CORNELIUS, N.C. – NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver J.J. Yeley is giving fans a chance to win a 56-inch Samsung DLP®HDTV and the helmet he will wear in the 22nd Annual Chili Bowl Nationals, Jan. 8-12 at the Expo Center in Tulsa , Okla. The event will be broadcast live on HBO Pay-Per-View.

 

Fans can purchase raffle tickets for $10 at www.jjyeley.com. One lucky fan will win the 56-inch Samsung DLP HDTV , and another will win the Chili Bowl helmet. Tickets will be on sale online until Jan. 4, 2008 , and will also be available at the Chili Bowl Jan. 8-12. The drawing will be conducted before the feature race on Saturday, Jan. 12.

 

Proceeds from the raffle will benefit the St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis , Tenn. , and the non-profit Jake Owen Raborn Foundation.

 

“I’m excited about the raffle,” Yeley said. “Last year we raised $10,000, so we’re hoping to top that this year. I need to thank my sponsor, DLP HDTV , for donating the 56-inch Samsung DLP HDTV . It’s a fantastic TV that someone will really enjoy having in their home. Another lucky fan will have the chance to win the helmet I’m going to wear in the Chili Bowl, and hopefully we’ll have a lot of success so the helmet becomes a valuable piece of memorabilia.”

 

After competing in the Chili Bowl Nationals, Yeley will turn his attention to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season, when he will compete for Hall of Fame Racing driving the No. 96 DLP HDTV Toyota. 

 

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is internationally recognized for its pioneering work in finding cures and saving children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. Founded by late entertainer Danny Thomas and based in Memphis , St. Jude freely shares its discoveries with scientific and medical communities around the world. No family ever pays for treatments not covered by insurance, and families without insurance are never asked to pay. St. Jude is financially supported by ALSAC, its fundraising organization.

 

The Jake Owen Raborn Foundation was founded in 2006 and is dedicated to financially supporting families enduring pediatric cancer, as well as providing financial support to organizations and facilities that care for families enduring pediatric cancer. The foundation is named in memory of an extraordinary child, Jake Owen Raborn, who died of a rare liver cancer in October 2006 at just four years of age. Yeley met Raborn in June 2006 during a visit to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. SCR

  

 

 

  

 

 

Donny Schatz led a sweep of the Top-Three positions by Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series drivers on Saturday night at Parramatta City Raceway in Australia .

 

Schatz, the two-time defending Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series champion earned his second consecutive win at the track, with 20-time series champion Steve Kinser second and Daryn Pittman third.

 

The native of North Dakota took the lead from Sam Walsh at the drop of the green flag and never looked back, leading flag-to-flag and winning in convincing fashion. A couple of caution periods bunched field, but Schatz used strong restarts each time to stay in control.

 

Daryn Pittman, who was fourth in World of Outlaws points in 2007, worked his way up to third early in the race and battled Walsh for a number of laps, eventually taking the second spot in lapped traffic. This set up an exciting battle between Pittman and Kinser who had moved into third. Kinser took the runner-up position from Pittman, who won on Wednesday at Brisbane International Speedway.

 

In time trials, Kinser was second fastest of the 50 cars that turned a lap, with reigning World of Outlaws Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Kerry Madsen fourth, Schatz was sixth and Pittman 12th.

 

In preliminary action, Kinser won the second heat race, with Schatz finishing third, while Pittman was third in the fourth heat race. Schatz won the second dash to earn the outside front row starting spot in the A-Feature, with Pittman third in the first dash and Kinser fourth in the second dash.

 

The next event at Parramatta City Raceway is set for Wednesday, January 1, with a New Years Day event.

 

The 30th anniversary Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series season begins on February 8, 2008 with the 37th Annual Florida DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park. SCR

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONCORD , NC – It was a very, very good year on the World of Outlaws Late Model Series for Custom Race Engines.

 

A stalwart on the dirt Late Model scene for 23 years, the Knoxville, Tenn.-based business shined brighter than ever in 2007. Three of the top-four finishers in the WoO LMS points standings used Custom power in ’07, propelling the well-respected company to the tour’s ‘Engine Builders Challenge’ Award.

 

Led by founder Larry Clark and his 28-year-old son Jeremy, Custom Race Engines provided the Chevy motors that were bolted inside the cars of WoO LMS champion Steve Francis, runner-up Chub Frank and fourth-place Shane Clanton. Rookie of the Year Tim Fuller also utilized a Custom engine periodically throughout his campaign, adding to the Clarkes’ ’07 WoO LMS success story.

 

“Winning this award with the World of Outlaws brings us a lot of satisfaction,” Larry Clark said after being honored during the 2007 WoO LMS Awards Banquet on Dec. 6 in Orlando , Fla. “Not only for myself and Jeremy, but for the guys at the shop too.”

 

Indeed, constructing the engines that laid claim to a dozen highly-competitive WoO LMS A-Main wins – including Frank’s series-leading six victories – was a team effort by the close-knit Custom gang.

 

“We’ve got a small group of people (working at Custom), five guys, and that makes the success we’ve had even more satisfying,” said Larry Clark, 54. “It’s fun when you run an engine on the dyno and every one of (the employees) will cycle through and look at the numbers. It just shows that everybody pulls in the right direction, nobody’s fighting, and nobody’s above doing anything, including me.

 

“I’m right in there and work as many or more hours as anybody. I tease them all – I say, ‘I’m the cheapest help I’ve got.’”

 

Francis brought Custom its seventh national dirt Late Model points championship in the last 12 years. The shop previously captured Hav-A-Tampa/UDTRA/Xtreme series titles with Freddy Smith (1996), Billy Moyer (1997), Dale McDowell (1999) and Scott Bloomquist (2000 and 2003), and Bloomquist also collected the 2004 WoO LMS crown using Custom power.

 

The would-be championship pairing of Francis and Custom Race Engines developed barely two months before the start of the 2007 WoO LMS season. In search of a new engine program after his long-running deal with Mopar ended in December 2006, Francis looked to Custom after crossing paths with Jeremy Clark during the Performance Racing Industry Trade Show in Orlando , Fla.

 

“Jeremy bumped into Steve in the aisles at PRI (in 2006),” said Larry Clark. “I had actually gone back to the hotel on the first day, and when Jeremy got back he said, ‘I talked to Steve Francis today and he wants to talk to you about engines.’ I said, ‘Really? What about his Mopar deal?’ Jeremy said that was gone, so we put a deal together and it worked out well for everybody.

 

“It was a real honor this year to win the World of Outlaws championship with Steve coming on board.”

 

Clark paused, and then said, “I’ve watched the Outlaws transition – for the better – and I’m proud to be doing engines for guys that run in this series. Like what I said when I was up on stage (accepting his WoO LMS ‘Engine Builders Challenge’ Award’) – I believe this really is the greatest show on dirt.

 

“I’ve seen how the series has evolved and brought more people in, how the T.V. races like the (live SPEED broadcast) show at Charlotte (of the ‘Outlaws World Finals’) is bringing a lot of fans in.

 

“You’ll never believe how many people I talked to after Charlotte who said to me, ‘Hey, I saw Steve Francis was running your stuff at Charlotte .’ I said, ‘You were there?’ and they said, ‘No, I watched it on T.V.’”

 

Unfortunately for Clark , Francis won’t chase a second consecutive WoO LMS title using Custom power. That’s because Francis is moving to Maryland team owner Dale Beitler’s Reliable Painting No. 19 machine for the 2008 season and will utilize the Jack Cornett-built engines that Beitler already has in his arsenal.

 

But Custom will continue to handle the engine program for Francis’s own No. 15 team, which will see action in selected major events with 2006 WoO LMS champion Tim McCreadie behind the wheel. Custom will also have Frank, Clanton and Fuller among its clients in ’08, and WoO LMS star Rick Eckert has announced that he will switch to Custom Chevy engines for the 2008 season after several years using Cornett Fords.

 

Clark understands Francis’s situation and wishes him well with the Beitler deal and engines constructed by Cornett, the 2006 WoO LMS ‘Engine Builder of the Year’ and a friendly rival of Clark’s.

 

“Jack Cornett is my friend, and we’re good competitors,” said Clark . “I told Jack, ‘We’re just switching (drivers). You’re taking one of mine (Francis), and I’m taking one of yours (Eckert).’”

 

Clark is confident of continued success for Custom Race Engines on the WoO LMS in 2008 and beyond.

 

“We’re looking forward to (2008),” said Clark . “We’ve already got new 2008 projects we’re testing now, and we should be better.

 

“It’s a challenge to make power, but it’s a challenge we enjoy.”

 

The future is certainly bright at Custom Race Engines. With a new facility to house the business in the process of being built about 10 minutes away from the current shop and success enveloping the firm, Clark couldn’t be happier.

 

“I’m really blessed with the fact that Jeremy, my son, is there with me in the middle of the business and does a great job with it as well,” said Clark, who expects to begin operating out of the new shop within a year. “Jeremy has done it all at the business, and I want him to take over more of it – and he is.”

 

The 2008 WoO LMS kicks off on Feb. 14 and 16 with two events that are part of the 37th annual Florida DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla. SCR

 

 

 

 

 

 

Concord , NC - Shane Stewart ran an outlaw schedule in 2007, competing from coast-to-coast in a couple of different cars, winning a career high number of races along the way. In 2008, he will be a true Outlaw, as he will team up with Roth Motorsports to contest the entire Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series schedule and contend for the championship.

 

Stewart, the 2005 Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year, won 17 total races in 2007, including with the series in their return to Grays Harbor Raceway in Washington in late August.

 

He was also victorious in the Knoxville 360 Nationals at the famed Knoxville Raceway in Iowa , as well as winning seven events with the Northwest Sprint Challenge Series, including four in-a-row to close out the season. He was also the 2007 Northwest Sprint Challenge Series Speedweek champion.

 

Victories also came for Stewart at Skagit Speedway in Washington , in the Skagit 360 Nationals, as well as another win at Grays Harbor in the Fred Brownfield Memorial. He was also triumphant at the storied Eldora Speedway with the All Star Circuit of Champions, as well as during Ohio Speedweek at Wayne County Speedway, also with the All Stars.

 

The car will sport the familiar Roth Motorsports No. 83 with Dave Whitworth as the crew chief and Dean “Bonzai” Bruns joining the team as the car chief.

 

“I’m really excited to get back on the Outlaw tour full-time this season,” said Stewart. “It will be the first chance I’ve had to work with Davey and Bonzai, so I’m really looking forward to it.”

 

In World of Outlaws action in 2007, Stewart earned five Top-10 finishes in just a handful of starts, including two consecutive strong runs to conclude the season at the inaugural Outlaws World Finals at The Dirt Track @ Lowe’s Motor Speedway. He was fifth in the first A-Feature and ninth in the finale. He also earned Top-10 finishes with the series at Manzanita Speedway in Arizona and Kokomo Speedway in Indiana , during the Hoosier Sprint Nationals.

 

“Dennis and Teresa Roth have always put a competitive car in the field as long as they have been racing so it’s a great honor to drive this car for them,” said the native of Bixby, Oklahoma .

 

The Roth Motorsports team finished a very solid third in World of Outlaws points in 2007 on the strength of six A-Feature wins with former series champion Danny Lasoski behind the wheel. Two of those wins came at Calistoga Speedway in California , the home state of Dennis and Teresa Roth.

 

“We are very happy to have Shane Stewart driving for Roth Motorsports,” said team owner Dennis Roth. “With the changes we have made in our racing program, we feel this will be a great opportunity for both of us to have a successful season in 2008.”

 

In his career with the World of Outlaws, Stewart, finished 12th during his rookie season of 2005. He earned his first career World of Outlaws A-Feature win at Thunder Valley Speedway in Louisiana in 2004. He also picked up two preliminary feature wins in 2001 with the series at Devil’s Bowl Speedway in Texas and at Talladega Short Track in Alabama . He also finished second in points with the former World of Outlaws Gumout Series in both 2001 and 2002.

 

The 30th anniversary 2008 Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series season opens on February 8 at Volusia Speedway Park with the 37th Annual Florida DIRTcar Nationals. SCR

 

 

 

 

 

 

Concord, N.C. - This Friday night at 9:00 p.m. a southern lady and a northwestern racecar driver will get together to "torch" a steak when Greg Biffle guest stars on "Paula's Party" with Paula Deen.  The theme of the episode is "Risky Business" and Biffle will be one of three celebrities featured.  Sugar Ray Leonard and Phil Harris from "Deadliest Catch" will also be guests on the Friday night Food Network show.

 

The episode was actually taped in late September at Paula's brother's restaurant, Uncle Bubba's Oyster House, in Savannah, Georgia.  Biffle attended the taping with his now-wife Nicole as Nicole was also invited to be a part of the segment and help with the cooking.  Following the cooking segments, Biffle gave Paula a ride in a 427 R Mustang, which is a must-see for viewers tuning in on Friday night.

 

"I don't know if I've ever heard anyone scream that loud," said Biffle. "I had a great time with Paula and doing the show was a lot of fun. I had seen her show several times because it's one of Nicole's favorites so when the opportunity came up I knew we'd be going."

 

Following the taping, Paula's staff was kind enough to send a packed lunch home with the Biffles from her Lady and Sons restaurant in Savannah.

 

"I've been watching Paula's shows for a long time, so it was incredible to get to meet her," said Nicole.  "I would say that was the highlight of the day but the lunch they sent with us was a close second."

 

Where to watch:

Food Network

Friday, December 21st

9:00 p.m.  EST SCR

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONCORD, N.C. - Roush Fenway Racing announced Wednesday the 2008 schedule for Jamie McMurray and the No. 26 NASCAR Sprint Cup team.  The No. 26 team will again be led by crew chief Larry Carter. In 2008, McMurray will split his seat time between the No. 26 Crown Royal Ford Fusion and the No. 26 IRWIN Industrial Tools Ford Fusion.

 

"I'm really proud to have both Crown Royal and IRWIN Industrials Tools as my primary sponsors again in 2008," said McMurray.  "When you first come to a new team, like I did two years ago when I joined Roush Fenway Racing, it not only takes time to learn the new guys on the team, but also the sponsors.  Over the last two years, I've built some really strong relationships with both the guys at Crown Royal and IRWIN Industrials Tools."

 

In his Crown Royal Ford Fusion, McMurray captured his third career pole at Infineon Raceway in June.  His best finish in the No. 26 Crown Royal Ford Fusion came at Texas Motor Speedway in April where McMurray finished fifth.

 

"Over the last two years I've been able to do some really exciting things with both sponsors.  Last season with Crown Royal, we were able to extend the "Safe Rides Home" program to three years straight in downtown Indianapolis.  Also, this was the first year for the 'Your Name Here Program.'  I remember the look on Jim Stewart's face when he won and then again in Richmond; he was a celebrity by the end of the weekend," said McMurray.

 

"We at Crown Royal are looking forward to another exciting season with Jamie McMurray behind the wheel of the No. 26 Crown Royal Ford Fusion," said Jim Lorenz, Senior Brand Manager, Crown Royal. "Not only are we unveiling a new Crown Royal Cask No. 16 paint scheme at the 50^th anniversary of the Daytona 500, but we also are thrilled to continue our commitment to spreading the brand's 'Be A Champion. Drink Responsibly.' message, which reminds race fans to always make smart decisions when drinking, like assigning a designated driver."

 

IRWIN Industrial Tools was the primary sponsor for 11 races in 2007. In 2007, IRWIN returned to Victory Lane with McMurray at Daytona International Speedway.  On July 7, McMurray broke his 166-race winless streak and captured his second Sprint Cup career victory after edging out Kyle Busch by .005 seconds.  The finish is arguably one of the best finishes in NASCAR history.

 

"Everyone at IRWIN Industrial Tools is extremely excited to begin the

 2008 Sprint Cup season," said Eric Pinkham, Vice President of

 Motorsports, Newell-Rubbermaid.  "Jamie and the entire No. 26 Roush Fenway Racing

 team continue to represent IRWIN exceptionally well both on and off

 the racetrack. It is a partnership we value tremendously."

 

"IRWIN Industrial Tools has been a great company to represent.  This season we launched IRWIN's 'Ultimate Tradesman Challenge.'  The challenge was a chance for tradesmen from all over the United States to compete for a chance to win one million dollars, a Roush Performance Ford F-150, and a BBQ with me.  It was a lot of fun competing with the guys at the regional events and then crowning a winner at Phoenix in the fall. It's a program I look forward to having fun with again next season," said McMurray.

 

In 2008, Crown Royal will be the primary sponsor for 27 Sprint Cup races, with IRWIN Industrial Tools the primary sponsor for 11 races.

 

Below is the lineup for the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup season:

 

2/9 - Daytona - Crown Royal Cask No. 16

2/17 - Daytona - Crown Royal Cask No. 16

2/24 - California - Crown Royal

3/2 - Las Vegas - Crown Royal

3/9 - Atlanta - IRWIN Industrial Tools

3/16 - Bristol - Crown Royal

3/30 - Martinsville - IRWIN Industrial Tools

4/6 - Texas - Crown Royal

4/12 - Phoenix - Crown Royal

4/27 - Talladega - Crown Royal

5/3 - Richmond - Crown Royal

5/10 - Darlington - Crown Royal

5/17 - All-Star - Crown Royal

5/25 - Charlotte - IRWIN Industrial Tools

6/1 - Dover - Crown Royal

6/8 - Pocono - IRWIN Industrial Tools

6/15 - Michigan - Crown Royal

6/22 - Sonoma - Crown Royal

6/29 - New Hampshire - IRWIN Industrial Tools

7/5 - Daytona - IRWIN Industrial Tools

7/12 - Chicago - Crown Royal

7/27 - Indianapolis - Crown Royal

8/3 - Pocono - Crown Royal

8/10 - Watkins Glen - Crown Royal

8/17 - Michigan - IRWIN Industrial Tools

8/23 - Bristol - IRWIN Industrial Tools

8/31 - California - Crown Royal

9/6 - Richmond - Crown Royal

9/14 - New Hampshire - Crown Royal

9/21 - Dover - IRWIN Industrial Tools

9/28 - Kansas - Crown Royal

10/5 - Talladega - IRWIN Industrial Tools

10/11 - Charlotte - Crown Royal

10/19 - Martinsville - Crown Royal

10/26 - Atlanta - Crown Royal

11/2 - Texas - Crown Royal

11/9 - Phoenix - IRWIN Industrial Tools

11/16 - Homestead - Crown Royal SCR

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONCORD, NC – Come early February, Canadian Pierre Bourque will be escaping the cold and snow of the Great White North to take a trip to Florida .  It won’t be for the typical fun in the sun, or a trip to Disney World though.  Bourque’s journey will be even more meaningful.  He’ll be making his debut on the high-banked oval of Daytona International Speedway, driving a car fielded by powerhouse team Eddie Sharp Racing in the ARCA RE/MAX Series opening race.

 

Bourque got a head start on the experience by testing with the team in an open ARCA session at the track last week.  After three days of track activity and even with a record turnout of 79 drivers, Bourque was able to place himself 12th overall on the speed charts.

 

“The test went very well,” said Bourque.  “The experience and expertise of the Eddie Sharp Racing team showed with the car that they prepared for me.  I was very comfortable in it right away and we ran some very good laps.  I can’t wait to get back to Daytona in February.  I’m very excited and optimistic about our chances in the race and the hard part is going to be the waiting.”

 

Eddie Sharp Racing, with driver Michael McDowell, finished second to ARCA Legend Frank Kimmel in the 2007 series championship battle.

 

Bourque is no stranger to success either, even at Daytona.  While he has yet to enter an event on the track’s famed 2.5-mile oval, he did race on the road course there last January, driving a Porsche 997 for The Racers’ Group to a 12th-place finish and earning a hard charger award for making the most passes during the event.  He is scheduled to compete in the 2008 edition of the 24 Hour race with TRG at the end of January.

 

The ARCA 200 race will get Bourque’s 2008 stock car racing season started.  The season already promises to be a very big one for Bourque.

 

“We’re working on putting the finishing touches on my plans for 2008,” said Bourque.  “There will be some announcements coming up soon and there are great things in the works.  We will also have a major sponsor announcement for the ARCA 200 very shortly.”

 

During the 2007 racing season, Bourque split his time between the Whitlock Motorsports NASCAR Canadian Tire Series entry and Kevin Buckler's The Racers Group team in Grand-Am road racing.  He also made his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut at Indianapolis ’ O’Reilly Raceway Park and competed in ARCA RE/MAX Series and NASCAR Busch East Series events as well. SCR

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mooresville, NC – Fans can now purchase racing gear for the hottest new racing series to debut in years. The Old School Racing Champions Tour (OSRCT) has launched an online store where fans of racing legends can purchase official OSRCT merchandise.

 

“Adding a store so fans can wear OSRCT gear is just another step in the right direction as our series sets for its debut,” said OSRCT Managing Partner Gene Weaver. “The store is new for us but due to high demand by our fans we knew it was something that we had to do.”

 

Items currently in the store include T-Shirts and hats with new merchandise being added all the time. 

 

The hats are gray and have the OSRCT logo on the front, Old School Racing on the side and Champions Tour on the back. 

 

The shirts carry the OSRCT logo on the front and the inaugural 2008 season scheduled on the back. These great shirts are sure to be a collector’s item as the inaugural season can only be ran once.

 

Future items for the OSRCT store will include mouse pads, driver T-shirts, mugs and more. Fans can check out the OSRCT Store at http://www.osrct.com/store.htm. SCR

Matthew Blaylock

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONCORD , NC – Raye Vest received a big surprise during the recent 2007 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Awards Banquet.

 

And not surprisingly, it got the veteran car owner’s emotions flowing.

 

After deciding to attend the gala affair on Dec. 6 in Orlando , Fla. , thanks to the encouragement of his longtime driver Rick Eckert, Vest was called to the stage by World Racing Group CEO/CFO Brian Carter to accept a well-deserved Outstanding Contribution to the Sport award.

 

Vest, 74, of Waldorf, Md., was left almost speechless by the unexpected honor.

 

“This is quite a surprise,” Vest said into the microphone in his distinctive southern drawl. “It’s been a long time (in racing), but I still enjoy every minute of it.

 

“I don’t know how much longer I got, but I never give up,” he added before pausing a moment to collect himself. “And I’ll let Rick know when it’s time (to disband Raye Vest Racing).”

 

That time, thankfully, is still at some point in the future. Eckert, who turned 42 on Dec. 14, is set to mark his 13th season driving Vest’s familiar orange No. 24 dirt Late Models in 2008, with another pursuit of the team’s first World of Outlaws Late Model Series at the top of his priority list.

 

Vest and Eckert have been a stalwart combination on the WoO LMS, entering all 154 events that the tour has contested since its re-launch under the World Racing Group banner in 2004. They have scored 15 series victories – second on the tour’s 2004-2007 win list behind Scott Bloomquist’s 16 – and registered points-race finishes of third (2004), fourth (2005), seventh (2006) and fifth (2007).

 

Eckert has also brought Vest plenty of glory away from the WoO LMS. The York , Pa. , star’s long stint in Vest’s equipment includes back-to-back UDTRA/Xtreme DirtCar Series titles (2001-2002); $100,000 payoffs for winning the 1999 ‘Dream’ at Ohio’s Eldora Speedway and the UDTRA/Xtreme ‘Great Northern Challenge’ in 2002; major-event victories in the Dirt Track World Championship at Kentucky’s Bluegrass Speedway (2004), ‘Scorcher 100’ at Volunteer Speedway (2005) and National 100 at East Alabama Motor Speedway (2004 and 2005); and even a handful of ARCA Series superspeedway starts in the ‘90s.

 

As far as Vest is concerned, there’s no driver he’d rather have steering his race cars than Eckert.

 

“I remember Rick came up to me about a year or two before I hired him, and he told me that if I ever needed a driver to let him know,” said Vest. “Well, I kept watching him, and when time came, I called him. We’ve been together ever since.

 

“There aren’t many people like Rick Eckert,” continued Vest. “He’s a very honest man, a good man, a good boy.

 

“He’s also a hard worker, and that’s what you’re looking for as a car owner. He’s treats my stuff like it’s his, which is one of the main reasons him and I have been together so long.”

 

Eckert is the fourth driver that Vest has employed during his 22 years as a dirt Late Model car owner, following George Moreland, Nathan Durboraw and Rodney Franklin.

 

Vest attended his first dirt-track race in 1949 at Martinsville ( Va. ) Speedway – he was raised in the mountains of western Virginia , about two miles from the home of NASCAR pioneer Curtis Turner – but didn’t become actively involved in the sport until later in life. He decided to begin helping Moreland after his children had grown up and his business, Raye Vest Excavating, had become well-established.

 

“I never had the money to race when I was raising my family,” said Vest. “I was never going to take food off the table to go racing.

 

“Once my kids were grown, I wanted to find a hobby. I think everybody’s gotta have a hobby. I picked a very expensive one, but I don’t regret it. If I had my life to live over, I’d do it again.”

 

There is certainly no car owner who can claim to love dirt-track racing more than Vest. He doesn’t attend as many events as he once did because he’s been slowed by breathing problems that force him to use an oxygen canister (“That’s from a little too much cigarette smoking,” he said), but he’s still present quite often to pick Eckert’s time-trial number and drive his orange golf-cart around the pit area.

 

“As long as I can find a place at the racetrack where I can see (the races) from my motorhome or the tower, I’ll be out there,” said Vest. “I just can’t be out in the dust during the races.”

 

And on the occasions that Vest isn’t on hand to watch Eckert in action, he’s sure to be listening or watching on his computer, whether it be from his home in Maryland or his residence on the Caribbean island of St. Maarten . If there’s any hiccup with the DirtVision.com internet broadcast of a WoO LMS event, the first person WoO LMS announcer Rick Eshelman can expect to get a call from at the track is Vest, anxious to find out what’s happening.

 

Unfortunately, there wasn’t a lot for Vest and Eckert to get excited about on the 2007 WoO LMS. In one of the most unexpected storylines of the season, Eckert went winless on the tour – the only driver among the final top-10 in the points standings to finish the year without a victory, in fact. The driver known as ‘Scrub’ recorded five runner-up finishes, failed to finish only one of the season’s 44 A-Mains and improved to fifth in the points race, but, with crew and chassis changes dotting his year, he didn’t perform to his normal lofty standards.

 

After winning multiple A-Mains in each of the tour’s first three seasons – including a series-leading eight victories in 2006 – a goose-egg in the ’07 win column certainly was disappointing for Eckert and Vest. But Vest is confident that Eckert will be back at the front of the pack with the WoO LMS in 2008.

 

“This year was a struggle, there’s no doubt about it,” said Vest. “We changed cars (from Rocket to MasterSbilt before the season, then to GRT in August), and now we changed motors (from Cornett to Custom) for next year. We’re going to get it right.

 

“In 12 years together, we had eight or nine really good years. That’s better than most teams, so we ain’t complaining. We just were not as good this year as we have been in the past, but we will return. We will be back.”

 

Vest said that his age and health problems have made him realize that his “time is getting short,” so he plans to savor every moment of his racing excursions with Eckert. Finally adding a World of Outlaws title to his team’s ledger would just make him feel even better.

 

“It would be wonderful to see Rick the World of Outlaws championship,” said Vest. “We won the UDTRA championship twice and just about everything else there is to win, except the World 100 and World of Outlaws.

 

“I guess the World of Outlaws (crown) would mean the most, because we’re racing with the best. All them boys are good, and it’s good racing.

 

“Yeah, I’d like to win a championship one more time,” Vest added with a smile. “At least one more.”

 

The 2008 WoO LMS kicks off on Feb. 14 and 16 with two events that are part of the 37th annual Florida DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla. SCR

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marcos Ambrose has been voted the Australian Driver of the Year by Australian weekly motorsport magazine Auto Action.

The Australian earned the accolade in the magazine’s annual Racer of the Year Awards issue, released in Australia today.

Ambrose won Auto Action’s Australian Driver of the Year Award, open to any Australian-born driver racing domestically or internationally, for his efforts in the #59 Kingsford Charcoal Ford Fusion in the 2007 NASCAR Busch Series.

The awards are decided by votes submitted by the fans, making Ambrose’s achievement all the more significant as he has been racing on the other side of the world for the past two years after winning the Australian V8 Supercar Championship in 2003 and 2004.

“It’s great to pick up an award like this one, especially because it is the fans that have cast their votes,” said Ambrose.

“When I announced I was leaving V8 Supercars to try and forge a career in NASCAR one thing I was very conscious of was not to leave my fans behind. I wanted them to be a part of my journey in the US as much as possible.

“We are constantly trying to improve the way we do my website, MarcosAmbrose.com, and we send regular newsletters so that my fans, wherever they are in the world, know exactly what is going on.

“To have Australian motorsport fans vote me as the winner of this award is a very special feeling. I owe a lot to all the Australian fans that have stuck by my and followed my racing in NASCAR.

“We have really been working at educating Australian fans about NASCAR and helped them to learn more about the racing. It has been exciting to teach all of my Australian fans about NASCAR and what a great sport it truly is.

“Our tour group came over in May and saw it all close up in Charlotte and the Aussie fans have been able to watch the racing on television this year, so the response to NASCAR in Australia has been really, really great and next year should be even better again.”

Auto Action editor Andrew MacLean said that Ambrose’s achievements in NASCAR had been a constant focus for the magazine.

“Marcos Ambrose's outstanding achievements in the NASCAR Busch Series in 2007 have not gone unnoticed, despite Australian fans getting little opportunity to see his racing up close, ” said MacLean.

“Because of Ambrose's exploits, Auto Action has considerably increased its coverage of NASCAR racing this season. And it is clear our readers have gained a better understanding of the sport by voting Ambrose as the Australian Driver of the Year in Auto Action's annual Racer of the Year awards.

“Ambrose thoroughly deserves such an accolade as he has achieved what no other Australian has ever done before - breaking into the close-knit NASCAR community, earning the respect of his peers and becoming the first non-North American driver to finish in the top ten of what is arguably one of the toughest motor racing championships in the world.”

Ambrose topped the poll with 37 percent of the vote ahead of Team Australia Champ Car driver Will Power and fellow US-based Australian Ryan Briscoe of Penske Racing, who raced in the American Le Mans Series and Indianapolis 500 this year.

Ambrose finished eighth in this year’s NASCAR Busch Series and as the second-best rookie, driving the #59 Kingsford Charcoal Ford Fusion for Wood Brothers/JTG Racing.

Next season Ambrose will continue to drive the #59 Kingsford Charcoal Ford Fusion in NASCAR’s second-tier series, renamed the NASCAR Nationwide Series.

Ambrose will also race a minimum of 12 events in the top-level NASCAR Sprint Cup in the Little Debbie Ford Fusion.

Ambrose is the first Australian to race full-time in NASCAR and the first non-North American driver to finish in the top 10 in any of NASCAR’s three national championship divisions - the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, NASCAR Busch Series and NASCAR Nextel Cup Series.

The last non-United States driver to achieve the feat was Canadian Earl Ross, who finished eighth in the NASCAR Nextel Cup standings in 1974. SCR

 

 

 

 

 

 

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. – Officials from Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) announced today that Z-Line Designs has renewed its NASCAR Nationwide Series sponsorship with the team for the 2008 season.  The nation’s leading import manufacturer of home office, home entertainment and home décor ready-to-assemble furniture will sponsor a total of 11 races with Tony Stewart, Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch splitting the driving duties behind the wheel of the Z-Line Designs Toyota Camry (six races with the No. 18 and five races with the No. 20).

 

“Z-Line Designs is proud to continue its relationship with Joe Gibbs Racing,” said Jim Sexton, president and CEO of Z-Line Designs.  “With Tony Stewart, Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch driving our cars, and as spokespeople for our brand, we feel confident that we can continue to make Z-Line Designs top of mind among NASCAR’s fans.  We’ll continue to build our brand through our sponsorship with the strong relationships Z-Line has with its vendors.” 

 

“We’re thrilled to have Z-Lines Designs return as a sponsor of Joe Gibbs Racing,” added J.D. Gibbs, president of JGR.  “They’re one of the premier furniture manufacturers in the world, and we feel JGR has provided them with three of the premier drivers in NASCAR to represent them in 2008.  It should be a winning combination.”

 

Established in 1995 and now widely recognized for its quality and innovation, Z-Line Designs provides fashionable furniture to support the exploding market for consumer’s home office and home entertainment technologies.  Sexton, founder of the San Ramon, Calif.-based company, recognized early on the burgeoning need for superior home furnishings, and his pioneering concepts and foresight continues today with home décor that matches the high-end technologies available to consumers.

 

Two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Stewart will open the season for Z-Line in its home market on Feb. 23 by piloting the No. 20 Z-Line Designs Toyota at California Speedway in Fontana .

 

Hamlin, who co-drove the No. 20 JGR car to second-place in the 2007 Nationwide Series owner point standings, will take the wheel of the Z-Line Designs Toyota March 15 at Bristol ( Tenn. ) Motor Speedway, April 11 at Phoenix International Raceway and May 2 at Richmond ( Va. ) International Raceway.

 

Busch, who is competing in his first season with JGR, will drive the Z-Line Designs machine March 22 at Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway, July 11 at Chicagoland Speedway, July 26 at O’Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis, Aug. 22 at Bristol Motor Speedway, Aug. 30 at California