The stock car racing news is still happening, and we’re still cranking out the Stock Car Gazette for you… enjoy. There’s much more past the fold.
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E d i t o r ‘ s * N o t e s
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We had one of those crazy whirl-wind weekends and I didn’t even get to see the awards banquet.
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Courtesy of Stock Car Gazette subscriber Ed B. - thanks!
NASCAR future tied to Detroit bailout
by Savannah Morning News
ATLANTA - The business plan to rescue America’s struggling car companies was delivered to Washington on Tuesday, with the bosses of the Big Three making their cases in person later in the week.
savannahnow.com/forward/629309/email_ref
Sponsor Exodus From Troubled NASCAR Nation
adage.com/article?article_id=133070
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Courtesy of Google Alerts
Petty team denies rumors
News & Observer - Raleigh,NC,USA
AP Photo by Kathy Willens The Associated Press Comment on this story Petty Enterprises vice president for racing operations Robbie Loomis said Bobby Labonte …
www.newsobserver.com/sports/story/1321311.html
It may be the end of the line for Petty Enterprises …
ESPN - USA
This was NASCAR’s dominant team for 25 years, the New York Yankees of stock car racing. But the Pettys didn’t keep up with the times. The multi-car era, …
sports.espn.go.com/rpm/nascar/cup/columns/story?columnist=blount_terry&id=3745914
Area Woman One of NASCAR’s Most Beautiful
WSET - Lynchburg,VA,USA
Timothy competes in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. The top 60 were chosen based on both inner and outer beauty. Sara says she was just honored to be …
www.wset.com/news/stories/1208/575561.html
Closing the book on the 2008 NASCAR season
FOXSports.com - USA
The man won 21 races in 2008 — eight in Sprint Cup competition, 10 in Nationwide Series action and three in Craftsman Truck Series outings. …
msn.foxsports.com/nascar/story/8900612/Closing-the-book-on-the-2008-NASCAR-season
Fox Casts Furry Gopher as the Next Nascar Star
New York Times - United States
By RICHARD SANDOMIR Is Digger, the cartoon gopher who pops out of his hole periodically on Fox’s Nascar broadcasts, a gearhead SpongeBob SquarePants? …
www.nytimes.com/2008/12/07/sports/othersports/07sandomir.html?ref=sports
Yarborough adds to Johnson’s celebration at NASCAR awards ceremony
Seattle Post Intelligencer - USA
After being introduced by Betty Jane France, the widow of former NASCAR chairman Bill France, Jr., actor Kevin Costner commemorated the 60th anniversary of …
seattlepi.nwsource.com/scorecard/autonews.asp?articleID=246067
Johnson celebrates title at NASCAR Awards Ceremony
ThatsRacin.com - USA
By David Poole NEW YORK - DECEMBER 05: Jimmie Johnson (L), 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion, poses with Crew Chief Chad Knaus (R) prior to the NASCAR Sprint …
www.thatsracin.com/news/story/21427.html
Even NASCAR is feeling the heat of a declining economy
Orlando Sentinel - Orlando,FL,USA
NEW YORK — Racecars parked in front of one of New York’s most prestigious hotels announced the presence of NASCAR inside it. This week sports biggest names …
www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/motorracing/orl-sportsnascar06120608dec06,0,5548919.story
In tough economy, Gordon would consider salary cut
SportingNews.com - USA
24 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, understands that the economic problems confronting big-time stock car racing are far more generalized than the …
www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=494601
Economy affects NASCAR’s big night and bottom line
FOXSports.com - USA
by Lee Spencer, FOXSports.com NEW YORK - While the big three auto manufacturers awaited the terms of their bridge loan fate from Congress, NASCAR feted its …
msn.foxsports.com/nascar/story/8904856/Economy-affects-NASCAR\’s-big-night-and-bottom-line
NASCAR 2009: “The Year The Sport Stood Still”
SportingNews.com - USA
NASCAR fans are expected to appear in droves, and pay exhorbitant prices for tickets to watch highly skilled adrenaline junkies race at spine chilling …
www.sportingnews.com/blog/texasadlerfan/176987
Reutimann, Fans Enjoy Event in Hometown
The Ledger - Lakeland,FL,USA
By Donna Fellows ZEPHYRHILLS | NASCAR fans in the Four Corners area recently had a great opportunity to hang out with a NASCAR driver and bid on some cool …
snipurl.com/7ngio-gazete
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Courtesy of Insider Racing News
www.insiderracingnews.com
Gordon Offers To Cut Salary
If you’re Jeff Gordon, you embrace the notion of shared sacrifice, even if that means rebating part of your annual salary to keep your team competing at the highest level. In his willingness to entertain that idea, Gordon is not alone in the Cup garage. “I’m taking a hit regardless of what happens with GM, through some other sponsors and personal endorsements,” Gordon said. “It’s affecting all of us in some way, somehow. “This is not a laughing matter. It’s tough times. It’s something to be very serious about. We not only have to pay attention to raising money and finding companies out there to do that with, but we also have to watch our costs as well and not be exuberant.” The way I look at is that I always say to (team owner) Rick Hendrick, ‘I’ll do whatever it takes for us to have the best team we can possibly have,’ Gordon said. “If that means take part of my salary to keep certain people on or to hire certain people, I’ll do it.” Gordon doesn’t apologize for the lifestyle he has earned, but he does admit to pangs of guilt dating to his first purchase of an expensive motor home, an accessory that’s almost a requirement in the Cup garage. “It’s stupid what we spend on motor homes and planes and all this,” he said. “Do we need that? No. But things have been good for us. The sport’s been good. I’m living this way because things have been very good. Now, obviously, we’re having to cut back, and I have to cut back, too. If me and Rick Hendrick sit down and we talk about the position that we’re in — obviously I’m not the only one — but I would be open to it. Listen, I never (got into) this to make millions of dollars. I never dreamed in a million years I was going to make this kind of money. This is ridiculous.
Loomis Denies Merger
The chief operating officer of Petty Enterprises disputes reports that the Sprint Cup auto racing operation will merge with Gillett Evernham Motorsports. Reports Thursday said the proposed Petty-Evernham merger will form one four-car Sprint Cup operation. “There is a lot of discussion going on, but the 43 car (driven by Bobby Labonte) and Richard Petty will be at the track next year,” Petty executive Robbie Loomis told the Charlotte Observer. “I feel very confident in saying that everything is moving forward in our sponsorship drive. We are on track for the 43 car, but the second car is up in the air.” The newspaper reported that Chad McCumbee is under contract to drive the second Petty car next season, but the team is still trying to lock down full sponsorship for Labonte and his no. 43 Dodge. “We’re working in the shop that we’re in, preparing cars for next season, and we plan on racing from right there where we are,” Loomis added.
Driver Total Money Made
NASCAR chose not to announce the postseason money totals for drivers who finished second through 10th in the Sprint Cup standings during Friday’s awards ceremony in New York City, as it had done in previous years. But these totals for the top 25 finishers in the standings were posted Saturday as part of the season’s final statistical update package on NASCAR’s media Web site:
Visit insiderracingnews.com/ to see those totals.
Yarborough Surprises Johnson
Three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Cale Yarborough made an unannounced appearance tonight at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony at the Waldorf=Astoria Hotel in New York City. Followed by a rousing standing ovation, Yarborough presented the championship ring to 2008 series champion Jimmie Johnson during this year’s annual ceremony. The two champions will be forever linked in NASCAR lore. This season, Johnson joined Yarborough as the only drivers to win three consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup championships. Yarborough accomplished the historic feat from 1976-78. During Yarborough’s incredible three-year stretch, he posted 28 wins, 70 top-five and 74 top-10 finishes. “Somebody finally did it,” Yarborough said. “I set a pretty good record, didn’t I? It took them 30 years to tie it.
Wood Brothers Cut Back
The legendary Wood Brothers organization will run only 12 Sprint Cup races next season. Eddie Wood, co-owner of Wood Brothers Racing, said tough economic times have forced the organization to enter only the season-opening Daytona 500 and mile-and-a-half tracks with Bill Elliott, the 1985 Cup champion. The mile-and-a-half tracks were picked because Ford’s program is strongest there. “We could run up to 20 but we decided to do 12 and do it right,” Wood said Saturday. “We’re going back to doing it the way we did it years ago.” The organization used to pick and choose races in the early years. It ran only 18 races in 1973, with David Pearson, who won 11 of them. Wood said the organization, which lost Air Force as a sponsor to Gillett Evernham Motorsports, had to let 22 employees go to reduce the team to about 40.
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Courtesy of Jayski
www.jayski.com
Yarborough Surprises Johnson With Ring Presentation: Three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Cale Yarborough made an unannounced appearance tonight at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony at the Waldorf=Astoria Hotel in New York City. Followed by a rousing standing ovation, Yarborough presented the championship ring to 2008 series champion Jimmie Johnson during this year’s annual ceremony. The two champions will be forever linked in NASCAR lore. This season, Johnson joined Yarborough as the only drivers to win three consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup championships. Yarborough accomplished the historic feat from 1976-78. During Yarborough’s incredible three-year stretch, he posted 28 wins, 70 top-five and 74 top-10 finishes.
“Somebody finally did it,” Yarborough said. “I set a pretty good record, didn’t I? It took them 30 years to tie it. There are only two of us who have done it in the 60 years of the sport. That’s a pretty good accomplishment. You know, I haven’t been to this banquet in several years, but tonight I feel like I got my racing spirit back. You know, all he really did is tie the record – he still has to break it. He still has some work to do. I want to congratulate Jimmie; he’s a great man and a great racer. I know he’s going to win some more championships. Maybe he can skip a year though.”
Yarborough’s famous swagger continues to this day. During his speech, he told team owner Rick Hendrick that if there was a ride open in his stable, he could have the first 70-year-old series champion. Yarborough turns 70 next March. Johnson matched Yarborough’s record with another typically brilliant performance. In 2008, Johnson had seven wins, 15 top fives and 22 top 10s. “What a surprise and what an honor to have Cale present me with the championship ring,” Johnson said. “I’m pretty much floored.”
The Yarborough ring presentation was the culmination of a night filled with memory-making moments. Earlier in the program, Betty Jane France – widow of former NASCAR Chairman and CEO Bill France Jr. – introduced Academy Award winning actor Kevin Costner, who made some remarks commemorating the 60th anniversary season of NASCAR. Costner was later joined on stage by seven-time champion Richard Petty, who spoke on the impact NASCAR has had on his life and the tremendous growth of the sport. Also in attendance was Academy Award nominee Tom Cruise, who played Cole Trickle in the NASCAR-themed film Days of Thunder.(NASCAR PR)
Some Season Record Notes:
• Five foreign-born drivers participated at Infineon Raceway: Marcos Ambrose (Australia), Patrick Carpentier and Ron Fellows (Canada), Juan Pablo Montoya (Colombia) and Max Papis (Italy). It was the largest contingent of foreign-born drivers in a race in NASCAR Sprint Cup history, eclipsing the previous mark of three which was set eight times – most recently at Infineon in 2007.
• At Watkins Glen, three nations were represented among the top five for the first time in Sprint Cup Series history: Kyle Busch (first), Tony Stewart (second) and Martin Truex Jr. (fifth) from the United States, Marcos Ambrose (third) from Australia and Juan Pablo Montoya (fourth) is from Colombia.
• The 28 different drivers that led at Talladega-2 set the all-time Sprint Cup Series record for different lap leaders in a race. It eclipsed the mark of 26 set at Talladega in July 1986 and tied in April 2001, also at Talladega.
• Mark Martin started second six times this season – all as a result of timed qualifying. The modern era record for second-place starts is 10 by Jeff Gordon in 1996. Richard Petty (1964) and David Pearson (1968) each had 17 second-place starts – the all-time record – but both came in seasons with more than 48 races.
• There has been a first-time pole winner in each of the past 22 years (1987-2008).
• All 43 cars at Richmond in September completed the race, just the second time since the standardized 43-car field was implemented (1998) that all cars were running at the finish in a race. Driver Milestones.(NASCAR)(12-8-2008)
Augie Grill Wins 41st Annual Snowball Derby: Augie Grill won his second straight Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida on Sunday night. Grill actually finished the 41st annual edition of the race in the second position, but was awarded the victory after Brian Ickler’s car was found to have an unapproved brake cooling fan. Grill started the race in the 38th position and steadily worked his way through the pack to become a race contender. He led the middle stages of the race, but found himself with some ground to make up after the final pit stops. Over the last dozen laps of the race, Grill gained ground on Ickler on the racetrack, but came a little bit short of catching him. Approximately two hours after the race, Grill received word of his victory and celebrated with a small group of fans, family, friends and crew members. With the change, Grant Enfinger now moves up to second place. He was followed in the rundown by Matt Hawkins, Shane Sieg, Bubba Pollard, David Rodgers, Hunter Robbins, Dennis Schoenfeld, Heath Hindman and Paul Kelley. The 41st Annual Snowball Derby concludes the 2008 racing season at Five Flags Speedway. For more information on the Blizzard Series and the 41st Annual Snowball Derby event visit Speed51.com, fiveflagsspeedway.com and/or snowballderby.com.(Speed51.com)
Some Cup, Nationwide or Truck Series drivers who ran in the Snowball Derby this year included: John Wes Townley [NNS], Danny Bagwell [ran a couple Truck races], Stanley Smith [past Cup], Shane Sieg [trucks], Benny Gordon [trucks], Jeff Fultz [a few NNS races], Gary St. Amant [trucks], Wayne Anderson [trucks, 1 Cup race].(12-8-2008)
Some Homestead images added: #09 Miccosukee, #6 AAA, #10 Valvoline, #19 Hellmanns, #21 Motorcraft, #25 GoDaddy, #28 AllSport, #29 Pennzoil/Shell, #42 Juicy Fruit, #43 Liberty Mutual, #47 Little Debbie’s, #48 Kobalt Tools, #70 Haas Automation 25th Anniversary, #83 Red Bull [Scott Speed], see my Paint Schemes Gallery for more.(12-7-2008)
www.jayski.com/schemes/paintschemes.htm
France asks Congress to help Big Three automakers: NASCAR chairman Brian France has lobbied Congress to support a financial rescue plan for the struggling Big Three automakers. Chrysler, Ford and General Motors - three of the four manufacturers that participate in NASCAR - are pleading with Congress for a bailout to prevent their companies from going bankrupt. “I’m writing you as a concerned American who wants what is best for our general country,” France wrote. “Of course, the domestic automobile manufacturers play a very important part of the heritage of NASCAR, but more importantly, it is vital for all of America.” The letter, a copy of which was obtained Saturday by The Associated Press, was addressed to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Sen. Chris Dodd, chairman of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, and Sen. Richard Shelby, the senior Republican on the Banking Committee. It was dated Tuesday. France’s letter warned that if the auto industry fails, 3 million people would lose their jobs in the first year, and another 2.5 million over the following two years. He said personal income in the U.S. would drop by $150 billion in the first year and domestic automobile production - even by foreign manufacturers - would likely drop to zero. “For these manufacturers to survive, your assistance is urgently needed,” France wrote. “By immediately supporting America’s automobile industry, you can help our nation avoid a devastating economic blow. We urge the Administration and Congress to support the bridge loan package under deliberation. As unattractive as the idea of corporate federal bailouts can be to many Americans, including me, there appears to be no alternative. Federal aid is in the best interest of the entire country.” Although France said last month that NASCAR could survive a manufacturer pullback or pullout, teams throughout the industry are deeply concerned about the stability of the Big Three. Toyota, the only foreign manufacturer that participates in NASCAR, has also seen slumping sales but is on more solid financial footing than the American automakers. Any sort of pullback by the manufacturers would cripple many race teams, particularly because sponsorship is extremely difficult to find during the economic crisis. Many teams have been forced to release employees, and some are reconsidering their 2009 plans.(see full story at the Associated Press) snipurl.com/7ngf3-gazete
Venturini Motorsports announced that the Concord, NC-based team would be fielding a full-time ARCA RE/MAX Series team in 2009 with Surrey British, Columbia driver Ryan Fischer as the driver. Fischer has nine previous ARCA Series starts in 2007 and 2008 for Venturini Motorsports with a career-best finish of third at Kentucky Speedway in 2008. Venturini Motorsports also announced that veteran crew chief Steve Darne would be crew chiefing for Fischer. In addition, Venturini Motorsports announced a continued alliance with Joe Gibbs Racing under which Sprint Cup Series driver #20-Joey Logano would be running at least two ARCA RE/MAX Series races for Venturini Motorsports in 2009 at Daytona and Pocono.(ARCARacing.com)(12-7-2008)
Labonte to the #41 ride? A possible scenario that could play out if this deal [Petty-GEM merger] goes through would place Reed Sorensen, who signed with GEM in August, in the #43. AJ Allmendinger, who parted ways with Red Bull Racing after the Kansas Speedway race in September and drove the #10 GEM Dodge for the final five races of the season, would remain in that ride according to sources. Bobby Labonte, who signed a four-year extension with the new BV regime and was given ownership as part of his benefit package. Now, it appears that Labonte could drive the #41 Target car for Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing.(FoxSports)
Blaney will be back in 2009: Dave Blaney will be driving a race car next year. Where he races and what circuit he’s involved with are questions he can’t answer at this time. Blaney, who drove the Caterpillar #22 Toyota of Bill Davis Racing on the Sprint Cup Series last season, is facing the economic crunch. The flow of money that once poured into the world’s most popular racing circuit has slowed to the point that NASCAR has placed a one-year moratorium on testing at tracks where events are staged to save costs. Caterpillar recently ended its association with BDR. Blaney is hoping to land another Cup ride but is realistic in knowing he might have to look elsewhere. “It’s up in the air at the moment,” he said. “There aren’t many Cup rides at all. The 22 team is shut down. Other teams are in the same ball park. Some are trying to round up enough money to race. It’s pretty tough.” The most logical landing point for Blaney is NASCAR’s Truck Series. He’s raced trucks twice and is intrigued by the idea of switching to that style of racing. “It’s good racing,” he said. “If you can land with a competitive team with a chance to win races and run for the championship, heck yeah, it would be very interesting.”(Tribune Chronicle )(12-5-2008)
Smith still in limbo over 2009 Sprint Cup ride: Regan Smith doesn’t expect to be part of the new Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing team but said Wednesday he continues to have promising discussions with other teams. Smith, talking at the New York City bar Foley’s as part of his winning NASCAR’s top Sprint Cup rookie award, said he has little dialogue with the new leadership at Earnhardt-Ganassi in the weeks since he completed his first Sprint Cup season at Dale Earnhardt Inc. DEI and Chip Ganassi Racing are merging and the #01 car Smith drove in 2008 will not be around next season. “I’m not going to say there’s no chance of it, but I haven’t had very much conversation with them [at Earnhardt-Ganassi] about it,” Smith said. “It’s probably more of a slim chance than some of the other opportunities I’ve got right now.” Among the teams Smith has visited was Furniture Row Racing in Colorado. That team likely will run a partial schedule next season. “I’ve been to the shop, and it’s a great place, a great organization and they’ve got a lot of tools to work with out there,” Smith said. “I was definitely very impressed with it. I didn’t realize there was a shop with that much technology outside of North Carolina.”(SceneDaily)(12-5-2008)
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Courtesy of Race2Win
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Notebook: Biffle Reacts to Petty Merger Reports
With rumors of a circulating about a merger between Gillett Evernham Motorsports and Petty Enterprises, Roush Fenway driver Greg Biffle had a different take on reports that a deal between GEM and Petty might remove one of NASCAR Sprint Cup racing’s iconic names from the ownership rolls.
www.race2win.net/wc/08/12/nbrpm.html
On NASCAR in NYC: No I in a NASCAR Team
Even in New York City, it is still sometimes possible to be overwhelmed. Cipriani is that kind of place.
www.race2win.net/on/43d.html
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Courtesy of That’s Racin’
www.thatsracin.com
Jobless take initiative by use of teamwork
THATSRACIN.COM OPINION
David Poole: What now? For Alan Dellinger, that is the challenge after losing his job in the engineering department at Dale Earnhardt Inc
more - www.thatsracin.com/topstories/story/21482.html
Johnson celebrates title - www.thatsracin.com/topstories/story/21427.html
NASCAR GALLERIES
NASCAR Awards Ceremony in NYC
See who’s in the Big Apple for the annual NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony at the Waldorf Astoria.
www.thatsracin.com/239/gallery/21437.html
Blog: ‘Live’ a lie during broadcast - turn-lane.blogspot.com/2008/12/live-lie-during-nascar-awards-broadcast.html
Blog: Isn’t this awards ceremony long enough? - turn-lane.blogspot.com/2008/12/do-we-really-need-to-make-awards.html
Final NASCAR money totals - www.thatsracin.com/topstories/story/21479.html
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P R E S S * R E L E A S E S
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This Week on RaceTalkRadio! www.RaceTalkRadio.com
Monday Night- 8pm ET
“Doin’ Donuts” with Lori Munro and Dennis Michelsen talk all things racing
Tuesday Night- 8pm ET
Join the “Thunder Crew” with host Mike Harper to recap the ARCA banquet
Wednesday Night- 7pm ET
“Live to PASS” with host Alan Dietz looks at the Pro All Star Series
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Courtesy of Jayski
www.jayski.com
Kennington named Canadian Tire Series Most Popular Driver: The fans of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series have spoken and the final result was that DJ Kennington was the most popular driver of 2008. Kennington, who raced a full season in the Canadian Tire Series, spent most of the calendar year in the U.S. DJ will not have much time to rest as he gets back to the garage by mid December to improve the cars in the Nationwide Series and Canadian Tire Series.(DJ Kennington PR)(11-7-2008)
Sheltra part-time in 2009: Sheltra Motorsports has announced that they will continue a part-time presence in the NASCAR Nationwide Series next year. Currently, the team plans to attempt seven races that have no conflict with the ARCA RE/MAX Series schedule. The team’s first anticipated race [with driver Patrick Sheltra] could come as early as the season opener from Daytona International Speedway on February 14th. The team will continue to host Dodge Chargers as its primary manufacturer in NASCAR as well.(Sheltra Motorsports PR)(12-6-2008)
Scott Zipadelli named as crew chief for #38 UPDATE Formal announcement from Braun Racing: Braun Racing driver Jason Leffler said Saturday night that Scott Zipadelli will serve as his crew chief for the #38 Nationwide Series Toyota next season. Zipadelli, the younger brother of Joe Gibbs Racing Sprint Cup crew chief Greg Zipadelli, will leave JTG Daugherty Racing and the #47 driven by Kelly Bires. Zipadelli replaces Todd Lohse, who Leffler hoped would remain at Braun in some capacity.(Scene Daily)(11-23-2008)
UPDATE: Braun Racing is pleased to announce that Scott Zipadelli has joined their organization to serve as crew chief of the #38 Great Clips team with driver, Jason Leffler. Bringing with him a wealth of experience, Zipadelli has over 12 years in the industry and has worked with several championship winning organizations.(Braun Racing PR)(12-5-2008)
Keselowski joins boss in being voted Most Popular: For once, Dale Earnhardt Jr. isn’t the only one inside JR Motorsports who is most popular among his peers. Brad Keselowski now is as well. The two racers were each named their division’s most popular drivers in 2008 - Earnhardt Jr. in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driving the #88 Amp Energy/National Guard Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, and Keselowski in the NASCAR Nationwide Series driving the #88 Chevy for JR Motorsports. Online fan-voting determined the winner in each series. “To be voted by the fans to win the Nationwide Series Most Popular Driver award really puts an exclamation point on this season,” Keselowski said. “I think back to where I was two years ago, and consider myself so fortunate to be in this position at JR Motorsports. The fans have been extremely supportive of me, and I can’t thank them enough for this award and the continued support they show.”(JR Motorsports PR)(12-5-2008)
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Courtesy of The Hot Lap
www.TheHotLap.com
The fans of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series have spoken and the final result was that DJ Kennington was the most popular driver of 2008.”This is a great honor and I can not thank all the fans enough!”, stated Kennington. “This was not our most successful year on the track, but we learned more this season than any other. We really learned alot about ourselves and where we need to improve. “Kennington, who raced a full season in the Canadian Tire Series spent most of the calendar year in the U.S. “I traveled a bunch of miles this season doing both series. We raced 26 times in the Nationwide Series and I feel that has helped me greatly as a driver. With the Canadian Tire Series schedule on top of that, I look forward to a few weeks off, thats for sure!”DJ will not have much time to rest as he gets back to the garage by mid December to improve the cars in the Nationwide Series and Canadian Tire Series. “We are looking forward to the 2009 seasons and with the support of our great fans, it should make the long hours all seem worth it.”(DJ Kennington.com) (12-07-08)
NASCAR fans in the Four Corners area recently had a great opportunity to hang out with a NASCAR driver and bid on some cool NASCAR items. The Fourth Annual David Reutimann Charity Golf Tournament, Cook Out and Auction, was held at the Silverado Golf and Country Club in nearby Zephyrhills, Reutimann’s hometown.”The Golf Touranment’s always a fun event each year,” Reutimann said. “It offers me my first real break after the long NASCAR season, so it’s nice to just relax and visit with friends and family.”Everyone associated does an awesome job in getting it together, and I’m amazed each year with the support and participation we continue to receive,” he added. “Some people ask me why I don’t play, but the truth is they don’t want to see me play, so I’ll stick to riding around on the golf cart making fun of everyone else.”Reutimann drives the No. 44 United Parcel Service Sprint Cup Series Toyota and the No. 99 Aaron’s Nationwide Series Toyota, both for Michael Waltrip Racing.The event raises money for Florida-based charities. Read more (thereporterfla.com) (12-07-08) snipurl.com/7ngio-gazete
It was a whirlwind racing season for Riverton High School graduate Justin Allgaier, capped by an ARCA RE/MAX Series championship and a NASCAR Nationwide Series contract with fabled Penske Racing. “Winning a race isn’t easy, and winning more than one really showed how good the guys on the team were,” said Allgaier, who won six ARCA events in 2008. “They really fought through the adversity and made big strides. Then, on top of all that, to get a contract from Roger Penske…”Tim Cindric, president of Penske Racing, said the offer to Allgaier didn’t come about overnight. “We’ve had our eye on Justin for some time,” Cindric said, adding, “Penske Racing is fortunate to be in a position to bring him on board.“Roger always enjoys the opportunity to grow people within our system, and we are looking forward to helping (Allgaier) achieve his career goals.”Allgaier, 22, didn’t accept the offer instantly, either. He went home to talk it over with his wife, Ashley, and other family members before he decided to take a deal that called for Allgaier to drive in four NASCAR Nationwide Series races this year and an unspecified number in 2009.“There were some full-time opportunities on the table for next year, and going in with Penske, it was very well known it wasn’t for sure going to be a full season of racing in the Nationwide Series,” Allgaier said. “But the biggest thing was I looked at Penske Racing, and it is a great organization that’s been around a long, long time. They have all the tools and resources in place to do the things that I want to do.”Read more (sj-r.com) (12-06-08) snipurl.com/7ngji-gazete
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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
www.jayski.com
Hearing that Trip Bruce [crew chief] and several former #23 BDR team members are already working at Red Horse Racing getting ready for the 2009 season.(12-5-2008)
Hearing that Germain Racing laid off another 15 people this week and rumor has it was because Lumber Liquidators backed out.(12-5-2008)
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A R C A (Automobile Racing Club of America)
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Courtesy of ARCA
www.arcaracing.com
Justin Allgaier Earns 2008 ARCA RE/MAX Series Championship: Honored at Championship Awards Banquet
COVINGTON KY (12-06-08)—The storybook ending to the 2008 ARCA RE/MAX Series came this weekend at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center in Covington, Kentucky, where young Justin Allgaier closed out his ARCA RE/MAX Series career as the Series’ first new champion in nearly a decade.
Justin and Ashley Allgaier, car owner Mike and Dorothy Allgaier and crew chief Jim and Jackie Pohlman were formally honored onstage as the 2008 Championship Team, officially concluding a season that included six different point lead changes among five drivers over the course of a 21-race schedule. By earning the 2008 title, Allgaier ended Frank Kimmel’s unprecedented streak of eight consecutive titles and became the first non-Kimmel Champion since Bill Baird in 1999.
Allgaier, in family-owned equipment and a shoestring budget, won the last three races of 2008 and overcame a 105-point deficit in the final race of the season at Toledo Speedway to earn his career first National Series Title at just 22 years old. His 2008 ARCA RE/MAX Series accomplishments were among the factors leading to a contract with Penske Racing to compete in the NASCAR Nationwide Series in 2009 and Penske officials were among close to 500 attendees at Saturday’s Championship Awards Banquet. Penske Racing President Tim Cindric served as the Guest of Honor, noting the strength of the Penske brand and the company’s long history with ARCA.
As the 26th different driver to earn an ARCA RE/MAX Series Championship since the inaugural 1953 season, Allgaier and the championship winning team picked up more than $160,000 in point fund, largely from Series Title Sponsor RE/MAX, and special award prize money with onstage sponsor presenters to include ARCA President Ron Drager, Bud Talbot from Sunoco, Dave Wroblewski from Hoosier Tire, Chuck Stranc from CGS Imaging and Mickey Holmes from Lincoln Electric. The Allgaiers also received cash or product certificates from Crane Cams, Mo’s Gold, JE Pistons, SW Scales by Intercomp and Bilstein Shocks.
Allgaier was presented with a letter and certificate signed by Illinois governor Rod R. Blagojevich to acknowledge his accomplishments, along with an ARCA Championship Ring from ARCA President Ron Drager, a tradition that began in 1964. On behalf of RE/MAX, Int’l Vice President Randy Morse, Drager presented both Justin and Mike Allgaier with ARCA RE/MAX Series Championship Leather Varsity Jackets along with a point fund check.
Separate and apart from the Championship celebration, ARCA President Ron Drager presented car owner Mike Allgaier with the Marcum Award, which is given to an individual or entity whose positive efforts have elevated ARCA’s motor sports stature to the benefit of all associated. Allgaier’s tenure in the ARCA garage spans four decades and before his son Justin was old enough to drive, Mike Allgaier served as a Hoosier Tire distributer in the ARCA RE/MAX Series, often supplying tires to cash-strapped teams and granting amends on their invoices in the interest of competition and healthy car counts.
The top-20 point finishers received point fund checks, including second-place driver Frank Kimmel, who posted the 17th top-ten points finish of his career, missing out on a tenth ARCA RE/MAX Series Championship by just 50 points during his first season as a driver/owner. Kimmel, joined on stage by his brother/crew chief Bill Kimmel as a representative of the team’s ownership group, was formally presented with the 2008 Bill France Triple Crown Award. He also received a check for $2,500 by Racing Electronics representative Corey LaCosta for earning the 2008 RE Lightning Challenge.
Matt Carter and car owner Larry Clement were honored for their third place points finish. Carter was also a part of the Special Awards portion of the banquet as the recipient of the 2008 SunTrust Rookie of the Year Award and its $10,000 cash prize. As the 2008 Rookie of the Year, Carter also received a check for $2,500 from Hoosier Racing Tires. 2008 marked one of the most competitive rookie classes in ARCA RE/MAX Series history, with six rookies among the top-10 point finishers. Banquet attendees were treated to a video presentation highlighting the rookie battle.
Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. was honored onstage for finishing fourth in the final point standings, joined by Roush Fenway Racing representative Eric Peterson.
Scott Speed, who finished fifth in the final ARCA RE/MAX Series Point Standings, took home a large portion of the Special Awards, including $5,000 cash from Aaron’s Chief Operating Officer Ken Butler, II for earning the 2008 Aaron’s Lap Leader Award and $5,000 for earning the most SIM Factory Pole Awards over the course of the season. Speed was joined on stage by car owner Eddie Sharp, who received a check for $15,000 from Hoosier as the 2008 Hoosier Tire Superspeedway Challenge Champion.
Sixth place driver Patrick Sheltra was joined on stage by Sheltra Motorsports Team Manager Keith Strunk, who represented the ownership group. Greg White, National Sales Manager for the Casite Company, presented Sheltra with $2,500 for earning the Casite Hard Charger Award.
John Wes Townley was honored onstage for finishing seventh in the final ARCA RE/MAX Series Driver’s Point Standings, joined by car owner Robby Benton. Tom Hessert, III was honored onstage for finishing eighth in the final ARCA RE/MAX Series Driver’s Point Standings, joined by car owner Jennifer Belmont. Tayler Malsam was honored onstage for finishing ninth in the final ARCA RE/MAX Series Driver’s Point Standings, joined by Cunningham Motorsports ownership group representative Mark Gibson. Tenth place driver Ken Butler, III was joined onstage by car owner Eddie Sharp.
Additional drivers honored included Dexter Bean (finished 11th), Bryan Silas (finished 12th), Justin Lofton (finished 13th), Gabi DiCarlo (finished 14th), Darrell Basham (finished 15th), Brad Smith (finished 17th), Donny Kelley (finished 18th) and Norm Benning (finished 19th). Bean was also presented the HG Adcox Sportsman of the Year award by presenter Herb Adcox.
Long time car owner Andy Hillenburg, a former driver himself and current owner of Rockingham Speedway, was presented with the ARCA Spirit Award for his dedication and support of ARCA, his uplifting spirit by way of example and perseverance and positive attitude.
As has become tradition, $12,000 in scholarship monies were distributed for higher education, including Bob Loga Memorial Scholarship recipients Frankie Kimmel and Deidra Young and University of Northwestern Ohio scholarship recipients Justin Bischoff, Jordan Carter, Michael Ross, Anthony Hites, Jonathan Griese and Andy Quillan. Andy O’Neal, Dean of the UNO College of Technology, was among the speakers at the awards banquet.
Eddie Sharp Racing’s Patrick Donahue, who navigated first year driver Scott Speed to a fifth place points finish among four wins, ten top-5 and 17 top-10 finishes, was presented with the Cometic Crew Chief Award, along with $3,000 cash.
Bobby Writesman presented the Holley Engine Builder award to Ilmor Engineering. Dave Dixon accepted on behalf of the company.
ARCA RE/MAX Series host racetracks with representatives in attendance included the Illinois State Fairgrounds and the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds (Bob Sargent), Rockingham Speedway (Andy Hillenburg), Michigan Int’l Speedway (Dave DeBois), Iowa Speedway (Gale Nungesser), Music City Motorplex (Dan White), Kentucky Speedway (Mike Claywell, Dan Stuart, Tim Bray and Mike Schmaltz), Talladega Superspeedway (Andrew Smith) and Salem Speedway (Richard and Robin Deaton).
A press conference earlier in the day included major Series and team announcements as well as 2008 special awards not distributed at the Championship Awards Banquet.
The 2009 ARCA RE/MAX Series will mark the sanctioning body’s 57th year of competition and kicks off with the ARCA 200 at Daytona on Saturday, February 7th, live on SPEED.
For the complete 2009 ARCA RE/MAX Series schedule, visit www.arcaracing.com.
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SPEED releases 2009 ARCA TV schedule
By .(.)
Officials of the ARCA RE/MAX Series and SPEED released the 2009 SPEED TV schedule for the ARCA RE/MAX Series to include 10 events, eight of which will be live, and the remaining two will be same-day-delayed. The announcement is part of …
www.middletnracingscene.com/2008/12/speed-releases-2009-arca-tv-schedule.html
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U S A R (United Speed Alliance Racing)
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Courtesy of USAR
usarprocup.com
Gordon Named Second Team All-American
Pro Cup Champ Grabs Second All-American Honor
Myrtle Beach, S.C.-This season, Benny Gordon became just the third driver to win multiple Pro Cup titles. And his stellar season didn’t go unnoticed.
Today, the American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association named the 2-time Pro Cup champion Second Team All-American (AARWBA) in the Touring Series category. Gordon received Honorable Mention All-American in 2005.
Gordon finished the season with six wins, 11 top-5s and 12 top-10s. In addition, he led a series-high 898 laps, led 12 of the 13 races in which he competed and finished the season with an average finish of 3.15.
Gordon became the third Pro Cup driver to be named Second Team All-American. Clay Rogers was named to the team in 2006, while Bobby Gill made the Second Team last year. Gordon and Shane Huffman both have received Honorable Mention on the All-American Team in past years.
usarprocup.com/view_article.asp?id=2947
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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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DJ Kennington most popular in Canadian Series
Rotoworld.com - USA
The fans of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series have spoken and the final result was that DJ Kennington was the most popular driver of 2008. …
www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/playerbreakingnews.asp?sport=NAS&id=352&line=8883&spln=1
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Other racing news…
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Augie Grill Wins 41st Annual Snowball Derby: Augie Grill won his second straight Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida on Sunday night. Grill actually finished the 41st annual edition of the race in the second position, but was awarded the victory after Brian Ickler’s car was found to have an unapproved brake cooling fan. Grill started the race in the 38th position and steadily worked his way through the pack to become a race contender. He led the middle stages of the race, but found himself with some ground to make up after the final pit stops. Over the last dozen laps of the race, Grill gained ground on Ickler on the racetrack, but came a little bit short of catching him. Approximately two hours after the race, Grill received word of his victory and celebrated with a small group of fans, family, friends and crew members. With the change, Grant Enfinger now moves up to second place. He was followed in the rundown by Matt Hawkins, Shane Sieg, Bubba Pollard, David Rodgers, Hunter Robbins, Dennis Schoenfeld, Heath Hindman and Paul Kelley. The 41st Annual Snowball Derby concludes the 2008 racing season at Five Flags Speedway. For more information on the Blizzard Series and the 41st Annual Snowball Derby event visit Speed51.com, fiveflagsspeedway.com and/or snowballderby.com.(Speed51.com)
Some Cup, Nationwide or Truck Series drivers who ran in the Snowball Derby this year included: John Wes Townley [NNS], Danny Bagwell [ran a couple Truck races], Stanley Smith [past Cup], Shane Sieg [trucks], Benny Gordon [trucks], Jeff Fultz [a few NNS races], Gary St. Amant [trucks], Wayne Anderson [trucks, 1 Cup race].(12-8-2008)
Jackson wins Super Stock feature at Derby
Pensacola News Journal - Pensacol,FL,USA
Shannon Jackson of Pascagoula, Miss., used a late pass on Chris Cotto to win the Super Stock Snowball Derby feature Friday night at Five Flags Speedway. …
www.pnj.com/article/20081206/SPORTS/812060325
Texas bunch dominates Modified feature race at Snowball Derby
Texas Speedzone - Corpus Christi,TX,USA
PENSACOLA, FL (December 6, 2008) – Ten Texans made the long haul to Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, FL, to be a part of the prestigious Snowball Derby’s …
www.txsz.com/article1273
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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/RG/120608.html
NASCAR’s Chase: A Failed Experiment
by Rebecca Gladden
Insider Racing News
insiderracingnews.com/Writers/KR/120708.html
Behind The Scene At Tony Stewart’s ‘Stewie’ Awards
by Kim Roberson
Insider Racing News
insiderracingnews.com/Writers/MP/120808.html
Broken Streaks
by Matthew Pizzolato
The Nascar Insiders
NASCAR, Your Banquet. Wow.
Everybody else is doing it, so I figured I would get in the game. How many of you watched the Cup Series banquet this weekend? It was over three hours long and well, not exactly riveting television. So I figured I would add my two cents on the event.
feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheNascarInsiders/~3/478003419/
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T V * L I S T I N G S
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Courtesy of Race Fan TV
www.racefantv.com
MONDAY, DECEMBER 8
8:00P-9:30 SPEED NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Banquet, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel, Hollywood, FL, Nov 17/08, N
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10
12:00n-1:00P SPEED SCCA Runoffs, GT-2, Heartland Park, Topeka, KS, Oct 10/08, N
1:00P-2:00 SPEED SCCA Runoffs, GT-3, Heartland Park, Topeka, KS, Oct 11/08, N
Race Fan TV 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
All Rights Reserved
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