This is probably the LAST Stock Car Gazette of 2008…. so we’d like to wish a HAPPY NEW YEAR to all our subscribers and readers!
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T H E * S T O C K * C A R * G A Z E T T E
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E d i t o r ‘ s * N o t e s
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This is probably the LAST Stock Car Gazette of 2008…. so we’d like to wish a HAPPY NEW YEAR to all our subscribers and readers!
Please mention us to your stock car and motorsports friends… that’s how we grow.
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Stock Car Gazette Columnists Speak Out!
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TV Times – SPEED Set To Open 2009 NASCAR Coverage
by: Lou Modestino
SPEED will open its 2009 NASCAR coverage with the first episode of NASCAR 39/10: Reviewing the 60th Season on Jan. 7. Read more at http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/2468
Read more of Lou’s columns at http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/category/tv-times
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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
Allmendinger tabbed to drive No. 19 for GEM: AJ Allmendinger will continue his quest in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Allmendinger will take over for Elliott Sadler behind the wheel of the No. 19 Dodge at Gillett Evernham Motorsports next season. Despite GEM extending Elliott Sadler’s contract earlier this year, Allmendinger proved over the last five races of the season that he was better suited for the ride. Allmendinger, 27, outran Sadler with an average finish of 16.4 behind the wheel of GEM equipment compared to the veteran’s finish of 31.8. Sadler’s possibilities are rumored to include the No. 41 Chevrolet at Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing or the No. 77 Dodge at Penske Racing should Sam Hornish Jr. replace Helio Castroneves in the IRL IndyCar Series. – FOXSports.com
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Courtesy of Stock Car Gazette subscriber Ed B. – thanks!
Newman Running Six Nationwide Races For Kevin Harvick
http://stewartent.com/newman-running-six-nationwide-races-for-kevin-harvick/2008/12/26/
Some Good News For A Change
http://blog.al.com/blogoftomorrow/2008/12/some_good_news_for_a_change_th.html
Sources: Allmendinger to replace Sadler at GEM” story is located at
http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/nascar/cup/news/story?id=3795001
Tony Stewart plays rough
http://www.news-sentinel.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008812270326
NASCAR Tech teacher revved up about work
Every day, Wayne Greider makes the trip from Sherrills Ford into Mooresville to the NASCAR Technical Institute, where he is an instructor. An auto mechanic for most of his life, Greider said he never thought of himself as a teacher.
“It’s scary,” he said of facing a class for the first time.
After five years at NTI, Greider is now at ease with his students, who will go into the racing industry, auto production or other related fields.
More: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/274/story/434492.html
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Your ad could be displayed here… very reasonable rates. E-mail Mike@MotorSportsNews.Net
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Courtesy of Google Alerts
As Long As There Is Racing: Sponsorship Shuffle; Prospect Punch
Nascar – USA
In the scores of days that I have been an enthusiast of Stock Car Racing I have seen many a name come and go,, drivers, teams, owners, as well as Sponsors. …
http://community.nascar.com/blogs/59362
Iredell feeling NASCAR struggle
“The jobs of racing can’t be offshored,” she said. “You aren’t going to go to Europe to build a stock car for NASCAR.”
http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/dec/27/iredell-feeling-nascar-struggle/news-local/
Cicconi has reason to celebrate after beating Stewart
News Sentinel – Fort Wayne,IN,USA
The 44-year-old East Coast standout reached a personal goal Saturday by beating NASCAR star Tony Stewart to win the 60-lap midget feature that capped the …
http://www.news-sentinel.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081228/SPORTS16/812280291
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Courtesy of Insider Racing News
http://www.insiderracingnews.com
Sadler Out, Allmendinger In
AJ Allmendinger will take over for Elliott Sadler behind the wheel of the No. 19 Dodge at Gillett Evernham Motorsports next season. Despite GEM extending Elliott Sadler’s contract earlier this year, Allmendinger proved over the last five races of the season that he was better suited for the ride. Allmendinger, 27, outran Sadler with an average finish of 16.4 behind the wheel of GEM equipment compared to the veteran’s finish of 31.8. Sadler’s possibilities are rumored to include the No. 41 Chevrolet at Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing or the No. 77 Dodge at Penske Racing should Sam Hornish Jr. replace Helio Castroneves in the IRL IndyCar Series. Allmendinger posted two top 10s in 21 starts with Red Bull Racing this season after qualifying for 17 races with the start-up operation as a rookie in 2007. He will join Kasey Kahne in the flagship No. 9 GEM Dodge and newcomer Reed Sorenson, who will pilot the No. 43 Dodge following the imminent announcement of the merger between owner George Gillett and Richard Petty.
McMurray To Run Daytona Kart Race
Jamie McMurray knows how to unwind before kicking off a new NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season and that’s by go racing at historic Daytona International Speedway. For the second straight year, McMurray, who drives for Roush Fenway Racing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, is competing in Daytona KartWeek By Cometic Gasket World Karting Association races. As a kid, McMurray spent many Christmas holidays with his family in Daytona Beach racing karts at DIS with dreams of competing in NASCAR one day. With that dream accomplished, McMurray, who won the 2007 Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola at DIS, now enjoys returning to his karting roots when there’s time on his schedule. Sunday was only a practice day for all the karters. McMurray will compete in a single race on Monday and Tuesday in the Sprint Championships on the half-mile sprint track located in the infield between Turns 3 and 4.
Stewart Wins Rumble In Fort Wayne
Two-time NASCAR champion Tony Stewart said he came to Fort Wayne to “play,” and by play he meant win. Stewart made it three-in-a-row Friday, winning his third-consecutive 60-lap feature in the 11th annual “Rumble in Fort Wayne” indoor “Rumble Series” race in the Expo Center at Memorial Coliseum. But somebody forgot to tell Stewart this one wasn’t going to be an actual rumble, and he didn’t pull his punches. “It was my fault for screwing Lou (Cicconi Jr) up,” Stewart said after the race. “I wanted to get into him, but not that much. I made that mistake, so this was probably Lou’s win. I kind of stole it away from him there. I wasn’t trying to screw him up. I wanted him to know that I was putting the pressure on him to try to get him to make a mistake. I just got into him too hard.”
McCumbee Waiting On Petty
with the start of the 2009 NASCAR season a little more than six weeks away, Chad McCumbee still doesn’t know if he’ll be competing in the Sprint Cup, Nationwide or Camping World Truck Series. “Not knowing what’s going on is tough, especially when it’s late November and then everything kind of changes,” McCumbee said. “It takes a toll. It’s hard to look for opportunities that late in the season. We’re trying to ride it out and see what’s going to happen.” McCumbee was on course to drive the No. 44 Sprint Cup car for Petty Enterprises in 2009 before sponsorship issues arose. “We were all good to go and everybody was happy,” McCumbee said. “The economy affected sponsors obviously. It hurt everything.”
2009 Camping World Series West Schedule Released
The 2009 schedule for the NASCAR Camping World Series West, which features two visits to Iowa Speedway, will be comprised of 13 races, NASCAR announced on Wednesday. The schedule – with stops at 11 venues in seven states between March and September – features a balance of short tracks, speedways and road courses. It includes the addition of a second visit to Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa on Sept. 4. The event will be in conjunction with the inaugural NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at the ultra-competitive 7/8-mile track. The NASCAR Camping World Series West will make an earlier trip to Iowa during the month of May for the third edition of the combination race between the NASCAR Camping World Series East and West. Venues joining the NASCAR Camping World Series West schedule in 2009 include Portland (Ore.) International Raceway, a road course visited by the circuit in 1986, and Madera (Calif.) Speedway, which last held a series event in 2003. The Portland event, one of three road course races on tap for 2009, is set for July 19; while the Madera race is slated for April 25.
Mayfield Delivers Gifts
One of the surest ways to confirm the size of a man’s heart is when he puts his own personal disappointment aside and strives to make a day — no, make that a whole season — better for some less fortunate kids and families. It’s a big part of what the blessed Christmas season is all about. And it’s more poignant this season, since for many in the NASCAR community, being overwhelmed with hopelessness and despair would not be unreasonable, given the starkness of the motorsports landscape. For years, Morgan Shepherd, who has a notable motorsports legacy, has become an even bigger hero in northern North Carolina and southern Virginia thanks to the bus trip he makes delivering Christmas cheer, gifts and provisions along the way. Jeremy Mayfield’s hoping that he just had a big part in starting a similar tradition in Charlotte, N.C.
Accidents Down In 2008
Accidents and spins in NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series fell to their lowest levels in five years, USA TODAY database research shows. The taller, boxier, sturdier new-generation car, which began full-time duty this season after a 16-race trial in 2007, was involved in 211 incidents resulting in a caution, according to data compiled from NASCAR race reports. That’s a 12% drop from last season and marked the lowest total since 2004, when the 10-race, playoff-style Chase began. Wrecks during this year’s Chase also fell 33% from 89 in ’07 to 60 this year, the lowest in the playoff’s five-year existence. “It is encouraging,” NASCAR vice president of competition Robin Pemberton said. “However, one season isn’t necessarily a trend, as we know these numbers tend to be cyclical by nature. These are some promising results, though.” Many drivers chalked it up to a season-long process setting up the car’s handling for all tracks. Jimmie Johnson, Carl Edwards and Kyle Busch seemed to have it figured out in combining for 24 victories this season. One huge surprise was Rookie of the Year Regan Smith, who had the third-lowest accident rate (12%) and became the first Cup rookie to finish every race. Rookie Sam Hornish Jr., a former Indianapolis 500 and three-time IRL IndyCar Series champion, topped the list with 20 accidents in 34 starts (59%).
Motorsports 2009 Race Car & Trade Show Adds Drivers
Veteran NASCAR Truck racer David Starr will be join his new teammate Johnny Benson, the 2008 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion, appearing at the Motorsports 2009 Race Car & Trade Show at Atlantic City, NJ’s Convention Center on the weekend of January 16-17, 2009. Starr, a 12th place finisher in the final Truck Series championship chase, will be visiting with fans and signing autographs from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, January 17th at the Jeff Hammond Store display (Booth No. 605). Though he was not able to win a race during the 2008 season Starr was a consistent performer. He has four career wins to his credit in Camping World Truck Series competition. Starr will return to the Red Horse Racing team in 2009 and that will also be where champion Johnny Benson will be making his home. Benson will also be appearing at the Motorsports 2009 show. In addition to Starr and Benson, NASCAR Sprint Cup racers Joey Logano and Kevin Harvick will be on hand to meet fans and sign autographs.
McMurray Turns Fastest Lap In 2008
Surprising no one, Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway was the star of NASCAR’s postseason statistical review. With the intricate drafts amping up speeds on race day, competitive laps exceeded 200 mph in both the spring and fall races. The 2.66-mile track produced the fastest race speeds in all three major NASCAR series. Jamie McMurray turned the fastest lap in the track’s April 27 race, averaging 201.636 mph. On Oct. 5, Juan Pablo Montoya’s 200.563-mph lap was fastest. By comparison, the fastest Daytona lap was Brian Vickers’ 192.155 on July 5, and the next fastest track was Atlanta Motor Speedway, where Dale Earnhardt Jr. turned a 186.012 lap on March 9. Talladega’s fastest Nationwide Series lap was 198.154 mph by Kyle Busch on April 26, and Jason White turned a 195.810 Craftsman Truck Series lap on Oct. 4. — NASCAR’s “loop data” monitors total passes, throughout the field, during races. In the October race, Talladega had 12,416 such passes, while the April event had 9,146.
Ron Hornaday Sr. Dies
Ron Hornaday Sr., a two-time NASCAR champion on the West Coast, died Sunday at the age of 77. Hornaday, who won back-to-back championships in NASCAR’s Pacific Coast Stock Car circuit in 1963 and 1964, was the father of three-time NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion Ron Hornaday Jr. “Ron Sr. was a great champion and one of the true pioneers in NASCAR’s west coast efforts,” said NASCAR Vice President of Corporate Communications Jim Hunter. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.” Hornaday’s racing career spanned from 1955 to 1973. He accumulated 13 wins and 12 poles in the series that is now known as the NASCAR Camping World Series West. In addition to his championships, he finished as the runner-up in the final standings in 1962. He was inducted into the West Coast Stock Car Hall Of Fame, in it’s first class in 2002. He first started running in the old Pacific Coast Late Model Circuit in 1956, driving in one of Frank Galphin’s Fords. The series was very competitive, with excellent equipment and in those days it wasn’t easy for new comers to quickly master the series. But after just a few seasons, he was winning races, starts to compete for championships. He would finish second in the 1962 seasons final standings, then would win the championship in 1963, would repeat again in 1964 as champion and had 13 career victories in the series. He also would make 17 starts in the NASCAR Grand National/Winston Cup Series, now the Sprint Cup Series, between 1955 to 1973, at Hanford, Los Angeles, Ontario, Phoenix, Riverside and Sacramento. Ron also spent 20 years, running Late Model Sportsman races, all over Southern California and would win a great number of those races. He’s a legend, a racer’s racer and his legacy lives on not only through his son Ron Hornaday, Jr. legendary career. But through his fans, that loved him and remember what a racer he was and he was a great one. (in part from Bleacherreport.com).
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Courtesy of Jayski
http://www.jayski.com
Sadler replaced by Allmendinger? UPDATE 2: AJ Allmendinger is set to replace Elliott Sadler in the #19 Dodge in 2009, multiple Gillett Evernham Motorsports team sources told ESPN.com on Saturday. GEM CEO Tom Reddin told team employees and sponsors the news just before Christmas, causing some sponsors to consider leaving, according to team sources. Reached for comment Saturday, GEM spokesman Drew Brown chose not to comment. Sources also said Ray Evernham, who founded the team and sold majority ownership to George Gillett, cleared out all personal possessions from the team’s shop, including the 2002 Brickyard 400 trophy he won as owner of Bill Elliott’s #9 Dodge. Calls placed to Evernham and Sadler’s representation were not immediately returned.(ESPN.com)(12-27-2008)
UPDATE: Allmendinger will join Kasey Kahne in the flagship #9 GEM Dodge and newcomer Reed Sorenson, who will pilot the #43 Dodge following the imminent announcement of the merger between owner George Gillett and Richard Petty.
AND Sadler? Sadler’s possibilities are rumored to include the #41 Chevy at Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing or the #77 Dodge at Penske Racing should Sam Hornish Jr. replace Helio Castroneves in the IRL IndyCar Series [who faces a trial and possible jail over IRS charges].(FoxSports), no word on who would drive the #10 Dodge of GEM in 2009.(12-28-2008)
UPDATE 2: Sadler signed a two-year contract extension with GEM in May, and sources say team owner George Gillett will now be forced to buy out those additional two years. Sadler has already begun making calls to try and find a ride for next season. Sources tell Sirius Speedway that Gillett is heavily leveraged from the original Evernham buyout, as well as from a number of automobile dealerships he purchased earlier this year. He reportedly faces a major payment on his Liverpool Football Club, which plays in the English Premier League, as well. A deal that would have merged GEM with Bill Davis Racing fell by the wayside a few weeks ago, reportedly after Gillett was unable to obtain financing to complete the transaction. Gillett has recently been involved in negotiations to merge GEM with Petty Enterprises. Sirius Speedway reported two weeks ago that the merger had stalled, and while that report was immediately denied by a GEM spokesman, Sadler’s release appears to indicate that the deal is indeed in jeopardy. A combined GEM/Petty operation was expected to field four cars in 2009; enough to retain Kasey Kahne, Reed Sorenson, Sadler and Allmendinger. (Sirius Speedway)(12-29-2008)
Changes for 2009 – Crew Chiefs:
#00 — Ryan Pemberton left to crew chief Brian Vickers for 2009, Rodney Childers comes from GEM to take over
#7 — made numerous crew chief changes in 2008, have heard nothing official, but heard that Kirk Almquist, who came to the team in late 2008, will be back
#8 — TBA, no one named since Gibson left for Stewart-Haas
#10 — Crew chief Mike Shiplett was suspended by the team in late 2008, no word if he returns
#14 [was #70] — Darian Grubbs comes over from Hendrick were he was an engineer, but has crew chiefed before with Jimmie Johnson, garnering two wins
#17 — Chip Bolin goes back to the engeneering side at Roush, Nationwide crew chief, Drew Blickensderfer takes over in 2009
#19 — TBA, former crew chief, Rodney Childers left to go to MWR’s #00 team
#26 — Donnie Wingo, leaves Gannasi to take the crew chief gig for McMurray, Wingo had been a logtime crew chief at Gamassi’s
#33 — Shane Wilson will crew chief Bowyer RCR’s new team
#38 — Cully Barraclough left at seasons end is is back as the car chief on a NNS ride for Roush, no word who Gilliand’s crew chief will be.
#39 — Tony Gibson comes over from DEI, Bootie Barker heads to MWR
#41 — Donnie Wingo left to crew chief McMurray in the #26. #41 has no driver named, nor a crew chief
#43 — Jeff Meendering left and went to Stewart-Haas racing as a car chief. #47 — Frank Kerr will be the crew chief for Ambrose
#83 — Ryan Pemberton comes over form MWR to crew chief Vickers, former crew chief supposedly will take a management role with the team.
#98 — Larry Carter comes over from Roush/McMurray to take over for Paul Menard and this new team.
No Changes [so far] for the following teams: #’s 07,1,2,5,6,9,11,12,18,20,21,22,24,29,42,48,82,88,96,99. See my 2009 Cup Team Chart for more changes and info.(12-29-2008)
http://www.jayski.com/pages/2009teams.htm
Bowyer gets new plane: Clint Bowyer recently [Dec 22nd] took delivery of his Beechcraft Premier IA, the world’s fastest and most technologically advanced single-pilot business jet. With a cruising speed greater than 520mph – 50mph faster than its nearest competitor – the Premier IA is the only light jet in the world that satisfies Bowyer’s need for speed. While in Wichita for the delivery, Bowyer toured the Hawker Beechcraft manufacturing plant and signed autographs for employees. “As a NASCAR driver, I have a very demanding schedule that takes me from coast-to-coast on a regular basis,” Bowyer said. “My new Premier IA will allow me to operate more efficiently and effectively. I am proud to own an airplane made in my home state of Kansas. It was great to see many NASCAR fans at the factory today and I thank them for their work on this superior aircraft.”(Hawker Beechcraft)(12-29-2008)
Sad News – Grady Humphryes: Grady Humphryes, age 71, passed away December 23, 2008. Mr. Humphryes was a respected member of the racing community, Mr. Humphryes worked for ML Motorsports, Bobby Allison, Davey Allison and several other NASCAR and ARCA racing teams over his 40 year career. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, December 29, 2008 at Brown Service West Chapel with interment following at Valhalla Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 28, 2008 from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Dearly loved by his family, he is survived by his wife, Angela Humphryes; children, Shelia Humphryes, Angie Weldon (Larry), Scott Humphryes and Andrew Humphryes; siblings, Sox Humphries, Albert Humphries (Eloise) and Gladys Ann Goodwin (Glen); as well as many loving extended family and friends. Memorial Contributions may be made through Bobby Allison Racing, c/o Bonnie Allison Farr, 140 Church Ave., Hueytown, AL 35023. Brown Service West Chapel is honored to serve the Humphryes family.(Birmingham News)(12-29-2008)
BDR Employees Laid-Off; But…: ….are hearing that most of Bill Davis Racing’s employees were laid-off earlier this week following the sale of the team to Marty Gaunt and Mike Held. Despite the bad news, all team members are getting a chance to reapply for their position with the team. They will begin bringing back employees after the first of the year. The move appears to be an attempt at restructuring the organization. By doing this, they can cut loose any employees they do not want while removing any seniority and cutting salaries they might see as high. Given the present climate, it is very much an owner’s market. There are a lot of talented people who are looking for work and those with an opportunity to stay where they are at are very likely to take a pay cut in order to avoid job loss.(NASCAR Insiders)(12-28-2008)
Smith to the #78: 2008 Raybestos Rookie of the Year recipient Regan Smith will drive for Furniture Row Racing in 2009.(FoxSports), #78 Furniture Row Racing announced late in 2008 that it would run a limited 2009 schedule.(12-28-2008)
Images: added #18 Interstate Batteries, #11 FedEx Ground, #11 FedEx Express, #11 FedEx Office, #11 FedEx Freight, #19 Stanley, #19 Best Buy to the Paint Scheme Gallery and/or 2009 Cup Schemes page. http://www.jayski.com/schemes/paintschemes.htm http://www.jayski.com/schemes/2009cup.htm
Motorsports writer travels world for charity: In the spirit of the season, veteran motorsports writer Al Pearce deserves substantial recognition for a charitable project that has taken him around the world in the past 13 months. Pearce is a writer who literally has gone the extra mile in supporting two causes initiated by Kyle and Pattie Petty: the Victory Junction Gang Camp and the Kyle Petty Charity Ride. At his own expense, Pearce, who lives in Newport News, Va., and covers NASCAR for AutoWeek, traveled approximately 67,000 miles to obtain the signatures of 20 Formula One world driving champions on a racing helmet he plans to auction in support of the two charities. Trips to London and Brazil in December, to get the signatures of Lewis Hamilton and Nelson Piquet completed the roster of living F1 champions. The helmet now features 20 names, including the 19 living champions plus Phil Hill, who died Aug. 28, 2008. Hill is the only American-born driver to win the F1 championship. Pearce met each driver face-to-face, with the exception of Sir Jack Brabham, who lives in Australia. FedEx delivered the helmet to Brabham and back to Pearce after it was signed. Despite the enormous expenses he accumulated, Pearce won’t take a dime of reimbursement for this labor of love.(NASCAR.com), more details and info on the upcoming auction on my Racing Charities page.(12-28-2008)
http://www.jayski.com/pages/charities.htm#helmet
Penske-Jasper split? hearing that Penske Racing and Jasper Engines/Transmissions are going to dissolve their partnership in the engine building program. Supposedly Jasper will continue to build and supply transmissions to race teams.(12-27-2008)
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Your ad could be displayed here… very reasonable rates. E-mail Mike@MotorSportsNews.Net
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Courtesy of That’s Racin’
http://www.thatsracin.com
Fans can expect some good deals
With 2009 shaping up as a difficult year in motorsports, Lowe’s Motor Speedway president and general manager Marcus Smith doesn’t believe that’s necessarily bad news for race fans
http://www.thatsracin.com/topstories/story/21625.html
Year’s top 5 stories – http://www.thatsracin.com/239/gallery/21609.html
Racing circles had some highs between bumps
THATSRACIN.COM OPINION
When you cover motorsports in Charlotte, it’s difficult to separate the biggest stories for the industry from those that have the most impact locally
http://www.thatsracin.com/topstories/story/21623.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
Newman to drive limited schedule for KHI: Ryan Newman will enter at least six Nationwide Series races in a Kevin Harvick Incorporated Chevy in 2009. Newman’s debut for Harvick came in a KHI owned truck at Atlanta Motor Speedway last October. It was also Newman’s debut in a Truck; he won the event. The races Newman is currently scheduled to drive are: Las Vegas on February 28, Talladega on March 25th, Darlington on May 8th, Bristol on August 21st, Dover on September 26th, and Lowes on October 16th (NASCAR Examiner)(12-28-2008)
McCumbee unsure of 2009 plans: Reports, rumors and rumblings. That’s what the last six weeks has revolved around for Chad McCumbee. “I read on the Internet what everyone else does,” the West Brunswick (N.C.) High School graduate said. And with the start of the 2009 NASCAR season a little more than six weeks away, McCumbee still doesn’t know if he’ll be competing in the Sprint Cup, Nationwide or Camping World Truck Series. McCumbee was on course to drive the No. 44 Sprint Cup car for Petty Enterprises in 2009 before sponsorship issues arose. “We were all good to go and everybody was happy,” McCumbee said. “The economy affected sponsors obviously. It hurt everything.” So, McCumbee said he is keeping his options open, which means he could return to the Camping World Series (formerly the Craftsman Truck Series). He also said he has had “a few talks here and there” with teams in the Nationwide Series. McCumbee said he has the support of Petty Enterprises if he opts to drive a Nationwide Series car for another team. He ran a full-time schedule in the truck series last year and nine races on the Sprint Cup schedule in the #45 car.(Myrtle Beach Sun News)(12-26-2008)
Cardinal Motorsports to Run 2009 Nationwide Series: A group of NASCAR notables has assembled a multi-faceted team with a new take on the old model. Cardinal Motorsports Inc., headquartered in Lexington, NC, will run 10-15 Nationwide Series races and select ARCA races in 2009. Sponsorship announcements for the team are forthcoming. Will Spencer, President of JKS Motorsports Inc., is part-owner of the new team. Over the past 25 years, JKS Motorsports, Inc. has built a reputation for providing high quality executional services and products for marketing companies, teams, sponsors and manufacturers. The company creates and executes showcar programs, at-track simulator and promotional displays, track signage, and other racing related activation programs. The team’s shop will be located within a JKS Facility. Ed Berrier, a former Nationwide Series race winner himself, will also own part of the team. Berrier will serve as General Manger of the team. Ed has also had a long-time working relationship in the sport with his cousin Todd Berrier, crew chief to RCR’s Kevin Harvick. Todd Berrier will provide some additional oversight to the team. Cardinal Motorsports will run Chevy bodies, and motors from Earnhardt-Childress Racing. Former Whelen All-American National Champion Peyton Sellers will not only be the team’s driver, but is also part owner – something relatively unheard of for a 25 year old, which brings a level of sponsor accountability directly to the driver’s seat. Seller’s brother and noted crew chief, H. C. Sellers, will occupy the crew chief position for Cardinal Motorsports.(Cardinal Motorsports PR)(12-16-2008)
UPDATE: Ed Berrier, a former driver, said that Sellers has sponsorship for 11 Nationwide races and two ARCA races. The team, which will be housed on the JKS campus, recently acquired six Chevy from RCR and will use Earnhardt-Childress engines.(Charlotte Observer)(12-22-2008)
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Courtesy of The Hot Lap
http://www.TheHotLap.com
Zaxby’s has announced it will continue its involvement in NASCAR in 2009 as a sponsor of the No. 09 Ford Fusion in the Nationwide Series, a step up from the Craftsman Truck Series it has participated in for the past two years.John Wes Townley, a rookie driver who has already proven himself in NASCAR’s Craftsman Truck Series, the ARCA RE/MAX Series and several turns behind the wheel already in NASCAR’s Nationwide series, will drive a full schedule for Zaxby’s and RAB Racing in 2009.
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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
Miccosukee returns as #51 sponsor; still searching for #15: Billy Ballew Motorsports has confirmed that Miccosukee Resorts will return as the primary sponsor for the #51 Toyota in 2009 with driver Kyle Busch. Team owner, Billy Ballew stated that the status of the #15 truck for 2009 is subject to that team gaining sponsorship. He is diligently pursuing opportunities and remains optimistic, but at this point has nothing close enough, toward that end, to announce. Ballew has a potential driver in mind, but also said he would consider a driver who brings a sponsor to the team. To-date no team members have been released from Billy Ballew Motorsports, and Ballew stressed his desire to continue this team and take care of his employees.(Billy Ballew Motorsports)(12-29-2008)
DiCarlo to compete in some truck races: Stringer Motorsports is pleased to announce that the Great Clips Race Team with driver Gabi DiCarlo will again compete in the ARCA RE/MAX Series during the 2009 season. The team plans to run a majority of the series races while also competing in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Crew Chief Randy Nelson will head the Great Clips crew in what will be his first full season with Stringer Motorsports. Nelson joined the team for the last third of the 2008 season and the on track performance showed immediate improvement. Great Clips Inc. will again be the major sponsor on the Stringer Motorsports Toyota Camry’s and will again receive product help from Lucas Oil.(Stringer Motorsports PR)(12-29-2008)
Hornaday to compete in Toyota All-Star Showdown: Ron Hornaday Jr. – who prior to becoming a three-time champion in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, spent much of his life in and around the NASCAR Camping World Series West – recently announced plans to compete in next month’s all-star event at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale, California. The prestigious postseason event, slated for Jan. 23-24, is considered the ‘Daytona 500 of short-track racing.’ It will feature two days of racing and will air live on SPEED beginning at 7:00pm PT both nights.(RonHornaday.com) [For more information on the Toyota Showdown visit the Jayski Appearances Page](12-29-2008) http://www.jayski.com/pages/appear.htm#hornaday
Former motocross champion Ricky Carmichael has signed a contract with Kevin Harvick, Inc., and says a sponsorship deal is close that would allow him to run a partial schedule on the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in 2009. Carmichael offered a hint at the identity of the potential sponsor yesterday, saying, “they have been very good to me in the past, and I hope we can find a way for it to continue.” Sources tell Sirius Speedway that Monster Energy Drink is negotiating to back Carmichael’s Truck Series effort.(Sirius-Speedway.com)(12-23-2008)
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Travis Kittleson Would Like a Sponsor For …
Kittleson has experience in the NASCAR Truck Series, Nationwide Series, USAR Pro Cup Series and in Super Late Models. He’d gladly race in any of those series given the right opportunity. He’s also game to trying out the ARCA RE/MAX Series, NASCAR Camping World Series or a number of other tours that are out there. “Racing is racing to me,” said Kittleson. “As long as I have an opportunity with the team that I’m with to be competitive and race for wins and …
http://www.frontstretch.com/otherpr/21942/
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A R C A (Automobile Racing Club of America)
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Courtesy of ARCA
http://www.arcaracing.com
DiCarlo & Great Clips Racing Return in 2009
DENVER, NC (12-29-08) – Stringer Motorsports is pleased to announce that the Great Clips Race Team with driver Gabi DiCarlo will again compete in the ARCA RE/MAX Series during the 2009 season. The team plans to run a majority of the series races while also competing in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.
“We will run a minimum of 13 races and maybe more depending on what transpires between now and the other races on the schedule,” said Doug Stringer, owner of Stringer Motorsports.
[Read More] – http://www.arcaracing.com/news.cfm?contentid=7498
Funeral Arrangements Set For Longtime ARCA Member Grady Humphryes
HUEYTOWN AL – Long time ARCA RE/MAX Series crew chief and crew member Grady Humphryes succumbed Tuesday, December 23rd as a result of effects from a massive heart attack suffered in October. He was 71.
[Read More] – http://www.arcaracing.com/news.cfm?contentid=7492
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Zaxby’s will step up NASCAR sponsorship
The Times and Democrat – Orangeburg,SC,USA
John Wes Townley, a rookie driver who has already proven himself in NASCAR’s Craftsman Truck Series, the ARCA RE/MAX Series and several turns behind the …
http://www.thetandd.com/articles/2008/12/29/business/doc49556b40af8c6680133575.txt
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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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NASCAR has named Brad Moran as Series Director for the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by SIRIUS Satellite Radio. …
http://insidetracknews.blogspot.com/2008/12/nascar-canadian-tire-series-brad-moran.html
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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/AM/122308.html
Racer Profile: Ray Nichels
by Allen Madding
Insider Racing News
http://insiderracingnews.com/Writers/CA/122408.html
Speeding To Daytona
by Chuck Abrams
Insider Racing News
http://insiderracingnews.com/Writers/LV/122408.html
How I Learned To Love The Barrett-Jackson Auto Auctions
by Larry Van Zandt
Insider Racing News
http://insiderracingnews.com/Writers/BB/122708.html
What Was Under NASCAR’s Tree?
by Brenda Benedict
Insider Racing News
http://insiderracingnews.com/Writers/KR/122808.html
Polar Bear 150 And A Few Predictions
by Kim Roberson
Insider Racing News
http://insiderracingnews.com/Writers/MP/122908.html
Making Budget Cuts Difficult But Necessary
by Matthew Pizzolato
Insider Racing News
http://insiderracingnews.com/Writers/AM/123008.html
Racer Remembered ~ Ron Hornaday, Sr.
by Allen Madding
Cheers & Jeers
Happy New Year, Now Get Out!
by Carol Einarsson
CHEERS to Lou Cicconi, Jr, a name we’d never heard before, but who graciously forgave Tony Stewart wrecking him at the Rumble in Ft. Wayne, describing Tony’s attack as “a hit with love.” Maybe Tony can keep that phrase in mind for his post-race interviews next year.
http://www.racejournalonline.com/index.cfm?Pagename=column&id=561
NASCAR Not Good Enough For Primetime On SPEED
Finally, a brand new TV series from the professionals at The NASCAR Media Group is coming to SPEED in January. The title of the series is NASCAR 39/10 and it is a big chunk of programming that should be a blast for fans. Unfortunately, there is just one little problem.
http://dalyplanet.blogspot.com/2008/12/nascar-not-good-enough-for-primetime-on.html
NASCAR TV News Should Continue In December And January
Saturday, it was NASCAR Now Lead Reporter Marty Smith breaking the news that Elliott Sadler was out at GEM and AJ Allmendinger was in. He told NASCAR fans the details on the ESPN.com website. Where else could he do it? NASCAR Now was long since off the air.
http://dalyplanet.blogspot.com/2008/12/nascar-tv-needs-to-continue-in-december.html
It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
My apologies to Andy Williams, but this is the most wonderful time of the NASCAR year – waiting for teams to make their plans for 2009. The only problem is many do not have plans as of yet and that’s really distressing.
http://www.speedwaymedia.com/Articles/09/122908Fleshman.asp
Whatever happened to NASCAR?
That’s what our grandchildren will be asking us one day if NASCAR keeps going in the direction it is going now. They will wonder what we ever saw in the sport. They won’t understand what a die-hard fan was.
http://www.speedwaymedia.com/Articles/09/122908Mattern.asp
Two Towering Morons
Without further adieu’, let’s get back to our story….. One Car to rule them all, One Car driven by them…. One Car to bring them all, and at the racetracks bind them…. Fred Baggins nervously glanced at his rear-view mirror.
http://www.speedwaymedia.com/Articles/09/122908VanZandt.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/xPICKS.pdf
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 30
12:00n-1:00P SPEED SCCA Runoffs, Formula 500, Heartland Park, Topeka, KS, Oct 11/08, N
1:00P-2:00 SPEED SCCA Runoffs, Touring 1, Heartland Park, Topeka, KS, Oct 11/08, N
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31
3:30A-4:00 HDNet Art Mann Presents Midwest Mayhem: The show heads to Indiana for that famous 500 mile race. The “Greatest Spectacle in Racing” proves to be one HUGE party. Special Guests: Mario Andretti, Scott Dixon, Dan Wheldon, and Angie Everhart
THURSDAY, JANUARY 1, 2009 (NEW YEAR’S DAY)
FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2009
12:00n-12:30P SPEED Porsche Super Cup, Rounds 1-2 at the Bahrain GP on Apr 6/08 and Round 3 at the Spanish Grand Prix on Apr 27/08, N
12:30P-1:00 SPEED Porsche Super Cup, Round 4 at the GP of Turkey on May 11/08, Round 5 at the GP of Monaco on May 25/08 and Round 6 at the French GP on June 22/08, N
SATURDAY, JANUARY 3, 2009
6:00P-7:00 SPEED IHRA Nitro Jam Drag Racing Amalie North American Nationals, New England Dragway, Epping, NH, Show A, Sept 7/08, N
10:00P-1:30A SPEED AMA Supercross Special, Angels Stadium, Anaheim, CA, L
SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 2009
3:30P-4:00 VS Dakar Rally, daily highlights, Argentina and Chile
4:30P-5:00 OLN-Canada Dakar Rally, daily highlights, Argentina and Chile
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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