It’s Tuesday, and the fur is still flying (with apologies to Tony…. Furr) from the Dale Earnhardt Jr./Brian Vickers crash.
Read more in today’s Stock Car Gazette.
(picture courtesy of Icon Sports Media)
____________________________________________________________
T H E * S T O C K * C A R * G A Z E T T E
by http://MotorSportsNews.Net
Do you know for sure?
http://motorsportsnews.net/you-can-know-for-sure
____________________________________________________________
The Stock Car Gazette is sponsored by:
Hasco Collectibles
Div. Hasco Services, LLC
701 Mantooth Ave.
Lufkin, TX 75904
http://www.hascodiecastcars.com
hasco@diecastcars.net
866-66-HASCO (866-664-2726)
WATCH FOR OUR NEW SALE COMING SOON!
We Have AMP/NG/Dupont/Lowes/Cheerios/Home Depot/Budweiser/
Bass Pro/Fed-Ex/Nicorette, And Many More At Our Web Store:
http://www.hascodiecastcars.com.
Hasco Collectibles
Div. Hasco Services, LLC
701 Mantooth Ave.
Lufkin, TX 75904
http://www.hascodiecastcars.com
hasco@diecastcars.net
866-66-HASCO (866-664-2726)
___________________________________________________________
E d i t o r ‘ s * N o t e s
___________________________________________________________
It’s Tuesday, and the fur is still flying (with apologies to Tony…. Furr) from the Earnhardt Jr./Vickers crash.
___________________________________________________________
Stock Car Gazette Columnists Speak Out!
___________________________________________________________
Kenseth Fan Says Matt Is In A Class By Himself
by: Patty Williams
I am sure there are a lot of people who are shocked that Matt Kenseth won the Daytona 500.
I am not.
I would even venture to say that most of the people that are shocked are either not race fans at all or casual fans. Read more of this article at http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/2884
___________________________________________________________
Track Trash – Da tuna 500
by: Racing Maniac
Yeah, for a shortened race, it was full of excitement and worth the view. As much as we like to see The Big One, it does mess up the end of the race, and allows some drivers to get an undeserving finish. But, such is NA$CAR….. read the rest by Racing Maniac at http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/2892
For more from RM, visit http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/category/track-trash
___________________________________________________________
Rhyme Time From Daytona
by: Mike Wells
It all started with practice, from a ti-re I hear
When Stewart took another, hard jab at Goodyear
Then the starting ceremony, felt like it went on forever
If they’d just started sooner, we could have beaten the weather
Don’t be a pest…. read the rest…. http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/2899
For more from Wells, visit http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/category/water-from-the-wells
___________________________________________________________
Do you blame Junior?
by: Chuck Abrams
I am going to open up this can of worms.
And I am sure I will get comments from both sides of the Dale Earnhardt Jr./Brian Vickers issue, or at least I hope to. Read more at http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/2915
For more by Chuck, visit http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/category/chuckabrams
___________________________________________________________
N A S C A R * S P R I N T * C U P * S E R I E S
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of Stock Car Gazette subscriber Ed B. – thanks!
kyle_petty_has_seen_enough_of_daytona
http://www.news-record.com/content/2009/02/15/article/kyle_petty_has_seen_enough_of_daytona
___________________________________________________________
Your ad could be displayed here… very reasonable rates. E-mail Mike@MotorSportsNews.Net
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of Google Alerts
Rising auto racing star dies in accidental shooting
Atlanta Journal Constitution – GA, USA
As an adult, Hawkins won in his first start in the Hooters Pro Cup in March 2007. Hawkins repeated the same feat in the ARCA Re/Max Series in April 2008.
http://www.ajc.com/news/content/metro/cherokee/stories/2009/02/15/hawkins_cherokee_shooting.html
NASCAR’s Daytona Decision Has Consequences
CNBC – Englewood Cliffs,USA
With 48 laps, or 120 miles to go, in the sport’s biggest race, NASCAR officials decided to call off the Daytona 500 on Sunday and declare Matt Kenseth the …
http://www.cnbc.com/id/29227117
Kenseth win is a tough sell in NASCAR’s big event
USA Today – USA
But the driver with a dry wit is also calm, consistent and a very classy NASCAR champion. That’s the conundrum NASCAR faces following Kenseth’s win in …
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/2009-02-16-2732641868_x.htm
Economy perplexes NASCAR
Tulsa World – Tulsa,OK,USA
Trouble in the auto industry, the largest sponsor of NASCAR-related events and teams, is leading to major cuts in the racing industry. …
http://www.tulsaworld.com/site/articlepath.aspx?articleid=20090216_203_B1_Youkno305678
Richard Petty Motorsports starts strong
Elliott Sadler, who nearly lost his ride in the offseason, nearly won NASCAR’s biggest race for the newly created Richard Petty Motorsports team, losing the lead to winner Matt Kenseth in the final laps as the rain came down. …
http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/29215166/
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of Insider Racing News
http://www.insiderracingnews.com
Fans Get Chance To Meet Kenseth
Race fans are invited to Willie Mays Plaza at AT&T Park in San Francisco this Wednesday, Feb. 18, for a midday rally with Matt Kenseth, the winner of the 2009 Daytona 500. Kenseth (No. 17 DeWalt Ford), who won Sunday’s Great American Race, will come to San Francisco to meet with race fans, as well as take a Victory Tour Through the Streets of San Francisco, all courtesy of Infineon Raceway and NASCAR. The appearance marks the Official Countdown to the Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series weekend at Infineon Raceway, June 19-21 (Father’s Day weekend)
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of Jayski
http://www.jayski.com
Daytona 500 Champ – Matt Kenseth’s Appearances this week:
TUES FEB 17 — NYC
a.m. — Good Day NY (Local FOX)
9-10am — LIVE w/ Regis and Kelly Television — check your local listings
2:30 pm — FOX Business Channel TV
WED FEB 18 – San Francisco (all times local)
11:00-11:25 am — In Studio with Ronn Owenns Show on KGO 810 AM
1:15 pm — LIVE Interview with KNBR Radio live at press conference
San Francisco fans — Victory Tour on Wednesday
THURS FEB 19 – Los Angeles (not at the speedway)
11:10-11:30 am — Fan Q&A with Gillian Zucker
11:50-1:00 pm — Autograph Session with Fans
(MattKenseth.com)
Childress Earns Humanitarian Honors: The philanthropic efforts of Richard Childress, who, with his family, established the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, are being recognized through humanitarian awards and financial support for the Institute. Since December, Childress has been honored with the 2008 NASCAR Home Depot Humanitarian Award and the N.C. Motorsports Association’s Achievement in Motorsports Tribute Award, given in part for charitable work off the track. “Richard’s generous spirit and commitment to this cause will bring awareness to pediatric traumatic injuries and help save the lives of countless children in the future,” said Frank Bifulco, senior vice president and chief marketing officer of The Home Depot. The NCMA Tribute Award honored Childress, who celebrates his 40th anniversary as a NASCAR Cup Series team owner in 2009, for his accomplishments in motor sports, his compassion and philanthropic efforts off the track, and his individual integrity and character. Childress’s work on behalf of the Institute has earned significant recent contributions. The Institute received a $1 million commitment from John L. Morris, founder and chief executive officer of Bass Pro Shops, and a $1 million pledge has been made by a private family foundation that wishes to remain anonymous. The Childress family and the Medical Center are working with corporations and individuals to raise $20 million needed to establish the Institute. Because of significant programs and infrastructure in place at the Medical Center, the Institute will devote most of the monies to research, education, treatment and prevention and to raising national awareness about childhood injuries. For more information, visit www.childresspediatrictrauma.org, www.wfubmc.edu or call (866) 635-8190.(PR)(2-17-2009)
Legendary Car Owner Raymond Parks at Daytona 500: Over half a century after his cars and drivers raced their way into history, former NASCAR team owner Raymond Parks returned to the track for Sunday’s 51st Daytona 500. Parks, who celebrates his 95th birthday in 2009, attended the pre-race drivers meeting. He also participated in several photos with NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France and NASCAR President Mike Helton, plus another photo with one of his historic race cars – a black 1939 Ford Coupe on display in Daytona International Speedway’s Sprint FANZONE. A Dawson County, Georgia native, Parks is one of stock-car racing’s earliest – and most successful – team owners. NASCAR founder Bill France drove for him and his cars were considered among the best of their time. “Raymond Parks is one of the nicest men the sport has ever known,” said Jim Hunter, NASCAR’s vice president for corporate communications. “He’s a true southern gentleman, and he supported the sport long before NASCAR was a household word.” Funded by successful business and real estate ventures in Atlanta, Park began his career as a stock-car owner in 1938 with drivers Lloyd Seay and Roy Hall. His pairing with another Atlantan, mechanic Red Vogt, produced equipment good enough to dominate the sport throughout much of the 1940s. Driver Red Byron won the first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series title in 1949 in a Parks-owned car. Parks retired from racing in 1952.(NASCAR PR)(2-17-2009)
Starr in the #51? hearing that Camping World Truck Series driver, David Starr, will attempt to make the Sprint Cup race at California this week for #51 Blackjack Racing. Kelly Bires attempted to make the Daytona 500 in the car, but failed to race inot the field in the Gatorade Duel. If Starr makes the field, he will be making his Sprint Cup Series debut. Dexter Bean is scheduled to attempt the Cup race at Las Vegas in the #51.(2-16-2009)
Gilliland to drive the #71 for next four races: the TRG team — that stands for The Racers Group — led by owner Kevin Buckler, whose car, driven by Mike Wallace, missed the Daytona 500 by one position. That one position cost $500,000, Buckler said. “Last place in the Daytona 500 pays $250,000, and I had a sponsor who was ready to come aboard for the race, if we made it, for another $250,000. So it hurt.” But Buckler is entered in the California race next week, and he plans to attempt the next four races with driver David Gilliland, who was the odd man out in the Yates organization this year.(Orlando Sentinel)(2-16-2009)
Racing Resources Says …Sprint Cup Series
* Matt Kenseth won the 51st running of the Daytona 500.
* This was the fourth rain-shortened Daytona 500. The previous rain-shortened 500s: 1965,133 laps; 1966, 198 laps; and 2003, 109 laps. Sunday’s race ran 152 laps. The last rain-shortened Cup race was at Loudon last June.
* Kenseth became the 33rd different winner of the Daytona 500, scoring his first victory in 10 starts in this prestigious race. It was his first restrictor-plate victory. His previous best finish at Daytona was a third-place finish in July 2008. That third-place was also his previous best restrictor-plate finish in 36 restrictor-plate races.
* Kenseth posted his 17th career Sprint Cup victory in his 329th career start. Roush Fenway’s previous best finish in the 500 was second three times: Jeff Burton (2000) and Kurt Busch (2003 and 2005).
* Kenseth was winless in 2008, with his last Sprint Cup win coming at Homestead in November 2007. He led once in Sunday’s 500 for the final seven laps.
* Kyle Busch led the most laps in the race, leading twice for 88 laps.
* Kevin Harvick finished second.
* Ford posted its 11th victory in 51 Daytona 500s. Chevrolet has 20 500 victories, while Dodge has four.
* Scott Speed (35th) was the highest-finishing rookie contender among the two rookies who raced. Speed started 38th.
* Michael Waltrip (seventh) was the highest-finishing Toyota.
* There were five first-time starters in this year’s 500: AJ Allmendinger (third), Marcos Ambrose (17th), Aric Almirola (30th), Speed (35th) and Joey Logano (43rd).
* The top 10 consisted of four Dodges, three Chevrolets, two Fords and one Toyota.(ESPN Monday Rundown)(2-16-2009)
First 1,000 Atlanta Motor Speedway Racing Roulette Tix Gone in 15 Mins.: After arriving Sunday at 1:15 p.m. and camping overnight, Amber Lee of McDonough was the first in line for Atlanta Motor Speedway’s Racing Roulette promotion that began at 9:00am on Monday. For the Racing Roulette promotion, the first 1,000 tickets sold Monday for the Kobalt Tools 500 were sold at $17 to commemorate Matt Kenseth’s win in the Daytona 500. All 1,000 tickets were sold in approximately 15 minutes. Lee was the first in a long line of enthusiastic fans, many of which stayed at the Speedway overnight, to ensure their $17 tickets to the March 8 Kobalt Tools 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The Racing Roulette promotion continues through 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday with a buy one regular-priced $95 ticket, get the second for $17 deal. Fans can continue to purchase Racing Roulette tickets by calling the Atlanta Motor Speedway ticket office at 1-877-9-AMS-TIX (877-926-7849), by visiting www.atlantamotorspeedway.com.(AMS PR)(2-17-2009)
Metrolink charter train service available to Auto Club Speedway: Since the very first race in 1997, Auto Club Speedway has partnered with Metrolink to provide Southern Californians direct train service to the speedway’s NASCAR races. The tradition continues on Sunday, February 22nd for the Auto Club 500 – the West Coast Premiere of NASCAR, with Metrolink operating three charter trains from Oceanside, Oxnard and Lancaster and virtually all stops in between. Charter train tickets are $20-$35, depending on station boarding location. The Speedway trains stop at a specially constructed station just off the back straight-away at the race track. From there, it’s a free tram service taking fans to the grandstand area. Trains depart Auto Club Speedway one hour after the checkered flag. Metrolink riders can bring food and non-alcoholic beverages on board the train. Items are not permitted to be stored at the Speedway train station, however Auto Club Speedway allows carry-in items including one soft side bag / cooler, no larger than 6x6x12 inches, that may contain ice. For a complete list of approved carry-in items, please visit www.autoclubspeedway.com. The Auto Club Speedway trains are charters, regular Metrolink tickets are not valid. The charter train tickets are sold only at Auto Club Speedway and are mailed out prior to the race. To purchase race and train tickets or for information on the Auto Club Speedway charter train schedule, call Auto Club Speedway at (800) 944-RACE (7223), or visit www.autoclubspeedway.com.(ACS PR)(2-17-2009)
Las Vegas headliner Gordie Brown to entertain Shelby 427 crowd: Gordie Brown, a multi-talented impressionist, singer and entertainer, will headline the pre-race show prior to the Shelby 427 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 1. Brown, who starts a new show at the Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino this week, has spent the past year on a world tour with Celine Dion, where he has served as her opening act. Brown will perform for approximately 15 minutes immediately prior to the 1 p.m. introduction of drivers for the Shelby 427. A few tickets remain for the Feb. 27-March 1 NASCAR Weekend. Neon Garage, Lucky 7 Preferred Parking and driver introduction passes also are available. Please call 1-800-644-4444 or log on to www.lvms.com to get your tickets and passes today.(LVMS PR)(2-17-2009)
the future of NASCAR in Kentucky announcement Tues: Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear will hold a news conference at 1pn on Tuesday, Feb 17th in Frankfort with Speedway Motorsports Inc. chairman Bruton Smith and others. An advisory distributed this morning indicated only that the news conference would address, “the future of NASCAR in Kentucky.” Also scheduled to attend are former Kentucky Speedway chairman Jerry Carroll, Kentucky Senate President David Williams and Kentucky House Majority Leader Rocky Adkins. Carroll said the news conference would not include an announcement about bringing a long-sought NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race to Kentucky Speedway.(Cincinnati Enquirer)(2-16-2009)
___________________________________________________________
Your ad could be displayed here… very reasonable rates. E-mail Mike@MotorSportsNews.Net
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of Race2Win
http://www.race2win.net
Humphrey, Gwynn on Track Talk, Hornaday on Tap
Before the Gatorade Duels this past week, Race 2 Win’s Jeff Holtzclaw, Heather Meyer and Greg DePalma were on hand for another episode of Track Talk. Joining the crew on Thursday’s show were Randy Humphrey, co-owner of Prism Motorsports, and former racer Darrell Gwynn, who held the Hot Rods and Reels fishing tournament on Friday at Daytona. Be sure to listen to the archive or podcast of this episode on the Prime Sports Network.
Three-time Truck Series champion Ron Hornaday will join the Thursday, February 19th edition of Track Talk. If you have a question for Hornaday, email nascar@primesportsnetwork.com to have Ron answer it live on the air.
Numbers Game: Analyzing the Auto Club 500 at California
Daytona 500 champion Matt Kenseth’s victory march might not end any time soon. The series shifts to the West Coast and Auto Club Speedway, a track at which Kenseth excels.
Full Story http://www.race2win.net/wc/09/02/ngacs.html
Auto Club 500
• Entry List – http://www.race2win.net/wc/09/race/acs/el.html
• Weekend Schedule – http://www.race2win.net/wc/09/race/acs/ws.html
• Driver Rating – http://www.race2win.net/wc/09/race/acs/rate.html
Week 2: The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Top 12 – And Beyond
The following is a look at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Top 12 along with some other notable drivers, going into the Auto Club 500 at Auto Club Speedway on February 22.
Full Story http://www.race2win.net/wc/09/02/top12_2.html
The Cool Down Lap: Kenseth Ready to Seize the Moment
The table is set, figuratively speaking. Maybe that’s why Matt Kenseth’s crew felt compelled to eat and run.
Full Story http://www.race2win.net/wc/09/02/cdl2.html
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of That’s Racin’
http://www.thatsracin.com
Notes | Hendrick teams not a factor
NASCAR’s super group didn’t exactly get off to a super start. Again. None of Hendrick Motorsport’s drivers – Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Mark Martin – placed in the top 10.
http://www.thatsracin.com/140/story/3795.html
Daytona 500 shuffles rankings
The top 35 Sprint Cup teams following Daytona Speedweeks, ranked in terms of their performance and their potential for success this season.
http://www.thatsracin.com/140/story/3805.html
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of Valvoline.Com
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Jeff Gordon and Kyle Busch won Thursday’s Gatorade 150 qualifying races. Accidents during practice forced Tony Stewart, Ryan Newman, Kevin Harvick, among others, to start the Daytona 500 in backup cars. Poleman Martin Truex Jr. led the first lap but finished 11th. The first yellow came on lap eight when Aric Almirola spun. There was a competition yellow after 25 laps. Busch led until Dale Earnhardt Jr. got him on lap 53. Three laps later, Travis Kvapil brought out a yellow. Earnhardt missed his pits and had to go around again and restarted 35th. Stewart took the lead. Joey Logano spun and hit the inside turn-four wall hard, but wasn’t hurt. Gordon, who had led, pitted under green due to a tire issue and lost a lap. He quickly made that up when David Stremme’s car left debris. Earnhardt pitted with his right-front tire on the outside pit box line and was penalized a lap. Soon thereafter, he had contact with Brian Vickers on the backstretch. Earnhardt tried to go under Vickers, was blocked, and came back up and had contact with the Toyota. A nine-car accident followed, which took out dominant Kyle Busch – who led 88 laps – and damaged contenders Carl Edwards, Denny Hamlin, Jamie McMurray plus Jimmie Johnson. Elliott Sadler, who had just pitted, was the leader on the restart. Jeff Burton and Regan Smith banged together and that caught up Paul Menard for another yellow. The restart set up Matt Kenseth’s winning move. He averaged 132.816 mph with eight cautions for 35 laps. Clint Bowyer was fourth with Sadler fifth. Noteables: Stewart, eighth; Gordon, 13th; Earnhardt, 28th; Johnson, 31st. Drew Blickensderfer won in his debut as Kenseth’s new crew chief.
Yes, He REALLY Said That
Dale Earnhardt Jr., on the toughest part of being Dale Jr.: “Answering a lot of questions. I got to answer so many d*** questions. I never wanted to be asked so many questions. I just wanted to drive but that’s not all there is to it.”
___________________________________________________________
P R E S S * R E L E A S E S
___________________________________________________________
Kenseth’s Winning No. 17 Inducted Into Daytona 500 Experience
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The victory celebration of the 51st annual Daytona 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race continued Monday morning as Matt Kenseth’s No. 17 DeWalt Ford was inducted into the Daytona 500 Experience – the Official Attraction of NASCAR –during the annual ConAgra Champion’s Breakfast.
Kenseth, owner Jack Roush and crew chief Drew Blickensderfer participated in a fan forum inside the attraction and received their winning Daytona 500 leather jackets from Daytona International Speedway President Robin Braig.
The three were joined by the rest of the No. 17 Roush Fenway Racing crew to continue the tradition of signing the car, which will be on display inside the attraction until the 52nd annual Daytona 500 on Feb. 14, 2010.
Kenseth, who earned Roush his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship in 2003, was able to deliver Roush his first Daytona 500 victory – a feat that has eluded the multi-team owner for over 20 years.
“To win the 500 is really cool,” said Kenseth, who also unveiled the logo for next year’s Daytona 500 to the media attending the event. “It’s pretty cool that the 17 group and team that Jack and Robbie (Reiser, former crew chief, current GM of Roush Fenway Racing) assembled was able to win that first championship and first Daytona 500.”
“The first 14 times that I came to Daytona for road racing I always took a trophy home – every time,” said Roush, referring to his Rolex 24 success. “As we started coming with the Cup cars and it didn’t happen right away, I kind of put it out of my mind and decided that I was snake-bit – that I had already had more success than I deserved and I would be denied this one.”
Even though “The Great American Race” was shortened to 152 of the 200 laps due to rain, the win was a popular one among the other teams.
“As the cars had started to come off the track, every single car – regardless of manufacturer, regardless of team affiliation – congratulated me on behalf of what Matt had done,” Roush said. “It was a humbling experience because I felt had the race ended and I was on the other end of that circumstance, I probably wouldn’t have been as generous and congratulatory as my peers were.”
Not wanting to jinx his chances of a victory, Kenseth was not prepared for this week’s whirlwind media tour in New York City and California. He had to fly back home after last night’s race to pack before returning to Daytona for this morning’s celebration.
“I wasn’t prepared for it kind of on purpose,” Kenseth said. “One year I was thinking, ‘They take you all these places, don’t want you to go home afterwards, you’re gone all week – so I’ll bring some extra clothes.’ That was my worst 500 I think we’ve ever had.
“I told (wife) Katie if it happens and we win, I’ll worry about it then. So I had to worry about it last night. They’re not going to let us go home until after California, so I needed to go home for a few hours.”
Among the media duties Kenseth will perform this week include appearances on the Late Show with David Letterman on Monday night and Live with Regis and Kelly on Tuesday morning.
“As a kid, I always watched Letterman with my dad,” Kenseth said. “Of any TV show I could ever be on, I’ve always wanted to be on Letterman. The first two times I’ve been on there we’ve done the Top 10 list and I’ve never got to meet him or talk to him. This time I think I get to sit down and talk to him so I’m looking forward to that.”
___________________________________________________________
N A S C A R * N A T I O N W I D E * S E R I E S
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of Jayski
http://www.jayski.com
Emerson Drive giving concert at Nashville: Tickets are on sale for the Nationwide Series 300 race scheduled for Saturday, April 11 at Nashville Superspeedway. Country stars Emerson Drive will perform a special post-race concert for fans. The band is slated to release their fourth studio album BELIEVE (produced by Teddy Gentry of Alabama and Josh Leo, the same powerhouse team from their #1 hit “Moments”) on The Valory Music Co. on April 7th and their new single “Belongs to You” is racing up the country charts. Their music video debuted at #2 on Great American Country (GAC) just recently.(Nashville Superspeedway PR)(2-16-2009)
Racing Resources Says…
* Tony Stewart won the Camping World 300 at Daytona International Speedway. It was his eighth Nationwide victory in his 87th career start.
* Stewart has won his past three Nationwide restrictor-plate starts, and six of his past 10 NNS starts.
* Stewart posted his fourth Nationwide Daytona win, all in February. Only Dale Earnhardt Jr. has more February Nationwide wins. Stewart’s four wins at Daytona rank him third all-time in Nationwide Daytona wins. Dale Earnhardt Sr. has seven and Dale Earnhardt Jr. has five.
* Stewart led four times for 23 laps, including the final seven laps.
* Clint Bowyer led the most laps in the race, leading four times for 33 laps
* Hendrick Motorsports posted its second Nationwide win at Daytona.
* Stewart has won with four different owners in NASCAR: Joe Gibbs Racing, Kevin Harvick Inc., Andy Petree Racing and Hendrick Motorsports.
* Carl Edwards finished second.
* Chevy posted its 25th Nationwide victory in 35 races at Daytona.
* Michael McDowell (14th) was the highest-finishing rookie contender among the six rookies in the race. McDowell started 41st.
* Jason Keller (ninth) made his series-leading 459th Nationwide start.
* NASCAR penalized Jason Leffler for five laps for “aggressive driving” when it appeared that he caused Stephen Wallace, Justin Allgaier and Scott Lagasse Jr. to wreck on Lap 71. All three drivers were out of the race due to accident damage.
* D.J. Kennington (17th) was the highest-finishing Dodge.
* The top 10 consisted of five Fords, three Chevys, and two Toyotas.(ESPN.com)(2-16-2009)
Rheem on the #33 at California: After sponsoring four primary events in 2008, Rheem will return to KHI for the 2009 season as the primary sponsor for five races. This season KHI co-owner and two-time Nationwide Series champion Kevin Harvick will pilot the car for four races and 2008 Daytona 500 champion Ryan Newman will settle in to the driver seat for one race.(KHI PR)(2-16-2009)
Rick Ware announced that long-time sponsor of Stanton Barrett; Interush will once again be the primary for the Stater Brothers 300 at the Auto Club Speedway on February 21st for the #31 of Barrett.(RWR PR)(2-19-2009)
Penalties expected for #0 & #84 teams: UPDATE: Nationwide Series Director Joe Balash said penalties can be expected for JD Motorsports and Mike Harmon Racing after the sanctioning body found violations with their cars in inspection after Saturday’s Camping World 300 at Daytona. Balash said NASCAR confiscated both front springs from JD Motorsports’ #0 Chevy driven by Danny O’Quinn to a 23rd-place finish. “We have a spring-rate rule that measures the individual spring’s rates and the total on the front of the car,” Balash said. “The numbers did not match what the rule is.” Balash said the rates of the front springs weren’t close to the minimum required. Mike Harmon Racing’s #84 Chevy, which finished 29th with driver Mike Harmon, was discovered to have ballast – weight that can be shifted around for chassis balance – outside the frame rail, a violation of a rule instituted this year. “We made those changes as a safety precaution, moved the weight underneath the car and inside the frame rail,” Balash said. Any penalties would likely be announced Tuesday at the earliest.(Scene Daily)(2-14-2009)
UPDATE: A statement from Johnny Davis: “Nationwide Series #0 owner Johnny Davis expresses his apology to the fans, the sponsors, the crew and driver Danny O’Quinn for his oversight in re-checking the spring rates from last time they ran them.”(JD Motorsports PR)(2-15-2009)
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of The Hot Lap
http://www.TheHotLap.com
As of right now 3 drivers are pulling double duty this weekend at Auto Club Speedway: Terry Cook in the 91 MSRP Chevy (NNS) and 25 HT Trucking Toyota (NCWTS); Kyle Busch in the 18 M&Ms Toyota (NSC), 18 Z-Line Design Toyota (NNS) and 51 Misccosukee Resort Toyota (NCWTS); Johnny Chapman in the MSRP Chevy (NNS) and the 06 Wyler Toyota (NCWTS).
Last week it was announced that Michael McDowell would be joining a new team, JTG Daugherty Racing, and this week the team announced his new primary sponsor. Charlotte-based Tom’s Snacks (part of Lance, Inc.) will be featured as primary sponsor on McDowell’s #47 Toyota Camry for 10 events this season beginning this weekend in Daytona. (Whowon.com) (02-16-09)
2008 NNS Champ and Sprint Cup Series driver Clint Bowyer will visit Phoenix this week to participate in a question-and-answer session with race fans and take on the track at F1 Race Factory. Fans will have the chance to race against Bowyer in go-karts prepared by F1 Race Factory. The event takes place Thursday, Feb. 19th from 3-5pm. (PIR) (02-16-09)
Fans can see the winner of Sunday’s Daytona 500 this Wednesday at Willie Mays Plaza at AT&T Park at 12:30 p.m. during a fan rally and press conference. NNS part-timer Matt Kenseth will be on-hand after taking a Victory Tour Through the Streets of San Francisco on a motorized cable car. This marks the first time a Daytona 500 winner has visited SF. The day signals the Official Countdown to the Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR race at Infineon Raceway in June.(Infineon) (02-16-09)
Race penalty reports for Saturday’s event-the #5, #05 and #40 started the race from the rear for adjustments outside impound. The #12 started from the back due to Allgaier missing the drivers meeting. The #09 had to come in for lug nuts not installed; #17 to the tail end for too many crewmembers in contact with pit road.The #12, #26, #61, #24, #99, and #88 were all sent to the tail end for pitting before pit road was open. The #38 incurred a 5 lap penalty for aggressive driving. (thehotlap) (02-16-09)
___________________________________________________________
C A M P I N G * W O R L D * T R U C K * S E R I E S
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of Jayski
http://www.jayski.com
Starr in the #51 for Cup race? Hearing that David Starr, will attempt to make the Sprint Cup race at California this week for #51 Blackjack Racing. Kelly Bires attempted to make the Daytona 500 in the car, but failed to race into the field in the Gatorade Duel. If Starr makes the field, he will be making his Sprint Cup Series debut. Dexter Bean is scheduled to attempt the Cup race at Las Vegas in the #51.(2-16-2009)
Racing Resources says…
*Todd Bodine won the NextEra Energy Resources 250 at Daytona International Speedway.
*Bodine posted his 16th Truck Series victory in his 116th start. The 16 wins ties him with Greg Biffle for sixth all-time.
*Bodine won the last four Superspeedway races (Talladega ’07, Daytona, Talladega ’08 and Daytona ’09). It was his second consecutive NCWTS victory at Daytona, the first repeat winner at Daytona.
*Bodine was penalized on Lap 10 for passing for the lead below the double yellow line, and he never went a lap down.
*Bodine has finished in the top 5 for the seventh consecutive Truck race, the longest current streak.
*Germain Racing posted its 17th career win, which includes all of Todd Bodine’s wins.
*Bodine’s truck was unsponsored. The last time an unsponsored truck won a race was 62 races ago at Kentucky, when Ron Hornaday won in July 2006.
*Bodine became the ninth Daytona race winner over the age of 40. Carl Edwards was 24 years, 5 months, 29 days when he won at Daytona in 2004, the only Daytona winner under the age of 40.
*Kyle Busch finished second to Todd Bodine for the second consecutive year.
*J.R. Fitzpatrick finished fourth, the highest finisher of the six rookie of the year contenders in the race. Fitzpatrick’s previous best finish was 21st at Martinsville (October 2008).
*Ricky Carmichael, 24th, and Chase Austin, 13th, made their Trucks debut.
*Rick Crawford is now the all-time leader with 298 series starts. Crawford was tied with Jack Sprague going into this race.
*The top 10 consisted of six Toyotas, three Chevrolets and one Ford. The highest-finishing Dodge was Dennis Setzer in 18th.
(ESPN.com)(2-16-2009)
Germain Racing, Bodine win four in a row on superspeedways: The first race of the 2009 season proved to be an exciting one for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Two drivers received penalties for crossing over the yellow line in the first 20 laps of the race and one of those drivers, Todd Bodine, ended up being the first driver to cross the finish line. Bodine’s victory made him the first driver to win two races in a row at Daytona International Speedway in Truck Series history. The win also increased the Germain Racing streak to four superspeedway victories in a row with the #30 Toyota Tundra. Germain Racing is actively seeking primary and associate sponsorship on the No. 30 Toyota Tundra, and can combine these programs with the team’s entries in NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series and NNS.(Germain Racing PR)(2-15-2009)
Gabi DiCarlo, who has competed in the Automobile Racing Club of America the last couple of years, will make her Camping World Truck Series debut next week at Auto Club Speedway. Her team had originally planned for her to make her debut at Martinsville in March. But after competing in the ARCA race at Daytona earlier this month, the 23-year-old DiCarlo was approved for the race at California. She will be driving for Doug Stringer, a former Nationwide Series owner and still a partner in Braun Racing. Stringer bought trucks from Germain Racing.(SceneDaily.com)(2-14-2009)
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of TruckSeries.Com
http://www.truckseries.com
ENTRY LIST: San Bernadino County 200
02-16-2009 | Race 2 | Fonatana, CA
http://www.truckseries.com/cgi-script/NCTS_09/articles/000001/000100.htm
HORNADAY: Hoping For Win at Home Track
02-16-2009 | TruckSeries.com Report
Palmdale, California native Ron Hornaday will make his eighth career start this weekend at the Auto Club Speedway. Hornaday has never won at his home state track,
http://www.truckseries.com/cgi-script/NCTS_09/articles/000000/000099.htm
CARMICHAEL: Second Career Start In California
02-16-2009 | TruckSeries.com Report
In the history of the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA), no other rider has won as many championships (15) and races (150) as Carmichael, earning him the nickname the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time).
http://www.truckseries.com/cgi-script/NCTS_09/articles/000000/000098.htm
McCUMBEE: Looking Forward to Auto Club Speedway
02-16-2009 | TruckSeries.com Report
With the help of The GPS Store.com and Garmin, McCumbee and the SS Green Light Racing team are now planning to compete in the first five events of the 2009 NCWTS season..
http://www.truckseries.com/cgi-script/NCTS_09/articles/000000/000097.htm
___________________________________________________________
A R C A (Automobile Racing Club of America)
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of ARCA
http://www.arcaracing.com
Ed Kennedy Featured Guest on “30 at 30″ Tuesday
TOLEDO OH (2-17-09) – Career-best finishes often happen earlier in life rather than later. Not so for 53-year-old Ed Kennedy, who finished a career-best 6th in the season-opening Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at Daytona Int’l Speedway.
After several attempts at the “World Center of Racing”, Kennedy and the Ralph Solhem-owned team finally delivered.
“It was nice to finally get a decent finish,” said Kennedy. “And we didn’t tear up the car either.”
[Read More] – http://www.arcaracing.com/news.cfm?contentid=7658
___________________________________________________________
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
___________________________________________________________
NASCAR Canadian Tire Series 2009 Schedule Announced
NASCAR announced today the schedule for the third season of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, which will take the series to some of the top racing facilities throughout Canada.
For more, click to http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/2905
___________________________________________________________
C O L U M N S / C O M M E N T A R I E S
___________________________________________________________
The Nascar Insiders
…And Daytona Is In The Books
Wait, that’s it? The 500 is over? Oh, well, okay… Pack it up boys, its time to go home.
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheNascarInsiders/~3/540690703/
I.N. Sider says we’re all in it together when it comes to Motorsports 2009, in the year’s first Behind [Closed] Garage Doors column, now posted at www.Valvoline.com.
Insider Racing News
http://insiderracingnews.com/Writers/AM/021709.html
Goodyear ~ Business as Usual?
by Allen Madding
Insider Racing News
http://insiderracingnews.com/Writers/BB2/021709.html
Rules, Rules, Rules ~ How Silly Are They?
by Ben Brumitt
Cheers & Jeers
Let the Controversy Begin!
by Carol Einarsson
CHEERS to the anniversary of the fight. We never tire of seeing that footage, never tire of hearing the story, and never ever tire of hearing those words broadcast, “And there’s a fight!” because we know it all started right then.
http://www.racejournalonline.com/index.cfm?Pagename=column&id=569
___________________________________________________________
T V * L I S T I N G S
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of Jayski
http://www.jayski.com/pages/tv.htm
Tue Feb 17
12:00 am NASCAR Now ESPN2
12:00 am This Week in NASCAR SPEED
8:00 am This Week in NASCAR SPEED
9:00 am LIVE w/ Regis and Kelly – Kenseth – check local listings
2:00 pm Third Annual SPEED Performance Awards SPEED
5:00 pm NASCAR Now ESPN2
Wed Feb 18
12:00 am NASCAR Now ESPN2
5:00 pm NASCAR Now ESPN2
Thu Feb 19
1:00 am NASCAR Now ESPN2
12:00 pm Daytona 500 NSCS Replay SPEED
5:00 pm NASCAR Now ESPN2
Jayski 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!
___________________________________________________________
The Stock Car Gazette
Copyright 2002-2009 by MotorSportsNews.Net
All Rights Reserved
SUBSCRIBE / UNSUBSCRIBE INFORMATION
http://groups.google.com/group/StockCarGazette
Miss an edition of the Stock Car Gazette? Visit the E-ZINE ARCHIVE:
http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/category/stock-car-gazette/
IMPORTANT PRIVACY NOTICE: The Stock Car Gazette mailing list is maintained completely by MotorSportsNews.Net. Therefore, we can tell you we have not and will not ever share your e-mail address with anyone for any reason.
IMPORTANT LEGAL NOTICE: ALL broadcast, publication, retransmission to e-mail lists, WWW or any other copying or storage, in any medium, online or not, is STRICTLY PROHIBITED without PRIOR written permission from the editor. However, you MAY manually forward an issue by e-mail to your friends IF 1.) The text is forwarded IN ITS ENTIRETY including all subscription and web page information, and 2.) NO FEE is charged. We ALWAYS appreciate readers who report violations of the copyright to webmaster@motorsportsnews.net.
IMPORTANT PERSONAL NOTICE: Do you know for sure? You can. http://motorsportsnews.net/you-can-know-for-sure
___________________________________________________________
