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As we hear of anything about the COT test at Bristol, we’ll put it on the website, so check in there during the day to stay updated.
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Harry Gant and Dennis Setzer Appearing at UARA Season Opener
The UARA-STARS are gearing up for their 2007 season opener at the famed Hickory Motor Speedway with the Bad Boy Mowers 150 presented by Corriher Implement Company Saturday March 17, 2007.
http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/320#more-320
Speeding (joke)
My father always loved fast cars.
http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/322
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Courtesy of Catchfence.Com
http://www.catchfence.com
This Week In Ford Racing: NNCS Driver Ricky Rudd
http://www.catchfence.com/press/022707b.html
David Reutimann Update: David Reutimann is doing fine and is in great spirits after California. Of course, he is a little sore but he is tough. David and everyone from Domino’s Pizza/Michael Waltrip Racing would like to thank you for checking on his status. – SportsONE, Inc., For Team Domino’s
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Courtesy of Insider Racing News
http://www.insiderracingnews.com
COT Gets Two-Day Test At Bristol
While there is a break in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series schedule this weekend, a project that has been seven years in the making will have the opportunity for a full scale “walk-through” this week at Bristol Motor Speedway. Fifty NASCAR NEXTEL Cup teams are scheduled to test their Car of Tomorrow models this Wednesday-Thursday at Bristol Motor Speedway. The test session is the third of seven scheduled NASCAR NEXTEL Cup sessions this season. Previous tests this year have been conducted at Daytona and Las Vegas, while Richmond (April 3-4), Lowe’s (May 7-8), Dover (May 14-15), and Talladega (Sept. 10-11) will host tests later in the year.
Residents May Have Say On New Track
Kitsap area voters would get the chance to vote up or down on a speedway in new language to be included in bills being considered in Olympia. International Speedway Corp. of Daytona Beach, Fla. announced the proposed change to the bill language this morning. The company wants to build a speedway in Washington state for NASCAR races and other events. The preferred site is on 950 acres near Bremerton National Airport. Assuming that continues to be the proposed location, voters in Kitsap, Mason and Pierce counties would be able to decide whether to create a Public Speedway Authority that would own the site. The election probably would be in the fall of this year if the Legislature approves a speedway funding package.
Kahne Wins Award
Kasey Kahne is the winner of this week’s Commit® Lozenges Commit to Win Award by being the first eligible driver to lead the first green flag lap of Sunday’s Auto Club 500 at California Speedway. For his award at California, Kahne will be presented with a check for $5,500 during pre-race ceremonies at the March 11th Nextel Cup race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. A $101,000 bonus will be presented to the driver that wins the most Commit to Win Awards in 2007. Kahne, who won the season Commit to Win award in both 2005 and 2006, led the first 20 laps of Sunday’s race. He left the race after lap 129 due to engine problems and finished 38th overall.
Dale Jr.- Leffler Wins Headache Award
Dale Earnhardt Jr. is the winner of this week’s Goody’s Headache of the Race Award after tire and engine woes resulted in a 40th place finish at Sunday’s Auto Club 500 at California Speedway. Earnhardt Jr. had a tire go down on lap 20, went to the garage for engine repairs on lap 67, then returned to the race for less than ten laps before his engine blew for good. For Saturday’s race, Jason Leffler is the winner of this week’s Goody’s Headache of the Race Award for his bad luck at the Stater Bros. 300 at California Speedway. On lap 87, Leffler touched Kenny Wallace while attempting a three-wide pass, then hit the outside wall hard and collecting Juan Pablo Montoya. Leffler finished the race in 38th place.
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Courtesy of Jayski
http://www.jayski.com
COT testing at Bristol Today: While there is a break in the Nextel Cup Series schedule this weekend, a project that has been seven years in the making will have the opportunity for a full scale �walk-through� this week at Bristol Motor Speedway. Fifty Nextel Cup teams are scheduled to test their Car of Tomorrow models this Wednesday-Thursday at Bristol Motor Speedway. The test session is the third of seven scheduled Nextel Cup sessions this season. Previous tests this year have been conducted at Daytona and Las Vegas, while Richmond (April 3-4), Lowe�s (May 7-8), Dover (May 14-15), and Talladega (Sept. 10-11) will host tests later in the year. The much anticipated Car of Tomorrow will make its race debut March 25 in the Food City 500 at the infamous .533-mile Bristol short track. That race marks the first of 16 events the Car of Tomorrow will be on track in 2007, as NASCAR�s new safety-oriented car will race at oval tracks less than 1.5 miles, along with the two road course events and the October race at 2.66-mile Talladega Superspeedway. �The Bristol test should be a good dress rehearsal for the race teams, drivers and NASCAR as we prepare for the first Car of Tomorrow race later next month,� said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR Vice President of Competition. �It should provide the teams with a good opportunity to fine tune their set ups and become more familiar with how their cars are going to handle and give NASCAR the chance to have a trial run in getting its inspection process for the new car all buttoned up.�(NASCAR PR), SPEED will air special reports on Wed and Thurs at 7:00pm/et. See past news on my COT News page and images on my COT images page.(2-28-2007)
http://www.jayski.com/teams/car-future.htm
http://www.jayski.com/schemes/2006/COT.htm
Baldwin to crew chief Mayfield? hearing that Tommy Baldwin Jr. will crew chief the #36 360 OTC Toyota that Jeremy Mayfield at Las Vegas and beyond. Derrick Finley was the crew chief for the first two races but the team has failed to qualify for the first two races of the 2007 season.(2-28-2007)
Martin’s Team Wins Pit Crew Competition in California: Mark Martin’s pit crew took top honors in the Checkers/Rally’s Double Drive-Thru Challenge following Sunday’s (Feb. 25) Nextel Cup Series race at California Speedway. The #01 Army crew secured their second consecutive win this season, taking an early lead in the competition. “I don’t know what you can say about these guys, except that they are awesome to work with,” said Martin, driver of the #01 U.S. Army Chevy. “The Army crew keeps coming through with fast stops when we need them. They did a good job all day and got me to the checkered flag with a top-five finish. It was another great team effort.” Pit crew coach Lance Munksgard added, “I’m so proud that Checkers/Rally’s is recognizing our crew for all their effort. They’ve worked hard to become one of the fastest teams on pit road and I think winning two-in-a-row this season proves that they are.” Checkers/Rally’s will award Martin’s team $11,150 for winning the weekly award. An additional $111,150 will be presented to the pit crew with the most wins at the completion of the 36-race Nextel Cup schedule. The #01 over-the-wall crew, which spent 297.758 seconds on pit road, includes: Scott King (jackman), Colin Pasi (front-tire carrier), Charlie Brock (front-tire changer), Dwayne Moore (rear-tire carrier), Dave Woodhead (rear-tire changer), Danny Harrington (gasman), Scotty Hazlett (catch can) and J.D. Hilton (windshield). The team’s crew chief is Ryan Pemberton. To win the Checkers/Rally’s Double Drive-Thru Challenge, teams are required to finish on the lead lap while spending the least amount of time on pit road. The program pays $11,000 to the weekly winner. An additional $111,150 bonus will be awarded to the pit crew with the most wins at the completion of the 36-race schedule. Checkers/Rally’s is the Official Burger and Drive-Thru Restaurant of NASCAR, more info at checkers.com.(DMF Communications PR)(2-28-2007)
Appeals to be heard next week: Penalty appeals for four Nextel Cup teams accused of breaking NASCAR’s equipment rules leading up to the Daytona 500 will be heard early next week, NASCAR officials told ESPN.com on Tuesday. The appeals for Kasey Kahne’s #9 team and Matt Kenseth’s #17 team will be heard on March 5 in North Carolina. Appeals for Scott Riggs’ #10 team and Elliott Sadler’s #19 team will be heard the following day, also in North Carolina, NASCAR said.(ESPN.com)(2-27-2007)
Sad News: Jack Birmingham, who owned the #30/27 Eel River Racing Cup team [1998-2001, 58 races, was the Bahari Racing team before that], passed away at his home in Osterville, MA. No more details known.(2-27-2007)
Motorsports this week on ESPN: In its continued commitment to provide the most comprehensive coverage of the 2007 NASCAR season, ESPN will present ESPN Full Circle: NASCAR Busch Series from Mexico City on Sunday, March 4, at 2:00pm/et, live from Aut�dromo Hermanos Rodr�guez. Coverage of NASCAR�s only event in Mexico marks the latest installation of an ESPN Full Circle presentation, in which various ESPN outlets carry the event live using different coverage approaches, in addition to extensive content surrounding the race across additional ESPN outlets such as TV, radio and internet. ESPN2, the home of the NASCAR Busch Series in 2007, will present a traditional race telecast (also available on ESPN2 HD), while ESPN will simulcast ESPN Deportes� U.S. Hispanic Spanish-language flag-to-flag coverage. Additionally, ESPN360 will feature a live stream of the ESPN2 telecast.
ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will present an English-language race telecast utilizing full use of High Definition cameras, Sportvision enhancements and state-of-the-art graphics. ESPN�s Chris Fowler will host the telecast. Play-by-play announcer Jerry Punch will be joined in the booth by 1989 NASCAR champion Rusty Wallace and two-time NASCAR champion crew chief Andy Petree for analysis. Allen Bestwick, Dave Burns, Jamie Little and Mike Massaro will serve as pit reporters. Coverage will begin at 10:00am/et with a live edition of NASCAR Now, ESPN�s first daily news and information show totally dedicated to NASCAR. NASCAR Countdown will be aired live at 1:30pm on race day, preceding the 2pm race start, with Fowler joining studio analysts Tim Brewer and Brad Daugherty.
ESPN will present a simulcast of ESPN Deportes� Spanish-language flag-to-flag coverage of the race. ESPN Deportes will feature a unique telecast of the race with its own on-site production team, Spanish-language graphics and commentary and the highlighting of key Hispanic drivers. Play-by-play commentator Andr�s Agulla will be joined in the booth by Alex Pombo for analysis. Claudia Trejos and Marcelo Vivo will serve as pit reporters. In addition to offering Spanish-language flag-to-flag coverage, ESPN Deportes will present a pre-race show from location at 1:00pm/et, preceding the 2 p.m. green flag. Immediately following the race the network will present a special one-hour edition of SportsCenter with post-race coverage and interviews from on-site. The simulcast will mark the first time in ESPN�s history that it has telecast an entire event in Spanish.
ESPN360, ESPN�s signature broadband service available in 15 million homes nationwide, will feature a live simulcast of the ESPN2 telecast with a race cast application, plus exclusive content from NASCAR Now, an ESPN360 �Super Highlight� of the race available immediately after the race is complete and post-race coverage including analysis and driver press conferences. In addition, throughout the season ESPN360 will feature exclusive driver-specific video capsules that will be progressively updated to feature season-to-date highlights, interviews, news and all other driver-related video.
ESPN2 will have live coverage of practice and qualifying for this weekend�s NASCAR Busch Series event in Mexico City on Friday and Saturday, March 2-3. Live coverage of Friday�s one-hour final practice session for the series will be aired from 5-6:00pm/et. Qualifying will be televised from 11:30 a.m.-1:00pm/et on Saturday. Calling the action from the booth will be Jerry Punch with analysts Rusty Wallace and Andy Petree. Allen Bestwick, Dave Burns and Jamie Little will report from the pits and garage, while Tim Brewer and Brad Daugherty will be in the ESPN Pit Studio.(ESPN PR)(2-28-2007)
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NASCAR rookie Reutimann sore after wreck
JENNA FRYER
www.MercuryNews.com
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Nextel Cup rookie David Reutimann’s crash at California Speedway left him so sore that “everything hurts, down to my eyeballs and my teeth.”
Reutimann wrecked with six laps to go in Sunday’s race at California when he was tapped by Greg Biffle, sending him crashing into the wall in one of the hardest hits NASCAR has ever seen. The accident was particularly frightening because Reutimann had an in-car camera in his Toyota that caught him slumped over his steering wheel as his spotter frantically tried to make contact with him.
“Talk to me, David,” called Shawn Reutimann, the drivers’ cousin. “Talk to me. The car’s on fire. You’ve got to get out.”
Reutimann said he was not unconscious, but the force of the hit had knocked the wind out of him and briefly rendered him unable to talk.
“It rung my bell pretty good, but mostly it just knocked the breath out of me so bad,” he said in a phone interview with The Associated Press on Tuesday. “It stunned me a little bit and really just took me a moment. That’s why I couldn’t answer him. I couldn’t get enough air in my lungs.”
Reutimann spent about 30 minutes in the care center at California, then rested his aching body Monday. He broke no bones and didn’t hit his head, but his left foot was badly bruised from getting twisted in the pedals upon impact.
“It’s swollen, a little bit purple, but I can walk fine,” he said. “Everything is pretty sore, my entire body, but each day is a little bit better. To come through a deal like that with just a bruised foot and some aches, that’s pretty impressive.”
NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said the sanctioning body was pleased that despite the viciousness of the accident, all of Reutimann’s safety gear worked and the SAFER Barrier withstood the impact.
Reutimann said he planned to be behind the wheel of the Car of Tomorrow on Wednesday and Thursday at NASCAR’s two-day test at Bristol Motor Speedway, then will head to Mexico City for this weekend’s Busch Series race.
In his first season at the Cup level, Reutimann is driving for Michael Waltrip Racing and has had a tense start to the year. Because MWR is a new team without owner points, neither Reutimann or Waltrip are locked into the field for the first five races of the season.
They’ve both had to fight their way into the first two races, and Reutimann was in the uncomfortable spot of having to knock Waltrip out of the field last week in California to make the event. He did it and was headed to a decent finish before the accident knocked him to a 33rd-place finish.
Because he also wrecked out of the Daytona 500, Reutimann is mired back at 41st in the points. He must crack the top 35 to ensure a spot in the field each week and said he knows the pressure is on.
“Qualifying days are miserable, not any fun at all,” he said. “It’s sink or swim, and once you get in it’s a complete relief for all of about five minutes. Then it’s time to focus on the race. So I hate that we wrecked in both races, and I hate that we destroyed a good car. We’re a new team and we’re trying to build, and wrecking cars doesn’t help anyone.
“But I’m moving forward and just trying to help this team get stronger anyway I can.”
(Thanks, Ed B.)
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NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series News and Notes
* Test Session Preview Of First Car Of Tomorrow Race At Bristol
* Mark Martin Points Leader For First Time In Nearly 5 Years
* New Faces Highlight This Week’s Series Standings
* NASCAR Continues Its Strong Presence In Mexico …
http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=244544
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Courtesy of Scene Daily
http://www.scenedaily.com
Teams conducting ‘car of tomorrow’ test at Bristol
With the debut of the NASCAR Nextel Cup’s “car of tomorrow” now less than a month away, drivers and teams head to Bristol Motor Speedway Wednesday for the initial official test of the vehicle in 2007.
http://www.scenedaily.com/ct/c/22713626
Johnson hoping rain won’t delay off-weekend
Hendrick Motorsports driver and reigning Nextel Cup champion Jimmie Johnson is hoping that the “car of tomorrow” test at Bristol Motor Speedway isn’t delayed by rain this week.
http://www.scenedaily.com/ct/c/22713560
NASCAR heads south of the border
Nine Nextel Cup drivers, six natives of Mexico and several road-course aces among the 43 competitors entered for the Telcel-Motorola Mexico 200 Busch Series race scheduled for Sunday in Mexico City.
http://www.scenedaily.com/ct/c/22713554
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Courtesy of Sports Illustrated & Ed B.
http://www.SI.com
Owner Chip Ganassi said he would like to expand his Nextel Cup stable to four teams by as early as next season, if he can secure sponsorship. Dan Wheldon, who drives for Ganassi’s IndyCar team attended the Daytona 500 and has been fitted for a seat in a Busch car, is intrigued by the possibility.
– Miami Herald
Mark Martin is only supposed to race the first four races of the season — and only 22 overall — for his new team, Bobby Ginn Racing. With his fifth-place finish Sunday at California Speedway, Martin is now leading the standings. Martin was asked if he would continue to race the full Nextel Cup schedule if he were still leading after four races. “No,” Martin said, emphatically.
– Los Angeles Times
Drivers throughout the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series garage were still talking about last week’s three-wide finish at Daytona . While they admitted the finish was good for television, most wondered why NASCAR allowed Johnny Benson to drive below the yellow line to jump from third to second in the final 200 yards. Benson wasn’t penalized because “if you can see the checkered flag on the last lap, anything goes,” according to NASCAR spokesman Owen Kearns.
– August Chronicle
Watch for fans and pundits to read entirely too much into the engine problems that took Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Martin Truex, Jr. out early Sunday. It is certainly not a good sign that Earnhardt Jr. is 41st in the standings, but it also doesn’t mean the preseason contract talks or any of that are tearing Dale Earnhardt Inc. apart.
– Charlotte Observer
When ISC had Richard Petty, Darrell Waltrip and Greg Biffle travel to Washington state to talk to legislators and try to drum up support for a bill that would help create the public funding portion of the track project. The debate grew tawdry. House Speaker Frank Chopp referred to Petty, the seven-time Cup series champion, as “that guy who got picked up for a DUI.”
– Charlotte Observer
If Mark Martin does skip Bristol, it will end his streak of starting 621 consecutive races, dating to Nov. 22, 1987. The Arkansas native originally planned to drive 22 of the series’ 36 races this year, with rookie Regan Smith driving the rest, but Martin since has added the second race at Daytona in July to make it 23.
– Los Angeles Times
Delana Harvick and her husband, Kevin, have moved their operation from what now seems a modest 14,000-square-foot shop into a 70,000-square-foot expanse that houses two Busch and truck series teams. Felt pennants hang like district championship banners from a high school gym rafter, signifying each win the team has accumulated. It’s starting to get crowded up there.
– St. Petersburg Times
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P R E S S * R E L E A S E S
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FIFTEEN SPOTS UP FOR BIDS TO RIDE WITH NASCAR NEXTEL CUP STAR IN SPEEDWAY CHILDREN’S CHARITIES “RIDE OF A LIFETIME” ONLINE AUCTION
BRISTOL, Tenn. (Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2007) – If you’ve ever dreamed of hanging out with your favorite driver while experiencing the rush of riding around The World’s Fastest Half-Mile in front of nearly 160,000 fans, you’ll have the opportunity to do both at the Food City 500 on March 25.
The “Ride of a Lifetime” online auction returns for the Food City 500 and 15 lucky individuals will get the opportunity to take a ride with their favorite Nextel Cup star during pre-race introductions on March 25, courtesy of Chevrolet and Speedway Children’s Charities. Proceeds benefit the Bristol Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities.
The online auction, which begins March 2 on the Speedway’s web site at www.bristolmotorspeedway.com, allows fans to bid for a ride with one of 15 NASCAR superstars prior to the start of the sold-out Food City 500. Winning bidders will climb into the bed of a Chevrolet pickup truck with their driver and make one lap around “The World’s Fastest Half-Mile.”
“The auction has been a tremendous success over the past several years, raising about $65,000 each year,” said Claudia Byrd, chairperson of the charity’s Bristol Chapter. “And I can’t thank the drivers enough for taking part in this. This fundraiser provides an excellent way to give race fans the chance to live a dream and more importantly, it generates funds that will impact the lives of children in this region for years to come.”
In addition to the ride of a lifetime, winning bidders will have the opportunity to purchase two tickets to the Food City 500.
Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Tony Stewart, Jamie McMurray, Ryan Newman, Carl Edwards, Kasey Kahne, Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Burton, Elliott Sadler, Matt Kenseth, Greg Biffle, Kevin Harvick, Bobby Labonte and Kyle Petty make up the list of drivers on the auction block.
For the first time, winner bidders will get even more for their money as more incentives have been added to the Ride of a Lifetime Experience. Winning bidders who bid $5,000 will earn an on-property parking pass, bidders who reach $7,500 will receive two hot pit passes, a $10,000 bid gets the winner two club suite seats and $15,000 will get the winner into the driver’s meeting.
The online auction goes live at 9 a.m. on Friday, March 2 and will end on Friday, March 16. Participants bidding in the online auction must be at least 18 years of age. Although two Food City 500 tickets may be purchased by the high bidder, only ONE person may ride with a driver.
The winning bidder may elect to give up his or her ride to a family member or friend. This will be permitted with the stipulation that the person riding is at least 12 years old. Fans wishing to participate but lack Internet access may do so by mailing bids to:
“Ride of a Lifetime” Auction
Bristol Motor Speedway
P.O. Box 3966
Bristol, TN 37625
Payment for winning auctions must be received in full by Wednesday, March 21, 2007. Payment methods available include cashier’s check, money order, VISA, MasterCard or Discover. Winning bidders will receive a full refund, with the exception of ticket cost, in the event of inclement weather and cancellation of driver introductions.
For more information on the auction, please contact Barbara Kaiser by calling 423/989-6975 or via email at barbara@bristolmotorspeedway.com.
Newman Takes Wheel of Weekly Podcast
Ever wonder what Ryan Newman and the No. 12 Alltel pit crew discuss on the plane after a race? Well, race fans can now find out by streaming or downloading the Alltel All Axcess Racing Podcast every Wednesday following the race schedule at www.alltelracing.com. This year, for the first time ever, driver of the No. 12 Alltel Dodge, Ryan Newman grabs the wheel of the podcast to provide fans with up-to-date racing analysis – every week all season long.
Veteran motorsports radio personality, Claire B. Lang of XM Radio, joins Newman as co-host, providing fans with the inside scoop on the No. 12 Alltel team both on- and off-the-track. Each week Newman and Lang cover hot topics in the sport, what’s going on in the garage and even let the fans in on what Ryan’s grilling at the motorcoach. There will also be special guest appearances by Newman’s friends, family and crew to take fans even further into the off-track life of this racing superstar.
**courtesy Alltel Racing**
Infield Parking Selects Street & Smith’s SceneDaily.com as its NASCAR News Provider
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Feb. 27, 2007) – Infield Parking (www.InfieldParking.com) and NASCAR Scene have reached an agreement to provide daily NASCAR news from SceneDaily.com to members of Infield Parking’s social networking site. SceneDaily.com, part of Street & Smiths Sports Group’s Motorsports division, will deliver NASCAR-related headlines and breaking news, 24/7.
“We feel strongly that our members will appreciate the added value of staying informed on the latest in NASCAR news as they socialize with other fans of the sport,” said Ed Sullivan, CEO of Infield Parking. “Establishing this key relationship with SceneDaily.com will allow us to give our members a relevant and real-time user experience by connecting them with what’s happening up-to-the-minute in the world of racing.”
SceneDaily.com will cross-promote the relationship by encouraging users to sign-up for their own personal ‘parking space’ at Infield Parking. An Infield Parking on-ramp will be integrated into SceneDaily.com.
“Partnering with Infield Parking allows us to connect with fans in a social and entertaining online setting and gives us the opportunity to provide them with breaking news on a daily basis,” said Patrick Wood of Street & Smith’s Sports Group. “This allows us to bring NASCAR news to fans outside of our print publications and expose them to the intricacies and excitement of the sport.”
Based in Charlotte, N.C., SceneDaily.com’s editorial and photography team is well connected to the industry and is able to deliver the most comprehensive NASCAR news coverage available, seven days a week. Additionally, many on-air and off-air media professionals turn to SceneDaily.com for inside information into the NASCAR community.
Martin Rolling, Off to Career Best Start with Ginn Racing
Veteran racer finds new life and Nextel Cup points lead with new team
Mooresville, N.C. (Feb. 27, 2007) – Mark Martin is off to the best start of his racing career and for the first time since Sept. 22, 2002, the veteran is on top of the NASCAR world.
It was even difficult for the stoic Martin to hide his delight just moments after climbing out of his No. 01 U.S. Army Chevy following a top-five finish Sunday at California Speedway. The finish combined with Martin’s dramatic second-place run in the season-opening Daytona 500, marks the first time in his 20 plus year Cup career that he has started the season with consecutive top-five finishes.
When informed that he was the points leader Sunday night, a humble but happy Martin said, “That’s really cool. This team is awesome. It’s just great working with the guys on the U.S. Army Team and the guys at Ginn Racing. We’ve had cars good enough to win in both of the first two races and that really says a lot about this organization and where it is going. We still have a long way to go, but we sure are off to a great start.”
“It’s really just been an awesome experience,” added Martin. “I’m rolling and I’m having the time of my life.”
Many were skeptical when Martin announced last fall that after 19 years he was leaving Roush Racing for Ginn Racing. Some even went as far as to question his motives and his desire to compete. After two races; a top-five at California Speedway and a runner-up finish in one of the closest Daytona 500’s in history, Martin’s doubters are few and far between and the only skeptics who remain are the ones who question whether Martin can run a part-time schedule in such a competitive car.
“I wouldn’t come out here and race if I didn’t think I could be competitive,” said Martin. “What Bobby Ginn (team owner) and Jay Frye (CEO, GM) did was give me that opportunity and I think that we are making the most of it. It’s really been a blast and I can’t wait to get to Vegas and see what we have for them in a couple of weeks.”
The plan is for Martin to run the next two races at Las Vegas and Atlanta, before giving way to rookie Regan Smith at the Bristol Race. Many question the validity of that plan given Martin’s early success this season. One of the doubters is Martin’s former teammate at Roush Racing, Matt Kenseth, who is rumored to have a $200 bet that Martin will run a full season, rather than scale back.
As for now, Martin is just taking it all in and enjoying his new surroundings.
“I’m just having the time of my life,” said Martin. “We’ve had good cars and we’ve shown that we are capable of winning races and running competitively. There is still a lot of work to do here at Ginn Racing, but I think that we have shown that this is for real and that we are up to the challenge.”
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N A S C A R * B U S C H * S E R I E S
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Courtesy of BGNRacing.Com
http://www.bgnracing.com
Hometown Heroes, Road-Course Aces In Mexico City Mix
Sunday’s race features another stout list of entries, arguably stronger than the first two series events held in Mexico City.
Along with defending race winner Denny Hamlin and his new nemesis, Boris Said, two international superstars bring another one-two punch to the mix.
Columbia’s Juan Pablo Montoya (No. 42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge) will return to his road-course roots and pit his talents against Mexican icon Adrian Fernandez (No. 5 Lowe’s Chevrolet), who has come agonizingly close to capturing a checkered flag in the first two races.
Hometown favorites Michel Jourdain Jr. (No. 17 Dish Network Ford), Carlos Contreras (No. 22 Family Dollar Dodge) and Jorge Goeters (No. 27 Scioto Bank Ford) – who claimed the inaugural Busch Pole at the track in 2005 – also return…
Read More/NASCAR PR
http://www.bgnracing.com/modules.php?name=Races&op=view&rid=3833
Jay Sauter will drive Frank Cicci Racing’s No. 34 Busch Series Chevrolet this weekend at California Speedway and again at Las Vegas, Atlanta and Bristol, team owner Frank Cicci said Friday. Regular driver Brian Conz hasn’t been approved to run until the April 7 race at Nashville Superspeedway, Cicci said. Road racer Brian Simo will drive the car next weekend. Conz has yet to make a start in any of NASCAR’s top three national series. The car is without sponsorship at California, as the deal with Scottish Rite is with Conz. (Scene Daily) (02-23-07) BUT: Less than two months after the official sponsor announcement of the #34 Scottish Rite Racing Chevrolet with NASCAR Busch Series team Frank Cicci Racing and driver Brian Conz, FCR has retained legal council as a result of non payment according to contract terms.Frank Cicci Racing, Inc. has placed BC Motorsports and its President Brian Conz on notice for default and non-payment according to the terms of a binding contract that commits them to a 35 NASCAR Busch Series race schedule with Frank Cicci Racing Frank Cicci said,” It’s a bit disturbing to read the press release that BC Motorsports is seeking affiliation with another team when they still have a binding contract with FCR.”. As a result of this present situation, FCR is seeking primary sponsorship in order to continue its planned 35 race event schedule. (FCR PR) (02-27-07)
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Courtesy of Jayski
http://www.jayski.com
NASCAR News & Notes: NASCAR’s preview of Sunday’s Telcel-Motorola 200 at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez is available on the Mexico City Race Page.(2-27-2007)
http://www.jayski.com/busch/next/2007/03mexico.htm#notes
Mexico Entry List: There are 43 drivers on the tentative entry list for Sunday’s race in Mexico City. See the complete list on the Mexico Race Page.(2-27-2007)
http://www.jayski.com/busch/next/2007/03mexico.htm#entry
Next Race: Tecel-Motorola 200, Sunday, March 4, 2007 at 2:00pm/et at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. Check out the Mexico Race Page for additional information.
http://www.jayski.com/busch/next/2007/03mexico.htm
NASCAR Busch Series at Mexico City Receiving ESPN Full Circle Coverage: For the first time in its history, ESPN will present a Spanish-language telecast of a major sporting event with this Sunday’s flag-to-flag coverage of the NASCAR Busch Series race in Mexico City.
While ESPN2, home of the NASCAR Busch Series, will cover the race at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in English, ESPN will provide a rare simulcast of ESPN Deportes, ESPN’s domestic Spanish-language network. Those telecasts highlight an ESPN Full Circle presentation, in which various ESPN outlets carry the event live using different coverage approaches, in addition to extensive content surrounding the race across additional ESPN outlets such as TV, radio and Internet.
“The NASCAR Busch Series race in Mexico City is a special event,” said John Wildhack, ESPN senior vice president, programming and acquisitions. “It presents a unique and history-making opportunity for a Spanish-language telecast on a major cable network as well as a traditional English-speaking telecast. Interest in this event is high and we’re pleased to be able to provide multiple viewing options for NASCAR fans.”
Coverage from Mexico City will begin at 1:30 p.m. ET with the pre-race NASCAR Countdown on ESPN2 as well as Cuenta Regresiva a NASCAR on ESPN and ESPN Deportes. The race telecasts begin at 2 p.m.
ESPN2 is the home of the NASCAR Busch Series in 2007, with six select events to be televised by ESPN on ABC. ESPN is covering the series with the same standards of production that it will use later this season for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, including the full use of High Definition cameras, Sportvision pointers and technology and state-of-the-art graphics.
“We are committed to the NASCAR Busch Series,” said Wildhack. “ESPN’s Full Circle approach will showcase the excitement and competitiveness of the Busch Series across a variety of multimedia platforms.”
NASCAR Busch Series at Mexico City Full Circle highlights:
ESPN: Will present a simulcast of ESPN Deportes’ Spanish-language flag-to-flag coverage of the race. ESPN Deportes will feature a unique telecast of the race, with its own on-site production team, Spanish-language graphics and commentary as well as highlighting key Hispanic drivers. Play-by-play commentator Andrés Agulla will be joined in the booth by Alex Pombo for analysis. Claudia Trejos and Marcelo Vivo will serve as pit reporters. NASCAR team owner Felix Sabates will join Agulla and Pombo in the booth for 30 minutes during the race.
ESPN2 (ESPN2 HD): Will present the traditional English-language race telecast as ESPN2 is doing all season for the NASCAR Busch Series. Lead announcer Jerry Punch will be joined in the booth by 1989 NASCAR champion Rusty Wallace and two-time NASCAR champion crew chief Andy Petree for analysis. Allen Bestwick, Dave Burns, Jamie Little and Mike Massaro will serve as pit reporters. A live edition of NASCAR Now, ESPN’s first daily news and information show totally dedicated to NASCAR, will air at 10 a.m. Analysts Tim Brewer and Brad Daugherty will join ESPN’s Chris Fowler on NASCAR Countdown at 1:30 p.m. The ESPN2 telecast will be simulcast on the ABC Supersign in New York City’s Times Square.
ESPN Deportes: In addition to offering Spanish-language flag-to-flag coverage, the network will present the Cuenta Regresiva a NASCAR pre-race show at 1:30 p.m. ET, preceding the 2 p.m. green flag. Immediately following the race, the network will present a special one-hour edition of SportsCenter with post-race coverage and interviews from on-site.
ESPNEWS: The nation’s only 24-hour sports news network will offer in-progress highlights, analysis, and expanded post-race coverage.
ESPN360: ESPN’s signature broadband service, available in 15 million homes nationwide, will feature a live simulcast of the ESPN2 telecast with a race cast application, plus exclusive content from NASCAR Now, an ESPN360 “Super Highlight” of the race available immediately after the race is complete and post-race coverage including analysis and driver press conferences.
ESPN.com: ESPN.com coverage will be highlighted by extensive online video as well as ESPN.com’s RaceCast live race-day application featuring an in-race animated graphic display, track information, lap leaders, race leaders, multimedia, driver information and live in-race chat with ESPN NASCAR contributor Tim Cowlishaw. ESPN.com will also include comprehensive coverage from award-winning motorsports writers Terry Blount, David Newton, NASCAR Insiders Marty Smith and Angelique Chengelis.
ESPN Radio: Will present updates on the progress and results within the ESPN Radio SportsCenter reports every 20 minutes.
ESPNdeportes.com: The leading Spanish-language sports Web site in the U.S. will provide additional coverage highlighted by live chats, in-race updates, driver information, and columns from Andres Agulla and Alex Pombo.
ESPN Deportes Radio: The exclusive Spanish-language radio home of MRN Radio will provide in-race reports, commentary from ESPN Deportes Radio NASCAR experts Bernardo Pillati and Carlos Arratia from onsite.
Additional studio programming: Several other programs will also present NASCAR Busch Series at Mexico City content, including ESPN2’s Cold Pizza, and SportsCenter.
In addition, ESPN Deportes will debut a new episode of ESPN Perfiles, the network’s half-hour, in-depth interview show, featuring Brazilian Formula One three-time champion Nelson Piquet Sunday, March 4 at 1 p.m. ET.(ESPN PR)(2-27-2007)
Star Motorsports Teams with Brewco at Mexico City: The 2007 racing season for STAR Motorsports and Jorge Goeters starts this weekend at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City. STAR has partnered with Brewco Motorsports of Central City, Kentucky for the Busch race to put Goeters in the #27 Ford. Primary sponsorship will be provided by Scotiabank, as well as sponsorship by Xtreme Gel, and Kimberly-Clark’s Kleenex.(Star Motorsports PR)(2-27-2007)
Brewco Signs Development Driver: Brewco Motorsports announced that it is teaming up with ARCA RE/MAX Series Rookie-of-the-Year candidate Phillip McGilton for his inaugural full season of competition. “We are excited to be competing in all 23 scheduled races this year in the ARCA RE/MAX Series with Phillip McGilton,” said Clarence Brewer Jr., owner and founder of Brewco Motorsports. “We recognize Phillip as an extremely talented young driver with the ability to be very successful. He is an up-and-coming star in our sport and our whole team is looking forward to seeing him in Victory Lane this year. We know he is a strong contender for the Rookie of the Year honors as well.”(Brewco PR)(2-27-2007)
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Courtesy of Scene Daily
http://www.scenedaily.com
NASCAR heads south of the border
Nine Nextel Cup drivers, six natives of Mexico and several road-course aces among the 43 competitors entered for the Telcel-Motorola Mexico 200 Busch Series race scheduled for Sunday in Mexico City.
http://www.scenedaily.com/ct/c/22713554
Goeters, team ready for Mexico race
Jorge Goeters and his Star Motorsports team are set to open their Busch Series season this weekend at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City.
http://www.scenedaily.com/ct/c/22713557
Earnhardt Jr. mentoring Huffman for 1st road race
Shane Huffman not only attended an offseason road-course school, but he also has been getting pointers from team owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. as he prepares for his road-course racing debut this weekend.
http://www.scenedaily.com/ct/c/22713558
Ganassi driver Pruett racing in both Mexico races
Chip Ganassi Racing driver Scott Pruett will compete in both races at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez this weekend in Mexico City.
http://www.scenedaily.com/ct/c/22713559
Wood hoping to find his rhythm in Mexico
Wood Brothers/JTG Racing Busch Series driver Jon Wood says he’s learned a lot about road-course racing in recent years. He hopes those lessons pay off in Sunday’s Telcel-Motorola Mexico 200 at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City.
http://www.scenedaily.com/ct/c/22713561
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Courtesy of Jayski
http://www.jayski.com
California TV ratings show growth with younger audience: The Craftsman Truck Series race from Fontana saw a 96-percent ratings increase (.53 vs. .27) in Men 18-34 according to Nielsen Media Research, as SPEED continues to experience rapid growth with younger audiences. The overall Household Rating remained steady year-to-year (1.10 vs. 1.11).(SPEED/TV)(2-27-2007)
South Point to host Open House during Vegas weekend: South Point Racing will host its third annual open house meet and greet on Thursday, March 8. The event will take place from 3-7 pm. Fans are invited to come tour the South Point Racing shop and visit with driver Brendan Gaughan, who will be on hand to sign autographs. Visitors will also be treated to a barbecue during the open house. “We’re very proud of being a West coast team, and when all the NASCAR teams, sponsors and fans come out for the race in March, we like to show off our facilities,” said Gaughan, driver of the #77 South Point Hotel Chevrolet in the Craftsman Truck Series. South Point Racing is located at 6975 Speedway Blvd., Bldg. D-104, directly beside Las Vegas Motor Speedway.(South Point Racing PR)(2-27-2007)
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Courtesy of Scene Daily
http://www.scenedaily.com
Truck team hosting open house
South Point Racing will host an open house for fans of the Craftsman Truck Series team when the series heads to Las Vegas.
http://www.scenedaily.com/ct/c/22713562
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Courtesy of TruckSeries.Com
http://www.truckseries.com
Lester Merges Science, Experience for Racing Success
http://www.truckseries.com/cgi-script/NCTS_07/articles/000104/010473.htm
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A R C A (Automobile Racing Club of America)
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Courtesy of ARCA
http://www.arcaracing.com
Kimmel Headlines 9th Annual Toledo/Flat Rock Press Conference
Toledo/Flat Rock Division Sponsors Announced; New Weekly Radio Show too….
TOLEDO OH (2-27-07) – Eight-time ARCA RE/MAX Series national champion Frank Kimmel was the featured speaker at the 9th annual Toledo/Flat Rock Speedways press conference Tuesday afternoon at the Toledo Speedway Bar & Grille.
The Clarksville, Indiana driver entertained the media answering questions over a wide range of topics.
In addition, Toledo/Flat Rock general manager Scott Schultz made key announcements regarding track division sponsorships and a new radio show, which will be hosted LIVE at the Toledo Speedway Bar & Grille each and every Tuesday night.
Read more… – http://www.arcaracing.com/content/view/4455/2/
Brewco Signs Development Driver McGilton for Full Schedule
CENTRAL CITY KY (2-27-07) – Brewco Motorsports announced today that it is teaming up with ARCA RE/MAX Series Rookie-of-the-Year candidate Phillip McGilton for his inaugural full season of competition.
The team and driver have already started the 2007 season on a high note. In only his seventh ARCA RE/MAX start, McGilton scored a ninth place finish in the season-opening ARCA 200 at Daytona International Speedway on February 10, 2007. This tied his previous best finish of ninth at Kansas Speedway in July 2006.
Read more… – http://www.arcaracing.com/content/view/4449/2/
Tuesday, Feb. 27: Inside the ARCA RE/MAX Series Radio Show
read more http://www.arcaracing.com/content/view/4454/2/
Mario Gosselin Heads Back to School
read more http://www.arcaracing.com/content/view/4453/2/
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C O L U M N S / C O M M E N T A R I E S
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Insider Racing News
http://insiderracingnews.com/CA/022807.html
Wednesday Wranglings..From California To Las Vegas
by Chuck Abrams
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