It was one of those non-stop weekends here at our house … but out of the whirlwind comes your latest NASCAR Sprint Cup, Nationwide Series, Craftsman Truck Series, and other stock car racing news here in the latest edition of the Stock Car Gazette.
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T H E * S T O C K * C A R * G A Z E T T E
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E d i t o r ‘ s * N o t e s
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It was one of those non-stop weekends here at our house … but out of the whirlwind, here’s your Monday morning Stock Car Gazette!
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Stock Car Gazette Columnists Speak Out!
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TV Times – NASCAR To “re-energize the bonds with our core fans”?
by: Lou Modestino
At the recently concluded NASCAR Sprint Media Tour in Charlotte, NC, NASCAR CEO Brian France has called for motorsports to “re-energize the bonds with our core fans” after years of expansion into new US markets.
For more, visit http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/1030
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MotorSportsNews.Net(work) web site features
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Stock Car Gazette for Friday, January 25, 2008 – http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/1029
Chip Ganassi Racing Pulls Off Rolex 24 Three-Peat – http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/1031
Notable Quotables: Kyle Petty on Eventual Retirement – http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/1026
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N A S C A R * N E X T E L * C U P * S E R I E S
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Courtesy of Carolyn’s Jeff Gordon Newsletter cakes24@juno.com
NASCAR announces 2008 Cup broadcast schedule
Courtesy of Scenedaily
The complete Cup television schedule, with start times for broadcasts, is as follows:
Sprint Cup Schedule
Date Race/Facility Race Start TV Qualifying Laps
2/9/2008 Budweiser Shootout (Daytona Beach, FL) 8:45 PM FOX 2/7/2008 70
2/14/2008 Gatorade Duel 1 (Daytona Beach, FL) 2:20 PM SPD 2/10/2008 60
2/14/2008 Gatorade Duel 2 (Daytona Beach, FL) 4:00 PM SPD 2/10/2008 60
2/17/2008 Daytona 500 (Daytona Beach, FL) 3:40 PM FOX 2/10/2008 200
2/24/2008 Auto Club 500 (Fontana, CA) 4:15 PM FOX 2/22/2008 250
3/2/2008 UAW-Dodge 400 (Las Vegas, NV) 4:45 PM FOX 2/29/2008 267
3/9/2008 Kobalt Tools 500 (Hampton, GA) 2:25 PM FOX 3/7/2008 325
3/16/2008 Food City 500 (Bristol, TN) 2:20 PM FOX 3/14/2008 500
3/30/2008 Goody’s Cool Orange 500 (Martinsville, VA) 2:15 PM FOX 3/28/2008 500
4/6/2008 Samsung 500 (Fort Worth, TX) 2:15 PM FOX 4/4/2008 334
4/12/2008 Subway Fresh Fit 500 (Avondale, AZ) 8:45 PM FOX 4/10/2008 312
4/27/2008 Aaron’s 499 (Talladega, AL) 2:20 PM FOX 4/26/2008 188
5/3/2008 Crown Royal 400 (Richmond, VA) 7:45 PM FOX 5/2/2008 400
5/10/2008 Dodge Challenger 500 (Darlington, SC) 7:30 PM FOX 5/9/2008 367
5/17/2008 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race (Concord, NC) 9:00 PM SPD 5/16/2008 100
5/17/2008 Sprint Showdown (Concord, NC) 7:45 PM SPD 5/16/2008 50
5/25/2008 Coca-Cola 600 (Concord, NC) 5:45 PM FOX 5/22/2008 400
6/1/2008 Dover 400 (Dover, DE) 1:45 PM FOX 5/30/2008 400
6/8/2008 Pocono 500 (Long Pond, PA) 2:15 PM TNT 6/6/2008 200
6/15/2008 Citizens Bank 400 (Brooklyn, MI) 2:15 PM TNT 6/13/2008 200
6/22/2008 Toyota/Save Mart 350 (Sonoma, CA) 5:20 PM TNT 6/20/2008 110
6/29/2008 Lenox Industrial Tools 301 (Loudon, NH) 2:45 PM TNT 6/27/2008 301
7/5/2008 Pepsi 400 (Daytona Beach, FL) 8:15 PM TNT 7/4/2008 16
7/12/2008 USG Sheetrock 400 (Joliet, IL) 8:15 PM TNT 7/11/2008 267
7/27/2008 Allstate 400 at the Brickyard (Indianapolis, IN) 2:20 PM ESPN 7/26/2008 160
8/3/2008 Pennsylvania 500 (Long Pond, PA) 2:20 PM ESPN 8/1/2008 200
8/10/2008 Centurion Boats at The Glen (Watkins Glen, NY) 2:20 PM ESPN 8/8/2008 90
8/17/2008 3M Performance 400 (Brooklyn, MI) 2:20 PM ESPN 8/15/2008 200
8/23/2008 Sharpie 500 (Bristol, TN) 8:15 PM ESPN 8/22/2008 500
8/31/2008 Sharp AQUOS 500 (Fontana, CA) 8:15 PM ESPN 8/29/2008 250
9/6/2008 Chevy Rock & Roll 400 (Richmond, VA) 7:45 PM ABC 9/5/2008 400
9/14/2008 Sylvania 300 (Loudon, NH) 2:15 PM ABC 9/12/2008 300
9/21/2008 Dodge Dealers 400 (Dover, DE) 1:45 PM ABC 9/19/2008 400
9/28/2008 LifeLock 400 (Kansas City, KS) 2:15 PM ABC 9/26/2008 267
10/5/2008 AMP Energy 500 (Talladega, AL) 2:20 PM ABC 10/4/2008 188
10/11/2008 Bank of America 500 (Concord, NC) 7:40 PM ABC 10/10/2008 334
10/19/2008 Subway 500 (Martinsville, VA) 1:45 PM ABC 10/17/2008 500
10/26/2008 Pep Boys Auto 500 (Hampton, GA) 2:15 PM ABC 10/24/2008 325
11/2/2008 Dickies 500 (Fort Worth, TX) 3:45 PM ABC 10/31/2008 334
11/9/2008 Checker Auto Parts 500 (Avondale, AZ) 4:00 PM ABC 11/7/2008 312
11/16/2008 Ford 400 (Homestead, FL) 4:00 PM ABC 11/14/2008 267
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Courtesy of Google Alerts
#9 Ken Schrader Enters Fifth Annual Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville …
WhoWon.com – Lincoln,NE,USA
It’s nothing for Schrader to run a couple of dirt races during the week, compete in the Nextel Cup Series on the weekend and then show up at another dirt …
http://www.whowon.com/sresults.asp?SanctionID=816&StoryID=238531
Speedway cites judge’s errors in its appeal notice
Bizjournals.com – Charlotte,NC,USA
Kentucky Speedway appealed the decision to dismiss without trial its antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR and International Speedway Corp., citing six errors …
http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2008/01/28/story13.html
MIKE BRUDENELL: Ford driven to be best in NASCAR
Detroit Free Press – United States
BY MIKE BRUDENELL CHARLOTTE, NC — Last year, Ford teams took a beating at the hands of Chevrolet in the NASCAR Nextel Cup series, winning seven races to …
http://snipurl.com/1yeza-stockc
It appears to be Earnhardt’s time
Winston-Salem Journal – Winston-Salem,NC,USA
At the dawn of Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s new racing day, he rides in on a camel. Her name is Lulu. “Her breath stunk something awful,” Earnhardt said. …
http://snipurl.com/1yez9-stockc
Plenty to watch for in ’08 season
Clanton Advertiser – Clanton,AL,USA
The Winston Cup became the Nextel Cup. Now the Nextel Cup series becomes the Sprint Cup series. Unlike the first change, this change came about because of …
http://www.clantonadvertiser.com/articles/2008/01/26/sports/b-sports.txt
Yates Hopes a Lean Operation Can Save a Nascar Team
New York Times – United States
By AP CONCORD, NC (AP) — The name Yates used to mean royalty in Nascar. A dominant operation that others tried to catch, the race team reached its height …
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/27/sports/othersports/27yates.html?ref=sports
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Courtesy of Insider Racing News
http://www.insiderracingnews.com
Villeneuve Manager Pollock Splits
Craig Pollock will not be buying into Bill Davis Racing and also has parted ways as manager of former Formula One champion Jacques Villeneuve, according to Le Journal de Montreal. “Craig has a new wife and he seems to want to concentrate on his new family life which will be centered in Europe,” Villeneuve told the newspaper “As a newlywed and new father myself, I can understand he wants to focus on his family life. For my part, I chose to base here, in Canada, with my family, to pursue my career as a NASCAR driver. “It’s going well so far with Bill Davis Racing. I want to concentrate on it and do my things here.”
John Andretti Looking Again
John Andretti says he is looking for a ride for 2008 and won’t totally rule out a return to BAM Racing in the future. Andretti drove 15 Cup races last year, including 14 for BAM and had been slated to drive for the team until a couple of weeks ago when the team put Ken Schrader in the driver’s seat for the season-opening Daytona 500.
Max Papis Wants More NASCAR
Max Papis is enjoying his NASCAR “career” of testing for Hendrick Motorsports and running road-course events. But obviously the Italian-born journeyman open-wheel racer would like to do more. He has signed to do the three Nationwide Series events for Rusty Wallace Racing and is looking for deals to run the Sprint Cup road-course races.
ISC Reports Record Revenue
International Speedway Corporation (“ISC”) today reported results for the fourth quarter and full year ended November 30, 2007. “We are pleased to report record revenues for the 2007 fourth quarter and full year,” said ISC President Lesa France Kennedy. “While the consolidation of results from events at Chicagoland Speedway and Route 66 Raceway was an important driver of top-line growth, we also benefited from higher corporate partner spending for sponsorship, hospitality and advertising for our comparable events during the full year. In addition, we enjoyed solid overall consumer demand during 2007, despite a challenging economic backdrop.”
Joe Gibbs Opposes New Age Limit
Joe Gibbs Racing is lobbying NASCAR to keep the minimum age for the Sprint Cup Series at 18 so the team can promote 17-year-old prodigy Joey Logano as soon as next year, team president J.D. Gibbs said late Tuesday. NASCAR is looking at raising the age for its top series to 21, in part to assure that drivers don’t move up too quickly and in part to build more star power in the Nationwide (formerly Busch) and Craftsman Truck series by making up-and-coming drivers stay longer. If the change is made, Logano wouldn’t be able to race a full season in the Sprint Cup Series until 2012. That would scuttle JGR’s plans to move Logano up within the next couple of years.
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Courtesy of Jayski
http://www.jayski.com
For Sprint Cup Series and Nationwide Series teams, the western swing of NASCAR Preseason Thunder � the sport�s annual preseason test sessions � extends some recent learning curves. Next week, both series test at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, with the Sprint Cup Series also testing at California Speedway. Both series are fresh off preseason sessions at Daytona International Speedway; now they head west. Sprint Cup teams will test Monday, Jan. 28 and Tuesday, Jan. 29 at Las Vegas, and Thursday, Jan. 31 and Friday, Feb. 1 at California. NASCAR Nationwide Series teams will test Wednesday, Jan. 30 and Thursday, Jan. 31 at Las Vegas. Times are 9am until 5pm, with a noon-1pm lunch break each day, except for Thursday, Jan. 31 at California, when Sprint Cup teams test from 9am until 9pm. That day�s schedule includes a dinner break from 5-6pm. �I�m not aware of anybody that�s going to switch out the cars,� Darby said, between West Coast sessions. �I think everybody�s gearing-up to bring two cars to Las Vegas and California. And that is a good part about the new car. According to Sprint Cup Director John Darby, teams can adjust their schedules at California, running two sessions on Thursday and Friday, or three Thursday and one Friday, if they prefer. Sprint Cup teams also can use Wednesday�s travel day as a garage work day at California, prior to taking the track Thursday morning.(NASCAR PR)(1-26-2008)
Will report speeds as they are released on the Las Vegas Test Speeds and News page.(1-28-2008)
more 2008 schemes added including…..#00 Aaron’s, #01 Principal Financial Group, #8 US Army, #9 Bud, #10 Valvoline, #11 Kinkos, #12 Alltel, #16 3M, #17 DeWalt NANO, #18 Interstate Batteries, #20 Home Depot, #26 Crown Royal, #29 Shell, #41 Target, #43 Cheerios, #44 UPS, #45 PVA and Marathon Oil, #55 NAPA, #66 State Water Heaters, #99 Office Depot. See the Paint Scheme Gallery for the images/links. http://www.jayski.com/schemes/paintschemes.htm
and added #99 Aaron’s and #16 Citifinancial to the Nationwide Paint Schemes page.(1-28-2008) http://www.jayski.com/schemes/2008nationwide.htm
Who did the cameras focus on in 2007? cawsnjaws.com started to keep records of how many commercials there are during Cup races and how much time they take of every broadcast was in response to many fans� unhappiness with those numbers. Soon after I started posting the numbers and even have them archived on their own page, Commericals 2007. Also kept track of how much camera time different drivers receive during races. Some results:
Car No. / Driver / Focus Total (top 5/bottom 5) full time drivers:
(24) Jeff Gordon � 928
(48) Jimmie Johnson � 906
(8) Dale Earnhardt Jr. � 763
(20) Tony Stewart � 604
(17) Matt Kenseth � 579
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(44) Dale Jarrett � 54
(36) Jeremy Mayfield � 42
(84) A.J. Allmendinger � 36
(00) David Reutimann � 33
(4) Ward Burton� 32
Crew Chiefs:
(48) Chad Knaus � 57
(24) Steve Letarte � 44
(20) Greg Zipadelli � 23
(8) Tony Eury Jr. � 12
(5) Alan Gustafson � 9
See full report at cawsnjaws.com.(1-28-2008)
http://snipurl.com/1yezm-stockc
Rules Changes for 2008:
Testing: Cup teams will get 200 tires (50 sets) for testing at non-NASCAR sanctioned tracks.
Qualifying: Teams not guaranteed a starting spot [non top 35 in owners points] will qualify together at the end of a session [starting at California].
Fines: Fines levied by NASCAR will now go toward charity instead of going back to the teams in the season-ending point fund.
Pit Road: Teams can’t roll tires back to the pit wall during a pit stop. Crews can’t push a car on pit road more than three pit stalls.
Fuel Cell: All three national series will run the same up-graded fuel cell [approx 17 gallons], the same fuel cell used in 2007 by the Sprint Cup Series.
(1-28-2008)
1998 Daytona 500 to be aired: In advance of the 50th running of the Daytona 500 on Feb. 17, ESPN Classic will be televising six of the best Daytona 500 races of all time every Monday at 2:00pm/et through Feb. 11. On Monday, Jan. 28, ESPN Classic will air the 1998 Daytona 500 [won by Dale Earnhardt....nothing like the end when he drives down pit road and all the crews come out to great him....look for the Jayski.com sign on the pit wall].(1-27-2008)
Montoya, Franchitti, Pruett and Rojas win Rolex 24: Chip Ganassi’s guys are making this look easy. The quartet of Juan Pablo Montoya, Dario Franchitti, Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas encountered no serious problems, giving Ganassi an unprecedented third straight victory in America’s premier sports car race — the Rolex 24-Hour at Daytona International Speedway. Other than a minor handling problem for Pruett at the start of the race Saturday afternoon, the team’s #01 Lexus Riley Daytona Prototype was nearly perfect, racing at or near the lead in an event that was the most competitive in the 46-year history until the waning hours. At dawn Sunday, with about six hours to go, there were five other prototypes on the lead lap. But, as often happens in endurance events, attrition suddenly took its toll. The Ganassi car had been swapping leads with the Ford Riley shared by NASCAR’s A.J. Allmendinger, Ian James, Burt Frisselle and John Pew. That car, driven by Frisselle, was just seconds behind the leader when a tire blew, damaging the suspension midway through the 21st hour and knocking it out of contention. Montoya, who had taken the wheel near the end of the 18th hour, had a comfortable five-lap lead on the 3.56-mile road circuit and his team was able to cruise the rest of the way. The race began with scattered rain showers and a treacherous track and ended on a warm, sunny afternoon. Fifteen different cars led, breaking the record of 11, set last year. Overall, there were 60 lead changes, 16 more than the record of 44 set in 2005. In the end, though, the winning car led a race-high 252 of 695 laps, completing 2,460 miles and beating the runner-up Pontiac Riley co-driven by two-time defending NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson, former CART champion Jimmy Vasser and 2007 Rolex Grand-Am Series prototype champions Jon Fogarty and Alex Gurney by two laps. Johnson, who has raced in this event four times, also finished second in 2005. Four more laps back in third was the Pontiac Riley co-driven by NASCAR champion Kurt Busch, two-time Indy 500 winner Helio Castroneves and Ryan Briscoe.(ESPN.com), More info at grand-am.com
Tragic News for the Motorsports world: The two young sons of Top Fuel racer Doug Herbert were killed in an automobile accident Saturday morning in Lake Norman (Cornelius), NC. Jon, 17, and James, 12, died instantly when their Mazda3 collided with a second vehicle [2004 Hummer]. Herbert, who was in Phoenix for preseason testing, is heading home to be with his family. Condolences can be sent to Raymer Funeral Home, 16901 Old Statesville Road, Huntersville, N.C. 28078. In lieu of flowers, Herbert asks that people make a donation to the Speedway Children’s Charities in Jon and James Herbert’s name.(NHRA.com/ Charlotte.com), thoughts and prayers are with the Herbert family. Guest Book: Post thoughts, condolences.
http://www.speedwaycharities.org/
http://www.legacy.com/Charlotte/GB/GuestbookView.aspx?PersonId=101938666
# Roush looking to re-sign drivers: Roush Fenway Racing officials say they are working on contract extensions for #99-Carl Edwards and #16-Greg Biffle. The contracts for both drivers expire after this season.(Virginia Pilot)(1-26-2008)
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Courtesy of Gazette subscribe Kent D. – thanks!
Finding a ride for Ward
Farmington Daily Times – Farmington,NM,USA 4 Chevrolet that was driven by the great, the talented and the ever-so-nice Ward Burton has shut its doors on accounta it can’t find a sponsor. …
http://www.daily-times.com/sports/ci_8083323
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Your ad here could be seen by hundreds of dedicated racing fans!
Contact Mike@MotorSportsNews.Net for rates and information.
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Courtesy of That’s Racin’
http://www.thatsracin.com
NASCAR’s ‘back to basics’ ought to be more than Brooks & Dunn
DAVID POOLE’S LIFE IN THE TURN LANE
Just what, exactly, does it mean to “go back to basics?” How, precisely, does NASCAR plan to change to re-connect with its core fans? Frankly, the preseason talk about that kind of stuff is just a public relations bill of goods.
http://turn-lane.blogspot.com/2008/01/nascars-back-to-basics-should-involve.html
Ganassi gets 3rd straight win with rock-solid Rolex 24 run
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Chip Ganassi’s drivers weren’t racing to make money. They wanted to make history.
http://www.thatsracin.com/242/story/10220.html
Rolex 24 results | Unofficial scoring from Daytona
http://www.thatsracin.com/other_series/story/10224.html
In an instant, heartbreak
Herbert, NHRA driver known for kind heart, suffers devastating loss
Nicknames are often supposed to be ironic. You call a short guy “Stretch” or a rotund one “Slim.” That’s the only context in which Doug Herbert’s nickname makes any sense at all.
http://www.thatsracin.com/242/story/10211.html
Service planned at school Herbert boys attended
http://www.thatsracin.com/other_series/story/10227.html
Drag racer’s sons killed in wreck
http://www.thatsracin.com/242/story/10210.html
Statement from Herbert family about fatal wreck
http://www.thatsracin.com/242/story/10213.html
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N A S C A R * N A T I O N W I D E * S E R I E S
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Courtesy of Jayski
http://www.jayski.com
Las Vegas Testing: Nationwide Series teams test at Las Vegas on January 30 & 31. The list of drivers expected to participate is available on the Las Vegas Testing page
http://www.jayski.com/nationwide/2008/testing/08lasvegas-testing.htm#drivers
Paint Schemes: More 2008 schemes added to the 2008 Nationwide Paint Schemes page, including the #16 citifinancial Ford and #99 Aarons Toyota.(1-27-2008) http://www.jayski.com/schemes/2008nationwide.htm
Willie Allen Working on Nationwide Ride for Daytona: Willie Allen has spent the past month looking for a new NASCAR ride for the start of the coming season. It was the last thing the Hickman County resident expected during the racing offseason after his 2007 campaign. Allen was 15th in the Craftsman Truck standings and was named the series’ rookie of the year. But any perception of job security ended in December when Thorsport Racing dropped him as its driver of the #13 truck and replaced him with 22-year-old Shelby Howard of Greenwood, Ind. “It was a big shock to me,” Allen said. “We had success. We achieved goals we had set. “But that’s racing, I guess.” Allen, 27, said he has been working on signing a one-race deal for the Feb. 16 Nationwide season opener at Daytona. An announcement on a deal could come as early as next week, he said.(Tennessean)(1-27-2008)
Nationwide Deal for Kenny Wallace? UPDATE 3: hearing Kenny Wallace will make his 2008 Nationwide Series announcement at Gateway Internationl Raceway on Friday, Jan 25th. Wallace tested at Daytona in the #37 Baker Curb Racing Ford and has been rumored to be driving for that team or for the #22 Fitz Motorsports ride.(1-24-2008)
UPDATE: Kenny Wallace announced that he will drive a second Nationwide Series car for Fitz Motorsports. Wallace unveiled his plans at a news conference that also announced the Dodge sponsorship of the Nationwide race at Gateway International Raceway. Wes Ward, formerly of JR Motorsports, will be the crew chief for Wallace. The number and sponsor will be announced prior to the season-opening race, Feb. 16 at Daytona International Speedway.(SceneDaily.com)(1-25-2008)
UPDATE 2: Hearing that Wes Ward will not be the crew chief, but will continue to work with Mark McFarland in the Hooters Pro Cup Series.(1-25-2008)
UPDATE 3: “Kenny is a great guy who has multiple wins in the NNS and we are very excited to have him drive for us this year,” owner Armando Fitz stated. “We have a great sponsor lined up and we are looking forward to what we can do with two cars on the track this year. I think it will be very beneficial to our entire team.”(Fitz PR)(1-27-2008)
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Courtesy of The Hot Lap
http://www.TheHotLap.com
Soon, NASCAR team transporters will embark on their late-January trek across plains, mountains and deserts – an annual cross-country pilgrimage crucial to a fast start. For NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series teams, the western swing of NASCAR Preseason Thunder – the sport’s annual preseason test sessions – extends some recent learning curves. Next week, both series test at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series also testing at California Speedway. Both series are fresh off preseason sessions at Daytona International Speedway; now they head west. NASCAR Nationwide Series teams will test Wednesday, Jan. 30 and Thursday, Jan. 31 at Las Vegas. (NASCAR PR) (01-26-08)
Fitz Motorsports has announced that NASCAR veteran Kenny Wallace will be driving a second car for the team in the NASCAR Nationwide Series in 2008. Following the successful season Fitz Motorsports had in 2007, they were eager to field a second car alongside Mike Bliss in the No.22 Supercuts Dodge. After much consideration, they decided that Wallace, with nine wins in the NNS, would be the driver to fill the seat. “Kenny is a great guy who has multiple wins in the NNS and we are very excited to have him drive for us this year,” owner Armando Fitz stated. “We have a great sponsor lined up and we are looking forward to what we can do with two cars on the track this year. I think it will be very beneficial to our entire team.” An official announcement will be made prior to Daytona to reveal the sponsor, car number, and crew chief. (FM PR) (01-25-08)
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C R A F T S M A N * T R U C K * S E R I E S
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Courtesy of Jayski
http://www.jayski.com
Willie Allen working on Nationwide ride for Daytona: Willie Allen has spent the past month looking for a new NASCAR ride for the start of the coming season. It was the last thing the Hickman County resident expected during the racing offseason after his 2007 campaign. Allen was 15th in the Craftsman Truck standings and was named the series’ rookie of the year. But any perception of job security ended in December when Thorsport Racing dropped him as its driver of the #13 truck and replaced him with 22-year-old Shelby Howard of Greenwood, Ind. “It was a big shock to me,” Allen said. “We had success. We achieved goals we had set. “But that’s racing, I guess.” Allen, 27, said he has been working on signing a one-race deal for the Feb. 16 Nationwide season opener at Daytona. An announcement on a deal could come as early as next week, he said.(Tennessean)(1-27-2008)
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A R C A (Automobile Racing Club of America)
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Courtesy of ARCA
http://www.arcaracing.com
EXEDY Named Official Clutch of the ARCA RE/MAX Series
http://www.arcaracing.com/content/view/6100/2/
ARCA West Expands to Include Canadian Stock Car Series
MERCED CA (1-25-08)–Officials from the Automobile Racing Club of America have announced the expansion of the ARCA West Late Model Challenge Series. Under the terms of the expansion, the NEWALTA Late Model Challenge Series will combine with ARCA West to become the ARCA West Late Model Challenge Series in 2008.
http://www.arcaracing.com/content/view/6099/2/
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NECA, IBEW Sponsor Teen Driver’s Run at NASCAR History
Earthtimes – London,UK
For 2008, Owens will run in the renowned ARCA RE/MAX Series, beginning with the 45th annual Daytona ARCA 200 at Daytona International Speedway on February …
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/neca-ibew-sponsor-teen-drivers-run-at-nascar-history,263629.shtml
Carter Sets Sights on Daytona; Clement’s 46 Car Race-Ready
WhoWon.com – Lincoln,NE,USA
For one, the famous ARCA RE/MAX Series machine will be without its longtime occupant – nine-time champion Frank Kimmel after he announced he was forming his …
http://www.whowon.com/Results.asp?TrackID=449&StoryID=238496
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U S A R (United Speed Alliance Racing)
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Courtesy of USAR
http://usarprocup.com
RaceSafe System on Tap for 2008 – http://usarprocup.com/view_article.asp?id=2580
Tri-Star Returns as Contingency Sponsor – http://usarprocup.com/view_article.asp?id=2579
Bainey, Aaron’s Dream Team Unveil Calender – http://usarprocup.com/view_article.asp?id=2578
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N A S C A R * C A N A D I A N * T I R E * S E R I E S
http://www.nascarlocalracing.com/content.php?Series_ID=28
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Kawartha Speedway honours drivers
Peterborough Examiner – Peterborough,Ontario,Canada
The on-track action begins May 30 and concludes Sept. 27 with the crowning of the 2008 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series champion.
http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=876236
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C O L U M N S / C O M M E N T A R I E S
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Skipping Down Memory Lane With The Expert Panel
by Carol Einarsson
Monday night, six p.m. That was the magical time for TV at my house for years.
http://www.racejournalonline.com/index.cfm?Pagename=column&id=418
Insider Racing News
http://insiderracingnews.com/Writers/KR/012708.html
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Versus Kasey Kahne – What If?
by Kim Roberson
The Fans Have Spoken, ESPN Listens: It appears that the folks over at NASCAR on ESPN have listened to the fans. Last season long time NASCAR fans grumbled and complained about ESPNâ?Ts NASCAR coverage, and for good reason. ESPN hopes to gain back the respect of fans after announcing changes to the 2008 broadcast team. http://www.speedwaymedia.com/Articles/08/012408Baldeck.asp
Maybe NASCAR Has a Clue After all: Brian France, the much maligned CEO of NASCAR, usually uses the NASCAR Media Tour to announce big things. Over the last few years, it has been either a new system of determining a champion (The Chase) or a new car (the Car of Tomorrow) or a new sponsor (Winston became Nextel and then became Sprint while Busch beer became Nationwide Insurance). http://www.speedwaymedia.com/Articles/08/012408Fleshman.asp
The 55 Men Set To Challenge Daytona: While we await the official list, it would appear that at least 55 drivers have taken up the challenge to compete in the 50th edition of the Daytona 500. Ahead lies qualifying for the front row positions, then the Dual Qualifiers that will determine who makes the field before the 43 remaining wheel men compete in the Great American Race. http://www.speedwaymedia.com/Articles/08/012208Thornton.asp
NASCAR FUN: A driver says, “OK, let’s go have fun racing today.” I have never heard anyone else on the team say that, and I have been on a couple of teams in my time. (This old man has been in racing for 30 years!) http://www.speedwaymedia.com/Articles/08/011808Crawford.asp
NASCAR Wake Up, Nationwide Series Needs Help!: It is just 32 days and counting until the NASCAR Nationwide, formerly Busch Series, hits Daytona International Speedway for their season opener. You would think after the last two seasons with Cup drivers running away with the championship NASCAR would try to institute some changes to help improve the series. http://www.speedwaymedia.com/Articles/08/011608Baldeck.asp
Let Us Work Together To Convince NASCAR To Make A Couple Of Changes: Call it a quest. There are a couple of things that bother the hell out of me regarding NASCAR, and with your help we just might be able to convince those folks to fix them. First, I’m tired of charity cases getting a free pass to races at the expense of developing teams. http://www.speedwaymedia.com/Articles/08/011508Thornton.asp
Yates Racing Comes to Daytona Minus Robert: For the first time, maybe in history as we know it, a Yates racing team is at Daytona without Robert Yates. Yates gave or sold (it’s not clear) the team that had won so many races and a championship to his son Doug after the 2007 season. http://www.speedwaymedia.com/Articles/08/011408Fleshman.asp
Insider Racing News
http://insiderracingnews.com/Writers/RF/012808.html
This Week In NASCAR: Rusty Wallace, We Hardly Knew Ye
by Ron Felix
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T V * L I S T I N G S
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Courtesy of Race Fan TV
http://snipurl.com/llya-stockc
MONDAY, JANUARY 28
8:00A-9:00 SPEED The SPEED Report, R
11:00A-12:00 ESPN-CL 2003 MAC Tools NHRA Gatornationals, Gainesville Raceway Gainesville, FL, Mar 16/03
12:00n-2:00 SPEED Bodine Bobsled Challenge, Famous drivers on the NASCAR circuit try out the speed sensation on Geoff Bodine’s bobsleds, Lake Palcid, NY, Jan 3-5/08, R
2:00P-3:00 ESPN-CL 1998 NASCAR Daytona 500, Daytona International Speedway, Daytona, FL, Feb 15/98
7:00P-7:30 SPEED NASCAR Pre-season Thunder, testing from Las Vegas, (Mon Jan 28/08 version) N
11:00P-11:30 SPEED NASCAR Pre-season Thunder, testing from Las Vegas, (Mon Jan 28/08 version) R
TUESDAY, JANUARY 29
3:00A-4:00 SPEED SCCA Runoffs, E Production, Heartland Park, Topeka, KS, Oct 14/07, R
4:00A-5:00 SPEED SCCA Runoffs, Formula Vee, Heartland Park, Topeka, KS, Oct 14/07, R
11:00A-12:00 ESPN-CL 2003 NHRA Summitracing.com Nationals, Las Vegas, NV, Apr 6/03
12:00n-1:00P SPEED FIM Superbike World Championship, Brands Hatch, England, Race #1, Aug 5/07, R
1:00P-2:00 SPEED FIM Superbike World Championship, Brands Hatch, England, Race #2, Aug 5/07, R
2:00P-3:00 SPEED FIM Supersport World Championship, Brands Hatch, England, Aug 5/07, R
7:00P-7:30 SPEED NASCAR Pre-season Thunder, testing from Las Vegas, (Tues Jan 29/08 version) N
11:00P-11:30 SPEED NASCAR Pre-season Thunder, testing from Las Vegas, (Tues Jan 29/08 version) R
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30
3:00A-4:00 SPEED SCCA Runoffs, Spec Racer Ford, Heartland Park, Topeka, KS, Oct 14/07, R
4:00A-5:00 SPEED SCCA Runoffs, F Production, Heartland Park, Topeka, KS, Oct 14/07, R
11:00A-12:00 ESPN-CL 2003 NHRA O’Reilly Spring Nationals, Houston, TX, Apr 13/03
12:00n-1:00P SPEED SCCA Runoffs, Formula Mazda, Heartland Park, Topeka, KS, Oct 14/07, N
1:00P-2:00 SPEED UIM Powerboat P1 Series: Portuguese Grand Prix of the Sea, Portimão, Portugal, Sept 30/07, R
2:00P-3:00 SPEED UIM Powerboat P1 Series: 2007 season in review, R
7:00P-7:30 SPEED NASCAR Pre-season Thunder, testing from Las Vegas, (Wed Jan 30/08 version) N
9:00P-10:00 SPEED AMA Monster Energy Supercross Series (Anaheim #2), Angels Stadium, Anaheim, CA, Jan 19/08, R
11:00P-11:30 SPEED NASCAR Pre-season Thunder, testing from Las Vegas, (Wed Jan 30/08 version) R
Race Fan TV does not list all the programming offered by SPEED; for complete listings go to their website, http://www.speedtv.com/schedule/
DISC-HDT = Discovery HD Theatre
ESPN-CL = ESPN Classic, US
HDNet = High Definition Network available on DirecTV (Channel 79) and DISH, etc.
Outdoor = Outdoor Channel (US)
VS = Versus (formerly known as OLN, Outdoor Life Network)
Always CHECK YOUR LOCAL LISTINGS!
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The Stock Car Gazette
Copyright 2002-2008 by MotorSportsNews.Net
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