Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Peterson family, friends, and co-workers, as NASCAR technical director Steve Peterson was found dead at his home on Tuesday.
Read all the latest NASCAR news right here in the Stock Car Gazette.
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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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Newman has three serious options for 2009
Newman acknowledged on Saturday in Chicagoland that he has three serious options outside of Penske. A source close to the situation said Newman has been in discussions with Stewart Haas, Joe Gibbs Racing and Richard Childress Racing. The source added there is a firm offer from Stewart-Haas and that potential sponsors are set, but that [...]
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/autoracingsport/~3/335829903/
Truex and Stremme under consideration to replace Newman
Penske has offered no hints as to who might replace Ryan Newman. Martin Truex Jr.’s name has been mentioned, but Truex’s current contract with DEI is still the subject of legal debate, and it is unclear if DEI will indeed force Truex to return for another season or give him his release. Truex has been [...]
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/autoracingsport/~3/336160215/
NASCAR technical director Peterson dies at 58
NASCAR technical director Steve Peterson, 58, was found dead today at his home from what appear to be natural causes, sanctioning body officials announced. Peterson began his NASCAR career in 1995 and led many of NASCAR’s safety initiatives, including development and installation of SAFER Barriers, management and approval of head-and-neck restraints and improved seat belts and [...]
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/autoracingsport/~3/336477275/
Kobalt Tools leading candidate to sponsor NASCAR Truck Series
Kobalt Tools, a Lowe’s brand, has emerged as the leading candidate to sponsor the truck series, industry sources say. Craftsman has been the title sponsor since the series was launched in 1995, but the Sears brand will not renew after its deal with NASCAR runs out this year. NASCAR is believed to be selling the truck [...]
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/autoracingsport/~3/336490155/
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Courtesy of www.Catchfence.com
Sunoco And WGI Provide Relief At The Pump – Fans receive a $20 Gas Card with any Turn 11 Grandstand Ticket Purchase: In light of rising gas prices and the economic hardships that many NASCAR fans are facing today, Watkins Glen International and Sunoco are trying to give fans a little relief at the pumps. Fans that purchase an $85 Turn 11 Grandstand weekend ticket for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series’ Centurion Boats at The Glen can receive a $20 Sunoco gas card for each ticket ordered. The gas card can be redeemed at over 400 participating Sunoco retail outlets within a 300 mile radius of Watkins Glen International. The Centurion Boats at The Glen NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race will be on Sunday, August 10, and Zippo 200 NASCAR Nationwide Series event will be on Saturday, August 9. Tickets are going fast! For more information and ticket orders, please contact the Watkins Glen International ticket office at 866-461-RACE or log on to the official website www.TheGlen.com.
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Courtesy of Google Alerts
NASCAR driver visits region
Escanaba Daily Press – Escanaba,MI,USA
Petty, a NASCAR Sprint Cup driver, television commentator and motorcycle lover, rode through the area on his 14th annual Chick-Fil-A Kyle Petty Charity Ride …
http://www.dailypress.net/page/content.detail/id/504981.html?nav=5003
Kobalt , SK Telecom, and more news….
By Richard Ginn
SK Telecom is back in talks to acquire the Sprint Nextel company that is now the current sponsor of the Sprint Cup series. Sporting News says that Kobalt Tools is the leading candidate to sponsor the Truck Series. Winston Salem Journal …
http://mvn.com/nascar/2008/07/15/kobalt-sk-telecom-and-more-news/
Trackside: Sprint car heroes fade away when driving days are over
Terre Haute Tribune Star – Terre Haute,IN,USA
While stock cars will always have their Richard Petty, champ cars their AJ Foyt, and drag racing their Don Garlits, those who compete on the nation’s short …
http://www.tribstar.com/sports_columns/local_story_197224659.html
Steve Peterson: Thank You
By diandra
I watched Steve shift uncomfortably on the stage as they read the citation, which praised his dedication to improving the safety of stock car racing. Much of the early work in NASCAR safety was done in his and Gary Nelson’s garages and …
http://stockcarscience.com/blog/index.php/2008/07/15/steve_peterson_thank_you
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Courtesy of Insider Racing News
http://www.insiderracingnews.com
SMI Stocks In Decline
No matter whose side you take in the tiff between Bruton Smith and H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler over Wheeler’s departure from Speedway Motorsports, one thing is clear: Wall Street isn’t happy with the company’s performance of late. Shares in the Concord-based company – which owns seven speedways, including Lowe’s Motor Speedway, and wants to buy an eighth – have lost more than half their value over the past year, with the stock price dropping from about $40 last July to just above $18 Monday. Even in today’s bear market, that’s a big slide. By comparison, the S&P 500 Index and other major market measures are down about 20 percent, while shares in International Speedway Corp. – Speedway Motorsports’ chief rival – are down almost 30 percent from a year ago
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Courtesy of Jayski
http://www.jayski.com
Nationwide Series racer Marcos Ambrose will become a full-time Sprint Cup driver next season, thanks to a new partnership former NBA player Brad Daugherty has with JTG Racing. Daugherty, now a NASCAR analyst for ESPN, has become a part-owner of JTG Racing. The team will be renamed JTG Daugherty Racing. It will continue to field two Nationwide Series entries, but add a full-time Sprint Cup entry next year with Ambrose at the wheel. “I have a tremendous passion for racing,” Daugherty said Tuesday. “This gives me another avenue to be involved in the sport. It’s a big stake to do this at the Cup level, and I hope it opens doors in the sport for other minorities and women.” Little Debbie snack cakes will sponsor the car, which will use #47.(ESPN.com)(7-16-2008)
GM cuts could hit all levels of racing: Nothing at GM is off-limits-including its high-profile NASCAR program – company executives warned as the automaker went public Tuesday in Detroit with its latest round of cost-cutting measures. With the auto industry in North America taking a beating, GM racing director Mark Kent said that every level of motorsports that GM supports-from the giant stock-car racing series NASCAR to the grassroots Sports Car Club of America-is being evaluated. GM also competes in the NHRA, USAC midgets/sprints and the American Le Mans Series. “Racing is not exempt (from cuts),” Kent said last week. “We are looking at ways to be even more efficient … looking to see if they are genuinely positioned for a positive return on investment.” Troy Clarke, president of GM North America, added: Motorsports “have not gone without scrutiny. I’m not going to get into specifics about NASCAR. But there will be modifications-changes in our marketing footprint-in this area.” GM’s NASCAR program, which has enjoyed great success and supports 12 Chevy teams, is under review, as is all of the racing GM supports, Kent said. “NASCAR, SCCA club racing-we are looking at where we need to be.” Funding a championship-winning team such as Chevy’s Hendrick Motorsports and drivers of the caliber of Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. costs GM at least $30 million a year.(The Oylmpian)(7-16-2008)
GM cuts could hit all levels of racing: Nothing at GM is off-limits-including its high-profile NASCAR program – company executives warned as the automaker went public Tuesday in Detroit with its latest round of cost-cutting measures. With the auto industry in North America taking a beating, GM racing director Mark Kent said that every level of motorsports that GM supports-from the giant stock-car racing series NASCAR to the grassroots Sports Car Club of America-is being evaluated. GM also competes in the NHRA, USAC midgets/sprints and the American Le Mans Series. “Racing is not exempt (from cuts),” Kent said last week. “We are looking at ways to be even more efficient … looking to see if they are genuinely positioned for a positive return on investment.” Troy Clarke, president of GM North America, added: Motorsports “have not gone without scrutiny. I’m not going to get into specifics about NASCAR. But there will be modifications-changes in our marketing footprint-in this area.” GM’s NASCAR program, which has enjoyed great success and supports 12 Chevy teams, is under review, as is all of the racing GM supports, Kent said. “NASCAR, SCCA club racing-we are looking at where we need to be.” Funding a championship-winning team such as Chevy’s Hendrick Motorsports and drivers of the caliber of Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. costs GM at least $30 million a year.(The Oylmpian)(7-16-2008)
Kyle Petty Charity Ride, Day 3: Tuesday was the third day for Kyle Petty’s Annual Charity Ride. The Chick-fil-A Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America raises funds for charities that support chronically ill children and engages celebrities, ride sponsors, motorcycle enthusiasts and fans. Since 1995, more than 5,700 riders have logged 7.2 million cumulative motorcycle miles and donated more than $10.5 million to children’s charities. Tuesday’s route was scheduled to begin in Lombard, IL and end in Lexington, KY. For more information on the ride, see my Racing Charities page.(7-16-2008) http://www.jayski.com/pages/charities.htm#petty-ride
Chase Notes: #11-Denny Hamlin’s early race problems doomed him to a 40th place finish at Chicagoland, dropping him five positions and 70 points closer to being out of the Top 12. Clint Bowyer and the #07 team never seemed to get a handle on the race track and his 22nd dropped him out of the Top 12, 27 points out. #9-Kasey Kahne’s 15th lost him three positions back to 11th, but he did pick up five points on 13th. Still, the #9 team’s performance of late predicts a rough road to staying in the Top 12, especially if the challengers stay consistent. Kurt Busch’s 28th at Chicagoland puts his Chase hopes in serious jeopardy and is now 245 points out in 18th place. #83-Brian Vickers continued his strong challenge for the Top 12 with his sixth at Chicagoland, moving up one position and 17 points. The Red Bull driver now lurks 95 points out of 12th. #16-Greg Biffle gave himself slight breathing room in the Top 12 with his fourth at Chicagoland, but he’s only 62 points ahead of Bowyer in 7th place, and his last three Indy finishes are 21-33-15. See the full Chase stats so far and comparisons with each year on my Chase Stats after Chicago page.(7-16-2008) http://www.jayski.com/stats/2008/chase/19chi2008chase.htm
Hamlin named Wypall Crew Chief of the Race in Chicago: Kevin Hamlin, crew chief of the #83 Red Bull Toyota driven by Brian Vickers, has been named the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race following Saturday night’s LifeLock.com 400 at Chicagoland Speedway.
Sad News – Steve Peterson: NASCAR Technical Director Steve Peterson, 58, was found deceased today at his home from what appears to be natural causes. Steve began his NASCAR career in January, 1995 and led many of NASCAR’s safety initiatives including development and installation of SAFER Barriers, management and approval of head and neck restraints and improved seat belts, and coordination of the safety features in NASCAR’s new car. “Steve’s accomplishments to increase driver safety will continue to be a benefit to every NASCAR driver that gets behind the wheel for generations to come,” said NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to Steve’s family and friends; he will certainly be missed throughout the NASCAR community.” Funeral arrangements will be announced later.(NASCAR PR)(7-15-2008)
Testing at Nashville: Beginning a two day practice at the Nashville Superspeedway Tuesday were the test teams of Chip Ganassi Racing with drivers Bryan Clauson and Kevin Hamlin, Gillette Evernham Motorsports with Chase Miller, Petty Enterprises with Chad McCumbee, and Richard Childress Racing.(PRNs Garage Pass)(7-15-2008)
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Courtesy of Scene Daily
http://www.scenedaily.com
Kobalt Tools in the lead to replace Craftsman as truck series sponsor
The races for title sponsorships on two motorsports properties, NASCAR’s truck series and the IndyCar Series, are heating up
http://snipurl.com/2zfzq-gazete
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Courtesy of That’s Racin’
http://www.thatsracin.com
No room for selective enforcement
Life in the Turn Lane
Saturday night, just before the LifeLock.com 400 at Chicagoland Speedway, a NASCAR official stood in the way of J.J. Yeley’s No. 96 Toyota preventing him from joining the field for the start of the race
http://turn-lane.blogspot.com/2008/07/no-room-for-selective-enforcement.html
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LIVE CHATS TO RESUME WITH BORIS SAID
Said and Scott Pruett Confirmed for Chats on July 16 and July 23 Respectively
Watkins Glen, NY (July 15, 2008) – Watkins Glen International will resume the LIVE driver chats on the WGI Fan Talk Forum on Wednesday, July 16th and will get things started with a Glen champion and true fan favorite. 2006 Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen champion and current NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Boris Said will be the first featured guest and will be available for fans questions from 7:30 PM – 8:00 PM.
This is the first of four 30-minute live chats that will feature drivers from the NASCAR Sprint Cup, NASCAR Nationwide and Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series leading up to the Centurion Boats at The Glen weekend, August 7-10. The first chat will feature Boris Said on July 16th and the second chat will feature Grand-Am Rolex Series star Scott Pruett on July 23rd. The third and fourth chats will feature drivers from the NASCAR Sprint Cup or NASCAR Nationwide Series on July 30th and August 6th.
Boris Said’s popularity at The Glen is well documented. His fan club, the famed “Said Heads” originated at The Soul of American Road Racing. Members are easily distinguishable by the large wigs they wear to pay tribute to the hair-do of their favorite driver. Said has met with a great deal of success at The Glen in several series including the NASCAR Sprint Cup, NASCAR Nationwide and Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series. His record at The Glen is made up of numerous Top-10 finishes including his victory in the 2006 Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen. He pulled double-duty during last year’s Centurion Boats at The Glen weekend and this year fans should expect him to compete in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Centurion Boats at The Glen and NASCAR Nationwide Series Zippo 200 during the event weekend, August 7-10.
Tickets for the historic 60th Anniversary of racing in Watkins Glen are on-sale now! The action continues at Watkins Glen International, August 7-10, when the stars and cars of NASCAR take to the track. The Centurion Boats at The Glen NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race will be on Sunday, August 10, and Zippo 200 NASCAR Nationwide Series event will be on Saturday, August 9. Tickets are going fast! For more information and ticket orders, please contact the Watkins Glen International ticket office at 866-461-RACE or log on to the official website www.TheGlen.com.
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Plenty of Fan Fun Set for Chevy Day at the Brickyard on Friday, July 25, 2008
Team Chevy Driver Autograph Sessions and Stage Interviews Highlight Allstate 400 at the Brickyard Event
INDIANAPOLIS – June 19, 2008 – Chevy Day at the Brickyard will be a major highlight of exciting, fan-friendly activities set for opening day of the 15th annual Allstate 400 at the Brickyard. Headlining the event will be Team Chevy Impala SS drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series appearing live on stage as well several of the Bowtie stars meeting fans at autograph sessions scheduled throughout the morning.
The Chevrolet-sponsored event starts at 8 a.m. (ET) at various infield locations at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) on Friday, July 25.
Admission to Chevy Day is included in the price of admission to the IMS grounds for the day’s Allstate 400 at the Brickyard activities. General admission tickets for Friday are $10 per person, free for children ages 5 and younger.
Chevrolet-sponsored NASCAR drivers appearing live on the Chevy stage located n the Hall of Fame Museum parking lot will participate in question-and-answer sessions with emcee, Riki Rachtman. Drivers expected to appear include Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Kevin Harvick, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and many more.
Autograph sessions with Team Chevy Members will take place in the Pagoda Plaza. The autograph schedule includes (drivers and times are subject to change):
• 9 a.m. – Aric Almirola, Jeff Burton
• 9 a.m. – Steven Wallace, David Stremme
• 10 a.m. – Scott Riggs, Casey Mears
• 10 a.m. – Richard Childress, Clint Bowyer
• 11 a.m. – Kevin Harvick, Scott Wimmer
• 11 a.m. – Regan Smith, Jimmie Johnson
Fans wishing to meet their favorite Team Chevy driver must have a wristband to get in line for an autograph. Wristband distribution begins at 8 a.m. in the Pagoda Plaza to the first 175 people in line for each session, all ages included. Each person only will be allowed to receive one wristband in total.
Selected Chevrolet NASCAR drivers also will participate in the RC Driver RC Challenge at the Brickyard race with radio-controlled cars in the Flag Lot, adjacent to the Pagoda Plaza.
Other activities on Chevy Day at the Brickyard include photo opportunities with the No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet Impala SS, displays of Chevy passenger cars and trucks, live music by the Jolie Holliday Band and more. All of these activities are part of the Chevy Fanfest in the Hall of Fame Museum lot.
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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
Nationwide Series racer Marcos Ambrose will become a full-time Sprint Cup driver next season, thanks to a new partnership former NBA player Brad Daugherty has with JTG Racing. Daugherty, now a NASCAR analyst for ESPN, has become a part-owner of JTG Racing. The team will be renamed JTG Daugherty Racing. It will continue to field two Nationwide Series entries, but add a full-time Sprint Cup entry next year with Ambrose at the wheel. “I have a tremendous passion for racing,” Daugherty said Tuesday. “This gives me another avenue to be involved in the sport. It’s a big stake to do this at he Cup level, and I hope it opens doors in the sport for other minorities and women.” Little Debbie snack cakes will sponsor the car, which will use #47.(ESPN.com)(7-15-2008)
UPDATE 3: [Daugherty] said he hopes to announce soon plans for another Nationwide team for the 2009 season with a young local driver. That is expected to be Coleman Pressley, 19, an Asheville native and JTG Racing employee who drives in the NASCAR Whelen Series. Pressley is the son of former NASCAR driver Robert Pressley and grandson of legendary local driver Bob Pressley.Asheville Citizen-Times)(7-15-2008)
Rick Ren served as Kevin Harvick’s crew chief on the Kevin Harvick Inc. #33 entry at Chicagoland, but Ren’s commitment is in trying to defend his Craftsman Truck Series title with KHI driver Ron Hornaday Jr. Ren was replacing Wally Rogers, whom Harvick let go in his search of more consistency within the team. With Ren and Hornaday at Kentucky Speedway this weekend, Jason Meeks will make the decisions for driver Cale Gale.(ESPN.com)(7-15-2008)
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Courtesy of The Hot Lap
http://www.TheHotLap.com
MADISON, Ill. – Throughout the spring and summer, residents of the Midwest have fought record-breaking rains and flooding with Missouri and Illinois being particularly hard-hit. In an effort to help those affected by these calamities, Gateway International Raceway is hosting a track walk this Saturday prior to the Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers 250. A number of NASCAR Nationwide Series drivers are scheduled to participate, with those names being announced Saturday.Iowa native Landon Cassill, who made his NASCAR debut at GIR last year, has seen up close the damage the flooding has done in his home state. “I went back to Cedar Rapids where I grew up (recently) and was checking out the city. It’s hard to put into words,” said Cassill, one of the first drivers to volunteer for the walk. “It’s really devastating. They evacuated ten thousand people in Cedar Rapids. To go there and look at the city I grew up in and see street signs and lights washed away…it’s just unbelievable. To see all that and to hear the people’s stories, it’s just unbelievable.” http://thehotlap.com/modules.php?name=Press_Releases&op=view&rid=1996
Mike Wallace- In honor of his homecoming, Wallace will throw out the first pitch at the St. Louis Cardinals game on Thursday at Busch Stadium. “It’s quite an honor anytime you can do something in front of hometown fans,” added Wallace. “This will be the first time that I’ve been at the new ballpark in St. Louis. I’m not a ball player, but I admire all of the guys who do play ball. All of us as kids wished we could play baseball, so being able to be on Major League field, especially in St. Louis at the new Busch Stadium, is quite an honor.” (Toyota Racing) (07-15-08)
To read the transcript from today’s teleconference interview with Brad Keselowski, driver of the #88, click here (NASCAR) (07-15-08)
http://thehotlap.com/modules.php?name=Press_Releases&op=view&rid=1995
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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
Busch making first truck start at Kentucky: Kyle Busch will be back behind the wheel of the #51 Miccosukee Resort Billy Ballew Motorsports Toyota Tundra for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event at the Kentucky Speedway Saturday, July 19, 2008. Busch will be making his first start in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at the 1.5-mile intermediate track for the 150 Lap /225 Mile race. Busch won’t be commuting to one of the other premier NASCAR touring series races this weekend but instead he will commute to get behind the wheel of a different kind of race car. This week Busch will also race in the #51 NOS Energy Drink Super Late Model at Slinger Speedway in Wisconsin, Tuesday July 15, then July 19th at the Kentucky Speedway in the Miccosukee Resort Toyota Tundra. Busch and Richie Wauters and some of the #51 NCTS team will fly off to the Iowa Speedway for another Super Late Model race Sunday, July 20, 2008 [Details posted on the Appearance Page.] (Billy Ballew Motorsports PR)(7-16-2008) http://www.jayski.com/pages/appear.htm
NASCAR is believed to be selling the series’ title rights in the mid- to high seven-figure range annually, with an advertising commitment on SPEED, the broadcast home of the series, at close to seven figures. Stanley Tools and NAPA also have been involved in discussions with NASCAR. In addition to the title sponsorship, the deal likely would include status for Kobalt as the official tool of NASCAR, replacing Craftsman. Lowe’s, represented by GMR Marketing, also could be moving into the official home improvement store category that currently is occupied by The Home Depot, whose deal with NASCAR runs out this year.(Sporting News)(7-15-2008)
Rascal Flatts sponsoring Allen & Randy Moss Motorsports debut: Randy Moss Motorsports and the #81 Chevy will make its much anticipated debut this weekend at the Kentucky Speedway with the 2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Rookie of the Year Willie Allen behind the wheel. Grammy Award winning country music group Rascal Flatts will sponsor the #81 Chevy for the debut of Randy Moss Motorsports this weekend at Kentucky Speedway. The three man band has recorded eight number one songs in their bright career and is currently touring the country on their “Bob That Head” 2008 concert tour. Jining Rascal Flatts as sponsors in Kentucky will be The Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau and Lowery Plumbing as they will ride along on the #81 Chevy with Willie Allen for the 150-lap event as Associate Sponsors.(Randy Moss Motorsports PR)(7-15-2008)
Allgaier on board with MB Motorsports at Kentucky: Justin Allgaier will pilot not only the #6 AG Tech-Hoosier Midwest ARCA RE/MAX Series car in the Kentucky ARCA 150 at Kentucky Speedway race Friday, July 18, but he will also be competing in the Built Ford Tough 225, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race Saturday, July 19. Allgaier will be piloting the #63 Mittler Brothers Machine and Tools Ford. Allgaier has seven prior Craftsman Truck Series starts for the MB Motorsports team with one start at the Kentucky Speedway in 2006.(Justin Allgaier PR)(7-15-2008)
Stout returns to NCTS action in Kentucky: JC Stout will step back into the #91 Stellar-Quest Racing Chevy for the Built Ford Tough 225 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Kentucky Speedway Saturday July 19, 2008. Don Roberts, a long-time member of the Stellar-Quest Racing Team, will perform the roles of both Crew Chief and front tire carrier this weekend.(Stellar-Quest Racing PR)(7-15-2008)
Annexus to sponsor Cobb at Kentucky: Jennifer Jo Cobb Racing and Derrike Cope Inc. are pleased to announce Scottsdale-based The Annexus Group will be returning as the primary sponsor for the #74 Dodge Ram at the July 19 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Kentucky Speedway. The race will serve as Cobb’s second in the series.(Cobb Racing/Diamond III Mgmt PR)(7-15-2008)
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Courtesy of TruckSeries.Com
http://www.truckseries.com
Youth Movement, Viewership Trend Continues
07-15-2008 | Megan Englehart, SPEEDtv.com
With 12 races in the books in 2008 and heading into a stand-alone weekend in Kentucky, an interesting trend continues to develop in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Showcasing “old school” beating-and-banging and boasting seven former series champions in the weekly lineup, the television audience for the NCTS is increasingly younger this year. At the beginning of the season, NASCAR executives shared their goal of reaching out to the core NASCAR fans and, to many, “core” implied older, more traditional race fans. However, in the 10 Truck Series races broadcast on SPEED (FOX carried two races), the network has enjoyed a 13-percent ratings increase in men ages 18-49 (.63 vs. .53) over 2007 and a six percent increase (.35 vs. 33) in men ages 18-34. Additionally, ratings for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races on SPEED are up 22 percent overall this season compared to last (.93 vs. .76), and ratings have increased in eight consecutive races year to year. “I think the Truck Series appeals to the younger, male audience because they mirror the competitors, or at the very least, mirror the competitive nature of the series,” said Krista Voda, host of NCTS Setup on SPEED. “They are the guys out in everyday America making a living doing honest work. While our drivers race trucks on the weekends, these are the viewers who drive that same pickup Monday through Friday. They also relate to the drivers because they have the same work ethic. The Truck Series drivers don’t receive the perks the Cup drivers do. The Truck Series is blue collar. There’s something very everyday American about that!” http://www.truckseries.com/cgi-script/NCTS_08/articles/000012/001243.htm
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NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series “Built Ford Tough 225 Presented by the Greater Cincinnati Ford Dealers” and ARCA RE/MAX Series Driver Availability by Market
Thursday, July 17
Cincinnati:
Terry Cook – No. 60 Wyler Racing NCTS Toyota – Ninth in series standings with two top-five and six top-10 finishes.
Cincinnati Reds First Pitch – Game time: 7:10 p.m. vs. New York Mets
Great American Ballpark
100 Main Street
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202-4109
Lexington, Ky.
Alli Owens – No. 12 ARCA RE/MAX Series Chevrolet
Lexington Legends First Pitch – Game time: 7:05 p.m. vs. Rome Braves
Autograph Session begins at 6:00 p.m. in front of Applebee’s Park
Applebee’s Park
207 Legends Lane
Lexington, Ky. 40505
Owens Contact: Craig Bailey – 704.904.8306 (mobile)
Louisville, Ky.:
Jack Sprague – No. 2 Kevin Harvick, Inc., NCTS Chevrolet – Eighth in series standings with three top-five and six top-10 finishes. Three-time NCTS Champion: 2001,1999,1996.
Ron Hornaday, Jr. – No. 33 Kevin Harvick, Inc. NCTS Chevrolet – NCTS standings leader with three wins, six top-five and eight top-10 finishes. Three-time NCTS Champion: 2007, 1998, 1996.
American Commercial Lines Fanfest
1701 E. Market Street
Jeffersonville, Ind. 47130
Phone: 812-288-0100
Time: 5:00 p.m.
Brendan Gaughan – No. 10 Circle Bar Racing NCTS Ford – 13th in NCTS standings with two top-five and three top-10 finishes.
Louisville Bats First Pitch – Game time: 7:05 p.m. vs. Charlotte Knights
401 East Main Street
Louisville, Ky. 40202
Phone: 502-515-2255
Friday, July 18
Kentucky Speedway Media Center
5:30 p.m.
Kyle Busch – No. 51 Billy Ballew Motorsports NCTS Toyota – 20th in NCTS standings with two wins, four top-five and six top-10 finishes through eight starts. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series standings leader with seven wins, 12 top-five and 13 top-10 finishes through 19 starts. Fifth in NASCAR Nationwide Series standings with five wins and 10 top-five finishes through 19 starts. Former ARCA RE/MAX and NASCAR Nationwide Series Kentucky Speedway winner.
Matt Crafton – No. 88 ThorSport Racing NCTS Chevrolet – Second in NCTS standings with one win, six top-five and seven top-10 finishes. Earned one top-five and four top-10 Kentucky Speedway NCTS finishes through seven career track starts.
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A R C A (Automobile Racing Club of America)
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Courtesy of ARCA
http://www.arcaracing.com
ROADCARE PLUS Named Official Roadside Assistance Company of ARCA
http://www.arcaracing.com/news.cfm?contentid=6848
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U S A R (United Speed Alliance Racing)
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Courtesy of USAR
http://usarprocup.com
McFarland Streaking Into Southern National
Point leader poised going into Crane Cams 250
Myrtle Beach, S.C.-When the Hooters Pro Cup Series rolls into Southern National Raceway Park for the running of the Crane Cams 250 on Saturday, July 19, Mark McFarland will be returning to the site of his first Hooters Pro Cup win. But for the first time in his career, McFarland will start a race as the Greased Lightning Southern Division point leader. It’s taken McFarland 44 races to make it to the top of the Pro Cup lot, and he plans on staying there.
http://usarprocup.com/view_article.asp?id=2791
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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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The Race: A&W Cruisin’ The Dub 300
The Place: SunValley Speedway, Vernon, B.C.
The Date: July 19
The Time: 7:55 p.m. PT
TV Schedule: TSN, Noon ET, July 27 (delayed)
Track Layout: .500-mile tri-oval
Race Purse: $85,442 CAD
2007 Winner: J.R. Fitzpatrick
2007 Pole: Don Thomson Jr.
Schedule: Saturday: Practice 12:30-2:30 p.m., Time Trials 5 p.m.
Track Contact: Bob Newcombe (250) 542-9090
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Help Is Never More Than A Phone Call Away For Gaunt
Sometimes it’s a particular question, but more often than not it’s a sounding board to bounce ideas off. That’s how John Gaunt (No. 12 Centennial Chrysler Dodge) uses his brother, Marty, and his friends.
Marty Gaunt is vice president of Bill Davis Racing, which fields teams in both the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
“Marty is in the business end of things and that comes in handy sometimes, but it’s the guys in the shop that we can turn to once in a while,” says Gaunt. “Our equipment and their equipment is pretty different, but if we want to bounce some ideas off of them, they’re kind of handy that way. It’s also a great way to stay on top of the technology in the sport. Those guys have it all down there.”
Many Canadian Tire Series teams have connections, one way or another, to NASCAR’s top three series, but Gaunt’s blood bond goes right to the top in one of racing’s elite teams.
“Marty went down there when Peter Gibbons (No. 1 Canadian Tire/Mobil Super Chevrolet) moved his whole program to North Carolina,” said the driver out of Barrie, Ontario. “He got a (NASCAR Sprint Cup Series) opportunity with Jeremy Mayfield back in 1996 and things have gone pretty well for him. He just started with Bill Davis Racing this year.”
The 2008 season has not started the way Gaunt envisioned. His best performance has been an 11th-place effort at Cayuga Motor Speedway and currently sits 19th in the point standings.
“We’ve struggled, no doubt about it,” said Gaunt. “It’s been a lot of the ‘wrong place at the wrong time’ things for us. We’ll catch a break here before too long and get on a run of good luck.”
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Pre-Gateway Release-MacDonald Motorsports
By Kim DeHaven
After climbing into second in the point standings in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, Kennington has made the committment to win the title that has eluded him in his 7-time runner up career points standings. …
http://www.frontstretch.com/bgnpr/18476/
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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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Insider Racing News
http://insiderracingnews.com/Writers/CA/071608.html
Silly Season or Musical Chairs?
by Chuck Abrams
RaceTalkRadio.com:
Rusty Wallace and the Grassy Knoll by Dennis Michelsen
http://www.racetalkradio.com/soz/id154.htm
The Nascar Insiders
Kyle Busch an Anomaly? Not So Fast.
Kyle Busch has emerged in the 2008 season as a powerhouse, so far winning seven out of 19 races. His season is shaping up to be one for the record books; however, his is not the first dominant season.
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheNascarInsiders/~3/336791734/
Cheers & Jeers
Unexpectedly Hard to Say Goodbye
by Carol Einarsson
CHEERS to Wendy winning the school bus race! What do I win for calling that one?
http://www.racejournalonline.com/index.cfm?Pagename=column&id=488
Nice Guy DJ Copp Gets A Reward
http://dalyplanet.blogspot.com/2008/07/nice-guy-dj-copp-gets-reward.html
ESPN Adds Another Sprint Cup Owner
http://dalyplanet.blogspot.com/2008/07/espn-adds-another-sprint-cup-owner.html
“This Week In NASCAR” Has A Restrictor Plate
http://dalyplanet.blogspot.com/2008/07/this-week-in-nascar-has-restrictor.html
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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 16
12:00 am NASCAR Now ESPN2
12:00 pm Racing Across America – New Hampshire SPEED
6:00 pm NASCAR Now ESPN2
9:00 pm Drafting Partners GAC
Thu July 17
12:00 am NASCAR Now ESPN2
1:00 am Drafting Partners GAC
12:00 pm NSCS Chicagoland Replay SPEED
1:00 pm Drafting Partners GAC
5:30 pm NSCS Chicagoland Replay HDNet
6:00 pm NASCAR Now ESPN2
7:00 pm Drafting Partners GAC
Fri July 18
12:30 am NASCAR Now ESPN2
12:00 pm Racing Across America – New Hampshire SPEED
1:30 pm Racing Across America Irwindale SPEED
6:00 pm NASCAR Now ESPN2
6:30 pm NCTS Kentucky Final Practice SPEED
7:00 pm NNS Practice Gateway ESPN2
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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The Stock Car Gazette
Copyright 2002-2008 by MotorSportsNews.Net
All Rights Reserved
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