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Monday, Aug. 17, 2009

Jimmie Johnson to be honored at White House event: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion Jimmie Johnson will be honored at the White House on Wednesday, August 19. The South Lawn event will include 2008 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers and several past champions and special guests. "NASCAR is once again honored to have its drivers recognized by the President of the United States," said NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France. "NASCAR is rooted deep in America's fabric and represents the best of sports and side-by-side competition." Joining Johnson for the celebration will be members of the 2008 Chase field: Greg Biffle, Clint Bowyer, Jeff Burton, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Carl Edwards, Jeff Gordon, Denny Hamlin and Tony Stewart. (Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch and Matt Kenseth cannot attend due to schedule conflicts). Past champions and special guests in attendance will be: Dale Jarrett, Bobby Labonte, Terry Labonte, Juan Pablo Montoya, Richard Petty, Rusty Wallace and Darrell Waltrip. This will be the ninth time the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion has been honored at the White House since 2000. NASCAR's first official visit to the White House was in 1978 during the Carter administration.(NASCAR)

Sadler declines to comment on report: Elliott Sadler declined to comment specifically on the story today, saying simply, "I am committed to my race team, and have a contract through the end of the 2010 season." While Richard Childress and the Emporia, Va., driver do speak from time to time, it's generally about hunting, not racing. And well-placed sources at sources at RCR tell Sirius Speedway that there have been no talks about bringing Sadler to the team in 2010.(Sirius Speedway)

Fuel Injected racing engines coming to NASCAR? When NASCAR Sprint Cup director John Darby, a few weeks ago, raised the issue of 'fuel injected' racing engines in NASCAR, it raised eyebrows. NASCAR Cup engines are some of the most technically advanced engines in racing, except for the antique carburetors. Every other major form of racing, even ASA, uses fuel injected engines. NASCAR has long shied away from things electronically complicated like electronic fuel injection, for fear  with goodly reason  that the mechanical wizards on these racing teams might figure out a way to put some tricks in that electronic box. However NASCAR officials are raising the issue to team owners of fuel injected engines  possibly in the Truck series as soon as next season, according to one scenario  and asking how owners think NASCAR ought to police it. "We think fuel injection is just the right way to go in NASCAR," Pat Suhy, Chevrolet's NASCAR field director, says. "And it wouldn't be that difficult. Every other top racing series uses fuel injection. We could put something together in about a week  depending on how simple or complex you wanted to do it  and then test it for two months or so, and be ready to go."(MikeMulhern.net)

Sunday, Aug. 16, 2009

E. Sadler to RCR? Rumors persist that Elliott Sadle will move into the No. 07 Chevrolet next season. Jack Daniels wants to return, but for a limited schedule. Sadler would be a bargain for RCR. Another option? JTG Racing, if Tad Geschickter expands his operation. Sadler still has a year on his contract with Richard Petty Motorsports but would be doing that company a favor if he left. The organization would be stronger with a three-car squad than stretching resources to run four teams.(FOXSports.com)

Dodge is committed to NASCAR: Dodge doesn't plan to disappear from the Sprint Cup series in the near future even it is reduced to one team, the CEO of Dodge Brand said on Sunday at Michigan International Speedway. "We're committed to this sport,'' Mike Accavitti said. "It's a match made in heaven.'' Accavitti, who was promoted to CEO after Chrysler filed for bankruptcy earlier this year, declined to speculate on whether Dodge would lose Richard Petty Motorsports. RPM has been in discussions with other manufacturers and reportedly is headed to Toyota in 2010, although team officials deny a decision has been made. If that were to happen Dodge would be left with the three-car Penske Racing organization. Accavitti would only say that he values RPM as a partner. He added that RPM has been mailed a check for services that were past due after the bankruptcy was filed. "You really only need a couple of good cars,'' he said.(ESPN)

No. 98 crew member OK: During a pit stop on lap 149 for tires, fuel and a chassis adjustment at Michigan on Sunday, Ryan McCray, the rear tire carrier for the No. 98 Menards Ford that Paul Menard drives, was hit by the No. 33 Chevy of Clint Bowyer, who was pitting in the box directly behind them. As McCray pulled the tire off the right-rear side, and ran behind the No. 98, the No. 33 was exiting his pit box; hit the tire McCray was carrying and shot the tire directly into McCray's knee. McCray finished the stop, but had to be treated by the medical team. McCray was seen and released from the Infield Care Center and will return to action next week.(Yates Racing)

Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009

Regan Smith to run full schedule in 2010 with sponsor? At the recent gathering of Farm Bureau PR and Communications professionals in Denver, CO, Furniture Row Racing, unveiled a new NASCAR paint concept to support and bring awareness to the ag industry as a whole; The Car of the Heartland&Official Car of the American Farmer. The people at Furniture Row Racing know and understand the hard work and devotion that ag producers across the country have made to their industry and their way of life. Furniture Row is making a substantial financial commitment to promote that hard work and devotion and to try and put American agriculture back on the radar screen of consumers across the country. The attendees of the unveiling were moved and excited by the new car. Julie Murphy, Communications Director for Arizona Farm Bureau was brought to tears by the car and what it represents. "As a producer, I am just so grateful," she said. The Car of the Heartland represents a revolutionary change in NASCAR, one not seen in 60 years of the sport. Traditionally, car designs have been a mish-mash of logos and brands, confusing fans and diluting effectiveness. Furniture Row understands that what individual cars need is a focused message, one that fans can follow, and they are leading the way with their new Car of the Heartland. Going forward, Furniture Row needs help from Farm Bureau in the promotion of the Car of the Heartland. They need Farm Bureau members to talk to their friends and acquaintances and help tell the story of the car and promote the message of American agriculture. Colorado Farm Bureau will do its part to help promote the car and raise awareness with the public. Other industry groups are on board to help promote that car as well. If all goes according to plan, the car should run in 36 races next season.(Colorado Farm Bureau)

Friday, Aug. 14, 2009

Dale Jr.: NASCAR not willing to produce better race car: Dale Earnhardt Jr. said Thursday that NASCAR's "Car of Tomorrow" needs a tune-up. Earnhardt, who was in Atlanta to promote the Pep Boys Auto 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Labor Day weekend, said the car, which is now the exclusive vehicle on the Sprint Cup circuit, is safer than the previous car, but it's not providing the close, competitive racing that fans have come to expect. But he said the problem can be fixed. "I feel like we can take this race car and make it provide [exciting] races," he said. "If I can be honest, I feel like NASCAR has seemingly been reluctant to let this car evolve more freely." (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

MIS building new suites for 2010 season: Immediately after the races are over Sunday, another kind high-speed action will begin at Michigan International Speedway. "As soon as the checkered flag falls, we'll be swarming like bees," MIS President Roger Curtis said Thursday. A team will descend on the infield suites and clear out everything they can before the suites are demolished later in the week. The speedway is spending $17 million on new suites and a media center to replace the current facilities, which were built in the early 1980s. The project is expected to be completed in May, just weeks before the June 2010 race weekend. "They're sweating bullets," Curtis said. (Jackson Citizen Patriot)

Danica Patrick confirms NASCAR rumors: The question Danica Patrick fans are asking most often is whether or not she'll try to move to NASCAR, following the lead of Dario Franchitti and Sam Hornish Jr. Franchitti struggled with the heavier stock cars last year and came back to IndyCar this season. "The NASCAR rumors are true," Patrick confirmed. "We're definitely exploring all the opportunities that are out there for me as a driver and as a business and a brand."(Vallejo Times-Herald)

Expert: NASCAR drug policy deeply flawed: In a U.S. District courtroom in July, Charlotte attorney William Diehl launched a defense of his client, Jeremy Mayfield, by targeting the NASCAR drug policy that led to Mayfield's suspension earlier this year. That policy, according to Diehl, was so open-ended that NASCAR could administer any penalty for any substance it deemed dangerous, even if a driver did not learn it was banned until after a positive test. "If they decide to ban Coca-Cola or coffee or orange juice, their argument is, we can," Diehl said. NASCAR's response? We can, but we wouldn't. Drug policy experts say NASCAR's substance abuse rules, unlike other sports, allow the governing body to make those same kind of on-the-fly calls regarding testing protocol and punishment. The result, experts say, is a deeply flawed program. "I've never seen anything like it," said Charles Yesalis, a Penn State health policy professor and advisor to sports organizations. "For a sport that promotes itself as being red, white and blue, these rules are almost Stalinist. It's un-American." (Charlotte Observer)

CARFAX to sponsor Andretti at Michigan: Carfax announced it will sponsor the No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Chevy and driver John Andretti for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series CARFAX 400 at Michigan International Speedway. The No. 34 Carfax Chevy will make its debut at MIS during the first-ever 'Show Me the CARFAX Race Weekend'.(Carfax PR)

Thursday, Aug. 13, 2009

Dale Earnhardt Jr set to make 350th start: Dale Earnhardt Jr. will make his 350th career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start on Sunday at Michigan International Speedway. Since his Cup debut, which happened at Lowe's Motor Speedway on May 30, 1999, Earnhardt has amassed 18 wins, eight pole positions, 87 top-five finishes and 140 top-10s. His 6,473 laps led rank fifth among active full-time drivers. (PR)

No. 47's Frank Kerr named Wypall Crew Chief of the Race at Watkins Glen: Frank Kerr, crew chief for the No. 47 Bush's Baked Beans Toyota driven by Marcos Ambrose, has been named the WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief of the Race following Monday's Heluva Good! at the Glen at Watkins Glen International Raceway. Kerr made a bold call early in the race to keep his driver out on the track, one of only three who chose to do so, on the first caution flag. Off sequence from the rest of the leaders, Ambrose and the No. 47 team took the lead and remained close to the front for the remainder of the afternoon. Though they didn't have the same strategy as the other teams, running their own pit strategy seemed to pay off for the JTG/Daugherty Racing team. With 45 laps remaining, Ambrose came down pit road to get tires and fuel. Knowing that they wouldn't make it to the end on the fuel they had in the car, Kerr brought his driver down pit road 10 laps later for the splash of gas they would need to make it to the end. It was just enough to give Ambrose the track position he needed to come home second, his best career finish in Sprint Cup Series competition. (PR)

Speedway drops Dale Earnhardt Jr's name: Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s name has been dropped from the planned $640 million motorsports park off Interstate 65 in Prichard, whose investors now plan to use a new 5-cent sales tax to help develop the complex, according to investors in the project. "Dale is focusing on racing, and his sponsor demands have gone up incredibly," Bill Futterer of PSE-3 and Futterer Partners said Tuesday evening. Futterer's Raleigh, N.C., marketing firm is working on what had been called Alabama Motorsports Park, A Dale Earnhardt Jr. Speedway. "We have agreed not to extend his personal services agreement," Futterer said. Also gone are agreements with Earnhardt's sister, Kelly Earnhardt Elledge, and his race-driver brother, Kerry Earnhardt, Futterer said. He added, "we're not upset, and they are not angry." An effort Tuesday evening to reach Earnhardt through his Hendrick Motorsports race team was unsuccessful. Gulf Coast Entertainment, the group of 30 or so investors in the project, want a name that will fit what they see as a total entertainment complex, not just a race venue, he said. The project includes three tracks  a seven-tenths-mile oval with 75,000 seats, a karting track, and a road course  plus an RV park and basic infrastructure at the 2,400-acre site along Ala. 158. But developers envision their project as a draw for hotels, entertainment and retail venues that others will develop on the property. When fully built out, developers estimate the complex could create 4,800 jobs.(Alabama Live)

Papis to take a week off: After an 8th place finish at Watkins Glen, Max Papis and the GEICO Racing team will take a week off before reporting to Bristol , TN , for double duty. Papis and the Germain Racing team will battle the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series regulars on Wednesday night, August 19th before attempting to qualify for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race two days later at Bristol Motor Speedway.(GEICO Racing)

MIS officials expect two Cup dates in 2010: Can the state hold on to its sporting gems, like NASCAR racing at Michigan International Speedway, as the economy struggles to rebound? The word Tuesday from the Irish Hills suggests NASCAR will roar into the giant Brooklyn-based track in 2010 and beyond for its traditional two summer dates. As MIS prepares to host this weekend's CARFAX 400 Sprint Cup race, track president Roger Curtis said he was confident it would be business as usual on the 2-mile high-banked oval next year. "We are talking to NASCAR about the 2010 schedule, and I believe we're in great shape," Curtis said. "They are tweaking a few things, but I believe we're very close, very safe." (Detroit Free Press)

Ford to introduce new engine during Chase with non-Chase cars: It was rumored that Ford will introduce its new engine this weekend at Michigan. Not true, says Brian Wolfe, Ford's director of North American Motorsports. Instead, it will be introduced during the 10-race Chase that begins in September. "If it's this weekend nobody told me," Wolfe said "It's definitely not before the Chase." The plan before the season was to introduce the new engine by now. There were talks about letting the Wood Brothers, who are running a partial schedule with Bill Elliott, be the guinea pig. But that isn't likely now, Wolfe said. The first to use it will be non-Chase drivers at Roush Fenway or Yates Racing. Makes sense, considering the engine was developed by the Roush-Yates engine program. Still, don't look for a widespread rollout of the engine. And don't look for it to be used by one of the Chase teams unless the initial results are so extraordinary it is worth the risk.(ESPN.com Insider)

Keselowski visits GM plant: Brad Keselowski, the Rochester Hills native swapped rides at the General Motors Orion Assembly plant in Lake Orion and hit every bump on the squeak-and-rattle test track in a shiny new black Chevy Malibu. "I'm one person who can test a car," said Keselowski, 25, who drives a restricted Cup schedule for Hendrick Motorsports and a full Nationwide Series for JR Motorsports, owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr. "I'm a professional at breaking things." Keselowski, followed by a film crew from ESPN, was a guest for the day at the plant, which builds the Malibu and Pontiac G6, and employs more than 3,000 workers. During his stay, Keselowski, who grew up a few miles from the facility, met with salaried and hourly workers and signed autographs. He also got his hands dirty, joining workers on the assembly line installing windshields and programming robotic spot welders that make the machines in the movie "Transformers" look old school. (Detroit Free Press)

Evernham: Start-and-park teams are 'a slap in the face': Legendary crew chief and former team owner Ray Evernham was on the NASCAR teleconference today with his fellow ESPN analyst Rusty Wallace. He was asked his opinion of the start-and-park teams -- the teams that show up with no intention to compete and just run a few laps in order to collect a check from NASCAR. The start-and-parkers are defended by some who say it's a way of getting started in the sport. But Evernham doesn't exactly see it that way. "If you want to race, if you're really trying to make it in the sport and get a sponsor, running one or two laps and pulling in is not going to get it for you," Evernham said. "I'd be fighting for everything I was worth, I'd be asking guys to give me tires off their car, or beg, borrow and steal to try and run a whole race." (Birmingham News)

Bristol Motor Speedway sells out Sharpie 500: Bristol Motor Speedway officials had 160,000 reasons to celebrate Tuesday morning. Despite the gloomy national economy and a growing discontent with the altered state of racing at BMS, the sellout streak for NASCAR Sprint Cup races at the half-mile oval is now at 55 and counting. For a small media market tucked away into the serene Tennessee hills, that's a remarkable feat worthy of a party. Just ask the officials of much larger NASCAR facilities in Los Angeles, Charlotte and Atlanta who continually struggle to fill their seats. The night race at Bristol has long been one of the most iconic events in all forms of motorports. Much of that appeal can be credited to the unpredictable action and driver theatrics. Basically, there has been a lot of wrecking, fussing and feuding at the mountain showplace. Yes, it's old-fashioned fun, but we all need a little levity. (Bristol Herald Courier)

Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009

No. 48 crew wins Tissot Pit Road Award: Jimmie Johnson's pit crew won the Tissot Pit Road Precision Award in Monday's rain-delayed Sprint Cup road race at Watkins Glen. It was the third Tissot win of the season for the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports pit crew, which moved into a tie for second place with Jeff Gordon's No. 24 crew, also from the Hendrick Motorsports stable. Greg Biffle's No. 16 crew leads the Tissot standings with four victories. Johnson's Lowe's Impala SS spent the least amount of time on pit road  86.746 seconds -- during the 90-lap race at the 2.45-mile road circuit. Johnson's over-the-wall crew consists of: Mike Lingerfelt (front-tire changer), Art Simmons (front-tire carrier), Jeremy West (rear-tire changer), Andy Brown (rear-tire carrier), Kenneth Purcell (jackman), Rich Gutierrez (gasman), Mike Knauer (catch can) and Ron Malec (eighth man). The team's crew chief is Chad Knaus and the pit crew coach is Greg Morin. Johnson's crew will collect $5,000 for the pit road win. The team with the most Tissot Pit Road Precision Award wins at the completion of the 36-race Sprint Cup schedule will receive a $100,000 bonus plus Tissot watches for the crew and driver.(Tissot PR)

Officials not worried about ratings: Attendance is down, television ratings are sinking and the economy stinks. So how many fans will watch NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series CARFAX 400 at Michigan International Speedway on Sunday in Brooklyn? Plenty of folks, ESPN and MIS officials say. "While the ratings have been challenged this year, it's still the second-highest regular-season sport on television," said Julie Sobieski, vice president of programming and acquisitions for ESPN in Bristol, Conn. "The tracks are still pulling 100,000-plus fans on average on any given weekend." (Jackson Citizen Patriot)

Keselowski in No. 25 at Michigan: This weekend, Brad Keselowski returns to his home track of Michigan International Speedway. Keselowski was raised in Rochester Hills, Mich., located about 100 miles from the track. Before making his way to the NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide series, Keselowski cut his racing teeth running local tracks in quarter-midgets and late-model stock cars. Keselowski will attempt to make his first Michigan start in the Sprint Cup Series this weekend driving the No. 25 GoDaddy.com Chevy for Hendrick Motorsports. Keselowski, who is splitting time this season qualifying Sprint Cup Chevys for Hendrick Motorsports and Phoenix Racing, has recorded one win, one top-five finish and three top-10s in seven Cup attempts. On Thursday, Keselowski will head to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor to watch the Wolverines football camp. The Michigan native also stopped by his favorite school's football camp last year. Keselowski will attempt to qualify Hendrick Motorsports' No. 25 Chevy two more times this Cup season: at Kansas on Oct. 4 and Lowe's Motor Speedway on Oct. 17. Crew chief Tony Eury Jr. has chosen Hendrick Motorsports Chassis No. 25-537 for this weekend's event at Chicagoland Speedway. This is the same car that Keselowski raced to a seventh-place finish at Darlington in May.(HMS)

RPM in talks with Toyota: Multiple sources at Richard Petty Motorsports tell Sirius Speedway that RPM is still mulling the possibility of moving its entire operation to the Toyota camp in 2010. RPM spokesmen have downplayed reports of a possible manufacturer switch in recent weeks, but sources say that talks are ongoing with both Dodge and Toyota. No decisions have been made, but in an attempt to cover all their bases, the team recently had a series of publicity photos taken of Kasey Kahne and a Budweiser-sponsored No. 9 Toyota Camry.(Sirius Speedway)

No. 43 and No. 44 swap Crew Chief and Crews: Crew Chief Mike Shiplett and the crew that fielded the No. 43 Dodges for Reed Sorenson will begin working on the No. 44 Dodge with A.J. Allmendinger at Michigan and the rest of the 2009 season. Sam Johns and his crew that worked on the No. 44 will begin working on the No. 43 with Sorenson at Michigan. At Michigan, the No. 44 will sport a Super 8 scheme while the No. 43 Dodge will have Bumper to Bumper colors. Says Allmendinger:" I'm pumped about working with Mike (Shiplett) and his crew again. We went testing at Dover last week and worked real well together. Sammy Johns and those guys did a heck of a job getting us ready to go racing right before the season and we had some really good runs. They are going to go over with Reed (Sorenson) and we'll pool the information and improve our teams. We're here to win and get a jump on 2010. Mike and I want to work on everything that will make us a contender the rest of the season and hit the ground running in Daytona in February."(Richard Petty Motorsports)

RCR and Jack Daniels to feature "Salute the American Auto Worker" paint scheme at MIS: Richard Childress, president and CEO of RCR, will recognize the hard-working American auto worker this weekend in Michigan International Speedway. Because of its proximity to Detroit and General Motors' headquarters, Childress and primary sponsor Jack Daniel's have teamed to showcase a special hood design for the CARFAX 400. In addition to the race car, the Jack Daniel's show car will feature the phrase "Jack Salutes the American Auto Worker" at all its stops in the area. Fans can also see the specially-themed Chevy on Sunday at the Chevy display, located inside the MIS midway area. Mr. Jack's Crew will unload chassis No. 282 from the Richard Childress Racing garage. This Chevrolet Impala SS was last raced at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in July where it finished 19th. This will be the second time this chassis has seen race action.(RCR PR )