 |
SURPRISE! Well, I reckon you’re still stuck with me. I got out there in the middle of the southern Kentucky hills (outside of Somerset, for those of you familiar with the home land), and the pine pollen was so bad that you could see it on everything. And I coughed and coughed and coughed….. so I came home. Here’s your absolutely germ-free (no swine flu at all!) edition of the Stock Car Gazette, with all the latest NASCAR news! |
____________________________________________________________
T H E * S T O C K * C A R * G A Z E T T E
by http://MotorSportsNews.Net
Do you know for sure?
http://motorsportsnews.net/you-can-know-for-sure
____________________________________________________________
The Stock Car Gazette is sponsored by:
Hasco Collectibles
Div. Hasco Services, LLC
701 Mantooth Ave.
Lufkin, TX 75904
http://www.hascodiecastcars.com
hasco@diecastcars.net
866-66-HASCO (866-664-2726)
FINAL PRE-ORDERS FOR HASCO COLLECTIBLES:
Click The Pre-Order Category On Our Site For:
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Drive The Guard, ACU Camo, Mt. Dew Special,
Dale Earnhardt Nationwide Hellmans, Klondike, Brad Kesolowski
Cup Talladega Win, And Jimmie Johnson 2008 Nextel Cup Champ.
SALE SALE SALE!
We have hundreds and hundreds of items at 15% to 85% off of retail.
Over 1000 items are reduced from cars to apparel to trinkets including
most 2007/2008 items. Just click the red sale banner at the top of our
home page, click the Special Sale link in the left column of the home
page, or, just click this link: http://www.hascodiecastcars.com/sale.aspx
NOTE: DO NOT WAIT, HASCO COLLECTIBLES WILL CEASE
OPERATIONS SOMETIME LATE THIS SUMMER!!
Hasco Collectibles
Div. Hasco Services, LLC
701 Mantooth Ave.
Lufkin, TX 75904
http://www.hascodiecastcars.com
hasco@diecastcars.net
866-66-HASCO (866-664-2726)
___________________________________________________________
E d i t o r ‘ s * N o t e s
___________________________________________________________
SURPRISE! Well, I reckon you’re still stuck with me. I got out there in the middle of the southern Kentucky hills (outside of Somerset, for those of you familiar with the home land), and the pine pollen was so bad that you could see it on everything. And I coughed and coughed and coughed….. so I came home.
___________________________________________________________
Stock Car Gazette Columnists Speak Out!
___________________________________________________________
TV Times – ‘dega Ratings Down 12 Percent
by: Lou Modestino
NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing posted a 5.0/12 (8.1 million viewers) on Sunday for the race from Talladega. Though that’s down -12 percent from last year’s 5.7/13 for the same race, Sunday’s telecast was the top-rated event of the weekend, and was FOX’s highest-rated and most-watched NASCAR event in nearly two months. MORE: http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/3590
For more by Lou, please visit http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/category/tv-times
___________________________________________________________
N A S C A R * S P R I N T * C U P * S E R I E S
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of Stock Car Gazette subscriber Ed B. – thanks!
Petty Motorsports to Toyota?
http://www.thatsracin.com/115/story/8445.html
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of Frontstretch
http://www.Frontstretch.com
Speedway Motorsports, Inc. (SMI) Puts In Official Request For Kentucky Sprint Cup Date
The AP’s Jenna Fryer is reporting Speedway Motorsports, Inc., run by motorsports magnate Bruton Smith, has put in an official request to NASCAR for Kentucky Speedway to be added to the 2010 Sprint Cup schedule. However, SMI’s latest proposal has come with a twist: for the first time, they’ve admitted they’re willing to move a date from another SMI track in order to make room for the 1.5-mile oval on the 36-race docket.
After buying the facility for $78.3 million in early 2008, Smith has not been shy about the desire to add a Sprint Cup date to his newest property. However, Smith’s attempts have repeatedly been rebuffed by NASCAR, who refuses to even consider such a proposal until an antitrust lawsuit from the track’s former owners gets dropped. The group, Kentucky Speedway LLC, has been involved in a four-year case accusing the sanctioning body of antitrust violations in illegally awarding an unfair amount of races to the France family-owned International Speedway Corporation. Initially decided in favor of NASCAR, the case is under appeal with the decision expected to be reviewed sometime later this year.
Should NASCAR budge on its stance, sources tell me the two tracks in serious jeopardy of losing a date are Atlanta and New Hampshire. Atlanta has struggled to sell out its Spring date in recent years, while New Hampshire has often struggled to produce exciting side-by-side action since the 1-mile oval was added to the Sprint Cup schedule in 1993.
___________________________________________________________
Your ad could be displayed here… very reasonable rates. E-mail Mike@MotorSportsNews.Net
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of Google Alerts
Car buffs mourn passing of American icon (Pontiac)
Joplin Globe – Joplin,MO,USA
Pontiac also played a pivotal role in stock car and drag racing, and in racing legend Mickey Thompson’s efforts to break the 400-mph barrier in an …
http://www.joplinglobe.com/joplin_metro/local_story_123215827.html
Busch eyes 200 NASCAR wins as he notches 50th victory
SI.com – USA
Busch now has eight victories this season — three in the Cup series, three in Nationwide and two in the trucks. Saturday’s was the 50th of his career in …
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/lars_anderson/05/04/Five_Things/?eref=sircrc
If I were a rich man …
FOXSports.com – USA
He has said that’s the goal he wants to accomplish in his NASCAR career, winning 200 combined races in Cup, Nationwide and the Camping World Truck series. …
http://msn.foxsports.com/nascar/story/9535768/If-I-were-a-rich-man-…
NASCAR drivers need a new trick
Toronto Star – Toronto,Ontario,Canada
Kulwicki was the last of the low-buck independents to do well in NASCAR Winston-Nextel-Sprint Cup competition. He won the championship in 1992 but never got …
http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/628558
NASCAR gets toon treatment
Hollywood Reporter – United States
By Mike Barnes Threshold Animation Studios’ Tinseltown Toons has embarked on the first full-length animated feature based on the NASCAR brand for the kids …
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3i79bb0667857397dbdcd1cc4349e55418
NASCAR racer Kyle Petty’s cross-country ride coming to Steamboat
Craig Daily Press – Craig,CO,USA
Steamboat Springs ― NASCAR driver Kyle Petty is bringing his cross-country charity motorcycle ride to Steamboat Springs next week. …
http://www.craigdailypress.com/news/2009/may/04/nascar_racer_kyle_pettys_crosscountry_ride_coming_/
Smith, NASCAR discuss Kentucky date
ESPN – USA
Smith said on Monday he has talked to NASCAR officials about moving a date from one of his tracks that has two races to the 1.5 mile oval that he purchased …
http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/nascar/cup/news/story?id=4137159
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of Insider Racing News
http://www.insiderracingnews.com
Busch Wants 200 Victories
Kyle Busch has 50 wins across NASCAR’s top three divisions including the Cup and Truck series. When he was reeling off victories at a record pace last season, Busch said that 200 in his career was his goal. But even he knows despite flying high now that might be a lofty expectation. “It could if I can keep this pace up,” he smiled. “But I know the older I get I’ll start slowing down some way. You know, hopefully I can achieve that goal. It would be sure nice to get that. I know it’s not 200 Cup victories like Richard Petty has. It will still be a phenomenal mark for me. I don’t know how long I’ll be in the Truck Series or Nationwide Series, but hopefully for as long as [owner] Joe [Gibbs] will let me in the Truck Series, and as long as there’s a Nationwide car at Joe Gibbs that we can run, I’ll be there running races and fulfilling some duties and deals there.” With the way Busch is going, Gibbs has no thoughts about letting his star driver go anywhere else.
Motorsports This Week on ESPN
NASCAR Nationwide Series Racing Under the Lights at Darlington
The NASCAR Nationwide Series makes its only appearance of the 2009 season at historic Darlington (S.C.) Raceway this weekend, and ESPN2 will have a live, high definition telecast from the 1.366-mile track on Friday night, May 8, at 7 p.m. ET, as the series races in prime time. ESPN2 is the home of the NASCAR Nationwide Series all season, with selected races on ESPN and ABC. The race re-airs Saturday, May 9, at 1 p.m. on ESPN Classic. Dr. Jerry Punch will be the lap-by-lap announcer for ESPN’s coverage from Darlington, joined in the booth for analysis by 1989 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Rusty Wallace and two-time Cup Series champion crew chief Andy Petree. Dave Burns, Jamie Little, Mike Massaro and Shannon Spake will report from the pits, while two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion crew chief Tim Brewer will be in the ESPN Craftsman Tech Garage. Allen Bestwick will host the pre-race NASCAR Countdown program with analysis by Wallace and Brad Daugherty, owner of a winning team in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, in the ESPN pit studio.
Army Happy With Sponsorship
U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Benjamim Freakley has $1.7 billion to spend on recruiting for ROTC programs and other recruiting endeavors, and he believes the $11.6 million spent on the NASCAR Sprint Cup program of Stewart-Haas Racing’s Ryan Newman is worth the investment. Speaking to reporters this past weekend at Richmond International Raceway, Freakley said the Army is happy with its new alliance with Newman, where it is the primary sponsor for 23 events on the No. 39 car. The Army has sponsored Joe Nemechek and Mark Martin (as well as Regan Smith and Aric Almirola as part-time drivers with Martin) the last few years.
Sorenson Will Test Infineon
Reed Sorenson will come to Infineon Raceway on Wednesday, May 6, for a one-day test session. Sorenson, who drives the No. 43 Dodge for Richard Petty Motorsports, has a best finish of 29th (2006) in two starts on the Sonoma Valley road course. Sorenson is expected to test the challenging 10-turn, 1.99-mile road course in late-model stock cars provided by a Northern California-based race team. He will be coached by road-course veteran Chris Cook, who has also worked with NASCAR drivers David Reutimann, Johnny Sauter and Los Gatos’ AJ Allmendinger in Sonoma. Sorenson will return for the Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR weekend, June 19-21 (Father’s Day weekend), at Infineon Raceway.
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of Jayski
http://www.jayski.com
Smith close to signing for 2010 ride? Reigning Sprint Cup rookie of the year #78-Regan Smith appears close to signing a deal for a fulltime ride in 2010. Smith lost his ride at Earnhardt Ganassi Racing before the start of this season due to lack of sponsorship. He has competed in five events for Furniture Row Racing, with a season-best 15th at Talladega two weeks ago. Smith finished all 34 races he qualified for last season in the #01 at Dale Earnhardt Inc., which has since merged with Ganassi Racing.(ESPN Insider)(5-5-2009)
Special scheme for #99 at Darlington: The #99 Aflac Ford of Carl Edwards will take on a different look at Darlington Raceway. The #99 Ford will sport a special paint scheme in support of Disney Pixar’s upcoming release, “Up”. “Up” is a comedy adventure about 78 year old balloon salesman Carl Fredrickson and his lifelong dream of taking a fantastic adventure.(Roush Racing PR)(5-5-2009)
NMPA, Home Depot team up for award: Home Depot announced it is partnering with the National Motorsports Press Association to present a humanitarian award. This year’s winner will be named during the NMPA Myers Brother Awards in Las Vegas. The award recognizes an individual in the NASCAR community who has shown a dedication to to helping others and improving communities through service and giving. Home Depot will award the winner a $100,000 donation for a charity of the recipeint’s choice. “Giving back is a fundamental value of the Home Depot,” said Frank Bifulco, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Home Depot.(Richmond Times Dispatch)(5-5-2009)
Mayfield featured in Music Video: NASCAR Media Group and Virgin Records rock quartet Saving Abel announced that the music video for the band’s third single from their gold certified self-titled debut album debuted exclusively on Yahoo! on Thursday, April 30th. The NASCAR-themed video for “Drowning (Face Down)” stars Sprint Cup Series driver Jeremy Mayfield as an aspiring racer who makes great sacrifices for a chance to compete at the highest level. The driver has no sponsor and no endorsement deals, but pushes forward through all obstacles in pursuit of his racing dreams. “It was awesome and I can’t wait until it comes out,” said Jeremy Mayfield. “Just being a part of that was just cool for me. Those guys are great guys and I’m glad to see them coming up. I didn’t really know them that well until we did the video and they have a lot of fun. It’s funny how our story kind of fit their song and worked perfect for their video.” A five-time Sprint Cup race winner, Mayfield hasn’t had a full-time ride in more than two years and decided to start his own team a month before the 2009 season began. Mirroring the music video’s theme, Mayfield has started three races this year, including racing his way into the Daytona 500, and is trying to recapture some of his past successes. “We had a blast shooting the ‘Drowning (Face Down)’ video with Jeremy Mayfield and the other NASCAR drivers as we’re all big NASCAR fans, said Saving Abel frontman Jared Weeks. We especially love how Jeremy’s real life story mirrors the character he plays in the video.” Parts of the music video were shot at Bristol Motor Speedway, as well as Mayfield Motorsports in Harrisburg, N.C., and it features cameos by drivers Carl Edwards, Martin Truex Jr., Brian Vickers and Clint Bowyer.(Mayfield Motorsports PR), see the video at new.music.yahoo.com.(5-5-2009)
Lowe’s Foods partners with MWR: Lowes Foods and Michael Waltrip Racing have teamed up to race for the checkered flag in three races this season at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. Lowes Foods is proud to be an associate sponsor of the #00 Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota and #55 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota as David Reutimann and Michael Waltrip compete in the NASCAR Sprint Showdown for a spot in the All-Star Race on Saturday, May 16th. Lowes Foods associate sponsorship will continue with the two Michael Waltrip Racing entries for the 600-mile NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event on Sunday, May 24th. Lowes Foods also announces their primary sponsorship of the #99 Toyota Camry driven by David Reutimann in the Nationwide Series race on Friday, October 16th. As part of this partnership, Lowes Foods customers will receive one free entry to Michael Waltrip Racing’s Raceworld USA when a valid Lowes Foods receipt over $25 is presented at the entrance during the month of October. Additionally, Lowes Foods will hold a sweepstakes where two customers will have the opportunity to win a grand prize fantasy trip to the Bank of America 500 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway on October 17, 2009, a second place prize, a shopping cart race with David Reutimann worth $500 of free groceries or a third place prize, a $250 Lowes Foods gift card and a Michael Waltrip Racing prize pack. More info at www.lowesfoods.com.(MWR PR)(5-5-2009)
Richmond overnight TV Ratings: NASCAR on Fox posted a 3.7/7 for primetime racing from Richmond, off -12% from last year’s 4.2/8. FOX’s 3.6/7 primetime average was just good enough to win the night, edging out second-place NBC’s 3.5/6, CBS’ 3.4/6, and ABC’s 2.5/5. For the season-to-date, NASCAR On FOX is averaging a 4.7/10, down -15% from last year’s 5.5/11. For season and race TV Ratings, see my 2009 TV Ratings page.(5-4-2009)
http://www.jayski.com/pages/tvratings2009.htm
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of Racin’ Today
http://www.racintoday.com
Crashes Not Wrecking Racing
By Larry Woody | Senior Writer
It is race fans’ guilty little secret: We love wrecks. We crave crashes, we delight in demolitions, we’re wowed by wipeouts. We can’t get enough of that tumbling stuff. I’ve been covering …
http://www.racintoday.com/archives/3279
Bill Elliott Had A Thing For The Lady In Black
http://www.racintoday.com/archives/3269
___________________________________________________________
Keselowski Possible Third Car for Stewart-Haas Racing?
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/stewarthaasfandotcom/~3/J1GgKUvgum0/
Richmond A Leap Forward For Stewart-Haas, Again
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/stewarthaasfandotcom/~3/Qgyh1VRqcJc/
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of That’s Racin’
http://www.thatsracin.com
Kahne hints team could have changed brands
CONCORD, N.C. – Could a possible move to Toyota have delayed the development of the new Dodge engine at Richard Petty Motorsports?
http://www.thatsracin.com/115/story/8445.html
SMI brass still hopeful about Kentucky race date
CONCORD, N.C. – Speedway Motorsports Inc. officials said Monday they have asked NASCAR to add Kentucky to the 2010 Sprint Cup Series schedule.
http://www.thatsracin.com/140/story/8448.html
Being fast isn’t enough, Wheeler’s students are told
H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler was in his element, sitting in the old cafeteria in the infield of the Rockingham Speedway Monday afternoon, regaling a group of young hopefuls.
http://www.thatsracin.com/140/story/8463.html
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of www.Valvoline.com
Yes, He REALLY Said That
John Darby, Sprint Cup series director, on reducing the banking at Daytona and Talladega. “I think there’s more value in continuing the efforts, our safety efforts at those tracks, than turning those two very historical, very exciting racetracks into flat parking lots.”
___________________________________________________________
P R E S S * R E L E A S E S
___________________________________________________________
2009 Dale Earnhardt All-Star Weekend Fan Activites Announced:
First Look Dinner May 14, and Fan Celebration Friday, May 15
Driver Appearances and Special Unveiling of the
Earnhardt Elvis No.3 Chevrolet All Part of May 15, 2009 Celebration
MOORESVILLE, NC — Race fans celebrating Charlotte’s annual two weeks of racing can add another exciting event to their itinerary – the annual fan celebration at Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Longtime fans of the legendary driver and new racing enthusiasts alike can go behind-the-scenes, meet some of their favorite drivers, attend a special announcement honoring Earnhardt and Elvis and even enjoy dinner in Dale Earnhardt, Inc.’s private dining room.
WHAT: Dale Earnhardt, Inc. annual fan celebration
KEY EVENTS: First Look Event Dinner on May 14 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. to kick off the Earnhardt and Elvis Presley tribute program, with exclusive memorabilia never seen in the State of North Carolina. Dinner will be held in Dale Earnhardt’s private dining room – The Trophy Room. The cost for adults is $39.95 and children under 10 is $19.95. Reservations are recommended.
Fan Celebration on May 15 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the DEI grounds, including activities, driver appearances, displays and a special car unveiling. The schedule includes:
8 a.m. – Dale Earnhardt, Inc. opens to the public and the festivities begin.
9 a.m. – Autograph session with Earnhardt Ganassi drivers Martin Truex Jr., Juan Pablo Montoya, and Aric Almirola. (Note: 300 wristbands will be available starting at 8 a.m.)
10:30 a.m. – North Carolina premiere of the Earnhardt Elvis No.3 Chevrolet with Dale Earnhardt, Inc. executive management and members of the Graceland organization.
2:30 p.m.- 3:30 pm Autograph Session with Kerry and Jeffrey Earnhardt
5 p.m. – The event concludes
A complete schedule of events and additional information is available at the following Web link: www.daleearnhardtinc.com/content/legacy/daleday.aspx. For more information and reservations for the events, fans can call -877-334-9663.
___________________________________________________________
N A S C A R * N A T I O N W I D E * S E R I E S
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of Jayski
http://www.jayski.com
5000 miles for Keller: #27-Jason Keller is not only the “Iron Man” of the NASCAR Nationwide Series, but also is earning that nickname at his home track, Darlington Raceway. The Greenville, S.C., native is the series’ all-time leader in starts (465) and Friday night, he’ll attempt to add to his resume and become the first NASCAR Nationwide driver to reach the 5,000-mile plateau at Darlington. That accomplishment would supplement another mark he holds there – the most NASCAR Nationwide Series laps completed (3,598).(NASCAR PR)(5-5-2009)
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of The Hot Lap
http://www.TheHotLap.com
Ageless NASCAR racing veteran Morgan Shepherd will attempt to make his 250th start in the Nationwide Series this weekend in the Diamond Hill Plywood 200 at Darlington Raceway.Shepherd, who has a combined 811 starts in NASCAR’s three upper race divisions, has recorded 15 wins in the Nationwide Series, as well as 44 Top 5 finishes and 67 Top 10 runs.Shepherd, who is running the full Nationwide Series schedule in 2009, has two Top 20 finishes in nine races so far this season, a 19th place finish at California and a 13th place run at Las Vegas. Shepherd, who last drove in the Sprint Cup Series in 2006, has recorded four wins in that series in 511 starts. He has logged 55 starts in the Camping World Truck Series as well.At age 67, Shepherd is the oldest full time competitor in NASCAR and is the second oldest driver to ever have won a Sprint Cup Series race.In 21 starts at Darlington in the Nationwide Series, Shepherd has three Top 5’s and six Top 10’s at the historic track.(FM) (05-04-09)
Smith-Ganassi Racing with Evander Holyfield announced today they will be sporting a very colorful tie-dye paint scheme to raise awareness of Bluegrass musician Barney Barnwell’s plight at Darlington Raceway during the NASCAR Nationwide Series race on Friday, May 8.The No. 42 Dodge team led by Kenny Hendrick, driver, and Tim Weiss, crew chief, has decided to donate their unsponsored hood space to worthwhile causes. For the Darlington race, the “Bail Out for Barney” campaign will be the featured cause. Barney Barnwell is well-known Bluegrass musician and singer with the Plum Hollow Band, who has fallen on hard times after being diagnosed with throat cancer.Read more (SMR)
http://thehotlap.com/modules.php?name=Press_Releases&op=view&rid=3627
___________________________________________________________
here is a link (http://www.flickr.com/photos/nationwide/sets/72157617484711265/) to the pictures that Nationwide took and Twittered (http://twitter.com/Nationwide) from the Richmond International Raceway Friday.
Victory Interview with Kyle Busch from NASCAR Nationwide Series at RIR
Kyle Busch went 2-for-2 at Richmond this weekend getting things started in Friday night’s Nationwide Series race when he overpowered Carl Edwards on a re-start with 22 laps to go and cruised home to take the checkered flag in the Lipton Tea 250.
Kyle Busch:
He didn’t get off of the re-start as good as I did and I faked him low and then went high and then went up to his outside and was just trying to get into the corner, trying to just get up enough along side of him there when we were racing when Keselowski caught up to us there before that lap 30 to go caution. I was trying to just get there, I couldn’t quite get enough on him to where he would have to pinch it off the corner and I could drive up enough side of him off of the corner. So fortunately there on that re-start like I said I got up enough along side of him to where he had to give me a lane and we were able to pass him and clear him.
Brad Keselowski:
I got nothing on re-starts. I got to work on that and we have to work on that with our gear and whatever. I just can’t go so I want to beat Kyle more than anything, he’s a really tough competitor but it was a good race between us and that’s fun.
For Edwards who is yet to win in 2009 it was his fourth runner-up of the year.
Carl Edwards:
I’m trying not to think about running second but I just got beat on the re-start and I just didn’t have anything for Kyle there. He got to the outside of me and got by me and we needed a long run to be able to get him back and it just didn’t work out. Still a great points day, we led a bunch of laps, had a strong car. It would be alright if Kyle wasn’t the one in front of us but we are keeping him in sight.
Speaking of Kyle, he has now won 24 Nationwide Series races, tying Tommy Houston for fifth on the all-time list.
Kyle Busch:
It’s pretty neat to be fifth I guess, we’re looking to take off Mark Martin off the top. I have a long ways to go and it would be fun to chase that and see if we can get there.
At 48 victories, Martin is the biggest winner in Nationwide Series history. Finishing third at Richmond it was Matt Kenseth.
Matt Kenseth:
Most of the night they were most all better than us and on the re-starts I seemed to struggle with my car and I think Carl was having some of the same problems for whatever reason. Going up through the gears and our cars rolling, I got past on several of them. It looked to me like the same thing just happened to him. It looked like it got passed it going up through the gears on a straight away.
Fourth across the stripe, it was Brad Keselowski with Kevin Harvick fifth. Sixth was Joey Logano. Seventh Mark Martin and eighth top finishing rookie Michael McDowell.
Michael McDowell:
Early in the race we got up forward and top 15 pretty early on and there at the end just some strategy and staying on the lead lap and staying out of the junk really gave us track position. We just didn’t really have any tires there and we had a lot of cars behind us with four tires so it was pretty tough.
Rounding up the top 10 at Richmond were Jason Keller and Jason Leffler. In the battle for the Nationwide Series driver championship, Kyle Bush has now moved onto an 82 point lead over Carl Edwards, with Leffler third minus 198.
Jason Leffler:
It’s really early. Hopefully it keeps going this way and we keep having solid top five days. We can just keep having solid top five days and gain 10 points here and loose five points there, gain 10 points here and we’ll be doing alright.
Finally Edwards sponsors Scotts had a new paint scheme for him at Richmond which he and Matt Kenseth talked about when the race was over.
Edwards:
The moisture control works, we didn’t get any rain so it was good. Matt said he liked all of my veggies on the back of my car.
Kenseth:
It is hard to take him serious without a sunflower on the back and a tomato and stuff.
A full set of the pictures taken at the Richmond International Raceway can be viewed at http://www.flickr.com/photos/nationwide/sets/72157617484711265/.
The Nationwide Series will run at the Darlington Raceway in South Carolina. Look for the audio interview following the Diamond Hill Plywood 200.
And don’t forget, Nationwide’s Media Team will be Twittering from Darlington. You can follow the Team’s whereabouts on the track at Twitter/Nationwide (http://twitter.com/Nationwide). If there is a picture of someone or something you would like to see trackside, send your request to http://twitter.com/Nationwide. The team will try its best to get the shot. Pictures will be posted at http://www.twitpic.com/photos/nationwide
___________________________________________________________
C A M P I N G * W O R L D * T R U C K * S E R I E S
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of Jayski
http://www.jayski.com
Crawford takes a ride with the Blue Angels: Rick Crawford, #14 International Truck and Engine Ford, ulfilled a life-long dream – and his need for speed – when he participated in an incentive ride with the Blue Angels at Florida’s Pensacola Naval Air Station on April 28. Flown by Lt. Ben Walborn in Blue Angel #7, Crawford experienced as much as 7.3 g’s and speeds as fast as 750 mph. “All of the adjectives you use for excitement don’t measure up to it,” said Crawford.(NASCAR PR)(5-4-2009)
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of TruckSeries.Com
http://www.truckseries.com
Kansas Success Shows Jason White’s Ready To Contend
05-04-2009 | TruckSeries.com Report
Kansas Success Shows Jason White’s Ready To Contend Sixty-seven different drivers posted a top-10 finish in their first NASCAR Camping World Truck Series start, the most recent being Brian Ickler (No. 51 Miccosukee Resorts Toyota) at Kansas Speedway on April 27. It took Jason White (No. 23 GB Racing Dodge) a little bit longer — quite a bit longer. But if recent performance is any indicator, the Powhatan, Va., native is primed to run with the leaders.
http://www.truckseries.com/cgi-script/NCTS_09/articles/000004/000426.htm
TruckSeries News and Notes
05-04-2009 | TruckSeries.com Report
With just three points covering the top four contenders, this year’s Raybestos Rookie of the Year contest shapes up as among the closest in the 13 years the prize has been awarded
http://www.truckseries.com/cgi-script/NCTS_09/articles/000004/000429.htm
Toyota Rules Stats At LMS But Not Win Column
05-04-2009 | TruckSeries.com Report
Chevrolet has set up camp in the Lowe’s Motor Speedway Victory Lane.
http://www.truckseries.com/cgi-script/NCTS_09/articles/000004/000428.htm
TruckSeries Roots Planted Firmly In North Carolina
05-04-2009 | TruckSeries.com Report
The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series didn’t appear at Lowe’s Motor Speedway until 2003. The May 15 North Carolina Education Lottery 200 marks the seventh time the series has visited the 1.5-mile facility.
http://www.truckseries.com/cgi-script/NCTS_09/articles/000004/000427.htm
___________________________________________________________
A R C A (Automobile Racing Club of America)
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of ARCA
http://www.arcaracing.com
Wolverine Power Systems to Sponsor ARCA Event at Berlin; Lee Greenwood to Perform in Pre-Race
MARNE MI (5-4-09) – Berlin Raceway owner Mike Blackmer and Wolverine Power Systems are proud to announce that Wolverine will sponsor the ARCA RE/MAX Series race at Berlin Raceway.
[Read More] – http://www.arcaracing.com/news.cfm?contentid=7927
Rookie Goess Encouraged by Performance, Discouraged by Results; Kentucky Next…….
SPARTA KY (5-4-09) – It’s certainly not been a banner season yet for Greenville, North Carolina rookie Craig Goess. He’s had the performance alright, but not the luck to go with it. And as most people who follow motorsports know, you’ve got to have both in order to park in victory lane.
Encouraged as well as discouraged may best describe the scene so far for Goess, who drives the no. 81 Greenville Toyota Toyota for Eddie Sharp Racing (ESR).
“I’m encouraged; we’re fast everywhere,” explained Goess. “But I’m also very discouraged, frustrated. We need some good old-fashioned racing luck.”
[Read More] – http://www.arcaracing.com/news.cfm?contentid=7925
___________________________________________________________
N A S C A R * C A N A D I A N * T I R E * S E R I E S
http://localracing.nascar.com/news/6
___________________________________________________________
Sharing Saskatchewan Success
Saskatoonhomepage.ca – Saskatoon,Saskatchewan,Canada
The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series race in Saskatoon called the “Velocity Prairie Thunder”, is expected to attract a lot of attention and economic benefit. …
http://www.saskatoonhomepage.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=18134&Itemid=281
___________________________________________________________
C O L U M N S / C O M M E N T A R I E S
___________________________________________________________
Matt McLaughlin’s Thinkin’ Out Loud: Richmond Spring Race Recap
by Matt McLaughlin
http://www.frontstretch.com/mmclaughlin/24100/
Five Points To Ponder: Richmond Edition
by Mike Lovecchio
http://www.frontstretch.com/mlovecchio/24102/
Roush’s, Ford’s Rough Start Peaks During Short Track Slump
by Tom Bowles
http://www.frontstretch.com/tbowles/24118/
Rookie Report: Logano, Ambrose Bruised In Battle But Win The War In Richmond
by Tony Lumbis
http://www.frontstretch.com/tlumbis/24099/
Bubble Breakdown: Hornish’s Two Top 10s Make Qualifying On Speed A Distant Memory
by Mike Ravesi
http://www.frontstretch.com/mravesi/24101/
Nationwide Series Breakdown: Lipton Tea 250
by Bryan Davis Keith
http://www.frontstretch.com/bkeith/24078/
I.N. Sider explores the “new” Mark Martin in the in the new Behind [Closed] Garage Doors column, now posted at www.Valvoline.com.
Insider Racing News
http://insiderracingnews.com/Writers/AM/050509.html
What Should Be Done About NASCAR’s Superspeedways?
by Allen Madding
Race For the Chase Far From Over For Those On The Outside Looking In
by Danny Peters
http://www.frontstretch.com/dpeters/24131/
Talking NASCAR TV: FOX Forgets Important Pit Road Injury During Kyle Busch Coronation
by Phil Allaway
http://www.frontstretch.com/pallaway/24129/
Who’s Hot / Who’s Not In Sprint Cup: Richmond Edition
by Doug Turnbull
http://www.frontstretch.com/dturnbull/24143/
Side By Side: Will Dodge Return To NASCAR In 2010?
by Bryan Davis Keith and Tom Bowles
http://www.frontstretch.com/sidebyside/24128/
Running Their Mouth: Crown Royal Presents The Russ Friedman 400
by Beth Lunkenheimer
http://www.frontstretch.com/blunkenheimer/24127/
The Nascar Insiders
Brad Keselowski and Why Winning At Talladega May Not Be A Good Thing
Let me preface what I am about to write by saying I think Brad Keselowski has a lot of talent and potential. Without a doubt he is positioned to be the “future” of the sport. With Rick Hendrick and Dale Earnhardt Jr. behind him he also has an enviable amount of resources.
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheNascarInsiders/~3/0ZDmc7r9oFU/
It’s His Party and He’ll Win if He Wants to!
by Carol Einarsson
CHEERS to SPEED always being there when we need them.
http://www.racejournalonline.com/index.cfm?Pagename=column&id=601
Kyle Busch Gets A Happy Birthday, We Get Hapless Commercials
At 24, Kyle Busch is not a kid anymore. He just happens to be the most hard charging driver the circuit has seen since Dale Earnhardt. The former boy wonder claimed his 15th career victory to celebrate his birthday at Richmond last Saturday night, the 11th in his last 43 Cup races.
http://www.speedwaymedia.com/Articles/09/050509Thornton.asp
Garage Sale! – For Sale: One slightly-raced, ‘Car Of Tomorrow’ chassis
This could be a mythical craigslist ad someday: “For Sale: One slightly-raced, ‘Car Of Tomorrow’ chassis….” I’m writing this editorial on Sunday, after watching the ‘Spin-and-Win 400’ that was run at Richmond International Speedway Saturday night.
http://www.speedwaymedia.com/Articles/09/050509VanZandt.asp
New TV Series Called “My Name Is Kyle”
It was the week after Michael Waltrip made his interesting cameo appearance on My Name Is Earl. On this Monday, another personality dominated the NASCAR TV talk-shows. My Name Is Kyle was the title of this series.
http://dalyplanet.blogspot.com/2009/05/new-tv-series-called-my-name-is-kyle.html
___________________________________________________________
T V * L I S T I N G S
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of Race Fans Stock Car Newsletter
http://www.nascarnutscanada.com/
TUESDAY, MAY 5
5:00 P-5:30 ESPN 2 NASCAR Now, HD, L
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6
5:00 P-5:30 ESPN 2 NASCAR Now, HD, L
THURSDAY, MAY 7
5:00 P-5:30 ESPN 2 NASCAR Now, HD, L
FRIDAY, MAY 8
11:30 A-1:00 P SPEED NASCAR Sprint Cup PRACTICE, Southern 500, Darlington, SC, HD, L
1:30 P-3:00 SPEED NASCAR Sprint Cup FINAL PRACTICE, Southern 500, Darlington, SC, HD, L
3:00 P-4:30 SPEED NASCAR Nationwide Series QUALIFYING, Diamond Hill Plywood 200, Darlington Raceway, Darlington, SC, HD, L
4:30 P-5:00 ESPN 2 NASCAR Now, HD, L
5:00 P-7:00 SPEED NASCAR Sprint Cup QUALIFYING, Southern 500, Darlington, SC, HD, L
7:00 P-7:30 ESPN 2/TSN 2 NASCAR Nationwide Series COUNTDOWN, Diamond Hill Plywood 200, Darlington Raceway, Darlington, SC, HD, L
7:30 P-10:00 ESPN 2/TSN 2 NASCAR Nationwide Series Diamond Hill Plywood 200, Darlington Raceway, Darlington, SC, HD, L
SATURDAY, MAY 9
10:00 A-11:00 ESPN 2 NASCAR Now, HD, L
12:00 N-6:30 P VS IRL Indy Car Series QUALIFYING SESSIONS – POLE DAY, Indianapolis 500, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, HD, L
5:00 P-7:00 SPEED NASCAR Race Day. Preview of today’s Southern 500, Darlington Raceway, HD, L
7:00 P-7:30 FOX/TSN NASCAR Sprint Cup PRE-RACE, Southern 500, Darlington, SC, HD, L
7:30 P-11:30 FOX/TSN NASCAR Sprint Cup Southern 500, Darlington, SC, HD, L
SUNDAY, MAY 10 (MOTHERS DAY) Happy Mother’s Day
12:00 N- 6:30 P VS IRL Indy Car Series QUALIFYING SESSIONS – DAY 2, Indianapolis 500, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, HD, L
8:00 P- 9:00 SPEED NASCAR Victory Lane at Southern 500, Darlington Raceway, May 9/09, HD, N
9:00 P-10:00 SPEED Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain, HD, L
We do not list all the programming offered by SPEED; for complete listings go to their website, http://www.speedtv.com/schedule/
Always CHECK YOUR LOCAL LISTINGS!
___________________________________________________________
The Stock Car Gazette
Copyright 2002-2009 by MotorSportsNews.Net
All Rights Reserved
Find us on Twitter
http://www.twitter.com/motorsportsnews
SUBSCRIBE / UNSUBSCRIBE INFORMATION
http://groups.google.com/group/StockCarGazette
Miss an edition of the Stock Car Gazette? Visit the E-ZINE ARCHIVE:
http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/category/stock-car-gazette/
IMPORTANT PRIVACY NOTICE: The Stock Car Gazette mailing list is maintained completely by MotorSportsNews.Net. Therefore, we can tell you we have not and will not ever share your e-mail address with anyone for any reason.
IMPORTANT LEGAL NOTICE: ALL broadcast, publication, retransmission to e-mail lists, WWW or any other copying or storage, in any medium, online or not, is STRICTLY PROHIBITED without PRIOR written permission from the editor. However, you MAY manually forward an issue by e-mail to your friends IF 1.) The text is forwarded IN ITS ENTIRETY including all subscription and web page information, and 2.) NO FEE is charged. We ALWAYS appreciate readers who report violations of the copyright to webmaster@motorsportsnews.net.
IMPORTANT PERSONAL NOTICE: Do you know for sure? You can. http://motorsportsnews.net/you-can-know-for-sure
___________________________________________________________
