SCR has heard that PPI Motorsports has closed its doors. This happened just before the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. 2006 driver Travis Kvapil recently announced that he would return to the truck series in 2007 driving for Roush Racing. SCR

Matthew Blaylock

 

 

 

 

A fire suit once worn by the late Dale Earnhardt has gone missing from the Texas Motor Speedway (TMS).

 

The uniform along with a pair of gloves, helmet and a pair of Nike racing shoes was reported missing last week from a locked storage closet at the track. The items are valued at $50,000 to $100,000.

 

Crime Stoppers is offering up to a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the case. Callers to 817-469-TIPS may remain anonymous. SCR

Matthew Blaylock

 

 

 

 

CONCORD, North Carolina - On this Thanksgiving day members of the Fast Track Racing team should be preparing for a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends, but  the team is in mourning after the unexpected and tragic passing of 19-year old Dan Becker, who lost his life Tuesday (November 21) evening in an auto accident outside of Charlotte, North Carolina.

 

Becker, the right front tire changer of the No. 11 Chevrolet Monte Carlo in the ARCA RE/MAX Series was a tremendous asset to the Fast Track Racing team and will be deeply missed. 

 

The entire Fast Track Racing team extends their sincere condolences to the family.

 

At this time, funeral arrangements are pending. SCR

Matthew Blaylock

 

 

 

 

TOLEDO OH – SPEED TV host John Roberts will be the Master of Ceremonies for 54th annual ARCA RE/MAX Series national championship awards banquet at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center in Covington, Kentucky Saturday night, December 9th.

 

Roberts is currently the host of NASCAR RaceDay and NASCAR Victory Lane on SPEED. Prior to his tenure at SPEED, Roberts hosted NASCAR This Morning on Fox Sports Net.

 

“I’m very excited about the opportunity to host the ARCA RE/MAX Series awards banquet,” said Roberts. “Since working with SPEED, I have learned to have an enormous amount of respect for all the teams that participate in what’s one of the most versatile tours in America. It’ll be fun to help showcase all the talent in the ARCA RE/MAX Series on their big night.”

 

Roberts, originally from Washington D.C., got his start at WHSV TV in Harrisonburg, Virginia in 1986 before moving to WBTV in Charlotte in 1995 where he worked as a weekend sports anchor.

 

The annual black-tie awards ceremony, which is open to the public, honors the top-20 ARCA RE/MAX Series drivers and top-10 owners including eight-time and 2006 champion Frank Kimmel. Other special award winners include Pork Pole Award winner Steve Wallace and ARCA RE/MAX Rookie of the Year Blake Bjorklund. This year’s production also includes a special big-screen tribute to the late Jack Bowsher, whose son Todd finished a career-best sixth in driver points in 2006.

 

In addition to the elaborate banquet ceremony on Saturday night, a Marketing Summit, Press Conference and a Focus Motorsports Ministries silent auction are just some of the activities planned for the big weekend.

 

Technical rehearsal is Friday night from 4 pm to 6 pm. Then on Saturday the annual ARCA RE/MAX Series Press Conference will take center stage from 2 pm to 3:30 pm to include news announcements regarding the fast-approaching 2007 season.

 

The Focus Motorsports Ministries silent auction, a benefit for ARCA Chaplain Bill Krick, follows the Press Conference from 3:30 to 4:30.

 

The banquet welcome reception will be from 5:15 to 6:15. Doors for the awards banquet swing open at 6 with the awards program, which includes a very nice sit-down dinner, beginning at 6:30 pm. SCR

 

 

 

 

MOORESVILLE, N.C. - MB2 Motorsports has changed its name to Ginn Racing, effective immediately.

 

The name change is a result of the team's new owner Bobby Ginn, who purchased majority interest in the racing organization in July. 

 

Regarding the pronunciation of Ginn -- it is GHIN as in the second syllable of begin.  

 

The company's web site address is: www.ginnracing.com

 

MB2 Motorsports began operations in July 1996. 

 

Ginn Racing will field three full-time Nextel Cup teams in 2007 with drivers Mark Martin/Regan Smith sharing the No. 01 U.S. Army Chevrolet ride, Joe Nemechek in the No. 13 Chevrolet and Sterling Marlin in the No. 14 Chevrolet. 

 

The organization will also field a full-time Busch Series team with Smith and Kraig Kinser co-driving a Ginn Racing Chevrolet.

 

The team's development program includes drivers Jesus Hernandez and Ricky Carmichael. 

 

Ginn Racing is based in Mooresville, N.C.  SCR

 

 

 

 

 

HOMESTEAD, Florida – WYPALL* Wipers is pleased to announce Robbie Reiser, Trip Bruce and Rick Ren as the winners of its 2006 Crew Chief Challenge.

 

The WYPALL* Wipers Crew Chief Challenge has been a season-long contest to determine the best crew chiefs in the garage.   At the conclusion of each event in racing’s top-three series, a panel of judges, including Tony Eury Sr., Director of Competition at Dale Earnhardt, Inc., a member of the local media and a WYPALL* Wipers representative, decided which crew chief did an outstanding job.  It wasn’t necessarily the crew chief that went to victory lane, but it was always the crew chief that made the biggest difference to his team.  The crew chief in each series with the most weekly wins won top honors as the WYPALL* Wipers Crew Chief of the Year.

 

The WYPALL* Wipers Crew Chief Challenge spotlights the crew chief’s efforts to get his team in Victory Lane.  “WYPALL* Wipers and crew chiefs are a natural fit,” said Tom Merrill, category manager for WYPALL* Wipers.  “Crew chiefs only want to use reliable products on their cars and engines. That’s why they choose WYPALL* Wipers. Our products are used to wipe up the toughest, most stubborn messes, and we want to focus on the men who put WYPALL * Wipers to use each week.  That’s why we continue to show our appreciation to the crew chiefs,” added Merrill.

 

Robbie Reiser, crew chief of the Nextel Cup Series No. 17 Roush Racing DeWalt Ford, earned Crew Chief of the Race accolades at five events this season, narrowly edging Kenny Francis, crew chief of the No. 9 Dodge Dealers Dodge,  who won the award four times.  Reiser received $20,000 as the Crew Chief of the Year.  “There are so many great teams and talented crew chiefs racing at this level, so it’s a real honor to be recognized by WYPALL*,” said Reiser.  “I’ve got a great team around me and they always give 100% at every race we go to.  I couldn’t have won this award without them.”

 

Trip Bruce, crew chief of the Busch Series No. 9 Evernham Motorsports Dodge Charger, won the Crew Chief of the Race award five times this season, beating out Shane Wilson, crew chief of the No. 21 Coast

Guard Chevrolet, who picked up four wins.  Bruce won $10,000 for his achievement.  “Winning this award presented by WYPALL* means a great deal to me,” said Bruce.   “Everybody on the

No. 9 Ultimate Chargers team has played a huge part in this.  My crew has worked so hard all season long with several talented drivers.  They’re the reason that we’ve been successful this year.  When a company provides a product that helps our jobs and reach our goals of winning races, recognizes and rewards us for these accomplishments, it proves they have pride and confidence in their product and the people that use it.”

 

Rick Ren, crew chief of the Craftsman Truck Series No. 23 Bill Davis Racing Toyota, won a close competition over Mike Hillman Jr., crew chief of the No. 30 Lumber Liquidators Toyota,  for WYPALL* Wipers Crew Chief of the Year honors. Ren won the Crew Chief of the Race award five times throughout 2006, earning a $10,000 grand prize as the champion.  “It’s been an awesome year for us,” said Ren.  “I’m thrilled to win the Crew Chief of the Year award.  Thanks to everybody at Bill Davis Racing and WYPALL* Wipers for making this possible.” SCR

 

 

 

 

NBC's broadcast of Sunday's Ford 400 NASCAR Nextel Cup season finale earned a 4.3 overnight rating from Nielsen Media Research and a 7 market share, Street & Smith's SportsBusiness Daily reports.

 

The rating represents a 10.4 percent drop from the 4.8/9 the race earned overnight in 2005 and a 23.2 percent drop from 2004, when the format of the Chase For The Nextel Cup was used for the first time.

 

   

 

 

Haas CNC Racing team manager Bill Ingle said Sunday that the team would expand to field two full-time Nextel Cup Series cars next season. Haas currently fields the No. 66 Chevrolet with Jeff Green. Next year, the team will field the No. 70 as well, with Johnny Sauter expected to be the driver.

 

Sauter is rumored to be the first choice of Robert Yates Racing for its No. 88 car, but Ingle said all his conversations with Sauter lead him to believe the driver is staying. Either way, he said adding a second team is imperative.

 

"It's going to be difficult for everybody, but we saw the one race where we ran both cars at Charlotte in May how much both teams were better that weekend," Ingle said. "That's not saying they're going to do that everywhere we go ... but hopefully we can get them both in the show every week."

 

The plan is for Harold Holly to remain as Green's crew chief, with Robert "Bootie" Barker remaining with Sauter.

  

   

 

 

David Ragan has not raced in a Nextel Cup event since NASCAR held him out of the race at Atlanta Motor Speedway last month, but he still could race in the season-opening Daytona 500 next year.

 

Ragan is set to replace Mark Martin in the No. 6 Roush Racing entry next year. The rookie has failed to qualify for Nextel Cup races at Texas and Homestead since his rough outing at Martinsville that led to NASCAR keeping him out of the car for a week.

 

A decision from NASCAR on whether it would hold Ragan out of the 2007 season opener could come this week, but that scenario seems unlikely.

 

"We've got a meeting this Wednesday," said NASCAR's Brett Bodine, who heads the certification committee. "It will all be discussed at the meeting. The good thing is that we've got such an extensive test at Daytona, we can put him in and observe at the Daytona test.

 

"The beauty of testing now is two of the three days is spent in drafting. Ironically, the most experience David has is at Daytona with his ARCA stuff and truck stuff. We're going to look at him real strong. But the races he missed, he did all of practice and did a good job."

 

Bodine made clear that he wasn't speaking for the committee and said a decision has yet to be finalized.

 

"It's not for me to say," Bodine said. "It will be a committee decision."

  

   

 

 

Richmond, VA - After a day of fun-filled festivities and a show of community support at Richmond International Raceway, track officials announced today the results of Richmond International Raceway’s Drive for Life.  The event, which marked the final opportunity of the year to help with the 2006 NASCAR Foundation Blood and Marrow Drive , resulted in 108 units of blood collected and 40 names added to the National Marrow Donor Program Registry of volunteer donors.  With the contributions at Richmond International Raceway, The NASCAR Foundation’s goal of 2,000 units was reached.

 

“We are very pleased with the great turnout for Richmond International Raceway’s Drive for Life,” said track president Doug Fritz.  “With this strong show of support, we’ll be able to help those in need right here in our community.  It is a great honor that the 2,000th unit was collected here in the Greater Richmond Metropolitan Area.”

 

Richmond International Raceway’s Drive for Life is a collaborative effort between the track, Virginia Blood Services, the Hendrick Marrow Program, the National Marrow Donor Program, the Jimmie Johnson Foundation and The NASCAR Foundation.  Thirteen other tracks on the NASCAR circuit participated earlier in the year. 

 

Every donor at Richmond International Raceway’s Drive for Life received souvenir items, a commemorative t-shirt and a pace car ride around Richmond International Raceway’s ¾-mile track.  Additionally, many prize drawings were conducted throughout the day. SCR

 

 

 

 

STATESVILLE, North Carolina - Carter-2-Motorsports announced today they no longer have plans to participate in the 2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season. However, pulling their plans from the NCTS division, allows Carter-2-Motorsports to shift focus to the ARCA RE/MAX Series where the team will field two cars next season.

 

Team owner and driver Roger Carter, II will pilot one entry, while the team also announced today the signing of developmental driver Nick Tucker to drive the team’s second entry. Tucker, a former NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver will pilot the No. 60 Dodge Charger in 2007.

 

"I am really excited to be working with Roger and the whole Carter 2 Motorsports team,” said Tucker. “I feel like there is a lot of potential to achieve some success as the year progresses."

 

Car owner Roger Carter echoed his young driver’s statement. “I am excited about the future of Nick Tucker and our race team,” he said. “Nick is a very talented young driver who comes to this team with over 14 years of racing experience. I consider him to be a major asset to our organization and he will continue to blossom with success in the racing industry.”

 

Tucker, who initially signed with the team at the beginning of the month, will compete in a minimum of five ARCA events. Also an active test driver, Tucker will aim to make his RE/MAX Series debut at Nashville Superspeedway on April 7, 2007. He is also schedule to make attempts at Kentucky Speedway, Pocono Raceway, Gateway International Raceway and Chicagoland Speedway. The team’s intent is to extend his ARCA schedule as the season progresses.

 

Carter, who will drive the team’s second entry full time in 2007 mentioned, “Each team member brings to this organization their own skill, desire, determination, ability and personality. It takes a team to win and Nick realizes that each individual of our team plays a vital role and is essential in making victory lane a reality. I hope to secure further sponsorship for the No. 60 car and to continue in the development of this young and promising team into championship contender status.”

 

Tucker added, “Roger and myself have the same goals, and with the team and cars that we are putting together we should be able to accomplish this goal of running up front."

 

The team has high expectations for the upcoming season with both drivers. Further details of the team’s 2007 plans will be announced at a later date. SCR

 

 

 

 

Ryan Newman's final night of the 2006 season lasted a little longer than he had planned when he was called to the NASCAR hauler after Juan Pablo Montoya spun into the wall and his car burst into flames.

 

"That's just one of those things," Montoya said. "He came up to me and if that's what he wanted to do, I don't care. I'm not racing for points or anything here."

 

Newman spun into the grass with 21 laps to go and said that was his fault with no help from Montoya, who was beside him when it happened. When Newman was behind Montoya when his car went into a tailspin, NASCAR officials wanted to talk to Newman to find out if it was a payback move.

 

"We were basically going for the same piece of real estate," Newman said when he came out of the hauler. "His bumper went across my nose and it spun him out.

"This was nobody but racing's fault, in my opinion. I felt bad for the situation because obviously it looked like I was retaliating and that wasn't the case, and that's what we talked about in there."

 

 

 

 

Johnny Sauter could be headed to Robert Yates Racing (RYR) in 2007. The deal would let  Sauter take over the No. 88 Ford, replacing Dale Jarrett who is leaving the team to go drive for Toyota and Michael Waltrip Racing. SCR

Matthew Blaylock

 

 

 

 

Matt Borland's run as Ryan Newman's crew chief appears to be over.

Borland, who asked for a leave of absence as Ryan Newman's crew chief for the final two races, is expected to become the director of competition at Penske Racing South next season.

Team officials said an official announcement should come within the next couple of weeks.

 

 

 

 

SAN FRANCISCO - The Levi Strauss Signature® brand, associate sponsor of Jimmie Johnson since 2004, congratulates Johnson and the No. 48 Team on clinching its first NASCAR NEXTEL Cup championship on Sunday at Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway.

 

Johnson, who carried a 63-point lead over 2003 NASCAR Cup champion Matt Kenseth heading into the season finale, started the race in 15th position before finishing in ninth place to secure his first title by 56 points over Matt Kenseth in NASCAR's premiere series. For Johnson, it was a sweet victory, especially after coming up short on two other occasions, taking second place in 2003 (90 points to Matt Kenseth) and 2004 (eight points to Kurt Busch).  

 

"The Levi Strauss Signature brand was thrilled to see Jimmie Johnson achieve his highest racing honor on Sunday," said Scott LaPorta, President, Levi Strauss Signature brand. "Jimmie and the No. 48 team are well deserving of the championship due to the hard work and persistence they have shown throughout the 2006 season. The Levi Strauss Signature brand is proud to partner with Jimmie (Johnson), and looks forward to continuing the relationship on and off the racetrack in the years to come."

 

The El Cajon, Calif., native's storybook season began with a win in NASCAR's most prestigious race, the season-opening Daytona 500 in February. Johnson followed that with four more race wins, including checkered flags at Las Vegas, Talladega, the Brickyard in Indianapolis and Martinsville. 

 

The Levi Strauss Signature brand spokesperson, who began the Chase for the Cup in second place, fell as far back as eighth place and 165 points behind the leader (Jeff Burton) after three races into the Chase. But, that's when the No. 48 team dug in its heals and pulled out all the stops. In the five races following Talladega (Chase Race No. 4), Johnson didn't finish lower than second place, including a win at Martinsville. On the year, Johnson claimed 13 top-5s and 24 top-10s. SCR

 

 

 

 

Jimmie Johnson finished 9^th at the Homestead-Miami Speedway Sunday good enough to win the 2006 Nextel Cup Championship. Johnson raced for the championship as Greg Biffle raced for the win in the Ford 400. Biffle held off Martin Truex Jr. and Denny Hamlin to take the win in the season finale race. Truex came home with a career best second followed by fellow rookie Denny Hamlin in third. Finishing fourth and fifth was the No. 9 Dodge driven by Kasey Kahne and the No. 29 Chevrolet of driven by Kevin Harvick.

 

Johnson won the championship as Matt Kenseth could not make up the 63 point deficit that he was in going into the race. Kenseth finished second in points 56 points behind Johnson followed by rookie Denny Hamlin in third. SCR

Matthew Blaylock

 

Ford 400 Results