HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. - Masterfoods USA announced today it will sponsor a second entry with Robert Yates Racing (RYR) in 2007 with Snickers® Brand as the primary sponsor. Veteran driver Ricky Rudd will return to RYR to drive after a one-year break from competition. Snickers® joins forces with M&M’S® Chocolate Candies, the primary sponsor for driver David Gilliland and the No. 38 team, making Masterfoods USA the only sponsor to have two brands from the same company on one team.

 

“The opportunity to sponsor a second NEXTEL Cup Team at Robert Yates Racing is exciting for both our brands and our associates at Masterfoods USA,” said William Clements, director of Sponsorships and Sports Marketing for Masterfoods USA. “With this second sponsorship, we can now showcase other Masterfoods brands, such as Snickers, in partnership with M&M’S Chocolate Candies. The addition of Ricky Rudd, who provides over 30 years of experience, will bring added leadership for the entire organization as well as assist in the continued development of David Gilliland. We strongly believe that this additional sponsorship and Ricky’s experience strengthen our program as a whole and positions both teams for great success in 2007.”

 

“When we were looking for sponsors for the second team, we wanted a company that would complement the powerful brands Masterfoods USA represents. We could not possibly ask for a better fit than to add one of their own brands as the sponsor for our second team,” said Robert Yates, team owner.  “Masterfoods has been a loyal supporter of our sport for nearly 15 years and we look forward to our two teams being united under Snickers and M&M’S next season.” 

 

Rudd, a 31-year veteran of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, raced for RYR in 2000, 2001 and 2002. The Virginia native took home “Rookie of the Year” honors following the 1977 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup season and went on to win races in 16 consecutive seasons, an honor he shares only with retired driver Rusty Wallace. One of NASCAR’s Top 50 Drivers of all time and known as NASCAR’s “Iron Man,” Rudd currently holds the record for most consecutive starts at 788.

 

“We are excited to welcome Ricky back to the team,” said Yates. “We all realize Ricky’s talent and to have him return to the organization is a huge plus for us.”

 

 “When I took a break from racing at the end of 2005, I knew that I would return to competition if the right opportunity presented itself,” Rudd said. “Returning to Robert Yates Racing and partnering with Snickers was the ride to get me back into competition full time. In today’s market, you have to have a multi-car organization to be competitive and win races and with Masterfoods’ support I believe we have the ability to do both of those next year.

 

 “I look forward to working closely with David and Todd (Parrott, crew chief of the No. 38 Team) next season,” Rudd continued. “David has shown tremendous talent in his time behind the wheel of a NEXTEL Cup car and with the resources we will share at RYR, our goal is to put Robert Yates Racing back on top.”

 

2007 will mark the 14th season for Masterfoods USA as a primary sponsor in NASCAR’s NEXTEL Cup Series and the fifth with the Yates family. The famous candy maker joined the NEXTEL Cup ranks in 1990, running its first three seasons under the Snickers moniker. After serving as an associate sponsor for four seasons, the company returned with SKITTLES® colors in 1997 before transitioning to M&M’S Brand Candies in 1999.

 

Joining Snickers to support the NASCAR program are PEDIGREE® Brand Food for Dogs and Combos® Brand Snacks.  Each will hold the primary sponsor position on the second car for a combined seven events during the 2007 season. Additionally, Masterfoods’ brands TWIX®, MILKY WAY®, SKITTLES and STARBURST® will serve as associate sponsors on Rudd’s Ford during the 36-race schedule. SCR

 

 

 

 

Australian motor racing ace Marcos Ambrose will compete at the highest level of US motorsport next year when he competes in up to 10 NASCAR Nextel Cup events under the Team Australia and Aussie Vineyards banner.

Program creator and Australian businessman Craig Gore has finalized a deal with Wood Brothers-JTG Racing which will see Team Australia/Aussie Vineyards branding on the back quarter panel of Ambrose’s #59 Kingsford Charcoal Ford Fusion for all 35 rounds of next year’s NASCAR Busch Series.

Part of the agreement will also see a full Team Australia/Aussie Vineyards entry in a minimum of two, and up to 10, NASCAR Nextel Cup events.

Ambrose will campaign the full Team Australia/Aussie Vineyards entry in Nextel Cup road course events at Infineon Raceway at Sonoma, California on June 24 and at Watkins Glen International Raceway in New York State on August 12.

The announcement was made in Australia today during Ambrose’s first trip home since January to visit family and friends.

An extension of the two-race Nextel Cup program will be evaluated by Gore and Wood Brothers-JTG Racing and will be influenced by results and further involvement from Australian companies looking to increase their US and global branding.

Marketing plans have already been put in place which will see Aussie Vineyards wine packaged with bags of Kingsford Charcoal in outlets across the US.

As a bonus for Australian fans, all of Ambrose’s NASCAR Busch and his Nextel Cup drives are set be shown in Australia next season.

“The confirmation of at least two NASCAR Nextel Cup races for me in 2007 is fantastic news,” said Ambrose.

“It is great that Craig (Gore) and his Team Australia/Aussie Vineyards program will not only be continuing with me as secondary sponsors on the #59 Kingsford Charcoal Ford next season, but that we will be flying the Team Australia colours in a minimum of two Nextel Cup events.

“Our learning curve continues to be a steep one in the US and I am certainly looking forward to working with the team at Wood Brothers-JTG Racing and Craig Gore as we take the next step forward in my NASCAR career.

“There is no doubt that NASCAR has become the pinnacle of world motorsport and I am enjoying the journey.”

Ambrose joined the NASCAR ranks this season after a successful V8 Supercar career in Australia where he won two championships for Ford.

He had not driven an oval race before his NASCAR Craftsman Truck debut at Martinsville in April, but he finished the season with two third-place finishes (Kansas and Nashville) and a pole (Kentucky) in his Team Australia/Aussie Vineyards entry.

Team Australia concept creator and Aussie Vineyards Managing Director Craig Gore said that the continued NASCAR relationships made sense because the sport is linked to one of the largest growing consumer wine markets in the world.

“The NASCAR program certainly worked for us this year and we look forward to cementing ourselves in the US market place with our continued association with Marcos and his #59 Kingsford Charcoal entry,” said Gore.

“Even more exciting for us is Marcos making his NASCAR Nextel Cup debut in a car that will have full Team Australia/Aussie Vineyards naming rights sponsorship.

“The Team Australia program has experienced some proud moments in its short two-year history, but when Marcos rolls out in the Team Australia/Aussie Vineyards entry in NASCAR’s Major League I think that will be our greatest achievement to date.

“NASCAR is the greatest sporting spectacle on earth and we hope to be a part of it with Marcos and Wood Brothers-JTG Racing for many years to come.”

Wood Brothers/JTG Racing co-owner Tad Geschickter said that the Team Australia concept had created an enormous amount of interest, in and out of NASCAR circles in the US.

“We look forward to continuing our relationship with Craig Gore and the Team Australia/Aussie Vineyards program as ground continues to be made in the US market,” said Geschickter.

“Craig (Gore) and his team have really shown what can be achieved in this sport over the last 12 months and I am sure Team Australia, Aussie Vineyards and their partners will enjoy increased success as the Busch and Nextel Cup programs roll out in 2007.

“It was great that we could hook up to similar products like wine and barbeque charcoal both on and off the track and we hope we can provide many similar opportunities as more Australian companies join the Team Australia program.

“I think there are a lot of people looking forward to seeing Marcos make his NASCAR Nextel Cup road course debut. We all pretty well know what he achieved on similar tracks in V8 Supercar back in Australia.” SCR

 

 

 

 

Whiteville, N.C. - Ricky Benton Racing announced yesterday that they will team up with driver, Shelby Howard for the 2007 Hooters Pro Cup season.

Howard, who resides in Greenwood, Ind., will move to the Southern Division after running in the North the past two seasons.

In 2006, the 21-year-old Howard finished second in the USAR Hooters Pro Cup Championship Standings.

As part of the deal, veteran crew chief, Chris Rice will be joining the team to help coordinate all the race related activities.  Rice, over the past few years, has worked in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Craftsman Truck Series and Busch Series.  The plans for 2007 include running for the USAR Championship as well as running in select NASCAR Busch Series events.  Along with Rice will be Barry Elvis who will serve as car chief for the 2007 campaign.  RBR has hired chief mechanic, Glenn Ray to be involved with the day-to-day activities at the shop and the track.  Howard will also bring mechanic, Joey Gwin, to be involved with some of the shop & track activities.

Howard's racing career began back in 1996 and he has driven many types of cars including Sprints, Modifieds, and Late Models.  In 2001, Howard became the youngest driver ever to compete in the ARCA RE/Max Series and went on to finish fifth in the ARCA points in 2002.  He became the youngest winner ever in that series in 2003 while also going on to finish third in the points.  In 2004, Howard made five starts in the NASCAR Busch Series and eight starts in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

Over the past two seasons, RBR has had its ups and downs with the highlight of this past season being the win at Bristol Motor Speedway with its driver, Marty Lindley.  RBR, with driver Jason Sarvis, won the 2002 USAR Hooters Pro Cup championship; and with driver, Matt Carter won the 2004 Miller Lite Rookie of the Year Championship.  RBR won the 1998 Myrtle Beach Speedway track championship, the Atlantic Seaboard Region Championship, and finished fourth in the nation.

In 2007, Black's Tire Service will continue as an associate sponsor.  Black's Tire is headquartered in Whiteville, NC.  With over 75 years of service to the North & South Carolina customer markets, Black's Tire operates 20 locations throughout the Carolinas, including 2 wholesale operations, and a distribution center.  The team is still searching for a primary sponsor and other associate marketing partners for the 2007 campaign. SCR

 

 

 

 

MOORESVILLE, NC  – Still only 16 years old, Joey Logano will take another step in his racing career for 2007 as he moves into the NASCAR Busch East Series.  The record-holder for youngest ever winner in USAR Hooters Pro Cup competition hopes to be able to accomplish the same feat in a NASCAR Touring series next year.

 

“We’re going to run the entire Busch East Series schedule and another two or three West Series races,” said Logano of his 2007 plans.  “We’re planning on going to Sonoma and Phoenix, so we’ll see how things work out.”

 

With tracks such as New Hampshire International Speedway and Dover International Speedway on the Busch East schedule, the tour is a logical next venue to bring along Logano as a development driver for Joe Gibbs Racing.

 

“I think that it will be a good step.  We’ll be going to bigger tracks and that is where I need the seat time.  I’ve tested Cup cars and ARCA cars on larger tracks, but I haven’t been able to race anything yet (in ARCA) because I’m not 18.  So it will be cool to finally get to race there and experience things like aero push and racing around other cars.

 

“I honestly don’t know what to expect yet.  But I guess that is why I’m called a development driver – because I’m still learning.”

 

The Busch East Series makes two stops in Logano’s homestate of Connecticut, giving him a chance to race in front of some old friends.  The young racer moved to Georgia and then North Carolina in recent years to follow his racing dreams, but grew up as a native of Middletown, Connecticut.

 

“Going to Stafford and Thompson will be fun.  I’ve never raced at either track before, but I’ve watched plenty of races at both places.  I used to race at the Little T [a smaller track at Thompson for karts and quarter midgets] as a kid.”

 

The NASCAR Busch East Series season kicks off on April 28th at Greenville-Pickens Speedway (SC), but Logano has some plans to get into the driver’s seat before that date rolls around.  He is planning to run a Modified during Florida Speedweeks at New Smyrna Speedway in February for car owner Gary Cretty.

 

“We’ve got it down here and almost ready to race,” said Logano.  “We won’t run the whole week at New Smyrna, but we’ll take it out and play with it for a few races.  I need something to do – the Busch East season doesn’t start until April and that’s a long time without any racing.” SCR

 

 

 

 

DOVER, Del. - The green flag waves this Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2007, as tickets go on sale for the September 21-23, 2007 NASCAR tripleheader at Dover International Speedway. Tickets for the June 1-3, 2007 race weekend are currently on sale. Race fans can gain an advantage over the competition with even more choices by purchasing early. Improved seat selection, ticket availability in most price ranges, and the ability to purchase blocks of tickets to keep your group together are among the best reasons to order your tickets now.

Tickets will be available at www.DoverSpeedway.com, and by calling the Dover International Speedway ticket office at 800-441-RACE, beginning at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 20.

The Sunday, Sept. 23 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race at the Monster Mile will again be part of the "Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup," as the second of the final ten races. The outcome of the race in Dover will again play a role in deciding the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup champion. Fans can expect another exciting battle to the finish, if recent history repeats itself. The Sept. 24, 2006 race at Dover saw Jeff Burton outlast Matt Kenseth, resulting in one of the best races of the 2006 NASCAR season.

On Saturday, Sept. 22, the NASCAR Busch Series returns to the Monster Mile, and typically brings with it top drivers from the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series. Friday, Sept. 21 will feature the Sunoco 150 NASCAR Busch East Series season finale, with their distinctive brand of physical racing and competitive finishes.

Construction of a new skybox complex is underway at Dover International Speedway, and includes "Velocity," a 90-person, all-inclusive luxury suite for individual race fans. Velocity is located over the frontstretch at the Monster Mile, and provides great views of the entire track. Fans can learn more by visiting www.DoverSpeedway.com/velocity.html. SCR

 

 

 

 

Former NASCAR publicist Richard "Chip" Williams has agreed to plead guilty to three criminal charges, including one of engaging in sexual acts with a 12-year-old, as part of plea agreement with federal prosecutors in North Carolina.

 

Williams, 47, who has been in a North Carolina jail since Jan. 31, could be sentenced to up to 75 years in jail on the charges, according to documents filed in U.S. District Court in North Carolina. The minimum sentence would be 15 years unless Williams qualifies for a reduced sentence. Sentencing is scheduled for Arpil 30.

 

In the documents filed last Thursday, Williams agreed to plead guilty to three counts: engaging in sexual acts with a 12-year-old, using the Internet to arrange for the relationship and for planning to either film or photo the minor in sexually explicit conduct.

 

All of the counts stem from his relationship with one minor.

 

Williams was originally arrested following arranging a meeting with someone he thought was a 14-year-old girl but who actually was an undercover officer of the Guilford County (N.C.) Sheriff's Department. The department began investigating Williams after learning about his relationship with a Guilford County girl, according to the sheriff's department.

 

Williams was NASCAR's spokesman from 1982-1994 before operating Williams Co. of America, which handled the public relations for Petty Enterprises, among others.

  

  

 

 

After Daytona Beach Police officers were determined to have followed proper procedures investigating a traffic accident of NASCAR Chairman Brian France, the NASCAR head says he considers the issue closed.

 

"As previously stated, I fully cooperated with the police on the night in question about what happened on my way home from a fast-food restaurant," France said in a statement released by NASCAR. "I accidentally brushed against a tree or roadside stump on the narrow road leading to my apartment.

 

"The State Attorney's Office and the Daytona Beach Police Department have concluded that all the procedures were followed; as such I consider this case closed."

 

Police responded after receiving a telephone call that France was driving his Lexus erratically on his way to a Daytona Beach apartment he owns. They determined damage to his 2006 Lexus at $1,500 and did not charge him with any traffic citations, according to police reports. An internal affairs investigation was conducted to make sure that France did not receive special treatment.

  

   

 

 

The NASCAR Busch Series will have a new title sponsor after the 2007 season. Anheuser-Busch the title sponsor of the series since it was founded in 1982 has announced that they will no longer be the title sponsor after its current agreement is up following the 2007 season.

 

NASCAR will now begin a search for a new title sponsor that is estimated to be worth between $35 and $40 a year. That amount is estimated to be three times more than the current deal that Anheuser-Busch has with NASCAR. SCR

Matthew Blaylock

 

 

 

 

Geoff Bodine said Wednesday he hasn't been able to find a team to run a car in February's Daytona 500 NASCAR Nextel Cup race. Bodine, who has been in retirement for the past season or so, said in November he has a sponsor -- energy drink Mona Vie -- that wants to put him in a car during NASCAR's season-opening Cup race.

"It's the hardest thing to find a Cup car and team to do it, so I've pretty much written off a Cup deal," Bodine said. "I'm going to try and pursue another angle."

Geoff said he's exploring rides in the other series running at Daytona, along with non-race options.

"I'm looking to try to get something so I can to be there at Daytona," Bodine said.

Bodine will travel to Lake Placid, N.Y., this weekend to watch the World Cup Bobsled event and make some runs of his own on the bobsled track with his NASCAR sled. From Jan. 5 to 7, Bodine will host the second annual Geoff Bodine Bobsled Challenge at the Verizon Sports Complex, an event to help raise money for the U.S. Olympic Bobsled team, which uses Bo-Dyn sleds developed through Bodine.

 

 

 

 

Orlando, Fla.-The Hooters Pro Cup Series announced Friday at the PRI Trade Show that the Aaron's "Lucky Dog" would be added during the '07 season.

Traditionally, the Hooters Pro Cup Series version of the Lucky Dog only allowed the cars lined up in front of the leaders on a restart to cycle back to the lead lap. But under the new version, the first car one-lap down will move to the tail end of the field for the restart.

"This is something we've been talking about for several years," said Tony Cox, USAR Series Director. "The Hooters Pro Cup Series has tried to level the playing field on many fronts, and the 'Lucky Dog' is just an extension of that. If somebody has some bad luck early in the race, we'd hate to think that their chances of winning were over."

The second-chance theory is the reason Aaron's began its Lucky Dog program nearly two years ago.

"In racing, just like life, it's good to have a second chance," said Ken Butler, President of Aaron's Sales & Lease Ownership. "The Lucky Dog was a natural fit for our company, because we don't have credit checks, but it also applies to racing. As competitive as the Hooters Pro Cup Series is, it's tough to get a lap back. I think it's going to be good for the sport. The more people that are on the lead lap makes everything a little more exciting."

There will be several differences in the version of the Lucky Dog, however.

Only cars one-lap down will be allowed to make up the lap. Also, no cars that are involved in the caution will be given the Lucky Dog. SCR

Paul Warner

 

 

 

 

The Motor Racing Network (MRN) could be moving its headquarters to Charlotte, NC. The Daytona Beach, FL based company is currently searching for property in the Charlotte area. Any move would not take place until mid-2007. SCR

Matthew Blaylock