Testing SpeedwayMedia.com

Category: Featured Interview

Featured interviews from SpeedwayMedia.com

  • Jeff Gordon, AARP, and Chase Drove to End Delaware Hunger

    Jeff Gordon, AARP, and Chase Drove to End Delaware Hunger

    [media-credit name=”Photo Credit: Gary Buchanan” align=”alignright” width=”228″][/media-credit]As part of his continuing efforts to not only call attention to the issue of senior hunger but also to do something about it, Jeff Gordon teamed up with Chase Card Services and the AARP Foundation to pack 400 meal boxes for the Food Bank of Delaware this past race weekend.

    The boxes that were packed by hundreds of fans of the No. 24 Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet held over 4,800 meals that the Food Bank delivered to needy seniors in the area who would no longer have to choose between food and their medicines or paying their rent.

    The fans who packed boxes in the Dover International Speedway on race morning were rewarded with a meet and greet with their favorite driver prior to his running of the AAA 400 at the Monster Mile. Jeff Gordon finished second in the race, keeping his hopes alive for the Chase.

    “We’re excited to be a part of this food packing event for the Food Bank of Delaware,” Michael Rittler, General Manager of Affinity and Retail Credit Cards for Chase Card Services, said. “Partnering with Jeff Gordon, the four-time Cup champion, and the Drive to End Hunger AARP initiative, we are thrilled to be a part of it.”

    “Hunger among older Americans is a huge issue so we’re packing 12,000 pounds of food to be distributed to thousands of seniors,” Rittler continued. “Chase has been partners with AARP for close to 20 years.”

    “Partnering with Jeff Gordon and the NASCAR fans was a great fit for what we are about.”

    [media-credit name=”Photo credit: Gary Buchanan” align=”alignright” width=”200″][/media-credit]Chase not only jumped aboard, along with the AARP Foundation, as a sponsor of the No. 24 car, but they also put their money in the game, donating $0.03 to the AARP Foundation Drive to End Hunger for every new credit card account opened through this year.

    Chase even doubled that donation throughout the month of September as part of Hunger Action Month.

    “We’re excited that every transaction, up to $2 million, will help end senior hunger,” Rittler said. “We raised $2 million last year and it looks good again for that amount or more this year.”

    “This is just a great event and we’re proud that so much food will be packed to help local seniors.”

    Patricia Beebe, President and CEO of the Food Bank of  Delaware, was overwhelmed by Chase’s commitment to the effort and also by the generosity of the NASCAR fans in taking time during their pre-race activities to help others.

    “What we’re doing here today is putting together a meal box for seniors,” Beebe said. “These volunteers have made these boxes, which, sometimes takes us hours of volunteer time and effort, so this is such a huge help.”

    “To be able to make so many of the boxes and to inform the community about hunger is a very good event.”

    Beebe shared that 1 in 20 seniors in Delaware are hungry and she thinks that number may be an underestimate, as many seniors in need go undetected.

    “That’s why this event is also critical because a lot of times seniors don’t feel like there is anything for them,” Beebe said. “That’s why events like this show them that there is help for them.”

    “This is a great way to reach so many people.”

    Both Rittler and Beebe acknowledged that having someone of the caliber of Jeff Gordon involved in their efforts to end senior hunger was priceless.

    “Jeff Gordon has name recognition and is someone people look up to and want to listen to,” Beebe said. “People come in droves to talk to him.”

    “I had a chance to talk to him and he knows what’s he’s talking about and he believes in this cause.”

    “We’ve had the opportunity to talk to Jeff about the issue of hunger,” Rittler said. “It’s not just a sponsorship for him.”

    “It’s in his heart and we’re proud to be a part of that,” Rittler continued. “Before we were ever involved in this, I was a Jeff Gordon fan and now I am even more so.”

    As the fans cheered for Gordon after the food packing was finished, Gordon stopped them quickly and recognized them for all of their efforts with the meal packing. He also acknowledged one particular young fan who arrived at the speedway at 5:15 am just to lend a hand to the effort.

    ““I should be thanking all of you for your help,” Gordon told the hundreds of fans gathered to meet him. “So many people are going to benefit and that was a great way to get the race day started.”

    “I think cause-related marketing is the way of the future,” Gordon continued, referencing the Chase fundraising effort. “You folks that care about others, especially with hunger issues, and for Chase to step up, is really what’s going to take this effort to the next level.”

    Gordon acknowledged that he was not only a supporter of the Chase credit card, but he and his wife Ingrid use it regularly, especially with two young, growing children, daughter Ella and son Leo.

    “I’m proud to use the credit card all the time, knowing that a portion of the purchase goes to Drive to End Hunger,” Gordon said. “I think I’m one of AARP’s biggest supporters with that credit card because me and my wife make quite a few purchases, especially having two children.”

    “There are a lot of great causes out there and I’m proud to be a part of this one.”

    For more information about the Chase AARP credit card, visit www.aarpcreditcard.com and for more information or to volunteer at the Delaware Food Bank, visit their website at www.fbd.org.

  • Nicole Biffle Shares Passion for Work of Greg Biffle Foundation

    Nicole Biffle Shares Passion for Work of Greg Biffle Foundation

    [media-credit name=”Photo Credit: Gary Buchanan” align=”alignright” width=”183″][/media-credit]Nicole Biffle is one busy young woman, as wife to Chase contender Greg and mom to 15 month old Emma. And while obviously completely committed to both of those roles, she is also passionate about her work with the Greg Biffle Foundation.

    Nicole started the Greg Biffle Foundation with her husband in 2005 with the mission of creating awareness and serving as advocates to improve the well-being of animals by engaging the power and passion of the motor sports industry.

    One of her ‘pet’ projects is the NASCAR Pets Calendar and she has just wrapped up work on the 2013 calendar, featuring many drivers including Kyle Busch, Jeff Burton, Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., and Joey Logano. It also features NASCAR media members Shannon Spake, Rutledge Wood, Jeff Hammond, John Roberts and Chris Myers.

    “So we just finished our 2013 calendar and it’s really cool,” Biffle said. “This year we have Danica Patrick, the King and Kyle Petty, and media and drivers of course.”

    “It’s fun because this year we have our daughter Emma in the calendar,” Biffle continued. “So, it’s completely different.”

    “It’s funny because when it comes out after taking the picture so long ago, she looks so different since then.”

    The NASCAR Pets Calendar has been the fundraising hallmark for the Greg Biffle Foundation. The response to the inaugural edition of the calendar made it the best selling item on NASCAR.com and in 2009, Greg’s sponsor 3M got on board to take it to the next level.

    The 2013 edition of the calendar is already on sale in various outlets, including 30 Petco stores, Mooresville, NC vet clinics, animal welfare organizations nationally and again on NASCAR.com.

    According to Nicole Biffle, the Foundation took another bold step to raise money recently by auctioning off a 2012 Ford Raptor truck designed by her husband. The truck sold for $80,000, with all of the proceeds benefitting the Foundation.

    “With that Barrett Jackson auction we just did, we also raised money as well,” Nicole Biffle said. “The truck was really cool.”

    “I was watching it on TV and I was so nervous,” Biffle continued. “I’m very thankful to the lady who bought it. That was very nice of her and that will help a lot of animals.”

    “The great thing is that the dog they had there in that rescue, there were a lot of inquires about adopting him,” Biffle said. “So, having him there brought some attention to not only him but his shelter too.”

    “People were really interested which was really cool.”

    Nicole Biffle is also passionate about another upcoming event to benefit the Foundation, their annual mountain retreat fundraiser.

    “We have our Foundation event, our mountain retreat event, after the Charlotte race,” Biffle said. “We do that at our mountain property.”

    “It’s an exclusive event and we invite about nine drivers and we make of teams,” Biffle said. “We invite them and they go on the dirt track and shoot skeet.”

    “We have an archery course set up and we do trail rides,” Biffle continued. “It’s really a lot of fun.”

    “We raise money through sponsorships and the participants pay to attend,” Biffle said. “It is a competition so the drivers are always competitive, especially on the dirt track, but we also give awards for the best shooter and things like that.”

    “We also added the night before a poker tournament and a casino night just for fun,” Biffle continued. “Of course, people are generous enough to donate their winnings back to us which is so nice.”

    While Nicole Biffle is passionate about all of the Foundation fundraisers, she is most passionate about the real reason for the Foundation, making all of the grants. And this year, she has had a record amount of applications to consider, from 93 grants made last year to 380 applications this year.

    “We go through them and it is so difficult because there is so many,” Biffle said. “We look at what we’ve got and we tend to give to those that have little so they can keep their doors open.”

    “I had to hire an assistant to help me with the grant requests because my brain wasn’t working with what my heart was saying and I would have given to everybody,” Biffle continued. “It’s just hard but that’s obviously what the Foundation is for.”

    Nicole Biffle is also passionate about another endeavor, serving on the Board of the Friends of the Animals organization, where she serves as President and Greg as Vice President.

    “Greg and I are involved with the Friends of the Animals,” Biffle said. “That’s to build an adoption center in Mooresville.”

    “That is really, really going well,” Biffle continued. “We are making progress and the community backing is astounding.”

    “I’m pretty excited,” Biffle continued. “I think it’s going to be a big thing for us.”

    As with every mom, however, Nicole Biffle’s passion must now be shared and spread around, from her Foundation work to her roles as wife and mother. And like every busy mom, she works hard at trying to balance it all.

    “It’s different now that I’ve got Emma because I can’t focus as much time as I did in the past,” Biffle said. “I love being with her.”

    “We just try to balance it out and I’m grateful for good help at the Foundation and good board members at the Friends of the Animals.”

    Oh and by the way and on one final note, Nicole Biffle is also passionate about her husband Greg, who is currently competing for NASCAR’s highest honor the Sprint Cup. And she is very passionate in supporting him, along with Emma, in that endeavor.

    “I would love for Greg to win the championship this year,” Nicole Biffle said.”Being the first to win in all three series would be amazing.”

    “It would be awesome to have our little family to celebrate that.”

    For more information about the Greg Biffle Foundation or to purchase a 2013 calendar, visit gregbifflefoundation.com.

  • Ray Evernham Puts Boots On For Wounded Warriors

    Ray Evernham Puts Boots On For Wounded Warriors

    [media-credit name=”Gary Buchanan” align=”alignright” width=”212″][/media-credit]Ray Evernham, ESPN analyst for NASCAR, owner of East Lincoln Speedway, and two-time Daytona 500 champ as crew chief for Jeff Gordon, was on a mission at Dover International Speedway this weekend.

    Evernham was putting his boots on as part of the Boot Campaign to raise awareness and funds for wounded warriors and troops as they return home.

    “I was walking into the Charlotte Motor Speedway for the race when we were there in May and saw a young soldier named Johnny ‘Joey’ Jones,” Evernham said

    “The guy was fantastically ripped and looked like the model soldier.”

    “He was missing both of his legs,” Evernham continued. “He was wearing a T-shirt that said, ‘Ask Me About My Boots.’

    “I walked up to him and asked him about his boots and he told me about a campaign to try to get interest in buying boots to close the gap of the American society and those fighting the wars right now by raising money by selling these boots for things like prosthetics and other needs,” Evernham said. “When they come home, they’re kind of forgotten about.”

    “I was so moved by speaking to this young man that I set up a meeting to find out more about it,” Evernham continued. “And I was honored to meet another young man who was a decorated war hero call Sean Parnell, who wrote a book entitled ‘Outlaw Platoon.’

    “It’s an incredible book,” Evernham said. “I’ve been through challenging times in my life but there were times reading that book that I had to put it down because it was so emotional.”

    “What our warriors are doing over there and making sacrifices overseas so that doesn’t come to our shores is amazing,” Evernham continued. “And when they come home, we really need to support them.”

    “So, I’m honored to be part of this program and I’m getting my boots on to help support this program,” Evernham said. “The services are unbelievably needed for the guys and gals coming home.”

    “This is not just a news story,” Evernham continued. “These are young people who have made huge sacrifices and they need our help.”

    The Boot Campaign is a 501(c) 3 non-profit military appreciation and veteran awareness campaign based in Texas. The charity was started in 2009 by a group of women who call themselves ‘Boot Girls’.

    “Those of us, we call ourselves ‘Boot Girls’, and on behalf of the ‘Boot Girls’ we are so invigorated by the support and passion for giving back to the troops,” Meghan McDermott, marketing director of the Boot Campaign, said. “Ray has answered the call and joins Kasey Kahne and a list of other celebrities such as ‘The Rock’ Johnson, the Oak Ridge Boys, Troy Aikman and Dolly Parton among others.”

    “Without their support, we couldn’t reach the public,” McDermott continued. “Our motto is ‘When They Come Back, We Give Back.’

    The Boot Campaign supports a variety of programs, including urgent family assistance and supports two charity partners, the Armed Forces Foundation and the Marine Recovery Fund. The charity also provides housing for injured and homeless veterans through partnering with the Military Warriors Support Foundation.

    One of the most unique programs of the Boot Campaign is the partnership with Wounded Wear, providing free clothing and clothing modifications for wounded warriors with prosthetics or other medical devices.

    The Boot Campaign not only supports the troops themselves, but also the families of the fallen through two programs, Bratpack 11 and Special Ops Survivors. Bratpack 11, designed by 14 year old Boot Girl Kenzie, helps grant wishes and dreams of children whose parents have been killed in service. Special Ops Survivors is the sole organization helping surviving spouses of the Navy, Army, Air Force and Marine Corps Special Operations personnel killed in service since September 11th, 2001.

    “There are currently 1.4 million Americans, less than 1% of our population, that serve our country,” McDermott said. “Just like them, we can lace up our boots as a simple sign of support and walking a mile in their shoes.”

    “Our goal is simply to have 1.4 million Americans in a pair of boots to represent those who represent their country,” McDermott continued. “By year’s end, we will have raised close to $2 million for our program to do everything from mortgage free housing to wellness retreats to adaptive clothing for prosthetics.”

    “We actually also support our survivors, spouses and their families, because they cannot be forgotten,” McDermott said. “Ray’s official boot photo will be featured nationally on Bootcampaign.com starting Monday, October 1st.”

    For more information, visit www.BootCampaign.com.

  • Shawn Murray has solid season in late model after jump from Pure Stock

    Shawn Murray has solid season in late model after jump from Pure Stock

    [media-credit id=4 align=”alignright” width=”266″][/media-credit]Last season marked a memorable year for 2011 Barrie Speedway Pure Stock Champion Shawn Murray as he became the first driver from Canada to win the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series National Division III Championship.

    “It was an unbelievable experience to be racing against people from all over North America and to finish first overall was one of my greatest accomplishments,” Murray says. “Probably my most memorable championship of all three.”

    As a result, Murray got to go down to the NASCAR Hall of Fame last year and be honored as part of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Banquet. Murray says the experience was more than he ever thought it would be.

    “The total atmosphere the excitement was overwhelming and something I will never forget,” he says. “They totally know how to make you feel like that you have really accomplished something in racing; also, making some friends down there that I will have the rest of my life.”

    [media-credit name=”NASCAR” align=”alignleft” width=”301″][/media-credit]So when it came to the 2012 season and through a partnership, the decision was made to move up to the Wahta Springs Late Model division at Barrie Speedway.

    “At the start of the season we were hoping to be able to compete for a top 5 spot at some point in the season and keep up with some of the top runners,” Murray says.

    Mid-summer would be where Murray would hit his stride, scoring his first feature victory on July 28th. He followed that up with three more feature victories. In the end, Murray finished sixth in the track point standings, following four feature wins, 14 top fives and 28 top 10s in 34 feature starts. In the end Whelen Series standings, it places him as the highest finishing rookie of the year. Track standings have him finishing to Thayne Hallyburton, 22 points behind.

    “All and all, our rookie year was more than we had ever hoped for,” he says.

    In making the transition, Murray says it was tough learning how important communication with his crew chief is.

    [media-credit name=”Mike Keiers/CableGuyPhotos.com” align=”alignright” width=”301″][/media-credit]“I was lucky enough to get a great crew and very experienced crew chief (Ray McCaughey) who knew exactly what adjustments to make on the car to make it competitive,” he says.

    For the success this season, there’s a lot of people that Murray says are on his list of people to thank.

    “First I would like to thank all my crew guys and their family for allowing them to come every week – Guy, John, Drew, Chris and Griffin,” Murray says. “Also would like to thank Kyle from Baker Performance Parts for giving me the opportunity to race his late model this year. Dwayne Baker for all his advice and encouragement, and Sherry for all her support.

    “Now to my crew chief Ray McCaughey, I can’t thank him enough for having faith, patience and encouragement and total dedication to me. His vast knowledge of how to make the car fast, all the success this year is because of him.

    “Now onto the people that got me onto the track, Glenn from Lake Simcoe Heating and Air Conditioning, Tom from the Hitch House, Cheryl from Grantmyre Painting, Mr. Coates, and Jane from Financial Transitions, without great sponsors and people like this our season would never have happened.”

    Murray got started in racing after a friend of his, Jim Anderson, called him on a Saturday morning and asked if Murray wanted to go to the races to watch Anderson’s friend Steve race a mini stock.

    “After that night went back a couple more times with Jim and was hooked,” Murray says. “Bought a car near the end of the season and then started racing in the mini stock division. Always had an interest, as a little kid my dad would bring my brother and myself to Barrie Speedway to watch.”

    Murray would win the Pure Stock Track Championship in 2006, before taking three years off to work on John Gaunt’s NASCAR Canadian Tire Series pit crew.

    “I learned that attention to detail is huge on any race car, that taking notes, exact measurements is key to a fast competitive car,” Murray says of that experience. “I also learned that to be a successful driver in any series you need to have a dedicated team.”

    Gaunt is one of the two drivers that Murray calls his racing hero due to Gaunt’s determination and the total determination of his team.

    “Also a very patient driver,” he says. “I have learned a lot from him over the years and have some of the best memories racing with him and Kerry Micks, I really likes Kerry’s aggressive driving style – if he has a 10th place car he will get up on the wheel and drive it into 5th place, he is also not afraid to use the ‘chrome horn’.”

    In his own experience of racing, Murray says his biggest lesson is patience and to take the advice of seasoned veterans.

    Well for most drivers their memorable moments have come on track, Murray says that his most memorable moment in racing is meeting his future wife Sue at the track.

  • NASCAR’s Confidence Factor

    NASCAR’s Confidence Factor

    [media-credit name=”Credit: Chris Graythen/Getty Images” align=”alignright” width=”235″][/media-credit]While some still debate it, anyone involved with NASCAR knows not only is it a sport, but one that involves a unique mixture of physicality, good mechanics and a great deal of mental focus, as well as confidence.

    The mental aspect of the sport has been gaining increasing attention recently, especially as some of the drivers at the highest level acknowledge the use of sports psychologists and other confidence-building tools.

    Probably the most vocal about the mental side of the sport, especially having confidence, has been Denny Hamlin, driver of the No. 11 FedEx Office Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing. Hamlin employed the skills of a sports psychologist after narrowly missing the championship in 2010.

    “I took for granted in 2010 that we were part of a championship battle,” Hamlin said. “We had an amazing season – a career season for myself – but you get so upset about not winning a championship.”

    “When you lose a championship and you follow it up the next year and your cars don’t run as well, then it’s very frustrating.”

    “From 2010 when we won eight, this year we won five and last year we won one – I didn’t forget how to drive for a year,” Hamlin said. “That part is tough to get over when you become irrelevant after a career year.”

    “Our focus is ourselves and knowing that if I’ve got the balance that I’ve got and the car that I need, we can win,” Hamlin continued. “That’s the mental side of it.”

    Fellow Chase competitor Martin Truex, Jr., who drives the No. 56 NAPA Toyota for Michael Waltrip Racing, agreed with Hamlin as to the importance of confidence, especially in motivating the race team.

    “I obviously, definitely, think it’s a part of it,” Truex said. “But, there are times when you can love a race track and be as upbeat as you’ve ever been and still go in there and have a bad weekend.”

    “You know, having a good mental attitude is a good thing to keep the team rallied around you,” Truex continued. “Those guys really feed off the driver and it seems that the driver’s attitude can play a part in how the team is feeling and how they do their job throughout the weekend.”

    “I think everyone comes into the weekend, not matter where you go, optimistic,” Truex said. “But at the end of the day, if you can’t get your car to do what you want, it doesn’t matter how much you love the race track.”

    “For us, it’s just all about working hard and having a good attitude going in, being optimistic, being positive and just working hard and trying to get the results you’re looking for.”

    Four-time champion Jeff Gordon, driver of the No. 24 Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, affirms that confidence is key, especially for him since he is last in the Chase point standings.

    “It’s important for us to be aggressive and put pressure on them by being up front and running good,” Gordon said. “Right now we are not really on anybody’s radar.”

    “They know we run good and know we can win races and yet, they know we are really far back in points,” Gordon continued. “So right now it’s all on us to go do what we are capable of doing.”

    Cup driver Joey Logano, who currently drives for Joe Gibbs Racing but will move to Penske Racing in 2013, has many reasons to focus on improving his confidence, especially with all of the changes in his life and career.

    “I worked with a sports psychologist a few times, especially last year more than this year,” Logano said. “It’s a little bit easier with a lot more wins to keep your confidence up.”

    “I’ve learned a lot from last year; kind of learning yourself and what makes yourself work and how to handle certain situations with people and how to stay positive,” Logano continued. “I’ve learned a lot from that for sure.”

    “It’s the little things,” Logano said. “The people you surround yourself with and how you deal with conflict is so important to keep stress off yourself.”

    “My big thing is I always used to avoid controversy and now I hit it head on and then I’m done with it,” Logano continued. “It’s better that way.”

    The attention to the mental aspect of the sport, as well as the use of sports psychologist or other experts, transcends from the Cup garage to the Nationwide level as well.

    “It’s a really mental sport, probably 40% mental and 60% car,” Michael Annett, driver of the No. 43 for Richard Petty Motorsports, said. “There are times you can get so frustrated and lose time on the race track and the next lap, you make up time.”

    “The car didn’t change, but the mentality of the driver did,” Annett continued. “It’s how you bring it back so if you can maintain consistency, that’s your job.”

    “I’ve done some things like sports psychologists and the biggest thing you learn is that if you do lose focus, there are things you can do to get you back on track and back where you need to be,” Annett said. “Confidence comes with success obviously.”

    “Once you get it, it’s hard for other guys to take it away from you.”

    Perhaps rookie driver Danica Patrick had the most unique approach to the mental aspect of racing and having confidence in herself. Patrick drives in the Nationwide Series for JR Motorsports and is trying her hand at some Cup events for Tommy Baldwin Racing in preparation for next year.

    “Well I do believe in faking it until you believe it,” Patrick said. “That sort of mind frame or saying came about a few years ago.”

    “It’s easy to get down, it’s easy to not be happy or excited in the monotony of the same thing every weekend, and if things don’t go well, being upset and letting that get to you,” Patrick continued. “We just came up with that idea of fake it until you believe it.”

    “I encourage everyone to try it,” Patrick said. “If you just smile and are happy and joke, even if you are out of control and not even being honest about how excited you are about something, eventually at some point that day you will be happy.”

    “Then you are just having a good weekend and you don’t have to fake it anymore,” Patrick continued. “It’s common sense that if you say you don’t like something it’s not going to go as well.”

    “I’m just trying to apply that every weekend,” Patrick said. “I can’t say I’m completely successful.”

    “I need to find the good in it and the positive attitude will translate into better results I think.”

  • Joey Logano Pumped Up, Upbeat and Ready to Go

    [media-credit id=62 align=”alignright” width=”227″][/media-credit]With his trademark smile in place, Joey Logano said he was “pumped up, upbeat and ready to go”, not only for the weekend racing at Dover, but for the next step in his career and life as well.

    Logano had an exciting start to his Monster Mile weekend as he was on one of the planes impacted in the incident on the runway at the Charlotte airport on the way to Dover, Delaware.

    “We were in our plane about to get ready to go and the other plane drove off the runway a little bit,” Logano said. “I figured the runway was the easy part, but I don’t know I never drove one.”

    In spite of being delayed, Logano finally made it to the race track, one where he has admittedly had his share of ups and downs. Logano’s high at Dover was winning his K&N Pro Series East championship in 2007 and his low at the Monster Mile was barrel-rolling his No. 20 Cup car seven times down the banking of one of the turns.

    But for the ever-upbeat Logano, he only remembers the ‘ups’ from all of his experiences at Dover.

    “I love this track,” Logano said passionately. “I think it’s mainly up when it comes to Dover.”

    “I think it’s a great track and a great place to race,” Logano continued. “It’s just fast.”

    “It’s one of those tracks where you really feel like you’re hauling the mail,” Logano said. “It puts on great racing and I’ve had great cars most every time I’ve been here.”

    Logano will certainly see his fair share of the Monster Mile this weekend as he is doing double duty in the No. 18 Sports Clip Toyota in the Nationwide race and his familiar No. 20 Home Depot Toyota ride on the Cup side.

    How does the young driver balance all of that racing? Logano acknowledged the challenges but also expressed that there are great rewards in doing the Dover double.

    “It’s definitely a challenge,” Logano said. “Today’s the biggest challenge, running back and forth from car to car.”

    “The hardest part is when you practice the Cup car, qualify the Nationwide car and then come back and qualify the Cup car because they’re so different,” Logano continued. “You’ll run around a lot.”

    Logano said it is almost like having to keep a score card on each car in his head. And just so he does not get too confused by it all, he debriefs just as quickly as he can after each run in the two cars.

    “You have to keep track of what you did in this car and what changed in each car and then debrief with both of them,” Logano said. “That’s the challenging part.”

    “I try to debrief right then, so that way I did it and I can move on,” Logano continued. “But there are also great rewards in driving both cars because you can learn a lot in the Nationwide car that can come over and help your Cup program.”

    Logano definitely agreed with his Nationwide crew chief, Adam Stevens, in that the Monster Mile requires great aggression but can also prove most punishing if any mistakes are made.

    “Dover is an intense track,” Logano said. “You’ve got to take every opportunity you can.”

    “But when you start overheating your tires and overworking your car, it’s also a finesse track,” Logano said. “So, it’s a combination of both.”

    “It’s hard to do both but that’s what makes it fun and a cool track to race.”

    Logano said that he truly has learned from his racing experience at the Monster Mile, especially from his runs that did not go so well.

    “You learn that throughout your career, being put in certain situations,” Logano said. “You learn from your mistakes and you try to use them the best you can to make those changes.”

    “This is one of those tracks where you use a lot of your tools.”

    For Logano, Dover also feels a bit like coming home, which may just contribute to his comfort level at the Monster Mile.

    “The northeast tracks are a lot of fun for me,” Logano said. “This is where I’m from and I like being able to see everyone.”

    “I just like these tracks,” Logano said. “Dover is one of my favorites, and it might actually be my favorite.”

    “It feels like home.”

    Although Logano is feeling at home at Dover, he only has a few more races, eight to be exact, before he makes the next major change in his life. He will move from his home at Joe Gibbs Racing to his new home at Penske Racing in the No. 22 Shell Pennzoil Ford.

    “We plan to finish off as hard as we can,” Logano said. “I got a really great team where I’m at and I’m going to a really great team.”

    “I’m fortunate to have two situations like that,” Logano continued. “But my life has become very busy lately, trying to learn a new team and get to know those guys and trying to finish off this year the best you can and try to get eight more wins.”

    “It’s definitely difficult but I’m very lucky and fortunate to be in a position like this.”

    Whether lucky or busy, do not call Joey Logano a ‘lame duck’.

    “There is no such thing as that at this level,” Logano said. “Each one of these races is equally as important as before Penske came along.”

    “This is all very, very important to me,” Logano continued. “This is all we work for.”

    Logano also admitted, with all of these changes, that this is probably the most interesting time in his young life and in his racing career.

    “It is interesting for sure,” Logano admitted. “There are a lot of new things and I look at things in a different way for sure.”

    “It’s cool.”

    “I don’t know if I can sum it up in one word, but it is exciting,” Logano said. “I’m pretty upbeat about it all.”

    “I’m ready for it,” Logano continued. “I’m pumped up to go do it and make a new step in my life.”

  • Michael Annett Wishing To Start Season All Over Again

    Michael Annett Wishing To Start Season All Over Again

    [media-credit name=”Gary Buchanan” align=”alignright” width=”225″][/media-credit]With his fifth consecutive top-10 finish under his belt as of Kentucky Speedway last weekend, Michael Annett has been very pleased with the consistency of his No. 43 Pilot Flying J Ford Mustang in the Nationwide Series.

    But the young up-and-coming racer also wishes that he could start the season all over again and really compete for that coveted championship with all the momentum he has gained since the start of the season.

    “I’ve never run this consistently well so the biggest lesson I’ve learned is how much it takes to win the championship,” Annett said. “It really can be won or lost at Daytona, the first race of the year because if you do have an issue, it takes awhile to bounce back.”

    “Now, it’s like I wish I could start the season all over again because I’d be right there with them.”

    Although he may wish that he could go back in time, Annett acknowledged that he is most pleased with the progress the team has made and with all the top-10 runs. But he also longs for even more performance and would especially like to get to Victory Lane.

    “I think we’re definitely excited with the consistency we’ve had, especially with it being top-10 runs,” Annett said. “But we’re actually to the point now where we’re not satisfied with top-10s and are looking for those top-fives and knocking on the door for that first win.”

    “I’m very proud of what we’ve been able to do here, especially the second half of the season and now we’re disappointed with a seventh place finish like last weekend.”

    Annett acknowledged that his good runs have bred a bit of confidence, so much so that he feels that he can get one more spot in the point standings.

    “I think the confidence is there now,” Annett said. “It started with the first time we went to Kentucky early in the season and we just had a really good run there.”

    “I knew each time we unloaded, I knew we’d have cars capable of being up front,” Annett continued. “And the more I’ve run in the top-10, I’ve learned a lot more.”

    “I’ve learned how difficult it is to take a seventh place car and make it a third place car.”

    “Consistency is great, especially since we’re trying to chase down the No. 51 for fifth in points,” Annett said. “The past few weeks, we’ve gained on him, but if we could move those top-10s to top-fives, we could speed up that process of running them down.”

    “We keep chipping away at the fifth place in points and that would definitely feel like a championship for us,” Annett continued. “You just have to have a perfect day to win one of these races.”

    “I think we’re really close right now and it will just be one of those days where we have a top-three car and hopefully make it a winning race car.”

    For Annett, winning will require a perfect mix of mental fortitude, as well as a great handling car.

    “Racing really is mental, probably 40% mental and 60% car,” Annett said. “There are times you can get so frustrated and lose time on the race track and the next lap, you make up time.”

    “The car didn’t change but the mentality of the driver did,” Annett continued. “It’s how you bring it back so if you can maintain consistency, that’s your job.”

    Annett admits that he, like many other drivers including Cup driver Denny Hamlin, has consulted with a sports psychologist. And he also admits to being just a tad bit superstitious as well.

    “I’ve done some things like sports psychologists and the biggest thing you learn is that if you do lose focus, there are things you can do to get you back on track and back where you need to be,” Annett said. “Confidence comes with success obviously. Once you get it, it’s hard for other guys to take it away from you.”

    “I’m very superstitious actually,” Annett continued. “Not a whole lot to do with racing, but more just stuff in general.”

    “I don’t think superstition changes anything because I have the same routine every race and sometimes we finish 28th and sometime we finish third. And I didn’t do anything different.”

    “I think that’s more just stuff in your head that in the long run doesn’t change anything.”

    Whether confidence or superstition, Annett also credits his good runs to the alliance that his single car team at Richard Petty Motorsports has with the Roush Fenway organization.

    “We have a really good alliance with Roush Fenway, just like our Cup program,” Annett said. “The engineers meet and we share all of our information.”

    “There is a lot of communication there,” Annett continued. “I know for a fact we wouldn’t be where we are without this support.”

    “That has been a key attribute. You can have an alliance but if you don’t use it, it does not lead to success,” Annett said. “I think we do a pretty good job of it.”

    Annett is definitely wishing for a good run this weekend at Dover, a place that he has deemed “just fun to come to.”

    “There’s nowhere else like it,” Annett said of the Monster Mile.”You try to say it’s like Bristol but the sensation in the car and what you go through in the corner here is completely different.”

    “Obviously, they look a bit alike and you can take some things that you learned at Bristol and apply them at Dover,” Annett continued. “But I think the biggest thing we fight here is how hard the car lands in the corners.”

    “That dropping sensation; this is the only place you feel that,” Annett said. “That’s the first thing we fight and start off working on that landing.”

    “You’re never going to get a whole lap here comfortable for the driver,” Annett continued. “It’s just getting it comfortable enough so the driver can drive it consistently.”

    In addition to the Roush Fenway alliance, Annett also counts himself among the fortunate who have a ride lined up for next year.

    “I’m going to definitely be back in this car running for a championship,” Annett said. “When this season ends, I’m going to be really disappointed because we’ve had some of the best momentum in the garage right now.”

    “It’s going to be a long off-season and I’ll be itching to get back to Daytona in February,” Annett continued. “And, if things work out, maybe I’ll get a handful of Cup races, but we’ll definitely be focused on that Nationwide championship for the upcoming year.”

  • NASCAR Mourns Two Legends Chris Economaki and Bob Newton

    NASCAR Mourns Two Legends Chris Economaki and Bob Newton

    In this undated photo provided by CBS Sports, journalist Chris Economaki is shown at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Economaki, regarded as the authoritative voice in motorsports for decades, died Friday, Sept. 28, 2012. He was 91. (AP Photo/File)

    NASCAR and the racing world in general lost two legends this week, Bob Newton and Chris Economaki. As news filtered through the NASCAR garage and media center at Dover International Speedway of Economaki’s passing and of the passing earlier in the week of Newton, many in leadership roles, as well as the drivers themselves, took time to remember.

    Chris Economaki, who died at the age of 91, was so important to the world of motorsports. The ‘Dean of Motorsports’ worked for more than forty years for venues including CBS, ESPN and ABC’s Wide World of Sports.

    “The passing of Chris Economaki is a tough loss for me on both a personal and professional level, having known Chris throughout my life,” Brian France, NASCAR Chairman and CEO, said. “Many people consider Chris the greatest motorsports journalist of all time.”

    “He was, indeed, the ‘Dean’ and was a fixture for years at NASCAR events, playing a huge role in growing NASCAR’s popularity,” France continued. “I’ll miss seeing him and of course, I’ll miss hearing that voice.”

    “Our thought and prayers are with his daughters Corinne and Tina and the rest of Chris’ family.”

    In addition to NASCAR leadership, the leadership of Ford Motor Company and Ford Racing Communications also paid tribute to Economaki.

    “All of us at Ford Motor Company are sorry to hear of Chris Economaki’s passing,” Edsel B. Ford II, said. “He was an icon of the sport of auto racing a familiar, knowledgeable face and voice to millions of race fans around the world.”

    “Chris’ passing marks the end of a great era of auto racing and how it was covered in this country,” Kevin Kennedy, Ford Racing Communications Director, said. “He truly loved the sport, probably more than any journalist I knew, but he also loved the people who made up the sport and was quick to tell a great story, say a kind word to those new in the sport, and hold court on any subject the sport could dish out.”

    “I’ll miss that great voice.”

    In addition to NASCAR leadership, the drivers themselves also weighed in on Economaki’s passing, including Jeff Gordon, four-time champion; Tony Stewart, reigning champ; Danica Patrick, making her way in the Nationwide and Cup Series; and past champion Matt Kenseth.

    “Speed Sport News was something that I read religiously,” Jeff Gordon said. “Chris did a lot for that newspaper and for motorsports and he was passionate about all of it.”

    “The last time I saw him was earlier this year and still, that is all he thought about was racing,” Gordon continued. “And he cared so much about what was happening in this sport and wanted to make a difference and wanted to get those stories out there.”

    “It’s just not very often that you come across somebody that puts their heart and soul and entire life mission into that.”

    “Obviously, Chris has covered racing for so long, not only been a journalist but a great announcer at the same time and pit report,” Tony Stewart said. “I don’t think anybody here that has been involved in racing for very long didn’t get Speed Sport News every week.”

    “Luckily, Speed Sport News is still going on and then it got turned over to some really good hands,” Smoke continued. “The guy that started it all unfortunately we lost.”

    “I’ve met him a couple times and am aware of what he’s done and how much he means to journalism and motorsports,” Danica Patrick said. “I just know how instrumental he’s been and how long he’s been around.”

    “It’s sad that any time someone who has been around forever and is a legend dies.”

    “You would hear him when NASCAR racing first started being on TV, or at least being on TV in Wisconsin before I could see it in person, and you couldn’t help but notice Chris,” Matt Kenseth said. “He was one of the first and probably the most recognizable and famous voices there was with motorsports.”

    “I’m sad about his passing.”

    The racing world, including NASCAR, also lost another member of the family with the death of Bob Newton this week. Newton founded the company that produced tires for NASCAR cars in the 1980s and in other racing series as well.

    “What an impact he made,” Jeff Gordon said. “Bob Newton with Hoosier Tire really changed what short track racing his today.”

    “His efforts and that family certainly made a big impact on my life, and racing, and what I raced on for years before I ever got tot eh Cup Series.”

    “So, two big losses this week.”

    “Bob Newton, I don’t even know where to start,” Tony Stewart said. “There is so much I can say about him.  He is just a great guy.”

    “I’ve worked with Hoosier Racing Tire since I was probably 20 or 21 years old,” Smoke continued. “They have been a sponsor of mine ever since.”

    “The thing about Bob is he always cared about the racers more than he cared about himself.”

    “You hate it when you have a week where you lose two great people that meant so much to the sport like this.”

  • NASCAR Community Embraces Five Year Old Cancer Survivor Ricky Mock

    NASCAR Community Embraces Five Year Old Cancer Survivor Ricky Mock

    In many ways, Ricky is like any other young boy.

    “He loves anything to do with racing,” his mother, Sue, told me. “He’ll spend hours racing his toys and playing out different scenarios. The only video games he’ll play are racing ones.”

    Ricky also loves “Sponge Bob,’ watching cartoons and animals.

    “He’s just a precocious, fun-loving kid,” Sue says. “He wakes up in the morning happy and even with all he’s been through; he’s kept his zest for life.”

    In April of 2011, Ricky began complaining that his leg hurt and would often sit and cry because of the pain.

    They were eventually referred to an orthopedist for tests. After seeing the results, he set up an appointment for them at the Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois. The family met with Dr. Walter Virkus, an orthopedic trauma and oncology surgeon.

    He performed a bone biopsy and Ricky was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma in December. It’s a malignant cancer that usually affects children and adolescents. The cancer had metastasized to the liver and an aggressive treatment plan was formed.

    The regimen began with six cycles of chemotherapy administered over 18 weeks.  In March of 2012, Ricky underwent liver resection surgery.

    His Mom spoke of how the treatment took its toll on the young boy.

    “He was hospitalized about every 10 days for either a fever or from the chemo from January 4th – May 5th,” she said.

    The hardest part was yet to come.

    The chemotherapy had shrunk the cancer but because his entire right femur was involved, the femur would have to be removed to save Ricky’s life.

    Ricky’s parents were presented with two options; a full amputation at the hip or a lesser known procedure called a rotationplasty which would allow the surgeon to reconnect the tibia (lower part of the leg) to the hip bone.

    Sue explains their decision to go with a version of the rotationplasty surgery as “three weeks of discussion, research, tears, and questions.”

    Before Sue and her husband Dave delivered the news to their son, they took him on a family vacation.

    “We chose to go to Florida and see Winter, the star of the movie ‘Dolphin Tale,’ at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.”

    His parents contacted the aquarium ahead of time and arranged a special visit. They hoped that the meeting would help when it came time to explain the upcoming surgery to their son.

    Winter is not your typical dolphin. She was rescued after being caught in a crab trap line and was sent to the aquarium to begin her recovery. As a result of the accident, Winter lost her entire tail and two vertebrae.

    Few dolphins survive such an experience but Winter beat the odds.  Her resilience inspired her rescuers to come up with a procedure to fit her with a prosthetic tail. The rehabilitation process is ongoing but Winter had adapted amazingly well to the device.

    The people at the aquarium were “phenomenal”, according to Sue. They allowed Ricky and his parents to meet with the trainer and get a firsthand look as he attached the prosthetic tail to the dolphin.

    At this time, Ricky did not know about his surgery but his parents soon discovered that the trip had made a lasting impression on Ricky.

    When the family arrived back home, Sue and Dave sat down with Ricky to talk about the upcoming operation. They had also picked up a book about the dolphin, Winter, to help them break the news.

    Sue describes the heartbreaking conversation, saying “We tried to explain to our precious little boy that he was going to have surgery to have the sickness removed from his body. We told him he would be like Winter and would have to learn to wear a fake leg just like Winter.”

    They weren’t sure if he truly understood what was going to happen until they went to meet with the surgeon.

    The surgeon told Ricky that he wanted to talk to him about his surgery. But to everyone’s surprise, Ricky interrupted the surgeon and began telling him what was going to happen.

    “He showed the surgeon the book about Winter,” Sue said, “and went to a page in the book where it showed a picture of an amputee with the dolphin.”

    Ricky had the surgery on May 21, 2012 and the procedure went smoothly. His recovery was difficult because he was in a cast from the middle of his chest to his knees. This left him immobilized for about six weeks and finding ways to entertain their son proved challenging.

    His parents improvised by setting up makeshift race tracks on his bed but it just wasn’t the same. Ricky found a new outlet in video games.

    In late July Ricky began getting fitted for his prosthetic leg and going to physical therapy at Shriners Hospital for Children in Chicago, Illinois to learn how to use the prosthetic leg.

    Word soon spread about this courageous young boy who loves racing and the NASCAR community responded. He has received cards, pictures and autographs from people all around the country.

    “We have been so incredibly overwhelmed by everyone’s support and it never ceases to amazes us,” Sue said.

    To learn more about Ricky please visit his “Team Ricky” Facebook page at the link below.

    http://www.facebook.com/groups/TeamRicky

    Special thanks to Don Betke, Chrissy Pistone, Santus Gore, Gerry Wright, Shelley Cochran,  James Cochran and LJ Cochran for their efforts in bringing Ricky’s story to the attention of the NASCAR community. There are so many others who have selflessly come forward to support Ricky and his family in countless ways. It’s impossible to list each person by name but your spirit of giving is truly appreciated.

  • Paulie Harraka Goes Back to School with Tutor Ted Musgrave

    Paulie Harraka Goes Back to School with Tutor Ted Musgrave

    [media-credit name=”Gary Buchanan” align=”alignright” width=”231″][/media-credit]He may have just graduated from Duke, but the young racer from New Jersey, Paulie Harraka, is now going back to school, this time under the tutelage of veteran driver Ted Musgrave.

    Harraka recently parted ways with Wauters Motorsports in the Camping World Truck Series and made a run at his first Nationwide race at Richmond last weekend, all under the watchful eye of mentor and spotter Musgrave.

    “Building off of the first half of the season, we felt this was the most logical next step for Paulie’s development,” Musgrave said. “Paulie’s got the talent and work ethic and now we need to get him the experience.”

    Both Harraka’s and Musgrave’s goal was for the young driver to learn at Richmond and finish in the top-25. Harraka achieved that goal, running all the laps and finishing 25th in the Randy Hill Racing Ford.

    “I really enjoyed working with the team,” Harraka said. “It was something that we put together at the last minute and so we set some modest goals.”

    “Ted Musgrave has been spotting for me and mentoring me and guiding us as we decide what races I should do,” Harraka continued. “He felt like this was a good one for me to do.”

    “I had never been to Richmond before but it was similar to many that we had been to in the past,” Harraka said. “The weekend went as we planned and as we hoped.”

    While Harraka is unsure of when his next race will be, he most certainly enjoyed his time in the Nationwide car and at Richmond. In fact, he found it even more comfortable that his truck ride, especially since it was more like the K&N Pro Series cars that he has grown up racing and in which he had so much success.

    “There is definitely potential that we will run more races in the Nationwide Series this year,” Harraka said. “Nothing has been decided yet.”

    “But Richmond helped us build some positive momentum.”

    “I definitely enjoyed being in the Nationwide car,” Harraka said. “It does drive different than the truck and I definitely enjoyed it.”

    “It is closer to the K&N Pro Series cars that I’ve run in the past so I definitely enjoy the Nationwide cars even more.”

    What Harraka appreciated most about running the Nationwide race, however, was the opportunity to continue going to school on the race track, with the voice of Ted Musgrave in his ear.

    “This year is very, very much a learning experience for me,” Harraka said. “We knew that going into it.”

    “The best thing that we’ve done is bringing Ted in,” Harraka continued. “He is serving in a lot of roles, not just coaching at the race track, but really helping guide our decisions about what’s best for me and for my development.”

    “He was the one who said we needed to run the Nationwide race at Richmond and so we went and did it,” Harraka said. “We are following what he is advising.”

    “Ted is leading the charge as to what races we run.”

    Harraka first partnered with Musgrave when he raced for his first time at Dover. And the partnership has flourished ever since.

    “Ted happened to be spotting for Ron Hornaday at the time,” Harraka said. “He mentioned that Ron was only running a few laps in practice.”

    “Since it was my first time at Dover and my normal spotter wasn’t going to be there on practice day, I asked him if he would mind giving me some critical feedback,” Harraka continued. “Ted, being a great guy, was cool with that and he was really helpful to us at Dover.”

    “I knew then that we wanted to get him more involved,” Harraka said. “Fortunately, he was willing to jump on board with us for the rest of the year and he’s been a huge asset.”

    While Musgrave may not be physically training with the up and coming driver, he certainly is training Harraka as to how to approach his racing mentally and strategically.

    “Ted’s not one to go on a two mile run with me,” Harraka said with a chuckle. “It’s definitely conversational more than anything else.”

    “A lot of what he’s taught is how to think about different scenarios and different situations and how to prioritize what you worry about and what you don’t worry about,” Harraka continued. “He helps to think about how to position yourself throughout the race.”

    “There are so many situations that you have to deal with and he’s been in those different scenarios at all levels,” Harraka said. “So, being able to draw from that experience, it’s just huge.”

    What Harraka appreciates most in his schooling with Musgrave is his honest feedback, his consistency and his ability to help him grow and develop based on his past mistakes and successes.

    “I’ve got other people that I can learn from and do lean on, but having someone who is there with you week in and week out is huge,” Harraka said. “Ted knows my strengths and my weaknesses as good as anybody.”

    “He knows what I need to learn to get better,” Harraka continued. “To be able to have that continuity allows us to keep building on the things we’ve done.”

    “He reminds me of what we did weeks ago so I can build on that.”

    One of the biggest lessons that Harraka has been learning is that the path to racing success is often filled with twists and turns, on and off the track.

    “One of my favorite quotes is that some of the best laid plans are changed often,” Harraka said. “When I got to Duke, I was engineering major, but when I graduated Duke, I was a markets and management major.”

    “While I am a goal-directed person, you also have to be smart enough to be flexible and make changes when they are necessary,” Harraka continued. “And that’s what we’ve done.”

    “The goal remains the same but we’ve just changed some of the action steps along the way.”

    “The good thing is that we’re still moving forward,” Harraka said. “I have a fantastic group of people supporting me both on the business side.”

    “And with Ted, we’re growing, learning and moving forward, just as you’d want to be.”