We had some website problems this morning, but they are all now resolved.
So those of you who are still on the “old” mailing list should be receiving your Stock Car Gazette in your inbox sometime this morning.
So get your NASCAR Sprint Cup news, not to mention the Nationwide Series, and all the others, right here…
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T H E * S T O C K * C A R * G A Z E T T E
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Day two of Google Groups also seemed to go well. I’ve been trying to keep up with deleting anyone from the “old” list who signs up for the “new” GoogleGroups list, so that you wouldn’t receive two copies. If you do receive two copies, just let me know.
IF you want to get a jump on the move to the new mailing list, just visit www.motorsportsnews.net, and look for the sign-up box on the top right of the right sidebar, or visit groups.google.com/group/StockCarGazette
Robyn’s article, “Somebody Needs To Change Their Huggies!”, generated a flood of traffic and reads. If you didn’t check it out, today’s the day.
Somebody Needs To Change Their Huggies!
motorsportsnews.net/archives/1607
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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 Stock Car Gazette subscriber Ed B. - thanks!
Felix Sabates says Reed Sorenson “Is AS Good As He Is Ever Going To Be”
snipurl.com/3k6rm-gazete
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Courtesy of Jayski
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Target to return to Ganassi in 2009: Target has agreed to an extension that should afford him [Chip Ganassi] to run two Cup cars next season and #42-Juan Pablo Montoya is committed to him. If he had lost either, as many had speculated would happen, the end indeed would be near. Ganassi president Steve Lauletta made it clear that Ganassi has no plans to merge. He said that the organization without a doubt will field two teams next season and that, if sponsorship comes along, it easily could go to three or four teams. He could sign another open-wheel driver [to fill Sorenson's #41 ride], perhaps Dan Wheldon or Scott Dixon off his own IndyCar Series team. He could bring back Franchitti, which Lauletta said is a possibility based on the way Franchitti has performed in the Nationwide Series car.(in part from ESPN.com)(8-27-2008)
Bowyer helps prmote new New Hampshire law: On Monday, Aug. 25, #07-Clint Bowyer was in Concord, N.H. to help promote changes New Hampshire’s “Move Over” Law which took effect on Aug 5, 2008. The changes provide additional protection to public safety personnel by specifying that motorists are required to slow down and give clearance to stationary vehicles displaying blue, red or amber emergency lights at the scene of any roadside emergency or incident. The state’s “Move Over” law took effect in 2005. The changes, which were passed in the 2008 legislative session, are intended to include tow truck operators and highway workers by specifying amber warning lights in the requirement to yield during highway breakdowns, crashes or other incidents. Forty-four other states already have similar legislation. Bowyer rode with New Hampshire State Police and handed out tickets to the Sept. 14 Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.(RCR PR), also see an article at Foster’s Daily Democrat.(8-27-2008)
www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080826/GJSPORTS_01/80826001
Mears Cheez-it scheme at Calif: Cheez-It, the world’s largest-selling cheese cracker, will adorn the hood of the #5 Chevrolet of Casey Mears this weekend at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif. Cheez-It already has been the co-primary sponsor two times this season — at Texas Motor Speedway in April and at Pocono Raceway last month.(HMS PR), see images of the scheme on my #5 Team Schemes page.(8-27-2008) www.jayski.com/schemes/2008/5cup.htm
Kvapil to run the Hitachi “Inspire the Next” scheme at California: Yates Racing announced that Hitachi Power Tools (Hitachi Koki USA, Ltd.), which offers an extensive line of professional grade power tools and accessories will sponsor the #28 entry with driver Travis Kvapil for the Sprint Cup Series race at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, CA. The Yates Racing Ford will feature Hitachi’s global “Inspire the Next” branding on the #28 Ford. The primary sponsorship kicked off last month at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which represented the first time Hitachi Power Tools has been a primary sponsor in NASCAR’s most elite division, the Sprint Cup Series.(Yates Racing PR)(8-27-2008)
Pepsi scheme for Gordon at Calif: Jeff Gordon will drive a specially painted #24 DuPont/Pepsi Chevy in the Pepsi 500 at Auto Club Speeday.(Performance PR Plus), see an image of the scheme on my #24 Team Schemes page (not the Pepsi Stuff one)(8-27-2008) www.jayski.com/schemes/2008/24cup.htm#diecast
Bristol TV Ratings down: ESPN’s live coverage of the Sprint Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway earned a 3.5 household coverage rating, down from a 4.1 for last year’s telecast on ESPN. Viewers were 4,996,647, down 13% from 5,735,433 in 2007. Coverage of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Bristol on ESPN earned a 1.4 household coverage rating, down from a 1.5 for last year’s race that aired on ESPN2. Viewers were 1,748,983, down 12% from 1,993,590 in 2007.(ESPN), see other races and 2008 TV Ratings on my 2008 TV Ratings page.(8-26-2008) www.jayski.com/pages/tvratings2008.htm
Budweiser Shootout format/rules announced UPDATE:
as things stand after Bristol, these are the 24 drivers
(based on current CAR OWNER points)
Chevy: #88-Earnhardt Jr, #48-Johnson, #31-Burton, #29-Harvick, #24-Gordon, #07-Mears
Dodge: #9-Kahne, #12-Penske Racing, #2-Busch, #19-Sadler, #42-Montoya, #43-Labonte
Ford: #99-Edwards, #16-Biffle, #17-Kenseth, #6-Ragan, #26-McMurray, #28-Kvapil?
Toyota: #18-Busch, #20-Logano, #11-Hamlin, #83-Vickers, #44-Waltrip Racing, #55-Waltrip.
So no #14-Stewart, #39-Newman, #33-Bowyer?
Paint Schemes added from Bristol: #07 Outdoors/Cammo, #1 Outdoors/Cammo, #5 Pop Tarts, #7 Barrett Jackson/Sherwin Williams, #15 Outdoors/Cammo, #16 DISH Network/Turbo HD, #21 Quick Lane, #26 Sharpie Pen, #28 Knight Rider, #38 Ford Driven, #41 Tums Quick Pack, #70 Hunt Brothers Pizza, see my Paint Schemes Paint Gallery. www.jayski.com/schemes/paintschemes.htm
Chip Ganassi comments on Sorenson: Chip Ganassi, Team Owner of Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates: “After much internal discussion over the last few months we agreed that parting ways with Reed was the right decision for all of us. The business side of sports is never easy and this was just a business decision that was made on both our parts. We wish Reed nothing but the best.”(CGWFS PR)(8-26-2008)
Edwards gives MIS trophy to wheelchair-bound teen: A wheelchair-bound Michigan teen got a special gift from one of his heroes over the weekend. Pat and Teresa Byrnes took their son Cody to the Michigan International Speedway so he could see his favorite driver, #99-Carl Edwards, race. “Carl happened to be walking by and we gave him a thumbs up and Cody gave him a thumbs up and he saw his flag waiving on the back of Cody’s chair. And so he stopped, turned around and came back and he came over and he signed his wheelchair and he signed his shirt,” said Teresa Byrnes. The Byrnes were already excited that Cody got to meet his hero, but they weren’t prepared for what Carl Edwards told Cody next. “He looked at him and he said, ‘Hey buddy, I’ll tell you, if I win that trophy today, now that’s if I win, I’ll give you that trophy’,” Teresa recalled. The Byrnes say they began to realize Edwards could win the race when he moved from the 27th spot to first place in about 60 laps. Pat Byrnes says that’s the most nervous he’s ever been during a race. Edwards did win that race. Carl Edwards signed the trophy for Cody with the initials NGU, which means never give up. “Cody, everyday he wakes up and sees it. It’s like he’s realizing it’s really his and he’ll get excited and squeal, for someone to work so hard to get that trophy and then to say, ‘Here, you can have it’. That is the kindest gesture anybody has ever done,” said Teresa.(wlbz2.com)(8-26-2008)
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Pole win doesn’t get you into the Shootout now
NASCAR’s changes assure spots for each carmaker’s top-six teams
The top six teams from each manufacturer in the final 2008 car owner standings will be eligible to run in the season-opening Budweiser Shootout at Daytona under format changes announced Tuesday.
more - www.thatsracin.com/topstories/story/17843.html
Reed Sorenson to join Gillett Evernham Motorsports
Reed Sorenson has signed a multiyear contract to drive for Gillett Evernham Motorsports beginning next season.
more - www.thatsracin.com/topstories/story/17840.html
Grubb leaving Hendrick at season’s end, will be crew chief for Stewart
www.thatsracin.com/topstories/story/17846.html
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P R E S S * R E L E A S E S
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Best Western Gives Race Fans a Chance to “Swap” Jobs with NASCAR Driver Michael Waltrip
PHOENIX–(BUSINESS WIRE)–NASCAR fans who dreamed about overseeing their own race team now have the opportunity to do so – at least for one day. Best Western International, The Official Hotel of NASCAR®, and Michael Waltrip Racing, are offering one race fan the opportunity to “swap” jobs for a day with two-time Daytona 500 winner Michael Waltrip.
NASCAR fans who visit the Best Western “Fan Swap” auction on eBay beginning September 8 will have the opportunity to bid on a chance to travel to Charlotte, North Carolina and work as Michael Waltrip for one day. In return, Waltrip will travel to the winning bidder’s hometown and work as they would for an afternoon. Proceeds from the “Fan Swap” auction will benefit World Vision, Best Western’s official humanitarian partner dedicated to providing food, clean water and education to children, worldwide.
The “Fan Swap” auction begins on Monday, September 8 at 8 p.m. Eastern and will end Thursday, September 18 at 8 p.m. Eastern. Fans can visit www.auctionjam.com/fanswap beginning Tuesday, August 26, to pre-register for the “Fan Swap” auction and review the auction’s official rules and regulations.
“As The Official Hotel of NASCAR, we’re always looking for ways to bring fans closer to NASCAR action, and you can’t get much closer than working as a driver and team owner,” said Dorothy Dowling, Best Western’s senior vice president of marketing and sales. “The winning bid not only delivers this once-in-a-lifetime experience for a race fan, but also makes a difference to the children that benefit from World Vision.”
The complete “Fan Swap” package also includes:
Roundtrip airfare to Charlotte, lodging and local transportation
VIP experience at Raceworld USA, the headquarters of Michael Waltrip Racing
Attend a live taping of Michael Waltrip’s XM Satellite Radio show
Lunch with Waltrip and David Reutimann
Ride-along with Reutimann at the Richard Petty Driving Experience in Charlotte
Official Michael Waltrip racing gear
“If fans think they can keep up with the grueling schedule of a driver and team owner, I encourage them to bid for the chance to swap jobs with me for a day,” Waltrip said. “Strap on your helmet and buckle up, because this will be one experience one race fan won’t soon forget!”
For official rules and to pre-register, please visit www.auctionjam/fanswap.
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David Gilliland will sign autographs at the Ford Racing merchandise trailer on Sunday, August 31st at 1:30pm
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Sorenson To Join Gillett Evernham Motorsports
STATESVILLE, N.C. – Gillett Evernham Motorsports announced today that Reed Sorenson has signed a multi-year contract to join the team for the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup season and beyond.
“Reed is a highly talented driver with a wealth of experience and accomplishments for a 22-year-old,” said Mark McArdle, the team’s vice president and managing director of competition. “We believe he has a great future ahead of him here at Gillett Evernham Motorsports. He will be a great fit with our drivers, sponsors and employees.”
The native of Peachtree City, Ga. owns three wins in the Nationwide series and five top-five finishes in the Sprint Cup Series.
Before his NASCAR career began, Sorenson won championships in Legends racing and Quarter Midget racing, visited victory lane in ARCA, and starred in the American Speed Association (ASA) winning the rookie of the year award in 2003 at age 17.
“I’m pretty pumped up about this,” said Sorenson who started racing at age six before winning 250 quarter midget races and 84 Legends races.
“I can’t wait to get in their cars,” said Sorenson. “I really believe in what they are doing with their program with all their wins and poles this year. Ray Evernham and the Gilletts are going to give us the equipment we need to go out and be a contender each weekend and eventually race for a championship.”
“We will announce Reed’s sponsorships and car number in the near future,” said Tom Reddin, CEO of GEM. “He is a highly marketable young driver who knows how to win races, and has a long career full of promise ahead of him.”
Gillett Evernham Motorsports owns 15 victories and 27 poles since it began racing fulltime in 2001.
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Meet the Driver … On Friday, Aug. 29 Clint Bowyer will sign autographs at the Blood Bank of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties – 384 West Orange Show Road in San Bernardino – from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Blood donors are encouraged to meet Bowyer, get an autograph and celebrate giving the gift of life.
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Wimmer at the 105th … Scott Wimmer will be at the Harley Davidson 105th Anniversary Celebration in Milwaukee at Veteran Park, on Friday August 29 from 5 – 7 p.m. The six-time NNS winner will be on-site with the Holiday Inn/Holiday Inn Express Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS show car and will be signing autographs at the event for fans. The Holiday Inn display is located in spot 36 in front of the Shell display.
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Kyle Busch holds the record for youngest race winner in Sprint Cup Series history, winning at Auto Club Speedway (ACS) on Sept. 4th, 2005 at the age of 20 years, 126 days.
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Kvapil Kvapil will sign autographs at the Ford Racing merchandise trailer on Sunday, August 31st at 1:30pm
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Here’s to You, Jeff … To commemorate his 500th NASCAR Cup Series start, Jeff Burton will be honored at a roast on Sat., Aug. 30 at Auto Club Speedway. ESPN broadcaster Allen Bestwick will serve as the roastmaster, with team owner Richard Childress, fellow RCR drivers Kevin Harvick and Bowyer, ESPN broadcaster and recently retired Cup Series driver Dale Jarrett and AT&T’s director of national sponsorships Tim McGhee as roasters.
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Hamlin, FedEx Delivering Hybrid Prius in Los Angeles: As part of the 2008 FedEx Racing “Deliver the Drive” program, Denny Hamlin and FedEx will visit the Los Angeles Regional Foodbank on Thursday, Aug. 28 to donate a Toyota Prius hybrid vehicle. The Foodbank is a non-profit, charitable organization and is one of the largest food banks in the United States - supplying enough food for over 500,000 meals each week in Los Angeles County. Hamlin will join a team of Los Angeles-area FedEx employees for a shift in the volunteer kitchen prior to the presentation of the fuel-efficient vehicle. The donation marks the third of four Toyota Prius hybrid vehicles that FedEx is donating throughout the course of the 2008 season. Previous Prius donations have been made in Boston and Indianapolis.
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N A S C A R * N A T I O N W I D E * S E R I E S
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Courtesy of Jayski
www.jayski.com
Hamlin in the #81 at California: Kevin Hamlin of Ganassi Racing will be competing in the Nationwide Series race at California for MacDonald Motorsports. Hamlin will be racing the #81 Mahindra Tractors Dodge as DJ Kennington competes at Canadian Tire Series on Saturday.(MacDonald Motorsports PR)(8-26-2008)
JGR Changes Crew Chiefs for California: Joe Gibbs Racing will change its Nationwide Series crew chiefs for the third time in three weeks as it continues to adjust its personnel following the suspensions of seven team members. Doug Hewitt, who was crew chief for the #18 team with driver Kyle Busch last week at Bristol, will be the crew chief of the #20 team with driver Joey Logano this weekend at Auto Club (Calif.) Speedway. Michael Sibley, who was crew chief for Logano’s NASCAR East Series championship team last year, will be crew chief for the #18 team this weekend.(SceneDaily.com)(8-26-2008)
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Courtesy of The Hot Lap
www.TheHotLap.com
Two Toyota drivers and one crew chief from the NNS garage call Southern California home. Jason Leffler, driver of the No. 38 Braun Racing entry, grew up in Long Beach. Originally from Riverside, Josh Wise will be behind the wheel of the No. 22 Camry for Fitz Motorsports this weekend. Jerry Baxter, crew chief for the No. 99 Michael Waltrip Racing Camry driven by Reutimann, hails from San Diego where he raced Late Models from 1976-79 and occasionally raced against Ernie Irvan, Rusty Wallace and Dick Trickle. (ToyotaRacing) (08-26-08)
Joey Logano, #20- Q:While NASCAR doesn’t exactly have a draft, what do you remember about first talking with Joe Gibbs and J.D. Gibbs before signing with them three years ago?”I met J.D. (Gibbs) first at one of the conference rooms at JGR. We started talking and we had this little video that we showed J.D. about everything I had done before that. He said, ‘I have to go get my dad,’ and then Joe (Gibbs) came walking in and I thought, ‘Wow, that’s Joe Gibbs, right there.’ He’s a cool guy and he’s just a normal guy and that’s what’s pretty neat about him. I have no problem going up to him and seeking advice since he has so much experience with people from coaching football. It’s a big family at JGR, and that’s what really attracted me to the organization and why I’m excited to be a part of JGR for years to come.”Q: You ran your first race on a 2-mile oval two weeks ago at Michigan. What did you learn about the draft there that you can apply to a similar 2-mile oval this weekend?”I learned a lot about aero-stuff at Michigan. I had been there before for an ARCA test, but you really can’t simulate what it feels like to be racing with 42 other cars and how much the air really affects the handling of your car. I learned a lot at Michigan about what to do and where to run. The draft is really big at places like Michigan and California. You haul the mail and then you get right next to another car and it’s like hitting the brakes.” (TSC) (08-26-08)
Kyle Busch-#18 Q How has Auto Club Speedway changed over the last few years, going from a new track to a place that has a lot more character and more racing grooves?”That place is tough. It’s really a hard race track to get hold of now, especially when it’s hot and the sun is out. There are two completely different types of racing when you run the top versus the bottom groove. You can run from the top to the bottom, but when you run the bottom, you really feel like you’re puttering around the race track. You feel like you aren’t making up any time on the bottom, but when you are running the top groove you feel like you’re getting the job done. The guys who run the bottom have a little bit more patience and handle it better than the guys who are on the gas on top.” Q You’re racing out west for the first time in several months. Do you enjoy traveling out there and do you feel more comfortable going to that part of the country since that’s where you grew up? “Everybody hates the time change. I use that to my advantage since I think I’m usually on West Coast time anyway. I still haven’t gotten East Coast time down, yet. It’s fun for me. It’s a cool atmosphere and the weather is great without the humidity. If it’s hot out, it’s nice and warm, so the heat at Fontana doesn’t bother me as much as other places. And if it’s cold, it’s a crisp cold. It’s still home and I love being out west, and I really feel at home any time we race out there.” (TSC) (08-26-08)
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C R A F T S M A N * T R U C K * S E R I E S
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Courtesy of Jayski
www.jayski.com
#16 to cease operations? Scott to BDR? Hearing that the #16 Xpress Motorsports team is shutting down and that driver Brian Scott could be headed to Bill Davis Racing with Albertsons as the sponsor.(8-26-2008)
Rice out as crew chief for #13? Connor in? Hearing that Chris Rice is out as crew chief for the #13 ThorSport Racing Chevy and that Dennis Connor will take over the position.(8-26-2008)
Randy Moss Motorsports has hired 18-year-old Marc Davis to drive in NASCAR’s Craftsman Truck Series beginning Sept. 6 at St. Louis, and for a total of “probably about six races this year,” Davis said Monday in a telephone interview. Davis is widely considered the African American driver nearest to making a major breakthrough in NASCAR. But his father, Harry Davis, said the deal as it came together “was never about diversity, as many would play it up to be. It’s about dollars.” Davis received special permission to drive for Moss from J.D. Gibbs, president of Joe Gibbs Racing, where Davis has been a development driver alongside Joey Logano for the past two years. Harry Davis said the deal came together quickly because Marc brought his own sponsorship, from Howard University-affiliated radio station WHUR in Washington, D.C. (ESPN.com)(8-26-2008)
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A R C A (Automobile Racing Club of America)
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Courtesy of ARCA
www.arcaracing.com
Diverse 7-Race Stretch to Determine 2008 ARCA RE/MAX Series National Champion
2 Dirt Tracks, 2 Superspeedways, 2 Short Tracks, 1 Road Course Mix it up…..
TOLEDO OH (8-26-08) – Headed down the homestretch, nothing says the ARCA RE/MAX Series quite like the last seven races of the 2008 season.
Call it interesting; call it amazing; call it cool; call it what you will, but make sure you also describe it as the most diverse stretch in all of motorsports, because it most certainly is.
Two dirt tracks, two superspeedways, two short tracks and one road course will complete the ‘08 schedule and determine who will be this year’s ARCA RE/MAX Series national champion. With the championship still very much up for grabs, this seems like a perfectly fitting ending for a series that has long been recognized as the most diverse tour anywhere.
In fact, the last seven races represent the most versatile motorsports mix on earth where no other series has this much diversity in any given season, let alone in a season-ending, seven-race stretch.
It started in mid-August at the Illinois State Fairgrounds mile-dirt in Springfield where Frank Kimmel, after a year-long winless streak, finally got the monkey off his back with a dominating victory in the 46th Allen Crowe 100.
Kimmel, currently fifth in points, seems to come into his own each season about this time of the year – the time when you have to perform on a wide variety of track types, shapes and sizes. Good news for Kimmel is that the series heads next to the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds mile-dirt where the nine-time series champion has already won four times.
“I’ve heard a lot of different views on the dirt tracks over the years,” said Kimmel. “Some absolutely dread going; I know I used to, but that’s certainly not the case anymore. We absolutely love going to the fairgrounds. Truth be known, we, in many ways, consider it the highlight of our season. We tend to really get our stride this time of year. Never used to like going, but once we figured out the dirt, we love it; and I know my brother Bill (crew chief) feels the same way. There’s something to the history and tradition of racing at Springfield and DuQuoin that also makes it neat to go. It reminds me of the day when you had to be good in these types of places to win championships.”
Kimmel’s right about the “when you had to be good in these types of places to win championships”. There was a time, of course, when, to be the Indy Car champion, you had to run mile dirt tracks in Springfield, DuQuoin, Sacramento and Syracuse as well as the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Those days are long gone in Indy Car racing; but certainly not in the ARCA RE/MAX Series world, which, arguably, sets this series apart from all the rest. Because if one desires to be an ARCA RE/MAX Series national champion, one better get fairly comfortable on the clay.
The old DuQuoin fairgrounds track, where the garage is grass and the crowds are still healthy, is affectionately known as the “Magic Mile” where it arguably takes a certain brand of magic to make things happen there. If not magic, then certainly a good bit of skill – especially when you consider DuQuoin’s most recent winners. In the last seven races at DuQuoin, there have been only three different winners; but it’s who those winners are that tend to raise brows. They are, in order since 2001, Kimmel, Kimmel, Tony Stewart, Kimmel, Kimmel, Ken Schrader and Schrader. And, Kimmel and Schrader are of course entered for this year’s 58th Southern Illinois 100.
Also entered is the current ARCA RE/MAX Series point leader and SunTrust rookie Scott Speed, who, according to his own words, is more excited about heading out the back gates at the dirt tracks rather than headed through the front gates. Speed described his experience at Springfield as, “well, dirty” and said, “I’m just glad it’s over.” Unfortunately for the point leader, it’s not over with DuQuoin’s Southern Illinois 100 on the way Monday, Labor Day, September 1st. Speed started eighth and finished eighth at Springfield, a respectable showing but a bit unnerving when you consider who’s up front on the dirt making more points. SunTrust rookie Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., who trained on dirt tracks across America, finished second at Springfield. SunTrust rookie and third in points Matt Carter, who had no prior dirt track experience, finished fourth.
But alas, there is relief on the way for Speed, who, once he clears the dreaded DuQuoin dirt track, will steer north to the 1.5-mile Chicagoland Speedway for the eighth annual Chicagoland ARCA 200. Speed has been exceptionally fast in the ARCA RE/MAX Series superspeedway world this year with wins at Kansas Speedway, Kentucky Speedway and most recently at Nashville Superspeedway. The Manteca, California driver, along with car owner Eddie Sharp, also leads the Hoosier Superspeedway Challenge championship standings. Given his past speedway track record, Speed will, unquestionably, be one of the driver’s to beat at Chicagoland where, after seven events, there have been no repeat winners.
But from there, it’s back to the business of short track racing at Salem Speedway where the 84th appearance of the ARCA RE/MAX Series at Salem takes center stage in the Eddie Gilstrap Motors ARCA Fall Classic by Advance Auto Parts under the lights Saturday night, September 13th. Speed started fifth and finished fifth at Salem in the spring race, another respectable showing from a guy who had no prior stock car short track experience. But with players like eight-time Salem winner Kimmel and two-time Salem winner Justin Allgaier in the line-up, the pressure’s on to perform.
Take a breath Speed, there’s more relief on the way when the series heads to Millville, New Jersey for the inaugural Loud Energy Drink 150 at New Jersey Motorsports Park (NJMP) road course September 28th.
As most people know, Speed cut his teeth in the world of road course racing – first in go-karts and then in the world renowned Formula 1 circuit. Based on his road course experience alone, coupled with the first-class equipment he has to work with, Speed is, undeniably, the guy to beat when the series turns more to the right than to the left at NJMP.
On the subject of road courses, it’s worth noting that the event in Millville will not be ARCA’s first hurrah on a road course. In fact, the series has an extensive road course history that dates back to the 1950s. Former ARCA RE/MAX Series road course winners are……..
YEAR TRACK LOCATION WINNER
1958 Meadowdale Raceway Carpentersville IL Fred Lorenzen
1960 Meadowdale Raceway Carpentersville IL Nelson Stacy
1964 Meadowdale Raceway Carpentersville IL Elmer Musgrave
1965 Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course Lexington OH Jack Bowsher
1986 St Louis Int’l Raceway Fairmount IL Bob Schacht
1991 Heartland Park Topeka KS Ken Schrader
1992 Heartland Park Topeka KS Darrell Waltrip
1994 Des Moines Grand Prix Des Moines IA Scott Lagasse
2001 Watkins Glen International Watkins Glen NY John Finger
Then it’s onto the 2.66-mile Talladega Superspeedway for the series’ longest race of the year – a 250-miler on one of the most thrilling superspeedway circuits in America. The superspeedway element should fit right into Speed’s comfort level; but Talladega’s …… well, Talladega, where anyone with a pulse who’s been paying the slightest bit of attention knows that anything can happen there regardless of your experience, your talent, your equipment and/or your desire to be a Talladega winner.
Fittingly, the ARCA RE/MAX Series will wrap up its 56th consecutive season at home for the season championship finale at Toledo Speedway on October 12th. How did Speed do at Toledo in the spring race? Answer: he finished sixth, which is not bad. But when you factor in a Kimmel, a Stenhouse, a Carter (Toledo winner in the spring), an Allgaier, and all the rest, Speed may have to do much better than that to be called the 2008 ARCA RE/MAX Series national champion.
Time will tell. Two dirt tracks, two superspeedways, two short tracks and a road course will determine the 2008 champion in the world’s most versatile touring series. And how cool is that?
ARCA RE/MAX Series practice for the 58th Southern Illinois 100 at the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds is scheduled from 9:00-10:00 am local Central time Monday, September 1st, followed by SIM Factory Pole Award Qualifying at 11:00. The start of the Southern Illinois 100 is set for 1:00 pm.
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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
localracing.nascar.com/news/6
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The Race: Coke Zero 200 presented by Sicard Holiday Campers
The Place: Cayuga Motor Speedway, Hamilton, Ontario
The Date: Saturday, Aug. 30
The Time: 7:35 p.m. ET
TV Schedule: TSN, 11 a.m., Sept. 6 (delayed)
Track Layout: .625-mile paved oval
Race Purse: $76,557 CAD
2007 Winner: Derek Lynch
2007 Pole: Don Thomson Jr.
Schedule: Practice 2-3 p.m., Time Trials 5:15 p.m.
Track Contact: Frank Marchionda (289) 244-9388
2008 Standings
1. Scott Steckly 1,525
2. D.J. Kennington 1,412
3. Andrew Ranger 1,401
4. Don Thomson Jr. 1,375
5. Kerry Micks 1,330
6. J.R. Fitzpatrick 1,250
7. Peter Gibbons 1,241
8. Mark Dilley 1,215
9. Brad Graham 1,165
10. Derek Lynch 1,149
11. Jason Hathaway 1,141
12. John Gaunt 1,129
News & Notes
The Race: This event is the 10th of 13 races on the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Sirius Satellite Radio schedule. It is the series’ fourth visit to the track.
The Procedure: The starting field is 24 cars, including provisionals. The first 21 cars will be determined from two-lap time trials. The remaining three spots will be awarded through the provisional process. The race will be 200 laps (125 miles).
The Track: The .625-mile oval has been home to some of Canada’s top motorsports events since its opening in 1966. The track is nestled on a nearly 300-acre track situated west of Hamilton, Ontario. Cayuga has hosted some of stock-car racing biggest names, such as Dale Earnhardt, Darrell Waltrip, Bill Elliott and Bobby Allison.
The Records: The one-lap qualifying record for the Canadian Tire Series is 20.785 seconds (108.251 mph) set by D.J. Kennington on May 26, 2007. The 200-lap race record is held by Derek Lynch at 1 hour, 52 minutes, 39 seconds set Sept. 1, 2007 for an average speed of 66.578 mph.
A Season Ago: Lynch took advantage of some late-race contact between Jim Lapcevich and Peter Gibbons to collect his first NASCAR Canadian Tire Series victory. Don Thomson Jr. started on the pole but was knocked out of contention early due to an accident after just seven laps. Eventual series champion Andrew Ranger led a race-high 94 laps before finishing as runner-up to Lynch. A series record 10 drivers led the event as they swapped the lead 14 times on the night.
Ranger Helps Kennington Carry Canadian Tire Series Banner
D.J. Kennington is no longer the lone NASCAR Canadian Tire Series double-duty driver in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. He is joined by Andrew Ranger, who will finish out the bulk of the NASCAR Nationwide Series season in the No. 22 Dodge Charger out of the Fitz Motorsports stable.
Chances to race in NASCAR’s top three series are not easy to come by and Ranger is fully aware of the stakes in this game.
“To race in (the NASCAR Nationwide Series) is a new challenge for me and a great opportunity to kick my NASCAR career in high gear. I know how much this opportunity means and I will do everything I can to earn my place here,” he said.
The speed of the more powerful cars on bigger tracks than those of the Canadian Tire Series likely won’t intimidate the former Champ Car standout in which top speeds were routinely greater than 200 mph.
“I think he’ll do fine with the speeds and the tracks considering where he came from, but he will have to adjust to the car itself and the level of competition,” said Kennington. “It’s great that he got this opportunity and he won’t be the last. There are a lot of great racers in Canada.”
After his first foray into NASCAR Nationwide Series competition on the familiar, to him, road course of Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, it was on to the high-banked turns of Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway and a first opportunity on an oval track where he finished 19th.
His next outing will come at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway Sept. 5 with five dates to follow on a variety of tracks including Lowe’s Motor Speedway and Phoenix International Raceway. Like Kennington, Ranger’s NASCAR Nationwide Series schedule will work around the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series.
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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
insiderracingnews.com/Writers/CA/082708.html
This Could Be The Best Chase Ever
by Chuck Abrams
RaceTalkRadio.com:
Hall of Shame Racing - Wednesday Whining by Dennis Michelsen
www.racetalkradio.com/soz/id181.htm
The Nascar Insiders
Flying the Friendly Skies… Racing Style
Working in a sport that has anywhere from 25 to 36 events a year (depending on the series) that races from Fontana, California to Loudon, New Hampshire equates to some series travel. The way in which we get to the races varies by team, but for most it involves at least some level of air travel. And for many teams, air travel means flying their people on private aircraft.
feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheNascarInsiders/~3/375834462/
Here Comes College Football On ESPN2
dalyplanet.blogspot.com/2008/08/here-comes-college-football-on-espn2.html
The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly - Beating and Banging at Bristol
www.speedwaymedia.com/Articles/08/082608Thornton.asp
Martinsville opens its doors
www.speedwaymedia.com/Articles/08/082608staff.asp
Reed Sorenson Leaving Chip Ganassi to join George Gillett-Ray Evernham
independenttribune.net/index.php/sports/mulhern/
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T V * L I S T I N G S
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Courtesy of Jayski
www.jayski.com/pages/tv.htm
Wed Aug 27
12:00 am NASCAR Now ESPN2
5:00 pm NASCAR Now ESPN2
Thu Aug 28
1:00 am NASCAR Now ESPN2
9:00 am SportsCentury: Tony Stewart ESPNC
12:00 pm NSCS Bristol Replay SPEED
5:00 pm NASCAR Now ESPN2
5:30 pm NSCS Bristol Replay HDNet
Fri Aug 29
12:00 am NASCAR Now ESPN2
12:00 pm Racing Across America Irwindale SPEED
1:30 pm NASCAR Confidential SPEED
2:30 pm NASCAR Live SPEED
3:00 pm NSCS California Practice SPEED
4:30 pm NASCAR Live SPEED
5:00 pm NASCAR Now ESPN2
5:00 pm NNS California Practice SPEED
6:30 pm NSCS California Qualifying SPEED
8:30 pm NNS California Final Practice SPEED
9:30 pm Trackside at California SPEED
10:30 pm NSCS California Practice SPEED
Jayski does not list all the programming offered by SPEED; for complete listings go to their website, www.speedtv.com/schedule/
Always CHECK YOUR LOCAL LISTINGS!
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The Stock Car Gazette
Copyright 2002-2008 by MotorSportsNews.Net
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