The Jim Stewart 400 Nextel Cup race at Richmond has bee postponed due to rain. The race will now be run Sunday May 6, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. (est.); it will be shown on FOX. SCR

Matthew Blaylock

 

 

 

 

CONCORD, NC - The World of Outlaws and its staff mourn the passing of Red Miley, the longtime operator of Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway and promoter of World of Outlaws Late Model Series events at the half-mile oval.

 

Miley, 53, died on Thursday following a courageous battle with cancer.

 

"There are all kinds of racing promoters, and Red Miley certainly was one who put his heart into everything he did," said Tom Deery, World Racing Group President and CEO. "Red understood racing needed to be an event, and he went the extra mile to make sure fans of all ages had a good time at his racetracks. He was incredibly accessible and always had time for the fans, the drivers and the media.

 

“Red was incredibly insightful and had a clear vision where the sport needed to go and was never afraid to step up and be the leader. He was an example of how to do it the right way."

 

A fixture on the western Pennsylvania racing scene, Miley began his involvement in the sport in 1969 when he purchased a race car and effectively launched Miley Motorsports. As car owner, Red was designated the president of Miley Motorsports, while his 18-year-old brother Ben was named the driver and 17-year-old sibling Jerry became crew chief.

 

Miley Motorsports eventually grew to include younger siblings Matt and Ty, and the team went on to compete at virtually every area track. A Miley Motorsports dirt Late Model is still visible in action to this day.

 

Red brought Miley Motorsports into the racetrack operation game in 1988, leasing PPMS. The November 2001 purchase of the paved Motordrome Speedway in Imperial, Pa., added to the group’s portfolio, and in 2004 the group bought PPMS after its lease expired.

 

When the World of Outlaws Late Model Series was re-launched by the World Racing Group for the 2004 season, Red brought immediate prestige to the tour by making PPMS’s huge Pittsburgher 100 a sanctioned event. The Pittsburgher 100 was also part of the WoO LMS in 2006, and the WoO LMS will be competing at PPMS again in 2007.

 

“I grew up alongside the entire Miley family and can’t count how many nights I watched my father and brother race at either PPMS or Motordrome," said Ben Geisler, World Racing Group Executive VP of Operations. “Red always made you feel like a part of that family. He touched a lot of people through the years and helped shape the face of racing in western Pennsylvania for years to come.”

 

As per Miley’s request, racing was to go on at Motordrome on May 4 and May 5.

 

"Red Miley and his family have been key parts of the racing scene in Western Pennsylvania for five decades," said Chris Dolack, World Racing Group VP of Public Relations who used to cover motorsports for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "I always knew when I went to talk with Red that he was going to be optimistic and forward looking, even if I wrote something he didn't particularly agree with. He was a great family man in a family that has been leaders in the Pittsburgh racing community. He will no doubt be missed by all." 

 

Miley is survived by his wife, Ruth, and three small daughters.

 

Arrangements are still being finalized, but the funeral will be on Tues., May 8, at the Hershberger-Stover Funeral Home in Crafton, Pa., with visitation on Sunday and Monday. SCR

 

 

 

 

Clint Bowyer pulled away after taking the lead coming off pit road with 28 laps to go Friday night on his way to winning the Circuit City 250 at Richmond Int. Raceway (RIR). Bowyer pulled away from Kenseth who finished second and had the dominate car much of the night. Kenseth finished second followed by Jeff Burton in third. Kevin Harvick and Kyle Busch rounded out the top five. Richmond native Denny Hamlin was in an early accident and finished 41^st. SCR

Matthew Blaylock

 

 

 

 

Jeff Gordon won his third pole in a row and 61^st of his career Friday night at the Richmond Int. Raceway (RIR). Gordon won the pole for the Jim Stewart 400 with a speed of 126.251 mph. Starting on the outside of Gordon with his first start on the front row of the season will be Carl Edwards and he will be followed by Scott Riggs, who will roll off third. Jimmie Johnson and Kasey Kahne will round out the top five.

 

Michael Waltrip failed to qualify for the race along with his teammate Dale Jarrett. The third car of Michael Waltrip Racing driven by David Reutimann will roll off 14^th. Other drivers who failed to qualify include Brian Vickers and Ken Schrader. SCR

Matthew Blaylock

  

   

 

 

CONCORD, N.C. - Carl Edwards, driver of the No. 99 Office Depot Ford in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, will appear on the hit FOX television show MADtv  this Friday, May 5.  Edwards’ appearance on show off his comedic skills as well as the lighter side of his intensely focused race car driver persona.

 

“I like cutting up and joking around,” Edwards said. “A lot of times people don’t realize that about me, so when I was given the opportunity to have some fun on camera and show a different  side of my personality, I was really excited about it. I think my fans will get a kick out of the show.” SCR

 

 

 

 

Officials of Richmond Int. Raceway (RIR) announced Thursday that The Jim Stewart 400 is the 31^st consecutive Cup race to sell out at the track. All grandstand seats including the newly installed 8000 on the frontstretch have been sold. The current streak of sellouts began March 8, 1992 when Bill Elliott edged Alan Kulwicki for the win. SCR

Matthew Blaylock

 

 

 

 

Scott Wimmer filed a lawsuit earlier this week against Bill Davis Racing, claiming he is owed $1.2 million in salary for the 2006 season because the team did not follow the procedure in the contract to fire him.

 

In the suit filed Monday in North Carolina Superior Court in Greensboro, N.C., Wimmer alleges BDR did not tell him until Oct. 24, 2005, that he would not be the driver in 2006.

 

He claims that violated a clause in the contract which states that if the driver is not in the top 25 in the standings by Sept, 1, "team shall have the right to issue a written notice that driver is being placed on a 30-day notice stating that performance level must be improved to the satisfaction of sponsor and team by September 30th of current year or team may issued [sic] a written notice of termination of driver agreement at the end of current Nextel Cup season."

 

Wimmer claims he received no written notice, that the team told the media around Oct. 8 that he would return in 2006 but then sent him a termination letter Oct. 24.

 

According to the lawsuit, Wimmer was being paid $600,000 for the 2004 season, $900,000 for 2005 and $1.2 million for 2006. He also received 45 percent of prize money as well as 33.3 percent of royalties from team merchandise.

 

Wimmer drove in Nextel Cup for Morgan-McClure Motorsports for much of the 2006 season. He is driving for Richard Childress Racing in select Busch and Nextel Cup Series events this year.

  

   

 

 

SPARTA KY - It’s been a pretty exciting couple of weeks for Roush-Fenway Racing’s Erik Darnell. The Illinois native worked his way from last to second in an ARCA RE/MAX Series race at Kansas Speedway on April 27 and earned his career-first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series victory the next day. On Monday, Darnell tested Roush-Fenway’s No. 99 Ford at Kentucky Speedway in preparation for the May 12 Buckle-Up Kentucky 150 ARCA RE/MAX Series event.

 

Roush-Fenway racing is among a growing list of NASCAR-affiliated teams fielding cars in the ARCA RE/MAX Series. In a trend that has seen several young up-and-coming drivers make their way through the ARCA RE/MAX Series as part of a career path to NASCAR, several teams, including Roush-Fenway, have pre-entered the ARCA RE/MAX Series’ first Kentucky event of 2007, the Buckle-Up Kentucky 150. Evernham Motorsports’ Erin Crocker, Bill Davis Racing’s Bobby Santos III and Ganassi’s Scott Lagasse, Jr. are also expected to compete.

 

Darnell is no stranger to the ARCA RE/MAX Series. He made his series debut at the Milwaukee Mile in 2005, earning a fourth place finish. His father, Bay Darnell, competed in the ARCA RE/MAX Series in the 1960s.

 

Crocker is also a very familiar face in the ARCA RE/MAX Series. She made history at Kentucky Speedway in 2005 by finishing second to Chad Blount. The second-place finish tied her with Shawna Robinson as the highest-finishing females in ARCA RE/MAX Series history.

 

Santos, in the span of his short ARCA RE/MAX Series career, has also become a trail-blazer of sorts in the 55-year old national stock car tour. He made his ARCA RE/MAX Series debut at USA Int’l Speedway in Lakeland, Florida on March 24 and became the first driver to earn a pole award and lead competitive laps in race competition in a Toyota product. He is one of two Toyotas entered for the May 12 Buckle-Up Kentucky 150, as Ken Butler III has entered the event in a No. 22 ESR Development Team Toyota Camry.

 

From the Ganassi ranks, Scott Lagasse, Jr. has entered the Buckle-Up Kentucky 150 in a Cunningham Motorsports Dodge Development Team Dodge. Lagasse earned his career first ARCA RE/MAX Series victory in the Kansas Lottery $150 Grand at Kansas Speedway on April 27. The St. Augustine, Florida native has two previous Kentucky Speedway starts, with a career-best finish of eleventh in July of 2006.

 

Darnell, Crocker, Santos and Lagasse, Jr. are all aiming for a win in this May’s edition of the Buckle-Up Kentucky 150. If history is any indication, a NASCAR-affiliated team has a good chance of finding victory lane at the 1.5-mile paved oval. In 2006, Steve Wallace, son of NASCAR Nextel Cup Series veteran Rusty Wallace, won the May ARCA race at Kentucky in a car fielded by his father. The series returned to the speedway in July of 2006 and Brad Coleman won the event in a Brewco Motorsports Ford. Brewco is well-known for fielding entries in the NASCAR Busch Series.

 

However, the young guns will have their work cut out for them as a full field of seasoned veterans are also expected to compete in the Buckle-Up Kentucky 150. Kentucky Speedway fan favorite Frank Kimmel is among those pre-entered. The eight-time and defending series champion is a four-time winner at Kentucky Speedway. SCR

  

   

 

 

Richmond, VA. - Two NASCAR drivers are honoring the victims of last month’s Virginia Tech tragedy with special paint schemes on their helmets at Richmond International Raceway this weekend for the Crown Royal Presents The Jim Stewart 400 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup and Circuit City 250 Presented by FUNAI NASCAR Busch Series races.  Morgan McClure Motorsports drivers Ward Burton (No. 4 State Water Heaters Chevrolet, NEXTEL Cup Series) and Eric McClure (No. 0 Hefty Chevrolet, Busch Series) are both sporting tribute helmets this weekend at America ’s Premier Short Track.

 

The helmets were designed by David Arrigo, a Canadian artist who previously painted a helmet for NASCAR driver Tony Raines.  Richmond International Raceway officials contacted Arrigo with the idea of creating a tribute helmet in the aftermath of the Virginia Tech incident.  Arrigo was able to get in contact with Morgan McClure Motorsports representatives and the idea came to fruition.  Both drivers are from Virginia , which makes it a perfect fit for the tribute.

 

McClure, who is an avid University of Virginia Cavaliers fan, is happy to show his support for the Hokie Nation.

 

“I am extremely honored to have the opportunity to continue the tribute of the Virginia Tech community,” said McClure, who hails from Chilhowie , Virginia .  “It’s an event that has touched all of our lives.  Virginia Tech is a fine institution and their community will only grow stronger during the healing process.  I am glad that I can do a small part to pay my respect.”

 

Burton , who is from South Boston , Virginia , has shown his support for the Hokies since the Phoenix race, where his #4 Chevy depicted the Virginia Tech logo.

 

“It’s an honor for me to be able to wear this unique helmet painted by David Arrigo in tribute to Virginia Tech,” said Burton .  “Personally, I appreciate that so many people are willing to chip in and do things to help Virginia Tech in their recovery.  We're trying to be creative and raise as much money as we can for the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund and we are looking at ways to continue that effort in the future.”

 

Arrigo plans to drive overnight from Toronto to Richmond International Raceway to hand deliver the helmets on Friday morning, prior to practice and qualifying for both the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup and Busch Series.  Tickets are still on sale for the Circuit City 250 Presented by FUNAI NASCAR Busch Series race.  Fans can contact the ticket office at 1-866-455-7223 or visit www.rir.com. SCR

 

 

 

 

Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR) has made another change with one of its teams. MWR has announced that Matt Borland has been let go as crew chief for the No. 44 team and driver Dale Jarrett. This is the third crew chief change made at MWR in three weeks. Two have been made on the No. 55 Toyota team driven by Michael Waltrip and now the change on the No. 44 team.

 

Jason Burdett was named to replace Borland has worked with Jarrett in the past, as he was car chief at Robert Yates Racing (RYR). He also field in as crew chief for Jarrett last season when Slugger Labbe was suspended. SCR

Matthew Blaylock

 

 

 

 

Shenandoah, Va. - Mark McFarland overcame an early-race spin and penalty to win the Farmer’s Foods 250 at Shenandoah Speedway on Thursday night.  
 
While battling for third with Jack Bailey on Lap 38, McFarland, driver of the No. 81 Knight’s Companies Chevrolet, went for a spin in Turn 1. A few laps later, McFarland was tagged with a penalty for a pitting infraction and had to start at the tail end of the longest line. But through it all, the Winchester, Va., native never gave up and took the lead on Lap 218 en route to his first Hooters Pro Cup win of the season and the second of his career.  
 
"When I first spun, I thought it was going to be a struggle to win, but this team never gave up," said McFarland. "They had an awesome pit stop. We came in 11th and came back out fourth or fifth. After that, I knew we had a shot." 
 
McFarland methodically made his way through the field after the setbacks, slipping into second place on Lap 182. But there was still one hurdle in McFarland’s way, and it was the same driver that tangled with early in the event. 
 
"Me and Jack have raced together a lot at Old Dominion Speedway in the past, so I knew he didn’t mean to get into me earlier in the race," said McFarland. "It so hard to pass here, he was just doing what he had to do." 
 
The second time the two battled didn’t produce any sparks as McFarland easily swept around the high side of Bailey’s No. 11 Hour Homes Chevrolet in Turn 1 and never looked back.  
 
"This team is really pumped up," said McFarland, who has averaged a 21.5 finishing position in the first four races of the season. "They were a little down, wondering if they were doing the right things earlier in the year. But that was just circumstances. Now, they know they were doing the right things." 
 
Bailey also did a lot right on Thursday night. In his first start with Bullet Racing, the Stafford, Va., driver started fourth, led 63 laps and finished second. 
 
"It kind of felt like I was at Old Dominion Speedway, because I grew up following him a lot like that," said Bailey. "I’m a racer, and I wanted to win. But this was a good night for us. This whole deal came together so quick. It’s an all-volunteer crew, and everybody worked so hard to get this car here tonight. Mark just had a better car tonight." 
 
After needing a provisional to make the race, Gary St. Amant, driver of the No. 7 JEGS.com Chevrolet, rounded out the podium.  
 
"I was geared up for qualifying more than usual, and I nearly spun out," said St. Amant. "To start out back like that and come back up front, we’re tickled to death to get out of here with a third-place finish." 
 
Jody Lavender, driver of the No. 4 Greased Lightning Ford, continued his strong start to the Sears Auto Center Northern Division season by coming home fourth.  
 
Eric Corbett, driver of the No. 75 Larry & Sons Ford, completed the top five.  
 
Clay Rogers, A.J. Frank, Sam Fullone, Johnny Rumley and Richard Boswell completed the top 10. 
 
Unofficial Results 
 
1. Mark McFarland 
2. Jack Bailey 
3. Gary St. Amant 
4. Jody Lavender 
5. Eric Corbett 
6. Clay Rogers 
7. A.J. Frank 
8. Sam Fullone 
9. Johnny Rumley 
10. Richard Boswell 
11. Lonnie Rush Jr. 
12. Michael Kidd 
13. Jim Crabtree Jr. 
14. Derek Kale 
15. Jeff Agnew 
16. Ben Stancill 
17. Danny Jackson 
18. Tim Bainey Jr. 
19. Kris Szekeres 
20. Joe Harrison Jr. 
21. Shane Wallace 
22. Brett Butler 
23. Woody Howard 
24. Jeff Fultz 
25. J.J. Pack 
26. John Townley 
27. Matt Carter 
28. John Gibson 
29. Allen Purkhiser 
30. Benny Gordon 
31. Ronnie Souders 
32. Brandon Ward SCR

 

 

 

 

CONCORD, N.C. - NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series driver, Carl Edwards is the epitome of hard working and dedicated. From his daily workout routines to his strict diet, Edwards strives to be the best he can be. His work ethic and determination, along with his successes as a race car driver and an entrepreneurial businessman - not to mention his charming smile and handsome appearance have caught the attention of the

television show EXTRA, who selected Edwards as one of the nation's top 20 bachelors.

 

The EXTRA Bachelor series featuring Edwards will air Wednesday, May 2, 2007. The series will run throughout the month of May and feature other bachelors including: Shamar Moore (soapactor/former baseball player), NEO (rap musician), actor Ed Quinn (Sci Fi series actor) Carl Enggelsfield (All My Children) , Mario Lopez (EXTRA/actor), Kelly Slater (Pro Surfer), TBD Actor, Adam Rodriguiz (CSI), Michael Weatherly (actor), David Wright (Mets 3rd baseman),  and William Tell (Musician), to name a few.

 

"I had a blast shooting this special for EXTRA," stated Edwards. "It's flattering to be considered a top-bachelor, especially when you look at the list of guys they've selected."

 

Edwards continued, "Check your local listing and tune in, because I will divulge who my dream woman is." SCR

 

 

 

 

LAS VEGAS – The spectators who are found guilty of throwing cans and other debris on Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway will not be welcome at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

       

LVMS general manager Chris Powell said Wednesday that fans banned from Talladega as a result of Sunday’s trash-throwing incident will not be allowed to purchase tickets at LVMS.

       

On Tuesday, Talladega Superspeedway president Grant Lynch announced that the fans who threw debris have received a lifetime ban from the facility. On Wednesday, Lynch encouraged other NASCAR tracks to follow suit.

       

“There is absolutely no place in our sport for that kind of behavior,” Powell said. “First and foremost, it is a safety issue. Secondly, it reflects poorly on our sport and the millions of great racing fans across the country to have a few people act the way these individuals did on Sunday.

       

“Grant and I have been friends for a long time, and I have a great deal of respect for what he is trying to do. I think we all have the best interest of our sport in mind in making this decision.”

       

Powell said the ban would be an indefinite one and would apply to all events at LVMS including drag racing, dirt racing and weekly racing events. SCR

 

 

 

 

Tickets for the historic 50th Daytona 500 will go on sale Wednesday May 9, at 8 a.m. (EST). The race will be held at the Daytona International Speedway (DIS) February 17, 2008. Fans can order tickets by calling 1-800-PITSHOP or logging onto www.racetickets.com. Only renewals and deposits for seat assignments for the 50th annual Daytona 500 were taken by the ticket office at Daytona International Speedway. SCR

Matthew Blaylock

 

 

 

 

Nextel Cup driver Kenny Wallace will be in the qualifying field at the Virginia Motor Speedway (VMS) for the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar series race tonight. Wallace will pilot the No. 98 Mohawk Northeast-New England Race Fuels/Troyer entry with teammate Jimmy Phelps.

 

In addition to Wallace racing, fellow Nextel Cup driver David Reutimann is still looking for a big block ride for the race. SCR
Matthew Blaylock

 

 

 

 

Kevin Harvick and Jamie McMurray were each fined $25,000 and placed on probation until October 3, for what NASCAR says appeared to be intentional and unnecessary contact between the two cars on the final caution before the green-white-checker finish last weekend at Talladega.

 

The incident was found by NASCAR while reviewing tape after the race. Harvick and McMurray both declined comment on the incident. According to Harvick’s PR representative Stacie Fandel, both drivers were surprised by the severity of NASCAR's penalty. Fandel said McMurray's car, which was low on fuel, apparently sputtered on the final restart, causing contact with Harvick and Tony Stewart.

 

Harvicke retaliated to the McMurray contact being unaware that McMurray was out of fuel. SCR

Matthew Blaylock

 

 

 

 

Petty Enterprises announced today that former No. 43 Petty Ent. Driver John Andretti and Chad McCumbee will spilt time piloting the No. 45 Dodge for fives races this season. Andretti and McCumbee will take the wheel when regular driver Kyle Petty steps out of the ride and into the television booth to call races on TNT broadcast.

 

McCumbee will attempt to make his Nextel Cup debut filling in for Petty at the Pocono Raceway June 10. Andretti will sit behind the wheel for the four remaining races.

 

“I’m very grateful to Chad and John for lending their talents behind the wheel,” said Kyle Petty, driver of the #45 Marathon /Wells Fargo/Tire Kingdom Dodge.  “TNT offered me an excellent opportunity to join them in the broadcast booth for their races.  We worked closely with our sponsors to make that happen and keep our car up front.  We are fortunate to have Chad and John available to make that happen.”

 

The fives races that the two drivers will pilot the No. 45 Dodge in include:

 

Chad McCumbee: Pocono Raceway - June 10

John Andretti: Michigan, June 17 - New Hampshire, July 1 – Daytona, July 7 – Chicago, July 15

Kyle Petty will race the car at Infineon June 24 and will run the remainder of the season after the Chicago race. SCR

Matthew Blaylock

  

   

 

 

Darlington, SC - Multi-platinum MCA recording artist and South Carolina native Josh Turner will perform the national anthem for the 2007 Dodge Avenger 500 at Darlington Raceway.

 

Born and raised in Hannah, South Carolina (about 50 miles from Darlington), Turner got his first exposure to music at the Union Baptist Church, but his introduction to country music came from his grandmother, who acquainted him with Southern gospel quartets, country stars Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Roy Acuff and Ernest Tubb, and bluegrass legends The Osborne Brothers and The Stanley Brothers.

Turner is best known for his big, deep baritone singing voice. “When I go down in the lower register, that’s just kind of my thing and my style,” he explains. “The phrase that really describes my kind of music is South Carolina Lowcountry, which is actually a region in South Carolina , around Charleston and Hilton Head and Beaufort. I kind of took that phrase, South Carolina Lowcountry, to describe my music.”

 

New artists dream about the kind of results Turner achieved with his 2003 debut, Long Black Train. The gospel-inflected title track sold a million copies and brought Turner a pair of nominations from the influential Country Music Association, plus a Top New Artist nomination from the Academy of Country Music . He followed up Long Black Train in 2006 with Your Man, which to date has sold more than two million copies and has been certified double platinum.

 

Turner’s recent accomplishments and accolades include back-to back multi-week number one hits on country radio with the singles “Would You Go With Me” and “Your Man.” His current single “Me & God”, a duet with music legend Dr. Ralph Stanley and members of Diamond Rio, was recently a #1 song in the Christian format and received an Academy of Country Music nomination for Vocal Event of the Tear. Turner also received ACM nominations for Single of the Year and Song of the Year for “Would You Go With Me”, had the number one video on CMT with “Your Man”, received two 2006 Grammy nominations (Best Country Album and Best Male vocal Performance), and was the number two best-selling male country music vocalist in 2006.

 

“We are thrilled to welcome Josh Turner to Darlington Raceway,” said track president Chris Browning. “He truly is a credit to the state of South Carolina . What a wonderful addition to the Darlington race experience.”

 

The 2007 Dodge Avenger 500 weekend at Darlington Raceway will include practice for the USAC Silver Crown Series and the NASCAR Busch Series on Thursday, May 10, followed by USAC qualifying and the “Silver Crown Showdown at Darlington” under the lights. This event will feature open-wheel racing at Darlington for the first time in 51 years.

 

On Friday, May 11, the day will include NASCAR NEXTEL Cup practice, and NEXTEL Cup and Busch Series qualifying, followed by the Diamond Hill Plywood 200 NASCAR Busch Series race under the lights that evening. Denny Hamlin is the defending champion.

 

On Saturday, May 12, Darlington will host Cup Series racing for the 58th consecutive season as Greg Biffle attempts to join the short list of drivers to win three events in a row at NASCAR’s most historic venue. The 2007 Dodge Avenger 500 will be run under the lights in its entirety. SCR

 

 

 

 

SPARTA KY - A total of three ARCA RE/MAX Series drivers unofficially topped the speed charts Monday afternoon at Kentucky Speedway. Alex Yontz, Michelle Theriault and Erik Darnell each clocked in at 31.29 seconds around the 1.5-mile oval. All three drivers plan to participate in the May 12 Buckle-Up Kentucky ARCA RE/MAX Series race at Kentucky Speedway.

 

“This is my first time in an ARCA car,” said Yontz. “It’s great. These cars are a lot of fun. I’ve never been in anything that has this much horsepower. We plan to come back for the race, and hopefully we will make it to three or four ARCA races this year. The schedule is kind of still in the air.”

 

Yontz, a veteran of UARA Stars Touring Late Models, is a native of Walnut Cove, North Carolina. He was joined on the speed charts by Theriault, who made her ARCA RE/MAX Series debut at USA Int’l Speedway on March 24th, and Darnell, who finished a career-best second in an ARCA race at Kansas Speedway last weekend. The full day ARCA Open Test session was in preparation for the May 15 Buckle-Up Kentucky 150, which serves as the season-opening event for Kentucky Speedway.

 

Other test participants included Bryan Silas, Ken Butler III, James Buescher, Richard Johns, Steve Blackburn, Billy Tanner, Gabi DiCarlo, Mark Dimitroff, Jesus Hernandez and Regan Smith.

 

In addition to serving as an open test day for ARCA RE/MAX Series teams, the event provided an opportunity for Kentucky Speedway to introduce the May 12 ARCA RE/MAX Series race event sponsor via a press conference hosted by Kentucky Speedway’s Tim Bray.

 

The Governor’s Highway Safety Program (GHSP) is sponsoring the ARCA RE/MAX Series Buckle-Up Kentucky 150 race to raise awareness of the state’s new primary seat belt law.

 

Kentucky State Police Captain Tim Lucas explained the importance of seat belt safety at the event.

 

“Seat belts clearly save lives,” said Lucas. “But unfortunately too many folks still need a tough reminder, so we will be out in force making sure people are buckled up. Regular seat belt usage is the single most effective way to protect people and reduce fatalities in motor vehicle crashes.”

 

ARCA RE/MAX Series competitors Darnell and DiCarlo also made appearances in the media center to stress the importance of seat belt safety and promote the upcoming Buckle-Up Kentucky 150 ARCA RE/MAX Series event.

 

Darnell, who competes under the Roush-Fenway Racing banner, is coming off a very busy weekend of competition. The Illinois native worked his way from last to second in an ARCA RE/MAX Series race at Kansas Speedway on Friday and earned his career first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series victory on Saturday. He brought two cars to Monday’s Open Test at Kentucky Speedway in preparation for the May 12 ARCA RE/MAX Series event.

 

“I know every time I get in a street vehicle I put on my seat belt right away,” said Darnell. “I’ve been in some nasty wrecks in my racecar and I feel fortunate to have that five-point harness on when I race.”

 

2007 ARCA RE/MAX Series Rookie of the Year contender DiCarlo echoed Darnell’s sentiments on seat belt safety.

 

“Every time I get in a street car I put on my seat belt,” said DiCarlo. “I actually don’t feel as safe in a street car because I don’t have my gloves on or my helmet or any of the other safety equipment that I wear in my racecar.”

 

DiCarlo, a native of Phoenix, Arizona, is quite used to wearing safety equipment in a racecar. She’s been racing since she was ten years old.

 

“My career has sky-rocketed in the past year,” said DiCarlo. “I came from open wheel stuff so this is all brand new to me. My first time on bigger tracks is here and at Kansas last weekend. The open wheel cars weighed a quarter of the amount that these do so the adjustment is huge. SCR

 

 

 

 

Denny Hamlin will be sporting a FedEx Express helmet designed for him by 11-year old Children’s Hospital of Richmond patient Justin Griffith this weekend at Richmond.  It is the first helmet of the eleven that Hamlin will wear as part of the FedEx “Wear Your Heart on Your Helmet” program and it was presented to him during a visit to the hospital last week.  At the presentation, FedEx made a donation of $25,000 to the hospital and then Hamlin joined the patients as they designed their own helmets and raced R/C cars on the FedEx speedway.   The eleven helmets will be designed by children’s hospital patients and Make-A-Wish program participants in race markets throughout the 2007 season.  Following the season, all of the race-worn helmets will be auctioned off to benefit Victory Junction. SCR

 

 

 

 

Cincinnati, OH - As Danny Jackson prepares for his second start in the Hooters Pro Cup Series, he will also honor the memories of those lost on the campus of Virginia Tech.  Jackson goes to Shenandoah Speedway in Virginia on May 3rd.

 

In memory of the recent tragedy, Jackson will run with a VT Remembrance logo on his Redbank Transport/Tri-State Sterling/Lykins Companies/Ultra Lube/Beamer Brothers Trucking Chevy Monte Carlo.  Jackson and the team will also wear VT colored ribbons to show their support for the Virginia Tech family and those lost.

 

“It’s unfortunate that senseless tragedies like this happen.  I know there is not much that can be done, but hopefully by running this race in their memory, it will help with the healing process.”  This will be the first race that Hooters Pro Cup has raced in the state of Virginia since the tragedy occurred.  The series was in South Boston just two days prior.

 

Jackson is eager to get back on the track.  “It has been a long few weeks of preparing.  We had to do some engine repair and body work to get the car ready, but I am confident going into Shenandoah.”

 

Jackson placed 28th at South Boston, VA as he experienced engine troubles and had to exit the race around lap 114.  The team’s goal is to improve on the finish and continue to improve each race.  Although Jackson has not previously raced at Shenandoah Speedway, he is likely to adapt well and learn the track quickly.

 

The Shenandoah Speedway race is Thursday, May 3rd.  The race will replay on SPEED Channel on Wednesday, May 16th at 4:00 pm and Friday, May 18th at 12:00 pm. SCR

 

 

 

 

Tim Kaeding will fill in for Brooke Tatnell this weekend in the No. 2 car for Larry Woodward Racing. Kaeding sustained deep bruises to his knees in a vicious accident on Saturday night at Knoxville Raceway, but is ready to climb back into the cockpit. The third generation sprint car star won earlier this season in World of Outlaws competition at Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare, California. He has driven the last several races in the No. 11K field by Kinser/Stewart Racing, out of the Tony Stewart Racing shop.

 

“We hold Tim Kaeding in the highest regard and believe he is one of the most talented racers in the country,” said Brett Frood, Chief Operating Officer of Tony Stewart Racing. “Over the past several weeks, we have experimented with a two-car operation in an effort to keep Tim behind the wheel on a nightly basis. Ultimately, we have decided that Tony Stewart Motorsports will be unable to field a second car for the 2007 racing season. We are committed to focusing 100% of our efforts on the No. 20 Bass Pro Shops/Chevrolet/Eagle team as the season continues.” SCR

 

 

 

 

After a very solid ninth-place finish at Knoxville Raceway on Saturday night, Brooke Tatnell returned home to Australia to be with his father George who continues a courageous battle with cancer. Car owner Larry Woodward, crew chief Troy Renfro, and the entire Woodward Racing team support Tatnell 100 percent.

“Everything has to take a backseat when it comes down to family,” said Tatnell. “When Larry and I first sat down and put this together, Larry was the one that said, ‘If your dad gets sick, I want you to go home.’ It’s getting to that time, where I need to go home and be with him. We’ll come back and race another day.”

While he wants to win every time he hits the track, Tatnell is quick to point out that there is far more in life than racing.  During the off-season season, he and his wife, Amy, welcomed their first child, Emma, into the world. That event has brought a whole new perspective to the always optimistic driver.

“Family is more important than anything in this world,” Tatnell said.  “They make pieces of metal every day of the week, but you only get one father. It was his birthday on Saturday and we had hoped to come away with a win.”

Tatnell is very proud of the work that his family and friends have been doing to help other cancer victims and their families during their time of need.

“My sisters, my family, and my friends did a 24-hour Relay for Life to help the Cancer Foundation over the weekend,” Tatnell said.  “Through the generosity of people, they raised $12,000. It’s make you pretty proud to see all the people that care when others are suffering. It makes us realize how lucky we are to race each day.” SCR

 

 

 

 

Danny Lasoski picked up a win in the Second Annual Bob Ramey Memorial sanctioned by the Winged Outlaws Warriors on Sunday night at Missouri State Fair Speedway in Sedalia, Missouri. Lasoski won the third heat and started on the pole in the 20-lap main event, which ran green-to-checkers. The 2001 World of Outlaws champion led every lap at the track, where the Outlaws will compete on June 20. SCR

  

   

 

 

Ayden, NC -  As Ben Stancill and his DLP Motorsports team role into the Shenandoah Valley they will be sporting a new color and sponsor on the number nine Ford Fusion. Stancill will get to test out the new Kevlar bodies that Five Star has brought to the series for the first time this year. Beck Company Hotels (www.FunInVa.com) have signed on board as associate sponsors for the event as well.

 

“We are bringing a new grey colored car to the track along with one of these new bodies that are just awesome. They just have so much down force and are so light, I’m just glad we got one on as soon as we could. I think th