Testing SpeedwayMedia.com

Author: Ed Coombs

  • THE MOBIL 1 CAR SWAP AT THE GLEN WILL BE OPEN TO SPECTATORS

    Admission is Free and Numerous Locations will be Available for Viewing

     

    WATKINS GLEN, NY – Watkins Glen International is proud to announce that the upcoming Mobil 1 Car Swap at The Glen on Tuesday, June 14, will be open to all spectators.  Admission and parking will both be free for fans of all ages and there will be numerous locations for fans to watch NASCAR Sprint Cup Series star Tony Stewart and Formula 1™ World Champion Lewis Hamilton take laps in their own and then each others’ cars during the event.

     

    “It has been our goal from the beginning to make this historic event open to our tens of thousands of fans and we are thrilled to make this announcement,” said Michael Printup, president of Watkins Glen International.  “There has been no question as to how badly our fans want to attend the Mobil 1 Car Swap at The Glen.  They have overwhelmed us with their emails, phone calls, and comments through social media and it is this incredible passion that makes our fans the best in motorsports.”

     

    Beginning at 11:00 a.m., fans will witness Hamilton take laps in both his team Vodafone McLaren Mercedes MP4-23 and Stewart’s No. 14 Mobil 1/Office Depot Chevrolet Impala. Stewart also will take a spin in his No. 14 Mobil 1/Office Deport Chevrolet Impala before climbing into Hamilton’s MP4-23 for his first-ever laps behind the wheel of an F1 car.

     

    Visitors to WGI will find it easy to park, enter the track, and watch the car swap from numerous locations around the legendary road course.  All spectators will be able to park near and enter through Gate 4 which can be accessed from Kuhl-Winner Way off of Route 16.  Gate 4 will be open 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and from there fans will have easy access to the facility.  The spectator viewing area is located outside of the track and stretches from Turn 1, down the entire FrontStretch, and all the way to the toe of The Boot.  This means fans can choose to watch from the Ninety and FrontStretch Grandstands, the Turn 11 Viewing Berm, the elevated areas around and inside of The Boot, and any general admission viewing area located in that range.  The inside of The Boot can be accessed through the pedestrian tunnel which is located between the heel of The Boot and the West tunnel.

     

    The fans that sit in or around the FrontStretch Grandstand will see the largest amount of activity throughout the day.  The location will not only provide a great view of the cars as they drive through Turn 11, down the FrontStretch, around Turn 1, and into the Esses but also as they enter and exit pit road and are worked on in the special garage areas directly behind the pits.  Please note that access to the infield will be restricted to authorized personnel only during the event.

     

    The FrontStretch Concession Kiosk will be open 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. and feature Sahlen’s Hot Dogs, Bog Hog Pulled Pork sandwiches, donuts, potato chips, ice cream, Coke products, coffee, bottled water, and premium Budweiser beer.  Fans are also welcome to bring their coolers to enjoy a full picnic experience during the day.

     

    Tickets for the 2011 race season at Watkins Glen International are on sale NOW! Fans can order their tickets or get more information by calling the WGI ticket office at 866-461-RACE (7223) or logging on to the official website, www.TheGlen.com.  Gift certificates and track merchandise can all be purchased at The Shop located at 2 North Franklin Street in downtown Watkins Glen.  The Shop is open Monday-Sunday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.  Keep up with the latest happenings at The Glen by going to the official Watkins Glen International Facebook page, www.Facebook.com/watkinsgleninternational, and following WGI on Twitter, @WGI.

  • Construction Crews Keep Project Rolling Along at The Glen Despite Weather

    *CONSTRUCTION CREWS KEEP CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT ROLLING AT THE GLEN DESPITE WEATHER*

    *All Projects Still On-Pace to be Completed Before NASCAR Weekend in August *

    WATKINS GLEN, NY –* Construction continues to surge forward at Watkins Glen International as the $3 million capital improvement project moves closer and closer to completion. Crews have worked diligently to battle through constant rain and cooler than normal temperatures over the last month to ensure that the entire project remains on-schedule. All of the capital improvements announced in December 2010 are on-target to be completed in time for the Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at The Glen August 11-14.

    The Green, Turn 10, and Turn 11 Grandstands are all at least 90-percent complete. Crews from E&D Specialty Stands Incorporated, out of North Collins NY, have completed most of the framework, seating, and the “flatwork” under each of the three new grandstands. The “flatwork” includes removing the topsoil and any gravel that was disturbed during the construction and replacing fabric, gravel and some of the paved walkways. The steel frame and seat planks are in place for the Silver grandstand, making it approximately 65-percent complete.

    The Crown Royal Club is shooting up as quickly as the flowers and tree buds throughout the Finger Lakes Region. The Elmira, NY-based Edger Enterprises, Inc. has completed the entire outside frame and the roof installation is currently in progress. In the next few weeks, crews are anticipating the concrete blocks that will make-up the retaining walls to arrive. Located in the same spot as the original Glen Club before it burned down 2007, at the top of the famed Esses, Crown Royal Club guests will have an outstanding view from the full deck on the outside of the club come August.

    Due to the consistent rainy weather over the past few weeks, lighting and water improvements in the Gate One GEICO Caveman camping area have been slowed, but are set to kick back into high gear when sunnier skies return. The 50 planned lighting poles have been placed by Syracuse, NY-based Syracuse Signal Systems but due the weather, the wiring and lights have not yet been installed. The approximately 20 water hydrants that will be located throughout the area are still expected to be in place by mid-June.

    The two new permanent showers in the GEICO Reserved Campgrounds are also coming together quickly. The old water storage tanks that were located under the two bathroom facilities have been removed, new shower drainage has been installed, the new floors have been poured, and the partitions for the actual showers are being built. The VIP Pit Road RV area behind Pit Terrace has been graded and paving is expected to begin as soon as possible, weather permitting.

    Tickets for the 2011 race season at Watkins Glen International are on sale now! Fans may order their tickets or get more information about the 2011 race season at WGI by calling the ticket office at 866-461-RACE (7223) or logging on to the official website, www.TheGlen.com. Gift certificates and track merchandise may be purchased at The Shop located at 2 North Franklin Street in downtown Watkins Glen. The Shop is open Monday-Sunday 9-5. Keep up with all of the latest happenings at The Glen by going to the official Watkins Glen International Facebook page, www.Facebook.com/watkinsgleninternational and following WGI on Twitter, @WGI.

  • Carl Edwards wins O’Reilly 300 From Pole

    Carl Edwards wins O’Reilly 300 From Pole

    [media-credit id=19 align=”alignright” width=”225″][/media-credit]Carl Edwards dominated the O’Reilly 3oo at the Texas Motor Speedway Friday night holding off a hard charging Brad Keselowski.  Keselowski was almost a half second back at the finish.

    The only car that gave Edwards a challenge crashed into a car that blew its tire in a bizarre incident.  On lap 88, Busch was in Edwards tracks when they went to pass the slower car of the No.52 driven by Tim Schendel. As Edwards went by the car shot up the track and right into Busch’s No.18 car sending it into the wall.  From there it was all Edwards

    Afterwards Busch said, “It felt like we were probably the only car that was going to give Carl a shot. It’s a shame that we didn’t have the chance to race it out the rest of the night.”

    Ricky Stenhouse, with his sixth place finish kept the points lead.

  • Johnny Sauter Wins Kroger 250 At Martinsville

    Johnny Sauter Wins Kroger 250 At Martinsville

    NASCAR Camping World Series regular Johnny Sauter was the fastest truck early Saturday and beat Kyle Busch the old fashioned way, with a bump on lap 248 of the scheduled 250. Sauter was the first driver going for the series championship to win a truck series race this year. Busch finished second with Ron Hornaday, Kevin Harvick and Tomothy Peters rounding out the top five.

     

    Harvick, who early in the race was 2 laps down but clawed his way back after a run in with Todd Bodine caused him to spend time in the pits for repairs and adjustments.

    Sauter is the fourth different winner in the series this season. It was his first win at the hollowed track in seven tries.

     

    “About the only thing that was missing (today)  was leather interior,” Sauter said in Victory Lane. “I think Kyle got in the corner and got loose [on the penultimate lap]. He got loose and swung the back around and tried to come back down, and I was there and I made contact with him. It’s pretty cool when you can beat Kyle Busch.”

    Kyle Busch, who is yet to win a race at Martinsville said, “We had a shot, and we gave it away. I just hate it. We had a really good truck, [but] on that last restart, I couldn’t turn. The front tires were just beat off it. If we didn’t have that last caution come out [on Lap 241], we probably would have been all right. Johnny was really good, but I hate to lose at Martinsville. I’d love to win one here someday… eventually.”

    [media-credit name=”Barry Albert ” align=”alignright” width=”242″][/media-credit]
    Johnny Sauter's crew celebrates win in Martinsville

    Tire wear was a huge issue in the race,  and Kevin Harvick said it would be a major factor in Sunday’s Goody’s Fast Relief 500 Sprint Cup Series race.

    “It’s a terrible tire,” He said. “There’s no rubber on the race track. Who knows what it’s going to be (like on Sunday]?”

    Sauter led the most laps . With the win Sauter takes the points lead.

  • The End of an Era? RPM folding??

    The End of an Era? RPM folding??

    Rumors have circulated for months but the demise of Petty Motorsports could be upon us. Since last weekend in Charlotte where Kasey Kahne had an apparent uncharacteristic temper tantrum, RPM has released Kahne (after asking him to first step aside) late last night, replacing him with Aric Almirola.

    Now, Fox Sports reports from the Charlotte area say that Roush Fenway Racing and Roush – Yates have stopped delivery of equipment and repossessed cars and engines at RPM’s shops. According to the report no more cars are available to RPM after this weekend’s race at Martinsville. There were also reports that they may not have jobs after Martinsville.

    The financial issues that Petty has endured are well documented. He sold to Boston Ventures in 2008 and then merged with Gillett – Evernham later that same season (which is where Kahne originated) . Earlier this year there were rumors of a large default on debt.

    Speedway Media will bring more as it develops.