Testing SpeedwayMedia.com

Category: XFINITY Series

NASCAR XFINITY Series news and information

  • STEVE WALLACE / 5-HOUR ENERGY RACING NOTES: TALLADEGA

    STEVE WALLACE / 5-HOUR ENERGY RACING NOTES: TALLADEGA

    STEVE WALLACE / 5-HOUR ENERGY RACING

    NEWS AND NOTES: TALLADEGA

    RACE INFORMATION.

    EVENT: Aaron’s 312, Round 7 of 34 in the 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series

    DATE / TIME: Saturday, April 16, 2011, 2:00 PM CT

    VENUE: Talladega Superspeedway, Talladega, AL (2.66-Mile Oval)

    DISTANCE: 117 Laps, 311.22 Miles

    TV (PRE-RACE): NASCAR Countdown, ESPN2 (Live-2:00 PM ET)

    TV (EVENT): ESPN2 (Live-3:00 PM ET)

    RADIO: MRN Radio / Sirius NASCAR Radio (Live)

    THE HEADLINES.

    THE STORY: Steve Wallace and Team 5-Hour Energy head south to the supposedly haunted grounds of Talladega Superspeedway this weekend, looking to right their 2011 campaign and bust their way into the top-10 of the Nationwide Series standings. Wallace is currently ranked 11th overall, seven points out of 10th.

    A HELPING HAND: The No. 66 and No. 62 cars-along with the other Toyota factory teams-will carry graphics supporting the American Red Cross’s Japan Disaster Relief efforts again this weekend in Talladega. V6 and V8 engines for Toyota’s Tundra, Tacoma and Sequoia lines are produced in nearby Huntsville, AL. Donations to support the relief efforts can be made online at redcross.org.

    STEVE WALLACE AT TALLADEGA: Although his record at Talladega may not show it, Steve Wallace has become a threat among the Nationwide Series drivers on restrictor-plate tracks recently. He has four top-15 finishes in his last six starts at Talladega’s sister track-Daytona-and scored a lead-lap top-20 effort in his Sprint Cup Series debut at this year’s Daytona 500. Wallace nearly captured a victory at Talladega in the 2006 ARCA event, finishing second.

    THE MACHINES.

    TEAM 66 PRIMARY: RWR-056-Car 056 made its debut in this year’s first restrictor plate race at Daytona. In that event, Wallace piloted the car among the leaders until unscheduled stops for multiple flat tires ultimately put him two laps down.

    TEAM 66 SECONDARY: RWR-052-Re-built for 2011, RWR-052 has yet to make its 2011 on-track debut. It scored a top-15 finish in its first start at Daytona last year.

    YOUR WEEKLY ENERGY SHOT.

    WELCOME PIGGLY WIGGLY AND MAPCO: 5-Hour Energy Racing welcomes Piggly Wiggly and MAPCO Convenience Stores as partners for the Talladega event. Piggly Wiggly and MAPCO branding will appear on Steve Wallace’s No. 66 car during Saturday’s race.

    FEEDING THE MONSTER: Living Essentials, LLC announced earlier this week that 5-Hour Energy will serve as title sponsor of the May 14th 5-Hour Energy 200 NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Dover International Speedway. The one-mile Delaware circuit is affectionately dubbed “The Monster Mile.”

    FROM THE COCKPIT.

    Q: Your thoughts on racing at Talladega?

    A: “Well, racing at Talladega is hard to call racing, to be honest with you. Handling doesn’t really come into play; it’s just being able to stay wide open, picking good drafting partners and hoping that you don’t get in the big crash. You know there’s going to be at least one big multi-car crash at Talladega; it’s just a matter of when and where. With that said, I’m sure that the two-car drafting stuff that we saw at Daytona will happen even more at Talladega. Maybe that will break the field up a bit and keep some of the crashes from happening-but who knows? For some reason, I never seem to have the luck at Talladega that I do at Daytona as far as the big crashes. I think that we have a pretty good 5-Hour Energy Toyota here this weekend, though. Hopefully we’ll be able to hook up with our teammate, stay out of the crashes and come out of this weekend with a top-10 and some points; at Talladega, that’s all you can really hope for.”

  • NOTES FROM THE NASCAR NATION: THE NATIONWIDE SERIES AT TALLADEGA

    NOTES FROM THE NASCAR NATION: THE NATIONWIDE SERIES AT TALLADEGA

    [media-credit id=5 align=”alignright” width=”300″][/media-credit]The NASCAR Nationwide Series will take on the largest track on their schedule with Saturday’s running of the Aaron’s 312 at the Talladega Super Speedway. It’s race number seven of the 2011 34 race schedule and it’s expected to be loaded with typical Talladega excitement. It’s also loaded with special guests from the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

    THE STORY BREAKDOWN

    For many years now NASCAR Nationwide Series events has entertained guest from the Cup Series. Add that trend to the prestige of racing and winning at Talladega and you can well imagine the interest of Cup drivers who has entered Saturday’s race. That list includes:

    Jamie McMurray. #1 Phoenix Construction Chevrolet. James Finch owner

    Kevin Harvick. #4 Armour Vienna Sausages Chevrolet. Kevin Harvick Inc, owner

    Dale Earnhardt Jr. #7 Sauve Men Chevrolet. J R Motorsports

    Trevor Bayne. #16 Roush Fenway Racing Ford

    Kyle Busch. #18 Z Line Designs Toyota. Joe Gibbs Racing

    Joey Logano. #20 Game Stop/Mortal Combat Toyota. Joe Gibbs Racing

    Brad Keselowski. #22 Discount Tire Dodge. Roger Penske Racing

    Clint Bowyer. #33 Rheem Dot Com Chevrolet. Kevin Harvick Inc

    Carl Edwards. #60 Fastenal Ford. Roush Fenway Racing

    Joe Nemechek. #87 Nemco Motorsports Toyota

    Michael Waltrip. #99 Aarons Toyota. Pastrana Waltrip Racing

    **************

    Kevin Harvick Inc will be teaming up with Pinnacle Foods, the makers of Armour Vienna Sausages, to host a special day for 18 kids from the Magic Moments program. Established in 1984 in Birmingham-Alabama, Magic Moments is dedicated to making non medical wishes come true for kids who are not able to live out a normal childhood due to unfortunate illnesses.

    In addition to getting an up close and personal look at the Talladega racing action, the kids will also be treated to a private meet and greet with Kevin Harvick and SPEED Channel personality Kyle Petty.

    **************

    Six races in to the 2011 season, the NASCAR Nationwide Series is already generating some impressive stats. All four auto manufacturers, in the series, have now won a race since the arrival of the new Nationwide car. Dodge and Chevrolet got their wins last year when the new car ran four test and tune races. Toyota got their new car win this year at Phoenix while the Ford Mustang parked in victory lane for the first time last weekend in Texas.

    There have also been four different winners in the first six Nationwide Series events this year. That’s the good news for what appears to be a rather competitive season. The bad news for the competition is Kyle Busch has won three of them. Other winners this year includes Tony Stewart, Mark Martin and Carl Edwards.

    According to NASCAR’s loop scoring data, there has already three perfect driver ratings, of 150.0, this year. Kyle Busch has two of them, following the Phoenix and Bristol events, and Carl Edwards earned the third one at last weekend’s Texas race.

    Roush Fenway Racing’s Ricky Stenhouse Jr remains as the fourth series points leader in the last six events. Previous championship points leaders include Landon Cassill, Reed Sorenson and Jason Leffler.

    The Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota #20, driven by Joey Logano, became the fourth leader in the NASCAR Nationwide Series’ owner’s points standings after six races. But it’s only a one point advantage over Roush Fenway Racing’s #60 Ford, driven by Carl Edwards, and Kevin Harvick Inc’s #33 Chevrolet which has featured a variety of drivers including Harvick himself.

    *************

    THE RACE BREAKDOWN

    The Aaron’s 312 is 117 laps/311.22 miles around the Talladega Super Speedway’s massive 2.66 mile quad oval.

    The race has 45 entries vying for the 43 starting positions and the winner’s share of the race purse in excess of $1.1 million. 15 of those entries are on the go or go home list. These teams are not guaranteed a starting berth in the race because they are currently outside of the Nationwide Series’ top 30 in owner’s points. These teams will have to rely on qualifying times to earn a starting spot in the race. The Lone exception is Jeff Green who has a past champion’s provisional available if needed.

    The Aaron’s 312 will mark the Nationwide Series’ debut of their new car at Talladega under competitive racing conditions. The new car was on the track for the first time in October of 2009 for a special practice session.

    The NASCAR Nationwide Series has raced at Talladega 19 times in the past while sending 16 different winners to victory lane. Two time series champion Martin Truex Jr leads the series win list with three while series regular Joe Nemechek leads the current active drivers with two wins. The 19 series events at Talladega has also turned up 13 winners of the Coors Pole Position award also led by Nemechek who set fast time at the speedway on five different occasions.

    The Aaron’s 312 will be broadcast live by the ESPN2 Network with the pre race show beginning at 2 pm eastern time.

  • Dale Earnhardt Jr. ‘Snake Prank’ Video Goes Viral

    Dale Earnhardt Jr. ‘Snake Prank’ Video Goes Viral

    Suave Men gives fans behind-the-scenes look with YouTube video

    MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Thursday, April 14, 2011) – Dale Earnhardt Jr. has many titles – driver, owner, entrepreneur, racing enthusiast.  And now prankster.

    Last month the eight-time NASCAR Most Popular Driver and winner of more than 40 NASCAR-sanctioned races took control of a sponsor video production and steered it a way nobody saw coming.  Wanting to liven up the set, he concocted the idea to bring JR Motorsports employees into what they thought was an interview detailing the myriad roles of a racing organization.  They soon discovered the boss was creating a comedic moment at their expense, and the end result is a viral video Suave has now tagged on JR Motorsports’ YouTube channel for fans to enjoy.  (Click here to watch Dale Jr. Snake Prank video on YouTube.)

    To create an informal feel to the interview, Earnhardt Jr. encouraged each employee to grab a drink from a nearby cooler and sip it while answering questions about their role at JR Motorsports.  What they found when reaching into the cooler, however, was a large snake.  The snake was not real, of course, but the reactions very much were.

    “Aric Almirola’s reaction was my favorite,” Earnhardt Jr. said with a laugh.  “I’ve got some buddies who do this prank at the Charlotte Auto Fair each year.  They take a cooler, set it beside the road and post a sign on it that says ‘Free Drinks’.  Then they just sit back and watch people scream and run and carry on, and they’ll laugh at ’em all day.  It’s a lot of fun, and I appreciate Suave letting me do it.”

    Almirola, driver of the JR Motorsports No. 88 Chevrolet, was just one of Earnhardt Jr.’s victims.  Almirola’s crew chief Tony Eury Sr. also took the bait, as did No. 7 crew chief and JR Motorsports co-owner Tony Eury Jr.

    “I knew the Eurys wouldn’t go running out of the building or anything like that, because they’re country boys who’ve probably come across hundreds of snakes in their lifetime,” Earnhardt Jr. said.  “But I got ’em to flinch.  That’s all I needed.  I’ll get mileage out of that.”

    Unilever’s Suave Men brand turned to Hammerhead Entertainment, the production company owned by Earnhardt Jr., to edit the footage and produce a viral video 1:37 in length.  Aside from promoting its Men’s hair care and body wash brand, which will appear on Earnhardt Jr.’s No. 7 Chevrolet this Saturday in the NASCAR Nationwide race at Talladega Superspeedway, the video also shows a behind-the-scenes look at Earnhardt Jr. that fans don’t often get a chance to see.

    Saturday’s Aaron’s 312 at Talladega will mark Earnhardt Jr.’s third Nationwide Series race in 2011.  In his first two events, the JR Motorsports driver/owner finished fourth at Daytona on Feb. 19 and third at Bristol on March 19.  The Aaron’s 312 will be broadcasted live on ESPN2 at 3 p.m. ET and Motor Racing Network at 2:30 p.m. ET.  Tickets to Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series races can be purchased through www.TalladegaSuperspeedway.com. 

    About JR Motorsports:
    JR Motorsports is the management company and racing operation for Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR’s eight-time Most Popular Driver and winner of more than 40 NASCAR-sanctioned races. JR Motorsports competes in multiple racing divisions, including the NASCAR Nationwide Series. The JR Motorsports facilities are based out of Mooresville , N.C. , and include the JR Nation retail store, Hammerhead Entertainment, and DEJ Realty. For more information on JR Motorsports, visit www.JRMracing.com.

    About Unilever North America:
    Unilever is one of the world’s leading suppliers of fast moving consumer goods with strong operations in more than 100 countries and sales in 180.  With products that are used over two billion times a day around the world, we work to create a better future every day and help people feel good, look good and get more out of life with brands and services that are good for them and good for others.  In the United States, Canada and the Greater Caribbean (Trinidad & Tobago, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico) the portfolio includes brand icons such as: Axe, Becel, Ben & Jerry’s, Bertolli, Blue Band, Breyers, Caress, Country Crock, Degree, Dove personal care products, Good Humor, Hellmann’s, I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter!, Klondike, Knorr, Lever 2000, Lipton, Omo, Pond’s, Popsicle, Promise, Q-Tips, Ragu, Skippy, Slim-Fast, Suave, TIGI, Vaseline, and Wish-Bone. All of the preceding brand names are registered trademarks of the Unilever Group of Companies. Dedicated to serving consumers and the communities where we live, work and play, Unilever employs more than 13,000 people across North America – generating nearly $10 billion in sales in 2010. 

    For more information, visit www.unileverusa.com,www.unilever.ca, or www.unilevercaribbean.com.

    Direct URL to Dale Jr. Snake Prank video on YouTube:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kAuOB_iJo4

  • Cobb features Cowboy Dan’s Jerky Emporium at Dega

    Cobb features Cowboy Dan’s Jerky Emporium at Dega

    Rick Ware Racing(RWR) is proud to announce that Cowboy Dan’s Jerky Emporium with the Jerky Kids will be featured on the #41 Ford driven by Jennifer Jo Cobb. Their logo will be featured on C-Post for the running of the Aaron’s 312 at Talladega Superspeedway, Saturday night.

    Cowboy Dan’s Jerky Emporium is a Christian Family owned & operated business. It was started by Dan & Amanda Stephens in 2010. Dan is also known as Cowboy Dan, SASS life member & regulator #295 – hence the business name.

    Cowboy Dan’s started their our own business selling the Best Jerky they could find. Over the past several months, their family sampled 100’s of bags of jerky determined to find only THE BEST!

    Their business philosophy is simple: Offer great products, great prices, great customer service, and to make a difference by supporting the communities that support us.

    Cowboy Dan’s have partnered with Cobb to help promote their brand as well as the charitable events:

    By donating 5% of our gross revenue to various charities throughout the year. Currently they are supporting Miller Children’s Hospital, St Baldricks & CaringBridge.

    By partnering with Schools and Community Organizations across the USA to help raise much needed funds via their affiliate program

    For more information on Cowboy Dan’s Jerky Emporium please visit www.cowboydansjerky.com.

    For more information visit www.wareracing.com or you can also follow the team on Twitter at @rickwareracing

  • The Great Pusher: Joey Logano says Talladega owes him a victory

    The Great Pusher: Joey Logano says Talladega owes him a victory

    Winning at the restrictor plate tracks of Daytona and Talladega usually comes as the result of a driver who happened to be in the right place at the right time. When Joey Logano and his No. 20 GameStop Toyota team head to the Talladega Super Speedway this Saturday for the Aaron’s 312, it cannot be without thinking of what could have already been. The Joe Gibbs Racing team has yet to pull into victory lane but it hasn’t been for a lack of effort.

    Logano has only raced at Talladega twice in Nationwide career but statistically it is one of his best tracks. In 2009 he finished third and last season he finished a position higher in second. In both races however, he was the pusher, the driver who sent eventually winners David Ragan and Brad Keselowski to victory lane. It’s only natural that this Saturday Logano wants the roles to finally be reversed.

    “I really feel like Talladega owes me one after the last two years there,” said Logano. “We’ve pushed the eventual winner to the victory the two years in a row now, so maybe this year, it’s my turn and someone will help push me and the No. 20 GameStop Toyota to the victory. “

    Logano did admit that if he had to push someone to victory at least it was a good friend in Ragan back in 2009. It doesn’t however, make losing feel any better and Logano badly wants his first restrictor plate victory. Saturday he’ll be driving a brand new car built by JGR after the chassis they had planned to take race was damaged in Daytona.

    Logano and teammate Kyle Busch dominated the season-opening DRIVE4COPD 300 but neither made it to the checkered flag in the positions they were hoping for. Busch was pushing Logano and they got to the lead when it appeared Busch might have pushed just a little too hard and sent Logano into the wall in turn one.

    He finished 12th after leading 22 laps. Racing in that event as well as the Daytona 500 will be an advantage for Logano. Already feeling like he’s become a decent restrictor plate driver, the track time he had and racing in the two-car drafts will be what’s important. Those who know when and where perform ‘the swap’ are the drivers who are the ones to contend with. At Daytona it was Logano and Busch who appeared to have mastered making the swap and preserving their cars.

    The new style of racing that has drivers wondering who is on their radio will again be rearing its head at Talladega. Many have already said that as soon as the track opens look for the tag teaming to begin.

    “I really like restrictor-plate racing and I feel like I’ve gotten pretty good at it since I started,” Logano said. “I’ve run really well in everything I’ve driven at Talladega, from my Cup car to the Nationwide car, Truck Series and even in ARCA.  I’ve just never been able to get a win.  I have learned a lot about racing in the draft and what moves to make and when to make them.  There is an art to it for sure.

    “It is a little different though in the new Nationwide Series car with the two-car draft.  That two-car deal is very important.  But we showed in Daytona that we are good in the draft and if you get hooked up with the right person, you can get to the front.  Hopefully, this will be our year at Talladega. I’d love to get Adam and all of the new guys on the No. 20 team into Victory Lane.”

    The right person will most likely again be Busch. The two have always worked well together but have struggled to seal the deal and pull into victory lane. Busch hasn’t won a NNS restrictor plate race since July of 2007 at Daytona. If all goes according to plan the Logano/Busch Camry’s will again be locked together and leading the field, this time with a different ending for a different looking GameStop car.

    “I got a chance to see the Talladega car with the Mortal Kombat paint scheme on it in the shop and it looks sick,” said Logano. “It will be a nice change from the red and black car we’ve run the first few races of the year.  It will stand out for sure. … It’s a car that will look awesome in Victory Lane photos, so hopefully, we can get it there.”

    Crew chief Adam Stevens has confidence that his young driver will be up front and a contender for the win. And he too, is looking toward working with Busch to make JGR the ones to beat.

    “I feel like our superspeedway program is right there,” said Stevens while acknowledging how strong Logano and Busch ran in Daytona. “So much of these races comes down to who you are hooked up with and who can push who.  Hopefully, Joey and Kyle can get hooked up like they did at Daytona and get the Gibbs cars up front.  We’ll see how it all shakes out come Saturday, but I know we’ll be right there in the thick of things again.”

  • Dodge Motorsports Notes & Quotes – NNS Race Advance – Talladega

    Dodge Motorsports Notes & Quotes – NNS Race Advance – Talladega

    Dodge Motorsports NNS Race Advance

    Aaron’s 312 Talladega Superspeedway Saturday, April 16, 2011 www.media.chrysler.com www.twitter.com/teamdodge

    BRAD KESELOWSKI, No. 22 Discount Tire Dodge Challenger R/T

    Career Starts: 145

    Wins: 12

    Top Fives: 61

    Top 10s: 86

    Poles: 8

    Career Highlights:

    ·  Keselowski is the defending event champion. He led five times for a total of 11 laps en route to his Nationwide win at Talladega last spring.

    ·  The defending NASCAR Nationwide Series champion.

    ·  Earned Penske Racing its first NASCAR champion last season.

    ·  Set career-best results in 2010 in wins (6), top fives (26), top 10s (29) and poles (5).

    ·  Set a NASCAR record 102 consecutive Nationwide Series races without a DNF (Did Not Finish) that ended at this year’s season-opening race at Daytona Int’l Speedway.

    ·  First Nationwide victory came at Nashville Superspeedway (2008).

    SAM HORNISH JR., No. 12 Alliance Truck Parts Dodge Challenger R/T

    Career Starts: 22

    Wins: 0

    Top Fives: 0

    Top 10s: 0

    Poles: 0

    Career Highlights:

    ·  Will be making his first Nationwide Series start at Talladega.

    ·  2011 finishes: Daytona – 36th and Texas – 12th.

    ·  Made his NASCAR Nationwide Series debut with Penske Racing at Phoenix Int’l Raceway in the fall of 2006.

    DID YOU KNOW

    ·  Brad Keselowski’s last Nationwide win came at Gateway in October (nine races).  His last pole came at Michigan in August (18 races).

    ·  Sam Hornish will be making only his third Nationwide start of the season (Daytona & Texas).

    ·  Brad Keselowski will be a guest of the popular SPEED Channel show, “Trackside Live” from Talladega on Friday evening. The show will air at 7 p.m. (ET).

    ·  Hornish finished 16th in last weekend’s NNS race in Texas.

    DODGE DRIVER QUOTES “Last year’s Nationwide Series race at Talladega was one of the most unique races I’ve ever been a part of.  The gamut of emotions that I ran through was pretty insane.  It went from thinking I wouldn’t be able to even compete, due to the carbon monoxide levels that I was showing following the Cup race, to winning my first race for Penske Racing.  We were off to a great start to the season and I remember sitting in the infield care center thinking ‘Well, there goes the championship.’  I should still apologize to everyone in the care center that day because I was pretty upset.  But everything worked out and we were able to go to Victory Lane.  We took the point lead back that day and never looked back.” Brad Keselowski No. 22 Discount Tire Dodge Challenger R/T

    “I love restrictor-plate races because they are very mentally challenging, you are constantly thinking ahead and trying to position yourself to be in the lead draft at the end of the race. They remind me of the 1.5-mile races in the IndyCar Series because many of them came down to making your move at the last possible minute.  Our Alliance Truck Parts Dodge should be strong this weekend.  Having the opportunity to race two weekends in a row allows me and the crew to get into a rhythm.  We’re looking to have a big weekend, although, Talladega has always been a wildcard race and it always will be.” Sam Hornish Jr. No. 12 Alliance Truck Parts Dodge Challenger R/T

  • Carl Edwards – Aaron’s 312 Advance

    Carl Edwards – Aaron’s 312 Advance

    Team: No. 60 Fastenal Ford Mustang Crew Chief: Mike Beam Chassis: RK-678 – primary – Last ran in Daytona. RK–641 – backup

    QUOTES Carl Edwards on racing at Talladega Superspeedway:

    “We are coming off a really big win in Texas. My Crew Chief, Mike Beam, and my No. 60 Fastenal team are doing a great job. You never know what Talladega will produce, but our intention is to carry our momentum in there and win on a Superspeedway”.

    Crew chief Mike Beam on racing at Talladega Superspeedway:

    “We had a great weekend in Texas. We are carrying that momentum into this weekend. At Talladega, we just have to stay out of trouble and not get caught in the “big one”. Our No. 60 team has done a great job all year on pit road so with another solid performance on pit road, we are hoping to take this Fastenal Ford back to victory lane.”

    FAST FACTS

    * Last year, Edwards finished the season with four wins, 19 top-fives, 27 top-tens and three poles.

    * Edwards’ captured his 30th career NASCAR Nationwide win at Texas Motor Speedway last weekend.

    * In 2011, Edwards has scored five consecutive top-10 finishes. * Edwards is currently second in the Owner’s standing, one point behind the No. 20 Joe Gibbs team.

  • 5-hour ENERGY Announces Nationwide Series Race Sponsorship

    Dover, DE (April 13, 2011) – 5-hour ENERGY® is proud to announce that it will be the title sponsor of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race to be held Saturday, May 14 at the Dover International Speedway, also known as the Monster Mile. NASCAR fans will not only be treated to exciting race action, but also get a chance to try a free sample of 5-hour ENERGY®. Brand representatives will be stationed throughout the speedway passing out samples.

    “We want racing fans to feel energized and alert throughout the race,” said Carl Sperber of Living Essentials, the makers of 5-hour ENERGY ®. “ But where 5-hour ENERGY® really shines is in how it helps hard working people get through a hectic day. It’s quick, simple and portable, which is ideal for busy people on the go who can’t afford a letdown.”

    Sperber hopes the exposure gained from title sponsorship will encourage fans who haven’t done so already, to try 5-hour ENERGY®.

    “We’re going to be at Dover to educate consumers about 5- hour ENERGY®, let them know how well it works, answer any questions they have, and then let them try 5-hour ENERGY® for free.”

    Dover will not be the first time NASCAR fans see 5-hour ENERGY® at the track. The Michigan- based brand was the title sponsor for last year’s Nationwide Series race in St. Louis, and is in its fourth season as primary sponsor for the Rusty Wallace Racing No. 66 Toyota driven by Steven Wallace.

    “I’m excited every weekend to have 5-hour ENERGY® on our Toyota,” said Wallace, “It will be really cool to have my sponsor also be the title sponsor of the race at the Monster Mile.”

    “We’ve had some good runs at Dover over the last couple of years and I would love to give 5- hour ENERGY® a strong finish. The pressure is definitely on me and this team to go out there and perform well. We hope to put on a really good show for our loyal fans that come out or tune in and support us and our sponsors each week.”

    Fans can follow 5HourEnergyGuy on Twitter, “like” the 5-hour ENERGY Facebook page or visit www.5hourenergy.com for more information about 5-hour ENERGY® products, the motorsports program and various contests or promotions that may be available for fan participation.

    About 5-hour ENERGY® 5-hour ENERGY® is the original liquid energy shot. Introduced in 2004, it is designed to help working adults maintain a feeling of energy and alertness. It contains a blend of B-vitamins and amino acids, zero sugar, four calories, and as much caffeine as a cup of the leading premium coffee. It’s available at most major retailers.

  • Sam Hornish, Jr. No. 12 Alliance Truck Parts Dodge Challenger Preview – Aaron’s 312

    Sam Hornish, Jr. No. 12 Alliance Truck Parts Dodge Challenger Preview – Aaron’s 312

    SAM HORNISH, JR.

    No. 12 Alliance Truck Parts Dodge Challenger

    Talladega Superspeedway – Aaron’s 312 April 16, 2011

    No. 12 Alliance Truck Parts Dodge Team News and Notes

    . Sam Hornish Jr., driver of the No. 12 Alliance Truck Parts Dodge Challenger, will make his third start of the 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) season this weekend in the Aaron’s 312 at Talladega Superspeedway.

    . From 2006 to 2010, Hornish made a total of 20 Nationwide Series starts, scoring five top-15 finishes. Hornish also captured one top-five, three top-10 and eight top-15 starting positions while competing in a limited NNS schedule over the five-year period.

    . This weekend will be the third outing for Hornish and crew chief Chad Walter, who will call the shots for the No. 12 Dodge team during Saturday’s race. Walter served as crew chief on the No. 12 Penske Racing Nationwide Series team in the past as he helped guide driver Justin Allgaier to top-six championship finishes in each of the last two seasons.

    . Hornish heads to Talladega with some good momentum after starting and finishing 16th at last weekend’s NNS race at Texas Motor Speedway.

    . This will be Hornish’s first NNS race at Talladega Superspeedway and his sixth start at this track overall.

    Sam Hornish Jr. comments on this weekend’s O’Reilly Auto Parts 300

    “I love restrictor-plate races because they are very mentally challenging, you are constantly thinking ahead and trying to position yourself to be in the lead draft at the end of the race. They remind me of the 1.5-mile races in the IndyCar Series because many of them came down to making your move at the last possible minute. Our Alliance Truck Parts Dodge should be strong this weekend. Having the opportunity to race two weekends in a row allows me and the crew to get into a rhythm. We’re looking to have a big weekend, although, Talladega has always been a wildcard race and it always will be. It’s like a chess game where you are trying to figure out what to do as the race progresses to position yourself correctly.”

    Crew Chief Chad Walter comments on this weekend’s race

    “Talladega is always an exciting, hold your breath kind of race. We are going there with a car that had success last season at Daytona and we feel strong in our chances to have a good qualifying effort and a solid race. The Alliance Truck Parts Challenger should be very easy to spot in the tight racing confines of the Super Speedway style drafting. We look forward to continuing to build momentum with our new team and sponsors.”

  • R3 Motorsports and Richardson, Jr. looking to continue upward swing at Dega

    R3 Motorsports and Richardson, Jr. looking to continue upward swing at Dega

    Driver hasn’t finished outside top-20 at Talladega  

    CHINA GROVE, N.C.(April 12, 2011) – Robert Richardson, Jr. and the No. 23 Wildlife Conservation Society Dodge of R3 Motorsports takes to Talladega Superspeedway a tad more relaxed than last weekend, and their sights set on bigger goals.  

    After qualifying on time at his native track of Texas Motor Speedway last weekend, the 29-year old McKinney, Texas native overcame an early race spin to garner a 26th-place finish. Keeping the rest of his run clean allowed the No. 23 Dodge team a return to the top-30 position in the Owner’s Standings, as well.  

    With that goal achieved, Walter Giles and team can concentrate on race runs during the two practice sessions on Thursday in preparation for Saturday’s race on the 1.66-mile superspeedway. If history is on their side, Richardson hopes to add another top-20, or better, finish to his streak of four consecutive ones at ‘Dega.  

    Fast Facts:This will be Richardson’s seventh start of the 2011 season and 76th of his NNS career. So far in 2011, he’s had a best finish of 22nd at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

    Track Facts:Richardson has top-20 finishes in each of his four previous races at Talladega earning an 18.5 average. His best was in the 2008 event with a 16th-place effort and in this race last year, he survived two days of rain delays to finish 20th on Monday. He’s completed 97.9 percent (467 of 477) laps contested and led two circuits at the 1.66-mile oval.   Car Facts:Walter Giles and the R3 Motorsports team are bringing Car No. 55 to this weekend’s race. Last used at Daytona in the season opener, Richardson roared from 38th to seventh in the opening laps. An overheating issue, after damaging the right-front fender in a wreck, sidelined the team with less than 20 laps from the finish.  

    Did you know:The Wildlife Conservation Society’s North American Program works throughout the United States and Canada to save iconic wildlife such as musk oxen, wolverines, bison and more. Tune in for the Win:Neither of the practice sessions on Thursday will be televised, but SPEED picks up qualifying at Noon ET on Friday and race action can be seen on ESPN2 beginning at 3 p.m. for Saturday’s 117 laps of action.  

    Robert Richardson, Jr. Quotes Talk about racing at Talladega:“It’s interesting, exciting, exhilarating and can be over in the flick of wrist just like that at this track. I love racing here and all the speed and excitement that goes on during the race. The secret, though, is you want to be on the good side of the excitement – not the replay reels.”   What about the new style of racing you experienced at Daytona with these new cars:“I’m not sure if I’m a fan of it yet, but the good news is I now have two races under my belt with the two-by-two racing. (Rob Jr. competed in the Nationwide and Daytona 500 races in February) We’re all new to this; you just have to figure out if two cars can hook up with other cars and be faster than everyone else. If it’s the two-by-two style, then you want to find someone to work with who can push and you can push back.  

    “We’re bringing back the same car we had in Daytona and that one raced really, really well. I know Walter (Giles, crew chief) and the rest of the guys have done some work on it to make it better. I’m looking forward to a great weekend at Talladega in regards to a good finish and moving up in the Owner’s Points some more.”