Category: NASCAR Cup Series

WELCOME, N.C. (February 9, 2011) – ODYSSEY^® battery by EnerSys^® and Richard Childress Racing have renewed and expanded their multi-year partnership agreement for ODYSSEY battery to continue as a Technical Partner of Richard Childress Racing.

ODYSSEY will also become an associate sponsor of the No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolets driven by Kevin Harvick. The expanded technical partnership continues a relationship that began in 2009.

“Building on our success as a Technical Partner with RCR, we are pleased to strengthen our partnership,” said Don McMillan, senior director of marketing and operations for EnerSys.   “ODYSSEY batteries will continue to provide RCR reliable power and performance under the extreme conditions of NASCAR racing.”

ODYSSEY batteries are manufactured by EnerSys Energy Products, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of EnerSys. EnerSys is a global leader in stored energy solutions for automotive, military and industrial applications, with manufacturing facilities in 17 countries, sales and service locations throughout the world, and over 100 years of battery experience. EnerSys is a powerful partner for automotive, marine, heavy duty equipment and powersports service and parts providers. ODYSSEY batteries are manufactured to strict quality standards in two facilities globally: Warrensburg, Missouri USA and Newport, Wales United Kingdom

“EnerSys, through its ODYSSEY Battery brand, provides RCR and ECR with the power, performance and dependability necessary for our race cars to perform at their peak,” said Ben Schlosser, RCR’s senior vice president, business operations. “We’re proud of our technical partnership with EnerSys and look forward to building on the success we’ve achieved together the past two seasons. They have been able to demonstrate the performance of their batteries through RCR’s on-track performance – and communicate that story to their retail partners and consumers.”

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About ODYSSEY Battery

ODYSSEY Batteries by EnerSys® deliver the extreme power that racing enthusiasts demand and EnerSys guarantees longer service life to save time and money. The 5-second cranking power of ODYSSEY batteries is double to triple that of conventional batteries! In addition, the ODYSSEY battery’s sealed drycell construction makes it safe, explosion proof, leak proof and it can be mounted in any position (except inverted). Its rugged construction also offers improved vibration resistance and durability. For more information or to locate a dealer, visit www.odysseybattery.com.

ODYSSEY Battery and RCR:

ODYSSEY Battery is an “Official Technical Partner” of RCR since 2009. RCR has put ODYSSEY batteries through extensive testing and has made the decision to use the batteries in all of their competition cars as well as their fleet of trucks and vans. The No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet Impala SS will display the ODYSSEY Battery logo throughout the 2011 season. ODYSSEY Battery is proud to be a partner with the winning tradition of RCR Racing.

About Richard Childress Racing

Richard Childress Racing has earned more than 190 victories and 12 NASCAR championships, including six in the Sprint Cup Series with the legendary Dale Earnhardt. RCR was the first organization to win championships in the Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series. Its 2011 Sprint Cup Series lineup includes Paul Menard (No. 27 Menard’s Chevrolet), Kevin Harvick (No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet), Jeff Burton (No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet) and Clint Bowyer (No. 33 Cheerios/Hamburger Helper Chevrolet). Its Camping World Truck Series program includes 2010 Rookie of the Year Austin Dillon (No. 3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet) and Joey Coulter, Jr. (No. 22 RCR Development Chevrolet). Tim George Jr. (No 31 RCR Development Chevrolet) and Ty Dillon (No. 41 Chevrolet) will compete in the 2011 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards.

CORNELIUS, N.C. (February 8, 2011) – Standing front and center during JTG Daugherty Racing’s team meeting, Bobby Labonte shared his beliefs on what it takes to win a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship.

Labonte based his dissertation on winning the 2000 championship and made sure his new team understood that it is not just about winning races and a championship, but the journey itself to get to that point. The 21-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series winner embarks upon a new journey with JTG Daugherty Racing when he straps into the No. 47 Kroger Toyota for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday, February 20th.

“You have to remember to enjoy the journey,” Labonte told his team. “That’s something that I wish I would have done a better job of when I won the championship in 2000 with Joe Gibbs Racing. I remember coming home after winning the championship and calling people to go celebrate, but everything was back to normal. Not long after, Mr. Gibbs told me that it’s not just about winning a championship, but it’s about the journey that gets you there. The same thing applies to winning our first race together. We have to have communication, focus and passion. The performance will come with that. We need to remember to enjoy it each step of the way.”

Labonte has won some significant races on the circuit like the Brickyard 400 and Coca-Cola 600 for instance, but a Harley J. Earl Daytona 500 trophy is missing from his case. He came so close in 1998 battling the late Dale Earnhardt crossing the finish line second. 

“I’ve finished second there, finished in the top-five a few times, won the pole, won a Gatorade Twin 125 (1999) and I even ran my first go-kart race there when I was 16,” Labonte said with a smile. “For me, it would mean a lot to win. I have been fortunate enough to win some big races, but that’s the one that is missing. It would be really cool to have that trophy.”

Before the Daytona 500, Labonte leads JTG Daugherty Racing into their first-ever Budweiser Shootout. It was recently announced that Reese Towpower® will sponsor the No. 47 Toyota for the 33rd annual event on Saturday, February 12.

“We have Reese Towpower® on our Toyota Camry for the Bud Shootout, which I enjoy running because it’s a great race,” Labonte said. “It gets you warmed up and ready to go for the rest of Speedweeks.”

The 75-lap event will give Labonte a glimpse of what to expect of the newly paved 2.5-mile tri-oval. Labonte and his No. 47 team were one of the first teams to try out the new surface during a Goodyear tire test in December at the “World Center of Racing.”

“It’s going to be more of hooking up with the right person, getting pushed at the right time, being in the right lane at the right time and be more of a chess match than a handling situation,” Labonte said. “The new asphalt will take the handling character out of the track that has been there ever since I have been going there. It’s not going to come down to handling like in the past.”

This weekend FOX will air the Budweiser Shootout on Saturday, February 12th at 8 p.m. ET. The next day, Daytona 500 qualifying presented by Kroger starts at 1 p.m. ET on FOX. Then the Gatorade Duel 150-mile qualifying races on Thursday, February 17th to determine the starting lineup for the Daytona 500 airs on SPEED Channel beginning at 2 p.m. ET. Live pre-race coverage of the Daytona 500 begins Sunday, February 20th at noon ET on FOX with the race following approximately one hour later. Check local listings for practice times as well as other NASCAR programming leading up to the Daytona 500.

ST. PAUL, MN (February 8, 2011) – The Daytona 500 is only days away, and the No. 16 3M team is hard at work getting their Ford Fusion ready to race.  Driver Greg Biffle and the 3M team are taking a few minutes away from their race preparations to offer fans a few tips on how to prepare their street-legal vehicles for the racing season.

Rev Up the Horsepower – Out-racing the competition requires great horsepower from the Ford engine.  While the No. 16 3M Ford’s 800-horsepower racing engine is finely tuned to produce high RPMs and last for hundreds of miles at high speeds, passenger vehicle engines also need regular attention to perform.

Biffle’s expectations for the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup season are simple — to win the title. “I want to win a bunch of races and win the title,” he said.

“You can improve your horsepower with some simple projects in your driveway that require only a few tools,” said Greg Biffle, driver of the No. 16 3M Ford Fusion.  “Carbon and resin buildup in a car’s fuel system reduces horsepower and fuel efficiency.  You can clean the entire fuel system with the Do-It-Yourself Fuel System Tune-Up Kit from 3M.  With just one tool and 45 minutes, it cleans the engine, fuel injectors, intake manifold, intake valves, combustion chambers and throttle plate with the same trusted 3M products used by automotive professionals.  Keeping the fuel system clean helps maximize the engine’s performance, extend the life of the engine and improve mileage.”

Ditch the Dents – Racing sometimes means “rubbin’,” which can leave dents, dings and wheel marks in the wake.  That’s especially true at Daytona, where close racing can produce spectacular crashes. The No. 16 3M team’s body expert, Mike “Bondo” Wright, is known for putting things back right where they belong after an accident.  The secret to his success? Bondo® Body Filler from 3M to smooth dents, adjust car lines to meet tight specifications and fill gaps to improve aerodynamics.

“Anyone who’s ever patched drywall or fixed a piece of furniture with wood filler can fix small dents on their car,” said Wright.  “Now, Bondo® offers complete kits with everything you need to sand the dent and prepare the surface, mix the Bondo® Body filler and hardener, and perfectly repair the dented area, ready for paint.”

Get a New Paint Scheme – It’s always exciting to kick off the season with a new paint scheme and fresh look to everything.  This year, the No. 16 3M Ford Fusion will be sporting several special looks throughout the year for different 3M brands and the American Red Cross.

“You can give your car a fresh new look for 2011, too, without the expense of an entire paint job,” said Biffle.  “The new Paint Restoration System from 3M contains everything needed to bring a vehicle’s paint back to “like-new” condition.  Each system includes Scratch Remover Plus, Shine Restorer and Synthetic Wax Protectant, all from 3M.  It also includes a patented scratch eraser pad and three levels of foam pads needed to deliver a great finish.  The only tool a consumer needs for the job is a 6-inch polisher, available at automotive and home improvement stores.  In an afternoon, you can create an entirely new paint scheme for your car!”

Don’t Forget the Headlights – While the headlights on the No. 16 3M car are merely decals and don’t work, the team does spend a lot of time making sure the car is visible under the lights of Daytona.  They use reflective paint, decals and specially designed numbers to ensure the spotter, competitors and fans can see the car on the track.

“You can improve your visibility on the road, too, by improving your headlights and checking the visibility of your car on the road,” said Biffle.  “Every fan needs to do a vehicle visibility safety check on their car before the season starts, from the mirrors to the tail lights to the headlights. For tips, visit www.3MCarCare.com.  If the plastic lenses are hazed and cloudy, use the Lens Renewal Kit from 3M to restore lenses to crystal-clear condition.  It will make you more visible on the road and improve your safety.”

Make It Shine – A driver never wants to take the green flag with TV cameras rolling and not have their car look its best.  The No. 16 3M team takes great pride in keeping the Ford Fusion shining and in perfect condition from bumper to bumper.  Not only does this shiny exterior look great, it also helps reduce drag on aero-focused tracks like Daytona.

“Making your own car look ‘showroom shiny’ is easy with 3M Car Care products,” offered Biffle.  “Give it a good bath with Car Wash Soap from 3M to remove dirt and grime without removing wax protection. Remove scratches with One Step Cleaner Wax from 3M to reduce swirl marks and scuffs in the paint and gradually brings back a high-polish finish in one easy step.  For deeper scratches use Scratch Remover from 3M to actually remove surface scratches quickly and easily.  Finally, give the car a good protective coat of Performance Finish Synthetic Wax from 3M which chemically bonds with clear coat finishes and keeps the car’s finish looking good through up to 50 washes.”

So while the No. 16 3M team is practicing for the Daytona 500 on Saturday, fans can get their cars ready to race in their own driveways.  By the time the Daytona 500 green flag drops, their cars will be looking great and they’ll be ready to race. 

About 3M
A recognized leader in research and development, 3M produces thousands of innovative products for dozens of diverse markets. 3M’s core strength is applying its more than 40 distinct technology platforms – often in combination – to a wide array of customer needs. With $23 billion in sales, 3M employs 75,000 people worldwide and has operations in more than 65 countries. For more information, visit www.3M.com or follow @3MNews on Twitter.

3M is a trademark of 3M Company.

Matt Kenseth – NSCS ADVANCE

Team:           No. 17 Crown Royal Black Ford Fusion

Crew Chief:  Jimmy Fennig

Chassis:       Primary: RK-719 (Brand new chassis)

Kenseth NSCS record in the Budweiser Shootout event at Daytona Int’l Speedway:

Date           Event                                 S      F     Laps        Status            Earnings

2/08/03       Budweiser Shootout              5      3     70/70        Running         $55,000

2/12/06       Budweiser Shootout             16     6     72/72        Running         $48,377

2/07/09       Budweiser Shootout             25     8     78/78        Running         $45,000

2/06/10       Budweiser Shootout              8     16    74/76        Crash            $34,834

                        Races    Wins    Top 5s      Top 10s        Poles        Earnings

Cumulative          4            0          1                3                0             $183,211

 

 

Kenseth on racing in the Budweiser Shootout at Daytona:

“We had the chance to get on track at Daytona twice during the off-season with a tire test as well as NASCAR’s test in January and we have a lot more grip with the new track surface.  In the past, handling was one of the main points we’d focus on for Daytona, but now with the new surface, I really think it’s going to make for extremely exciting racing.  I think we definitely have what it takes to be contenders this season and I’m just looking forward to getting back onto the track to start this season with our Crown Royal team.  The Shootout should be a lot of fun Saturday night for both drivers and the fans.”

Crew chief Jimmy Fennig on racing in the Budweiser Shootout at Daytona:

“The Shootout should be an exciting race this year with a lot of good racing because the new track surface really takes away the problems of handling drivers had experienced in the past.  The Shootout is always an advantage to get cars into race trim before the rest of the field for the Daytona 500 has that chance.  Goodyear put together a really great tire for Daytona this year, and we found that after our testing last month, it really doesn’t seem to wear off that much which is always good.  I’m ready to get down to Daytona, unload our cars for the Shootout this weekend, and get the year started.”

FAST FACTS:

•        Kenseth’s best finish at Daytona for the Shootout is third, which he accomplished in 2003 during his first Shootout race

•        Kenseth has achieved one top-five finish and three top-10 finishes in his four career Budweiser Shootout starts

•        Kenseth has completed 99 percent of the Shootout laps he has attempted (294 of 296 laps)

•        This weekend at Daytona, Kenseth will pilot the No. 17 Crown Royal Black Ford Fusion

Carl Edwards – NSCS SHOOTOUT ADVANCE

Team:           No. 99 Scotts Ford Fusion

Crew Chief:   Bob Osborne

Chassis:       RK-677   Finished 9^th in the 2010 Daytona 500

Edwards, NSCS Shootout at Daytona International Speedway :

Date        Event                        S       F       Laps       Led       Status            Money

2-6-10       Budweiser Shootout  1       17      74/76      42       Accident         $32,834

2-7-09       Budweiser Shootout 11       7       78/78      11       Running          $47,000

2-9-08       Budweiser Shootout 20      12       70/70       1       Running          $42,000

2-12-06     Budweiser Shootout 11      16       72/72        0       Running          $36,377

                           Races         Wins    Top-5s     Top-10s      Poles      Led        Money          

Cumulative             4                0          0              1               1           54          $158,211

 

 

QUOTES

Carl Edwards on racing in the Shootout at Daytona International Speedway :

“With the new surface the Shootout is going to be a really important race to be able to go no holds barred and find out the most you can about the race track and the way the cars are going to race for the 500.  It’s a fun race and I’m going to go win it if I can, and I’m excited to kick off the season with a fun race like that.”

Crew chief Bob Osborne on racing at Daytona International Speedway :

“The Shootout is a good test to help us prepare for the Duels and the 500.  Generally the set-up is very close to what we run in both races, and it gives us a chance to see what the new surface is like in race conditions.  It’s also a good warm-up for the pit crew.  We’ve got one new guy (front tire carrier) going over the wall this year and a new fueling system, so it gives everyone a chance to work together for the first time under race conditions.  I’m hoping to pick up where we left off last season.”

FAST FACTS

• CARL EDWARDS will make his fifth start in the Budweiser Shootout Saturday night.  His best finish to date is seventh in 2009.  He has led 54 laps in his previous four starts.
• 2010 STATS…Last season Edwards accumulated two wins, nine top-five, 19 top-10 finishes and three poles. He led 427 laps of competition to finish fourth in the Sprint Cup point standings.
• FOR THE RECORD…Edwards’ average start at Daytona International Speedway is 17.6, his average finish is 17.7.  Edwards’ best finish at Daytona is second place, captured in July 2008.  His best finish in the Daytona 500 is ninth in last year’s race.
• ON THE TRACK…The No. 99 will carry the Scotts EZ Seed colors Saturday for the Budweiser Shootout, the first of six races for Scotts as the primary sponsor. The No. 99 crew will unload RK-677 for the Shootout.  This car finished ninth in the Daytona 500 last year.
• REWIND, SHOOTOUT, 2010… Edwards kicked off the 2010 Sprint Cup season the right way in the Budweiser Shootout leading 42 of 76 laps from the pole, but in the end was caught up in a multi-car accident coming to the white flag to finish 17^th.

   

2011 No. 99 Aflac Racing Team

 

Name                                       Duties                                         Hometown

Jim Bender                               Tire specialist                               Duryea , Penn.

Kevin Brucher                            Engineer                                      Callicoon, N.Y.

Jerel Dawson                            Fuel runner                                   Danielsville , Ga.

Steve Dietrich                           Mechanic                                     Nipomo, Calif.

Craig Derian                              Engineer

Jody Fortson                            Rear tire carrier                             China Grove , N.C.

Wade Hanna                             2^nd gas can                                   Lansing , Mich.

Jason Hedlesky                         Spotter                                        Clinton, Mich.

Doug Impsen                            Engine/7^th man                             Pequannock , N.J.

Adam Jordan                            Suspension                                  Timberville, Va.

Joe Karasinski                           Gas man                                      Spotswood , N.J.

Dennis Killian                            Jack man                                     Wentzville , Mo.          

Pierre Kuettel                            Car chief                                      Phoenix , Ariz.

Justin Meador                           Mechanic                                     Bedford, Va.

Chris Miko                                 Truck driver                                  Bronx , N.Y.

Steve Mitchell                           Co-truck driver                              Woodville , Ohio

Dwayne Ogles                           Rear tire changer                          Hoover , Ala.

Bob Osborne                            Crew chief                                    Chester , Penn.

Caleb Sparks                            Pit support                                   Greensboro , N.C.

Dave Stillman                            Shock specialist                           Appleton, Wisc.

Alan Troutman                           Front tire carrier                           China Grove , N.C.

Kale Uphoff                              Front tire changer                          McFarland, Wisc.