Stock Car Gazette, Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Ah, it’s hump day…. question is … Dromedary… or Bactrian?

Well, while you’re puzzling all that out, first take a moment to see all the latest stock car racing news from NASCAR right here in 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
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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E d i t o r ‘ s * N o t e s
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Ah, it’s hump day…. question is … Dromedary… or Bactrian?

For more, see http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761553331/camel.html
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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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Ganassi shuts down No 40 Franchitti team
Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS) announced today that due to a lack of sponsorship funding it will cease operation of the team’s #40 Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) Dodge driven by Dario Franchitti beginning this weekend in Daytona. “This is a difficult decision for Felix and I that did not come without its share of [...]

http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/autoracingsport/~3/324349747/

Heather gave me a heads-up that this was happening yesterday morning. Thanks, Heather.
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Courtesy of www.Catchfence.com

NASCAR’s weekly teleconference: NSCS Ford Racing Driver Jamie McMurray

http://www.catchfence.com/press/070108aa.html

Almirola to Pilot No. 8 Car Full Time in 2009 – Rookie driver promoted to full-time Sprint Cup status next season:

http://www.catchfence.com/press/070108ff.html

Speculation: Mark Martin To Hendrick Motorsports? – Hendrick Motorsports To Make Announcement Friday On Driver Of No. 5: Hendrick Motorsports will hold a news conference to announce future plans for its No. 5 Chevrolet team on Friday, July 4 at 12:30 p.m. ET. – Hendrick Motorsports, Press Release

Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates Moves to Two Cars The No. 40 Dodge of Dario Franchitti Will Cease Operation Immediately: CONCORD, N.C. (June 30, 2008) – Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS) announced today that due to a lack of sponsorship funding it will cease operation of the team’s No. 40 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) Dodge driven by Dario Franchitti beginning this weekend in Daytona. “This is a difficult decision for Felix and I that did not come without its share of anguish,” said Team Owner Chip Ganassi. “In this tough business environment continuing to run the car without proper funding has become increasingly difficult.” CGRFS is committed to Franchitti’s continued stockcar development and are currently in discussions with him on his racing options with the team which could include running the balance of the 2008 Nationwide season in the No. 40 Fastenal Dodge. Currently the No. 42 Texaco/Havoline/Juicy Fruit Dodge of Juan Pablo Montoya is 21st in owner points while the No. 41 Target Dodge driven by Reed Sorenson is sitting 31st in the standings. – Chip Ganassi With Felix Sabates, Press Release

Dedication ceremony fit for “The King”: Richard Petty to be honored with a marquee plaque on the Monster Monument on Sept. 20, 2008:

http://www.catchfence.com/press/070108d.html

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Check out Racing Wrecks!
A new picture or video every day

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Courtesy of Google Alerts

Does Anybody Remember Kenny Irwin Jr.?
Bleacher Report – Menlo Park,CA,USA
Every time I go up to New Hampshire Motor Speedway for either of the Sprint Cup race weekends, I am reminded of the track’s grim history by a black No. …

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/33865-does-anybody-remember-kenny-irwin-jr

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Courtesy of Insider Racing News

http://www.insiderracingnews.com

Hauler Catches Fire
JTG Racing transport driver Jeff Shano is OK after the hauler he was driving caught fire while coming back from last weekend’s Nationwide Series race in New Hampshire Motor Speedway. A wheel bearing overheated on the right rear of the trailer carrying Marcos Ambrose’s No. 59 Fords, causing a fire near Newburgh, N.Y., a JTG spokesman said. The fire was extinguished, and Shano escape without incident. The hauler had substantial damage, mostly in the rear section, and a lot of the equipment inside was damaged by smoke and water. Both cars also suffered minor smoke and water damage.

Tryson Named Best Crew Chief
Pat Tryson, crew chief of the No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge driven by Kurt Busch, has been named the WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief of the Race following Sunday’s LENOX Industrial Tools 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Tryson and team began the day in the 26th position battling overcast skies and warm temperatures from the beginning. Threatening rain finally ended the 301-lap race on lap 284, with Busch in the lead. “We weren’t the fastest car, and we didn’t deserve to win, but the record book will show that we won the Lenox 301,” said Busch, who was out front thanks to a fuel-mileage call made by crew chief, Tryson on lap 218. In addition to the $1,000 check, the winning crew chief will receive signage to announce the win on their pit box the following week.
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Courtesy of Jayski

http://www.jayski.com

Ganassi’s #40 team closes down: hearing that the #40 Chip Ganassi Racing team of Dario Franchitti will skip the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway and has closed the team, supposedly laying off around 70 employees.(7-1-2008)
UPDATE: Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS) announced today that due to a lack of sponsorship funding it will cease operation of the team’s #40 Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) Dodge driven by Dario Franchitti beginning this weekend in Daytona. “This is a difficult decision for Felix and I that did not come without its share of anguish,” said Team Owner Chip Ganassi. “In this tough business environment continuing to run the car without proper funding has become increasingly difficult.” CGRFS is committed to Franchitti’s continued stockcar development and are currently in discussions with him on his racing options with the team which could include running the balance of the 2008 Nationwide season in the #40 Fastenal Dodge. Currently the #42 Texaco/Havoline/Juicy Fruit Dodge of Juan Pablo Montoya is 21st in owner points while the #41 Target Dodge driven by Reed Sorenson is sitting 31st in the standings.(CGRFS PR)(7-1-2008)

Almirola to run #8 fulltime for DEI in 2009 UPDATE: An official announcement that Aric Almirola will drive the #8 car at Dale Earnhardt Inc. full time next season will be made on Tuesday, sources close to the situation said. The decision to put Almirola into the U.S. Army-sponsored car full time had nothing to do with Martin’s decision to return to a full-time Sprint Cup schedule and make one last run at a championship, sources said. It had more to do with advancing Almirola’s talents and taking advantage of the appeal he has shown with sponsors looking for a younger driver. One of those is U.S. Army, whose target audience fits the 24-year-old Almirola much more than the 49-year-old Martin.(ESPN.com)(7-1-2008)
UPDATE: After spending two seasons sharing a car with veteran Mark Martin, 24-year-old Aric Almirola will take over the #8 Sprint Cup Series Chevy full time in 2009. “This is an incredibly exciting opportunity,” said Almirola. “When you get into racing, you always dream of competing at the highest level and I’ve had the chance to do that on a limited basis for the past two seasons. Now I will have the opportunity to race the car full time and I could not be more excited about driving the #8 car each week for Dale Earnhardt Inc. This is a really great race team to work with. (Crew Chief) Tony Gibson and these guys have put me in really good race cars this season and they’ve never treated me like a rookie. They are committed to being competitive every week and I’m really looking forward to working with them on a weekly basis next season.” Martin, who has driven the #8 in 12 events this season, will compete in 12 more races this year before moving to another team for the 2009 campaign. Almirola will compete in the balance of the season’s seven races. In addition to his time in the Sprint Cup Series, Almirola has made 27 starts in the Nationwide Series, earning four poles and one win at Milwaukee in 2007.(DEI PR), there is no mention of a sponsor or the US Army in the press release.(7-1-2008)

Elliott testing #21 at Nashville; Wood to run Daytona: Wood Brothers Racing is set to test Nashville Superspeedway on Wednesday, July 2nd. Coming off of a strong performance in Sonoma, the team experienced disappointment last weekend when they did not make the race in New Hampshire. The #21 team and driver Marcos Ambrose found that the Little Debbie #21 Ford did not respond to any changes that were made and the handling issues persisted during the practice sessions and qualifying on Friday afternoon. Driver Marcos Ambrose stated that after such a fantastic run at Infineon, not making the race was disheartening. He said, “It’s really disappointing. I just feel bad for the Wood Brothers. I’ve had limited experience in the COT and we just didn’t roll off the truck that great and I haven’t had enough experience to really give them direction to tune on it. I tried as hard as I could there, but it just wasn’t to be.”
Taking a proactive stance, the team and Bill Elliott will be testing a new car at Nashville. Ford Racing Engineer, Dave Cimba, commented on the team’s goals for the test, “It was time to put that [New Hampshire] chassis away and start from scratch. We believed that we had fixed previous issues, but it wasn’t the case, new issues would develop, so it’s time to cut it down and start over. The goal of this test is to make things better on the cars week in and week out and to try new ideas that will make performance and handling better overall. Bill [Elliott] is the best candidate to drive because he’s been in the #21 for most of the season and can give us good feedback for tracks that we race on similar to Nashville [Superspeedway]. As we test new ideas and find that they work we will incorporate them into the rotation of the fleet of cars that we have built.” The team also plans to step up the testing program for the rest of the season on intermediate tracks where the most improvement is needed. Wood Brothers Racing will head to Daytona International Speedway for July 4th weekend in the patriotic #21 U.S. Air Force Ford Fusion with Jon Wood once again behind the wheel for the Coke Zero 400 on July 5th.(Wood Brothers Racing PR)(7-1-2008)

Sauter to run the #08 at Chicago & Indy: EM Motorsports owner John Carter announced Johnny Sauter will pilot the #08 getFUBAR.com Dodge Charger in both the LifeLock 400 at Chicagoland Speedway and the Allstate 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Sauter has competed at Chicago on seven occasions (two Cup and five Nationwide) and won the 2002 Tropicana Twister 200 Nationwide Series event while driving for Richard Childress Racing. The Necedah, Wisconsin native competed for the first time at Indianapolis in 2007, driving for #70 Haas Racing in the Allstate 400. FUBAR is a proprietary beverage scientifically formulated for superior performance, endurance and outstanding recovery. Each 12oz bottle or 50 gram bar of FUBAR delivers essential nutrients to the body for up to 6 hours, maximizing overall performance, endurance and allowing for faster recovery. Each FUBAR contains all the natural fuels the body needs with healthy carbs, beneficial fats and pure unprocessed sugars. Based in Toccoa, GA, EM Motorsports presently has three race-ready COTs for Sprint Cup Series competition and the team’s shop was completely overhauled during the month of June. EM Motorsports is led by owner John Carter, Crew Chief Charles Swing, Marketing VP Doug Barron and NASCAR Consultant James Hylton.(EM Motorsports PR)(7-1-2008)

Free Coke Zero for fans if a Coke Driver wins at Daytona: For members of the Coca-Cola Racing Family, each victory in a Sprint Cup Series race is traditionally followed by a thirst-quenching chug of an ice cold Coke Zero in the winner’s circle. This weekend, 13 of the sport’s top drivers will attempt to give fans around the country their own “taste of victory” by taking the checkered flag in the inaugural Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola at Daytona International Speedway. The Coke Zero “Taste of Victory” program will give fans an added incentive to pull for their favorite Coca-Cola Racing Family members during this weekend’s race. If any one of 13 drivers sponsored by Coca-Cola wins, people across the United States will be able to enjoy the Real Coke Taste and Zero Calories of Coke Zero for free. Participating Coca-Cola Racing Family drivers include #20-Tony Stewart, #29-Kevin Harvick, #31-Jeff Burton, #11-Denny Hamlin, #8-Mark Martin, #16-Greg Biffle, #19-Elliott Sadler, #26-Jamie McMurray, #43-Bobby Labonte, #55-Michael Waltrip, #07-Clint Bowyer and #6-David Ragan. #45-Terry Labonte also is eligible as the driver of the #45 Petty Enterprises Dodge and substitute for Coca-Cola Racing Family member Kyle Petty, who is in the TNT broadcast booth this weekend. If a Coca-Cola Racing Family driver takes the checkered flag Saturday night, fans will be able to visit www.CokeZero.com July 5 through July 13 and follow the instructions to receive a coupon for a free 20-ounce bottle of Coke Zero. The debut of the Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola is part of a 10-year sponsorship agreement between Coca-Cola North America (CCNA) and International Speedway Corporation (ISC). Coupons for free 20-ounce bottles of Coke Zero will be redeemable until September 1, 2008 at participating retailers across the country where Coca-Cola products are sold. Limit is one coupon per person. All U.S. residents 13 years of age or older are eligible.(PR)(7-1-2008)

Pocono race renamed Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500: Brandon Igdalsky, President of Pocono Raceway, Tom Foley, CEO of the American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania (SEPA) Chapter, and Bob Owens, Senior Vice President of Sunoco, today announced the details for the Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500, to take place August 1-3. A partnership of Sunoco, Pocono Raceway and the American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter was formed to provide much-needed funds to help people throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania recover from devastating disaster. Through this partnership, Pocono Raceway is also donating a portion of the proceeds from ticket sales and merchandise, as well as providing other revenue-generating efforts to benefit the Red Cross SEPA Chapter’s Red Cross House.
As part of this partnership, Pocono Raceway is donating ten percent of the ticket revenue generated by online ticket buyers who use the Red Cross promo code, REDCROSS. As an added incentive, those race fans purchasing the first 1,500 Sunday, August 3, 2008 reserved grandstand seat tickets, using the Red Cross promo code, will receive a free pre-race Pit/Paddock Pass ($50 value) and Souvenir Program Book and Commemorative Die Cast Car ($15 Value) with each ticket purchased. So ORDER NOW. Tickets can be purchased at www.poconoraceway.com.
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Courtesy of Becky’s Race Fans Stockcar News

http://www.nascarnutscanada.com/

Dillon living up to family heritage despite late start
Childress grandson leads Camping World East points By Raygan Swan, NASCAR.COM
July 1, 2008 12:20 PM EDT
Despite countless soccer games, dozens of baseball bats and stacks of football pads, Tina Dillon still ended up the mom of a racer. Not begrudgingly, just unexpectedly. Her son, Austin Dillon, had gone most of his childhood and adolescence without showing any interest in going fast or anything that required wheels. The North Carolina native worshiped the Atlanta Braves and idolized John Wayne.

http://aolsvc.sports.aol.nascar.com/2008/news/features/07/01/future.star.adillon.rchildress/index.html

Dale Jr. plans to race in Australia: Dale Earnhardt Jr. plans to make his Australian racing debut in a V8 Supercar at Sydney’s Oran Park this December [2008]. Earnhardt will race a Holden Commodore in V8’s junior feeder category, the Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series, at Oran Park’s curtain-closing Grand Finale
before it is torn down to make way for redevelopment. Fujitsu V8 series team boss Scott Loadsman confirmed on Monday he will expand his current one-car team to two cars. He has purchased a Commodore from Paul Morris Motorsport, nicknamed ‘Gidget’. With Loadsman’s existing driver, series leader Steve Owen, more likely to use this newer chassis, Earnhardt is set to drive Owen’s current car. Coincidentally, its nickname is ‘Earnhardt’. Earnhardt first visited Australia at the 2007 V8 Grand Finale at Phillip Island during his end-of-season holiday as a guest of former V8 champ Marcos Ambrose. Morris gave Earnhardt
a test in a V8 Supercar ride car at his facility on the Gold Coast, and Earnhardt has since remained in contact with the V8 driver. With the final NASCAR Sprint Cup race being held on November 16 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Earnhardt will be able to fly to Australia in time for Oran Park on December 7.(Wheelsmag.com)

For Carpentier, the lessons take place on and off track By David Caraviello, NASCAR.COM
LOUDON, N.H. — The voice came down from the spotter’s stand and over the radio, as clear as if Keith Barnwell were sitting in the back seat. “You run faster lap times when you’re not using the brake,” he told driver Patrick Carpentier. “Let that thing roll through there.”

http://aolsvc.sports.aol.nascar.com/2008/news/headlines/cup/06/30/pcarpentier.new.hampshire.post/index.html

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Courtesy of Scene Daily

http://www.scenedaily.com

Mike Hembree: Looking for a Democrat
In the NASCAR garage area, the only thing harder to find than a muffler is a Democrat.

http://snipurl.com/2smcn-gazete

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Courtesy of That’s Racin’

http://www.thatsracin.com

Ganassi cuts back, idling Franchitti, 70 others
DEI, meanwhile, turns to Almirola as Martin’s plans are finalized
Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates pulled the plug Tuesday on its unsponsored the No. 40 Dodge team, driven by 2007 Indianapolis 500 and IndyCar Series champion Dario Franchitti, scaling back operations from three Sprint Cup teams to two.

http://www.thatsracin.com/247/story/16161.html

Nice guy Casey Mears looking for work
If nice guys got all the best NASCAR rides, Casey Mears would have a job for life. But racing is a results-based business, and Mears simply doesn’t have them through 53 races with elite Hendrick Motorsports

http://www.thatsracin.com/topstories/story/16154.html

Busch, Montoya clash unavoidable
It’s no surprise the arrogance of NASCAR’s Juan Pablo Montoya and the cockiness of Kyle Busch would soon cross paths on the track, and it did in Sunday’s race.

http://www.thatsracin.com/topstories/story/16157.html

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P R E S S * R E L E A S E S
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Still Running Strong … Kevin Harvick has not recorded a DNF (did not finish) in 61 consecutive races, which is the new modern era record (1972-present). Bowyer currently has the second-longest active streak of 54 consecutive races without a DNF.
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Dale Jarrett, former driver of the #44 UPS Toyota, will serve as Grand Marshal for the Coke Zero 400.
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David Gilliland will sign autographs at the Ford Racing merchandise trailer on Saturday, July 5th from 4:00pm-4:30pm at DIS.

Travis Kvapil will also sign autographs at the Ford Racing merchandise trailer on Saturday, July 5th from 4:00pm-4:30pm at DIS.
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Meet the Driver, Sample a Coke Zero … Clint Bowyer will appear at the Coca-Cola display on Saturday, July 5 at 4:30 p.m. for a brief question and answer session. Following the Q&A session, the newest member of the Coca-Cola Racing Family will make his way to the Coke Zero sampling station where he will offer select race fans a free sample of Coke Zero. The Coca-Cola display will be located in the speedway’s display area outside turn four.
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Kasey Kahne will be a guest on Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain Sunday, July 6th. Tune into SPEED at 9 pm EDT to catch the broadcast.
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Almirola to Pilot No. 8 Car Full Time in 2009
Rookie driver promoted to full-time Sprint Cup status next season
MOORESVILLE, N.C. (July 1, 2008) – After spending two seasons sharing a car with veteran Mark Martin, 24-year-old Aric Almirola will take over the No. 8 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Chevrolet full time in 2009.

Mark Martin, who has driven the No. 8 in 12 events this season, will compete in 12 more races this year before moving to another team for the 2009 campaign.
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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

DEI Nationwide Team in 2009: UPDATE: Bob Diller interviewed DEI development drivers Trevor Bayne and Jeffrey Earnhardt during Speed Channel’s coverage of Nationwide Series practice. They announced that DEI would run a full time Nationwide team next year for the two of them. In addition, Earnhardt will run some some Nationwide races later this year.(6-27-2008)
UPDATE: For the first time in his career, Kerry Earnhardt, the son of seven-time NASCAR Champion Dale Earnhardt, will drive a Dale Earnhardt Inc. entry in a NASCAR race. Earnhardt will pilot the #8 Bass Pro Shops Chevy in the July 4 Daytona 250 NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Daytona International Speedway.(DEI PR)(7-1-2008)

Wheel Bearing Causes Fire on #59 Hauler: PHOTOS: The back of the #59 hauler caught fire on the way back to North Carolina from New Hampshire due to an over heated wheel bearing. Most of the damage was contained to the back of the hauler. Most of the equipment survived, except for smoke and water damage. The team is scrambling to retrieve everything from the damaged hauler and get their plans together for Daytona.(6-30-2008)
PHOTOS: See some images of the hauler by clicking here.(7-1-2008)

http://www.jayski.com/nationwide/2008/images/59haulerfire.htm

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Courtesy of The Hot Lap

http://www.TheHotLap.com

ESPN2 will carry Friday night’s race live from Daytona beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET with NASCAR Countdown. The race begins at 8 p.m.Dr. Jerry Punch will call the race from the booth with Dale Jarrett and Andy Petree offering analysis.Mike Wallace (No. 7 GEICO Toyota), who won this race in 2004 in one of the most exciting finishes in its six-year history, will serve as In-Race Reporter. Wallace is currently eighth in the standings, one of five series-only regulars in the rankings this week. (NASCAR) (07-01-08)
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Kerry Earnhardt to Drive Dale Earnhardt Inc. No. 8 Chevy in July Daytona Nationwide Race

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (July 1, 2008) – For the first time in his career, Kerry Earnhardt, the son of seven-time NASCAR Champion Dale Earnhardt, will drive a Dale Earnhardt Inc. entry in a NASCAR race.

Earnhardt will pilot the No. 8 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet in the July 4 Daytona 250 NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Daytona International Speedway.

“I’ve won several races with DEI in an ARCA car, but I’m really looking forward to driving a fast car at Daytona under the DEI umbrella,” Earnhardt said. “I appreciate DEI giving me the opportunity to get back in a car; especially one that I know will be fast and competitive. I love running the speedways (Daytona and Talladega) and can’t wait for the weekend to get here.”

Earnhardt, who currently works at Dale Earnhardt Inc. as a team liaison, will be making his 70th career start in the series, but only his fifth Nationwide start since 2003. He most recently competed regularly in the Craftsman Truck Series in 2006.

It will be Earnhardt’s ninth career Nationwide Series start at Daytona International Speedway.

Dale Earnhardt Inc., based in Mooresville, N.C., employs over 350 people on its two state-of-the-art campuses. Dale Earnhardt Inc. is comprised of four Sprint Cup teams, featuring drivers, Paul Menard, Martin Truex Jr., Regan Smith, Mark Martin and Aric Almirola. The organization has amassed more than 100 wins, and has won six NASCAR Championships, as well as three Daytona 500s. In addition, Earnhardt-Childress Racing Technologies, a joint engine venture between Dale Earnhardt Inc. and Richard Childress Racing, has 147 employees.
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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

Expanded coverage during Warriors Weekend, July 18-19: As summer racing heats up across the United States, SPEED is designating July 18-19 as “Warriors Weekend,” expanding its coverage of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and ARCA RE/MAX Series and premiering a series of specials highlighted by a nod to American grassroots motor sports with For the Love of Racing on Friday at 7:30pm/et. Expanded coverage of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Kentucky will include live coverage of practice (July 18, 6:30pm/et), qualifying (July 19, 3:30pm/et), a special mid-season review (July 19, 3:00pm/et), an expanded version of the popular pre-race show NCTS Setup with Krista Voda (July 19, 6:00pm/et) and live, exclusive coverage of the Truck Series race, beginning at 7:00pm from Kentucky Speedway.(SPEED/TV)(7-1-2008)

Racing Resources says…
… Ron Hornaday Jr. won the O’Reilly 200 at Memphis Motorsports Park. It was Hornaday’s second win at Memphis. He won the inaugural Memphis race in 1998. He now has recorded five top-six finishes in six Memphis races.
… It was Hornaday’s third win in 2008. He also won at Kansas and Texas. Hornaday scored his series-record 36th victory in his 212th start. It also was his series-leading 18th short-track victory.
… Hornaday led a Memphis-record 139 laps, including the last 129. He started third. All 11 Memphis races have been won from a top-10 starting position.
… Pole winner and pre-race points leader Johnny Benson led the first 43 laps before being passed by Hornaday. Benson’s transmission got stuck between gears on the Lap 83 restart, leading to engine failure, which resulted in his first DNF of the season.
… Hornaday climbed from fourth to first in the points standings. He has a 27-point lead over Matt Crafton, who finished third.
… Benson’s 33rd-place finish dropped him to fourth in the point standings, 56 markers behind Hornaday. Todd Bodine (14th) lost a spot to third place, 54 behind first. Rick Crawford remains in fifth place.
… It was the fifth win in 2008 for Chevrolet. Toyota also has five, while Ford and Dodge have one each.
… Brian Scott (13th) had the best finish of the five Raybestos Rookie candidates in the field. He also had the best starting position, sixth, among the rookies.(ESPN)(7-1-2008)
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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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Steckly does it again, with class
The Beacon Herald – Stratford,Ontario,Canada
BARRIE — Scott Steckly has won three of his last four NASCAR Canadian Tire Series races, and figures it could just as easily be a perfect 4-for-4. …

http://www.stratfordbeaconherald.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1095284

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The Race: Kodak 250
The Place: Autodrome St. Eustache, St. Eustache, Quebec
The Date: July 5
The Time: 8:35 p.m. ET
TV Schedule: TSN, Noon ET, July 12 (delayed)
Track Layout: .400-mile paved
Race Purse: $68,511 CAD
2007 Winner: Inaugural Event
2007 Pole: Inaugural Event
Schedule: Saturday: Practice 1 – 3 p.m., Time Trials 5:15 p.m.

News & Notes

The Race: This event is the fourth of 13 races on the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Sirius Satellite Radio schedule. It is the first year the track is hosting the series.

The Procedure: The starting field is 26 cars, including provisionals. The first 23 cars will qualify through two-lap time trials. The remaining three spots will be awarded through the provisional process. The race will be 250 laps (100 miles).

The Track: The facility includes a .400-mile paved oval, a .125-mile drag strip and a 1.7km road course. The track was founded in 1965 as Fury Speedway de Fabreville, and the current configuration has been hosting various types of racing since 1970.

Try…Try Again: This event was originally scheduled for Saturday, May 31. After that day was a weather washout, the race was rescheduled for the next day. On Sunday, cars were able to practice, but nothing else as the rains returned. NASCAR and track officials quickly found an agreeable date for everyone to return.

Quebec First: The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series has raced two times in Quebec, but never on an oval track. Its visits to Circuit Gilles Villeneuve and Grand Prix de Trois-Rivieres were road course events.

Also On Tap: Two classes of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series at St. Eustache will race on Saturday with the Cummins Pro-Trucks going 60 laps and the Sport Compacts racing 30 laps. Also, the ANCA Modified Legends will be on hand for a 50-lap feature.
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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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You’ve Heard About My Daughter, Well Let Me Tell You About My Son
By 4ever3(4ever3)
It isn’t NASCAR, it’s ARCA and it’s about as close to NASCAR as you can get without it being NASCAR.” No reply. He pretends that if he didn’t hear the question he won’t have to answer it – classic 7 year old (or is it male?) mentality. …

http://4ever3canadianeh.blogspot.com/2008/06/youve-heard-about-my-daughter-well-let.html

Insider Racing News

http://insiderracingnews.com/Writers/CA/070208.html

Lousy Loudon: Was That A Race?
by Chuck Abrams

Why Mark Martin Could be the Key to the Silly Season Domino Theory

http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/b5media/DoYouNascar/~3/324256792/

(thanks, Ed)

Breaking News: Ganassi shuts down #40 car, lays off 71 employees
As was reported earlier today by Jayski, Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates has officially shut down the #40 Cup team for the season and has laid off 71 employees. A lack of sponsorship is ultimately to blame for the team’s demise. From what I’m hearing, the layoffs include the entire #40 team, and effect every department at CGR from the body shop to sponsorship. Apparently CGR’s Managing Director John Fernandez is also among those who were laid off.

http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheNascarInsiders/~3/324352817/

When Good Strategy Goes Wrong
Racing is a tough game. Sometimes, despite the best laid plans, everything goes wrong

http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheNascarInsiders/~3/324038740/

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T V * L I S T I N G S
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Courtesy of Jayski

http://www.jayski.com/pages/tv.htm

Wed July 2
12:00 am NASCAR Now ESPN2
1:00 pm Watkins Glen Racing Across America SPEED
6:00 pm NASCAR Now ESPN2
9:00 pm Drafting Partners GAC

Thu July 3
12:00 am NASCAR Now ESPN2
1:00 am Drafting Partners GAC
12:00 pm NSCS Replay – New Hampshire SPEED
1:00 pm Drafting Partners GAC
1:30 pm NSCS Replay – New Hampshire HDNet
2:00 pm 1979 Daytona 500 ESPNC
4:00 pm NSCS Daytona Practice SPEED
5:30 pm NNS Daytona Final Practice SPEED
6:30 pm NSCS Daytona Final Practice SPEED
7:00 pm Drafting Partners GAC

Fri July the 4th
12:00 am NASCAR Now ESPN2
2:30 am NASCAR Now ESPN2
12:00 pm NASCAR Live SPEED
1:00 pm NNS Coors Light Pole Qualifying ESPN2
3:30 pm Go or Go Home SPEED
4:00 pm NSCS Coors Light Pole Qualifying SPEED
6:30 pm NASCAR Now ESPN2
7:00 pm NNS Countdown ESPN2
7:00 pm NASCAR Live SPEED
8:00 pm NNS: Winn-Dixie 250 ESPN2
11:00 pm Trackside at Daytona SPEED
11:00 pm NASCAR Camping World Series: California Highway Patrol 200 HDNet

Sat July 5
1:30 am Go or Go Home SPEED
2:00 am NSCS Coors Light Pole Qualifying SPEED
3:00 am NNS: Winn-Dixie 250 ESPN2
9:00 am Drafting Partners GAC
10:00 am NASCAR Now ESPN2
11:00 am Trackside at Daytona SPEED
1:00 pm Prelude to the Dream SPEED
3:00 pm Tradin’ Paint SPEED
3:30 pm NASCAR Performance SPEED
4:00 pm NASCAR in a Hurry SPEED
4:30 pm NASCAR RaceDay SPEED
6:30 pm NASCAR on TNT Live! and Allstate Countdown to Green TNT
8:00 pm Sprint Cup Racing from Daytona TNT

Sun July 6
7:00 pm SPEED Report SPEED
8:00 pm NASCAR Victory Lane SPEED
9:00 pm Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain SPEED
10:00 pm Drafting Partners GAC

Jayski does not list all the programming offered by SPEED; for complete listings go to their website, http://www.speedtv.com/schedule/

Always CHECK YOUR LOCAL LISTINGS!
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