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  • Quaker State to Sponsor Inaugural Kentucky Speedway Sprint Cup Series Race

    Quaker State to Sponsor Inaugural Kentucky Speedway Sprint Cup Series Race

    LAS VEGAS – Quaker State(R), the racing oil that has enjoyed an unprecedented level of success under the hood of Hendrick Motorsports cars, announced today it will be the title sponsor of the first ever NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event at Kentucky Speedway. The Quaker State 400 will be held at the first new track on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule since 2001.

    “The entire Quaker State team is very excited to be a part of this historic moment for NASCAR and Kentucky Speedway,” said Chris Hayek, Quaker State Global Brand Manager. “We are very happy to be involved with what is sure to be a great race.”

    Quaker State will drop the green flag at the newly-expanded, 117,000-capacity Speedway Motorsports, Inc. (SMI) facility at 7:30 p.m., July 9. The 400-mile event will conclude a tripleheader NASCAR weekend that opens with a 225-mile Camping World Truck Series battle on July 7 and spotlights a 300-mile NASCAR Nationwide Series event on July 8.

    “Our Quaker State sponsorship will ideally blend the brand’s Sprint Cup Series past and present. Quaker State is among the most recognizable brands in motorsports and we’re proud to be a new part of its rich NASCAR heritage,” Kentucky Speedway General Manager Mark Simendinger said.

    Twenty-nine-year Sprint Cup Series veteran and 40-time race winner Mark Martin will pilot the Hendrick Motorsports No. 5 Quaker State Chevrolet during the historic weekend.

    “I think it’s great that NASCAR continues to expand the tracks we race, and I am very proud to not only have Quaker State technology under the hood, but also the Quaker State logo on the hood of our car for the inaugural race at Kentucky Speedway,” said Martin. “I’m looking forward to, hopefully, piloting the No. 5 Quaker State Chevrolet to Victory Lane.”

    The Kentucky Speedway sponsorship is another opportunity for Quaker State to expand its presence in NASCAR. The current Quaker State-Hendrick relationship has grown over its 15-year history into a championship-winning technical team. Since 1996, Quaker State engineers work diligently with Hendrick Motorsports throughout the season to analyze and adjust the motor oil formulations in order to maximize on-track success.

    Quaker State racing oil has enjoyed an unprecedented level of success under the hood of Hendrick Motorsports cars, led by Jimmie Johnson, who locked up his fifth consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship. With more than seven million on-track miles, Quaker State’s technical relationship with Hendrick Motorsports has resulted in an unparalleled number of racing triumphs, including 146 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series wins and nine NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championships.

    Fans can be a part of NASCAR and Kentucky Speedway history by reserving race tickets at http://www.kentuckyspeedway.com/ www.kentuckyspeedway.com, 888-652-7223 or through the Kentucky Speedway corporate offices at 1 Speedway Drive in Sparta, Ky., just off Interstate 71 Exit 57 and Ky. Hwy. 35 N.

    For more information on Quaker State’s motorsports sponsorships and full line-up of products, please visit www.QuakerState.com http://www.quakerstate.com/ .

    About Kentucky Speedway

    Kentucky Speedway became the eighth member of the Speedway Motorsports, Inc. (SMI) family in May 2008. The 117,000-capacity Sparta, Ky., facility was founded in 2000 and quickly established a reputation for generating ultra-tight and dramatic stock car and open-wheel race finishes. Just a short day trip from Cincinnati, Ohio, Louisville and Lexington, Ky., facility also is accessible from major markets such as Dayton, Ohio, Indianapolis, Ind., Pittsburgh, Pa., as well as Nashville and Knoxville, Tenn. The speedway offers fans excellent race views from all rows and extensive infield and reserved campsite options. Prominent Sprint Cup Series stars that have visited Kentucky Speedway’s Victory Lane include Greg Biffle (NASCAR Camping World Truck Series – 2000); Kyle Busch (NASCAR Nationwide Series – June 19, 2004; ARCA Racing Series – May 10,2003); Carl Edwards (NNS – ; NCWTS – July 12, 2003); Kevin Harvick (NNS – June 16, 2001); Joey Logano (NNS – June 12, 2010; June 13, 2009 and June 14, 2008) and Ryan Newman (ARCA Racing Series – August 26, 2000). Well-known open-wheel Kentucky Speedway race winners include Helio Castroneves (IZOD IndyCar Series – September 4, 2010); Ryan Briscoe (IICS – August 1, 2009); Scott Dixon (IICS – August 9, 2008); Sam Hornish, Jr. ( IICS – August 13, 2006; August 17, 2003); and Tony Kanaan (IICS – August 11, 2007). Follow us on twitter: http://www.twitter.com/KySpeedway http://www.twitter.com/KySpeedway. Find us on Facebook: http://bit.ly/KYSFB http://bit.ly/KYSFB

    About Quaker StateR

    Quaker StateR motor oil has a 70-year history as a leader in consumer automotive products and vehicle care. Quaker State is among the industry’s most innovative motor oil brands and offers a full line of products to meet every type of vehicle engine need. Quaker State is the first motor oil brand to create a synthetic blend of motor oil, one of the first brands to develop High Mileage Engine motor oil, and the only brand to market its motor oil product in a clear bottle. For more information about Quaker State products, please visit www.quakerstate.com http://www.quakerstate.com/ . Quaker State is produced and marketed by Shell Lubricants.

    About Shell Lubricants

    The term ‘Shell Lubricants’ collectively refers to the companies of Royal Dutch Shell plc that are engaged in the lubricants business. Shell Lubricants companies lead the lubricants industry, supplying 13.4% of global lubricants volume.* The companies manufacture and blend products for use in consumer, heavy industrial and commercial transport applications. The Shell Lubricants portfolio of top-quality brands includes PennzoilR, Quaker StateR, FormulaShellR, Shell TELLUSR, Shell RIMULAR, Shell ROTELLAR T, Shell SPIRAXR and Jiffy LubeR.

    *Kline & Company, “Global Lubricants Industry 2009: Market Analysis and Assessment, 2009-2019.”

  • For Andy Lally, NASCAR Has Always Been His First Love

    For Andy Lally, NASCAR Has Always Been His First Love

    Andy Lally, known as one of the best road racers in the world with three Rolex 24 Hour at Daytona wins under his belt, has always had just one dream. He has always wanted to run the NASCAR circuit.

    “This is where I’ve always wanted to be,” Lally said of his foray into the NASCAR ranks. “My first race car toys, everything I’ve ever watched on TV was always NASCAR. This was my first love and always where I wanted to go.”

    [media-credit name=”CIA Photography/TRG Motorsports” align=”alignright” width=”240″][/media-credit]Lally grew up idolizing many of the NASCAR greats back in the day. His initial racing heroes included Bobby Allison, Neil Bonnett and Morgan Shepherd.

    “When I got my first go kart when I was 12 and started racing, right around that time was when Davey Allison came on the scene,” Lally said. “He then became my new favorite driver and was my first real racing idol and hero.”

    Lally would have loved to have followed his NASCAR idols onto the track, but he and his family had no racing background. His soccer coach introduced him to a local car dealer, Walter Simonendinger, who took Lally under his wing and introduced him to road racing instead.

    “We were just doing local, regional events, but it got me out of a go kart and into a car,” Lally said. “He mentored me for about three years and helped me along until I was able to get rides in more of a national series. That’s how the road racing route took hold.”

    “I’ve always wanted to give NASCAR a shot but all my opportunities have been up that ladder,” Lally continued. “It’s hard to make a lateral move.”

    After establishing himself in the sports car world, Lally then began to work his connections to try to make his NASCAR dream a reality. In fact, Lally became a bit of a nag, particularly with Kevin Buckler, TRG team owner, to get his shot behind the wheel of a stock car.

    “We started working together in the Rolex Series in the end of 2004,” Lally said of his association with Buckler. “We clicked right away and started winning races right away.” A lot of this NASCAR program came about from me bugging Kevin (Buckler).”

    Lally admits that he is humbled and even a little bit frustrated as he makes the transition from road racing star to stock car racing student. But he readily says that he is tackling his NASCAR career with his “eyes wide open.”

    “I know how good these guys are,” Lally said of his Cup competitors. “I know that it would have been better to go do a couple years of Nationwide and really learn these tracks. But the opportunity came with TRG to give Sprint Cup a shot.”

    “I’m 36 and I’m not getting any younger,” Lally continued. “This may be my only shot. I plan to make the most of it, learn and do the best I can for TRG in the equipment we have here.”

    While Lally and his team are making the most of their opportunity, they are surely doing it on a shoe string. They currently have just two cars in their fleet, constantly keeping their fingers crossed for their equipment, as well as for some much needed sponsorship.

    “This will be my first full year in Cup if we can maintain,” Lally said. “We still need to maintain and I have to do a good enough job that they want to keep me and we have to find sponsorship.”

    Speaking of that all important sponsorship dollar, Lally and TRG have secured a new sponsor that joined them for the Daytona race and will be with them for a few more.

    “Eco Fuel Saver, the world’s best fuel additive, came on for us at Daytona and they just signed on for five more races,” Lally said. “Hopefully we can get something sorted out real soon so we can announce full season sponsorship.”

    Lally has also signed himself up this year to compete for NASCAR’s Rookie of the Year in the Cup Series. Ironically, as with last year, he is the only driver to be running for the rookie honors for the 2011 season to date.

    “It’s an honor to go for such a prestigious honor,” Lally said. “But I’m not going to play it up and I’d love to have more competition than I do right now.”

    Lally admits that his first two races in the elite Cup Series have been filled with challenges. At Daytona, he was running in the top fifteen before being caught up in a wreck and at Phoenix, he again was one of the unfortunates involved in that race’s ‘big one.’

    “We’re looking forward to getting a good, clean one here at Vegas,” Lally said. “The harder you work the luckier you get and we’re working hard here.”

    Whether lucky in Vegas or not, Lally just wants to make his NASCAR dreams come true.

    “If I can keep on going and at least make a name for myself working real hard and trying to go fast, then wonderful,” Lally said. “I’d love to stay here.”

    “This means the world to me,” Lally said passionately. “I know we are the Davey in the David and Goliath story right now.”

    “That’s how a lot of my opportunities have come down and I’ve been able to make the best of it,” Lally said. “I’m going to try to make this another one of those stories.”

  • Stay With J.J. Program

    Supporting a Charity, Energizing a Fan Base, Fueling a Comeback and Growing a Business

    Bristol, TN (March 5, 2011): One group of NASCAR fans will have the opportunity to gain unprecedented access to one of their racing heroes throughout the entire weekend of the Jeff Byrd 500 presented by Food City at Bristol. The “Stay with J.J.” program in conjunction with Star Coach Race Tours will allow fans to stay with Sprint Cup veteran J.J. Yeley, just steps away from the half-mile bullring. Those who purchased a spot for the program not only get to experience an all-inclusive stay in a luxury motor coach, but they will also receive a garage tour from Yeley as well as the opportunity debrief with him at the end of each day. Furthermore, a portion of the proceeds generated from the program will benefit the Bristol Speedway Children’s Charities.

    “There are two principle reasons why I wanted to participate in this program”, explained Yeley. “First is that we get to help out a charity, which is always a good thing. Second, I enjoy spending as much time with the fans as I can. I know they can never get enough information about their sport, no matter how much they go to the track, watch on T.V. and follow all the websites. At the end of the day, it’s about giving fans a chance to do something they normally can’t do. With this program, they will understand a race weekend from my perspective, hang out and a have few meals together and I have to say, there’s always good food with Star Coach.”

    Star Coach Race Tours, provider of the “Stay with J.J.” accommodations as well as the top-notch meals referenced by Yeley, is a unique entity itself. Founded in 2009 by Joel Labute, Star Coach provides fans with an all-inclusive race weekend package which includes luxury accommodations in a Class-A RV or luxury motor coach, campsite entertainment such as a DJ system and exterior televisions, along with transportation to and from the airport.

    “It was a no-brainer for us to take part in this program,” said Labute. “When we were just getting our company off the ground, Bristol Motor Speedway was one of the first tracks to exhibit interest in forming a long-term relationship with Star Coach. We’re excited to be in a position to give back in the form of supporting their chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities. I also know that J.J. would be a perfect fit for this concept. When we got involved with him last year, we could see how passionate his fans were about him and how good he was with his sponsors. He is exactly the type of driver Star Coach wants to be associated with.”

    The Stay with J.J. program is just another step in the comeback process for the 34 year-old driver, who was let go from Joe Gibbs Racing in 2007 and then suffered a serious back and neck injury in a sprint car accident in 2009. The setbacks have only added fuel to the Arizona native’s competitive desire, but they also have helped him approach his career with a whole new attitude. “To me, you can’t ever give up on your dreams and you have to work as hard as possible. Not racing for almost a year and being away from what I love to do, made me really appreciate something that I may have taken for granite at some points.”

    That attitude, combined with Yeley’s keen sense of what drives the sport’s popularity, sparked his interest in participating in “Stay with J.J.”; something he agreed to partake in before he even secured a ride for the 2011 season. “Tailgating at a sporting event for an entire weekend is one part of the NASCAR experience that fans love. This program allows them to participate in that atmosphere in a way that they probably have never experienced before. For me, I think spending quality time with fans is something we as drivers can improve on and I want to be one of the guys to fulfill that need.”

    While Yeley is working hard on his return to the Sprint Cup Series, Labute is focused on making Star Coach a household among NASCAR fans. For the CPA turned entrepreneur, the concept was based on a simple idea. “I saw a market that was underserved. As a fan, I understood that the best way to experience a race weekend is to be at the track for the entire time and not have to shuttle back and forth from miles away. It’s a lot better to have your wakeup call be the jet dryers going by your motor home, not the alarm clock at the hotel room. I’m also familiar with the financial burden of purchasing your own RV. Star Coach allows fans to essentially rent a motor home at a fraction of the cost it takes to own.”

    Beyond the financial advantages, Star Coach also offers added value to its customers. “We are able to allow the fans to stay in prime, usually inaccessible locations, such as the infield at Dover or New Hampshire or along the fence at Talladega” noted Labute. “We are able to do this because of the relationships we have built with the tracks”.

    Now Star Coach will add unprecedented access to a Sprint Cup driver to their long list exclusive benefits. Both Labute and Yeley hope that Bristol will be just the first of many “Stay with J.J.” opportunities and the driver could not be more excited. “The fans and I will be hanging out like we’ve been friends forever, talking about races, tracks, cars, and whatever else they want. It will be a memorable time and I am looking forward to it”.

    There are still spots remaining for fans who wish to “Stay with J.J.”. Contact Star Coach Race Tours now for more information.

    For more on J.J. Yeley:

    Web: jjyeley.com

    Twitter@jjyeley1

    Driver Sponsor Contact: Bob Chasse, Genuine Partners. Phone: 386.566.8754

    For more on Star Coach Race Tours and the Stay with J.J. Program:

    Web: starcoachracetours.com/

    Twitter: @starcoachraces

    Facebook: www.facebook.com/StarCoachRaceTours

    Phone: 410-241-4450

  • Jeff Gordon’s Win At Phoenix Spurs A Dream Week For One Lucky Fan

    Jeff Gordon’s Win At Phoenix Spurs A Dream Week For One Lucky Fan

    [media-credit name=”CIA Stock Photo” align=”alignright” width=”229″][/media-credit]Not long after Jeff Gordon’s landmark win at Phoenix last weekend, the social media website Twitter was buzzing with news of the “hiccups girl”- a devoted fan who predicted the driver’s win just hours before when she got hiccups- quickly becoming Jeff Gordon’s lucky charm.

    Gordon was quick to take notice of his lucky charm, Courtniee, who has been getting the lucky hiccups since Darlington in 2007. “I just thought it was a one time thing, then I had them the hiccups) again the day of Pocono 2007, and the next two races and realized that maybe they were lucky,” said Courtniee.

    Until last Sunday, it had been nearly two years and 66 races since the lucky hiccups surfaced. “I just would try not to think about having them or not and just enjoy watching the race,” said Courtniee. “When Jeff would have those good runs, I was hoping he would win. When he did not win, I felt just like every other fan would, but kept saying there’s always next week.”

    Rooting for Jeff Gordon is not a new phenomenon for the Pennsylvania native, but a 17 year journey that has seen both wins and heartbreak. “I saw his rainbow car and thought it was the coolest thing and have been a fan since,” said Courtniee, who has an entire corner of her room dedicated to Jeff Gordon collectibles. “It’s actually the only part of my room that I keep clean.”

    With all the buzz surrounding Courtniee and her lucky hiccups, it wasn’t long before Jeff Gordon took notice of her. During all of Gordon’s appearances and interviews following the win, he has mentioned Courtniee by name, calling her his lucky charm. Appearances including radio interviews, newspaper columns, and spots on NASCAR Race Hub and Jay Leno were just a few of the places where Courtniee has received publicity.

    Aside from the shoutouts, Courtniee has also appeared on Sirius NASCAR Radio this past week and has been asked for multiple interviews. “This week has been one of the best weeks of my life,” said Courtniee. “It’s not every day that someone you look up to will mention your name.”

    Among all the publicity she has received, Courtniee says that Jay Leno was her favorite part. “I was not expecting him to bring me up at all on the show and when I heard it, I was in shock,” she replied. “All my friends and family members are still surprised that a girl from a small town in Pennsylvania was mentioned on Leno.”

    Through all of the hype and excitement of this week, Courtniee remains determined to have the opportunity to meet Gordon in person.” I would first tell him that I have been trying to meet him for 17 years. Then I would tell him that he has been an inspriration to me for most of my life,” she said. “He has taught me to never give up and to chase my dreams.”

    With the 2011 season just beginning, it will be interesting to see how many more times Courtniee gets her lucky hiccups, pushing Jeff Gordon to victory. In the meantime, Courtniee will continue to bask in the glory of all the media attention, dreaming for the chance to finally meet her favorite driver.

  • Regan Smith Thinks His Team is Best Kept Secret in NASCAR

    Regan Smith Thinks His Team is Best Kept Secret in NASCAR

    Regan Smith has been described by Mark McCardle, managing director of competition for Furniture Row Racing, as one of the best-kept secrets in the garage area. But Smith puts the credit solely on his team, crowning them the true best kept secrets in NASCAR.

    [media-credit name=”Gary Buchanan” align=”alignright” width=”266″][/media-credit]Smith and his No. 78 Chevrolet Furniture Row Racing team have indeed had an eventful start to their 2011 racing season. Right out of the box, the young driver led several laps of the Daytona 500 before being caught up in a late race crash, yet still managing to finish seventh.

    “It felt great to lead,” Smith said. “I think more importantly than that, it felt great to lead with five to go.”

    “And how good that felt went downhill pretty quick from there,” Smith continued. “We had a strong car and we were in a position where we wanted to be.”

    Smith had been working with Kurt Busch at the time and the two were committed to each other since their cars were so good together. Busch unfortunately got separated from Smith, then got an unexpected push from Tony Stewart, and the wreck was on.

    In spite of the melee on the track, Smith still counted his Daytona experience as a “really good day.”  He was also most pleased that he and his team were able to rebound from the accident to salvage a good finish.

    “To be honest, I was surprised that the car was able to finish,” Smith said. “Usually when you wreck at Daytona, there are two options, one being that you are t-boned and the other that you are airborne. I never thought option three would be that we drove off and finished the race.”

    “Just that quick I had to switch my brain off from trying to win the 500 to realizing that this is a 36 race season and we need points right now,” Smith said. “As soon as I finished spinning on the back stretch, that was my mindset.”

    Smith admitted that he was definitely angry after the race and “pretty bummed out.” As he was riding to the airport with his fiance after the race, it hit him just how close he had come to winning the Great American Race.

    “That’s when it sunk in,” Smith said. “I realized how close we were to this deal. But we recovered well as a team.”

    Smith credits his Daytona recovery full to his team, who he says has worked hard to calm him down and keep his head in the game.

    “Last year, I would have imploded,” Smith said. “That goes a long way to say how good of a team I’ve got around me.”

    After putting Daytona in his rear view mirror, Smith turned his attention to discussing his Phoenix race. He qualified fifth for the second race of the season, but again got caught up in a big wreck that relegated him to finishing 34th, dropping him to the 19th position in the point standings.

    “I think we had a bigger wreck at Phoenix than we did at Daytona,” Smith said ruefully. “Last week was just circumstances. We had a fast race car and I was fast all weekend. It was just bad luck.”

    While Smith acknowledged that there were many different strategies playing out in the race, with varying tire and pit sequences in play, he also admitted surprise at just how racy many of his fellow competitors were.

    “The whole race was like that and I wondered why they were so aggressive so early on,” Smith said. “I don’t know if that all caused the wreck. I think it was just ignorance.”

    This weekend, Smith is ready to tackle Las Vegas Motor Speedway. He practiced well and qualified 12th for the Kobalt Tools 400.

    “Off the truck, the car was good,” Smith said. “We have some ideas for what we want to change in race trim. But overall, we had another solid day with our Furniture Row Chevrolet.”

    “I feel strong about this weekend,” Smith said. “We’re looking at this weekend just like we did Daytona and Phoenix. We’re here to get top tens now.”

    “That’s our goal and there will come a point when we get top fives,” Smith continued. “That will be cool.”

    Smith admits that he and his team are focused but also have a bit of a chip on their shoulders, especially since they are the only team based out of Denver, Colorado, not Charlotte, North Carolina.

    “We’ve all got a little chip on our shoulder being from Denver,” Smith said. “We want to prove that we can not only run good from Denver but we can run as good as these big super teams.”

    “I don’t think anybody in this trailer or on this team is surprised about how we are starting this year off,” Smith continued. “We’re kind of off the radar. But I know this is what I expected and this is what all these guys expected.”

    “I look at it as I’m with a team that’s the best kept secret in the garage,” Smith said. “I know the people that I get to work with and I wouldn’t trade it for any other team in this garage.”

  • Robby Gordon Slapped with Probation for Kevin Conway Altercation

    Robby Gordon Slapped with Probation for Kevin Conway Altercation

    Robby Gordon, driver of the No. 7 Speed Energy Dodge for the team that bears his name, was placed on immediate and indefinite probation today by NASCAR. Gordon apparently had an altercation in the garage area Friday evening with Kevin Conway, another Cup driver with whom Gordon had prior business dealings that went south.

    [media-credit name=”Gary Buchanan ” align=”alignright” width=”214″][/media-credit]In fact, Robby Gordon Motorsports had filed a lawsuit against Extenze, Conway’s primary sponsor, for $690,000 in damages based on the failure to pay their portion of the sponsorship to Gordon after Conway came to race with him to continue his Rookie of the Year run in 2010.

    The disagreement stemmed from the fact that Gordon replaced Conway in the car in order to keep it in the top 35 in the point standings and Extenze refused sponsorship payment based on their contention that they did not approve the driver change.

    While Conway was not named in the lawsuit by Robby Gordon Motorsports, Conway did have a financial stake in the deal.  Conway reaped approximately $116,000 in a percentage of the purse as well as his Rookie of the Year winnings.

    In the midst of Nationwide qualifying and the start of Cup practice, Kerry Tharp of NASCAR made the surprising announcing about Gordon’s probation in the media center this afternoon at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

    “We met about the situation this morning and reacted accordingly,” Tharp said. “We will continue to look at this situation involving Robby Gordon.”

    “We took emergency action that is stipulated in the rule book for us to be able to react this way and place him on probation.”

    Tharp announced that although Gordon would still be able to compete in this weekend’s race, his probation was indeed indefinite.

    “There is no time frame on it right now,” Tharp said. “It could be revised as we move along but the action we took today, we just placed him on probation, period.”

    Tharp advised that he did not witness the incident so felt that he could not elaborate on it.

    “It was an incident in the garage between him and another driver that took place,” was all that Tharp would confirm.

    Gordon qualified 38th for the Kobalt Tools 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

  • NASCAR: Incident Between Gordon and Conway Results in Immediate Probation

    NASCAR: Incident Between Gordon and Conway Results in Immediate Probation

    NASCAR has placed Robby Gordon on immediate probation after an incident involving he and Kevin Conway occurred Friday following Sprint Cup qualifying.

    Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton described the episode as a “heated debate,” but would not confirm whether or not it was a physical confrontation.

    Conway stated he had filed a police report regarding the incident, but offered no more information.

    Conway drove for Gordon in six races last year, and the two are currently involved in a legal battle over disputed money.

    NASCAR officials said Gordon will be allowed to race in tomorrow’s Kobalt Tools 400 and that his probation may be revised as more information becomes available.

    Neither driver could be reached for immediate comment.

  • Dodge Motorsports Notes & Quotes – Keys for Las Vegas – Kobalt Tools 400

    Dodge Motorsports Notes & Quotes – Keys for Las Vegas – Kobalt Tools 400

    Saturday, March 5, 2011 Dodge Motorsports PR Kobalt Tools 400 Las Vegas Motor Speedway NASCAR Sprint Cup Series

    Keys for Success: Kobalt Tools 400

    LAS VEGAS (March 5, 2011) – Each race weekend, select Dodge Motorsports engineers, Penske Racing crew chiefs, engineers, drivers or engine specialists give their insight on the ‘Keys for Success’ for the upcoming race. This week, the green flag drops at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway and the Kobalt Tools 400.

    Track: Las Vegas Motor Speedway (race 3 of 36 NSCS point events)

    Race: Kobalt Tools 400

    Track Length: 1.5-mile (267 laps/400.5 miles)

    Trivia Question: Most caution laps for a Sprint Cup race at LVMS? (Answer Below)

    Travis Geisler (Director of Competition, Penske Racing)

    Watch Out For the Bumps: “The bumps in Turns 1 & 2 have gotten worse. Every year they get a little bit bigger and the affect is greater because we’re trying to control our car’s attitude more. It’s a moving target for us because nobody has been able to test here for a few years. You have all your seven post shaker data, but it’s still not the same as what we are seeing with the actual bumps on the track.

    “Essentially you’re porpoising between (turns) 1 & 2 to the point where the splitter just wants to keep hitting on the high spots, and then you lose the nose and push up the race track. The other thing is that the bumps force the drivers to move their lines around a bunch to find a smooth spot on the race track. There are spots that are smoother. If you run on the bottom, or just off the bottom, it seems to be the roughest. If you run up too high, you get into the dirt and then you’re in trouble. People are going to have a hard time racing each other over the bumps. It’s like driving over an icy bridge; as long as you’re pointed to where you want to go, you’ll get there. There’s no correcting your course. As soon as you get into the bumps, the driver loses his input and you have to skate through them because the car is just losing traction.”

    Speed Alert: “Las Vegas is a high-speed race track and you still have to worry about your car’s attitude. You just can’t put soft, squishy springs in the car to make it ride like a car with a lot of travel that can handle the bumps. You’ve got to have a rigid platform because there’s too much speed on the aero side.”

    Pit Road Tire Strategy: “Pit stops are going to be a big deal here. The tire doesn’t slow down a bunch. It seems like you lose speed because of temperature versus tire wear. A place like Atlanta, when you run 10 laps, you stop and pit because the tires have lost the speed, they’re worn out. Here, the tires lose speed from when they’re cold to when they get hot. Once they stabilize, if you get caution 10 laps in and the tires cools down when you’re pacing around, when you re-fire, it’s with similar characteristics to sticker tire; it’s not the huge speed loss that you would have at other places. You’re going to see some pit road tire strategy, at least with right sides. You’re going to see a situation like last weekend in Phoenix where you’ve got good cars pitting, bad cars not pitting; the field is totally mixed up with fast cars trying to come through the field and that’s when big wrecks usually happen.”

    Answer to Trivia Question: 66 in 2009

  • Kobalt Tools 400: Who And What To Look Out For

    This weekend the Sprint Cup Series visits the Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the Kobalt Tools 400. Matt Kenseth will start from the pole, an extreme rarity for the driver who usually qualifies towards the middle or back of the pack eventually making his way to the front. Kenseth also was fastest during the first practice session of the weekend. Lining up behind him is his Roush Fenway Racing teammate, David Ragan, then Juan Montoya, and teammates Carl Edwards, and Greg Biffle.

    [media-credit id=41 align=”alignright” width=”293″][/media-credit]What do you  see here? All Roush Fenway Racing drivers were in the Top 5 in the first session of practice. The entire team will be tough to beat on Sunday. Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon seem to be the favorites to win the race and they were were 12th and 19th quickest in the morning session, but don’t be fooled by the practice numbers. Gordon was 20th and 28th quickest during the practice sessions in Phoenix and yet he led the most laps and won the race to end the 66 race winless streak. Last year, Gordon led the most laps, but a bad call in the pits to go for two-tires on the last pit stop backfired when Johnson took four and he went on to win the race. Gordon faded to third as Kevin Harvick took second. Look out for Hendrick Motorsports and Roush Fenway Racing.

    So, you know the practice results, so we shall compare that with how the drivers qualified for the race. Marcos Ambrose improved from being sixth quickest during practice to earn a front row seat with Kenseth for the pole. Carl Edwards, Greg Biffle, and Kyle Busch rounded out the Top 5. One person missing from this is David Ragan. Well, what happened? Ragan choked yet again and spun on his qualifying lap. He managed to keep it off the wall, but never completed the lap and will start from the rear. Great. When is this kid going to just calm down and focus? If he doesn’t get it together, I can say good-bye to Ragan at the end of the season.

    Now, to the drivers who really need a good finish…one of those is Jeff Burton. He qualified for the Chase last season and has had 2 DNF’s to start the new season with the new points system. Not good, but wait! He may have just lucked out. NASCAR began racing here in 1998 and the first 3 finishes for Burton here were 2nd, 1st, 1st. Burton has won here before and this may be the track where he can have a good finish. Depending on how many drivers drop out, Burton can gain a significant amount of points. Burton’s teammate Kevin Harvick, as stated earlier, was runner-up here last year.

    Who are you guys picking for the race? I have Jeff Gordon. He is back in the DuPont Chevrolet for this race and he gained me a lot of fantasy points last week. In fact, I was last coming into Phoenix and left as the points leader after having a 1, 2, 3 weekend. I don’t expect to do it again this weekend, but I do want the lead to stay in tact. I want to hear from you guys. Leave your comments and picks in the box below and have an amazing weekend.

    Email me at therhino.ryan@gmail.com, Facebook, or Twitter http://www.twitter.com/RyanOHaraNASCAR

    Thank you guys!

  • J.J. Yeley Three-For-Three With Whitney Motorsports In 2011

    J.J. Yeley Three-For-Three With Whitney Motorsports In 2011

    LAS VEGAS, Nevada (March 4, 2011) – – J.J. Yeley, driver of the No. 46 Darlington Raceway / Espar Heating Chevrolet Impala once again successful qualified for Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) race at Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway after posting the 32nd starting spot in qualifying Friday afternoon at the 1.5-mile oval.

    Yeley negotiated his Dusty Whitney-owned machine around the “Sin City” race track in 29.316 seconds at 184.200 miles per hour becoming the third fastest of the “go-or-go-homers” group. Yeley out qualified several veteran teams including Hendrick Motorsports (Dale Earnhardt Jr.), Germain Racing (Landon Cassill), Phoenix Racing (Bill Elliott), Robby Gordon Motorsports (Robby Gordon) and Roush Fenway Racing (David Ragan).

    Friday’s effort is a season-best starting spot for the second-year NASCAR Sprint Cup Series operation. Last month, Yeley raced his Chevrolet bowtie into the prestigious Daytona 500, qualifying 33rd.

    “I might have a left a little out there on the table, but we really couldn’t take any chances,” explained Yeley. “I’ll admit that David Ragan’s spin during qualifying was playing back in my mind and I didn’t want to have the same fate. Our car was a little loose but we played it smart and were able to post a solid lap.”

    Yeley will make his fourth career NSCS start at Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway on Sunday. His best finish in three previous starts occurred in 2006 where he maneuvered a Chevrolet to a 17th place run.

    The 34-year old Yeley will join the other 42 drivers in his 115th career start when the Kobalt Tools 400 receives the green flag shortly after 3:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon. The event will be televised live on FOX with additional coverage through the Performance Racing Network (PRN) and XM Sirius Satellite radio channel 128.

    Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway Additional Pre-Race Quotes: J.J. Yeley, driver of the Darlington Raceway / Espar Heating Chevrolet Impala:

    On Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway: “I have never been much of a gambler, so to me Las Vegas is a place for adults to go and have some fun. I have always enjoyed coming to race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. It is fun track and always has a very good fan attendance.”

    On His Fondest Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway Moment: “My fondest memory of Las Vegas would have to be my rookie year in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. I qualified seventh and had a strong run in the race. I had raced at the Bullring and the Dirt track outside of the 1.5 racetrack, but had never experienced NASCAR from the kind of excitement.”

    On Taking Any Gambles This Weekend At The Race Track Or At The Casino?: “The only gambling I will be doing this weekend will be at the race track. I am not much of a gambler, I chose to save all of the luck that I can find and put it to good use for my number one passion, RACING.”

    On The IZOD IndyCar Series Roaring Into Las Vegas Motor Speedway And Any Thoughts About Returning To Open-Wheel Racing: “It is very interesting that the IZOD IndyCar series is putting up a huge sum of money for a NASCAR driver to win the final race of their season. Most people don’t know that I have run a dozen or so IRL races in the late 90s.. It would be interesting to have some conversations with teams that would be competitive enough to go for broke and win the Challenge and take home the five million dollar prize!”

    Fast Links:

    Driver / Team: J.J. Yeley on the web: JJYeley.com

    Twitter: @JJYeley1

    Facebook: Official http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/JJ-Yeley-Official/188904204467053> J.J. Yeley Facebook page “JJ Yeley Official”