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  • David Reutimann, No. 99 Pastrana-Waltrip Toyota Texas Preview

    David Reutimann, No. 99 Pastrana-Waltrip Toyota Texas Preview

    CORNELIUS, N.C. — David Reutimann returns to the NASCAR Nationwide Series Friday night at Texas Motor Speedway. For the first time since October 2009, the 41-year-old reunites with crew chief Jerry Baxter and the No. 99 Toyota he drove to a second-place finish in 2007 points race.

    The Zephyrhills, Fla. native substitutes for Pastrana-Waltrip Racing driver Ryan Truex while the 19-year-old rookie points leader recovers from last week’s corrective surgery on his right wrist. Reutimann competed in six Nationwide races in 2010 posting a fourth-place finish at Chicagoland. He owns a pole, four top-10 finishes and has led 22 laps in nine Nationwide starts at the ultra-fast 1.5-mile Texas track.

    QUOTES

    DAVID REUTIMANN ON RUNNING THE NATIONWIDE CAR: “I don’t know when the last time I was back with (crew chief) Jerry Baxter and the guys, but it’s been a while. I look forward to getting back with that team. I know it’s just a temporary deal, just a one race deal until Ryan (Truex) gets back, but I’m still looking forward to doing it. Texas is one of my favorite racetracks and we run well there. I’m looking forward to getting there, getting some practice in and ready to see what we can do.”

    DO YOU FIND ANY BENEFIT TO RACING BOTH THE NATIONWIDE AND CUP RACES IN ONE WEEKEND? “I think sometimes it’s helpful. Obviously both the Nationwide and the Cup cars are different, so there’s not a lot of stuff that crosses over, but I feel like it never hurts to get more time on a racetrack. I’m always learning something whenever I’m on the racetrack no matter what series it’s in, so I don’t think it’s a huge benefit, but it definitely doesn’t hurt you either. If you run good in the Nationwide race there is no guarantee that you’re going to run good in the Cup race, but any time you are behind the wheel is a good thing.”

    NOTES OF INTEREST

    · Michael Waltrip Racing, Gary and Blake Bechtel and Travis Pastrana own Pastrana-Waltrip Racing that fields Toyota Camrys out of the MWR shop in Cornelius, N.C. The Bechtels have owned cars in the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series since 1990. The Morgan Hill, Calif. residents’ teams have visited victory lane 10 times in the Nationwide Series.

    · Reutimann owns one victory (Memphis 2007), three poles, 17 top-five and 43 top-10 finishes in 122 Nationwide starts. He’s led 503 laps.

    · Michael Waltrip will race the No. 99 in Talladega on April 16 and Ryan Truex will return to action at Nashville Superspeedway on April 23.

    · Travis Pastrana will test Monday at the Motor Mile Speedway in Fairlawn, Va. in preparation for his July 30 Nationwide debut at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis. Pastrana’s next race will be the K&N Pro Series East race at Richmond International Raceway on Sept. 29.

  • Joey Logano / No. 20 GameStop Toyota Preview – O’Reilly Auto Parts 300 at Texas Motor Speedway

    Joey Logano / No. 20 GameStop Toyota Preview – O’Reilly Auto Parts 300 at Texas Motor Speedway

    Joey Logano / No. 20 GameStop Toyota Preview

    O’Reilly Auto Parts 300 at Texas Motor Speedway

    No. 20 GameStop Toyota News, Notes & Paint Scheme:

    . HOMECOMING. FOR GAMESTOP: While New Hampshire Motor Speedway is considered Joey Logano’s home track, Texas Motor Speedway is the home track for GameStop, sponsor of the No. 20 GameStop Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing and Logano. GameStop is headquartered in Grapevine, Texas, just a short drive from the racetrack. GameStop is the world’s largest video game and software entertainment retailer and has been a supporter of Logano and the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota since he made his debut at Dover International Speedway during the 2008 season.

    . LIKE A “G4”: Logano and the No. 20 GameStop Toyota will be featured this coming week on the ever-popular show “X-Play” on the G4 network this coming week. A camera crew from G4 was with Logano in California to talk about Joey’s gaming habits and the recent release of NASCAR The Game 2011. X-Play, hosted by Adam Sessler and Morgan Webb, is television’s most-watched gaming show, with reviews, previews, tips, tricks, interviews and all of the information you can handle about the videogames that you love, and love to hate. Logano’s segment is scheduled to air on Thursday, April 7 at 6:30pm EST, but be sure to check your local listings.

    . NASCAR THE GAME 2011 RIDES ON THE NO. 20 AGAIN: With the recent release of NASCAR The Game 2011, developed by Eutechnyx and Activision, the game will once again ride on the hood of the No. 20 GameStop Toyota at Texas Motor Speedway. The Xbox and Playstation 3 versions of the game, which feature most of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers, as well as several NASCAR Nationwide Series competitors, were released on March 29 to raving reviews. In addition to his Cup Series ride, Logano’s No. 20 GameStop Toyota is an “unlockable” car in the game. Players can choose to play as themselves or as one of the sport’s real-world drivers as they battle it out for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship. Each pro driver has the AI characteristics of his or her real world counterpart, setting the stage for intense rivalries played out on the track. From the 22 real world tracks to full pit stop strategy action, NASCAR The Game 2011 captures the real atmosphere, sense of speed and spectacle that embodies NASCAR.

    . LOOKING FOR THAT COWBOY HAT: Joey Logano is looking for his first Texas Motor Speedway victory this weekend. Logano’s previous NASCAR Nationwide Series races at Texas have produced impressive results, with three top-five finishes in five career events at the track, including a pole and runner-up finish in the spring Texas event last season. However, Texas also holds the distinction as being one of just three tracks Logano has recorded a DNF at, coming in late 2009.

    . CHASSIS: Chassis #20108 will race this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway for the GameStop team. This is the same car that Denny Hamlin led laps with and drove to a top-10 finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway earlier this year for the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing team. It will be the first time Logano has raced the chassis, which was built during the offseason.

    . STAT OF THE WEEK: 97%. Logano has run 770 laps in NASCAR Nationwide Series competition this year and has been in the top 15 for 747 of those laps, or 97 percent of the time. That mark is tops among all NASCAR Nationwide Series drivers that have run two or more events in 2011.

    . THE RACE: The O’Reilly Auto Parts 300 at Texas Motor Speedway (Fort Worth, TX; 1.5-mile banked oval) is set for Friday night, April 8, 2011. The race will be broadcast on ESPN2 at 8:30 p.m. EST, with radio coverage on PRN starting at 8 p.m. EST.

    Joey Logano Quotes:

    “There are few tracks on the Nationwide schedule that I’d like to win at more than Texas. GameStop has been a huge supporter of mine, and there is nothing I’d like to do more than get them a win at their home track. They are the sponsor that took a shot with me back in 2008 when I was relatively unproven, and they’ve been there ever since. So it would be huge to win at Texas for them and for Joe Gibbs racing. I’ve been to the headquarters just down the road a few times in the last couple years and they are very into their racing program. I want to win everywhere we go, but if there is a place I’d really like to win, especially in the Nationwide car, it’s in Texas.

    “Texas is a fast track. Probably one of the fastest we go to in the Nationwide Series. It’s a track where handling is very important because you are on the gas so much. And the more you can stay on the gas and keep your momentum up, the better you will be. These Nationwide cars are all about momentum, so it’s important. When I first started coming here, I was not very good. Texas had my number. But last year, something clicked and I feel like I’ve gotten a lot better here. Plus, our stuff at JGR has been really good the last few years, so that has helped. I know we haven’t been as fast early in the year here as we’ve wanted, but I know the guys are working on it. I think we’ll be back on our game and competing with Kyle (Busch) before you know it. Hopefully, we can start this weekend.”

    Adam Stevens Quotes:

    “The thing that stands out about Texas is how very fast it is. Speed is important in these Nationwide cars, so getting the car to handle is the biggest thing I need to key on this weekend. Texas is pretty comparable to and a lot like Vegas and Charlotte. So we are taking the Vegas car, which ran well with Denny. It’s also a car that I’ve already worked with this year, so I know its tendencies and think we have a great baseline setup to start adjusting on when we get to the track.

    “One of the biggest issues as far as handling at Texas is always the bumps in turns one and two. They always seem to be an issue. If you can get over the bumps, you can be fast. We’ve also go to watch the weather, because it has been an issue there in the past. As of right now, it’s looking ok, it’s just going to be very hot, which will be the first time we’ve experienced such warm conditions this year. We have extra practice time this week, which is nice and has actually been better for the No. 20 team this year. When we’ve had extra time, we’ve been better. The only real issue is that we race at night, but don’t ever practice at night, which is always challenging.”

    No. 20 GameStop Toyota / Joe Gibbs Racing Team

    Driver – Joey Logano Crew Chief – Adam Stevens Car Chief – Mike Sibley Race Engineer – Curtis Ratzlaff Shock Specialist – Joel Weidman Front-end – Nick Fuller Rear-end – Dave Rudy Tire Specialist – Chris “Yoshi” Jones Engine Tuner – Roger Purcell

    Truck Driver – Tim Clancy Jackman – Jason Tate Gasman – John Eicher

    Front Tire Changer – John Royer Front Tire Carrier – Brett Morrell

    Rear Tire Changer – Coleman Dollarhide Rear Tire Carrier – Eric Groen

  • David Starr Ropes Texas Farms and Ranches For Nationwide Series Race at Texas Motor Speedway

    David Starr Ropes Texas Farms and Ranches For Nationwide Series Race at Texas Motor Speedway

    Charlotte, N.C. (April 5, 2011) — As a Texan, David Starr believes in doing things in a big way. Friday’s O’Reilly Auto Parts 300 won’t be any different.

    Along with Texas Farms and Ranches, the Nationwide Series race will be steeped in Texas pride and tradition. The leading real estate agency that specializes in farm properties and ranches will add its sponsorship and support to the side of Starr’s No. 05 Chevrolet Impala SS for one of the biggest races of the season.

    The No. 05 Texas Farms and Ranches Chevrolet will feature a red, white and blue paint scheme with “Lone Star Flag” logo featured on the hood.

    “This is a Texas effort, so we want to keep the trophy in Texas,” Starr said. “I am looking forward to coming home to Texas Motor Speedway, racing under the lights Friday night. It is magical anytime the NASCAR Nationwide Series goes under the lights. It is just something about racing under the lights; it kind of reminds you of a local short-track Saturday night feature race.”

    “With David being a Texan racer and this being the Texas Motor Speedway race weekend, and our company logo as the Texas state flag – we thought it would make for a good partnership,” Mark Coleman said. “I have been following him (Starr) for a couple of years, since I participated at the driving school. It is Texas all around – Texas Farms and Ranches, with the Texas race with a Texas born driver. We are looking for good things to start here.”

    Like Starr, Coleman, owner and founder of Texas Farms and Ranches, was introduced to racing at the Team Texas High Performance Driving School from David’s Uncle, Mike. Three years ago, Coleman was once again at the track but with his wife as she was given a pre-race ride from Starr. Through those chance encounters a relationship was formed. When Coleman decided to be a sponsor within NASCAR, he waned to work with a fellow Texan – and friend.

    The 2011 season will mark Starr’s sixth year in the NASCAR Nationwide series. He has 14 career starts, with a career-best finish of 17th in 2001 at Texas.

    “We are excited, Wayne Day, the team, and myself to partner with Texas Farms and Ranches as their first introduction to primary sponsorship at any NASCAR level,” Starr said. “For Texas Farms and Ranches to jump on board with Day Enterprises, and myself, we are excited to have them. We hope to do a great job and look forward to building a long-term relationship. Mark and his wife are wonderful people. And we are looking forward to a fun weekend as we race our tails off to get a great finish for them.”

    Starr has made a name for himself in the Camping World Truck Series. He won the 2002 Truck Series Most Popular Driver award. Since his debut in 1998, he has four victories, 45 top-five and 108 top-10 finishes.

    Longview, Texas-based family-owned Texas Farms and Ranches will celebrate its sponsorship debut in NASACR with expansion of their newest location in Dallas with grand opening festivities later this month.

  • Canadian Steve Meehan Partners with J.R. Fitzpatrick, Purchasing Baker Curb Racing

    Canadian investor Steeve Meehan made a huge purchase this week as he purchased all but the name of the Baker Curb Racing Nationwide Series team that has fell into financial hard times.

    With the equipment, he plans to take 2010 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Runner-Up J.R. Fitzpatrick to the Sprint Cup Series full-time by 2013.

    “I think it’s fantastic,” Fitzpatrick told the Globe & Mail. “Steve is a really good guy, he’s Canadian and he really wants to see Canadian corporate sponsorship and Canadian drivers, so I mean it’s really cool.

    “He really believes in me and that’s what I really like. Given that I do need the experience and the time at the tracks and, even if it can’t be a full year, he is definitely going to push my career along and I am glad to be a part of it.”

    Fitzpatrick ran the Daytona and Fontana Nationwide races for Baker Curb Racing, finishing 42nd and 20th respectively. Fitzpatrick ran three Nationwide races for JR Motorsports last year, finishing in the top 10 twice. Making the jump from the Canadian Tire Series to the Nationwide Series hasn’t been easy due to the weight difference, however it has been fun.

    “The Mustangs and the [Dodge] Challengers look awesome,” he said. “The Chevy looks good too. I really like the fact that NASCAR brought these cars in because I can actually sit in them – I’m six-four, so it’s really hard for me to get in the old-style car – and they just look wicked, a lot of people like them and I just love them.”

    With more starts on his belt, Fitzpatrick has been getting better at driving them, including finishing 20th at Fontana after starting 25th.

    “We went there with a set-up that really didn’t suit my style and I was happy to come out of there with a top-20 with the way the car was handling,” he said. “I’m a very competitive person, Steve is too and so is the whole team, so we were happy but we’re not happy if you know what I mean.

    “I wanted a top-15 finish and that would have been like a win to me but I didn’t quite get my goal.”

    Fitzpatrick plans to run a dozen Nationwide Series races with one or two Sprint Cup races with Meehan’s new team, along with some Canadian Tire Series races for his own team.

    “We will run primarily in Nationwide and likely a few Cup races in 2011 — I think J.R. is comfortable running the road courses in Cup and with a little bit more experience and practice I think he could run an oval or two in Cup,” Meehan told the Globe & Mail. “Our focus is to quickly evolve to a full-time Cup team and I think J.R. is sufficiently talented to get there with the right people behind him.”

    The 46-year-old investor is the original founder of the Investment Planning Counsel, which was sold to IBM Financial in 2004 for $95 million on a cash and stock deal.

    “We have an opportunity to represent a country as opposed to just being a team and I’m excited by the prospect of doing that,” Meehan said. “It’s a feel good story and it’s my job to capture it and sell it to corporate Canada.”

    A press conference is expected in the future to put all the final details together, but the new team is set to debut at the Nashville Nationwide race on April 23rd.

  • Elliott Sadler Advance: Texas Motor Speedway

    Elliott Sadler Advance: Texas Motor Speedway

    TEXAS STATS: Elliott Sadler has competed in all three of NASCAR’s premier series at Texas Motor Speedway (TMS). Sadler has earned top-five finishes in the Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series. In six Nationwide Series starts at TMS, Sadler has earned one pole, two top-five and three top-10 finishes. The driver’s best finish at the 1.5-mile track is second.

    WHERE IT ALL BEGAN: In October of 2010 at TMS, Sadler, Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) and CitiFinancial (soon to be OneMain Financial) made the announcement that they would join forces in 2011 to make a bid for the NASCAR Nationwide Series championship. Sadler currently sits seventh in the point standings only 32 markers out of the lead position following two top-five finishes at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway and Auto Club (Calif.) Speedway.

    FREE TIME: This past weekend while the Nationwide Series enjoyed a weekend away from the track, Sadler made his way to Houston, Texas to catch a little basketball. The driver of the No. 2 OneMain Financial Chevrolet Impala traveled to watch and support longtime friend Head Coach Shaka Smart lead the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) men’s basketball team as they continued their climb in the NCAA Division I basketball tournament.

    AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH: During the month of April, Sadler and the rest of the NASCAR community will celebrate Autism Awareness month. Sadler, whose niece was diagnosed with Autism a few years ago, started the Hermie and Elliott Sadler foundation which raises funds to help educate those who have children that are affected by the spectrum disease which reportedly affects 1 in every 110 children in the United States.

    CHASSIS HISTORY: The No. 2 OneMain Financial team will unload chassis No. 072 this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway. This chassis is a new chassis built by the KHI team for competition this season.

    PREVIOUS RACE RECAP: Two weeks ago at Auto Club (Calif.) Speedway Sadler qualified in the 34th position but climbed his way up into the top 10 in the early stages of the event. At the end of the day Sadler brought the No. 2 car home in the fifth position, moving up one spot in the point standings to seventh only 32 markers out of the lead.

    THOUGHTS FROM THE DRIVER: Elliott Sadler

    Do you feel well rested after a weekend off?

    “I feel great. We have been doing a lot of different things with sponsors and racing, but it was nice to have a weekend off where I could spend some quality time with my family. I was excited to head to Houston, Texas to watch a very good friend of mine, Coach Smart, lead the VCU team. It was a great game.”

    It seems like the No. 2 team is starting to get on a roll with two top-five finishes the last two weeks, what are your thoughts?

    “I think our team is really coming together. This weekend at Texas will be our second 1.5-mile track. We learned a lot of things from Las Vegas that we will be carrying over to this weekend. I’m pleased with our progress. We have faced a lot of adversity thus far in 2011 with the practice crash in Bristol and the bad qualifying run in Fontana, but we have shown the ability to bounce back and that is the foundation of a championship winning team. Texas is one of my favorite tracks and I can’t wait to see what this weekend holds for us.”

  • Paul Menard No. 33 Nationwide Series Advance: Texas Motor Speedway

    Paul Menard No. 33 Nationwide Series Advance: Texas Motor Speedway

    MENARD BEHIND THE WHEEL: Driver Paul Menard will make his first NASCAR Nationwide Series start of 2011 and first start with Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway. Menard has nine series starts at the 1.5-mile track, with one top-five and five top-10 finishes. In each of his last four races at Texas, the driver has finished within the top 10. His average start is 13.1 and average finish, 12.9.

    KHI LOOKING FOR A LONE STAR WIN: Texas Motor Speedway remains one of 17 tracks on the current schedule at which KHI has yet to grab a Nationwide Series victory. Behind the wheel of the No. 33 Chevrolet, driver Tony Stewart brought home a second-place finish for the organization in the spring race in 2009.

    HAPPY ANNIVERSARY: In 2011, KHI will celebrate their 10th year of competition in NASCAR. Team co-owner Kevin Harvick made KHI’s first start in the Truck Series event at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway in 2001, narrowly missing the win by inches to series veteran Jack Sprague. Ten years later, Kevin and DeLana Harvick have two NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championships to their credit and multiple wins with a host of drivers to boast in their over 80,000 square foot facility in Kernersville, North Carolina. During 2011, all KHI vehicles will carry a commemorative decal as the company celebrates their accomplishments over the last 10 years.

    PREVIOUS RACE RECAP: Kevin Harvick wheeled the No. 33 Rheem Chevrolet Impala to a third-place finish at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif. on March 16. Harvick, who started from the outside pole position, led 64 laps before ending the event in third. The driver’s solid finish moved the No. 33 up two positions to third in the Nationwide Series Owner’s Point standings, 14 markers out of first.

    CHASSIS HISTORY: The No. 33 Menards team will utilize chassis No. 071 this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway. This is the same chassis the KHI team competed with at Auto Club Speedway two weeks ago.

    MENARD’S THOUGHTS ON TEXAS:

    “This will be my first Nationwide Series race this season and my first race with KHI. Kevin and DeLana build great cars, so I am really excited to get in the No. 33 Chevy this weekend. Texas is one of my favorite tracks; I’ve run well there in the past and am looking forward to running the new car there, as well as working with David Hyder and the guys.”

    About Menards:

    With 255 stores in 12 Midwestern states, Menards has the tools, materials and supplies for all your home improvement needs whether just needing a light bulb or can of paint to building a deck or new home. Menards is known throughout the home improvement industry as the low price leader; it’s no wonder their famous slogan – “SAVE BIG MONEY” – is so widely known and easy to remember. Menards does things right – the company’s strength and success can be seen in the well-stocked and maintained stores, the lowest prices in town and the way guests are always treated like family in a hometown hardware store atmosphere.

  • Richard Petty Driving Experience Announces ‘The Richard Petty Fantasy Racing Camp’

    Ultimate stock car experience for race fans will be held this spring in Charlotte, NC

    (Concord, NC) April 4, 2011 – NASCAR fans and racing enthusiasts will now have the chance to experience the thrill of driving a stock car like the pros, logging more laps behind the wheel than most have ever dreamed, with the debut of The Richard Petty Fantasy Racing Camp – a new offering from the team at Richard Petty Driving Experience.  The program, coming to Charlotte, NC on May 10th – 12th, 2011 will give participants the opportunity to drive on 4 different race tracks over the course of 3 days, including Charlotte Motor Speedway, Darlington Raceway and  Concord Speedway.  Feedback and coaching will be provided by industry experts Marcos Ambrose, Kyle Petty and Randy LaJoie, and legends “The King,” Richard Petty and Dale Inman.

    “For years, fans of sports such as baseball, basketball and golf have had the opportunity to interact with, and learn from, great athletes in their respective sports at historic venues in a casual, fun environment,” said Mike Bartelli, Chief Marketing Officer of Petty Holdings and Richard Petty Driving Experience.  “We wanted to give race fans the chance to fulfill those same dreams behind the wheel, as well.”

    “NASCAR fans are always looking for a chance to get in a stock car or meet their favorite drivers,” said Richard Petty.  “This Fantasy Camp will give people the opportunity to do that and much more. These folks are gonna have the time of their lives.”

    The Richard Petty Fantasy Racing Camp will include five driving modules focusing on car control, short and intermediate track driving skills, a “Happy Half Hour” and a thrilling “Speedway Challenge” using COT’s on Charlotte’s fast 1 ½ mile oval.  The program is limited to 12 participants.  For more information or to register, call (704) 454-6224 or visit: www.drivepetty.com/fantasyracingcamp.

    About Richard Petty Driving Experience: Richard Petty Driving Experience, a motorsports entertainment and automotive services company headquartered in Concord, NC, produces and facilitates NASCAR race car drive and ride-along experiences, auto manufacturer ride and drive programs, safe driving programs, mobile marketing events and production services to the film industry. The company offers rides and drives at more than 20 major speedways around the country and has permanent facilities in Las Vegas, Orlando, and Concord, NC. For more information, call 1-800-237-3889 or visitwww.drivepetty.com

  • Topping Out Ceremony with Ed ‘Too Tall’ Jones Marks Completion of Steel Frame For the World’s Largest HD Video Board

    Topping Out Ceremony with Ed ‘Too Tall’ Jones Marks Completion of Steel Frame For the World’s Largest HD Video Board

    [media-credit name=”Brad Keppel” align=”alignright” width=”225″][/media-credit]CONCORD, N.C. (March 31, 2011) – The completion of the steel frame that will support the world’s largest high-definition video board was marked today with a topping out ceremony featuring special guest Ed “Too Tall” Jones, former Dallas Cowboy All-Pro defensive end. Construction continues on the massive screen created by Panasonic that will debut during Charlotte Motor Speedway’s 2011 May race events.

    “We opened the new stadium in Dallas two years ago that had the largest TV in the world up until today, so I wanted to see it,” said Jones. “The one in Dallas was one of the most incredible things I’ve ever seen in my life, but this one just kind of tops it all.”

    Jones placed an American flag on the final girder, which was hoisted more than 110 feet in the air and secured atop the 500,000-pound steel frame that will hold the 165,000-pound HD video board. The girder, measuring 40 feet wide with a 10 foot depth of bracing steel, was signed by dignitaries taking part in the ceremony, including Jones; Marcus Smith, president and general manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway; and Richard Ballard, vice president of sales, Panasonic Enterprise Solutions Company, as well as construction workers who have been part of the project.

    “We are so excited for all the fans to come here for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race and the Coca-Cola 600 and see just how big this TV is,” said Smith. “Our fans are going to love it. They’re going to have a great time and they just will not believe how exciting the racing will be when they can watch it both in front of them on the track and catch all the action on the television screen. It’s literally the biggest Fans First initiative in our history.”

    The HD video board construction is being completed by crews from Granite Contracting and Parker Crane Service of Concord, N.C.; Mid-Atlantic Construction of Charlotte, N.C.; and Eastern Sign Tech of Burlington, N.J. The approximately 200-foot-wide, 80-foot-tall screen will eventually rise 110 feet above the track on the steel support structure.

    “This is a very exciting time for us. This is the world’s largest high-definition video screen and we will be getting that certified by the Guinness Book of World Records,” said Ballard. “Panasonic is very pleased to be a part of this as we bring the fan experience closer and the fans closer to the races. And by doing that we hope to increase that fan experience, making it better not only at the races but all throughout the rest of the year here at Charlotte Motor Speedway.”

    The next construction phase on the world’s largest HD video board will start the first week of April and will include the installation of the 158 panels that make up the 16,000 square foot screen. Thirteen sub-electric panels will also be installed, each of which will power a “panel riser,” or a column of panels. Once construction is completed, more than nine million LED lamps will illuminate the Panasonic video board during each NASCAR race event at Charlotte Motor Speedway this spring, including the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race on May 21 and the Coca-Cola 600 on May 29.

    The screen will be centered along the backstretch between Turns 2 and 3, across from the start/finish line. Fans seated throughout the frontstretch from Turn 4 to Turn 1 will have clear viewing angles of instant replays, leaderboard updates and interactive entertainment displayed in 720P high-definition visuals. For continuous updates on the Panasonic HD video board, watch the construction webcam on www.charlottemotorspeedway.com.

    Frontstretch tickets with the best views of the new HD video board and pit road start at just $49 for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. Fans can also purchase two frontstretch tickets for just $99 to the Coca-Cola 600 by calling the speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS (3267) or online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com.

  • James Buescher to pilot the No. 30 ABF Chevrolet Impala in four NASCAR Nationwide Series events in 2011

    MOORESVILLE, NC (March 30, 2011) – Turner Motorsports is pleased to announce the addition of longtime marketing partner, ABF, to the sponsorship line-up of its No. 30 Chevrolet. The freight transportation services company will adorn the hood of the No. 30 Impala in four NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) events, listed below, piloted by NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) young gun, James Buescher.

    4/16 Talladega Superspeedway

    4/29 Richmond International Raceway

    5/14 Dover International Speedway

    11/15 Texas Motor Speedway

    Returning to Turner Motorsports in 2011 will mark ABF Freight’s seventh year as a Nationwide Series team sponsor. Last season, Jason Leffler drove the ABF ‘green machine’ in seven events, bringing home two top-five and six top-10 finishes, dispelling the tale that a green car is bad luck! Coming off a very successful 2010 the company is thrilled to have a chance to work with an up-and-comer like Buescher.

    “ABF is pleased to have James Buescher behind the wheel of the No. 30 ABF Chevrolet Impala this year,” said Russ Aikman, ABF director of marketing. “We look forward to an exciting year as James contends for wins throughout the 2011 season.”

    Buescher, who drives full-time in the NCWTS for Turner Motorsports, has made one Nationwide Series start in 2011, finishing 13th after starting 16th at Bristol Motor Speedway. The Texas-native is equally as excited to work with the Nationwide Series team, led by veteran crew chief, Stewart Cooper.

    “I am really excited to get the chance to represent ABF in the Nationwide Series again. I made my third ever Nationwide Series start with their support in 2008 and brought home a top-15! Hopefully this year we can take it to the next level and go out and contend for wins. I have a lot of work to do to rival Jason’s [Leffler] success with ABF last season, but I am sure this No. 30 team can do it! We are going to work really hard to get the ABF Impala into victory lane in 2011!”

    About ABF: Established in 1923, ABF is best-in-class for safety, security, technology and freight-handling. InformationWeek, CIO, InfoWorld, and BtoB magazines have cited ABF’s strategic use of information technology as exemplary. ABF is the only six-time winner of the American Trucking Associations President’s Trophy for Safety, the only five-time winner of the Excellence in Security Award, and the only four-time winner of the Excellence in Claims/Loss Prevention Award. ABF also is the only carrier to earn both the Excellence in Claims/Loss Prevention Award and the Excellence in Security Award in the same year, which ABF has accomplished twice. ABF provides guaranteed service for expedited or time-definite shipments via its TimeKeeper® service. Regional shipping handled via the carrier’s RPM Network, providing next-day and second-day shipping. The ABF system stretches throughout North America, with local service centers serving all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, Guam, and Puerto Rico. Globally, the carrier serves 250 ports in more than 130 countries. ABF is the largest subsidiary of Arkansas Best Corporation (Nasdaq: ABFS). For more information on ABF, visit http://www.abfs.com/default.asp

    About Turner Motorsports: Turner Motorsports, LLC, established in 1999, is in the midst of its sophomore season of NASCAR competition. Owned by Texas-native, Steve Turner, the organization has expanded in 2011 from a two-truck operation in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) to become the largest stand-alone multi-series team in NASCAR’s top-tier touring series. Turner Motorsports operates out of an 110,000 square-foot state-of-the art facility in Mooresville, N.C., and will house three entries in the Camping World Truck Series and four entries in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. The team boasts an all-star driver line-up that includes Kasey Kahne, Mark Martin, Jason Leffler, Reed Sorenson, Justin Allgaier, Ricky Carmichael, James Buescher and Brad Sweet. The Chevrolet-backed team has created alliances with General Motors’ powerhouse teams Hendrick Motorsports, which will provide engine support for both its NNS and NCWTS programs, Kevin Harvick Inc. for body and aero support, and Earnhardt Technology Group for drive train and suspension technology assistance. Turner Motorsports’ marketing partners include Dollar General, Great Clips, Monster Energy, BRANDT, Rexall, Exide, AccuDoc Solutions, Wolfpack Rentals, Fraternal Order of Eagles and ABF Freight. For more information on Turner Motorsports, visit www.turnermotorsportsllc.com.

  • Point Leader Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Sees Positives in Both His Team and Nationwide Series

    Point Leader Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Sees Positives in Both His Team and Nationwide Series

    According to Ricky Stenhouse Jr. he’s more focused this year.

    Thats good to hear since it should help eliminate a possible repeat of what Stenhouse did last season. He wrecked, a lot and was taken out of the car by team owner Jack Roush. His second chance led to things starting to click for the young driver and he ended the season as one of the hottest drivers in the Nationwide Series.

    [media-credit name=”Barry Albert” align=”alignright” width=”290″][/media-credit]It’s carried over into 2011 and following his fourth place finish in Saturday’s Royal Purple 300 at the Auto Club Speedway moved him to the series points lead. To think that just a year ago, Stenhouse could have been just weeks away from losing his ride, to now leading the series point standings and turning quite a few heads.

    “That is good,” said Stenhouse on Saturday, “because I think last time I was here they were talking about me for a different reason.”

    Indeed. Now the talk has turned to what accomplishments he might compile this year. Much like Bristol last weekend, Stenhouse was able to drive his No. 6 Roush Ford to the front and lead the race. At Auto Club Speedway he did so by driving past both teammate Carl Edwards and eventual winner Kyle Busch with 50 laps to go.

    While he would lose the lead a few laps later, it came only after Edwards had to work for it. Stenhouse was able to pull along the No. 60 of Edwards who said he could see Stenhouse driving the wheels off his car and was having a hard time getting to his bumper.

    “It is good to be up front and leading,” said Stenhouse.

    “These guys work hard every week. Our Mustangs have been fast. We finally got the finish we deserved this week. We feel like we have had top five’s the first four races and let it slip away with mistakes we made or just the way it worked out with fuel or cautions. It was a good day for us and we will carry this momentum into Texas.”

    Stenhouse said he wasn’t looking forward to California since he doesn’t particularly run well there. Now though, he’s looking forward to Texas and the rest of the season. The NNS takes a week off as the Camping World Truck Series and Sprint Cup Series heads to Martinsville next weekend.

    Stenhouse and 42 other NNS drivers will get back to racing at Texas two weeks from now. The O’Reilly Auto Parts 300 will be no different than most NNS races and the first five of the 2011 season – Cup drivers will be in the field and most likely in victory lane.

    They’ll get majority of the attention but so will Stenhouse being the point leader. He says he knew his team was capable of competing like this since Daytona and credits many things for the turnaround. They have new cars this year and they’re working closely with the engineering group from the organization’s Cup program.

    And like many Ford drivers, Stenhouse says the new FR9 engines have been awesome. Plus, keeping the same team as last year has made things easy.

    But what his point lead really comes through is NASCAR’s new pick a series rule. Cup drivers can no longer run for the NNS championship and don’t receive points; they can still take home the trophies though much to the chagrin of many in the sport.

    When Busch won Saturday it was his third of the NNS season in just five races. Tony Stewart and Mark Martin won the other two races. The question has already been raised of whether the NNS champion of 2011 will be winless.

    Stenhouse and other NNS regulars are doing their best to avoid that and Stenhouse says he likes the new format.

    “I think Nationwide Insurance has done an awesome job of making our own identity,” he said.

    “I feel like looking at the races, I don’t know if it is the new points system getting in our minds that a Nationwide regular is going to win the championship, but it seems like the regulars have been in the top five and running strong. I think it has upped the competition and everyone is trying a little harder.”

    Not only has the other competitors up their game but Stenhouse says he has as well. Running with the Cup drivers, as he was on Saturday, makes him race harder because of how high the bar has been set.

    He’s enjoying racing against them and is learning a lot too.

    Stenhouse hopes things continue going as they are and while he says he hasn’t begun to think about points or whom he’s racing for the championship, he did say it’s nice to be leading and hopes he can begin to open it up.