Home Blog Page 5928

NASCAR Top-10 Power Rankings: Phoenix

By
Jeffrey Boswell
-
Note these are all fictional
1. Denny Hamlin: Hamlin lead 190 of 312 laps at Phoenix, but a late stop for fuel cost him a chance at the win and nearly cost him the points lead. He entered the race with a 33-point lead, and after finishing 12th, left with a 15-point edge over Jimmie Johnson.
“Points can evaporate as quickly as gas,” Hamlin said. “But you can tell Jimmie Johnson that Denny Hamlin isn’t ‘going away.’ He can say that the magnitude of the situation got to me, but the truth is, the only pressure I was feeling was fuel pressure.”
2. Jimmie Johnson: Johnson finished fifth in the Kobalt Tools 500, conserving fuel over the final laps, and cut deeply into the points lead of Denny Hamlin, who had to pit for fuel with 14 laps remaining. With one race remaining, Johnson trails Hamlin by 15 points.
“Hamlin’s 33-point lead is now 15 points,” Johnson said. “And speaking of things that were ‘cut in half,’ the ‘48’ pit crew became the ‘24’ pit crew in Phoenix.
This is the closest Chase For The Cup in history with one race to go. There are three drivers with a shot at the Cup, which is three times what I’m used to. This Chase may be different from all the others, in that someone may actually get ‘caught.’”
3. Kevin Harvick: Harvick bounced back from a pit mishap to score a sixth at Phoenix, and positioned himself for a decent shot for the Sprint Cup championship. Harvick is 46 points behind Denny Hamlin, and will need a solid finish at Homestead, along with trouble for Hamlin and Jimmie Johnson, for an unlikely championship.
“I have no problem wishing ill will on others,” Harvick said. “But, as Hamlin can attest, I’ve even better at directing ill will toward others.
Hamlin and Johnson have proven to have the most formidable cars this season, race in and race out. But there’s something that travels even faster than they do, and that’s bad news.”
4. Carl Edwards: Edwards ended a 70-race winless streak, taking the Kobalt Tools 500 for his first Sprint Cup win since Homestead in 2008. Edwards also won Saturday’s Nationwide Wypall 200 to complete the weekend sweep. He is now fourth in the Sprint Cup standings, 264 out of first.
“Kyle Busch may have done it first with his double-barreled middle finger display last week in Texas,” Edwards said. “But I’m proud to say I’m the latest to pull off the ‘flippin’ double.’”
5. Jeff Gordon: Gordon finished 11th at Phoenix, as handling issues handicapped his efforts and placed him on the verge of his second winless season. He is sixth in the point standings, 338 out of first.
“I’m not sure what I’ve lost more of this year,” Gordon said. “Races, or respect for Jeff Burton.
Once again, Chad Knaus has proven that he’s the most astute crew chief in the business. On Johnson’s final pit stop, Knaus immediately called for Johnson to conserve fuel, while the tactic didn’t even cross Mike Ford’s mind until much later. So, it seems I’m not the only Hendrick driver who’s capable of beating someone else to the punch.”
6. Matt Kenseth: Kenseth finished seventh in the Kobalt Tools 500, his second straight top-10 finish and 13th of the year. He is now fifth in the point standings, 311 out of first.
“Carl Edwards had a great week in Phoenix,” Kenseth said. “He’s got plenty to build on for next year. Greg Biffle’s got two wins this year, but I believe he’s ready for this year to be done. I am as well, but to a greater extent. Collectively, you can call us ‘Done And Doner.’”
7. Kyle Busch: Busch finished an uneventful 13th at Phoenix, one week after being fined $25,000 for an obscene gesture directed at a NASCAR official at Texas. Busch now sits seventh in the points, 347 out of first.
“I guess paying $25,000 for a middle finger,” Busch said, “is what’s known as having your ‘emotions in check.’”
8. Greg Biffle: Biffle benefitted from several frontrunners falling short on fuel to pull out a fourth-place finish at Phoenix, his ninth top 5 of the year. He improved one spot in the Sprint Cup point standings to eighth, 349 out of first.
“This Chase For The Cup has had everything,” Biffle said. “Trash talk, physical confrontations, flying car parts, and failed inspections. Or, as I like to say, ‘a Carl Edwards career retrospective.’”
9. Joey Logano: Logano finished third at Phoenix, his 16th top-10 result and fifth consecutive finish of seventh or better.
“I’ve served notice that I’ll be a force to contend with next year,” Logano said. “Hopefully, I’ll be a force to contend with in the Chase, and not out. My recent finishes make one thing crystal clear, though. And that’s that I’ll have a good view for the finish of this year’s Chase.”
10. Kurt Busch: Busch started third and finished ninth at Phoenix, posting his 17th top-10 finish of the year. He moved up one spot to tenth in the point standings, and trails Denny Hamlin by 429.
“This is shaping up to be the most exciting Chase finish in history,” Busch said. “The anticipation is overwhelming. Everyone, and not just racing fans, is talking about Hamlin, Johnson, and Harvick. So much that even my ears are burning. And I lost all feeling in those years ago.”

Seeking: Single or married men, 18-35, must enjoy fast cars and having a good time

By
SM Staff
-

Seeking:  Single or married men, 18-35, must enjoy fast cars and having a good time….and like being harassed at airports.

Shame on you.

You probably clicked on this link, thinking that I was looking for a hot date.

Well, I’m not.

Actually, believe it or not, NASCAR is looking for a guy, any guy (preferably in groups of hundreds or thousands), between the ages of 18-35. Oh, and before I forget, I really don’t think they care what age you are, ‘8 to 80’ (following one ‘dirty old man’ joke) even works, but right now, the 18-35 demographic is disappearing at an alarming rate, so I don’t think the France Cartel is too picky as to who shows up for a good time.

The good part?

On this particular date, you don’t have to buy dinner, open a door, or even be considerate of their feelings. You don’t even have to leave the house.

The bad part?

To get the full effect, instead of just watching a race on TV, you’ll need to see a race in person, which means you will have to spend some money. A lot of money.  Oh, and unless you’re driving to a NASCAR race, you’ll probably be flying, which means, that with the new TSA (Transparent Security Administration, because it’s not designed to actually work) ‘enhanced’ security guidelines, you’ll get to be a lot more friendly with the security goons at your local airport….oh yeah, and at the airport closest to the event in question….a truly-wonderful ‘two-fer’.

And on a side note….has anyone stopped to consider what these new ‘enhanced security guidelines’ enacted by the Oba-mao administration are going to do to race attendance?

Just in case you’ve been really spending too much time focusing on NASCAR, and not taking a moment to see what’s going on in the world around you, these new ‘security guidelines’ involve a new type of body scanner that gives a frightening clear view of your family jewels….and other body parts, if you’re not a guy….and there is some indication that the images taken from these scanners are somehow now popping up on the internet….oh, and if you’re not up for other people taking a gander at whether or not you made a good grade on the evolutionary scale (concerning the family jewels department), men and women with surgical gloves on await you in a side room to give you a full pat-down, lifting up various bodily components (both men and women have them, I’ll leave it to your imagination as to what I’m talking about) to verify you aren’t packing a 10-megaton nuclear warhead in either your Victoria’s Secret undergarments (both the upper and lower), or your Hanes tighty-whities.

Oh, and by the way? There is no other option. Once you’re in the airport….you’re screwed. One man who attempted to defy both searches, and was kicked off of his flight….he’s facing a world of hurt right now. Do some searching, and you’ll find out what I’m talking about. For all intents and purposes, that man has become a hero, and is now facing the mother of all legal battles.

I’m really not trying to scare you right now….I don’t have to. NASCAR, and other racing series (oh yeah, what about the ‘other’ guys?) are already facing a kick in the shins from this disastrous economy, and depending on who you talk to, this is only the beginning….and now, those who actually attend the races are going to be harassed further, viewed unclothed via’ electronic means or groped (if they fly), and this is supposed to be good for the sport (or any sport, for that matter)?

There’s a two-fold issue here:

First, once people realize what’s going on in the airports (I don’t have enough time to type out the horror stories already coming out), and how this administration is now attempting to destroy the airline industry….they’re not going to want to fly….anywhere. I don’t want to fly anywhere. And I haven’t even been on a plane in at least a decade. I haven’t been in an airport but once those same ten years (August of this year, fetching my sister from a flight, you just gotta love the hour-and-a-half wait in line to get on a plane).

I’m not scared of flying….I love planes (I’m a WWII Aviation nut). These new guidelines haven’t deterred me from wanting to fly, and I’m somewhat-comfortable enough with what I was equipped with from God that I’m not worried about people seeing me digitally-unclothed in a TSA scanner.

However, I’m not going to play the game. And that’s really what this is. A game. A game played by people who weren’t elected into office by the voting public, and since they aren’t answerable to that same voting public…there aren’t really any consequences to their actions, are there?

And we’re the ones who suffer. And those who are suffering? We did some housecleaning a couple of weeks ago at the polls. We’ve got another round in 2012, provided we last that long. There are some seriously-scary problems headed our way, and I don’t know how it’s going to turn out.

Getting back to the airport thingie, the aeronautical (which sort of means ‘flying’ for those of you who vote Democrat) public, whether they are folks who enjoy going to NASCAR races, or fly to see relatives they really had no business moving ten states away from, they’re seriously going to re-think their travel plans once they realize what’s going on. This is bad for auto racing in general, not just for the France Cartel.

I talk to dozens of people a day. It is part of my day job. Nobody wants to fly now. And nobody I know really wants to be stuck in a seat on a plane, sitting next to a Democrat (there is some discussion as to which is worse; the security gate, or being stuck in a seat next to someone who votes ‘D’).

Wait a minute….I was supposed to be writing a ‘humorous’ editorial here, wasn’t I?

Meanwhile, back at the ranch….

Part two of the ‘two-fold’ issue: NASCAR is really going to have to make some changes to the cars, the tracks, and the type of racing they’re doing, something so spectacular (as opposed to craptacular) as to make people want to forget about the horrors at the airport.

This will be addressed in another editorial….but for now, in spite of all of the terrors that the outside world is trying to foist upon you, NASCAR would still like to take you out on a date….remember, at the very least, you don’t have to leave the comfort of your own chair/couch/loveseat/anti-gravity field/iron maiden to enjoy the outing.

If at first you don’t succeed, call it ‘the Car of Tomorrow’.

NOTES FROM THE NASCAR NATION: The financial saga of Richard Petty Motorsports

By
SM Staff
-

One of the biggest questions in NASCAR racing these days is the financial solvency and outright future of Richard Petty Motorsports, (RPM). At this juncture it’s actually not certain if the team will see the green flag at Daytona when the 2011 season gets underway next February.

The strange saga of RPM majority team owner George Gillett’s finances has encompassed three years of twists and turns that has involved a National Hockey League team, a British football team, a company that managed ski resorts and even business dealings with a Saudi Arabian prince. To fully understand the journey that may lead to RPM’s complete extinction one has to look at the time line issues that created the problems to begin with.

MARCH 2007. Sports mogul George Gillett Jr, owner of the National Hockey League team the Montreal Canadiens as well as a professional soccer team in Liverpool-England, is reported to be looking at investing in a NASCAR Sprint Cup team. The reports state that he’s was holding conversations with a variety of team owners including Evernham Motorsports. Two weeks later team owner Ray Evernham confirms that he has been talking with Gillett.

AUGUST 2007. Following several months of negotiations Gillett purchases a reported eighty percent of the team. The sale was handled by the Booth Creek Management Corporation based on a bank loan supplied by Wachovia Securities. The new team name is now Gillett Evernham Motorsports, (GEM). Ray Evernham remains as CEO and substantial partner.

SEPTEMBER 2007. Rumors are rampant that GEM and Petty Enterprises have been holding meeting regarding a possible merger that would create a four car Dodge team. However, those talks eventually stall and are completely discontinued by the following November.

SEPTEMBER 2008. GEM enters into negotiations for a purchase/merger with Robby Gordon Motorsports, (RGM). Surprisingly the effort stalls when GEM announces that it has filed a lawsuit against Gordon citing an alleged breach of the tentative agreement that would have sold RGM to Gillett for a reported $23.5 million. Two weeks later the two organizations announce they have resolved their issues and Gillett drops the lawsuit as well as any merger plans.

This action is followed by rumors that claim Gillett is also seeking an asset purchase and merger with both Bill Davis Racing and Chip Ganassi Racing, presented by Felix Sabates. These reports are flatly denied by both Davis and Ganassi.

OCTOBER 2008. Ray Evernham announces plans to sell the major portion of his twenty percent ownership of GEM to Gillett but does remain tied to the team as a small minority owner.

DECEMBER 2008. Reports surface that proposed merger talks between Gillett and Petty Enterprises are now back on.

GEM lays off 65 employees from their NASCAR Nationwide Series teams. This is followed by an announcement that says the company will be shutting down their Nationwide operations.

JANUARY 2009. The merger between GEM and Petty Enterprises becomes official. The new collaborations fields four Dodge teams under the new name of Richard Petty Motorsports, (RPM). This name change is reported to be a deal breaker from King Richard Petty.

MARCH 2009. Rampant rumors regarding George Gillett Jr’s financial status becomes prevalent. Those rumors state that the problem is associated with cash flow relative to business problems with his professional soccer team in Liverpool-England. An angry Gillett vehemently denies that the situation may force him to sell his National Hockey League team: the Montreal Canadiens.

JUNE 2009. The state of the national economy, and its huge impact on American automakers, takes its toll on Chrysler who is forced to officially file bankruptcy. That action, in turn, impacts the cash flow of RPM because Chrysler cannot meet financial obligations to the race team. RPM lays off nine employees from its Sprint Cup operation and reduces the salary of many others.

Despite strong denials from earlier in the year, Gillett does indeed sell the Montreal Canadiens considered to be one of the major cornerstones of his business empire.

Rumors surface saying RPM is talking to Toyota about a manufacturer change for their race teams.

JULY 2009. RPM officials issues a denial regarding rumors of downsizing their Sprint Cup operation to three teams. However, they do inform driver Reed Sorenson that he is now free to talk to other team owners.

AUGUST 2009. Lee White, Director of Toyota Racing Development, confirms that he’s been negotiating with RPM regarding a manufacturer change for the team but says he doesn’t expect it’s going to happen.

SEPTEMBER 2009. A letter of intent is announced regarding the proposed merger between RPM and Robert Yates Racing. The structure of deal calls for RPM to switch to Fords with drivers Kasey Kahne, Elliot Sadler, A J Allmendinger and Paul Menard in the seats. Reed Sorenson is officially informed that he will not be returning to the #43 ride. RPM relocates their operation to the Yates facility in Concord-North Carolina and signs on with previous Yates vendors. Roush Fenway Racing will provide the Ford Fusion race cars while Roush Yates Engines will provide the power plants and gear assemblies. That move prompts RPM to lay off 40 employees from their engine department which is officially shut down.

During this same time a report surfaces stating that drivers Reed Sorenson and A J Allmendinger waived their RPM paychecks for a period of time in order to keep their teams on the race tracks.

In one of his most interesting business moves to date, George Gillett Jr announces an exclusive collaboration with Prince Faisal bin Abdullah al-Saud, a member of the Saudi Royal Family. The deal calls for the creation of a NASCAR style racing circuit along with Richard Petty Racing Schools in the Saudi Kingdom as well as other possible locations in the middle east. The Liverpool soccer club is reported to also be involved with the establishment of Liverpool branded football academies in the middle east. This deal is reported to be worth approximately $560 million. This business arrangement actually had nothing to do with RPM despite the volume of rumors that said the Prince would become the new team owner. Rumors that said RPM had been sold were quickly denied by Foster Gillett, the son of the team’s majority owner.

NOVEMBER 2009. Heading into the final season of his RPM contract, Kasey Kahne announces that he’s now a free agent and will be looking at other race teams for the 2011 season.

JANUARY 2010. Following months of intense negotiations, the merger between RPM and Yates Racing is now complete and officially announced.

APRIL 2010. The state of Gillett’s financial status hits a high public profile with the revelation that the loan from the Wachovia Bank, reported to be between $70 to $90 million used to purchase the race team to begin with has been in a state of default since February. The financial damage is reported to be caused by the country’s economic collapse and in particular its impact on the nation’s automakers and their inability to maintain financial obligations to race teams. In a rare public comment on his personal financial matters, Gillett explains that the default is technical in nature and should not be misconstrued to mean that he missed any payments. He goes on to say that he failed to meet one of the covenants attached to the loan further stating that sometimes these covenants require a money borrower to maintain a certain level of cash flow. However, an anonymous source, reported to be close to the deal, states that the problem was indeed related to a lack of payment. In all fairness, it needs to be pointed out that this anonymous source was never revealed and this information was never confirmed by any executive from a financial institution. However, in the days that followed this revelation there was an announcement saying a deal was put in motion to restructure the company debt.

In the middle of these financial rumors comes a confirmed report from driver Kasey Kahne who says he will be leaving RPM at the end of the 2010 season and has signed a multi year contract with Hendrick Motorsports. This is followed by vast confusion because Kahne’s new ride with Hendrick will not be available until the start of the 2012 season. Following months of speculation the matter gets resolved by Hendrick sending Kahne to Red Bull Motorsports for 2011.

AUGUST 2010. RPM suffers another financial setback when primary sponsor Budweiser announces they will not be renewing their contract when it expires at the end of the 2010 season. The beer company later announces plans to sign with driver Kevin Harvick and Richard Childress Racing.

RPM announces its plans for the 2011 season and says they will trim their operation down to a pair of Ford Fusions. Marcus Ambrose will replace Kahne in the #9 Ford with sponsorship from Stanley Tools. A J Allmendinger will remain in the #43 Ford. RPM announces that they are very close to signing a deal with Best Buy Stores, and their Insignia Electronics brand, to sponsor the Allmendinger ride. Driver Paul Menard announces that he’ll be leaving RPM to join Richard Childress Racing. After saying earlier that he doesn’t expect to return to RPM next year, driver Elliot Sadler signs a deal to drive a Nationwide Series car for Kevin Harvick Inc.

OCTOBER 2010. In another round of financial maneuvers, Gillett fires the Board Of Directors of his British soccer team. The move is an effort to stop a corporate take over of the soccer team by New England Sports Ventures, (NESV). an organization owned by John Henry. This is the same John Henry who owns Major League Baseball’s Boston Red Sox franchise as well as fifty percent of the Roush Fenway Racing NASCAR teams.

During the Charlotte race, Kasey Kahne crashes due to a reported brake failure. It’s the third such brake failure within a short amount of time and a furious Kahne says he can’t wait to get away from RPM. In the aftermath RPM announces the early release of Kahne and places driver Aric Almirola in the seat to finish out the season. This move allows Kahne to get a head start on plans to join Red Bull Racing next year.

The early release of Kahne sparks rumors that states RPM owes him a substantial amount of back salary reported to be somewhere in the area of $1.25 million. Kahne later confirms that he’s been paid in full and says the earlier than expected parting of the ways made sense for both sides. Later RPM informs employees, who were planning to join Kahne next year at Red Bull Racing, that their services are no longer needed and they are let go immediately.

RPM’s next financial headache arrives when Roush Fenway Racing repossesses the cars that were scheduled to race at Talladega alleging non payment of an outstanding bill. An anonymous source claims that the outstanding bill, owed to Roush Fenway and Roush Yates Engines, is somewhere between $9 and $12 million. However RPM arranges a partial payment, to the vendor’s satisfaction, and the race cars are returned to the shop the following day.

Richard Petty declines to comment on rumors that states he’s attempting to put together an investment team in order to buy majority interest of RPM from Gillett. This is followed by a report that states the Wachovia Bank, holder of Gillett’s defaulted loan note, is alleged to be in favor of a Petty takeover and is willing to give him some extra time to see if he can find investors. This is despite another rumor that states a second, unidentified, party is reported to be interested in purchasing the RPM assets.

Much to his dismay, Gillett learns that his Liverpool soccer team has been sold for $475 million a figure reported to be far less than expected and no where near the actual value of the team. This action was reported to be launched by a bank in Scotland who held the defaulted note originally initiated by Gillett and his partner. The devalued soccer team reportedly places a huge strain on Gillett’s liquid assets and creates more doubt regarding the solvency and future of RPM. There are also reports that says both Gillett and Petty have aggressively stepped up efforts to find investors for the beleaguered team.

Gillett, through his company Booth Creek Resort Properties LLC, sells stock in companies that operates the Northstar At Tahoe Ski Resort in an effort to raise additional capital. The sale of this stock is reported to be $63 million. But one day later radio talk show host Dave Moody, from Sirius Radio’s NASCAR Channel, releases a story that says public records indicates that Gillett’s Booth Creek company only managed the ski resort. The records also indicated that Gillett, along with his wife, only owns four percent of Booth Creek. The report also said that the net proceeds from the sale of these stocks were no where near the figure originally reported.

NOVEMBER 2010. Despite initial reports to the contrary, Budweiser agrees to stay with RPM, and honor their contract, until the end of the current racing season. Following Kasey Kahne’s early release from the team, Budweiser alleged breach of contract saying they signed on with Kahne and not a substitute driver. At first it was believed that Budweiser was not going to honor the contract, and the funding that came with it, for the final five weeks of the season which was the last thing RPM needed at this point in time. However, secure in the knowledge that Kahne was more than willing to honor his remaining sponsor commitments, Budweiser relented and announced they would honor their contract to its fullest.

Once again RPM endures another embarrassing episode regarding money owed to Roush Fenway Racing and Roush Yates Engines. This latest episode occurred after the November 8th Sprint Cup race at the Texas Motor Speedway. The plan was to have the haulers from the four RPM teams to meet a Roush Fenway hauler in the speedway parking lot to accept delivery of the cars needed for the Phoenix race the following Sunday. However Roush Fenway instructed their driver not unload the race cars until he received  telephone instructions. The problem was once again overdue invoices. The funding for the Phoenix cars was supposed to be delivered on the Monday morning following the Texas race so the new cars could be loaded into the RPM haulers and sent on their way to Arizona. The five haulers sat in the Texas Motor Speedway parking lot until the following Wednesday afternoon before the transaction was completed. The result was a mad dash to complete the 18 hour drive to the Phoenix International Raceway where the cars had to be unloaded in the garage area by early Friday morning.

It appears that RPM will be ready for next Sunday’s season ending race at the Homestead Miami Speedway in Florida. During the Phoenix race last weekend Mike Shiplett, crew chief for RPM’s #43 Ford, told Fox Sports that the Homestead Cars are ready and the engines were scheduled to be delivered to the RPM shop last Saturday. It was anticipated that the final prep work would be completed by Tuesday with a Wednesday departure of the team trucks to Florida.

The large and looming questions that remains are: will RPM be present at Daytona next February when the green flag falls on the 2011 season? Can Richard Petty line up the investors needed to buy out team majority owner George Gillett Jr? Can Gillette acquire enough funding, and financial solvency to save the race team he purchased back in 2007?

Last October Richard Petty said “I’ve been here, (NASCAR), since 1949 and I’m going to be here ’till they run me off.” There is a large contingent of people who hope that’s true. The world of NASCAR without the name Petty, and the #43, attached to it simply would not seem right.

NHRA Finals at Pomona Include an Emotional Win

By
SM Staff
-

The Auto Club of Southern California NHRA Finals is in the history books. The Full Throttle Champions included the youngest and the oldest.

John Force, 61, captured a record 15th NHRA Full Throttle Funny Car title. He thanked his team led by Mike Neff along with Austin Coil and Bernie Fedderly.

Force was seriously injured in a racing accident during the late 2007 season. His career as a driver was in jeopardy and his struggle with rehabilitation was a tough one.

After his win, Force said, “And thank you to the doctors who got my arms and legs back. I’m 40 again. I’m still ugly, but I’m 40. At the end of the day, the sponsors, the family, my wife, my children were all behind me when I said, “ I’m useless.” And the cheers of the crowd, you’re something else.”

The youngest NHRA Title holder was LE Tonglet in the Pro Stock Motorcycle class. Tonglet, 20, came into the event second, just as Force did.

Larry Dixon cinched the title in the NHRA Full Throttle Top Fuel category and Greg Anderson won the Pro Stock Championship title.

The event winners at Pomona were Antron Brown in Top Fuel, John Force in Funny Car, Shane Gray in Pro Stock and Eddie Krawiec in Pro Stock Motorcycle.

Gray was looking for his first win and out-ran one of the best leavers in the Pro Stock class, Jeg Coughlin. Coughlin announced he would not race in the 2011 season, but look for a probable return after that.

Krawiec won the first race of the Pro Stock Motorcycle season at the Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fl. He failed to grab another final round win until the last race of the season. He made the quickest pass in class history and a new national record at 6.811.

Antron Brown claimed his 25th NHRA pro victory when Shawn Langdon smoked his tires. Brown has struggled this year, so his victory may bode well for next season.

CHEVY NSCS AT HOMESTEAD: Team Chevy Advance

By
Official Release
-

TEAM CHEVY ADVANCE

FORD 400

HOMESTEAD-MIAMI SPEEDWAY

HOMESTEAD, FL

NOVEMBER 21, 2010

DID YOU KNOW? Motor Trend magazine, one of the world’s premier automotive authorities, named the Chevrolet Volt the 2011 Motor Trend Car of the Year.  The magazine recognized Volt as a “fully functional, no-compromise compact automobile that offers consumers real benefits in terms of lower running costs”

CHEVY RACING AT THE TRACK-MIAMI-HOMESTEAD SPEEDWAY/NASCAR CHAMPIONSHIP DRIVE – JEFF CHEW, MARKETING MANAGER, NASCAR, CHEVY RACING:

“This is an opportunity for race fans and car enthusiasts to see and learn more about two of Chevrolet’s hottest new products. Plus, they’ll be able to visit the Team Chevy Winner’s Circle Photo Trailer, where they can get a framed picture with their favorite Chevrolet driver.”

 

  • Fans can visit Team Chevy Racing display in Miami on Thursday and Friday (November 18-19) at Lummus Park – Ocean Drive (between 7th & 9th)
  • At Team Chevy Display there will be the interactive a Victory Lane “green screen” photo opportunity taken at the Team Chevy Winner’s Circle Photo Trailer
  • Fans can check out the No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet show car; Camaro SS and the all-new Cruze
  • Hours for the Team Chevy Racing Display will be: Thursday and Friday – 11:00 am to 6:00 pm

 

TEAM CHEVY AT HOMESTEAD-MIAMI SPEEDWAY-PAT SUHY, GM RACING NASCAR GROUP MANAGER:

“The 2010 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup has come down to the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.  It should be a great battle among a group of great teams.  While it would be nice to say that Team Chevy is in the catbird seat, as we have been the last five years, that’s not the case.  This year, we have two drivers still within reach of the driver’s championship, but don’t currently have the lead in the driver’s standings.  Jimmie Johnson, Chad Knaus and the whole Lowe’s 48 team will have to bring their A game this week.  They are 15 points behind the leader, which represents the smallest gap between first and second in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup’s seven-year history. Kevin Harvick, Gil Martin and the entire Shell 29 team likewise will be focused on getting every point they can.

“There’s no doubt that both the 48 and 29 teams will put their best foot forward this weekend.  For them, other than the obvious pressure of not having another chance, it will be business as usual.  Laser-like focus on unloading with a fast setup, and working through their usual practice routine to come up with the best qualifying and race setups will be key.  Qualifying will also be very important, not only for pit stall selection, but to be in a position to lead a lap early in the race and put pressure on the other drivers to do the same.  Those five points, along with leading the most laps, will be vital. With the relatively small points variation between finishing positions, those ten points are critical; as is the guaranteed 10 points that first place is awarded over second at the checkered.

“Overall 2010 has been another great year for Chevrolet in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.  Earning our 34th Manufacturers’ Cup, winning 18 races so far, having six of the 12 drivers in the Chase, and leading in too many on-track statistics to mention here, has made it memorable.  Our entire team of Chevy Teams has contributed to the Manufacturers’ Championship. Each of our Key Partner organizations: Hendrick Motorsports, Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing, Richard Childress Racing, and Stewart Haas Racing have made significant points contributions which enabled Chevrolet to secure the prestigious title again this year.  I’m proud that Chevrolet is the “manufacturer of choice” among so many top tier teams and proud of how those teams represent us both on and off the track.

“When the checkered flag flies on Sunday, with a little luck and a lot of hard work by our teams, I’m hoping that we’ll be celebrating with Chevrolet’s 27th NASCAR Sprint Cup driver’s champion.”

TEAM CHEVY IN 2010 NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES (NSCS) COMPETITION:

  • Race wins – 18 as of race 35 of 36
  • Poles – 15 as of race 35 of 36
  • Laps led – 5,239 (49.8% of possible 10,511)
  • Top-five finishes – 93 (53.1% of possible)
  • Top-10 finishes – 173 (49.4% of possible)
  • Team Chevy has six (6) drivers in the 2010 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. After nine  (9) of 10 races, the order is:
    • Jimmie Johnson, No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet – 2nd in point standings – 15 points out of the lead
    • Kevin Harvick, No. 29 Shell-Pennzoil Chevrolet – 3rd in the standings – 46 points out of the lead
    • Jeff Gordon, No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet – 6th in point standings
    • Tony Stewart, No. 14 Office Depot/ Old Spice Chevrolet – 9th in the standings
    • Clint Bowyer, No. 33 Cheerios/Hamburger Helper Chevrolet – 11th  in points
    • Jeff Burton, No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet – 12th in the points order

 

CHEVROLET ON THE TRACK—HOMESTEAD-MIAMI SPEEDWAY:

  • A Chevrolet driver has won 1 of the 11 races at Homestead-Miami Speedway
  • Chevy has 4 poles at Homestead
  • Team Chevy drivers have scored 19 top-five finishes and 46 top-10 finishes at Homestead
  • A Chevrolet has led 671 laps (22.8% of  2,942 possible) at Homestead
  • Current Team Chevy drivers with wins at Homestead:
    • Tony Stewart, No. 14 Office Depot/Old Spice Chevrolet has  two (2) wins
    • Bobby Labonte, No. 09 C & J Energy Chevrolet has won once (1)

TEAM CHEVY FROM THE DRIVER’S SEAT:

JIMMIE JOHNSON, NO. 48 LOWE’S CHEVROLET – 2ND IN STANDINGS:

“You know, it (a come from behind championship) would probably be received better than the ones in the past, with the runaway show we’ve had on a couple of them.  I don’t care how I win it.  However we win it, that’s cool (laughter).  I would love to come back and win from behind and eliminate that stat because that seems to be the only thing that everyone talks about right now. When I look at the way we started the Chase, I’m more frustrated at what we did then, in the fact we didn’t capitalize at Loudon.  At Texas we missed a pit call late in the race.  Everybody behind us had tires on.  We ended up ninth.  When you go back through the season, look at little things, we’ve left points on the table.  That’s unlike us from years past.  That’s the part we’re fighting right now.  I know we’ve been competitive, but not as dominant as we wanted to all year long. We’ve got to go to Homestead and race for it; there’s no doubt about it. I continue to hear that the No. 48 hasn’t had to race for it before and we’ve raced for it all Chase long. Maybe at Homestead we’ve been able to protect, but we certainly know that’s not the case this year and I love where we are. I love putting pressure on these guys and in fact I’m glad we cut their lead in half.”

KEVIN HARVICK, NO. 29 SHELL/PENNZOIL CHEVROLET – 3RD IN STANDINGS:

“I feel excited (about Homestead) because the worst we can finish in the points is third.  We have a great race track for us, and we have nothing to lose and everything to gain.  There’s really nothing else that matters at this point.  Just throw it all out there, and if it gets rough, it gets rough.  If it doesn’t, then we just go race and see where it all falls in the end.  It’s still a no pressure, no lose situation for us, and I like it.  The Homestead track is unique. You can charge turn one a little bit more than you can at most places, because as you get through the corner, the banking seems to get steeper all the way through, and you have options. You can run the top, you can run the bottom, you can run the middle, or you can split the middle-top or middle-bottom and make your car turn. It’s just a unique race track, and it seems to fit the guys that like to move around and make their cars work in different spots. It has been a great race track for us.  We’ve had great results over the past several years there. It’s a race track that kind of fits my driving style.  We’ve run well there, and I don’t think there is anything that should keep us from doing that this time, either.”

JEFF GORDON, NO. 24 DUPONT CHEVROLET – 6TH IN STANDINGS:

“We’ve had some good runs here in the past; we just haven’t been able to get that win. We want to get that win because winning is what drives us. We’re not trying to win because of a statistic, although it would be pretty cool to have won at every track. Homestead is a fun, fast race track. It has big, sweeping corners but, because of the South Florida summers, the track seems to lose more and more grip. The groove seems to widen out and move up to the top of the race track. It creates very challenging situations because it’s very fast but the grip’s not fantastic. The grip goes away pretty fast from new tires, so getting the balance right is very challenging. You don’t want to be the guy that costs somebody the championship because you did something dumb racing for 10th place,” said Gordon. “But I think those guys also have to recognize that you’re trying to win the race. If it’s for any place other than a race win, I’m probably going to give them a little bit of extra room knowing there is a championship on the line. But if we’re battling for a win, I don’t care who it is. I’m going to race them hard just like I would any other weekend to try to win the race.”

TONY STEWART, NO 14 OFFICE DEPOT/OLD SPICE CHEVROLET – 9TH IN STANDINGS:

“At Homestead, you go off into turn one, and when you get into the banking, you lift. If your car is good, you can go and not use any brake, or very, very little brake. You stay one lane off the bottom, past the transition – it’s a little less banking on the lower level toward the apron – so you stay one level above that. As soon as your car settles in you can really just mash right back in the gas and just ride that second level around down onto the backstretch. And then you do exactly the same thing going into turn three. A lot of times in turn three, because of the wind direction there, you can actually go into the corner a lot harder and a lot further, actually turning into the corner before you get off the gas. And it’s the same thing, once that car settles in; you get on the gas and ride it around to the frontstretch. It’s a pretty smooth racetrack.”

CLINT BOWYER, NO. 33 CHEERIOS/HAMBURGER HELPER CHEVROLET – 11TH IN STANDINGS:

“We’re decent at Homestead. We’ve never really been able to run up front and lead laps. I’ve had a car that I thought was capable of winning there, so yeah I think we’re pretty solid there. Its better (the progressive banking is)…actually way better. Now, you can search around different running lines and find grip and where your car works best. You’re not just locked into one line on the race track. From that standpoint, it’s definitely better and I think it has made for a lot more competitive racing for the fans. This season has gone by faster than any other season I’ve ever had. It seems like I’ve been a lot busier. We’ve just been tuned in as a group trying to get better with the No. 33 car. Ever since the penalty last month, it has kind of taken the wind out of our sails…out of my sails too. I’m ready for the season to be over and do something different for a little while.”

JEFF BURTON, NO. 31 CATERPILLAR CHEVROLET – 12TH IN STANDINGS:

“I thought we had a great chance to win that race. We were really, really strong. The last run of the race wasn’t as good as the previous runs. That was the case for a lot of the drivers. Most of the time, you’ll see one car that runs well then falls off but, in this case, there were three or four of them. It was like a battle amongst them. We just weren’t as good at the end of the race. If the race was 50 laps shorter, we would have won the race, but it wasn’t. We feel like we have a good set-up going there. It’s a fun race track. When they changed the race track, I was really against it. I thought they had screwed it up, but they made it a lot better. It’s turned into a really fun race track. I think you definitely have to hunt for the best line (due to progressive banking). As a driver you have to be open to trying different lines so you can find which line works best for your car. The problem lies when you are trying to get your car set up during practice. You question yourself as to what line you want to run. It’s really easy to set your car up for one line then move somewhere else and find out that it doesn’t work as well. You really have to be committed to where you want to run and stay there.”

MARK MARTIN, NO. 5 GODADDY.COM CHEVROLET – 13TH IN STANDINGS:

”My only goal this weekend is to win the race. That’s what I want to do for this race team. And it will make the offseason feel so much better (laughs). It’s going to be one heck of a race, that’s for sure. These fans are going to get their money’s worth. There will be no lack of excitement and no lack of drama. It will be fun watching my teammate out there trying to win his fifth championship. I really hope for him and everyone at Hendrick Motorsports that he brings another one home. I don’t think this season is what anyone expected – the media, the fans, anybody. With the way 2009 went, I believe we all thought we’d be fighting for a championship this weekend in 2010. But that’s not the way it worked. The summer months were brutal, and there was a time that we all got so frustrated and really didn’t know what was going wrong. Then after New Hampshire in September, we just seemed to really figure it out. We’ve gotten it back, and we’re definitely on the right track. We’ve had good consistent finishes, and we’re running up front and leading laps again. That’s the way this team should be performing. Alan (Gustafson, crew chief) is one of the smartest people I’ve ever met, and I’ve never doubted his abilities. He has a great team here, and this is exactly how we wanted to be finishing the season. It gives us a lot to look forward to in 2011.”

JAMIE MCMURRAY, NO. 1 BASS PRO SHOPS CHEVROLET – 14TH IN STANDINGS:

“This year has been filled with so many highs, Daytona, Indy, Charlotte, the pole awards and many other great finishes!  I could not have asked for a better year on the track, and looking to the birth of our first child, in December, off the track as well.  This year has truly been amazing. Heading down to Homestead for Championship Weekend, is something that the entire team is looking forward too. This has just been a dream season for all of us and we hope to end the season on a high note.  We have worked hard on our 1.5-mile tracks throughout the year so it should be a good weekend for us.”

RYAN NEWMAN, NO. 39 U.S. ARMY CHEVROLET – 15TH IN STANDINGS:

“We want to continue where we left off in Phoenix except to gain one position. That finish broke a string of four subpar results and hopefully put our U.S. Army Chevrolet back on the right track. As is the wish of every team for the final race, we want to have a strong finish so we have something positive to reflect on during the off-season. We won a race this year and had a number of good finishes, but yet we still came up short of making the Chase. It goes to show how competitive the Sprint Cup field is and how you have to maintain a high level of energy week in and week out. We have what it takes and I am confident that our Stewart-Haas Racing team can return to Chase status in 2011.”

JUAN PABLO MONTOYA, NO. 42 TARGET CHEVROLET – 17TH IN STANDINGS:

“This has been a crazy year for the Target team and to end it at my home track means that much more for me. We’re hoping for a good run. We’ve struggled with our mile-and-a-half program but we’re hoping to end it on a high note. We’ve been preparing for next year and that still remains our focus heading into this weekend.”

DALE EARNHARDT JR., NO. 88 NATIONAL GUARD/AMP ENERGY CHEVROLET – 19TH IN STANDINGS:

“Homestead has been one of my toughest tracks since they changed the configuration of it. We’ve ran good, but I just don’t seem to really have a line. There are a million different ways you can go through the corner but I haven’t really figured out which one suits me the best. We seem to run good till it gets dark, but this race is going to be run in the afternoon, starting early, so that should help us actually. It keeps the groove up off the bottom of the race track for a longer period of time.”

JOE GARONE, GENERAL MANAGER FURNITURE ROW RACING’S NO. 78 CHEVROLET, regarding the support from the NASCAR community following Monday’s accident on Interstate 25 in Colorado that heavily damaged the team’s transporter and motor coach. The team’s transportation drivers escaped serious injuries.

“Words cannot describe how grateful we are to Richard Childress Racing for immediately stepping up and offering us a fully-loaded racing hauler for this weekend’s race in Homestead. Furniture Row Racing also wants to extend a sincere thank you to the NASCAR community for the outpouring of support we have received since the accident. It has been overwhelming and truly shows the spirit of brotherhood that embodies our sport.”

BOBBY LABONTE, NO. 09 C&J ENERGY CHEVROLET – 31ST IN STANDINGS:

“Homestead is a great place to end the season.  I always enjoy going back to a track where I run relatively well and have won before.  The banking is different here than at any other track, so being able to run different lanes is fun and exciting.  This is place that has gone through a lot of changes, but it seems to get better each time. We are really excited to have the C&J folks in Homestead.  There isn’t a better way to end the season then to have your sponsors there.  We had a good run last weekend for C&J Energy Services, and we are hoping to be better this weekend.  Everybody wants to end the season on a high note and we are no different.”

 

Chevrolet NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Statistics

Manufacturers Championships

Total (1949 – 2010): 34

First title for Chevrolet: 1958

Highest number of consecutive titles: 9 (1983 – 91)

Years Won: 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010

 

Drivers Championships

Total (1949 – 2009): 26

First Chevrolet champion: Buck Baker (1957)

Highest number of consecutive titles: 6 (1993 – 98)

Years Won: 1957, 1960, 1961, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009

Event Victories

2010 Race Wins: 18

Total Chevrolet race wins: 669 (1949 – to date) (2,280 possible = 29.3%)

Record for total race wins in single season: 26 – 2007

Poles Won to Date: 609

Laps Lead to Date: 200,217

Top-Five Finishes to Date: 3,365

 

Top-10 Finishes to Date: 6,878

Total NASCAR Cup wins by Corporation, 1949 – To-Date

GM: 1,004

Chevrolet: 669

Pontiac: 155

Oldsmobile: 115

Buick: 65

Ford: 698

Ford: 98

Mercury: 96

Lincoln: 4

Chrysler: 456

Dodge: 207

Plymouth: 190

Chrysler: 59

Toyota: 33

About Chevrolet

Chevrolet is a global automotive brand, with annual sales of about 3.5 million vehicles in more than 130 countries. Chevrolet provides consumers with fuel-efficient, safe and reliable vehicles that deliver high quality, expressive design, spirited performance and value. In the U.S., the Chevrolet portfolio includes: iconic performance cars, such as Corvette and Camaro; dependable, long lasting pickups and SUVs, such as Silverado and Suburban; and award-winning passenger cars and crossovers, such as Malibu, Equinox and Traverse. Chevrolet also offers “gas-friendly” solutions, such as the upcoming 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco model that is expected to deliver up to an estimated 40 mpg highway, and 2011 Chevrolet Volt that will offer 25-50 miles of electric driving and an additional 310 miles of extended range with the onboard generator (based on GM testing).  Most new Chevrolet models offer OnStar safety, security, and convenience technologies including OnStar Hands-Free Calling, Automatic Crash Response, and Stolen Vehicle Slowdown. More information regarding Chevrolet models, fuel solutions, and OnStar availability can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

Dodge Motorsports Notes & Quotes – NSCS Race Advance – Homestead-Miami Speedway

By
Official Release
-

Dodge Motorsports NSCS Race Advance

Ford 400

Homestead-Miami Speedway

Sunday, Nov. 21, 2010

www.media.chrysler.com

www.twitter.com/teamdodge

DODGE AT HOMESTEAD-MIAMI SPEEDWAY

• Dodge has one NASCAR Sprint Cup Series win at Homestead-Miami Speedway (Bill Elliott – 2001).

• Former Dodge driver Bill Elliott (2001) and current Dodge driver Kurt Busch (2002) are the only two Cup Series winner’s at HMS to start from the pole.

• Kurt Busch has earned two poles at Homestead-Miami Speedway, both prior to joining Penske Racing. Busch’s two poles tie him with Jimmie Johnson for the most at HMS.

THE DODGE BOYS

• Dodge has 207 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victories.

• Dodge’s most recent win came at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May. Kurt Busch led 252 of 400 laps en route to victory in the Coca-Cola 600. It was his second win of the 2010 season.

• Dodge teams have posted 47 victories since the manufacturer’s return to NASCAR’s premier series in 2001 after being out of the sport since 1977.

• First Dodge NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Win: Lee Petty, 2/1/53, West Palm, Fla., 100 miles, .5-mile track.

• Last Dodge NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Win: Kurt Busch, 5/30/2010, Charlotte, 600 miles, 1.5-mile track.

HOMESTEAD-MIAMI SPEEDWAY NUGGETS

• Sam Hornish will compete in both the NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series races this weekend at HMS. His last Nationwide Series start was at the 2008 Food City 250 at Bristol Motor Speedway in 2008. Hornish will be driving the No. 26 Dodge Charger for Penske Racing.

DID YOU KNOW

• Kurt Busch is the youngest pole winner at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Busch earned the pole at the 2002 event at the age of 24 years, 13 months, 3 days.

DODGE IN THE CHASE: HOMESTEAD-MIAMI

• 2004: Kurt Busch, driving for Roush Racing at that time, finished fifth to clinch the Sprint Cup title by eight points over Jimmie Johnson. Dodge drivers in the Chase were Ryan Newman and Jeremy Mayfield. Newman started third and finished 30th after being involved in an accident. Mayfield started 20th and finished 35th.

• 2005: Ryan Newman qualified second, led four times for 33 laps and finished seventh. Jeremy Mayfield started 13th and finished 10th and Rusty Wallace was 13th at the checkered flag.

• 2006: Kasey Kahne earned Dodge its first pole at HMS, led five times for 90 laps and finished fourth. He moved up to eighth in the final Chase standings.

• 2007: Kurt Busch was the lone Dodge driver in the Chase. He started fifth in the season finale, led 34 circuits and finished second. He was seventh in the final standings.

• 2008: There were no Dodges in the 2008 Chase field.

• 2009: Kurt Busch started 12th, led 43 laps and finished fourth while Kasey Kahne finished 17th. Busch finished fourth in the Chase standings and Kahne 10th.

KURT BUSCH – INSIDE THE CHASE NUMBERS

• Busch is competing in the Chase for the Sprint Cup for the fifth time: 2004 – Champion, 2005 – 10th, 2007 – seventh and 2009 – fourth.

• Busch is 10th in the Chase standings after finishing ninth at Phoenix last weekend. He is 388 points behind the leader.

• Busch was ranked fourth, 211 points behind the leader, after nine races in the 2009 Chase.

• Busch has one win at Homestead-Miami. He started from the pole at the 2002 event and led 28 laps en route to victory.

• Through nine Chase races this year, Busch’s average finish is 16.8.

• Has competed in 68 Chase races since 2004 (47 have been in a Dodge) with 16 top-five and 34 top-10 finishes.

• Career totals at Homestead-Miami Speedway include one win, four top-fives, and four top 10s. His average start is 15.8 with an average finish of 19.6.

• Has scored top-five finishes in four of last seven Homestead races. He has led 92 laps at HMS.

FAST FACT

Only twice since 1975 has the Sprint Cup point lead changed in the final race of the season – 1979 and 1992. In 1979, Richard Petty overcame a two-point deficit to win by 11 over Darrell Waltrip. In ‘92, Alan Kulwicki overcame a 30-point deficit to win by 10 over Bill Elliott.

DODGE MOTORSPORTS ENGINEERING QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“It seems fitting that the season should end at a mile and a half track. This is the 10th time we’ve run on one this year, far more than any other configuration. But Homestead- Miami’s secret to being different from all the rest is that it has graduated banking in the corners, and the higher you run on the track, the more banking you get to take advantage of. So the engineering choice here is always, ‘Do I set up the car to run low, the shorter way around the track, or do I set up the car to run high, a longer distance around but more banking and more momentum?’ Yet another engineering choice to make.”

Howard Comstock – Dodge Motorsports Engineering

DODGE DRIVER QUOTES

“We’re coming in there ranked 10th in the points and really need to finish up the season in the top 10 in the standings. Only the top-10 drivers get stage time at the banquet out in Las Vegas in a couple of weeks. It would be a cool deal and very appropriate if we have the opportunity to take to the stage and publicly thanks all our sponsors. We’re celebrating the five great seasons with MillerCoors and starting the new chapter with Shell-Pennzoil and would love to have the opportunity to get up there and thank them all for their support.”

Kurt Busch, No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge Charger

“I like Homestead-Miami Speedway; it’s been one of my favorite places for many years. Unlike other intermediate venues that are tri-ovals, both ends of the track are exactly the same with two straightaways in between. The way you get into the corners at Homestead is unlike anywhere else. It’s a unique track and a great place to have the final race of the season.

Sam Hornish Jr. No. 77 Mobil 1 Dodge Charger

“This year has been a year of progression and learning, for sure. I feel like we are building equity here at Penske Racing. We want to definitely be better. It’s hard to put a grade on that. I think that some of the efforts we put in could have yielded better results, but a lot of that was just bad racing luck. Other weeks we haven’t performed well and have had good luck to get decent finishes. So that makes it hard to put a grade on the season. We still have work to do to get to where we want to be, and that is contending for wins and a spot in the Chase.”

Brad Keselowski, No 12 Penske Dodge Charger

All Systems Go For Furniture Row Racing Following Monday’s Accident

By
Official Release
-

Following Major Accident Involving Team Transporter, Motor Coach

DENVER (Nov. 16, 2010) — One day after the transporter and motor coach for Furniture Row Racing were heavily damaged in a major accident on northbound Interstate 25 in Colorado, team general manager Joe Garone said that all systems are in place for this weekend’s Sprint Cup season finale in Homestead, Fla.

The accident, which involved 34 vehicles on the icy highway, occurred Monday at approximately 8:40 a.m. near Larkspur, Colo., 40 miles south of the team’s race shop in Denver. The Furniture Row vehicles were returning from Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race in Phoenix.

The two Furniture Row race cars for this weekend’s Cup event will be transported from the race shop to south Florida in the team’s test transporter. Once the test transporter arrives at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Richard Childress Racing will provide the No. 78 Furniture Row team with a fully-loaded racing transporter.

“Words cannot describe how grateful we are to Richard Childress Racing for immediately stepping up and offering its support,” said Garone. “Furniture Row Racing also wants to extend a sincere thank you to the NASCAR community for the outpouring of support we have received since the accident. It has been overwhelming and truly shows the spirit of brotherhood that embodies our sport.”

The team’s transportation drivers — John Slingerland, Dennis LaCroix and Gary Miller — escaped serious injuries and all have returned to the Denver area. The damaged motor coach and transporter, which housed the two Phoenix race cars and racing equipment, have been towed to an impound lot.

Garone added that he was extremely proud of the team’s transportation drivers for how they navigated their vehicles to avoid serious incidents under adverse weather and road conditions.

“Our tractor/trailer averted head-on collisions and our motor coach driver — Gary Miller — put his life on the line when he made a split-second decision to ram into the back end of the team’s trailer instead of running over cars,” explained Garone. “It was a brave move that most likely avoided serious injuries to others. If you saw the aftermath of the motor coach, you would know what I mean.”

DAVID REUTIMANN QUICK FACTS: HOMESTEAD-MIAMI SPEEDWAY: FORD 300

By
Official Release
-

DAVID REUTIMANN QUICK FACTS

No. 11 Rexall Toyota Camry

Homestead-Miami Speedway

Ford 300

November 20, 2010

• Back home for David Reutimann… The driver of the No. 11 Rexall Camry is returning to his home state as the NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) heads to Florida this weekend for the 2010 season finale. Reutimann hails from Zephyrhills, Fla. which is about 300 miles north of Homestead-Miami Speedway.

• Rexall™ colors on the hood and Reutimann behind the wheel of the No. 11… The No. 11 will feature primary sponsor, Rexall, this weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The orange and blue Rexall car comes to the Nationwide Series as the nearly 100 year-old line of health care products makes their debut at Dollar General stores around the country. Reutimann brought home two hard-fought top-15 finishes at Charlotte Motor Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway in the Rexall Camry.

• Homestead-Miami Speedway: By the numbers… Reutimann has made six NNS starts at Homestead-Miami Speedway with one top-10 finish to his credit. He has an average starting position of 21.0 and average finishing position of 19.2. He is also listed in the top-five in several categories in NASCAR’s pre-race loop data statistics including closers (3rd), passes under green-flag conditions (4th) and passes by straightaway [both frontstretch and backstretch] (1st).

• Turner Motorsports 2011 plans announced… Turner Motorsports recently announced that its driver line-up for the 2011 season will include the return of a number of familiar faces such as Kasey Kahne, Reed Sorenson, Jason Leffler, James Buescher, Ricky Carmichael and USAC superstar, Brad Sweet. The team has also added NASCAR Nationwide Series standout, Justin Allgaier, to their stable of drivers. Turner Motorsports will continue their relationship with General Motors and the Chevrolet brand and has created alliances with Hendrick Motorsports, who will provide engine support for both its NNS and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) programs, Kevin Harvick Inc. for body and aero support, and Earnhardt Technology Group for drive train and suspension technology assistance. The team will field three full-time entries in both the NCWTS and NNS.

Reutimann on racing with Turner Motorsports

“It’s been really great working with Turner Motorsports. They build really good cars and I’ve really enjoyed working with Stewart [Cooper, crew chief] and the No. 11 guys. I’m looking forward to finishing out the season on a high note and hopefully contending for the win at Homestead! I’ve been very fortunate to be able to work closely with Dollar General, and now with Rexall, over the last two seasons. They are great supporters of racing and we are lucky to have such great partners behind us. I really want to be able to get the win for Rexall in my last race with them!”

Follow the No. 11 Rexall Team on Twitter! http://twitter.com/No11TurnerNNS

Follow David Reutimann on Twitter! http://twitter.com/DavidReutimann

Become a Turner Motorsports fan on Facebook! http://facebook.com/BraunRacingFans

Equipment Information

The No. 11 Rexall team will battle for the win with chassis No. BR044 this weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway. This chassis last hit the track at Texas Motor Speedway where Reutimann drove it to a 15th place finish. BR044 also saw track time at Auto Club Speedway with driver James Buescher, where he finished 17th after starting in the 18th.

Career NASCAR Nationwide Series NNS Stats at Homestead-Miami Speedway

No. Starts: 120

Wins: 1

Top-5 Finishes: 17

Top-10 Finishes: 43

Poles: 3

Average Start: 17.2

Average Finish: 15.6

Laps Led: 503 No. Starts: 6

Wins: 0

Top-5 Finishes: 0

Top-10 Finishes: 1

Average Start: 21.0

Average Finish: 19.2

Laps Led: 0

Aric Almirola and the No. 9 Budweiser Ford Team Homestead-Miami Speedway Advance

By
Official Release
-

Aric Almirola

No. 9 Budweiser Ford Fusion

Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway

• Aric Almirola, a Tampa, Fla., native will return to his home state this weekend to drive the No. 9 Budweiser Ford in Sunday’s Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, the season finale for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams.

• On Friday, Almirola will be joined at the track by his paternal grandmother, Eneida Almirola, whose visit to Homestead-Miami Speedway will mark the first time she’s ever been to a race track in her entire life. Abuela Eneida, a Cuban native, first came to the United States in 1966 with her husband, Rafael, and their two sons, Rafael Jr. (Almirola’s father) and Robert. Their family was granted access to fly from Cuba to America on the Freedom Flights that brought them into Miami. Once they landed they were given $100 to make a new life for themselves in the United States — $50 for being a married couple and $25 for each child. They eventually settled in Tampa, Fla., where Almirola’s Abuelo Ralph opened a TV repair business. Abuela Eneida will be joined at the track by both of her sons as well.

• Almirola will join fellow NASCAR drivers and media members in a Traxxas RC Boat race hosted by Kyle Busch in the infield lake at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Friday morning. Following a short drivers’ meeting, the participants will have some time to practice before competing in six-lap heat races to try to make the field for the 10-lap main event.

• For the third-consecutive week, Almirola will perform triple duty by competing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races at Homestead Miami Speedway. On Friday he will run the No. 51 truck for Billy Ballew Motorsports, Saturday he will drive the No. 88 JR Motorsports entry and on Sunday he will race the No. 9 Budweiser Ford for Richard Petty Motorsports.

• The No. 9 Budweiser Ford team enters the last race of the year with three pole awards, seven top fives and nine top-10 finishes in the first 35 events of the season. In the past six years the team has scored one pole award, one top five and two top-10 finishes at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

• Almirola has raced in all three of NASCAR’s top series at Homestead-Miami Speedway. His first start at the 1.5-mile track came in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in 2006 and he finished 23rd. In 2007 he ended up 18th in the NASCAR Nationwide Series race and in 2008 he took the checkered flag in 35th position in the NACAR Sprint Cup Series race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Almirola’s most recent event at the track was last year’s Truck Series race where he started 16th, led seven laps and finished 14th.

• After Sunday’s race, Almirola will turn his attention to a very important date. On Saturday, Dec. 11, just 20 days following the close of the 2010 NASCAR season, Almirola will tie the knot with fiancée Janice Goss in a ceremony attended by close friends and family in Huntersville, N.C. The two first met in 2005 when Almirola ran several NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races for Morgan Dollar Motorsports and Goss’ dad, Randy, served as crew chief for the team. They began dating shortly thereafter and were engaged to be married in November 2009.

• Follow along each weekend on Twitter for updates on how the No. 9 Budweiser Ford team is running. The @RPMotorsports account provides updates on the team throughout the race weekend and also features additional information about the Richard Petty Motorsports organization. Additionally, for updates on Almirola, follow @Aric_Almirola.

Almirola on his Abuela attending a race at Homestead-Miami Speedway and his upcoming wedding:

How special is it for you to have your Abuela Eneida at the track on Friday for her first race? “It’s special for me to have Abuela Eneida at the track for her very first race, ever. The coolest thing for me is that it was nearly 44 years ago my grandparents gave up everything they had to have a better life in America. They landed in Miami on the Freedom Flights with my dad and uncle Robert and now she gets to witness a product of her sacrifice; ironically in Miami. I’m privileged to do something that I love for my job and it’s all because Abuela Eneida and my Abuelo Ralph made a sacrifice for a better life.”

Your wedding is just a few weeks away. How hands on have you been in the planning process for the big day, or have you let your fiancée Janice (Goss) handle most of the details? “I’ve honestly tried to stay out of the planning process. Obviously some of the major decisions I put my opinion in, but all the details I’ve let Janice handle. We are excited to have our close friends and family come in from out of town to celebrate our marriage with us.”

Homestead-Miami Speedway Track Facts

Track Length: 1.5 Miles

Race Length: 267 laps/400.5 miles

Grandstand Seating Capacity: 65,000

First Race: Nov. 14, 1999

Banking in the corners: 18-20 degrees (variable)

Banking on the straights: 4 degrees

Frontstretch: 1,760 feet

Backstretch: 1,760 feet

TV: ESPN, 1 p.m. ET

Radio: MRN Radio, SIRIUS NASCAR Radio

Bass Pro Shops Renews Partnership Agreement with RCR

By
Official Release
-

BPS will continue as primary sponsor of No. 3 BPS Chevrolet in NCWTS with Austin Dillon

WELCOME, N.C. (November 16, 2010) – Bass Pro Shops has renewed its partnership with Richard Childress Racing as the primary sponsor of Austin Dillon and the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

Dillon is currently fifth in the 2010 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series point standings. The current leader of the Raybestos® Rookie of the Year point standings, Dillon has earned two victories, six pole positions (a series rookie record), as well as seven top-five and 16 top-10 finishes in 24 races.

“It is an honor for us to continue our relationship with Richard Childress Racing and Austin Dillon,” stated Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris. “Austin is an extremely talented driver and has done a great job as a spokesperson for our company and been a real friend to all of us at Bass Pro Shops.

“Our relationship goes beyond the race track and has also led to many great times in the woods and on the water with Austin and Richard. It is our hope that this partnership brings awareness to all the conservation groups our company is involved with as well as all the conservation work Richard has done,” Morris continued.

The RCR/Bass Pro Shops partnership continues a relationship which began in 1998 when the nation’s No. 1 outdoor retailer signed on as an associate sponsor of RCR’s No. 3 Chevrolet with legendary driver Dale Earnhardt. The relationship has continued with Kevin Harvick and the No. 29 Chevrolet and a six-race schedule with Kerry Earnhardt, Dale’s eldest son, in 2004. Bass Pro Shops was named as the primary sponsor of the No. 3 Chevrolet Silverado when RCR returned to NASCAR Camping World Truck Series competition this year for the first time since the conclusion of the 1999 season.

Bass Pro Shops was founded in 1972 and is headquartered in Springfield, Mo. The outdoor retail leader has 56 stores throughout the United States and Canada, serving over 110 million sportsmen a year.

“We have had a great relationship with Johnny Morris and Bass Pro Shops going back to when Bass Pro Shops sponsored Dale Earnhardt in The Winston in 1998,” said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. “Out of that, we’ve built a great working relationship and, more importantly, a great friendship both at the track and in the great outdoors.

“It’s an honor for RCR to be involved with Bass Pro Shops because of all they do for hunting, fishing and outdoor conservation. Austin has had a great season so far and has been a great spokesman who has been able to get more young people interested and involved in hunting and fishing.”

RCR has a rich history in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. It won the inaugural series championship in 1995 with Mike Skinner driving the No. 3 Chevrolet truck. Skinner won 16 races in his two seasons behind the wheel before giving way to Jay Sauter, who won four times in three seasons (1997-99). The program was discontinued after the 1999 season before starting up again full time in 2010.

About Bass Pro Shops:

Headquartered in Springfield, Missouri, Bass Pro Shops, also an international catalog and internet retailer, currently has 55 retail locations in 26 states and Canada visited by over 100 million people per year. In addition, Bass Pro Shops also provides products and services for thousands of independent dealer’s worldwide through its subsidiary company, American Rod & Gun. Bass Pro Shops gift cards can be purchased at over 132,000 retail outlets across America. For more information regarding Bass Pro Shops store locations, products or special events, please visit www.basspro.com. To request a free catalog call 1-800-BASS PRO.

About Richard Childress Racing

Richard Childress Racing has earned more than 180 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 2010 Sprint Cup Series lineup includes Kevin Harvick (No. 29 Shell-Pennzoil Chevrolet), Jeff Burton (No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet) and Clint Bowyer (No. 33 Cheerios/Hamburger Helper Chevrolet). Bowyer drives the No. 21 Zaxby’s Chevrolet in the 2010 Nationwide Series, Austin Dillon drives the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet in the 2010 Camping World Truck Series and Tim George Jr. drives the No 31 RCR Development Chevrolet in the 2010 ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards. Ty Dillon and Ryan Gifford are RCR developmental drivers in both asphalt and dirt track racing.

1...5,9275,9285,929...6,016Page 5,928 of 6,016

© SpeedwayMedia.com. All rights reserved.

Site Map

Archives

Popular Category