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What with all the news happening, it’s almost like the major racing season is still going on. The big news seems to be the Petty story about Petty Enterprises allegedly closing its doors. There’s more on that and lots more other news, including a Snowball Derby section, right here in today’s Stock Car Gazette. |
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What with all the news happening, it’s almost like the major racing season is still going on. The big news seems to be the Petty story about Petty Enterprises allegedly closing its doors. There’s more on that and lots more other news, including a Snowball Derby section, right here in today’s Stock Car Gazette.
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Stock Car Gazette Columnists Speak Out!
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Petty Enterprises may be a thing of the past
by: Doug Turnbull
Though nothing official has been announced, multiple sources are confirming that Boston Ventures and Petty Enterprises are terminating their deal and George Gillett, owner of Gillett Evernham Motorsports, is going to absorb the partially sponsored No. 43 Dodge and make it his fourth team. READ MORE at http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/2382
For more articles by Doug, visit http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/category/turnbull
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MotorSportsNews.Net(work) web site features
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RANDY MOSS ENJOYS FIRST SEASON AS NASCAR TRUCK SERIES OWNER
http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/2379
Stock Car Gazette, Wednesday, 12/03/2008
http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/2376
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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
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Wins Sixth Consecutive Most Popular Driver Award – Trails Only Bill Elliott and Richard Petty for Most Wins: NASCAR fans across the nation have once again made a statement about their favorite driver. After tallying over one million votes, Dale Earnhardt Jr. is the recipient of the 2008 NASCAR NMPA Chex Most Popular Driver Award. Throughout the race season, fans voted daily for over 40 of their favorite drivers online at http://www.chexmostpopulardriver.com. Earnhardt Jr. was presented with the award today at the National Motorsports Press Association’s Myers Brothers Media Luncheon in New York City. The award is Earnhardt Jr.’s sixth consecutive win since 2003. Only Bill Elliott (1991-2000) has more consecutive wins. The NASCAR NMPA Chex Most Popular Driver Award has been given annually since 1956 and today is the only award for NASCAR’s top drivers given by the fans. The six wins by Earnhardt Jr. moved him past Bobby Allison and now only behind Richard Petty (9) and Bill Elliott (16) for most total awards. “I’ve been fortunate enough to win this award now for the sixth time, and I can tell you it never gets old.” said Earnhardt Jr. “I’ve said it many times before that this award is special because it’s the voice of the fans. “I think back to over a year ago when I made the decision to go to Hendrick Motorsports, and my biggest concern was whether the fans would support my decision.” continued Earnhardt Jr. “They did, and I will always be grateful for that. I appreciate everyone who voted, and I want to thank Chex and the National Motorsports Press Association for all they do for the sport.” “The fans have spoken, and it’s obvious that Dale Earnhardt Jr. truly is amongst the elite of fans’ support,” said Tom Jensen, President of the National Motorsports Press Association. “He deserves this award, and we’re thankful for all the fans who continue to vote and make this award a rich part of our sports history.” – Breaking Limits Marketing for General Mills, Press Release
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Courtesy of Stock Car Gazette subscriber Ed B. – thanks!
jimmie-johnson tells NASCAR to give empty seats away
http://blogs.usatoday.com/gameon/2008/12/jimmie-johnson.html?csp=34
Earnhardt’s got an itch to go racing” story is located at
http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/nascar/cup/columns/story?columnist=newton_david&id=3745595
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Check out Racing Wrecks!
NEW AUSSIE DRAG RACING BURNOUT/CRASH VIDEO POSTED
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Courtesy of Google Alerts
Debating the most improved driver of the 2008 season
He was certainly one of the most unheralded when Waltrip hired him for the 2007 season, when he was a 37-year-old rookie with one career win in a NASCAR national series, in the Camping World Truck division.Like Vickers, Reutimann was …
http://www.cnnsi.com/2008/writers/tim_tuttle/12/02/most.improved/
David Pearson Didn’t Have Big Bucks
The Fulton County News – McConnellsburg,PA,USA
Petty was quoted in the March 1993, Stock Car Racing Magazine as saying: “Writers were asking me last year who was the best driver I ever raced against. …
http://www.fultoncountynews.com/news/2008/1204/sports/026.html
Wendell Scott Followed His Dream To Race
HardcoreRaceFans.com – Kannapolis,North Carolina,USA
Determined to move up in the sport of stock car racing, Wendell Scott traveled the south during segregation, showing up at NASCAR events with his number …
http://snipurl.com/792zl-gazete
Jacques Villeneuve Signs To Compete In Speedcar Series
By pr@autoracingdaily.com(pr@autoracingdaily.com)
“2009 for Durango will be the 25th anniversary. It is an important achievement which we will start to celebrate having, for the first time, a Formula 1 world champion as official driver,” said team manager Ivone Pinton.
http://www.autoracingdaily.com/news/stock-car-racing/jacques-villeneuve-signs-to-compete-in-speedcar-series/
In the land of make believe….
Nascar – USA
A former Nationwide Series Champion, he has proven he can win in the Cup Series aswell. He ran most of the 2008 season with Furniture Row Racing, …
http://community.nascar.com/blogs/58119
Adam Petty’s legacy lives on
BP News – Nashville,TN,USA
(BP)–When 19-year-old NASCAR driver Adam Petty died after spinning out and hitting a wall during practice at the New Hampshire International Speedway in …
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29444
Hendrick: Don’t punish Big 3, assist them
ThatsRacin.com – USA
By Mike Brudenell NASCAR team boss and veteran car dealer Rick Hendrick believes domestic automakers are making big strides in building better and more …
http://www.thatsracin.com/topstories/story/21317.html
On NASCAR banquet and Robby Gordon
Question: I work in Times Square in New York and am a race fan but find next to no information on the NASCAR Web site around the schedule of events in New York during Champions Week. Doesn’t NASCAR want fans to participate in the …
http://blogs.indystar.com/nascarinsider/2008/12/on-nascar-banquet-and-robby-go.html
NASCAR future tied to Detroit bailout
Savannah Morning News – Savannah,GA,USA
Without a bailout, some believe the future of stock car racing also may veer off course. General Motors, Ford and Chrysler use NASCAR as an important …
http://savannahnow.com/node/629309
Sources: Petty Enterprise in merger talks
The Associated Press
43 for 2000 NASCAR champion Bobby Labonte and a second car that Chad McCumbee and Kyle Petty shared this season. Kyle Petty was expected to have a minimal …
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hMXGrpXGDdSrsWdn4w6B6gz8I8OQD94S4OPG2
NASCAR’s most beautiful people: Krissie Newman
SportingNews.com – USA
“NASCAR racing, to me, was a bunch (of people who) … drove around in circles for hours at a time.” If Ryan had the guts to call her, though, …
http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=493570
NASCAR Star Dale Earnhardt Jr. Wins Sixth Consecutive Most Popular …
PaddockTalk – USA
The NASCAR NMPA Chex Most Popular Driver Award has been given annually since 1956 and today is the only award for NASCAR’s top drivers given by the fans. …
http://www.paddocktalk.com/news/html/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=99633
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Courtesy of Insider Racing News
http://www.insiderracingnews.com
The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards banquet will be held on December 5th, 2008 — and to be televised by ESPN Classic at 9 PM Eastern time.
Champions Week – Day 4
The top performers from the recently completed 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season were honored Thursday at the annual NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Media Luncheon at Cipriani in New York City. Bob Bahre, long a champion promoter and supporter of stock-car racing in the New England region, collected one of NASCAR’s most prestigious and longest-running awards, as the former owner of New Hampshire Motor Speedway, received the Buddy Shuman Award. Presented since 1957, the award annually recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to NASCAR racing. “We might have built the thing, but it’s been the fans and drivers who have made it what it is today,” Bahre said.
Longtime NASCAR photographer Thomas Taylor Warren, affectionately known to the motorsports community as “T. Taylor,” is the recipient of the National Motorsports Press Association’s Myers Brothers Award for 2008. Warren was recognized for a lifetime achievement in NASCAR photography. Accepting on behalf of Warren, who died on Oct. 8 at the age of 83, was NASCAR Vice President of Corporate Communications, Jim Hunter. “T. Taylor was a true pioneer in NASCAR photography,” Hunter said. “He may no longer be with us, but his photographs will live forever.”
Team owner Richard Childress was the recipient of the NASCAR Home Depot Humanitarian Award. Childress recently helped fund the establishment of the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma at Wake Forest University’s Baptist Medical Center. “This is an important cause that we really believe in,” Childress said. “More than 12,000 children die each year from traumatic accidents. We’re committed to do all we can to help make life better for some of these children.”
For the sixth straight year, Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the Chex Cereals Most Popular Driver Award. More than 1.2 million fan votes were cast for Earnhardt Jr. “It’s a great honor to be chosen by the fans once again,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “NASCAR fans are the best in all of sports and we’re fortunate to have a large group of fans that have been extremely loyal to us over the years.”
Three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson picked up five awards and his No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports team received three other awards. “Today was an opportunity to reflect back on all of the hard work and effort put in by everyone at the race shop,” Johnson said. “The emotions kind of go over the top when you take a moment and realize just how special each of these individuals have been in sharing in the success we’ve had the past three seasons.”
Here is the complete list of Thursday’s award winners:
Buddy Shuman Award – Bob Bahre
NASCAR Home Depot Humanitarian Award – Richard Childress
NMPA Myers Brothers Award – Thomas Taylor Warren
Chex Cereals Most Popular Driver Award – Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Raybestos Rookie of the Year Award – Regan Smith
DirecTV Crew Chief of the Year Award – Steve Addington
Dow Automotive Strategic Call of the Race Award – Carl Edwards
Moog Chassis Parts Problem Solver of the Year Award – Bob Osborne
MAHLE Clevite Engine Builder of the Year Award – Hendrick Motorsports
Mechanix Wear Most Valuable Pit Award – No. 48 team
Mobil 1 Command Performance Award – Ryan Newman
USG Improving the Finish Award – Jeff Burton
Goodyear Gatorback Fastest Lap Award – Jimmie Johnson
WIX Filters Lap Leader Award – Jimmie Johnson
Coors Light Pole Award – Jimmie Johnson
Sunoco Diamond Performance Award – Jimmie Johnson
Goodyear Award – Jimmie Johnson
Championship Sponsor Award – Lowe’s
Champion Crew Chief Award – Chad Knaus
Kansas Before Kentucky Says France
NASCAR chairman Brian France said Tuesday it is more likely that Kansas Speedway could get its second date on the 2010 schedule than for Kentucky Speedway to have its request approved for an inaugural race there. International Speedway Corp. is planning to ask NASCAR to move one of its Sprint Cup dates to Kansas, while Speedway Motorsports Inc. is planning to seek to move a date to Kentucky. Neither ISC nor SMI has indicated which track it wants to move a date from in its realignment requests. Speaking after an appearance at the Street & Smith’s Motorsports Marketing Forum, France said NASCAR wouldn’t approve a request without making sure it fits the sanctioning body’s criteria. “It depends on what they want to exchange it for,” France said.
Edwards Ruffles Aflac’s Feathers
Aflac loves Carl Edwards and is paying big money to pair him with its iconic duck in commercials and on the hood of his car, but the company would like to not see its driver scuffling with other drivers in the Sprint Cup garage area. Aflac vice president Al Johnson, speaking at the Street & Smith’s Motorsports Marketing Forum on Tuesday, talked about the line drivers have with their sponsors in showing their emotions. Johnson said he believes his company has found the right person in Edwards and doesn’t want the Roush Fenway Racing driver to hide his passion. Aflac just doesn’t want it go overboard as it did in the Lowe’s Motor Speedway garage area in October when Edwards and Kevin Harvick got in a brief shoving match.
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Courtesy of Jayski
http://www.jayski.com
NASCAR Sprint Cup Awards Banquet Live on ESPN Classic: Surrounded by the glitz and glamour of New York City, Jimmie Johnson will officially be crowned as the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion during the series’ annual awards banquet Friday night, Dec. 5, at the Waldorf-Astoria. ESPN Classic will have live coverage at 9:00pm/et. In addition to Johnson and the Hendrick Motorsports team, the rest of the top 10 NASCAR drivers of the season also will be honored. The banquet will feature a musical performance by Matchbox 20, stand-up comedy from John Pinette and a special historical segment with actor Kevin Costner. Dr. Jerry Punch, lead announcer for ESPN’s NASCAR racing coverage, will be the onstage master of ceremonies for the banquet. The banquet re-airs on Monday, Dec. 8, at 2:00pm/et on ESPN2.
Petty-GEM merger? UPDATE 3: hearing there could be an announcement as soon as today that Gillett Evernham Motorsports [#9,10,#19] and Petty Enterprises [#43,#45] has merged.(12-4-2008)
UPDATE: SI.com has learned that Petty Enterprises’ top operation will not return in 2009. The organization will merge with George Gillett, giving that team its fourth car. No word on the future association with Petty Enterprises and Boston Ventures, although Boston Ventures may maintain some involvement in the Richard Petty Driving Experience. Official announcement of the news could come as early as this afternoon. No word on whether Richard Petty will have an ownership stake as part of the merger agreement.(Sports Illustrated)(12-4-2008)
UPDATE 2: Petty Enterprises is in discussions to merge its storied franchise with Gillett Evernham Motorsports. Multiple people familiar with the talks told the AP that the two teams are discussing a deal that would merge Petty’s #43 Dodge with GEM to become a four-car operation. They requested anonymity because the negotiations are ongoing. SI.com first reported Thursday that Petty Enterprises’ top operation will not return in 2009. But David Zucker, CEO of Petty Enterprises, said the report was “not accurate.” He would not discuss a potential merger. “We’re not going to comment on rumors and speculation,” he said. Petty has no full-time sponsorship lined up for next season. The team fields cars for Bobby Labonte, Chad McCumbee and Kyle Petty. Robbie Loomis, vice president of Petty Enterprises, told the AP nothing has changed with the organization, and the team is continuing to talk to potential partners. Drew Brown, a spokesman for GEM, did not immediately return a call for comment.(Associated Press)(12-4-2008)
UPDATE 3: Petty Enterprises remains in discussions with Gillett Evernham Motorsports to merge into a four-car operation, sources told ESPN.com on Thursday. A report by SI.com that the merger would happen and that Petty Enterprises would not return in 2009, according to multiple sources, is premature. Drew Brown, the director of communications at GEM, said the status of the company has not changed and there are no impending announcements. Officials at the office of GEM majority owner George Gillett were surprised by the report. “We’re just not going to comment on speculation,” Brown said. Should such a merger happen it would shrink the garage by another car, the 45 driven by Kyle Petty, Chad McCumbee and Terry Labonte last season. The #43 of Bobby Labonte would combine with GEM’s #9 of Kasey Kahne, #19 of Elliott Sadler and #10 of Reed Sorenson. A merger could also mean the end of NASCAR’s most storied organization as it has been known since 1969. Owner and seven-time champion Richard Petty sold majority interest in Petty Enterprises earlier this year to Boston Ventures but maintained the Petty name. It is unclear if a potential merger with GEM would incorporate both parties or if the Petty Driving Experience would be included. News of the SI.com report spread rapidly through the Manhattan banquet room that hosted a Thursday awards luncheon featuring the top 12 drivers from this past season. GEM has already benefited from the merger of DEI and Ganassi, which will run under General Motors — Ganassi was a Dodge team — and use engines prepared by Earnhardt-Childress Racing. The #10 car that was 37th in points will move into the top 35 guaranteed a spot in the field because the two DEI cars lost in the merger have been eliminated from the top 35. The #47 car that will be driven by Marcos Ambrose for JTG-Daugherty moved from 36 to 35. “Everybody will just shift up,” NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp said. “We will use the top 35 at the track.”(ESPN)(12-4-2008)
Bob Bahre Named 2009 Buddy Shuman Award Winner: Bob Bahre, long a champion promoter and supporter of stock-car racing in the New England region, collected one of NASCAR’s most prestigious and longest-running awards today in New York City. Bahre received the Buddy Shuman Award during the 2008 NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Media Luncheon. Presented since 1957, the award annually recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to NASCAR racing. It honors the late Buddy Shuman, a pioneering NASCAR driver who died in a hotel fire in Nov. 1955. “Bob was a pioneer in NASCAR’s growth in the northeast,” said NASCAR President Mike Helton. “He’s one of the most respected men in the sport – ever.” Bahre, 80, is the former owner of New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Oxford Plains Speedway. A resident of Paris Hill, Maine, he purchased what is now New Hampshire Motor Speedway in 1989 and re-opened it – following reconstruction and renovations – in 1990. NASCAR events have been held at the track since July 1990. Bahre also owned and operated Oxford Plains Speedway from 1986-’94. He’s also renowned for his collection of vintage cars, which he shares with the public each summer during a Founder’s Day festival in Paris Hill. As New England’s largest sports facility, New Hampshire Motor Speedway includes a 1.056-mile oval track and a 1.6-mile road course and room for 105,491 spectators. A new chapter in the track’s history began in Nov. 2007, when Bahre and his son Gary sold the facility to Speedway Motorsports Inc. More recognition is forthcoming: Bahre will be inducted into the New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame on Jan. 25, 2009.(NASCAR PR)(12-4-2008)
Tire Testing at Las Vegas: there is a Goodyear Tire test scheduled at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on December 10-11, 2008, hearing the drivers to test will be #99-Carl Edwards, #5-Mark Martin, #83-Brian Vickers and #12-David Stremme.(12-4-2008)
Testing at Nashville: Gillett Evernham Motorsports tested Wednesday, Dec. 3rd at the Nashville Superspeedway with Reed Sorenson and Dennis Setzer as the drivers on the 1.33 mile Superspeedway. The test was closed to the public. Chip Ganassi [Earnhardt Ganassi Racing?] was scheduled to test Thursday, but it is raining at the track.(Nashville Superspeedway)(12-4-2008)
#44?/#45?-Chad McCumbee is under contract to drive for Petty Enterprises in 2009, though the number of Sprint Cup races he and the second Petty team will run as a teammate to Bobby Labonte will depend on sponsorship, the team has confirmed. Petty Enterprises CEO David Zucker was asked about his plans for McCumbee at the Street & Smith’s Motorsports Marketing Forum. “It’s tough to break into the sport, and I think expectations sometimes get ahead of the game,” Zucker said. “We’ve seen it with some of the younger drivers. It takes a while. We don’t want to bring them [up] too fast. … You’ve got to invest in younger drivers. The sport needs it. Our plan is to bring him in and get him some exposure but not bring him in too fast.”(NASCAR.com)(12-4-2008)
Daytona 500 in 3-D? Fox Sports Chairman David Hill says Fox hopes to let theatergoers use 3-D glasses to watch February’s NASCAR Daytona 500. Hill says sports in 3-D is “fabulous,” and high-def TV “has just been a steppingstone” to get to 3-D. But even though TV sets already being sold are 3-D-ready, he says don’t expect TV networks to lead the way.(USA Today)(12-4-2008)
NASCAR Kart Racing: Five things you need to know: Mario Kart meets Jimmie Johnson. That’s the simplest way to breakdown EA Sports’ sudden shift in direction for its NASCAR series. Produced exclusively for the Wii (and now under the Freestyle brand), NASCAR Kart Racing looks to combine the arcade-nature of power-ups and tracks that do more than turn left with actual NASCAR strategy like teamwork and drafting. “The Wii is the number one console in North America, and when you look at the Wii audience, they’re not the traditional hard-core gamers,” explains Ryan Stradling, the game’s Senior Development Director and the founder of EA North Carolina. “The Wii really appeals to the whole family and we want to take the NASCAR series in that direction, so that the whole family could play together and have that living room experience”. So what should you expect? How about Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart dropping oil slicks behind them as they race for first, the Dover monster starring as an actual monster on the track, and teammates who are able to work together to slingshot one another to first place. See more at ESPN Video Games.(12-4-2008) http://sports.espn.go.com/videogames/news/story?id=3740518
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Courtesy of Race2Win
http://www.race2win.net
Richard Childress Named Recipient of 2008 Humanitarian Award
The Home Depot, the world’s largest home improvement retailer and Official Home Improvement Warehouse of NASCAR, and NASCAR today announced that Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing and former NASCAR driver, was selected as the recipient of the 2008 NASCAR Home Depot Humanitarian Award.
Full Story – http://www.race2win.net/wc/08/12/rc08ha.html
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Courtesy of That’s Racin’
http://www.thatsracin.com
Petty Enterprises official disputes report that his team will close its doors
COO David Zucker denies SI.com report that Mooresville shop will close, says Bobby Labonte is “on track” toward racing in the No. 43 car as merger talks with Gillett Evernham continue.
http://www.thatsracin.com/247/story/21322.html
Why Jimmie Johnson is underappreciated
How can it be that the guest of honor at this week’s Sprint Cup championship festivities in New York City can be both underrated and underappreciated after winning three straight titles at NASCAR’s highest level?
http://www.thatsracin.com/topstories/story/21318.html
Johnson begins raking in postseason awards
And so it begins. Jimmie Johnson and his Hendrick Motorsports team began collecting their postseason accolades Thursday at the annual National Motorsports Press Association Myers Brothers Awards luncheon in New York City.
more – http://www.thatsracin.com/topstories/story/21324.html
France’s letter in support of the Big Three – http://www.thatsracin.com/topstories/story/21323.html
Philly race car museum is pit stop for auto fans – http://www.thatsracin.com/topstories/story/21301.html
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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
Thorsport Racing to run some NNS races: While the news out of most NASCAR racing teams this off-season is about layoffs and down-sizing, it’s quite the opposite at ThorSport Racing. The team, which fields the #13 and #88 entries in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series from its Sandusky, Ohio headquarters, is looking for experienced personnel to help expand its program in 2009. ThorSport ventured into the NASCAR Nationwide Series for the first time in 2008 and expects to enter more Nationwide events in the coming season as well as continuing with its two-truck effort.(Thorsport Racing PR)(12-3-2008)
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Courtesy of The Hot Lap
http://www.TheHotLap.com
TWENTY TRUIMPHS: Camry drivers combined for 20 NNS victories in 2008. Busch led the Toyota brigade with 10 triumphs, including Texas (April 5), Phoenix (April 11), Mexico City (April 20), Charlotte (May 24), Chicagoland (July 11), Indianapolis (July 26), California (Aug. 30), Dover (Sept. 20), Charlotte (Oct. 10) and Texas (Nov. 1). Stewart earned five wins at Daytona (Feb. 16), California (Feb. 25), Talladega (April 26), Darlington (May 9) and New Hampshire (June 28). Hamlin visited victory lane at Richmond (May 2), Dover (May 31), Daytona (July 4) and Kansas (Sept. 27). Logano’s victory at Kentucky (June 14) enabled him to became the youngest NNS race-winner (18 years and 21 days). Read more of Toyota Racing’s season recap.(ToyotaRacing) (12-04-08)
http://thehotlap.com/modules.php?name=Press_Releases&op=view&rid=2928
Denny Hamlin recently visited Japan to participate in Toyota’s annual Motor Sports Day at Fuji Speedway. The event featured Toyota drivers from a variety of different racing series, including NASCAR and Formula One, as well as Toyota race cars that participate in various racing series. “This was my first time traveling overseas,” said Hamlin, who took a few demonstration laps in the JGR Camry. “It was an excellent experience. The Fuji Speedway was a good track and I was impressed with the Japanese fans and how excited they were to see a NASCAR race car. It was really enjoyable and I’m glad I was able to attend Toyota’s Motorsports Day.”(ToyotaRacing) (12-04-08)
Geoff Bodine, Scott Wimmer and others head to Iraq. Read more (stargazette.com) (12-04-08)
http://www.stargazette.com/article/20081204/COLUMNIST31/812040324
Motorsports Marketing Forum notes-NYC. Scott Speed will be running under the Red Bull sponsorship for the partial schedule in Nationwide for 2009. also, NOS Energy drink will sponsor Kyle Busch in 14-15 NNS races next season.(thehotlap) (12-03-08)
According to bleacherreport.com, Scott Speed will run a partial Nationwide Series schedule for 2009 in the #99 of Michael Waltrip Racing. (12-01-08)
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The photos are from Clint Bowyer’s visit to Columbus, OH, Nov. 18, 2008, to celebrate his 2008 NASCAR Nationwide Series championship.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nancy501s/sets/72157610623793008
Pictures are courtesy of Nationwide.
Here’s a brief rundown of his day:
· Nationwide Children’s Hospital to visit many patients and their families.
· Nationwide Headquarters in downtown Columbus to meet Nationwide executives and associates. He talked to fans, answered their questions, signed autographs and posed for pictures during a reception in the lobby.
· Nationwide Arena where he was the guest of honor at a National Hockey League game between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Edmonton Oilers. The Oilers won.
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C A M P I N G * W O R L D * T R U C K * S E R I E S
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Courtesy of Jayski
http://www.jayski.com
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Banquet – Seminole Hard Rock Hotel
Highlights will air on SPEED/tv Monday, December 8, 2008 at 8:00pm/et
Sauter to Thorsport Racing? UPDATE: No downsizing; 2 trucks, some NNS: Hearing that Johnny Sauter toured the Thorsport Racing shop in Sandusky, Ohio last week. It’s not clear if an indicator that there may be a potential driver change for the #13 team?(12-1-2008)
UPDATE: While the news out of most NASCAR racing teams this off-season is about layoffs and down-sizing, it’s quite the opposite at ThorSport Racing. The team, which fields the #13 and #88 entries in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series from its Sandusky, Ohio headquarters, is looking for experienced personnel to help expand its program in 2009. ThorSport ventured into the NASCAR Nationwide Series for the first time in 2008 and expects to enter more Nationwide events in the coming season as well as continuing with its two-truck effort.(Thorsport Racing PR)(12-3-2008)
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Sponsorship worries aside, Wallace seeks perspective
Nascar – USA
“Chrissy started out looking at a full schedule in the Camping World Truck Series, but now it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen,” Mike said. …
http://www.nascar.com/2008/news/opinion/12/02/road.ramblings.drodman.mwallace/
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A R C A (Automobile Racing Club of America)
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Courtesy of ARCA
http://www.arcaracing.com
Allgaier Makes 2008 All-America First Team
BURBANK, CA (12-5-08) – The polls have closed for voters choosing the 2008 All-America Auto Racing Team, and Justin Allgaier, the 2008 ARCA RE/MAX Series champion, has been named First Team in the Touring Series category.
Allgaier joins an elite group of racers who made First Team in 2008 including Carl Edwards and Jimmie Johnson (Stock Car), Helio Castroneves and Scott Dixon (Open Wheel), Jerry Coons, Jr. and Donny Schatz (Short Track), Cruz Pedregon and Tony Schumacher (Drag Racing), Johnny Benson (Touring Series), and David Brabham/Scott Sharp and Scott Pruett/Memo Rojas (Road Racing).
[Read More] – http://www.arcaracing.com/news.cfm?contentid=7451
Colon Cancer Survivor Tim Mitchell Invited to Washington DC for ACS Roundtable Discussion
FAYETTEVILLE TN (12-4-08) – ARCA RE/MAX Series racer Tim Mitchell has never won an ARCA race; nonetheless the 65-year-old veteran driver still feels like a winner. Mitchell, who was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2003, is cancer free for five years and counting.
[Read More] – http://www.arcaracing.com/news.cfm?contentid=7448
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ARCA: Canadian Steve Arpin to Drive for Eddie Sharp Racing in 2009
By GREGM(GREGM)
Denver, NC (December 3, 2008) – Fort Frances, Ontario’s Steve Arpin has signed with Eddie Sharp Racing to drive a partial season in the ARCA RE/MAX Series in 2009. The Open-Wheeled Dirt Modified phenom from Canada will drive for ESR in …
http://insidetracknews.blogspot.com/2008/12/arca-canadian-steve-arpin-to-drive-for.html
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U S A R (United Speed Alliance Racing)
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2008 Season Synopsis
The 12th season of USAR Pro Cup racing is in the books. It’s time to take a look at a few of the things that defined this year and stuck in our memories.
There were 18 races run at 15 different race tracks. Back on the circuit after a year or more without a race was the Milwaukee Mile and Jennerstown Speedway. New to the series in 2008, Rockingham Speedway re-opened for racing and hosted the USAR 2008 season finale.
During those 18 races, 85 different drivers raced in at least one race. The drivers came from 19 different states! Fans saw 10 different winners, with 5 first-time winners (Danny Abold, Derek Kale, Mikey Kile, Caleb Holman, Hunter Robbins). The Series Champions, Benny Gordon, led all drivers with 6 wins. The race pole was won by 9 different drivers, with Benny Gordon leading that category with 5 pole awards.
A grand total of 3,994 laps of racing action took place. 192 yellow flags flew and those laps accounted for 1,122 of total laps or only 28%! During the season, drivers swapped the lead 92 times with Myrtle Beach and Rockingham each treating fans to 11 lead changes. It’s no surprise that Benny Gordon led the most laps during 2008, crossing the start/finish line in first place 898 circuits. Mark McFarland ran the most races during the year (16) so it’s also no surprise that he would complete the most laps – 3484.
read more – http://www.usarfans.com/article.php/20081130122739928
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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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NCATS (NASCAR Canadian Tire Series) | Facebook
Facebook is a social utility that connects people with friends and others who work, study and live around them. People use Facebook to keep up with friends, …
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=19331900837
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S N O W B A L L * D E R B Y * N E W S
http://5flagsspeedway.com/
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Snowball Derby – Thursday Night goes to Thompson and Bullard
Randy Thompson watched his chance to win last year’s Sportsmen feature go up in smoke when his car’s rear-end broke while leading on the last lap.
The only smoke coming from his car last night was the smoke from his tires during his burnout celebration in victory lane.
Thompson, the 2007 and 2008 Sportsmen season champion, started second in the race and passed Stevie Mercer on a lap-30 restart. He then pulled away from Billy Hoover in the closing laps to claim his first Snowball Derby win.
“I just knew it was going to happen again,”Read more
http://5flagsspeedway.com/newsfull.php?subaction=showfull&id=1228460832&archive=&start_from=&ucat=3&
Snowball Derby’s Success to be Measured
http://5flagsspeedway.com/newsfull.php?subaction=showfull&id=1228470219&archive=&start_from=&ucat=2&
CRA Super Series to be Well Represented at 41st Annual Snowball Derby
WhoWon.com – Lincoln,NE,USA
by Glenn Luckett SALEM, Ind. — – The CRA Super Series will be well represented in this weekend’s 41st Annual Snowball Derby at the Five Flags Speedway in …
http://www.whowon.com/sResults.asp?SanctionID=473&StoryID=263217
Area’s top race cruising along after 40 years
Pensacola News Journal – Pensacol,FL,USA
This week’s Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway promises to be another success despite the current economic downshift. Drivers from across the country …
http://www.pnj.com/article/20081204/NEWS01/812040323
Middle Tennessee drivers invade Florida for Snowball Derby
By .(.)
At least four Middle Tennessee drivers are in Pensacola FL for this weekend’s Snowball Derby events at Five Flags Speedway. Cecil Chunn of Spring Hill is entered in the Snowball Derby, to be run on Sunday (7th). Bon Aqua’s Willie Allen, …
http://www.middletnracingscene.com/2008/12/middle-tennessee-drivers-invade-florida.html
Hunter Robbins Ready To Rock And Roll With the Hard Rock Hotel …
By Kim DeHaven
CONCORD, NC (December 2, 2008) – The Snowball Derby Super Late Model event at Five Flags Speedway (FL) is considered by many as the Super Bowl of Short Track Racing. Drivers from across the country line up big sponsors to showcase both …
http://www.frontstretch.com/otherpr/21841/
The Frontstretch: Jeff Fultz Takes Aims 41st Annual Snowball Derby …
Fultz is prepping to take his best shot at victory in this year’s 41st Annual Snowball Derby at Pensacola, Florida’s Five Flags Speedway, December 4th …
http://www.frontstretch.com/otherpr/21790/
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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/BW/120408.html
You Heard it Here First
by Brian Watkins
Insider Racing News
http://insiderracingnews.com/Writers/DD/120408.html
10 Dumb Things About NASCAR
by Doug Demmons
The Nascar Insiders
Pit Crew Training Continues to Evolve
As we move through our third week since the season finales at Homestead, the off-season is in full swing. Just because we aren’t racing every weekend, don’t think we are all sitting at home eating bon-bons and watching Golden Girls re-runs. Teams are busy preparing cars and equipment for the 2009 season, and after maybe taking some time off, many pit crews will start getting back into training.
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheNascarInsiders/~3/474228249/
Insider Racing News
http://insiderracingnews.com/Writers/BB/120508.html
Rick Hendrick: A Championship Leader
by Brenda Benedict
It’s not the economy, stupid: why Petty Enterprises has gone the …
By yaumb
The exposure generated by RJ Reynolds Tobacco’s title sponsorship of the old Grand National Series (renamed the Winston Cup) demanded that stock car racing move out of its regional roots and become a nationwide top-level sport. …
http://snipurl.com/793z5-gazete
Long Island Press
Stewart-Haas Still Searching For Full Sponsorship On The 39
by Josh Stewart
http://www.longislandpress.com/pressplay/blogs/view.asp?BLOGID=6
The Nascar Insiders
Where They’ve Been and Where They’re Going: Part 1
Over the next couple of weeks TC and I are going to look at teams, recaping their performance over the last year and evaluating their outlook for the impending season. For part one of this yet to be determined part series I will take a look at Hendrick Motorsports and Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates.
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheNascarInsiders/~3/475438311/
Missing Seats, Lawsuits, and No More Silly Victory Laps!
by Carol Einarsson
I wonder how many of the 472 employees known to have been laid off from race teams since the end of the year have found new jobs. Wouldn’t it be something if they just divided up and started two new race teams? Laid Off Racing now seeking sponsorship!
http://www.racejournalonline.com/index.cfm?Pagename=column&id=555
What I Like About You
Greg Biffle
by Carol Einarsson
http://www.racejournalonline.com/index.cfm?Pagename=column&id=552
There Is A Blue Chevrolet Parked In The Taxi Lane
Would the owner of a blue Chevrolet please report to the front of the hotel and move your car. New York City wants to get back to the noise and chaos of a normal day in Manhattan.
http://dalyplanet.blogspot.com/2008/12/there-is-blue-chevrolet-parked-in-taxi.html
73 More Days To Get Your 3-D Glasses
Fox Sports has a problem. In the world of sports TV contracts, Fox must match-up against an opponent that comes to the bargaining table with a major broadcast TV network and two cable TV sports networks in its pocket.
http://dalyplanet.blogspot.com/2008/12/73-more-days-to-get-your-3-d-glasses.html
6500 RPM: Revisited – by Larry VanZandt
There were a couple of complaints about my last article, concerning the idea about NASCAR mandating a 6500 RPM rev limiter chip in order to reduce costs to teams. After I have had a week or so to think about it, I am firmly convinced now that it’s an even better idea than I previously thought, but not in the manner you might think.
http://www.speedwaymedia.com/Articles/08/120408VanZandt.asp
Kansas City Posturing Begins – by Larry Taylor
Ah, the sweet smell and sound of political posturing…no not the aftermath of the recent U.S. political conflict but the posturing to see who falls by the wayside to free up a race date for Kansas City.
http://www.speedwaymedia.com/Articles/08/120408LTaylor.asp
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T V * L I S T I N G S
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Courtesy of Race Fan TV
http://www.racefantv.com
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5
12:00n-2:00P SPEED A1 Grand Prix, Circuit Park Zandvoort, Netherlands, Oct 5/08, N
3:00P-4:00 TSN 2008 NHRA Drag Racing Awards, Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City, Los Angeles, CA, Nov 17/08, HD
9:00P-12:00m ESPN-CL NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards; Waldorf=Astoria Hotel; New York. NY, L
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6
4:00P-5:00 SPEED IHRA Nitro Jam Drag Racing Skull Shine Sooner Nationals, Tulsa Raceway, OK, Aug 24/08, Show A, N
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7
3:00P-4:00 SPEED German Touring Cars (DTM), 2008 season highlights, N
7:00P-8:00 SPEED SPEED Report, N
MONDAY, DECEMBER 8
8:00P-9:30 SPEED NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
Race Fan TV 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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