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Category: NASCAR Cup Series

NASCAR Cup Series

  • MIS offering great 2011 packages for groups of 10 or more

    Speedway announces staff promotions, hirings to accommodate group sales

    BROOKLYN, Mich. (Oct. 6, 2010) ­— For companies and businesses looking for an experience like no other for their employees or clients, Michigan International Speedway is offering great pricing for groups of 10 or more for the 2011 race season.

    Recognizing that group sales is important to businesses at all levels regionally and nationally, MIS has announced various staff promotions and hirings within the ticket department to accommodate and focus on group sales packages.

    Information about group sales packages can be found at MISpeedway.com or by calling 517-592-1134.

    “We have seen the demand for group sales increase over the last couple of years, so it only makes sense to offer even better packages for businesses, companies or large groups of race fans, for the 2011 season,” MIS Director of Ticketing Linda Wyne said. “These staff changes will help us in these efforts to provide groups a wonderful experience while they attend a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race weekend at MIS this summer.”

    Rob Hemmig, a ticket agent for MIS since 2008, has been promoted to group sales manager effective immediately. Hemmig will oversee all group sales efforts for the speedway, including working with companies human resources departments to offer group tickets to their respective employees or cliental.

    Hemmig holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Siena Heights University in Adrian, Mich. He was a four-year baseball player for the Saints and served as an assistant coach for the team while completing his master’s degree. Hemmig and his wife, Joy, reside in Adrian.

    Additionally, the speedway has announced the hiring of Sean Nowaczyk and Ian Kirkpatrick. Nowaczyk will work with Hemmig in group sales as well as overseeing the track’s mobile ticket office. Originally from Brighton, Mich., Nowaczyk completed his bachelor’s degree from Siena Heights last summer while interning in the speedway’s ticket office.

    Nowaczyk replaces former MTO coordinator Chris Lykins, who now handles the speedway’s marketing efforts as a consumer marketing specialist. Lykins will be responsible for the track’s Fan Appreciation Program, upcoming Kids Club and other marketing efforts. A graduate of Bowling Green State University, Lykins was the mobile ticket office coordinator for six years. The Adrian, Mich. resident is a native of West Chester, Ohio, a suburb of Cincinnati.

    Kirkpatrick joins the MIS staff after serving in the ticket office for Richmond International Raceway since 2008. Kirkpatrick, originally from Hillsdale, Mich., was a ticketing intern for MIS in 2007 and is a ticket agent effective immediately. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Siena Heights University.

    Nestled in the lush Irish Hills of Southeastern Michigan, Michigan International Speedway is the Great Escape, a venerable NASCAR national park where fans can get away and enjoy the very best in racing and camaraderie. It’s the love of racing and the thrill of a great time for race fans and drivers alike.

    The best, guaranteed lowest prices in 2011 will go to renewal customers and new customers who make a $30 goodwill deposit. Renewals are under way for 2010 ticket holders. New customers can log onto www.MISpeedway.com or call 800-354-1010 to leave a deposit. That deposit ensures race fans get the best pricing for 2011.

    Michigan International Speedway – 2011 Schedule

    Friday, June 17 ARCA Racing Series

    Saturday, June 18 NASCAR Nationwide Series

    Sunday, June 19 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips 400

    Friday, Aug. 19 Gatorade Pole Day

    Saturday, Aug. 20 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series VFW 200

    Sunday, Aug. 21 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series

  • Carl Edwards & Crew Help Unveil New Aflac Wingman Bead of Courage

    Carl and Crew to Wear Beads of Courage to Honor Kids with Serious Illnesses like Cancer

    COLUMBUS, GA – (October 6) – This Sunday, October 10, NASCAR driver Carl Edwards and his crew will unveil a special new Aflac Duck Wingman Bead of Courage to show kids with serious illnesses like cancer that they are not alone in their fight against the disease. The new bead is part of the Aflac Duck’s 10th birthday celebration, as the Aflac Duck shares his birthday wish for people across the nation to help give kids facing cancer renewed strength and a reason to smile.

    At a press conference scheduled for Friday, October 8, at Auto Club Speedway, Carl will be joined by the Aflac Duck and seven year-old Nolan Blake of Griffin, Ga., a cancer survivor and avid NASCAR fan and recipient of hundreds of courage beads. Nolan will be joined by his mother Brittany and Jean Baruch, Founder of Beads of Courage, a nonprofit, international organization that provides arts in medicine programs for children to help support and strengthen them as they cope with serious illness.

    Building on a long-standing commitment to pediatric cancer research and treatment through Aflac’s association with the Aflac Cancer Center in Atlanta, the Aflac Duck is issuing a Duck Call to Action to encourage people to engage in the fight against pediatric cancer. Aflac has teamed with Arizona-based Beads of Courage, Inc., to create a new Aflac Duck Wingman bead that can be purchased and sent to a courageous child with cancer. Through Beads of Courage children chronicle their unique stories using beads that commemorate milestones and procedures during their treatment for cancer. Beads of Courage, Inc. is affiliated with more than 70 hospitals across the United States, including the Aflac Cancer Center.

    The Aflac Duck is inviting NASCAR fans to go to aflacracing.com and click on the Beads of Courage logo to purchase an Aflac Duck Wingman bead for a child with cancer for only $5. For $25, donors can purchase beads for five children and receive one of their own. Purchasers can select the region of the country where they would like their bead to be sent with a portion of their donation going to Beads of Courage® to help provide and maintain the program in hospitals across the country.

    “When I visit the Aflac Cancer Center I am moved by the courage of these heroic children,” Edwards said. “My personal experience with beads of courage inspired me; so I am proud to be a part of this program.”

    Aflac Foundation President Kathelen Amos said, “In the same spirit that Aflac policies provide security for policyholders, keeping them under our wing; we envision the Aflac Duck bead symbolizing courage while being the wingman for children at the Aflac Cancer Center and facilities across the country.”

    Race fans will also be treated to a special visit from the Aflac Duck on October 10th, the first time the Aflac Duck has attended a NASCAR race.

     “That loveable Aflac Duck inspires smiles in children,” said Jean Baruch, RN, BSN, executive director and founder of Beads of Courage, Inc. “Our long-standing relationship with the Aflac Cancer Center, the immense strength of the Aflac Duck’s image, and Aflac’s commitment to pediatric cancer treatment and research gives me great confidence that this program will be a tremendous success in helping more kids cope with serious illnesses.”

    Edwards and his pit crew will also wear a special Beads of Courage necklace like the ones worn by Nolan at the Aflac Cancer Center in Atlanta. The Aflac Ford Fusion will sport the Beads of Courage logo during the Sprint Cup race televised nationally on ESPN as part of the Aflac Duck’s 10th birthday wish for people across the nation to help give kids facing cancer renewed strength.

    About Aflac

    When a policyholder gets sick or hurt, Aflac pays cash benefits fast. For 55 years, Aflac products have given policyholders the opportunity to focus on recovery, not financial stress. In the United States, Aflac is the number one provider of guaranteed-renewable insurance. In Japan, Aflac is the number one insurance company in terms of individual insurance policies in force. Aflac insurance products provide protection to more than 50 million people worldwide. Aflac has been recognized by Ethisphere magazine as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for four consecutive years and has been named by the Reputation Institute as the Most Reputable Company in the Global Insurance Industry for two consecutive years. In 2010, Fortune magazine recognized Aflac as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America for the twelfth consecutive year. In addition, Fortune magazine ranked Aflac No. 1 on its global list of the Most Admired Companies in the Life and Health Insurance category. Aflac was also named by Forbes magazine as America’s Best-Managed Company in the Insurance category. Aflac Incorporated is a Fortune 500 company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AFL. To find out more about Aflac, visit aflac.com.

     

    About Beads of Courage

    Beads of Courage is a nonprofit organization, based in Tucson, Ariz., focused on arts-in-medicine programs geared toward helping children cope with serious illnesses. Patients are given beads to represent significant treatment milestones during their journey. Beads of Courage programs have helped thousands of children and their families at over 60 hospitals. More information is available at beadsofcourage.org.

    About the Aflac Cancer Center and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

    Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, a not-for-profit organization, is committed to enhancing the lives of children through excellence in patient care, research and education. Managing more than half a million patient visits annually at three hospitals and 16 neighborhood locations, Children’s is one of the largest clinical care providers for children in the country. Children’s offers access to more than 30 pediatric specialties and is ranked among the top children’s hospitals by Parents magazine and U.S. News & World Report. With generous philanthropic and volunteer support, Children’s has made an impact on the lives of children in Georgia, the United States and throughout the world. Visit choa.org for more information.

    About Roush Fenway Racing

    Roush Fenway Racing is NASCAR’s largest team operating nine motorsports teams.  Four in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with drivers Matt Kenseth, Greg Biffle, Carl Edwards and David Ragan; and five in the Nationwide Series with Edwards, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Trevor Bayne, Colin Braun, Brian Ickler and Paul Menard.  For more information on any of the Roush Fenway Racing teams, log onto www.RoushFenway.com.  Become a fan of Roush Fenway Racing on Facebook by going to http://www.facebook.com/roushfenway and follow us on Twitter @roushfenway.  For sponsorship inquiries please contact Robin Johnson at 704.720.4645.

    About Nolan Blake

    Nolan was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2008. A seven year old from Griffin, Ga., Nolan has four brothers and sisters. Nolan’s treatment has involved both high doses of chemo and radiation.  Through all of this, Nolan works to see the positive in his treatment.  He recently had his port removed and asked his surgeon if he could have it back so he could string it on his bead necklace.

  • FEDEX RACING EXPRESS FACTS – AUTO CLUB SPEEDWAY

    RACE INFO:

    Event: Pepsi 400

    Date/Time: Oct. 10, 2010/3 p.m. EST

    2009 winner: Jimmie Johnson

    2009 polesitter: Denny Hamlin

    Distance: 200 laps/400 miles

    Track Length: 2.0 miles

    Banking: 14 degrees

    Track Shape: Oval

    EXPRESS NOTES:

    Hamlin, FedEx Racing Keep Pace at Kansas: Four previous Chase for the Sprint Cup efforts have taught Denny Hamlin and the #11 FedEx Racing teams some valuable lessons about strategy, patience and overcoming obstacles when it comes to the ten-race shootout. Hamlin, now chasing for the fifth time in his career, pointed to New Hampshire, Dover and Kansas as a three races he absolutely needed to get through unscathed and, even though the FedEx team endured a trying day on their way to a 12th place finish Sunday in the Price Chopper 400 at Kansas Speedway, their position in the Chase makes their efforts worthwhile. Hamlin and team head to Auto Club Speedway next weekend sitting second in the Chase standings – trailing leader Jimmie Johnson by only eight points.

    Hamlin at Auto Club Speedway: This weekend will mark Hamlin’s tenth-career Cup start at the two-mile track in Fontana and his 181st career Cup Series start. Earlier this spring, despite a fuel strategy that nearly had him in perfect position to challenge for the win, two cut tires over the final 30 laps relegated Hamlin to a bitterly disappointing 29th place finish. Last fall, Hamlin led the field to the green from the pole and then led 21 laps before his day ended agonizingly early. Hamlin, leading on a lap 190 restart, clipped the left rear of his car on Juan Pablo Montoya’s car and spun into the end of the infield pit wall. The wreck ended Hamlin’s afternoon and put a severe dent in his 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship aspirations. In the spring of 2009, Hamlin’s late surge into the top-ten and subsequent sixth-place finish had the team moving up the points list into 15th-place heading to Las Vegas. Hamlin fought an ill-handling car for much of the race but persevered as the FedEx crew worked through myriad changes on pit road. Great pit stops on laps 169 and 209 earned Hamlin places on pit road that set him up in fourth for the final restart on lap 215. As the laps counted down Hamlin could do little to hold the fourth spot and ultimately slipped back to sixth at the checkered flag. In the fall of 2008 Hamlin and the #11 FedEx Racing team registered a best-ever third-place finish at Auto Club to propel them into the 2008 Chase. In the spring of 2008 Hamlin was forced from the rain delayed Monday-afternoon race early when he hit water seeping through the track on lap 15 of the event and was sent sailing into the turn two wall. Despite making considerable repairs, the damage was done and Hamlin was scored in 41st place. In the fall 2007 race a cut tire under caution late in the race spoiled what was otherwise a promising day for the FedEx team and led to a 19th-place finish. In the spring of 2006, Hamlin had a very competitive car and ran as high as third place before handling issues caused him to fade late in the race and take the checkered in 11th. During his rookie campaign, Hamlin posted finishes of sixth and 12th and led 29 laps in the fall edition – the only laps he led until the fall of 2009.

    Race Series Date Start Finish Laps (Led)

    Auto Club 400 Sprint Cup Fe b. 21, 2009 29 25 248/250 6

    Pepsi 500 Sprint Cup Oct. 11, 2009 1 37 195/250 21

    Auto Club 500 Sprint Cup Feb. 22, 2009 23 6 250/250

    Auto Club 500 Sprint Cup Feb. 25, 2008 12 41 193/250

    Pepsi 500 Sprint Cup Aug. 31, 2008 21 3 250/250

    Sharp Aquos 500 Nextel Cup Sept. 2, 2007 9 19 249/250

    Auto Club 500 Nextel Cup Feb. 25, 2007 17 11 250/250

    Sony HD 500 Nextel Cup Sept. 3, 2006 8 6 250/250 29

    Auto Club 500 Nextel Cup Feb. 26, 2006 5 12 250/250

    Averages/Totals 13.4 18.2 94.9% 56

    Auto Club Chassis – JGR 276 and 270: The team will unload JGR 276 at Auto Club this weekend. This car won at Richmond in September. JGR 270, which won at Texas in April, will serve as the backup.

    FedEx Office Ohio Market Along for the Ride in Auto Club: The #11 FedEx Office Camry will carry the number 7363 on the B-posts this weekend in recognition of the FedEx Office Ohio market sales team. The Ohio team is being recognized for excellence in customer service and partnership between the sales team and in-store staff.

    HAMLIN CONVERSATION – Auto Club Speedway:

    Kansas was a frustrating race but you remain right in the thick of the Chase – What’s is going to take to beat the 48?: “We definitely wanted to run better at Kansas so that was frustrating for sure but I am not surprised at how tight this Chase is. There is no room for error and we can’t worry about what any of the other teams are doing. This is the time of the year – and we have known this all season and been preparing for it – when you have to be at your absolute best. Every team is bringing their best equipment and it’s all about improving as much or more than the competition. We had a lead coming into the Chase but that was never anything to rely on. Now it’s back to zero and we know what we have to do starting this week in California.”

    Last fall you sat on the pole here and had a good race going until the wreck, what did you learn last year?: “Last year was a case of worrying about what the other teams were doing and who was where on the track compared to me. I paid for it because I didn’t worry about my race and I know much better now.”

    All signs point to this team being very good here this weekend, how are you feeling ahead of this race?: “We obviously won’t know where we are until we get to the track and practice on Friday but we have improved a ton on these kind of tracks so that gives us some confidence. We were good there last year and good again this spring before cutting a tire, and then we had two good runs at Michigan this summer so we have some success to build on.”

    2010 FEDEX RACING – TEAM ROSTER

    Crew Chief: Mike Ford – Morristown, Tenn.

    Car Chief: Chris “Spider” Gillin – Smithtown, NY

    Shocks: Tim Sparkman – St. Louis, Mo.

    Engineer: Mike Wheeler – Southholt, NY

    Tire Specialist: Patrick Mullen – Brick, N.J.

    Windshield: Bobby “Spike” Christenson – Spokane, Wash.

    Mechanic: Rick Bray – Placerville, Calif.

    Hauler Driver: Jerry Hess – Lancaster, Pa.

    Mechanic: John Furino – Long Island, NY

    Hauler Driver: Frank Hodel – Blythe, Calif.

    Spotter: Curtis Markham – Fredericksburg, Va.

    Front Tire Changer: Jonathan Sherman – Monroe, La.

    Rear Tire Changer: Mike Hicks – Salisbury, N.C.

    Rear Tire Carrier: Heath Cherry – Belmont, N.C.

    Front Tire Carrier: Brandon Pegram – Statesville, N.C.

    Jackman: Nate Bolling – Swanton, Ohio

    Motor Specialist: Chris Woodward – Franklin, NH

    Gas can: Scott Wood – Liberty, S.C.

    Catch Can: John Eicher – London, Ky..

    JGR Athletic Director: Michael Lepp – Charlotte, N.C.

  • Richard Childress Racing Statement Regarding Final Ruling of NASCAR Penalty Appeal

    WELCOME, N.C. (October 5, 2010) — The following is a statement from Richard Childress, president and chief executive officer of Richard Childress Racing, regarding the National Stock Car Racing Chief Appellate Officer’s final ruling on the penalty of the No. 33 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team following the September 19 race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway:

    “I’m disappointed that the results are not what we wanted, but I feel we received a fair hearing today. The final step in the appeals process is very good, and I can assure you we would not have taken our case to the chief appellate officer if the first step in the process had been as fair as today’s. I want to thank all of the fans for their support. I’m proud to be a part of this sport and proud to represent RCR’s partners. We all need to put this behind us and get back to racing. There are seven races remaining in the Chase, and Richard Childress Racing will continue our focus on winning the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship.”

    About Richard Childress Racing

    Richard Childress Racing (www.rcrracing.com) has earned more than 180 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 2010 Sprint Cup Series lineup includes Kevin Harvick (No. 29 Shell-Pennzoil Chevrolet), Jeff Burton (No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet) and Clint Bowyer (No. 33 Cheerios/Hamburger Helper Chevrolet). Bowyer drives the No. 21 Zaxby’s Chevrolet in the 2010 Nationwide Series, Austin Dillon drives the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet in the 2010 Camping World Truck Series and Tim George Jr. drives the No 31 RCR Development Chevrolet in the 2010 ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards. Ty Dillon and Ryan Gifford are RCR developmental drivers in both asphalt and dirt track racing.

  • Roush Fenway Advance – California

    Roush Fenway Advance

    Auto Club (California) Speedway – 2- mile

    Pepsi Max 400

    Sun. 10.10.10, 3:00 p.m. EDT

    ESPN TV, MRN, Sirius 128

    David Ragan, No. 6 UPS Freight Ford

    Greg Biffle, No. 16 3M Ford

    Matt Kenseth, No. 17Crown Royal Ford

    Carl Edwards, No. 99Aflac Ford

    Camping World 300

    Sat. 10.9.10, 4:30 p.m. EDT

    ESPN 2 TV, MRN, Sirius 128

    Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 6 Blackwell Angus Ford

    Trevor Bayne, No. 17 Roush Fenway Ford

    Colin Braun No. 16 Con-way Freight Ford

    Carl Edwards, No. 60 Copart Ford

    Paul Menard, No. 98 Richmond/Menards

    Roush Fenway Heads West to California

    After a strong performance last weekend at Kansas, Roush Fenway takes its rejuvenated championship hopes to one of its strongest tracks on the circuit, Auto Club Speedway where Roush Fenway has combined for 15 wins and led over 2000 laps in NASCAR action.

    Roush Fenway Hits Marks at California

    Roush Fenway will make its 100th Sprint Cup start this weekend at California and its 50th start in the Nationwide Series.

    Six Years in a Row?

    Roush Fenway Racing has won at least one Sprint Cup race in the last five years at Auto Club Speedway, dating back to 2005. In fact, 2002 was the last season that Roush Fenway did not win a NASCAR race at California.

    Victory Lane in Cali

    Roush Fenway racing has scored a total of seven victories at Auto Club Speedway in the Cup Series. All in all Roush Fenway has captured the checkered flag in 35 percent of the Sprint Cup races at California.

    Strong In Southern Cal

    Roush Fenway Racing has placed at least one car in the top 10 in 19 of the 20 NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Auto Club Speedway. In addition, Roush Fenway has scored a total of 26 top fives and 44 top-10 finishes at the two-mile quad oval, and led a total of 1,410 laps in Cup action.

    Nationwide Effort

    Roush Fenway has won a total of six races in the Nationwide Series at Auto Club Speedway and has finished inside the top 10 with 61 percent (30) of its entries. In fact, Roush Fenway has twice swept the Nationwide Series at California (2004 and 2005) and completed 97 percent of its laps run in the series at the track.

    Winning At California

    Overall, Roush Fenway Racing has won 15 NASCAR races at Auto Club Speedway (7 Cup, 6 Nationwide and 2 Truck).

    RFR California Wins

    1998 Martin Cup

    2003 Busch Cup

    2005-1 Biffle Cup

    2006-1 Kenseth Cup

    2007-1 Edwards Cup

    2008-1 Kenseth Cup

    2009-1 Kenseth Cup

    2004-1 Biffle NNS

    2004-2 Biffle NNS

    2005-1 Martin NNS

    2005-2 Edwards NNS

    2006-1 Edwards NNS

    2007-1 Kenseth NNS

    2000 Busch Truck

    2006 Martin Truck

    In the Chase at California

    Last season marked the first year that Auto Club Speedway appeared as one of the 10 races in the Chase for the Sprint Cup. Carl Edwards led Roush in that effort with a sixth-place finish. Of all the tracks in the Chase, Roush Fenway’s seven wins at California tie for the most.

    Roush Fenway Chaser Stats at Kansas

    Races: 2

    Breakdown: Edwards 1 , Biffle 1

    Wins: –

    Top 5: –

    Top 10: 1

    Roush Fenway at Auto Club Speedways

    Site Races Win T5 T10 Pole Laps Led AvSt AvFn Miles

    CUP 96 7 26 44 1 23429 1410 19.4 13.8 46858

    NNS 49 6 19 30 2 7141 724 12.3 12 14282

    Truck 27 2 8 15 2 2634 143 11.8 10.8 5268

    172 15 53 89 5 33204 2277 14.5 12.2 66408

    Rank +/- Driver Points Behind Starts Poles Wins Top 5 Top 10

    1 1 Johnson 5503 Leader 29 2 6 12 16

    2 -1 Hamlin 5495 -8 29 1 6 11 13

    3 2 Harvick 5473 -30 29 0 3 13 19

    4 2 Edwards 5450 -53 29 2 0 7 16

    5 3 Gordon 5445 -58 29 0 0 11 15

    6 -2 KuBusch 5433 -70 29 2 2 9 16

    7 -4 Ky Busch 5423 -80 29 2 3 8 16

    8 1 Biffle 5418 -85 29 0 2 6 15

    9 -2 Burton 5402 -101 29 0 0 6 14

    10 — Stewart 5376 -127 29 2 1 8 15

    11 — Kenseth 5354 -149 29 0 0 5 11

    12 — Bowyer 5251 -252 29 0 1 5 15

    2010 Chase Schedule

    Date Site RFR Wins

    9/19 Loudon 7

    9/26 Dover 8

    10/3 Kansas 2

    10/10 California 7

    10/16 Charlotte 7

    10/24 Martinsville 4

    10/31 Talladega 3

    11/7 Texas 7

    11/14 Phoenix 5

    11/21 Homestead 6

  • Martinsville Speedway Is A Comfortable Fit For David Reutimann

    MARTINSVILLE, Va. (October 5, 2010) – David Reutimann has spent most of his life around short tracks. Maybe that’s why Martinsville Speedway feels so much like home to the NASCAR Sprint Cup driver.

    His dad is short-track legend Buzzie Reutimann, who has more than 1,000 victories in his career, and at age 68, is still racing. David grew up traveling with his family from short track to short track all over the country.

    “This feels a little more familiar here. It kind of takes you back to where you started,” David Reutimann said Tuesday during a press conference at Martinsville Speedway. He was on hand to help promote the upcoming TUMS Fast Relief 500, scheduled at the track on October 24.

    “Most guys in our sport started out at a track similar to Martinsville or one even smaller. It’s a great venue. It’s great for the Chase.”

    In more than three full seasons with Michael Waltrip Racing, Reutimann hasn’t done particularly well at Martinsville, but that doesn’t lessen the track’s appeal to him.

    “It’s a great race track, but a tricky race track. It’s not one of my better race tracks, but one of my favorite race tracks,” said Reutimann, who in addition to answering questions for the media Tuesday, took about 25 media members on rides around the half-mile oval in a 2011 Toyota Camry Hybrid pace car.

    “It has its own unique challenges. It’s definitely a track where there’s a lot of stuff going on in a small area. I think it’s going to be a great race … it always seems to be an exceptional race. That’s why fans come out here and support the track the way they do.”

    Reutimann says the finish of last spring’s Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500 at Martinsville, where Denny Hamlin charged from fourth to victory in the final two or three laps, is a perfect example of the excitement Martinsville offers.

    “I’ve watched the replays of the (spring) race and I can’t believe what was going on,” said Reutimann. “Not that anything was wrong with it, but it was something. It was just good racing. You really have to work long and hard to find anything better than that.

    “This race track is not that wide and those guys were going a hundred and something down these straight-aways and let me tell you, business picks up in a hurry. It’s amazing those guys did what they did and nothing got tore up and nothing got wrecked. There was some beating and banging, but that’s what Martinsville is all about.”

    Tickets for the TUMS Fast Relief 500 begin at $25 and range to $77.

    Tickets to the Kroger 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on October 23 are $30 in advance, with children 12 and under admitted free.

    Tickets for Farm Bureau Pole Day, which features practice and qualifying for both the Kroger 200 and the TUMS Fast Relief 500, are $15, children 12 and under admitted free.

    Tickets for all events may be purchased by calling 1.877.RACE.TIX or by visiting www.martinsvillespeedway.com online.

  • Daytona International Speedway Repaving: Jostens to Offer Official Track Collection

    Daytona International Speedway Repaving: Jostens to Offer Official Track Collection

    Jostens announced today, in conjunction with Daytona International Speedway, the starting grid of limited edition memorabilia containing actual track pieces from Daytona International Speedway. Race fans and collectors will now have the rare opportunity to own a piece of American racing history following the historic 2010 repaving of Daytona International Speedway.

    From the first race in 1959 to the last race of 2010  before the repave, Daytona International Speedway holds more than 50 years of unforgettable racing memories. Now fans will be able to hold on to every legendary Daytona story with a piece of genuine track where racing history happened. The Commemorative Track Collection includes unique one-of-a-kind genuine track pieces. Quantities of these commemorative pieces are limited and available only while supplies last.

    Jostens is offering sixteen unique items. These items are being offered on Jostens official website. Such items included are a: Daytona Track Medallion,Piece of Turn 3, Framed Collage, and Front Stretch Track Surface, Jostens will be adding more items, in the coming weeks.

    This will be only the second time that this historic track has been repaved, the first came in 1978. The repaving project has a target finish date of January 1,2011. Which would have the track ready for Speedweeks 2011, which will kick off the 49th annual Rolex 24 At Daytona and conclude with the 53rd annual running of the Daytona 500 on Sunday Febuary the 20th, the prestigious season-opening event to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

  • Just a Thought… The Chase, the single worst thing that has happened to the sport

    Just a Thought… The Chase, the single worst thing that has happened to the sport

    For as long as the Chase had been in existence, I have railed about the system. It’s not news that I consider a race within a race more than silly, if not stupid.

    It’s happened time after time—a Chase contender gets taken out by a non-Chaser. In MLB, NFL, and NBA, only the championship contender gets to compete for the championship, but this flawed system allows everyone to compete. And then the problems begin. As much as the folks at the headquarters at Daytona Beach want to compete with those stick and ball sports (which is futile), this sport is nothing like baseball, football, and basketball.

    Our sport has always been a season-long struggle. The winner of individual races was just as important as the champion. For some odd reason, we’ve now concentrated on the championship from Daytona to Homestead. Ask a true MLB, NFL, or NBA fan, and they will tell you that the championship doesn’t enter their mind until it’s time. In baseball, that’s August. In football, it’s November, and in basketball…well, who knows.

    Their playoff system is so intricate that I can’t figure it out. Regardless, we put 43 cars out there and we have 12 championship contenders. Things are bound to happen. On Sunday, it was Kyle Busch and David Reutimann. I’ve never known any trouble between those two, but backmarker Reutimann (and I mean no harm in that statement—only the fact that he is not in the championship run) and Kyle got together in the race. Reutimann retaliated and the result was that Busch lost valuable points and finished 21st. That’s racing. Always has been and always will be, but the age old argument that Busch was going for a championship just doesn’t sit well with me. Not that Busch did anything wrong. It appeared to me that it was just a racing incident.

    The problem comes when the flawed system rears its ugly head. On any other day, it would have been just that—a racing incident, but with the Chase system, it becomes a problem. Should those not in the Chase just ride around and not cause any problems? The whole premise of the situation is that NASCAR has created an unnatural situation with the Chase format. Everyone runs and is at the mercy of the other 31 cars on the track. It’s happened several times in the somewhat short history of the Chase. The nature of a race is that everyone is trying to win the race. Even the guy starting 43rd in most cases wants to win and will do anything to accomplish that goal.

    In the stick and ball sports, which NASCAR is trying to emulate, that is not the case. Only the champions compete for the win. I don’t know what the answer is. Well, yes I do. Scarp the Chase. Back in my youth, the championship was who won at the end—no one paid much attention to it because the individual race was what was important.

    The famed Wood Brothers only ran a select number or races and went for the win in every one. Today, everyone must run a full season to get valued sponsor money. The goal is to make the final cut, and if you do not, you still run to win, but no one notices.

    Greg Biffle won at Kansas, but ESPN immediately went to interview Jimmie Johnson, the multi-champion and ask him if he had a few more laps could he have caught Biffle. The winner’s interview was an afterthought, and even then the talk was that he was only 86 points behind Johnson and what he could do to catch up.

    The win was secondary. It’s my problem, this hatred of the Chase, something that the media tells us everyone has embraced, but I thought Biffle’s win was significant. It was his second of the year—more than the darlings of the media—and it was only the second Ford win of the year.

    Never mind that because Johnson finished second and is “on a roll.” Whatever happened to winning a race? I guess you’ll have to ask those who created the Chase. The single worst thing that has happened to the sport in my lifetime.

  • Bowyer, Richard Childress Racing Penalties Upheld With Slight Adjustments

    Bowyer, Richard Childress Racing Penalties Upheld With Slight Adjustments

    The appeal lodged by Richard Childress Racing to the NASCAR Commissioner has been heard and the decision rendered.  John Middlebrook, NASCAR’s Chief Appellate Officer, upheld NASCAR’s penalty of the RCR No. 33 team, with some slight modifications.

    The fine for the crew chief of the No. 33 team, Shane Wilson, has been reduced from $150,000 to $100,000.  Middlebrook also reduced the race suspensions of Wilson and Chad Haney, the team’s car chief, from six to four weeks, with their suspensions ending on November 3rd but probation continuing until December 31st.

    One of the most important penalties, the championship owner and driver points, however, remained unchanged.  Driver Clint Bowyer and team continue to have lost the 150 points, keeping them in the cellar of the Chase point standings and virtually out of championship contention.

    “After reviewing all the data, presentation and factors involved, I am ruling NASCAR was correct in its decision to levy penalties,” Middlebrook said.  “I believe that the revisions that have been made to the penalties are consistent and fair to both parties involved.”

    This was Middlebrook’s first appeal since becoming the Chief Appellate Officer for NASCAR at the start of this race season.  Middlebrook, a retired General Motors executive, replaced Charles Strang, who had been in the Commissioner role for many years.

    This is the final step in the appeal process for Richard Childress and his team and the decision is binding.  Childress felt strongly, however, that he had to take that final step after being denied by the National Stock Car Racing Appeals Panel last week.

    “We proved beyond a reasonable doubt how the car was found to be out of tolerance after the race,” Childress said in a statement after the Appeals Panel had ruled, continuing his contention that the tow truck that pushed the No. 33 race car to Victory Lane was the culprit.  “I am disappointed but not surprised by the decision knowing how the appeal system is structured.”

    Childress’ driver Clint Bowyer also did not hold out much hope for the appeal to overturn the ruling.

    “I’ve told Richard it’s not worth fighting,” Bowyer said.  “In my opinion, their minds are made up.”

    “The championship hopes are done for myself,” Bowyer continued.  “The thing that I have to do now is be the best teammate I can be.  We have to bring a championship home.  We still have two shots at that.”

    There is no doubt that the focus will now turn to Bowyer’s teammates, Kevin Harvick and Jeff Burton.  Harvick, who led the point standings at the end of the regular season, is currently in the 3rd position in the Chase standings, while Jeff Burton remains less in the hunt in the 9th spot.

  • NATIONAL STOCK CAR RACING APPEALS PANEL STATEMENT

    (October 5, 2010) – Following an appeal hearing earlier today in Concord, N.C., the National Stock Car Racing Chief Appellate Officer has upheld the penalty for the No. 33 car in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, with the following revisions:

    Crew chief Shane Wilson’s fine has been reduced from $150,000 to $100,000 and Wilson and car chief

    Chad Haney’s race suspensions have been lowered from six to four. Both are suspended from NASCAR until Nov. 3 and are on probation until Dec. 31.

    The loss of 150 championship owner and driver points remains intact.

    The No. 33 car was penalized by NASCAR on Sept. 22 as a result of rule infractions discovered during post-race inspection at the NASCAR Research and Development Center following the Sept. 19 race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Specifically, the car body location specifications in reference to the certified chassis did not meet NASCAR-approved specifications of the 2010 NASCAR Rule Book.

    “After reviewing all the data, presentation and factors involved, I am ruling NASCAR was correct in its decision to levy penalties,” said John Middlebrook, the National Stock Car Racing Chief Appellate Officer who presided over the hearing. “I believe that the revisions that have been made to the penalties are consistent and fair to both parties involved.”

    – John Middlebrook, National Stock Car Racing Chief Appellate