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  • NASCAR DRIVER CARL EDWARDS TO AUCTION OFF PERSONAL MEMORABILIA

    Edwards teams up with Copart .com to Host Auction; Proceeds to Benefit Back2Back Ministries

    Concord, N.C. (October 25, 2010) – Copart-sponsored NASCAR driver Carl Edwards has teamed up with Copart, Inc., a leading online vehicle auction company, to auction off Edwards’ personal memorabilia beginning October 25, 2010. By using Copart.com as the sole auction platform, Copart will help Edwards auction off items including his Harley Davidson motorcycle that he won at Road America, a race-used firesuit, the hood of his No. 60 Copart Ford raced in Nashville and an autographed pit crew uniform. Edwards intends to donate all auction proceeds to Back2Back Ministries’ orphan care program based in Monterrey, Mexico.

    “Track officials showed us the Harley that would go to the race winner and while Lonnie Clouse of Back2Back Ministries and I were admiring this motorcycle, I told him, ‘if we win this race I will donate this motorcycle to Back2Back Ministries,’ Edwards said. “I started thinking about how to sell the motorcycle – through a raffle or some sort of silent auction – and then it hit me that I have the perfect sponsor – who sells vehicles online – to help us raise money for this charity. It was a case of everything falling into place.”

    Copart will use social networking platforms along with other viral marketing tactics to help drive people to the auction and sweepstakes where they can become a Copart.com member for free. Once a member, folks can place their bid on any of Edwards’ memorabilia and enter a sweepstakes with a chance to win one of 500 No. 60 Copart Ford die cast cars.

    “This partnership is a humble way for Copart to test its new marketing platform and support Back2Back,” said Todd Guckenberger, director of Back2Back Ministries. “While they promote their auction via their social networking program, they are raising enormous amounts of visibility for our organization.”

    The live online auction will take place on Copart.com November 15, 2010, but interested fans can start placing their maximum bids today. Fans are encouraged to visit Copart.com for a chance to own a piece of Carl Edwards’ history.

    “We are incredibly proud to be the connecting piece of the puzzle in this campaign to support Back2Back Ministries,” said Jay Adair, CEO of Copart. “The opportunity to serve as the vehicle between Carl Edwards and Back2Back in raising money for this charity is tremendous and demonstrates a core value that we at Copart stand for.”

    About Roush Fenway Racing

    Roush Fenway Racing is NASCAR’s largest team operating nine motorsports teams. Four in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with drivers Matt Kenseth, Greg Biffle, Carl Edwards and David Ragan; and five in the Nationwide Series with Edwards, Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., Trevor Bayne, Colin Braun, Brian Ickler, and Paul Menard. For more information on any of the Roush Fenway Racing teams, log onto www.RoushFenway.com. Become a fan of Roush Fenway Racing on Facebook by going to http://www.facebook.com/roushfenway and follow us on Twitter @roushfenway. For sponsorship inquiries please contact Robin Johnson at 704.720.4645.

    About Copart

    Copart, founded in 1982, provides vehicle sellers with a full range of remarketing services to process and sell salvage and clean title vehicles to dealers, dismantlers, rebuilders, exporters and, in some states, to end users. Copart remarkets the vehicles through Internet sales utilizing its patented VB2 technology. Copart sells vehicles on behalf of insurance companies, banks, finance companies, fleet operators, dealers, car dealerships, the general public and others. The company currently operates 147 facilities in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Salvage vehicles are either damaged vehicles deemed a total loss for insurance or business purposes or are recovered stolen vehicles for which an insurance settlement with the vehicle owner has already been made. For more information, or to become a member, visit www.copart.com.

    About Back2Back Ministries

    Back2Back Ministries is an international Christian non-profit organization that is dedicated to being a voice for orphans. Since 1996, Back2Back has been impacting the lives of children across the globe, with a focus in Mexico, Nigeria and India. Back2Back exists to transform the lives of orphans and impoverished children in developing countries, by meeting their physical, spiritual, educational, social and emotional needs that they might overcome their life circumstances and break free from the cycle of poverty. Learn more at www.back2back.org.

  • Keselowski wins Nationwide Series race at Gateway

    Keselowski wins Nationwide Series race at Gateway

    Brad Keselowski won the 5-Hour Energy 250 Nationwide Series race on Saturday at Gateway International Raceway.

    Keselowski pitted with 10-laps remaining and took four tires.  He restarted the race in fifth place and passed Bliss for the lead with less than two laps remaining to win his sixth Nationwide Series race of the season and the 12th of his career.

    “When we had that one more lap of yellow, it went from five to four (laps left), I knew it was going to be close.  When Bliss got the lead, I thought he would be gone.  He had the best short-run car out of the group.  I got a little break when 32 got to him, got him a little loose and was able to take advantage of it, but Mike drove a great race.” Keselowski said.

    Keselowski now leads in the series standings by 485 points and should clinch the Nationwide Series Championship in two weeks at Texas Motor Speedway.

    “It’s pretty exciting for everyone at Penske and Dodge and Discount Tire and Ruby Tuesday.  What an amazing year this has been.” Keselowski said.

    Bliss finished second, Justin Allgaier third, Jason Leffler fourth and Carl Edwards finished fifth.

    “I guess the fastest car doesn’t always win the race.  The Verizon Dodge Charger was awesome today and we had the car to beat.  We just made a bad pit call late and it cost us.” Keselowski’s teammate Allgaier said.

    “It was pretty wild.  We had two (tires), guys behind us had four and the 32 (Reed Sorenson) had none.” Leffler said on the final restart.  “My car is really good, but without that issue the brake problem we could have contended for the win here.”

    Danica Patrick hit the outside wall after contact from Steve Wallace with 10 laps remaining.  Patrick finished 22nd, 17 laps down.

    Unofficial Race Results

    5-Hour Energy 250, Gateway International Raceway

    October 23, 2010 – Race 32 of 35

    Pos. St. No. Driver Make Pts. Bon. Laps Status
    1 0 22 Brad Keselowski Dodge 190 5 200 Running
    2 0 33 Mike Bliss Chevrolet 175 5 200 Running
    3 0 12 Justin Allgaier Dodge 175 10 200 Running
    4 0 38 Jason Leffler Toyota 160 0 200 Running
    5 0 60 Carl Edwards Ford 155 0 200 Running
    6 0 32 Reed Sorenson Toyota 155 5 200 Running
    7 0 88 Josh Wise Chevrolet 151 5 200 Running
    8 0 18 Brad Coleman Toyota 142 0 200 Running
    9 0 98 Paul Menard Ford 138 0 200 Running
    10 0 104 Jeremy Clements Chevrolet 139 5 200 Running
    11 0 16 Trevor Bayne Ford 130 0 200 Running
    12 0 66 Steve Wallace Toyota 127 0 200 Running
    13 0 28 Kenny Wallace Toyota 124 0 200 Running
    14 0 9 Brian Scott * Ford 121 0 200 Running
    15 0 99 Ryan Truex Toyota 118 0 200 Running
    16 0 1 Mike Wallace Chevrolet 115 0 198 Running
    17 0 27 Drew Herring Ford 112 0 198 Running
    18 0 21 Morgan Shepherd Chevrolet 109 0 198 Running
    19 0 42 Brandon McReynolds Dodge 106 0 196 Running
    20 0 23 Peyton Sellers Chevrolet 103 0 195 Running
    21 0 15 Michael Annett Toyota 100 0 195 Running
    22 0 7 Danica Patrick Chevrolet 97 0 183 Running
    23 0 6 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. * Ford 94 0 164 Running
    24 0 20 Matt DiBenedetto Toyota 91 0 161 Out
    25 0 40 Jeff Green Chevrolet 88 0 157 Running
    26 0 62 Brendan Gaughan Toyota 85 0 150 Running
    27 0 70 Shelby Howard Chevrolet 82 0 138 In Pit
    28 0 87 Joe Nemechek Chevrolet 79 0 110 Out
    29 0 34 Tony Raines Chevrolet 76 0 103 Running
    30 0 81 Michael McDowell Dodge 73 0 103 In Pit
    31 0 11 Brad Sweet Toyota 70 0 103 Running
    32 0 10 Scott Wimmer Toyota 67 0 102 Running
    33 0 139 Sean Caisse Ford 64 0 102 Running
    34 0 35 Antonio Perez Chevrolet 61 0 72 In Pit
    35 0 179 Tim Andrews Ford 58 0 29 In Pit
    36 0 91 Chase Miller Chevrolet 55 0 15 In Pit
    37 0 89 Johnny Chapman Chevrolet 52 0 4 Out
    38 0 92 Andy Ponstein Dodge 49 0 2 In Pit
    39 0 156 Kevin Lepage Toyota 46 0 2 In Pit
    40 0 194 Carl Long Chevrolet 43 0 2 Out
    41 0 26 Brian Keselowski Dodge 40 0 1 Out
    42 0 90 Danny O’Quinn Jr. Chevrolet 37 0 1 In Pit
    43 0 136 Kevin Hamlin Chevrolet 34 0 1 In Pit

  • TOYOTA NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) Post-Race Notes & Quotes Gateway International Raceway

    Jason Leffler (fourth) was the highest finishing Camry driver in Saturday’s NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) race at Gateway International Raceway.  

    Reed Sorenson (sixth) and Brad Coleman (eighth) also earned top-10 finishes at the 1.25-mile track located outside of St. Louis.  

    St. Louis-native Kenny Wallace finished 13th in a Toyota race car prepared for his Jay Robinson Racing team by his brother’s team, Rusty Wallace Racing.  

    Other Toyota drivers in the field included Steve Wallace (12th), Ryan Truex (15th), Michael Annett (21st), Matt DiBenedetto (24th), Brendan Gaughan (26th), Brad Sweet (31st), Scott Wimmer (32nd) and Kevin Lepage (39th).

    JASON LEFFLER, No. 38 Great Clips Toyota Camry, Braun Racing Finished:  4th How exciting were the final laps of the Gateway race? “It was pretty wild.  We had two (tires), guys behind us had four and the 32 (Reed Sorenson) had none.  We all met there in the middle, especially off of (turn) two.  The guys on the 38 car did a great job.  We still have brake problems.  My car is really good, but without that issue the brake problem we could have contended for the win here.  I just had to slow down and run my pace and I couldn’t really run any faster than what I could run otherwise I would the rear brakes would lock up and I’d be in trouble.  The guys did a great job on pit road.  They did an awesome job.  It was a clean race really for us.  We get some of this stuff fixed and we’ll be up front all the time.”

    REED SORENSON, No. 32 Dollar General Toyota Camry, Braun Racing Finished:  6th How was your race? “I really thought we had a chance there.  This back up car didn’t see the track until our qualifying lap this morning.  After qualifying 10th, I thought we’d be good but we fought a bad front-end bounce and a tight condition all race.  The Dollar General guys never gave up and made a ton of adjustments every chance we had.  I couldn’t talk to the team at least the last 50 laps or so because something was wrong with my radio.  Those last laps I raced as hard as I could to keep the lead but couldn’t quite do it on our older tires.  It was a long and challenging day but we fought hard for this top-10.”

    BRAD COLEMAN, No. 18 Shore Lodge Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing Finished:  8th

    STEVE WALLACE, No. 66 5-Hour Energy Toyota Camry, Rusty Wallace Racing Finished:  12th

    KENNY WALLACE, No. 28 Illinois Corn Farmers Toyota Camry, Jay Robinson Racing with Rusty Wallace Racing Finished:  13th How was your race? “We had an eighth to tenth-place car and on the last pit stop under green we had a horrible pit stop.  It was a bad time for a bad pit stop.  We came into the pits 12th and went out 16th under green.  That hurt us.” Did you enjoy today’s race with the car that Rusty Wallace Racing provided? “It was fun for me to be able to race for a top-10 cold turkey.  I guess we could have tested, we never tested.  It was fun to pass people and race.  Obviously I’m a competitor and I don’t feel like — my problem is I don’t feel like I’ve lost anything.  A finish of 13th is a little disappointing.” What are your thoughts on this final race at Gateway? “It was a great race.  It couldn’t have been any better.  I was within three spots of accomplishing my goal which was a top-10.   I just hope the St. Louis people and everybody in the area, I hope they miss this race.  I’m sure 20 years from now we’ll all look back and think one time we had a NASCAR race here, it’s a bummer we don’t have one anymore.”

    RYAN TRUEX, No. 99 Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota Camry, Diamond-Waltrip Racing Finished:  15th How was your race? “We started off good.  We got up and were running up there near the top-10.  We were working on the car, trying to make it better.  I ended up cutting down a left rear (tire) and then we were just playing catch up from there.  I could never get back up there.  At the end there we just kind of got trapped a lap down and couldn’t really do anything with it.  A finish of 15th isn’t bad but I think we could have done better.”

    MICHAEL ANNETT, No. 15 Pilot Flying J Coffee Toyota Camry, Germain Racing Finished:  21st

    MATT DIBENEDETTO, No. 20 Bosch Spark Plugs Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing Finished:  24th

    BRENDAN GAUGHAN, No. 62 South Point Hotel & Casino Toyota Camry, Rusty Wallace Racing Finished:  26th What happened to take you out of the race? “I have no clue what happened on the last wreck.  I was so far behind it.  I had our Camry wowed down and then somebody got us from behind.  St. Louis is a fun race track, it’s just tough on that front straightaway.  Whoever started it, it’s just narrow.  I thought I had it wowed down and got hit.  That’s just kind of one of the bummers of racing here but it’s a great track, we’re going to miss it.”

    BRAD SWEET, No. 11 Great Clips Toyota Camry, Braun Racing Finished:  31st What happened to take you out of the race? “Just the hole closed up there on the front stretch.  I don’t even know what happened up there in the front.  I came up before it and cars were going everywhere and I just locked up the brakes.  I tried not to make any contact but too many cars came together at one time.  It was too bad, the Great Clips car was just starting to get going there.  It was half way and we got our car handling a little better and I thought we were going to be competitive there at the end.”

    SCOTT WIMMER, No. 10 AccuDoc Solutions Toyota Camry, Braun Racing Finished:  32nd What happened to take you out of the race and are you okay? “Yeah, I’m fine.  I have to thank Turner Motorsports and everybody that put this deal together.  It was a pretty last minute deal.   We didn’t qualify well and we got ourselves in pretty good track position there and were fighting real hard.  I got loose and got tagged from behind.  That’s what happens here, it’s tight coming off of (turn) four there.  It’s going to be sad leaving this place.   I ran first ASA race down here in 2000.  I have to thank all these fans for coming out.”

    KEVIN LEPAGE, No. 56 RaceDaySponsor.com Toyota Camry, Mac Hill Motorsports Finished:  39th

  • Fourth Turn … A Fan’s Perspective

    Fourth Turn … A Fan’s Perspective

    Welcome to NASCAR, E15!

    Recently, NASCAR announced that in 2011 it would be moving to Sunoco Green E15. The fuel is 15% Ethanol and 85% 260 GTX. Hence it’s name E15. But do we really know what ethanol is? Where does it come from? What are its advantages and disadvantages in a NASCAR stock car? How is it more advantageous to the environment?

    Ethanol is an alcohol that is currently used in gasoline as a detergent and has been for many years. It burns hot enough that it keeps the deposits from clogging the fuel injection systems that are used on most domestic vehicles.

    The ethanol product that NASCAR will be utilizing in all three of its touring series will be made of Corn. It can also be made from other biomass products, such as corn cobs and stalks, rice straw, wheat straw, switch grass, vegetable and forest wastes and other organic materials. Twenty percent of the nations corn supply was used for Ethanol in 2007. That translates to approximately 3.0 billion barrels of ethanol. For every barrel of Ethanol that is utilized we offset use of 1.2 barrels of petroleum.

    Ethanol adds oxygen to the gasoline causing more complete combustion and thus decreasing the amount of harmful emissions that are released into the atmosphere. It adds 2 – 3 points of octane to the gasoline which causes it to have an increase performance and higher horse power output. It also adds to the life of the fuel injection system by keeping harmful deposits from accumulating in the injectors and the engine itself.

    NASCAR choose Sunoco’s Green E15 because it utilized American Farmer’s products according to NASCAR’s CEO Brian France. By doing so Sunoco is assisting farmers by increasing their crops and the change to the fuel will allow for an increase in the size and production of the plant in Marcus Hook, PA, where the fuel will be mixed, and thus will add jobs to the economy.

    Ethanol has some distinct drawbacks to go with its obvious environmental pluses. One, Ethanol attracts moisture. Many of the tracks that NASCAR competes on in the summer months have hot and humid climates. This attribute of the fuel will require different storage containers and different measures to protect the cars from getting moisture in the fuel. Thus, Sunoco will be mixing the fuel in tankers and bringing those tankers to the track and dispensing the fuel from there. The new fuel cans that will go into mandate next year as well as the lack of a catch can will also add to the safety of keeping moisture away from the fuel.

    Two, the fuel burns blue and it burns 150 times hotter than the fuels teams currently use. No doubt this was a consideration in doing away with the catch can men on the pit crews. The fire protection gear worn by the crews on pit road and by the drivers in the car are sufficient to protect them from the new fuel according to Simpson fire safety group.

    Third, it can have issues with some polymers that we currently see used in the fuel systems on SC cars. Rubber and plastic literally melt. Although, it has been being tested for several months on the down low by teams and they have pretty much overcome these issues, it has not been tested in competition. The odds of having a piece fail due to fuel damage by the time the series begins using it in Daytona is slim. It is not out of the question but most teams have already been tweaking those parts and pieces to insure their longevity.

    Lastly, on a competition basis, the teams have discovered that the mileage factor with the E15 fuel drops noticeably.

    “The fuel mileage is going to change for a little bit, but it’s going to change for everybody across the board,” stated Joe Gibbs Racing Vice President Jimmy Makar. “The biggest thing is the chemical properties and making sure we have the compatibility with different components in the engine or the fuel system itself.”

    Danny Lawerence of Richard Childress racing tested E15 at Richmond earlier this year. “There were no issues with it at all. It makes a little more power, but we did use a little bit more.”

    There is little doubt that the change to Ethanol fuel was made at this time to prepare for the announced change to fuel injection slotted to occur in July of 2011. Ethanol increases the life of fuel injection systems and helps to prevent failures. By making the change at this time, NASCAR is assuring the prevention from a sudden increase in the cost of competing

    The introduction of Ethanol fuel to a racing series is not a new one. Indy Car made the switch in 2007 to E85. The fuel that is utilized in that series is a product of Brazil and it’s source is sugar cane. The ethanol is mixed 85% ethanol and 15% Methanol.

    Many have confused Ethanol with its closest relative, Methanol. Methanol is not a biomass fuel. Methanol is a petroleum product and although it burns hotter it is more flammable and not as suitable for the combustion type engines utilized in NASCAR.

    The other fuel that it is often mistaken for is Nitro-methane which is used in top fuel cars in NHRA. Nitro-methane is a combination of Propane and Nitric Acid. It’s highly unstable and combustible nature are what make the bright blue signature flames of Top Fuel Dragsters and Funny Cars. It’s fast burning nature would make it unsuitable for sustained competition like NASCAR.

    This ethanol is however a lower percentage of the Ethanol fuel used in World of Outlaws in the 90’s when Doug Wolfgang was nearly killed because the fire fighters didn’t realize quickly they were dealing with an alcohol fire. The lower percentage will allow the fire to be seen as a blue tinted much more vivid red flame. Please note that fire safety systems have advanced far above the ones that Wolfgang was utilizing at the time of that crash in Kansas City Kansas in 1992.

    The presence of ethanol will require fire safety crews to change how they fight a fire on the track. Different extinguishers and Different procedures will need to be utilized in and out of the car. Ethanol’s alcohol make up will make it necessary to change to fire fighting foam.Fire fighting foam is a foam used for fire suppression. Its role is to cool the fire and to coat the fuel, preventing its contact with oxygen, resulting in suppression of the combustion. The P.A.S.S. method is not used for a known alcohol fire. Instead the object is to avoid spreading the fire while at the same time neutralizing as much of it as possible.

    Bob Dylan said, “The times they are changing.” More truth has never been spoken about our sport. From the fuel to the COT and soon the fueling systems they use to create the power and speed that we sit on the edge of our seats for. But the educated fan is a well armed one. Knowing what when and how with the fuel won’t make you an engineer. But it will make you more aware of the subtleties that your team and driver are dealing with next year. Frankly, new fuel mileage, more speed, and doing a good thing for the environment is a good thing for the sport and the earth. This time NASCAR gets a big thumbs up.

    ~~~~~****~~~~~

    Congratulations to Jamie McMurray on a well deserved and hard fought Sprint Cup win. You proved once again that you don’t have to make the chase to be a true competitor or a winner. Congratulations to Brad Keselowski for his Nationwide Series win. Smooth and aggressive in true Keselowski style. I would like to take this opportunity to offer our sincere and deepest condolences to Jeff Byrd’s family, friends and co workers. He left a mark on our community that will never be forgotten. He will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this very difficult time.

    And finally to all the competitors in all the series thanks for giving us everything you have to give, you are our heroes. Most importantly, thanks to all the families who shared their loved ones with us so we could cheer our favorite driver and favorite teams. You are the true heroes of the sport and we are forever in your debt.

  • NOTES FROM THE NASCAR NATION: The Nationwide Series farewell to Gateway

    NOTES FROM THE NASCAR NATION: The Nationwide Series farewell to Gateway

    NASCAR’s Nationwide Series will be running a stand alone event, meaning they are racing at a track separate from the Sprint Cup schedule, this weekend. Sadly Saturday’s race, the Five Hour Energy Drink 250, will be NASCAR’s farewell appearance at the Gateway International Raceway.  This difficult decision was made by the raceway’s parent company, Dover Motorsports, earlier this year based on current, and projected, harsh economics.

    THE STORY BREAKDOWN

    With the Nationwide Series racing at the Illinois based Gateway International Raceway and their Sprint Cup counterparts racing halfway across the country, at Martinsville-Virginia, it appears that there is a very good chance that a bonafide Nationwide Series team could actually win this race. There are only five double duty drivers, or those who are competing in both series’ races, on the entry list

    That’s the good news for the full time Nationwide Series teams. The bad news is two of those double duty drivers are Brad Keselowski and Carl Edwards who are running the full schedules in both series this year. They are currently running first and second in the championship standings but that’s just basically a formality because Keselowski goes into next Saturday’s race with a whopping 450 point lead over Edwards. Mathematically speaking, if Keselowski can leave the Gateway event with a lead of 587 points then he will automatically clinch the Nationwide championship despite the fact there will still be three races left in the season.

    Meanwhile Edwards will be looking to sweep Gateway after winning the race there last July. That race is not a very fond memory for Keselowski. On the final lap of the race there was contact between the two drivers. Edwards got the checkers while Keselowski got the wreckers.

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

    Considering the travel distance and the tight schedules between the two race locations, these double duty drivers are going to need some help. This is especially true of Saturday morning. The Cup schedule calls for final practice sessions at Martinsville around the same time the Nationwide schedule will be holding the qualifying session for the Gateway race. That means the Cup drivers will have to depend upon substitute drivers to handle things in Illinois during their absence.

    Penske Racing development driver Parker Kligerman will be at Gateway to sub for Keselowski. Edwards will be counting of help from Roush Fenway Racing development driver Erik Darnell during his absence. Other subs include Colin Braun filling in for Paul Menards Ford while Jeff Fuller will be helping out Joe Nemechek. McDonald Motorsports has yet to pick a sub driver for Michael McDowell.

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

    There is another matter regarding the need of a substitute driver for a very special reason. Brendan Gaughan, driver of the #62 Toyota for Rusty Wallace Racing, may need to return home to his native Las Vegas. His wife Tatum may be delivering the couple’s first child, a boy, just about any day now. Wallace said he has driver David Stremme on standby in case Gaughan has to get gone.

    ***********

    There’s one thing we know for sure about the Nationwide Series race this Saturday: it will not have a repeat winner. 2009 winner Kyle Busch will remain at Martinsville and the same goes for his team mate Joey Logano. That means there will be none of the massive domination of Nationwide Series races from Joe Gibbs Racing that we’ve seen so much of this year. JGR has opted to place their development drivers, Brad Coleman and Matt DiBenedetto, in their Toyotas this Saturday.

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

    THE RACE BREAKDOWN

    The Five Hour Energy Drink 250 is 200 laps/250 miles around the Gateway International Raceway’s 1.25 mile oval.

    The race has 49 entries vying for the 43 starting berths.

    19 of the entries are on the go or go home list and do not have a guaranteed starting berth because they are currently outside of the top 30 in owner’s points. These teams will have to ely on qualifying speed to make the race.

    The Five Hour Energy Drink 250 will be broadcast live by the ESPN2 network beginning at 3 pm eastern time.

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

    Dodge Motorsports NNS Race Advance
    5-Hour Energy 250
    Gateway International Raceway
    Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010
    www.media.chrysler.com
    www.twitter.com/teamdodge

    DODGE NUGGETS
    • Dodge has 33 Nationwide wins, six of which have come this season, its first
    full-time season in NNS.
    • If Brad Keselowski finishes 26th or higher in the final four races, he wins
    the 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series driver’s championship.
    • Keselowski’s seeks Penske Racing’s first NASCAR championship and Dodge’s
    first in the NNS.

    JUSTIN ALLGAIER – No. 12 Verizon Wireless Dodge
    Highlights:
    • Has earned four-consecutive top-10 finishes in his last four Nationwide
    Series starts.
    • Earned his first NASCAR Nationwide victory earlier this year at Bristol
    Motor Speedway, leading a 1-2 finish for Penske Racing and Dodge. 
    • Has one win along with seven top-five and 18 top-10 finishes in 31
    Nationwide races in 2010. 
    • Gateway Stats: Best start – 13th (July 2009).  Best finish – 11th (July
    2010);
    • Currently fourth in the season point standings, best among full-time
    Nationwide Series-only drivers.
    • Has earned one pole, most recently at Nashville in June.
    • Has finished in the top 15 in eight of the last nine races.
    • In the top five in points all season.
    • Was the 2009 Nationwide Series Rookie of the Year.

    BRAD KESELOWSKI – No. 22 Discount Tire Dodge Charger
    Highlights:
    • Currently leads the Nationwide Series standings by 450 points over Carl
    Edwards – his largest lead of the season.  He has led the point standings the
    last 24.  His slimmest margin was one margin was one point (Charlotte – Race
    12).
    • Earned back-to-back wins at Talladega and Richmond and has four wins in
    2010.
    • Keselowski has a NASCAR record 98 consecutive Nationwide Series races
    without a DNF (Did Not Finish).
    • His 2010 Nationwide Series totals, in addition to five wins, include 22
    top-five and 25 top-10 finishes. 
    • Gateway Stats: Best start – 5th (July 2009);  Best finish – 1st (July 2008)

    DID YOU KNOW
    Penske Racing development driver Parker Kligerman, who has one pole and two
    top-10 finishes in 12 career Nationwide Series starts, will practice and
    qualify the No. 22 Discount Tire Dodge Charger this weekend at Gateway
    International Raceway.  Keselowski will be at Martinsville Speedway preparing
    for Sunday’s Sprint Cup race – TUMS Fast Relief 500 – and will travel to St.
    Louis after practice Saturday.

    DODGE NATIONWIDE SERIES QUOTES
    “There’s always a compromise at Gateway, and I’ve always been a believer in
    making the car better at one end (of the track) or the other.  You know when
    the car unloads off the truck which corner you’re going to be better at.
    Turns 3 and 4 always seem to be where I hit it.  It’s wider than the other end
    of the track, which lets you build a lot of speed to carry down the
    frontstretch.  That being said, the last time we raced at Gateway, it seemed
    the cars that were able to get off Turn 2 better were at an advantage.”
    Justin Allgaier, No. 12 Verizon Wireless Dodge Charger

    “Gateway is an unique facility and it’s a shame that we will lose that
    uniqueness from the schedule next year.  It took me a few years to get used to
    that place, but it turned into one of my favorite stops of the year.  So now
    we are going to turn our attention to being the last Nationwide Series winner
    at Gateway.  I was fortunate enough to be the last winner at Memphis
    (Motorsport Park).  That is still one of my favorite wins.  We obviously had a
    great car at Gateway in the spring, a car that should have won the race.  Even
    though we don’t have that car anymore, I believe our stable of cars have
    gotten better since then anyway.  We’ll have to come from the back, since I
    won’t make qualifying, but I’m confident in this No. 22 Discount Tire Dodge
    team that we can make that work.”
    Brad Keselowski, No. 22 Discount Tire Dodge Charger

  • The Hall of Fame and the memories of a NASCAR senior citizen

    The Hall of Fame and the memories of a NASCAR senior citizen

    The memories of carefree moments from my youth are exactly what I received from last week’s announcement regarding the 2010 class of NASCAR’s Hall Of Fame. While everyone else was debating the merits of the five names on this year’s list, I was lost in my own private little world of family memories, our South Carolina home and how NASCAR racing played a role in our lives.

    Like many residents of the southeast during the 1950’s our family quickly became NASCAR racing fans. This was the era of the sport when a racing season often exceeded 60 events. The teams raced on every track configuration from quarter mile dirt ovals to the mammoth Daytona International Raceway. The majority of these events were located in the southeast so there was no shortage of opportunity to see this exciting new sport.

    My first ever NASCAR experience was in the summer of 1958 at a dirt track in Columbia-South Carolina. I was all of six years old at the time. This event was also the NASCAR debut that launched the racing career of King Richard Petty. I was thrilled to get autographs from both Richard and Lee Petty that night.

    Dad eventually became a member of the Darlington Rescue Squad and that opened a brand new level of racing opportunity for his son. It meant spending race weekends there sleeping under the mammoth army tents. My job was to pass out aspirin and small Dixie Cups of water to infield campers who had way too much fun the night before. That job kept me quite busy on race day mornings. It also provided unfettered access to the raceway’s garage area where any autograph a young race fan could ever want was now available.

    Over the years there were plenty of NASCAR themed family mini vacations. That included attending races at Darlington, Daytona, Atlanta and Charlotte plus the collection of paved and dirt short track ovals the series ran on back in the day.

    All of those family memories came flooding back while monitoring the progress of NASCAR’s Hall Of Fame. Many of the video clips used to announce the newest members of the Hall looked very familiar to me. I was there to witness many of those moments first hand. That’s the true reason why the Hall Of Fame means so much to me. It’s those memories of quality time with my family. Over the years I jokingly said that it was NASCAR racing, along with Atlanta Braves baseball, that got Dad and me through the so called generation gap. It was something we could share together completely free of any form of hassle.

    I was especially glad to see Bobby Allison receive his well deserved induction into this year’s Hall Of Fame class. I had a chance to talk racing with Allison last September when he was making a personal appearance at the Orange Show Speedway in San Bernardino.

    Allison arrived in NASCAR’s upper tier of racing in the mid 1960’s driving a family owned independent Chevrolet Chevelle. Independent meant that Allison’s team wasn’t receiving the factory sponsorship support that was available to other teams. To help with the travel expenses associated with launching a national NASCAR career, the Allison team began selling two dollar memberships to their official fan club. Allison seemed amazed when he learned that I not only knew this but actually had one of those cards that was purchased in 1966 at Darlington. I suspect it was one of the last things he expected to hear while signing autographs in southern California.

    Over the past week there has been a lot of lively debate from the NASCAR media and the fans regarding whom should have been inducted into the Hall Of Fame’s second class. The debate seems to be centered around Darrell Waltrip and Cale Yarborough being excluded from this year’s vote.

    It’s not me for me to say which NASCAR icon needs to voted in the Hall and who should wait for at least another year. I can’t even comprehend the angst the voting committee went through to whittle 25 well deserving candidates down to five inductees. I wasn’t the least bit surprised to learn that the process took over a reported four hours to complete.

    I’m just glad that there is a NASCAR Hall Of Fame, an official organization to honor those whose contributions created the sport we all enjoy today. I’m perfectly content reliving the memories of a NASCAR senior citizen despite the realization that I’m getting older by the minute.

  • Toyota NASCAR Notes & Quotes II Martinsville – Gateway

    TOYOTA TALK: Hamlin and Reutimann Talk Martinsville Busch Focusing on Race Wins Truex Talks Gateway Return Bodine’s Tundra Turns Pink

    NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) NEWS, NOTES & NUMBERS: This year, Toyota drivers have combined for 10 wins, 34 top-five results, 70 top-10 finishes and five poles after 31 of 36 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) races … Toyota drivers Denny Hamlin (second in points) and Kyle Busch (fifth in points) are currently competing in the 2010 NSCS Chase … Hamlin is 41 points behind leader Jimmie Johnson after five of 10 races … Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Busch, Hamlin and Joey Logano have all finished together in the top-10 four times this season, including three of the last six NSCS races … Aric Almirola will drive the No. 83 Red Bull Camry this weekend.

    DENNY HAMLIN, No. 11 FedEx Express Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing What does it take to be successful at Martinsville? “I’ve been there with several different cars and several different series, and I’ve got to have a good car if I’m gonna run well there. It’s one of those tracks where braking is so important. All your laps times are really just made up on how you enter the corners and you’re braking. A lot of people really try to work on exit, but I for the most part work on how I’m going to enter the corner and make sure my car is stable enough.”

    KYLE BUSCH, No. 18 M&M’s Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing Will your focus be on winning races rather than ‘points’ racing the remainder of the season? “That’s what our goal is, to go out there and win the rest of the races and to try to spoil it. Unless they all have trouble at least once or twice. The reality of that is why I said our championship hopes and dreams are lost. We’re going to go out there and race hard. We’ll see what we can get. If we can get back up to fourth in points, third in points, second in points even — that’s great.”

    DAVID REUTIMANN, No. 00 Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota Camry, Michael Waltrip Racing Do you enjoy racing at Martinsville Speedway? “We’ve had some decent runs at Martinsville, but we haven’t quite clicked like we would like to. It’s a great race track, but it can be a deceiving race track as to how tough it really is. When you leave Martinsville — even if you’ve had a good day — you’ve had a long day because there’s just a lot of stuff that goes on. There are real long straightaways and tight, tight corners. Of course there happens to be only one patch of grass left in the whole place and I just happened to get turned around and got stuck in it the last race. So that just gives you an idea of how things have gone for me at Martinsville in the past.”

    NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) NEWS, NOTES & NUMBERS: This year, Toyota drivers have combined for 16 wins, 66 top-five results, 130 top-10 finishes and 16 poles after 31 of 35 NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) races … Kyle Busch remains third in the NNS point standings, despite starting just 26 of 31 races . . . Joey Logano (seventh), Jason Leffler (ninth), Steve Wallace (10th), Brendan Gaughan (11th), Michael Annett (12th) and Reed Sorenson (13th) are also in the top-15 in points with four races remaining … This weekend, Ryan Truex will return to the site of his first career NNS start earlier this year.

    RYAN TRUEX, No. 99 Out! Pet Care Toyota Camry, Diamond-Waltrip Racing Are you looking forward to returning to Gateway where you had your first NNS start earlier this year? “I’m really excited. Not only because I ran there before, but the last time the 99 ran there I think they finished third. They have a good car for there. I ran decent running up as high as eighth or ninth last time. I like the track and it’ll be a benefit going back. I feel like we’ll be able to go there and run pretty strong.”

    STEVE WALLACE, No. 66 5-Hour Energy Toyota Camry, Rusty Wallace Racing Do you enjoy racing at Gateway? “I haven’t always enjoyed racing at Gateway, but now, I finally feel like I have a pretty good grasp on how to get around that place. It showed up in the last race there. We had a shot to win it and ended up with a top-five finish. We’re taking the same car we raced there in the spring, so it should be a good weekend for us. Our sponsor, 5-Hour Energy, is sponsoring the race this weekend, so it’d be really cool to get another top-five at Gateway.”

    NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) NEWS, NOTES & NUMBERS: This year, Tundra drivers have combined for 12 wins, 46 top-five results, 97 top-10 finishes and nine poles after 20 of 25 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) races … Todd Bodine (first), Aric Almirola (second), Timothy Peters (fifth), Mike Skinner (eighth), David Starr (ninth) and Justin Lofton (10th) are in the top-10 in the NCWTS point standings with five races remaining … Bodine leads second-place Almirola in the point standings by 262 points … Toyota is currently 13 points ahead of Chevrolet in the NCWTS manufacturer’s point standings … Bodine will drive a pink No. 30 Germain Tundra at Martinsville in support of Breast Cancer Awareness month … NASCAR K&N West Series driver Jason Bowles will drive the Billy Ballew Motorsports No. 15 Tundra at Martinsville … Toyota driver Eric Holmes won Saturday night’s NASCAR K&N West Series race at All American Speedway in Roseville, Calif.

    TODD BODINE, No. 30 Germain.com Toyota Tundra, Germain Racing How do you feel about driving a pink truck this weekend? “For a lot of reasons, promoting Breast Cancer Awareness has been an important mission for Germain Racing since our first season in the Truck Series. All of the Germain Racing race vehicles will have pink ribbons on them through October in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness month, but the 30 team is taking it a step further. At Martinsville, the Germain.com Tundra is going to be very pink! Everything that would normally be red is going to be pink, and I’m getting some pink decals to put on my helmet for the race weekend, as well. The truck is going to look great. I can’t wait to see it!”

    TIMOTHY PETERS, No. 17 Red Horse Racing Toyota Tundra, Red Horse Racing What did it mean to you when you won at Martinsville last year? “Winning at Martinsville last year was really special for me because it was close to home and I had a lot of friends and family there. It’s my home track and to win there was the best moment of my career, so far. This whole year has been a success. We’ve had our share of blown motors and wrecks but some of that is out of our control. When we can contend for wins and top-five finishes each week, then we can’t consider each weekend anything less than a success. Those struggles just make you more determined and grateful for the good weeks.”

    TOYOTA DRIVER ROSTER – Martinsville Speedway & Gateway International Raceway NASCAR Sprint Cup Series David Reutimann, No. 00 Aaron’s Dream Machine Camry Robby Gordon, No. 7 Extenze Camry Denny Hamlin, No. 11 FedEx Express Camry Casey Mears, No. 13 GEICO Camry Kyle Busch, No. 18 M&M’s Camry Joey Logano, No. 20 GameStop Camry Marcos Ambrose, No. 47 Dollar General Country Million Camry Terry Cook, No. 55 Prism Motorsports Camry Martin Truex Jr., No. 56 NAPA AUTO PARTS Camry Landon Cassill, No. 64 Gunselman Motorsports Camry Johnny Sauter, No. 66 Prism Motorsports Camry Scott Speed, No. 82 Red Bull Camry Aric Almirola, No. 83 Red Bull Camry Joe Nemechek, No. 87 NEMCO Motorsports Camry

    NASCAR Nationwide

    Series Scott Wimmer, No. 10 Braun Racing Camry Brad Sweet, No. 11 Braun Racing Camry Michael Annett, No. 15 Pilot Flying J Coffee Camry Brad Coleman, No. 18 Shore Lodge Camry Matt Dibenedetto, No. 20 Bosch Camry Reed Sorenson, No. 32 Dollar General Camry Jason Leffler, No. 38 Great Clips Camry Kevin Lepage, No. 56 RaceDaySponsor.com Camry Brendan Gaughan, No. 62 Snap On Camry Steve Wallace, No. 66 5 Hour Energy Camry Ryan Truex, No. 99 Aaron’s Dream Machine Camry

    NASCAR Camping World Truck Series

    Mike Skinner, No. 5 International Trucks/Monaco RV Tundra Justin Lofton, No. 7 VisitPit.com Tundra BJ McLeod, No. 9 Boggy Creek Airboat Rides Tundra Jason Bowles, No. 15 Billy Ballew Motorsports Tundra Timothy Peters, No. 17 Red Horse Racing Tundra Kyle Busch, No. 18 Z-Line Designs Toyota Tundra Johanna Long, No. 20 Panhandle Grading & Paving Tundra Jason White, No. 23 Gunbroker.com/Pursuit Channel Tundra Todd Bodine, No. 30 Germain.com Tundra Aric Almirola, No. 51 Billy Ballew Motorsports Tundra Matt Lofton, No. 97 Strutmasters.com Tundra

  • JEFF GREEN PILOTING SPONSORLESS KEY MOTORSPORTS CHEVROLET AT GATEWAY

    Mooresville, NC (October 20, 2010) Jeff Green will strap into the Key Motorsports Chevrolet Impala for Saturday’s 250-mile NASCAR Nationwide Series event at Gateway International Raceway, the 2000 series champion ready to get back behind the wheel of No. 40 for the fourth time this season.

    Green drove the Key Motorsports Chevrolet at Talladega, Nashville and Kentucky earlier in the 2010 season, taking car No. 40 on a front-running excursion from the 42nd starting position at Talladega. The veteran driver from Owensboro, Kentucky was caught in an unavoidable late-race mishap and finished 16th on the high-banked Alabama superspeedway before posting finishes of 24th at Nashville and 20th at Kentucky.

    “I am glad to be in the 40 car for Gateway,” said Green. “Key Motorsports brings good equipment to the race track and they are a pleasure to work with. They have been racing for a long time and understand what it takes to be competitive, they have a great team and are on their game. Curtis (Key, team owner) and Gary (Showalter, crew chief) are serious about racing in the Nationwide Series and we are going to do our best for them on Saturday.”

    The Key Motorsports Chevrolet has finished in the top-25 22 times in 2010, also accumulating 20 top-20’s, eight top-15’s and 2 top-10’s this season including 13 top-20 finishes in the past 15 races and a top-10 at Auto Club Speedway in California two weeks ago. The independent team suffered engine failure at New Hampshire and Richmond

    “Our momentum picked up after Daytona in July,” explained Gary Showalter. “We have moved the program forward with runs like we had in California a couple weeks ago but overall we haven’t been able to finish the way we have been running. This is a top-10 team and that is where we are looking to be at Gateway this weekend.”

    Car 40 will appear sponsorless this weekend at Gateway unless a last minute arrangement can be assembled with a CEO or brand in need of national exposure at a bargain house discount. The Key Motorsports team have proven worthy of representing regional and national companies at venues across the country during their nearly two decades of participating in NASCAR’s highest levels of competition. The Key Motorsports staff have been instrumental in organizing several last minute programs and stand ready to be of service.

    Key Motorsports enters Gateway this weekend ranked 22nd in NASCAR Nationwide Series owner points.

    The 250-mile Nationwide Series race at Gateway International Raceway will be televised live on ESPN2 at 3 pm ET.

  • Carl Edwards, NNS Gateway Advance

    Carl Edwards – NNS ADVANCE

    Team: No. 60 Copart.com Ford

    Crew Chief: Mike Beam

    Chassis: RK-674

    QUOTES

    Carl Edwards on racing at Gateway International Raceway:

    “I can’t wait to get back to Gateway International Raceway. There is no other track like it. It has a long straightaway and turn 4 is a blast. I consider it my home track and I will have a lot of friends and family there and I want to give them a great show. We had a big win there earlier this year and this race is going to be spectacular. We will be flying in from Martinsville and it’s going to be close. This will be the last race at Gateway and a win there would mean the world. We are determined to get our Ford Fusion back into Victory Lane there and win Gateway’s last race!”

    Crew chief Mike Beam on racing at Gateway International Raceway:

    “We are bringing the car we won earlier this year at Gateway and we have the goal to repeat a win. Gateway International Raceway is close to home for Carl and he will have lots of friends and family there. That always adds a little incentive. It’s a unique and fast track and should be a fun race. It’s the last race there and this Copart team would love nothing better than to get Carl and the team into Victory Lane.”

    FAST FACTS

    -FLASHBACK…Last week in Charlotte, Edwards finished 13th after qualifying 11th.

    -CARL EDWARDS…will make his eighth Nationwide Series start at Gateway International Raceway Saturday. In June’s start, Edwards won after starting eighth.

    -FOR THE RECORD… Edwards’ average start in Gateway is 8.6 and his average finish is 7.6. He has three Nationwide Series wins at Gateway. Oddly enough, he has achieved one win every even year of his Nationwide Series competition; 2006, 2008 and 2010.

    -THE CAR…The No. 60 team will take chassis – RK 674 to Gateway. This is the same chassis that Edwards won in at Gateway earlier this season.

    -ON THE TRACK…This weekend Copart.com will serve as the primary sponsor on the No. 60. To sell your cars fast, visit the Online Vehicle Auction at Copart.com.

    -IN THE NATIONWIDE SERIES…Roush Fenway Racing has four wins, nine top-five and 16 top-10s in 21 Nationwide Series starts at Gateway International Raceway.

    2010 No. 60 Racing Team

    Name Hometown

    Mike Beam Hickory, NC

    Hal Ralston Staunton, VA

    Heath Landis Forest City, NC

    EC Nichols Detroit, TX

    Brett Ragan Unadilla, GA

    Kenny DeGuisto Garland, TX

    Jay Maybry Camp Bello, SC

    Bennie Stevens Hampton, TN

    Justin Edgell Salisbury, NC

    Troy Cupples Normal, IL

    Jason Hedlesky Clinton, MI

    Tom Hatcher Middleburg, FL

    Frank Brassfield Fort Walton Beach, FL

    Jeremy Neeley Trenton, GA

    Michael Smith Hiddenite, NC

    Dale Hoffman Allentown, PA

    Jon Moore Gainesville, GA

    Darren Beach New Franklin, MO