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Jay Guy Named Crew Chief for TRG Motorsports, No. 71 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Effort

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Official Release
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MOORESVILLE, N.C. (February 12, 2011) – TRG Motorsports has tapped veteran NASCAR crew chief Jay Guy to sit atop its No. 71 pit box for the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season.

Guy, who begins his new assignment this weekend in Daytona, will call the race for Andy Lally, who was announced last week as the driver for TRG Motorsports’ 500 entry.

“Jay comes to us highly recommended. We’re very happy to have him on board,” said Kevin Buckler, team owner. “He’s got exactly the kind of experience we’ve been looking for to lead the team and guide Andy through his rookie season. He’ll fit in well at TRG. He’s got the same kind of passion and desire to win that our team has from top to bottom.”

Guy, a native of Lancaster, Pa., comes to TRG Motorsports from Penske Racing, where he spent the 2010 season calling the shots for Brad Keselowski’s Sprint Cup team. Guy has nearly 30 years experience, having started his career with Dave Marcis, ironically in the No. 71 Chevrolet, in the 80’s. Guy’s resume also includes three years of building Furniture Row Racing’s No. 78 Sprint Cup Series team, and stints with MBV Motorsports, FitzBradshaw Racing, ST Motorsports, Wood Brothers Racing and JTG Racing.

“It’s great to be back in Daytona getting ready for the 500. I am really enthusiastic about working with Kevin Buckler and the No. 71 team,” said Guy. “Andy is a racer through and through, and we’ve got a really good group here. I am really going to enjoy helping Andy make his mark in NASCAR.

“It’s funny how things come full circle,” said Guy.  “I have a lot of great memories of being involved with Dave Marcis at the start of my career. To have this opportunity with TRG Motorsports, back with the No. 71, it certainly brings things full circle.”

About TRG Motorsports

TRG Motorsports is based in Mooresville, North Carolina. Currently the team fields a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series entry as well as a limited Camping World Truck Series effort and an ARCA RE/MAX Series team.

The Racer’s Group was founded in 1993 and competes at the top level of sports car racing. TRG’s Porsche sports car program is run out of the company’s headquarters in Petaluma, California. The team has the most wins of any team in the Grand-Am Rolex Series with 31, including the 2005 and 2006 Rolex Series GT championship trophy to go along with wins in the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona (four) and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

For more information on sponsorship, please contact Donato Bonacquisto at (704) 965-2791 or donato@trgmotorsports.com.

Detailed team info can be viewed at www.trgmotorsports.com and www.theracersgroup.com.

Chad Hackenbracht Receives Support From NASCAR Champion

By
Official Release
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DAYTONA BEACH, Florida (February 12, 2011) – – When a ARCA rookie like Chad Hackenbracht receives some advice from a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) champion, you better believe he takes every word to heart. 

So, when Ron Hornaday Jr., driver of the No. 33 Kevin Harvick Inc. Chevrolet Silverado strolled through the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards garage on Thursday and made a trip to the No. 58 Tastee Apple Chevrolet Impala SS garage stall, Hackenbracht was more than willing to inhale advice from one of NASCAR’s finest.

“I’ve always had a lot of respect for Ron (Hornaday Jr.),” said Hackenbracht, who will make his second career start at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway Saturday afternoon in the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200. “He isn’t shy to tell you what to expect or what to prepare for or even how the car looks. As a rookie team, we really embrace that kind of support.”

Hornaday’s presence around the Concord, North Carolina-based team is stemmed from the relationship of CGH Motorsports General Manager and Director of Marketing Jordan Dahl, whose marketing ties with American Marketing Group (AMG) is linked in with KHI.

“It means a lot to me for Jordan to stretch his neck out and bring someone like Hornaday over to our side of the fence, all in an effort to make me a better race car driver,” sounded Hackenbracht, who is attempting to run a full ARCA Racing Series schedule in 2011. “Believe me, I take in everything that Ron says and I don’t take any of it for granted. I’m hoping this relationship is just the start of the things to come.”

Hornaday has remained nestled around the CGH Motorsports garage area and hauler talking to the New Philadelphia, Ohio native through the week preparing him mentally for today’s season-opener at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway.

In addition to Tastee Apple, Axel Fuel, the Official Energy Drink of CGH Motorsports, Metal Parts Manufacturing, Portable Shades, R2C Performance and Xflex Racers Tape join the family-owned team as associate marketing partners in Saturday’s season-opener. 

CGH Motorsports is actively seeking additional marketing partners for the full 2011 ARCA Racing Series schedule. Single, multi and full-season placements are available on the team’s No. 58 entries. Interested parties are urged to contact Jordan Dahl at 570.234.5449 or jordandahl@cghmotorsports.com.  

The Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at Daytona (80 laps / 200 miles) is the first of 19 events on the 2011 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule. The 48th ARCA race held at Daytona is a three-day show. The event will take the green flag later today shortly after 4:30 p.m. The race will be televised live on SPEED with additional race coverage including live timing and scoring and radio broadcast through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at arcaracing.com.  All times are local.

For more information on Chad Hackenbracht and CGH Motorsports, please visit ChadHackenbracht.com and CGHMotorsports.com.

About CGH Motorsports:

 

CGH Motorsports (CGHMotorsports.com), established in 2007 by Ohio entrepreneur Greg Hackenbracht is located in a 10,000 sq. foot facility located in Concord, North Carolina. CGH Motorsports is home of rising sensation Chad Hackenbracht, who competed in nine ARCA Racing Series races in 2010 after an aggressive ARCA testing schedule in 2009. Chad Hackenbracht is the 2008 National Asphalt Legends champion, winning 33 percent of his races and finishing in the top-10, 85 percent of the events he competed in. The team will step up their commitment from a partial schedule and prepare for a hopeful full-season ARCA championship assault beginning in February 2011.

Maryeve Dufault; Tony Marks Rev Up With VR-12 For 2011 ARCA Season

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Official Release
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DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA (February 12, 2011) – – Officials from Tony Marks Racing (TMR) and Freezetone® Products, the manufacturer of VR-12 announced this morning from Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway that VR-12 has aligned itself with the newest team in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards driven by Maryeve (pronounced Mary-EV) Dufault (pronounced DU-FAU) for the full 2011 season as the title sponsor of the team’s No. 12 entry beginning with this afternoon’s Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200.

VR-12 is manufactured by Freezetone® Products, USA, leader in International car maintenance products and environmentally safe solutions. Luis M. Latour, President, has 30 years of experience in manufacturing ecological products for the automotive industry. With his team of experts, he was able to develop a solution that saves consumers money while at the same time lessening the environmental damage caused by most automotive chemical solutions.

VR-12 is a revolutionary green product that is used to guard against coolant problems. This new invention is the ultimate cooling system protection. It is like a vitamin for cooling systems, composed of organic components and mixed through a synergetic process. VR-12 offers an alternative to topping off radiators and cooling systems versus conventional methods. A special formula containing Organic Acid Technology (OAT) will keep vehicles running at pick performance for longer periods of time while eliminating flushing and waste. It should be used as part of monthly radiator and cooling system maintenance. VR-12 is a green product that protects radiators and cooling components from rust and corrosion, preventing expensive coolant replacement.

“We’re very excited about today’s announcement with VR-12,” said Tony Marks, owner of TMR. “This partnership with VR-12 fits the platform that we believe in at TMR and it is a product that I personally endorse. It is our goal to make others in racing and those consumers on the road know the importance of what VR-12 can do and I believe we’ll start showing that this afternoon! To have Maryeve (Dufault) represent VR-12 is a win-win situation. She fits their marketing model perfectly and I know that she can and will get the job done behind the wheel of the VR-12 Dodge Charger.”

For Dufault, a native of Sorel, Quebec Canada the opportunity to work with a growing company like VR-12 fits right into her spectrum. “What an honor it will be to drive the No. 12 VR-12 Dodge Charger this season,” explained Dufault, who will roll from the 24th position later today in her ARCA Racing Series debut. “Mr. Latour believes in our race team and we believe that we can help him accelerate the growth and distribution of his product through Tony Marks Racing. It’s a real honor to be the one to boast their product week in and week out!”

Vehicle maintenance is important, especially as consumers are postponing buying new cars in a recovering economy. VR-12 is appealing as a maintenance solution for radiators and car coolant systems because it can be used with all makes and models and mix with any antifreeze/coolant type, color or brand. Any vehicle owner, motorcycle, heavy truck, light duty truck, RV’ or boat, experiencing poor vehicle performance due to a week and neglected coolant can use VR-12. Also, other coolants are compatible with VR-12 so consumers can use this product when changing engine coolant in conjunction with what they are already using.

“VR-12 is proud to be affiliated with Tony Marks Racing and Maryeve Dufault for the 2011 ARCA Racing Series season,” says Luis M. Latour, President of Freezetone®.  “VR-12 is designed to take care of your vehicle and save money while saving the environment. It helps conserve resources because it can re-energize your antifreeze and boosts your cooling system. We feel that no one can better help us spread that message than the TMR team. We’re extremely proud of the accomplishments that the team has achieved here at Daytona and we’re looking forward not only to today’s race but for the rest of the season.”

The Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at Daytona (80 laps / 200 miles) is the first of 19 events on the 2011 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule. The 48th ARCA race held at Daytona is a three-day show. The event will take the green flag later today shortly after 4:30 p.m. The race will be televised live on SPEED with additional race coverage including live timing and scoring and radio broadcast through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at arcaracing.com.  All times are local.

For additional information on TMT, Inc. please visit; tmtcompanies.net.

For more on Maryeve Dufault, please log onto Maryeveracing.com.

To learn more about Tony Marks Racing, please click over to Tmr-racing.com.

See the buzz that VR-12 is creating by clicking over to their website at VR-12.com.

Michael Angelo’s Pizza, in Ontario, California is hosting a Daytona 500 viewing party and fundraiser benefiting the NASCAR Foundation

By
Official Release
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RANCHO CUCAMONGA , CA   February, 1, 2011 – Bruce Kilgour, Local Regional Ambassador for the NASCAR Foundation , announced today that Michael Angelo’s Pizza of Ontario, Ca. will host the 2011 Daytona  500 viewing party and fundraiser.

Funds raised through the event will be donated to The NASCAR Foundation. There will also be NASCAR giveaways, prizes, and games. All ages are welcome to watch the race on the numerous big-screen televisions, and enjoy great food and drinks! This is a free event open to all NASCAR Fans!

Bruce Kilgour and his Local Ambassador Committee have organized this event at Michael Angelo’s Pizza in Ontario. The venue’s location is 2467 S. Euclid Ave, Ontario, CA. 91762; the event will be held on February 20, 2011 at 9:00 A.M.

***

About the NASCAR Foundation

The NASCAR Foundation embodies the compassion of the NASCAR Family and its commitment to serving communities. The NASCAR Foundation seeks to raise funds and increase volunteerism to support nonprofit charities and charitable causes throughout the nation with an emphasis placed on initiatives that affect the ability of children to live, learn and play.

Mike Skinner to Pilot Eddie Sharp Racing Toyota at Daytona International Speedway

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Official Release
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Denver, N.C. (February 12, 2011)– Eddie Sharp Racing announced veteran NASCAR driver Mike Skinner will pilot the No. 45 Cushman Toyota Tundra at Daytona International Speedway in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event on February 18.
 
“I’m thrilled for the opportunity to have Mike Skinner drive for us at Daytona,” said team owner Eddie Sharp. “To have someone of his caliber drive for our young truck program is exciting. I have known Mike for many years, and I am thankful for his trust in our program and his relationship with Toyota. I’m really looking forward to working with him.”
 
The former NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion will compete for the eighth time at the 2.5-mile speedway in the NCWTS.
 
“Eddie Sharp and I have been friends for a long time, and I have watched him win big in the ARCA Racing Series over the past few years,” said Skinner. “He came to me a few years ago and told me about his goal to move into the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. I think it is exciting to be able to work together and help him accomplish this dream in his first full season in NASCAR.”
 
Skinner will continue to drive a Toyota Tundra with Cushman on board as sponsor. Cushman vehicles are used worldwide to transport personnel, materials and equipment at manufacturing facilities, warehouses, resorts, and other commercial and industrial facilities. Cushmanbrand and product lines are owned by Textron, a global multi-industry company based in Providence, R.I. Cushman is a sister brand to such powerful brands as Cessna, Bell Helicopter, E-Z-GO, Greenlee and Jacobsen. 2011 marks the 110th anniversary of the company.
 
“I’m excited to have Cushman on board for Daytona, and I’m ready to get on the track,” said Skinner. “We are currently working on sponsorship for the rest of the season, and I really hope that we can put together something to be able to run the full NCWTS schedule. I have a great relationship with Toyota, and we have really helped each other throughout the years- good and bad. It is a win-win situation for both myself and Toyota, and through our relationship, we are able to work with people like Eddie Sharp.”
 
Jefferson Hodges will be the crew chief the No. 45 Cushman Toyota. Hodges, who served as crew chief for veteran Steve Park in several NCWTS in 2010, provides years of experience in the NASCAR garages, including experience as crew chief for Kevin Conway in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, car chief for Paul Menard in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. He also won the NASCAR Weekly Series National championship with Mark McFarland.
 
“I’m excited to have the opportunity to work with Mike Skinner,” said Hodges. “We’ve prepared a great truck to bring for Skinner, and it’s going to be a great opportunity to work with a driver that has such stature and knowledge. His experience will accelerate our learning curve in our first year in the series, and I really am looking forward to working with him.”
 
Skinner will join Craig Goess in the ESR lineup at Daytona International Speedway. Goess, a NCWTS rookie, will drive the No. 46 Greenville Toyota of N.C. Tundra in the event.
 
The green flag waves on the NextEra Energy Resources 250 on February 18th at 7:30 p.m.  For more information, please check out www.teamesr.com, www.facebook.com/teamesr and www.twitter.com/teamesr,

Roush Fenway’s Edwards to Start Third in Budweiser Shootout

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Official Release
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Biffle draws 11th, Kenseth 19th for all-star event

 

[media-credit name=”David Yeazell” align=”alignright” width=”188″][/media-credit]DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 11, 2011) – Carl Edwards will start third in tomorrow night’s Budweiser Shootout, after pulling the spot in Friday night’s random drawing. Greg Biffle will start 11th and Matt Kenseth drew the 19th place spot for the all-star event that kicks off the 2011 season.

Edwards led 42 laps in the race last season, before getting caught up in a multi-car accident on the last lap of the event. Edwards will make his fourth career start in the Shootout, while Biffle and Kenseth will make their sixth and fifth career starts in the event.

Roush Fenway won the event in 1999 and has two runner-up finishes in the Shootout. The team has placed at least one car in the race in each of the past 23 seasons.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. will lead the 24-car field to the green in the race. Tomorrow’s Budweiser Shootout is set for Saturday night (Feb. 20) at 8:10 p.m. EST and will be televised live on FOX.

The Sprint Cup teams will also hit the track on Saturday for the first Daytona 500 practice session at 11:00 a.m. EST.

Rookie Bayne Confident As He Prepares For His Daytona

By
Official Release
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When the Wood Brothers No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Fusion hits the track for Daytona 500 practice on Saturday, it’ll represent both ends of the Speedweeks experience spectrum.

[media-credit name=”woodbrothersracing.com” align=”alignright” width=”200″][/media-credit]The Woods have been racing at Daytona in February for 61 years, since team founder Glen Wood was driving in races on the old beach-road course that preceded Daytona International Speedway.

Their current driver, rookie Trevor Bayne, has never driven a Sprint Cup car at Daytona except in two off-season test sessions.  But Bayne, who will turn 20 next Saturday, is no ordinary rookie, and therefore expectations are high for his first try at the Great American Race.

As he participated in Thursday’s Media Day rounds with reporters, Bayne came across as poised and confident, with no sign of any pre-race jitters.

“When you set your expectations and you finally get there, it doesn’t come as a surprise,” he said. “Since I was five years old I wanted to be here at this point, so now that we’re here, this is where I wanted to be.

“We belong here and I think we’re going to try to make that statement that we’re not just here to run a race, we’re here to stay….

“I think we’ve got the opportunity to do it. I’ve got all the support around me with Ford Racing and Wood Brothers and Roush on the Nationwide side, and getting double seat time this weekend. I’m really looking forward to that because I like to stay busy all the time.”

Over the years, some of NASCAR’s best drivers have come to Daytona for the first time and driven like they’d been running there for years. The late Dale Earnhardt led 10 laps and finished eighth in his first Daytona 500, back in 1979, and Jeff Gordon won his Gatorade Duel and finished fifth in the 500 his first time out, in 1993.

Bayne said coming out the box in a big way is the approach he needs to take.

“I think as a race car driver that’s the mentality you have to have,” he said. “Sometimes it gets me in trouble, because I’m so worried about performance and being the fastest in practice and qualifying on the pole that you set unreal expectations and that sets you up for disappointment.

“But I think as long as we set those real expectations, kind of like we did at Texas, and you meet those expectations, you’re just going to get better and better.”

Like Earnhardt and Gordon in their Daytona debuts, Bayne has strong support behind him. In addition to the support and experience from the Woods, he’s got a veteran crew chief in Donnie Wingo and technical support from Roush Fenway Racing.

“The Wood Brothers, they’ve poured their heart and soul into this,” Bayne said. “You can see a lot of excitement going on, and they said they haven’t felt this excited going to Daytona in a long time.

“So to hear that gives me a little boost to see the confidence they already have in me after one race.”

Team co-owner Eddie Wood said he has confidence in both his car and his driver.

“We’ve tested here two times, and we’ve worked on our car after each one, so we’re looking forward to getting on the track and seeing what we’ve got,” he said.

Wood also pointed out that even though the Motorcraft/Quick Lane Fusion will sport a rookie’s yellow stripe on the rear bumper, Bayne is much more than a novice racer.

“He’s been racing since he was five years old, so by the time he takes the green flag for the 500 he’ll have 16 years of experience,” Wood said. “And he probably got 500 miles of drafting practice during the Goodyear tire test in December.”

Qualifying for the Daytona 500 is set for Sunday at 1:05 p.m. The 150-mile Gatorade Duel qualifying races are scheduled for Thursday at 2 p.m., and the green flag for the Daytona 500 is scheduled to fly just after 1 p.m. on Sunday Feb. 20, with TV coverage on FOX.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Grabs Bud Shootout Pole At Draw Party

By
SM Staff
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Lately it seemed when Dale Earnhardt Jr. went to pick his spot, he’d always get a crappy starting position – like 20th. This year was different as he drew the pole for Saturday night’s Budweiser Shootout at the Draw Party.

[media-credit name=”David Yeazell” align=”alignleft” width=”225″][/media-credit]”I’ve been in this race a lot and I’ve never started from the pole,” he said. “Hopefully I can find out who starts third and am good friends with them.”

Before he peeled his label off, he predicted it’d to be first.

“You knew it, didn’t you?” Kenny Wallace asked him.

“I did,” Earnhardt responded. “We’re good.”

Sporting a clean look this year instead of the beard, Earnhardt cited it being due to the sponsors not allowing it.

“My sister got smart and has photo shoots every three weeks so I can’t grow it,” he said.

Starting on the outside of the front row will be one of Earnhardt’s best drafting partners in the past – Tony Stewart. Instead of his starting position being talked about the most, the talk surrounded his incident in Australia, where he stated that he didn’t hit the guy with the helmet like rumor said, and him losing weight.

“You know you’re famous when the biggest story of the winter time is Tony loses weight,” Kenny commented.

“Its kind of scary when one guy talks about another guy’s weight,” Stewart said near the end of their conversation. “If I didn’t know your wife, I’d be scared.”

Drawing the fourth spot was Denny Hamlin, who was quite content with what he got.

“Actually, wouldn’t want to be anywhere else,” Hamlin said.

After coming so close last year, Hamlin comes into the new season ready to challenge, with new backing from Michael Jordan.

“Its a good business deal for the both of us,” he said, of the deal. “Its a big deal for myself to be the first Jordan branded athlete in racing.”

The fifth starting spot came to equal irony as it would be Kasey Kahne, who is set to drive that number in 2012.

“I think we’re going to learn a lot for the duels and the 500 next week,” Kahne said.

Rounding out the top 10 was Bobby Labonte, Clint Bowyer, Ryan Newman, Derrike Cope and Michael Waltrip.

While the focus was on determining where everybody would start, the discussions were a little all over the place as Kenny Wallace and Steve Byrns hosted the event.

Kyle Busch, who will start 21st, spoke off his wedding to Samantha that took place on New Year’s Eve in Chicago.

“I do got some extra weight on my hand, but we’re drinking strictly bottled water as there’s lots going on here,” he joked. “We both had a great time. The wedding was awesome. We had a wonderful opportunity to get our friends out there to celebrate – 300 of them.”

Jeff Burton and Jeff Gordon joked about their little feud that they had at Texas.

“Ah yeah, we’re buddies,” Gordon responded when Wallace asked him if they spent thanksgiving together. “We’ve been hanging out all off-season long……..I think its funny how every place we go, they put us next to each other to try to start something.”

“My daughter said when I got home, she said she’d kick his ass,” Burton said.

They will start the Budweiser Shootout near each other as Gordon got 12th while Burton got 15th.

Besides the feud, Burton also spoke of the busy off-season he had.

“We did a lot of racing, more racing than normal,” Burton said. “I’m a car owner and I’m a crew chief.”

20th may not be the number that must drivers want, but Mark Martin was plenty happy with it.

“I got some great race fans and one of my fanss said to get this one,” he said. “This is just where I wanted to start so this is no problem.”

Last year’s Daytona 500 winner Jamie McMurray said that last year was a really good year for him and he spent the off-season with his new baby, Carter.

“We had a baby – on Thanksgiving day,” he said, before choosing 14th. “We’ve had a really good off-season. it was nice that we had carter right when the season was over so we got to stay with him.”

Kevin Harvick, who is going for his third Budweiser Shootout in a row, spoke of his latest experiences with Budweiser.

“I went with Budweiser and anywhere you go with Budweiser, you can’t help but have a good time,” he said before drawing 18th. “I got to go the Superbowl, NHL All-Star game and drink beer. We got to go to the headquarters in St. Louis and got to drank really good beer.”

Starting Lineup      

1.         Dale Earnhardt Jr.

2.         Tony Stewart

3.         Carl Edwards

4.         Denny Hamlin

5.         Kasey Kahne

6.         Bobby Labonte

7.         Clint Bowyer

8.         Ryan Newman

9.         Derrike Cope

10.       Michael Waltrip

11.       Greg Biffle

12.       Jeff Gordon

13.       Juan Montoya

14.       Jamie McMurray

15.       Jeff Burton

16.       Kevin Conway

17.       Kurt Busch

18.       Kevin Harvick

19.       Matt Kenseth

20.       Mark Martin

21.       Kyle Busch

22.       Joey Logano

23.       Jimmie Johnson

24.       Regan Smith

To see more articles by Ashley McCubbin and live updates from the weekend, check out http://newsfromthepits.blogspot.com/

Joe Denette Parlays A Dollar and A Dream Into His Own Race Team

By
SM Staff
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Every NASCAR fan dreams of winning the lottery and starting his or her own race team.  NASCAR fan Joe Denette did just that, parlaying his dollar and his dream into his own race team after winning the Mega Millions Lottery.

[media-credit name=”Joe Denette Motorsports” align=”alignright” width=”210″][/media-credit]The Fredericksburg, Virginia native had been a bit down on his luck prior to picking the winning ticket.  In fact, Denette was unemployed.

“I was a construction worker up until January of 2009 and then I got laid off,” Denette said.  “In May of 2009, I hit the lottery and I’m still laid off.”

“I just played the lottery like I usually do and woke up one morning in May and found that I had won,” Denette said.  “Needless to say I went from there to the race track.”

At the race track, in fact at Richmond International Raceway, Denette met Hermie Sadler, NASCAR driver and SPEED TV personality.  Denette and Sadler clicked during a ride around the track in celebration of his lottery win and the partnership was formed.

“During the check presentation for the lottery, he (Sadler) drove me around the track and that’s how I got with him,” Denette said.  “We became friends then and we’re still real good friends.”

“One thing led to another and we started talking about starting our team,” Denette said.  “And that’s what we did.”

Denette decided to focus on the truck series because of his affinity for the race vehicles.

“I love trucks to start with,” Denette said.  “I drive a truck myself so I’m a little partial to trucks.  I’ve always loved racing and this will be the best start.”

After claiming his winnings of over $70 million, Denette decided to first work with his new NASCAR mentor Sadler to field a truck at the Bristol race in 2009, with Sadler behind the wheel.  Denette continued to support Sadler in various runs throughout 2010 before deciding to launch his own team for 2011.

This year, Denette will launch his new Camping World Truck team, Joe Denette Motorsports.  The new owner plans to participate in the season opening truck race at Daytona and will run the entire 2011 schedule.

“To start with, we plan on winning races and winning the championship,” Denette said confidently.  “Jason White will be driving our No. 23 truck and GunBroker.com is our primary sponsor.”

“We are running all 24 races and we will make them and contend for a championship.”

Denette is most confident in his new team, as well as his driver, citing White’s experience, as well as his pole run at Daytona last year.  “I think he can do it again this year,” Denette said.

White will be paired with crew chief Chad Kendrick, fresh off his stint with Germain Racing, where he worked with drivers such as Max Papis, Stacey Compton, Narain Karthikeyan, and Timothy Peters.  The 31 year old driver, competing in his  fourth year in the series, echoed the confidence of his new owner as well.

“I feel like I am finally somewhere that I can grow, be competitive and race for wins,” White said.  “With this team and my sponsor behind me, I feel like we will be not only win races but contend for the championship.”

Denette is sparing no expense in his racing endeavor.  Under the tutelage of Sadler, he has purchased top notch equipment, as well as forming an alliance with Kevin Harvick Inc.

“We’re renting a place to house all of our trucks from KHI,” Denette said.  “Kevin Harvick is also doing all of our chassis and bodies and we basically have an alliance so we get our research and development from him.”

Although Denette is trying to be as involved as he can in all aspects of his new truck team, he is primarily focusing on the business side of the operations.

“But as many chances as I can get to go to the shop, I take,” Denette said.  “And as many times as I can get to the track, I will go.”

Denette clarified, however, that he might not be able to make the trip himself for the first race of the season at Daytona.

“My wife’s expecting a baby, due the following week and we’re not sure if he’s going to wait until then,” Denette said with a chuckle.  This will their first child and he realizes that, although he is now a NASCAR team owner, he has little control of when his son decides to enter the world.

“When he’s ready, he’s ready,” Denette said.

Although Denette is experiencing many new transitions in his life, from husband to father and from unemployed to NASCAR truck team owner, he still primarily defines himself as a race fan.

“I’ve been a NASCAR fan my entire life,” Denette said.  “Now rather than sitting in the stands just watching the race, I’m a part of it.  I’ll be in the pits and a part of all the action.”

“A lot of times, I do want to pinch myself,” Denette continued.  “And I think, I hope I don’t wake up from this dream.”

Ty Dillon and Kyle Fowler Make Up Front Row for ARCA Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at Daytona

By
SM Staff
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[media-credit name=”arcaracing.com” align=”alignleft” width=”258″][/media-credit]When the green flag drops tomorrow for the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200, two 18 year old drivers will lead the field to the green flag.

Richard Childress’ grandson Ty Dillon (No. 41 University of Northwestern Ohio/Richard Childress Racing Development Chevrolet) won the pole with a lap of 48.509 seconds (185.533mph) to win the Menards Pole Award presented by Ansell. This is the fastest lap that has been run at Daytona since Kirk Shelmerdine in 2001 with a pole speed of 187.352mph. 

“It was really special to me. I’ve been coming here for a long time since I was a little kid to see my grandfather, watching races, watching qualifying, and this being my first time at a superspeedway and to have this car get the pole is really special to me,” Dillon said. “I’m glad we could do it with UNOH.

“Our team has definitely worked hard enough so that we have one of the best cars in the garage. I believe we can definitely win this race tomorrow. I just have to be patient; we have the car to do it.”

This marks the start of a solid weekend for Dillon, who is trying to go for his third consecutive win in a row after winning the final two races last year – Kansas & Rockingham. Dillon has also been running a dirt modified at Volusia Speedway Park each night to get more experience.

“I think it just helps me with my experience, getting as much seat time as possible,” he said. “It’s been hard every night getting back to the hotel at 1 in the morning and getting up at 6 to come here to be with the guys, but I love racing. I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else.”

Starting second will be Venturini Motorsports rookie Kyle Fowler, who drove a lap of 48.65 seconds (184.995mph) in his No. 15 Chevrolet.

“Venturini definitely has an awesome piece there with the 15 car, and I’m just the lucky guy that gets to hold the steering wheel,” Fowler said.

Fowler has made just five prior starts in the ARCA Racing Series, but none on a track larger than a mile-and-a-half.

“It was absolutely incredible to make those first few laps around here,” he said. “Heck, I got goosebumps just walking on the premises. It’s every driver’s dream to race here. It’s racing’s biggest stage, and I just want to be there at the end.”  

Following the rookies will be Venturini Motorsports veteran Steve Arpin (No. 25 Mike’s Hard Lemonade Chevrolet), with a lap of 48.762 seconds (184.57 mph).

“We were really focused (in practice) yesterday on qualifying stuff,” said Arpin, who led the series with three victories last year. “It’s really hard at Daytona, because you’ve got to try to qualify the best you can because track position’s really important, but at the same time you’ve got to make the car drive as good as it can.

“We tried to find that happy medium and balance the car the best we could. The best thing I’m excited about is that our car drives awesome in the draft and that’s all that’s important – to get that trophy at the end of the day tomorrow.”

Matt Merrell, who is making his first start since 2009, will start fourth, in his No. 32 Red Line Oil Toyota. Six-time Daytona ARCA winner Bobby Gerhart completed the top five in fifth with his No. 5 Lucas Oil Slick Mist Chevrolet.

Practice leader Hal Martin, motocross superstar Ricky Carmichael, Mark Thompson, Tim George Jr., and Tom Hessert will fill out the rest of the first five rows.

Other notables include IndyCar star Milka Duno who will start 23rd in his first ARCA start while nine-time ARCA Racing Series champion Frank Kimmel will start 26th in his 20th ARCA Daytona start.

The 80-lap, 200-mile Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 airs live on SPEED at 4:30 p.m. Eastern tomorrow, with live timing and scoring and live audio presented by ARCA Nation and News 1150 WNDB at ARCARacing.com. Bobby Gerhart (No. 5 Lucas Oil Slick Mist Chevrolet) is the defending and all-time leading winner at the track, with wins in 1999, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2010. Gerhart also won four consecutive poles between 2003 and 2006. The race is scheduled as the first of 19 this season.

The ARCA Racing Series will host a final, 45-minute practice at 10 a.m. on Saturday. Live timing and scoring will be presented by ARCA Nation at ARCARacing.com.

Starting Grid

2011 Event #1, ARCA Racing Series Presented by Menards    
Daytona Int’l Speedway, Daytona Beach FL, 2-12-11    
Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200      
           
February 11, 2011 / 3:49 PM      
           
POS NO DRIVER/HOMETOWN TEAM & CAR TIME SPEED
1 41 Ty Dillon/Lewisville NC UNOH Chevrolet 48.509 185.533
2 15 Kyle Fowler/Smyrna GA Venturini Motorsports Chevrolet 48.650 184.995
3 25 Steve Arpin/Fort Frances ON Mike’s Hard Lemonade-Trent’s Tire Toyota 48.762 184.570
4 32 Matt Merrell/Portland TX Red Line Oil Toyota 48.881 184.121
5 5 Bobby Gerhart/Lebanon PA Lucas Oil Slick Mist Chevrolet 48.961 183.820
6 55 Hal Martin/Galliano LA NOLA Motorsports Park Toyota 48.977 183.760
7 4 Ricky Carmichael/Tallahassee FL Monster Energy Chevrolet 48.981 183.745
8 66 Mark Thompson/Cartersville GA Phoenix Air Toyota 49.083 183.363
9 31 Tim George Jr./New York NY RCR Development Chevrolet 49.112 183.255
10 52 Tom Hessert/Cherry Hill NJ Federated Auto Parts Toyota 49.249 182.745
11 28 Miguel Paludo/Nova Prata Brazil STEMCO-Duroline Toyota 49.276 182.645
12 98 Kevin Swindell/Goodlettsville TN Curb Records-Eddie Sharp Racing Toyota 49.291 182.589
13 16 Joey Coulter/Miami Springs FL Rip It Energy Fuel-Darrell Gwynn Foundation Chevrolet 49.314 182.504
14 22 Dakoda Armstrong/New Castle IN Ferrellgas-Syngenta Dodge 49.355 182.352
15 19 Brian Rose/Louisville KY Harris Trucking-ASE Toyota 49.358 182.341
16 6 Jason Bowles/Ontario CA Eddie Sharp Racing Toyota 49.368 182.304
17 14 John Ferrier/Middletown NY CGS Imaging Ford 49.386 182.238
18 30 Terry Jones/Amherstburg Ontario Jones Group Dodge 49.388 182.230
19 17 Chris Buescher/Prosper TX Roulo Brothers Racing Ford 49.408 182.157
20 09 Benny Gordon/DuBois PA VSI Ford 49.537 181.682
21 94 Brett Hudson/Owensboro KY Hudson Performance Drivelines Dodge 49.583 181.514
22 11 Bryan Silas/Stuart FL National Speed Sport News-Fast Track Ford 49.584 181.510
23 63 Milka Duno/Caracas Venezuela Citgo Lubricants Dodge 49.604 181.437
24 12 Maryeve Dufault/Sorel Quebec TMR Dodge 49.726 180.992
25 77 Joey Licata/Van Nuys CA Wrong Inc. Dodge 49.727 180.988
26 44 Frank Kimmel/Clarksville IN Ansell-Menards Ford 49.775 180.814
27 82 Sean Corr/Goshen NY Empire Racing Ford 49.782 180.788
28 1 Chad McCumbee/Supply NC ModSpace Ford 49.791 180.756
29 18 Chris Lawson/Troutman NC Ideal Steel Custom Flame Cutting Dodge 49.801 180.719
30 00 Ed Kennedy/Coppell TX Thunder 2 Lubricants-Daytona Lagoon Chevrolet 49.811 180.683
31 36 Grant Enfinger/Fairhope AL BeasleyAllen.com-Excaliber Coach Dodge 49.846 180.556
32 26 Tommy Joe Martins/Como MS Martins Motorsports Dodge 49.924 180.274
33 23 Nick Igdalsky/Long Pond PA Fox Realty Chevrolet Provisional
34 34 Darrell Basham/Henryville IN IndustrialDepot.com Ford Provisional
35 48 James Hylton/Inman SC Radon.com Ford Provisional
36 10 Ed Pompa/Ballston Spa NY Rifenburg Construction-Double H Ranch Chevrolet Provisional
37 06 Barry Fitzgerald/Sykesville MD CanadianHeroes.com Chevrolet Provisional
38 68 Steve Blackburn/Prestonsburg KY Honda of Prestonburg-Harley of Pikeville Dodge Provisional
39 7 Brent Cross/Cortland NY Cummings Auto Machine-Quadraflex Chevrolet Provisional
40 58 Chad Hackenbracht/New Philadelphia OH Tastee Apple Chevrolet Provisional
41 75 Benny Chastain/Tallahassee FL Drive To End Hunger AARP Toyota Provisional
42 3 Brent Brevak/Eau Claire WI Red’s Auto Ford Provisional
43 42 Scott Stenzel/Orlando FL Yellow Stripes Making The Driver Ford Provisional

To see more articles by Ashley McCubbin and live updates from the weekend, check out http://newsfromthepits.blogspot.com/

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