Stock Car Gazette e-zine for Monday, 5/11/2009
 |
Good morning… it was a long weekend for the Irwin family, as we traveled to northern KY for our oldest daughter’s graduation from college, then hosted a reception for her and her friends and family at her church. We got back late Saturday, then it was Sunday with all the church activities there, including a friend’s graduation from our church’s Bible college. So we slept in this morning, thus your Stock Car Gazette is a little late. Jeremy Mayfield’s suspension from NASCAR still seems to be the most gripping news story at the moment… |
____________________________________________________________
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
___________________________________________________________
Good morning… it was a long weekend for the Irwin family, as we traveled to northern KY for our oldest daughter’s graduation from college, then hosted a reception for her and her friends and family at her church. We got back late Saturday, then it was Sunday with all the church activities there, including a friend’s graduation from our church’s Bible college. So we slept in this morning, thus your Stock Car Gazette is a little late.
___________________________________________________________
Stock Car Gazette Columnists Speak Out!
___________________________________________________________
FastCar Newsdesk for Darlington Raceway, week of 5/8/09
by Doug Turnbull
Sad news comes from Richmond, Virginia this week as former NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Kevin Grubb was found dead in a hotel room Wednesday morning. More at http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/3624
For more from Doug, please visit http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/category/turnbull
__________
Kenseth Wins Darlington Nationwide Race Without Leading Green Flag Lap
by: Thomas Chemris
Matt Kenseth benefitted from a late race caution to win the Diamond Hill Plywood 200 at the famed Darlington Raceway. More at http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/3633
For more from Thomas, please visit http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/category/nationwide-series
__________
Track Trash – Mucho Stripes
by: Racing Maniac
(photo by Icon Sports Media)
Am I awake yet? Is this race over yet? Far too many yellows, even for Darlington. But the Old Geezer won another one……… more at http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/3626
For more from RM, visit http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/category/track-trash
__________
Pipe Smoke – Mark Martin isn’t done after all
by: John Kokolski
Hey what do you know, looks to me like Mark Martin is not done yet! More at http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/3629
For more, visit http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/category/pipe-smoke
___________________________________________________________
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!
Jeremy Mayfield suspened for failed drug test
http://news.google.com/news?pz=1&ned=us&hl=en&q=jeremy+mayfield
___________________________________________________________
Your ad could be displayed here… very reasonable rates. E-mail Mike@MotorSportsNews.Net
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of Google Alerts
Martin wins Darlington’s wreck-filled Southern 500
Philadelphia Inquirer – Philadelphia,PA,USA
Martin’s victory ended a long, hot day for NASCAR that began with the sobering news of Jeremy Mayfield’s failed drug test and indefinite suspension, …
http://www.philly.com/philly/wires/ap/sports/auto_racing/results/20090510_ap_martinwinsdarlingtonswreckfilledsouthern500.html
NASCAR driver-owner suspended indefinitely
Los Angeles Times – CA,USA
By Tania Ganguli Darlington, SC — NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver and owner Jeremy Mayfield has been suspended indefinitely after failing a random drug …
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-nascar-drugs10-2009may10,0,3679233.story
NASCAR’s Jeremy Mayfield suspended for violating drug policy
Newsday – Long Island,NY,USA
NASCAR has just sent out the following release: Jeremy Mayfield, driver of the No. 41 car in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Tony Martin, a licensed crew …
http://www.newsday.com/sports/ny-driverb-log,0,7543411.storylink
NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield fails drug test
The Associated Press
DARLINGTON, SC (AP) — Jeremy Mayfield was suspended indefinitely by NASCAR on Saturday for failing a random drug test, becoming the first driver to violate …
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g4t2KiL6qkq8RJ7uLzwIOuNGnCvwD98326N01
Trying to avoid jeers and physics
Charleston Post Courier – Charleston,SC,USA
By Gene Sapakoff (Contact) DARLINGTON — Some people came to “The Track Too Tough To Tame” to see the best stock car drivers in the world crash into each …
http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2009/may/10/trying_avoid_jeers_physics81799/
NASCAR’s drug tester disputes Mayfield’s ‘allergy’ claim
USA Today – USA
By Jerry Markland, Getty Images By AJ Perez, USA TODAY NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield’s assertion that use of two allergy medicines led him to run afoul of …
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/nascar/2009-05-10-nascar-disputes-mayfield_N.htm
Martin’s Doubt Looks Silly Now, Following Another NASCAR Victory
ArkansasSports360.com – Little Rock,AR,USA
Got to admit, NASCAR doesn’t exactly get my, uh, motor going. Still, Mark Martin has my full attention right now. Martin, 50, won the Southern 500 on …
http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/sports_blog_post.asp?pID=4488
RaceTalkRadio.com:
One Vial Ending to a Career by Dennis Michelsen
http://www.racetalkradio.com/soz/id266.htm
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of Insider Racing News
http://www.insiderracingnews.com
Drug Tester Disputes Mayfield’s Claim
USA TODAY is reporting that NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield’s assertion that use of two allergy medicines led him to run afoul of the series’ drug policy is not plausible, the person charged with running the program told USA TODAY. “What we have is a clear violation of policy,” said David Black, whose Tennessee-based Aegis Labs conducts NASCAR’s random testing program. “In my many years of experience, I have never seen a violation like this due to the combination of over-the-counter or prescription products.” Black, citing NASCAR policy, declined to specify what caused Mayfield to test positive, saying it was “a drug of concern.” NASCAR announced before Saturday’s race at Darlington Raceway that Mayfield — the first driver tagged under the series’ first-year mandatory testing program — had been suspended indefinitely.
Gene Haas Released From Prison
Stewart-Haas Racing co-owner Gene Haas was released from prison Friday after serving about 16 months for tax fraud and has received permission from a U.S. District Court judge to attend NASCAR races while on supervised release. Haas’ projected release was Sunday, but the federal Bureau of Prisons’ Web site indicated that Haas was released Friday. Haas was sentenced to two years in prison in November 2007 and entered a Lompoc, Calif., federal correctional facility Jan. 14, 2008. He has asked the court, and received permission, to attend NASCAR races while on supervised release. The first race mentioned in the motion is the upcoming Sprint All-Star Race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway.
Edwards Blames Biffle For Wrecking Him
Moments after Roush Fenway Racing driver Carl Edwards bounced off the Darlington Raceway wall on lap 284 of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Southern 500 Saturday, he calmly keyed his in-car microphone. “That’s nice of my teammate to wreck me,” Edwards told his crew. He was sarcastic, of course. It wasn’t very nice of a teammate. But Edwards did blame Greg Biffle for the wreck. — “We’ve been fighting real hard all night with our car and making progress, and Greg just got into my left rear and put me in the fence there,” Edwards said after finishing 32nd. “It’s too bad that happened. That’s a really good car. I’ve been trying to give all night and race cautiously, and we just got tangled up with him there.” — Replays weren’t conclusive, and Biffle said he didn’t think he hit Edwards.
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of Jayski
http://www.jayski.com
Mark Martin wins at Darlington: #5-Mark Martin won the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway for his 2nd win of 2009 and the 37th of his career. Martin wins his 2nd race after turning 50 years old, only the 2nd driver ever to have more then one win after turning 50 years of age. Harry Gant won 8 times after the age of 50 including at Darlington [age 51], so Martin is not the oldest driver to win a race at Darlington. #48-Jimmie Johnson finished 2nd, after starting 42nd in a backup car with no laps on it. #14-Tony Stewart finished 3rd, for his best ever finish at Darlington, followed by #39-Newman, #24-Gordon, #1-Truex Jr., #25-Keselowski, #16-Biffle, #20-Logano and #17-Kenseth [the pole sitter]. #33-Bowyer wrecked and his Did Not Finish streak of 83 falls one short of the all-time record that Herman Beam holds at 84. Stewart and #19-Sadler have the longest current consecutive DNF at 34 races. #78-Regan Smith is at 47 but has not run all the races and have never had a DNF. There were 17 cautions (a new track record) for 73 laps and 23 lead changes among 13 leaders.
For race results, awards and more on the Darlington Race Results Page.(5-9-2009)
http://www.jayski.com/stats/2009/results/11darl2009results.htm
UNOFFICIAL Driver Points Standings [after Darlington, race 11 of 36]:
1) #24-Jeff Gordon 1601 [1 win]
2) #14-Tony Stewart 1572, -29
3) #2-Kurt Busch 1546, -55 [1 win]
4) #48-Jimmie Johnson 1465, -136 [1 win]
5) #11-Denny Hamlin 1445, -156
6) #31-Jeff Burton 1384, -217
7) #18-Kyle Busch 1380, -221 [3 wins]
8) #39-Ryan Newman 1363, -238
9) #16-Greg Biffle 1345, -256
10) #17-Matt Kenseth 1326, -275 [2 wins]
11) #5-Mark Martin 1316, -285 [2 wins]
12) #99-Carl Edwards 1271, -330
Contenders for the top-12/chase:
13) #33-Clint Bowyer 1264, 7 points out of 12th
14) #42-Juan Montoya 1255, -16
15) #00-David Reutimann 1232, -39
For drivers and owners points standings, see the Drivers/Owners Points Standings.(5-9-2009)
http://www.jayski.com/stats/2009/points/11darl2009points.htm
Race Fast Facts – Darlington Raceway
Mark Martin won the Southern 500, his 37th victory in 733 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.
This is his second victory and sixth top-10 finish in 2009.
This is his second victory and 26th top-10 finish in 43 races at Darlington Raceway.
Jimmie Johnson (second) posted his ninth top-10 finish in 11 races at Darlington Raceway. It is his seventh top-10 finish in 2009.
Tony Stewart (third) posted his ninth top-10 finish in 17 races at Darlington Raceway.
Joey Logano (ninth) was the highest finishing rookie.
Jeff Gordon leads the point standings by 29 points over Tony Stewart.(NASCAR Statistics)(5-9-2009)
Top-35 in Owner Points and guaranteed a starting spot at Charlotte [Coke 600]:
No teams jumped into the top 35, #34-Raines and #7-Gordon increased their leads over 36th
34) #7-Gordon/Robby Gordon: 847, +120
35) #34-Raines/Earnhardt Ganassi: 831, 104 points ahead of 36th
these teams/ drivers must qualify by speed but are close to the top-35:
36) #82-Speed/Red Bull: 727, 104 points out of 35th
37) #71-Gilliland/TRG: 674, -157
The teams are NOT locked in past the next race as the owners points change after each race.
For the owner points standings, see my Drivers/Owners Points Standings page.(5-9-2009)
http://www.jayski.com/stats/2009/points/11darl2009points.htm#OWN
Three Race Tracks Tony Stewart has never won a Cup race at: There are three current race tracks the Cup Series runs on that Tony Stewart has not won at [a Cup race]:
California 0 for 16 with a best finish of 4th in 1999 & 2001
Las Vegas 0 for 11 with a best finish of 2nd in 2000
Darlington 0 for 17 with a best finish of 3rd in 2009
Stewart has won at 19 of 23 tracks he has raced on, didn’t win at Rockingham which is no longer active for Cup racing.
(5-9-209)
NASCAR disputes Mayfield’s ‘allergy’ claim: #41-Jeremy Mayfield’s assertion that use of two allergy medicines led him to run afoul of the series’ drug policy is not plausible, the person charged with running the program told USA TODAY. “What we have is a clear violation of policy,” said David Black, whose Tennessee-based Aegis Labs conducts NASCAR’s random testing program. “In my many years of experience, I have never seen a violation like this due to the combination of over-the-counter or prescription products.” Black, citing NASCAR policy, declined to specify what caused Mayfield to test positive, saying it was “a drug of concern.” NASCAR announced before Saturday’s race at Darlington Raceway that Mayfield [see story http://www.jayski.com/cupnews.htm#news41a] — the first driver tagged under the series’ first-year mandatory testing program — had been suspended indefinitely. Mayfield couldn’t be reached for comment Sunday. His agent, Bobby Wooten, said Mayfield was taking allergy medicine when the urine samples were collected at Richmond International Raceway a week ago. The series doesn’t have a set list of banned substances, although drivers were warned before the start of the season that they would be screened for steroids, amphetamines and recreational drugs. Black said “there’s no way a driver would be in violation” for using common cold and allergy medications as directed. “It’s very unfortunate for the sport, for Jeremy, for everybody, because it definitely puts a black eye on (the sport),” four-time Cup champ Jeff Gordon said. Mayfield must complete a treatment program before he’s allowed to return to racing. “If that program is successfully completed, then the competitor may attempt to seek reinstatement,” NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said in an e-mail. One of Mayfield’s crewmembers, Paul Chodora, was the first violator of NASCAR’s testing program in February. Mayfield said in a statement at the time that his team endorsed NASCAR’s “policing efforts as it makes the sport stronger overall.” Wooten said Chodora is no longer with the team.(USA Today)(5-11-2009)
Changes at the #19 team? hearing from sources that their could be changed made on the #19 Richard Petty Motorsports team. One is that driver Elliott Sadler could be parked, with sponsorship going to the #44 Dodge of A.J. Allmendinger. A rumored crew chief change, to Todd Parrott, never that happened.(5-11-2009)
Sprint to Deliver Fans Live Access to Sprint Cup Series Driver Meeting: Sprint announced exclusive access to a typically-private race weekend tradition, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver/crew chief meeting. It is the first time in NASCAR’s 61-year history race fans have been invited to listen live to the top-secret pre-race meeting between NASCAR officials, drivers and crew chiefs. This one-time opportunity will be available to fans prior to the 25th running of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race May 16. The audio broadcast will be streamed exclusively on Sprint phones via NASCAR Sprint Cup Mobile for customers away from the track and on NASCAR Sprint FanView for race fans at the track. All drivers and crew chiefs attend the meeting each week. NASCAR penalizes any driver or crew chief who misses or is late to the meeting by requiring that team to start at the back of the race, regardless of qualifying position. In addition to this content, Sprint customers also will be treated to SPEED’s television broadcast of NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race XXV in its entirety on Sprint wireless phones via NASCAR Sprint Cup Mobile. NASCAR Sprint Cup Mobile, an exclusive wireless phone application from Sprint, also will offer video highlights of the popular NASCAR Sprint Pit Crew Challenge May 14. These special All-Star related offerings are available in addition to an already robust set of features including: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series news; driver stats; in-car audio; radio broadcasts; and post-race press conferences. NASCAR Sprint Cup Mobile is available with data plans at no additional charge. To download the application text NASCAR to 7777 on Sprint phones (standard rates apply) or visit www.sprint.com/speed for more information. Tickets for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race on May 16 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte, N.C., start at $25 and can be obtained by calling 1-800-455-FANS or at www.lowesmotorspeedway.com.(Sprint)(5-11-2009) Comment here
Bad day for Andretti at Indy: It was a rough day for John Andretti [driver of the #34 Chevy in the Sprint Cup Series] trying to put Richard Petty’s #43 entry into the field for the Indianapolis 500 during the second day of qualifying on Sunday. Andretti got into the wall during a practice run and wiped out the car. “We really wanted to get into the race today so we could work on our race set-up this coming week,” he said. “We didn’t want to battle to get into the race next weekend. We didn’t get a quality run in qualifying, and we knew we would probably have to make another run today. It was frustrating. We worked on the chassis setup this afternoon to get a better balance. But, in practice, the car was a little too loose and we were making adjustments. I was going pretty hot into Turn One, which is always a tough corner, and I lost the back end.”(Alabama Live)(5-11-2009)
Another Elliott in the winners circle: Chase Elliott, the 13-year-old son of NASCAR driver Bill Elliott, collected his first career Late Model victory by winning Saturday night’s Georgia Asphalt Series 100 at Lanier National Speedway in Braselton, Ga. Elliott, who started second, passed teammate Casey Roderick for the lead on the .375-mile paved oval with three laps remaining. Bill Elliott was in attendance for the event.(5-10-2009)
Haas was released from prison: #14/#39 Stewart-Haas Racing co-owner Gene Haas was released from prison Friday after serving about 16 months for tax fraud and has received permission from a U.S. District Court judge to attend NASCAR races while on supervised release. Haas’ projected release was Sunday, but the federal Bureau of Prisons’ Web site indicated that Haas was released Friday. Haas was sentenced to two years in prison in November 2007 and entered a Lompoc, Calif., federal correctional facility Jan. 14, 2008. He has asked the court, and received permission, to attend NASCAR races while on supervised release. The first race mentioned in the motion is the upcoming Sprint All-Star Race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Haas’ race team, Haas CNC Racing, eventually became Stewart-Haas Racing when driver Tony Stewart was given a 50% interest in the team.(SceneDaily)(5-10-2009)
Busch, Ard visit at Darlington: #18-Kyle Busch got to visit with a fellow Nationwide Series record holder Saturday at Darlington Raceway. And Jo Ard finally got to tell the NASCAR star how much he’s meant to her husband of 48 years, former Natiowide driver Sam Ard. “Thank you so much,” Jo said, hugging Busch when the Ards met him by his motorhome before the Southern 500. After Busch tied Ard’s 1983 series mark with 10 victories in a season last November, the 24-year-old Sprint Cup driver donated $100,000 to help the struggling Ard and his family. The 69-year-old Ard has Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. He sat quietly in his wheelchair for most of the 15-minute visit. “Hospital bills were eating us up. You can’t believe how much he’s helped us,” said Jo, standing alongside her husbands’ wheelchair. She said the family was able to make their bathroom handicap accessible for Sam. Busch, who had only met Ard briefly, was pleased to share some a few more moments with a pioneer of NASCAR’s second-tier series. “He’s been great for the sport, done a lot for the sport winning races and championships and stuff,” Busch said. “It was nice to meet him and talk him a little bit. Of course, he’s not so talkative, but that’s to be understood.” Other racers have stepped forward to help Ard, who did not race after suffering severe head trauma in a 1984 accident at North Carolina Speedway. Kevin Harvick donated a 2007 Chevrolet van to Ard’s family last fall after Jo’s car died earlier in 2008. Then the NASCAR Foundation and Motor Racing Outreach teamed for an online auction to benefit the Sam Ard Fund. Busch invited the Ards to the Southern 500 drivers’ meeting where he received applause from the NASCAR racers.(Associated Press)(5-10-2009)
Gordon to have treatment on his back: #24-Jeff Gordon said that he will have some treatment on his back on May 18, two days after the all-star race. Here’s what he said about his back and how it’s impacted him.
“(The treatment) is nothing invasive. it’s just some injections that are going to do deal with the pain. They say it’s sort of like an arthritis and it’s excessive because of some of the trauma that my back has gone through, maybe through some wrecks or something. So that’s what we’re going to do. That’s the plan.”
Q: What is the back pain you’ve been feeling?
GORDON: “I can’t stand up for long periods of time. I can’t sit. It’s not like an excruciating pain. People have disc problems. I’m not one of those people. Mine is more nerves and muscular that when I’m in the car and really pulling Gs and using the steering wheel a lot and using the brake pedal a lot, it just really aggrevates the muscle. There are a couple of tracks, like Martinsville and Bristol that have been really tough. I was actually pretty good last week. So far it’s been good here this week. It’s there but the things that I’m doing, the training, the massage, the stretching, those things right now are starting to pay off for me and right now I’m not having as much issues as I had at Bristol.
Q: With your treatment is this still something you’re going to have to live with for the rest of your life or will the treatment eliminate it?
GORDON: “They say sometimes it eliminates it and sometimes it lasts six months. Everybody is different, so I won’t really know.
Q: How long have you been feeling this pain?
GORDON: “I think I ignored it over the last couple of years. It’s been building and getting worse. Last year, it really started aggravating me and I just didn’t get on it soon enough. I tried differnet things but they just weren’t working. It needed a whole routine, a whole different lifestyle for me. So I started to go to work on that over the offseason because I felt it was affecting me in the car late in the season and I didn’t want to have any excuses, so I went to work on it. I was surprised over the offseason not doing any driving how bad it was just starting the season off at Daytona. That’s when I really knew that I’ve got to get something done.”(Virginia Pilot)(5-9-2009) Comment here
Changes coming for Daytona/Talladega? NASCAR officials, in response to #99-Carl Edwards’ flip at Daytona, are now studying that slight aerodynamic rear spoiler [wing] change suggested by Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson, according to one top Sprint Cup team manager privy to the technical debate. In fact that change might have been tested at Daytona within the past few days, during the 10-team Goodyear tire test for the tour’s next restrictor plate race, at Daytona July 4th. Despite the high publicity surrounding the Talladega issue, crews here [Darlington] this week have so far been reluctant to discuss any possible NASCAR changes at the tour’s two restrictor plate tracks. Goodyear officials said the Daytona tire testing was to improve stability in the draft.(mikemulhern.net)(5-9-2009)
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of the Nascar Insiders
http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/
Things To Do In Charlotte During Race Weeks
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheNascarInsiders/~3/Hv4A2Dl98CY/
Charlotte race weeks are quickly approaching and that means teams are opening their doors for fan appreciation days and drivers are signing autographs throughout the region.
We here at TNI wanted to get all Charlotte bound fans prepared for the next two weeks, so we have compiled a list of events and things to do.
If you know of any racing related events going on during the next two weeks and they aren’t included below please feel free to add them in the comment section and I will update the post.
Wednesday, May 13 – Mahle Clevite is hosting its annual Engine Builder Showdown. This year the event will take place during NASCAR Rev’d Up in Uptown Charlotte and will be hosted by Larry McReynolds. Rock band O.A.R will also host a free concert during NASCAR Rev’d Up. More info here.
Thursday, May 14 – Check out my favorite event, the 2009 Pit Crew Challenge held at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Uptown Charlotte. Watch 19 of the sport’s best pit crews go at to win bragging rights as best crew. Tickets are still available. More info here.
Friday, May 15 – Head up to Randleman for breakfast and a tour of the Victory Junction Gang Camp to benefit the NASCAR Foundation. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids. More info here.
Friday, May 15 – Dale Earnhardt Inc. Fan Celebration. Head out to DEI in Mooresville to meet and get autographs from all of the Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing drivers and get lunch at DEI’s famed Trophy room. Wristbands are required. More info here and here.
Friday, May 15 – Jack Roush, RFR driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and various local dignitaries will help open Roush Fenway’s new team store in Concord. More info here.
Saturday, May 16 – Looking for a little local color? The town of Mooresville will be holding their annual Race City Festival. There will be over 200 vendors and live entertainment. It is free of charge. More info here.
Tuesday, May 19 – Women’s Auxiliary of Motorsports is hosting their annual fundraiser event at the NASCAR Speedpark in the Concord Mills Mall. This event gives fans a chance to race against some of their favorite drivers and get their autographs. More info here.
Tuesday, May 19 – Join Richard Petty, AJ Allmendinger and Reed Sorenson at The PIT Indoor Kart Racing in Mooresville to benefit the Paralyzed Veterans of America. More info here.
Wednesday, May 20 – The town of Mooresville will hold a ceremonial unveiling of their North Carolina Auto Racing Walk of Fame in downtown Mooresville. Richard Petty, David Pearson, and Kelley Earnhardt are scheduled to be on-hand to greet fans. More info here.
Wednesday, May 20 – Roush Fenway Racing driver David Ragan will be making an appearance at the NASCAR Speed Park. He will sign autographs and take part in a live MRN radio broadcast. More info here.
Wednesday, May 20 – Michael Waltrip Racing will hold their second annual fan appreciation day. All MWR and JTG-Daugherty Racing drivers will be on hand to sign autographs. Wristbands are required. More info here.
Thursday, May 21 – Roush Fenway Racing drivers will be signing autographs throughout the day. Tickets are required to get autographs and will be distributed at 8 a.m. that morning. More info here.
Thursday, May 21 to Saturday May, 23 – Looking for live music, food, and fun for free? Check out the 15th annual Food Lion Speedstreet located in Uptown Charlotte. Among others, country stars Jason Aldean, Clint Black and Rodney Atkins will perform free concerts. Also, don’t miss your chance to be on Trackside Live on SPEED. More info and a schedule of events here.
Friday, May 22 – Check out the Roush Fenway Racing Sprint Cup pit crews in action. They will have exhibitions for two separate hours on Friday. More info here.
Friday, May 22 – Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing driver Martin Truex Jr. will be signing autographs at the Outdoor World/Bass Pro Shops at Concord Mills Mall near the speedway. Wristbands are strongly encouraged. More info here.
Friday, May 22 – Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing driver Juan Pablo Montoya will be signing autographs at the Afton Ridge Target Store in Concord, NC. The first 200 fans will get an autograph. More info here.
Friday, May 22 – Richard Petty Motorsports drivers Kasey Kahne, Elliott Sadler, AJ Allmendinger and Reed Sorenson as well as team co-owner Richard Petty will be on hand to sign autographs. Tickets are required. More info here.
Friday, May 22 – If you can’t wait until Sunday for racing the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Showdown will be at the Dirt Track at Lowes Motor Speedway. More info here.
Throughout the next two weeks the race shops will also be open for fans to check out. Raceshops.com has a good list of team addresses and so does Jayski.com. Don’t forget about the Truck Series and Nationwide Series teams too.
There are several companies that give tours for a fee, but I encourage you to get a map and explore for yourself. I have never been on one of these tours, but I can promise they are not worth the money unless you are very opposed to driving.
Lowes Motor Speedway is also offering tours to DEI and Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing and to Hendrick Motorsports and Roush Fenway Racing. The tour to EGR and DEI includes a behind the scenes tour and merchandise discounts. That tour is a little pricey at $25/adults and $8/kids, but you also get a ticket to Pole Night. The tour to Hendrick and RFR is $20/adults and $5/kids and also includes a ticket to Pole Night.
Another good day trip is up to Hillsborough, North Carolina to see the Occoneechee Speedway (formerly the Orange Speedway). It is the only remaining dirt track from the 1949 season. It is heavily overgrown, but the Historic Speedway Group has converted the track into a walking trail and reconstructed some of the out buildings. It is free and definitely worth the trip if you enjoy NASCAR history.
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of Racin’ Today
http://www.racintoday.com
Racing Brings Moms and Kids Together At Darlington
NASCAR drivers usually honor their moms at Darlington Raceway because the Southern 500 is run on the night before Mother’s Day. For the past five years, mothers of Sprint Cup drivers have …
http://www.racintoday.com/archives/3762
___________________________________________________________
Your ad could be displayed here… very reasonable rates. E-mail Mike@MotorSportsNews.Net
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of That’s Racin’
http://www.thatsracin.com
Everything old is new again, even Darlington
DARLINGTON, S.C. – If it wasn’t clear last season, it certainly is now: This ain’t your daddy’s Darlington anymore.
http://www.thatsracin.com/115/story/8923.html
___________________________________________________________
P R E S S * R E L E A S E S
___________________________________________________________
MARK MARTIN, NO. 5 CHEEZ-IT/CARQUEST IMPALA SS – Winner: “It feels great! I want to thank the fans and Cheez-It, CARQUEST and Chevrolet for all of their support and of course Sprint. Alan Gustafson and this race team and the boss…Hey Rick, thank you, man. I am loving it, man. That was so incredible, man. Once we got out front, it was just easy. The car was awesome.”
HOW CLOSE WERE YOU AT THE END ON GAS? “We never sucked any air, so I guess we had enough. I don’t know. We worked pretty hard to save some gas, so I don’t know how close it was. My history, I always always always run out. So, that is pretty neat to make it. I don’t know how much we had, but we tried to save what we could. Out front, I was really gassing it up a lot too when the No. 48 would get up on me so I knew I could be burning more than we had seen to. Just a great day. I just want to thank everybody for letting me do this. This is a great race team. Thank you fans.”
HOW SWEET IS THIS WIN IN THE SOUTHERN 500? “This is unbelievable. Just absolutely unbelievable. A big huge thanks to Cheez-It and all our sponsors, Carquest, Chevrolet and Sprint for supporting this thing and the race fans. You know I’ve got such a great race team. This was a big surprise. You know we had a strong car but I never expected to win. Alan Gustafson is absolutely the best. I may have been his childhood hero. I’m living a second childhood now and he’s my childhood hero.”
WHAT MADE THE DIFFERENCE TONIGHT? “We had a good enough car to do it. Pit strategy put us in position to pull it off. We had a problem and had to go to the back of the pack and had to work the strategy to get up there. We passed a lot of cars but those last few we were really struggling with. With some great strategy from this race team and Alan there we go.”
WERE YOU WORRIED AT ALL ABOUT JIMMIE JOHNSON BACK THERE? “Heck yeah. He’s superman, man. Have you seen him lately? Three championships in a row. You know the guy is incredible. I thought he was trying to snooker me and lolly gag back there and then all of a sudden mash the gas and I’d be off guard. I was trying to save gas but I couldn’t let him get near me because I know how tough he is.”
DID YOU KNOW THE LAST TIME THERE WAS A SOUTHERN 500 TERRY LABONTE WON IT IN THIS NO. 5 CAR? “Isn’t that sweet. That is so great. Go 5!”
___________________________________________________________
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
Busch, Ard meet in Darlington: Kyle Busch got to visit with a fellow Nationwide Series record holder Saturday at Darlington Raceway. And Jo Ard finally got to tell the NASCAR star how much he’s meant to her husband of 48 years, former Natiowide driver Sam Ard. “Thank you so much,” Jo said, hugging Busch when the Ards met him by his motorhome before the Southern 500. After Busch tied Ard’s 1983 series mark with 10 victories in a season last November, the 24-year-old Sprint Cup driver donated $100,000 to help the struggling Ard and his family. The 69-year-old Ard has Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. He sat quietly in his wheelchair for most of the 15-minute visit.(Associated Press)(5-9-2009)
Nationwide crew member suspended: Jeremy Mayfield, driver of the #41 car in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Tony Martin, a licensed crew member with the #34 team in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and Ben Williams, a licensed crew member with the #16 team in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, have been indefinitely suspended from NASCAR for violating the sanctioning body’s substance abuse policy. All three were found to have violated Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing) and 7-5 (violation of the NASCAR substance abuse policy) of the 2009 NASCAR rule book.(NASCAR PR)(5-9-2009)
Carpentier hoping for more races: Patrick Carpentier was back in a NASCAR stock car this weekend, and he hopes he can return for some more races. Carpentier was a last-minute replacement for David Green in SK Motorsports’ #07 Nationwide Series Toyota at Darlington Raceway, making his first start of 2009. He does have at least one more race scheduled, at Montreal for Michael Waltrip Racing. Carpentier said he’s talking to some other Nationwide teams, including the first-year SK Motorsports team. “We’re talking, we’re pushing. And we’re talking to a couple more teams also,” he said. “We’ll see, but just being here and being in a car – finally – always helps.”(Scene Daily)(5-9-2009)
___________________________________________________________
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
Exide Batteries partners with RMM to sponsor Skinner for seven more races: Randy Moss Motorsports is pleased to announce that Exide Batteries has signed with the team to sponsor veteran Mike Skinner for an additional seven NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races. In addition, Exide will serve as an associate sponsor for the remainder of the 2009 NCWTS season on both RMM Tundras, the #5 driven by Skinner and the #81 driven by Raybestos Rookie of the Year Points Leader Tayler Malsam. Skinner, the most recent winner in the NCWTS and current points leader, will carry the blue and black colors at Memphis Motorsports Park, O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis, Bristol Motor Speedway (August 19), New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway, Phoenix International Raceway, and Homestead-Miami Speedway.(Randy Moss Motorsports PR)(5-11-2009)
Longhorn sponsoring Hornaday at Lowe’s: Longhorn/Swedish Match returns as primary sponsor of the #33-KHI Chevy for the North Carolina Education Lottery 200 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway on Friday May15th. Following a fourth-place finish at Kansas Speedway, the #33 team climbed into the second position in the point standings, only 25 markers behind Mike Skinner.(Kevin Harvick Inc.PR)(5-11-2009)
Buescher wins Kentucky ARCA RE/MAX event: James Buescher and Justin Lofton traded the lead back and forth officially four times. Then they traded paint coming to the white flag in the tri-oval before Buescher bounced off and then drove off to victory lane to win the thrilling Drive Smart Buckle Up Kentucky 150 Saturday night at Kentucky Speedway. Buescher, in Kevin Cywinski’s Wolfpack Rentals Toyota, led three times for 57 laps en route to his third career ARCA RE/MAX Series victory in his 16th series start. Buescher, who led off the season with a victory at Daytona driving for the same Win-Tron Racing team, fought an ill-handling racecar most of the day before the crew turned things around.(ARCA Racing PR)(5-10-2009)
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of TruckSeries.Com
http://www.truckseries.com
HORNADAY: Headed to Lowe’s
05-11-2009 | TruckSeries.com Report
Ron Hornaday will race the No. 33 Longhorn Chevrolet Silverado this weekend at Lowe’s
http://www.truckseries.com/cgi-script/NCTS_09/articles/000004/000433.htm
___________________________________________________________
A R C A (Automobile Racing Club of America)
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of ARCA
http://www.arcaracing.com
Kimmel, Lofton, Arpin Part of ARCA Racing Day at Toledo Mud Hens Baseball Game on May 15
TOLEDO, Ohio (May 11, 2009)-Nine-time ARCA RE/MAX Series Champion Frank Kimmel and Eddie Sharp Racing’s Justin Lofton and Steve Arpin will bring the excitement of stock car auto racing to the baseball field on Friday evening, May 15 as part of ARCA Racing Day at Fifth Third Field in downtown Toledo, Ohio, home of the Toledo Mud Hens Triple-A Baseball Team.
[Read More] – http://www.arcaracing.com/news.cfm?contentid=7968
Toledo Triple Header Coming May 15, 16, 17; Schrader, Menard Entered for Sunday Finale
TOLEDO OH (5-11-09) – Now that the superspeedway dust has settled from the Kentucky Speedway thriller, the ARCA RE/MAX Series will turn its attention to Toledo Speedway short-track action Sunday afternoon, May 17 for the Menards 200 presented by Federated Car Care, the 65th appearance of the hometown touring series at Toledo since 1963.
[Read More] – http://www.arcaracing.com/news.cfm?contentid=7962
Buescher Out-Duels Lofton to Win Drive Smart Buckle-Up Kentucky 150
SPARTA KY (5-9-09) – James Buescher and Justin Lofton traded the lead back and forth officially four times. Then they traded paint coming to the white flag in the tri-oval before Buescher bounced off and then drove off to victory lane to win the thrilling Drive Smart Buckle Up Kentucky 150 Saturday night at Kentucky Speedway.
[Read More] – http://www.arcaracing.com/news.cfm?contentid=7957
___________________________________________________________
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
___________________________________________________________
Leonhardt brothers, Besworth bringing home OFSAA medals – The …
Defending NASCAR Canadian Tire Series champion Scott Steckly was one of a dozen drivers shaking off the winter rust and testing their cars at Delaware Speedway near London last weekend. Steckly, in the No. 22 Canadian Tire/Tow Truck in …
http://www.stratfordbeaconherald.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1561700
___________________________________________________________
C O L U M N S / C O M M E N T A R I E S
___________________________________________________________
Insider Racing News
http://insiderracingnews.com/Writers/BB/050909.html
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Has Reached the Tipping Point
by Brenda Benedict
Insider Racing News
http://insiderracingnews.com/Writers/RG/050909.html
Kyle Petty: Motorcycle Charity Ride Today … Cup Ride Tomorrow?
by Rebecca Gladden
Insider Racing News
http://insiderracingnews.com/Writers/RF/051009.html
Nearly out of Fuel, High on Enthusiasm, Martin Wins Southern 500
by Ron Felix
The Nascar Insiders
The NASCAR Week That Was: May 3-9
The biggest news of the week came Saturday evening as NASCAR announced Sprint Cup Series driver Jeremy Mayfield had been indefinitely suspended for failing a drug test given at Richmond last week. NASCAR refused to reveal the drug Mayfield tested positive for. Mayfield said in a statement he believes it was the combination of a prescribed drug and over the counter medication.
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheNascarInsiders/~3/LYuDw0zkBs4/
Insider Racing News
http://insiderracingnews.com/Writers/KR/051109.html
David Poole: Part One, The Arduous, Cantankerous Teacher
by Kim Roberson
Insider Racing News
http://insiderracingnews.com/Writers/MP/051109.html
Is Richard Petty Motorsports On The Downhill Slide?
by Matthew Pizzolato
Matt McLaughlin’s Thinkin’ Out Loud: Darlington Race Recap
by Matt McLaughlin
http://www.frontstretch.com/mmclaughlin/24282/
The Dangers Of Taking A Hendrick Dynasty To The Next Level
by Tom Bowles
http://www.frontstretch.com/tbowles/24296/
Five Points To Ponder: Darlington Edition
by Mike Lovecchio
http://www.frontstretch.com/mlovecchio/24284/
Sprint Cup Rookie Report: The Lady In Black Can’t Take A Bite Out Of “Sliced Bread”
by Tony Lumbis
http://www.frontstretch.com/tlumbis/24287/
Bubble Breakdown: Mayfield Dealt Death Blow While Non-Top 35 Teams Struggle
by Mike Ravesi
http://www.frontstretch.com/mravesi/24283/
Nationwide Series Breakdown: Diamond Hill Plywood 200
by Bryan Davis Keith
http://www.frontstretch.com/bkeith/24288/
Kyle Petty Charity Ride Hits The Internet
http://dalyplanet.blogspot.com/2009/05/kyle-petty-charity-ride-hits-internet.html
Mike Joy Takes Charge For Fox
http://dalyplanet.blogspot.com/2009/05/mike-joy-takes-charge-for-fox.html
Tracking Jeremy Mayfield In The Media
http://dalyplanet.blogspot.com/2009/05/tracking-jeremy-mayfield-in-media.html
Kenny Schrader’s Toe Back In The TV Water
http://dalyplanet.blogspot.com/2009/05/kenny-schraders-toe-back-in-tv-water.html
___________________________________________________________
T V * L I S T I N G S
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of Jayski
http://www.jayski.com/pages/tv.htm
Mon May 11
4:00 am NASCAR Victory Lane SPEED
8:00 am NASCAR Victory Lane SPEED
9:00 am Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain SPEED
5:00 pm NASCAR Now ESPN2
5:00 pm 1983 Northwestern Bank 400 ESPNC
8:00 pm This Week in NASCAR SPEED
9:00 pm Making the All-Star Race SPEED
10:00 pm 25th NASCAR All-Star Reunion SPEED
Tue May 12
12:00 am This Week in NASCAR SPEED
12:30 am NASCAR Now ESPN2
1:00 am Making the Race All-Star SPEED
2:00 am 25th NASCAR All-Star Reunion SPEED
8:00 am This Week in NASCAR SPEED
9:00 am Making the Race All-Star SPEED
10:00 am 25th NASCAR All-Star Reunion SPEED
5:00 pm NASCAR Now ESPN2
8:00 pm All-Star Preview SPEED
9:00 pm My All-Star Win – Darrell WaltripSPEED
9:30 pm My All-Star Win – Michael Waltrip SPEED
10:00 pm My All-Star Win – Dale Earnhardt, Jr. SPEED
10:30 pm My All-Star Win – Kasey Kahne SPEED
Wed May 13
12:00 am NASCAR Now ESPN2
12:00 am All-Star Preview SPEED
1:00 am My All-Star Win – Darrell Waltrip SPEED
1:30 am My All-Star Win – Michael Waltrip SPEED
2:00 am My All-Star Win – Dale Earnhardt, Jr. SPEED
2:30 am My All-Star Win – Kasey Kahne SPEED
8:00 am All-Star Preview SPEED
9:00 am My All-Star Win – Darrell Waltrip SPEED
9:30 am My All-Star Win – Michael Waltrip SPEED
10:00 am My All-Star Win – Dale Earnhardt, Jr. SPEED
10:30 am My All-Star Win – Kasey Kahne SPEED
12:00 pm NSCS Darlington Replay SPEED
5:00 pm NASCAR Now ESPN2
8:00 pm All-Star Preview SPEED
10:00 pm NASCAR Smarts SPEED
10:30 pm NASCAR Smarts SPEED
Jayski does not list all the programming offered by SPEED; for complete listings go to their website, http://www.speedtv.com/schedule/
Always CHECK YOUR LOCAL LISTINGS!
___________________________________________________________
The Stock Car Gazette
Copyright 2002-2009 by MotorSportsNews.Net
All Rights Reserved
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
___________________________________________________________
|
|
|
| Pipe Smoke – Mark Martin isn’t done after all | TV Times – NASCAR TV Ratings Continue Downward Death Spiral |
Comments are disabled.