RODNEY CHILDERS, CREW CHIEF No. 00 TOYOTA ON TODAY’S AUTO CLUB SPEEDWAY ANNOUNCEMENT THAT ITS SPRING RACE WILL MOVE FROM 500 TO 400 MILES: “I think it’s a good thing. If you watch some of the races out there they can get pretty long and drawn out just like Michigan. California is a place where you have engine failures and things like that because we run a really high RPM on the long straight-aways. Shortening this race will kind of even things out engine wise as it compares to everywhere else that we race. I think it’s a good thing for everyone. Now we have to go a little bit harder, earlier, and that should make for a better show for the fans and that’s what matters the most.”
MWR OWNERS WALTRIP AND KAUFFMAN TO RACE AGAIN IN THE DUBAI 24 HOUR SPORTS CAR RACE
CORNELIUS, N.C. – Michael Waltrip Racing owners Michael Waltrip and Rob Kauffman are teaming up again to race in the sixth-annual Dubai 24 Hour sports car race at the ultra-modern Dubai Autodrome on Friday.
The event marks the first international motor race of 2011. The two-time Daytona 500 champion and Kauffman will drive one of 90 entrants in the race that features nearly every sports car manufacturer.
“I love racing cars,” said Waltrip. “We had a blast racing there last year and wanted to do it again. I couldn’t believe the number of people that came up to me in Dubai and wanted to talk about NASCAR racing or ask a question about our team. I came back and told everyone at MWR that fans are paying attention to what we are doing on the other side of the world.” Waltrip and Kauffman will join co-drivers Rui Aguas and Matt Griffin behind the wheel of the Ferrari F430 GT2 of the AF Corse team. Waltrip and Kauffman raced this car in Dubai last year and in Belgium where they scored an impressive third-place finish on the legendary Spa Francorchamps circuit.
The 3.5-mile track at the Dubai Autodrome is one of the most modern in the world; it is also one of the most challenging, as it has a combination of high-speed straights and technical corners.
NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers Bobby Labonte and David Reutimann joined Waltrip and Kauffman at a Dec. 18-21 test session in Portugal where the AF Corse team prepared for Dubai. Race fans can track Waltrip’s progress during the Dubai weekend on his Twitter account @mw55.
Track action starts on Thursday with daylight practice, qualifying and night practice. The 24-hour race will start on Friday at 2 p.m. local time (5 a.m. ET) Waltrip and Kauffman own MWR which fields NASCAR Sprint Cup Series entries for Waltrip, Martin Truex Jr. and Reutimann.
SAM SCHMIDT MOTORSPORTS AND VICTOR CARBONE JOIN FORCES FOR 2011 FIRESTONE INDY LIGHTS
INDIANAPOLIS – Sam Schmidt Motorsports announced today that Brazilian Victor Carbone will be one of the team’s drivers for the 2011 Firestone Indy Lights season.
Carbone, from Sao Paulo, comes to Sam Schmidt Motorsports after having spent the last two seasons racing in F2000 with Alegra Motorsports where he won the championship in 2010 with eight podium finishes, including six victories, along with six poles and four fast laps.
“I am really excited for the 2011 racing season as I will have a great opportunity in driving with Sam Schmidt Motorsports,” Carbone said. “They have just won the championship, so I will be working with some of the best people available.”
The 18-year old had the chance to test with Sam Schmidt Motorsports in December, getting his first taste of the Firestone Indy Lights machine. The jump to the Firestone Indy Lights vehicle from the F2000 car is a big step, but one that Carbone is confident he can handle.
He said, “I am aware this is a big step, and things are different from the F2000 world. Even though there is many differences, I feel the two years I spent in F2000 gave me the necessary foundations for me to make this move. I will work very hard to listen, learn, and do whatever it takes to achieve good results.”
Team owner, Sam Schmidt, has been impressed with Carbone’s maturity and expectations, and most importantly, his results in the December test. He said, “We’re going to give Victor all the tools he needs to be successful in 2011, but make no mistake, this is a big step for him. He’s got a learning curve ahead of him, but as a team, we’re confident that we can put together great results this year. The maturity and experience he already has at 18 is incredible, and I can’t wait to see what he does when the racing season begins.”
Prior to his stint in F2000, Carbone raced in the Skip Barber ladder system, competing in the Skip Barber Regional Series and the BFGoodrich/Skip Barber National Championship Presented by Mazda, both in 2008. He was also a successful kart racer, winning in various classes in Brazil and the United States.
Sam Schmidt Motorsports, the all-time leaders in race wins (37) and championships (2004, 2006, 2007, 2010), will kick off the 2011 Firestone Indy Lights season on March 27th on the Streets of St. Petersburg. Coverage of the event will be available on indycar.com. For more information on the team, visit
Brad Keselowski Joins Darrell Waltrip and Denny Hamlin, As The Latest to Get Ensnared by Twitter
In today’s modern high tech era, the internet has made it easy for any fan to get up to date information which at one time was hard to come by.
Facebook and MySpace were two avenues the drivers and teams utilized to communicate with their fans, along with the many NASCAR websites such as Jayski, Scenedaily, and the independent websites which make up NASCAR’s Journalist Media Corps.
This past season, NASCAR took on a whole different look when Twitter joined the already sprawling social networking community.
Twitter became the backbone for many different reasons, and one of the biggest was to give the fans a glimpse of what goes on during a typical day in the life of their favorite driver.
The fans that flocked to Twitter were also given some good inside information on how each driver responds to different situations, which included members of the media who probably never realized just how many fans were actually tuned in.
The Twitter craze also gave members of the media and the fans a chance to interact with one another, because it was set-up as an instant messaging system allowing the participants the opportunity to chat with one another.
With any form of open messaging that is broadcast over the internet, there will always the downfalls which can quickly turn an average conversation into a costly mistake if the wrong information is broadcast.
Darrell Waltrip was one of those media members who learned the hard way, that social networking was a lot bigger than what he probably anticipated, when he leaked a story on his twitter page that drew National attention.
Waltrip posted on his twitter page, the details of Foxsports.com writer Lee Spencer’s article about Dale Earnhardt Jr. driving a No. 3 Wrangler Nationwide Series car at Daytona in July.
[media-credit name=”Barry Albert” align=”alignright” width=”300″]
[/media-credit]Denny Hamlin was another who made the same mistake, when he criticized NASCAR for throwing late caution flags to help make the June 13 race at Michigan more competitive on his twitter page.
Hamlin took it a step further when he tweeted about some late caution flags, which were thrown during the Nationwide Series race at Chicagoland Speedway July 9.
“Truthfully, I don’t think it matters to the fans who win the race as long as it’s a good ‘show,’ even if it comes as the expense of competition.”
Unlike Waltrip whose tweets came under attack from Earnhardt, “It’s unfortunate DW uncovered, and blew the lid off of it on Twitter no less. That kind of ruined our announcement that we had planned,” said an upset Earnhardt after Waltrip broke the story on Twitter.
Hamlin faced NASCAR who hit the driver of the No. 11 FedEx Toyota Camry, with a reported $50,000 fine.
“Other people before me, not to name names – Tony Stewart – have said way worse than what I have, way worse direct hits at somebody and got away with it.”
“I’ve always been raised to speak my mind and be, maybe, too over-opinionated at times,” said Hamlin after hearing about the penalty.
After these two unpleasant incidents, and these words of advice from Waltrip, “Lesson learned be careful what you tweet, because you never know who is reading. Oh by the way, I did learn one thing, Twitter is a great way to get the word out, even people that don’t have it know what’s on it.”
Brad Keselowski, became the next driver to inadvertently use Twitter as an avenue to talk about one of NASCAR’s rule changes for the 2011 Nationwide Series, and beyond.
Even though NASCAR hasn’t made any formal announcement, thanks to Keselowski displeasure at not being eligible for the Bud shootout, we now know that cup drivers will not be allowed to race for the NNS championship, which was one of the rule changes a lot of the fans were hoping for.
Keselowski said on his Twitter account Friday that, “Needed a good laugh tonight after being ruled ineligible for both shootout and NW championship in one loooong week. Thanks for the support.”
If there was one question that was answered through Keselowski’s blunder and that is the teams, and drivers know beforehand of any rule changes to the series before the fans and media are informed.
Whether or not Keselowski is telling the truth with this tweet on Saturday, remains to be known until NASCAR makes an official announcement.
“To clarify last nights remarks about NW championship No I have not been notified by anyone at NASCAR about the 2011 rules for eligibility.”
The only question remaining is, will Keselowski be willing to post on his twitter page if NASCAR decides to fine him for leaking the rule change?
Tim George Jr. Returns to RCR Driver Lineup in 2011
Jan 11-13 ARCA Open Test at Daytona Kicks of 2011 Season
WELCOME, N.C. (January 10, 2011) – Tim George Jr. returns to Richard Childress Racing’s driver lineup for 2011 as fulltime driver of the No. 31 RCR Chevrolet in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards. George is also expected to compete in a limited NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series schedule in 2011.
In addition to George, Ty Dillon will compete in the full 2011 ARCA Racing Series schedule this season, driving the No. 41 RCR Chevrolet. They join Paul Menard (NASCAR Sprint Cup Series), Kevin Harvick (NSCS), Jeff Burton (NSCS), Clint Bowyer (NSCS), Austin Dillon (NCWTS) and Joey Coulter (NCWTS) as drivers competing under the RCR banner this year.
George, who will once again pair with veteran crew chief Gere Kennon, will make his first ARCA laps of 2011 in an RCR entry this Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday as part of an ARCA Open Test at Daytona. The 30-year-old New York, N.Y., native also spent last weekend at the “World Center of Racing” behind the wheel of a Grand-Am Rolex GT Series car as part of that series’ test session for the 24 hours of Daytona, in which George is scheduled to compete.
In 2010, George’s first full season of competition as an RCR driver, he continued a progression into stock car auto racing that began in 2008 with his most successful season in ARCA to date. In addition to earning two top-five and five top-10 finishes over the course of the 20-race ARCA Racing Series season, highlights of the year included leading laps and battling for the win during the late stages of the series’ race at New Jersey Motorsports Park and leading laps at Talladega Superspeedway en route to a third-place finish.
George has spent the last four years focusing on stock car racing but has an extensive road course racing background. In fact, the New York, N. Y., native has one win and three podium finishes at Road America in the Skip Barber Racing Series, and was the 2008 Grand-Am Rolex GT Series Rookie of the Year.
The Daytona Slick Mist 200 is live on SPEED on Saturday, February 12, 2011, beginning at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time.
About Richard Childress Racing
Richard Childress Racing has earned more than 190 victories and 12 NASCAR championships, including six in the Sprint Cup Series with the legendary Dale Earnhardt. RCR was the first organization to win championships in the Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series. Its 2011 Sprint Cup Series lineup includes Paul Menard (No. 27 Menard’s Chevrolet), Kevin Harvick (No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet), Jeff Burton (No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet) and Clint Bowyer (No. 33 Cheerios/Hamburger Helper Chevrolet). Its Camping World Truck Series program includes 2010 Rookie of the Year Austin Dillon (No. 3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet) and Joey Coulter, Jr. (No. 22 RCR Development Chevrolet). Tim George Jr. (No 31 RCR Development Chevrolet) and Ty Dillon (No. 41 Chevrolet) will compete in the 2011 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards.
Kevin Harvick Inc. Names Crew Chief and Number for Third Truck Series Program
Chris Carrier to Crew Chief the No. 8 KHI Chevrolet Silverado in 2011
KERNERSVILLE, N.C. (January 10, 2011) – Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) announced today that NASCAR veteran Chris Carrier will lead the organization’s third Truck Series team as crew chief in 2011. The addition to the KHI stable, which will carry the No. 8, will be driven full time by Brazilian driver Nelson Piquet Jr.
Carrier, who has more than 30 years of experience in the sport, has wins as a crew chief in each of NASCAR’s top-three series. The Bristol, Tennessee native began his career in grassroots racing at the local level as a teenager and graduated from East Tennessee State University with a degree in Manufacturing Engineering Technology. Carrier has served as crew chief at Morgan McClure Motorsports, Andy Petree Racing and Penske Racing. The 50 year old most recently led Penske’s driver development program with driver Parker Kligerman.
“I’m really looking forward to this experience with Nelson Piquet Jr.,” said Carrier. “I enjoy working with young drivers and I have a lot of respect for Nelson. Coming from Formula 1, I know that he has a lot of talent, he has good car control, and he won’t be afraid to go fast. I’m excited to get started.”
For KHI, the choice of the No. 8 also carries significance for both the driver and co-owner Kevin Harvick. “The No. 8 was my very first go-kart number when I started racing, so it was always a number I wanted our team to use,” said Harvick. “Nelson had also mentioned to me that he liked the number since he grew up racing the No. 33, and the curves of the No. 8 are reminiscent of that number. All in all it seemed like a good fit.”
Piquet will begin his full-time Truck Series effort in the No. 8 on February 18 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway with sponsorship to be announced at a later date.
About Kevin Harvick Inc.
Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI), established in 2001 by Kevin and DeLana Harvick, is an over 80,000 sq. ft. facility located in Kernersville, N.C. KHI enters 2011 in its eighth full year of competition with three full-time NASCAR Camping World Truck Series teams and two full-time NASCAR Nationwide Series teams. With a roster comprised of both up-and-coming and veteran championship-caliber drivers, KHI will compete for the 2011 Truck Series and Nationwide Series championships and continue to establish itself as one of the top teams in NASCAR competition. For more information about KHI and its teams, please visit http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=vnaglqdab&et=1104071346564&s=0&e=001HtcPH11ef LFFtdfXG6XjxRuEsqvn5Re5bjY_3Vdc2J47tblj2jRMzaxalUCWVHpfG2ybnaVH6MYFutQzxIjiD Ajv-q1SO0cV9OaDzxnJ0q75DMlh1cjSj8wb41S_-m4k> www.KevinHarvickInc.com.
FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO THINK OUR $35 ‘TICKET TUESDAYS’ ARE DUMB, DO WE HAVE SOMETHING FOR YOU – NOTHING!
~ Auto Club Speedway Celebrates ‘Nothing Day’, ‘Extraterrestrial Abduction Day’ and relief for several days in February that will no doubt give you a stomach ache ~
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY, Calif.(Jan. 10, 2011) – In the past, Auto Club Speedway has given race fans who purchased tickets on “Ticket Tuesdays” such goodies as zucchinis, pirate hats and pizzas – all in an effort to help celebrate “National Days” like ‘Sneak a Zucchini onto Your Neighbors Porch Day’, ‘Talk Like a Pirate Day’ and ‘National Pizza with Everything (Except Anchovies) Day.’ Some have deemed our promotion ‘dumb’ (and that’s putting it nicely). So for all those who have that kind of attitude, purchase a $35 ticket any Tuesday in January and help us celebrate “National Nothing Day” on January 16th by getting NOTHING (except of course the ticket you purchase). That’s right, buy a ticket to the March 27th Auto Club 500 at Auto Club Speedway and get no cupcakes, no tacos, no ice cream. You’ll get NOTHING and like it. But for those of you who think our promotion is clever, purchase a ticket on any Tuesday in February or March and we’ll reward you for your support. ·
February is “National Plum Pudding Day (12), National Gum Drop Day (15), National Chocolate Mint Day (19), National Tortilla Chip Day (24), National Pistachio Day (26) and National Surf and Turf Day (29). If you celebrate this month correctly, you’re definitely going to have stomach issues. We’re here to help. Purchase a ticket to the March 27th Auto Club 500 and we’ll reward you for buying and ticket AND celebrating February with an antacid for your possible bloating, indigestion and gas. ·
Extraterrestrial Abductions Dayis March 20th and there’s no doubt UFOs and aliens will be out in full force looking to abduct humans. For those of you who don’t duck, dodge or hide well enough or for those who forget to put on their protective anti-alien amulet, purchase a ticket on any Tuesday in March and we’ll give you a three-in-one – compass, whistle and light – to help you find your way back from Mars, Jupiter or wherever it is you disappeared to … and strangely reappeared from … For numerous ticket packages starting as low as $35 visit www.autoclubspeedway.com call 800-944-RACE (7223).
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About Auto Club Speedway Look for some amazing racing when the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series returns to Auto Club Speedway for the Auto Club 500 on March 27. During the Pepsi MAX 400 in October, drivers, media and spectators proclaimed that race as possibly the best ever at Auto Club Speedway- five-wide racing at over 200 mph on the NASCAR circuit! For tickets call 800-944-RACE (7223) or visit www.autoclubspeedway.com more information.
Preseason Training at University of Northwestern Ohio Valuable to ARCA Racing Series Officials
(LIMA, Ohio) – Going to school at 8 a.m. on a cold, dreary Saturday should not seem the most appealing of activities, unless you’re an ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards official who wakes up far earlier on multiple weekends throughout the summer and race season anyway.
Over 40 series race officials attended a preseason training session Saturday at the Dr. Jeffrey A. Jarvis High Performance Motorsports Complex at the University of Northwestern Ohio (UNOH), the official High Performance Education University of ARCA. There, the officials spent their day rotating through four hands-on stations, detailing everything from fuel cells to shock measurements, as well as two classroom sessions explaining in-race and pit road procedures.
Chris Ford, an ARCA Racing Series official from Colmar, Pa., near Philadelphia, helped fellow officials to understand inspections under a car, covering topics like brakes, exhaust, springs, drive shafts, and trailing arms. Even as a veteran of three seasons with the series, Ford found the annual primer helpful.
“It’s important, especially coming up to Daytona. A lot of things we’re going over today are mainly for the Daytona race, and also Talladega, because the rules are different on springs and things like that. Teams will do certain things to get by, so we need to be aware,” said Ford. He was just one of several officials who traveled from out-of-state to attend the session, joining men and women from Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan, and even St. Louis, Mo. – in addition to a number from the Toledo area.
Series official Tony Ortega stressed exact numbers, not estimates, to the officials attending his breakout session on templates.
“No guesswork,” said Ortega, explaining the importance of using a template to measure spoiler width. “It’s three-sixteenths of an inch all the way across.”
Touching the top side of the spoiler, he was certain to ensure uniformity in the spoiler’s shape. “It can’t be tapered. It’s square throughout.”
While many attending the training program were ARCA veterans hoping to add a refresher to their seasons of experience, some officials this season are making their first foray into the series after coming from other mechanical backgrounds.
“We’re refreshing our procedures for our existing officials, but we have some new people here and this is all new to them. They’re getting their first taste at going through the cars in the inspection process,” said Joe Wells, vice president of competition for ARCA. “A lot of these officials may have been involved with teams, but this is a side of racing they’re not used to. They look at things one way as a competitor, and as officials, we see it a different way.”
Though Wells is one of several with a hand in annually composing the Official Rule Book, he maintained that the true garage environment at UNOH is a far more effective training tool than a piece of paper.
“The hands-on element is really helpful. You can write all of this stuff on paper and have diagrams, but when you can put a template in your hand and then on the car, or take a tape measure, and look at, feel, and touch the actual car, it’s easier to stick on the brain,” Wells said.
Steve Farmer, the vice president of development for UNOH, is at the heart of the university’s effort with ARCA, and in turn, the applied education for the series’ officials.
“The key thing is having a facility where the officials can come and spread out and have the space for various stations. Having the ARCA officials on site today gives more credibility to the program (UNOH) has with ARCA as the official education partner.”
To say UNOH’s motorsports complex is merely a fitting space for ARCA’s training session is to severely undersell it. At 75,000 square feet, the High Performance Motorsports Complex stands out as a location where ARCA officials can truly learn.
“You’re looking at a building with eight different compartments: custom engine-building, engine-building, fabrication, high-performance welding, high-performance chassis, steering and suspension, accessories trends, and a dyno building with four dyno machines,” Farmer said, before additionally noting that the dyno building houses the college’s motorsports team, which races four modifieds and three stock cars every week at another university property, Limaland Motorsports Park.
“This session is more of a real-life experience, like the officials would have at a race track, with the different stations they’re running. Our kids are pretty proud that we have this relationship with ARCA, and that they get to be affiliated with that.”
The 2011 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards season will mark the sanctioning body’s 59th year of competition and commences with the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, February 12. The event will air live on SPEED.
The complete 2011 event schedule is available at ARCARacing.com. The ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards has crowned an ARCA national champion each year since its inaugural season in 1953, and has toured over 200 race tracks in 28 states since its inception. The series tests the abilities of drivers and race teams over the most diverse schedule of stock car racing events in the world, annually visiting tracks ranging from 0.4 mile to 2.66 miles in length, on both paved and dirt surfaces as well as a left- and right-turn road course.
Founded by John Marcum in 1953 in Toledo, Ohio, the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) is recognized among the leading sanctioning bodies in the country. Closing in on completing its sixth decade after hundreds of thousands of miles of racing, ARCA administers over 100 race events each season in two professional touring series and local weekly events.
Chad Hackenbracht Flocks To Daytona Test With Same Attitude; New Mission
DAYTONA BEACH, Florida (January 10, 2011) – – As the 2011 racing season draws near, the thought of the first green flag of the season can make a heartbeat jump. And while most race car drivers are nestling in with their teams and focusing on their objectives for the new year, rising sensation Chad Hackenbracht has been nose-deep in the books of his Freshman year as a student at the University of North Carolina Greensboro.
This week though, 19-year old Chad Hackenbracht will exchange those books for a steering wheel and grasp a permission slip from his professors and head to Daytona Beach, Florida to participate in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards open-test session at the breathtaking 2.5-mile Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway.
Hackenbracht, driver of the No. 58 Tastee Apple Chevrolet Impala SS will spend three days this week (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) trying to nail down a successful setup that will allow Hackenbracht’s family-owned CGH Motorsports the opportunity to win at the “World Center of Speed” next month.
Partaking in his second-ever test session at the newly-paved restrictor plate track, Hackenbracht and his Rodney Jockisch-led team will focus on balance and speed in their bowtie Impala SS. The Concord, North Carolina-based team also hasn’t ruled out participating in a “light” drafting session before loading up and heading back to North Carolina to put the final touches of their multi-color hot rod for the season opening Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at Daytona, set for Saturday, February 12, 2011 live on SPEED.
“I’m looking forward to getting back into a race car,” sounded Hackenbracht, who intends to juggle a full-time college schedule while also hoping to become the next ARCA Racing Series champion. “I’m ready to put the books away for a little bit and get back behind the wheel at Daytona!”
The former Legend Car Series (LCS) pilot added, “Rodney (Jockisch) and the entire CGH Motorsports team have been working hard to put this car in tip-top shape. Our first go-around with Daytona wasn’t pretty, but we won’t dwell on the past, but instead move forward towards the present and show everyone this year that CGH Motorsports means business.”
When asked about the recent re-pavement at one of the most historical race tracks in the United States, Hackenbracht commented, “From what I heard, Daytona is going to be a really fast, intense race. Handling should no longer come into play. It’s going to be about driving smart and using your head. I’m expecting the track to drive a lot like Talladega, where the track is nearly as smooth as glass. It sure is going to be an exciting way to kick off speedweeks!”
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. 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.
Sean Corr Anxious As Ever To Return To Daytona; Even For A Test
DAYTONA BEACH, Florida (January 10, 2011) – – Just how bad or how early did Sean Corr want to arrive in Daytona Beach, Florida in preparation for this week’s ARCA Racing Series (ARS) presented by Menards test session? Bad.
Corr, the aspiring driver for Empire Racing plowed his way down the interstate Saturday night as the driver of the team’s 18-wheeler transporter arriving in the Sunshine State in the wee hours of early Sunday morning, officially become the first team to enter the track grounds for the first official test of the new year.
Corr will admit he’s not your average race car driver. Don’t let this humdrum New Yorker fool you though; he’s all about business when it comes to his duties behind the wheel of the No. 82 Empire Racing LLC Ford Fusion.
But, when the opportunity arises to sink in and get dirty or pull an all-nighter and drive to a test in hopes of potentially winning the biggest race of his racing career, look for Corr to strike his way through the crowd and flock to the front of the line.
“It doesn’t bother me at all,” said Corr, in reference to driving the team’s hauler to the 2.5-mile Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway. “We’re a team and I’m willing and able to do whatever it takes to put us in contention. I’d rather drive the hauler and allow the guys who bust their tails to get our Ford Fusion ready the ability to recharge themselves.”
The Goshen, New York native whose been hopscotching from The Empire State to Race City USA, otherwise known as Mooresville, North Carolina during much of the winter is fired up for this week’s three-day test for more reasons than he can count. A new year, some fresh faces, a desirable attitude and an ever-growing outlook has this avid dirt driver ready to make his presence well known on the asphalt.
“I’m ready for Daytona, even though it’s just a test,” noted Corr, who intends to run the full ARCA Racing Series schedule this year. “The desire and “want” from this Empire Racing team is like a disease. A favorable one. We want it and we’re going for it. I have a good feeling about the car we’re bringing to the track and hope we can unload in a zone that we’re comfortable with and just improve as the week progresses.”
The Empire Racing team-led by new crew chief and former ARCA racer Richard Johns will bring a new Ford Fusion with Roush Yates horsepower to the “World Center of Speed” after losing last year’s Daytona automobile in a multi-car incident at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway.
“I hate to lose a car the way we did,” recalled Corr. “We were running comfortably in the top-seven and the big one unleashed with nowhere for us to go. It happens. It stinks, but it’s just part of the game. We’ve been working hard though on making sure that this car is as strong or even stronger than the one we had last February.
It was though on February 6, 2010, Corr gave an intuition of his ability to draft with the best of the best in the ARCA Racing Series. After being knocked sideways and cutting down a tire in the late stages of the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200, Corr was able to wrestle his wounded but still strong blue oval from the back to a respectable 14th place finish after starting 26th.
“We worked that day as a team. We came from the back to the front and vice-versa all race long. I learned a lot and no doubt the experience will help me next month. Though, we’re talking about a whole new game with the track being re-paved. The track will be so smooth; your 3400-pound stock car will feel like a Cadillac. Nonetheless, our intentions are to go have a strong test and come back and have an even worthier performance in the race.”
Former Empire Racing crew chief John Bellesfield who will take the reins as team manager for the Mooresville, North Carolina-based operation this year is extremely optimistic about the approaching test.
“We’ve put a lot of endless man hours into putting this car together,” explained Bellesfield. “I think we’re going to have a real slick piece for the test and the race. The team is excited to see Sean so enthusiastic about getting behind the wheel. That energy from the driver only gives us, the team the motivation to give him nothing but the best.”
Following the test scheduled for this Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Empire Racing will trek back to North Carolina and begin their final check-in list for the running of the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 set for Saturday, February 12, 2011 live on SPEED.
The team still enters the 58th year of ARCA competition without the foundation of a primary marketing partner. However, the team feels they are close to making some announcements in-time for the first of 19 ARCA races this season.
For more on Sean Corr, Empire Racing and marketing opportunities for the 2011 racing season, please visit empireracingllc.com http://www.empireracingllc.com/ .
About Empire Racing:
Established in 2009, Empire Racing LLC. (empireracingllc.com http://www.empireracingllc.com/ ) is a two-tier professional Motorsports organization consisting of dirt and asphalt competition. Sean Corr, a 26-year old hailing from Goshen, New York pilots the team’s automobiles in the DIRTcar Series and Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA). In 2011, the team will attempt to run for a championship in the ARCA Racing Series with aspirations of moving into the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR). The team is headquartered in Goshen, New York with an additional operation in Mooresville, North Carolina.
