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The Hot 20 – Get hot in NASCAR and it costs you $25,000, in the NHL it is 2 minutes

By
Ron Thornton
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A guy grabs you and pushes you around. The universally accepted response is a punch to the other guy’s head. My dad taught me that, and so I taught my sons. It is a simple case of cause and effect, you push to start a confrontation and a punch usually will end it. Personally, I might remember once where I was so involved.

Casey Mears and Marcos Ambrose are not known for it. Neither are Jeff Gordon and Jeff Burton, but it happens. Mears got $15,000 for shoving, Ambrose $25,000 for punching, and both got a month’s probation. In hockey, what they did was worthy of a two minute roughing penalty, but “have at it boys” seems to be much more genteel than we once thought. Genteel, as in free from rudeness or vulgarity. My favorite definition, though, is “marked by false delicacy, prudery, or affectation.” This is NASCAR. If what took place after the Richmond race is worthy of $40,000 in fines, Lord knows what a real donnybrook might be worth.

Genteel is something no one has ever accused Juan Pablo Montoya as being. I remember his on-track discussion with Kevin Harvick at Watkins Glen back in 2007. Montoya has a Top Five to show for his first three starts back in IndyCar this season, and NASCAR fans get to see him back in a stock car soon enough. In June, he will drive for Penske at Michigan, and again in July in the Brickyard 400. I sure hope he acts like a gentleman. We would not want any of our sensitivities upset by any form of rudeness.

Do you remember Dale Earnhardt’s last race and his one finger salute to rookie Kurt Busch? I guess the Intimidator was just being welcoming and couldn’t get those other four fingers through the window net.

This is the year where wins mean damn near everything. It seems no one told Jeff Gordon, who remains the steadiest driver thus far in 2014 and he was not picked up a single victory as of yet. Heck, Matt Kenseth does not seem to be hurting as we head to Talladega, even though he also has not shaken the bubbly post-race. Even taking into account our extra 22 point bonus for winning (up to a max of 70 points for a win) both Gordon and Kenseth are doing just fine to remain among our top drivers of the season.

Position – Points -Driver

  1. 341 Jeff Gordon
  2. 336 Joey Logano – 2 WINS
  3. 336 Matt Kenseth
  4. 335 Carl Edwards – 1 WIN
  5. 332 Kyle Busch – 1 WIN
  6. 331 Dale Earnhardt, Jr. – 1 WIN
  7. 309 Brad Keselowski – 1 WIN
  8. 282 Jimmie Johnson
  9. 272 Ryan Newman
  10. 264 Kevin Harvick – 2 WINS
  11. 256 Greg Biffle
  12. 256 Brian Vickers
  13. 252 Austin Dillon
  14. 251 Kyle Larson
  15. 245 Denny Hamlin
  16. 243 Tony Stewart
  17. 242 Marcos Ambrose
  18. 240 A.J. Allmendinger
  19. 226 Jamie McMurray
  20. 226 Paul Menard

Expect Trend of Nail-biting Finishes to Continue at ‘Dega

By
SM Staff
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We are only a quarter of the way through the 2014 season and there have already been more memorable finishes than all of last year.

At Daytona, Dale Earnhardt Jr. held off a hard charging Denny Hamlin to win his second Daytona 500. Two weeks later at Las Vegas, Brad Keselowski passed Earnhardt Jr. on the last lap to score the victory. At Auto Club, a green-white-checkered finish allowed Kyle Busch to go from third to first on the last lap and beat rookie Kyle Larson by just 0.214 seconds.

The trend continued at tracks such at Martinsville, Texas, and Darlington. Last week at Richmond may have been the most edge-of-your-seat finish in 2014. In the closing laps, Jeff Gordon, Matt Kenseth, and Brad Keselowski battled hard while Joey Logano inconspicuously snuck past them all with only a few laps to go.

The reason for all of these nail-biting finishes is due to two factors, late cautions and the new points system. Four of the nine races so far have been decided by a green-white-checkered finish and the longest final green flag run was still only 42 laps at Las Vegas. These late cautions set up shoot-out style finishes that create the fantastic finishes you see week after week.

And since the new points system makes winning extremely important, drivers can be a lot more aggressive. Who cares if you crash? You can just try to win next week. That attitude will be turned up to 11 this week at Talladega, a track already known for its chaotic finishes. If this year’s Daytona 500 is any indication, pack racing is back.

Allow me to paint the picture in your mind for you. It’s a green-white-checkered scenario at the biggest and baddest track NASCAR has to offer. The big names, Kenseth, Gordon, Junior and Keselowski are all up front, behind them are restrictor plate aces such as McMurray and dark horse David Ragan. The green flag waves and all bets are off. The first lap is somewhat orderly, yet it’s still three by three all the way through the lead pack.

The white flag waves and the chaos begins. Drivers become more aggressive and bounce off each other. Restrictor plate experts Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Gordon battle for the race lead and coming off turn four, a large wreck takes out multiple drivers. It’s the big one.

Who wins? Probably whoever survives. That’s the kind of finish I expect to see at Talladega this Sunday. The ingredients are already there for an amazing finish and when you add the fact that winning means more than ever, you have the perfect recipe for the greatest finish of 2014. If you listen closely, you can hear a faint rumble in the background. That’s the calm before the impending storm.

Marcos Ambrose and Richard Petty Discuss Richmond Post-Race Incident

By
SM Archive
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Joey Gase’s Prior Decisions Still Impacting People Today; Excited For ‘Dega This Weekend

By
SM Staff
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Credit: AL.com

Joey Gase finished 31st at Richmond International Raceway in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, despite lacking tires and pit crew members, just one example of how Jimmy Means’ one-car squad is persevering.

”Richmond was really frustrating,” Gase explained to Speedway Media on Saturday. “We were short on tires and crew members, nevertheless, still a decent finish, good points night, huge thanks to Donate For Life Virginia for teaming up with us this weekend, just glad we didn’t lose anything.”

The Nationwide Series and Gase now hit the high and unforgiving banks of Talladega Superspeedway where they are prepared for anything and everything to occur.

“I’m really looking forward to Talladega,” Gase further expressed about anyone being able to win at ‘Dega. “Anything can happen, allowing anyone to win, and it’s kind of a crap shoot.”

Gase, 21, has not experienced a top-10 running, much less a victory, during a four-year tenure within the Nationwide division. However, with Talladega being recognized for its generous attitude towards underfunded organizations, Gase touched on the possibility of an unforgettable and emotional trip to victory lane this weekend.

“If we win this weekend then I’ll be excited for months,” Gase explained with a chuckle. “A victory would really put us on the map.”

Snapping back into expected circumstances, Gase is aiming to avoid damaging the car while producing solid runs each weekend.

“Our goal this season is to finish top-20 in the driver standings, and top-30 in owner standings,” Gase noted about his goals in the No. 52 Jimmy Means machine this season. “Thankfully, we are currently accomplishing those standards.”

The still-developing driver earned his career-best 19th place finish at Kansas Speedway driving for Jimmy Means during the 2012 Nationwide Series season. While his finishes aren’t there – probably due to equipment – he still manages to keep the car in one piece, making him a very respectable driver for an owner.

Gase has always been tagged as underfunded, therefore not a good driver, however that stereotype is slowly but surely starting to be ceased as the Cedar Rapids, Iowa native continues to make headlines not only by his contribution to Donate For Life but also for his on-track capabilities.

Many folks, especially new NASCAR fans, don’t understand the hardships that Gase faced and battled through. His life was flipped upside down three years ago when his mother, Mary Gase, passed way, unexpectedly, from an aneurysm.

Gase, 18-years-old at the time of the tragic death, decided to donate his mother’s organs and tissues which ended up saving 60-people’s lives.

“My mom always loved helping people. She always had a big heart,” Gase said a few years ago. “She was always helping people when she could and we knew if she could help all these people, if she could no longer continue her life, this is what she would want to do.”

Now, the competitor, while not on-track, helps spread newly acquired information about organ and tissue donation. He also visits hospitals during the week to spend time with patients and help cheer them up during the toughest of instances.

While many racers have different backgrounds and hair-raising stories, Gase’s journey and caring decisions are some of the most unbelievable things you’ll encounter, and again, he manages all of this while, still, going 200 MPH every weekend.

Jason Hathaway and EHR Welcome Back Rockstar for 2014 Season

By
SM Staff
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Photo Credit: Ashley McCubbin

On Tuesday, Ed Hakinson Racing announced officially that Rockstar Energy Drink will be on board the No. 3 Chevrolet driven by Jason Hathaway in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series.

“Last season reaffirmed what we’ve known all along, that we’re a championship caliber team,” Hathaway commented in the team press release as released by Spencer Lewis. “We can’t wait to put this Rockstar Energy Drink Chevrolet in victory lane. It’s an honour to be a part of the Rockstar athletes program. Partnering with Rockstar for another season is just another reason to be pumped up about our 2014 program.”

Last season, Hathaway had his best season to date with a career-best third place finish in points after scoring a pair of wins and seven top-five finishes.

“Our team really hit its stride late last season,” Hathaway said. “We won two of the final four races of the season and were really coming together as a team. I can’t wait to get back to the track and keep our momentum rolling.”

Vice President of Rockstar Canada, Dave Giancoulos, is looking forward to the renewed relationship, saying, “Jay and the Rockstar Team had a fabulous season last year and we are excited about continuing the program and going after more podium finishes in 2014.”

Hathaway and the rest of the drivers will kick off the 2014 season on May 18th at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park.

Chip Ganassi Racing leads Indianapolis Road Course Test

By
SM Staff
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Photo Credit: Chris Owens

While they haven’t posted the expected stellar results so far this season, they showed the potential to begin this month in open wheel’s most important month of competition.

Defending Verizon IndyCar Series Champion Scott Dixon topped the speed charts on Wednesday in his No. 9 Target Dallara Chevrolet-powered IndyCar as the series tested on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course for the first time. Dixon led the session on the 2.439 mile course with a lap of one minute and 9.5969 seconds.

“I’ve obviously got a big smile on my face.  The track was so much fun today,” Dixon commented. “The thing they captured, it’s a demanding circuit.  The cars all seem very close which is going to create some fantastic racing.  These big straights, I think Brazil is probably the only other time we’ve had a straight similar length like this.  You’re actually a lot lower here.  The sections, especially (Turns) 7, 8, 9, 10 keeps you on your toes.  I’m  really impressed with how everything’s gone.  Even the curbing, they’ve done a fantastic job.”

He was followed by teammate Ryan Briscoe, who joined CGR for the full schedule after running a partial schedule last year for Panther Racing. Briscoe agreed with Dixon’s sentiments on enjoying the track, in saying that turn one and seven will make good passing zones.

“I think just huge improvements over what was the F1 track with extending the straight down the middle, slowing down Turn 7, then opening up the next set of S’s in (Turns) 8, 9 and 10 where it used to be very slow and now it’s really fast and challenging,” Briscoe added. “Great track.  Great job by everyone here that was a part of making it happen.”

Simon Pagenaud, who has been fast all season, was third quickest.

“It’s a beautiful layout.  They’ve done a really, really good job here,” he commented. “It suits the IndyCar really well, I think.  It’s very smooth.  It’s the smoothest track we go to.  It’s enjoyable.  Quite a bit of high-speed corners, medium-speed corners, a lot of braking, which is going to be good for racing.  I enjoyed it.  I think the rhythm of the track is enjoyable as a driver.  Chicane, seven, eight, nine section, is quite enjoyable as well.  You get pretty busy in the car during the day.  That was a lot of fun today.”

Team Penske driver Helio Castroneves was fourth, followed by Barber Motorsports Park winner Ryan Hunter-Reay. Current points leader Will Power was sixth quickest, followed by Justin Wilson, Juan Pablo Montoya, James Hinchcliffe and rookie Jack Hawksworth.

The first annual Grand Prix of Indianapolis is scheduled for May 10th.

Jamie McMurray looking to repeat past success at Talladega

By
SM Staff
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Photo Credit: Barry Albert

While some drivers dread going to the restrictor plate tracks, Jamie McMurray is a driver that has had success at Talladega Superspeedway in the past with a pair of wins.

While some drivers think that McMurray heads there set to win, he says that you can’t go there with that mindset.

“I always go to plate tracks with the mindset of running second and pushing somebody to the win, and if the circumstances work out that you find yourself in the lead, it’s great,” McMurray explained. “But I don’t think you can be — I think you just have to be very open-minded and willing to help more than trying to get help.  I think a lot of guys go to those tracks and want everyone to help them, but they don’t really want to return the favor, and I think it’s important to kind of have a different mentality with that, and you always want to try to help whoever is in front of you and work with them.”

Being able to run Talladega and be strong there wasn’t something that came automatically as McMurray recalled his first trip to Talladega.

“I just remember going there and knowing that you could run wide open around the track, and I had never been to a track that you could do that at,” he reclled. “It’s so hard to get used to, whether it was in the late models or doing the trucks, that you can run around the track and not ever let off.  It’s hard to conceive that.”

McMurray said that first experience was a lot of fun to experience in the beginning of the year. He added that he was even more surprised, though, when he ended up caught in the middle of a 30-car pack running three-wide.

“That gets your attention, and it certainly requires a lot of focus,” he commented. “It’s a really cool place, really fun venue.”

Coming into the weekend, McMurray is looking for a good run as he only has two top-10s on the season so far.

“Well, I mean, our cars have been tremendously better,” he commented. “It’s been somewhat unfortunate that some of the races that we had really good cars — when I looked at Bristol with 50 laps to go and the 4 car losing an oil line in front of us, Martinsville with the 88 cutting a tire down and crashing in front of us.  We’ve had really good cars at every race.”

McMurray credits the success to new crew chief Keith Rodden in helping the team step up their game. He also added that he feels positive on things so far this season in looking at his rookie teammate Kyle Larson’s success so far this year.

“Our cars have been good about everywhere, so that’s a great feeling to have in this sport because sometimes you have cars that are good at short tracks but not good at mile-and-a-halfs, so you dread those mile-and-a-half tracks because you know you’ve struggled with those,” he continued. “We’ve been good about everywhere, so yeah, really optimistic about everything for the rest of the year.”

Gray Gualding Not Phased By Criticism; Inducted to NASCAR NEXT Class

By
SM Staff
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Credit: NTS Motorsports

Gray Gaulding was inducted to the 2014-2015 NASCAR NEXT class at Richmond International Raceway on Friday due to impressing the voting panel with one win and 13 top-10 finishes among the K&N East and West divisions.

“I think it’s a really good program,” Gaulding expressed to Speedway Media about the NASCAR NEXT announcement on Saturday. “Thanks to NASCAR and NASCAR NEXT, it really helps us get our name out there on the media and racecar driver side, there’s a bunch of talent in the group this year and hopefully I can stay a part of the program for a while and I’m just thankful that NASCAR asked me to be a part of it again.”

Gaulding, piloting from Colonial Heights, Virginia, scored his first career triumph in the K&N West Pro Series at Phoenix International Raceway last season becoming the youngest K&N West victor in series history, in addition to shocking many NASCAR owners.

“On the K&N (East) side it’s all about learning and doing the right things, fortunately, I’ve been able to win in the K&N (West) Series, I’m actually the youngest winner and pole sitter in that division, so we’ve been able to break a lot of records, but now it’s time to go win a championship this season,” Gaulding further commented about his tenure in the K&N East Pro Series to date.

Gaulding, 16, is competing full-time in the K&N East Pro Series this season. He’s captured three top-10 finishes already this young season; yet, he’s still craving better results.

“Unfortunately, we didn’t have the run we wanted at Richmond, we ran third but faded away late.” Gaulding explained about his dismal finish at Richmond. “We have to go back to the shop and fix that, you can’t win a championship finishing 11th, hopefully we’ll improve and go to the next one.”

Despite Gaulding’s first-career triumph being a memorable one, he’s dealt with the controversial move that’s questioned his capabilities and aggressiveness.

“It’s racing when you move somebody out of the way for the win,” Gaulding noted about the incident with Cole Custer at Phoenix International Raceway last season. “Like I’ve always said, I would wreck my mom for a victory, it doesn’t matter.”

Gaulding pile-drived Custer going into turn three on the final lap at Phoenix, sending Custer spinning in a cloud of smoke and Gaulding to victory lane.

“You’ve got to do what’s expected, and that’s winning, that’s what I was raised to do.” Gaulding said about his passion to win. “When I go out and put my heart and soul in something my goal is to win.”

Due to the aggressive move the NTS Motorsports driver has been criticized by fans and fellow competitors, however, he’s hoping to use their hatred as motivation – utilizing the famous phrase ‘let haters be my motivators’.

“People are going to talk either way,” Gaulding expressed about people disliking him for making the controversial move. “And as a driver you have to put that behind you, half of it’s jealousy and I know I’ve worked hard to get where I am today.”

Gaulding finished with a powerful statement that shows this developing driver will certainly be, like him or not, a force to reckon with in the next few seasons and beyond.

“I know how to race, and sometimes you have throw the friendship out the window because sometimes the trophies all that matters.”

He’s Back….Juan Pablo Montoya is Back in NASCAR

By
SM Staff
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Juan Pablo Montoya, whose contract was not renewed by Earnhardt Ganassi Racing last year in favor of rookie Kyle Larson, will make his return back to NASCAR with Team Penske for two races this year.

Montoya will add the NASCAR Cup starts at Michigan and the Brickyard at Indy to his Verizon IndyCar Series full-time schedule. The 38 year old Columbian will pilot the No. 12 SKF Ford at Michigan International Speedway on June 15th and the sponsor-to-be-named No. 12 car for the Brickyard 400 on July 27th.

Greg Erwin, a veteran NASCAR crew chief, will be atop the pit box of Montoya for both races.

“Juan is a proven winner in multiple racing disciplines and he is one of the most versatile racecar drivers competing today,” Roger Penske, team owner, said. “Michigan and Indianapolis are two important races for Team Penske. We know Juan has the ability to race for wins in both of those events while still focusing on his full-time program in the Verizon IndyCar Series.”

Juan Pablo Montoya is also back on the NASCAR circuit with one of the most successful teams to date. Team Penske, whose two drivers Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano have both visited Victory Lane this year, will no doubt welcome their newest teammate to the fold.

“This opportunity is pretty unique,” Montoya said. “This year, it will be nice to be in a Penske car because they are so competitive week in and week out. Both Keselowski and Logano are running up front.”

One place that Montoya really wants to go back to is the Brickyard, where he has come so close to winning in a stock car. JPM has mastered the Indianapolis Motor Speedway having won the Indy 500 in 2000.

“It’s one of those places where I feel like I got robbed a few times,” Montoya said. “To be able to come here and be able to close that deal will be really, really nice.”

Montoya is also back as he is on a mission to get take team owner Roger Penske to Victory Lane for the first time ever at the Brickyard.

“It’s hard to believe, but Roger Penske has never won the Brickyard 400,” JPM said. “I think that Brad, Joey and I will give Roger and Team Penske a great opportunity to check that off the list and we should be strong at Michigan as well.”

Montoya is also back with a vengeance to attempt something that no one else has done, winning three feature races at Indy in the same season. He is scheduled for the Grand Prix of Indianapolis on May 10th, the Indy 500 a week later, and then the Brickyard 40 in July. So, if JPM qualifies for each one, he would be the first to do so.

“Three chances gives me a better chance of winning one of them now,” Montoya said.

So, just how will Montoya get back in shape to get back on the NASCAR Cup tracks?

“I had a chance to test a car last week at Nashville and I felt like it was a good test,” Montoya said. “I was very happy that I got up to speed very easy. Within five laps I was comfortable in the car.”

“I think running Michigan and Indy are two tracks where running open wheel helps you, especially Michigan, which is a lot like an open-wheel car because you don’t slow down much but use momentum and a lot of high speed.”

“To just run the Brickyard would be a pretty big ask of our team and of Juan, without having spent much time in our cars or with having been out of a Cup car for a while,” Tim Cindric, Team Penske President said. “So, we felt like we needed to give him another shot at Michigan prior to the Brickyard so he could get ready for Indy.”

While Montoya has been enjoying being back in the IndyCar Series, where he is 11th in the point standings currently, he is equally thrilled about this new opportunity back in his old stomping ground of NASCAR where he spent six year.

“It will be fun to get back behind the wheel of that Cup car,” Montoya said simply.

 

Canada’s Best Racing Team partners with Leafs and Steven Mathews

By
SM Staff
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Photo Credit: Ashley McCubbin

Joey McColm announced via Race Time Radio earlier this month that Canada’s Best Racing Team (CBRT) has formed some new partnerships with Parts Source, the Toronto Maple Leafs (TML) and Steven Mathews.

McColm announced in February at the Canadian Motorsports Expo that he will be running the full 2014 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series schedule for the first time since 2010.

“We’ve had a great winter here,” McColm said. “Since we’ve known that we were going to do this in December, it’s been non-stop work. We’re ready. I’m pumped for the green flag at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park and we’re ready to race now. I can’t wait to get out there.”

McColm revealed on Monday night that his No. 25 Dodge will carry the TML colors for the May 18th season opener at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park. This comes as a result of a partnership between CBRT, TML and Parts Source.

“It’s incredible,” McColm commented. “I grew up and wearing Maple Leaf jerseys. When this partnership came about and they said to go with it, we designed the car to look like the jersey and I can’t wait to be out there racing with the jersey on the car.”

McColm also announced that Steven Mathews will be driving a second car for the team at both CTMP races. The car will be numbered 87 with sponsorship from TSC Stores. Mathews is a regular of the Canadian Tire Series, having made 24 starts over the past five years. The New Liskeard, Ontario native made four starts last year, resulting in a pair of top-five finishes, including a third-place finish at Delaware Speedway.

As part of trying to connect with fans, CBRT is encouraging fans to use the hashtags #CBRT25 and #CBRT87 via twitter and Instagram. They’ve also created a social hub on their website – .

“It’s been a lot fun,” McColm noted. “We’ve been sharing this with everybody through our social channels. We’ve started an open line of communication with the fans, other teams, sponsors and media. We just wanted everybody to see and know and get a feel for this team and grow with us.”

Discussion should pick up across the social media channels as the 2014 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series season kicks off on May 18th at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park.

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