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Dover International Speedway introduces ‘Dover Insider Tips’ series on DoverSpeedway.com

By
Official Release
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New online series will introduce improvements and provide fans with advice about navigating the Monster Mile

DOVER, Del. – For first-time fans, a trip to Dover International Speedway can be sensory overload. The full-throttle experience of a race weekend at the Monster Mile can be as intense as the racing on the track. There’s so much to see and do from the time fans set foot on the property that they don’t always get to take advantage of everything that the venue has to offer.

“Dover Insider Tips,” a new series on DoverSpeedway.com, will give race fans insider access to new developments at the track, and advice on everything from purchasing tickets, parking, and who to contact at the track if they encounter a problem on race weekend. The idea for the series stems from two fan council meetings in 2010 where two groups of Dover fans met at the track to candidly discuss their experience with Speedway officials. The groups requested more year-round information about the track and more in-depth information about existing programs at the Speedway for fans.  

The first installment of “Dover Insider Tips” takes a look at the new seating options available for general admission ticket holders for NASCAR Nationwide Series races in 2011. The track received feedback following the 2010 season of cramped general admission seating options, and has since designated 13 additional sections in Turn 1 and Turn 4 for general admission seating.

The story on DoverSpeedway.com explains the variety of seating options now available for Saturday NASCAR Nationwide Series races at Dover in 2011, and details the logic behind expanding the sections in response to requests from fans. 

Fans can log on to DoverSpeedway.com every Thursday to read about a new topic, view corresponding photos and video, and post comments about the subject on Dover’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/DoverInternationalSpeedway.

Tickets are now on sale for NASCAR’s return to the Monster Mile on May 13-15 and Sept. 30-Oct. 2, 2011. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call 1-800-441-RACE or visit DoverSpeedway.com.

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About Dover International Speedway

Dover Motorsports, Inc. owns and operates Dover International Speedway in Dover, Del. and Nashville Superspeedway near Nashville, Tenn. Both concrete tracks are home to some of the most exciting racing in NASCAR. The legendary “Monster Mile” in Dover is known for being tough on drivers and their equipment, and has been hosting two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race weekends each year for over 40 years. Nashville Superspeedway first opened its doors in 2001 and currently hosts two NASCAR Nationwide Series and two NASCAR Camping World Truck Series doubleheader race weekends each year. For further information, log on to www.DoverMotorsports.com.

Kyle Busch Becomes Poster Boy For ‘Have At It Boys’ With Display of Emotion

By
SM Staff
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When Robin Pemberton uttered those four words last year in January, a lot of people were curious as to how the drivers would react. Most thought it would equal some emotions being shown, but at the end of the year, it went beyond just a little bit of emotion.

[media-credit name=”Barry Albert” align=”alignleft” width=”300″][/media-credit]It was easily seen that Kyle Busch would be the poster boy for it, via some of his antics in the past. These antics have some fans not liking Busch for who he is.

A simple poll of the fans easily shows that one of the drivers that seems to be on everybody’s list is Kyle Busch. In asking a group of fans as to why, you quickly get the sense it has to do with attitude and actions like the above.

“He just gives off this vibe that he is better then everybody else and it’s all about him,” Evan Towle said. “Sort of like a young Tony Stewart used to be. Tony used to get on my nerves when he first started in NASCAR, but now he has matured and I like him.”

“I tend to agree with a lot of the way Kyle Busch acts,” Kyle Sedan said. “Sometimes it’s rather annoying.”

“Arrogant attitude, expects respect on the track but doesn’t give it back, whines about others when he is doing the same thing, fake,” one fan commented.

“His attitude,” Cathy Gamble Costigan simply puts it.

If you take his attitude out of the equation, then a lot of people seem to have respect for him.

“I am, personally, a Tony Stewart fan, but for Kyle, love him or hate him, he is a damn good driver,” Mike Hearty said. “Race wins don’t lie.”

“I do really like his support/involvement and commitment to short-track racing.” Sedan added.

A lot of people have been debating that he needs to change, which has come with mixed reactions.

Towle says, “We don’t need him, as the sport is doing fine without his babyish acts.”

In some ways, there are certain things that Busch has to become better at, such as some of the things that we saw this past weekend.

However overall, the sport needs somebody like Busch. His actions do spruce things up and add something different to the sport, and are needed to invoke discussion and rivalry. If everybody was the same cut, wouldn’t it get boring after a while?

As Mike Hearty and Kyle Sedan both say, it adds to the sport.

“I personally love Kyle’s attitude myself,” Hearty said. “NASCAR is entertainment and Kyle entertains in any way he can. Each sport needs a standout person the fans can have a choice to love or hate and he is the one. I do believe, though, when he matures more, his attitude will die down. I think he is young, a star and living in the moment right now.”

“People either ‘love him’ or ‘love to hate him’,” Sedan says. “So he most definitely adds to the sport, and it is good for it.”

This year was no exception as he added his own version of “Have at it Boys” to each of the divisions.

Sprint Cup Series All-Star Race with Denny Hamlin

After teammate Denny Hamlin took the air off the back of Busch’s car during the Sprint All-Star Race, Busch wasn’t too pleased at all as he called Hamlin out on it.

“Somebody better keep me from Denny Hamlin after this race!” Busch yelled on the radio. “I had this race won. It was won.”

Busch then drove the car to the garage area, parking directly in front of Hamlin’s hauler. He went inside and waited till Hamlin got there, where they had a discussion with car owner Joe Gibbs in the middle.

“Kyle had a run to the outside and with me moving up and getting real tight, it then took some air away from the front of his car and he slid up into the wall. It’s tough for me,” Hamlin told Speed. “We talked about it and basically Kyle was just frustrated; he felt like he had a really good car. Me, I just came from the back with no practice and got back to the front where we needed to be and I felt like if I gave up the lead right there then I was going to give up the win.

“I don’t think Kyle would do anything different if he was in my situation. It’s just when you’re the leader, my feeling is that you’ve got the whole race track. If a guy is to the outside. then that’s when you need to hold your line.”

Nationwide Series Food City 250 Bristol Race with Brad Keselowski

As the Nationwide race was getting closer to ending, Kyle Busch and Brad Keselowski were battling hard for the lead. After contact from Keselowski caused Busch to hit the wall, Busch drove back up to Keselowski’s bumper, spinning him.

“I raced him, raced him, raced him, I don’t know, 12-15 laps? I thought I had him cleared up the back and I moved up in front of him and instead of him doing an [Dale] Earnhardt crossover, he decided to just run into the back of me and put me in the fence,” Busch said.

“That’s Brad Keselowski. So I went down into the next corner and I dumped him. He does it to everybody else, why can’t I do it to him?”

Busch won the race while Keselowski ended up 14th.

“He did a good job, almost cleared me and took it for granted that I would lift to let him in line and I didn’t,” Keselowski said. “That’s his right. We’re going to go to work on beating him next week, and the week after and every other week.”

In his victory celebration, he changed it up by mocking somebody crying like a baby instead of his bow to go along with the reaction of the fans.

Truck Series Built Ford Tough 225 at Kentucky and Championship Battle with Todd Bodine

Early in the race, it was set in stone that it would come down to a battle between Todd Bodine and Kyle Busch. On lap 82 while battling for the lead, Busch took the air off of Bodine’s truck causing him to spin. Though this ended up helping Bodine as with the unscheduled pit stop and resulting strategy, he came out as the winner while Busch finished seventh.

“Our misfortune turned out to be a fortune,” Bodine said in victory lane. “I’d like to thank Kyle Busch for driving dirty, sucking me down and getting me spun out. That (stop) gave me enough gas. He doesn’t cut anybody a break. He drives that way in every division in every race.”

Upon hearing the comments, Busch interrupted Bodine’s victory celebration to display his displeasure.

“He (Busch) doesn’t have to drive like that to win; but he does,” Bodine said. “NASCAR won’t do anything about it. He was mad because I called him out on it.”

This confrontation at Kentucky promoted a long, hard battle for the Owner’s Championship between Germain Racing (Todd Bodine’s team) and Kyle Busch Motorsports.

Martinsville was no exception to their battle as they fought hard side-by-side, and at one point, Bodine was accused of trying to fool Busch on a restart.

“If they think I was trying to do a slow restart to fool Kyle Busch, they are wrong,” Bodine said on the radio at that time. “I just didn’t get a good restart. Message delivered—I’ll work on it.”

In the end, it was KBM coming out on top.

The Complete Texas Weekend

On Friday, Kyle Busch won the Camping World Truck Series race to take over the owner’s points championship standings for Kyle Busch Motorsports.

On Saturday, Busch finished second to Carl Edwards in the Nationwide Series race, though was unhappy about it as he thought Edwards jumped the start.

“Does it f—- matter?” Busch said afterwards. “Race is over, guy’s in Victory Lane.”

On Sunday, Busch stirred up controversy again, following repairs that he had to make on pit road after a wreck.

Under caution, Busch sped off pit road to try to beat the pace car and stay on the lead lap. He caught up, but NASCAR penalized him one lap for speeding.

Busch then went on a rant on the radio against NASCAR and showed the officials the middle finger on pit road, which incurred a penalty of two laps for driver misconduct.

“I’m the only one who will stand up to ’em, and they’re gonna show me how far I can stand up,” Busch said on the radio after the penalty. He then added that it was freedom of speech, going against the constitutional rights of everybody.

NASCAR penalized Busch $25,000 and putting him on probation until December 31st for “actions dentimental to the sport of stock car racing”.

Busch released the following statement following the announcement…

“I accept NASCAR’s penalty and realize what I did during Sunday’s race at Texas was inappropriate.

“Even in my relatively short time here in NASCAR, it’s pretty obvious to everyone that I wear my emotions on my sleeve. Sometimes that passion has allowed me to find that little something extra I needed to win, and other times it’s made me cross the line. Sunday at Texas was one of those days.

 “I lost my cool, plain and simple. It’s not acceptable, and I know that. I apologize to NASCAR, its fans, all the partners who support Joe Gibbs Racing, and all the people who work so hard to give me a race car that’s capable of winning races every week. All of those people deserve better from me, and I owe it to them to keep my emotions in check.”

 

Busch had other key incidents this year, including an argument with Jeff Burton. Though with them all, he just kept being himself and holding his part in the “Have at it Boys” policy.

During the next couple of weeks, I will reflect upon these incidents as we look back at what all broke loose in 2010.

ARCA Driver Tom Hessert to Ken Schrader Racing in 2011

By
SM Staff
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ARCA driver Tom Hessert announced that he would be running the full 2011 ARCA Racing Series schedule with Ken Schrader Racing after finishing third in points in 2010.

Hessert, who drove the No. 77 Cunningham Motorsports Dodge to one win, 10 top-fives, and 15 top-10 finishes in 2010, informed Cunningham Motorsports owner Kerry Scherer last week that he will drive in 2011 for Ken Schrader Racing.

Hessert had a solid year as he was in the thick of one of the tightest points battles in recent years with Patrick Sheltra and Craig Goess.

[media-credit name=”tomhessert.com” align=”alignright” width=”300″][/media-credit]”It was an awesome year,” Hessert told the ARCA Racing Network last month. “Obviously, I’ll say that this was the best season in my career to this point. I’m a little disappointed to not win after we came from such a difference after the first eight races – 220 points down – to lead the championship for a couple of hours (laughing), at least, after Salem. We got our first win and had a bunch of top-10s and top-fives, so I’m pretty pleased.”

The first win is a moment that many refer to as the highlight of the year, as he held off Ty Dillon to win the Prairie Meadows 200 at Iowa Speedway.

“It’s incredible,” he told me of that first win. “It’s my first win in a quite awhile and to win it in that fashion and leading all those laps at Iowa Speedway in front of a great crowd and with the Camping World Truck Series teams being on hand and all those people in the garage area and on Speed, it couldn’t have been a better day.”

Hessert got into racing through his father.

“My dad raced in sports car for a long time in the late 80s/90s and I grew up going to the races,” he told me. “I went to my first race when I was two weeks old and fell in love with it then.”

His father, among others, has now given him the advice needed to get to where he is.

“My dad’s been a mentor of mine all throughout my career, as he’s obviously a race car driver,” he said. “In our series, it’s Frank Kimmel, which everyone has been saying. Kenny Schrader’s also been a great friend, a great mentor the last year-and-a-half, and there’s Andy Hillenburg.”

Hessert found himself with Cunningham Motorsports this season after a discussion near the end of last year.

“Last year, I drove the first half of the season for Andy Belmont Racing and then the second half of the year for RAB,” he said. “Then near the end of the year, one of the guys from Cunningham Motorsports called me and I went down to Georgia and met with him and it was a very attractive offer. They ran really well last year and their affiliation with some of the big teams in NASCAR was very appealing and so far, so good. I couldn’t be happier.”

Hessert had some experience running some Camping World Truck Series races near the end of the year of 2010 and has expressed interest in moving into the NASCAR ranks. Therefore this move to Ken Schrader Racing puts him in position to do with that with Schrader’s program and connections.

Cunningham Motorsports may be in trouble as Dakoda Armstrong, Hessert’s teammate in 2010, has not yet informed Cunningham Motorsports of his plans for 2011, according to a team press release. 

Cunningham Motorsports is actively looking for sponsored drivers for 2011, and continues to prepare for the January 11-13 ARCA Racing Series open test at Daytona International Speedway.

JIMMY ELLEDGE TO LEAD ALLGAIER’S NASCAR NATIONWIDE SERIES EFFORTS FOR TURNER MOTORSPORTS IN 2011

By
Official Release
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MOORESVILLE, NC (January 5, 2011) – Turner Motorsports is pleased to announce that veteran crew chief, Jimmy Elledge, has joined the team to lead the efforts of the No. 31 BRANDT Chevrolet to be piloted by series standout, Justin Allgaier.

Bringing with him a wealth of experience, Elledge has been a part of several championship-winning organizations and has worked with an impressive mix of veteran and rookie drivers over the years including Turner Motorsports driver, Reed Sorenson, as well as Juan Pablo Montoya, Casey Mears, AJ Allmendinger, Bobby Hamilton and Dale Jarrett. He has one Sprint Cup Series win to his credit, leading Hamilton to his final victory at Talladega in 2001.

About Turner Motorsports: Turner Motorsports, LLC, established in 1999, is in the midst of its inaugural full season of NASCAR competition. Owned by Texas-native, Steve Turner, the racing organization is expanding in 2011 from a two-truck operation in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series to become the largest stand-alone multi-series team in NASCAR’s top-tier touring series. Turner Motorsports operates out of an 110,000 square-foot state-of-the art facility in Mooresville, N.C., and will house three entries in both the NASCAR Nationwide Series and the Camping World Truck Series. The team boasts an all-star driver line-up that includes Kasey Kahne, Reed Sorenson, Jason Leffler, Justin Allgaier, Ricky Carmichael, James Buescher and Brad Sweet. The Chevrolet-backed team has created alliances with General Motors powerhouse teams Hendrick Motorsports, who will provide engine support for both its NNS and NCWTS programs, Kevin Harvick Inc. for body and aero support, and Earnhardt Technology Group for drive train and suspension technology assistance. Turner Motorsports’ marketing partners includes Dollar General, Great Clips, Monster Energy, AccuDoc Solutions, Wolfpack Rentals, Rexall, Fraternal Order of Eagles, ABF Freight, Bigspot.com, Northeastern Supply, Deft Paint, SEM and Safety-Kleen. For more information on Turner Motorsports, visit www.teamturnermotorsports.com .

Ryan Tolley Joins Daytona International Speedway as Director of Sales; Andrew Booth and Joann Mantovani Named Senior Managers

By
Official Release
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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Daytona International Speedway has hired Ryan Tolley as Director of Sales effective February 7, 2011. In addition, Andrew Booth has been promoted to Senior Manager of Media Relations and Joann Mantovani has been promoted to Senior Manager of Advertising and Promotions.

Tolley will oversee all hospitality and sponsorship sales for the “World Center of Racing.” He comes to Daytona from Watkins Glen International, where he was most recently the director of sales and business development. During his five year tenure at Watkins Glen, Tolley was responsible for building strong regional partnerships with McDonalds, Sikorsky Helicopters, Foxwoods Resort Casino and Sahlen’s Packaging, among others. He will report to DIS Vice President of Corporate Development John Guthrie.

“Ryan brings a strong background in sales and motorsports sponsorship to Daytona,” said Guthrie. “His track record in the industry speaks for itself and we’re glad to have him join our team.”

Booth has been with the speedway since 2000. He oversees all media relations for Daytona’s motorsports events including NASCAR, GRAND-AM, AMA, and others. Mantovani, who joined Daytona in 2008, oversees the facility’s advertising and promotions. In addition, she is responsible for Daytona’s social media efforts on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and others.

“Joann and Andrew continue to be vital members of our marketing team and are relentless promoters of our events,” said DIS Vice President of Marketing Sean Belgrade. “Their efforts have helped increase media awareness of Daytona and have broadened our outreach to fans through traditional and social media channels.”

Kentucky Speedway to Place Individual Sprint Cup Series Race Tickets on Sale Jan. 12

By
Official Release
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Fans can reserve individual tickets for the historic July 9 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series debut and five additional 2011 races in seven days

SPARTA, Ky. – Individual tickets for Kentucky Speedway’s inaugural NASCAR Sprint Cup Series 400-mile event and five additional 2011 races will be placed on sale Wednesday, Jan. 12 at www.kentuckyspeedway.com, 888-652-7223 as well as through speedway offices in Ft. Mitchell, Ky., at 400 Buttermilk Pike and Sparta, Ky., off of Interstate 71, Exit 57.   

  The Saturday night Sprint Cup Series spectacular featuring five-time champion Jimmie Johnson, Kurt andKyle Busch, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart and all of NASCAR’s top-tier competitors highlights a two-weekend season made up of the most NASCAR and IndyCar Series action in Kentucky Speedway’s 12-year history. 

  Reserved Sprint Cup Series tickets are available on six price levels ranging from $70 to $110 depending on seat location to provide fans ample opportunity to experience the first new venue to be added to the 36-race series schedule since 2001.  

  “Our season ticket plans helped expand our reach to 39 states as far away as Alaska; which indicates fans cannot wait to see their favorite Sprint Cup Series drivers compete at our venue for the first time. We’ve worked hard to create a competitive price scale to ensure passionate fans everywhere have the opportunity to experience our electric atmosphere on July 9 and throughout our six-race season,” Kentucky Speedway General Manager Mark Simendinger said. 

  The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event will conclude an opening weekend that further spotlights 225 miles of NASCAR Camping World Truck Series racing Thursday, July 7 and 300 miles of NASCAR Nationwide Series action Friday, July 8. The second 2011 tripleheader weekend combines a Saturday, Oct. 1 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series 225-mile battle with a 300-mile IZOD IndyCar Series event and 100-mile Firestone Indy Lights dash on Sunday, Oct. 2.

  Reserved NASCAR Nationwide Series tickets are priced from $40 to $75. One grandstand ticket ranging from $45 to $80 will bring fans a combined 400 miles of IZOD IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights action on Oct. 2 while general admission tickets for the July 7 and Oct. 1 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series visits are $30 or $40.   Race tickets can be complemented with season passes to a variety of infield and reserved campsites, many equipped with electrical service. Season campsite passes cover both 2011 event weekends and are priced between $200 and $600.

  Six-race season ticket plans and campsite passes can be reserved through www.kentuckyspeedway.com and 859-578-2300. Fans reserving one to three season ticket plans will receive a 10 percent discount off individual race ticket pricing and those reserving four or more season plans will receive a 20 percent discount off individual race ticket pricing along with additional benefits.

HOORAHS AND WAZZUPS: THE ABSOLUTE FINAL CRUMBS FROM 2010

By
SM Staff
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Over the past several days we learned that a true NASCAR legend, and Hall Of Famer, Junior Johnson is returning to the team ownership business. Meanwhile a financial investor literally stole a motorsports complex in Tennessee. Kyle Busch got married in a ceremony that was witnessed by the paparazzi and it appears we have the opportunity to smell like Carl Edwards. With those thoughts in mind, let’s begin with:

HOORAH to the legendary Junior Johnson for opening a new race shop to support the racing effort of his 17 year son, Robert, whom he truly believes has the potential of becoming a NASCAR Sprint Cup star. The shops of the newly established Junior Johnson Racing is located on the Hall Of Famer’s 278 acre estate in Hamptonville-North Carolina.

The plan calls for the team to field a car for Robert Johnson in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East this year with some possible appearances in the Pro Series West such as the end of the season race at Phoenix International Raceway. During their free weekends on the schedule, Johnson will also drive in some UARA and NASCAR Whelen All American Series events.

Junior Johnson recently purchased some Toyota Camrys from Red Bull Racing but has yet to make a final decision regarding the team’s manufacturer. Somehow Junior Johnson and Toyota just doesn’t feel right.

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WAZZUP with the Memphis Motorsports Park beging sold for the paltry sum of $1.8 million? Dover Motorsports, the owner of the famed complex since 1997, closed the Millington-Tennessee facility over a year ago and, this past April, put it on the market for $6 million. That price alone was a major bargain. Simply put: the dirt under the parking lot was worth more than that.

But there were no takers and that led to the auction on the property held in mid December. The bidding began at $3 million and the auction audience sat there in stony silence. The result was no different when the opening bid was dropped to $2 million. When the opening price fell to $1.5 million that’s when Joe Lubeck, the managing partner of the Florida based Palm Beach International Raceway, stepped up and made his amazing deal. This entire process took approximately ten minutes.

So, what did Mr. Lubeck get for his $1.8 million investment? It was a .75 mile paved oval, that used to, and could again, host NASCAR’s Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series along with a 1.77 mile road course. Also included in the deal was a quarter mile drag strip that used to, and could again, host the NHRA.

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From our God Bless department, congratulations to Kyle Busch and Samantha Sarcinella-Busch who were married on New Year’s Eve in Chicago. We wish the couple a life time of happiness.

But, at the same time, WAZZUP with the paparazzi crashing the ceremony and leaking the wedding photos? In a “Twitter” message Kyle Busch wrote: “the photos weren’t leaked. Since it was a public church, u can’t turn anyone away and thus there was paparazzi there. The pics out there weren’t authorized by Samantha and I. We look forward to sharing our wedding with our fans on the “Style” Network in early March.”

The “Style” Network? Are we talking about the making of another reality show here?

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A God Bless also goes out to Crystal and Sam Hornish Jr who welcomed the arrival of their second daughter on December 28th. Eliza Jo Hornish weighed seven pounds and 15 ounces while measuring 20.5 inches long. Mom, Dad and big sister Addison are reported to be fine and thrilled.

Another God Bless goes to SPEED Channel reporter Wendy Venturini and husband Jarrad Egert, of Joe Gibbs Racing. They welcomed the arrival of a son, Caleb James, on December 22nd.

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I suppose whether or not this next item is a HOORAH or a WAZZUP depends on what you smell like at the moment or how you would like to smell.

It seems that the often mentioned girl friend, still a card carrying T shirt wearing member of the Junior Nation, is also an avid supporter of the Avon Cosmetics industry. I know this because approximately once a month a heavily painted lady arrives at our front door carrying small product bags and catalogs.

Following the latest Avon visit the girlfriend couldn’t wait to show me the catalog page featuring a new men’s fragrance, endorsed by NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Carl Edwards, with the macho name: Turn 4 XT.

According to the catalog write up: “Turn 4 XT is an eau de toilette spray. The invigorating drive of spicy pepperwood accelerates into a smooth, sexy finish intensified by a jolt of java vefiver and masculine mahogany.”

For the nominal fee of $26 you can smell just like Carl Edwards. Look on the bright side: pepperwood and mahogany beats smelling like Sunoco race fuel any day of the week.

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The final WAZZUP of the week goes to NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Brian Scott. It’s seems this driver had problems with folding a fitted bed sheet and made the situation worse by telling the world about it on “Twitter.”

Scott’s “Twitter” messages read: “AHHH ! It’s impossible to fold a fitted sheet. This is so aggravating. I have tried every trick and every angle of attack on those fitted sheets. I admit defeat. They piss me off.”

By now you’re probably thinking the same thing I am. Considering the salary levels of modern day NASCAR drivers why not just hire a house keeper?

Ray Evernham Enterprises to consult for the Hendrick Companies

By
Official Release
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CONCORD, N.C. (Jan. 4, 2011) – Ray Evernham Enterprises (REE) has been retained to consult for the Hendrick Companies, a management company formed in 2005 to oversee strategic initiatives for chairman Rick Hendrick.  

Founded in 2008 by successful auto racing crew chief, team owner and broadcaster Ray Evernham, REE will consult on special projects related to Hendrick’s core businesses. In that role, REE’s initial focus will be development of the Hendrick Performance retail brand of high-performance parts, vehicles, products and related services.  

“Hendrick Performance parts and cars will have a racing pedigree, and Ray is someone who will help ensure that on behalf of our customers and dealers,” Hendrick said.

“He’s assembled a terrific group of people at REE, and I see a lot of opportunities for them to be a valuable resource for our organization on projects like this. I know the kind of high standards Ray sets.”  

With Hendrick as car owner, Evernham won three NASCAR Cup championships in the 1990s as crew chief for driver Jeff Gordon. He left the Hendrick organization in 1999 to found his own team, Evernham Motorsports, and most recently was a television analyst for ESPN.  

“Rick and I have had many conversations over the years about our passion projects, and there’s so much crossover with what we enjoy working on,” said Evernham, 53, CEO of Ray Evernham Enterprises. “We both sense an opportunity to do some unique things, whether it’s with performance parts and cars, his dealership business (Hendrick Automotive Group) or other ways to build the Hendrick brand.”  

Ray Evernham Enterprises is based in Mooresville, N.C. For more information, visit www.RayEvernham.com.

STEVE WALLACE TO COMPETE IN TOYOTA ALL-STAR SHOWDOWN

By
Official Release
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–Top-Ten Nationwide Series Pilot Returning to Short Track Roots in Premiere Event–

MOORESVILLE, NC (January 3, 2011)–Officials of Rusty Wallace Racing (RWR) announced today that Steve Wallace–the top-ten ranked driver of RWR’s No. 66 5-Hour Energy Toyota Camry in the NASCAR Nationwide Series–will compete in January’s Toyota All-Star Showdown at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale.

Wallace will pilot RWR’s No. 66 South Point Hotel & Casino Toyota Camry in the live-televised, Los Angeles-area event. The most prestigious race on NASCAR’s developmental series calendar, the Toyota All-Star Showdown will likely include the season champions from all seven of NASCAR’s regional ladder series.

Joining Wallace in RWR-prepared equipment at Irwindale is Gaunt Brothers Racing and driver Jason Bowles. The 2009 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Champion already enjoys ties to RWR, working with the racing group at Oakley, RWR’s longest running sponsor. Additionally, his car owner, Marty Gaunt, is a co-owner of Triad Racing Technologies, RWR’s Nationwide Series engine supplier. Triad will be the engine provider for both cars at the Irwindale event.

Said Steve Wallace, “I’m really excited about running the South Point Hotel & Casino Camry in the Toyota All-Star Showdown at Toyota Speedway. It’s a race that we always watch during the off-season and is one that I’ve always thought would be a lot of fun to drive.

“With the old-style Nationwide Series cars being eligible to run in the race, we already had the extra cars put together this year to do it. The two cars that we’re taking to Irwindale are two of my best Nationwide Series short track cars from last year. We had to change a few things around to meet the K&N Pro Series rules, but the cars themselves are pretty close, other than different engines and tires.

“While we’re going to have fun out at Irwindale, we’re 100-percent going out there to win the race. The field will be a tough one for sure, though. Guys like Jason Bowles race in that series and have a lot of experience on those tracks–with those cars and those engines–so they’ll definitely be hard to beat. We also sold most of our old Nationwide cars to K&N teams that will likely run at Irwindale, so we’ll even be racing against our own equipment out there.

“All in all though, I feel pretty good that we have as much of a shot as anyone else to bring home the trophy from Irwindale. It’d be pretty cool to put the South Point Hotel & Casino Toyota Camry in victory lane after Toyota’s race at their own track.”

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About Rusty Wallace Racing, LLC

North Carolina-based Rusty Wallace Racing (RWR) is a professional auto racing team steeped in the legendary history of its founder, Rusty Wallace-one of NASCAR’s top-ten drivers of all-time. The team currently campaigns the No. 66 and No. 62 Toyota Camrys in the prestigious NASCAR Nationwide Series, driven by Steve Wallace and Michael Annett, respectively. RWR entries have been among the top-ten in the final Nationwide Series driver or owner standings in each of the last three seasons. For more on Rusty Wallace Racing, please visit the award-winning rustywallace.com.

Who, What & Why to Watch NASCAR 2011

By
Angie Campbell
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Championship Week is over, the trophies have all been collected and 2010 has taken its final curtain call. Instead of looking back to the year that was, I’m looking ahead to the limitless possibilities of next season.

2011 promises to be a pivotal year in NASCAR and these are just a few of the stories to watch.

Camping World Truck Series:

Austin Dillon wasted no time in his first full season in this series. He earned seven poles in 2010, breaking a rookie record previously held by Greg Biffle (four), ended the season with two wins and 16 top-10 finishes and finished fifth in the points standings.

With his first win at Iowa Speedway, he became the series’ second youngest winner, at age 20 years, 2 months, and 37 days. He also has the distinction of capturing the first series victory for Richard Childress Racing since 1995.

Dillon rounded out the season by winning the Raybestos Rookie of the Year award and was named a top breakthrough performer of the year.

Look for Dillon to run another full season in the black No. 3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing next year but don’t be surprised to see him competing in a few Nationwide Series races too.

Nationwide Series:

Rumors abound that the Nationwide Series may see some changes for 2011. The biggest news is that Sprint Cup drivers may no longer be allowed to race for the championship. If this is true, will the change spell the end of the series, or, will it revitalize it?

The Nationwide Series has been struggling to find its own separate identity as a proving ground for drivers aspiring to rise to the premier Sprint Cup Series level. The last Nationwide regular to win the championship was Martin Truex Jr in 2005.

This change could allow fans to form a more personal connection with these drivers and allow the fan base for the series to grow.

The flip side of this scenario is that sponsors may decide that their money might be better spent on the more popular and better established Sprint Cup Series.

This leaves us with two big questions.

Will the Sprint Cup drivers continue to race in the series without the benefit of racing for a possible championship?

If the Sprint Cup drivers abandon the Nationwide Series, will the sponsors follow?

Travis Pastrana:

Travis Pastrana will make his NASCAR debut in 2011.

Although he will only run a limited schedule of seven races in the Nationwide Series, his potential impact on the sport should not be overlooked.

He’s not interested in anything but first place and he’ll do whatever it takes to prepare for this new challenge.

Michael Waltrip told ESPN’s David Caraviello that the plan is for Pastrana to gain experience in the K&N Pro Series and possibly run some Truck Series events. This means that Pastrana probably won’t make his debut in the Nationwide Series until mid to late season.

“Hopefully, he can make all his mistakes and learn all the lessons that he has to learn, and get up to speed where we can be very comfortable when he runs his first Nationwide race or first Truck race, that he is in a position to be competitive,” Waltrip said. “That’s his goal. He wants to test and work really hard at getting up to speed.”

If he’s successful, Pastrana could breathe new life into a sport that needs some exciting new faces.

As an added bonus, his “X Games” and “Nitro Circus” following could bring in a new generation of younger fans which NASCAR desperately needs.

Trevor Bayne:

In his first full Nationwide Series schedule, Bayne finished the 2010 season in seventh place.  His year included 3 poles along with six top-five and 11 top-ten finishes.  Bayne also made his Cup debut at Texas finishing in 17th place.

Bayne’s 2010 season was a rollercoaster ride that had him suddenly looking for a new ride just a few weeks before the season was over.

“It just goes to show that you don’t have any control over it. God has a path for me and He’s guiding me right along because there’s no way I could have done this on my own. It’s just crazy to see how it happens.”

“Everything seems like it’s the end of the world when Diamond Waltrip Racing has no sponsorship and can’t sign a contract, and then all of a sudden I hear that Jack Roush is making comments that he’s interested, so I checked into it and the next thing I know I’m signing a contract with him. Shortly after that, I hear I’m gonna be in the Wood Brothers Cup car, so it’s been a whirlwind, but it’s been really exciting.”

Bayne has earned the respect of the Cup veterans he has raced against this year showing a talent and maturity far beyond his 19 years. Bayne is a rising star in NASCAR and one to watch in 2011.

Sprint Cup Series:

The Sprint Cup drivers have already been making headlines with Hendrick Motorsports leading the way, but the other teams are chipping away at the Hendrick dominance.

Joe Gibbs Racing and Denny Hamlin came within inches of breaking the HMS winning streak in 2010. Richard Childress Racing flexed their muscles with all three teams making The Chase and Roush Fenway Racing’s Carl Edwards won the last two races of the season.

Mark Martin:

Say it ain’t so. Mark Martin drives for his final season in NASCAR…or does he? We all know it’s his final year at Hendrick Motorsports but will Martin retire at the end of 2011?

Next season may be his final year at the Cup level but sources say that Martin will also run a limited schedule in both the Nationwide Series and the Camping World Truck Series in 2011 for Turner Motorsports.

Mark Martin may be the best driver who has never won a championship. With a new crew chief and one more year on his contract at HMS, this may be his last best chance to win that elusive Sprint Cup trophy.

The recent crew chief change has many asking the question, “Is Martin getting Earnhardt Jr.’s leftovers?”

Rick Hendrick was adamant that he is committed to giving Martin whatever he needs to make it happen and is confident that he’s put together the right team.

“We are going to do whatever it takes with people, with equipment, whatever it takes for Mark Martin to win races and have the opportunity to go for the championship again. I have total confidence in Lance (McGrew) and Chris (Heroy) and I feel like with Mark, his technical expertise as well as those other two guys, will be a match that I think will surprise a lot of people. Mark’s not getting the short end of the stick. He is going to get all the stick he wants, and that comes from me.”

Jeff Gordon:

Alan Gustafson is widely accepted as one of the best crew chiefs in NASCAR today. Pairing him with the four-time champ could easily propel Gordon towards that fifth championship.

Rick Hendrick explained his reason for pairing the two saying that Gordon “has a tremendous amount of respect for Alan (Gustafson) and wants to do whatever is necessary to give him the opportunity to win and win championships.”

Hendrick also emphasized that while Gordon was not unhappy with Letarte he felt that “the opportunity to try something different and new would again create a spark inside of the company.”

“With Alan as an engineer,” Hendrick continued, “he is a proven commodity; he’s been there and won races with a lot of people. He’s finished second in the points. He and Jeff have a relationship. He’s very technical, not a lot of conversation but very to the point and matter-of-fact and Jeff I think at this point in his career.”

Gordon looks at the change as another chance to succeed.

“I’m certainly looking forward to working with Alan,” Gordon said. “I’ve known Alan for a number of years, always respected him and I guess in the back of my mind, I always thought it would be kind of cool to work with him. It’s a great opportunity.”

Gordon could very easily emerge as the real winner in the Hendrick Motorsports shakeup.

Dale Earnhardt Jr:

Will this new combination of driver/crew chief provide the magic ingredient that’s been missing?

Is Steve Letarte the one that can restore his confidence and provide the spark to reignite Dale Jr’s career?

It will take months before we know the answers to these questions but Letarte has already begun the rebuilding process.

“I believe he’s a remarkable race-car driver, and I think some people in the world have forgotten that,” Letarte said. “I look forward to the opportunity to remind them that he is as good as I think he is.”

“I’ve had the ability to work around some very remarkable talents, and I think he is included in that bunch. That’s my motivation – to show everybody in the world how talented Dale Earnhardt Jr. is. We know he can do it. We just have to give him a consistent platform to operate on. I have all the faith in the world with him.”

The real solution will come from Earnhardt Jr. who acknowledged that the last couple of years have shaken his confidence. “The only person that can truly help me get where I need to go, obviously, starts with me.”

For the first time in a couple of years, Dale Jr’s fans are excited about the possibilities and this can only be a good thing for NASCAR.

Jimmie Johnson:

The season finale will undoubtedly be focused on Jimmie Johnson once again.

Will the five-time champ claim the six-pack in 2011?

Team owner Rick Hendrick says that the 48 team was a little off this season but in the end they were good enough.

Johnson is already looking ahead to the future and the possibility that he could tie Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty by winning seven championship titles.

“I want to believe, and I do feel in my heart, that we’ll have a shot next year, but I don’t know what those challenges are going to be, how competitive we’ll be, what the competition’s going to look like,” said Johnson.

“It’s really hard to look that far ahead. I feel like I have my best chances at Hendrick Motorsports, with Chad Knaus as my crew chief.  If I can seam together seven in any shape or form to tie those two greats, I would be extremely honored. If I was ever able to surpass them, it would be out of this world.”

Look for the power team of Johnson/Knaus to level up in 2011 as they try to continue their unprecedented championship winning streak.

Denny Hamlin:

Although he was unable to bring home the championship trophy this year, Hamlin’s 2010 season was nothing short of phenomenal.

With a season high eight wins and a runner up finish, Hamlin has proven that he’s one of the fiercest competitors out there.

If anything, the loss to Johnson has made him even more determined to come back in 2011 and make another run for the championship.

“It’s going to be fuel for me,” Hamlin said. “I’m just going to try to get better. There are things that I can improve on as a driver.”

“I can assure you we’re going to hold our heads high because we came close this year. We had a great year. We were just a little short in the end.”

NASCAR:

While the fans are watching the racing, NASCAR will be the ones under the microscope.

Attendance and TV Ratings:

NASCAR has experienced a downward trend for the past four years in television viewership and empty seats at the race tracks have become the norm.

Changes such as more consistent start times, three attempts at a green-white-checkered restart and a new “have at it boys” policy have had little effect on either.

And while Johnson’s consecutive championship winning streak looks great in the record books, some will argue that it’s bad for the sport. Many fans will tell you that it’s simply not any fun watching the Chase when you already know what the outcome will be.

One of the biggest problems facing NASCAR is the decline in 18- to 34-year-old male viewing audience. NASCAR plans to increase its marketing and target this younger demographic.

Steve Phelps, NASCAR’s chief marketing officer, said their goal is to “use every resource available to us. We have to expose the sport to as many people as we can wherever they are, whether that is on a computer screen, mobile device or television.”

Another obstacle to overcome is how to compete with the NFL. While NASCAR ratings decline, the NFL ratings have seen a steady increase over the last few years. Despite this, NASCAR has no plans to change the 1:00 PM standard starting time in 2011 which puts them in direct competition with the NFL.

For most fans, the biggest complaint is the number of commercial advertisements broadcast during the race. NASCAR should explore options such as side by side viewing so that fans don’t miss a minute of the action at the track.

The 2011 season will be crucial for the continued success of NASCAR.

Maybe they should take a hint from Rick Hendrick who took a hard look at his company and said,

“It’s not enough that we do our best; sometimes we have to do what’s required.”

Thanks to Ford Racing for Trevor Bayne quotes.

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