Stock Car Gazette for Thursday, 5/1/2008
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by Mike Irwin ~ May 1st, 2008 @ 5:00 am. Filed under: Stock Car Gazette. 400 reads |
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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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Let’s try an E flat today for a note.
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Stock Car Gazette Columnists Speak Out!
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Is Stewart Playing the Field or Is He Playing Gibbs?
by: Chuck Abrams
If you listen to Tony Stewart, nothing is wrong with his contract at Joe Gibbs Racing.
But the cat is well out of the proverbial bag as he has also indicated that he is listening to offers from other teams.
MORE: motorsportsnews.net/archives/1227
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Richmond International Raceway - By The Numbers
by: Mike Wells
Since the track was reconfigured after the 1988 season, Richmond International Raceway has been a short track that features speedway style racing. There’s just something about Richmond that allows drivers to race side-by-side lap-after-lap for position. It gets intense and pretty wild.
MORE: motorsportsnews.net/archives/1228
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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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Courtesy of Carolyn’s Jeff Gordon Newsletter cakes24@juno.com
Injured Franchitti not sure how many races he’ll miss
msn.foxsports.com/nascar/story/8079490/Injured-Franchitti-not-sure-how-many-races-he\’ll-miss
TALLADEGA, Ala. (AP) - Dario Franchitti knew his ankle was broken the moment he was involved in a hard crash at Talladega Superspeedway. He also knew he could have been hurt much worse. “From experience, unfortunately, I said ‘This is broken’ as soon as I was hit,” Franchitti said Sunday, delicately balancing on a set of crutches as he kept his left foot, covered in a cast and bandage, elevated. “But it could have been a lot worse, and that’s the thing. I’m very lucky these cars are as safe as they are.” Franchitti was injured just 10 laps into Saturday’s Nationwide Series race at Talladega when a rear tire on his Dodge exploded, sending his car into the outside wall. He wasn’t hurt in the first impact, though. The damage was done after his car slid down the track, came to a stop on the apron and was drilled in the driver side door by Larry Gunselman.
Hendrick: You won’t see Toney Stewart in the 5 car
hamptonroads.com/2008/04/hendrick-you-wont-see-tony-stewart-5-car
What Hendrick said makes for a nice soundbite but has several loopholes. Sure, Tony might not be in the 5 car (currently driven by Casey Mears) but maybe they change the car number or maybe somebody else is in it — the rumors have been busy on just who might be in that car next season. Just think of the top free agrents and you’ve got your answer. Speculation on Tony Stewart’s future has grown this week with the news getting out he’s had talks with Haas CNC Racing that included ownership opportunities. Reports have stated that Chevrolet has a strong interest in Tony — certainly the two have a long relationship. Should Chevrolet want Tony back wouldn’t it make sense to go to Chevrolet’s most prominent owner in Rick Hendrick and see how he can help? One of the things that people like about Haas CNC, despite its struggles, is that it has an affiliation to Hendrick Motorsports. Haas gets its engines and receives technical support from Hendrick. With NASCAR capping ownership to four teams (Roush has to be down to four by the end of the 2009 season), the top teams are trying to build up satellite teams to increase their strength and leverage. Adding Tony to Haas (even if only an owner and he drives elsewhere) would raise that team’s image and that’s important.
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Courtesy of www.Catchfence.com
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Offering General Admission Season Ticket To Three Events: The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is offering a General Admission Season Ticket for all three of its world-class events in 2008, the 92nd Indianapolis 500, 15th Allstate 400 at the Brickyard and inaugural Red Bull Indianapolis GP. The season ticket provides gate admission for a combined nine days over the three events, including all three race days, for just $150: •Indianapolis 500: Friday, May 23 (Miller Lite Carb Day, Firestone Freedom 100); Saturday, May 24 (Drivers’ Meeting), Sunday, May 25 (Race Day) •Allstate 400 at the Brickyard: Friday, July 25 (Chevy Day at the Brickyard, Practice); Saturday, July 26 (Qualifying, Practice), Sunday, July 27 (Race Day) •Red Bull Indianapolis GP: Friday, Sept. 12 (Practice), Saturday, Sept. 13 (Qualifying, Practice), Sunday, Sept. 14 (Race Day) “We’re pleased to offer a season ticket as a great value to our loyal fans,” said Joie Chitwood, IMS president and chief operating officer. “The season ticket provides a savings of $25 and also offers a variety of other bonuses for fans.” An IMS Season Ticket provides the only way for fans to obtain general admission Race Day access to the popular Allstate 400 at the Brickyard, the annual stop of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series on the historic 2.5-mile oval. All other Race Day tickets are reserved for this event. Other perks for General Admission Season Ticket buyers include a free IMS gift and automatic registration to receive the “Wing and Wheel” e-mail newsletter, which provides IMS news, and information about tickets and other special offers. Fans have three easy methods to buy IMS General Admission Season Tickets: Online at www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com at any time; on the phone by calling (800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area or (317) 492-6700 locally between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday; or visiting the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Ticket Office on the first floor of the IMS Administration Building at 4790 W. 16th St. in Indianapolis from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. - Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Press Release
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Statement from Richmond International Raceway President Doug Fritz on the Tornados in Colonial Heights and Suffolk, Virginia: While Richmond International Raceway was not affected by the recent tornados in nearby Colonial Heights and Suffolk, Virginia, our thoughts and prayers are with the families and businesses affected by this devastation. At-track activities will go on as planned for this weekend’s NASCAR doubleheader, the Lipton Tea 250 NASCAR Nationwide Series race on Friday night and the Crown Royal Presents The Dan Lowry 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Saturday night. - Richmond International Raceway, Press Release
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Jon Wood To Drive #21 Air Force Ford Fusion At RIR: Jon Wood will drive the #21 Air Force Ford Fusion at this weekend’s Sprint Cup event at the Richmond International Raceway. The 26 year old driver will be attempting to qualify for his second start of the 2008 season, after qualifying 12th at Talladega Superspeedway last week. - Wood Brothers Racing, Press Release
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Courtesy of Stock Car Gazette subscriber Ed B. - thanks!
tour race shops
charlottehousehunter.featuredblog.com/?p=129
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Courtesy of Insider Racing News
www.insiderracingnews.com
Osborne Returns To Action
This weekend’s race at Richmond International Raceway marks the return to the racetrack for Bob Osborne, crew chief of the No. 99 Office Depot team. Following a rule infraction at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 2, Osborne was placed on a six-week suspension from NASCAR. In the time that Osborne was away from the track, interim co-crew chiefs Chris Andrews and Robbie Reiser accumulated one win, two top-five and three top-10 finishes. Had it not been for an engine failure in Atlanta, the win total may have been two. Edwards was leading the race when he was forced to retire from the event early.
“Fan of the Year” Contest
“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. Each week, a winner will be selected from fan entries by a panel of Roush Fenway Racing judges and be featured on the homepage of (www.RoushFenwayFanSite.com), the official home of Roush Fenway Racing’s online fan clubs. Weekly winners will receive a t-shirt and hat from Roush Fenway Racing. Once the season ends, all weekly winners will be displayed so the fans can select the overall winner.
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Courtesy of Jayski
www.jayski.com
NEXT RACE: Richmond Race Info/Rundown Page
www.jayski.com/next/2008/10rir2008.htm
Entry List for the Crown Royal Presents The Dan Lowry 400 at Richmond International Raceway is posted, 47 teams/drivers [for 43 spots] are listed, including:
Not in top 35 of 2008 owners points (2008 race attempts/owners pts standings in parens):
#09-Sterling Marlin (2/48)
#10-Patrick Carpentier (9/41)
#21-Jon Wood (9/44)
#22-Dave Blaney (9/39)
#34-John Andretti (9/45)
#33-Scott Wimmer (0/na)
#40-Ken Schrader (9/36)
#45-Kyle Petty (9/42)
#70-Johnny Sauter (9/37)
#78-Joe Nemechek (7/43)
#84-A.J. Allmendinger (9/40)
#96-J.J. Yeley (9/38)
In the event qualifying is cancelled:
the eight who would make it [8]: #’s 40,70,96,22,84,10,45,78
missing the race would be [4]: #’s 21,34,09,33
See the full entry list at my Jayski’s Richmond Entry List
www.jayski.com/stats/2008/entries/10rir2008-entry.htm
op-35 in Owner Points and guaranteed a starting spot at Richmond
no changes in who is in or out, the order got changed a bit and the points between 35th and 36th is now 61
The teams are NOT locked in past the next race as the owners points change after each race.
31) #55-Waltrip/Waltrip Racing 708 +110
32) #41-Sorenson/Ganassi Racing 678 +80
33) #44-Reutimann/Waltrip Racing 670 +72
34) #77-Hornish/Penske Racing 663 +65
35) #01-Smith/Dale Earnhardt Inc 659, 61 points ahead of 36th
these teams/ drivers must qualify by speed:
36) #40-Schrader/Ganassi Racing 598, 61 points out of 35th
37) #70-Sauter/Haas CNC Racing 584 -75
38) #96-Yeley/Hall of Fame Racing 579 -80
39) #22-Blaney/Bill Davis 577 -82
40) #84-Allmendinger/Red Bull Racing 521 -138
For the owner points standings, see my Drivers/Owners Points Standings page.
www.jayski.com/stats/2008/points/9tss2008points.htm#OWN
IMPOUND: the Crown Royal Presents The Dan Lowry 400 at Richmond International Raceway will be the 2nd IMPOUND race of 2008, there are five impound races in 2008, both Talladega races, both Richmond races and Daytona in July. For more info, see my Impounding Info page.
www.jayski.com/pages/tracks/impounding-rules.htm
added some schemes from Talladega: #10 LifeLock, #21 Honey Buns, #24 Pepsi/Dupont, #78 National Day of Prayer and #28 National Tools + Equipment to the Paint Scheme Gallery.(4-30-2008)
www.jayski.com/schemes/paintschemes.htm
ESPN on ABC Talladega TV Ratings Score Big Jump from 2007: ESPN on ABC’s live telecast of Saturday’s Aarons 312 Nationwide Series race at Talladega Superspeedway scored big increases in ratings and household impressions over last year’s race, continuing an upward trend to series TV numbers in 2008. The race earned a 2.6 rating and 2,962,000 household impressions, increases of 28 and 29%, respectively, over the same categories for last year’s ABC telecast (2.1; 2,291,000). The event also earned the largest numbers for a Nationwide Series race on the ESPN networks since live NASCAR racing returned to ESPN in 2007, eclipsing the previous high of 2.4/2,699,000 for the March, 2007, event from Las Vegas that aired on ABC. The Talladega telecast also earned large increases across the board in important demographic categories, increasing 67% in Males 18-34, 50% in males 55 and older and 44% in persons 55 and older. Cable ratings for the series have also increased in 2008. The average rating for the five Nationwide Series events that have aired on ESPN2 is 1.9, a 10% increase over the 1.7 from this point last season. ESPN2 numbers do not include the rain-delayed event from California Speedway in February that was run on a Monday. ESPN’s multi-platform approach to NASCAR coverage is also showing increases in areas other than television. ESPN.com’s motorsports section has grown 32% in visits during 2008, and ESPN’s Fantasy Racing was up 43% in visits and 15% in page views during the Talladega weekend as compared to the same weekend last year. ESPN-owned Jayski.com was up 16% in visits during Talladega weekend.(ESPN PR)(5-1-2008)
Steak-umm debut at Richmond: #01-Regan Smith and his team will be unveiling a new sponsor at Richmond — Steak-umm, the best known sandwich steak brand in the country. The company is using a special Steak-umm paint scheme on the #01 Dale Earnhardt Inc. Chevrolet to promote their burgers.(DEI), see image of the scheme on my #01 Team Schemes page.(5-1-2008) www.jayski.com/schemes/2008/01cup.htm
Kenseth Back in Black: For the second time in 2008, Matt Kenseth’s #17 Ford will be painted black with the DEWALT NANO Technology paint scheme. Kenseth will also sport these colors at Darlington, the All-Star race, Bristol and the second Richmond race in 2008. The #17 crew will be unloading car RK-574 this weekend at Richmond, a brand new car.(Roush Racing), see images of the scheme on my #17 Team Schemes page.(5-1-2008) www.jayski.com/schemes/2008/17cup.htm
Race Fever 2008 Raises over $171,000 thanks to Drivers and Fans: More than 1,300 race fans, from 30 states and Canada, helped raise over $171,000 to benefit the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (AIDB) Foundation at the 23rd Annual Race Fever. Race Fever was held Friday evening, April 25, in the Speed Channel Dome at the International Motorsports Hall of Fame. The event was hosted by racing legend Darrell Waltrip, former Auburn basketball coach Sonny Smith, and media personality Mike “The Bagman” Bagley. A total of 16 Sprint Cup and Nationwide drivers made appearances at Race Fever-many repeat attendees including Kyle Petty, Bobby Labonte, Kurt Busch, David Ragan, Joe Nemechek, Marcos Ambrose, A.J. Allmendinger, Brian Vickers, Paul Menard, Kevin Lepage, Travis Kvapil, David Gilliland, Scott Wimmer, Kelly Bires, Brad Coleman and Cale Gale. Race Fever is the largest source of unrestricted funds for the AIDB Foundation, the private fundraising arm of AIDB. Through five campuses in Talladega and nine regional centers throughout Alabama, AIDB serves more than 13,500 children and adults who are deaf, blind and multidisabled each year.(PR)(5-1-2008) www.racefever.org/
Bahre Makes Large Donation To Loudon: Bob Bahre has sold his NASCAR racetrack in Loudon, but he’s not forgetting the track’s neighbors. Without fanfare, Bahre gave Loudon selectmen $450,000 this month and asked them to split it between a half dozen churches, the town library and students struggling to afford college. He said he didn’t want them to make a big deal about where the money came from. Bahre helped many community organizations in the 20 years he ran the New Hampshire International Speedway before selling it last fall for $340 million. Library trustees and church elders are considering how to spend the money, and Merrimack Valley High School predicts the gift will help up to 15 of their students attend college in the fall.(wmur.com)(5-1-2008)
Richmond Rookie Notes: #01-Regan Smith was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the April 27 Aaron’s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway. Smith scored a 21st-place finish and captured top rookie honors for the fourth time in nine races this season. He also led the race once for one lap and was the only Raybestos Rookie to lead at Talladega. Smith and #77-Sam Hornish Jr. share the lead in the Raybestos Rookie standings (86-86) entering the May 3 Crown Royal 400 at Richmond International Raceway. Since 1975, Brian Vickers (2004) and Morgan Shepherd (1981) are the only Raybestos Rookies to win a pole for the spring race at Richmond. Since 1975, only one Raybestos Rookie has won the spring race at Richmond: Dale Earnhardt Jr. in 2000. Earnhardt Jr. led the race just once covering the final 31 laps and officially scored his second career win by .159 seconds over Terry Labonte. Only once since 1975 have TWO or more Raybestos Rookies finished in the top-10 in the Crown Royal 400. In 1979, Joe Millikan finished sixth followed by Terry Labonte, who claimed an eighth place finish.(Raybestos/Camp & Assoc), see standings, history and more on my 2008 Rookies Page.(5-1-2008)
Hamlin Announces Foundation at Richmond: #11-Denny Hamlin will launch his new charitable foundation with the running of the Denny Hamlin 175 at Southside Speedway, the track where he cut his teeth in Late Model racing, in Midlothian, Va. on Thursday, May 1. The Denny Hamlin Foundation will focus primarily on raising awareness and funding for the specific needs of individuals afflicted with Cystic Fibrosis and will donate all proceeds from the charity event to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF). Moving forward, in addition to CFF, the foundation also will support chronically ill children with other debilitating illnesses.(PR)(5-1-2008)
MWR Adds Chief Marketing Officer to Executive Staff: Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR) expanded the depth of its executive staff today, announcing the hiring of Terry Bassett as Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer as part of the young company’s organizational growth. Bassett, with over 20 years of sports marketing experience, will oversee the sales, marketing, media relations, licensing and sponsor service divisions for MWR, entering its 15th month competing on the NASCAR Sprint Cup level. Bassett comes to MWR after a two-year stint with the Miami Dolphins and previously worked for International Speedway Corp and Penske Motorsports, Inc. Several executive additions have solidified MWR since company founder Michael Waltrip formed an equal ownership partnership with Rob Kauffman in October of 2007. Calvin Wells III serves as the company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, with Larry Johns serving as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Dr. Eric Warren as Vice President and Technical Director and Ty Norris as Vice President and General Manager.(Michael Waltrip Racing)(5-1-2008)
Stewart/Yocum to help Shephard at Richmond: Morgan Shepherd’s Faith Motorsports Dodge will hopefully be making a lot more trips around the Richmond International Raceway this weekend, thanks to the generosity of two of the veteran driver’s modern-day heroes. Two-time Sprint Cup Champion #20-Tony Stewart and broadcaster Matt Yocum will provide tire sponsorship to the #89 team this weekend in an effort to help Shepherd build on last week’s 13th place run at Talladega. Shepherd was a surprise call-in guest to the Tony Stewart Live radio show on SIRIUS NASCAR Radio on Monday evening, and before the conversation between Shepherd and the two hosts was over the duo had come aboard as tire sponsors for Friday night’s Lipton Tea 250 at Richmond. “You say you need some tires for this weekend,” Yocum said during the interview. “How about if Smoke and I each buy you a set of tires.” Stewart and Yocum said they would each set Shepherd up with a set of tires for this weekend’s 250-lap event at the .75-mile track at the Virginia State Fairgrounds. Stewart followed up by saying he would provide as many tires as Shepherd might need this weekend. Stewart went on to talk about how many modern-day fans of NASCAR don’t appreciate the personal dedication that Shepherd and many other racers from his era put into the sport. “I know how much you put into it personally and I can appreciate it,” Stewart said. “We’ll make sure you have plenty of tires for this weekend.”(PR)(4-30-2008)
Kvapil gets sponsor for Richmond: Yates Racing announced that Discount Tire, America’s largest independent tire retailer, will sponsor the #28 entry with driver Travis Kvapil for this weekend’s Crown Royal Presents the Dan Lowry 400 at Richmond International Raceway on Saturday, May 3rd. “This has been such a tremendous week for our #28 team,” stated Kvapil. “We just left Talladega with our best finish of the season so far, and now we have Discount Tire as our sponsor for Richmond this weekend. There’s a lot of momentum right now at Yates Racing, and thanks to all the wonderful sponsors we’ve enjoyed partnerships with already this year, we’re very grateful that companies recognize our increased performance both on and off the track. Discount Tire is a fantastic company and I am proud that they chose to partner with our #28 team at Richmond.” Saturday night’s race will mark the first time Discount Tire has been a primary sponsor in Sprint Cup Series. Discount Tire has been a sponsor in the Nationwide Series since 2004. Discount Tire provides sales of tires, wheels and related accessories and services through mail order, Internet and retail stores. They currently operate more than 650 stores across the country.(Yates Racing)(4-30-2008)
Yates Racing announced that LaFayette Ford, who sponsored the #28 with driver Fred Lorenzen from 1962-1967, will again sponsor the #28 entry but this time with driver Travis Kvapil for the Sprint Cup series race at Darlington Raceway on May 10th. Kvapil’s #28 will sport a paint scheme reminiscent to that of Fred Lorenzen’s during the 60’s when LaFayette Ford sponsored Lorenzen’s #28 machine. The Darlington 500 will mark the first time LaFayette Ford has served as a primary sponsor in the Sprint Cup Series since the dealership was associated with Lorenzen. LaFayette Ford is proud to be Fayetteville, North Carolina’s only family-owned and operated Ford dealer. They have been serving the Fayetteville, Fort Bragg, and surrounding areas since 1949.(Yates Racing)(4-30-2008)
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Courtesy of Scene Daily
www.scenedaily.com
40 represents the new finish line for NASCAR drivers
Remember when you were a kid and always looking up to athletes as older role models? Well, perhaps its because Im turning 39 today, and feeling just plain old, but there are very few guys competing in the Sprint Cup Series more advanced than me in years who have a chance of winning on a grand scale. In fact, it appears that there is only one: Jeff Burton
snipurl.com/26lxk-gazete
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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
www.jayski.com
Next Race: Lipton Tea 250, Saturday, May 2, 2008 at Richmond International Raceway. Visit the Richmond Race Page for additional information.
www.jayski.com/nationwide/2008/next/11richmond.htm
Blue Angels on the #88 at Richmond: In honor of the U.S. Navy’s elite flight demonstration team, Brad Keselowski will drive the #88 Navy Blue Angels Chevy in Saturday’s Lipton Tea 250 Nationwide Series race at Richmond International Speedway. Instead of the usual “Dress White” paint scheme the Navy Chevy has sported throughout the 2008 season, the #88 will be blue and gold, just like the Blue Angels’ F/A-18 Hornets.(JR Motorsports PR)(4-30-2008)
Raybestos Rookie Notes for Richmond: Patrick Carpentier was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the Aaron’s 312 at Talladega. Carpentier claimed an eighth-place finish, his third top-10 finish in three Nationwide Series starts and claimed top Raybestos Rookie honors for the second time in 2008.
Dario Franchitti holds a 37-point lead (89-52) over Bryan Clauson in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the Lipton Tea 250 at Richmond.
DID YOU KNOW? Franchitti has led the Raybestos Rookie standings for the past eight consecutive races.
Juan Pablo Montoya was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2007 Lipton Tea 250, posting an 11th-place finish.
Since the Raybestos Rookie program was created in 1989, two Raybestos Rookies have won pole positions for the spring race at Richmond (19 races): Wayne Grubb (1998) and Kyle Busch (2004).(Raybestos PR)(4-30-2008)
Nationwide Series Ratings Up on ESPN Networks: ESPN on ABC’s live telecast of Saturday?s Aarons 312 Nationwide Series race at Talladega scored big increases in ratings and household impressions over last year’s race, continuing an upward trend to series TV numbers in 2008. The race earned a 2.6 rating and 2,962,000 household impressions, increases of 28 and 29 percent, respectively, over the same categories for last year’s ABC telecast (2.1; 2,291,000). The event also earned the largest numbers for a Nationwide Series race on the ESPN networks since live NASCAR racing returned to ESPN in 2007, eclipsing the previous high of 2.4/2,699,000 for the March, 2007, event from Las Vegas that aired on ABC. The Talladega telecast also earned large increases across the board in important demographic categories, increasing 67 percent in Males 18-34, 50 percent in males 55 and older and 44 percent in persons 55 and older. Cable ratings for the series have also increased in 2008. The average rating for the five Nationwide Series events that have aired on ESPN2 is 1.9, a 10 percent increase over the 1.7 from this point last season. ESPN2 numbers do not include the rain-delayed event from California Speedway in February that was run on a Monday. ESPN’s multi-platform approach to NASCAR coverage is also showing increases in areas other than television. ESPN.com’s motorsports section has grown 32 percent in visits during 2008, and ESPN’s Fantasy Racing was up 43 percent in visits and 15 percent in page views during the Talladega weekend as compared to the same weekend last year. ESPN-owned Jayski.com was up 16 percent in visits during Talladega weekend.(ESPN PR)(4-29-2008)
Record Purse for Lowe’s Race: Nationwide Series drivers will battle for a record $1,287,710 during the CARQUEST Auto Parts 300 on Saturday night, May 24.(LMW PR)(4-29-2008)
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Courtesy of The Hot Lap
www.TheHotLap.com
Series Director Joe Balash- “Richmond is one of the more popular tracks on the circuit for the drivers because it brings them back to their racing roots; racing under the lights on a short track,” said Joe Balash, NASCAR Nationwide Series director. “This series was built on short-track racing.“Over the last month, we’ve run on four different tracks … road course races are about braking and shifting, getting into a rhythm, taking advantage of mistakes or out-braking in the corner. Superspeedways are about finding out what the car can do early in the race and who your friends are as far as the draft; positioning the car to be in the right spot to the finish. The car is either good or not when it comes off the trailer. There’s not a lot you can do to make the car better.“Short tracks are where everything comes into play … the driver, the crew, the car. Richmond allows for the drivers to really showcase their talents. Even though they have to have a good car every week, this is a track where they use their talent to hustle the car around the race track to make up for small misses in the set up.”(NASCAR) (04-30-08)
RICHMOND, VA - Morgan Shepherd’s Faith Motorsports Dodge will hopefully be making a lot more trips around the Richmond International Raceway this weekend, thanks to the generosity of two of the veteran driver’s modern-day heroes.Two-time Sprint Cup Champion Tony Stewart and broadcaster Matt Yocum will provide tire sponsorship to the #89 team this weekend in an effort to help Shepherd build on last week’s 13th place run at Talladega.Shepherd was a surprise call-in guest to the Tony Stewart Live radio show on SIRIUS NASCAR Radio on Monday evening, and before the conversation between Shepherd and the two hosts was over the duo had come aboard as tire sponsors for Friday night’s Lipton Tea 250 at Richmond.“You say you need some tires for this weekend,” Yocum said during the interview. “How about if Smoke and I each buy you a set of tires.”Stewart and Yocum said they would each set Shepherd up with a set of tires for this weekend’s 250-lap event at the .75-mile track at the Virginia State Fairgrounds. Stewart followed up by saying he would provide as many tires as Shepherd might need this weekend.Stewart went on to talk about how many modern-day fans of NASCAR don’t appreciate the personal dedication that Shepherd and many other racers from his era put into the sport.“I know how much you put into it personally and I can appreciate it,” Stewart said. “We’ll make sure you have plenty of tires for this weekend.”The gesture nearly overwhelmed Shepherd.“You’re my heroes, Shepherd told the duo. “You, Matt, Kevin Harvick and the Jarretts. We just have so many friends in racing,” Shepherd said, referring to many of those who have helped him over the years. “That is what is so great about NASCAR racing is all the good friends we have in racing. No one owes me anything, but you and so many others just continue to give.”But while most of the conversation focused on Shepherd’s upcoming efforts at Richmond, part of the conversation touched on Stewart’s win at Talladega last weekend and Shepherd’s best run of the season, a 13th place finish on which the team hopes to build this weekend.“You had an awesome run this weekend,” Stewart told Shepherd. “I looked up the mirror and asked where Morgan was running and they said you were in ninth and I didn’t know you got up to as high as eighth.”Shepherd countered by saying “I know you looked in the mirror and saw that big ole yellow Jesus logo and said ‘Jesus is after me!’ ”“I did say, ‘You know there is good possibility that before this is over with we are going to have to deal with him. I know how crafty you are at being able to stay in the lead group like that. That was all you needed to do to really to have a shot at it,” Stewart said.(FMP) (04-30-08)
Apr 30: NASCAR Nationwide Series Driver Bobby Hamilton Jr. Please join us for the First Annual 2008 Bobby Hamilton Jr. Poker Ride. The ride will take you from the Courthouse Café through the beautiful Robertson County countryside, ending at a local farm for a BBQ feast! Registration is $25 per bike, $5 for each additional rider and $5 for a poker hand. Where: Courthouse Café, Springfield, TN When: Saturday May 10, 2008 Registration starts @ 9:00 am Bikes Leave @ 10:30 All Proceeds to benefit American Cancer Society For more information call 615-419-6820 or follow this link. (04-30-08)
bobbyhamiltonjr.com/2008/Press/articles/poker_run.htm
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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
www.jayski.com
Roush Fenway drivers testing at Caraway: Hearing that Roush Fenway Racing drivers Colin Braun and John Wes Townley are testing today (Wednesday April 30) at Caraway Speedway in Asheboro, N.C. Braun is driving the #6 Con-way Freight Ford. Townley, who will make his NCTS debut in Mansfield on May 24, is testing the #09 Zaxby’s Ford.(4-30-2008)
Wood to drive #21 at RIR: Jon Wood will drive the #21 Air Force Ford Fusion at this weekend’s Sprint Cup event at the Richmond International Raceway. The 26 year old driver will be attempting to qualify for his second start of the 2008 season, after qualifying 12th at Talladega Superspeedway last week.(Wood Brothers Racing PR)(4-30-2008)
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Courtesy of TruckSeries.Com
www.truckseries.com
Race Fever 2008 Raises over $171,000 thanks to Drivers and Fans
www.truckseries.com/cgi-script/NCTS_08/articles/000006/000622.htm
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A R C A (Automobile Racing Club of America)
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Courtesy of ARCA
www.arcaracing.com
From 5th at Iowa to 3rd at Kansas to ??? at Rockingham, 18-Year-Old Rookie Smith on the Charge
ROCKINGHAM NC (5-1-08) - Eighteen-year-old ARCA RE/MAX Series rookie Jesse Smith is taking the same car he raced at Iowa and Kansas to Rockingham. Fortunately, the Terry Jones-owned team is taking the same driver too.
[Read More] - www.arcaracing.com/news.cfm?contentid=6458
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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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What I like about you…
Andy Hillenburg
by Carol Einarsson
I like that your racing career includes everything from quarter midgets to the Indy 500, and from ARCA to Cup, with everything else in between!
www.racejournalonline.com/index.cfm?Pagename=column&id=451
NASCAR Without TV On Friday Morning
The excitement building up to the big Friday and Saturday night races at the Richmond International Raceway has been right on schedule.
dalyplanet.blogspot.com/2008/04/nascar-in-dark-on-friday-morning.html
Daugherty And Moss Tell ESPN It’s NASCAR in 2009
The fascinating on-air dynamic of NASCAR Now continued on Wednesday with big news from two very unexpected sources. One of them happens to work for ESPN.
dalyplanet.blogspot.com/2008/04/daugherty-and-moss-tell-espn-its-nascar.html
Horse Racing Instead of “NASCAR Now”
dalyplanet.blogspot.com/2008/04/horse-racing-instead-of-nascar-now.html
Good ol’ days of NASCAR
TriCities.com - Johnson City,TN,USA
A large segment of the NASCAR fan base remembers a simpler time when the series actually had character, free spirits and a southern-soundtrack. …
www.tricities.com/tristate/tri/sports.apx.-content-articles-TRI-2008-04-29-0020.html
ESPN’s New Defining NASCAR Moment
By Daly Planet Editor(Daly Planet Editor)
ESPN has learned a lot from the tough times the network had in 2007 when they waded back into the NASCAR scene. The wholesale changes in both the on and off-track personalities and the increase in the level of commitment to the sport …
dalyplanet.blogspot.com/2008/04/espns-new-defining-nascar-moment.html
Insider Racing News
insiderracingnews.com/Writers/BW/050108.html
Missing Talladega, Missing A Lot
by Brian Watkins
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T V * L I S T I N G S
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Courtesy of Race Fan TV
www.racefantv.com
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, 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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