Nationwide Series / Go Green Racing / Fain Skinner Press Release
Fain Skinner
NNS-No. 04 Go Green Racing
CarportEmpire.com Ford Mustang
Richmond International Speedway
WHERE WERE YOU 10 YEARS AGO…when the tragic events of 9/11 took place?
Upcoming NASCAR Nationwide series driver, Fain Skinner was just 16 years old sitting in math class. Unfortunately, his teacher did not realize the importance of the moment. The class was not allowed to tune into the event as it unfolded. As he exited math class, Skinner began to hear exactly what was happening and became fearful as to what would happen next. It was not until 2003 that Skinner felt the realities of 9/11 when he saw his best friend, and now brother-in-law, leave for Iraq. Until his best friend’s safe return, each day was a constant reminder of the repercussions of that tragic day.
On this 10 year observance of 9/11, #39/Go Green Racing, Skinner, CarportEmpire.com and the NASCAR Foundation Unites challenges each fan, team member, driver, and owner to unite together. The challenge; to pay tribute by pledging to perform good deeds, support charitable causes, and volunteer in honor of the 9/11 victims, survivors and those who served in response to the attacks. “It is a great time to participate in volunteering in your community. It is not about doing everything but doing something,” said Skinner. One suggestion from NASCAR Foundation Unites is to send a postcard to a First Responder. You can go to www.nascar.com/unites and send a virtual postcard to a First Responder as a good deed. The goal is for 10,000 postcards to be sent. President of CarportEmpire.com, Kevin Keen will log on and wants to encourage others to do the same. “At CarportEmpire.com, our mission is to serve our customers. This weekend we have the opportunity to honor those that have served our country by taking that literally out to the communities. There are so many great projects and charities that the NASCAR Foundation represents. It is a time to get involved,” encouraged Keen.
TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS AT THE TRACK: The Virginia 529 College Savings 250 at Richmond International Speedway will be Skinner’s third NASCAR event. As Skinner undergoes NASCAR’S approval process, he is met with many challenges. His first event was with the #41/Rick Ware Racing at Lucas Oil Raceway where he finished 26th. In his second event, he met the challenges of Bristol Motor Speedway with a 30th place finish without a race scratch on the car. This week, Skinner looks forward to competing on the ¾ mile D-shaped oval under the lights and bring home a strong finish for the #04/Go Green Racing team.
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Surprising and Not Surprising: Atlanta AdvoCare 500
With a rain delay of days instead of hours, the NASCAR Sprint Cup race which was to have run at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Sunday evening of the Labor Day weekend, was finally completed on Tuesday afternoon. Here is what was surprising and not surprising from the 52nd annual AdvoCare 500.
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[/media-credit]Surprising: While one five-time champion Hendrick Motor Sports driver is usually the one peaking at this stage of the season, it was most surprising that the other HMS four-time champion instead took the checkered flag for the multi-day rain-delayed race at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Jeff Gordon, driving the No. 24 Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet, beat out his teammate to score an historic 85th victory, placing him solely in the third position of all-time wins in NASCAR.
This was Gordon’s third victory for the season and his 13th top-10 finish in 2011.
“This team is on a roll,” Gordon said. “I don’t care if it’s Sunday or Monday or Tuesday; to have a race like that, man, that’s awesome. It feels awesome.”
Gordon was also feeling awesome by making history, in addition to celebrating his daughter Ella’s first day of school.
“I just feel rejuvenated in such a big way,” Gordon said. “85 yeah! I can’t wait to get home and celebrate with these guys and my family. 85, wow!”
Not Surprising: To no one’s surprise, five-time champion Jimmie Johnson, driving the No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, was the one nipping at Gordon’s heels, careening sideways behind his teammate to take the checkered flag in the runner up position.
This was Johnson’s 13th top-10 finish in 20 races at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
“Man, that is what racing is all about,” Johnson said. “I am grateful that I got to grow up racing off-road trucks and buggies because I was dead sideways those last 10 or 15 laps.”
Since the Chase is looming with just the Richmond race to set the championship field, it was also not surprising to see Johnson take the points lead, now 21 points ahead of Kyle Busch.
When asked about that, Johnson said with a smile and a laugh, “Yeah, we’re just having a terrible year. So, hopefully we can pick things up a little bit.”
Surprising: Two drivers who were having much-needed good runs ended up with surprisingly bad finishes. Clint Bowyer, behind the wheel of the No. 33 Cheerios/Hamburger Helper Chevrolet, got into it with Juan Pablo Montoya on lap 241, dashing Bowyer’s hopes for any Chase possibilities with his 36th place finish.
“We’re out here racing for a spot in the Chase,” Bowyer said after being released from the infield care center. “He’s out here racing for nothing.”
“I’m tired of it,” Bowyer continued of his tussle with JPM. “He’s just an idiot.”
The other driver with a surprisingly good run but bad finish was David Ragan, behind the wheel of the No. 6 UPS Ford. Ragan, also hoping to make the Chase, was running in the top ten for much of the race, only to fall victim to engine failure.
“I bet there’s still a mathematical chance that we could win Richmond and get into the top 20 and make the Chase,” Ragan said optimistically. “And that’s certainly the mindset we’re going to have.”
“We’re not going to give up no matter what.”
Not Surprising: Both Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Tony Stewart held serve on their ninth and tenth place positions respectively in the point standings.
While the driver of the No. 14 Office Depot/Mobil 1 Chevrolet had an outstanding run, finishing third, the driver of the No. 88 National Guard Military Intelligence/Amp Energy Chevrolet had an unsurprisingly tough run, finishing 19th.
This was Stewart’s 15th top-10 finish in 25 races at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
“It was just a really good Office Depot/Mobil 1 Chevy,” Smoke said. “It was a long day for sure and we battled a lot of adversity to get up there. I’m just really proud of these guys.”
“It was not a good day,” Junior said in contrast. “We didn’t have a good car.”
“We worked on it a little bit and had a couple decent runs where we were competitive, but just fought the car all day long and just couldn’t make anything happen.”
Both drivers can clinch positions in the Chase for the Cup championship at the next race in Richmond. Stewart will clinch if he finishes 18th or better, 19th or better and leads one lap, or 20th or better and leads the most laps.
Earnhardt, Jr. will clinch is he finishes 20th or better, 21st or better and leads at least one lap, or 22nd or better and leads the most laps.
Surprising: After leading laps and looking like a race win contender, it was surprising to see the No. 17 Crown Royal Ford Fusion slide back after one of the race’s rain delays to finish ninth.
“After the rain, we didn’t do anything to the car,” Matt Kenseth said. “We just put a set of tires on it and it was junk.”
“I don’t really know what happened,” Kenseth continued. “We had a lot of speed and it was pretty fast the first half of the race, but we just struggled after that.”
Not Surprising: It was not surprising, yet again, to see Brad Keselowski continue his ‘Iron Man’ performance since injuring himself in a testing wreck. The driver of the ‘Blue Deuce’ finished sixth, locking himself into the Chase.
Surprising: In addition to the race winners, there were other winners at Atlanta as well. First and foremost were all of the children battling cancer that were featured on Carl Edward’s car. In their honor, the driver of the No. 99 Aflac ‘Friends of a Feather’, finished top-five.
“We appreciate Aflac being on board with the Aflac Cancer Center,” Edwards said. “It’s Aflac.com/friends if you want to help these kids out.”
“These are great kids,” Edwards continued. “We wish we would have gotten a win for them, but it was a good run.”
Another winner was Huckleberry Pets, who scored the ‘Official Small Business of NASCAR’ title thanks to Tony Stewart’s great run.
“It was great to get Huckleberry Pets the title today,” Stewart said. “I wish we could have won her a million dollars, but we did the best we could.”
Not Surprising: Unfortunately, but not surprising, no one claimed the Sprint Summer Showdown bonus. While several drivers were eligible to win a million for themselves, their charities and their respective fans, not one was able to score the ultimate promotion.
Sadly, fans Andrea Gay, Helene Cross, Ron Rempinski, Dana Hardie, and Molly Hilyard did not find their Sprint pot of gold since Paul Menard, Brad Keselowski, Marcos Ambrose and Kyle Busch respectively did not take the checkered flag at Atlanta.
Surprising: In a surprising driver swap, Mike Skinner actually got to finish a race, and did so solidly in 27th place. Skinner climbed into the No. 36 Collective Soul/Golden Corral Chevrolet for Dave Blaney who was suffering from kidney stones.
Not Surprising: A.J. Allmendinger continued his solid run streak, this time with a 10th place finish in his No. 43 Best Buy Ford.
“That’s where we are as a team right now,” Allmendinger said. “We’re about an eighth to a 12th or 13th place race team, but that’s better than where we had been, so that’s the improvement I’m looking for.”
“If we can just keep getting there, whether we make the Chase or not, then I’ll be really happy with the season.”
Hot 20 over the past 10 – Gordon is blazing, but Keselowski is bringing his own kind of heat
Jimmie Johnson has five straight titles, and he is again poised to add yet another finger bauble, but one man standing in his way operates out of the company’s other shop. It has been a decade since the recently turned 40-year old Jeff Gordon claimed his fourth crown, but there is nothing old about his act as of late.
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[/media-credit]In his last ten events, Gordon was 17th at the Glen, 11th in Loudon, with the rest all Top Tens, including his 85th career victory last Tuesday on the asphalt of Atlanta. He has averaged more than 39 points per race over the span, claiming more than 80% of those available to him. Under the current system, where last place gives you just 2% and even tenth is under 70%, his results lately have been stellar. Gordon appears up for the challenge.
However, watch for the young man from Michigan. 27-year old Brad Keselowski has been outstanding, especially in his last six starts. Two wins, a second, a third, a sixth at Atlanta, and 9th at the Brickyard. He moves into the Chase with three wins and a chance to even earn a Top Ten berth in the standings with another great effort at Richmond.
Quite frankly, it appears that ten of the 12 currently holding down a place in the Chase are set and ready for the fun to begin. For Dale Earnhardt Jr and Denny Hamlin, they need to throw another log or two on the fire, as the embers appear to be cooling off.
Here is a look at the hottest 20 drivers over the past ten events…
POS (LW) DRIVER – PTS/10 – (W-T5-T10)
1 (1) JEFF GORDON – 392 pts (1-4-8)
Petty, Pearson, & Gordon. Junior partner joins the firm.
2 (6) JIMMIE JOHNSON – 370 pts (0-6-8)
Visits the White House so much, it is now called the Johnson Bedroom.
3 (5) BRAD KESELOWSKI – 364 pts (2-4-8)
A bit of the spotlight has found this darkhorse.
4 (2) KYLE BUSCH – 349 pts (2-5-6)
Tuesday will be a crash fest? Well, maybe he meant next Tuesday.
5 (3) MATT KENSETH – 343 pts (0-2-6)
Has been called silent but deadly. That stinks.
6 (4) RYAN NEWMAN – 330 pts (1-4-5)
If he ever ran neck and neck, he probably would lose.
7 (9) KEVIN HARVICK – 307 pts (0-0-4)
Don’t send him a last minute invite. Just ask a certain Mr. B. Obama.
8 (8) CARL EDWARDS – 303 pts (0-3-5)
Wanted to go, but had a date with a duck.
9 (7) JOEY LOGANO – 303 pts (0-3-4)
A hundred races and the best is yet to come.
10 (13) MARTIN TRUEX JR – 300 pts (0-2-4)
Nothing that a win and a raid on Hamlin’s hauler wouldn’t cure.
11 (12) KURT BUSCH – 298 pts (1–3-5)
After three straight duds, Atlanta was welcome.
12 (10) TONY STEWART – 297 pts (0-1-4)
His schedule opens up after November 20, if the President wants to reschedule.
13 (11) A.J. ALLMENDINGER – 296 pts (0-0-2)
Victory, and by at least 11 points over Hamlin, would do the trick.
14 (15) MARCOS AMBROSE – 281 pts (1-2-4)
Richmond To-Do list includes winning and moving into the Top 20.
15 (14) KASEY KAHNE – 280 pts (0-1-3)
Red Bull? More like bulls***
16 (23) JEFF BURTON – 258 pts (0-0-1)
Jeff, where the hell have you been?
17 (20) GREG BIFFLE – 256 pts (0-0-2)
If only 3-M retreat had been at Camp David.
18 (16) PAUL MENARD – 255 pts (1-1-3)
Win at Richmond, he’s in the Chase. Don’t, and he won’t.
19 (18) DENNY HAMLIN – 254 pts (0-1-3)
A good day back in June looms big for the Pied Piper.
20 (21) JAMIE MCMURRAY – 253 pts (0-2-2)
In the Top 15 thrice in past ten just not good enough.
21 (24) DALE EARNHARDT JR – 248 pts (0-0-1)
In recent weeks he is about as much a threat to claim the title as I am.
22 (19) DAVID RAGAN – 242 pts (1-1-2)
Soon Big Brown will be just a skid mark.
23 (17) CLINT BOWYER – 242 pts (0-1-2)
Dear Juan: You are a jackass. Your pal, Clint.
The Key To Success
There was rain. There were floods. There were even tornado’s in Atlanta. But for the second time in modern history, NASCAR ran on a Tuesday morning.
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[/media-credit]The story that came out of the race was not the Chase points. It wasn’t those that clinched and those that lost all chance of making it. It was the story of persistence. It was the persistence of the fans that stayed and weathered the storm literally. It was the persistence of a 4-time champion who refused to quit. It was the persistence of a 2-time champion who was down and out who lady luck seemed to have forgotten. It was the story of a young man who has seen the bottom over four years and suddenly has found the spark. Persistence was the story of the day.
The race weekend in Atlanta began on Friday. It was hot and humid to the point of being miserable and 87,000 people were there. On Saturday the weather was the same and the fans were still there. On Sunday the skies opened up and delivered a tropical torrential down power and the fans were there until NASCAR finally lost the track about 9 PM. Because of the weather warnings local authorities requested the race be rescheduled for Tuesday morning. Tuesday Morning 16,000 people were in the stands in the cold and damp and endured the on and off heavy mist. The cost of their perseverance was probably very high with 2 missed days of work or more for most. But their dedication to the sport and their favorite drivers was strong and their loyalty unwavering. Their persistence was rewarded with being witness to history being made.
Through the delays there was a burning light. It was a light that had been burning since 1976 in Rio Linda California at a track called Cracker Jack Raceway. A fire that never dimmed and reach heights of greatness that the man it burned inside of only had dreamed of. The 4 time champion had struggled the last 2 years with a long winless streak broken in Texas last spring and punctuated by a crew chief change this winter. It was only two short years ago the media and the fans were talking about Jeff Gordon retiring but he didn’t. Instead he drove hard and on a rainy Tuesday in Atlanta Georgia, Jeff Gordon won his 85th race and secured third place on the all time win list. He continued to forge ahead, believing in himself and his Hendrick Motorsports team and keeping his eye on the prize, another championship.
Two time champion Tony Stewart has been through the gamut of emotions in the last two years, from becoming the owner of his own team, to winning his first race in his own cars to struggling to get out of his own way this year. Smoke’s luck reached rock bottom with an uncharacteristic 30th place finish 2 laps down in Bristol last week. Smoke proclaimed in Michigan that they didn’t need to make the chase if they couldn’t perform any better than they were. “There is no use in being in the chase if you can’t challenge for the win.” He said. So when the white flag flew at Atlanta and Smoke made a classic sprint car dive to the inside of Kurt Busch in a Hail Mary move for 3rd his fans held their breath. Smoke’s talent had never been in question but his luck that was something else. But Smoke held on to the Office Depot Chevrolet and made the move work looking more like the two time daring, devil may care champion that his fans have grown to love. He never gave up. He was frustrated. He was down. But he was never out. He pushed himself and his team harder than he had ever pushed before and he made the decision to succeed and to continue on to the chase.
In June, Dale Earnhardt Jr sat 3rd in the points and was a picture of consistency. But lady luck would not be on his side. A string of bad finishes and misfortunes hit at absolutely the worse time, the end of the race for the chase. The media began doubting he would make the Chase. The slide was terminal they hinted. Even with all the improvement in the driver and the team there was still something missing. Pit stops were slow. The car had no speed. The qualifying efforts were poor. The race results slipped to top 20 finishes instead of top 10 finishes. The nay sayers pointed their fingers and the negativity flowed like water from a tap. But this time something was different about Dale Jr. This time he didn’t give in to the negativity. Instead he said we are working on the problems. He was honest. He was upfront but he never lost his swagger or his confidence. In Atlanta even with a bad car and handling problems, Earnhardt Jr held on to 9th place in the points. Going into Richmond he would only have to pull a 20th or better finish to secure his Chase spot. “That is the job we got, so we will try. I feel confident and you don’t stop trying until it’s over.” Earnhardt said after the race. And that is the secret after all to his being there isn’t it? He never quit trying. He pushed on and in doing so he found that his goal was within his reach.
All of these situations have a common thread. People took control of situations that were not in their control. The fans took control to outlast the weather and show their devotion to their sport. Jeff Gordon took control of his abilities and over came a slump by refusing to accept anything less than being a championship contender. Tony Stewart took a string of bad luck and in true Smoke fashion man handled it until it became something he could out drive. Dale Jr. dug deep inside and reached out for a new voice on the radio and found his confidence and belief in his talents.
All could have walked away. All could have said it was a great ride but… Instead they persisted through the storms, the trials, the bad luck, and the negativity. They reached back and found the time tested and true adage of racing…It ain’t over until the checkered flag waves and the check clears the bank. When they did they found the truth in racing. Persistence equals success every single time.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * * * * ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Congratulations to Ron Hornaday on his Camping World Truck victory. It was awesome to see the champ in victory lane again.
Congratulations to Carl Edwards on his Nationwide Series win.
Congratulations to Jeff Gordon on his hard fought victory in the Sprint Cup Series and a historical 85th win to take sole position of 3rd on the all time win list. Not bad for a kid whose mustache use to be penciled in with eye brow pencil.
Kudos to Tony Stewart for one of the most incredible Hail Mary passes the sport has seen in a long time.
That said, to all the competitors in all the series thanks for giving us everything you have to give, you are our heroes. Most importantly, thanks to all the families who shared their loved ones with us so we could cheer our favorite driver and favorite teams. You are the true heroes of the sport and we are forever in your debt.
Trevor Bayne vs. Ricky Stenhouse – Kansas Speedway Edition
NASCAR Nationwide Series drivers in Kansas City to promote Kansas Lottery 300
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (Sept. 7, 2011) –Nationwide Series point leader Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and 2011 Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne came to Kansas Speedway to meet with a few lucky fans today, but the two young drivers who love to compete with one another began their day at Kansas Speedway with a Ricky vs. Trevor punt, pass and kick competition.
After a few warm up tries, Bayne took the early lead with the furthest punt, but Stenhouse threw the longest pass and edged Bayne by kicking the football a couple of feet further to win the overall competition.
Next, Ricky and Trevor participated in a live chat via Kansas Speedway’s Facebook page where they answered questions submitted by fans.
Since college football just kicked off, one fan wanted to know, “What is your favorite college football team?” Bayne, a Knoxville, Tenn. native, predictably answered Tennessee and Stenhouse, who hails from Mississippi, revealed he’s an Ole Miss fan.
Any fans who missed the live chat can still watch it on Kansas Speedway’s Facebook page.
After that, some lucky Kansas Speedway ticketholders had the opportunity to participate in a Q & A with the drivers and take a couple of laps around Kansas Speedway with the Richard Petty Driving Experience.
During the Q&A, fans asked questions that ranged from on-track competition, to whether or not they had tried Kansas City’s famous BBQ yet. Both answered they hadn’t tried it, but now plan to in October after fans encouraged them to try it.
One fan asked, “What is your favorite track to compete at?” Stenhouse replied, “Kansas Speedway, of course!”
Come see Bayne and Stenhouse battle it out once again at Kansas Speedway in the Kansas Lottery 300 on October 8. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting www.kansasspeedway.com or by calling 866.460.RACE(7223).
Fans can also purchase tickets to the Kansas Lottery 98.9 (Oct. 7) and Hollywood Casino 400 (Oct. 9) by calling 866.460.RACE (7223) or by logging onto www.kansasspeedway.com.
