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NASCAR’s Wayne Auton and Robin Pemberton happy with Nationwide test

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SM Staff
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Photo Credit: Getty Images

Heading into the new season, NASCAR made some slight adjustments to the Nationwide Series cars. They changed the height of the rear spoiler (eliminating the ‘ears’), changed the rear spring package, while giving them the same radiator package that is run in the Sprint Cup Series cars.

After two solid days of testing, both Nationwide Series director Wayne Auton and NASCAR vice president of competition Robin Pemberton are happy with the results. Auton said that he has recieved a thumbs up from all the drivers as they like how the cars feel under this configurations versus the old one.

“I’m really pleased with the test,” Pemberton commented. “I mean, I think everybody has done a nice job.  Our conversations that we’ve had with the drivers the other morning and Wayne working through the garage area, getting good feedback, it looks like a good effort on everybody’s part to do all the right things out there.  It looked really nice.”

Trevor Bayne was even said that this was the best car to the drive – comparing the Nationwide Series car to the Sprint Cup car.

The Nationwide Series teams haven’t been involved in the pre-season testing for the last couple of years simply for the reason due to budget. However, with the changes, Auton felt it was important to let them come test.

 

“We talked to the teams and everybody felt like it would be beneficial to get some time on the racetrack before they come back to run one of our most important races of the year,” Auton said. “Anytime you’re tied in with the Daytona 500 you want to put forth your best effort, whether you’re racing on Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

“With the changes that we made to the car, we felt like this was a good opportunity for the drivers to get acclimated to it, and gives the teams a whole lot of data because they’ve all got data acquisition out there on the cars this week which they usually can’t do that they definitely couldn’t use whenever they come back for Speedweeks when we come.”

Beyond the mechanical changes, NASCAR also has outlawed tandem drafting – the act two cars continually staying hooked up together. Pemberton stated during the presser that if it comes down to it, they will adjust the results post-race if two cars try to run together on the white flag lap.

“We have the ability to just not score the lap or time penalty post-race,” Pemberton said. “That’s been there all along.  I think you can remember far enough back, I believe a team penalty was imposed on maybe Ricky Rudd or somebody at Sears Point a long time ago, and so we have that ability.

” You know, the rule that — the unwritten rule that you get three laps from getting a black flag, it really doesn’t hold water.  I mean, we only give them that, and that started back in the day when people a lot of times didn’t even have radios.  So that’s just kind of — it’s the unwritten rule.

“But we expect teams that get the black flag to immediately obey the order from the tower, and we do have the ability to fix the scoring when it’s over with.”

There are more changes to come for the Nationwide Series this year as there will not be single-car qualifying. NASCAR is expected to announce the changes in the coming weeks.

Tracy Hines Opens the 2014 Season at the Chili Bowl

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RADICAL CARS CANADA TO SHOWCASE ITS FAST, FUN, HIGH VALUE VEHICLES AT THE CME

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Taylor Ferns Opens 2014 Racing Campaign at the Chili Bowl

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Sprint Cup, Nationwide Rookies Show Promise In Testing

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SM Staff
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The cars are on the track, the teams are meticulously preparing their race cars for the beginning of the 2014 season, and the rookies are outshining the veterans, at least in testing. Starting with the Sprint Cup Series, Austin Dillon, the 2013 Nationwide Series Champion, had the fastest car in Sprint Cup Preseason Thunder Testing at 195.109 mph. He was followed by his RCR teammate and fellow rookie Brian Scott.

Fans were delighted to see the eldest Dillon brother rise to the top of the speed charts since his car carries the prestigious number 3 on the doors. Fellow rookie competitor Kyle Larson was fifth quickest at 193.411 mph.

As for the Nationwide Series, the story remains the same. The rookies are showing a lot of promise and one driver has shown that he is the clear favorite for the pole if not the win: Dylan Kwasniewski. In the Saturday morning test at Daytona, Kwasniewski was had the fastest car, posting a speed of 183.408 mph. He was also fastest in Sunday’s morning test and was the only driver to break the 190-mph barrier. Kwasniewski, who was the 2013 K&N Pro Series East Champion, was also ninth in the Saturday evening session. Fellow Nationwide rookies Chase Elliott and Chad Boat paced the Saturday and Sunday afternoon sessions respectively.

So the question remains: What does this all mean? In reality, not much, other than the fact that Austin Dillon and Dylan Kwasniewski are major threats to win the pole in their respective series. Other than that, it’s too early to determine whether or not Dillon or Kwasniewski (or any other rookie) will actually win a couple of races in 2014.

However, I will predict that Austin Dillon will win a race in 2014, which will most likely come on a restrictor plate track. How will much-hyped Kyle Larson fair in 2014? It’s very difficult to say, but something tells me that his season might be statistically similar to Ricky Stenhouse’s season last year. So, are these test speeds foreshadowing great things to come for the 2014 NASCAR Rookie Class? Only time will tell.

Joey Coulter Cleared for Takeoff with GMS Racing for 2014 Truck Series Season

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Trevor Bayne looking for strong season, continuing Daytona success

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SM Staff
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Photo Credit: Getty Images

When Trevor Bayne stepped behind the wheel of the No. 6 AdvoCare Mustang for Roush-Fenway Racing at the beginning of 2013, everybody expected big things. After all, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. led the team to back-to-back Nationwide Series Championships. Though Bayne didn’t have the big season , he had a win, seven top fives and 21 top 10s on his way to finishing eighth in points.

“We wanted that last year and a couple things took us out of it,” Bayne commented. “A couple of them were parts failures, a couple of them were driver failures and making bad decisions on the racetrack and those are things we have to eliminate.”

Bayne comes back this year looking to improve on that and put himself into the championship picture this year, possibly winning the championship.

“You can’t dig a hole for yourself, and I think I learned a lot about that last season, and that’s what’s going to help us be a championship contender this year,” he added.

There will be a change in Bayne’s program for 2014, though, as he’ll have a new crew chief in the form of Chad Norris.

“We finished off the season with a win at Texas, and then at the beginning of 2012 we ran about the first four races together, and I believe we were only four or five points out of the lead when we ran out of funds.  So I know Chad can do it and I’m really happy with the guys I have going forward this year,” Bayne commented. “I think our team is probably the most set it’s ever been going into a season as far as funding, sponsorship, having our pit boxes and haulers already ready to go.  It seems like normally Daytona sneaks up on you, and you aren’t completely prepared with your guys and cars and equipment and all that.  But I feel like this season we’re the most prepared we’ve ever been for February to come around.”

To help with the championship effort, Bayne is looking to have a solid run at Daytona International Speedway to start the season.

Bayne was one of the drivers that took part in the two day test at Daytona to get ready for the season opener in February. Some of the testing involved single-car runs, though Bayne also did some drafting.

Coming into the year, NASCAR has changed the radiator systems in the Nationwide Series cars so therefore they release water if the car gets too hot from being tucked behind another car. Beyond that, NASCAR has banned tandem drafting  – the art of two cars hooking up together and pushing each other.

“It’s going to be hard to hold yourself back from that and know that you’re not allowed to,” Bayne commented. “I think this is one of the first times I can remember a restriction on the drivers versus the cars, other than the double yellow lines and that’s something we’ll get used to and we’ll just figure out how to do it another way.”

Bayne added that it’ll take time to work out as they have to develop a new strategy now.

“So you have to be strategic in how you’re going to bump people or get them to roll faster without connecting to them, and that’s just the new game that we have to learn, kind of like 2011 when we came here and had to figure out how to tandem,” he continued. “New style of racing but the cars are still capable and very racy, so I’m looking forward to it.”

While some drivers are happy to see the tandem drafting go, Bayne says that he liked it because he felt like he had more control of his destiny.

“I could keep myself out of trouble more, lay back, go to the front,” he said. “When you wanted to pass, you could hook up to somebody and take off.  With this form of racing you’re going to have to be more strategic throughout the whole race.  I don’t think you can wait until five laps to go and hook up to somebody and go barreling to the front.  I think you’re going to have to more or less do what Jimmie Johnson did here in the 500, get to the front and do everything to play defense that you can, to keep that track position and keep yourself in a position where if there’s a green-white-checkered, you’re in those first couple rows, because I think that’s what it’s going to come down to.”

Bayne has had success at Daytona before, winning the Daytona 500 in 2011 with the Wood Brothers. Even though Bayne is only 23-years-old, he is seen as a veteran in the series.

“It is weird being almost the old guy in the series now,” Bayne commented. “You see a lot of new faces coming through and a lot of guys getting opportunities in Cup and it’s exciting for them.  We’re definitely ready for that opportunity but we’re also going to make the most of the fun that we have now.  To have AdvoCare on board full-time this year, I think that’s probably the most special thing for me, to know that I have one sponsor all year that I can take care of and grow with.  It’s a great company that I’ve used their products for a long time with the triathlon training and stuff like that, so it goes right over to my lifestyle.”

With having some experience under his belt, it gives Bayne the ability to help both of his young teammates – Ryan Reed and Chris Buescher. Bayne says that he has been an ‘open book’ to them as he knows what they’re going through.

“It wasn’t fun trying to learn on your own, so I try to help out as much as I can but I don’t know how much help I am.  They’re smart guys and pretty successful race car drivers,” Bayne said. “Chris Buescher has been a great teammate, super humble kid that when he gets behind the wheel, he’s got the talent.  Last year on the mile-and-a-halfs I think he really surprised a lot of us with the ability that he had. And then Ryan Reed, when he came to Richmond, his short track abilities, he was really strong, so they’ve both got their strong suits as far as my teammates, and I’m looking forward to seeing them grow.”

The Earnhardt Legacy Continues to Evolve

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SM Staff
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Photo Credit: Gary Buchanan

With Preseason Thunder testing at Daytona International Speedway, thoughts of Dale Earnhardt Sr. and his legacy on the sport of NASCAR are only natural.

Yet, in spite of his being gone for thirteen years now, with his fatal crash in the Daytona 500 in 2001, his legacy continues to not only live on but evolve significantly.

One of the biggest evolutions in the legacy of Dale Earnhardt Sr. is of course the return of his infamous No. 3 car to the track with Richard Childress’ grandson Austin Dillon behind the wheel.

Both Childress and Dillon were most mindful of their impact on the Earnhardt legacy as they made the announcement prior to the start of the season.

“I know in my heart, today, as I sit here, Dale Earnhardt is smiling down,” Childress said. “He would want to see this 3.”

Childress also stated that he believes the return of the No. 3 car actually will serve to preserve the legacy of his friend ‘The Intimidator’ and will provide teachable moments about his place in the sport to new and the new and up and coming fan base.

“My hope is that Dale Earnhardt fans will be re-energized,” Childress said. “We are going to do our best to make them proud and I know Austin will.”

“I think the new fans will learn a lot about the great Dale Earnhardt by watching this.”

Indeed, the No. 3 car has indeed been the talk of the town during preseason testing, atop the speed charts at 195.109 mph when the rain finally stopped enough for the Cup cars to take the track.

An additional evolution in the Earnhardt legacy occurred this week with the announcement of the dropping of the Earnhardt name from the Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates banner.

While Dale Earnhardt’s widow Teresa Earnhardt has not been involved in the ongoing operations of the team, it is unclear what, if any, her role is moving forward.

“It’s been an honor to have the Earnhardt name affiliated with our team,” Chip Ganassi Racing President Steve Lauletta said. “Dale and Teresa have done a tremendous amount for the sport.”

“We’ll continue to do business with those (DEI) companies,” Lauletta continued. “The relationship with Teresa and DEI was a benefit to the organization and we certainly want to continue to be affiliated with them.”

“But for our partners and for the way we operate the organization, we’re changing the brand to Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates.”

While the Earnhardt name may be going away at the Cup level, the legacy continues on with another team that is affiliated with that famous moniker, JR Motorsports.

This team, headed by General Manager Kelley Earnhardt Miller, daughter of Dale Earnhardt, Sr., recently announced their new up and coming driver Chase Elliott. The 18 year old will be behind the wheel of the No. 9 NAPA car in the Nationwide Series and will team with Regan Smith.

“This will be the strongest lineup we’ve put on the track since we started racing full time in 2006,” JRM General Manger Kelley Earnhardt Miller said. “He’s that good.”

Another major evolution in the Earnhardt legacy occurred this week as well, with the announcement that NASCAR’s most popular driver and reigning Earnhardt heir Dale Junior will be losing his crew chief Steve Letarte in 2015.

NBC Sports made it official that Letarte will be joining the network in the broadcast booth, leaving the pit box of Earnhardt Jr. after this season.

“I had a pretty good understanding what his decision was going to be when I left Homestead, so I’ve had time to really wrap my brain around it,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “It was a huge shock at first, just for me personally.”

“I sat down with him and talked about it, the more it made sense and the more I understood his situation and I could put my own selfishness aside and kind of understand what was important to him and how this was good for him.”

While Dale Earnhardt Jr. is experiencing his own changes, the next generation of Earnhardts are experiencing their own evolutions on the track.

Jeffrey Earnhardt, grandson of Dale Earnhardt Sr., announced this week that he will be racing full-time in the Nationwide Series. The 24 year old driver will be behind the wheel of the No. 4 Chevrolet, teaming up with Landon Cassill, for JD Motorsports.

“It’s a great opportunity for me,” Jeffrey Earnhardt said. “This sport runs in my family, and it’s where I want to be every week.”

“Racing with Johnny and Gary and the guys will give me a shot at running well every week and adding on the experience I need.”

The final cog in the Earnhardt legacy evolution is another grandchild, however, this one is female. Twelve year old Karsyn Elledge, daughter of Kelley Earnhardt Miller, has been making her own name in the sport, racing her grandfather’s No. 3 in sprint cars with sponsor Nickelodeon.

“I didn’t get to meet him, but I know that it makes my mom and my dad proud that I run this number,” Earnhardt Elledge said. “I’ve only heard how great it was with this number and this legacy and I am excited to carry it on.”

Perhaps Dale Earnhardt Jr. summed up the evolution of the Earnhardt legacy best, as he discussed the changes in his own professional career including his crew chief.

“Life is full of change,” Junior said. “And we have to adjust and be able to move forward.”

Chip Ganassi drops Earnhardt name from team name

By
SM Staff
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Photo Credit: David Yeazell

For the past five years, the No. 1 and No. 42 Sprint Cup Series teams ran under the Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sebastes banner. However, that all changes in 2014 as the company reverts back to it’s original name – Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sebastes.

“It’s been an honor to have the Earnhardt name affiliated with our team,” Chip Ganassi Racing President Steve Lauletta told Sporting News. “Dale and Teresa have done a tremendous amount for the sport. She was visionary enough with us to do this partnership in the first place. We felt like it was a benefit. … The goal of becoming a better race team partnered together, we think we did that.

“That’s a tribute to her wanting to do the right thing for her partners, her company and her employees. We have nothing but good things to say about the partnership.”

Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing was formed in December 2008 when Chip Ganassi Racing entered into a partnership with Dale Earnhardt Incorporated. The decision was then made for Ganassi to switch from Dodge to Chevrolet, to therefore use Earnhardt Childress Racing engines and have access to the Earnhardt Technologies Group. In exchange, the No. 1 team was moved from the DEI shop to the Ganassi shop at the time.

Whether it is due to changes to a the financial structure of the organization, Ganassi officials would not confirm to Sporting News. Though as noted, Ganassi switched from ECR engines last year to Hendrick Motorsports engines.

Also, per Bob Pockrass’ article on Sporting News, EGR was listed as a seperate company from Chip Ganassi Racing in the 2013 annual report that CGR filed with the state of North Carolina. The operations of the Sprint Cup team will now fall under Chip Ganassi company this year.

 “We’ll continue to do business with those (DEI) companies,” Lauletta said. “The relationship with Teresa and DEI was a benefit to the organization and we certainly want to continue to be affiliated with them. But for our partners and for the way we operate the organization, we’re changing the brand to Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates.”

The change comes as no surprise to most people in the sport. Teresa Earnhardt, widow of Dale Earnhardt and owner of Dale Earnhardt Inc., has not been involved with the team’s day-to-day operations from day one. Earnhardt has stayed focused on the DEI museum and continuing to honor Dale Earnhardt’s legacy.

“There is not a daily role (for her) of the management in the two-car Sprint Cup organization,” Lauletta said. “We’ve been operating this way pretty much since Day 1 of the partnership. We still operate the same way we have for the last five years.”

Chip Ganassi Racing enters the 2014 Sprint Cup season with two cars – Past Daytona 500 winner Jamie McMurray behind the wheel of the No. 1 McDonalds Chevrolet, and Kyle Larson entering his rookie season behind the wheel of the No. 42 Target Chevrolet.

NOTES FROM THE NASCAR NATION: Austin Dillon

By
SM Staff
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Photo Credit: David Yeazell

From the very moment Richard Childress Racing (RCR) announced that driver Austin Dillon was moving up to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and would be in the No. 3 Chevrolet, the response was immediate among the NASCAR media and the fans of the sport.

When the official press conference was held last fall and the cover was removed from the No. 3, the pressure was on for young Austin Dillon. That was perfectly understandable and he expected it.

He also responded to the pressure in a very big way during the Friday, January 10th, NASCAR Preseason Thunder test at Daytona International Speedway. Dillon turned a practice lap of 195.109 mph. That effort placed him on top of a 41 car speed chart and that’s where he stayed throughout the practice session.

Everyone was watching. That No. 3 got a lot of Fox Sports 1 television time throughout the day and Dillon was highly sought after for interviews.

“I’m honored to be in the 3,” said Dillon, adding, “this is special and walking into this (NASCAR Sprint) Cup garage this weekend is pretty cool. There are so many heroes in this garage for me, and just being in this garage is going to be pressure.”

That black No. 3 RCR Chevrolet is, of course, forever linked to the late Dale Earnhardt Sr. who won nearly all of his seven NASCAR championships in that ride. It was also that same black No. 3 that elevated Richard Childress to team owner super status. That alone has created a lot of reverence towards that particular car and number.

All throughout the 2013 NASCAR season, there was a lot of speculation that said Childress was seriously considering the return of the iconic No. 3 Chevrolet.

Some of the immediate fan reaction praised the resurrection of the return of a car, number and paint job that created so much racing history. Some said NASCAR should have officially retired the number, following Earnhardt’s tragic death back in 2001. Still others said what’s the big deal? It’s only a number. These are all valid points.

You also have to consider the thought that there are two additional big winners, besides Dillon and Childress, connected to the return of the No. 3. That would be the team’s primary sponsors, Dow Chemicals and Cheerios.

That fact was evident based on the large number of live television shots of the No. 3 during the Daytona test session. Dillon and his No. 3 Chevrolet clearly will be generating a lot of attention all through 2014 and that’s going to translate into some huge publicity numbers for any company that has its logo on the car. In fact, it’s safe to say that the last time any driver and car generated this much attention was the arrival of Danica Patrick to NASCAR racing.

Despite all of this attention and any sense of pressure that may come with it, Austin Dillon seems to be cool, calm and collected. He certainly proved it during the Daytona test.

We will all be watching this driver and team throughout the season and don’t be too surprised if some very impressive accomplishments comes early and often from Dillon and the return of the No. 3.

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