Germain Racing Teammates Ready to Battle for the Title of Mr. Texas
Todd Bodine hasn’t had a lot go right thus far in 2011. After winning the championship last season he’s suffered what’s known as the champions curse.
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[/media-credit]He entered Friday night’s race in Texas with only two top fives and two top 10s after eight races. He’s yet to find victory lane.
Unlikely statistics for a driver who could do no wrong a year ago, the Onion stunk up the show. No pun intended. Even in races where he spun put and could have lost points, Bodine came back to win. Not the case in 2011 as his team has struggled to remain on track, plagued by accidents and ignition problems.
Last weekend in Kansas, Bodine finally had an uneventful race, finishing third. Now he heads to a track that during the last five visits he’s been unstoppable.
Texas Motor Speedway is Todd Bodine. Last June he won for the sixth time at the speedway, and it was his fourth win in the last five Texas races. Just as Jimmie Johnson or Denny Hamlin are guarantees at Martinsville in the Sprint Cup Series, Bodine is a guarantee in the Lone Star state.
“We always feel like we can go win at Texas any time we race there,” said Bodine.
Now is a great time to go there and for Bodine to win. Currently sitting ninth in points his Germain Racing team is working hard to repeat as champions. Unlike how easy it appears for him to find victory lane in Texas, it’s not as easy to go back-to-back as the Camping World Truck Series champ. In fact, it has yet to be done.
If Bodine is going to climb back into the title hunt Texas would be a great place to start. This time around though, Bodine believes he and his No. 30 team are going to have to work a little harder to be first to the finish line.
“Goodyear’s coming back with a different tire so the advantage we had with our old setup for our NTB/Service Central/Valvoline Tundra is one we’ll have to work on with the tire change,” said Bodine. “We’ll just have to work hard to get out Toyota to go as fast as it normally does, but I’m sure this Germain Racing team will have no problem doing just that.”
Bodine has good reason not to be concerned. Texas will be the second time that chassis GR-019 has seen the racetrack, the first being its debut at Kansas. Bodine led laps and earned just his second top five of the year. It’s given him added confidence heading into the weekend.
“The good thing about this NTB/Service Central/Valvoline Tundra is its brand new and it really responds,” he said. “This Toyota Tundra was awesome and I can’t wait to see how it runs in Texas.”
Neither can teammate and returning CWTS star, Brendan Gaughan. Back full-time in the series after what might be described as rough stints in Cup and Nationwide, Gaughan is also looking for a Texas turnaround of his own. He might also be the only challenge to Bodine as he looks to recapture his TMS magic.
Bodine has been the Mr. Texas of the last few seasons but it was Gaughan who first wore the crown. In 2002 and 2003 the competition might as well not have shown up as Gaughan won four straight races, the first driver to accomplish the feat. However, Friday night will be the first time that he’s run at the facility in a Truck since 2008.
“Big Red is on the No. 62 Tundra this week and I couldn’t be more excited to have a sponsor and they couldn’t have picked a better race for me,” said Gaughan. “Texas is a race I’ve been looking forward to racing with this Germain Racing team and I hope Todd and I can be there at the end, battling it out for a win between Germain teammates. It would make for a great race for our Texas sponsor, Big Red.”
Gaughan sits 10th in points with only three top 10s but no top fives or wins. Far from the driver who was once a weekly contender in the sport. And who was one race away in 2003 from potentially winning the championship. Now back in the CTWS, Gaughan is eager to return to prominence and Germain Racing is the place to do so.
Things just haven’t gone as planned because like his teammate, Gaughan has also been plagued by various problems. Texas couldn’t come sooner for the two. Every trip to the Lone Star state though is special for Gaughan, as Friday night will be and not just because of his history there.
Gaughan says the facility is special to his whole family and calls it one of the most important venues on the CWTS schedule next to his home track of Las Vegas. Gaughan also knows of the expectations not only on himself but the entire Germain Racing team. The company has a combined 11 Texas victories heading into Friday night.
“Texas feels different than any other race track because of the history there,” said Gaughan. “It feels great to show up at Texas, knowing that we are capable of winning with our Big Red Tundra but it’s a double-edged sword. If I have a bad race at Texas, it makes it that much worse.”
Chad Johnston replaces Pat Tryson as crew chief of the No. 56
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[/media-credit]Lead engineer Chad Johnston replaces Pat Tryson as crew chief beginning this week at Pocono Raceway for Sprint Cup Series driver Martin Truex Jr. and the Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR) No. 56 Toyota team.
“This is a good opportunity for me since this is the direction I have always wanted to go in my NASCAR career.” Johnson said.
Tryson was reassigned to another position at MWR. Tryson moved to MWR in 2010 and never had the success he had at Penske Racing. The problems started surfacing at Richmond earlier this season that resulted in pit crew changes and now the replacement of Tryson.
Johnston, 31, joined the team midway through last season has proved himself at MRW.
“He’s shown a lot of leadership in his position and has shown me he really understands a race car.” Truex Jr. said.
5-hour Energy 500 at Pocono Raceway Preview
Pocono may just be the most interesting race track that the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series visits. No other track has three different straightaways of different lengths and three completely different corners. This creates a challenge for both driver and crew. The driver must be able to adapt to all the elements that the track presents them while their crew chief must not only keep up with the track, but make the car handle the best it can in all three corners of the track.
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[/media-credit]Many people often ask the question, “What corner is most important at Pocono?’ The most common answer that I have heard is, “The one right before the longest straightaway.” The reason for this is so that the car can carry as much speed as possible down the long straightaway into the next corner. If that is the case, what do you do about the remaining three corners? Most crew chiefs today try to get the car as balanced as possible through all corners of the track, while some make one corner really good and have their driver deal with an ill handling car in the remaining. Both styles of setup have worked before so there really is no one way to go about it.
Also, for the first time in since NASCAR implemented the gear rule, drivers will be able to shift going down the long straightaways at Pocono. Back in the day, this was common practice and the fast way around the track. A few years back, NASCAR changed the gear that the teams had to run which made shifting the cars a thing of the past. Now that it’s back, it just adds another challenge for these drivers and teams on Sunday. Don’t look for transmission failures like you used to see in the past. These things are bullet proof now and they rarely go out.
Many fans and drivers alike complain about the races at the Pocono Raceway. Fans think the races are too long, too boring and we should only visit there once a year. Many drivers agree that the races are too long as some drivers have said that 500 miles at Pocono feels longer that 600 miles at Charlotte. It’s not secret that the triangle shaped track doesn’t have a history of exciting racing, but that doesn’t mean that it can’t happen.
Remember the 2000 Winston Cup Series season? Go back to the day when Jeremy Mayfield and the Dale Earnhardt duked it out on the 2.5 mile triangle. When Mayfield pulled an Earnhardt on Earnhardt. Go back to just last year. Where Joey Logano gave us one of the great sound bites of recent memory when he questioned Kevin Harvick’s role in his family. The late Tim Richmond also pulled off a stellar win at the tricky triangle after coming back from illness. These moments prove that you can have great events happen at Pocono Raceway.
Now to get down to business.
Hot Drivers at Pocono
Denny Hamlin- What more needs to be said about Denny other than he is simply masterful at Pocono. Ever since he has began racing in the Cup Series, he has pretty much owned this joint. In ten starts, Denny has four wins most recently coming in this race last year. Plus, Denny is on a role as of late. This would be a prime weekend for the 11 team to get to victory lane.
Jimmie Johnson– Johnson is the only other driver to average a top ten finishing position at Pocono( Hamlin is the other). Jimmie has always been extremely solid here and even swept the races in 2004. Be sure to watch that 48 team this weekend!
Jeff Gordon- In 36 starts at the triangle, the wonder boy has ripped off 4 wins, 16 top 5’s and 25 top tens. His average finish is 10.5 which puts him in elite class at this track. Gordon has not been up to the Gordon standard as of late, but you really can’t count him out for a good run.
Solid Pick
Tony Stewart- Pocono was the track where Stewart-Haas Racing picked up their first points paying Sprint Cup win back in 2009. In his last 11 starts at Pocono, Tony has 10 top 10 finishes. If they team can give Smoke a piece to work with, he can get it done this weekend.
Brian Vickers- Few people remember how strong Vickers was in 2005 at Pocono. It looked as though Brian was going to pull off his first Cup win that day until a late race pace by Carl Edwards. The Red Bull team has fast cars and Brian is back to the Brian of old so to speak. With an average finish of 14.5, Brian could be in for a nice day Sunday.
Sleeper Pick
Juan Pablo Montoya- Montoya has really taken to the big flat tracks. With how dominant he has been at the Brickyard, it was a matter of time before it transfered to the triangle.
Sam Hornish Jr.- I know this one sounds a little bit crazy, but just think for a second how close Sam was to winning here just two years ago. Sam is filling in for Travis Kvapil this weekend in the #38 Front Row Motorsports entry. If he can stay on the lead lap, and get a late race caution with some strategy, watch out for the former Indy 500 champ.
Stay Away From…
Marcos Ambrose- While Marcos has had a great year so far, the Pocono’s are not place for the Aussie to get excited about. Ambrose, who finished sixth in his first attempt here, has never finished better than 30th since. Sunday might be a challenge for the tin topper.
With all that said, my pick for the race is…..
Denny Hamlin
Youth Pricing For The Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola Available Through June 30
Reminder: Youth Pricing For The Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola Available Through June 30
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -Daytona International Speedway will continue to offer special youth pricing ticket options through June 30 for the upcoming Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola on Saturday, July 2.
These offers, made available for the first time for a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event at the “World Center of Racing,” include:
. $10 reserved seats for kids ages 12 and under
. Half-off reserved seats for ages 13-17
In addition, special youth pricing is also available for the Subway Jalapeno 250 Powered By Coca-Cola NASCAR Nationwide Series race on Friday, July 1.
. Kids 12 and under are free in the general admission sections
. Sprint/Petty/Earnhardt/Roberts and Weatherly Towers tickets are only $10 for 12 and under.
. Half-off junior prices for ages 13-17
Throughout the Coke Zero 400 Weekend Powered By Coca-Cola, kids 12 and under are free in the Sprint FANZONE.
Tickets for the Coke Zero 400 Weekend Powered By Coca-Cola are available on online at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.
Fans can stay connected with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter ( http://www.twitter.com/disupdates www.twitter.com/disupdates) and Facebook ( http://www.facebook.com/DaytonaInternationalSpeedway www.facebook.com/DaytonaInternationalSpeedway).
ARCA: Tom Hessert and Kory Rabenold Look To Tackle The Tricky Triangle
So far this year, its been a mix of drivers with lots of experience and young drivers making it to victory lane in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards.
Championship contender Tom Hessert is one of the more experience ones as he has one career victory under his belt, though he wants to make it two with his first of the season this weekend at the ‘Tricky Triangle’.
The second generation driver from Cherry Hill, New Jersey will make his seventh career start at Pocono Raceway this weekend in the Pocono ARCA 200 on Saturday afternoon.
“I’ve always enjoyed our stops in Pocono,” Hessert said. “The track is really unique which provides a different mindset of racing. You cannot afford to miss a beat as concentration is everything with a track that has three different turns.”
In the previous six starts, he has had success in the form of one top-five and two top-10s with a best of fourth last August.
“We were in New Jersey a couple weeks ago and couldn’t seal the deal, but we’re going to give it our all this weekend,” Hessert added. “I’m going to have some friends and family at the track on Saturday, so it would mean that much more to be the first one to take the checkered flag in our No. 52 Federated Auto Parts Chevrolet.”
After finishing third in points last year with Cunningham Motorsports, Hessert joined Ken Schrader Racing to drive the No. 52 Federated Auto Parts entry. Six races into the season, Hessert has one top-five and four top-10 finishes, including a sixth place finish at Chicagoland Speedway last Saturday, which has him seventh in points, 135 points behind third. Armed with his crew chief from last year, John Monsam, Hessert is looking for more success.
“We had some bad luck at Daytona and Toledo, but everywhere else, we’ve been pretty competitive,” Hessert commented. “The great thing about working with John (Monsam) is that he knows what I am looking for already. Usually, we have to make just a couple tweaks and we are finding ourselves in contention. We finished fourth together last August at Pocono, so I know we both would like to improve on that Saturday.
“We’re six races in and it’s already been a really competitive season. As a team we just need to stay focused and concentrate on one race at a time and we should propel ourselves up in the point standings.”
While Hessert has 70 starts in the ARCA Series, Kory Rabenold is a driver who doesn’t have as much experience as he only has made 23 career starts.
Rabenold, a native of Slatingon, Pennsylvania, returns to his hometrack for his seventh start there for the first time in two years.
“We’re just thankful to be heading to the track this weekend,” Rabenold said. “It’s because a lot of dedication, time and effort that we’re able to get on the track this weekend. We don’t have a lot of sponsorship but in order to get sponsors, you have to be visible and try and stand out from the rest. That’s our goal this weekend. We’re going to the track with a story and hoping for a good finish that could allow us to come back in August.”
The 22-year old will be driving the No. 03 RabenoldRacing.com/Buzzy’s Auto Body Chevrolet Impala for the family backed team with support coming from 2010 Champions Sheltra Motorsports.
“We’re extremely thankful to Jon (Wolfe) and Sheltra Motorsports for giving us some assistance,” he said. “It’s always nice to have a caliber team like that, take some time for us. We may not have the same type of equipment that they won the championship with, but one thing is for sure, we have their same determination and passion!”
Their situation reminds him a lot of his first ever race at Pocono in 2007 as he will have his father Buzzy Rabenold calling the shots.
“When I first came to Pocono in 2007, it was our family owned team,” Rabenold said. “We had some sponsorship because the economy was better. We qualified 22nd, stayed out of trouble and finished 12th. It was a good day. Hopefully we can stay out of trouble and have a similar performance on Saturday.”
In the previous six races he ran at Pocono, he has had three top-20 finishes.
The Pocono ARCA 200 (80 laps / 200 miles) is the seventh of 19 events on the 2011 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule. The 52nd ARCA race at Pocono Raceway is a two-day show. Practice begins Friday, June 10 with a one hour and fifty minute practice session planned from 10:00 a.m. – 11:50 a.m. Menards Pole by Ansell qualifying is slated to begin later in the day at 2:05 p.m.
The field will take the green flag shortly after 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 11. The event will be televised same-day delayed on SPEED beginning at 8:00 p.m. EST. Live timing and scoring throughout the 1,319th race for the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards since it was formed in 1953 will be available through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at arcaracing.com presented by ARCANation.com. All times are local.
