Brent McLean to move up to OSCAAR Super Late Models in 2014
After a pair of successful seasons in the OSCAAR Modifieds, Brent McLean is ready to tackle the majority of the OSCAAR Super Late Model season in 2014.
McLean unveiled his 2014 look at the Mega Speed Custom Car and Truck Show, which featured a beautiful and vibrant combination of blue, yellow and green on black by Mito-Graphics in Cambridge, Ontario.
McLean won’t enter his new tenure in the Super Lates without any experience as he ran a limited schedule last season, producing a couple solid runs along the way.
Beyond racing his Super Late, McLean will be once again behind the wheel of his No. 7 Modified as he looks to take home his first modified championship.
“I want and my team want the championship,” McLean commented as part of OSCAAR’s pre-season interviews. “Anything else and we just won’t be satisfied. I have enjoyed the success we have had so far, I am very proud to win the Woolner Memorial but I want that trophy in my shop for a year.”
McLean has been successful in the modified ranks the previous two years, scoring back-to-back runner-up points finishes. This past season, he led the points early in the year after some consistent finishes, though a couple bad finishes in the second half of the season resulted in a second place effort. Certainly there were some memorial moments from last year, including a pair of wins along the way.
For more information on OSCAAR, check out http://www.oscaar.ca.
Ron Hornaday Chasing Second Martinsville Clock
Ron Hornaday enters the Kroger 250 at Martinsville Speedway this weekend as an underdog, even though he has 23 starts at the famous short track in the VirginiaMountains including one trip to victory lane. However, with the field being mired with rookie talent, the 55-year-old veteran isn’t getting the publicity he deserves.
“I’m really looking forward to getting back in the Rheem Comfort Products Chevrolet this weekend in Martinsville.” Hornaday explained via Turner Scott Motorsports PR. “I have to thank Steve Turner and Harry Scott Jr. for giving me the opportunity to go out and race this weekend.”
Hornaday, who has won the Camping World Truck Series championship four times, has an average finish of 11.0 at ‘The Paper Clip’ – which is remarkable for how many starts he has, and how difficult the track is to maneuver.
“The guys at Turner Scott Motorsports have worked hard during the off weeks to prepare me a great Silverado (for this weekend).” Hornaday furthered commented. “I really enjoy short-track racing and Martinsville is one of the best short tracks in the world.”
Track position during Saturday’s event will also be a huge factor, and Hornaday understands that – obviously a lot better then younger competitors considering he has more experience on the speedway. With track position being so vital, Hornaday is paying close attention to qualifying, especially with the new format.
“The new qualifying format at Martinsville should be a lot of fun for us and the fans.” Hornaday expressed. “I think if we can stay patient and work our way through traffic, we can come home with a great finish.”
This weekend, and the upcoming races, could be the final moments of Hornaday’s career – as he doesn’t have a full-time ride and is becoming older – making this weekend possibly his final opportunity to win a second Grandfather Clock at Martinsville.
Hot 20 – As Jeff Gordon experiences an interesting week, we remember Lynda Petty
I guess Jeff Gordon had reason to be somewhat hot this past week. Last Sunday, he came within a Clint Bowyer spin of taking the prize in California. Then, a satirical website came out with a story of Gordon coming out, admitting to dating an openly gay fellow, and “reporting” on the outrage of some fans at the “news.” I guess this comes with being the second prettiest driver in NASCAR, though the fact he has two kids with one of the prettiest spouses in NASCAR should be a hint that happy he may be, gay he is not.
One thing Gordon is, and that is the best driver in Cup who thus far has yet to register a win this season. Matt Kenseth and Jimmie Johnson are in the ball park. Even though Kevin Harvick may have won at Phoenix he finds his stock plunging. Three races he has looked good, at least the first few chapters, then someone rips out the final few pages to leave him with finishes of 41st, 39th, and 36th. While the official standings might have him sitting fifth, last among those with a victory to their credit, he is nowhere to be found in anybody’s Top 20 finishers when it comes to accumulated points.
Every method of determining a champion has its critics. While we await reaction to this year’s elimination rounds, most remember that Matt Kenseth won the title in 2003 but fewer remember that Ryan Newman won eight races that year. The points system in place did not really reward him for the effort. Still, that in no way diminishes Kenseth’s crown or the six Johnson has claimed since the Chase was instituted. It may alter who we think of as being the best over any one campaign, but in the long run the cream always rises to the top.
Richard Petty may have become the King due to his seven championships and 200 victories, but this week we mourn the loss of his queen. Lynda and Richard were married in 1959, and it probably is not a coincidence that it was the next year her husband began to win his first races. While Richard ruled the tracks, it was Lynda who ruled the roost. She was even the family disciplinarian. On that subject, a few years ago she said that you could ask her son “‘Did your daddy ever whip you?’ and he’d say, ‘No, but my mother wailed the daylights out of me.’ ” She had her causes that she was passionate about, but none were as important to her than her family. We join with the entire NASCAR family in remembering Lynda Petty.
If we returned to former days when there was no Chase, if we used today’s points system but winners were rewarded with 69 to 70 points, and we determined our champion over 36 races, this is how our Hot 20 standings would look like as the action heads to Martinsville for this Sunday.
|
|
Driver |
Races |
Win |
Points |
|
1 |
Carl Edwards |
5 |
1 |
208 |
|
2 |
Dale Earnhardt, Jr. |
5 |
1 |
207 |
|
3 |
Brad Keselowski |
5 |
1 |
204 |
|
4 |
Jeff Gordon |
5 |
0 |
184 |
|
5 |
Kyle Busch |
5 |
1 |
180 |
|
6 |
Matt Kenseth |
5 |
0 |
179 |
|
7 |
Jimmie Johnson |
5 |
0 |
165 |
|
8 |
Ryan Newman |
5 |
0 |
150 |
|
9 |
Austin Dillon |
5 |
0 |
150 |
|
10 |
Joey Logano |
5 |
0 |
146 |
|
11 |
Denny Hamlin |
4 |
0 |
140 |
|
12 |
Jamie McMurray |
5 |
0 |
138 |
|
13 |
Brian Vickers |
5 |
0 |
137 |
|
14 |
Paul Menard |
5 |
0 |
134 |
|
15 |
Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. |
5 |
0 |
132 |
|
16 |
Kyle Larson |
5 |
0 |
131 |
|
17 |
Tony Stewart |
5 |
0 |
127 |
|
18 |
Casey Mears |
5 |
0 |
126 |
|
19 |
Kasey Kahne |
5 |
0 |
123 |
|
20 |
Greg Biffle |
5 |
0 |
122 |
|
21 |
Marcos Ambrose |
5 |
0 |
122 |
NOTES FROM THE NASCAR NATION: Some Truly Positive Medical Reports
A March 26th press release issued by Joe Gibbs Racing brought the good news that Denny Hamlin fans were hoping to hear.
According to that press release, “Denny Hamlin will race this weekend at Martinsville Speedway after NASCAR received official confirmation from his doctors that he has been medically cleared to return to regular racing activities”.
NASCAR fans were stunned last Sunday, at the Auto Club Speedway, when it was announced that Hamlin was in the speedway’s infield care center and was not going to receive medical clearance to race in the Auto Club 400.
Hamlin first visited the infield care center at Auto Club Speedway Saturday night bothered with an irritation in his eye. He returned to the infield care center again on Sunday morning because his condition had worsened. It was first believed that the driver was suffering from a serious sinus infection that was impacting his vision.
The doctors at the infield care center referred him to the local hospital for further evaluation. It was there that doctors discovered a small piece of metal in Hamlin’s eye. Once the Doctors removed the sliver of metal, Hamlin felt immediate improvement to his condition.
As a precaution, doctor ordered a CT Scan which thankfully did not find any other complications. Hamlin was released from the hospital Sunday afternoon and was given the doctor’s approval to fly home.
Hamlin was then evaluated by a doctor in the Charlotte, NC area on Monday followed by an additional evaluation the following Wednesday. It was that second evaluation that brought the good news from the doctors who informed Hamlin, as well as NASCAR officials, that he was official clear to resume all racing activity.
*************
HERE’S ANOTHER VERY POSITIVE MEDICAL REPORT.
Congrats and God bless to NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Matt Kenseth and his wife Katie who welcomed a new bundle of joy Tuesday evening with the birth of the couple’s third daughter.
Clara Mae Kenseth was born March 25 at 7:39pm/et weighing in at eight pounds and five ounces. Both mother and daughter are doing well as the family enjoys the latest addition who joins the couple’s other daughters Kaylin and Grace, along with their son Ross.
Kenseth will be able to spend a few days at home with his brand new baby girl before traveling to nearby Martinsville, Virginia for this weekend’s STP 500 Sprint Cup Series event at the Martinsville Speedway.
