Here’s the Stock Car Gazette for Thursday, July 9, 2009.
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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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Stock Car Gazette Columnists Speak Out!
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Restrictor plate racing: good or bad?
by: Chuck Abrams
Love it or hate it, plate racing has been a mainstay in NASCAR Cup series as the braintrust attempts to keep the speeds at acceptable levels. Let’s face it, these are not Indy cars with all the down force they have. These boxy “stock” cars tend to get airborne easily when they get spun around at speeds close to 200 mph. Read more at motorsportsnews.net/archives/3852
For more of this writer, visit motorsportsnews.net/archives/category/chuckabrams
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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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The LifeLock.com 400 from Chicagoland Speedway will take the green flag Saturday, July 11 at 8 p.m. EDT. The race will be televised live on TNT beginning at 6:30 p.m. EDT and will be broadcast coast-to-coast on the MRN and Sirius XM Satellite Radio. Qualifying for the 19th race on the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series tour will be televised live on SPEED Thursday, July 9 at 8:30 p.m. EDT.
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Courtesy of www.FrontStretch.com
Stewart Checks in on Busch, Kahne Following Saturday’s Crumpled Finish
On Tuesday, Tony Stewart contacted Kyle Busch to make sure the young driver was doing OK following Saturday’s melee that saw the No. 14 Chevy of Stewart and the No. 18 Toyota of Busch make contact on the white flag lap. The resulting wreck sent Busch airborne, spinning into the wall and into the path of Kasey Kahne before becoming a pinball in front of the entire field of drivers coming down to take the checkered flag.
Stewart said he wanted to make sure that Busch was OK before the two discussed the issue, though he did allude that both drivers knew the score before the conversation even took place. He also downplayed the attention the incident has garnered from the fans, the garage, and the national press.
“When something like that happens, you want to make sure that both guys are on the same page with what happened, and we definitely were,” Stewart explained of the move that allowed him to win the race. “I mean, there was no question on either one of our parts what happened. I mean, we were instantly on the same page with it. It’s just part of racing. [As for blocking,] I’ve mentioned it to Kyle and even kind of laughed about the fact that everybody has made such a big deal about this all of a sudden happening.”
“Smoke” went on to defend Busch’s attempt to hold him off, claiming blocking has been a part of this type of racing long before restrictor plates even came into play, and said he was glad to clear the air with his former Joe Gibbs Racing teammate.
“Kyle knew that my job was to get to his quarterpanel, he was trying to move up to defend his spot, and nobody in his position would have just stayed there and let somebody drive back by him,” Stewart said Wednesday. “You’ve got to do something, and he wasn’t trying to wreck us. He was just trying to make me make a move to slow me down. It was good to have that conversation with him, and I was glad he wasn’t hurt. I [also] got a chance to see Kasey last night and make sure he wasn’t hurt, as well. It was good to touch base and make sure we were all on the same page… which we were.”
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Courtesy of Georgia Stock Car Racing Newsletter (ddrrtt@earthlink.net)
Read Brandon Reed’s column on the late Sam McQuagg, who won the 1966 Firecracker 400 driving a Dodge equipped with the first spoiler in NASCAR history. McQuagg was a native of Columbus, GA, and is a member of the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame.
www.georgiaracinghistory.com
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Courtesy of Google Alerts
What Truex’s move to MWR means
FOXSports.com - USA
CORNELIUS, NC - Michael Waltrip Racing continues to strengthen its position in NASCAR with its latest acquisition of driver Martin Truex Jr. The team is set …
msn.foxsports.com/nascar/story/9779104/What-Truex\’s-move-to-MWR-means
Tony Stewart revels in double-duty as owner-driver
Chicago Tribune - United States
By Brian Hamilton | Tribune reporter Two Decembers ago, the notion of simultaneously owning a NASCAR Sprint Cup team and driving for that team first …
www.chicagotribune.com/sports/chi-08-stewart-jul08,0,3666568.story
NASCAR Number: 1
SportingNews.com - USA
By Bill Marx 1: Victories for the No. 56 car in the history of the Cup series. The No. 56 has made 146 starts, and Jim Hurtubise is the only driver with a …
www.sportingnews.com/nascar/article/2009-07-07/nascar-number-1
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Courtesy of Insider Racing News
www.insiderracingnews.com
Dale Jr. Get Ride With Wheldon
Two of the National Guard’s biggest racing stars will be sharing a ride in an IndyCar this Thursday when Panther Racing driver, and former Indianapolis 500 winner, Dan Wheldon will give NASCAR Sprint Cup star Dale Earnhardt Jr. a ride in the Indy Racing Experience two-seater at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Earnhardt will also turn laps in the historic No. 16 Noc-Out Hose Clamp Special that Mauri Rose and Floyd David co-drove to victory in the 1941 Indianapolis 500. Earnhardt currently ranks 21st in the Sprint Cup standings and has collected one Top Five and three Top Ten finishes this season.
Darian Grubb Named Best Crew Chief
Darian Grubb, crew chief for the No. 14 Burger King Chevrolet driven by Tony Stewart, has been named the WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief of the Race following Saturday night’s Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway. With the support of an unstoppable pit crew and a dominant racecar, Grubb led an overall team effort to come home with a win, the team’s second of the year. “The pit crew did an incredible job,” Grubb said after the race. “They did everything we asked them to do for adjustments and did not miss a beat the entire night.” After qualifying was rained out, the No. 14 team was able to pick the first pit stall by virtue of acquiring the pole position as the points leader. Great track position and a strong car that needed very few changes throughout the evening gave the team an advantage over the rest of the field. Stewart led the most laps in the race and resided in the top-three for nearly all of the 400 miles completed.
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Courtesy of Jayski
www.jayski.com
NEXT RACE: Chicago Race Info/Rundown Page
www.jayski.com/next/2009/19chi2009.htm
The Entry List for the LifeLock 400 at Chicagoland Speedway is posted, 46 teams/drivers [for 43 spots] are listed, including:
Not in top 35 of 2009 owners points:
#09-Mike Bliss (2009 Race Winner as owner)(38 in owners pts/18 attempts)
#21-Bill Elliott (Past Champ 1988)(45/5)
#25-Brad Keselowski (2009 Race Winner as driver)(48/4)
#36-Mike Skinner (42/18)
#37-Tony Raines (49/11)
#51-Dexter Bean (51/6)
#64-Mike Wallace (50/12)
#66-Dave Blaney (41/18)
#71-David Gilliland (37/18)
#82-Scott Speed (36/18)
#87-Joe Nemechek (40/18)
In the event qualifying is rained out or cancelled:
the eight who would make it [8]: #’s 09,21,25,82,71,87,66,36
missing the race would be [3]: #’s 37,64,51
See the full entry list at my Jayski’s Chicago Entry List.(7-6-2009)
www.jayski.com/stats/2009/entries/19chi2009-entry.htm
Top-35 in Owner Points and guaranteed a starting spot at Chicago:
No changes, but the spread between 35th and 36th is up to 172 points
34) #7-Gordon/Robby Gordon: 1468, +305
35) #34-Andretti/Earnhardt Ganassi: 1335, 172 points ahead of 36th
these teams/ drivers must qualify by speed but are close to the top-35:
36) #82-Speed/Red Bull: 1163, 172 points out of 35th
37) #71-Gilliland/TRG: 1052, -283
The teams are NOT locked in past the next race as the owners points change after each race.
For the owners points standings, see my Drivers/Owners Points Standings.(7-4-2009)
www.jayski.com/stats/2009/points/18dis2009points.htm
Eury Jr. to serve as Keselowski’s crew chief this weekend: This weekend will mark the first time that #25-Brad Keselowski will work with crew chief Tony Eury Jr. Prior to this weekend, Keselowski worked with Lance McGrew, and the pair scored a team-high finish of seventh at Darlington Raceway. In the Nationwide Series, Keselowski works with Eury’s father, crew chief Tony Eury Sr.(Hendrick PR)(7-9-200)
Blaney upbeat about future: #66-Dave Blaney’s NASCAR Sprint Cup season has been tumultuous, so to speak. The Hartford native, who drives for Prism Motorsports, has competed in 15 of the 18 Cup races. He has a completion percentage of 16.9 percent, starts with an average of 32.2 and finishes with an average of 40.7. He’s accumulated $1,161,200 in winnings heading into this weekend’s race in Chicago. “In my case, all you can do is stay in the car, stay at the racetrack and do all you can do,” Blaney said prior to Tuesday’s Lou Blaney Memorial Classic. “The first few weeks, it was a really hard thing to do. You kind of resign yourself to that’s what it is.” Blaney finished only one race this season, the Coca-Cola 600. In the other races, Blaney and his team dealt with “star and park” status, in which some drivers finish early to preserve their cars at the first sign of mechanical problems, such as vibration or transmission, because they are unable to pit for repairs. It’s a matter of economics. “Hopefully, an opportunity comes along in either of the other series or in the Cup series or my team gathers a little sponsorship along the way and it starts building up,” Blaney said. “It’s hard thing, but at the moment, it was the best option.”(Warren Tribune Chronicle)(7-9-2009)
Daytona TV ratings: TNT says its coverage of Saturday night’s Coke Zero 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Daytona International Speedway earned a 3.1 household rating from Nielsen Media Research. The rating was 18.4 percent lower than the 3.8 TNT earned for the race in 2008, and a spokesperson noted this year’s race fell on the July 4th holiday, which is traditionally a weak time for television ratings.(SceneDaily)(7-9-2009)
Roush looking for first Chicago win: Chicagoland is one of two tracks on the current Sprint Cup schedule that a Roush Fenway entry has not won at. Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the other.(Roush Fenway PR(7-9-2009)
Gordon, Martin shooting for $1 million bonus at Chicago: A $1 million bonus is up for grabs in the LifeLock.com 400 at Chicagoland Speedway, but only a pair of drivers – Hendrick Motorsports teammates #24-Jeff Gordon and #1-Mark Martin – can secure the extra loot. At Michigan International Speedway in June, the duo finished one-two with Martin taking the victory in the LifeLock 400. To win the bonus provided by the title sponsor of the race, the pair must occupy the top-two spots – in any order – at the conclusion of Saturday night’s event.(Performance PR Plus)(7-9-2009)
Chicago Rookie Notes: #20-Joey Logano was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway. Logano posted a 19th-place finish and took top rookie honors for the 14th time this season. Logano leads #82-Scott Speed by 23 points (201-178) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the LifeLock.com 400 at Chicagoland Speedway. The record number for Raybestos Rookies to finish inside the top-10 at Chicagoland is three in 2006: Reed Sorenson (seventh), Clint Bowyer (ninth) and J.J. Yeley (10th). #29-Kevin Harvick is the only Raybestos Rookie to win in eight Sprint Cup races at Chicagoland. Harvick won the 2001 Tropicana 400 by .649 seconds over Robert Pressley and is the only Raybestos Rookie to lead the most laps in a race at Chicagoland (five times for 113 laps).(Camp & Assoc./Raybestos)
SPEEDtv’s Pass Time features NASCAR, NHRA competitors: Competition tightens for Season Four of the SPEED drag racing game show, Pass Time, as the stars of NASCAR and NHRA take turns at beating the house - and each other - beginning Wednesday, July 15. The celebrity shows kick off ten Wednesday evening premieres, each starting prime time at 9 p.m. ET, encompassing shows from palatial zMAX Dragway @ Concord (N.C.) and NHRA-owned Atlanta Dragway. The season kicks off with back-to-back episodes featuring Kurt Busch, the 2004 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion, against his crew chief, Pat Tryson, and NSCS regular Casey Mears facing off against his crew chief, Todd Berrier. Upcoming episodes will include Roush Racing star Greg Biffle versus crew member Roger Ueltsch (July 22), NHRA championship teammates Greg Anderson and Jason Line on July 29 and former NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champions Mike Skinner against Ron Hornaday on Aug. 5.(SPEEDtv PR)(7-9-2009)
NASCAR appeals judge’s decision on Mayfield: UPDATE 2: NASCAR has asked a federal judge to reverse his ruling and keep driver Jeremy Mayfield off the track. NASCAR filed the motion asking U.S. District Court Judge Graham Mullen to reinstate Mayfield’s ban. The latest twist comes after Mullen’s decision last week to grant an injunction clearing him to compete. Mullen said the chance of a false positive on his drug test was “quite substantial.” NASCAR disputes Mullen’s conclusion, and says Mayfield poses a threat to public safety. NASCAR also filed a notice saying it plans to bring the case before a federal appeals court.(Associated Press)(7-6-2009)
UPDATE: NASCAR on Wednesday asked an appeals court to ban Jeremy Mayfield from racing, alleging the participation of “a proven methamphetamine user” could lead to fatal consequences for other competitors and fans. NASCAR asked the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn last week’s injunction that lifted Mayfield’s indefinite suspension for a failing a random drug test. In the filing, NASCAR argues U.S. District Court Judge Graham Mullen relied on incorrect information when he lifted the suspension. If allowed on the track, NASCAR believes Mayfield poses a dangerous threat.(Associated Press)(7-8-2009)
UPDATE 2: Mayfield attorney John Buric scoffed at the idea Mayfield is a potential danger and revealed the driver was tested twice Monday - once at an independent laboratory and once at his home by NASCAR. “He’s not a danger, and they have the right to test him anytime to find that out,” Buric said. “In fact, they did test him on Monday night at his home. A group of people went to his home and watched him pee in a cup. It was humiliating.” NASCAR’s appeal did not mention the most recent random test, but spokesman Ramsey Poston confirmed Mayfield was tested Monday evening. But Buric and NASCAR differed on what exactly happened during the seven-plus hours after Mayfield was asked to report for testing. Even though Mayfield has been cleared to race, Buric said he doubted the driver will be in Chicago for this weekend’s event. Mayfield has until Thursday afternoon to enter his Mayfield Motorsports’ car or find another team owner willing to hire him for the event. “As of right now, he does not have any sponsors, he does not have anyone asking him to drive,” Buric said. “His career is all but ruined unless someone gives him a chance. But people are treating him like a pariah. We thought the injunction was an important factor in getting him back on track. As it appears to be turning out, having accomplished that doesn’t at all get him what he really wants: getting back in a car going around the track.”(Associated Press)(7-8-2009)
Regan Smith told Sirius Speedway host Dave Moody that Furniture Row Racing has added the August 22 race at Bristol Motor Speedway to their 2009 schedule.(Sirius NASCAR Radio(7-8-2009)
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Courtesy of Racin’ Today
www.racintoday.com
Stewart Says All Is Cool Between Him and Busch - www.racintoday.com/archives/7441
Woody: Waltrip Had The Sizzle and the Steak As Driver - www.racintoday.com/archives/7421
Minter: Racing No Longer Family-Sized? - www.racintoday.com/archives/7427
Minter: Sprint Cup Racing Is Speeding Toward Trouble - www.racintoday.com/archives/7398
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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’
www.thatsracin.com
NASCAR asks apeals court to restore Mayfield ban
NASCAR on Wednesday asked an appeals court to ban Jeremy Mayfield from racing, alleging the participation of “a proven methamphetamine user” could lead to fatal consequences for other competitors and fans.
www.thatsracin.com/115/story/13611.html
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P R E S S * R E L E A S E S
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July 9th Edition of Race 2 Win Radio Features Brian Vickers and Ron Hornaday
TAYLORS, SC (July 9, 2009) – Brian Vickers, driver of the No 83 Red Bull Toyota in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, and Ron Hornaday Jr., driver of the No. 33 Kevin Harvick Inc. Chevrolet and points leader in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, will join Jeff Holtzclaw and the gang at Race 2 Win Radio on Thursday, July 9th. The show will air live at 1:00 pm ET at www.blogtalkradio.com/race2win.
Vickers, who leads the Sprint Cup Series with four pole positions this season, is coming off of a seventh-place finish last Saturday night at Daytona and heads to Chicagoland this weekend with a history of success at the track in the Windy City.
“I’ve always ran pretty well in Chicago,” Vickers said. “The track seems to suit my driving style. It’s a fun track — multi-grooved and fast — which makes for great racing.”
Three-time Camping World Truck Series champion, Ron Hornaday Jr. has won the last two CWTS events and is enjoying a break in the schedule before heading to Kentucky next weekend to defend his points lead.
Mike Calinoff, spotter for Matt Kenseth and the No. 17 DEWALT Ford, will check in with his “Keys to Winning” segment for Chicago. Calinoff will also discuss Kenseth’s eighth-place finish last week at Daytona as well as the No. 17 team’s performance over the last month.
Award-winning journalist Rick Minter, senior writer for RacinToday.com, is back to take his turn on the “Writer’s Block,” a weekly segment he shares with Kenny Bruce, assistant managing editor of NASCAR Scene, in which two of the top writers in the sport discuss the biggest stories in and around NASCAR.
Race 2 Win Radio features NASCAR veteran Jeff Holtzclaw as host with Heather Meyer of the Stock Car Gazette and professional racecar driver Blake Feese serving as co-hosts. The show airs live every Thursday afternoon from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm ET at www.blogtalkradio.com/race2win. If you miss the live show, you can listen to, or download, any episode on-demand or on-the-go.
Listeners are always welcome to join in on the show. If you would like to comment on any topic or if you have a question for any of our guests or hosts, you can contact us by sending an email to radio@race2win.net anytime or by calling (646) 200-4485 during the live broadcast.
Fans also have the opportunity to chat with co-host Heather Meyer in the show’s chat room during the broadcast and submit questions or suggest topics with this feature. Users must sign up for an account at www.blogtalkradio.com before they can chat.
Race 2 Win Radio – NASCAR Radio at the Speed of Sound
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Mark Your Calendars … In honor of its 40th anniversary, RCR will host a Fan Day at the Welcome, N.C. complex on Thursday, October 22 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Activities include driver and pit crew autograph sessions, self-guided tours of RCR’s Sprint Cup and Nationwide shops as well as ECR’s engine shop, radio remotes, musical entertainment, pit crew competition, viewing of the DALE movie, question-and-answer session with team owner Richard Childress and much more. General admission to RCR’s Fan Day is just $5, which will benefit the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma.
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Elliott Sadler will visit Best Buy store No. 307 in Joliet, Ill. on Friday from 10-11:00 a.m. to meet store employees and sign autographs for the first 300 ticketed guests.
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Chicagoland Speedway Race Day Raffle
Don’t forget to Enter to Win!!!
Last day to purchase tickets is this Saturday!
Visit www.ForTheCamp.com through July 11 to purchase your ticket for only $10! The proceeds of this online split raffle go to both the winning ticket holder AND Victory Junction. The pot is more than $14,000 so far!
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Appearance Schedule – On Friday night, Robby Gordon will make a Jim Beam appearance at Hero’s West located at 1530 Commerce Lane, Joliet, IL 60431. He will be onsite at 8 p.m. On Saturday, he will sign autographs for his fans at his souvenir trailer at 3:15 p.m.
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GILLETTE ADDS JOEY LOGANO — NASCAR’S HOTTEST ROOKIE TO
TO THE GILLETTE YOUNG GUNS ROSTER
Youngest Race Winner Appears with New Gillette Young Guns Teammates in Gillette Ad Campaign
Boston, July 9, 2009 (NYSE:PG) – Gillette® [PG], the world’s leading grooming brand, today announced that it will heat things up this summer by adding recent NASCAR race winner Joey Logano, driver of the No. 20 Home Depot Toyota, to its elite group of Gillette Young Guns Drivers which includes Clint Bowyer, Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, Denny Hamlin, Kasey Kahne and Ryan Newman.
Logano earned his rookie stripes from his fellow Gillette Young Guns during the filming of a new commercial to support the Gillette Optimal Shave indicator strip, which alerts consumers that it is time to change their blades when the strip color changes from blue to white. The commercial features all seven Gillette Young Guns and highlights Logano as the latest addition to the roster of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stars. The ads will begin airing during the broadcast of the July 11 LifeLock.com 400 from Chicagoland Speedway.
“Joey is one of the hottest drivers in the sport and we are pleased to welcome him as the newest member of the Gillette Young Guns,” said Michelle Potorski, Associate Marketing Director, Gillette North America. “Our new commercial is about change — whether it’s reminding consumers to change their blades or adding a teenage rookie sensation to our Gillette Young Guns roster. We’re proud to have Joey join the team and look forward to watching his career take off in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.”
In his first full-time year in NASCAR’s highest level of competition, Logano became the youngest driver in the sport’s history - at 19 years, 35 days - to win a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, taking first place at the Lenox Industrial Tools 301 in Loudon, N.H. on June 28.
So far this season, Logano has recorded four top-10 finishes and currently sits atop the Rookie of the Year standings. His surging popularity landed him one of racing’s top honors when he was voted by the fans to drive in the NASCAR Sprint All-Star race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway.
The 30-second commercial was created by BBDO New York and filmed in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Gillette Young Guns program, now in its sixth year, continues to be a core marketing platform for Gillette. Throughout its tenure, Gillette Young Guns drivers have combined for four NASCAR Cup Series Championships and four Daytona 500 victories, including Ryan Newman’s historic victory at the 50th running of the Daytona 500 in 2008.
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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
www.jayski.com
NEXT RACE: Dollar General 300, 8:00 pm/et, Friday, July 10, 2009 at Chicagoland Speedway
www.jayski.com/nationwide/2009/next/18chicago.htm
Entry List: There are 52 entries for Friday night’s Dollar General 300 at Chicago. Some notes:
The #07 driver is TBA;
Kelly Bires will be in the #47 JTG Daugherty car while Michael McDowell is in the #81;
Kevin Hamlin returns to the Jimmy Means #52;
Chris Horn will be in the #58;
Kevin Lepage is in the #78 for Derrike Cope;
Brad Baker is in the Day Enterprises #85;
The complete list is posted on the Chicago race page.(7-6-2009)
www.jayski.com/nationwide/2009/next/18chicago.htm#entry
O’Quinn’s crew chief fined: NASCAR announced that Randy Hood, crew chief for the #01 Chevy driven by Danny O’Quinn Jr. in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, has been fined due to rule violations discovered during this past weekend’s event at Daytona International Speedway. Hood has been fined $2,500 for violating Section 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4-I (any determination by NASCAR officials that the race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules), 20A-10.4A (transmissions must be standard production design; gear width is not manufactured) and 20A-10.4D (the complete transmission assembly, as raced, must weigh a minimum of 80 pounds; transmission did not meet the minimum weight) of the 2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series rule book. The infractions were discovered on July 3 during post-qualifying inspection.(NASCAR PR)(7-9-2009)
Bobby Jr in the #25 at ORP: Bobby Hamilton, Jr, speaking on Sirius’ Morning Drive, said that he will drive the Rensi Hamilton #25 later this month at O’Reilly Raceway Park.(7-9-2009)
7-UP on the #01 at Chicago: Danny O’Quinn Jr. will carry 7-UP as primary sponsor for the Chicagoland race Friday. RC Cola, and SunDrop Citrus Soda will serve as associate sponsors with Country Inn and Suites as guest sponsor for the #01 and Danny.(JD Motorsports PR)(7-8-2009)
Ventrilo presenting sponsor of Gateway race: Gateway International Raceway announced Ventrilo as the presenting sponsor of its NASCAR Nationwide Series race on July 18, now to be known as the Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers 250 Presented by Ventrilo.(Gateway Raceway PR)(7-8-2009)
Dollar General sponsoring 2 car and race: This weekend Dollar General will play a duel sponsor role by adorning the Toyota Camrys driven by #32-Brian Vickers and #10-David Reutimann and by serving as title sponsor of the Nationwide Series race at Chicagoland Speedway.(Braun Racing PR)(7-8-2009)
CJM signs Lofton for 4 races: ARCA RE/MAX regular Justin Lofton will join the CJM Racing family as the team will field a second car for four races later this season. Lofton is slated to run NASCAR Nationwide Series races at Michigan, Lowe’s, Texas and Homestead. More details regarding sponsorship and specific details about the second team will be announced at a later time.(CJM Racing PR)(7-7-2009)
Braun announces #32 driver lineup for remainder of year: Braun Racing is pleased to announce that David Reutimann, Reed Sorenson and Brian Ickler will join Brian Vickers behind the wheel of the No. 32 Dollar General Toyota Camry for the remainder of the 2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series season. Reutimann will pilot the #32 O’Reilly Raceway Park in July, Bristol Motor Speedway in August, Richmond International Raceway and Dover International Raceway in September and Homestead-Miami Speedway in November. At Gateway International Raceway in July, Sorenson will take the wheel of the #32 with hopes of duplicating his victories in 2005 and 2007. Up-and-coming driver, Brian Ickler, is no stranger to Iowa Speedway. He will make his second NASCAR Nationwide Series start from the seat of the # 32. Ickler will also drive the car at Memphis Motorsports Park in October. The driver for the August race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve and the November event at Phoenix International Raceway will be announced at a later date.(Braun Racing PR)(7-7-2009)
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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
www.jayski.com
Oliver returns with CSR at Kentucky: Dillon Oliver will once again climb behind the wheel of the Corrie Stott Racing Chevrolet Truck in the Camping World Truck Series event at Dillon’s home state’s famed Kentucky Speedway. In his 2nd start recently at the Milwaukee mile Speedway Dillon had yet another solid finish of 22nd place after struggling with handling early on in the event. Oliver will once again be backed by his sponsors of Piranha Water and Potencia Energy Drink.(Corrie Stott Racing PR)(7-8-2009)
Ickler part of the revamped Braun Racing NNS schedule of drivers: Up-and-coming driver, Brian Ickler, is no stranger to Iowa Speedway. He will make his second NASCAR Nationwide Series start from the seat of the #32 Dollar General Toyota in August.. In only seven career NCWTS starts, he has two top-five, two top-10 finishes and two pole positions. Ickler will also drive the #32 at Memphis Motorsports Park in October.(Braun Racing PR)(7-7-2009)
Hornaday & Bodine among drivers testing tires at Bristol: Drivers from NASCAR’s top three series were at Bristol Motor Speedway Tuesday for a closed-session tire test to help Goodyear determine the best compounds for the upcoming August races. Past Camping World Truck Series champions Todd Bodine and Ron Hornaday were on hand representing that series. Bodine, the 2006 Camping World Truck Series champion, explained Goodyear’s motives behind the truck portion of the test. “The main thing with the trucks, with our new pit stop rules,” he said, “sometimes you have to leave the tires on. We want to make sure the tires will last more than one fuel run and not wear out and blister. They decided to come here with a different tire and try it. So far, so good. Rick Campbell, Project Manager for Goodyear’s NASCAR Development Program, said his team was in Bristol to learn more about the track surface and how the tires react to it. “With all three series being involved in that race weekend, it is a good opportunity for us to evaluate the requirements at the same time and under the same track conditions. It helps us understand what we need to do, and having a Cup car here helps us get a head start on next year.(Bristol Motor Speedway PR)(7-7-2009)
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A R C A (Automobile Racing Club of America)
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Courtesy of ARCA
www.arcaracing.com
Top Reasons to Buy Tickets to Iowa Speedway This Weekend or Listen/Watch at ARCAracing.com
NEWTON IA (7-9-09) - In addition to ARCA Icon/9-time ARCA RE/MAX Series champion Frank Kimmel, who won at Iowa in 2007, the entry list is chalk-full of interesting entrants including Austin Dillon, son of Richard Childress Racing team owner Richard Childress, Indiantown, Florida’s Patrick Sheltra, Chase Mattioli, grandson of Pocono Raceway patriarch’s Dr. Joe & Rose Mattioli, NASCAR Camping World East veteran/winner Brian Ickler, second-generation ARCA driver Chad Finley whose father Jeff Finley won at the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds mile-dirt in 1999 and Daytona winner/NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver James Buescher. And that’s only the beginning……
[Read More] - www.arcaracing.com/news.cfm?contentid=8285
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N A S C A R * C A N A D I A N * T I R E * S E R I E S
localracing.nascar.com/news/6
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NASCAR Canadian Tire Series News & Notes – St. Eustache
Tide 250 Notebook
Dickies 200 Post-Race Notebook
Ranger Primed For First Oval Track Win
Something New For Veteran Villeneuve
Many world-class drivers are willing to return to their roots when the occasion allows, but not many sign up for something they’ve done very little of in their careers.
Jacques Villeneuve (No. 7 Jacombs Racing Ford), the 1995 Indy 500 winner and 1997 Formula 1 world champion, will go short-rack racing in the Tide 250 at Quebec’s Autodrome St. Eustache and make his NASCAR Canadian Tire Series debut in the process.
Stock cars and NASCAR racing, in particular, are not new to Villeneuve, who has competed in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, as well as, the NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping Word Truck Series. Be that as it may, there are no .4-mile flat ovals, like the St. Eustache track, in any of those series.
He spent about an hour in a Jacombs Racing car in mid-May, but it was far from a programmed test session.
“I was in the area when (Autodrome St. Eustache track owner Alan Labrosse) called and told me the car was at the track,” the 38-year-old Villeneuve said. “I went over there with my running shoes on and had to put a pillow under my bum.”
He got about 30 laps in, mostly to get used to the car and the track.
“We didn’t make any adjustments to the car. I just went round and round,” he said. “I haven’t spent a lot of time on a track that small. It took a little time to get used to everything, but it was pretty entertaining.”
Primarily living in Europe, Villeneuve recently moved back to his native Montreal and still fosters ambitions of a full-time return to racing whether it be in the upper levels of NASCAR or, possibly, the Formula 1 circuit.
“That’s my priority now. Actually, to look at my NASCAR options, is the main reason I moved back to Montreal,” Villeneuve said. “There’s a lot of chaos in F1 right now, but I know that it is something I do well, so I am taking a look at that, as well.”
Definitely on his radar is the NASCAR Nationwide Series race scheduled for Aug. 30 in Montreal at the track that bears the name of his legendary late father—Gilles Villeneuve.
“I’m confident we’ll be able to put something together for that race, but not as late as last year.”
Regardless of past accomplishments, much like Tony Stewart, Villeneuve simply likes to race anything anywhere.
“I like racing and driving race cars, so whenever you have time; you jump into anything you can,” he said. “I think I would welcome the opportunity to race more in this series if my schedule allows.”
Fast Facts
The Race: Tide 250
The Place: Autodrome St. Eustache, St. Eustache, Que.
The Date: Saturday, July 11
The Time: 8:05 p.m. ET
TV Schedule: TSN, July 19, 2 p.m. ET
Track Layout: .4-mile flat oval
Race Purse: $85,398 CAD
2008 Winner: Event not held
2008 Pole: Event not held
Schedule: Practice 1-2 p.m. Qualifying 4:45 p.m.
Track Contact: Tobie Légaré, (450) 472-6222, tlegare@autodrome.ca
NASCAR Contact: Shon Sbarra, (704) 309-5493, ssbarra@nascar.com
2009 STANDINGS
1. Ron Beauchamp Jr. 500
2. Andrew Ranger 492
3. DJ Kennington 465
4. Anthony Simone 459
5. Kerry Micks 450
6. Dave Whitlock 442
7. Scott Steckly 438
8. Mark Dilley 409
9. Jason Hathaway 392
10. Kent Nuhn 384
11. Don Thomson Jr. 379
12. Jason White 375
Ranger Primed For First Oval Track Win
The road to his 2007 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series championship started with a win at Mosport International Raceway.
While winning another title is certainly a goal, Andrew Ranger (No. 27 Walmart/Tide Ford) has a more immediate target in his crosshairs—his first series victory on an oval track.
The accomplished road racer, who has four road-course wins to his credit, has flirted on numerous occasions with an oval-track triumph. His most recent opportunity at this elusive item on his to-do list came in the 2009 season opener at Autodrome St. Eustache in his home province of Quebec on May 23. In that race, he led a race-best 144 laps, clearly demonstrating his evolution from open-wheel to stock-car driver is near completion.
He established very early, after making the move from the former Champ Car Series, his ability behind the wheel of a race car. It was simply a matter of mastering the nuances of piloting a stock car.
As a result of his Mosport win, the 22-year-old out of Roxton Pond, Que., jumped to second in the championship driver standings, just eight points behind leader Ron Beauchamp Jr.
The question two seasons ago was if he could win on an oval track. Now, it seems to be just a matter of when. And it would be quite apropos to complete his transition in his native Quebec with a car bearing the same No. 27 as the iconic Gilles Villeneuve sported at the time of his tragic and untimely death in 1982, and on a night with Jacques Villeneuve as a teammate.
ASE News & Notes
The Race: This event is the fourth of 13 races on the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series schedule. It is the third trip to the track for the series and second in 2009.
The Procedure: The starting field is 22 cars, including provisionals. The first 19 cars will be determined from two-lap time trials. The remaining three spots will be awarded through the provisional process. The race will be 250 laps (100 miles).
The Track: The Autodrome St. Eustache racing complex, located northwest of Montreal, consists of a .4-mile flat oval, a 1.7-kilometer road course and a .125-mile drag strip. There is also a karting track on the premises. The track was founded in 1965 as Fury Speedway de Fabreville, and the current configuration has been hosting various types of racing since 1970. The track was purchased by Alan Labrosse prior to the 2008 race season.
The Records: The one-lap qualifying record for the Canadian Tire Series at the track is 17.219 seconds (83.629 mph), set by Don Thomson Jr. last year on July 5. The 250-lap race record is held by Scott Steckly at 1 hour, 53 minutes, 11 seconds, also set last July 5 for an average speed of 53.484 mph.
Making Debuts: In addition to Jacques Villeneuve, two other drivers—Jonathan Bouvrette and Hugo Vannini—will be making their series debut in the Tide 250. Bouvrette is the reigning track and provincial champion in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.
Last Time In St. Eustache: In the 2009 season opener on May 23, Dave Whitlock, just days after announcing that he will retire at the close of the 2009 season, started the year off right with a win in the Tufoil 250. It was his first career series victory. Kerry Micks and Ron Beauchamp Jr. took second and third, respectively.
Also On Tap: Joining the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series on Saturday night will be the Ippersiel Sportsman and Lucas Oil Sport Compact classifications of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. Additionally, the Papa Johns ANCA Modified Legends and REVSTAR sprint cars will be on hand.
NCATS Notebook: Dickies 200 Wrap-Up
Road Warrior: For the second time in three years, Andrew Ranger (No. 27 Walmart/Tide Ford) took the checkered flag at Mosport Int’l Raceway. He dominated the entire weekend by leading both practice sessions, earning the pole position and winning the race by a series record margin of victory—6.678 seconds. In the nine road-course races since the series began in 2007, the driver out of Roxton Pond, Que., has been victorious in four of them and runner-up in three others. His other two wins came last season in Montreal and Trois-Rivieres.
Still The One: By registering his third top-five finish in three starts this season, Ron Beauchamp Jr. (No. 60 Mopar/Mobil 1/Exide Batteries Dodge) retained his position at the top of the driver standings. He holds an eight-point advantage over Ranger, who moved into the second spot with his Dickies 200 victory.
Mosport Superlatives: With a runner-up finish at Mosport, Anthony Simone (No. 95 Crown Modular/United Lumber Chevrolet) established a new personal-best finish. So far this season, the sophomore driver out of Holland Landing, Ont., has a pair of top fives and currently sits fourth in the driver standings, 41 points behind Beauchamp. Howie Scannell Jr. (No. 56 Lucas Oil/RC Trailers Dodge) scored a ninth-place finish in his series debut.
Mobil 1 Command Performance Driver of the Race Award: As a reward for his NASCAR Canadian Tire Series victory at Mosport International Raceway, Ranger collects $1,500 from Mobil 1 for his effort.
Mopar Quick Three: This program awards the top three finishing Dodges in the race. In the Dickies 200, DJ Kennington (No. 17 Castrol/Mahindra Tractors Dodge), who finished fourth, was the highest-finishing Dodge and thus earned a $2,000 bonus. Fifth-place finisher Beauchamp was the second-highest finishing Dodge, which earned him $1,000. Picking up $500 for finishing as the third-highest Dodge was Jason Hathaway (No. 3 Snap-on Tools/Vortex Brake Pads Dodge). He finished eighth, overall.
Coca-Cola Move of the Race Award: Improving his position the most over the course of the race was Jeff Lapcevich (No. 23 Tim Hortons Chevrolet). After qualifying and starting 19th on the grid, he was able to navigate his way to a seventh-place finish. As a result, he earned the $1,000 award from Coca-Cola.
MAHLE Clevite Engine Builder of the Race Award: In a new program for 2009, the driver who compiles the most points in a specialized system involving qualifying, race finish and leading laps collects the $1,000 award. By virtue of starting on the pole, leading the most laps and winning the race, Ranger earned the bonus.
Home Tracks Update: Bouvrette Is Looking For Another Title In 2009
The weather and beating Jonathan Bouvrette in the Ippersiel Sportsman classification in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series have been two of the most difficult things at Autodrome St. Eustache in 2009.
Since the beginning of May, St. Eustache has received nearly seven inches of rain, which has not done wonders for the racing schedule.
Bouvrette, of St. Therese, Que., is the defending track and Quebec provincial champion and has six wins in 10 outings in 2009. The other four finishes also have been inside the top five.
Occupying second place in the standings is a familiar name to NASCAR Canadian Tire Series fans—Andre Coursol, who has been a regular this season in his familiar-looking No. 5 Chevy. He has one win to go along with eight top-five and nine top-10 finishes in 10 starts. Despite those impressive numbers, they pale in comparison to Bouvrette’s gaudy stats, which have Coursol down 65 points.
Like Bouvrette, 2007 track champion Guy Jubinville has posted a top 10 in every race, but he has yet to reach Victory Lane in 2009.
The Ippersiel Sportsman class is scheduled to have a 60-lap event on Saturday night prior to the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Tide 250.
The NASCAR Whelen All-American Series serves as the foundation of NASCAR – grassroots racing across the United States and Canada. Whelen Engineering, a leading manufacturer of automotive, aviation, industrial and emergency vehicle lighting, is the series sponsor. More than 10,000 drivers compete at NASCAR-sanctioned short tracks throughout both countries.
Up Next: SunValley
The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series packs up and heads west for the next three races.
The first stop is the speedy half-mile tri-oval of SunValley Speedway in Vernon, B.C., for the A&W Cruisin’ The Dub 300 on Saturday, July 18. It’s a long trip for the teams, but well worth it to race on one of Canada’s premier oval tracks.
Fitzpatrick Motorsports has had its way at the track, nestled in the mountains of southern British Columbia, with JR Fitzpatrick winning in 2007 and Don Thomson Jr. picking up the victory a year ago. Thomson has started on the pole in both SunValley Speedway events.
Scott Steckly, twice, has been the runner-up at the track.
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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
insiderracingnews.com/Writers/CA/070809.html
Pigs Fly and Tony Stewart Is A New Man
by Chuck Abrams
The Nascar Insiders
Ask The Insiders Wednesday #31
feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheNascarInsiders/~3/Kf5RtXp9sxE/
Insider Racing News
insiderracingnews.com/Writers/DD/070909.html
Chip Ganassi Needs to Sign Danica Patrick
by Doug Demmons
RaceTalkRadio.com:
Chicago Style Racing and Pizza, Fantasy Insight - Chicago by Dennis Michelsen
www.racetalkradio.com/soz/id296.htm
The Nascar Insiders
The Off Track Businesses of NASCAR’s Drivers
From Curtis Turner to Tony Stewart drivers involved in businesses outside the sport is as old as NASCAR itself.
feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheNascarInsiders/~3/TY8ms8j6Llo/
Cheers and Jeers: The Legacy of Saving Lives
By Carol Einarsson | 07/07/2009
CHEERS to “My reaction time is not what it was 25 years ago, but what I do with that reaction time is better. I have as much fire and desire every day that I go to the race track as any 20 year old.”
www.racejournalonline.com/index.php?page=read&article=448
CNBC Reports, ESPN Avoids And Mayfield Flees
dalyplanet.blogspot.com/2009/07/cnbc-reports-espn-avoids-and-mayfield.html
NASCAR’s Growing Twitter Mess
dalyplanet.blogspot.com/2009/07/nascars-growing-twitter-mess.html
SPEED Gives Michael Waltrip The Star Treatment
dalyplanet.blogspot.com/2009/07/speed-gives-michael-waltrip-star.html
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T V * L I S T I N G S
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Courtesy of Race Fans Stockcar Newsletter
www.nascarnutscanada.com/
THURSDAY, JULY 9
5:00 P-6:30 SPEED NASCAR Sprint Cup PRACTICE, Lifelock.com 400, Chicagoland Speedway, Joliet, IL, HD, L
6:30 P-7:00 ESPN 2 NASCAR Now, HD, L
7:00 P-8:30 ESPN 2 NASCAR Nationwide Series FINAL PRACTICE, Dollar General 300, Chicagoland Speedway, Joliet, IL, HD, L
8:30 P-10:30 SPEED/TSN 2 NASCAR Sprint Cup QUALIFYING, Lifelock.com 400, Chicagoland Speedway, Joliet, IL, HD, L
9:00 P-10:00 CNBC Inside Track: Refueling the Business of NASCAR, How shrinking budgets are threatening the sport of NASCAR racing. N
FRIDAY, JULY 10
3:00 P-5:00 ESPN 2/TSN 2 NASCAR Nationwide Series QUALIFYING, Dollar General 300, Chicagoland Speedway, Joliet, IL, HD, L
5:00 P-5:30 ESPN 2 NASCAR Now, HD, L
5:00 P-6:30 SPEED NASCAR Sprint Cup PRACTICE, Lifelock.com 400, Chicagoland Speedway, Joliet, IL, HD, L
6:30 P-7:30 SPEED NASCAR Sprint Cup FINAL PRACTICE, Lifelock.com 400 , Chicagoland Speedway, Joliet, IL, HD, L
7:30 P-8:00 ESPN/TSN 2 NASCAR Nationwide Series COUNTDOWN, Dollar General 300, Chicagoland Speedway, Joliet, IL, HD, L
8:00 P-11:00 ESPN/TSN 2 NASCAR Nationwide Series Dollar General 300, Chicagoland Speedway, Joliet, IL, HD, L (expect green at 8:16 P)
SATURDAY, JULY 11
10:00 A-11:00 ESPN 2 NASCAR Now, HD, L
11:00 A-12:00 N TSN NASCAR Now, HD
4:30 P-6:30 SPEED NASCAR RaceDay. Preview of today’s Lifelock.com 400, Chicagoland Speedway, HD, L
6:30 P-7:30 TNT/TSN NASCAR on TNT Live!, HD, L
7:30 P-8:00 TNT/TSN NASCAR Sprint Cup COUNTDOWN TO GREEN, Lifelock.com 400, Chicagoland Speedway, Joliet, IL, HD, L
8:00 P-11:30 TNT/TSN NASCAR Sprint Cup Lifelock.com 400, Chicagoland Speedway, Joliet, IL, HD, L (expect green at 8:16 P)
SUNDAY, JULY 12
1:00 P-3:30 ABC/TSN IRL IndyCar Series Honda Indy Toronto, Exhibition Place, Toronto, ON, HD, L
7:00 P-8:00 SPEED The SPEED Report, 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, www.speedtv.com/schedule/
Always CHECK YOUR LOCAL LISTINGS!
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The Stock Car Gazette
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Car Insurance Used Toyota Tacoma
