Wednesday means another edition of the Stock Car Gazette for you, containing all the latest goings on in NASCAR…
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E d i t o r ‘ s * N o t e s
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Wednesday means another edition of the Stock Car Gazette for you.
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Stock Car Gazette Columnists Speak Out!
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TV Times - One Thousand NASCAR Team Layoffs Reported After Homestead
by: Lou Modestino
From NASCAR comes word that a thousand layoffs took place within the various teams following the Homestead finale. Finish reading this article at motorsportsnews.net/archives/2399
Read more of Lou’s columns at motorsportsnews.net/archives/category/tv-times
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MotorSportsNews.Net(work) web site features
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Technology For Electric Vehicles Is Moving, Only It Is In Reverse
motorsportsnews.net/archives/2396
Monday’s Stock Car Gazette
motorsportsnews.net/archives/2394
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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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NASCAR chief France pleads for drivers to show emotion
NASCAR drivers are being encouraged to show their emotions and not be too concerned about offending the companies behind their lucrative sponsorship deals, the head of the racing body said on Tuesday. NASCAR chief executive Brian France praised the talents of Jimmie Johnson but conceded that the triple series champion has failed to become a household [...]
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Petty releases 39 more employees, Labonte could move to DEI
Petty Enterprises released 39 employees on Monday, bringing the total to 65 since the end of the season. A source close to the situation said NASCAR’s most storied organization, the owner of 10 Sprint Cup titles between Richard Petty (seven) and his father, Lee (three), has about 54 employees anxiously waiting to hear whether there will [...]
clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=MsyAy&m=1dMmUykURxX3DX&b=3kpOtQtyG8ax__wssT_21w
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Courtesy of www.Catchfence.com
Gillette Receives 2008 NASCAR Marketing Achievement Award - The successful Gillette Young Guns platform receives racing’s top sponsor honor: The 2008 season began with a victory at the Daytona 500 by Gillette Young Guns driver Ryan Newman and culminated last week with the announcement of Gillette® [PG], the world’s leading male grooming brand, being presented the 2008 NASCAR Marketing Achievement Award. Racing’s top sponsor award was presented during NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champions Week in New York, December 2 – 5. In February, days before the historic Daytona 500 race, rising stars Denny Hamlin and Clint Bowyer joined an exclusive team when they were unveiled as the newest members of the Gillette Young Guns during a ceremonial shave for fans at Daytona International Speedway. The six Gillette Young Guns and World Wrestling Entertainment® superstar John Cena® also were featured in a national ad campaign to support the launch of the Gillette Fusion Power Phenom that debuted during the Daytona 500 race broadcast. In its fifth year, the Gillette Young Guns program continued to drive sales for Gillette premium razors and shave care products. The integrated program involved television, print, online, public relations and event marketing to reach racing fans. The consumer program was coordinated with NASCAR’s exciting Chase for the Sprint Cup. Ten lucky sweepstakes finalists from all over the country experienced a race fan’s dream when they zipped up their firesuits for the Gillette “TimeShaver Challenge” on December 7 in Charlotte, N.C. Each winner was coached by one of the six Gillette Young Guns and the finalists were behind the wheel of actual stockcars competing in a five-lap race for the grand prize trophy at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. - Taylor PR For Gillette, Press Release
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Courtesy of Stock Car Gazette subscriber Kent D. - thanks!
Truex, Labonte, Allmendinger In Latest NASCAR Silly Season Scenario
www.sirius-speedway.com/2008/12/truex-labonte-allmendinger-in-latest.html
Sirius Speedway has learned that DEI-Ganassi Racing is making a serious push to add another sponsor to its lineup, in an effort to avoid the possible loss of driver Martin Truex, Jr., and sponsor, Bass Pro Shops. Language in the contracts of both Truex and Bass Pro Shops reportedly requires DEI to field at least two fulltime teammates for Truex next season, and with only Aric Almirola’s unsponsored #8 car likely to return, sources say DEI had little choice but to merge with Ganassi, in an effort to retain their only funded driver.
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Courtesy of Google Alerts
Bodine Bobsled Challenge Announces Field of Drivers
By Jay
Curran, a road course racing ace, has competed in the NASCAR Camping World Series, American Le Mans, Grand Am Rolex, Koni Challenge and World Challenge GT series. He and Tolbert will be part of this year’s bobsled rookie class. …
neracer.com/news08/?p=607
NASCAR Sees Drop in Sponsorship
By Sergio Ibarra
NASCAR CEO Brian France said the sport will not see increased sponsorship revenue next year, AdvertisingAge reports. The announcement comes a year after the company added $150 million in sponsorship money. …
www.tvweek.com/blogs/tvbizwire/2008/12/nascar_sees_drop_in_sponsorshi.php
CAT Keeps Investment in NASCAR
Even in tough economic times, Big Yellow is spending big money to keep it’s NASCAR sponsorship.
www.week.com/news/local/35764909.html
Johnson’s feat brings Yarborough
Lexington Dispatch - Lexington,NC,USA
While helping to move stock car racing into the mainstream, Yarborough logged 83 victories before retiring from driving in 1988. Throughout three decades of …
snipurl.com/7qe69-gazete
Anheuser-Busch InBev cutting 1400 jobs
The Central New York Business Journal - Syracuse,NY,USA
Anheuser-Busch InBev (Euronext: ABI) plans to cut 1400 salaried positions nationwide, or about 6 percent of its total US work force, the company announced …
snipurl.com/7qe8e-gazete
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Courtesy of Insider Racing News
www.insiderracingnews.com
Top Story Johnson’s Third Title
Jimmie Johnson winning his record-tying third consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship was voted the sport’s top story for 2008 by members of the media. Members of the media ranked the top highlights of the 2008 NASCAR season on NASCARMedia.com. More than 180 votes were cast online between Dec. 1 and Dec. 8. Each highlight received 10 points for a first-place vote, nine points for a second-place vote, eight points for a third-place vote, etc. down to one point for 10th. Johnson’s championship run garnered 75 first-place votes and finished with 1,727 points. Johnson joined Cale Yarborough as the only other driver to win three straight NASCAR Sprint Cup Series titles. Kyle Busch winning a combined 21 races in all three national series – NASCAR Sprint Cup, NASCAR Nationwide and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series – earned 13 first-place votes and finished second with 1,574 points.
Barraclough Leaves Yates Racing
Crew chief Cully Barraclough will not return to the No. 38 Yates Racing team for the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. Driver David Gilliland confirmed in a phone interview with SceneDaily.com that he and Barraclough will not be racing together next season. Gilliland also said he has not been told who his 2009 crew chief will be and that the team is still seeking a primary sponsor. Barraclough has left Yates Racing to join Roush Fenway Racing. “We’re still really looking for sponsorship,” Gilliland said. “Everybody is looking for a sponsor and the economy right now is not in NASCAR’s favor.”
New NASCAR Movie Pemiers Dec. 13th
The story behind NASCAR is presented in first-person accounts by the people who lived it in the new film RIDE OF THEIR LIVES, produced by CMT FILMS and NASCAR Media Group, premiering on Saturday, December 13 at 9:00 p.m. on CMT. Narrated by Kevin Costner, the film includes new, exclusive interviews with famed NASCAR personalities Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Jeff Gordon, Bobby Allison and Darrell Waltrip, and tells the story of how family dynamics weaved a thread through a half-century of racing. In RIDE OF THEIR LIVES, the history and heroes of NASCAR are brought to life through the men and women who lived the dream. They tell NASCAR’s history which is a story of family bonds and personal struggles; rebellion and teamwork. These are the threads that weave through the sport’s first 60 years, and a half-century of Daytona 500 races. From the moonshine runners of the Postwar Years, to the superstars of the 21ST Century, THE RIDE OF THEIR LIVES celebrates a sport that grew from humble Southern roots to become a national spectacle.
Petty Lays Off 36 Employees
Petty Enterprises released at least three dozen employees Monday as the team continues to search for either a merger or a miracle that would keep the famed organization operating in 2009. The latest round of layoffs pushed the total to almost 70 employees. Petty Enterprises released 30 employees the day after the Nov. 18 season finale. Petty Enterprises, which lacks full sponsorship for either of its cars next season, is in talks to merge with Gillett-Evernham Motorsports in an effort to keep its flagship No. 43 on the track.
Motorsports 2009 Starts Jan. 17
NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Kevin Harvick will appear at Motorsports 2009 at Atlantic City Convention Center on Friday, Jan. 16.The show runs from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. on Jan. 16, and from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. on Jan. 17. Harvick, who drives the Shell/Pennzoil-sponsored Richard Childress owned Chevy, will meet fans and sign autographs from 3-5 p.m. Harvick, who turned 33 today, did not make the Sprint Cup Chase this season but drove to seven top-five finishes and 19 top-10s. He has 11 career victories, including the 2007 Daytona 500. Other NASCAR drivers scheduled to appear at the motorsports show are Joey Logano and Johnny Benson. Jim Hunter, NASCAR vice president of corporate communications, will be the keynote speaker at 10 a.m. on Jan. 16, just before the show officially opens. A question-and-answer session will follow Hunter’s appearance. Motorsports 2009 will include more than 400 exhibitors and more than 250 race vehicles representing just nearly all segments of the sport. Motorsports 2009 will be held the same weekend that nearby Boardwalk Hall hosts the Gambler’s Classic indoor races. The Three-Quarter Midgets and 600cc Micros will headline both nights, along with Slingshot racers and Champ Karts. A one-day ticket for Motorsports 2009 costs $15. Admission for children 6-12 is $5, and children 5 and under get free admission. For ticket information, the schedules and activities of both events, visit (www.aarn.com)
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Courtesy of Jayski
www.jayski.com
Parrott to GEM? Hearing crew chief Todd Parrott, who recently left Yates Racing, could end up at Gillett Evernham Motorsports, reuniting with #19-Elliott Sadler. Sadler and Parrott worked together when Sadler drove the #38 M&M’s Ford for Yates. Parrott would replace Rodney Childers who is supposedly headed to the #00 to crew chief David Reutimann.(12-3-2008)
UPDATE 3: Yates Racing’s Travis Kvapil said today that Todd Parrott will return as his team’s crew chief for the 2009 Sprint Cup Series season. Kvapil told SceneDaily.com that a Nov. 20 story in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel that said Parrott had left the organization wasn’t correct. “Todd’s going to crew chief in 2009 again,” Kvapil said. “I know there was some talk that he retired or quit, and none of that is true. He is still under contract. I’m excited to take what we established last year and work together again in 2009.” In the Journal-Sentinel report, Kvapil was quoted as saying that because of the team’s lack of consistency in 2008 that the organization has decided a change in leadership was needed. “Todd found out a lot about me, about what I like this year,” Kvapil said in the report. “At the same time, we weren’t content with how we ran, 23rd in points, and I guess the team felt we needed a change.” It was unclear why there was a discrepancy over whether or not Parrott had left the team. The #28 Yates Racing team has yet to secure a primary sponsor for the 2009 season, but Kvapil said he believes the organization is close to signing a deal soon.(SceneDaily)(12-10-2008)
No Hot Pass in 2009? The email is flying around the Internet, but as of Tuesday evening we [Daly Planet] are being told that DirecTV has cancelled NASCAR Hot Pass for 2009. Official word should come sometime on Wednesday. This service, which provided four “mini-networks” to subscribers, featured two announcers calling the race from the perspective of each driver. Fans got to hear all the in-car radio traffic, see the various in-car cameras and switch between the four feeds anytime during the race.(Daly Planet)(12-10-2008)
Venturini Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing will continue their alliance in 2009, beginning with the ARCA RE/MAX Series season opener at Daytona International Speedway on February 7th. JGR rookie phenom Joey Logano will be piloting the Venturini Motorsports prepared Toyota Camry in the legendary #25. On top of running the season opener at Daytona, Logano will also race for Venturini Motorsports on June 6th in the Pocono ARCA 200 at Pocono Raceway. “I am thrilled to have extended our alliance with Joe Gibbs Racing into the 2009 season, and am truly honored to have such a great talent as Joey Logano in our car,” commented Bill Venturini. “Myself and my whole Venturini Motorsports team are excited for this upcoming season, and wish to thank Joe Gibbs Racing for this opportunity.”(Venturini Motorsports PR)(12-10-2008)
RCR Gets 20/20 Hindsight: Richard Childress Racing will utilize Monitoring Technology Corporation’s 20/20 Hindsight system to improve the efficiency of its Sprint Cup Series and Nationwide Series over-the-wall pit crews. RCR, through its Human Performance department, and MTC have entered into a multi-year technical partnership. MTC, based in Fairfax, Va., provides products that monitor industrial equipment and processes utilizing high-speed cameras, vibration sensors, tachometers and other sensors. Its 20/20 Hindsight technology provides millisecond accuracy, portability and, as a result, increased efficiency.(RCR PR)(12-10-2008)
Schumacher wins DOTY Award: In a year filled with great driving performances, U.S. Army NHRA Top Fuel driver Tony Schumacher has been voted the 2008 Driver of the Year by an elite panel of broadcasters and journalists it was announced here today. In taking a record fifth consecutive Top Fuel world championship, he tied an NHRA record with 15 victories. He also won the third quarter Driver of the Year award. Although choosing a Driver of the Year usually comes down to two or three drivers, this was a particularly difficult year for the panel. “Usually one driver has a stand out season, but this year there were a handful of guys who were all viable candidates for the award including NASCAR’s Jimmie Johnson, Carl Edwards and Kyle Busch,” said Barry Schmoyer, President of the Driver of the Year Award Foundation. Professionals, who voted in a secret ballot for a single driver, gave Schumacher six votes, while Johnson and Edwards each received five votes. Busch and Tony Stewart each earned one vote. The Driver of the Year title is unique because a select panel of 18 leading journalists and broadcasters from across the U.S. are the only eligible voters via a secret ballot. Schumacher will be presented with a trophy and a Tissot wristwatch next April at the International Motor Sports Hall of Fame in Talladega, Ala.(DOTY PR)
Revell stops making NASCAR model kits: From the revell.com site: Over the years we have been pleased to provide you with the finest NASCAR plastic model kits featuring the most popular drivers. Regrettably however, over the last several years we have faced increasing licensing costs that are greater than our increase in sales. Despite our best efforts to secure reasonable licensing terms for NASCAR model kits in general, and the Car of Tomorrow in particular, we have been unable to develop a program that allows us to market the product at a viable price point. Consequently, we will not be issuing a kit on the Car of Tomorrow and, in fact, will be exiting the NASCAR business altogether. We will discontinue all sales of NASCAR plastic kits by February 28, 2009.(revell.com)(12-10-2008)
Tire Testing at Las Vegas UPDATE: 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)
UPDATE: #99-Carl Edwards, who won this year’s Sprint Cup event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, will be joined by #5-Mark Martin, #83-Brian Vickers and #12-David Stremme for a two-day Goodyear tire test this Wednesday and Thursday at LVMS. For Martin, it will be a chance to get acquainted with Hendrick Motorsports’ #5 Chevrolet, which he will pilot in the 2009 season. Vickers will be in the Red Bull Toyota, and Stremme will be in his new Penske Dodge. Stremme has replaced Ryan Newman in the #12 car for next season. “These two days in Vegas are going to be, quite possibly, the two most important days of our 2009 season,” said Alan Gustafson, crew chief for Martin. “With NASCAR’s new ‘no testing’ rule, we are very fortunate to have been invited by Goodyear to this test. This gives us two extra days on an intermediate track that only three other teams are getting. We need to maximize that time all we can.” The race teams and Goodyear will be testing in preparation for the March 1 Shelby 427 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. The test will be closed to the public. Tickets are available for the 2009 NASCAR Weekend, more info by calling 1-800-644-4444 or logging on to www.lvms.com.(LVMS PR)(12-9-2008)
Truex/Bass Pro Shops could leave DEI…unless: Sirius Speedway has learned that DEI-Ganassi Racing is making a serious push to add another sponsor to its lineup, in an effort to avoid the possible loss of driver #1-Martin Truex, Jr., and sponsor, Bass Pro Shops. Language in the contracts of both Truex and Bass Pro Shops reportedly requires DEI to field at least two fulltime teammates for Truex next season, and with only Aric Almirola’s unsponsored #8 car likely to return, sources say DEI had little choice but to merge with Ganassi, in an effort to retain their only funded driver. The merged DEI-Ganassi stable now includes Truex’s Bass Pro Shops-sponsored #1, Juan Pablo Montoya’s #42 with partial sponsorship from Wrigley’s, the #41 car with Target sponsorship, and Almirola’s unsponsored #8. Sources say the [Ganassi] team made a major push recently to upgrade Fastenal’s Nationwide Series sponsorship to a Sprint Cup deal, but were left high and dry when Fastenal declined the offer in order to begin discussions with another major NASCAR team [no word who].
Speculation centers on Stewart-Haas Racing getting Truex and Bass Pro Shops, with Truex teaming with #14-Tony Stewart and #39-Ryan Newman. Stewart said weeks ago that his team is not looking to field a third car next season, and team spokesman Mike Arning echoed those thoughts today. “We would obviously have to take a good, hard look at a situation like that, but I think we would be hard-pressed to make it happen,” said Arning. “We have a lot to prove to people next year; specifically that we can compete right out of the box as a two-car team. Adding a third car at this late date would be extremely difficult, and while it’s obviously not my call, my guess is that it might be too much to take on.”(Sirius Speedway/Motorsports Soapbox)(12-9-2008) C
Top 35 changes a bit: The #10 GEM Dodge 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 [DEI-Ganassi, #15 and #01 teams] merger have been eliminated from the top 35. The #47 car that will be driven by Marcos Ambrose for JTG-Daugherty moved from 36th to 34th. “Everybody will just shift up,” NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp said. “We will use the top 35 at the track.”(ESPN), also the #22 Bill Davis Racing team is 31st in OWNERS points, reports have the return of this team in doubt, if the #22 does not return, #77-Sam Hornish Jr’s team moves up to 35th, If the #22 team does come back in 2009, Penske Racing may switch the #2 and #77 OWNERS points [again] to give the #77 the first five races guaranteed and #2-Busch would have the past champions provisional to use BUT the risk there, is that #14-Tony Stewart is out of the top-35 and would have the past champions provisional to use and would get it over Busch since he won the Championship most recently. See how the Top-35 will ’supposedly’ look in 2009 [unless other changes are made] on my 2009 Owners Position page.(12-4-2008) www.jayski.com/stats/2009/points/2009owners-first5.htm
Stewart visits ARCA banquet: been told that Tony Stewart was a guest of Roush Fenway Racing driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. during Saturday night’s ARCA RE/MAX Series awards banquet in Cincinnati.(12-9-2008)
Latest on Kahne’s Homestead battery charge: Gillett Evernham Motorsports driver #9-Kasey Kahne will have his record cleared provided he performs 50 hours of community service and donates $50 donation to a court charity to resolve a misdemeanor battery charge from Homestead-Miami Speedway in November 2007. The court will dismiss the misdemeanor charge against Kahne once he performs his community service, according to Miami-Dade County (Fla.) court records. Such matters are typically resolved with this type of agreement when there is a dispute over the facts and the accused, with no criminal record, prefers to take care of the matter without going to trial. Kahne has maintained his innocence in the matter over whether he pushed security guard Archibald Hutchinson, who was guarding the driver motorhome lot Nov. 16, 2007 during the race weekend at Homestead. Kahne typically does community service as part of his foundation work. Kahne still faces a civil suit in the matter.(SceneDaily)(12-9-2008)
Kyle has no clue about what is up at PE: If you want to know what’s going down at Petty Enterprises these days, don’t ask Kyle Petty. So says Kyle Petty, son of Richard and grandson of Lee, who founded the race organization in Level Cross, N.C., in 1949. Richard Petty is part owner of Petty Enterprises, which currently is in merger discussions with Gillett Evernham Motorsports. Petty Enterprises entered into a partnership agreement with outside investment firm Boston Ventures this past May. “I don’t work for Petty Enterprises,” Kyle Petty said Monday. “When they did their deal and sold to Boston Ventures, Chad [McCumbee] was going to drive the second car and Bobby [Labonte] was going to drive the first car; they pretty much let me know there wasn’t a place for me there going into ‘09. My deal runs out at the end of the year, but I don’t go over there [to the shop in Mooresville, N.C.] because I don’t work there. It was a different business and it got into a different place than where Boston Ventures wanted to be — and I just don’t think they have the stomach for it. It’s their company and they can do with it what they want to. That’s the way it works.”
When Boston Ventures came on board, Richard Petty said he would still be heavily involved in the day-to-day operation of Petty Enterprises. But Kyle Petty made it sound as if those from the investment company are pulling most of the strings for the organization now. “I don’t know what the division is, and it’s got nothing to do with me because it’s my father’s company,” Kyle said. “So it’s between Richard Petty and Boston Ventures. Me talking about it is about like anybody else talking about it from the outside looking in. I was not privy to any of the meetings. I was not a part of it. Once David Zucker took over as CEO, then I was out of the loop. So I’ve got no skin in this game.”
So for now, Kyle Petty is just another Cup driver without a ride for 2009. He’s looking at possibly not suiting up to drive any Cup races for the first time since 1979 — when he ran five races for Petty Enterprises at the age of 18, and Richard won the last of his seven championships. “I’m going to do my six TV races for Turner [Sports],” Kyle said. “I’m still working with SPEED, doing [the] Tradin’ Paint [show] and I’ll be able to do a couple different things with them, maybe with the Grand American division or a couple other things. I’m just going to take a step back and see what goes on, and see where the sport goes and see where motorsports goes for the next little bit and try to figure out what I’m going to do. I’m going to run the 24-hour [Rolex] race at Daytona. That may be my only race of the year; maybe I’ll run more races. I don’t know what I’m doing. If the right opportunity came along, I think I’m like Bill Elliott. I’m not ready to retire. I may not be there every week, but I don’t consider myself retired. You know what I mean? So if the right opportunity came along where I thought we could be competitive, with the right leadership and the right group, I think I would be [interested]. But right now, just [looking at it] as a sports fan over the last eight or 10 years, it’s a business decision. If somebody has the money — if you have the sponsorship and you have the dollars — it’s easier to find something. But right now, there aren’t a lot of people out there with money.”(in part from NASCAR.com)(12-9-2008)
www.nascar.com/2008/news/headlines/cup/12/08/kpetty.petty.enterprises/index.html
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Courtesy of That’s Racin’
www.thatsracin.com
NASCAR appears to be on the rocks, too
Mike Brudenell: The once-solid ground under NASCAR is shaking, even as a domestic automotive bailout appears imminent
www.thatsracin.com/topstories/story/21490.html
Petty Enterprises releases at least 35 employees
Petty Enterprises released at least three dozen employees Monday as the team continues to search for either a merger or a miracle that would keep the famed organization operating in 2009.
www.thatsracin.com/topstories/story/21489.html
Jobless take initiative by use of teamwork
www.thatsracin.com/topstories/story/21482.html
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P R E S S * R E L E A S E S
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NASCAR hALL OF FAME HONORS TOP 12 NASCAR SPRINT CUP DRIVERS WITH COMMEMORATIVE BRICKS
DRIVER BRICKS TO BE INSTALLED AT THE
NASCAR HALL OF FAME CEREMONIAL PLAZA
CHARLOTTE, NC (December 8, 2008) — The top 12 drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Chase for the Championship helped pave the way for the new NASCAR Hall of Fame during the Championship Week in New York last week.
The NASCAR Hall of Fame awarded the drivers with their personalized brick marking their final standing in the 2008 season. The unique bricks will be installed in the Ceremonial Plaza at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in downtown Charlotte when it opens in 2010.
The NASCAR Hall of Fame Commemorative Bricks can be ordered online at www.NASCARHall.com/brick or at 888.NHF-BRKS (888.643.2757).
About the NASCAR Hall of Fame
NASCAR has chosen Charlotte to be the site for this once-in-a-lifetime attraction for the State of North Carolina and the entire country. The state-of-the-art facility will honor the history and heritage of NASCAR, serve as an educational platform of the tremendous impact NASCAR has had on American culture and provide an enduring tribute to those who have impacted the sport in the past, present and yet to come. Scheduled to open in the spring of 2010, the NHOF will offer extensive exhibit space, interactive entertainment and educational experiences, a Hall of Honor for inductees, a state-of-the-art-theatre, and a restaurant and retail outlet. The NASCAR Hall of Fame will be owned by the City of Charlotte and operated by the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority. For more information regarding the NASCAR Hall of Fame and CRVA, please visit www.NASCARHall.com and www.CRVA.com.
The NASCAR Hall of Fame Commemorative Brick Program is managed by the NASCAR Hall of Fame Foundation, which provides it 501(c)3 tax exempt status.
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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
Lepage still working on 2009 plans: Veteran driver Kevin Lepage, who drove for a number of teams in 2008 and ended the season with Derrike Cope, does not have anything solid lined up for 2009 and continues to talk to a number of teams.(12-9-2008)
5-Hour Energy Renews with RWI: Living Essentials, LLC and Rusty Wallace Racing, LLC announced that LE, through its 5-Hour Energy brand, will return for its second season as primary sponsor of Rusty Wallace Racing’s #66 team and driver Steve Wallace in 2009. 5-Hour Energy will serve as primary sponsor of Wallace’s #66 Chevt in ten 2009 Nationwide Series events, beginning with the March 21st race at Bristol. Additionally, 5-Hour Energy will serve as an associate sponsor on the #66 for the remainder of the 2009 Nationwide Series schedule.(RWI PR)(12-8-2008)
Cope to run full season: From the Derrike Cope web site: “I have committed to an opportunity to drive for a Nationwide team next year, full schedule. I will know more next week after we have some more meetings. I will elaborate as soon as we have an agreement and understanding of the entire effort.”(DerrikeCope.com)(12-8-2008)
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Courtesy of The Hot Lap
www.TheHotLap.com
Officials of Novi, MI-based Living Essentials, LLC (LE) and Rusty Wallace Racing, LLC (RWR) announced today that LE, through its 5-Hour Energy brand, will return for its second season as primary sponsor of Rusty Wallace Racing’s No. 66 team and driver Steve Wallace in 2009. 5-Hour Energy will serve as primary sponsor of Wallace’s No. 66 Chevrolet in ten 2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series events, beginning with the March 21st race at Bristol Motor Speedway, in which Wallace claimed his first career Nationwide Series pole in 2007. Additionally, 5-Hour Energy will serve as an associate sponsor on the No. 66 for the remainder of the 2009 Nationwide Series schedule.Stated RWR team owner and former NASCAR champion, Rusty Wallace, “Our entire team is very excited about the opportunity to continue our relationship with 5-Hour Energy in 2009. They have an exceptional product, a great brand and are the true leaders in their category. When you add in the fact that they also have one of the most energetic drivers in NASCAR, in Steve, this whole program just makes a lot of sense for everyone.”LE officials have stated that the company plans to promote their sponsorship through a variety of marketing channels, including a continuation of the company’s national television advertising featuring Steve and Rusty Wallace, which began in late 2008.(RWR) (12-08-08)
Dec. 8 NASCAR Nationwide Series:The newest addition to the Penske Racing driver lineup, NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Justin Allgaier, has been selected as one of the 10 finalists for the Sixth Annual Economaki Champion of Champions Award, presented by Speedway Motorsports, Inc. (SMI) and the National Speed Sport News. The Economaki Champion of Champions award, named for the legendary motorsports journalist Chris Economaki, is annually given to the North American racing champion judged to have had the best season on and off the race track, and will be announced on Thursday, Dec. 11, at 3p.m. at the PRI Trade Show in Orlando, Fla. This is the first time Allgaier has been nominated for the prestigious award. Allgaier, who joined Penske Racing in September 2008, enjoyed a championship season in the challenging ARCA RE/MAX stock car series, where he won six races and scored 14 top-five finishes and 16 top-10 finshes in a 21-event season. With his championship, Allgaier ended veteran Frank Kimmel’s string of eight consecutive ARCA titles.Additional finalists include Johnny Benson, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series; Jerry Coons, Jr., USAC Silver Crown, USAC National Sprint Car Series; Billy Decker, Advance Auto Super DIRT Series; Scott Dixon, IndyCar Series; Jason Johnson, American Sprint Cars on Tour; Jimmie Johnson, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series; Scott Pruett/Memo Rojas, Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series; Donny Schatz, World of Outlaws sprint cars; and Tony Schumacher, NHRA Top Fuel. Read more (Penske) (12-08-08)
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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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Benson to participate in Bodine Bobsled Challenge
Nascar - USA
By Official Release LAKE PLACID, NY — Craftsman Truck Series champion Johnny Benson will compete in the fourth annual Whelen Geoff Bodine Bobsled Challenge …
www.nascar.com/2008/news/headlines/official/12/08/bodine.bobsled.challenge/
Grand Rapids’ Benson lands Truck ride for ‘09
MLive.com - MI,USA
by Steve Kaminski | The Grand Rapids Press AP File PhotoGrand Rapids native Johnny Benson celebrates after winning the Craftsman Truck Series championship …
www.mlive.com/autoracing/index.ssf/2008/12/grand_rapids_benson_lands_truc.html
CONFIRMED: Benson To Red Horse In 2009
By Dave Moody(Dave Moody)
Red Horse Racing co-owner Tom DeLoach confirmed yesterday what Sirius Speedway told you back on November 10; that defending NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion Johnny Benson will drive a #1 Red Horse Racing Toyota as a teammate …
www.sirius-speedway.com/2008/12/confirmed-benson-to-red-horse-in-2009.html
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Courtesy of Jayski
www.jayski.com
Top Performances of 2008: For a look back at the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series top performances of 2008 including drivers, rookie, owner, comeback driver, top five races, visit the 2008 Truck Series Review page.(12-8-2008)
www.jayski.com/cts/next/2008/review2008.htm
Johnny Benson, who had previously announced he would leave Bill Davis Racing at the end of the 2008 season, will drive the #1 truck as a teammate with David Starr for Red Horse Racing, team co-owner Tom DeLoach confirmed Monday. Trip Bruce, Benson’s crew chief, also has joined the team. As far as sponsorship, DeLoach said that sponsors are still being courted. Benson has won titles in the Nationwide and Truck and has 274 career Cup starts.(SceneDaily.com)(12-8-2008)
Benson & Bodine to compete in Bodine Bobsled Challenge: Johnny Benson & Todd Bodine will compete in the fourth annual Whelen Geoff Bodine Bobsled Challenge on Jan. 2-4, 2009, at the Olympic Sports Complex. Benson, who competed in his first Challenge last year, won his first Truck Series championship after finishing third in 2007 and runner-up to Todd Bodine in 2006. Todd Bodine has participated in every Challenge and has started a similar support program for the U.S. Skeleton Federation.(NASCAR.com)
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A R C A (Automobile Racing Club of America)
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Courtesy of ARCA
www.arcaracing.com
Canadian Ryan Fischer Full Ahead with Venturini Motorsports in 2009
CONCORD, NC (12-9-08) - Surrey, British Columbia’s Ryan Fischer has signed with Venturini Motorsports to run the full ARCA RE/MAX Series schedule in 2009. Two-time series driving champion Bill Venturini made the official announcement in a press conference at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center Saturday, December 6th, just prior to the 56th annual ARCA championship awards banquet.
[Read More] - www.arcaracing.com/news.cfm?contentid=7456
KY Office of Highway Safety Expands Kentucky Speedway Partership via ARCA RE/MAX Series
SPARTA KY - The Kentucky Office of Highway Safety will expand its successful “Drive Smart Buckle-Up Kentucky” awareness campaign at Kentucky Speedway in 2009 by sponsoring 150-mile ARCA RE/MAX Series events on May 9 and July 18.
www.arcaracing.com/news.cfm?contentid=7454
ARCA RE/MAX Series Champ Justin Allgaier Honored at 2008 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.
[Read More] - www.arcaracing.com/news.cfm?contentid=7453
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Other racing news….
Derby disqualification upholds race integrity
Pensacola News Journal - Pensacol,FL,USA
And yet, as we know, it was broken Sunday by the winner of the 41st Snowball Derby. Whether driver Brian Ickler knew his race crew had altered his car, …
www.pnj.com/article/20081209/SPORTS/812090312
NASCAR Could Learn From The Snowball Derby by …
Dec 5, 2006 … The Snowball Derby would serve as a good demonstration as to what short track racing is supposed to be. NASCAR fans new to the sport and …
www.frontstretch.com/tthompson/6358/
Team Butte College Wins at the US Air Force 25 Hours of Thunderhill
By ajracing
The driver line up included SCCA T3 Champion, David Vodden; NASA endurance expert Ali Arsham, Spec Miata ace Craig Evans, stock car champ Rod Powell and Brad Dressen. The team managed to work through the night and fog with no major …
www.aj-racing.com/blog/?p=37
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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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I.N. Sider names the Man of the Year for 2008 in the season’s final Behind [Closed] Garage Doors column, now posted at www.Valvoline.com.
Insider Racing News
insiderracingnews.com/Writers/AM/120908.html
Racer Profile: Ward Burton
by Allen Madding
Insider Racing News
insiderracingnews.com/Writers/CA/121008.html
What Happens To NASCAR If The Big Three Fold?
by Chuck Abrams
Insider Racing News
insiderracingnews.com/Writers/LV/121008.html
It Isn’t News Unless NASCAR Says It Is
by Larry Van Zandt
The Nascar Insiders
Wood Brothers and Petty in a Predicament of Their Own Making
Wood Brothers and Petty are a big topic of discussion around the sport these days. Much of the talk centers around how sad it would be to lose these two iconic organizations in the wake of one of the worst economic downturns in the last century. I am however not quite as nostalgic. Both of these organizations were once at the top of their games, but today stand as shells of their former selves.
feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheNascarInsiders/~3/480175982/
CHEERS & JEERS
Banquet Edition: A Hendrick Fan is Born!
by Carol Einarsson
CHEERS to Jerry Punch as host because I’ve never liked someone hosting that wasn’t part of the family.
www.racejournalonline.com/index.cfm?Pagename=column&id=556
DirecTV’s “Hot Pass” Cancelled For 2009?
The email is flying around the Internet, but as of Tuesday evening we are being told that DirecTV has cancelled NASCAR Hot Pass for 2009. Official word should come sometime on Wednesday.
dalyplanet.blogspot.com/2008/12/directvs-hot-pass-cancelled-for-2009.html
Put Marty Reid’s Name In The ESPN Rumor Mill
This season, it has been veteran ESPN announcer Marty Reid who has stepped-in to handle the substitute NASCAR play-by-play role. When the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series are racing at different tracks, it has been Reid and Randy LaJoie who have provided the commentary with good success.
dalyplanet.blogspot.com/2008/12/put-marty-reids-name-in-espn-rumor-mill.html
Brian France Writes Congress In Hopes Of Prolonging The NASCAR Train Wreck - by Larry VanZandt
A lot of complaints have been voiced over the proposed bailout of the big three automakers, with morons stating that they need to go the way of the dinosaur, that America produces nothing worth a darn, blah blah blah.
www.speedwaymedia.com/Articles/08/120908VanZandt.asp
The Ten Worst Nextel Cup Drivers Of 2008 - by Ron Thornton
Okay, so exactly what contributes to one being considered among the worst drivers of 2008? Well, one has to be good enough to have enough opportunities to suck enough times. When you get the chance to run, you need to be in a position that only an in-car camera will give you any mention from the television announcers. Anyone quickly come to your mind?
www.speedwaymedia.com/Articles/08/120808Thornton.asp
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.
www.speedwaymedia.com/Articles/08/120408VanZandt.asp
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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
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13
12:00m-2:00A TSN NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards; Waldorf=Astoria Hotel; New York. NY, Dec 5/08, HD
4:00P-5:00 SPEED IHRA Nitro Jam Drag Racing Skull Shine Sooner Nationals, Tulsa Raceway, OK, Aug 24/08, Show B, N
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series SPEED Channel Broadcasts:
12/13/08, 3:00pm EST- Golden Isles, Georgia
12/20/08, 3:00pm EST- KC Raceway, Ohio
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
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