Sadler close to deal for 2013: 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)(9-30-2012)
Hornish still without contract for 2013: Despite repeated assertions by Penske Racing owner Roger Penske that he wants Sam Hornish, Jr., back in a full time NASCAR Nationwide Series ride next season, the former Indianapolis 500 champion says he has no signed contract in place for 2013. “I don’t have any paper in my hand saying what’s going to happen next year,” said Hornish. “I know Roger’s been out there (in the media) saying he’d like to have me back, but we’ll just have to wait and see how everything plays out. We’ve got some really good sponsors and we’re moving forward on some other ones, but it’s a really tough time with the economy. Hornish said that uncertainty, combined with Penske’s recent decision to sign Joey Logano to drive the team’s #22 Shell Pennzoil-sponsored Sprint Cup Series Ford next season, has made for a difficult few weeks. “We’re going to do the best we can to cap off this season on a high note with both (Nationwide and Sprint Cup) cars, then see what the future holds for us.” (Godfather Motorsports)(9-29-2012)
Bandit Chippers returns with Bliss: When Mike Bliss takes to the track this weekend at Dover for the One Main Financial 200 NASCAR Nationwide Series race, he’ll still be sporting the familiar black and yellow Banditchippers.com colors. But the number on the door won’t be the familiar #44 Mike is switching to the #19 Toyota Camry, replacing former TriStar Motorsports driver Tayler Malsam who has parted ways with the team in a mutual agreement. Bandit is still scheduled to sponsor Bliss for three NASCAR Nationwide races for the remainder of the 2012 season. In addition to this weekend’s race at Dover, Bliss and Bandit will race November 3 in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Challenge at Texas Motor Speedway, followed by the season ending Ford EcoBoost 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 17.(Bandit Chippers)(9-28-2012)
Yeley driving for GC Motorsports at Dover: UPDATE: GC Motorsports International announced that JJ Yeley and the #27 Nationwide Series team have joined forces with the Delaware Office of Highway Safety for the “Drive Sober. Arrive Alive DE” promotion during the NASCAR Nationwide Series Race on Saturday, September 29th at Dover International Speedway. The Delaware Office of Highway Safety (OHS) is committed to saving lives and preventing injuries on their roadways, especially when it comes to DUI crashes. Throughout the NASCAR race weekend at Dover and with the partnership with GCMI and JJ Yeley, the OHS is reminding fans to make the smart choice when it comes down to race time and to ‘Drive Sober’ or have a Designated Driver before the race starts.(GC Motorsports)(9-20-2012) UPDATE: Since his self-titled debut album release and 2010 follow-up release “This Life Aint for Everybody”, two albums that produced five top thirty singles on Music Row Magazine’s Country Breakout Chart and earned Eric Lee Beddingfield (ELB) Music Row Magazine’s 2012 Independent Artist of the Year Award, ELB has been on the Fast Track to country music success. GC Motorsports International owner Steve Meehan announced ELB will be joining the GCMI/ Delaware Dept. of Hwy Safety #27 Nationwide Series team and driver JJ Yeley as an honorary crew member for the OneMain Financial 200 Sept. 29th at Dover International Speedway. Joining Eric’s logo on the #27 Ford as associate sponsors will be Salisbury Maryland’s Cat Country 97.5 FM and Havre De Grace Maryland’s 103.7 FM.(PR)(9-26-2012)
Malsam and TriStar part ways: After a 26-race relationship, TriStar Motorsports officials announced today that they have agreed to part ways with NASCAR Nationwide Series sophomore, Tayler Malsam. The decision ends a relationship that saw the Sammamish, WA native drive the #19 G-Oil Toyota to 13th in the Nationwide Series standings. “All of us at TriStar Motorsports appreciate what Tayler has done for our race team this year,” said Team Owner, Mark Smith. “Tayler did a great job for us and we wish him nothing but the best of luck as he explores future opportunities in this sport. I think it is really important for us as a team to set our sights on the future and take the appropriate steps in that direction.” 2002 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Champion and current TriStar Motorsports driver, Mike Bliss, will pilot the #19 Toyota in the next race at Dover International Speedway on September 29th. Jeff Green, the 2000 Nationwide Series Champion, will fill in for Bliss in TriStar’s #44 car. The team will make future announcements on its driver and sponsor lineup for the remainder of the season at a later date.(TriStar PR)(9-26-2012)
Special scheme for Sadler at Dover: OneMain Financial returns as the title sponsor of the Nationwide Series event at Dover International Speedway this weekend. As the company continues to recognize its 100 year history of providing personalized loan solutions, a special 100 year badge will adorn the hood of the #2 OneMain Financial Chevy driven by current points leader, Elliott Sadler during the race.(OneMain Financial), see an image of the car on the #2 team paint schemes page.(9-26-2012)
EA SPORTS scheme on the #38: The #38 Great Clips Chevy will have a little bit of a different look this weekend at Dover International Speedway. The car will feature a textured jersey look to represent the different sports uniforms that EA SPORTS uses on their sports games. Great Clips and EA SPORTS have a long-standing relationship and have partnered in the past with the Ultimate Gaming Makeover Sweepstakes and also giving away special offers for EA SPORTS games during select times of the year to Great Clips customers. Great Clips and EA SPORTS are continuing their partnership, including involvement with the #38 Great Clips team.(Turner Motorsports)(9-26-2012)
Sadler close to deal for 2013: 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)
Sport Clips returns to the #18: Sport Clips, a national sport-themed hair-care franchise for men and boys founded in 1993 with nearly 1,000 stores nationwide, will make its final appearance of 2012 with the Joe Gibbs Racing Nationwide Series program on Saturday afternoon with Joey Logano and the #18 Toyota. Sport Clips, who has a rich history with Joe Gibbs Racing, has sponsored Logano’s JGR teammate Denny Hamlin in five Nationwide Series races this season Texas, Darlington, Charlotte, Indianapolis and Richmond.(Joe Gibbs Racing)(9-25-2012)
Kentucky TV Ratings: ESPN’s live telecast of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Kentucky Speedway on Saturday, Sept. 22, earned a 1.1 household coverage rating (1.0 U.S. rating), averaging 1,406,370 viewers. The track was hosting a fall event for the Nationwide Series for the first time so no direct ratings comparisons exist.(ESPN)(9-25-2012)
Cllovo sponsoring Hill at Dover: Cllovo Co. and Timmy Hill team up to run the Nationwide Series Race at Dover Speedway. “A world of Fashion & Style. Cool, Sophisticated and Hip apparel, accessories and associated photographs inspired by the beach, seashore, creativity, and optimism stylistic vibes. The Cllovo and yo3dot stylish trademark brand collections. Modern and trendy design styles manufactured with premium quality and value materials.”(Cllovo PR)(9-24-2012)
Support Military Foundation on the #81 at Dover: The Support Military Foundation will debut its colors and promote its site, supportmilitary.org, for the OneMain Financial 200 this weekend at Dover International Speedway. Jason Bowles will pilot the #81 Dodge for MacDonald Motorsports around Dover’s Monster Mile. The Support Military Foundation created supportmilitary.org as a social networking site for all military supporters. The main goal of this foundation is to link America to verified organizations that provide needed support to Active Duty, Guard, Reserve, Veterans and their families. The site offers a way to connect a grateful nation through armed forces awareness and personal involvement. Supportmilitary.org provides a launch pad for turning awareness into action for individuals, businesses, non-governmental agencies, community and civic groups, local governments and faith-based organizations in support of our uniformed services past and present.(Everest Marketing), see an image of the car on the #81 team paint schemes page.(9-24-2012)
100 starts for Stenhouse: Ricky Stenhouse Jr. will make his 100th-career Nationwide start this weekend at Kentucky Speedway in the Kentucky 300. “Time flies when you are having fun,” said Stenhouse. “My career started out a tad shaky but I have to thank Jack Roush for sticking behind me and never giving up on me. The accomplishments that our No. 6 team has made the past two seasons are incredible and I am happy to be part of this team and organization. As I step up to the Sprint Cup series next year, I will always cherish my Nationwide career.” The Mississippi native has been credited with the two highest honors of the Nationwide series, 2010 Nationwide Rookie of the Year and 2011 NASCAR Nationwide champion. In 99 starts Stenhouse has seven wins, 36 top-five and 56 top-10 finishes.(Roush Fenway Racing)(9-21-2012)
Lagasse, Jr. looking toward full time effort in 2013: It’s taken a couple years, but Scott Lagasse, Jr. will make his business plan a reality this weekend with his new team’s debut of the #8 Chevy at the Kentucky Speedway. Lagasse’s TeamSLR will make selected NASCAR Nationwide Series starts at Kentucky, Kansas Speedway and the Homestead-Miami Speedway before embarking on fulltime schedule as early as next year. Sponsorships with the Boy Scouts of America, HybridLight.com and Incredible Pizza have been signed to long-term deals. A technical alliance has been created with Tommy Baldwin Racing, which includes engines from Richard Childress Racing. Cars are being prepared in Charlotte and at a shop at the Northeast Florida Regional Airport in St. Augustine, with plans to eventually base the entire operation in St. Augustine. Lagasse has 49 career Nationwide starts with five top-10 finishes. He was ranked in the top 10 in 2009 when car owner Bryan Mullet let him go. Four races later, Mullet’s team was out of business. A year later, Lagasse Jr. again was in the top 10 when car owner Mike Curb scaled his operation back. A total of 26 drivers worked for Curb in 2010 and 2011, and the team no longer is in the sport. After those disappointments, Lagasse faced the difficult option of making one final push into NASCAR or finding work outside the sport. He decided to use his business degree from Flagler College to create his own opportunity instead of relying on others. His father, three-time SCCA national champion Scott Lagasse, serves as the team’s president, while veteran Brad Parrott is the crew chief.(St Augustine Record)(9-20-2012)
Keen Parts returns to #70 team: Johanna Long and the ML Motorsports team is pleased to have Keen Parts back on board this weekend as the primary sponsor of the #70 Chevy. Keen Parts, located in Cleves, OH, are an Official GM Licensed supplier of Corvette parts and accessories for classic Corvettes through the new model year. In addition, Keen Parts offers detailed diagrams specific to the manufacture year and model to help Corvette enthusiasts with repair and restoration projects.(ML Motorsports)(9-20-2012)
Voting underway for Nationwide most popular driver: Who’s your Most Popular Driver? For the fifth consecutive year, fans can vote online on NASCAR.COM for the 2012 Most Popular Driver in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Voting begins Sept. 21 and runs through Friday, Nov. 16, prior to the season finale for both national series at Homestead-Miami Speedway during Ford Championship Weekend. Each series has a dedicated page on NASCAR.COM for voting. Fans can go to www.NASCAR.COM/nnsmpd for the NASCAR Nationwide Series and to www.NASCAR.COM/ncwtsmpdfor the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Fans are encouraged to vote once per day leading up to the Nov. 16 deadline. To be eligible to receive votes, drivers must have selected either the NASCAR Nationwide Series or NASCAR Camping World Truck Series for their 2012 driver championship points. Additionally, drivers must have attempted at least half of each series’ races this season.(NASCAR)(9-20-2012)
Alex Bowman to drive #99 at Kentucky: Alex Bowman joins RAB Racing this weekend at Kentucky Speedway as driver of the#99 Penserra Securities/ Allegiant Air Toyota Camry. The 19-year-old Tucson, Ariz. native is a five-time winner in ARCA Racing Series competition, and is currently ranked fourth in the driver point standings with two races remaining in the 2012 season. Bowman made his Nationwide Series debut last weekend at Chicagoland Speedway, recording a 17th-place finish.(RAB Racing)(9-20-2012)
A+ Building Services sponsoring Shepherd at Kentucky: A+ Building Services will once again be the title sponsor for Morgan Shepherd’s #89 NASCAR Nationwide Series team at this Saturday’s Kentucky 300 in Sparta, Kentucky. A+ Building Services is a janitorial company that offers commercial and residential window cleaning and power washing as part of their vast services covering eight states in the mid-west region.(Shepherd PR)(9-20-2012)
Yeley driving for GC Motorsports at Dover: GC Motorsports International announced that JJ Yeley and the #27 Nationwide Series team have joined forces with the Delaware Office of Highway Safety for the “Drive Sober. Arrive Alive DE” promotion during the NASCAR Nationwide Series Race on Saturday, September 29th at Dover International Speedway. The Delaware Office of Highway Safety (OHS) is committed to saving lives and preventing injuries on their roadways, especially when it comes to DUI crashes. Throughout the NASCAR race weekend at Dover and with the partnership with GCMI and JJ Yeley, the OHS is reminding fans to make the smart choice when it comes down to race time and to ‘Drive Sober’ or have a Designated Driver before the race starts.(GC Motorsports)(9-20-2012)
Home Rebuilder picks #81 team market new software: Local, family owned business Thrush & Son Complete Home Improvement was looking for a way to market their new software, C.H.I.P. Company owner, Allen Thrush, decided to use NASCAR and the family owned NASCAR Nationwide Series team MacDonald Motorsports and the #81 of Jason Bowles. Thrush & Son Complete Home Improvement and HI-Technologies will serve as the primary sponsor for Bowles this weekend in the Kentucky 300.(MacDonald Motorsports)(9-19-2012)
Hal Martin to drive for TriStar in 2013: Veteran ARCA Racing Series & super late model driver Hal Martin, nicknamed the “Ragin’ Cajun” from his Louisiana roots, will pilot a Toyota Camry in the TriStar Motorsports stable for three races during the 2012 NASCAR Nationwide Series season Kansas Speedway; Texas Motor Speedway and Homestead-Miami Speedway. The 26-year-old driver, who has competed in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and ARCA Racing Series, also has funding to compete for the NASCAR Nationwide Series Rookie of the Year honors in 2013. The sponsor portfolio & number will be announced at a later date but will showcase several companies from the Gulf Coast of Louisiana, Martin’s home territory. He brings his crew chief from the ARCA Racing Series days, Nationwide Series veteran John Quinn, to Tri-Star Motorsports for his debut.(Hal Martin Racing)(9-19-2012)
Ryan Pemberton hired by JR Motorsports: UPDATES – Eury, Jr. out: Ryan Pemberton, a former crew chief for several Sprint Cup teams, has joined JR Motorsports. Pemberton takes a similar role to what Tony Eury Sr. had as competition director for the organization, although the team has not yet announced whether he will hold that title. Eury Sr., the uncle of team co-owners Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kelley Earnhardt-Miller and the father of co-owner Tony Eury Jr., was released last week. “He started Monday and he’s come in to help Kelley, help us with some ideas on what direction we can go to get better,” Earnhardt Jr. of Pemberton. Pemberton was most recently was crew chief for Dave Blaney at TBR. TBR has not yet named a replacement for the 43-year-old Pemberton, the younger brother of NASCAR vice president of competition Robin Pemberton.(Sporting News)(9-12-2012) UPDATE: JR Motorsports has released Tony Eury Jr. from his duties as crew chief for Danica Patrick and the #7 GoDaddy.com Nationwide Series team. Eury was told Monday morning he was being replaced by Ryan Pemberton. Eury joined JRM after working as crew chief for Dale Earnhardt Jr. and the #88 Sprint Cup team at Hendrick Motorsports. “They’re trying to fix the competition of the cars, ” Eury said. “They thought they could do better without me there. They hired Ryan and Ryan’s their guy.” Eury remains part of the ownership group of JRM. “We’re still in discussions about that,” he said. As far as his relationship with his cousin Dale Earnhardt Jr., also a co-owner of the team, Eury said that, “Me and Dale Jr. are perfect. We’re fine.”(Fox Sports)(9-17-2012) UPDATE 2: The following is a statement from Dale Earnhardt Jr., founder and owner of JR Motorsports, regarding the departure of crew chief Tony Eury Jr.: “Unfortunately Tony Jr. is no longer with the company. I had hoped he would be here for a long time, but as we’ve discussed the direction of JR Motorsports moving forward, it was clear our differences in ideas were too vast to overcome. I love him like a brother, and you’ll never hear me say a bad thing about him. I know he’ll have much success in anything he does going forward. As for our #7 team, no decision has been made on who will crew chief that team this weekend at Kentucky Speedway. We will discuss our options and make a decision very soon.”(JR Motorsports)(9-17-2012) UPDATE 3: JR Motorsports director of competition, Ryan Pemberton, will serve as interim crew chief for the #7 GoDaddy.com team and driver Danica Patrick this weekend in the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Kentucky Speedway, general manager Kelley Earnhardt-Miller confirmed today. Earnhardt-Miller said a crew chief for the team beyond this weekend has not been determined.(JR Motorsports)(9-18-2012)
Chicago TV Ratings: ESPN’s telecast of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Chicagoland Speedway on Saturday, Sept. 15, earned a 1.3 household coverage rating (1.1 U.S. rating), averaging 1,656,559 viewers. The rating was up from last year’s event that earned a 1.1 household coverage rating.(ESPN)(9-18-2012)
Herring running first Nationwide race of year: Saturday will be driver #18-Drew Herring’s first NASCAR Nationwide Series start of the 2012 season. The 25-year-old Benson, N.C. native has eight Nationwide Series starts under his belt with a career best finish of seventh at Nashville Superspeedway in July 2011. This weekend will be Herring’s first time competing on Kentucky Speedway’s 1.5 mile oval. September has been an eventful month for Herring. The young driver scored a seventh place finish at Iowa Speedway last week in his first career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series start, and he’s recently been behind the wheel as a test driver with JGR’s Sprint Cup Series teams. Herring came to Joe Gibbs Racing with a recommendation from driver Denny Hamlin in 2011, and in only four Nationwide Series starts with the team he has an average finish of 9.5. This weekend’s 200 lap Kentucky 300 will be Herring’s fifth career Nationwide Series start with both Joe Gibbs Racing and sponsor Sport Clips. (Joe Gibbs Racing)(9-17-2012)
Kyle Busch may run more Nationwide races to end season: #54-Kyle Busch has added one Nationwide Series race to his 2012 schedule and may add a few more after missing the Chase in NASCAR’s premier series. Busch was a late addition to Saturday’s Nationwide race at Chicagoland Speedway. He replaced his brother, Kurt Busch, who was scheduled to run most of the final eight races in the Kyle Busch Motorsports #54. Kyle’s website lists him as the driver for the rest of the Nationwide schedule with the exception of next weekend at Kentucky. “We’re playing it by ear, seeing what Kurt wants to do, what [sponsor] Monster Energy wants to do,” the 2009 Nationwide Series champion said of the remainder of the season. Busch said “it sucks” not being in the Chase. He hopes adding more Nationwide races will help his KBM program that has won only one race — Kurt at Richmond in the spring — this season.(ESPN)(9-15-2012)
Blum to debut at Chicago in the #41: 18-year-old NASCAR Mexico Driver, Juan Carlos Blum, will follow in the footsteps of his NASCAR Mexico team owner and mentor, NASCAR’s first Hispanic driver Carlos Contreras, and make his NASCAR Nationwide debut at Chicagoland Speedway this Saturday, September 15th at the Dollar General 300 powered by Coca-Cola race in Joliet, Illinois. The young Mexican is currently vying for the rookie of the year championship in Mexico’s NASCAR Toyota series where he is tied for the lead with three events remaining in the season. JC is no stranger to racing north of the border; he has successfully raced in several ARCA and NASCAR Late model events and participated in test sessions in tracks which include Michigan and Daytona. He will be making his Nationwide series debut with United Race Group (URG), the US affiliate for his NASCAR Mexico team FCV Racing, in a joint operation with Rick Ware Racing in the # 41 Chevy, sponsored by M-Marketing, VMP Nutrition, Miami Subs Grill, AMI brands and international music superstar, Pitbull / PlanetPit.com.(Blum PR)(9-14-2012)
Wallace to race in honor of teen bicycle accident victim at Chicago: On August 17, 2012, Justin Griffin was riding his bicycle, a 15th birthday present from his mom, down a road in his hometown of Grove City, Penn. The same bicycle his mom, Susan Griffin-Ray, gave to him three days earlier for that same birthday. At 6’3″ and 160 lbs, Justin Griffin was easy to spot on foot. However, someone driving a pick-up truck didn’t see him on the same road the morning of August 17. The All-Star baseball pitcher, MVP quarterback, church youth-group member and mentor was struck by the motorist and passed away from injuries in the emergency room of Grove City Medical Center that morning. Justin Griffin was not wearing a helmet. Now, Justin’s family is utilizing their loss to gain bicycle safety awareness for everyone and Mike Wallace and the #01 G&K; Services Chevy team of JD Motorsports w/Gary Keller is helping. They will carry a decal on their car at Chicagoland Speedway to help Griffin-Ray promote bicycle safety awareness. Justin’s father, Matthew Griffin and his wife Lisa, are also pleased with the recognition being given this weekend.(JD Motorsports)(9-12-2012)
Richmond TV Ratings: ESPN’s live telecast of Friday night’s NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Richmond earned a 1.4 household coverage rating (1.2 U.S. rating), averaging 1,857,065 viewers. The rating was up from a 1.2 for the race in both 2010 and 2011.(ESPN)(9-11-2012)
Bowman to make Nationwide debut at Chicago with Turner: UPDATE: Alex Bowman is announcing that he will be making his NASCAR Nationwide debut with Turner Motorsports in Chicago. In an unprecedented move, he will trek over to Salem, IN later in the evening to continue his record-breaking ARCA career. Until he can secure sponsorship for NASCAR, Alex aims to continue his eligibility for the ARCA Rookie of the Year award. Alex has teamed up with an exciting startup called Meograph to help him keep his fans updated throughout the journey.(Bowman PR)(9-10-2012) UPDATE: Turner Motorsports welcomes Alex Bowman to its stable of drivers for two upcoming NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) races in 2012. The 19-year-old will make his NNS debut this weekend at Chicagoland Speedway, driving the Turner Motorsports #30 Chevy with sponsorship from Allegiant Travel Company. Bowman is also slated to compete for the team at Dover International Speedway.(Turner Motorsports)(9-11-2012)
Tony Eury, Sr. and JR Motorsports part ways: JR Motorsports and its competition director of five years, Tony Eury Sr., announced the decision to amicably part ways, effective today. Eury is a winner of 55 NASCAR races in both the Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series as a crew chief. He has 28 years in the NASCAR industry, the last five of which were served as competition director and crew chief for JR Motorsports. The company has amassed all nine of its victories under Eury’s watch. JR Motorsports’ last victory came on Sept. 4, 2010, with driver Jamie McMurray. “The conversation Tony Sr. and I had was one of the most difficult I’ve ever been a part of,” said Kelley Earnhardt Miller, general manager of JR Motorsports. “I believe Tony Sr.’s passion for the sport is exceeded only by his yearning to excel in it, and that itself became the issue that both he and I struggled with. At JR Motorsports we do this to win races and compete for championships, and lately we have not met that standard. Being the competitor that Tony Sr. is, I know that bothers him more than anyone.” In an effort to improve performance, a crew chief swap was implemented in April between Eury Sr. and Bruce Cook. Cook took over of the company’s flagship No. 88 team driven by Cole Whitt, while Eury turned his attention to the partial entry #5 team driven by Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Ron Fellows while still serving as competition director. Whitt responded with two top-fives and eight top-10s in 19 races, while the Earnhardt/Fellows duo scored fifth-place finishes in three of its four races. The #5 entry has no more races scheduled in 2012. Eury Sr.’s son, Tony Eury Jr., remains crew chief for JR Motorsports’ #7 Chevy and co-owner of the company with Earnhardt Jr. and Earnhardt-Miller. “I want what’s best for Dale Jr., Kelley, Tony Jr., and all those employees. I really do,” said Eury Sr. “We accomplished a lot in a short time, and nobody is prouder of that than I am. I’m not sure what’s next for me, and I’m not sure I’m in a hurry to find out.” (JR Motorsports)(9-7-2012)
Sadler out at RCR? going to JGR in 2013?: UPDATES: Richard Childress, owner of RCR, tells Claire B Lang on the SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Pre-Race Show that Elliott Sadler has not re-signed with the company[for 2013], Sadler currently leads the Nationwide Series points.(SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). Rumors floating around have Sadler going to Joe Gibbs Racing to run full-time in the Nationwide Series and run a 4th JGR Sprint Cup Series car part-time in 2013.(9-2-2012) UPDATE: Appearing Monday night on SPEED’s Race Hub, Elliott Sadler confirmed he would not be back with Richard Childress Racing in 2013. He said he had not been offered an opportunity to stay at Childress next season and that he does not yet have a deal with a team for next year.(9-4-2012) UPDATE 2: Sources close to the situation said Sadler is in negotiations with Joe Gibbs Racing for a full-time Nationwide and part-time Cup ride, and has one other option with another organization for next season. “Right now, I don’t have anything with any team,” Sadler said after the first practice for Friday night’s Nationwide race at Richmond International Raceway. “We are working on some things and we are talking to some different teams, and hopefully some will come together.” JGR has an opening after Joey Logano announced on Tuesday he would drive the #22 Sprint Cup car at Penske Racing next season. Logano was offered a full-time Nationwide and part-time Cup ride to stay at JGR in 2013. Sadler has made it clear it is his desire to return to Cup in some form.(ESPN)(9-7-2012)
Hill moves back to the #41: Timmy Hill returns to the #41 car that he has driven the majority of the year with great success at Richmond this weekend. The hotrod will carry season long multi year sponsor and supporter Lilly Trucking to help promote their CDL Driver Search program.(Rick Ware Racing)(9-7-2012)
Better Business Bureau returns to the #52: Means Motorsports announced that Better Business Bureau serving Central Virginia will be the title sponsor for the Virginia 529 College Savings 250 this Friday night at the Richmond International Raceway. The Better Business Bureau has 400,000 accredited Businesses nationwide and is celebrating 100 years of being a leader in advancing trust and ethics in the marketplace. The BBB provides an accreditation process to deliver consumers to trustworthy businesses while helping those same companies grow and reach the right customers. Joey Gase will be behind the wheel of the #52 this week for Jimmy Mean’s team.(Means Motorsports) (9-05-2012)
ITEX to help MacDonald Motorsports with promoting Random Acts at Richmond: MacDonald Motorsports will highlight Random Acts again this week in Richmond. This time however it will be with the help of ITEX, a national membership trade exchange. When Don Swartz, a broker with ITEX of the Triad heard about the “pay it forward idea”, he wanted to get on board and help. Don and ITEX are also using this opportunity to help draw attention to one of their other members, a NC based non-profit – Energize Ministries. Instead of buying the things you need and want with cash, ITEX Members make purchases with ITEX dollars – earned by selling their products and services, excess inventory or capacity to other ITEX Members. International Trade Exchange has a national reach. Random Acts is back on the MacDonald Motorsports #81 Dodge again this Friday night at Richmond. Random Acts works to motivate people to demonstrate more kindness on a daily basis. Energize Ministries will be prominently displayed on the #81 Dodge Challenger of Jason Bowles Friday night as well. Energize Ministries is passionate about loving, supporting and blessing those who lead ministry.(MacDonald Motorsports)(9-7-2012)
SB Ballard Construction sponsoring Wallace at Richmond: Mike Wallace and the #01 Chevy team of JD Motorsports w/Gary Keller picked up a primary partner for this Friday night’s NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Richmond International Raceway. SB Ballard Construction has signed on to adorn the team’s Chevy at the .75-mile oval of RIR. A commercial builder with offices in Richmond and Virginia Beach, Va. who has been in business for 34 years, the company has backed Wallace in several other races through the years. The most noteworthy was when Wallace won the 2004 July race at Daytona International Speedway This weekend; they’ll have their name and logo on Wallace’s car under the lights hoping again for great results.(JD Motorsports)(9-6-2012)
100 Year Paint Scheme on the #2 OneMain Financial car at Richmond: For the Richmond Nationwide series race, the #2 OneMain Financial Chevy will proudly display a unique 100th year paint scheme in recognition of a 100 year history of providing personalized loan solutions one customer at a time. The chrome paint scheme will also feature a 100 year “badge” on the hood of the car and that same badge will be displayed on the #2 car for the remaining September races leading up to the “OneMain Financial 200” at Dover International Speedway.(OneMain Financial), see an image of the car on the #2 team paint schemes page.(9-5-2012)
Atlanta TV Ratings: ESPN2’s live telecast of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Saturday night, Sept. 1, earned a 1.4 household coverage rating (1.2 U.S. rating), averaging 1,989,407 viewers. The rating has been the same for the race each year since Atlanta Motor Speedway moved its NASCAR events to Labor Day weekend in 2009.(ESPN)(9-5-2012)
Double sponsorship for Dollar General at RIR: Dollar General will have representation on two Nationwide Series entries this week at Richmond International Raceway. Their signature yellow and black Toyotas will be driven by DG Racing Nationwide Series regular Brian Scott (#11 Camry) and his 18-year-old teammate Darrell Wallace Jr. (#20 Camry). Friday night will be Scott’s seventh career Nationwide Series start under the lights at Richmond International Raceway.(Joe Gibbs Racing)(9-5-2012)
400 starts for JR Motorsports: JRM will make its 400th start this weekend at Richmond International Raceway. Since the company’s debut at Homestead-Miami Speedway in 2005, 28 different drivers have piloted JRM Chevrolets. The team’s tally currently stands at nine wins, 77 top-fives and 162 top- 10s. Additionally, JRM has earned seven poles and led 1,397 laps in Nationwide Series competition.(JR Motorsports)(9-5-2012)
Sadler out at RCR? going to JGR in 2013?: UPDATE: Richard Childress, owner of RCR, tells Claire B Lang on the SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Pre-Race Show that Elliott Sadler has not re-signed with the company[for 2013], Sadler currently leads the Nationwide Series points.(SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). Rumors floating around have Sadler going to Joe Gibbs Racing to run full-time in the Nationwide Series and run a 4th JGR Sprint Cup Series car part-time in 2013.(9-2-2012) UPDATE: Appearing Monday night on SPEED’s Race Hub, Elliott Sadler confirmed he would not be back with Richard Childress Racing in 2013. He said he had not been offered an opportunity to stay at Childress next season and that he does not yet have a deal with a team for next year.(9-4-2012)
Truex returns to the #99: Ryan Truex will step back behind the wheel of the #99 ToyotaCare/Grime BossCamry this Friday evening with RAB Racing at Richmond International Raceway. Additionally, he will compete in the September 29th NASCAR Nationwide Series event at Dover International Speedway where he will look to better his second-place finish from earlier this season. Truex has one previous start with RAB Racing this season where he competed at Texas Motor Speedway. He started 19th and brought home a 32nd-place finish.(RAB Racing)(9-4-2012)
Pastrana driving for Roush at Richmond: X Games and Rally Cross champion Travis Pastrana will pilot Roush Fenway’s #60 entry in this weekend’s Nationwide Series race at Richmond International Speedway. “It’s a truly awesome opportunity to get behind the wheel of the Roush Fenway #60 Ford Mustang,” said Pastrana. “Roush Fenway Racing has a strong background as the most successful team in the history of the NASCAR Nationwide Series, and I’m pleased to be driving for a legend like Jack Roush this weekend at Richmond. Pastrana, who has eight Nationwide Series starts under his belt, made his NASCAR debut at Richmond earlier this season, finishing 22nd. He scored a career-best 13th-place finish last month at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway and led his first career lap this past weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway.(Roush Fenway Racing)(9-3-2012)
Harraka to drive for Go Green at Richmond: On Friday, September 7, under the bright lights of Richmond International Raceway, the NASCAR Nationwide Series’ newest pair, Paulie Harraka and Go Green Racing will hit the asphalt. The team is looking forward to meeting the challenges of the 3/4 mile D-shaped oval, one of NASCAR’s toughest tracks. Not all will be new, however. Clinton Cram, veteran crew chief at Go Green Racing, and Harraka have worked together before, as Cram was a consultant to Bill McAnally Racing in 2010, when Harraka drove for BMR. Further, retired NASCAR champion Ted Musgrave will continue in his role as mentor and spotter to the young Harraka. This will mark Harraka’s second start in the Nationwide Series, and his first this season.(Harraka PR)(9-3-2012)
Pink car for Danica at Charlotte: #7-Danica Patrick announced Saturday at Atlanta Motor Speedway that she will pilot a special hot pink race car at the Oct. 12 Dollar General 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in honor of October’s Breast Cancer Awareness month. A line of pink racing memorabilia will also be sold, and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the National Breast Cancer Foundation.”I’m so lucky to be with someone like GoDaddy, who is prepared to change their paint scheme and give back,” Patrick said. “This isn’t the first time they’ve changed their paint scheme, but this is definitely in my mind the best reason to change it.” Patrick said she has been touched by cancer in the form of a good friend who tested positive for the breast cancer gene. “She went ahead and had a double mastectomy, and it was a very long process for her,” Patrick said. “She’s doing great and she’s a very healthy 30-year-old now. So I’m grateful for all the charity work that’s done on behalf of breast cancer to allow for early detection … so we can kick its (butt).”(Atlanta Motor Speedway), see an image of the car on the #7 team paint schemes page.(9-1-2012)
