The NASCAR Sprint Cup teams enjoy a rare off-weekend, while the Nationwide Series is racing at Gateway, and the Craftsman Truck and ARCA RE/MAX competitors will be at my home track, the Kentucky Speedway. I wish I could be there.
Here’s all the latest happenings from the world of stock car motorsports in today’s 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
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Stock Car Gazette Columnists Speak Out!
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Penske and Newman to part ways
by: Doug Turnbull
FastCar Newsdesk for week of 7/17/08
Earlier this week, the almost inevitable came true, as Penske Racing South and driver Ryan Newman decided not to remain together for 2009. Read more at http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/1394
More of Doug’s articles can be read at
http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/category/turnbull
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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 www.Catchfence.com
GM cutting back on NASCAR spending: Troubled General Motors has notified two racetracks that run NASCAR events that their current contracts will not be renewed as part of an overall $10 billion cost-cutting program. That seems to be just the first step in what could be a huge drop in support by GM, Ford and Chrysler for tracks and teams in NASCAR’s top three professional divisions, the NHRA and other racing series in the face of the weakest U.S. auto sales in a decade. GM announced Tuesday that it had suspended its stock dividend and will sell up to $4 billion in assets, moves made necessary by the downturn in sales and the rising cost of gas. And motorsports sponsorships will not be exempt from the cutbacks. – AP/FOXSports.com
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Courtesy of Stock Car Gazette subscriber Ed B. – thanks!
Wanna’ see some cool racing photos?
We’re slowly but surely building an awesome Featured Photo Gallery on CloseFinishes.com. Currently, we’ve got more than 50 classic – mostly NASCAR – photos complete with short three or four paragraph quick read captions detailing the history of the people and events depicted.
http://www.closefinishes.com/cgi-script/csArticles/articles/000005/000567.htm
NASCAR: Drivers Switching Teams Keeping Merchandise In The Closet?
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/38440-nascar-drivers-switching-teams-keeping-merchandise-in-the-closet
Harvick to race on dirt at Deer Park, MN
http://www.postbulletin.com/newsmanager/?a=352339&z=22
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Courtesy of Google Alerts
Struggling GM’s cutbacks could deliver a blow or two to NASCAR
San Diego Union Tribune – United States
By Bill Center GM executives last week said every aspect of the company’s activities are being examined, including support of racing operations in NASCAR, …
http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/20080717-9999-1s17carnotes.html
Stewart’s new NASCAR team will get a help from Hendrick
Kansas City Star – MO,USA
They were happy because the rumor that Tony Stewart was in line for the job turned out to be untrue and that NASCAR Sprint Cup’s super team would not become …
http://www.kansascity.com/sports/story/708286.html
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Courtesy of Insider Racing News
http://www.insiderracingnews.com
Matt Kenseth Wins at Slinger Speedway
Roush Fenway Racing’s Matt Kenseth is finding relaxation in racing in other series this week. After a recent surge in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series standings – Kenseth has climbed from 22nd to eighth in the last nine races – he’s spending the series’ off week wheeling around in other series. Tuesday night, he returned to Wisconsin’s Slinger Super Speedway for the 29th annual Slinger Nationals and won the fourth title in the 200-mile Late Model race. — “It was good hard racing,” Kenseth said, according to a speedway race report. “It was a little bit [of] back and forth, but everybody’s trying to win, and that’s what you do, try to race as hard as you can every lap, and these guys did a great job. They sure made us work for it.”
AMS Hires Ad Firm
Atlanta Motor Speedway has retained Blue Sky Agency, an Atlanta-based advertising firm, to launch a brand campaign to increase attendance. Many tracks that host NASCAR Sprint Cup races have reported flat or declining attendance the past few years, and AMS has seen a double-figure drop across all of its events in the past three to four years, according to Ed Clark, the speedway’s president. Those tracks don’t release specific attendance numbers. The decline is usually blamed on the expense of gas because NASCAR depends on fans to travel long distances, many in gas-guzzling RVs and campers. Part of the new marketing plan likely will involve shrinking the radius around Atlanta to which AMS markets, Clark said.
TNT Ratings Match Last Years Numbers
Final Nielsen Media Research numbers show that TNT’s coverage of six NASCAR Sprint Cup races this season matched its ratings from 2007 with one big gain and one big loss, Street & Smith’s SportsBusiness Daily reports. The network averaged a 4.2 coverage area rating and 5.7 million viewers for the six events, the Daily reports. Its first race this year, the Pocono 500 at Pocono Raceway, earned a 4.6 coverage rating, up 27.8 percent from last year, but it was the only TNT event to see a ratings increase. The Daily reports that three of the next five races declined from ’07.
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Courtesy of Jayski
http://www.jayski.com
Speed aiming for Sprint Cup debut: Scott Speed is confident that he can make his Sprint Cup debut before the end of this season. The Red Bull-backed American will test a Cup car for the first time later this month, and has been racing in the ARCA and Craftsman Truck series this season after losing his Formula One drive with Toro Rosso 12 months ago. He hopes to continue full time in Craftsman Trucks next season but also wants to include several Sprint Cup outings. “I’m about to start testing, proper testing, in a Cup car with (Red Bull’s lead driver) Brian Vickers,” Speed told this week’s Autosport magazine. “The car is quite a bit different from the Truck, but if it goes well, and I think I should be able to adapt, then we can go racing.”(Autosport.com)(7-18-2008)
Newman gets his own road: Move aside, Abraham Lincoln: Ryan Newman’s taking over a stretch of your road. A stretch of Lincoln Way West in the driver’s hometown of South Bend, Indiana has been rededicated for the winner of this year’s Daytona 500. It will not be renamed for now. During a ceremony Wednesday, Newman noted the half-mile stretch near South Bend Regional Airport has a speed limit of 45 mph. Said Newman: “I’m kind of wondering if maybe we can up the speed limit in that stretch.” (Associated Press/Indianapolis Star)(7-18-2008)
Kyle Petty Charity Ride, Day 5: Thursday was day 5 of 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. Thursday’s route was scheduled to begin in White Sulphur Springs, WV and conclude in Charlotte, NC. For more information on the ride, see my Racing Charities page.(7-18-2008) http://www.jayski.com/pages/charities.htm#petty-ride
Johnson wins Best Driver ESPY: Jimmie Johnson, the two-time defending Sprint Cup Series champion, earned his first ESPY award on Wednesday. The driver of the #48 Chevy was honored with the Best Driver ESPY award during the 16th annual ESPN-hosted sports award show at Nokia Theater in Los Angeles. The award was determined by fans who voted online, and the competition was stiff. Johnson was competing for the fans’ votes against current points leader Kyle Busch; 2007 Indianapolis 500 and IndyCar Series champion Dario Franchitti; 2008 Indy 500 winner Scott Dixon; Formula One standout Lewis Hamilton and four-time NHRA Top Fuel champion Tony Schumacher. The ESPY Awards will be televised at 9 p.m. ET on Sunday on ESPN.(Hendrick Motorsports PR) (7-17-2008)
Rodriguez to Sing National Anthem at Indy: Daniel Rodriguez, “America’s Beloved Tenor,” will sing the national anthem before the 15th Allstate 400 at the Brickyard on Sunday, July 27 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Rodriguez is a former member of the New York City Police Department who captivated the United States with his stirring a cappella versions of “The Star Spangled Banner” and “God Bless America” in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on America on Sept. 11, 2001. A Brooklyn, N.Y., native, Rodriguez will sing “The Star Spangled Banner” for the second time at an IMS event. He performed before the 87th Indianapolis 500 in May 2003.(IMS PR)(7-18-2008)
Allstate 400 at the Brickyard Gate, Grandstand Information: Information on the gates and grandstands open to the public for practice and qualifying days and Race Day during the 15th annual Allstate 400 at the Brickyard, July 25-27 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. All seats are general admission July 25-26. There is reserved seating and general admission on Race Day, July 27, with general admission available only for IMS General Admission Season Ticket holders.
Gates Open to Public
July 25 (Practice, gates open at 8 a.m.) 1/1B/1C, 2, 3, 4/4A, 6, 7/7.5, 9/9A, 10/10A/10B
July 26 (Qualifying, gates open at 7 a.m.) 1/1B/1C, 2, 3, 4/4A, 6, 7/7.5, 9/9A, 10/10A/10B
July 27 (Race Day, gates open at 7 a.m.) All gates open
Stands
July 25 (Practice) Pit Road Terrace*, Tower Terrace*, South Terrace, Short Chute Disabled, Back Stretch Viewing Mounds, Family Viewing Mounds, Second Turn Viewing Mounds, Third Turn Viewing Mounds, Paddock*, Paddock Penthouse*, E Stand**, E Penthouse, North Vista West Disabled, Northwest Vista
July 26 (Qualifying) Pit Road Terrace*, Tower Terrace*, South Terrace, Short Chute Disabled, Back Stretch Viewing Mounds, Family Viewing Mounds, Second Turn Viewing Mounds, Third Turn Viewing Mounds, Paddock*, Paddock Penthouse*, A Stand**, A Penthouse, B Stand**, B Penthouse, E Stand**, E Penthouse, Southwest Vista*, Southeast Vista*, North Vista West Disabled, Northwest Vista, J Stand*
July 27 (Race Day) All stands open
* — By section as needed
** — Upper sections(IMS PR)(7-18-2008)
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Courtesy of That’s Racin’
http://www.thatsracin.com
Nationwide regulars competing well with Sprint Cup rivals
It could be partially because of the different cars used, but this season’s Nationwide Series “regulars” appear to be much more competitive against the Sprint Cup Series drivers
http://www.thatsracin.com/topstories/story/16646.html
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P R E S S * R E L E A S E S
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The Dirt Track Racing School Now Open in the Carolinas
Students Can Choose Between Late Model, Dirt Modified and Sprint Car
The Circle K Dirt Track Racing School powered by Monster Energy is the newest racing school in the Carolinas, offering students and racers an opportunity to choose from a variety of racecars to drive and experience. The school, owned and operated by Shawn Parker, offers instruction and driving sessions starting at $299. The Dirt Track Racing School also offers a ride-along program in a two-seat sprint car. The school operates at the historic Carolina Speedway in Gastonia, NC, located approximately 25 minutes from downtown Charlotte and 45 minutes from Lowe’s Motor Speedway.
“This is a different kind of experience,” said Parker, a native of Avon, Mass. “This region is the focal point for racing in the United States and home of many racing schools, but there was something missing: a professional school dedicated to dirt track racing. We offer small class sizes with individual instruction and a variety of cars. Here’s your chance to have fun sliding sideways on the dirt!”
Students can choose from a trio of real dirt track racecars, including an open-wheel dirt modified, a full-bodied late model and the most potent dirt track machine, a sprint car. Sessions start at $299, with individual attention from the school’s veteran instructors. Students can focus on one particular style of car for the day, or can choose to drive all three for the ultimate dirt track experience. Ride-alongs in the 406-cubic-inch, alcohol-fueled two-seat sprint car start at $99.
Shawn Parker, owner of the Dirt Track Racing School and a second-generation racer, is a three-time champion in the American Race Trucks Series in the northeast U.S. and has been behind the wheel of a racecar since the age of 17. He has traversed Australia with the World Series of Sprint Cars (the Aussie version of the World of Outlaws) with driver-turned TV analyst, Brad Doty. Parker has degrees in Economics and Marketing/Management from Boston University and a Masters degree in International Business from the University of South Carolina.
For more details, visit the official website of The Dirt Track Racing School at http://www.driveondirt.com.
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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
Garcia Testing: Alex Garcia (was) testing Thursday at Carolina Motorsports Park, driving the #98 for Transnet Racing.(Carolina Motorsports Park)(7-17-2008)
Braun Racing announces that former Formula One World Champion Jacques Villeneuve will drive its #32 Toyota in the second annual Nationwide Series event at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, Canada on August 1-2, 2008.(Braun Racing PR)(7-17-2008)
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Courtesy of The Hot Lap
http://www.TheHotLap.com
NASCAR Nationwide Series Driver Rating for Gateway International Raceway – http://thehotlap.com/modules.php?name=Press_Releases&op=view&rid=2004
Braun Racing is pleased to announce that former Formula One World Champion Jacques Villeneuve will drive its No. 32 Toyota Camry in the second annual NASCAR Nationwide Series event at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, Canada on August 1-2, 2008. The addition of Villeneuve to the field at the world renowned road course named after his father, Gilles Villeneuve, a legendary Formula 1 racer, adds a special hometown feeling to the event that already includes an array of Canadian drivers.Though this event will mark his first NASCAR Nationwide Series start at the track which carries his namesake, the road course phenomenon has a tremendous amount of experience on the 2.709-mile road course. In a career that has spanned for more than two decades, Villeneuve has experienced success that can be rivaled by very few. He has captured world championships in both the CART and Formula 1 Series and is logged in the record books as winner of the 1995 Indianapolis 500. Read more (Braun Racing) (07-17-08)
http://thehotlap.com/modules.php?name=Press_Releases&op=view&rid=2002
Rewind to last July when Landon Cassill (No. 5 National Guard Chevrolet) had just turned 18. With that birthday, he was eligible to step out as a test driver for Hendrick Motorsports’ Car of Tomorrow program and into his first NASCAR Nationwide Series ride at Gateway International Raceway, located five hours from his hometown in Cedar Rapids, Ia.He navigated his first race quite well, starting a surprising sixth but was caught up in an accident midway through and although he finished, was disappointed with the final outcome in front of family and friends.But in the year since, Cassill’s direction has pointed toward improvement — and success. He makes his series return this week following a one-race layoff that was proceeded by the longest consecutive race streak (five) of his career. In that span, Cassill, who turned 19 on July 7, posted two top-10 finishes and also registered his first career pole.Now driving for the merged JR Motorsports-Hendrick team, Cassill has had the opportunity to learn from some of the best NASCAR has to offer.His teammates include two-time series champion Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Mark Martin, the all-time series leader in wins and poles, two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson and 1994 NASCAR Nationwide Series champion David Green who earlier served as Cassill’s spotter.Cassill knows he’s grown as a driver over the last year and realizes there’s room for more.“I feel like I have a higher level of confidence then I did a year ago,” he said. “I’ll be better next year than I was this year, too.”(NASCAR) (07-17-08)
Gateway International Speedway has a tremendous amount of significance to Chase Miller. It was at the 2005 Gateway ARCA race that, then 18 year old, Chase Miller earned his big break; the opportunity that has helped lead him to the top levels of NASCAR. But, it didn’t come without hardship, despair and disappointment.Read more (Chasemiller.net) (07-17-08) http://thehotlap.com/modules.php?name=Press_Releases&op=view&rid=1991
Though Reed Sorenson’s (No. 40 Fastenal Dodge) gaudy Gateway statistics suggest that he’s the runaway favorite this weekend, nothing is a given. But things look good for the 22-year-old.Sorenson owns some of the series’ top stats at Gateway. Since 2005, he has a series-best Driver Rating of 133.0 and series-high numbers in Fastest Laps Run (101) and Laps in the Top 15 (593/98.8%). He also boasts an Average Running Position of 4.1, which is best among those who’ve run each of the past three races.But, plenty of other drivers have stout numbers there as well.For instance, Scott Wimmer (No. 29 Holiday Inn Chevrolet) should run up front for most — if not all — of the night. Wimmer is without a Gateway win, but has finished in the top 10 in each of his last three races there — including a runner-up finish last season after capturing the pole, which was the first of his series career.Over the last two races, Wimmer has a Driver Rating of 120.3, an Average Running Position of 4.8, 46 Fastest Laps Run and a Laps in the Top 15 percentage of 96.8%.Carl Edwards, the 2006 Gateway winner, should also contend for the win. Over the past three races (all of which were top-10 finishes), Edwards has a Driver Rating of 119.5, an Average Running Position of 5.2, 69 Fastest Laps Run and has completed 92.8% of the Laps in the Top 15.One key “dark horse” in this race could be David Stremme (No. 64 Atreus Homes & Communities Dodge). He hasn’t run at Gateway since 2005 but in that event, he competed for the win — though his finish would suggest otherwise. In 2005 at Gateway, Stremme finished 22nd but led 54 laps, had a Driver Rating of 115.6 an Average Running Position of 4.0, 34 Fastest Laps Run and all but nine of his 200 laps were in the top 15. But a flat tire while running second on Lap 193 ended his shot for a win.(NASCAR) (07-17-08)
CJM Racing and Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) announced a newly formed alliance under which CJM Racing will receive technical support as well as information pertaining to research and development in the Nationwide Series.CJM Racing will continue to run Chevrolet Monte Carlos for the remainder of the 2008 NASCAR Nationwide Series season and will transition to a TRD supported team in 2009. The team will be powered with Toyota engines while continuing to build chassis in-house. “We are excited about the opportunity to build a relationship with JGR,” announced Tony Mullet, co-owner of the CJM team along with his brother Bryan. “They are dedicating an incredible amount of time, energy and resources to build their program. For us to be able to tap into some of that is great. Even better that we share the same goals and values outside of racing.”J.D. Gibbs, president of Joe Gibbs Racing, added, “We look forward to partnering with CJM Racing as they continue their growth in NASCAR. We’ve had a great relationship with Tony and Bryan Mullet and have known them for quite a while. We think very highly of CJM Racing and the way they operate their businesses.”Earlier this season, CJM Racing announced America’s Incredible Pizza Company as their primary sponsor. “We are in this for the long haul, so it is important for us to continue to build a strong foundation. We signed the long-term deal with Incredible Pizza Company and by adding the technical support from JGR and Toyota, we feel we have a lot of momentum leading into the 2009 season,” added Mullet. CJM Racing currently sits 10th in the NASCAR Nationwide Series driver point standings after last weekend’s race at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, IL. (CJM Racing) (07-17-08)
MacDonald Motorsports, #81 in the NASCAR Nationwide Series is currently looking to fill three positions witin their organization. The positions open are a Lead Engineer, and two fabricator/mechanics. Qualified applicants can send their respected resumes’ to macdonaldmotorsports@yahoo.com
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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
The sale of Montgomery Motor Speedway might be in trouble. A group of approximately 25 to 30 homeowners, all of whom own property located near MMS, have hired an attorney and plan to argue against potential new owner Rick Crawford being issued a license that would allow him to hold racing events at the track. Should they be successful in blocking the issuance of the license, it would kill the sale of MMS. “In simple terms, my clients don’t want the racetrack operational again,” said Montgomery attorney Doyle Fuller, who is representing the group of homeowners. “There are a number of problems. There are literally hundreds of people negatively affected if this license is granted.” Crawford, a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver, said there are solutions to most of the problems and that he would be willing to work with the homeowners. Crawford said if the city failed to issue a license to him on Thursday, he was moving on. “This is my dream — to own a track like this and do something good for a community,” he said. “If this passes, Montgomery will be proud of this track. We’ll do it right and it will be something that could help revive a part of town that really needs it. “But I’m not going to fight. There’s some other place out there that wants what I’m offering. I’m a good neighbor. I do things right. I hope that’s good enough for Montgomery.”(Montgomery Advisor)(7-16-2008)
UPDATE: 3: On Thursday evening [July 17th], Rick Crawford met with the Montgomery Licensing Board along with local consituency in attendance regarding the proposed reopening of MMS. The Licensing Board did not make a final determination on whether to issue the operating license to Crawford, instead opting to hold the matter over for further consideration to be addressed at their next meeting in approximately 30 days.(7-18-2008)
Record Race for Roush: Roush Fenway Racing will set a record for series starts Saturday at Kentucky, making its 316th appearance, which eclipses Spears Motorsports’ run. Roush won a title with Greg Biffle in 2000 and has fielded Fords for five rookies of the year, most recently Erik Darnell in 2006. The team’s first race was in 1995, with Todd Bodine finishing fourth at Topeka, Kan. Its 49 wins are a series record. Twenty-eight drivers have competed in Roush trucks, with 10 of them winning at least once.(ESPN.com)(7-18-2008)
Season in Review – Driver Points: Driver point standings statistics: [Ron Hornaday Jr. current leader]
…Five drivers have led the point standings in 2008: Todd Bodine, Kyle Busch, Ron Hornaday Jr.,Rick Crawford and Johnny Benson.
…Kyle Busch led the points for three races – his first time ever to lead the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series standings.
…Rick Crawford took the points lead following Dover – his first time to lead the points since he headed the series for one week following his win in the season-opening Daytona race in 2003.
…Johnny Benson assumed the points lead at Michigan – his first time to lead the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series standings. Benson had been second in the point standings 13 times in his career.
…Ron Hornaday Jr., retook the points lead following Race No. 12 (Memphis). It is his third stint as the point leader this season.
…Three drivers have ranked in the top 10 in points all season: Johnny Benson, Todd Bodine and Rick Crawford.(NASCAR PR)(7-17-2008)
Marks to drive for Braun Racing at Montreal: Braun Racing officials have announced plans for Craftsman Truck Series competitor Justin Marks to drive the team’s #10 Nationwide Series entry in the Montreal race next month. Sponsorship for the #10 entry will come from Future Electronics in the Aug. 10 race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Marks has more than five years of road-racing experience, competing in events run by the Sports Car Club of America, Grand Am and the America Le Mans Series.(Braun Racing PR)(7-17-2008)
Double-header for Townley: Jon Wes Townley will be driving the #09 Zaxby’s Ford for Roush Fenway Racing this weekend at Kentucky Speedway; his third start in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Townley is running the full ARCA schedule [Friday night] and is currently fifth in the championship point standings.(Roush Fenway Racing PR)(7-17-2008)
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Courtesy of TruckSeries.Com
http://www.truckseries.com
Kentucky Victory Up For Grabs
07-17-2008 | Tom Jensen, TruckSeries.com
After two weeks off, the truck series gets back at it Saturday night at Kentucky Speedway, where the second half of the 2008 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series schedule kicks off with the Built Ford Tough 225 Presented by the Greater Cincinnati Ford Dealers, race No. 13 of 25 on the season. There have been eight different winners in the first eight NCTS races at the 1.5-mile Kentucky Speedway, with just three of the eight entered in Saturday night’s race: Ron Hornaday Jr., Dennis Setzer and Mike Skinner. Skinner crushed the field in last year’s event, leading 135 laps in his No. 5 Toyota Tundra-sponsored Bill Davis Racing Tundra, and he’ll be looking to repeat this year. “We had a great truck there last year and pretty much dominated the race,” said Skinner. “I am confident we are taking a truck that will be as good as last year. We are still in the hunt to be a contender for the championship, but we need to continue to do our jobs.”
http://www.truckseries.com/cgi-script/NCTS_08/articles/000012/001254.htm
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A R C A (Automobile Racing Club of America)
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Courtesy of ARCA
http://www.arcaracing.com
ARCA RE/MAX Series Race-Ready at Kentucky; 47 Cars Entered, 45 Already On Site for Friday’s Race
SPARTA, KY (7-17-08) – The gates are wide open at Kentucky Speedway where the ARCA RE/MAX Series is full ahead in preparation for Friday night’s Kentucky ARCA RE/MAX 150, LIVE on SPEED at 8:00 PM ET.
With a healthy 47 cars on the entry list, 45 machines are already through the gates and in line for technical inspections.
[Read More] – http://www.arcaracing.com/news.cfm?contentid=6858
HRE Developing Driver Sean Caisse and Engineer Shu Terasaka; Next Stop Kentucky Speedway
MOORESVILLE NC (7-16-08) – As Hattori Racing Enterprises readies to make its fourth ARCA RE/MAX Series appearance this season in the #01 AISIN Camry, the team is continuing on its mission of developing young driving talent and also developing Toyota engineers, mechanics and service representatives. Traveling with HRE to Kentucky Speedway is Toyota engineer Shu Terasaka of Ibaraki, Japan. Terasaka has worked this week on the AISIN Camry and worked with Germain Racing mechanics as they prepared the team’s three Tundras for racing in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at Kentucky Speedway.
[Read More] – http://www.arcaracing.com/news.cfm?contentid=6850
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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/RG/071808.html
Understanding Tony Stewart
by Rebecca Gladden
Long Island Press
Kerry Earnhardt To Cup?
by Josh Stewart
http://www.longislandpress.com/main.asp?SectionID=20&SubSectionID=201&ArticleID=16284&TM=84269.92
RaceTalkRadio.com:
NASCAR by the Numbers at the Break by Dennis Michelsen
http://www.racetalkradio.com/soz/id156.htm
Krista Voda Heads For Pit Road
http://dalyplanet.blogspot.com/2008/07/krista-voda-heads-for-pit-road.html
Race to the Change – by Passin’ and Sassin’
The only constant in life is change, and that is more evident than ever this year in NASCAR. Silly season doesn’t seem adequate to describe the changes this year in NASCAR.
http://www.speedwaymedia.com/Articles/08/071808Passin.asp
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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
Friday – July 18th
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
Saturday – July 19th
3:30 am Racing Across America Irwindale SPEED
9:00 am Drafting Partners GAC
3:00 pm NASCAR Confidential SPEED
4:00 pm NCTS Kentucky Qualifying SPEED
5:00 pm NNS Gateway Qualifying ESPN2
5:30 pm NCTS Midyear Review SPEED
6:00 pm NCTS Set-Up Kentucky SPEED
7:00 pm NCTS: Built Ford Tough 225 at Kentucky SPEED
9:00 pm NNS Countdown Gateway ESPN2
9:30 pm NNS: Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers 250 at Gateway ESPN2
11:00 pm NASCAR Camping World Series: Music City Motorplex HDNet
Sunday – July 20th
1:00 am NCTS Midyear Review SPEED
1:30 am NCTS Set-Up Kentucky SPEED
2:30 am NCTS: Built Ford Tough 225 at Kentucky SPEED
2:30 am NNS Gateway Qualifying ESPN2
3:30 am NNS: Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers 250 at Gateway ESPN2
1:30 pm IRL Race Mid-Ohio ABC
7:00 pm SPEED Report SPEED
8:00 pm NASCAR Confidential 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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