Stock Car Gazette

The Stock Car Gazette e-zine for Wed., 4/8/2009

Wednesday, April 8, 2009 127 reads
Mike Irwin

Monday I had physical problems…. Tuesday I overslept. Today is the first more-or-less “normal” morning this week. So hopefully here’s a more normal Stock Car Gazette for you today. It’s got all the latest NASCAR news.

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T H E * S T O C K * C A R * G A Z E T T E
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E d i t o r ‘ s * N o t e s
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Monday I had physical problems…. Tuesday I overslept. Today is the first more-or-less “normal” morning this week. So hopefully here’s a more normal Stock Car Gazette for you today.
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Stock Car Gazette Columnists Speak Out!
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Nashville Cat – Brad Keselowski
by: Steve Langley

The last race held at Nashville, Brad Keselowski made a late pass for the lead from David Stremme and took his first win claiming the famous and beautiful Gibson guitar that each and every driver would love to have as a trophy. Read more at http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/3334

For more from Steve, visit http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/category/steves-stuff
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EARNHARDT’S 1980 CHEVY ON DISPLAY IN BAKER CURB’S NEW MUSEUM AREA
by: Mike Irwin

Baker Curb Racing is pleased to announce the addition of a new museum area within the team’s 75,000 square foot facility on Brick Church Park Drive, minutes from downtown Nashville. See the picture and read more at http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/3338
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Familiar Rivalry, Hornaday Vs. Skinner, Continues
by: Mike Irwin

Four races into the 2009 season, Ron Hornaday Jr. (No. 33 Longhorn/VFW Chevrolet) and Mike Skinner (No. 5 Bad Boy Mower Toyota) sit third and fourth in the standings with a mere five points separating the two. This isn’t anything new. Read the rest at http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/3346
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Rockstar/AEM’s NASCAR V8-powered Scion tC drift car gets unboxed
by: Mike Irwin

Here are two things that don’t come to mind when you think of Scion: rear-wheel drive and V8 power. But that’s exactly what the Rockstar/AEM crew have created with the Formula D-bound Scion tC. Joe Gibbs, TRD and Papadakis Racing put in the wrench time on the new racer and underhood is a V8 pulled from Toyota’s NASCAR efforts and retuned with a drift-friendly powerband. See the videos and article at http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/3355
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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 Stock Car Gazette subscriber Ed B. – thanks!

Ray Evernham enjoys first official night as track owner and promote

http://snipurl.com/fhawu

Sources: Earnhardt Ganassi will park No. 8 car”

http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/nascar/cup/news/story?id=4050495

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Courtesy of Insider Racing News

http://www.insiderracingnews.com

Waltrip Partners With Ryan Truex
At 17 years of age, Ryan Truex has a career action plan and one of his long-term career goals includes following his NASCAR champion brother Martin Truex Jr. to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series level. Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR) announced a partnership that will field a full-time NASCAR Camping World East program for the young Truex as he takes the next step towards fulfilling that lifelong dream. The season-opener is this weekend at Greenville-Pickens (S.C.) Speedway. …More http://insiderracingnews.com/Daily/2009/Apr/040809.html

ISC Revenue Drops 15%
International Speedway Corp. is feeling the impact of the economy as its revenues from admissions, corporate spending and food and merchandise sales all have dropped from a year ago. In releasing its results for the months of December, January and February (where the two main events were Speedweeks at Daytona and the NASCAR race weekend at Auto Club Speedway in California), ISC reported admissions revenue dropped 14.8 percent, while food, beverage and merchandise revenue dropped 40.9 percent. Net income was down 31.5 percent. ISC estimates revenues will drop 8.5 to 11 percent overall in 2009 compared with 2008.

Harvick Honorary Starter at Rockingham
Kevin Harvick will be atop of the flagstand at the start of the ARCA RE/MAX Series Carolina 200 race at the Rockingham Speedway on April 19th and will wave the green flag to begin the highly anticipated race. Harvick’s part time Nationwide Series driver, Tony Stewart had the honor during last season’s ARCA race at the historic track. Harvick will be making the trip to Rockingham following the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Phoenix International Raceway where he will be driving the No. 29 Shell/Pennzoil Chevrolet on Saturday night. If weather is a factor in Phoenix, Harvick will not be able to make the trip to Rockingham.

Letarte Named Crew Chief Of Race
Steve Letarte, crew chief for the No. 24 DuPont/National Guard GED Plus Chevy driven by Jeff Gordon, has been named the WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief of the Race in Sunday’s Samsung 500 at Texas Motor Speedway. Qualifying in the second position, Gordon and Letarte made it their goal to break the 47-race losing streak they’ve had since 2007, and grab Gordon’s first career victory at the Lone Star State’s facility. Gordon was running third when the sixth and final caution came out on lap 305 of the 334-lap event. The Letarte-led team performed a four-tire change and other adjustments in just 14.1 seconds, propelling Gordon off pit road first and taking the lead with 28 laps to go.

$35.00 Tickets At California
Building on what was a tremendous value and significant savings for race fans to experience the thrill of NASCAR at Auto Club Speedway, Pepsi and ACS have once again teamed up to bring race fans the special value ticket price in the Pepsi Rock n’ Rows (1-5) for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series inaugural “Chase Race” – the Pepsi 500 on Sunday, Oct. 11 for only $35 per ticket. Beginning Monday, April 13, for only $35, race fans can get an up close and personal experience to all the on-track action by purchasing a seat in the Pepsi Rock n‘ Rows – the first five rows of the main grandstands. The tickets are usually priced at $55.

24 Team Wins Pit Road Precision Award
It was a double victory for the No. 24 team Sunday at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth. Along with driver Jeff Gordon winning the 500-mile NASCAR Sprint Cup race, the No. 24 over-the-wall crew won the Tissot Pit Road Precision Award. Gordon’s crew also won the pit road competition the previous week in Martinsville, Va., becoming the season’s first multiple Tissot winner. The No. 24 crew claimed the Tissot win in Texas due to Gordon’s DuPont/National Guard Chevrolet spending the least amount of time on pit road — 217.453 seconds. The crew’s effort this season has played a key role in Gordon’s position as the leader in the Sprint Cup driver standings.
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Courtesy of Jayski

http://www.jayski.com

2009 vs. 2008?: where were the 2009 Top 12 drivers after seven races in 2008?
1) #24-Jeff Gordon was 14th in the 2008 points after race seven
2) #48-Jimmie Johnson was 6th
3) #2-Kurt Busch was 15th
4) #33-Clint Bowyer was 11th in the #07 car
5) #14-Tony Stewart was 5th in the #20 car
6) #11-Denny Hamlin was 7th
7) #18-Kyle Busch was 3rd
8) #99-Carl Edwards was 9th
9) #17-Matt Kenseth was 13th
10) #9-Kasey Kahne was 12th
11) #00-David Reutimann was 31st
12) #31-Jeff Burton was 1st
notes: the drivers who were in the top 12 after the 7th race in 2008 and are not in the top 12 in 2009: #29-Kevin Harvick was 2nd
#88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. was 4th
#16-Greg Biffle was 8th
#39-Ryan Newman was 10th in the #12 car

#51 Team to return at Phoenix: been told the #51 BlackJack Racing Dodge of Dexter Bean will return to the Sprint Cup Series at Phoenix. The team attempted the first three races of the 2009 season, failing to make any with three different drivers, Kelly Bires, David Starr and Bean. After failing to make the race at Las Vegas, BlackJack Racing moved their race operations from Mooresville, NC back to Westby, Wisconsin and has been preparing cars for Phoenix. Live Wire Energy Chews will be sponsoring the #51 Dodge and the team plans to test at the La Crosse Faigrounds Speedway in West Salem, Wisconsin.(4-8-2009)

Gordon down to one track with no win: #24-Jeff Gordon’s win at Texas means there’s only one track on the Sprint Cup circuit at which he has yet to win, that being Homestead-Miami Speedway, where the series runs only once a year, the season finale. Gordon has won on 23 of the 24 tracks he has raced at in the Cup Series, including two tracks that are no longer active, North Wilkesboro and Rockingham. He also draws just one win shy of Cale Yarborough for the fifth-most wins in Cup history, and a pair shy of tying Bobby Allison and Darrell Waltrip for third. But how do those drivers shape up as far as number of tracks won at? Let’s check out the numbers:
Driver — Wins — Tracks won at
Richard Petty — 200 — 51 of 84
David Pearson — 105 — 38 of 65
Bobby Allison — 84 — 28 of 47
Darrell Waltrip — 84 — 16 of 26
Cale Yarborough — 83 — 18 of 46
Jeff Gordon — 82 — 23 of 24
Of course, a disclaimer here is that in the old days of NASCAR, many tracks were raced at once or just a handful of times, but that’s still pretty impressive.(ESPN.com)
Current Drivers: the active leaders with the most wins at the 22 different tracks currently on the NSCS schedule:
Rank, Driver, Number of Tracks 1. #24-Jeff Gordon, 21
2. #14-Tony Stewart, 19
3. #48-Jimmie Johnson, 16
4. #5-Mark Martin, 16
5. #18-Kyle Busch, 13
(NASCAR PR)(4-8-2009)

Gordon’s Crew Scores Back-to-Back Tissot Pit Road Wins: It was a double victory for the #24 team Sunday at Texas Motor Speedway in Forth Worth. Along with driver Jeff Gordon winning the 500-mile NASCAR Sprint Cup race, the #24 over-the-wall crew won the Tissot Pit Road Precision Award. Gordon’s crew also won the pit road competition the previous week in Martinsville. The #24 crew claimed the Tissot win in Texas due to Gordon’s DuPont/National Guard Chevy spending the least amount of time on pit road — 217.453 seconds. Gordon’s pit crew consists of: Clay Robinson (front-tire changer), Mike Houston (front tire carrier), Tim Ladyga (rear-tire changer), Jeff Knight (rear-tire carrier), Jeff Cook (jackman), Caleb Hurd (gasman), Jamie Frady (catch can) and Andy Kruep (eighth man). The pit crew coach is Greg Morin. For winning the Tissot Pit Road Precision Award, the #24 team will receive $5,000. The team with the most pit road wins at the completion of the 36-race schedule will earn a $100,000 bonus plus Tissot watches for the driver and over-the-wall crew members.(Tissot PR)(4-8-2009)

Evernham’s Track debuts with Full House/Field: A record crowd packed East Lincoln Speedway Saturday night for the grand opening of the newly revamped 3/8 mile clay oval. RE Driver’s MeetingUnder the new ownership of veteran NASCAR crew chief and team owner Ray Evernham along with his business partner Bob Mack, a capacity crowd flooded the facility to see the many upgrades and improvements made to the 20-year-old speedway. East Lincoln Victory LaneEast Lincoln Speedway will be back in action this Saturday night April 11 with a full racing program. East Lincoln Speedway is located at 1873 Mariposa Rd in Stanley, NC.(PR)(4-8-2009)

Letarte Named Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race at Texas: Steve Letarte, crew chief for the #24 DuPont/National Guard GED Plus Chevy driven by Jeff Gordon, has been named the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race in Sunday’s Samsung 500 at Texas Motor Speedway. In addition to the $1,000 check, the winning crew chief will receive signage to announce the win on their pit box the following week. The crew chief with the most weekly wins will be honored as the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Year and will be presented a $20,000 check at the season finale in Homestead. The Wypall Wipers Crew Chief Challenge will continue throughout the 2009 season and spotlight the men behind the machines.(Wypall PR)(4-8-2009)

EGR’s #8 car parked: The #8 Sprint Cup Chevy, the centerpiece of Dale Earnhardt Inc. before its merger with Chip Ganassi Racing, is the latest casualty of the economy. Sources close to the situation said officials at Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates are parking the car driven by Aric Almirola until sponsorship is found. An announcement could come in the next 24 hours. EGR officials were not available for comment, but sources said a handful of employees have been let go, and that number could grow to 40 to 50 before all is said and done. Almirola ranks 37th in owner points heading into next week’s race at Phoenix International Raceway. He is 59 points behind rookie Joey Logano, who occupies the final spot for the top 35 guaranteed a position in each race. Almirola has an average finish of 32.9 this season, finishing no better than 21st in seven races and no better than 33rd the past three. Parking that car leaves EGR with two full-time drivers in Martin Truex Jr. and Juan Pablo Montoya. Sources deny a report that Truex has a clause in his contract that would free him and primary sponsor Bass Pro Shops if he doesn’t have at least two fulltime teammates.(ESPN.com)(4-7-2009)

ISC Net Income Falls 31%: International Speedway Corp.’s fiscal first-quarter net income fell 31% on falling revenue amid price cuts as the racetrack operator cut its fiscal-year outlook, citing a worsening economy. The company has seen attendance at its events fall. The average income of NASCAR fans is below the national median, making them more susceptible to the recession. The company had also said it had begun to see a slowdown in corporate spending for hospitality, making the process of securing deals more time consuming. The company cut its fiscal-year earnings outlook to a range of $1.80 to $2 on revenue of $700 million to $720 million from December’s estimate of $2.35 to $2.45 a share on revenue of $745 million to $765 million. It also said it wasn’t including its Motorsports Authentics business in that estimate, saying that division’s management was re-evaluating it given the challenges of selling licensed sports goods in the current market. President Lesa Kennedy said the company had reduced ticket prices to make it more affordable for fans to come to events. For the period ended Feb. 28, the motorsports promoter reported net income of $25.1 million, or 52 cents a share, down from $36.2 million, or 71 cents a share, a year earlier. Excluding items, earnings fell to 56 cents from 78 cents. Revenue decreased 14% to $166.1 million.(Wall Street Journal)

New Menu at Phoenix: NASCAR fans at Phoenix International Raceway can now order items reflective of their favorite on-air personalities from SPEED, with menu offerings created by on-air stalwarts such as Jimmy Spencer, Kenny Wallace and Larry MacReynolds available from SPEED Cantina’s brand new menu. The new food selections will make their debut during the Subway Fresh Fit 500 weekend, scheduled for April 16-18, and will represent 11 members of the NASCAR on SPEED on-air talent roster. Split into sections celebrating two of NASCAR on SPEED’s top weekly programs, the menu features lists of “Trackside Appetizers” and “Raceday Entrées,” leaving NASCAR fans able to make an appetizing selection based on both their preferred taste and favorite television personality. Fans at SPEED Cantina can prepare their palate with an appetizing array of Jimmy Spencer’s Na-cho Average Salad or John Roberts Jalapeño Poppers, and truly fulfill their hunger with a Hermanator Hot Dog – in honor of Kenny “Herman” Wallace – or an order of Larry Mac Tacos. Those in the mood for chicken wings have two options: bone-in Michael Waltrip Wings, or Wendy Wings, the boneless variety celebrating intrepid SPEED reporter Wendy Venturini. Rutledge Rings and Hermie Chips and Salsa pay homage to the zany SPEED duo of Wood and Sadler, respectively, and fans can also purchase entrées like a Steve Byrnes Burrito, a Krista Voda Chicken Wrap, or a Jeff Hammond Hamburger. Tickets for the Subway Fresh Fit 500 weekend at Phoenix International Raceway are available now by calling 1-866-408-RACE (7223) or visiting www.phoenixraceway.com.(PIR PR)(4-8-2009)

Charlie Daniels Band to perform at Richmond: Although the “Devil Went Down to Georgia,” the band that performs that famous ditty will be in Virginia for the NASCAR doubleheader weekend at Richmond International Raceway May 1-2, 2009. The Charlie Daniels Band will perform a free concert sponsored by Lipton Iced Tea on the midway Friday, May 1, at 5:15 p.m. at the Lipton display area, located near the flag pole in the center of the midway. The Charlie Daniels Band concert is just one of many free activities to enjoy at Richmond International Raceway May 1-2. While at the Lipton display, guests can try a free sample of Lipton iced tea, a sandwich made with Hellmann’s mayonnaise and a Klondike bar. In addition to the concert, Chevy Fan Fest—which features show cars and games, interactive midway displays, product samples and parking—are all free on raceway property during the May 1-2 weekend. Guests will want to stick around after the band’s performance because the night’s main event—the Lipton Tea 250 NASCAR Nationwide Series race—is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. “under the lights” at America’s Premier Short Track. Charlie Daniels is scheduled to perform the National Anthem during pre-race ceremonies. Please log on to www.rir.com or call 866-455-RACE (7223) for tickets and information.(RIR PR)(4-8-2009)

Economaki and Schrader to be Honored at the Rock: 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. Ken Schrader is no stranger to Rockingham Speedway – he earned six top-fives at the track including a second place finish in 1991 during his Cup career at the track. He also had 10 top-10’s at the historic track as well as one pole in 1990. Schrader just missed winning last year’s ARCA race when he finished second in the first race since the track was reopened. He will be looking to improve by one position with the second running of the race on April 19th. Carolina 200 race weekend kicks off on Friday April 17th with Thunderfest in downtown Rockingham from 11:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. There will be a hauler parade through downtown Rockingham at noon on Friday for the day-long celebration as well as most of the drivers signing autographs at 6:00 p.m. For more information about the Carolina 200 or to order tickets, please contact the speedway at (910) 205-8800 or visit our website at www.rockinghamspeedway.com.(4-8-2009)
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Courtesy of Racin’ Today

http://www.racintoday.com

Presenting Points For Poles Is Preposterous
By Larry Woody | Senior Writer

Awarding a driver points for winning a pole makes about as much sense as awarding a football team points for field goals made by its kicker during pre-game warm-ups. Winning a …

http://www.racintoday.com/archives/1322

Andretti Lures Petty To The 500

John Andretti and Richard Petty at the world’s most famous race track. (Photo courtesy of Indianapolis Motor Speedway)

By Jim Pedley | Managing Editor
RacinToday.com

John Andretti is about as diverse as race-car drivers get. He’s driven everything from dragsters to Sprint Cup cars and all manner of vehicle betwixt. It turns out that he is also pretty good at being devious.

So good at being devious that he got the King of stock-car racing to pop for a ride for Andretti in this year’s Indianapolis 500.

http://www.racintoday.com/archives/1330

Texas Motor Speedway Boss Busts His Humpy For Fans
By John Sturbin | Senior Writer
RacinToday.com
Fort Worth, Texas – With the exit last year of H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler from the employ of Lowe’s Motor Speedway, Eddie Gossage has assumed the title of promoter extraordinaire at …

http://www.racintoday.com/archives/1216

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Your ad could be displayed here… very reasonable rates. E-mail Mike@MotorSportsNews.Net
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Courtesy of That’s Racin’

http://www.thatsracin.com

Nationwide Series moves into spotlight
While the Sprint Cup Series takes a break, the Nationwide Series takes center stage in NASCAR this weekend as they head to “Music City USA.”

http://www.thatsracin.com/140/story/6676.html

Montoya, crew chief have it in gear
The last thing Juan Pablo Montoya wanted was a crew chief change. He feared another leadership change would unravel his race team. He was right, too.

http://www.thatsracin.com/140/story/6672.html

Testimony ends in Castroneves tax trial
MIAMI — Testimony is over in the U.S. tax evasion trial of Brazilian race car driver Helio Castroneves.

http://www.thatsracin.com/140/story/6673.html

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P R E S S * R E L E A S E S
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Autograph Signing… Stephen Leicht will be signing autographs on Sat., April 11 from 12 to 12:30 p.m. at the Nationwide Insurance mobile display area located outside the main grandstands.
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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

Nationwide Series Earns 1.4 Rating at Texas: ESPN2′s live telecast of the NASCAR Nationwide Series event at Texas Motor Speedway on April 3 earned a 1.4 household coverage rating and averaged 1,862,866 viewers. The rating is down from the 1.8 earned for last year’s race, also aired live on ESPN2.(ESPN PR)(4-7-2009)

Scott to drive 4 races for Braun: Braun Racing announced that Brian Scott will pilot the #10 Toyota for four upcoming Nationwide Series races including this Saturday’s Pepsi 300 at Nashville Superspeedway. This weekend’s event will mark Scott’s debut in the Nationwide Series. Plans call for Scott to drive the #10 Toyota for four races including events at Nashville Superspeedway and Phoenix International Raceway. The remaining two races in which Scott will drive the #10 entry will be announced at a later date. Stewart Cooper, who oversees shop operations at Braun Racing, will serve as crew chief on the #10 car for those races.(Braun Racing PR)(4-7-2009)
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Courtesy of The Hot Lap

http://www.TheHotLap.com

Check out the NASCAR interview with NNS drivers Scott Wimmer and Brad Keselowski. Click here (04-07-09)

http://thehotlap.com/modules.php?name=Press_Releases&op=view&rid=3402

Scott Wimmer brought home the Gibson Les Paul guitar trophy when he was the winner of the spring race at Nashville Superspeedway in 2008. Wimmer also broke the race record at the 1.333-mile concrete track with a speed of 134.095 MPH. Statistics show that Nashville Superspeedway loves Scott Wimmer. In his nine starts at the track, Wimmer has finished in the top-10 and completed every lap for all but one race, when a crash resulted in a 36th place finish in 2003. Four of Scott’s finishes have been in the top-5, including his win at the track last spring.

This week the Nationwide Series returns to Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway for race number six of the season. Following a win at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway and a strong second-place finish at Texas Motor Speedway, the No. 33 Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) team will see a new face behind the wheel this week at Nashville. Twenty-four-year-old Mauston, Wisc. native Kelly Bires will make his first Nationwide Series start for KHI, looking to continue the success of the No. 33 team this season.

When Justin Allgaier is not behind the wheel of the Verizon Wireless Dodge, you can find him tinkering on remote contr ol cars. The 22-year-old picked up the hobby three months ago after he moved to North Carolina. His favorite R/C vehicle in the fleet is an off-road truck that has a top speed of over 60 miles per hour. Egg Him On… Allgaier will be paired with a media member in an egg-tossing contest on Friday, April 10, in celebration of Easter weekend. The rookie, along with other NASCAR Nationwide Series regulars, will also be designing an egg to be judged by series director Joe Balash. The event will take place at Nashville Superspeedway.
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C A M P I N G * W O R L D * T R U C K * S E R I E S
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Courtesy of Jayski

http://www.jayski.com

Yeley to drive the #73 at Kansas: Sources tell us that during an interview on Sirius Radio’s Morning Drive program this morning, J.J. Yeley announced he is going to be driving the #73 truck at Kansas Speedway.(4-7-2009)

Braun Racing is pleased to announce that Brian Scott will pilot the #10 Toyota Camry for four upcoming Nationwide Series races including this Saturday’s Pepsi 300 at Nashville Superspeedway. This weekend’s event will mark Scott’s debut in the Nationwide Series. Plans call for Scott to drive the #10 Toyota for four races including events at Nashville Superspeedway and Phoenix International Raceway. The remaining two races in which Scott will drive the #10 entry will be announced at a later date. Stewart Cooper, who oversees shop operations at Braun Racing, will serve as crew chief on the #10 car for those races. This weekend Scott will carry the colors of Braun Racing marketing partner, Dollar General, whose headquarters is based just outside of Nashville in Goodlettsville, Tenn. In next weekend’s race at Phoenix International Raceway, Scott will sport the familiar black and white logo of another Braun Racing marketing partner, Great Clips, Inc.(Braun Racing PR)(4-7-2009)
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A R C A (Automobile Racing Club of America)
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Courtesy of ARCA

http://www.arcaracing.com

Patrick Sheltra Earns Career First ARCA RE/MAX Series Win
Patrick Sheltra became the newest winner on the ARCA RE/MAX Series tour on Sunday afternoon, leading 60 of 200 laps en route to victory at Salem Speedway in Southern Indiana. It was Sheltra’s first ARCA RE/MAX Series race win in his 48th career start. In addition to Sheltra, several drivers have recorded their first ARCA wins at Salem, including Tobey Butler who was able to do so in 1996 in his career first Series start. Other recent first time Series winners at Salem include Shelby Howard in 2003, Blake Bjorklund in 2006 and Billy Venturini in 2006.

Frank Kimmel Finishes Seventh at Salem
Frank Kimmel, the all-time ARCA RE/MAX Series race winner at Salem Speedway with nine victories at the .5-mile short track, survived a challenging day which included an unscheduled trip down pit road prior to taking the green flag, an on track incident which left his No. 44 Ansell-Menards Ford Fusion with front end damage and a pit road speeding penalty to finish seventh at his home track.

“We definitely had the odds stacked against us today,” said Kimmel. “The car was really good, really fast during the first half. But the front end damage from that wreck at halfway really hurt up the handling. I was tight in and out of the corners and when you can’t get through the corners here it’s really hard to run consistently fast laps. Overall, it was not what I hoped for but it’s still our first top-10 for Ansell and Menards so that’s good news.”

Although Kimmel was unable to find victory lane this weekend, his son Frankie, a crew member on the Ansell/Menards Kimmel Racing Team, won the Super Stock race at Salem just prior to the start of Sunday’s ARCA RE/MAX Series race.

Salem Ends 15-Year Streak
Car owner Larry Clement ended a streak of 314 consecutive ARCA RE/MAX Series race starts this weekend, as his No. 46 Ford did not compete in the Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200 presented by Federated Car Care at Salem Speedway. The last time that a No. 46 Larry Clement-owned racecar was not on the starting grid for an ARCA RE/MAX Series race was at Winchester Speedway in October of 1994.

“Stine Seed, our biggest sponsor last year, recommitted this year, but we weren’t able to complete the sponsor package.” Clement said. “Stine worked very hard to make the program successful. The thing I hate the most about not racing is Matt Carter not getting a chance to run for the championship. He did a great job finishing third last year in points and winning Rookie of the Year. He would have definitely been one of the favorites this year. It’s a shame a driver with his talent doesn’t have a ride.”

Clement is recognized by race fans as the car owner for each of Frank Kimmel’s nine ARCA RE/MAX Series championships and, most recently, as the car owner for 2008 ARCA RE/MAX Series Rookie of the Year Matt Carter. From November 1994 through February 2008, Clement amassed 314 starts as car owner of the No. 46 to include race wins with Bob Hill (4 wins), Kimmel (69 wins) and Carter (1 win).

Other ARCA RE/MAX Series car owners with notable current consecutive start streaks include Norm Benning with 270 and Andy Belmont with 246.

Eddie Sharp Racing’s Tim George Jr. Partners With Ruby Tuesday
Eddie Sharp Racing’s Tim George, Jr. debuted a new paint scheme at Salem Speedway in honor of a three-race partnership with Ruby Tuesday, the leading casual-dining restaurant company. George’s No. 2 Toyota Camry will also feature the paint scheme at ARCA RE/MAX Series races at Rockingham Speedway on April 19 and Talladega Superspeedway on April 24.

George is scheduled to sign autographs at Ruby Tuesday locations near Rockingham, North Carolina and Talladega, Alabama in advance of upcoming ARCA RE/MAX Series race weekends.

Save Big Money at Menards
General admission tickets to the May 17 Menards 200 ARCA RE/MAX Series race at Toledo Speedway are now available at participating Menards retail locations for a discount rate of $15. The tickets, which sell for $25 at the track, are available at Menards until May 14.

All 15 Menards stores in Ohio, as well as select locations in Michigan and Indiana, will offer the discount ticket.

Talladega Testing
Several ARCA RE/MAX Series teams left Salem Speedway on Sunday to travel to Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama for Wednesday and Thursday’s ARCA Open Test. The test will consist of single car runs and small groups of drafting and is designed to prepare race teams for the ARCA RE/MAX Series’ April 24appearance to Talladega Superspeedway. The race is live on SPEED beginning at 4 p.m. Eastern.

The next ARCA RE/MAX Series race is the Carolina 200 at Rockingham Speedway on April 19.

For more information on the ARCA RE/MAX Series, visit www.arcaracing.com.
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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/CA/040809.html

Gordon Wins, Earnhardt Sins and Digger Grins
by Chuck Abrams

Insider Racing News

http://insiderracingnews.com/Writers/FY/040809.html

From The Track: ASA Comes Through Town
by Frank Youtzy

The Nascar Insiders
Ask The Insiders Wednesday #18
Jeff Gordon got his first set of Texas six-shooters Sunday, ending the 47 race winless streak that plagued him throughout last season.

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheNascarInsiders/~3/LiiagjkU8kU/

Cheers & Jeers
Jeff Gordon Conquers Another, Just One Remains
by Carol Einarsson
CHEERS to Texas. Not just the track, but the whole state. The only state to enter the U.S. by treaty, a former independent nation, and producer of more wool than any other U.S. state, we love Texas!

http://www.racejournalonline.com/index.cfm?Pagename=column&id=586

Malaysian Monsoon
by Carol Einarsson

http://www.racejournalonline.com/index.cfm?Pagename=column&id=585

Hidden Meanings
by Carol Einarsson
The other day I wrote an article to preview the race at Texas, and I noted that the race would begin at 1:16pm.

http://www.racejournalonline.com/index.cfm?Pagename=column&id=584

Numbers & Statistics – Sweet 16 is the Magic Number for the Chase
Numbers, numbers, numbers….week in and week out, it’s all about the “stats,” where did I finish and where do I stand?

http://www.speedwaymedia.com/Articles/09/040809Taylor.asp

Good, Bad, & Ugly – Gordon Is Back, While Junior & Danica Continue To Look Good In Their Wranglers
With book in hand, Sirius radio in the background, and the television focused on FOX, we had ourselves a GOOD race in Texas. Don’t get me wrong, it was no spectacle, but it did provide some drama on the track and some comedy in the pits to keep the outcome in doubt until the end.

http://www.speedwaymedia.com/Articles/09/040709Thornton.asp

A True All-Star event?
The Whatever-It-Was 500 took place yesterday at Texas Motor Speedway ….and believe it or not, it wasn’t too bad of a race. It wasn’t something I felt that I had to enthusiastically scream for disinterested children to come watch with me…

http://www.speedwaymedia.com/Articles/09/040709VanZandt.asp

Sprint Cup Series Not Generating TV Excitement

http://dalyplanet.blogspot.com/2009/04/new-sprint-cup-series-not-generating-tv.html

The Monday Night Party Crew Returns

http://dalyplanet.blogspot.com/2009/04/monday-night-party-crew-returns.html

Check Out The Rowdy.com Podcast

http://dalyplanet.blogspot.com/2009/04/check-out-rowdycom-podcast.html

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T V * L I S T I N G S
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Courtesy of Jayski

http://www.jayski.com/pages/tv.htm

Wed Apr 8
12:00 am NASCAR Now ESPN2

12:00 pm NSCS Replay Texas SPEED

6:00 pm NASCAR Now ESPN2

Thu Apr 9
12:30 am NASCAR Now ESPN2

3:00 pm Camping World Touring Series SPEED

4:30 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!
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