CONCORD, N.C. - The Army National Guard today announced it will expand its new partnership with Hendrick Motorsports by supporting driver Casey Mears in the 2007 NASCAR Busch Series.

Mears is scheduled to make 22 starts in Chevrolets branded with the 24 number, which has not been campaigned by Hendrick Motorsports in the Busch Series since 2002. All races will be companion events with the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, beginning with the season-opening Daytona 300 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway.

At each event, a different National Guard brigade or division will be represented through recognition on the car, identification on team uniforms and other elements. The Busch Series program will focus on the National Guard's local recruiting efforts.

"Because NASCAR has been such a successful marketing vehicle for us, it made sense to maximize our involvement and expand our program," said Col. Mike Jones, chief of the Army National Guard's Strength Maintenance division. "Partnering with such a renowned team as Hendrick and a driver as competitive as Casey results in a formula of further success for the Army National Guard."

In 72 career Busch Series appearances, Mears has earned one victory, four pole positions, eight top-five finishes and 17 top-10s. The 2007 season will mark the seventh consecutive year he has started a race on the circuit and his first with crew chief Chad Walter.

"The competition level in the Busch Series is very high, and I'm excited about the opportunity to run more races at more tracks," said Mears, 28, who earned his first career Busch Series win in 2006 at Chicagoland Speedway. "I'm also looking forward to bringing the No. 24 Chevrolet back to the track for Hendrick Motorsports. The National Guard has built a great program around the car, and it's an honor for me to represent the men and women currently serving as Guard members."

The National Guard also supports Mears in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series with Hendrick Motorsports' No. 25 Chevrolet effort. SCR

  

  

 

 

HOLLY, MI - As the 2007 ARCA RE/MAX Series approaches, S&H Motorsports is pleased to announce that longtime racing supplier NGK Spark Plugs will return as an associate sponsor on the No. 8 Ford this season.

 

NGK joined the Michigan-based team in 2006 as the official spark plug of S&H Motorsports. By resigning their marketing partner commitment, the organization retains that trademark.

 

NGK Spark Plugs (USA), Inc. was established in 1966 as a subsidiary of NGK Spark Plug Co, Ltd., of Japan (www.ngkntk.co.jp). Its purpose was to establish and develop a market in the United States for NGK spark plugs and NTK ceramic products.  In January 2002, NGK combined NGK Spark Plugs (USA), Inc and NGK Spark Plug Mfg. (USA), Inc. into NGK Spark Plugs (USA) Inc., a West Virginia corporation. The corporate headquarters remain in Irvine, California.

 

“We’re very honored that NGK Spark Plugs, Inc. has agreed to return with our operation for the 2007 ARCA RE/MAX Series season,” said driver Howard Bixman. “We’re very pleased with NGK’s product and we’re very lucky to be carrying their logo once again this season.”

 

He continued, “NGK has offices in Michigan, close to our team and that’s exciting. They have been around racing for a very long time and for us to have the opportunity to represent them again is truly an honor. We’ve been working hard on our program since the completion of the 2006 season, I really think everyone from the marketing partners, teams and series officials will be impressed with the additions and changes we’ve made to our operation. The bar has been raised again this season, we’re ready.”

 

S&H Motorsports will run a limited schedule in 2007 before turning their efforts towards a full championship season in 2008. SCR

 

 

 

 

Bill Baird, the 1999 ARCA RE/MAX Series champion, is coming out of retirement to race at Daytona. The 57-year-old Sturgis, Kentucky racer will be in a #52 Ken Schrader Racing Dodge. “I went to the Daytona test a couple weeks back to help someone out,” Baird said. “I had no intention of it turning into anything, but once I got in the car, I had a real tough time climbing out. Then me and (Ken) Schrader got to talking at Daytona. We were waiting for the weather to clear out when he said, ‘Let’s go racing’. I’ll be driving for Ken Schrader Racing. We acquired a Bill Davis Racing Dodge, Bill Davis motor; it’s an excellent car. Same car that Dave Blaney drove at the 400 (Daytona) last year. Schrader’s guys will crew the car. Donnie Richeson will be crew chief.” Baird made his ARCA RE/MAX Series debut at Daytona in 1997 driving the 52 car for Schrader. Baird qualified third and finished fourth, which is still his best Daytona finish. In 1998, Baird also earned the pole position at Daytona in a car he bought from Schrader. If Baird is able to win the race, he will officially become the oldest ARCA RE/MAX Series superspeedway winner in history, surpassing Iggy Katona for the honor. Katona was also 57 when he won at Daytona in 1974; however, Baird, if he wins, will be four and a half months older than Katona was at that time in ‘74. SCR

 

 

 

 

Frank Kimmel finally got the restrictor plate monkey off his back with his victory at Talladega Superspeedway in 2006. However, the eight-time RE/MAX Series champion and 68-time series winner has never won at Daytona, although he’s been close a number of times. Outside of Kimmel’s 10th place finish at Daytona in ’06, he has finished in the top-five in five consecutive seasons (’01 through ’05) with career-best runner-up finishes in ’04 and ’05. Kimmel’s biggest challenge at the moment may be a lack of a title sponsor. Kimmel’s title sponsor in ’05, the National Pork Board, has lessened its support with his Larry Clement-owned Tri-State Motorsports team to the associate level. SCR

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mooresville, N.C. - “ppc Racing is not closing its doors, and is not shutting down,” said ppc owner Greg Pollex.  “2005 and 2006 were difficult years for ppc Racing and I need to take some time to address some issues and sponsorship needs of the company.  ppc Racing is not merging its company with any other team.  In continuance of working with our sponsors and exploring opportunities for ppc Racing in 2008, I have decided to align with other Busch Series owners to operate cars in the 2007 season.” 

 

ppc Racing first entered competition in 2000 with Jeff Green and Jason Keller driving the Nesquick and Excedrin cars.  Jeff Green won the series by more points than any other champion (until eclipsed this year by Kevin Harvick) and Jason Keller finished second.  That feat, to place two cars first and second in the final points standings, has never been matched.

 

“In the case of Braun Racing, Braun had a partial season sponsorship and ppc had a partial season partnership with Camping World.  It made much more sense for us to run a full season together than to run two partial seasons separately,” explained Pollex.  Last year, ppc Racing’s entries with Kenny Wallace and John Andretti, finished 11th and 12th in the final driver point standings.  Braun’s No. 38 entry with Jason Leffler finished 13th.  Those cars were the first three full-season entries in the 2006 series that operated independently from a Nextel Cup team. 

 

“I believe that the Busch Series should race different from the Cup Series and the fact that Braun and ppc have been fighting against the Cup teams was an important reason for this move.  I think that our alliance with Braun will be capable of battling for wins with the Cup teams, cars, crews and drivers this year,” Pollex remarked.

 

In addition to an alliance with Braun on the No. 10 car, ppc Racing is also considering a joint venture to keep operating its team that competed under the No. 22 in 2006.  “We’re working with a new team that will be racing some of our ppc cars. I’m going to participate in the management on a consulting basis and help develop that team to be competitive.  It’s difficult to start a new team today, but our equipment and know-how will assist that team in achieving that goal much sooner than otherwise.”  This team will likely operate under the No. 14.  ppc has agreed to exchange the No. 22 for the No. 14 with Fitz Racing, pending NASCAR approval. 

 

Pollex previously owned Busch cars in the 1990’s and took some time off from ownership in 1997 when he sold the No. 97 team to Roush Racing.  “ppc Racing is still working to secure sponsorship for the later part of the 2007 season and in 2008.  ppc’s agreements with the other Busch Series owners allow the team to return in 2008 and retain our identity and history as a Busch Series champion.”  ppc Racing hopes to secure sponsorship for its third car (No. 11) for later in the 2007 season. SCR

 

 

 

 

CONCORD, NC - The Georgia Asphalt Series has seen an incredible growth since its inception in 2004 – growth that has made the regional Pro Late Model touring division into one of the most successful in the Southeast.  Outstanding car counts and fair on-track action are just part of what has made GAS a success on the track.  As with any aspect of racing, a driver, team and even series are only as good as its marketing partners.

 

In the first three GAS seasons, many contingency sponsors and supporters of the tour have stepped up to help build the series.  That list continues to grow as the 2007 season rapidly approaches.  GAS officials are proud to announce today that Circle Racing Wheels and Champ Oil Pans will be part of a list of contingency sponsors for the 2007 season.

 

“We are extremely excited to have the new supporters come on board with us this year,” said GAS Director Micky Cain.  “They have told us that they are proud of the success we’ve had and that they want to be a part of it and help us continue to build the series.  Circle Racing Wheels, Champ Oil Pans and the sponsors that are returning for 2007, will benefit the racers through the GAS contingency program.”

 

Atlanta Freightliner will once again be the sponsor of the Georgia Asphalt Series Pole Award at each GAS event during the 2007 season.  Other companies returning for 2007 include Five Star Race Car Bodies, who will once again sponsor the Rookie of the Year title, while Hightower Racing Transmissions returns to sponsor of the Hard Charger Award in 2007.

 

“There are a bunch of companies that have been with the series since we started it,” continued Cain.  “I’m proud that they continue to support the Georgia Asphalt Series.  Contingency programs and support from companies like these are what really drives this series, and I’m happy to have them come on board to support our racers.”

 

Other contingency partners for the Georgia Asphalt Series in 2007 include VDL Fuel Systems, Joe Gibbs Performance Oil, ARP Race Car Bodies, Garrison Racing Equipment, Sunoco Race Fuels/Bearden Oil, PitBoxes.com, TrickFab.com, RaceTrailerSales.com and Charles Caudell Photography. SCR

 

 

 

BRISTOL, Tenn. - Fans coming to Bristol Motor Speedway in March for the NASCAR events will have two opportunities to see NASCAR’s most popular driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr., race on the World’s Fastest Half-Mile.

 

Earnhardt Jr., who swept both the Busch Series and the Nextel Cup events at Bristol in August of 2004, will try to repeat that feat as he’ll be competing in the Sharpie MINI 300 on Saturday, March 24, as well as the Food City 500 on Sunday, March 25.

 

Not only will Junior be racing in the Busch Series event, he’ll be driving the No. 8 Sharpie car as Sharpie, a Newell Rubbermaid company, will sponsor his Chevrolet at BMS.

 

Earnhardt Jr. is looking forward to getting back to Bristol, which draws the largest crowds in the sport for Busch Series events. Since August of 1999, Bristol Motor Speedway has sold more than 100,000 tickets to 16 consecutive Busch Series events.

 

“I have a sincere appreciation for short track racing, because it’s where I came from. It’s where most of us came from,” he said. ”Bristol is probably the toughest track on the circuit for me so I consider it a pretty big accomplishment to win there.”

 

Since making his Bristol debut in the Busch Series in August of 1997, Earnhardt Jr. has competed in seven Busch races and has two runner-up showings to go along with his win and an average finish of 7.4.

 

Practice for both the Sharpie MINI 300 and the Food City 500, where the Car of Tomorrow debuts and becomes of the car of today, will take place on Friday, March 23.

 

Qualifying for the Food City 500 is set for 3:45 on Friday while qualifying for the Sharpie MINI 300 takes place on Saturday at 11:10 a.m. The race takes the green flag later that afternoon at 3 p.m. The Food City 500 is Sunday with a 2 p.m. start time. SCR

 

 

 

 

Concord, NC - Steve Kinser and Sammy Swindell have battled for wins countless times over the last 25 years. On Friday night at Parramatta City Raceway (PCR) in Australia the two legends did battle yet again in an exciting 30-lap event that saw Kinser take his second victory in a row as he prepares for the World of Outlaws season.

 

Kinser, a 20-time World of Outlaws Champion led wire-to-wire in a contest that was run green-to-checkers without a single caution in just over seven and a half minutes.

 

Kinser, a native of Bloomington, Indiana, started on the pole and after a short battle on the opening circuit with outsider front row starter Lynton Jeffrey took control. Setting a blistering pace, Kinser was quickly in lapped traffic and would masterfully work his way through it all night long. He used this traffic to his advantage as Swindell shadowed him, repeatedly putting a distance between the pair as he weaved his way through the lapped machines.

 

Swindell, a three-time World of Outlaws title winner lined up fourth for the event and quickly got around Chad Hillier. From there, the native of Germantown, Tennessee set his sights on Jeffrey, and passed the Australian on the sixth lap. For the remainder of the event Swindell chased Kinser, and applied some heavy pressure at times. In the end, it was Kinser picking up the checkered flag at PCR.

 

Jason Meyers turned in another solid run, as he charged from the 12th starting spot to finish 3rd. This came on the heels of a stunning effort on Thursday night that saw the native of Clovis, California come from 22nd to finish 4th.

 

Donny Schatz, the reigning World of Outlaws Champion and Knoxville Nationals winner came home in the fourth spot, after starting ninth.

 

Chad Hillier, who will contend for the World of Outlaws Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Award this season, earned his best career finish at PCR as he was fifth at the drop of the checkers, helping to secure the top-five spots for American drivers.

 

Jason Solwold, who claimed two World of Outlaws preliminary feature wins in 2006, came home seventh. The native of Washington led the majority of the race on Thursday night’s event at PCR before suffering mechanical problems.

 

Brooke Tatnell, who won four World of Outlaws A-Feature events in 2006, raced his way into the A-Feature on Friday night by claiming the win in the B-Main. He lined up 17th for the 30-lap event, and steadily worked his way into the Top-10, for a solid ninth-place finish.

 

Danny Lasoski, the 2001 World of Outlaws Champion finished 11th, with Tim Kaeding coming home 15th.

 

Also racing their way into the 30-lap event on Friday night were Joey Saldana and Kerry Madsen.

 

Other World of Outlaws competitors in action on Friday night included: Becca Anderson, Paul McMahan, 2003 Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Award winner Jason Sides, and Shane Stewart, the 2005 Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year.

 

In preliminary action, Schatz was fifth in the first heat. Saldana topped the second heat, with Swindell third and Madsen fourth. The third heat saw Lasoski take the win over Kaeding, with Kinser fourth. Jason Meyers topped the fourth heat, with Hillier third and Solwold fifth.

 

The first dash saw Kinser pick up the win over Hillier to earn the pole position for the 30-lap event, with Schatz fifth. Swindell was the runner-up in the second dash, with Solwold fourth, Lasoski fifth, Meyers sixth, and Kaeding eighth.

 

Schatz was the quickest of the 74 cars in time trials, with Swindell second, Tatnell third, Solwold fifth, and Kinser sixth.

 

All the drivers will be in action again at Parramatta City Raceway on Saturday night in the finale of three consecutive nights of racing. SCR

 

 

 

 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., -- The search for speed in preparation for the Orbitz 300 NASCAR Busch Series season opener on Saturday, Feb. 17 began on Friday at Daytona International Speedway.

 

The first wave of Busch Series teams kicked off a three-day test on Friday morning while a second wave will begin a three-day test session on Sunday.

 

For Shane Huffman, he didn’t want the 2006 Busch Series season end and he is certainly ready for the 2007 season to kick off with the Orbitz 300.

 

Huffman took over the reigns of the No. 88 Navy Chevrolet fielded by Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s JR Motorsports late in the 2006 season.

 

As a late-season replacement, Huffman competed in nine races behind the wheel of the No. 88 car. In the final four races, Huffman had three top-five qualifying efforts and two top-10 finishes.

 

“I hate the season ended when it did really,” said Huffman. “I wish we could’ve kept rolling. Once we get a test or two under our belt and get things rolling back in the right direction, we will hopefully pick up right where we left off.”

 

Huffman was anxious to take the track on Friday morning at Daytona International Speedway. His only prior start at DIS came in an ARCA RE/MAX Series race in 2000 where he started 21st and finished 20th.

 

Last weekend, Huffman tested the No. 40 Chevrolet for Key Motorsports.

 

“It’s cool,” Huffman said. “This is an awesome place. It’s a lot of fun to be here. I was walking a while ago and I had to pinch myself saying, ‘Am I really here?’

 

“I got cold chills coming through the tunnels,” Huffman continued. “It’s been a dream of mine to race here and compete here. I’m finally going to get to fulfill it.”

 

Busch A.M. Test Speeds

 

1, 5B, Kyle Busch, Chevrolet, 49.165, 183.057

2, 5A Kyle Busch Chevrolet, 49.191, 182.960

3, 87B Joe Nemechek, Chevrolet, 49.221, 182.849

4, 90A Stephen Leicht, Ford, 49.332, 182.437

5, 87A Joe Nemechek, Chevrole,t 49.334, 182.430

6, 32A Dave Blaney, Toyota, 49.348, 182.378

7, 6A David Ragan, Ford, 49.349, 182.375

8, 11A Martin Truex Jr., Chevrolet, 49.420, 182.113

9, 16B Todd Kluever, Ford, 49.470, 181.928

10,37B Jamie McMurray, Ford, 49.487, 181.866

11, 6B David Ragan, Ford, 49.512, 181.774

12, 37A Jamie McMurray, Ford, 49.512, 181.774

13, 20A Denny Hamlin, Chevrolet, 49.522, 181.737

14, 90B Stephen Leicht, Ford, 49.530, 181.708

15, 20B Denny Hamlin, Chevrolet, 49.538, 181.679

16, 32B Dave Blaney, Toyota, 49.594, 181.474

17, 18B Aric Almirola, Chevrolet, 49.597, 181.463

18, 99A David Reutimann, Toyota, 49.616, 181.393

19, 21A Timothy Peters, Chevrolet, 49.619, 181.382

20, 15A Paul Menard, Chevrolet, 49.628, 181.349

21, 16A Todd Kluever, Ford, 49.668, 181.203

22, 38A Jason Leffler, Toyota, 49.717, 181.025

23, 66B Steve Wallace, Dodge, 49.740, 180.941

24, 99B David Reutimann, Toyota, 49.752, 180.897

25, 21B Timothy Peters, Chevrolet, 49.770, 180.832

26, 59A Marcos Ambrose, Ford, 49.806, 180.701

27, 2A Clint Bowyer, Chevrolet, 49.861, 180.502

28, 66A Steve Wallace, Dodge, 49.863, 180.495

29, 2B Clint Bowyer, Chevrolet, 49.866, 180.484

30, 55A Brandon Miller, Ford, 49.888, 180.404

31, 42B Juan Pablo Montoya, Dodge, 49.997, 180.011

32, 59B Marcos Ambrose, Ford, 50.029, 179.896

33, 88A Shane Huffman, Chevrolet, 50.112, 179.598

34, 28B Robert Richardson, Chevrolet, 50.391, 178.603

35, 88B Shane Huffman, Chevrolet, 50.391, 178.603

36, 42A Juan Pablo Montoya, Dodge, 50.420, 178.501

37, 36B Brent Sherman, Chevrolet, 50.566, 177.985

38, 0A Eric McClure, Chevrolet, 50.586, 177.915

39, 38B Jason Leffler, Toyota, 50.789, 177.204

 

Busch Testing P.M. Test Speeds

 

1 20B Denny Hamlin, Chevrolet, 48.311, 186.293

2 15A Paul Menard, Chevrolet, 48.370, 186.066

3 11A Martin Truex, Chevrole,t 48.394, 185.973

4 88B Shane Huffman, Chevrolet, 48.463, 185.709

5 66B Steve Wallace, Dodge, 48.478, 185.651

6 18B Aric Almirola, Chevrolet, 48.539, 185.418

7 42A Juan Pablo Montoya, Dodge, 48.554, 185.361

8 5A Kyle Busch, Chevrolet, 48.566, 185.315

9 5B Kyle Busch, Chevrolet, 48.578, 185.269

10 59B Marcos Ambrose, Ford, 48.601, 185.181  

11 55A Brandon Miller, Ford, 48.615, 185.128

12 99B David Reutimann, Toyota, 48.665, 184.938

13 38A Jason Leffler, Toyota, 48.811, 184.385  

14 59A Marcos Ambrose, Ford, 48.856, 184.215

15 87A Joe Nemechek, Chevrolet, 48.924, 183.959

16 66A Steve Wallace, Dodge, 49.038, 183.531

17 28B Robert Richardson, Chevrolet, 49.065, 183.430

18 6A David Ragan, Ford, 49.206, 182.905

19 16B Todd Kluever, Ford, 49.227, 182.826

20 90A Stephen Leicht, Ford, 49.287, 182.604 60

21 37B Jamie McMurray, Ford, 49.297, 182.567

22 87B Joe Nemechek, Chevrolet, 49.324, 182.467

23 32A Dave Blaney, Toyota, 49.337, 182.419

24 18A Aric Almirola, Chevrolet, 49.380, 182.260

25 90B Stephen Leicht, Ford, 49.397, 182.197

26 21A Timothy Peters, Chevrolet, 49.402, 182.179

27 20A Denny Hamlin, Chevrolet, 49.414, 182.135

28 32B Dave Blaney, Toyota, 49.416, 182.127

29 6B David Ragan, Ford, 49.444, 182.024

30 2A Clint Bowyer, Chevrolet, 49.521, 181.741

31 36A Brent Sherman, Chevrolet, 49.525, 181.726

32 2B Clint Bowyer, Chevrolet, 49.540, 181.671

33 99A David Reutimann, Toyota, 49.574, 181.547

34 16A Todd Kluever, Ford, 49.629, 181.346

35 88A Shane Huffman, Chevrolet, 49.754, 180.890

36 21B Timothy Peters, Chevrolet, 49.849, 180.545

37 0A Eric McClure, Chevrolet, 49.880, 180.433

38 42B Kevin Hamlin, Dodge, 49.927, 180.263

39 38B Jason Leffler, Toyota, 49.978, 180.079

40 72A Randy MacDonald, Chevrolet, 50.912, 176.776 SCR

 

 

 

 

MOORESVILLE, N.C. - After a short off season, the Dale Earnhardt Jr.-owned JR Motorsports No. 88 Navy Accelerate Your Life Chevrolet team is anxious to get the 2007 NASCAR Busch Series season started with preseason testing at Daytona International Speedway this week.

 

The No. 88 Navy team, led by crew chief Wes Ward, has prepared a brand new car for driver Shane Huffman to run during the open test session at Daytona this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The session will mark the team’s first test of the season and Huffman’s first superspeedway experience in a Busch car.

 

Despite his rookie status for the race at Daytona, Huffman has prior history at the 2.5-mile superspeedway. In 2000, the Hickory, N.C., native competed in the ARCA RE/MAX Series event at Daytona. He started 21st and finished 20th in his first-ever superspeedway race. Huffman also tested the No. 40 Chevrolet Silverado for Key Motorsports in last weekend’s NASCAR Truck Series test at Daytona.

 

Entering the team’s second season in the Busch Series, the crew at JR Motorsports has been busy during the off season. In addition to building new cars and repairing ones from the 2006 season, JR Motorsports recently moved into a new 66,000-square-foot building in Mooresville, N.C., consolidating the operations from two shops into one. Previously, the team’s late model and licensing groups were housed at a facility separate from the Busch and USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series teams. Now, all of JR Motorsports operates out of the new state-of-the-art location.

 

“The new shop is really awesome,” Huffman said. “The guys have a lot more room to work, and having everyone together in one building should really help our team continue to improve. We saw there at the end of the season last year that we could run up front on a regular basis, and we plan to maintain that trend going into this year. I’m fully confident that this Navy team is going to be a force to be reckoned with in the Busch series this season.”

 

Huffman was also very busy during the off season. In addition to fulfilling sponsor commitments, he spent a couple days testing at Bondurant Racing School in Phoenix, Ariz., learning how to turn both left and right on road courses.

 

“I’ve never raced on a road course like that before,” Huffman said. “It was definitely different from what I’m used to doing, but it was a ton of fun. The course in Mexico is one of our first races and NASCAR added the course in Montreal to the schedule, so Wes (Ward) decided I needed to go to Bondurant and gain some experience before we did any testing in our car.”

 

In addition to this week’s test at Daytona, the team is also scheduled to attend the open test session at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Feb. 5-6, before the season opens with the Orbitz 300 at Daytona on Feb. 17.

 

“Overall, I’m just ready to get this season underway and go racing,” Huffman said. “The Navy team finished 2006 with good runs at Memphis and Phoenix and I’m ready to start back up where we ended last year.” SCR

 

 

 

 

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Rumbleseries.com promoter Tony Barhorst has announced a couple of new twists to the Columbus Ohio Indoor Racing event later this month. The Rumble In The Buckeye State will be a one-day event at the Ohio State Fairgrounds Coliseum on Saturday, Jan. 20.

 

NASCAR veteran and USAC open wheel legend Ken Schrader will meet fans and drive a Kenyon Midget car at the event. ABC Sports racing and college football sideline reporter Jack Arute will also race a 600 cc Outlaw Modified Midget during the event. Indy Car Series driver Sarah Fisher will meet fans during the Fan Fair at the event. Indy DownForce members who attend will be invited to take a tour of the pit area during the evening.
 

The racing will feature the USAC (United States Auto Club) National Midgets, Ford Focus and Kenyon Car special event with a 60-lap feature racing on a one-tenth mile oval. The popular Outlaw 600 Modified Midgets, go-karts and Lucas Oil Quarter midgets will also compete. A full USAC event can be seen after 7 p.m. Time trials for the USAC Midgets and 600s will start at 5 p.m.

 

The big change for the 600s will be the removal of the top wings on the cars to reduce racing costs for the competitors. The wings are more easily damaged indoors, where their use is a non-factor in the performance of the cars. The other change for all competitors is the moving back of the early entry deadline to Jan. 17. Entries are available online at www.rumbleseries.com.

 

The Coliseum is a 5,000-seat facility that has 8,000 more square footage than the floor at Hara Arena in Dayton where the 600s and midgets have had successful events in the past.
There will be an early move in and pre race party on Friday afternoon and evening Jan. 19 from 3 p.m to 11 p.m. A racing trade and Fan Fair will be held in conjunction with the event.

 

“Indoor midget auto racing is a sport that has been around since the 1930s inside coliseums like this. I plan on adding to the fun with the Fan Fair where fans can meet and greet their favorite drivers, and check out the cars up close,” said Barhorst. SCR

 

 

 

 

Concord, NC - Gearing up for a run at his 21st World of Outlaws title this season, Steve Kinser has spent the last several weeks competing at Parramatta City Raceway (PCR) in Australia.

 

After racking up six Top-Five finishes in his first seven events, the native of Bloomington, Indiana made his way to the winner’s circle on Thursday night with a star-studded field of 75 cars signed in, including several World of Outlaws competitors.

 

Kinser lined up fifth for the A-Feature and quickly worked his way into third. He then waged an entertaining battle with fellow World of Outlaws competitor Paul McMahan for the second spot. Kinser got around McMahan on the 19th lap and set his sights on the leader Jason Solwold.

 

Solwold, who won two World of Outlaws preliminary features in 2006, started on the pole, and was the leader for a large portion of the event. He built several comfortable advantages, but numerous cautions negated those and allowed Kinser and McMahan to close back up on him.

 

Solwold’s night came to an end five laps before the finish, as he suffered mechanical problems on his machine, forcing him to the pits. The native of Washington would wind up 20th. Kinser took the green flag as the leader and used a very strong restart to pull away from multi-time Australian Champion Max Dumesny, who battled McMahan for the runner-up spot down the stretch.

 

When the checkered flag flew it was Kinser picking up the win, with Dumesny in second, and McMahan who was driving for Titan Racing in third.

 

Jason Meyers who won last weekend at PCR turned in a stellar run, charging through the field to come home fourth, after starting 22nd.  Shane Stewart, the 2005 World of Outlaws Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year rounded out the Top-Five.

 

Reigning World of Outlaws Champion Donny Schatz powered his way to a seventh-place finish after starting 18th. He suffered a mechanical failure in his heat race that forced him into the B-Main which he won to earn a spot in the A-Feature. Schatz, a native of Fargo, North Dakota, has won five races at PCR over the course of the last month, including the prestigious Bevelite Glass $50,000 Classic for the sixth time in his career.

 

Brooke Tatnell, fresh off his $20,000 win at Brisbane International Speedway in World Series Sprintcars competition last weekend, came home eighth, with Jason Sides, who will compete with the World of Outlaws full-time this season in ninth.

 

Danny Lasoski, the 2001 World of Outlaws Champion finished 10th on Thursday night, with Chad Hillier, who will contend for the Kevin Gorbecht Rookie of the Year Award this season in 11th.

 

Three-time World of Outlaws Champion Sammy Swindell finished 13th after racing his way into the A-Feature by way of the B-Main. Kerry Madsen, who will compete full-time with the World of Outlaws this season, came home just behind him in 14th.

 

Other World of Outlaws competitors in action on Thursday night included: Becca Anderson, Tim Kaeding, and Joey Saldana

 

In time trials, Solwold turned the second fastest lap of the 74 cars that took time, with McMahan third, Schatz fourth, and Lasoski fifth.

 

In preliminary action, Kinser won the first heat over Stewart. Solwold topped the second heat over Meyers. McMahan was third in the third heat, just ahead of Tatnell. Hillier finished second in the fourth heat, with Lasoski fourth.

 

Solwold took the win in the first dash to earn the pole position in the A-Feature, with Kinser third, Lasoski fourth, and Hillier seventh.

 

McMahan won the second dash to start on the outside of the front row in the A-Feature, with Stewart third, earning himself a starting spot on the outside of the third row.

 

Madsen claimed the first non-qualifiers race to earn a spot in the C-Main. He ran second in that event to earn a spot in the B-Main, where he finished second as well to race his way into the A-Feature.

 

All the drivers will be in action again at Parramatta City Raceway on Friday night in the second of three consecutive nights of racing. SCR

 

 

 

 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Two-time Grammy winner and Sony recording artist Kelly Clarkson will headline the NEXTEL Tribute To America, the pre-race extravaganza leading up to “The Great American Race” -- the prestigious Daytona 500 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race on Sunday, Feb. 18 (1:00 pm ET on FOX).

           

Clarkson will perform in the NEXTEL-sponsored show, which will be carried live on FOX Sports. The NEXTEL Tribute To America pays tribute to music as the fabric of America and will feature thousands of cast members on the Speedway’s historic five-acre tri-oval grass.

 

“We’re delighted to have one of the most popular singers in the world entertain the race fans in attendance as well as the live television audience on FOX,” Daytona International Speedway President Robin Braig said. “The most prestigious NASCAR event will get off to a roaring start with this unforgettable pre-race show that’s fitting for the biggest and most watched motorsports event in America.”

 

Clarkson’s latest album, Breakaway, earned two Grammys, spawned five #1 singles, and sold over 10 million records worldwide and over 6 million in the US. Thanks to instant classics like "Since U Been Gone," "Behind These Hazel Eyes" and "Because Of You," the Texas native's music has become a staple of pop radio over the past five years, and in December, Clarkson was declared the most successful artist in Top 40 history, with at least one single on the chart for 111 consecutive weeks.

 

For the past three years, the NEXTEL Tribute to America featured a who’s who list of entertainers including the rock band Bon Jovi, country music superstar Clint Black, Beach Boys legend Brian Wilson, John Ondrasik and “Five For Fighting,” singer/actress Vanessa Williams, singer Lee Greenwood, singer LeAnn Rimes and the Bethune-Cookman College Marching Wildcats. SCR

 

 

 

 

ATLANTA, Ga. - RWI Racing is proud to announce that HomeLife Communities Inc. has signed on as a sponsor for the 2007 NASCAR Busch Series season.

 

HomeLife Communities will join an already impressive roster of sponsors in supporting the No. 66 RWI Racing Dodger Charger driven by Steve Wallace as he competes in the NASCAR Busch Series in 2007.

 

In 2006, Wallace ran 17 Busch Series races in RWI Racing’s entry. Despite the limited-schedule, the 19-year-old managed to record five top-20 finishes, including his best finish of 11th-place captured at Kentucky Speedway. In addition to the Busch Series schedule, Wallace also competed in eight ARCA RE/MAX series races, securing three wins, six top-fives and a series best, four poles.

 

“Steve is just a great driver, and it’s clear the coaching, support and advice he receives from his father Rusty Wallace has helped make him a winner,” Jon Been, CEO of HomeLife Communities said in explaining his company’s decision to partner with RWI Racing. “We’re a very success-oriented, driven company, and it’s clear our philosophies are in synch with Steve and Rusty’s. That made the decision to support them in their quest for the Busch title an easy one.”

 

“I am thrilled to partner with HomeLife Communities,” noted RWI Racing owner, Rusty Wallace. “HomeLife is a family-run organization much like RWI Racing and I am proud to have such a successful business as sponsor for Steve’s (Wallace) first full-time (NASCAR) Busch season. I am looking forward to a great season, both for RWI Racing and HomeLife Communities.”

 

The HomeLife Communities Dodge will make its debut Feb. 17 at Daytona International Speedway. Key races in the Busch Series include races at Atlanta Motor Speedway (March 17), Texas Motor Speedway (April 14), Talladega Superspeedway (April 28), Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte (May 26 and Oct. 12), Daytona (July 6), Phoenix International Raceway (Nov. 10) and the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway (Nov. 17).

 

HomeLife Communities will be involved in a number of special promotions and giveaways in each of its four markets prior to race weeks, including special ticket giveaways, autograph sessions and other promotions.

 

“A lot of our homeowners and potential homebuyers are big, big race fans,” notes Been. “The chance for them to be up close and involved in Steve’s chase for the Busch title will be as much a thrill for them as it is for us.” SCR