Category: XFINITY Series

The Headlines.

Gambling for Good Luck: Michael Annett and Rusty Wallace Racing’s No. 62 Pilot Flying J team are rolling into the city home to the famed Las Vegas Strip this week and hope to play their cards right, reversing the bad luck they’ve been faced with in 2011’s first two NASCAR Nationwide Series events at Daytona International Speedway and Phoenix International Raceway.

Annett’s Experience at Las Vegas Motor Speedway: Prior to Saturday’s Sam’s Town 300 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Annett has two career starts on Las Vegas Motor Speedway’s 1.5 mile D-shaped oval both in NASCAR’s second tiered Nationwide Series.

Rusty Wallace Racing History at Las Vegas Motor Speedway: The Rusty Wallace Racing organization has 10 Nationwide Series starts at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. In those 10 races, the team has one top-five and four top-10 finishes. In last year’s Sam’s Town 300, drivers Steve Wallace and Brendan Gaughan recorded 10th and 13th place finishes consecutively in Rusty Wallace Racing prepared Toyota Camrys.

Lucky in Las Vegas: While most Vegas visitors gear up for gambling with their good luck charms close by their sides, Annett prepares for on-track performance with a few superstitious amulets of his own. The young driver believes his habit of putting everything on his left side first helps his chances at success. Annett always puts his left pant leg, sleeve, shoe, glove and ear mold in first for good luck, a ritual he learned from his father years ago. Annett also takes the most common symbol of good luck with him on the track, wearing a green four leaf clover on the back of all of his helmets.

For the latest updates on Michael Annett, please visit www.michaelannett.com http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=qyysbieab&et=1104694840371&s=146&e=001xc5BmZU fq5rbol7RktYpaeV6vezN6-3jlxWAiD0iD-B1-7JjgT80GdtfIz3sIu4AX19zUre_AC8R35Zr5LT ueOw-FiRwAAmCtMNRp2ehUGUo7XeTldsyKQ==> .

From the Cockpit.

Annett on what’s ahead in 2011 for Rusty Wallace Racing:

“Our team hasn’t had our chance to prove it yet, but we’ve got all the pieces in place for 2011 to be a landmark season for Rusty Wallace Racing and our sponsors Pilot Flying J and 5-hour Energy. We had really strong cars at Daytona but had some bad luck, and Saturday at Phoenix was just rough. We’re really hoping we can make our mark this week at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.”

The Machines.

Team 62 Primary: RWR-053 – RWR-053 is a new chassis from the Rusty Wallace Racing stables. The car’s first laps will be at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Team 62 Backup: RWR-051 – Rusty Wallace Racing competed with this car in 2010 Nationwide Series events at Daytona International Speedway (July) and Michigan International Speedway. Driven to an 11th place finish by former Rusty Wallace Racing driver Brendan Gaughan at Charlotte Motor Speedway in October.

Race Day Roster.

Crew Chief: Jason Overstreet

Race Engineer: Jason Stockert

Car Chief, Rear Tire Changer: Ryan McKinney

Mechanic, Rear Tire Carrier: Troy Hartmann

Front Tire Changer: Mike Janssen

Pit Crew Coach, Front Tire Carrier: Chris Brook

Mechanic, Jackman: Brian Gainey

Fueler: Rick Pennington

Spotter: Rocky Ryan

Pit Sign: Lori Adams

Pilot Flying J Locations on your Way.

Pilot Flying J provides 12 Pilot Travel Centers and Flying J locations along the roads of the state of Nevada. Two of these locations are conveniently positioned within a 10 mile radius of Las Vegas Motor Speedway. For more information on Pilot Flying J and to map their nearest locations along your route, please visit www.pilotflyingj.com http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=qyysbieab&et=1104694840371&s=146&e=001xc5BmZU fq5rpNulVp0XNb5wo7YqjSIBvu064JN5AYqfm2XDHjOx3CkiZ7GDFTRptPtzGYc3ABrDcyeR9WB9 RalDnDtqfKPBvd2IrZ9LrgyBvC6lqueIIDA==> .

Flying J I-15 Cheyenne Exit 46 1000 E Cheyenne Ave. North Las Vegas, NV 89030

Pilot Travel Center I-15 Exit 48 3812 East Craig Road North Las Vegas, NV 89031

About Pilot Flying J: Pilot Flying J is headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, and has more than 550 locations in North America. The company employs more than 20,000 people and is the largest retail operator of travel centers in North America. Follow Pilot Flying J on Twitter at @pilottravel.

Broadcast Info.

Nationwide Series Practice Friday, March 4, 2011 12 p.m. ET SPEED

Nationwide Series Final Practice Friday, March 4, 2011 1:45 p.m. ET SPEED

Sam’s Town 300 Saturday, March 5, 2011 3 p.m. ET ABC

JUSTIN ALLGAIER QUICK FACTS

No. 31 BRANDT Monterey AgResources

Sam’s Town 300

Las Vegas Motor Speedway

March 5, 2011

No. 31 Brandt Monterey Ag Resources Chevrolet News and Notes

. Justin Allgaier and his Turner Motorsports teammates set to tour the Grand Canyon. Allgaier and his teammates, Jason Leffler and Reed Sorenson, will take a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon on Wednesday afternoon, courtesy of Papillon Tour Services of Las Vegas. Coverage of their adventure will air on Saturday, March 5th at 2:30 EST during the NASCAR Countdown show on ABC.

. Las Vegas: by the numbers. The Riverton, Ill-native has made two previous starts at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. In both his previous starts, Allgaier captured top-10 finishes with his best finish of seventh coming in March of last season. Allgaier boasts an average start of 12.0 and an average finish of 7.5.

. Driver point standings. After two races in the 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Season, Allgaier is sitting eighth in the championship driver point standings 25 points behind leader and his Turner Motorsports teammate, Sorenson. All three of Turner Motorsports’ championship contending drivers are currently in the top-10, with Sorenson leading and Leffler in third-place.

. This week’s Impala. The BRANDT Monterey AgResources team will hit the track with chassis TMS-112 this weekend in Sin City. TMS-112 is a brand new chassis in the Turner Motorsports stable.

. Start of a new era for Turner Motorsports. The 2011 season marks the start of a new era for Turner Motorsports. The team 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, fielding three entries in the NCWTS and four entries in the NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS). Three of the team’s regular NNS drivers (Jason Leffler, Reed Sorenson and Justin Allgaier) have been pegged as viable contenders to win the 2011 NNS driver championship

Justin Allgaier on Racing at Las Vegas Motor Speedway

“I really like Las Vegas Motor Speedway. I have had some success here in the past and I am excited to go out there with this BRANDT Monterey AgResources team. Track position and handling are crucial to having a shot at the win there, so qualifying up front is going to be really important. These Turner Motorsports Chevys have been very fast right out of the gate every week, so I am confident we’ll be able to get the needed track position. Hopefully we can be up front at the end of the day and get a shot at the first Nationwide win for Turner Motorsports!”

NASCAR DRIVER SCOTT WIMMER CONDUCTING AUTOGRAPH SESSION NEAR LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY

The Springhill Suites by Marriott located in Henderson, Nevada, always a popular spot for race fans visiting nearby Las Vegas Motor Speedway, will host a NASCAR style autograph party featuring Key Motorsports driver Scott Wimmer this Friday, March 4, 2011.

Wimmer, who is in town to compete in Saturday’s Sam’s Town 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series event, will be available at the hotel from 8:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. local time to meet with race fans, pose for photos and sign autographs.

“I really enjoy racing at Las Vegas Motor Speedway,” said Wimmer. “The fans that come to Las Vegas are very supportive, very enthusiastic, and I am looking forward to meeting with them and having a good time Friday evening at Springhill Suites in Henderson. We always enjoy visiting the folks at Springhill Suites when we go out to Las Vegas, they have a great staff that knows how to take care of you.”

The Springhill Suites by Marriott, known among race fans for great accommodations has signed on as an associate sponsor of Wimmer and the #40 Key Motorsports Chevrolet for Saturday’s Sam’s Town 300 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Wimmer recorded an 11th-place finish in his most recent outing with Key Motorsports at the 1.5-mile Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the 2009 Sam’s Town 300.

Friday’s autograph party at the Springhill Suites by Marriott in Las Vegas promises an enjoyable time and all race fans are encouraged to stop by to meet with Scott Wimmer and members of the Key Motorsports team. The Springhill Suites by Marriott is located at 1481 Paseo Verde Parkway in Henderson, Nevada. Please call 1-800-752-1432 for directions.

No. 32 Dollar General Chevrolet News and Notes  

·         Never Forget the First Time –Mark Martin will make his first start for both Turner Motorsports and Dollar General this weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.  Martin will make three other starts for the No. 32 team in 2011 including races at Auto Club Speedway, Michigan International Speedway and Kentucky Speedway.  This is also Martin’s first competitive laps in the Nationwide Series “new car”.   ·         Last Time In Las Vegas –While Martin hasn’t been behind the wheel of a Nationwide Series car since 2008, his last two starts at the track have resulted in wins.  His 2008 victory came while working with current Cup Series crew chief Lance McGrew, and the attempt before that was in 2005. 

  ·         Setting the Standard at Las Vegas –Martin’s stats are beyond comparison at the 1.5-mile Las Vegas Motor Speedway.  In five starts, the veteran has finished no worse than sixth with three wins, four top-fives, five top-10s and two pole awards with 332 of 1002 laps led.  Martin’s average starting position is 9.2 with an average finishing spot of 2.2.

  ·         Just Look at the Record Books –Even though a recent challenger has come on strong, Martin is still the record-holder of wins in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.  With 48 victories throughout his 21-year career in NASCAR’s second-tier series, the only competitor within striking distance is Kyle Busch, who has 44 wins.

  ·         Dollar General Leading the Way –After last weekend’s top-five finish in the No. 32 Dollar General Chevy, Reed Sorenson is currently atop the driver’s point standings with a five-point lead over second-place Ricky Stenhouse Jr.  Sorenson will continue his quest for a Nationwide Series title this weekend in the No. 30 Rexall Chevrolet. 

  ·         Start of a new era for Turner Motorsports – The 2011 season marks the start of a new era for Turner Motorsports.  The team 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, fielding three entries in the NCWTS and four entries in the NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS). Three of the team’s regular NNS drivers (Jason Leffler, Reed Sorenson and Justin Allgaier) have been pegged as viable contenders to win the 2011 NNS driver championship.  

·         This Week’s Impala – Martin will pilot TMS-118 in this weekend’s Sam’s Town 300 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.  This is a brand new chassis and has yet to see any competitive laps. 

.    Martin on racing at Las Vegas and for Turner Motorsports this weekend: “I’ve been looking forward to this weekend since I signed up for these races with Turner Motorsports and Dollar General. Running this race at Las Vegas was a given, really, when we were making the schedule. My last Nationwide win was at Las Vegas with Lance (Sprint Cup crew chief) and the last one before that was at Vegas too, so I’m really, really hoping for everyone involved that we get three in a row this weekend. With Hendrick Motorsports horsepower under the hood we should definitely have something for them.

  “Plus, I’ve got to get my wins total up before Kyle (Busch) gets up there and takes it away from me. That’s a record that I’m really proud of and would love to keep for as long as I can.   “I’m very impressed with what Turner Motorsports has already accomplished in such a short time. To see Reed (Sorenson) on top of the standings is a big accomplishment for this team. We’ll do what we can to keep them on top and keep those guys motivated.”    

Follow the No. 32 team on Twitter!@No32TurnerNNS Follow Dollar General on Twitter!@myDollarGeneral Follow Turner Motorsports on Facebook!Facebook.com/TurnerMotorsports

No. 30 Rexall Chevrolet News and Notes  

·         Reed Sorenson to make his debut in the No. 30 Rexall Chevrolet in Sin City… This weekend, Sorenson is set to make his debut in the Turner Motorsports No. 30 Chevrolet with Rexall adorning the hood and quarter panels of his Impala. Sorenson will also pilot the No. 30 Rexall Chevrolet at Auto Club Speedway, Michigan International Speedway, Kentucky Speedway, the May 28th event at Charlotte Motor Speedway and the September 17th event at Chicagoland Speedway. In addition to swapping car numbers, Sorenson will make a crew swap, working with the No. 30 crew led by veteran crew chief, Stewart Cooper.  

·         Points leader… After two consecutive top-five finishes, Sorenson is leading the Nationwide Series driver point standings! As the top finishing Nationwide Series championship competitor in the first two races of the season, he sits five points ahead of second-place Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. and seven points ahead of his Turner Motorsports teammate, Jason Leffler (3rd).   

  ·         Las Vegas: By the numbers… Sorenson has three Nationwide Series starts at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (LVMS) with his final NNS start at the track coming in 2007. He is credited with two top-10 finishes and has an average starting position of 12.3 with an average finishing position of 15.3.  

·         Turner Motorsports welcomes back Rexall… After making their NASCAR debut last season, Turner Motorsports is pleased to continue their marketing partnership with Rexall.After one hundred years, the Rexall brand continues its commitment to providing affordable and high quality products to consumers, which is the foundation for its success.  Standing the test of time, Rexall has built a rich heritage of making life a little healthier one day at a time.  More than 280 Rexall products are available only at Dollar General across first aid, cough and cold, over-the counter medicines, children’s medicines and vitamin and supplements.  

  ·         Sorenson and his Turner Motorsports teammates set to tour the Grand Canyon… Sorenson and his teammates, Jason Leffler and Justin Allgaier, will take a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon on Wednesday afternoon, courtesy of Papillon Tour Services of Las Vegas.  Coverage of their adventure will air on Saturday, March 5th at 2:30 EST during the NASCAR Countdown show on ABC. 

  ·         Start of a new era for Turner Motorsports… The 2011 season marks the start of a new era for Turner Motorsports.  The team 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, fielding three entries in the NCWTS and four entries in the NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS). Three of the team’s regular NNS drivers (Jason Leffler, Reed Sorenson and Justin Allgaier) have been pegged as viable contenders to win the 2011 NNS driver championship.      

Reed Sorenson on partnering with Rexall at LVMS “I am really excited to be behind the wheel of the No. 30 Rexall Chevy this weekend in Las Vegas. I go out each week and represent Dollar General on the track and I am excited to extend that representation to the Rexall brand,” Sorenson commented. “It is very important to me to being home another solid finish and extend my points lead! This will be the first race I will be working with Stewart [Cooper, crew chief] and the guys, but I know we will be successful together. Stewart is a great crew chief and we all work so closely at the shop, I know him and all the No. 30 guys really well. It’s going to be a great weekend in Vegas!”    

Follow the No. 30 team on Twitter!Twitter.com/No30TurnerNNS Follow Turner Motorsports on Twitter!Twitter.com/TurnerMotorspts Follow Turner Motorsports on Facebook!Facebook.com/TurnerMotorsports

CORNELIUS, N.C. — No. 99 Pastrana-Waltrip Racing Toyota driver Ryan Truex makes his ninth career start and first at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Saturday in the NASCAR Nationwide Series race. The two-time K&N Pro Series East champion made his season debut last weekend at Phoenix where he finished 14th— his fourth career top-15 finish. The 18-year-old driver was the highest finishing rookie at Phoenix and leads the rookie-of-the-year standing by one point. Truex plans to run at least 10 races in 2011 for the newly-formed Pastrana-Waltrip Racing. Action sports star Travis Pastrana will drive the No. 99 in seven races with Boost Mobile as the sponsor beginning at Indianapolis in July.

QUOTES

TRUEX ON GOALS 2011 SEASON: “I want to go out there and prove that I can do this, prove that I deserve to be here. I honestly think we can win races. I know we have everything that it takes to win races. Our new cars have been running really strong both last season and the first two races this season. We’ve done some testing over the off-season now I think we have a chance to win every weekend.”

ON RUNNING IN AT LEAST 10 RACES THIS SEASON: “I feel like I definitely have to run good. I have to keep these race cars together and I have to run strong these ten weeks. I’d love to win races. I know we can do it. I’m really confident about these ten races and I feel really good about them. I’ve never really felt this good about a season coming up so far in my career so that’s got to mean something. I think we can do it. I just have to keep focused and try to learn as much as I can.”

ON TREVOR BAYNE WINNING THE 500: “It actually gives me a lot of motivation to go out there. He’s proved that young guys like us can do it if we’re given the right opportunity. We can go out and run with these big guys and beat them. I think he paved the way for more people to look at young guys and take more chances on us. Hopefully there are more sponsors and more people who want to look at a young guy and grow with him. I think Trevor winning could definitely help a younger guy like me get chances in the sport. It was really cool to see. He did everyone right the whole race and he had such a strong car you could tell he could take anybody. He did everything that he had to do and made all the right moves he needed to do to win. I was really happy for him. You know me and him are pretty good friends. He’s a really cool guy so it’s cool to see him get that. I haven’t been that excited about the end of a Cup race in a while, and I think that’s how a lot of the fans watching felt. I think it was good for the sport.”

NOTES OF INTEREST

· Michael Waltrip Racing, Gary and Blake Bechtel and 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.

· Ryan Truex is the only teenager to win back-to-back K&N Pro Series East, titles and he is the first driver to bring a title to Michael Waltrip Racing.

· In 2010, the No. 99 team finished 10th in the NASCAR owners points standings. The team tallied six top-five and 11 top-10 finishes with drivers Bayne, Martin Truex Jr. and Ryan Truex. They also captured three consecutive pole awards with driver Trevor Bayne, tying the record set by Sam Ard, Mark Martin, Waltrip and Jeff Gordon.

· Truex has made 22 starts in NASCAR’s K&N Pro Series East. He won five races, and has been in the top-10 in 77% of the races he has competed in, earning two consecutive championship titles.