Kyle Busch proved Friday that you can go home again. The Las Vegas native returned to his hometown with his new Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) team and took the pole for Sunday’s UAW-Dodge 400. Busch the only driver to top the 182 mph mark topped out at 182.352 mph in the No. 18 Toyota. That was almost a full mile per hour quicker than last weeks California winner Carl Edwards. Edwards will roll off second after running a speed of 181.586 mph. Rolling off third will be Mark Martin and he will be followed by Jeff Gordon and Mike Skinner fourth and fifth.

 

Greg Biffle will roll off sixth he will be followed by Scott Riggs, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kurt Busch and Elliott Sadler. SCR
Matthew Blaylock

 

UAW-Dodge 400 Starting Grid

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EL CENTRO, Calif. - NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Brad Keselowski had the opportunity to see how a F/A-18 Hornet handles in comparison to his No. 88 Navy Accelerate Your Life Chevrolet Monte Carlo when he flew with the Blue Angels on Tuesday.

Keselowski went for a ride with Blue Angels No. 7 pilot Lt. Frank Weisser for more than an hour of tactical maneuvers. The ride-along was a part of the season-long “sailorization” process for Keselowski, who is learning more about the jobs performed by sailors in the fleet. The flight with Weisser gave him insight into some of the things naval aviators go through in their daily jobs. It also gave him a firsthand look at just how thrilling Navy aviation can be.

“Man, it was awesome,” Keselowski said. “That’s definitely a wild ride that I’ll never forget.

“For a pilot to be able to make the moves with the aircraft like Lt. Weisser did was just incredible.”

Some of the maneuvers Keselowski experienced included: a ridgeline crossing, a simulated low-altitude attack, going supersonic (faster than 650 knots), low-ground flying, and a minimum radius turn. While Keselowski is accustomed to feeling the effects of g-forces on the race track, the sustained g-force of 7.5 Gs he experienced during the flight was a new encounter for the young driver.

Weisser told Keselowski during the flight he wanted him to experience some of the maneuvers performed by pilots in the fleet because of his Navy sponsorship.

“This is something I want to show you since you’re representing all the fine sailors overseas,” Weisser said before performing the low-altitude attack maneuver, which simulates the way a pilot can stay below radar in a bomb-dropping situation.

Prior to strapping into the second seat of the F/A-18, Keselowski was briefed on the flight by No. 7 crew chief AME2 Austin Armstrong. To Keselowski, the procedure was nearly identical to what he goes through during race weekends.

“It was also cool to see how similar the whole experience was to what we go through on race day with my Navy team,” Keselowski said. “We started off with a briefing that was a lot like our driver/crew chief meeting. Then I was strapped in and we took off on the flight. After, we reviewed the flight just like I would debrief with Pops [crew chief Tony Eury Sr.] after a race.”

Both the Navy’s NASCAR and Blue Angels programs are high-performance, high-visibility recruiting tools. For more information on the Blue Angels, visit http://www.blueangelsnavy.mil. For more information on the Navy motorsports program, visit http://www.navy.mil/local/nm/. For more information on Keselowski and the Navy racing team, visit http://media.dalejr.com. SCR

 

 

 

 

 

 

LINCOLNTON, NC – The Carolina Clash Super Late Model Series is proud to announce the class that will be competing for the PBM Performance Parts Rookie of the Year title.

         

Chris Ferguson from Gastonia, NC brings a youthful flavor to the table. The 18 year old high school senior has an extensive background in motorsports. Beginning in go-karts he quickly graduated to Crate Late Model racing where he racked up 16 wins and back to back GM Performance Big Ten Shootout championships. Chris dabbled in Super Late Model racing last season and quickly found victory lane with wins in his first two starts.

         

The young driver known as “Fergy” will pilot a Rocket chassis with sponsorship from Hamricks of Gaffney, Carver and Sons Roofing, Eagle Manufacturing and Big A’s Custom Graphics.

         

Terry Lumley hails from Swainsboro, GA and his Cabinets by Design team will be a welcomed addition to the series. The former Swainsboro Speedway track champion has numerous starts with the Florida based National Late Model Sportsman Series where he found a lot of success. He will be the pilot for George Trull’s Cabinets by Design team which is based in North Augusta, SC. To learn more about the team visit www.cbdracing.com

         

Other sponsors on the ‘Tall Cool One’s Barry Wright Race Cars include; Besta Home Builders, CSRA Security Specialist, Formica Cabinet Tops, American Granite and CBD Racing Equipment.  

         

Another young driver on the tour is Rural Retreat, VA’s Daniel Baggerly. Daniel, a high school junior is a teammate to Larry Blankenship... Daniel, like Chris Ferguson has also been competing in the Crate Late Model division at different tracks over the last couple of seasons.

         

The driver known as “Bagz” will depend on his En-Compass Solutions, LB Drywall, Swift Springs; Scoops of Coco Beach sponsored Barry Wright Race Car to help propel him to PBM Performance Parts Rookie of the Year honors. To learn more about Daniel visit www.b-n-bmotorsports.com

         

Another Georgia bandit and former Oglethorpe Speedway Champion will hit the road with the ‘Clash’ this year. Shane Riner from Savannah, GA competed on a part time basis with the series last year and scored a top ten finish at Travelers Rest Speedway. The 32 year old is a former winner of the ‘Showdown on the Coast’ at Oglethorpe Speedway. To learn more about Shane and his team visit www.shaneriner6.com

         

Shane drives a Rocket Chassis with sponsorship from Riner Custom Homes, Kirby Concrete Constructions/Clements Racing Engines and J&J Race Cars.

         

Possibly the drive with the most laps under his belt will be Ricky Boahn. The veteran racer from Puppy Creek, NC has been a standout open wheel modified driver for several seasons in the Eastern NC area. Boahn has teamed up with Menscer Motorsports for the 2008 season.

         

The team will utilize Bob Pierce Race Cars and Gearte Engines as they chase the entire ‘blue collar tour’. Other sponsors on the car will be Pepsi Bottling Company, Star Leasing, Stoughton Trailers and Smith Int’l Truck Center.

         

Another young driver that has his ‘eyes on the prize’ is Fayetteville’s Craig Shuffield. Craig a second generation racer had several solid runs on the ‘clash’ series last year. A multi-time open wheel modified track champion, Craig will rely on a bevy of cars to help him pursue his goal.

         

He is sponsored by Southern Machine, Monty’s Heating and Air, Mac’s Signs, R&R Performance and JCH Tire. SCR

 

 

 

 

 

 

SONOMA, Calif. - NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver David Reutimann will visit Infineon Raceway for a one-day test session on Wednesday, March 5.

 

Reutimann, who drives the No. 00 Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota for Michael Waltrip Racing, has never competed in a Cup Series event on Infineon Raceway’s 10-turn, 1.99-mile road course.  He was replaced by road-course specialist P.J. Jones for the Sonoma Valley event in 2007. SCR

 

 

 

 

 

 

Team Red Bull officials have announced that Scott Speed driver of the No. 2 Toyota in the ARCA RE/MAX Series will run a limited NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series schedule in 2008.

 

Speed will pilot the No. 46 Morgan-Dollar Motorsports entry and will carry Red Bull when he makes his debut at the Atlanta Motor Speedway March 7th. Speed will also pilot the truck at Martinsville Speedway March 28th and he will test at Martinsville on March 12th and 13th.

 

“Every time I’m in the car I’m learning something,” said Speed. “It’s a lot more helpful for me to drive the races because for me to get into a truck or Cup car and go fast by myself has been really easy. It’s been easier than I thought, to be honest. What’s difficult and what I’m learning a lot about is how the other cars around you affect your car. The reason we went this route is because the truck is the most similar to the COT and it is very sensitive to how the other cars around you, where they are and what they’re doing to your car. This is kind of the method behind our madness here.” SCR

Matthew Blaylock

 

 

 

 

 

 

BRISTOL, Tenn. - Dallas Cowboys standout and local football legend Jason Witten has been named the Honorary Starter for the Food City 500 on Sunday, March 16 at Bristol Motor Speedway.

 

The 6-foot-5, 266-pound Witten, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, is from Elizabethton, Tenn., just 15 minutes away from the World’s Fastest Half- Mile oval. And he’s looking forward to taking part in the sold-out Food City 500.

 

“I’m really excited about it,” said Witten. “It’s great to be coming home and I really can’t wait to get out to the Speedway. The races in Bristol have always been a big deal. Growing up there, there was no way you didn’t know just how huge those races were.  For me to be able to go back there and be asked to wave the green flag for the Food City 500…that means a lot. It’s truly a tremendous honor.”

 

The 25-year-old Witten was a standout at Elizabethton High School and was the USA Today Player of the Year in Tennessee in 2000 before signing with the University of Tennessee where he starred for three years before entering the draft after his junior year.

In 2003 Witten was drafted in the third round by the Dallas Cowboys and became an instant star. One of the premier tight ends in the NFL, Witten finished the 2007 season with 96 catches and 1,145 yards, setting a new Cowboys’ single-season record for receptions in a season.

 

Steve C. Smith, Food City CEO/President, is excited about having Witten wave the green flag on the Food City 500.

 

“Food City is a strong supporter of the communities we serve.  We are especially honored to have such a wonderful native of our region representing our company for the Food City 500.  Jason is a tremendous asset to his team and our area and I’m proud to have him as our guest," said Smith.

 

The Food City 500 takes gets under way at 2 p.m. on March 16. Qualifying for both the Food City 500 Spring Cup event and the Sharpie MINI 300 Nationwide Series race will take place on Friday, March 14. The Sharpie MINI 300 revs up at 2:30 on Saturday, March 15. SCR

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robby Gordon's appeal for penalties stemming from this year's Daytona 500 will be heard March 5, according to NASCAR officials.

 

Gordon, 39, was penalized 100 owner and 100 driver points for violations found during opening-day inspection Feb. 8. Crew chief Frank Kerr was fined $100,000, suspended six races and placed on probation through Dec. 31.

 

The penalties were the result of an unapproved nose found on Gordon’s No. 7 Dodge during pre-qualifying inspection. The team changed the piece prior to Qualifying, and Gordon went on to finish eighth in the 500 the following week. The subsequent point deduction, however, dropped him from ninth to 40th in the point standings.

 

Gordon’s team changed from Ford to Dodge prior to the start of the 2008 Sprint Cup Series season when it aligned itself with Gillett Evernham Motorsports. Gordon has said that the nose piece in question – which hasn’t been approved by NASCAR for use in competition – was installed on the car after the auto manufacturer’s distributor mistakenly sent the team the wrong item.

 

Gordon said the placement of the wrong piece on the car was the result of “a clerical error from the manufacturer and the manufacturer’s supply warehouse who delivered it to us.”

 

“... All we did was install it on the race car,” he said. “We’re going to jail for a crime we didn’t commit.”

 

According to Gordon, a hyphen at the end of the parts number is the only difference in the two pieces. The approved piece does not include the hyphen.

 

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Director John Darby said Feb. 24 that Gordon’s penalties were consistent with those handed down previously for infractions involving the series’ new car.

 

Kerr will be allowed to continue to serve as crew chief until the appeal is heard.

 

Gordon finished 18th in Monday’s rain-delayed Auto Club 500 and is now 32nd in driver and owner points.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DOVER, Del. - NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Elliott Sadler will appear in the Monster Mile Club on  Sunday, June 1 at Dover International Speedway. The Monster Mile Club, an all-inclusive pre-race hospitality option at Dover, is consistently a fan favorite and has sold out for seven consecutive  races.

 

Tickets still remain for the add-on hospitality option but are expected to go quickly.

Sadler, driver of the No. 19 Best Buy/Stanley Tools Dodge, kicked off the 2008 season with a sixth place  finish in the season-opening Daytona 500. He's had several solid races at the Monster Mile over the course of the last few seasons, including three top-ten finishes. His highest finish was sixth in the September 2005 event.

 

In addition to Sadler's appearance, a ticket to the Monster Mile Club includes all-you-can-eat food and drinks, a trackside tour on the frontstretch of the track as teams prepare for race day, live entertainment, a limited-edition 40th anniversary Dover gift, a souvenir program, interactive games and  a whole lot more. Admission to the Monster Mile Club costs $99 and can be added to your NASCAR Sprint  Cup race ticket by calling the Dover International Speedway ticket office at 800-441-RACE or when purchasing online at DoverSpeedway.com.

 

The Monster Mile Club opens at 8 a.m. on Sunday, June 1 with a continental breakfast. Trackside tours  begin at 8:30 a.m. The hosted question and answer session with driver Elliott Sadler will follow at approximately 10:30 a.m. An all-you-can-eat lunch will be served at 11 a.m., and fans will enter the Speedway full and refreshed for the start of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, set to begin at 2 p.m.

 

NASCAR returns to the Monster Mile May 30 – June 1 and Sept. 19 – 21, 2008. Dover continues to offer event ticket insurance for all events, along with an array of ticket options including special 3-day ticket packages, all-inclusive hospitality packages, early buy discounts, and a variety of payment plans. To purchase tickets or for more information, call 800-441-RACE or visit www.DoverSpeedway.com. SCR

 

 

 

 

 

 

HAMPTON, Ga. - Aflac, a worldwide supplemental healthcare insurance provider, will present a high-octane pre-race show to fans in attendance at the Kobalt Tools 500 Sprint Cup race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The Aflac Pre-Race Show will feature skydiving, a car chase and wreck and hit artists during the March 9 event.

           

Selected through an online promotion, a contest winner will help kick off the Aflac Pre-Race Show with a tandem skydiving jump over the racetrack and onto the AMS infield.

 

Following that spectacle, up-and-coming country music star and Arista recording artist Jason Michael Carroll will perform a concert at the finish line, just moments before 43 NASCAR stars take the green flag for the weekend’s main event. The 28-year-old North Carolina native was named Billboard’s “Top New Country Artist of 2007.”

           

Just prior to the start of the Kobalt Tools 500, John Schneider, who played Bo Duke on the 1980’s hit TV series “The Dukes of Hazzard,” will parade the world-famous General Lee around the high banks of AMS, with the Hazzard County Sheriff’s Office in hot pursuit. The two will be involved in an intense, high speed car chase that is likely to result in extreme car-flipping carnage.  

           

Local and National Acts to Perform National Anthems Throughout Race Weekend

 

The National Anthem for Friday’s American Commercial Lines 200 Craftsman Truck event will be performed by Hampton , Ga. ’s Chelsie Boyd, a 15-year-old contemporary Christian music artist.

 

Nashville , Tenn. ’s TelluRide Band, will sing the National Anthem preceding the Nicorette 300 Nationwide Series event on Saturday afternoon, March 8. Their list of accomplishments includes opening for Gretchen Wilson and Creedence Clearwater Revival. Four U.S. Marine Corps F-18’s will cap TelluRide’s performance with an awe-inspiring flyover.

 

The weekend’s main event, Sunday’s Kobalt Tools 500 Sprint Cup race, will be jump-started by Jason Michael Carroll’s stirring rendition of the National Anthem and four screaming Air Force A-10 Warthog jets, soaring across the AMS infield. SCR

 

 

 

 

 

 

Garmin Int. announced that it will become an associate sponsor of the No. 19 Dodge fielded by Gillett Evernham Motorsports (GEM) and driven by Elliott Sadler in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Garmin is also partnering with the No. 19 primary sponsor Best Buy for the second year in a row.

 

The No. 19 car will sport a prominent Garmin logo that will also be found on driver and crew uniforms, and it will appear on other supporting vehicles throughout the 2008 race season. During the season, an interactive Garmin kiosk will be available in the Best Buy Fun Zone Technology truck as it makes race day appearances. Garmin will serve as the primary sponsor when NASCAR heads to Dover on June 1, 2008, and on September 28, when drivers compete at Kansas Speedway.

 

"This partnership is a great opportunity for cross promotion of the Best Buy and Garmin brands," said Brad Morrill, senior manager, Best Buy Motorsports. "The teaming of two big consumer electronics brands will certainly give us a tremendous advantage in reaching our target audiences. We're looking forward to Elliott spending a great deal of time in the winner's circle this season."

 

Sadler who is an avid outdoorsman is a perfect fit for the Garmin products. Reaching not only the automotive market through his competitive racing, he also relates to Garmin's outdoor recreation enthusiasts.

 

"I am thrilled Garmin has joined our Best Buy Dodge. We think it is going to be a pretty exciting year," said Sadler. "I'm a gadget guy and both of the companies keep me busy with all their cool stuff. I don't expect NASCAR will let me put a Garmin in our race car anytime soon, but I will have one in my personal car." SCR

Matthew Blaylock

 

 

 

 

 

 

LAS VEGAS, NV - In the second installment of the ground breaking “Your Name Here” contest, in which one fan will receive official naming rights to the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Richmond International Raceway on May 3, 2008, Crown Royal announced Dan Lowry as the grand prize winner. From this point forward, the race will officially be entitled “Crown Royal Presents The Dan Lowry 400.”

As part of Crown Royal’s first ever press conference from the sky, Dan Lowry, 29, of New Waterford, Ohio, took part in an elaborate unveiling ceremony in which several helicopters flew high above the Las Vegas Strip to a 10,000-square-foot desert mosaic featuring Lowry’s name as part of the official race logo to be used at Richmond International Raceway. 

“It still hasn’t hit me that this is all real and that my name will actually be incorporated into the race title,” said Lowry.  “Crown Royal has truly provided me a once-in-a-lifetime experience with the helicopter ride and unveiling alone.  I can’t even imagine what it’s going to be like at Richmond in May.”

Lowry was one of two winners of the contest that were flown to Las Vegas to participate in the ceremony.  While Lowry was awarded the grand prize, Tim Weiland, the first-prize winner of De Pere , Wisconsin , received a custom Stage 1 Roush Fenway Ford Mustang.

Crown Royal selected the winners from approximately 10,000 written submissions chronicling consumers’ fondest Crown Royal memories that were enjoyed in a responsible manner.  In his winning entry, Lowry recalled a moment when he was working thousands of miles away from home in Venezuela . He wandered into a local restaurant where he didn’t recognize any of the labels behind the bar until he caught sight of the iconic purple and gold Crown Royal bag that immediately reminded him of the fond memories of home. 

“Together with promoting our ‘Be a Champion. Drink Responsibly’ message, Crown Royal strives to give fans experiences of a lifetime, which means treating them like royalty when they’re at the racetrack,” said Jim Lorenz, Senior Brand Manager, Crown Royal.  “To me, there’s no better way to make Dan Lowry feel like a king than by actually making this race his, and it will be his forever.  Congratulations to Dan on this historic accomplishment, and we look forward to making his race a tremendous experience for everyone.”

Lowry’s name will be incorporated into all official race logos, used for thousands of pieces of merchandise and recognized by NASCAR’s broadcast and media partners as the race’s official title.  In addition, Lowry will take part in pre-race festivities at Richmond International Raceway, and participate in the trophy presentation to the race winner in Gatorade Victory Lane .  During the race weekend he will receive VIP accommodations for himself and a guest.

Leading up to the big day in Richmond , Crown Royal will continue to promote its "Be A Champion.  Drink Responsibly." campaign to adult NASCAR fans via broadcast Public Service Announcements, Safe Rides Home designated driver initiatives and other programming designed to reinforce the importance of responsible drinking and responsible decision-making. 

“Richmond International Raceway is excited to partner with Crown Royal for the second year in a row to host this fun and innovative concept at America ’s Premiere Short Track,” said Richmond International Raceway president Doug Fritz.  “We are looking forward to having Dan join us for another historical weekend at Richmond International Raceway.”

Additionally, Crown Royal announced the “Your Name Here 400” contest will continue in 2008, where the official name of the spring 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Richmond International Raceway will be awarded to another adult fan.  For more information, fans can visit www.crownroyal.com.
 
For the third consecutive year, Crown Royal is the primary sponsor of the No. 26 Roush Racing Ford Fusion driven by Jamie McMurray.  This includes sponsoring the primary paint scheme of the No. 26 car at 27 races during the 2008 season. SCR

  

 

 

 

 

 

BRISTOL, Tenn. - Country music recording artist Danielle Peck will sing the national anthem prior to the start of the sold-out Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway on March 16 while Chris Young will do the honors before the Sharpie MINI 300 on March 15.

 

Peck’s debut album, the self-titled “Danielle Peck,” peaked at No. 23 on the U.S. Billboard Top Country Album charts. Her first single from the album, “I Don’t” peaked at No. 28 on the Hot Country Songs chart.  Since then the album has produced two more Top 30 singles, “Findin’ A Good Man” and “Isn’t That Everything.”

 

A native of Jacksonville, N.C., the 29-year-old Peck was signed to the independent label Machine Records in 2005 and is expected to release her second album this year.

 

In 2006, the 22-year-old Young was the big winner on season four of the country music reality television singing competition Nashville Star.  His self-titled debut album was released in 2006, debuting at No. 3 on the Billboard country charts. His first single from that album, “Drinkin’ Me Lonely,” topped out at No. 42 on the country singles chart.

 

Young, who hails from Murfreesboro, Tenn., was nominated for the Academy of Country Music’s award for Top New Male Vocalist in 2007. He signed with the RCA Nashville label in 2006.

 

The sold-out Food City 500 gets under way on Sunday, March 16 at 2 p.m. while the Sharpie MINI 300 revs up at 2:30 on Saturday, March 15. SCR

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONCORD, NC - While the Talladega Superspeedway garners a lot of the spotlight for its big races in Alabama, one of the most historic venues in the “Heart of Dixie,” is Mobile International Speedway.  One look at the racetrack’s official website, which features a picture of legendary short trackers Jody Ridley, Lee Fields and Bobby Allison and you will understand the impact the half-mile track has had in American racing lore.   

 

And come March 22nd, Mobile will add to its history when the high-banked track hosts the inaugural event for the ASA Southeast Asphalt Tour.  The 100-lap event it set for an 8:45 pm start (local) that Saturday evening.

 

“We have been very fortunate to attract new partners for the speedway and continue Lee’s (Fields) vision for our track,” said Ida Fields, owner of Mobile International Speedway.  “Having the ASA Southeast Asphalt Tour start their season here is another sign of the Speedway ’s revitalization and we’re proud to be part of their Tour.”

 

There will be plenty of short track racing stars looking to etch their name on the first trophy to be handed out by ASA SAT.  Names like former PASS South regular Preston Peltier, GAS Rookie of the Year Kyle Fowler, GAS event winner Michael Pope, second-generation racer Travis Cope, Florida racer Chris Fontaine and Georgia-native Beau Slocumb have all already registered.

 

“There couldn’t be any better fit than to open up our series at a place like Mobile ,” said ASA Southeast Asphalt Series Operations Manager Micky Cain.  “ Mobile is one of those tracks known as one of the toughest in the Southeast.  There are a lot of successful racers out there today that came from this part of the country and competed at MIS.  It’s a tough track and it takes a real good driver to get around that place well lap-after-lap.

 

“To open our season there, with the quality of drivers that we know are going to be there, just goes to show what the ASA Southeast Asphalt Tour is going to be like this year.  It’ll be ultra-competitive and it’s going to have some of the best racers around.  This first race will show that completely.”

 

The first event for the new Tour will run over a two-day period, with Friday being an optional practice day.  Pit gates will open on Friday at 5pm with a two hour practice session beginning at 6:30pm.  On Saturday, gates will open at 11am, with practice starting at 1:45.  Qualifying begins at 6:15, with green flag for features at 7:40pm.  The ASA Southeast Asphalt Tour event is slated to begin approximately 8:45pm. SCR

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bobby Labonte his rookie crew chief Jeff Meendering and “The King” Richard Petty left the track in California Monday and headed to Wyoming. The three went to Petty’s Alpine Wyoming home and rode snowmobiles. SCR

Matthew Blaylock

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tampa, FL – A NASCAR Sprint Cup car won’t be the only fast vehicle to hit the track next Sunday for the UAW-Dodge 400 from Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and another driver besides Kasey Kahne, Jeff Gordon or Dale Earnhardt Jr. will be getting the NASCAR fans excited before the drop of the green flag.

 

The #77 Century Class S/T Freightliner, driven by race and stunt driver Mike Ryan, will be making its debut to NASCAR fans during the traditional National Anthem before the start of the UAW-Dodge 400 and will be patriotically caring the American flag behind it. Of course, Freightliner trucks are a stable in the NASCAR garage each weekend, transporting NASCAR team’s cars and the pilot Mike Ryan has been winning with this fast Freightliner for over a decade at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and after an upgrade in 2005, broke both the qualifying and race times in 2006. Recognized as one of the world’s toughest automotive races, the Pike’s Peak course is 12.46 miles long with 156 turns and no guard rails. Drivers start at 9,400 feet above sea level and finish at 14,100 feet, amounting to a punishing one mile increase in elevation during the race.

 

 

Ryan has participated in the Pike’s Peak race for 12 years, winning 10 times and setting class records six times – all while driving hand-built Freightliner race trucks. This weekend Mike is excited to take his Freightliner to the asphalt of Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

 

“It is a privilege to carry the American Flag anytime, anywhere. Flying it in front of thousands of NASCAR fans before the start of the UAW-Dodge 400 from Las Vegas Motor Speedway will be an unforgettable honor that I am proud to be a part of,” said Mike Ryan, driver of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Freightliner.

 

Riding in the passenger seat of the Freightliner Race Truck (another advantage of this fast Freightliner) will be the Assistant Director of UAW’s Heavy Truck Department Tim Bressler.

 

“The United Auto Workers are excited about the representation of their Freightliner products this weekend at the UAW-Dodge 400.  UAW, Dodge and Freightliner have a winning tradition; that tradition continues through Mike Ryan and his record at Pikes Peak.”

 

UAW-Dodge has been a proud sponsor of the UAW-Dodge 400 for eight wonderful years and expects 2008 to be another exciting NASCAR Sprint Cup race from Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

 

Watch for Mike Ryan and the #77 Freightliner at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the UAW-Dodge 400 on March 2, 2008. More information on the UAW-Dodge 400 can be found on the Web at www.lvms.com. SCR

 

 

 

 

 

 

RE Suspension will return to the Hooters Pro Cup Series as an official contingency sponsor and bring with it the "Handling the Field" award.

The award will pay the driver leading the most laps $100 in product certificates at each stop on the Hooters Pro Cup tour.

In addition, the driver leading the most laps over the course of the year will receive a $500 product certificate, courtesy of RE Suspension.

"We're really excited to be a part of the Hooters Pro Cup Series this season," said Jason Enders, President of RE Suspension. "It's a great series, with terrific racing week in and week out. After working with several of the teams and drivers throughout the last few years, RE Suspension is proud to give something back to the series and to be involved at a higher level."

RE Suspension’s state of the art facility provides the latest technology available in suspension. Conveniently located in Lakeside Park in Mooresville, N.C., RE Suspension operates a full service suspension center, offering testing, revalving, rebuilding, rating and repairing capabilities. Our on-shelf inventory is one of the largest in the Southeast. RE has everything necessary for a smooth-handling race car.

"The increased involvement of RE Suspension is good news for the series," said Tony Cox, USAR Series Director. "RE’s at-track support is crucial for many of our teams, and we’re happy to have them back for another season."

 

 

 

 

 

 

MEMPHIS, TN - Memphis Motorsports Park is pleased to announce that the Southern Dodge Dealers will serve as presenting sponsor of the NASCAR Nationwide Series (formerly Busch Series) race Oct. 24-25.

 

“Dodge has been a NASCAR heavyweight for decades, and we believe that national reputation will be heightened regionally with this new partnership,” said Jason Rittenberry, Memphis Motorsports Park Vice President and General Manager. “Dodge dealerships from North Mississippi to Little Rock, Arkansas and Jackson, Tennessee realize how many Dodge owners – and future owners – are following the sport all over the Mid-South.”

 

The Memphis 250 presented by the Southern Dodge Dealers represents several “firsts”: the first race run under the new Nationwide Series banner in Memphis; the first time a presenting sponsor has been officially associated with the Memphis event; and the first time the race will have a new title sponsor. Sam’s Town Tunica was the only title sponsor of the event and only corporate partner name incorporated in the event title from 1999-2007. Discussions are ongoing to secure a new title sponsor for the 2008 event.

 

In addition to top billing at the track’s marquee NASCAR event, elements of the Dodge deal include branding of the preferred parking lots, a large fan-interactive display at all major events and numerous jointly-promoted customer incentives at area dealers.

 

“After a great showing at Daytona, Dodge and the Southern Dodge Dealers are excited about the 2008 season,” said Jeff Ross of the Southern Dodge Dealers. “We know our customers love NASCAR, and we do, too. We are proud to be the presenting sponsor at the Memphis 250, and we’re looking forward to displaying both the new Challenger and Ram at the race.” SCR

 

 

 

 

 

 

NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS – RoadLoans and Kevin Harvick, 2007 Daytona 500 champion, launched a letter writing campaign February 23 at California Speedway raising awareness and support of the troops around the world.  RoadLoans, a leader in online auto financing, and Harvick, co-driver and co-owner of the No. 33 RoadLoans Chevrolet, have partnered with A Million Thanks Foundation for this season-long patriotic campaign.

 

“It is important that we all take time out of our lives to thank the men and women who fight for our rights in this country,” said Harvick.  “A simple note of thank you will go a long way with the thousands of troops who have dedicated their lives to the freedoms we all enjoy.”

 

Motorsports fans are encouraged to join Harvick and show their support at select Nationwide Series races, race festival events and other locations of the No. 33 RoadLoans show car by writing a letter of support.  The campaign kicked off February 23 and will continue through November 15, 2008.  Fans can visit www.RoadLoansracing.com for a complete listing of the No. 33 RoadLoans Chevrolet show car program. 

 

A Million Thanks Foundation is a letter and email campaign founded by Shauna Fleming of Orange , California .  The 18-year-old, college student began the campaign in March 2004 as a freshman in high school.  The initial goal of the campaign was to collect and distribute one million letters of thank you to the troops serving in the U.S. Armed Forces around the world.  In October 2004 Fleming reached her goal and presented President George Bush with the one-millionth letter.

 

“I am really excited to have my A Million Thanks organization working with these two champion companies,” said Fleming.  With the focus of the country on the upcoming presidential election, it’s easy for Americans to forget that we have more than 2.6 million military men and women working hard every day to give us peace and security here at home.”

 

Since October 2004, Fleming has continued her mission and reached various milestones and goals in her campaign to help Americans thank those who dedicate their lives to military service.  To date, Fleming has collected more than three million letters of support.  A Million Thanks Foundation and Fleming are a part of America Supports You, a nationwide program founded by the Department of Defense to showcase America ’s support for the men and women of the Armed Forces.  A Million Thanks Foundation is one of over 340 America Supports You non-profit organizations across the country dedicated to helping the troops and their families.

 

“RoadLoans is proud to support our troops through this effort,” said Chris Goodman, senior vice president and managing director.  “We are all inspired and encouraged by the work that A Million Thanks has done and are excited to help them further their efforts this year.” SCR

 

 

 

 

 

 

HAMPTON, Ga. - NASCAR drivers competing in the March 9 Kobalt Tools 500, the March 8 Nicorette 300 and the March 7 American Commercial Lines 200 Craftsman Truck Series races at Atlanta Motor Speedway will be battling for nearly $7 million in posted prize money.

           

The awards for the events are part of a $6,763,848 purse announced for the three days of racing that comprise the March 7-9 Kobalt Tools 500 race weekend schedule of events.

           

This exciting weekend of racing will kick off Friday night, March 7 with Georgia Power Sprint Cup Qualifying night, immediately followed by the American Commercial Line 200 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race, where the tough trucks of NASCAR will hit the 1.54-mile quad-oval and battle for more than half a million dollars.

           

Racing action will heat up on Saturday, March 8 when the NASCAR Nationwide Series regulars try and beat select Sprint Cup drivers in the Nicorette 300, with $1,151,315 up for grabs.

           

On Sunday, the stars of the Sprint Cup series will take on the high banks of Atlanta Motor Speedway in the Kobalt Tools 500, racing for a record purse of $5,060,012.  This is the first time in Atlanta Motor Speedway’s history the purse has exceeded five million dollars. SCR

  

 

 

 

 

 

According to a NASCAR Now report on ESPN the California Speedway is looking at going to restrictor plates (RP). The reason being is that the track has not had a sellout in years and is looking for a way to increase attendance.

 

The idea of going to RP’s came from Michael Waltrip and track officials think it is a good idea to set them apart from Las Vegas and Phoenix.

 

To go to RP’s the track would have to be totally reconfigured and a lot of banking would have to be added to the turns to keep the speeds up. Walls would need to me moved and the project could cost in excess of $10 million. SCR

Matthew Blaylock

 

 

 

 

 

 

Roswell, GA - Bob Osborne, crew chief of the No. 99 DISH Network/Office Depot Ford Fusion driven by Carl Edwards, was named “Crew Chief of the Race” Monday in Fontana, California for his team’s win in the Auto Club 500.  Bob, who is a 2008 WYPALL Wipers crew chief representative, made the WYPALL brand proud Monday leading his team to a dominant win in the rain delayed two-day affair.  Osborne will receive a $1,000 check as a result of his leadership and strategic thinking during the race.

 

Sunday’s effort to get the Auto Club 500 completed was thwarted late in the evening when rain returned to the two-mile oval, halting any chance at a conclusion to the race.  NASCAR chose to postpone the race until Monday where Osborne and Edwards worked to make their car better and better on the sun soaked track.  Edwards took over the lead from Jimmie Johnson with 13 laps to go and never looked back in rout to his first win of the season.

 

Osborne, Edwards and the No. 99 team continue to be a formidable threat to win every week, amassing their eighth win in three years together in the NASCAR Sprint Cup series.  Bob and his team use WYPALL Wipers to help improve their performance and keep their Roush-Fenway Racing Ford performing at its top level.  “I am excited to be the WYPALL Wipers ‘Crew Chief of the Race’ once again and really proud to be part of the WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief Team in 2008,” Osborne said after his team’s victory Monday.  “Every Crew Chief in the garage wants to win the WYPALL Wipers ‘Crew Chief of the Race’ award because its voted on by his peers and that’s what makes it so special.”

 

The 2008 WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief Challenge is a season-long contest that will determine the best crew chiefs in the NASCAR Sprint Cup garage.  Following each Cup race, a panel will vote to determine which crew chief demonstrated the most outstanding strategy and leadership during the race.  It isn’t necessarily the crew chief that goes to victory lane, but the crew chief that made the biggest difference to his team.

 

Representatives from WYPALL Wipers, together with FOX/Speed television analyst Jeff Hammond, and three of NASCAR’s top crew chiefs who represent WYPALL, including Todd Berrier of the Richard Childress Racing No.29 Shell Pennzoil Chevy team, Bob Osborne of the Roush Fenway Racing No.99 Office Depot Ford team, and Kenny Francis of the Gillett Evernham Motorsports No.9 Budweiser Dodge team, make up the panel of judges.

 

In addition to the $1,000 check, the winning crew chief will receive signage to announce the win on their pit box the following week. The crew chief with the most weekly top wins will be honored as the WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief of the Year and will be presented a $20,000 check at the season finale in Homestead, FL.

 

“The WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief Challenge spotlights the crew chief’s efforts to get his team in Victory Lane,” said Tom Merrill, Category Manager for WYPALL Wipers.  “WYPALL Wipers and crew chiefs are a natural fit. Crew chiefs only want to use reliable products on their cars and engines.  That’s why they choose WYPALL Wipers. Our products are used to wipe up the toughest, most stubborn messes, and we want to focus on the men who put WYPALL Wipers to use each week.  That’s why we continue to show our appreciation to the crew chiefs.” SCR

 

 

 

 

 

 

LINCOLNTON, NC - The Carolina Clash Super Late Model Series season opener is just a few short weeks away. The nine year old tour will kick off the 2008 season with a 50 lap $5,000 to win main event at Gastonia, NC’s Carolina Speedway on Saturday night  March 8th. Race fans and competitors alike will see a few changes to the format to help promote better and more competitive action all season long.

           

The ‘Clash’ will tweak its qualifying format to ensure that the race fans get the most for their admission ticket. All cars will qualify with the top 12 moving into a pair of six lap dash races. The odd number qualifiers will compete in the first dash with the even number qualifiers competing in the second dash. The drivers finishing position in the dash events will determine their starting position in the main event. The remainder of the starting field will be set through heat races for competitors that qualify from 13th on back. Two points provisional will cap off the 24 car starting grid.

           

“Our format has always been very racer friendly’, said Carolina Clash President Larry Lee. “We wanted to offer our fans a little more action for 2008 and after talking with our race teams at our annual meeting in January we are very pleased to be able to announce our new format. I want to thank all of our teams that offered suggestions as we continue to move forward with the Carolina Clash Series. 2008 promises to be the best year yet and we are very excited about waving the first green flag at Carolina Speedway in a few weeks,” said Lee.

           

Only one major rule change will take place in 2008. No two way radio communications will be allowed in the race cars at any time. Race-Ceivers will be mandatory in all events just like in 2007.

           

In other news veteran car builder and promoter Terry Harris has been appointed as the new Technical Director for the series and Steve Fish has been appointed as a new Pit Steward.  “We are very pleased about bringing Terry and Steve on board,” said Lee. “Both Terry and Steve have a tremendous amount of experience and will be welcome additions to our already fine staff. We defiantly have the strongest and deepest staff we have ever had.” SCR

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tony Stewart followed up his Nationwide Series win at Daytona last week with a win at California Monday. After the race was delayed both Saturday and Sunday Stewart went out Monday and pulled away from Kyle Busch for the win.

 

Busch who finished second also sits second in the points in the Nationwide Series and leads the points in both the Truck and Cup Series.

 

Finishing third Monday was Kevin Harvick in third. Rounding out fourth and fifth were David Reutimann and Carl Edwards.

 

Jamie McMurray, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Burton, Clint Bowyer and Stephen Leicht rounded out the top 10. SCR

Matthew Blaylock

 

Stater Bros. 300 Results

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carl Edwards held off Jimmie Johnson Monday afternoon in the rain delayed Auto Club 500 at the California Speedway. With the win Edwards gave Roush Fenway Racing its fifth consecutive win the spring race at California. Johnson who finished second was followed by his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jeff Gordon in third. Kyle Busch and Matt Kenseth finished fourth and fifth.

 

Coming home sixth was Martin Truex Jr. He was followed by Tony Stewart, Kevin Harvick, Kasey Kahne and Ryan Newman.

 

With his fourth place finish Kyle Busch leads Ryan Newman in the Sprint Cup driver standings by 6 points. SCR

Matthew Blaylock

 

Auto Club 500 Results

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NASCAR officials suspended the Sprint Cup race at the California Speedway at about 2:00 a.m. est. time Monday morning due to rain. The race will resume today at 1:00 p.m. est. and will be followed by the Nationwide Series race. The Nationwide race is to start about one hour after the completion of the Sprint Cup race. SCR

Matthew Blaylock

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Sprint Cup race at the California Speedway is under the red flag for the second time. The first time the red flag came out was for weeping on the track. It came out the second time for rain. No word on if the race will be finished tonight or Monday. SCR

Matthew Blaylock

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kyle Busch pulled away from Todd Bodine after a late green flag pit stop on his way to winning the San Bernardino County 200. Bodine who won last week at Daytona finished second followed by Johnny Benson in third. Rounding out the top five were Terry Cook and Ron Hornaday.

 

With the win Busch takes over the points lead, he leads Bodine by points in the Craftsman Truck Series standings. SCR

Matthew Blaylock

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONCORD, N.C. - Former Hendrick Motorsports general manager Jimmy Johnson passed away Friday evening at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte after suffering a stroke earlier in the week. He was 61.

"So much of what we are today can be traced back to the late nights and long hours that Jimmy put in," said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports and chairman of Hendrick Automotive Group. "He had a vision and a passion for this company, and it showed in everything that he did. It's impossible to measure the impact he had on Hendrick Motorsports."

An accountant by trade, Johnson came to Hendrick Motorsports after a successful stint with Hendrick Automotive Group that started in 1983. As general manager, he oversaw the day-to-day racing operations beginning in December 1985 and grew the company from less than 40 employees to nearly 400 during his 16-year tenure.

A native of Fayetteville, N.C., Johnson was integral in building Hendrick Motorsports in the mid-1980s and helped shepherd its expansion from one to four NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams. He shared in 100 Cup-level race wins and eight NASCAR championships.

Following his retirement from Hendrick Motorsports after the 2001 season, Johnson was named director of special projects for the Hendrick Companies, where he oversaw the acquisition and management of Ricky Hendrick Performance Honda Suzuki (Pineville, N.C.) and Old Glory Harley-Davidson (Laurel, Md.). He was also the developer of the Teeter Farms community in Mooresville.

"There wasn't anyone who was more of a joy to be around than Jimmy," Hendrick said. "He taught my son (Ricky Hendrick) so much about business and life, and he was a great friend to all of us. We thought of Jimmy as a member of the family, and he will be sincerely missed."

Johnson, who lived in Mooresville, is survived by wife Priscilla and sons Jamie, Ryan and Dustin. Memorial plans have not yet been finalized. SCR

 

 

 

 

 

 

Qualifying for all three of NASCAR’s top series was washed out Friday at the California Speedway. The field for all three series will be set by 2007 owner points. That will put 2007 Cup Champion Jimmie Johnson on the pole for the Sprint Cup race with his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jeff Gordon on the outside of him.

 

In the Nationwide Series Jeff Burton will lead the filed to the green Saturday. Starting second through fifth will be Tony Stewart, Carl Edwards, Clint Bowyer and David Reutimann.

 

Ron Hornaday will sit on the pole for Saturday’s truck race. He will be followed by Mike Skinner and Johnny Benson. SCR

Matthew Blaylock

 

 

 

  

 

 

Tulare, CA - Excessive rain has forced Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series officials to postpone this weekend’s event at Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare , California .

 

With three races completed in 2008, three different drivers have won A-Feature events with the series. Craig Dollansky heads this list, as he leads the championship standings after a win on the opening night of the 37th Annual Alltel DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park in Florida . The native of Elk River , Minnesota has finished in the Top-Five of all three races, as has Jason Meyers, who is just 10 markers behind Dollansky in the standings. Meyers won the second event of the season, after a thrilling battle with two-time defending series champion Donny Schatz.

 

Danny Lasoski, the 2001 World of Outlaws champion also has an A-Feature win this season, as he was victorious on the final night of the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals to bring his career total to 81 A-Feature wins with the series.

 

Schatz, who is chasing his third consecutive World of Outlaws title began the year with two second-place finishes and also charged from the 24th starting spot to finish eighth in the finale of the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals. The North Dakota native is third in the standings, just 23 markers out of the lead. He also won two events to open the season with the All Star Circuit of Champions, including in his debut for Tony Stewart Racing.

 

Joey Saldana has started the season on a strong note as well, with three Top-10 finishes and is fourth in points, with Terry McCarl, who has two Top-Five finishes rounding out the Top-Five in the championship standings.

 

The Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series will return to action on Saturday, March 1 at the famed Manzanita Speedway in Phoenix for the Cactus Classic. For ticket information visit: http://www.slspromotions.com. SCR

 

 

 

 

 

 

BRISTOL, Tenn. - Food City 500 weekend might be three weeks away, but Bristol Motor Speedway is kicking off activities Friday, Feb. 22 with the start of the “Ride of a Lifetime” online auction.

 

The auction gives fans the opportunity to take a lap around the World’s Fastest Half-Mile in front of approximately 160,000 fans with their favorite driver prior to the start of the Food City 500 on Sunday, March 16.

Bristol Motor Speedway’s web site (www.bristolmotorspeedway.com) will host the bidding contest where fans vie for a ride with one of 15 NASCAR superstars during driver introductions for the Food City 500 in the bed of a Chevrolet pickup truck for a lap around the .533-mile oval.

 

In addition to the ride of a lifetime, winning bidders will have the rare opportunity to purchase two tickets to the otherwise sold-out Food City 500.

 

All proceeds from the auction will benefit the Bristol chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities.

 

Drivers participating in the auction are Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Clint Bowyer, Matt Kenseth, Carl Edwards, Kurt Busch, Jeff Burton, Kevin Harvick, Martin Truex, Jr., Denny Hamlin, Kasey Kahne, Ryan Newman and Elliott Sadler. Fans also may bid on a ride with Dale Jarrett, who competes in the final points race of his successful career in th