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Welcome to Friday, and today’s edition of the Stock Car Gazette. The Cup and Nationwide cars are racing at Chicago this weekend, and the Trucks have a bye week. |
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Today’s Top News
by Kim DeHaven
Vickers On The Pole For Saturday’s Lifelock.com 400
Brian Vickers won the 10th Coors Light Pole of his career Thursday in qualifying for the LifeLock.com 400 at Chicagoland Speedway. Vickers timed in with a lap of 29.322 seconds and a speed of 184.162 mph to score his fifth pole of the 2009 season.
Qualifying behind Vickers is his Rookie teammate Scott Speed in the No. 83 Toyota. Speed is followed by Jimmie Johnson, Denny Hamlin, and Clint Bowyer. Rounding out the top 10 are Kyle Busch, Jeff Gordon, Bill Elliott, David Reutimann, and Marcos Ambrose.
Track Facts
Track/Race Length: 1.5 mile tri-oval, 267 laps, 400 miles
Pit Road Speed: 45 mph
Corners: Banked 18 degrees
Frontstretch: 2,400 feet, Banked 11 degrees
Backstretch: 1,700 feet, Banked 5 degrees
Grandstand seating: 75,000
Pre-race Schedule (all times eastern)
Practice – Thursday, July 9 at 5:00 p.m. on SPEED
Qualifying – Thursday, July 9 at 4:00 p.m. on SPEED
Practice – Friday, July 10 at 5:00 p.m. on SPEED
Happy Hour Practice – Friday, July 10 at 6:30 p.m. on SPEED
VIPs
Grand Marshal / Command to start engines: Jimmy Fallon
National Anthem: Jessie James
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Courtesy of Google Alerts
Speedway schedule might change
Cincinnati.com – Cincinnati,OH,USA
Kentucky Speedway has two more race weekends scheduled this season – a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series/ARCA RE/MAX Series doubleheader on July 18 and an …
news.cincinnati.com/article/20090709/NEWS0103/307090050/Speedway+schedule+might+change
Transcript of Dale Earnhardt Jr. Press Conference
1070 The Fan – Indianapolis – Indianapolis,IN,USA
They’ve been here practicing, obviously, but still, they were starting the very first race at Indianapolis in a stock car. So it must have been pretty neat …
www.1070thefan.com/news/story.aspx?ID=1113551
Nemechek gets sponsorship for Cup and Nwide Chicago races …
By Kyle Ocker, FanZone Sports
Joe Nemechek announced today that the Chicago-based NYC Bagel Deli will be the primary sponsor for both the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series events this weekend at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, I.L.. “We’re both proud and excited about obtaining a … Tony Stewart bumped a blocking Kyle Busch, providing fireworks at the finish line on July 4th at Daytona International Speedway. It’s Stewart’s third mid-summer win in the last five years at the World Center of Racing. …
fanzonesports.net/nascar/2009/07/nemechek-gets-sponsorship-for-cup-and-nwide-chicago-races/
Busch feels he was ‘dumped’
ESPN – USA
Busch didn’t directly criticize Stewart at first, but found a way to make his point when asked what NASCAR should do about last-lap crashes at Daytona and …
Earnhardt says he’d like to race in Indy someday
ESPN – USA
AP INDIANAPOLIS — Dale Earnhardt Jr. would jump at the chance to drive in the Indianapolis 500 if there were not a conflicting NASCAR race on the same day. …
Buddy Baker always seemed to get it done at Daytona and Talladega
Anderson Independent Mail – Anderson,SC,USA
… the four restrictor-plate races on the NASCAR Sprint Cup schedule are done. … winner on the Winston Cup circuit and competitive everywhere he raced. …
www.independentmail.com/news/2009/jul/08/buddy-baker-always-seemed-get-it-done-daytona-and-/
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Courtesy of Insider Racing News
Red Bull Cars On Front Row At Chicago
With his fifth pole in 15 qualifying attempts this season, Brian Vickers will lead an all-Red Bull Racing Toyota front row to the green flag in Saturday night’s LifeLock.com 400 at Chicagoland Speedway. Vickers turned a lap at the 1.5-mile racetrack in 29.322 seconds (184.162 mph) Thursday to set a standard no other driver in the field could approach. Vickers’ teammate, Scott Speed, who was last among 46 drivers to make a qualifying attempt, posted a lap at 182.958 mph to edge Jimmie Johnson (182.217 mph) for the second starting spot. Now with 10 career poles, what’s frustrating Vickers is the inability to convert his qualifying efforts into victories. Vickers’ only win in NASCAR’s Cup series came three years ago at Talladega.
Starting beside Johnson in fourth is Denny Hamlin (182.162 mph), and starting behind the three-time defending champion in fifth is Clint Bowyer (182.100 mph). Kyle Busch, Jeff Gordon, Bill Elliott, David Reutimann and Marcos Ambrose will start from positions six through 10, respectively. Cup points leader Tony Stewart, who started from the pole in the last two races because of qualifying rainouts, will have to come from deep in the field after qualifying 32nd Thursday. Three drivers failed to qualify, Mike Wallace, Dexter Bean and Tony Raines.(nascar.com)
2009 LifeLock.com 400 Starting Lineup
Race Date July 11, 2009
Chicagoland Speedway
Pos Car Driver Make Sponsor Speed Time Behind
1 83 Brian Vickers Toyota Red Bull 184.162 29.322
2 82 Scott Speed* Toyota Red Bull 182.958 29.515 -0.193
3 48 Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Lowe’s 182.217 29.635 -0.313
4 11 Denny Hamlin Toyota FedEx Freight 182.162 29.644 -0.322
5 33 Clint Bowyer Chevrolet Cheerios 182.100 29.654 -0.332
6 18 Kyle Busch Toyota M&M’s 181.873 29.691 -0.369
7 24 Jeff Gordon Chevrolet National Guard/DuPont 181.653 29.727 -0.405
8 21 Bill Elliott Ford Motorcraft 181.476 29.756 -0.434
9 00 David Reutimann Toyota Aaron’s Dream Machine 181.385 29.771 -0.449
10 47 Marcos Ambrose Toyota Kingsford/Clorox/Bush’s Beans 181.378 29.772 -0.450
11 43 Reed Sorenson Dodge McDonald’s McCafe 181.275 29.789 -0.467
12 39 Ryan Newman Chevrolet U.S. Army 181.220 29.798 -0.476
13 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet Amp Energy/National Guard 181.220 29.798 -0.476
14 5 Mark Martin Chevrolet Carquest/Kellogg’s 181.050 29.826 -0.504
15 9 Kasey Kahne Dodge Budweiser 181.020 29.831 -0.509
16 77 Sam Hornish Jr. Dodge Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy 180.977 29.838 -0.516
17 6 David Ragan Ford UPS 180.959 29.841 -0.519
18 66 Dave Blaney Toyota Prism Motorsports 180.723 29.880 -0.558
19 42 Juan Montoya Chevrolet Target 180.687 29.886 -0.564
20 44 A.J. Allmendinger Dodge Hunt Brothers Pizza 180.566 29.906 -0.584
21 1 Martin Truex Jr. Chevrolet Bass Pro Shops/Tracker 180.548 29.909 -0.587
22 2 Kurt Busch Dodge Miller Lite 180.433 29.928 -0.606
23 31 Jeff Burton Chevrolet Caterpillar 180.367 29.939 -0.617
24 20 Joey Logano* Toyota The Home Depot 180.343 29.943 -0.621
25 99 Carl Edwards Ford Aflac 180.312 29.948 -0.626
26 09 Mike Bliss Dodge Miccosukee Resort & Gaming 180.132 29.978 -0.656
27 98 Paul Menard Ford Sylvania/Menards 179.856 30.024 -0.702
28 29 Kevin Harvick Chevrolet Shell/Pennzoil 179.790 30.035 -0.713
29 25 Brad Keselowski Chevrolet GoDaddy.com 179.635 30.061 -0.739
30 26 Jamie McMurray Ford Sears Auto Center/Valvoline 179.629 30.062 -0.740
31 187 Joe Nemechek Toyota New York City Bagel Deli 179.473 30.088 -0.766
32 14 Tony Stewart Chevrolet Office Depot “Back to School” 179.348 30.109 -0.787
33 17 Matt Kenseth Ford USG Sheetrock 179.348 30.109 -0.787
34 19 Elliott Sadler Dodge Insignia 179.253 30.125 -0.803
35 16 Greg Biffle Ford 3M 179.217 30.131 -0.809
36 12 David Stremme Dodge Penske Racing 179.098 30.151 -0.829
37 55 Michael Waltrip Toyota NAPA Auto Parts 179.033 30.162 -0.840
38 07 Casey Mears Chevrolet Jack Daniel’s 179.027 30.163 -0.841
39 36 Mike Skinner Toyota Palermo’s Pizza 178.838 30.195 -0.873
40 34 John Andretti Chevrolet Long John Silver’s 178.731 30.213 -0.891
41 7 Robby Gordon Toyota Red Stag by Jim Beam/Kid Rock 178.341 30.279 -0.957
42 96 Bobby Labonte Ford DLP HDTV 177.276 30.461 -1.139
43 171 David Gilliland Chevrolet TRG Motorsports 177.942 30.347 -1.025
Going Home
44 64 Mike Wallace Toyota Dunham Cellars 177.643 30.398 -1.076
45 51 Dexter Bean* Dodge LiveWire Energy 177.119 30.488 -1.166
46 37 Tony Raines Dodge Long John Silver’s 177.026 30.504 -1.182
* Rookies
All Results Unofficial
Logano Named New Young Gun
Gillette®, 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.
Chicago Goodyear Tire Notes
Teams in both the NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series will run the same combination of left- and right-side tire codes at Chicagoland this weekend — this is the same tire combination that teams in both series ran successfully at this track last season — Goodyear recently held a test at Chicagoland to confirm this tire set-up — participating in that May 18 test were Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Chevrolet), Kasey Kahne (Dodge), Carl Edwards (Ford) and Joey Logano (Toyota) — Nationwide teams ran this exact tire set-up earlier this season at Texas — teams in both of these series ran this set-up four times in 2008 — Chicagoland, Homestead and twice at Texas — as on all NASCAR ovals greater than one mile in length, teams are required to run inner liners in all four tire positions at Chicagoland — air pressure in those inner liners should be 12-25 psi greater than the outer tire.
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Courtesy of Jayski
Fastest Qualifier by Manufacturer::
Toyota: #83-Vickers, 184.162, starts 1st
Chevy: #48-Johnson, 182.217, starts 3rd
Ford: #21-Elliott, 181.476, starts 8th
Dodge: #43-Sorenson, 181.275, starts 11th
Thursday practice for the Lifelock.com 400 at Chicagoland Speedway is over, the fastest:
#83-Vickers 180.234
#5-Martin 180.180
#82-Speed 180.060
#48-Johnson 179.766
#24-Gordon 179.766
slowest: #96-Labonte 173.700 & #51-Bean 172.678
#71-Gilliland brought out the caution early when he lost an engine and dropped fluid on the track.
Mayfield defends himself in interview; considering selling team: UPDATE: Suspended Sprint Cup driver Jeremy Mayfield has broken his silence, vehemently denying allegations of drug use and adamantly defending himself from recent NASCAR claims in an exclusive interview with ESPN. “Every time there’s an action [by NASCAR], there’s going to be a reaction. From here on out,” Mayfield said in a phone interview Wednesday from his home in Statesville, N.C. “I try to be nice. I try to be respectful to them. I try to do everything right. But I’m not getting drug through the mud no more.” Mayfield repeated his stance that he never took methamphetamine. He also said he no longer consumes alcohol, largely due to the fact, he said, his father was a “bad alcoholic.” Asked if he had ever taken illegal drugs, Mayfield responded, “What are you calling illegal? I’ve drank beer. I don’t drink beer at all anymore. I don’t drink. Don’t do anything.” He said he feels as though NASCAR is attempting to make an example of him. “I feel like that’s exactly what they thought I was going to be. Exactly. To a ‘T,’” Mayfield said. “Now, all the sudden, Brian’s [France, NASCAR Chairman] coming back saying, ‘Well, we have positive tests all the time.’ Well, if it’s a zero-tolerance policy, how in the hell do you have people testing positive all the time? “Then he comes back and says there’s a list. I forget what big word he used — an exhaustive list of drugs. Everybody in the world has asked him why the drivers don’t have a list. What did he say? Now there’s a list — an exhaustive list. Right? Where’s it at?” Mayfield broke his silence in response to accusations by NASCAR on Wednesday that he had purposely delayed taking a drug test by more than seven hours on Monday. The comments infuriated Mayfield, who said he was sent on a “wild goose chase,” and was given just 18 minutes to get to a NASCAR-appointed lab to undergo testing. “I wasn’t running or hiding from anybody, because I don’t have to,” he said.(ESPN.com)(7-9-2009)
UPDATE: Unable to find funding since his suspension for failing a random drug test, Jeremy Mayfield is considering selling his race team. Shana Mayfield said Thursday she and her husband are considering selling their remaining inventory because they don’t have the cash to field a race team. Mayfield transferred ownership of the #41 Toyota to his wife following his May 9 suspension. “We are looking at all options at this point, since we cannot get sponsorship,” Shana Mayfield said.(Associated Press)
Vickers still waiting to sign contract: Where will #83-Brian Vickers be next year? Surprisingly, there is no answer to that question yet. The 25-year-old racer reached a verbal commitment to remain with Team Red Bull for another year last winter, yet nothing has been inked as of this week. Vickers called the situation “strange” and expected to have a contract signed before now. “We went into the season, with the economy and things the way they were, there were some uncertainties, which is understandable, I think, with anyone in corporate America these days,” said Vickers, who won his fifth Cup pole of the year Thursday at Chicagoland. “So, I didn’t really think that much about it. Right now, we still haven’t agreed on a contract. There were many times where I went into the week expecting it to be signed and sent to me to sign, and that didn’t happen. Why? I can’t answer that. That’s a question for Red Bull and a question for Jay (Frye).” Frye, Red Bull team manager, is expected to meet with owner Dietrich Mateschitz next week in Austria to hash out details of Vickers’ contract and the possible technical alignment with Hendrick Motorsports in 2010. Vickers remains happy with the organization and hopes to have answers upon Frye’s return.(Fox Sports)(7-10-2009)
Tire Test at Atlanta: In preparation for Atlanta Motor Speedway’s first NASCAR Sprint Cup night race, the Pep Boys Auto 500, the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company is conducting a two-day tire test [July 14-15, Tue-Wed] to ensure the preeminent tire is ready for night racing in Atlanta. Drivers scheduled to take part in the test: #14-Tony Stewart (Chevy), #2-Kurt Busch (Dodge), #11-Denny Hamlin (Toyota) and #26-Jamie McMurray (Ford). This session is closed to the public.(AMS)(7-10-2009)
His race day results with #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. in a steady decline, crew chief Tony Eury Jr. lost confidence in his setups and strategies. He quit talking with Earnhardt on the radio because every brief conversation was dissected by critical fans and media. Earnhardt can feel the weight of NASCAR and its fans on him at times as the sport’s most popular driver. And when he failed, it was his cousin and loyal crew chief who often took the often unfair hit. When team owner Rick Hendrick pulled the plug on the unproductive relationship in late May, Eury was ready to move on. “At some point in time you have to weigh it and say, ‘Is it worth it?’” Eury said. “And it wasn’t.” Eury was back at the track Thursday for the first time since the longtime duo were separated with Earnhardt in the midst of one of the worst starts of his career. He’ll be crew chief for #25-Brad Keselowski’s Hendrick Motorsports team for Saturday night’s race at Chicagoland Speedway – a less pressure-packed position than working with Earnhardt. Eury was excited, relaxed and talked about racing with “nothing to lose” this weekend, a sharp difference from his final races with Earnhardt.(Associated Press)
NASCAR rebrands Jeff Gordon Racing Experience: NASCAR announced an agreement to rebrand the former Jeff Gordon Racing School into the NASCAR Racing Experience. The multi-year licensing agreement brings an authentic racing experience to NASCAR fans, its sponsors and business partners at racetracks throughout the country. The NASCAR Racing Experience (NRE) provides a menu of racing programs from a ride-along as a front-seat passenger to the full racing experience which puts fans behind the wheel of an authentic race car. The program will use current NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racecars for all of its programs. The NASCAR Racing Experience will begin operating at 12 NASCAR Sprint Cup and NASCAR Nationwide Series tracks across the country before expanding to additional tracks in 2010. Current locations include: Atlanta Motor Speedway, Chicagoland Speedway, Darlington Raceway, Kansas Speedway, Homestead-Miami Speedway, Kentucky Speedway, Lowe’s Motor Speedway, Nashville Superspeedway, Richmond International Raceway, Talladega Superspeedway and Texas Motor Speedway.(NASCAR PR)(7-10-2009)
Manion to MWR with Truex? UPDATE: #1-Martin Truex’s current crew chief Bono Manion is expected to join Michael Waltrip Racing in the future, whether that date is after Homestead or before is likely predicated on the Chip Ganassi. Manion has worked with Truex since the May Richmond race in 2003. If Truex and Manion leave EGR prematurely, Aric Almirola, who is still under contract but has not raced since Texas due to a lack of sponsorship, could jump in the car.(FoxSports)(7-8-2009)
UPDATE: Claire B Lang interviewed Truex on SIRIUS NASCAR Radio “Dialed In”:
CBL: Can you talk at all about Bono and whether you can bring Bono over to the (MWR) operation – you and Bono have been through the war.
Martin Truex Junior: “We’ve done a lot of good things together. We’ve had a lot of success together. You know I love him – he’s like a brother to me. So I would love to have him over here. I’ve got a lot of confidence in him. I know he’s good. I know he can do the job so we’ll just have to see. You know obviously it’s not my sole decision to make. I think that we need to figure out his situation and talk to him and see what he wants and you know make sure that he thinks this is the right deal for him and we’ll sit down and have Ty(Norris) and everybody and if they are comfortable with it then I’d be all for it. I think it would make things a lot easier for me coming into a new place to have him on my side.((7-9-2009)
Busch says Stewart dumped him at Daytona: All is not forgiven in the eyes of #18-Kyle Busch. Busch said he felt he was “dumped” by #14-Tony Stewart Saturday night at Daytona when the two cars collided as the drivers headed to the finish line of the Coke Zero 400. Busch didn’t directly criticize Stewart at first, but found a way to make his point when asked what NASCAR should do about last-lap crashes at Daytona and Talladega. “NASCAR can take steps to look at it,” Busch said. “If the second-place driver dumps the leader, then black flag his ass. He doesn’t get the win. If he’s up along side the leader and dumps him, give the third-place car the victory.” Busch then was asked if he considered the bump with Stewart “a dump.” “Yes, it would be considered a dump,” he said.(ESPN.com)(7-9-2009)
Jessie James to present National Anthem for LifeLock.com 400: Jessie James, a 21-year-old combination of throw-back rocker and pop diva, will sing the National Anthem before the LifeLock.com 400 at Chicagoland Speedway July 11. James, who recently finished a tour with The Jonas Brothers, is a “big talent in a petite, power-packed package,” according to Mercury Records. She’s on a mission to be “wonderful” – in a way that shows you can be a rebel and a lady, too.Chicagoland Speedway PR))(7-10-2009)
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Courtesy of Race Fans Stockcar Newsletter
Martin Truex Jr.: Too many questions at Earnhardt Ganassi for him to stay
By Bob Pockrass – Associate Editor
CORNELIUS, N.C. – Questions about the potential of Earnhardt Ganassi Racing were key to the decision by Martin Truex Jr. to cut his ties with what had been Dale Earnhardt Inc. and move to Michael Waltrip Racing beginning in 2010. tinyurl.com/lle4gl
Steve Waid: Martin Truex Jr.’s move a good one, for many reasons
By Steve Waid Thursday, July 09, 2009 COMMENTARY
Martin Truex Jr. made the right move. By signing on with Michael Waltrip Racing for next year, the 29-year-old driver accomplished several things.He joined a stable team with a rising performance level. He secured solid, extended sponsorship. He will race with a manufacturer not in the grip of bankruptcy. And he removed himself from the uncertainties of his current team, Earnhardt Ganassi Racing. tinyurl.com/lbt2oa
SPRINT CUP MID-SEASON REPORT CARD July 08, 2009
Welcome to a special edition of Special K’s NASCAR News and Comments. It is hard to believe that the 2009 Sprint Cup season is already half over. With that in mind I’m going to give out my grades on the teams perfromance for the 1st half of the season. I’m not going to sugarcoat the grades like “The Experts” on the FOX/HMS TV Network, when they handed out their report cards on teams.
www.sportingnews.com/blog/kohphares/194848
Tony Stewart revels in double duty as owner-driver By Brian Hamilton | Tribune reporter
Two Decembers ago, the notion of simultaneously owning a NASCAR Sprint Cup team and driving for that team first intrigued Tony Stewart. Eight months later, on July 10, 2008, the vague idea took form at a news conference at Chicagoland Speedway: the advent of Stewart-Haas Racing, one part team recalibration, one part wholesale fresh start. www.chicagotribune.com/sports/chi-08-stewart-jul08,0,3666568.story
Norris Rips EGR’s Stability
Michael Waltrip Racing General Manager Ty Norris offered up some scathing commentary on his former team yesterday.
Asked about Martin Truex, Jr.’s recently announced jump from Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing to MWR, Norris said, “Martin’s loyalty has kept him where he currently sits for a couple of years too long. That is an organization that has been in flux every year that he has been driving for them. In 2007… the whole season was about Dale Jr. leaving. In 2008, it was about the merger with Ginn. And this year, it was the merger with Ganassi. www.sirius-speedway.com/2009/07/norris-rips-egrs-stability.html
Call Claire B – LIVE on air!
“Dialed In” with Claire B. Lang is now airing on SIRIUS NASCAR Radio and on XM on the (BEST OF SIRIUS package). Listeners can check in to Claire B Lang updates Monday and Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. EST. Then an extended, full “Dialed In” will air on Wed., Thurs, and Friday from 7-10 p.m. EST. Claire will be live from the track on weekends and will anchor pre and post race broadcasts, be LIVE in the garage and anchoring shows on weekends surrounding the races. This schedule will allow CBL to take listeners live to news conferences, special events, media tours, fan fests and locations where news is happening during the week where she will anchor specials and special broadcasts. She will be providing breaking news as it happens across all platforms taking listeners inside the sport and on the road the entire NASCAR race season cross country and coast to coast. 866-PIT-LANE (866-748-5263) claireblang.wordpress.com/radio-call-in-info/
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Courtesy of Racin’ Today
Pedley: Who Says NASCAR Has No Villains? – www.racintoday.com/archives/7473
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P R E S S * R E L E A S E S
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KYLE BUSCH TO RACE AT TOLEDO AUGUST 14 IN CRA 100; RACE MOVED FROM ORIGINAL JULY 31 DATE
TOLEDO, OH: (7-9-09): Toledo Speedway officials have announced that NASCAR STAR KYLE BUSCH will compete in the CRA Super Series Late Model 100 Friday evening, August 14. The CRA race, originally scheduled for July 31, is being moved to the August 14 date.
Busch, one of the top stars in all 3 of NASCAR’S major circuits, has been a frequent competitor with the CRA Super Series Late Models this season. Busch, already in the area for the Michigan International Speedway (MIS) race weekend, will make his way 60 miles south to Toledo Friday, August 14 after his duties at the wheel of the #18 Joe Gibbs Racing machine are completed at MIS.
Several Toledo Speedway schedule changes have been made in addition to moving the CRA event to August 14. The ARCA Hantz Group/Allegiant Air Late Model Gold Cup Series 75 lap race that was rained out June 19 will now fall into the July 31 race date at Toledo.
The ARCA Figure 8 class will now compete on July 31, joining the already-scheduled Speedway Tire and Auto Factory Stocks and 4 Cylinders for a 4 division race card. The Kid’s Night promotion will go on as scheduled July 31.
In addition to the CRA 100 August 14 at Toledo, the ARCA Sportsman, 4 Cylinders and Factory Stocks will compete as scheduled. The Figure 8 class will not compete at Toledo August 14. The 50th Anniversary Celebration Racer’s Reunion will go on as planned August 14.
The Autograph Night promotion will now move from August 14 to August 21.
More details regarding the August 14 race and the appearance of Kyle Busch will be released next week. Always go to www.toledospeedway.com for up to date information.
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TONY STEWART, No. 14 Office Depot Back to School/Old Spice Impala SS
DO YOU WANT TO SAY ANYTHING ABOUT WHAT KYLE BUSCH SAID EARLIER TODAY?: “I’ve already seen the transcripts from it. Like I said a second ago, I talked to Kyle (Busch) on I guess it was Tuesday when I spoke to Kyle (Busch) and had a good conversation with him. That’s the conversation I’m going off of. That’s all I’m going to talk about Kyle (Busch).”
DOES KYLE BUSCH STATING THAT HE THINKS YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN BLACK-FLAGGED CHANGE YOUR OPINION ABOUT YOUR CONVERSATION WITH HIM?: “No, not at all. I talked to him and the conversation that I had with him was a good conversation.”
DID HE SAY ANYTHING ABOUT YOU GETTING BLACK-FLAGGED IN THE CONVERSATION?: “No. I’m not biting on your lure and you haven’t been around here as long as most of these guys and they know I’m not biting on it so I am d*** sure not going to bite on yours. Sorry.”
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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
Edwards fastest in Happy Hour: Carl Edwards was fastest during final practice for the Dollar General 300. His top speed was 175.080mph. #16-Greg Biffle was second. The rest of the top 10: #32-Brian Vickers, #20-Joey Logano, #1-Mike Bliss, #18-Kyle Busch, #5-Ryan Newman, #6-David Ragan, #10-David Reutimann, and #15-Michael Annett. Slowest: #96-Dennis Setzer and #07-Mike Harmon. Not practicing during the session: #90-Johnny Chapman, #47-Kelly Bires, #49-Mark Green, and #31-Stanton Barrett.
Logano fastest in opening practice: #20-Joey Logano was fastest in the opening practice at Chicago with a speed of 173.947mph. #10-David Reutimann was second, followed by #33-Kevin Harvick, #66-Steve Wallace, #12-Justin Allgaier, #32-Brain Vickers, #6-David Ragan, #91-Terry Cook, #47-Kelly Bires, and #98-Paul Menard. Slowest were #52-Kevin Hamlin and #07-Mike Harmon. #73-Derrike Cope was the only driver not on track during the session.
Carter to run NNS and ARCA races this weekend: Matt Carter, who finished 15th at Daytona last weekend in his third career NASCAR Nationwide Series start, will race in both the NNS Dollar General 300 powered by Coca-Cola at Chicagoland Speedway and the ARCA RE/MAX Prairie Meadows 200 at Iowa Speedway this weekend.(Specialty Racing PR)(7-9-2009)
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)
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Courtesy of The Hot Lap
Justin Allgaier quotes from Rookie Contender Q&A-IS THERE ANY POSSIBILITY OF MOVING UP TO THE CUP SERIES NEXT SEASON? “Well I’m not going to say that it won’t happen but you know I think we’re all kind of under the same understanding that right now our focus is the Nationwide Series. We’d love to win Raybestos Rookie of the Year. We’d also love to be a little bit farther up in the championship standings whenever the year ends and that’s what we’re trying to do. Verizon Wireless has been a great sponsor for the Nationwide program and obviously we know that with everything that goes on for the Cup side that they can’t advertise. I feel like hopefully they’re happy with our program in the Nationwide Series and like I said I’d love to move up to Cup. I don’t foresee it happening right away. My goal is that I’d love to run another season here and get some more experience, get some more laps on all these racetracks, but I’m not going to say it won’t happen. Roger Penske is probably one of the best at trying to figure out when he feels that a driver is ready to move on. They don’t move somebody until they feel like it’s the right time. I’m behind Roger and everybody at Penske Racing and whatever decision they make. My ultimate goal like I said is to get to Cup. I want that opportunity but I don’t want to take that step too early and regret it later in my career.
Excerpt from article on Kentucky Speedway wanting to combine race weekends-the track has two more race weekends scheduled this season – a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series/ARCA RE/MAX Series doubleheader on July 18 and an IndyCar Series/Firestone Indy Lights doubleheader on Aug. 1. An ARCA RE/MAX Series race was held in May followed by the Nationwide Series race in June. Neither race had a support event. The annual Nationwide Series race traditionally is the track’s best draw.“We want to put that with something,” Bruton Smith said. “Constantly with something. So we’ve got two events on the weekend. It works out better financially and expense-wise and everything else when you’re doing that.”(cincinnatti.com) (07-09-09)
Practice sessions for today have concluded.The quickest overall today was #60 Carl Edwards, who posted a speed of 175.080 mph in Happy Hour, and a lap time of 30.843. The rest of the top-ten speeds during final practice were #16 Greg Biffle-173.851, #32 Brian Vickers-173.773, #20 Joey Logano-173.650, #1 Mike Bliss-173.433, #18 Kyle Busch-172.961, #5 Ryan Newman-172.883, #6 David Ragan-172.872, and#10 David Reutimann-172.806. Quickest rookie in the session was #15 Michael Annett-11th fastest. There were 45 cars on track for Happy Hour, as #49 Mark Green, #47 Kelly Bires, and #31 Stanton Barrett, and #90 Johnny Chapman did not take laps. Earlier in the first practice, #20 Joey Logano clocked the quickest time at 31.044, with a top speed of 173.947mph. The remainder of the top-ten ran as #10 Reutimann-173.941, #33 Kevin Harvick-173.851, #66 Steven Wallace-173.522; quickest rookie,#12 Justin Allgaier-173.321, #32 Vickers-173.077, #6 Ragan-173.066, #91 Terry Cook-172.983, #47 Kelly Bires-172.723, and #98 Paul Menard-172.579. There were 49 cars listed for the first session, though #73 Derrike Cope posted no track time. Edwards posted the fastest overall speed for the day during second practice, but the rest of the top-ten quickest for combined practice results was #20 Logano (first session), #10 Reutimann (first session), #33 Harvick (first session), #16 Biffle (final session), #32 Vickers (final session), #66 Wallace (first session), #1 Bliss (final session), #12 Allgaier (first session), and #6 Ragan (first session) (Jane Bready-THL) (07-09-09)
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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
Update on Johnny Benson UPDATE 2 Looking to return as soon as possible: It has been determined that Johnny has a grade 4 shoulder separation that will require surgery. Because of the bruise on his lung it has been recommended to wait another 10 days before proceeding with surgery. We are waiting to hear from the surgeon to find out what date has been scheduled but we are expecting sometime the week of July 20. It sounds silly to say but Johnny is actually excited about the surgery. His shoulder is what has caused him the most pain and is also what he has worried about healing correctly. He is glad that a procedure exists to fix it!! He does have a burn on his elbow that Nurse Deb [JB's wife] washes, treats and bandages once a day.(JohnnyBenson.com) [For past news on JB's accident visit the June Archive Page.](7-5-2009)
UPDATE: Benson wants to race as soon as possible, but that could be weeks away. He must first get through surgery to pin his shoulder — and find a truck ride. “When one door closes, another opens,” Benson said. “We’ll hopefully sign on with a good team and win another truck championship. We’ve had some interesting calls and have listened to some great opportunities. I’m going to get back in shape and get back on the track. I can’t imagine not doing this. I don’t think I could handle not racing. I’d like to race at least another three, four years before I retire.”(Detroit Free Press)(7-10-2009)
Kentucky Speedway schedule might change: The process of setting Kentucky Speedway’s racing schedule for 2010 is under way and there could be some major changes. Speedway Motorsports Inc. Chairman Bruton Smith wants to consolidate the track’s schedule by pairing major events on the same weekend. “Like on the weekend of the IndyCar race we would like to have, say, a truck race on the same weekend. Maybe something else,” he said. “We would want to do something there.” Kentucky Speedway has two more race weekends scheduled this season – a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series/ARCA RE/MAX Series doubleheader on July 18 and an IndyCar Series/Firestone Indy Lights doubleheader on Aug. 1. An ARCA RE/MAX Series race was held in May followed by the Nationwide Series race in June. Neither race had a support event. The annual Nationwide Series race traditionally is the track’s best draw. “We want to put that with something,” Smith said. “Constantly with something. So we’ve got two events on the weekend. It works out better financially and expense-wise and everything else when you’re doing that.” The 2010 IndyCar schedule could be unveiled when the series visits Kentucky Speedway next month, according to The Indianapolis Star. NASCAR is expected to announce its 2010 schedules in the coming weeks. In NASCAR, discussions about date changes proposed by tracks or track owners are part of the sanctioning process. If there are ideas that come up with regard to scheduling, that’s part of the sanctioning process and we’re right in the middle of that,” NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said. “We’re always willing to listen to good ideas that would serve the fans and the industry best.”(Cincinnati.com)(7-9-2009)
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A R C A (Automobile Racing Club of America)
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Courtesy of ARCA
Rookies, Rookies & More Rookies; 17-Year-Old Chad Finley Steers for Iowa Speedway….
NEWTON IA (7-9-09) – From 16-year-old Chris Buescher to 18-year-old Parker Kligerman, the ARCA RE/MAX Series is chalk-full of wicked-fast rookies ready to make their mark on the 57-year-old ARCA tour. Rookies like second-generation driver Chad Finley, who at 17, is making some headlines of his own.
www.arcaracing.com/news.cfm?contentid=8287
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U S A R (United Speed Alliance Racing)
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Courtesy of USAR
USARacing Driver Spotlight: Leading Raybestos Rookie, Lucas Ransone
Raybestos Rookie, Lucas Ransone, has now made his mark in the USARacing Pro Cup Series. The nineteen-year-old took home his first career victory in the Pro Cup series on Saturday, June 27th, at the Aarons 250 at Lanier National Speedway in Braselton, Georgia. A late-race accident involving race leader, Caleb Holman, and the second place runner, Clay Rogers, set the field for a green-white-checker finish. This gave Ransone the opportunity to race for the win.
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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
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MOBIL 1 PARTNERS WITH CANADIAN TIRE AND NASCAR
Company Adds Presenting Sponsorship To NASCAR Portfolio
TORONTO (July 9, 2009) – Canadian Tire Corporation and the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) announced today that Mobil 1, the world’s leading synthetic motor oil, has become the presenting sponsor for the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series.
The series is now officially called the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1.
The involvement in NASCAR by Mobil 1 is long and storied. It stretches from the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series all the way through the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. Mobil 1 has been a key ingredient in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series since its inception in 2007.
“We welcome Mobil 1 as the presenting sponsor of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series,” said George Silbermann, Managing Director of Racing Operations for NASCAR. “Mobil 1 has been a participant at all levels of NASCAR racing, both in Canada and in the U.S., and this new role with the premier Canadian stock-car series furthers their strong presence in the sport.”
Canadian Tire, Canada’s largest automotive retailer, and Mobil 1, the world’s leading synthetic motor oil, have a long-standing relationship, as well. The two are teaming up in the ‘Hear The Roar’ contest in which a 2009 Chevrolet Corvette will be awarded to a Canadian Tire customer who purchased a specially-marked Mobil 1 or Mobil Super product. The final draw for the new car will be held in conjunction with the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1 race on Sept. 12 at Barrie (Ont.) Speedway.
“Mobil 1 shares our passion for motorsports and our continued focus on bringing innovative automotive products to market” said Tony Kuczynski, vice president, automotive, Canadian Tire. ‘We are excited to welcome Mobil 1 as presenting sponsor of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series and look forward to working together to bring the excitement of the series to race fans across the country.”
The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1 has a 13-race schedule in 2009 and competes on both oval tracks and road courses across Canada. It will visit 12 tracks, this season, covering six provinces—Alberta, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan.
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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/RG/071009.html
CNBC’s Darren Rovell: NASCAR’s Brian France Willing to Make Big Changes
by Rebecca Gladden
Insider Racing News
insiderracingnews.com/Writers/BW/071009.html
NASCAR 2010 – Toyota Vs. Ford?
by Brian Watkins
The Nascar Insiders
Is EGR Really All That Unstable?
So now that the worst kept secret of the 2009 season is out, that Martin Truex Jr. is leaving Earnhardt Ganassi Racing for Michael Waltrip Rass Racing, it seems the popular thing to do is to pile on EGR and its future as an organization.
feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheNascarInsiders/~3/dMLxCsAdSPc/
CNBC’s NASCAR Snapshot
“Given the economy, NASCAR is holding up pretty well,” said veteran NASCAR reporter Monte Dutton. This one simple sentence essentially summed-up the Thursday night one hour CNBC special on NASCAR.
dalyplanet.blogspot.com/2009/07/cnbcs-nascar-snapshot.html
Marty Smith Explodes The Mayfield Chaos
If you missed the original airing of NASCAR Now at 6:30PM, click here (sports.espn.go.com/rpm/nascar/cup/news/story?id=4317400) for the link to Marty Smith’s ESPN.com story on Jeremy Mayfield. NASCAR Now does not re-air due to tonight’s Sprint Cup qualifying.
dalyplanet.blogspot.com/2009/07/marty-smith-explodes-mayfield-chaos.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
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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Camaro for sale
