October 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup News Archive

OCTOBER 2013 NASCAR NEWS ARCHIVE

contains NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide Series, Camping World Truck Series and Racetrack news for the month

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    News from October 31, 2013

  • Truex, Furniture Row still finalizing deal UPDATE: When is a deal with terms acceptable to all parties not quite a done deal? When the parties involved have accepted those terms, but haven't yet put pen to paper to confirm those acceptable terms. Other than that small detail, it's a done deal and in this case, everyone knows it. That's the situation at Furniture Row Racing, the home of Martin Truex Jr. after this NASCAR season. According to knowledgeable sources close to and inside the Denver, Colo.-based Sprint-Cup company, Truex and team owner Barney Visser have agreed to terms. They just haven't gotten around to signing the contract to make it official. Thus the delay in formally announcing what everyone knows is eventually coming. Broadcasters and bloggers have reported for weeks that Truex is going to Furniture Row and the announcement will be made & well, any day now. Last weekend, at Martinsville Speedway, team general manager Joe Garone said most of the details are done and acceptable to everyone. But he added that Truex has one small detail to clear up before moving forward. "I don't know where people are getting their information," Garone said. "Yes, we've agreed to terms, but we just haven't signed anything yet. The timing isn't a big priority because we know it's going to happen. It might even get done by the end of next week [when the tour is in Fort Worth]."(Autoweek)(10-29-2013)
    UPDATE: Furniture Row Racing has scheduled a "major team announcement" Friday at 11:00am/et at Texas Motor Speedway.(10-31-2013)

  • Earnhardt going gold at Texas: Dale Earnhardt's #88 Chevy will have gold and black paint scheme this weekend to honor his fellow AMP Energy athletes who will be hitting the slopes and going for gold in the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games. AMP Energy Gold is a new, apple-flavored beverage that will be available on shelves nationwide from Nov. 4 through January 2014.(Hendrick Motorsports), see an image of the car on the #88 team paint schemes page.(10-30-2013)

  • AAA on the #22 at Texas: Joey Logano's #22 Penske Racing Ford Fusion will have a new look this weekend in Texas as will carry the red, white and blue colors of AAA. It will be the second time that AAA has adorned the side of the #22 with their unique livery with the first coming at Kansas Speedway back in April. AAA is a long-time partner with Penske Racing, sponsoring both the #22 in the Sprint Cup Series as well as the #3 car driven by Helio Castroneves in the IZOD IndyCar Series.(Penske Racing), see an image of the car on the #22 team paint schemes page.(10-31-2013)

  • Milestone starts at Texas: #16-Greg Biffle and #1-Jamie McMurray will both make Sprint Cup Series start No. 400 this weekend at Texas. #36-J.J. Yeley will make his 200th start.(NASCAR)(10-31-2013)

  • Texas Facts and Notes - Thursday:
    • Kevin Harvick has participated in the most NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Texas Motor Speedway without posting a DNF (21).
    • Jeff Burton (4/6/1997) and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (4/2/2000) won their first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series career race at Texas Motor Speedway.
    • David Ragan (4/09/2011) and Martin Truex Jr. (11/4/2007) posted their first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coors Light poles at Texas Motor Speedway.
    • 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Brad Keselowski (11/2/2008) and Trevor Bayne (11/7/2010) made their first NASCAR Sprint Cup career starts at Texas Motor Speedway.
    • Two NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers have posted consecutive wins at Texas Motor Speedway: Carl Edwards (2008 sweep) and Denny Hamlin (2010 sweep).
    • 10 of the 15 active NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers who have won at Texas Motor Speedway participated in at least two or more races before visiting Victory Lane. Jeff Burton and Dale Earnhardt Jr. won at Texas in their first appearance; Carl Edwards, Mark Martin and Ryan Newman all won in their second appearance at TMS.
    • Jeff Gordon competed at Texas Motor Speedway 16 times before winning in the spring of 2009; the longest span of any the 15 active NASCAR Sprint Cup Series winners.
    • Only three of the 15 winning drivers have made 10 or more attempts before their first win at Texas Motor Speedway: Jeff Gordon (16) Kyle Busch (15) and Kurt Busch (13).(NASCAR)(10-31-2013)

  • Chassis selections for this weeks race: see the list of many teams [that report or post them] and what chassis were selected by the team to run at Texas Motor Speedway on the Texas Race Info page - Chassis selection area.

  • RK Motors Collector Car Auction: RK Motors Collector Car Auction (Rob Kauffman part-owner is part owner of MWR and a sponsor of MWR) is Thursday (Oct 31) through Sunday (Nov 3) at the Charlotte Convention Center. Over 200 of the finest classic and collector cars will be on display and up for auction. Including race cars driven by Dale Earnhardt Sr., AJ Foyt and James Hunt. The event is open to the public. NASCAR and Motorsports Artist Garry Hill will be exhibiting his art at the RK Motors Collector Car Auction Headlining the auction is a 1977 McLaren M26 driven by World Champion James Hunt to his final Formula 1 victory.(10-31-2013)

  • Lafferty adds OEM Auto Parts Plus and Blue Ox for Texas: Chris Lafferty is headed to Texas Motor Speedway this weekend for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series WinStar World Casino 350 where he will welcome new sponsor OEM Auto Parts Plus as he pilots the #0 OEM Auto Parts Plus/KOMA Unwind RAM in his third start at the 1.5 mile speedway. OEMAutoPartsPlus.com is launching the most comprehensive online OEM auto parts store with 39 vehicle brands in January. OEM will offer one stop shopping for every available OEM auto part since 1984 for all 39 brands. Lafferty will also be sporting his Blue Ox fire suit this weekend.(Chris Lafferty PR)(10-31-2013)

  • Harvick, Dillon run-in leads crew to vent frustration UPDATE 3: Kevin Harvick unloaded on the Sprint Cup team he is leaving after a wreck with team owner Richard Childress' grandson, Ty Dillon, during Saturday's Camping World Truck Series race. Harvick, who was driving for another team in the Kroger 200, and Dillon were racing for second when their trucks collided and knocked both from contention. Dillon slammed Harvick several times during the ensuing yellow flag. Harvick's truck also stopped near Dillon's pit stall, where it was accosted by several members of Dillon's crew, one of whom appeared to hurl an orange hammer at it. MRN.com reported that Childress encouraged Dillon to hit Harvick's truck under yellow. Dillon said he tried to talk about the incident with Harvick, but the Sprint Cup veteran left.(USA Today)(10-26-2013)
    UPDATE: Kevin Harvick apologized for his comments about teammate Ty Dillon during Sunday's NASCAR RACEDAY on FOX Sports 1. Harvick spoke to hosts John Roberts, Kyle Petty and Larry McReynolds.
    What made you angry in yesterday's incident? I think there was just a lot of emotion involved. I hate it for everybody at RCR. You go back and look at the things that happened, and sometimes you regret the things that you say for sure. Yesterday was definitely one of them. I hate it for my guys, and everybody working on the cars. Obviously, when those emotional situations come about; you say things that you really don't want to say. I just want to apologize to all of those guys, work hard today and try and do everything we can to win the race.
    Were these comments a result of the frustration and the pressure? I think yesterday was just some frustration on how the race ended. You never want to be in a situation like were in, and obviously, the short-track racing and everything that happened, you try to do the right things, and yesterday I didn't do the right thing. We just have to do what we have to do today to put ourselves in a position to be as successful as we can.
    Have you had a conversation with Ty Dillon? No. I think its best for all of us to just cool down and have a sensible conversation about things that are going. I wish thats what I would have done yesterday. It's one of those situations that you dont want to be a part of, but I dont have anybody else to blame but myself.(Fox Sports PR)(10-27-2013)
    UPDATE 2: Richard Childress fiercely defended his two grandsons Sunday morning, a day after Childress driver Kevin Harvick called Ty Dillon "a punk-ass kid" after they wrecked at Martinsville Speedway. Harvick's job might be safe but the relationship with Childress, the owner of Richard Childress Racing, soured after he called Childress' grandsons Austin and Ty Dillon spoiled "punks" and "rich kids" following Saturday's race. "What happened on the track was one thing," Childress said, "but the comments afterwards is where I'm really upset. I'll never apologize for giving my grandsons an opportunity, just like the France family, the Earnhardt family, the Wood brothers. You go down the list of the people that have been given opportunities. All of them didn't make it. You've got to go out and earn what you've got, the opportunity in life to succeed. And these boys earned it." Childress, who talked with Harvick on Sunday morning, said he is committed to Harvick and the team sponsors for the final four races of the season. "We're going to give him everything humanly possible to win that championship," Childress said. "I'm committed to him for four more races, just like I committed to him the day that he said he was leaving. I shook his hand and committed I'd give him 100 percent, and I'm going to do it. But I'm not going to be backed into a corner."(Sporting News)(10-27-2013)
    UPDATE 3: Penalties have been issued to the #3 team in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series following last weekend's race at Martinsville Speedway. The team has been penalized for violating Sections 12-1 (Actions detrimental to stock car racing; throwing an object at a competitor's race truck) and 9-4A: (The Crew Chief assumes responsibility for the actions of his/her Driver, Truck Owner and team members). The infractions occurred during the race on Saturday, October 26. As a result of these violations, crew chief Paul (Marcus) Richmond has been fined $10,000 and crew member Adam Brown has been indefinitely suspended from NASCAR.(NASCAR)(10-31-2013)

  • Keselowski fastest in final practice at Texas: #19-Brad Keselowski was fastest during the final practice for Friday's WinStar World Casino 350k at Texas Motor Speedway. Keselowski ran a fast lap at 181.446 mph. He was followed by: #4-Jeb Burton, #88-Matt Crafton, #32-Miguel Paludo, #3-Ty Dillon, #31-James Buescher, #6-Justin Lofton, #62-Brendan Gaughan, #54-Darrell Wallace, Jr., #51-Kyle Busch and #77-German Quiroga. 35 trucks practiced during the session. Practice speeds are posted on the Texas Final Practice page (pdf).(10-31-2013)

  • Paludo fastest in first practice at Texas: #32-Miguel Paludo led the opening practice for Friday's WinStar World Casino 350k at Texas Motor Speedway. Paludo's fastest lap was 180.373 mph. He was followed by: #6-Justin Lofton, #3-Ty Dillon, #88-Matt Crafton, #4-Jeb Burton, #7-John Wes Townley, #51-Kyle Busch, #31-James Buescher, #77-German Quiroga, and #24-Brennan Newberry. 29 trucks practiced during the session. Practice speeds are posted on the Texas Practice page (pdf).(10-31-2013)

  • Entry list: There are 34 trucks on the preliminary entry list for this Friday night's WinStar World Casino 350k at Texas Motor Speedway. Some notes include;
    Chris Lafferty in the #0;
    Tyler Young in the #102;
    Spencer Gallagher in the #21;
    Ryan Lynch in the #39;
    Justin Jennings in the #63;
    Ryan Sieg in the #93; (10-28-2013)
    UPDATE:Chris Jones added in the #38;
    UPDATE 2: Morgan Shepherd has been added in the #75; and the #27 with Agnew withdrew.(10-31-2013)

  • Stephen Cochran to entertain fans at Phoenix: Marine Corps veteran and rising country music artist Stephen Cochran will entertain race fans throughout the AdvoCare 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race weekend at Phoenix International Raceway. Cochran will play a pre-race concert on the track, the first such performance in PIR's history, beginning at 11:30am/mt prior to the AdvoCare 500 on Sunday, Nov. 10 and will perform the Star Spangled Banner immediately before the race starts at 1:00pm. He will also perform on the Budweiser ROLL-BAR Stage Saturday, Nov. 9 from Noon-12:45om prior to the ServiceMaster 200 NASCAR Nationwide Series race. Cochran's performances throughout race weekend are courtesy of Sugar Skull Rum. Because the race weekend proceeds Veterans Day on Monday, Nov. 11, much of the race-weekend entertainment will pay tribute to the everyday heroes who serve, protect and defend the country, including veterans, fire fighters and other service personnel.(PIR)(10-31-2013)


    News from October 30, 2013

  • Boot Barn sponsoring Dillon at Texas: In addition to competing in the Sprint Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway in April (finished 33rd in a Phoenix Racing entry), #33-Austin Dillon has made three NASCAR Nationwide Series starts at the track, with a best finish of third in April 2013, and four NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts, with a best finish of second in November 2011. Dillon and the RCR team will be racing by with Boot Barn, America's largest Western and Work store. Since 1978, Boot Barn has been honoring America's western heritage - our heritage. Boot Barn operates 150 stores in 23 states with the addition of RCC Western Stores and Baskins stores to the Boot Barn family.(Richard Childress Racing)(10-30-2013)

  • New look for Bowyer at Texas: #15 5-hour ENERGY Toyota driver Clint Bowyer heads to Texas Motor Speedway for Sunday's 500-mile NASCAR Sprint Cup with a new Extra Strength Sour Apple 5-hour ENERGY camouflage paint scheme. Bowyer, who finished a Chase-best third at Martinsville last week, has three top-five and eight top-10 finishes in his 15 starts at Texas. He has led 84 laps with an average finish of 13th. Bowyer ranks sixth in the Sprint Cup Series standings trailing co-leaders Matt Kenseth and Jimmie Johnson by 55 points with three races remaining in the season.(MWR), see an image of the car on the #15 team paint schemes page.(10-30-2013)

  • Twisted Tea to sponsor Ambrose in 2014 race: Richard Petty Motorsports announced the company will partner with the Twisted Tea Brewing Company on its #9 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford team beginning in 2014. The hard iced tea brewer will be an associate sponsor of the car driven by two-time Cup Series winner Marcos Ambrose during the 2014 season. In addition, Twisted Tea will serve as a primary sponsor of the team at Dover International Speedway during the fall race event. Twisted Tea offers hard iced tea in eight flavors, all brewed to taste like real iced tea. Its logo will appear on the roof position of the #9 Ford for 18 events in 2014 along with the primary sponsorship at Dover. Ambrose will be entering his fourth year with RPM and the #9 race team in 2014. Since coming to the United States from Australia, the driver has proven to be a winner on the track and one of the sport's most popular and likeable personalities.(RPM), see images of the car n the #9 team paint schemes page.(10-30-2013)

  • Biffle would like to have handled frustrations with Johnson differently: If #16-Greg Biffle could go back to Sunday, when he grabbed #48-Jimmie Johnson by the collar and spun him around to confront him, he'd probably reach for the five-time champion's arm. And he would maybe ask for a private conversation rather than interrupting Johnson during post-race interviews. For the way it actually transpired, Biffle said, he plans to apologize to Johnson. But that's where it ends. Biffle remained adamant that Johnson rammed into the back of his car at Martinsville Speedway, causing heavy damage to Biffle's rear bumper cover and preventing him from his first career top-three finish at the track. "Maybe I overreacted a small amount, but I wanted him to know I was not happy with what took place," Biffle said Tuesday during an appearance at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.(Associated Press)(10-30-2013)

  • Female crew member leaves MWR: Christmas Abbott, who in February became the only woman employed in NASCAR as a full-time pit crew member, has left her Michael Waltrip Racing team without ever changing a tire in a race. Abbott's departure was confirmed on Tuesday night by a MWR spokesman. The team declined to release any other details regarding her departure. In February, Abbott, an elite-level fitness athlete whose journey to become a full-time pit crew member has been well-chronicled, was named to MWR's Sprint Cup organization's traveling pit support team. Abbott, however, never made it into a race with the MWR organization and in recent months wasn't seen at the track on race day.(Charlotte Observer)(10-30-2013)

  • Texas Goodyear Tire Notes: Teams in all three NASCAR series in action at Texas this week will run the same tire codes, though the Sprint Cup and Nationwide tires will be branded "Goodyear Eagle," while the Camping World Truck tires will be branded "Goodyear Wrangler" . . . this is the same combination of left- and right-side tires that all of these teams ran at Texas earlier this season -- Sprint Cup and Nationwide in April and Camping Wold Truck in June . . . Truck teams have run this same tire set-up at Texas since 2011 . . . in the Cup and Nationwide Series, they have run this left-side tire code (D-4392) at Texas since 2011, though it was just paired with this right-side tire code (D-4418) this season . . . while this right-side code is unique to Texas, this left-side code is also run by NASCAR teams at Chicagoland (all three series), Darlington (Sprint Cup and Nationwide) and Homestead (all three series) in 2013 . . . as on all NASCAR ovals greater than one mile in length, teams are required to run inner liners in all four tire positions at Texas . . . air pressure in those inner liners should be 12-25 psi greater than that of the outer tire.(Goodyear), see full notes, trie codes, tire pressures on the Texas Race Info page - Goodyear section.

  • Chase For The NASCAR Sprint Cup: Texas Motor Speedway:
    • This season will be Texas Motor Speedway's ninth event in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup since the playoff's inception in 2004. Texas did not participate in the 2004 Chase. Texas has been the eighth race of the Chase all eight previous seasons.
    • The winner of the Texas Motor Speedway Chase race has gone on to win the championship twice: Jimmie Johnson (2007) and Tony Stewart (2011).
    • Jimmie Johnson, Carl Edwards and Tony Stewart are all tied for the series' most Chase race wins at Texas with two each.
    • The worst finish by the eventual series champion at Texas Motor Speedway is 38th, by Jimmie Johnson in 2009. Johnson was in the Chase standings lead following the 2009 Texas Chase race.
    • Chase Contenders have won seven of the eight previous Chase races at Texas Motor Speedway. The only non-Chase contender to win a Texas Chase race was Tony Stewart in 2006.
    • Three of the 2013 Chase Contenders are former NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Chase race winners at Texas Motor Speedway: Jimmie Johnson (two), Carl Edwards (two) and Kurt Busch (one).
    • The average finish by the eventual series champion at Texas Motor Speedway is 9.25.
    • Chevrolet leads the series in Chase wins at Texas with four; followed by Ford with two. Toyota and Dodge each have one Chase race win at Texas.(NASCAR) (10-30-2013)

  • Texas Facts and Notes - Wednesday:
    • Jimmie Johnson leads the series in runner-up finishes at Texas Motor Speedway with five; followed by Matt Kenseth with four.
    • Matt Kenseth leads the series in top-five finishes at Texas Motor Speedway with 12; followed by Jimmie Johnson with nine.
    • Matt Kenseth and Jimmie Johnson are tied for the series lead in top-10 finishes at Texas Motor Speedway with 15 each; followed by Mark Martin with 13.
    • Jimmie Johnson leads active drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in average starting position at Texas Motor Speedway with an 8.750. Jimmie Johnson is the only active driver with an average starting position at Texas in the top 10.
    • Two active drivers have a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series average finish in the top 10 at Texas: Matt Kenseth (8.500) and Jimmie Johnson (9.100).
    • There have been three NSCS green-white-checkered finishes at Texas Motor Speedway: fall 2006 (334/339), spring 2008 (334/339), and fall 2012 (334/335).
    • Qualifying has been cancelled due to weather conditions twice in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Texas Motor Speedway; the inaugural event in 1997 and spring 2007. The race has never been rain shortened.(NASCAR)(10-30-2013)

  • Lionel Racing Golden Ticket contest on the #7 at Texas: Lionel Racing is giving fans a golden opportunity to win some incredible prizes courtesy of the Lionel Racing Golden Ticket contest that the company announced. In 2014, each 1:24-scale Lionel Racing die-cast just might come with a special ticket inside which entitles the winner to an incredible prize - like a driver meet and greet, private race shop tour, practice with a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series pit crew, race used sheet metal, and more. To announce the contest, Lionel Racing will be the primary sponsor of Regan Smith's #7 Chevy Camaro at Texas Motor Speedway this Saturday. More than 700 Lionel Racing Golden Tickets will be randomly inserted in 2014 1:24 scale die-cast cars. The promotion will run through the end of the 2014 season.(Lionel Racing Collectibles), see an image of the car on the #7 team paint schemes page.(10-30-2013)

  • ISC to install video screens, improve wireless at tracks: International Speedway Corporation unveiled its plan to provide race fans with the sport's first fully-integrated multi-media race-day experience across all its motorsports facilities over the next few years. In addition to the thrilling live on-track racing action, fans will be able to enjoy rich multi-media content directly on their Sprint smartphones and other handheld devices, and on new high-definition video screens located throughout the racetrack. They will also enjoy enhanced connectivity to instantly share their raceday experience with friends inside and outside the track via Twitter, Facebook, and other social media platforms. These enhancements, which began in 2013 and will continue in 2014 and 2015, focus on several key areas:
    -- Digital High-Definition Video Screens: Beginning with Talladega Superspeedway in 2014, new large high-definition video boards will be installed across all ISC tracks. These video boards will be located throughout each facility to ensure all fans in attendance have a clear view of the screens to enjoy all the great content that it will deliver. -- Unique At-Track Content: ISC has deployed a fully-integrated multi-media content strategy to deliver up-to-the-second live in-race and in-car cameras views, instant race data and other interactive race-day content to enhance the live on-track action and provide fans with a raceday experience unlike any other in the industry.
    -- Enhanced Connectivity: Wi-Fi service will be provided in premium camping and fan areas, as well as in high-traffic areas. These services were already installed at Michigan International Speedway and Auto Club Speedway of Southern California in 2013, and will be rolled out to other venues in the ISC family in 2014 and 2015. In addition, ISC is working with American Tower Corporation to provide improved cellular coverage to include 4G connectivity for fans during race weekends.(ISC)(10-30-2013)

  • Fifth Harmony to perform National Anthem prior to Nationwide race at Phoenix: Radio Disney's "N.B.T." (Next Big Thing) and Epic Records' Fifth Harmony will perform "The Star-Spangled Banner" live at Phoenix International Raceway prior to the ServiceMaster 200 NASCAR Nationwide Series Race. The group's performance was arranged through a partnership between PIR, Radio Disney Phoenix and the NASCAR Entertainment Group. The teen pop female vocal group was put together by Simon Cowell and is comprised of individual "The X Factor" contestants Dinah Jane Hansen, Lauren Jauregui, Ally Brooke, Normani Kordei and Camila Cabello. Fifth Harmony recently released their debut EP "Better Together," which skyrocketed to No. 2 on the iTunes' album chart and features their first single, "Miss Movin' On."(PIR)(10-30-2013)


    News from October 29, 2013

  • Martinsville TV Ratings: ESPN's live telecast of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway on Sunday, Oct. 27, earned a 2.7 U.S. household rating, averaging 4,315,850 viewers, according to Nielsen Media. The rating was up 12 percent from last year's race, which earned a 2.4 rating with an average of 3,617,199 viewers. Of the six races in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup that have been run and telecast as scheduled, five have seen ratings and viewership growth over 2012. Greensboro, N.C., led all metered markets across the country with an 8.4 rating for the Martinsville race telecast, followed by Greenville, S.C., at 7.6 and Norfolk, Va., at 6.9. Indianapolis (5.7) and Charlotte (5.6) completed the top five. The rest of the top 10 markets were Richmond, Va., (5.5), Birmingham, Ala., (5.4), Knoxville, Tenn., (5.3), Nashville, Tenn., (5.1) and Raleigh-Durham, N.C., (4.9).(ESPN), See past races for 2013 and 5-year comparison chart on the 2013 NASCAR TV Ratings page.(10-29-2013)

  • Truex, Furniture Row still finalizing deal: When is a deal with terms acceptable to all parties not quite a done deal? When the parties involved have accepted those terms, but haven't yet put pen to paper to confirm those acceptable terms. Other than that small detail, it's a done deal and in this case, everyone knows it. That's the situation at Furniture Row Racing, the home of Martin Truex Jr. after this NASCAR season. According to knowledgeable sources close to and inside the Denver, Colo.-based Sprint-Cup company, Truex and team owner Barney Visser have agreed to terms. They just haven't gotten around to signing the contract to make it official. Thus the delay in formally announcing what everyone knows is eventually coming. Broadcasters and bloggers have reported for weeks that Truex is going to Furniture Row and the announcement will be made & well, any day now. Last weekend, at Martinsville Speedway, team general manager Joe Garone said most of the details are done and acceptable to everyone. But he added that Truex has one small detail to clear up before moving forward. "I don't know where people are getting their information," Garone said. "Yes, we've agreed to terms, but we just haven't signed anything yet. The timing isn't a big priority because we know it's going to happen. It might even get done by the end of next week [when the tour is in Fort Worth]."(Autoweek)(10-29-2013)

  • Larson returns to the #51 at Texas: Phoenix Racing will partner with the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau for this weekend's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway. Kyle Larson will return to the #51 to pilot the Visit Dallas Chevy SS for Phoenix Racing. The Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau is an independent, non-profit organization that promotes Dallas as a meeting, convention and leisure destination. Dallas is the ninth-largest city in the nation and is part of the fourth-largest metropolitan area. Each year, more than 30 million people visit the area, making the surrounding metropolitan area the top visitor destination in Texas. Larson will be making his third NSCS start at Texas Motor Speedway, after making his debut at Charlotte Motor Speedway two weeks ago and competing at Martinsville Speedway this past weekend. Larson will also compete in the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Texas on Saturday, driving the # 32 Chevy Camaro for Turner Scott Motorsports, which is co-owned by Scott.(Phoenix Racing), see an image of the car on the #51 team paint schemes page.(10-29-2013)

  • Bowyer comfortable with where MWR is: After a turbulent couple of months, #15-Clint Bowyer believes Michael Waltrip Racing has turned the corner. Though the recent news that teammate Brian Vickers would miss the rest of the season with blood clots was another reminder of how much adversity the organization has faced since being embroiled in a team orders scandal. "I don't know if everyone's at a good place, but the biggest thing is we have a good game plan," Bowyer said Monday. "I'm very proud of where we're at considering all the circumstances," he said. "With all the distractions, all the melees going on with our organization, it would have been very easy to take our eye off the ball and lose focus and not be a factor at all. I'm pleasantly surprised by the dedication, hard work and drive of everybody." Bowyer's contract runs through the 2014 season, and he believes MWR will remain strong next year with two cars and despite the absence of Truex, who has been freed from his contract. "I've found a good home," Bowyer said. "It's a young organization. Mistakes have been made and we've learned from them. We damn sure learned a lot this year, but all those mistakes only make you stronger in the future. The setback of losing Martin Truex  he's not only a good teammate, he's a good friend  not having him around is tough.(USA Today)(10-29-2013)

  • Top 13 Driver Rating at Texas
    1) #20-Matt Kenseth...............106.5
    2) #48-Jimmie Johnson.............103.8
    3) #16-Greg Biffle................102.7
    4) #18-Kyle Busch.................101.5
    5) #14-Tony Stewart................99.1
    6) #99-Carl Edwards................98.1
    7) #11-Denny Hamlin................93.3
    8) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr...........92.6
    9) #24-Jeff Gordon.................92.3
    10) #15-Clint Bowyer...............92.0
    11) #56-Martin Truex Jr............89.0
    12) #78-Kurt Busch.................89.0
    13) #15-Mark Martin................87.8
    Note: Driver Ratings compiled from 2005-2013 races (17 total) among active drivers at Texas Motor Speedway.
    Formula combining the following categories: Wins, Finishes, Top-15 Finishes, Average Running Position While on Lead Lap, Average Speed Under Green, Fastest Lap, Led Most Laps, Lead-Lap Finish. Maximum: 150 points per race.(NASCAR)(10-29-2013)

  • Texas Facts and Notes - Tuesday:
    • Construction on Texas Motor Speedway began in 1995.
    • The first NASCAR national series race at TMS was a NASCAR Nationwide Series event on April 5, 1997  won by Mark Martin.
    • The first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race was on April 6, 1997  won by Jeff Burton.
    • The track underwent a repave between the 2001 and 2002 seasons.
    • In 2011, the spring NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race was moved from Sunday to Saturday night under the lights at Texas Motor Speedway.
    • Texas Motor Speedway hosted its first Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on November 6, 2005  won by Carl Edwards.
    • There have been 25 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Texas Motor Speedway, one NSCS event from 1997 - 2004 and two races per year since 2005.
    • 132 drivers have competed in at least one NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Texas; 106 in more than one.
    • Four drivers have made all 25 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at Texas Motor Speedway  Jeff Gordon, Bobby Labonte, Jeff Burton and Mark Martin.
    • Bobby Labonte leads the series with the most NASCAR Sprint Cup starts at Texas Motor Speedway without visiting Victory Lane at 25.
    • Since the advent of electronic scoring the closest margin of victory in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Texas Motor Speedway was the April 4, 2004 race won by Elliott Sadler with a MOV of 0.028 second.
    • Two female drivers have made NSCS starts at Texas Motor Speedway: Shawna Robinson and Danica Patrick.
    • Only one car number has produced three or more Texas Motor Speedway NSCS wins: #99  Jeff Burton (1997); Carl Edwards (2005 and 2008 sweep).
    • Matt Kenseth leads the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in laps led at Texas Motor Speedway with 772 laps led in 22 starts.
    • One NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver has won at Texas Motor Speedway in two different manufacturers: Jeff Burton (1997  Ford; 2007  Chevrolet)(NASCAR)(10-29-2013)

  • Anne Fornoro Wins 2013 Chapman Award: Anne Fornoro, who has worked with racing legend A.J. Foyt for almost three decades, has been announced as winner of the 2013 Jim Chapman Award for excellence in motorsports public relations. The Chapman Award is considered by many in the industry as the highest honor in racing public relations. It is named in memory of Chapman, the legendary PR executive and innovator, who worked with Babe Ruth and was named Indy Car racing's "most influential man" of the 1980s. Chapman died in 1996 at age 80. The announcement and presentation were made at Auto Club Speedway by Michael Knight, chairman of the selection committee, and one of Chapman's closest friends. The award is determined by a vote of media members, most of who knew Chapman, and is authorized by the Chapman family. PR representatives from all forms of motorsports are eligible for consideration.(SpinDicotor500)(10-29-2013)

  • Redneck Heaven sponsoring Bell at Texas: Redneck Heaven, the best place in Texas to go eat, drink and have fun announced they will be the primary sponsor of T.J. Bell's #40 Chevy Camaro fielded by The Motorsports Group in the O'Reilly Auto Parts 300 at Texas Motor Speedway on November 2nd. Redneck Heaven has partnered with Hero Energy Shot to draw attention to the 32 million men and women that put on a uniform to serve and protect our country. This patriotic red, white and blue car will take the track and make heads turn just like in their restaurants.(The Motorsports Group), see an image of the car on the #40 team paint schemes page.(10-29-2013)

  • Pringles on the #42 at Texas: Michael Annett will make his ninth start at the Ft. Worth track this weekend. His best finish at the track came in the spring of 2012 after finishing ninth, giving him his only top-10 at Texas. Annett will look to improve his average finish of 16.4. The Pilot Travel Centers Ford will have a new look this weekend as Pringles makes their debut on the side of the #43. For almost 50 years, Pringles has been providing original snacking fun to consumers from young to old. As the fastest-growing potato crisp in both dollar sales and volume, this brand continues to drive sales in the salty snack category. The Pringles brand is now part of the Kellogg's portfolio.(Richard Petty Motorsports)(10-29-2013)

  • Battlefield 4 on the #18 at Texas: In addition to competing in Sunday's eighth race of the 2013 Chase for the Sprint Cup, the AAA Texas 500, Kenseth will also pilot the #18 GameStop/Battlefield 4 Toyota Camry in Saturday's O'Reilly Auto Parts Challenge at Texas Motor Speedway. Kenseth finished sixth in April which had marked his first Nationwide Series start at Texas since 2009. Battlefield 4 is the genre-defining action blockbuster made from moments that blur the line between game and glory. Fueled by the next-generation power and fidelity of Frostbite 3, Battlefield 4 provides a visceral, dramatic experience unlike any other. Only in Battlefield will you blow the foundations of a dam or reduce an entire skyscraper to rubble.(Joe Gibbs Racing)(10-29-2013)

  • KBM, Jones partner with Wake Up Narcolepsy: When Erik Jones, the 17-year-old NASCAR driving phenom, buckles into the Kyle Busch Motorsports #51 Toyota for the next couple of weekends of racing, his newest partner will be Wake Up Narcolepsy. WUN is a leading international nonprofit dedicated to speeding narcolepsy diagnosis through greater awareness and funding research for a cure to this devastating sleep disorder, which affects millions worldwide. The #51 Toyota will prominently display the WUN logo at both the sold-out Nashville Fairgrounds All-American 400 Super Late Model event on November 2, and again in the Lucas 150, the November 8 stop of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series at Phoenix International Speedway. Narcolepsy is a neurological sleep disorder characterized by overwhelming daytime sleepiness, which usually first appears in adolescence or young adulthood. Most sufferers also experience episodes of cataplexy, brief but debilitating periods of muscle weakness or complete physical collapse, usually brought on by emotions like laughter or surprise.(Kyle Busch Motorsports PR)(10-29-2013)


    News from October 28, 2013

  • Entry List for the AAA Texas 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway is posted, 43 teams/drivers [for 43 spots] are listed, including: #21-Bayne, #30-Kligerman, #32-Hill, #33-Dillon, #47-Labonte, #51-Larson. Since only 43 cars are entered, all drivers will make the race.
    See the full entry list at my Jayski's Texas Entry List

  • McDowell to drive for Leavine Family Racing in 2014: Leavine Family Racing announced that Michael McDowell will drive the team's #95 Ford Fusion NASCAR Sprint Cup Series entry in 2014. The announcement was made at Texas Motor Speedway - the team's home track, where the Glendale, Arizona native signed a single-year deal to drive for Leavine Family Racing. McDowell will make his debut when the team fields an entry for the February season-opening race at the 56th annual DAYTONA 500 at the Daytona International Speedway. "This is an extremely good opportunity for me," said McDowell, who has worked with the Leavine Family Racing Sprint Cup team before, at this season's Sprint All-Star race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. "Bob and I first started talking about the possibilities months ago. I'm happy to be a part of this organization." Vice president of marketing and partnerships Jeremy Lange said the goal of the organization is to run one full-time team in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in addition to competing in select Nationwide Series races in the #95 car. Leavine Family Racing's 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule will be released at a later date.(Leavine Family Racing)(10-28-2013)

  • Schrader to retire from Cup racing: ESPN's Allen Bestwick, during coverage of Sunday's race from Martinsville Speedway, said #32-Ken Schrader had told him that Homestead would be the last NASCAR Sprint Cup race he competes in.(10-27-2013)

  • Brian Vickers says he will return in 2014: #55-Brian Vickers met with the media Sunday morning at Martinsville Speedway:
    How are you feeling?
    Vickers: "I feel like I could drive a race car, I just can't. I feel great. Still training, still exercising. I can't complain. I've got a great life and family and friends. I'm frustrated and I've been bummed since obviously all this happened again. I'm just kind of looking forward. Things happen in life -- that's part of it. You just keep fighting and have faith. That's all you can really do. I'm going to be out for three months and back in time for Daytona to race for a championship."
    Have doctors explained why this happened and how long you will have to deal with it?
    Vickers: "The answer is yes.. After the crash at Bristol, I had a mid-foot sprain and I was wearing a boot to kind of immobilize my right ankle to help with that foot sprain and that boot is what caused the clot. Pretty much right where the boot kind of constricted my calf. We know what caused it. I think the good news for me in both situations -- the first one and this one is that there were specific events -- kind of the perfect storm so to speak that created the clots. Because of that, I've never spontaneously produced a clot at random. That creates a completely different situation than someone who is just throwing clots all the time randomly. Going forward, pretty much every doctor I've met with has pretty much had the exact same conclusion, which is three months of anti-coagulation and then you're off. Whether I race or not, whether I decide to go racing or not is kind of irrelevant, the decision would still be the same.
    What keeps you out of the car?
    Vickers "It's not the clot and it's not that I can't race on blood thinners it's just that I can't crash. As long as I can promise my doctors that I will not crash then they're fine with me racing. Unfortunately, there's a lot of moving parts in a car that I can't control and 42 competitors that I can't control. I can't firmly commit to that so he would rather me not race. The risk is not even so much external injury like a cut or something, it's really more of an internal injury. They wouldn't be able to stop the bleeding."
    (Toyota Racing PR)(10-28-2013)

  • Harvick rips Dillon brothers after truck race accident UPDATES: #29-Kevin Harvick unloaded on the Sprint Cup team he is leaving after a wreck with team owner Richard Childress' grandson, Ty Dillon, during Saturday's Camping World Truck Series race. Harvick, who was driving for another team in the Kroger 200, and Dillon were racing for second when their trucks collided and knocked both from contention. Harvick, who is leaving Richard Childress Racing after 13 seasons in Sprint Cup to join Stewart-Haas Racing, implied that nepotism and lineage were factors in his decision. Ty Dillon has raced in the Camping World Truck series the past two seasons and is moving into Nationwide next year to supplant his older brother, Austin, who is expected to move into Sprint Cup and effectively take over the ride being vacated by Harvick.
    "(Dillon) just dumped me," Harvick said about the crash. "Exactly the reason why I'm leaving RCR because you've got those kids coming up, and they've got no respect for what they do in this sport and they've had everything fed to them with a spoon."
    Dillon slammed Harvick several times during the ensuing yellow flag. Harvick's truck also stopped near Dillon's pit stall, where it was accosted by several members of Dillon's crew, one of whom appeared to hurl an orange hammer at it. MRN.com reported that Childress encouraged Dillon to hit Harvick's truck under yellow.
    Childress told MRN.com and the Sporting News that Harvick would race Sunday at Martinsville in the #29 ("We're still rolling.") but also said he was "very disappointed" in Harvick. "That's all I can say," Childress said. "I've got too much class to say what I want to say right now. When I say it, I will say it to his face."(USA Today)(10-27-2013)
    UPDATE: Kevin Harvick apologized for his comments about teammate Ty Dillon during Sunday's NASCAR RACEDAY on FOX Sports 1. Harvick spoke to hosts John Roberts, Kyle Petty and Larry McReynolds.
    What made you angry in yesterday's incident? "I think there was just a lot of emotion involved. I hate it for everybody at RCR. You go back and look at the things that happened, and sometimes you regret the things that you say for sure. Yesterday was definitely one of them. I hate it for my guys, and everybody working on the cars. Obviously, when those emotional situations come about; you say things that you really don't want to say. I just want to apologize to all of those guys, work hard today and try and do everything we can to win the race.
    Were these comments a result of the frustration and the pressure? "I think yesterday was just some frustration on how the race ended. You never want to be in a situation like were in, and obviously, the short-track racing and everything that happened, you try to do the right things, and yesterday I didn't do the right thing. We just have to do what we have to do today to put ourselves in a position to be as successful as we can."
    Have you had a conversation with Ty Dillon? "No. I think it's best for all of us to just cool down and have a sensible conversation about things that are going. I wish that's what I would have done yesterday. It's one of those situations that you don't want to be a part of, but I don't have anybody else to blame but myself." (Fox Sports PR)(10-27-2013)
    UPDATE 2: Richard Childress fiercely defended his two grandsons Sunday morning, a day after Childress driver Kevin Harvick called Ty Dillon "a punk-ass kid" after they wrecked at Martinsville Speedway. Harvick's job might be safe but the relationship with Childress, the owner of Richard Childress Racing, soured after he called Childress' grandsons Austin and Ty Dillon spoiled "punks" and "rich kids" following Saturday's race. "What happened on the track was one thing," Childress said, "but the comments afterwards is where I'm really upset. I'll never apologize for giving my grandsons an opportunity, just like the France family, the Earnhardt family, the Wood brothers. You go down the list of the people that have been given opportunities. All of them didn't make it. You've got to go out and earn what you've got, the opportunity in life to succeed. And these boys earned it." Childress, who talked with Harvick on Sunday morning, said he is committed to Harvick and the team sponsors for the final four races of the season. "We're going to give him everything humanly possible to win that championship," Childress said. "I'm committed to him for four more races, just like I committed to him the day that he said he was leaving. I shook his hand and committed I'd give him 100 percent, and I'm going to do it. But I'm not going to be backed into a corner."(Sporting News)(10-27-2013)

  • Martinsville Race and Commercial Breakdown: For those of you NASCAR fans that like stats and love to hate commercials, here is the breakdown for Sunday's race. Began recording the times at the Invocation of the race at 1:31 PM, and stopped at the waving of the checkered flag at 5:32 PM (all times are EST). ESPN was the broadcast team for this event.
    Total number of commercials: 125
    Total number of companies or entities advertised: 50
    Number of traditional commercials (not split-screen): 72
    Total number of companies or entities advertised: 39
    Number of 'Side-by-Side' commercials during race broadcast (split-screen): 53
    Total number of companies or entities advertised: 28
    Number of times ESPN utilized 'Side-by-Side' commercials during this broadcast: 10
    Total number of brief promos of products/services during the race broadcast: 30
    Total number of companies or entities advertised in brief promos or crawlers: 14
    Total amount of time these brief promos take during broadcast: app. 3 min. 55 sec
    Start time to record race/commercial periods: 1:32 PM
    End time to record race/commercial periods: 5:32 PM
    Total minutes of complete race broadcast: 241
    Minutes of race broadcast: 209
    Minutes of traditional commercials (not split-screen): 32
    Minutes of 'Side-by-Side' commercials (split-screen): 22
    Number of missed restarts: 1 This occurred just as a side-by-side ad was ending
    Number of 'mystery cautions' (debris not shown): 0
    Total race brdcst time 209 Total comm. brdcst time 32
    See past races, links, more info on the 2013 TV Commercials page.(10-27-2013)

  • Texas Nationwide Series Entry List:There are 40 cars on the preliminary entry list for Saturday's O'Reilly Auto Parts Challenge at Texas Motor Speedway. A few notes:
    Ricky Stenhouse will be in the Roush #16;
    Matt Kenseth returns to the #18;
    Denny Hamlin will drive the #20 in place of Vickers;
    Ty Dillon will drive the RCR #33;
    TJ Bell will be in the Key #40;
    David Starr will drive the #55 for Viva Motorsports;
    The #74 is TBA;
    Kevin Swindell and the #98 are entered.(10-28-2013)
    See the complete list on the Texas entry list page.

  • Charges dropped against Harmon, others in case with Cobb: On Friday, Rowan County prosecutor Tim Gould filed paperwork to dismisses charges against Mike Harmon, Dave Novak, and Sheila Rice in an ongoing dispute with Jennifer Jo Cobb. Gould stated, "After careful review of all evidence in the case, including, but not limited to, financial records, personal correspondence, tax records, legal filings and corporate filing, the State concludes the charges cannot be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. In particular, the elements of intent and ownership of the property in question cannot be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The alleged conduct and issues raised are more appropriate for civil litigation. In addition, the prosecuting witness no longer wishes to pursue criminal charges." For previous updates on the story, see the July news archives page.(10-28-2013)

  • David Starr in the #55 at Texas: Veteran driver and Texas Native David Starr along with Striping Technologies & Chasco Constructors will attempt to make his eighth career NASCAR Nationwide Series start at the fast, high banked 1.5 mile Texas Motor Speedway. This will mark David Starr's second start of the year. While the #55 Viva Motorsports Chevy is not locked into owners points David will have to make the race on time.(Viva Motorsports), see an image of the car on the #55 team paint schemes page.(10-28-2013)

  • Entry list: There are 34 trucks on the preliminary entry list for this Friday night's WinStar World Casino 350k at Texas Motor Speedway. Some notes include;
    Chris Lafferty in the #0;
    Tyler Young in the #102;
    Spencer Gallagher in the #21;
    Ryan Lynch in the #39;
    Justin Jennings in the #63;
    Ryan Sieg in the #93; (10-28-2013)
    See the complete list on the Texas entry list page.

  • Sieg to make 100th start: When 26-year-old Ryan Sieg straps behind the wheel of his #93 RSS Racing Chevy Silverado at Texas Motor Speedway, he will be doing so for the 100th time. Sieg is slated to make his 100th Nascar Camping World Truck Series start Friday night marking a career-milestone for the Tucker, Georgia native. Sieg made his debut in the Nascar Camping World Truck Series on March 30th, 2009 at Martinsville Speedway driving the #21 GunBroker.com Dodge.(RSS Racing)(10-28-2013)

  • Lynch ready for second 2013 start in home state: Five years ago the journey started. After many left turns, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver, Ryan Lynch of New Boston, Texas, will compete at his home track in the WinStar World Casino 350K at Texas Motor Speedway on November 1. Lynch will drive the #39 BlankHood.com/East Texas Food Bank Chevy in his first start on the 1.5-mile at Texas Motor Speedway. Lynch has made three other NCWTS starts at Iowa, Homestead and Kentucky. Texas will be his second start of the 2013 season. Lynch has partnered with the East Texas Food Bank out of Tyler, Texas to help support and raise awareness of food donation programs. The organization services 26 counties in East Texas, including Lynch's hometown, by collecting food and distributing it to those in need.(Ryan Lynch PR)(10-28-2013)

  • Judge rules in Cobb's favor UPDATE 2: A federal judge Thursday granted Jennifer Jo Cobb's motion to dismiss a lawsuit by former business partner David Novak, ending a chapter in a case that has included accusations of stealing race equipment and arrests - including to a fellow competitor. Cobb said Friday at Talladega Superspeedway she wasn't surprised by the decision. Cobb's suit against Novak remains in District Court of Wyandotte County, Kan. A hearing on damages is scheduled Nov. 20. Novak filed a lawsuit in February in U.S. District Court in North Carolina claiming he had contributed more than $1 million to the race team he co-owned with Cobb and that she had removed nearly $250,000 for personal use. Novak also claimed that Cobb broke into the team's warehouse in January and stole the team's trailer, which transported the Camping World Series truck she drove. The trailer, valued at nearly $280,000, was stolen from Cobb in May. Arrest warrants were issued in May for Mike Harmon, a driver in the Camping World Truck Series, Novak and Sheila Rice in relation to the trailer theft. Additional arrest warrants were issued in June for Harmon and Novak for the theft of five racing trucks, two races cars and other property belonging to Cobb with a total value of $125,000, according to a report by the Rowan County (N.C.) Sheriff's Office. Cobb said the trailer and other equipment have not been retrieved. Harmon and Novak both have a court appearance scheduled for Oct. 30 in Rowan County. Novak sought a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction in February to keep Cobb from operating equipment owned by JJC Racing, which was jointly owned by Cobb and Novak, and pay back funds he claimed she took. Judge Richard L. Voorhees denied that motion. Judge Voorhees granted Cobb's motion to dismiss the suit Thursday, citing it lacked subject matter jurisdiction, which is the requirement that the court have power to hear the specific kind of claim that is brought.(MRN.com)(10-18-2013)
    UPDATE: Jennifer Jo Cobb anticipates the Rowan County District Attorney's office will drop the criminal charges against David Novak, Mike Harmon and another individual. Although a victim is not the ultimate decision maker on whether the prosecutor will pursue a case, Cobb emailed a request to the Assistant District Attorney this morning that the charges be dropped and anticipates he will be amenable to that request. "After much discussion with my legal counsel I have decided that upon the conclusion of the civil matters, I would like to be finished with any further connections to these parties and events. To endure an ongoing criminal case would simply be counterproductive to my moving on and the 2014 race season," Cobb said. In both December and May, Cobb's racing team suffered significant losses that led to the arrests. Cobb's former business partner, Novak, sued her in Federal court in North Carolina and Cobb sued him in civil court in the state of Kansas, where JJC Racing, LLC was formed. The NC Federal lawsuit against Cobb was dismissed last week and the Kansas civil case is set for a hearing on damages endured by the company on November 20.(Jennifer Jo Cobb PR)(10-24-2013)
    UPDATE 2: The state of North Carolina officially dropped the charges in the case, filing paperwork stating, "After careful review of all evidence in the case, including, but not limited to, financial records, personal correspondence, tax records, legal filings and corporate filing, the State concludes the charges cannot be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. In particular, the elements of intent and ownership of the property in question cannot be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The alleged conduct and issues raised are more appropriate for civil litigation. In addition, the prosecuting witness no longer wishes to pursue criminal charges."(10-28-2013)

  • Anderson's Maple Syrup partners with Paludo: Turner Scott Motorsports is excited to announce that Anderson's Maple Syrup will sponsor the #32 Chevy Silverado driven by Miguel Paludo in the upcoming NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Texas Motor Speedway. The NCWTS championship-winning team will also partner with Brookshire's Food & Pharmacy for the WinStar World Casino 350 on Friday, November 1. Formed in 1928, Anderson's Maple Syrup, Inc. has been a family owned and organized business for over 80 years. President/owner Steve Anderson is the third generation Anderson to carry on the family tradition. From its roots in Cumberland, Wisconsin, Anderson's Maple Syrup can be found in supermarkets and specialty shops across the country.(See an image of the truck on the #32 team paint schemes page)(Turner Scott Motorsports PR)(10-28-2013)

  • Safeway to operate on-site grocery store at Phoenix: Phoenix International Raceway President Bryan R. Sperber announced that Safeway will operate an on-site grocery store in the camping area at the race track beginning this fall with PIR's AdvoCare 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series weekend Nov. 8-10. The nation's fourth-largest grocery chain, Safeway will be the official grocery partner of Phoenix International Raceway offering snacks and campground essentials. The store will look and feel just like one of Safeway's 115 stores throughout Arizona. The 17,200-square foot store will open its doors on Monday, Nov. 4 at Noon and will be open every day throughout race weekend. The store will also be open on Monday, Nov. 11 for campers to pick up any last-minute items before they return home. Race fans will be able to find all of their camping and cooking needs in the store, from charcoal and firewood to food and groceries, as well as ice, beer, snacks and other campground favorites. The store will also serve as the unofficial social hub of the campground as race fans start each day with coffee, donuts, breakfast burritos and the morning paper. In addition to the store, Safeway will also host a "Safeway Race Day Experience" display in the fan midway area adjacent to the grandstands. The display will feature an old school video arcade, sports den and fan photo area.(PIR)(10-28-2013)


    News from October 27, 2013

  • Chevy can clinch Manufacturers' Championship UPDATE: Chevy can clinch its 11th consecutive NSCS Manufacturers' Championship, and 37th overall, this weekend at Martinsville. If Chevy's top finishing driver finishes ahead of Toyota's top finishing driver, Chevy will clinch the title in the first year of the Gen-6 race car.(NASCAR)(10-24-2013)
    UPDATE: Jeff Gordon's win of the Goody's Headache Relief Shot 500 at Martinsville Speedway captured the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Manufacturers' Cup Championship for Chevy. It marks the 11th consecutive year, and the 37th time overall that the Bowtie Brand has captured the prestigious title in NASCAR's premiere series. It is also the first Manufacturers' Cup award for the Gen-6 Chevrolet SS race car. In the 33 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races run to-date in 2013, Chevy drivers have captured 14 victories. Chevrolet won its first Manufacturers' Cup award in 1958; and now with the 2013 Cup secured, Chevy has reached an unprecedented 37th title. The Team Chevy drivers that have contributed to the manufacturers' points that achieved the title for Chevrolet are: #48-Jimmie Johnson (six wins); #29-Kevin Harvick (three wins), #5-Kasey Kahne (two wins), #14-Tony Stewart (one win); #39-Ryan Newman (one win), #1-Jamie McMurray (one win), #24-Jeff Gordon (one win); #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., #31-Jeff Burton, #42-Juan Pablo Montoya, and #78-Kurt Busch.(Chevy PR), For standings, rules, and manufacturers wins see the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Manufacturer Standings page.(10-27-2013)

  • Gordon wins Martinsville: #24-Jeff Gordon won the Goody's Headache Relief Shot 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway for his 1st win of 2013, his 8th at Martinsville and 88th career win.
    #20-Kenseth, who led the most laps on the day, finished 2nd followed by #15-Bowyer, #2-Keselowski, #48-Johnson, #29-Harvick, pole sitter #11-Hamlin, #88-Earnhardt, Jr., #16-Biffle, and #1-McMurray.
    Other Chase driver finishes: #99-Edwards (12th); #22-Logano (14th); #18-Busch (15th); #78-Busch (18th); #5-Kahne (27th); #39-Newman (38th).
    #20-Kenseth & #48-Johnson are now tied for the points lead with 2294 points. #20-Kenseth holds the tie breaker with 7 wins on the season.
    There were 19 lead changes among 8 drivers and 17 cautions for 111 yellow flag laps.
    The average speed was 70.337mph. NASCAR no longer announces the track attendance.
    See unofficial race results, awards, money won, laps led, cautions and more on the Unofficial Martinsville Race Results page (pdf) and check out the Martinsville Penalty Report (pdf).(10-27-2013)
    See OFFICIAL race results & points standings on the Official Martinsville Race & Points Report (pdf)

  • Race Fast Facts - Martinsville:
    Jeff Gordon won the 65th Annual Goody's Headache Relief Shot 500 Powered by Kroger, his 88th victory in 722 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.
    This is his first victory and 17th top-10 finish in 2013.
    This is his eighth victory and 34th top-10 finish in 42 races at Martinsville Speedway. The win ties him with Jimmie Johnson for most victories at Martinsville among active drivers, trailing only Richard Petty and Darrell Waltrip on the all-time wins list here.
    Matt Kenseth (second) posted his ninth top-10 finish in 28 races at Martinsville Speedway. It is his 18th top-10 finish in 2013.
    Clint Bowyer (third) posted his 10th top-10 finish in 16 races at Martinsville Speedway.
    Matt Kenseth leads the point standings by 0 points over Jimmie Johnson.(NASCAR Integrated Sports Marketing)(10-27-2013)

  • Where did the 2013 Sprint Cup Chase Drivers finish at Martinsville:
    [listed by driver points position before the race (start pos)]
    1) #48-Jimmie Johnson, finished 5th (started 3rd)
    2) #20-Matt Kenseth, 2nd (4th)
    3) #18-Kyle Busch, 15th (2nd)
    4) #29-Kevin Harvick, 6th (10th)
    5) #24-Jeff Gordon, 1st (9th)
    6) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., 8th (12th)
    7) #16-Greg Biffle, 9th (33rd)
    8) #15-Clint Bowyer, 3rd (5th)
    9) #78-Kurt Busch, 18th (19th)
    10) #99-Carl Edwards, 12th (14th)
    11) #39-Ryan Newman, 38th (17th)
    12) #22-Joey Logano, 14th (6th)
    13) #5-Kasey Kahne, 27th (25th)
    (10-27-2013)

  • 2013 Sprint Cup Driver Chase Championship Points Standings:
    [after Martinsville, race 33 of 36]
    1) #20-Matt Kenseth [7 wins], 2294
    2) #48-Jimmie Johnson [5 wins], 2294
    3) #24-Jeff Gordon [1 win], 2267, -27
    4) #29-Kevin Harvick [3 wins], 2266, -28
    5) #18-Kyle Busch [4 wins], 2258, -36
    6) #15-Clint Bowyer, 2239, -55
    7) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., 2238, -56
    8) #16-Greg Biffle [1 win], 2236, -58
    9) #78-Kurt Busch, 2219, -75
    10) #99-Carl Edwards [2 wins], 2218, -76
    11) #22-Joey Logano [1 win], 2209, -85
    12) #39-Ryan Newman [1 win], 2188, -106
    13) #5-Kasey Kahne [2 wins], 2170, -124
    See unofficial drivers championship points standings on the Unofficial Drivers Points Standings (pdf).
    See the unofficial owner points standings on the Unofficial Owners Points Standings page (pdf).

  • UNOFFICIAL 2013 Sprint Cup Driver Championship Points Standings without Chase:
    [after Martinsville, race 33 of 36]
    1) #48-Jimmie Johnson(X) [5 wins], 1123
    2) #29-Kevin Harvick(X) [3 wins], 1088, -35
    3) #20-Matt Kenseth(X) [7 wins], 1086, -37
    4) #18-Kyle Busch(X) [4 wins], 1057, -66
    5) #99-Carl Edwards(X) [2 wins], 1054, -69
    6) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr.(X), 1019, -104
    7) #15-Clint Bowyer(X), 1018, -105
    8) #24-Jeff Gordon(X) [1 win], 1017, -106
    9) #16-Greg Biffle(X) [1 win], 992, -131
    10) #78-Kurt Busch(X), 981, -142
    11) #22-Joey Logano(X) [1 win], 957, -166
    12) #1-Jamie McMurray [1 win], 954, -169
    13) #2-Brad Keselowski [1 win], 929, -194
    14) #39-Ryan Newman(X)[1 win], 929, -194
    15) #5-Kasey Kahne(X) [2 wins], 909, -214
    (X) = a Chase driver.
    (10-27-2013)

  • Four 2012 race winners have three races left to continue streaks: Four drivers that won a Sprint Cup Series race in 2012 have not won a race in 2013 with three races left in the 2013 season. #11-Denny Hamlin has won at least one race in seven straight seasons, the list of drivers looking to extend their streaks:
    seasons with at least a win, driver, track/date that continued streak, time period of streak
    7, Denny Hamlin, Phoenix, March 2012 [2006-2012]
    3, Clint Bowyer, Sonoma, June 2012 [2010-2012]
    2, Marcos Ambrose, Watkins Glen, August 2012 [2011-2012]
    1, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Michigan, June 2012 [2012]

  • Harvick rips Dillon brothers after truck race accident UPDATE: #29-Kevin Harvick unloaded on the Sprint Cup team he is leaving after a wreck with team owner Richard Childress' grandson, Ty Dillon, during Saturday's Camping World Truck Series race. Harvick, who was driving for another team in the Kroger 200, and Dillon were racing for second when their trucks collided and knocked both from contention. Harvick, who is leaving Richard Childress Racing after 13 seasons in Sprint Cup to join Stewart-Haas Racing, implied that nepotism and lineage were factors in his decision. Ty Dillon has raced in the Camping World Truck series the past two seasons and is moving into Nationwide next year to supplant his older brother, Austin, who is expected to move into Sprint Cup and effectively take over the ride being vacated by Harvick.
    "(Dillon) just dumped me," Harvick said about the crash. "Exactly the reason why I'm leaving RCR because you've got those kids coming up, and they've got no respect for what they do in this sport and they've had everything fed to them with a spoon."
    Dillon slammed Harvick several times during the ensuing yellow flag. Harvick's truck also stopped near Dillon's pit stall, where it was accosted by several members of Dillon's crew, one of whom appeared to hurl an orange hammer at it. MRN.com reported that Childress encouraged Dillon to hit Harvick's truck under yellow.
    Childress told MRN.com and the Sporting News that Harvick would race Sunday at Martinsville in the #29 ("We're still rolling.") but also said he was "very disappointed" in Harvick. "That's all I can say," Childress said. "I've got too much class to say what I want to say right now. When I say it, I will say it to his face."(USA Today)(10-27-2013)
    UPDATE: Kevin Harvick apologized for his comments about teammate Ty Dillon during Sunday's NASCAR RACEDAY on FOX Sports 1. Harvick spoke to hosts John Roberts, Kyle Petty and Larry McReynolds.
    What made you angry in yesterday's incident? "I think there was just a lot of emotion involved. I hate it for everybody at RCR. You go back and look at the things that happened, and sometimes you regret the things that you say for sure. Yesterday was definitely one of them. I hate it for my guys, and everybody working on the cars. Obviously, when those emotional situations come about; you say things that you really don't want to say. I just want to apologize to all of those guys, work hard today and try and do everything we can to win the race.
    Were these comments a result of the frustration and the pressure? "I think yesterday was just some frustration on how the race ended. You never want to be in a situation like were in, and obviously, the short-track racing and everything that happened, you try to do the right things, and yesterday I didn't do the right thing. We just have to do what we have to do today to put ourselves in a position to be as successful as we can."
    Have you had a conversation with Ty Dillon? "No. I think it's best for all of us to just cool down and have a sensible conversation about things that are going. I wish that's what I would have done yesterday. It's one of those situations that you don't want to be a part of, but I don't have anybody else to blame but myself." (Fox Sports PR)(10-27-2013)

  • Cassill gets Texas sponsor: Hillman Racing and Joe Falk announced that Pirate Oilfield Services, a top competitor in the oil and gas sector, will sponsor Landon Cassill and the #40 Sprint Cup Series entry at Texas Motor Speedway in the AAA Texas 500. With over 50 years in the oil and gas business, Midland, Texas-based Pirate Oilfield Services' recognizable logo will be displayed on the hood and rear quarter panels of Cassill's #40 Chevy SS in next Sunday's eighth race of the 10-race Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. "This partnership is something that developed at the spring race in Texas," said Landon Cassill, the 24-year-old former development driver for Hendrick Motorsports and Cedar Rapids, Iowa, native. "The guys at Pirate Oilfield Services are big NASCAR fans that don't miss a race at Texas Motor Speedway, and we're hoping this unique paint scheme will attract a few more sponsors to come along for the ride."(Hillman Racing), see an image of the car on the #40 team paint schemes page.(10-27-2013)


    News from October 26, 2013

  • Final practice for the Goody's Headache Relief Shot 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway is over after 50 scheduled minutes, the top-five, slowest and notes:
    #88-Earnhardt, Jr. 97.533
    #15-Bowyer 97.133
    #5-Kahne 97.068
    #18-Busch 97.038
    #20-Kenseth 97.033
    slowest: #33-Raines 94.817 & #87-Nemechek 94.803. No speed: #47-Labonte.
    notes: #16-Biffle spun off turn 2, but did not hit anything.
    See fastest speeds, laps run on the Martinsville Practice 3 Speeds page (pdf).(10-26-2013)

  • Pit Stall Selections: The selections of pit stalls for the Goody's Headache Relief Shot 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway have been made.
    Pole sitter #11-Hamlin chose pit stall 1 [as do most pole sitters].
    Outside pole sitter #48-Johnson took pit stall 11, with an opening in front of it.
    #18-Busch, who starts 3rd took the 16th pit stall.
    The 43rd and final pit stall was taken by #42-Montoya, who starts 13th.
    To see where the drivers/teams pit stall is, see the pit selection chart on the Pit Stall Selection chart.(10-26-2013)

  • First Saturday practice for the Goody's Headache Relief Shot 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway is over after 55 scheduled minutes, the top-five, slowest and notes:
    #22-Logano 97.468
    #18-Busch 97.372
    #88-Earnhardt, Jr. 97.337
    #20-Kenseth 97.287
    #15-Bowyer 97.212
    slowest: #33-Raines 94.519 & #36-Yeley 94.129. no speed: #98-McDowell.
    notes: #16-Biffle spun off turn 4 a few minutes into the session. He did not hit anything. #47-Labonte slid into the wall off turn 2 late in practice.
    See fastest speeds, laps run on the Martinsville Practice 2 Speeds page (pdf).(10-26-2013)

  • Hamlin has not decided on off-season surgery: From #11-Denny Hamlin's media availability Friday at Martinsville:
    Q: Have you made any decision about surgery in the off-season?
    Hamlin: "As far as surgery, I still haven't decided on it. I still haven't met with the doctors to figure out the best option. I have been feeling so much better this last month or so that I'd like to steer away from surgery if possible. Obviously, I don't want to just cover up the pain with the treatments that I've been doing. That just numbs you a little bit. We still have an issue there that we have to address in the next month or so."(Toyota Racing PR)(10-26-2013)

  • JTG Daugherty to Chevy? And out here in the NASCAR garage, Brad Daugherty's long-time #47-Toyota team, which has Bobby Labonte at the wheel this year and will have AJ Allmendinger next season, may be changing to Chevys for 2014. If the Bobby Hutchens' run team does make the move, it will almost certainly become a satellite of the Richard Childress operation.(MikeMulhern.net)(10-26-2013)

  • Pray For Your Pastor on the #98:In honor of clergy appreciation month Michael McDowell will be displaying a reminder to Pray For Your Pastor this week in Martinsville. The message is being presented by Energize Ministries of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Encouragement and providing better care for our pastors is what Energize Ministries is all about. "Encouragement is something we all need," said McDowell. "Pastors are not super human; they need our prayers and encouragement just like anyone else. Energize Ministries does a great job of reminding people of that and helping others discover simple and practical ways to support their pastors. It's an honor for me to help spread the Pray For Your Pastor reminder this weekend." Energize Ministries will be on tour next year with a national Pray For Your Pastor campaign.(Breaking Limits)(10-26-2013)

  • Hendrick hosts Randy Dorton Hendrick Engine Builder Showdown: Despite rules to restrict engine development, today's NASCAR engines are more intricate and detail-oriented than ever. A testament to that trend was revealed during the 12th annual Randy Dorton Hendrick Engine Builder Showdown last week. Jay Wiles, a dyno technician inside the Hendrick Motorsports engine department, teamed up with Robert Marock, who works out of the Hendrick Automotive Group's Honda dealership in Concord, North Carolina, to win the competition by assembling a Chevy R07.2 engine in 24 minutes and 38 seconds. Wiles is a repeat winner, having captured the inaugural competition in 2002. The showdown was renamed a few years later to honor Randy Dorton, the chief engine builder for Hendrick Motorsports who died in a 2004 plane crash. Wiles and Marock survived a one-minute penalty for a loose bolt on the intake manifold to win the final round by just 14 seconds over Van Nguyen, a valvetrain technician at Hendrick Motorsports and Brad Lyne of Hendrick's Chevy dealership in Merriam, Kansas. The competition pairs 12 master technicians from the Hendrick Automotive Group with 12 members of the engine team at Hendrick Motorsports. After qualifying rounds over two days, the two teams with the best preliminary engine-build times go head-to-head in the championship round. The overall goal is to have the fewest errors in the quickest time. All teams are required to assemble 358ci Chevy R07.2 engines designed with 12:1 compression ratio and electronic fuel injection. Components include Bosch spark plugs and ignitions, Purolator filters and GM Racing block, heads and intake manifold. Last year's winning time was 27 minutes, 46 seconds. 2012 was also the first time that engine builders worked with EFI, which slowed down the winning time about six minutes from the previous year when a single 4-barrel carburetor was used.(Engine Labs) (10-26-2013)

  • Richard Childress Racing promotes four: Richard Childress Racing has promoted four employees to management positions within its Communications and Partnership Marketing Departments. Jeremy Burleson, Lauren Hoffmann, Tim Packman and Jeff Patterson have been named to key roles and have already assumed their new duties with the team.
    Burleson has been the acting Managing Director, Partnership Marketing/Communications since October 2012 and will officially continue in that role. His duties will include the overall day-to-day operations of the two departments.
    Packman is an award-winning author, broadcaster, writer and communications veteran in the NASCAR industry and motorsports. He has been the acting Director, Corporate Communications for the organization since May. Packman's duties include the overall communications message for RCR, along with media inquiries and personal endeavors for Richard Childress, president and CEO.
    Patterson has been Senior Manager, Partnership Marketing and is now being promoted to Director, Partnership Marketing. He has prior experience at Retail Sports Marketing, the NHL with the New York Rangers, AHL's Bridgeport (Conn.) Sound Tigers and the ECHL's South Carolina Stingrays.
    Hoffmann graduated from Elon University and earned a Master's Degree in Sports Administration from Ohio University. She has been promoted to Senior Manager, Partnership Marketing. Her past experiences includes working with the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies, Wasserman Media Group and the Professional Bull Riders, Inc.(RCR)(10-26-2013)

  • Sad News - Hal Needham: Hal Needham, longtime stuntman and director of "Smokey and the Bandit" and "Cannonball Run" for Burt Reynolds, died Friday in Los Angeles after a short battle with cancer, his manager confirmed. He was 82.(Varity)
    Needham was a co-owner of a Winston Cup team with buddy [actor] Burt Reynolds. From 1981 to '89 Hal and Burt's #33 Skoal Bandit car won nine races and 13 poles and barely missed winning the 1984 Cup title. The pilot of that ride was Harry Gant.(see more at ESPN.com)(10-26-2013)

  • Harvick, Dillon run-in leads crew to vent frustration: Kevin Harvick unloaded on the Sprint Cup team he is leaving after a wreck with team owner Richard Childress' grandson, Ty Dillon, during Saturday's Camping World Truck Series race. Harvick, who was driving for another team in the Kroger 200, and Dillon were racing for second when their trucks collided and knocked both from contention. Dillon slammed Harvick several times during the ensuing yellow flag. Harvick's truck also stopped near Dillon's pit stall, where it was accosted by several members of Dillon's crew, one of whom appeared to hurl an orange hammer at it. MRN.com reported that Childress encouraged Dillon to hit Harvick's truck under yellow. Dillon said he tried to talk about the incident with Harvick, but the Sprint Cup veteran left.(USA Today)(10-26-2013)

  • Wallace scores big win: In short order, Darrell Wallace Jr. has piled up accolades usually preceded by the word "youngest" or "fastest" or "first." Now, with a win at Martinsville Speedway, Wallace adds another history-making accomplishment to the list and continues a competitive landscape evolution. With the victory, Wallace becomes the second African-American driver to win a NASCAR national series race, joining trailblazer and NASCAR Hall of Fame nominee Wendell Scott. Wallace, who competed under the NASCAR D4D banner from 2010-11, is the second graduate from the program to win a NASCAR national series race, following Larson's April victory at Rockingham Speedway in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. He is also the fourth NASCAR D4D driver to compete in a national series this season, with Ryan Gifford's ninth-place finish in his NASCAR Nationwide debut at Iowa and Paulie Harraka's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series debut at Sonoma. Wendell Scott, a two-time NASCAR Hall of Fame nominee, won a premier series, now Sprint Cup, race at Speedway Park in Jacksonville, Fla. on Dec. 1, 1963. The Danville, Va. native competed in 495 races between 1961 and 1995, passing away in 1990 at the age of 69.(NASCAR)(10-26-2013)

  • Wallace wins Martinsville: #54-Darrell Wallace, Jr. won the Kroger 200 at Martinsville Speedway on Saturday, after leading 96 of the event's 200 laps. Wallace, a NASCAR Drive for Diversity graduate, is the second African American to win a NASCAR event. #62-Brendan Gaughan was second, followed by #4-Jeb Burton, #30-Ben Kennedy, #29-Ryan Blaney, #51-Denny Hamlin, #77-German Quiroga, #98-Johnny Sauter, #92-Scott Riggs, and #31-James Buescher. There were 10 cautions for 52 laps and 7 lead changes among 5 leaders. Complete results are on the Martinsville race results page (pdf).(10-26-2013)

  • Martinsville Race Fast Facts:
    Darrell Wallace Jr. won the 15th Annual Kroger 200, his first victory in 19 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races.
    This is his first victory and 11th top-10 finish in 2013.
    This is his first victory and second top-10 finish in two races at Martinsville Speedway.
    Drive for Diversity graduate Darrell Wallace Jr. becomes the second African-American driver to win a NASCAR national series race, joining Wendell Scott.
    Brendan Gaughan (second) posted his fifth top-10 finish in 14 races at Martinsville Speedway. It is his 10th top-10 finish in 2013.
    Jeb Burton (third) posted his second top-10 finish in three races at Martinsville Speedway.
    Darrell Wallace Jr. (first) was the highest finishing rookie.
    Matt Crafton leads the point standings by 51 points over James Buescher.
    (NASCAR Statistics)(10-26-2013)

  • Driver standings following Martinsville:
    1) #88-Matt Crafton 707
    2) #31-James Buescher 656, -51
    3) #3-Ty Dillon 646, -61
    4) #4-Jeb Burton # 639, -68
    5) #98-Johnny Sauter 625, -82
    6) #29-Ryan Blaney 615, -92
    7) #32-Miguel Paludo # 615, -92
    8) #54-Darrell Wallace, Jr., # 614, -93
    9) #62-Brendan Gaughan 595, -112
    10) #17-Timothy Peters 592, -115
    See complete standings on the driver standings page (pdf).(10-26-2013)

  • Owner Standings following Martinsville: are posted (pdf).(10-26-2013)


    News from October 25, 2013

  • Hamlin wins Martinsville pole: #11-Denny Hamlin won the pole for the Goody's Headache Relief Shot 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway with a TRACK RECORD speed of 99.595mph for his 5th pole of 2013 and 17th of his career.
    #48-Johnson is on the outside pole, followed by #18-Busch, #20-Kenseth, #15-Bowyer, #22-Logano, #1-McMurray. #34-Ragan, #24-Gordon, and #29-Harvick.
    With 43 teams at the track, no one missed the race.
    See the starting lineup, qualifying results, qualifying order, pole progression on the Martinsville Starting Lineup - Qualifying Page.(10-25-2013)

  • Qualifying Fast Facts - Martinsville:
    Denny Hamlin won the Coors Light Pole Award for the 65th Annual Goody's Headache Relief Shot 500 Powered by Kroger with a lap of 19.013 seconds, 99.595 mph.
    Eighteen different drivers topped the old track Coors Light qualifying record of 98.4 mph set by Jimmie Johnson in April 2013. This is the 18th time in 2013 a track qualifying record in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series has been broken.
    This is his 17th pole in 288 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.
    This is his fifth pole, a personal-best and series-high, and 18th top-10 start in 2013.
    This is his third pole in 16 races at Martinsville Speedway.
    Jimmie Johnson (second) posted his 20th top-10 start of 2013 and his 15th in 24 races at Martinsville Speedway.
    Kyle Busch (third) posted his ninth top-10 start at Martinsville Speedway. It is his 22nd in 33 races this season.(NASCAR Statistics)(10-25-2013)

  • Starting positions for the 2013 Sprint Cup Chase Drivers at Talladega:
    [listed by driver points position before the race (start pos)]
    1) #48-Jimmie Johnson, 3rd
    2) #20-Matt Kenseth, 4th
    3) #18-Kyle Busch, 2nd
    4) #29-Kevin Harvick, 10th
    5) #24-Jeff Gordon, 9th
    6) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., 12th
    7) #16-Greg Biffle, 33rd
    8) #15-Clint Bowyer, 5th
    9) #78-Kurt Busch, 19th
    10) #99-Carl Edwards, 14th
    11) #39-Ryan Newman, 17th
    12) #22-Joey Logano, 6th
    13) #5-Kasey Kahne, 25th
    (10-25-2013)

  • 18 qualifying track records have been set so far 2013
    after 29 qualifying session, 4 were cancelled due to rain:
    1) Bristol, #18-Kyle Busch, 129.535mph, March 15, 2013 - was 128.709 from March 2003
    2) Martinsville, #48-Jimmie Johnson, 98.400, April 5, 2013 - was 98.083 from October 2005
    3) Texas, #18-Kyle Busch, 196.299, April 12, 2013 - was 196.235 from November 2006
    4) Kansas, #20-Matt Kenseth, 191.748, April 19, 2013 - was 191.360 from October 2012
    5) Richmond, #20-Matt Kenseth, 130.334, April 26, 2013 - was 129.983 from May 2004
    6) Darlington, #78-Kurt Busch, 181.918, May 10, 2013 - was 181.254 from May 2011
    7) Charlotte, #11-Denny Hamlin, 195.624, May 23, 2013 - was 193.708 from Oct 2012
    8) Kentucky, #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr, 183.636, June 28, 2013 - was 181.818 from June 2012
    9) New Hampshire, #2-Brad Keselowski, 135.922, July 12, 2013, was 135.232 from July 2011
    10) Indianapolis, #39-Ryan Newman, 187.531, July 27, 2013, was 186.293 from August 2004
    11) Pocono, #48-Jimmie Johnson, 180.654, August 2, 2013, was 179.598 from June 2012
    12) Watkins Glen, #9-Marcos Ambrose, 128.241, August 10, 2013, was 127.020 from August 2012
    13) Michigan, #22-Joey Logano, 203.949, August 16, 2013; was 203.241mph from June 2012
    14) Richmond(2nd time), #24-Jeff Gordon, 130.599, September 6, 2013 - was 130.334 from April 2013
    15) Chicago, #22-Joey Logano, 189.414, September 13, 2013 - was 188.147 from July 2005
    16) New Hampshire (2nd time),#38-Ryan Newman, 136.497, September 20, 2103 - was 135.922 from July 2013
    17) Dover, #88-Dale Earnhardt, Jr., 161.849, September 27, 2013 - was 161.522 from June 2004
    18) Martinsville (2nd time), #11-Denny Hamlin, 99.595, October 25, 2013 - was 98.400 from April 2013
    (10-25-2013)

  • FedEx One Rate featured on the #11: Denny Hamlin will run a special #11 FedEx One Rate paint scheme in Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway in his return to the half-mile track after missing the spring race due to a back injury. The flat purple paint scheme helps celebrate FedEx One Rate, a new flat-rate shipping option for FedEx Express customers that was introduced earlier this week. Hamlin is making his 16th career Cup Series start at Martinsville this weekend, arguably the 32-year-old Virginia native's best track on the circuit, where he has recorded four wins and 12 top-10 finishes in 15 starts at the short, flat 'paper clip.'(FedEx Racing)see an image of the car on the #11 team paint schemes page.(10-25-2013)

  • National Guard extends sponsorship of Earnhardt, Jr.: The Army National Guard will continue as the majority sponsor of the #88 Sprint Cup Series team with driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. after extending its relationship with Hendrick Motorsports through the 2014 NASCAR season. The National Guard will receive primary paint schemes in 20 Sprint Cup races, including the 2014 Daytona 500, and prominent brand placement during all non-primary events. "NASCAR is a critical marketing platform for the National Guard," said Lt. Col. Michael Wegner, marketing branch chief, Army National Guard. "This program touches recruiters, influencers, our own Citizen Soldiers and those interested in the Guard's many career opportunities and benefits. NASCAR fans in our target demographic are twice as likely to consider the military as a career option, and the overall fan base strongly advocates for military service. It's the right place for the Guard and has helped us recruit more than 400,000 Citizen Soldiers since 2007."
    "It's an incredible privilege to work with and represent the Guard," Earnhardt said. "We have the opportunity to interact with those who serve our country and many who are considering military careers. I'm personally in awe of their sacrifices and feel a tremendous amount of pride in our relationship with them. The entire #88 team is looking forward to another season together."
    PepsiCo's continuing support of the #88 Hendrick Motorsports team includes five primary races annually through the 2015 Sprint Cup season. Additional sponsorship will be announced at a later date.(Hendrick Motorsports)(10-25-2013)

  • Friday practice for the Goody's Headache Relief Shot 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway is over after 90 scheduled minutes, the top-five, slowest and notes:
    #15-Bowyer 100.074
    #18-Busch 99.726
    #11-Hamlin 99.532
    #2-Keselowski 99.459
    #9-Ambrose 99.454
    slowest: #33-Raines 95.146 & #36-Yeley 94.941.
    notes: Qualifying is scheduled for this afternoon at 3:40pm/et and will be shown on Fox Sports 1.
    #10-Patrick spun going into turn 1 and hit the wall. The team will go to a backup car. #17-Stenhouse, Jr. also slid into the turn 1 wall a few minutes later and suffered right rear damage. The team will repair his car.
    See fastest speeds, laps run on the Martinsville Practice 1 Speeds page (pdf).(10-25-2013)

  • Qualifying Order for the Goody's Headache Relief Shot 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway is posted. 43 cars/drivers are listed.
    The first of the drivers scheduled to go out is #55-Sadler.
    The final driver scheduled to go out is #18-Busch.
    Fastest in Friday practice, #15-Bowyer, is scheduled to qualify 39th.
    Qualifying order is set by a random draw, held about an hour before the first practice.
    See the full qualifying order on the Martinsville Qualifying Page.(10-25-2013)

  • NASCAR considering changes to qualifying in 2014 UPDATE: NASCAR told its competitors Thursday it is considering eliminating single-car qualifying next season in an overhaul to how the field is set. Drivers from all three national series met with top NASCAR officials for almost two hours at the R&D Center in Concord to discuss several things under consideration for 2014. Among the ideas being considered is a group qualifying format similar to what was used on road courses this year. NASCAR is considering using that qualifying procedure everywhere except Daytona at Talladega. NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp says the field would likely be set at Daytona and Talladega with an "open qualifying session" that would allow for a 60-minute drafting session. NASCAR will also hold a Dec. 9 test at Charlotte to continue work on its intermediate track package.(Associated Press)(10-24-2013)
    UPDATE: NASCAR is considering changing its qualifying procedure in 2014 to have multiple cars on the track at the same time, sanctioning body spokesman Kerry Tharp said Thursday. Already used on road courses, the proposed qualifying format would have cars in groups (it has been five or six) with each car released from pit road in intervals of a few seconds. The group would then have a certain amount of time to complete qualifying laps, with the best lap speed used to determine the starting order for the race. On restrictor-plate tracks (Daytona and Talladega), NASCAR is considering using a drafting session - likely 45-60 minutes - to determine the starting order. The Daytona 500 field would still be set primarily through qualifying races but whether the new format would be used to determine the Daytona 500 pole and the lineup for the qualifying races is still to be decided. "Nothing is set in stone yet," Tharp said. "We haven't determined how all that (throughout the season) would be administered. "We're still working through that but with the goal of providing a more enhanced qualifying experience for the fans that come there and watch it and the fans that watch it on television and, quite frankly, for the competitors."(Sporting News)(10-25-2013)

  • Teams to test at Homestead: Six NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams and 15 Sprint Cup drivers will test at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (Oct. 29-31). Testing will run each day from 9:00am-7:00pm/et. The test sessions will be open to the public. There is no charge for spectators and viewing areas include Speedway Club and seating areas above the infield garages. Grandstands will open at 9:00am. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers scheduled to test at Homestead-Miami Speedway include:
    • Hendrick Motorsports: #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr.,#24- Jeff Gordon, #48- Jimmie Johnson and #5-Kasey Kahne
    • Wood Brothers Racing: #21-Trevor Bayne
    • Phil Parsons Racing: #98-Michael McDowell
    • Joe Gibbs Racing: #18-Kyle Busch, #11-Denny Hamlin and #20-Matt Kenseth
    • Michael Waltrip Racing: #15-Clint Bowyer, #55-Elliott Sadler and #56-Martin Truex Jr.
    • Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates: #1-Jamie McMurray and #42-Juan Pablo Montoya.
    There will also be NASCAR Camping World Truck Series testing October 29-31, with Win-Tron Racing and driver Mason Mingus.(Homestead-Miami Speedway)(10-25-2013)

  • 250th Cup start for Montoya: Juan Pablo Montoya will make milestone start #250 in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series this weekend at Martinsville. Target and Montoya have found their way to victory lane 15 times together across four different series'. The duo visited victory lane 10 times in the CART Series, he gave them their first Indianapolis 500 win, first NSCS win and three wins in the Rolex 24 Hour Race at Daytona. Over the course of seven years (1999-2000, 2007-2013), Montoya has made 238 starts with the Target Bullseye.(NASCAR/Earnhardt Ganassi)(10-25-2013)

  • Martinsville Facts and Notes - Friday - poles:
    • Curtis Turner won the inaugural Coors Light pole at Martinsville Speedway in 1949.
    • 57 drivers have Coors Light poles at Martinsville, led by NASCAR Hall of Famer Darrell Waltrip with eight; Jeff Gordon leads all active drivers with seven.
    • 12 drivers have won two or more consecutive Coors Light poles at Martinsville Speedway. Four of the 12 have won three consecutive poles at Martinsville: Glen Wood (Fall of 1959 and 1960 sweep); Darrell Waltrip (1979 sweep and spring 1980); Mark Martin (fall of 1990 and 1991 sweep); Jeff Gordon (2003 sweep and spring 2004).
    • 47 different drivers have won at Martinsville Speedway, led by Richard Petty with 15; Jimmie Johnson leads the series among active drivers with eight wins.
    • 23 drivers have multiple wins at Martinsville Speedway only five active drivers have multiple wins: Jimmie Johnson (eight), Jeff Gordon (seven), Denny Hamlin (four), Tony Stewart (three) and Mark Martin (two).
    • Hendrick Motorsports leads the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in wins at Martinsville Speedway with 20.
    • 21 of 129 races (16.2%) at Martinsville Speedway have been won from the Coors Light pole; seven of those 21 wins came from active drivers: Tony Stewart (2000), Jeff Gordon (2003 twice), Jimmie Johnson (2008, 2012, spring 2013) and Denny Hamlin (2010).
    • The Coors Light pole is the most proficient starting spot in the field at Martinsville producing more wins (21) than any other starting position in the field.
    • 36 of the 129 (27.9%) NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Martinsville Speedway have been won from the front row: 21 from the pole and 15 from second-place.
    • 94 of the 129 (72.8%) NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Martinsville Speedway have been won from a top-10 starting position.
    • Five of the 129 (3.8%) NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Martinsville Speedway have been won from a starting position outside the top 20.
    • The deepest in the field that a race winner has started was 36th, by Kurt Busch in the fall of 2002.(NASCAR)(10-25-2013)

  • Window to sponsor Bowman again at Texas: Microsoft will re-join RAB Racing with primary Windows & Surface branding on the #99 Toyota Camry driven by Alex Bowman at Texas Motor Speedway on Saturday, November 2nd. Texas Motor Speedway is a special track for RAB Racing and Bowman, home of their first NASCAR pole position in April of 2013. Since its premiere at Daytona International Speedway in February, Toyota teams  including RAB Racing  have been utilizing a Windows 8 custom line-of-business application called TRD Trackside. The new modern touch application enhance the team's performance on and off the racetrack. Developed by Toyota Racing Development (TRD) and running on the Surface Pro, RAB Racing is able to monitor real-time performance data, conveniently and portably. Because of its ability to share data with the crew instantaneously, the application has quickly become a staple of the team's strategy.(RAB Racing), see an image of the car on the #99 team paint schemes page.(10-25-2013)

  • Pocono lengthens truck race by 25 miles: Pocono Raceway announced today their 2014 race lengths have been extended. The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will make their fifth-annual return to Pocono Raceway for the Pocono Mountains 150 on Saturday, August 2. The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will return to Pocono Raceway for the fifth-straight season. The race length of the first two Truck races at "The Trick Triangle" were extended past the advertised distance, due to late-race accidents, and resulted in green-white-checkered finishes.(Pocono Raceway PR)(10-25-2013)

  • 2014 Truck Series schedule released: NASCAR today announced the 2014 schedule for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, a slate that includes the return to racing at Gateway Motorsports Park for the first time since 2010. Gateway, a 1.25-mile oval in Madison, Ill., just outside of St. Louis, hosted truck series races from 1998-2010 with only one repeat winner in its 13-race history, Ted Musgrave, who won in 2001 and 2005. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series star Kevin Harvick won the most recent Gateway race, in July of 2010. Now independently owned by St. Louis-native Curtis Francois, a former racer with significant ties to the local community, Gateway will hold its 2014 race on June 14. After a two-year hiatus, New Hampshire Motor Speedway likewise returns to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series schedule (Sept. 20). New Hampshire held truck racing from 1996-2011, and will return in 2014 as part of a companion weekend with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series during the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Next season's 22-race schedule also includes two tracks which made wildly successful debuts in 2013; Eldora Speedway (July 23) in Rossburg, Ohio and Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (Aug. 31) in Bowmanville, Ontario. The entire 2014 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season can be seen on FOX Sports 1 and heard on SiriusXM Satellite Radio and Motor Racing Network Radio. In 2013 Eldora, the 0.5-mile dirt track owned by three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart, held the first NASCAR national series dirt race since 1970. A standing room only crowd of 20,000 fans watched history, as 2011 series champion Austin Dillon captured the victory. This event will be the first of two Wednesday night races for the series, joining Bristol Motor Speedway's popular mid-week race on Aug. 20. This summer, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park became the first road course to host a truck series race in more than a decade. Culminating with end-of-race fireworks that have become a trademark of NASCAR Camping World Truck Series racing, Chase Elliott, son of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Bill Elliott, won the inaugural international event. Next season's schedule features one date shift, with the series racing at Kansas Speedway on May 9, the first night race for the series at the 1.5-mile venue. The balance of the 2014 NASCAR Camping World Truck schedule, the series' 20th season,maintains a familiar feel, opening with Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 21 and culminating on Nov. 14 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.2014 Truck Series schedule page (NASCAR)(10-25-2013)

  • Nemecheck to debut in Martinsville UPDATE: John Hunter Nemechek, son of veteran NASCAR driver Joe Nemechek, announced on his Twitter that he will be making his Camping World Truck Sereis debut on the Martinsville Speedway short track next month. Nemechek is the 2012 Allison Legacy Series champion, and has spent part of this season racing in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East.(9-16-2013)
    UPDATE: John Hunter Nemechek, son of NASCAR legend Joe Nemechek, will have his first NASCAR touring series start at age 16 for NASCAR's Camping World Truck Series at Martinsville. Having turned 16 this past June, John Hunter is "street legal" for certain shorter tracks in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, which is the first level of NASCAR that is a national tour. John Hunter first started racing stock cars at age 13 in the Allison Legacy Series in 2010. Just two years later, he won 10 out of 18 poles and won the Allison Legacy Series championship, winning a record 15 of the season's 18 races. However, the legacy began well before that. John Hunter will be driving the #22 truck for SWM-NEMCO Racing, a newly formed race team owned by Sid Mauldin. The #22 truck will debut sporting loyal sponsors SWM International, Wood Pellet Grills, and D.A.B. Constructors.(See an image of the truck on the #22 team paint schemes page)(SWM NEMCO PR)(10-25-2013)

  • Jordan's Jumpman along for the ride with Hamlin: The Jordan Brand's iconic Jumpman logo will adorn the #51 Toyota Tundra of Denny Hamlin this Saturday, Oct. 26 as he races for his third-straight NASCAR Camping World Truck Series win at Martinsville Speedway for Kyle Busch Motorsports. Hamlin is the two-time defending winner of the Kroger 200 race at Martinsville. For Hamlin, who began a relationship with the Jordan Brand in 2011 and wears a Jumpman firesuit and racing gloves, it wouldn't be his first three-peat at Martinsville. Hamlin won three straight NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at the historical Virginia half-mile short track over the 2009-10 seasons. While this NASCAR race marks the first-ever primary car or truck sponsorship for the Jordan Brand, the shoe and apparel company has a long track-record of supporting Michael Jordan Motorsports, a motorcycle racing team founded by Jordan in 2004 that competes in the AMA Pro National Guard SuperBike Championship series.(See an image of the truck on the #51 team paint schemes page)(Kyle Busch Motorsports)(10-25-2013)

  • Hamlin on pole in Martinsville: #51-Denny Hamlin won the Keystone Light Pole for Saturday's Kroger 200 at Martinsville Speedway with a speed of 96.489mph. #98-Johnny Sauter will start alongside in row one. #54-Darrell Wallace, Jr., #9-Ron Hornaday, Jr., #3-Ty Dillon, #77-German Quiroga, #31-James Buescher, #19-Ross Chastain, #4-Jeb Burton, and #17-Timothy Peters close out the top-10 qualifiers. #10-Jennifer Jo Cobb and #21-Spencer Gallagher failed to qualify. The starting lineup is posted on the Martinsville starting lineup page (pdf).(10-25-2013)

  • Martinsville Qualifying Notes:
    Denny Hamlin(i) won the Keystone Light Pole Award for the 15th Annual Kroger 200 with a lap of 19.625 seconds, 96.489 mph.
    Earlier in the day Denny Hamlin won the Coors Light Pole Award for Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Goody's Headache Relief Shot 500 Powered by Kroger.
    This is his first pole in 16 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races.
    This is his first pole and first top-10 start in 2013.
    This is his first pole in seven races at Martinsville Speedway.
    Johnny Sauter (second) posted his sixth top-10 start of 2013 and his ninth in 12 races at Martinsville Speedway.
    Darrell Wallace Jr. (third) posted his second top-10 start at Martinsville Speedway. It is his ninth in 19 races this season.
    Darrell Wallace Jr. (third) was the fastest qualifying rookie.
    (NASCAR Integrated Marketing)(10-25-2013)

  • Hamlin fastest in final practice in Martinsville: #51-Denny Hamlin was fastest during the final practice at Martinsville Speedway, with a fast lap at 96.736mph. #54-Darrell Wallace, Jr. was second quick, followed by: #19-Ross Chastain, #6-Daniel Hemric, #4-Jeb Burton, #98-Johnny Sauter, #27-Jeff Agnew, #77-German Quiroga, #94-Chase Elliott, and #88-Matt Crafton. 38 of the entered 38 trucks practiced during the session. See complete results on the Martinsville practice 2 speeds page (pdf).(10-25-2013)

  • Chastain fastest in first practice in Martinsville: #19-Ross Chastain was fastest during the opening practice at the Martinsville Speedway short track on Friday. Chastain ran a fast lap at 95.603mph. #18-Joey Coulter was second fastest. He was followed by: #9-Ron Hornaday, Jr., #98-Johnny Sauter, #88-Matt Crafton, #6-Daniel Hemric, #3-Ty Dillon, #77-German Quiroga, #27-Jeff Agnew, and #4-Jeb Burton. 34 of the entered 38 trucks practiced during the session. See complete results on the Martinsville practice 1 speeds page (pdf).(10-25-2013)


    News from October 24, 2013

  • NASCAR considering changes to qualifying in 2014: NASCAR told its competitors Thursday it is considering eliminating single-car qualifying next season in an overhaul to how the field is set. Drivers from all three national series met with top NASCAR officials for almost two hours at the R&D Center in Concord to discuss several things under consideration for 2014. Among the ideas being considered is a group qualifying format similar to what was used on road courses this year. NASCAR is considering using that qualifying procedure everywhere except Daytona at Talladega. NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp says the field would likely be set at Daytona and Talladega with an "open qualifying session" that would allow for a 60-minute drafting session. NASCAR will also hold a Dec. 9 test at Charlotte to continue work on its intermediate track package.(Associated Press)(10-24-2013)

  • NASCAR will mandate baseline concussion tests for drivers in 2014: NASCAR announced that beginning in 2014, the sanctioning body will mandate pre-season neurocognitive baseline testing as part of its comprehensive concussion prevention and management program for all of its national series drivers. At the start of this season, NASCAR recommended that drivers who did not already have a baseline test secure one, while also indicating that a pre-season baseline mandate could become effective as soon as next year. Baseline testing will be performed through the use of an ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) test, which is a widely used neurocognitive assessment tool. The result of neurocognitive testing is one factor out of many that doctors use to diagnose and treat concussions. This particular test evaluates an athlete's verbal and visual memory, processing speed and reaction time. By performing this test prior to the start of a season of competition, doctors are given a snapshot of an athlete's brain function while in a healthy state. Doctors can then use that baseline to compare to post-concussion tests to assist them in both evaluating the effects of any injury and informing their decisions to return an athlete to competition.
    "NASCAR made this decision because we think it is important to drivers' health for doctors to have the best information and tools available in evaluating injuries," said Steve O'Donnell, NASCAR vice president of racing operations. "Before announcing this rule, we provided drivers concussion and baseline testing education and created opportunities for them to ask any questions they may have to a top neurosurgeon that specializes in traumatic brain injuries. Also, remember that ImPACT tests are not new to our sport and have been used for treatment through the years."
    Since NASCAR's recommendation prior to the start of this season, drivers were invited to two concussion education sessions featuring Dr. Vinay Deshmukh, M.D. of Carolina Neurosurgery & Spine Associates, a member of NASCAR's Medical Advisory Group of Consulting Physicians. At those sessions, drivers were presented with an overview of what concussions are, their causes, treatment and the role that baseline tests play in the comprehensive evaluation of concussions.
    "We are extremely confident that our concussion protocol is among the best in sports," O'Donnell said. "We regularly review all of our practices involving safety and health to see if there is anything that we can do better, or should do differently moving forward. Implementing baseline testing is a primary example of our philosophy to protect our competitors the best that we can."(NASCAR)(10-24-2013)

  • Wood Brothers expects Bayne to return, similar schedule in 2014: As a NASCAR staple through seven decades, Wood Brothers Racing is among stock car racing's best-known and most popular teams. It's been around since 1953, when Glen Wood and his brothers, Leonard, Delano and Ray Lee began fielding shade-tree cars at short dirt tracks in southern Virginia and central North Carolina. In 1,405 Sprint Cup entries since 1953 the team has 118 poles and 98 victories, including Daytona 500s with Cale Yarborough, David Pearson, A.J. Foyt, Trevor Bayne and Tiny Lund. It has 337 top-five finishes, 521 top-10 finishes and has earned upwards of $50 million with 42 drivers. Even with that resume, WBR isn't exactly flush with sponsorship. It ran less than half the races in 2009, 2010 and 2012 (and exactly half in 2011), and Bayne will run only 12 of 36 this year. It's not ideal, but the Woods have little choice.
    "With sponsorship like it is, we have to pick races that give us the best chance of a good payback," team co-owner Eddie Wood said last weekend at Talladega. "It's just good business: the more you can win, the more you have to keep going forward. We've skipped some races this year that were close to home [the Charlotte area] because the payout wasn't very good. But we've gone to some races way off because the payout made it worthwhile. It's all about surviving to race again."
    The team would love to run more, but [it's doing] the best it can do right now. "We're always hunting for sponsorships and trying to add races," Wood said. "And, really, it's getting a little better; it's beginning to open up some. A few years ago it was hard to get people to even call you back about sponsoring a race. It was really tough there for a while, but people are more open to listen now. At least here lately, they seem more interested."
    Wood said it's too early to talk much about 2014. He said he and his brother, team co-owner Len Wood, expect to run at least the same schedule, maybe adding a few races if more sponsors come along. Nothing is set in stone, either, regarding Bayne and his role, but they "fully expect" him back in their Cup car even as he runs the full Nationwide Series schedule for Roush Fenway. Regardless of what else happens, this much is true: "You'll never see us become a start-and-park team," Eddie Wood said defiantly. "Not our family, not this team, not as far as we've come since the '50s and as much as we've done in racing. We'll do what we can and we'll do it properly, or we won't do it at all. And you can write that down."(Autoweek)(10-24-2013)

  • Teams wrap up Texas test: With just four races remaining in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup and championship aspirations on the line, 10 of the 13 Chase drivers, including the top eight, have been visiting since Monday during an extensive three-day test session at Texas Motor Speedway in preparations for next Sunday's AAA Texas 500. Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing, Roush Fenway Racing and Michael Waltrip Racing had planned to test last week, but weather forced them to reschedule this week. They opened Monday with a test and then joined the session that Richard Childress had scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday. Several drivers, including #48-Jimmie Johnson and #20-Matt Kesenth, tested the first two days and departed while teammates will take advantage of the remaining test time and data for the teams. The teams were going to have a combined 22 hours of track time available between Tuesday and Wednesday and 29 overall from the three days.(TMS)(10-24-2013)

  • Chevy can clinch Manufacturers' Championship: Chevy can clinch its 11th consecutive NSCS Manufacturers' Championship, and 37th overall, this weekend at Martinsville. If Chevy's top finishing driver finishes ahead of Toyota's top finishing driver, Chevy will clinch the title in the first year of the Gen-6 race car.(NASCAR), For standings, rules, and manufacturers wins see the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Manufacturer Standings page.(10-24-2013)

  • Chase For The NASCAR Sprint Cup: Martinsville Speedway:
    • Martinsville Speedway has been one of the 10 tracks of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup since the playoff's inception in 2004.
    • The winner of the Martinsville Speedway Chase race has gone on to win the championship four times: Jimmie Johnson (2006, 2007 and 2008) and Tony Stewart (2011).
    • Jimmie Johnson leads the series with the most Chase race wins at Martinsville with five (2004, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2012).
    • The worst finish by the eventual series champion at Martinsville Speedway is sixth, by Brad Keselowski in 2012. Keselowski was second in the standings following the 2012 Martinsville Chase race.
    • Chase Contenders have won all nine previous Chase races at Martinsville Speedway.
    • Two of the 2013 Chase Contenders are former NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Chase race winners at Martinsville Speedway: Jimmie Johnson (five) and Jeff Gordon (one).
    • The average finish by the eventual series champion at Martinsville Speedway is 2.7. Only once has the eventual champion finished outside the top five in the Chase race at Martinsville  Keselowski (sixth, 2012).
    • Chevrolet leads the series in Chase wins at Martinsville with seven; followed by Toyota with two.
    • The most dominant performance by a Chase race winner at Martinsville Speedway is Jimmie Johnson's victory in 2008. He posted a Driver Rating of 149.1 and led 339 of the 504 laps (67.2% of his laps completed) - most by a Chase race winner at Martinsville.(NASCAR)(10-24-2013)

  • Martinsville Facts and Notes - Thursday:
    • NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt leads the series in runner-up finishes at Martinsville Speedway with seven; Jeff Gordon leads all active drivers with four, followed by his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jimmie Johnson with three.
    • Richard Petty leads the series in top-five finishes at Martinsville Speedway with 30; Jeff Gordon leads all active drivers with 26, followed by Jimmie Johnson with 16.
    • Richard Petty leads the series in top-10 finishes at Martinsville Speedway with 37; Jeff Gordon leads all active drivers with 33, followed by Terry Labonte (27) and Mark Martin (26).
    • Jeff Gordon leads active drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in average starting position at Martinsville Speedway with a 7.195. Ryan Newman is the only other active driver with an average starting position at Martinsville in the top 10 (9.087).
    • Three active drivers have a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series average finish in the top at Martinsville: Jimmie Johnson (5.348), Jeff Gordon (6.976) and Denny Hamlin (8.200).
    • There have been five NSCS green-white-checkered finishes at Martinsville Speedway: fall 2007 (500/506), fall 2008 (500/504), fall 2009 (500/501), spring 2010 (500/508), and spring 2012 (500/515).
    • Qualifying has been cancelled due to weather conditions eight times in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Martinsville Speedway; the most recent was the fall race of 2011.(NASCAR)(10-24-2013)

  • Chassis selections for this weeks race: see the list of many teams [that report or post them] and what chassis were selected by the team to run at Martinsville Speedway on the Martinsville Race Info page - Chassis selection area.

  • Speculation grows for Rockingham date next season as NASCAR cancels K&N race UPDATE 2: NASCAR announced today the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East event scheduled for Rockingham Speedway on Saturday, November 2 has been cancelled."It is unfortunate any time a race must be cancelled," said George Silbermann, NASCAR vice president, regional and touring. "However, the race track failed to meet its obligations and we were forced to terminate the sanction agreement."(NASCAR.com)(9-9-2013)
    UPDATE: Officials from three different series have confirmed that all the events that were scheduled for November 2 at Rockingham Speedway have been cancelled. Shortly after NASCAR made its announcement, the UARA-STARS Late Model Series announced it has also cancelled its event at Rockingham.The third and final series, the CARS X-1R Pro Cup Series, released a statement Monday afternoon confirming that they to would be canceling their event that was scheduled for November 2. Series officials announced earlier this year that the event would offer a $20,000 payout to the race winner. The events of Monday call into question Rockingham Speedway's future. That is expected to be addressed sometime Tuesday by Andy Hillenburg.(Speed Sport News)(9-10-2013)
    UPDATE 2: Rockingham Speedway, which began hosting NASCAR races again two years ago after an eight-year absence, will not host a Truck Series race in 2014, speedway owner Andy Hillenburg confirmed. The one-mile track located about 90 miles southeast of Charlotte remains open for track rentals but won't be hosting any NASCAR events in 2014. "We've got a number of issues that have to be resolved before we can host races again," Hillenburg told the Observer on Thursday. "These issues have been mounting over the last two to three years. "I'm not giving up on this. My plan is to keep doing it. I want it and NASCAR wants it and I'm determined to have it continue." NASCAR is expected to release its 2014 Truck schedule as early as Friday - the last of its three national series scheduled to be released.(Charlotte Observer)(10-24-2013)

  • Possible changes coming for qualifying: NASCAR told its competitors Thursday it is considering eliminating single-car qualifying next season in an overhaul that would likely implement road course-style qualifying at all but two tracks. Drivers from all three national series met with top NASCAR officials for almost two hours at the R&D Center in Concord to discuss several different ideas under consideration for 2014. The only thing officially announced by NASCAR was that it will mandate baseline concussion testing for drivers starting next season. But series officials also outlined potential changes to qualifying procedures everywhere except Daytona and Talladega. NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp said the field would likely be set at Daytona and Talladega with an "open qualifying session" that would allow for a 60-minute drafting session. NASCAR also informed drivers of a Dec. 9 test at Charlotte Motor Speedway to continue work on its intermediate track package, with Dec. 10 held as a rain date. NASCAR tested a variety of different packages Oct. 14 at Charlotte and discussed the results of those tests with drivers Thursday. NASCAR used heat races in the Truck Series to set qualifying at Eldora Speedway in July for the first time. (The Associated Press)(10-24-2013)

  • Judge rules in Cobb's favor UPDATE: A federal judge Thursday granted Jennifer Jo Cobb's motion to dismiss a lawsuit by former business partner David Novak, ending a chapter in a case that has included accusations of stealing race equipment and arrests - including to a fellow competitor. Cobb said Friday at Talladega Superspeedway she wasn't surprised by the decision. Cobb's suit against Novak remains in District Court of Wyandotte County, Kan. A hearing on damages is scheduled Nov. 20. Novak filed a lawsuit in February in U.S. District Court in North Carolina claiming he had contributed more than $1 million to the race team he co-owned with Cobb and that she had removed nearly $250,000 for personal use. Novak also claimed that Cobb broke into the team's warehouse in January and stole the team's trailer, which transported the Camping World Series truck she drove. The trailer, valued at nearly $280,000, was stolen from Cobb in May. Arrest warrants were issued in May for Mike Harmon, a driver in the Camping World Truck Series, Novak and Sheila Rice in relation to the trailer theft. Additional arrest warrants were issued in June for Harmon and Novak for the theft of five racing trucks, two races cars and other property belonging to Cobb with a total value of $125,000, according to a report by the Rowan County (N.C.) Sheriff's Office. Cobb said the trailer and other equipment have not been retrieved. Harmon and Novak both have a court appearance scheduled for Oct. 30 in Rowan County. Novak sought a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction in February to keep Cobb from operating equipment owned by JJC Racing, which was jointly owned by Cobb and Novak, and pay back funds he claimed she took. Judge Richard L. Voorhees denied that motion. Judge Voorhees granted Cobb's motion to dismiss the suit Thursday, citing it lacked subject matter jurisdiction, which is the requirement that the court have power to hear the specific kind of claim that is brought.(MRN.com)(10-18-2013)
    UPDATE: Jennifer Jo Cobb anticipates the Rowan County District Attorney's office will drop the criminal charges against David Novak, Mike Harmon and another individual. Although a victim is not the ultimate decision maker on whether the prosecutor will pursue a case, Cobb emailed a request to the Assistant District Attorney this morning that the charges be dropped and anticipates he will be amenable to that request. "After much discussion with my legal counsel I have decided that upon the conclusion of the civil matters, I would like to be finished with any further connections to these parties and events. To endure an ongoing criminal case would simply be counterproductive to my moving on and the 2014 race season," Cobb said. In both December and May, Cobb's racing team suffered significant losses that led to the arrests. Cobb's former business partner, Novak, sued her in Federal court in North Carolina and Cobb sued him in civil court in the state of Kansas, where JJC Racing, LLC was formed. The NC Federal lawsuit against Cobb was dismissed last week and the Kansas civil case is set for a hearing on damages endured by the company on November 20.(Jennifer Jo Cobb PR)(10-24-2013)

  • NASCAR will mandate baseline concussion tests for drivers in 2014: NASCAR announced that beginning in 2014, the sanctioning body will mandate pre-season neurocognitive baseline testing as part of its comprehensive concussion prevention and management program for all of its national series drivers. At the start of this season, NASCAR recommended that drivers who did not already have a baseline test secure one, while also indicating that a pre-season baseline mandate could become effective as soon as next year. Baseline testing will be performed through the use of an ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) test, which is a widely used neurocognitive assessment tool. The result of neurocognitive testing is one factor out of many that doctors use to diagnose and treat concussions. This particular test evaluates an athlete's verbal and visual memory, processing speed and reaction time. By performing this test prior to the start of a season of competition, doctors are given a snapshot of an athlete's brain function while in a healthy state. Doctors can then use that baseline to compare to post-concussion tests to assist them in both evaluating the effects of any injury and informing their decisions to return an athlete to competition. "NASCAR made this decision because we think it is important to drivers' health for doctors to have the best information and tools available in evaluating injuries," said Steve O'Donnell, NASCAR vice president of racing operations. "Before announcing this rule, we provided drivers concussion and baseline testing education and created opportunities for them to ask any questions they may have to a top neurosurgeon that specializes in traumatic brain injuries. Also, remember that ImPACT tests are not new to our sport and have been used for treatment through the years." Since NASCAR's recommendation prior to the start of this season, drivers were invited to two concussion education sessions featuring Dr. Vinay Deshmukh, M.D. of Carolina Neurosurgery & Spine Associates, a member of NASCAR's Medical Advisory Group of Consulting Physicians. At those sessions, drivers were presented with an overview of what concussions are, their causes, treatment and the role that baseline tests play in the comprehensive evaluation of concussions. "We are extremely confident that our concussion protocol is among the best in sports," O'Donnell said. "We regularly review all of our practices involving safety and health to see if there is anything that we can do better, or should do differently moving forward. Implementing baseline testing is a primary example of our philosophy to protect our competitors the best that we can."(NASCAR)(10-24-2013)

  • MAKE, Harmon Racing partner for Martinsville: MAKE Motorsports / Mike Harmon Racing announces its sponsor Stacker 2 Xtra Energy shot and driver Bradley Riethmeyer. The Fox Sports 1 televised Kroger 200 will take place at the Martinsville Speedway this Saturday, October 26th. Bradley Riethmeyer of Hutto,TX. will be making his Martinsville debut in the #84 Stacker 2 Xtra Energy Shot/ Calico Coatings Chevy. Bradley will be coached by veteran driver Danny Efland of Irmo,SC. The #84 Chevy will sport the Stacker 2 Xtra Energy Shot logo and associated graphics on the hood, rear-quarter panels and back bumper. It will also feature Calico Coatings on the lower rear-quarter panels. An additional associate sponsor for this weekend will be Diamond Pistons. This weekend will be the debut of Bradley Riethmeyer in the NASCAR Camping World Trucks Series at Martinsville Speedway as well as his debut with MAKE/MHR. Bradley competed in four NCWTS events in 2007 and once in 2008.(See an image of the truck on the #84 team paint schemes page) (MAKE Motorsports/Mike Harmon Racing PR)(10-24-2013)

  • Tickets for Daytona Coke Zero 400 weekend on sale: NASCAR fans have their first opportunity to purchase tickets for the 56th annual Coke Zero 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Saturday, July 5 at Daytona International Speedway. Fans can purchase tickets to the mid-summer classic in one of three convenient ways: Online at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com, by calling 1-800-PITSHOP, or visiting the Daytona International Speedway ticket office. Frontstretch grandstand seats for the Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola start at $45 and tower seats begin at $89.50. Reserved grandstand seats for children ages 12 and under are $10 and kids 12 and under are free in the Sprint FANZONE. Infield camping packages start at $345 and reserved site infield guests will be able to drive in and out of the infield.(DIS)(10-24-2013)

  • Texas to have largest purse of Chase races: Texas Motor Speedway's AAA Texas 500 once again will boast the largest purse among the 10 races in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup and the event's largest since 2009. Texas Motor Speedway will award $7,039,782 to the 43 drivers competing in the Nov. 3 AAA Texas 500, an increase of more than $70,000 compared to last year's total of $6,969,209. The purse is the largest since 2009 when the AAA Texas 500 posted a record purse of $7,359,286. Since 2005, Texas Motor Speedway has played host to the eighth race in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, which annually features the largest purse and largest-attended race of the 10 races in NASCAR's version of the playoffs. The O'Reilly Auto Parts Challenge and WinStar World Casino 350 also will award sizable purses. The O'Reilly Auto Parts Challenge Nationwide Series race on Saturday, Nov. 2, will award $1,127, 526 while the WinStar World Casino 350 Camping World Truck Series race will award $550,369.(TMS)(10-24-2013)

  • Close named interim general manager at Gresham Motorsports Park: Gresham Motorsports Park announced that John Close has been named as the Interim General Manager of the Jefferson, GA motorsports and event complex. Close  a 30-year professional motorsports media and marketing specialist - served as the Communications Director at GMP in 2009-2010. Close's hiring will mark a new direction for the 88-acre Georgia racing and public event complex.(GMP)(10-24-2013)


    News from October 23, 2013

  • Stenhouse and Biffle in pink Fords at Martinsville: Roush Fenway Racing's Ricky Stenhouse Jr. will drive the pink #17 'Driven for a Cause' Ford Fusion this weekend at Martinsville Speedway to raise awareness and support the National Breast Cancer Foundation(NBCF). "It is great to be able to team up with the National Breast Cancer Foundation and help bring awareness to a special cause" Stenhouse said. "Many families have been affected by breast cancer and it's an honor to help support the National Breast Cancer Foundation and all of their hard work." Throughout the month of October all of RFR's race cars carried a special 'pink ribbon Driven logos' in each of the month's events. In addition, teammate Greg Biffle's 3M Ford Fusion also features a special pink themed scheme for the event.(Roush Fenway Racing), see an image of the cars on the #16 team paint schemes page and #17 team paint schemes page.(10-24-2013)

  • Carl Edwards appearing in music video with Sara Evans: #99-Carl Edwards teams with Platinum-selling RCA Nashville recording artist Sara Evans in her new music video for her single "Slow Me Down," which premiered Wednesday at Yahoo! Music. "Sara was as nice and down to earth as she seems," said Edwards. "She amazed me with how much heart she put into this song. We had a lot of fun shooting the video and I hope everyone enjoys it." Evans, a fellow Columbia, Mo. native, and Edwards put their acting skills to work in Nashville, Tenn. under the direction of Emmy Award winner Peter Zavaldil. This is the second music video appearance for Edwards, who starred in Justin Moore's "Bait a Hook" video last year.(Roush Fenway)(10-24-2013)

  • NASCAR tests cars in wind tunnel: NASCAR [tested] Sprint Cup cars in a wind tunnel Tuesday, as series officials consider rule changes for 2014. The wind tunnel session follows an on-track test NASCAR did last week at Charlotte Motor Speedway. All three manufacturers were represented in both sessions. NASCAR is looking at aerodynamic changes to help cars race closer together at the 1.5-mile style race tracks. Six teams took part in the on-track test Oct. 14 at Charlotte. Among changes gaining momentum is to eliminate the minimum ride height requirement for next season. There's also some support for a larger spoiler. "We're on the road to figuring out a few things that we could do for the '14 season,'' said Gene Stefanyshyn, NASCAR vice president of innovation and racing development. Stefanyshyn said that officials likely would determine this week if they would need additional on-track testing before making changes for next season.(Motor Racing Network)(10-23-2013)

  • Todd Parrot suspended by NASCAR UPDATES - Released by RPM, Comments: Todd Parrott, a crew member in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (#43 team crew chief), has been indefinitely suspended from NASCAR for violating the sanctioning body's Substance Abuse Policy. On Oct. 17, Parrott was found to have violated Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing) and 19 (violation of the NASCAR Substance Abuse Policy) of the 2013 NASCAR Rule Book.(NASCAR)(10-17-2013)
    UPDATE: Upon notification today that employee Todd Parrott had violated NASCAR's Substance Abuse Policy, Richard Petty Motorsports fully supports his indefinite suspension from NASCAR. Sammy Johns, Vice President of Operations and Competition, will handle crew chief duties on the #43 Ford this weekend at Talladega. He will also handle these duties on an interim basis until further notice. "We have an expectation of all RPM employees to conduct themselves at the highest level of professionalism and within the competitive confines as set forth by NASCAR," said Johns. "We are very disappointed that one of our employees did not meet our expectations and we completely support NASCAR, their policies and final decisions when it comes to the substance abuse policy."(RPM)(10-17-2013)
    UPDATE 2: Todd Parrott was released from Richard Petty Motorsports on Monday for violating NASCAR's substance-abuse policy. The 19-year veteran crew chief won the 1999 Sprint Cup championship with Dale Jarrett and most recently oversaw the #43 Ford team and driver Aric Almirola. Parrott has been with RPM since 2010. He has 31 Sprint Cup wins. Parrott has already submitted his application for NASCAR's Road to Recovery program. Greg Ebert will take over as the interim crew chief for Aric Almirola's team.(Fox Sports)(10-22-2013)
    UPDATE 3: Richard Petty Motorsports (RPM) announced Greg Ebert will serve as the interim crew chief for the #43 Ford and driver Aric Almirola starting this weekend at Martinsville Speedway. Ebert will fulfill this role on an interim basis for the remainder of the season. Ebert has served in the role of car chief of the #43 Ford for the past two seasons and has been a car chief with RPM since its inception. Before joining RPM, Ebert spent nine years at Roush Fenway Racing serving the last five of those seasons as the car chief for Matt Kenseth. Ebert replaces Todd Parrott who is no longer with the organization.(RPM)(10-22-2013)
    UPDATE 4: "(The dismissal) was just automatic," Richard Petty told reporters Tuesday afternoon during an appearance at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. "When he done what he did, he did his own thing. All we've done is said, 'This is the way it's got to be.'" Petty said he was "really shocked" when Parrott failed a drug test and said he never saw the crew chief acting suspiciously. But because drivers and crew members put their lives on the line every weekend, Petty said, the team took a zero-tolerance approach to Parrott's offense. "One hundred percent ain't good enough, so if anyone breaks the rule, there ain't no room in our organization for that," Petty said. (USA Today)
    AND Crew chief Todd Parrott said Tuesday night on Motor Racing Network's "NASCAR Live" that he's sorry for his actions, which caused him to violate NASCAR's Substance Abuse Policy and lose his job at Richard Petty Motorsports. "I was in a dark moment and it happened," Parrott told host Eli Gold. Parrott declined to reveal what banned substance he took. NASCAR indefinitely suspended him Thursday. Gold asked Parrott during "NASCAR Live'' if it was a long-time issue or something that happened that caused Parrott to be suspended. "It's just something that happened and my number came up," Parrott said. "Not a whole lot I can say. I feel bad about it, and I'm sorry for it and I'm ready to move on." Parrott said he's scheduled to meet with a counselor Wednesday to begin NASCAR's Road to Recovery program. "I have the support of my family and a lot of friends in the garage to go down this path,'' he said. "I'm sorry it came down to this, but it's a blessing, too ,that NASCAR has a path that helps you ... to be able to get back to work."(Motor Racing Network)(10-23-2013)

  • Johnson, Busch Kenseth getting most TV coverage: According to data compiled by Joyce Julis, Jimmie Johnson, Matt Kenseth & Kyle Busch have accounted for 40% of all driver mentions during NASCAR telecasts though the Kansas race this year:
    Driver..........Interviews...Interview Time.......Mentions
    #48-Johnson.........30.........0:32:45...............4,536
    #18-Busch...........33.........0:35:20...............4,053
    #20-Kenseth.........32.........0:33:05...............3,621
    #5-Kahne............30.........0:28:41...............2,846
    #24-Gordon..........33.........0:34:46...............2,742
    #2-Keselowski.......25.........0:20:06...............2,607
    #20-Logano, J.......19.........0:20:50...............2,510
    #88-Earnhardt, Jr...23.........0:21:40...............2,352
    #78-Busch...........22.........0:22:05...............2,215
    #99-Edwards.........22.........0:22:44...............2,169
    Statistics reflect all live race telecasts and replays of the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season through Kansas (Race #30).(Joyce Julius)(10-23-2013)

  • Drive For Diversity Combine gets underway UPDATE: Twenty drivers arrived in Hampton, Va., eager to show off their driving skills at the 2013 Drive For Diversity Combine. First, though, they were put through the paces Monday with the equally important off-track assessments at Hampton University. This is the third year the NASCAR Drive for Diversity program - created in 2004 and now executed by Rev Racing - has partnered with Hampton. The NASCAR D4D program is designed to identify and train young female and diverse drivers at the grassroots level who demonstrate necessary talent to climb the ranks within the motorsport industries. The drivers, who represent 12 U.S. states and Mexico and come from a wide array of racing experience, took part in physical training assessment as well as driver evaluation on Rev Racing's iRacing simulators Monday. Additionally, the program's partnership with Hampton will include presentations to the drivers by Dr. David Hunter from the university's department of kinesiology on Tuesday, and by Dr. Kwame M. Brown on sports psychology Wednesday. The iRacing allowed many of the drivers to get their first look at Langley Speedway, the .4-mile asphalt oval at which they will test Late Model Stock Cars on Tuesday.(NASCAR)(10-22-2013)
    UPDATE: Langley Speedway's repaving last winter provided an added challenge for the 20 drivers participating in the 2013 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Combine. Not only did the already tough .4-mile oval get faster, it meant even the drivers who had previously competed in the Combine there faced new conditions. The drivers passed that test Tuesday with flying colors. After spending Monday at Hampton University with the fitness and iRacing evaluations, the drivers were eager to climb into one of three Late Models outfitted for the day-long practice session Tuesday. Each of the 20 drivers went out for individual sessions in the morning, and then returned to the car for longer single-car runs in the afternoon.(NASCAR)(10-23-2013)

  • Deep Silver Announces NASCAR '14 video game: Deep Silver Inc. announced that the upcoming racing game "NASCAR '14", developed by Eutechnyx, will be launching in North America in early 2014 on the PlayStation3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360 games and entertainment system from Microsoft, for the suggested retail price of $49.99. "NASCAR '14" is fueled by high-octane intensity and offers fans the most complete NASCAR experience yet. It's your turn to immerse yourself in the full-throttle thrill of the world's most exciting motor sports racing series in NASCAR '14. Take the wheel from your favorite driver and participate in the race week experience complete with practice, qualifying, and race day challenges. With your favorite personalities and live replay, NASCAR '14 is the authentic NASCAR experience for fans. Game Features:
    • NASCAR Highlights: Take advantage of "NASCAR Highlights" to determine the outcome of the biggest race thrills from the season.
    • Career Mode: Work your way through the ranks in a comprehensive career mode; complete with custom car builds, sponsor acquisition, and R&D to get your team into victory lane.
    • Official Teams & Tracks: Race against the official NASCAR teams & drivers on your favorite tracks from the high banks of Daytona, to the twists & turns of Sonoma, and exhilarating speed of Talladega.
    • Leagues: Take competition to the next level and host online leagues with your friends, fully supported by statistics, challenges, rankings and replay.
    • Online Multiplayer: Take advantage of dynamic skill-based matchmaking, tournaments, and easy drop in/out server browser functionality for a fair and enjoyable experience.(Deep Silver PR)(10-23-2013)

  • Martinsville Goodyear Tire Notes: Teams in both NASCAR series in action at Martinsville this week will run the same tire codes, though the Sprint Cup tires will be branded "Goodyear Eagle," while the Camping World Truck tires will be branded "Goodyear Wrangler" . . . this is the same combination of left- and right-side tires that teams in these two series ran at this track in April . . . Martinsville is the only track at which NASCAR teams run this left-side tire code (D-4588) . . . this right-side tire code(D-4590) is run on all four tire positions by Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck teams on NASCAR road courses . . . as on most NASCAR ovals one mile or less in length, teams will not run inner liners in their tires at Martinsville.(Goodyear), see full notes, trie codes, tire pressures on the Martinsville Race Info page - Goodyear section.

  • Martinsville Facts and Notes - Wednesday:
    • Jeff Gordon has participated in the most NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Martinsville Speedway without a DNF (41).
    • Tony Stewart (4/18/1999) and Scott Riggs (4/10/2005) won their first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coors Light poles at Martinsville Speedway.
    • Mike Bliss (9/27/1998), Travis Kvapil (10/24/2004), Michael McDowell (3/30/2008) and Scott Speed (10/19/2008) made their first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series career starts at Martinsville Speedway.
    • 12 NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers have posted consecutive wins at Martinsville Speedway. Fred Lorenzen won four NSCS races straight (the most) from the fall of 1963 through the spring of 1965.
    • All 10 active NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers who have won at Martinsville Speedway participated in at least two or more races before visiting Victory Lane. Tony Stewart won at Martinsville with the fewest previous appearances (three).
    • Ryan Newman competed at Martinsville Speedway 20 times before winning in the spring of 2012; the longest span of any the 10 active NASCAR Sprint Cup winners.
    • Four drivers have made 10 or more attempts before their first win at Martinsville Speedway: Mark Martin (12); Bobby Labonte (18), Kevin Harvick (19) and Ryan Newman (20).
    • Terry Labonte leads the series with the most NASCAR Sprint Cup starts at Martinsville Speedway without visiting Victory Lane at 53.(NASCAR)(10-23-2013)

  • Gallagher eyes second start, honoring Breast Cancer Awareness in Martinsville: After running his first NCWTS race at Kansas Speedway earlier this year, Spencer Gallagher is looking to make his second NCWTS start at Martinsville. Coming off a strong series of finishes in the ARCA Racing Series, Gallagher plans to use that momentum to earn a solid finish Saturday. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Gallagher along with Allegiant Travel, have transformed their normal blue paint scheme into a bright pink. The truck will also include the awareness ribbon on the deck lid to show support.(See an image of the trucl on the #21 team paint schemes page)(Gallagher Motorsports PR)(10-23-2013)

  • Leviton to be on Gresham's hood in Texas: It was announced today that Max Gresham's #8 Chevy Silverado will sport a different look in the upcoming NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Texas Motor Speedway. Instead of the normal red, white, and blue scheme, the truck will be dressed in a special green and blue paint scheme that announces the partnership with Leviton in association with the Made in USA Brand. Gresham will kick off the partnership by competing in the WinStar World Casino 350 at the 1.5-mile Texas Motor Speedway in the #8 Chevy on November 1 with a new paint scheme art directed by Marcie Gabor for Gresham and Leviton's maiden voyage with NASCAR. The design features a lightning bolt that starts at the nose of the truck and jolts along the passenger and driver sides of the Chevy. The lightning bolt stretches from the inside corner of each headlight sticker and continue to the wheel well on both sides. The one lightning bolt will hug the sides of the Made in USA Brand and Leviton branded Chevy Silverado in white dividing the blue and green.(See an image of the trucl on the #8 team paint schemes page)(Max Gresham PR)(10-23-2013)


    News from October 22, 2013

  • Kenseth crashes in Texas testing: #20-Matt Kenseth had his testing at Texas Motor Speedway cut short when he crashed his car because of an issue with his front right tire. Two days after losing his NASCAR Sprint Cup points lead with a 20th-place finish at Talladega, Kenseth had the session-ending crash Tuesday during a week-delayed Texas test that includes the top eight drivers in the points standings. "Well, it was up and down. It ended down," Kenseth said. "We just had a tire problem and crashed, so we're done for the test. ... When you run nine laps and one blows apart for no reason, that's always a cause for concern for sure." Kenseth said the car he crashed in turn one wasn't the Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota he plans to race at the high-banked, 1.5-mile Texas track on Nov. 3, which comes after Sunday's race at Martinsville. "No, she's at home safe ready to get to the track," Kenseth said. There are 16 drivers from five teams taking part in a three-day test at Texas that goes through Wednesday. There were 11 hours of testing scheduled Tuesday, with another full day Wednesday.(Associated Press)(10-22-2013)

  • Almirola to drive #41 at Martinsville: Richard Petty Motorsports will make special tribute this weekend to the latest Petty family member to be elected into the NASCAR Hall of Fame. The team announced that current driver Aric Almirola will race a #41 Ford Fusion this weekend at the Martinsville Speedway, replacing the traditional #43. The#41 Ford will be Petty Blue and feature the likeness of 2014 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Maurice Petty, who raced the number during his driving career. The car was unveiled at the NASCAR Hall of Fame with Maurice Petty, his brother "The King" Richard Petty, Almirola and Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell all present. Winston Kelley, NASCAR Hall of Fame Executive Director, led the ceremonies in Charlotte, N.C. Maurice used the #41 for nine starts over his five-year driving career from 1960 to 1964. During that span, Petty entered 26 race events and finished in the top-10 in 16 of those. Maurice also earned seven top-five finishes with a best result of third in Spartanburg, S.C., in 1961. Maurice used the #41, staying consistent with the family heritage of racing subsequent numbers in the 40's. His father, Lee, raced the #42 and his brother, Richard, raced #43. Maurice was a driver, crew chief and a car owner, but is most known for being the engine builder for the family's operation. Maurice developed his craft in the engine room learning from his father, Lee, as he helped the family business win three championships with Lee. He then came into his own and was the horsepower behind the seven championships of Petty Enterprises and also behind 212 wins with drivers such as Richard Petty, Jim Paschal, Marvin Panch and Buddy Baker. Maurice was the crew chief for Pete Hamilton during the 1970 Daytona 500 which he won. Maurice later built engines in the Truck Series and played a role in the return of Dodge to the sport in 2001. Maurice is the third Petty to be elected into the NASCAR Hall of Fame following his father and brother. He is also the first to enter under the merits as an engine builder. Richard Petty Motorsports will use the #41 this weekend only and collect owner and driver points under the #43. The change of car number was approved by NASCAR.(RPM), see an image of the car on the #43 team paint schemes page.(10-22-2013)

  • NASCAR reinstates crew member: NASCAR has reinstated former NASCAR Sprint Cup Series crew member Eric Maycroft upon his successful completion of NASCAR's Substance Abuse Policy Road to Recovery Program. Maycroft had been indefinitely suspended from NASCAR on Aug. 16, 2013 for violating the sanctioning body's substance abuse policy.(NASCAR)(10-22-2013)

  • Talladega TV Ratings: ESPN's live telecast of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday, Oct. 20, earned a 3.1 U.S. household rating, averaging 4,916,193 viewers, according to Nielsen Media. The rating was the second-highest in six races held so far in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Last year's race at Talladega earned a 3.2 U.S. rating with an average of 5,113,374 viewers. With a 10.2 rating, Greensboro, N.C., led all metered markets across the country for the race telecast, followed by Greenville, S.C., with 9.5 and Birmingham, Ala., with 8.2. Knoxville, Tenn., was fourth with 7.0 while tied for fifth were Indianapolis and Norfolk, Va., at 6.8. Rounding out the top 10 markets were Charlotte, N.C., 6.4; Orlando, Fla., 5.8; Jacksonville, Fla., 5.6 and Nashville, Tenn., 5.3.(ESPN), See past races for 2013 and 5-year comparison chart on the 2013 NASCAR TV Ratings page.(10-22-2013)

  • Todd Parrot suspended by NASCAR UPDATE - Released by RPM: Todd Parrott, a crew member in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (#43 team crew chief), has been indefinitely suspended from NASCAR for violating the sanctioning body's Substance Abuse Policy. On Oct. 17, Parrott was found to have violated Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing) and 19 (violation of the NASCAR Substance Abuse Policy) of the 2013 NASCAR Rule Book.(NASCAR)(10-17-2013)
    UPDATE: Upon notification today that employee Todd Parrott had violated NASCAR's Substance Abuse Policy, Richard Petty Motorsports fully supports his indefinite suspension from NASCAR. Sammy Johns, Vice President of Operations and Competition, will handle crew chief duties on the #43 Ford this weekend at Talladega. He will also handle these duties on an interim basis until further notice. "We have an expectation of all RPM employees to conduct themselves at the highest level of professionalism and within the competitive confines as set forth by NASCAR," said Johns. "We are very disappointed that one of our employees did not meet our expectations and we completely support NASCAR, their policies and final decisions when it comes to the substance abuse policy."(RPM)(10-17-2013)
    UPDATE 2: Todd Parrott was released from Richard Petty Motorsports on Monday for violating NASCAR's substance-abuse policy. The 19-year veteran crew chief won the 1999 Sprint Cup championship with Dale Jarrett and most recently oversaw the #43 Ford team and driver Aric Almirola. Parrott has been with RPM since 2010. He has 31 Sprint Cup wins. Parrott has already submitted his application for NASCAR's Road to Recovery program. Greg Ebert will take over as the interim crew chief for Aric Almirola's team.(Fox Sports)(10-22-2013)
    UPDATE 3: Richard Petty Motorsports (RPM) announced Greg Ebert will serve as the interim crew chief for the #43 Ford and driver Aric Almirola starting this weekend at Martinsville Speedway. Ebert will fulfill this role on an interim basis for the remainder of the season. Ebert has served in the role of car chief of the #43 Ford for the past two seasons and has been a car chief with RPM since its inception. Before joining RPM, Ebert spent nine years at Roush Fenway Racing serving the last five of those seasons as the car chief for Matt Kenseth. Ebert replaces Todd Parrott who is no longer with the organization.(RPM)(10-22-2013)

  • Hendrick to receive Lifetime Achievement Award at The Washington Auto Show: Rick Hendrick, tireless philanthropist, creator of an automotive empire and the most successful NASCAR owner of the modern era, has been named the 2014 recipient of the Keith Crain/Automotive News Lifetime Achievement Award, presented at The Washington Auto Show. "Rick has become an auto industry icon through his charity, hard work, grit and determination," said Keith Crain, Chairman of Crain Communications and Editor-in-Chief of Automotive News. "He has achieved unimaginable success as an automotive dealer and NASCAR owner and he has persevered through unspeakable grief and continues to give back and that combination makes him unique and the perfect recipient of the lifetime achievement award." The Keith Crain/Automotive News Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented at the close of the 2014 Washington Auto Show Public Policy Preview Day. Previous recipients of the Keith Crain/Automotive News Lifetime Achievement Award include: Edsel Ford II, Roger Penske, Carroll Shelby, Ralph Nader and Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI). The 2014 staging of the 71st Washington Auto Show in Washington, DC, known in the industry as "The Public Policy Show", will offer a showcase of more than 700 vehicles from over 42 domestic and import manufacturers and a special exhibit of the world's most luxurious rides.(Washington Auto Show PR)(10-22-2013)

  • Drive For Diversity Combine gets underway: Twenty drivers arrived in Hampton, Va., eager to show off their driving skills at the 2013 Drive For Diversity Combine. First, though, they were put through the paces Monday with the equally important off-track assessments at Hampton University. This is the third year the NASCAR Drive for Diversity program - created in 2004 and now executed by Rev Racing - has partnered with Hampton. The NASCAR D4D program is designed to identify and train young female and diverse drivers at the grassroots level who demonstrate necessary talent to climb the ranks within the motorsport industries. The drivers, who represent 12 U.S. states and Mexico and come from a wide array of racing experience, took part in physical training assessment as well as driver evaluation on Rev Racing's iRacing simulators Monday. Additionally, the program's partnership with Hampton will include presentations to the drivers by Dr. David Hunter from the university's department of kinesiology on Tuesday, and by Dr. Kwame M. Brown on sports psychology Wednesday. The iRacing allowed many of the drivers to get their first look at Langley Speedway, the .4-mile asphalt oval at which they will test Late Model Stock Cars on Tuesday.(NASCAR)(10-22-2013)

  • Top 13 Driver Rating at Martinsville:
    1) #48-Jimmie Johnson...................... 123.8
    2) #24-Jeff Gordon......................... 120.7
    3) #11-Denny Hamlin........................ 111.6
    4) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr................... 98.8
    5) #14-Tony Stewart........................ 98.5
    6) #18-Kyle Busch.......................... 96.6
    7) #29-Kevin Harvick....................... 92.6
    8) #15-Clint Bowyer........................ 91.9
    9) #39-Ryan Newman......................... 88.5
    10) #2-Brad Keselowski..................... 87.4
    11) #31-Jeff Burton........................ 87.3
    12) #11-Mark Martin........................ 85.8
    13) #1-Jamie McMurray...................... 84.1
    Note: Driver Ratings compiled from 2005-2013 races (17 total) among active drivers at Martinsville Speedway.
    Formula combining the following categories: Wins, Finishes, Top-15 Finishes, Average Running Position While on Lead Lap, Average Speed Under Green, Fastest Lap, Led Most Laps, Lead-Lap Finish. Maximum: 150 points per race.(NASCAR)(10-22-2013)

  • Martinsville Facts and Notes - Tuesday:
    • Opened in September 1947 by H. Clay Earles, Martinsville, originally a dirt track, is one of the oldest continuously-operating race tracks in the United States.
    • The first NASCAR-sanctioned race at Martinsville was on July 4, 1948.
    • The first NASCAR Sprint Cup race was Sept. 25, 1949.
    • The track was paved in 1955.
    • The first 500-lap event at Martinsville was in 1956.
    • Concrete corners were added atop asphalt in 1976.
    • There have been 129 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Martinsville Speedway, one in the inaugural year and two races per year since 1950.
    • 591 drivers have competed in at least one NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Martinsville; 372 in more than one.
    • NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty has the all-time most NASCAR Sprint Cup starts at Martinsville with 67 starts; Terry Labonte has the most among active drivers with 53.
    • Since the advent of electronic scoring the closest margin of victory in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Martinsville Speedway is the 4/1/2007 race won by Jimmie Johnson with a MOV of 0.065 second.
    • Danica Patrick is the only female driver to compete at Martinsville Speedway in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.(NASCAR)(10-22-2013)

  • Kelly Admiraal to make NASCAR Nationwide debut at Phoenix: Canadian based Admiraal Racing driver, Kelly Admiraal, will make his NASCAR Nationwide Series debut at Phoenix International Raceway for the Nov. 9th ServiceMaster 200. Admiraal will drive the #56 entry for the newly formed team, Kapusta Racing, with primary sponsorship from Western Camp Services. The 18 year old from Edmonton will also race at the Homestead-Miami Speedway on Nov. 16th, for the Ford Ecoboost 300 Nationwide race. Kelly has competed in a number of NASCAR K&N West Series events throughout 2013, most notably at the Sonoma event with a 7th place finish for his first ever road course race. Overseen by his agency, Drive Motorsports International, Admiraal will use these two events to gain a comfortability with the Nationwide car and to fulfill licensing requirements with the series prior to entering the series full time in 2014. Admiraal will also continue to compete in the K&N West Series through 2013 as well as various Super Late Model events in Western Canada where he is the 2012 Western Canadian Super Late Model Championship Rookie of the year as well as the 2011 Whelen Series Rookie of the year.(Admiraal Racing PR)(10-22-2013)

  • Hemric to debut with Sharp-Gallaher in Martinsville UPDATE: Sharp-Gallaher Racing announced today that Daniel Hemric will make his NASCAR debut behind the wheel of the #6 Jack Link's/Valvoline Chevy Silverado when the Camping World Truck Series travels to Martinsville Speedway next weekend. The 22-year-old Hemric has become a household name among the Legends Car, Modified and Late Model ranks, earning countless accolades over the years. He made himself a home at Concord (N.C) Speedway, first in go-karts and then when he graduated to Legends Cars at the age of 16. Hemric won back-to-back Legends Pro Championships in 2008 and 2009. He also claimed the 2009 Summer Shootout Championship at Charlotte Motor Speedway (Concord, N.C.) with six visits to Victory Lane during the 10-race series. In 2010, the Kannapolis, N.C., native won the nationally televised Legends Million event held at Charlotte Motor Speedway. He then moved up to race Modifieds and Late Models. Hemric won his first Super Late Model event in 2011, and in 2012 was crowned the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Champion. So far 2013 has brought him additional track and series championship titles (Super Late Model), the Summer Shootout Championship and Legends Car Pro National Race Champion title.(Godfather Motorsports)(10-17-2013)
    UPDATE: See an image of the truck on the #6 team paint schemes page.(10-22-2013)

  • Susie's Hope riding with Armstrong: Dakoda Armstrong's charity of choice, Susie's Hope, will be riding on the bed of the #60 WinField Silverado this weekend at Martinsville Speedway. Based in nearby Greensboro, North Carolina, Susie's Hope was founded by Donna Lawrence, owner of a Pit Bull mix named Susie. Found in a park after she was severely abused, Susie was saved and adopted by Lawrence. Together they've set out to educate the public and stop animal cruelty; inspiring the largest grassroots movement for animals in North Carolina in 2010. Susie's supporters campaigned to state legislators to stop animal cruelty, and Susie's Law was passed in 2011. The law now serves jail time to those convicted of animal abuse crimes in NC. The duo continues to take their story around the state and nationwide, helping educate people of all ages about the proper care of animals and most recently producing a movie to tell their story.(Dakoda Armstrong PR)(10-22-2013)

  • Racing returns to Memphis: Memphis International Raceway (MIR), Rusty Wallace Racing Experience (RWRE) and Champion Racing Association Powered by JEGS (CRA) officials announced oval track racing returns to Mid-South. Memphis International Raceway hosts "Racing is Back! Memphis 250," a CRA sanctioned event, on Saturday, October 26th. The ARCA/CRA Super Series Powered by JEGS Super Late Models and the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour is presented by Chevrolet Performance crate late models and will feature two 125 lap races as well as stars of the Rusty Wallace Racing Experience in a 50 lap race between the late model and qualifying sessions. "I invite all area race enthusiasts to witness history in the making and see Ross Kenseth, Steven Wallace and Eddie Hoffman compete as MIR hosts its inaugural race on the oval in conjunction with Rusty Wallace Racing Experience and Champion Racing Association powered by JEGS. This is what Mid-South race fans have been waiting for," Pam Kendrick Vice President and General Manager of MIR.(Memphis International Raceway)(10-22-2013)


    News from October 21, 2013

  • Entry List for the Goody's Headache Relief Shot 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway is posted, 43 teams/drivers [for 43 spots] are listed, including: #32-Schrader, #51-Larson, #55-Sadler, #95-Sorenson. Since only 43 cars are entered, all drivers will make the race.
    See the full entry list at my Jayski's Martinsville Entry List

  • Fan dies in Talladega campground: Carbon-monoxide poisoning is being blamed as the cause of death of a Tennessee man at Talladega Superspeedway on Saturday morning. The Talladega County Sheriff's Department said Craig Franklin Morgan, 46, of Murfreesboro, Tenn., died at the campground. Morgan and his wife, Jami Allison Morgan, 38, were discovered unresponsive by friends who went into their RV at the South Campground outside the track. Jami Morgan was unconscious and was airlifted to UAB Hospital, where she remained in critical condition and unconscious Monday morning. Police said the carbon monoxide apparently leaked from the exhaust system of the family's RV.(Fox Sports)(10-21-2013)

  • Talladega Race and Commercial Breakdown: For those of you NASCAR fans that like stats and love to hate commercials, here is the breakdown for Sunday's race. Began recording the times at the Invocation of the race at 2:02 PM, and stopped at the waving of the checkered flag at 5:12 PM (all times are EST). ESPN was the broadcast team for this event.
    Total number of commercials: 125
    Total number of companies or entities advertised: 61
    Number of traditional commercials (not split-screen): 86
    Total number of companies or entities advertised: 49
    Number of 'Side-by-Side' commercials during race broadcast (split-screen): 39
    Total number of companies or entities advertised: 29
    Number of times ESPN utilized 'Side-by-Side' commercials during this broadcast: 7
    Total number of brief promos of products/services during the race broadcast: 23
    Total number of companies or entities advertised in brief promos or crawlers: 15
    Total amount of time these brief promos take during broadcast: app. 3 min. 15 sec
    Start time to record race/commercial periods: 2:02 PM
    End time to record race/commercial periods: 5:12 PM
    Total minutes of complete race broadcast: 190
    Minutes of race broadcast: 157
    Minutes of traditional commercials (not split-screen): 33
    Minutes of 'Side-by-Side' commercials (split-screen): 19
    Number of missed restarts: 0
    Number of 'mystery cautions' (debris not shown): 0
    Total race brdcst time 157 Total comm. brdcst time 33
    SSee past races, links, more info on the 2013 TV Commercials page.(10-21-2013)

  • Dillon says wreck like "roller coaster ride" Seconds after Austin Dillon tried to make what he hoped would be a race-winning move at Sunday's Talladega race, he found himself in an uncomfortable position: in the air and looking down at the rest of his competition. "It was pretty wild," Dillon said after his #14 car unexpectedly took flight. "I was watching cars just go underneath. It was like a cool roller coaster ride. You know that (cable) camera that zooms over the start/finish line? That's what it felt like. Just craziness going under you." Dillon was in third place on the last lap of the Camping World RV Sales 500 when he noticed fourth-place #17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr. start to duck out of line and make a move. Since Dillon had planned to make a run to the finish with second-place Dale Earnhardt Jr., he decided to try and block Stenhouse's move. But Stenhouse realized what was happening and tried to move back up. When Dillon did the same, they met in the middle and the #14 car suddenly snapped around and was facing oncoming traffic. "Oh, this is going to be bad," Dillon said to himself as he saw cars coming at him at 200 mph out of the corner of his eye. He turned the car around the right way as several drivers missed him, but Casey Mears couldn't avoid him at the last second and plowed right into the back of him. Remarkably, after Dillon landed, he was able to drive back to the garage and didn't even require a trip to the infield care center (which is mandatory only if a driver can't make it back around). He finished 26th.(USA Today)(10-21-2013)

  • RPM expected to announce #43 crew chief plans this week: Aric Almirola won't shy away from admitting that not having crew chief Todd Parrott in the garage the rest of the season will impact his race team. "It certainly has had some impact for sure but for all weekends for something like that to happen, Talladega is a pretty easy one," Almirola said after winning the pole. RPM competition director Sammy Johns [served] as interim crew chief [at Talladega] while Parrott is suspended. Parrott is not expected to return before the end of the season. He must meet with a substance-abuse professional, who will diagnose him and determine what steps he must take to complete NASCAR's "Road to Recovery" program. That typically takes at least six weeks. Parrott is the first Cup crew chief suspended since NASCAR started random drug testing in 2009. "We are working on a plan, and I am sure they will announce the plan next week as to our plans for the rest of the year moving forward," Almirola said. "We just have to work through that and we will keep that internal until we are ready to announce it. "We have sat down and talked about it and tried to come up with the best solution for what is best for us." (Sporting News)(10-21-2013)

  • Five 2012 race winners have four races left to continue streaks: five drivers that won a Sprint Cup Series race in 2012 have not won a race in 2013 with four races left in the 2013 season. #11-Denny Hamlin has won at least one race in seven straight seasons, the list of drivers looking to extend their streaks:
    seasons with at least a win, driver, track/date that continued streak, time period of streak
    7, Denny Hamlin, Phoenix, March 2012 [2006-2012]
    3, Clint Bowyer, Sonoma, June 2012 [2010-2012]
    2, Jeff Gordon, Pocono, August 2012 [2011-2012]
    2, Marcos Ambrose, Watkins Glen, August 2012 [2011-2012]
    1, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Michigan, June 2012 [2012]

  • ThorSport announces sponsor, Sauter through 2015: Cleveland-based Nextant Aerospace, the world leader in business aircraft remanufacturing, today announced it will join ThorSport Racing for the 2014 and 2015 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series seasons. The #98 Nextant Aerospace Toyota Tundra, piloted by championship contender Johnny Sauter, is due to take flight as primary sponsor beginning in Daytona for a total of 12 races per season as well as associate sponsorship throughout the duration of the alliance. Nextant and ThorSport Racing are proud of their shared Ohio heritage. For ThorSport, its geographical location far from the majority of other teams in North Carolina, makes the organizations NASCAR success including 12 wins, 110 top-5, 245 top-10 finishes and 14 pole awards, all the more significant. To make its competitive efforts more efficient, ThorSport Racing has acquired a Nextant 400XTi to support racing logistics. The truck was unveiled today, in Las Vegas, Nevada at The Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition. One of the premier aviation events of the year, the partnership between Nextant Aerospace and TSR was introduced to 25,000 attendees, over 100 journalists and more than 45 media partners. The truck will make its on-track debut February 21, 2014 at Daytona International Speedway, where Sauter is the defending race winner.(See an image on the #98 team paint schemes page)(ThorSport Racing PR)(10-21-2013)

  • Cobb supporting Wreaths Across America campaign: Jennifer Jo Cobb Racing has partnered with the nearly 900 members of The Used Truck Association(UTA) in support of Wreaths Across America.org, a federally licensed 501(c)3 charity that places remembrance wreaths on fallen soldiers gravesites every December. Supported by the trucking industry, over 422,000 such wreaths were delivered and placed in over 800 veteran cemeteries in all 50 states in 2012 including 110,662 at Arlington National Cemetery. Fans and supporters of this inspiring charity can go to www.UTA.org and click "Driven2Honor" to join the group by sponsoring a remembrance wreath for Arlington this December 14th on Wreaths Across America Day. Cobb will carry the UTA and Wreaths Across America logos on her #10 Driven2Honor truck for the remainder of the season.(Jennifer Jo Cobb Racing PR)(10-21-2013)


    News from October 20, 2013

  • McMurray wins Talladega: #1-Jamie McMurray won the Camping World RV Sales 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway for his 1st win of 2013 and 7th career win.
    #88-Earnhardt finished 2nd followed by #17-Stenhouse, Jr., #27-Menard, #18-Busch, #34-Ragan, #38-Gilliland, #56-Truex, Jr., #39-Newman, and #15-Bowyer.
    The race ended under caution after #17-Stenhouse, Jr. got in #14-Austin Dillon on the backstretch of the final lap while Dillon was running 3rd. Dillon spun around and came back into traffic. He was hit in the rear by #13-Mears and briefly got airborne. Everyone was ok and no other drivers were involved.
    Other Chase driver finishes: #16-Biffle (11th); #29-Harvick (12th); #48-Johnson (13th); #24-Gordon (14th); #22-Logano (16th); #99-Edwards (17th); #78-Busch (18th); #20-Kenseth (20th); #5-Kahne (36th).
    Pole sitter #43-Almirola finished 21st
    #48-Johnson took over the points lead heading to Martinsville. He's up by 4 points over #20-Kenseth.
    There were 52 lead changes among 20 drivers and only 3 cautions for 10 yellow flag laps.
    The average speed was 178.795mph. NASCAR no longer announces the track attendance.
    See unofficial race results, awards, money won, laps led, cautions and more on the Unofficial Talladega Race Results page (pdf) and check out the Talladega Penalty Report (pdf).(10-20-2013)

  • Race Fast Facts - Talladega:
    Jamie McMurray won the 45th Annual Camping World RV Sales 500 , his seventh victory in 398 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.
    This is his first victory and eighth top-10 finish in 2013.
    This is his second victory and seventh top-10 finish in 23 races at Talladega Superspeedway.
    Dale Earnhardt Jr. (second) posted his 14th top-10 finish in 28 races at Talladega Superspeedway. It is his 18th top-10 finish in 2013.
    Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (third) posted his first top-10 finish in two races at Talladega Superspeedway.
    Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (third) was the highest finishing rookie.
    Jimmie Johnson leads the point standings by 4 points over Matt Kenseth.(NASCAR Integrated Sports Marketing)(10-20-2013)

  • Where did the 2013 Sprint Cup Chase Drivers finish at Talladega:
    [listed by driver points position before the race (start pos)]
    1) #20-Matt Kenseth, finished 20th (started 12th)
    2) #48-Jimmie Johnson, 13th (11)
    3) #29-Kevin Harvick, 12th (33)
    4) #24-Jeff Gordon, 14th (19)
    5) #18-Kyle Busch, 5th (27)
    6) #16-Greg Biffle, 11th (6)
    7) #78-Kurt Busch, 18th (30)
    8) #15-Clint Bowyer, 10th (20)
    9) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., 2nd (8)
    10) #99-Carl Edwards, 17th (5)
    11) #22-Joey Logano, 16th (18)
    12) #39-Ryan Newman, 9th (17)
    13) #5-Kasey Kahne, 36th (28)
    (10-20-2013)

  • 2013 Sprint Cup Driver Chase Championship Points Standings:
    [after Talladega, race 32 of 36]
    1) #48-Jimmie Johnson [5 wins], 2254
    2) #20-Matt Kenseth [7 wins], 2250, -4
    3) #18-Kyle Busch [4 wins], 2228, -26
    4) #29-Kevin Harvick [3 wins], 2228, -26
    5) #24-Jeff Gordon, 2220, -34
    6) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., 2202, -52
    7) #16-Greg Biffle [1 win], 2201, -52
    8) #15-Clint Bowyer, 2197, -57
    9) #78-Kurt Busch, 2193, -61
    10) #99-Carl Edwards [2 wins], 2186, -68
    11) #39-Ryan Newman [1 win], 2182, -72
    12) #22-Joey Logano [1 win], 2179, -75
    13) #5-Kasey Kahne [2 wins], 2153, -101
    See unofficial drivers championship points standings on the Unofficial Drivers Points Standings (pdf).
    See the unofficial owner points standings on the Unofficial Owners Points Standings page (pdf).

  • UNOFFICIAL 2013 Sprint Cup Driver Championship Points Standings without Chase:
    [after Talladega, race 32 of 36]
    1) #48-Jimmie Johnson(X) [5 wins], 1083
    2) #29-Kevin Harvick(X) [3 wins], 1050, -33
    3) #20-Matt Kenseth(X) [7 wins], 1042, -41
    4) #18-Kyle Busch(X) [4 wins], 1027, -56
    5) #99-Carl Edwards(X) [2 wins], 1022, -61
    6) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr.(X), 983, -100
    7) #15-Clint Bowyer(X), 976, -107
    8) #24-Jeff Gordon(X), 970, -113
    9) #16-Greg Biffle(X) [1 win], 957, -126
    10) #78-Kurt Busch(X), 955, -128
    11) #22-Joey Logano(X) [1 win], 927, -156
    12) #39-Ryan Newman(X)[1 win], 923, -160
    13) #1-Jamie McMurray [1 win], 920, -163
    14) #5-Kasey Kahne(X) [2 wins], 892, -191
    15) #2-Brad Keselowski [1 win], 889, -194
    (X) = a Chase driver.
    (10-20-2013)

  • Zipadelli subbing for Addington: According to several media tweets at Talladega Superspeedway, Greg Zipadelli, the Competition Director for Stewart Haas Racing, will serve as #14-Austin Dillon's crew chief today. Steve Addington has headed back home to be with is wife, who is having a baby.(10-20-2013)

  • Hanging in back is acceptable at Talladega: According to a post by ESPN's Marty Smith:
    How will NASCAR will govern the 100% rule today at Talladega?
    [Marty] spoke to NASCAR VP/Competition Robin Pemberton, who said laying back is part of the strategy at plate races and IS ACCEPTABLE competitive practice. Pemberton also noted that that information was made adamantly clear at Chicago when the 100% Rule was first broached. In short, teams ARE PERMITTED to hang back at Talladega today.(10-20-2013)

  • Stewart ready for physical therapy soon: #14-Tony Stewart's infection has responded to treatment, and he should be cleared within two weeks for physical therapy, said Greg Zipadelli, competition director at Stewart-Haas Racing. Stewart had a third surgery on his right leg Oct. 7 for an infection. He noted in an online video chat this week on NASCAR.com he was looking forward to a doctor's visit to see how the leg was responding. Zipadelli said Friday at Talladega Superspeedway that "everything looked as good as it possibly could" with Stewart's leg.
    Stewart's health was only part of the good news this week at Stewart-Haas Racing. Crew chief Rodney Childers tweeted Friday that he can begin work at the shop next week. Childers will be Kevin Harvick's crew chief next season. Zipadelli said that Michael Waltrip Racing released Childers from his contract, allowing Childers to begin working at Stewart-Haas Racing before the end of the season. Zipadelli said having Childers in the shop will be beneficial.(Motor Racing Network)(10-20-2013)

  • Burton inducted into Talladega Walk of Fame: The 20th annual Davey Allison Walk of Fame induction ceremony paid tribute not only to this year's sole inductee, Jeff Burton, but also to the NASCAR legend for whom the park is named. Davey Allison's father, Bobby Allison, reminisced about driving around the south in 1959, looking for tracks, and being told to go to Alabama. He said he passed through Talladega then before going on to Birmingham and Montgomery. "We made lifetime friends, and Davey enjoyed being part of that," he said. "We went all over the Southeast, took people's money, and brought it back to Alabama. Davey was a delight from the time he was a youngster, and as he grew, he became one of the greatest of all time."
    Jeff Burton, this year's inductee, said "This isn't about me; it's about this facility. It's something that brings out Boy Scouts, cheerleaders, community leaders and visitors to honor one of the greatest. He never got to show us how really great he was." Today's drivers, he continued, are "prima donnas next to what they (the Alabama Gang) were. What we do is a lot easier because of them, and Davey was a huge part of that."(Daily Home)(10-20-2013)

  • Gordon's New York condo for sale UPDATE: An inventively embellished three-bedroom condominium at the reigning superstar of Manhattan trophy residences, 15 Central Park West, is about to enter a trophy-conscious marketplace priced at $30 million. The seller of No. 7C also happens to be a bit of a superstar and trophy-magnet: Jeff Gordon, the telegenic four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion. A confirmed early bird among the initial wave of well-heeled buyers at 15 Central Park West, Robert A. M. Stern's postmodern paean to prewar spaciousness, Mr. Gordon signed a contract there in August 2007. Buying from the offering plan, Mr. Gordon spent $9.67 million for his apartment: before he and his wife, Ingrid Vandebosch, customized it to their specifications, it was a big white box with high ceilings and stunning views of Central Park from the trio of oversize picture windows in its east-facing great room. Mr. Gordon decided to sell at this time, Ms. Ariffin said, because "the demand for trophy apartments is pretty strong." The $30 million asking price was arrived at after the neighboring No. 7D, a slightly larger unit, listed for $36 million and sold for $32.5 million last December.(New York Times)(5-11-2013)
    UPDATE: Jeff Gordon is still a fan of New York City and still has a place there. He just might not have as good a view of the city skyline as he used to have. The four-time Cup champion doesn't have the condo at 15 Central Park West anymore. The New York Daily News reported Friday that the sales price was $25 million for the 3,454-square-foot condo, which sold a couple of months ago. That was $5 million below the listed price but way more than the $9.7 million Gordon and his wife, Ingrid Vandebosch, paid for the condo in 2007, according to the report. Gordon said his family still loves New York and still spends time there. "We actually bought another place in New York, just not on Central Park West," he said. "I love (the city), my wife does and our kids do too. It's a good place to invest as well as a good place to spend time."(Sporting News)(10-20-2013)


    News from October 19, 2013

  • Pit Stall Selections: The selections of pit stalls for the Camping World RV Sales 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway have been made.
    Pole sitter #43-Almirola chose pit stall 1 [as do most pole sitters].
    Outside pole sitter #31-Burton took pit stall 29, with an opening in front of it..
    #9-Ambrose, who starts 3rd took the 17th pit stall, also with an opening in front of it.
    The 43rd and final pit stall was taken by #99-Edwards, who starts 5th.
    To see where the drivers/teams pit stall is, see the pit selection chart on the Pit Stall Selection chart.(10-19-2013)

  • Qualifying rained out at Talladega: Rain Saturday morning at Talladega Superspeedway caused qualifying to be canceled for the Camping World RV Sales 500 Sprint Cup Series race. The lineup was set by the rule book (based on practice times from Friday's first session). #43-Almirola will start first followed by #31-Burton, #9-Ambrose, #56-Truex, Jr., #99-Edwards, #16-Biffle, #34-Ragan, #88-Earnhardt, Jr., #1-McMurray, and #13-Mears. #12-Sam Hornish, Jr. was the only DNQ because his team had the fewest number of race attempts this year. See the starting lineup on the Talladega Starting Lineup page.(10-19-2013)

  • Starting positions for the 2013 Sprint Cup Chase Drivers at Talladega:
    [listed by current driver points position]
    1) #20-Matt Kenseth, 12th
    2) #48-Jimmie Johnson, 11th
    3) #29-Kevin Harvick, 33rd
    4) #24-Jeff Gordon, 19th
    5) #18-Kyle Busch, 27th
    6) #16-Greg Biffle, 6th
    7) #78-Kurt Busch, 30th
    8) #15-Clint Bowyer, 20th
    9) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., 8th
    10) #99-Carl Edwards, 5th
    11) #22-Joey Logano, 18th
    12) #39-Ryan Newman, 17th
    13) #5-Kasey Kahne, 28th
    (10-19-2013)

  • Truex looking at 2014 options UPDATS #78 Team: Martin Truex, Jr. has confirmed that he will not return to Michael Waltrip Racing in 2014. "I gave (Michael Waltrip) time to try and work it out and we tried to work it out together," said Truex. "But it's hard to put stuff together at this point of the year. So it's time now for me to figure out what I'm going to do, and figure it out quickly. I'm running out of time." Asked about speculation that he is the heir-apparent to Kurt Busch at Furniture Row Racing next season, Truex insisted, "there is nothing to talk about yet. They've done a great job this year and I'm interested in their program. They're definitely on my radar, but we'll just have to see where it goes." Truex said he has not made any inquiries about returning to the NASCAR Nationwide Series garage, where is a two-time champion, but did not rule out doing so in the future. "I've always loved the Nationwide Series and the time I was able to run there  even part-time while running Sprint Cup at DEI and MWR  was a lot of fun. It's something that I've missed in the past few seasons, and I'd be interested in going back there on a part-time basis (in addition to a full-time Sprint Cup ride)."
    Truex admitted that the last few weeks have been among the most difficult of his career. It's been tough here lately, but we'll go back after them this weekend," he said. "All you can do is pick yourself up, dust yourself off and go back and try again. We've had a rough go of it lately, but it could always be worse. Hopefully, out of all this bad stuff that has happened, something good will develop."(Godfather Motorsports)(10-16-2013)
    UPDATE: Martin Truex Jr. has agreed to drive the #78 Furniture Row Chevrolet in 2014. Sources say the parties came to terms on Wednesday night. A formal announcement is expected next Tuesday. In his eighth year as a full-time Sprint Cup driver, Truex has spent the past four seasons driving the #56 NAPA Toyota for Michael Waltrip Racing. However, MWR's manipulation of the outcome of the Sept. 7 race at Richmond International Raceway and subsequent sanctions from NASCAR resulted in Truex's disqualification from the Chase for the Sprint Cup and NAPA's decision to part ways with the organization at the end of the season.(Fox Sports)(10-17-2013)
    UPDATE 2: Furniture Row Racing hopes it soon will be able to name Martin Truex Jr. as the organization's driver for 2014. Joe Garone, FRR's general manager, said Friday an offer has been extended to Truex but there remained a few details to work out. "To move to another driver of Martin's caliber makes us more solid in the sport," Garone said. "If we are able to get something done, I think that's part of what that hire does." Garone said it would help the organization to be able to sign a driver for longer than a one-year deal, which is what it had with Busch. "We're starting this next season as strong as we are now," Garone said. "There are a lot of places we've identified that we can be better at and during the second half of this year we've been able to correct a lot of them. I think we'll be able to hit the ground running next season."(Charlotte Observer)(10-19-2013)

  • GoDaddy leaving IndyCar, will stick with Danica for "long time": Andretti Autosport will announce a new primary sponsor Saturday to replace GoDaddy next season on the car currently driven by James Hinchcliffe. As GoDaddy prepares for a global launch next year its spending allocation had to be re-evaluated. GoDaddy currently sponsors #10-Danica Patrick in NASCAR and Hinchcliffe in IndyCar, and [CEO Blake Irving] Irving decided IndyCar didn't make fiscal sense. "We looked at our customer acquisition costs and it's an audience size issue," Irving said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. "The customer acquisition costs between the web, between regular TV and between NASCAR and IndyCar, IndyCar is the most expensive acquisition vehicle we have. It was pretty expensive on a per customer cost."
    Despite the decision to leave IndyCar, Irving, who took over as CEO in January, said NASCAR remains a valuable market for GoDaddy. He also said the company is thrilled with its relationship with Patrick. "We frankly love Danica and think that Danica represents and personifies what GoDaddy represents  small businesses and people who have ideas," Irving said. "Here's a woman who had an idea and went through the challenges to become a driver in a male dominated sport. She represents the idea that the totally impossible is possible and we love that kind of person. She's going to be with us for an awful, awful long time."(Associated Press)(10-19-2013)

  • Talladega Facts and Notes - Saturday - poles:
    • Bobby Isaac won the inaugural Coors Light pole at Talladega in 1969 with a speed of 199.466 mph. Isaac won the first three poles at the 2.66-mile superspeedway.
    • 36 drivers have Coors Light poles at Talladega, led by Bill Elliott with eight. Joe Nemechek leads all active drivers with four.
    • 10 drivers have won consecutive Coors Light poles at Talladega. Bill Elliott holds the record for most consecutive poles at Talladega with six (1985-1987).
    • 13 of the 88 (14.7%) NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Talladega have been won from the Coors Light pole. Only two active drivers have been able to accomplish the feat: Bobby Labonte (1998) and Jeff Gordon (2007).
    • The outside front row (second-place) starting position is the most proficient starting position in the field, producing more winners (20) than any other starting position at Talladega.
    • Qualifying has been cancelled due to weather conditions in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Talladega Superspeedway four times; most recently spring of 2013.
    • The deepest in the field that a race winner has started at Talladega was 36th, by Jeff Gordon in the spring of 2000.
    • Trevor Bayne leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in average starting position at Talladega with a 9.800.(NASCAR)(10-19-2013)

  • Future of Kyle Busch Motorsports unknown: What does the future hold for Kyle Busch Motorsports? At 28, Busch is doing his best to give back to the sport. He currently fields trucks in the Camping World Series for 23-year-old up-and-comer Joey Coulter, and for Drive for Diversity standout Darrell Wallace Jr., 20. Parker Kligerman, 23, drives the #77 Toyota on the Nationwide tour. But with just four months to prepare before 2014 Speedweeks at Daytona International Speedway, a lack of sponsorship could force Kyle Busch Motorsports to downsize again. In the last week, KBM was forced to release an additional 10 employees. And it pains Busch to have to make those calls. "You never want to see that happen. Certainly, it's tough. We hate having to go through what we did. This was our most prosperous year of being in the business. We had four teams. We had 82 employees  or something like that. It was great to have that feeling to be able to take care of that many families, but you have to make sure you don't go broke doing it." While Busch would love to keep going, particularly with the promise of his young stable, he's still "waiting on the 'yes' '' from sponsors before he can settle on a lineup for 2014. "A lot of that comes from the unknown with what's going on in the world of sponsorship," Busch said. "For the truck series, it's very tough. For Kyle Busch Motorsports, it's been very tough. You know obviously without the support of Toyota that we get, we probably wouldn't be here, so we appreciate them as much as they do for us, as much as they do for JGR, MWR (Michael Waltrip Racing) and all the Toyota teams. "It's a little frustrating to not have a better plan organized right now, and I'd certainly like to keep it the same if not better than what we've got, but it doesn't look like much is materializing and it's really late in the game. [For] ... trucks especially, it's year to year, whether it is even year to year if you can keep yourself afloat."(Fox Sports)(10-20-2013)

  • Stenhouse in the #16 at Texas: After winning back-to-back championships in the NASCAR Nationwide series in 2011 and 2012, Roush Fenway Racing's Ricky Stenhouse Jr. makes his series return at Texas Motor Speedway, piloting the #16 Zest Ford Mustang in Saturday's O'Reilly Auto Parts Challenge. The two-time NASCAR Nationwide Series champion has six career NNS starts at the 1.5-mile track earning two top-five and four top-10 finishes, including a victory in the 2012 spring race.(Roush Fenway)(10-19-2013)

  • Lofton to be evaluated UPDATE: Fox Sports reported on their Twitter that following the race at Talladega Superspeedway, Justin Lofton was transported to a local hospital for further evaluation.(10-19-2013)
    UPDATE: Lofton released a statement on his Twitter about his injury: Justin Lofton was transported to a local hospital for further evaluation following an incident during the race today at Talladega Superspeedway. He has suffered a fractured left thumb and was discharged earlier tonight.(10-19-2013)

  • Sauter wins Talladega: #98-Johnny Sauter won the Fred's 250 at Talladega Superspeedway on Saturday as a multi-truck wreck broke out behind him on the last lap. #81-David Starr was second. #19-Ross Chastain, #20-Parker Kligerman, #60-Dakoda Armstrong, #1-Timmy Hill, #7-John Wes Townley, #8-Max Gresham, #88-Matt Crafton, and #51-Kyle Busch close out the top-10. There were seven cautions for 29 laps and 29 lead changes among 13 leaders. Complete results are on the Talladega race results page (pdf).(10-19-2013)

  • Talladega Race Fast Facts:
    Johnny Sauter won the 8th Annual fred's 250, his ninth victory in 126 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races.
    This is his third victory and 11th top-10 finish in 2013.
    This is his first victory and third top-10 finish in five races at Talladega Superspeedway.
    David Starr (second) posted his second top-10 finish in eight races at Talladega Superspeedway. It is his first top-10 finish in 2013.
    Ross Chastain (third) posted his first top-10 finish in two races at Talladega Superspeedway.
    Darrell Wallace Jr. (17th) was the highest finishing rookie.
    Matt Crafton leads the point standings by 57 points over Ty Dillon.
    Today's race set a new track record for the NCWTS at Talladega with 29 lead changes and tied the previous record for most leaders with 13.
    (NASCAR Statistics)(10-19-2013)

  • Driver standings following Talladega:
    1) #88-Matt Crafton 680
    2) #3-Ty Dillon 623, -57
    3) #31-James Buescher 622, -58
    4) #4-Jeb Burton # 598, -82
    5) #32-Miguel Paludo 562, -88
    6) #98-Johnny Sauter 588, -92
    7) #29-Ryan Blaney # 576, -104
    8) #17-Timothy Peters 574, -106
    9) #54-Darrell Wallace, Jr., # 566, -114
    10) #62-Brendan Gaughan 553, -127
    See complete standings on the driver standings page (pdf).(10-19-2013)

  • Owner Standings following Talladega: are posted (pdf).(10-19-2013)

  • Warbirds to provide flyover for Goody's 500 at Martinsville: Six vintage post-World War II-type aircraft will supply the pre-race flyover for the Goody's Headache Relief Shot 500 Powered by Kroger at Martinsville Speedway on October 27. The flyover will be performed by the Warbirds, a group of former military pilots who regularly perform flyovers and other airshow entertainment in their vintage fighter planes. The Warbirds have performed since 2009 at other sporting events, including the 2013 CokeZero 400 at Daytona International Speedway, the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, the Jacksonville Jaguars and Miami Dolphins football games, and the Players Golf Championship. The Warbirds' team is led by Henry K. "Hoot" Gibson, a former Naval aviator and Gulf War veteran.(Martinsville Speedway)(10-19-2013)


    News from October 18, 2013

  • Final practice for the Camping World RV Sales 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway is underway, after 50 of 60 scheduled minutes, the top-five, slowest and notes:
    #48-Johnson 195.936
    #35-Wise 195.892
    #11-Hamlin 195.333
    #5-Kahne 195.297
    #47-Labonte 195.269
    slowest: #40-Raines 187.551 & #33-Cassill 186.619. 29 drivers were on track.
    notes: Several teams chose to not run during the session
    Qualifying will be Saturday at 12:10pm/et and shown on Fox Sports 2.
    See fastest speeds, laps run on the Practice 2 Speeds page (pdf).(10-18-2013)

  • First Friday practice for the Camping World RV Sales 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway is over after 45 scheduled minutes, the top-five, slowest and notes:
    #43-Almirola 202.000
    #31-Burton 201.987
    #9-Ambrose 201.876
    #56-Truex, Jr. 201.855
    #99-Edwards 201.604
    slowest: #87-Nemechek 186.278 & #33-Cassill 184.494.
    notes: There will be a second (and final) practice session this afternoon, Qualifying will be Saturday at 12:10pm/et and shown on Fox Sports 2.
    The top 11 drivers had a lap speed faster than 200mph.
    See fastest speeds, laps run on the Practice 1 Speeds page (pdf).(10-18-2013)

  • Qualifying Order for the Camping World RV Sales 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway is posted. 44 cars/drivers are listed.
    The first of the drivers scheduled to go out is #51-Allgaier.
    The final driver scheduled to go out is #20-Kenseth.
    Fastest in final practice, #48-Johnson, is scheduled to qualify 25th.
    Qualifying order is set by a random draw, held about an hour before the first practice.
    See the full qualifying order on the Talladega Qualifying Page.(10-18-2013)

  • Aspen Dental to sponsor Patrick in 2 races: Danica Patrick is giving NASCAR fans another reason to smile with the addition of Aspen Dental as primary sponsor of the # 10 team of Stewart-Haas Racing for two Sprint Cup Series races beginning in 2014. Patrick will take to the track in the fresh, new blue-and-white # 10 Aspen Dental Chevy SS March 9 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Aug. 31 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Based in Syracuse, N.Y., Aspen Dental is one of the largest and fastest-growing networks of independent dental care providers in the United States. Aspen Dental has more than 400 locations in 27 states, with nearly 5,000 dentists and team members focused on helping patients get the care they need by offering a full range of quality dental and denture services, from preventive care to general dentistry to restoration. GoDaddy will continue to serve as the primary sponsor for Patrick and the #10 team at all other Sprint Cup races. When not serving as primary sponsor, Aspen Dental will be an associate sponsor with placement on the B-post and lower-rear quarter panel of the #10 Chevy, with additional placement on the upper chest of Patrick's uniform.(Stewart Haas Racing), see an image of the car on the #10 2014 paint schemes page.(10-18-2013)

  • Front Row, Ragan team up with Highway Safety Administration: For the second straight season, David Ragan will carry safety messaging from the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on his #34 Front Row Motorsports Ford Fusion. Ragan will have primary sponsorship from NHTSA as he returns to Talladega Superspeedway as the track's most recent winner for the October 20th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Camping World RV Sales 500 and for the November 3rd AAA Texas 500 at Texas Motor Speedway, a track where Ragan has previously won a pole award. The relationship debuted last September where Ragan piloted the #34 One Text or Call Can Wreck It All / Distraction.gov Ford Fusion to a 21st place finish at Chicagoland Speedway.(Front Row Motorsports), see an image of the car on the #34 team paint schemes page.(10-18-2013)

  • Black Clover sponsoring Swan at Talladega Swan Racing announced that lifestyle apparel company, Black Clover, will be the primary sponsor for this week's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway. In addition, Black Clover will provide the team and its fans with a clothing line to include branded hats and tee shirts. Black Clover's vision is rooted in living life to the fullest and is exemplified by the slogan "Live Lucky". Black Clover will be on display this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway for the Camping World RV Sales 500. Cole Whitt will drive the #30 Black Clover/Live Lucky Toyota. Established in 2008, Black Clover offers lifestyle clothing and accessories for men, women and children who want the most out of life and demand the same from their clothing and gear.(Swan Racing), see an image of the car on the #30 team paint schemes page.(10-18-2013)

  • Cessna featuring Auburn University on the #1 at Talladega: Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates and team sponsor, Cessna Aircraft Company, announce that former Daytona 500 Champion Jamie McMurray will carry the colors of Auburn University on the #1 Cessna Chevy in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway. This weekend at Talladega the highly recognizable Auburn University logo will adorn the hood and lower rear quarter panels on the Cessna car. Auburn is a comprehensive research university with a nationally-ranked engineering program, located only about 100 miles from Talladega.(Earnhardt Ganassi Racing), see an image of the car on the #1 team paint schemes page.(10-18-2013)

  • ERC & TMone partner with Circle Sport and Cassill for Talladega: Iowa City, Iowa-based TMone will sponsor fellow Iowa native Landon Cassill this week for the Camping World RV Sales 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. Celebrating the recent acquisition of TMone by Jacksonville, Fla.-based ERC, Cassill will take to the high banks of Talladega in the specially designed #33 ERC Acquired TMone Chevy SS for Circle Sport Racing. While both sponsor and driver are no strangers to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series circuit, this weekend's race will mark the first-time partnership between Cassill and TMone.(Circle Sport), see an image of the car on the #33 team paint schemes page.(10-18-2013)

  • More than 1 million miles of electronic fuel injection: When Dale Earnhardt Jr. crossed the start/finish line to lead Lap 34 last Saturday at Charlotte Motor Speedway, there was no special fanfare beyond the standing ovation Earnhardt gets every time he leads a lap. Race control didn't stop the action to give Earnhardt the NASCAR equivalent of a game ball. There was no announcement of a competitive milestone. Yet when Earnhardt led Lap 34 in the Bank of America 500, he logged the one-millionth mile in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series competition since the transition from traditional carburetors to electronic fuel injection (EFI). It should come as no surprise that the milestone was decidedly under the radar, given that the switch to EFI itself has been smooth, almost seamless and virtually invisible. Yes, there were issues with fuel pickup, pump configurations, sensors and throttle linkages as teams adjusted to a new computer-based method of supplying fuel to the immensely powerful engines used in NASCAR Sprint Cup racing. But not once in a million miles has the brain of the EFI system, the electronic control unit (ECU), failed, from the electronics supplied by McLaren to the computing power supplied by chip maker Freescale. With its frequency and length of races, NASCAR Sprint Cup racing arguably puts more stress on the engine and the EFI system than any other competitive series. As a driver puts a car through its paces, the ECU records a wealth of data that can be downloaded and analyzed. In fact, the most visible difference between a carbureted system and EFI may well be the banks of laptop computers teams now set up in their garage stalls. (NASCAR Wire Service)(10-18-2013)

  • Chase For The NASCAR Sprint Cup: Talladega - Friday:
    • Four of the 2013 Chase Contenders are former NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Chase race winners at Talladega Superspeedway: Clint Bowyer (2), Jeff Gordon (1), Matt Kenseth (1) and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (1).
    • The average finish by the eventual series champion at Talladega Superspeedway is 7.9. The last three series champions all finished seventh in the Chase race at Talladega.
    • Chevrolet leads the series in Chase wins at Talladega with five followed by Ford with three and Toyota with one.
    • The most dominant performance by a Chase race winner at Talladega Speedway is Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s victory in 2004. He led 78 of the 188 laps (41% of his laps completed) - most by a Chase race winner at Talladega.(NASCAR)(10-18-2013)

  • Chassis selections for this weeks race: see the list of many teams [that report or post them] and what chassis were selected by the team to run at Talladega Superspeedway on the Talladega Race Info page - Chassis selection area.

  • Hamlin, Herring to split #20 for final 3 races: Joe Gibbs Racing announced its driver lineup for the #20 Dollar General Toyota over the final three races of the 2013 NASCAR Nationwide Series season. Brian Vickers, who is the fulltime driver of the #20 Nationwide Series Camry for JGR this season, learned earlier this week that he would have to sit out the remainder of the 2013 season to deal with health issues. Denny Hamlin will make his first NASCAR Nationwide Series start of this season in Texas on Saturday, November 2, while Drew Herring will take over in the No. 20 Dollar General Toyota on November 9 at Phoenix and the season finale November 16 at Homestead.(Joe Gibbs Racing)(10-18-2013)

  • NASCAR releases 2014 Nationwide Schedule: NASCAR announced the 2014 schedule for the NASCAR Nationwide Series, the 33rd season of racing for the second-most popular motorsports series in the United States. Next year's schedule once again features a variety of tracks that will challenge drivers, many of whom are quickly transforming into up-and-coming national series stars.
    For the third consecutive season, the NASCAR Nationwide Series schedule will consist of 33 races on intermediate venues, road courses and short tracks. Three road course races will again be showcased, including Road America (June 21), Watkins Glen International (Aug. 9) and Mid-Ohio (Aug. 16), which is located less than 60 miles from Nationwide Insurance's Columbus, Ohio headquarters. ESPN networks will continue to provide live broadcasts of the entire schedule in 2014.
    Changes to next season's schedule include three date shifts from the 2013 edition: Darlington Raceway will hold its race a month earlier (April 11), while the first Iowa Speedway event is now slated for May 18 (it had previously been held in June). Texas Motor Speedway's date moved one week earlier in the calendar to April 4; the Texas and Darlington date changes coincide with the 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule released earlier this week. Chicagoland Speedway's standalone event on July 19 will return to a night race for the first time since hometown driver Justin Allgaier won there in 2011.
    Daytona International Speedway hosts the season opener on Feb. 22 while the series finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway is set for Nov. 15. Six "standalone" dates are also included on the 2014 schedule. These races have been a major part of the series' identity throughout its history, putting the spotlight squarely on series regulars vying for the championship. Iowa Speedway will host two standalones (May 18 and Aug. 2), along with Chicagoland, Kentucky Speedway (Sept. 20), Road America and Mid-Ohio.
    And for the sixth straight year, NASCAR and Nationwide Insurance will partner to bring back the popular "Dash 4 Cash" bonus program for drivers and fans alike. The unique program rewards and recognizes NASCAR Nationwide Series driver championship contenders and adds elements of unpredictability and drama leading up to and during the designated "Dash 4 Cash" races. An announcement on the complete 2014 program details will be released at a later date.(NASCAR), see the complete schedule on the 2014 Nationwide Series Schedule page.(10-18-2013)

  • Gaughan to run full Nationwide Schedule: Brendan Gaughan will compete full time in the NASCAR Nationwide Series during the 2014 season in Richard Childress Racing's #62 South Point Hotel & Casino Chevy Camaro. Driving for RCR during the 2013 season, the Las Vegas native competed full time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, along with three Nationwide Series races. In total, Gaughan has made 84 Nationwide Series starts in his 17-year NASCAR racing career, and has two full seasons (2009 and 2010) of series competition on his resume since his NASCAR debut in 1997, earning one pole award, nine top-five and 22 top-10 finishes. The #62 South Point Hotel & Casino team will begin the 2014 Nationwide Series season with the owner points earned by RCR's #33 entry in 2013 and will be under the direction of crew chief Shane Wilson.
    In addition to Gaughan, the 2014 Nationwide Series team lineup will include 2012 Camping World Truck Series Rookie of the Year Ty Dillon in the #3 Chevy Camaro and Brian Scott in the #2 Chevy Camaro.(RCR)(10-18-2013)

  • Burton on pole at Talladega: #4-Jeb Burton won the Keystone Light Pole for Saturday's Fred's 250 at Talladega Superspeedway with a speed of 176.182 mph. #8-Max Gresham will start second. #51-Kyle Busch, #31-James Buescher, #3-Ty Dillon, #9-Ron Hornaday, #19-Ross Chastain, #62-Brendan Gaughan, #18-Joey Coulter, and #-54-Darrell Wallace, Jr. close out the top-10 qualifiers. #10-Jennifer Jo Cobb and #50-Danny Efland failed to qualify. The starting lineup is posted on the Talladega starting lineup page (pdf).(10-18-2013)

  • Talladega Qualifying Notes:
    Jeb Burton won the Keystone Light Pole Award for the 8th Annual fred's 250 with a lap of 54.353 seconds, 176.182 mph.
    This is his sixth pole in 23 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races.
    This is his sixth pole and 14th top-10 start in 2013.
    This is his first pole at Talladega Superspeedway.
    Max Gresham (second) posted his fifth top-10 start of 2013 and his first at Talladega Superspeedway.
    Kyle Busch(i) (third) posted his second top-10 start at Talladega Superspeedway. It is his ninth in nine races this season.
    Jeb Burton (first) was the fastest qualifying rookie.
    Jeb Burton becomes the eighth different driver to win a Keystone Light pole at Talladega Superspeedway.
    (NASCAR Integrated Marketing)(10-18-2013)

  • Chastain fastest in practice in Talladega: #19-Ross Chastain was fastest during the one and only practice session at Talladega Superspeedway on Friday. Chastain ran a fast lap at 190.791mph. #29-Ryan Blaney was second. He was followed by: #77-German Quiroga, #17-Timothy Peters, #31-James Buescher, #3-Ty Dillon, #9-Ron Hornaday, #60-Dakoda Armstrong, #98-Johnny Sauter, and #8-Max Gresham. 38 trucks practiced during the session. See complete results on the Talladega practice 1 speeds page (pdf).(10-18-2013)

  • RCR plans to field trucks in 2014 despite Dillon, Gaughan departures: Richard Childress Racing plans to have four full-time Nationwide Series teams next season, including one for Brendan Gaughan. Gaughan, who is 10th in the Camping World Truck Series standings, will drive the #62 car in Nationwide next year and bring veteran crew chief Shane Wilson with him from the truck series. RCR will have full-time cars in the series for Ty Dillon, Brian Scott and Gaughan and also a fourth car. RCR also is expected to field trucks in that series, RCR competition director Mike Dillon said Friday at Talladega Superspeedway.(Sporting News) )(10-18-2013)

  • Clutch Defense joins Greenfield: Clutch Defense, a tactical and disaster preparedness store, will make its NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut as the primary sponsor of Clay Greenfield and the #68 Dodge during the Fred's 250 at Talladega Superspeedway on Oct. 19. Clutch Defense is a Missouri start-up company that will carry specialized gear and apparel for Law Enforcement / EMS personnel, offer survival and home defense products to civilians, along with providing education and instruction in disaster preparedness.(Clay Greenfield PR)(10-18-2013)

  • Judge rules in Cobb's favor: A federal judge Thursday granted Jennifer Jo Cobb's motion to dismiss a lawsuit by former business partner David Novak, ending a chapter in a case that has included accusations of stealing race equipment and arrests - including to a fellow competitor. Cobb said Friday at Talladega Superspeedway she wasn't surprised by the decision. Cobb's suit against Novak remains in District Court of Wyandotte County, Kan. A hearing on damages is scheduled Nov. 20. Novak filed a lawsuit in February in U.S. District Court in North Carolina claiming he had contributed more than $1 million to the race team he co-owned with Cobb and that she had removed nearly $250,000 for personal use. Novak also claimed that Cobb broke into the team's warehouse in January and stole the team's trailer, which transported the Camping World Series truck she drove. The trailer, valued at nearly $280,000, was stolen from Cobb in May. Arrest warrants were issued in May for Mike Harmon, a driver in the Camping World Truck Series, Novak and Sheila Rice in relation to the trailer theft. Additional arrest warrants were issued in June for Harmon and Novak for the theft of five racing trucks, two races cars and other property belonging to Cobb with a total value of $125,000, according to a report by the Rowan County (N.C.) Sheriff's Office. Cobb said the trailer and other equipment have not been retrieved. Harmon and Novak both have a court appearance scheduled for Oct. 30 in Rowan County. Novak sought a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction in February to keep Cobb from operating equipment owned by JJC Racing, which was jointly owned by Cobb and Novak, and pay back funds he claimed she took. Judge Richard L. Voorhees denied that motion. Judge Voorhees granted Cobb's motion to dismiss the suit Thursday, citing it lacked subject matter jurisdiction, which is the requirement that the court have power to hear the specific kind of claim that is brought.(MRN.com)(10-18-2013)

  • Junior Johnson named Martinsville Grand Marshal: Junior Johnson was in the spotlight at Martinsville Speedway many times as a driver and car owner. He'll be back in that spotlight on October 27, but in a different role. Johnson, a charter member of the NASCAR Hall of Fame and winner of 50 Sprint Cup races, will be the grand marshal for the Goody's Headache Relief Shot 500 Powered by Kroger. "I really enjoy doing things like this," said Johnson, who will give the famous "drivers start your engines" command from the start-finish line. "It's an honor for me. When something gives you so much like racing did for me, you have to give back." The legendary driver, who went on to be one of the most successful car owners in NASCAR history, said he couldn't think of a better place than Martinsville to be grand marshal.(Martinsville Speedway)(10-18-2013)

  • Talladega National Anthem singers announced: Birmingham, AL native and National Recording Artist Taylor Hicks, winner of Season 5 of American Idol, will perform the National Anthem prior to Sunday's Camping World RV Sales 500, the sixth race of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship. Hicks, known for his incredible soulful vocal style, has been a hot commodity ever since winning Season 5 of the popular FOX singing competition, scoring a No. 1 hit single with "Do I Make You Proud." In addition, he has put out a platinum-selling self-titled album, and has moved out west to perform a long term residency at Paris Las Vegas.
    Performing Saturday's National Anthem for the fred's 250 Powered by Coca-Cola Camping World Truck Series event will be FAHRENHEIT, a vocal group from Huntsville made up of Alabama's finest firefighters. The group was started in 2008 by Danny Loggins, the chief of the Huntsville Fire  Rescue service, and since that time, FAHRENHEIT has performed at numerous events and functions. The goal of the group is to be an encouragement to those who hear them and provide fire safety education and awareness. The members of the group include Captain Danny McNeal (lead), driver Steve Alverson (baritone), investigator Rusty Gipson (bass), and retired driver Don Cox (tenor).(TSS)(10-18-2013)


    News from October 17, 2013

  • Todd Parrot suspended by NASCAR UPDATE: Todd Parrott, a crew member in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (#43 team crew chief), has been indefinitely suspended from NASCAR for violating the sanctioning body's Substance Abuse Policy. On Oct. 17, Parrott was found to have violated Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing) and 19 (violation of the NASCAR Substance Abuse Policy) of the 2013 NASCAR Rule Book.(NASCAR)(10-17-2013)
    UPDATE: Upon notification today that employee Todd Parrott had violated NASCAR's Substance Abuse Policy, Richard Petty Motorsports fully supports his indefinite suspension from NASCAR. Sammy Johns, Vice President of Operations and Competition, will handle crew chief duties on the #43 Ford this weekend at Talladega. He will also handle these duties on an interim basis until further notice. "We have an expectation of all RPM employees to conduct themselves at the highest level of professionalism and within the competitive confines as set forth by NASCAR," said Johns. "We are very disappointed that one of our employees did not meet our expectations and we completely support NASCAR, their policies and final decisions when it comes to the substance abuse policy."(RPM)(10-17-2013)

  • Busch ready to Shake and Bake at Talladega: Furniture Row Racing driver Kurt Busch will showcase the Wonder bread primary paint scheme on his #78 Chevy during this weekend's Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway. The colorful paint scheme was inspired by the #26 Wonder race car that appeared in the motion picture  Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. The sponsorship is part of the reintroduction of the Wonder brand, which had been off the market since the bankruptcy of its former owner late last year. Flowers Foods, a leading producer and marketer of packaged bakery foods in the U.S., acquired the Wonder brand in July 2013.(Furniture Row Racing), see some images of the car on the #78 team paint schemes page.(10-17-2013)

  • Truex looking at 2014 options UPDATE #78 Team: Martin Truex, Jr. has confirmed that he will not return to Michael Waltrip Racing in 2014. "I gave (Michael Waltrip) time to try and work it out and we tried to work it out together," said Truex. "But it's hard to put stuff together at this point of the year. So it's time now for me to figure out what I'm going to do, and figure it out quickly. I'm running out of time." Asked about speculation that he is the heir-apparent to Kurt Busch at Furniture Row Racing next season, Truex insisted, "there is nothing to talk about yet. They've done a great job this year and I'm interested in their program. They're definitely on my radar, but we'll just have to see where it goes." Truex said he has not made any inquiries about returning to the NASCAR Nationwide Series garage, where is a two-time champion, but did not rule out doing so in the future. "I've always loved the Nationwide Series and the time I was able to run there  even part-time while running Sprint Cup at DEI and MWR  was a lot of fun. It's something that I've missed in the past few seasons, and I'd be interested in going back there on a part-time basis (in addition to a full-time Sprint Cup ride)."
    Truex admitted that the last few weeks have been among the most difficult of his career. It's been tough here lately, but we'll go back after them this weekend," he said. "All you can do is pick yourself up, dust yourself off and go back and try again. We've had a rough go of it lately, but it could always be worse. Hopefully, out of all this bad stuff that has happened, something good will develop."(Godfather Motorsports)(10-16-2013)
    UPDATE: Martin Truex Jr. has agreed to drive the #78 Furniture Row Chevrolet in 2014. Sources say the parties came to terms on Wednesday night. A formal announcement is expected next Tuesday. In his eighth year as a full-time Sprint Cup driver, Truex has spent the past four seasons driving the #56 NAPA Toyota for Michael Waltrip Racing. However, MWR's manipulation of the outcome of the Sept. 7 race at Richmond International Raceway and subsequent sanctions from NASCAR resulted in Truex's disqualification from the Chase for the Sprint Cup and NAPA's decision to part ways with the organization at the end of the season.(Fox Sports)(10-17-2013)

  • Sadler could sub for Vickers UPDATE: Elliott Sadler tops the short list of substitutes for Brian Vickers in the #55 Aaron's Toyota for the final four races of the season. Michael Waltrip Racing announced on Monday that Vickers would be sidelined for the remainder of the season because of a blood clot in his right leg. Vickers was named the driver of the #55 ride for 2014 in August. Sadler currently competes full time in the Nationwide Series for Joe Gibbs Racing and is fifth in the points standings. The 38-year-old native of Emporia, Va., ran in the Sprint Cup Series for 12 consecutive seasons and posted wins at Bristol Motor Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway and Auto Club Speedway.(Fox Sports)(10-17-2013)
    UPDATE: Michael Waltrip Racing announced that Elliott Sadler will drive the #55 Aaron's Dream Machine Toyota in the 2013 season's final four NASCAR Sprint Cup races. Sadler replaces Brian Vickers who informed MWR on Oct. 14 that he would be unavailable for the remainder of the season due to anti-coagulation medications he will be taking to treat a small blood clot in his right leg. Doctors have told Vickers he will be on the medication at least two months. Sadler, who drives a Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota full time in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, will begin racing the #55 at Martinsville Speedway on Oct. 27. He will finish the season for the Scott Miller led team at Texas, Phoenix and Homestead.(MWR)(10-17-2013)

  • Special scheme for Ragan: #34-David Ragan and Front Row Motorsports return to Talladega Superspeedway this week looking to duplicate their wild win earned on a last-lap surge in May. With all eyes on the reigning Talladega champ, the driver will bring a brightly colored paint scheme promoting SaferCar.gov, a one-stop shop for vehicle safety established by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).(Front Row Motorsports), Ragan will start his 250th NSCS race this weekend at Talladega.(10-17-2013)

  • Charter on the #43 at Dega: Driver of the #43 Charter Ford, Aric Almirola says the keys to racing the Gen-6 car at the Talladega Superspeedway are track position and aggression. The No. 43 team hopes to have both to position them for the win in Charter's primary race with the #43 team. Almirola has 13 NASCAR starts at the 2.66-mile track. In seven Sprint Cup starts, he tallied his best finish of 10th this spring. He has two Nationwide and four truck series starts at the high-banked track and posted his best finish of second in the truck races in 2009 and 2010.(Richard Petty Motorsports)(10-17-2013)

  • Talladega Goodyear Tire Notes: Teams in both NASCAR series in action at Talladega this weekend will run the same tire codes, though the Sprint Cup tires will be branded "Goodyear Eagle," while the Camping World Truck tires will be branded "Goodyear Wrangler" . . . this is the first time these tire codes will be run at Talladega, though Sprint Cup teams did run this same combination of left- and right-side tires at Daytona in July . . . compared to what was run at Talladega in their last visits, this tire set-up features a compound change on both sides of the car and a construction change to the left-side to bring it into line with what is run at other tracks . . . as on all NASCAR ovals greater than one mile in length, teams are required to run inner liners in all four tire positions at Talladega . . . air pressure in those inner liners should be 12-25 psi greater than that of the outer tire.(Goodyear), see full notes, trie codes, tire pressures on the Talladega Race Info page - Goodyear section.

  • Chase For The NASCAR Sprint Cup: Talladega - Thursday:
    • Talladega Superspeedway has been one of the 10 tracks of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series since the playoff's inception in 2004.
    • The best finish in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup standings by the Chase race winner at Talladega is second in the points by Jeff Gordon in 2007. The winner of the Talladega Superspeedway Chase race has never gone on to win the championship.
    • Clint Bowyer leads the series with the most Chase race wins at Talladega with two (2010 and 2011).
    • The worst finish by the eventual series champion at Talladega Superspeedway is 26th, by Jimmie Johnson in 2006. Johnson was eighth in the standings following the 2006 Talladega Chase race.
    • Chase Contenders have won five of the nine Chase races at Talladega Superspeedway. The four drivers that were not Chase Contenders that won the Chase race at Talladega were NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Jarrett (2005), Brian Vickers (2006), Jamie McMurray (2009) and Clint Bowyer (2011).(NASCAR)(10-17-2013)

  • Sad News - RK Mast: RK Mast, 87, of Rockbridge Baths died Wednesday, October 16, 2013 at Roanoke Memorial Hospital. He was born October 4, 1926 in Sugar Grove, NC, a son of the late John Hite Mast and Bonnie Baird Mast. In addition to his parents and five siblings, he was preceded in death by his wife Helen Martin Mast. Mr. Mast was a member of the Ebenezer United Methodist Church, served his country in the United States Marine Corp. and fought in the Battle of Okinawa receiving a Purple Heart. RK was a Charter member of the Rockbridge Baths Volunteer Fire Department, previous owner/operator of Natural Bridge Speedway, and owned and operated Davis Motor Company. He had a tireless work ethic which was evident in his many entrepreneurial endeavors including Mast Milling Company, Mast Brothers Trucking, multiple service stations, as well as many years spent as a cattle farmer and a landlord. Surviving are one son, Richard Mast and wife Sharon of Rockbridge Baths; one daughter, Helena Krohn and husband Richard of Norfolk, VA; four grandchildren, Lee Krohn Felty and husband Ian; Ricky Mast; Sarah Mast; Kaitie Mast; one great grandchild Lily Mast Felty; one brother, Richard "Pete" Mast of Las Vegas; two special nieces, Carrie Mast; Bonnie Odell. A funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 19, 2013 at the Ebenezer United Methodist Church with the Rev. Ray Tucker and Rev. Mike Long officiating. Burial will follow at Ebenezer United Methodist Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in RK's memory to the Veteran Foreign Wars Post 1499, 105 Memorial Lane, Lexington, VA, 24450 or to the Ebenezer United Methodist Church, McCurdy Lane, Rockbridge Baths, VA 24473. Family will receive friends 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, October 18, 2013 at Harrison Funeral Home & Crematory, Lexington, VA.(10-17-2013)

  • Trucks return to Iowa in 2014: The 'American Ethanol 200' NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will run with the IndyCar Series all in the same weekend in July in 2014. Iowa Corn is also a partner with Growth Energy, the National Corn Growers Association and other great partners on the American Ethanol program with NASCAR.(Iowa Speedway PR)(10-17-2013)

  • Hemric to debut with Sharp-Gallaher in Martinsville: Sharp-Gallaher Racing announced today that Daniel Hemric will make his NASCAR debut behind the wheel of the #6 Jack Link's/Valvoline Chevy Silverado when the Camping World Truck Series travels to Martinsville Speedway next weekend. The 22-year-old Hemric has become a household name among the Legends Car, Modified and Late Model ranks, earning countless accolades over the years. He made himself a home at Concord (N.C) Speedway, first in go-karts and then when he graduated to Legends Cars at the age of 16. Hemric won back-to-back Legends Pro Championships in 2008 and 2009. He also claimed the 2009 Summer Shootout Championship at Charlotte Motor Speedway (Concord, N.C.) with six visits to Victory Lane during the 10-race series. In 2010, the Kannapolis, N.C., native won the nationally televised Legends Million event held at Charlotte Motor Speedway. He then moved up to race Modifieds and Late Models. Hemric won his first Super Late Model event in 2011, and in 2012 was crowned the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Champion. So far 2013 has brought him additional track and series championship titles (Super Late Model), the Summer Shootout Championship and Legends Car Pro National Race Champion title.(Godfather Motorsports)(10-17-2013)

  • PocketFinder on board with RWR for remainder of the season: Location Based Technologies, Inc., maker of the PocketFinder personal GPS devices, announced today they have formally kicked off the company's NASCAR debut with Rick Ware Racing for the remainder of the 2013 racing season in both the NASCAR Nationwide Series and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series for select events. The PocketFinder team and race equipment will be branded specifically with the company's PocketFinder paint scheme from bumper to bumper (PocketFinder.com). The team will compete in the NASCAR Nationwide and Truck series with races leading up to the acclaimed championship weekend in Homestead Miami. Races include Talladega, Alabama; Martinsville, Virginia; Phoenix, Arizona; and Miami, Florida. Drivers will be announced prior to each race event, and will carry PocketFinder's "personal tracking" device with them throughout the pre-race week and in their actual driver's suit during the race weekends.(Rick Ware Racing PR)(10-17-2013)

  • MB Motorsports back on track in Talladega: MB Motorsports and Scott Stenzel are heading to Talladega Superspeedway, looking for redemption, after mechanical issues kept them from making the season opener at Daytona. Stenzel will be behind the wheel of the #63 Making The Driver / Mittler Brothers Machine Tool Ford. The fred's 250 will mark Scott's first series start at Talladega, although he did score a top ten finish in the 2010 ARCA race at the famed speedway. "Yellow Stripes: Making the Driver" is a television series that takes viewers behind the scenes for the development of the next generation of race car drivers. This program also shares important information on the common mistakes young drivers (and their families) often make and the things they need to look out for in the real world of motorsports. "Yellow Stripes: Making The Driver" shows how aspiring young athletes make their way up through the ranks of auto racing. If you believe you have what it takes to become the next champion, buckle up and hold on because we're going to blow the doors off the racing industry. The series stars Scott Stenzel, Charlie Patterson, Mike Loesher and Doug Yates.(MB Motorsports PR)(10-17-2013)

  • Lizard Lick's Amy Shirley To Be Honorary Starter For Goody's 500: There is reality TV and then there is Lizard Lick, the true-life story of Ron and Amy Shirley and their tow-truck business that has gathered rave reviews since it first appeared on Tru-TV in the winter of 2011. The show, which Tru-TV describes as "actuality, not reality" TV, highlights the day-to-day running of Lizard Lick Towing and Recovery, which is full of controversy, drama and a lot of humor. Amy won't be driving any of the company's 20 tow trucks on October 27, but she will be in the flag stand at Martinsville Speedway waving the green flag as honorary starter for the Goody's Headache Relief Shot 500 Powered by Kroger. There will be one of the Lizard Lick tow trucks on display for the weekend. Lizard Lick is a small North Carolina town located near Raleigh, N.C. Advance tickets for the Kroger 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on Saturday, Oct. 26 are just $30 and tickets for Pole Day, Friday, October 25 are $15. Youth 12 and under are admitted free on both October 25 and 26. To purchase tickets for the Goody's Headache Relief Shot 500 Powered by Kroger weekend, call 877.RACE.TIX or visit www.martinsvillespeedway.com.(Martinsville Speedway)(10-17-2013)

  • Bacon Beer Milkshake available at Texas: Many people tend to have hankerings for beer, milkshakes or bacon - or for that matter all three - and now thanks to Levy Restaurants and Texas Motor Speedway those cravings can be satisfied all at once. Levy Restaurants Executive Chef Joel Pena has created the Shake 'n Bacon Brew beer milkshake, a delectable, bacon-infused, alcoholic novelty concoction that will debut Oct. 31-Nov. 3 during the AAA Texas 500 NASCAR tripleheader race weekend at Texas Motor Speedway. The Shake 'n Bacon Brew utilizes local Texas products in its key ingredients with the beverage featuring a signature craft beer from Rahr & Sons Brewing Co. of Fort Worth and ever-popular Blue Bell Ice Cream, a company that was founded in 1907 in Brenham, Texas. The frothy beverage consists of six ounces of Rahr & Sons Ugly Pug Black Lager, six ounces of Blue Bell homemade vanilla ice cream, two ounces of bacon-infused maple syrup that is mixed in a blender for a unique milkshake for adults 21 and over. The Shake 'n Bacon Brew will be poured into a 16-ounce plastic souvenir cup featuring the brew's pig mascot and then topped off with three ounces of whipped cream and bacon crumbles. Levy Restaurants also will produce a "Shirley Temple" version for those fans under 21 that have a love for bacon and milkshakes. The Shake 'n Bacon Brewless will substitute root beer for the Rahr & Sons beer and also come in the 16-ounce souvenir cup.(TMS)(10-17-2013)


    News from October 16, 2013

  • Ragan, Gilliland returning to Front Row: Front Row Motorsports will build off another season of significant growth and new team records in 2013 - one that included the team's first win - with the return of drivers #34-David Ragan and #38-David Gilliland in 2014. "This has been a milestone year for us, and we're extremely happy that two of the guys who helped get us here will be back next year," said team owner Bob Jenkins. "We're improving our race program, attracting more sponsors and setting and achieving higher and higher goals each year. Having David and David, our one-two punch, back in those cars next year is central to continuing our growth and improvement." The 2014 season will be Front Row Motorsports' fifth year teaming with Gilliland and its third with Ragan. The 27-year-old Ragan will return to the cockpit of the #34 entry and the 37-year-old Gilliland will once again pilot the #38. In addition to achieving new heights on track, Front Row Motorsports is also enjoying a successful season of new sponsorship partners working with the team in 2013  relationships that are not only expected to return in 2014 but expand. The team is currently working with partner organizations to finalize those programs for next season and looks forward to announcing them in the coming weeks.(Front Row Motorsports)(10-16-2013)

  • Truex looking at 2014 options: Martin Truex, Jr. has confirmed that he will not return to Michael Waltrip Racing in 2014. "I gave (Michael Waltrip) time to try and work it out and we tried to work it out together," said Truex. "But it's hard to put stuff together at this point of the year. So it's time now for me to figure out what I'm going to do, and figure it out quickly. I'm running out of time." Asked about speculation that he is the heir-apparent to Kurt Busch at Furniture Row Racing next season, Truex insisted, "there is nothing to talk about yet. They've done a great job this year and I'm interested in their program. They're definitely on my radar, but we'll just have to see where it goes." Truex said he has not made any inquiries about returning to the NASCAR Nationwide Series garage, where is a two-time champion, but did not rule out doing so in the future. "I've always loved the Nationwide Series and the time I was able to run there  even part-time while running Sprint Cup at DEI and MWR  was a lot of fun. It's something that I've missed in the past few seasons, and I'd be interested in going back there on a part-time basis (in addition to a full-time Sprint Cup ride)."
    Truex admitted that the last few weeks have been among the most difficult of his career. It's been tough here lately, but we'll go back after them this weekend," he said. "All you can do is pick yourself up, dust yourself off and go back and try again. We've had a rough go of it lately, but it could always be worse. Hopefully, out of all this bad stuff that has happened, something good will develop."(Godfather Motorsports)(10-16-2013)

  • NASCAR will look at 2015 schedule changes: NASCAR Senior Vice President of Racing Operations Steve O'Donnell held a news conference Tuesday after NASCAR released the 2014 Sprint Cup schedule:
    Q. As far as the schedule goes, there was rumors and talk about some major changes, major overhauls. Does 2015 provide more of an opportunity for that with the new TV partners?
    O'DONNELL: I think we're certainly going to take a look at it. I think the timing with the new TV partners makes sense. One thing to keep in mind, though, is with each of the tracks, if we constantly are shifting dates, it becomes more and more of a challenge for each track. Our fans like some of the familiarity. We want to balance that. I think we'll do that for 2015, but it's certainly something to look at as we head into that year for sure.
    Q. As far as the difficulty of changing the schedule, what is holding you back from making sweeping changes on sort of a regular basis? You often hear fans talk about whether they want road courses in the Chase, Chase races shaken up, things like that. Are you aware of that kind of talk? Where are your thoughts on what the possibilities of stuff like that is on an annual basis?
    O'DONNELL: I think we do look at that every year. We're certainly aware of it. We're also very aware of fans at tracks who are happy with the dates they have and have made plans years in advance from a camping standpoint to attend certain dates. You've got to factor in weather. I know fans have talked about a road course in the Chase. We'd never rule that out. Under our current schedule, that's very challenging for us to do. If you asked both of those road courses, I think they have a pretty successful thing going on right now. We're very happy with where those dates fall as well. It's certainly something we look at, but it's not as easy as just flipping the switch and moving one. There's a lot of things that come into play with weather, TV calendars, travel. So it's something that we're taking a bigger look at every year. I think that we're more open than we've ever been to looking at those things. As you look ahead to 2015, there will be some more opportunities on the horizon. When we talk about Nationwide and Truck, we did take some I wouldn't call them risks, but we went to some new venues in terms of Eldora, back in Canada. Those are going to be important to us across all national series as we go forward.
    Q. Here in the Philadelphia area I hear a lot of talk about, Why can't NASCAR end its season sooner instead of the weekend before Thanksgiving, maybe like right now? I don't have to tell you you're competing with Major League Baseball playoffs, college football, et cetera. Is that at all possible? You'd have to reduce the number of races. Track promoters don't want to do that. I'd be interested in your response.
    O'DONNELL: I don't think we're interested in reducing the number of races we have. We're happy with that number right now. I think there's always things we could look at in terms of when we race. There's been talks of could you ever race a Monday night or midweek. That's something that we've had dialogue about. But in terms of the schedule, that's one of the things that I think is also a benefit of NASCAR. We've got a number of sponsors that are involved in our sport. We've got millions of fans that want to have that chance to see us. By having 36 events, it gives them an opportunity in certain markets they might not have in other sports that we're proud of. We certainly know there's a competitive landscape out there in sports. But that's been out there a long time. Our job is to make NASCAR as big as possible, put more eyeballs on the sport during that time.(NASCAR)(10-16-2013)

  • Infection caused Stewart's latest surgery: Tony Stewart says he's eager for his doctor's appointment Wednesday to see how an infection that has sidetracked his recovery is healing. Stewart said in a video chat Tuesday night on NASCAR.com that the third surgery on his broken right leg Oct. 7 was because of the infection. "That was the biggest thing they talked about after the surgery,'' said Stewart, who had two surgeries shortly after he broke his right leg in a sprint car crash Aug. 5 in Iowa. "I was more worried about bones healing and skin healing. The doctor was more worried about infection and really said the first two months were kind of the critical time. We were at the end of that two months for the most part and, all of a sudden, a spot popped up that was infected and that caused the surgery last week. I went from starting to walk again - not great, not just walking around the house like normal, but I could take eight or 10 steps at a time - to having to spend the majority of the day again (after the surgery) laying down."
    Stewart said he's thought about Wednesday's doctor visit for the last three days. He's curious to see how his leg is healing since the infected area has been wrapped. "I'm really looking forward to getting back to physical therapy again and starting to get back on my feet again," he said.(Motor Racing Network)(10-16-2013)

  • Charlotte TV Ratings: For the fourth consecutive week in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, TV ratings and viewership grew over last year. ABC's live telecast of the Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Saturday night, Oct. 12, earned a 3.4 U.S. household rating, averaging 5,560,141 viewers, according to Nielsen Media. The rating and viewership were the highest of the five races that have been run so far in the Chase and exceeded last year's 3.2 rating and average viewership of 5,095,231. All four races in the Chase that have been run and telecast as scheduled have seen ratings and viewership growth over the same events in 2012. The opening race at Chicagoland Speedway was rain-delayed. Greensboro, N.C., led all metered markets across the country with a 10.0 rating for the Charlotte race, with Greenville, S.C., second in the nation at a 9.4 rating. Charlotte was third with an 8.1 rating while Richmond, Va., and Knoxville, Tenn., completed the top five with matching 6.8 ratings. Rounding out the top 10 markets were Norfolk, Va., (6.4), Raleigh-Durham, N.C., (6.3), Orlando (6.0), Indianapolis (5.9) and Tulsa (5.8). (ESPN)
    See past races for 2013 and 5-year comparison chart on the 2013 NASCAR TV Ratings page.(10-16-2013)

  • Testing this week at Texas UPDATE - moved to next week: Beginning Monday, Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing, Roush Fenway Racing and Michael Waltrip Racing will bring their stable of drivers to compete in a three-day test at Texas Motor Speedway and fans can catch a glimpse of the Chase contenders as the sessions are open to the public. Gates for the test session will be open from 9:00am to 7:00 pm/ct Monday through Wednesday [Oct 14-16]. Fans can park in the VIP/PSL parking lot located just outside Gate 4. Concession stands will be closed so fans are encouraged to bring their coolers. Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing, Roush Fenway Racing and Michael Waltrip Racing won't be the only ones making a visit to Texas Motor Speedway in October. Richard Childress Racing will take part in a two-day test beginning Tuesday, Oct. 22, with championship contender Kevin Harvick, Paul Menard and Jeff Burton. Tickets for the AAA Texas 500 are available by calling the Texas Motor Speedway ticket office at (817) 215-8500 or by visiting www.texasmotorspeedway.com.(TMS)(10-14-2014)
    UPDATE: Due to rain, according to the TMS Facebook page, "The Open Test is cancelled for today and tomorrow".(10-15-2013)
    UPDATE 2: Persistent rain has postponed a critical NASCAR Sprint Cup Series test session at Texas Motor Speedway for the upcoming AAA Texas 500 as Chase contenders Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing, Roush Fenway Racing and Michael Waltrip Racing departed Tuesday and rescheduled their plans for next week. The four NASCAR Sprint Cup Series organizations had planned for an extensive three-day test session beginning Monday, but the lingering inclement weather did not allow the teams to participate in any on-track activity on the opening day. The teams were hopeful Tuesday, but the forecast had a 100 percent chance of thunderstorms and they all opted to pack up after intermittent rain began falling in the morning. Following Sunday's Chase of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway, Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing, Roush Fenway Racing and Michael Waltrip Racing will return to Texas Motor Speedway and begin a three-day test session Monday from 3:00-10:00pm/ct. The teams also are planning to run Tuesday from 9:00am-9:00pm (with a two-hour break from 4:00-6:00pm) and Wednesday from 9:00am-5:00pm. Richard Childress Racing also will be part of the teams testing on Tuesday and Wednesday.(TMS)(10-16-2013)

  • Talladega Facts and Notes - Wednesday:
    • 43 different drivers have won at Talladega Superspeedway, led by Dale Earnhardt with 10. Jeff Gordon leads all active drivers with six.
    • Richard Childress Racing has the most wins at Talladega in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with 12; followed by Hendrick Motorsports with 11.
    • Nine different manufacturers have won in the NSCS at Talladega; led by Chevrolet with 38 victories; followed by Ford with 20.
    • Buddy Baker and Tony Stewart are tied for the series' most runner-up finishes at Talladega with six each.
    • NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt leads the series in top-five finishes at Talladega with 23. Jeff Gordon leads all active drivers with 15.
    • Dale Earnhardt leads the series in top-10 finishes at Talladega with 27. Mark Martin leads all active drivers with 24.
    • Brad Keselowski leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in average finishing position at Talladega with a 12.556.
    • There have been seven NSCS races resulting with a green-white-checkered finish at Talladega Superspeedway: spring of 2005 (188/194), fall of 2005 (188/190), spring of 2007 (188/192), fall of 2008 (188/190) spring of 2010 (188/200), fall of 2012 (188/189), and spring of 2013 (188/192).
    • Nine drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series have posted consecutive wins at Talladega. Dale Earnhardt Jr. leads the series in consecutive wins at Talladega after posting four consecutive wins from the fall of 2001-2003.
    • Jeff Burton leads the series among active drivers with the most NASCAR Sprint Cup starts at Talladega without visiting Victory Lane at 39.(NASCAR)(10-16-2013)

  • Kligerman unsure of 2014 plans: As [#77-Parker Kligerman] finishes out his first NNS season what comes next isn't set in stone. According to the driver, whether he remains at KBM, moves on or up, it's all still being discussed. "The intention for doing Nationwide and Trucks is to get to Cup. That's the top, that's where we all want to be and obviously if there's opportunities up there you've got entertain them," he said. "We'll see the coming weeks, the coming months if that's a possibility."(Popular Speed), Kligerman will drive the #30 for Swan Racing in the Sprint Cup Series race at Texas.(10-16-2013)

  • Starr set to return in Talladega: David Starr has been away from the track since Bristol in August leaving him chomping at the bit to get back behind the wheel of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series #81 Toyota Tundra this weekend in at the Talladega Superspeedway. The absence from racing has been the longest in Starr's sixteen-year NASCAR racing career. (SS Green Light Racing PR)(10-16-013)

  • Wauters joins Turn One: NCWTS veteran Richie Wauters has also joined the team to assist in leading the #60 crew and boost performance of the WinField Silverado in the final five races of the season.(Dakoda Armstrong PR)(10-16 2013)

  • Eldora announces trucks to return next season: Eldora Speedway officials today announced the dates for its four Major Events in 2014. The 61st consecutive season of racing at the legendary high-banked clay oval will once again feature dirt racing's greatest spectacles for Dirt Late Models, the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Cars and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will return Wednesday, July 23 for the second running of the 1-800 CarCash Mudsummer Classic. Eldora officials also announced no major changes to the race formats. After rave reviews from both the capacity crowd on hand and millions watching on television, the 1-800 CarCash Mudsummer Classic will see the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series return to Eldora for the second consecutive year. NASCAR's return to dirt for the first-time in nearly 43 years produced one of the most celebrated events conducted by the storied sanctioning body.(Eldora Speedway PR)(10-16-2013)

  • Efland, Stacker 2 team up for Talladega: Danny Efland will drive the Stacker 2 Chevy Silverado #50 for MAKE Motorsports in the NASCAR Camping World Truck event at Talladega on Saturday, October 19, 2013."Stacker 2 has a rich history in NASCAR and it is a real honor to be partnered with them for this race," said Danny. He continued, "I use their product after most every race on the drive home and now getting to represent them is big." Danny has seven superspeedway races to his credit including two at Talladega.(See an image on the #50 team paint schemes page)(Danny Efland PR)(10-16-2013)

  • Fans Will Find New Restrooms, Concession Stand at Martinsville: Race fans will discover new restrooms and a new concession stand along the concourse in the first-turn area of Martinsville Speedway when they arrive for the Goody's Headache Relief Shot 500 Powered by Kroger. The 3,000-square foot building located under the South Terrace has men's and women's restrooms and two family restrooms. It also contains a concession stand with full cooking capabilities. This is the third restroom construction project in three years at Martinsville Speedway. The new building is on an elevated platform constructed in the superstructure of the grandstand and ties into the existing concourse that not only doesn't affect the flow of traffic, but actually allows for a better traffic flow because it is set behind the concourse. Advance tickets for the Kroger 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on Saturday, Oct. 26 are just $30 and tickets for Pole Day, Friday, October 25 are $15. Youth 12 and under are admitted free on both October 25 and 26. To purchase tickets for the Goody's® Headache Relief Shot® 500 Powered by Kroger weekend, call 877.RACE.TIX or visit www.martinsvillespeedway.com.(Martinsville Speedway)(10-16-2013)

  • Talladega, Daytona get official moonshine: Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway announced a new partnership with Ole Smoky Moonshine that will make the Tennessee distillery the "Official Moonshine" of both racing facilities. This new agreement, which begins with the upcoming Camping World RV Sales 500 NASCAR weekend at Talladega Superspeedway on Oct. 18-20, marks the first partnership in the "Official Moonshine" category for both tracks and parent company International Speedway Corporation. Race fans will be able to purchase four different featured Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine cocktails at Talladega. There will be ten concession bars around the concourses, including the Ole Smoky Moonshine Holler, Talladega Bar in the Tri-Oval Tower and the Ole Smoky Bar at the intersection of Talladega and Eastaboga Blvd. in the track's infamous infield. Ole Smoky Tennessee is the first legal distillery in the state of Tennessee.(TSS)(10-16-2013)


    News from October 15, 2013

  • Kligerman to make Cup debut at Texas with #30 team: Swan Racing announced that Parker Kligerman will make his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series debut in the #30 Swan Energy Toyota on Sunday, November 3 for the AAA Texas 500 at Texas Motor Speedway. "Since I started racing, my dream like many young racers, was to get to the top, which means competing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series," said Kligerman. "Now that Swan Racing has given me that opportunity, I hope to make the most of it. I am truly grateful for the opportunity and to Swan Racing." Kligerman, 22, is a fulltime competitor in the NASCAR Nationwide Series driving for Kyle Busch Motorsports in the #77 Toyota where he is currently 10th in points with 3 Top 5s and 12 Top 10s. In 2012, Kligerman finished the season 5th in points in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series where he had one win, 8 Top 5s and 15 Top 10 finishes. "Parker is one of the truly gifted young drivers that will be winning races in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in the near future," said owner Brandon Davis. "We are really looking forward to evaluating him at the AAA Texas 500 at Texas Motor Speedway."(Swan Racing)(10-15-2013)

  • Testing this week at Texas UPDATE: Beginning Monday, Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing, Roush Fenway Racing and Michael Waltrip Racing will bring their stable of drivers to compete in a three-day test at Texas Motor Speedway and fans can catch a glimpse of the Chase contenders as the sessions are open to the public. Gates for the test session will be open from 9:00am to 7:00 pm/ct Monday through Wednesday [Oct 14-16]. Fans can park in the VIP/PSL parking lot located just outside Gate 4. Concession stands will be closed so fans are encouraged to bring their coolers. Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing, Roush Fenway Racing and Michael Waltrip Racing won't be the only ones making a visit to Texas Motor Speedway in October. Richard Childress Racing will take part in a two-day test beginning Tuesday, Oct. 22, with championship contender Kevin Harvick, Paul Menard and Jeff Burton. Tickets for the AAA Texas 500 are available by calling the Texas Motor Speedway ticket office at (817) 215-8500 or by visiting www.texasmotorspeedway.com.(TMS)(10-14-2014)
    UPDATE: Due to rain, according to the TMS Facebook page, "The Open Test is cancelled for today and tomorrow".(10-15-2013)

  • 2014 Sprint Cup schedule announced; Air Titan available at every race: NASCAR announced the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule for the 2014 season, the 66th year of racing for the sport's premier series. In addition to the schedule unveiling, NASCAR announced that its revolutionary Air Titan track drying system will be available at every NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race weekend throughout the 2014 season.
    For the 13th consecutive year, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule will consist of 36 points races as well as two additional weekends featuring non-points events. The Sprint Unlimited (Feb. 15) and two Daytona 500 qualifying races (both on Feb. 20) will take place before the season officially gets underway. The NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway will take place on May 17, broadcast on FOX Sports 1.
    "This season has delivered plenty of drama and excitement, and we're anticipating even more for our fans in 2014 now that the Gen-6 car has competed at every track," said Steve O'Donnell, senior vice president of racing operations. "Having the Air Titan at each NASCAR Sprint Cup Series weekend allows us to meet a very important goal set by our Chairman and CEO, Brian France: to drastically decrease track-drying time to the best of our ability and ensure our fans in the stands and those watching on TV get to see each race on its scheduled day."
    The season will open with the 56th running of the Daytona 500 live on FOX on Feb. 23 before moving west to Phoenix International Raceway (March 2) and Las Vegas Motor Speedway (March 9). Four tracks will undergo spring date changes: Texas Motor Speedway will hold its event one week earlier and move from Saturday to Sunday (April 6). Darlington Raceway will feature its race on April 12. Kansas Speedway will hold its first NASCAR Sprint Cup Saturday night race, with its event shifting to May 10, while Martinsville Speedway will host the series on March 30, a week earlier than in 2013.
    For the fourth consecutive season, the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup will start at Chicagoland Speedway (Sept. 14) and conclude live on ESPN on Nov. 16 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
    Developed in-house at NASCAR's R&D Center, the Air Titan progressed quickly following France's directive to improve the racing product and fan experience in every form. Following testing in the summer and fall of 2012, Phase 1 of the technology was on-site at Daytona International Speedway in February. The 2012 Daytona 500 was the first to be postponed to the following day because of inclement weather.
    Its race event debut was in April at Martinsville where it successfully decreased drying time in order to hold NASCAR Sprint Cup practice rather than have it cancelled. Air Titan's biggest save to date was at Talladega Superspeedway's rainy spring races where it shaved nearly an hour off drying time for both the NASCAR Nationwide and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races, allowing those events to be completed on their scheduled days. It also was in use Oct. 3 at Kansas for track conditioning purposes while also trimming nearly 45 minutes from drying time prior to the Goodyear zone tread tire test.(NASCAR), see the complete schedule on the 2014 Sprint Cup schedule page.(10-15-2013)

  • Charlotte fans hit by broken glass: Officials at Charlotte Motor Speedway confirmed Monday that six fans were seen by medical personnel during Saturday night's Bank of America 500 NASCAR race when a pane of glass in an unoccupied suite in Turn 1 broke late in the race. "A pane of glass broke inward & and a few pieces of the broken glass fell forward," said speedway spokesman Scott Cooper. "Six fans were evaluated or treated and released on property and returned to the race." Kevin Fox of Fort Mill was sitting in the Grand National Tower South, Section EE, when he heard a noise from above sometime after the 200-lap mark of the 334-lap event. "I thought someone had fell or dropped a cooler or something and then I started feeling things fall on me and it turned out to be glass," he said. Fox said the area was "covered" in broken glass and he and his mom and several other fans suffered minor cuts. He also was struck on the head by what he thinks was a larger piece of glass.(Charlotte Observer)(10-15-2013)

  • Future on Display at Charlotte Motor Speedway Test: Engines re-fired on a Monday at Charlotte Motor Speedway after the Bank of America 500, as six race teams returned to the track to work on further research and development of the Gen-6 car. Aerodynamics were the focus of the day at the 1.5-mile track. Three different packages were run during the test, as NASCAR and the teams focused on spoilers, splitters and ride heights in an effort to further evolve the competition package on the Gen-6 race car. "Our objective is to shake down some potential changes for the 2014 season," said Gene Stefanyshyn, NASCAR vice president of innovation and racing development. "We will be doing this on an ongoing basis, with an eye to continue to improve our product on the track. It is really an exercise in continuous improvement. Our focus today is all around the area of aerodynamics," said Stefanyshyn. "We have seven changes and have been bundling three different configurations all with an eye to work on the aerodynamics of the car. We took everybody's ideas, put them together and came up with these configurations for the test. They are our ideas as an industry on how we can improve the product on the track."
    After a successful 2013 season with the new Gen-6 car, the attention shifts to refining the competition package.
    "As everyone knows, we did an unbelievable amount of miles last year testing many different configurations," said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR vice president of competition. "Our goal was to hand the car off to the teams better than the one that they ended the 2012 season with. We feel like we achieved that goal; we feel like the cars performed well, the drivers like the way the car drives. From that standpoint, it was a successful year. & We will always continue to evaluate our competition and this is one of those programs that's coming together."
    Two teams from each manufacturer participated in the test, offering insight and feedback on the various packages tested. #21-Trevor Bayne, #31-Jeff Burton, #11-Denny Hamlin, #2-Brad Keselowski, #1-Jamie McMurray and #55-Brett Moffitt all turned laps throughout the day. Today's test was delayed due to rain, and continued after sundown. The data will be processed and brought back to the NASCAR Research and Development center where it will be analyzed and reviewed to help inform key decisions on future competition set ups.(NASCAR)(10-15-2013)

  • Ford Fusion will sport new look in 2014: Ford teams will debut a slightly new look on the front next season, as the inset below the grille area will be pulled out to make it flush with the rest of the front end. The move, which has already been approved by NASCAR, is expected to lessen the problem of removing debris from the grille area. Ford officials briefed both Toyota and Chevrolet before making a formal request to NASCAR. The three brands are the only three fielding entries in NASCAR at this time. (NASCAR.com)(10-15-2013)

  • Top 13 Driver Rating at Talladega:
    #20-Matt Kenseth.............................. 91.5
    #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr....................... 89.9
    #31-Jeff Burton................................. 89.3
    Brian Vickers............................. 87.3 (not racing)
    #78-Kurt Busch................................. 86.8
    #2-Brad Keselowski......................... 85.7
    #34-David Ragan.............................. 85.0
    #43-Aric Almirola.............................. 83.9
    #17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr.................... 83.9
    #48-Jimmie Johnson......................... 83.1
    #24-Jeff Gordon................................ 81.8
    #11-Denny Hamlin............................. 81.6
    #1-Jamie McMurray........................ 81.5
    Note: Driver Ratings compiled from 2005-2013 races (17 total) among active drivers at Talladega Superspeedway.
    Formula combining the following categories: Wins, Finishes, Top-15 Finishes, Average Running Position While on Lead Lap, Average Speed Under Green, Fastest Lap, Led Most Laps, Lead-Lap Finish. Maximum: 150 points per race.(NASCAR)

  • Talladega Facts and Notes - Tuesday:
    · Construction began on what was then known as the Alabama International Motor Speedway on May 23, 1968.
    · The first NASCAR Sprint Cup race was held on Sept. 14, 1969  won by Richard Brickhouse.
    · The name changed to Talladega Superspeedway in 1989.
    · Fourth repaving completed on Sept. 19, 2006.
    · There have been 88 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Talladega Superspeedway, one NSCS event in 1969 and two races per year since 1970.
    · Talladega Superspeedway is tied with Michigan International Speedway for holding the ninth most NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points paying races (88).
    · 431 drivers have competed in at least one NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega; 294 in more than one.
    · Dave Marcis leads the series in starts at Talladega with 61. Terry Labonte leads all active drivers with 58 starts; followed by Michael Waltrip with 54.
    · Since the advent of electronic scoring the closest margin of victory in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Talladega Superspeedway was the (4/17/2011) race won by Jimmie Johnson with a MOV of 0.002 second  the MOV is tied with the 2003 Darlington race as the closest finishes in the NSCS using electronic scoring.
    · Jeff Gordon leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in laps led at Talladega with 839 laps led in 40 starts.
    · Three female drivers have competed at Talladega in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series: Janet Guthrie, Patty Moise and Danica Patrick.
    · Only two of the 87 races at Talladega Superspeedway have been shortened due to weather conditions: spring of 1987 and fall of 1996.(NASCAR)(10-15-2013)

  • NASCAR Bring "Troops to the Track" Program to Talladega: The Armed Forces Foundation and NASCAR continue the 2013 Troops to the Track program on Sunday, October 20th by bringing service members from the Maxwell Air Force Base to the Camping World RV Sales 500. Maxwell AFB has a reputation of excellence in the fields of logistics, communications, education and training. The goal of Maxwell AFB is to develop mission-ready Airmen and operate a world-class installation. Members of this group have served overseas in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Southwest Asia, Central America, Bahrain and Kyrgyzstan. 2013 season of Troops to the Track, a program in which service members are treated to a daylong interactive at-track experience, which includes: a special invitation and recognition at the drivers' pre-race meeting, a private tour of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series garage, pit road access during driver introductions / National Anthem and special seating in the grandstands.(AFF)(10-15-2013)

  • Charlotte Nationwide TV Ratings: ESPN2's live telecast of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Charlotte on Friday night, Oct. 11, earned a 0.8 rating, averaging 1,302,324 viewers. Last year's race earned a 1.0 rating with 1,525,790 viewers.(ESPN)(10-15-2013)

  • Quiroga to have dual sponsorship for final races: An exciting combination will take place for the first time this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway with Germán Quiroga and his #77 Toyota Tundra team. NET10 Wireless and OtterBox will share primary sponsorship for four of the final five races including Talladega, Martinsville Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway and Phoenix International Raceway.(See an image on the #77 team paint schemes page)(Red Horse Racing PR)(10-15-2013)

  • Crew member suspended: Marshal Faust, a crew member in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, has been indefinitely suspended from NASCAR for violating the sanctioning body's Substance Abuse Policy. On Oct. 10, Faust was found to have violated Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing) and 19 (violation of the NASCAR Substance Abuse Policy) of the 2013 NASCAR Rule Book.(NASCAR Integrated Marketing PR)(10-15-2013)

  • Harmon to run special scheme in Talladega: Mike Harmon in the #84 will be returning to his home track Talladega and will be running a special tribute truck in memory of BJ Parker. BJ Parker died of breast cancer in 2011. MHR wants to bring awareness that men can have breast cancer also. BJ was very special to Mike. BJ Parker is also from Birmingham and he owned the first race car that Mike's father JP Harmon drove in the early 1950's. Both men are in the Talladega Pioneers of Auto Racing museum. BJ was also a race promotor he founded Souther All Stars that Mike won a championship in. He also promoted Midfield Racetrack where Mike ran his first race. BJ also owned and promoted Birmingham International Raceway where Mike had many victories and championships. Mike is also running Talladega Short Track on his truck where they run The BJ Parker Memorial Race. MHR is very excited to be returning to his roots with this tribute truck.(Mike Harmon Racing PR)(10-15-2013)

  • Country Artist Pat Green To Perform Saturday Night Infield Concert at Talladega: Talladega Superspeedway announced that Grammy-nominated country music singer-songwriter Pat Green will perform the track's popular Saturday Night Infield concert during the Camping World RV Sales 500 weekend, October 18-20. The concert is a traditional event for 'Dega Nation and held just off the infamous Talladega Blvd. the night (Oct. 19) before NASCAR's Wild Card race in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Chase for the Championship  the Camping World RV Sales 500. Access to Green's Saturday Night Concert is easy: It's open to all Camping World RV Sales 500 ticket holders! The stage for the show is set up at the intersection of Talladega and Eastaboga Boulevards, where dedicated partygoers have set up some of the most flamboyant and outrageous campsites for their and everyone's entertainment.
    AND Talladega Superspeedway's Saturday Night Infield Concert just received a second dose of country star power: In addition to Grammy-nominated Texas country artist Pat Green, country-rock up-and-comer Chelsea Bain will perform an opening slot during the Camping World RV Sales 500 weekend, October 18-20.
    The most competitive racing in NASCAR combined with a mix of southern hospitality returns to Talladega Superspeedway October 18-20, 2013 for the Camping World RV Sales 500 Weekend, which also features the fred's 250 Powered by Coca-Cola NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race. For tickets and information visit www.talladegasuperspeedway.com or call 1-877-Go2-DEGA.(TSS)(10-15-2013)


    News from October 14, 2013

  • Entry List for the Camping World RV Sales 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway is posted, 44 teams/drivers [for 43 spots] are listed, including: #14-Austin Dillon, #51-Justin Allgaier, #32-Terry Labonte, #55-Michael Waltrip, #21-Trevor Bayne & #12-Sam Hornish Jr. One driver will miss the race. #12-Hornish Jr. needs to be in the top -36 in speeds to make the race. If qualifying gets rained out, the team with the least number of attempts would fail to make the race, also #12-Hornish Jr.
    See the full entry list at my Jayski's Talladega Entry List

  • MWR unveils new plan for 2014 UPDATE2: Michael Waltrip Racing majority owner Rob Kauffman told FOXSports.com on Sunday he hopes to unveil the company's reorganizational plan "relatively soon." The moves will come following MWR's penalties for attempts to manipulate the outcome of the Richmond International Raceway race on Sept. 7 and the subsequent announcement from NAPA to pull its sponsorship from the #56 Toyota team. "We're working on an announcement," Kauffman said. "I think it's been a week since we last spoke, so we're trying to get it all together. But we have a couple of good options. I think rather than use the word 'release,' I'd prefer to say allow guys to explore all their options  just as we're exploring all of our options. Is that exactly negative? I think it's the right thing to allow people to investigate all their options. A lot of these contracts have provisions that say 'you can't speak to anyone.' So, technically, it's a release, but it's really more correct saying, 'Look, there's a challenge here. We want you to investigate all your options. Of course, we're one and let's stay in close communication.' I don't think there's anything negative around it at all. It's just letting people figure it out."(FoxSports)(10-8-2013)
    UPDATE: The Associated Press has learned that Michael Waltrip Racing will run only two full-time cars next season because of the loss of sponsor NAPA. Team owners Michael Waltrip and Rob Kauffman on Monday began telling employees of their decision. Those affected were told they are free to begin looking for a new job immediately. Two employees spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because MWR had not publicly announced its decision. The car that #56-Martin Truex Jr. currently drives will run a partial schedule in 2014. NAPA decided to leave MWR at the end of the year  fallout from the team's attempt to manipulate the finish at Richmond to get Truex into the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship.(Associated Press)(10-14-2013)
    UPDATE2: Michael Waltrip Racing announced today its reorganization for the 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup season, highlighted by two full-time championship contending teams, a third entry which will run a limited schedule and a strengthened research and development group. MWR will field the #55 Aaron's Toyota and the #15 5-hour ENERGY/PEAK Toyota in its pursuit of the 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup championship. To enhance performance for its two full-time teams, MWR has bolstered its R&D effort and will run a third car in select races, including Michael Waltrip in the 2014 Daytona 500. Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #56 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota and his crew chief, Chad Johnston, each have been notified they are free to negotiate with other teams. Scott Miller, the team's executive vice president of competition, will continue his role as crew chief of the #55 team into the 2014 season.
    "Our goals for the reorganization were twofold, firstly to improve the competitiveness of our race teams and, secondly maintain a stable organizational structure," said co-owner Rob Kauffman. "The team's focus has been to find that last one percent needed to move from Chase participant to Cup champion. This realignment will get us closer to that last one percent."
    The reorganization enabled MWR to retain more than 85% of its current workforce. Those whose positions were affected by the moves were notified Monday morning. "Today was about doing what we had to do not what we wanted to do," Kauffman added. "It was important to let those whose jobs were affected know as early as possible, and a majority of those will remain with MWR through the end of the season."
    "We have very strong support from Toyota, Toyota Racing Development, 5-hour ENERGY, PEAK, Aaron's, AAA Mid-Atlantic and other partners who enable us to compete at the highest level," said MWR founder and co-owner Michael Waltrip. "We are confident that with two teams and a very active test team, our competiveness will take a step forward. We will also continue to do a great job for our partners off the track, which has always been a cultural staple for our organization. Rob and I deeply appreciate everyone who has helped build MWR into a race winning team and we are dedicated to continuing our pursuit of excellence on and off the track."(MWR)(10-14-2013)

  • Brian Vickers to miss the rest of the 2013 season: Michael Waltrip Racing learned today that Brian Vickers is not available to race for the remainder of the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup season due to health issues. Vickers said Dr. William Downey has placed him on blood thinning medication after a Monday morning examination on his right leg discovered a small blood clot in his calf region. The medications will keep Vickers out of the #55 Aaron's Toyota the remainder of the season, effective immediately. Vickers said his physicians are confident he will be able to resume activity before the 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup season begins. "If there's anything to be positive about with today's news it's that this is only a temporary setback," said Vickers. "The timing for this is never good, but I'm glad we'll get it out of the way now and be ready to run for a championship with the Aaron's Dream Machine in 2014."
    "We were just informed this morning and our concern is for Brian's health," said MWR co-owner Rob Kauffman. "Anything else will be worked out in due course." As previously announced, two-time Daytona 500 champion Michael Waltrip will drive the #55 Aaron's Dream Machine at Talladega Superspeedway this weekend. A replacement driver for the remaining events will be named later. In 22 races with MWR in 2012 and 2013, Vickers owns five top-five and 10 top-10 finishes including a victory on July 14 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.(MWR)(10-14-2013)

  • Hunt Brothers Pizza Joins Stewart-Haas Racing as associate sponsor: Hunt Brothers Pizza, the nation's largest brand of made-to-order pizza in the convenience store industry, will serve as an associate sponsor of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick and the #4 team of Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) beginning in 2014. Hunt Brothers Pizza became involved in NASCAR as a team partner in 2008, where the Nashville, Tenn.-based company sponsored Haas CNC Racing, the predecessor of SHR. Hunt Brothers Pizza aligned with Harvick in 2009, and it's a partnership that will continue in 2014 with Harvick's move to SHR. "We're very proud to enter our seventh year in NASCAR with Kevin Harvick and Stewart-Haas Racing," said Keith Solsvig, vice president of marketing, Hunt Brothers Pizza. "Kevin and his wife DeLana have been excellent brand ambassadors, so much so that they have their very own Hunt Brothers Pizza oven in their kitchen. It's that kind of authenticity that made continuing our partnership with Kevin Harvick a very easy decision." Hunt Brothers Pizza is family owned and operated with 50 years of experience in offering all of the food products, marketing programs, equipment and training for convenience stores to operate their own turnkey pizza program.(SHR)
    AND Kevin Harvick has signed with JR Motorsports and will compete in a minimum of 12 Nationwide Series races in 2014. Hunt Brothers Pizza will be the primary sponsor on Harvick's Chevy for four races.(JRM)(10-14-2013)

  • Testing at Charlotte on Monday: NASCAR announced that it will hold a Sprint Cup test at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Monday, Oct. 14th (Columbus Day). Cars will be on the track from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm/et, and the goal will be research and development on the circuit's mile-and-a-half track rules package. Before this season, NASCAR and its manufacturer partners implemented the Generation-6 car, which contained a number of stylistic elements designed to strengthen the ties with respective passenger models. The vehicle also featured new performance characteristics including higher rear grip and lighter overall weight, which has translated into record speeds at many tracks. Next week's test will continue the development of that platform on intermediate tracks. Officials said that aerodynamic enhancements, chassis ride heights and drafting scenarios would be among the components to be tested.(NASCAR.com)(10-9-2013)
    AND Some of the changes NASCAR officials are expected to roll out for Monday's test at Charlotte Motor Speedway have been previously attempted, in some form or fashion, by Sprint Cup Series teams or their respective manufacturers. Altering ride heights and changing spoiler heights and angles isn't groundbreaking. Little was left uncovered by teams and manufacturers as they worked through the development process of the Generation-6 car that debuted this season. But with NASCAR officials and a handful of teams back at the 1.5-mile track, much can still be learned. Attitude adjustment is no longer an idea, it's a path. Two teams from each manufacture will take part in Monday's test  Penske Racing and Wood Brothers Racing (Ford), Earnhardt Ganassi Racing and Richard Childress Racing (Chevrolet) and Joe Gibbs Racing and Michael Waltrip Racing (Toyota).(NASCAR.com)(10-14-2013)
    Drivers: Six drivers, representing the sport's three manufacturers, will take part in the test: Chevy's Burton and Jamie McMurray; Ford's Brad Keselowski and Trevor Bayne; and Toyota's Denny Hamlin and Brian Vickers [replaced by Brett Moffitt](Charlotte Observer)(10-14-2013)

  • Testing this week at Texas: Beginning Monday, Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing, Roush Fenway Racing and Michael Waltrip Racing will bring their stable of drivers to compete in a three-day test at Texas Motor Speedway and fans can catch a glimpse of the Chase contenders as the sessions are open to the public. Gates for the test session will be open from 9:00am to 7:00 pm/ct Monday through Wednesday [Oct 14-16]. Fans can park in the VIP/PSL parking lot located just outside Gate 4. Concession stands will be closed so fans are encouraged to bring their coolers. Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing, Roush Fenway Racing and Michael Waltrip Racing won't be the only ones making a visit to Texas Motor Speedway in October. Richard Childress Racing will take part in a two-day test beginning Tuesday, Oct. 22, with championship contender Kevin Harvick, Paul Menard and Jeff Burton. Tickets for the AAA Texas 500 are available by calling the Texas Motor Speedway ticket office at (817) 215-8500 or by visiting www.texasmotorspeedway.com.(TMS)(10-14-2014)

  • Charlotte Race and Commercial Breakdown of the 2013 Bank of America 500: For those of you NASCAR fans that like stats and love to hate commercials, here is the breakdown for Saturday's race._ Began recording the times at the Invocation of the race at 7:32 PM, and stopped at the waving of the checkered flag at 11:00 PM (all times are EST). ABC was the broadcast team for this event.
    Total number of commercials: 152
    Total number of companies or entities advertised: 71
    Number of traditional commercials (not split-screen): 107
    Total number of companies or entities advertised: 58
    Number of 'Side-by-Side' commercials during race broadcast (split-screen): 45
    Total number of companies or entities advertised: 26
    Number of times ABC utilized 'Side-by-Side' commercials during this broadcast: 6
    Start time to record race/commercial periods: 7:32 PM
    End time to record race/commercial periods: 11:00 PM
    Total minutes of complete race broadcast: 208
    Minutes of race broadcast: 167
    Minutes of traditional commercials (not split-screen): 41
    Minutes of 'Side-by-Side' commercials (split-screen): 17
    Number of missed restarts: 0
    Number of 'mystery cautions' (debris not shown): 2
    Total number of brief promos of products/services during the race broadcast: 26
    Total amount of time these brief promos take during broadcast: app. 2 min. 5 sec.
    Total race brdcst time 167 Total comm. brdcst time 41
    See past races, links, more info on the 2013 TV Commercials page.(10-14-2013)

  • Biffle to Run 'Hire Our Heroes' Paint Scheme at Texas: At the NASCAR Sprint Cup race this fall at Texas, Greg Biffle will be driving a #16 3M Ford Fusion with a strong force behind it  the power of the 3M Hire Our Heroes program. Biffle's #16 3M Hire Our Heroes Ford Fusion will feature a paint scheme created by legendary car designer Chip Foose to honor the veterans recognized through the 3M Hire Our Heroes program in 2013. Chip Foose will also be in attendance in Texas to cheer on Biffle. The car's hood design reflects the respect of the saluting soldier flanked by the stars and stripes, with the stripes down the side creating a fast, sleek look for the car. 3M recognizes the need for qualified technicians in the collision repair industry and has created an opportunity to help returning veterans and their families that have chosen to pursue careers in the collision repair industry. The 3M Hire Our Heroes campaign raised funds throughout the year to help offset the costs of tuition, books, tools and equipment for returning veterans and their families. As part of the 3M Hire Our Heroes campaign, a number of the nation's military veterans who work in auto body repair shops and their shop owners who nominated them are headed to the November NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race in Texas. The winning military veterans will have an opportunity to experience the pre-race ceremonies from pit road and meet Roush Fenway Racing owner Jack Roush, as well as Biffle and Foose. For a complete list of winners visit www.3MCollision.com/hero-race.(Motor Racing Network), see an image of the car on the #16 Team Schemes page.(10-14-2013)

  • Vickers out for remainder of season UPDATE: Michael Waltrip Racing learned today that Brian Vickers is not available to race for the remainder of the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup season due to health issues. Vickers said Dr. William Downey has placed him on blood thinning medication after a Monday morning examination on his right leg discovered a small blood clot in his calf region. The medications will keep Vickers out of the #55 Aaron's Toyota the remainder of the season, effective immediately. Vickers said his physicians are confident he will be able to resume activity before the 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup season begins.(Michael Waltrip Racing)(10-14-2013)
    UPDATE: "We are praying Brian will have a quick and full recovery from this latest issue," said Joe Gibbs. "Everyone at JGR appreciates all the hard work and effort he has given to our Nationwide Series program this year. He is a great competitor and we look forward to seeing him back on the track in 2014." An announcement on a replacement driver for the No. 20 Dollar General Toyota will be made at a later date. The next NASCAR Nationwide Series race is Saturday, November 2 in Texas.(Joe Gibbs Racing)(10-14-2013)

  • Harvick driving for JR Motorsports in 2014: Kevin Harvick, a two-time NASCAR Nationwide Series champion and winner of 76 races in NASCAR's top three touring divisions, has signed with JR Motorsports and will compete in a minimum of 12 Nationwide Series races in 2014. Hunt Brothers Pizza, the nation's largest brand of made-to-order pizza in the convenience store industry, will be the primary sponsor on Harvick's Chevy for four races. While Harvick's Nationwide Series schedule for 2014 is still being finalized, the races in which Hunt Brothers Pizza will serve as primary sponsor have been set. The Hunt Brothers Pizza scheme will be featured at Bristol Motor Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, and both races at Texas Motor Speedway. Harvick will drive JR Motorsports' #5 Chevy  a full-season car traditionally shared by multiple drivers on select-race schedules. The driver line-up for that car beyond Harvick is still being determined.(JR Motorsports)(10-14-2013)

  • Entry list: There are 37 trucks on the preliminary entry list for this Saturday's fred's 250 at Talladega Superspeedway. Some notes include;
    Timmy Hill in the #1;
    Parker Kligerman in the #20;
    Mason Mingus in the #35;
    Scott Stenzel in the #63;
    Sean Corr in the #82; (10-14-2013)
    See the complete list on the Talladega entry list page.

  • Date for Bristol Motor Speedway 2016 college football game announced: Bristol Motor Speedway, known as the "Last Great Colosseum", today announced plans to transform the legendary Speedway into the world's largest football stadium for the inaugural Battle at Bristol, College Football's Biggest EVER game to be held on Saturday, September 10, 2016. The event will feature a border battle between the Virginia Tech Hokies and Tennessee Volunteers and is projected to set the NCAA record for highest single-game attendance. See full press release and images at .(10-14-2013)

  • Chicagoland announces 2014 NASCAR schedule: Chicagoland Speedway announced the return of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup for a fourth consecutive year, Sept. 12-14, with a triple-header weekend of action. The Speedway will also welcome back Saturday night racing with the NASCAR Nationwide Series on Saturday, July 19. Additional details, including on-sale dates and season ticket holder renewal information, will be made public as information becomes available. The Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup weekend at Chicagoland Speedway, Sept. 12-14, will begin with the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series under the lights on Friday night. On Saturday, Sept. 13, the NASCAR Nationwide Series will hit the track as the precursor to Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series showdown, the first race in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. July's NASCAR weekend features a rare-off weekend for the Sprint Cup Series, with the Nationwide Series taking center stage in the world of motorsports at Chicagoland Speedway.(Chicagoland Speedway)(10-14-2013)

  • Hixson Museum of Flight to Provide Historic Aircraft for Flyover at Talladega: Talladega Superspeedway holds on to a proud tradition of patriotism that extends throughout the sport of NASCAR and its fans, and nothing embodies that tradition more than the flyover that precedes race action during an event weekend. Prior to the green flag for the Camping World RV Sales 500 on Sunday October 20, three historic aircraft from the Hixson Museum of Flight will soar above NASCAR's Most Competitive Track while the crowd stands in honor of our country and our troops.
    The aircraft being utilized for the flyover are two T-28 Trojans (Alpha and Bravo) that served in Vietnam and a C45-H Expiditor that saw service in Korea and Japan. All three aircraft tell a story. One such story from the T-28A Trojan includes being sold by the US Navy to Honduras for only one dollar in 1969 and shortly thereafter downing an El Salvadorian P-51 during the 100-Hour War between Honduras and El Salvador. The three aircraft can now be seen up close at the Hixson Museum of Flight located in the suburban community of Hixson, TN.
    Lt. Col. Peyton "XMan" Dehart and Pete "Wheeler" O'Hare who have both served in combat tours from Desert Storm to Operation Enduring Freedom to Operation Iraqi Freedom, will pilot the two T-28 Trojan aircraft, used by the United States Air Force and United States Navy beginning in the 1950s. The C45-H Expiditor will be manned by Gary "Mo" Franks. The flyover will occur at the conclusion of the singing of our National Anthem during the Pre-Race Ceremonies. Moments later, fans will be treated to another one of Talladega's famous traditions of presenting the American flag on the back of a semi-truck barreling around the track. The Hixson Museum of Flight is a non-profit organization that relies solely on donations for support. The Museum is dedicated to raising awareness of aviation and the important role it has played in shaping our nation's history. Since the museums inception on June 1, 2010, it has restored to flight 4 historically significant aircraft while raising $18,000.00 for the local children's hospital. The museum has plans to work on 3 other aircraft that have significantly impacted the history of the United States.
    The most competitive racing in NASCAR combined with a mix of southern hospitality returns to Talladega Superspeedway October 18-20, 2013 for the Camping World RV Sales 500 Weekend. For tickets and information visit www.talladegasuperspeedway.com or call 1-877-Go2-DEGA.(TSS)(10-14-2013)

  • Texas offers free scanner in ticket promotion: As a result of overwhelming demand, Texas Motor Speedway will be extending its offer for fans purchasing a pair of frontstretch tickets, which begin as low as $99, for the Nov. 3 AAA Texas 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race to also receive a free Racing Electronics radio scanner and dual headset rental to enhance their race experience. The one-week offer was scheduled to expire 5 p.m. CT Saturday, but the popular promotion will be extended another week until Saturday, Oct. 19 (5 p.m.), or earlier if the inventory is depleted. The radio scanner/headset rental package, which carries a $45 value, allows fans the opportunity to listen in on the radio communication between drivers and crew chiefs as well as tune in to NASCAR officials, the live PRN radio broadcast or ESPN television broadcast. Children's tickets (12 and under), which are $25, also are eligible for the promotion. This promotion cannot be combined with any other available ticket promotion for the AAA Texas 500 NASCAR tripleheader race weekend. For more information or to purchase AAA Texas 500 tickets, please call the Texas Motor Speedway ticket office at (817) 215-8500 or visit www.texasmotorspeedway.com.(TMS)(10-14-2013)


    News from October 13, 2013

  • Waddell Wilson honored: Before Saturday night's Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, crew chief and engine builder Waddell Wilson received the 2013 Smokey Yunick Award in recognition of his achievements in NASCAR racing. Established in 1997 by legendary car owner and mechanic Henry "Smokey" Yunick, four years before his death, the annual award recognizes an individual who has risen from humble beginnings to make a major impact on the motorsports industry. Wilson's engines propelled drivers to more than 100 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victories, but the win he remembers most fondly was Buddy Baker's triumph in the 1980 Daytona 500. "The engine Baker won the Daytona 500 with, I remember building that engine five timesand working week after week on that body and the rolling resistance," Wilson said. "That was probably the most perfect race car I was ever involved with. Back then, we didn't have all the templates they have today. There were areas you could work in. I studied everything I could about that race car& Everybody always said it was the engine. Yeah, it had a lot of horsepower, but that wasn't the only thing about that race car."(NASCAR Wire Service)(10-13-2013)

  • Five 2012 race winners have five races left to continue streaks: five drivers that won a Sprint Cup Series race in 2012 have not won a race in 2013 with five races left in the 2013 season. #11-Denny Hamlin has won at least one race in seven straight seasons, the list of drivers looking to extend their streaks:
    seasons with at least a win, driver, track/date that continued streak, time period of streak
    7, Denny Hamlin, Phoenix, March 2012 [2006-2012]
    3, Clint Bowyer, Sonoma, June 2012 [2010-2012] 2, Jeff Gordon, Pocono, August 2012 [2011-2012]
    2, Marcos Ambrose, Watkins Glen, August 2012 [2011-2012] 1, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Michigan, June 2012 [2012]

  • Busches raise money for 'champions': Just after her husband clinched the pole for Friday night's Dollar General 300, Samantha Busch stepped in front of a hospitality tent full of breast cancer patients and their families to give them a little bit of good news. And it didn't have a thing to do with racing. "I want you to know that your medical bills are covered," Busch said, presenting a check for $80,000 as she wiped away tears. One by one the breast cancer champions (the preferred term by the foundation) came up to hug Busch, pick up a bright pink bag of goodies, and share stories with the woman who spearheaded the fundraising effort that will help them fight for their lives. "Breast cancer touches everybody; it's somebody's sister or wife or mother or aunt," Busch said. "For us it's a wonderful employee at KBM who's a survivor. It's wonderful to hear the stories and know that we're making a difference in their lives." The Pretty In Pink Foundation exists to provide financial assistance to uninsured and underinsured breast cancer patients in North Carolina with quality, life-saving medical treatment regardless of their ability to pay. It was those qualities that drew the Busch family to this local organization. "These 12 champions have come from Charlotte and right around here  they're neighbors," Busch said. "We knew we had to help them so that the only thing they had to focus on was getting better. Kyle Busch couldn't be at the presentation because of his on-track duties, but he made sure to mention the effort after his pole-winning run. "Samantha has done a wonderful job with all of our Pretty In Pink Foundation people that are here," Busch said. "We raised a lot of money for them this week. This is just the first part of it."(CMS Pit Note)(10-13-2013)

  • Kenseth joins fight against Alzheimer's: #20-Matt Kenseth recently directed a $25,000 gift from the Citizen Watch Company (whom Kenseth represents as a brand ambassador) to the Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center. "Citizen wanted to make a significant donation to a charity of our choice, so we decided to help the Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center," Kenseth said. "Our family knows first-hand the terrible effects of Alzheimer's. Hopefully, through donations such as these we can fund research dedicated to furthering our understanding of this disease and working toward a cure."(NASCAR Wire Service)(10-13-2013)

  • Burton to MWR? Ownership split at MWR? UPDATE: the sport continues to await some word from Rob Kauffman (part owner of MWR) about the Michael Waltrip Racing Richmond controversy. Kauffman, 49, is Waltrip's business partner, joining in late 2007. Kauffman's primary business is as a private equity investment manager, with his Fortress Investment Group, with some $17 billion under management. Kauffman himself is listed by Forbes as one of the world's top billionaires. Now comes word from people close to the situation that Kauffman may be planning to separate himself officially from Waltrip's racing operations and establish his own NASCAR team. Kauffman's pick for his driver, again, according to people familiar with it all, is Jeff Burton. Burton says he's got a driving deal for 2014 but says he can't say anything more than that right now. Burton currently drives for Richard Childress' Chevy team; if Kauffman does do his own team, it would most like be with Toyota. A spokesman for Waltrip and Kauffman says he is unfamiliar with such a Kauffman-Burton scenario.(MikeMulhern.net)(10-12-2013)
    UPDATE: been told this is no true and their will not be a split in ownership.(10-13-2013)


    News from October 12, 2013

  • Keselowski wins Charlotte: #2-Brad Keselowski won the Bank of America 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway for his 1st win of 2013 and 10th career win. Keselowski is the first non-chase driver to win a Chase race since Kasey Kahne won at Phoenix in November 2011.
    #5-Kahne finished 2nd after leading the most laps followed by #20-Kenseth, #48-Johnson, #18-Busch, #29-Harvick, #24-Gordon, #39-Newman, #11-Hamlin and #99-Edwards.
    Other Chasers #15-Bowyer (11th), #78-Busch (14th); #88-Earnhardt Jr.(15th); #16-Biffle (16th); and #22-Logano (18th)
    #20-Kenseth increases his points lead heading to Talladega by 1 points to 4 points over #48-Johnson.
    The three drivers who made the Sprint Cup Series debut and their finish: #33-Scott finished 27th; #51-Larson, 37th lost and engine and #95-Koch 38th.
    There were 24 lead changes among 11 drivers and only 4 cautions for 20 yellow flag laps.
    The average speed was 158.308mph. NASCAR no longer announces the track attendance.
    See the Charlotte Penalty Report (pdf).(10-12-2013)
    See OFFICIAL race results & points standings on the Official Charlotte Race & Points Report (pdf)

  • Race Fast Facts - Charlotte:
    #2-Brad Keselowski won the 54th Annual Bank of America 500, his 10th victory in 156 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.
    This is his first victory and 13th top-10 finish in 2013.
    This is his first victory and second top-10 finish in nine races at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
    This is the first time since Kasey Kahne won at Phoenix International Raceway in the penultimate race of 2011 that a non-Chase contender has been to Victory Lane during the postseason.
    #5-Kasey Kahne (second) posted his 12th top-10 finish in 20 races at Charlotte Motor Speedway. It is his 12th top-10 finish in 2013.
    #20-Matt Kenseth (third) posted his 15th top-10 finish in 29 races at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
    #20-Matt Kenseth leads the point standings by 4 points over #48-Jimmie Johnson.(NASCAR Integrated Sports Marketing)(10-12-2013)

  • Where did the 2013 Sprint Cup Chase Drivers finish at Charlotte:
    [listed by driver points position before the race (start pos)]
    1) #20-Matt Kenseth, finished 3rd (started 20th)
    2) #48-Jimmie Johnson, 4th (4)
    3) #29-Kevin Harvick, 6th (2)
    4) #24-Jeff Gordon, 7th (POLE)
    5) #18-Kyle Busch, 5th (9)
    6) #16-Greg Biffle, 16th (3)BR> 7) #78-Kurt Busch, 14th (10)
    8) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., 15th (6)
    9) #15-Clint Bowyer, 11th (14)
    10) #22-Joey Logano, 18th (12)
    11) #99-Carl Edwards, 10th (15)
    12) #39-Ryan Newman, 8th (7)
    13) #5-Kasey Kahne, 2nd (5)
    (10-12-2013)

  • 2013 Sprint Cup Driver Chase Championship Points Standings:
    [after Charlotte, race 31 of 36]
    1) #20-Matt Kenseth [7 wins], 2225
    2) #48-Jimmie Johnson [5 wins], 2221, -4
    3) #29-Kevin Harvick [3 wins], 2196, -29
    4) #24-Jeff Gordon, 2189, -36
    5) #18-Kyle Busch [4 wins], 2188, -37
    6) #16-Greg Biffle [1 win], 2167, -58
    7) #78-Kurt Busch, 2166, -59
    8) #15-Clint Bowyer, 2162, -63
    9) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., 2159, -66
    10) #99-Carl Edwards [2 wins], 2158, -67
    11) #22-Joey Logano [1 win], 2150, -75
    12) #39-Ryan Newman, 2147, -78
    13) #5-Kasey Kahne [2 wins], 2144, -81
    See OFFICIAL race results & points standings on the Official Charlotte Race & Points Report (pdf)

  • UNOFFICIAL 2013 Sprint Cup Driver Championship Points Standings without Chase:
    [after Charlotte, race 31 of 36]
    1) #48-Jimmie Johnson(X) [5 wins], 1050
    2) #29-Kevin Harvick(X) [3 wins], 1018, -32
    3) #20-Matt Kenseth(X) [7 wins], 1017, -33
    4) #99-Carl Edwards(X) [2 wins], 994, -56
    5) #18-Kyle Busch(X) [4 wins], 987, -63
    6) #15-Clint Bowyer(X), 941, -109
    7) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr.(X), 940, -110
    8) #24-Jeff Gordon(X), 939, -111
    9) #78-Kurt Busch(X), 928, -122
    10) #16-Greg Biffle(X) [1 win], 923, -127
    11) #22-Joey Logano(X) [1 win], 898, -152
    12) #39-Ryan Newman(X)[1 win], 888, -162
    13) #5-Kasey Kahne(X) [2 wins], 883, -167
    14) #2-Brad Keselowski [1 win], 874, -176
    15) #1-Jamie McMurray, 873, -177
    (X) = a Chase driver.
    (10-12-2013)

  • Burton to MWR? Ownership split at MWR?: the sport continues to await some word from Rob Kauffman (part owner of MWR) about the Michael Waltrip Racing Richmond controversy. Kauffman, 49, is Waltrip's business partner, joining in late 2007. Kauffman's primary business is as a private equity investment manager, with his Fortress Investment Group, with some $17 billion under management. Kauffman himself is listed by Forbes as one of the world's top billionaires. Now comes word from people close to the situation that Kauffman may be planning to separate himself officially from Waltrip's racing operations and establish his own NASCAR team. Kauffman's pick for his driver, again, according to people familiar with it all, is Jeff Burton. Burton says he's got a driving deal for 2014 but says he can't say anything more than that right now. Burton currently drives for Richard Childress' Chevy team; if Kauffman does do his own team, it would most like be with Toyota. A spokesman for Waltrip and Kauffman says he is unfamiliar with such a Kauffman-Burton scenario.(MikeMulhern.net)(10-12-2013)

  • Truex Jr. to Furniture Row? A spokesman for the Barney Visser-Todd Berrier Chevy [#78 Furniture Row Racing] operation says the team is "very hopeful" of signing Martin Truex Jr. to a contract for 2014. Truex was victim of the Richmond (MWR) controversy, first making the championship playoffs in a hard stretch charge...only to be bounced out of the chase and replaced by #24-Jeff Gordon, in the wake of the #15-Clint Bowyer/#55-Brian Vickers flap. Not only did Truex get booted from the playoffs for no fault of his own, his sponsor NAPA is pulling the plug at the end of the season over the controversy. That has many Waltrip people quite worried about their own jobs for next season.(MikeMulhern.net)(10-12-2013)

  • Chase For The NASCAR Sprint Cup: Charlotte Motor Speedway:
    · Charlotte Motor Speedway has been one of the 10 tracks of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup since the playoff's inception in 2004.
    · Once the winner of the Charlotte Motor Speedway Chase race has gone on to win the championship: Jimmie Johnson (2009).
    · Jimmie Johnson leads the series with the most Chase race wins at Charlotte Motor Speedway with three.
    · The worst finish by the eventual champion at Charlotte Motor Speedway was 25th, by Tony Stewart in 2005.
    · Chase Contenders have won eight of the nine Chase races at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The one driver that was not a Chase Contenders that won the Chase race at Charlotte is Jamie McMurray in 2010.
    · Five of the 2013 Chase Contenders are former NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Chase race winners at Charlotte Motor Speedway: Jimmie Johnson (3), Kasey Kahne (1), Matt Kenseth (1), Jeff Gordon (1) and Clint Bowyer (1).
    · Chevrolet leads the series in Chase wins at Charlotte Motor Speedway with six followed by Ford, Dodge and Toyota with one each.
    · The most dominant performance by a winner in a Chase race at Charlotte Motor Speedway was Kasey Kahne's victory in 2006. He led 134 of the 334 laps (most by a Chase race winner) and posted the highest Driver Rating at 143.6.(NASCAR)(10-12-2013)

  • Ernie Irvan returns as a car owner for his son: Ernie Irvan announced he is returning to the race track as a car owner in 2014 for son Jared. The Irvan duo will have primary sponsorship from Auramist, a leader in producing dry misting fans and cooling solutions. Jared Irvan will compete full-time in the Pro All Star Series South (PASS) at historical track such as Hickory Motor Speedway, South Boston Speedway and Orange County Speedway. Jared will also participate in the Summer Shootout Series at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Ernie earned 15-career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victories, including the 1991 Daytona 500. After sustaining multiple head injuries throughout the course of his career, Ernie was forced to retire in 1999.(OneMain Racing)(10-12-2013)

  • NASCAR Bring "Troops to the Track" Program to the Bank of America 500: The Armed Forces Foundation and NASCAR continue the 2013 Troops to the Track program on Saturday, October 12th by bringing service members from the 440th Airlift Wing and the 43rd Airlift Group based out of Fort Bragg's Pope Army Airfield to the Bank of America 500. These two units train and deploy Combat Airlifters in support of Joint Special Operations, Army, and Air Force combatant commanders worldwide. 2013 season of Troops to the Track, a program in which service members are treated to a daylong interactive at-track experience, which includes: a special invitation and recognition at the drivers' pre-race meeting, a private tour of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series garage, pit road access during driver introductions / National Anthem and special seating in the grandstands. See the attached document for more information about the program.(AFF)(10-12-2013)

  • Franchitti, fans hurt in Houston UPDATE: Four-time IndyCar Series champion Dario Franchitti was injured in a multicar accident near the end of Sunday's Grand Prix of Houston. According to IndyCar medical director Dr. Michael Olinger, Franchitti was awake and alert at the scene of the crash. He was transported by ground to Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center, where it was determined he sustained a concussion, a spinal fracture that will not require surgery, and a fracture to his right ankle. He underwent surgery on the ankle and will remain hospitalized overnight. A considerable amount of debris, including a wheel and tire assembly, flew toward a spectator area near Turn 5 of the 1.7-mile temporary track that winds through Reliant Park. Houston Fire Department spokesman Ruy Lozano said at least 13 people were treated for minor injuries, with two transported to Memorial Hermann. One of those transported was IndyCar timing and scoring worker Kim Tyger, whose injuries were called "very minor" by the sanctioning organization.(See full story at ESPN.com)(10-7-2013)
    UPDATE: Target Chip Ganassi Racing driver Dario Franchitti was released from Memorial Hermann Texas Medical Center in Houston today. He will be traveling to Indianapolis where he will be reevaluated over the next few days and ultimately await a second surgery to his right ankle, which had previously been stabilized. "I'm overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and I'm thankful to have such a great family and such wonderful friends and fans. Thanks to everyone at the hospital and the track who took such good care of me during my stay in Houston. I look forward to watching Scott, Alex and the Target team next weekend on television, and will be pulling for them as they go for another championship," said Dario Franchitti.(CGR)(10-12-2013)

  • Quaker State Returns as Title Sponsor of Sprint Cup Series Event at Kentucky: Kentucky Speedway's annual NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) race will remain the Quaker State 400 through 2018 under the terms of a new event sponsorship agreement. The 2014 Quaker State 400 presented by Advance Auto Parts will take to Kentucky Speedway's challenging 1.5-mile tri-oval track the night of Saturday, June 28 to provide the finale for the venue's tripleheader NASCAR weekend that opens Thursday, June 26. Quaker State has grown the promotion of the 3-year-old NSCS 400-mile event to include branding on the speedway's retaining walls and start/finish line in the brand's signature green and gold colors. Kentucky Speedway ticket packages that include the 2014 Quaker State 400 presented by Advance Auto Parts are on sale at (859) 578-2300 and the speedway's ticket office at 1 Speedway Drive in Sparta, Ky., just off Interstate 71 Exit 57 and Ky. Hwy. 35 North.(Kentucky Speedway)(10-12-2013)


    News from October 11, 2013

  • Race Coverage of the Bank of America 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway is scheduled for Saturday, October 12, 2013.
    Television (TV): ABC at 7:30 pm/et; Pre-Race show at 7:00 pm/et; green flag approx. 7:46pm/et
    Radio: Performance Racing Network (PRN) and Sirius XM Satellite NASCAR Radio 90
    Scheduled Race Re-Airs: ESPN2, Sunday, October 13 at 3:00am/et

  • Pit Stall Selections: The selections of pit stalls for the Bank of America 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway have been made.
    Pole sitter #24-Gordon chose pit stall 1 [as do most pole sitters].
    Outside pole sitter #29-Harvick took pit stall 15, the first pit stall in front of it.
    #16-Biffle, who starts 3rd took the 22nd pit stall, the 2nd stall with an opening in front of it.
    The 43rd and final pit stall was taken by #42-Montoya, who starts 8th.
    To see where the drivers/teams pit stall is, see the pit selection chart on the Pit Stall Selection chart.(10-11-2013)

  • Happy Hour practice for the Bank of America 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway is over, after 60 scheduled minutes, the top-five, slowest and notes:
    #78-Busch 190.759
    #29-Harvick 189.613
    #2-Keselowski 189.401
    #15-Bowyer 189.268
    #18-Busch 189.155
    slowest: #95-Koch 181.733 & #32-Hill 181.830
    no speed: #87-Nemechek
    #78-Busch had the best 10 consecutive lap average at 186.254mph
    See fastest speeds, laps run on the Charlotte Happy Hour Practice Speeds page (pdf).(10-11-2013)

  • First Friday practice for the Bank of America 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway is over, after 55 scheduled minutes, the top-five, slowest and notes:
    #18-Busch 189.447
    #78-Busch 189.427
    #24-Gordon 189.241
    #2-Keselowski 189.208
    #42-Montoya 189.195
    slowest: #36-Yeley 180.644 & #95-Koch 180.822
    no speed: #35-Wise, #98-McDowell
    #48-Johnson had the best 10 consecutive lap average at 185.714mph
    See fastest speeds, laps run on the Charlotte Practice 2 Speeds page (pdf).(10-11-2013)

  • Germain Racing to switch to Chevy UPDATE: #13-Germain Racing is changing manufacturers once again. Ending a two-year relationship with Ford, team owner Bob Germain informed Doug Yates, CEO of Roush Yates Engines, on Tuesday that his company will be moving to General Motors for 2014. "We value Germain Racing as a customer, and we hate to see them leave," Yates said. "We wish them well." Germain is expected to form an engine and technical alliance with Richard Childress Racing similar to the relationship #78-Furniture Row Racing. Germain Cup driver Casey Mears drove for RCR in 2009. Attempts to reach Germain Racing owner Bob Germain for comment have been unsuccessful.(FoxSports)(10-1-2013)
    UPDATE: Richard Childress Racing (#27, #29, #31) and Germain Racing (#13) have agreed to form a technical alliance in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series competition, beginning with the 2014 season. The partnership includes technology sharing, engineering, research and development provided to Germain Racing as they switch their No. 13 GEICO Cup Series cars to Chevrolet next season. The partnership also includes Germain Racing utilizing the highly reliable and powerful engines of ECR Engines. This will also be a homecoming of sorts for the team's driver, Casey Mears, as he drove for RCR in 2009. "We are very pleased to have a team like Germain Racing become our partner," said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. "Bob (Germain) and his team have worked very hard to become one of the better single-car teams over the past few years and we are looking to build on what they've already achieved. They've proven they can be winners by what they did in the Camping World Truck Series. Bob is an asset to this sport for wanting to improve the team's performance and take them to the next level. We also look forward to having Casey back in the RCR family."
    "Richard Childress and RCR have an extremely competitive program with a long history of winning races and championships. They have great people and tremendous resources which will allow us to continue to improve our GEICO team's performance in 2014 and beyond.," said Bob Germain Jr., team owner.(Germain Racing)(10-11-2013)

  • Some rules changes in 2014? NASCAR officials are apparently considering a number of possibly significant rules tweaks for 2014:
    -- Elimination of the minimum height rule. That would be to end the rather meaningless post-race controversies and penalties for cars being 'too low' after a race. Some worry, though, that such a rule would force teams to discard thousands of dollars of expensive springs. However the current rules have led teams to spend huge sums on very trick springs.
    -- Adding roof 'wickers,' similar to used in years past, designed to break up air flow over the roof and presumably make it easier for a trailing car to pass.(Mike Mulhern.net)(10-11-2013)

  • Stewart Undergoes Third Surgery on Leg UPDATE: #14-Tony Stewart underwent a third surgery on his right leg early on Monday, Oct. 7 to examine and close a wound on his shin stemming from the broken tibia and fibula he sustained in a sprint car crash Aug. 5 at Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Stewart will remain hospitalized for observation. The surgery served as a proactive measure and team officials do not expect it to impact Stewart's return to the No. 14 Bass Pro Shops/Mobil 1 Chevrolet in 2014. Stewart's first surgery on Aug. 6 in Iowa served as a preliminary procedure to stabilize and clean the Grade 2 injury. The second surgery on Aug. 8, by a specialist in North Carolina, involved inserting a metal rod inside the tibia, pressing it to its anatomic position.(True Speed Communication / Stewart-Haas Racing)(10-7-2013)
    UPDATE: Tony Stewart was released from an undisclosed North Carolina hospital Thursday afternoon, three days after surgery to close a wound on his right shin suffered Aug. 5 in a sprint car crash at Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa, Iowa. The third surgery was necessitated, a team source said, because Stewart's injured right leg "was not healing as quickly as it should be." That said, Stewart is still expected back by Daytona Speedweeks next February.(FoxSports)(10-11-2013)

  • Kyle Busch Hands Over Keys to Charlotte Habitat for Humanity Home: Earlier this season, Kyle Busch and his #18 M&M'S Toyota teammates traded their race helmets for hard hats and helped to frame the future home of Yasin Mohamed and his family in Charlotte. Busch and his team volunteered at the Habitat for Humanity Charlotte site as part of M&M'S 'M'Prove America' effort, which is donating $500,000 to fund the construction of Habitat homes across the nation, as well as encouraging fans to join the effort by volunteering their time and talents at Habitat job sites. On Thursday the team's efforts came full circle as Busch passed the keys to the Mohamed family to enjoy their new home.(KyleBusch.com)(10-11-2013)

  • Winner of Pilot Truck Driver Challenge announced: Greg McGuire of Champion Tire & Wheel has won the NASCAR Championship for the 2013 Pilot Flying J Truck Driver Challenge. By clinching the title, McGuire becomes the first driver from Champion Tire & Wheel to win the Pilot Flying J Truck Driver Challenge. With the announcement of the NASCAR champion, Pilot Flying J thus ends their historic 10th Anniversary season with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Launched in 2004, the Pilot Flying J Truck Driver Challenge has promoted safe driving on the interstate, by showcasing the safe driving abilities of NASCAR's transport drivers. Upon winning the NASCAR championship, McGuire stated, "To be a part of something that's been going on for ten years, on a national stage, is great," said McGuire. "Having my name on the side of the truck along with every other champion for years to come is incredible. I have to thank Pilot Flying J for this opportunity; they have supported the truck drivers like no one else." Since their arrival to the competition in 2011, Champion Tire & Wheel has consistently loaded the field with drivers whose enthusiasm matches their talent. Speaking on behalf of their team, owners Jamie Rolewicz and Kevin Mahl lauded McGuire's victory. "We couldn't be more proud of Greg and what he has accomplished," said owners, Kevin Mahl and Jamie Rolewicz. "To win the Pilot Truck Driving Challenge means competing against and beating some of the best drivers in the world. Champion Tire and Wheel relies on Pilot every week and we take great pride pulling into their locations throughout the country". In 2nd place was Tony Sessions, #56 Michael Waltrip Racing, followed by 2012 champion Tom McCrimmon of the #20 Joe Gibbs Racing in 3rd place. It was later announced by Victory Marketing 500, that the Pilot Flying J Truck Driver Challenge will feature a winner-takes-all showdown between the champions of NASCAR, IndyCar, and the NHRA in 2014.(Pilot Flying J Truck Driver Challenge)(10-11-2013)

  • Ashley Stremme wins Better Half Dash: Ashley Stremme, wife of NASCAR driver David Stremme, started on the pole and led nearly every lap en route to her win Friday in the third annual Better Half Dash at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Despite all the laps led, her win didn't come easy. Stremme was stalked by Heidi Stoddard, wife of crew chief Frank Stoddard, who waited patiently to make her move. Stoddard finally saw an opening on lap 22, taking over the lead just as Amy Gordon spun to bring out the caution. But Stoddard was slow to get up to speed on the restart, allowing Stremme to reclaim her spot in front. In the ensuing laps, Kristen Yeley also slid by, relegating Stoddard to third place.(CMS Pit Notes)(10-11-2013)

  • Charlotte Notes & Facts - Friday: · 45 different drivers have won at Charlotte Motor Speedway, led by Darrell Waltrip, Bobby Allison and Jimmie Johnson with six wins each.
    · Nine drivers have posted consecutive wins at Charlotte Motor Speedway, including three consecutive by Fred Lorenzen (fall 1964 and both 1965) and four straight by Jimmie Johnson (both in 2004 and 2005).
    · A season sweep at Charlotte has occurred eight times, including each season from 2004-2007.
    · Hendrick Motorsports has the most wins at Charlotte in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with 17: Jimmie Johnson (six), Jeff Gordon (five), Darrell Waltrip (two), Ken Schrader (one), Terry Labonte (one), Casey Mears (one) and Kasey Kahne (one).
    · Eight different manufacturers have won in the NSCS at Charlotte; led by Chevrolet with 41 victories; followed by Ford with 28.
    · Six active NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers have posted their first career win at Charlotte Motor Speedway: Jeff Gordon (5/29/94), Bobby Labonte (5/28/95), Matt Kenseth (5/28/00), Jamie McMurray (10/13/02), Casey Mears (5/27/07) and David Reutimann (5/25/09).
    · The deepest in the field that a NSCS race winner has started all-time at Charlotte was 37th, by Jimmie Johnson in the Coca-Cola 600 of 2003. The deepest in the field that a race winner has started in the 500-mile race at Charlotte was 27th, by Jamie McMurray in 2010.
    · Since the advent of electronic scoring the closest margin of victory (MOV) in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Charlotte Motor Speedway was the May 29, 2005 race won by Jimmie Johnson over Bobby Labonte with a MOV of 0.027 second.
    · There have been three NASCAR Sprint Cup races resulting with a green-white-checkered finish at Charlotte Motor Speedway, but only once for the Coca-Cola 600 (Scheduled No. of Laps/Actual No. of Laps): fall of 2005 (334/336), fall of 2007 (334/337) and the 2011 Coca-Cola 600 (400/402).
    · Among the 16 active NSCS Charlotte winners Bobby Labonte (36), Kevin Harvick (20), Kurt Busch (19), Mark Martin (15), Clint Bowyer (13), Ken Schrader (10) and Jeff Burton (10) all made 10 or more attempts before their first win.
    · Joe Nemechek leads the series among active drivers with the most NASCAR Sprint Cup starts at Charlotte without visiting Victory Lane at 34; followed by Dale Earnhardt Jr. with 27.(NASCAR)(10-11-2013)

  • NASCAR Hall of Fame Offers Full-Throttle Fun During Charlotte Race Weekend: To enhance the race experience for fans in Charlotte, the NASCAR Hall of Fame will offer a legendary lineup of full-throttle fun throughout race weekend including extended hours at the NASCAR Hall of Fame Oct. 11-13. Fans and visitors can experience the 150,000-square-foot interactive, entertainment attraction during special operating hours on Friday, Oct. 11 and Saturday Oct. 12 from 9:00 am - 6:00 pm and on Sunday, Oct. 13 from 8:00 am - 6:00 pm. Before the green flag drops at the Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Saturday, Oct. 12, fans can get closer than ever to their favorite drivers at the NASCAR Hall of Fame Pit Party on Pit Road from 2-5:30 p.m. Emceed by Paul Schadt of 96.9 The Kat, the Pit Party will feature appearances by NASCAR drivers Kyle Busch, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Brad Keselowski. The Pit Party is open to all fans with a pit pass or driver intro pass. On Sunday, Oct. 13, fans can lace up their running shoes and do a little racing of their own at the Fourth Annual Kasey Kahne Foundation "Five Kahne" 5K and Kids Dash. Also this weekend, NASCAR Hall of Fame members will get a sneak peek at 1 of 18 new cars to be installed on Glory Road in January. Tickets to the NASCAR Hall of Fame can be purchased by calling (877) 231-2010 or at nascarhall.com.(NASCAR Hall of Fame)(10-11-2013)

  • Busch wins Nationwide race at Charlotte: #54-Kyle Busch won the Dollar General 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. #3-Austin Dillon finished second followed by #12-Sam Hornish, Jr., #33-Kevin Harvick, #18-Matt Kenseth, #31-Justin Allgaier, #22-Joey Logano, #6-Trevor Bayne, #77-Parker Kligerman, and #43-Michael Annett. There were 5 cautions for 29 laps and 14 lead changes among 10 leaders. Complete results are on the Charlotte race results page (pdf).(10-11-2013)

  • Charlotte Nationwide Race Fast Facts:
    Kyle Busch(i) won the 32nd Annual Dollar General 300, his 62nd victory in 267 NASCAR Nationwide Series races.
    This is his 11th victory and 20th top-10 finish in 2013.
    This is his eighth victory and 18th top-10 finish in 21 races at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
    This is the ninth time a driver has won from the pole in the NASCAR Nationwide Series at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The last driver to accomplish the feat was Matt Kenseth in Oct. 7, 2000).
    Austin Dillon (second) posted his second top-10 finish in four races at Charlotte Motor Speedway. It is his 20th top-10 finish in 2013.
    Sam Hornish Jr. (third) posted his second top-10 finish in seven races at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
    Kyle Larson (13th) was the highest finishing rookie.
    Austin Dillon leads the point standings by 8 points over Sam Hornish Jr.
    (NASCAR Integrated Marketing)(10-11-2013)

  • Nationwide Driver standings following Charlotte (3 races remaining):
    1) #3-Austin Dillon 1067
    2) #12-Sam Hornish Jr. 1059, -8
    3) #7-Regan Smith 1015, -52
    4) #31-Justin Allgaier 997, -70
    5) #11-Elliott Sadler 989, -78
    6) #6-Trevor Bayne 976, -91
    7) #2-Brian Scott 974, -93
    8) #20-Brian Vickers 970, -97
    9) #32-Kyle Larson # 910, -157
    10) #77-Parker Kligerman 893, -174
    See complete standings on the driver standings page (pdf).(10-11-2013)

  • Nationwide Owner Standings following Charlotte are posted (pdf).(10-11-2013)

  • Busch on Nationwide pole at Charlotte: #54-Kyle Busch won the Coors Light Pole for the Dollar General 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway with a speed of 183.387mph. It is his 9th pole of the season. #22-Joey Logano will start second. The rest of the top 10: #12-Sam Hornish, #3-Austin Dillon, #7-Regan Smith, #99-Alex Bowman, #6-Trevor Bayne, #32-Kyle Larson, #20-Brian Vickers, and #33-Kevin Harvick. Did Not Qualify: #42-Josh Wise, #52-Joey Gase, #50-Danny Efland, #73-Derrike Cope. The starting lineup is posted on the Charlotte starting lineup page (pdf).(10-11-2013)

  • Charlotte Nationwide Qualifying Notes:
    Kyle Busch(i) won the Coors Light Pole Award for the 32nd Annual Dollar General 300 with a lap of 29.446 seconds, 183.387 mph.
    This is his 35th pole in 267 NASCAR Nationwide Series races.
    This is his ninth pole and 18th top-10 start in 2013.
    This is his first pole in 21 races at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
    Joey Logano(i) (second) posted his ninth top-10 start of 2013 and his eighth in 11 races at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
    Sam Hornish Jr. (third) posted his sixth top-10 start at Charlotte Motor Speedway. It is his 24th in 30 races this season.
    Alex Bowman (sixth) was the fastest qualifying rookie.
    (NASCAR Integrated Marketing)(10-11-2013)

  • Dillon fastest in Nationwide happy hour: #3-Austin Dillon was quickest during happy hour for the Dollar General 300 with a speed of 182.395mph. He was followed by: #12-Sam Hornish, Jr., #54-Kyle Busch, #22-Joey Logano, #7-Regan Smith, #11-Elliott Sadler, #33-Kevin Harvick, #2-Brian Scott, #6-Trevor Bayne, and #5-Brad Sweet. All 46 drivers participated in the session. See complete results on the Charlotte practice 2 speeds page (pdf).(10-10-2013)

  • Bowman fastest in first Nationwide practice: #99-Alex Bowman was fastest during opening practice at Charlotte Motor Speedway with a speed of 182.469mph. #6-Trevor Bayne was second, followed by: #5-Brad Sweet, #18-Matt Kenseth, #33-Kevin Harvick, #11-Elliott Sadler, #22-Joey Logano, #7-Regan Smith, #20-Brian Vickers, and #12-Sam Hornish, Jr. 45 drivers practiced during the session. See complete results on the Charlotte practice 1 speeds page (pdf).(10-10-2013)

  • Ryan Reed to drive full season for Roush: Roush Fenway Racing announced its partnership with Ryan Reed and the American Diabetes Association Drive to Stop Diabetes campaign, presented by Lilly Diabetes. Reed will drive the #16 RFR Ford full-time in the 2014 NASCAR Nationwide Series season, competing for a championship and rookie-of-the-year honors. Reed, a NASCAR driver making his dreams come true while living with type 1 diabetes, collaborated with the American Diabetes Association for the Drive to Stop Diabetes SM campaign in 2013, driving for RFR in a limited schedule. It also was announced today that Lilly Diabetes has joined the campaign. Lilly, a leader in diabetes care since 1923, will be part of three NASCAR Nationwide Series races in 2013, Charlotte, Phoenix and Homestead and the entire 2014 season. The American Diabetes Association Drive to Stop Diabetes campaign  now presented by Lilly Diabetes  is a movement working to end the devastating toll that diabetes takes on the lives of millions of individuals and families across our nation. Using Ryan's story as the voice, the Drive to Stop Diabetes campaign will utilize awareness and educational efforts at NASCAR Nationwide races and several off track health and wellness initiatives throughout 2014.(Roush Fenway)(10-11-2013)

  • Kansas spring race moves under the lights in 2014, switches with Darlington: NASCAR has awarded Kansas Speedway two night races for 2014, including the Sprint Cup race on Saturday night, May 10. In addition to the Kansas 400 Sprint Cup Series race on the night before Mothers Day, the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series SFP 250 will run under the lights on Friday night, May 9. The 2014 fall weekend races will be run during the day, with the Nationwide Series Kansas Lottery 300 set for Saturday, Oct. 4, and the Hollywood Casino 400 Sprint Cup race  the fourth event in the Chase for the Sprint Cup  on Sunday, Oct. 5. To accommodate Kansas Speedway, fellow International Speedway Corporation track Darlington Raceway agreed to switch its traditional Mothers Day weekend race with the April date Kansas has had since 2010. In addition to the NASCAR weekends, International Motor Sports Association Road Racing will return for the second year to the infield road course at Kansas Speedway on June 7 with the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge Series, Cooper Tire Prototype Lights and Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge. Times for those races have not been determined.(Kansas City Star / Kansas Speedway)(10-11-2013)

  • Darlington moves race to April in 2014: In an effort to improve the guest experience in celebrating its 65th year of racing tradition and history, Darlington Raceway is moving its NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bojangles' Southern 500 race weekend to April 11-12, 2014. "We're making this change with the fan experience in mind," track President Chip Wile said. "We've always enjoyed the tradition of racing on Mother's Day weekend, but sometimes a change like this is necessary. We have the opportunity to get a fresh start and embrace a new date on the NASCAR calendar. This will give us a chance to implement many fun and exciting initiatives we'll be rolling out to celebrate our 65th year of racing at the track Too Tough To Tame." Additionally, South Carolina traditionally has better weather in April. Moving the date up a month aims to alleviate some of the challenges Darlington Raceway has encountered with hotter temperatures in May, which takes away from the guest experience. The average temperature in April 2013 was 75.2 degrees, with May's average at 81 degrees. The move will also give Darlington the opportunity to further focus its efforts on delivering a fun and exciting experience for its local college and university student bodies. The schedule for the Bojangles' Southern 500 race weekend will remain the same as it has been in year's past. The NASCAR Nationwide Series 200 race will run on Friday night, April 11 and the Bojangles' Southern 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race will run on Saturday night, April 12, both under the lights. Tickets to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bojangles' Southern 500 on Saturday, April 12 and NASCAR Nationwide Series 200 on Friday, April 11 will go on sale November 29, 2013. Kids 12 and under are half off for the Bojangles' Southern 500 and FREE for the NASCAR Nationwide Series 200 in general admission.(Darlington Raceway)(10-11-2013)


    News from October 10, 2013

  • Gordon wins Charlotte pole: #24-Jeff Gordon was the last driver to make a qualifying attempt and won the pole for the Bank of America 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway with speed of 194.308mph for his 2nd pole of 2013, 9th pole at Charlotte and 74th of his career.
    #29-Harvick is on the outside pole, followed by #16-Biffle, #48-Johnson, #5-Kahne, #88-Earnhardt Jr., #39-Newman, #42-Montoya, #18-Busch and #78-Busch.
    Nine Chase drivers qualified in the top-10, Montoya was the only non-Chaser not in the top-10. Other Chase drivers and where they start: #22-Logano 12th; #15-Bowyer 14th; #99-Edwards 15th; and points leader #20-Kenseth starts 20th.
    The best starting rookie is #17-Stenhouse Jr. who will start 16th.
    Three drivers are making their Sprint Cup debuts this week at Charlotte: #33-Scott starts 19th; #51-Larson 21st; and #95-Koch 43rd.
    Since there were only 43 cars entered, no driver missed the race.
    See the starting lineup, qualifying results, qualifying order, pole progression on the Charlotte Starting Lineup - Qualifying Page.(10-10-2013)

  • Starting positions for the 2013 Sprint Cup Chase Drivers at Charlotte:
    [listed by current driver points position]
    1) #20-Matt Kenseth, 20th
    2) #48-Jimmie Johnson, 4th
    3) #29-Kevin Harvick, 2nd
    4) #24-Jeff Gordon, POLE
    5) #18-Kyle Busch, 9th
    6) #16-Greg Biffle, 3rd
    7) #78-Kurt Busch, 10th
    8) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., 6th
    9) #15-Clint Bowyer, 14th
    10) #22-Joey Logano, 12th
    11) #99-Carl Edwards, 15th
    12) #39-Ryan Newman, 7th
    13) #5-Kasey Kahne, 5th
    (10-10-2013)

  • Qualifying Fast Facts - Charlotte:
    #24-Jeff Gordon won the Pole Award for the 54th Annual Bank of America 500 with a lap of 27.791 seconds, 194.308 mph.
    This is his 74th pole in 720 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.
    This is his second pole and 16th top-10 start in 2013.
    This is his ninth pole in 42 races at Charlotte Motor Speedway. He earned his first career pole at Charlotte Motor Speedway ion Oct. 10, 1993, becoming the youngest pole winner at the track -- 22 years, 2 months, 6 days. The record still stands.
    Jeff Gordon won five straight poles for the spring races at Charlotte Motor Speedway between 1994 and 1998.
    #29-Kevin Harvick (second) posted his ninth top-10 start of 2013 and his sixth in 26 races at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
    #16-Greg Biffle (third) posted his ninth top-10 start at Charlotte Motor Speedway. It is his 12th in 31 races this season.(NASCAR Statistics)(10-10-2013)

  • Coverage of Qualifying for the Bank of America 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway is scheduled for Thursday, October 10, 2013 at 7:10pm/et.
    Television: ESPN2 at 7:00pm/et
    Radio: Performance Racing Network at goprn.com.
    Scheduled Qualifying TV Re-Air: none

  • Qualifying Order for the Bank of America 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway is posted. 43 cars/drivers are listed.
    The first of the drivers scheduled to go out is #20-Kenseth.
    The final driver scheduled to go out is #24-Gordon.
    Fastest in Friday practice, #5-Kahne, is scheduled to qualify 2nd.
    Qualifying order is set by a random draw, held about an hour before the first practice.
    See the full qualifying order on the Charlotte Qualifying Page.(10-10-2013)

  • Thursday practice for the Bank of America 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway is over, after 90 scheduled minutes, the top-five, slowest and notes:
    #5-Kahne 193.805
    #18-Busch 193.653
    #29-Harvick 193.548
    #24-Gordon 193.424
    #22-Logano 193.292
    slowest: #95-Koch 182.828 & #36-Yeley 185.211
    notes: #48-Johnson had to park on pit road in the 'penalty box' for the first 15 minutes of practice due to going thru the Kansas inspection area more then twice last Sunday.(FoxSports1 coverage)
    See fastest speeds, laps run on the Practice 1 Speeds page (pdf).(10-10-2013)

  • Charlotte Notes & Facts - poles: · Fireball Roberts won the inaugural Coors Light pole at Charlotte in 1960 with a speed of 133.904 mph.
    · 42 drivers have Coors Light poles at Charlotte, led by David Pearson with 14. Ryan Newman leads all active drivers in poles, with nine, followed by Jeff Gordon with eight.
    · 12 drivers have won consecutive Coors Light poles at Charlotte. David Pearson holds the record for most consecutive poles at Charlotte with 11; from the fall of 1973 through 1978.
    · Jeff Gordon won five straight poles for the spring races at Charlotte between 1994 and 1998.
    · 14 of the 109 (12.8%) NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Charlotte have been won from the Coors Light pole; the two most recent were Jimmie Johnson in 2004 and 2009.
    · The second-place starting position is the most proficient starting position in the field, producing more winners (17) than any other starting position at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
    · Qualifying has been cancelled due to weather conditions in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Charlotte Motor Speedway twice; the fall race of 2002 and the fall race of 2008.
    · Four active drivers have posted their first career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coors Light pole at Charlotte Motor Speedway: Jeff Gordon (10/10/93), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (5/28/00), Ryan Newman (5/27/01) and Aric Almirola (5/27/12). Almirola's pole last season was the first time since 5/22/1966 that the No. 43 car had won the Coors Light pole at CMS.(NASCAR)(10-10-2013)

  • Chassis selections for this weeks race: see the list of many teams [that report or post them] and what chassis were selected by the team to run at Charlotte Motor Speedway on the Charlotte Race Info page - Chassis selection area.

  • Charlotte Goodyear Tire Notes: Teams in both the NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series will run the same Goodyear tire codes at Charlotte this week . . . this is the same combination of left- and right-side tires that teams in both of these series ran at Charlotte this past May and twice last season . . . this left-side tire code actually dates back to Charlotte in 2011 for both Cup and Nationwide teams . . . this right-side tire code was also run by these teams at Darlington earlier this season . . . as on all NASCAR ovals greater than one mile in length, teams are required to run inner liners in all four tire positions at Charlotte . . . air pressure in those inner liners should be 12-25 psi greater than that of the outer tire (Goodyear), see full notes, trie codes, tire pressures on the Charlotte Race Info page - Goodyear section.

  • TBR cars to run Breast Cancer Awareness schemes at Charlotte: Racing for a cause near and dear to the hearts of all at Tommy Baldwin Racing, both Dave Blaney and JJ Yeley's Chevrolets will be turned pink this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Dave Blaney will be driving the #7 Breast Cancer Awareness Chevrolet for Saturday night's Bank of America 500. A cause close to the heart of the #7 team, Owner and Crew Chief Tommy Baldwin's mother is a breast cancer survivor. JJ Yeley will be behind the wheel of the #36 United Mining Equipment/Susan G Komen Chevy. Breast cancer has personally touched the Yeley family, his mother-in-law is a survivor of the disease. To show your support in the fight against breast cancer, please join us this weekend in wearing pink as we honor those who lost their battle, those still fighting and to raise awareness for a cure.(TBR/140Buzz), see images of the cars/schemes on the #7 Team Schemes page and the #36 Team Schemes page.(10-10-2013)

  • Zest Extends Partnership with Roush Fenway and Stenhouse Jr.: Roush Fenway Racing and two-time NASCAR Champion Ricky Stenhouse Jr. will remain 'Zestfully Clean' into the 2014 season, as Zest has extended its partnership with the team to include six primary paint schemes next year. Stenhouse - the leading rookie of the year candidate in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series - made the announcement Wednesday night on Sirius/XM NASCAR Radio's Dialed In via Jack's Garage, a weekly segment with award-winning radio host Claire B. Lang. Sporting one of the most unique paint schemes in the sport, Zest first joined RFR in 2012 and has served as a primary partner on the #17 for the last two seasons.(Roush Fenway Racing)(10-10-2013)

  • Kvapil charged with assault UPDATE3: Police in Mooresville, NC say a NASCAR driver has been arrested and charged with assault after getting into a dispute with his wife. According to the Mooresville Police Department, officers were called to the home of Travis Wade Kvapil, 37, on Tuesday evening after getting a 911 call. Officers say Kvapil, who is currently the driver of the #93 Burger King / Dr. Pepper Toyota in the Sprint Cup Series, and his wife had been involved in a domestic dispute. Kvapil was arrested and charged with assault on a female and false imprisonment. Kvapil was taken to Iredell County Jail and held under a domestic hold awaiting an appearance in District Court. Kvapil drives for BK Racing, with teammate #83-David Reutimann. BK Racing posted a photo of Kvapil and Reutimann's race cars on Twitter around 1:00pm/et on Wednesday showing both cars with ribbons supporting Breast Cancer Awareness and Domestic Violence Awareness. That photo was pulled from Twitter after news of Kvapil's arrest broke.(WBTV)(10-9-2013)
    UPDATE: The team [BK Racing] told Sporting News it had no comment yet on the incident. Kvapil has been released from custody, according to a state offender database. NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp said the sanctioning body has no comment at this time with the matter in the hands of legal authorities.(Sporting News)(10-10-2013)
    UPDATE2: NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Travis Kvapil allegedly pulled his wife into a bedroom by her hair and struck her in the head as she tried to pull away Tuesday night, causing minor injuries and resulting in his arrest, according to police and court records. Kvapil, who was not under the influence of alcohol and did not use any weapons, was charged with misdemeanor assault on a female and false imprisonment. His next court date will be Nov. 19, according to Iredell County (N.C.) District Court records obtained Thursday morning by the Sporting News. Kvapil, 37, and his wife, Jennifer, have three children.(Sporting News)(10-10-2013)
    UPDATE3: BK Racing has opted to stand behind Travis Kvapil and allow the driver to remain behind the wheel of the #93 Toyota this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. "After discussions with NASCAR and the Kvapil family, BK Racing has elected to support Travis and his family," co-owner Ron Devine told FOX Sports on Thursday. "It's the right thing for Travis and his family to let the system take its course. He has the ability to set aside the issues and focus, and he's prepared to race this weekend."(FoxSports)(10-10-2013)
    NASCAR Statement Regarding Travis Kvapil: "NASCAR does not condone the actions with which Travis Kvapil has been charged and we are disappointed to learn of this incident. We have been in close communication with the race team and are in the process of gathering as much information as possible. NASCAR takes this matter very seriously and will continue to monitor the situation as it moves forward."(NASCAR)(10-10-2013)
    Statement from BK Racing: The following is a statement from BK Racing regarding the allegations against driver Travis Kvapil: "BK Racing understands the severity of the situation and we don't condone the actions that Travis has been accused of," commented Ron Devine, co-owner of BK Racing. "We feel it's important to let the system take its course. For that reason, we have elected to support Travis and his family and keep Travis in the car for this weekend's race. Further comment will be available as additional information becomes available."(BK Racing)(10-10-2013)

  • Blake Koch to make Sprint Cup Series debut at CMS: per Blake Koch's Twitter: Can't wait to drive the 95 @Supp_Military @nascar cup car this weekend. Looks like Blake Koch will make his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series debut at Charlotte Motor Speedway on October 12th in the #95 Leavine Family Racing Ford with supportmilitary.org colors. Supposedly this is a deal with GoGreen Racing. Koch has 82 Nationwide Series starts [best finish of 14th] and six Camping World Truck Series starts [best finish 19th], see images of the scheme on the #95 Team Schemes page.(10-10-2013)

  • Kyle Larson set to make his Sprint Cup Series debut: Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (EGR) development driver Kyle Larson will make his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) debut this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway (CMS) in Phoenix Racing's #51 Target Chevrolet SS. Larson has just one career start at CMS. On May 25, 2013 he competed in the NNS race where he started 18th and finished fourth. Larson, who is competing in his first full-time season in the NNS, currently sits ninth in series point standings with eight top-five and 15 top-10 finishes in 29 starts. The Elk Grove, Calif. native also has two starts this season in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) with one win at Rockingham Speedway and a second-place finish at Eldora Speedway.(EGR), see an image of the car on the #51 Team Schemes page.(10-10-2013)

  • Students get NASCAR engineering lesson: About 25 Charlotte middle school students got a hands-on lesson in engineering  NASCAR style  when they visited the headquarters of racing giant Hendrick Motorsports on Tuesday. The students, from Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School, were guests of the racing operation as part of Time Warner Cable's STEM in Sports campaign, designed to increase interest by young people in science, technology, mathematics and engineering. NFL player Victor Cruz, professional golfer Ian Poulter and NASCAR drivers Kasey Kahne and Jeff Gordon are teaming with Time Warner in promoting the program.(Charlotte Obgserver)(10-10-2013)

  • Bostitch featured on the #9 at Charlotte: This Saturday night at Charlotte, Marcos Ambrose and the #9 Richard Petty Motorsports team will have a new look. The team will boast the Bostitch brand on the hood and sides of the #9 Ford. It's the first time this season that the company will support Ambrose. It also couldn't come at a better time. Ambrose is coming off a ninth-place finish this past Sunday at the Kansas Speedway and heads into Charlotte where he finished in the top-10 in May.(RPM) , see an image of the car on the #9 Team Schemes page.(10-10-2013)

  • Hertz to co-sponsor the #22 at Charlotte: The Hertz Corporation, one of the world's leading car rental and transportation companies and a first-year sponsor with Penske Racing, will have its logo on the side of Joey Logano's #22 Ford Fusion this weekend in Charlotte serving as a co-sponsor with Shell-Pennzoil. Hertz has been a proud supporter of the #22 NASCAR Nationwide Series Mustang this season, where the company has won five of six races as a primary sponsor.(Penske Racing)(10-10-2013)

  • Bobby Labonte returns to the #47 at Charlotte: Bobby Labonte returns to the #47 Scott Products Toyota Camry at Charlotte Motor Speedway for the Bank of America 500 Saturday night.
    Takes time to heal broken ribs: "It does take time to heal," Labonte said. "But, honestly I have been mountain biking and road biking. Basically, I have been doing a bunch of things trying to stay busy to get ready for the weekend. Everything has been good. Time has taken care of it. I have moments where I'm like 'Oh that hurts', but it's only for a second. I mean I wouldn't go 12 rounds with anybody right now, but it will get better."
    Picking up where he left off: "It is good to be back," Labonte said. "I know that there were some things that the team learned when they tested at Atlanta Motor Speedway that will help us at Charlotte. There are some good things they have been doing to get the right pieces together. I feel good about that and every week the team takes the lessons they have learned to improve."
    Time away from the track: "I've been doing a lot of different things," Labonte said. "We had a family outing where Tyler goes to college at Appalachian State a couple weeks ago. It was a nice family weekend for a home football game and along with all kinds of activities. We had a lot of fun. Now, it's time to get back to business as usual and get ready to race the #47 Scott Products Toyota."(JTG Daugherty Racing.(10-10-2013)

  • Ford EcoBoost V6 Engine Powers Colin Braun to New Speed Records at Daytona: Colin Braun drove a Riley Technologies Daytona Prototype race car, powered by the new 3.5-liter, V-6 Ford EcoBoost race engine, to a new Daytona International Speedway single lap speed record of 222.971 mph during a special record run attempt today, topping the 26-year-old speed record of 210.364 mph set by Bill Elliott in a Ford Thunderbird during qualifying for the 1987 Daytona 500. Braun and the Michael Shank Racing team also set new world speed records for 10 miles from a standing start (210.018 mph average), and 10 kilometers from a standing start (202.438 mph average). All times from today's session are subject to Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) homologation (to approve or confirm officially). The new Ford EcoBoost engine was prepared for the record run by Ford Racing engine partner Roush Yates Engines, and Continental Tires did a special tire for the run that was lighter and had less rolling resistance than the standard race tire, along with a harder compound than the tire used for a typical road course race. Both the new car and new twin-turbo engine will compete in the 2014 TUDOR United SportsCar Championship that kicks off with the Rolex 24 at Daytona in January.(Ford Racing)(10-10-2013)

  • Pilot Flying J Truck Driver Challenge winners to be announced: On Thursday, Oct 10th, Pilot Flying J will announce the safest, most talented NASCAR transport drivers of 2013. The champion will take home a grand prize of $30,000, with second place receiving $7,500, and third place $2,500. The top 3 has been pre--determined through 4 competition events throughout 2013. See the standings at pfjtruckchallenge.com.(10-10-2013)

  • Leavine Family Racing teams up with country music's Jetset Getset: Teenage country music group Jetset Getset will soon be going around in circles at about 200 mph. The Indiana-based band has been named the official music group of Leavine Family Racing. Jetset Getset's name will be displayed on the side of LFR's #95 Ford Mustang, to be driven by Reed Sorenson on Friday, October 11 in the NASCAR Nationwide Series at Charlotte Motor Speedway. "We are excited to be partnering with Leavine Family Racing," said Kelli Jette, manager of Jetset Getset. "Not only do we love NASCAR, but LFR is a very family-oriented organization, and so are we." LFR and Jetset Getset are in talks about future concert performances in select NASCAR race markets, to be announced at a later date. In addition to displaying Jetset Getset's name, the #95 car will carry a special paint scheme this week at Charlotte, with a special pink-dominated makeover during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Jetset Getset was founded in 2011, and has been promoting their album "Saturday Night" (Playback Records) in concerts throughout the South, Midwest and in Southern California. Earlier this year, they were named by the Country Music Association (CMA) among "Who New to Watch in 2013."(Jetset Getset PR)(10-10-2013)

  • Dillon fastest in happy hour: #3-Austin Dillon was quickest during happy hour for the Dollar General 300 with a speed of 182.395mph. He was followed by: #12-Sam Hornish, Jr., #54-Kyle Busch, #22-Joey Logano, #7-Regan Smith, #11-Elliott Sadler, #33-Kevin Harvick, #2-Brian Scott, #6-Trevor Bayne, and #5-Brad Sweet. All 46 drivers participated in the session. See complete results on the Charlotte practice 2 speeds page (pdf).(10-10-2013)

  • Bowman fastest in first practice: #99-Alex Bowman was fastest during opening practice at Charlotte Motor Speedway with a speed of 182.469mph. #6-Trevor Bayne was second, followed by: #5-Brad Sweet, #18-Matt Kenseth, #33-Kevin Harvick, #11-Elliott Sadler, #22-Joey Logano, #7-Regan Smith, #20-Brian Vickers, and #12-Sam Hornish, Jr. 45 drivers practiced during the session. See complete results on the Charlotte practice 1 speeds page (pdf).(10-10-2013)

  • Dover announces 2014 truck date: Dover International Speedway officials today announced the track's 2014 race dates, as two tripleheader NASCAR weekends will return to the track next year on May 30-June 1 and Sept. 26-28, 2014. The spring weekend at the Monster Mile will include the Friday, May 30 "Lucas Oil 200" NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race, the Saturday, May 31 NASCAR Nationwide Series race and the Sunday, June 1 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race.(Dover International Speedway PR)(10-10-2013)

  • Dover International Speedway announces race dates for 2014 season: Dover International Speedway officials announced the track's 2014 race dates, as two tripleheader NASCAR weekends will return to the track next year on May 30-June 1 and Sept. 26-28, 2014. The spring weekend at the Monster Mile will include the Friday, May 30 "Lucas Oil 200" NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race, the Saturday, May 31 NASCAR Nationwide Series race and the Sunday, June 1 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. When NASCAR returns in the fall, it will feature the Friday, Sept. 26 "Drive Sober 150" presented by the Delaware Office of Highway Safety NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race, the Saturday, Sept. 27 NASCAR Nationwide Series race and the Sunday, Sept. 28 "AAA 400" NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, the third event in the 10-race Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. For the third straight year, the track is offering fans discounted tickets for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races as a part of its three-tier pricing program, as long as the fans commit to the track early. New this year, however, the deadlines for the best savings have been extended to allow more time to take advantage of the best possible prices the track will offer for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races. For instance, fans that purchase their Sunday, June 1, 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series tickets by Thursday, Nov. 21, 2013 can save nearly 50% in some seating sections as part of the track's Preferred Pricing Period. The Monster Mile is also introducing its all-new 2-Pack ticket package this year, allowing you to pair your Sunday race ticket with either a Friday or Saturday race ticket at a discounted price, giving you access to two great races at a reduced price. Junior tickets for ages 14 and younger will again be available for just $10 on Sunday races, featuring seating in all four turns and including seven alcohol- and tobacco-free sections. Friday and Saturday junior tickets are just $8 in all available seating sections. Tickets for the May 30-June 1, 2014 race weekend are now on sale, and fans can begin placing deposits for the Sept. 26-28, 2014 race weekend. Returning fans have the opportunity to reserve their same seats for 2014 race weekends. For tickets, to place a deposit or for more information, call 800-441-RACE or visit DoverSpeedway.com.(Dover International Speedway)(10-10-2013)


    News from October 9, 2013

  • Chassis selections for this weeks race: see the list of many teams [that report or post them] and what chassis were selected by the team to run at Charlotte Motor Speedway on the Charlotte Race Info page - Chassis selection area.

  • Kvapil charged with assault: Police in Mooresville, NC say a NASCAR driver has been arrested and charged with assault after getting into a dispute with his wife. According to the Mooresville Police Department, officers were called to the home of Travis Wade Kvapil, 37, on Tuesday evening after getting a 911 call. Officers say Kvapil, who is currently the driver of the #93 Burger KIng / Dr. Pepper Toyota in the Sprint Cup Series, and his wife had been involved in a domestic dispute. Kvapil was arrested and charged with assault on a female and false imprisonment. Kvapil was taken to Iredell County Jail and held under a domestic hold awaiting an appearance in District Court. Kvapil drives for BK Racing, with teammate #83-David Reutimann. BK Racing posted a photo of Kvapil and Reutimann's race cars on Twitter around 1:00pm/et on Wednesday showing both cars with ribbons supporting Breast Cancer Awareness and Domestic Violence Awareness. That photo was pulled from Twitter after news of Kvapil's arrest broke.(WBTV)(10-9-2013)

  • Earnhardt Jr. Set To Make 500th NASCAR Sprint Cup Start: Only 33 drivers have started 500 races in their NASCAR Sprint Cup Series careers, but this Saturday in the Bank of America 500 at Charlotte #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. plans to add his name to that elite list. Fourteen years ago in May 1999, the Kannapolis, N.C., native made his series debut at his home track. The then-24-year-old driver started eighth in the No. 8 Chevrolet owned by his father, seven-time champion Dale Earnhardt  who, it so happens, also made his series debut at the 1.5-mile track. The younger Earnhardt finished the 1999 Coca-Cola 600 16th, three laps off the lead lap. Earnhardt also scored his first career pole at CMS, in 2000.
    Now, with 499 races in the books, he's compiled 19 wins, 111 top fives, 199 top 10s and 13 poles. If Earnhardt, who celebrates his 39th birthday on Thurs., Oct. 10, wins this weekend, he would become the third driver to win in their 500th start (Richard Petty in 1970; Matt Kenseth three weeks ago at New Hampshire).(NASCAR)(10-9-2013)

  • Colin Braun attempting to break Daytona speed record: In a joint effort between Michael Shank Racing, Ford Racing and Continental Tire, the 2012 Rolex 24 at Daytona championship team with Colin Braun behind the wheel will aim to set a new track record at the "World Center of Speed" Wednesday (Oct. 9) by eclipsing the 210.364 mph lap laid down Feb. 9, 1987, by NASCAR champion Bill Elliott, who pushed his Ford Thunderbird to the top of the speed charts in qualifying for the Daytona 500.(Ford Racing)
    AND Michael Shank will provide a Daytona Prototype race car, and Ford will bring its six-cylinder power plant it says is similar to EcoBoost engines in its street vehicles. Ford is renting the track for the record-breaking attempt, and Shank predicts his car will top out around 220 mph with 25-year-old Colin Braun at the wheel. The speed session is scheduled to start in the morning and will be closed to the public and the media. Weather permitting, Shank expects Elliott's record to be toppled by noon.(Daytona Beach News Journal)(10-9-2013)

  • Humpy Wheeler introduces "Speedway Benefits": H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler introduced "Speedway Benefits," an alliance of grassroots race tracks throughout the country which, collectively, has greater attendance than the NFL, NHL, NBA and NASCAR combined. There are approximately 1,200 grassroots race tracks in the United States that host 50 million fans annually. This represents over $1 trillion in consumer spending, equal to 6.5% of U.S. GDP. This demographic consists primarily of working class people located in suburban and rural America. Grassroots race tracks employ nearly 2,000 full-time and up to 30,000 part-time employees. The alliance will benefit grassroots race tracks, race track vendors and corporate marketers. Race tracks collectively represent over $200 million in buying power. Speedway Benefits is organized to pool these tracks together, allowing an opportunity for vendors to provide high-volume discounts on a national level for products and services that race tracks commonly purchase. The cost savings go directly to the race tracks' bottom line. For the full press release and more information at speedwaybenefits.com.(10-9-2013)

  • 2014 NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Tickets Now On Sale: Make plans to be in Charlotte for the fifth Annual NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Tim Flock, Jack Ingram, Dale Jarrett, Maurice Petty and Fireball Roberts will be honored during this year's ceremony set for Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2014. For more info and tickets go to nascarhall.com.(10-9-2013)

  • Sprint Cup Teams Keep Martinsville Speedway Busy With 10 Hours Of Testing: From rookies without a lap on the track to tried and true veterans, 11 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers spent 10 hours testing at Martinsville Speedway Tuesday in preparation for the Goody's Headache Relief Shot 500 Powered by Kroger on October 27. They were all searching for the same thing: that one little extra millisecond that would improve their performance at the half-mile oval in 19 days. "We've learned a few things. Just trying to figure out a few dos and don'ts today," said veteran driver Greg Biffle. "The things that worked in the spring don't always work in the fall, so it's good that we are back here testing."
    For 21-year-old Kyle Larson, who had never seen Martinsville Speedway before Tuesday, the test was of ultimate importance. The Goody's Headache Relief Shot 500 Powered by Kroger will be just his second-ever Sprint Cup start. "We're mainly working on getting through the center (of the turns) and getting good drive off," Larson said of the test that ran from about 8:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. "I've never been to a track with the long straights and tight corners like this. We've got pretty good on the long runs. We're not the fastest, but not the slowest either. We've got to get a little better, but I think we'll be OK for race weekend."
    David Ragan and his Front Row Motorsports team wasn't worried nearly as much about speed on Tuesday as they were on trying new things that would make them faster in a few weeks. "Of course we never accomplish everything we want to in a test unless the track lets us line up and throw the green flag. For us, though, we want to change some of the bigger items today that we don't have time to work with on race weekend. Suspension parts and pieces, brake parts and pieces," said Ragan. "Tomorrow we'll work on handling and more race stuff. Today has been perfect. The weather has been perfect, the track has rubbered in good. We couldn't ask for anything better.
    Joining Biffle, Larson and Ragan Tuesday were Biffle's Roush Fenway Racing teammates Carl Edwards, and Ricky Stenhouse Jr.; Richard Childress Racing drivers Kevin Harvick, Paul Menard and Jeff Burton; Penske Racing drivers Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano; and Furniture Row driver Kurt Busch.
    There were also a handful of NASCAR Camping World Truck Series drivers on hand, including Ross Chastain and Ryan Blaney with Brad Keslowski Racing and Ben Kennedy, who will be making only his third truck series start, with Turner-Scott Motorsports.
    All the teams will return Wednesday for a second day of testing. Grandstands will be open at no charge all day. Advance tickets for the Kroger 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on Saturday, Oct. 26 are just $30 and tickets for Pole Day, Friday, October 25 are $15. Youth 12 and under are admitted free on both October 25 and 26. To purchase tickets for the Goody's Headache Relief Shot® 500 Powered by Kroger weekend, call 877.RACE.TIX or visit martinsvillespeedway.com.(Martinsville Speedway)(10-9-2013)

  • Test day scheduled at Charlotte: NASCAR announced that it will hold a Sprint Cup test at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Monday, Oct. 14th (Columbus Day). Cars will be on the track from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm/et, and the goal will be research and development on the circuit's mile-and-a-half track rules package. Before this season, NASCAR and its manufacturer partners implemented the Generation-6 car, which contained a number of stylistic elements designed to strengthen the ties with respective passenger models. The vehicle also featured new performance characteristics including higher rear grip and lighter overall weight, which has translated into record speeds at many tracks. Next week's test will continue the development of that platform on intermediate tracks. Officials said that aerodynamic enhancements, chassis ride heights and drafting scenarios would be among the components to be tested.(NASCAR.com)(10-9-2013)

  • Top 13 Driver Ratings at Charlotte:
    #48-Jimmie Johnson................. 110.0
    #18-Kyle Busch......................... 117.2
    #5-Kasey Kahne...................... 100.5
    #20-Matt Kenseth........................ 95.3
    #11-Denny Hamlin....................... 93.3
    #16-Greg Biffle........................... 92.1
    #99-Carl Edwards....................... 89.5
    #22-Joey Logano........................ 88.9
    #24-Jeff Gordon.......................... 87.1
    #14-Mark Martin.......................... 87.1
    #78-Kurt Busch........................... 84.1
    Tony Stewart........................ 83.6
    #55-Brian Vickers....................... 83.3
    Note: Driver Ratings compiled from 2005-2013 races (17 total) among active drivers at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
    Formula combining the following categories: Wins, Finishes, Top-15 Finishes, Average Running Position While on Lead Lap, Average Speed Under Green, Fastest Lap, Led Most Laps, Lead-Lap Finish. Maximum: 150 points per race.(NASCAR)

  • Charlotte Notes & Facts - Wednesday: · 14 of the 16 active NASCAR Sprint Cup winners at Charlotte Motor Speedway participated in at least two or more races before visiting Victory Lane. Jamie McMurray won in his first appearance at Charlotte Motor Speedway in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (2002). Jeff Gordon won in his second appearance at CMS (1994).
    · Terry Labonte competed at Charlotte Motor Speedway 36 times before winning in the fall of 1996; the longest span of any the 16 active NASCAR Sprint Cup winners.
    · Seven NASCAR Sprint Cup Series active drivers have made their first career start at Charlotte Motor Speedway: Michael Waltrip (5/26/85), Elliott Sadler (5/24/98), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (5/30/99), Jimmie Johnson (10/7/01), Brian Vickers (10/11/03), David Reutimann (10/15/05) and Sunoco Rookie of the Year candidate Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (5/29/11).
    · 31 of the 109 (28.4%) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Charlotte have been won from the front row: 14 from the pole and 17 from second place.
    · 83 of the 109 (76.1%) NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Charlotte have been won from a top-10 starting position.
    · Eight of the 109 (7.3%) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Charlotte have been won from a starting position outside the top 20.
    · Richard Petty leads the series in runner-up finishes at Charlotte with nine. Bobby Labonte leads all active drivers in second-place finishes at Charlotte with six; followed by Matt Kenseth with three.
    · NASCAR Hall of Famers Richard Petty and Bobby Allison are tied for the series most top-five finishes at Charlotte with 23. Mark Martin leads all active drivers with 18, followed by Jeff Gordon with 16.
    · Richard Petty leads the series in top-10 finishes at Charlotte with 31. Mark Martin leads all active drivers with 24.
    · Ryan Newman leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in average starting position at Charlotte with a 7.040.
    · Joey Logano leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in average finishing position at Charlotte with a 9.556. He is the only active driver with an average finish in the top 10.
    · Jimmie Johnson leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in laps led at Charlotte with 1,439 laps led in 24 starts.
    · Two female drivers have competed at Charlotte Motor Speedway in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series: Janet Guthrie and Danica Patrick. Guthrie finished in the top 10 in 1977.(NASCAR)(10-9-2013)

  • Goody's sponsoring Regan Smith: Regan Smith's #7 Chevy will carry the blue and yellow colors of Goody's Headache Relief Shot at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Goody's newest form of headache relief, the Headache Relief Shot offers long-lasting relief in a fast-acting, liquid formula. Goody's has been an associate partner of JR Motorsports all season, and this marks its first race as primary sponsor.(JR Motosports), see an image of the car on the #7 team paint schemes page.(10-9-2013)

  • Clements picks up Flex Seal sponsorship: Flex Seal will ride along with Nationwide Series driver Jeremy Clements this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway as JD Motorsports with Gary Keller and Jeremy Clements Racing celebrate their long-time association. The JD Motorsports with Gary Keller teams of drivers Mike Wallace and Landon Cassill use power provided by Clements Engines, owned and operated by the Clements family, which has had multiple generations involved in racing. As part of a one-race sponsorship, Jeremy Clements will run his #51 Chevy in this week's Dollar General 300, one of the spotlighted races of the Nationwide season, with Flex Seal colors. "It's great that we can team with Jeremy and his family and put this together," said team owner Johnny Davis. "He's one of the sport's finest young drivers, and we've worked with the Clements family for years. It's a good deal all around."(JD Motorsports)(10-9-2013)

  • Bojangles on the #01 at Charlotte: Mike Wallace's Nationwide Series record at Charlotte Motor Speedway includes a top 10 and a pair of top-15 runs. Wallace, driving the Bojangles' Famous Chicken 'n Biscuits Chevrolet, looks to improve on that record Friday night in the Dollar General 300 at CMS as the Nationwide season rolls into its final weeks. The Charlotte race week will serve as a celebration of the recent Bojangles' Golf Classic to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association and of all the franchisees and teammates who support MDA in various ways throughout the year. Wallace has been involved in MDA's Muscle team in Charlotte for several years, donating generous auction packages to help raise funds for the cause and spending time with children affected by neuromuscular diseases. Wallace's JD Motorsports Chevy will be outfitted with a special Bojangles' and MDA design as part of this one-time sponsorship to bring visibility to our shared support for MDA.(JD Motorsports)(10-9-2013)

  • Charter on the #2 at Charlotte: Charter Media will adorn the hood of Brian Scott's #2 Chevy Camaro for Friday evening's 300-mile race under the lights at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Charter Communications, Inc. is a Fortune 500 company and the fourth-largest cable operator in the United States, and is privileged to provide advanced video, high-speed Internet, and telephone services to approximately 5.5 million residential and business customers in 27 states.(RCR)(10-9-2013)

  • Most Popular Driver voting underway: There's one guarantee in this year's voting for the NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Most Popular Driver Awards: Fans will crown a new winner. With Danica Patrick, last year's NASCAR Nationwide Series winner, moving to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and Nelson Piquet Jr., last year's NASCAR Camping World Truck Series winner, racing in the Nationwide Series, this year's vote  like the eventual winner's driving style  is wide open. For the sixth consecutive year, fans can vote online for the Most Popular Driver Award in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Each series has a dedicated site on NASCAR.com for voting. For the NASCAR Nationwide Series, fans can go to www.NASCAR.com/nnsmpd and for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series to www.NASCAR.com/ncwtsmpd. Fans are encouraged to vote once per day leading up to the deadline. Voting is open and runs through Friday, Nov. 15 for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and Saturday, Nov. 16 for the NASCAR Nationwide Series, prior to the respective season finale races at Homestead-Miami Speedway during Ford Championship Weekend. To be eligible to receive votes, drivers must have selected either the NASCAR Nationwide Series or NASCAR Camping World Truck Series to receive 2013 championship driver points. Additionally, drivers must have attempted at least half of each series' races this season. The winners will be announced at the 2013 NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Awards. The combined post-season gala will once again take place in South Florida at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel on Monday, Nov. 18.(NASCAR)(10-9-2013)

  • Trucks to return to New Hampshire in 2014: Anchored by its two traditional NASCAR Sprint Cup weekends, New Hampshire Motor Speedway officials announced today the return of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in 2014, the 24th consecutive year of NASCAR racing at the 1.058-mile oval. The Truck Series will join NASCAR's top-tier national touring series, the Nationwide Series and Sprint Cup Series as featured events next July and September. Absent from the Magic Mile since 2011, the 175-lap NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event will run on Saturday, Sept. 20, the day before the SYLVANIA 300 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship event on Sunday afternoon, Sept. 21. The Camping World Truck Series had run 16 consecutive years from 1996 through 2011. The trucks made their NHMS debut back in 1996 in a race won by Ron Hornaday Jr., who was also the last driver not named Kyle Busch to win a truck race in Loudon. Busch won the last three truck races at NHMS, sitting on the pole in 2010 and 2011.(New Hampshire Motor Speedway PR)(10-9-2013)

  • Most Popular Driver voting open: There's one guarantee in this year's voting for the NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Most Popular Driver Awards: Fans will crown a new winner. With Danica Patrick, last year's NASCAR Nationwide Series winner, moving to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and Nelson Piquet Jr., last year's NASCAR Camping World Truck Series winner, racing in the Nationwide Series, this year's vote - like the eventual winner's driving style - is wide open. For the sixth consecutive year, fans can vote online for the Most Popular Driver Award in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Each series has a dedicated site on NASCAR.com for voting. For the NASCAR Nationwide Series, fans can go to www.NASCAR.com/nnsmpd and for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series to www.NASCAR.com/ncwtsmpd. Fans are encouraged to vote once per day leading up to the deadline. Voting is open and runs through Friday, Nov. 15 for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and Saturday, Nov. 16 for the NASCAR Nationwide Series, prior to the respective season finale races at Homestead-Miami Speedway during Ford Championship Weekend. To be eligible to receive votes, drivers must have selected either the NASCAR Nationwide Series or NASCAR Camping World Truck Series to receive 2013 championship driver points. Additionally, drivers must have attempted at least half of each series' races this season. The winners will be announced at the 2013 NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Awards. The combined post-season gala will once again take place in South Florida at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel on Monday, Nov. 18.(NASCAR Integrated Marketing)(10-9-2013)

  • College Football Game to be played at Bristol Motor Speedway: The Tennessee Volunteers and Virginia Tech Hokies have agreed to play a football game in 2016 at Bristol Motor Speedway, where a record 160,000 fans could be in attendance, according to a source. This is an event that had been talked about for years. It is unknown exactly where the playing field will be placed relative to the track and infield, which is composed entirely of asphalt. The Bristol Motor Speedway location makes it ideal for fans from both teams to get to. It is unknown where on the schedule the game will fit. This September, Michigan announced a record crowd of 115,109 for its defeat of Notre Dame, breaking a record from 2011, the previous time the teams played at Michigan Stadium.(ESPN)(10-9-2013)

  • Canadian Motor Speedway on course in Fort Erie: After more than seven years of planning and hundreds of meetings across Ontario, construction on the $400 million Canadian Motor Speedway has finally started. Bulldozers have arrived to the 823-acre site in Fort Erie just off of the Queen Elizabeth Way, between Gilmore and Bowen roads. Construction fencing has gone up as crews begin work on the first phase of what is the largest, private sector-driven project in the town's history. The racing complex is expected to be completed and host its first race by 2016. Funded by off-shore interests from Kuwait and United Arab Emirates, Canadian Motor Speedway is being designed in consultation with top NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon, who has been advocating for the project since its earliest days. The three-quarters of a mile oval track  designed similarly to the NASCAR-sanctioned track in Richmond, Va.  is expected to be a huge draw and economic boost for Fort Erie. The nearest NASCAR and Indy-level tracks to Fort Erie are in Watkins Glen in the Finger Lakes region and the Detroit suburb of Brooklyn. Besides the main track, the complex will be home to a 2.5-mile road course that will bring in driver's through a series of tunnels. A major hotel, retail and restaurants are planned. The infield may also host large scale concerts. The main grandstand will hold 65,000 race fans but could be expanded to a 100,000-person capacity.()(10-9-2013)


    News from October 8, 2013

  • Burton close to a deal for a 2014 Cup ride: Jeff Burton is nearing a deal that will keep him in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series next season. Burton is splitting after this year with Richard Childress Racing. Ryan Newman is taking over the team's #31 Chevy beginning next season. During a break in testing Tuesday at Martinsville Speedway, Burton said he's close to a deal that will keep him at the Sprint Cup level next season -- though he declined to specify exactly where. "I actually have a lot of clarity, I just can't talk about it just yet," he said. "I can almost talk about it, but I just can't. I don't know when I'll be able to -- it's going to be a couple of weeks. A lot of stuff happened toward the end of last week and into (Monday). So yeah, it's getting real clear to me what's going to be going on. But I'm just not at the liberty to discuss it right now." Burton did confirm the ride would be at the Sprint Cup level.(NASCAR.com)(10-8-2013)

  • Kansas TV Ratings: ESPN's live telecast of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway on Sunday, Oct. 6, earned a 2.6 U.S. household rating, averaging 4,162,371 viewers, according to Nielsen Media. The rating and viewership for the fourth race of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup were up from last year's race, which earned a 2.5 rating and averaged 3,896,638 viewers. It was the highest-rated and most-viewed race so far in this year's Chase. The three Chase races this season that have been run and telecast as scheduled have seen ratings and viewership increases over last year. The opening race of the Chase at Chicagoland Speedway was rain-delayed.
    Greenville, S.C., was the highest-rated metered market in the country for the Kansas race, earning an 8.2 rating, while Greensboro, N.C., was second at 8.1. Norfolk, Va., was third at 6.2, followed by Birmingham, Ala., at 6.1 and Knoxville, Tenn., at 6.0. Charlotte, N.C., was sixth at 5.7, with Orlando, Fla., (5.3), Jacksonville, Fla., and Richmond, Va., (both with 5.2) and Tampa-St. Petersburg and Indianapolis (both with 5.1) rounding out the top 10 markets.
    ESPN's live telecast of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Kansas Speedway on Saturday, Oct. 5, earned a 1.1 U.S. household rating, averaging 1,628,998 viewers. Last year's race earned a 1.3 rating with 2,049,032 viewers.(ESPN)
    See past races for 2013 and 5-year comparison chart on the 2013 NASCAR TV Ratings page.(10-8-2013)

  • Harrison to leave Phoenix Racing UPDATE: Crew chief Nick Harrison will part ways with #51 Phoenix Racing after this weekend's race at Kansas Speedway. Harrison will join Richard Childress Racing where he will assume the crew chief role on the #33 Chevy in the Nationwide Series. Harrison, 31, has worked for Phoenix Racing in that role since 2009 and has been with the company for seven seasons. Despite the sale of Phoenix Racing to Harry Scott last month, Harrison intended to remain with the #51 team until the end of the year. Jimmy Elledge will come out of retirement to be the interim crew chief for the final six races of the season with Phoenix Racing, including Kyle Larson's Cup debut at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Oct. 12.(FoxSports)(10-2-2013)BBR> UPDATE: Phoenix Racing named Jimmy Elledge as its interim crew chief for the remainder of the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. The move reunites Elledge with Justin Allgaier who will be in the #51 Chevrolet in two out of the last six races. "I am looking forward to having Jimmy on the box making the calls the rest of the year. He's a familiar voice and we've had success working together, "said Allgaier. "I'm excited about working with Justin again. He is a great talent who keeps getting better with every lap he turns," said Elledge. Crew chief Nick Harrison has already accepted a position with another team. "I want to thank Nick for all his hard work at Phoenix Racing," said team owner Harry Scott, Jr. "Nick has a great opportunity and I know that he will be very successful."(Phoenix Racing)
    AND Richard Childress Racing has hired veteran Nick Harrison to crew chief the team's #33 Chevy entry in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Harrison's experience as a crew chief is spread across 131 NASCAR starts with 113 in Sprint Cup, 17 in Nationwide and one in the Camping World Truck Series. He earned a Nationwide Series victory with Kurt Busch in July 2012 at Daytona International Speedway. Harrison, 31, is a native of Columbia, Tenn. and will begin his duties effective immediately, Ernie Cope has resigned from RCR.(RCR)(10-8-2013)

  • Yeley and United Mining Equipment Go Pink at Charlotte: Thinking pink in honor of breast cancer awareness, the #36 United Mining Chevrolet has turned a beautiful shade of pink in support of breast cancer awareness month. Teaming up with Susan G Komen, Tommy Baldwin Racing is proud to be sporting a paint scheme this weekend as we race under the lights at Charlotte Motor Speedway. "We are so honored to have NASCAR Driver JJ Yeley sporting a pink paint scheme on his car this weekend, and are grateful to Tommy Baldwin Racing and UME for their support of this initiative, said Susan G. Komen Director of Corporate Relations, Carrie Glasscock. "JJ's involvement with Komen is his way of honoring the women in his life and also helps raise awareness amongst both male and female NASCAR fans, on and off the track. We encourage all NASCAR fans to visit komen.org and to connect with us on Facebook and Twitter to stay informed about breast cancer."
    Driver JJ Yeley commented, "I am excited to get behind the wheel of my #36 United Mining/Susan G Komen Chevrolet this weekend. We have a pretty cool paint scheme, and couldn't have teamed up with a better organization than Susan G. Komen to help raise awareness about breast cancer. This weekends race I will be supporting not only my mother-in-law Karen, who is a survivor, but my daughter Faith, who I hope one day will live in a world without cancer. I am looking forward to getting out on the track and continuing the push to finish out the rest of the season strong for everyone at Tommy Baldwin Racing."
    "All the employees of UME are pleased to join Tommy Baldwin Racing, JJ Yeley, Kristen Yeley, and the Susan G. Komen Foundation in helping this cause, which hits close to home for many of us," UME Owner Don Sims commented.
    After participating in last weekends Race for a Cure in Charlotte, Kristen Yeley will be continuing her support for Komen by sporting an identical paint scheme on her bandolero in Thursday evenings Better Half Dash. Make sure to come out to Charlotte Motor Speedway this weekend and cheer on the wives of NASCAR as they compete against each other, following qualifying.(140Buzz/TBR), see an image of the scheme on the #36 Team Schemes page.(10-8-2013)

  • France ends lawsuit against former wife: The nasty court battle between NASCAR CEO Brian and former wife Megan France has come to an end. For years, much of that legal fight was hidden to the public because a judge sealed the France file. Documents showed that Brian France was worth half a billion dollars with homes in Charlotte and Florida, in addition he was entitled to three condos in Los Angeles worth $4M, three condos in Florida worth $1.8 million, a condo in New York's Central Park valued at $10.6M; even the maid gets a $780,000 condo. Under the separation agreement, Megan France is left far from broke. She gets $32,000 a month in alimony, $100,000 a year for a nanny, a $3.2M home in Myers Park, and a $9M payment for keeping the children in the Charlotte area. On September 26th the two sides filed a dismissal agreement reaching a private settlement out of court.(in part from NBC Charlotte)(10-8-2013)

  • MWR hoping to unveil new plan soon: Michael Waltrip Racing majority owner Rob Kauffman told FOXSports.com on Sunday he hopes to unveil the company's reorganizational plan "relatively soon." The moves will come following MWR's penalties for attempts to manipulate the outcome of the Richmond International Raceway race on Sept. 7 and the subsequent announcement from NAPA to pull its sponsorship from the #56 Toyota team. "We're working on an announcement," Kauffman said. "I think it's been a week since we last spoke, so we're trying to get it all together. But we have a couple of good options. I think rather than use the word 'release,' I'd prefer to say allow guys to explore all their options  just as we're exploring all of our options. Is that exactly negative? I think it's the right thing to allow people to investigate all their options. A lot of these contracts have provisions that say 'you can't speak to anyone.' So, technically, it's a release, but it's really more correct saying, 'Look, there's a challenge here. We want you to investigate all your options. Of course, we're one and let's stay in close communication.' I don't think there's anything negative around it at all. It's just letting people figure it out."(FoxSports)(10-7-2013)

  • Kurt Busch to make another attempt to have Denver Mattress Give Away Free* Mattresses: After coming up one position short of having his sponsor Denver Mattress give away free* mattresses, Furniture Row Racing driver #78-Kurt Busch will give it another try. Should Busch, who finished second at Kansas Speedway on Sunday, win Saturday night's Bank of America 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway then every customer's purchase at the Charlotte Denver Mattress store the week leading up to the race is free.* To qualify for the "We Win You Win" promotion, customers must make a purchase at the Charlotte Denver Mattress store between Monday, Oct. 7, 2013 and 7:30 p.m. EDT Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013. "We almost delivered for the customers at the Denver Mattress stores in Kansas and Missouri," said Busch. "Hopefully we can be one position better in Charlotte and have our Carolina Denver Mattress customers cash in on the We Win You Win promotion." *Applies to in-store purchases only. See participating stores for complete details.(FRR)(10-8-2013)

  • Kansas Race and Commercial Breakdown of the 2013 Hollywood Casino 400: For those of you NASCAR fans that like stats and love to hate commercials, here is the breakdown for Sunday's race. Began recording the times at the Invocation of the race at 2:02 PM, and stopped at the waving of the checkered flag at 5:50 PM (all times are EST). I did not keep records for the pre- and post-race coverage. ESPN was the broadcast team for this event.
    Total number of commercials: 112
    Total number of companies or entities advertised: 47
    Number of traditional commercials (not split-screen): 65
    Total number of companies or entities advertised: 37
    Number of 'Side-by-Side' commercials during race broadcast (split-screen): 47
    Total number of companies or entities advertised: 29
    Number of times ESPN utilized 'Side-by-Side' commercials during this broadcast: 9
    Total number of brief promos of products/services during the race broadcast: 31
    Total amount of time these brief promos take during broadcast: app. 3 min. 50 sec.
    Start time to record race/commercial periods:2:02 PM
    End time to record race/commercial periods: 5:50 PM
    Total minutes of complete race broadcast: 228
    Minutes of race broadcast: 198
    Minutes of traditional commercials (not split-screen): 30
    Minutes of 'Side-by-Side' commercials (split-screen): 21
    Number of missed restarts: 0
    Number of 'mystery cautions' (debris not shown): 1
    Number of cautions for a burning bush: 1
    Total race brdcst time *198* Total comm. brdcst time 30
    See past races, links, more info on the 2013 TV Commercials page.(10-8-2013)

  • Six 2012 race winners have six races left to continue streaks: six drivers who won a Sprint Cup Series race in 2012 have not yet won in 2013 with six races left in the 2013 season. #11-Denny Hamlin has won at least one race in seven straight seasons, the list of drivers looking to extend their streaks:
    seasons with at least a win, driver, track/date that continued streak, time period of streak
    7, Denny Hamlin, Phoenix, March 2012 [2006-2012]
    3, Clint Bowyer, Sonoma, June 2012 [2010-2012] 2, Brad Keselowski, Bristol, March 2012 [2011-2012]
    2, Jeff Gordon, Pocono, August 2012 [2011-2012]
    2, Marcos Ambrose, Watkins Glen, August 2012 [2011-2012] 1, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Michigan, June 2012 [2012]

  • Charlotte Facts and Notes - Tuesday: · Construction began on Charlotte Motor Speedway in 1959.
    · The track's first NASCAR Sprint Cup race was held on June 19, 1960 (600 miles)  won by Joe Lee Johnson (107.735 mph).
    · The track was repaved midseason in 1994.
    · The track's first Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup race was held on October 16, 2004 (500 miles)  won by Jimmie Johnson (130.214 mph).
    · The track name changed from Charlotte Motor Speedway to Lowe's Motor Speedway in 1999. It changed back to Charlotte Motor Speedway for the 2010 season.
    · The track was re-paved again before the 2006 season.
    · Five of the 109 races at Charlotte Motor Speedway have been shortened due to weather conditions; the most recent was the 2009 Coca-Cola 600 won by David Reutimann and Michael Waltrip Racing. Four of the five races shortened were the 600-mile events (1968, 1997, 2003 and 2009). · There have been 109 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points races at Charlotte Motor Speedway, two races per year since the track opened in 1960. In 1961, there were two 100-mile qualifying points races held the week before the May race. The first six fall races at Charlotte were 400-mile events (1960-65).
    · 517 drivers have competed in at least one NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points paying race at Charlotte Motor Speedway; 370 in more than one.
    · NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty leads the series in starts at Charlotte with 64. Terry Labonte and Mark Martin lead all active drivers with 57 starts; followed by Michael Waltrip with 49.(NASCAR)(10-8-2013)

  • Sad News - Crystal Pauline Jones Pistone: Crystal Pauline Jones Pistone, 84, passed away peacefully at CMC University Hospital on October 5, 2013. Her husband, daughter and great friend were by her side. For 68 years she was the loving wife of NASCAR legend, Tiger Tom Pistone (winner of two Sprint Cup Series races). Mrs. Pistone is survived by her husband and three sons, MRN's Pete Pistone of Charlotte, Tommy Pistone III and her grandson whom she raised since he was 18 months old and considered as a son, and Sam Pistone of Charlotte, as well as three daughters, Rosemary, Lena and Crystal, her namesake.(full obituary and guest book at the Charlotte Observer)(10-8-2013)

  • Harrison joining RCR to crew chief #33 team UPDATE: Crew chief Nick Harrison will part ways with Phoenix Racing after this weekend's race at Kansas Speedway. Harrison will carry his tool box to Richard Childress Racing where he will assume the crew chief role on the #33 Chevy in the Nationwide Series. Harrison, 31, has worked for Phoenix Racing in that role since 2009. He called the race when Mike Bliss won in the Nationwide Series at Charlotte that year and also was crew chief for Brad Keselowski's first Sprint Cup victory at Talladega Superspeedway. He has been with the company for seven seasons. Despite the sale of Phoenix Racing to Harry Scott last month, Harrison intended to remain with the #51 team until the end of the year. Jimmy Elledge will come out of retirement to be the interim crew chief for the final six races of the season with Phoenix Racing, including Kyle Larson's Cup debut at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Oct. 12. (Fox Sports)(10-2-2013)
    UPDATE: Richard Childress Racing has hired veteran Nick Harrison to crew chief the team's #33 Chevy entry in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. "In our eyes, Nick has done a great job as crew chief with the #51 Chevy team in Cup," said Eric Warren, Director of Competition for RCR. "We have had several discussions with him and really enjoy his fresh attitude and strong work ethic. We believe he is going to be a great fit for RCR and our winning and championship-driven Nationwide program as the crew chief on our #33 Chevy team." Harrison, 31, is a native of Columbia, Tenn. and will begin his duties effective immediately, Ernie Cope has resigned from RCR.(RCR)(10-8-2013)

  • Leavine Family Racing starting Nationwide team UPDATE:: Leavine Family Racing (LFR) announced that it has expanded its role within NASCAR competition. The third-year, Concord, N.C.-based organization with headquarters in Tyler, Texas will field a single-car NASCAR Nationwide Series team out of its Concord shop in addition to its NASCAR Sprint Cup Series program. The team will continue to further its relationship with Ford Racing and enter the #95 Ford Mustang in the Nationwide Series. Leavine Family Racing is finalizing its driver for the 2014 season, and currently will enter two of the 2013 season's Nationwide Series final four races, beginning at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Oct. 11. Reed Sorenson will drive the #95 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway and Michael McDowell will be behind the wheel at Texas Motor Speedway. "We couldn't be more thrilled about our expansion this season," said Bob Leavine, owner of Leavine Family Racing. "Our program is an independent team, but we have potential - and with an infusion of sponsorship, perhaps a lot more than that."(Leavine Family Racing)(10-1-2013)
    UPDATE: Leavine Family Racing will make its NASCAR Nationwide Series debut on Friday, Oct. 11 in the Dollar General 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway with Reed Sorenson, who will drive the #95 Ford Mustang at the 1.5-mile speedway in Concord, N.C. The #95 Leavine Family Racing Ford will carry a special paint scheme this week at Charlotte, with a special pink-dominated makeover during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. As well, Jetset Getset (JSGS), a teenage country music group, will adorn Sorenson's #95 Ford as an associate sponsor status on the car's quarter panels.(Leavine Family Racing)(10-8-2013)

  • Crew Member Suspended: John Smeltzer, a crew member in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, has been indefinitely suspended from NASCAR for violating the sanctioning body's Substance Abuse Policy. On Oct. 4, Smeltzer was found to have violated Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing) and 19 (violation of the NASCAR Substance Abuse Policy) of the 2013 NASCAR Rule Book.(NASCAR), Smeltzer was an engine tuner working for Hendrick Motorsports.(10-8-2013)

  • Kansas TV Ratings: ESPN's live telecast of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Kansas Speedway on Saturday, Oct. 5, earned a 1.1 U.S. household rating, averaging 1,628,998 viewers. Last year's race earned a 1.3 rating with 2,049,032 viewers.(ESPN)(10-8-2013)

  • Stacey returns to competition: NASCAR Nationwide Series rookie, Dexter Stacey, will be back behind the wheel of the #92 KH Motorsports Ford Mustang for the October 11th race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. It has been nearly three months since Stacey has been on the race track. Due to other business ventures, Stacey's primary sponsor, MaddiesPlaceRocks.com, was forced to temporarily pull funding from the #92 team. The July 21st Chicagoland race was the last race for Stacey and KH Motorsports in which they climbed from 40th place to 29th while struggling with a bent sway bar. With MaddiesPlaceRocks.com back on the #92 Ford Mustang, Dexter Stacey is excited to race at Charlotte Motor Speedway for the second time this season.(KH Motorsports PR)(10-8-2013)

  • CMS Prepares Fans for Race Traffic: In preparation for race week at Charlotte Motor Speedway Oct. 10-12, speedway officials want to make sure race fans and area residents are fully equipped to handle race day traffic by providing safe and efficient travel routes and information. With help from the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol (NCSHP), Charlotte Motor Speedway is working to ease travel for fans heading to and from the races. The heaviest traffic is expected on I-85, U.S. 29, N.C. 49 and Bruton Smith Boulevard. For tips from Charlotte Motor Speedway and NCDOT go to www.charlottemotorspeedway.com. Traffic maps are posted on Charlotte Motor Speedway's website at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/fans/maps/. Tickets are still available for all October race events at Charlotte Motor Speedway and can be purchased online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com or by calling the speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS (3267). Fans can catch all three days of racing, including Bojangles' Pole Night, the Dollar General 300 and the Bank of America 500 with packages starting at just $99.(CMS)(10-8-2013)

  • MIS removing turn 3 grandstands, seating capacity to shrink: The grandstands located at turn 3 at Michigan International Speedway are coming down. The decision to remove the section of bleachers stems from speedway administrators wanting to tighten up the seating area to keep fans closer to primary sightlines. "The stands at turn 3 are kind of out there by themselves," said Brad Kuhbander, MIS Manager of Media Relations. "This will help keep fans closer to the action and fan plaza and a better view of pit row. We're always looking for ways to enhance the fan experience, and this is just another step in that process." Removing the section of grandstands, which sit at the northeast corner of the track, will reduce seating capacity at MIS from 87,000 to 72,000. It is just the latest project that has dropped seating capacity at the speedway over the past decade. As recently as 2006, MIS could seat about 137,000 fans. Capacity shrunk to about 108,000 by 2011 and then to about 87,000 in 2012. The speedway does not release ticket sales or attendance totals for races. While the number of seats available will be fewer, ticket prices will remain the same, Kuhbander said. "We're not pricing anyone out, we're just moving them," Kuhbander said. Kuhbander said the speedway will keep all the materials from the grandstand for possible future use. Dates have already been determined for NASCAR's two Sprint Cup Series races at MIS in 2014. The Quicken Loans 400 will be Sunday, June 15, and the Pure Michigan 400 is set for Sunday, Aug. 17. Visit mispeedway.com or call 800-354-1010 for ticket information.(Michigan Live)(10-8-2013)

  • Daytona Rising October Project Update: The recent DAYTONA Rising construction activities have helped pave the way for steel installation which is scheduled to begin in late October. Here is a recap of key construction activities since the last update in September:
    Began reinforcing steel columns underneath existing black & white seating sections
    Continued installation of pile caps in areas on both east and west ends of new grandstand footprint
    Power distribution to all relocated ticketing gates along frontstretch
    Began pile installation at base of existing Sprint Tower
    Initial paving of areas near DIS Tours Building
    Upcoming construction activities:
    Steel arrival at marshalling yards near the Speedway
    Mobilization of cranes for steel installation
    Completion of augercast pile installation
    Initial steel installation
    Asphalt paving of grandstand access at the ticket entrances
    DAYTONA Rising is a $400 million reimagining of an American icon  Daytona International Speedway. Five expanded and redesigned entrances, or "injectors," will lead fans to a series of escalators and elevators, transporting them to three different concourse levels. Each level features spacious social areas, or "neighborhoods," along the nearly mile-long frontstretch. At the conclusion of the redevelopment, Daytona International Speedway will have approximately 101,000 permanent, wider and more comfortable seats, twice as many restrooms and three times as many concession stands. In addition, the Speedway will feature over 60 luxury suites with track side views and a completely revamped hospitality experience for corporate guests. The project is expected to be completed in time for the 2016 Rolex 24 At Daytona and DAYTONA 500.
    Barton Malow is serving as the design-builder for the project. In addition to DAYTONA Rising, Barton Malow has renovated the University of Michigan "Big House" and the Rose Bowl. ROSSETTI, an award-winning architectural design and planning firm for the past 40 years, which headed the design for Ford Field NFL Stadium, University of Notre Dame Compton Family Ice Arena and five Major League Soccer Stadiums, is leading the master planning of the DAYTONA Rising site. Race fans can follow the progress of the DAYTONA Rising project by visiting DAYTONARising.com.(DIS)(10-8-2013)


    News from October 7, 2013

  • Entry List for the Bank of America 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway is posted, 43 teams/drivers [for 43 spots] are listed, including: #51-Kyle Larson(debut), #33-Brian Scott(debut), #32-Hill, #47-Bobby Labonte, #95-Sorenson, #40-Cassill. Since only 43 cars are entered, all drivers will make the race.
    See the full entry list at my Jayski's Charlotte Entry List

  • Stewart Undergoes Third Surgery on Leg: #14-Tony Stewart underwent a third surgery on his right leg early on Monday, Oct. 7 to examine and close a wound on his shin stemming from the broken tibia and fibula he sustained in a sprint car crash Aug. 5 at Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Stewart will remain hospitalized for observation. The surgery served as a proactive measure and team officials do not expect it to impact Stewart's return to the No. 14 Bass Pro Shops/Mobil 1 Chevrolet in 2014. Stewart's first surgery on Aug. 6 in Iowa served as a preliminary procedure to stabilize and clean the Grade 2 injury. The second surgery on Aug. 8, by a specialist in North Carolina, involved inserting a metal rod inside the tibia, pressing it to its anatomic position.(True Speed Communication / Stewart-Haas Racing)(10-7-2013)

  • Franchitti, fans hurt in Houston: Four-time IndyCar Series champion Dario Franchitti was injured in a multicar accident near the end of Sunday's Grand Prix of Houston. According to IndyCar medical director Dr. Michael Olinger, Franchitti was awake and alert at the scene of the crash. He was transported by ground to Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center, where it was determined he sustained a concussion, a spinal fracture that will not require surgery, and a fracture to his right ankle. He underwent surgery on the ankle and will remain hospitalized overnight. A considerable amount of debris, including a wheel and tire assembly, flew toward a spectator area near Turn 5 of the 1.7-mile temporary track that winds through Reliant Park. Houston Fire Department spokesman Ruy Lozano said at least 13 people were treated for minor injuries, with two transported to Memorial Hermann. One of those transported was IndyCar timing and scoring worker Kim Tyger, whose injuries were called "very minor" by the sanctioning organization.(See full story at ESPN.com)(10-7-2013)

  • Testing change at Martinsville: Monday's NASCAR Sprint Cup test at Martinsville Speedway has been cancelled because of impending rainy weather. The weather for Tuesday and Wednesday looks good, though, and testing for those two days will go on as scheduled. Drivers scheduled to test #16-Biffle, #17-Stenhouse, #99- Edwards, #27-Menard, #29-Harvick, #31-Burton, #78-Kurt Busch, #2-Keselowski, #22-Logano, #34-Ragan and #51-Kyle Larson, along with a handful of Camping Word Truck Series drivers. The test sessions will be open to the public at no charge.(Martinsville Speedway)(10-7-2013)

  • 2014 Sprint Cup Schedule expected this week: The 2014 Sprint Cup Series schedule is finally expected to be released this week and apparently there will be some shifts. In addition to Texas moving its spring night race to an afternoon affair to avoid a head-to-head conflict with the NCAA Final Four also in town that weekend, a couple more tweaks were rumored over the weekend. The first race at Kansas, which has longed for a night event, may move to later in the season and possibly take the Mother's Day weekend slot from Darlington, which might shift to an April Sunday afternoon. Nothing was officially confirmed but all of this could be a precursor to even more moves for the 2015 campaign (MRN), see a tentative schedule on the 2014 Sprint Cup Schedule page.(10-7-2013)

  • Keselowski asks NASCAR about "100% effort": Defending Sprint Cup champion #2-Brad Keselowski asked NASCAR to clarify its definition of "100%" effort at the drivers' meeting prior to Sunday's NASCAR Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway. Keselowski, who was sent in to the wall by Kyle Busch during Saturday's Nationwide series, wanted to know if intentional wrecking fell under the guidelines established after the controversy at the end of the race at Richmond last month.
    The answer is whatever NASCAR decides. "It's still on us to decide whether it's aggressive, hard, NASCAR-type racing," NASCAR president Mike Helton told Keselowski, "and when that racing turns out to be something other than that. That's a subjective call, but NASCAR-style racing is expected to be close, aggressive and hard. "It is possible to cross that line, and if that happens, we will step into it. It's a subjective line for us to decide when it happens, what the difference is between NASCAR-style racing and something that's intentional."(Kansas City Star)(10-7-2013)

  • #22 Front tire carrier hit during stop at Kansas: During one of the later pit stops in the race at Kansas Speedway, #22-Joey Logano had a two tire pit stop. As soon as the right side dropped, Logano took off. As the #22 was leaving the box, he caught the tire and the back legs of his Front Tire Carrier Dave Littau. Both Littau and the tire took quite a spill. When the stop was over Littau got up and finished the race with a few bruises but nothing serious.(in part from Pit Talks)(10-7-2013)


    News from October 6, 2013

  • Harvick wins Kansas: #29-Kevin Harvick won the Hollywood Casino 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway for his 3rd win of 2013 and 22nd career win. Harvick led the most laps and won his 3rd career race from the pole.
    #78-Busch finished 2nd followed by #24-Gordon, #22-Logano, #99-Edwards, #48-Johnson, #27-Menard, #88-Earnhardt Jr., #9-Ambrose and #43-Almirola.
    #18-Busch who started from the rear of the field in a backup car, crashed on lap 200 and finished 34th. #39-Newman was caught up in a wreck earlier and finished 35th.
    There were 24 lead changes among 12 drivers and a record 15 cautions for a record 71 yellow flag laps.
    The average speed was 114.884mph. NASCAR no longer announces the track attendance.
    See UNOFFICIAL race results, awards, money won, laps led, cautions and more on the Unofficial Kansas Race Results page (pdf) and check out the Kansas Penalty Report (pdf).(10-6-2013)

  • Where did the 2013 Sprint Cup Chase Drivers finish at Kansas:
    [listed by driver points position before the race (start pos)]
    1) #20-Matt Kenseth, finished 11th (started 7th)
    2) #48-Jimmie Johnson, 6th (3)
    3) #18-Kyle Busch, 34th (18)
    4) #29-Kevin Harvick, WON (1)
    5) #24-Jeff Gordon, 3rd (14)
    6) #16-Greg Biffle, 13th (26)BR> 7) #39-Ryan Newman, 35th (17)
    8) #15-Clint Bowyer, 14th (22)
    9) #78-Kurt Busch, 2nd (19)
    10) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., 8th (6)
    11) #99-Carl Edwards, 5th (9)
    12) #22-Joey Logano, 4th (5)
    13) #5-Kasey Kahne, 15th (15)
    (10-6-2013)

  • 2013 Sprint Cup Driver Chase Championship Points Standings:
    [after Kansas, race 30 of 36]
    1) #20-Matt Kenseth [7 wins], 2183
    2) #48-Jimmie Johnson [5 wins], 2180, -3
    3) #29-Kevin Harvick [3 wins], 2158, -25
    4) #24-Jeff Gordon, 2151, -32
    5) #18-Kyle Busch [4 wins], 2148, -35
    6) #16-Greg Biffle [1 win], 2139, -44
    7) #78-Kurt Busch, 2136, -47
    8) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., 2129, -54
    9) #15-Clint Bowyer, 2128, -55
    10) #22-Joey Logano [1 win], 2124, -59
    11) #99-Carl Edwards [2 wins], 2123, -60
    12) #39-Ryan Newman, 2110, -73
    13) #5-Kasey Kahne [2 wins], 2100, -83
    See UNOFFICIAL drivers championship points standings on the Unofficial Drivers Points Standings (pdf).
    See the UNOFFICIAL owner points standings on the Unofficial Owners Points Standings page (pdf).(10-6-2013)

  • UNOFFICIAL 2013 Sprint Cup Driver Championship Points Standings without Chase:
    [after Kansas, race 30 of 36]
    1) #48-Jimmie Johnson(X) [5 wins], 1009
    2) #29-Kevin Harvick(X) [3 wins], 980, -29
    3) #20-Matt Kenseth(X) [7 wins], 975, -34
    4) #99-Carl Edwards(X) [2 wins], 959, -50
    5) #18-Kyle Busch(X) [4 wins], 947, -62
    6) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr.(X), 910, -99
    7) #15-Clint Bowyer(X), 907, -102
    8) #24-Jeff Gordon(X), 901, -108
    9) #78-Kurt Busch(X), 898, -111
    10) #16-Greg Biffle(X) [1 win], 895, -114
    11) #22-Joey Logano(X) [1 win], 872, -137
    12) #39-Ryan Newman(X), 851, -158
    13) #1-Jamie McMurray, 847, -162
    14) #5-Kasey Kahne(X), 839, -170
    15) #2-Brad Keselowski, 827, -182
    (X) = a Chase driver.
    (10-6-2013)

  • Race Fast Facts - Kansas:
    #29-Kevin Harvick won the 13th Annual Hollywood Casino 400, his 22nd victory in 460 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.
    Harvick won from the pole. Of his six career poles, Harvick has now won three of the corresponding races -- including each of the last two.
    This is his third victory and 16th top-10 finish in 2013.
    This is his first victory and seventh top-10 finish in 16 races at Kansas Speedway.
    The 15 cautions and 71 caution laps are both track series records at Kansas Speedway.
    #78-Kurt Busch (second) posted his fourth top-10 finish in 16 races at Kansas Speedway. It is his 15th top-10 finish in 2013.
    #24-Jeff Gordon (third) posted his 11th top-10 finish in 16 races at Kansas Speedway.
    #20-Matt Kenseth leads the point standings by three points over Jimmie Johnson.(NASCAR Integrated Sports Marketing)(10-6-2013)

  • TNT & ESPN will finish out TV contracts: Statement from Steve Herbst, NASCAR Vice President of Broadcasting and Production: "Despite speculation over the last month that NASCAR's new television agreement could be pushed up to the start of the 2014 season, NASCAR has informed our broadcast partners today that FOX, Turner and ESPN will finish the current term as originally planned. While we were humbled by the desire of NBC and FOX to start 12 months early, we now consider this matter closed and look forward to finishing our current agreement in 2014 with our great partners at FOX, Turner and ESPN."(NASCAR)(10-6-2013)

  • MWR to lose another crew chief: #56 crew chief Chad Johnston has asked for his release from Michael Waltrip Racing at the end of the 2013 season. Johnston remains committed to driver Martin Truex Jr. and the #56 team and intends to battle for wins in the next seven races. But with two children and another on the way, the 33-year-old engineer turned crew chief must consider his options. "Everything is uncertain," Johnston told FOX Sports on Saturday at Kansas Speedway. "Obviously, we're kind of in limbo right now, so everyone is minding their P's and Q's right now and getting something lined up for next year. At the end of the day, we have to support our families and it's a livelihood for us. It's a well-known fact that we need to be looking. I just want to do it the right way." Though Johnston hasn't received any concrete offers, in a perfect world he would prefer to remain with Truex and his current crew.(FoxSports)(10-6-2013)


    News from October 5, 2013


    ESPN.com's Racecast - Live Coverage and Chat
    Racing Live! on ESPN.com
    Watch the race LIVE online at WatchESPN
    Listen Live Online at Motor Racing Network
    Fantasy NASCAR Chat with Mark Garrow / the Guru at 11:30am/et on Sunday
    Ask in-race reporter #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr.


  • Race Coverage of the Hollywood Casino 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway is scheduled for Sunday, October 6, 2013.
    Television (TV): ESPN at 2:00 pm/et; Pre-Race show at 1:00 pm/et; green flag approx. 2:16pm/et
    Radio: Motor Racing Network (MRN) and Sirius XM Satellite NASCAR Radio 90
    Scheduled Race Re-Airs: ESPN2, Monday, October 7 at 1:00am/et

  • Pit Stall Selections: The selections of pit stalls for the Hollywood Casino 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway have been made.
    Pole sitter #29-Harvick chose pit stall 1 [as do most pole sitters].
    Outside pole sitter #17-Stenhouse Jr. took pit stall 8, the first pit stall in front of it.
    #48-Johnson, who starts 3rd took the 43rd and final pit stall.
    To see where the drivers/teams pit stall is, see the pit selection chart on the Pit Stall Selection chart.(10-5-2013)

  • Happy Hour practice for the Hollywood Casino 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway is over, after 60 scheduled minutes, the top-five, slowest and notes:
    #99-Edwards 184.982
    #27-Menard 183.955
    #2-Keselowski 183.905
    #20-Kenseth 183.874
    #48-Johnson 183.811
    slowest: #7-Blaney 176.621 & #35-Wise 177.579
    notes: #43-Almirola got sideways off turn 2 and slid on the back stretch apron/run off, no damage.
    See fastest speeds, laps run and top-10 lap average on the Happy Hour Practice Speeds page (pdf).(10-5-2013)

  • Saturday first practice for the Hollywood Casino 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway is over, after 50 scheduled minutes, the top-five, slowest and notes:
    #17-Stenhouse Jr. 186.027
    #20-Kenseth 185.542
    #42-Montoya 185.459
    #29-Harvick 184.995
    #48-Johnson 184.976
    #18-Busch is 32nd fastest in the backup car.
    slowest: #87-Nemechek 177.784 & #40-Raines 178.684
    no speed: #98-McDowell, #35-Wise.
    notes: #18-Busch wrecked on his first practice lap and will go to a backup car. Busch was to start 18th but will fall to the rear of the field before the drop of the green flag on Sunday. 25-minutes into practice, #78-Busch wrecked and will go to a backup car, Kurt Busch was to start 19th. Forty minutes after the wreck, #18-Busch was back on the track in his backup car. Late in practice, #20-Kenseth spun, but didn't hit anything.
    See fastest speeds, laps run and top-10 lap average on the Saturday Practice 1 Speeds page (pdf).(10-5-2013)

  • Johnson spins in Friday practice, then a puff of smoke: Early in Friday's NASCAR Sprint Cup practice session, #48-Jimmie Johnson spun off Turn 4- The five-time champion kept his car off the wall, hitting only the orange commitment cone at the entrance to pit road. Later in the session, a puff of smoke shot from the right rear of the #48 Chevrolet as Johnson drove off Turn 2. Johnson brought the car to the garage, where he crew began diagnosing the problem (NASCAR Wire Service). AND Johnson's comments after the puff of smoke: "I just spun out trying real hard on that first sticker run and we got things back under control and the balance in the car. It's really fast. I'm happy about that. And then as I was coming in, I saw some smoke in the mirror and I could smell it and it looks like we have an issue with the radiator or something up front. There's nothing wrong with the engine. It's certainly a quick scare when you see that blue smoke and the smell that it has. I was pretty nervous."(Team Chevy), Johnson qualified 3rd for the Hollywood Casino 400.

  • Truex Jr. still unsure of 2014 plans: #56-Martin Truex Jr. remains in limbo regarding his plans for 2014. Truex, who qualified 13th, is keeping his options open while NAPA decides what direction it will take after the sponsor announced it would terminate its' relationship with Michael Waltrip Racing at season's end. "I have no idea what I'm doing yet," Truex said. "I wish I knew."(FoxSports)(10-5-2013)

  • Chase For The NASCAR Sprint Cup: Kansas Speedway:
    · Kansas Speedway has been one of the 10 tracks of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup since the playoff's inception in 2004.
    · Once the winner of the Kansas Speedway Chase race has gone on to win the championship: Jimmie Johnson (2008).
    · Jimmie Johnson, Tony Stewart and Greg Biffle are tied for the most Chase race wins (two each) at Kansas Speedway.
    · The worst finish by the eventual champion at Kansas Speedway was Tony Stewart in 2011 (15th).
    · Chase Contenders have won six of the nine Chase races at Kansas Speedway. The three drivers that were not Chase Contenders that won the Chase races at Kansas are Joe Nemechek (2004), Tony Stewart (2006) and Greg Biffle (2007).
    · Three of the 2013 Chase Contenders are former NASCAR Sprint Cup race winners at Kansas Speedway: Jimmie Johnson (2), Greg Biffle (2) and Matt Kenseth (1).
    · Chevrolet leads the series in Chase wins at Kansas Speedway with five followed by Ford with four.(NASCAR)(10-5-2013)

  • 79-year-old Hylton says good bye to racing: James Hylton gingerly climbed out of his #48 car after an ARCA test at Kansas Speedway on Friday, and nobody could blame him for moving a little bit slower than his competitors. He's 79 years old, after all. The oldest driver to race in each of NASCAR's three highest divisions, Hylton was calling it a career after Friday night's race. The Cup rookie of the year in 1966, Hylton has spent the last several years of his career racing in the ARCA series.(Associated Press)(10-5-2013)

  • Kenseth wins Nationwide race at Kansas: #18-Matt Kenseth won the Kansas Lottery 300 at Kansas Speedway. #33-Paul Menard finished second followed by #7-Regan Smith, #54-Kyle Busch, #31-Justin Allgaier, #3-Austin Dillon, #77-Parker Kligerman, #5-Brad Sweet, #6-Trevor Bayne, and #11-Elliott Sadler. There were 11 cautions for 50 laps and 17 lead changes among 10 leaders. Complete results are on the Kansas race results page (pdf).(10-5-2013)

  • Kansas Nationwide Race Fast Facts:
    Matt Kenseth won the 13th Annual Kansas Lottery 300, his 28th victory in 260 NASCAR Nationwide Series races. He is now alone in sixth on the all-time series wins list.
    This is his second victory and 10th top-10 finish in 2013.
    This is his first victory and sixth top-10 finish in seven races at Kansas Speedway.
    Paul Menard (second) posted his fifth top-10 finish in eight races at Kansas Speedway. It is his third top-10 finish in 2013.
    Regan Smith (third) posted his first top-10 finish in three races at Kansas Speedway.
    Alex Bowman (11th) was the highest finishing rookie.
    Austin Dillon leads the point standings by eight points over Sam Hornish Jr. Entering this race, Dillon trailed Hornish by four points.
    (NASCAR Integrated Marketing)(10-5-2013)

  • NationwideDriver standings following Kansas:
    1) #3-Austin Dillon. 1024
    2) #12-Sam Hornish, Jr. 1016, -8
    3) #7-Regan Smith 989, -35
    4) #11-Elliott Sadler 981, -43
    5) #31-Justin Allgaier 959, -65
    5) #20-Brian Vickers 957, -67
    7) #2-Brian Scott 942, -82
    8) #6-Trevor Bayne 939, -85
    9) #32-Kyle Larson # 878, -146
    10) #77-Parker Kligerman 858, -166
    See complete standings on the driver standings page (pdf).(10-5-2013)

  • NationwideOwner Standings following Kansas are posted (pdf).(10-5-2013)

  • Dillon on Nationwide pole at Kansas: #3-Austin Dillon won the Coors Light Pole for the Kansas Lottery 300 at Kansas Speedway with a speed of 184.420 mph. #31-Justin Allgaier will start second. The rest of the top 10: #11-Elliott Sadler, #33-Paul Menard, #7-Regan Smith, #2-Brian Scott, #77-Parker Kligerman, #6-Trevor Bayne, #5-Brad Sweet, and #16-Chris Buescher. Did Not Qualify: #15-Chase Miller and #52-Joey Gase The starting lineup is posted on the Kansas starting lineup page (pdf).(10-5-2013)

  • NASCAR to stick to original TV agreements through 2014: Statement from Steve Herbst, NASCAR Vice President of Broadcasting and Production: "Despite speculation over the last month that NASCAR's new television agreement could be pushed up to the start of the 2014 season, NASCAR has informed our broadcast partners today that FOX, Turner and ESPN will finish the current term as originally planned. While we were humbled by the desire of NBC and FOX to start 12 months early, we now consider this matter closed and look forward to finishing our current agreement in 2014 with our great partners at FOX, Turner and ESPN."(NASCAR Integrated Marketing)(10-5-2013)


    News from October 4, 2013

  • Harvick wins Kansas pole: #29-Kevin Harvick won the Coors Light pole for the Hollywood Casino 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway with speed of 187.526mph for his 1st pole of 2013, his first pole in 254 races (New Hampshire 2006) and 6th of his career.
    #17-Stenhouse Jr. is on the outside pole, followed by #48-Johnson, #2-Keselowski, #22-Logano, #88-Earnhardt Jr., #20-Kenseth, #27-Menard, #99-Edwards and #11-Hamlin.
    No drivers missed the race as 43 were entered.
    See the starting Lineup, Qualifying results, pole progression, pdf links on the Kansas Starting Lineup / Qualifying page.(10-4-2013)

  • Qualifying Fast Facts - Kansas:
    #29-Kevin Harvick won the Pole Award for the 13th Annual Hollywood Casino 400 with a lap of 28.796 seconds, 187.526 mph.
    This is his sixth pole in 460 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.
    Harvick breaks a 254-race pole drought with today's pole. His last pole came at New Hampshire in Sept. 2006, a race he won.
    This is Richard Childress Racing's first pole since Sept. 2007 at New Hampshire (Clint Bowyer).
    This is his first pole and eighth top-10 start in 2013.
    This is his first pole in 16 races at Kansas Speedway.
    #17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (second) posted his sixth top-10 start of 2013 and his second in two races at Kansas Speedway.
    #48-Jimmie Johnson (third) posted his eighth top-10 start at Kansas Speedway. It is his 18th in 30 races this season.(NASCAR Statistics)(10-4-2013)

  • Starting positions for the 2013 Sprint Cup Chase Drivers at Kansas:
    [listed by current driver points position]
    1) #20-Matt Kenseth, 7th
    2) #48-Jimmie Johnson, 3rd
    3) #18-Kyle Busch, 18th
    4) #29-Kevin Harvick, POLE
    5) #24-Jeff Gordon, 14th
    6) #16-Greg Biffle, 26h
    7) #39-Ryan Newman, 17th
    8) #15-Clint Bowyer, 22nd
    9) #78-Kurt Busch, 19th
    10) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., 6th
    11) #99-Carl Edwards, 9th
    12) #22-Joey Logano, 5th
    13) #5-Kasey Kahne, 15th
    (10-4-2013)

  • Coverage of Qualifying for the Hollywood Casino 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway is scheduled for Friday, October 4, 2013 at 5:10pm/et.
    Television (TV): ESPN2, 5:00pm/et
    Radio: Live online at Motor Racing Network (MRN)
    Scheduled Qualifying Re-Air: none

  • Qualifying Order for the Hollywood Casino 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway is posted. 43 cars/drivers are listed.
    The first of the drivers scheduled to go out is #33-Cassill.
    The final driver scheduled to go out is #14-Martin.
    Fastest in Friday practice, #29-Harvick, is scheduled to qualify 38th.
    Qualifying order is set by a random draw, held about an hour before the first practice.
    See the full qualifying order on the Kansas Qualifying Page.(10-4-2013)

  • Friday practice for the Hollywood Casino 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway is over, after 90 minutes, the top-five, slowest and notes:
    #29-Harvick 185.223
    #18-Busch 185.179
    #48-Johnson 185.134
    #14-Martin 185.103
    #2-Keselowski 184.710
    slowest: #7-Blaney 176.974 & #33-Cassill 178.306
    note: if qualifying this afternoon [5:10pm/et on ESPN2 & MRN] is rained out, the field would be set by the rules book, top 36 by speed, then by 2013 team race attempts.
    See fastest speeds and laps run on the Friday Practice Speeds page (pdf).(10-4-2013)

  • NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Tests Goodyear's New Tire at Kansas: Its debut set records. Its encore offered a taste of what's to come. "It" is the innovative "multi-zone tread" Goodyear tire that the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers tested Thursday at Kansas Speedway, and will use during Sunday's Hollywood Casino 400, the fourth race in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Goodyear developed two zones on the right side tires: the outer zone dubbed the "traction zone"  which was made of a sticky and more grip-oriented compound  and the "inner zone"  also known as the "endurance zone"  which was built with a firmer compound to help prolong the tire life. Thirty-eight drivers tested the new tire during a three-plus hour session at Kansas Speedway that was delayed by rain. #48-Jimmie Johnson turned the fastest lap at 182.648 mph, followed by #99-Carl Edwards, #78-Kurt Busch, #31-Jeff Burton and #27-Paul Menard. Points leader #20-Matt Kenseth was 13th on the speed charts.
    Goodyear's multi-zone tread tire debuted at Atlanta Motor Speedway last month, resulting in shattered passing records. Throughout the 500-mile event, there were 3,748 green flag passes  190 more than the old record, and 1,200 more than last year's figure.
    At Atlanta, the new tire's durability counterbalanced the rough racing surface. At Kansas Speedway, which repaved its racing surface last year, the "multi-zone tread" tire's design will add grip to combat the new, slick surface. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Director John Darby offered a "no news is good news" critique of today's tire test. "We didn't see anything, which is good news," Darby said. "One of the exciting parts of having it here at Kansas is because this is a recently repaved track that's very smooth. We ran the zone tread at Atlanta without any technical issues or failures and had a good race. But that's on a very aggressive, coarse track surface. We had that example. This is the other end of the spectrum for the tire. It's fresh pavement that's smooth."(NASCAR)
    See speeds, laps run, best 10 consecutive lap average on the Kansas Test Speeds page (pdf).(10-3-2013)

  • Air Titan put to use at Kansas Speedway: NASCAR made good use of its new Air Titan track-drying equipment at Kansas Speedway. Besides drying the Kansas Speedway track in about an hour's time after Thursday morning's rain, the Air Titan  an advanced track drying system unveiled at this year's Daytona 500  was used on Wednesday to clean the track. "One of the things we're testing is cleaning the race track before we get to them," Robin Pemberton, NASCAR vice president for competition said after Thursday's Goodyear tire test. "The Air Titan gets the sand, the silt, the dirt and grime & we did it at Chicago, at Richmond. & The grip level was pretty good, and it's an opportunity for the track to take on the natural rubber of the tires." Pemberton said NASCAR brought the Air Titan to Kansas Speedway last July before four Sprint Cup drivers tested the new tire. "We were surprised after two prep sessions the amount of stuff that naturally comes out of the track," Pemberton said. "It's another advantage of having that piece of equipment available to us. We may continue to do it next year, too."(Kansas City Star)(10-4-2013)

  • Accell Construction returns to the #36: For the sixth time this season, Accell Construction is the primary sponsor with J.J. Yeley's #36 Chevy. Based out of Claremore, Oklahoma, Accell Construction operates as a full service site civil contractor for the petroleum terminal and bulk storage industries. A partner with TBR since 2011, Accell will be back for two more races this season, Texas and Phoenix.(TBR), see images of the scheme on the #36 Team Schemes page.(10-4-2013)

  • An Allison to make ARCA debut: Justin Allison, grandson of legendary NASCAR driver Donnie Allison and nephew of NASCAR Driver Bobby Allison, is looking to carry on the Allison family legacy. Allison successfully tested at Nashville Superspeedway on Monday to receive approval for his ARCA Series debut at Kansas Speedway on Friday. The primary marketing partner on the #88 Ford Fusion is HaVACo Technologies Inc. while Rush Racing Products, Husky Liners and Rick and Bubba's Smoked Sausage, produced by Polk's Meat Products will be on board as associate marketing partners. Rush Racing Products has been Justin's primary sponsor throughout the year on the Pro All-Star Series circuit.(Bobby Allison Racing)(10-4-2013)

  • Raspberry 5-hour Energy scheme returns at Kansas: #15 Raspberry 5-hour Energy benefitting Living Beyond Breast Cancer driver Clint Bowyer is headed home for this weekend's NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Kansas Speedway. Bowyer was born and raised about 100 miles from Kansas Speedway in Emporia, Kan. The proud Kansan maintains a strong connection to his hometown and earlier this year purchased the car dealership that he worked at as a teenager - the dealership formerly known as Emporia Motors and now referred to as the Clint Bowyer Autoplex. Team owner Michael Waltrip, NASCAR Hall of Famer Darrel Waltrip and future Hall of Famer Mark Martin joined Bowyer for the grand opening of the Clint Bowyer Autoplex on April 18 before the spring Kansas race. Bowyer's 79 Fund raised more than $1 million for the design and construction of the Clint Bowyer Community Building which he then donated back to the community. The Community Building, a multi-use facility for community events including high school dances, weddings, town hall meetings and concerts, is located on the Lyon County Fairgrounds across the street from the Clint Bowyer Autoplex. From now through December 31, 5-hour ENERGY will donate five cents from the sale of every limited edition, specially marked, bottle of raspberry flavored 5-hour ENERGY to Living Beyond Breast Cancer, a national nonprofit education and support organization serving women and families affected by breast cancer. The minimum guaranteed donation is $75,000.(MWR), see images of the scheme on the #15 Team Schemes page.(10-4-2013)

  • Kansas Facts and Notes - Friday - poles:
    · Jason Leffler won the inaugural Coors Light pole at Kansas Speedway in 2001 with a speed of 176.499 mph.
    · 10 drivers have Coors Light poles at Kansas, led by Jimmie Johnson and Kasey Kahne with three each.
    · Jimmie Johnson is the only driver to win consecutive Coors Light poles at Kansas Speedway (2007 and 2008).
    · Four NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Kansas Speedway have been won from the front row: three from the pole and one from second-place.
    · Jimmie Johnson leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in average starting position at Kansas Speedway with a 11.357.
    · Qualifying has never been cancelled due to weather conditions in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Kansas Speedway.
    · Jason Leffler (9/30/2001) is the only driver to post his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Coors Light pole at Kansas Speedway.
    · The deepest in the field that a race winner has started at Kansas Speedway was 25th, by Brad Keselowski in the spring of 2011.
    · Three of the 15 (20%) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Kansas Speedway have been won from the Coors Light pole; Joe Nemechek (2004), Jimmie Johnson (2008) and Matt Kenseth (2013).
    · Nine of the 15 (60%) NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Kansas Speedway have been won from a top-10 starting position.
    · Two of the 15 (13.3%) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Kansas Speedway have been won from a starting position outside the top 20.
    (NASCAR)(10-4-2013)

  • 2013 NASCAR Drive For Diversity Combine Participants announced: As the NASCAR Drive for Diversity program approaches its 10-year anniversary, NASCAR and Rev Racing have selected the participants for the 2013 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Combine. The drivers will participate in a rigorous on- and off-track evaluation process for the opportunity to join the NASCAR D4D program and compete for Rev Racing during the 2014 season. The combine will be held at Langley Speedway in Hampton, Va., from Oct. 21-23.
    The annual Combine is the first step in identifying and developing the future stars of the sport. Kyle Larson and Darrell Wallace Jr. are among the drivers who have graduated from the NASCAR D4D program after attending the annual combine and driving for Rev Racing. Ryan Gifford, who currently drives for Rev Racing in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, made his NASCAR Nationwide Series debut driving for Richard Childress Racing on Aug. 3.
    NASCAR officials and Rev Racing representatives chose the 20 up-and-coming drivers from 95 applicants representing the United States, Canada and Latin America.
    An additional eight young drivers will join these 20 drivers on Oct. 23 and compete for the opportunity to drive for Rev Racing during the 2014 Summer Shootout Series in INEX Legends and Bandoleros.
    All of the drivers attending the Combine will be mentored and coached by the Rev Racing staff, along with the team's NASCAR K&N Pro Series East drivers Mackena Bell, Ryan Gifford, Bryan Ortiz and Daniel Suarez. The Hampton Convention & Visitor Bureau and Langley Speedway have partnered with Rev Racing and NASCAR to support the 2013 NASCAR D4D Combine. Langley Speedway will host the Combine for the third consecutive year. The paved 0.395-mile short track is one of the flattest tracks in the region with six-degree banked corners and four degrees of banking on the straightaway. Langley Speedway is an ideal track to test the abilities of NASCAR's up-and-coming talent. See full roster and more at nascar.com.(10-4-2013)

  • Smith fastest in Nationwide happy hour: #7-Regan Smith was quickest during happy hour for the Kansas Lottery 300 with a speed of 179.617 mph. He was followed by: #18-Matt Kenseth, #77-Parker Kligerman, #2-Brian Scott, #6-Trevor Bayne, #12-Sam Hornish, Jr., #33-Paul Menard, #5-Brad Sweet, #3-Austin Dillon, and #30-Nelson Piquet, Jr. 41 drivers participated in the session. #32-Kyle Larson hit the wall during the session and was forced to a back-up car. See complete results on the Kansas practice 2 speeds page (pdf).(10-4-2013)

  • Bowman fastest in first Nationwide practice: #99-Alex Bowman was fastest during opening practice at Kansas Speedway with a speed of 177.223 mph. #7-Regan Smith was second, followed by: #16-Chris Buescher, #12-Sam Hornish, Jr., #3-Austin Dillon, #18-Matt Kenseth, #31-Justin Allgaier, #54-Kyle Busch, #32-Kyle Larson, and #33-Paul Menard. 42 drivers practiced during the session. See complete results on the Kansas practice 1 speeds page (pdf).(10-4-2013)

  • Young drivers to test Martinsville: Brad Keselowski Racing, Turner Scott Motorsports, and NEMCO Motorsports are expected to test the Martinsville Speedway short track next week. Expected drivers include Ross Chastain, Ryan Blaney, Ben Kennedy, and John Nemechek, who will be making his series debut on October 26.(Martinsville Speedway PR)(10-4-2013)

  • 2014 Phoenix tickets for sale: Phoenix International Raceway announced that tickets for the 10th Annual SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series weekend Feb. 28-March 2, 2014 are now available for purchase. Fans have access to a variety of ways to purchase tickets for the exciting action-packed NASCAR weekend at PIR. Starting at just $25, tickets are available by visiting PhoenixRaceway.com and calling 866-408-RACE. The spring 2014 event weekend will kick off Phoenix International Raceway's 50th Anniversary season and will feature NASCAR's top two series. Fans can take advantage of PIR's 'Value Pricing' period and receive extra savings by purchasing their tickets for the SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500 early. 'Value Pricing' kicks off today and runs through December 31.(PIR)(10-4-2013)


    News from October 3, 2013

  • Chassis selections for this weeks race: see the list of many teams [that report or post them] and what chassis were selected by the team to run at Kansas Speedway on the Kansas Race Info page - Chassis selection area.

  • Testing at Kansas - Speeds: Kansas Speedway will have an extra day of racing on Thursday that will be open to the public. Goodyear will conduct a test for Sprint Cup teams to acclimate to the new tires it has developed for Sunday's Hollywood Casino 400. Gates will open at 11:30am with testing from noon to 4:00 pm. Admission is $10 with proceeds being donated to the March of Dimes. This weekend will mark the third Sprint Cup race on the re-paved and re-banked Kansas Speedway surface, starting with the fall race in 2012. It's rare to make a change in tires in the same season at tracks that hold two races, but NASCAR and Goodyear decided to change the compounds in the tire, including a new "multi-zone" tire on the right sides, to better match the new surface. Goodyear conducted a tire test at Kansas Speedway July 16-17 with four teams participating: #16-Greg Biffle, #78-Kurt Busch, #18-Kyle Busch and #39-Ryan Newman. In order to minimize any advantage those teams derived from that testing, NASCAR decided to open the track to all teams on Thursday. Only the Sprint Cup teams will be on the new tire set-up this weekend. The Nationwide cars will run on the tires that were used in the 2012 fall race.(Kansas City Star)(10-3-2013)
    SPEEDS: NASCAR.com is running a live leaderboard feed of the speeds during testing at Kansas Speedway. #48-Johnson was the fastest at 182.648 mph followed by #99-Edwards, #78-Busch, #31-Burton and #27-Menard. 38 drivers/cars have tested on Thursday.
    See speeds, laps run, best 10 consecutive lap average on the Kansas Test Speeds page (pdf).(10-3-2013)

  • Harrison to leave Phoenix Racing: Crew chief Nick Harrison will part ways with #51 Phoenix Racing after this weekend's race at Kansas Speedway. Harrison will join Richard Childress Racing where he will assume the crew chief role on the #33 Chevy in the Nationwide Series. Harrison, 31, has worked for Phoenix Racing in that role since 2009 and has been with the company for seven seasons. Despite the sale of Phoenix Racing to Harry Scott last month, Harrison intended to remain with the #51 team until the end of the year. Jimmy Elledge will come out of retirement to be the interim crew chief for the final six races of the season with Phoenix Racing, including Kyle Larson's Cup debut at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Oct. 12.(FoxSports)(10-2-2013)

  • Pink scheme for Patrick in October: In the spirit of breast cancer awareness, Danica Patrick is trading green for pink for the month of October. Her iconic green #10 GoDaddy Chevy for Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) will be pink for upcoming NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Kansas Speedway, Charlotte, Talladega and Martinsville. The car was unveiled in New York City alongside the pink Chevrolet Camaro SS that served as the pace car for last month's Sprint Cup Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway and will also pace the field at Talladega and Martinsville. Following up on a $50,000 donation to the National Breast Cancer Foundation along with the Public Interest Registry, GoDaddy's "Round-up for Charity" lets customers round their purchase up to the nearest dollar with proceeds going to the foundation. In addition, GoDaddy is also donating a portion of proceeds from sales at Patrick's merchandise trailer throughout the month of October. Chevrolet will donate $200 for every lap the pink Chevrolet Camaro SS leads the field under caution for the Atlanta, Talladega and Martinsville races. Since 2011, more than $2.2 million has been raised for the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer initiative. In addition to the pink pace car program, the activities have included dealership walks, national test drive promotions and national service rebate promotions (SHR), see images of the scheme on the #10 Team Schemes page.(10-3-2013)

  • Roush Fenway "Driven for a Cause" In Support of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Roush Fenway Racing (RFR) will utilize its 2013 'Driven' Marketing program in support of National Breast Cancer Awareness month in October. Through 'Driven for a Cause,' RFR will highlight cause awareness and support the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) during the month of October. "We are very pleased to help raise awareness for such a special cause," said RFR president Steve Newmark. "So many have been touched by breast cancer and we are proud to team with the National Breast Cancer Foundation, and be able to play a small part in the great work that they do to make a difference in the lives of many." All of RFR's race cars will carry special 'pink ribbon Driven logos' in each of the month's events. In addition, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. will run a special pink 'Driven for a Cause' paint scheme on his #17 Ford Fusion at Martinsville Speedway on Oct. 27. Greg Biffle's #16-3M Ford Fusion will also run a special pink themed scheme for the event. RFR is offering "Driven for a Cause" merchandise, with a percentage of the proceeds going to the NBCF. RFR will also donate pieces of the No. 17 'Driven for a Cause' Ford for auction, with proceeds benefiting the NBCF.(Roush Fenway Racing), see an image of the schemes on the #17 Team Schemes page and #16 Team Schemes page.(10-3-2013)

  • Moon Shine Attitude Attire Joins Hillman Racing to Go Pink in October: Hillman Racing announced that Moon Shine, LP, a premium designer of Moon Shine Attitude Attire, will kick off the first race of a two-race NASCAR Sprint Cup Series sponsorship this weekend at Kansas Speedway by turning the #40 Chevrolet SS pink for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month with its Muddy Girl-branded camouflage pattern. From now through October 31, Moon Shine Attitude Attire will donate one dollar from the sale of every Muddy Girl shirt and hoodie sold trackside to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, an independent 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit organization whose mission is to achieve prevention and a cure for breast cancer in our lifetime by providing critical funding for innovative clinical and translational research at leading medical centers worldwide, and increasing public awareness about good breast health. Tony Raines will pilot the #40 Moon Shine Attitude Attire Chevrolet in Sunday's Hollywood Casino 400 with Landon Cassill scheduled to drive the #40 the following week in the Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.(Mike Hillman Racing), see images of the scheme on the #40 Team Schemes page.(10-3-2013)

  • Kansas Facts and Notes - Thursday:
    · 10 different drivers have won at Kansas Speedway, led by Greg Biffle, Matt Kenseth, Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart and Jimmie Johnson with two each.
    · Roush Fenway Racing and Hendrick Motorsports are tied for the most wins at Kansas in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with four each; followed by Joe Gibbs Racing with three and Penske Racing with two.
    · Chevrolet leads the series in wins at Kansas with seven victories; followed by Ford with four wins.
    · There has been one NSCS race resulting with a green-white-checkered finish at Kansas Speedway: fall of 2011 (267/272).
    · Jeff Gordon and Matt Kenseth are the only two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers that have posted consecutive wins at Kansas Speedway: Gordon (2001 and 2002  the first two NSCS events at Kansas) and Kenseth (fall of 2012, spring of 2013).
    · Nine of the 10 active NASCAR Sprint Cup Series winners at Kansas Speedway participated in at least two or more races before visiting Victory Lane. Jeff Gordon won at Kansas in his first appearance.
    · Matt Kenseth competed at Kansas Speedway 13 times before winning last fall; the longest span of any the 10 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series winners at Kansas.
    · Matt Kenseth is the only driver to have made 10 or more attempts before his first win at Kansas Speedway.
    · Kevin Harvick, Jeff Burton, Kurt Busch and Bobby Labonte lead the series with the most NASCAR Sprint Cup starts at Kansas Speedway without visiting Victory Lane at 15.
    · Since the advent of electronic scoring the closest margin of victory in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Kansas Speedway was the (10/10/2004) race won by Joe Nemechek with a MOV of 0.081 second.
    (NASCAR)(10-3-2013)

  • Hackenbracht, Ingersoll Rand running special scheme at Charlotte: To honor Breast Cancer Awareness month, NASCAR Nationwide Series Rookie Chad Hackenbracht and Ingersoll Rand are teaming up to "Give Cancer the Boot." Along with a pink themed fire suit and helmet, a special pink and black paint scheme highlighting the National Breast Cancer Foundation, will be featured on the TriStar Motorsports #44 Toyota Camry during the Nationwide Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on October 11. The Ingersoll Rand "Give Cancer the Boot" promotion kicks off October 1 and will carry on throughout the month of October while supplies last. Donations up to $50,000 will be given to the National Breast Cancer Foundation by Ingersoll Rand. The foundation funds the Early Detection Plan, educational programs, online support communities, mammogram and diagnostic services, as well as breast cancer research.(TriStar Motorsports)(10-3-2013)

  • Atlanta Labor Day Tickets On Sale Friday, Oct. 4: Tickets for Atlanta Motor Speedway's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Labor Day weekend race Aug. 29  31 go on sale Friday, Oct. 4 at 9:00am/et. The weekend schedule includes NASCAR Sprint Cup Series qualifying on Friday, Aug. 29 and the 300-mile NASCAR Nationwide Series race on Saturday, Aug. 30. The weekend concludes with the 500-mile NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Sunday, Aug. 31. The complete schedule of events for the 2014 Labor Day race weekend will be announced at a later date. In addition to grandstand tickets, camping, pre-race passes, reserved parking as well as individual suite seats will also be available beginning on Friday, Oct. 4 at 9 a.m. Tickets may be purchased at the Atlanta Motor Speedway ticket office, online at www.atlantamotorspeedway.com, by phone at 877-9-AMS-TIX and at all Atlanta area Ticketmaster locations. Atlanta Motor Speedway is once again making available interest free payment plans for all fans that purchase their tickets by Feb. 28, 2014. Place a 25 percent deposit of the total ticket purchase price and then pay the remaining balance in three equal payments on April 1, May 15 and July 1. All fans that purchase tickets to attend the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race before Feb. 28, 2014 automatically become members of the AMS Insider's Club and are eligible to receive exclusive experiences race weekend. Winners will be selected for Insider's Experiences beginning in March of 2014. Historically, as the second-to-last race before the Chase for the Sprint Cup Championship, Atlanta Motor Speedway figures to play a pivotal role as drivers battle for wins, points, and position before the ten-race playoff begins. In past years, a driver's finish at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Labor Day weekend can make or break a season. Kyle Bush was the winner of the AdvoCare 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Sept. 1, 2013. For more information, visit www.atlantamotorspeedway.com or call the AMS Ticket Office at (877) 9-AMS-TIX or (770) 946-4211.(AMS)(10-3-2013)


    News from October 2, 2013

  • Penske renews with Keselowski, Miller Lite UPDATE: It took 22 years for Miller Lite to make it to the top of NASCAR, and Brad Keselowski made it worth the wait when he cheerfully chugged the beer from on oversized glass during a live televised interview while celebrating his first Sprint Cup championship last November. It was an iconic moment in the relationship between Penske Racing and MillerCoors, one that spans more than 30 years and ranks among the longest in sports. Now it's guaranteed to continue at least another four years as Penske on Wednesday revealed multiyear extensions with both Keselowski and Miller Lite through the 2017 season. "This puts us in great shape because we've got continuity with a sponsor and an elite driver," team owner Roger Penske told The Associated Press. It's the second contract extension for the defending Sprint Cup champion in less than two years. Keselowski signed an extension after the 2011 season that ran through next year, and the contract was redone to put the driver and sponsor in concurrent deals.
    Miller Lite has been the primary sponsor of Penske's flagship #2 since 1991. MillerCoors first partnered with Penske as a sponsor at race tracks he owned, and was sponsor of Danny Sullivan's 1985 Indianapolis 500 winning car, building a personal relationship with Penske that survived up-and-down seasons in NASCAR. The new MillerCoors contract covers just 24 races on the #2 Ford instead of the full 36-race schedule Miller Lite had always sponsored. But both Penske and England said the 12-race giveback was at Penske's request. The cost of sponsorship fluctuates with the economy, and MillerCoors was one of the few companies still sponsoring a full schedule. Race teams set their own fees for inventory based on supply and demand, and top teams can pull in anywhere from $20 million to almost $30 million in a season. The Penske organization believes it can sell those 12 races elsewhere to generate new revenue.(Associated Press)(10-2-2013)
    UPDATE: Penske Racing announced multi-year extensions of its partnerships with driver Brad Keselowski and long-time sponsor MillerCoors, two key elements of the organization's 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship. "The extensions of our agreements with both Brad Keselowski and MillerCoors put our team in a real position of strength moving forward," said Roger Penske. "This is an important day as these agreements will allow Penske Racing to invest significantly in our people and our technology, two critical areas to a successful race team." Keselowski, the 2012 NSCS champion, has agreed to an extension that will keep him behind the wheel of the #2 Ford Fusion for many seasons to come. In 2014, Miller Lite will continue to adorn the side of the #2 Ford Fusion for 24 NSCS points-paying races. Miller Lite will maintain a position as a major associate sponsor for the remaining 12 races of the 2014 season. This new agreement extends a partnership between Penske Racing and MillerCoors that spans more than 30 years, one of the longest and strongest sponsor-team relationships in all of sports.(Penske Racing)(10-2-2013)

  • Kansas Goodyear Tire Notes: Teams in the NASCAR Nationwide Series will run a different tire set-up than those in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Kansas this week . . . this is the same combination of left- and right-side tires that Nationwide teams ran at Michigan in June and NASCAR Camping World Truck teams ran at Kansas in April . . . Nationwide teams also ran this right-side tire code (D-4560) at Kansas last year . . . this left-side tire code (D-4554) is different than what these teams ran at Kansas last year and features a compound change . . . as on all NASCAR ovals greater than one mile in length, teams are required to run inner iners on all four tire positions at Kansas . . . air pressure in those inner liners should be 12-25 psi greater than that of the outer tire. (Goodyear), see tire codes, pressures, set limits and more on the Kansas Race Info page - Goodyear section.(10-2-2013)

  • New look for the #5 Chevy in 2014: Kasey Kahne unveiled the 2014 paint scheme for the #5 Farmers Insurance scheme at an appearance at the NASCAR Hall of Fame on Tuesday. See an image of the car on the 2014 #5 Team Scheme page.(10-2-2013)

  • Allgaier to make 2nd Cup Start at Kansas: Justin Allgaier will make his second NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) start on Sunday, October 6 in the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway. Allgaier will drive the #51 BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevy SS for Phoenix Racing, for the second time this season. Allgaier's second NSCS start comes just four weeks after making his NSCS debut at Chicagoland Speedway in mid-September. After a five-hour rain delay, Allgaier brought the #51 BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevy home in the 27th position. BRANDT, Allgaier's current NNS sponsor, will be the primary sponsor on the #51 Chevy this weekend at Kansas. Allgaier's NSCS schedule has been amended from the original selected races. Allgaier will now race this weekend at Kansas Speedway, as well as Talladega Superspeedway and Phoenix International Raceway. Allgaier will no longer be behind the wheel of the #51 Chevy SS at Charlotte. Kyle Larson will drive the #51 at Charlotte. "I'm looking forward to making my second start in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series," said Allgaier. "There are a few hours of testing on Thursday at Kansas [Speedway] which will give me more seat time in the car. My goal for the weekend is to be nice and steady, and to learn as much as I can. I can't thank everyone at BRANDT and Phoenix Racing enough for this opportunity."(Phoenix Racing)(10-2-2013)

  • Allmendinger still in #47 and special scheme: AJ Allmendinger is back behind the wheel of the #47 Scott Products Toyota this time for the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway sporting 'Win My Car' on his hood. Scott brand and JTG Daugherty Racing announced recently they're teaming up to offer one lucky person a one-of-a-kind ride of a lifetime with its 'Win My Car' Sweepstakes, part of the Scott Shared Values program.(JTG Daugherty Racing)(10-2-2013)

  • Leavine Family Racing adds NNS team: Leavine Family Racing (LFR) announced that it has expanded its role within NASCAR competition. The third-year, Concord, N.C.-based organization with headquarters in Tyler, Texas will field a single-car NASCAR Nationwide Series team out of its Concord shop in addition to its NASCAR Sprint Cup Series program. The team will continue to further its relationship with Ford Racing and enter the #95 Ford Mustang in the Nationwide Series. Leavine Family Racing is finalizing its driver for the 2014 season, and currently will enter two of the 2013 season's Nationwide Series final four races, beginning at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Oct. 11. Reed Sorenson will drive the #95 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway and Michael McDowell will be behind the wheel at Texas Motor Speedway on Nov. 2. "We couldn't be more thrilled about our expansion this season," said Bob Leavine, owner of Leavine Family Racing. "Our program is an independent team, but we have potential - and with an infusion of sponsorship, perhaps a lot more than that."(LFR)(10-2-2013)

  • Kansas Facts and Notes - Wednesday:
    · Nine drivers have made all 15 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at Kansas Speedway  Jeff Gordon, Bobby Labonte, Jeff Burton, Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch, Mark Martin, Matt Kenseth, Ryan Newman and Tony Stewart.
    · Martin Truex Jr., Kasey Kahne and Ryan Newman are tied for the series most runner-up finishes at Kansas Speedway with two each.
    · Jeff Gordon leads the series in top-five finishes at Kansas Speedway with eight; followed by Greg Biffle with seven.
    · Jimmie Johnson leads the series in top-10 finishes at Kansas Speedway with 12; followed by Jeff Gordon (10).
    · Two active drivers have a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series average finish in the top 10 at Kansas: Jimmie Johnson (7.6) and Brad Keselowski (9.2).
    · Denny Hamlin has participated in the most NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Kansas Speedway without posting a DNF (10).
    · 2011 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion Austin Dillon (10/09/2011) and Denny Hamlin (10/09/2005) made their first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series career starts at Kansas Speedway.
    · Jimmie Johnson leads the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in laps led at Kansas Speedway with 556 laps led in 14 starts.
    (NASCAR)(10-2-2013)

  • Harrison joining RCR to crew chief #33 team: Crew chief Nick Harrison will part ways with Phoenix Racing after this weekend's race at Kansas Speedway. Harrison will carry his tool box to Richard Childress Racing where he will assume the crew chief role on the #33 Chevy in the Nationwide Series. Harrison, 31, has worked for Phoenix Racing in that role since 2009. He called the race when Mike Bliss won in the Nationwide Series at Charlotte that year and also was crew chief for Brad Keselowski's first Sprint Cup victory at Talladega Superspeedway. He has been with the company for seven seasons. Despite the sale of Phoenix Racing to Harry Scott last month, Harrison intended to remain with the #51 team until the end of the year. Jimmy Elledge will come out of retirement to be the interim crew chief for the final six races of the season with Phoenix Racing, including Kyle Larson's Cup debut at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Oct. 12. (Fox Sports)(10-2-2013)

  • JR Motorsports turning the track pink at Kansas: Both Regan Smith's #7 and Brad Sweet's #5 Chevys will feature pink-themed paint schemes at Kansas Speedway to promote the "Paint the Track Pink" program and Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The cars are part of a widespread initiative which offers a portion of sales from select die-cast cars to benefit The National Breast Cancer Foundation. The Foundation's mission includes raising awareness through education, providing diagnostic breast care services for those in need and support services. Smith's #7 ChevyCamaro features the Fire Alarm Services brand on board this weekend in Kansas.(JR Motorsports), see images of the cars on the #5 team paint schemes page and #7 team paint schemes page.(10-2-2013)

  • Kligerman goes pink at Kansas: Parker Kligerman enters this weekend's Kansas Lottery 300 at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City with three goals: raise awareness, raise money and raise the banner. Kligerman's #77 Camry will be outfitted with a special Kyle Busch Foundation "Project Pink: Protect Your Pair" paint scheme in an effort to raise awareness and money for Pretty In Pink - a Raleigh, N.C.- based foundation whose mission is to provide financial assistance to uninsured and underinsured breast cancer patients regardless of their ability to pay. The best way for the talented youngster to raise awareness for this great cause would be to pick up his first Nationwide Series victory and raise another banner inside Kyle Busch Motorsports.(Kyle Busch Motorsports), see an image of the car on the #77 team paint schemes page.(10-2-2013)

  • 200th NASCAR starts for Scott: This Saturday's Nationwide Series race will mark Brian Scott's 200th NASCAR start. The date was September 15th, 200 when the then 19-year-old driver made his first NASCAR start in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event in the #16 for Xpress Motorsports at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Since his debut six years ago, he has earned two Camping World Truck Series wins at Dover International Speedway (2009) and Phoenix International Raceway (2012), 11 top-five and 23 top-10 finishes. Scott transitioned to fulltime Nationwide Series competition in 2008 and has earned two pole awards, eight top-five and 35 top-10 finishes. Thus far this season, he earned his career-best Nationwide Series finish of second at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Richmond International Raceway, and is scheduled to make his Sprint Cup Series debut at Charlotte Motor Speedway on October 12.(RCR)(10-2-2013)

  • Cobb returns to Nationwide Series at Kansas: Jennifer Jo Cobb, Kansas City, Kansas native and NASCAR driver, will be back on her hometown track this Saturday for the Nationwide Series Kansas Lottery 300 at Kansas Speedway. Returning primary sponsor Mark One Electric will adorn the hood of the #23 Ford Mustang. Pizza Shoppe is an associate sponsor for their second race with Cobb.(Cobb PR)(-2013)

  • Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback named grand marshal for the Hollywood Casino 400: Kansas Governor Sam Brownback, the state's 46th governor, has been named Grand Marshal for the Hollywood Casino 400 on Oct. 6, the fourth race in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. "We're delighted to have Governor Brownback as Grand Marshal for the Hollywood Casino 400," said Bob Sheldon, Vice President and General Manager, Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway. "And on behalf of all the Kansas race fans we welcome Governor Brownback as he takes on this prestigious role kicking off the largest sporting event in the state." Governor Brownback grew up in Parker, Kan., which is approx. 70 miles south of Kansas Speedway, and worked on his family's farm until heading to Kansas State University (K-State), where he received a degree in Agricultural Economics. After departing K-State, the Governor hosted a radio show for one year before attending the University of Kansas Law School. Tickets for Kansas Speedway's 2013 October races are on sale and can be purchased by calling 866.460.RACE (7223) or logging onto www.kansasspeedway.com.(Kansas Speedway)(10-2-2013)

  • N.C. court dumps Charlotte Motor Speedway's suit: One of the country's largest auto racing track operators can't claim local officials reneged on an offer of $80 million in tax breaks because there was never a binding contract for the money in exchange for building a new drag strip and making upgrades at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, a court ruled Tuesday. A three-judge state Court of Appeals panel ruled unanimously that Speedway Motorsports Inc. and Charlotte Motor Speedway have no grounds to revive a lawsuit against Cabarrus County, where both companies are based. The ruling means the companies can't appeal further to the state Supreme Court, though the high court could still consider the case at its discretion. Race track magnate Bruton Smith, who heads both companies, had threatened in 2007 to move the 135,000-seat speedway and build a new drag strip somewhere other than the Charlotte region without the tax breaks. The 30,000-seat, four-lane zMax Dragway officially opened Aug. 20, 2008, just three weeks before its first scheduled race. But it wasn't until the following day that a proposed contract for tax breaks was put in writing. The track operator rejected those terms. The companies argued they invested millions into the drag strip construction based on a Nov. 21, 2007, letter from the chairman of the county commissioners and the mayor of Concord, the city where the speedway is located. The officials said in their letter that they were committed to providing $80 million for road, pedestrian, utility and noise-reduction projects. But that didn't equal an enforceable contract, the court said. It's not clear if SMI has yet seen any of the $80 million announced in 2007. Spokesmen for the county and the speedway did not respond to requests for comment Tuesday.(AP/ESPN)(10-2-2013)

  • NASCAR Drivers, Breast Cancer Survivors Paint Start/Finish Line and Pit Wall as Charlotte: More than 100 breast cancer survivors and their supporters joined NASCAR drivers Matt Kenseth, Brian Vickers and Elliott Sadler to paint the Charlotte Motor Speedway start/finish line and pit wall pink to kick off National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and preview the pink-themed Dollar General 300 on Oct. 11. For the third consecutive year and as part of a continued effort to raise awareness of breast cancer education and research and to honor those who have fought the disease, Charlotte Motor Speedway will incorporate a pink theme into the Dollar General 300. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 232,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year alone. But with early detection, experts say there is a 98% survival rate for those affected by the disease. To help raise awareness of the staggering statistics, Charlotte Motor Speedway and Dollar General have teamed up to put several pink initiatives in place during Friday's race. Among other things, fans who attend next weekend's races will notice the pink start/finish line and pit wall, which got a fresh coat of pink paint Tuesday. In total, crews will use 80 gallons of paint provided by PPG Porter and Glidden Paints to cover more than 6,000 square feet for pit wall and the start/finish line. Kenseth, who will run in both the Dollar General 300 and Saturday's Bank of America 500, said he's enjoyed getting back into the NASCAR Nationwide Series this year and looks forward to racing in Charlotte, but also raising awareness of an important cause. In addition to the pink paint on the start/finish line and pit wall, Charlotte Motor Speedway will include a number of other pink initiatives during Friday night's race.
    Survivors' Parade As it did last year, the Dollar General 300 prerace activities will once again include a breast cancer survivor's parade with 300 breast cancer survivors. Participants who have signed up will meet in front of Smith Tower where they will receive a special pink T-shirt, pink and white flag and race ticket and walk onto the track to be recognized for their courage in facing the disease.
    Pink Pace Car to Lead Field to Green Before drivers jockey for position in the pivotal points race for the NASCAR Nationwide Series championship, a pink and white 2013 Toyota Camry Pace car will lead the field.
    Winner to Hoist Pink Trophy Even the celebration in Victory Circle will carry the pink scheme, with the winner hoisting a pink trophy in celebration  a colorful creation that's sure to stand out in any driver's trophy case.
    Fans Encouraged to Join "Pink Out" In addition, fans who wish to express their support are encouraged to wear pink during Friday night's Dollar General 300 or display a pink ribbon.
    Drivers, Teams Show Support Over and above the efforts Charlotte Motor Speedway and Dollar General will make to carry the pink theme through the event, many drivers and teams have already announced plans to show their support with pink paint schemes and through other initiatives. Sadler wears pink racing shoes and racing gloves in every race in honor of his mother, Bell, who is a six-year breast cancer survivor. The Kyle Busch Foundation will raise awareness of its "Project Pink: Protect Your Pair" initiative throughout Charlotte's race week, including hosting 12 cancer patients or "Champions" for a VIP at-track experience during the Dollar General 300.
    Tickets for the Dollar General 300 start at just $25. Kids 13 and under get in free with an adult ticket purchase. Fans can catch all the action from Bojangles' Pole Night/UNOH Southern Slam 150 and Better Half Dash on Oct. 10, to the Dollar General 300 on Oct. 11 and the Bank of America 500 on Oct. 12 with a weekend pass starting at just $99. Frontstretch tickets to the Bank of America 500 with spectacular views of the world's largest HDTV start at two for just $99 and can be obtained through the Charlotte Motor Speedway ticket office by calling 1-800-455-FANS (3267) or online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com.(CMS)(10-2-2013)

  • Phoenix International Raceway to celebrate 50th Anniversary in 2014: Phoenix International Raceway President Bryan R. Sperber announced plans today for the track's 50th Anniversary celebration in 2014. Sperber was joined by Arizona Governor Jan Brewer, Maricopa County Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox, Avondale Mayor Marie Lopez Rogers, West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame Chairman and former NASCAR Vice President Ken Clapp and 1983 Indianapolis 500 winner Tom Sneva for the announcement. The year-long 50th Anniversary campaign will be a celebration of PIR's relationships with its fans, community partners and the racing industry. Many of the greatest drivers to ever turn a lap on PIR's one-mile oval, along with the brightest personalities in the track's history, will be invited to return for race weekends and other events throughout the coming year. The 50th Anniversary celebration will feature a one-of-a-kind interactive and three-dimensional race weekend exhibit entitled Memory Lane, which will showcase the past 50 years of racing at PIR, including photos, artifacts and race-used memorabilia from drivers. The exhibit will also feature a number of classic cars with ties to the track and which, in some cases, actually raced at PIR.
    Race fans will also see the 50th Anniversary theme incorporated in a number of ways over the next 13 months, including philanthropic and community outreach initiatives as well as special events throughout the year featuring noteworthy drivers and personalities. Plans also include commemorative publications and broadcast content; a year-long fan engagement program focused on the most influential people in the history of Phoenix International Raceway, as decided by a blue-ribbon panel of industry insiders, media and local officials; and world-class race weekend events and entertainment. More details related to the 50th Anniversary celebration will be announced on Friday, Nov. 8 during the AdvoCare 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race weekend at PIR.(10-2-2013)


    News from October 1, 2013

  • Germain Racing to switch to Chevy: #13-Germain Racing is changing manufacturers once again. Ending a two-year relationship with Ford, team owner Bob Germain informed Doug Yates, CEO of Roush Yates Engines, on Tuesday that his company will be moving to General Motors for 2014. "We value Germain Racing as a customer, and we hate to see them leave," Yates said. "We wish them well." Germain is expected to form an engine and technical alliance with Richard Childress Racing similar to the relationship Furniture Row Racing. Germain Cup driver Casey Mears drove for RCR in 2009. Attempts to reach Germain Racing owner Bob Germain for comment have been unsuccessful.(FoxSports)(10-1-2013)

  • ESPN See Ratings, Viewership Growth for Dover: ESPN's live telecast of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway on Sunday, Sept. 29, earned a 2.4 U.S. household rating, averaging 3,968,864 viewers, according to Nielsen Media. The ratings and viewership were up nine and 11%, respectively, over last year's race, which earned a 2.2 U.S. household rating and averaged 3,581,380 viewers.
    Both races in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup so far this season that have been run and telecast as scheduled have seen ratings and viewership growth. The opening race of the Chase at Chicagoland Speedway was rain-delayed.Greensboro, N.C., was the highest-rated metered market for the Dover race with a 7.3 rating, followed by Greenville, S.C., at 6.4, Nashville, Tenn., at 6 .3 and a tie at 5.3 for Tulsa, Okla., and Birmingham, Ala. The rest of the top 10 markets were Norfolk and Richmond, Va., tied at 5.1, Fort Myers, Fla., and Knoxville, Tenn., tied at 4.9 and Jacksonville, Fla., at 4.8.
    ESPN's live telecast of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Dover on Saturday, Sept. 28, earned a 1.1 U.S. household rating, averaging 1,640,763 viewers. The rating and viewership were up 22 and 33 percent, respectively, from last year's race, which earned a 0.9 rating and averaged 1,229,916 viewers.(ESPN)
    See past races for 2013 and 5-year comparison chart on the 2013 NASCAR TV Ratings page.(10-1-2013)

  • Larson to make Cup debut at Charlotte: Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (EGR) announced that young driving sensation, Kyle Larson, will make his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) debut for Team Target in the Phoenix Racing #51 Target Chevy at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Oct. 12. In addition, he will run the NSCS race in Martinsville in the #51 Target Chevy on Oct. 27. In August, EGR announced that Larson would take over the reins of the #42 Target Chevy SS beginning in 2014. Larson, who is currently running full-time in the NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS), will also compete in the NNS race at Charlotte in the #32 Target Camaro for Turner Scott Motorsports. Next season, the 2012 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East (NKNPSE) Champion, will continue to run full-time in the NNS and compete for Rookie of the Year honors in the NSCS in the #42 Target Chevy SS.
    Before becoming the full-time Target driver in the NSCS in 2014, Larson will drive under the Target banner for his two 2013 NSCS starts in Charlotte and Martinsville and in one NNS race in Charlotte. Larson's 2013 Target paint scheme in the #51 and #32 Chevys will be white and carry the familiar Target bullseye in red.(EGR). Justin Allgaier had been announced as driving in three races in the #51, one being Charlotte, but looks like that was changed to Kansas as Allgaier is in the #51 at Kansas.(10-1-2013)

  • Dover Race and Commercial Breakdown of the AAA 400: For those of you NASCAR fans that like stats and love to hate commercials, here is the breakdown for Sunday's race. Began recording the times at the Invocation of the race at 2:02 PM, and stopped at the waving of the checkered flag at 5:24 PM (all times are EST). ESPN was the broadcast team for this event.
    Total number of commercials: 115
    Total number of companies or entities advertised: 55
    Number of traditional commercials (not split-screen): 62
    Total number of companies or entities advertised: 37
    Number of 'Side-by-Side' commercials during race broadcast (split-screen): 53
    Total number of companies or entities advertised: 30
    Number of times ESPN utilized 'Side-by-Side' commercials during this broadcast: 10
    Total number of brief promos of products/services during the race broadcast: 26
    Total amount of time these brief promos take during broadcast: app. 3 min. 5 sec.
    Start time to record race/commercial periods: 2:02 PM
    End time to record race/commercial periods: 5:24 PM
    Total minutes of complete race broadcast: 202
    Minutes of race broadcast: 170
    Minutes of traditional commercials (not split-screen): 32
    Minutes of 'Side-by-Side' commercials (split-screen): 27
    Number of missed restarts: 0
    Number of 'mystery cautions' (debris not shown): 1 _Referred to, but not shown
    Number of commercials cut short to go back to a caution; then return to: *1
    Total race brdcst time 170. Total comm. brdcst time 32
    See past races, links, more info on the 2013 TV Commercials page.(10-1-2013)

  • Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award Finalists Announced: The NASCAR Foundation announced the four finalists for the 2013 Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award. Finalists Duncan Dobie, Lisa Hall, Don Post and Richard Johnson each will receive a minimum $25,000 donation for the charity of their choice from The NASCAR Foundation, with the national winner being awarded $100,000. Each finalist will also receive one VIP at-track NASCAR experience during the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup at Kansas, Talladega, Martinsville and Texas. The award honors the unwavering commitment that The NASCAR Foundation Chairwoman Betty Jane France has demonstrated with her philanthropic and community efforts. The award is given annually to one dedicated NASCAR fan who has made a profound impact on children in his or her local community (NASCAR), see full PR, bios on the four finalists and more on my NASCAR Charities Info page.(10-1-2013)

  • New Ford nose approved: NASCAR Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton said that a new nose on the Ford Fusion was approved for next season. "They needed a grille update for next year," Pemberton said. "The (wind-tunnel) results looked to be favorable. & It doesn't do anything aero-wise but it just helps with the debris. It was inset more than the others. More times than not it was harder for them to get the debris off the grille than the other makes."(Sporting News)(10-1-2013)

  • Top 13 Driver Rating at Kansas:
    #48-Jimmie Johnson................. 119.1
    #16-Greg Biffle.......................... 110.1
    #20-Matt Kenseth...................... 110.0
    #17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr............ 101.7
    #24-Jeff Gordon.......................... 99.0
    Tony Stewart........................ 97.5 (injured, not racing)
    #99-Carl Edwards....................... 96.1
    #56-Martin Truex Jr.................... 93.4
    #29-Kevin Harvick....................... 92.0
    #5-Kasey Kahne........................ 91.1
    #14-Mark Martin.......................... 91.0
    #15-Clint Bowyer......................... 91.0
    #11-Denny Hamlin....................... 89.8
    Note: Driver Ratings compiled from 2005-2013 races (11 total) among active drivers at Kansas Speedway.
    Formula combining the following categories: Wins, Finishes, Top-15 Finishes, Average Running Position While on Lead Lap, Average Speed Under Green, Fastest Lap, Led Most Laps, Lead-Lap Finish. Maximum: 150 points per race.(NASCAR)

  • Kansas Facts and Notes - Tuesday:
    · Kansas Speedway Groundbreaking was held on May 25, 1999.
    · The official opening of Kansas Speedway was in 2001, with the first events being an ARCA race and a NASCAR K&N Pro Series West race on the same day  June 2.
    · The first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race was on Sept. 30, 2001  won by Jeff Gordon.
    · During the 2012 season, between the April and October events the 1.5-mile track underwent a repave adding variable banking in the corners.
    · There have been 15 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Kansas Speedway, one NSCS event from 2001 - 2010 and two races per year since 2011.
    · 109 drivers have competed in at least one NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas; 82 in more than one.
    · Danica Patrick is the only female driver that has competed at Kansas Speedway in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
    · Only one of the 15 races at Kansas Speedway has been shortened due to weather conditions: fall of 2007.
    (NASCAR)(10-1-2013)

  • Dover TV Ratings: ESPN's live telecast of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Dover on Saturday, Sept. 28, earned a 1.1 U.S. household rating, averaging 1,640,763 viewers. The rating and viewership were up 22 and 33 percent, respectively, from last year's race, which earned a 0.9 rating and averaged 1,229,916 viewers.(ESPN)(10-1-2013)

  • Piquet, Jr. penalized by NASCAR: Nelson Piquet Jr., driver of the #30 car in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, has been fined $10,000, required to participate in sensitivity training as directed by NASCAR, and placed on indefinite probation for violating the sanctioning body's Code of Conduct policy. On September 25, Piquet violated Sections 7-5 (Code of Conduct) and 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing) of the 2013 NASCAR rule book. "Nelson Piquet Jr. recently communicated an offensive and derogatory term that cannot be tolerated in our sport," said Steve O'Donnell, NASCAR senior vice president of racing operations. "NASCAR's Code of Conduct explicitly spells out in the 2013 rule book our position regarding the use of disparaging terms. We expect our entire industry to abide by this Code."(NASCAR)
    TSM Statement: We have spoken to Nelson about his insensitive comment and he understands that such remarks will not be tolerated at Turner Scott Motorsports. TSM expects those associated with the team to uphold professional standards that we can all be proud of. Nelson has assured the team that he has learned his lesson and he knows what it means to represent TSM.(Turner Scott Motorsports)
    Piquet Statement: "I sincerely apologize to everyone for my poor choice of words last week. I did not mean to hurt or offend anyone," the Brazilian said in a statement. This has been a cultural learning experience that will make me a more sensitive person moving forward."
    AND: NASCAR fined Nationwide Series driver Nelson Piquet Jr. $10,000 and placed him on indefinite probation Tuesday for using a homophobic slur on Instagram last week. While commenting on a photo that Nationwide Series driver Parker Kligerman posted of himself, Piquet used a three-letter slur as a one-word description of Kligerman. The word is offensive to a homosexual.(Sporting News)(10-1-2013)

  • Logano fails post-race inspection UPDATE: #22-Joey Logano's Ford failed post-race inspection at Dover. The car was too low on both front sides. Expect a points penalty to be announced early next week.(9-28-2013)
    UPDATE: Penalties have been levied to the #22 NASCAR Nationwide Series team as a result of rules violations committed last Saturday at Dover International Speedway. During post-race inspection Sept. 28, theE #22 car was found to have violated Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4J (any determination by NASCAR officials that the race equipment used in the event does not conform to the NASCAR rules detailed in Section 20-A of the NASCAR rule book, or has been approved by NASCAR prior to the event); and 20A-12.8.1(B) (the car failed to meet the minimum front car heights) of the 2013 rule book. As a result of this violation, crew chief Jeremy Bullins has been fined $10,000 and owner Roger Penske has been docked with the loss of six championship series car owner points.(NASCAR)
    AND "The Penske Racing #22 Ford Mustang had a spring retaining screw back out during Saturday's Nationwide Series race, which resulted in the car's front end being too low by 1/16 of an inch when presented for post-race inspection. The problem is being addressed internally to prevent it from happening again and the team is not planning to appeal the penalty."(Penske Racing)(10-1-2013)

  • Charlotte Motor Speedway Goes Pink For Dollar General 300: More than 100 breast cancer survivors and their supporters joined NASCAR drivers Matt Kenseth, Brian Vickers and Elliott Sadler to paint the Charlotte Motor Speedway start/finish line and pit wall pink to kick off National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and preview the pink-themed Dollar General 300 on Oct. 11. For the third consecutive year and as part of a continued effort to raise awareness of breast cancer education and research and to honor those who have fought the disease, Charlotte Motor Speedway will incorporate a pink theme into the Dollar General 300.
    Among other things, fans who attend next weekend's races will notice the pink start/finish line and pit wall, which got a fresh coat of pink paint Tuesday. In total, crews will use 80 gallons of paint provided by PPG Porter and Glidden Paints to cover more than 6,000 square feet for pit wall and the start/finish line. In addition to the pink paint on the start/finish line and pit wall, Charlotte Motor Speedway will include a number of other pink initiatives during Friday night's race.
    • As it did last year, the Dollar General 300 prerace activities will once again include a breast cancer survivor's parade with 300 breast cancer survivors. Participants who have signed up will meet in front of Smith Tower where they will receive a special pink T-shirt, pink and white flag and race ticket and walk onto the track to be recognized for their courage in facing the disease.
    • Before drivers jockey for position in the pivotal points race for the NASCAR Nationwide Series championship, a pink and white 2013 Toyota Camry Pace car will lead the field.
    • Even the celebration in Victory Circle will carry the pink scheme, with the winner hoisting a pink trophy in celebration  a colorful creation that's sure to stand out in any driver's trophy case.
    • In addition, fans who wish to express their support are encouraged to wear pink during Friday night's Dollar General 300 or display a pink ribbon.
    Over and above the efforts Charlotte Motor Speedway and Dollar General will make to carry the pink theme through the event, many drivers and teams have already announced plans to show their support with pink paint schemes and through other initiatives.(Charlotte Motor Speedway)(10-1-2013)

  • Leavine Family Racing starting Nationwide team: Leavine Family Racing (LFR) announced that it has expanded its role within NASCAR competition. The third-year, Concord, N.C.-based organization with headquarters in Tyler, Texas will field a single-car NASCAR Nationwide Series team out of its Concord shop in addition to its NASCAR Sprint Cup Series program. The team will continue to further its relationship with Ford Racing and enter the #95 Ford Mustang in the Nationwide Series. Leavine Family Racing is finalizing its driver for the 2014 season, and currently will enter two of the 2013 season's Nationwide Series final four races, beginning at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Oct. 11. Reed Sorenson will drive the #95 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway and Michael McDowell will be behind the wheel at Texas Motor Speedway. "We couldn't be more thrilled about our expansion this season," said Bob Leavine, owner of Leavine Family Racing. "Our program is an independent team, but we have potential - and with an infusion of sponsorship, perhaps a lot more than that."(Leavine Family Racing)(10-1-2013)

  • Sport Clips returns to the #11: This weekend at Kansas Speedway, Sport Clips will make their final appearance of the 2013 season on a Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota. In their previous eight races, Denny Hamlin piloted the #11 Sport Clips Toyota in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series to a second-place finish at Darlington Raceway and a 38th-place finish at Atlanta Motor Speedway with Sadler competing in the other six races in the #11 Sport Clips Toyota in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Sadler earned a sixth-place finish at Richmond International Raceway, second-place finish at Darlington Raceway, third-place finish at Daytona International Speedway, 18th-place finish at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, eighth-place finish at Iowa Speedway and most recently, a 14th-place finish at Kentucky Speedway.(Joe Gibbs Racing)(10-1-2013)

  • Sadler and OneMain Racing kick off Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Elliott Sadler, driver of the #11 OneMain Financial Toyota, will sport a special pink firesuit and pink OneMain Financial paint scheme in the Oct. 11 NASCAR Nationwide Series event at Charlotte Motor Speedway. "It means so much to me to have a sponsor like OneMain Financial to allow us to run this special pink paint scheme," Sadler said. "It is always my mom's favorite race of the year, and it is so great to be able to dedicate this race to my mom, all breast cancer survivors and those touched by the disease."OneMain Financial), see an image of the car on the #11 team paint schemes page.(10-1-2013)

  • Breast Cancer Survivors to Join NASCAR Drivers To Paint CMS Pit Wall Pink Tuesday: Breast cancer survivors are invited to help Charlotte Motor Speedway kick off National Breast Cancer Awareness Month on Tuesday, Oct. 1, by joining Dollar General drivers Matt Kenseth and Brian Vickers, NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Elliott Sadler and Fox Sports 1 motorsports analyst Hermie Sadler to paint the start/finish line and pit road wall pink.
    The event will also preview the pink-themed Oct. 11 Dollar General 300, celebrate survivors and honor those fighting breast cancer. Kenseth and Vickers will also unveil new paint schemes that they will run during race week in Charlotte, and Dollar General will make a special check presentation to the Susan G. Komen Foundation to support breast cancer education and research.
    The program begins at Tuesday at 10:30am/et. Breast cancer survivors wishing to take part are asked to check in at the ticket office on the second floor of Smith Tower by 10:15am/et. From there, the group will be escorted to the start/finish line for the program. Those who plan to attend are asked to wear pink. Paint, brushes and rollers will be provided by PPG Porter and Glidden Paints.
    Fans can catch all the action from Bojangles' Pole Night and the UNOH Southern Slam 150 on Oct. 10, to the Dollar General 300 on Oct. 11 and the Bank of America 500 on Oct. 12 with a weekend pass starting at just $99. Frontstretch tickets to the Bank of America 500 with spectacular views of the world's largest HDTV start at two for just $99 and can be obtained through the Charlotte Motor Speedway ticket office by calling 1-800-455-FANS (3267) or online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com.(CMS)(10-1-2013)

  • Pocono Announces 2014 Events Dates: Pocono Raceway will host three major motorsports race weekends and two premier endurance race events. The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will return to "The Tricky Triangle" for the June 6-8 Pocono 400 and the August 1-3 GoBowling.com 400 race weekends. The IndyCar Series will be back for the second straight year during the July 5-6 Pocono IndyCar weekend Fueled by Sunoco. In addition, the Raceway will host the inaugural Tough Mudder Poconos April 19-20 and their third annual Warrior Dash on August 23. "The past year was incredible," stated Brandon Igdalsky, Pocono Raceway President and CEO. "Five-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion, Jimmie Johnson, dominated and took the checkers in our June race. Local favorite Marco Andretti set a new track record as he earned the pole for the INDYCAR race in July, but during the race, Scott Dixon came out of nowhere to capture the first open-wheel victory at Pocono since 1989. Then the thrilling duel, at the end of the GoBowling.com 400 in August, between teammates Jeff Gordon and eventual race winner Kasey Kahne, capped off our exciting 2013 racing season. Tickets for the 2014 NASCAR and INDYCAR race weekends at Pocono Raceway, which will include the same supporting series events as 2013, will go on sale October 1, 2013. Fans can visit www.poconoraceway.com or call 1-800-RACEWAY (1-800-722-3929).(Pocono Raceway)(10-1-2013)

  • Pocono Raceway Accepting 2014 Fan Council Applications: Pocono Raceway is accepting applications for the 2014 Pocono Raceway Fan Council, a 20-member board to be comprised of race fans to assist "The Tricky Triangle" staff in developing and improving overall fan engagement. Members of the inaugural Pocono Raceway Fan Council, created last year, will play a vital role in the selection process of the 2014 group.
    "The creation of the Pocono Raceway Fan Council has provided a different perspective with the way we engage race fans," said Brandon Igdalsky, President and CEO of Pocono Raceway. "The 20 members selected for the inaugural council provided us with some great feedback, which will shape our fan-engagement planning for years to come. Their roles will change from providing input about our facility to assisting us with selecting new members for the 2014 Pocono Raceway Fan Council. We are excited to see who will apply this year!"
    The Pocono Raceway Fan Council will complete surveys, meet quarterly (either in person or through conference calls) and assist with promotional events throughout the year. Members are selected to a one year term from January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2014. Race fans interested in applying for the 2014 Pocono Raceway Fan Council can download and submit an application by visiting www.poconoraceway.com/fancouncil. Applications are due by Friday, October 18, 2013. All applicants must be over 18 years of age or older. Those selected for this year's fan council will be notified by a Pocono Raceway representative in December 2013.(Pocono Raceway)(10-1-2013)


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