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Michael Waltrip puts Swan Racing, Newtown in Daytona 500

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SM Staff
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Photo Credit: David Yeazell
Photo Credit: David Yeazell
Photo Credit: David Yeazell

For at least a couple hours, Michael Waltrip feels confident he made those in Newtown, Connecticut smile.

Waltrip finished 14th in the first Budweiser Duel race at Daytona, which earns him a spot in Sunday’s Daytona 500. Driving his Swan Racing Toyota in a one-race deal, Waltrip put the single car team in the biggest event of the year.

“It’s just an honor to be able to race this car. We went to Newtown a couple weeks ago and met with the town, couldn’t wait to give them something to smile about,” said Waltrip after the 60 lap race.

“It’s been obviously a tough couple of months. All the fans are texting Newtown 80888, rebuilding the town, whatever they need that money for, we’re glad we can help out. Secondarily, we know we’re going to give them something to cheer about in the 500. There’s no many race fans in the northeast, it’s an honor to race it.”

Everything on Waltrip’s car is a reminder of the tragedy in the small CT town on December 14. From the green and white paint scheme, which are the school colors, to the number on the door, 26. The Swan Racing car traditionally runs the No. 30 but was changed to honor the 26 victims of the school shooting, 20 adults and six children.

Decals on the car provide viewers with a number in order to donate to the Sandy Hook School Support fund. The quarter panels read NEWTOWN 80888 which donates $10 on behalf of anyone who texts the number.

Before the deal was announced at NASCAR Media Day earlier this month, Waltrip and other members of the racing community traveled to Newtown to reveal the plans for the car. The reaction was exactly what Waltrip had hoped, those of thankfulness and appreciation. NASCAR chairman Brian France, who traveled with Waltrip, donated $50,000 to the fund, which NASCAR matched.

Photo Credit: David Yeazell
Photo Credit: David Yeazell

Now, the team sets their sights on Sunday’s race. Waltrip is a two-time winner of the Daytona 500 but feels he’s racing for a more important reason.

“It’s always something. It seems like every time I was carrying a lot of hopes and dreams, people that I wanted to cheer up on my car,” noted Waltrip on having to race into the 500 once again. “So it meant a lot to us to put it in. Two cars are going to miss it [the Daytona 500]. If I get wrecked in that crash, I could have been one of the two.”

The team Waltrip drives for, Swan Racing, is co-owned by fellow driver David Stremme. The crew chief is Tony Eury Jr., whom Waltrip worked with back when he drove for Dale Earnhardt Inc. in the early 2000s. Both Waltrip and Eury Jr. know what success at Daytona feels like, each with their own wins.

Stremme will field the car the remainder of the year, but called upon his friend to assist the team in not only making the race, but to give them a chance to win the event. Waltrip will start 29th on the 43 car grid when the green flag falls on Sunday afternoon.

“I’m happy. Tony Jr. is so much fun to work with. Brandon Davis and those folks at Swan Racing, I think it’s a great story,” said Waltrip. “They said, ‘We’re going to come in and race, figure this out.’ David Stremme has been to every auction, shop, bought parts from Roush [Fenway Racing], from us [Michael Waltrip Racing], all over, just putting this team together.

“Stremme is a great story. No one is working any harder, cares more, wants to be part of this deal any worse than David. I’m glad we got him in the race. That’s a big deal for the team, for the sponsor, for the community. It’s really rewarding to be able to accomplish that.”

Baldwin brings home a 10th place finish in the inaugural UNOH Battle at the Beach

By
Angie Campbell
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Photo Credit: David Yeazell
Photo Credit: David Yeazell
Photo Credit: David Yeazell

Dalton Baldwin Racing Post Race Report

NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour

UNOH Battle at the Beach-Daytona International Speedway

February 21, 2013

Dalton Baldwin started 32nd and battled his way to the front and captured a 10th place finish on Tuesday night in the inaugural UNOH Battle at the Beach at Daytona International Speedway. Baldwin, making his rookie debut in the 2013 season in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour division finished strong after early struggles.

The 150 lap exhibition race was a non-points event and each driver was solely focused on bringing home the trophy from the prestigious track. The result was a race that included 17 cautions and a green-white-checkered final restart. Steve Park claimed the win in the wild finish.

Practice and Qualifying: Baldwin and his team struggled to get the right setup throughout the practice sessions. The car handled well but did not have enough speed through the corners. He was 29th in the final practice.

“We decided in the heat race that we would pit and try a few things instead of racing for position,” Baldwin said.  “Then after the heat, we decided to change a bunch of things, back to what the car was at Charlotte last year, when we felt the car had speed in the corners.”

Race Highlights: Baldwin began the race at the back of the field in the 32nd position but by lap 85 had made his way into the top twenty.  He continued to make steady progress forward and avoided the numerous wrecks. With only 5 laps to go, the final caution of the night set up the GWC restart.

Baldwin was in 8th position for the final start and managed to stay out of trouble once again as another crash ensued on the final lap. With cars wrecking in front of him, he made his way through the field, ending the night in 10th position.

“We started 32nd, and as we were sitting on the grid, my dad and I decided to just ride for 100 laps, let them all wreck, and then we’ll see where we’re at,” Baldwin explained.  “Well, that plan fortunately panned out really well. Just lap after lap, it was like, there goes two, there’s another one, just dropping like flies.”

“Then as the race wound down, we started racing a little harder, and a little harder. Then we got down to the end, we were in 8th, and I felt we were better than a couple cars in front of us. But something broke with the clutch or transmission, and the car wouldn’t go on the restart or coming out of the turns. So that hurt us bad on the green-white-checkered and we ended up 10th.”

“To avoid all those wrecks and come from 32nd to 10th with a clean car was an amazing feat. Our first top 10 and we stayed on the lead lap in just our 3rd race is just awesome, we’re all extremely happy. Words can’t really explain it.”

Extras: One of Dalton’s favorite moments of his Daytona experience was the opportunity to interact with other drivers.

“I fortunately got to sit next to Steve Park (the eventual winner of the race) during the driver autograph sessions and I got to talking to him about how to drive the cars and get around the track. He gave me some great advice,” Baldwin told me. “I don’t have much experience on flat tracks, especially with zero banking. On top of that, I don’t have much experience in these cars. So I can just go off my experiences and natural driving knowledge.

“When I get a chance to ask veterans like Steve for advice on how to drive the track and the cars, I obviously have to take it. Being an 18 year old driver with dreams bigger than himself, it is truly an honor and a fortune to get to have a conversation with someone like Steve Park.”

Start: 32nd                             Finish: 10th                             Points: N/A

Next Race: The next race on the schedule for the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour is March 16th at Caraway Speedway. This will be the first points race of the season.

For more information about Dalton Baldwin Racing including driver bio, race schedule, pictures and videos, please visit www.daltonbaldwin.com.  You can also find his Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/DaltonBaldwinRacing and Twiiter at http://www.facebook.com/DaltonBaldwinRacing.

Who’s Hungry for Some ‘Harv-A-Que’?

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SM Archive
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Scott Lagasse Honored by Boy Scout Partnership

By
SM Staff
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Photo Credit: TeamSLR Photo
Photo Credit: TeamSLR Photo
Photo Credit: TeamSLR Photo

Scott Lagasse has honed his skills from ARCA racing to the NASCAR Nationwide Series. But he is most proud of his new relationship with the Boy Scouts of America as sponsor and partner.

“The relationship with them is pretty unique,” Lagasse said. “It started when I did a pine wood derby race and thought that was pretty cool.”

“We started talking and it ended up at national,” Lagasse continued. “What a great organization.”

“The Scouts do so many great things for kids, instilling morals and values,” Lagasse said. “It was a strange and unplanned relationship, but really a great one.”

Lagasse, a Boy Scout himself, has been most enthused about the impact of the partnership that he has experienced first-hand through a variety of Scouting events.

“We’ve already seen the excitement with the kids,” Lagasse said. “We went to an event at Fort Knox, Kentucky and there were 8,000 kids there that absolutely went crazy and loved the race car.”

“It’s fun for me because we drove a Scout to school this morning,” Lagasse continued. “We’ve done that a couple times now.”

“We went through Orlando with a police escort, spinning the rear tires and pulling up to the front of the school with all the kids out front,” Lagasse said. “It was great.”

“I don’t know if I had more fun, he had more fun or his parents had more fun.”

Lagasse is not the first driver to have a sponsor partnership with a charitable organization, proudly following in the steps of one of his racing idols, Jeff Gordon, whose sponsor is the AARP Foundation’s Drive to End Hunger.

So, it may not be coincidence that Gordon’s step-father John Bickford has also been a friend, mentor and advisor to Lagasse throughout the years.

“Without a doubt you always look up to a driver like Jeff Gordon,” Lagasse said. “Obviously for Mr. Bickford to spend the time with me that he has, I guess I would consider myself a charity case.”

“I don’t know that it was his idea about the charitable partnership, but he definitely has molded the way that I think and approach the sport,” Lagasse continued. “There’s no doubt that he is the leading person pushing me to do a business plan that makes sense.”

“In that regard, Mr. Bickford has been a huge ally and asset,” Lagasse said. “You definitely have to respect what he has done for the sport.”

Lagasse, mirroring the values of the Boy Scouts, also credits his family, particularly his father Scott Lagasse Sr., a racer in his own right, with supporting him in his racing journey.

“I couldn’t ask for my parents to do anything more for me,” Lagasse said. “They both realize the commitment and how much it takes to be successful.”

“They were always there to support me and that to me means a lot.”

In addition to the support of his family, Lagasse is also grateful for the camaraderie, commitment and support of his team. This too mirrors the values of Scouting in creating teamwork and a shared community.

“I’m really excited about the group of guys that we have, especially my crew chief Brad Parrott,” Lagasse said. “Brad came and crew chiefed an ARCA race for me.”

“He was a huge help and we led a lot of laps until we ran out of gas,” Lagasse continued. “It was not his doing but I still give him a hard time about it.”

“That’s obviously a good way to have started the relationship,” Lagasse said. “Since then we have worked together quite a few times.”

“That’s what motivates me, knowing that we’re all going to battle together,” Lagasse continued. “The most fun will be on race day when we strap in with that group of guys around me and the support of the Scouts.”

Lagasse is also looking forward to race day right at his home track, having grown up in St. Augustine, Florida and racing as a youngster in the shadows of Daytona International Speedway. And the 31 year old driver, now with his own team, cannot wait to take the track for the DRIVE4COPD 300 Nationwide race behind the wheel of his No. 8 HybridLight/Boy Scouts of America Chevrolet.

“This is for sure home and I’ve always had dreams of racing here,” Lagasse said. “Our goals are probably in stages.”

“Number one is to get out of here in one piece,” Lagasse said. “That one, we will accomplish.”

“Beyond that, we need to have a good partner to have a shot at the win,” Lagasse continued. “That’s how I’m going to approach it.”

“We’ll do what we need to do early to be there late,” Lagasse said. “We’re a small team and we know we’re up against the big boys.”

“But we have good people so I don’t see why we can’t run up front.”

Most of all for Lagasse, the Daytona race is all about being honored to represent the Boy Scouts and get the youth leadership of today interested in racing for the rest of their lives.

“I would say for me it’s a huge responsibility to partner with the Boy Scouts,” Lagasse said. “That’s how I look at it.”

“It’s a huge honor that also comes with a huge responsibility,” Lagasse continued. “Our relationship is very young but we’re both committed to the long term.”

“I’m excited about helping young kids develop on and off the track,” Lagasse said. “For us, it’s a shared responsibility and an honor to be that rallying point for them.”

“To me, that’s the best part about the Scouts because time and time again, they do the right thing.”

Rating the Race – The Duels at Daytona

By
Ron Thornton
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Photo Credit: David Yeazell
Photo Credit: David Yeazell
Photo Credit: David Yeazell

Why I watched…

These twin races were to determine which cars made the Daytona 500 and who did not. Only the front pole sitters, the best six from last season, the best four qualifying times not already in, and former champion Kurt Busch were locked in. The rest had to go, had to make the moves, had to…

Who am I kidding? From what we saw in qualifying it would have taken a miracle for Brian Keselowski to make the race. Going in, I doubted we would even notice him out there after five laps and owner’s points would not save him. That left just one more who was going to head home empty. Mike Bliss would have been advised to be digging for a Top 16, as he was also most likely to adios amigo. Of course, wrecks or equipment failures could change that, but there was not much drama with only two going home early and two entries already looking pretty weak. The real reason I watched is because it was Daytona and promised to provide me with one hell of a good afternoon of entertainment.

The races…

Nothing unexpected. Brian K did not have a car good enough, and that was demonstrated early. Mind you, Carl Edwards and Trevor Bayne finished behind him in the opening race after Denny Hamlin wiggled and punched Carl into the fence, who then collected Bayne. In the second, Bliss was at the rear of the field all on his own, even trailing the ill-fated Ryan Newman.

To be honest, as much as SPEED’s Mike Joy tried to build up the drama, there was none. No one trying to make the race in the Duels had less points than the two who failed to make the grade. Once it became evident that neither of those cars would finish in the Top 16 in either race, the fat lady sang her song then moved on to make the big bucks as the next spokesperson for Weight Watchers.

Our pole duo did not lose anything. Danica Patrick faded back and then rode out the race observing the action before her. A speeding penalty left Jeff Gordon trying to play catch-up, yet both stayed out of trouble and will be at the front when it really matters; to start the Daytona 500.

Rating the race: 7/10…

I was not hitting the fast forward button but, like the cars on the track, I basically held my position. It was interesting, it was entertaining, but the “wow” factor will have to wait until the weekend. It was visually good to view, and like Jaws Waltrip I truly love the new gyro-cam, but without the drama it was just a solid few hours of television on a Thursday afternoon. After suffering through this week’s episode of the New Normal, to mention one example, I will take it. That was a half hour I’ll never get back.

Biffle Leads RFR with 2nd-Place Finish in Duels; Will start 5th in Daytona 500

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SM Archive
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CHEVY NSCS AT DAYTONA SPEEDWEEKS: Post Race Press Conf. Transcript – Harvick, Martin, Montoya, Kahne & Dillon

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SM Archive
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Toyota NSCS Daytona Duel 2 Post-Race Notes & Quotes

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SM Archive
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Kyle Busch wins second Budweiser Duel at Daytona

By
SM Staff
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Photo Credit: Noel Lanier
Photo Credit: Noel Lanier
Photo Credit: Noel Lanier

Under a pit stop with 20 to go, Kyle Busch would take fuel only and have a solid pit stop to come off pit road in the lead. He would lead the rest of the way to win his first Budweiser Duel in four years. It also marks the second fastest Duel in NASCAR History with Busch completing the race with an average speed of 193.966 mph.

“It’s hard to pass the leader,” Busch said. “When you get out front, you can run pretty good. You just need to get out there and lead. There wasn’t enough lane-by-lane racing here, but you use the tools that you have once you figured it out and win.”

With 30 to go, Busch was running third in line and pulled out to try and make a move, however ended up falling back a couple positions.

“I tried to make a move,” he said. “I thought if I slide drafted off of the 31 (Jeff Burton) I could get back there. I knew I didn’t have much to lose since there were only two cars behind me. Coming on pit road, conserving the tires. That’s what won us the race there. dave made a great call getting no tires.”

Kasey Kahne tried to make a move on the last lap from the third position, however came up short finishing second.

“Maybe should have made my move a lap earlier cause that’s when I felt Austin pushing the most,” Kahne said. “I wanted to do it with two to go and see where we’d end up – but that’s a good run for the Farmers Insurance Chevrolet.”

Kahne says that if he could win his first Daytona 500 on Sunday, it would be amazing.

“We’ve gained a lot since the Sprint race on Saturday night to where we are at now and I feel if we gain a little more, we can be in the hunt,” he added.

Richard Childress’ grandson Austin Dillon finished third and will make his first Daytona 500 start on Sunday.

“That’s awesome,” Dillon said. “Got a little nervous before that. Just stayed in it the whole team, stayed right there with Kasey Kahne all race. Wanted to get a Chevrolet in the 500 but couldn’t get by Kyle there.”

Clint Bowyer finished fourth while Matt Kenseth rounded out the top five as he begins his first season with Joe Gibbs Racing.

“I feel like I’ve tried to do all the right things,” Kenseth said. “I saw the 5 (Kahne) coming, but I knew the outside was quicker so tried to stay out there with him and hoped the 15 (Bowyer) would get there at the last moment. But then the 15 made the move to the inside at the last minute. I should’ve made the move on the 18 (Busch) before the 5 could make the move on me. Guess I have to make my moves better.”

Mark Martin finished sixth, followed by Paul Menard, Jeff Burton, Jamie McMurray and David Regan.

Marcos Ambrose finished 11th with Jeff Gordon 12th. Gordon locked himself into the second starting spot for the Daytona 500 in qualifying last Sunday.  Gordon led the first half of the Budweiser Duel, however suffered a pit road speeding penalty under the green flag stops. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Bobby Labonte also sufferd pit road speeding penalties.

Aric Almirola finished 13th, followed by Stenhouse Jr., Dave Blaney and Josh Wise.

“It’s awesome,” Wise said after qualifying for his first Daytona 500. “It’s a huge amount of stress lifted off our shoulders. We knew if we stayed out of trouble and ran our race we’d get the transfer there.”

Ryan Newman would suffer problems coming on to pit road as he would spin the car out, barely touching the outside wall, as the field came down pit road. He would blow out a tire, however made it back to pit road without further damage. There was no caution for the spin.

As a result of the Budweiser Duels, Mike Bliss and Brian Keselowski failed to make the Daytona 500.

CHEVY NSCS AT DAYTONA SPEEDWEEKS: Budweiser Duel #2 Notes & Quotes

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SM Archive
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