, but the series is looking at potential venues it hasn’t been to before. “We’ve made several site visits over the past few months to look at possible future venues for our Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series,” spokesman Kerry Tharp said on Tuesday. “We expect the 2013 schedules for both of those series to be finished up and released within the next couple of weeks.”(ESPN)(10-17-2012)

News from October 16, 2012
GEICO picks up sponsorship of Mears at Kansas and Homestead: There were just two races left on the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule that sat unsponsored for Germain Racing and driver Casey Mears. Earlier today, team owner Bob Germain and GEICO executives worked together to complete a deal that will have the Gecko as the primary sponsor of Mears’ #13 Ford Fusion for both Kansas and Homestead, which were the two lone unsponsored races. The Germain Racing crew quickly found themselves scattering when the team owner ordered them to the Kansas test that begins tomorrow and continues through Thursday. The two-day test will allow them to experience the new surface and better prepare for Sunday’s race.(Player Management International)(10-16-2012)
Charlotte TV Ratings: Saturday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race from Charlotte, the fifth race of the Chase For the Cup, drew a 3.0 overnight rating on ABC even with last year (3.0), but up 3% from 2010 (2.9). The 3.0 is tied as the highest overnight of the 2012 Chase For the Cup, matching last week’s Talladega race on ESPN (3.0), and surpassing Dover (2.1), New Hampshire (2.2) and Chicago.(Sports Business Daily via Sports Media Watch)
AND ABC’s live telecast of the Bank of America 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Saturday night, Oct. 13, earned a 3.2 rating, averaging 5,095,231 viewers, according to the Nielsen Company. It was the third consecutive year that the race earned a 3.2 rating.(ESPN), see ratings for past 2012 ratings and 4-year comparison chart on the 2012 TV Ratings page.(10-16-2012)
Earnhardt Jr. visits concussion experts: #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. met with renowned concussion specialists at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s sports medicine concussion program Tuesday. Earnhardt was not given medical clearance to participate in this past Saturday’s Sprint Cup race at Charlotte Motor Speedway or this week’s race at Kansas after suffering multiple concussions over the past six weeks. He was accompanied to Pittsburgh by NASCAR primary physician Dr. Jerry Petty as a part of the original rehabilitation plan that was put in place last week. Earnhardt met with Dr. Michael Collins, the executive director of the concussion program that helped developed the ImPACT baseline test used in the IndyCar series and other contact sports.(ESPN)(10-16-2012)
Black & Decker sponsoring Ambrose in four races to end season: Black & Decker, a division of Stanley Black & Decker announced a partnership with Richard Petty Motorsports and Marcos Ambrose. The Black & Decker branded #9 Ford Fusion will race at four primary races: Kansas on October 21, Martinsville on October 28, Phoenix on November 11 and Homestead-Miami on November 18. The branded #9 car will feature two Black & Decker products that will be launching this fall-the all-new GYRO Screwdriver and the MATRIX Quick Connect System. Gyro is the world’s first motion activated screw driver that controls variable speed and direction- an industry-first for a screwdriver. The Matrix Quick Connect System is an innovative modular tool system built around two different power units and interchangeable attachments to drill, cut, sand, and more.(Richard Petty Motorsports)(10-16-2012)
NASCAR announces qualifying & testing changes for 2013: NASCAR announced a number of competition changes for the 2013 season, highlighted by a new qualifying format in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series that places a greater emphasis on speed.
Qualifying Format In The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
In NASCAR Sprint Cup competition, the series will move to a 36-6-1 format where the fastest 36 cars will make the race on speed. The next six highest ranking cars in owners points that have not already earned a starting position through qualifying and who have entered the event by the posted entry deadline will also make the field. The final starting position will be awarded to the most recent eligible past champion driver. If there is no eligible past champion driver, then a seventh car will make the field based upon owners’ points. Provisional positions in the 36-6-1 format will be lined up by owners’ points, not speed.
In 2013, the qualifying order for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events will return to a random draw. However, in the event qualifying is canceled due to rain, the field will be set per the rule book and the starting lineup will continue to be determined by practice speeds.
Additionally, provisional positions in the NASCAR Sprint Cup, NASCAR Nationwide and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will be based upon the previous year’s owner points for the first three races, as opposed to the first five races in previous years for the NASCAR Sprint Cup and the NASCAR Nationwide Series, and four races for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.
Testing Policy Opened Up For 2013
Beginning next season in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, there will be up to four tests per organization available to teams at tracks at which the series competes. Since 2009, teams could only test at tracks that did not hold NASCAR national series events. For the NASCAR Nationwide and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, starting in 2013, there will be up to two tests per organization at tracks where those series compete. If the organization has an official Sunoco Rookie of Year candidate, then that team will receive one additional test. Additionally, NASCAR will open track activity early for extended practice at two additional events per series, to be determined.
Maximum Field Set At 40 Cars For NASCAR Nationwide Series
In an effort to strengthen the ownership base up and create a sense of urgency among teams to make races, the maximum starting field for the NASCAR Nationwide Series will be set at 40, as opposed to the 43-car field in previous years. A maximum NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starting field will remain at 43 cars while the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will hold steady at 36.(NASCAR)(10-16-2012)
RCR hires Warren as Competition Director: Richard Childress Racing has hired Dr. Eric Warren as its new director of competition in hopes of righting the ship. Warren replaces Kent Day, who served in an interim role after Scott Miller left the company last September for Michael Waltrip Racing. Miller’s loss has been felt dramatically at RCR, particularly at the Sprint Cup level. Warren, 43, has a PhD in Aerospace Engineering. The Mt. Airy, N.C.-native has been involved in the motorsports industry since 1997. Warren worked as the chief aerodynamicist at Penske-Kranefuss Racing. In 2002, he became the technical director at Evernham Motorsports and advanced to vice president of the organization, then accepted a similar role at MWR. After a short-lived attempt with the U.S. Formula 1 effort, Warren joined Richard Petty Motorsports in 2010 as technical director, overseeing all engineering.(Fox Sports)(10-16-2012)
Kansas Goodyear Tire Notes: Teams in the NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series will run the same tire set-up at Kansas this weekend . . . this is the first race for NASCAR teams on the re-surfaced Kansas track . . . Goodyear held a tire test at the speedway on August 28-29 . . . teams and drivers participating in that test were the #2 Penske Racing Dodge with Brad Keselowski, #9 Richard Petty Motorsports Ford with Marcos Ambrose, #17 Roush Fenway Ford with Matt Kenseth, #20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota with Joey Logano, #27 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet with Paul Menard, #42 Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing Chevrolet with Juan Pablo Montoya, #55 Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota with Mark Martin, #78 Furniture Row Racing Chevrolet with Regan Smith and #88 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet with Dale Earnhardt Jr. . . . the tire set-up that Goodyear came out of that test with was the same combination of left- and right-side tires that Sprint Cup teams ran at recently re-paved Michigan in August . . . compared to what was run on Kansas’ old surface this spring, this tire set-up features compound and construction changes on both sides of the car . . . as on all NASCAR ovals greater than one mile in length, teams are required to run inner liners in all four tires at Kansas . . . air pressure in those inner liners should be 12-25 psi greater than that of the outer tire (Goodyear), see tire codes, pressures and more on Jayski;s Kansas Race Info page – Goodyear section.(10-16-2012)
Facts and Stats Kansas Speedway:
ï¿½ Groundbreaking was held on May 25, 1999.
ï¿½ 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.
ï¿½ The first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race was Sept. 30, 2001.
ï¿½ During the 2012 season, between the April race and this weekend’s event the 1.5-mile track underwent a repave adding variable banking in the corners and on the frontstretch.
ï¿½ There have been 13 NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Kansas since the track opened in 2001.
ï¿½ All of the races have been scheduled for 267 laps.
ï¿½ 10 drivers have competed in all 13 races at Kansas. Mark Martin has completed the most laps at Kansas with 3,388.
ï¿½ Jeff Gordon won the first two NASCAR Sprint Cup races.
ï¿½ Jason Leffler won the first pole in September 2001.
ï¿½ 10 different drivers have won poles, led by Jimmie Johnson with three.
ï¿½ Nine different drivers have posted victories, led by Greg Biffle, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Tony Stewart (each with two).
ï¿½ Hendrick Motorsports leads the series in wins at Kansas with four, followed by Roush Fenway Racing with three.
ï¿½ Seven of the 13 races have been won from a top-10 starting position.
ï¿½ Two drivers have won from the pole: Joe Nemechek in 2004 and Jimmie Johnson in 2008.
ï¿½ The furthest back in the field that a race winner started was 25th, by Brad Keselowski last season.
ï¿½ Two active drivers with more than one start have averaged a top-10 finish: Jimmie Johnson (7.9) and Greg Biffle (8.0).
ï¿½ Nine of the 13 races that ended under green had a margin of victory under one second. The 2007 race ended under caution.
ï¿½ The 2009 Chase race holds the record for most lead changes (26) among the most leaders (14) in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series history at Kansas Speedway.
ï¿½ Jimmie Johnson has led the most laps (503) in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Kansas Speedway, followed by Greg Biffle with 346 laps led.
ï¿½ Denny Hamlin made his first career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start at Kansas Speedway on 10/09/2005.
ï¿½ Jimmie Johnson posted the highest NSCS Driver Rating performance at Kansas Speedway in this event last season with a 149.2. A perfect Driver Rating (150.0) performance in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Kansas Speedway has yet to be achieved.(NASCAR)(10-16-2012)
Kevin Harvick Foundation awards full-ride scholarship: Harvick, a wrestling standout in high school, presented the Kevin Harvick Athletic Scholarship to Nick Heilmann, marking the first stage of the Kevin Harvick Foundation’s three-year commitment for an annual, full scholarship to UNC for one need-based student athlete. “Athletics — wrestling in particular — were a huge part of my life for so long and helped strengthen me both physically and mentally,” Harvick said. “Therefore, it is very important to DeLana (wife) and me to support a student athlete who really could use the financial help and do a little something to possibly change his life for the better. People who helped me along the way, whether in wrestling or racing, played a big role in molding the person I have become. We’re hoping Nick benefits in a similar manner.” The Kevin Harvick Athletic Scholarship is intended to enable collegiate student athletes to pursue their dreams of obtaining an undergraduate degree while participating in athletics. The University of North Carolina is the second college with whom the Kevin Harvick Foundation has partnered to provide scholarships to student athletes. The first was awarded in 2010 at California State University-Bakersfield, Harvick’s hometown. Harvick wrestled at North High in Bakersfield, and donated money and raised funds in 2008 to refurbish the school’s wrestling room after its condemnation. Upon his arrival at UNC on Monday, Harvick toured the wrestling team’s facility and addressed the athletes. Following the scholarship presentation to Heilmann, Harvick served as an honorary coach for the 20 wrestling team members who battled in the “Rumble in the Pit” for starting positions on this year’s squad.(Kevin Harvick Foundation)(10-16-2012)
Group launches community effort to reopen North Wilkesboro: STS Motorsports Inc. announced they would begin work on saving North Wilkesboro Speedway once again, following the closure in 2011 after the PASS Super Late Models $100,000 To Win Race. While previous efforts to Save the Speedway have been met with pitfalls and mis-management, STS Motorsports Inc. has decided to reopen the issue and ask the community for help. In the renewed effort, STS Motorsports Inc. will begin a donation campaign asking racing fans to join in this time and donate. In return, not only will you help save a historic motorsports landmark, but additionally, tickets, pit passes, and even get their name on a race or drive the pace car during one of the planned events once the donation campaign reaches it goal. About North Wilkesboro Speedway: North Wilkesboro Speedway was opened in 1947 at a dirt track in Western North Carolina by Enoch Staley, and Jack Combs. Hosted NASCAR for 50 years beginning in 1949 with the final race of the very first NASCAR until closing in 1996.(more info at savethespeedway.net)(10-16-2012)

News from October 15, 2012
The Entry List for the Hollywood Casino 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway is posted, 47 teams/drivers [for 43 spots] are listed, including:
Not in top 35 of owners points:
#19-Mike Bliss (45/24)
#21-Trevor Bayne (36/13)
#23-Scott Riggs (44/29)
#26-Josh Wise (41/31)
#30-David Stremme (38/31)
#33-Cole Whitt (37/31)
#37-J.J. Yeley (50/15)
#79-Kelly Bires (54/8)
#87-Joe Nemechek (42/31)
#91-Reed Sorenson (51/10)
#95-Scott Speed (43/13)
#98-Michael McDowell (39/31)
In the event that qualifying is cancelled:
the eight who would make it [8]: #’s 21,33,30,98,26,87,23,19
missing the race would be [4]: # 37,95,91,79
See the full entry list at my Jayski’s Kansas Entry List
NASCAR signs FOX thru 2022: NASCAR and Fox announced an eight-year, $2.4 billion extension Monday that runs through 2022 and keeps the prestigious Daytona 500 and first third of the Sprint Cup Series on the network. The deal begins in 2015. The $300 million average annual fee is a 33% increase to what Fox had been currently paying. It includes TV Everywhere rights that allow Fox to live stream its races beginning with the 2013 season-opening Daytona 500. Fox gets the first 13 Sprint Cup Series races under the deal, and the entire Camping World Truck Series. ESPN and Turner hold the rights on the remainder of the schedule through 2014. Exclusive negotiations with NASCAR do not begin until next summer.(AP/ESPN)(10-15-2012)
Sprint confirms talks with Softbank UPDATE 3 NASCAR says no changes: Sprint Nextel Corp. says that it is talking with the Japanese cellphone company Softbank about making a potential substantial investment in the U.S. company. Sprint Nextel Corp. said Thursday that it can’t assure that the talks will lead to any transaction, but also confirmed that a deal could involve a “change of control” of the company. The #3 U.S. wireless carrier said it does not plan to give any more details unless it reaches an agreement with Softbank.(Associated Press), no word on how or if this will affect sponsorship of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.(10-11-2012)
UPDATE: Sprint, which announced last December that it had extended its sponsorship of NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series through 2016, is in discussions to sell a majority of the company’s stock to Japanese telecommunications company SoftBank. Sprint confirmed the talks in a news release Thursday. NASCAR officials had no immediate comment Friday on how a possible sale of the company could impact its partnership with Sprint. If Sprint is sold, it would mark the second time that NASCAR’s premier series sponsor was sold since Nextel took over for Winston in 2004. Sprint bought Nextel in 2005 and assumed the original 10-year sponsorship deal that went through 2013. Sprint renamed the Nextel Cup Series to the Sprint Cup Series in 2008. Sprint announced an extension of that deal last year.(Sporting News)(10-13-2012)
UPDATE 2: Softbank, a Japanese wireless carrier, said Monday it agreed acquire 70% of Sprint Nextel for $20.1 billion, a deal that financially strengthens the third-largest wireless carrier in the U.S. More importantly, the deal deepens foreign investment in the U.S. wireless industry. SoftBank will own about 70% of a newly created entity New Sprint, and current Sprint (S) shareholder will own the remaining shares. The acquisition calls for $12.1 billion to be distributed to Sprint stockholders and $8 billion of new capital to be given to Sprint. About 55% of current Sprint shares will be exchanged for $7.30 per share in cash, and the remaining shares will convert into shares of a new publicly traded entity, New Sprint. The deal, which has been approved by the boards of directors of both SoftBank and Sprint, will require regulatory approvals and is expected to close in mid-2013.(USA Today)(10-15-2012)
UPDATE 3: NASCAR issued a statement Monday morning saying it didn’t expect the transaction to have an impact on Sprint’s NASCAR sponsorship. “As our premier series entitlement sponsor, Sprint has been successful using our sport as a platform to enhance its brand during its nine years in the sport,” said Steve Phelps, NASCAR chief marketing officer. “NASCAR fans have rewarded Sprint with their business and loyalty, and we don’t expect that to change. We are thrilled for our partner that they are getting an infusion of capital and support that will strengthen them going into the future.” Sprint chief executive officer Dan Hesse, who announced in December a three-year extension of the Sprint sponsorship through 2016, will remain as CEO of the subsidiary.(Sporting News)(10-15-2012)
Race and Commercial Breakdown of the 2012 Bank of America 500: For those 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 7:33 PM, and stopped at the waving of the checkered flag at 11:05 PM (all times are EST). Did not keep records for the pre- and post-race coverage. ESPN on ABC was the broadcast team for this event.
Total number of commercials: 111
Total number of companies or entities advertised: 62
Number of traditional commercials (not split-screen): 82
Total number of companies or entities advertised: 45
Number of ‘Side-by-Side’ commercials during race broadcast (split-screen): 29
Total number of companies or entities advertised: 17
Number of times utilized ‘Side-by-Side’ commercials during this broadcast: 8
Total number of brief promos of products/services during the race broadcast: 30
Total amount of time these brief promos take during broadcast: app. 4 min. 30 sec.
Start time to record race/commercial periods: 7:33 PM
End time to record race/commercial periods: 11:05 PM
Total minutes of complete race broadcast: 212
Minutes of race broadcast: 178
Minutes of traditional commercials (not split-screen): 34
Minutes of ‘Side-by-Side’ commercials (split-screen): 13
Number of missed restarts: 0
Number of ‘mystery cautions’ (debris not shown): 1
Total race brdcst time 178 Total comm. brdcst time 34
See past races, other news, links to past races and more on the 2012 TV Commercials page.(10-15-2012)
Allmendinger Moves Forward in Charlotte UPDATE and Kansas: A.J. Allmendinger was back in NASCAR Sprint Cup action this weekend, making his first Cup start since June. Returning to work after completing the NASCAR Road To Recovery program, Allmendinger joined Phoenix Racing in the Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Saturday night. After the team rallied to make last minute adjustments and outfit the #51 Phoenix Construction Chevrolet to fit the new driver, Allmendinger was back in the swing of things as he showed encouraging pace in the opening practice sessions. While his enthusiasm for entry speed cost him on his Thursday night qualifying run and he had to settle for 38th on the grid, Allmendinger knew he had a solid car underneath him. With 500 miles to run and a clear focus on just getting the most out of the weekend, Allmendinger approached the Bank of America 500 as a chance to get back into the grove over the course of a long race on his adopted home track.
After starting 38th, Allmendinger quickly worked his way up to the mid-twenties, staying on the lead lap with his Smiley-Faced Phoenix Construction Chevrolet deep into the night. A late-race pit road procedural penalty saw him losing time to the leaders as he had to make the long, slow way down pit lane at a crawling penalty pace before returning to the pack at full speed. But despite all the variables that come with working with a new car, a new crew chief, and a whole lot of new faces, Allmendinger focused on his job to bring the Phoenix Construction car home in 24th place.
“It was great to get back into a Cup car, and I just want to thank James Finch and everyone at Phoenix Racing for giving me this opportunity–I’m really grateful,” said Allmendinger. “I was hoping I could have repaid that favor with a little bit stronger finish. But it was great to get back in the car and compete again. It was a solid weekend all around despite everything coming together so quickly. I want to also thank everyone who has been so supportive through this entire process. It meant a lot, and now we are all focused on building on this and looking forward to whatever comes next.”(Sunday Group Management), per his twitter, Allmendinger thinks he will be back in the #61 Chevy at Kansas.(10-14-2012)
UPDATE: After Allmendinger successfully completed NASCAR’s “Road to Recovery” program and proved himself behind the wheel of the #51 Chevy in Saturday night’s Sprint Cup Series race, Phoenix Racing team owner James Finch will give him another opportunity next weekend at Kansas Speedway. “He’ll be back in,” Finch said from his boat Sunday. “He did a real fine job before he received the penalty. And he was outrunning Kurt (Busch, Phoenix Racing’s driver for 30 of the first 31 races).”(FoxSports)(10-15-2012)
Sonoma and NASCAR Plant 58 Trees: Four Vacaville public schools will be a bit more “green,” thanks to the raceway in Sonoma and NASCAR. Fifty-eight trees were donated to the Vacaville Unified School District through “NASCAR Green Clean Air” an initiative that neutralizes all the carbon produced by NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events. The trees will be distributed between Markham Elementary School, Orchard Elementary School, Browns Valley Elementary School and Vacaville High School. A ceremonial planting of three live trees was held on Friday at Markham Elementary School, and was attended by Vacaville Unified School District Superintendent John Niederkorn, Markham Elementary School Principal Manolo Garcia, Buckeye Nursery’s Kim Bertotti, raceway representatives and several students. The raceway, which hosts an annual NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event each June, has participated in NASCAR’s Green Clean Air program since 2009. The initiative plants trees for every green flag waved during a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event. There were three green flags at the Toyota/Save Mart 350 in Sonoma last June, so 58 trees (30 western arborvitae, 20 pear trees and eight California redwoods) are being planted at the Vacaville Schools. Past beneficiaries of this program have included Roseland Creek Elementary in Santa Rosa, City Park in Vallejo and Petaluma Junior High School. NASCAR purchased the trees from Buckeye Nursery, a Women’s Business Enterprise National Council-certified business in Petaluma.(Sonoma)(10-15-2012)

News from October 14, 2012
Most LAST-Place Finishes (1949-present) in Sprint Cup history:
rank, number of last place finishes, driver
(list does not include non-points races)
1) 32-J.D. McDuffie
2) 30-Joe Nemechek*
3) 26-Derrike Cope
4) 20-Dave Blaney*
5) 19-G.C. Spencer
6) 18-Michael McDowell*
7) 17-Buddy Baker, Jimmy Means, Morgan Shepherd, Cale Yarborough
8) 16-Todd Bodine, Neil Castles, Junior Johnson, Kyle Petty, Darrell Waltrip
9) 15-Buddy Arrington, Ward Burton, Richard Petty, Roy Tyner
10) 14-Mike Skinner*
11) 13-Buck Baker, Henley Gray, Dick May, Joe Ruttman, Rusty Wallace
12) 12-Ricky Craven, Cecil Gordon, Terry Labonte*, Sterling Marlin, Wendell Scott, Michael Waltrip*
(stats from LASTCAR.com)(10-14-2012)
Allmendinger Moves Forward in Charlotte: A.J. Allmendinger was back in NASCAR Sprint Cup action this weekend, making his first Cup start since June. Returning to work after completing the NASCAR Road To Recovery program, Allmendinger joined Phoenix Racing in the Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Saturday night. After the team rallied to make last minute adjustments and outfit the #51 Phoenix Construction Chevrolet to fit the new driver, Allmendinger was back in the swing of things as he showed encouraging pace in the opening practice sessions. While his enthusiasm for entry speed cost him on his Thursday night qualifying run and he had to settle for 38th on the grid, Allmendinger knew he had a solid car underneath him. With 500 miles to run and a clear focus on just getting the most out of the weekend, Allmendinger approached the Bank of America 500 as a chance to get back into the grove over the course of a long race on his adopted home track.
After starting 38th, Allmendinger quickly worked his way up to the mid-twenties, staying on the lead lap with his Smiley-Faced Phoenix Construction Chevrolet deep into the night. A late-race pit road procedural penalty saw him losing time to the leaders as he had to make the long, slow way down pit lane at a crawling penalty pace before returning to the pack at full speed. But despite all the variables that come with working with a new car, a new crew chief, and a whole lot of new faces, Allmendinger focused on his job to bring the Phoenix Construction car home in 24th place.
“It was great to get back into a Cup car, and I just want to thank James Finch and everyone at Phoenix Racing for giving me this opportunity–I’m really grateful,” said Allmendinger. “I was hoping I could have repaid that favor with a little bit stronger finish. But it was great to get back in the car and compete again. It was a solid weekend all around despite everything coming together so quickly. I want to also thank everyone who has been so supportive through this entire process. It meant a lot, and now we are all focused on building on this and looking forward to whatever comes next.”(Sunday Group Management), per his twitter, Allmendinger thinks he will be back in the #61 Chevy at Kansas.(10-14-2012)
Martin Truex Jr. Foundation raises over $200k: The Martin Truex Jr. Foundation 3rd Annual Fan Event presented by Sea Watch International and 5th Annual Golf Tournament and Dinner presented by NAPA AUTO PARTS raised more than $200,000 this year, setting a new record for the flagship events. Proceeds from these events will go towards the foundations various community programs and initiatives including the construction of the Martin Truex Jr. Pediatric Care Center at Southern Ocean Medical Center in New Jersey, feeding Iredell County, NC children through the Backpack Program and supporting children and their families through the “Martin Truex Jr. Special Needs Fund” at Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte, NC. Since its inception in 2007, more than $750,000 has been raised.(Martin Truex Jr. Foundation)(10-14-2012)
Top Five Drivers Bank of America Post-Race Quotes:
Clint Bowyer (Winner, #15 5-hour Energy Benefitting Avon Foundation for Women Toyota) “This is my worst race track. To come here and have cars capable of qualifying in the top five, and race up front, I mean, I tell you that means a lot to me. I think it speaks volumes about our team, Brian Pattie [crew chief] and everybody he has assembled around him. It makes me almost giddy. It’s so much fun to come to the race track knowing you have got cars that are capable of getting the job done. We’re still in contention for the championship. Never in a million years did I think the caution wouldn’t come out. We had too much left in the race. We were a burnout short of making it!”
Michael Waltrip (Team Owner, #15 5-hour Energy Benefitting Avon Foundation for Women Toyota) “Not only did the Toyota engine run with as much power as we needed to win with; we got the fuel mileage we needed to win and had enough gas to do one of the most amazing starts to a burnout I ever saw. It really went kind of downhill from there. But to have an engine under your hood that can perform like it did, qualifying in the top five with a new track-record speed; to have that kind of speed and also have the economy it takes to race to the checkered and not have to pit late. Clint’s won three races, and he hasn’t been able to drive to victory lane yet because of getting there with just enough fuel.”
Brian Pattie (Crew Chief, #15 5-hour Energy Benefitting Avon Foundation for Women Toyota) “We had a good qualifying setup for here in the spring and came back here and qualified better. We evolved our setups over the summer. We were a little too tight and burned the tires off too fast, though. We knew in practice that we might have to save gas for fuel mileage, and we worked on that some. Everyone did their part to make it work. These are a great group of guys. It’s fun to show up on Monday.”
Denny Hamlin (Second-Place Finisher #11 FedEx Ground Toyota) “It’s almost impossible to save fuel [when driving for a win]. It goes against everything we have learned as race car drivers. We had a good run, obviously, and put ourselves in position all day. It’s good to have a fuel mileage race go somewhat our way. Darian [crew chief Darian Grubb] made a gutsy call to bring us in [even though it meant we would] lose all of our track position in the middle of the race. Obviously, he knew what he was doing. We slowed down just enough to finish second. It’s frustrating to know whether we could have cut the reins a little sooner and tried to catch the 15 [Bowyer]. We just needed one more lap. You are just running the race backwards. Basically, you are just seeing how slow you can go and maintain your track position. It puts everyone in kind of a weird window. You have to prepare for it, and we did prepare for it a little bit better. It’s tough because I’m sitting there thinking I could go by [Bowyer] or catch him anytime I wanted. Darian is screaming at me to back off. As a race car driver, you really don’t want to save gas.”
Jimmie Johnson (Third-Place Finisher #48 MyLowes Chevrolet) “We made a bunch of circles out there tonight and made it on fuel. It’s weird running so long. There are some tracks and some conditions where that is just the game you have to play. The thing I’m excited about is we’re still learning. We don’t have the confidence that the 2 car [Keselowski] shows in some situations with how hard they can run. We finished a fuel mileage race here much better than we have done in the past. So, I feel like we are smarter racing in that department. It seemed like the three cars of the 2 [Keselowski], the 11 [Hamlin] and we were running one, two, three through a large portion of the night. With two stops to go, we saw the opportunity for long green runs and you just talk to yourself if you use too much or not enough.”
Greg Biffle (Fourth-Place Finisher, #16 3m/IDG Ford) “It was too loose all night. I just didn’t want to take big enough swings at it. And then fuel mileage; we are just not in that game to go as far as those cars were going.”
Kyle Busch (Fifth-Place Finisher, #18 M&Ms; Toyota) “Fuel mileage played against us again. We had a really good race car barring circumstances and how they played out, but it just wasn’t there for us at the end.”(CMS)(10-14-2012)
New Jersey Motorsports Park interested in Nationwide race: The NASCAR Nationwide Series appears to have an opening on next year’s schedule for a road course. Why not New Jersey Motorsports Park in Millville? That’s the question on the mind of NJMP general manager Brad Scott, who spoke via telephone Monday from the AMA Pro Road Racing awards banquet in New Orleans before flying back to New Jersey on Tuesday. “Once I get back into town, one of my immediate goals is going to be to really get aggressive and at least throw out name in the hat,” Scott said. “If there’s an opportunity to host something like that, we’d love to.” The opportunity could be there because Montreal’s Circuit Gilles Villeneuve last week ended its six-year relationship with the Nationwide Series. That road-course race had been run independently of the Sprint Cup Series. Nationwide Series official Amanda Ellis said by phone Tuesday that she could not comment in detail on next year’s schedule, which she said likely will be released in a few weeks. “We constantly have conversations with promoters who are interested in having a NASCAR Nationwide Series event at their track,” Ellis said. Working against NJMP is the fact that there are several other tracks that offer similar benefits, including one Road Atlanta in which NASCAR has an ownership stake. Road Atlanta is owned by the American Le Mans Series, which last month merged with the NASCAR-owned Grand-Am Road Racing Series. “We just kind of got wind of it last week that Nationwide was looking, with the termination of the contract with Montreal, that they were considering running on (another) road course,” Scott said. “Mid-Ohio and other tracks apparently have been contacted, but we have been known to get aggressive and go after them ourselves, so that’s what we plan to do.” NJMP has hosted several major racing series, including Grand-Am and AMA, in its five-year history. But Nationwide, NASCAR’s second-tier stock-car racing series, would be the highest-profile race ever for the park. The track does have a history of hosting stock-car races as the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) has come to Millville the last five years.(Press of Atlantic City)(10-14-2012)
No more Daytona Duel qualifying races? word is Daytona International Speedway is dropping those two Thursday 150s [Duel qualifying races]. Lack of sponsorship.(MikeMulhern.net).
BUT in February Budweiser and Daytona International Speedway announced the beer brand will take on an enhanced role in NASCAR’s season opening festivities. Beginning with the 2013 season, Budweiser will become the official title sponsor of Speedweeks the ten-day stretch of stock-car races from the Shootout to the Daytona 500. Budweiser also will secure entitlement of the Budweiser Duel at Daytona, two 150-mile qualifying races that determine the starting lineup for the Daytona 500. These enhancements to Budweiser’s partnership with DIS will replace the brand’s existing entitlement of the season-opening, non-points Shootout.(Daytona International Speedway)(10-14-2012)

News from October 13, 2012
Bowyer wins at Charlotte: #15-Clint Bowyer won the Bank of America 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway for his 3rd win of year and 8th career win.
#11-Hamlin finished 2nd followed by #48-Johnson, #16-Biffle, #18-Busch, #55-Martin, #99-Edwards, #5-Kahne, #20-Logano and #56-Truex Jr..
#2-Keselowski led the most laps and was leading when he waited too long to pit and ran out of fuel, but finished 11th and maintain the points lead, 7 points over #48-Johnson. Bowyer was able to run longer on fuel and held on to win the race, his first on a mile and a half track. There were only 6 cars on the lead lap.
Regan Smith, subbing for Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the #88 Chevy, lost an engine on lap 61 and finished 38th. Kurt Busch finished 21st in his first race in the #78 Furniture Row Chevy. #51-A.J. Allmendinger finished 24th in his first race back from his suspension.
There were 5 cautions for 23 yellow flag laps. There were 20 lead changes among 8 drivers. The average speed was 154.935mph.
The estimated attendence was 100,000, down from 105,000 last October.
See race results, awards, money won, laps led, cautions and more on the Charlotte Race Results page (pdf).(10-13-2012)
Where did the 12 Chase drivers finish at Charlotte?
[by points standings before the race (start pos)]
1) #2-Brad Keselowski, 11th (20)
2) #48-Jimmie Johnson, 3rd (5)
3) #11-Denny Hamlin, 2nd (9)
4) #5-Kasey Kahne, 8th (10)
5) #15-Clint Bowyer, WON (4)
6) #24-Jeff Gordon, 18th (13)
7) #14-Tony Stewart, 13th (32)
8) #56-Martin Truex Jr., 10th (6)
9) #16-Greg Biffle, 4th (1)
10) #29-Kevin Harvick, 16th (11)
11) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., didn’t race, out with concussion
12) #17-Matt Kenseth, 17th (7)
(10-13-2012)
2012 Sprint Cup Driver CHASE Championship Points Standings:
[after Charlotte, race 31 of 36]
1) #2-Brad Keselowski [5 wins], 2214
2) #48-Jimmie Johnson [3 wins], 2207, -7
3) #11-Denny Hamlin [5 wins], 2199, -15
4) #15-Clint Bowyer [3 wins], 2186, -28
5) #5-Kasey Kahne [2 wins], 2179, -35
6) #16-Greg Biffle [2 wins], 2171, -43
7) #56-Martin Truex Jr. [0 wins], 2165, -49
8) #14-Tony Stewart [3 wins], 2164, -50
9) #24-Jeff Gordon [1 win], 2164, -50
10) #29-Kevin Harvick [0 wins], 2158, -56
11) #17-Matt Kenseth [2 wins], 2147, -67
12) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. [1 win], 2128, -86
(ties broken by 1sts, 2nds, 3rd, etc)
See drivers championship points standings on the Drivers Points Standings (pdf)
Race Fast Facts – Charlotte
#15-Clint Bowyer won the 53rd Annual Bank of America 500, his eighth victory in 248 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.
This is his third victory and 19th top-10 finish in 2012.
This is his first victory and fourth top-10 finish in 14 races at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
In 14 races at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Bowyer had his highest starting position in the 2012 Bank of America 500 (fourth).
#11-Denny Hamlin (second) posted his eighth top-10 finish in 15 races at Charlotte Motor Speedway. It is his 16th top-10 finish in 2012.
#48-Jimmie Johnson (third) posted his 15th top-10 finish in 23 races at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
#2-Brad Keselowski leads the point standings by 7 points over Jimmie Johnson.
(NASCAR Integrated Sports Marketing)(10-13-2012)
Top-35 in Owner Points and guaranteed a starting spot at Kansas:
#36 remains in 35th and and drops to 99 points ahead of 36th, the #21 team.
there virtually no chance the top-35 will change the rest of the season.
Rank) Car#-Driver/Team, owners pts, +/-
34) #32-TBA/FAS Lane Racing, 421 +142
35) #36-Blaney/Baldwin, 378 +9 ahead of 36th
these teams / drivers will need to qualify by speed:
36) #21-Bayne/Wood Bros., 279, -99pts out of the top 35
37) #33-Whitt/Childress-Falk, 234, -144
38) #30-Stremme/Inception, 218, -160
The teams are NOT locked in past the next race as the owners points change after each race.
For the owner points standings, see the Owners Points Standings (pdf).(10-13-2012)
Charlotte Notes-n-Nuggets:
” Clint Bowyer earned his eighth career win in his 248th start.
” Clint Bowyer’s last win was at Richmond on Sept. 12 — four starts in between.
” Clint Bowyer garnered his third victory of 2012 (Sonoma, Richmond).
” Clint Bowyer became the fifth driver with three or more wins in 2012.
” Clint Bowyer picked up his first victory at Charlotte in his 14th start at CMS.
” Clint Bowyer is the 45th different driver to win at Charlotte.
” Clint Bowyer won for the first time on a 1.5 mile track.
” Clint Bowyer earned his first top five on a 1.5 mile track since Texas (April 11) — 16 races ago.
” Clint Bowyer won the fifth Chase race of his career.
” Clint Bowyer’s last pit stop was on lap 278.
” Clint Bowyer led three times for 29 laps, including the final 25.
” Michael Waltrip Racing earned its fifth Career win.
” Michael Waltrip Racing picked up its third victory of 2012.
” Michael Waltrip Racing won for the second time at Charlotte.
” Toyota won for the 10th time in 2012.
” Toyota garnered its second all-time win at Charlotte.
” Denny Hamlin (second) finished second in both Charlotte races in 2012, best finish there in 15 starts (now sits third in points — 15 out of the lead after gaining eight points).
” Jimmie Johnson (third) grabbed his 16th top-five finish of 2012, most of all drivers, and fourth top-four finish of the Chase (moved from 14 points back to seven points behind and is second in points).
” Greg Biffle (fourth) placed fourth in both Charlotte races of 2012; best finish of the Chase so far.
” Kyle Busch (fifth) has finished in the top-10 in 10 of the last 11 races at Charlotte but is still winless there.
” Mark Martin (sixth) earned his 447th career top-10 finish in his 850th career start; fourth top-10 finish in his last five starts.
” Regan Smith (38th) had engine problems on lap 61 after subbing in for Dale Earnhardt Jr. who sat out due to concussions.
(Racing Resources and Services — Statistics Racing Recall / nascar.com)(10-13-2012)
2012 Sprint Cup Driver Championship Points Standings without Chase:
(classic system using current points but NOT the chase system)
[after Charlotte, race 31 of 36]
1) #16-Greg Biffle(X) [2 wins], 1079
2) #48-Jimmie Johnson(X) [3 wins], 1078, -1
3) #2-Brad Keselowski(X) [5 wins], 1073, -6
4) #17-Matt Kenseth(X) [2 wins], 1041, -38
5) #15-Clint Bowyer(X) [3 wins], 1038, -41
6) #11-Denny Hamlin(X) [4 wins], 1037, -42
7) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr.(X) [1 win], 1027, -52
8) #56-Martin Truex Jr.(X) [0 wins], 1027, -52
9) #29-Kevin Harvick(X) [0 wins], 999, -80
10) #5-Kasey Kahne(X) [2 wins], 993, -86
11) #14-Tony Stewart(X) [3 wins], 965, -114
12) #18-Kyle Busch [1 win], 951, -128
13) #24-Jeff Gordon(X) [1 win], 941, -138
14) #39-Ryan Newman [1 win], 889, -190
15) #99-Carl Edwards [0 wins], 881, -198
(ties broken by 1sts, 2nds, 3rd, etc)
(X) = a Chase driver.
Smith comments on his run in the #88 at Charlotte: Regan Smith, temporary substitute driver for Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the #88 AMP Energy / National Guard Chevy was sidelined on lap 61 with engine failure:
Q) DID YOU HAVE ANY INDICATION OF WHAT HAPPENED TO THE ENGINE?
Smith: “No, we are still looking at everything. I think the important part was is that we had a really fast race car. We had a good first adjustment there, went just a little too far with it and got a little too free. Needed one more stop and I think we would have had it dialed in and then just chased the weather from that point on. It’s disappointing. It’s a good team, it’s a good car and everybody at Hendrick Motorsports does a great job. I’m looking forward to next week. We get three days to test when we get there to Kansas and we will see if we can get the AMP Energy/National Guard Chevrolet up front there. I feel confident we will have the same speed we had here. “(Team Chevy)(10-13-2012)
A bunch of cars going to the rear: per Mark Garrow of goprn.com, the following six drivers/cars will go to the rear before the start of the Bank of America 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Charltote Motor Speedway: #39-Ryan Newman (engine – was to start 3rd); #42-Juan Pablo Montoya (engine change – 22nd); #31-Jeff Burton (engine – 39th); #91-Reed Sorenson (engine – 43rd); #93-Travis Kvapil (transmission change – 41st) and #38-David Gilliland (transmission – 36th)(10-13-2012)
Race Coverage of the Bank of America 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway is scheduled for Saturday, October 13, 2012.
Television (TV): ABC at 7:30 pm/et; NASCAR Countdown Pre-Race show at 7:00 pm/et; green flag approx 7:46pm/et
Radio: Performance Racing Network (PRN) and Sirius XM Satellite NASCAR Radio 90
Scheduled Race Re-Airs:
ESPN, Sunday, October 14 at 4:30pm/et; SPEED, Wednesday, October 17 at 12:00pm/et
Added all 47 car that attempted to make the race at Charlotte in October: #1 McDonalds, #2 Miller Lite, #5 Time Warner Cable, #6 Best Buy, #9 Stanley, #10 TMOne / TBR, #11 FedEx Ground, #13 GEICO, #14 Mobil 1 / Office Depot, #15 Five Hour Energy Pink Lemonade, #16 3M IDG, #17 Best Buy, #18 M&M;’s, #19 Plinker Tactical, #20 Home Depot, #21 Good Sam / Camping World, #22 Shell / Pennzoil, #23 Noth Texas Pipe, #24 Drive to End Hunger / Ninja Turtles, #26 MDS, #27 Menard’s / Pittsburgh Paints, #29 Jimmy Johns, #30 pink numbers, #31 Caterpillar / Phillips & Jordan / All Mini Machine Services, #32 U.S. Chrome, #33 LittleJoesAutos, #34 Glory Foods, #36 white/TBR, #37 MaxQworkforce.com, #38 Glory Foods, #39 Quicken Loans / Ninja Turtles, #42 Target, #43 Smithfield, #47 Scott’s Products / pink numbers, #48 MyLowes, #51 Phoenix Racing / Smiley Face,#55 Aaron’s, #56 NAPA Auto Parts, #78 Furniture Row, #83 Burger King, #87 AM FM Energy, #88 Amp Energy, #91 Aquaria USA, #93 Dr. Pepper, #95 B&D; Electrical Contractors, #98 K-Love and#99 Cheez-It
“Turtle Powered” Family Broadcast at 7:00pm/et: Race fans young and old can listen to a “Turtle Powered” family broadcast of the Bank of America 500 from Charlotte Motor Speedway beginning at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 13. A team of prominent NASCAR broadcasters will share the announcing duties with their sons and daughters for a one-of-a-kind production that families are sure to enjoy. In addition to all of the on-track action of the Bank of America 500, fans will get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Nickelodeon’s animated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles television show through interviews with the actors behind the famous turtle voices and more.
Special Guest Commentators
” Scott Joy, son of Gaye and Mike Joy and driver of the #17 Sunoco Bandolero in the Outlaw class at Charlotte Motor Speedway’s Summer Shootout Series. Scott will join his father Mike, lead anchor for Fox Sports’ NASCAR broadcast team, to kick things off.
” Then it’s former NASCAR crew chief and current Fox Sports race analyst Larry McReynolds and his daughters Brooke and Kendall McReynolds.
” SPEED Channel pit reporter Bob Dillner and his son, up-and-coming Bandolero racer, Blaise Dillner and daughter Meghan Dillner, experienced driver and Appalachian State University student will be next in the booth.
” Pit reporters for the broadcast will be Ford Martin, son of NASCAR crew chief Gil Martin, and 14-year-old Pro All-Star Series driver Gray Gaulding.
” From WDEV in Vermont, Amy McGovern will be joining.
This “Turtle Powered” special presentation will also be available on track scanner frequency 454.500. For fans at the track, Charlotte Motor Speedway is offering special Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles race scanner rentals for just $19.95. Call 1-800-455-FANS (3267) for more information.(CMS), to listen, go to the link at charlottemotorspeedway.com/family_broadcast/(10-13-2012)
A couple streaks end – no Earnhardt and no North Carolina driver in the race:
Saturday night’s event at Charlotte Motor Speedway brings a rarity in NASCAR — a premier-series race without a driver named Earnhardt in the starting field. #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. is sitting out this weekend’s event at Charlotte, and will also skip next Sunday’s race at Kansas Speedway, as he deals with the effects of two concussions suffered within six weeks of one another. The Bank of America 500 will be the first event in what’s now known as the Sprint Cup circuit without an Earnhardt in the field since September 3, 1979, and the last of four races Dale Earnhardt missed because of injuries suffered in a crash. Prior to Saturday, the last Cup-level race without an Earnhardt was at Darlington on Labor Day weekend in 1979 (NASCAR.com).
AND With Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Mooresville, N.C.) sidelined with a concussion and Scott Riggs (Bahama, N.C.) failing to make the field, the green flag will wave on a field without a driver from North Carolina for the first time since May 27, 1961, at Ascot Stadium in Los Angeles.(FoxSports)(10-13-2012)
Busch’s crew finds problem with car: The crew of Kyle Busch’s #18 M&M;’s Toyota found a cracked track bar mount on the car before the race and changed the part, preventing what could have been a serious failure at speed. Crews checked the other Joe Gibbs Racing cars and determined that the issue on the #18 was isolated. Busch posted the fastest lap in Friday’s final practice session, but he was more concerned with longer runs. “It’s nice to have the fastest lap, but it doesn’t really mean much,” Busch said. “What we’re really looking at are lap averages – but it’s a good car.”(NASCAR Wire Service)(10-13-2012)
The band 311 featured on the #10 at CMS: The Distinct Band and Triple Platinum Recording Artists 311 (pronounced “three-eleven”) from Omaha, Nebraska and their notorious logo will be celebrated on the #10 TBR / TMone.com Chevy. TMone, an Inc. 5000 American Fastest Growing Privately help Company for the past 6 years and Tommy Baldwin Racing (TBR) and NASCAR team Sponsor carved out part of their sponsorship space this weekend to thank 311 for over a decade of fuel and inspiration. David Reutimann will pilot the No. 10 TBR / TMone.com Chevrolet in Saturday’s Bank of America 500. “We are thrilled to have 311 on board here in Charlotte at the home of NASCAR this weekend,” commented Tommy Baldwin. “Everyone knows who they are and they clearly have moved a variety of people of all ages with their music.”(TBR)(10-13-2012)
Chevy can clinch Manufacturers’ Championship: Chevrolet can mathematically clinch its 10th consecutive NSCS Manufacturers’ Championship (and 36th overall) on Saturday in Charlotte. If Chevrolet leads the manufacturer standings by 31 points leaving the race, it will clinch. Chevrolet currently holds a 27-point lead over Toyota.(NASCAR), see the rules, race-by-race, drivers with most points, manufacturer wins and more on the 2012 Manufacturers’ Championship standings page. So if a Chevy wins, a Toyota would need to finish behind a Ford and/or Dodge for Chevy to clinch, Chevy can’t clinch without winning at Charlotte.(10-13-2012)
Crew chief Gibson talks about Newman’s engine change: #39-Ryan Newman will start at the rear of the field in Saturday’s race at CHarlotte due to engine change. #39 Crew Chief, Tony Gibson was asked about it.
Q) YOU QUALIFIED THIRD, BUT THIS DOESN’T LOOK GOOD. WHAT’S THE ISSUE WITH THE CAR?
Gibson: “Something happened there. We started off in Happy Hour to make a long run and we got about six laps into it and it started tightening up on him (Ryan Newman) pretty good, so he shut it off and came in (to garage) and there is definitely something big wrong. I’m not sure what, but all the guys from Hendricks will figure out what’s wrong and we’ll put another one in it and will be good to go tomorrow. It’s too bad when you’ve got the track position, but that’s part of it and we’ll get after it. I know they’ll figure out what happened and we’ll get another motor in it and we’ll be fine.”(Team Chevy)(10-13-2012)
Gordon would ‘play hurt’ if he were close to title: While #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. earned praise for his forthright handling of a concussion after Sunday’s race at Talladega, 324-Jeff Gordon, Earnhardt’s teammate at Hendrick Motorsports, said he may not have taken the same path. Earnhardt sought medical attention for his second concussion in six weeks after failing to do so for the first concussion, sustained Aug. 29 in an accident during testing at Kansas Speedway. Prominent neurologist Dr. Jerry Petty diagnosed the issue this week and opted to hold Earnhardt out at least the next two races, at Charlotte and Kansas. Earnhardt, who qualified for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup for the second straight season, starts his enforced hiatus 11th in the standings, 51 points behind leader Brad Keselowski. Realistically, Earnhardt would have been a long shot for the championship. If he were closer to the lead, would he have been as forthcoming with his condition? Gordon said that, personally, he wouldn’t seek medical attention with the title on the line. “Honestly, I hate to say this, but no, I wouldn’t,” Gordon admitted. “That’s why I say we all play a part in this. If I have a thought at the championship, there’s two races to go, my head is hurting, and I just came through a wreck, and I am feeling signs of it, but I’m still leading the points, or second in the points, I’m not going to say anything. I’m sorry. You know, that’s the competitor in me, and probably many other guys. And, that’s to a fault. That’s not the way it should be. It’s something that most of us, I think, would do. I think that’s what gets a lot of us in trouble.”(NASCAR Wire Service)(10-13-2012)
Gibbs Hauler driver wins challenge: Joe Gibbs Racing driver Tom McCrimmons [#20 Toyota] was announced as the 2012 champion of the Pilot/Flying J Truck Driver Challenge Friday at Charlotte Motor Speedway. It was McCrimmons’ second title, having won in 2009. It was also the fifth win in nine years for a JGR driver. McCrimmons pocketed $30,000 for his win in this year’s contest. “I told him, ‘Hey it’s just like [NASCAR] drivers; you’ve gotta split that with us. It’s 50-50,'” Joe Gibbs Racing President JD Gibbs joked. “When the race is over, we all travel home, fly home, ride home. The guys who drive the trucks your job just begins. So I just want to say thank you on behalf of what you guys do for the sport, the way you guys do it with safety, the way you guys do it with class. It’s a big deal.” Eric Burgoyne of Champion Tire and Wheel finished second, earning $7,500, and Richard Petty Motorsports driver Bob Decker finished third, picking up $2,500. The 2013 Pilot/Flying J Truck Driver Challenge will celebrate the event’s 10-year anniversary and will be supported by special advertisements created with the hauler drivers promoting highway safety.(CMS)(10-13-2012)
Sprint confirms talks with Softbank UPDATE: Sprint Nextel Corp. says that it is talking with the Japanese cellphone company Softbank about making a potential substantial investment in the U.S. company. Sprint Nextel Corp. said Thursday that it can’t assure that the talks will lead to any transaction, but also confirmed that a deal could involve a “change of control” of the company. The No. 3 U.S. wireless carrier said it does not plan to give any more details unless it reaches an agreement with Softbank.(Associated Press), no word on how or if this will affect sponsorship of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.(10-11-2012)
UPDATE: Sprint, which announced last December that it had extended its sponsorship of NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series through 2016, is in discussions to sell a majority of the company’s stock to Japanese telecommunications company SoftBank. Sprint confirmed the talks in a news release Thursday. NASCAR officials had no immediate comment Friday on how a possible sale of the company could impact its partnership with Sprint. If Sprint is sold, it would mark the second time that NASCAR’s premier series sponsor was sold since Nextel took over for Winston in 2004. Sprint bought Nextel in 2005 and assumed the original 10-year sponsorship deal that went through 2013. Sprint renamed the Nextel Cup Series to the Sprint Cup Series in 2008. Sprint announced an extension of that deal last year.(Sporting News)(10-13-2012)
Wrecks! Dramatic Crashes of NASCAR: The NASCAR Hall of Fame introduced its newest exhibit, Wrecks! Dramatic Crashes of NASCAR, which opened Oct. 12. The most action-packed exhibit to date at the facility, it presents an impactful visual that puts the breathtaking, inevitable part of racing front and center, exploring how competitors and their equipment are pushed to the limit and beyond. Featuring cars, artifacts and media, the exhibit chronicles some of NASCAR’s most spectacular wrecks; each of the drivers featured emerged to race again. The new exhibition, located in the Great Hall within the NASCAR Hall of Fame, is just in time for the excitement accompanying the Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Wrecks! Dramatic Crashes of NASCAR runs through mid-February.(NASCAR Hall of Fame Facebook)(10-13-2012)

News from October 12, 2012

ESPN.com’s Racecast – Live Coverage and Chat
Racing Live! on ESPN.com
Listen Live Online at Performace Racing Network
Fantasy NASCAR Chat with Mark Garrow / the Guru at 4:30pm/et on Saturday
Ask in-race reporter Denny Hamlin
Happy Hour practice for the Bank of America 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway is over, after 60 scheduled minutes, the top-five, slowest and notes:
#18-Busch 188.383
#88-Smith 188.009
#55-Martin 187.905
#48-Johnson 187.878
#27-Menard 187.402
slowest: #36-Blaney 181.892 & #32-Hill 182.057
no speed: #91-Sorenson
notes: #39-Newman’s had engine issues and will change engines and give up the 3rd starting spot and have to start the race at the rear of the field on Saturday night.
See speeds, best top-10 average and laps run on the Charlotte Happy Hour practice speeds page (pdf).(10-12-2012)
Friday 1st practice for the Bank of America 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway is over, after 55 scheduled minutes, the top-five, slowest and notes:
#16-Biffle 187.065
#5-Kahne 186.593
#29-Harvick 186.574
#48-Johnson 186.361
#55-Martin 186.278
slowest: #37-Yeley 179.647 and #36-Blaney 180.168
there is no TV coverage for this practice, Happy Hour practice is scheduled for 5:30pm/et and be shown on ESPN2.
See speeds, best top-10 average and laps run on the Charlotte practice 2 speeds page (pdf).(10-12-2012)
Pit Stall Selections: The selections of pit stalls for the Bank of America 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway have been made.
Pole sitter #16-Biffle chose pit stall 1 [as do most pole sitters].
Outside pole sitter #55-Martin took pit stall 15, the first pitstall with an opening in front of it.
#39-Newman, who starts 3rd took the 14th pit stall, the 1st stall with an opening behind it.
The 43rd and final pit stall was taken by #17-Kenseth, who starts 7th.
To see where the drivers/teams pit stall is, see the pit selection chart on the Pit Stall Selection chart.(10-12-2012)
Liftmaster renewals partnership with EGR: LiftMaster, the world’s number one brand of professionally installed garage door openers, gate operators and commercial door operators, announced recently that it will extend its partnership with Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates and driver Jamie McMurray through 2014. The partnership will include LiftMaster as the primary sponsor on the #1 Chevy driven by 2010 Daytona 500 winner Jamie McMurray. In addition to the one-race primary sponsorship, LiftMaster’s branding will be prominent on the #1 Chevy for the remaining NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races, along with placement on McMurray’s firesuit and the #1 team uniforms. To coincide with the partnership extension with Earnhardt Ganassi Racing and Jamie McMurray, LiftMaster renewed its alliance with JMI (Just Marketing International), their motorsports agency of record. LiftMaster will look to JMI to maximize its NASCAR assets and execute on-site activation and regional programming with LiftMaster’s 4,000 independent dealers.(Earnhardt Ganassi Racing)(10-12-2012)
Infield care centers not required to do concussion checks: NASCAR vice president of competition Steve O’Donnell said Thursday that tracking concussions of drivers is a “subjective call.” Dale Earnhardt Jr. will miss Saturday’s Bank of America 500 and next weekend’s race at Kansas after suffering two concussions over the past six weeks. One came in an accident at a test in late August at Kansas Speedway; the second occurred during the last-lap crash Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway. It wasn’t until Earnhardt saw a neurosurgeon this week, however, that he was diagnosed. Dr. Jerry Petty, who saw Earnhardt, made the decision to sit him for two races. Earnhardt, who was checked by medical personnel at both tracks following the wrecks, said Thursday he understood and “trusted” Petty’s decision. “It’s very tough,” O’Donnell said of NASCAR’s role. “It’s still a subjective call. It’s something we take a look at week in and week out. So we’ll continue to do that.” Doctors staffing NASCAR infield care centers can but are not required to give drivers a Concussion Reduction Technology test or MRI if a concussion is suspected. Drivers with concussions must receive medical clearance to return to racing. O’Donnell said there have been nine confirmed concussions in NASCAR’s three top divisions Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Truck during the past five years. “We look at (the cars), candidly, as a rolling laboratory,” said O’Donnell. “Each and every event, we try to learn something new and make them as safe as possible, and I would say our race cars are the safest in the world. I think when you look at the concussion history that we’ve had, that’s less than two per year. I don’t want to minimize that because any concussion is a cause for concern, and we’d like that number to be zero.”(Charlotte Observer)(10-12-2012)
New Track Qualifying Records set in 2012 (so far)
Seven qualifying track records have been set in 2012, including four races in a row during June.
1) Las Vegas, #5-Kasey Kahne, 190.456mph, March 9, 2012 – was 188.884
2) Pocono, #20-Joey Logano, 179.598mph, June 9, 2012 – was 172.533
3) Michigan, #9-Marcos Ambrose, 203.241mph, June 16, 2012 – was 194.232mph
4) Sonoma, #9-Marco Ambrose, 95.262mph, June 22, 2012 – was 94.325
5) Kentucky, #48-Jimmie Johnson, 181.818mph, July 29, 2012 – was no qualifying in 2011
6) Watkins Glen, #42-Juan Pablo Montoya, 127.020mph, August 11, 2012 – was 126.421
7) Charlotte, #16-Greg Biffle, 193.708mph, October 11, 2012 – was 193.216
(10-12-2012)
Special guests of Burton & RCR: Television show host and personality Mike Rowe will attend the Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Saturday, Oct. 13 and join winners of the Caterpillar “Your Company Name on the #31 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Car” promotion. Rowe, best known for his roles as creator, host and executive producer of Discovery Channel’s Emmy nominated series “Dirty Jobs,” will be at several activities surrounding Saturday night’s 500-mile event at the Concord, N.C.-based facility. Rowe will congratulate winners from Phillips & Jordan in Knoxville, Tenn. and All Mini Machine Services in Delta, British Columbia whose company logos will be displayed on the #31 Caterpillar Sprint Cup Series Chevy. To help highlight the efforts of Rowe’s foundation, Caterpillar is also adding the mikeroweWORKS logo to the car.(RCR)(10-12-2012)
Dueling Davids Can Earn One Million Dollars: At a press conference earlier Thursday, Glory Foods, along with and NASCAR drivers #34-David Ragan and #38-David Gilliland, both of Front Row Motorsports, presented $50,000 to Feeding America to benefit its child hunger relief efforts. The donation is a part of the “Race To Feeding America” campaign, which officially launched July 30. Today’s monetary gift, along with the contribution of more than 54,600 pounds of canned goods thus far, will help the campaign exceed its goal of more than 500,000 meals to Feeding America, the nation’s leading domestic-hunger relief charity. On Saturday, Oct. 13, at the Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Gilliland and Ragan will have a spirited head-to-head challenge to see if either can take the checkered flag to donate $1 million from Glory Foods, Inc. to Feeding America. The Bank of America 500 will be the “Race To Feeding America” finale race, rounding out a total of four NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events in which Glory Foods sponsored the #34 of Ragan either the #38 of Gilliland in 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events in Daytona in July, Bristol in August and Atlanta in Spet. NASCAR fans can help by visiting the campaign’s official website, www.racetofeedingamerica.org, or donate to member food banks of Feeding America in their communities.(FRM), see images of the cars on the #34 Team Schemes page and #38 Team Schemes page.(10-12-2012)
Pastrana Wins Better Half Dash: As her beaming husband said as he watched her drive into Victory Lane, Lyn-Z Adams Hawkins Pastrana is “pretty good with the wheeled stuff.” An eight-time X Games medalist in skateboarding, Pastrana bested 11 other “better halves” of the NASCAR community in Thursday’s 25-lap event benefitting Speedway Children’s Charities and Motor Racing Outreach. Pastrana and her husband, motocross ace and NASCAR rookie Travis Pastrana, are both into just about anything with wheels, so perhaps her prowess shouldn’t have come so unexpectedly. “We do like to go karting,” Lyn-Z said. “If we see a track when we’re driving we go there, for sure, and I’m just starting to figure out how to take the corners.” Pastrana looked like a seasoned veteran, in the corners and everywhere else. After starting second, she began looking to pass leader and polesitter Wendy Venturini on lap four but couldn’t clear her. Pastrana patiently waited several laps before cleanly passing Venturini for the lead. She held on to the lead for the remainder of the race, even as many of the other drivers tangled. Jacquelyn Butler, fiancï¿½e of David Ragan finished second.(CMS)(10-12-2012)
Free Golf: If three full days of racing action isn’t enough, ticketholders for this weekend’s Bank of America NASCAR races can also use their stubs to watch free golf. Race fans can show their tickets for free admission to any round of official tournament play Friday or Saturday at the Greater Hickory Classic at Rock Barn Golf and Spa in Conover, N.C.(CMS)(10-12-2012)
Country Rockers Big & Rich to Rock Bank of America 500: Charlotte Motor Speedway is set to get even louder when country rockers Big & Rich “crank it up to eleven” at the Bank of America 500 Pre-Race Show Presented by Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on Saturday, Oct. 13, as part of a thrilling week of speed, danger and fun. Fans will have an opportunity to jam with the guitar-slinging, country-singing, multi-platinum selling duo, Big & Rich, as they get the speedway rocking with songs of the past and present, including those from their new album Hillbilly Jedi, set for release on Sept. 18 on Warner Bros. Records.
The concert will take place on Saturday afternoon, Oct. 13, on the main stage of Charlotte Motor Speedway’s frontstretch, just before the Bank of America 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. Along with the rocking performance by Big & Rich, the Bank of America 500 Pre-Race Show Presented by Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles will include a dangerous stunt by Guinness World Record holding daredevil and high-wire artist Nik Wallenda, who will walk the high-wire from high above the grandstands to Victory Lane, and a performance by Victoria Justice of Nickelodeon’s hit series Victorious and the feature film Fun Size, in theaters Oct. 26.
Fans who want a front row seat for the entertainment and driver introductions can purchase a special driver introductions pass for $150, which includes a wristband for frontstretch stage access to see Big & Rich, cheer on your favorite drivers up-close at the driver introductions, and get the full NASCAR experience at the afternoon pit party, featuring appearances by Richard Petty, Denny Hamlin and other NASCAR personalities. For tickets and information call 1-800-455-FANS (3267) or visit www.charlottemotorspeedway.com.(CMS)(10-12-2012)
Baby born at NHMS has died at three weeks old: Police say a baby girl born at New Hampshire Motor Speedway last month when her mother went into labor before she could reach the hospital has died. Katie Anne Hebert was just three weeks old. Laconia Police Capt. Matt Canfield said the child was pronounced dead early Monday at Lakes Region General Hospital, where she was taken by ambulance after she was found not breathing at home. Canfield said police and emergency personnel responded to a call around 11:45 p.m. Sunday to the apartment where Katie lived with her mother. Resuscitation efforts in the ambulance and at the hospital were not successful, and the child was pronounced dead at the hospital. “We are investigating as we would any untimely death, especially a child. However, we do not have reason to believe anything suspicious about it,” Canfield said. Results showed nothing abnormal or suspicious, and the cause of death remained unclear, Canfield said. Toxicology tests were also performed and could take up to six to eight weeks to process. The baby made headlines when she was born at the race track in Loudon on Sept. 14 as her parents were en route to Concord Hospital.(New Hampshire Union Leader)(10-12-2012)
U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds return to the Daytona 500: The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, known around the globe for their precision aerobatics, will perform the flyover for the 55th annual Daytona 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season opener on Sunday, Feb. 24, at Daytona International Speedway. It’s the third consecutive year that the flying team, officially known as the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, will perform the flyover for “The Great American Race.” The Thunderbirds also provided the flyover in 2008 for the 50th running of the Daytona 500. The Thunderbirds flyover will feature six F-16 Fighting Falcons, the Air Force’s premier multi-role fighter aircraft, soaring over the Speedway at the end of the playing of the national anthem. This week, the USAF Thunderbirds are visiting Daytona Beach for the second time in 2012, this time to perform in Embry-Riddle’s “Wings and Waves Air Show,” which takes place on the Daytona Beach shoreline Oct. 13-14. The Thunderbirds team is an Air Combat Command unit composed of eight pilots (including six demonstration pilots), four support officers, four civilians and more than 100 enlisted Airmen serving in about 30 Air Force job specialties. Since the unit’s inception in 1953, more than 350 million people in all 50 states and 61 countries have witnessed the distinctive red, white and blue jets in thousands of official aerial demonstrations. Tickets for NASCAR’s biggest, richest and most prestigious race the 55th annual Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 24 start at $65 and are available at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.(DIS)(10-12-2012)
Gale Helps Breast Cancer Survivors Turn Martinsville Speedway’s Curbs Pink: As a race driver, Cale Gale knows it is best to come close, but not touch the curbs at Martinsville Speedway. Thursday he got closer than he’s ever been to those infamous curbs and he was smiling the entire time. Gale, who competes in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, helped a group of breast cancer survivors paint Martinsville Speedway’s curbs pink to mark National Breast Cancer Awareness month and help bring more attention to the cause. The curbs will remain pink during the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 Late Model Stock race on October 21, the Kroger 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on October 27, and the TUMS Fast Relief 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup race on October 28. “I feel good about what we’re doing today, it’s obviously for a special cause,” said Gale, whose truck will be carrying the pink and black colors of Rheem’s Chase a Cure program in the Kroger 200. “It’s a charitable organization that helps benefit the Young Survival Coalition and raising awareness for breast cancer. It’s a lot of fun to be a part of and I think I look good in pink.” The Young Survival Coalition was the first nonprofit organization to focus exclusively on the unique needs of young women diagnosed with breast cancer. Kevin Harvick will run a similar black and pink Rheem’s Chase A Cure program paint scheme in the TUMS Fast Relief 500 on October 28 at Martinsville. Both drivers will be wearing special black and pink driver’s suits. Gale had help in painting the curbs from four breast cancer survivors form the Martinsville-Henry County area that are part of the Martinsville and Henry County Coalition for Health and Wellness. This was the second year that Martinsville Speedway turned its iconic curbs pink as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. There are two big weekends of action coming up at Martinsville Speedway, the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 on October 21 and the TUMS Fast Relief 500 weekend Oct. 26-28. Tickets for all of the fall events are on sale and may be purchased by calling 1.877.RACE.TIX or by visiting martinsvillespeedway.comonline.(Martinsville Speedway)(10-12-2012)

News from October 11, 2012
Biffle wins pole at Charlotte: #16-Greg Biffle won the pole for the Bank of America 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway with a TRACK RECORD speed of 193.708mph for his 3rd pole of 2012 and 12th career pole. Biffle has never won a Speint Cup Series race from the pole.
#55-Martin will start 2nd followed by #39-Newman, #15-Bowyer, #48-Johnson, #56-Truex, Jr., #17-Kenseth, #18-Busch, #11-Hamlin and #5-Kahne.
The go-or-go homers who made the race (8): #21-Bayne, #95-Speed, #19-Bliss, #6-Stenhouse Jr., #30-Stremme, #98-McDowell, #37-Yeley and #91-Sorenson.
The go-or-go homers who failed to qualify for the race (4): #87-Nemechek, #26-Wise, #23-Riggs and #33-Whitt.
See qualifying results & starting lineup on the Charlotte Qualifying Page.(10-11-2012)
Where did the 12 Chase drivers start at Charlotte?
[by points standings before the race]
1) #2-Brad Keselowski 20th
2) #48-Jimmie Johnson 5th
3) #11-Denny Hamlin 9th
4) #5-Kasey Kahne 10th
5) #15-Clint Bowyer 4th
6) #24-Jeff Gordon 13th
7) #14-Tony Stewart 32nd
8) #56-Martin Truex Jr. 6th
9) #16-Greg Biffle 1st
10) #29-Kevin Harvick 11th
11) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., didn’t race, out with concussion
12) #17-Matt Kenseth 7th
(10-11-2012)
Qualifying Fast Facts – Charlotte:
#16-Greg Biffle won the Coors Light Pole Award for the 53rd Annual Bank of America 500 with a lap of 27.877 seconds, 193.708 mph.
This is his 12th pole in 361 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.
This is his third pole and 19th top-10 start in 2012.
This is his first pole in 20 races at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Greg Biffle’s qualifying run broke the old record at CMS set by Elliott Sadler (193.216 mph) on Oct. 13, 2005.
Mark Martin (second) posted his 12th top-10 start of 2012 and his 31st in 56 races at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Ryan Newman (third) posted his 17th top-10 start at Charlotte Motor Speedway. It is his 18th in 31 races this season. (NASCAR Statistics)(10-11-2012)
Coverage of Qualifying for the Bank of America 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway is scheduled for Thursday, October 11, 2012 at 7:10pm/et.
Radio live on goprn.com
Television (TV): ESPN2, 7:00pm/et
Scheduled Qualifying Re-Air: none
Qualifying Order for the Bank of America 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway is posted. 47 cars/drivers are listed.
The first of the drivers scheduled to go out is #23-Riggs, slowest in practice.
The final driver scheduled to go out is #11-Hamlin, who was fastest in first practice.
Qualifying order is set by the first practice session, with slowest driver going out by speed and the fastest going out last. The non-top 35 drivers are now mixed in with the top-35 in owners points, slowest to fastest.
See the full qualifying order on the Pocono Qualifying Page.(10-11-2012)
Thursday practice for the Bank of America 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway is over, after 90 scheduled minutes, the top-five, slowest and notes:
#11-Hamlin 191.693
#55-Martin 191.442
#17-Kenseth 191.333
#20-Logano 191.157
#24-Gordon 190.975
#88-Smith is 7th fastest
#78-Busch is 18th
#51-Allmendinger is 19th
slowest: #23-Riggs 183.399 & #36-Blaney 183.830
this practice will determine the qualifying order for tonights qualifying, scheduled for 7:10pm/et, televised on ESPN2 and can be heard at goprn.com.
See speeds, best top-10 average and laps run on the Charlotte practice 1 speeds page (pdf).(10-11-2012)
Go-or-Go Homers practice at Charlotte: how fast/slow were the drivers who are not in the top-35 of owners points and must qualify by speed to make the Bank of America 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, where they practiced in the first practice:
the eight drivers who would make the race if things stayed the same:
#6-Stenhouse, Jr., 25th fastest overall
#98-McDowell, 26th
#21-Bayne, 27th
#19-Bliss, 34th
#95-Speed, 35th
#30-Stremme, 36th
#37-Yeley, 37th
#91-Sorenson, 40th
the five drivers who would miss the race if things stayed the same:
#87-Nemechek, 41st
#33-Whitt, 43rd
#26-Wise, 45th
#23-Riggs, 47th
(10-11-2012)
Earnhardt Jr. will not race at Charlotte or Kansas: Dale Earnhardt Jr. will not compete in the upcoming NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events at Charlotte Motor Speedway and Kansas Speedway after being diagnosed with a concussion following the Oct. 7 race at Talladega. Earnhardt, driver of the #88 Chevys for Hendrick Motorsports, was diagnosed Wednesday afternoon in Charlotte. Regan Smith will be the team’s substitute driver at Charlotte and Kansas.(Hendrick Motorsports), Earnhardt’s streak of consecutive starts in the Cup series will end at 461.(10-11-2012)
Dale Earnhardt Jr. press conference transcript: #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. met with media to discuss the fact that he will not be competing at this weekend’s race at Charlotte Motor Speedway nor at next week’s race at Kansas Speedway after being diagnosed with a concussion following the Oct. 7 race at Talladega Superspeedway. Also included in the discussion: Rick Hendrick, Owner of Hendrick Motorspots, Steve Letarte, Crew Chief, and Dr. Jerry Petty, neurosurgeon. The start of the transcript:
KERRY THARP: Joining us up front we have Steve Letarte, crew chief of the No. 88; Dale Earnhardt, Jr., driver of the No. 88; team owner Rick Hendrick; and Dr. Jerry Petty, neurosurgeon. At this time I’m going to call on Dale Earnhardt, Jr., who has some things he’d like to share with everyone.
DALE EARNHARDT, JR.: I guess I’ll just start out with where this all kind of began. We had a test at Kansas about five weeks ago, and we blew a right front tire going into Turn 1, and I remember everything about that accident and everything after that accident, but I knew that I didn’t feel — you know your body, and you know how your mind works, and I knew something was just not quite right. But I decided to just try to push through and work through it. I’d had concussions before and knew exactly kind of what I was dealing with. I felt pretty good after a week or two and definitely 80, 90 percent by the time the Chase started, and by the time we got to Talladega I felt 100 percent, felt really good. And then the accident at the end of that race, I was hit in the left rear quarter panel, and it was sort of an odd kind of a collision where the car spun around really quick and just sort of disoriented me, and I knew that I had sort of regressed and had a bit of a setback and knew — again, you know how your body is and you know when something is not quite right, and I knew as soon as it happened that I had reinjured myself, for lack of a better way to describe it. It didn’t feel — it was not even half of the impact that I had at Kansas, but it was enough to cause me some concern.
So I went a couple days wondering how my body would react and sort of waiting for it to process what was happening. About Wednesday I was still having some headaches, just that was really the only symptoms that I was having was the headaches. So I took it upon myself to — I contacted my sister, and we talked about seeing a neurosurgeon, and we ended up getting steered toward Dr. Petty. Met with him, ran through a couple tests, everything was checking out, and did an MRI, everything looked good there. But I was really honest with him about how I felt and honest with him about the whole process from Kansas all the way on.
He spent the night thinking about what we discussed and everything that we did on Wednesday and couldn’t clear me to race this weekend. I trust his opinion. That’s why I went to see him. He’s been a good friend of mine for a long time and has helped me through a lot of injuries before, so I believe when he tells me I don’t need to be in the car and I need to take a couple weeks off that that’s what I need to do.
That’s pretty much the extent of it. I got a lot of support from my team. I’m excited about their opportunities the next couple weeks with Regan, and just looking forward to getting this cleared up and getting back in the car as soon as I can so I can get back to work with my team and getting back to competing on Sundays.(Team Chevy Transcript), see the Full Transcript on my #88 Team News and Links page.(10-11-2012)
Sprint confirms talks with Softbank: Sprint Nextel Corp. says that it is talking with the Japanese cellphone company Softbank about making a potential substantial investment in the U.S. company. Sprint Nextel Corp. said Thursday that it can’t assure that the talks will lead to any transaction, but also confirmed that a deal could involve a “change of control” of the company. The No. 3 U.S. wireless carrier said it does not plan to give any more details unless it reaches an agreement with Softbank.(Associated Press), no word on how or if this will affect sponsorship of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.(10-11-2012)
Allmendinger to run the #51 at Charlotte: AJ Allmendinger will drive the No. 51 Phoenix Racing Chevrolet this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway, replacing Regan Smith, who will drive the #88 AMP/National Guard Chevy for Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Earnhardt announced today that he will be sidelined for the next two races after suffering a concussion in a final-lap crash at Talladega Superspeedway.
“I hadn’t even planned on going to the track this weekend,” said Allmendinger today. “I went to the gym this morning, without my phone. When I got back at 9:00, it was blown up with calls and text messages. I got a voice mail from (Phoenix Racing general manager) Steve Barkdoll saying, `Can you get to the track as soon as possible? We kinda need a driver.'” For Allmendinger, Saturday night’s race will mark his first Sprint Cup Series start since being suspended by NASCAR on July 7 after failing a random substance abuse test. “This is obviously not the way I wanted this to happen,” said Allmendinger. “I don’t ever want to see anyone get hurt, much less a guy like Dale who’s in the running for the championship. I don’t have details on what will happen going forward, I’m just driving to the track to get fitted into a race car. I’m sure it’s going to be a little hectic today, trying to get comfortable in the car after not driving anything for so long, but I’m appreciative for the opportunity. I’m happy to have a ride for the weekend, and I’m going to do my best to get a good finish Saturday night for James Finch and Phoenix Racing.”(Godfather Motorsports)(10-11-2012)
Kahne’s #5 scheme for Charlotte unveiled as a cake: With the help of pastry chef Duff Goldman, Hendrick Motorsports unveiled Kasey Kahne’s new #5 Time Warner Cable Chevy in a unique way on Wednesday night at the team’s headquarters. The new paint scheme was first unveiled as a life-size replica cake of the #5 that was made by Goldman and his team out of the Baltimore-based Charm City Cakes. After the curtain was raised, Kahne then drove the real car in and joined Goldman on stage for the ceremonial first cut. See more and an image at Motor Racing Network.(10-11-2012)
Kurt Busch Ready for Furniture Row Racing Debut: Former NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Kurt Busch will make his Furniture Row Racing debut in Saturday night’s Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The agreement with the Denver-based Furniture Row Racing calls for Busch to drive the team’s #78 Chevy in the final six Sprint Cup races of 2012 and during the 2013 campaign. “This weekend begins a new chapter in my racing career and also a new chapter for Furniture Row Racing,” said Busch, who captured the NASCAR title in 2004, the first year of the Chase. “The excitement level about driving the #78 Furniture Row/Farm American Chevrolet is at a high pitch and I can’t wait to get started.ccThis is a team that is committed and it’s also a team with plenty of potential. The guys are ready, I’m ready and we all look forward to having a positive debut. Our goal is not only to get ready for 2013, but also be competitive in the final six races. But first things first. We will need to work out the kinks as we attempt to get more speed out of the car. I look forward to working with crew chief Todd Berrier, he is a veteran in the Cup garage who has enjoyed success.”(Furniture Row Racing PR)(10-11-2012)
Matt Piercy Wins Kulwicki Scholarship: The Lee College of Engineering at UNC Charlotte has awarded its Alan Kulwicki Memorial Scholarship to Matthew Piercy of Conover, NC. The presentation of the 2012 scholarship will be made Friday October 12 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, prior to the running of the Dollar General 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race. The four-year Kulwicki Scholarship, established in 1994, is one of the highest honors within UNC Charlotte’s Motorsports Engineering program. The scholarship is given in memory of late NASCAR Winston Cup points champion Alan Kulwicki, who lost his life in a plane crash in 1993. Kulwicki was himself an engineer, and a strong supporter of engineering and science education. The Lee College of Engineering at UNC Charlotte presents the scholarship to a high-school senior who demonstrates outstanding academic achievement and has an affiliation with auto racing.(Lee College of Engineering at UNC Charlotte)(10-11-2012)
MyLowe’s on the #48 at Charlotte: Jimmie Johnson will pilot the #48 MyLowe’s Chevy at Charlotte. MyLowe’s allows customers to view their purchase history for products bought online and in-store. They can also create a home profile, with room dimensions, to plan for future projects and calculate how much product will be needed to complete a project. All of these features can be accessed from the customer’s personalized account on Lowes.com and through the Lowe’s mobile app. Lowe’s employees can also help customers access their MyLowe’s account through the employee iPhone to provide better, more personalized customer experiences.(Lowe’s Racing), see images of the scheme on the #48 Team Schemes page.(10-11-2012)
New associate sponsor for BK Racing: #83-Landon Cassill and #93-Travis Kvapil will have a new associate sponsor onboard their BK Racing Toyota’s this week, Rick’s Specialty Vehicles. Rick’s Specialty Vehicles developed and sells the Cricket ESV, which was perfectly designed to answer the ever-growing need of “destination mobility.” It’s great for people who need convenient, dependable, economical transportation when they’re at a temporary destination. Kvapil will be using the Cricket ESV to deliver Burger King Smoothies to infield guests at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Friday.(BK Racing)(10-11-2012)
Pink Lemonade colors for Bowyer at Charlotte: Clint Bowyer is racing the #15 Pink Lemonade 5-hour ENERGY/Avon Foundation for Women Breast Cancer Crusade Toyota at Charlotte. In 2012, 5-hour ENERGY is donating at least $75,000 to the Avon Foundation for Women Breast Cancer Crusade in connection with its new Pink Lemonade flavor. But that donation can increase a lot. The more Pink Lemonade 5-hour ENERGY sells, the more they will donate. Bowyer will also drive the pink paint scheme in the Kansas and Martinsville races. (MWR)(10-11-2012)
Charlotte Goodyear Tire Notes: Teams in both the NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series will run the same tire codes at Charlotte this weekend . . . this is the same combination of left- and right-side tires that NASCAR teams ran at Charlotte this past May . . . this is the same left-side tire code that these teams ran at Charlotte last season, as well . . . 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 codes, tire pressures, number of tires and more on the Charlotte Race Info – Goodyear section.(10-11-2012)
#47 team support National Breast Cancer Awareness Month: In support of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, JTG Daugherty Racing’s #47 SCOTT Products Toyota Camry will carry pink door numbers and a pink ribbon during the Bank of America 500 race weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway.(JTG Daugherty Racing)(10-11-2012)
Chassis selections for this weeks race: see the list of many teams [that report or post these] and what chassis were selected by the team to run at Charlotte on the Charlotte Race Info page – Chassis selection area.
Joe Gibbs Racing Fall FanFest – October 12: Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) Fall FanFest will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at its team headquarters in Huntersville, NC on Friday, Oct. 12. JGR NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers-Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano- will be available to sign autographs. JGR NASCAR Nationwide and development series drivers will also be available for autographs from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. More info on my NASCAR Charities page.(10-11-2012)

News from October 10, 2012
Glory Foods to Sponsor Gilliland & Ragan at Charlotte: There will be two Glory Foods-sponsored Fords at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Glory Foods will sponsor the Front Row Motorsports entries of David Ragan and the #34 team and also David Gilliland and the #38 team. The sponsorship is aimed to bring awareness to the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief charity, Feeding America. Glory Foods has partnered with Feeding America this year to support the cause against child hunger. As part of the “Race to Feeding America” campaign, Glory Foods will donate $1 million to Feeding America if either David Ragan or David Gilliland wins Saturday night’s 500-mile race. Gilliland and Ragan have already helped Glory Foods donate 43,000 pounds of canned goods to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina, a Feeding America Food Bank in Charlotte. This weekend’s race is the third sponsorship by Glory Foods with the race team and the “Race to Feeding America” campaign. Glory Foods previously sponsored the #34 team at both Bristol and Atlanta this fall with David Ragan behind the wheel. Ragan is now ready to race for the million dollar donation, an amount that would provide 8 million meals to children in need.(Breaking Limits)(10-10-2012)
K-LOVE Returns to the #98: With a little faith and some K-LOVE, Michael McDowell and his #98 Curb/Agajanian Ford are preparing to compete in Saturday night’s Bank of America 500 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. McDowell will bring the K-LOVE car to the track for the eighth time this season. McDowell most recently piloted the #98 K-LOVE Ford last weekend at the Talladega Superspeedway where the team finished 31st. The team plans to go the distance again at Charlotte Motor Speedway. “We have had a lot of support from K-LOVE and all their listeners this season,” said McDowell. “They have been a great partner of our PPR team because we all believe in the their positive, encouraging message. K-LOVE is a family friendly radio station and is safe for all ears, and this is important for me and my family. I’m proud to represent K-LOVE this weekend.” K-LOVE is a network of listener-supported, Christian music stations across the country. Based in California, K-LOVE is a supporter of McDowell, who is an outspoken Christian. “I think we’re very capable of having a great night on Saturday, but our weekend really starts on Thursday night,” said McDowell. “We will be qualifying Thursday night and we need to put in a fast lap to secure our starting spot. Gene Nead and the boys have built me a fast Ford Fusion and feel confident that we can put up a fast time. The goal on Saturday night is to show everyone what this small PPR team is capable of. I don’t think we have the resources to contend for wins, but competing in the top-20 is achievable for us and this K-LOVE team. We’re the underdog, but we enjoy that role. We love surprising people and hopefully we can do that this weekend.”(Breaking Limits)(10-10-2012)
Timmy Hill to run the #32 at Charlotte: NASCAR Nationwide Series regular Timmy Hill will be pulling double duty this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway (NC), racing in both the NASCAR Nationwide Series “Dollar General 300” on Friday, October 12th, and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series “Bank of America 500” on Saturday, October 13th. Friday he will be racing the #41 Lilly Trucking Ford for Rick Ware Racing, and on Saturday he will be in the #32 U.S. Chrome Ford for FAS Lane Racing. “I am excited to be back in a Sprint Cup car this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway, a track I have had some great runs at,” said Hill. “I have two great race cars this weekend and I am looking forward to driving both the Rick Ware Racing #41 Friday night and the FAS Lane Racing #32 Saturday night.”(TimmyHill.com)(10-10-2012)
Tire testing at Texas UPDATE and IMAGES: The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series is scheduled to have a Goodyear Tire Test at Texas Motor Speedway on Tuesday October 9th, 2012. This event will be FREE and open to the public. Drivers scheduled to test; #16-Greg Biffle, #18-Kyle Busch, #42-Juan Pablo Montoya & #27-Paul Menard. Gate 4 will be open from 9:00am to 5:00pm, coolers are allowed (no glass or alcohol)(TMS), all the other activities announced last week have been canceled.(10-9-2012)
UPDATE: Next year’s redesigned race cars are on the fast track, literally. Last week, the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series car tested at Talladega. On Tuesday, the next step was taken in the 2013 car rollout during the first of a two-day Goodyear tire test at 1.5-mile Texas Motor Speedway. Greg Biffle, Kyle Busch, Paul Menard and Juan Pablo Montoya tested Goodyear Eagle’s on the next generation cars that debut next season. “Moving into 2013 we’ve worked hand in hand with Goodyear and their engineers to get a plan together to build tires specifically for this new race car and optimize the grip,” said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR vice president of competition. “We have built this car with the mindset that we are going after more of a mechanical grip and reduce some of the aero dependencies of the car for 2013. & This test at Texas is actually our very first test with multiple cars with the new aero package.” Tuesday’s test session is part of a rigorous testing schedule for NASCAR and Goodyear heading into the highly-anticipated 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. Biffle, Busch, Menard and Montoya will test the new models again Wednesday at Texas, with future tests at Phoenix International Raceway and Charlotte Motor Speedway on Oct. 23-24 and Nov. 6-7, respectively. NASCAR has worked with Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota to develop the next generation of race cars that will make their debut during Speedweeks 2013 at Daytona International Speedway. The new race cars are designed to mirror their production counterparts in appearance.(NASCAR), see images of the 2013 cars on the 2013 Manufacturer Images and Notes page.(10-10-2012)
The Numbers for the Bank of America 500 at Charlotte:
1 – fewest cars on the lead lap at finish (13 times, most recent 5/24/87)
1 – fewest cautions (10/14/62)
2 – fewest laps led by race winner (Kevin Harvick, 5/29/11)
3 – fewest leaders (twice, most recent 5/21/61)
6 – most wins (Bobby Allison, Darrell Waltrip, Jimmie Johnson)
6 – fewest caution laps (10/14/62)
6 – number of jet dryers available for track drying this weekend
8 – fewest lead changes (10/16/60)
14 – most poles (David Pearson)
14 – wins from the pole (most recent, Jimmie Johnson, 10/17/09)
21 – most leaders (5/29/05)
22 – most cautions (5/29/05)
26 – most cars on lead lap at finish (5/25/09)
40 – different pole winners
42 – most cars running at finish (5/25/09)
44 – different race winners
54 – most lead changes (5/27/79)
113 – most caution laps (5/25/80)
120 minutes – approximate amount of time it takes to dry the 1.5-mile track after a significant rainfall
335 – most laps led by race winner (400-lap race, Jim Paschal, 5/28/67)
2012 Caution Update
1 – fewest cautions this season (Fontana)
8 – races extended beyond scheduled distance (Daytona, Martinsville, Talladega and Darlington, Sonoma, Michigan2, Atlanta and Talladega2)
103 – most cautions this season (Bristol2)
166 – number of cautions in the first 30 races of 2012; includes 77 for accidents, 46 for debris and 16 for spins
872 of 8,420 – number of laps under caution in 2012
1,225.788 of 11,333.176 – miles under caution in the first 30 races
(Darnell Communications for SRT Motorsports and Dodge)(10-10-2012)
Sad News – Bob Pickell: Robert F. Pickell, age 78 years, of Flemington, NJ, died Tuesday, October 9, 2012, in The Pavilion at Forrestal, Princeton, NJ. Born in Trenton, NJ, April 10, 1934, son of the late Jacob Pickell and Helen Wyckoff Pickell Olenick, he had resided in the Flemington area all his life except for ten years in Florida before returning to Flemington in 2000. He was a well-known, successful race car driver, especially stock cars, and won countless races during his racing career. He also raced in the Daytona 500. He was inducted into the Flemington Speedway Hall of Fame and also the Garden State Hall of Fame.(Hunterdon County Democrat), Pickell ran three NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races in 1957 with a best finish of 11th at Bristol, services and more info on the 2012 Sad News page.(10-10-2012)
Charlotte Motor Speedway Announces Dignitaries for Bank of America 500 Race Week: As Charlotte Motor Speedway begins final preparations for a thrilling Bank of America 500 race week, officials have added even more star power to a weekend headlined by Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, singer/actress Victoria Justice, country rockers Big & Rich, world-famous tightrope walker Nik Wallenda and NASCAR’s best drivers. The following is a list of dignitaries for the Bank of America 500 Saturday, Oct. 13:
” Grand Marshal: Dan Nevins, executive VP, Wounded Warrior Project & Retired SSgt, US Army
” Honorary Starter: Ben Dellinger, combat-wounded veteran, Retired SSgt., US Army
” God Bless America: Leon Thomas, star of Nickelodeon’s Victorious television program
” Invocation: Mike Novak , president/CEO of the K-LOVE Christian radio network
” Anthem: NewSong, Gospel Music Association Dove Award-winning and Grammy nominated artists.
Saturday brings a full slate of activities as part of the Bank of America 500 Pre-Race Show Presented by Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Fans can enjoy appearances by the heroes in a half shell throughout the day, as well as concerts by Nickelodeon star Victoria Justice and country rockers Big & Rich. Before the green flag drops, world-famous tightrope walker Nik Wallenda will attempt another death-defying stunt as he walks 750 feet from the grandstands, over the track and pit road to Winner’s Circle. All of that excitement builds to the grand finale, the only Saturday night race in the Chase for the Sprint Cup the Bank of America 500.
Fans can reserve two frontstretch tickets, with the best views of the world’s largest HDTV and pit road, for just $99 by calling the Charlotte Motor Speedway Ticket Office at 1-800-455-FANS (3267) or visiting www.charlottemotorspeedway.com.(CMS)(10-10-2012)

News from October 9, 2012
Kurt Busch parked by NASCAR during race UPDATE2: While most of the race was monotonously boring, there were moments of emotion, yes. And Kurt Busch provided some of those. He was leading midway when he suddenly ran out of gas. And Busch wound up bouncing into the infield wall. During the yellow Busch got out to look at his car and decided it could be repaired. So he cranked it up and started to drive it back to the garage, though without his helmet. NASCAR ordered him to stop on the track, to stop scattering debris. But without his helmet Busch didn’t get the radio message. So Busch roared off while the emergency crews were still at his car, one even with his arm inside, and other with an emergency medical kit on the roof, which fell off. NASCAR angrily order Busch’s car parked for the rest of the race….which is his last with team owner James Finch. Busch said, “This is the way my life works. Today is a perfect example: I am leading, I wreck, I run out of gas. I tried to get back in the race, and now NASCAR is yelling at me because I don’t have my helmet on, and I’m trying to get it to the garage so the guys can work on it. Now I’m in trouble, this little storm right here. This is my life. I’m not complaining; I put myself in a lot of these situations.”(MikeMulhern.net)(10-8-2012)
UPDATE: NASCAR is reviewing whether Kurt Busch will face further penalty for ignoring official requests to stop his car after a lap 98 wreck on Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway. NASCAR parked Busch for the remainder of the Sprint Cup race because he drove away from the wreck with emergency workers still in the process of providing him and the #51 Phoenix Racing Chevy assistance, and because there was emergency medical equipment on the track. NASCAR officials told ESPN.com the incident is under review. Penalties typically are announced on Tuesday. Busch is on probation through the end of the year for verbally abusing a reporter in June. He also was suspended from the Sprint Cup race at Pocono.(ESPN)(10-8-2012)
UPDATE 2 – No Penalty: Kurt Busch won’t face further penalties for ignoring official requests to stop his car after a Lap 98 wreck at Talladega Superspeedway, NASCAR officials said Tuesday. NASCAR parked Busch for the remainder of Sunday’s Sprint Cup race because he drove away from the wreck with emergency workers still in the process of providing him and the #51 Phoenix Racing Chevy assistance, and because there was emergency medical equipment on the track. Busch said he never heard NASCAR’s repeated requests to stop because he’d taken off his helmet that contains radio communication equipment. “I got out of the car and surveyed the damage, saw that it could still roll so I jumped back in,” Busch told reporters at Talladega. “That is the competitor in me, which is the desire that I have and that is what gets misconstrued all the time.” Busch was leading at the time of the wreck that was caused when his car ran out of gas. The 2004 Cup champion finished 39th in his final race for Phoenix Racing before moving over to the #78 at Furniture Row Racing to get a head start on the 2013 season. “This is the way my life works,” Busch said. “I am leading, I wreck, I run out of gas. I’m still that competitive guy that tried to get back in the race and now NASCAR is yelling at me because I don’t have my helmet on and I’m trying to get it to the garage so the guys can work on it. Now I’m in trouble, now I have this little storm right here. This is my life. I’m not complaining. I put myself in a lot of these situations, but it’s on to good things now moving forward. I got all the bad luck out of the way. This year has been a great year to test me in every way.” Busch is on probation through the end of the year for verbally abusing a reporter in June. He also was suspended from the Sprint Cup race at Pocono.(ESPN)(10-9-2012)
Talladega TV Ratings: ESPN’s live telecast of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday, Oct. 7, attracted an average audience of 5,113,374 that saw Matt Kenseth drive to victory in the 500-mile race. The telecast earned a 3.7 household coverage rating (3.2 U.S. rating), according to the Nielsen Company. Last year’s race, which was run later in October, earned a 3.9 household coverage rating while the 2010 race rated 3.6.(ESPN), see ratings for past 2012 ratings and 4-year comparison chart on the 2012 TV Ratings page.(10-9-2012)
Tire testing at Texas: The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series is scheduled to have a Goodyear Tire Test at Texas Motor Speedway on Tuesday October 9th, 2012. This event will be FREE and open to the public. Drivers scheduled to test; #16-Greg Biffle, #18-Kyle Busch, #42-Juan Pablo Montoya & #27-Paul Menard. Gate 4 will be open from 9:00am to 5:00pm, coolers are allowed (no glass or alcohol)(TMS), all the other activities announced last week have been canceled.(10-9-2012)
Martin to make 850th Cup start at Charlotte: #55 Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota driver Mark Martin makes his 850th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start Saturday night at Charlotte Motor Speedway. It’s the fifth most starts in NASCAR history, but guess who is the least impressed with the feat? “That’s just a number,” said Martin. “It doesn’t mean anything to me.” Martin said he prefers to focus more on performance than frequency. “The number of starts doesn’t impress me. It’s what you did in those starts that can be impressive or not. The fact that I have started a lot of races doesn’t stack up very high on the impression meter for me.” In a 30-year career the 53-year-old Martin owns 40 victories, 55 poles and 270 top-five finishes.(MWR)(10-9-2012)
At Charlotte Motor Speedway:
• Construction began on Charlotte Motor Speedway in 1959.
• The track’s first NASCAR Sprint Cup race was held on June 19, 1960.
• 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 107 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).
• 40 drivers have posted poles, led by David Pearson with 14.
• Fireball Roberts won the pole for the first race, in 1960.
• David Pearson posted 11 straight poles at Charlotte from the fall of 1973 through 1978.
• Ryan Newman leads all active drivers in poles, with nine. Jeff Gordon has eight.
• Jeff Gordon won five straight poles for the spring races between 1994 and 1998.
• 44 drivers have won races, led by Bobby Allison, Darrell Waltrip and Jimmie Johnson, with six each.
• Joe Lee Johnson won the first race, in 1960.
• There have been 13 back-to-back victories, including three consecutive by Fred Lorenzen (fall 1964 and both 1965) and four straight by Jimmie Johnson (both in 2004 and 2005).
• A sweep has occurred eight times, including each season from 2004-2007.
• 14 races have been won from the pole, the last by Jimmie Johnson (October, 2009).
• Jimmie Johnson won the 2003 Coca-Cola 600 from the 37th starting position, the furthest back a race winner has started.
• A number of active drivers earned their first win at CMS: Jeff Gordon, Matt Kenseth, Bobby Labonte, Jamie McMurray, Casey Mears and David Reutimann. Inactive drivers David Pearson, Buddy Baker and Charlie Glotzbach also got their first series win at Charlotte.
• Youngest NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Charlotte Motor Speedway winner: Jeff Gordon (10/10/1993 – 22 years, 2 months, 6 days).
• Oldest NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Charlotte Motor Speedway winner: Cale Yarborough (10/06/1985 – 46 years, 6 months, 9 days).
(NASCAR)(10-9-2012)
Charlotte Motor Speedway prepares fans for race week traffic: In preparation for Race Week at Charlotte Motor Speedway Oct. 10-13, speedway officials are making sure race fans and area residents are fully equipped to handle race day traffic by providing safe and efficient travel routes and information. With help from the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), Charlotte Motor Speedway is working to ease travel for fans heading to and from the races.
Best Travel Times on Race Days:
– It is best to arrive at Charlotte Motor Speedway before 5 p.m. for Bojangles’ Pole Night on Thursday, Oct. 11 and the Dollar General 300 on Friday, Oct. 12, to avoid commuter traffic.
– The Dollar General 300 on Oct. 12 and Bank of America 500 on Oct. 13 are both evening races, but fans are encouraged to arrive early to avoid Concord Mills mall congestion. Parking lots open at 7 a.m.
Post-Race Traffic Patterns for Bank of America 500
NCDOT will utilize counter flow patterns after the Bank of America 500 on Oct. 13. Traffic maps are posted on Charlotte Motor Speedway’s website at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/fans/maps/. See more details on the CMS website.(10-9-2012)

News from October 8, 2012
The Entry List for the Bank of America 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway is posted, 47 teams/drivers [for 43 spots] are listed, including:
Not in top 35 of owners points:
#6-Ricky Stenhouse, Jr (46/1)
#19-Mike Bliss (45/23)
#21-Trevor Bayne (36/12)
#23-Scott Riggs (44/28)
#26-Josh Wise (41/30)
#30-David Stremme (38/30)
#33-Cole Whitt (37/30)
#37-J.J. Yeley (50/14)
#87-Joe Nemechek (42/30)
#91-Reed Sorenson (52/9)
#95-Scott Speed (43/12)
#98-Michael McDowell (39/30)
In the event that qualifying is cancelled:
the eight who would make it [8]: #’s 21,33,30,98,26,87,23,19
missing the race would be [4]: # 37,95,91,6
See the full entry list at my Jayski’s Charlotte Entry List
Kurt Busch parked by NASCAR during race: UPDATE: While most of the race was monotonously boring, there were moments of emotion, yes. And Kurt Busch provided some of those. He was leading midway when he suddenly ran out of gas. And Busch wound up bouncing into the infield wall. During the yellow Busch got out to look at his car and decided it could be repaired. So he cranked it up and started to drive it back to the garage, though without his helmet. NASCAR ordered him to stop on the track, to stop scattering debris. But without his helmet Busch didn’t get the radio message. So Busch roared off while the emergency crews were still at his car, one even with his arm inside, and other with an emergency medical kit on the roof, which fell off. NASCAR angrily order Busch’s car parked for the rest of the race….which is his last with team owner James Finch. Busch said, “This is the way my life works. Today is a perfect example: I am leading, I wreck, I run out of gas. I tried to get back in the race, and now NASCAR is yelling at me because I don’t have my helmet on, and I’m trying to get it to the garage so the guys can work on it. Now I’m in trouble, this little storm right here. This is my life. I’m not complaining; I put myself in a lot of these situations.”(MikeMulhern.net)(10-8-2012)
UPDATE: NASCAR is reviewing whether Kurt Busch will face further penalty for ignoring official requests to stop his car after a lap 98 wreck on Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway. NASCAR parked Busch for the remainder of the Sprint Cup race because he drove away from the wreck with emergency workers still in the process of providing him and the #51 Phoenix Racing Chevy assistance, and because there was emergency medical equipment on the track. NASCAR officials told ESPN.com the incident is under review. Penalties typically are announced on Tuesday. Busch is on probation through the end of the year for verbally abusing a reporter in June. He also was suspended from the Sprint Cup race at Pocono.(ESPN)(10-8-2012)
Race and Commercial Breakdown of the 2012 Good Sam Roadside Assistance 500: For those 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 2:03 PM, and stopped at the waving of the checkered flag at 5:21PM (all times are EST). Did not keep records for the pre- and post-race coverage. ESPN was the broadcast team for this event.
Total number of traditional commercials: 78
Total number of ‘Side-by-Side Commercials’ (split-screen): 43
Total number of commercials: 121
Total number of companies or entities advertised: 48
Total number of brief promos of products/services during the race broadcast: 36
Total amount of time these brief promos take during broadcast: app. 6 min. 25 sec.
Start time to record race/commercial periods: 2:03 PM
End time to record race/commercial periods: 5:21 PM
Total minutes of complete broadcast: 198
Minutes of race broadcast: 163
Minutes of traditional commercials (not split-screen): 35
Minutes of ‘Side-by-Side’ commercials (split-screen): 19
Number of missed restarts: 0
Number of ‘mystery cautions’ (debris not shown): 0
Total race brdcst time 163 Total comm. brdcst time 35
See past races, past links and more on the 2012 NASCAR TV Commercials News page.(10-8-2012)
Stewart takes blame for big one at Talladega: #14-Tony Stewart discussed the last lap accident at Talladega:
ARE YOU OK AND WHAT HAPPENED OUT THERE? “I’m a finely tuned athlete. I mean I have a really strenuous workout regime (SMILES)”
OK WE STILL HAVE YOUR COMIC RELIEF:
“I just screwed up. I turned down across, I think it was Michael (Waltrip) and crashed the whole field. It was my fault blocking to try to stay where I was at. So, I take 100% of the blame.”
PRODUCT OF TALLADEGA?
“Unfortunately. I was trying to win the race, and I was trying to stay ahead of Matt (Kenseth) there. Michael got a great run on the bottom, had a big head of steam. When I turned down, I turned down across the right front of his car. A mistake on my part. It cost a lot of people a bad day because of it.”(Chevy)(10-8-2012)
Earnhardt Jr. not happy with race package at Talladega: #88-Dale Earnhardt, Jr. discussed the wreck at the end of the Talladega race:
HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE THAT RACE IT WAS JUST CRAZY AT THE END?
“If this is what we did every week I wouldn’t be doing it I will just put it to you like that. If this is how we raced every week I would find another job.”
WHAT WAS THAT LAST LAP LIKE? NORMALLY YOU GUYS ARE THREE-WIDE BUT THIS TIME YOU WERE FOUR AND FIVE WIDE?
“That is what the package is doing. It’s really not racing. I don’t know it’s a little disappointing how that all went down. That cost a lot of money right there. If this is how we are going to race and that is how we are going to continue to race and nothing is going to change I think NASCAR should build the cars. It would save us a lot of money.”
YOU’VE RACED A LOT OF CRAZY TALLADEGA’S WHAT MAKES THIS ONE DIFFERENT? YOU USED TO LOVE RACING HERE:
“You just can’t get away from each other that good.
MEDIA: “I know it sucks for you guys but for the fans it’s awesome to watch.”
DALE EARNHARDT JR.: “Really? It’s not safe. Wrecking like that is ridiculous. It’s blood-thirsty if that is what people want. It’s ridiculous.”
WHAT CHANGES WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE?
“The way we are going ain’t the right direction. There are plenty of engineers out there I’m just a driver. There are plenty of smart people out there that can figure something out where when one guy gets in trouble we don’t have 30 cars tore up at the expense of it. I mean it’s awesome in a word and everybody can get on the chip about it and get excited about all that which just happened, but for the longevity of the sport that aint healthy. I don’t care what anybody says for the good of the sport I mean it’s good for the here and now and it will get people talking today, but for the long run that is not going to help the sport the way that race ended and the way the racing is. It’s not going to be productive for years to come. I don’t even want to go to Daytona or Talladega next year, but I ain’t got much choice.”(Chevy PR)(10-8-2012)

News from October 7, 2012
Kenseth wins at Talladega: #17-Matt Kenseth won the Good Sam Roadside Assistance 500 race at Talladega Superspeedway for his 2nd win of year and 23rd career win.
#24-Gordon finished 2nd followed by #18-Busch,#34-Ragan, #78-Smith, #16-Biffle, #2-Keselowski, #93-Kvapil, #39-Newman, and #31-Burton.
The race finished under caution after a big wreck on the final lap that collected 25 cars, including many chase contenders. #14-Stewart was leading when he pulled down to block #55-Waltrip. He got turned around and everyone was collected after that. NASCAR had to review video after the race to determine many finishing positions.
#2-Keselowski retains the points lead with 2179, a lead of 14 points over #48-Johnson.
There were 5 cautions for 17 yellow flag laps. There were 54 lead changes among 18 drivers. The average speed was 171.194mph.
The estimated attendence was 88,000, down from 108,500 in May and down from 105,000 last October.
See race results, awards, money won, laps led, cautions and more on the Talladega Race Results page (pdf) (10-7-2012)
Where did the 12 Chase drivers finish at Talladega?
[by points standings before the race (start pos)]
1) #2-Brad Keselowski, 6th (22)
2) #48-Jimmie Johnson, 17th (17)
3) #11-Denny Hamlin, 14th (23)
4) #15-Clint Bowyer, 23rd (3)
5) #14-Tony Stewart, 22nd (4)
6) #5-Kasey Kahne, 12th (1)
7) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., 20th (12)
8) #56-Martin Truex Jr., 13th (9)
9) #29-Kevin Harvick, 11th (21)
10) #24-Jeff Gordon 2nd (6)
11) #16-Greg Biffle, 5th (5)
12) #17-Matt Kenseth, WON (15)
(10-7-2012)
2012 Sprint Cup Driver CHASE Championship Points Standings:
[after Talladega, race 30 of 36]
1) #2-Brad Keselowski [5 wins], 2179
2) #48-Jimmie Johnson [3 wins], 2165, -14
3) #11-Denny Hamlin [5 wins], 2156, -23
4) #5-Kasey Kahne [2 wins], 2143, -36
5) #15-Clint Bowyer [2 wins], 2139, -40
6) #24-Jeff Gordon [1 win], 2137, -42
7) #14-Tony Stewart [3 wins], 2133, -46
8) #56-Martin Truex Jr. [0 wins], 2131, -48
9) #16-Greg Biffle [2 wins], 2130, -49
10) #29-Kevin Harvick [0 wins], 2130, -49
11) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. [1 win], 2128, -62
12) #17-Matt Kenseth [2 wins], 2117, -62
(ties broken by 1sts, 2nds, 3rd, etc)
See drivers championship points standings on the Drivers Points Standings (pdf)
Race Fast Facts – Talladega
Matt Kenseth won the 44th Annual Good Sam Roadside Assistance 500 , his 23rd victory in 466 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.
This is his second victory and 17th top-10 finish in 2012.
This is his first victory and eighth top-10 finish in 26 races at Talladega Superspeedway.
Jeff Gordon (second) posted his 19th top-10 finish in 40 races at Talladega Superspeedway. It is his 15th top-10 finish in 2012.
Kyle Busch (third) posted his fourth top-10 finish in 16 races at Talladega Superspeedway.
Brad Keselowski leads the point standings by 14 points over Jimmie Johnson.
There were 54 lead changes among 18 leaders in today’s race at Talladega.
(NASCAR Integrated Sports Marketing)(10-7-2012)
Top-35 in Owner Points and guaranteed a starting spot at Charlotte:
#36 remains in 35th and is now 120 points ahead of 36th, the #21 team.
there virtually no chance the top-35 will change the rest of the season.
Rank) Car#-Driver/Team, owners pts, +/-
34) #32-TBA/FAS Lane Racing, 413 +156
35) #36-Yeley/Baldwin, 377 +120 ahead of 36th
these teams / drivers will need to qualify by speed:
36) #21-Bayne/Wood Bros., 257, -120pts out of the top 35
37) #33-Leicht/Childress-Falk, 234, -143
38) #30-Stremme/Inception, 211, -166
The teams are NOT locked in past the next race as the owners points change after each race.
For the owner points standings, see the Owners Points Standings (pdf).(10-7-2012)
Taqlladega Notes-n-Nuggets:
” Matt Kenseth earned his 23rd Sprint Cup Series win in his 466th start.
” The last win for Matt Kenseth previous to this was at Daytona in Feb (28 starts between).
” Matt Kenseth has finished third or better in all four restrictor-plate races of 2012.
” It’s the first win for Matt Kenseth at Talladega in his 26th start.
” Matt Kenseth is the eighth repeat winner in the Cup Series this season.
” Chasers have won only five of the nine Chase races at Talladega.
” All four Chase races were won by Chasers this season.
” Matt Kenseth grabbed his win with the 21st last-lap pass in Talladega history.
” It’s the 129th career win for Roush Fenway Racing, and their 21st Chase win.
” RFR’s fourth win this season; fourth win at Talladega.
” Jeff Gordon (second) finished in the top-three in all but one of the last seven races.
” Kyle Busch (third) earned third top-five finish in 16th race at Talladega.
” David Ragan (fourth) had first top-five finish since Richmond (9/12).
” Regan Smith (fifth) had first top-five finish since a third at Indianapolis (7/11).
” Last lap was only Big One, including 20 cars — only top-six finishers were confirmed.
(Racing Resources and Services — Statistics Racing Recall / nascar.com)(10-7-2012)
2012 Sprint Cup Driver Championship Points Standings without Chase:
(classic system using current points but NOT the chase system)
[after Talladega, race 30 of 36]
1) #2-Brad Keselowski(X) [5 wins], 1038
2) #16-Greg Biffle(X) [2 wins], 1038, -0
3) #48-Jimmie Johnson(X) [3 wins], 1036, -2
4) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr.(X) [1 win], 1027, -11
5) #17-Matt Kenseth(X) [2 wins], 1011, -27
6) #11-Denny Hamlin(X) [4 wins], 994, -44
7) #56-Martin Truex Jr.(X) [0 wins], 993, -45
8) #15-Clint Bowyer(X) [2 wins], 991, -47
9) #29-Kevin Harvick(X) [0 wins], 971, -67
10) #14-Tony Stewart(X) [3 wins], 934, -104
11) #5-Kasey Kahne(X) [2 wins], 927, -111
12) #24-Jeff Gordon(X) [1 win], 914, -124
13) #18-Kyle Busch [1 win], 912, -126
14) #39-Ryan Newman [1 win], 865, -173
15) #99-Carl Edwards [0 wins], 844, -194
16) #27-Paul Menard [0 wins], 830, -208
(ties broken by 1sts, 2nds, 3rd, etc)
(X) = a Chase driver.
Regan Smtih to the #51 at Charlotte: Regan Smith and Kurt Busch are trading places – at least for now. Smith, 29, will drive the #51 Phoenix Racing Chevy at Charlotte Motor Speedway while Busch takes over the seat in the #78 Furniture Row Chevrolet for the remainder of the season and on to next year. “We’re looking forward to having Regan in our car,” Phoenix Racing general manager Steve Barkdoll said. “Regan performed the tire test at Kansas, and that should be helpful at intermediate tracks. We believe he can help get our program back on track and help attract sponsorship going forward.” For Phoenix Racing, this is a tryout of sorts to see how Smith acclimates with the team. Team owner James Finch is not committing to one driver as the company continues its sponsor search. Barkdoll added that there has been recent interest from potential sponsors and hopes to find the right match between a benefactor and driver.(Fox Sports)(10-7-2012)
Earnhardt Gannssi looking to improve: It has been a difficult season for Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing. After a significant shakeup in middle and upper management during the offseason, drivers Jamie McMurray and Juan Pablo Montoya rank 20th and 21st, respectively in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points, with only five Top-10 finishes in 58 combined starts. The team has not managed a Top-5 finish yet this season, and team President Steve Lauletta said more changes could lie ahead before the start of the 2013 campaign. “There is always change,” said Lauletta. “If you don’t change, you’re going to fall behind. But that doesn’t necessarily mean changes that are visible to the fans. We’re working hard on a lot of the tools that our engineers, crew chiefs and competition people are using, but we obviously haven’t hit on it yet. A lot of our offseason changes were made very late,” he explained. “They happened in January and February, and a lot of the new tools we’ve invested in have just been coming on line in July, August and September. We’ve got them all working individually, and now we’ve got to get them all working together. It takes a lot longer than we all want, but we feel like we’re on the right track. The increases in performance are coming.(Godfather Motorsports)(10-7-2012)
Kenseth will get a new spotter at Joe Gibbs Racing: Mike Calinoff will end his long run as spotter for former NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Matt Kenseth at season’s end, remaining with Roush Fenway Racing when Kenseth jumps to Joe Gibbs Racing next season. Calinoff has remained mum about his plans for 2013, but Kenseth revealed this weekend that his longtime spotter will move on. Asked via Twitter whether Calinoff will accompany him to JGR and the #20 Home Depot Toyota, Kenseth replied “No, he is a great spotter, I will miss him.” Calinoff subsequently confirmed those plans, revleaing that he will spot for 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series champion Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. when Stenhouse takes the wheel of Roush Fenway’s #17 Ford next season. He currently serves as Stenhouse’s “eye in the sky” in Nationwide Series competition, and also spots for youngster Nelson Piquet, Jr. on the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.(Godfather Motorsports)(10-7-2012)
Busch brothers have win streaks in jeopardy: The Busch brothers, Kurt and Kyle, both have significant streaks in danger of ending this year. From 2002 through 2011, Kurt won at least one race per year in the Sprint Cup Series. So far this year, in the #51 Chevy owned by James Finch, Busch has a best finish of third at Sonoma. He’ll race for Finch Sunday at Talladega before starting his tenure at Furniture Row Racing Oct. 13 at Charlotte.
Kyle’s eight-year winning streak in the Nationwide Series likewise is in jeopardy. Driving for his own team for the first time this year, and sharing Nationwide duties with Kurt, Kyle is winless in 17 starts. Kurt has the only Nationwide victory for Kyle Busch Motorsports, having triumphed at Richmond in April.(NASCAR Wire Service)(10-7-2012)
Sad News – Gordon Haines: Gordon E. Haines, 91, of Yakima, WA died Wednesday. Mr. Haines was born in Kiester, Minn., and served in the U.S. Marine Corp. He lived in the Yakima area most of his life, where he owned and operated Bi Rite Motors for more than 50 years (yakima-herald.com), Gaines ran seven NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races in 1956 with a best finish of 2nd at Eureka.(10-7-2012)

News from October 6, 2012
NASCAR planning multiple changes to qualifying in 2013: NASCAR is going back in time with a series of changes related to qualifying and testing. Series officials met with Sprint Cup drivers and crew chiefs Saturday at Talladega Superspeedway to detail next year’s changes. They are:
–The top 35 rule, in existence since 2005, will be eliminated. This rule was in place to ensure teams in the top 35 in car owner points (and their sponsors) would be in the race in an era when 50 or more cars were attempting to qualify for races.
–The top 36 positions will be set by qualifying speed with the remaining spots set by provisionals, including a champion’s provisional. Provisionals are based on car owner points rankings.
–A random draw will set the qualifying order. The past two seasons, the order was determined by speeds in the first practice session.
–Provisionals for the first three races next year will be based on the final car owner points standings this year instead of the first five races as in previous years.
–Each organization can test at four tracks of its choosing next season where NASCAR competes, the first time teams can do so since 2008. The series’ sanctioning body banned testing in 2009, and since then teams could not test at tracks where NASCAR held races, but they could test on other tracks.
Robin Pemberton, NASCAR vice president of competition, said the previous formats “served a purpose when we were doing other things, (but) we don’t do those anymore,” such as reducing the weekend schedule at an event. Series officials plan to have a practice and qualifying session Fridays and a final practice session Saturdays on weekends the Cup series races on Sundays next season. Should a driver need a provisional or multiple provisionals next year, there won’t be a limit. NASCAR, however, plans to limit how a driver can use the champion’s provisional. “You can’t just show up” and use a champion’s provisional, Pemberton said.
As for testing, Pemberton said that each organization — Hendrick Motorsports, Roush Fenway Racing, Joe Gibbs Racing –can bring two cars per driver. Thus, all four Hendrick drivers could test together and it would count as one test. The difference is that if a track will have a new tire, teams can’t test with that tire unless it has been used at another track.(USA Today)(10-6-2012)
Pit Stall Selections: The selections of pit stalls for the Good Sam Roadside Assistance 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway have been made.
Pole sitter #5-Kahne chose pit stall 1 [as do most pole sitters].
Outside pole sitter #39-Newman took pit stall 29, the 2nd pitstall in front of it.
#14-Stewart, who starts 3rd took the 17th pit stall, the 1st stall with an opening in front of it.
The 43rd and final pit stall was taken by #55-Waltrip, who starts 11th.
To see where the drivers/teams pit stall is, see the pit selection chart on the Pit Stall Selection chart.(10-6-2012)
Kahne wins pole at Talladega: #5-Kasey Kahne won the pole for the Good Sam Roadside Assistance 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway with a speed of 191.455mph for his 3rd pole of 2012 and 25th career pole.
#39-Newman will start 2nd followed by #15-Bowyer, #14-Stewart, #16-Biffle, #24-Gordon, #99-Edwards, #21-Bayne, #56-Truex, Jr., and #22-Hornish, Jr.
The go-or-go homers who made the race (8): #21-Bayne, #30-Stremme, #26-Wise, #98-McDowell, #97-Hill, #87-Nemechek,#33-Whitt, and #23-Richardson Jr.
The go-or-go homers who failed to qualify for the race (0): none.
See qualifying results, starting lineup, pole progreession, go-or-go-homers on the Talladega Qualifying Page.(10-6-2012)
Qualifying Fast Facts – Talladega:
Kasey Kahne won the Coors Light Pole Award for the 44th Annual Good Sam Roadside Assistance 500 with a lap of 50.017 seconds, 191.455 mph.
This is his 25th pole in 318 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.
This is his third pole and 21st top-10 start in 2012.
This is his first pole in 18 races at Talladega Superspeedway.
Ryan Newman (second) posted his 17th top-10 start of 2012 and his ninth in 22 races at Talladega Superspeedway.
Clint Bowyer (third) posted his fifth top-10 start at Talladega Superspeedway. It is his 13th in 30 races this season.
Josh Wise (33rd) was the fastest qualifying rookie.
(NASCAR Statistics)(10-6-2012)
Coverage of Qualifying for the Good Sam Roadside Assistance 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway is scheduled for Saturday, October 6, 2012 at 12:15pm/et.
Television (TV): SPEED, 12:00pm/et
Scheduled Qualifying Re-Air: none
Bass Pro Shops could still sponsor McMurray some: [Bass Pro Shops owner Johnny] Morris said Bass Pro Shops will not continue at the same level with Earnhardt Ganassi Racing and driver Jamie McMurray in 2013, which means EGR now must find funding to replace the chief sponsor of its # 1 car. The Bass Pro relationship with EGR may not be over, though. EGR president Steve Lauletta said Friday the company is in talks to have Bass Pro remain as a primary sponsor, just in a much more limited capacity. “I anticipate you’ll see the Bass Pro Shops logo on the hood of our car for a few races next year,” Lauletta said. McDonald’s and existing sponsors such as Liftmaster will have the chance to increase their involvement, Lauletta said, an opportunity which wasn’t available before. EGR’s teams have been fully sponsored for the last three seasons. In addition, Lauletta said there could be new sponsors who link up with EGR. “There’s a number of new companies we’ve been talking to who have shown interest in doing primary races and we haven’t had the ability to deliver on those – and now we will,” Lauletta said. “I believe we’ll get a few of those over the goal line.”(SB Nation)(10-6-2012)
Harvick doesn’t expect crew chief changes next year at RCR: From #29-Kevin Harvick’s media availability Friday at Talladega:
HAVE YOU GUYS ALREADY DISCUSSED WHAT YOU WANT TO DO FOR 2013 AS FAR AS CREW CHIEFS GO? WILL GIL (MARTIN) CONTINUE ON AS YOUR CREW CHIEF NEXT SEASON?
“As far as I know that situation is all settled for next year. I hadn’t heard any different. As far as I’m concerned the team is set and going forward. We have a lot bigger issues to work on than crew chiefs. You can throw crew chiefs at it all day long but we need to work on things in house.”
CAN YOU GIVE US DETAILS ON WHAT YOU NEED TO WORK ON?
“I don’t have enough time.”
YOUR COMPETITION DIRECTOR IS THERE GOING TO BE A NEW COMPETITION DIRECTOR IS THAT WHERE THE START YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THE SYSTEM IS THAT WHERE IT STARTS UP THERE? IS THAT THE KEY PIECE RIGHT NOW?
“I think that definitely would be the key piece to start at. I think Richard (Childress) would have a lot more answers on these things than I would. I know he has been working hard to fix a lot of things. A lot of it comes with that piece falling into place and structure. When you don’t have that guy in there it just didn’t pan out the way that we all thought it would pan out and mesh together and really have things run like they needed to. It just kind of became a little bit more disruptive than I think everybody had anticipated. Richard and those guys are working hard on putting back structure and pieces in places and trying to get everything where it needs to be. It’s a big machine. When you get just from the small team that we had with the Trucks and the Nationwide when something goes sideways it definitely takes a while to get it back to where it needs to be. Sometimes it’s hard to find the problem and when you are looking for people of that magnitude there is not a lot of them in the garage. I think it’s just something to where the wheel is really big and sometimes when you get to the top of that wheel to the bottom it’s hard to get it back going again. He’s definitely working hard to make all of that happen.”(Chevy PR)(10-6-2012)
Finch says start-and-park teams make too much: Team owner James Finch hopes his #51-Phoenix Racing car remains on the track in 2013, but he’d like a little help from NASCAR to do it. Finch, who is losing driver Kurt Busch to Furniture Row Racing, wants to race for more money, and he isn’t asking NASCAR and the tracks to spend more-just pay less to teams that start a race and park early. With typically five to seven Sprint Cup teams parking their cars early each week, Finch believes teams that finish in the top 35 should earn significantly more money than those that park early and finish in the back of pack. “I’m trying to get NASCAR to move some of the money up that the start-and-park guys are getting so we can race (for it) from 35th to 25th,” Finch said Friday at Talladega Superspeedway. “I’m getting (as little as) $2,000 more to run 500 miles than they do to play. Move it up and if they want it, let them race or it. & That’s not racing.” Finch, whose team is 27th in the owner standings, so far doesn’t have sponsorship for 2013. Because NASCAR is switching to a new body style for 2013, Finch said he will finish out 2012 to best use his inventory of cars. “What am I going to do with these cars?” Finch said. “When I get through (this year), I throw them away.”(Sporting News)(10-6-2012)
No Nationwide race at Montreal in 2013: NASCAR will not return to the Circuit Gilles Villeneueve in Montreal next season, ending a six-year run for the Nationwide Series. Promoter Francois Dumontier announced Friday the end of the agreement, which had been operated on a year-to-year basis. NASCAR said it wanted to return to Montreal, but could not work out a sanctioning agreement with Dumontier’s promotion group. NASCAR hopes to still be racing in Canada next season, possibly with the Truck Series. One potential venue for NASCAR is Mosport International Raceway in Toronto. NASCAR also plans to fill the void left by Montreal in its 33-race schedule, which has yet to be announced. NASCAR’s preference is to explore new markets where it’s not currently sanctioning national series events.(Associated Press)(10-6-2012)
Hall of Fame members in the Martinsville Fan Zone: Four NASCAR Hall of Fame members will join a trio of the sport’s modern stars in the Martinsville Speedway Fan Zone on October 28. Hall-of-Fame drivers Ned Jarrett and Bobby Allison and Hall of Fame crew chiefs Dale Inman and Leonard Wood will make an appearance in the Martinsville Speedway Fan Zone presented by Diet Mountain Dew prior to the TUMS Fast Relief 500 on October 28. Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kevin Harvick and Kyle Busch will also make stops in the fan zone. The drivers and hall-of-fame members will appear at separate times for emceed question and answer sessions. The Martinsville Speedway Fan Zone presented by Diet Mountain Dew will open at 8 a.m. on Oct. 28 and close at 1 p.m.(Martinsville Speedway)(10-6-2012)

News from October 5, 2012
Final Friday practice for the Good Sam Roadside Assistance 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway is over after 60 scheduled minutes, the top 5, slowest and notes:
#88-Earnhardt, Jr. 197.598
#51-Busch 197.521
#99-Edwards 196.053
#17-Kenseth 195.948
#9-Ambrose 195.688
slowest: #26-Wise 188.108 & #10-Reuimann 186.550. 32 cars have been on track.
notes: Several drives are skipping the final practice, feeling the risk of damaging the cars outweighs the benefit of additional track time. There are only 43 cars at the track so everyone will make the race. Sprint Cup series qualifying is scheduled for Saturday at 12:15pm/et and will be shown on SPEED.
See speeds, best top-10 average and laps run on the Talladega practice 2 speeds page (pdf).(10-5-2012)
Allmendinger visits Talladega: AJ Allmendinger upped his effort to find a new job on Friday by making his first appearance at a NASCAR event since his suspension for failing a drug test. The visit to Talladega Superspeedway is the first since Allmendinger’s July 7 suspension. He was reinstated by NASCAR last month and is looking for a job for 2013 after being dropped by Penske Racing three months ago. “I’m looking, but from reading the Internet, there doesn’t seem to be a lot of jobs out there,” Allmendinger said. “Nobody has told me to get out yet,” joked Allmendinger, who stopped in the Penske Racing garage stalls and visited with his former crew. “It’s been a lot of fun to be back in the garage. It’s been a rough few months, and I’m just really glad to be back here.” James Finch, owner of the #S51 car at Phoenix Racing, said he’ll likely use Regan Smith next week at Charlotte Motor Speedway but isn’t opposed to talking with Allmendinger. Kurt Busch is replacing Smith at Furniture Row beginning next week, and Finch has six races to fill this year. “I like AJ, I’d be willing to do something with him, but I don’t know what sponsors would have to say about him,” Finch said. “It’s something I just don’t have an answer for right now.”(Associated Press/ESPN)(10-5-2012)
Qualifying Order for the Good Sam Roadside Assistance 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway is posted. 43 cars/drivers are listed.
The first of the drivers scheduled to go out is #23-Richardson, Jr., slowest in practice.
The final driver scheduled to go out is #93-Kvapil, who was fastest in first practice.
Qualifying order is set by the first practice session, with slowest driver going out by speed and the fastest going out last. The non-top 35 drivers are now mixed in with the top-35 in owners points, slowest to fastest.
See the full qualifying order on the Talladega Qualifying Page.(10-5-2012)
First Friday practice for the Good Sam Roadside Assistance 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway is over after 45 scheduled minutes, the top 5, slowest and notes:
#93-Kvapil 200.452
#13-Mears 200.322
#24-Gordon 199.633
#2-Keselowski 199.562
#34-Ragan 199.554
slowest: #33-Whitt 186.947 & #23-Richardson 186.300.
notes: There are only 43 cars at the track so everyone will make the race. This practice will set the order for qualifying, which is scheduled for Saturday at 12:15pm/et and will be shown on SPEED.
See speeds, best top-10 average and laps run on the Talladega practice 1 speeds page (pdf).(10-5-2012)
FAS Lane Racing heads to Talladega with Labonte and C&J; Energy: For the fourth time this season, FAS Lane Racing is heading to Talladega Superspeedway this week with Terry Labonte. The two time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion will pilot the #32 Ford for the running of the Good Sam Roadside Assistance 500. FAS Lane Racing also welcomes back C & J Energy Services as the Primary Sponsor for the fourth time this season. C&J; Energy Services, a Corpus Christi, Texas founded company, will continue their support of their “Hometown Hero” Terry Labonte, born and raised in Corpus Christi, as he will pilot the #32 C&J; Energy Services Ford. The trio of FAS Lane Racing, Terry Labonte and C&J; Energy Services has enjoyed some moderate success at the three previous restrictor plate races this season.(Integrity Sports Marketing)(10-5-2012)
Bass Pro Shops will sponsor Stewart in 2013: UPDATE: After the smoke cleared, Tony Stewart emerged from his #14 Chevy in the parking lot of Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World to a thunderous ovation from about 600 fans who gathered to hear confirmation of what many already suspected. “I want to introduce you to Tony Stewart, new driver of the Bass Pro Shops Chevy,” Bass Pro founder Johnny Morris said late Thursday afternoon. And with that, a day before complete details are revealed at Talladega, the reigning and three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion had a new primary sponsor for 2013. Stewart-Haas racing was in the market for a sponsor after Office Depot announced earlier this year it was leaving the sport. And Bass Pro was in the final year of a sponsorship agreement with Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing’s Jamie McMurray. Mobil One is staying as the second primary sponsor, Stewart said. Morris said Bass Pro also plans to continue as a sponsor for brothers Austin and Ty Dillon in the NASCAR Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series, respectively, and that he appreciates the bond with Joplin native McMurray over the last three seasons.(Springfield, MO News-Leader)(10-4-2012)
UPDATE: Bass Pro Shops, America’s most popular outdoor retailer, announced it will join Mobil 1 as the primary co-sponsor of Tony Stewart and the #14 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team of Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) beginning in 2013. Bass Pro Shops will adorn the hood of Stewart’s #14 Chevy for 18 races, including the Daytona 500. Mobil 1, the world’s leading synthetic motor oil brand, will be on the hood for 11 races. Nine primary races remain available for a brand to partner with Stewart, the three-time and reigning Sprint Cup champion. Bass Pro Shops joining the Sprint Cup team Stewart co-owns with Gene Haas, founder of Haas Automation the largest CNC machine tool builder in the western world is the culmination of a more than decade-long partnership between Stewart and Bass Pro Shops. Stewart has been a brand ambassador for Bass Pro Shops since 2001, beginning with a personal services agreement that morphed into sponsorship of Stewart’s dirt Late Model stock car that he campaigns at various short tracks across the country, including the annual Prelude To The Dream at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio, where Stewart is a three-time winner (2006, 2008 and 2009). It continued via a primary sponsorship of Stewart’s World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series team beginning in 2005, and as an associate sponsor of SHR since the team’s inception in 2009.(Stewart-Haas Racing), see an image of the car on the 2013 #14 team paint schemes page and see earlier updates about Bass Pro moving on the #14 team news page.(10-5-2012)
[email protected] BPO sponsoring Reutimann at ‘Dega: TMone will help push David Reutimann and Tommy Baldwin Racing at Talladega Superspeedway. Reutimann will look to best his 11th-place superspeedway finish he posted at Daytona International Speedway when he pilots the #10 [email protected] BPO Chevy this weekend in the Good Sam Roadside Assistance 500. The #10 [email protected] BPO Chevy will carry the Facebook and Twitter logos to further the company’s social reach which has a exploded as a result of TMone’s NASCAR sponsorships. TMone is also promoting the [email protected] email as an invitation to companies to contact with TMone for a conversation or bid on domestic outsourcing. TMone specializes in business process outsourcing (BPO) and is in the business of augmenting and supplementing other companies’ human capital needs. TMone, recently announced the hiring of 400 more employees along with being on Inc.(TMone), see an image of the car on the #10 team paint schemes page.(10-5-2012)
ISC reports $1 million net loss in quarterly earnings: Changes in NASCAR’s race schedule, a reduction in revenues from corporate sponsors and a broadcast partner and, of course, the struggling economy combined to sharply reduce both quarterly earnings and revenues for International Speedway Corp., the company announced Thursday morning. Daytona Beach-based ISC reported a $1 million net loss for its fiscal third quarter, which ended Aug. 31, down from a $9.7 million profit for the same quarter a year ago. Revenues also fell sharply to $115.9 million, from $150.3 million in fiscal third quarter 2011 – a 22.9 percent year-over-year drop. ISC officials said NASCAR’s shifting of its races at Kansas Speedway to the second quarter this year, as opposed to the third quarter last year, and the elimination of a NASCAR Nationwide Series race in Montreal, Canada [ISC no longer promotes the race], were big reasons for the lower revenues in its latest quarterly earnings report. “Adjusting for the schedule changes, . . . total revenues were down only slightly, approximately 3 percent, from the comparable period delivering core business results within our range of expectations,” said Lesa France Kennedy, ISC’s chief executive officer, in a conference call with stock analysts. ISC officials said other factors contributing to the drop in revenues and earnings included NASCAR’s new multiyear contract with Sirius XM Radio Inc., signed at the start of the year, which has resulted in $8 million less in annual revenues for ISC compared to its previous contract with the satellite radio broadcaster, which expired at the end of last year. See more at Daytona Beach News-Journal.(10-5-20120)
Stremme to Honor Natalie Krohn at Talladega: David Stremme will take to the track at Talladega Superspeedway this weekend in the Good Sam Roadside Assistance 500. In addition to having sponsorship from Swan Energy Inc., Stremme and the #30 team will be honoring Natalie Krohn, a young race fan from Minnesota whom recently lost her life. The #30 Inception Motorsports Toyota will feature a tribute to Natalie on the hood of the car, and Stremme plans to run the entire race in her honor. Natalie Krohn was born on August 6, 2003 in Worthington, Minn. to Jason and Jennifer Krohn. She attended West Elementary in Slayton and was currently in the third grade. Natalie passed away on Saturday, September 29, 2012 at the Murray County Medical Center in Slayton at the age of nine.(Spire Sports)(10-5-2012)
Ford Warriors in Pink paint scheme for Bayne: Trevor Bayne and the Motorcraft/Quick Lane crew head into this weekend’s Good Sam Road Assistance 500 at Talladega Superspeedway with stats on their side and a special paint scheme on the #21 Ford Fusion. Bayne and the Motorcraft/Quick Lane team will spend this weekend supporting breast cancer survivors and raising awareness of the disease with a special Ford Warriors in Pink paint scheme. Ford Motor Company has dedicated more than $115 million to the fight against breast cancer in the past 18 years, and 100 percent of the proceeds from sales of Warriors in Pink wear and gear will be dedicated to the cause.(Wood Brothers Racing), see an image of the car on the #21 team paint schemes page.(10-5-2012)
Teenage Mutant Ninjas Turtles on the #39 at Charlotte: #39-Ryan Newman is known for his ninja-fast qualifying laps, and now he has a new weapon to help bring home the victory at Charlotte Motor Speedway – Raphael, the tough guy and brawler of Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Turtles. Nickelodeon announced that Newman will be driving a special #39 Quicken Loans Chevy featuring Raphael the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle for the Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on October 13, 2012. The famous turtles – Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello and Michelangelo — will bring their fast-action, high-adventure style of fun to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series for a weekend of family entertainment.(Victory Management Group), see an image of the car on the #39 team paint schemes page.(10-5-2012)
Las Vegas sets aside days for Cup teams to test: Las Vegas Motor Speedway has set aside two days for NASCAR Sprint Cup teams to test at the 1.5-mile superspeedway in preparation for the Kobalt Tools 400. NASCAR’s announcement last week that it would allow all NASCAR Sprint Cup racing organizations to have four tests (not including Daytona) prompted speedway officials to open up the dates on the speedway’s calendar. “Before the testing ban was implemented, every major race team used Las Vegas as a key test heading into the season,” said LVMS president Chris Powell. “There are a lot of tracks very similar to Las Vegas, so between the favorable January weather and the amount of data that can be collected by testing here, we hope many of the teams will choose to test in Las Vegas prior to the start of the season.”(LVMS)(10-5-2012)
Kansas Speedway ticket office open on weeekends: As the Hollywood Casino 400, Kansas Lottery 300 and Kansas Lottery 98.9 near, the Kansas Speedway ticket office is extending office hours starting this weekend. The ticket office will be open from 10 AM – 2 PM on Saturday and Sunday. The hours will continue on Oct. 13 and 14 as well. Kansas Speedway’s ticket office is also open Monday – Friday from 8 AM – 5 PM CT, and fans can purchase tickets online 24 hours a day at www.kansasspeedway.com. Race fans can also purchase tickets by calling 866.460.RACE (7223), Monday – Friday from 8 AM – 9 PM CT and on Saturday and Sunday from 8 AM – 7 PM CT. On race weekends, Kansas Speedway’s toll-free number, 866.460.RACE (7223) is available from 8 AM – 9 PM CT.(Kansas Speedway)(10-5-2012)

News from October 4, 2012
Bass Pro Shops will sponsor Stewart in 2013: After the smoke cleared, Tony Stewart emerged from his #14 Chevy in the parking lot of Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World to a thunderous ovation from about 600 fans who gathered to hear confirmation of what many already suspected. “I want to introduce you to Tony Stewart, new driver of the Bass Pro Shops Chevy,” Bass Pro founder Johnny Morris said late Thursday afternoon. And with that, a day before complete details are revealed at Talladega, the reigning and three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion had a new primary sponsor for 2013. Stewart-Haas racing was in the market for a sponsor after Office Depot announced earlier this year it was leaving the sport. And Bass Pro was in the final year of a sponsorship agreement with Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing’s Jamie McMurray. Mobil One is staying as the second primary sponsor, Stewart said. Morris said Bass Pro also plans to continue as a sponsor for brothers Austin and Ty Dillon in the NASCAR Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series, respectively, and that he appreciates the bond with Joplin native McMurray over the last three seasons.(Springfield, MO News-Leader)(10-4-2012)
AARP extends contract with Gordon, Hendrick: Jeff Gordon and Hendrick Motorsports announced a contract extension Thursday through 2014 with sponsor AARP and AARP Foundation. The AARP Foundation signed a three-year deal in 2011 with its “Drive to End Hunger” campaign to be Gordon’s primary sponsor. It became the first cause-related sponsorship to sign on as primary sponsor for a major race team. The one-year extension gives Drive to End Hunger the opportunity to continue addressing hunger issues among elder Americans. Gordon, a four-time NASCAR champion, has helped deliver food to food banks and has actively supported the cause since partnering with the campaign. The initiative has led to the donation of more than 13 million meals to hungry older Americans and raised more than $17 million through corporate and individual support. Drive to End Hunger is the primary sponsor of Gordon’s #24 Chevy in 22 Sprint Cup Series races.(Associated Press/ESPN)(10-4-2012)
Toyota not happy with Kyle Busch’s Dover comments: UPDATE: After leading – by far – the most laps in Sunday’s AAA 400 at Dover International Speedway, #18Kyle Busch was forced to make a late pit stop under green flag conditions in order to make it to the end of the race. The stop cost him the win and he finished seventh, one lap down. Only six cars, including winner Brad Keselowski, finished on the lead lap. As he crossed the finish line, Busch let loose a short, vulgarity-laced tirade over his team radio directed at Toyota Racing Development, claiming the in-house tuning shop for all Toyota cars had cost him and his No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing team “another one.” On Wednesday, Lee White, TRD president, took issue with Busch’s comments. “We’re as frustrated as he was that he didn’t win that race considering how many laps he led, considering he and Denny (Hamlin) both literally dominated the race. We’re as disappointed as he was. However, we’ve got used to saying ‘That’s just Kyle, you know’ But this is a bit of a special case,” White said. “We’re extremely disappointed in his negative comments and the tone of the comments after the event. It is under discussion as we move forward. We certainly are very disappointed, having said that, Kyle is an amazing talent in a race car and he takes it very personally when something goes wrong and he loses a race he thinks he should have won. I look forward to take it up with coach (Joe) Gibbs and see if we can’t do something to sort it out so that we have a better working relationship in the future. I am confident that we will.”(Charlotte Observer)(10-4-2012)
UPDATE: The following statements are from Kyle Busch, Lee White, Joe Gibbs, and Ed Laukes regarding the conclusion of last Sunday’s NSACAR Sprint Cup Series race at Dover:
Kyle Busch, Driver of the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota Camry: “I made some remarks out of frustration on my radio at the end of last weekend’s race in Dover that were very misguided. I owe my friends at Toyota and TRD an apology. We have a great partnership with TRD and they built me a motor that helped me lead over 300 laps and nearly lap the field. It’s just frustrating that the caution fell where it did and suddenly it became a fuel mileage race and we were set up for maximum horsepower. Obviously, that worked well for most of the day and you can’t control when the cautions will fall. I think we have a great partnership with TRD and we will continue to communicate with them on what our team is looking for. I’m looking forward to getting down to Talladega this weekend and focusing on the race.”
Lee White, President and General Manager, TRD, U.S.A. (Toyota Racing Development): “We understand Kyle’s passion for racing — and winning. At TRD and Toyota, we have that same zeal for racing — and winning. We were disappointed with Kyle’s post-race comments from Dover — a race that he dominated. Kyle’s had a frustrating year with several car and engine mechanical failures which were not his responsibility, and we’re working extremely hard on our end to improve our products and processes. We will continue to address these issues, but we’re ready to put this behind us and move forward with the remainder of the season, including the Toyota drivers battling for the championship.”
Joe Gibbs, Team Owner, Joe Gibbs Racing: “We have a great relationship with Toyota and obviously they are a major part of everything we do at Joe Gibbs Racing. Toyota is first class in every aspect of their company and they share our passion for winning. It has been a frustrating season for Kyle in many ways when you think about some of the issues we’ve had with that 18 team this year and obviously some of those frustrations carried over to his finish last week in Dover. We were able to lead over 300 laps, but unfortunately the cautions didn’t fall our way and certainly you can understand the frustration of having to give up the lead late in the race. However, Kyle recognizes that his comments and the tone of his comments were misguided. We’ve been able to work through this issue and I think everyone is ready to get back to the focus being on racing and Talladega.”
Ed Laukes, Vice President of Marketing Communications & Motorsports, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A.: “We’ve had a fabulous relationship with Kyle Busch and Joe Gibbs Racing over the last five years. Kyle is a talented driver who wins races and can compete for championships, and he is a very important part of the Toyota brand. We look forward to a long-term relationship with Kyle and Joe Gibbs Racing for years to come.”(Toyota/Gibbs PR)(10-4-2012)
Best Buy sponsoring Stenhouse at Charlotte: Roush Fenway Racing’s Ricky Stenhouse Jr. will pilot the #6 Best Buy Ford in the October 13th Sprint Cup event at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Stenhouse, along with RFR teammate Matt Kenseth, will form a formidable pair of Best Buy Fords, with Kenseth’s #17 Fusion also featuring the Best Buy blue and yellow for the event. It will mark the first time that Best Buy has sponsored two cars in a single race, with race fans treated to both the present and the future of the sport with the unique ‘one-two punch’ of Roush Fenway’s first Sprint Cup Champion in Kenseth and its latest NASCAR Champion in the youthful Stenhouse. The race will be Stenhouse’s third Sprint Cup event of the season and his fourth career Cup start.(Roush Fenway)(10-4-2012)
Talladega Goodyear Tire Notes: Teams in both NASCAR series in action at Talladega this weekend will run the same tire codes, though the Sprint Cup tires will be branded “Goodyear Eagle,” while the Camping World Truck tires will be branded “Goodyear Wrangler” . . . this is the same combination of left- and right-side tires that teams in NASCAR’s top three series have run at Talladega since the beginning of 2011 . . . NASCAR teams have also run this same tire set-up at Daytona over the last two seasons . . . this left-side tire code (D-4138) has been run by Sprint Cup teams at Talladega since 2009 . . . 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.(Goodyear) See tire codes, pressures, number of sets and more on the Talladega Race Info page – Goodyear section.(10-4-2012)
Chassis selections for this weeks race: see the list of many teams [that report or post these] and what chassis were selected by the team to run at Talladega Superspeedway on the Talladega Race Info page – Chassis selection area.
NASCAR Acceleration Weekend returns in February: NASCAR has announced the return of NASCAR Acceleration Weekend, a fan-friendly season-launching event that celebrates the past, present and future of the sport. Next year’s NASCAR Acceleration Weekend will again take place at the NASCAR Hall of Fame and Charlotte Convention Center from February 8-10, 2013.
The weekend’s activities begin Friday, February 8, with the NASCAR Hall of Fame’s Class of 2013 induction into the Hall of Honor. The five inductees – Buck Baker, Cotton Owens, Herb Thomas, Rusty Wallace and Leonard Wood – will be honored during a dinner and ceremony at the Charlotte Convention Center. At the same event, Ken Squier and Barney Hall will be presented with the inaugural Squier-Hall Award for Media Excellence.
The following day, Saturday, February 9, the NASCAR Preview 2013 begins at 7 a.m. in the Charlotte Convention Center. Similar to last year’s event, the all-day fan festival will feature autograph and on-stage Q&A; sessions by top drivers from all three national series. The event will also include a look at the new 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series cars and paint schemes, interactive displays, giveaways and activities for fans of all ages.
On Sunday, February 10, the newly inducted NASCAR Hall of Famers and/or their representatives will be on hand at the NASCAR Hall of Fame for the unveiling of the granite markers on the Ceremonial Plaza.
Tickets for all events during the 2013 NASCAR Acceleration Weekend go on sale Oct. 9, 2012. They are available online at www.nascaracceleration.com or the NASCAR Hall of Fame box office.(NASCAR)(10-4-2012)
Biffle goes pink at ‘Dega: October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and in honor of that the #16 3M Ford will run a special pink paint scheme this weekend in Talladega.(Roush Fenway Racing), see an image of the car on the #16 team paint schemes page.(10-4-2012)
Bowyer goes pink in October: Clint Bowyer’s #15 5-hour ENERGY Toyota will turn pink in October. And that makes the Chase’s fourth-place driver happy. “If I’m going to be wearing pink and driving a pink car it better be for a great cause!” said Bowyer. “Trust me, this is a great cause.” The paint scheme that makes its first appearance this weekend in Talladega calls attention to the Avon Foundation for Breast Cancer Crusade as well as 5-hour ENERGY’s newest flavor-Pink Lemonade. Bowyer will also drive the pink paint scheme in the Charlotte, Kansas and Martinsville races.(MWR)(10-4-2012)
Peanut Patch Boiled Peanuts returns to the #38: With two top-10 finishes, a fourth-place finish and a pole at Talladega, David Gilliland has no worries bringing a green-themed Ford to the Talladega Superspeedway this weekend for Sunday’s 500-mile race event. Gilliland will pilot the #38 Peanut Patch Boiled Peanuts Ford. This is the second time that the Margaret Holmes-brand will sponsor Front Row Motorsports this season. The team is looking for a good run on Sunday to help bring the team momentum into the race at Charlotte Motor Speedway where another Margaret Holmes brand, Glory Foods, will sponsor both David Ragan and Gilliland in the same race.(Breaking Limits/Front Row), see an image of the car on the #38 team paint schemes page.(10-4-2012)
MHP colors return to the #34 at Talladega: David Ragan will arrive to the Talladega Superspeedway for Sunday’s 500-mile NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event with a few guests courtesy of his sponsor Maximum Human Performance (MHP). MHP, the season-long partner of Ragan and Front Row Motorsports, will be hosting VH1 Mob Wives reality TV star Drita D’Avanzo and their recent “One Hot Mother” model search winner Crystal Marie at the track this weekend. Both will be helping Ragan and the race team continue to educate fans about MHP products 8-Hour Alert and Fit & Lean Power Pak Pudding. In addition to the colors of 8-Hour Alert on the No. 34 Ford Fusion this weekend, MHP has partnered with D’rita to help bring awareness to her charitable foundation, “Single But Not Alone,” which helps support single mothers.(Breaking Limits/Front Row), see an image of the car on the #34 team paint schemes page.(10-4-2012)
Talladega Superspeedway Fan Fest and Hauler Parade Set for Thursday: Talladega Superspeedway will host a special fan fest and hauler parade at the Bass Pro Shops in Leeds, AL., Thursday Oct. 4 from 3:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. In addition to getting close to the giant rigs that transport the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series cars across the country, fans will also have the chance to bid on a ride to Talladega Superspeedway in one of the haulers while benefiting the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Jamie McMurray’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series hauler will be open from 3:30 to 5:30 for fans to take a sneak peek at the gear a team transports week after week. After the haulers leave for Talladega Superspeedway, the fun doesn’t end. Tony Stewart, Ty Dillon and Jamie McMurray are scheduled to host an autograph signing at Bass Pro Shops at 6 p.m.(TSS)(10-4-2012)
National Anthem singers announced for Talladega: Up and coming country singer-songwriter RaeLynn has just been announced as the National Anthem singer for the Good Sam Roadside Assistance 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on October 7th. Known for being voted to Team Blake during season 2 of “The Voice”, RaeLynn will be performing “The Star-Spangled Banner” just before the engines roar to life on Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway-NASCAR’s Most Competitive Track. Following her success on NBC’s hit singing competition, RaeLynn has garnered praise from some of country music’s top stars, including Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert, who invited RaeLynn to perform with her at Stagecoach, California’s premier country music festival. RaeLynn has also been writing and recording songs for her first album on Republic Nashville, which will showcase pizzazz and honor country roots. Before the trucks hit the track on Saturday for the Camping World Truck Series fred’s 250 Powered by Coca-Cola, local 2nd-grader Malia Thibado will sing the national anthem.(TSS)(10-4-2012)
Pocono Raceway partners with Redbox for ticket sales : Pocono Raceway announced, through its relationship with New Era Tickets, the Official Ticket Partner of “The Tricky Triangle,” tickets to the 2013 Pocono 400 (June 9) and Pennsylvania 400 (August 4) races are now available at select Redbox kiosks in the greater-Philadelphia area. The Raceway joins an elite list of national sport venues and events to partner with Redbox Tickets, including the Wells Fargo Center (Philadelphia), Villanova University Athletics and the Philadelphia Film Festival. Concourse Vista Grandstand tickets, costing $50 or $25 for children ages 12 and under, to both 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at the Long Pond, PA facility will be available at nearly 600 Redbox Philadelphia-area kiosks or online at www.redbox.com/tickets. Additional Pocono Raceway seating locations and events may become available at a later date.(Pocono Raceway)(10-3-2012)

News from October 3, 2012
Teams complete 2013 car test at Talladega: Redesigned race cars that will debut next season in the 55th running of the Daytona 500 got its first taste of restrictor plate racing today as seven teams put the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series car through its paces at Talladega Superspeedway. Teams tested the 2013 model, which will highlight greater brand identity for the series’ manufacturers, searching for data on aerodynamics, cooling and drivability. The new-look cars turned competitive laps while drafting and in single-car runs. NASCAR officials, who also analyzed engine restrictor plates and drafting performance, were pleased with the early results. “With a different car, we’ll look at what it’s going to take for [restrictor] plate size and some other things, but the main concern is how the cars draft, how they react in the draft, and obviously to get more one-on-one racing,” said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR vice president of competition. “All of the input that we have from the drivers and the teams so far has been pretty good.” Today’s six-hour test was extended by 30 minutes after morning fog delayed some teams’ arrival.(NASCAR)(10-3-2012)
NASCAR close to TV deal with Fox: UPDATE: NASCAR is close to finalizing a new TV deal with Fox for the first half of the Sprint Cup season, but a deal for the second half will not be wrapped up until next summer at the earliest, according to several sources. Fox started negotiations for its package earlier this spring and has agreed on the broad terms of a new deal to continue in the sport, sources said. An announcement is likely to come in the weeks after the broadcaster’s media rights deal with Major League Baseball is announced officially. But the remaining inventory of NASCAR’s media package will be in question for the next year. That’s because ESPN and Turner Sports executives told NASCAR that they are not willing to start negotiations on their media contracts early. NASCAR approached both networks earlier this summer about new deals, but both chose to wait until their exclusive negotiating windows kick in next summer. Typically, negotiating windows last around a month. Despite declining ratings, particularly in the younger demographics, NASCAR stands to bring in more money from its next media deals. The addition of NBC Sports as a serious new bidder could create a bidding battle that could help push rights fees higher than many expect. ESPN, which carries the NASCAR Chase for the Sprint Cup Championship, is interested in renewing its deal. Turner, which carries six midseason races, is interested in adding more races to its schedule. Sources familiar with NASCAR’s plans said the organization hasn’t decided whether it will sell its entire package of rights to one partner, two partners or three, as it has in its current deal. That decision won’t be finalized until after it’s held initial conversations with ESPN and Turner. See more at Sports business Journal.(10-1-2012)
UPDATE: The curveball in a new FOX deal is the impact the network’s change of SPEED into Fox Sports One, a new all sports channel that will carry Major League Baseball, college football and basketball and other sports in addition to NASCAR programming. Hoping to keep up with the likes of the ABC/ESPN, NBC/NBC Sports Network as well as CBS/CBS Sports Network pairings, FOX plans to flip the current motorsports and automotive channel into its own general sports cable network. As of now ancillary NASCAR programming such as practice, qualifying and support events like the Camping World Truck Series would be mixed into the revamped channel’s content line-up. There is word FOX will also stream NASCAR programming beginning next season, ala the “Watch ESPN” initiative that will allow mobile device access for thousands of viewers. Assuming FOX comes to terms, the remainder of the new NASCAR television package is a bit fuzzier. While it appears ABC/ESPN and TNT will return to the negotiating table, the NBC’s interest is a wild card. Desperate for content to help build its fledging sports net, the Peacock folks are eyeballing a return to the business of stock car racing. The Nationwide Series, currently an ABC/ESPN property, could be in play for NBC as well as the Truck Series should FOX decide to back off the amount of NASCAR programming for its cable sports network or the “World Wide Leader” scale back its stock car investment. CBS or perhaps niche outlets like “The History Channel” might also dip their toes into the negotiations.(CBS Sports)(10-3-2012)
2013 car test at Talladega Wednesday: #31-Jeff Burton will be one of the drivers taking part in Wednesday’s test of the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series car at Talladega Superspeedway. Seven teams will be at the test, with Burton representing Richard Childress Racing. With this being the first test of the new car on a restrictor-plate track, Burton believes one of the keys will be to see if drivers can avoid the nose-to-tail tandem style of drafting. With the new body styles for Chevy, Ford and Toyota, the test is an opportunity to see if the cars even have the ability to draft in tandem. Along with Hendrick Motorsports’ #5-Kasey Kahne and Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing’s #42-Juan Pablo Montoya, Burton will be driving Chev’s new SS entry around the high banks of Talladega. #22-Sam Hornish Jr. will help in Penske Racing’s off-season transition to Ford by driving one of the new Fusions in the test. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., who will drive the # 17 Ford for Roush Fenway Racing next year, also will be at Wednesday’s session. Toyota will be represented by Joe Gibbs Racing and Michael Waltrip Racing with drivers #20-Joey Logano and #55-Brian Vickers scheduled to be behind the wheel, respectively. Wednesday’s session will be open to the public and will run from 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (CT). Seating will be located on the backstretch in Section Y of the Allison Grandstands. Fans can park in Lot 6E and enter the grandstands through gate P-22.(Motor Racing Network)(10-3-2012)
Sponsorship announcement for Stewart Haas: UPDATES: Stewart Haas Racing is expected to announce sponsorship for Ryan Newman Tuesday and likely will include existing nine-race sponsor Quicken Loans, according to those with knowledge of the announcement. Newman is losing the U.S. Army’s 12-race sponsorship after this season. He re-signed with the team in early September even though it had not announced any sponsors for 2013. Stewart himself needs a sponsor to replace Office Depot and its 22 races for next season. Several sources indicated that SHR is talking with Bass Pro Shops and an announcement could come as early as late next week. Bass Pro Shops already is an associate sponsor of the organization and has been on the hood of Newman’s car for a couple of races. A Bass Pro spokesman said last week the company had no comment on the speculation of the company sponsoring SHR.(Sporting News)(9-29-2012)
UPDATE: Quicken Loans, the nation’s largest online mortgage lender, announced that it will double down on its partnership with Stewart-Haas Racing and Ryan Newman, driver of the #39 Chevy in the Sprint Cup Series. Through the new agreement, Quicken Loans will serve as Newman’s primary sponsor for 18 Sprint Cup races in 2013, marking the majority of the season. When not the primary sponsor, the company will be an associate sponsor on Newman’s Chevrolet. Additionally, Quicken Loans will remain as an associate sponsor on the #14 Mobil 1 Chevy driven by three-time and reigning Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart throughout the 2013 season. The company also announced details of its newly launched Skip-a-Year Sweepstakes, which will pay up to five entrants’ mortgages for a full year. “We were not sure what to expect with the 2012 season being our first in the sport,” said Jay Farner, President and Chief Marketing Officer for Quicken Loans. “What we quickly found was that NASCAR fans are tremendously passionate and loyal to the brands that help drive their sport. It was their commitment to our company that ultimately allowed us to significantly increase our involvement with the sport, Stewart-Haas Racing and Ryan Newman.” In 2012, Quicken Loans is a primary sponsor for nine races with Newman and the #39 team, while also maintaining an associate sponsorship with Stewart.(Stewart-Haas Racing)(10-2-2012)
UPDATE 2: SHR also is working on a potential deal with Bass Pro Shops to replace some of the 22 races left open on Tony Stewart’s car after Office Depot announced plans to leave the sport after this season. “It’s a huge first step in filling in a couple of large voids,” Stewart said of expanding the sponsorship of Quicken Loans. “Hopefully, that will have a domino effect. “We’re really close to getting Ryan’s races sold. We’re still working on getting mine taken care of. We feel we have a couple of good leads that hopefully will get done before the end of the year.” The good news for Newman is his car is almost fully sponsored, with Wix Filters, Outback Steakhouse and Aspen Dental expected to return. He said getting Quicken Loans on the car for 18 races gives him more confidence that his one-year deal for next season could become more long-term.(ESPN)(10-3-2012)
Newman’s crew and crew chief to Danica? UPDATE Danica Patrick will be in good hands when she runs her first full season in the Sprint Cup Series in 2013. Stewart Haas Racing is looking to support Patrick with the veteran crew (chief Tony Gibson and the squad) that currently services the #39 team and Ryan Newman. “That’s what we’re looking at,” says Patrick’s current Cup crew chief and SHR Competition Director Greg Zipadelli. “We sat down and talked with all the guys about it, and we just feel that they’re a real solid group of people. They have great attitudes, pretty upbeat. We feel like that’s the best thing to do is surround Danica with a really great group of people that don’t normally make mistakes. They don’t have issues. I look at them as generally, their glasses are always half-full. I think that’s the best thing for her.” Zipadelli has a short list of crew chiefs for Newman but considering that most are still under contract with other teams he elected not to comment.(Fox Sports)(9-29-2012)
UPDATE: They are a veteran group and Gibson’s easygoing demeanor would work well with Patrick and the media spotlight. And Newman seems OK with the potential change. “I wouldn’t say I would be upset,” Newman said. “I think a lot of (Gibson) as a person. We’ve had success on the racetrack and we’ve struggled on the racetrack.” Newman said if he could get his crew chief in before the end of the season, that would be beneficial but it would need to be most of the crew he’d be working with in 2013. That could be difficult as SHR needs to hire extra people for the addition of a car. “Nothing has been decided yet-we’re just talking about different options and trying to evaluate how we can make our program better next year,” team co-owner Tony Stewart said.(Sporting News)(10-2-2012)
600th NASCAR start for Edwards: #99-Carl Edwards will make his 600th NASCAR national series start this weekend, becoming the 40th driver to reach that milestone. The starts breakdown: 294 in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 245 in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and 60 in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.(NASCAR)(10-3-2012)
NASCAR Mexico Toyota Series to race in Phoenix: Phoenix International Raceway President Bryan R. Sperber, NASCAR and OCESA announced that the NASCAR Mexico Toyota Series will make its United States debut at PIR during the March, 2013 race weekend. The landmark international event will run on Friday, March 1, as part of the SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series weekend at PIR. The race will be televised in the United States, Mexico and Latin America. The 75-lap event will feature a format that includes a scheduled break after the first 50-laps followed by a 25-lap sprint to the finish. A full field of drivers from the NASCAR Mexico Toyota Series is expected to participate in this history making race, including current points leader Daniel Suarez, driver of the No. 3 Equipo TELCEL. The NASCAR Mexico Toyota Series will kick off its 10th season overall and seventh under the NASCAR banner at Phoenix International Raceway on March 1, 2013, followed by 14 races at eight different tracks throughout Mexico.(PIR)(10-3-2012)
Miller Lite Infield Track Bar returns at Talladega: One of the main attractions at this year’s Good Sam Roadside Assistance 500 Weekend is the return of the Miller Lite Infield Track Bar. Open until 2 a.m. Friday through Sunday, the bar serves up the coldest beer at the track and is a huge hub of excitement among race fans all weekend long. Over the years the bar has become the place to party and watch college football on Saturday. The Miller Lite Infield Track Bar is located at the intersection of Talladega and Eastaboga Boulevards, putting it at the center of the famous Talladega infield action. The bar opens at 4 p.m. on Friday and at 11 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Extra TV’s are being brought in this year to make sure fans catch all the college football action on Saturday.(TSS)(10-3-2012)
Hamlin Package Gets Fans Into Driver Q&A; at Martinsville: Denny Hamlin has to be considered a favorite to win the TUMS Fast Relief 500 when the Chase for the Sprint Cup rolls into Martinsville Speedway on October 28. Now Hamlin’s fans will get the chance to hear what he thinks about his Chase chances and the odds of him pulling off another Martinsville Speedway win when he meets with those who purchase the Denny Hamlin Package for the TUMS Fast Relief 500. The Hamlin Package includes a seat in the Old Dominion Tower and admission to a question-and-answer session with Hamlin for just $73. The question-and-answer session is tentatively scheduled for 10:10 on race morning. It will be a 15-minute emceed appearance. The Denny Hamlin Package may be purchased by calling 877.RACE.TIX or on line at www.martinsvillespeedway.com. If someone has already purchased a ticket for the TUMS Fast Relief 500, they can add on an admission for the Hamlin appearance by calling 877.RACE.TIX.(Marinsville Speedway)(10-3-2012)

News from October 2, 2012
Dover TV Ratings: ESPN’s live telecast of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway on Sunday, Sept. 30, earned a 2.6 household coverage rating (2.2 U.S. rating), averaging 3,581,380 viewers, according to the Nielsen Company. The rating was down from last year’s race, which earned a 3.0 household coverage rating.(ESPN) see ratings for past 2012 ratings and 4-year comparison chart on the 2012 TV Ratings page.(10-2-2012)
Sponsorship announcement for Stewart Haas: UPDATE: Stewart Haas Racing is expected to announce sponsorship for Ryan Newman Tuesday and likely will include existing nine-race sponsor Quicken Loans, according to those with knowledge of the announcement. Newman is losing the U.S. Army’s 12-race sponsorship after this season. He re-signed with the team in early September even though it had not announced any sponsors for 2013. Stewart himself needs a sponsor to replace Office Depot and its 22 races for next season. Several sources indicated that SHR is talking with Bass Pro Shops and an announcement could come as early as late next week. Bass Pro Shops already is an associate sponsor of the organization and has been on the hood of Newman’s car for a couple of races. A Bass Pro spokesman said last week the company had no comment on the speculation of the company sponsoring SHR.(Sporting News)(9-29-2012)
UPDATE: Quicken Loans, the nation’s largest online mortgage lender, announced that it will double down on its partnership with Stewart-Haas Racing and Ryan Newman, driver of the #39 Chevy in the Sprint Cup Series. Through the new agreement, Quicken Loans will serve as Newman’s primary sponsor for 18 Sprint Cup races in 2013, marking the majority of the season. When not the primary sponsor, the company will be an associate sponsor on Newman’s Chevrolet. Additionally, Quicken Loans will remain as an associate sponsor on the #14 Mobil 1 Chevy driven by three-time and reigning Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart throughout the 2013 season. The company also announced details of its newly launched Skip-a-Year Sweepstakes, which will pay up to five entrants’ mortgages for a full year. “We were not sure what to expect with the 2012 season being our first in the sport,” said Jay Farner, President and Chief Marketing Officer for Quicken Loans. “What we quickly found was that NASCAR fans are tremendously passionate and loyal to the brands that help drive their sport. It was their commitment to our company that ultimately allowed us to significantly increase our involvement with the sport, Stewart-Haas Racing and Ryan Newman.” In 2012, Quicken Loans is a primary sponsor for nine races with Newman and the #39 team, while also maintaining an associate sponsorship with Stewart.(Stewart-Haas Racing)(10-2-2012)
NASCAR still looking at changes to Top 35 rule: Sprint Cup teams are looking forward to having four additional test sessions next season and they might have more things to test than they initially thought. Teams are awaiting 2013 rules and several team officials said over the weekend they anticipate NASCAR might give them a little more leeway in some areas of the car, while also restricting the ability to skew the rear of the cars. Not only will testing allow them to work now at the tracks that they race on, they also might need to work a little more on qualifying. Teams also are anticipating that NASCAR will get rid of the top-35 rule and go back to the previous system of the top 36 (or 37 or 38) cars in qualifying making the race, with the remainder of the field set by provisionals based primarily on owner points. The top-35 rule guarantees the top 35 teams in owner points starting spots in each race. The rest of the field must make the race on speed. Under the new format, all teams would have to qualify on speed or have enough owner points to be eligible for a provisional starting spot. NASCAR could announce that change and other new rules during a test at Talladega Superspeedway Wednesday for the 2013 Cup car. Kyle Busch said his Joe Gibbs Racing team already is experimenting with some ideas for next year. Busch said teams know the cars are going to be lighter by 100-160 pounds. He also said there will be aero changes that he said he would be the “test dummy” for at a tire test at Texas Motor Speedway in two weeks.(Sporting News)(10-2-2012)
Gwaltney to wrap #43 Ford at Talladega Superspeedway: Gwaltney Foods, producer of quality bacon, franks, lunchmeats, sausage and hams, will wrap Aric Almirola’s #43 Ford with its signature red and yellow colors for the October 7, 2012 race at Talladega Superspeedway. “Gwaltney is a trusted family brand with over 140 year history of producing the quality meat products at a popular price point,” said Will Brunt, Vice President of Marketing at Smithfield Packing. “Gwaltney proudly boasts America’s number-one rated chicken frank and bologna, and we’re excited to be running our prize sweepstakes in conjunction with the Talladega race, as many of our customers are stock-car racing fans.”(Richard Petty Motorsports)(10-2-2012)
News & Notes at Talladega Superspeedway:
• 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.
• The name changed to Talladega Superspeedway in 1989.
• Fourth repaving completed on Sept. 19, 2006.
• There have been 86 NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Talladega Superspeedway since the track opened in 1969; two a year every year except the inaugural season, which had just one.
• Richard Brickhouse won the first NASCAR Sprint Cup race.
• Bobby Isaac won the first NASCAR Sprint Cup pole in September 1969. Isaac won the first three poles there.
• 35 different drivers have won poles. Bill Elliott leads all drivers with eight poles.
• 41 different drivers have posted victories, led by Dale Earnhardt Sr. (10). Twenty-one drivers have won more than once.
• Jeff Gordon leads all active drivers in victories, with six. Dale Earnhardt Jr. is second among active drivers with five.
• Richard Childress Racing has won more than any other organization at Talladega with 12 wins.
• 33 of 86 races have been won from a top-two starting positions, including 13 from the pole; 24 have been won from a starting position outside the top 10. The most recent driver to win from the pole was Jeff Gordon in 2007 (spring).
• The furthest back in the field a race winner started was 36th, by Jeff Gordon in 2000.
• Brad Keselowski leads the series among active drivers in average finishing position at Talladega with a 13.0. Trevor Bayne leads the series among active drivers in average starting position with an 8.6.
• Mark Martin’s pace in the 1997 spring race set an all-time NASCAR Sprint Cup record for the fastest race ever. He won the caution-free race with an average speed of 188.354 mph and covered the 500-mile distance in two hours, 39 minutes and 18 seconds.
• The 2010 spring race set the all-time and track records for lead changes (88) and lap leaders (29). Last season’s spring race tied the 2010 record for most lead changes with 88 (amongst 26 lap leaders). The previous highs were 75 lead changes (set on May 6, 1984) and 28 lap leaders (set on Oct. 5, 2008). Both previous records also were set at Talladega.
• Dale Earnhardt Jr. had four consecutive victories (October 2001 through April 2003), the most ever by a driver at Talladega Superspeedway. Buddy Baker (three – May 1975 through May 1976) is the only other driver to win more than two consecutive races there.
• Since the inception of electronic scoring in 1993, every race that has ended under green has had a margin of victory under half a second.
• The 2011 spring race tied the 03/16/2003 Darlington race won by Ricky Craven for the all-time record of the closest NASCAR Sprint Cup Series finish (0.002 seconds) since the inception of electronic scoring.
• Youngest NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Talladega Superspeedway winner: Bobby Hillin Jr. (07/27/1986 – 22 years, 1 month, 22 days).
• Oldest NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Talladega Superspeedway winner: Harry Gant (05/06/1991 – 51 years, 3 months, 26 days)
(NASCAR)(10-2-2012)
Talladega pre-race ceremonies bring star power to track: The Good Sam Roadside Assistance 500 Weekend is only days away and with it comes a list of Pre-Race Dignitaries that includes respected executives and stars of television and film. The fred’s 250 Powered by Coca-Cola gets the racing action started with Grand Marshal Alan Crocket, Executive VP & Chief Merchandising Officer of fred’s. Waving the green flag is Honorary Starter Keith Curtis, Senior Vice President Merchandising of fred’s. For Sunday’s main event, the Good Sam Roadside Assistance 500, the Honorary Starter will be TJ Smith, the Vice President of Camping World with Willie and Korie Robertson from the A&E; series “Duck Dynasty” serving as honorary race officials. The Grand Marshal is actor Kevin James, star of the film Here Comes the Boom which hits theaters on October 12th.(TSS)(10-2-2012)
Petty Driving Experience available after Homestead Nationwide race:Homestead-Miami Speedway and Richard Petty Driving Experience are teaming up to provide fans with the opportunity to ride in a 600 horsepower NASCAR stock car on the same track that hosts NASCAR’s top championship races. Race Rides will be available following the NASACAR Nationwide Series championship race, the Ford EcoBoost 300, on Saturday, November 17. In addition to one Richard Petty Driving Experience Race Ride, the $144 package includes: One Grandstand ticket to the Ford EcoBoost 300, one reserved Grandstand ticket to the Sunday (Nov 18) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400, and a preferred parking pass. Fans that have already purchased their tickets can purchase the Race Ride separately. It is available now at homesteadmiamispeedway.com/petty or by calling 305.230.5255.(HMS)(10-2-2012)
‘Pink’ Plans for the Dollar General 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway: NASCAR Nationwide Series points leader Elliott Sadler and his brother, motorsports analyst Hermie Sadler, joined breast cancer survivors from as far away as Ohio, to paint the start/finish line at Charlotte Motor Speedway pink in preparation for next week’s Dollar General 300 Nationwide Series race. The Dollar General 300, scheduled for Oct. 12 at the legendary 1.5-mile superspeedway, will feature a pink color scheme in an effort to raise awareness of breast cancer and honor those fighting the disease. Charlotte Motor Speedway and Dollar General are working together to pink-out the track with several elements to help bring awareness to the cause. In addition to the pink start/finish line, the pink Dollar General 300 event logo will be displayed on the infield grass. The official Toyota Camry pace car will also have a pink color scheme and the winner of the Dollar General 300 will go home with a one-of-a-kind pink trophy. In addition, the race tickets for the Dollar General 300 have a pink motif. Three hundred breast cancer survivors will be recognized in a special “Ring of Survivors” during pre-race ceremonies. The survivors will wear pink shirts and hats and carry flags as they circle the stage on the frontstretch. Speedway officials are also encouraging fans to show their support and wear pink clothing for the Friday night NASCAR Nationwide Series race.(CMS)(10-2-2012)

News from October 1, 2012
The Entry List for the Good Sam Roadside Assistance 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway is posted, 44 teams/drivers [for 43 spots] are listed, including:
Not in top 35 of owners points:
#21-Trevor Bayne (36/11)
#23-Robert Richardson, Jr. (44/27)
#26-Josh Wise (41/29)
#30-David Stremme (38/29)
#33-Cole Whitt (37/29)
#37-J.J. Yeley (50/14)
#87-Joe Nemechek (42/29)
#97-Timmy Hill (54/2)
#98-Michael McDowell (40/29)
In the event that qualifying is cancelled:
the eight who would make it [8]: #’s 21,33,30,98,26,87,23,37
missing the race would be [1]: # 97
See the full entry list at my Jayski’s Richmond Entry List
NASCAR close to TV deal with Fox: NASCAR is close to finalizing a new TV deal with Fox for the first half of the Sprint Cup season, but a deal for the second half will not be wrapped up until next summer at the earliest, according to several sources. Fox started negotiations for its package earlier this spring and has agreed on the broad terms of a new deal to continue in the sport, sources said. An announcement is likely to come in the weeks after the broadcaster’s media rights deal with Major League Baseball is announced officially. But the remaining inventory of NASCAR’s media package will be in question for the next year. That’s because ESPN and Turner Sports executives told NASCAR that they are not willing to start negotiations on their media contracts early. NASCAR approached both networks earlier this summer about new deals, but both chose to wait until their exclusive negotiating windows kick in next summer. Typically, negotiating windows last around a month. Despite declining ratings, particularly in the younger demographics, NASCAR stands to bring in more money from its next media deals. The addition of NBC Sports as a serious new bidder could create a bidding battle that could help push rights fees higher than many expect. ESPN, which carries the NASCAR Chase for the Sprint Cup Championship, is interested in renewing its deal. Turner, which carries six midseason races, is interested in adding more races to its schedule. Sources familiar with NASCAR’s plans said the organization hasn’t decided whether it will sell its entire package of rights to one partner, two partners or three, as it has in its current deal. That decision won’t be finalized until after it’s held initial conversations with ESPN and Turner. See more at Sports business Journal.(10-1-2012)
Tryson to BK Racing: Veteran crew chief Pat Tryson has joined the BK Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team, effective immediately. BK Racing purchased the assets of the former Red Bull Racing during the offseason, and fields the # 93 Burger King/Dr. Pepper Toyota for driver Travis Kvapil, as well as Landon Cassill’s #83 Burger King/Dr. Pepper Toyota. Kvapil and Cassill rank 30th and 31st in Sprint Cup Series points, respectively, and have yet to record a Top-10 finish. Tryson brings a wealth of experience to the team. He served as crew chief for Kurt Busch at Penske Racing in 2009, before leaving the team for what were termed “personal reasons.” He headed Martin Truex, Jr.’s Michael Waltrip Racing/NAPA Toyota team until stepping down in June, and has most recently served as a consultant with JTG Daugherty Racing and driver Bobby Labonte. BK Racing co-owner Ron Devine said he initially planned for Tryson to assume his new post next Monday, following this weekend’s race at Talladega Superspeedway. When Tryson was able to secure his release from JTG-Daugherty late last week, he became available to assume his new post immediately. Exactly what that post will be, however, remains to be seen. “I’m not exactly sure what the plan is yet,” said Tryson today. “We’ll see as we go along. I’ve been asked to look around, assess the situation and see where I think they can use some help. Once I do that, I’ll know more.” Devine said he believes Tryson will ultimately serve in what he called “a team capacity. Right now, the 93 car can use some support, so we’ll use him there,” he said. “Pat is obviously crew chief capable, but he’s also competition director capable. We’ll see where he feels he can be of the most use.(Godfather Motorsports)(10-1-2012)
Time Warner Cable sponsoring Kahne: Time Warner Cable Inc., among the largest providers of video and Internet services in the United States, will for the first time become a primary sponsor in the Sprint Cup Series after extending its association with Hendrick Motorsports through 2015. The #5 Time Warner Cable Chevrolet will make its debut in the Oct. 13 Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, where driver Kasey Kahne has four career Sprint Cup wins. In addition, Time Warner Cable will be Kahne’s primary sponsor in four Cup races annually in 2013, 2014 and 2015.(Hendrick Motorsports)(10-1-2012)
Phoenix Racing will finish season: Kurt Busch’s impending departure leaves James Finch’s #51 Phoenix Racing team with a high degree of uncertainty. Despite speculation to the contrary, crew chief Nick Harrison said the team was committed to running the remainder of this season’s Sprint Cup schedule. “We’re business as usual, moving forward,” Harrison said. “We still have Dover and Talladega with Kurt and really think we can end with a win. We’re running the full season. It’s just a [matter of] who is going to drive.” Harrison says Phoenix Racing has spoken to Regan Smith, the driver Busch will replace for the final six weeks this season in Furniture Row Racing’s #78 car. Finch also is said to have interest in recently reinstated driver AJ Allmendinger as well as David Reutimann, who filled in at Pocono when Busch was suspended for a week this season.(NASCAR.com)(10-1-2012)
Ambrose close to new deal: #9-Marcos Ambrose told ESPN.com on Sunday he is close to completing a new deal with Richard Petty Motorsports. “We’re all good,” Ambrose said before the third race of the Chase at Dover International Speedway. Sources said RPM will soon announce a new deal with Ford as well as the signing of Ambrose. Sources said there also have been talks with Aric Almirola about possibly returning to the #43.(ESPN.com)(10-1-2012)
Elliott Sadler close to deal for 2013; part-time Cup with Gibbs? UPDATE: Elliott Sadler said Tuesday that he is “close” to determining where he will be working next season, but said first he must focus on taking care of unfinished business this season. Sadler currently drives the #2 Chevy full-time for Richard Childress Racing in the Nationwide Series, where he is the current points leader by a slim margin. But he already has said he and RCR will be splitting ways at season’s end. He also has said that he would like to make a return to NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series as soon as possible, and reiterated that point Tuesday after an appearance at RCR where he helped promote the Bank of America 500 that will be run Oct. 13 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. “My goal as a driver is to be back in the Cup Series and make the Chase as a Cup driver. That’s my No. 1 goal,” Sadler said. Asked if he expected to have that chance in 2013, Sadler hedged and replied, “Uh, I don’t know. We’re working on some different things. But my No. 1 goal is to have that opportunity, to be a part of the Chase again.” Sources have confirmed that one of the teams he has been talking with is Joe Gibbs Racing, which appears willing to offer him a full-time Nationwide ride and a limited Cup schedule for 2013 with the possibility of a full-time Cup ride developing by 2014 if full-time sponsorship can be found for a fourth JGR Cup car. “We’re close. We’re talking to three teams right now, so we’ll see,” said Sadler, while declining to offer details on which teams he has been negotiating with. “I’m just kind of late to the party, getting out there and meeting and greeting with everybody.”(NASCAR.com)(9-25-2012)
UPDATE: [Team president J.D.] Gibbs & confirmed the possibility that JGR could hire Nationwide Series point leader Elliott Sadler and Brian Vickers to drive full-time in the Nationwide Series next season. “That’s a potential,” Gibbs said. “I think we have to wait a little while before we can say anything officially.” Sadler, who has made it clear he will not return to Richard Childress Racing after this season, would drive one car with OneMain Financial as the primary sponsor. He also is expected to drive a part-time Sprint Cup schedule. Vickers would drive the second car with Dollar General as the sponsor. Gibbs said the plan is to field a third car for his Cup drivers and developmental drivers Drew Herring and Darrell Wallace Jr. to share.(ESPN.com)(10-1-2012)
Race and Commercial Breakdown of the 2012 AAA 400: For those 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 2:01 PM, and stopped at the waving of the checkered flag at 5:31PM (all times are EST). Did not keep records for the pre- and post-race coverage. ESPN was the broadcast team for this event.
Total number of traditional commercials: 73
Total number of ‘Side-by-Side Commercials’ (split-screen): 58
Total number of commercials: 131
Total number of companies or entities advertised: 43
Total number of brief promos of products/services during the race broadcast: 34
Total amount of time these brief promos take during broadcast: app. 4 min. 35 sec.
Start time to record race/commercial periods: 2:01 PM
End time to record race/commercial periods: 5:31 PM
Total minutes of complete broadcast: 210
Minutes of race broadcast: 182
Minutes of traditional commercials (not split-screen): 28
Minutes of ‘Side-by-Side’ commercials (split-screen): 26
Number of missed restarts: 0
Number of ‘mystery cautions’ (debris not shown): 0
Total race brdcst time 182 Total comm. brdcst time 28
See past races, past links and more on the 2012 NASCAR TV Commercials News page.(10-1-2012)
Bally Technologies Licenses NASCAR Brand Slot Machine: Players, start your engines! Bally Technologies has licensed NASCAR. NASCAR is the first world-class licensed brand that Bally has carried across its games and systems businesses, in the form of the slot machine game and Elite Bonusing Suite’s Virtual Racing NASCAR. Both the slot and the systems-driven promotional tool take everything racing fans love about the sport and put it into a one-of-a-kind gaming experience. Both the NASCAR progressive slot machine and Virtual Racing product will debut at the Global Gaming Expo October 2-4 at the Sands Expo & Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nev. Virtual Racing NASCAR will be available for Bally Systems customers this fall, and casinos can place orders for the NASCAR slot games in mid-2013.
The NASCAR slot features three high-octane bonuses: the Pit Stop Bonus, Burnout Free Games, and the U-Race Bonus.Fueled by Bally’s award-winning U-Spin play mechanic, as well as the new U-Race play mechanic, bonuses offer multiple awards and chances to advance, revving up excitement. The bonuses also combine with a chance at a life-changing progressive award on Bally’s Cash Connection wide-area progressive link, as well as a near-area progressive version.
Using the Virtual Racing application on iVIEW or iVIEW Display Manager (DM) player-user-interface displays, players select one of eight famous NASCAR drivers: Clint Bowyer, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, Matt Kenseth, Mark Martin, and Martin Truex Jr. Leaderboard game progress shows up on all iVIEW and CoolSign-driven displays throughout the casino resort, so participants can cheer their drivers from wherever they are. The excitement peaks when the NASCAR stars cross the finish line. Players who selected the winning driver win a casinoconfigurable prize – from free play or merchandise, to entertainment and amenity awards. It’s all up to the operator what to reward their loyal players. More info at ballytech.com.
AND Bally Technologies announced that Virtual Racing NASCAR will debut at the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa on the Las Vegas Strip during the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) Oct. 1-4. Players who select the winning driver will split a guaranteed prize pool of $20,000 in bonus credits daily during the promotion. The NASCAR races will happen every Monday through Thursday during the month of October. The South Point is giving away $380,000 during this first-of-its-kind floor-wide promotion. More info at ballytech.com.(10-1-2012)

October 2012 News Archives

News from October 31, 2012

News from October 30, 2012

News from October 29, 2012

News from October 28, 2012

News from October 27, 2012

News from October 26, 2012

News from October 25, 2012

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News from October 23, 2012

News from October 22, 2012

News from October 21, 2012

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News from October 19, 2012

News from October 18, 2012

News from October 17, 2012

News from October 16, 2012

News from October 15, 2012

News from October 14, 2012

News from October 13, 2012

News from October 12, 2012

News from October 11, 2012

News from October 10, 2012

News from October 9, 2012

News from October 8, 2012

News from October 7, 2012

News from October 6, 2012

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News from October 4, 2012

News from October 3, 2012

News from October 2, 2012

News from October 1, 2012