Stock Car Gazette

The Stock Car Gazette e-zine for Friday, 4/3/2009

Friday, April 3, 2009 121 reads
Mike Irwin

We’ve got all your Friday morning stock car news from NASCAR, ARCA, and USAR right here in today’s Stock Car Gazette.

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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

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The Stock Car Gazette is sponsored by:

Hasco Collectibles
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hasco@diecastcars.net
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Stock Car Gazette Columnists Speak Out!
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Pipe Smoke – Who cares, as long as the car qualifies?
by: John Kokolski

Things look kind of interesting… money gets tight and the youngsters are being traded for seasoned veterans in some of the lesser teams. More at http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/3292

For more from John, visit http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/category/pipe-smoke
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What can Brown do for motorsports? UPS converts truck into racer
by: Mike Irwin

UPS is one efficient company. Brown can deliver millions of packages a day to just about anywhere in the world. Unfortunately, the big brown delivery trucks are slow as molasses, and getting stuck behind one in rush hour is an exercise in frustration. UPS management obviously understands the truck’s shortcomings, as it hired tuners to transform the standard UPS truck into something much faster. More including video at http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/3294

For more from Mike, visit http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/category/mikes-musings
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Kyle Busch Ropes Texas Nationwide Pole
by: Steve Langley

Kyle Busch won the pole Thursday night for Saturday’s Nationwide Series O’Reilly 300. Read more at http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/3301

For more from Langley, please visit http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/category/steves-stuff

Photo by MotorSportsNews.Net(work) photographer Steve Langley
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N A S C A R * S P R I N T * C U P * S E R I E S
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Courtesy of the Georgia Stock Car Racing Newsletter
send ‘subscribe’ to ddrrtt@earthlink.net

Five auto racing journalists who feel “discarded” by the ailing newspaper industry are writing the next chapter of their careers themselves.
Racin’ Today, a website that launched Friday, aims to cover major U.S. motor racing series with Jim Pedley, John Sturbin, Rick Minter, Larry Woody and Bill Fleischman — all of whom either had their beats downsized or eliminated during cutbacks at newspapers in Kansas City, Mo., Fort Worth, Atlanta, Nashville and Philadelphia. Pedley, the managing editor, wrote “your newspapers have let you down” in an opening salvo to his former industry.
“It seems to be thumbing their noses at auto racing fans,” says Pedley, 57, who started Racin’ Today after being laid off at The Kansas City Star.
Pedley says Racin’ Today is an online magazine of features, analysis and opinion that “hopefully will break a little news once in a while” by staffing at least one major event each week. The site has no financial backing but hopes to build an advertising base. www.racintoday.com

Flagger available: I am a flagman ,and have been a tech at the local level with some of the touring groups: USAC, SMART ,All Pro, and Dash series. Thanks for the time. Call at #919-325-6529 or EMAIL twalls6258@netzero.com TOMMY WALLS , Raleigh, NC. But I do not mind traveling at all.

Sutherlin Marlin, the 19-year-old daughter of Sterling Marlin, is launching her racing career at Fairgrounds Speedway [Nashville], the historic track where her grandfather Coo Coo won four championships in the 1960s and her dad collected three more in the 1980s. “I attended my first race there when I was two weeks old,” says Sutherlin. “I’ve been around racing all my life and I can’t wait to give it a try.” A student at Columbia State, Sutherlin is bright and vivacious, and inherited her family’s keen sense of humor. “She’s got talent,” says her dad.

Robert Johnson, the son of Junior and Lisa Johnson, is scheduled to be make his racing debut April 4th driving a Late Model car on dirt at Friendship Speedway in Elkin, NC. Johnson’s team will be lead by his father and veteran NASCAR crew member Rock Harris. Sponsor’s for Johnson’s effort in 2009 will Carolina Carports and Junior Johnson Country Ham.(Robert and Junior Johnson PR)
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Courtesy of Google Alerts

Kyle Busch believes he still has room to improve
Fort Worth Star Telegram – Fort Worth,TX,USA
Busch, who already has a Nationwide win this year and two victories in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, is still trying to find his comfort level in …

http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/story/1296657.html

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Courtesy of Insider Racing News

http://www.insiderracingnews.com

Economaki and Schrader To Be Honored
Last season, Rockingham Speedway honored three of NASCAR’s greats and made them a permanent part of the historic track. The Benny Parsons Tower, the Papa Joe Hendrick Garage Area and the Ricky Rudd Grandstands were all named for three men instrumental to the speedway’s legacy. This year Chris Economaki and Ken Schrader will be honored by the speedway with the naming of the Media Center and Turn Four grandstands, respectively. The Chris Economaki Media Center is dedicated to the man who has covered the sport of auto racing for more than 70 years as a journalist, track announcer, radio and television announcer and has been the editor for National Speed Sport News since 1950. He was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1994 and the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 1993.

New UPS Ads Debut This Week
Roush Fenway Racing’s David Ragan will be featured in an advertising campaign to be launched by sponsor UPS this weekend as part of its revamped racing program. The four-spot series, which was produced by The Martin Agency, will feature Ragan competing with UPS drivers in various extreme physical challenges to determine who will earn the title of “Maximum Driver.” The first spot will be broadcast on Fox during Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Samsung 500 at Texas Motor Speedway. A preview of the ad will be available on Friday afternoon at www.racing.ups.com.

RCR Transporter Driver Passes Away
Michael “Sweats” Lance, 42, of Advance, N.C., died Wed., April 1, 2009, at his residence. Lance was born October 27, 1966, in High Point, N.C., and worked for Richard Childress Racing as a transporter driver for the No. 33 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team. He had been a member of the NASCAR community for some time, previously working for Dale Earnhardt, Inc. and Joe Gibbs Racing. Lance is survived by his wife, Debbie Boose, and step-children Brandon and Bailey Boose. Funeral plans are incomplete.
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Courtesy of Jayski

http://www.jayski.com

Sadler To Promote Autism Awareness at Texas: This weekend at Texas Motor Speedway NASCAR driver Elliott Sadler is driving into the month of April with something important on his mind-raising awareness for Autism-by wearing a specially designed autism awareness helmet for Autism Awareness month. The helmet features the familiar multi-colored puzzle pieces that have become the symbol for autism awareness, along with the arrow pointing forward that is prominently placed on every Sadler helmet. Following the month of April the helmet will go up for online auction at www.SadlerFoundation.org to raise money that will directly benefit The Hermie and Elliott Sadler Foundation and autism related charities.(ElliottSadler.com)(4-3-2009)

Keselowski back in the #25 at Texas: Brad Keselowski will attempt to qualify the #25 GoDaddy.com Chevy for Hendrick Motorsports on Friday at Texas Motor Speedway. This is Keselowski’s fifth attempt at making a Sprint Cup Series event and his fourth for Hendrick Motorsports. Keselowski has qualified three times driving the #25 Chevy for Hendrick Motorsports and most recently drove the #25 Chevy to a 38th-place finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 1. After this weekend at Texas, Keselowski will attempt to make the field in five more Sprint Cup races this season for Hendrick Motorsports. Keselowski will try to line up the #25 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet at Darlington on May 9, Dover on May 31, Chicago on July 11, Michigan on Aug. 16, and Kansas on Oct. 4. Crew chief Lance McGrew has chosen Hendrick Motorsports Chassis No. 25-537 for this weekend’s event at Texas Motor Speedway. The car, which will be pitted by Keselowski’s #88 Nationwide Series crew, has not been raced or tested, although McGrew and his team took it to the wind tunnel last month.(HMS PR)(4-3-2009)

Gordon has good record at Texas, but no wins: #24-Jeff Gordon has more top-five and top-10 finishes than any other Sprint Cup driver at Texas Motor Speedway. He ranks sixth on the all-time Sprint Cup win list with 81 victories and out of the 22 tracks on the Cup circuit, Gordon is lacking wins on two – Homestead and Texas. In Gordon’s last appearance at TMS, the Dickies 500, he sat on the pole and finished runner-up to Carl Edwards. Gordon went winless last season for the first time since 1993, his first full Cup season, but the #24 team has started 2009 on a better note. Gordon is situated among the points leaders and has posted second-places finishes at Daytona and Atlanta.(TMS PR)(4-3-2009)

Texas Rookie Notes: #20-Joey Logano was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the March 29 Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway. Logano scored a 32nd-place finish and took top rookie honors for the fourth time in six races this season. Logano leads #82-Scott Speed by two points (64-62) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the April 5 Samsung 500 at Texas Motor Speedway. Only once in 16 previous NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Texas has a Raybestos Rookie won the race. Dale Earnhardt Jr. scored his first career Sprint Cup Series win by 5.920 seconds over Jeff Burton in 2000. Earnhardt Jr. also led the most laps in the event (six times for 106 laps). Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kasey Kahne are the only Raybestos Rookies to lead the most laps in 16 previous Sprint Cup Series races at Texas. Kahne led six times for 148 laps in 2004 Samsung 500 (spring race). Ryan Newman holds the all-time Raybestos Rookie record for most poles (6), most top-fives (14) and most top-10s (22). Denny Hamlin is the only Raybestos Rookie to qualify for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup since the program was created in 2004.(Camp & Assoc./Raybestos PR), see rookie history, past winners, stats, standings on my 2009 Rookies page.(4-3-2009) http://www.jayski.com/stats/2009/roty2009.htm

Texas Goodyear Tire Notes: Teams in both NASCAR series will run the same right-side tire code at Texas this week, but they will run different left-side codes . . . the left-side code for Sprint Cup teams (D-4220) is new to the Goodyear tire lineup and features a compound change over last year’s left-side to offer more grip . . . this is the same right-side code (D-4136) that was used by Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series teams at Texas, Chicagoland and Homestead in 2008 . . . . . . as on all NASCAR ovals greater than one mile in length, teams are required to run inner liners in all four tire positions at Texas . . . air pressure in those inner liners should be 12-25 psi greater than that of the outer tire. The estimated pit window is every 50-55 laps, based on fuel mileage.(Goodyear PR), see codes, pressures and more on the Texas Race Info page.(4-3-2009)

http://www.jayski.com/next/2009/7tms2009.htm#goodyear

UPS Reveals New NASCAR Ad Campaign: #6-David Ragan won’t be racing the “big brown truck” this year, but he will be learning what it takes to be a UPS driver in a humorous new television advertising campaign UPS launches this weekend as part of its revamped racing program. The four-spot series, which was produced by The Martin Agency, will feature Ragan competing with UPS drivers in various extreme physical challenges to determine who will earn the title of “Maximum Driver.” The first spot will be broadcast on FOX on Sunday, April 5, during the Samsung 500 at Texas Motor Speedway, but a special preview will be available on Friday afternoon, April 3, at www.racing.ups.com. Ragan made his UPS Racing debut at the Daytona 500 in February, at which time a new television ad introducing him to the UPS team began running that featured Ragan driving his No. 6 Ford Fusion through UPS corporate headquarters. The “Maximum Driver” series will go beyond the introduction, with Ragan facing several unique and potentially harrowing challenges as he goes toe-to-toe with some of UPS’s elite delivery professionals. The “Maximum Driver” campaign follows UPS’s immensely popular “Race the Truck” commercials featuring NASCAR legend Dale Jarrett, who represented UPS Racing for nearly eight years. After the Samsung 500, the three remaining spots will be revealed sequentially throughout the 2009 racing season.(UPS Racing)(4-2-2009)

Regan Smith Takes Impressive Streak to Texas: #78-Regan Smith, who returns to Sprint Cup action this weekend, will take an impressive streak to Texas Motor Speedway, site of Sunday’s Samsung 500. The Furniture Row Racing driver has competed in 43 career Cup races and has finished every one of them. He has never had a DNF (did not finish). Smith’s 43 Cup races include seven in 2007 (six with Ginn Racing, one with DEI), 34 with DEI in 2008 and two this year with Furniture Row Racing. “Honestly, I don’t think about it (the streak) at all,” said the 25-year-old Smith. “I go out there the same way every week and focus on finishing races, completing laps and getting the most I can out of the race car without tearing it up. I can’t get better if you’re constantly fixing racecars.” The Texas event will be the third race of the season for both Furniture Row Racing and Smith as the Denver, Colo.-based team is running a part-time schedule in 2009. After Texas, Smith and the Furniture Row team will compete at the next two Cup races — April 18 at Phoenix International Raceway and April 26 at Talladega Superspeedway. The team’s current schedule includes 13 Cup races for 2009.(DMF Communications/FRR PR)(4-2-2009)

Labonte, Smith inducted into Texas Motorsports HOF: #96-Bobby Labonte and Speedway Motorsports, Inc. Chairman and CEO Bruton Smith were inducted into the Texas Motorsports Hall of Fame during Wednesday evening’s gala at The Speedway Club at Texas Motor Speedway. The two were honored along with Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick, #99-Carl Edwards and IndyCar Series driver Scott Dixon. Labonte and Smith join previous inductees A.J. Foyt (2003), Johnny Rutherford (2003), Terry Labonte (2004), Lee Shepherd (2004), Kenny Bernstein (2005), Jim Hall (2005), Eddie Hill (2006), Mark Martin (2007) and Jim McElreath (2007) into the Texas Motorsports Hall of Fame. Labonte’s presenter for his induction was none other than his older brother and 2004 inductee, Terry Labonte. “It’s a great honor,” Labonte said. “Just having the career and starting out in Texas. This is just a neat factor to come to this. This is pretty cool. I always enjoyed following in Terry’s footsteps.” Labonte was honored with a special announcement at the conclusion of the ceremony. Interstate Batteries CEO Norm Miller and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kyle Busch unveiled the special paint scheme Busch will run during Sunday’s Samsung 500. The paint scheme is a replica of the #18 Interstate Batteries car that Labonte drove during his 2000 Sprint Cup Series championship year while at Joe Gibbs Racing. The scheme pays tribute to Labonte’s induction with “Congrats Bobby Labonte! Texas Motorsports Hall of Fame 2009 Inductee” on the deck lid of the car [see images of the scheme on my #18 Team Schemes page http://www.jayski.com/schemes/2009/18cup.htm#diecast]. Smith brought back NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racing to Texas in 1997 with the construction of Texas Motor Speedway. Since then, he has continued to develop “The Great American Speedway!” into one of the premier sporting venues in the country. Smith, with the help of racing star Curtis Turner, opened Lowe’s Motor Speedway in 1960 and hosted the first World 600 that year. Since that time, Smith has set the standard in marketing and promoting motorsports as he has turned SMI into one of the most recognizable brands in NASCAR.
Hendrick was awarded this year’s Bruton Smith Legends Award. The honor is a lifetime achievement award given to a legendary figure in motorsports. Hendrick is known for establishing one of the winningest organizations in NASCAR. The team owner of four of NASCAR’s most recognizable drivers (Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Mark Martin) has set the standard of excellence in motorsports.
Edwards, who became the first Sprint Cup Series driver to sweep both races at Texas Motor Speedway last year (the Samsung 500 and Dickies 500), earned the Texas Motor Speedway Racer of the Year. Edwards led nearly half the Sprint Cup Series laps run last year at TMS, leading 335 of 673 laps. His two wins placed him atop the list for most wins by a Sprint Cup Series driver at “The Great American Speedway!” with three. Dixon received the Texas Motor Speedway Sportsmanship Award. Dixon earned his first TMS victory during last year’s Bombardier Learjet 550k en route to the IndyCar Series championship.(TMS PR)(4-2-2009)
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Courtesy of Racin’ Today

http://www.racintoday.com

Bruton Smith Humbled By Call From Texas Hall

http://www.racintoday.com/archives/989

Bill Elliott’s Son Fast Tracking At Age 13

http://www.racintoday.com/archives/975

Ownership Tempering Stewart – So Far

http://www.racintoday.com/archives/931

Wood Brothers Seeking Success with Hyder

http://www.racintoday.com/archives/892

A Few Words With: Sammy Johns
Sammy Johns is a veteran crew chief who is working this year with a driver who is not all that young, but is newish to NASCAR, A.J. Allmendinger. This week, Johnson answered some questions about …

http://www.racintoday.com/archives/927

Earnhardt Family Reunion

http://www.racintoday.com/archives/581

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Racing Safety Thesis
Found a link to this on Atlas F1. Was written in 2003, but has a lot of good info.

http://www.benchapman.com/project/

(thanks to Spridgetfan)
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Courtesy of That’s Racin’

http://www.thatsracin.com

Tony Stewart drives in a learning curve
Tony Stewart says he’s learning that there’s more to building a Sprint Cup race team than signing some papers and leasing a new building.

http://www.thatsracin.com/115/story/6345.html

An update with a lot of thank yous
David Poole: The NASCAR Foundation’s online auction to benefit Pennies For Wessa ended late last week and the total raised was about $4,600

http://turn-lane.blogspot.com/2009/04/update-with-lot-of-thank-yous.html

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P R E S S * R E L E A S E S
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After being inducted to the Texas Motorsports Hall of Fame on Wednesday, Lone Star native Bobby Labonte gave back to his home state by visiting Liberty Elementary, a local Dallas Fort-Worth school, to donate $10,000 worth of free computers on behalf of his primary sponsor, Ask.com. Liberty Elementary was selected through the Ask.com Safe Search Schools program that rewards institutions who demonstrate creative ways of teaching Internet safety.

“It’s great to come home to Texas and see children my own kids’ ages engaged in learning about and safely exploring the worlds available to them online,” said Labonte.

In addition to the donation, Labonte gave fifth grader Johnny Gregoriou ultimate lunch room bragging rights by picking him up at his house and driving him to school in an Ask.com Ford Fusion.

“Pulling up to the school in the Ask.com car was awesome because all my friends were outside yelling and waving to me,” said Gregoriou. “But they really went crazy later when I told them I actually ate breakfast with Bobby and my name was on the car!”
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Chick-fil-A Kyle Petty Charity Ride Announces 15th Anniversary Route
Annual Motorcycle Ride to Travel from Stevenson, Wash., to Greensboro, N.C.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Feb. 23, 2009) – The Chick-fil-A Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America has announced the coast-to-coast route for its 15th annual motorcycle ride, to take place May 8 – 17. NASCAR driver and Charity Ride founder Kyle Petty will lead a field of more than 200 riders as they wind their way from the Pacific Northwest to the East Coast in an effort to raise awareness of and funds for Victory Junction and other children’s charities. Riders will depart from Stevenson, Wash., on May 8, making overnight stops in Richland, Wash.; Sun Valley, Idaho; Park City, Utah; Steamboat Springs, Colo.; Hays, Kan.; Kansas City, Mo.; Batesville, Ark.; and Nashville, Tenn., before reaching Greensboro, N.C., on May 16. Since the Charity Ride’s inception in 1995, 6,100 participants have logged more than 7.9 million cumulative motorcycle miles and donated more than $12 million to Victory Junction and other charities that support chronically ill children. Petty and his wife, Pattie, opened Victory Junction in Randleman, N.C., in 2004. The year-round camp serves children, ages 6 to 16, whose health issues would typically prevent them from attending camp. The camp operates solely on the donations of corporations, organizations and individuals. Campers attend at no cost to their families, and transportation costs are covered, if needed. The Pettys are planning a ceremonial groundbreaking on a second Victory Junction in Kansas City, Kan., during the Ride’s stop there on May 13. “This is a big year for the Charity Ride family,” said Petty. “Not only are we celebrating the 15th anniversary of the Ride, we’re also breaking ground on a second Victory Junction that will provide lifechanging opportunities for even more deserving children and their families. Pattie and I can’t wait to hit the road with our fellow riders, sponsors and fans. It is going to be great fun, a real adventure.” Chick-fil-A President and Chief Operating Officer Dan Cathy will join Petty on the nine-day Charity Ride. This year marks Chick-fil-A’s sixth year as the event’s title sponsor. “I’ve been honored to be a part of the Kyle Petty Charity Ride for the last five years and to see up close the impact the Ride has on the organizations and children it supports,” Cathy said. “Chick-fil-A is proud to be associated with such a worthy cause, and I’m looking forward to another rewarding Ride.” The Ride will conclude with a visit to Victory Junction in Randleman, N.C., on May 17. Prior to the Charity Ride’s start, the public is invited to raise support through the Charity Ride Dream Team Challenge, which invites individuals to form “Dream Teams” to raise money and awareness for the Ride’s cause. Dream Teams’ efforts are celebrated at the Ride’s major stops. In 2008, donations from The Dream Team Challenge totaled more than $40,000. For more information or to register a Dream Team, visit www.kylepettycharityride.com. Fans and spectators along the Charity Ride route may also contribute to Victory Junction through the Charity Ride’s “Small Change. Big Impact.” program, which accepts donations at pit stop locations. As a result of the 2008 Charity Ride’s efforts, more than 350 children will attend a five-day session free of charge. Additional sponsors of the 2009 Chick-fil-A Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America include Coca- Cola, Pilot Travel Centers LLC, Racing Electronics, Wincraft Racing and FLUIDYNE Racing Products.
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N A S C A R * N A T I O N W I D E * S E R I E S
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Courtesy of Jayski

http://www.jayski.com

Busch on pole in Texas: #18-Kyle Busch captured the Coors Light pole for the O’Reilly 300 at Texas Motor Speedway with a speed of 188.252mph. #16-Matt Kenseth was second fastest, followed by #98-Paul Menard, #6-David Ragan, #29-Jeff Burton, #60-Carl Edwards, #91-Terry Cook, #33-Tony Stewart, #5-Dale Earnhardt, Jr., and #20-Joey Logano. #88-Brad Keselowski wrecked on his warmup lap and did not make an attempt.
Did Not Qualify: #40-Scott Wimmer, #43-Josh Wise, #26-Brian Keselowski,#49-Kertus Davis, #31-Kerry Earnhardt, and #84-Mike Harmon.
The complete lineup is posted on the Texas Race Page.(4-2-2009) http://www.jayski.com/nationwide/2009/next/05texas.htm#lineup

Menard fastest in Happy Hour: #98-Paul Menard, who also needs to qualify on time, paced the final practice session for th O’Reilly 300 at Texas. #10-David Reutimann was second, followed by #16-Matt Kenseth, #6-David Ragan, #07-David Green, #20-Joey Logano, #1-Mike Bliss, #18-Kyle Busch, #01-Danny O’Quinn, and #77-Peyton Sellers. There were no wrecks but #77-Sellers wrecked late, extending the seession by 10 minutes. He will have to go to a backup car. Complete results are posted on the Texas Race Page.(4-2-2009)

http://www.jayski.com/nationwide/2009/next/05texas.htm#practice

Cook fastest in opening practice: #91-Terry Cook, who has to qualify on time, was fastest in the opening practice session at Texas Motor Speedway with a speed of 185.995mph. #6-David Ragan was second, followed by #38-Jason Leffler, #33-Tony Stewart, #20-Joey Logano, #10-David Reutimann, #60-Carl Edwards, #12-Justin Allgaier, #29-Jeff Burton, and #16-Matt Kenseth. All 49 drivers were on track during the session. There were no incidents reported. Complete results are posted on the Texas Race Page.(4-2-2009)

http://www.jayski.com/nationwide/2009/next/05texas.htm#practice

2XL joins Brian Keselowski: 2XL has officially signed on with the #26 Dodge driven by Brian Keselowski on the NASCAR Nationwide Series for 2009. K-Automotive will have at select races this year the 2XL/Bull26.com support trailer, selling 2XL headphones and ear buds to the masses to support the team’s race efforts.(2XL PR)(4-2-2009)
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A R C A (Automobile Racing Club of America)
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Courtesy of ARCA

http://www.arcaracing.com

All-Time Owner Champ Clement Parks Famous 46 Car
FORT DODGE IA (4-2/3-09) – No human in ARCA RE/MAX Series history has earned as many car owner championships as Iowan Larry Clement. In fact, Clement, who fields the familiar no. 46 Ford, hasn’t missed an ARCA RE/MAX Series race since October, 1994. However, according to Clement, that will change starting with this Sunday’s Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200 presented by Federated Car Care at Salem Speedway.

http://www.arcaracing.com/news.cfm?contentid=7786

Sheltra Saddled-Up for Salem
SALEM IN (4-2-09) – Patrick Sheltra isn’t a big fan of the lengthy break between Daytona and the next event on tour – the Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200 presented by Federated Car Care at Salem Speedway this Sunday; but this particular gap in the action served a very useful purpose.

Sheltra, who was injured in the Daytona season opener two months ago, has utilized the space between the first two events of 2009 to completely recover and focus on the season ahead. Outside of some open testing, Salem will be Sheltra’s first race back since Daytona.

http://www.arcaracing.com/news.cfm?contentid=7781

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Kimmel Racing Heads to Salem with an Eye on Win #10 – Stock Car …
In 29 ARCA RE/MAX Series starts at Salem, Kimmel has eight pole awards, 21 top-fives and 1554 laps led. His accomplishments have made Kimmel the most successful driver in the series’ 54-year history of competition at Salem. …

http://snipurl.com/f5292

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U S A R (United Speed Alliance Racing)
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Courtesy of USAR

http://usarprocup.com

USARacing ANNOUNCES LUCAS OIL AS 2009 OFFICIAL SERIES SPONSOR

Concord, NC – April 2, 2009 – USARacing is proud to announce that Lucas Oil will continue its long standing relationship with the Series as an official sponsor for the 2009 season.

“With Lucas Oil’s reputation, and commitment to motorsports, we’re very excited to have them back on board this year,” said Jimmy Wilson Vice President/Series Director.

Lucas has long been directly involved in motorsports through multiple vehicle sponsorships and racing event promotions. Lucas has developed a line of high performance engine and gear oils that have proven to be consistently effective on tracks across the country.

Read more – http://usarprocup.com/view_article.asp?id=2979
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C O L U M N S / C O M M E N T A R I E S
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Insider Racing News

http://insiderracingnews.com/Writers/RG/040309.html

NASCAR Needs to Capitalize on Early Season Momentum
by Rebecca Gladden

RaceTalkRadio.com:
NASCAR without Manufacturer Support, (And the RaceTalkRadio Top 20 Update) by Dennis Michelsen

http://www.racetalkradio.com/soz/id252.htm

The Nascar Insiders
Uh Brad K., You Can Quit Playing Around Now
As I write this post, the #88 Jr. Motorsports Nationwide Series team is scrambling to get their backup car ready for Saturday’s race at Texas. Following a promising 12th place run at Bristol two weeks ago, Brad Keselowski promptly went out tonight in qualifying and put his Chevy Impala in the fence on his warm up lap. Yikes.

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheNascarInsiders/~3/KYO3F4vl53Y/

Are We There Yet? (Texas)
by Carol Einarsson
Sunday’s race will be the 17th Cup race at Texas.

http://www.racejournalonline.com/index.cfm?Pagename=column&id=583

Friday In Texas A Little Light On TV
As they say, things are always a little bit bigger in Texas. Just like last season, the Texas Motor Speedway stretches out the weekend schedule and puts the Nationwide cars on the track all day Thursday. While that might be good for attendance, once again there was no TV coverage of Nationwide qualifying.

http://dalyplanet.blogspot.com/2009/04/friday-in-texas-little-light-on-tv.html

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T V * L I S T I N G S
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Courtesy of Race Fan TV

http://www.racefantv.com

FRIDAY, APRIL 3
12:00 M-12:30 A espn 2 NASCAR Now, HD, N
1:00 P-2:30 SPEED NASCAR Sprint Cup PRACTICE, Samsung 500, Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Worth, TX, HD, L
2:30 P-3:30 SPEED NASCAR Live at Texas Motor Speedway, HD
3:30 P-4:30 SPEED Daytona 500 Memories, Great moments in the history of the Daytona 500, R
4:30 P-6:30 SPEED NASCAR Sprint Cup QUALIFYING, Samsung 500, Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Worth, TX, HD, L
7:00 P-8:00 SPEED Trackside at Texas Motor Speedway, HD, N
8:00 P-10:00 SPEED NASCAR Sprint Cup QUALIFYING, Samsung 500, Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Worth, TX, HD, SDD, R
10:00 P-11:00 SPEED Daytona 500 Memories, Great moments in the history of the Daytona 500, R
11:00 P-12:00 SPEED Trackside at Texas Motor Speedway, HD, R

SATURDAY, APRIL 4
1:30 A-2:00 espn 2 NASCAR Now, HD, N
2:00 A-4:00 SPEED NASCAR Sprint Cup QUALIFYING, Samsung 500, Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Worth, TX, Apr 3/09, HD, R
11:00 A-12:00 SPEED Trackside at Texas Motor Speedway, HD, R
12:00 N-1:00 P SPEED NASCAR Sprint Cup PRACTICE, Samsung 500, Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Worth, TX, HD, L
1:00 P-2:30 SPEED NASCAR Sprint Cup FINAL PRACTICE, Samsung 500, Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Worth, TX, HD, L
2:30 P-3:00 espn 2 NASCAR Nationwide Series COUNTDOWN, O’Reilly 300, Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Worth, TX, HD, L
3:00 P-6:00 espn 2 NASCAR Nationwide Series O’Reilly 300, Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Worth, TX, HD, L (expect green at 3:15P)
8:00 P-9:30 SPEED NASCAR Performance, Texas Motor Speedway, HD, N

SUNDAY, APRIL 5
3:00 A-5:00 espn 2 NASCAR Nationwide Series O’Reilly 300, Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Worth, TX, Apr 4/09, HD, R
10:00 A-10:30 SPEED NASCAR Performance, Texas Motor Speedway, HD, R
10:00 A-11:00 espn 2 NASCAR Now, HD, L
11:00 A-11:30 SPEED NASCAR in a Hurry, Texas Motor Speedway, HD, L
11:00 A-1:00 P ESPN-CL NASCAR Nationwide Series O’Reilly 300, Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Worth, TX, Apr 4/09, HD, R
11:30 A-1:30 P SPEED NASCAR Race Day. Preview of today’s Samsung 500 at Texas Motor Speedway, VA, HD, L
1:30 P-2:00 FOX NASCAR Sprint Cup PRE-RACE SHOW Samsung 500, Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Worth, TX, HD
2:00 P-6:00 FOX NASCAR Sprint Cup Samsung 500, Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Worth, TX, HD, L
7:00 P-8:00 SPEED The SPEED Report, HD, N
8:00 P-9:00 SPEED NASCAR Victory Lane at the Samsung 500, Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Worth, TX, HD, SDD, N
9:00 P-10:00 SPEED Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain, HD, L

RFTV does not list all the programming offered by SPEED; for complete listings go to their website, http://www.speedtv.com/schedule/

Always CHECK YOUR LOCAL LISTINGS!
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