Stock Car Gazette for Tuesday, 4/29/2008

I know some of you got duplicates yesterday, and we do apologize for that. We were having e-mail server problems (along with other computer problems here locally) yesterday.

Remembering Dale Earnhardt on his birthday,
April 29, 1951 – February 18, 2001

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T H E * S T O C K * C A R * G A Z E T T E
by http://MotorSportsNews.Net

Do you know for sure?

http://motorsportsnews.net/you-can-know-for-sure

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The Stock Car Gazette is sponsored by:

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HASCO Collectibles Is Still Clearing Out Dale Jr. Bud Merchandise.
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Stock Car Gazette Columnists Speak Out!
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Lori Hamilton: Leading the Charge On and Off the Track
by: Doug Turnbull

The loss of a loved one can bring the best and the worst out of someone, especially when that loved is as much of a presence as Bobby Hamilton was.

MORE: http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/1219
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TV Times – American Le Mans Series Bucks NASCAR’s Declining Attendance Trends
by: Lou Modestino

In an era where television ratings and attendance at many sporting events are showing declines, the American Le Mans Series is moving the needle appreciably.

MORE: http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/1220
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Track Trash – Demolition ‘dega
by: Boyd McPherson

MORE: http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/1221
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Smoke Claims first Talladega Nationwide Win
by: Thomas Chemris

Tony Stewart won from the pole in the NASCAR Nationwide series Aarons 312 at the Talladega Superspeedway. The win marked the first time in his career that Stewart has won at the Alabama facility.

MORE: http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/1216
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MotorSportsNews.Net(work) web site features
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CHECK THIS OUT
(Video) Kevin Lepage Causes “The Big One” in Aaron’s 312 Nationwide Race

http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/1218

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N A S C A R * S P R I N T * C U P * S E R I E S
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Franchitti’s return to Cup unknown
Steve Hmiel, the director of competition for Chip Ganassi Racing, said Sunday morning he isn’t sure when Dario Franchitti will be able to return as the driver of the No. 40 Dodge. Franchitti fractured his left ankle in an accident during the Nationwide Series race Saturday. David Stremme will drive for Franchitti in the Aaron’s 499 [...]

http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/autoracingsport/~3/279204812/

Truex will race for DEI at least through 2009
When there’s been talk about potential free agents for 2009, Martin Truex, Jr. has had his name passed around in more than one story or conversation. There’s one hitch. His current deal with Dale Earnhardt Inc is good through next season according to team president Max Siegel. “We have an option that we’ve picked up for [...]

http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/autoracingsport/~3/279563381/

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Courtesy of www.Catchfence.com

Dreams Come True For Joe Gibbs Racing During Aaron’s Dream Weekend

http://www.catchfence.com/press/042808f.html

May 17 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race Gives Dale Jarrett Opportunity to Say Goodbye to the Fans

http://www.catchfence.com/press/042808e.html

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Interviews Danica Patrick on XM Satellite Radio’s ‘Dale Jr. Unrestricted’: The two biggest superstars in auto racing will go one-on-one on XM Satellite Radio this week when Dale Earnhardt Jr. interviews Danica Patrick on his weekly XM Radio show “Dale Jr. Unrestricted.” Earnhardt’s interview with Patrick will air nationwide on the XM Sports Nation channel (XM 144) this Thursday, May 1, at 7:30 pm ET/4:30 pm PT. Encore broadcasts will air Thursday at 10:30 pm ET/7:30 pm PT and Saturday at 1:30 pm ET/10:30 am PT and 6:30 pm/3:30 pm PT. Patrick made racing history at the Indy Japan 300 on April 20 when she became the first female to win a major closed-course auto race. “Danica is a talented driver, and she backs up that talent with the kind of commitment and dedication you’ve got to have to succeed,” Earnhardt said. “We’ve hung out a little, and I’m glad to see her hard work pay off.” NASCAR’s Earnhardt and the IndyCar Series’ Patrick have more in common than auto racing. They are both members of the XM family: Patrick is a co-host of the XM show “Andretti Green Racing Hour” on Tuesdays at 7 pm ET/4 pm PT on the XM Sports Nation channel. The two drivers also made a memorable joint appearance in Jay-Z’s video for “Show Me What You Got.” Earnhardt co-hosts “Dale Jr. Unrestricted” with his friend Josh Snider on XM Radio every Thursday night during NASCAR season. Racing fans can tune into “Dale Jr. Unrestricted” on XM radios for the car, home, and portable use. XM airs from coast to coast to more than 9 million subscribers. – Catalyst Public Relations For XM Satellite Radio, Press Release
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Courtesy of Stock Car Gazette subscriber Ed B. – thanks!

Soaring Gas Prices Has NASCAR Crying in To Its Coors

http://snipurl.com/26aau-gazete

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Courtesy of Google Alerts

Joe Gibbs believes winning matters most to NASCAR-champion Tony …
The Canadian Press – TALLADEGA, Ala.
… winning is still the most important thing to Tony Stewart, and that makes his team the favourite in the bidding war for the two-time NASCAR champion. …

http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5hZsN-gDjHkuupa5-S6peL6hMl_yQ

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Courtesy of Insider Racing News

http://www.insiderracingnews.com

Kentucky Speedway Appeals Ruling
Kentucky Speedway owners insist they are not just a jilted distributor but contend that NASCAR and International Speedway Corp. have worked together illegally to keep independent tracks from hosting Sprint Cup races, according to Kentucky Speedway’s appeal in its federal antitrust lawsuit against the two France family-controlled companies. According to a redacted version of the appeal, in which some presumably sensitive information was taken out, Kentucky Speedway offers its arguments as to why a U.S. District Court judge should not have ruled in January in favor of NASCAR and ISC without allowing the case to go to trial. In his opinion, the judge rejected the validity of Kentucky Speedway’s expert economist’s testimony. In its appeal, released Monday by the U.S. appeals court in Cincinnati, Kentucky Speedway says that NASCAR denied independent tracks Cup races until they agreed to sell to ISC at below market value. The track’s appeal also says that NASCAR threatened to pull races from Las Vegas Motor Speedway because the owners refused to sell to ISC; the owners later sold to ISC-rival Speedway Motorsports.

Overnight Ratings Up
Scene Daily is reporting that Fox’s broadcast of Sunday’s Aaron’s 499 NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Talladega Superspeedway earned a 5.2 overnight Nielsen Media Research rating and an 11 share in the nation’s largest television markets, Street & Smith’s SportsBusiness Daily reports. The rating is 2.0 percent higher than the 5.1 Fox earned overnight for the race in 2007. ABC’s broadcast of Saturday’s Aaron’s 312 Nationwide Series race earned a 2.3 overnight rating, the Daily said, up 9.5 percent from the 2.1 the race earned in 2007.

ESPN Classic Featuring Two Classic NASCAR Races
Race fans will have the opportunity to watch two classic NASCAR Sprint Cup races this week on ESPN Classic. The 1999 Pontiac Excitement 400 from Richmond International Raceway airs Thursday, May 1, at 2 p.m. ET, while the 1991 Champion Spark Plug 500 at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway airs Friday, May 2, at 3 a.m. Both races originally aired live on ESPN.

TV Coverage Expands For Dale Earnhardt Day
Dale Earnhardt Inc. will host the seventh annual Dale Earnhardt Day at its corporate headquarters in Mooresville, N.C., on Tuesday, April 29, and ESPN2?s NASCAR Now will expand to one hour that day for special coverage of the event. The program airs at 6 p.m. ET. The event, which celebrates the birthday of the seven-time NASCAR champion, also serves as a major benefit for the Dale Earnhardt Foundation, with a percentage of the event’s merchandise sales being donated to the Foundation. ESPN?s Dr. Jerry Punch will be master of ceremonies for the event. The Monday, May 5, edition of NASCAR Now also will expand to an hour and will include host Allen Bestwick leading a roundtable discussion with ESPN analysts and reporters of the weekend?s NASCAR action at Richmond International Raceway and other NASCAR news. The program airs at 5:30 p.m.
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Courtesy of Jayski

http://www.jayski.com

Marlin back in the #40 at Richmond: Sterling Marlin may drive again for Chip Ganassi Racing as a substitute for the injured Dario Franchitti in the May 10 Sprint Cup race at Darlington. Marlin drove eight seasons for Ganassi in the #40 Dodge before being replaced prior to the 2006 season. Marlin said nothing had been made official. “They’ve mentioned Darlington,” Marlin said. “I told them it’s whatever they want to do.” Marlin is committed to driving for Phoenix Racing in Richmond in Saturday night’s Cup race. He said his remaining schedule with the race team is not set. He signed a 10-race deal with Phoenix Racing prior to the season. Marlin finished 22nd in Sunday’s Aaron’s 499 — the first Cup race he qualified for this season. Marlin also is scheduled to compete in six Late Model races at Music City Motorplex beginning on May 10, but he said a Cup ride would take priority. Franchitti broke his left ankle in a crash on the 11th lap of Saturday’s Nationwide race at Talladega. It has not been determined how many races Franchitti will miss.(Tennessean), the #09 is not listed on the Richmond entry list, hearing Marlin could be in the car at Richmond. Other drivers I have heard under consider for the #40 ride at Richmond and or Darlington include Ricky Rudd, Tony Raines, Mike Bliss and Ken Schrader. Hearing Franchitti is having a carbon fiber cast put on Tuesday and the plan is for him to be back at Charlotte [All Star race May 17th].(4-29-2008)

Harvick Visits Shell Oil Company Off-shore Platform “Brutus”: #29-Kevin Harvick made a unique stop in route to this weekend’s Sprint Cup Series event at Talladega Superspeedway. Harvick visited the Shell off-shore oil and gas production platform, Brutus, on Thursday [April 24th]. Brutus, the largest of five Shell signature deepwater tension lake platforms, is located 160 miles off the shore of New Orleans, Louisiana in the Gulf of Mexico. The 35,000 ton platform is home to as many as 150 Shell staff members who spend two weeks at a time at the facility. Located in over 3,000 feet of water, the platform is used for the initial processing and transportation of oil and gas to shore. “After today’s visit I have a whole new appreciation for the Gulf of Mexico and “America’s Energy Coast (Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama) and the importance this Region plays to our US Energy Supply”, commented Harvick. During his visit Harvick had the opportunity to meet and greet the staff of Brutus and joined them for lunch in the galley. A comprehensive tour of the facility followed before heading back to New Orleans. “I was impressed with the focus and attention to safety that is part of the Shell culture”, continued Harvick. “The staff has great pride in their facility and what they do. These are very focused employees that use extremely advanced technology to get energy out of the ground and deliver it to people across the country every day. ” Harvick was joined by Shell executives along with local radio sports talk show host, Bobby Hebert, former NFL/Saints QB.(PR)(4-29-2008)

Richard and Kyle Petty Make ‘Pit Stop’ to Meet Paralyzed Veterans at Richmond VA Hospital: Richard and Kyle Petty, in advance of the Crown Royal Presents Dan Lowry 400, May 3 at the Richmond International Raceway, will drop by to meet paralyzed veterans at Richmond’s Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center on May 1, 2008. The legendary duo will visit with seriously wounded troops and meet leaders and members of Paralyzed Veterans of America (Paralyzed Veterans) Virginia Mid-Atlantic Chapter. The Pettys are longtime supporters of Paralyzed Veterans’ work to ensure that those who have served and sacrificed have everything they need to thrive. Petty Enterprises recently donated the primary sponsorship of their No. 45 Dodge at the Kobalt Tools 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway and the Aaron’s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway to Paralyzed Veterans. Petty Enterprises announced in November 2007 that Paralyzed Veterans will serve as a primary sponsor on the #45 Dodge Avenger for two races during the 2008 Sprint Cup season. The events will be the Crown Royal Presents Dan Lowry 400, May 3 at the Richmond International Raceway and the Pocono 500, June 8 at the Pocono Raceway. The organization will be an associate sponsor on the #45 Dodge for the remaining 34 races of the season. For more information, visit www.pva.org/petty.(Petty Racing), see images of the scheme on my #45 Team Schemes page.(4-29-2008) http://www.jayski.com/schemes/2008/45cup.htm

The Wrigley Company Agrees to Merger with Mars: The Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company announced that it had reached an agreement to merge with Mars, Incorporated, one of the world’s leading confectionery and consumer goods companies. As a result of this transaction, Wrigley will become a private company and part of one of the world’s premier family-owned companies. The combined organization will have a product portfolio containing some of the world’s most recognizable and well-loved confectionery brands — including Orbit, Extra, Doublemint, M&M’s, Snickers and Mars — as well as leading food, beverage and pet care brands, totaling over $27 billion in global sales. Mars, Incorporated, will acquire 100% of Wrigley’s outstanding shares and all of its outstanding options will be cashed out. The Wrigley Company will operate as a separate, stand-alone subsidiary, keeping its headquarters in Chicago and continuing its civic and philanthropic involvement, both locally and in its communities around the world. Additionally, Bill Wrigley, Jr. will continue serving as the Company’s Executive Chairman. The proposed transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including stockholder approval and certain governmental regulatory clearances. Both parties are committed to working to close the transaction as soon as possible, with the merger expected to be completed within six to twelve months.(MSN Money Central), NO WORD how or if this merger will effect M&M’s sponsorship of the #18 Toyota of Kyle Busch and the #42 Dodge of Juan Pablo Montoya.(4-29-2008)

DEI picks up option on Truex, good thru 2009: When there’s been talk about potential free agents for 2009, #1-Martin Truex, Jr. has had his name passed around in more than one story or conversation. There’s one hitch. His current deal with Dale Earnhardt Inc is good through next season according to team president Max Siegel. “We have an option that we’ve picked up for 2009, so that’s always reported in a confusing way. We love Martin and we’re having discussions about extending it for a long-term deal, but we’re good through 2009. He’s important to our organization…we’re giving him everything we possibly can and what he needs to win and be happy here long term.” Siegel also thinks the on track performance of all four DEI cars is on the upswing. “I think we’re making significant progress. The #15 team’s performance on a weekly basis is indicative of how we’ve elevated the program. We’ve got to stay very patient and focused. If you look at the #1 team and the #8…we’re doing great…got some consistency with our engines and the energy is just fantastic.”(PRN’s Garage Pass Radio Show)(4-28-2008)

Race and Commercial Breakdown of the Aaron’s 499
Total number of commercials: 135
Total number of companies or entities advertised: 75
Start time to record race/commercial periods: 2:00 PM
End time to record race/commercial periods: 5:31 PM
Total minutes: 211
Minutes of race broadcast: 154
Minutes of commercials: 57
Number of missed restarts: 0
‘Mystery Debris’ cautions: 0
Total race brdcst time 154 Total comm. brdcst time 57
See full post and commercial stats at www.CawsnJaws.com.(4-28-2008)

More testing at Nashville this week: Arriving just days after Talladega, big name teams will be at the Nashville Superspeedway for two days of testing, Tuesday, April 29 and Wednesday, April 30. Scheduled to test are Hendrick Motorsports (Chevy) with four cars, drivers TBD; #22-Dave Blaney of Bill Davis Racing (Toyota); #01-Reagan Smith of Dale Earnhardt Inc (Chevy); Haas CNC Racing (Chevy) one car driver TBD; #96-Hall of Fame Racing (Toyota) driver TBD; Joe Gibbs Racing (Toyota) with one car, driver TBD; and David Stremme testing for Penske Racing (Dodge).(Nashville Superspeedway)(4-28-2008)

No #21 driver named yet for RIR: The Wood Brothers have not announced who will drive for its [#21 Ford] car this week at Richmond, but Bill Elliott is scheduled to drive for the team at Darlington Raceway the following weekend.(Roanoke Times), Schrader?(4-28-2008)
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Courtesy of That’s Racin’

http://www.thatsracin.com

Kyle Busch shoots to top of rankings after Talladega win
No way to deny this team with the sport’s hottest driver the top spot this week.

http://www.thatsracin.com/topstories/story/13509.html

Lepage offers apology after accident during Saturday’s race

http://www.thatsracin.com/116/story/13467.html

Slideshow/Talladega Action

http://www.thatsracin.com/239/gallery/13464.html

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Courtesy of www.Valvoline.com

Yes, He REALLY Said That
John Force, on what it takes to be a champion. “You have to dedicate your life you know, it’s sad but when you dedicate to be a champion I don’t mean just to win a race or to win a championship, but when you do the things like the New York Yankees did, when you do things like Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt to where you dominated; you’ve got to give up something. Because you’ve got to live every day like an addiction.”
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P R E S S * R E L E A S E S
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NATIONWIDE INSURANCE TO PARTNER WITH KENTUCKY SPEEDWAY

SPARTA, Ky. – Nationwide® Insurance, first-year title sponsor of the NASCAR Nationwide Series, will be the “Official Auto, Home and Life Insurance of Kentucky Speedway” through 2010 according to newly-formed corporate partnership.
Financial terms were not disclosed.

Nationwide Insurance will highlight its partnership by encouraging agents and associates to celebrate “Nationwide Day” on June 14 for the NASCAR Nationwide Series “Meijer 300 Presented by Oreo” at Kentucky Speedway.

Nationwide will further connect with Kentucky Speedway visitors through on-site displays, venue signage, souvenir program advertisements, public address announcements and additional promotional elements through the length of the partnership.
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Regan Smith, driver of the No. 01 Steak-umm Chevrolet to make pit stop in Mechanicsville, Virginia.
Race fans to meet NASCAR driver, Regan Smith
WHO: Regan Smith and the No. 01 Steak-Umm Chevrolet
WHAT: Race fans will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with a real NASCAR driver. Regan Smith will be signing autographs on driver hero cards. Fans will get the opportunity to meet the driver, receive his autograph, and sample Steak-Umm burgers that will be grilled out of the transforming show car. http://www.steakumm.com/showcar.htm
WHEN: Thursday, May 1, 2008
7:00 pm- 7:30 pm
WHERE: Ukrops
7324 Bell Creek Road
Mechanicsville, Va. 21229
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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

Vector Security Sponsoring MacDonald Motorsports at Richmond: MacDonald Motorsports annouced that Vector Security will be on the hood and quarter panels of the #81 MacDonald Motorsports Dodge driven by DJ Kennington at Richmond International Raceway this weekend.(MacDonald Motorsports PR)(4-28-2008)

Fifth Place Finish for Green is Best Ever for ML Motorsports: In a car rebuilt after it was in a multi-car crash in the season-opener at Daytona, ML Motorsports driver #70-Mark Green finished fifth in Saturday’s Aaron’s 312 Nationwide Series race at Talladega. The fifth-place finish was the best finish in the short NASCAR career of the Warsaw, Indiana-based ML Motorsports team, topping the team’s previous best finish of 19th at Gateway with Green behind the wheel during the 2007 season.(ML Motorsports PR)(4-27-2008)
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Lepage offers apology after accident during Saturday’s race
After looking at replays of a multicar crash in Saturday’s Nationwide Series race, driver Kevin Lepage issued a letter of apology on Sunday.

http://www.thatsracin.com/topstories/story/13467.html

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Courtesy of The Hot Lap

http://www.TheHotLap.com

Kentucky Speedway owners insist they are not just a jilted distributor but contend that NASCAR and International Speedway Corp. have worked together illegally to keep independent tracks from hosting Sprint Cup races, according to Kentucky Speedway’s appeal in its federal antitrust lawsuit against the two France family-controlled companies.Read more (KentuckySpeedway) (04-28-08)

http://thehotlap.com/modules.php?name=Press_Releases&op=view&rid=1420

“Fan of the Year” is back! Have you entered? If you think you’re Roush Fenway Racing’s ultimate fan then you need to log on to www.RoushFenway.com and register now! The success of last year’s inaugural contest, with over 100,000 registered votes to determine the 2007 Fan of the Year, made its return a no-brainer for the organization.

STATESVILLE, N.C. PUBLIC APOLOGY FROM KEVIN LEPAGE – “As a child my dreams had always been to race on Superspeedways. Racing in NASCAR has allowed this to happen and I have a career that I love. However, on Saturday afternoon every racer’s concern was realized, as I caused “The Big One”. After reviewing the tapes of the accident I realize I need to apologize to NASCAR, the car owners, my fellow competitors and most importantly the fans. I made a huge driver error by blending onto the racetrack in the wrong area. This caused a multi-car accident and changed the outcome of the race for many teams. I’m so thankful that no one was hurt considering the number of cars involved. In over 25 years of racing this was the biggest mistake I’ve ever made behind the wheel of a stock car and I promise that it will not happen again. It is such a terrible feeling knowing that NASCAR, the car owners, fellow competitors and NASCAR fans think this was a “bonehead” move and I certainly don’t want anyone thinking of me in these terms. Speaking yesterday before reviewing the tapes of the accident made me look like a “heal” and there is not a single person to blame for this huge mistake except myself. I have worked very hard over the years to gain the respect of NASCAR, the owners,competitors and the fans and it will take a long time to gain it back after what happened. Once again I want to apologize to everyone involved. If I could replay the race, I would have used better judgment and let the pack go by before blending onto the racetrack.”Sincerely, Kevin Lepage (Kevin LePage/Specialty Racing)
(04-27-08)
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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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Women quickly pushing down barriers in racing
Dayton Daily News – Dayton,OH,USA
She has an eye on landing a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series ride. Women are quickly knocking down the barriers in racing. Here’s hoping those three — plus …

http://snipurl.com/26ab3-gazete

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Courtesy of Jayski

http://www.jayski.com

Bodine to run Nationwide race at Darlington: Todd Bodine and Germain Racing will next take to the track on May 9th at Darlington Raceway with the #03 Germain Motor Company Toyota in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, followed by more Truck Series action in the Lumber Liquidators Tundra on Friday night at Lowe’s Motor Speedway on May 16th.(Germain Racing PR)(4-28-2008)

Championship-winning racer Shigeaki Hattori has founded Hattori Racing Enterprises, HRE, a race team designed for developing young, talented drivers. Hattori, who earned the Formula Toyota title in Japan in 1994, will see HRE compete in its first race this weekend at Rockingham Speedway in the ARCA RE/MAX Series, the Carolina 500. NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Justin Marks will drive the #01 AW North Carolina Camry in his second ARCA race this season. Marks will work with a familiar crew from the Germain Racing stable, including crew chief Mike Abner. The Hattori Racing Enterprises’ #01 AW North Carolina Camry is a joint effort between HRE and Germain Racing. HRE has plans which include more ARCA RE/MAX Series races this year. HRE will race at both Kentucky events, Michigan, Nashville, Duquoin, Salem and Talladega.(Germain Racing PR)(4-28-2008)

SS Greenlight Racing’s Murphy wins ASI Late Model race: Sean Murphy piloted the #32 ASI LIMITED; Akzo Nobel; Spectrum Metal Finishing Chevy Late Model to Victory Lane on Saturday night at O’Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis, Indiana. Murphy won the race in dominating fashion in front of the hometown crowd of primary sponsor ASI LIMITED.(SS Greenlight Racing PR)(4-28-2008)
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Courtesy of TruckSeries.Com

http://www.truckseries.com

Hornaday Dominates Kansas
04-26-2008 | Tom Jensen, TruckSeries.com
Hornaday Dominates Kansas Defending series champion Ron Hornaday Jr. scored an utterly dominating victory from the pole in Saturday night’s O’Reilly Auto Parts 250 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Kansas Speedway. Hornaday’s Camping World No. 33 Chevrolet Silverado survived a record number of cautions to best his KHI teammate Jack Sprague, who finished second in his No. 2 American Commercial Lines Chevy, ahead of the No. 6 Con-way Freight Ford F-150 of rookie Colin Braun, who finished a career-best third. Johnny Benson was fourth in his Toyota. “We raised the bar last year when we won the championship,” said Hornaday’s crew chief, Rick Ren. “That 33 Camping World Chevrolet fell out of the truck fast yesterday and hasn’t slowed since then.”

http://www.truckseries.com/cgi-script/NCTS_08/articles/000005/000591.htm

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A R C A (Automobile Racing Club of America)
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Courtesy of ARCA

http://www.arcaracing.com

Scott Speed Takes Career First Victory in Kansas Lottery $150 Grand
TOLEDO OH (4-28-08)–Formula One veteran and current ARCA RE/MAX Series SunTrust Rookie of the Year Contender Scott Speed joked with media at Kansas Speedway on Friday afternoon, predicting that he would win Friday evening’s Kansas Lottery $150 Grand by 5.6 seconds. Speed, in a No. 2 Red Bull Toyota owned by Eddie Sharp, went on to win the Kansas Lottery $150 Grand, crossing the checkers 0.791 seconds ahead of Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., Jesse Smith, Michael Annett and Robb Brent.

http://www.arcaracing.com/news.cfm?contentid=6423

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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://localracing.nascar.com/news/6

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NASCAR Canadian Tire Series: Whitlock & NMT Together for Six Years
Inside Track Motorsport News – Toronto,Ontario,Canada
Next up will be the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series open test session at Cayuga Motor Speedway on May 10th. This session is open to the public to come out and …

http://insidetracknews.blogspot.com/2008/04/nascar-canadian-tire-series-whitlock.html

Win a Have Bus Will Travel NASCAR adventure at Kawartha Speedway
Inside Track Motorsport News – Toronto,Ontario,Canada
To wrap-up the 2008 season, Kawartha Speedway will again host the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series finale – the Dodge Charger 250. Have Bus Will Travel will be

http://insidetracknews.blogspot.com/2008/04/win-have-bus-will-travel-nascar.html

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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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CHEERS & JEERS
Rename it the Car of Talladega!
by Carol Einarsson
CHEERS to the best nickname change ever, calling Jimmy Spencer “Senior Excitement”, but JEERS to Jimmy taking leave of his senses and suggesting that DEI might be a place for Tony to be able to race and share in ownership.

http://www.racejournalonline.com/index.cfm?Pagename=column&id=450

I was just wonderin’…
Where’s the (Official) Beef?
by Carol Einarsson
How ’bout those rumors swirling around Smoke?

http://www.racejournalonline.com/index.cfm?Pagename=column&id=449

NASCAR: Someone Needs to Shut the **** Up!
By Marc
In addition the same team provided a competitive ride in the ARCA RE/MAX Series. Excuse me again Ms. Crocker, the problem was not getting a fair shot but what was done with the opportunity. The problem wasn’t any stakes in the ground, …

http://snipurl.com/26aaa-gazete

NASCAR Should Suspend Kevin Lepage
4/28/08: SOZ Studios, MI – By Dennis Michelsen “DMIC” (RaceTalkRadio.com)
Saturday’s Nationwide series race at Talladega featured one of the most insane wrecks of all time! Drivers make mistakes all the time and I do not want to see NASCAR micromanage the sport. But when a driver makes such a glaring mistake as Kevin Lepage did on Saturday NASCAR needs to take a very firm stance.

http://www.racetalkradio.com/soz/id105.htm

The ‘Real Deal’ with Ken Schrader
Written by: Wendy Venturini

http://nascar.speedtv.com/article/venturini-the-real-deal-with-ken-schrader/

Paul Menard, DEI’s quiet and consistent driver
By- Sharon Bundy

http://insidethepitbox.com/staffarticle08.asp?id=080428&who=sb

Parlez-vous Anglais Mr. Carpentier?
Hartford Courant – United States
Carpentier, a native of Ville Lasalle, Quebec, was penalized by NASCAR for not blending properly coming off of pit road. He was assessed a pass through …

http://blogs.courant.com/autoracing/2008/04/parlezvous-anglais-mr-carpenti.html

Can Joe Gibbs afford to let Tony Stewart walk? Yes
By OrlandoSentinel.com
As he pulled into Victory Lane at Talladega Superspeedway, there appeared to be nothing this 22-year-old phenom can’t do — even it means filling the shoes of his teammate Stewart, a two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion. …

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports_nascar/2008/04/can-joe-gibbs-a.html

Insider Racing News

http://insiderracingnews.com/Writers/AM/042908.html

Racer Profile: Neil Cole
by Allen Madding

Insider Racing News

http://insiderracingnews.com/Writers/Letters/042908.html

Letters To The Editor: Unification, ESPN Classic and NASCAR
by Jason Peters
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T V * L I S T I N G S
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Courtesy of Race Fan TV

http://www.racefantv.com

TUESDAY, APRIL 29

12:00n-1:00A SPEED AMA Formula Xtreme motorcycles, Auto Club Speedway, Fontana, CA, Apr 27/08, N
1:00P-2:00 SPEED FIM World Superbike, Assen, Netherlands, Race #1, Apr 16/08, R
2:00P-3:00 SPEED FIM World Superbike, Assen, Netherlands, Race #2, Apr 16/08, N

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30

12:00n-1:00P SPEED SCCA SPEED GT Championship, Long Beach, CA, Apr 20/08, N
1:00P-2:00 SPEED SCCA SPEED Touring Car Championship, Virginia International Raceway, Alton, VA, Apr 27/08, N
2:00P-3:00 SPEED FIM World Supersport, Assen, Netherlands, Apr 16/08, N

THURSDAY, MAY 1

2:00P-2:30 espn2 IRL Firestone Indy Lights, Kansas Speedway, Kansas City, KS, Apr 27/08, N

FRIDAY, MAY 2

1:30P-3:30 SPEED NASCAR Sprint Cup FINAL PRACTICE, Crown Royal Presents the Dan Lowry 400, Richmond Intl. Raceway, Richmond, VA, HD, L
4:00P-5:30 SPEED/TSN-AF NASCAR Nationwide Series QUALIFYING, Lipton Tea 250, Richmond Intl. Raceway, Richmond, VA, HD, L
5:30P-7:00 SPEED NASCAR Sprint Cup QUALIFYING, Crown Royal Presents the Dan Lowry 400, Richmond Intl. Raceway, Richmond, VA, HD, L
7:00P-7:30 espn2/TSN-AF NASCAR Nationwide Series COUNTDOWN, Lipton Tea 250, Richmond Intl. Raceway, Richmond, VA, HD, L
7:30P-10:00 espn2/TSN-AF NASCAR Nationwide Series Lipton Tea 250, Richmond Intl. Raceway, Richmond, VA, HD, L
11:30P-2:00A TSN NASCAR Nationwide Series Lipton Tea 250, Richmond Intl. Raceway, Richmond, VA, SDD, HD, 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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