Pos	Car	Driver		Make
1	#17	Matt Kenseth		Ford
2	#21	Kevin Harvick		Chevrolet
3	#20	Denny Hamlin		Chevrolet
4	#2	Clint Bowyer		Chevrolet
5	#60	Carl Edwards		Ford
6	#18	J.J. Yeley		Chevrolet
7	#41	Reed Sorenson		Dodge
8	#88	Shane Huffman	R	Chevrolet
9	#33	Ron Hornaday		Chevrolet
10	#5	Kyle Busch		Chevrolet
11	#00	Johnny Sauter		Chevrolet
12	#16	Greg Biffle		Ford
13	#19	Aric Almirola	R	Chevrolet
14	#38	Jason Leffler		Chevrolet
15	#64	Jamie McMurray		Dodge
16	#61	Steve Wallace	R	Dodge
17	#01	Jay Sauter		Chevrolet
18	#06	Todd Kluever	R	Ford
19	#1	Mike Wallace		Dodge
21	#43	P.J. Jones		Dodge
22	#59	Stacy Compton		Ford
23	#27	Casey Atwood		Ford
24	#25	Ashton Lewis		Ford
25	#10	John Andretti	R	Ford
26	#95	Stanton Barrett		Chevrolet
27	#90	Stephen Leicht	R	Ford
28	#36	Brent Sherman		Chevrolet
29	#35	Regan Smith		Ford
30	#9	Erin Crocker		Dodge
31	#22	Kenny Wallace		Ford
32	#50	Danny O'Quinn Jr.	R	Ford
33	#4	Auggie Vidovich	R	Dodge
34	#77	Bobby Labonte		Chevrolet
35	#39	Sam Hornish Jr.	R	Dodge
36	#14	Willie Allen	R	Dodge
37	#11	Paul Menard		Chevrolet
38	#47	Jon Wood		Ford
39	#99	Michael Waltrip		Dodge
40	#0	Kertus Davis		Chevrolet
41	#78	Jerry Robertson		Chevrolet
42	#66	Scott Wimmer		Ford
R = Rookie

 

 

Neenah, Wis. - Dazzling up the return of the favorite, “Ornaments on Parade,” KLEENEX® Facial Tissue and VIVA® Paper Towels will feature a holiday theme on the #27 NASCAR race car sponsored by Kimberly-Clark.  

 

The flashy, holiday, paint scheme is designed to coordinate with package graphics on KLEENEX® Facial Tissue and VIVA® Paper Towels.  “This year, the ornaments will be something fans recognize as the colorful tissue boxes and paper towels they can put in their bathroom, kitchen, or any room of their homes,” says new driver of the KLEENEX® Racing Ford, Casey Atwood, who is eager for car #27’s second “Ornaments on Parade” in the Arizona Travel 200 at Phoenix International Raceway on November 11 and the Ford 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 18.   

 

Two breakthrough products from Kimberly-Clark are marked by the “Ornaments on Parade.”  The new KLEENEX® Oval Facial Tissue Carton combines beauty and functionality with multiple color schemes.  VIVA® Towels featuring cheerful holiday prints provides a new way to decorate the holiday kitchens.  Stephen Abdo, Director of Motorsports for Kimberly-Clark says, “Kimberly-Clark, with its KLEENEX®, VIVA®, and SCOTT® brands, is the longest-standing, continuous primary sponsor in the NASCAR Busch Series.” SCR 

 

 

 

STATESVILLE, N.C. – If you’ve always wanted to be Kasey Kahne’s right hand person, now you have a chance to see that dream come true. Dodge Motorsports is offering the opportunity to one lucky fan to be Kahne’s assistant at the 2007 Dodge Charger 400 race at Darlington Raceway.

 

To register for the contest, fans visit www.kaseykahnedreamjob.com to complete a questionnaire to show why they would be the best candidate to be Kahne’s assistant. A panel of judges will review the applications and select the top nine candidates to be the semi-finalists.

 

The nine semi-finalists will then respond to questions submitted by Dodge on video and return the tapes to Dodge. The video will be used on the official website of the contest, www.kaseykahnedreamjob.com, and fans will have an opportunity to vote online for the best contestants.

 

The three contestants with the most votes will be flown to Las Vegas for in-person interviews with the judging panel during the UAW/DaimlerChrysler 400 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 9-11, 2007. Airfare, lodging, race tickets and rental cars will be provided to the finalists as well as $500 spending money for the weekend. The grand prize winner will be announced on March 26.

 

The grand prize winner will spend four days at the Evernham Motorsports headquarters in Statesville, N.C. and work with the Marketing Department scheduling Kahne’s at-track activities for the Dodge Charger 400 at Darlington Raceway. They also will work with the marketing and public relations team to get Kahne to all the appearances, media interviews, on-track and NASCAR-mandated responsibilities on his schedule for that weekend.

 

Additional awards for the grand prize winner include:

1 year supply of vitaminwater

Kasey Kahne Tool Chest filled with Stanley Tools

Dell Notebook Laptop Computer

37” Dell TV with LCD Technology

BlackBerry from Sprint

$300 Trackside Trailer shopping spree from Checkered Flag

Kasey Kahne 1:24 scale diecast car set plus a Kasey Kahne hat and t-shirt from Motorsports Authentics

Dodge Interlocking Floor Tiles from On The Edge

Multiple Dodge or Kasey Kahne licensed accessories from Motorhead

 

The Kasey Kahne Dream Job Sweepstakes opens for entries on November 10. Fans can register at www.kaseykahnedreamjob.com beginning at 12 a.m. ET. SCR

 

 

 

MOORESVILLE, N.C. - A unique national program will make its presence known at the season-ending NASCAR Busch series race at Homestead-Miami Speedway next week. AutoZone and ppc Racing have partnered up in an effort to bring awareness to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital ’s Thanks and Giving campaign this holiday season. The No. 22 AutoZone Ford Fusion piloted by driver Kenny Wallace will feature a very special paint scheme in support of the campaign.

 

AutoZone is one of 12 new retailers this year, bringing the total to 46 retailers across the country, to participate in the St. Jude Thanks and Giving campaign, an innovative cause-marketing effort now in its third year. The program asks consumers to “give thanks for the healthy kids in their lives and give to those who are not.” Customers nationwide are asked to help raise funds by shopping at participating retailers, such as AutoZone, by adding a donation at check out or by purchasing specialty items to benefit St. Jude.

 

“Partnering with St. Jude is one of the easiest business decisions AutoZone has ever made,” said Bill Rhodes, AutoZone’s President and CEO. “Their work brings hope to thousands of children and their families around the world. And, we share with ppc Racing the commitment to help St. Jude continue its life-saving research.

 

“This holiday season, more than 50,000 AutoZoners across the country will encourage our customers to give to St. Jude. It is our way of saying ‘Thanks’ to the researchers, doctors, staff and volunteers at St. Jude for making children their number one priority.”

 

This cause also has a significant meaning to the ppc Racing family, “About fifteen months ago I visited Memphis to meet with AutoZone.  They invited me to tour St. Jude and I was instantly touched by the incredible work that the doctors, nurses and volunteers do for the sick children and families who had come there seeking health, hope and a cure,” explained ppc Racing team owner Greg Pollex. “Soon after we began that initiative our ppc Racing family was touched by the need for St. Jude when McKenzie O’Hara, the daughter of one of our people at ppc Racing, was diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma.  She was admitted to St Jude exactly one year ago this week and today is free of cancer.  We all have hope for her and other children because of individual donations from people across the country and we ask all of our ppc Racing and NASCAR fans to make a difference by visiting an AutoZone store and contributing to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital .”

 

The Thanks and Giving campaign became a reality in 2004 when National Outreach Director Marlo Thomas and her siblings Terre and Tony Thomas (children of hospital founder Danny Thomas) made the initiative to support the life-saving mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital . St. Jude is the only pediatric cancer research center that pays for all treatment not covered by insurance, regardless of the family’s ability to pay. Eighty-four cents of every dollar received goes directly to research and treatment. St. Jude’s research impacts the lives of children in every community in the country and the research is freely and immediately shared with the medical communities worldwide.

 

“Everyone at St. Jude is so excited to have AutoZone join the Thanks and Giving campaign this year, and we’re thrilled to be a part of ppc Racing,” said Marlo Thomas, National Outreach Director for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital . “The race team learned first hand this year how St. Jude saves the lives of children in every community in America . It was a blessing that St. Jude was there for little McKenzie and it’s a blessing for St. Jude to have the support of generous partners like AutoZone and ppc Racing. We’ll never stop looking for cures for children like McKenzie, but we couldn’t perform our life-saving work without the support of these compassionate companies.”

 

In addition to the on-track presence and commemorative paint scheme, many of the cars participating in the Ford 300 will display a special green St. Jude Thanks and Giving decal and drivers taking part in Saturday’s NASCAR Busch series event will be asked to autograph the Thanks and Giving hood of the No. 22 car. The hood will be auctioned off at a later time with all proceeds benefiting St. Jude. For more information or to make a donation online, please visit www.tg.stjude.org. SCR

 

 

 

Jeff Gordon will make a special guest appearance in ESPN’s Monday Night Football booth when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers meet the Carolina Panthers Monday in Charlotte.  Gordon, the winningest active drive and the current all-time money leader, will join ESPN’s Mike Tirico, Joe Theismann and Tony Kornheiser in the second quarter to discuss racing, football and other topics.

 

The ESPN telecast will also feature taped highlights of Theismann and sideline reporter Suzy Kolber at the Richard Petty Driving Experience.  The popular MNF personalities are expected to get behind the wheel for a thrilling ride of their own Saturday night at nearby Lowe’s Motor Speedway as part of their visit to Carolina.

 

Fans who attend the Monday Night game will also have the opportunity to see a specially-wrapped ESPN stock car that was created as part of NASCAR’s return to ESPN and ABC in 2007.  The vehicle will be parked alongside ESPN The Truck in an open lot at the intersection of S. Mint and Quincy Streets in Charlotte, just a few blocks from Bank of America Stadium. SCR

 

 

 

Avondale, Az. –  Brian Keselowski is taking a turn behind the wheel of the #23 Ridley Chevrolet this weekend in the Arizona Travel 200. He will be making his debut on the NASCAR Busch Series while subbing for his brother, Brad Keselowski, who is the regular driver of the car.

 

Brian Keselowski was 42nd in the final practice at Phoenix International Raceway. He made more than 30 laps in the first practice and rookie practice sessions, but was limited to two laps in the final session and he was not able to make a mock qualifying run.

 

“I feel pretty good about it,” said Brian Keselowski. “We’ve got a strong car and I know the guys have done a great job getting it ready to race. We should be able to make some noise tomorrow.”

 

Brian Keselowski is driving so that younger brother Brad can retain his eligibility for the Raybestos Rookie of the Year Award in 2007. To be eligible for the award a driver can not have run in more than seven races in a season. Brad Keselowski has run in six races in 2006 and will compete in the Ford 300 next week at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

 

“I really excited to be able to help Brad out like this,” said Brian Keselowski. “He’s been doing a great job this year and I know he’s going to be very competitive for the award next season.” SCR

 

 

 

Concord, N.C. - Veteran crew chief Pat Tryson will be paired with Greg Biffle, driver of the Roush Racing No. 16 Nextel Cup Ford Fusion for the 2007 season.  Tryson has been the crew chief for veteran driver Mark Martin for the past three seasons.  Tryson is one of only three crew chiefs to lead his team to a position in the Chase for the Nextel Cup every year since its inception in 2004 and looks to continue that record with Biffle.

 

“I am looking forward to the opportunity to work with Greg in 2007,” said Tryson. “Obviously our top priority for next season is getting Greg back in the Chase.  He’s a great driver and I hope to continue my personal streak of making the Chase with him.”

 

Owner Jack Roush believes that Tryson and Biffle will find success as the veteran crew chief and champion driver pair up for the 2007 Nextel Cup season.

 

“We have an opportunity in front of us to pair a champion driver with a crew chief that has proven to be a championship level crew chief,” commented owner Jack Roush.  “Pat Tryson and a number of members of the No. 6 Roush Racing team have shown that they can run for a championship every year.  Greg Biffle has two championships under his belt and I believe that pairing him with Tryson will be the best prospect for the two of them to run for the championship in 2007.”

 

Biffle’s NASCAR record includes a Craftsman Truck Series Championship and a NASCAR Busch Series Championship.  He would like nothing more than to add NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Champion to the list.  He came very close in 2005 when he finished second in the points, a mere 35 points behind Tony Stewart.  Biffle has had nine Nextel Cup wins with Doug Richert as his crew chief and feels confident he can continue to be a top competitor in NASCAR’s elite series with Tryson.

 

“I’m looking forward to the 2007 season and working with Pat Tryson,” said Biffle.  “I haven’t gotten to spend a lot of time with Pat but he’s had a good record with Mark in making the Chase three years in a row, so hopefully we won’t stop his streak next year.” SCR

 

 

 

 

 

Pos	No	Driver			Make	Speed
1	24	Jeff Gordon			Chevrolet	134.464
2	29	Kevin Harvick			Chevrolet	133.973
3	25	Brian Vickers			Chevrolet	133.949
4	8	Dale Earnhardt Jr.			Chevrolet	133.670
5	01	Joe Nemechek			Chevrolet	133.620
6	16	Greg Biffle			Ford	133.536
7	12	Ryan Newman			Dodge	133.516
8	2	Kurt Busch			Dodge	133.472
9	5	Kyle Busch			Chevrolet	133.457
10	17	Matt Kenseth			Ford	133.417
11	9	Kasey Kahne			Dodge	133.378
12	99	Carl Edwards			Ford	133.141
13	38	David Gilliland		R	Ford	133.052
14	26	Jamie McMurray			Ford	132.984
15	43	Bobby Labonte			Dodge	132.944
16	19	Elliott Sadler			Dodge	132.934
17	42	Casey Mears			Dodge	132.856
18	31	Jeff Burton			Chevrolet	132.841
19	55	Michael Waltrip			Dodge	132.836
20	07	Clint Bowyer		R	Chevrolet	132.763
21	6	Mark Martin			Ford	132.758
22	11	Denny Hamlin		R	Chevrolet	132.709
23	20	Tony Stewart			Chevrolet	132.685
24	4	Ward Burton			Chevrolet	132.421
25	66	Jeff Green			Chevrolet	132.246
26	1	Martin Truex Jr.		R	Chevrolet	132.217
27	88	Dale Jarrett			Ford	132.096
28	41	Reed Sorenson		R	Dodge	131.945
29	48	Jimmie Johnson			Chevrolet	131.873
30	14	Sterling Marlin			Chevrolet	131.796
31	22	Dave Blaney			Dodge	131.608
32	21	Ken Schrader			Ford	131.608
33	32	Travis Kvapil			Chevrolet	131.473
34	45	Kyle Petty			Dodge	131.396
35	18	J.J. Yeley		R	Chevrolet	131.200
36	40	David Stremme		R	Dodge	131.081
37	72	Brandon Whitt		R	Chevrolet	130.985
38	49	Mike Bliss			Dodge	130.966
39	61	Chad Chaffin		R	Dodge	130.757
40	7	Robby Gordon			Chevrolet	130.397
41	96	Tony Raines			Chevrolet	130.326
42	10	Scott Riggs			Dodge	129.851
43	37	Bill Elliott			Dodge
Failed to Qualify
44	71		Jason Leffler		Chevrolet	130.492
45	06		Todd Kluever	R	Ford	130.373
46	89		Morgan Shepherd		Dodge	130.138
47	02		Brandon Ash	R	Dodge	129.969
48	34		Kevin Lepage		Chevrolet	129.590
49	78		Kenny Wallace		Chevrolet	128.894
50	74		Derrike Cope		Dodge	128.871
51	09		Jeremy Mayfield		Dodge	128.361
R = Rookie
Chase Driver

 

 

The Daytona Beach police have opened up an internal investigation to see if NASCAR CEO Brian France was giving special treatment after he wrecked his car Monday night. A police reports says that France wrecked his car as he entered a parking lot.

 

According to a witness named Shirley Hill, France was on U.S. 1 driving at a very reckless speed and that he hit a parked car and than a tree. He then took his car home and parked got out and fell over his on feet.

 

Police chief Mike Chitwood said if he finds that France was giving special treatment because of his last name that that officer would be looking for a new job.

 

France was not giving a field sobriety test. SCR

Matthew Blaylock

 

 

 

MOORESVILLE, N.C. - MB2 Motorsports announced that its 2007 lineup will include a roster of seven drivers, entries in all three of NASCAR's national series and a driver development program.

 

MB2's expansion started to take shape following an ownership change in July when real estate developer Bobby Ginn purchased majority interest in the 10-year-old racing organization.  

 

“Bobby has given us an opportunity to take this team to the next level and there’s nothing more exciting than that,” said Jay Frye, MB2’s CEO and general manager. “Our foundation is strong with a team mixture of experience and youth. Every piece we put together for 2007 was carefully thought out with the future in mind. We want to be a team to contend with over the next decade.”

  

MB2's 2007 lineup of drivers/crew chiefs will be as follows:

 

Nextel Cup Series

* MB2 will field three Nextel Cup teams. MB2 newcomers Mark Martin (47-years-old) and rookie Regan Smith (23) will co-drive the No. 01 U.S. Army Chevrolet. Martin will drive in 20 point races plus the Bud Shootout and Nextel All Star Challenge. Smith will drive in the remaining 16 point races. Ryan Pemberton will continue to serve as crew chief on the 01 car.  

 

* Sterling Marlin (49) will continue to drive MB2's No. 14 Chevrolet with Richard "Slugger" Labbe handling the crew chief duties. 

 

* Joe Nemechek (43) will switch from the 01 Chevy to the new No. 13 team. Nemechek will be reunited with crew chief Peter Sospenzo, who was recently hired by MB2. Sospenzo was Nemechek's crew chief at Hendrick Motorsports in 2002 and 2003. The twosome combined to score a victory at the 2003 spring race in Richmond, Va.   

 

Team sponsors for the No. 13 and No. 14 will be announced at a later date.

 

Busch Series

* MB2's Busch Series ride will be shared by Smith and Kraig Kinser (22). Doug Randolph will oversee the crew chief duties for the Busch operation. 

 

Craftsman Truck Series

* MB2 will continue its partnership with Morgan-Dollar Motorsports in the Craftsman Truck Series. Kinser, along with MB2's development driver Jesus Hernandez (25), will compete in selected truck races. Motocross champion Ricky Carmichael (26), who will join MB2's development program next year, could also compete in a couple of truck races.

 

Development Program

* MB2's driver development program in the late model series will include Hernandez and Carmichael. Jeremy Thompson, an MB2 employee and former Craftsman Truck Series competitor, will oversee the late model program. Hernandez and Carmichael will also drive in selected ARCA races. SCR

 

 

 

Bobby Labonte tested at Daytona Tuesday for the 24 Hours at Daytona in February. Labonte joined drivers Rob Finlay and Michael Valiante testing for Finlay Motorsports. The race will be Labonte’s third or as he puts it his junior year. He says this is the best car he has ever been in for the race. SCR

Matthew Blaylock

  

 

 

Homestead, Fla. – After winning the American Idol competition on television’s biggest stage last spring, Taylor Hicks will now perform on one of NASCAR’s biggest stages by singing the national anthem prior to the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Ford 400 on Sunday, Nov. 19 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

 

Hicks, the 29-year-old Birmingham , Ala. native, captured the hearts and minds of more than 63.4 million people who voted for him in the American Idol competition, which has had a history of producing some of today’s greatest singing stars including Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood. Previous Idol winners and runners-up have sold a staggering 33 million records, which include music from Clarkson, Underwood, Ruben Studdard, Clay Aiken, Fantasia and Bo Bice.

 

Following his Idol victory, Hicks signed a recording deal with Arista Records, and his first single “Do I Make You Proud” debuted at #1 on the Billboard’s Hot 100, the Single Sales chart and the Pop 100, with more than 190,000 copies sold in its first week of release.

 

“The spectacular Ford Championship week will offer not only a coronation of three champions, but will also include a whose-who of celebrities, which will now include the most recent American Idol winner Taylor Hicks,” said Homestead-Miami Speedway president Curtis Gray. SCR

  

 

 

Matt Borland, crew chief for Ryan Newman, will miss the final two races of the 2006 Nextel Cup season.

 

Borland is taking "some personal time off," and team engineer Mike Nelson will lead Newman's efforts this weekend at Phoenix and next weekend at Homestead, a Penske Racing South spokesperson said Wednesday.

 

Newman and the No. 12 team have struggled this year. Newman, who made the Chase For The Nextel Cup the last two years, is 18th in points with no wins and two poles.

 

In his first four full seasons from 2002-2005 with Borland guiding his team, Newman never finished lower than seventh in points and collected 12 wins and 34 poles.

   

 

 

Race fans attending this weekend’s activities at Phoenix International Raceway (PIR) will have a safe alternative to getting behind the wheel if they’ve had too much to drink.  Between November 10-12, Crown Royal Championship Racing’s “Safe Rides Home” program is partnering with Designated Drivers Events, Inc. to provide trained, licensed and insured drivers to offer fans safe transportation home from PIR – in the fan’s own vehicle and at no charge. 

 

To sign up for a ride or to obtain more information, fans can visit the specially-marked kiosk located at the Crown Royal Experience tent at the track or call 877-456-RIDE (7433).  Rides will be offered from PIR during each day's activities over the weekend and briefly after the track's closing. Fans 21 and older are eligible.

 

Since its inception in 2003, Crown Royal and its parent company Diageo, have brought the “Safe Rides Home” program to numerous NASCAR race markets. SCR

 

 

 

NASCAR team owner Jack Roush along with such drivers as Michael Jourdain Jr., David Gilliland, David Ragan and Danny O’Quinn will test drive the all new Ford Edge. The test drive will take place at the Homestead-Miami Speedway Wednesday November 15, 2006. Fans will also be able to take part in the event. SCR

Matthew Blaylock

   

 

 

MOORESVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA - The Russell E. Garwood Electrical Contractors Company of Marco Island, Florida will return to sponsor the Key Motorsports entry in the Ford 200, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season finale at the Homestead-Miami Speedway on Friday, November 17.

 

It will mark the fourth race this season that the south Florida company will provide major associate support of the #40 Chevrolet Silverado that will be driven at Homestead by rookie Shane Huffman. The 32-year-old Huffman is the full-time driver of the #88 U.S. Navy Chevrolet Monte Carlo from the NASCAR Busch Series shops of JR Motorsports.

 

The race will be Huffman’s fourth with the Key Motorsports contingent, having finished 35th in Martinsville after engine problems knocked him out of contention at mid-race, and 26th in Texas. Huffman is also entered to drive the #40 in the Arizona Travelers 200 at Phoenix International Raceway this weekend.

 

“I have enjoyed my association with Curtis (team owner Curtis Key), Barry (crew chief Barry Dodson) and the entire race team this season, and it has really been interesting supporting the efforts of three different drivers,” said Russell E. Garwood. “Chad (Chaffin) and Ryan (Moore) both did creditable jobs in the #40 when they were behind the wheel, and I am anxious to see how Shane (Huffman) does at Homestead.”

 

The Key Motorsports entry failed to qualify for the initial race under Garwood’s sponsorship in the Daytona season opener. At the Gateway International Raceway in Madison, IL in April, Chaffin ran well but lost 11 laps with a damaged right front fender after cutting down a tire to finish 26th. Moore then posted a 31st place effort at the Bristol Motor Speedway in August for the Russell E. Garwood Electrical Contractors Company.

 

“We’re hoping to give Rusty a really exceptional effort to close the season out at Homestead. He’s been a great sponsor that we hope to have back with us in 2007,” said Key. SCR

 

 

NASCAR News - Source: Daytona Beach News-Journal

 

NASCAR CEO Brian France (44) was in an accident where he crashed his Lexus into a tree. France was just outside his condominium on Marina Point Drive. The accident happened Monday evening at about 9:00 p.m.

 

France backed his car up and parked it according to a police report. Officers looked in his car and found the remains of a soda on the dashboard and seat. This goes with the story that France gave the police saying he was drinking a soda and driving when he bumped something.

 

The officers did not smell alcohol so he was hot required to take a field sobriety test. SCR

Matthew Blaylock

  

 

 

ATLANTA – Holiday Inn® Hotels and Resorts will expand its winning NASCAR Busch Series program with Richard Childress Racing (RCR) in 2007 to a full season of competition with co-drivers Jeff Burton and Scott Wimmer.

 

The program is the next step of this season’s 10-race program with Burton behind the wheel of the No. 29 Holiday Inn Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS. In those ten starts, Burton earned one victory (June 3 at Dover International Speedway in Delaware ), five top-five and seven top-10 finishes.

 

Wimmer is also scheduled to drive RCR’s No. 33 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS, with sponsorship from Holiday Inn, in this season’s NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series season finale, Nov. 19 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

 

 “It’s an honor to be able to continue and grow our relationship with an American icon like Holiday Inn,” said Richard Childress , president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. “Jeff Burton, Pat Smith (crew chief) and the entire team have done a solid job on the competition side and the folks at Holiday Inn have done a great job in promoting their program to their customers.  We’ve had pretty good success the past couple of years running a two-driver program and we think that will only continue with the Holiday Inn team in 2007.”

 

Burton and Wimmer will split the 35-race season down the middle, though which driver runs an 18th race is yet to be determined. RCR won the 2003 NASCAR Busch Series owner’s championship with Kevin Harvick and Johnny Sauter. This season, RCR’s No. 21 Coast Guard team earned the driver title with Harvick and the owner title with Harvick running the majority of the races and Burton running five, including a win March 18 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

 

“We are thrilled with the opportunity to build upon the tremendous partnership established between Holiday Inn and Richard Childress Racing, and continue to grow our place in the NASCAR community,” said Mark Snyder, senior vice president of Brand Management for Holiday Inn Hotels and Resorts in the Americas . “A full season at the track with Jeff Burton and Scott Wimmer behind the wheel of the No. 29 Holiday Inn Chevrolet takes us to a whole new level, and is sure to provide even more racing excitement for Holiday Inn guests and NASCAR fans everywhere.”

 

Wimmer comes to RCR with sound Busch Series credentials. The 30-year old Wausau , Wis. , native has five wins, 17 top-five and 41 top-10 finishes in 120 Busch Series starts. He also has two top-10 finishes in the series point standings in the three years he has competed fulltime (2001-03) – third in 2002 and ninth in 2003.

 

“We’re excited about bring Scott Wimmer to RCR to give him an opportunity to showcase his talents,” said Childress. “His record shows he knows how to win races and finish strong in the point standings so we feel that teaming him up with Jeff Burton and the rest of the Holiday Inn team will make for a very strong combination.”

 

Plans for 2007 also call for Wimmer to compete in two still-to-be-determined NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series events in RCR’s No. 33 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS with primary sponsorship from Holiday Inn.

 

“I’m really excited about the opportunity to drive for Richard Childress and his Busch Series program,” said Wimmer. “Being teamed up with Jeff Burton, and having Kevin and Clint (Bowyer) to draw from, is one of the big reasons why I decided to drive for RCR. I’ve raced in NASCAR for almost six years and have never had a teammate. It’s something I’ve always been missing in my career so I’m really looking forward to it, especially with someone the caliber of Jeff Burton.

 

“Growing up in the Midwest , I think I had every birthday party from the time I can remember until I was 14 or so at a Holiday Inn Holidome so it’s great to be driving for them. We had a lot of fun in those Holidomes and I’m looking forward to having just as much fun in their race cars.” SCR

 

 

 

 

Gene Haas, owner of Haas CNC Racing, is now scheduled to go to trial for alleged tax fraud on Sept. 18, 2007.

 

Haas, whose Haas Automation business is the largest dollar-volume machine tool builder in North America, was arrested June 19 for allegedly orchestrating a scheme in 2000 and 2001 in which approximately $50 million of bogus expenses were put in the books to avoid more than $20 million in federal income taxes.

 

Haas has pleaded innocent to the charges, which were part of an investigation that started in 2001. The company has stated that a former employee is to blame and that it has paid the taxes at issue in the case.

 

The indictment has not curtailed the expansion of the race team, which is building a wind tunnel and could expand from one Nextel Cup and one Busch Series team to two Nextel Cup teams next year with drivers Jeff Green and Johnny Sauter.

 

The trial date was set during a hearing Monday in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles.

 

 

 

 

Open-wheel star Sam Hornish will attempt to make his NASCAR debut in this weekend's Arizona.Travel 200 Busch Series race at Phoenix International Raceway.

 

The three-time Indy Racing League champion will compete in the No. 39 Penske Racing South Busch car in the final two races this season, sites of a combined five IRL career wins. Two of those came at Phoenix, the latest in 2005.

 

"I've completed a lot of laps at Phoenix in an IndyCar the last several years," Hornish said. "Hopefully, that experience will transfer to our preparations this week with the Busch car."

 

 

 

 

Willie Allen will attempt to make his second career Busch Series start this weekend at the Phoenix Int. Race way (PIR). Allen who made his Busch debut at Memphis for FitzBradshaw Racing will once again pilot the No. 14 Dodge at PIR. SCR

Matthew Blaylock

 

 

 

 

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida - Pierre Bourque had a busy 2006 season. Competing in the NASCAR Busch East Series, the CASCAR Series and the ARCA RE/MAX Series, Bourque continues to have the itch to race and gain more experience behind the wheel. With his oval racing season complete, Bourque is utilizing the rest of the year to get a jumpstart on next year where he will make another racing milestone next February by competing in the 24 Hours of Daytona.

 

Earlier this week, the Ottawa , Ontario native invaded Daytona International Speedway taking turns behind the wheel of his racecar preparing him for his biggest racing venture yet.

 

“I am thrilled to be at Daytona, testing for next year’s 24-hour race,” said Bourque. “It’s been something I’ve wanted to do for years and the opportunity finally presented itself with Kevin Buckler’s TRG team.”

 

Bourque, who finished inside the top-20 in the final NASCAR Busch East Series points added, “The team is first class. They are proven winners. The car is ultra-quick and the track is super fast. Add to that Kevin’s vast experience, a great group of engineers and the generous advice from the team’s other drivers including Andy Lally and RJ Valentine, you have an extremely hard-to-resist package, and I can’t wait for the race.”

 

His teammates were equally impressed with Bourque’s performance. “Pierre did a great job and we are going to be just fine,” said Lally. He learns quickly and listens to the advice of his peers and that’s a teammate. I’m looking forward to having him on the same side.”

 

No matter what kind of racecar Bourque grabs track time, he knows that the seat time is crucial. “The two days on track were all about learning about the track, the car and the team. However, my times kept coming down and my speeds kept going up, the end result being that despite being limited in terms of laps because of rain, I am already at a point where I am competitive and I view the whole experience as a huge jump forward for when we come back here for official testing in early January.”

 

Bourque has secured sponsorship for the 24 Hours of Daytona with the official announcement to be made public at a later date.

 

As far as his other 2007 racing plans, Bourque is working around-the-clock to lineup his year, which will include the inaugural 2007 NASCAR Busch Series race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve next August.

 

“Nothing is set in stone, but I’m working hard to be racing full-time next year,” added Bourque. “This year was a great learning experience for me and I’m thankful for the opportunity that I received. I’m a winner, I want to win next year and that’s my biggest goal.” SCR

 

 

 

 

Jeff Gordon and Ingrid Vandebosch were married in a private ceremony on Tuesday. Family members of both Vandebosch, who was born in Belgium, and Gordon were present at the celebration that occurred in Mexico. The newlyweds will “honeymoon” in Phoenix, Ariz., and Miami, Fla., – site of the final two events of the 2006 NASCAR season – before attending the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup banquet in New York this December. Their official honeymoon will occur after the season ends at an undisclosed location. SCR

 

 

 

 

This Saturday Jamie McMurray will make his final start behind the wheel of RWI Racing’s No. 64 Top-Flite Dodge at Phoenix International Raceway in the NASCAR Busch Series’ Arizona Travel 200. Since McMurray joined RWI Racing in 2004, he has played an instrumental role in building the team into the high caliber organization that it is today. Competing in over 30 races, McMurray has accumulated 17 top-10 and nine top-five finishes, as well as one win and one pole.

 

When asked about making his final start for Rusty Wallace McMurray said “It would be awesome to get another win for Rusty (Wallace, team owner) in my final race in the Top-Flite Dodge. He has set up a tremendous organization with a great team and I’ve really enjoyed driving his cars.” SCR

Matthew Blaylock

 

 

 

 

Damon Lusk and his wife Robin became the parents of a baby girl Tuesday November 7, 2006. Taylor Diane Lusk was delivered at 5:00am weighing in at 6 pounds, 9 ounces. Both mother and daughter are doing very well and resting comfortably in a local Huntersville, North Carolina hospital. SCR

Matthew Blaylock

 

 

 

 

 

Dale Earnhardt Jr. won't renew his membership in the Gillette Young Guns program next year as he seeks to refine his endorsement strategy, Street & Smith's SportsBusiness Daily reports.

 

The razor company is in the process of formulating plans for 2007 and is not expected to make an announcement on changes until February at Daytona International Speedway, staff writer Michael Smith reports.

 

The Young Gun program this year included Earnhardt Jr., Jimmie Johnson, Kurt Busch, Ryan Newman, Jamie McMurray and Carl Edwards.

  

   

 

 

Tony Stewart’s over-the-wall crew moved into a tie for first-place in the season-long Checkers®/Rally’s® Double Drive-Thru Challenge by taking top honors Sunday at Texas Motor Speedway.

 

It was a double win for the No. 20 crew, which helped boost its driver to a winning performance in the Dickies 500 race at the 1.5-mile oval.

 

With two NEXTEL Cup races remaining, Stewart’s and Jimmie Johnson’s pit crews are tied for first with five victories each. Kyle Busch’s crew is in third with four wins.

 

If there’s a tie after the final race at Homestead-Miami Speedway (Nov. 19), the team that finishes highest in the driver point standings will be awarded the Checkers/Rally’s Double Drive-Thru season championship with the $105,000 bonus.

 

"The Home Depot pit crew was awesome at Texas,” said Stewart, whose No. 20 Chevy Monte Carlo spent the least amount of time on pit road -- 285.239 seconds. “We had a great race car that kept us out front of the race track and the pit crew made sure we stayed there. They were flawless all night. You can't ask for anything better than the effort they put forth at Texas."

 

Stewart’s over-the-wall crew, which earned $10,500 for being the top crew in Texas, consists of: Jason Lee (jackman), Tom Dean (front-tire carrier), Ira-Jo Hussey (front-tire changer), Jody Fortson (rear-tire carrier), Todd Foster (rear-tire changer), Jeff Patterson (gasman), Brian Larson (catch can) and Scott Geerts (windshield). The team’s crew chief is Greg Zipadelli and the pit stop coordinator is Paul Alepa. SCR

 

 

 

 

MOORESVILLE, North Carolina - The 2007 edition of Speedweeks will set the legendary Daytona International Speedway ringing with the sound of high-octane racing motors. One of them will belong to the No. 51 Brandon Whitt Racing TOYOTA Camry.

 

Whitt, 23, announced today that he and his Brandon Whitt Racing team will attempt to make their second ARCA RE/MAX Series start on February 10, 2007 in the Daytona ARCA 200. Brandon Whitt Racing’s (BWR) first ARCA appearance came this past season at Chicagoland Speedway.

 

“We’ve come a long way since Chicagoland,” Whitt says. “Everyone at BWR is looking forward not only to racing at Daytona, but also to take the wraps off of our new TOYOTA Camry. We were strong out of the box at Chicago and we’re confident we can continue that trend at Daytona.” SCR

 

 

 

 

Craig Curione has been suspended for and incident it had with Kevin Harvick after the Dickies 500 at the Texas Motor Speedway (TMS) NASCAR announce today. Curione was suspended indefinitely and fined $10,000.

 

The fine and suspension was handed down after Curione shoved Harvick from behind after the race at TMS. Curione shoved Harvick because he was mad that Harvick spun Scott Riggs (the team that Curion is a crewmember for) with two laps to go. This sent Riggs into the wall and ended his day while running second.

 

The shove sent Harvick and his wife to the ground and also knocked NASCAR official John Sacco to the ground. It is being reported that the official sprained his ankle.

 

According to James Rocco, the designated team owner for the No. 10 team the team will not appeal the fine or suspension. “After a comprehensive internal review of the post-race incident between Kevin Harvick and a member of the No. 10 team, Valvoline Evernham Racing supports NASCAR’s decision to indefinitely suspend the involved crew member. We apologize to Kevin and DeLana Harvick, NASCAR, our partners and our fans for this incident. The behavior demonstrated by the involved crew member was in violation of the Valvoline Evernham Racing Employee Code of Conduct and will not be tolerated. We concur with NASCAR’s ruling and will not appeal the suspension or fine.” SCR

Matthew Blaylock

 

 

 

 

NBC's broadcast of Sunday's Dickies 500 NASCAR Nextel Cup race at Texas Motor Speedway earned a 4.0 overnight Nielsen Media Research rating a 7 market share, Street & Smith's SportsBusiness Daily reports.

 

The results are down 9.1 percent from the 4.4/8 the race earned overnight last year.

 

 

 

 

Scott Riggs sat in his crumpled car on the frontstretch with just a few laps remaining in the Dickies 500, upset with the bump from Kevin Harvick that started the accident with two laps left.

 

His crew also apparently showed its anger.

 

NASCAR is investigating an incident where a member of Riggs' crew allegedly pushed Harvick following the race, which resulted in Harvick's wife DeLana twisting her ankle and a NASCAR official likely spraining his ankle as the No. 10 team's pit cart crashed into them.

 

NASCAR Vice President of Corporate Communications Jim Hunter would not identify the name of the Evernham Motorsports crew member nor the NASCAR official involved. He would not comment on any results of the investigation.

 

"Those guys decided that they wanted to take matters into their own hands and trip my wife in front of their pit box and ran her over," Harvick said. "That's a little bit unnecessary, so we're not too happy about that."

 

Richard Childress Racing Director of Competition Mike Dillon said a crewman from Riggs' team started the incident.

 

"One of the guys on the 10 team came up from behind me and shoved Harvick," Dillon said. "He pushed him hard enough to knock him and DeLana down in front of one of the war wagons, pit boxes.

 

"The NASCAR official got in the way and tried to stop it. I don't know if it [injured] his leg or ankle. DeLana twisted her leg. In this sport, you're going to have heated moments. But when it gets physical, it turns into a different story, I guess."

 

Dillon compared the push to a football block.

 

"He was shoving like a blocker would or an offensive lineman would shove somebody," he said. "But he hit him from behind, so Kevin wasn't expecting it and we were coming down that ramp [to the garage]. [Harvick] hits DeLana, and they both fell to the ground."

 

Rodney Childers, the team director for Riggs, said he was in the garage and did not know what happened.

 

"There are always two sides to the story, and I don't really know the truth right now," Childers said. "There's just a lot of adrenaline flowing out on pit road. These guys come in on Sunday and they're athletes. They get paid to step across the wall and make fast pit stops.

 

"It was just a coincidence that our pit box was coming down the hill at the same time as Kevin and the Harvick crew."

 

The accident occurred as Harvick was battling with Riggs for third. Harvick took the air off Riggs' spoiler, Riggs wiggled and Harvick got into the back of him. Harvick went on to finish third in the race while Riggs had a chance at his first career victory ruined.

 

Hunter said NASCAR viewed the crash as a racing incident.

 

Dillon, a former driver, knows how emotional the sport is.

 

"They were running their mouth - all teams when something happens, you're going to run your mouths some, especially with what was going on," Dillon said. "I guess he got a little bit overheated and had to get physical."

 

With Harvick's history of having a short fuse at times, Dillon was happy that Harvick did not retaliate.

 

"He did good," Dillon said. "He didn't even confront the individual. NASCAR is handling it. They had actually three or four officials witness it."

 

The crewman and the team likely will face a significant penalty.

 

"We'll cooperate with NASCAR and do the best job we can to get it sorted out," Childers said.

   

   

 

 

Max Jones, who has led the Craftsman Truck and Busch series programs at Roush Racing the past two years, was named general manager of the Nextel Cup program yesterday.

 

 

 

 

KERNERSVILLE, N.C. - Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) announced Friday that Dollar General Corp. (NYSE: DG) has renewed its contract for the 2007 NASCAR Busch Series season. The Goodlettsville, Tenn.-based discount retailer will return to KHI with the No. 77 Dollar General stores Chevrolet in all 35 events on the Busch Series schedule.

 

Two-time Busch Series Champion Kevin Harvick , Cup Series Champion Bobby Labonte and Busch Series driver Kertus Davis will alternate as drivers of the No. 77 car during the season. Davis will compete in 13 events; Labonte will compete in 18 events and team owner Harvick will compete in five events for Dollar General, including one event in the KHI owned No. 33 car.

 

“I'm very pleased to continue KHI’s partnership with Dollar General," said Kevin Harvick , co-owner and CEO of Kevin Harvick Inc. "Dollar General and KHI share the same visions of growth and success. With Dollar General returning for a second full-time season, it will only build the teamwork and communication we have established.”

 

Dollar General will enter into its third year as a primary sponsor in the NASCAR Busch Series, and its second season with Kevin Harvick Inc.

 

“Dollar General is excited abut our prospects for the 2007 season,” said Rick McNeely, Dollar General’s vice president of general merchandise. “We have assembled an all-star line-up with Kevin Harvick , Bobby Labonte and Kertus Davis. Kevin and Bobby’s track record speaks for itself and we are looking forward to watching Kertus make the move to the next level in the quality equipment that KHI will give him.”

 

Nextel Cup Series driver, Bobby Labonte, will return to the helm of the No. 77 Dollar General stores machine. Labonte will compete in five events for KHI in the 2006 season.

 

 “I think this is a great opportunity to race in the NASCAR Busch Series,” said Bobby Labonte. “ Kevin Harvick has a great organization full of good people. The folks at Dollar General have been very supportive of this program and we are all hoping for a lot of success in the races we run together. I know this is a team that is capable of winning races and one that is competitive each time they come to the track. I think that’s pretty exciting and we’re looking forward to 2007 together.”

 

Up and coming driver, Kertus Davis, will make his debut with KHI in 2007. Davis has competed in five seasons in the NASCAR Busch Series, starting in over 60 events in his career.

 

“This is an opportunity of a lifetime,” said Kertus Davis. “This is what I have worked for my entire racing career and I want to thank Kevin and DeLana as well as Dollar General for believing in me as a driver.”

 

The Dollar General stores car will be one of two full-time Busch teams that KHI will field in 2007. In addition to the No. 77 car, KHI will field the No. 33 Chevrolet, which will feature multiple sponsors and drivers. SCR

 

 

 

 

MIAMI, FL - The fifth annual Ford Racefest returns to the streets of downtown Fort Lauderdale at Las Olas Riverfront on Thursday, Nov. 16 from Noon – 10p.m.  This free-to-the-public event, p