MOORESVILLE, N.C. – Dollar General Corp. is pleased to welcome a trio of Sprint Cup all-stars into the driver’s seat of the Dollar General Toyota Camry for the 2008 NASCAR Nationwide Series season. Brian Vickers, Kyle Busch, and Denny Hamlin will pilot the Dollar General Camry in select races.  

 

Recently, Braun Racing announced that Dollar General would be joining its sponsor line-up for the 2008 season through a diverse support program. In addition to an associate sponsorship on the No. 38 Great Clips Camry driven by Jason Leffler, Dollar General will serve as the primary sponsor for a total of 12 races on the No.32 and the No.10.

 

“We are very excited about the all-star cast of drivers that Braun Racing has assembled for the Dollar General Toyota,” said Monty Bailey, Dollar General’s motorsports manager. “We are extremely proud to have Jason Leffler, Brian Vickers, Denny Hamlin, and Kyle Busch, all a part of the Dollar General team for 2008.”

 

Dollar General kicks-off the season at Las Vegas Motor Speedway with Vickers at the helm of the Dollar General car. The driver line-up for the remaining Dollar General-sponsored cars will be announced later.

 

“We’re pleased that we could put together such a strong driver line-up for Dollar General,” said Braun Racing team owner, Todd Braun. “Braun Racing has had a relationship with them for years, and we’re really looking forward to growing that relationship and having success together on and off the race track. I also want to thank Joe Gibbs Racing and Red Bull Racing for allowing us to include their drivers this season. We’re excited about the possibilities it will bring.” SCR

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAYTONA BEACH FL - Open the gates, and they will come. That’s certainly the case at Daytona Int’l Speedway where the 45th annual ARCA 200 at Daytona is taking shape as the most competitive in ARCA RE/MAX Series history. Entries are pouring in for event, which is LIVE on SPEED Saturday afternoon, February 9th at 4:00 pm ET.

 

At present, 74 entries make up the current entry list, which includes a healthy combination of Driver Development teams mixed in with some very solid series regulars.

 

Entries from the Driver Development teams include one from car owner Dale Earnhardt, Jr., who is listed as the car owner for rookie driver Landon Cassill in the no. 88 Stanley-Vidmar-Proto Chevrolet. It marks the first time that Earnhardt, Jr. has participated in the ARCA RE/MAX Series as a car owner.

 

Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS) has filed an entry with the 2007 Indy 500 winner and IndyCar Series champion Dario Franchitti in the driver’s seat. CGRFS announced Franchitti has signed a multi-year deal with the organization to compete in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2008.

 

Roush Fenway Racing has entered Olive Branch, Mississippi rookie Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.. Roush Fenway Racing recently announced that Stenhouse, an open-wheel veteran from the USAC ranks, would run the complete 2008 ARCA RE/MAX Series schedule in a Roush Fenway-prepared Ford.

 

Bill Davis Racing has filed an entry with Des Moines, Iowa rookie Mike Annett as the driver of Davis’s Toyota Camry. The team made history last year at Talladega where Annett drove to victory lane, marking the first win for the Toyota nameplate in ARCA RE/MAX Series competition.

 

Also entered from the Driver Development ranks are entries from Rusty Wallace, Inc. (RWI) and Cunningham Motorsports/Dodge Motorsports. RWI has entered rookie Chase Austin in a no. 61 Atreus Homes & Communities Chevrolet. Cunningham Motorsports has filed three entries, one for Dodge Development rookie Tayler Malsam, who is entered in the #4 Cunningham Motorsports-Dodge Motorsports Dodge. Other entries out of the Cunningham camp include the no. 45 and the no. 59 with rookies’ Nur Ali and Ray Mooi listed as the drivers. All three participants, needless to say, will be Dodges.

 

Eddie Sharp Racing has filed two entries for Daytona. Formula 1 veteran Scott Speed, a story to watch all season, is entered in the no. 2 Red Bull Toyota. Speed, whose career-best F1 finishes are ninth in the Monaco Grand Prix ’07, ninth in the Australian Grand Prix ’06, 10th in the Canadian Grand Prix ’06 and 10th in the French Grand Prix ’06, finished seventh in the ARCA RE/MAX Series race at Talladega in 2007. ESR’s second entry is for Ken Butler, III in the no. 22 ESR Development Toyota. Butler steered his way to victory lane at Toledo Speedway in 2007. Both drivers have announced full ARCA RE/MAX Series schedules in 2008.

 

Nine-time series champion Frank Kimmel has filed an entry under his new Kimmel Racing banner with an assist from Cunningham Motorsports. The effort marks Kimmel’s first appearance in a Dodge. The Clarksville, Indiana native will carry the no. 44 at Daytona.

 

Kimmel’s former ride, the Larry Clement-owned no. 46 Ford, will now be occupied by Matt Carter, who is the son of longtime NASCAR team owner Travis Carter. The team is expected to run the full schedule in 2008.

 

The entry list will also include senior statesmen Bill Baird and James Hylton. If either driver were to win the race, he would become the oldest winner in superspeedway history. Baird, the ’99 ARCA RE/MAX Series national champion, is 58. Hylton is 73.

 

RAB Racing with Brack Maggard will be debuting with rookie driver John Wes Townley at Daytona. After running Dodges in 2007 with driver Justin Marks, the team has switched to the Ford nameplate for 2008. RAB also announced a full schedule in 2008. The team has also switched car numbers – from 65 to 09.

Marks, running the full NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series schedule in 2008, has also filed an entry. Ironically, Marks will again carry the #65 at Daytona, but it will be in a Germain Motor Company-sponsored Toyota.

 

Venturini Motorsports has filed two entries with Surrey British, Columbia rookie Ryan Fischer listed as the driver of the no. 25 Chevrolet, and Billy Venturini listed as the driver of the no. 15 Chevrolet. The Venturinis are renowned for their restrictor plate savvy.

 

Speaking of restrictor plate savvy, none could carry that banner bigger than five-time Daytona winner Bobby Gerhart. Bobby Gerhart Racing has filed two entries with Bobby in the no. 5 and Kyle Krisiloff in the no. 7. Gerhart has won the last three consecutive Daytona ARCA 200s. In addition, the Lebanon, PA driver has led an amazing 83% of the total laps run in the last three Daytona events.

 

Spartanburg, South Carolina driver Jeremy Clements is entered in the #3 Clements Automotive Chevrolet. Clements broke through big time in 2007 with a victory at Nashville Superspeedway. Clements also finished third in the ’07 ARCA 200 at Daytona.

 

From the female ranks, Gabi DiCarlo, Michelle Theriault and rookie Alli Owens are entered. Owens will be in a no. 12 Mario Gosselin-prepared Chevy as a teammate to Gosselin’s no. 21 James Carter Attorney at Law Chevy. DiCarlo is entered in Doug Stringer’s Great Clips Chevy, while Theriault is entered in the Markle Racing Chevy.

Dexter Bean, who finished third in national championship points in 2007, will certainly be one to watch. The Westby, Wisconsin driver is entered in the Glock-sponsored Chevy, an alliance with Spraker Racing Enterprises.

 

Other notable entries include Wayne Reutimann entered in his cousin David Reutimann’s Toyota, open-wheel veteran Brian Tyler entered in the no. 01 Hattori Racing Toyota, ARCA RE/MAX Series veteran/two-time series winner Kirk Shelmerdine entered in the no. 27 Wabash Motorsports Chevrolet, and NASCAR veteran driver Greg Sacks entered in Bobby Jones’s Dodge Charger.

Registration opens at 8:00 am Tuesday, February 5th before haulers enter the garage area at 10 am. Tuesday and Wednesday are slated for inspection procedures only prior to the first on-track activity on Thursday with practice scheduled from 12 noon to 5 pm. SIM Factory Pole Award Qualifying is scheduled for 12 noon Friday followed by a final practice session from 5:10 to 6:15 pm.

 

 

 

CONCORD, NC - Bringing the best-of-the-best together in one place is something that the new ASA Southeast Asphalt Tour hopes to do at each and every event.  And they are taking that philosophy one step further by bringing the best-of-the-best in supporters to the series as well. 

 

Officials with the ASA Southeast Asphalt Tour today announced that they have teamed with Port City Racecars and Port City Racing South to offer up a comprehensive contingency program that will see the Michigan-based company become the “Official Chassis Supplier” of the ASA Southeast Asphalt Tour. 

 

“The ASA Southeast Asphalt Tour is just the type of short track series that Port City Racecars wants to have a relationship with,” said Port City Racecars’ Harley Boeve.  “The series is already turning into one of the most anticipated in the country.  We are really excited to be lined up with them and help each other grow and succeed even more.  The ASA name has a great following as it is already and we know that will help give us another avenue to tell the competitors what a quality product Port City is.”

 

As part of the deal with Port City Racecars, the company will award two $75 product gift certificates per event during the 2008 season.  Port City Racecars will also award a brand-new chassis to one lucky driver during the year-end banquet. 

 

“When you think of Port City , you think of top-notch, quality equipment and leading-edge products,” said ASA Southeast Asphalt Tour’s Micky Cain.  “It is exactly the type of thing that we want to be associated with the ASA Southeast Asphalt Tour.  We are really excited to form this relationship with Port City .  So many people out there use Port City equipment and we want to thank them for that.  And what Port City is going to do for our teams is outstanding.  Who wouldn’t want to win a new chassis at the end of the year?”

 

With the main headquarters at 3011 Mill Iron Road in Muskegon , Michigan , Port City Racecars also has manufacturing, distribution and warehousing facilities in California and Georgia . With over
12,000 parts in inventory, Port City offers same- or next-day shipment of parts to racers nationwide. From parts to complete chassis to repair and rebuild, Port City meets the racers needs.

 

More announcements about the ASA Southeast Asphalt Tour will be released in the coming weeks.  The series rules are already available for downloading at the series official website. SCR

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Seven-time Daytona 500 Champion Richard Petty, who’s father Lee won the inaugural DAYTONA 500 in 1959, will serve as Honorary Starter for the historic 50th running of the DAYTONA 500 on Sunday, Feb. 17.

 

Petty will drop the green flag at Daytona International Speedway to get the historic event underway at 3:30 p.m. (ET) on FOX.

 

“We are so honored and proud to have Richard Petty drop the green flag to get the most anticipated event in racing history underway,” said Speedway President Robin Braig .  “Richard and the Daytona 500 are synonymous with NASCAR’s biggest, richest and most prestigious race and we’re thrilled to have him get the 50th spectacle underway.”

 

Over the course of 32 years driving on the NASCAR Sprint Cup circuit, along with his record seven DAYTONA 500 wins, “The King” has a record 200 victories; won seven Sprint Cup championships; recorded 27 wins in 1967; was named the circuit’s “Most Popular Driver” nine times and was the Series Rookie of the Year in 1959.

 

Petty continues the tradition of high-profile celebrities, politicians and athletes that have served as Honorary Starter for the Daytona 500. Former NASCAR driver Phil Parsons was the Honorary Starter in 2007. Olympic snowboard medalists Hannah Teter and Gretchen Bleiler, who led the United States to a 1-2 finish in the women's halfpipe, served as Co-Honorary Starters in 2006.  Actor Ashton Kutcher waved the green flag for the 2005 Daytona 500 and comedian Whoopi Goldberg started the 2004 edition of "The Great American Race."  Singer Mariah Carey sang the National Anthem and served as the Honorary Starter for the 2003 Daytona 500. SCR

 

 

 

 

 

 

Harrisburg, NC - Wood Brothers Racing is proud to announce it's partnership with The Barnhill Group, LLC as a primary sponsor of the No. 21 for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck for eight races commencing in February at Daytona International Speedway. Jon Wood, third generation driver for Wood Brothers, will be piloting The Barnhill Group, LLC Ford F-150.

The Barnhill Group, LLC ("TBG"), headquartered in Orlando, Florida, is a general contracting company that focuses its efforts on new construction and expansion of manufacturing plants, distribution centers, schools, and sport arenas among many other projects. TBG self performs all concrete services for major projects around Florida and the southeast and specializes in tilt-up concrete services. Their relationship to NASCAR is not entirely new. TBG designed and built the fan zone viewing area above the garages at Daytona and built the concrete placements for suite additions at the Homestead Miami Speedway.

The company plans to utilize this partnership with Wood Brothers Racing to continue building relationships with other tracks. "I enjoy the sport and working with the tracks. I plan on gearing my business towards being a specialty type contractor for all of a NASCAR track owner's needs," Randall Barnhill, President of TBG said. "It's a privilege to be a small part of one of the most respected teams in NASCAR and I'm truly excited about working with the Wood Brothers." Eddie Wood, Team owner states, "The Barnhill Group is a welcome addition to our team. We are elated to have them on board and have high hopes to help them achieve their business goals."

In addition to the eight races as a primary sponsor, The Barnhill Group, LLC will also be an associate sponsor on the No. 21 Ford F-150 for all other 2008 Craftsman Truck Series races. SCR

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONCORD , N.C. - The World of Outlaws family was saddened to learn of the passing of former competition director Bobby Jackson on Monday night.

 

Jackson was one of the most revered members of the World of Outlaws team from 1987 to 2004, and his impact is still felt today as he mentored several current series officials before he became a NASCAR official.

 

“The racing community is very saddened by the loss of Bobby Jackson,” said Carlton Reimers , the Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series Director. “Bobby loved all types of racing, especially dirt track racing, but his heart was with the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series. For many years, Bobby was the Series Competition Director, knowledgeable and quick-witted, he presided over many great races. On a personal note he, along with Ted Johnson and Rick Ferkel, taught me most of what I know about racing. He will be missed. God speed and our prayers are with his family.” SCR

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONCORD, N.C. - Roush Fenway Racing driver Carl Edwards will appear on advertising's largest stage this Sunday, February 3 - Super Bowl Sunday in a 60 second Under Amour spot, the brand's first-ever Super Bowl Commercial. The commercial, showcasing several professional athletes will mark the first time audiences will see Under Armour's new performance trainers.

 

"I am really looking forward seeing the commercial. I'm going to the Super Bowl and I hope that they show the commercials at the game," said Carl Edwards. "The scale of the production was huge and I'm looking forward to seeing the end product."

 

Edwards continued, "To be associated with so many quality athletes under the Under Armour brand is very exciting and I'm looking forward to a great future with them." SCR

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOLEDO OH - Officials from Kentucky Speedway, NASCAR, and ARCA have announced a date change to the July NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series/ARCA RE/MAX Series race event weekend for 2008. The ARCA RE/MAX Series Kentucky 150, originally scheduled for Friday, July 11th, will now take place one week later on Friday, July 18th, 2008. The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Built Ford Tough 225 presented by the Greater Cincinnati Ford Dealers will also be rescheduled to the following weekend, set for Saturday, July 19th. Both events are LIVE on SPEED.

 

"We're pleased to cooperate with Kentucky Speedway, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and Speed Channel in moving our event date to July 18," said ARCA President Ron Drager. "We have great relationships with all three entities and this kind of lead time allows everyone associated with the ARCA RE/MAX Series to plan for July 18."

 

The ARCA RE/MAX Series will begin converging at Kentucky Speedway on Thursday, July 17th. The weekend includes a two hour, fifteen minute practice session beginning at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, followed by SIM Factory Pole Qualifying at 4:30 p.m. and the Kentucky 150 at 8 p.m. Eastern.

 

The July 18th Kentucky 150 will mark the second of two Kentucky Speedway appearances for the ARCA RE/MAX Series in 2008 and the series’ 17th appearance at the track since 2000. Last year, a pair of first time series winners made trips to victory lane at Kentucky Speedway, with Roush Fenway Racing’s Erik Darnell winning the Buckle-Up Kentucky 150 in May and Eddie Sharp Racing’s Michael McDowell finding victory lane in July.

 

Former ARCA RE/MAX Series race winners at Kentucky Speedway include nine-time and defending series champion Frank Kimmel, Chad Blount, Darnell, Ryan Hemphill, Kyle Busch, Brad Coleman,  McDowell, Ryan Newman, Tim Steele and Steve Wallace.

 

Tickets to both the May 10 Buckle-Up Kentucky 150 and the July 18th Kentucky 150 are available by calling Kentucky Speedway at (888) 652-RACE. SCR

 

 

 

 

 

 

INDIANAPOLIS – The Food & Beverage Department of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is accepting orders for the Brickyard Box Lunch, a satisfying meal to enjoy on Race Day at the track.

 

Fans may place orders for the Indianapolis 500, Allstate 400 at the Brickyard and Red Bull Indianapolis GP and pick up their lunch on Race Day at IMS.

 

Brickyard Box Lunches come with a freshly made sandwich or chef salad, and a delicious fried chicken breast, chips, fresh apple, baked beans, cookie, condiments and a choice of two beverages that will keep fans satisfied until the end of the race. There are four box lunch options available:

 

•Ham and cheese sandwich

•Turkey and cheese sandwich

•Italian sub sandwich

•Speedway special chef salad with ranch dressing

 

The cost of a Brickyard Box Lunch is $14.95 each. A reusable souvenir cooler with a program pocket and choice of six beverages is available for $21.95. The collectible cooler does not include a box lunch or souvenir program. An Official Souvenir Program also may be ordered through the Brickyard Box Lunch Program for an additional $10.

 

Box lunches, coolers and souvenir programs can be ordered securely online at www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com or by calling the IMS Food & Beverage Department at (317) 492-6422 to request an order form. Mail orders must include full payment with a cashier’s check, money order (U.S. funds only) or a credit card number. Personal checks will not be accepted.

 

After processing orders, a voucher will be mailed for each lunch, cooler or program ordered. The voucher will be marked indicating the nearest pick-up location to the assigned Race Day seat and must be presented at the specified location to pick up the box lunches. All orders must be picked up on Race Day at the assigned location from 7 a.m. until one hour after the start of the race. Refunds and exchanges will be not permitted.

 

Box lunch ordering deadlines for 2008: Indianapolis 500, May 18; Allstate 400 at the Brickyard, July 20; Red Bull Indianapolis GP, Sept. 7. SCR

 

 

 

 

 

 

Juan Pablo Montoya ran to the top of the speed charts on the final day of testing at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway (LVMS). Montoya, driver of the No. 42 Dodge topped out at a speed of 186.761 mph. breaking the old track record of 184.856 mph set by Kasey Kahne last year.

 

Second quick in the final test was the Toyota of A.J. Allmendinger followed by Chevrolet drive Casey Mears in third.

 

Today and Thursday the Nationwide Series driver take to the track at LVMS for a two day test. SCR

Matthew Blaylock

  

 

 

  

 

 

At first, it didn't bother Dale Earnhardt Jr. when he heard that the Dale Earnhardt Inc. shop was virtually wiped clean of any signs he'd ever raced for the team. But the more he thought about it, Earnhardt Jr. felt that such actions slighted his former crew members who worked hard on his cars.

 

"It sort of hurt my feelings that it's sort of a hack at even the guys that are still there and have worked on that car," Earnhardt Jr. said Monday during a NASCAR media conference at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. "To not see the accolades or any sort of appreciation for the work that they did, and they're still there."

 

Media members noticed during a visit to the DEI shop on Jan. 23 that there was hardly any evidence that Earnhardt Jr., who left the team for Hendrick Motorsports, had ever driven for the company his father founded.

 

"I don't know what else you would expect," Earnhardt Jr. said later that day during the annual NASCAR Sprint Cup Media Tour. "I don't think there's any animosity, and I don't think they would do anything to directly insinuate that we're totally free of that, or we don't want to have anything to do with him or we don't want to recognize his time here."

 

Asked about it again during testing at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Earnhardt Jr. said it irked him that his team members were being slighted.

 

He said the team members that had something to do with his Daytona 500 victory and two championships in what is now the Nationwide Series should be recognized at the DEI shop.

 

But Earnhardt Jr. said he doesn't take it personally "that you can't find much of a trace of us over there" and said he won't worry about what DEI is doing.

 

"I ain't gonna spend any more time on it because there's just better things to worry about and occupy your time with," he said.

  

 

 

  

 

 

EAST LONGMEADOW, Mass. - LENOX, a leading manufacturer of premium power tool accessories, torches, solder and band saw blades, today announces the kick-off of the LENOX Extra Mile Heroes Program. NASCAR driver Jeff Burton and LENOX are conducting a search for users and suppliers of industrial tools who go the extra mile. The winner of the LENOX Extra Mile Heroes Program could receive up to $1 million to split with their charity of choice.

 

In recognition of the LENOX Extra Mile Heroes, the New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS) NASCAR Sprint Cup race has added a lap; making it the LENOX Industrial Tools 301. For the first time in NASCAR history, the length of the Sprint Cup race will be 301 laps to honor the efforts of these heroes.

 

“I am proud to be part of the LENOX team and the efforts they are making to recognize the heroes among us,” said Richard Childress Racing’s Jeff Burton, driver of the No. 31 LENOX Chevrolet. “The donation to the winner’s charity of choice is definitely going the extra mile for their customers.”

 

“We know there are heroes out there and the LENOX Extra Mile Heroes Program is a great way to spotlight those who exemplify the spirit of going the extra mile,” said Rich Mathews, vice president of marketing for LENOX. “Its also important for us to have this program driven by our customers – the stories they submit and vote for will ultimately determine our hero.”

 

To Nominate:

To enter go to www.lenoxhero.com and submit the story of the hero in your life and why you think they should be the LENOX Extra Mile Hero. LENOX wants to know how the nominee has gone the extra mile for an individual or group and how their actions represent quality and integrity among users and suppliers of industrial tools. All entries must be received on or before November 30, 2008. Nominations will be reviewed by a panel of judges and ten finalists will be announced in January 2009. Finalists will each receive a check for $3,100 and to go the extra mile, LENOX will match that amount for each of the finalist’s charity of choice. All ten finalists and a guest are also invited to attend the LENOX Industrial Tools 301 race scheduled for June 28, 2009, where the grand prize winner will be announced.

 

To Vote:

Beginning on February 1, 2009, all of the finalists and their stories will be posted to www.lenoxhero.com. Customers will be asked to vote on who they think should be named the ultimate LENOX Extra Mile Hero. The finalist who receives the most votes will not only carry the honor of being the LENOX Extra Mile Hero, but they also win the Grand Prize of $31,000 as well as an additional $31,000 to be donated to their charity of choice. But that’s not all! If Burton wins the LENOX Industrial Tools 301 race scheduled for June 28, 2009, LENOX will increase the grand prize to $1 million for the winner to split with their charity of choice!

 

LENOX is the primary sponsor of Burton’s No. 31 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet for this year’s LENOX Industrial Tools 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on June 29th and the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis on July 27th.  In addition, LENOX will serve as an associate sponsor of Burton’s No. 31 Chevrolet Impala throughout the rest of the NASCAR Sprint Cup season.

 

Complete LENOX Extra Mile Heroes Program details are available at www.lenoxhero.com. The program is open to users and suppliers of industrial tools, 21 and over in the United States and Canada and submission will be accepted February 1, 2008 through November 30, 2008. SCR

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates continued its dominance of North America ’s most prestigious sports car race winning their third straight overall victory on Sunday at Daytona International Speedway.

 

The team of Juan Pablo Montoya, Scott Pruett, Memo Rojas and Dario Franchitti in the No. 01 TELMEX Chip Ganassi Racing Lex us Riley won the 46th anniversary of the Rolex 24 by a margin of three laps.

 

Chip Ganassi Racing’s win is the first time a team has won the overall Rolex 24 in three consecutive years.

 

While it’s a third straight victory for Ganassi, it’s the second straight Rolex 24 win for Montoya and Pruett and the third career overall Rolex 24 win for Pruett.

 

“This is over the top to come here and win this thing overall, now back-to-back and three in a row for Chip,” said Pruett, who was behind the wheel for the checkered flag. “Wow, this is unbelievable.”

 

Franchitti, who is making the jump to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with Ganassi beginning with the 50th running of the Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 17, becomes the third Indy 500 driver to win the Rolex 24 the following year.

 

“It’s been a helluva year,” Franchitti said. “These guys, the preparation they put into this car is the reason why we’re here. We just tried to stay out of trouble and here we are -- bloody brilliant.”

 

Montoya was behind the wheel of the No. 01 running second to the No. 6 Michael Shank Racing Ford Riley in Hour 21 when the No. 6 car encountered suspension problems and was forced to make repairs. From that point, the No. 01 was in cruise control.

 

“It’s was pretty hard until the last stint,” said Montoya, who was Rookie of the Year in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2007. “We were pretty close with the 6 car. They had a problem and after that it was more of bringing the car home.”

 

Two-time defending NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion and 2006 Daytona 500 champion Jimmie Johnson came close to that elusive first Rolex 24 win again finishing second in the No. 99 Lowe’s/GAINSCO Pontiac Riley with co-drivers Alex Gurney, Jon Fogarty and Jimmy Vasser.

 

Rounding out the podium was the No. 9 Penske-Taylor Racing Pontiac Riley with drivers Helio Castroneves, Kurt Busch and Ryan Briscoe.

 

The competition was tight throughout the Rolex 24. There were a record 15 different leaders and 695 laps were completed in the race.

           

The finish was shaping up to be a special one for the No. 59 Brumos Porsche team. With just under five hours remaining in the race and Joao Barbosa behind the wheel with the overall lead, the rear suspension failed coming off NASCAR Turn 4. The car spun out, made contact with the inside retaining wall and caused significant front end damage to the car.

 

“Joao had a great restart and going around the banking coming out of (NASCAR Turn) 4, the lower tie rod broke,” No. 59 co-driver and five-time Rolex 24 champion Hurley Haywood. “The bolt that holds it on broke and it just sent him right into the wall. There was nothing he could do about it. You want to cry almost.”

           

Patrick Dempsey, star of the hit ABC show Grey’s Anatomy, made his first career start in the Rolex 24 finishing 39th overall co-driving Charles Espenlaub, Joe Foster, Romeo Kapudija and Scott Maxwell.

 

“We had a lot of bad luck but the team has really rallied to keep the car out there,” Dempsey said. “We wanted to finish this race. We had a great time and I can’t wait to do it again.”

 

The pole winner of the Rolex 24 – the No. 60 Michael Shank Racing Ford Riley driven by Oswaldo Negri – led the 66-car field to the green flag on Saturday afternoon and finished sixth overall.

 

In the GT class, the No. 70 SpeedSource Mazda with drivers Sylvain Tremblay, David Haskell, Nick Ham and Raphael Matos finished ninth overall and captured the class victory by a margin of seven laps.

 

“It was pretty special,” Tremblay said. “I’ve dreamt of this since I’ve started racing .  To win at Daytona has been a dream of mine for a long, long time. When I first talked of getting a Mazda running against the Porsches, it seemed like a joke back then. There was so much that had to happen, so many pieces we had to build. Then we had to convince other people to believe in our dream, and pull on from there.”

 

Before the Rolex 24 went green on Saturday afternoon, the crowd was treated to a flyover by three Navy F-5 Tigers based out of Key West and Rolex 24 Grand Marshal Dan Gurney’s starting command, “Drivers, start your engines.” SCR

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trevose, PA - With the 2008 Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series season opener less than two weeks away, two-time defending series champion Donny Schatz is still being recognized for his outstanding 2007 campaign. The North Dakota native was honored on Saturday night by being named the recipient of the Al Holbert Memorial/EMPA Driver of the Year Award at the 40th Anniversary Eastern Motorsports Press Association banquet in Trevose , Pennsylvania .

 

Last season, Schatz claimed 19 A-Feature wins, along with being victorious in the Knoxville Nationals for the second consecutive year.  In 2007, he became the first driver in sprint car racing history to win the Knoxville Nationals, the Kings Royal, the National Open, the Don Martin Memorial Silver Cup and the Williams Grove Summer Nationals all in the same season.

 

In the 75 A-Feature events that were contested in 2007 by the Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series, the 1997 Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year finished in the Top-10 in 71 of them. Of those finishes, 53 were in the Top-Five. He led the series in a number of other statistical categories including: money earned, laps led, wins in the dash and pole positions. SCR

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONCORD , NC – The top 10 drivers from the 2007 World of Outlaws Late Model Series points standings have committed to chasing the tour’s prestigious championship trophy this season, series officials announced on Sunday.

 

Led by defending WoO LMS champion Steve Francis of Ashland , Ky. , the 2008 traveling-driver lineup is teeming with top-notch talent. Each of the 10 drivers has at least one career WoO LMS victory to his credit – the first time since the tour’s reincarnation in 2004 that every contracted racer will enter a season having already captured a series A-Main.

 

The all-star group of drivers own a combined 80 WoO LMS A-Main victories, 22 touring-series championships, six Dirt Track World Championship triumphs, two World 100 wins and two $100,000 Dirt Late Model Dream checkered flags, as well as single wins in the Topless 100, North-South 100 and Knoxville Late Model Nationals.

 

“With the quality of the drivers and teams who have signed on to follow the 2008 World of Outlaws Late Model Series, the battle for the championship will be wide open,” said WoO LMS director Tim Christman . “Every driver has championship potential, which means fans can count on witnessing more of the drama and excitement that the World of Outlaws Late Model Series is known to provide.”

 

The touring drivers will follow the most expansive schedule in the history of the WoO LMS. Currently the schedule lists 46 dates at 39 tracks in 22 states and three Canadian provinces, including first-time visits to more than a dozen speedways.

 

The 2008 WoO LMS kicks off with 50-lap, $10,000-to-win events on Feb. 14 and 16 as part of the 37th annual Alltel DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville , Fla.

 

The tour’s 2008 driver roster includes:

 

* Francis, the accomplished ‘Kentucky Colonel’ who is coming off his first career WoO LMS title. A winner of 14 series features since 2004 (third-best over that period) as well as a three-time champion of the STARS/Renegade Series and former victor of the World 100 and Dirt Track World Championship events, the 40-year-old has joined forces with Maryland car owner Dale Beitler to pursue his second consecutive points crown.

 

* Chub Frank, 46, of Bear Lake, Pa., the popular driver known as ‘Chubzilla’ who led the WoO LMS with six victories in 2007 and finished a career-high second in the points standings. The 46-year-old’s sparkling resume includes 13 career WoO LMS wins as well as four STARS/Renegade Series titles and victories in crown-jewel shows such as the World 100, Dirt Track World Championship and North-South 100.

 

* Clint Smith, 42, of Senoia , Ga. , who enjoyed his best WoO LMS campaign ever in 2007, winning four times – all in the Midwest, increasing the national popularity of the Southeastern standout nicknamed ‘Cat Daddy’ – and finishing third in the points standings. A winner of 10 career WoO LMS A-Mains, he’s a former UDTRA/Hav-A-Tampa Series champion and owns four titles with the Southern All-Stars Series.

 

* Shane Clanton, 32, of Locust Grove , Ga. , a still-rising Southern star who steered Ronnie Dobbins’s yellow No. 25 to a pair of triumphs and a fourth-place points finish on the 2007 trail. Tied for 10th on the alltime WoO LMS win list with six victories, he announced his arrival as a national power in 2006 with a second-place finish in the WoO LMS standings and over the past two years has recorded major wins in the Pittsburgher 100 and Magnolia 100.

 

* Rick Eckert, 42, of York , Pa. , the second-winningest driver (15 victories) on the WoO LMS since 2004 and one of only two drivers (Francis is the other) to start all 154 tour A-Mains contested over the past four years. The two-time UDTRA/Hav-A-Tampa Series champion, whose major-event victories include the $100,000 Dirt Late Model Dream and the Dirt Track World Championship, is primed for a return to the spotlight after falling short of a victory en route to a fifth-place finish in the 2007 WoO LMS points standings.

 

* Josh Richards, 19, of Shinnston , W.Va. , who took the next step of his burgeoning career in 2007, becoming a multiple-race WoO LMS winner (four A-Mains) and improving to a personal-best sixth-place finish in the points standings. The 2005 Rookie of the Year and winner of six career WoO LMS A-Mains, ‘Kid Rocket’ is poised to cement his status as dirt Late Model racing’s brightest young star by challenging for the 2008 tour title.

 

* Darrell Lanigan, 37, of Union , Ky. , the driver known as the ‘Bluegrass Bandit’ who won twice and finished seventh in the 2007 points standings. A big-track virtuoso with eight career WoO LMS victories to his credit, his resume boasts triumphs in such dirt Late Model mega-events as the $100,000 Dirt Late Model Dream and Dirt Track World Championship.

 

* Tim Fuller, 40, of Watertown, N.Y., a DIRTcar big-block Modified superstar who established himself as a serious dirt Late Model contender on his way to the 2007 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year Award. Following the big-block Modified-to-dirt Late Model path set by 2006 WoO LMS champ Tim McCreadie, the former Mr. DIRTcar Modified titlist and winner of the prestigious Rite Aid 200 big-block Modified spectacular at the Syracuse (N.Y.) Mile captured his first career WoO LMS A-Main in ’07 and finished eighth in points while still focused on Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series big-block Modified action in the Northeast. He plans to concentrate on full-fender competition in 2008.

 

* Brian Shirley, 26, of Chatham , Ill. , an X-Games-cool young gun who has made a meteoric rise from local UMP DIRTcar Racing action to top contender on the national scene in a mere six years. A former standout in flat-track motorcycle racing, Shirley busted out with a victory in the 2006 Knoxville (Iowa) Late Model Nationals and then hit the WoO LMS road heavily in ’07 with the support of veteran Midwest car owner Ed Petroff, winning his first career tour A-Main and making a run at the Rookie crown despite getting a late start on his travels. He finished ninth in the ’07 standings and is confident he’ll improve this season as a fulltime Outlaw.

 

* Shannon Babb, 34, of Moweaqua , Ill. , a Midwestern superstar who won five WoO LMS A-Mains last season (second only to Frank) and finished 10th in the points standings. After making an off-season move to NASCAR Sprint Cup star Clint Bowyer’s new dirt Late Model team, the ‘Moweaqua Missile’ has committed to pursuing the WoO LMS championship for the first time in his career. He brings along a sterling resume that includes two UMP DIRTcar Racing Summernationals titles, a pair of victories in the Dirt Track World Championship and a Topless 100 win.

 

“We are simply thrilled to have the entire top 10 in points from 2007 committed to touring the country with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series this season,” said Christman, who pointed out that 2006 was the only other season in which the top 10 drivers from the previous year signed on to follow the series. “We have an all-star group of drivers from the Midwest , Northeast and Southeast who are ready to take on the best regional and local racers everywhere we go.

 

“And we’re very proud of the fact that several drivers have progressed through the ranks within our own (World Racing Group) company, coming from the UMP DIRTcar Racing circuit and the DIRTcar Northeast big-block Modified tracks to compete on a national stage with the World of Outlaws. It shows the type of talent that is being developed at DIRTcar Racing tracks across the country.”

 

Added Christman, “This talented driver roster is another big step for the World of Outlaws Late Model Series as we continue to grow and get stronger.”

 

Two more openings in the WoO LMS ‘Winner’s Circle’ travel program remain open and will be determined early in the season by attendance and points standing.

 

In addition, several drivers are making plans to follow much of the 2008 WoO LMS in pursuit of the Rookie of the Year Award. SCR

 

 

 

 

 

 

WELCOME, N.C. - Stephen Leicht will run a minimum of two NASCAR Nationwide Series races in 2008 for Richard Childress Racing’s (RCR) No. 21 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS team.

 

Leicht, 21, of Asheville , N.C. , ran his first full Nationwide Series season in 2007. He captured his first series victory in June at Kentucky Speedway and finished seventh in the point standings on the strength of three top-five and seven top-10 finishes. Leicht made his Nationwide Series debut in October 2005 at Memphis ( Tenn. ) Motorsports Park , the same year he earned the American Speed Association Late Model national championship. He was the American Racing Association rookie of the year in 2003 and earned more than 150 feature wins in quarter midgets and go-karts.

 

“We think Stephen has a lot of talent and we look forward to having him drive the No. 21 Chevrolet for us for at least a couple of races,” said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. “We have a strong driver lineup with Stephen and Bobby Labonte and the team is a proven championship team. We’re actively seeking sponsorship so, once its in place, we feel this is a team that can win races.”

 

Shane Wilson, who served as crew chief for Kevin Harvick and the No. 21 team during its NASCAR Nationwide Series championship season in 2006 and for six wins last season, will return as crew chief of the No. 21 team. It was announced last November that Bobby Labonte, the 2000 Sprint Cup Series and 1991 Nationwide Series champion, will compete in 15 races in the No. 21 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS.

 

“It’s a privilege to be a part of a championship team,” said Leicht. “Dale Earnhardt was one of my idols growing up and I actually got to meet Richard Childress when I was 14 or 15. We joked around about me coming to drive for him and I’ve wanted to ever since. To finally get that opportunity is a great feeling and I just hope I can carry on the winning tradition that Shane and the team has built the past couple of years.” SCR

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOLEDO OH - Officials from the Automobile Racing Club of America and EXEDY Globalparts Corporation (USA) have announced a marketing sponsorship within the ARCA Performance Program, positioning EXEDY as the Official Clutch sponsor of the ARCA RE/MAX Series.

 

EXEDY Globalparts Corporation (USA) is a wholly owned subsidiary of the EXEDY Corporation of Japan. The company’s clutch manufacturing business and prominent brand name Daikin Clutch are known throughout the world for supplying quality powertrain products.

 

The one year agreement includes a $500 per race contingency award, point fund sponsorship and marks Exedy’s entry into the oval stock car racing discipline. During the terms of the company's industrial advertising program with the ARCA RE/MAX series, Exedy is considering the development of 5 1/2” and 7 1/4” inch multi-plate clutches for oval track stock car racing.

 

“Exedy has been successful in all forms of motorsport around the world including Formula One,” said Bernie Solomons, vice president for Exedy Globalparts Corporation. “We have discussed becoming involved in oval track stock car racing for some time, and ARCA has provided us the right platform from which to enter the sport.”

 

The EXEDY Group supplies Manual Clutches, Flywheels, Torque Converters, AT Friction Plates or other advanced Powertrain Components to all 11 vehicle manufacturers in Japan as well as many other worldwide vehicle manufacturers, construction and machinery industries including General Motors and Ford. EXEDY Globalparts (USA) now distributes aftermarket EXEDY, Daikin and Dynax (AT related) products for all of North, Central and South America. SCR

 

 

 

 

 

 

DOVER, Del. — He’s been portrayed as an intimidating, car crushing creature who wreaks havoc on NASCAR’s most skilled competitors. He’s been molded into the winner’s trophy, playfully mimicked by victorious drivers, featured in a comic book, and posed as an action figure. In 2008, Miles the Monster will become the largest attraction at a NASCAR track and will be one of the tallest fiberglass structures in the world. The Monster Monument will stand 46-feet-tall amongst race fans in the newly created Victory Plaza at Dover International Speedway.

 

The Monster Monument at Victory Plaza will be completed prior to the May 30 – June 1, 2008 race weekend and will become a new focal point for race fans visiting the Monster Mile. Nearly five stories tall, the structure depicts the monster bursting out of the concrete ground, carrying with him a full-scale stock car in his right hand that will hover high over race fans below. Glowing red eyes and a menacing grin will make the monster a “must see” for race fans visiting the Monster Mile in June, September, and all year round. Motorists on Route 1, the major highway behind the Speedway, will also be able to see the Monster Monument’s bright red eyes when commuting past the track.

 

The 60-foot-round base of the monument will serve as a tribute to all Dover race winners and legendary drivers who make their mark at the Monster Mile. Special driver dedications will be commemorated around the base of the monument which will also include a chronological listing of Dover winners by race and series. Richard Petty and Bobby Allison, each with seven career wins at Dover, will be the first drivers to be honored. Details regarding the special dedications and ceremonies will be announced prior to the June race weekend.

 

Located outside Turn 4 of the one-mile oval, Victory Plaza will welcome race fans who are entering the facility from Leipsic Road, the various RV lots, and the parking areas located on the east side of the Speedway. Fans will walk through a new archway and up a colorful walkway as they make their way towards the Monster Monument, new FanZone, souvenir haulers and frontstretch grandstands.

 

The FanZone has doubled in size since last year and now encompasses 7.8 acres of land at the Speedway. The expansion eliminates the road formerly known as Old Leipsic Road. The FanZone features fan experiences, sampling, interactive attractions, driver appearances and more. It’s free and open to the public every day of race weekend.

 

“We’re excited about the second phase of Monster Makeover construction,” said Denis McGlynn, president & CEO of Dover Motorsports, Inc. “From the building of the Monster Monument to the expansion of the FanZone, race fans of all ages and interest levels will have more to see and do at the track on race weekend than ever before.”

 

Contractor ACI Composites, Inc. was chosen for the development of the fiberglass monument. ACI will construct the structure at their facility in Lancaster, Pa. before assembling the monument on site at Dover in April 2008. Kent Construction began working at Dover in late-October 2007 and will be responsible for all other site construction.

Also under construction is a 3,800 sq. foot emergency services building that will be completed in time for the May 30 – June 1, 2008 event weekend. The building is centrally located near Gate 1 of the Speedway, and will provide an improved base of operations for Dover's emergency response system. The new facility will further enhance the Speedway's emergency response efforts on race weekends.

 

The Monster Makeover is a multi-year, multi-million dollar capital improvement project at Dover International Speedway. The first phase of construction was complete before the start of the 2007 race season and included a new skybox complex and an expansion of the Infield Media Center among other site improvements. Additional capital improvement plans will be announced later in 2008 after bids are received and contracts have been awarded. SCR

Photo: Dover Motorsports

  

 

 

  

 

 

Concord, NC - When Kerry Madsen returns to his native land of Australia each year to compete during the International season, there are a couple of events that he circles on his calendar, and one of those is the Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic at Sungold Stadium Premier Speedway in Warrnambool , Victoria .

 

The native of St. Mary’s, NSW, Australia has had a great deal of success in the event and entering Sunday’s night’s 40-lap finale, he had been victorious in the race three consecutive times.

 

The reigning Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year made it four consecutive wins in the event, as he bested American Jason Johnson and Australian sprint car legend Max Dumesny. Brooke Tatnell who won twice with the Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series in 2007 finished fourth, while former series winner Mark Dobmeier was fifth.

 

After a third-place showing on Friday night in the preliminary feature, Madsen began Sunday night by finishing second in the 14th heat race. He followed that up with a third-place run in the 17th heat. Each night of the Grand Annual Classic, 10 heat races were contested, with each driver taking part in two of those during each racing program, and earning points that determined where they would start in the A-Feature.

 

Madsen lined up fourth for the main event, and quickly moved into third on the opening lap, getting around Johnson. He next set his sights on Ian Loudoun and passed him on the second lap to move into the second position. He then shadowed Dumesny for the next 14 laps, before taking the lead on the 16th circuit. Madsen would go on to lead the rest of the 40-lap contest, which was run in just under nine minutes. The two-time Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series winner set a torrid pace as only six cars finished on the lead lap.

 

The win was his second of the International Sprint Car season, as he also was victorious at Perth Motorplex with the World Series Sprintcars back in November.

 

Madsen will return to action in Australia on Thursday, Friday and Saturday in the Australian Sprint Car Nationals at Tyrepower Parramatta City Raceway, before returning to the United States .

 

The 30th anniversary Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series season begins on February 8, 2008 with the 37th Annual Alltel DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park , with tickets available at: http://www.VolusiaSpeedwayPark.com. SCR

 

 

 

 

 

 

As FOX Sports prepares to begin its eighth year of NASCAR coverage, the network revs its engine with the unveiling of 2008 NASCAR on FOX broadcast schedule. Prior to exclusive, live coverage of the 50th Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 17, FOX Sports hits the gas on its Emmy Award-winning coverage with night racing from Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, Feb. 9 (8 p.m. ET) with The Budweiser Shootout. This 70-lap exhibition pits last season's Sprint Cup pole winners and past champions in an all-out "sprint" for the checkered flag.

 

Mike Joy, with almost 40 years in racing, returns as race announcer, and is joined by NASCAR racing legend Darrell Waltrip and former champion crew chief Larry McReynolds, who return to provide race analysis for all NASCAR on FOX events. Prerace coverage is again hosted by Chris Myers with analyst Jeff Hammond, and returning to cover pit road are reporters Dick Berggren, Steve Byrnes, Krista Voda and Matt Yocum.

 

In all, FOX Sports airs 13 NASCAR Sprint Cup points races, highlighted by races from Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday, March 2; Texas Motor Speedway on Sunday, April 6; Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday, April 27; NASCAR racing from Charlotte on Sunday, May 25 from Lowe's Motor Speedway on Memorial Day weekend and the NASCAR on FOX season finale from Dover, Delaware on Sunday, June 1. In addition to its Sprint Cup coverage, FOX Sports presents two live Craftsman Truck Series races: Saturday, Feb. 23 from California Speedway and Saturday, March 29 from Martinsville Speedway.

 

Date	Track	Event	Time
Sat. Feb. 9	Daytona Int'l Speedway	Budweiser Shootout	8 p.m.
Sun. Feb. 10	Daytona Int'l Speedway	Daytona 500 Qualifying	1 p.m.
Sun. Feb. 17	Daytona Int'l Speedway	Daytona 500	2 p.m.
Sat. Feb. 23	California Speedway	NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series	3 p.m.
Sun. Feb. 24	California Speedway	NASCAR Racing from Fontana	3:30 p.m.
Sun. March 2	Las Vegas Motor Speedway	NASCAR Racing from Las Vegas	3:30 p.m.
Sun. March 9	Atlanta Motor Speedway	NASCAR Racing from Atlanta	1:30 p.m.
Sun. March 16	Bristol Motor Speedway	NASCAR Racing from Bristol	1:30 p.m.
Sat. March 29	Martinsville Speedway	NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series	3 p.m.
Sun. March 30	Martinsville Speedway	NASCAR Racing from Martinsville	1:30 p.m.
Sun. April 6	Texas Motor Speedway	NASCAR Racing from Fort Worth	1:30 p.m.
Sat. April 12	Phoenix Int'l Speedway	NASCAR Racing from Phoenix	8 p.m.
Sun. April 27	Talladega Superspeedway	NASCAR Racing from Talladega	1:30 p.m.
Sat. May 3	Richmond Int'l Raceway	NASCAR Racing from Richmond	7 p.m.
Sat. May 10	Darlington Raceway	NASCAR Racing from Darlington	7 p.m.
Sun. May 25	Lowe's Motor Raceway	NASCAR Racing from Charlotte	5 p.m.
Sun. June 1	Dover Int'l Raceway	NASCAR Racing from Dover	1:30 p.m.

 

 

NASCAR star Dale Earnhardt Jr. is the focus of a new television series on ESPN, Dale Jr. – Shifting Gears, premiering prior to next month’s opening of the 2008 NASCAR season. The five-part series chronicles Earnhardt’s move from Dale Earnhardt Inc., the team founded by his father, to Hendrick Motorsports, in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

 

The first episode airs Friday, Feb. 8, at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2.  The series provides viewers with a behind-the-scenes look at the personal, corporate and competitive ramifications involved with the five-time NASCAR Most Popular Driver award recipient changing teams. Dale Jr. – Shifting Gears is produced by Earnhardt Jr.’s Hammerhead Entertainment, a division of JR Motorsports, in cooperation with Hendrick Motorsports and is presented by the National Guard.

 

The new program is part of an exclusive, multimedia agreement between ESPN and Hammerhead Entertainment.

 

“We were working on a new DVD about my life and the guys kept getting more and more footage, so they decided to put a whole TV show together to document the biggest career decision I’ve ever made,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “The past year of my life has been a roller coaster, and it’s pretty cool that we’re giving everyone an inside look at how everything came together.”

 

Three of the five episodes of Shifting Gears air on ESPN2 in the nine days prior to the Daytona 500, including following ESPN2’s live coverage of NASCAR Nationwide Series qualifying on Friday, Feb. 15, and the NASCAR Nationwide Series Camping World 300 at Daytona on Saturday, Feb. 16. The final two episodes air on ESPN in prime time the week of the July 27 Allstate 400 at the Brickyard, ESPN’s first live NASCAR Sprint Cup event of the season.

 

The pre-season episodes reveal never-before-seen footage from the 2007 press conferences and fan response to the announcements. Shifting Gears also chronicles the design process of the new paint schemes, the makings of Earnhardt Jr.’s Adidas fire suit and how the driver of the No. 88 Mountain Dew AMP/National Guard Chevrolet handles the pressure of working with new sponsors as he prepares for his first season with Hendrick Motorsports.

 

The final two episodes, each one hour in length, will catch up with Earnhardt Jr. and the Hendrick team as he chases his first NASCAR Sprint Cup championship.

 

“Dale Jr.’s move to Hendrick Motorsports is obviously one of the most intriguing storylines heading into the 2008 NASCAR season,” said John Skipper, ESPN executive vice president, content. “This new series will not only help NASCAR fans gear up for the new season, but also will present a side of Dale Jr. that fans have never seen before.”

 

Previews and additional video from the show will be made available on ESPN.com Video and DaleJr.com starting next week and the full episodes will be made available shortly after they air on ESPN2 on ESPN MobileTV and ESPN.com Video.

 

The air schedule (all times Eastern):

 

Friday, Feb. 8	7-8 p.m.	ESPN2
Friday, Feb. 15	6:30-8 p.m.	ESPN2
Saturday, Feb. 16	4:30-6 p.m.	ESPN2
Thursday, July 24	7-8 p.m.	ESPN
Friday, July 25	7-8 p.m.	ESPN

 

Click here to view a trailer of Dale Jr. – Shifting Gears. SCR

 

 

 

 

 

 

DEARBORN, Mich. - Three longtime Ford Motor Company icons are teaming up again in 2008: The Motorcraft brand, Bill Elliott and the Wood Brothers.

 

Motorcraft, a Ford Motor Company brand of automotive parts ranging from filters and spark plugs to engines and transmissions, will be the primary sponsor on the famed Wood Brothers No. 21 NASCAR Sprint Cup Ford Fusion for eight races (see schedule below), beginning in April at Texas and culminating with the season-ending Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

 

The Motorcraft brand will also be an associate sponsor for all other 2008 NASCAR events.

 

“We’re very pleased and proud to continue our long-standing relationship with Wood Brothers Racing. The Woods are synonymous with Ford, and we are delighted to be associated with such a tremendous group of people,” said Geoff Smith, Motorcraft Motorsports Manager. “And, we’re really excited that Bill Elliott is back with the Motorcraft team. He’s a legend. We see NASCAR as a perfect venue to serve as a reward and recognition opportunity for our customers.”

 

Bill Elliott, the 1988 NASCAR champion driving a Coors/Motorcraft Thunderbird, is scheduled to be the driver for all of Motorcraft’s races. Elliott, Motorcraft and the Wood Brothers first joined forces last season.

 

“Motorcraft has always been great to me,” said Elliott. “It’s a great brand, and they’re a great bunch of people, and I’m just excited to be back in the Motorcraft program. My association with them began in the middle-to-late ’80s and they were on my car when we won a championship, so the opportunity to represent them again near the end of my career means a lot.”

 

Motorcraft first sponsored Wood Brothers Racing in 2001.

 

“It’s great to have Motorcraft back with us again this year,” said Wood Brothers Racing co-owner Eddie Wood. “This will be the eighth consecutive year that Motorcraft has been involved with our program, and I’m really proud of that. They have been loyal to us, we have always been loyal to them and Ford Motor Company. It makes you feel good. It makes you feel like family.”

 

The Wood Brothers are acknowledged pioneers in the sport of stock-car racing, and have earned 96 wins in over 50 years of NASCAR competition – second most in Ford Racing history.

 

This sponsorship complements the Motorcraft and Quick Lane Tire & Auto Centers sponsorship in NHRA Funny Car competition announced last week.

 

The two Ford Customer Service Division (FCSD) brands will adorn the Shelby Mustang Nitro Funny Car of Bob Tasca III as he attempts to win rookie-of-the-year honors in NHRA, starting in Pomona, Calif., on Feb. 7.

 

FCSD and its associated brands have won a place in the hearts and minds of racing fans everywhere since the mid-1980s, including sponsoring Ford hall-of-famer drag racer Bob Glidden, a 10-time NHRA Pro Stock champion, and NASCAR champions Bill Elliott and Dale Jarrett.

 

Its brands have visited victory lane and won championships in NASCAR, HDRA, SCORE, IMSA GT and GTO and SCCA Trans-Am throughout the years.

 

2008 Motorcraft Primary Sponsor NASCAR Sprint Cup Schedule

 

April 6               Texas Motor Speedway

April 12             Phoenix International Raceway

June 15             Michigan International Speedway

July 27              Indianapolis Motor Speedway

August 23          Bristol Motor Speedway

September 14   New Hampshire Motor Speedway

October 5          Talladega Superspeedway

November 16    Homestead-Miami Speedway SCR

  

 

 

 

 

 

MOORESVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA - Veteran driver Chad Chaffin has again been tapped by Key Motorsports owner Curtis W. Key, Sr. to pilot the team’s primary #40 Chevrolet Silverado in selected races during the soon-to-begin, 2008 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season.

 

Chaffin, 39, will start the process with the Chevy Silverado 250 at the Daytona International Speedway on February 15. It will be the third season in which Chaffin has driven for the team that will be running the complete NCTS schedule for the third consecutive season. Chaffin will run the next three races on the schedule as well at California , Atlanta and Martinsville after which a decision will be made on future race dates.

 

“Chad is a veteran, and when we called upon him last year to run the last eight races of the season to truly show how good our race trucks can be, he performed,” Key commented. “Chad posted the two best finishes we have ever scored in the truck series with a seventh at Martinsville and an eight place finish in Talladega . He was my logical choice to begin the ‘08 season,” Key added.

 

Chaffin was also Key’s choice to drive the #40 Chevy in 2006 when Key Motorsports became a full-time team in the Craftsman Truck Series after limited activity the previous two years. That tour, however, only lasted seven races in which Chaffin qualified for only two of them. That is when the #40 Chevrolet did not have the benefit of a top 30 position in owner’s points from the year before and was forced to qualify into each event.

 

Citing his need to dedicate his time to a top 30 in owner points position he qualified for only two of them. That is when the #40 Chevrolet to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series obligation he had with Bob Jenkins, Front Row Motorsports, Chaffin opted to leave the Key operation after the 2006 race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte only to return for the final third of the schedule last season.

 

“I had more fun driving Curtis’s trucks last year than I had driving for anyone in quite a while,” stated Chaffin, who in the process scored Key Motorsports best-ever NCTS finishes with a 7th at Martinsville and an 8th at Talladega last fall.

 

 “They (Key Motorsports) have some really good equipment and have actually made them better during this off-season. With improved motors, and Gary (crew chief Showalter) and Tommy (Director of Competition Morgan) calling the shots and overseeing the operation, there is no reason why we can’t have a top 10 or top 15 truck every week. I’m really looking forward to getting this new season started,” Chaffin added.

 

The team bypassed the first two open truck series test sessions in Daytona and Atlanta for a variety of reasons, and one of them was getting their engines re-done with the latest combinations and having the newly-mandated manifolds approved by NASCAR. Key doesn’t believe that it will hinder the team’s effort when the season finally begins.

 

 “We have three proven speedway trucks that have all run up front and really good in the draft in races over the last two years at Daytona and Talladega ,” Key explained. “We’ve made some body changes to each of them that really showed up well in the wind tunnel, and with more horsepower, we should be even better in 2008. I really want to show everyone that this small, independent team can run with the big boys,” Key ended.

 

Chaffin surpassed two personal NCTS milestones while running for Key Motorsports last year.

 

He passed the 100 mark in career starts (he now has 102) and the $1 million mark in earnings ($1,242,718) over an 8-season span and has the opportunity to help Key commemorate his own milestone when the #40 or #44 Chevrolet (Key Motorsports owns both numbers) runs the team’s 13th overall race in 2008.

 

That will mark Key’s 100th career NASCAR race start covering two circuits (Craftsman Truck and the Nationwide Series) over an 11-year span.

 

 

“We have a chance to really show improvement this coming year and Chad (Chaffin) will be a big part of that,” Key ended. He is counting on improved performances to help lure sponsorship for his team that will enter the Daytona opener and all subsequent races with a clean race truck.

 

“One of these days a company is going to realize that we have a good product and that this organization takes care of its sponsors. We will be making an announcement soon of a sponsor that will back us for a limited number of races this season, but we are still looking for that one big sponsor that can fund our program for the balance of the season,” Key added. SCR

 

 

 

 

 

 

PHOENIX , Ariz. - Kyle Petty’s Victory Invitational Golf Tournament has announced a partnership with Tylenol for the NASCAR-themed golf benefit scheduled to take place in the Greater Phoenix area on Thursday, February 28, 2008.

 

Tylenol will join Kyle Petty’s Victory Invitational as a Victory-level sponsor. Since being named NASCAR’s Official Pain Reliever prior to the 2007 season, Tylenol has been strong in its activation and partnership with the nation’s leading motorsports body.

 

The firm connection between Tylenol and NASCAR is likely no more evident anywhere than in the comical “Team Tylenol” television commercials, starring Elliott Sadler and other NASCAR stars. Sadler will appear on behalf of Team Tylenol at the invitational, where the Pennsylvania-based brand will take over naming rights of the driving range: Driving with Elliott Sadler Sponsored by Tylenol.

 

The focus of Kyle Petty’s Victory Invitational Celebrity Golf Tournament is to create a charitable partnership to raise funds for the Victory Junction Gang Camp and the Arizona State University College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation.

 

By joining forces, both organizations can leverage their strengths by making a better tomorrow for children stricken with serious illness. Proceeds from the tournament and surrounding events will help support ongoing efforts to improve the quality of life for children diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses, support for their families, and contribute to the ongoing training for the professionals who treat them. It’s a commitment to health, dreams, and education. SCR

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charlotte, NC – Nationwide Insurance the new series sponsor of NASCAR’s number two series announced today key new initiatives that will be launched to enhance the experience of the NASCAR Nationwide Series for fans, drivers and teams.

 

Some of the new initiatives will include a new fantasy league called Up to Speed Challenge, a partnership with ESPN.  Also Nationwide Insurance will provide the largest sponsor contribution to the NASCAR Nationwide Series points fund in series history.

 

Up to Speed Challenge will be a season-long interactive contest, fans will be asked to pick the winning driver in a series of speed categories. The fan with the most points at the end of the season will win a $100,000 grand prize. Weekly winners may get some of the best seats at the track or autographed merchandise. To play fans can log onto ESPN.com. SCR

Matthew Blaylock

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tony Stewart, who has spent his entire NASCAR Cup Series career at Joe Gibbs Racing, says he is in no rush to begin talks regarding a contract extension with the successful racing operation.

 

"Right now I just want to get started with this year," Stewart said Tuesday. "I'm really not concerned about the end of '09 right now because we've still got to get through '08.

 

"Obviously, it's a topic with the team here, and they want to get it taken care of, but right now I want to see how the beginning of this year goes. Get halfway through the season before we even worry about talking about it again."

 

Stewart's contract ends after the 2009 season. Since moving into Cup at JGR in 1999, he has won two Cup titles (2002, 2005) and 32 races. He finished sixth a year ago after climbing as high as second in points following the second event in the Chase For The Nextel Cup.

 

A change in manufacturer - the team will field Toyotas in 2008 after a long, successful stint with General Motors products - is of a more pressing concern to the 36-year-old Stewart.

 

"There's nothing that has to be done right now anyway," he said of contract talks. "I'm here. It's about now to me; it's not about what's going to happen.

 

"Right now ... we've got a big change with a new manufacturer coming in, let's worry about running good and winning races and worry about the rest of it [later]."

 

Stewart and crew chief Greg Zipadelli have been paired together since Stewart departed the open-wheel ranks to make the move to NASCAR. The union's longevity has surprised team owner Joe Gibbs.

 

"I think they both share a passion; they grew up the same way," Gibbs said. "... I think they share a lot in common. Both are real, real competitive. The amazing thing is that they are both a lot alike as far as their personalities. Both of them will spark up on you. But they've been able to hit it off. Hat's off to somebody, because as we all know, that's a tough relationship to keep together.

 

There have been times, Gibbs said, when he wasn't certain the pairing would last.

 

"I was worried during races, but not ... once we got off the track," he said. "They both are fiery. sometimes in races we'd go 50 laps without them talking to each other ... I'd be going, 'Gosh, say something, will you?' "They've got great communication and have been very successful."

 

Continuing that success, Gibbs said, will be crucial to re-signing his No. 1 driver.

 

"We know that Tony is someone that's always wanted to win races," he said. "Our job is to always give him the best stuff. Hopefully, that's what we wind up doing here."

  

 

 

  

 

 

MARTINSVILLE, VA. - With the NASCAR Sprint Cup season right around the corner, Martinsville Speedway officials announced today that the track’s ticket-office hours will be expanded.

 

The expanded hours will coincide with the kickoff of the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup season in February.

 

Beginning February 16, Martinsville Speedway ’s ticket office will open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The expanded hours will be in effect until the Goody’s Cool Orange 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Martinsville Speedway on March 30.

 

The speedway will maintain its normal hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

 

“We know that it’s difficult for some fans to contact us during normal business hours and we want to make it as easy as possible for anyone to buy tickets,” said Martinsville Speedway president Clay Campbell .

 

Tickets for both the Goody’s Cool Orange 500 on Sunday, March 30, and the Kroger 250, on Saturday, March 29, are on sale and can be purchased by calling 1.877.RACE.TIX or online at www.martinsvillespeedway.com. Ticket prices for the Goody’s Cool Orange 500 range from $42 to $77.

 

Tickets for the Kroger 250 are $37 in advance, $42 on race day. Kroger 250 tickets for children ages 6 to 12 are $5.

 

The Goody’s Cool Orange 500 weekend kicks off on March 28 with Carilion Pole Day with NASCAR Sprint Cup Series qualifying. SCR

 

 

 

 

 

 

Martinsville, Virginia - Team ASE (Automotive Service Excellence), the longest running team sponsor in Craftsman Truck Series history and veteran NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Champion driver Ted Musgrave will join forces once again in 2008.  Musgrave will pilot the No. 59 Team ASE Toyota Tundra fielded by HT Motorsports and led by champion crew chief Danny Rollins.  Rollins led the late Bobby Hamilton to a Truck Series Championship in 2004.  Musgrave won the NCTS title in 2005 with former series’ team Ultra Motorsports.  Last season, Musgrave finished seventh in the driver standings behind the wheel of the No. 9 Team ASE Toyota.  Musgrave scored one win, seven Top-5 and 15 Top-10 finishes in 2007.

 

Musgrave made his NASCAR debut in the former NASCAR Busch Series (now Nationwide) in 1989.  Musgrave scored a pair of Top-10 finishes and one Top-5 in 22 starts.  In 1990, Musgrave made his Cup Series debut, collecting 55 Top-10 finishes, 20 Top-5 finishes in 305 starts spanning 14 years in NASCAR’s elite division.  Musgrave's nine-year, ongoing career in the Craftsman Truck Series began in 1995 where he has posted 113 Top-10 finishes, 80 Top-5 finishes and 17 wins along with the 2005 Championship title.

 

Musgrave got familiar with his No. 59 HT Motorsports Toyota crew at Daytona Preseason Thunder test sessions held last weekend at Daytona International Speedway on Jan. 11 - 13.  Musgrave posted the sixth fastest time in the final session on Sunday.

 

“The guys on this HT Motorsports team really did a great job last weekend,” said Musgrave.  "My truck was great.  It drove well and balanced well also.  I appreciate all of their hard work and really look forward to a very successful season.”

 

2008 marks the fifth year for HT Motorsports in NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series competition.  HT Motorsports boasts an impressive driver roster that has included three-time Cup Series champion Darrell Waltrip, three-time Nationwide series champion Randy LaJoie, Stacy Compton and most recently Terry Cook. 

 

HT Motorsports is owned by Jim Harris, who has been involved in motorsports for many years.  Harris, a Virginia resident, is CEO of Harris Trucking Co. and operates the team in a state-of-the-art facility in Martinsville , Virginia .

 

“I really look forward to the addition of Team ASE and Ted to our program,” stated Harris.  “We truly appreciate the confidence they have shown in this organization so far and I think we have a bright future.  Adding someone with the talent and experience like Ted is not only exciting for me but everyone associated with the team.  We all look for a very successful 2008 season.” SCR

 

 

 

 

 

 

CORNELIUS, N.C. - Wednesday night, sitting on a stage with racing royalty, 23-year-old Michael McDowell heard the words he thought were only audible in his dreams as Michael Waltrip announced his organization’s 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver lineup.

 

Waltrip officially revealed that the Arizona native will drive the #00 Toyota Camry for Michael Waltrip Racing, beginning on March 30th at Martinsville Speedway, joining MWR’s driver lineup of Waltrip, Dale Jarrett and David Reutimann.

 

Reutimann will start the season in the #00 Toyota Camry while Jarrett finishes out his career in the #44 UPS Toyota Camry, running the first five races on the schedule.  Jarrett will turn the #44 UPS ride over to Reutimann and McDowell will fill the seat vacated in the #00 by Reutimann starting at Martinsville . 

 

“We are proud to have Michael join our organization as we field three full-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams and a Nationwide Series team for a second year in a row,” Waltrip said. “To be honest, at first I was apprehensive only because I know how difficult the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series is and what challenges it presents. After testing with Michael, I learned firsthand that he is intense, knowledgeable of racing and more importantly he was fast at all of our test sessions. Those factors set my mind at ease. I feel like he will do a great job and it is our job to prepare the best cars we can for him and provide the best opportunity to hone his driving talents.”

 

McDowell, a four-time race winner, nine-time pole-sitter and Rookie of the Year in the 2007 ARCA RE/MAX Series, has been sharpening and showcasing his skills with extensive testing in preparations to drive the #00 Toyota Camry. McDowell will take into account everything he has learned from testing as he begins to write his first chapter in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with Waltrip’s guidance.

 

“It is humbling that I will be able to compete in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with Michael Waltrip Racing and Toyota ,” McDowell said. “With Michael making the announcement tonight, it makes it official and solidifies everything that I have worked so hard for in my career with help from friends and family and especially Rob Finlay. Rob has been with me each step of the way and has supported me. He stood up for me and said, ‘Hey, this guy can do it.’ That led to me competing for the ARCA RE/MAX Series championship with Eddie Sharp Racing. Through knowledge of the business and his financial support over the years, he has helped propel me to the pinnacle of our sport.”

 

The ascent to a Sprint Cup opportunity may seem quick to most observers, but not to McDowell.

 

“Even though I am only 23, it feels like I’ve been doing this a long time,” McDowell said. “I started racing professionally in 2003 and I’ve been hard at it ever since. It has not been a long career, but it has been five years of trying to put deals together and trying to make it from one series to the next without having money.”

 

Times are changing and McDowell is not letting this newfound opportunity pass him by.

 

“Michael said at a press conference last year that I was a candidate for the #00 Toyota Camry, but said that if I couldn’t get the job done somebody else would,” McDowell said. “Sitting in the audience with the media, I will never forget that. It pushes me even more to be prepared and I’m glad he said it. It’s game time and there is no time to celebrate this opportunity. It’s time to get serious.”

 

McDowell is extremely focused and also serious about being a 2008 Raybestos Rookie of the Year contender joining a formidable class, which includes Dario Franchitti, Regan Smith, Sam Hornish Jr., Patrick Carpentier and Jacques Villeneuve.

 

“There is so much talent in the rookie class this year,” McDowell said. “It’s going to be tough, but I’m up for the challenge. I’m anxious to see how I stack up and what I’ve got to work on as a Raybestos Rookie in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.”

 

Last year with Eddie Sharp Racing, McDowell won Rookie of the Year honors in the ARCA RE/MAX Series, four races, nine poles, and led the most laps en route to finishing second in the championship standings to eight-time champion Frank Kimmel.

 

“Driving for Eddie Sharp Racing bridged a relationship with Michael Waltrip Racing,” McDowell said. “It opened a door for me to get to know Cal (Wells III), Ty (Norris) and Michael. I was able to drive a few races for them last year and it transpired from there. I’m so thankful for this chance of a lifetime and look forward to this season.”

 

Before making his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series debut, McDowell will run the Spirit of Daytona entry during the Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway with Guy Cosmo and Marc Camirand. He is also scheduled to drive the #00 Toyota Camry in the NASCAR Nationwide Series Camping World 300 at the 2.5-mile tri-oval. SCR

 

 

 

 

 

 

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. – One of the more memorable experiences for the recently crowned NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion during Champions Week in New York City is his trip to the famed New York Stock Exchange to ring the closing bell.

 

In what could be a prelude of things to come, Marc Davis, the 17-year-old development driver for Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR), will travel to New York on Feb. 6 to ring the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange.

 

Davis is literally on the fast track to becoming a regular in NASCAR’s top touring division.  And while it’s typically the Sprint Cup Series champion who rings the closing bell on the exchange, Davis will do it to ring in Black History Month.

 

Black History Month is a remembrance of the significant contributions made by African-Americans and the critical events they participated in that shaped America ’s National Story.  The young and talented Davis is an appropriate ambassador for the February celebration.

 

An African-American who has ascended from racing Late Model stock cars at Carolina bullrings to campaigning full-fledged stock cars in the regional NASCAR Camping World Series East division, Davis has made the most of his opportunity with JGR’s driver development program.

 

The driver development program was founded by Joe Gibbs, a winner of three Super Bowls as head coach of the NFL’s Washington Redskins and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and the late Reggie White.  In partnership with White, a Hall of Fame defensive end who played for the Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers and Carolina Panthers during a 15-year NFL career, JGR formed the driver development program in May 2003 to create a grassroots stock car team that would identify and assist minorities with the desire and talent to make a career in motorsports.  In January 2004, the program became reality, thanks in large part to the support of JGR’s sponsors. 

 

As part of that reality, JGR was the first NASCAR team to create a driver development program that assisted minorities, the first team to put its development drivers in victory lane, and the first to graduate one of its protégés to the elite Sprint Cup Series.

 

On April 10, 2005, Chris Bristol, one of JGR’s original development drivers, started fifth in a 50-lap Late Model race at historic Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway and finished first, becoming the first African-American driver to win in the track’s 55-year history.

 

Since then, JGR has allowed Aric Almirola, a Tampa, Fla.-native of Cuban descent, to climb from campaigning Late Model stock cars for JGR to earning a ride in the Sprint Cup Series for Dale Earnhardt Inc., where he shares the No. 8 car with veteran NASCAR driver Mark Martin.

 

Davis is the latest driver to find success with JGR.  He won multiple races at Hickory in the Limited Late Model and Late Model ranks, and when he won his first race on March 25, 2006, he became just the second African-American to win a stock car race at Hickory , joining Bristol .

 

Davis, who moved with his father, Harry, to Mooresville , N.C. , from Silver Spring , Md. , to pursue a racing career, used his success at Hickory to move into the Camping World Series East division, the regional NASCAR touring series that features a 13-race schedule at tracks predominantly based in New England and the Mid-Atlantic.  With backing from JGR, Davis scored five top-five and seven top-10 finishes in 2007, including a season-best runner-up effort on April 19 to JGR teammate Joey Logano at Phoenix International Raceway.

 

In 2008, Davis will continue in the Camping World Series East division, and continue his quest toward a full-time drive in NASCAR’s pinnacle division – the Sprint Cup Series.

 

“I’m doing exactly what I’ve always wanted to do,” Davis said.  “Everything I’ve done in life has been about racing, and to have this kind of opportunity means everything.  No one has higher expectations than me.”

 

As Davis pursues his dream, he has gained notoriety.  With increased recognition have come opportunities not usually bestowed upon the average 17-year-old.  Then again, Davis is far from average.

 

“Going to New York and ringing the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange is going to be a pretty cool deal,” said Davis, who could have hardly envisioned that a trip to Wall Street would be in the cards when he began racing BMX bikes at age six.  “I’ve seen that image on the news I don’t know how many times.  To think that’ll be me in a couple of weeks is kind of hard to believe.  And to do it on behalf of Black History Month makes it even more important.  It’s a moment I’m definitely looking forward to.”

 

The invitation to Davis was extended by NYSE Euronext to mark Black History Month.

 

“The New York Stock Exchange will be honored to have Marc Davis, his team and sponsors join us to celebrate Black History Month,” said Robert A. Marchman, EVP-Enforcement/Risk, NYSE Regulation, as well as chairman of NYSE Euronext’s Diversity Council.  “Marc is not only a pioneer among African-Americans in auto racing, but also an outstanding role model for young people in the minority community.  The commitment by Marc, Joe Gibbs Racing and others to expand opportunities for minorities through education is consistent with NYSE Euronext’s own commitment to diversity and financial literacy.  During Black History Month, it is fitting to reflect on the past and look ahead as well, highlighting Marc’s good work, accomplishments and bright future by inviting him to ring the NYSE bell.”

 

Joining Davis on the Big Board’s balcony will be Harry Davis, Marc’s father and manager; Joe Gibbs, owner of JGR; J.D. Gibbs, president of JGR; Sara White, widow of Reggie White; Brian France, chairman and CEO of NASCAR; Dan Hesse, president and CEO of Sprint; Norm Miller, chairman of Interstate Batteries; Tommy Miller, vice chairman of the board, Interstate Batteries; Jim Watkins, general manager of Howard University Radio WHUR-FM; Laurie Tucker, senior vice president of global marketing, FedEx; Michele Kessler, president of M&M’s and CMO of Mars, Inc.; Robert A. Marchman, EVP-Enforcement/Risk, NYSE Regulation; and Dale Bernstein, EVP-Human Resources, NYSE Euronext.

 

Davis is currently a senior at Mooresville Christian Academy and will graduate this May. SCR

 

 

 

 

 

 

Daytona Beach, FL – Country music dup Brooks & Dunn will headline the pre-race show of the 50th running of the Daytona 500. In addition to Brooks & Dunn, Chubby Checker. Michael McDonald and Kool & the Gang will rock the high-profile pre-race entertainment stage, bringing together an amazing collection of musical icons from different musical eras.

 

Brooks & Dunn will perform such hits as Hard Workin’ Man and Proud of the House we Built during the pre-race festivities.

 

The performance by Brooks& Dunn will air live before millions of national television viewers on FOX and more than 200,000 energized race fans on-site at historic Daytona International Speedway (DIS) prior to NASCAR's biggest, richest and most prestigious race on Sunday, Feb. 17, 2008.

 

"The pre-race extravaganza, the culmination of events leading up to NASCAR's biggest, richest and most prestigious race, will set the standard for pre-race activities in the industry," said DIS President Robin Braig.  "The energy and talent behind the Sprint Pre-Race show will be a great compliment to the many exciting things we have in store for the historic 50th Running Weekend."

 

Chubby Checker will sing his 1950’s hit The Twist, Michael McDonald will perform his 1970’s hit Takin' It To The Streets and Kool and the Gang will perform their number 1 hit song Celebration.

 

Joining Brooks & Dunn and the rest of the pre-race talent will be nearly 4,000 cast members on the Speedway's historic five acre tri-oval grass.  And in the heart-pumping pre-race revelry will be a star-studded list of musical talent to be announced at a later date.

 

Additional performers and dynamic special effects will give the show an unforgettable atmosphere.  The pre-race will arguably include a larger cast than any show of its kind, at any sporting event. SCR

Matthew Blaylock

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sprint Cup officials have changed the name and logo for the annual all-star race, added a few laps to each segment and indicated that the race will remain in Charlotte beyond this season.

 

The race will be the NASCAR Sprint Cup All-Star Race XXIV. The event was previously known as the Challenge, but officials say they decided to call it what it is - a race. The race involving drivers not already qualified for the event, previously known as the Nextel Open, will now be called the Sprint Showdown.

 

While the all-star race will still feature four segments, the former 20-lap segments have been lengthened to 25 laps each, giving drivers more time to actually race.

 

The walls for the event will still be painted yellow. And the race, held annually at Lowe's Motor Speedway, appears to be staying at the track for some time. Sprint Cup Director of Marketing Dean Kessel said that he and Lowe's Motor Speedway President H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler have been in discussion about the 2009 race, which will be the 25th anniversary of the all-star event.

 

Does that comment mean that the all-star race, rumored to be relocating each season, will be staying in Charlotte?

 

"Every year it comes up, and every year we answer it sort of the same way," Kessel said Tuesday. "We're not having any conversations about moving it. I like to get out in front of things, and our team likes to get out in front of it ..... We have to plan that way if we're going to be here. Never say never, but there's no conversation going on about moving it."

 

Kessel said that if such a conversation were ongoing, he would certainly be a part of it.

 

Wheeler obviously hopes that the race remains at his track, especially now that the NASCAR Hall of Fame will be in Charlotte.

 

"Hopefully with the Hall of Fame thing here, the all-star race will stay here permanently," he said. "That's the first time I've said that. I've always been an advocate of that. At the same time, we understand that other people want it. But the Pro Bowl has been in Hawaii forever now, so why not leave things be?"

 

During all-star week, the pit crew challenge has been moved to Thursday night, leaving a packed Friday night for fans.

 

"We're starting early Friday night," Wheeler said. "The [Craftsman Truck Series] race is not starting at 9, the truck race is starting at 8 and qualifying is starting at 6."

 

The start time for the all-star race will remain the same.

 

"We're just going to compress the pre-race part of it so we keep everything - the starting time will be the same," Wheeler said. "We'll start the open around 7:30. We plan on starting the all-star race somewhere around 9 o'clock or 10 after 9. We don't want to keep people there all night. We'll try to get over by 10:30. That's our goal."

  

 

 

  

 

 

HAMPTON, Ga. – On a brisk morning, 31 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series drivers and teams converged at Atlanta Motor Speedway to begin preparations for the upcoming 2008 season.

 

Testing began shortly after 9 a.m. when Andy Lally took to the track. The second day of testing is scheduled for Jan. 23 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

     

Defending Series champion Ron Hornaday Jr. was the quickest truck to circle the 1.54-mile quad-oval with a time of 31.529 seconds, (171.271 mph). Hornaday was followed by former AMS winner Todd Bodine and Terry Cook.

    

The test allowed drivers the opportunity to test at a non-restrictor plate track for the first time in 2008 and gave new teams and drivers a chance to gain consistency for the upcoming season. Second-year Craftsman Truck Series driver Joey Clanton, who grew up racing Legends cars around Atlanta Motor Speedway’s frontstretch quarter-mile oval, is among those looking to today’s test to help build a solid foundation for the 2008 season.

           

“It’s great to be back at Atlanta Motor Speedway, since this is my home track,” said an optimistic Clanton, who is driving for Roush Racing in 2008. “I’ve got a great group of guys behind me who are committed to winning. There have always been great opportunities here at Atlanta , and I’m hoping to win one for the home crowd.”

 

Tickets to the American Commercial Lines 200 Craftsman Truck Series race, as well as the entire Kobalt Tools 500 event weekend are available by calling the AMS ticket office at (877) 9-AMS-TIX (877-926-7849), 770-946-4211 or by visiting www.atlantamotorspeedway.com. SCR

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Load the up the cars, put away the tires and fold up the computer lap tops, January testing season at Daytona International Speedway is over.

 

NASCAR Nationwide Series teams wrapped up their fifth and final day of testing on Tuesday in preparation for the 50th annual Camping World 300 presented by Chevy on Saturday, Feb. 16.

 

Since January 4, Daytona International Speedway has hosted the Rolex Sports Car Series, the KONI Challenge Series, two waves of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series testing, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and the NASCAR Nationwide Series.

 

In all, DIS hosted 17 days of testing with four different Fan Fest events as teams and drivers prepare for the events surrounding DIRECTV Speedweeks 2008.

 

Having testing out of the way is a great feeling for drivers who can now focus on racing in their respective season-opening events.

 

Said David Reutimann, NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series driver: “It’s a whole different mentality. Testing is one mindset and racing is totally another. You look forward to going out there and racing . The testing can get a little monotonous but anytime you run around Daytona is cool. But after while, single-car runs, it wears on you a little bit. You are glad to get out here and come back and race.”

 

Daytona International Speedway takes a day off from on-track activity on Wednesday and will host Rolex 24 At Daytona practice and qualifying on Thursday as well as Fresh From Florida 200 KONI Challenge Series practice and qualifying.

 

On Friday, the Fresh From Florida 200 KONI Challenge Series race goes green at 2:15 p.m. and the 46th anniversary of the Rolex 24 At Daytona starts on Saturday at 1:30 p.m.

 

Quotable: David Reutimann, a native of Zephyrhills, on racing at Daytona International Speedway: “It’s by far the biggest race. Needless to say, my guest list is pretty full when we come to Daytona. Everybody wants to come to Daytona anyway but the fact that I have the opportunity to race and I have a lot of friends and family that comes over makes for an exciting weekend.”

 

Fastest of the day: Cale Gale in the No. 77A Kevin Harvick Inc. Chevrolet was the fastest in the morning session of single-car runs with a speed of 179.917 mph while David Stremme was fastest in the afternoon at  179.935.

 

Tickets: Race tickets for all DIRECTV Speedweeks 2008 events at Daytona International Speedway are available online at www.racetickets.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.

 

Speeds:

 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Morning speeds from NASCAR Nationwide Series testing in preparation for the Camping World 300 presented by Chevy:

 

1. 77A, Cale Gale, Chevrolet, 50.023, 179.917

2. 9A, Chase Miller, Dodge, 50.029, 179.896

3. 66R, Steve Wallace, Chevrolet, 50.132, 179.526

4. 29B, Scott Wimmer Chevrolet, 50.203, 179.272

5. 29A, Scott Wimmer, Chevrolet, 50.270, 179.033

6. 0A, Kertus Davis, Chevrolet, 50.407, 178.547

7. 64B, David Stremme, Chevrolet, 50.477, 178.299

8. 64J, David Stremme, Chevrolet, 50.504, 178.204

9. 10A, Brian Vickers, Toyota , 50.514, 178.168

10. 11A, Jason Keller, Chevrolet, 50.532, 178.105

11. 17A, Erik Darnell, Ford, 50.533, 178.101

12. 6A, David Ragan, Ford, 50.565, 177.989

13. 11B, Jason Keller, Chevrolet, 50.571, 177.968

14. 99A, David Reutimann, Toyota , 50.663, 177.644

15. 72A, D.J. Kennington, Dodge, 50.852, 176.984

16. 00A, Michael McDowell, Toyota , 50.965, 176.592

17. 6B, David Ragan, Ford, 51.032, 176.360

18. 52A, Donnie, Neuenberger, Ford, 51.515, 174.706

 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Morning speeds from NASCAR Nationwide Series testing in preparation for the Camping World 300 presented by Chevy:

 

1. 64J, David Stremme, Chevrolet, 50.018, 179.935

2. 66R, Steve Wallace, Chevrolet, 50.037, 179.867

3. 0A, Kertus Davis, Chevrolet, 50.215, 179.229

4. 11A, Jason Keller, Chevrolet, 50.300, 178.926

5. 64B, David Stremme, Chevrolet, 50.629, 177.764

6. 9B, Chase Miller, Dodge, 50.634, 177.746 SCR

 

 

 

 

 

 

PHOENIX , Ariz. – Kyle Petty’s Victory Invitational Golf Tournament has announced a partnership with Coca-Cola for the NASCAR-themed golf benefit scheduled to take place in the Greater Phoenix area on Thursday, February 28, 2008.

 

Coca-Cola will join Kyle Petty’s Victory Invitational as a Victory-level sponsor, which lends naming rights to the soft drink company for the putting green at the charity outing:

Putting for Position Sponsored by Coca-Cola.

 

“Coca-Cola has been a longstanding supporter of Kyle’s efforts to help chronically ill children through the Victory Junction Gang Camp,” said Ben Reiling, director of motorsports at Coca-Cola North America. “By teeing it up as one of the premier sponsors of the first annual Kyle Petty Victory Invitational, we are continuing our commitment to support Kyle in this worthwhile effort.”

 

Coca-Cola and Kyle Petty’s Victory Invitational make a natural pair, as in 2008, Coca-Cola will again join Petty and his No. 45 Petty Enterprises Dodge in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series as a primary and associate sponsor.

 

The focus of Kyle Petty’s Victory Invitational Celebrity Golf Tournament is to create a charitable partnership to raise funds for the Victory Junction Gang Camp and the Arizona State University College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation.

 

By joining forces, both organizations can leverage their strengths by making a better tomorrow for children stricken with serious illness. Proceeds from the tournament and surrounding events will help support ongoing efforts to improve the quality of life for children diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses, support for their families, and contribute to the ongoing training for the professionals who treat them. It’s a commitment to health, dreams, and education.

 

For more information about Kyle Petty’s Victory Invitational Celebrity Golf Tournament, please contact Kristie Maggs of Phoenix International Raceway at (623) 463-5400 or at kmaggs@phoenixinternationalraceway.com. Interested sponsors may reach Jon Sata at the same phone number or at jsata@phoenixinternationalraceway.com. SCR

  

 

 

  

 

 

Dale Jarrett, the 1999 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion and one of the founding drivers of the NASCAR Nationwide Series, will expand his role with ESPN and join high school friends Dr. Jerry Punch and Andy Petree in the booth for ESPN’s full season of NASCAR coverage in 2008.

 

Rusty Wallace, NASCAR Cup champion in 1989, will become lead analyst for ESPN studio programs in 2008, highlighted by serving as analyst for an enhanced NASCAR Countdown, the program that precedes all NASCAR telecasts. Wallace also will appear across multiple ESPN platforms, including regularly on NASCAR Now, ESPN’s daily NASCAR news and information show, and will call several race telecasts in place of Jarrett.

 

Allen Bestwick moves into the fulltime role of host of ESPN’s race telecasts and host of NASCAR Countdown. Wallace and Bestwick will appear with analyst Brad Daugherty on the pre-race program, and the three will be integrated with the booth team during race telecasts.

 

ESPN also has named motorsports television veteran Nicole Manske as host of NASCAR Now, which returns to the air for its second season Feb. 4 on ESPN2. Manske, who joins ESPN after two years as co-host of a weekly motorsports news program on the SPEED Channel, will share the NASCAR Now host role with Bestwick and ESPNEWS anchor Ryan Burr.

 

On ESPN’s event coverage, Shannon Spake, a reporter for ESPN’s studio programs and fill-in pit reporter last year, will take Bestwick’s position as a fulltime pit reporter, joined by returnees Dave Burns, Jamie Little and Mike Massaro. Two-time NASCAR Cup champion crew chief Tim Brewer returns to report from the ESPN DISH Tech Center.

 

“We now have the opportunity to provide our viewers with analysis from a pair of former NASCAR Cup champions with Dale Jarrett in the booth and Rusty Wallace on the NASCAR Countdown set as well as on other platforms,” said Norby Williamson, ESPN executive vice president, studio and event production.

 

“We were pleased to have Dale with us in a limited role last year and look forward to his participation on a regular basis,” Williamson said. “Rusty’s enthusiasm, team spirit and knowledge make him an invaluable contributor to our coverage. These champion drivers in their new roles add tremendously to ESPN’s championship team for our second year back in NASCAR.”

 

ESPN’s 2008 NASCAR season begins with live, flag-to-flag coverage of the NASCAR Nationwide Series opener at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, Feb. 16, at noon ET on ESPN2. In addition to coverage of all 35 races in the Nationwide Series, ESPN also will have telecasts of the final 17 races of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

 

Jarrett, who is retiring from driving after the first five races of the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup season, was booth analyst for 10 NASCAR Nationwide Series ESPN race telecasts last year and worked several NASCAR Sprint Cup races as a guest analyst on NASCAR Countdown.

 

Punch, ESPN’s lead announcer, Petree, booth analyst and a two-time NASCAR Cup champion crew chief, and Jarrett are all natives of Newton, N.C., and attended Newton-Conover High School within a few years of each other in the early 1970s. The three were partners in one of Jarrett’s first race cars in 1979.

 

“It was exciting to see ESPN return to NASCAR last year and be a part of it when my racing schedule allowed,” said Jarrett, winner of 32 NASCAR Cup Series races and 11 in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. “To have this opportunity to shift from fulltime driver to fulltime analyst for ESPN’s second year back is a great privilege and I can’t wait to get started.”

 

Jarrett followed the footsteps of his father, Ned, a two-time NASCAR champion, into driving and television. Ned Jarrett was a popular analyst on ESPN’s coverage of NASCAR from 1988-2000 and returned to the booth as a guest analyst for one race last year to work alongside his son for the first time.

 

Wallace joined ESPN after retiring from driving following the 2005 season and spent 2006 as analyst for ESPN’s coverage of the IndyCar Series in preparation for ESPN’s return to NASCAR in 2007. Bestwick served multiple roles for ESPN’s NASCAR coverage last year, including pit reporter, host of NASCAR Countdown for NASCAR Nationwide Series races and play-by-play announcer for several events.

 

Along with returning NASCAR Insiders Angelique Chengelis and Marty Smith, ESPN.com reporters Terry Blount and David Newton and analysts Boris Said, Tim Cowlishaw and D.J. Copp, many members of ESPN’s event coverage team also will contribute to NASCAR Now in 2008.  

 

Visit www.espnmediazone.com for ESPN's latest releases, schedules and other news, plus photos, video and audio clips and more. SCR

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jackson, Miss. – Continuing a solid foundation built last season, Ergon, Inc. will raise their level of awareness in motorsports in 2008.  Maintaining their partnership with the young and impressive Marc Mitchell, Ergon Inc. has formed a relationship with Billy Ballew Motorsports to sponsor Mitchell in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

 

Billy Ballew Motorsports will enter the #15 Ergon Chevrolet Silverado for Marc Mitchell in 21 events this season beginning at the Chevy Silverado HD 250 at the Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway.  Billy Ballew Motorsports also fields the #51 NASCAR Craftsman Truck which is driven by NASCAR Sprint Cup veterans Kyle Busch and David Stremme.

Ergon, Inc., a diverse brand with over 60 companies under their umbrella, continues their relationship with Mitchell that included 11 ARCA events in 2007 highlighted by a second place finish at the ARCA season kick-off at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway.

“We were impressed by Marc’s ability last season, both behind the wheel and as a representative of our company,” said Vice President for Ergon, Inc. Baxter Burns.  “We are thrilled to be partnered with Billy Ballew this season as well.  He has proved himself a winning owner and a dedicated individual to make this program a success.”

 

Billy Ballew Motorsports has won events in three of the last four seasons with various notable drivers behind the wheel.  Kyle Busch, Jeremy Mayfield, Mike Wallace and Geoffrey Bodine are some of the distinguished names that have driven for Billy Ballew Motorsports.  Mitchell hopes to maintain that level of competition and bring more education to race fans of Ergon, Inc, their divisions, products and services.

 

“The employees of Ergon and Billy Ballew and his staff have been amazing,” said Mitchell.  “They have given me all the necessary tools to be successful.  Billy Ballew has a reputation in this series that speaks for itself.  I’m ready to work hard and make this a winning program for everyone involved.”

 

Mitchell will also be competing for Raybestos Rookie of The Year honors.  The 21-race schedule for the #15 Ergon Chevrolet will include every race on the schedule excluding both Martinsville events, Dover and New Hampshire. Mitchell will make his debut with the team this week testing at the 1.54-mile Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway. SCR

 

 

 

 

 

 

NASCAR officials have announced changes to the qualifying procedures in all three of their national series, putting the teams outside of the locked-in group on a more level playing field.

 

The teams not locked into the starting field in the Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Craftsman Truck series will all qualify as a group at the end of their respective qualifying sessions under the new rules.

 

According to Sprint Cup Series Director John Darby, the change starts at California for the Cup teams - those drivers can race their way into the Daytona 500 by virtue of a qualifying race - and at Daytona for the Nationwide and truck series.

 

The random draw for setting up qualifying order will remain unchanged, but the drivers outside of the top 35 will simply slide behind the entire group that is in the field.

 

"When you're one of a small group that has to qualify on time to make a race, and if you draw first and I draw 43rd, at some tracks there's an obvious weather condition or track condition that you could relate to a disadvantage or advantage," Darby said Monday during a visit by the NASCAR media core to the sanctioning body's Research and Development Center in Concord, N.C. "In trying to narrow that window and keep everybody as fairly even as we can, that's where the discussion started about grouping each other's [drivers] together."

 

Darby said having all those outside the top 35 go out after a session made the most sense in case a team blew an engine or crashed in a session and asked to be excused an go out last.

 

"With the cars on speed going first, it would create a perfect playing field to have a problem every week to get excused to 43rd or 44th," he said. "The easiest way to eliminate all the issues with the five-minute clock, being able to be fair for everybody in the garage, not just the cars on speed but the entire group of cars, it makes more sense for them to go last."

  

 

 

  

 

 

CONCORD, NC - DIRTVision has announced that for the third straight year, the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals – scheduled for Feb. 5-16 at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville , Fla. – will receive live cybercast coverage on DIRTVision.com.

 

DIRTVision users unable to make the wintertime trip to the Sunshine State will once again be able to catch over 60 hours of live video coverage of the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals, including the season-opening World of Outlaws Late Model Series events on Feb. 14 and 16.

 

Also covered live on-line during the Nationals will be the UMP DIRTcar Racing Late Models, Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series, Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series for big-block Modifieds, UMP DIRTcar Racing open-wheel Modifieds and the All-Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Cars.

 

For just $29.99, users can purchase the ‘Alltel DIRTcar Nationals Racepass’ and watch all 12 days of live video coverage.

 

To order, simply log in to DIRTVsion.com, click on ‘Subscription’ and choose the ‘Alltel DIRTcar Nationals Racepass.’

 

Subscribers will still have access to DIRTVision’s popular live chat during the events, as well as up-to-the-minute race notes.

 

Users can purchase an ‘Alltel DIRTcar Nationals Racepass’ using or MasterCard on the secure payment server at DIRTVision.com.

 

Anyone unfamiliar with DIRTVision’s live cybercasts can click on the ‘FAQ’ menu for tips and requirements for viewing the DIRTVision Cybercast.

 

Users are encouraged to register well in advance of the next show to help troubleshoot any problems they may encounter. The basic tools necessary for viewing are a DIRTVision.com account, plus Internet Explorer 6 or higher and Windows Media Player 9 (both of which are free).

 

For technical support or questions, e-mail customerservice@DIRTVision.com. 

 

37th Annual Alltel DIRTcar Nationals Racepass Schedule From Volusia Speedway Park (All events are live video starting at 8:00 pm EST)

 

Tues-2/5 – All-Star Circuit of Champions/UMP DIRTcar Modifieds – FREE PREVIEW

 

Wed-2/6 – All Star Circuit of Champions/UMP DIRTcar Modifieds

 

Thurs-2/7 – All Star Circuit of Champions/UMP DIRTcar Modifieds

 

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