Welcome to February (already?) and Groundhog Day (a movie of the same name is one of my favorites). Anything different is good!
We have a different but good edition of our Stock Car Gazette for you, containing all the latest NASCAR racing news… check it out!
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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
Do you know for sure?
motorsportsnews.net/you-can-know-for-sure
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The Stock Car Gazette is sponsored by:
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E d i t o r ‘ s * N o t e s
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Welcome to February (already?) and Groundhog Day (a movie of the same name is one of my favorites). Anything different is good!
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Stock Car Gazette Columnists Speak Out!
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Tough Economic Times Create New Opportunity for Nationwide Team
by: Thomas Chemris
With major corporations posting record losses and tens of thousands of workers getting pink slips the formula is simple. As the economy shrinks, so does the pool of available sponsorship dollars to finance a race team.
What is one team’s burden becomes another’s opportunity. Read more at motorsportsnews.net/archives/2697
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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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Interview with Bobby Labonte
Yates Racing has added former NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion Bobby Labonte and Paul Menard to its team for 2009, joining Travis Kvapil in what will start the season as a three-car team. Labonte and Kvapil spoke about their situations during last week’s Lowe’s Motor Speedway media tour. BOBBY LABONTE — No. 96 Ask.com Ford Fusion HOW HAS [...]
clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=MsyAy&m=1bw_O4VQ5xX3DX&b=QarWQQLpEvo.pv8QKWp7fQ
Mayfield gets car No 41
Nascar.com is reporting that car No. 41 has been registered to Jeremy Mayfield for 2009 and his Mayfield Racing Enterprises, but the points did not go with the number, according to a Mayfield spokesperson.
clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=MsyAy&m=1bNvh5RUrxX3DX&b=tE.iGRPo_6oSrQ4RIiNX7A
Interview with David Ragan
WHAT WOULD IT MEAN TO WIN THE DAYTONA 500? “That would be more than a win. That would be something that for the rest of your life you would always be a Daytona 500 champion. The race at Martinsville pays the same amount of points, but there’s just something different about Daytona that you’ve always [...]
clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=MsyAy&m=1bNvh5RUrxX3DX&b=rWKediMU4rgH2KZKwjkvXQ
Dale Earnhardt Jr. blasts NASCAR track promoters for wanting drivers to do more
Did you see Bruce Martin’s “Behind the scenes with Dale Earnhardt Jr.” article on SI.com? Buried in that compelling read is a blast Dale Earnhardt Jr. took at NASCAR track promoters who want drivers to do more to promote the sport. This from Martin: Earnhardt would also be happy if less were expected of drivers. Case in point. [...]
clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=MsyAy&m=1dZOXCEI1xX3DX&b=CBPYtVQ..zZDwBsLZABLwg
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Courtesy of www.Catchfence.com
Geoff Bodine enters Daytona 500 field with Gunselman Motorsports: Geoff Bodine will drive the No. 64 Toyota entrant in an attempt to qualify for the 51st running of the Daytona 500 for Gunselman Motorsports. The 1986 Daytona 500 champion will be making his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series attempt since 2004. The 59-year young native of Chemung, NY will be making several attempts trading off with his brother, Todd, for the Gunselman team during the 2009 season. Bodine’s last attempt was for also for Gunselman when he ran Mach 1 Motorsports.
www.catchfence.com/press/013109.html
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Your ad could be displayed here… very reasonable rates. E-mail Mike@MotorSportsNews.Net
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Top Ten Reasons Why the Daytona 500 is Better than the Super Bowl ~ By Becca Gladden
10. Football fans are forced to wait all season for the Super Bowl … the NASCAR season starts with the Daytona 500.
9. Daytona 500 has never had a wardrobe malfunction.
8. Remember the big riot when Dale Earnhardt won the Daytona 500? Me neither.
7. Burnouts in the grass cooler than spiking a football in the grass.
6. NASCAR: The ultimate “contact sport.”
5. Pit stops more fun to watch than water breaks.
4. NASCAR’s ever-changing rule book offers an added layer of suspense to the race.
3. Taking the checkered flag a better ending than running out the clock.
2. No one watches the Daytona 500 “for the commercials.”
1. There’s no such thing as halftime in a NASCAR race.
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Courtesy of Insider Racing News
Carolina Driver Killed
Ed Gibbons, a popular dirt track race-car driver from Manning, died early Sunday when his pickup truck ran off Wash Davis Road, and he was partially ejected while it rolled over, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol. Gibbons, 46, of Manning, was the well-liked driver of the No. 07 car in the Carolina Clash Super Late Model Series. He won the series in 2001 and finished third in the points standings last year. Clarendon County Coroner Hayes Samuels said Gibbons was pronounced dead at the scene of the single-vehicle wreck.
Hall of Fame TV Rights Up For Sale
NASCAR has announced who will be eligible and how the voting will be conducted for the NASCAR Hall of Fame, which is scheduled to have its first induction ceremony in May 2010, but no decision has been made yet on the awarding of television broadcasting rights. As part of its contract with the City of Charlotte, which will own and operate the hall of fame, NASCAR owns all broadcast rights for the event. NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said the induction ceremony is not packaged in the current television deal and the negotiation process on the rights is just beginning. Fox, Speed, TNT and ABC/ESPN are the current NASCAR television partners as part of a racing contract that currently runs through 2014, an eight-year deal worth a total of $4.48 billion. Obviously, Speed, which is owned by Fox, would love to have that hall induction ceremony programming.
Hylton Will Try Daytona 500
James Hylton, 74, said he finalized a deal with John Carter and Toccoa, Ga.-based E&M Motorsports to drive an unsponsored Dodge Charger in stock car racing’s biggest event on Feb. 15 at Daytona International Speedway. Hylton said he will be teammates with Cup driver and ESPN analyst Boris Said. In February 2007, Hylton came within six laps of earning a starting spot in the 49th Daytona 500 and becoming the oldest driver to start a Sprint Cup race. If Hylton makes the field for this year’s 500 — which had 55 unofficial entries Saturday but just 43 starting spots — he will break a record set by Hershel McGriff (Sonoma, 1993) and Jim Fitzgerald (Riverside, 1987). Both drivers made Cup starts at the age of 65. In 2007, Hylton ran as high as second at one point but said clutch problems plagued him on restarts. He finished 23rd but vowed to make another run at the record someday.
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Courtesy of Jayski
2009 Schemes: added even more 2009 schemes [on 1-31] including #14 Burger King and #00 Aaron’s to the Paint Scheme Gallery and #88 GoDaddy.com, #5 GoDaddy.com, #88 Klondike and #5 Klondike to the 2009 Nationwide Paint Schemes page.
and recently added #77 AAA/Auto Club, #5 Kelloggs/Carquest, #88 National Guard, #98 Menards, #31 Caterpillar and #47 Clorox, #47 Kingsford Charcol, #47 Bush’s Baked Beans and #47 Little Debbie
#66 Window World, #71 TRG, #14 and #39 Haulers, #39 Haas Automation, #99 Aflac, #14 Burger King, #88 Mountain Dew, #42 Target, #96 Ask.com, #08 EM Motorsports, #11 FedEx Express, #18 Transformers 2 M&M’s, #20 Home Depot to the:
Paint Scheme Gallery www.jayski.com/schemes/paintschemes.htm
Said teams up with Carter for Daytona 500: Carter/Simo Racing is proud to announce that Boris Said and James Hylton will now team up and prepare to qualify for the 2009 Daytona 500. Said will pilot the #08 Ford, while Hylton will pilot the #60 Dodge. Both cars must make the field on speed, or through the “Gatorade Duel” qualification races. In addition to the Daytona 500, Hylton will also race the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 ARCA Remax Series Event. Full and Partial sponsorship opportunities are still available visit EM-Motorsports.com for more info.(2-2-2009)
No Daytona 500 for Marlin, but other Cup races: Two-Time Daytona 500 winner, Sterling Marlin, doesn’t have a ride for the Daytona 500. “Everything has to end sometime,” says Sterling Marlin, 51. “Nothing goes on forever.” Last year he just missed cracking the lineup in his qualifying race. This year he won’t even get to try. “I thought I might have something lined up but it didn’t work out,” Marlin said earlier this week. Marlin will still be in Daytona doing some PR work for Coors Beer, with a possibility of landing a ride in the Nationwide Series. Despite the Daytona disappointment, Sterling is not hanging up his helmet in the Sprint Cup Series. He is scheduled to run “12 to 14” races this year, sharing a ride in James Finch’s #09 with Ken Schrader and Mike Bliss. He will also run some races at Fairgrounds Speedway, where he won three championships from 1980-82. His son Steadman will run the full Fairgrounds schedule while daughter Sutherlin plans to compete as a rookie on the quarter-mile track. Sutherlin agreed to attend Columbia State if her parents would let her race.(Nashville City Paper)(2-2-2009)
2010 Camaro to pace Daytona 500? The 2010 Camaro will be the 2009 Daytona 500 race’s official pace car per an advertisement found by many readers. See the image and more at camaro5.com.(2-2-2009)
Official NASCAR Viewing Party of the Daytona 500 in NYC: the 4th annual viewing party of the Daytona 500 live in HD on a14-foot Big Screen at ESPN Zone in Times Square [at 42nd Street and Broadway -1472 Broadway, (212) 921-3776] in New York City is scheduled for Sunday, February 15th from 1:30pm/et until the conclusion of the race. Chance to win a trip for 2 to the 2009 Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway by competing in a virtual racing tournament. Competition begins in the Sports Arena on the 3rd floor at 1:30pm, space is limited. Tailgate Toss competition to win 2 DreamSeat recliner seats in the front row of the Screening Room to watch the race; plus a $40 voucher for food and non-alcoholic beverages. Competition begins in the Sports Arena on the 3rd floor at 1:30pm, space is limited. This event is free and open to the public. Table service requires a minimum charge of $10 per person per hour. For more information you can go to: www.espnzone.com/newyork.(2-2-2009)
Gunselman, Bodine’s start new Cup team UPDATE: Journeyman driver Larry Gunselman is the latest to make an attempt at the Cup Series dream in 2009 as the Washington native has formed a team for himself and a pair of veteran brothers, Geoff and Todd Bodine. Gunselman, who won races in the old Winston West Series and its most popular driver award in 1996 before traveling east in 2000 to seek his racing fortunes, is the principal in the team that will field #64 Toyotas. He said Wednesday morning he’s backed by a group of investors who are new to the sport and is still seeking primary sponsorship. “Right now we’re looking at running for purse money while we try to come up with sponsorship dollars,” Gunselman said. “The more sponsor dollars you get, the harder you can run. I tell people all the time, if you don’t have money, you’ve got to race smart, and you can race hard if you do have money.” If a team had been able to make all 36 Cup races last season and finish in the least-paying position, it would have won $2,880,640 in purse money. Gunselman has six Camrys — three each that were purchased from Bill Davis Racing and Red Bull Racing — and Wednesday he’d just come from the NASCAR R&D Center with his crew chief “for as long as I can keep him,” former champion Doug Richert, and the second chassis they’d had certified. Gunselman, who has previous Cup team ownership experience from when he fielded the #98 Mach 1 Motorsports cars in 2004 with Chris Edwards, made 26 of 36 races and finished 39th in the owner standings, said to start the season attempting the races was critical. “There are so many people out of work out there right now that I believe the whole industry is going through a major correction factor — the whole economy of the United States is going through a correction factor at the moment,” Gunselman said. “There’s an opportunity for a guy who’s willing to go out there and take advantage of an opportunity and find a good group of people who really want to race, and we’ve got that. I think the current economic conditions are going to weed a lot of people out of our sport that didn’t get in it for the right reason to begin with, and the real racers are going to figure out a way to survive and come out of this economic situation still involved in the sport.”
While the team wasn’t sure who’d be in its car for Speedweeks, when the #64 will attempt to make the Daytona 500 as a “go-or-go-home” car, Gunselman said Todd Bodine would definitely drive at Fontana and Las Vegas, the second and third races on the schedule. Bodine is the 2006 Truck Series champion, who also has 15 wins in the Nationwide Series and 228 Cup starts, with five poles, seven top-five and 21 top-10 finishes. Geoff Bodine, who won the 1986 Daytona 500, 18 Cup races, six in the Nationwide Series and hundreds of Modified races — but who hasn’t made a NASCAR national touring start since 2005, when he made eight starts in the Nationwide Series, may run at Daytona. Gunselman, 48, most recently made spot starts in all of NASCAR’s national tours — including 20 in the ‘08 Nationwide and Truck series.(NASCAR.com)(1-29-2009)
UPDATE: Geoff Bodine will drive the #64 Toyota entrant in an attempt to qualify for the 51st running of the Daytona 500 for Gunselman Motorsports. Bodine will be making his first Sprint Cup Series attempt since 2004. The 59-year young native of Chemung, NY will be making several attempts trading off with his brother, Todd, for the Gunselman team during the 2009 season. Bodine’s last attempt was for also for Gunselman when he ran Mach 1 Motorsports. “This is a pretty neat opportunity and something I’m looking forward to doing,” Bodine said. “I still feel I have the competitive spirit and ability to get out there and race. I have driven so many types of cars from Cup to Modifieds to Trucks that I’m looking forward to the learning curve here with the new Sprint Cup car. When Larry first approached me about this, I started to get excited about getting behind the wheel again. So, here I am, getting ready for Daytona and seeing what our Toyota Camry can do at Daytona.” In addition to the opportunity to race, Bodine and Gunselman are both hoping to draw attention to the US Bobsled efforts that Bodine has headed up through his annual Bodine Bobsled Challenge held in Lake Placid, NY each January. “To have someone like Geoff in our car is incredible,” Gunselman said. “He and I have been friends for many years and I can’t even begin to thank him enough for signing on with us. I’ve been to every Bobsled Challenge and I’m hoping we can draw awareness to that effort, as well. We’re unsponsored right now, but have some key individuals helping us get the funding we need to compete on a larger basis. To see Geoff in the shop working on the car, in the car and interacting with the guys has been great. He won’t let on, but I think he’s getting more and more excited as time draws near for Daytona.” Interested parties can inquire to info@larrygunselman.com regarding unique sponsorship opportunities available.(Packman PR)(1-31-2009)
NASCAR: Drivers pass preseason drug tests: NASCAR does not anticipate suspending any drivers who took their preseason drug tests last week in North Carolina, sanctioning body spokesman Ramsey Poston said. “We are proud of how the process worked so far,” Poston said in a statement. “All drivers, crew members and officials will have passed the substance-abuse test going into the season.” Drivers in NASCAR’s three national series must pass a drug test during the preseason, and most drivers took their test last week at the NASCAR Research and Development Center. This is the first season that NASCAR is requiring its drivers to pass a preseason drug test. Its previous policy allowed NASCAR to test at any time for reasonable suspicion – which is still the policy today – but did not require the passing of a preseason test. Teams had to submit crew rosters and list those who had passed a drug test in order to have them licensed to work on the cars. “We will continue to randomly test throughout the season,” Poston said, “and our reasonable suspicion remains in place, making NASCAR’s substance abuse policy one of the most comprehensive in sports.”(SceneDaily)(1-31-2009)
Earnhardt Ganassi Racing’s fourth car in the Daytona 500, the #34 Chevy, will actually involve a partnership with owner Bob Jenkins’ Front Row Motorsports and one of its drivers, John Andretti. An EGR spokesman said the collaborative effort would be only for the Daytona 500, and that the car would be a guaranteed starter via points accrued in 2008 by one of EGR’s cars that won’t compete this season. Those include the #01 and #15 that were fielded last season by Dale Earnhardt Inc. and the #41 fielded by Chip Ganassi Racing. The #41 has been registered to Jeremy Mayfield in 2009 for his Mayfield Racing Enterprises, but the points didn’t go with the number, according to a Mayfield spokesperson. EGR this season will field full-season efforts for the #1, #8 and #42 Chevys. During Speedweeks, EGR’s Steve Lane [was the #40 crew chief for Ganassi in 2008] will be the crew chief for the #34 and EGR crewmen will be among those tending the car. During the past five seasons, Jenkins and his son, Brad have fielded between one and three car numbers each year in the Cup Series, including the #34 and #37 cars the past two seasons. In that time the Front Row teams have made 52 races, but have never been guaranteed starters, except in the case of a rainout.(NASCAR.com)
UPDATE 4.5: The team will be guaranteed a spot in the Daytona 500 because it will have top-35 owners points from last year, although it was unclear whose points it will have. Whether the alliance will continue beyond the Daytona 500 is still to be determined. “We believe this is the beginning of a long-term partnership that will provide a technical platform for our team,” Front Row Motorsports owner Bob Jenkins said. “After being in last year’s Daytona 500 with John Andretti, I realized that with the right alliance and adequate resources, we could put ourselves in a position to have a front-running car.” Front Row Motorsports also announced that it plans to run the entire Nationwide Series with driver Tony Raines behind the wheel.(SceneDaily)(1-30-2009)
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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
Mechanix Wear Donates Safety Gloves to Jimmie Johnson
Hand tools and knives are often underrated as sources of potential danger. Hand tools may look harmless, but they are the cause of many injuries.
www.race2win.net/wc/09/01/mwdsgjj.html
Notebook: Geoff Bodine Trying to Make Daytona 500
Geoff Bodine will drive the No. 64 Gunselman Motorsports Toyota in an attempt to make the field for the season-opening Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500, according to a team release.
www.race2win.net/wc/09/01/ngbmd.html
Notebook: Andretti to Race in Daytona 500
John Andretti will drive the No. 34 Window World Earnhardt Ganassi Racing Chevrolet in the Daytona 500 on Feb. 15th.
www.race2win.net/wc/09/01/nard.html
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Courtesy of That’s Racin’
Offseason? Not so much. But it’s time to go again
DAVID POOLE’S BLOG
I leave Tuesday to go to Daytona Speedweeks, starting my 13th season covering NASCAR in specific and motorsports in general.
www.thatsracin.com/topstories/story/21988.html
Rolex 24 winner moving in
‘Charlotte has replaced Indianapolis as the center of racing in this country’
As if managing the team that fielded the first- and third-place finishing cars in the Rolex 24 at Daytona last weekend wasn’t stressful enough, Michael Colucci now is also going through a big move.
www.thatsracin.com/topstories/story/21985.html
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P R E S S * R E L E A S E S
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Budweiser Shootout Draw Party Set For Thursday At The Speed Stage
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 30, 2009) — The first official act of the 2009 NASCAR season will take place on Thursday night, Feb. 5 with the Budweiser Shootout Draw Party on the SPEED Stage located outside Turn 4 of historic Daytona International Speedway.
Drivers that are eligible for the 31st annual Budweiser Shootout will draw their starting position for the 75-lap All-Star classic set for Saturday, Feb. 7 at “The World Center of Racing.” The draw party, which begins at 6:30 p.m., is free and open to the public and parking is available at Lot 3 (Speedplex Offices).
The Budweiser Shootout will feature a star-studded lineup in a new format. The field will consist of the top six teams from each manufacturer based on the final 2008 car owner’s points. Eligibility is based on owners competing in this event with the same manufacturer as 2008. In addition, each manufacturer will be able to enter a seventh car or “wild card” entry.
The criteria for the wild card entry are:
* Any owner outside the top six in year end 2008 owner’s points whose driver is a past NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion that attempted to qualify for all 2008 events (only one position will be filled per manufacturer and will be based on the most recent past champion per manufacturer).
* If an owner/manufacturer does not have a past champion driver, the next highest eligible owner outside the top six in year end 2008 owners’ points from each manufacturer will be eligible to compete in the event.
Among the drivers that will be in the 28-car field include two-time and reigning Budweiser Shootout champion Dale Earnhardt Jr., three-time Daytona 500 winner Jeff Gordon, three-time defending NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson, three-time Budweiser Shootout winner Tony Stewart, Kasey Kahne, Kevin Harvick, Denny Hamlin and more.
The race distance will be increased from 70 laps to 75 (187.5 miles) on the 2.5-mile tri-oval. The race will have two segments, of 25 and 50 laps. Both green- and yellow-flag laps will count.
Between segments, there will be a 10-minute pit stop at which time teams will pit and may elect to change tires, add fuel and make normal chassis adjustments.
Popular country music star Dierks Bentley, whose latest album “Feel That Fire” will be released on Feb. 3, will perform before thousands of race fans before and after the Budweiser Shootout.
Bentley, who previously performed a pre-race and post-race concert for the 2007 Budweiser Shootout, will sing three of his hit songs from the Pre-Race Stage before the start of the Budweiser Shootout. The performance of his latest hit, “Feel That Fire.” will be carried live on FOX Sports as part of the festivities. After the checkered flag drops, Bentley will perform a 60-minute post-race concert from the Sprint FANZONE Entertainment Stage.
Sprint FANZONE/Pre-Race access holders will be able to view the pre-race concert from the tri-oval grass while all ticket holders will have access to the post-race concert, which will start in the Sprint FANZONE approximately 30-minutes after the end of the race.
For ticket information on the Budweiser Shootout as well as other DIRECTV Speedweeks events, visit www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or call 1-800-PITSHOP.
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Courtesy of Jayski
Mike Wallace is known for his prowess on the high banks of Daytona International Speedway. And now, thanks to backing from a Virginia military school, Wallace will get to once again prove his superspeedway talents in the NASCAR Nationwide Camping World 300 at DIS. “First, I want to thank Johnny Davis and everyone at JD Motorsports for working with me to put this Nationwide deal together,” Wallace said. “I love racing at Daytona and having two opportunities to compete there is great. When the Fishburne Military School Board of Directors got together and talked about supporting this one-race deal, they realized it would be a good thing. We will carry their slogan of ‘Leadership for Life’ on the #01 Chevy. It’s a unique sponsorship and I’m hoping we can do a good job for them.”(Wallace PR)(1-31-2009)
Raines to run full season for Front Row Motorsports: Tony Raines has been named the driver for a full season Nationwide effort by Front Row Motorsports. The team is expected to run #00 (they ran the #24 with Eric McClure last year but allowed McClure to take the number with him to Rensi-Hamilton). (1-30-2009)
Memphis track sold by Dover Motorsports to owners of Alabama Motorsports Park: Dover Motorsports, Inc. announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell Memphis Motorsports Park to Gulf Coast Entertainment, L.L.C. Under the terms of the agreement, Dover Motorsports will sell all of the stock of its subsidiary Memphis International Motorsports Corporation, the owner of Memphis Motorsports Park, to Gulf Coast Entertainment for $10 million in cash. Gulf Coast Entertainment is the owner of a newly proposed multi-use entertainment complex in Mobile, AL which is projected to be operational in 2011. As additional consideration for the purchase, Dover Motorsports will receive a two percent non-dilutable interest in Gulf Coast Entertainment and will have an agreement to provide motorsports management services to Alabama Motorsports Park when the facilities become operational. Closing is expected to take place on or about April 30, 2009 and is subject to financing and customary closing conditions. Memphis Motorsports Park does not contemplate any schedule changes in 2009 and will continue to host events in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. It will continue operations under the ownership of Gulf Coast Entertainment, but will operate under a management agreement with Dover Motorsports.(Dover Motorsports PR)(1-30-2009)
State Water Heaters Joins Baker Curb: Baker Curb Racing announces the addition of State Water Heaters as an official partner and associate sponsor of the #27 Ford driven by Jason Keller in the Nationwide Series for 2009. State Water Heaters, based in nearby Ashland City, Tennessee, has a history of sponsoring NASCAR racing and most recently was the primary sponsor of the Haas CNC Racing Chevy driven by Scott Riggs on the Sprint Cup Series in 2008.(Baker Curb PR)(1-30-2009)
Kvapil in the #09 at Daytona: Travis Kvapil, the 2003 Camping World Truck Series Champion, will fill in for John Wes Townley in the #09 Zaxby’s Ford at Daytona for the Camping World 300. Townley, a 2009 Raybestos Rookie of the Year contender in the Nationwide Series, has not been approved by NASCAR to race at tracks over two miles in length.(RAB Racing PR)(1-30-2009)
Shepherd switching to Chevy: Morgan Shepherd and his Faith Motorsports Nationwide Series program will be sporting a “bow tie” when the 2009 NASCAR campaign kicks off at Daytona International Speedway in a couple of weeks. Shepherd, who had fielded Dodges in his final two seasons in the Sprint Cup Series in 2005 and 2006, and in the Nationwide Series in 2007 and 2008, will make the switch to Chevy for the 2009 race season. “We have historically worked with Johnny Davis and his program, and last year we were so thankful for the help that Kevin Harvick and Tony Stewart provided to our team,” Shepherd said. “Our switching over to Chevrolet will make our relationships with these and other teams more beneficial to all of us.”(Faith Motorsports PR)(1-30-2009)
Kertus Davis back in the #49: According to the Jay Robinson Racing website, Kertus Davis will be the driver of the #49 again this year. The site only lists 2 teams — the #49 and the #28 of Kenny Wallace. Last year the team also ran the #4, primarily with Derrike Cope. This season Cope is expected to run the full season for Rick Ware Racing.(1-30-2009)
MacDonald Motorsports names crew chief: David Ingram has been named crew chief for the #81 MacDonald Motorsports team. From Hooter’s Pro Cup working for Bobby Gill and later Steven Wallace, David progressed over the years to crew chief for Johnny Chapman in last year’s Nationwide Series.(MacDonald Motorsports)(1-30-2009)
D’Hondt Motorsports signs 2009 product sponsors: D’Hondt Motorsports, LLC announced the signing of several new product sponsors — STP Tools, NutriSystem, SCA / TORK, Gunk, Rudy Project, and AIRCAT. “With the 2009 racing season about to get underway, we are very fortunate to have these fine companies supporting our efforts. DMS is growing and it says a lot for what we are building and where we are headed in both the Nationwide Series and the ARCA REMAX Series, to be blessed with this amount of support in these challenged times,” said DMS – New Business Director, Dan Leon.(D’Hondt Motorsports PR)(1-30-2009)
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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
Lally to race for FDNY Racing at Daytona: Fresh off a win at the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona, Andy Lally is set to take the wheel of the #28 FDNY Racing Chevy Silverado on February 13th for the season opener of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series at Daytona International Speedway. A native New Yorker, Lally is happy to be a part of FDNY Racing. “Im as honored as I am excited to be racing with the team. I am from Long Island, New York and and to be racing for FDNY Racing is really cool. I have some friends in the FDNY and it will be great to represent them in the race.”(AndyLally.com)(1-31-2009)
New rules from NASCAR to help teams with costs: With the goal being to preserve the competitive racing that the Camping World Truck Series is known for among race fans, while at the same time help teams save money; NASCAR has issued new rules for the 2009 season. A brief synopsis is a follows:
– After March 25th, teams will not be permitted to compete in more than three consecutive events without running a sealed engine. [Meaning teams cannot run four races in a row without using an engine that has been previously run by an engine builder and sealed by NASCAR.] Once a team uses a sealed engine, the count starts over again. For example, a team owner may decide to run only two races before using a sealed engine; at that point, the three consecutive count starts over.
– Team owners make the initial decision what race they want an engine sealed, and at the discretion of the NASCAR Competition Director, the engine will be sealed. Seals will be installed and removed by NASCAR officials only.
– Teams will be limited to five over-the-wall pit crew members for pit stops, whether under green or yellow conditions. Teams will not be allowed to fuel and change tires during the same pit stop. Teams can stop any time, under green or yellow conditions, and perform anything they would normally do during a pit stop; they just will not be allowed to do gas and tires at the same time. At one point, competition cautions were considered, however limiting the number of over-the-wall crew members seemed a more viable option. As a result, pit strategy may prove to be in the mix during many races.
– The crew chief must designate a maximum of twelve active crew members to attend each race. Active crew members include the crew chief, driver, spotter, plus nine other people actively turning wrenches on the truck. Team owners, public relations representatives, and guests are not included in the numbers.(1-30-2009)
Dover Motorsports agrees to sell Memphis Motorsports Park: Dover Motorsports, Inc. has announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell Memphis Motorsports Park to Gulf Coast Entertainment, L.L.C. Under the terms of the agreement, Dover Motorsports will sell all of the stock of its subsidiary Memphis International Motorsports Corporation, the owner of Memphis Motorsports Park, to Gulf Coast Entertainment for $10 million in cash. Gulf Coast Entertainment is the owner of a newly proposed multi-use entertainment complex in Mobile, AL which is projected to be operational in 2011. Memphis Motorsports Park does not contemplate any schedule changes in 2009 and will continue to host events in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. It will continue operations under the ownership of Gulf Coast Entertainment, but will operate under a management agreement with Dover Motorsports.(Dover Motorsports PR)(1-30-2009)
Bliss to drive for Key Motorsports: Curtis Key, owner of Key Motorsports, has announced that former Camping World Truck Series champion Mike Bliss will pilot the #40 Chevrolet Silverado for at least six races in 2009. Bliss will kick off the season with the NextEra Energy Resources 250 at Daytona International Speedway on February 13, and will remain behind the wheel for the races at California (February 21), Atlanta (March 7), Martinsville (March 28), Charlotte (May 15), and Dover (May 29). Details whether Bliss will continue as driver for the rest of the season are still in negotiation. Gary Showalter will be leading the team in the garage, serving as Crew Chief for the #40 Chevrolet. Key Motorsports announced last week that Westerman Companies renewed their sponsorship for the 2009 season, running at least six races on the #40. Bliss will run the Westerman Companies paint scheme for the company’s first appearance of the season at Martinsville.(Key Motorsports PR)(1-30-2009)
As the 2008 NFL season comes to a close, New England Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss is getting ready to kick off his first full season as a NASCAR team owner. Moss and co-owner David Dollar have tapped Raybestos Rookie-of-the-Year contender Tayler Malsam to drive the #81 RMM truck and former Truck Series Champion Mike Skinner to drive the #46 RMM truck in the 2009 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season. “We are very pleased to have both Tayler and Mike come on board at Randy Moss Motorsports for the 2009 season,” stated team co-owner Randy Moss. “Tayler has shown a lot of promise in his performance on the track in 2008 and we look forward to helping him to continue to grow as a driver in 2009. Mike will be able to help mentor Tayler while going for his second championship all at the same time. It’s the perfect combination.” “We have set a plan in motion to have a championship caliber team in 2009,” added co-owner David Dollar. “We see a lot of potential in Tayler and are excited to have him be a part of that plan. Having Mike come on board puts the last piece of the puzzle together for us to be able to run for the championship. We look forward to Tayler running for Raybestos Rookie-of-the-Year and both he and Mike making a run for the 2009 championship.” Announcements regarding crew chiefs and sponsorship for the 2009 RMM team will be made in the near future.(Randy Moss Motorsports PR)(1-30-2009)
Harmon set for Daytona and California with Lafferty Motorsports: Lafferty Motorsports is pleased to announce that they will be making the next step in the growth of their motorsports organization by attending every race in the 2009 NASCAR Camping World Truck series schedule. Mike Harmon is slated to drive at Daytona and California, a decision has not been made for any further races. While still on a severely limited budget Lafferty Performance Products will serve as primary sponsor for Chris Lafferty’s team. Lafferty Performance Products is a growing performance product manufacturer of engine and chassis parts catering to racers at all levels; advanced CNC equipment and in house Spin-Tron assures quality and precision manufacturing.(Lafferty Motorsports PR)(1-30-2009)
Blu Frog Energy Drink to sponsor Larry Foyt in the #74 Dodge at Daytona. Our sponsorships come at a perfect time for us, as we launch our new Blu Frog Energy Drink. said Gary Raser, Founder, President and CEO of The Limu Company. The Limu Company is a fast-growing direct sales organization located in Lake Mary, Florida and celebrating its fifth year anniversary in 2009.(Larry Foyt PR & Marketing)(1-30-2009)
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A R C A (Automobile Racing Club of America)
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Courtesy of ARCA
HMS Invites Gerhart to 25th Anniversary Celebration; Old ‘Dusty’ with a New Debut
CHARLOTTE NC (2-1-09) – In 1999, Bobby Gerhart climbed aboard a Hendrick Motorsports-built chassis that was already 10 years old. Nearly two hours later, the Lebanon, Pennsylvania veteran climbed out of that same car in victory circle at Daytona Int’l Speedway, the first of five victories for Gerhart at the “World Center of Racing”. The car, a Chevrolet Lumina, was chassis no. 001 from the Hendrick Motorsports stable. To commemorate the 25th anniversary of Hendrick Motorsports, the car, known as ‘Dusty’, was beautifully restored, and Gerhart was invited for the big celebration. This is the story………
www.arcaracing.com/news.cfm?contentid=7594
Hollenbeck, Hixson Pair-Up For Daytona
SODDY DAISY TN (1-31-09) – Veteran Larry Hollenbeck will be behind the wheel of the #23 SWAT Fitness Chevrolet fielded by Hixson Motorsports when the ARCA RE/MAX Series rolls into Daytona International Speedway for the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200. The 59 year old Kalamazoo, Michigan driver has three Top 10 finishes in 26 ARCA RE/MAX Series starts since 2001, with a career best 8th place run at Michigan International Speedway. Hollenbeck is looking to improve on that as the team prepares to head to Daytona.
www.arcaracing.com/news.cfm?contentid=7586
Technology on the March; Card Scorers Not Needed at Daytona During Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200
DAYTONA BEACH FL (1-30-09) – As technology marches forward and the economy slides backward, ARCA RE/MAX Series officials are moving accordingly.
www.arcaracing.com/news.cfm?contentid=7593
Featured Driver: Justin Allgaier, Champ…..
TOLEDO OH (1-30-09)–Justin Allgaier will be competing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series for Roger Penske in 2009, but before Allgaier ever made his NASCAR debut, he developed his skills in the ARCA RE/MAX Series. The 22-year-old Springfield, Illinois, driver became the 26th ARCA RE/MAX Series Champion in 2008 and the first non-Kimmel Champion since Bill Baird in 1999. Allgaier, and former ARCA Champions, are today’s featured drivers.
www.arcaracing.com/news.cfm?contentid=7590
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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/BB/013109.html
What Washington Could Learn From NASCAR
by Brenda Benedict
Nascar Returns with the Bud Shootout
The season kick off begins with a whole new shootout, Saturday Feb 7 (FOX 8 pm ET). When the pole award sponsor changed in 2008, it was obvious that Budweiser would change the format for the Shoot Out.
www.speedwaymedia.com/Articles/09/013109Dunn.asp
Daytona 500 Royalty Seeking To Make The Field In 2009
More than 50 drivers will be looking for one of 43 spots in the field for this year’s edition of the Daytona 500.
www.speedwaymedia.com/Articles/09/012909Thornton.asp
T-Minus 11 and Counting
In case you hadn’t noticed, it is only 18 days until the Daytona 500 and only 11 days until the Budweiser Shootout exhibition race.
www.speedwaymedia.com/Articles/09/012909Fleshman.asp
Insider Racing News
insiderracingnews.com/Writers/KR/020109.html
Will The New Truck Series Rules Help Or Hurt The Teams?
by Kim Roberson
The Nascar Insiders
The NASCAR Week That Was: Jan. 25-31
Just one week until racing returns to Daytona and the news continues to flow out of the sport
feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheNascarInsiders/~3/528395821/
Insider Racing News
insiderracingnews.com/Writers/MP/020209.html
A New Start For Dale Earnhardt Jr.
by Matthew Pizzolato
Insider Racing News
insiderracingnews.com/Writers/LD/020209.html
The Perils of Point Swapping
by Loren Dorrell
RaceTalkRadio.com:
The Sham of Drug Testing by Dennis Michelsen
www.racetalkradio.com/soz/id220.htm
The Nascar Insiders
Final Thoughts on Truck Series Rule Changes
In what appeared to be an eleventh hour decision, NASCAR announced last week that they were changing the pit stop rules for the Truck Series, but not to what we had previously reported.
feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheNascarInsiders/~3/529382247/
Ed Hinton And Marty Smith Finally Get Their Chance
Rarely has there been a NASCAR TV controversy brewing even before the first engines are started at Daytona.
dalyplanet.blogspot.com/2009/02/ed-hinton-and-marty-smith-finally-get.html
“NASCAR Wives” Now All Headed For Daytona
When the TLC network announced a new series called NASCAR Wives, eyebrows went up all around the town.
dalyplanet.blogspot.com/2009/01/nascar-wives-now-all-headed-for-daytona.html
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T V * L I S T I N G S
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Courtesy of Jayski
Mon Feb 2
5:00 pm NASCAR Now ESPN2
5:00 pm Classic’s NASCAR – 1982 Richmond 400 ESPNC
7:00 pm NASCAR PreSeason Thunder SPEED
11:00 pm NASCAR PreSeason Thunder SPEED
Tue Feb 3
1:00 am NASCAR Now ESPN2
5:00 pm NASCAR Now ESPN2
7:00 pm NASCAR PreSeason Thunder SPEED
11:00 pm NASCAR PreSeason Thunder SPEED
Wed Feb 4
12:00 am NASCAR Now ESPN2
12:00 pm NASCAR 39/10: Reviewing the 60th Season-September SPEED
5:30 pm NASCAR Now ESPN2
7:00 pm NASCAR PreSeason Thunder SPEED
11:00 pm NASCAR PreSeason Thunder SPEED
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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The Stock Car Gazette
Copyright 2002-2009 by MotorSportsNews.Net
All Rights Reserved
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Supra for sale
