DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Nicolas Cage, the star of the upcoming action-adventure Ghost Rider™ from Columbia Pictures, in theaters everywhere on February 16th, has been named Grand Marshal of the 49th annual Daytona 500, NASCAR’s biggest, richest, and most prestigious race. 

 

Cage will command the drivers, “Gentlemen, start your engines!” at NASCAR’s signature event, which will run on Sunday, Feb. 18 at historic Daytona International Speedway. 

 

“The Daytona 500 is America’s premier motorsports event and consistently attracts some of the biggest high-profile personalities,” said Speedway President Robin Braig.  “We’re excited to have Nicolas take part in Daytona 500 pre-race festivities to help start what will be an exciting 2007 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series season.”

 

From Marvel Comics, creators of Spider-Man™, Fantastic Four, and X-Men, comes a new hero....Ghost Rider™.  Long ago, superstar motorcycle stunt rider Johnny Blaze (Nicolas Cage) made a deal with the devil to protect the ones he loved most: his father and his childhood sweetheart, Roxanne (Eva Mendes).  Now, the devil has come for his due.  By day, Johnny is a die-hard stunt rider... but at night, in the presence of evil, he becomes the Ghost Rider, a bounty hunter of rogue demons.  Forced to do the devil's bidding, Johnny is determined to confront his fate and use his curse and powers to defend the innocent.

 

Cage has starred in more than 50 films including such popular releases as National Treasure, Gone in Sixty Seconds, Face/Off, Con Air, The Rock, Raising Arizona, and Leaving Las Vegas, which garnered him an Academy Award® for Best Actor.

 

Recent Daytona 500 Grand Marshals that have helped start “The Great American Race” have included actor James Caan (2006), actor Matthew McConaughey (2005), President George W. Bush and actor, director, and writer Ben Affleck (2004) and actor John Travolta (2003). SCR

 

 

 

 

ML Motorsports has announced that it will run a partial NASCAR Busch Series schedule in 2007 with 26-year-old Iowa native Justin Diercks as its driver. Diercks and the Warsaw, Indiana-based stock car team will compete in 19 of the 35 NBS races, beginning with the season opener in Daytona on February 17. In addition, Diercks will compete for the Raybestos Rookie of the Year.

Diercks, driving the No. 70 Chevy for ML Motorsports competed in seven NBS races during the 2006 season. His best start was 28th at Richmond International Raceway in the Circuit City 250, while his best finish was 28th at Gateway International Raceway in the Busch Silver Celebration 250.

Diercks is a two-time champion in the NASCAR AutoZone Elite/Midwest Series, winning the title in 2004 and 2005. ML Motorsports was founded in 1999 and ran five full seasons in the ARCA RE/MAX Series. The team won four ARCA races in 2005 in just 12 starts. In all five full seasons of ARCA competition, ML Motorsports' driver finished in the top five in the final season point standings.

Handling the crew chief duties for the 19 NBS races will be Tom Sokoloski, who has experience in ARCA, NBS, and the Nextel Cup Series. In ARCA, Sokoloski won 46 races, 41 of the wins, as well as three season championships, coming with driver Tim Steele. For more information about Diercks and ML Motorsports, visit them on the web at www.mlracing.com SCR

 

 

 

 

Concord, NC - If it was up to Terry McCarl, he would race every single night of the week. Gearing up for the 2007 World of Outlaws season and the 36th Annual DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Mopar Speedshop at Volusia Speedway Park on February 9, McCarl arrived in Florida a couple weeks early to turn some extra laps.

 

After a solid third place finish on Thursday night in the opener of the “King of the 360’s Nationals” at East Bay Raceway Park, McCarl who won the finale of the event last year, was primed to put himself in position for a repeat. On Friday night, he returned to the winner’s circle, driving for Mark Burch, besting a 73-car field that included several fellow World of Outlaws competitors.

 

McCarl, a native of Altoona, Iowa, who finished ninth in World of Outlaws championship points last season, was solidly running third behind Thursday night’s winner Gary Wright and Travis Rilat, around the halfway mark of the 25-lap event. With nine laps to go, McCarl began his charge to the front, using the high side of the track. He first got around Wright, a three-time American Sprint Car Series (ASCS) National Champion, to move into the runner-up spot, and then with just three laps to go, he powered around Rilat again on the high side to take the lead and ultimately the win.

 

With the points he accumulated over the course of the first two preliminary nights, McCarl was one of seven drivers to secure a position in the $10,000-to win finale on Saturday night.

 

Other World of Outlaws competitors in action on Friday night included: Jason Martin who turned in a very strong seventh-place effort. Jason Sides came home eighth, with 2001 World of Outlaws Champions Danny Lasoski 12th, and Tim Shaffer 14th.

 

Chad Kemenah the reigning World of Outlaws Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year, was also in action on Friday night, along with Tony Bruce Jr., who will contend for the rookie honors this season.

 

Shaffer, who finished an impressive fifth on Thursday night in his first race since suffering fractured vertebrae at Knoxville Raceway in June, also earned enough points to lock himself into Saturday night’s finale.

 

The 2007 World of Outlaws season opens on February 9 at Volusia Speedway Park in Florida with the 36th Annual DIRTcar Nationals Presented By Mopar Speedshop. SCR

 

 

 

 

CONCORD, NC – A visit to La Salle (Ill.) Speedway on Sun., Sept. 16, has been added to the 360 OTC World of Outlaws Late Model Series schedule, setting up an attractive three-race weekend in the Midwest that will commence the tour’s autumn rush for the championship.

 

Bob Sargent’s Track Enterprises, Inc. is moving its prestigious Best Western Illinois Fall Nationals event, which has been run since 1992 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds one-mile oval in Springfield, Ill., to the quarter-mile, high-banked La Salle track.

 

With the announcement, La Salle becomes the anchor leg of a huge racing weekend for the 360 OTC WoO LMS. The nation’s premier dirt Late Model tour will visit the Sargent co-owned Paducah (Ky.) International Raceway on Fri., Sept. 14, and Kenny Schrader’s I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Mo., on Sat., Sept. 15.

 

“Grouping a weekend of World of Outlaws Late Model Series shows together is something we’ve been trying to do for a few years,” said Sargent, the Chief Operating Officer of Macon, Ill.-based Track Enterprises, Inc. and one of the country’s most well-known short-track promoters. “Now we’re giving teams three nights in a row to run in the same geographic area, and fans will have the opportunity to see three premier events in a short time period.

 

“It should be a great weekend for everyone.”

 

A fixture at the historic Springfield Mile for 15 years, Track Enterprises, Inc.’s Best Western Illinois Fall Nationals will obviously have a new look with its move to La Salle Speedway in 2007. Sargent expects to invigorate the event by running it at a true short track.

 

“Being a mile in length,” Sargent said of the Springfield facility, “the track came under some scrutiny (from dirt Late Model teams) for its wear-and-tear on equipment and the safety of the drivers. So we felt it was time to try running the Illinois Fall Nationals somewhere else. Maybe we’ll even look to rotate it to different tracks every few years.”

 

While noting that “dirt Late Model racing is not gone from Springfield forever,” Sargent said La Salle will serve as a great home for the Illinois Fall Nationals in ’07.

 

“It’s located in a good geographic area,” he said of La Salle, which sits in north-central Illinois, just under 100 miles southwest of Chicago. “It has grandstands that can hold a lot of people. And the track is conducive to good racing.”

 

The Sun., Sept. 16, date will mark the first-ever 360 OTC WoO LMS event at La Salle, which has hosted the WoO Sprint Car tour in the past. Paducah International Raceway, which Sargent co-owns with NASCAR stars Schrader, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Tony Stewart, will also be holding its first-ever 360 OTC WoO LMS program that same weekend.

 

I-55 Raceway, meanwhile, will return its Pepsi Nationals event to the 360 OTC WoO LMS for the first time since Sept. 17, 2005, when Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark., was victorious.

 

The 360 OTC WoO LMS has sanctioned Track Enterprises, Inc.’s Illinois Fall Nationals once before, on Sept. 18, 2005, when it was held at the Springfield Mile. Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tenn., won that event.

 

Sargent, who co-owns Paducah and Macon (Ill.) Speedway and promotes special events at several tracks in the Midwest, will announce more details of the Best Western Illinois Fall Nationals at La Salle Speedway in the near future. He is planning a twilight start time for the event.

 

Sargent is also promoting a UMP DIRTcar Summernationals event at La Salle this season, on Thurs., July 12.

 

For more information on the Illinois Fall Nationals, visit www.trackenterprises.com or call the Track Enterprises, Inc. office at 217-764-3200. Additional info on La Salle Speedway is available by visiting the track’s website at www.lasallespeedway.com.

 

The La Salle event brings this season’s 360 OTC World of Outlaws Late Model Series schedule to an even 50 confirmed dates. The tour is set to visit 41 tracks in 23 states and one Canadian province, beginning on Feb. 15 and 17 with the 36th annual DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Mopar Speed Shop at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla. SCR

 

 

 

 

Concord, NC - Daryn Pittman returned to Australia this week with one goal in mind and that was to win. His main motivation is the Grand Annual Classic which will be held this weekend, but he has competed the last two nights in preparation for the famed event, and turned in two very solid runs.

 

In his first time back in a sprint car since his first stint in Australia in November, Pittman scored a runner-up finish in the Presidents Cup at Avalon Raceway on Wednesday night, as he geared up for four straight nights of racing.

 

The native of Owasso, Oklahoma, who finished fourth in World of Outlaws points in 2006, bettered that on Thursday night as he took the win in the Kings Challenge at Borderline Raceway over reigning World of Outlaws Champion Donny Schatz and fellow World of Outlaws driver Brooke Tatnell, a five time World Series Sprintcars Champion in Australia.

 

Shane Stewart, the 2005 World of Outlaws Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year finished fourth, with Paul McMahan rounding out the Top-Five.

 

In preliminary action, Pittman won the first heat. Stewart was victorious in the second heat over Schatz, with McMahan third. Tatnell took the win in the third heat. In the fourth heat, McMahan was third with Pittman just behind him. In the sixth and final heat, Tatnell was second, with Schatz sixth and Stewart seventh.

 

All competitors took part in two heats races each, with the points accumulated from those events determining where they started the A-Feature.

 

Pittman, Schatz, Tatnell, McMahan, Stewart, and Kerry Madsen will be in action again in Australia on Friday and Saturday in the Grand Annual Classic at Premier Speedway in Warrnambool.

 

The 2007 World of Outlaws season opens on February 9 at Volusia Speedway Park in Florida with the 36th Annual DIRTcar Nationals Presented By Mopar Speedshop. SCR

 

 

 

 

Concord, N.C. - Professional Bull Riders are some of the toughest athletes around.  They can ride a bull for eight seconds but can they pit a race car in under 13 seconds?  That was a question that David Ragan, driver of the No. 6 AAA Ford Fusion, set out to answer today at Roush Racing headquarters.  During a visit to Charlotte, N.C. for their upcoming event on January 26-28 at the Charlotte Bobcats Arena, Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Sean Willingham, J.B. Mauney and Brian Canter visited Roush Racing and became honorary pit crew members for the No. 6 AAA team.

Willingham was assigned to be the jack man while Mauney and Canter were the front and rear tire changers respectively.  As Ragan pulled the Ford Fusion into the pit stall, the newest AAA team members came off the wall and looked like old pros.  In just 33.03 seconds the team completed their first career pit stop.  According to Roush Racing pit coach Wayne Deloria, the time was not bad considering they had little practice time.

"The PBR riders did a great job today with the AAA team," said Deloria.  "If I had a day to work with them I know I could put them in as members of David's ARCA team at Daytona.  You can tell they are great athletes."

Ragan was also impressed by the riders quick learning and skill set.

"I had a great time this morning with the guys that came out from the PBR," Ragan said.  "We actually gave two of them a little crash course on how to be tire changers and one of them a lesson on being the jack man and then let them do a pit stop with the AAA team.  I think they had a pretty good time getting to see what all goes on here at the Roush shop and how much work goes into preparing for a race."

Of the experience, Mooreville's J.B. Mauney, 2006 PBR Daisy Rookie of the Year, stated, "Those guys make it look easy on TV, but I found out their job is a lot tougher than it looks.  I think being an honorary member of the AAA team was a great experience, but I'll just leave it to the professionals."

The question remains, will Ragan "cowboy up" and ride a bull for eight seconds?  On Friday morning, January 26, Ragan will get a few lessons from Mooresville's own J.B. Mauney at Bobcats Arena.  Mauney will lend his bull riding gear and expertise to Ragan to see if he's tough enough for the job.

"I am actually going to get a chance to see what being a professional bull rider is like tomorrow."  Ragan continued, "They've invited me to come down to Bobcats Arena tomorrow morning and play cowboy for the day.  I'm hearing that they are going to put me on a bull named Buckshot at some point so that should be pretty exciting!  I'm actually a little nervous about that, but it will be fun.  I definitely want to thank these guys, J.B. Mauney, Sean Willingham and Brian Canter for coming out and being a part of the AAA pit crew today.  They did an awesome job."

For media interested in attending the planned event with Ragan and Mooresville native J.B. Mauney tomorrow morning, please RSVP to Angela Hiatt, PR & Marketing Manager, with the Professional Bull Riders, Inc. (PBR) at 719-439-8731.

For photos of today's pit stop, please contact Action Sports Photography at 704.784.5800.

PBR Event Facts
The promotions kick off the Dale Jr. PBR Clash at Charlotte Bobcats Arena on January 26 at 7:30 p.m., January 27 at 7:50 p.m. and January 28 at 2 p.m. The event is the fifth stop on the elite Built Ford Tough Series presented by Wrangler (BFTS.)  The world's top 45 bull riders will clash against the best bulls in the industry in this three-day event featuring three-time PBR World Champion Adriano Moraes (Sao Paulo, Brazil), 2006 Daisy Rookie of the Year J.B. Mauney (Mooresville, N.C.) and PBR superstars like Sean Willingham (Summerville, Ga.) and Brian Canter (Randleman, N.C.)

Tickets start at $20 and guarantee you more than two hours of bull riding action including rock & roll music, pyrotechnics and an up close and personal view of the fastest growing sport in the U.S.   Tickets are available at the Charlotte Bobcats Arena Box Office, online at charlottebobcatsarena.com, by phone at 800-495-2295, or at your local Lebo's retail store.

The Friday, January 26 performance of the Dale Jr. PBR Clash will air on January 27 at 2:30 p.m. on NBC.  Additionally, the Saturday, January 27 performance will air live on VERSUS at 8 p.m. and the Sunday, January 28 performance will air at 8 p.m. on VERSUS.  (All TV times are listed as Eastern Time.)  Please check your local listings for additional details. SCR

 

 

 

 

Joe Gibbs Racing officials announced the Z-Line Designs will sponsor JGR's No. 18 Chevrolet in the Busch Series and driver Kevin Conway.

 

The furniture manufacturer will be featured on the car beginning with the March 24 race at Bristol Motor Speedway.

 

Financial terms of the sponsorship were not disclosed.

 

 

 

 

NASCAR on Thursday broke ground for the NASCAR Hall of fame that will be in Charlotte, NC. Many of NASCAR’s legends were at the ceremony, including Richard Petty, Ned Jarrett and Darrell Waltrip.

 

The 1972 Dodge Charger and the late Dale Earnhardt Sr. 2000 Chevrolet Monte Carlo were started just before the ground breaking. The hall is scheduled to open in late 2009 or early 2010. SCR

Matthew Blaylock

 

 

 

 

Myrtle Beach, S.C.-The Hooters Pro Cup Series has long been tabbed as a throwback series. It's a place filled with short tracks, hard-nosed racers and fan interaction. The sights and sounds remind everyone of the roots of racing.

Over the years, the grassroots appeal has attracted a virtual "Who's Who" list of short-track greats. Each race pits Snowball Derby, ASA and Weekly Racing Champions, Busch Series winners and future Sunday racers against each other on bullrings across the country. The allure always brings new drivers to the fray each year, and Caleb Holman is happy to be the newest.

"[The Hooters Pro Cup Series] is like going to the Martinsville Late Model race, except you're doing it all year," said Holman, who will compete in the Southern Division in '07. "Sometimes I don't think people understand how tough the series is."

Holman does, but he's ready for the challenge.

Last season, Holman ran a handful of events and finished a season-high fifth at Hickory, picking up Miller Lite Rookie of the Race honors. Despite the early success, Holman remains cautiously optimistic about his rookie campaign.

"I think we're going to be better this year," said Holman. "Our car was really good on the long runs last year, but we need to qualify better. We've got a new Laughlin car ready, and I think that will help. I'm not going to say we're going to win races; I try not to think of it like that. We just need to work hard and see what happens. It's racing, and a lot of things can happen."

Not matter what the outcome, Holman and team owners Charlie and Don Henderson are just happy to return to their roots.

"When we ran Hickory last year, my team owners told me everything reminded them of the way racing used to be," said Holman. "It was fun again, and we're looking forward to a full season of that this year."

Holman's car will remind longtime race fans of years gone by as well. The Abingdon, Va., driver will pilot the always-popular No. 75s Food Country Chevrolet.

"I remember that car and the No. 4 (Morgan-McClure) being around when I was growing up," said Holman. "It's going to be great to drive the [No.] 75 Food Country car next year and be part of that history."

Holman is the latest driver to join the ever-growing Miller Lite Rookie of the Year class. To date, over 20 new rookies have registered for the upcoming season, including Holman's unofficial teammate, Wade Day. The competition is stout, but just the way he wants it.

"You've got guys like Bobby Gill and Gary St. Amant that have won in everything they've been in," said Holman. "If you can come in and run with those guys, you've done something." SCR

 

 

 

 

BOSTON, MASS. – LENOX® Industrial Tools announced today that the East Longmeadow, Mass., based company will be the primary sponsor of Jeff Burton’s No. 31 NASCAR Cup car during the newly announced LENOX Industrial Tools 300 at nearby New Hampshire International Speedway on July 1.

 

LENOX, a leading manufacturer of premium band saw blades, power tool accessories, and torches, has partnered with Richard Childress Racing and driver Burton, New Hampshire’s all-time race winner in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, in a multi-year sponsorship agreement beginning with the 2007 NASCAR Cup season.

 

In addition to the LENOX Industrial Tools 300, LENOX will also serve as the primary sponsor of Burton’s Chevrolet for the May 5 NASCAR Cup race at Richmond International Raceway.

 

LENOX will be represented throughout the season as an associate sponsor on the No. 31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet as well. The LENOX logo will appear on the rear quarter panels of the car just behind the rear wheels.

 

"Becoming a sponsor of the No. 31 Richard Childress Racing team and Jeff Burton is an exciting step for our company,” said Eric Pinkham, Director of Motorsports for LENOX Industrial Tools. “Both Richard and Jeff are proven winners on and off the racetrack, and we couldn't be happier about joining forces with them. LENOX has been involved in NASCAR since 2003, and we are looking forward to strengthening our commitment to the sport and its fans through this partnership with RCR. There are certainly no teams more committed to quality, innovation, and extreme performance than LENOX Industrial Tools and Richard Childress Racing."

 

LENOX, which is utilizing the partnership through marketing and advertising initiatives, has an extensive product line including the LENOX Gold™ bi-metal reciprocating saw blades and LENOX ARMOR Rx®+ bi-metal coated band saw blades for cutting structurals and tubing, just to mention a few.

 

“We’re proud to have LENOX join the RCR family of sponsors and the No. 31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet team with Jeff Burton,” said Richard Childress, president and CEO of RCR. “Their commitment to producing high quality saw blades carries over to their commitment to RCR through the many marketing and promotional programs they have planned. LENOX is a very welcomed addition to the No. 31 team’s sponsorship group.”

                                                           

Burton has four triumphs at New Hampshire’s “Magic Mile” including an incredible win in September of 2000 when he led every lap on his way to Victory Lane.

 

This season, Burton is considered a contender for the series championship. Last year, he finished seventh in the “Chase for the Championship” with one victory at Dover. He had seven top-five and 20 top-10 finishes in addition to four pole positions.

 

The 2007 season marks his 15th season in NASCAR’s elite division. He’s captured 18 victories and four times has finished in the top five of the final championship standings. In addition to his Cup success, he has also garnered 22 wins in NASCAR’s Busch Series, two coming this season.

 

“I can’t tell the employees of LENOX Industrial Tools how proud I am to become a part of their team in 2007,” said Burton. “I am going to work extremely hard to help promote the LENOX brand and to let consumers know that – just like our race team – LENOX is committed to being the best. The quality of the products prove that. We can’t wait to compete in the LENOX Industrial Tools 300 at New Hampshire. The track is a special place for me and the employees of LENOX.” SCR

 

 

 

 

BOSTON, MASS. – LENOXâ Industrial Tools, a leading manufacturer of premium power tool accessories, hand tools, torches and band saw blades announced today it has extended its sponsorship of the LENOX Industrial Tools 300 at New Hampshire International Speedway (NHIS).

 

For years to come, the summer NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race at “The Magic Mile” will be known as the LENOX Industrial Tools 300. The announcement was made during a luncheon at The Boston Park Plaza Hotel & Towers in Boston, Mass.

 

After much success with the race entitlement last year, LENOX, based in East Longmeadow, Mass. (just 150 miles from New Hampshire International Speedway), decided to join the track with a long-term partnership.

 

“Last year’s race was our first and the response of the sponsorship was beyond our expectations,” said Bill Burke, LENOX president. “It provided the LENOX brand with a great opportunity to reach out to a loyal audience in our own backyard. Our partnership will allow customers to continue to learn about the strength, innovation, speed and extreme performance of LENOX products. We are committed to the sport of auto racing and sharing its power with our employees, customers and distributors.”

 

“We’re glad to have LENOX join the New Hampshire International Speedway family,” said Speedway Chairman of the Board, Bob Bahre. “We can’t tell you how much it means to us to have a world class, New England-based company like LENOX support our facility, our fans, and NASCAR.”

 

“Our entire sport has been built on long term relationships. Today’s announcement by LENOX Industrial Tools and New Hampshire International Speedway builds a strong relationship between two great companies. This speaks to the strength of our sport especially here in the New England area,” said Mike Helton, NASCAR President.

 

In addition to the race entitlement, LENOX will also have another presence. Jeff Burton, the driver with the most NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series wins at NHIS, will race a special white and blue No. 31 in the event with LENOX Industrial Tools Chevrolet as his primary sponsor. LENOX is also an associate sponsor on Burton’s Richard Childress Racing car throughout the 2007 season.

 

Advance tickets for the LENOX Industrial Tools 300 are on sale now, please call Speedway Guest Services at 603-783-4931 or visit the track website at www.nhis.com for more information.

 

LENOX has an extensive product line including the LENOX Gold™ bi-metal reciprocating saw blades; LENOX Gold™ bi-metal utility blades and knives; and LENOX ARMOR Rx®+ bi-metal coated band saw blades for cutting structurals and tubing, just to mention a few. SCR

 

 

 

 

Yesterday, ISC President Lesa France Kennedy and supporters of Great Western Sports met with Washington Governor Christine Gregoire. Several key legislators, elected officials and business leaders from across the state presented the concept for the legislation being proposed later in the 2007 session.

 

Ms. France Kennedy stated: “We had a very productive meeting with Governor Gregoire. I truly appreciated the opportunity to discuss the merits of our proposal and, more specifically, the details of the legislation expected to be introduced in the coming days. We, along with our supporters and bill sponsors, were able to demonstrate our progress thus far, and I look forward to updating the Governor on our future efforts. I am proud to see that our project has so many strong supporters who share in our vision of bringing major motorsports, and positive community benefits, to the Pacific Northwest.” SCR

 

 

 

 

 LAS VEGAS – NASCAR’s greatest drivers are about to get their first look at the sport’s newest race track.
       

A record 55 drivers are scheduled to take part in NASCAR Preseason Thunder Las Vegas on Monday and Tuesday. For most of those drivers, it will be their look at Las Vegas Motor Speedway’s new 20-degree banking.

       

Race fans will be allowed to watch the test from the grandstands free of charge each day.
       

“It’s a totally different race track than what it was before,” said Kyle Busch, who is one of the few drivers who have tested on the new surface. “It’s fast and it’s challenging. I think it’s going to be a lot of fun to race on. It will be interesting to see how the test session goes.”

       

Busch and Greg Biffle completed a Goodyear tire test in December and unofficially turned speeds almost 15 miles per hour faster than Kasey Kahne’s track record of 174.904 miles per hour set in 2004. Jeremy Mayfield and David Reutimann, who both competed in the September NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event on the new surface, are the only other Cup drivers who have turned competitive laps since the re-banking. Kurt Busch took the first laps around the new surface last August in a Richard Petty Driving Experience car.

       

Teams will be testing in preparation for the March 11 UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 NASCAR Nextel Cup race. NASCAR Busch Series teams are scheduled to test Monday, Feb. 5 and Tuesday, Feb. 6 in preparation for the March 10 Sam’s Town 300.

 

Teams Schedule to Test

 

Car  Driver   Race Team     

00  David Reutimann  MWI

01  Mark Martin   Ginn Racing

02  Brandon Ash   Ash Racing

07  Clint Bowyer   RCR

1  Martin Truex Jr.  DEI

2  Kurt Busch   Penske Racing

4  Ward Burton   Morgan-McClure

5  Kyle Busch   Hendrick Motorsports

6  David Ragan   Roush Racing

7  Robby Gordon   Robby Gordon Motorsports

8  Dale Earnhardt Jr.  DEI

9  Kasey Kahne   Evernham Motorsports

10  Scott Riggs   Evernham Motorsports

11  Denny Hamlin   Joe Gibbs Racing

12  Ryan Newman   Penske Racing

13  Joe Nemechek   Ginn Racing

14  Sterling Marlin  Ginn Racing

15  Paul Menard   DEI

16  Greg Biffle   Roush Racing

17  Matt Kenseth   Roush Racing

18  J.J. Yeley   Joe Gibbs Racing

19  Elliott Sadler   Evernham Motorsports

20  Tony Stewart   Joe Gibbs Racing

21  Ken Schrader   Wood Brothers Racing

22  Dave Blaney   Bill Davis Racing

23  Mike Skinner        

24  Jeff Gordon   Hendrick Motorsports

25  Casey Mears   Hendrick Motorsports

26  Jamie McMurray  Roush Racing

29  Kevin Harvick   RCR

31  Jeff Burton   RCR

34  Kevin Lepage   Front Row Racing

36  Jeremy Mayfield  Bill Davis Racing

37  Bill Elliott   Front Row Racing

38  David Gilliland  Robert Yates Racing

39  Regan Smith   Ginn Racing

40  David Stremme  Ganassi Racing

41  Reed Sorenson  Ganassi Racing

42  Juan Pablo Montoya  Ganassi Racing

43  Bobby Labonte  Petty Enterprises

44  Dale Jarrett   MWI

45  Kyle Petty   Petty Enterprises

47  Jon Wood   Wood Brothers Racing

48  Jimmie Johnson  Hendrick Motorsports

49  Mike Bliss   BAM Racing

55  Michael Watrip  MWI

66  Jeff Green   Haas-CNC Racing

70  Johnny Sauter   Haas-CNC Racing

72  Brandon Whitt   CJM Racing

80  Aric Almirola   Joe Gibbs Racing

83  Brian Vickers   Team Red Bull

84  A.J. Allmendinger  Team Red Bull

88  Ricky Rudd   Robert Yates Racing

96  Tony Raines   Hall of Fame Racing

99  Carl Edwards   Roush Racing SCR

 

 

 

 

STATESVILLE, N.C. – Evernham Motorsports announced today that Siemens, the global leader in automation and control, will serve as primary sponsor of the No. 19 Dodge driven by Elliott Sadler in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series race at Phoenix International Raceway on November 11, 2007. Siemens currently serves as an associate sponsor of the No. 19 Dodge and the No. 9 Dodge driven by Kasey Kahne. Siemens also plays a vital role in technology development through its partnership with Evernham Motorsports.

 

“We are very excited about having a Siemens car run at the Phoenix race in November,” said Dale Wilson, Vice President of Sales for Siemens Energy & Automation. “This will help us leverage our current investment in motorsports and provide us with the basis for tremendous promotional opportunities with our customers, channel partners and employees. Our colleagues at Evernham Motorsports are partners in every sense, and we are proud to be associated with them.”

 

“A partnership with Siemens gives us an advantage in more ways than one,” said Ray Evernham, Team Owner and CEO of Evernham Motorsports. “One of our biggest challenges in racing is to improve more efficiently than any other team, that’s what will keep us out in front of the competition. I’ve committed to our teams that we will provide them the resources and the technology to continually get faster and more competitive so they can win races and contend for championships. Partners such as Siemens, with their tremendous technology support, afford us the resources we need to accomplish these goals.”

 

“Siemens has been a part of Evernham Motorsports for several years now, but this will be their first primary paint scheme,” explained Sadler. “The No. 19 Siemens Dodge looks awesome and I am proud to be driving it at Phoenix.” SCR

 

 

 

 

Office Depot has extended its sponsorship with NASCAR, as the official office products partner. In addition they are a sponsor on the No. 99 Ford driven by Carl Edwards.

 

Office Depot’s exclusive relationship with NASCAR began in 2005 and has been supported by the successful sponsorships of the No. 99 Office Depot Ford Fusion, Roush Racing and superstar driver Carl Edwards. During its first year in the sport, Office Depot received the NASCAR “Marketer of the Year Award.” The award recognized Office Depot for its multi-channel program that leveraged NASCAR to help differentiate the Office Depot brand and connect with millions of potential customers and business owners who are fans of the sport. SCR

Matthew Blaylock

 

 

 

 

Darlington, SC – The all-new Dodge Avenger, which was introduced in January 2007 at the Detroit Auto Show, is expected to be in showrooms this spring.  The Chrysler Group has also announced that the Avenger will compete in select races during the 2007 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series season, as Dodge’s entry in the Car of Tomorrow implementation program. Darlington Raceway is included on that list.

 

To build awareness for the Avenger, the Carolina Dodge Dealers and Darlington Raceway have agreed to name the May 12 Nextel Cup Series race the “Dodge Avenger 500”. 

 

The Avenger replaces the Stratus in the Dodge lineup, and resembles the popular Charger in appearance.

 

Jeff Egolf, President of the Carolina Dodge Dealers Advertising Association, says, “Dodge has come out with the hottest products in the world, most recently with the all-new Dodge Caliber and Dodge Nitro, and now the introduction of the Dodge Avenger where high tech meets thrill.  Bold aggressive styling runs throughout all Dodge products, and the Carolina Dodge Dealers are proud that we can showcase the Dodge product at the track where race fans know they can see the same type of racing -- bold and aggressive.”

 

The 2007 Dodge Avenger 500 weekend will include practice and qualifying for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup and Busch Series plus the Diamond Hill Plywood 200 Busch Series race on Friday, May 11. Denny Hamlin is the defending race champion.

 

On Saturday evening, May 12, Darlington will host Cup Series racing for the 58th consecutive season. The 2007 Dodge Avenger 500 will once again be run under the lights in its entirety. Defending champion Greg Biffle will be going for his third win in a row at legendary Darlington Raceway.  Kasey Kahne won the pole for the Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 in March 2004, and for the Dodge Charger 500 in May 2005 and 2006. SCR

 

 

 

 

Concord, NC - The World of Outlaws are returning to the Tulare Fairgrounds and Thunderbowl Raceway on February 23-24, for two thrilling nights of racing in the Golden State.

 

After opening the season with three nights of racing at Volusia Speedway Park in Florida, the teams will have 12 days to make the 2,600 mile cross country journey to California.

 

Leading the way will be reigning World of Outlaws Champion and Knoxville Nationals winner Donny Schatz from Fargo, North Dakota, along with 20-time Champion Steve Kinser, a past winner at Thunderbowl.

 

Also in action will be 2001 Series Champion Danny Lasoski, driving for California native Dennis Roth. Other drivers from the Golden State include: Randy Hannagan, Tim Kaeding, Jason Meyers, and Paul McMahan, driving for two-time NASCAR Champion Tony Stewart.

 

Joey Saldana, driving for NASCAR star Kasey Kahne will also be competing. Saldana finished third in points in 2006, on the strength of seven A-Feature wins, including his second career Kings Royal triumph.

 

Other drivers ready to do battle include: Craig Dollansky, who finished second in World of Outlaws points in 2006, along with Daryn Pittman who was fourth in points, as well as fan favorite Jac Haudenschild, who was fifth in points last year, and Terry McCarl who was ninth in points.

 

Bringing an Australian feel to the event will be Brooke Tatnell who was sixth in points last year, as well as rookie Kerry Madsen.

 

Reigning World of Outlaws Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Award winner Chad Kemenah will also be in attendance, as will this year’s crop of rookie contenders including: Tony Bruce Jr., Chad Hillier, and James Mosher.

 

Also in action will be: Becca Anderson, Brian Carlson, Jeremy Campbell, Justin Henderson, Dion Hindi, Jason Martin, Bill Rose, Tim Shaffer, Jason Sides, and Jason Solwold.

 

The last time the series visited Thunderbowl, three-time series champion Sammy Swindell came out on top leading wire-to-wire in a 35-lap contest, with Kinser finishing second. Schatz was victorious in the preliminary feature the night before.

 

In 2004, McCarl charged from the 17th starting spot to win at the track. The native of Altoona, Iowa, passed Daryn Pittman on the white flag lap, with Craig Dollansky coming home third. The night before, Erin Crocker became the first female to win a World of Outlaws preliminary feature, as she took the lead from Haudenschild on the 21st lap of the 25-lap event.

 

Kinser claimed the win in the series inaugural visit to the track in 2003. The native of Bloomington, Indiana, took the lead from Swindell on the 5th lap of the 35-lap contest and help off Shaffer and Meyers for