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NASCAR XFINITY Series news and information

  • Time for a No Tolerance

    Time for a No Tolerance

    A DUI is one of the worst offenses a NASCAR driver can have. Drivers who are suppose to set an example on how to drive correctly and safely, driving under the influence and risking people’s lives. Add that to a fan base that doesn’t see brushes with the law much, a DUI is unacceptable.

    [media-credit name=”michaelannett.com” align=”alignright” width=”181″][/media-credit]The latest ordeal of a DUI in NASCAR belongs to 24 year old Michael Annett, who currently races in the Nationwide Series for Rusty Wallace Inc. Annett was pulled over early Sunday morning with a blood alcohol content of .32, four times the legal limit. This is one of a few incidents NASCAR drivers have had with drinking and driving.

    Though never convicted of any wrong doing, Michael Waltrip found himself in two situations in the last 4 years. The most recent one said that Waltrip blew a .06, under the legal limit after Waltrip collided with a motorcycle at an intersection. The other incident however, ended up with Waltrip wrecking his SUV early in the morning and walking home in his socks. When police found Waltrip in his home the next morning, he blew a .06, under the legal limit. Both incidents saw no action taken by NASCAR.

    AJ Allmendinger was stopped for a DWI. Allmendinger who blew .08. Allmendinger was placed on probation by the sport until Dec. 31. 

    Now here is Michael Annett, a 24 year old driver whose career has had its ups and downs. He moved from Germain Racing to Rusty Wallace Incorporated for the 2011 season. Annett situation is very similar to something NASCAR has seen before.

    For folks who remember, 1990 was a devastating year for the sport. That’s when rising star 21 year old Rob Moroso was killed in a similar situation to Annett’s. Moroso was killed when his motorcycle veered into oncoming traffic. Both Moroso and the victim in the other car were killed due to the incident. The autopsy revealed that Moroso’s BAC was .22, which at the time was two times over the legal limit of .10. Moroso’s story is a perfect example of a promising young life and career thrown away by stupidity.

    NASCAR has a zero tolerance for drugs, now it’s time for a zero tolerance with DUI’s. NASCAR is one of the few sports left without the problems of their players getting in trouble with the law. Baseball, football and basketball have all had their troubles with players breaking the law; no one wants to see NASCAR get like that.

    It’s time for NASCAR to nip this in the bud. Stop putting it in the owner’s hands to suspend drivers. Suspending Michael Annett would be good for him and the sport. It’s time for John Darby and Robin Pemberton to step up and do the right thing.

    A no tolerance is called for. Not only would the sport benefit from it, but it would make everyone stop doing it. In the NFL, if you are out at a bar and you feel like you have had too much to drink you can call a number and the league will send a limo to pick you up and bring you back to the hotel room. If a player is found guilty of DUI they receive a four to six game suspension. Why should NASCAR be any different?

    I am not even asking for that. Annett easily could have called a cab on his way home Sunday. Instead, he did the careless act. Annett wasn’t only careless for himself and the other drivers on the road, but careless to his fans, family and the sport all together.

    It’s time for these drivers to grow up and realize how good they have it. Some make millions to drive a car everyweek. This writer and a lot of readers alike, would kill to have that chance. Acts like that show they don’t care.

    Rusty Wallace is in a touch situation. Pilot Travel Centers is Annett’s main sponsor for 2011, a company that has supported Annett throughout his career. If Rusty Wallace suspends the driver he may not have sponsorship for his second car something that may kill a small owner like Wallace.

    NASCAR can do it though. Dave Moody has said it best “NASCAR can do whatever they want.” Thank you!  It’s time for John Darby, Robin Pemberton, Mike Helton and Brian France to step up to the table and show that there is integrity in this sport and acts like that will not be tolerated, before we have another Rob Moroso incident to deal with.

  • A STATEMENT FROM RUSTY WALLACE RACING; ANNETT INVOLVED IN A TRAFFIC INCIDENT

    Rusty Wallace Racing is aware of a traffic incident over the weekend involving Michael Annett, driver of our team’s No. 62 car.  We have been in contact with both the authorities and NASCAR and are finishing our internal investigation into the facts.

    Rusty Wallace Racing does not condone, nor tolerate, substance abuse by any of its employees.  In line with this, RWR is currently working with Michael to develop a package of sanctions which will address this issue.  Among these will be successful completion of a comprehensive alcohol awareness program, a zero tolerance policy towards alcohol use, a year-long community service program and additional internal sanctions.

    Stated Annett, “I am deeply remorseful for my actions and my extreme lack of judgment.  I let down my team, my sponsors, my fans and my family; I sincerely apologize to everyone that I hurt.  This was truly a life-changing moment for me.  Despite all of the negativity that will undoubtedly arise from it, I’m going to strive to use this incident as the impetus to make a lot of positive changes in my life.”

  • HUNT BROTHERS PIZZA TEAMS WITH KEVIN HARVICK INC. TO SPONSOR 2011 NASCAR NATIONWIDE SERIES & TRUCK SERIES TEAMS

    Drivers Kevin Harvick and Elliott Sadler to Carry the Hunt Brothers Pizza Colors on the Track

    KERNERSVILLE N.C. (February 7, 2011) – The 2011 NASCAR season is quickly approaching, and Hunt Brothers® Pizza already has reason to celebrate. In a partnership with Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI), Hunt Brothers Pizza will be the primary sponsor for two of NASCAR’s most successful and influential drivers, Kevin Harvick and Elliott Sadler.

    KHI was founded in 2001 by Kevin Harvick and his wife, DeLana. The couple originally created the team as an outlet for Harvick to win his first Truck Series race, but it soon became much more. After 10 years of racing, the organization has grown into one of the premier racing teams in NASCAR. This season will mark the fourth year for Hunt Brothers Pizza serving as a primary sponsor in NASCAR. The company could not be more thrilled about joining one of the sport’s strongest teams.

    “Expanding our strategic partnership with NASCAR through KHI provides an incredible platform for Hunt Brothers Pizza to increase our brand exposure and our consumer reach through the racing team’s significant fan base,” says Scott Hunt, CEO for Hunt Brothers Pizza. “We’re excited to be a part of KHI, and we are looking forward to a winning NASCAR season led by the all-star driving team of Kevin Harvick and Elliott Sadler.”

    Hunt Brothers Pizza will serve as a primary sponsor for the KHI No. 2 and No. 4 Nationwide Series entries, with Kevin Harvick and Elliott Sadler behind the wheel. Hunt Brothers Pizza will also be represented as primary sponsor of the KHI No. 2 Chevrolet in the Truck Series, with drivers Harvick and Sadler. Additionally, Hunt Brothers Pizza will join Harvick as an associate sponsor for the full 2011 season on Harvick’s No. 29 Richard Childress Racing (RCR) Sprint Cup Series car. Hunt Brothers Pizza will be represented on Harvick’s uniform and have logo placement on the car.

    “Kevin Harvick Inc. is excited to partner with Hunt Brothers Pizza to create a unique sponsorship experience for both parties,” said KHI co-owner Kevin Harvick. “Our two organizations share similar cultural values and a winning spirit-which is sure to translate into some big wins on and off the track for both companies.”

    Harvick began his racing career at the tender age of seven, racing go-carts to satisfy his need for speed, which eventually led to racing cars and his incredible career in NASCAR. In no time, Harvick was on an outstanding winning streak where he still remains today, finishing the 2010 season with 10 wins in all three of NASCAR’s three elite series.

    When Harvick thought about making additions to his racing team in 2010, Elliott Sadler was an obvious choice. After climbing behind the wheel of KHI cars and trucks in 2010, Sadler’s five top-10 finishes, two pole awards and win at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway in June solidified his spot for 2011 at KHI.

    Hunt Brothers Pizza and KHI kick off the NASCAR season April 23, 2011, at the Nashville Superspeedway with Sadler driving the KHI No. 2 Nationwide Series Car. The Hunt Brothers Pizza sponsorship with KHI also includes special NASCAR-related promotions, on-track giveaways and other special events.

    For more information about the Hunt Brothers Pizza NASCAR sponsorships, visit www.hbpRacing.com.

     

    About Hunt Brothers Pizza:

    With more than 6,000 locations in 28 states, Hunt Brothers® Pizza is the nation’s largest brand of made-to-order pizza in the convenience store industry. Perfect for today’s on-the-go lifestyle, Hunt Brothers Pizza offers regular, thin crust, and breakfast pizzas with All Toppings No Extra Charge®, plus the Hunt Brothers® Wings in Southern Style and Hot ‘n Spicy flavors. Family owned and operated for over 40 years and headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., the company provides all of the food products, marketing programs, equipment and training for convenience stores to operate their own turnkey pizza program.

    For additional information, please visit www.huntbrotherspizza.com or call (800) 453-3675.

    About Kevin Harvick Inc.:

    Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) enters 2011 celebrating 10 years of NASCAR racing. From the start, co-owners Kevin and DeLana Harvick set a goal to become leaders within the industry. With two Truck Series championships to their credit, the organization has built a reputation of integrity and competitiveness within the NASCAR community. KHI is housed in an over 80,000 sq. ft. facility located in Kernersville, N.C. This season, the organization will field three full-time NASCAR Camping World Truck Series teams and two full-time NASCAR Nationwide Series teams, competing for the drivers and owners championships in each series. With a roster comprised of both up-and-coming and veteran championship-caliber drivers, KHI continues to establish itself as one of the top teams in NASCAR competition. For more information about KHI and its teams, please visit www.KevinHarvickInc.com.

  • Kenny Wallace Proves A Man of Many Talents

    Kenny Wallace Proves A Man of Many Talents

    Kenny Wallace, known as the ‘Hermanator’ and for his unusual laugh that he sports so often on his SPEED TV gig, is indeed a man of many talents. His newest talent is as stand in for Roush Fenway Racing driver Matt Kenseth, who is expecting a new baby with wife Katie to be delivered right around the Daytona 500.

    Wallace has announced that he is ready to step into Kenseth’s No. 17 Cup car for practice and qualifying during Speedweeks at Daytona International Speedway if needed.  Wallace’s first chance at stepping into the car will be for practice on February 11th in preparation for the Bud Shootout.

    “I got a call last night from (Roush Fenway Racing GM) Robbie Reiser, and he said Katie Kenseth is due to give birth to their second baby in a couple of weeks,” Wallace said on the radio show Sirius Speedway. “They want me to be on standby in case she goes into labor before the Bud Shootout or Gatorade Duel.”

    “Matt will run the Daytona 500 no matter what, but they want me there in case they need me earlier in the week,” Wallace continued. “Even though it’s probably because I’m the same size as Matt and will fit into the seat easily, it took me about a quarter of a second to agree.”

    In addition to being on baby watch, Wallace is also preparing for his talents to start his own upcoming race season.  He will be driving full-time for RAB Racing in the Nationwide Series, marking his 22nd year in that Series in 2011.

    “I’ve been nervous since the final 2010 Nationwide Series race at Homestead trying to find the right fit for next year and now I can finally sleep at night,” Wallace said of his new ride. “My goal was to find a team with whom I could be competitive and I believe I have found that with RAB Racing.”

    “I’m ready to go for 2011,” Wallace continued.  “I have known Robby (Benton) and watched him grow his team for the past few years. The relationship with Toyota Racing Development (TRD) is huge and will allow me to be able to work with at least three other Toyota teams, including my brother Rusty (Wallace) and gain valuable information that will help us with the Nationwide program at RAB Racing next year.”

    Robby Benton, RAB Racing Co-Owner could not agree with Wallace more.  “Having our plans in place before the Christmas holiday was great for team morale and will provide us with ample time to prepare for what we need to do for the upcoming season.”

    “We’ve made significant changes at RAB Racing over the last few months in an effort to elevate our program,” Benton continued.  “Our alliance with Toyota, the relationship we have with TRD and now adding Kenny to the mix, will bring some depth to our program.”

    Benton also acknowledged that Wallace, with his many talents, will bring his own sense of style and personality to the team.

    “It also helps tremendously having a driver with Kenny’s notoriety,” Benton said.  “People love him and hopefully we’ll be able to reinvigorate his fan base.”

    Wallace will be piloting the No. 09 Toyota Camry for RAB Racing in the Nationwide Series.  To date, he and the team have secured several sponsors, including the University of Northwestern Ohio,  Federated Auto Parts, and Family Farmers, the latter being a coalition of soybean and corn farmers.

    These sponsors are on board for at least 16 races as primary sponsors.  As with most race teams, however, Wallace and Benton are still looking to fill their sponsorship dance card for the remaining 18 races of the Nationwide season.

    “We have a lot going on within our marketing department right now,” Benton said.  “I feel pretty confident about having all 34 races sold before the Daytona event in February.”

    Lest anyone think that Wallace has just been waiting around for the NASCAR season to start, he has already been busy at the track in Daytona.  He participated in the Rolex 24, racing under the banner of TRG and the Children’s Tumor Foundation.

    Wallace teamed up for the 24 hour race with fellow drivers Ron Yarab, Pierre Bourque, and Daniel Graeff.  While the team sought success on the track, they were also seeking to raise more than $1 million for the Foundation.

    “I am really honored to help represent the Children’s Tumor Foundation, it’s very near and dear to my heart,” Wallace said prior to the event. “Along the way I’m a competitor, a winning race driver, and it’s fun to team up with a winning organization like TRG.”

    Wallace and company finished 20th overall in the Rolex 24, after starting in the 24th position.

    In addition to the Rolex 24, Wallace has been showing off his dirt track racing talent, kicking off his season for 2011.  He has seen action at East Bay Raceway Park in Tampa, Florida and will next travel the circuit from Volusia to Eldora Speedways throughout the year.

    Wallace’s final talent will emerge later in 2011 after the finale of his NASCAR Nationwide season, when he once again assumes the duties of cruise director.  Wallace will sponsor yet again his ‘Kenny Cruise 2011″ on the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line.

    Wallace will socialize on the Allure of the Seas ship, which will cruise the western Caribbean for a week.  Kenny’s 2011 cruise will leave Ft. Lauderdale on December 4th, 2011 traveling to Haiti, Jamaica and Mexico, before returning back to Florida on December 11th.

    From Rolex and NASCAR Nationwide racing to filling in for an expectant Cup driver and father, as well as social directing on his own cruise, the ‘Hermanator’ is indeed a man of many talents.  And just in case that is not enough Wallace for the year, fans can also check out his famous laugh on Race Day by the Home Depot and Victory Lane on SPEED TV for yet another season.

  • HOORAHS AND WAZZUPS: It was a rather vague interview that offered nothing new

    HOORAHS AND WAZZUPS: It was a rather vague interview that offered nothing new

    During the course of the past few days we waited in anticipation for a supposed titillating tell all interview with former NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield only to discover that he had nothing to say. We were puzzled by a bizarre, million dollar, offer from an Indy Car official that doesn’t seem to have any takers. We learned what the Ganassi slam is and then we marveled at the prospect of a former unemployed home developer who is now the newest NASCAR team owner. With those thoughts in mind let’s begin with:

    WAZZUP with last Tuesday’s live television interview with Jeremy Mayfield on the SPEED Channel’s “Race Hub” program? The promos for this interview suggested that the embattled driver was “finally going to get to tell his side of the story.” What we saw instead was a vague interview that offered nothing new. I truly felt sorry for “Race Hub” host Steve Byrnes who had to carefully navigate his way through an interview that was clearly going to be a waste of perfectly good television time.

    The lengthy saga of Mayfield versus NASCAR began with the driver failing a mandatory drug test, back in May of 2009 that led to his indefinite suspension from the sport. It was later revealed that this test was positive for methamphetamine. However Mayfield claimed he had taken a doctor prescribed drug for an allergy condition with the over the counter medicine known as Claritin D and that combination produced a false positive. He filed suit against NASCAR and demanded his reinstatement. That action led to a lengthy series of court hearings that are still ongoing. Mayfield himself said on Tuesday that the latest round of court arguments could last as long as a year and a half.

    One had the feeling that Mayfield had been carefully coached by attorneys to be extremely careful regarding comments on his legal issues with NASCAR. “I’ve got a lot things to say that I can’t obviously because of the litigation,” he said during the interview adding “I don’t want to get into anymore trouble whatsoever by what I’m saying. It’s just hard because, when you’re in this situation, there’s a lot of anger now and things could come out that wouldn’t be good for either one of us. It’s tough when you walk around everyday and you get the chance to finally tell your side of the story, there’s so much more to it that would really enlighten a lot of things that you just can’t tell.”

    WAZZUP with that moment of murky confusion? That alone should have had Mayfield escorted to the men’s room with a plastic cup.

    When asked by Byrnes about the prospect of his future, Mayfield said he was excited about starting a new metal recycling business but offered no details. Regarding the prospect of returning to racing. Mayfield did mention the possibility of driving for the owner of a dirt car team but again offered no details. He also expressed an interest in driving for an Indy Car, as well as drag racing, if the conditions were right saying “I don’t want to struggle anymore.”

    Perhaps Mayfield is saving all of the enlightening details for some future tell all book. Again, his appearance on the “Race Hub” last Tuesday was a vague interview that offered nothing new.

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

    HOORAH to five time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson for placing his family first and declining a high dollar offer that would have had him driving in the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca Cola 600 on the same day. That offer came from Indy Car CEO Randy Bernard who offered some high profile NASCAR drivers $1 million for taking on both prestigious events plus a $20 million bonus to any driver who could win both of the races on the same day. This high dollar offer was reported to be part of the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500.

    Although he said there’s a part of him that always wanted to drive the Indy 500, Johnson’s decision to decline the offer was based on the time he would have to spend away from his wife and daughter during the month of May. Preparations for the Indy 500 alone take approximately three weeks. That schedule would have been in addition to his NASCAR Sprint Cup commitments which includes stops at Darlington and Dover during the month of May as well as the All Star Race and the Coca Cola 600 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.

    By the way, another HOORAH goes to Rick Hendrick, Johnson’s team owner, for a great comment after learning his champion driver had turned down the Indy offer. Hendrick described Johnson’s potential time away from family as a “deal breaker” and said “his wife’s against it, and she’s got a lot of stroke in that deal.”

    WAZZUP with this Indy Car offer being made to begin with? Recent reports indicates that drivers Juan Pablo Montoya and Kasey Kahne have not responded to Bernard’s double duty race day offer and driver Sam Hornish Jr. has made it clear that he doesn’t want to return to the Indy Car ranks.

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

    Talk about a way to start off a new year: HOORAH to team owner Chip Ganassi who had the pleasure of watching his Grand American Rolex Series teams, with drivers Scott Pruett and Scott Dixon, finish one-two at the conclusion of 24 Hours of Daytona last weekend. Ganassi teams has now won four of the most prestigious motorsports events in the nation within a period of 12 months. That list includes the Daytona 500, the Indy 500, the Brickyard 500 and now the 24 Hours of Daytona. That accomplishment has been appropriately titled “The Ganassi Slam.”

    HOORAH to NASCAR Sprint Cup team owner Kevin Buckler primary owner of TRG, The Racer’s Group, who watched his team, led by driver Andy Lally, win the GT Class portion of the 24 hour race. Lally, an occasional visitor to the Sprint Cup Series, won the pole during qualifying but a technical glitch during post race inspection put the car at the back of the field. Making this win even more difficult was the fact that the TRG driver team ran the last 17 hours of the race without a working clutch.

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

    The final HOORAH of the week goes to Joe Denette a long time native of Spotsylvania County-Virginia. Who’s that you ask? Denette is the newest team owner in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series under some very special circumstances.

    In 2009 economics found Denette laid off from his long time job in the home development industry. But that all changed in May of that year when Denette won the Virginia Lottery Mega Millions worth $75.6 million. He opted for the lump sum payment of $47.8 million.

    A long time NASCAR fan, Denette decided to create his own race team and enlisted the aid of Hermie Sadler, NASCAR driver-SPEED Channel reporter, to help him with the massive details. Denette Racing will begin its maiden voyage this year working out of a newly acquired shop in Huntersville-North Carolina. They have already made a very smart move by aligning themselves with Kevin Harvick Inc who will provide the new team with chassis and technical support. Another smart move was the recent signing of up and coming truck series driver Jason White who will be bringing his long time sponsor, Gun Brokers Dot Com, with him.

  • Phase Two of Site Construction is Underway on the World’s Largest HD Video

    Phase Two of Site Construction is Underway on the World’s Largest HD Video Board

    CONCORD, N.C. (Feb. 3, 2011) – The second phase of construction began this week on the world’s largest high-definition video board that will debut during Charlotte Motor Speedway’s 2011 May race events.

    Long Foundation Drilling Company from Winston-Salem, N.C., and Mid-Atlantic Construction of Charlotte, N.C., are working with Eastern Sign Tech of Burlington, N.J., on phase two of the HD video board construction this week at the speedway. The construction crews are using an 80-ton crane with a 100-foot arm and a separate caisson drilling rig to dig the massive support column holes that will lift the Panasonic HD video board 110 feet above the track. This phase of site work will include removing 900 cubic yards of dirt by drilling 12 holes, each 54 inches in diameter, more than 50 feet deep to bedrock level. Concrete piers will then be installed in the holes to support the massive 500,000-pound steel frame that will hold the 165,000-pound video board. When completed, the total structure will weigh 332-and-a-half tons or 665,000 pounds.

    Using heavy earth-moving equipment, crews from Granite Contracting, of Concord, N.C., have already removed 18,000 cubic yards of dirt and 3,000 cubic yards of concrete behind the backstretch where the gigantic, nearly 16,000-square-foot screen will be located. The concrete bleachers that were removed were part of the speedway’s original construction in 1960.

    Designed and created by Panasonic, the approximately 200-foot-wide, 80-foot-tall 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. The screen will be illuminated by more than nine million LED lamps 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.

    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.

  • RWR Rookie debut leaves organization wanting more

    Rick Ware Racing Completes 24 Hours of Daytona     2011 started as the year for racing rookies for Rick Ware Racing.  RWR is running for “Rookie of the Year” with Jeffrey Earnhardt in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and Timmy Hill for the same title in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.  RWR’s first ever Grand-Am event, the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona, would also consists of all five drivers as rookies, a big task for any organization.

    After 24 hours of the most grueling endurance event in all of American motor sports, Rick Ware Racing and the #47 Fuel Doctor team took the checkered flag in their Porsche GT, 11th in class and 25th overall.

    “When we started this entire project six months ago, our goal was to finish the race.   We knew if we could keep the car in one piece and the drivers focused, it would be a great run for us,” owner Rick Ware said.

    The team consisted of five drivers: Jeffrey Earnhardt, Maurice Hull, Scott Monroe, Doug Harrington, and Brett Sandberg.  They all pulled multiple two-hour shifts, keeping the car at a steady pace.

    “This race wasn’t a sprint; it was more of a jog.  Kevin Roush (the crew chief) and our spotters kept us focused on the goal. Of course, we’re all racers, so I’m not going to lie.  It was easy to forget that having the fastest lap wasn’t the goal.  The goal was to keep the car in one piece for 24 hours,” driver Bret Sandberg said.

    RWR did not sail smoothly through the entire 24 Hours without trouble.  With approximately one hour to go, the Porsche GT broke an alternator, which took the team 15 minutes to repair.  They did not lose a single position in the process.

    “When we broke the alternator with one hour to go, we didn’t initially know what the issue was.  We just saw smoke and fire pouring out of the engine compartment.  I was pretty devastated, but the guys didn’t miss a beat, diagnosed the problem, and had us back on the track in no time.  That was a defining moment for our run. Kevin Roush of GAS Motorsport did a fantastic job for me, calling the shots.  Not many crew chiefs can hop in and help set up the car like he did! Kevin O’Connell and the entire O’Connell Racing team helped tremendously with overseeing our entire operation to help make our debut a success.” stated Ware.

    RWR is already setting up for a multi-car effort in 2012 for the 50th running of the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona. The RWR team will carry their momentum back to Daytona in two weeks for the series openers in the NASCAR Nationwide and Camping World Truck series. Keep up with their progress at www.wareracing.com or you can also follow the team on Twitter at @rickwareracing.

  • DAYTONA 500 CHAMP, DANICA PATRICK, DARRELL WALTRIP & LYN ST. JAMES TO PARTICIPATE IN PIR’S ‘NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS’ CHARITY EVENT

     (PHOENIX, Ariz.) –Phoenix International Raceway’s annual Night of Champions charity event on Feb. 24 will have a twist of mystery until the winner of the DAYTONA 500 is crowned just four days prior, on February 20. The 2011 Daytona 500 champ will join NASCAR Nationwide Series driver and Valley local Danica Patrick, three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Darrell Waltrip, former IndyCar driver Lyn St. James and PIR President Bryan R. Sperber to help celebrate the start of the 2011 NASCAR season and the SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500™ event weekend at Phoenix.  

    Night of Champions will be held at Frank and Albert’s, located in the legendary Arizona Biltmore Resort, at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 24. Waltrip, who retired from racing in 2000 and is now a lead analyst for NASCAR on FOX, will host the event that will benefit and raise awareness for the Arizona State University College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation and St. James’  Women in the Winner’s Circle Foundation.

    “This year’s Night of Champions offers a star-studded group of honorees in Darrell Waltrip, Danica Patrick, Lyn St. James and the winner of the 2011 Daytona 500,” Sperber said. “Our eyes will focus on Daytona with added interest and intrigue as we wait to find out which NASCAR star will join us to help raise charitable funds and rev up the 2011 season at PIR.”

    Tickets for “Night of Champions” are $250 each, and will provide guests with the chance to spend an evening with the 2011 DAYTONA 500 winner, Patrick, Waltrip and St. James, while contributing to the advancement of women in racing and research in nursing and healthcare at one of Arizona’s leading educational institutions.   Presenting sponsorships for the event are also available. Sponsorship packages include inclusion on all event materials and an array of exclusive experiences throughout the NASCAR event weekend at PIR.

      Those interested in attending or sponsoring “Night of Champions” are encouraged to contact Liz Thomas of Phoenix International Raceway at (623) 463-5670 or lthomas@phoenixinternationalraceway.com.

    Media will have access to the DAYTONA 500 winner, Patrick, Waltrip and St. James for interviews from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. To reserve interview time, please contact Paul Corliss of PIR at pcorliss@phoenixinternationalraceway.comor (623) 463-5613.

    Tickets to the exciting Feb. 24-27 SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500™ NASCAR event weekend are available with prices starting at just $25. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.phoenixraceway.com/tickets or call 866-408-RACE (7223).   About Phoenix International Raceway Since 1964, Phoenix International Raceway has served race fans as the premier motorsports venue in the Southwest. Watch the brightest stars in NASCAR take on PIR’s famed one-mile oval – including five-time defending Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Tony Stewart and many more – on February 27, 2011 in the Subway Fresh Fit 500. Tickets for the entire Subway Fresh Fit 500 weekend at Phoenix International Raceway can be purchased online at PhoenixRaceway.com/Tickets or by calling 1-866-408-RACE (7223). For more, visit PhoenixRaceway.com, Facebook.com/PhoenixRaceway and Twitter.com/PhoenixRaceway.

  • Danica Patrick, Aric Almirola, Ron Hornaday and Nelson Piquet Jr. Test at GMP

    JEFFERSON, GA (February 2, 2011)–Nationwide drivers, Danica Patrick and Aric Almirola, with JR Motorsports and NASCAR Camping World Truck drivers, Ron Hornaday and Nelson Piquet Jr., drivers for Kevin Harvick Inc. tested at Gresham Motorsports Park in preparation for the 2011 season.   Both Nationwide drivers, Patrick and Almirola, were at GMP specifically to test for the Phoenix and Bristol races. 

      Although it was not Almirola’s first visit to GMP, it was a first for Patrick.  When asked about GMP, Patrick said that she was impressed with the facility and the track but she was especially impressed with the restrooms.   Tony Eury Jr.,co-owner of JR Motorsports and crew chief for Patrick, said that he was pleased with the lap times that Patrick put down but the main purpose of the test was to get her more comfortable on the shorter tracks with the heavier cars in preparation for Phoenix and Bristol.   Joining Eury Jr. was Tony Eury Sr., JR Motorsports director of competition, who oversaw the operations for both JR Motorsports teams during the day-long test at GMP.   Also testing at GMP was Kevin Harvick Inc. Drivers, Ron Hornaday and Nelson Piquet Jr. in preparation for the Camping World Series truck races at Phoenix and Bristol. Hornaday’s experience proved to be beneficial for Piquet Jr. at GMP, who will race his first full season in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in 2011.   All of the drivers were extremely impressed with the track and the facilities and were pleased with all of the data gathered during their test at GMP.  All agreed at the end of the day that they would be back!   

      To view more pictures of the JR Motorsports and Kevin Harvick Inc. test, please go to the photo gallery on GMP’s website at www.GreshamMotorsportsPark.com.

  • Ingram to crew chief Shepherd in NNS in 2011

    CONOVER, NC – Veteran NASCAR crew chief David Ingram has been tabbed to crew chief Morgan’s Shepherd’s #89 NASCAR Nationwide Series entry in 2011, Faith Motorsports announced February 3.

    Ingram, who served as crew chief for K-Automotive Racing’s #26 program in 2010 has been around the garage for quite a few years. Ingram also worked as a crew chief for McDonald Motorsports’ #81 program in 2009.

    “David is a young guy but he has a lot of racing experience and most of his experience has come from his working with smaller teams, which is good,” Shepherd said. “He has been brought up racing with a small budget and limited crew members so he is one of those crew chiefs who can work on the car and understands that our people have to be able to do more than one thing for us to be successful.”

    Shepherd said his 2010 crew chief Gary Ravan is still with the Faith Motorsports program and has assumed other duties in the two-car shop which will feature Shepherd’s #89 and Brett Rowe’s #55 Nationwide entries.

    An announcement about who will fill the crew chief role for Rowe’s program and other crew assignments will be forthcoming, the team said.

    Fans wishing to learn more about Ingram can access an interview done while he was crew chief of the #81 team here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJ8JOilvgNY.