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Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Kentucky Gov. urges action to help get Cup date at Ky Speedway: Citing "the devastating impact of a global economic crisis," Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear also implored lawmakers to revamp the state's economic development programs. "The proverbial toolbox we use to attract and retain businesses needs serious attention," he said. "Our current economic tools are rusty. They're dull. They're missing parts. And some of them are outdated. We're using hand tools in a power-tool world." His plan, which died in the final days of the regular legislative session earlier this year, also includes legislation to help secure an advanced battery manufacturing plant in Hardin County and subsidize an expansion of the Kentucky Speedway in hopes of attracting a NASCAR Sprint Cup race to Kentucky. "These opportunities are worth hundreds of millions if not billions of dollars," Beshear said. "They would bring thousands of critically needed jobs. They would solidify Kentucky's reputation as a vibrant place to work, to live and to play." (Lexington Herald-Leader)

NASCAR President Mike Helton says NASCAR will endure crisis: Southwest Virginia native and NASCAR President for the past 8 years--Mike Helton--says this sports has done too much not to endure this latest crisis brought on by the economy. (TriCities.com)

Fallen Oakland officers will be honored at Infineon Raceway: Infineon Raceway will honor four fallen officers from the Oakland Police Department with a very special tribute at the Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series weekend, June 19-21. Four motorcycle units from the Oakland Police Department will lead the 43-car field around the 10-turn, 1.99-mile road course prior to the start of the Toyota/Save Mart 350 on Sunday, June 21. The police department's Davina Kelly will also sing the national anthem on Sunday. Finally, the Oakland Police Department will have a booth in the main paddock over the weekend, with all donations going to the families of the four fallen officers. The four officers who lost their lives in the line of duty in March were: Sgts. Ervin Romans, Daniel Sakai and Mark Dunakin and Officer John Hege.(Infineon Raceway PR)

Jeff Gordon confident after Indy tire test: NASCAR star Jeff Gordon, a four-time winner at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, today guaranteed that tires won’t be an issue in next month’s Allstate 400 at the Brickyard. “I’m 100 percent confident it’s not going to come down to a 10-lap shootout on whose tires can last the longest,” Gordon said after morning rain cut short the final Goodyear test in preparation for the July 26 race. “I can promise all the fans out there. I hope that’s enough for them.” (More at Indy Star)

J. Gordon not a fan of long races: Count Jeff Gordon among those who think Sprint Cup races are too long: "Don't get me started on time frames of races," Jeff Gordon said after the Michigan race. "Eighty percent of them are way too long." Exactly. If NASCAR wants to make another format change instead of tweaking the car, then shortening races is the place to start. (David Newton's ESPN.com blog)

Biffle: NASCAR needs variety of manufacturers: Greg Biffle, driver of the Roush-Fenway Racing Fords, feels there is a definite need for a variety of manufacturers to compete against one another on the race track. After all, that competition is what NASCAR has been built on since it was formed in February of 1948. "It certainly affects Ford as well, as far as supplier issues," Biffle said. "They need those other car companies to survive. As we probably know, there have already been cutbacks from the support of those auto manufacturers and what people have to get through their head is that we're gonna be racing race cars and certainly there is always going to be auto manufacturers but we're gonna be racing race cars with or without them. The amount of support they provide us is important, but we can continue to race without that support. It just means the amount of cutback on technology or testing or whatever else." (Lexington Dispatch)

Martin sees room for improvement: Mark Martin called car owner Rick Hendrick and asked for clemency after qualifying 32nd Friday at Michigan International Speedway. Hendrick laughed it off, but his driver claimed he wasn't joking. "Everybody can act like that's stupid, but it isn't," Martin said. "I'm serious. If I can't do better than that in the stuff they're giving me, they're going to need to get somebody else." Given the team signed him to a contract extension through 2010 two months ago, Hendrick Motorsports isn't seeking a replacement to fill the seat of its No. 5 Chevrolet, and Martin showed why he deserved the job security in Sunday's LifeLock 400 win. (USA Today)

Report: Mayfield's expert lied about credentials: NASCAR has filed a motion in federal court that says an expert witness for suspended driver Jeremy Mayfield lied about his credentials. The motion was filed Tuesday. It claims Dr. Harvey MacFenerstein falsely represented himself on six counts in a May 29 affidavit presented on behalf of Mayfield, who was suspended indefinitely by NASCAR after failing a drug test. NASCAR says MacFenerstein does not have the medical degrees or certifications he listed in his qualifications. (Associated Press)

Ganassi excited to have Kyle Busch in Grand-Am car: NASCAR's bad boy, Kyle Busch, will step over into the Grand-Am garage on July 4 to make a run in the Brumos Porsche 250 at Daytona International Speedway. Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates announced Monday that Scott Speed and Busch, both NASCAR Sprint Cup Series regulars, will compete in the No. 02 Lexus Riley for the sprint race over the 3.56-mile road course. "I am really looking forward to seeing Kyle and Scott in one of our Grand-Am cars," car owner Chip Ganassi said. "Kyle is one of the best race car drivers in the world and Scott is a young talent with a lot of road course experience. Also, I think having the opportunity for them to work with a road-course veteran like Scott Pruett should make for a great experience for them. It will be exciting to see what they can do." (Daytona Beach News-Journal)

Goodyear tire test at Indy: Goodyear appears to have resolved some of the problems that plagued last year's Allstate 400 in Indianapolis. Nine cars made it onto the track for testing Monday. Kyle Busch's No. 18 car did the most consecutive laps with 17 early in the afternoon. During last year's Allstate 400, tire problems forced race officials to call competition cautions every 10 to 12 laps. It's the third time Goodyear has returned to Indy for testing this year. Two cars reportedly ran 30 consecutive laps before running out of fuel at a previous session. Goodyear has one more test session Tuesday.(Associated Press)

Former Kentucky Speedway owners expect lawsuit to move forward: Jerry Carroll, one of the five founders and former co-owners of Kentucky Speedway, expects the group’s antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR will continue at least through the appeal scheduled to be heard next month. “Absolutely,” he said Saturday as he stood about 25 feet away from current track owner Bruton Smith, chairman of Speedway Motorsports Inc. Smith and Carroll consider themselves friends, but Smith cannot convince Carroll and his partners to drop the lawsuit filed in 2005 against NASCAR and sister company International Speedway Corp. If the founders win their appeal, the case would go back to U.S. District Court for trial and, with appeals, could drag on for years.(Louisville Business Journal)

Monday, June 15, 2009

Did you Know? Mark Martin is one of only four drivers to win a Cup Series race after turning 50, but he is not the oldest driver to win one at MIS. Harry Gant won in 1992 at MIS at age 52 and holds the record as the oldest driver to win a Cup race.(Booth Newspapers)

Burton optimistic over NASCAR improvements: Just a couple of weeks ago, NASCAR chairman Brian France and other series officials held town hall meetings with drivers and owners to gather, in part, ideas about how to improve the sport. "I will tell you that if you were a fly on the wall and you went to one meeting you wouldn't think you were talking to the same people in the second meeting," Jeff Burton said. "It's clear that a lot has changed in the world from one meeting to the next and so I think that NASCAR responds to things as to how they are going right now." (Virginian-Pilot)

TNT's Race Buddy pokes fun at FOX's Digger: Race Buddy, the animated mascot of TNT's NASCAR coverage, last week appeared in an online video sealing a manhole cover on the trackside hole of Digger, the animated mascot of Fox's NASCAR coverage. On one level, that might just seem like some fluff to remind viewers NASCAR coverage has moved from Fox to TNT. But, as Fox Sports Chairman David Hill suggests, corporate calculations shouldn't ignore sensitivities: "Digger won't call or take my calls. He's upset that he's being attacked and mocked. He's terribly upset." Hill's staffers at Fox know not to disturb him when he's trying to contact Digger. (USA Today)

Kyle Busch and Scott Speed to race in Rolex's Brumos Porsche 250 at Daytona: Chip Ganassi Racing will field a second entry for Sprint Cup Series drivers Kyle Busch and Scott Speed in the Brumos Porsche 250 at Daytona International Speedway on July 4. The race will take the green flag at 2 p.m. ET, and will be televised live on SPEED in advance of that evening's Sprint Cup race. The duo will make their Grand-Am Rolex Series debut piloting the No. 02 Lexus Riley alongside defending Grand-Am series champions Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas in the No. 01 Lexus Riley.(Chip Ganassi Racing PR)

Toyota is watching GM closely: One racing program leader said he would be surprised if the Cup landscape changes significantly anytime soon. Lee White's voice may be one of few rays of sunshine breaking through a thickening overcast sky on the NASCAR horizon. Still, many in the sport will be keeping an ear to any announcements coming out of GM during the next few weeks as the automaker continues its reorganization. "I'm kind of sitting here waiting like everyone else, but to be honest, I don't think there will be many changes (at the Cup level)," said White, president of Toyota Racing Development. "Frankly, I don't see much changing with the Detroit Three in regards to motorsports." I'm optimistic, because I need to be optimistic," White said. "I've been in this business 40 years. We need the competition. To keep our program healthy, we need those guys. "The car business, period, needs those guys."(Jackson Citizen Patriot)

Carl Long will make final appeal today: On Monday, June 15th, Carl Long will present his second and final appeal to National Stock Car Racing Commissioner, Charles Strang, regarding the penalties his team received. Long was penalized for having an illegal engine during the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race at Lowe's Motor Speedway last month. The 12-race suspension, 200-point penalty and $200,000 fine are NASCAR records. The hearing will begin at 2 PM Eastern.(Carl-Long.com)

Could Michigan lose Cup date to Kansas? The two-mile track located about an hour west of Detroit is smack in the middle of one of the hardest hit economic areas of the country. Attendance at Sunday's Lifelock 400 may have been the smallest NASCAR Sprint Cup race crowd at MIS in the last ten years and the outlook for August's return isn;t very encouraging. Now there is great speculation that one of the two NASCAR weekends could also be lost as parent company ISC looks to add a second race at Kansas Speedway or build a new track in the Pacific Northwest or the Denver area. With the prospects of adding another race to the already over-stuffed Sprint Cup schedule non-existent, a date would have to shift from an existing property. (Sportsline.com)

NASCAR CEO says Brickyard 400 tickets are selling well: Brian France said reports of lagging ticket sales for the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard had been "overstated by far." Robin Miller of SpeedTV.com recently reported that Indianapolis Motor Speedway might draw a crowd of 100,000 for the first Sprint Cup event since last year's debacle in which tire issues forced cautions every 10-12 laps. Indy typically has drawn more than 230,000 fans annually during its first 15 NASCAR races. "People are buying tickets much later in the cycle," France said. "Our fans are waiting. They're all nervous. We understand that. They're waiting to figure out if we can get the track correct, which we will." (USA Today)

Reed Sorenson's future in doubt at RPM? Rumors are swirling that Richard Petty Motorsports is experiencing more financial strife and that the future of the iconic No. 43 entry driven by reed Sorenson is seriously in doubt past Indianapolis. Sorenson's 27th place finish Sunday didn't help matters. (Sportsline.com)

NASCAR trying to lure Danica Patrick? Danica Patrick will be in NASCAR next season. If NASCAR executives can pull it off. George Pyne -- the former NASCAR Chief Operating Officer, and thus one of the top officials in stock car racing, and now head of IMG sports and entertainment, the high-buck talent marketing agency – and key NASCAR executives are together working the entire Sprint Cup garage trying to put together a package for Patrick to run NASCAR next season. "IMG is representing her and taking her around to all the teams in the NASCAR garage….in an opportunity search for her," Geoff Smith says.(mikemulhern.net)

NASCAR in talks with other manufacturers: The fact Chevrolet joined Chrysler and Ford in cutting support to racing programs in NASCAR's top three series is hardly surprising, given the stark reality of the economy as a whole, but such moves may hasten the arrival of more foreign carmakers. "We have been talking to people for off and on for a long time," NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France said before Sunday's Sprint Cup race at Michigan International Speedway. "These are decisions in terms of the new manufacturers joining the sport that would take a long time to evaluate and actually enter. "Of course, we're the preeminent place in North America for car manufacturers to build their business with an auto racing group. We remain that, and clearly there's some companies that are going to look at opportunities that may not have even been there in the past that could be presented in the future. "We'll have our philosophical approach to that in terms of welcoming new companies in, as we did with Toyota. It is under a very clear set of circumstances that the manufacturers come to NASCAR to compete. And that will not change." Though France declined to identify manufacturers that have had discussions with NASCAR, a logical entrant into the sport would be Honda, which competes head to head with its Japanese counterpart Toyota. (Sporting News)

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Davis to attempt NH Sprint Cup race: Marc Davis’ next race will be an attempt for the Sprint Cup race in two weeks at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Harry Davis said they will attempt three or four Cup races before the Chase For The Sprint Cup and then attempt additional Nationwide Series events.(Scene Daily)

Robby Gordon is NASCAR's most penalized driver: After each race, NASCAR issues an infractions report. I went back and looked at all of them to see who has been penalized the most so far this season as the series heads to Michigan. Infractions include pitting before pit road is open (something many do after they've been in an accident or had some mechanical troubles), lug nuts not all installed, speeding and pit crew members not taking care or tires or too many during a stop or something like that. So, the driver who has been penalized the most this season? Robby Gordon has been penalized 17 times. (Virginian-Pilot)

Smith says Kentucky 2010 Cup date 'doubtful': Hours before the NASCAR Nationwide Series Meijer 300 was to go green at Kentucky Speedway, the big question to track owner Bruton Smith was whether there would be a Sprint Cup race at the track next year. Smith, chairman of Speedway Motorsports Inc., sounded as pessimistic that it would happen, and Smith is not known for being pessimistic. "I would like to say, 'Yes,' but I don't know," Smith said. "It's doubtful that we get it done. It would take a tremendous cooperation from NASCAR." NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston would not totally close the door on Kentucky's Cup chances for 2010, but indicated that it is doubtful. "As we've said, there can be no consideration of a Cup date for Kentucky while the litigation is pending," Poston said. "Having said that, the sanctioning process is currently under way." Once he gets a commitment to a Cup race, Smith said he would add about 50,000 seats to the track, which currently seats 69,000, as well as add additional roads to and from the facility. He would also move pit road closer to the grandstands - "You saw what I did in Vegas," Smith said.(Scene Daily)

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Red Bull Racing to switch to Chevrolet? It is very possible that Brian Vickers, winner of the pole at Michigan International Speedway on Friday, could be behind the wheel of the No. 83 Red Bull Chevy next season. Yes, Chevy. Over the last three years, the Red Bull program has worked to gain speed but has experienced some reliability issues with the Toyota Racing Development engines. Red Bull's contract with Toyota is up at the end of this season. And although General Motors likely cannot afford to support additional teams at this time, Austrian billionaire Dietrich Mateschitz, who owns race teams in both NASCAR and Formula One, could certainly afford to take on the role as Chevy parts customer. If Red Bull Racing was to make the switch to Chevy engines, Hendrick Motorsports would be the logical choice of vendor. Given Jay Frye's relationship with HMS, most recently during the management of Ginn Racing and MB2 Motorsports prior to that, there's a familiarity as a technical customer.(FOXSports.com)

NASCAR announces a green initiative: NASCAR announced “NASCAR Green Clean Air” – a program to help capture the carbon emissions produced by racing. Under a pilot program that will expand significantly next year, NASCAR will plant ten new trees for each green flag that drops during NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events. The tracks participating in the tree-planting program – eleven this year and every venue visited by the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2010 – will mitigate 100% of the carbon emissions produced by the race cars competing in their Sprint Cup Series events. Over time, rolled out across all three national series, NASCAR and its partners will be planting approximately 20 acres of new trees each year. Michigan International Speedway, which is at the forefront of green initiatives, is matching the carbon-capturing planting effort at its track. A tree stores approximately one ton of CO2 over its lifetime, which means that the entire CO2 emissions from a typical race will be offset during this time.(NASCAR PR)

The latest on Michael Waltrip and Martin Truex: Michael Waltrip hinted Friday that he's closer to a decision on his future - and that future may involve Martin Truex Jr. Waltrip reiterated his stance that he needed to run better in order to remain the driver of the NAPA-sponsored No. 55 car at Michael Waltrip Racing, the race team he owns. Truex, whose contract at Earnhardt Ganassi Racing expires after this season, has been frequently tied to the possible opening in the No. 55. "You just have to figure that he's one of the ones that no one knows where he's going," Waltrip said. "He's been a Chase guy. He stumbled in and has run up front from the beginning, so I don't know what the future holds. But he might be one of those on that list that would be better than me." Asked if he was any closer to a decision on his future on Friday, Truex smiled. "I'd love to share it with you, but I can't," he said.(Scene Daily)

Friday, June 12, 2009

NASCAR uncertain of GM's future in sport: A statement provided to the Free Press from a Chevrolet motorsports spokesman at the track did not confirm or deny the auto manufacturers’ future plans in the series. It said: “Chevrolet’s involvement in racing is a sound business decision that translates into the sale of cars and trucks. It is essential, however, that we continue to look at every penny we spend as General Motors takes the necessary steps to become a leaner company with a significantly stronger balance sheet. “While Chevy racing is talking to its business partners about ways to reduce cost and maximize the return of investment, it is our policy not to talk about the details of business relationships with our partners.” NASCAR spokesman Jim Hunter spoke to the Free Press on today’s rumors. “It’s not secret GM is going through serious restructuring,” said Hunter. “How it will affect NASCAR — we don’t know. I would expect you’ll still see Chevys (in the series) on the race track. In the short-term, we don’t expect it to have serious effects; in the long-term, NASCAR doesn’t have answers to that." It is believed GM will also review its relationship with their Sprint Cup teams next week as the company continues to look at its involvement in NASCAR. (Detroit Free Press)

GM cuts will be "NASCAR-wide": General Motors is planning to cut back on its support of NASCAR teams in all of the sanctioning body's professional series. Chevrolet spokesman Terry Rhadigan says GM, which is reorganizing through bankruptcy, is discussing what he described as incremental cutbacks in support. He says cuts will be made soon and that the discussions are "indeed NASCAR-wide." (Associated Press)

Said hopes to run full time in 2010: The RCM / NO FEAR merger announced in February is expected to be completed this summer, as structural and legal issues have delayed the process to date. As the final papers near completion, we are pleased that Boris has the opportunity to drive for the Carter/Simo team, as he did in Daytona. Boris Said/Rick Clark statement: "We are working diligently to get to the track as soon as possible and plan a full season for 2010. We are in the process of securing sponsorships with new entities and we have full confidence we will be on the track as a team for the next 20 years."(No Fear PR)

Jim Beam and Robby Gordon honored: The National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP) and the National Center for DWI Courts (NCDC) awarded the NADCP Ambassador Award to Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc., the leading American spirits company and industry leader in the battle against hardcore drunk driving. Robby Gordon was also honored with an Ambassador Award for his continued support of DWI Courts. Beam Global and Robby Gordon have partnered with NCDC since 2007 to bring national attention to the effectiveness of DWI Courts in addressing hardcore drunk driving. Beam Global and Robby Gordon received the award at the NADCP 15th Annual Training Conference held in Anaheim, California. The NADCP Ambassador Award is given to public figures who have used their celebrity or public position to raise awareness about Drug Courts or DWI Courts. Martin Sheen will also receive a 2009 NADCP Ambassador Award.(Welt Online)

GM cuts support in CWTS and Nationwide series: General Motors is cutting factory support for Chevrolet teams competing in NASCAR's Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series as the automaker restructures under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, according to a story that will appear in Friday's edition of SportsBusiness Journal. According to SBJ's Michael Smith, who wrote the story, the cost-cutting measures are likely to have the greatest affect on larger organizations, such as Kevin Harvick Inc., which fields teams in both series, and Rusty Wallace Inc. and JR Motorsports, which field teams in the Nationwide Series. Representatives of KHI could not be reached for comment Thursday afternoon. As Smith points out, support from manufacturers typically comes in the forms of engines, parts and cash. In most cases, factory support goes to larger, more substantial organizations, while smaller teams receive little assistance, if any. "Chevrolet's (and GM's) involvement in racing is a sound business decision that translates directly into the sale of cars and trucks," an unidentified GM spokesperson said in a statement provided to SBJ. "It is essential, however, that we continue to look at every penny we spend as General Motors takes the necessary steps to become a leaner company with a significantly stronger balance sheet."(SportingNews)

Reynolds Wrap on No. 43 at MIS: Reed Sorenson heads to Michigan International Speedway (MIS) this weekend with a new sponsor, Reynolds Wrap, on the hood of the famous No. 43. Reynolds Wrap is serving as the primary sponsor of the No. 43 Dodge for the first time. For more information on Reynolds Wrap, Reynolds products or easy recipe ideas please visit www.ReynoldsKitchen.com.(RPM)