Category: XFINITY Series

NASCAR XFINITY Series news and information

  • BUDWEISER TO SPONSOR SPEEDWEEKS AND DUEL AT DAYTONA BEGINNING IN 2013

    BUDWEISER TO SPONSOR SPEEDWEEKS AND DUEL AT DAYTONA BEGINNING IN 2013

    [media-credit name=”anheuser-busch.com” align=”alignright” width=”293″][/media-credit]ST. LOUIS AND DAYTONA BEACH, FLA.(Feb. 24, 2012) – Budweiser and Daytona International Speedway today announced the beer brand will take on an enhanced role in NASCAR’s season opening festivities.

    Beginning with the 2013 season, Budweiser will become the official title sponsor of Speedweeks –the ten-day stretch of stock-car races from the Shootout to the Daytona 500®.  Budweiser also will secure entitlement of the Budweiser Duel at Daytona, two 150-mile qualifying races that determine the starting lineup for the Daytona 500.  These enhancements to Budweiser’s partnership with DIS will replace the brand’s existing entitlement of the season-opening, non-points Shootout.

    “Speedweeks at Daytona International Speedway marks the official start of the NASCAR season, and the opportunity to expand our presence throughout the ten-day event puts Budweiser even more in the thick of it all,” said Brad Brown, vice president of sports & entertainment marketing, Anheuser-Busch. “The Shootout has been an important element of our NASCAR program for 34 years, but this opportunity to enhance our partnership makes Budweiser even more relevant to our consumers as well as the fans of the Daytona 500.”

    As part of the sponsorship, Budweiser will also receive the presenting sponsorship of the Daytona 500 pre-race broadcast show.  The brand will also receive increased access for consumer hospitality events, including naming rights to the 5th Turn hospitality area throughout Speedweeks.

    “Budweiser is the longest running active partner with Daytona International Speedway and we are incredibly excited to enter this new chapter with them in 2013,” said Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood.  “The opportunities created by this enhanced partnership are compelling and our fans will benefit the most.  The intensity and fun atmosphere that Budweiser brought to the Shootout for so many years will be taken up several notches as they assume a much broader role during Speedweeks and ‘The Great American Race.’ ”

    About Anheuser-Busch

    Based in St. Louis, Anheuser-Busch is the leading American brewer, holding a 48.3 percent share of U.S. beer sales to retailers. The company brews the world’s largest-selling beers, Budweiser and Bud Light. Anheuser-Busch also owns a 50 percent share in Grupo Modelo, Mexico’s leading brewer. Anheuser-Busch is a major manufacturer of aluminum cans and has been a leading aluminum recycler for more than 30 years. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev, the leading global brewer, and continues to operate under the Anheuser-Busch name and logo. For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com.

    About Daytona International Speedway

    Known as the “World Center of Racing,” Daytona International Speedway has activity nearly every day of the year hosting stock cars, sports cars, motorcycles and karts. Daytona International Speedway has at least eight major race weekends a year with premier events such as the DAYTONA 500, the Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola on Independence Day holiday weekend, the Rolex 24 At Daytona sports car event, the Daytona Supercross By Honda and the Daytona 200 motorcycle classic. In addition, Daytona International Speedway showcases daily track tours and is home to the winning Daytona 500 car.

  • PASTRANA ANNOUNCES 7-RACE NATIONWIDE AND 11-RACE K&N SCHEDULE FOR 2012

    PASTRANA ANNOUNCES 7-RACE NATIONWIDE AND 11-RACE K&N SCHEDULE FOR 2012

    ACTION SPORTS STAR TO MAKE NATIONWIDE DEBUT IN RICHMOND

    CORNELIUS, N.C. –Travis Pastrana will make a long-awaited NASCAR Nationwide Series debut in the No. 99 Boost Mobile Toyota at Richmond International Raceway on April 27.

    The 11-time X-Games gold medalist and action sports star plans to run seven Nationwide Series races as well as 11 K&N Pro Series races in 2012. He’ll make his K&N debut in the season-opening race at Bristol Motor Speedway on March 17.

    “The wait has been grueling,” Pastrana said. “This is one of the toughest things I’ve ever done. But we’re ready to go now. We have seven Nationwide races planned but if we can secure some additional sponsorship we’ll run more. If it were up to me we’d run every race after Richmond. I’m ready to get this thing going.”

    Pastrana expected to make his Nationwide Series debut last season at the July 30th race in Indianapolis. But two nights before the race he broke his right ankle and foot in Los Angeles while attempting a trick called a “TP Roll” which is a 720 on a motorcycle during the Best Trick Competition in the X Games.

    The injury and surgeries forced him to miss his entire 2012 Nationwide schedule.

    “I was pretty much unable to do anything for a couple months, but as soon as they let me I was back behind the wheel testing and preparing for this upcoming season. I have to thank Boost Mobile for its patience and understanding – they didn’t have to stick with me through all this, but they did and I really appreciate it. I really hope to reward their commitment once I get back behind the wheel at Richmond.”

    Before the accident, Pastrana raced in four K&N races plus the Toyota All-Star Showdown at Irwindale (Calif.) Speedway where he finished sixth. Last month, he raced for AF Waltrip in the Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway.

    Pastrana will race under the Pastrana199 Racing banner in 2012. The team will have a technical alliance with Michael Waltrip Racing supplying personnel and equipment. Boost Mobile will sponsor each of the seven Nationwide races while iRacing will serve as the primary sponsor in four K&N races.

    Pastrana, 28, owns multiple supercross and motocross championships, and four Rally America championship. He is also known for his Nitro Circus empire, which includes a TV show, live tours and a soon-to-be-released 3D feature film.

    Pastrana Nationwide Schedule

    Richmond                               April 27

    Darlington                                May 11

    Charlotte                                 May 26

    New Hampshire                      July 14

    Chicagoland                            July 22

    Indianapolis                             July 28

    Atlanta                                     Sept. 1

    Pastrana K&N Schedule

    Bristol                                      March 17

    Greenville-Pickens                 March 31

    Richmond                               April 26

    Iowa                                        May 19

    Bowman Gray                        June 2

    Langley                                   June 23

    Iowa                                        Aug. 3

    Greenville-Pickens                 Sept. 3

    New Hampshire                      Sept. 22

    Dover                                      Sept. 28

    Rockingham                           Nov.3

    About Boost Mobile

    Boost Mobile, one of Sprint’s award-winning prepaid brands, offers wireless phones and services with no long-term contracts. Boost Mobile redefines value for wireless consumers with its Monthly Unlimited with Shrinkage no-contract service, where the longer you stay the less you pay with on-time payments for unlimited voice, text messaging, Web, email and calls to 411. Boost Mobile offers nationwide service on the Nationwide Sprint Network, reaching more than 280 million people, and on the Nextel National Network, reaching more than 278 million people, with no activation or long-distance fees. Boost Mobile offers a selection of quality handsets from LG, Motorola, Research In Motion (RIM), Samsung, Sanyo and ZTE, ranging from entry-level to Android™ smartphone devices available nationwide at nearly 20,000 major retail stores, including Best Buy, RadioShack, Target, Family Dollar, Walgreens and Walmart, Sprint retail stores, independent wireless dealer locations, and on HSN, a leading TV home shopping network. Re-Boost® cards are available at approximately 100,000 locations throughout the United States. Experience Boost Mobile on the Web at Facebook and Twitter; and purchase products at www.boostmobile.com.

  • NOS Announces Partnership with Roush Fenway Racing, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. for the 2012 NASCAR Nationwide Season

    NOS Announces Partnership with Roush Fenway Racing, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. for the 2012 NASCAR Nationwide Season

    DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 24, 2012) — NOS® Energy Drink, the brand known for providing high performance energy, has further solidified its rich motorsports heritage with a partnership with reigning NASCAR Nationwide Series 2011 Champion Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and NASCAR’s winningest team Roush Fenway Racing.

    Stenhouse will be the focal point for the brand’s strategic motorsports media outreach, and be featured in national and local initiatives.  Fans will be able to take part in the fun by acquiring custom co-branded Stenhouse merchandise and memorabilia through the NOS Rewards Series, the under-the-tab loyalty program launched in 2011.

    “We’ve always made it a point to work with partners that embody what NOS stands for—high performance energy, unwavering mental focus, and aggressive determination—and Ricky and Roush Fenway are perfect examples .” said Eric Helms, NOS director of marketing.  “Ricky’s young, he’s charismatic, and though he’s had tremendous success, he’s still committed to getting better.  We’re excited to be teammates and we can’t wait for the season to start.”

    NOS’ energetic colors will be featured on three races as Stenhouse mans the No. 6 Roush Fenway Ford Mustang entry in 2012, as he competes to defend his NASCAR Nationwide Series Championship title.  Those races include Daytona on July 6th, Bristol on August 24th and Texas on November 4th.

    “It’s awesome to have NOS Energy on our No. 6 Ford Mustang,” said Stenhouse.  “We both have our sights set on going fast and finishing first in 2012, and I look forward to drinking a lot of NOS in victory lane this season.”

    NOS® is deeply rooted in motorsports serving as the Official Energy Drink of both NASCAR and Formula DRIFT.  The brand recently entered the competitive gaming category and counts Major League Gaming and Virgin Gaming among its partners.

    About NOS Energy Drink Launched in 2005, NOS Energy Drink fuels victory by providing the high performance energy and enhanced mental focus you need to stay ahead of the pack behind the wheel, behind the controller and everywhere in between.  NOS is part of the glacéau unit of Coca Cola North America. glacéau consists of brands that offer great-tasting hydration for every occasion, including vitaminwater®, smartwater®, POWERADE®, NOS® and Full Throttle®.  The Coca-Cola Company is the world’s largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands.  For more information about NOS, visit www.drinknos.com or Facebook.com/NOSEnergyDrink.

    About Roush Fenway Racing

    Roush Fenway Racing is the winningest team in NASCAR history, fielding multiple teams in the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series with championship drivers Carl Edwards, Matt Kenseth, Greg Biffle, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Trevor Bayne. Celebrating 25 winning years in 2012, Roush Fenway is the leader in NASCAR marketing solutions, pioneering its exclusive Roush Fenway OnTrack sponsorship measurement services, motorsport’s first team-focused TV show and its award-winning social marketing channel RickyvsTrevor.com. Visit www.RoushFenway.com, circle on Google+ at +Roush Fenway Racing, become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/roushfenway and follow on Twitter at @roushfenway. For sponsorship inquiries call John Bauersfeld at 704.720.4621

    For more information on NOS: Victor Carrillo, The ID Agency, victor@theidagency.com

    For more information on Roush Fenway: Andrea Perry, aperry@roushfenway.com

  • Tommy Baldwin Racing NASCAR Nationwide Series Advance — Daytona International Speedway

    Tommy Baldwin Racing NASCAR Nationwide Series Advance — Daytona International Speedway

    Tommy Baldwin Racing NASCAR Nationwide Series Advance: Daytona International Speedway

    Race: Drive4COPD 300 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series: 1 of 33 Track: Daytona International Speedway

    Ryan Truex will pilot the Tommy Baldwin Racing (TBR) No. 36 Chevrolet in the team’s NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) debut at Daytona International Speedway (DIS). Truex is set to qualify for the Drive4COPD 300 Friday, February 24.

    TBR NATIONWIDE SERIES DEBUT – The start at DIS will mark TBR’s first NNS start. The team is scheduled to run eight races this season with drivers Ryan Truex, Ryan Blaney and Bobby Santos.

    TRUEX’S DEBUT AT DAYTONA – Truex made 24 starts in the NNS series in the 2010 and 2011 seasons. He collected one top-five and five top-10 finishes. This start will be the Mayetta, N.J., native’s first superspeedway start.

    GRIME BOSS – Grime Boss, a new brand from Nice-Pak Products, Inc., will sponsor the No. 36 Chevrolet this weekend for the NNS race in Daytona. Nice-Pak, founded in 1955 and headquartered in Orangeburg, NY is the largest global producer of pre-moistened wipes, including brands such as the original Wet-Nap® Moist Towelletes, Sani-Hands® Instant Hand Sanitizing Wipes, and Sani-Cloth® Germicidal Disposable Wipes. Look for Grime Boss at www.grimeboss.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GrimeBoss.

    CHASSIS NO. 501 – The rookie NNS team will compete with Chassis No. 501 this weekend. The chassis was bought from Red Bull Racing.

    BRAD PARROTT – NNS veteran crew chief Brad Parrott will head the team of young drivers, Ryan Blaney, Ryan Truex and Bobby Santos, in an eight-race schedule for the No. 36 Chevrolet. Parrott brings more than 20 years of knowledge to the rookie NNS program. He has worked as crew chief and car chief for many successful teams in both series, including Yates Racing, Earnhardt Ganassi Racing and Roush Fenway Racing. Parrott complied 18 wins as a NNS crew chief. He won the 1999 NSCS Championship as the car chief at Yates Racing, where he compiled 23 victories in his five-year tenure as Car Chief of the team.

    KEEPING UP WITH TBR – Keep up with TBR by following twitter.com/TBR_Racing and liking facebook.com/TBR.HBR. You can also follow updates from Ryan Truex at twitter.com/Ryan_Truex.

    Ryan Truex Quotes: ON MAKING HIS DAYTONA DEBUT – “I’m happy to be back in a racecar. I was back and forth between teams last year, so it is nice to be in a car for the first race of this season. I’m excited about racing at a superspeedway. This is my first restrictor plate race and first start at Daytona. It’s something I’ve never done, but it looks like a lot of fun. Superspeedway racing is something I need to learn as I progress in my career. Hopefully, I can find myself a good partner to work with and have a good finish at the end.”

    Tommy Baldwin Quotes: ON THE NEW NATIONWIDE TEAM – “We are really working hard to develop young talent. The Nationwide series is a great place for young drivers to learn the ropes and compete at the same tracks as the ‘Cup series. It is important to give these kids opportunities to showcase their talents for their future and for the future of TBR. We are thrilled for that to start this weekend with Ryan Truex at Daytona.”

    ###

    About Nice-Pak:

    Nice-Pak, founded in 1955 and headquartered in Orangeburg, NY is the largest global producer of pre-moistened wipes, including brands such as the original Wet-Nap® Moist Towelletes, Sani-Hands® Instant Hand Sanitizing Wipes, and Sani-Cloth® Germicidal Disposable Wipes. The company pioneered the development of pre-moistened wipes as the optimum dispensing system for cleaning, sanitization and disinfecting in healthcare, household, cosmetic and personal hygiene applications. Nice-Pak/PDI leverages state-of-the-art product development and manufacturing capabilities to supply superior, leading-edge products to every class of trade. For more information, visit www.nicepakwipes.com or www.pdipdi.com. Look for Grime Boss at www.grimeboss.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GrimeBoss.

    About Tommy Baldwin Racing:

    NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) Crew Chief Tommy Baldwin formed Tommy Baldwin Racing (TBR) in 2009. Baldwin utilized a declining economy to open a NSCS team with a stringent budget. The team worked to build to full-time competition, and by the 2011 season, the team’s third season, TBR competed in every race and locked the No. 36 Chevrolet in the top-35 in NSCS Owner Points. Dave Blaney drove the No. 36 Chevrolet to TBR’s highest finish of third in the October 2011 event at Talladega Superspeedway. TBR also fielded a second car for select races in the past two seasons with multiple drivers.

    Based in Mooresville, N.C., TBR will compete in the NSCS in 2012 with NASCAR veterans David Reutimann and Dave Blaney. The team will also compete in the NASCAR Nationwide Series with Ryan Blaney, Bobby Santos and Ryan Truex.

    For more information on Tommy Baldwin Racing, visit tommybaldwinracing.com or follow us on Facebook, facebook.com/TBR.HBR, and Twitter, twitter.com/TBR_Racing.

  • Richard Petty Motorsports Nationwide Daytona Race Preview

    Richard Petty Motorsports Nationwide Daytona Race Preview

    [media-credit name=”RichardPettyMotorsports.com” align=”alignright” width=”180″][/media-credit]DAYTONA RACE PREVIEW

    Michael Annett• No. 43 Pilot Flying J Ford Mustang

    Annett will make his sixth career start in the NASCAR Nationwide Series at Daytona Annett will be making his first start for Richard Petty Motorsports this weekend Annett’s best finish (sixth) came in 2011 at Daytona International Speedway

    Michael Annett on Racing in Daytona: “I love going to Daytona. It’s a great way to kick-off the year and get everyone excited for the 2012 season. I’ve always enjoyed racing at Daytona, I can just feel the electricity and excitement in the air. I feel like I have a good grasp on superspeedway racing, so I can’t think of a better way to start the year.”

    Annett on Racing for Richard Petty Motorsports: “I’m really excited to get behind the wheel of a Richard Petty Motorsports Ford for the first time this weekend. To be racing for “The King” is just unbelievable. I feel very fortunate to be in the historic No. 43 and to have partners like Pilot and Flying J on the car. I know I’ve got a great group of crew guys backing me up and a knowledgeable and talented crew chief in Philippe Lopez.  I just can’t wait to get out on the track and see what my Ford Mustang has this weekend.”

    Crew Chief Philippe Lopez’s Thoughts on Racing in Daytona: “There is a whole lot of excitement going into Daytona. I love superspeedways and I especially love Daytona. I’ve always seemed to have good success at superspeedways and to be with Richard Petty Motorsports for the first time going into Daytona, is just incredible.

    “I watched Michael (Annett) do a really good job in the draft last year at Daytona. He was running in the top-five for the majority of the race and I was really impressed with what I saw. Michael is going to have to find himself a good drafting partner this weekend and I think he really excels at drafting, so that shouldn’t be a problem. We just need to make sure we get a committed partner and we will do just fine.”

    Chassis History: The No. 43 RPM NASCAR Nationwide Series team has prepared chassis No. 641 for the 300-mile race at Daytona. This Pilot Flying J Ford Mustang is brand new to Richard Petty Motorsports this season.

    Notes: Annett has six NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at Daytona International Speedway. His best finish (sixth) at the 2.5-mile tri-oval came in 2011. His best start (ninth) at the superspeedway came in 2009. Annett has completed 545 of 664 laps attempted at Daytona.

    Can’t get enough of Annett? Michael will visit the Ford Display at Daytona International Speedway on Friday at 12 p.m. for a 15 minute Q-and-A session.

    Don’t forget to check out the Richard Petty Motorsports website at www.RichardPettyMotorsports.com for the latest news, updates and weekend race reports.

    Race Information

    Track: Daytona International Speedway

    Laps: 120 Laps/300 Miles

    Track Size: 2.5-Miles

    TV Information: 12 p.m. ET on ESPN

    Radio Information: 12 p.m. ET on MRN

    Be sure to follow Richard Petty Motorsports on Twitter @RPMotorsports for behind the scenes updates, driver appearance information and qualifying and race updates. You can also check us out on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/

  • SRT Motorsports / Dodge Race Advance / DRIVE4COPD 300 / Daytona

    SRT Motorsports / Dodge Race Advance / DRIVE4COPD 300 / Daytona

    SRT Motorsports – Dodge NNS Race Advance

    DRIVE4COPD 300

    Daytona International Speedway

    Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012

    www.media.chrysler.com www.twitter.com/teamdodge www.drivesrt.com

    SAM HORNISH JR. – No. 12 Alliance Truck Parts Dodge Challenger Crew Chief: Chad Walter

    Career Stats:                     2011 Season Stats: Starts: 33              Starts: 13 Wins:   1               Wins:   1 Top Fives:      2               Top Fives:      2 Top 10s:        6               Top 10s:        6 Poles:  0               Poles:  0 Laps Led:       115             Laps Led:       107

    • Scored first Nationwide victory in 2011 at Phoenix, edging teammate Brad Keselowski by .553 seconds for the victory.  Won in his third PIR start.  Led the final 61 laps. • Will be making his third NNS start at Daytona.

    BRAD KESELOWSKI  – No. 22 Discount Tire Dodge Challenger Crew Chief: Jeremy Bullins

    Career Stats:                     2011 Season Stats: Starts: 68              Starts: 29 Wins:   17              Wins:   5 Top Fives:      73              Top Fives:      14 Top 10s:        103             Top 10s:        21 Poles:  12              Poles:  4 Laps Led:       2,754           Laps Led:       906

    • Best Nationwide finish at Daytona was a fourth in the 2010 summer race. • Has led at least one lap in last four consecutive Daytona races. • Completed 98.3 percent of total possible laps at Daytona and has been running at the finish in seven of eight races. • Has qualified tenth or better in last 13 consecutive races. • Completed all but one possible lap in 14 of last 15 starts (2,904 of 2905) – 99.96 percent.

    DODGE QUOTES: “There’s no optimal place to be at Daytona.  If I had my choice I’d like to be one of the first four cars because it’s just you very seldom see the accidents that happen there.  It’s usually like eighth and on back that people get together. It seems like usually being closer to the front that you are the better off you are.” — Sam Hornish, Jr.

    “I look at the path that I took in my career and I’ve been very fortunate to be successful at the Nationwide and Cup levels.  Success has not come from lacking mistakes; I’ve made plenty of those. Success has come from not repeating mistakes. I think that’s the secret to my success.” — Brad Keselowski

    DODGE IN THE NASCAR NATIONWIDE SERIES • Dodge is fielding two full-time entries in the series this year. Sam Hornish Jr. will compete for the series championship while Brad Keselowski and Parker Kligerman will share driving duties in the second Penske Racing entry. • Dodge claimed its first NASCAR championship in 2010 when Penske Racing’s Brad Keselowski captured the driver’s title. • Dodge has 41 wins in the series including seven in each of the last two seasons. • A Dodge has started from the pole 48 times.

    THE DAYTONA NUMBERS • Brad Keselowski has 17 wins in the Nationwide series which ranks 15th on the all-time win list. • There were 35 lead changes in last year’s season opener which tied the record (1984, 1986). • Joe Nemechek led 105 of the 120 laps to win the 1988 Nationwide Series event at DIS.

    FROM THE CREW CHIEF “Realistically, I’d like to come out of Daytona with a top five finish.  It’s very important to me that the first five to eight races we’re maximizing our points output.  It’s so hard to play catch-up in this sport.” –Chad Walter, Crew Chief, No. 12 Alliance Truck Parts Dodge Challenger

  • Roush Fenway’s Norris Ready for Double Duty at Daytona

    Roush Fenway’s Norris Ready for Double Duty at Daytona

    Veteran Crew chief leads Roush Fenway’s ‘Next Generation’ into ‘World Center of Racing”

    Daytona Beach, Fla. (Feb. 22, 2012) – Roush Fenway veteran crew chief Chad Norris enters what many consider NASCAR’s biggest stage – Daytona Speedweeks – with his hands firmly on the cusp of RFR’s future. Norris will crew chief both the No. 60 Roush Fenway Nationwide team with phenom driver and defending Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne on Saturday, before guiding NASCAR nationwide Series Champion Ricky Stenhouse Jr. in the famed Daytona 500 on Sunday.

    “It’s a full week of work for sure, but we don’t expect to see it get boring,” said Norris. “To have the opportunity to work with both of the young drivers here at Roush Fenway is truly rewarding. I’ve had the opportunity to work with a lot of veteran guys during my time in NASCAR, and when you work with these guys you realize you are working with the future, you start to feel that tie that bonds those generations together and as a race fan you can’t help but be excited about the sport’s future.”

    Norris knows talent, having worked with top caliber drivers such as Mark Martin, Matt Kenseth and Darrell Waltrip during his NASCAR tenure, and he says it’s the competitive fire in both Bayne and Stenhouse that he likens them to the veterans of his NASCAR past.

    “They are both unique and different in many ways,” said Norris, who led Bayne to his first win in the Nationwide Series last fall at Texas. “But they both have a competitive fire that burns deep and an innate will to win that is second to none. The proof is in the results. In a very short time, Trevor is a Daytona 500 champion and he followed that up by running strong and winning a Nationwide Series.

    “Stenhouse’s progress has been remarkable,” added Norris. “In a very short time he has willed his way into being a guy who is there week-in and week-out and became a true NASCAR Champion. You have to like the way the future of our organization – and our sport – looks with competitors like Trevor and Ricky arriving on the scene.

    “The scary thing is,” added Norris. “They are only going to get better.”

    In addition, Norris – along with Stenhouse – will be making his first start as a crew chief in the famed Daytona 500 on Sunday.

    “It’s a big event for sure and of course it’s something you think about coming up through the ranks of racing,” admits Norris. “But I’ve been at this for a while, and I know what we have to do is go out and run our race. We have to give Ricky a car that can have him there at the end and see where the chips fall. We saw what happened last year with Trevor and knowing their competitive nature I could see them both coming off turn four fighting to win this thing. That would be a pretty rewarding moment for all of us and pretty exciting for everyone watching. ”

    About Roush Fenway Racing

    Roush Fenway Racing is the winningest team in NASCAR history, fielding multiple teams in the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series with championship drivers Carl Edwards, Matt Kenseth, Greg Biffle, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Trevor Bayne. Celebrating 25 winning years in 2012, Roush Fenway is the leader in NASCAR marketing solutions, pioneering its exclusive Roush Fenway OnTrack sponsorship measurement services, motorsport’s first team-focused TV show and its award-winning social marketing channel RickyvsTrevor.com. Visit www.RoushFenway.com, circle on Google+ at +Roush Fenway Racing, become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/roushfenway and follow on Twitter at @roushfenway. For sponsorship inquiries call John Bauersfeld at 704.720.4621.

  • Trevor Bayne Daytona NNS Advance

    Trevor Bayne Daytona NNS Advance

    [media-credit name=”daytonainternationalspeedway.com” align=”alignright” width=”272″][/media-credit]TREVOR BAYNE

    Race: DRIVE4COPD 300 at Daytona International Speedway (2.5-mile tri-oval)

    Team: No. 60 RFR 25 Winning Years Ford Mustang

    Crew Chief: Chad Norris

    Chassis: RK-678-Last ran at Daytona, July 2011, Finished 14th with Carl Edwards

    Broadcast Information: Saturday, February 25, 2012- 1:15 p.m. (ET) ESPN and 1:15 p.m. on MRN radio affiliates and Sirius channel 90

    FAST FACTS

    TREVOR BAYNE will make his fifth start in the NASCAR Nationwide Series at Daytona International Speedway TREVOR BAYNE at Daytona International Speedway …In four starts Bayne has one top-10 finish ON THE TRACK…The No. 60 team will carry the Roush Fenway Racing 25 Winning Years special paint scheme this weekend

    QUOTES

    Trevor Bayne on racing at Daytona International Speedway: “I have been looking forward to getting back to Daytona since the season opener last year.  We were never able to put it all together for an entire race.  We had some bad luck early on, but stormed back to get a top-10 finish.  The July race was the same story.  We are going to be aggressive early and often on Saturday afternoon and hopefully good things happen. To get a win in any series at Daytona is special, but to do it in the 25 Winning Years paint scheme would be that much sweeter. Jack Roush is an icon in the sport and I am blessed to be representing his company and driving his race car at Daytona.”

    Crew chief Chad Norris on racing at Daytona International Speedway: “Trevor and I started to gel late in the season last year and that really paid dividends for our race team down the stretch.  With the resources we have at Roush Fenway Racing, sky’s the limit for our No. 60 team. Trevor has brought a lot of excitement and energy to our sport and it is refreshing to see a young guy so eager to compete at the highest level all the time.  I expect a motivated Trevor Bayne this Saturday afternoon.  If we can survive until the end, I believe we have a great shot to win the race.”

    STATS

    BAYNE NNS RESULTS AT DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY:

    Race

    Start

    Finish

    Laps

    Status

    2010- DRIVE4COPD 300

    17

    41

    6/120

    Accident

    2010- Subway Jalapeno 250

    12

    27

    102/102

    Running

    2011-DRIVE4COPD 300

    7

    10

    120/120

    Running

    2011-Subway Jalapeno 250

    5

    22

    100/100

    Running

    Starts

    Laps

    4

    328 of 442 (74.2%)

    Average Start

    Laps Led

    10.2

    9

    Average Finish

    25.0

  • Mike Wallace ready to race Daytona with new crew chief and team optimism

    Mike Wallace ready to race Daytona with new crew chief and team optimism

    Country Artist Chris Cagle on decklid, and will now sing anthem

    DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (February 21, 2012) – There’s something in the air at JD Motorsports besides elbows and hoods while the team has been working away on race cars lately.

    Team owner Johnny Davis is borderline “kid at Christmas” ready for the 2012 NASCAR Nationwide Series than he has been in years. Driver Mike Wallace has an air of optimism to go along with Davis’ sentiments. And, rounding out the package is Newt Moore, their new crew chief, on the No. 01 G&K Services Chevrolet which everyone feeling good about what been going on at the shop.

    Put it all together and the team that finished 13th in Driver’s Points last year, already has their sights set on bigger results for this season. Wallace, a three-time winner at Daytona International Speedway, knows how to run the restrictor-plate races and is looking to remind everyone of that ability come this weekend.

    As previously announced, country artist Chris Cagle is going to be on the decklid featuring his new album. However, since then, he has been added to the actual race activities and will sing the National Anthem prior to Saturday’s season opener at the World Center of Speed.

    Mike Wallace Notes

    ·         The St. Louis native will be making his 417th career NNS start and 24th one at DIS.

    ·         Through those previous 23 races, his best start was sixth (’98) and his best finish was his 2004 July win on the 2.5-mile track

    ·         He’s also achieved two top-fives, four top-10s and earned an average finish of 19.5

    ·         Wallace has led 36 laps while completing 2,305, of 2,596, laps of competition

    ·         During his overall DIS career, he has won in ARCA car, NASCAR Craftsman Truck race and the aforementioned NNS victory

    ·         He’s pulling double duty this weekend and attempting to make the Daytona 500 with another team

    Tune in for the Win: ESPN TV, MRN Radio and Sirius XM NASCAR Radio Ch. 90 will carry the live action on Saturday starting at 1 p.m. ET.

    Mike Wallace Quotes

    “I know everyone comes to Daytona thinking they are going to have a great season. And, that’s the way you really need to feel when racing at place like this and starting a new NASCAR season.

    “But, there really is something going on at JD Motorsports this year that has Johnny, Newt, myself and the guys on the team charged up more than before. I don’t know if it’s because we went through a lot of good changes during the off-season, or Newt has the team working together that much better. All I know is I like it – a lot.

    “My confidence at this track is very good. I know how to run the plate races, when to make a move, when not to and how to keep myself patient until it’s time to make that right move. I just want all the work Johnny, Newt and the rest of the team put in to get ready for this race to pay off on Saturday.”

  • Grime Boss To Sponsor Ryan Truex in NASCAR Nationwide Series Race at Daytona

    Grime Boss To Sponsor Ryan Truex in NASCAR Nationwide Series Race at Daytona

    MOORESVILLE, N.C. (February 21, 2012) – Grime Boss, a new brand from Nice-Pak Products, Inc., will sponsor the Tommy Baldwin Racing (TBR) No. 36 Chevrolet driven by Ryan Truex for the NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) race in Daytona Saturday, February 25.

    “Having Grime Boss come on board with me for Daytona is exciting,” said Truex. “Grime Boss is the best heavy duty hand wipe product on the market. I’m excited to have the opportunity to represent them on behalf of millions of NASCAR fans.”

    “Nice-Pak is thrilled to partner with Ryan Truex as sponsor of the No. 36 NNS entry fielded by TBR,” said Tom Hernquist, President of Nice-Pak. “Grime Boss is an exciting new heavy duty wet wipe that will clean all the toughest messes, yet they are gentle and moisturizing for hands. They are perfect for any type of car work, so our association with the Truex family and NASCAR is a perfect match. Plus, Grime Boss Heavy Duty Hand Wipes are made in the US.”

    Ryan Truex came up through the NASCAR ranks with flair, winning back-to-back NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Championships in 2009 and 2010. The 2009 campaign also earned him Rookie of the Year honors and gave Michael Waltrip Racing its first NASCAR championship. Truex became the second driver in series history to win both honors in the same year; Joey Logano was the other. In 2011, NASCAR honored Truex as one of the “Top-10 Drivers of the First 25 Years of the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East.” He was the youngest racer to make the list.

    Truex, younger brother of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Martin Truex, Jr., spent the first half of the 2011 NNS season in the No. 99 car for Pastrana-Waltrip Racing, earning a top-20 finish in eight of the ten races. He jumped at the chance to race the No. 20 car for the Joe Gibbs Racing stable starting Sept. 2011. He finished in the top-15 in all six of his races with the new team, including four top-10 finishes. In all six NNS events, Ryan won the Sunoco Rookie of the Race Award.

    For more information on Ryan Truex, follow him on Facebook.com/RyanTruex and Twitter, @Ryan_Truex. About Nice-Pak: Nice-Pak, founded in 1955 and headquartered in Orangeburg, NY is the largest global producer of pre-moistened wipes, including brands such as the original Wet-Nap® Moist Towelletes, Sani-Hands® Instant Hand Sanitizing Wipes, and Sani-Cloth® Germicidal Disposable Wipes. The company pioneered the development of pre-moistened wipes as the optimum dispensing system for cleaning, sanitization and disinfecting in healthcare, household, cosmetic and personal hygiene applications. Nice-Pak/PDI leverages state-of-the-art product development and manufacturing capabilities to supply superior, leading-edge products to every class of trade. For more information, visit www.nicepakwipes.com or www.pdipdi.com. Look for Grime Boss at www.grimeboss.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GrimeBoss. About Tommy Baldwin Racing: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) Crew Chief Tommy Baldwin formed Tommy Baldwin Racing (TBR) in 2009. Baldwin utilized a declining economy to open a NSCS team with a stringent budget. The team worked to build to full-time competition, and by the 2011 season, the team’s third season, TBR competed in every race and locked the No. 36 Chevrolet in the top-35 in NSCS Owner Points. Dave Blaney drove the No. 36 Chevrolet to TBR’s highest finish of third in the October 2011 event at Talladega Superspeedway. TBR also fielded a second car for select races in the past two seasons with multiple drivers.

    Based in Mooresville, N.C., TBR will compete in the NSCS in 2012 with NASCAR veterans David Reutimann and Dave Blaney. The team will also compete in the NASCAR Nationwide Series with Ryan Blaney, Bobby Santos and Ryan Truex.