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Matt Poole Tops the Hot List in the Peak Stock Car Dream Challenge

Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR) has teamed up with Peak Antifreeze and Motor Oil to offer the opportunity of a lifetime to aspiring race car drivers.

Michael Waltrip, the founder and co-owner of MWR, says “the PEAK Stock Car Dream Challenge is a really big deal for all the men and women across the country who feel they could be professional race car drivers if they were just given a chance. Our sport is always trying to usher in a new generation of driving talent as well as spread our passion for racing with everyone, and PEAK is giving us a really unique opportunity to do so.”

Matt Poole originally saw the tweet about the ‘Peak Stock Car Dream Challenge’ on Twitter.

“I clicked on the link,” Matt said, “and my heart skipped a beat. I knew this could be the chance I have been working towards for the last 10 years since I began chasing my racing dream. The first thought that popped into my head was ‘oh, this is me’. It’s a very fair contest. They are not picking just one person from all of the contestants but are picking 10 drivers to have a three day competition in July at Charlotte Motor Speedway.”

For those who are not familiar with his story, Matt explains, “Everyone who knows me knows how I have been ‘chasing the racing dream the hard way’ for the last ten years. My dream is all about honoring the memory of my mother, Peggy Poole, who passed away from a heart attack in 2003 and my best friend Tonya Schultz, who was murdered by her husband in 2005. When I ran my very first race in the Street Stock Series at Hickory Motor Speedway, I had their pictures taped to the dash of the car and I donated my winnings to the American Heart Association and the Victory Junction Gang Camp in their memory.

My dream is not about being rich and famous; my dream is about racing and winning. I plan to donate race winnings from any race the same way, to honor their memory. They meant the world to me and this is my way of making sure they are not forgotten.”

The contest runs through May 31. Each participant must submit a video audition and fans can vote for their favorite up to five times each day. Points are awarded based on a variety of factors including votes, video audition views and the number of times the driver profile is shared on Facebook and Twitter.

Matt read through the rules and submission guidelines, made a video and submitted his entry.

“When I submitted it,” he told me, “I had no clue that it would explode the way it has. I knew that the people who know me best would be behind me but they took the ball and ran with it. The votes started rolling in. Then out of nowhere, both Kelley and Rene Earnhardt shared my contest page on their Facebook pages. Next, the ‘Fans of Dale Earnhardt Jr’ Facebook page shared my link. I started getting requests for interviews, was a guest on several different radio shows and the votes continued to pour in.”

At the conclusion of the contest period, ten drivers will be chosen to participate in a three day Richard Petty Driving Experience (RPDE) race program. The Grand Prize Winner/PEAK Dream Driver will be chosen from these ten participants using the following criteria: (1) performance and ability during the 3-day RPDE program including input from RPDE personnel and other personnel chosen by Sponsor; (2) attention to the PEAK brand; and (3) attention to racing subject matter and demonstrated enthusiasm for racing.

The winner will become the next Michael Waltrip Racing Development ‘PEAK Dream Driver’ and will, subject to verification and subject to qualification as provided in the rules, have the opportunity to compete as a competitively licensed driver in a PEAK-sponsored stock car in a sanctioned race of Sponsor’s choosing in the Summer or Fall of 2013.

Being on the Peak Stock Car Dream Challenge top ten ‘Hot List’ is no guarantee that a driver will be selected. But Matt Poole believes that first place takes him one step closer to his dream.

He is amazed at how quickly he achieved his goal, thankful to everyone who continues to support him and appreciative of the opportunity.

“It took only 2 weeks for me to reach the top five on the “Hot List,” he said, “and less than a week later, I was in first place. Now I am sitting on a 15,000 plus point lead over second place.

Everyone is still sharing the link every single day, encouraging all their friends to vote 5 times a day. The response has been literally mind blowing. But we would not even have this opportunity if it weren’t for Peak Antifreeze and Motor Oil who is sponsoring the contest. I cannot thank them enough for giving me this opportunity. There will never be enough thanks for everyone who has voted for me five times a day and shared the page every day. All of my friends, fans and my family are the ones who have gotten me to where I am today.

This is my childhood dream of being a race car driver coming true. This is what I have worked towards for ten years. I’m in it to win it.”

If you would like to vote for Matt Poole, please visit his profile page at . You can also visit his website at .

April 8, 2013
Kevin Cornelius to join the OSCAAR ranks in 2013

After experiencing success at the Limited Late Model level, Kevin Cornelius is making the move up to the OSCAAR Super Late Model division. Cornelius unveiled the car last weekend at the Mega Speed Custom Car and Truck Show.

“I can’t remember the last time I was this pumped up for the start of a season,” he said. “The car looks amazing.

“We have added some new guys to the team and we are probably a couple of weeks away from doing some single car testing.”

Cornelius will be running a McColl Racing Enterprises chassis, which marks the first OSCAAR chassis for Mike McColl and his staff.

“I really wanna get out in this MRE chassis and start to get a feel for this car,” the Orangeville, Ontario driver said. “I have done a lot of talking with some SLM drivers and just wanna get out and see for myself how these things handle.”

Going into the season, Cornelius admits that he doesn’t really have any expectations with how they will run.

“I just want to be competitive and run up front every race,” he said. “If we do that and the points take care of themselves, I have all the confidence in the world that we have the right guys on this team, and combine that with the MRE staff, its a good feeling when you are preparing for a race season.”

While he may be running an OSCAAR for the first time, the same group of guys will be back for the new season, with only a small change as Ed Almand has stepped in as crew chief.

“I’m really looking forward to working with our new crew chief this year Ed Almand,” Cornelius said. “I have known Eddie for along time and he and I are usually on the same page when it comes to racing.”

Cornelius actually got interested in racing while doing his internship at Almand’s shop.

“I started my apprenticeship at a small shop for mechanicing in Alton, Ontario, working with Ed Almand and he raced at the time at Sauble Speedway so naturally I went up with him to help out with his car,” Cornelius recalled last season. “There happened to be what they’d call Enduro Cars or Street Stock for sale for $400 and that was big money for us back then. So we were going to buy it, but something came up so we couldn’t buy it. So actually Ed and his wife Susan actually ended up buying me the car.”

(C)KDR Motorsports Photo Vault

In the first race that he ran at Sauble Speedway, he won, but was DQ’ed. “Apparently the rear end was locked and we weren’t allowed that.”The following weekend also brought some excitement when Cornelius brought his parents to the track, not telling them that he was racing.

“They thought they were just coming to watch Ed race, and we pulled out in the car and it ended up in one of the heat races, we put it on its roof,” he said.

As previously mentioned, Cornelius enters the season with limited late model experience under his belt, including two competitive back-t0-back sesaons at Sunset Speedway.

Last season didn’t go as Cornelius would have hoped as he finished third in points after a pair of disappointing runs mid-summer. There were some highlights, though, as he was able to pick up four feature victories.

“Looking back on last year, that seems like along time ago now,” he commented. “This winter has dragged on way to long if you’re a race fan or racer; I really don’t have much to say about it.

“I have kinda forgotten about it now. It was a frustrating year for sure but we still came away four features, a bunch of heat wins, and third overall, so I guess we should be happy with that.”

(C)Ashley McCubbin

However, the 2011 season went much better as Cornelius won the track championship while picking up four feature victories and 16 heat wins, and in addition, two invitational features. In the interview, he admitted to remembering that season more so than last year.”We were so dominate that year and had such a good season,” he said. “It was unbelievable (and still is) walking outta Sunset that year knowing we had won the championship and knowing that no matter what we do now, we will always have that.

“Those two seasons I was so impressed with the guys and the effort they put in. They had no quit in them at all and they were the reason why we had so much success.”

For their support in past seasons and the season ahead, Cornelius and KDR Motorsports team would like to thank their sponsors: Halton Crushed Stone Lee Sand and Gravel, Hanson Concrete Products, Sandbox Tech Child Care, Alliston Transmission, Ed’s Automotive, Triple Concrete and MacMaster Buick GMC.

For more information on Kevin Cornelius, check out .

March 29, 2013
Bobby Tolton embarks on a new challenge for the 2013 Season

With eight years of racing experience, Bobby Tolton is embarking on a new challenge for the 2013 race season. With experience in both the Mini Stock division and the Limited Late Model division, Tolton is making the move to the OSCAAR Modified ranks for 2013.

“I’m extremely excited heading into this season, with all the time and effort the crew and myself have put into getting the car all geared up we have nothing but high hopes,” he said. “We’re new to the series and we just have to go out and keep our nose clean and earn respect.”

Tolton said the decision came together after crewing for Steve Smith for the first half of the season and Brandon Crumbie the rest of the season.

“With the interest in the series rapidly growing and the factor of it being relatively affordable, combined with the reputation OSCAAR already holds, it was not a hard decision for me to make,” he comments.

With it being his rookie season in the OSCAAR ranks, Tolton is keeping his goals basic – wanting to be in the hunt all year long.

“I would love to go out and win races, but I’m sticking with more realistic plans for our team,” he said. “I want to be competitive on a nightly basis and earn the respect of the rest of the drivers.”

Tolton adds that he is looking forward to competing for Rookie of the Year as the roster of rookies continues to grow.

Last year marked the first season for the OSCAAR Modifieds and all across the province, they impressed many fans and drivers with the side-by-side, competitive racing that they put on. As a result, many drivers, like Tolton, have made the choice to step up to the Modifieds.

“There is an outstanding amount of talent in the OSCAAR modified lineup, it is a very competitive group of people yet a very respectable atmosphere,” he commented. “The modified division seems to have a mainly young group of drivers, which I believe is a good thing. Everyone seems to get along both on and off the track. It puts the fun back into racing because it’s like your racing with a bunch of your buddies. And that’s what racing is all about to me is having fun.”

When the season gets going, Tolton is looking forward to the diversity of tracks that the series visits.

“In the past I have raced mainly on Peterborough and Varney and I love how they both have their unique shape and features,” he said. “I’m looking forward to Delaware because it’s a lot bigger than anything I have raced on, but mainly I’m just looking forward to changing it up each and every week!”

Beyond competing on track, Tolton is also hoping to win the Best Appearing Award after getting the car recently wrapped courtesy of Knightworks Design.

“The car is looking pretty stout and we plan to keep it that way!” He said.

Tolton got started in racing at a young age through his father and has always had a passion for racing.

“I would go to the track with my dad each and every week and watch him race at Varney,” he said. “I would always go out to the shop and help him with the car any chance I had throughout the week.”

Tolton’s first chance behind the wheel was in 2005 at Varney Motor Speedway, winning Rookie of the Year that season while finishing third in points.

For their support, Tolton would like to thanks his family and sponsors…..

“I’d like to thank my entire family, they are my entire support system,” he said. “If it wasn’t for them is probably be collecting stamp or something for a hobby. I’d also like to thank my sponsors Engines From Hal, Eloquip, Knightworks Design, Bolton Performance, and At A Glance.”

For more information on Bobby Tolton, check out his website at http://bit.ly/bobbytolton.

March 27, 2013
Andy Hillenburg Promises Fans a Race to Remember at Rockingham Speedway

Last year I was fortunate to be among those present at Rockingham Speedway as NASCAR returned for the first time since 2004. It was my also my first trip to the legendary track and my expectations were high. I was not disappointed.

After the completion of last year’s race, track owner Andy Hillenburg took a few moments to reflect on the weekend.

“I feel like we did the best that we could based on the knowledge that we had. But I feel confident in saying that if I get a second chance from NASCAR, I can do even better.”

That second chance comes on April 14^th with the running of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) North Carolina Education Lottery 200 at The Rock presented by Cheerwine.

As promised, Hillenburg plans to make this season’s race as memorable as the first. To that end, we will see the return of some popular activities and events plus a few new twists.

Hillenburg has partnered with the USO (United Service Organization) of North Carolina to bring back ‘Send a Soldier to The Rock.’ Through this program, fans can purchase tickets to the race. These tickets will be distributed by the USO to servicemen and women and their families. Rockingham Speedway will donate a portion of these ticket sales back to the USO of North Carolina.

The program is important to Andy for obvious reasons.

“The nation’s servicemen and women do so much for our country. This year with getting the USO involved I think we can do even better. Everyone in our country owes a debt to our servicemen and women. It may not be a race ticket but it’s something small and fun and a way to get involved. It’s a pleasure and a privilege.”

Friday features the Thunderfest celebration in downtown Rockingham. Activities begin at 11:00 a.m. and end at 10:00 p.m. There will be something for everyone with a free kids zone, caricature drawings, mechanical bull rides, a beer garden, entertainment and more. The highlight of the evening will undoubtedly be the Hauler Parade at 6pm.

The on track action will feature the Frank Kimmel Street Stock Nationals (FKSSN) practice and qualifying and United Auto Racing Association-Stars Late Model Series (UARA) practice.

Saturday includes back-to-back racing action. The UARA Late Model event begins at 2:00 p.m. The Frank Kimmel Street Stock drivers are up next with an approximate start time of 4:45 p.m. The NCWTS drivers will run practice sessions on Saturday too.

After the races, fans can relax and enjoy a concert under the stars. The Chris Lane Band will take the stage at 6:00 p.m. followed by Ty Brown. The Hoss Howard Band will close out the night and will be back on Sunday to sing the national anthem before the NCWTS race.

Sunday will showcase some of the best racing in NASCAR.

“The thing about Rockingham is that it’s a racetrack that you can pass on,” Andy explains. “They proved it once again last year. You can pass and you can race on Rockingham Speedway. That’s one of the things that we’re very proud of.”

Qualifying is scheduled to begin at 11:05 Sunday morning. The NCWTS drivers will kick it into high gear at 2:00 p.m. for 200 laps at ‘The Rock.’

In closing, I asked Andy, ‘what makes Rockingham Speedway so memorable?

“A race at Rockingham is history,” he answered, “Rockingham is old school racing and there’s a camaraderie between the competitors and the fans. There’s nothing fancy about Rockingham but it’s the feel that you get whenever you walk on the grounds.”

Please visit http://rockinghamspeedway.com/home.html to purchase tickets online or call 910-205-8800. If you’re lucky, you may even get to speak with Andy Hillenburg who recently posted the following on twitter.

“Busy day at the Rock. Getting ready for April 12-14 weekend. If I took your ticket order today, sorry that I am slow. Lol, I talk racing.”

March 14, 2013
Love of Car Inspired Newest NASCAR Novel ‘Race From the Finish’

While there has been a great deal of talk about the Gen 6 race car, with NASCAR banking on fans falling in love with the newly branded stock cars, an historical love affair with a car, in this case a 1956 Chevy Bel Air Sport Coupe, inspired a new NASCAR book entitled ‘Race from the Finish’.

The book, written by D.T. Dignan, is about a 1950s fictional racer John Powers who had one dream, to break into the big time in the burgeoning sport of NASCAR. In the novel, Powers cuts his racing teeth on the many new dirt tracks around his hometown of Pittsburgh, moving into the Midwest Associate of Race Cars new circuit, the precursor of today’s ARCA racing series, and ultimately into NASCAR

Dignan acknowledged that the new Gen 6 NASCAR race car really is a throwback to racing of old, particularly during the time when her book is set. And, just like in the book, the point of racing cars on the track was to sell them in the show room the following week.

“I think the new car is more true to stock car racing in the days of the book,” Dignan said. “I think that’s interesting to see.”

“Back then, much of it was a marketing thing as the car companies realized that it would sell more cars after every race.”

For Dignan, her inspiration for her book was all about the car. In fact, the car on which the story was based, a 1965 Chevy Bel Air, had personal, as well as professional, meaning to her.

“My dad had a 1956 Chevy Bel Air and he courted my mother in that car,” Dignan said. “I always thought it would be so fun to own one.”

“About ten years ago, I came across this car and bought it,” Dignan continued. “I did it because I wanted to drive it and show my dad and take him for rides in it, which he’s been able to do.”

“We participated in different car shows and I notice so many people drawn to her and you can tell they are just remembering,” Dignan said. “That’s why I wanted the 1956 car to be in the climax of the story.”

So, how did the car, which held so many memories, become inspiration enough for an entire novel about racing from back in the day and back in time?

“At that time the 1956 Bel Air had quite a powerful engine and so came onto the racing circuit,” Dignan said. “So, I imagined what it would be like to have that car race and the type of person that might strive for that and want to race that car.”

“Suddenly, I had an idea for a story and that’s how the main character was born,” Dignan continued. “I had a lot of fun doing quite a bit of research on historic racing and the different tracks around the area, especially in the Pittsburgh area where the story is set.”

“There were a lot of new tracks coming up because it was becoming quite popular to see folks get into racing,” Dignan said. “The book basically deals with historic racing.”

“It’s more character driven but there’s quite a bit of history in it concerning NASCAR, especially in the 1950s.”

Dignan had to do all kinds of research, both in libraries and on-line, in order to bring her book and characters to life. She also did some research right in her home state of Michigan, including seeing some of the old race cars from the past.

“I found books about racing and I also did research on line and also found some of the old racers and their videos back in the day,” Dignan said. “That was fascinating to watch those cars go around the dirt tracks, with the racing and the accidents they had.”

“I had to do that to explain what would happen to the driver during the race and to explain the movement of the cars in written form,” Dignan continued. “I wanted to have the reader picture the race in their mind and I had to watch video of actual footage to see what it was like.”

“Basically, I did every type of research you could find,” Dignan said. “We have some historical racing information here in Michigan.”

“In fact, we have an actual Hudson Hornet here so I went to check that out,” Dignan continued. “Buck Baker’s car is in Greenfield Village so there are a lot of different resources to tap into.”

Dignan’s research would not have been complete, however, without a visit to a modern-day race track. So, off she went to Michigan International Speedway to experience the thrill of NASCAR racing up close and personal.

“I actually experienced my first NASCAR race here in Michigan studying for the book,” Dignan said. “It was incredible.”

“There was one interesting moment when we went under the grandstand and you could get up next to the fence next to the track,” Dignan continued. “You’re basically eye level with the wheels.”

“That was pretty intense as you watched them zip by with all that power and speed,” Dignan said. “So, I developed a knowledge and appreciation for racing because of the research for the book.”

So, is her fictional driver John Powers patterned after any of the drivers, past or present, which she encountered during her research?

“I’m sure that there is a little bit of several different drivers in him just from watching the footage and being at the track,” Dignan said. “But he’s more my own creation.”

“Actually the character develops over time as driving is his sole passion, to the point where it becomes at the expense of other things and people,” Dignan continued. “The climax of the story is that you see that in a race at Abbottstown, Pennsylvania, which was an actual race.”

“It was the only NASCAR race on that track in 1956 and Buck Baker won the race,” Dignan said. “That’s kind of interesting because I wanted to have the ’56 Chevy be the car he was driving at the climax of the story, so I had to work the whole timing of the story around that.”

“And it just so happened that the race took place three hours from Pittsburgh where he hails from,” Dignan continued. “That was the only NASCAR race at that track that ever happened in that year.”

Dignan, a most passionate author, is convinced that NASCAR fans today would really enjoy her story about NASCAR racing in the past. In fact, she thinks it would give fans a whole new perspective on the history of the sport.

“I think they would enjoy it because it would give them a little bit different perspective about racing from an historical standpoint, when it was newer and very different,” Dignan said. “I think for them to realize what these guys did and went through to pursue their racing dreams would give them a whole new appreciation.”

“They didn’t have driving schools back then,” Dignan continued. “They didn’t have big sponsors back then.”

“Basically the guys had to teach themselves,” Dignan said. “They had to have support and a lot of guts.”

“They had to work hard to get money to support their racing careers,” Dignan continued. “I think fans would find that interesting.”

Race fans interested in reading ‘Race From the Finish’ can order it from Barnes and Noble or Amazon, however, it can also be ordered from her website www.racefromthefinish.com. An added bonus is if fans order the book from her website, Dignan will personally sign it.

March 11, 2013
Dr. Lapchick Starts Diversity Rehab with Jeremy Clements

Early next week, Dr. Richard Lapchick, Founder and Director of the Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport, will begin his diversity rehabilitation with NASCAR driver Jeremy Clements.

The 28-year-old NASCAR Nationwide Series driver was suspended by the sanctioning body for an “intolerable and insensitive remark” during an MTV interview before the Nationwide race at Daytona. He was remanded to rehabilitation with Dr. Lapchick as part of his recovery program.

Delray Rehab, located in Delray Beach, FL, offers outpatient treatment using specialized therapies created for sustainable health and recovery and is dedicated to helping anyone that is suffering from alcohol and drug addiction and mental health issues in a compassionate and welcoming environment.

So, who is this Dr. Lapchick who will work with Clements and how did he become such a passionate expert in racial diversity in sports?

“It started pretty young,” Lapchick said. “My dad was a coach of the Knicks and as a five year old I looked outside my bedroom window and saw my father’s image swinging from a tree and overheard calls meant for him calling him all kinds of racial obscenities.”

“So, I was drawn to civil rights since I was a teenager,” Lapchick continued. “I went to graduate school and wrote my doctoral dissertation on how South Africa used sports as part of its foreign policy and then went on to found the Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sports at the University of Central Florida.”

“I learned that sports were a powerful platform to communicate about important social issues such as racism and sexism,” Lapchick said. “I think you can use the sports platform to talk about any social issue but that was the beginning.”

Lapchick may be working with Clements for the first time but he is no stranger to working with the sport of NASCAR on diversity initiatives. In fact, his association with the sport goes all the way back to 1997 when he met with NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France.

“When I moved to Orlando in 1997, I called on various sports leaders in the area and obviously Brian France was on that list,” Lapchick said. “I didn’t know NASCAR very well at that point and had only seen a few races on television.”

“When I met Brian France, he had done his homework and told me that he wanted NASCAR to look like America,” Lapchick said. “For some reason, I totally believed that he genuinely meant that not just because I was in the room.”

“Every dealing that I’ve had with NASCAR over these years has reinforced that,” Lapchick continued. “Brian asked me to be on the Diversity Council and appointed Magic Johnson and myself as Co-Chairs.”

“The turning point for NASCAR was when they hired Marcus Jadotte about six years ago,” Lapchick said. “We started talking about the diversity management training that we did and we ended up doing five consecutive years of training every NASCAR employee.”

“No other sport or entire industry has done it more than once,” Lapchick continued. “NASCAR is really trying to make a difference in changing the culture.”

“The Drive for Diversity program has started to move things forward and has made women and people of color more comfortable in the sport.”

So, how exactly will Dr. Lapchick work specifically with Jeremy Clements during his diversity rehabilitation?

“It will be educational to a large degree,” Lapchick said. “We will try to make him feel comfortable and safe.”

“Obviously he is in a difficult position right now,” Lapchick continued. “I’ll spend the first hour with him next Monday and then our team, that has done the diversity training for many sports, will meet with him for three hours.”

“We’ll take him through some exercises as we would do with anyone,” Lapchick said. “We’ll make it interactive and make him feel safe that he can say things that are important to him and to share feedback on those things.”

“We did this once before for NASCAR with a crew chief in 2009 and it was a positive experience,” Lapchick continued. “We’re anticipating that this will be as well.”

Lapchick admits that the length of the diversity education will be totally dependent on Clements.

“We’re also open, as is NASCAR, if we feel at the end of this that there is an ongoing need, we will recommend that,” Lapchick said. “With the crew chief we worked with, he was so open with the session that we didn’t think that additional time was necessary.”

“So, we will see how Monday goes and are open to ongoing discussions if needed.”

Given the Clements remark and suspension, is Lapchick concerned about the status of diversity in NASCAR?

“I think they are where the NBA was when David Stern became Commissioner,” Lapchick said. “In terms of the decision makers, there is representation of diversity in the leadership area.”

“But on the track, they are significantly further behind than the NBA or NFL in the 1980s,” Lapchick continued. “That will take time to catch up there.”

“But with who is in the pipeline in the Drive for Diversity program and their level of talent, I do see the possibility of more and more women and people of color in the sport,” Lapchick said. “And with Danica Patrick now in the sport she will inspire a whole lot of young girls to consider racing a car as a possibility.”

“I do see the progress,” Lapchick continued. “We do Racial and Gender report cards for the leagues and for various sports.”

“Now, they use that as a benchmark and leverage with their teams so that they can move to a better grade and build momentum,” Lapchick said. “That helps me want to stay doing what I’m doing.”

Lapchick was also impressed with some of the other drivers, especially those with a large fan base the likes of Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Jeff Gordon, speak out and support the NASCAR diversity policy.

“I think that was really important for the fans and other drivers to hear that these influential leaders on the track were willing to speak out and say what some would consider risky,” Lapchick said. “There are people who are pushing back on the fact that Jeremy was suspended.”

“But much to NASCAR’s credit, they decided that there is a zero tolerance policy about racism,” Lapchick continued. “The reaction of the drivers in the sport is important.”

While Lapchick is prepared to meet with Clements next week, he is currently engrossed in another social justice effort. He is at present assisting with rebuilding efforts in Long Island as the New York area recovers from Hurricane Sandy.

“It really started with New Orleans,” Lapchick said. “I was really disappointed and angry at the response after the storm.”

“We formed the organization that this week went to Long Island to help,” Lapchick continued. “Along with my diversity work, that has been most one of the most fulfilling things I’ve ever done.”

March 8, 2013
Travis Pastrana Still Embracing Learning Curve

With a solid team in Roush Fenway Racing and a full season ahead in NASCAR’s Nationwide Series, Travis Pastrana is still embracing the learning curve when it comes to stock car racing.

Unfortunately, Pastrana, behind the wheel of his most colorful No. 60 Roush Fenway Ford Mustang, did not even get a chance to go to school in the Dollar General 200 Advance at Phoenix International Raceway. He was involved in an early crash, relegating him to a 28^th place finish.

“They started crashing in front of me,” Pastrana said. “I thought I could get to the inside and I just wanted to try to get down, so once I got in the marbles the first lap and was loose, the second lap came in and I saw them crashing in front of me.”

“I kind of let off, but I just got in the marbles again, so unfortunately, it was a pretty useless day for learning.”

Pastrana qualified in the 12th position for the Nationwide race, with a speed of 131.200 mph and a time of 27.439 seconds. But that was not good enough to sustain him in race conditions, having to utilize his teammate’s set up instead.

“We knew that we had a good qualifying run compared to where we practiced,” Pastrana said. “We thought we were pretty good at the end of practice, but we were so far off from where Trevor (Bayne) was, so we went with Trevor’s stuff just to see if it would work.”

“I think we were on the right track, but there’s not a lot we could pick up because I didn’t get one single lap,” Pastrana continued. “The front wheel was busted out and the splitter was off the right-front tire.”

“We just drove around all day,” Pastrana said. “If you see the front tire, it’s folded over completely, so I don’t know how the car survived.”

“The team earned their money today.”

Although frustrated with the early crash and poor finish, Pastrana did learn at least one tidbit. After following teammate Bayne’s line on the track, he at least picked up some knowledge for the future about where to run for maximum speed.

“I knew where his line was and I knew where my line was,” Pastrana said. “So, just learning where you can run the car was good.”

“But with this car, we never knew because we never had a chance.”

Pastrana’s Phoenix run was especially tough since he had had a great outing at Daytona, finishing in the tenth position. The former extreme sport star turned NASCAR racer felt that he really learned a great deal about restrictor plate racing, again with a little help from teammate and former Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne.

“Daytona was awesome,” Pastrana said “A top-10 finish was exactly what we had hoped for.”

“I knew we had a great car coming into the race,” Pastrana continued. “Trevor pushed me around a few laps.”

“I kind of gained confidence and really just started pushing a little bit and started to be pushed more and those guys gained confidence with me.”

Unfortunately, Pastrana’s confidence was short-lived in the waning laps of the race, with the horrific crash that sent debris raining into the stands as well as all over the track.

“We were running three-wide and I didn’t know what to do,” Pastrana said. “All hell broke loose like it always does.”

“But I still learned a lot.”

Pastrana also broke the news in Phoenix that he will have some learning to do off the track as well, which may involve entirely new skills sets such as diaper changing. He and his wife announced that they are expecting their first child.

“It’s just really exciting,” Pastrana said. “I got married about a year-and-a-half ago and having a kid is going to be awesome.”

Will Pastrana teach his youngster about all of his daredevil ways, including racing in its many forms?

“I definitely feel for my parents now with everything I’ve put them through,” Pastrana said. “But we’ll encourage whatever we have – a boy or girl – to follow their passion.”

“But I’m hoping their passion is golf, maybe.”

As Pastrana leaves Phoenix, now 15^th in the point standings, he is no doubt looking forward to more learning at the next venue, Las Vegas Motor Speedway. But he is also anticipating going to another track as well, the Monster Mile, later in the season.

“For me, my hometown track was always Dover,” Pastrana said. “I’ve never gotten to drive anything around Dover and they say it’s like dropping into a roller coaster every corner and jumping coming out.”

“It doesn’t look like a jump when you’re watching,” Pastrana continued. “But all the drivers say it is.”

“I’m looking forward to that.”

March 3, 2013
Scott Lagasse Honored by Boy Scout Partnership

Photo Credit: TeamSLR Photo

Scott Lagasse has honed his skills from ARCA racing to the NASCAR Nationwide Series. But he is most proud of his new relationship with the Boy Scouts of America as sponsor and partner.

“The relationship with them is pretty unique,” Lagasse said. “It started when I did a pine wood derby race and thought that was pretty cool.”

“We started talking and it ended up at national,” Lagasse continued. “What a great organization.”

“The Scouts do so many great things for kids, instilling morals and values,” Lagasse said. “It was a strange and unplanned relationship, but really a great one.”

Lagasse, a Boy Scout himself, has been most enthused about the impact of the partnership that he has experienced first-hand through a variety of Scouting events.

“We’ve already seen the excitement with the kids,” Lagasse said. “We went to an event at Fort Knox, Kentucky and there were 8,000 kids there that absolutely went crazy and loved the race car.”

“It’s fun for me because we drove a Scout to school this morning,” Lagasse continued. “We’ve done that a couple times now.”

“We went through Orlando with a police escort, spinning the rear tires and pulling up to the front of the school with all the kids out front,” Lagasse said. “It was great.”

“I don’t know if I had more fun, he had more fun or his parents had more fun.”

Lagasse is not the first driver to have a sponsor partnership with a charitable organization, proudly following in the steps of one of his racing idols, Jeff Gordon, whose sponsor is the AARP Foundation’s Drive to End Hunger.

So, it may not be coincidence that Gordon’s step-father John Bickford has also been a friend, mentor and advisor to Lagasse throughout the years.

“Without a doubt you always look up to a driver like Jeff Gordon,” Lagasse said. “Obviously for Mr. Bickford to spend the time with me that he has, I guess I would consider myself a charity case.”

“I don’t know that it was his idea about the charitable partnership, but he definitely has molded the way that I think and approach the sport,” Lagasse continued. “There’s no doubt that he is the leading person pushing me to do a business plan that makes sense.”

“In that regard, Mr. Bickford has been a huge ally and asset,” Lagasse said. “You definitely have to respect what he has done for the sport.”

Lagasse, mirroring the values of the Boy Scouts, also credits his family, particularly his father Scott Lagasse Sr., a racer in his own right, with supporting him in his racing journey.

“I couldn’t ask for my parents to do anything more for me,” Lagasse said. “They both realize the commitment and how much it takes to be successful.”

“They were always there to support me and that to me means a lot.”

In addition to the support of his family, Lagasse is also grateful for the camaraderie, commitment and support of his team. This too mirrors the values of Scouting in creating teamwork and a shared community.

“I’m really excited about the group of guys that we have, especially my crew chief Brad Parrott,” Lagasse said. “Brad came and crew chiefed an ARCA race for me.”

“He was a huge help and we led a lot of laps until we ran out of gas,” Lagasse continued. “It was not his doing but I still give him a hard time about it.”

“That’s obviously a good way to have started the relationship,” Lagasse said. “Since then we have worked together quite a few times.”

“That’s what motivates me, knowing that we’re all going to battle together,” Lagasse continued. “The most fun will be on race day when we strap in with that group of guys around me and the support of the Scouts.”

Lagasse is also looking forward to race day right at his home track, having grown up in St. Augustine, Florida and racing as a youngster in the shadows of Daytona International Speedway. And the 31 year old driver, now with his own team, cannot wait to take the track for the DRIVE4COPD 300 Nationwide race behind the wheel of his No. 8 HybridLight/Boy Scouts of America Chevrolet.

“This is for sure home and I’ve always had dreams of racing here,” Lagasse said. “Our goals are probably in stages.”

“Number one is to get out of here in one piece,” Lagasse said. “That one, we will accomplish.”

“Beyond that, we need to have a good partner to have a shot at the win,” Lagasse continued. “That’s how I’m going to approach it.”

“We’ll do what we need to do early to be there late,” Lagasse said. “We’re a small team and we know we’re up against the big boys.”

“But we have good people so I don’t see why we can’t run up front.”

Most of all for Lagasse, the Daytona race is all about being honored to represent the Boy Scouts and get the youth leadership of today interested in racing for the rest of their lives.

“I would say for me it’s a huge responsibility to partner with the Boy Scouts,” Lagasse said. “That’s how I look at it.”

“It’s a huge honor that also comes with a huge responsibility,” Lagasse continued. “Our relationship is very young but we’re both committed to the long term.”

“I’m excited about helping young kids develop on and off the track,” Lagasse said. “For us, it’s a shared responsibility and an honor to be that rallying point for them.”

“To me, that’s the best part about the Scouts because time and time again, they do the right thing.”

February 21, 2013
Ken Squier: A Common Man with an Uncommon Impact on NASCAR

Photo Credit: Gary Buchanan

As NASCAR readies to kick off the 2013 season with the Great American Race at Daytona, one common man, Ken Squier, will be ready to once again have an uncommon influence on the sport.

Squier, a Vermont native, has had a lengthy history of covering the sport that he has grown to love and influence. In fact, he started his broadcasting career at the tender age of 14 years.

“I hitchhiked to the track because I didn’t want my parents to know,” Squier said of his first announcing gig. “I think I got $5 for it.”

“They had taken a bull dozer around the field a couple of times and called it a race track,” Squier continued. “It was the north against the south at that time in Vermont and it was a war.”

“The public address system was on a logging truck,” Squier said. “It got so bad that me and another kid hid under the truck until the fights were under control.”

As with many in the sport, Squier came by his love of racing naturally, tagging along with his father who was a harness racing announcer. And thanks to those travels, he got his first exposure to stock car racing.

“My dad was a harness race announcer so I knew I had to be a part of racing somehow, someway,” Squier said. “We used to go to country fairs and one afternoon lasted about five years.”

“It was awful,” Squier continued. “However, on the weekend, you could blast through those awful days because they had the Hell Drivers and the open wheel, open cockpit cars.”

“This was no children’s game,” Squier said. “It was the real deal.”

“We would see on a Saturday or Sunday American Automobile Association races,” Squier continued. “I actually saw the original Joie Chitwood and all the others.”

“My hero when I was a kid was Ted Horn from California.”

From then on, Squier was hooked on this intriguing sport of automobile racing, so much so that he was involved with the founding of the Motor Racing Network, where we served as a commentator from 1969 to 1978.

“The first office for Motor Racing Network was a Pepsi cooler with a glass top folded back and forth out in the hall,” Squier said. “They gave us a phone and said get your ass busy and find some radio stations to carry this race.”

He then took on a role with CBS Sports, again telling the stories of the racers he so admired, as well as covering other sports, including boxing and even frog jumping and hollering contests. In fact, Squier was part of the debut of the NASCAR broadcast for the 1979 Daytona 500 and would be part of many Great American races from that time forward.

“I wore my CBS necktie every Daytona 500,” Squier said. “I paid $5 and selected it because whatever you spilled on it, no one could see.”

And of course, Squier would be part of that one special CBS Daytona 500 broadcast, capturing the infamous fight between the Allison brothers and Cale Yarborough, which was not only seen around the world but which catapulted the sport of stock car racing to the level that it is today.

“The show was over and the Goodyear blimp was headed back to the airport,” Squier said of that incredible Daytona 500 finish. “We were just fussing around and the producer said, “Take a look at this.”

“Capturing that brawl was just one of those moments,” Squier continued. “Everything fell into place that day and all fit together.”

Squier was also part of another historic moment, bringing the innovation of an in-car camera to the sport of stock car racing.

“I was in Australia and the people providing the in-car equipment invited me to see Bathurst which was their Indy 500 at the time,” Squier said. “I was in the truck and sure enough the thing goes on and the course was like a Christmas tree, up one side and down the other.”

“It was just remarkable to see the cameras focused on the drivers,” Squier continued. “When they came down the mountain, there was a straightaway and the race is on and the racer is providing commentary right from the track.”

“I said to myself, I just think I found what we need to do in the Daytona 500.”

Cale Yarborough carried that first in car camera in a Daytona 500, sharing his insights right from the cockpit of his race car. And he went on to win the race as well.

Patty Wheeler, Humpy Wheeler’s daughter, recognized other accomplishments of her good friend and mentor Ken Squier.

“There were other innovations like the Hollywood Hotel on Fox, which was conceived by Squier in the early 1980s as the STP Pit Communication Center,” Wheeler noted. “He started the first ever television production company and launched the first ever weekly motorsports show called Motor Week Illustrated.”

“You remember that 5:35 on Friday afternoons was must-see TV to find out about racing,” Wheeler continued. “And it even led into live wrestling.”

“One of Squier’s great legacies was Motorsports University,” Wheeler said. “When you look at the people on the air, most got their first shot or their big break from Squier.”

“We all owe him a great deal of gratitude for that.”

“What Squier did for motorsports was what Howard Cosell did for boxing,” Wheeler said. “He introduced a broad American public to the sport he loved and showcased it in a way that made everyone else love it with him.”

In addition to his broadcasting prowess, what intrigued Squier most were these racers, these gutsy risk takers, who gave their all both on and off the track.

“This was not a children’s game played by adults,” Squier said. “These were men that were so committed and believed so wholly in what they did that they were willing to take the risk.”

“If one fell, the greatest tribute was to be there the next week to race in their honor,” Squier continued. “It was the kind of sport where those people who took those chances understood that.”

“You could trust them,” Squier said of the NASCAR racers. “They could be wild, but when the chips were down you didn’t have to worry that your children were going to take on a hero that was stuffing something up their nose.”

“That didn’t play in NASCAR,” Squier continued. “It was a different world and still is today.”

“These were common people doing uncommon deeds,” Squier said. “It was Bud Moore in World War II over in Europe.”

“So much of what we know of racing and love came from those incredible people who fought for this nation,” Squier continued. “They were common men that did incredible deeds.”

“And racing is full of those people and still is today,” Squier said. “So, that’s what has always brought me back to this.”

“I can’t stop it because I like it so much and I like the people so much.”

“It is that good.”

For his years of passion for the sport, Squier was inducted recently into the National Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame and also was recognized with the unveiling of the Squier-Hall Award for Media Excellence, with his good friend Barney Hall, at recent ceremonies at NASCAR’s Hall of Fame.

So, this weekend, as fans across the nation sit down to watch the Great American race yet again, with the new gyrocam and other technological broadcasting advances, all should remember that common men doing uncommon deeds, both on and off the track, have grown the sport to what it is today.

And Ken Squier was certainly one of those common men with an uncommon influence on the sport of NASCAR racing.

February 20, 2013
Kyle Busch takes Kyle Busch Motorsports up to next level for 2013

Kyle Busch with CME Q&A Host Spencer Lewis
Photo Credit: Ashley McCubbin

Since Kyle Busch Motorsports debuted on track in 2010, KBM has been winning races.

Over the course of the past three years in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, KBM drivers have combined for 18 wins, 40 top fives and 58 top 10s in 91 starts.

Then this past year, in the Nationwide Series in their debut season with Kyle and Kurt Busch sharing the ride, they accumulated one win, 15 top fives and 22 top 10s in 33 races.

However, they have yet to go after a driver championship. That will all change in 2013 as Kyle Busch has hired three young stars to bring home the trophy for KBM.

In the off-season, Busch hired Joey Coulter and Darrell Wallace Jr. to drive his trucks, while he hired Parker Kligerman to drive KBM’s Nationwide Series car.

“It’s pretty neat to see the young talent and that’s kind of the whole point in having a Kyle Busch Motorsports, having a Late Model program, having a Truck Series program, having a Nationwide Series program,” Busch said at the Canadian Motorsports Expo earlier this month. “We’re trying to help bring that younger talent to NASCAR.”

Busch added that it’s cool to see that younger talent through the ranks of NASCAR.

“Everybody has plenty of opportunity to make it happen,” he said. “One thing that it comes down to is trying to have the right sponsorship to put you to that next level. Once you have talent, that’s what you need.”

When it came to adding Joey Coulter to the team to drive the No. 18 in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, Busch talked about the success that Coulter had last year.

“I think Joey had a good year last year and had success in the truck series with a win at Pocono, had some good runs where he showed speed later in the year, and that stood out right there,” he said.

Photo Credit: Gary Buchanan

Last season, Coulter finished his sophomore season in the trucks third in points with a win, eight top fives and 15 top 10s in the 22 races driving for Richard Childress Racing. Coulter began racing in the truck series in 2011 for Childress after catching his eye with success in the ARCA Racing Series.

Moving forward, off the track, Busch says that he also plans to help Coulter be a little outgoing.

“He seems like he’s a little shy at times,” he said. “Really want to open up more to move him up to the next level so we’ll see if I can help out with that, since I’m pretty good at that.”

Driving the second truck for KBM full-time in 2013 is Darrell Wallace Jr., who is a development driver for Joe Gibbs Racing. Wallace Jr. ran four Nationwide Series races last year for JGR, finishing in the top 10 in three of them. Wallace Jr. is part of NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity program and found success in the K&N Pro Series East, winning six races and scoring 25 top 10s in 36 starts.

Their journey to winning the championship in 2013 will not be easy,as NASCAR has added two new types of tracks to the schedule – a dirt track and a road course.

“Definitely out of element so we’ve already been thinking what do we do with these trucks, how do we set them up, what we have to do to make them go fast on dirt so we’re entirely confused right now,” he said.

NASCAR will return to it’s dirt roots with a trip to Eldora Speedway on Wednesday July 24th. The Inaugural Mudsummer Classic will be the first NASCAR event on dirt since Richard Petty’s Grand National win at Raleigh, NC in September 1970.

“NASCAR hasn’t really been on dirt for a long time so it’s going to be interesting,” Busch said. “The thing I like about dirt racing is its fun, enjoyable, but I like racing somebody else’s stuff so they have to take it home and clean it. But now all three of my trucks are going and unfortunately, I am not going.”

However, Busch will have a special guest in a third truck for KBM in the form of Scott Bloomquest, one of the most well-known dirt races in the United States.

“I won with his car in the Prelude to the dream last year; I’m hoping he can bring home the win in the truck race,” Busch added. “Scott’s one of the best guys out there to race on dirt. He’s been doing it a long time. There’s plenty of other guys too, but I think Scott notoriety and experience and everything, I think it was a smart move. I am interested to see him get out there and see what he can do on the race track.”

The other new element is a road course race for the trucks, which will take place at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park on September 1st. The trucks haven’t been to a road course since the early 2000s.

“Cool to see road course races back here in the truck series,” Busch said. “I think it was 2000 the last time that happened so I’m excited to see….Actually, I have to teach my two guys how to road race for sure so we have to go to school before they come up here (Canada) to do that.”

When it comes to the Nationwide Series team, KBM brought Parker Kligerman aboard after Kligermann’s success in the trucks last season. The 22-year-old finished fifth in points with one win (Talladega SuperSpeedway) despite switching teams midway through the season. Kligerman started 2012 with Brad Keselowski Racing, before moving to Red Horse Racing after the 12th race of the season. Now Kligerman has found his home at KBM and is ready to challenge for the 2013 Nationwide Series Championship.

When it comes to hiring the young drivers, Busch says it’s all about their resume and seeing that they can win in different vehicles.

“You got to see that they’ve won races in every level that they’ve been to – that’s the whole reason why I got recognized cause coming up through the ranks, we won races at every level,” he said. “That’s one of the key factors that you look at is can these guys win in all the forms of racing so you can see that they have, I guess, tenacity and know-all of being able to drive different forms of cars at the track.”

That’s why he says that if there are young drivers who want to get up to his level one day, they need to get out there and drive anything.

“You also have to talk to get sponsorship,” he added. “I know as a kid that’s hard to do, but you have to work up the charisma to do it. I know coming up through the ranks I missed out on that. I ran off my dad’s money for a while. I didn’t start that till I was like 16, running late models, which I had already been racing for seven or eight years. Then I started working face-to-face with owners, sponsors. You can only make it so far on your own dollar. You need to be able to get out and get help from people that can help you.”

February 20, 2013