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Category: NASCAR Cup Series

NASCAR Cup Series

  • CHEVY NSCS AT DAYTONA: Team Chevy Fast Facts – Budweiser Shootout

    TEAM CHEVY FAST FACTS

    33rd ANNUAL BUDWEISER SHOOTOUT

    February 12, 2011

    • Chevrolet will proudly pace the 24-car field with a white Chevrolet Camaro SS
    • Chevrolet has won 19 of 32 previous Budweiser Shootouts
    • Kevin Harvick, No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet is the defending winner
    • A total of 12 Chevrolet drivers have earned a starting spot in the 2011 Budweiser Shootout.  Starting positions are set by a draw:
      • Dale Earnhardt, Jr., No. 88 National Guard/AMP Energy Chevrolet, will start on the pole
      • Tony Stewart No. 14 Mobile 1 /Office Depot Chevrolet, starts second (2nd)
      • Clint Bowyer, No. 33 Cheerios/Hamburger Helper Chevrolet, will start seventh (7th)
      • Ryan Newman, No. 39 Wix Filters Chevrolet, starts in the eighth (8th) position
      • Jeff Gordon, No. 24 Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet, is the 12th  place starter
      • Juan Pablo Montoya, No. 42 Target Chevrolet, will roll off 13th
      • Jamie McMurray, No. 1 Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boats Chevrolet, starts 14th
      • Jeff Burton, No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet, will start 15th 
      • Kevin Harvick, No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet, is starting in 18th position
      • Mark Martin, No. 5 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet, will start 20th
      • Jimmie Johnson, No. 48 Lowe’s/Kobalt Tools Chevrolet, starts 23rd
      • Regan Smith, No. 78 Furniture Row Racing Chevrolet, will start in 24th place
      • Team Chevy drivers starting the 2011 Shootout have a combined total of 11 previous event wins:
      • Stewart – 3 wins in 10 starts (’01, ’02, ’07)
      • Gordon – 2 wins in 16 starts (’94, 97)
      • Earnhardt, Jr.  – 2 wins in 9 starts  (’03, ’08)
      • Harvick – 2 wins in 5 starts (’09, ’10)
      • Johnson – 1 win in 7 starts (’05)
      • Martin – 1 win in 21 starts (’99)

    About Chevrolet: Founded in Detroit in 1911, Chevrolet celebrates its centennial as a global automotive brand with annual sales of about 4.25 million vehicles in more than 140 countries. Chevrolet provides consumers with fuel-efficient, safe and reliable vehicles that deliver high quality, expressive design, spirited performance and value. The Chevrolet portfolio includes iconic performance cars such as Corvette and Camaro; dependable, long-lasting pickups and SUVs such as Silverado and Suburban; and award-winning passenger cars and crossovers such as Spark, Cruze, Malibu, Equinox and Traverse. Chevrolet also offers “gas-friendly to gas-free” solutions including Cruze Eco and Volt. Cruze Eco offers 42 mpg highway while Volt offers 35 miles of electric, gasoline-free driving and an additional 344 miles of extended range. Most new Chevrolet models offer OnStar safety, security and convenience technologies including OnStar Hands-Free Calling, Automatic Crash Response and Stolen Vehicle Slowdown. More information regarding Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

  • Dodge Response To NASCAR’s Fuel Injection Program

    AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (February 12, 2011) – In response to NASCAR’s announcement of the technology partnership with Freescale Semiconductor and McLaren Electronic Systems to develop and integrate fuel injection systems into the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2012, Dave Bailey, Senior Manager of Dodge Motorsports Engineering, offered the following:

     “Dodge Motorsports is very familiar with fuel injection technology from our production car applications and we are excited to see it implemented into NASCAR.  Dodge Motorsports and Penske Racing have been working on integrating it into the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series engine for over a year.  Dodge is working closely with Penske, NASCAR, McLaren and several other partners to convert engines from carbureted to electronic fuel injection.  The Penske Engine group has already engaged with McLaren’s TAG (Techniques d’Avant Garde) Group.  NASCAR has provided very clear and fair rules for fuel injection which will continue to foster a competitive environment.”

  • Chevrolet Camaro SS to serve as Official Pace Car for 53rd annual Daytona 500

    Chevrolet Camaro SS to serve as Official Pace Car for 53rd annual Daytona 500

    Country music superstar Brad Paisley to serve as Honorary Pace Car driver

    DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Daytona International Speedway and Chevrolet officials announced today that the Chevrolet Camaro SS will serve as the official pace car for the 53rd running of the Daytona 500 – the second time in the past three years that the iconic automobile has paced the field for the “The Great American Race.”

    [media-credit name=”DIS” align=”alignright” width=”227″][/media-credit]In addition, behind the wheel of the Chevrolet Camaro as the Honorary Pace Car driver will be Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year Brad Paisley, who is also performing the Daytona 500 Pre-Race show.

    The Chevrolet Camaro has previously paced the field for the Daytona 500 – NASCAR’s signature event – three times beginning back in 1968 and 1969 and most recently in 2009.

    “Chevrolet has been a great partner and supporter of Daytona International Speedway and the Daytona 500 for close to 40 years,” Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III said. “The Chevrolet Camaro is one of the most recognizable cars in the world and is a perfect fit to lead the stars of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series to the green flag in the Daytona 500.”

    “Chevrolet is proud to serve as the “Official Pace Car” of the 53rd running of the Daytona 500” said Jeff Chew, Chevy Racing Marketing Manager. “The 400 hp 2011 Camaro SS was selected to pace the field to the green flag to showcase Camaro’s performance and styling on one of the most famous race tracks in the world.”  

    The 2011 Daytona 500 Camaro SS pace cars are adorned in a vibrant “Red Hot” color accented with “Platinum Ice” stripes. GM Accessory 21” wheels and tires are installed along with body colored ground effects, heritage grill, and tall rear spoiler. The cars also have fully integrated safety strobe systems with custom light bars and amber taillights.

    In the Daytona 500 Pre-Race Show, Paisley, who has 18 No. 1 hits, three Grammy awards, 14 CMA Awards and 13 Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards, will perform three songs prior to the start of the Daytona 500.

    Paisley’s innovative and entertaining H20 World Tour played to over 879,000 fans in 2010 and placed #1 country tour for attendance by Pollstar.  Paisley’s next album, This Is Country Music will be in-stores this spring.

    Tickets for Speedweeks 2011 events and the 53rd annual Daytona 500 are available online at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.

    Fans can stay connected with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter (www.twitter.com/DISUpdates) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/DaytonaInternationalSpeedway)

  • NASCAR Needs Ounce of Prevention in Substance Abuse Policy

    NASCAR Needs Ounce of Prevention in Substance Abuse Policy

    Before the official start of the 2011 NASCAR season, the issue of substance abuse again made headlines for the sport, with the arrest of up and coming driver Michael Annett for driving under the influence.

    [media-credit name=”FMCM” align=”alignright” width=”225″][/media-credit]Annett, age 24, allegedly blew a .32 in the breath alcohol level test. This is four times over the legal limit in North Carolina, where he was pulled over after an accident.

    Rusty Wallace Racing, the team for whom Annett drives, took immediate action.  The team announced that Annett will not be allowed to drink alcohol at all and will get no ‘second chance’ if he violates that requirement.

    “It’s real serious to me what happened,” Rusty Wallace, principal of the team, said. “We’re doing the right things with Michael. NASCAR trusts we’re doing the right things.”

    “It’s some alcohol awareness, it’s some community service, he’s at that race shop at 7 a.m. every morning,” Wallace continued. “We’ve got him polishing the freaking drive shafts because I’m pissed at him.”

    NASCAR has also imposed its own sanctions on Annett as well.  The sanctioning body announced that is has paced Annett, driver of the No. 62 race car in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, on probation until December 31, 2011.

    Annett will be evaluated by a certified drug and alcohol professional at NASCAR’s discretion.  The young driver will also be subject to random testing throughout the year as well.

    Unfortunately for the sport, Annett is not alone in having an alcohol-related driving incident prior to or during the racing season.

    In 2009, Richard Petty Motorsports young gun AJ Allmendinger was arrested for driving under the influence.  Even veteran driver Michael Waltrip has had his share of incidents, one in 2009 and another in 2007 where alcohol was suspected to be a factor in crashes behind the wheel. However, Waltrip was never charged.

    With all this attention to alcohol-related issues, especially with drivers getting behind the wheel of a car after imbibing, NASCAR has indeed reacted swiftly and decisively to the various incidents.  NASCAR, as well as the race teams involved, should be commended for that.

    Yet, in addition to the reaction, the sport must also seriously consider adding some prevention strategies to the mix.

    Let’s face it, while not excusing it in any way, shape or form, anyone can make a mistake when it comes to having a few glasses of wine or a few beers and then getting behind the wheel.  Most of us, particularly in our youth, could claim the phrase, “There but for the grace of God go I” when it comes to those situations.

    But the element that the sport may be missing when it comes to their substance abuse policy is that element of prevention. What is NASCAR really doing to educate those who participate in the sport at whatever level as to the dangers of drinking, drugging and driving prior to it happening?

    As a licensed clinical social worker, as well as someone who has run programs for those who have been convicted of driving under the influence, it has been my personal experience that most individuals have no clue how little alcohol they have to have in their bodies in order to be impaired behind the wheel of any vehicle.

    In fact, most folks that I have worked with in my professional career have had no idea of the alcohol content in one drink, whether it be beer, wine or other spirits.  They are also stunned when they learn of the amount of alcohol that it takes for their particular body type to be considered legally and functionally impaired.

    NASCAR must consider being more proactive when it comes to prevention of substance abuse in the sport.  This is true especially in a sport where the majority of the drivers are young, male, and fearless as they need to be to even participate as a race car driver.

    NASCAR, as well as the various race teams, should run regular substance abuse education and prevention courses that are required for drivers at every level. This should be a part of the licensing requirements, where not only do the drivers declare which Series they are running for championships in but they also check off that they have participated in at least one substance abuse awareness seminar or course.

    Having said that, these substance abuse prevention and education requirements should not just be made for the Cup, Nationwide and Truck Series.  They should also be required in the Camping World East and West Series, and yes, should even be required in the up and coming series where those teenagers and even pre-teens are now racing.

    Perhaps if substance abuse prevention and education programming was added to NASCAR’s substance abuse policy, situations like with Michael Annett will become a thing of the past.  And that would be great not only for the sport, where the athletes serve as role models to so many youth, but for the athletes themselves who can avoid having to be punished or sanctioned, to the detriment of all.

    Best of all, alcohol and drug prevention and education might just save a life.  And that truly is the most powerful argument of all for NASCAR to add that ounce of prevention to the sport’s substance abuse policy.

  • Jay Guy Named Crew Chief for TRG Motorsports, No. 71 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Effort

    MOORESVILLE, N.C. (February 12, 2011) – TRG Motorsports has tapped veteran NASCAR crew chief Jay Guy to sit atop its No. 71 pit box for the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season.

    Guy, who begins his new assignment this weekend in Daytona, will call the race for Andy Lally, who was announced last week as the driver for TRG Motorsports’ 500 entry.

    “Jay comes to us highly recommended. We’re very happy to have him on board,” said Kevin Buckler, team owner. “He’s got exactly the kind of experience we’ve been looking for to lead the team and guide Andy through his rookie season. He’ll fit in well at TRG. He’s got the same kind of passion and desire to win that our team has from top to bottom.”

    Guy, a native of Lancaster, Pa., comes to TRG Motorsports from Penske Racing, where he spent the 2010 season calling the shots for Brad Keselowski’s Sprint Cup team. Guy has nearly 30 years experience, having started his career with Dave Marcis, ironically in the No. 71 Chevrolet, in the 80’s. Guy’s resume also includes three years of building Furniture Row Racing’s No. 78 Sprint Cup Series team, and stints with MBV Motorsports, FitzBradshaw Racing, ST Motorsports, Wood Brothers Racing and JTG Racing.

    “It’s great to be back in Daytona getting ready for the 500. I am really enthusiastic about working with Kevin Buckler and the No. 71 team,” said Guy. “Andy is a racer through and through, and we’ve got a really good group here. I am really going to enjoy helping Andy make his mark in NASCAR.

    “It’s funny how things come full circle,” said Guy.  “I have a lot of great memories of being involved with Dave Marcis at the start of my career. To have this opportunity with TRG Motorsports, back with the No. 71, it certainly brings things full circle.”

    About TRG Motorsports

    TRG Motorsports is based in Mooresville, North Carolina. Currently the team fields a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series entry as well as a limited Camping World Truck Series effort and an ARCA RE/MAX Series team.

    The Racer’s Group was founded in 1993 and competes at the top level of sports car racing. TRG’s Porsche sports car program is run out of the company’s headquarters in Petaluma, California. The team has the most wins of any team in the Grand-Am Rolex Series with 31, including the 2005 and 2006 Rolex Series GT championship trophy to go along with wins in the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona (four) and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

    For more information on sponsorship, please contact Donato Bonacquisto at (704) 965-2791 or donato@trgmotorsports.com.

    Detailed team info can be viewed at www.trgmotorsports.com and www.theracersgroup.com.

  • Michael Angelo’s Pizza, in Ontario, California is hosting a Daytona 500 viewing party and fundraiser benefiting the NASCAR Foundation

    RANCHO CUCAMONGA , CA   February, 1, 2011 – Bruce Kilgour, Local Regional Ambassador for the NASCAR Foundation , announced today that Michael Angelo’s Pizza of Ontario, Ca. will host the 2011 Daytona  500 viewing party and fundraiser.

    Funds raised through the event will be donated to The NASCAR Foundation. There will also be NASCAR giveaways, prizes, and games. All ages are welcome to watch the race on the numerous big-screen televisions, and enjoy great food and drinks! This is a free event open to all NASCAR Fans!

    Bruce Kilgour and his Local Ambassador Committee have organized this event at Michael Angelo’s Pizza in Ontario. The venue’s location is 2467 S. Euclid Ave, Ontario, CA. 91762; the event will be held on February 20, 2011 at 9:00 A.M.

    ***

    About the NASCAR Foundation

    The NASCAR Foundation embodies the compassion of the NASCAR Family and its commitment to serving communities. The NASCAR Foundation seeks to raise funds and increase volunteerism to support nonprofit charities and charitable causes throughout the nation with an emphasis placed on initiatives that affect the ability of children to live, learn and play.

  • Roush Fenway’s Edwards to Start Third in Budweiser Shootout

    Roush Fenway’s Edwards to Start Third in Budweiser Shootout

    Biffle draws 11th, Kenseth 19th for all-star event

     

    [media-credit name=”David Yeazell” align=”alignright” width=”188″][/media-credit]DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 11, 2011) – Carl Edwards will start third in tomorrow night’s Budweiser Shootout, after pulling the spot in Friday night’s random drawing. Greg Biffle will start 11th and Matt Kenseth drew the 19th place spot for the all-star event that kicks off the 2011 season.

    Edwards led 42 laps in the race last season, before getting caught up in a multi-car accident on the last lap of the event. Edwards will make his fourth career start in the Shootout, while Biffle and Kenseth will make their sixth and fifth career starts in the event.

    Roush Fenway won the event in 1999 and has two runner-up finishes in the Shootout. The team has placed at least one car in the race in each of the past 23 seasons.

    Dale Earnhardt Jr. will lead the 24-car field to the green in the race. Tomorrow’s Budweiser Shootout is set for Saturday night (Feb. 20) at 8:10 p.m. EST and will be televised live on FOX.

    The Sprint Cup teams will also hit the track on Saturday for the first Daytona 500 practice session at 11:00 a.m. EST.

  • Rookie Bayne Confident As He Prepares For His Daytona

    Rookie Bayne Confident As He Prepares For His Daytona

    When the Wood Brothers No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Fusion hits the track for Daytona 500 practice on Saturday, it’ll represent both ends of the Speedweeks experience spectrum.

    [media-credit name=”woodbrothersracing.com” align=”alignright” width=”200″][/media-credit]The Woods have been racing at Daytona in February for 61 years, since team founder Glen Wood was driving in races on the old beach-road course that preceded Daytona International Speedway.

    Their current driver, rookie Trevor Bayne, has never driven a Sprint Cup car at Daytona except in two off-season test sessions.  But Bayne, who will turn 20 next Saturday, is no ordinary rookie, and therefore expectations are high for his first try at the Great American Race.

    As he participated in Thursday’s Media Day rounds with reporters, Bayne came across as poised and confident, with no sign of any pre-race jitters.

    “When you set your expectations and you finally get there, it doesn’t come as a surprise,” he said. “Since I was five years old I wanted to be here at this point, so now that we’re here, this is where I wanted to be.

    “We belong here and I think we’re going to try to make that statement that we’re not just here to run a race, we’re here to stay….

    “I think we’ve got the opportunity to do it. I’ve got all the support around me with Ford Racing and Wood Brothers and Roush on the Nationwide side, and getting double seat time this weekend. I’m really looking forward to that because I like to stay busy all the time.”

    Over the years, some of NASCAR’s best drivers have come to Daytona for the first time and driven like they’d been running there for years. The late Dale Earnhardt led 10 laps and finished eighth in his first Daytona 500, back in 1979, and Jeff Gordon won his Gatorade Duel and finished fifth in the 500 his first time out, in 1993.

    Bayne said coming out the box in a big way is the approach he needs to take.

    “I think as a race car driver that’s the mentality you have to have,” he said. “Sometimes it gets me in trouble, because I’m so worried about performance and being the fastest in practice and qualifying on the pole that you set unreal expectations and that sets you up for disappointment.

    “But I think as long as we set those real expectations, kind of like we did at Texas, and you meet those expectations, you’re just going to get better and better.”

    Like Earnhardt and Gordon in their Daytona debuts, Bayne has strong support behind him. In addition to the support and experience from the Woods, he’s got a veteran crew chief in Donnie Wingo and technical support from Roush Fenway Racing.

    “The Wood Brothers, they’ve poured their heart and soul into this,” Bayne said. “You can see a lot of excitement going on, and they said they haven’t felt this excited going to Daytona in a long time.

    “So to hear that gives me a little boost to see the confidence they already have in me after one race.”

    Team co-owner Eddie Wood said he has confidence in both his car and his driver.

    “We’ve tested here two times, and we’ve worked on our car after each one, so we’re looking forward to getting on the track and seeing what we’ve got,” he said.

    Wood also pointed out that even though the Motorcraft/Quick Lane Fusion will sport a rookie’s yellow stripe on the rear bumper, Bayne is much more than a novice racer.

    “He’s been racing since he was five years old, so by the time he takes the green flag for the 500 he’ll have 16 years of experience,” Wood said. “And he probably got 500 miles of drafting practice during the Goodyear tire test in December.”

    Qualifying for the Daytona 500 is set for Sunday at 1:05 p.m. The 150-mile Gatorade Duel qualifying races are scheduled for Thursday at 2 p.m., and the green flag for the Daytona 500 is scheduled to fly just after 1 p.m. on Sunday Feb. 20, with TV coverage on FOX.

  • Dale Earnhardt Jr. Grabs Bud Shootout Pole At Draw Party

    Dale Earnhardt Jr. Grabs Bud Shootout Pole At Draw Party

    Lately it seemed when Dale Earnhardt Jr. went to pick his spot, he’d always get a crappy starting position – like 20th. This year was different as he drew the pole for Saturday night’s Budweiser Shootout at the Draw Party.

    [media-credit name=”David Yeazell” align=”alignleft” width=”225″][/media-credit]”I’ve been in this race a lot and I’ve never started from the pole,” he said. “Hopefully I can find out who starts third and am good friends with them.”

    Before he peeled his label off, he predicted it’d to be first.

    “You knew it, didn’t you?” Kenny Wallace asked him.

    “I did,” Earnhardt responded. “We’re good.”

    Sporting a clean look this year instead of the beard, Earnhardt cited it being due to the sponsors not allowing it.

    “My sister got smart and has photo shoots every three weeks so I can’t grow it,” he said.

    Starting on the outside of the front row will be one of Earnhardt’s best drafting partners in the past – Tony Stewart. Instead of his starting position being talked about the most, the talk surrounded his incident in Australia, where he stated that he didn’t hit the guy with the helmet like rumor said, and him losing weight.

    “You know you’re famous when the biggest story of the winter time is Tony loses weight,” Kenny commented.

    “Its kind of scary when one guy talks about another guy’s weight,” Stewart said near the end of their conversation. “If I didn’t know your wife, I’d be scared.”

    Drawing the fourth spot was Denny Hamlin, who was quite content with what he got.

    “Actually, wouldn’t want to be anywhere else,” Hamlin said.

    After coming so close last year, Hamlin comes into the new season ready to challenge, with new backing from Michael Jordan.

    “Its a good business deal for the both of us,” he said, of the deal. “Its a big deal for myself to be the first Jordan branded athlete in racing.”

    The fifth starting spot came to equal irony as it would be Kasey Kahne, who is set to drive that number in 2012.

    “I think we’re going to learn a lot for the duels and the 500 next week,” Kahne said.

    Rounding out the top 10 was Bobby Labonte, Clint Bowyer, Ryan Newman, Derrike Cope and Michael Waltrip.

    While the focus was on determining where everybody would start, the discussions were a little all over the place as Kenny Wallace and Steve Byrns hosted the event.

    Kyle Busch, who will start 21st, spoke off his wedding to Samantha that took place on New Year’s Eve in Chicago.

    “I do got some extra weight on my hand, but we’re drinking strictly bottled water as there’s lots going on here,” he joked. “We both had a great time. The wedding was awesome. We had a wonderful opportunity to get our friends out there to celebrate – 300 of them.”

    Jeff Burton and Jeff Gordon joked about their little feud that they had at Texas.

    “Ah yeah, we’re buddies,” Gordon responded when Wallace asked him if they spent thanksgiving together. “We’ve been hanging out all off-season long……..I think its funny how every place we go, they put us next to each other to try to start something.”

    “My daughter said when I got home, she said she’d kick his ass,” Burton said.

    They will start the Budweiser Shootout near each other as Gordon got 12th while Burton got 15th.

    Besides the feud, Burton also spoke of the busy off-season he had.

    “We did a lot of racing, more racing than normal,” Burton said. “I’m a car owner and I’m a crew chief.”

    20th may not be the number that must drivers want, but Mark Martin was plenty happy with it.

    “I got some great race fans and one of my fanss said to get this one,” he said. “This is just where I wanted to start so this is no problem.”

    Last year’s Daytona 500 winner Jamie McMurray said that last year was a really good year for him and he spent the off-season with his new baby, Carter.

    “We had a baby – on Thanksgiving day,” he said, before choosing 14th. “We’ve had a really good off-season. it was nice that we had carter right when the season was over so we got to stay with him.”

    Kevin Harvick, who is going for his third Budweiser Shootout in a row, spoke of his latest experiences with Budweiser.

    “I went with Budweiser and anywhere you go with Budweiser, you can’t help but have a good time,” he said before drawing 18th. “I got to go the Superbowl, NHL All-Star game and drink beer. We got to go to the headquarters in St. Louis and got to drank really good beer.”

    Starting Lineup      

    1.         Dale Earnhardt Jr.

    2.         Tony Stewart

    3.         Carl Edwards

    4.         Denny Hamlin

    5.         Kasey Kahne

    6.         Bobby Labonte

    7.         Clint Bowyer

    8.         Ryan Newman

    9.         Derrike Cope

    10.       Michael Waltrip

    11.       Greg Biffle

    12.       Jeff Gordon

    13.       Juan Montoya

    14.       Jamie McMurray

    15.       Jeff Burton

    16.       Kevin Conway

    17.       Kurt Busch

    18.       Kevin Harvick

    19.       Matt Kenseth

    20.       Mark Martin

    21.       Kyle Busch

    22.       Joey Logano

    23.       Jimmie Johnson

    24.       Regan Smith

    To see more articles by Ashley McCubbin and live updates from the weekend, check out http://newsfromthepits.blogspot.com/

  • Team Chevy Comments on Fuel Injection

    NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES

    2011 DAYTONA SPEEDWEEKS

    DAYTONA INTERNATIOINAL SPEEDWAY

    TEAM CHEVY COMMENTS ON FUEL INJECTION

    February 11, 2011

    Following NASCAR’s announcement today regarding the partnership with Freescale Semiconductor and McLaren Electronic Systems to develop and integrate fuel injection systems into the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series for the 2012 season, Chevrolet and key partner Earnhardt Childress Racing (ECR)/Richard Childress Racing (RCR) issued the following statements:

    Statement by Jim Campbell, U.S. Vice President of Performance Vehicles and Motorsports: “We are pleased to see NASCAR’s announcement regarding the incorporation of fuel injection in 2012. One of our key priorities at Chevrolet is to incorporate relevant technologies into our race cars that link to our production cars. Now, our focus is to work with NASCAR, our teams and engineers to prepare for the implementation of fuel injection targeting 2012.”

    Statement by Danny Lawrence, ECR Trackside Manager: “We’ve been working on a number of different fuel injection units at ECR to be prepared in every direction when NASCAR announced its decision. We’ve had success with our current fuel injection system in the Grand-Am Series Daytona Prototype division, as recently as last month at the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona. ECR has been working closely with General Motors, which is known to have the best systems out there, so now that NASCAR has announced its decision, we’re ready to start hammering on it. RCR/ECR was fortunate enough to earn the first wins ever with the Chevrolet SB2 engine and the R07 engine so our goal is to keep that ‘first’ streak alive with our fuel injected Chevrolet.”

    Note: Team Chevy press releases, high-resolution images, and media kit can be downloaded from the Team Chevy media website:

    About Chevrolet: Founded in Detroit in 1911, Chevrolet celebrates its centennial as a global automotive brand with annual sales of about 4.25 million vehicles in more than 140 countries. Chevrolet provides consumers with fuel-efficient, safe and reliable vehicles that deliver high quality, expressive design, spirited performance and value. The Chevrolet portfolio includes iconic performance cars such as Corvette and Camaro; dependable, long-lasting pickups and SUVs such as Silverado and Suburban; and award-winning passenger cars and crossovers such as Spark, Cruze, Malibu, Equinox and Traverse. Chevrolet also offers “gas-friendly to gas-free” solutions including Cruze Eco and Volt. Cruze Eco offers 42 mpg highway while Volt offers 35 miles of electric, gasoline-free driving and an additional 344 miles of extended range. Most new Chevrolet models offer OnStar safety, security and convenience technologies including OnStar Hands-Free Calling, Automatic Crash Response and Stolen Vehicle Slowdown. More information regarding Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com ce5&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.chevrolet.com%2f> .