And now, we present to you … the first edition of the Stock Car Gazette e-zine for 2009. Enjoy.
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T H E * S T O C K * C A R * G A Z E T T E
by MotorSportsNews.Net
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E d i t o r ‘ s * N o t e s
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I hope everyone had a safe and happy New Year.
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Stock Car Gazette Columnists Speak Out!
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More changes at GEM; deal with Petty imminent
by: Doug Turnbull
The events of the last month regarding Petty Enterprises, Gillett Evernham Motorsports, and their possible merger have taken many turns. A.J. Allmendinger’s promotion to the No. 19 Dodge and Elliott Sadler’s removal from the team is one of he strangest. Last weekend, sources confirmed that Elliott Sadler had been released from his contract and replaced by A.J. Allmendinger, who raced the final five events for GEM in the No. 10 car. Finish reading this article at motorsportsnews.net/archives/2479
For more articles by Doug, visit motorsportsnews.net/archives/category/turnbull
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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 Insider Racing News
www.insiderracingnews.com
Todd Bodine Wins Bobsled Challenge
Todd Bodine carried over his success from Saturday’s qualifying round to the finals as he earned his first Whelen Geoff Bodine Bobsled Challenge championship Sunday at the Olympic Sports Complex. The top qualifier on Saturday, Todd Bodine was first out of the chute in Sunday’s first round of Race 1, which featured NASCAR and NHRA racers competing against the clock for a trip to the podium. His maiden run of 49.83 seconds stood as the fastest in the round as the top eight of 12 drivers advanced. In the second round, with the race order inverted, nearly each driver that went bested the one before him. Joey Logano, who went next-to-last, posted a 49.56 to set the bar for Bodine. The younger brother of the event’s namesake did not disappoint as he crossed the finish line at 49.35. Bodine’s two-round combined time of 1:39.18 earned the Race 1 title. Logano, in his second year of competition in the Bodine Bobsled Challenge, finished with a combined time of 1:39.58. Logano, who will contend for the 2009 Raybestos Rookie of the Year in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, earned his first invitation last year as the 2007 NASCAR Camping World Series East championship. Gunselman came in third at 1:39.60. Gunselman’s second run of 49.33 seconds was the fastest run of either round in the morning session. Morgan Lucas was the highest finishing NHRA competitor in Race 1 at 1:39.83. Boris Said, the defending Race 1 champion and five-time winner in the Bodine Bobsled Challenge settled for a sixth-place finish.
Gordon Moves To 10th In Dakar
Spain’s Carlos Sainz overcame poor visibility to take the overall lead in the Dakar Rally on Sunday. He won the second stage, a 237-kilometer run from Santa Rosa to Puerto Madryn. Cup Series driver Robby Gordon finished 10th to move up to 10th overall. He finished the stage in 2 hours, 5 minutes and 38 seconds. He is 21:32 behind Sainz. After crossing the Pampas, the rally heads into Patagonia, arrives at the Andes next Thursday, drives into Chile the following day, cruises alongside the Pacific for five days — including a loop in the Atacama Desert — and then heads back to the start.
Montoya To Run Rolex 24
Defending Grand-Am Rolex 24 At Daytona winners Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates announced a two-car effort for the Rolex Sports Car Series’ 47th running of the prestigious Rolex 24 At Daytona, featuring six drivers representing some of the best talent the motor racing world has to offer. Juan Pablo Montoya, Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas will unite to form the driver lineup in the No. 01 TELMEX/Target Daytona Prototype, while Team Target IndyCar pilots Scott Dixon and Dario Franchitti join Alex Lloyd in the No. 02 Target/TELMEX Daytona Prototype. Last year, the team became the first in history to win three consecutive overall titles in the Rolex 24 At Daytona. The CGRFS roster will look to add to the record book this year with an impressive group of international racing champions representing three Indianapolis 500 titles (Montoya-2000, Franchitti-2007 and Dixon-2008), five open wheel championships (Montoya-1999, Dixon-2003/2008, Lloyd-2007 and Franchitti-2007), three Daytona Prototype championships (Pruett-2004/2006 and Pruett/Rojas-2007) and five former Rolex 24 winners.
Tony Stewart Fiesta Bowl Parade Grand Marshal
No passing. That was the only rule Tony Stewart had to abide by in Saturday’s 38th Annual Fort McDowell Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation. Thankfully, the two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion sat far enough away from the steering wheel of a Chevrolet Corvette that he couldn’t break the one rule just days into the New Year. Instead, the driver better known as “Smoke” sat atop the trunk of the Corvette convertible waving to the crowd along the 1.9-mile parade route, dutifully fulfilling one of his primary duties as grand marshal of this year’s Fiesta Bowl, which features a Monday night match-up between the Big Ten’s Ohio State and the Big 12’s University of Texas. “That was like driver introductions at Indianapolis times 10,” said Stewart, referring to the ritual of riding in the back of a pickup truck around the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway before racing 42 other drivers for 400 miles. “This is a huge event and I’m just honored to be a part of it. It’s pretty cool to sort of venture outside our box a little bit and take in a game of this magnitude. With the racing season being what it is, getting away to see a college football game is kind of tough. When the Fiesta Bowl Committee called and asked if I was interested in being their grand marshal, I said, ‘As long as I get a ticket and a field pass to the game, I’m in.” — Stewart got that and then some. Announcing his presence in the parade were two brightly painted red No. 14 Chevrolet Impalas. One was emblazoned with Office Depot and the other with Old Spice, his co-primary sponsors for the 2009 racing season – Stewart’s first as a driver/owner with Stewart-Haas Racing, his new home after spending over a decade with Joe Gibbs Racing.
1965 Rookie Of The Year McQuagg Dies
Sam McQuagg, the 1965 rookie of the year in what was then NASCAR’s Grand National Series (now Sprint Cup), died Saturday morning. He was 73. McQuagg competed in 62 races in NASCAR’s top series, getting a victory in the 1966 Firecracker 400 at Daytona in a Dodge owned by Ray Nichels. He won more than 250 feature races at local tracks, highlighted by his 1963 season at Thunderbowl Speedway in Valdosta, Ga. That year, McQuagg won 35 of 37 features and caught the eye of a woman named Betty Lilly of Valdosta. She gave McQuagg $25,000 and he used that to finance his rookie NASCAR campaign in 1965, when he had five top-10 finishes. McQuagg worked as a commercial pilot after retiring as a racer. He was a member of the Jacksonville Speedway and the Georgia Automobile Racing halls of fame.
Sadler Says GEM Broke Contract
An attorney representing Elliott Sadler has filed notice in Iredell County (N.C.) court saying the NASCAR driver intends to claim that Gillett Evernham Motorsports has breached Sadler’s contract to drive the Sprint Cup team’s No. 19 Dodges. John Buric, Sadler’s lawyer, filed an “application and order extending time to file complaint” Wednesday in Iredell County Superior Court. Sadler has until Jan. 20 to file an actual complaint if the parties cannot reach an agreement on their dispute. According to the form, Sadler plans to seek “injunctive relief, declaratory relief/specific performance, consequential and punitive damages as a result of Defendants anticipatory and actual breach of Plaintiffs’ Driving Services Agreement. … Plaintiffs also seek general, consequential, treble and punitive damages, and attorney fees, as a result of Defendants’ tortuous interference …” George Gillett, Gillette Evernham Motorsports, Anthony James Allmendinger and Ray Evernham Enterprises are named as defendants.
HOF Moorad Quits Diamondback Role
Hall of Fame Racing co-owner Jeff Moorad resigned from his job as chief executive officer of the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday in order to pursue the acquisition of the San Diego Padres, according to a team news release. The race team, which shared driving duties primarily between J.J. Yeley and Ken Schrader in 2008, has not yet announced plans for 2009. It has partial sponsorship from DLP, and Garfinkel said in an e-mail earlier this week that he hopes to be able to announce the team’s plans in a couple of weeks.
NASCAR Drivers Test For Rolex 24
Some NASCAR drivers will get back in a car over the next few days as testing for the Rolex 24 At Daytona runs from Saturday through Monday. Not all drivers who compete in the race will test for their teams in preparation for the Jan. 24-25 event at Daytona International Speedway. Most teams use four drivers to complete the 24-hour race. Sprint Cup drivers on the current test days entry list are AJ Allmendinger (Michael Shank Racing) and Jimmie Johnson. (Bob Stallings Racing). Johnson, the three-time defending NASCAR Cup champion, likely will only test Monday. Part-time Cup driver Max Papis also is on the testing entry list, driving a Ferrari for Costa Racing.
Former ISC Employees Get Probation
Former International Speedway Corp. employees William Kilgannon and Todd Polakoff have avoided prison time for their roles in an extortion conspiracy in association with the failed attempt to put a race track on New York’s Staten Island. Polakoff was sentenced to three years probation, while Kilgannon got two years of supervised release, according to court documents. They were sentenced Dec. 12 in U.S. District Court in New York. Polakoff and Kilgannon were among 62 people indicted in February as part of a wide-ranging, 80-count federal indictment that targeted alleged Mafia members, including three high-ranking members of the Gambino crime family. Kilgannon and Polakoff were former employees of ISC subsidiary North American Testing Co., which handles design and construction for ISC.
Barnes Wins Polar Bear 150
After practice yesterday, Brett Hudson made the bold statement that he and Chuck Barnes, Sr. were going to be the class of the field come race time. He was right. The two dominated for most of Thursday afternoon, trading the lead back and forth through a myriad of cautions. Unfortunately for Hudson, Barnes’ luck held as the laps wound down. Hudson’s did not. Barnes, who started from the R.A. Jeffrey’s Distributing Company pole, took advantage of blown engine in Hudson’s Chevy Monte Carlo with ten laps to go to take the checkered flag in the inaugural Polar Bear 150 at the Rockingham Speedway Thursday afternoon. “We definitely had something for them at the end,” said Hudson. “I knew we had a problem on the last caution, the water pressure was up and down. I was hoping it would hold until the end.” Hudson finished 32nd.
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Courtesy of Jayski
www.jayski.com
Bodine, Lucas wins Bobsled Challenge: Boris Said is no longer king of the mountain. Todd Bodine and Morgan Lucas have taken his place. Bodine laid down a fast first run, then held on to edge Joe Gibbs Racing phenom Joey Logano on Sunday and capture the first race at the fourth annual Geoff Bodine Bobsled Challenge. Lucas beat Bodine in the spectacular second race. Said, who had won all but one of the first six races since the unique event’s inception, finished sixth in the first race and was eliminated in the second. Geoff Bodine started the Bobsled Challenge in an effort to raise funds for the U.S. men’s and women’s bobsled teams. It features NASCAR and NHRA drivers piloting specially made bobsleds, with members of the New York State Army National Guard serving as brakemen. Todd Bodine, with brakeman Patrick Furman, of nearby Plattsburgh, N.Y., was the only driver to break 50 seconds on both runs of the first race down the difficult Mount Van Hoevenberg track. That left his older brother scratching his head. Bodine and Furman finished with a combined time of 1 minute, 39.18 seconds to beat Logano by 0.40 seconds. Still, Logano again proved he’s a quick study. He struggled in his inaugural appearance a year ago. NASCAR Nationwide driver Larry Gunselman’s second run was the fastest of the race but left him in third, just 0.02 behind Loga# Lucas, who competes in NHRA’s top fuel class, was fourth, followed by Funny Car driver Jeg Coughlin Jr., road racers Said and Eric Curran, and NASCAR Whelen series star Brian Loftin. The bottom four sleds were eliminated after the first run, which left ASA driver Danny Bagwell, top fuel drivers JR Todd and Bob Vandergriff, and Whelen racing series champion Philip Morris watching. The second race was an elimination contest featuring four drivers from NHRA and four from NASCAR. Lucas edged Todd to earn the NHRA berth in the final run against Bodine, who remained the class of the field in eliminating Geoff Bodine, Said, and Loga# For the finale, U.S. coaches Brian Shimer and Bill Tavares acted as brakemen because Lucas and Todd Bodine were piloting Bo-Dyn bobsleds used by the U.S. team. And that provided a dramatic finish.
Lucas and Tavares went first, and the speeds increased substantially in the sleeker sleds. Lucas finished nearly 2 seconds faster than in any of his previous runs, and he was lucky to finish. He nearly flipped in one of the final turns before steering hard to prevent it as Tavares’ head whipped sideways, scraping the ice-covered wall. Not to be outdone, Todd Bodine continued his mastery of the tricky layout, posting even faster splits than Lucas as he rocketed toward the bottom. But after building a lead of a quarter second, Bodine wasn’t as lucky entering the same turn that had nearly derailed Lucas — his shiny red sled flipped to give Lucas the triumph.(ESPN/AP)(1-5-2009)
Mears to run Rolex 24 for Childress team: The driver lineup for the Childress-Howard Motorsports entry in the 2009 Rolex 24 at Daytona has earned victories in the Rolex 24, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Sprint Cup Series and the IndyCar Series. The talented driver quartet for the #2 CHM Pontiac Crawford Daytona Prototype is headed by three-time Rolex 24 overall winner Andy Wallace (1990, ’97, ’99). Sprint Cup Series driver and 2006 Rolex 24 overall winner #07-Casey Mears, IndyCar Series star and 2006 Rolex 24 competitor Danica Patrick and veteran sports car racer Rob Finlay will all see significant time behind the wheel. Only five drivers have won more Rolex 24 overall titles than the three earned by Wallace. His trophy case also includes trophies from the 24 Hours of Le Mans (1988), the 12 Hours of Sebring (1992, ’93) and the Petit Le Mans (1999). Mears was a co-driver for the winning team that earned the overall victory in the 2006 Rolex 24, becoming the first full-time Sprint Cup Series driver to do so. He was named in August 2008 as the driver of Richard Childress Racing’s #07 Jack Daniel’s Chevrolet team for the 2009 Sprint Cup Series season.(Childress-Howard Motorsports PR)(1-5-2009)
Sponsor for Cope? hearing that the #75 Cope/Keller team with Derrike Cope driving is on the verge of signing one of three major/primary sponsorships within the next week. Plans are to run a lmimited Cup scheule and run one or tow Truck Series teams. The team has purchased some Dodges from Ganassi Racing, which is now Earnhardt Ganassi Racing and will run Chevy’s in 2009.(1-4-2009)
Sad News - Sam McQuagg: Sam McQuagg, the 1965 rookie of the year in what was then NASCAR’s Grand National Series (now Sprint Cup), died Saturday morning. He was 73. McQuagg competed in 62 races in NASCAR’s top series, getting a victory in the 1966 Firecracker 400 at Daytona in a Dodge owned by Ray Nichels. McQuagg worked as a commercial pilot after retiring as a racer. He was a member of the Jacksonville Speedway and the Georgia Automobile Racing halls of fame.(Charlotte Observer)
MORE: He is survived by his wife, Joy Baggett McQuagg, and three children, Sam McQuagg Jr., Mark McQuagg and Rita Renfroe, all of Columbus, GA. Visitation will be Monday from 6-8 p.m. ET at McMullen Mortuary [3874 Gentian Blvd., Columbus, Ga 31907 706-569-8015]. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at McMullen.(NASCAR.com) In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Central Assembly of God Church [1219 15th St., Columbus, Ga 31901] or your favorite charity.(1-3-2009)
Sad News - John Rebhan: Former Cup car owner, John Rebhan, passed away on December 30th. Rebhan owned Warren Fabricating in Warren, Ohio. Rebhan owned the #77 car fielded in 11 races over 3 seasons [1979-1981] by John Anderson, Kenny Hemphill and Donnie Allison with Allison having the best finish of 5th at Talladega in May 1981. see a story about Rebhan at the Tribune Chronicle;
SERVICES: At the family’s request, calling hours and services are private. Entombment will take place at Crown Hill Burial Park. Material contributions may be made to the donor’s favorite charity. Arrangements are entrusted to McFarland & Son Funeral Services Co., 271 N. Park Ave., Warren 44481. Please visit mcfarlandfuneral.com to view this obituary and send condolences.(Tribune Chronicle)(1-3-2009)
Texas World Speedway’s Oval Update: Texas World Speedway in College Station, Texas is pleased to announce that the initial phase of repair to its historical Super Oval is near completion and is expected to be completed in 7-10 days. This phase is designed to get the Oval in “test ready” condition through a combination of grinding, asphalt rejuvenation and general maintenance. TWS is now accepting rental bookings for its Super Oval and Grand Prix tracks. For more information about Texas World Speedway, see contact info at www.texasworldspeedway.com.(TWS PR)(1-3-2009)
Sadler to claim GEM breached their contract: An attorney representing Elliott Sadler has filed notice in Iredell County (N.C.) court saying the NASCAR driver intends to claim that Gillett Evernham Motorsports has breached Sadler’s contract to drive the Sprint Cup team’s #19 Dodges. John Buric, Sadler’s lawyer, filed an “application and order extending time to file complaint” Wednesday in Iredell County Superior Court. Sadler has until Jan. 20 to file an actual complaint if the parties cannot reach an agreement on their dispute. According to the form, Sadler plans to seek “injunctive relief, declaratory relief/specific performance, consequential and punitive damages as a result of Defendants anticipatory and actual breach of Plaintiffs’ Driving Services Agreement. … Plaintiffs also seek general, consequential, treble and punitive damages, and attorney fees, as a result of Defendants’ tortuous interference …” George Gillett, Gillette Evernham Motorsports, Anthony James Allmendinger and Ray Evernham Enterprises are named as defendants. Buric said Sadler learned on Tuesday that GEM had engaged in negotiations with Allmendinger about driving the #19 Dodges in 2009. Buric said there had been “communication” with Sadler earlier, telling him that a change was being considered. But he said Sadler did not know there had been actual negotiations until he received phone calls about media reports that Allmendinger was being lined up to replace him. “Elliott is ready, willing and able to fulfill his contractual obligations,” Buric said. Sadler earlier this year signed an extension of his contract with GEM that runs through 2010. “Gillett Evernham Motorsports policy does not allow us to comment on potential or pending legal matters involving the race team,” said Ryan Barry, a spokesman for the organization.(Charlotte Observer/David Poole)(1-2-2009)
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Your ad could be displayed here… very reasonable rates. E-mail Mike@MotorSportsNews.Net
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Courtesy of Race2Win
www.race2win.net
Jeff Gordon Added to Preseason Thunder Fan Fests Schedule
Three-time Daytona 500 winner Jeff Gordon is the latest driver added to the driver appearance schedule for the annual NASCAR Preseason Thunder Fan Fests at historic Daytona International Speedway on Friday, Jan. 16 and Saturday, Jan. 17
Full Story - www.race2win.net/wc/09/01/jgaptff.html
Jeff Gordon Says Developing COT Was Fortuitous Move
Whether through happenstance or through foresight bordering on prescience, NASCAR’s development of the Car of Tomorrow was a brilliant move, says four-time Sprint Cup champion Jeff Gordon.
Full Story www.race2win.net/wc/09/01/gdcfm.html
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Courtesy of That’s Racin’
www.thatsracin.com
Todd Bodine, Morgan Lucas best rest in downhill runs - www.thatsracin.com/topstories/story/21655.html
Sam McQuagg, NASCAR’s top ‘65 rookie, dies - www.thatsracin.com/topstories/story/21652.html
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P R E S S * R E L E A S E S
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SMI COMPLETES KENTUCKY SPEEDWAY SALE
Speedway Motorsports, Inc. (NYSE:TRK) has added Kentucky Speedway to its portfolio of motorsports facilities, expanding its geographic reach into the Midwest. The completed purchase was announced today by O. Bruton Smith, founder, chairman and chief executive officer of Speedway Motorsports, Inc.“We are extremely excited about the new opportunities this market is going to bring the company,” said Smith. “Since we announced this acquisition in May, we have been overwhelmed with the response of fans expressing their support and desire for a Sprint Cup event at Kentucky Speedway.We will continue to work with NASCAR to bring a Sprint Cup race to this fine facility as soon as possible. We are going to do everything we can to bring the great people of Kentucky what they want and deserve.” Speedway Motorsports is a leading marketer and promoter of motorsports entertainment in the United States. The Company, through its subsidiaries, owns and operates the following premier facilities: Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Infineon Raceway, newly acquired Kentucky Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Lowe’s Motor Speedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway. The Company provides souvenir merchandising services through its SMI Properties subsidiaries; manufactures and distributes smaller-scale, modified racing cars and parts through its 600 Racing subsidiary; and produces and broadcasts syndicated motorsports programming to radio stations nationwide through its Performance Racing Network subsidiary. The Company also equally-owns Motorsports Authentics, a joint venture formed with International Speedway Corporation to produce, market and sell licensed motorsports merchandise. For more information, visit the Company’s website at www.speedwaymotorsports.com.
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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
Nationwide staying with sponsorships: All over, corporations are bailing on sports. Honda has ended its support of Formula One auto racing. NASCAR is imperiled by the potential collapse of the Big Three automakers. But Nationwide, the title sponsor of the #2 NASCAR series and #2 men’s golf tour, as well as a major sponsor of several local teams, hasn’t reduced its commitment to investing big money in sports. “We’re looking at things more closely, but at the moment we’re not making any adjustments because of the economy,” said John Aman, assistant vice president of strategic sponsorship for the Columbus-based company. To Nationwide, it’s simply good business.(Columbus Dispatch)(12-31-2008)
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Courtesy of The Hot Lap
www.TheHotLap.com
Today CGRFS announced its six-driver roster for the Rolex 24 at Daytona, and three of this year’s part-time NNS drivers are in the mix. Dario Franchitti, Juan Pablo Montoya and Scott Pruett join IndyCar’s Scott Dixon, Alex Lloyd and Rolex Series driver, Memo Rojas in the two car entry.(thehotlap) (01-04-09)
While Mike Wallace won’t say which one, he does say he has secured a competitive car for the 2009 Daytona 500. Confident of qualifying for the seasons biggest event, he will keep a Wallace family streak alive if he is in the field when the green flag waves six weeks from tomorrow. One of the Wallace brothers has competed in the Daytona 500 each year since Rusty began the tradition in 1984. Younger sibling Kenny made it twenty-five consecutive 500’s when he started the 2008 Daytona 500.Forty-nine year old Mike Wallace’s last start in the Great American Race came in 2007 when he finished fourth.
Herd Racing partners with Ignite Sports to run ‘09 Camping World Truck Series races and a handful of Nationwide events. Read more
thehotlap.com/admin.php?op=EditPressReleases&rid=2966
The ‘Roar before the Rolex at Daytona 24’ commences tomorrow through the 5th. This is the testing phase before the 24 hour race later this month. Nationwide interests listed as testing tomorrow include Colin Braun in the #60 of Michael Shank Racing; AJ Allmendinger in the #6 of Michael Shank Racing. Three-time reigning Sprint Cup champ, and Nationwide part-timer, Jimmie Johnson will be behind the wheel of the #99 of GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing. Germain Racing’s Justin Marks shares duties piloting the #67 of TRG, and Max Papis is listed as testing in the #52 Ferrari for Mastercar-Coast 2 Costa Racing. On the ownership side, Childress fields an entry under Childress-Howard; Penske and Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates both have entries in the Jan. 24-25 event, drivers have not yet been announced (expected during testing) (thehotlap) (01-02-09)
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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
Sponsor for Cope; possibly two truck teams? Hearing that the #75 Cope/Keller team with Derrike Cope driving is on the verge of signing one of three major/primary sponsorships within the next week. Plans are to run one or two Truck Series teams and a limited Cup schedule. The team has purchased some Dodges from Ganassi Racing, which is now Earnhardt Ganassi Racing and will run Chevy’s in 2009.(1-4-2009)
Cantrell to run limited schedule with TRG Motorsports: For 2009 Connor will join the Mooresville based NASCAR team headed up by Butch Hylton in their driver development program in a limited schedule of ARCA cars and Camping World Trucks. More details regarding which races and sponsorship will be announced in the coming days.(Connor Cantrell Racing PR)(1-2-2009)
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A R C A (Automobile Racing Club of America)
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Courtesy of ARCA
www.arcaracing.com
Daytona ARCA History Rock-Solid Since 1964
DAYTONA BEACH FL (1-3-09) - In 1964, the Dow Jones Industrial Average for the year closed at 874; the average cost of a new home was $13,050; gas was 30 cents a gallon; a ticket to the movies was $1.25; Dr. Martin Luther King received the Nobel Peace Prize; US Congress authorized the war against N. Vietnam; the first Ford Mustang was manufactured; the Beatles made their first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show; and the ARCA RE/MAX Series, already 12 years old, debuted at Daytona Int’l Speedway marking its first-ever superspeedway appearance. And the rest is history.
[Read More] - www.arcaracing.com/news.cfm?contentid=7506
DR’s Top-10 Stories of 2008; Happy New Year!
By Don Radebaugh
SYLVANIA OH (12-31-08) - From record gas prices to recession, the ARCA RE/MAX Series fought its way through the onslaught of economic storms in 2008 and finished up with arguably its most exciting season on record. Taking into consideration the 56 full seasons that define the world’s most versatile stock car touring series, the very idea that one can plop the ‘08 season on top the heap as the best ever speaks volumes.
[Read More] - www.arcaracing.com/news.cfm?contentid=7504
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N A S C A R * C A N A D I A N * T I R E * S E R I E S
localracing.nascar.com/news/6
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The Canadian Racing Season Begins at the Canadian Motorsports Expo
January 16, 17 & 18, 2009
International Centre (Toronto)
The first green flag of the season is several months away. But take heart racing fans… the third annual Canadian Motorsports Expo is coming to Toronto’s International Centre January 16, 17 & 18 (2009) with more than enough racing excitement to get you through to spring.
Other hot rod and import tuner shows banish the racing contingent to the back corner. The Canadian Motorsports Expo (CME) puts racers first.
Jammed with manufacturers, tracks, series, racers, suppliers, retailers and teams, the CME is dedicated to serving the racing community. Stock car, road racing and drag racing fans will be entertained and informed by interactive displays and free seminars, put on by industry experts.
COME SEE THE #48 AND #88 NASCAR SPRINT CUP CARS OF JIMMIE JOHNSON AND DALE EARNHARDT JR.
Two of the most famous cars in racing will be on display at the Third Annual CME, January 16-18, 2009 at the International Centre, on Toronto’s Airport Road.
The #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet NASCAR Sprint Cup car of three-time champ Jimmie Johnson and the #88 AMP Chevrolet of Dale Earnhardt Jr., one of NASCAR’s most popular drivers, are just two more reasons you won’t want to miss the CME.
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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/JF/123108.html
The Truth About NASCAR: Fewer Accidents and Bristol
by Joe Foster
Insider Racing News
insiderracingnews.com/Writers/LV/123108.html
News Flash: Accidents Decrease 12%, While Boring Racing Goes Up 125%!
by Larry Van Zandt
Insider Racing News
insiderracingnews.com/Writers/BW/010109.html
Is Your Race Car Street Legal?
by Brian Watkins
Insider Racing News
insiderracingnews.com/Writers/DD/010109.html
10 Drivers With Something to Prove in 2009
by Doug Demmons
Insider Racing News
insiderracingnews.com/Writers/RG/010209.html
A NASCAR Blog by Insiders…For Outsiders
by Rebecca Gladden
Insider Racing News
insiderracingnews.com/Writers/BB/010309.html
NASCAR: Saying Goodbye To 2008, Hello To 2009
by Brenda Benedict
Insider Racing News
insiderracingnews.com/Writers/KR/010409.html
Do You Have A Favorite “Petty” Moment?
by Kim Roberson
Insider Racing News
insiderracingnews.com/Writers/MP/010509.html
NASCAR, How About Leveling The Playing Field?
by Matthew Pizzolato
Still Waiting On NASCAR TV Changes
The last we heard, both Fox and ESPN were huddling with the bean counters and looking at the NASCAR TV production budgets.
dalyplanet.blogspot.com/2009/01/still-waiting-on-nascar-pre-race-tv.html
Anyone Seen Elliott Sadler on TV?
If a starting NFL quarterback was suddenly fired, TV crews would be camped-out in front of his house in a matter of hours.
dalyplanet.blogspot.com/2009/01/anyone-seen-elliott-sadler-on-tv.html
Sadler Learns the Reality of Keeping a Job in the Sprint Cup Series
Each new day brings a surprise. Or so it seems in the world of NASCAR. Yesterday, we learned that Elliott Sadler, who signed an extension of his contract last year is out of a job over at GEM.
www.speedwaymedia.com/Articles/09/010509Fleshman.asp
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T V * L I S T I N G S
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Courtesy of Jayski
www.jayski.com/pages/tv.htm
Mon Jan 5
2:00 am NASCAR Confidential SPEED
3:30 pm Dakar Rally, daily highlights VS
Tue Jan 6
3:30 pm Dakar Rally, daily highlights VS
6:30 pm Dakar Rally, daily highlights VS
10:30 pm Dakar Rally, daily highlights VS
Wed Jan 7
1:30 am Dakar Rally, daily highlights VS
12:00 pm NASCAR: Reviewing the 60th Season-February SPEED
3:30 pm Dakar Rally, daily highlights VS
6:30 pm Dakar Rally, daily highlights VS
Thu Jan 8
12:00 pm NASCAR: Reviewing the 60th Season-March SPEED
2:00 pm SEMA Las Vegas - 2008 Highlights SPEED
3:30 pm Dakar Rally, daily highlights VS
6:30 pm Dakar Rally, daily highlights VS
10:30 pm Dakar Rally, daily highlights VS
Fri Jan 9
1:30 am Dakar Rally, daily highlights VS
3:30 pm Dakar Rally, daily highlights VS
6:30 pm Dakar Rally, daily highlights VS
Sat Jan 10
12:00 pm 2008 Sprint Pit Crew Challenge SPEED
3:30 pm Dakar Rally, daily highlights VS
6:30 pm Dakar Rally, daily highlights VS
Sun Jan 11
8:00 am NASCAR Angels HALL
3:30 pm Dakar Rally, daily highlights VS
6:00 pm NASCAR PreSeason Thunder SPEED
6:30 pm Dakar Rally, daily highlights VS
Jayski does not list all the programming offered by SPEED; for complete listings go to their website, www.speedtv.com/schedule/
Always CHECK YOUR LOCAL LISTINGS!
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