Michael Ritch started to pull away from Mark McFarland in the last 15 laps Saturday night on his way to winning the Greased Lighting 200 at the Myrtle Beach Speedway in Myrtle Beach, SC. By the time the checkered flag flew Ritch had over a 2.5 second lead and an easy win. Ritch was followed across the line by McFarland in second and rookie Caleb Holman a distant third. Finishing fourth Saturday night was Benny Gordon and Mike Garvey rounded out the top five. SCR

Matthew Blaylock

 

 

 

 

Veteran NASCAR driver Chad Chaffin is returning to the Craftsman Truck Series and to Key Motorsports as team owner Curtis W. Key, Sr. announced Friday that Chaffin will drive the #40 Curtis Key Plumbing Chevrolet Silverado next weekend in Memphis.

 

Chaffin started the 2006 NCTS campaign as the full-time driver for the team and attempted to qualify for the first six races. Though he only qualified for two of those events, Chaffin is excited to return to the Mooresville, North Carolina-based organization.

 

“Even though we had some rough times early last year in trying to get into races and compete, I still enjoyed my relationship with Curtis and the team,” Chaffin said. “The race team was a young one last year and worked through motor and personnel issues before finally righting the ship and actually qualified for and raced in the final 17 races.

 

“Now the #40 is solidly in the group of trucks racing every weekend in 2007, and some new people are now in place on the competition side. I’m looking forward to getting back in the truck and finally making something good happen for them,” he added.

 

Chaffin, who won two NCTS races in 2004 en route to a 10th place finish in points, hasn’t raced in the Series since the latter part of the 2006 season but has been behind the wheel of a race car recently that has helped sharpen his skills and create some motivation.

 

“I had the chance to practice the #1 Miccosukee Chevrolet for James Finch’s Busch Series team the last two races (at Nashville and Kentucky ) and I really enjoyed it. I had turned in some really good laps and provided some good feedback, and it helped J.J. (driver Yeley) to have two good runs.

 

“They (Phoenix Racing) may be asking me to do some Cup testing and driving for them later in the year, but my first objective is to finish the job I started with Key Motorsports last year,” said Chaffin, who wants to prove that he can still get the job done behind the wheel of a NASCAR racing machine.

 

Chaffin will be the fourth driver in the #40 this year, joining the list that includes Mike Bliss, Clay Rogers and Shane Huffman. Bliss raced in the first four races after which Rogers ran four times and Huffman twice, although the latter is driving tonight in the Toyota Tundra 200 at The Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, WI.

 

“Since we do not have a full-season sponsor, I’m free to put different drivers in my trucks to see who can get the job done and who can’t,” Key stated. “Mike, Clay and Shane all did well, even though we could have had better luck and better finishes in some of the races. But bringing Chad back to race with us on tracks that he is very familiar with should help us be more competitive in those events. I’m looking forward to seeing how he does with a different team this time around,” Key added.

 

Key is referring to the addition of Gary Showalter as crew chief and the moving of veteran Tommy Morgan from shop foreman to Director of Competition after a major shake-up occurred following the race in Charlotte . Showalter also brought five new shop and crew members with him, so the Key Motorsports roster will be a new one to Chaffin.

 

“I ran 10 races with Wyler Racing in the Truck Series in 2005 and Gary was the truck chief. I also ran a race for Sutton Motorsports in Atlanta early in 2006 when I failed to qualify the #40 Key Motorsports truck and the team needed a driver to step in for Kelly (Sutton) who was recovering from injuries from a previous wreck. I like the way Gary works with his team, and I’ve known about Tommy Morgan and his background for a long time,” Chaffin explained. “Based on what I have seen so far this year, I know that they will give me a truck with a good set-up and on a track (Memphis) that I really like and have run well at during my career. I’m looking at a top 15 finish if everything works for us,” he ended.

 

Bliss and Rogers are not scheduled to run for Key Motorsports in any races over the foreseeable future, but plans have been set for Huffman to continue to run races for the team when they do not conflict with his Busch Series responsibilities for JR Motorsports. Chaffin is thus a candidate to drive beyond Memphis , although Key has not yet made that commitment.

 

“We’ll see what happens at Memphis and make plans from there for the rest of the races. I just want Chad to see how improved this race team is and how much better our equipment is since the last time he drove for us. I’m happy to have him back,” Key added. SCR

 

 

 

 

Dodge City, KS - Jason Meyers knew that he would encounter traffic on Friday night in the opener of the Boot Hill Showdown Presented by Max Jantz Excavating at Dodge City Raceway Park, but he did not imagine that he would be in traffic for almost every one of the 30 laps. He patiently negotiated this traffic to earn his third A-Feature win of the season.

 

Ironically only one of the 25 starters ended the race not on the lead lap, and that car dropped out with a mechanical failure.  Most of the cars that Meyers continually encountered were on the tail end of the lead lap fighting to keep their position.

 

“It seems like it’s been a big desert in between the wins, but that is a compliment to how strong the competition is out here,” said Meyers, driver of the Primerica Financial Maxim. “We have been struggling a little bit off and on. Tonight we just gave the car what it wants and didn’t worry about what should or shouldn’t work. The guys gave me an excellent race car tonight.”

 

Meyers took the lead on the opening lap as he won a drag race with the polesitter Donny Schatz, down the front straightaway. The caution flag flew on the third lap and that was the only stoppage in the event, which was completed in just over 10-and-a-half minutes on a lightning fast race track.

 

The pair entered lapped traffic on the ninth lap with Schatz making a run off the second turn to nearly take the lead. He continued to battle Meyers lap after lap looking both high and low for an opening. That opening came on the 13th circuit as Schatz charged to the high side of the second turn to take the lead from Meyers.

 

With the Top-four all bunched together, Meyers continued to pressure Schatz. On the 16th lap Schatz got a little high and out of the groove coming off the second turn in traffic, giving Meyers the opening he needed to shoot back to the lead down the back straightaway.

 

With four laps to go, the pair entered heavy traffic yet again, with Schatz making a couple late bids for the win. Meyers held his line in the middle groove to secure the $10,000 win.

 

“We only passed one lapped car the entire race,” noted Meyers. “This place gets very narrow in the corners. It was probably one of the best race tracks I have ever seen here. It was definitely tough to pass. Hopefully tomorrow night we can get a little bit wider race track and get out there and pass. The main thing was that there was no rubber on it.”

 

With Saturday’s event being the second race of the “SuperClean Summer of Money” on ESPN2, Meyers feels confident he and his team learned a few items that they can apply as he seeks his second win of the season with the television cameras rolling.

 

“We’ll come right back out of the box this way tomorrow,” said the winner. “We started out a little different tonight. We’ll just have to see how tomorrow goes.”

 

Meyers has finished in the Top-10 in nine straight events, including every race in the month of June. Earlier this season he had a string of 12 straight Top-10’s which is best in the series. He has 24 Top-10 finishes on the campaign as he remains solidly in fifth in points.

 

“It’s the middle of the season right now and there are a lot of races coming up,” said Meyers, a native of Clovis, California. “This is the time you want to run well.”

 

Schatz was competing in a specially painted red and black Snap-on Tools machine. He won in his first race in the car in April, and has finished in the Top-10 in all four events that he has piloted the machine. He was battling an ill handling race car late in the race as he finished second. He also began the night by setting fast time in time trials and also won the Crane Cams Dash.

 

“It’s been a really good car,” said Schatz, driver of the Snap-on Tools J&J. “We were really good all night long. The track got heavier as we went on. I think we had a shock go away. We were really good and got by him and then I got to where I could not turn on exit. Something happened there. I thought it was a low tire, but the tires were fine. It may have been a shock I missed or a bent shaft. We’ll find it here tonight and come back tomorrow.”

 

Schatz and Meyers were running nearly the same lap times late in the race, making it hard for the reigning series champion to get a run in order to make a pass. The native of Fargo, North Dakota was amazed at the speeds that were being turned late in the race, after sun beat down on the track all afternoon.

 

“It actually got faster as the feature went on,” said Schatz. “The moisture was coming up which is not normal for a dirt surface at this point of the year. We like to see them a little slick. Late in the race we could not pass lapped traffic because it got so fast for everyone.”

 

Schatz extended his point lead, as his runner-up finish was his 31st Top-10 of the year in the 34 races that have been contested, as he continues to chase his second straight World of Outlaws title. He also received five bonus points for being quickest in time trials.

 

Craig Dollansky started third and finished third on Friday night. Late in the race he closed on Schatz, battling for the second position. For most of the race he was just a couple car lengths between the leaders, and was waiting for any opening he could find to make a pass.

 

“It was a strong finish for us,” said Dollansky, driver of the Karavan Trailers Maxim. “It was pretty hard to pass out there, depending on where the cars were. All in all, they did a great job with the race track for how hot it was. As far as this team goes, we are moving in the right direction, running up front. If we can stay in that position the wins will come.”

 

Dollansky was hoping for a caution late in the race to have a chance at catching Meyers and Schatz.  The pair pulled away to a slight advantage over the third-place runner as the laps wound down.

 

“I think a yellow could have helped us,” said Dollasnky. “I felt like we had a pretty good car. It was a little off in (turns) one and two, but felt pretty good in three and four. It was a great job by my crew and we will continue to get this car sorted out. I’ve very encouraged by that.”

 

Jason Solwold finished in the fourth spot after lining up in that same spot for the 30-lap event. He shadowed Dollansky the entire race, closing to within mere inches a few times as he looked to make a pass.

 

“The track was pretty heavy tonight and got heavier and faster as the night went on,” said Solwold, driver of the City Wide Insulation Maxim. “The race was close tonight and we ended up in a good spot in fourth. It was a good race for the fans to watch.”

 

Solwold continues to close in on his first World of Outlaws win of the season. With his fourth-place finish on Friday, he now has 19 Top-10 finishes.

 

“We learned a couple things qualifying that will help us out quite a bit,” Solwold explained. “We had to play a little catch-up tonight but it worked out. Anytime we can finish in the Top-Five it’s a good night. We’ll just keep plugging away at it.”

 

Paul McMahan earned his eighth Top-Five finish of the season on Friday night as he brought the Bass Pro Shops Eagle home in the fifth spot.

 

Daryn Pittman was sixth in the Titan Garages Maxim. Terry McCarl came home seventh in the Big Game Tree Stands Eagle. Steve Kinser was eighth in the Q Oil Maxim. Danny Lasoski was ninth in the Roth Motorsports JEI. Stevie Smith was 10th in the Race Against the Abuse of Children Everywhere JEI.

 

A-main (25 laps) - Starting Position [#]

1) 14-Jason Meyers[2] [$10,000]

2) 15-Donny Schatz[1] [$5,000]

3) 7-Craig Dollansky[3] [$3,000]

4) R19-Jason Solwold[4] [$2,700]

5) 20-Paul McMahan[5] [$2,500]

6) 21-Daryn Pittman[8] [$2,200]

7) 24-Terry McCarl[7] [$2,000]

8) 11-Steve Kinser[9] [$1,800]

9) 83-Danny Lasoski[10] [$1,600]

10) 19-Stevie Smith[6] [$1,450]

11) 6-Tim Shaffer[11] [$1,300]

12) 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr.[13] [$1,200]

13) 2-Brooke Tatnell[15] [$1,100]

14) 3X-Chad Kemenah[17] [$1,000]

15) 35-Jac Haudenschild[21] [$950]

16) D1-Justin Henderson[14] [$900]

17) 9-Joey Saldana[20] [$850]

18) 1X-Randy Hannagan[16] [$750]

19) 7S-Jason Sides[19] [$725]

20) 11D-Dion Hindi[22] [$700]

21) 5C-Chad Hillier[24] [$700]

22) 8K-Zach Chappell[25] [$0]

23) 36-Jason Martin[18] [$700]

24) 98-J.D. Johnson[23] [$700]

25) 11H-Kerry Madsen[12] [$700] SCR

 

 

 

 

Johnny Benson held off Ron Hornaday and Todd Bodine after a late restart to win at the Milwaukee Mile for the second year in a row. The win was the first for Benson in 2007. Hornaday crossed the line second followed by Bodine in third. Mike Skinner who has been the hottest driver in the truck series in 2007 finished fourth and Rick Crawford rounded out the top five. SCR

Matthew Blaylock

 

 

 

 

Jamie McMurray edged out Robby Gordon for the pole for Sunday’s Toyota/Save Mart 350 at the Infineon Raceway. McMurray turned a top speed around the road course of 92.414 mph while Gordon’s top speed was 92.399 mph. Rolling off third Sunday will be Dale Earnhardt Jr. followed by road specialist Boris Said. Tony Stewart will round out the top five. SCR

Matthew Blaylock

 

 

 

 

Nextel Cup points leader Jeff Gordon and his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jimmie Johnson failed inspection at the Infineon Raceway. Both the No. 24 and 48 Chevrolets were found to be outside of NASCAR guidelines for the Car of Tomorrow (COT) due to body modifications that did not meet the C2 template.

 

As a result of failing inspection both the no. 24 and 48 team have ben parked for the day Friday. This will prevent either Gordon or Johsnon from qualifying for Sunday’s Toyota/Save Mart 350 and they will start 41st and 42nd.

 

Further penalities could be handed down next week to bothe teams. The No. 8 team and driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. were hit with penalities of 100 driver and 100 owner points deductions, $100,000 fine and crew chief Tony Eury Jr. a six week suspension for similar penalities earlier this season.

 

Kyle Busch driver of the No. 5 and Casey Mears driver of the No. 25 both teammates of Gordon and Johnson passed inspection. SCR

Matthew Blaylock

 

 

 

 

STATESVILLE, N.C. - Carl A. Haas Motorsports LLC announced today that Eli Lilly and Company and Walgreens will be co-primary sponsors of the team’s NASCAR Busch Series program for rookie Kyle Krisiloff for the remainder of the 2007 season.  Krisiloff, 21, will pilot the No. 14 Lilly / Walgreens Ford Fusion in what is the first cause marketing program at this level of a NASCAR-sanctioned racing series.

 

“We are thrilled to welcome Lilly and Walgreens as sponsors, but more importantly we are proud to be part of a program that has the potential to impact the lives of many people,” said Carl Haas, co-owner with Mari Hulman-George and Michael Lanigan of Carl. A. Haas Motorsports LLC.  “Diabetes, the sixth leading cause of death in the United States , affects nearly 21 million Americans, but one-third of those affected don’t know they have the disease.  We are hoping to help build awareness both on track and off.”

 

Walgreens selected Joslin Diabetes Center as the cause partner for this major program as part of their previously announced diabetes alliance.  Joslin, the world’s largest diabetes research center, diabetes clinic and provider of diabetes education, has helped revolutionize the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diabetes worldwide for over 100 years, and has affiliated clinical care centers and innovative programs throughout the country.

 

The program reunites Haas with Lilly, a sponsor of Newman/Haas Racing in 2002 and 2003 in the Champ Car World Series with drivers Christian Fittipaldi and Sebastien Bourdais.  Although Lilly has previously been involved in racing, it will be the first sponsorship in NASCAR for both Indianapolis-based Lilly and Deerfield, Ill.-based Walgreens, the nation’s largest drugstore chain. 

 

“We all have an important role to play in helping manage the progression of diabetes and its devastating impact on individuals and our communities,” said Matt Beebe, U.S. Diabetes Brand Leader, Eli Lilly and Company. “Together with Haas Motorsports, Lilly is committed to educating people about diabetes and delivering medical advances and practical solutions to help the millions of people with diabetes live fuller and healthier lives each day. We are also very pleased for the opportunity to work alongside Walgreens and Joslin on this important campaign.”

 

“This is a great opportunity for us to educate people who may be at risk for diabetes and improve outcomes for those currently suffering from the disease,” said Ron Weinert, vice president of patient services for Walgreens Health Services, the managed care division of Walgreen Co. “With many of these patients already our customers, we realize the impact a program like this can have.”

 

Throughout the season Lilly and Walgreens plan to host programs to educate the public about diabetes in each of the race markets.  Krisiloff, who earned a season-high finish of fifth place at the Aaron’s 312 at Talladega Speedway, will participate in appearances at Walgreens drugstores in many of the remaining race markets on the 2007 NASCAR Busch schedule.  Joslin will apply its pioneering approaches to education and clinical care to the Lilly and Walgreens consumer diabetes education program.

 

“We commend Lilly, Walgreens and Carl Haas Motorsports for their commitment to the American public which is at the center of the global diabetes epidemic,” said Ranch C. Kimball, President and CEO, Joslin Diabetes Center .  “Being part of this innovative consumer education initiative allows us all to deliver the urgent message of diabetes prevention, patient education and the aggressive prevention of complications to people at risk across the country.” SCR

 

 

 

 

Jimmie Johnson, the 2006 Nextel Cup Champion will be featured on ESPN’s SportsCenter “My Wish” series June 25^th. Johnson will be making a wish come true for 16 year old Jennifer Walters of Colesburg, IA come true. The segment featuring Johnson will air at 6:00 p.m. SportsCenter. Other athletes that will be featured in the “My Wish” series include NBA player Dwayne Wade, MLB player David Ortiz, ice skater Michelle Kwan and NFL player Drew Brees. SCR

Matthew Blaylock

 

 

 

 

Speedway Motorsports, the company that owns the North Carolina Motor Speedway (The Rock) has announced that they will sell the track at auction. According to speedway officials the track is no longer profitable. NASCAR teams currently use the track to test at and it is also used for special events. No date has been set on when the auction will be held although it is believed to be this fall. SCR

Matthew Blaylock

 

 

 

 

SAN DIEGO - In a move that uniquely teams one of America ’s most admired sports icons with the nation’s leading consumer electronics brand, Sony Electronics Thursday announced a personal endorsement deal with NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. of Jr Motorsports to participate in the company’s upcoming marketing efforts. 

 

The multi-year deal provides Sony the use of Earnhardt’s name, likeness, image, voice and endorsement for use in advertising, promotions and merchandising for consumer marketing campaigns aimed at driving sales of Sony Electronics products.  Among the products Earnhardt will promote are Sony’s high definition BRAVIA televisions in which he will appear in Sony’s new HD ad campaign.  In addition, Earnhardt will participate in major electronics industry events and trade shows and will make personal appearances each year on behalf of Sony as part of the agreement.

 

“By his own admission, Dale is an avid tech enthusiast who demands exceptional technology, superior performance and the latest in style – both on and off the track.  This aligns perfectly with Sony’s approach to consumer electronics and makes this partnership especially fitting.” said Stuart Redsun, SVP of Corporate Marketing at Sony Electronics. 

 

Earnhardt, who began his racing career at the age of 17, has started 270 Nextel Cup races, with 17 victories, 71 top-five finishes and 115 top-10 finishes.  He now is in his eighth full season of NASCAR NEXTEL Cup competition.  One of NASCAR’s most beloved drivers, Earnhardt has been selected by race fans as a four-time winner of NASCAR’s most popular driver award.  He also was selected as the fifth-most-liked athlete in America in Harris Interactive polling in 2006.  Earnhardt has been among the top-10-most-liked athletes in the poll for three consecutive years.

 

“I always check out the latest electronics available and Sony delivers the best,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “The company is a leader in the industry and offers great technology. It’s cool to be associated with a brand that’s known for its innovative, high-quality products.”

 

Sony Electronics is an active supporter of NASCAR for the past seven years and is the official high-definition TV partner of NASCAR. SCR

 

 

 

 

Sedalia, MO - Though he won by nearly three seconds on Wednesday night, Steve Kinser's $10,000 win was anything but easy at Missouri State Fair Speedway in Sedalia.

 

He charged to the lead on the opening lap of the 25-lap event after winning the Crane Cams Dash to earn the pole position. After opening a couple of sizeable advantages that were negated by caution flags, he entered heavy lapped traffic on the 11th lap as Tim Shaffer closed on him and looked for the lead.

 

After looking to the high side, Shaffer dove low in turn one and took the lead on the 12th circuit, with the pair just inches apart as they negotiated the heavy traffic. Kinser fought right back in the second turn nearly taking the lead on the low side of the track. They continued to duel in traffic for the next several laps, until the yellow flag flew.

 

After a late restart, Kinser looked low in turns one and two, then high in turns three and four for the lead. On the second lap after the restart (lap 18), he went back to the low side of the track in the first turn to take the lead back from Shaffer.

 

A red flag with three laps to go, gave Shaffer and Donny Schatz one more chance at Kinser, but a strong restart propelled Kinser to a healthy lead that he would hold for the last three laps of the race.

 

"The car felt good all night," said Kinser, driver of the Q Oil Maxim. "We felt good hot lapping, and we qualified well. We ran good in the heat. We drew a good number in the dash. I tried to give it away there in the lapped traffic. I should have gone ahead and went by them on the outside of turns three and four. Even in the middle I could have made some room. I got to following them a little bit and that let Tim (Shaffer) get by me. I found the middle and got a run on Tim and that was the main thing."

 

Schatz made a late pass of Shaffer to earn the runner-up position. The reigning World of Outlaws champion began the night by turning the fifth fastest lap in time trials. He was consistently one of the fastest cars on the track.

 

"From where we started it was a good night," said Schatz, driver of the Parker Store J&J. "We qualified well and didn't have a good heat race, but we got through there When you start ninth or tenth in the dash, you have a long road to go. We got to sixth in the dash and ended up second."

 

Shaffer led his first seven laps of the season and for the fourth time this season finished in the Top-three, as he was third. He battled with Kinser in traffic numerous times during the 25-lap event.

 

"We had a great car and my guys did a great job," said Shaffer, driver of the Casey's General Store Maxim. "We made some changes in the last week or so and I we qualified well and raced well. That car is night and day different. It is fun to drive now and it?s fun to race again. Hopefully we can keep the car up front."

 

Daryn Pittman lined up 13th for the A-Feature and steadily worked his way to the front, finishing fourth. He used a couple of late cautions to his advantage as he was able to utilize clean race track, though he was just as fast in lapped traffic as he was in clean track.

 

"We were good," said Pittman, driver of the Titan Garages Maxim. "We were two one-hundredths (of a second) off the inversion in qualifying and we seem to do that a lot. Luckily we have a fast enough race car that we are able to make up for it. It's unfortunate that we started 13th. We were fast early in the race and the middle of the track kind of gave up on us in turns three and four."

 

For Kinser, it was his fifth career win at Missouri State Fair Speedway in the annual event that benefits the Michael Ross Memorial Foundation (MRMF). The native of Bloomington, Indiana took part in the MRMF Golf Tournament on Tuesday afternoon in preparation for the race, which in its 10 years along with the race has now raised over $1 Million.

 

"It's great to support the Michael Ross Foundation," said Kinser. "They had a great golf tournament, and they have a lot of people out here helping them. It's a fun race to come to."

 

Kinser was one of the few drivers that did not make wholesale changes during an open red flag with just three laps to go. He was confident in his car, and knew that if he got a good restart it would be hard for anyone to pass him.

 

"We didn't change anything," said the winner. "We had a good enough car that we felt we could hold them off."

 

Kinser was able to use both sides of the race track, especially when he was slicing his way through traffic and when he was chasing down Shaffer.

 

"It was a good race track today," he noted. "It had a bottom grove, though one and two went away a little bit. They were there earlier in the night and it had a good top groove. You could do some passing on it."

 

Schatz was hoping the race would go green a little bit longer and the leaders would stay in traffic, because that is where he gained an enormous amount of ground. When the red flag flew with three laps remaining his crew jumped at the opportunity to tweak their car for one last run at Kinser.

 

"We changed all kinds of stuff," said the current World of Outlaws championship point leader. "You get three laps to go and you are sitting in a position where you know you can win a race, you do what you have to do. We changed a couple shocks and some air pressure and a few things that we knew we needed to do to go the right way. We made some good calls and got one spot better, we just didn't get the all important one."

 

Schatz gained a couple of spots in the opening five laps of the race, and then patiently shadowed Jason Solwold waiting for the right opportunity to take the third spot. That came on the 15th lap. Late in the race, he was able to shoot around Shaffer for second, to earn his 30th Top-10 finish in 33 events this season. Throughout the night he used both the high and low side of the track to pass cars.

 

"Anytime it doesn't lay rubber that is an accolade to the track," he said. "These guys worked hard with the heat and it was probably a good thing we got some rain this morning. There was a top and a you could run the bottom though it was tricky. I think the middle was fastest, but I just couldn't figure it out until the race was over."

 

Most times late in the race, a driver would prefer to be in the second spot to see where the leader goes, especially on a restart, but Shaffer was very confident as he restarted in the lead with less than 10 laps to go.

 

"We took off on that start and never spun a wheel," said Shaffer. "I don't know how someone can drive by when you don't spin your wheels and everything is hooked up. It's one of those deals where we got loose late and hung on to third. We’ll take it."

 

The 1999 Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year had a full night, as he also competed in the Winged Outlaws Warriors (WOW) 360-sprint car race, and the celebrity modified race that feature several NASCAR and NHRA drivers. Each time he came off the track, Shaffer quickly exited the car and sprinted to the next machine he would pilot.

 

"It was a busy night," he smiled. "We were running third in the 360-race and dropped out when the throttle broke. We ran third in the modified too. All in all it was a great night, and we’ll keep plugging away."

 

Shaffer continues to close in on his first A-Feature win of the season and he hopes to get it in the Boot Hill Showdown Presented by MJE this weekend at Dodge City Raceway Park in Kansas, where he won an event last season.

 

"I like that place and we have always done well there," he acknowledged. "Hopefully we can go there and do it again. You never know in this game, there is such tough competition. If we keep doing the right things, we'll beat them."

 

Pittman picked up a position on each of the first four laps of the race, as he quickly broke into the Top-10 after starting 13th. By the 11th lap he was up to sixth and took the fifth spot from Stevie Smith on the 17th lap. One lap later he got around Jason Solwold to earn his 12th Top-Five finish of the season.

 

"A Top-Five from 13th in this deal, with how tough it is an accomplishment any night," he noted.

 

Jason Solwold finished fifth to earn his 18th Top-10 finish of the season in the City Wide Insulation Maxim. He began the night by setting fast time at the half-mile.

 

Chad Kemenah finished sixth in the Hampshire Racing Engines Maxim. Joey Saldana was seventh in the Open Joist Mopar-powered JEI. Stevie Smith was eighth in the Race Against the Abuse of Children Everywhere JEI, with Jason Meyers ninth in the Primerica Financial Maxim, and Terry McCarl 10th in the Big Game Treestands Eagle.

 

Danny Lasoski who was instrumental to the success of the event that benefited the Michael Ross Memorial Foundation lost an engine while running third just three laps into the event.

 

The World of Outlaws return to action on Friday, June 22 and Saturday, June 23 in the Boot Hill Showdown Presented by MJE at Dodge City Raceway Park in Dodge City, Kansas.

 

A-main (25 laps) - Starting Position [#]

1) 11-Steve Kinser[1] [$10,000]

2) 15-Donny Schatz[6] [$5,500]

3) 6-Tim Shaffer[2] [$3,200]

4) 21-Daryn Pittman[13] [$2,800]

5) R19-Jason Solwold[4] [$2,500]

6) 3X-Chad Kemenah[9] [$2,300]

7) 9-Joey Saldana[14] [$2,200]

8) 19-Stevie Smith[7] [$2,100]

9) 14-Jason Meyers[10] [$2,050]

10) 24-Terry McCarl[16] [$2,000]

11) D1-Justin Henderson[8] [$1,500]

12) 7-Craig Dollansky[20] [$1,200]

13) 11H-Kerry Madsen[24] [$1,100]

14) 1X-Randy Hannagan[18] [$1,050]

15) 18T-Tony Bruce Jr.[11] [$1,000]

16) 20-Paul McMahan[21] [$900]

17) 7S-Jason Sides[17] [$800]

18) 2-Brooke Tatnell[22] [$800]

19) 10C-Jeremy Campbell[19] [$800]

20) 8K-Zach Chappell[23] [$800]

21) 18-Brian Carlson[5] [$800]

22) 21X-Brian Brown[12] [$800]

23) 5C-Chad Hillier[15] [$800]

24) 83-Danny Lasoski[3] [$800] SCR

 

 

 

 

MOORESVILLE, NC - Officials of RWI Racing, LLC and Rapid Rig Wash, Inc. (Rapid Industrial Cleaning) announced today an agreement that will see Rapid Industrial Cleaning serve as primary sponsor of RWI Racing’s No. 66 Dodge Charger, driven by Steve Wallace, in five 2007 NASCAR Busch Series races.  Wallace’s car will sport Rapid Industrial Cleaning livery beginning with this weekend’s event in Milwaukee, followed by the New Hampshire, Chicagoland and Michigan rounds of the championship, as well as another event to be determined.  The No. 66 Dodge will also carry from time to time, the branding of Rapid Industrial Cleaning’s various strategic partners.  Current RWI Racing partner HomeLife Communities will remain on the No. 66 Dodge in a major associate sponsor role for the five events and will return as primary sponsor for the remaining 2007 NASCAR Busch Series races.

 

“We’re very pleased to have Rapid Industrial Cleaning on board with us this season,” noted RWI Racing team owner Rusty Wallace, “We really take pride in helping our sponsors and partners meet their business objectives and we’re excited about the opportunity to do just that for Rapid Industrial Cleaning.  This doesn’t mean that HomeLife Communities is going anywhere though; Jon Been and everyone at HomeLife Communities are incredible partners and we’re nothing less than 110% committed to building that relationship well into the future.  Combining the momentum we’ve built off of both our pole win at Nashville and a strong showing at Kentucky, with great partners such as HomeLife Communities and Rapid Industrial Cleaning, our team is looking forward to having a great second half of the season, both on and off the track.”

 

Noted Vaughn Williams, Principal, Rapid Rig Wash, Inc., “Our company’s success is based on performance and the ability to get the job done on time, every time.  No one in NASCAR has done that better than Rusty Wallace; his 17 consecutive years of winning show an incredible level of performance and consistency.  We’re very proud to be aligned with RWI Racing; it’s a perfect fit for us.  We’re looking forward to helping foster the next generation of NASCAR legends and with two pole positions already in 2007, Steve (Wallace) is well on his way to being just that.”

 

The first race for Team Rapid Industrial Cleaning RWI Racing is the June 23rd AT&T 250 at The Milwaukee Mile.  The 250-mile, 250-lap affair is set for an 8:30 PM ET start, with live television coverage by espn2, beginning at 8:00 PM.  RWI Racing’s No. 66 Rapid Industrial Cleaning Dodge Charger will carry a high-definition on-board camera for the live national race telecast. SCR

 

 

 

 

NAPLES, ME – Whenever the NASCAR Nextel Cup teams have come to New Hampshire International Speedway to race, it has become a tradition that the PASS North Super Late Models have not been far away.  For the past several years, when fans have been to NHIS, the PASS North cars have been at a short track within a short drive on the Saturday night of race weekend.

 

At the end of the month, that trend will continue with a little more fanfare.  PASS North will visit All-Star Speedway in Epping , New Hampshire for a 200-lap feature race on the Saturday night of Cup weekend – and one of NASCAR brightest stars will be heading over from the Magic Mile at NHIS to race at All-Star.

 

Kyle Busch, who is the hottest free agent in the racing world right now, has signed to compete in the June 30th All-Star 200 PASS North event.  Busch is a veteran of several Super Late Model events during the past several years and will drive the #51 car fielded by Steve Perry for the event.

 

“This is the fourth time that Kyle and I will race together with a Super Late Model,” said Perry.  “He’s a great kid and he really enjoys coming back to his roots whenever he can.  Each time we’ve been involved with each other, Kyle has been capable of winning the race, but we’ve always gotten bitten by some type of gremlin.  Hopefully, we’ll be around at the end of the race this time and he can show what he can do.”

 

Busch’s appearance in the race only adds to a special atmosphere for the All-Star 200 race that surrounds the entire state of New Hampshire during a NASCAR NEXTEL Cup weekend.

 

“We’re proud to keep our tradition of racing in New Hampshire during Cup weekend,” said PASS President Tom Mayberry.  “We’ve had several successful races in the past and this time, we’re going to go to a new venue to try and build upon that.  I think that it is going to be a very special event for racing fans and we’re all looking forward to the race weekend.”

 

The PASS North teams have visited the track formerly known as Star Speedway in the past, but not since Bobby McArthur bought the facility, renovated it and changed the name before the start of the 2007 racing season.

 

“They have made some massive improvements to All-Star Speedway,” said Mayberry.  “It has had a major facelift and Bobby McArthur has done a great job with the track.  We’re looking forward to starting out a long-term relationship with him and the track with this event.  It will only grow from here.”

 

The All-Star 200 is scheduled for Saturday, June 30th.  Practice and qualifying will take place on Friday night, June 29th. SCR

 

 

 

 

NEW YORK, N.Y. - Earlier today, Jeff Gordon and Ingrid Vandebosch welcomed a new daughter into the world. Ella Sofia Gordon was born at 9:09 a.m., weighed 7 pounds, 1ounce and was 20 inches long. “It’s been an absolutely incredible experience,” Gordon said in a statement that appeared on www.jeffgordon.com. “Ingrid came through amazingly and we’re both really happy and overjoyed. We can’t wait to get home and start our lives together as a family.” The four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion will travel to Northern California later this week and is scheduled to participate in all on-track activities at Infineon Raceway, site of this weekend’s NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race. SCR

 

 

 

 

Jack Roush and John Henry co-owners of Roush Fenway Racing will be joined by driver of the No. 99 in the Nextel Cup Series and No. 60 in the Busch Series, Carl Edwards for a major announcement concerning the team. The announcement is scheduled for Thursday June 28, 2007 at Fenway Park in Boston, MA. The announcement will take place at 10:00 a.m. SCR

Matthew Blaylock

  

 

 

 

Memphis