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Bill Elliott Plans to Put the Awesome in His Upcoming Race Season

[media-credit name=”” align=”alignright” width=”266″]Photo Credit: Greg Engle, NASCAR Examiner[/media-credit]At this stage in his career, Bill Elliott could definitely sit back, rest on his laurels, and enjoy watching his young son Chase progress in his racing career. Yet for the veteran driver known as ‘Awesome Bill from Dawsonville,’ the upcoming racing season promises to live up to his moniker.

This past week, Elliott made an historic announcement, partnering with Walmart for the July Daytona race, the Coke Zero 400, in celebration of the superstore’s 50^th anniversary. The joint venture, “Legends in Racing” is the first time ever that Walmart as sponsored a Cup car.

“It came about real quick,” Elliott said of his historic deal with the superstore giant. “I don’t really understand the total dynamics but it came about super-fast.”

“I’m very excited about it,” Elliott continued. “There’s a lot of opportunities there for the race fans, Walmart and NASCAR all together.”

“The opportunity for me at this stage of my career, having something like this come along, is very gratifying to me.”

Elliott, the 1988 Cup Champion who competed last year in five Cup races, will be piloting the Walmart No. 50 Car. And according to a Walmart spokesperson, the superstore could not be more pleased with their choice as well.

“The No. 50 car is a big deal for us,” Rand Waddoups, Senior Director Entertainment Marketing for Walmart, said. “It’s one of the major things we’re excited about as we turn 50 and we couldn’t have picked a better driver to represent us.”

In addition to being the primary sponsor on Elliott’s car, Walmart also is sponsoring a special ticket package for the fans. This package will be available at 17 races throughout the NASCAR Cup season.

“They have a great program for the fans,” Elliott said. “Last year they started working with NASCAR and this will just expand what they are doing in the future.”

“They have a ticket package where you can get four tickets, four hot dogs and four drinks for $99 at various different tracks,” Elliott continued. “It’s a huge deal.”

“It’s as big as when NASCAR went to Indy and expanded,” Elliott said. “It’s big for everybody involved.”

Although he has been out of the seat of a race car for a bit of time, Elliott does not see that as a disadvantage going to Daytona over the summer.

“I’ve run well at Daytona and that’s a race track where you can be out of the seat of a race car and still perform,” Elliott said. “With Turner Motorsports and Hendrick engines, I’m very confident from the competition side that everything will be there.”

“Their key point for Walmart and for me is doing all we can promotion-wise, not necessarily worrying about the race but building up to it instead.”

While other drivers may feel some pressure carrying the Walmart banner for their first official ‘on-the-car’ sponsorship, Elliott is not nervous about it at all, instead feeling tremendously honored and excited.

“It’s a big step for Walmart because they’ve never been a primary on a Cup car before,” Elliott said. “It’s very important to me to make it work.”

“It’s a great opportunity and I’m so pleased that I’m able to do this kind of deal.”

“I feel like I can offer more from the standpoint of the promotional side than a driver that drives full-time,” Elliott continued. “I’ve been around the sport a long time so we’ll work with Walmart the best we can to achieve their goal and trying to put race fans in the stands at those key markets.”

“I’ll do the best job that I can for them so it will work out for their marketing strategy.”

While the Walmart deal was uppermost in ‘Awesome’ Bill’s mind due to the announcement this week, the veteran driver has other plans for the upcoming race season. First and foremost, 2012 includes his continued mentoring of drivers hoping to develop and hone their NASCAR talents.

“Right now, I’m trying to put a couple more late-model programs together for some different people,” Elliott said. “As soon as I get that signed, sealed and delivered, then I can expand on that.”

“I’m trying to expand my short-track program to help a few guys along,” Elliott continued. “We’re doing a little deal with a kid named T.J. Reaid this weekend at Cordele and we’ll continue to work with another couple guys.”

“I’m also trying to work out a program with Dan Kennedy to help him do some late model stuff this year,” Elliott said. “So, I’ve got a lot of things going this year.”

Finally, of course, Elliott plans to be the proud and watchful papa, overseeing his sixteen year old son Chase’s progression in the sport. Chase Elliott will not only be racing this weekend at Cordele in the 2012 SpeedFest but will also continue his driver development program with Hendrick Motorsports in the K&N East Series.

“My other goal is to stay close to Chase and where he is on the K&N and ARCA side as the season continues,” Elliott said. “Other than that, I would like to run a few more Cup races, but if it don’t happen, so be it.”

“My key goal is being available to Walmart this year to do what they need me to do,” Elliott continued. “I can’t say enough about how honored I am to do their program.”

“It’s a great opportunity and the fans can really benefit,” Elliott said. “Hopefully, we’ll make it a win-win situation.”

January 28, 2012
Doc Mattioli Lived a Pocono Love Story

[media-credit id=62 align=”alignright” width=”221″][/media-credit]One of NASCAR’s true legends, Pocono Raceway track founder ‘Doc’ Mattioli, has passed away at the age of 86. While known as one of the most successful track owners and one of the true characters in the sport, ‘Doc’ will be most remembered for the love story that he lived.

Dr. Joseph Mattioli had many loves in his life, from stock car racing to serving his country and helping others in need. But the most important loves in his life were his wife of 63 years, Dr. Rose, as well as his children and grandchildren.

‘Doc’ and Dr. Rose began their love story after meeting at Temple University, where Dr. Rose was working for the Registrar’s office at the time. Dr. Rose said that ‘Doc’ was “the freshest guy” she had ever met, always trying to get to the head of the line.

“He kept telling me he had a car, like that was a big deal,” Dr. Rose said of her future husband-to-be. “Little did I know that he would be the one that I would marry.”

Dr. Rose and ‘Doc’ actually ran away to Baltimore in 1948 to get married. They kept their marriage a secret until they came back home and had an actual wedding ceremony, which all “seems like just yesterday,” according to Dr. Rose.

The couple was destined to find each other, both living in the Philadelphia area. They also shared another common bond, that of being only children.

After their marriage, Dr. Rose set up her practice as a podiatrist while ‘Doc’ set up shop as a dentist. They then started a family, blessed with two daughters and a son.

Seeming to have it all, both Dr. Rose and ‘Doc’ worked hard at their thriving practices. But at the age of 35, ‘Doc’ experienced major burnout and confided to his wife that he needed to make a lifestyle change.

So, the couple set of to pursue the newest love in their lives, that of owning a race track.

“We were always curious about racing,” Dr. Rose said of herself and her husband. “We went to the races at Nazareth right after Sunday mass.”

“We were in our Sunday best, all dressed up,” Dr. Rose continued. “We had no idea that the dirt would be flying everywhere and all over us.”

“The children were crying,” Dr. Rose continued. “And I had to keep stuffing Kleenex in their ears to block out all of the noise of the engines racing around the track.”

In spite of that inauspicious introduction to racing, ‘Doc’ and Dr. Rose continued their investigation of track ownership, learning that there was one under construction in Long Pond, PA.

They flew over the track, fell in love, and the rest, as they say, was history. The couple started off with USAC races and then moved into NASCAR, which was just expanding into the region from its southern roots.

The first NASCAR race at the Mattioli’s track was won by Hall of Famer Richard Petty. The Mattiolis then met the father of NASCAR, Bill France Sr., who took them both under his wing and taught them the business.

“More and more people started to come to the track,” Dr. Rose said. “Children and their families would come to see the races.”

‘Doc’ not only passionately loved his wife and his successful Pocono Raceway, but he also adored his extended family. Mattioli leaves behind his daughters Louie and Michele, son Joseph Mattioli III, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, all of whom have been present with him in running the family business in one way or another.

“His loss has left with each of us an unbearable sadness, which we’ll bear with us for the rest of our lives,” his family shared in a statement released on his death. “He died loved, respected, and admired.”

In addition to his family, Doc’s other loves included serving his country, helping others and aiding the planet. Mattioli served his country during World War II as a Navy medic stationed in the Pacific.

‘Doc’ also loved helping others, participating in a variety of charities, from the Red Cross to local hospitals, schools and nonprofits. In 2009, Mattioli received the Philanthropic Lifetime Achievement Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

‘Doc’ was also a visionary when it came to the environment, spearheading a solar energy project that has paid dividends not only for the race track but also for the local community.

Mattioli’s family summed up the essence of the love story lived by ‘Doc’ Mattioli best.

“He leaves not only his family, but also everyone he’s ever met with an insatiable desire to take life by the horns,” said Mattioli’s family. “He always lived life on his own terms.”

“He did it his way.”

January 27, 2012
Jersey Boy Paulie Harraka Set to Make Debut in Camping World Truck Series

[media-credit name=”Photo Credit: Scott Hunter” align=”alignright” width=”104″][/media-credit]With Jersey Boys continuing its strong run on Broadway, another born and bred Jersey boy is set to make his debut on another stage, this one in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

Paulie Harraka, from Wayne, New Jersey will be taking his show on the road with Wauters Motorsports, a new team spearheaded by veteran NASCAR crew chief Richie Wauters. And for Harraka, this is a role that he has been preparing for since he was in elementary school.

“Having the opportunity to jump into the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series is an opportunity I’ve worked for since I was seven years old,” Harraka said. “I am fortunate to see it coming to fruition.”

Harraka, who has participated in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West as well as the Drive for Diversity program, is more than ready to make his Truck debut, especially with championship crew chief Richie Wauters as his team owner.

“To race with a championship crew chief like Richie Wauters and with the team he’s assembled is exciting,” Harraka said. “I’m the kind of driver that will put in whatever time, effort or work that is needed to win races and I know that Richie is the same kind of crew chief.”

“Together, we’ll hold nothing back and that makes me confident that we’ll find the winner’s circle in short order.”

Wauters, who as a crew chief in the Truck Series has secured 18 victories with drivers such as Shane Hmiel, Kyle Busch and Aric Almirola, shares his new driver’s enthusiasm for the team and for the competition.

“It is something I’ve thought about for awhile,” Wauters said. “I had the opportunity to buy some trucks and have a great driver headlining the team.”

“We’re really excited about the season,” Wauters continued. “I’m certain Paulie and the guys on this team will be in the thick of that competition.”

Harraka, who ran just a handful of races last year, is ready to step back onto the competition stage. Although full of confidence, the young driver acknowledges that he does indeed have a few things yet to learn.

“It’s a big step and the next logical step for me,” Harraka said of his advancement to the Truck Series. “It will come with a lot of challenges for me.”

“I’ll be learning a new race vehicle and going to a lot of tracks that I’ve never seen before,” Harraka continued. “So, there’s certainly a number of challenges but I believe strongly in my own abilities and the group that I’ve surrounded myself with. We will most certainly contend for wins.”

Harraka is especially excited to kick off his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut at Daytona in just a few short weeks. While he has tested at that historic superspeedway, he has never actually raced there in competition conditions.

“I’m really excited,” Harraka said. “I get to race in one of NASCAR’s top level series and the opportunity to do something that’s extremely exciting to me. I want to make the most of it.”

Jersey boy Harraka is also excited to be able to take the Truck Series stage at tracks that are closer to home, enabling his family and friends to finally be able see him race.

“Mom is really excited that I get to race close to home,” Harraka said. “Obviously home for me is still North Jersey but I haven’t gotten to race in the northeast for years.”

“The opportunity to race an hour or so from home is certainly exciting for me, especially at storied tracks like Dover and Pocono,” Harraka continued. “It will be fun to see a lot of home-town fans that have rooted for me since my karting days who can finally come to see me in a stock car.”

While Harraka is making his Truck Series debut, he is also completing his final act at Duke University, where he is a senior and will graduate in a few short months. Harraka will exit stage left from Duke with a degree in markets and management.

“This is my last semester at Duke,” Harraka said. “I’ve got one class and one other paper and then I’m done.”

“When I got into Duke, lots of people thought of it as a great back up,” Harraka continued. “But I’ve never looked at it that way.”

“I’ve always looked at Duke as a way to differentiate me from other drivers as far as marketing and branding,” Harraka said. “It’s also an opportunity to connect with alumni and others associated with the University.”

“So, my Duke experience is already paying dividends.”

Whether walking across the stage to collect his diploma at Duke or taking the stage in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, Harraka has just one emotion.

“I’m really happy,” Harraka said. “This is the opportunity that I’ve been waiting and working for my whole life.”

January 26, 2012
Poor Season Causes Personnel Shake Up At Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing

[media-credit id=22 align=”alignright” width=”195″][/media-credit]Immediately after he was introduced, Chip Ganassi, owner and president of Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, took the podium and politely welcomed attending members of the media.

EGR was the first of several race teams to be visited by the media on day two of the Sprint Cup Media Tour presented by Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Once Ganassi issued his welcome, he went straight to business.

“Hopefully this is the last time I have to say we finished 21st and 27th in the points, and talk about such a performance.”

Going into 2011, neither Jamie McMurray nor Juan Pablo Montoya could continue the momentum and success they had in 2010.

“Last season was frustrating,” said McMurray. “It made us appreciate what we had in 2010.”

McMurray continued that it was difficult pinpointing exactly what was hindering their performance.

“Nothing changed from 2010 to 2011. We just didn’t have the success. If we knew what the problems were, we would have fixed them.”

Ganassi must have felt the elusive problems were insurmountable and couldn’t be corrected with the current personnel at EGR. During the off season a decision was made to change the majority of those personnel.

“People around the car were a problem,” said Sabates. “We made personnel changes over the off season to help this. We have made mistakes in the past by keeping people too long.”

Ganassi said the organization needed a shake up because recent performance was pathetic for a team of their abilities and resources.

“We live in an information age”, said Ganassi. “I don’t need just information, I need CORRECT information.”

Given the years of economic woes and the continued attrition of competing race teams and employees, the quality of available talent should have been abundant for EGR’s personnel transitions.

January 24, 2012
ARCA: Venturini Motorsports Signs Nelson Canache Jr.

Venturini Motorsports announced today that they’ve signed Nelson Canache Jr. to drive for them full-time in 2012.

“The ARCA Racing Series gives me the best opportunity to make the transition into stock car racing and prepare me for NASCAR trucks or Nationwide racing in the future,” the Caracas native said. “Venturini’s reputation and the success they’ve had working with many drivers was a major factor in my decision to join the team and the series.”

Canache Jr. is a two-time champion in the Venezuelan Super Touring GT Class Series and is hoping that Venturini’s competition director Billy Venturini can help him make the transition to big time stock car racing.

“It’s an honor to represent my country and build more awareness to U.S. stock car racing,” he said. “I feel I have the support of everyone back home and look forward to making them proud.

“It’s going to be a challenge but working with the best team gives me the confidence I need to succeed at this level and prepare myself for the future. I have limited oval racing experience; every week will be a challenge and test me physically and mentally. Driving for Venturini gives me the best chance to learn and show people here in the States my skills.”

To prepare for this season with Venturini, Canache spent last year racing in the Sea Leon Super Cup in Mexico and the NASCAR Whelen All American Series with Lee Faulk Racing.

Canache’s ARCA debut will come with the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 on Saturday February 18th at Daytona International Speedway. Canache was part of the test in December, which saw him post the seventh quickest time at 186.676mph. His teammate Alex Bowman led the speeds with a speed of 188.336mph with their other three teammates joining them in the top seven.

“There’s no question ARCA and NASCAR have attracted world class talent to our sport,” Billy Venturini said. “Nelson has proven himself as an international driver and comes to our team with tremendous talent and determination to succeed at this level in a relatively unknown series. He’s a true professional and student of his craft; he’s eager to learn and unwilling to fall back on past accomplishments. I expect him to fit into our program well and compete strongly against his competition.”

Venturini Motorsports has had international flair before as in 2011, four of the drivers that drove their car were from outside the US. This list includes Steve Arpin (Canada), Miguel Paludo (Brazil), George Miedecke (Austrailia) and Alistair Jackson (Ireland). They’ve helped propel both Arpin and Paludo to the NASCAR national level.

January 24, 2012
NASCAR Champion Tony Stewart Kicks Off 2012 Sprint Cup Media Tour

[media-credit id=22 align=”alignright” width=”119″][/media-credit]

It was just 65 days ago when Tony Stewart secured his third Sprint Cup Championship with a walk off victory at Miami Homestead Speedway.

Starting with the season opening Daytona 500, defense of that championship begins in just three short weeks.

Sandwiched in between those two events is the Sprint Cup Media Tour presented by Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Strolling to the stage with “How You Like Me Now” playing over the public address system, Tony Stewart kicked off the 2012 Media Tour. He was joined by Ryan Newman, Matt Borland, Tony Gibson, and new comers Danica Patrick, Steve Addington, and Greg Zipadelli.

The biggest news coming from SHR is the 10 race deal with Patrick and Go Daddy as the primary sponsor.

During the media break out sessions, Stewart talked about the growth of his young company.

“I am really proud of the success we have had. It’s amazing how far we have come in such a short amount of time.”

Missing from the SHR superstar lineup was former crew chief Darian Grubb. Stewart stated he was happy Grubb quickly landed somewhere successful. He also made it clear his decision to part ways with Grubb, and hire Steve Addington, was made long before the season ending championship.

It was revealed that during the chase, Stewart kept in touch with Addington via text messaging, including sending an encouraging text to Addington after the final race of the season.

When asked about his new driver, Danica Patrick, Stewart continued his praise and offered a bold prediction.

“Danica is talented and very confident. It is quite possible she could win the Daytona 500. A rookie won it last year, why can’t it happen again?”
Fielding questions from media members on the other side of the room, Patrick echoed some of Stewart’s thoughts.

“My inexperience at Daytona should not be a factor,” said Patrick. “The only thing I really had to work on is the bump drafting. There wasn’t bump drafting in Indy racing, so it took me some time to get used to it in Sprint Cup.”

Stewart and Patrick worked on bump drafting during a recent testing session at Daytona International Speedway. During the three days of testing, both drivers ran multiple laps in single car formations and nose-to-tail formation; taking turns pushing each other around the speedway.

Along with her 10 race deal at Stewart-Haas Racing, Patrick is also running a full Nationwide schedule in 2012 for JR Motorsports.

She reflected on her exit from Indy car racing, and hinted at a possible return in the future.
“I am relieved I can now focus on just NASCAR,” said Patrick. “I will miss Indy, but I am not going to rule out a return in the future.”

Patrick said she doesn’t expect instant success in NASCAR’s top level and would be happy with mediocre results as long as she’s learning something along the way.
“If I finish five laps down, it’s ok. As long as I learn something, improve, or get something from the race, its ok.”

Danica Patrick’s first race of the season will be the Nationwide race at Daytona in February. Tony Stewart, last year’s winner, is also entered in the same race.

January 24, 2012
NASCAR Nationwide Series May Be The One to Watch in 2012

Sandwiched between the top-tier NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and the rough and tumble Camping World Truck Series is the middle child, the Nationwide Series. But for the upcoming 2012 season, this may indeed be the preferred series to watch for the NASCAR fandom.

[media-credit name=”David Yeazell” align=”alignright” width=”218″][/media-credit]One of the biggest new stories in the Nationwide Series is of course that of Danica Patrick running her first full-time gig in NASCAR since her abdication from the world of open wheel racing. For her first Nationwide run, the marketing diva will be continuing her association with JR Motorsports with Tony Eury, Jr. as her crew chief.

“I’m going into this season with a little bit more of a ‘I’m going to do it’ attitude,” Patrick said. “I’ve got a lot to learn and I know that.”

“I’m going to make lots of mistakes I’m sure,” Patrick continued. “But I’m mentally wrapping my head around not just learning but being successful and running well and getting to Victory Lane and thinking about that so my thoughts translate to the real world and really happen.”

Patrick also fully intends to run for the Nationwide championship and even her crew chief believes that is possible. Eury’s goal is to get his driver into the top ten in points after the first ten races of the season, positioning her to make a run at the title.

“She’s gone to a lot of these tracks,” Eury Jr. said. “Before she wasn’t running for points.”

“This year, she’s here for the reason to win the championship,” Eury Jr. continued. “So, she’s not going to be that person that kind of lays over.”

In addition to seeing the new aggression of Patrick on the Nationwide as she attacks her first ever full-time stint, two other super aggressive drivers, in fact brothers, are planning to share a Nationwide gig in 2012.

Big brother Kurt Busch will be sharing a 2012 Nationwide seat with little brother and team owner Kyle for Kyle Busch Motorsports.

Monster Energy, leaving prior driver Ricky Carmichael high and dry, will sponsor the Busch brothers in their No. 54 Monster Energy Camry. Kyle will drive the season opener at Daytona and the following four races and then split the ride with his brother Kurt.

While not competing with Patrick for the Nationwide championship, since both Busch brothers are also racing in the Cup Series, the duo fully intends to complete for the 2012 Nationwide Owner’s Championship.

“We’ve had a lot of talks about how this whole deal is going to work out, what we’re both looking to get out of this and what a great opportunity this is to race in the Nationwide Series,” Kyle Busch said. “Kurt’s never done a full Nationwide deal; he’s always had the itch but never really cared about it.”

While Danica Patrick and the Busch brothers have something to prove in the Nationwide Series, a driver whose Nationwide debut has been delayed also has to prove he can get back behind the wheel of a race car.

Travis Pastrana, who was scheduled to come to the Nationwide world last year but could not due to a serious injury sustained during the X Games competition, plans to run seven Nationwide races, starting with Richmond.

“I feel really good,” Pastrana said during the NASCAR Preview 2012. “The therapy the last two weeks has made huge improvements.”

“We’ll start out with seven Nationwide races and that’s kind of a let’s see how we do, let’s see what we need more work on,” Pastrana continued. “If we’re running OK or if I can get sponsorship to keep running wherever we’re running, we’re going to keep trying to get seat time.”

“I basically have to prove I can get in a car.”

As opposed to Pastrana with something to prove, one driver who has already proven that he can drive a race car will be back to defend his Nationwide title. Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. will indeed return to the Series, driving full-time again for Roush Fenway Racing.

“They’re working on sponsorship for it right now, so everything is good,” Stenhouse Jr. said. “It sounds like we’re going to be able to go and defend our title again.”

Stenhouse Jr. won the Nationwide title by just 45 points over Kevin Harvick Inc. driver Elliott Sadler. And for this upcoming year, Stenhouse Jr. is certainly hoping that the championship competition will not be quite as close.

“I think we will do little things at the beginning of the year different,” Stenhouse Jr. said. “So, hopefully the points chase isn’t so close all year. That drives you nuts.”

Speaking of Elliott Sadler, or ‘Ricky Bobby’ as he is affectionately known, he will indeed be back to challenge the other Ricky, Stenhouse that is, for the Nationwide Series championship. Since Sadler’s former team is no longer, ‘Ricky Bobby’ will be driving the No. 2 OneMain Financial for Richard Childress Racing.

“It is such a great opportunity to compete for such an accomplished organization like Richard Childress Racing,” Sadler said. “To have an organization like OneMain Financial support me on and off the track again this year really makes me eager to get back to the track to compete for the Nationwide Series championship.”

“We came up short last year, but I know we have all the parts in place to win this year with this RCR team.”

Speaking of Richard Childress Racing, that team will be putting a member of the family, grandson Austin Dillon, on the Nationwide Series track this year. Dillon, last year’s 2011 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Champion, will be driving the very storied No. 3 Chevy as his Nationwide ride, competing for another honor, the Nationwide Rookie of the Year.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge of moving with Danny Stockman (crew chief) and the guys to the NASCAR Nationwide Series with the No. 3,” Dillon said. “Our goal next year is to win races and compete for Rookie of the Year honors.”

Finally, there are two veterans worth mentioning as very good reasons to watch the 2012 Nationwide Series.

First is Morgan Shepherd, who at the sweet age of 70 years, will be driving in his 45^th season in the Nationwide Series. Shepherd, competing with plenty of faith, hopes to better his best ever 21^st place in the Nationwide point standings in 2011.

The other veteran who is always worth watching in the Nationwide Series is Kenny Wallace, affectionately known as the ‘Herminator’. Wallace will be back with RAB Racing, behind the wheel of the No. 09 American Ethanol Toyota Camry.

“Corn farmers are excited to continue our relationship with RAB Racing and Kenny Wallace in 2012,” Garry Niemeyer, National Corn Growers Association President, said. “Kenny is a fan favorite and one of the most visible drivers in the sport.”

So, from the veterans, like Morgan Shepherd and Kenny Wallace, to the newbies, like Danica Patrick and Travis Pastrana, the Nationwide Series does indeed seem to be the one to watch in 2012.

Fans can catch all the action of the Nationwide Series, beginning with the DRIVE4COPD 300 at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, February 25^th, 2012.

January 22, 2012
Quotes from NASCAR preview 2012

[media-credit name=”Credit: Chris Graythen/Getty Images for NASCAR” align=”alignright” width=”225″][/media-credit]Saturday marks the second day of NASCAR Acceleration Weekend in Charlotte North Carolina.

Thousands of dedicated race fans traveled to the Charlotte convention center for NASCAR Preview 2012. They waited in long lines starting as early as Friday morning. Lines that were full of energy and excitement to enter the convention center doors and meet their favorite drivers. The well organized event also came complete with displays of show cars, games and race simulators. You even got to meet the new Miss Sprint Cup, Kristen Beat, who hails from El Cajon, CA (Jimmie Johnson’s hometown). She joins Kim Coon and Jaclyn Roney in representing the Sprint brand in Victory Lane and around the tracks where NASCAR competes.

Drivers from all three major series showed up to the annual event to talk racing, meet with fans and sign autographs starting early on Saturday morning.

Lots of pictures were taken, hands shaken and words spoken. Here are a few snippets from some of the drivers:

MARK MARTIN:

On how long he will be racing: “As long as I want to.”

DALE EARNHARDT JR:

“I just kind of sat around the house… I’ve been playing Battlefield 3 mainly. That’s about all I’ve been doin’.

“I hope we don’t have to do that stuff this year (the tandem racing). It’s hard having to be in a relationship the whole race. That’s basically what it’s like. I look out for number one all the time. It gets me in trouble. On and off the track.”

JIMMIE JOHNSON:

“We’ll go out there and do what we can to beat Tony. What he did at the end of the year, and the show that he an Carl put on, I know people are still talking about it and I can’t get it out of my mind…”

KYLE BUSCH:

“We’re gonna get along really well (him and brother, Kurt). ‘Cause I’m his boss. And I did tell him he can call me ‘dude’ but only a few times. So, I think it’ll be alright.”

MATT KENSETH:

“Why (did I get rid of the beard)? Cause I look silly. Well, I still look silly but, I looked sillier.”

BRAD KESELOWSKI:

“I think we’re going to get a strong dose of both (tandem and pack racing). I’m really excited about what we’re going to see when we go down to Daytona this year. I think it’s going to be one of the best Daytona 500’s ever.”

DANICA PATRICK:

“I started racing when I was 10 years old, it was all boys and it’s still pretty much all boys. So no, I was never made to feel different or out of place by my parents. They just always empowered me to be as good as I could possibly be and to keep working hard. And not to be the best girl but to be the best driver.”

CLINT BOWYER:

“Actually, I almost messed up . I was doing an interview over there and I almost said, I was like, ‘The 5 Hour Chev—. I mean, Toyota.’ It’s going to be different. There’s a lot of new.”

MARK MARTIN:

“If it doesn’t have wheels on it, I’m not a fan.”

JEFF BURTON:

“Matt (Kenseth) was makin’ fun of me this winter cause like, two weeks into the deal, I’m like, ‘Man, I’m ready- I need to go do something now.’ My wife wanted me out of the house… And I’m ready to go back racin’.”

January 22, 2012
Carl Edwards Will Sign Autographes at Canadian Motorsports Expo

[media-credit name=”Credit: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images for NASCAR” align=”alignright” width=”225″][/media-credit]After finishing second in last year’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series standings, Carl Edwards will be coming to Canada for the Canadian Motorsports Expo on Saturday February 11th. Edwards will be signing autographs and taking part in an hour Q&A session with the fans.

“I’m looking forward to coming to Toronto on Saturday, February 11 to meet Canadian racing fans at the Canadian Motorsports Expo,” Edwards said. “I was in kind of a rush the last time I was in Canada, last August. We were doing double-duty that weekend, shuttling back and forth between the Michigan Cup race and the Nationwide race in Montreal. This time, it’ll be nice to chat with the fans in a more relaxed setting.”

Edwards finished second in standings after Tony Stewart won the tie-breaker as he had won more races than Edwards in 2011. The championship battle last year between Edwards and Tony Stewart stands as the closest championship battle in NASCAR’s history. Edwards is also one of the drivers to win a race on Canadian soil as he won the 2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Montreal’s Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

The Canadian Motorsports Expo Powered by Inside Track Motorsports News will be taking place at the International Centre from February 10th to February 12th.

“We’re very pleased to announce that Carl Edwards will be our headline celebrity at this year’s Canadian Motorsports Expo,” CME’s David Weber said. “Heading into this year’s show, virtually all of our exhibitor space has been sold and we’ve gotten a lot of great support from some of the country’s top companies, racing series, tracks, manufacturers and retailers. This year’s CME is going to be the best ever, and we’re extremely excited that Carl Edwards is going to be part of it.”

The three-day event is meant to highlight the best of Canadian motorsports, while giving the fans a chance to meet racing superstars. Along with Edwards’ appearance, there will be a CASCAR reunion held on February 12th and the Inside Track Reader’s Choice Awards will be given out on February 10th.

Watch the CME’s website (www.CanadianMotorsportsExpo.com) for details on Carl Edwards’ appearance, including confirmed times and the autograph session, and for more information about the Canadian Motorsports Expo.

January 20, 2012
Tom Hessert Will Return To The ARCA Racing Series in 2012

While Tom Hessert won’t release many details about what his plans for 2012 are, he is saying one thing that is definite – he will be racing in the ARCA Racing Series.

“I’m definitely planning on returning to the ARCA Racing Series in 2012,” Hessert said. “Whether it’s full-time or on a part-time basis is yet to be sorted out.”

The Cherry Hill, N.J. native also adds that he vows that he will be at Daytona International Speedway on February 18^th for the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200. He also wants to finish better this year after finishing 37^th in last year’s running.

“But I can tell you I’ll be at Daytona in February, so definitely looking forward to that,” Hessert, who finished sixth in points last year, said. “We didn’t have a real good Daytona last year, so definitely looking to come out this year on the better end.”

Hessert also has made another vow, to marry his fiancée Meghan Reilly in November.

Getting ready for Daytona and helping his bride-to-be with wedding plans isn’t all that’s on Hessert’s plate. He is also busy working for the Classic Auto Group in hometown.

“I do most of the wholesale stuff for Classic Auto Group – buy cars for resale while we, at the same time, sell our aged inventory to make way for the newer stuff,” he said. “In terms of what we buy, it could be anything from a Ferrari to a Ford F-150, so a pretty wide range.”

January 20, 2012