- Keselowski wins at Dover: #2-Brad Keselowski won the AAA 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway for his 5th win of year and 9th career win.
#24-Gordon finished 2nd followed by #55-Martin, #48-Johnson, #99-Edwards, #56-Truex, Jr., #18-Busch, #11-Hamlin, #15-Bowyer, and #20-Logano.
The race came down to fuel mileage with several drivers having to pit late and others slowing down to save gas. Keselowski managed to work his way to the front and save enough gas to win.
#2-Keselowski regains the points lead with 2142, a lead of 5 points over #48-Johnson.
There were 5 cautions for 28 yellow flag laps. There were 11 lead changes among 6 drivers. The average speed was 125.076mph.
The estimated attendence was 85,000, the same as in June and up from 83,000 last September.
See race results, awards, money won, laps led, cautions and more on the Dover Race Results page (pdf) (9-30-2012)
- Where did the 12 Chase drivers finish at Dover?
[by points standings before the race (start pos)]
1) #48-Jimmie Johnson, 4th (11)
2) #2-Brad Keselowski, WON (10)
3) #11-Denny Hamlin, 8th (1)
4) #14-Tony Stewart, 20th (24)
5) #5-Kasey Kahne, 15th (9)
6) #15-Clint Bowyer, 9th (2)
7) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., 11th (25)
8) #29-Kevin Harvick, 13th (13)
9) #16-Greg Biffle, 16th (6)
10) #56-Martin Truex Jr., 6th (3)
11) #17-Matt Kenseth, 35th (12)
12) #24-Jeff Gordon 2nd (7)
(9-30-2012)
- 2012 Sprint Cup Driver CHASE Championship Points Standings:
[after Dover, race 29 of 36]
1) #2-Brad Keselowski [5 wins], 2142
2) #48-Jimmie Johnson [3 wins], 2137, -5
3) #11-Denny Hamlin [5 wins], 2126, -16
4) #15-Clint Bowyer [2 wins], 2117, -25
5) #14-Tony Stewart [3 wins], 2110, -32
6) #5-Kasey Kahne [2 wins], 2110, -32
7) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. [1 win], 2103, -39
8) #56-Martin Truex Jr. [0 wins], 2100, -42
9) #29-Kevin Harvick [0 wins], 2096, -46
10) #24-Jeff Gordon [1 win], 2094, -48
11) #16-Greg Biffle [2 wins], 2091, -51
12) #17-Matt Kenseth [1 win], 2070, -72
(ties broken by 1sts, 2nds, 3rd, etc)
See drivers championship points standings on the Drivers Points Standings (pdf)
- Race Fast Facts – Dover
Brad Keselowski won the 43rd Annual AAA 400, his ninth victory in 118 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.
This is his fifth victory and 18th top-10 finish in 2012.
This is his first victory and first top-10 finish in six races at Dover International Speedway.
Keselowski has now won two of the first three races in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.
Jeff Gordon (second) posted his 22nd top-10 finish in 40 races at Dover International Speedway. It is his 14th top-10 finish in 2012.
Mark Martin (third) posted his 32nd top-10 finish in 53 races at Dover International Speedway.
Brad Keselowski leads the point standings by 5 points over Jimmie Johnson.
(NASCAR Integrated Sports Marketing)(9-30-2012)
- Top-35 in Owner Points and guaranteed a starting spot at Talladega:
#36 remains in 35th and is now 129 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, 385 +152
35) #36-Yeley/Baldwin, 362 +129 ahead of 36th
these teams / drivers will need to qualify by speed:
36) #21-Bayne/Wood Bros., 233, -129pts out of the top 35
37) #33-Leicht/Childress-Falk, 230, 132
38) #30-Stremme/Inception, 200, -162
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).(9-30-2012)
- Dover Notes-n-Nuggets:
” Brad Keselowski captured the ninth win of his career in his 118th race.
” Brad Keselowski earned his first victory at Dover in his sixth start at the Monster Mile.
” Brad Keselowski has now won on seven different tracks.
” Brad Keselowski is the 34th different driver to win at Dover.
” Brad Keselowski picked up his fifth win of 2012, and is now tied for the most with Denny Hamlin.
” Brad Keselowski garnered his second career win during the Chase, both have come in 2012.
” Brad Keselowski took the lead on lap 391 for the final time; he led twice for 14 laps.
” Brad Keselowski assumes the points lead; sixth time in nine Chases that the points lead has changed at Dover.
” Brad Keselowski now has top-nine finishes in 12 of the last 13 races, including three wins.
” Three of Brad Keselowski’s nine Cup wins have occurred in fuel mileage races.
” All nine Dover chase races have been won by a Chase driver.
” Penske Racing picked up its 76th career win, including its eighth all-time at Dover and fifth victory in 2012.
” Dodge captured its seventh Dover win and fifth victory of 2012.
” Jeff Gordon (second) picked up his fifth top-three finish in the last six races of 2012; lost three points to the leader.
” Mark Martin (third) posted his 24th top-five finish in 53 Dover starts, the 24 top-fives lead all drivers.
” Jimmie Johnson (fourth) became the only driver with top-five finishes in the first three races of the Chase.
” Carl Edwards (fifth) posted only his third top-five finish of the season and first since the fifth race of the season at Auto Club Speedway.
” Martin Truex Jr (sixth) garnered his seventh top-10 finish in the last 11 races of the season.
” Kyle Busch (seventh) led 302 of the 400 laps, the most of all drivers; failed to win in the last seven races after leading the most laps.
” Denny Hamlin (eighth) posted his first top-10 finish in the last four Dover races.
” Clint Bowyer (ninth) has now captured top-10 finishes in eight of the last nine races; one of three drivers with top-10 finishes in all three Chase races this season.
” Joey Logano (10th) posted his fourth top-10 finish in the last six races of the season including in each of the last three races.
(Racing Resources and Services — Statistics Racing Recall / nascar.com)(9-30-2012)
- 2012 Sprint Cup Driver Championship Points Standings without Chase:
(classic system using current points but NOT the chase system)
[after Dover, race 29 of 36]
1) #48-Jimmie Johnson(X) [3 wins], 1008
2) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr.(X) [1 win], 1002, -6
3) #2-Brad Keselowski(X) [5 wins], 1001, -7
4) #16-Greg Biffle(X) [2 wins], 999, -9
5) #15-Clint Bowyer(X) [2 wins], 969, -39
6) #11-Denny Hamlin(X) [4 wins], 964, -44
7) #17-Matt Kenseth(X) [1 win], 964, -44
8) #56-Martin Truex Jr.(X) [0 wins], 962, -46
9) #29-Kevin Harvick(X) [0 wins], 937, -71
10) #14-Tony Stewart(X) [3 wins], 911, -97
11) #5-Kasey Kahne(X) [2 wins], 894, -114
12) #24-Jeff Gordon(X) [1 win], 871, -137
13) #18-Kyle Busch [1 win], 870, -138
14) #99-Carl Edwards [0 wins], 836, -172
15) #39-Ryan Newman [1 win], 830, -178
16) #27-Paul Menard [0 wins], 814, -194
(ties broken by 1sts, 2nds, 3rd, etc)
(X) = a Chase driver.
- Gibbs looking to extend Busch’s contract: Next season is expected to produce a top crop of free agents in the Sprint Cup market – but if Joe Gibbs Racing has its way, #18-Kyle Busch’s name will never reach the rumor mill. Principals at Gibbs Racing are working diligently to renew Busch’s contract before it expires next season. According to sources, Gibbs approached Busch on an extension in the last couple of months and hopes to retain one of NASCAR’s top talents. “They typically do (contracts before the expiration date),” Busch said. “They’ve brought it up to my attention. I just kind of put it off to, ‘Let’s get through, let’s see what happens in the Chase.’ Since we missed that, it’s kind of like, now they want to re-talk about it. I’m like, let’s just wait until the end of the year. There’s no sense in causing a distraction.”(Fox Sports)(9-30-2012)
- Sad News – Margaret Frank: Margaret Gilreath Frank, 62, widow of Larry Frank, died Friday, September 28, 2012. She was the owner of Larry Frank’s Auto Body Works, Inc., as well as L & M Storage Facilty. In addition to her mother, she is survived by two sons, Robin Jernigan, of Piedmont, and Larry Joe Frank, of Greenville; one brother, Steve Gilreath, of Belton; and two grandchildren, L.J., and Adam Frank. Larry Frank was a NASCAR Sprint Cup driver from 1986-1966, running 103 races winning the Southern 500 in 1962. See the full obituary, services (Oct 2) and condolences info at the Greenville Online.(9-30-2012)
News from September 29, 2012
- Pit Stall Selections: The selections of pit stalls for the AAA 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway have been made.
Pole sitter #11-Hamlin chose pit stall 1 [as do most pole sitters].
Outside pole sitter #15-Bowyer took pit stall 10, the next pitstall with an opening in front of it.
#56-Truex, Jr., who starts 3rd took the 17th pit stall, the next with an opening in front of it.
The 43rd and final pit stall was taken by #24-Gordon, who starts 7th.
To see where the drivers/teams pit stall is, see the pit selection chart on the Pit Stall Selection chart.(9-29-2012)
- NASCAR relaxes testing policy for next year: For the first time since 2008, NASCAR will allow Sprint Cup organizations to test independently at tracks that host events in NASCAR’s top three touring series. Robin Pemberton, NASCAR’s vice president of competition said Saturday at Dover International Speedway that each Cup organization — regardless of how many cars it fields — will be allowed four tests of its choosing at NASCAR tracks. “It’s up to them to pick where they want to go,” Pemberton said. “We feel like it’s time to open that up and allow the teams to manage their testing and get back on facilities that host our events. You’ll see that as the year unfolds, that teams will be moving around the countryside.” The four tests allocated to each organization next year are in addition to the Preseason Thunder test to be conducted by NASCAR during the second week of January.(NASCAR Wire Service)(9-29-2012)
- Hamlin wins pole at Dover: #11-Denny Hamlin won the pole for the AAA 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway with a speed of 159.299mph for his 3rd pole of 2012 and 12th career pole.
#15-Bowyer will start 2nd followed by #56-Truex, Jr., #22-Hornish, Jr., #18-Busch, #16-Biffle, #24-Gordon, #39-Newman, #5-Kahne, and #2-Keselowski.
The go-or-go homers who made the race (8): #6-Stenhouse, Jr., #26, Wise, #91-Sorenson, #98-McDowell, #95-Speed, #23-Riggs, #87-Nemechek, and #37-Blaney.
The go-or-go homers who failed to qualify for the race (5): #30-Stremme, #19-Bliss, #49-Leffler, #33-Whitt, #79-Bires.
See qualifying results, starting lineup, pole progreession, go-or-go-homers on the Dover Qualifying Page. (9-29-2012)
- Qualifying Fast Facts – Dover:
Denny Hamlin won the Coors Light Pole Award for the 43rd Annual AAA 400 with a lap of 22.599 seconds, 159.299 mph.
This is his 12th pole in 252 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.
This is his third pole and 17th top-10 start in 2012.
This is his first pole in 14 races at Dover International Speedway. His previous best start was third in September 2007 and September 2008.
Clint Bowyer (second) posted his 12th top-10 start of 2012 and his fifth in 14 races at Dover International Speedway.
Martin Truex Jr. (third) posted his sixth top-10 start at Dover International Speedway. It is his 13th in 29 races this season.
(NASCAR Statistics)(9-29-2012)
- Newman’s crew and crew chief to Danica? 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)
- NASCAR considering moving more qualifying to Friday in 2013: As it does annually, NASCAR is contemplating competition changes that could include moving some Sprint Cup Series qualifying sessions to Friday afternoons in 2013 and tweaking the current testing policy. The possible changes were a hot topic in the Dover International Speedway garage area, where drivers and teams gave their input about more race weekend schedules that would feature Friday qualifying and a practice session on Saturday. By completing qualifying on Fridays, teams will have more time to work on the race setup on Saturdays. It also gives race promoters a Saturday ticket that will feature a couple hours of significant Cup practice and more time in the garage for driver and fan interaction instead of more than a couple of qualifying laps. NASCAR is expected to formally announce several competition changes for the 2013 season sometime in October.(NASCAR.com)(9-29-2012)
- Sponsorship announcement for Stewart Haas Tuesday: 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)
- 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)
- Roush Fenway looking for 700th top 5: This weekend Roush Fenway Racing will look for its monumental 700th NASCAR Sprint Cup top-five finish as NASCAR rolls into the “Monster Mile” at Dover International Speedway. The team earned its first top-five finish on April 10, 1988 at Bristol Motor Speedway, with a second-place finish that saw Mark Martin edge out future Hall-of-Famers Rusty Wallace, Bobby Allison and Richard Petty. The finish came in RFR’s sixth career NASCAR start. As an organization Roush Fenway has totaled no less than 11 top-five finishes in any Cup season since 1989. The team set an organizational record with 61 top-five finishes in 2005, the same year it placed all five of its Sprint Cup entries inside the 10-race “Chase” for the Cup. The team scored 50 top-five Cup finishes in 2008 and 45 in 1998. Roush Fenway has totaled 30 or more top-five Sprint Cup finishes in 12 of its 24 completed seasons.(Roush Fenway)(9-29-2012)
- Kevin James named Grand Marshal at Talladega Kevin James will be the Grand Marshal for the Good Sam Roadside Assistance 500. Known for his hit TV sitcom “The King of Queens” and such blockbuster films as Paul Blart: Mall Cop, Zookeeper, Grown Ups, and Hitch, James will be adding some definite star power to the weekend’s lineup of racing and fun-filled festivities. James will be at Talladega in support of his latest comedy film Here Comes the Boom, in theaters on Friday, October 12. As Grand Marshal, James will give the most famous words in motorsports – “Gentlemen, start your engines” – for the fourth race of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup on Sunday, Oct. 7 (ESPN, 2 p.m. ET).(TSS)(9-29-2012)
- Martinsville to host forum with hall-of-famers: Fans will be able to take a step back in time before the TUMS Fast Relief 500 as some of the biggest stars in NASCAR’s history will gather on the start-finish line for a question-and-answer session. Six members of the NASCAR Hall of Fame – Richard Petty, Bobby Allison, Junior Johnson, Ned Jarrett, Dale Inman and Leonard Wood, will relive some of their most memorable times at historic Martinsville Speedway as they help celebrate the track’s 65th anniversary. The drivers will appear on the pre-race stage on the start-finish line at noon on October 28 for an informal conversation recounting their many Martinsville Speedway stories. Iconic Motor Racing Network announcer Barney Hall and MRN pit reporter and NASCAR Hall of Fame Executive Director Winston Kelley will moderate the event, which will be live over the track’s public address system. It will also be shown live on the track’s video scoreboard.(Martinsville Speedway)(9-29-2012)
News from September 28, 2012
- Final practice for the AAA 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway is over after 95 schedule minutes, the top 5, slowest and notes:
#24-Gordon 155.743
#20-Logano 154.586
#48-Johnson 154.579
#51-Busch 154.314
#30-Stremme 153.263
slowest: #93-Kvapil 149.696 & #32-Bell 148.828.
note: Qualifying will be held Saturday at 1:40pm/et and will be shown on SPEED.
See speeds, best top-10 average and laps run on the Dover practice 2 speeds page (pdf).(9-28-2012)
- Go-or-Go Homers final practice at Dover: how fast/slow were the drivers who are not in the top-35 of owners points and must qualify by speed to make the AAA 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway , where they practiced in the final practice:
the eight drivers who would make the race if things stayed the same:
#30-Stremme, 5th fastest
#95-Speed, 7th
#98-McDowell, 11th
#6-Stenhouse, Jr., 12th
#91-Sorenson, 15th
#23-Riggs, 20th
#87-Nemechek, 24th
#26-Wise, 25th
the five drivers who would miss the race if things stayed the same:
#79-Bires, 27th
#37-Blaney, 30th
#33-Whitt, 33rd
#49-Leffler, 40th
#19-Bliss, 42nd
(9-28-2012)
- First Friday practice for the AAA 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway is over after 58 minutes, the top 5, slowest and notes:
#56-Truex, Jr. 157.092
#15-Bowyer 156.597
#11-Hamlin 156.563
#55-Martin 156.325
#16-Biffle 156.311
slowest: #32-Bell 150.075 & #10-Patrick 148.723.
notes: Practice started about 30 minutes late after early morning rain showers pushed the schedule back and NASCAR had to remove some water from the track after K&N; East qualifying. Practice was delayed again for more water on the track.
This practice will set the order for qualifying, which is scheduled for Saturday at 1:40pm/et and will be shown on SPEED.
See speeds, best top-10 average and laps run on the Dover practice 1 speeds page (pdf).(9-28-2012)
- Go-or-Go Homers practice at Dover: how fast/slow were the drivers who are not in the top-35 of owners points and must qualify by speed to make the AAA 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway , where they practiced in the first practice:
the eight drivers who would make the race if things stayed the same:
#91-Sorenson, 20th fastest
#98-McDowell, 22nd
#6-Stenhouse, Jr., 23rd
#23-Riggs, 24th
#37-Blaney, 27th
#30-Stremme, 28th
#26-Wise, 30th
#87-Nemechek, 31st
the five drivers who would miss the race if things stayed the same:
#95-Speed, 34th
#33-Whitt, 35th
#49-Leffler, 37th
#79-Bires, 39th
#19-Bliss, 40th
(9-28-2012)
- Sad News – Chris Economaki: The Dean of American Motorsports Journalism has died. Chris Economaki, who began selling single copies of National Speed Sport News at age 14 and eventually became the publication’s editor, a position he held for 60 years, died early [Friday] morning at age 91. His column, the Editor’s Notebook, was the most read feature in National Speed Sport News for six decades, and while Economaki’s contribution has been minimal in recent years, the Notebook, as it is called by readers, continues to be the most meaningful read in the newspaper, which debuted in 1934 when Economaki was 13 years old. Economaki was also well known for his unique, recognizable voice, which he used first as a track announcer and later through nearly 40 years on television. He worked with ABC’s Wide World of Sports, he was with CBS and ESPN, and it can be said he was one of the catalysts in bringing racing to television. It is not an oversimplification to say he knew racing and knew how to speak about it. Economaki worked races around the world for ABC through the 1983 season when he made the jump to CBS where he appeared through the mid 1990s. He also worked worldwide Formula One telecasts for ESPN in 1987 and 1988. Through the years Economaki has received countless awards including the NASCAR Award of Excellence, and been elected to numerous Halls of Fame, most notably the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, National Sprint Car Hall of Fame and National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame. He was preceded in death by his wife Tommye and is survived by his two daughters – Corinne and Tina – and two grandchildren. Arrangements are pending.(National Speed Sport News)(9-28-2012)
Statement from Brian France: “The passing of Chris Economaki is a tough loss for me on both a personal and professional level, having known Chris throughout my life. Many people consider Chris the greatest motorsports journalist of all time. He was, indeed, ‘the Dean.’ Chris was a fixture for years at NASCAR events, and played a huge role in growing NASCAR’s popularity. I’ll miss seeing him and of course, I’ll miss hearing that voice. Our thoughts and prayers are with his daughters Corinne and Tina and the rest of Chris’ family.”(NASCAR)(9-28-2012)
- Smith out of the #78 after Talladega? UPDATES – Confirmed: SPEED’s Race Hub reported Wednesday evening that Regan Smith’s final race of the season in the Furniture Row Racing #78 would be at Talladega. Kurt Busch is expected to drive the car the remainder of the season.(9-26-2012)
UPDATE: Kurt Busch hopes to get a head start on the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup season by jumping in the #78 Furniture Row Chevy early. The next chapter of the Busch saga could begin as early as in two weeks at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Aligning with the team before the end of the season would offer Busch an opportunity to acclimate to the group and its systems for the final six races of the season. “He’s going to be out after Talladega,” said Phoenix Racing team owner James Finch, for whom Busch currently drives. “We’re going to go down there and try to win that race. We were up front for most of the spring race, and Brad (Keselowski) dumped us with three or four to go. We’ll be fine at Talladega.” So who would fill the Phoenix Racing seat currently occupied by Busch? Since Finch has operated for most of 2012 sans sponsorship, he’s looking at candidates “who have the potential” to bring financial support to the team for the final six race and possibly next year. Finch has spoken to representation for AJ Allmendinger, who has been sidelined since July 7, when he was suspended for testing positive for amphetamine the week before at Kentucky Speedway. Regan Smith, who will be displaced in the #78 Chevy by Busch, could be part of an easy swap with the #51 Phoenix team. Finch isn’t limited to considering Sprint Cup candidates. He also has been approached by the camps of Nationwide Series drivers James Buescher and Justin Allgaier.(Fox Sports)(9-27-2012)
UPDATE 2: Regan Smith was interviewed on SPEED’s Race Hub Thursday night and said he knew about two weeks ago that he would be out of the #78 for 2013, although he did not know what the team’s plans were. Since that time he has been talking to several owners, but is just starting to decide what to do next. He said his priority is to be in good equipment next year, either Sprint Cup or Nationwide, and that the Nationwide Series might be a good option for him at this point in his career. There was no discussion of him being out of the car before the end of the season.(9-28-2012)
UPDATE 2: In a move to accelerate Furniture Row Racing’s preparations for the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup season, Kurt Busch will take over the team’s driving duties beginning with the Oct. 13th Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Busch, who was announced earlier in the week as Furniture Row Racing’s new driver for 2013, will replace Regan Smith in the #78 Chevy. Joe Garone, Furniture Row Racing’s general manager, stated that Smith’s Furniture Row Racing contract, which expires at the end of the season, will be fully honored.(Furniture Row Racing)(9-28-2012)
- The Numbers for the AAA 400:
0 – fewest cautions (6/6/71)
1 – fewest cars on lead lap at finish (11 times, most recent 9/15/91)
3 – fewest leaders (five times, most recent 5/16/82)
3 – fewest lead changes (10/17/71)
4 – number of jet dryers available for track drying this weekend
6 – fewest laps led by race winner (Jeff Burton, 9/24/06)
6 – most poles (David Pearson)
7 – most wins (Jimmie Johnson, Bobby Allison and Richard Petty)
13 – fewest cars running at finish (5/17/81)
13 – most leaders (three times, most recent 9/24/00)
13 – wins from the pole
16 – most cautions (9/19/93)
18 – races won from a starting position outside the top 10
21 – most cars on lead lap at finish (6/4/06)
29 – most lead changes (twice, most recent 5/18/86)
33 – different race winners
35 – different pole winners
40 – most running at finish (9/21/08)
52 – wins from a top-five starting position
90 minutes – approximate amount of time it takes to dry the one-mile, all-concrete track after a significant rainfall
103 – most caution laps (9/19/93)
491 – most laps led by race winner (Richard Petty, Dodge, 9/15/74)
2012 Caution Update
1 – fewest cautions this season (Fontana)
7 – races extended beyond scheduled distance (Daytona1, Martinsville, Talladega, Darlington, Sonoma, Michigan2, and Atlanta)
13 – most cautions this season (Bristol2)
156 – cautions in the first 28 races of 2012; includes 73 for accidents, 41 for debris and 15 for spins
827 of 7,831 – laps under caution in 2012
1,152.568 of 10,430.436 – miles under caution in the first 28 races
(Darnell Communications for SRT Motorsports and Dodge)(9-28-2012)
- SPEED On-Air personalities to appear at Talladega Experience SPEED analysts Kyle Petty, Rutledge Wood, Kenny Wallace and Matt Clark have been added to the list of big names appearing at this year’s Talladega Experience during the 2012 Good Sam Roadside Assistance 500 Weekend. The four men have used their vast NASCAR knowledge and experience to make shows like NASCAR RaceDay, NASCAR Victory Lane and others big hits for SPEED . The Talladega Experience is the ultimate fan hospitality area that gives fans access to specialty food and beverage tents, as well as exclusive appearances and Q & As from motorsports personalities and entertainers. This year’s lineup is full of prominent names, including Willie from the hit TV show “Duck Dynasty” and Sprint Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. Also included with the Talladega Experience package is a Pre-Race Pit Pass, Suite/Hospitality parking pass, an event souvenir, and access to Driver Introductions before the race. Price for the package is $139 per person (plus cost of race ticket).(TSS)(9-28-2012)
News from September 27, 2012
- Runway Incident Delays Departure of NASCAR Charter: A 737 charter jet filled with NASCAR drivers, crew and media members slipped off the runway while taxiing for takeoff at Concord (NC) Regional Airport today, becoming stuck in the mud and delaying its departure for Dover International Speedway. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers #27-Paul Menard, #13-Casey Mears, #93-Travis Kvapil, #30-David Stremme and #95-Scott Speed were all on the airplane when it strayed off the runway at slow speed, no injuries were reported. The passengers deplaned without incident, and were transferred to another aircraft.(Godfather Motorsports)(9-27-2012)
- Dover Goodyear Tire Notes: Teams in both the NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series will run the same Goodyear tire codes at Dover this weekend . . . this is the same combination of left- and right-side tires that Sprint Cup and Nationwide teams ran at Dover earlier this season . . . these teams have also run this right-side tire code (D-4440) at Kentucky in 2012 . . . this tire set-up came out of a Goodyear test prior to the spring race at Dover on April 17-18 . . . drivers participating in that test were A.J. Allmendinger, Marcos Ambrose, Kurt Busch, Kevin Harvick, Ryan Newman and Martin Truex Jr. . . . Dover is unique among NASCAR ovals one mile or less in length, in that inner liners are required on all four tire positions . . . 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 Dover Race Info page – Goodyear section.(9-28-2012)
- 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 Dover International Speedway on the Dover Race Info page – Chassis selection area.
- Simpson Performance Products Acquires HANS: Simpson Performance Products, Inc. announced the acquisition of HANS Performance Products. This expands Simpson racing safety products to include the prestigious HANS Device Head & Neck Restraint System. “We are glad to have the HANS Device under the Simpson umbrella of racing safety products,” stated Chuck Davies, CEO of Simpson. “This acquisition positions Simpson as the clear market leader in innovative racing safety products. Our total restraint system capabilities now include a comprehensive range of car restraints for all types of racing, including seatbelts, in-car nets, parachutes and the top models of head and neck restraints in the world today. We are excited about the new team we are forming and the growth possibilities for the future.” HANS Performance Products, formed in 1991 by five-time IMSA driving champion Jim Downing and Dr. Robert Hubbard, will be operated in Atlanta as a separate division of Simpson Performance Products. Downing and Dr. Hubbard, inventor of the HANS Device, will continue to provide engineering experience and support to Simpson and its HANS division.(Simpson PR)(9-27-2012)
- Smith out of the #78 after Talladega? UPDATE: SPEED’s Race Hub reported Wednesday evening that Regan Smith’s final race of the season in the Furniture Row Racing #78 would be at Talladega. Kurt Busch is expected to drive the car the remainder of the season.(9-26-2012)
UPDATE: Kurt Busch hopes to get a head start on the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup season by jumping in the #78 Furniture Row Chevy early. The next chapter of the Busch saga could begin as early as in two weeks at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Aligning with the team before the end of the season would offer Busch an opportunity to acclimate to the group and its systems for the final six races of the season. “He’s going to be out after Talladega,” said Phoenix Racing team owner James Finch, for whom Busch currently drives. “We’re going to go down there and try to win that race. We were up front for most of the spring race, and Brad (Keselowski) dumped us with three or four to go. We’ll be fine at Talladega.” So who would fill the Phoenix Racing seat currently occupied by Busch? Since Finch has operated for most of 2012 sans sponsorship, he’s looking at candidates “who have the potential” to bring financial support to the team for the final six race and possibly next year. Finch has spoken to representation for AJ Allmendinger, who has been sidelined since July 7, when he was suspended for testing positive for amphetamine the week before at Kentucky Speedway. Regan Smith, who will be displaced in the #78 Chevy by Busch, could be part of an easy swap with the #51 Phoenix team. Finch isn’t limited to considering Sprint Cup candidates. He also has been approached by the camps of Nationwide Series drivers James Buescher and Justin Allgaier.(Fox Sports)(9-27-2012)
- Herr Foods joining JTG Daugherty in 2013: JTG Daugherty Racing and Herr Foods Inc. announced a new sponsorship agreement, which will make Herr Foods Inc. an associate sponsor of the #47 Toyota Camry for the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. Herr Foods Inc, founded in 1946, is a national brand that specializes in delivering unique flavors of snack foods. From Hot Dog flavored potato chips to Jalapeno Popper cheese curls, Herr’s fans Live Life with Flavor with every bite.(JTG Daugherty Racing)(9-27-2012)
- Kenseth goes pink at Talladega: Matt Kenseth, driver of the #17 for Roush Fenway Racing, will sport a pink Ford Fusion when he rolls into Talladega Superspeedway for the Oct. 5-7 Good Sam Roadside Assistance 500 weekend. The pink ride came about through a partnership between Roush Fenway Racing, Talladega Superspeedway and the National Breast Cancer Foundation. In addition to Kenseth’s pink ride, Roush Fenway Racing is also auctioning off an honorary pit crew experience to raise funds for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Fans can bid on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity through the NASCAR Foundation auction page. Bidding for the honorary pit crew experience with the No. 17 team closes at 8:00pm EST on Monday, October 1st. “When it comes to spreading the message of early detection of breast cancer, we need partners like Talladega Superspeedway and Roush Fenway Racing,” says NBCF Founder & CEO, Janelle Hail. “Their support will help us fulfill our mission to save lives by providing free mammograms for the underserved, and their tradition of excellence and winning spirit will inspire hope in the many NASCAR fans and families that are facing this disease today.”(Roush Fenway Racing), see an image of the car on the #17 team paint schemes page.(9-27-2012)
- Special scheme for Martin: Mark Martin’s #55 paint scheme in the AAA 400 at Dover this weekend will celebrate Thursday’s opening of Aaron’s 2,000th store in the Bronx, N.Y. Just like the store design, the paint scheme will feature pinstripes made famous in the Bronx.(MWR)(9-27-2012)
- Kurt Busch is a zombie…for blood donation: Ever wonder where Kurt Busch gets his strange looks? Maybe it’s because he’s a zombie. OK, not for real, but he would make a pretty creepy looking zombie, as the American Red Cross and AMC recently found out. Busch is one of nine celebrities participating in a partnership between the American Red Cross and AMC’s hit zombie apocalypse show “The Walking Dead” to urge people to donate blood. Busch joins such celebrities as Whitney Port, Elisabeth Rohm, Jimmy Smits and The Black Keys in the “Use Your Brains. Give Blood” campaign. Busch and the others were “zombie-fied” by the show’s makeup team and is shown in his Nationwide Series uniform and a hat bearing the logos of sponsor Monster Energy Drink.(Sporting News), see the image of Busch, on the AMC site.(9-27-2012)
- Sad News – Bob Newton: Bob Newton, Founder of Hoosier Racing Tires in Plymouth, IN, died Wednesday afternoon at his home at the age of 85. Newton and his wife, Joyce, started Hoosier Racing Tire in 1957. The company currently ships to over 70 countries and has warehouse distributer’s all over the world. Newton was a racer before a businessman, and he saw a need for better tires. The business has become the world’s largest race tire manufacturer and one of the largest employers in Marshall County. Bob Newton’s impact in Michiana is great. He’s always a man who wanted to give. Newton was the main donor behind Newton Park and the Newton Center. He also started the Little Hoosier 100 race. And those he’s helped along the way have given back. Including reigning Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart, who frequently comes into to town to support the Newton’s. Just two years ago, Stewart presented Bob with a $10,000 check for Newton Park as a way to say thanks for everything. Newton is survived by his wife Joyce, four children and many grandchildren and great children. Funeral arrangements are pending (wndu.com). Hoosier Tire supplied tires to the NASCAR Srpint Cup Series in 1988-1989 and again for part of the 1994 season.(Hoosier Tire)(9-27-2012)
- NCWTS returns to “The Rock” in 2013: After staging the most talked-about event of the 2012 NASCAR season to date, Rockingham Speedway President Andy Hillenburg made it official today; confirming that the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will return to “The Rock” on April 12-14, 2013. Kasey Kahne celebrates in victory lane after winning the inaugural NCWTS race at Rockingham last April. “We got our report card from NASCAR, and it looks like we got an A+,” said Hillenburg of NASCAR’s April return to Rockingham for the first time since 2004. Sprint Cup Series star Kasey Kahne topped an all-star field of Camping World Truck Series regulars to win the Good Sam Roadside Assistance Carolina 200 presented by Cheerwine, in front of a large and enthusiastic crowd of race fans. “Fans, drivers, teams; everyone embraced our 2012 event,” said Hillenburg. “I’m happy to announce that with their help, we’ll do it again in 2013; bigger and better than ever before.” Tickets are already on sale, with adult tickets ranging from $20 to $35 and kids age 12 and under half-price.(Rockingham Speedway PR)(9-26-2012)
- Daytona 500 travel packages available: Want to attend the DAYTONA 500 but aren’t from the area? myRacetravel, the Official Travel Provider of Daytona International Sepedway is standing by to make your trip to the DAYTONA 500� hassle-free. Packages, which start at $415, include race tickets, hotel accommodations, race day transportation, on-site staff for assistance, hospitality options and much more. All-inclusive race weekend packages for 2013 Speedweeks and the 55th annual DAYTONA 500 race weekend on Feb. 21 -24 are now available for purchase. Quantities are limited. To book a DAYTONA 500 travel package, click here or call 866.990.7223.(DIS)(9-27-2012)
News from September 26, 2012
- Smith out of the #78 after Talladega? SPEED’s Race Hub reported Wednesday evening that Regan Smith’s final race of the season in the Furniture Row Racing #78 would be at Talladega. Kurt Busch is expected to drive the car the remainder of the season.(9-26-2012)
- Green Smoke sponsoring Bell at Dover: Green Smoke, a leading producer of electronic cigarettes enjoyed around the globe, will return as primary sponsor of T.J. Bell’s #32 Ford Fusion fielded by FAS Lane Racing in Sunday’s AAA 400 at Dover International Speedway. Also, as a thank-you to our nation’s military, Green Smoke is hosting six guests of Operation Ward 57, a non-profit organization supporting our hero wounded soldiers, their loved ones and family members as well as those that aid in their recovery. Operation Ward 57 was founded by and consists of wounded soldiers, current and former members of the military & Walter Reed Army Medical Center, as well as those that have big hearts and want to make a difference in another individual’s life.(Breaking Limits), see an image of the car on the #32 team paint schemes page.(9-26-2012)
- Rancher’s Reserve and Safeway sponsoring Stenhouse, Jr.: On the heels of the announcement in Chicagoland proclaiming that Ricky Stenhouse Jr. would pilot the historic #17 Ford Fusion next year in the Sprint Cup Series, the 2011 NASCAR Nationwide champion will make his second Sprint Cup start of the 2012 season at Dover International Speedway this weekend. Earlier this season the Olive Branch, Miss. native made his debut in the famed Daytona 500 finishing 21st. He finished 11th in his Sprint Cup debut in 2011 in the Coca-Cola 600. The 2011 NASCAR Nationwide champion will pull the double-duty this weekend as he defends his title with six races remaining. The tight championship battle shows Stenhouse only four points out of the lead. Rancher’s Reserve and Safeway will serve as the primary sponsors for both the #6 Ford Mustang and #6 Ford Fusion.(Roush Fenway)(9-26-2012)
- Elliott Sadler close to deal for 2013; part-time Cup with Gibbs? 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)
- Hamlin consulting sport psychologist about Dover: Forgive #11-Denny Hamlin if he has that far-away gaze this weekend. He’s falling in love. Well, he’s trying to fall in love. His affections, though, aren’t toward a person but a place — Dover International Speedway. Hamlin, who has won three of the last five NASCAR Sprint Cup races, has openly admitted that Dover is his worst track in the 10-race title Chase. Complicating Hamlin’s situation is that Dover is likely the best track for points leader #48-Jimmie Johnson, who has won four of the last seven races there, including the June race. Hamlin is third in the standings, trailing Johnson by seven points. It is for such mental hurdles that Hamlin first consulted Bob Rotella, a sports psychologist, last year. As he sought advice on Dover this week, Hamlin challenged Rotella to give him something extra meaningful. Hamlin revealed a text-message exchange he had with Rotella to a handful of reporters Tuesday during a NASCAR Hall of Fame appearance. Hamlin first texted Rotella: “I need some positive influence on the week coming up. It’s my worst track.” Rotella responded: “Let your challenge for the week be to fall in love with this track. From the moment you arrive look at things to love about it and reasons to love it. All week look for things great and special to happen to you. Embrace the challenge of having your best attitude that you’ve ever had this week. Take pride in showing yourself how strong your mind is. Own your mind and own the race track that you race. Control your attitude and let your emotions own the world. Have fun.” Simple enough, yet so hard to do for any driver, let alone one like Hamlin who has had two top-10 finishes in his last 10 starts there and an average finish of 24.2 during that stretch.(USA Today)(9-26-2012)
- Burton says he wasn’t concerned about his job at RCR: As Jeff Burton struggled in the #31 car the last two seasons, even Burton himself couldn’t avoid hearing the rumors that he might be replaced. His car owner, Richard Childress, when pressed on the issue by the media, would merely say that Burton had a contract for 2013, almost leaving the door open that, well, contracts are made to be broken. The obvious candidate to replace Burton was Kurt Busch, whom Childress talked about how much he’d like to have if a sponsor would step up for him. But Busch signed Monday with RCR affiliate Furniture Row Racing, and that should make Burton breathe easier about 2013. But it won’t – because Burton wasn’t wasting time thinking it would happen. “I never worried about being replaced,” Burton said Tuesday during a Charlotte Motor Speedway media day at the RCR shop. “I never woke up in the morning saying, ‘Damn, I might not drive the 31 car next year.’ Because I knew all those things weren’t true. The fact that I was in the conversation bothered me.”(Sporting News)(9-26-2012)
- France still fighting to keep divorce records secret: The head of the closely held company that stages NASCAR races is fighting to keep the public out of hearings and documents related to a battle with his ex-wife over their high-dollar divorce settlement. Tuesday’s oral arguments before the state Court of Appeals mark the second time the court has heard NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France’s reasons to close court proceedings generally open to the public. France’s search for secrecy involves a dispute over whether the woman he married and divorced twice, Megan France, violated confidentiality and other provisions of the agreement they reached before divorcing in 2008. Brian France’s attorney had said in open court that the separation agreement included paying his ex-wife $9 million, alimony of $32,000 a month for 10 years, plus $10,000 a month in child support, according to a court filing by Megan France’s lawyers. But five months after the divorce was final, Brian France returned to court to try enforcing their agreement’s confidentiality provisions by asking a judge to decide “he was entitled to a sealed court file not only in that matter but in all future civil actions related to the agreement,” according to attorneys for The Charlotte Observer and WCNC-TV, which challenged the secrecy. “The legal implications for the citizens of our state are staggering should Mr. France’s position be adopted. Brian France’s attorneys argue that letting the public peek into his divorce case imperils his “constitutionally-protected right to a contract, right to a remedy in the trial court for an injury done to him, and right to privacy.(Associated Press/USA Today)(9-26-2012)
- Talladega & NASCAR Green Program Plant 60 Trees In Tuscaloosa Parks: Talladega Superspeedway, Tuscaloosa County Park and Recreation Authority and United Saints Recovery Project began planting the first of 60 trees which were donated as part of NASCAR’s Green initiative in Rosedale Park in Tuscaloosa Tuesday. NASCAR’s Green program donates ten trees for each green flag that drops during a race. Six green flags were shown during the spring race at Talladega Superspeedway, hence the 60 trees. Tuscaloosa was selected in an effort to help the ongoing recovery from the tornado on April 27, 2011. The trees were purchased at a cost of approximately $12,500 and include the following varieties: Green Mountain Maple-17, Legacy Maple-19, White Flowering Dogwood-7, Pin Oak-12 and Princeton American Elm-5.(TSS)(9-26-2012)
News from September 25, 2012
- NASCAR releases 2013 Cup schedule NASCAR announced the Sprint Cup Series’ 2013 schedule, a highly anticipated campaign that will welcome redesigned cars to the track. Though unveiled and tested throughout the 2012 season, the new models — the Chevrolet SS, Ford Fusion and Toyota Camry — will make their official entrance into competition on Feb. 16 at the Shootout at Daytona International Speedway. Qualifying for the “Great American Race” will take place Feb. 17, followed by the season-opening Daytona 500 on Feb. 24. The 2013 Cup schedule, marking the 65th season for NASCAR’s premier series, will have a familiar feel, opening with the Daytona 500 before moving west to Phoenix (March 3) and Las Vegas (March 10). For the third consecutive season, the Chase for the Sprint Cup will start at Chicagoland. The Chase will conclude at the season finale on Nov. 17 at Homestead-Miami. With Kansas Speedway’s repave project complete, next season’s fall event at Talladega will return to its traditional spot on the calendar. Talladega’s 2013 Chase race, the sixth of the 10-race playoff, will be run Oct. 20. Kansas will host its 2013 Chase event on Oct. 6.(NASCAR), see the full schedule on my 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Schedule page.(9-25-2012)
- New Hampshire TV Ratings: ESPN’s live telecast of the Sylvania 300 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Sunday, Sept. 23, earned a 2.6 household coverage rating (2.2 U.S. rating), averaging 3,516,958 viewers, according to the Nielsen Company. The rating was down from a 3.1 for last year’s race.(ESPN), see ratings for past 2012 ratings and 4-year comparison chart on the 2012 TV Ratings page.(9-25-2012)
- Race and Commercial Breakdown of the 2012 Sylvania 300: 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 2:02 PM, and stopped at the waving of the checkered flag at 5:02PM (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: 63
Total number of ‘Side-by-Side Commercials’ (split-screen): 74
Total number of commercials: 117
Total number of companies or entities advertised: 37
Total number of brief promos of products/services during the race broadcast: 36
Total amount of time these brief promos take during broadcast: app. 5 min. 10 sec.
Start time to record race/commercial periods: 2:02 PM
End time to record race/commercial periods: 5:02 PM
Total minutes of complete broadcast: 180
Minutes of race broadcast: 155
Minutes of traditional commercials (not split-screen): 25
Minutes of ‘Side-by-Side’ commercials (split-screen): 19
Number of missed restarts: 0
Number of ‘mystery cautions’ (debris not shown): 3
Total race brdcst time 155 Total comm. brdcst time 25
See past races, past links and more on the 2012 NASCAR TV Commercials News page.(9-25-2012)
- Super 8 to Paint RPM #43 Car in Signature Colors for Dover: The signature colors of Super 8 will adorn Aric Almirola’s #43 Ford at Dover International Speedway this Sunday and, to celebrate, the hotel brand is offering sweepstakes prizes based on the driver’s finish. This month, the first prize winner of the Super 8 Road Trip Challenge Sweepstakes–which launched in March 2012 and awards weekly and monthly race-themed prizes–has a chance to win additional prize money based on the performance of the #43 car in the upcoming AAA 400.(Richard Petty Motorsports), see an image of the scheme on the #43 Team Schemes page.(9-25-2012)
- Facts and Notes for Dover International Speedway:
� The official opening of Dover International Speedway, then called Dover Downs International Speedway, was in 1969.
� The first NASCAR Sprint Cup race was held on July 6, 1969.
� The first two races at Dover were 300 miles. The race length was changed to 500 miles in 1971.
� The track surface was changed to concrete in 1995.
� The race length was changed to 400 miles beginning with the second race in 1997.
� The track name was changed to Dover International Speedway in 2002.
� There have been 85 NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Dover International Speedway since the track opened in 1969.
� There was one race in 1969 and 1970. There has been two-a-year since 1971.
� Richard Petty won the track’s first NASCAR Sprint Cup race.
� 33 different drivers have posted victories led by Jimmie Johnson, Bobby Allison and Richard Petty, each with seven. Johnson leads all active drivers.
� David Pearson won the first pole in July 1969.
� There have been 35 different pole winners, led by David Pearson (six).
� Mark Martin leads all active drivers with five poles.
� Hendrick Motorsports has a series-high 14 wins.
� 52 races at Dover have been won from a top-five starting position; 18 races have been won from a starting position outside the top 10.
� 13 drivers have won from the pole. The last to do so was Jimmie Johnson, in the 2010 September race.
� The furthest back in the field a race winner has started was 37th, by Kyle Petty in 1995.
� Several active drivers had their first start at Dover, including three past champions: David Ragan (finished 42nd in 2006), Kurt Busch (18th in 2000), Matt Kenseth (sixth in 1998) and Bobby Labonte (34th in 1991).
� In addition, Matt Kenseth (2002) and Michael Waltrip (1991) earned their first pole at Dover. Martin Truex Jr. won his first race there (2007).
� There have been 85 NASCAR Sprint Cup races in Delaware, all at Dover International Speedway.
� Eight drivers in NASCAR’s three national series (all-time) have their home state recorded as Delaware, though none have posted victories.(NASCAR)(9-25-2012)
- Hunter-Reay beats Keselowski for 3rd Qtr DOTY: IndyCar champion Ryan Hunter-Reay convincingly beat NASCAR’s Brad Keselowski in the voting for the Third Quarter Driver of the Year. The elite panel of 21 broadcasters and journalists gave ten first-place votes to Hunter-Reay, who totaled 138-points, while Keselowski had six first-place votes and totaled 105-points. In the third quarter, the Texas-born Hunter-Reay, who drives for Andretti Autosport had wins at Toronto and Baltimore but didn’t overcome first-quarter Driver of the Year, Will Power, until the championship boiled down to the IndyCar finale at Auto Club Speedway. Erica Enders, the NHRA’s Pro Stock driver, was third in the points and garnered two first-place votes and 55 points. Antron Brown, who races in the NHRA’s Top Fuel division, was fourth with 39 points. Denny Hamlin was the only other driver to receive a first place vote was fifth with 34 points. Nineteen first-place votes were cast. A total of 18 drivers scored points in the third quarter voting. In its’ 46th year, the Driver of the Year title is unique. The panel of 21 leading journalists and broadcasters from across the U.S. determines the winner. Three panelists did not vote this time. In quarterly voting, points are awarded on a declining 9, 6, 4,3,2,1 basis. Hunter-Reay will receive a trophy and a Tissot wristwatch to be presented at a time and place to be determined.(DOTY)(9-25-2012)
- Kurt Busch to drive the #78 in 2013 UPDATE: Furniture Row Racing announced today that Kurt Busch has been hired to drive the team’s #78 Chevy during the 2013 Sprint Cup season. Busch, a former NASCAR Cup champion, will replace Regan Smith, who joined Furniture Row Racing at the beginning of the 2009 season. “Though we have made strides as a resourceful single-car Sprint Cup team, we are not where we want to be, which led us to the difficult decision of making a driver change as we move forward,” said Furniture Row Racing’s general manager Joe Garone. “Kurt’s exceptional driving talent has the capacity to take a team to another level. We look forward to having Kurt join our Denver-based organization and feel his racing experience will play an important role as we plan ahead to 2013.”
Garone added, “As our team driver the past four years, Regan has represented Furniture Row Racing with both class and competitiveness. His win at Darlington in 2011 the first for Furniture Row Racing will be a memory forever etched in our organization’s history. He is a friend, and will always be a friend of Furniture Row Racing. We wish him all the best.”
“Furniture Row Racing has the commitment, talent and resources to compete at a high level in the Sprint Cup Series,” said Busch. “I have watched with admiration on how this team has grown over the years and that is why I am excited about the opportunity as I eagerly look forward to a new chapter in my racing career.” Since the beginning of the 2012 season, Busch has driven the #51 Chevy for Phoenix Racing. His previous two teams in the Sprint Cup Series were at Penske Racing [#2 & #22] and Roush Fenway Racing [#97].(Furniture Row Racing)(9-24-2012)
UPDATE: Busch announced today on SPEED’s NASCAR Race Hub that he has taken over as driver of the #78 Furniture Row entry for the 2013 season, moving on from Phoenix Racing. SPEED NASCAR Race Hub host Steve Byrnes sat down with Busch in an exclusive interview about his new ride. Here is what he had to say about 2013 read the full interview at SPEED: Kurt Busch Speaks About His Move To Furniture Row Racing.(9-25-2012)
- AdvoCare sponsoring Phoenix race: Phoenix International Raceway announced that AdvoCare International (AdvoCare) has been named title sponsor for the track’s November 11 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event: The AdvoCare 500 at Phoenix International Raceway. The AdvoCare 500, the Semi-Final race in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, will be the feature event for PIR’s November race weekend. With the Sprint Cup Series Championship on the line, the green flag will drop on the AdvoCare 500 at 1 p.m. MST. AdvoCare is a health and wellness company that offers world-class nutrition, weight loss, energy and sports performance products. No stranger to NASCAR fans, AdvoCare is also the primary sponsor of rising star Austin Dillon and the #3 AdvoCare Chevy in the NASCAR Nationwide Series for legendary owner Richard Childress Motorsports.(PIR)(9-25-2012)
- Craft Brew Pub at Dover for race weekend: Dover International Speedway is teaming up with the Fordham and Dominion Brewing Co. to present the first-ever Craft Brew Pub at the Monster Mile during the Sept. 28-30, 2012 NASCAR race weekend. The Craft Brew Pub will offer race fans a new variety of local, fresh brews during their time at the Monster Mile with four featured, and locally brewed, beers on tap, including Fordham’s Helles Lager and Copperhead Ale, and Dominion’s Octoberfest and Oak Barrel Stout. To learn more about the featured beers for race weekend, as well as all of the others the breweries have to offer, visit www.FordhamBrewing.com or www.OldDominion.com. This new offering will be set in a comfortable, tented area in Victory Plaza, near the Monster Monument, presented by AAA. It will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. throughout race weekend. NASCAR returns to Dover International Speedway Sept. 28-30, 2012, for tickets or more information, call 800-441-RACE or visit DoverSpeedway.com.(Dover International Speedway)(9-25-2012)
- DIS Track Services and Fire Rescue Team honored: Troy Willrick, Director of Emergency Services, and the entire Daytona International Speedway Track Services and Fire Rescue Team were honored at the second annual SPORTYS held on Saturday night at Full Sail University in Orlando. The DIS Track Services and Fire Rescue Team, represented by Willrick, were honored as Employee of the Year for their outstanding performance during the 54th annual Daytona 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race in February. “On behalf of the entire DIS Track Services and Fire Rescue team, I am honored to accept this SPORTY,” Willrick said. “The coordination, professionalism and calm-under-extreme-pressure demonstrated by our Track Operations and Fire Rescue team during this unprecedented challenge were nothing short of spectacular.” On Lap 160 of the Daytona 500, under caution, a car lost control and struck a jet dryer resulting in a fuel spill and fire. The Track Services and Fire Rescue Team responded immediately and suppressed and extinguished the fire. The crew then removed the damaged vehicles, cleaned up the remaining fuel and repaired the track surface. All of the rescue, fire, clean-up and repair work was completed in two hours and the race was able to resume to the checkered flag, which was taken by Matt Kenseth for a second time in his career. The SPORTYS, produced by the Central Florida Sports Commission, honors the top area teams, high school, collegiate and professional athletes, coaches, deserving local residents and businesses throughout Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia Counties. Tickets for the 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)(9-25-2012)
- Bojangles’ Pole Night Ticket Honors 3-time winners at CMS: Fans interested in attending Bojangles’ Pole Night at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Oct. 11 can now purchase a limited-edition collectible ticket featuring four of NASCAR’s greatest racers. The ticket, of which only 2,500 were printed, pays homage to NASCAR Hall of Famers Bobby Allison and Cale Yarborough and future Hall of Famers Jimmie Johnson and Mark Martin. All four NASCAR icons are three-time winners of the Bank of America 500, which is scheduled for Oct. 13. Fans interested in purchasing the limited edition ticket featuring Allison, Johnson, Martin and Yarborough can call 1-800-455-FANS (3267). The tickets are $20.(CMS)(9-25-2012)
News from September 24, 2012
- Kurt Busch to drive the #78 in 2013: Furniture Row Racing announced today that Kurt Busch has been hired to drive the team’s #78 Chevy during the 2013 Sprint Cup season. Busch, a former NASCAR Cup champion, will replace Regan Smith, who joined Furniture Row Racing at the beginning of the 2009 season. “Though we have made strides as a resourceful single-car Sprint Cup team, we are not where we want to be, which led us to the difficult decision of making a driver change as we move forward,” said Furniture Row Racing’s general manager Joe Garone. “Kurt’s exceptional driving talent has the capacity to take a team to another level. We look forward to having Kurt join our Denver-based organization and feel his racing experience will play an important role as we plan ahead to 2013.”
Garone added, “As our team driver the past four years, Regan has represented Furniture Row Racing with both class and competitiveness. His win at Darlington in 2011 the first for Furniture Row Racing will be a memory forever etched in our organization’s history. He is a friend, and will always be a friend of Furniture Row Racing. We wish him all the best.”
“Furniture Row Racing has the commitment, talent and resources to compete at a high level in the Sprint Cup Series,” said Busch. “I have watched with admiration on how this team has grown over the years and that is why I am excited about the opportunity as I eagerly look forward to a new chapter in my racing career.” Since the beginning of the 2012 season, Busch has driven the #51 Chevy for Phoenix Racing. His previous two teams in the Sprint Cup Series were at Penske Racing [#2 & #22] and Roush Fenway Racing [#97].(Furniture Row Racing)(9-24-2012)
- The Entry List for the AAA 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway is posted, 48 teams/drivers [for 43 spots] are listed, including:
Yeley is in the #36. Patrick back in the #10.
Not in top 35 of owners points:
#6-Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (none/0)
#19-Mike Bliss (45th in owners pts/22 race attmepts)
#23-Scott Riggs (44/26)
#26-Josh Wise (40/28)
#30-David Stremme (38/28)
#33-Cole Whitt (37/28)
#37-TBA (50/13)
#49-Jason Leffler (39/24)
#79-Kelly Bires (53/7)
#87-Joe Nemechek (42/28)
#91-Reed Sorenson (54/8)
#95-Scott Speed (43/11)
#98-Michael McDowell (41/28)
In the event that qualifying is cancelled:
the eight who would make it [8]: #’s 33,30,26,98,87,23,49,19
missing the race would be [5]: # 37,95,91,79,6
See the full entry list at my Jayski’s Dover Entry List
- So what was Grubb hiding when TV showed his laptop screen: Denny Hamlin crew chief Darian Grubb wasn’t too happy Sunday when ESPN attempted to show his laptop computer screen on TV near the end of Hamlin’s victory at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Hamlin was leading with four laps remaining in the 300-lap race when an ESPN cameraman climbed onto Grubb’s pit box and showed an over-the-shoulder shot of Grubb in front of his computer. Grubb then put his hand over the camera lens, and he and another crewman covered Grubb’s computer screen with their hands. The reaction led to fans asking on Twitter what Grubb and his team did not want fans and TV viewers to see on his computer screen. Was he attempting to hide some sort of secret data he didn’t want the world to see? “Just tire pressures, fuel mileage, race strategy, and other misc stuff,” Grubb wrote on his Twitter.(Sporting News)(9-24-2012)
- Vickers hopes for more Cup races in 2013: No one can blame #55-Brian Vickers for looking ahead. “I can’t wait for Martinsville,” he said after Sunday’s ninth-place finish in the Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The Oct. 28 race is the next Sprint Cup race Vickers is scheduled to drive for Michael Waltrip Racing, and he knows there’s a chance it could lead to an expanded role next season. Vickers has been sharing the ride in the #55 Toyota with Mark Martin and Michael Waltrip this season. Sunday was his sixth race of the season and the fourth time he’s produced a top-10 finish. In his previous start in August at Bristol, he finished fourth, and he led 125 laps there in March en route to a fifth-place finish. He also could be in line for a Nationwide Series ride in 2013, perhaps with Joe Gibbs Racing, another Toyota team. But Vickers has designs on making his mark in Cup.(NASCAR.com)(9-24-2012)
- No more Cup races planned for Olsen: When Frank Stoddard, a former NASCAR crew chief-turned-car owner of #32 FAS Lane Racing, agreed to field a car for Mike Olsen, his boyhood buddy from North Haverhill, N.H., it wasn’t with the intent of starting the Sylvania 300 and then parking it. Quite the contrary. Olsen went the distance in the #32 North Country Ford, finishing 11 laps down in 33d for an $81,735 payday. It was the Sprint Cup debut for Olsen, 44, who said it was likely to be his last race.(Boston Globe)(9-24-2012)
- Joe Gibbs Racing Captures NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Win No. 100: Joe Gibbs’ hard-to-fathom two-sport career has become statistically symmetrical. Consider& Three Super Bowl championships? Check. Three NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championships? Check. Triple-digit wins in the NFL? Check. Triple-digit wins in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series? Well, after two-plus decades in the sport, Gibbs can check that rare milestone off the list too. With #11-Denny Hamlin’s dominant win at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) reached a rare milestone, becoming only the sixth team in NASCAR Sprint Cup history to reach 100 victories. Joe Gibbs entered the series in 1992 as a one-car team with eventual series champion Dale Jarrett as his driver. Now, JGR exists as a three-car powerhouse that threatens to win another championship this season with Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup contender Hamlin. Its first championship came in 2000 with Bobby Labonte. JGR would follow that up win two more titles, both with Tony Stewart (2002 and 2005). Now, the team adds another accolade to the list 100 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victories. JGR has won with six different drivers, at 23 different tracks. Below is a timeline of Gibbs’ notable and milestone victories on its way to 100:
1 On Feb. 14, 1993, JGR won its first race and it was on NASCAR’s biggest stage, the Daytona 500. With his father Ned urging him to victory while calling the race from the CBS broadcast booth, Dale Jarrett captured his second and Gibbs’ first win. JGR has won at least one race every season since.
3 JGR won its first Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, on May 28, 1995 with Bobby Labonte driving.
22 JGR won its first Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. On Aug. 5, 2000, during his championship campaign, Bobby Labonte led 21 laps prior to kissing the bricks. JGR would win two more Brickyard events, both with Indiana native Tony Stewart (2005 and 2007).
23 The team’s next win came in another of NASCAR’s crown jewels the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. Labonte picked up the win again, on Sept. 3, 2000.
50 JGR reached milestone victory No. 50 on July 1, 2006. Tony Stewart won the Daytona night race, starting second and leading 86 laps.
72 On June 28, 2009, in a rain-shortened event at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, JGR driver Joey Logano became the youngest winner in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series history at the age of 19 years, one month and four days.
88 On Nov. 7, 2010, Denny Hamlin won at Texas Motor Speedway for the team’s 11th victory of the year, making the 2010 season the most prolific in JGR’s history.(NASCAR)(9-24-2012)
- Darlington to host NASCAR race for 64th year: Darlington Raceway has announced that the NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series will return to the track Too Tough to Tame on Mother’s Day weekend, May 10-11, 2013. The 2013 Sprint Cup Series Bojangles’ Southern 500 will mark the 64th consecutive year of NASCAR racing at the Lady in Black, dating back to 1950. Tickets for 2013 events will go on sale to the public beginning Friday, Nov. 16, with prices as low as $35 for the Bojangles’ Southern 500. Kids 12 and under are free in general admission on Friday and half-price for any reserved seat on either event day.(Darlington Raceway)(9-24-2012)
News from September 23, 2012
- Hamlin wins at New Hampshire: #11-Denny Hamlin won the Sylvania 300 Sprint Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway for his 5th win of year, 22nd career win and the 100th win for Joe Gibbs Racing. Hamlin syarted 32nd after leading all practices but qualifying 32nd. Hamlin led 193 of the 300 laps.
#48-Johnson finished 2nd followed by #24-Gordon (pole sitter), #15-Bowyer, #5-Kahne, #2-Keselowski, #14-Stewart, #20-Logano, #55-Vickers and #39-Newman.
#49-Johnson takes the points lead with 2096, a lead of 1 point over #2-Keselowski.
There were 4 cautions for 17 yellow flag laps. There were 17 lead changes among 10 drivers. The average speed was 116.810mph.
The estimated attendence was 98,000 up from 95,000 in July and 95,000 last September.
See race results, awards, money won, laps led, cautions and more on the New Hampshire Race Results page (pdf).(9-23-2012)
- Where did the 12 Chase drivers finish at New Hampshire?
[by points standings before the race (start pos)]
1) #2-Brad Keselowski, 6th (15th)
2) #48-Jimmie Johnson, 2nd (20)
3) #14-Tony Stewart, 7th (3)
4) #11-Denny Hamlin, WON (32)
5) #5-Kasey Kahne, 5th (6)
6) #15-Clint Bowyer, 4th (12)
7) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., 13th (14)
8) #16-Greg Biffle, 18th (13)
9) #56-Martin Truex Jr., 17th (9)
10) #29-Kevin Harvick, 11th (16)
11) #17-Matt Kenseth, 14th (25)
12) #24-Jeff Gordon 3rd (1)
(9-23-2012)
- 2012 Sprint Cup Driver CHASE Championship Points Standings:
[after New Hampshire, race 28 of 36]
1) #48-Jimmie Johnson [3 wins], 2096
2) #2-Brad Keselowski [4 wins], 2095, -1
3) #11-Denny Hamlin [5 wins], 2089, -7
4) #14-Tony Stewart [3 wins], 2086, -10
5) #5-Kasey Kahne [2 wins], 2081, -15
6) #15-Clint Bowyer [2 wins], 2081, -15
7) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. [1 win], 2070, -26
8) #29-Kevin Harvick [0 wins], 2065, -31
9) #16-Greg Biffle [2 wins], 2063, -33
10) #56-Martin Truex Jr. [0 wins], 2062, -34
11) #17-Matt Kenseth [1 win], 2061, -35
12) #24-Jeff Gordon [1 win], 2051, -45
(ties broken by 1sts, 2nds, 3rd, etc)
See drivers championship points standings on the Drivers Points Standings (pdf)
- Race Fast Facts – New Hampshire
#11-Denny Hamlin won the 16th Annual Sylvania 300, his 22nd victory in 251 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races. This is his fifth victory and 14th top-10 finish in 2012. This is his second victory and 10th top-10 finish in 14 races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. #48-Jimmie Johnson (second) posted his 15th top-10 finish in 22 races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. It is his 19th top-10 finish in 2012. #24-Jeff Gordon (third) posted his 21st top-10 finish in 36 races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. #33-Stephen Leicht (34th) was the highest finishing rookie. #48-Jimmie Johnson leads the point standings by 1 points over #2-Brad Keselowski. The victory today is the 100th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series win for Joe Gibbs Racing: Tony Stewart (33), Denny Hamlin (22), Bobby Labonte (21), Kyle Busch (20), Dale Jarrett (2) and Joey Logano (2).(NASCAR Integrated Sports Marketing)(9-23-2012)
- Top-35 in Owner Points and guaranteed a starting spot at Dover:
#36 remains in 35th and is now 119 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, 374 +141
35) #36-Yeley/Baldwin, 352 +119 ahead of 36th
these teams / drivers will need to qualify by speed:
36) #21-Bayne/Wood Bros., 233, -119pts out of the top 35
37) #33-Leicht/Childress-Falk, 230, 122
38) #30-Stremme/Inception, 200, -152
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).(9-23-2012)
- New Hampshire Notes-n-Nuggets:
” Denny Hamlin scored his 22nd career win in his 251st start, tie for 29th all time with Terry Labonte and Matt Kenseth.
” Denny Hamlin scored his season-high fifth win of the season; he’s won three of the past five races.
” Denny Hamlin scored his second win in his 14th start at New Hampshire; he had finished second three times since his previous New Hampshire win.
” Denny Hamlin posted his fifth Chase win.
” Denny Hamlin qualified 32nd; it’s just the sixth Chase race won by a driver who time trialed 30th or worse.
” The driver winning the second Chase race won the championship in the past three seasons.
” Denny Hamlin led four times for 193 laps, including the last 52.
” Crew Chief Darian Grubb scored his 10th win in the past 38 races and sixth Chase victory in the past 12 races.
” Joe Gibbs Racing scored its 100th career win; it’s the six organization with 100 or more Cup victories.
” Joe Gibbs Racing scored its ninth Chase win and fifth at New Hampshire; it has seven wins this season, tied with Hendrick Motorsports for the most.
” Toyota posted its ninth win of 2012 and second victory at New Hampshire.
” Jimmie Johnson (second) posted his 35th top-two finish in 82 Chase races; he’s finished second in both Chase races this season.
” Jeff Gordon (third) posted his fourth top-three finish in the past five races this season.
” Clint Bowyer (fourth) posted his sixth top-10 in the past seven races this season.
” Kasey Kahne (fifth) posted his sixth top-five in the past 12 races this season.
” Brad Keselowski (sixth) posted his 11th top-10 in the past 12 races this season.
” Brian Vickers (ninth) posted his fourth top-10 in seven starts in 2012.
(Racing Resources and Services — Statistics Racing Recall / nascar.com)(9-23-2012)
- 2012 Sprint Cup Driver Championship Points Standings without Chase:
(classic system using current points but NOT the chase system)
[after Chicago, race 27 of 36]
1) #16-Greg Biffle(X) [2 wins], 971
2) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr.(X) [1 win], 969, -2
3) #48-Jimmie Johnson(X) [3 wins], 967, -4
4) #17-Matt Kenseth(X) [1 win], 955, -16
5) #2-Brad Keselowski(X) [4 wins], 954, -17
6) #15-Clint Bowyer(X) [2 wins], 933, -38
7) #11-Denny Hamlin(X) [4 wins], 927, -44
8) #56-Martin Truex Jr.(X) [0 wins], 924, -47
9) #29-Kevin Harvick(X) [0 wins], 906, -65
10) #14-Tony Stewart(X) [3 wins], 887, -84
11) #5-Kasey Kahne(X) [2 wins], 865, -106
12) #18-Kyle Busch [1 win], 831, -140
13) #24-Jeff Gordon(X) [1 win], 828, -143
14) #39-Ryan Newman [1 win], 807, -164
15) #99-Carl Edwards [0 wins], 797, -174
16) #27-Paul Menard [0 wins], 792, -179
(ties broken by 1sts, 2nds, 3rd, etc)
(X) = a Chase driver.
- ESPN’s Racecast – Live Coverage & Chat
- Racing Live! on ESPN.com
- Watch the race LIVE online at WatchESPN
- Listen Live Online at Performace Racing Network
- Fantasy NASCAR Chat with Mark Garrow / the Guru
- Ask in-race reporter Kevin Harvick
- Race Coverage of the Sylvania 300 Sprint Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway is scheduled for Sunday, September 23, 2012.
Television (TV): ESPN at 2:00 pm/et; NASCAR Countdown Pre-Race show at 1:00 pm/et; green flag approx 2:15pm/et
Radio: Performance Racing Network (PRN) and Sirius XM Satellite NASCAR Radio 90
Scheduled Race Re-Airs: ESPN2, Monday, September 24 at 12:30am/et; SPEED, Wednesday, September 26 at 12:00pm/et
- Chase for NASCAR Sprint Cup Continues at New Hampshire: The second of 10 races in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup will be the Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, N.H., on Sunday, Sept. 23, and ESPN will have a live telecast. NASCAR Countdown airs at 1:00pm/et with the race’s green flag at 2:15pm/et. All NASCAR programming on ESPN and ESPN2 is also available on computers, smartphones and tablets with the WatchESPN app and WatchESPN.com. ESPN.com senior motorsports writer Terry Blount will report from Chicagoland.(ESPN)
- Garrow honored…Congrats: Jayski.com Business Manager and Performance Racing Networkbroadcaster, Mark Garrow, was honored today. Garrow was inducted into the Castleton State CollegeHall of Fame on Sunday morning in nearby Vermont. Garrow then helicoptered to New Hampshire Motor Speedway to make the radio call of the Sylvania 300.(9-23-2012)
- Three pit crews make it to the track after flight delay: Pit crews for Richard Childress Racing, Stewart-Haas Racing and JTG Daugherty Racing were on a tight schedule for Sunday’s Sprint Cup race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Blame it on problems with a scheduled flight to bring them to the track. The crew members were scheduled to reach the track about 10:00am/et. However, mechanical issues at their Concord, N.C., departure point forced them to change planes, delaying their arrival for the race. They reached the track about 12:50pm/et with a rush job ahead. Team owner Richard Childress said Miami Air, whom he charters with for the race-day flights, was able to get another plane to carry the crews. The plane landed shortly before 12:00pm/et in Manchester, N.H., about 25 miles from the track. Vehicles carrying the crew members were expected to get a police escort to make it through the traffic. Reaching the track would be no easy assignment. Typically traffic would be heavy with a crowd of about 90,000 people expected at a track with only one main entrance on a road that is converted from two lanes to four lanes using the shoulder for the race.(Sporting News)(9-23-2012)
- #55 changes engines: #55 Toyota team of Brian Vickers changed engines Saturday after practice when the team found a bad valve spring, so Vickers will give up his 4th starting position and fall to the rear of the field before the start of the race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.(ESPN)(9-23-2012)
- Fifth Third returns to #17 to sponsor Stenhouse in 2013 UPDATE: Fifth Third Bank will sponsor Ricky Stenhouse Jr. in the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Fifth Third is sponsoring the same car it backed earlier this season, but with a different driver [Matt Kenseth]. Stenhouse will drive the #17 Fifth Third Ford Fusion next season. Fifth Third will be the primary sponsor of Stenhouse at Daytona, Michigan, Kentucky and Martinsville next year and an associate sponsor at all other Sprint Cup races in 2013. It also will be the primary sponsor of Stenhouse’s #6 Ford at this year’s last Sprint Cup race of the season, the Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway Nov. 18. Jack Roush, co-owner of Roush Fenway Racing, which owns the car, said Fifth Third is one of three main sponsors of Stenhouse and the #17 team. “We have seen Ricky develop into a NASCAR Nationwide Series champion and we’re pleased to provide this opportunity for him to begin his Sprint Cup Series career next season with Fifth Third Bank, Best Buy and Zest on board,” Roush said. The deal follows a Fifth Third sponsorship announced in May of Matt Kenseth driving the same #17 Fifth Third Ford Fusion for four races this summer (Business Courier ), Kenseth will leave the team after 2012 and drive the #20 Job Gibbs Racing Toyota in 2013.(9-21-2012)
UPDATE: Ricky Stenhouse Jr. will run at least three Sprint Cup races for Roush Fenway Racing Dover, Charlotte and Homestead during the remainder of this season. “Right now, we’re organized for three races with him at Dover, Charlotte and Homestead,” said Jack Roush, “but if we decide his prospects for winning the Nationwide championship are improved by running more Sprint Cup races, we’ll do that, and if we decide there’s a sponsor that expresses interest and wants to take a look at him, or to be on board for an additional venue, we’ll do that as well.”(Gaston Gazette)(9-23-2012)
- Ragan unsure of 2013 plans: David Ragan, 26, was once on Roush Fenway Racing’s fast track until a lack of sponsorship derailed his future with the Ford powerhouse. Although Ragan was considered at candidate for the #22 Penske Racing Dodge, that dream evaporated when AJ Allmendinger was selected for the ride. Ragan landed at Front Row Motorsports in the #34 Ford. But his contract is up at the end of the year. Ragan says he’d like to “be in a more competitive car week in and week out,” and he’s not discounting the ability for FRM to continue the building curve. “Everyone goes into these final 10 races with a few different goals in mind,” Ragan said. “You have some guys trying to win a championship, some guys trying to get into the top 35 and some guys trying to save their rides. I’ve been there and done that. For our Front Row Motorsports team, we’re just trying to get into the top 30 for the first time.”(FoxSports)(9-23-2012)
- More on the 2013 roll cage: a look at the NASCAR roll cage for 2013, built to comply with rules changes for next year intended to improve driver safety. Int the photos on the site, the tube around the top of the cage that roughly describes the roof perimeterhas been doubled up with a second tube at the front along the top of the windshield. Now there are two full tubes, generously spaced, across the leading edge of the cage in front of the driver’s forehead. In the most superficial way, the roll cage in a NASCAR race car hasn’t changed in decades. It’s still mild steel seamless DOM tubing, 1.75-inch diameter, .090-in. wall, MIG welded into a very familiar looking assembly. But over the past dozen years, nearly every detail has been agonized, sweated over, and optimized to produce the safest possible structure. See more and some photos at macsmotorcitygarage.com.(9-23-2012)
- Soldier to be honored at NHMS: NASCAR and NHMS will honor the memory of U.S. Army Sgt. Daniel Gionet of Pelham before the Sylvania 300. Gionet died on June 4, 2006, during combat operations in Iraq. Gionet’s mother, Denise, will receive a VIP experience at the track through the Honor and Remember Organization.(New Hampshire Union Leader)(9-23-2012)
News from September 22, 2012
- Happy Hour (final) practice for the Sylvania 300 Sprint Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway is over, after 55 scheduled minutes, the top 5, slowest and notes:
#11-Hamlin 132.053
#20-Logano 131.683
#55-Vickers 131.551
#18-Busch 131.207
#56-Truex Jr. 131.157
slowest: #36-Raines 125.699 and #32-Olsen 127.369
See speeds, best top-10 average and laps run on the New Hampshire Happy Hour practice speeds page (pdf).(9-22-2012)
- First Saturday practice for the Sylvania 300 Sprint Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway is over, after 60 scheduled minutes, the top 5, slowest and notes:
#11-Hamlin 131.656
#20-Logano 131.442
#48-Johnson 131.370
#56-Truex Jr. 131.338
#18-Busch 131.266
slowest: #36-Raines 124.292 (2 laps) and #32-Olsen 127.329 (49 laps)
notes: no TV coverage for this practice. Happy Hour practice is scheduled for 11:00 – 11:50am/et on SPEED
See speeds, best top-10 average and laps run on the New Hampshire practice 2 speeds page (pdf).(9-22-2012)
- Pit Stall Selections: The selections of pit stalls for the Sylvania 300 Sprint Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway have been made.
Pole sitter #24-Gordon took pit stall 1 [as do most pole sitters].
Outside pole sitter #18-Busch took pit stall 32, the 4th pitstall with an opening in front of it.
#14-Stewart, who starts 3rd took the 31st pit stall, the 4th stall with an opening behind it.
The 43rd and final pit stall was taken by #88-Earnhardt Jr., who starts 14th.
To see where the drivers/teams pit stall is, see the pit selection chart on the Pit Stall Selection chart.(9-22-2012)
- Olsen to make Sprint Cup debut: #32-Mike Olsen and Frank Stoddard Jr., old buddies from North Haverhill and Woodsville High School, will become the first driver-owner tandem from New Hampshire to race in the Sprint Cup series when Olsen takes the wheel in tomorrow’s Sylvania 300. Olsen, a 44-year-old who won championships in what is now the K&N; Pro Series East tour in 2001 and 2006, qualified on Stoddard’s owner points and will start 42nd. Olsen is the grandson of the late driver Stub Fadden, who competed on the East tour from 1987-2003, winning four races. Stoddard is in his second year as a Cup owner after serving as a crew chief for Sprint Cup drivers Jeff Burton, Ward Burton and Boris Said.(Concord Monitor)(9-22-2012)
- Smith expects to be out of the #78 UPDATE: . Regan Smith, who piloted Furniture Row Racing to its breakthrough first victory on the Sprint Cup tour last season, has been told he won’t be back in the organization’s #78 car next year. Smith confirmed the news to NASCAR.com after qualifying Friday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. “I’ve been told it appears I won’t be back here next year,” Smith said. Furniture Row’s general manager, Joe Garone, could not immediately be located for comment. Smith didn’t want to speculate on the reasons behind the impending change and he said he’s unsure if he will finish the season in the #78 Chevy (NASCAR.com).
AND Regan Smith does not believe he will return to Furniture Row Racing in 2013, possibly opening the door for much-maligned driver Kurt Busch. Furniture Row general manager Joe Garone has expressed interest in hiring Busch since January and the team has been seeking sponsorship to field a second car for him. Busch confirmed Friday that he has talked with Garone as well as other teams. “They’ve shown good interest and so have others,” Busch said. “There’s a handful of contracts sitting on my desk and it’s just a matter of going through some detail with each of the teams.” Furniture Row general manager Joe Garone said in an email Friday that his team is interested in Busch but that Busch has talked with other teams as well. Richard Petty Motorsports is among the organizations that has not signed its drivers for next season and also could be a candidate for Busch. When asked Friday if he would be back with Furniture Row next season, Smith said, “I don’t believe so.”
“There’s a lot to it, is the best way I can put it,” said Smith, who moved to Denver last year to be closer to the Colorado-based team. “It’s a place where I’ve been for a while. I’m happy here. I like it here. But sometimes change isn’t bad, either.” Smith said he has been talking to other teams about 2013.(Sporting News)(9-21-2012)
UPDATE: That someone could be Kurt Busch or Brian Vickers. Both drivers are on the short list for Furniture Row which recently re-signed its technical alliance with Richard Childress Racing. Busch met with Furniture Row principals back in early July.(FoxSports)(9-22-2012)
- Yeley in the #36 at Dover: The Delaware Office of Highway Safety (OHS) will team up with Tommy Baldwin Racing (TBR) at Dover International Speedway Sunday, September 30 to remind NASCAR fans to ‘Drive Sober’ with a special paint scheme and a full weekend of activities. J.J. Yeley will pilot the #36 Drive Sober. Arrive Alive DE Chevrolet in the AAA 400. The OHS is committed to developing and implementing a comprehensive strategy aimed at saving lives and preventing injuries on Delaware highways. The advertising program at Dover International Speedway is part of their education and outreach activities in the community to promote safe driving. The OHS chose to promote the ‘Drive Sober’ campaign during the race weekend because data shows that 81% of impaired drivers causing fatal crashes in Delaware are males, 36% of alcohol-related fatal accidents occur on Fridays and Saturdays, and fatalities in September doubled between 2010 and 2011. Delaware conducts DUI checkpoints every weekend from July to December as part of Checkpoint Strikeforce campaign. The goal of Checkpoint Strikeforce is to stop impaired driving throughout Delaware. The OHS wants everyone to drive safe and Arrive Alive. Visit www.DUIrealtime.com for public information on the campaign. Yeley will pilot the #36 Drive Sober. Arrive Alive DE Chevrolet for TBR. The Phoenix, Ariz., native made 11 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) and seven NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) starts at the mile track. He collected two top-10 finishes and two top-five starts in the NNS. He tallied a best NSCS start of 14th in the Spring 2006 event and a best NSCS finish of 24th in the Spring 2008 event. TBR made eight starts at Dover International Speedway. Dave Blaney posted the team’s best finish of 26th in the Spring 2011 event. “We are happy to have the OHS on board for Dover and J.J. in the car,” said TBR Owner Tommy Baldwin. “The OHS is promoting a very important campaign in safe driving. They will have a good footprint at the track, including an exhibit where fans can drive tricycles while wearing impairment goggles. We love working with J.J. He is a good driver, and we are looking forward to what we can do together at Dover.”(TBR)(9-22-2012)
- Bobby Allison appears at Maine Casino: One of NASCAR’s most accomplished and respected stars was in western Maine on Friday, greeting local race fans and helping Oxford Casino celebrate its first expansion of floor space. Hall of Fame driver and former national champion Bobby Allison was a guest of casino investor and local business icon Bob Bahre. Allison’s visit came as 10,000 square feet of new gaming space was officially opened to the public. Part of what makes the town of Oxford so special to Allison is the fact he notched his first career Grand National victory at Oxford Plains Speedway in 1966. That win helped the leader of what became known as the “Alabama Gang” gain respect in NASCAR and launched a career more than worthy of his HOF induction.(Lewiston Sun Journal)(9-22-2012)
- Martin to join sports legends in NYC: #55-Mark Martin might not be as tall as Shaquille O’Neal, enjoy the punching power of boxer Jake LaMotta or the foot speed of football star Marshall Faulk, but the 30-year NASCAR veteran’s stature in the sports world is as large as any of the guests who will attend Monday’s 27th annual dinner to benefit the Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis. Celebrities across the sports world will gather at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City for the Great Sports Legends Dinner. “I can’t wait for this,” said Martin who won’t be racing at New Hampshire this weekend but returns to action at Dover on Sept. 30. “It’s humbling to be included with all those superstars. I feel very blessed. This is an awesome event to raise money for a fascinating project. I can’t thank the folks at Toyota Racing for letting me participate. This dinner raises a lot of money so that someday paralyzed people can walk again. We’ve all had friends or family who’ve battled paralysis so we know what we are up against. But the doctors with the Buoniconti Fund and the Miami Project believe we will beat it someday. It’s an honor to play even a small part in that effort.” Martin, 53, a 40-time NASCAR Sprint Cup winner, joins stars like Bob Costas, Tony Perez, Joe Torre, Alonzo Mourning, Lisa Leslie, Lorena Ochoa, and Emilio Estefan at the dinner.(MWR)(9-22-2012)
- Best Buy Unveils Evolved Viewing Experience for Sports Fans: Best Buy launched the Best Buy Evolved Viewing Experience at Chicagoland Speedway. The Best Buy Evolved Viewing Experience showcases what you can do when you combine normal technology with some imagination and innovation resulting in an out-of-this-world experience. Optimized for racing, Best Buy partnered with Two Bit Circus to create a fully immersive experience for fans that makes them feel like they are actually part of the race. Best Buy launched the Evolved Viewing Experience in Chicago as part of its Roush Fenway Racing sponsorship activation program. In addition to the Chicago launch, the Best Buy Evolved Viewing Experience will be at track in Charlotte and Homestead during the Chase races this season. Best Buy has been a team sponsor for the past eight years, and the 2013 season will mark the company’s ninth year with the sport.(RFR)(9-22-2012)
- Baby born at NHMS to attend Sunday’s NASCAR race: A baby was born at New Hampshire Motor Speedway last week, delivering widespread media attention to the track, will make the first of many appearances at the track on Sunday. Katie Ann Hebert arrived Sept. 14 when her mother, Shawna Arnold, couldn’t get to the hospital in time. Mother and daughter are expected to attend the Sprint Cup race at New Hampshire on Sunday. Arnold went into labor while on her way to the hospital and had to stop at the track in Loudon, N.H., about 15 miles northeast of Concord. Track president Jerry Gappens ran to get towels for Arnold while an on-site ambulance crew helped deliver Katie in the track parking lot. Gappens pledged to give Katie two tickets to every race for the rest of her life.(Sporting News)(9-22-2012)
- Kansas Speedway announces 2013 schedule: Kansas Speedway President Patrick Warren announced Kansas Speedway’s 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series schedule. Kansas Speedway’s first race weekend will be April 19-21 and includes the SFP 250 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race (April 20) and the STP 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race (April 21). Kansas Speedway’s fall race will move back to early October and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Hollywood Casino 400 will return as the fourth race in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup on Sunday, Oct. 6. The Kansas Lottery 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series will run on Oct. 5, while the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards Kansas Lottery 98.9 race will return under the lights on Oct. 4. In addition, a prospective date for GRAND-AM Road Racing is still being finalized. A limited number of tickets for the NASCAR races in 2013 will go on sale Monday, October 22. Season ticket holders will be able to renew their same seats or upgrade their seats during a renewal period in November. All other 2012 ticket holders will have the opportunity to purchase tickets following the season ticket holder renewal period. Kansas Speedway will again offer various payment plans as payment options. Tickets for Oct. 21, 2012 Hollywood Casino 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, the Oct. 20, 2012 Kansas Lottery 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race and the Oct. 19, 2012 Kansas Lottery 98.9 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards race are on sale now by calling 866.460.RACE (7223) or visiting kansasspeedway.com. Parking is always free at Kansas Speedway and fans can bring in one 14x14x14-inch soft-sided cooler with their favorite food and beverages.(Kansas Speedway)(9-22-2012)
News from September 21, 2012
- Gordon wins pole at New Hampshire: #24-Jeff Gordon won the pole for the Sylvania 300 Sprint Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway with a speed of 134.911mph for his 2nd pole of 2012 and 72nd career pole (3rd best all time).
#18-Busch will start 2nd followed by #14-Stewart, #55-Vickers, #99-Edwards, #5-Kahne, #27-Menard, #39-Newman, #56-Truex, Jr. and #22-Blaney (Hornish Jr. will race the #22 car, so will fall to the rear of the field before the start on Sunday).
The go-or-go homers who made the race (8): #95-Speed, #98-McDowell, #91-Sorenson, #87-Nemechek, #79-Bires, #33-Leicht, #37-Yeley and #30-Stremme.
The go-or-go homers who failed to qualify for the race (4): #23-Riggs, #49-Leffler,#19-Green and #26-Wise (who qualified to make the race but the time was disallowed when the car failed post qualifying inspection as rear shocks exceeded limits).
Qualifying was not covered on TV but can be watched Froday night at 10:00pm/et on SPEED.
See qualifying results, starting lineup, pole progreession, go-or-go-homers on the New Hampshire Qualifying Page.(9-21-2012)
- What happened to Hamlin in qualifying: #11-Denny Hamlin, who was fastest in Friday’s lone practice with a speed of 134.820mph, went out last in qualifying for the Sylvania 300 Sprint Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and only ran a fast lap of 131.633mph and will start 32nd. #24-Gordon had just gone out before him and ran a pole-winning lap of 134-911mph. From a Toyota Racing Post-Qualifying Notes & Quotes PR:
Q) What happened during your qualifying lap?
Hamlin: “I knew something was wrong. It looked like we just — we ended up having race pressures and we didn’t put our qualifying pressures in, so that was a tough one. I knew something was really, really wrong because we were just — the car was bobbing down real bad — but simple mistake. We’ll rebound from it. We’re quick enough. We’ll get them, but that’s frustrating. Holy cow — I knew something had to be wrong. If there was nothing wrong than I would really be shaking my head. At least we identified what the problem was.”(Toyota Racing)(9-21-2012)
- Where do the 12 Chase drivers start at New Hampshire?
[by current points standings]
1) #2-Brad Keselowski, starts 15th
2) #48-Jimmie Johnson, 20th
3) #14-Tony Stewart, 3rd
4) #11-Denny Hamlin, 32nd
5) #5-Kasey Kahne, 6th
6) #15-Clint Bowyer, 12th
7) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., 14th
8) #16-Greg Biffle, 13th
9) #56-Martin Truex Jr., 9th
10) #29-Kevin Harvick, 16th
11) #17-Matt Kenseth, 25th
12) #24-Jeff Gordon, 1st..on the pole
(9-21-2012)
- Qualifying Fast Facts – New Hampshire:
#24-Jeff Gordon won the Coors Light Pole Award for the 16th Annual Sylvania 300 with a lap of 28.232 seconds, 134.911 mph.
This is his 72nd pole in 681 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.
This is his second pole and 12th top-10 start in 2012.
This is his fourth pole in 36 races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
#18-Kyle Busch (second) posted his 15th top-10 start of 2012 and his ninth in 16 races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
#14-Tony Stewart (third) posted his 18th top-10 start at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. It is his 10th in 28 races this season.
#33-Stephen Leicht (39th) was the fastest qualifying rookie.(NASCAR Statistics)(9-21-2012)
- Coverage of Qualifying for the Sylvania 300 Sprint Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway is scheduled for Friday, September 21, 2012 at 3:40pm/et.
Radio: live online at goprn.com.
TV: SPEED – same day delay at 10:00pm/et
Scheduled qualifying re-air: none
- Qualifying Order for the Sylvania 300 Sprint Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway is posted. 47 cars/drivers are listed.
The first of the drivers scheduled to go out is #36-Raines, 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 New Hampshire Qualifying Page.(9-21-2012)
- Friday practice for the Sylvania 300 Sprint Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway is over, after 90 scheduled minutes, the top 5, slowest and notes:
#11-Hamlin 134.820
#24-Gordon 134.174
#78-SMith 134.009
#14_stewart 133.891
#29-Harvick 133.872
slowest: #36-Raines 128.199 and #32-Olsen 129.248
track record is: 135.232mph set in July 2011
notes: #14-Stewart amd #42-Montoya both spun in separate incidents just as practice started, neither suffered any major damage.
This practice will set the order for qualifying, which is scheduled for 3:40pm/et today, but will NOT be televised live but after the Truck Series race around 10:00pm/et. You can also listen to qualifying online at goprn.com or follow my Twitter @Jayski_NASCAR.
See speeds, best top-10 average and laps run on the New Hampshire practice 1 speeds page (pdf). (9-21-2012)
- Go-or-Go Homers practice at New Hampshire: how fast/slow were the drivers who are not in the top-35 of owners points and must qualify by speed to make the Sylvania 300 Sprint Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway , where they practiced in the first practice:
the eight drivers who would make the race if things stayed the same:
#95-Speed, 31st fastest overall
#98-McDowell, 33rd
#26-Wise, 34th
#91-Sorenson, 35th
#49-Leffler, 36th
#87-Nemechek, 38th
#79-Bires, 40th
#37-Yeley, 41st
the four drivers who would miss the race if things stayed the same:
#30-Stremme, 42nd
#33-Leicht, 43rd
#23-Riggs, 44th
#19-Green, 45th
(9-21-2012)
- Chase for NASCAR Sprint Cup Continues at New Hampshire: The second of 10 races in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup will be the Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, N.H., on Sunday, Sept. 23, and ESPN will have a live telecast. NASCAR Countdown airs at 1:00pm/et with the race’s green flag at 2:15pm/et. All NASCAR programming on ESPN and ESPN2 is also available on computers, smartphones and tablets with the WatchESPN app and WatchESPN.com. ESPN.com senior motorsports writer Terry Blount will report from Chicagoland.(ESPN)(9-21-2012)
- Fifth Third returns to #17 to sponsor Stenhouse in 2013 and…: Fifth Third Bank will sponsor Ricky Stenhouse Jr. in the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Fifth Third is sponsoring the same car it backed earlier this season, but with a different driver [Matt Kenseth]. Stenhouse will drive the #17 Fifth Third Ford Fusion next season. Fifth Third will be the primary sponsor of Stenhouse at Daytona, Michigan, Kentucky and Martinsville next year and an associate sponsor at all other Sprint Cup races in 2013. It also will be the primary sponsor of Stenhouse’s #6 Ford at this year’s last Sprint Cup race of the season, the Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway Nov. 18. Jack Roush, co-owner of Roush Fenway Racing, which owns the car, said Fifth Third is one of three main sponsors of Stenhouse and the #17 team. “We have seen Ricky develop into a NASCAR Nationwide Series champion and we’re pleased to provide this opportunity for him to begin his Sprint Cup Series career next season with Fifth Third Bank, Best Buy and Zest on board,” Roush said. The deal follows a Fifth Third sponsorship announced in May of Matt Kenseth driving the same #17 Fifth Third Ford Fusion for four races this summer (Business Courier ), Kenseth will leave the team after 2012 and drive the #20 Job Gibbs Racing Toyota in 2013.(9-21-2012)
- Gordon’s ‘stache gone, reason for stuck throttle: The mustache is gone, but #24-Jeff Gordon still is optimistic about his title chances that were thwarted by a stuck throttle in Sunday’s Chase opener at Chicagoland Speedway. The throttle stuck and sent Gordon’s #24 Chevy into the wall on lap 188 after he ran in the top 5 most of the race. Gordon finished 35th, leaving him 47 points behind race winner #2-Brad Keselowski. Gordon said Thursday at Charlotte Motor Speedway that the throttle issue was the result of the way a bracket was mounted on the spring return designed especially for him with the new electronic fuel injection system implemented by NASCAR this season. “It’s something that I’m surprised didn’t happen sooner to us, just the way our bracket was mounted,” Gordon said as he introduced a Nickelodeon Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle paint scheme he will use in the October race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in conjunction with his “Drive To End Hunger” campaign. “It just broke. “I don’t know if it was due to vibration. Whatever caused it for this weekend to happen, it’s our mistake. It’s something that shouldn’t have happened and it won’t happen again.” Gordon said engineers at Hendrick Motorsports are working to correct the issue for this weekend’s race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. “It didn’t stick wide open,” Gordon said. “It just stuck enough to where I carried enough speed to hit the wall. The impact wasn’t that severe. For me, immediately I was, ‘OK, now I know what went wrong. We’ve got to fix this, this and this, so if that problem ever happens again I’ll still be able to get the throttle back. We have a toe strap. It just didn’t catch my toe enough, so we’re redoing that as well. I could have pulled it back. Anytime these things happen you look at how you can prevent it in the future.” Gordon said the throttle spring was unique to his car and not the other HMS cars.(ESPN)(9-21-2012)
- Reutimann returns to the #10: Tommy Baldwin Racing (TBR) will head to the Northeast for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series’ (NSCS) second stop at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. David Reutimann will pilot the #10 Chevy in the Sylvania 300 Sunday, September 23. Mohawk Northeast will adorn the hood of the #10 Chevrolet this weekend. This weekend will mark the 17th partnership of TBR and TMone. TMone is a provider of domestic business process services (BPO) and customer relationship management (CRM) outsourcing.(TBR)(9-21-2012)
- Statistically, here are four drivers to watch in New Hampshire:
#14-Tony Stewart has the top Driver Rating (112.0) and 14 top fives in 27 starts.
#24-Jeff Gordon leads in top fives (15) and top 10s (20) with a 109.3 Driver Rating.
#48-Jimmie Johnson is third in Driver Rating (105.1) and second in average finish (9.9).
#11-Denny Hamlin ranks fourth in Driver Rating (101.4) and boasts a best average finish of 8.5.
- NASCAR Drive For Diversity Combine candidates selected: As the NASCAR season hits the home stretch, preparations for 2013 are already underway. That process will begin in earnest for select drivers Oct. 16-18 with the 2012 NASCAR Drive for Diversity (D4D) Combine at Langley Speedway in Hampton, VA. NASCAR and Rev Racing today announced 17 candidates invited to take part in the three-day evaluation. The NASCAR D4D program created in 2004 is now executed by Rev Racing and the team is competing in their third season in the NASCAR K&N; Pro Series and NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. Currently the top two rookies in the NASCAR K&N; Pro Series East, Kyle Larson and Bryan Ortiz are in the 2012 D4D class, while Larson and Rev Racing graduate Darrell Wallace Jr. made their national series debuts this year. Larson has top 10s in both starts in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and Wallace has a top 10 in all three of his NASCAR Nationwide Series races. The 2012 Combine will be a three day driver evaluation of on-track performance, marketing and media aptitude, and physical fitness. Langley, a .4-mile asphalt oval, is the NASCAR sanctioned track hosting the event for the second consecutive year. The 2013 Rev Racing team will be selected from among the 2012 Rev Racing drivers and the Combine participants (NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications), see the participants on my Driver Development News and Links page.(9-21-2012)
- Be(er) Responsible:< As part of “Global Be(er) Responsible Day” on Friday, September 21, Anheuser-Busch and its sister companies around the world will promote the company’s responsible drinking programs. In the United States, Anheuser-Busch employees will canvass street corners, place signs in their yards and visit restaurants, bars and grocery stores to spread the message and celebrate the company’s 30 years of leadership in alcohol responsibility. Harvick’s #29 Budweiser Chevy featured a special “Designate a Driver” paint scheme last weekend at Chicagoland Speedway and adults are encouraged to join Harvick and the #29 team in the Nation of Responsible drinkers by taking the pledge to “Designate a Driver and Enjoy the Great Times” at www.NationOfResponsibleDrinkers.com.(RCR)(9-21-2012)
- NHMS to host two Cup races in 2013: New Hampshire Motor Speedway officials announced that the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will return for two races in 2013, with the first race scheduled for July 14 and the second for Sept. 22. “We are full steam ahead for our race this Sunday, but we’re also tremendously honored to have the opportunity to do this all over again next year,” said Jerry Gappens, executive vice president and general manager of the speedway. “This has been an extremely exciting season and we are privileged to be an integral part in determining NASCAR’s champion. It’s going to be a long winter, but I think I can speak for everyone here at ‘The Magic Mile’ when I say we can’t wait for the 2013 season to begin.” NASCAR’s premier stock car division has been racing twice a year at NHMS since 1997. It has hosted a race in the Chase since the playoff’s inception in 2004. Anyone who renews tickets to both NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races the New Hampshire 300 on July 14 and SYLVANIA 300 on Sept. 22 by Jan. 15, 2013 will be enrolled in their Loud’N’Proud Perks Program (NHMS)(9-21-2012)
- 2013 Event Dates at Talladega Superspeedway: The 2013 NASCAR season at Talladega Superspeedway will bring a few changes, but the crowd-pleasing excitement of side-by-side pack racing will stay the same. Before fans return next year to NASCAR’s Most Competitive Track, it is important that they know the new dates and mark their calendars. The Aaron’s Dream Weekend stays virtually unchanged from its 2012 date and will fall on May 3-5, 2013. The Good Sam Roadside Assistance 500 weekend will move back a few weeks deeper into the Chase, making it even more of a “wild card” in the 2013 Chase for the Sprint Cup. Scheduled for October 18-20, the fall race at Talladega Superspeedway will be a must see event. The most competitive racing in NASCAR combined with a mix of southern hospitality returns to Talladega Superspeedway October 5-7, 2012 for the Good Sam Roadside Assistance 500 Weekend. For tickets and information visit www.talladegasuperspeedway.com or call 1-877-Go2-DEGA.(TSS)(9-21-2012)
- Bristol 2013 events announced: Bristol Motor Speedway once again kicks off NASCAR’s 2013 short track season in mid-March and welcomes fans back for its second Sprint Cup event on the fourth Saturday in August. The main event in March, the Food City 500, which is the fourth Sprint Cup race of the year, takes place on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17. The IRWIN Tools Night Race, the sport’s most popular event, is Aug. 24. NASCAR kicks off the BMS March race weekend with Ford Fan Friday March 15, followed by the Nationwide Series event March 16, and the Food City 500 Sprint Cup race March 17. August race week begins with the UNOH 200 Camping World Truck Series/Whelen Modified Series doubleheader Aug. 21. The Food City 250 Nationwide Series race is Aug. 23, followed by the IRWIN Tools Night Race Aug. 24. Season tickets, as well as March race weekend only tickets, are now available. To purchase tickets, please contact the BMS ticket office at its toll free number 1-866-415-4158 or 423-BRISTOL (274-7865). Tickets also may be purchased at www.bristoltix.com.(BMS)(9-21-2012)
- Mutant Ninja Turtles to invade CMS: Nickelodeon’s iconic Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles will invade Charlotte Motor Speedway for the Bank of America 500 week, Oct. 11-13. Look out for the famous shell-backs Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello and Michelangelo — to bring their fast-action, high-adventure style of fun to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series for a weekend of family entertainment. Nickelodeon’s ninjutsu-trained foursome are taking leave from the sewers of New York City and coming to Charlotte Motor Speedway for a weekend of formidable family entertainment.
The weekend will include:
Bank of America 500 Pre-Race Show presented by Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, featuring a free concert with Victoria Justice; Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Family Section; Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Family Fun Zone; Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles visit the POWERADE Play Zone; Unique race broadcast of the Bank of America 500 for young fans; Kids’ Driver Autograph and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Lunch Party; Special Ticket Prices for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Weekend. For more great offers, call the Charlotte Motor Speedway Ticket Office at 1-800-455-FANS (3267) or visit www.charlottemotorspeedway.com.(CMS), plus #24-Heff Gordon will drive a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles scheem in the Sprint Cup Series race.(9-21-2012)
- Goody’s Returns to Martinsville Speedway as Sponsor of Fall Cup Event: One of the longest and most successful partnerships in NASCAR history continued to grow today with the announcement that Goody’s Powder will return to Martinsville Speedway in 2013 as the sponsor of the fall Sprint Cup race. The Goody’s Fast Relief 500, scheduled for Oct. 27, 2013, will mark the 33rd Martinsville race sponsored by the fast pain relief product in six different divisions. Goody’s first sponsored a Sprint Cup race at Martinsville in the fall of 1983, a race won by Ricky Rudd. For the past several seasons, Goody’s has been the sponsor of the spring Sprint Cup race at Martinsville, but opted to sponsor the fall event beginning in 2013. Martinsville in the fall is nothing new for the long-time sponsor. From 1983 through 1995 their name was attached to the fall event. Goody’s will mark 26 years of involvement at Martinsville with the 2013 Goody’s Fast Relief 500. They sponsored at least one race a year at Martinsville from 1983 through 2000, then returned in 2006 and has sponsored a race every year since.(Martinsville Speedway)(9-21-2012)
News from September 20, 2012
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles scheme for Gordon at CMS: Jeff Gordon unveiled a special Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles paint scheme for his #24 Drive to End Hunger Chevy at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Gordon, who promised to breakdance if he reaches Victory Lane, will drive the car at Charlotte on Oct. 13 (HMS), see images of the scheme on my #24 Team Schemes page.(9-20-2012)
- Look for the Bunny on the #42: This weekend the #42 Chevy of Juan Pablo Montoyar will sport the Energizer paint scheme. Energizer continues to fulfill its role as a technology innovator by redefining portable power solutions to meet people’s active lifestyle needs for today and tomorrow with chargers for rechargeable portable devices; charging systems for wireless video game controllers; and specialty batteries for hearing aids, health and fitness devices, as well as for keyless remote entry systems, toys and watches.(EGR), see images of the scheme on my #42 Team Schemes page.(9-20-2012)
- Sad News – Cecil Gordon: Cecil Owen Gordon, 71, passed away in his home in Lexington, NC on Sept. 19, 2012, after a short battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife, Elaine, of the home; sons, Douglas Gordon (Susan) and Tyler Carpenter, all of Morganton, NC; daughter, Stefanie Gordo, of Durham, NC and son, Jonathon Gordon, of the home; a brother, Lee Gordon (Joyce), of Mills River, NC, and a sister, Carolyn Carland (Wayne), of Mills River, NC. Cecil spent his career of 40 years in NASCAR, first, as an independent driver and team owner, then as crew member of R. Childress/Dale Earnhardt team, then the Travis Carter Team until his retirement. A memorial service will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Autism Society of NC and Hospice of Forsyth County.(Blue Ridge Now/Times News)
Gordon ran 449 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races from 1968 thru 1985 with no wins, 29 top fives, 111 top tens and finished 3rd in the Championship points stanings in 1971 and 1973.(Racingreference.info)(9-20-2012)
- The numbers for New Hampshire; Caution update for 2012:
1 – fewest lead changes (9/17/00)
1 – fewest leaders (Jeff Burton, 9/17/00)
2 – fewest cautions (7/13/97)
2 – fewest laps led by race winner (Jeff Burton, 7/11/99)
3 – wins by Dodge at NHMS since manufacturer’s return to NASCAR in 2001
4 – drivers that have competed in all 35 races (Jeff Burton, Jeff Gordon, Bobby Labonte and Joe Nemechek)
4 – most wins (Jeff Burton)
5 – wins from the pole; eight from the front row
6 – most poles (Ryan Newman)
5 – number of jet dryers available for track drying this weekend
7 – fewest cars on lead lap at finish (7/11/93)
7 – drivers with more than one win
8 – races won from outside a top-20 starting position
10 – fewest caution laps (7/13/97)
17 – most cautions (7/10/94)
18 – different pole winners
21 – different race winners
23 – most lead changes (twice, most recent 7/21/02)
30 – most cars on lead lap at finish (7/21/02)
30 – fewest cars running at finish (twice, most recent 9/17/00)
35 – Sprint Cup Series races ran at NHMS
38 – deepest in the field race winner has started (Jeff Burton, 7/11/99)
43 most cars running at finish (9/16/07)
79 – most caution laps (7/10/94)
120 minutes – approximate amount of time it takes to dry the 1.058-mile track after a significant rainfall
300 – most laps led by race winner (Jeff Burton, 9/17/00)
2012 Caution Update
1 – fewest cautions this season (Fontana)
7 – races extended beyond scheduled distance (Daytona1, Martinsville, Talladega, Darlington, Sonoma, Michigan2, and Atlanta)
13 – most cautions this season (Bristol2)
152 – cautions in the first 27 races of 2012; includes 73 for accidents, 38 for debris and 15 for spins
810 of 7,531 – laps under caution in 2012
1,134.582 of 10,113.036 – miles under caution in the first 27 races
(Darnell Communications for SRT Motorsports and Dodge)(9-19-2012)
- Ragan, #34 to Carry Colors of Shriners Hospitals for Children: A special cause will be featured on the #34 Ford of David Ragan at New Hampshire Motor Speedway this weekend. Ragan will be carrying the colors of Shriners Hospitals for Children and their tagline, Love to the rescue. Shriners Hospitals for Children provides specialty care to children up to age 18 with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate, regardless of the families’ ability to pay. All care and services are delivered in a family-centered environment. At the 2012 Imperial Session in Charlotte, N.C., NASCAR driver David Ragan was inducted into Shriners International fraternity as a member of Oasis Shriners. In addition to Ragan’s racing achievements, he is a loyal supporter of Shriners International and Shriners Hospitals for Children. Since naming the pediatric health care system his official charity of choice in 2008, he has used his popularity to increase awareness and raise funds for the organization. In addition, Ragan has taken time out of his busy schedule to visit several of the Shriners Hospitals and participate in public service announcements (FRM), see images of the scheme on my #34 Team Schemes page.(9-20-2012)
- New Hampshire’s First 2012 Race Wrote Chase’s Script: How accurately did July’s LENOX Industrial Tools 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway preview this year’s Chase field? Within one position of perfection. The first nine finishers, led by race-winner #5-Kasey Kahne, all qualified for the Chase as did those 11th through 13th. Finishing behind Kahne in the top five were #11-Denny Hamlin, #!5-Clint Bowyer, #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. and #2-Brad Keselowski. #39-Ryan Newman, New Hampshire’s 2010 July winner and a potential Chase Wild Card down to the checkered flag earlier this month in Richmond, was the only odd man out, finishing 10th. The New Hampshire Chase race winner has gone on to claim the championship twice: Stewart a year ago and Kurt Busch in 2004. The Sylvania 300 was the post-season’s opener from 2004 to 2010. Current Chase competitors have won four of the past five races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway: Kahne, Stewart, Bowyer (fall 2010) and Johnson (summer 2010).(NASCAR)(9-19-2012)
- New look for the #43 at New Hampshire: The #43 Richard Petty Motorsports Ford will have a new look on the track this week for driver Aric Almirola, with TrimFit All-Natural Weight Loss Water joining the team as primary sponsor for the first time this season in the Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. TrimFit is eager to showcase its unique product to the NASCAR audience. The first-ever weight loss water is formulated to help users lose weight, lower body fat and build lean muscle (RPM)(9-20-2012)
- Wheaties back to sponsor Burton: The iconic Wheaties franchise returns to Sprint Cup Series action this weekend as primary sponsor of the #31 Chevrolet. Wheaties also serves as an associate partner of the #31 team for the remainder of the races during the 2012 Sprint Cup Series season (RCR), see images of the scheme/car on my #31 Team Schemes page.(9-20-2012)
- New Hampshire Goodyear Tire Notes: This is the same combination of left- and right-side tires that NASCAR Sprint Cup teams ran at New Hampshire in July . . . this tire set-up came out of a Goodyear test at the track on May 8-9 . . . drivers at that test were Dale Earnhardt Jr., Carl Edwards, Bobby Labonte, Paul Menard and Regan Smith . . . New Hampshire is the only track at which Sprint Cup teams will run either of these two tire codes . . . as on most NASCAR ovals one mile or less in length, teams will not run inner liners in their tires at New Hampshire. See tire codes, pressures, number of sets and more on the New Hampshire Race Info page – Goodyear section.(9-20-2012)
- 2013 schedule set at MIS: The high-paced action at Michigan International Speedway, the fastest racetrack in NASCAR, will continue in 2013 with two weekends of racing, June 14-16 and Aug. 16-18. MIS will be just one of 23 racetracks across the United State to host the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2013, with dates set for June 16 and August 18. The NASCAR Nationwide Series will appear with NASCAR’s top series on June 15 and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series on August 17. The ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards will also make its 32nd appearance at MIS when the Temperance, Mich.-based group races on June 14. All four racing series at MIS established new track qualifying records in 2013 as Marcos Ambrose won the pole for the June Sprint Cup race with a top speed of 203.241 mph, the 11th fastest pole speed in NASCAR history. The track’s opening NASCAR Sprint Cup Series weekend in 2013 will be on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 16. Nationwide Series racing will be at MIS on Saturday, June 15. The ARCA Racing Series will race on Friday, June 14. Sprint Cup will wind up its summertime stint only eight weeks later at MIS on Sunday, August 18, with the Camping World Truck Series on Saturday, August 17. The track will continue keeping ticket prices low for 2013. Race fans who renew will have the best prices and the best seats. Tickets for a NASCAR Sprint Cup race start at $25, with children 12 and under free in certain sections, ensuring families have a chance to see NASCAR at affordable prices. The speedway will also continue its junior pricing program where kids 16 and under are half price in reserve seats. Renewals for current ticket customers begins today at www.MISpeedway.com/renewals.(MIS)(9-20-2012)
News from September 19, 2012
- 2012 Sprint Cup Driver Championship Points Standings:
(classic system meaning not the chase system)
[after Chicago, race 27 of 36]
1) #16-Greg Biffle(X) [2 wins], 945
2) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr.(X) [1 win], 938, -7
3) #48-Jimmie Johnson(X) [3 wins], 924, -21
4) #17-Matt Kenseth(X) [1 win], 924, -21
5) #2-Brad Keselowski(X) [4 wins], 915, -30
6) #56-Martin Truex Jr.(X) [0 wins], 897, -48
7) #15-Clint Bowyer(X) [2 wins], 893, -52
8) #11-Denny Hamlin(X) [4 wins], 879, -66
9) #29-Kevin Harvick(X) [0 wins], 873, -72
10) #14-Tony Stewart(X) [3 wins], 849, -96
11) #5-Kasey Kahne(X) [2 wins], 825, -120
12) #18-Kyle Busch [1 win], 814, -131
13) #24-Jeff Gordon(X) [1 win], 786, -159
14) #39-Ryan Newman [1 win], 773, -172
15) #99-Carl Edwards [0 wins], 772, -173
(ties broken by 1sts, 2nds, 3rd, etc)
(X) = a Chase driver.
- Vickers back in #55 with new sponsors: #55 Freightliner/Jet Edge Toyota driver Brian Vickers’ limited but amazingly successful NASCAR Sprint Cup season at Michael Waltrip Racing continues this weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Sunday’s race marks the seventh of eight scheduled appearances for Vickers who has earned three top-five finishes in 2012. He finished fifth at Bristol in March and posted fourth-place finishes at Sonoma and at his most recent race in Bristol last month. Vickers shares the #55 with Mark Martin and Michael Waltrip. His only remaining Sprint Cup race is at Martinsville on Oct. 28.(MWR)
Jet Edge, Inc. announced that Michael Waltrip Racing’s #55 Toyota Camry will be decked out in Jet Edge blue for the Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The special #55 Jet Edge/Freightliner Toyota Camry will be driven by Brian Vickers. Michael Waltrip Racing is running the special #55 scheme as a salute to sponsors Jet Edge and Freightliner. MWR uses a 90,000 psi Jet Edge waterjet system to cut more than 1,000 parts for each of its racecars. MWR builds about 56 cars per year (Jet Edge), see images of the scheme/car on my #55 Team Schemes page.(9-19-2012)
- Aspen Dental returns to sponsor Newman: Aspen Dental, one of the largest and fastest-growing networks of dental care providers in the country, will serve as the primary sponsor of Stewart Haas Racing’s #39 team and driver Ryan Newman at New Hampshire and for the second time this season. The first was in the July race at Daytona where Newman finished fifth his first top-10 finish at the 2.5-mile superspeedway since his 2008 victory in the Daytona 500. When not serving as primary sponsor, the dental center that offers affordable, high-quality care is an associate sponsor on the #39 Chevy. Each month, a happy Aspen Dental patient’s photo is featured on the rear quarter panel of the #39 Chevy. The patient is selected to have his or her smile featured on the car based on a review he or she wrote at AspenDentalReviews.com. Jack Campbell of Manchester, N.H., is featured on the #39 this weekend (SHR), see images of the scheme/car on my #39 Team Schemes page.(9-19-2012)
- Blaney to practice & qualify the #22; #36 to be driven by Raines: With #22-Sam Hornsih Jr. enthralled in a “full court press effort” to win the NASCAR Nationwide Series title, he will be at the Kentucky Speedway through Saturday night’s race focusing solely on the Kentucky 300. He’ll make his way to New Hampshire after that race goes into the record book. “We’ll have Dave Blaney helping us at Loudon from Friday on until Sam gets there,” said Shell-Pennzoil Dodge crew chief Todd Gordon. “Dave will be in the car from the first practice on Friday, through Friday afternoon’s qualifying and in both of Saturday’s practices, We are confident that Dave can help us get the car as prepared as possible for Sam to race on Sunday. It’ll be another ‘hop in the car and race’ situation for Sam.” With Dave Blaney qualifying the Shell-Pennzoil Dodge and Sam Hornish Jr. climbing into the driver’s seat for Sunday’s race at New Hampshire, the Shell-Pennzoil Dodge will have to start from the rear of the field for the 300-lap battle. “We know he’ll have to start from the rear in the race and maybe Loudon is not the best place to be in that position, but we’re prepared for it,” offered crew chief Todd Gordon. Dave Blaney has made 423 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts dating back to 1992. Blaney is the regular driver of the #36 Tommy Baldwin Chevy. Tony Raines will be behind the wheel of that car this weekend at NHMS. Blaney has recorded four top-five finishes and 28 top-10s through the years. He has two career poles, winning the pole at Rockingham in 2003 and at New Hampshire in 2007.(Tom Roberts PR)(9-19-2012)
- First time Keselowski leading points: For the first time in #2-Brad Keselowski’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series career that has spanned 116 races, Keselowski is the new series point leader. It marks the first time Penske Racing has been at the top of the standings since the team won the 2008 Daytona 500 [Ryan Newman].(Penske Racing)(9-19-2012)
- Stewart/Addington sits in on Hendrick meetings: during a Frontstretch Tech Talk interview with Steve Addington, crew chief for #14-Tony Stewart:
Frontstretch’s Mike Neff: “You are affiliated with Hendrick. They supply you with chassis and engines and support. Since they got all four cars in and you guys are in, from the engineering and assistance side, how much are they able to give you? I don’t know what the normal number of guys they give you is at the track or shop, but is that stretched thinner now that five cars are in the Chase?”
Steve Addington: “We have a mutual understanding. They know how we’re going to the race track and we know how they’re going to the race track and what they’re going to work on. I am in their Tuesday meeting with their drivers for debrief. Me and Stewart are either there or on the phone to talk with them every Tuesday. We’re very open about it and that is something that is the cool part of it that I didn’t have last year, having just two drivers with the Dodge camp. Being able to have that affiliation with Hendrick and to have Rick’s support and to be able to talk to him one-on-one is really cool. We all share and that is the way it is. We work hard together and we share information and we take it from there and everyone can run and do with it as they want”.(Frontstretch)(9-19-2012)
- Bush’s Beans and Hannoford support #47 team at NHMS: This weekend for the Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS) Bobby Labonte and his JTG Daugherty Racing team will have BUSH’S Beans prominently displayed on the #47 Toyota Camry for the seventh time this season. “BUSH’S Beans has been a proud supporter of JTG Daugherty Racing for many years,” Labonte said. “It’s hard to believe, but the company has been in business for over a century. They have been a household name in my home for as long as I can remember. We’re pleased to have their distinguished label back on the 47 Toyota Camry this weekend.” In addition to BUSH’S Beans support, Hannaford Supermarkets also has presence. Hannaford is a leading grocer serving customers throughout Northern New England and New York. They are proud to be a part of so many great communities and contribute to the health, education and vitality of those communities. One of their programs, The Hannaford Helps Schools Program, has raised over seven and a half million dollars for over 2,7600 New England and New York schools over the past thirteen years. This weekend JTG Daugherty Racing is presenting a check for $25,000 to Hannaford Helps Schools.(JTG Daugherty Racing), see image of the car on the #47 Team Schemes page.(9-19-2012)
- Latest news on Robby Gordon: Robby Gordon’s Stadium SUPER Trucks and NBC Sports Grouphave reached an agreement to televise the 2013 Inaugural Stadium SUPER Trucks Season on NBC and NBC Sports Network. Starting in April of 2013, NBC and NBC Sports Network will televise 12 races (11 domestic and one international).(Stadium SUPER Trucks PR)(9-19-2012)
- Martinsville Speedway Announces Traditional Sprint Cup Dates For 2013: The 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup schedule at Martinsville Speedway will have a familiar look with its traditional NASCAR Sprint Cup dates returning. The first NASCAR Sprint Cup weekend at Martinsville will be April 5-7 while the fall event weekend is scheduled for October 25-27, which will again be the seventh race in the Chase for the Sprint Cup. “We’ve got our traditional dates back again and we’re very pleased with that,” said Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell. “The first weekend in April and the last weekend in October have worked very well for us. Everyone is just getting excited about the season in early April and in the fall we’re at a crucial point in The Chase.” Again in 2013, both of Martinsville’s Sprint Cup races will be accompanied by a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race. There is still plenty of action left at Martinsville Speedway this season with the TUMS Fast Relief 500 on October 28 and the Kroger 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on October 27. NASCAR Sprint Cup qualifying for the TUMS Fast Relief 500 and practice for both series is scheduled for October 26. Tickets for both days may be purchased by calling 877.RACE.TIX or by visiting www.martinsvillespeedway.com.(Martinsville Speedway), see an unofficial 2013 schedule on the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Schedule page.(9-19-2012)
- Talladega Nights to be Shown Following Saturday Night Infield Concert: The biggest infield party in NASCAR just got an extra helping of a little “Shake∧ Bake”. The hit movie Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, will be shown in the infield of Talladega Superspeedway on Saturday, October 6th. The movie will follow the Florida Georgia Line concert, and is just one of the many added attractions at this year’s Good Sam Roadside Assistance 500 Weekend. The movie, which stars Will Ferrell and John C. Riley, was filmed on location at Talladega Superspeedway in 2005. Cameos from real life NASCAR drivers and personalities abound in this hilarious film based on the racing career of fictional racecar driver Ricky Bobby. To gain entry to the Saturday night movie, as well as the concert, fans must present a ticket for the Sunday race or have an infield admission. The Sprint Vision screen showing the film will be located near the intersection of Talladega and Eastaboga Boulevards in the infield. The concert will begin at 7:30, and the film will begin showing immediately following the conclusion of the concert. The most competitive racing in NASCAR combined with a mix of southern hospitality returns to Talladega Superspeedway October 5-7, 2012 for the Good Sam Roadside Assistance 500 Weekend. For tickets and information visit www.talladegasuperspeedway.com or call 1-877-Go2-DEGA.(TSS)(9-19-2012)
News from September 18, 2012
- NASCAR Reinstates Driver AJ Allmendinger: NASCAR has reinstated driver AJ Allmendinger upon his successful completion of NASCAR’s Substance Abuse Policy Road to Recovery Program. Allmendinger had been indefinitely suspended from NASCAR on July 24 for violating the sanctioning body’s substance abuse policy (NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications)
AND Allmendinger’s statement: “I want to thank everyone for their support through this entire process,” said Allmendinger. “I appreciate that NASCAR created the the Road to Recovery program, and am grateful for the opportunity to return to competition. The Road to Recovery program was really helpful to me in getting my priorities reset away from the race track. And, honestly, that helped find my love of racing again and why I began racing in the first place. I’m looking forward to taking this experience and be better for it moving forward.”(ajallmendinger.com), see past news about Allmendingers suspension on the #22 Team News and Links page and NASCAR Drug Policy news page.(9-18-2012)
- Chicago TV Ratings: ESPN’s live telecast of the opening race of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, the GEICO 400 at Chicagoland Speedway on Sunday, Sept. 16, earned a 3.0 household coverage rating (2.6 U.S. rating), averaging 3,948,966 viewers, according to the Nielsen Company. Last year’s race marked the first time the Chase opened at Chicagoland but the event was rained out and run on Monday. The 2010 Chase opener at New Hampshire Motor Speedway earned a 2.6 household coverage rating on ESPN (ESPN), see ratings for past 2012 ratings and 4-year comparison chart on the 2012 TV Ratings page.(9-18-2012)
- Stewart to help BOA launch military appreciation platform: Continuing its long history of support for active members of the military, veterans, and their families, Bank of America will use the Bank of America 500 to help raise up to $250,000 for Wounded Warrior Project. As part of the bank’s “Express Your Thanks” program, race fans will be invited to sign flags with messages of support for service members and veterans during race weekend. The flags will be converted into a patriotic mosaic that will be displayed during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on the night of Saturday, October 13. For each flag signed, the bank will donate $1 to Wounded Warrior Project. #14-Tony Stewart will be on hand Tuesday, Sept 18th at CMS to officially launch the flag mosaic by writing words of support on a flag. He will also explain how fans can show their support for service members and veterans throughout race weekend.
Bank of America’s “Express Your Thanks” program launched on 9/11 and will continue until Veterans Day. In addition to the activities on race weekend, Bank of America is hosting a website that will collect images and messages of thanks to service members and veterans. To participate, individuals can take a photo or write a message and share it on www.bankofamerica.com/troopthanks. Alternatively, they can upload a picture via Instagram or Twitter and tag it with #troopthanks. The images uploaded to the website will be turned into a patriotic digital mosaic. For each uploaded image, Bank of America will donate $1 to Wounded Warrior Project.(Weber Shandwick)(9-18-2012)
- Stenhouse, Jr to attempt Dover race: [Chicago] capped a huge weekend for Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. Roush announced Friday that Stenhouse was going to drive the #17 Sprint Cup car for Roush-Fenway Racing on a full-time basis in 2013, and that Best Buy was going to be a primary sponsor. Stenhouse will, though, run a Cup race at Dover Sept. 30. “If we felt like running a Cup race would distract us, we wouldn’t do it,” Stenhouse said. “I just like track time. It doesn’t matter in what type of car it is.”(Chicago Sun-Times)(9-18-2012)
- North Country Ford sponsoring FAS Lane at New Hampshire: Fresh on the heels of announcing a reunion of lifelong friends joining forces for the upcoming NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, FAS Lane Racing announced that North Country Ford will sponsor the team in this historic event. The Frank Stoddard led team will field the #32 North Country Ford that will be driven by Stoddard’s lifelong best friend Mike Olsen in the running of the Sylvania 300 on Sunday September 23, 2012. North Country Ford was founded in 1959 by Alexander Kopp and today is three generations strong.(Integrity Sports Marketing), see image of the scheme on my #32 Team Schemes page.(9-18-2012)
- Ryan Pemberton leaves Baldwin for JR Motorsports: UPDATE: Ryan Pemberton, a former crew chief for several Sprint Cup teams, has joined JR Motorsports [Nationwide teams of #7-Danica Patrick & #88-Cole Whitt]. 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 #36-Dave Blaney at Tommy Baldwin Racing. 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)(9-13-2012)
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)
AND: 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)
- News and Notes at New Hampshire Motor Speedway:
• Groundbreaking for New Hampshire International Speedway, as New Hampshire Motor Speedway was originally named, was Aug. 13, 1989.
• The first NASCAR Sprint Cup race was on July 11, 1993.
• Renamed New Hampshire Motor Speedway in 2008.
• There have been 35 NASCAR Sprint Cup races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway; one per year from 1993 through 1996 and two per year since.
• Four drivers have competed in all 35 races: Jeff Burton, Jeff Gordon, Bobby Labonte and Joe Nemechek.
• Mark Martin won the first NASCAR Sprint Cup pole.
• Rusty Wallace won the first NASCAR Sprint Cup race.
• There have been 18 different pole winners, led by Ryan Newman (six).
• 21 different drivers have won, led by Jeff Burton (four).
• Jimmie Johnson (2003) and Kurt Busch (2004) are the only drivers that have posted season sweeps. Those are also the only back-to-back winners.
• Hendrick Motorsports has won nine races, more than any other organization.
• The deepest in the field that a New Hampshire race winner started was 38th, by Jeff Burton in 1999.
• There have been five winners who started from the pole. The last race winner to win from the pole was Ryan Newman last season (7-17-11).
• Jeff Burton led all 300 laps raced in the 2000 fall race.
• Four drivers got their first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series win at New Hampshire: Joe Nemechek (1999), Ryan Newman (2002), Clint Bowyer (2007) and Joey Logano (2009).
• Two drivers got their first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coors Light Pole at New Hampshire: Patrick Carpentier (2008) and Brad Keselowski (2010).
• Denny Hamlin (8.4) and Jimmie Johnson (9.9) are the only two active drivers with an average finish at NHMS in the top 10.
• Jeff Gordon has led the most NASCAR Sprint Cup Series laps all-time at New Hampshire at 1,309.
• Last season’s fall event (9/25/11) at NHMS tied the records for most all-time leaders (15), and fewest laps led by the winner (2) – Tony Stewart won the race.
• Youngest NASCAR Sprint Cup Series New Hampshire Motor Speedway winner: Joey Logano (06/28/2009 – 19 years, 1 month, 4 days).
• Oldest NASCAR Sprint Cup Series New Hampshire Motor Speedway winner: Mark Martin (09/20/2009 – 50 years, 8 months, 11 days).
• There have been 35 NASCAR Sprint Cup races in New Hampshire, all at NHMS.
• 14 drivers in NASCAR’s three national series (all-time) are listed as New Hampshire natives.
• There has been one race winner from New Hampshire in NASCAR’s three national series: Jamie Aube. Aube, from Manchester, won a NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Oxford Plains Speedway in 1987.
(NASCAR)(9-18-2012)
- Cool stuff at CMS’s Auto Fair – Batmobiles, Skiing Squirrel and Shelbys: A trio of Batmobile replicas, an array of Carroll Shelby’s high-performance Mustangs and Cobras, the motorcycles that put America on two wheels and a water-skiing squirrel named Twiggy are just a few of the attractions scheduled for the Sept. 20-23 Food Lion AutoFair at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Other events / activities at the Food Lion AutoFair include: The Privette Collection of Homemade Transportation; Motorcycles that Put America on Two Wheels; Outdoor Movie Night (American Graffitti & Bullitt); Auction Action(200 classic automobiles); POWERADE Play Zone for the kids; Taste of Food Lion; Fair Foods at AutoFair Batman Theme; Car Club Shows; Automotive Art; Huge Car Corral (1,500 vehicles); Giant Flea Market; Manufacturers’ Midway; Camping (campsites available) amd the Sunday Awards Ceremony.
Hours for the Sept. 20-23 Food Lion AutoFair are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday through Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday. Ticket prices are $10 per day for adults or $25 for a four-day pass; children under 12 are admitted free when accompanied by an adult. Parking for the event is $5. For more information on the four-day event, contact the speedway events department at (704) 455-3205 or visit www.charlottemotorspeedway.com.(CMS)(9-18-2012)
- Baby Girl Born at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway: Talk about a speedy arrival! Speedway officials confirmed that at baby girl was born just after 3 p.m. today at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The birth is the first such arrival in the history of the track. The happy, albeit panicked family was in route to Concord Hospital from their home in Belmont, N.H. when they made an unexpected pit stop at “The Magic Mile.” Baby number four was not going to wait. A family member rushed into the speedway’s main office to ask for help. As fate would have it, “The Magic Mile” had the perfect combination of people and equipment to come to mom’s aid. With a background in EMT services, Tom Blanchette, New Hampshire Motor Speedway director of operations, rushed to the front parking lot and helped the couple handle the unexpectedly fast delivery. “When I arrived in the parking lot, mom and dad had just self delivered the baby inside their vehicle,” said Blanchette. “I called Speedway Safety Services, and contacted an ambulance crew whose members happened to be on speedway property. We helped package up the baby and we drove the family to Concord Hospital.” There is a first for everything, and baby Katie is the first born at the speedway. As the crews prepare for race week, the right people and the right equipment happened to be in place for the baby’s sudden arrival. “I am extremely pleased with the quick response from our speedway team,” said Jerry Gappens, speedway general manager. “I also have to give credit to mom and dad for keeping their composure through this.” Blanchette and the Speedway emergency crew took the family to Concord Hospital, and at last check, mom and baby were doing fine. “This will be a memory we will never forget and a great story to tell Katie when she grows up,” said Gappens. “Katie will hold a special place in all of our hearts.” Even though Katie will not be able to make the SYLVANIA 300 next weekend, Gappens awarded her two tickets to our NASCAR races for the rest of her life. “That little one is part of our family now. She and her parents are welcome here anytime.”(NHMS)(9-18-2012)
- Rob Riggle named Grand Marshal at Kansas: As the championship battle heats up at the newly reconfigured Kansas Speedway, actor-comedian Rob Riggle, has decided to join in on the action and has been named Grand Marshal for the Hollywood Casino 400, the sixth race in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Riggle recently hosted the 20th annual ESPY Awards on ESPN, which is also airing the Hollywood Casino 400 live from Kansas Speedway on Oct. 21 at 1 PM CT. Riggle was recently added to the “FOX NFL Sunday” pre-game studio show this season, taking over the role of the show’s in-house comedian. He served as a Correspondent on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and he has also appeared in several movies, including: this year’s box-office hits Dr. Suess’ The Lorax and 21 Jump Street as well as The Hangover, The Other Guys and Step Brothers. Earlier this year, Riggle also took part in the Drive4COPD Pro-Am Celebrity Racing Challenge at Auto Club Speedway to help raise awareness for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.(Kansas Speedway)(9-18-2012)
News from September 17, 2012
- The Entry List for the Sylvania 300 Sprint Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway is posted, 47 teams/drivers [for 43 spots] are listed, including:
Mike Olsen is in the #32;
Not in top 35 of owners points:
#19-Jeff Green (45/21)
#23-Scott Riggs (44/25)
#26-Josh Wise (40/27)
#30-David Stremme (38/27)
#33-Stephen Leicht (37/27)
#37-J.J. Yeley (50/12)
#49-Jason Leffler (39/23)
#79-Kelly Bires (53/6)
#87-Joe Nemechek (42/27)
#91-Reed Sorenson (54/7)
#95-Scott Speed (43/10)
#98-Michael McDowell (41/27)
In the event that qualifying is cancelled:
the eight who would make it [8]: #’s 33,30,26,98,87,23,49,19
missing the race would be [4]: # 37,95,91,79
See the full entry list at my Jayski’s New Hampshire Entry List
- 2013 schedule released this week? It won’t become official until later this week, but several reliable sources have released next year’s NASCAR Sprint Cup schedule. The sanctioning body expects to confirm the “working copy” before the upcoming race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The 2013 schedule includes 36 points-paying races, 26 “regular-season” events followed by the annual 10-race Chase for the Championship playoffs. All teams will run a 150-mile, non-points qualifying race at Daytona Beach in February. Some teams will run the non-points Budweiser Shootout at Daytona Beach in February and the Sprint Showdown and/or Sprint All-Star race at Charlotte in May. Other than the traditional Easter weekend in March, teams will have only one open weekend between mid-February and mid-November. There are no new venues and only one date change: Kansas Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway will swap their fall dates, Kansas City moving two weeks before Talladega (a week after Charlotte) instead of two weeks after. The 10 Chase venues remain the same as the past two years.(Auto Week), see the tentative schedule on the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Schedule page.(9-17-2012)
- Petty expects to stay with Ford; Ambrose and Almirola to return: UPDATE: Richard Petty is busy lining up his team for 2013 (and, hopefully, beyond), and he is moving in waters that remain choppy and with changeable tides. Discussions about Richard Petty Motorsports’ future continue, but the landscape as it currently is painted appears to keep the RPM cars in the Ford camp for the next season, although the King has been talking with more than a few other possible partners. “It looks like there is not going to be a lot of change there for next year, but there’s no concrete stuff yet,” Petty said Friday at Chicagoland Speedway. “We’re figuring on staying in exactly the same place, with the same operation from a manufacturing standpoint. We don’t see a change unless somebody else comes up with something.” Petty said he expects drivers #9-Marcos Ambrose and #43-Aric Almirola to return but admitted the die is not cast.(SPEED)(9-15-2012)
UPDATE: The director of Ford Racing said on Sunday at Chicagoland Speedway that the manufacturer is “very close” to a new deal with Richard Petty Motorsports. “All the pieces are in place,” Jamie Allison said before the Chase opener. “We’re working on giving them the tools so they can be competitive. It’s all going to work.” There was a report last week that Chevrolet might be in the mix for RPM, but sources close to the situation said the plan is to re-sign with Ford. Allison was excited about the prospects of keeping RPM in the Ford camp. He also mentioned maintaining a relationship with Marcos Ambrose, the driver of RPM’s #9 car who is in the final year of his contract. He did not mention Aric Almirola, the driver of the #43 who also is in the final year of his contract.(ESPN)(9-17-2012)
- Race and Commercial Breakdown of the 2012 GEICO 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 5:08PM (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 traditional commercials: 65
Total number of ‘Side-by-Side Commercials’ (split-screen): 53
Total number of commercials: 118
Total number of companies or entities advertised: 55
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. 45 sec.
Start time to record race/commercial periods: 2:01 PM
End time to record race/commercial periods: 5:08 PM
Total minutes of complete broadcast: 187
Minutes of race broadcast: 157
Minutes of traditional commercials (not split-screen): 30
Minutes of ‘Side-by-Side’ commercials (split-screen): 20
Number of missed restarts: 0
Number of ‘mystery cautions’ (debris not shown): 1
Total race brdcst time 157 Total comm. brdcst time 30
See past races, past links and more on the 2012 NASCAR TV Commercials News page.(9-17-2012)
- Chase to start in Chicago again in 2013: NASCAR will open the Chase for the Sprint Cup at Chicagoland Speedway for the third consecutive year in 2013. Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR’s senior vice president of race operations, said before Sunday’s Chase opener that the 1�-mile track will host the first of the 10 playoff races again. The 2013 Sprint Cup schedule is expected to be released in about two weeks.(ESPN)(9-17-2012)
News from September 16, 2012
- Keselowski wins at Chicago: #2-Brad Keselowski won the GEICO 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway for his 4th win of year and 8th career win.
Pole sitter, #48-Johnson, dominated much of the race but was passed by Keselowski after final pit stops and finished 2nd. He was followed by #5-Kahne, #18-Busch, #39-Newman, #14-Stewart, #20-Logano, #88-Earnhardt, Jr., #56-Truex, Jr., and #15-Bowyer.
The points leader coming into the race, #11-Hamlin, ran out of gas on the last lap and finished 16th.
There were 4 cautions for 23 yellow flag laps. There were 16 lead changes among 9 drivers. The average speed was 143.363mph.
The estimated attendence was 65,000. Last year’s race was rain delayed to Monday and attendance was 42,000.
See race results, awards, money won, laps led, cautions and more on the Chicago Race Results page (pdf).(9-16-2012)
- Chase Drivers Finishing Position at Chicago:
[by points standings before the race]:
1) #11-Denny Hamlin, 16th
2) #48-Jimmie Johnson, 2nd
3) #14-Tony Stewart, 6th
4) #2-Brad Keselowski, 1st
5) #16-Greg Biffle, 13th
6) #15-Clint Bowyer, 10th
7) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., 8th
8) #17-Matt Kenseth, 18th
9) #29-Kevin Harvick, 12th
10) #56-Martin Truex Jr., 9th
11) #5-Kasey Kahne, 3rd
12) #24-Jeff Gordon, 35th (accident)
(9-16-2012)
- 2012 Sprint Cup Driver Chase Championship Points Standings:
[after Chicago, race 27 of 36]
1) #2-Brad Keselowski [4 wins], 2056
2) #48-Jimmie Johnson [3 wins], 2053, -3
3) #14-Tony Stewart [3 wins], 2048, -8
4) #11-Denny Hamlin [4 wins], 2041, -15
5) #5-Kasey Kahne [2 wins, 11th in points], 2041, -15
6) #15-Clint Bowyer [2 wins], 2041, -15
7) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. [1 win], 2039, -17
8) #16-Greg Biffle [2 wins], 2037, -19
9) #56-Martin Truex Jr. [0 wins], 2035, -21
10) #29-Kevin Harvick [0 wins], 2032, -24
11) #17-Matt Kenseth [1 win], 2030, -26
12) #24-Jeff Gordon [1 win, 12th in points], 2009, -47
(ties broken by 1sts, 2nds, 3rd, etc)
See drivers championship points standings on the Drivers Points Standings (pdf).(9-16-2012)
- Race Fast Facts – Chicago
Brad Keselowski won the 12th Annual GEICO 400, his eighth victory in 116 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.
This is his fourth victory and 16th top-10 finish in 2012. He has 7 top 5s and 10 top 10s in the last 11 races.
This is his first victory and second top-10 finish in four races at Chicagoland Speedway. His previous best finish was fifth, last year.
Jimmie Johnson (second) posted his ninth top-10 finish in 11 races at Chicagoland Speedway. It is his 18th top-10 finish in 2012. Johnson led a race-high 172 laps.
Kasey Kahne (third) posted his third top-10 finish in nine races at Chicagoland Speedway.
Brad Keselowski leads the point standings by 3 points over Jimmie Johnson. This is the first time he has led the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points standings in his career.
(NASCAR Integrated Sports Marketing)(9-16-2012)
- Top-35 in Owner Points and guaranteed a starting spot at New Hampshire:
#36 remains in 35th and is now 115 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-Bell/FAS Lane Racing, 363 +130
35) #36-Blaney/Baldwin, 348 +115 ahead of 36th
these teams / drivers will need to qualify by speed:
36) #21-Bayne/Wood Bros., 233, -115pts out of the top 35
37) #33-Whitt/Childress-Falk, 220, 128
38) #30-Stremme/Inception, 191, -157
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).(9-16-2012)
- Chicagoland Notes-n-Nuggets:
” Brad Keselowski earned his eigth career win in his 116th start.
” The fourth win by Brad Keselowski ties Denny Hamlin for most in Cup in 2012.
” It’s Brad Keselowski’s first-ever Chase win.
” Brad Keselowski is the 21st different driver to win a Chase race.
” A driver in the Chase has won each of the nine opening “postseason” races.
” Brad Keselowski is atop the points for the first time in his career.
” Brad Keselowski led four times, 76 total laps and the last 26 turns.
” It’s the 75th Cup win for Penske Racing, the fourth of 2012 and the second at Chicago.
” Jimmie Johnson (second) led 171 laps — the fourth time in 16 Chase races he led over 100 laps and didn’t win.
” Kasey Kahne (third) matched his best Chicagoland finish in his ninth start.
” Kyle Busch (fourth) grabbed his third top-10 finish in eight Chicagoland races.
” Ryan Newman (fifth) had his 10th top-10 finish of 2012, including seven of last 10 races.
” Tony Stewart (sixth) started 29th, only his second top-10 finish in the last six races.
” Dale Earnhardt Jr. (eighth) started 42nd after an engine change.
” Jeff Gordon (35th) was the worst finishing Chase driver.
(Racing Resources and Services — Statistics Racing Recall / nascar.com)(9-16-2012)
- Penske willing to rehire Allmendinger: Roger Penske would consider re-hiring AJ Allmendinger, the suspended NASCAR driver who was at the IndyCar season finale as his guest. Allmendinger failed a NASCAR drug test in July and was released by Penske Racing when his backup “B” sample also tested positive. He’s currently participating in NASCAR’s “Road to Recovery” program, and Penske said Saturday he felt the driver has been too reclusive during the process. “I told AJ I wanted him to come to a race; I think he had been kind of undercover for quite a bit of the time, and I thought it would be good for him to get out and see people here, talk to some of the team owners,” Penske said before the IndyCar finale at Auto Club Speedway. Penske said once Allmendinger’s suspension is resolved with NASCAR, he’s a viable option for owners in both NASCAR and IndyCar. Allmendinger spent three seasons in Champ Car, and won five races in 2006 before moving to NASCAR. “I think hopefully we’ll get some answer from NASCAR as quickly as possible because the Chase has started now, hopefully they’ll give him a clean bill of health and he can move on,” Penske said. “This is a speed bump in his career, but he’s certainly an option for people on the NASCAR side and the Indy side. He did a great job when you think about what he did in Champ Car.” Asked if he’d hire Allmendinger again, Penske said: “He could be an option for us, for sure.”(Associated Press/ESPN)(9-16-2012)
- Kyle Busch will run more Nationwide races after missing Chase: 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)(9-16-2012)
News from September 15, 2012
- Earnhardt Jr changes engines; will start from back: Dale Earnhardt Jr. will start from the rear in Sunday’s GEICO 400 at Chicagoland Speedway, the first race in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, after his #88 Hendrick Motorsports team opted to change engines after Saturday’s qualifying session. Issues the team found within the engine will force Earnhardt to give up the fourth starting spot, but crew chief Steve Letarte believes Earnhardt, one of 12 drivers eligible for the Cup championship, can use pit strategy to move to the front. “I don’t think we are super concerned,” Letarte said. “We had a great car in practice and qualified really well, so we showed we have good speed. Fortunately, this is a race track that there are multiple pit strategies, and it’s not a really simple, straightforward pit strategy to call.(NASCAR Wire Service)(9-15-2012)
- Pit Stall Selections: The selections of pit stalls for the GEICO 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway have been made.
Pole sitter #48-Johnson chose pit stall 1 [as do most pole sitters].
Outside pole sitter #43-Almirola took pit stall 8, the next pitstall with an opening in front of it.
#17-Kenseth, who starts 3rd took the 43rd and final pit stall
To see where the drivers/teams pit stall is, see the pit selection chart on the Pit Stall Selection chart.(9-15-2012)
- Johnson wins pole at Chicago: #48-Jimmie Johnson won the pole for the GEICO 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway with a speed of 182.865mph for his 2nd pole of 2012 and 27th career pole.
#43-Almirola will start 2nd followed by #17-Kenseth, #88-Earnhardt, Jr., #99-Edwards, #5-Kahne, #78-Smith, #11-Hamlin, #15-Bowyer, and #20-Logano.
The starting position of other chase drivers: #2-Keselowski 13th, #56-Truex, Jr. 18th, #24-Gordon 19th, #16-Biffle 22nd, #14-Stewart 29th, #29-Harvick 35th.
The go-or-go homers who made the race (8): #21-Bayne, #98-McDowell, #95-Speed, #30-Stremme, #87-Nemechek, #19-Bliss, #33-Whitt, #26-Wise
The go-or-go homers who failed to qualify for the race (4): #23-Riggs, #91-Sorenson, #37-Yeley, #49-Leffler.
See qualifying results, starting lineup, pole progression and more on the Chicago Qualifying.(9-15-2012)
- Qualifying Fast Facts – Chicago:
Jimmie Johnson won the Coors Light Pole Award for the 12th Annual GEICO 400 with a lap of 29.530 seconds, 182.865 mph.
This is his 27th pole in 390 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races. He moves into a tie for 24th all-time with Terry Labonte.
This is his second pole and 19th top-10 start in 2012. He earned the pole at Kentucky Speedway and finished sixth.
This is his second pole in 11 races at Chicagoland Speedway. He won the pole in 2005 and finished third.
Aric Almirola (second) posted his sixth top-10 start of 2012. This is his first career series start at Chicagoland Speedway.
Matt Kenseth (third) posted his sixth top-10 start at Chicagoland Speedway. It is his 12th in 27 races this season.
Top Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup seed Denny Hamlin qualified eighth.(NASCAR Statistics)(9-15-2012)
- Petty expects to stay with Ford; Ambrose and Almirola to return: Richard Petty is busy lining up his team for 2013 (and, hopefully, beyond), and he is moving in waters that remain choppy and with changeable tides. Discussions about Richard Petty Motorsports’ future continue, but the landscape as it currently is painted appears to keep the RPM cars in the Ford camp for the next season, although the King has been talking with more than a few other possible partners. “It looks like there is not going to be a lot of change there for next year, but there’s no concrete stuff yet,” Petty said Friday at Chicagoland Speedway. “We’re figuring on staying in exactly the same place, with the same operation from a manufacturing standpoint. We don’t see a change unless somebody else comes up with something.” Petty said he expects drivers #9-Marcos Ambrose and #43-Aric Almirola to return but admitted the die is not cast.(SPEED)(9-15-2012)
- Sponsors returning to #17 team in 2013: UPDATE: Roush Fenway Racing confirmed that 2011 Nationwide Series champion Ricky Stenhouse Jr., will pilot its historic #17 Ford Fusion next season in the Sprint Cup Series. One of the emerging talents in NASCAR, Stenhouse steps into a championship-caliber program in the # 17, with current team partners Best Buy, Fifth Third Bank and Zest each returning to the team as primary sponsors in 2013. “I can’t think of a better fit for Ricky than the #17 team,” added Jack Roush. “Ricky will have the luxury of being flanked by a championship-level team from the start. His drive, determination and commitment to winning will mesh very well with the demeanor of the #17 team. It will be our job to put him in the best equipment possible, as well as to guide him through the learning curves that are part of his rookie season. Best Buy, Fifth Third Bank and Zest each joined Roush Fenway’s #17 team as primary partners in 2012. These three partners will return to the #17 again next year, with each increasing their commitment in 2013 for Stenhouse’s entry into Sprint Cup competition. With their involvement, the majority of Stenhouse’s races for 2013 are fully sponsored.(Roush Fenway)(9-14-2012)
UPDATE: Roush Fenway announced that Best Buy, Fifth Third Bank and Zest will increase their sponsorship roles with the organization in 2013. Best Buy will be on Stenhouse’s car for 12 races and #99-Carl Edwards’ car for four, an increase of three races. Team president Steve Newmark said the #17 is 70 percent sponsored for next year, calling it a good sign since this time a year ago there was 100 percent availability for 2012 with Kenseth. Newmark said RFR’s goal is to return to four cars in 2014. The organization shrank to three teams this season due to lack of sponsorship for the #6 car.(ESPN)(9-15-2012)
- Changes coming to roll cages in 2013: NASCAR has issued technical bulletins in both the Sprint Cup and Nationwide series that address a safety enhancement to the driver’s roll cage and will take effect beginning in January 2013. The cars in both series will feature an additional forward roof bar and a center roof support bar that will intersect near the front center of the roll cage. This addition comes following extensive testing at the NASCAR Research & Development Center and is an effort to strengthen the roll cage and help make it an even safer compartment for the driver.(NASCAR)(9-15-2012)
- Edwards on SportsCenter after each Chase race: ESPN’s flagship news and information program SportsCenter will air immediately following the nine Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup events airing on ESPN with expanded post-race coverage, including exclusive interviews with the race winners. ESPN NASCAR analyst Ricky Craven will be in the SportsCenter studio for the post-race analysis and as he has done for the past two years, NASCAR Sprint Cup driver #99-Carl Edwards will join SportsCenter live from the track following each Chase race with additional analysis from the perspective of a driver who just competed in the event.(ESPN)(9-15-2012)
- New Holland becomes official agricultural equipment Of NASCAR: In a joint announcement at the NASCAR Fuel for Business Council meeting in Chicago, New Holland became the Official Agricultural Equipment of NASCAR. New Holland, the latest NASCAR Official Partner, has served the needs of farmers and ranchers across North America for more than 110 years, and its equipment plays a critical role in the production of ethanol. In 2011, NASCAR announced a switch in its three national series to Sunoco Green E15, a 15-percent ethanol blend fuel made with corn grown in the United States. The low-carbon fuel emits 20% less greenhouse emissions than unleaded gasoline. New Holland manufactures a wide range of equipment essential for the crop production and harvesting of corn used to produce the biofuel. Growth Energy, a leading ethanol advocacy organization, and the National Corn Growers Association created the American Ethanol partnership with NASCAR to push for broad acceptance of a renewable domestic fuel for American motorists. New Holland will work to support this partnership throughout the remainder of the 2012 NASCAR season to support the farmers who play a vital role in the ethanol industry.(NASCAR)(9-15-2012)
News from September 14, 2012
- #27 team penalty upheld on appeal: On Sept. 14, 2012, National Stock Car Racing Chief Appellate Officer John Middlebrook heard and considered the appeal of the six-week suspension penalty of crew member Grant Hutchens, team engineer for the Richard Childress Racing #27 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team. Upon hearing the testimony of both parties and carefully reviewing the facts, it was the Chief Appellate Officer’s decision to uphold the original penalty assessed by NASCAR. Therefore, Hutchens’ suspension from NASCAR is effective immediately until Oct. 25 and his NASCAR probation will continue until Dec. 31.(NASCAR), see past news about the penalty and more on my 2012 Penalties page.(9-14-2012)
- Final practice for the GEICO 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway is over after 90 scheduled minutes, the top five, slowest and notes:
#18-Busch 181.507
#43-Almirola 181.214
#55-Martin 181.123
#99-Edwards 181.050
#11-Hamlin 181.002
slowest: #93-Kvapil 174.904 & #32-Bell 173.110. no speed #38-Gilliland
notes: #56-Truex, Jr. ran into the back of #2-Keselowski in the garage after a NASCAR official stopped Keselowski. Teams repaired both cars.
See speeds, best top-10 average and laps run on the Chicago practice 2 speeds page (pdf).(9-14-2012)
- Go-or-Go Homers final practice at Chicago: how fast/slow were the drivers who are not in the top-35 of owners points and must qualify by speed to make the GEICO 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway , where they practiced in the final practice:
the eight drivers who would make the race if things stayed the same:
#21-Bayne, 8th
#95-Speed, 21st
#98-McDowell, 22nd
#91-Sorenson, 23rd
#30-Stremme, 27th
#37-Yeley, 30th
#33-Whitt, 33rd
#26-Wise, 34th
the four drivers who would miss the race if things stayed the same:
#87-Nemechek, 36th
#49-Leffler, 37th
#19-Bliss, 39th
#23-Riggs, 42nd
(9-14-2012)
- PEAK sponsoring Bowyer for 3 races in 2013; associate on all MWR cars: Michael Waltrip Racing announced that PEAK Motor Oil will become a primary sponsor on Clint Bowyer’s #15 Toyota for three races in each of the next three NASCAR Sprint Cup seasons. MWR will also feature PEAK Motor Oil as an associate sponsor on the #56 NAPA AUTO PARTS TOYOTA and the #55 Aaron’s Dream Machine driven by Mark Martin, Brian Vickers and Waltrip. The familiar PEAK logos will adorn Bowyer’s hood at the May Talladega race, the July Daytona race and at Chicagoland in 2013. Waltrip said there are primary sponsorship opportunities open on the No. 15 in 2013. “5-hour ENERGY and PEAK are wonderful, powerful retail brands activating with this race team. We still have some work to do to fill out the 2013 schedule and need to bring some more partners to add to this great foundation of support,” said Waltrip.(MWR)(9-14-2012)
- Diet Mountain Dew cutting back sponsorship of Earnhardt, Jr.: #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)
- No crew chief changes expected at Roush next season: Team owner Jack Roush said on Friday at Chicagoland Speedway that he anticipates Jimmy Fennig remaining the crew chief for the #17 team with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. when he replaces Matt Kenseth. Kenseth is leaving the organization to drive the #20 at Joe Gibbs Racing next year. Roush also anticipates Chad Norris, who replaced Bob Osborne in mid-July due to unspecified health issues, to remain with #99-Carl Edwards. #16-Greg Biffle and crew chief Matt Puccia, who led the standings before they were reshuffled to reflect wins for Sunday’s Chase opener, also are staying together. “Bob, his health is still a question mark,” Roush said. “Chad Norris has done a great job. The team has rallied around Chad. There is no reason for me to believe from what I’ve seen so far that Chad won’t be able to build that team to carry forward in 2013.” Roush gave a similar evaluation of Fennig staying with Stenhouse.(ESPN)(9-14-2012)
- Qualifying Order for the GEICO 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway is posted. 46 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 #56-Truex, Jr., 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 Chicago Qualifying Page.(9-14-2012)
- First Friday practice for the GEICO 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway is over after 90 scheduled minutes, the top five, slowest and notes:
#56-Truex, Jr. 181.763
#88-Earnhardt, Jr. 180.681
#2-Keselowski 179.784
#21-Bayne 179.695
#11-Hamlin 179.623
slowest: #32-Bell 174.740 & #23-Riggs 174.588.
notes: #38-Gilliland hit the wall and will have to go to a backup car. The order for qualifying will be set by this practice with slowest going out first and fasftest going out last. Qualifying is scheduled for Saturday at 1:40pm/et and be televised on SPEED.
See speeds, best top-10 average and laps run on the Chicago practice 1 speeds page (pdf). (9-14-2012)
- Go-or-Go Homers practice at Chicago: how fast/slow were the drivers who are not in the top-35 of owners points and must qualify by speed to make the GEICO 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway , where they practiced in the first practice:
the eight drivers who would make the race if things stayed the same:
#21-Bayne, 4th fastest
#30-Stremme, 19th
#98-McDowell, 22nd
#26-Wise, 30th
#33-Whitt, 33rd
#95-Speed, 34th
#49-Leffler, 37th
#37-Yeley, 39th
the four drivers who would miss the race if things stayed the same:
#19-Bliss, 40th
#91-Sorenson, 41st
#87-Nemechek, 43rd
#23-Riggs, 47th, slowest
(9-14-2012)
- Sponsors returning to #17 team in 2013: Roush Fenway Racing confirmed that 2011 Nationwide Series champion Ricky Stenhouse Jr., will pilot its historic #17 Ford Fusion next season in the Sprint Cup Series. One of the emerging talents in NASCAR, Stenhouse steps into a championship-caliber program in the # 17, with current team partners Best Buy, Fifth Third Bank and Zest each returning to the team as primary sponsors in 2013. “I can’t think of a better fit for Ricky than the #17 team,” added Jack Roush. “Ricky will have the luxury of being flanked by a championship-level team from the start. His drive, determination and commitment to winning will mesh very well with the demeanor of the #17 team. It will be our job to put him in the best equipment possible, as well as to guide him through the learning curves that are part of his rookie season. Best Buy, Fifth Third Bank and Zest each joined Roush Fenway’s #17 team as primary partners in 2012. These three partners will return to the #17 again next year, with each increasing their commitment in 2013 for Stenhouse’s entry into Sprint Cup competition. With their involvement, the majority of Stenhouse’s races for 2013 are fully sponsored.(Roush Fenway)(9-14-2012)
- Georgia-Pacific signs on as associate partner with McMurray: Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates announces an associate partnership agreement with Georgia-Pacific Professional and Communication Papers for the #1 McDonald’s team, beginning this weekend at Chicagoland Speedway. Georgia-Pacific will have its logo displayed on the # 1 McDonald’s Chevy of Jamie McMurray. Georgia-Pacific will also host an event with Jamie McMurray at Harrah’s Casino in Joliet, IL on Saturday night and another at the race track on Sunday for the GEICO 400 at Chicagoland Speedway.(EGR)(9-14-2012)
- NASCAR, Sprint and Turner Sports Introduce NASCAR App for iPhone and iPod: As the action on-track heats up with NASCAR’s postseason set to begin, NASCAR, Sprint and Turner Sports announced the launch of the sport’s first official app for iPhone and iPod Touch. The NASCAR Sprint Cup Mobile App allows fans to follow their favorite drivers and stay on top of all the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup race action, including access to race day content, schedules, standings, breaking news and more. iPhone customers with a Sprint Unlimited Data Plan will have access to extra features, including:
• Live MRN and PRN race radio broadcasts
• Live in-car audio for all 43 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers
• Live RaceBuddy in-car video and track camera views
• Live NASCAR on SPEED broadcasts including live Qualifying, Practice and favorite trackside shows such as NASCAR RaceDay
• Live in-race highlights and alerts
• Live post-race press conferences
• Real-time leaderboards and Pit Pass telemetry data
The NASCAR Sprint Cup Mobile App is available for free from the App Store on iPhone and iPod Touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore.(NASCAR)(9-14-2012)
- The Numbers for Chicagoland Speedway:
1 – win from the pole (Kyle Busch, 7/12/08)
1 – number of times qualifying canceled due to weather (7/12/08)
3 – most wins by driver (Tony Stewart)
4 – fewest cautions (7/10/10)
6 – fewest leaders (7/11/09)
6 – number of jet dryers available for track drying this weekend
8 – different race winners
10 – different pole winners (qualifying canceled in 2008)
10 – fewest lead changes (twice, most recent 7/10/10)
10 – most cautions (twice, most recent 7/10/05)
11 – fewest cars on lead lap at finish (7/13/03)
11 – number of drivers that have competed in all 11 races
11 – fewest laps led by race winner (Dale Earnhardt Jr., 7/10/05)
13 – most leaders (7/11/04)
22 – most lead changes (9/19/11)
21 – fewest caution laps (7/10/10)
29 – most cars on lead lap at finish (7/12/08)
42 – most running at finish (twice, most recent 7/12/08)
120 minutes – amount of time it takes to dry the 1.5-mile track after a significant rainfall
195 – most laps led by race winner (7/11/09 – Mark Martin – 267-lap race)
2012 Caution Update
1 – fewest cautions this season (Fontana)
7 – races extended beyond scheduled distance (Daytona1, Martinsville, Talladega, Darlington, Sonoma, Michigan2, and Atlanta)
13 – most cautions this season (Bristol2)
148 – cautions in the first 26 races of 2012; includes 71 for accidents, 36 for debris and 15 for spins
787 of 7,264 – laps under caution in 2012
1,100.082 of 9,712.536 – miles under caution in the first 26 races
(Darnell Communications for SRT Motorsports and Dodge)(9-14-2012)
- Bires returns to the #79 at New Hampshire: According to his Facebook page Kelly Bires will return to the seat of the #79 Go Green Ford at New Hampshire Motor Speedway for the Sylvania 300.(9-14-2012)
- Betty Jane France Award finalists revealed: Ron Eby, Michael Jackson, Ali McDonough, and Lorri Shealy Unumb have been selected as the four national finalists for the 2012 Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award . Each of the finalists is guaranteed a $25,000 donation to their cause from The NASCAR Foundation, with the national winner being awarded $100,000. The award honors the unwavering commitment that Betty Jane France has demonstrated with her philanthropic and community efforts. The award is granted annually to one passionate NASCAR fan that has made a profound impact on children in his or her local community. NASCAR fans, friends and families are encouraged to vote for their favorite humanitarian by logging on to NASCAR.com/award between now and midnight ET on November 29, 2012. The finalist who amasses the most votes will be declared the national winner, and will be announced by France live on stage during the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards at Wynn Las Vegas on November 30. The victor will also win a 2013 Toyota Camry Hybrid. To learn more about the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award and each of the finalists, visit NASCAR.com/award.(NASCAR Foundation)(9-14-2012)
- Chicago Goodyear Tire Notes: Teams in both the NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series will run the same tire codes at Chicagoland this weekend . . . this is the same combination of left- and right-side tires that teams in these two series ran at Chicagoland last season . . . this is also the same exact tire set-up that Sprint Cup and Nationwide teams have been scheduled to run at Texas and Homestead in both 2011 and 2012 . . . as on all NASCAR ovals greater than one mile in length, teams are required to run inner liners on all four tire positions at Chicagoland . . . air pressure in those inner liners should be 12-25 psi greater than that of the outer tire.(Goodyear) See tire codes, pressures, sets of tries and more on the Chicago Race Info page – Goodyear section.(9-14-2012)
- 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 Chicagoland Speedway on the Chicago Race Info page – Chassis selection area.
- 2013 Sprint Cup Car Test at Talladega Open to the Public: For the 2013 season all car manufacturers racing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will roll out new designs for competition. The new car designs, which more closely resemble the cars sold in dealerships across the country, will be at Talladega Superspeedway for a test session on Wednesday, October 3rd. That test will be open to the public so fans can catch a glimpse of the new cars before they are premiered next season. Garages open for the teams at 9 a.m. on Wednesday with cars scheduled to hit the track at 11 a.m. Race fans camping in the infield should note that this test will impact access to the crossover gate. Seating for the test session will be on the backstretch, in section Y of the Allison Grandstands. Fans can park in Lot 6E and enter the grandstands through gate P-22. Concession stands will not be open, but standard gate rules apply and fans can bring in food and beverages in approved coolers. Gates will be open 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The test is scheduled to end at 4:30 p.m. with the garages closing for the teams at 5:30 p.m.(TSS)(9-14-2012)
- Dover to offer on-site tent camping options: Dover International Speedway will offer race fans the option of tent camping for the Sept. 28-30, 2012 NASCAR race weekend. Non self-contained RVs, also known as pop-ups, will also now be permitted. Designed as an affordable, convenient alternative for race weekend accommodations, these options are available in reserved RV Lot 9. Spots cost $100 for the duration of your stay and must be purchased in advance of race weekend. To take advantage of this, customers must have two Friday or Saturday tickets, and two Sunday race tickets. Each location includes parking for one vehicle, and additional vehicles can park in a nearby lot for the duration of their stay for $30. Reservations are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. Load-in can begin on Saturday, Sept. 22 at 8 a.m. To secure your spot, call the ticket office at 800-441-RACE.(Dover Speedway)(9-14-2012)
- Las Vegas to host free fanfest on Fremont Street Nov. 28: Las Vegas Motor Speedway will kick off NASCAR Champion’s Week in Las Vegas with a fanfest at the Fremont Street Experience on Wednesday, Nov. 28. This will be the first event involving the 12 Chase drivers during this year’s celebration of the NASCAR Sprint Cup champion. The event is free to the public. The highlight of the event will be an Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader-type show involving the 12 Chase drivers. Carrot Top, who stars in his own one-man show at the Luxor, will be on hand to host the game show. The fifth graders will come from Lomie Heard Elementary School, located on Nellis Air Force Base. The event, which will be held on the Third Street Stage on Fremont Street adjacent to the Fremont Hotel and Casino, will begin at 2 p.m. The drivers will walk a red carpet through the crowd en route to the stage.(LVMS)(9-14-2012)
- Homestead-Miami announces Fanactics members: Miami – Homestead-Miami Speedway announced its selections to serve on its first-ever fan advisory network. The announcement comes after the speedway fielded applications from hundreds of candidates and interviewed dozens of prospective members. The six FANatics members will serve rotating one-year terms. FANatics purpose is to establish direct communication with track personnel and provide year-round feedback on matters that affect guests. The members’ first official event weekend will be Ford Championship Weekend (November 16-18). Members will participate in quarterly meetings and conference calls. Additionally, members will have exclusive access to an online message board and Facebook page. Each of the FANatics members hails from Florida. The group includes: Melodye Brantley, Miami; Scott Bronson, Naples; David Gonzalez, Homestead; Teresa Noah, Labelle; Bryan Pease, Naples; and Julie Shafer, Homestead.(HMS)(9-14-2012)
News from September 13, 2012
- Bass Pro to sponsor Stewart? Bass Pro Shops is expected to be a co-primary sponsor for Tony Stewart’s NASCAR Sprint Cup effort next season. Office Depot, which supported Stewart since the inception of Stewart-Haas Racing in 2009, will withdraw its sponsorship at the end of the season. The company was the primary on 22 of the 38 NASCAR Cup races this season. Mobil 1, which was a co-primary with Office Depot this season, will continue in that role in 2013. Bass Pro Shops has enjoyed a long relationship with NASCAR. The outdoors company sponsored Martin Truex Jr. in a limited run at Dale Earnhardt Inc. when the driver won his first Nationwide Series title in 2004. The company took over as a full primary the following year and graduated with Truex to the Sprint Cup Series for his first full season in 2006. When DEI merged with Ganassi Racing prior to the 2009 season, Bass Pro Shops accompanied Truex and then remained with the team with Jamie McMurray when he returned to Ganassi in 2010 and has been with McMurray since.(Fox Sports)(9-13-2012)
- GEICO renews with Germain through 2014: It has been two years since Casey Mears took the wheel of the #13 GEICO/Germain Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series entry and rescued an otherwise struggling upstart team. Mears’ vast experience coupled with team owner Bob Germain’s unwavering commitment culminated in an effort that has made unprecedented progress and now, just 24-months later, finds itself running door-to-door with the elite teams in the nation’s top auto racing series. GEICO, in the midst of their fifth year with the team, is as much a partner as a sponsor and has played an intricate role in the team’s development and is updated weekly on the goings on in the Germain Racing shop. This week, GEICO announced they have officially extended their sponsorship of Germain Racing and driver Casey Mears through the end of the 2014 season, leaving the Gecko to co-pilot the #13 GEICO Ford Fusion for the next two seasons.(Player Management International)(9-13-2012)
- Bowyer gets a new spotter: Will the replacement of a key member of his team be a challenge for Clint Bowyer, as the driver of the #15 Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota enters the Chase? Bowyer doesn’t think so, and on Wednesday at the House of Blues, he talked about the addition of Brett Griffin, who will take the place of MWR general manager Ty Norris on the spotter’s stand, starting this weekend at Chicagoland Speedway. Griffin’s voice won’t be unfamiliar to Bowyer. When he and Jeff Burton raced as teammates at Richard Childress Racing–where Burton and Bowyer paired up in restrictor-plate events–Griffin spotted for the tandem. Griffin, who serves as NASCAR Nationwide Series spotter and business manager for Elliott Sadler, lost his job as Burton’s spotter after Sadler announced plans to leave RCR at the end of the season despite leading the NASCAR Nationwide standings.(NASCAR Wire Service)(9-13-2012)
- Smith wants to return to Furniture Row: #78-Regan Smith would like to see his deal extended with Furniture Row. Having driven for the team part-time in 2009, Smith finished 28th in the standings in 2010 and 26th in 2011 with a win at Darlington. He is 23rd in the standings this year but since crew chief Todd Berrier joined the team in July, Smith has an average finish of 17th-seven spots better than his average finish for the first 19 races. “It’s been going really good so far,” Smith said. “Our performance has been greatly improved since he came on board. & We want to get to where we know we’re capable of being, one step further up the grid. The case has been made. We’ll see how things play out. My first option is to be here. This is the place where I want to be and as long as they want me here, then that’s fine and it’s a happy fit.” With rumors swirling that [Furniture Row] might pursue [Kurt] Busch, Smith emphasized that he wants to stay with the team. “We’ve grown together,” Smith said. “We’ve gone through a lot together. I want to make sure we go through the really, really peaks of the mountain together. We’ll see how it plays out. You’re always talking. There’s a lot of stuff going on in the garage area right now. That’s no different than this time of year in any year.”(Sporting News)(9-13-2012)
- Robin Pemberton leaves Baldwin for JR Motorsports: Ryan Pemberton, a former crew chief for several Sprint Cup teams, has joined JR Motorsports {Nationwide teams of #7-Danica Patrick & #88-Cole Whitt]. 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 #36-Dave Blaney at Tommy Baldwin Racing. 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)
- Special scheme for Stewart at Chicago: Tony Stewart’s #14 Office Depot/Mobil 1 Chevy will once again [also ran at Kentucky] feature a special Copy & Print Depot scheme during the September 16 Chase-opening NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Chicago. Stewart looks to have a repeat performance with the lucky scheme that he sported during last year’s victory at Chicago, which sparked his first of five Chase wins en route to a third Sprint Cup title. NASCAR fans can rely on the Copy & Print Depot in their local Office Depot store to help them save time seven days a week – including race day. Now through 9/29, customers will receive 20% off same-day service for items such as select business cards, flyers, brochures, posters, presentations and much more at Office Depot stores nationwide (Office Depot Racing), see images of the scheme on my #14 Team Schemes page.(9-13-2012)
- Johnson publishes book about 2011 Chase: Chandra and Jimmie Johnson announced the release of their self-published book, On The Road. The 208-page, hardcover book chronicles Johnson’s 2011 unsuccessful quest for an historic sixth consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship. The book reveals lifestyle photographer Missy McLamb’s unprecedented access to all aspects of the Johnsons’ lives, from the frustrations of ending his record-breaking winning streak to the joys of fatherhood with then 1-year-old daughter Genevieve. NASCAR’s 10-week playoff known as the Chase serves as the backdrop for this first-hand account of the emotional toll running for a championship takes on Johnson, his family and team. The book was self-published by the Johnsons and packaged for publication by designer Mark Pollard. A limited release of 2,000 copies will be available for purchase exclusively trackside at the #48 merchandise hauler starting Friday (Sept. 15) at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Ill. A gallery showing of select prints will take place Oct. 13-20 in Charlotte, N.C. For more information, visit ontheroadstudio.com.(True Speed Communication)(9-13-2012)
- Congrats: to Michael McDowell and his wife Jami on the birth of their daughter, Emma James McDowell. McDowell announced the birth on twitter.(9-13-2012)
- Sports cars test on Kansas Speedway’s new road course: The new road course at Kansas Speedway finally got its test drive. Sports cars turned laps on the new, 2.36-mile course Wednesday morning. The course was built on the infield during a resurfacing of the outer oval that was completed in time for NASCAR testing a couple of weeks ago. The first Sprint Cup race on the new surface is Oct. 21. There is no date yet for the first sports car race at Kansas Speedway, but track President Pat Warren said it should be a night race next summer. Drivers from the Rolex and Continental Tires series took part in testing one week after Grand-Am and American Le Mans announced a merger that will join them as one series beginning in 2014.(Associated Press)(9-13-2012)
News from September 12, 2012
- ‘Most Popular Driver’ Finalists Unveiled: The National Motorsports Press Association announced the finalists for the NASCAR Most Popular Driver Award today. With more than a half-million votes cast, the top 10 drivers that earned the most votes will now be reset to zero with voting continuing over the next 10 weeks, coinciding with the NASCAR Chase for the Sprint Cup. The 10 finalists are, in alphabetical order: #18-Kyle Busch, #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., #99-Carl Edwards, #24-Jeff Gordon, #33-Kevin Harvick,#48- Jimmie Johnson, #5-Kasey Kahne, #17-Matt Kenseth, #47-Bobby Labonte and #14-Tony Stewart. Fans now have 10 race weeks to cast their vote once a day at www.mostpopulardriver.com to determine the winner from the final 10 drivers. Voting will conclude Nov. 18 at 11:59 PM ET and the winner will be announced at the NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Luncheon in November.(Breaking Limits)(9-12-2012)
- Earnhardt, Jr. denies he’s getting married: Don’t send those wedding gifts to Dale Earnhardt Jr. just yet. NASCAR’s most popular driver says he’s not getting married, no matter what the National Enquirer says. The National Enquirer posted a story online Wednesday saying that Earnhardt is expected to marry girlfriend Amy Reimann by the end of the year. Earnhardt, says, not so fast. “Totally false,” Earnhardt said when asked about the report Wednesday during media day for the Chase for the Sprint Cup, which starts this weekend at Chicagoland Speedway. Earnhardt has dated Reimann for more than two years, and they have appeared in public more in the last year.(Sporting News)(9-12-2012)
- 1-800LoanMart returns to sponsor Gilliland: California native David Gilliland comes to Chicagoland Speedway this weekend with some friends from his home state. Encino, Calif.-based 1-800LoanMart will be the primary sponsor of the #38 Front Row Motorsports Ford during this weekend’s Geico 400. The company signed as a multiple-race sponsor with the growing organization earlier this season. Like Front Row Motorsports, 1-800LoanMart is still growing and looking to become a leader in its category. 1-800-LoanMart specializes in car title loans and serves customers in California, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Illinois and Missouri.(Breaking Limits/Front Row), see an image of the car on the #38 team paint schemes page.(9-12-2012)
- Nikon Metrology partners up with Penske Racing: Nikon Metrology Inc. and Penske Racing announced a multi-year partnership agreement that makes Nikon Metrology the Official Supplier of Dimensional Metrology Products and Services to Penske Racing. Penske Racing fields the #2 Miller Lite Dodge for Brad Keselowski and #22 Shell Pennzoil Dodge for Sam Hornish Jr in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Nikon Metrology is one of the largest global providers of metrology products and value-added services, with one of the widest range of products.(Penske Racing)(9-12-2013)
- NASCAR cuts Charlotte TV staff: NASCAR Productions laid off about 15 percent of its Charlotte-based workforce this week in a restructuring of the unit that produces video for the motorsports giant. In all, 32 of 180 jobs were eliminated. Some of those employees will remain into the fall as the final leg of the NASCAR Sprint Cup races are run. Many of those laid off had more than a decade of experience in NASCAR and motorsports, including veteran project manager Chrissy Pellegrino and former WCNC (Channel 36) sports director Chuck Howard. Steve Herbst, who took over the unit in June during an earlier restructuring that saw the departure of chief operating officer Jay Abraham, said Tuesday the cutbacks were strategic moves reflecting the changing industry. After evaluating NASCAR Productions operations, executives decided to drop independent video production work on outside accounts not related to motorsports. It had been handling projects like Notre Dame hockey, University of Virginia football and music videos. Herbst said creating a NASCAR cable channel similar to the NFL’s is still being considered for the Charlotte broadcast complex. “We’ve done quite a bit of thinking about it, but no decision has been made yet,” he said.(Charlotte Observer)(9-12-2012)
- #95 team running seven races to end season: While the rest of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series shifts its focus on the Chase for the Championship, Leavine Family Racing is ready for its own important stretch with driver Scott Speed. The team saved most of its selected starts for the final three months of the season, starting with Sunday’s Geico 400 at the Chicagoland Speedway. In all, LFR and Speed are scheduled to compete in seven of the final 10 races of the season. “We back-loaded our schedule so we could get a better baseline for 2013,” crew chief Wally Rogers said. “This will help us create momentum for next year. It also will test our ability to maintain our fleet of cars at a time we’re also going to races. We’re a small team so everyone has additional duties. But this is what we’ve been waiting for.” The young team already has made big gains. Speed has created team-bests in qualifying (21st) and race finish (17th) at Watkins Glen International earlier this year. Now it’s up to LFR to build on that success.(Leavine Family Racing)(9-12-2012)
- Distraction.gov featured on #34 Ford at Chicago: Front Row Motorsports will feature the message, “One Text or Call, Could Wreck it All” on the hood of David Ragan’s #34 Front Row Motorsports Ford at Chicagoland Speedway this weekend. The entry will also carry the logos of www.Distraction.gov – The Official U.S. Government Website for Distracted Driving. In 2010, over 400,000 people were injured in accidents involving a distracted driver. Distracted driving includes: using a cell phone or smartphone, eating and drinking, talking to passengers, grooming, reading- including maps, using a navigation system, watching a video and adjusting a radio, CD player or MP3 player.(Breaking Limits/Front Row), see an image of the car on the #34 team paint schemes page.(9-12-2012)
- “Designate a Driver” scheme for the #29: Kevin Harvick will drive a “Designate a Driver” paint scheme this weekend at Chicagoland Speedway in support of Anheuser-Busch’s worldwide effort to promote the responsible enjoyment of the company’s beers with “Global Be(er) Responsible Day.” Friday, Sept. 21, will mark 30 years of Anheuser-Busch’s leadership in alcohol responsibility. Anheuser-Busch employees will canvas street corners, place signs in their yards and visit restaurants, bars and grocery stores to spread the message. Adults are encouraged to join Harvick and the #29 Budweiser Designate a Driver team in the Nation of Responsible drinkers by taking the pledge a www.NationOfResponsibleDrinkers.com.(RCR)(9-12-2012)
- #43 Farmland Ford Debuts at Chicago: Aric Almirola will take to Chicagoland Speedway this week with a new look and a new team. His #43 Ford will sport the Farmland paint scheme for the first of four races. The Kansas City, Mo.-based producer of pork products is part of the Smithfield Foods family, with which Almirola and Richard Petty Motorsports have celebrated a successful relationship all season. Sunday’s GEICO 400 will also be the first race with new crew chief Todd Parrott atop the #43 pit box. Farmland’s sponsorship of the #43 Ford coincides with its 2012 launch of a series of innovative pork offerings. The Farmland colors will also adorn the #43 Ford at Kansas, Texas and Phoenix this season.(Richard Petty Motorsports), see an image of the car on the #43 team paint schemes page.(9-12-2012)
- Workshops for Warriors featured on Newman’s car at Chicago: Ryan Newman’s #39 Chevy carries a special paint scheme this weekend that recognizes an organization whose goal is to assist veterans in job training and helps them create the best post-military-service life possible. It’s called Workshops for Warriors and it was founded in San Diego, Calif., by U.S. Navy veteran Hern�n Luis y Prado, who recognized and acted upon the need to help veterans find jobs after leaving military service. The Gene Haas Foundation, formed in 1999 by SHR co-owner Gene Haas, has announced a grant of $50,000 to Workshops for Warriors, which assists the transition of veterans and injured veterans into civilian life through mentorship, training, and education. In addition to the grant, Haas Automation has also entrusted the program with four Haas-CNC machines and made a donation of eight training simulators with a value of $444,000 to Workshops for Warriors. The money and the machines will be used to establish a machinist training program for military veterans. Workshops for Warriors is a board-governed nonprofit organization that provides vocational training to veterans of the U.S. Armed Services.(Stewart-Haas Racing)(9-12-2012)
- Lonestar in concert at Dover: Multi-platinum country music quartet Lonestar will give a free concert for race fans on Sunday, Sept. 30 at 11:30 a.m. in Victory Plaza, presented by AAA. The band will then head inside the track where they’ll perform the National Anthem prior to the “AAA 400” NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. Best known for its 1999 smash-hit single, “Amazed,” Lonestar has enjoyed two decades of success that include 10 No. 1 country hit songs, including the aforementioned “Amazed,” as well as 2001’s “I’m Already There” and 2004’s “Mr. Mom.” The group’s unique blend of strong melodies and rich vocals has helped it amass RIAA certified sales in excess of 10 million album units since 1995. Lonestar is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year by releasing a new album titled “Life As We Know It” supported by the current single “The Countdown” now at radio. The original lineup includes lead singer and piano player Richie McDonald, Michael Britt (lead guitar, backing vocals), Keech Rainwater (drums) and Dean Sams (keyboards/backing vocals).(Dover Speedway)(9-12-2012)
News from September 11, 2012
- Richmond TV Ratings: ABC’s live telecast of Saturday night’s rain-plagued NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Richmond International Raceway won the night across all broadcast and cable networks, ranking as the most-viewed program among households and total viewers. The telecast earned a 3.3 rating, averaging 5,078,987 viewers in 3,720,390 households, according to the Nielsen Company. Due to rain, the start of the race was delayed more than an hour, and then a red flag for more rain delayed the finish until past 1:30am/et. The rating was down from a 3.7 for last year’s event, when the race was run and telecast as scheduled, but up from a 3.1 for the 2010 race.(ESPN), see ratings for past 2012 ratings and 4-year comparison chart on the 2012 TV Ratings page.(9-11-2012)
- Whitt in the #33 at Chicago: Circle Sport, LLC, announced that Cole Whitt will drive the #33 Circle Sport entry this weekend at Chicagoland Speedway. Whitt, the 21-year-old development driver for the Dale Earnhardt Jr.-owned JR Motorsports in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, will pilot the #33 www.LittleJoesAutos.com Chevy in Sunday’s GEICO 400. Whitt enters the weekend event with five NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts to his credit, in addition to 28 NASCAR Nationwide Series and 26 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts. Tony Glover, the three-time Daytona 500 championship crew chief credited with 14 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victories, will continue to lead the #33 Circle Sport team. Stephen Leicht, who is leading the 2012 Sprint Cup Series Rookie-of-the-Year standings, will return to the seat of the #33 Circle Sport Chevy next week at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Complete details of the sponsor-driver lineup for the remainder of the season will be announced at a later date.(Circle Sport)(9-11-2012)
- Penske teams testing at Nasvhille: The Penske Racing teams [#2-Keselowski & #22-Hornish, Jr.] are testing at the Nashville Superspeedway today (Tuesday). “It’s a group effort to try several things,” said Shell-Pennzoil Dodge crew chief Todd Gordon. “Many of the guys on the #2 car team will be there and several of us from the #22 team are attending. Sam will be there with us and getting seat time. The test is really not focused on preparation for a particular upcoming race; we’re just using it to take a closer look at several items we’ve wanted to evaluate.”(Tom Roberts PR)(9-11-2012)
- Facts and Notes about Chicagoland Speedway:
� Construction of the Chicagoland Speedway began in August 1999.
� The first NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Chicago was July 14, 2001.
� The first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race was held on July 15, 2001.
� This weekend marks the second year Chicagoland Speedway has been included in the 10-race Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Sept. 18, 2011.
� There have been 11 NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Chicagoland Speedway.
� 11 drivers have competed in all 10 races.
� Todd Bodine won the first pole.
� There has been a different pole winner after every qualifying session (qualifying was canceled in 2008), 10 total.
� Kevin Harvick won the first two races.
� Eight different drivers have won races, led by Tony Stewart with three.
� Kyle Busch won the 2008 race from the pole, the first time a driver won from the pole. It was also the only time a driver had won from a top-five starting position.
� Kevin Harvick won the 2002 race from the 32nd starting position, the deepest in the field that a race winner ever started at Chicago.
� Only one starting position has multiple wins: 14th. Mark Martin won from the 14th starting position in 2009, as did Ryan Newman in 2003.
� Tony Stewart (8.7), Jeff Gordon (10.0) and Jimmie Johnson (10.0) are active drivers who average a top-10 finish at Chicago.
� Six of the last seven races have ended with a margin of victory under one second. The closest margin of victory at Chicago was 0.159 sec. (7-12-08).
� Joe Gibbs leads all car owners in wins at Chicago with three, followed by Richard Childress and Rick Hendrick with two each.
� Chevrolet leads the series with the most wins by a manufacturer at Chicago with eight.(NASCAR)(9-11-2012)
- NASCAR adds practices at Kansas: With Kansas Speedway’s track reconfiguration project this summer, NASCAR has added extra practice time to the schedule for teams and Kansas Speedway will open its gates to fans free of charge on Wed. Oct. 17 and Thu. Oct. 18, but is requesting a donation of $5 to March of Dimes’ Bikers for Babies campaign. Volunteers will be at the gates to collect donations. On Wed., Oct. 17, parking lots will open at Noon and gates will open at 12:30 PM with NASCAR Sprint Cup Series cars scheduled to be on track from 1 PM 5 PM. On Thur., Oct. 18, parking lots will open at 7:30 AM and gates will open at 8 AM with NASCAR Sprint Cup Series cars scheduled to be on track from 8:30 AM -12:30 PM and then NASCAR Nationwide Series cars will be on track from 1 PM 5 PM. Tickets for the Oct. 21 Hollywood Casino 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, the Oct. 20 Kansas Lottery 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race and the Oct. 19 Kansas Lottery 98.9 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards race are on sale now by calling 866.460.RACE (7223) or visiting www.kansasspeedway.com. Parking is always free at Kansas Speedway and fans can bring in one 14x14x14-inch soft-sided cooler with their favorite food and beverages.(Kansas Speedway)(9-11-20102)
- Johnson Waves Green Flag On ‘Chase Across America’ National Media Tour: Five-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson boasts a well-deserved reputation for finishing first. But this week, he started first, kicking off a four-day media blitz that will see all 12 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup championship contenders visit 12 different markets during the second-annual Chase Across America media tour.
Johnson navigated his second home today New York City on a multi-stop media tour that included appearances on LIVE! with Kelly and Michael, FOX Business Network, CNN Headline News, SiriusXM Satellite Radio and FOX News with Sheppard Smith.
Monday’s conversations started with a taped national television hit that paired a five-time NASCAR champion with a one-time NFL Super Bowl champion (Michael Strahan) and a three-time Emmy winner (Kelly Ripa). Johnson landed the quote of the morning, answering a question from former New York Giants defensive end and new “LIVE! with Kelly and Michael” co-host Strahan. Strahan asked which driver Johnson wanted to see get knocked out of the Chase. Johnson quipped: “The other 11 guys in it.” The interview will air on “LIVE!” on Thursday, Sept. 13. Throughout the day, Johnson chatted about the 10-race Chase, reclaiming glory a year after his five-consecutive title run ended, and the upcoming release of his new coffee table book “On The Road.”
All Over The Map: Business heats up Tuesday, as 10 of the 12 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers will pepper all parts of the country, from Phoenix to Miami, and Texas to New Hampshire. Tomorrow’s lineup: Dale Earnhardt Jr. will head to ESPN headquarters; Brad Keselowski will hit Chicago, site of the Chase opener; Denny Hamlin visits New Hampshire, race No. 2 in the Chase; Kasey Kahne, the Chase’s No. 1 Wild Card, will travel to Philadelphia in advance of Dover’s Chase race; Kevin Harvick, a 2010 Talladega winner, will take part in an event at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series’ largest track; as for NASCAR’s smallest track, Martinsville Speedway will host Greg Biffle, a two-time winner this season; Martin Truex Jr., who made his first Chase since 2007, will be in Kansas; Clint Bowyer, who won the regular season finale at Richmond, will visit Texas; Four-time series champion Jeff Gordon will hit Phoenix, the site of the penultimate race in the Chase; and Matt Kenseth will fly his talents to South Beach in advance of the championship-finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Charlotte Motor Speedway will hold its Chase Across America event next Tuesday, Sept. 18, with defending series champion Tony Stewart.
Annual Chase Media Day Set For Wednesday: All 12 drivers will congregate at downtown Chicago’s House of Blues on Wednesday for the annual 2012 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Media Day. Media availability will run from 11:15 am – 1:00 pm/ct. Following media availability, the 12 drivers will take part in ‘NASCAR Contenders Live’ the ultimate fan Q&A; event, sponsored by Toyota and Sprint. At the event, contenders will share their strategies on how they plan to win the ultimate prize: the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship trophy.(NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications)
Special on SPEED: Broadcasting from the House of Blues in Chicago, NASCAR and SPEED bring all 12 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup contenders together for the first time in a one-hour television special NASCAR Contenders Live Sponsored by Toyota & Sprint to air Thursday, Sept. 13 at 7:00pm/et. Krista Voda sets the stage for the television special and NASCAR on FOX host Chris Myers leads the questioning from the House of Blues, as drivers exchange strategies and insights in preparation for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Live audience participation and an expanded SPEED social media effort will enhance the program.(SPEED)(9-11-2012)
- Chicago Kicks Off Chase for NASCAR Sprint Cup: The 10-race Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup begins at Chicagoland Speedway on Sunday, Sept. 16, and ESPN will have a live telecast of the 400-mile race on the 1.5-mile track. NASCAR Countdown airs at 1:00pm/et with the race’s green flag at 2:16pm/et. Also from Chicagoland, ESPN2 airs NASCAR Sprint Cup practice sessions on Friday at 1:00 pm/et and 4:00pm/et. All NASCAR programming on ESPN and ESPN2 is also available on computers, smartphones and tablets with the WatchESPN app and WatchESPN.com.
NASCAR Now Weekend Wrap-up Program Begins Sunday: ESPN2’s daily NASCAR news and information program NASCAR Now will expand its schedule with a weekly one-hour weekend wrap-up program coinciding with the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. The first edition airs Sunday night, Sept. 16, at 11:30 pm/et. NASCAR Now will preview that day’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Chicagoland Speedway in the one-hour edition that airs earlier that day at 8:00am/et. Host Mike Massaro will be joined in the studio by ESPN NASCAR analyst Ricky Craven and reporters Marty Smith and Shannon Spake will check in from the track. ESPN.com motorsports writer David Newton will report from Chicagoland.(ESPN)(9-11-2012)
- Kid Rock Amps Up ESPN’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Coverage: Renowned singer-songwriter and musician Kid Rock will lend both his presence and his music to ESPN’s telecasts of the 10 races in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, which begins with this Sunday’s event at Chicagoland Speedway. ESPN’s coverage from Chicagoland begins at 1:00pm/et with NASCAR Countdown. Kid Rock, who has been a fan of NASCAR for more than a decade, will narrate and appear in the opening teases of the telecasts of the 10 races, with each tease tailored to the racetrack hosting that week’s event. Kid Rock’s music will be featured throughout the campaign, including sneak peeks at his yet-to-be-titled new album and hits from his catalogue. “Kid Rock brings rock stardom to a sport that has its own rock stars,” said Rich Feinberg, ESPN vice president, motorsports, production. “His music appeals to a cross-section of America and is a perfect fit for our NASCAR coverage.” Also known for his philanthropy, Kid Rock is especially connected to the U.S. military and is a regular supporter of Operation Homefront, the USO and Operation Finally Home, all organizations to assist members of the armed forces and their families.(ESPN)(9-11-2012)
- Ancient Chaseology, seasons before 2004 and the Chase: Way back in 1975, NASCAR decided to change its points system, using an idea jotted down on a cocktail napkin at the Boot Hill Saloon in Daytona Beach, Fla. Pretty humble beginnings, no?
What if the Chase had become a part of NASCAR back in 1975? How would history have changed with a Chase back then?
Drivers probably would have driven differently, which would have led to changed results and altered points championships during the years covered here. But let’s play the “what if?” game and take the historical results and translate them into the current Chase system.
See the following articles for each:
same champs in 1975-1979, but in 1980-1984, 3 of the 5 would have had different champions, none for Earnhardt, 3 for DW and Gant would had won one; in 1985-1989 all five chase’s produce the same champ as the regular system did.
Whew, some shake ups in the 1990-1994 chases, Earnhardt, who won 4 championships in the classic points, Earnhardt would had won only two Chase in that span and Kulwicki would not had won his championship with Kyle Petty winning in 92, Gant in 1991 and Rusty Wallace in 1993.
in the 1995-1999 block, Earnhardt would had won in 1995 instead of Gordon, but Gordon would had won in 1996 instead of Terry Labonte, in 1997 Jarrett would had took it and not Gordon, Gordon in 1998 and Bobby Labonte would had won in 1999 not Jarrett, so only Gordon in 1998 would had been the same.
and in the final block 2000-2003: Bobby Labonte still wins in 2000, Marlin beats out Gordon in 2001, Kurt Busch in 2002 instead of Stewart and in 2003 Johnson would had gotten his first championship, Kenseth, who won using the old system that year, would had been 8th in the 2003 chase. Here are the links to each block, with standings and info:
Ancient Chaseology: 1975-1979
Ancient Chaseology: 1980-1984
Ancient Chaseology: 1985-1989
Ancient Chaseology: 1990-1994
Ancient Chaseology: 1995-1999
Ancient Chaseology: 2000-2003
as Matthew Willis will calculate all the seasons 1974 thru 2003.(9-11-2012) and see more histoy on Jayski’s Chase History page and the 2012 Chase News page
- Martinsville Speedway Ticket Office Now Open On Weekends: Martinsville Speedway’s ticket office will be open on weekends beginning this Saturday, Sept. 15 through the TUMS Fast Relief 500 on Oct. 28. Starting Sept. 15, the Speedway ticket office will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays and from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays. The Martinsville Speedway ticket office is open daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Martinsville Speedway’s grandstands are always open when the ticket office is open so fans have the opportunity to pick out the exact seats they want. Tickets for the TUMS Fast Relief 500 on Sunday, October 28, the Kroger 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on Saturday, October 27 and NASCAR Pole Day on Friday, October 26 are on sale and can be purchased by calling 1.877.RACE.TIX. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.martinsvillespeedway.com.(Martinsville Speedway)(9-11-2012)
News from September 10, 2012
- The Entry List for the GEICO 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway is posted, 47 teams/drivers [for 43 spots] are listed, including:
Partick is back in the #10; Bell is back in the #32
Not in top 35 of owners points:
#19-Mike Bliss (45/20)
#21-Trevor Bayne (37/10)
#23-Scott Riggs (44/24)
#26-Josh Wise (41/26)
#30-David Stremme (38/26)
#33-Stephen Leicht (36/26)
#37-J.J. Yeley (50/11)
#49-Jason Leffler (39/22)
#87-Joe Nemechek (42/26)
#91-Reed Sorenson (54/6)
#95-Scott Speed (43/9)
#98-Michael McDowell (40/26)
In the event that qualifying is cancelled:
the eight who would make it [8]: #’s 21,33,30,98,26,87,23,49
missing the race would be [4]: # 19,37,95,91
See the full entry list at my Jayski’s Chicago Entry List
- National Stock Car Racing Appeals Panel Statement about #27 penalty: The National Stock Car Racing Appeals Panel today heard and considered the appeal of the #27 Richard Childress NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team. The penalties concern Section 12-1: Actions detrimental to stock car racing; Section 12-4K: If, in the judgment of NASCAR Officials, race equipment that has been previously certified or previously approved by NASCAR for use in an event, pursuant to sub-section 8-12, has been altered, modified, repaired or changed in any matter. Intentionally modifying previously certified frame rails for the purpose of deceiving NASCAR’s inspection gauges.
The penalties stemmed from a post-race inspection at the NASCAR Research and Development Center on Aug. 21 following the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event at Michigan International Speedway on Aug. 19.
The original penalties assessed were:
� Car owner (Richard Childress): Loss of 25 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship car owner points;
� Car driver (Paul Menard): Loss of 25 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship driver points;
� Crew chief (Richard Labbe): $100,000 fine; suspended from NASCAR for six weeks; placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31;
� Car chief (Craig Smokstad): Suspended from NASCAR for six weeks; placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31;
� Crew member (Grant Hutchens): Suspended from NASCAR for six weeks; placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31.
The Appellant did not appeal the loss of 25 championship car owner and 25 championship driver points or the $100,000 fine and six-week suspension of crew chief Richard Labbe, who began serving his suspension from NASCAR Sept. 4. The Appellant did appeal the six-week suspensions of Craig Smokstad and Grant Hutchens. The Appellant acknowledged that the #27 car failed post-race inspection.
Upon hearing the testimony and carefully reviewing the facts, it was a unanimous decision by the National Stock Car Racing Appeals Panel to uphold the original penalties assessed by NASCAR. Therefore, both Smokstad and Hutchens’ six-week suspensions from NASCAR will be effective immediately. The Appellant has the right under Section 15 of the rule book to appeal this decision to the National Stock Car Racing Chief Appellate Officer. The panel hearing the appeal were: Dale Pinilis, Robert Yates and Jack Housby. Jason Cohen is the Appellate Administrator and non-voting member.(NASCAR), see past news about the penalty and more on my 2012 Penalties page.(9-10-2012)
- Richard Petty Motorsports Makes Change to Sprint Cup Teams: Richard Petty Motorsports (RPM) announced it has made changes to its crew lineup in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Mike Ford will now lead Marcos Ambrose and the #9 Ford while Todd Parrott has been assigned as the crew chief for Aric Almirola and the #43 Ford. In addition, team members from both teams will also make the switch with their respective crew chief. Several pit crew members were also recently changed. The move is made to strengthen the entire RPM organization and improve the performance level now and into the future. The change is effective immediately. Richard Petty Motorsports currently has one win, three poles, 10 top-10 and three top-five finishes this season in the Sprint Cup Series. The team was also in position to make the Chase for the second consecutive season with driver Marcos Ambrose.
“We’re continuing to make improvements at Richard Petty Motorsports and we’ve added talented people to our organization this season,” said Sammy Johns, director of competition. “This move is to make sure that we are using that talent to the fullest to get the best results for our teams each weekend. We feel this adjustment will strengthen the organization, allow us to continue to compete for wins and ultimately challenge for championships.”
Ford and Parrott are both veteran, winning crew chiefs. Parrott has one Sprint Cup championship, a Daytona 500 championship and 31 Sprint Cup wins to his credit. Ford has six Chase births and 25 Sprint Cup race wins on his resume. Both are looking at the change as an opportunity to better Richard Petty Motorsports.
“Aric has really shown the desire and dedication to get his first Sprint Cup Series win,” Parrott said. “It was great our team helped lead Marcos to his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series win and poles. We are now ready to help direct Almirola and the #43 team to the same results and better.”
Ford is also ready to work with Ambrose and the #9 race team. “Marcos is a racer who has proven to win poles and races,” Ford said. “Our goal is to take my experiences and make sure we can consistently run up front and continue to win races.” Ford, Parrott and their teams will be working with their new respective drivers this weekend at Chicagoland Speedway.(Richard Petty Motorsports)(9-10-2012)
- Dale Earnhardt Jr. Visits ESPN for Pre-Chase Carwash: NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr., will be at ESPN headquarters in Bristol, Ct., on Tuesday, Sept. 11, and will appear on a variety of ESPN programs and platforms to discuss the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Earnhardt, who is seeking his first NASCAR Sprint Cup title, will start his day on Mike and Mike In the Morning on ESPN Radio and ESPN2 at 9:45am/et. He also is scheduled to appear on SportsCenter, First Take, NASCAR Now, SportsNation, NFL Live, PTI and ESPN Radio’s Scott Van Pelt Show.(ESPN)(9-10-2012)
- Gordon bringing back the stache: #24-Jeff Gordon thinks he can rekindle some of his old on-track magic that made him a four-time champion when the Chase for the Sprint Cup begins this weekend at Chicagoland Speedway. Why not? He’s already taken one step to turn back the clock. Gordon announced Sunday that he would bring back the absurdly comical mustache he donned in the early 1990s as a young 21-year-old rookie in the NASCAR’s premier series. On Twitter, Gordon’s account said: “So as many of u may have heard, I made a statement that if we made the Chase I wud bring back the stache. I’m a man of my word.”(USA Today)(9-10-2012)
- Florida Georgia Line to Rock at Talladega: Talladega Superspeedway announced that rising country rock duo Florida Georgia Line will perform the Saturday night infield concert on October 6th during the Good Sam Roadside Assistance 500 Weekend. This Talladega tradition is always a highlight of race weekend that transforms the Talladega infield into the biggest party in NASCAR. To gain entry to the Saturday night concert, fans must present a ticket for the Sunday race or have an infield admission. The stage will be located near the intersection of Talladega and Eastaboga Boulevards in the infield. The concert will begin at 7:30 and include an opening performance by Talladega favorite Tim Dugger. For tickets and information visit talladegasuperspeedway.com or call 1-877-Go2-DEGA.(TSS)(9-10-2012)
- Gigantic Pit Party for Fans at Bank of America 500: NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty, NASCAR Sprint Cup point leader Denny Hamlin and NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Marcos Ambrose will make appearances at a one-of-a-kind infield Pit Party for fans at the Bank of America 500 on Oct. 13. The first-of-its-kind Pit Party will be a fan-friendly event taking place in the NASCAR Nationwide Series garage from 2-5 p.m. before the only Saturday night race in the Chase for the Sprint Cup Championship. The party will feature driver appearances, live music, concessions, racing displays and more. Access to Pit Party is included with the purchase of a race ticket and a pit pass. In addition to fan forums with Petty, Hamlin and Ambrose, the Pit Party will feature displays from the Richard Petty Driving Experience, including showcase cars and a tire-changing station where fans can test their pit crew skills. WKKT radio’s Paul Schadt will serve as emcee for the Pit Party. Other celebrities scheduled to appear include SPEED TV personalities Jimmy Spencer and Danielle Trotta, as well as nationally syndicated radio personalities John Boy & Billy from The Big Show. To purchase tickets, call the Charlotte Motor Speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS (3267) or visit charlottemotorspeedway.com.(CMS)(9-10-2012)
- “The Truth Is” to perform concert at Kansas: With the release of their fourth studio album for Roadrunner/604 Records “The Truth Is” last year, platinum-selling band Theory of a Deadman will be making their Kansas Speedway debut on Oct. 19 when they perform a post-race concert near Gate B after the Kansas Lottery 98.9, as part of a Low Dough promotion with 98.9 the Rock. Tickets for the Kansas Lottery 98.9, which includes the Theory of a Deadman and Adelitas Way concerts, are just $9.89 in advance. On race day (Oct. 19), general admission tickets to the Kansas Lottery 98.9, Theory of a Deadman and Adelitas Way concerts will be $10. Tickets for the Oct. 21 Hollywood Casino 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, the Oct. 20 Kansas Lottery 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race and the Oct. 19 Kansas Lottery 98.9 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards race are on sale now by calling 866.460.RACE (7223) or visiting www.kansasspeedway.com. Parking is always free at Kansas Speedway and fans can bring in one 14x14x14-inch soft-sided cooler with their favorite food and beverages.(Kansas Speedway)(9-10-2012)
News from September 9, 2012
- Bowyer wins at Richmond: #15-Clint Bowyer won the Federated Auto Parts 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Richmond International Raceway for his 2nd win of year and 7th career win.
The race didn’t start until 9:30pm/et due to rain and was once delayed for 52 minutes for rain, but all 400 laps were run.
#24-Gordon finished 2nd followed by #55-Martin, #14-Stewart, #17-Kenseth, #31-Burton, #2-Keselowski, #39-Newman, #16-Biffle and #29-Harvick.
The regular season points leader, #16-Biffle, finished 9th and will be seeded 5th in the Chase, 6 points out of the lead.
#24-Gordon finished 2nd beating #18-Busch by 3 points to gain the 2nd wild card spot in the Chase for the Sprint Cup. #5-Kahne got the 1st wild card spot. #14-Stewart finished 4th and clinched the 10th spot and will be seeded 3rd in the Chase.
#88-Earnhardt Jr., the pole winner, led 69 laps, had to pit late and finished 14th. Earnhardt Jr. has 11 poles and never won a race from the pole.
There were 6 cautions for 41 yellow flag laps and a 52 minutes red flag fro rain. There were 17 lead changes among 10 drivers. The average speed was 100.019mph.
The estimated attendence was 89,000 which is up from last years 87,000.
See race results, awards, money won, laps led, cautions and more on the Richmond Race Results page (pdf).(9-9-2012)
- 2012 Sprint Cup Driver Chase Championship Points Standings:
[after Richmond, race 26 of 36]
1) #11-Denny Hamlin [4 wins], 2012
2) #48-Jimmie Johnson [3 wins], 2009, -3
3) #14-Tony Stewart [3 wins], 2009, -3
4) #2-Brad Keselowski [3 wins], 2009, -3
5) #16-Greg Biffle [2 wins], 2006, -6
6) #15-Clint Bowyer [2 wins], 2006, -6
7) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. [1 win], 2003, -9
8) #17-Matt Kenseth [1 win], 2003, -9
9) #29-Kevin Harvick [0 wins], 2000, -12
10) #56-Martin Truex Jr. [0 wins], 2000, -12
WC1) #5-Kasey Kahne [2 wins, 11th in points], 2000, -12
WC2) #24-Jeff Gordon [1 win, 12th in points], 2000, -12
(ties broken by 1sts, 2nds, 3rd, etc)
(9-9-2012)
- 2012 Sprint Cup Driver Championship Points Standings (not chase):
[after Richmond, race 26 of 36]
1) #16-Greg Biffle [2 wins], 914
2) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. [1 win], 902, -12
3) #17-Matt Kenseth [1 win], 897, -17
4) #48-Jimmie Johnson [3 wins], 880, -34
5) #2-Brad Keselowski [3 wins], 868, -46
6) #56-Martin Truex Jr. [0 wins], 862, -52
7) #15-Clint Bowyer [2 wins], 858, -56
8) #11-Denny Hamlin [4 wins], 850, -64
9) #29-Kevin Harvick [0 wins], 841, -73
10) #14-Tony Stewart [3 wins], 810, -104
11) #5-Kasey Kahne [2 wins], 784, -130
12) #24-Jeff Gordon [1 win], 777, -137
13) #18-Kyle Busch [1 win], 774, -140
(ties broken by 1sts, 2nds, 3rd, etc)
See drivers championship points standings on the Drivers Points Standings (pdf).(9-9-2012)
- Race Fast Facts – Richmond
#15-Clint Bowyer won the 55th Annual Federated Auto Parts 400 , his seventh victory in 243 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.
This is his second victory and 15th top-10 finish in 2012.
This is his second victory and eighth top-10 finish in 14 races at Richmond International Raceway.
#24-Jeff Gordon (second) posted his 25th top-10 finish in 40 races at Richmond International Raceway. It is his 12th top-10 finish in 2012.
#55-Mark Martin (third) posted his 30th top-10 finish in 54 races at Richmond International Raceway.
#5-Kasey Kahne and #24-Jeff Gordon earn the two Wild Card spots for the 2012 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.
(NASCAR Integrated Sports Marketing)(9-9-2012)
- Top-35 in Owner Points and guaranteed a starting spot at Chicago:
#36 remains in 35th and is now 124 points ahead of 36th, back to the #33 team.
there is slim to no chance the top-35 will change the rest of the season.
Rank) Car#-Driver/Team, owners pts, +/-
34) #32-Schrader/FAS Lane Racing, 349 +136
35) #36-Blaney/Baldwin, 337 +114 ahead of 36th
these teams / drivers will need to qualify by speed:
36) #33-Leicht/Childress-Falk, 213, 124pts out of the top 35
37) #21-Bayne/Wood Bros., 209, -128
38) #30-Stremme/Inception, 186, -151
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).(9-9-2012)
- Richmond Notes-n-Nuggets:
” Clint Bowyer scored his seventh Cup win in his 243rd start.
” Clint Bowyer posted his second win of 2012 (Sonoma); he is the seventh multiple winner of the season.
” Clint Bowyer scored his second win in his 14th start at Richmond; he is the 27th driver to win multiple races at RIR.
” Clint Bowyer is the only driver to finish in the top 10 in all five short-track races of 2012.
” Clint Bowyer led once, for the final 86 laps; his last pit stop came on Lap 277.
” Michael Waltrip Racing posted its fourth Cup win, second of 2012 and first at Richmond.
” Toyota scored its eight win of 2012 and seventh at Richmond.
” Jeff Gordon (second) posted his third consecutive top-three finish; he was running as low as 26th prior to the red flag.
” Mark Martin (third) posted his third top-five finish of 2012.
” Tony Stewart (fourth) posted his first finish better than 19th in the past five races and 10th top-five of 2012.
” Matt Kenseth (fifth) posted his first top-10 at Richmond since the spring of 2007, and only his fourth top-five at Richmond in 26 starts.
” Jeff Burton (sixth) posted only his fifth top-10 of 2012.
” Kyle Busch (16th) missed the Chase by three points; it’s the third time he missed the Chase.
” Carl Edwards (17th) missed the Chase for the second time in his full-time career.
” All four Hendrick Motorsports cars made the Chase for the first time.
” This is the fifth time in nine seasons of the Chase a driver raced his way in at Richmond: Jeff Gordon in 2012.
(Racing Resources and Services — Statistics Racing Recall / nascar.com)(9-9-2012)
- Race and Commercial Breakdown of the 2012 Federated Auto Parts 400: For those NASCAR fans that like stats and love to hate commercials, here is the breakdown for Saturday’s rain-delayed, rain-interrupted race. Began recording the times at the Invocation of the race at 9:06 PM, stopped for a rain delay at 10:31; restarted at 11:36 PM, and finished at the waving of the checkered flag at 1:22 AM (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: 101
Total number of companies or entities advertised: 52
Number of ‘Side-by-Side’ commercials during race broadcast (split-screen): 0
Total number of brief promos of products/services during the race broadcast: 13
Total amount of time these brief promos take during broadcast: app. 1 min. 50 sec.
Start time to record race/commercial periods: 9:06 PM
Stop time due to rain delay: 10:31 PM
Restart: 11:36 PM
End time to record race/commercial periods: 1:22 AM
Total minutes of complete broadcast: 191
Minutes of race broadcast: 152
Minutes of traditional commercials (not split-screen): 39
Minutes of ‘Side-by-Side’ commercials (split-screen): 0
Number of missed restarts: 0
Number of ‘mystery cautions’ (debris not shown): 0
Total race brdcst time 152 Total comm. brdcst time 39
See past races, past links and more on the 2012 NASCAR TV Commercials News page.(9-9-2012)
- Race and Commercial Breakdown of the 2012 Federated Auto Parts 400: For those NASCAR fans that like stats and love to hate commercials, here is the breakdown for Saturday’s rain-delayed, rain-interrupted race. Began recording the times at the Invocation of the race at 9:06 PM, stopped for a rain delay at 10:31; restarted at 11:36 PM, and finished at the waving of the checkered flag at 1:22 AM (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: 101
Total number of companies or entities advertised: 52
Number of ‘Side-by-Side’ commercials during race broadcast (split-screen): 0
Total number of brief promos of products/services during the race broadcast: 13
Total amount of time these brief promos take during broadcast: app. 1 min. 50 sec.
Start time to record race/commercial periods: 9:06 PM
Stop time due to rain delay: 10:31 PM
Restart: 11:36 PM
End time to record race/commercial periods: 1:22 AM
Total minutes of complete broadcast: 191
Minutes of race broadcast: 152
Minutes of traditional commercials (not split-screen): 39
Minutes of ‘Side-by-Side’ commercials (split-screen): 0
Number of missed restarts: 0
Number of ‘mystery cautions’ (debris not shown): 0
Total race brdcst time 152 Total comm. brdcst time 39
See past races, past links and more on the 2012 NASCAR TV Commercials News page.(9-9-2012)
- Some planned 2013 car testing: Teams say Detroit car makers have yet to release any of the 2013 steel body sheet metal. So crew chiefs say the upcoming tests could be all but meaningless, since drivers will be driving cars with plastic-molded bodies, with much different center-of-gravity than the real race cars will have. “Detroit, and that whole 2013 project, is way behind,” one top crew chief says. “So at those tests, we’ll all be running just ‘show cars'”
The test schedule for the 2013 cars:
— Talladega SuperSpeedway will host a big 2013 car test Oct. 3rd, the day before that track opens for the Talladega 500 chase race. That will be a good look at what to expect in next season’s Daytona 500 (Feb. 24th). Tires are not expected to be an issue at either Talladega or Daytona with the new 2013s.
— Texas Motor Speedway will have a big two-day test Oct. 9th and 10th, which will be a key test for the sport’s nine mid-sized tracks, a test of both tires and aerodynamics.
— Phoenix International Raceway will have a big two-day test Oct. 24th and 25th, another test of both tires and aero.
— And there will be a major tire design test at Charlotte Motor Speedway Nov. 6th and 7th. Goodyear will be testing ‘fundamentals’ at Charlotte, in a wide-ranging session.(MikeMulhern.net)(9-9-2012)
- Sad News – Harold Dunaway: Harold Dunaway, who recently passed away at age 78, competed only once at NASCAR’s top level. The Gastonia native drove a Plymouth in the Peach Blossom 500 at Rockingham, qualifying 36th and placing 40th in a field of 44. Paul Goldsmith won that race on March 13, 1966. Glenn Dunaway, his father, who died in 1964, occupies a footnote in NASCAR history. The elder Dunaway took the checkered flag in the very first race of what is now the Sprint Cup Series but had the outcome overturned and the victory handed to Jim Roper. Glenn Dunaway competed in 18 races over three seasons, 1949-51, and finished in the top five three times. On May 30, 1950, he finished second to Bill Rexford in a race run in Canfield, Ohio. Harold Dunaway won many races at short tracks in the Gastonia area and also competed in the old Permatex 300, for many years the chief preliminary race leading up to the Daytona 500. He had many other opportunities but, as longtime friend Charles Craig recalled, “With two young children, he wanted to stay in Gastonia and help his dad and brother Henry run the family shop.”(Gaston Gazette), see the full obituary at the Gaston Gazette.(9-9-2012)
- TMS’s ‘Speeding to Read’ program expands: Texas Motor Speedway’s “Speeding To Read” (STR) educational program is speeding to expansion. A year after the NASCAR-themed, incentive-laden pilot reading program debuted with Clara Love Elementary in nearby Justin, Texas Motor Speedway announced Friday that “Speeding To Read” will expand to three Northwest ISD schools and reach more than 1,500 students for the 2012-13 school year. STR The entire student bodies and faculty from Clara Love, Justin and W.R. Hatfield elementary schools were on hand at Northwest High School’s football stadium as Texas Motor Speedway announced the expansion of the program and some new incentives for the students and faculty. The announcement was made by Texas Motor Speedway Vice President of Media Relations Mike Zizzo and he was joined by NWISD Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Edward Chevallier, principals Julie Nerby of Clara Love, Cathy Sager of Hatfield and Lisa Ransleben of Justin, and more than 1,500 kindergarten through fifth-grade students. More info at TexasMotorSpeedway.com.(TMS)(9-9-2012)
- Homestead-Miami Speedway’s Racing to Read Begins: Miami Homestead-Miami Speedway, in partnership with Miami-Dade County Public Schools, has launched its Racing to Read program for second grade students at nine South Florida schools. The initiative’s aim is to promote reading among youth. It began recently and runs through October 26. Students in the program can monitor their progress, both individually and against other participating schools and more info about the program, online at homesteadmiamispeedway.com.(HMS)(9-9-2012)
News from September 8, 2012
- Racing again at Richmond: after a 52 minutes red flag for rain, the race has restarted and made it past 200 laps, so it is official and will end tonight/this morning. Radar shows the rain could clear out in a bit.
The National weather service forecast:
Saturday evening (9/8): Mostly cloudy with showers and thunderstorms likely in the evening…then partly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Lows in the lower 60s. West winds 10 to 15 mph…becoming north 5 to 10 mph after midnight. Chance of rain 70 percent.
Sunday: Mostly sunny. Cooler. Less humid with highs around 80. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph.
Expect NASCAR to do everything in its power to get the race in tonight so the race doesn’t have to go up again the first week of NFL games on Sunday afternoon/evening. More weather links on the Richmond Race Info page – weather links section.(9-8-2012)
- Race Coverage of the Federated Auto Parts 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Richmond International Raceway is scheduled for Saturday, September 8, 2012.
Television (TV): ABC at 7:30 pm/et; NASCAR Countdown Pre-Race show at 7:00 pm/et; green flag approx 7:43pm/et
Radio: Motor Racing Network (MRN) and Sirius XM Satellite NASCAR Radio 90
Scheduled Race Re-Airs: ESPN2, Sunday, September 9 at 4:00am/et; SPEED, Wednesday, September 12 at 12:00pm/et
- The Numbers for The Federated Auto Parts 400:
1 – fewest cautions (three times, most recent, 3/1/70)
1 – fewest cars on lead lap at finish (22 times, most recent 10/12/75)
2 – fewest leaders (six times, most recent 2/23/75)
2 – fewest lead changes (seven times, most recent 2/23/75)
4 – fewest laps led by race winner (Kyle Petty, 2/23/86)
5 – number of jet dryers available for track drying this weekend
6 – fewest caution laps (6/5/60)
12 – most leaders (four times, most recent 5/6/07)
13 – most wins by driver (Richard Petty)
15 – most cautions (three times, most recent 9/10/11)
22 – wins from the pole; 35 from the front row (112 races)
25 – most lead changes (twice, most recent 3/3/96)
32 – most cars on lead lap at finish (9/7/08)
43 – most running at finish (9/7/08)
47 – different race winners
50 – different pole winners
90 minutes – amount of time it takes to dry the .75-mile track after a significant rainfall
123 – most caution laps (two times, most recent 9/8/74)
276 – number of Sprint Cup Series races in state of Virginia at nine tracks
488 – most laps led by race winner (9/13/70 – Richard Petty – 500-lap race)
Key RIR Dates
1946 – Ted Horn won the first race on half-mile dirt track (10/12/46) in open-wheel car
1953 – Lee Petty won the first NASCAR Grand National Division, now Sprint Cup, race on the half-mile dirt track (4/19/53).
1955 – Paul Sawyer and driver Joe Weatherly purchased the track
1964 – race was run under temporary lights on a Tuesday night (3/10/64)
1968 – last race on dirt track won by David Pearson (3/24/68)
1968 – first race on paved track won by Richard Petty (9/8/68)
1969 — track remeasured from .625-mile to .5625-mile; remeasured from .5625-mile to .5-mile; remeasured again from .5-mile to .542-mile prior to the first race of 1970
1988 – track reconfigured to its current .75-mile layout
1991 – permanent lighting added prior to fall event won by Harry Gant (9/7/91)
1999 – International Speedway Corporation (ISC) acquired track
2012 Caution Update
1 – fewest cautions this season (Fontana)
7 – races extended beyond scheduled distance (Daytona1, Martinsville, Talladega, Darlington, Sonoma, Michigan2, and Atlanta)
13 – most cautions this season (Bristol2)
142 – cautions in the first 25 races of 2012; includes 70 for accidents, 36 for debris and 14 for spins
746 of 6,864 – laps under caution in 2012
1,069.332 of 9,412.536 – miles under caution in the first 25 races
(Darnell Communications for SRT Motorsports and Dodge)(9-8-2012)
- Phoenix Racing could close shop at end of 2012 season: James Finch, a 20-year-plus veteran NASCAR team owner, who this year has been fielding #51 Chevrolets for Kurt Busch, says unless there is a big change in economics in this sport “I’ll have to hang it up at the end of this season.” Finch says the new 2013 NASCAR stockers will obsolete his entire fleet of race cars. “I’ll have to throw everything away,” Finch says. Finch has no major sponsor this season, and his hauler here is painted stark black. He used Hendrick engineering, at a price of course, and he leased Hendrick engines, at a price too of course.(MikeMulhern.net)(9-8-2012)
- Patrick still looking for Indy 500 ride: Danica Patrick said she is still looking for an opportunity to race in the Indianapolis 500 next season if she can get a competitive ride. “I’d like to if it’s with the right team,” Patrick said at Richmond International Raceway. “If it’s not, then there is no point for me. I feel like I’d still be able to get in a seat and get comfortable with the amount of practice time there is in Indy and have a shot to win the race. But again, if I don’t have a shot to win the race or feel like it’s a real opportunity, then I am not going to do it.” Patrick made seven Indy 500 starts, with a best finish of third in 2009 the highest ever finish for a woman in the field. She left IndyCar at the end of last year for NASCAR and is scheduled to run the full Sprint Cup season in 2013. In that Cup job with Stewart-Haas Racing, Patrick would be committed to run NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on the same day as the Indy 500. The last driver to run both races on the same day was Robby Gordon in 2003.(Richmond Times Dispatch)(9-8-2012)
- RCR considering Kurt Busch: The owner of Richard Childress Racing has discussed putting 2004 Sprint Cup champion Kurt Busch in a fourth car next season if sponsorship can be found. “I have talked to Kurt about running a full season with a fourth team if we had sponsorship,” Childress told ESPN.com on Friday at Richmond International Raceway. “He’s a very, very talented driver. I like Kurt. Kurt and I would get along. There’s just not a sponsor out there today that can fill a complete car.” Busch through a team public relations representative said he had nothing to add to Childress’ comments. Childress said he should know his entire driver lineup by mid-October. He plans to field three Sprint Cup teams with drivers Kevin Harvick, Paul Menard and Jeff Burton, as well as three Nationwide teams. Childress’ grandson Austin Dillon will drive one of the full-time Nationwide cars with grandson Ty Dillon driving 8-10 Nationwide races while running a full-time Truck Series schedule. “He and I would get along, and he would listen to me,” Childress said of Busch. “One thing he needs is somebody, when he does do wrong, to discuss how to handle it.” Busch has spent this season driving for underfunded and primarily unsponsored #51 Phoenix Racing. Phoenix Racing general manager Steve Barkdoll told ESPN.com recently that owner James Finch would welcome Busch back in 2013 if sponsorship was found.(ESPN)(9-8-2012)
- Petty to Chevy?: According to sources, principals from RPM met with Richard Childress Racing management earlier this week to discuss the possibility of becoming a satellite team similar to the relationship that the Welcome, N.C.-based organization has with #78 Furniture Row Racing. “No comment on anything because I don’t have a clue what’s going on,” Richard Petty said. “When we get everything squared away, we’ll talk to you. Other than that, there ain’t nothing. There ain’t nothing there ’til we bring something there, and right now we have nothing.” Sources say the move to Chevrolet would include technical support from the manufacturer in the form of sheet metal, wind tunnel time and engineering. Petty Enterprises last ran Pontiacs under the General Motors banner before switching to Dodge in 2001.(FoxSports)(9-8-2012)
- Hamlin going for triple repeat: #11-Denny Hamlin goes for his third consecutive Sprint Cup victory on Saturday at Richmond International Raceway. Hamlin has won twice at the track in 2009 and 2010. #48-Jimmie Johnson was the last driver won three Sprint Cup races in a row when he won four straight during the Chase in 2007 winning at Martinsville, Atlanta, Texas and Phoenix.(9-8-2012)
- Ambrose hopes to return to the #9 in 2013: #9-Marcos Ambrose admitted Thursday that his contract status remains unsettled for next season and beyond at Richard Petty Motorsports, which fields his #9 Ford. “Does that worry me? Yeah, that worries me a little bit,” Ambrose said. “I’ve had a pretty good season, and I want to be in NASCAR. I’m working with RPM. Hopefully I can be with them for a long time to come, but there is no guarantee. Obviously RPM has been through a lot this season, as they have the last few seasons. And I’m here to help them get to where they want to go, and hopefully it works out for me.” Sammy Johns, director of operations for RPM, recently said that the company is working hard to keep Ambrose and Aric Almirola, driver of the #43, in the fold for next season. But he admitted that there are other matters that must be determined, such as which manufacturer umbrella RPM will operate under. “We’ve got a lot of things in the works right now,” Johns said. Ambrose understands. He said he’s also very confident it all will work out and he will remain in the #9 car for RPM. “They’re telling me that they’re good for two cars. And I believe ’em,” Ambrose said. “I would love to drive one of them, but it’s a matter of making it all work. We’re hopefully going to get serious here soon and see how it all stacks up. But right now, we’re just going to focus on this Chase. We’ve all got good intentions to keep it all together, so I don’t see why it wouldn’t all work out.”(NASCAR.com)(9-8-2012)
- “Drive to End Hunger” pre-race at Richmond: The “Drive to End Hunger” pre-race will kick off the Federated Auto Parts 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Richmond International Raceway this Saturday. In addition to the fan-favorite driver introductions, fans will be treated to:
Recognition of United States Olympians and Virginians: LaShawn Merritt (two-time gold medalist), Kellie Wells (bronze medalist), Francena McCorory (gold medalist), Terrence Jennings (bronze medalist), and T’erea Brown
Flyover by VAW-124 E-2 Hawkeyes from Naval Station Norfolk
Patriotic music and National Anthem performed by the 29th Division Band with the Virginia Army National Guard
“God Bless America” sung by “The Singing Policeman,” Danny Rodriguez
Pledge of Allegiance led by U.S. Marine Sgt. John Peck and aforementioned Olympians
Parachute team with American flag
American flag unfurled on the frontstretch by Virginia Army National Guard
Henrico County Fire Department truck displaying an American flag on the frontstretch
All of this precedes one of the most anticipated races of the season, the Federated Auto Parts 400, which is “One Last Race to Make The Chase.” Once the checkered flag drops, the field will be set for the 2012 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. “We’re proud to be a sponsor of this exciting race at Richmond International Raceway as we cheer on Jeff Gordon, driver of the No. 24 Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports; while at the same time engage fans across NASCAR nation in the fight against older adult hunger, an issue that impacts nearly 9 million people age 50 and older,” said Jo Ann Jenkins, AARP Foundation president.
Since AARP and AARP Foundation launched Drive to End Hunger, the initiative has donated nearly 13 million meals and driven corporate and individual donor commitments with an expected value of $17 million.
NASCAR returns to Richmond International Raceway this weekend for the “One Last Race to Make The Chase” weekend, featuring the Federated Auto Parts 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. This is the final event before the field is set for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. You can experience the excitement with tickets starting at $50, which can be purchased by clicking here or calling 866-455-7223.(RIR)(9-8-2012)
News from September 7, 2012
- Earnhardt Jr. wins pole at Richmond: #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the Coors Light pole for the Federated Auto Parts 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Richmond International Raceway with a speed of 127.023mph for his 1st pole of 2012 and 11th career pole. Earnhardt Jr. has never won from the pole in 10 previous tries.
#24-Gordon will start 2nd followed by #78-Smith, #15-Bowyer, #48-Johnson, #55-Martin, #11-Hamlin, #20-Logano, #56-Truex, Jr. and #2-Keselwoski
The go-or-go homers who made the race (8): #98-McDowell, #30-Stremme, #87-Nemechek, #33-Leicht, #23-Riggs, #19-Bliss, #26-Wise and #91-Sorenson.
The go-or-go homers who failed to qualify for the race (2): #37-Yeley and #0-Green.
See qualifying results, starting lineup, pole progression and more on the Richmond Qualifying Page.(9-7-2012)
- Qualifying Fast Facts – Richmond:
#88- Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the Coors Light Pole Award for the 55th Annual Federated Auto Parts 400 with a lap of 21.256 seconds, 127.023 mph.
This is his 11th pole in 461 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.
This is his first pole and ninth top-10 start in 2012. His last pole came at the 2011 Daytona 500, 60 races ago.
This is his first pole in 27 races at Richmond International Raceway.
#24-Jeff Gordon (second) posted his 11th top-10 start of 2012 and his 30th in 40 races at Richmond International Raceway.
#78-Regan Smith (third) posted his second top-10 start at Richmond International Raceway. It is his seventh in 26 races this season.
(NASCAR Statistics)(9-7-2012)
- Pit Stall Selections: The selections of pit stalls for the Federated Auto Parts 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Richmond International Raceway have been made.
Pole sitter #88-Earnhardt Jr. chose pit stall 1 [as do most pole sitters].
Outside pole sitter #24-Gordon took pit stall 17, the 1st pitstall with an opening in front of it.
#78-Smith, who starts 3rd took the 30th pit stall, the 2nd pitstall with an opening in front of it.
The 43rd and final pit stall was taken by #47-Labonte, who starts 29th.
To see where the drivers/teams pit stall is, see the pit selection chart on the Pit Stall Selection chart.(9-7-2012)
- Coverage of Qualifying for the Federated Auto Parts 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Richmond International Raceway is scheduled for Friday, September 7, 2012 at 5:35pm/et.
Television (TV): ESPN2, 5:30pm/et
Scheduled Qualifying Re-Air: none
- Qualifying Order for the Federated Auto Parts 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Richmond International Raceway is posted. 45 cars/drivers are listed.
The first of the drivers scheduled to go out is #0-Green, slowest in practice.
The final driver scheduled to go out is #31-Burton, 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 Richmond Qualifying Page.(9-7-2012)
- Happy Hour practice for the Federated Auto Parts 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Richmond International Raceway is over, after 45 scheduled minutes, the top five, slowest and notes:
#99-Edwards 122.321
#48-Johnson 122.260
#31-Burton 121.869
#24-Gordon 121.797
#56-Truex Jr. 121.583
slowest: #0-Green 115.021 & #38-Gilliland 118.660
notes: The first practice set qualifying order with slowest going out first and fasftest going out last. Qualifying is scheduled to start at 5:35pm/et and be televised on ESPN2.
See speeds, best top-10 average and laps run on the Richmond Happy Hour practice speeds page (pdf).(9-7-2012)
- First Friday practice for the Federated Auto Parts 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Richmond International Raceway is over, after 110 scheduled minutes, the top five, slowest and notes:
#31-Burton 125.412
#88-Earhardt Jr. 125.313
#15-Bowyer 125.232
#22-Hornish Jr. 125.110
#29-Harvick 125.041
slowest: #0-Green 114.742 & #91-Sorenson 120.643
notes: The order for qualifying will be set by this practice with slowest going out first and fasftest going ou last. Qualifying is scheduled to start at 5:35pm/et and be televised on ESPN2.
See speeds, best top-10 average and laps run on the Richmond practice 1 speeds page (pdf).(9-7-2012)
- Go-or-Go Homers practice at Richmond: how fast/slow were the drivers who are not in the top-35 of owners points and must qualify by speed to make the Federated Auto Parts 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Richmond International Raceway , where they practiced in the first practice:
the eight drivers who would make the race if things stayed the same:
#19-Bliss, 24th fastest overall
#87-Nemechek, 28th
#98-McDowell, 29th
#26-Wise, 30th
#23-Riggs, 31st
#30-Stremme, 32nd
#33-Leicht, 40th
#37-Yeley, 43rd
the two drivers who would miss the race if things stayed the same:
#91-Sorenson, 44th
#0-Green, 45th/last
(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)
- Nemechek going for NASCAR start #1000: NEMCO Motorsports announced that #87-Joe Nemechek will be making his 1000th race start this weekend in Richmond, VA, if he qualifies for the Federated Auto Parts 400 Sprint Cup race. Nemechek is in good company, joining legends Ricky Rudd, Jeff Burton, Richard Petty and a select few who have made major milestones in NASCAR starts. Nemechek will log 1,000 starts including his Sprint, Nationwide and Truck racing starts. This Friday’s Nationwide Race for the Virginia 529 College Savings 250 will be his 999th start. When the NEMCO car sets out to qualify and run the 1000th race, AM FM Energy will be aboard as the primary sponsor. AM FM specializes in complete energy savings solutions with a variety of notable products such as their high quality line of Timber Ridge wood and pellet stoves. AM FM recently has added BBQ grills and tailgating accessories to their product line. The company can ship orders direct.(NEMCO)(9-7-2012)
- New Sprint Cup team to debut at RIR AND: Mark Green is entered in the #0 Blue Ox Toyota to be fielded by the SS Motorsports team. Not not is known about the team, but it is bases in Kannapolis, NC and per it’s facebook page which has been active since early 2011: “We will be using a combination of knowledge and experience to build a current COT cup car using used parts and chassis. We currently own several COT chassis and most of the necessary parts to build a complete car. Our short term goal is a test planned for early this summer.” The page shows some images of the car, which included Toyota’s from JTG Daughtery Motorsports and Michael Waltrip Racing. No idea of further plans for the team are posted. Steve Leicht, currently driving the #33 Chevy, tested the car in May 2012 at Caraway Speedway. The crew chief is Brad Smales and Pro Motors will supply the engine.(9-4-2012)
AND This will be Mark Green’s 4th attempt to make a Sprint Cup race. Green attempted to make three races for A.J. Foyt at Atlanta in Nov. 2001 [#41 Pontiac] and Charlotte and Martinsville in October 2003, but failed to qualify the #14 Dodge.(9-7-2012)
- Richmond Goodyear Tire Notes: Teams in both the NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series will run the same tire codes at Richmond this weekend . . . this is the same combination of left- and right-side tires that teams in both series ran at Richmond earlier this season . . . these teams ran this same tire set-up at both Richmond and New Hampshire last season . . . Sprint Cup teams also ran this left-side tire code with a different right-side code at Bristol two weeks ago . . . as on most NASCAR ovals one mile or less in length, teams will not run inner liners in their tires at Richmond. See tire codes, pressures, sets of tries and more on the Richmond Race Info page – Goodyear section.(9-7-2012)
- NASCAR Technical Bulletin Update: Rear-end suspension limits: NASCAR issued a technical bulletin Thursday, Sept. 6 that reconfirms the limits NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams can go in setting up their rear end suspensions in their race cars. Effective Sept. 12, the truck trailing arm front mounting bushing assemblies may be built to allow a maximum of � inch of total movement in one direction only. Truck trailing arm front mounting bushings must be designed to move freely throughout the � inch of approved travel. Previously approved front truck trailing arm bushing assemblies which allow more than � inch of movement or that do not move freely throughout the � inch travel will no longer be permitted for use in competition. Approved front truck trailing arm bushing assemblies must not be altered after being approved. Wheelbase, rear axle location (parallel), offset and rear axle housing alignment will be inspected both pre-race and post-race.
“This doesn’t change any rules that we’ve already had,” said John Darby, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Director. “It reconfirms how far teams can go with their rear suspension setups. Teams have found that with a car’s rear axle steer more is better as it helps with aero and gets the cars through the corners faster. We are just reminding the teams what the limitations are and that they cannot go past these limitations. We will likely address this further in our 2013 rule book.”(NASCAR)(9-7-2012)
- Newman re-signs with Stewart Haas UPDATES Ryan Newman has agreed to a one-year contract extension with Stewart-Haas Racing. The extension will ensure Newman is the driver of SHR’s #39 Chevy through the end of the 2013 season. Newman and SHR have been involved in negotiations for several weeks. An official announcement from the team could come as soon as this weekend.(Charlotte Observer)
UPDATE: Newman has agreed to a one-year deal to remain with the team, a Stewart-Haas Racing spokesman confirmed Thursday.(Sporting News)(9-6-2012)
UPDATE 2: Ryan Newman confirmed Thursday he has signed a contract extension with Stewart-Haas Racing for next season. Newman is in the final year of the deal he signed in 2009. The extension is a one-year agreement, and he said he took a cut in pay just as nearly every driver has of late. “I think in general everybody out there right now has taken a pay cut,” Newman said. “No different than the cost of a seat in the grandstands is down. It all correlates.” Newman said he isn’t aware of any signed sponsors for next season on his #39 Chevy. “I feel fairly confident that we’ll have good branding on the car,” he said. “I can’t sit here and say exactly who it is going to be and how it’s going to lay out and what race they’re going to be at. I can tell you this for sure – it’s going to be multiple sponsorships.”(Associated Press)(9-7-2012)
- #83 to carry special decal: Landon Cassill will have a special decal on his #83 Burger King / Dr Pepper Toyota at Richmond in remembrance of 9/11. A decal of the American flag with the words “Never Forget” will be on Cassill’s deck lid this weekend.(BK Racing/Breaking Limits), see an image of the decklid on the #83 Team Schemes page.(9-7-2012)
- Pursuit Channel/Mossy Oak to Sponsor Gilliland at Richmond: Front Row Motorsports will welcome yet another new partner to its NASCAR Sprint Cup Series program as David Gilliland will pilot the #38 Pursuit Channel / Mossy Oak Ford in the September 8 Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway. The sponsorship is fitting, as Pursuit Channel is in 38 million homes. Pursuit Channel’s goal is to create a network that is in touch with outdoor enthusiasts from all walks of life. Outdoor enthusiasts can find Pursuit on DIRECTV channel 604 and DISH channel 240. Rusty Faulk, CEO of Pursuit Channel is happy to be partnered with Front Row Motorsports. “NASCAR fans index strongly with our target audience,” said Faulk. David Gilliland is a tremendous racecar driver and representative for our brand. He appreciates the outdoors lifestyle. He enjoys hunting and fishing and is a personality our viewers can identify with at multiple levels. Mossy Oak is one of our strongest partners and we are happy we were able to team up with them on our program with Front Row Motorsports and David Gilliland.” Pursuit Channel is the only outdoor network delivered in satellite providers DISH and DIRECTV’s BASIC package, channels received by every subscriber regardless of their level of service. With a solid, growing portfolio of cable and high power TV stations, the network now reaches more than 38 million households.(Front Row Motorsports), see an image of the car on the #38 Team Schemes page.(9-7-2012)
- Race #200 for Kvapil: This weekend’s Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway will mark #93-Travis Kvapil’s 200th Sprint Cup Series start. The 2003 Truck Series champ got the call into the big leagues in October, 2004 when Roger Penske asked him to pilot the #06 car at Martinsville. Since then, he has gone on to capture six top-10 finishes and one pole. The #93 team has created a special decal to commemorate Kvapil’s 200th start. It will ride above the windows on Kvapil’s Burger King/Dr Pepper Toyota. The team will also carry a decal in remembrance of 9/11 on its deck lid. It has an image of an American flag with the words “Never Forget.”(BK Racing/Breaking Limits), see an image of the 200th decal and the decklid on the #93 Team Schemes page.(9-7-2012)
- Inc. Magazine & TMone to sponsor Reutimann at Richmond: TMone and Inc. Magazine will team up with Tommy Baldwin Racing (TBR) for the Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway. David Reutimann will pilot the #10 Inc. 5000 / @TMone 6-peat Chevy. The two companies will celebrate TMone’s sixth consecutive listing on the 2012 Inc. 5000 America’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies. Inc., the only major business media brand focused solely for CEOs of fast-growing, private companies, announced the 2012 Inc. 5000 in the September issue of the magazine. The list is a comprehensive look at the most important segment of the economyAmerica’s independent entrepreneurs. It debuted in 1981 as a ranking of the 100 fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. The following year, it expanded to the Inc. 500, and in 2007, the Inc. 5000 was inaugurated. TBR and TMone have collaborated for 13 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events this season. In addition to the 13 races with TBR, TMone has participated in all 24 races this season. Reutimann drove to TBR’s highest finish this season when he finished in 11th place in a TMone.com -backed Chevy in the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona.(TBR), see images of the scheme on the #10 Team Schemes page.(9-7-2012)
- EGR and the #1 team to host K9’s for Warriors at Richmond: Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (EGR) and #1 Bass Pro Shops/McDonald’s Chevy driver Jamie McMurray will host US Army veteran Justin Madore and his service dog Cody, at the Federated Auto Parts 400 on Saturday, Sept. 8 at Richmond International Raceway (RIR). Justin is a recipient of the K9’s for Warriors, an organization that provides service canines to returning veterans that suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or Traumatic Brain Injuries. Service canines are medically proven recovery aid for our warriors suffering from PTSD. Justin and Cody will also be introduced at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver/crew chief meeting at RIR.(EGR)(9-6-2012)
- #750 for Schrader: Ken Schrader, who ranks 10th on the all-time NSCS starts list, will make his 750th start on Saturday night in the #32 FAS Lane Racing Ford sponsored by Federated Auto Parts.(9-7-2012)
- Former Cup Team Owner to be awarded: The Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences voted to present Honorary Governor Award to stunt performer Hal Needham. The award will be presented at the Academy’s 4th Annual Governors Awards dinner on Saturday, December 1, at The Ray Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland Center. Hal Needham is a legendary stunt performer and coordinator who has worked on more than 300 feature films including “The Spirit of St. Louis,” “How the West Was Won,” “Blazing Saddles,” “Little Big Man” and “Chinatown.” A pioneer in improving stunt technology and safety procedures, Needham also co-founded Stunts Unlimited, and is known for mentoring young stunt performers. In 1986, the Academy presented Needham with a Scientific and Engineering Award for the design and development of the Shotmaker Elite camera car and crane, which allows filmmakers greater versatility in shooting action sequences. Needham made his directorial debut with “Smokey and the Bandit.” He went on to direct such features as “Hooper” and the “Cannonball Run” films.(oscars.org. Needham owned the #33 Skoal Bandit that Harry Gant drove from 1981-1988 winning 9 races. Other drivers included Stan Barrett, Morgan Shepherd and Rick Mast.(9-7-2012)
- FAS Lane Racing Tabs Owners Lifelong Friend to Drive at Loudon: Frank Stoddard and FAS Lane Racing announced that Two-Time NASCAR K&N; Pro Series East Champion Mike Olsen will pilot the team’s #32 Ford entry in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on September 23rd. The running of the Sylvania 300 will be a reunion of lifelong friends, Frank Stoddard and Olsen, who grew up together about 75 miles from the New Hampshire track in North Haverhill, NH. “Mike and I have been best friends since we were 3 or 4 years old,” stated FAS Lane Racing team owner Frank Stoddard. “While growing up in North Haverhill my goal in our high school yearbook was to be a Winston Cup crew chief and Mike’s was to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps – his grandfather was legendary racer Stub Fadden who won numerous track championships and over 200 race wins. For us to both have fulfilled those dreams and now be able to work together at the highest level of racing is pretty special. I know our mentor, Stub, will be watching down quite proudly of the two kids that he dragged around New England and Canada – now together again on the biggest stage in racing.” Stoddard and Olsen spent years working, traveling and racing side by side. They first worked together for Fadden, until Olsen split and started competing at the same level as his legendary grandfather. Stoddard and Olsen were still together, however, driving tandem up and down the East Coast and turning wrenches side by side for their own respective teams. Although the two have chosen different career paths, the two friends’ path will intersect again when they team up in New Hampshire later this month. The Stoddard/Olsen combination will be the first New Hampshire born driver and car owner/crew chief to ever compete together at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.(Integrity Sports Marketing/FAS Lane Racing)(9-7-2012)
- Romney to stop at RIR on Saturday: Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney will attend Saturday night’s Sprint Cup race at Richmond International Raceway, NASCAR confirmed on Friday. Officials said Romney will give the command to start the race in some form. He also is expected to participate in pre-race activities such as driver introductions, and possibly a few fan-related events. Romney will be in the state earlier in the day for an appearance in Virginia Beach. His presence is not expected to impact traffic flow at RIR. While there will be additional security at the track, fans will not be required to go through additional security checks.(ESPN)(9-7-2012)
- Experience Friday’s RIR On-Track Activity from Pit Road: Richmond International Raceway is bringing you closer to the action than ever before with Friday Pre-Race Pit Passes prior to the upcoming Virginia 529 College Savings 250 NASCAR Nationwide Series race on Friday, September 7. You can watch NASCAR pole qualifying and practice from the perspective of a NASCAR crew member and see the stock cars from just a few feet away as they rumble down pit road, giving you an unforgettable experience of the sights and sounds that only NASCAR can produce. Individual Friday Pre-Race Pit Passes, $55 per person, are the only way fans can gain access to pit road this season. Friday Pre-Race Pit Passes are available online by clicking here or calling 866-455-7223.
Friday’s events include Gatorade Pole Qualifying and practice for the Sprint Cup Series, as well as WRIC-TV8 Pole Qualifying and practice for the Nationwide Series. In order to purchase the Friday Pre-Race Pit Pass, you must have a ticket for the September 7, Virginia 529 College Savings 250 NASCAR Nationwide Series race. Pre-Race Pit Passes are limited to guests 16 years of age and older. Parent or guardian must sign waivers for and accompany children under 18 who are utilizing Pre-Race Pit Passes.
Again this year, shorts, short-sleeve or sleeveless shirts and blouses and open-toed shoes are permitted. Shoes, shirts and pants or shorts, dresses and/or skirts and blouses are required. No alcohol or coolers are permitted in the infield. To purchase tickets for the September 7, Virginia 529 College Savings 250 NASCAR Nationwide Series race and Pre-Race Pit Passes, click here and be sure to “add race day activities” or call 866-455-7223. Friday’s tickets start at $35 and children 12 and under are admitted free with a ticketed adult in general admission.(RIR)(9-7-2012)
- Eagles Legend Brian Dawkins to Serve as “AAA 400” Grand Marshal: Philadelphia Eagles legend and fan favorite, Brian Dawkins, will be honored as the Grand Marshal of the AAA 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, on September 30 at the Dover International Speedway. The former Pro Bowl safety will say the most famous words in motorsports, “Drivers start your engines,” to bring 43 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series engines to life before heading to Philadelphia where the Eagles will retire Dawkins’ No. 20 during the nationally televised Sunday night showdown against the New York Giants.
AAA teamed up with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2007 and Brian Dawkins was selected to personify AAA’s reputation of reliable protection. In April 2012, Dawkins announced his retirement, as a Philadelphia Eagle, after 16 NFL seasons, 13 of which were with the Eagles. The planned activities for September 30 will serve as the re-launch of the brand ambassador and endorsement relationship between Dawkins and AAA.
Dawkins will tackle a full day of festivities as he attends his first ever NASCAR race. His day will start at Dover International Speedway as a guest of AAA Mid-Atlantic, the track and Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR). AAA Mid-Atlantic is the Official Travel, Roadside Assistance and Insurance Partner of MWR and Dover International Speedway. Additionally, AAA sponsors Martin Truex, Jr.’s #56 and the entire Michael Waltrip Racing team. During the AAA 400, Truex will be wearing a specially designed helmet to honor Dawkins 16-year NFL career. Before the race, Dawkins will tour the garage area, meet with Truex, Jr. and his crew, be introduced at the drivers’ meeting, have an opportunity to interact with fans and take a lap around the Monster Mile prior to the green flag.
AAA and their sports marketing agency of record, Aquarius Sports & Entertainment, began planning the events for September 30 upon the release of the 2012 NFL schedule and the decision by the Eagles organization to retire Dawkins’ jersey on the same day as the AAA 400. The close proximity of Dover International Speedway and Lincoln Financial Field provides the opportunity to leverage AAA’s assets as part of the AAA 400 entitlement, Michael Waltrip Racing and Philadelphia Eagles sponsorships and endorsement relationship with Dawkins.
“I’m excited to be honored by the Philadelphia Eagles organization and have the opportunity to partner, once again, with AAA,” Dawkins said “The ability to have this all done in such a unique way by tying in AAA’s racing partnerships to begin the day is really something special. I have never been a Grand Marshal at a NASCAR race and I am looking forward to giving the ‘start your engines’ command at the AAA 400.”(Dover International Speedway)(9-7-2012)
- 2013 Pocono Raceway Tickets Now on Sale: Pocono Raceway announced 2013 Grandstand tickets to the June 7-9 Pocono 400 and August 2-4 Pennsylvania 400 race weekends are now available for purchase. Grandstand ticket prices for the 2013 season at “The Tricky Triangle” remain the same as they were in 2012. Sunday Grandstand tickets start at $45, all Concourse Grandstand tickets remain at half-price for kids ages 12 and under. Friday and Saturday General Admission tickets cost $10 and $20 ($25 at the gate), respectively. Children, ages 12 and under, accompanied by an adult holding a General Admission ticket will be admitted free on Friday and Saturday. This marks the initial release of select Grandstand tickets for the 2013 NASCAR race weekends at Pocono Raceway. Additional tickets will be released following the Raceway’s customer renewal process. Available tickets can be purchased by contacting Pocono Raceway’s ticket office at 1-800-RACEWAY (1-800-722-3929) or by ordering them online at www.poconoraceway.com.(Pocono Raceway)(9-7-2012)
News from September 6, 2012
- Penske plans to keep Hornish in 2013: in part from a Penske Racing Media Teleconference featuring Joey Logano and Tim Cindric:
It was announced yesterday that Joey Logano will join the Penske Racing organization in 2013 as he will begin a multi-year agreement to drive the #22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Joey will join Brad Keselowski and the #2 Miller Lite Ford team to form a potent Cup Series combination for Penske Racing next season. One of the media questions for Penske Racing president Tim Cindric was about the future of Sam Hornish Jr., currently the full-time driver for Penske Racing in the Nationwide Series and in the #22 Sprint Cup Series ride.
Q.) Tim, where does this leave Sam (Hornish Jr.) with Penske Racing and plans for the future?
TIM CINDRIC: Obviously Sam has done a great job for us, picking up where we needed to go from Daytona onwards. I think we continue to see him grow in his abilities as a Cup driver, working with (crew chief) Todd Gordon and the guys. I think you saw that this weekend at Atlanta. I think we’ll continue to move that forward. He’s going to continue to drive the 22 car for the remainder of the year. We’ve continued to work on putting a Cup program together for Sam; we just haven’t been able to close that process yet. I foresee Sam driving for us a full season Nationwide next year and hopefully some Cup races, as well.
Q.) Sam’s future, is it possible you could put together a third Sprint Cup car for him next year?
TIM CINDRIC: That would certainly be our first preference, a third full-time Cup car. It’s pretty late in the season. The potential we had for that in terms of sponsorship, they haven’t come to fruition yet. I think you’ll see him in a couple (Cup) races for sure. We haven’t been able to build on that. We haven’t been able to get more than a couple races at this time. As far as a full season Nationwide, that’s what I envision happening for sure.(Penske Racing Media Conference)(9-6-2012)
- No plans to for Logano to move to the #22 before 2013: in part from a Penske Racing Media Teleconference featuring Joey Logano and Tim Cindric, one of the questions was about the possibility of Joey Logano moving to the #22 Penske Racing Dodge before the 2012 season ends, if Logano fails to make the Chase:
Q.) J.D. Gibbs said yesterday that he didn’t think there would be (a chance) that Joey would get in the 22 car at all this year. I’m curious if Joey didn’t make the Chase whether you would try to make that happen?
TIM CINDRIC: It’s not something we’ve really even considered. I think I’d probably have to agree with J.D. It would be a pretty complicated situation. I think all of our sights are set on starting 2013 fresh in Daytona. Obviously we’re making the move to Ford, so we have a lot of things that are going to be different in terms of 2013. We have a consistent group in Paul Wolfe and Brad. We can keep the consistency. Hopefully we’re talking about a championship at that point in time, as well.(Penske Racing Media Conference)(9-6-2012)
- #27 team penalty appeal date/time set UPDATE: The date and time to hear the Richard Childress Racing appeal of penalties to #27-Paul Menard’s NASCAR Sprint Cup team has been set. The appeal will be held on Monday, Sept. 10 at 2:00pm/et. RCR’s appeal allows the team members to continue to work at the track until the hearing. If the penalty is upheld, the suspensions will begin at that time (FoxSports). More info about the penalty and other penalties, see my 2012 Penalties page.(9-1-2012)
UPDATE: Richard Childress Racing will appeal the six-week suspension of Craig Smokstad (car chief for Paul Menard’s #27 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series car) and Grant Hutchens (crew member for the #27 car), the team has informed NASCAR. RCR will not appeal the $100,000 fine and six-week suspension of crew chief Slugger Labbe, and it will not appeal the loss of 25 championship driver and 25 championship owner points, according to NASCAR. Menard’s car was taken back to NASCAR’s research and development center after last month’s race at Michigan. NASCAR said the frame rails had been intentionally modified in an effort to deceive inspectors. The appeal is scheduled for Monday at the NASCAR Research and Development Center.(AP/ESPN/NASCAR)(9-6-2012)
News from September 5, 2012
- Congrats – Aric Almirola: Richard Petty Motorsports driver $43-Aric Almirola and wife Janice welcomed a baby boy, Alex, on Tuesday.(9-5-2012)
- Atlanta TV Ratings: ESPN’s live telecast of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Sunday night, Sept. 2, earned a 3.9 household coverage rating (3.4 U.S. rating), averaging 5,557,932 viewers, according to the Nielsen Company. Last year’s race was weather-delayed and run on a Tuesday, but the rating is even with the 3.9 earned when the race was run and telecast as scheduled in 2010.(ESPN), see past 2012 races, 4-year comparison chart and past news on the 2012 TV Ratings page.(9-5-2012)
- Denny Hamlin Featured in New ESPN NASCAR Commercial: After winning his second consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, #11-Denny Hamlin hit the airwaves in a different way this week as the star of a new NASCAR promotional commercial airing across ESPN networks. Hamlin, who will compete in Saturday night’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race at his home track in Richmond in an event that will air live on ABC, is featured in the fourth and final spot in ESPN’s humorous “Nothing Beats First Place” marketing campaign that was launched in mid-July. Drivers Jimmie Johnson, Carl Edwards and Brad Keselowski were featured in the previous three spots. In the new spot, Hamlin endures several painful episodes, including pulling on a wool sweater over a massive sunburn and finding out his favorite Mexican restaurant has become a year-round Christmas store, but finds that none are worse than losing on the racetrack. Wieden + Kennedy New York is the creative agency for the campaign. To preview the spot goto to ESPN’s YouTube page.(ESPN)(9-5-2012)
- Mayfield vows to return to racing: Former NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield was in Catawba County Superior Court on Tuesday but his case was continued until Dec. 3. But standing outside of a Catawba County courtroom on Tuesday, Mayfield maintains he’s not guilty of the charges and plans to fight the charges and get back into some type of racing. “That’s what I would like to do,” Mayfield said. He said he might get into drag racing and maybe run a few dirt races. Mayfield said he’s ready to start a new chapter of his life. “We’re just trying to get all this behind us and move forward,” Mayfield said speaking of him and his wife, Shana. He said he and his wife are doing well. Back in May, Shana Mayfield filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, allowing the couple to remain in their home. Mayfield said he’s been doing some consulting work with a couple of race teams but he would not say who the teams are, only that they are friends. Mayfield said he’s also working on a partnership with another man to start a precious metals recycling business. He has court date Monday in Caldwell County on felony larceny charges. Mayfield also has a date for Iredell County Superior Court on Sept. 17 for charges of felony breaking and entering, felony larceny after breaking and entering, felony breaking and entering trailer/aircraft and felony larceny. Mayfield was suspended from NASCAR in May 2009 when he tested positive for methamphetamine, something he denies. He maintains the results of the drug test were due to the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder drug Adderall and the allergy drug Claritin-D.(Hickory Daily Record)(9-5-2012)
- #38 crewman OK after lift gate accident: Aaron Pierrat, gasman of the #38 Front Row Motorsports NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team of David Gilliland, suffered a fall while loading the car onto the hauler after Sunday’s Advocare 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. He was alert and responsive throughout the initial on-site evaluation by the emergency response team, and was taken to the hospital for further examination. He was released early Monday morning and x-rays revealed that his back and hip were not broken during the fall. He is back at his home in North Carolina, where he is resting and will undergo further assessment this week.(Front Row Motorsports Facebook)(9-5-2012)
- Race and Commercial Breakdown of the 2012 AdvoCare 500: For those NASCAR fans that like stats and love to hate commercials, here is the breakdown for Sunday’s race. Bagan recording the times at the Invocation of the race at 7:31 PM, and stopped at the waving of the checkered flag at 11:24 PM (all times are EST). Did not keep records for the pre- and post-race coverage. ESPN was the broadcast team for this event.
Number of traditional commercials (not split-screen): 134
Total number of companies or entities advertised: 79
Number of ‘Side-by-Side’ commercials during race broadcast (split-screen): 0
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. 10 sec.
Start time to record race/commercial periods: 7:31 PM
End time to record race/commercial periods: 11:24 PM
Total minutes of complete broadcast: 233
Minutes of race broadcast: 174
Minutes of traditional commercials (not split-screen): 59
Minutes of ‘Side-by-Side’ commercials (split-screen): 0
Number of missed restarts: 0
Number of ‘mystery cautions’ (debris not shown): 2
Total race brdcst time 174 Total comm. brdcst time 59
See past races, links and more on the 2012 NASCAR Television Commercial News page.(9-5-2012)
- Lowe’s to donate $133,000 to Red Cross: Lowe’s announced it will donate $133,966 to support American Red Cross relief efforts in response to Hurricane Isaac. As part of Lowe’s Racing for Relief program, Lowe’s matched the earnings of five-time Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson from Sunday’s NASCAR race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Johnson and Hendrick Motorsports together will donate an additional $48,000 to the Red Cross. The donations will help provide food, shelter, emotional support and other assistance to those affected by Hurricane Isaac. In addition, Lowe’s stores throughout the United States are accepting donations to the Red Cross at every register. Since partnering with the Red Cross in 1999, Lowe’s and its customers have contributed more than $23 million for disaster relief. To date, Racing for Relief has raised more than $750,000. In addition to Racing for Relief and Lowe’s customer donation program, Lowe’s Heroes will continue to distribute critically needed relief supplies and work alongside The First Response Team of America as it responds to Hurricane Isaac. In June, Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation awarded a $250,000 grant to the First Response Team, a nonprofit organization dedicated to working with local agencies to help save lives following natural disasters. To join Lowe’s in its disaster relief efforts, make a donation to the American Red Cross at your nearest Lowe’s store or at Lowe’s American Red Cross Online Donation Site. Donors also can text REDCROSS to 90999 or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).(HMS)(9-5-2012)
- Chevrolet Donates $6200 to American Cancer Society: Thirty-one caution laps in Sunday night’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Advocare 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway netted a donation of $6,200 to the American Cancer Society on behalf of Chevrolet. Chevy pledged to make a donation to the American Cancer Society in the amount of $200 for every caution lap that the specially themed ‘Making Strides Against Breast Cancer’ pink Camaro SS paced the field during Sunday night’s race at AMS. Six caution flags produced the 31 laps during the 327-lap event on September 2, 2012.(Team Chevy)(9-5-2012)
News from September 4, 2012
- It’s Official – Joe Logano signs with Penske Racing: Penske Racing announced that Joey Logano will join the team in 2013. He will drive the #22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Logano, 22, a two-time Sprint Cup Series winner who is currently competing in his fourth full season, will begin a multi-year agreement with Penske Racing. “I am very excited to join Penske Racing and begin the next phase of my career,” said Logano. “I am looking forward to the opportunity as it will be an honor to drive for Roger Penske and race for wins and championships. I am also proud to represent Shell-Pennzoil as they are a respected global brand that does a great job of activating in the sport on and off the track.”
“Joey Logano is a very talented driver who has already achieved a lot of success at a young age,” said Tim Cindric, President of Penske Racing. “Joey is a great fit for our organization and we look forward to building on his success as he takes his place behind the wheel of the #22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford.”
“We welcome Joey Logano to the Shell-Pennzoil team, and we know he will do a great job representing our brands and Penske Racing in 2013 and beyond,” said Lisa Davis, president, Shell Lubricants Americas. “Joey is clearly a special talent on the race track, and we look forward to working with him off the track as well.”
Logano will join Brad Keselowski, a three-time race winner and championship contender in 2012, and the #2 Miller Lite Ford team to form a potent combination for Penske Racing in the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.(Penske Racing)(9-4-2012
AND “We welcome Joey to the Penske Ford program next season,” said Jamie Allison, director, Ford Racing. “Joey is a proven winner in NASCAR, and we think he, along with Brad, will give the Penske-Ford team a strong 1-2 punch to win races and help us win the manufacturers’ championship. Joey now adds to our young lineup of Ford NASCAR drivers for the future, complementing the veteran, championship-battle tested drivers we have in our program right now. It’s a great mix of Ford Racing drivers that we believe give us a strong outreach to the passionate fan base and a great opportunity to win NASCAR championships for many years to come.”(Ford Racing)(9-4-2012)
- It’s Official – Matt Kenseth signs with Joe Gibbs Racing: Joe Gibbs Racing announced that 2003 NASCAR Cup Series Champion and two-time Daytona 500 winner, Matt Kenseth, has signed with the team to drive the #20 Toyota Camry with sponsorship from Dollar General and The Home Depot starting in 2013. “We are thrilled to be able to officially announce Matt will join Joe Gibbs Racing starting at the conclusion of this season,” said Joe Gibbs, owner of Joe Gibbs Racing. “Everyone knows what he has accomplished in our sport as a champion and a consistent winner. He is well respected in the garage and his experience and knowledge will be extremely beneficial to our entire organization, especially Denny and Kyle.” Kenseth is currently third in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series point standings with a win, nine top-five and 14 top-ten finishes thus far this season. Over the course of his career he has won a total of 22 Cup races while earning 122 top-five and 223 top-ten finishes.
“I’m excited to announce what the next chapter in my career will be,” said Kenseth. “I remain totally committed to this season and working with my current team toward a championship and having this settled will only help my focus. JGR is an impressive organization with tremendous leadership and strong support from sponsors like Dollar General and The Home Depot. I’m very fortunate to have the opportunity to move from one great situation into another starting in 2013.”(JGR), Gibbs also said during the press conference that Jason Ratcliff would remain as the crew chief for the #20 team.(9-4-2012)
- 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)
- The Entry List for the Federated Auto Parts 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Richmond International Raceway is posted, 45 teams/drivers [for 43 spots] are listed, including:
Schrader is back in the #32; Reutimann is back in the #10.
Not in top 35 of owners points:
#0-Mark Green (none/0)
#19-Mike Bliss (45/19)
#23-Scott Riggs (44/23)
#26-Josh Wise (41/25)
#30-David Stremme (38/25)
#33-Stephen Leicht (37/25)
#37-J.J. Yeley (50/10)
#87-Joe Nemechek (42/25)
#91-Reed Sorenson (54/8)
#98-Michael McDowell (40/25)
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]: # 37,0
See the full entry list at my Jayski’s Richmond Entry List
- New Sprint Cup team to debut at RIR: Mark Green is entered in the #0 Blue Ox Toyota to be fielded by the SS Motorsports team. Not not is known about the team, but it is bases in Kannapolis, NC and per it’s facebook page which has been active since early 2011: “We will be using a combination of knowledge and experience to build a current COT cup car using used parts and chassis. We currently own several COT chassis and most of the necessary parts to build a complete car. Our short term goal is a test planned for early this summer.” The page shows some images of the car, which included Toyota’s from JTG Daughtery Motorsports and Michael Waltrip Racing. No idea of further plans for the team are posted. Steve Leicht, currently driving the #33 Chevy, tested the car in May 2012 at Caraway Speedway. No crew chief is currently listed for the team.(9-4-2012)
- Penske still considering Hornish for #22 ride UPDATE: NASCAR team owner Roger Penske said Sam Hornish Jr. will have a place in his driver lineup in 2013. But whether that is in Penske’s much-discussed #22 car in Sprint Cup, in a third Cup car or in a Nationwide Series car has yet to be determined. “At the end of the day, no matter how we end up, Sam’s going to have a ride with us in 2013,” Penske told USA TODAY Sports before Sunday’s Izod IndyCar Series race in downtown Baltimore. Sunday night’s Advocare 500 will mark Hornish’s eighth Cup race in the #22 since A.J. Allmendinger was removed (and subsequently fired) for a positive drug test. Hornish has produced a best Cup finish of fifth at Watkins Glen International while continuing his quest toward a Nationwide championship in Penske’s No. 12 (he ranks third in the standings). “He’s getting better and better. He’s got a lot more confidence,” Penske said. “I think he’s getting more respect on the racetrack, which you need. He’s done a great job, coming in like he has.” Joey Logano has been rumored to be the leading candidate for the #22, and Penske has said he’d like to announce something before the Chase for the Sprint Cup opener Sept. 16 at Chicagoland Speedway. “We’re close,” he said Sunday.(USA Today)(9-3-2012)
UPDATE: Joey Logano, who has spent his entire NASCAR career with Joe Gibbs Racing and has six Nationwide wins and one in Sprint Cup this season, will move to Penske Racing to drive its #22 Ford in 2013. An official announcement of Logano’s move to Penske could come as early as Tuesday as well, multiple sources confirmed. A request for comment from Penske Racing was not returned Monday.(Charlotte Observer)(9-4-2012)
- JGR to announce Kenseth as driver next week? UPDATE: Joe Gibbs Racing plans to announce next Tuesday [Sept. 4th] that Matt Kenseth will be its newest driver beginning in 2013. The 2003 Sprint Cup champion will take over the #20 team driven by Joey Logano with Home Depot as his primary sponsor. JGR president J.D. Gibbs said on Saturday at Bristol Motor Speedway he still held out hope of re-signing Logano and adding a fourth team if sponsorship can be found. Logano is not expected to be a part of Tuesday’s press conference. Logano also is a candidate for the #22 Cup team at Penske Racing. He recently said he was not interesting in a part-time Cup ride and full-time Nationwide Series ride that was one of his options at JGR. “He was OK with that until another opportunity came up,” Gibbs said of Logano.(ESPN)(8-29-2012)
UPDATE: Joe Gibbs Racing will hold a press conference to announce Matt Kenseth as the driver of the #20 Toyota on Tuesday afternoon, September 4, 2012.(9-4-2012)
- Facts and Notes Richmond International Raceway:
” Originally known as the Atlantic Rural Exposition Fairgrounds, Richmond International Raceway held its first race in 1946 as a half-mile dirt track.
” The first NASCAR Sprint Cup race was April 19, 1953.
” The spring 1964 race was run on a Tuesday night under temporary lighting.
” The track name changed to Virginia State Fairgrounds in 1967.
” The track surface was changed from dirt to asphalt between races in 1968.
” The track name changed to Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway in 1969.
” The track was re-measured to .542-mile for 1970.
” The track was rebuilt as a three-quarters-mile D-shaped oval following the Feb. 21, 1988 race.
” The first race under permanent lights was Sept. 7, 1991.
” The first season with both races as night races was 1999.
” There have been 112 NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Richmond since the track opened in 1953.
” The current 400-lap race length was established on the .542-mile measurement in March 1976.
” Buck Baker won the pole in 1953.
” Lee Petty won the first race in April 1953.
” There have been 50 different pole winners, led by Bobby Allison and Richard Petty (eight).
” Jeff Gordon and Mark Martin lead all active drivers with five poles each.
” 47 different drivers have posted victories at Richmond, led by Richard Petty (13).
” Kyle Busch leads all active race winners with four.
” Petty Enterprises has won 15 races at Richmond, more than any other team. Hendrick Motorsports has the second most wins with 10.
” 63 of 112 races have been won from the top five starting positions, including 22 from the pole.
” The last driver to win from the pole was Kyle Busch on May 1, 2010.
” The furthest back in the field a race winner has started was 31st, by Clint Bowyer in the 2008 spring race.
” Joe Gibbs Racing drivers Kyle Busch (4.7), Denny Hamlin (7.3) are the only active drivers with an average finish in the top 10.
” Kyle Petty became the first third-generation NASCAR race winner when he won his first race at Richmond, on Feb. 23, 1986. Richard Petty posted his first Richmond victory in 1961 and Lee Petty won the very first Richmond race in 1953.
” Three of the last five races have had a margin of victory less than one second.
� Four drivers have come from outside the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup cut-off to make the Chase at Richmond:
” Jeremy Mayfield in 2004 made up a 55-point deficit
” Ryan Newman in 2005 made up a one-point deficit
” Kasey Kahne in 2006 made up a 30-point deficit
” Brian Vickers in 2009 made up a 20-point deficit
” Brad Keselowski and Denny Hamlin are the two drivers that clinched the Wild Card in 2011 to make the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.(NASCAR)(9-4-2012)
- Drivers absent of top-5’s and top-10’s: Three drivers have run ALL 25 races in 2012 but do not have a top-ten finish: #13-Mears, #38-Gilliland and #83-Cassill. Ten drivers do not have a top-five finish: the three without a top-ten and the following seven drivers: #1-McMurray, #27-Menard, #34-Ragan, #42-Montoya, #43-Almirola, #47-Labonte and #78-Smith.(9-4-2012)
- NASCAR-themed reality TV show planned: The VH1 cable network has recruited a number of current and former NASCAR wives to talk about their husbands, lives and careers as part of a new, NASCAR-themed reality TV show. While divulging few actual details of the project, Influence Entertainment Group producer LT Tottle confirmed today that her company is working on a new, NASCAR-themed reality program. “On the record, all I can tell you is that there is a project in the works,” said Tottle today, adding that negotiations are ongoing with the VH-1 to select a title and decide how many episodes will be produced. “We have about eight different (show) names to choose from,” she said. “We think one thing and the network thinks another. As of now, we’re calling it, `Women Filming.’ We want to have the show up and airing — if not this fall — by the beginning of 2013.” She declined to name any of the show’s subjects, but said she has, “approximately 10 women” committed to the project, including some current wives of NASCAR drivers. She confirmed that scenes have already been shot at an undisclosed location outside the Charlotte, NC, area. “I’d call (our roster) a combination of current and former spouses of NASCAR drivers,” said VH1’s Tottle. “I have a lot of friends from the sport, and we got together to put together a reality show and see how it works.” While she has not spoken with NASCAR or informed them of the project, Tottle said she expects the sanctioning body’s reaction to be “really good. I have no intention of painting anything other than the positives of the sport,” she said. “I don’t think it’s going to portray anything other than that. I know it’ll be very positive.”(Godfather Motorsports)(9-4-2012)
News from September 3, 2012
- Penske still considering Hornish for #22 ride: NASCAR team owner Roger Penske said Sam Hornish Jr. will have a place in his driver lineup in 2013. But whether that is in Penske’s much-discussed #22 car in Sprint Cup, in a third Cup car or in a Nationwide Series car has yet to be determined. “At the end of the day, no matter how we end up, Sam’s going to have a ride with us in 2013,” Penske told USA TODAY Sports before Sunday’s Izod IndyCar Series race in downtown Baltimore. Sunday night’s Advocare 500 will mark Hornish’s eighth Cup race in the #22 since A.J. Allmendinger was removed (and subsequently fired) for a positive drug test. Hornish has produced a best Cup finish of fifth at Watkins Glen International while continuing his quest toward a Nationwide championship in Penske’s No. 12 (he ranks third in the standings). “He’s getting better and better. He’s got a lot more confidence,” Penske said. “I think he’s getting more respect on the racetrack, which you need. He’s done a great job, coming in like he has.” Joey Logano has been rumored to be the leading candidate for the #22, and Penske has said he’d like to announce something before the Chase for the Sprint Cup opener Sept. 16 at Chicagoland Speedway. “We’re close,” he said Sunday.(USA Today)(9-3-2012)
- Gordon and the Aflac Cancer Center Kick-It for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month:September is an important month in the childhood cancer community. It recognizes the patients, survivors and fighters who fall victim to pediatric cancer. Jeff Gordon, Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation and Kick-It have honored this special month by hosting a kickball game at Atlanta Motor Speedway. On the front stretch of Turn 4, Gordon alongside team captains Jeff Gluck and Nate Ryan rallied their kickball teams with media personalities and pediatric cancer patients and/or survivors from the Aflac Cancer Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Fans from the grandstands watched as their favorite team launched the kickball into the field and ran the bases for a win. “I feel honored to have survivors and patients from the Aflac Cancer Center here with me today. We are going to have fun, play kickball and most importantly kick kids cancer,” said Gordon. This past June, Gordon challenged supporters and fans to hold as many kickball games as possible the month of September with the promise that he would match all funds raised from games played. “This is a devastating disease for not only the children affected but for the families,” Gordon said. “We need to further research to ultimately find a cure. We hope through our Kick-It program we can raise enough funds to reach that goal.” To learn more about the Childhood Cancer Awareness month and our Kick-It program visit www.jeffgordonchildrensfoundation.org.(JGCF)(9-3-2012)
- Seven inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame: A strong and energetic contingent of friends, family, fellow legends and motorsports and automotive industry insiders converged in downtown Detroit Wednesday night to usher an illustrious group of seven motorsports icons representing the Class of 2012 into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America at the organization’s 24th Annual Induction Ceremony at the historic Fillmore Theater. The accomplished Class of 2012 includes event attendees Ed Pink (Drag Racing), Derek Bell (Sports Cars) and Ricky Johnson (Motorcycles) who were joined by friends and family members that touchingly memorialized and enshrined deceased inductees Pop Dreyer (Historic), Neil Bonnett (Stock Cars) and Vic Edelbrock, Sr. (At Large). Inductee Danny Sullivan (Indy Cars) was forced to miss the event after an unexpected schedule change kept him in England on a television shoot, but he was capably represented by AutoWeek Editor and Associate Publisher Dutch Mandel who both inducted and accepted the honor for his friend and the 1985 Indianapolis 500 winner.
The evening moved off to an appropriate start with a keynote address by Honorary Chairman Jim Campbell, General Motors Vice President Performance Vehicles and Motorsports. In addition to respectfully acknowledging the achievements and contributions of the other well-known manufacturers represented at the event, Campbell focused on the Chevrolet brand’s important role in motorsports history, as well as its particular presence in the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America.
Five-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion Jimmie Johnson inducted AMA Supercross and Motocross legend Ricky Johnson. Although unrelated, the two remain close friends today from their youthful California off-road racing days that launched both to stardom.(MSHFA)(9-3-2012)
- More changes coming to Bristol?: Bruton Smith, chairman and CEO of Speedway Motorsports Inc., has been weighing feedback from fans and is considering additional changes to the racing surface at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway, one of SMI’s marquee properties. Smith, who joined fans in a town-hall-style meeting on Saturday, is considering “tweaking the surface a little bit after watching the replay several more times.” Disappointed with attendance at the March race at the .533-mile short track, Smith commissioned a seven-figure grinding project that shaved two degrees of banking from the top lane of the concrete track. Far from eliminating the outside groove as a racing option, the top of the track became the fast way around as the third lane rubbered in. The result was an action-filled race that was well received by a broad consensus of competitors and fans alike. Smith has yet to provide specifics about what additional changes he might consider.(NASCAR Wire Service)(9-3-2012)
News from September 2, 2012
- Hamlin wins at Atlanta: #11-Denny Hamlin won the AdvoCare 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway for his 4th win of year [the most in the series this season] and 21st career win. Hamlin is the first back-to-back winner of the 2012 season. It is also the 201st win for the car #11, the most all time, now 3 wins over the #43 car.
The race was won under a green-white-checkered finish after a late caution on lap 320. #56-Truex Jr. has a 2.6 second lead over #24-Gordon when the caution came out, but Hamlin won the race off pit road and Hamlin won and Truex Jr. spun his tires and finished 4th.
#24-Gordon finished 2nd followed by #2-Keselowski, #56-Truex Jr., #29-Harvick, #18-Busch, #88-Earnhardt Jr., #27-Menard, #17-Kenseth and #55-Martin.
#10-Danica Patrick finished 29th, tying her career best in her fifth Sprint Cup race of the season.
The points leader, #16-Biffle, struggled and finished 15th, but keeps the points lead, now down to 7 points over #88-Earnhardt Jr.
The top nine in points are all locked in the Chase for the Sprint Cup. 10th in points, #14-Stewart, clinched at least a wild card spot. So at Richmond nest weekend, two spots are up for grabs, either two wildcard spots or 10th and one wildcard spot.
#14-Stewart, the pole winner, led the first 8 laps, then fell back and finished 22nd, down a lap.
There were 6 cautions for 31 yellow flag laps. There were 18 lead changes among 7 drivers. The average speed was 142.020mph.
The estimated attendance was 90,300 which is up from last years 87,600 which was the crowd on Sunday last year but the race was postponed until Tuesday, which ran in front of a crowd of 29,700.
See race results, awards, money won, laps led, cautions and more on the Atlanta Race Results page (pdf) and the official race and points rundown on the Official Race & Points Report.(9-2/3-2012)
- 2012 Sprint Cup Driver Championship Points Standings:
[after Atlanta, race 25 of 36]
1) #16-Greg Biffle [2 wins], 879, +128 over 11th
2) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. [1 win], 871, -8, +120
3) #17-Matt Kenseth [1 win], 858, -21, +107
4) #48-Jimmie Johnson [3 wins], 848, -31, +97
5) #56-Martin Truex Jr. [0 wins], 838, -41, +87
6) #2-Brad Keselowski [3 wins], 831, -48, +80
7) #11-Denny Hamlin [4 wins], 822, -57, +71
8) #15-Clint Bowyer [1 wins], 811, -68, +60
9) #29-Kevin Harvick [0 wins], 807, -72, +56
all drivers 9th and above have clinched a spot in the Chase; #14 clinched at least a wildcard
10) #14-Tony Stewart [3 wins], 769, -110, +18 over 11th
Current wild card Chase drivers:
WC1) #5-Kasey Kahne [2 wins, 11th in points]
WC2) #18-Kyle Busch [1 win, 12th in points]
(ties broken by 1sts, 2nds, 3rd, etc)
See drivers championship points standings on the Drivers Points Standings (pdf).(9-2-2012)
- 2012 Sprint Cup Driver Chase Wild-Card Race:
[after Atlanta, race 25 of 36]
A look at the race for the two wild-card positions for the Chase based on wins and being inside the top 20 in points.
Driver [wins] standings, behind 10th
first two would make the chase as wild cards:
#5-Kasey Kahne [2 wins] 11th -18 points out of 10th
#18-Kyle Busch [1 win] 12th -23
eight other drivers currently in the running for wild cards (1 win):
#24-Jeff Gordon [1 win] 13th -35
#9-Marcos Ambrose [1 win] 16th -63
#39-Ryan Newman [1 win] 17th -72
#20-Joey Logano [1 win] 18th -105
these drivers have no wins but are in the top-20
#99-Carl Edwards 14th -44
#27-Paul Menard 15th -59
#1-Jamie McMurray 19th -151
#31-Jeff Burton 20th -160
(ties broken by 1sts, 2nds, 3rd, etc)
The Chase: The top-10 drivers will make the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Positions 11 and 12 in the 12-driver Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup are Wild Cards, and will go to drivers outside the top 10 with the most wins, as long as they are ranked in the top 20 in points. If multiple drivers outside the top 10 tie for wins, the tie-breaker will go to the race winner with the highest points position.
See drivers championship points standings on the Drivers Points Standings (pdf).(9-2-2012)
- Race Fast Facts – Atlanta
#11-Denny Hamlin won the 53rd Annual ADVOCARE 500, his 21st victory in 248 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.
This is his fourth victory and 13th top-10 finish in 2012.
This is his first victory and fifth top-10 finish in 13 races at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
#24-Jeff Gordon (second) posted his 25th top-10 finish in 39 races at Atlanta Motor Speedway. It is his 11th top-10 finish in 2012.
#2-Brad Keselowski (third) posted his second top-10 finish in four races at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
#16-Greg Biffle leads the point standings by 8 points over Dale Earnhardt Jr.(NASCAR Integrated Sports Marketing)(9-2-2012)
- Atlanta Notes-n-Nuggets:
” Denny Hamlin earned his 21st victory in his 248th start.
” Denny Hamlin’s last win was last week at Bristol.
” Denny Hamlin won consecutive races for the second time in his career.
” Denny Hamlin picked up his fourth win of 2012, the most of any driver.
” Denny Hamlin captured his first victory at Atlanta in his 13th start.
” Denny Hamlin’s previous best Atlanta finish was third in 2008.
” Denny Hamlin garnered his fifth win on a 1.5-mile track, including his second of 2012.
” Denny Hamlin has finished third or better in the last four races on 1.5-mile tracks.
” Denny Hamlin’s victory in Atlanta marks the 12th different track he has won on.
” Denny Hamlin led seven times for 106 laps including the final six.
” Joe Gibbs Racing earned its 99th career win.
” Joe Gibbs Racing picked up its sixth victory of 2012.
” Joe Gibbs Racing won for 10th time at Atlanta and now has more wins at Atlanta than any other track.
” Toyota garnered its seventh win of 2012.
” Toyota picked up its second victory at Atlanta.
” Jeff Gordon (second) earned his 16th top-5 at Atlanta, most of active drivers, and his sixth top-five of the season including four in the last six races.
” Brad Keseloski (third) has finished in the top-four in four of the past five races, this marked his first top-five finish at Atlanta.
” Martin Truex Jr. (fourth) picked up his sixth top-five finish of the season and 14th top-10, matching the most he has ever had in a single season (2007); first top-five finish at Atlanta.
” Kevin Harvick (fifth) earned his first top-five in the past 12 races, his last was at Dover when he finished second.
” Dale Earnhardt Jr (seventh) garnered his 17th top-10 finish of 2012, the most he has ever had in a single season is 21 (twice).
” Paul Menard (eighth) captured his seventh top-10 finish of the season including one in each of the last three races.
” Race ended with a green-white-checkered finish, the fourth at Atlanta and seventh of 2012.
(Racing Resources and Services — Statistics Racing Recall / nascar.com)(9-2-2012)
- Top-35 in Owner Points and guaranteed a starting spot at Atlanta:
#36 remains in 35th and is now 117 points ahead of 36th, now the #21 team.
Rank) Car#-Driver/Team, owners pts, +/-
34) #32-Schrader/FAS Lane Racing, 340 +131
35) #36-Blaney/Baldwin, 326 +117 ahead of 36th
these teams / drivers will need to qualify by speed:
36) #21-Bayne/Wood Bros., 209, 117pts out of the 35
37) #33-Leicht/Childress-Falk, 205, -121
38) #30-Stremme/Inception, 179, -147
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).(9-2-2012)
- Sadler out at RCR? going to JGR in 2013?: 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)
- Stewart losing sponsor: Office Depot, co-primary sponsor for Tony Stewart’s #14 Chevy in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series since Stewart took over the team in 2009, will not return in that capacity in 2013, a team spokesman confirmed. “Office Depot has notified SHR that they will not be renewing as the primary sponsor of the #14 team,” SHR spokesman Mike Arning said. “However, SHR is in continued discussions with Office Depot regarding possible future roles the company could have with the team.” Asked what those future roles might be, Arning was unable to specify. “They want to be involved with Tony and the team, but are unsure how right now,” he said. Office Depot’s departure leaves quite a void for SHR. The office-products company held the primary sponsorship in 22 of 38 races in 2012. Mobil 1, which holds primary sponsorship of the #14 in the series’ remaining 16 events, will carry the same investment in 2013, Arning said.
Mindy Kramer, Senior Director of Communications for Office Depot, said the decision to leave the three-time champion was difficult and not taken lightly. “The changing business landscape warrants a realignment of priorities and resources,” Kramer said via written statement. “That being said, Tony Stewart has been an exceptional ambassador for our brand, and he has gone above and beyond in everything that he has done for our company. Being a part of his legendary 2011 championship run was a moment of tremendous pride for everyone at Office Depot.” Office Depot is also currently the “Official Office Products Partner” of NASCAR, a status they’ve held since 2005. Kramer and NASCAR spokesman Jon Schwartz both said the two sides are still negotiating any future relationship.(ESPN)(9-2-2012)
- DuPont to sell paint division – Ramifications on NASCAR not known yet BUT: The DuPont Co. has agreed to sell its auto paint business in an almost $5 billion cash deal, advancing its strategy to move out of oil-based products and delve more deeply into advancing agriculture, nutrition and renewable fuels. The company announced the $4.9 billion sale of its DuPont Performance Coatings business, a cornerstone in the firm’s traditional lines, to The Carlyle Group, a global asset management firm. The transaction is expected to close early in 2013, and DuPont will retain ownership of its signature oval label. Carlyle will replace the oval and rebrand the unit’s products, according to DuPont. When the deal closes, all DuPont Performance Coatings workers will become employees of a new company under Carlyle. Company officials said it is too soon to tell what staffing plans the new owners will have once they take over.
The company’s paint business is perhaps best recognized through DuPont Motorsports, a sponsor and paint manufacturer for four-time NASCAR champion Jeff Gordon’s #24 race car and the longest current running sponsorship, 20 years. Details of the logo on Gordon’s car will be agreed upon between DuPont, DuPont Performance Coatings and Hendrick Motorsports in the future, said Gregg Schmidt, DuPont spokesperson.(in part from a very large article at the Delaware News Journal)(9-1-2012)
BUT: DuPont and AARP-Drive to End of Hunger are both signed to sponsor Jeff Gordon and the #24 Chevy thru 2013.(9-2-2012)
- AMS Reinforces pit road after incident at MIS: After #55-Mark Martin’s scary crash into an opening on pit road two weeks ago at Michigan, Atlanta Motor Speedway has beefed up its safety barriers in similar pit road openings for this weekend’s races. AMS President and General Manager Ed Clark said the track had added concrete barriers and barrels filled with river sand in X pit-road openings. “It’s simple, but it will do the job,” Clark said. “I don’t know if that’s the long-term solution, but it will work for this weekend.” The barriers not only need to protect the driver in the event of another unlikely hit, but also keep the pit crews and officials behind the wall safe, and at the same time allow enough room for wreckers to pull in and out.(Atlanta Motor Speedway)
AND: Beginning this weekend, NASCAR is restricting the area around pit road openings to provide more of a buffer between pit road and where media members and track safety and security stand while the race is ongoing. “Evaluating safety issues on pit road has been on ongoing process,” said NASCAR spokesperson Kristi King. King said the areas affected would differ from track to track since each track has a unique pit road layout.(Charlotte Observer)(9-2-2012)
- Shane Hmiel back at the track: On Friday, Shane Hmiel, 32, the only driver banned for life under NASCAR’s substance-abuse policy and paralyzed since a devastating sprint car crash in October 2010, was allowed by NASCAR into the Atlanta Motor Speedway garage and pit road as the guest of Camping World Truck Series team owner Billy Ballew. “Today is one of the biggest days in my life and my career,” Hmiel said in an interview with Sporting News on pit road during Friday night’s truck race. “For one, I embarrassed the hell out of my family. And for two, I straightened up enough to where NASCAR will let me be back in a great sport like auto racing. Being at the racetrack, watching this truck race is better than winning a race.” Hmiel’s return to the NASCAR garage was an emotional one as a steady stream of well-wishers visited him as he watched the truck race. It marked the first time many had seen him since his crash Oct. 9, 2010, at The Terre Haute (Ind.) Action Track, where his USAC Silver Crown car flipped and the top of the carwhich had a roll cage but no roofhit the track’s concrete wall. Battling for his life with a bruised spine, a head injury, a broken shoulder and collapsed lungs before suffering pneumonia and other complications, Hmiel has limited use of his arms but has feeling in all his limbs. Said Hmiel, “It’s great to see people that you haven’t seen in years. It’s been seven years since I’ve been in a NASCAR garage. I’m just very thankful that everybody at NASCAR let me come have a good weekend.”(see full story at the Sporting News and see more info about Shane on his Facebook page)(9-2-2012)
- Logano sits out practices, will race Sunday: #20-Joey Logano had to sit both Cup practice sessions Saturday because of an illness. Michael McDowell, who failed to qualify for the AdvoCare 500, was still in Atlanta and agreed to take over behind the wheel for Logano to put a few miles on the #20 car. “I got some kind of stomach virus or food poisoning,” Logano tweeted. “I’m hoping to be good enough to practice later.” Logano added a hashtag with the phrase “nofun.” Logano expects to be behind the wheel in the race, no matter what. He needs another win to possibly claim one of the two wild-card spots in the Chase for the championship.(Associated Press)(9-2-2012)
- Olympians at AMS: Three local gold medalists from the 2012 Olympics visited Atlanta Motor Speedway Sunday for the AdvoCare 500. DeeDee Trotter (Ellenwood, Ga.), Vincent Hancock (Eatonton, Ga.) and Jamie Lynn Gray (Columbus, Ga.) will spend race day at AMS taking pace car rides, touring Victory Lane, attending the Speedway Children’s Charities memorabilia auction and taking in tonight’s spectacular racing action.
Trotter was a member of the 4×400 relay team that won the gold medal this summer in London, and she also won a bronze medal in the 400 meters. She was also a member of the 2004 4×400 gold-medal relay team, a three-time World Champion in the 4×400 relay and a three-time 400 meter USA Champion. She attended Cedar Grove High School and just flew back home Friday from Europe, where she had three more competitions following the Olympics. “Of course, NASCAR is huge, so you can’t not know anything about it, but I’ve never experienced it at this level,” Trotter said. “But I love cars, and obviously I have a need for speed, whether it’s using my feet or in a car, and I definitely feel the adrenaline already. My heart is starting to pound because it’s just going to be so fast. I’m looking forward to being so close to the action.”
Another NASCAR rookie, Gray set an Olympic record en route to a gold medal in the 50-meter three-position Women’s Rifle event. She lives near Columbus, Ga., and is an assistant rifle coach for the Columbus State University Rifle Team. She’s been around the speedway all weekend, participating in Speedway Children’s Charities events such as the skeet shoot and track walk. “I had no idea what a big production a race was,” Gray said. “I knew it was cars going in a circle, but I had no idea everything else that was going on. To see what is happening behind the scenes is amazing.”
For Eatonton, Ga., native Hancock, racing has always been part of his family’s vernacular, so the spectacle of this weekend’s AdvoCare 500 is nothing new. In fact, as a two-time gold medal winner in skeet shooting (2008 and 2012), Hancock was welcomed as a guest at AMS after his first gold four years ago. But that doesn’t make his visit any less exciting for this avid race fan. “I grew up on racing and have been to several tracks, but Atlanta is my favorite,” Hancock said. “I love how fast this place is.” A 23-year-old sergeant in the U.S. Army, Hancock hopes to meet five-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson during his visit this weekend. “He treat fans so well, and it’s amazing all that he’s won and all that he’s done,” Hancock said. “That takes a lot of mental toughness, and I definitely appreciate his accomplishments.”(AMS)(9-2-2012)
News from September 1, 2012
- DuPont to sell paint division – Ramifications on NASCAR not known yet: The DuPont Co. has agreed to sell its auto paint business in an almost $5 billion cash deal, advancing its strategy to move out of oil-based products and delve more deeply into advancing agriculture, nutrition and renewable fuels. The company announced the $4.9 billion sale of its DuPont Performance Coatings business, a cornerstone in the firm’s traditional lines, to The Carlyle Group, a global asset management firm. The transaction is expected to close early in 2013, and DuPont will retain ownership of its signature oval label. Carlyle will replace the oval and rebrand the unit’s products, according to DuPont. When the deal closes, all DuPont Performance Coatings workers will become employees of a new company under Carlyle. Company officials said it is too soon to tell what staffing plans the new owners will have once they take over.
The company’s paint business is perhaps best recognized through DuPont Motorsports, a sponsor and paint manufacturer for four-time NASCAR champion Jeff Gordon’s #24 race car and the longest running sponsorship 20 years in the sport’s history. Details of the logo on Gordon’s car will be agreed upon between DuPont, DuPont Performance Coatings and Hendrick Motorsports in the future, said Gregg Schmidt, DuPont spokesperson.(in part from a very large article at the Delaware News Journal)(9-1-2012)
- Happy Hour practice for the AdvoCare 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway is over, after 50 scheduled minutes, the top five, slowest and notes:
#17-Kenseth 180.863
#24-Gordon 180.193
#11-Hamlin 179.959
#18-Busch 179.837
#16-Biffle 181.005
slowest: #87-Nemechek 167.280 & #37-Yeley 168.675
no speed listed: #49-Leffler
notes: Michael McDowell practiced the #20 for Joey Logano again as Logano is feeling ill [stomach flu/virus/food poisoning]. #18-Busch slapped the wall and pancaked the right side, but the crew made repairs to the car and did not go to a backup car.
See speeds, best top-10 average and laps run on the Atlanta Happy Hour practice speeds page (pdf).(9-1-2012)
- First Saturday for the AdvoCare 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway is over, after 55 scheduled minutes, the top five, slowest and notes:
#16-Biffle 181.005
#17-Kenseth 180.733
#88-Earhardt Jr. 179.901
#56-Truex Jr. 179.592
#15-Bowyer 178.966
slowest: #23-Riggs 167.518 & #87-Nemechek 168.202
no speed listed: #38-Gilliland
notes: Michael McDowell ran laps in the #20 for Joey Logano as Logano is feeling ill. Logano hopes to run Happy Hour, scheduled for 5:30pm/et this afternoon for 50 minutes, aired on SPEED.
See speeds, best top-10 average and laps run on the Atlanta practice 2 speeds page (pdf).(9-1-2012)
- Pit Stall Selections: The selections of pit stalls for the AdvoCare 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway have been made.
Pole sitter #14-Stewart chose pit stall 1 [as do most pole sitters].
Outside pole sitter #16-Biffle took pit stall 23, the 2nd pitstall in front of the start finish line.
#18-Busch, who starts 3rd took the 21st pit stall, the 1st stall with an opening in front of it.
The 43rd and final pit stall was taken by #17-Kenseth, who starts 4th.
To see where the drivers/teams pit stall is, see the pit selection chart on the Pit Stall Selection chart.(9-1-2012)
- #27 team penalty appeal date/time set: The date and time to hear the Richard Childress Racing appeal of penalties to #27-Paul Menard’s NASCAR Sprint Cup team has been set. The appeal will be held on Monday, Sept. 10 at 2:00pm/et. RCR’s appeal allows the team members to continue to work at the track until the hearing. If the penalty is upheld, the suspensions will begin at that time (FoxSports). More info about the penalty and other penalties, see my 2012 Penalties page.(9-1-2012)
- Edwards Helps Subway Celebrate Its 47th Birthday: To help Subway celebrate its 47th birthday, Carl Edwards will run a special Subway SUBprize Party paint scheme this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The last time Edwards had Subway as a primary sponsor he ended up in victory lane in the Nationwide Series at Watkins Glen earlier this month. Subway Restaurants, the world’s largest restaurant chain, announced that it will celebrate its birthday by hosting a month-long SUBprize Party throughout September offering daily giveaways. Grand prizes include four 2013 Jeep� Compass vehicles, 400 Kinect for Xbox 360 prize packs, 72 Florida beach getaways from Visit St. Petersburg/Clearwater, and Ultimate RadioShack Prize Packs including a laptop, tablet, e-reader, camera, computer speakers, wireless keyboard, printer and headphones. In addition, Subway Restaurants will be expanding their everyday value menu with many $5 Footlong Faves.(Roush Fenway Racing)(9-1-2012)
- Stewart talks about run in with Kenseth and helmet: #14-Tony Stewart, met with members of the media at Atlanta Motor Speedway and discussed some topics including the incident with #17-Matt Kenseth at Bristol, the transcript in part:
Q) YOU AND MATT (KENSETH) TALKED THIS MORNING IS EVERYTHING GOOD BETWEEN YOU TWO THEN?
Stewart: “Yeah, we are fine. It’s like we mentioned earlier in the week, we have too much to do the last 10 weeks to be worrying about each other. It’s just like we always said there are 43 people out there and they are not always going to agree on the track at the same time. The big thing is getting it done and over with now.”
Q) THIS SPORT WAS BASICALLY THRUST INTO THE MAINSTREAM IN 1979 WHEN CALE (YARBOROUGH) AND DONNIE (ALLISON) WENT AFTER IT IN A FIGHT. THE FANS APPRECIATION FOR THAT RAW EMOTION HASN’T CHANGED ANY OVER THE YEARS. WHY DO YOU THINK THAT RESONATES SO MUCH WITH THE FANS?
Stewart: “I don’t know it still makes me wonder why NASCAR won’t let that moment be relived fully. People like emotion every other sport gets a cool off period, every other sport you get time to calm down where our deal it’s a little bit different we don’t have that. It’s not like one play is a bad play and you go to another play the bad deal for us is we are done for the day. That is where it’s different.”
Q) IF YOU GET THAT HELMET BACK WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH IT?
Stewart: “Charity auction if I get it back. For some reason it’s MIA (Missing in action).”
Q) IT MIGHT END UP IN THE HALL OF FAME&
Stewart: “That’s fine too if it ends up in the hall of fame so be it. There have been a lot of charities that have asked to have that for an auction right now.”
Q) HAVE YOU ASKED FOR IT (THE HELMET) BACK?
Stewart: “No, not yet.”(Team Chevy)(9-1-2012)
- Comments from Kenseth about Bristol incident: #17-Matt Kenseth met the media shortly after 1 p.m. on Friday. Afterwards, he met with Tony Stewart to discuss the much-discussed incident at Bristol Motor Speedway last weekend that resulted in Stewart hurling his helmet at Kenseth’s #17 Ford. “Honestly, last week I was really surprised,” Kenseth said. “I wasn’t trying to put our cars in a bad situation. I thought we were going to make it through there and I thought it was going to be alright, so I’m not sure what all went down there. But Tony and I, 99% of the time at least, show each other probably more respect and more room on the track than probably most people have. There have been a couple instances here and there, but I think, overall, we try to show each other a lot of respect and we usually get that back.”(RacinToday)(9-1-2012)
- Patrick says Smith apologized: #10-Danica Patrick says #78-Regan Smith called to apologize for their run-in last Saturday night at Bristol, and she described that move as ‘upstanding,’ though it’s not clear if she’s really buying the apology 100%. Any regrets about not throwing her helmet at the man who took her out of a top-20 finish? That’s what teammate Tony Stewart did at his Bristol antagonist, Matt Kenseth, much to the delight of the crowd of some 153,000. “I’m just glad I didn’t give him the finger, because I understand that is a penalty,” Patrick said with an impish grin.(MikeMulhern.net)(9-1-2012)
- Chevy to donate $200 per caution lap during AdvoCare 500: This weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Chevrolet Racing will begin the brand’s fight against breast cancer as Chevrolet gears up to support the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer initiative. On Sunday, Chevy will donate $200 for every caution lap run during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AdvoCare 500, paced by the pink Camaro SS featuring the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer logo. In 2011, 64 caution laps at Atlanta generated $12,800 for the American Cancer Society. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In September, Chevrolet will announce additional brand, dealer, employee and consumer activities in support of the American Cancer Society and Making Strikes Against Breast Cancer (Team Chevy), see an image of the pace car on the 2012 Sprint Cup Series pace car page.(9-1-2012)
- Lowe’s / Johnson to support Red Cross for Hurricane Isaac: In response to Hurricane Isaac, Lowe’s announced today it will expand its relief efforts by teaming with five-time Sprint Cup champion #48-Jimmie Johnson at Sunday’s NASCAR race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. As part of Lowe’s Racing for Relief program, Lowe’s will match the race earnings of Team 48, with a minimum donation of $100,000 to the American Red Cross. Together, Johnson and Hendrick Motorsports also will donate $48,000 toward the cause. The donations will support American Red Cross disaster relief and help provide food, shelter, emotional support and other assistance to those affected by Hurricane Isaac. Lowe’s introduced Racing for Relief in 2000. To date, the program has helped disaster relief efforts for hurricanes, tornadoes and floods by raising more than $620,000. Since partnering with the Red Cross in 1999, Lowe’s and its customers have contributed more than $23 million for disaster relief. Individuals can join forces with Johnson and Lowe’s to help provide assistance. Lowe’s stores throughout the United States are accepting donations to the Red Cross at every register. Donations also can be made at Lowe’s American Red Cross Online Donation Site, or by texting REDCROSS to 90999 or calling 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767). In addition to Racing for Relief, Lowe’s is providing the support of Lowe’s Heroes employee volunteers to distribute relief supplies and work alongside The First Response Team of America as it responds to Hurricane Isaac. In June, Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation awarded a $250,000 grant to the First Response Team, a nonprofit organization dedicated to working with local agencies to help save lives following natural disasters.(Lowe’s Racing/HMS)(9-1-2012)
- Code 3 Associates, who will sponsor the #39 at Kansas, helps Hurricane Isaac victims: Code 3 Associates, Inc., a non-profit animal rescue organization based in Longmont, Colorado, has been deployed at the request of, and in cooperation with, the Louisiana State Animal Request Team (LASART). The initial response will be to stage in the Little Rock, Arkansas area. Officials in McComb, Louisiana are warning the 50,000 to 60,000 residents, who could be impacted, of the likelihood of an imminent breech of the Lake Tangipahoa Dam. Initial tasking needs expressed by officials could include both animal and human water rescue operations, which the team is trained in, and certified for. Code 3’s full-time four person disaster response team left Longmont at approximately 11:00am this morning with their 83 foot tractor trailer, named BART (Big Animal Rescue Truck). BART carries the rescue team’s safety equipment, animal rescue equipment, and both land and water based rescue vehicles. Additionally, BART is designed and equipped to support nine people in a zero resource environment for up to ten days. The Ryan Newman Foundation is working closely with Code 3 as they determine what areas and animal organizations affected by the hurricane need help. Pet food and supplies will be shipped out as early as next week. To make a donation towards supplies visit ryannewmanfoundation.org and click the “donate” tab. For more information on Code 3 visit code3associates.org.(9-1-2012)
