Category: Other Series PR

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Aug. 27, 2013) – The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1 makes a second visit to the road course at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park near Bowmanville, Ont., for the first time this season. Practice and qualifying for the Pinty’s presents the Clarington 200 is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 31 and the race is set to be contested on Sunday, Sept. 1. Below is a statistical look at the recent performance of selected drivers at the track, as well as some other statistical trends:

CTMP Race Setup

·         Andrew Ranger has two wins and three poles in five Canadian Tire Motorsport Park road course starts for an average starting position of 2.2 and average finish of 2.8.

·         J.R. Fitzpatrick leads series drivers with three road course victories at CTMP and has six top-three finishes in seven tries.

·         D.J. Kennington’s worst finish in seven starts on the road course is sixth in 2010.

·         Eight drivers on the entry list have not yet raced on the legendary Canadian circuit.

NASCAR Canadian Tire Series At Canadian Tire Motorsport Park

·         This is the series’ eighth visit to the historic road course nestled in the hills of Ontario.

·         This is the series’ first time to visit the road course at CTMP twice in one season.

·         The Pinty’s presents the Clarington 200 is 201.8 kilometers in length.

·         The Pinty’s presents the Clarington 200 will be telecast live on TSN2 with coverage beginning at 11 a.m. ET, and air on a tape-delayed basis on RDS2 on Friday, Sept. 27 at 8 p.m. ET.

·         In the seven previous events, there has been an average of 2.7 caution periods for an average of 10.1 laps with a record six cautions for 21 laps in 2011.

·         The earliest caution has come at Lap 3 (2011); the latest on Lap 48 (2008).

·         The average starting position of the winner is 2.1 and the average finish of the pole sitter is 6.1.

·         The lead has changed hands an average of 6.1 times in six events including a record nine lead changes in 2012 after seven in 2011.

·         Only once (2008) has the race been extended past the advertised distance of 51 laps.

·         The closest margin of victory is .338 seconds by J.R. Fitzpatrick in 2012 and the largest belongs to Andrew Ranger in 2009 at 6.678 seconds.

·         All three series manufacturers have been to Victory Lane – Chevrolet with J.R. Fitzpatrick, Dodge with D.J. Kennington and L.P. Dumoulin, and Ford with Andrew Ranger.

 

CTMP Data

Race: #10 of 12 (9/1/13)

Track Layout: 2.459-mile road course

Race Length: 51 laps (125.4 miles, 201.8 kilometers)

 

Records

1-Lap Qualifying: J.R. Fitzpatrick, Chevrolet, 83.286 seconds, 106.289 mph, May 18, 2013

51-Lap Race: Andrew Ranger, Ford, 1 hr., 26 min., 39 sec., 86.838 mph, June 17, 2007

 

Race Winners

J.R. Fitzpatrick ……………………………. 3

Andrew Ranger ……………………………. 2

L.P. Dumoulin……………………………… 1

D.J. Kennington ………………………….. 1

 

Pole Winners

Andrew Ranger ……………………………. 3

Scott Steckly ……………………………… 2

J.R. Fitzpatrick…………………………….. 1

 

Manufacturer Wins

Chevrolet …………………………………… 3

Dodge……………………………………….. 2

Ford …………………………………………. 2

 

Laps Led

J.R. Fitzpatrick …………………………. 136

Andrew Ranger ………………………….. 50

Peter Gibbons …………………………… 39

 

Selected Driver Information:

Ron Beauchamp Jr. (No. 60 Mopar/Exide/Pennzoil Dodge)

·         Finished 16th in the season opener at CTMP

·         Best track finish in seven starts was third in 2007.

·         Has led 11 laps at the Ontario circuit.

·         Has top-10 finishes in three of his last five series starts.

·         One of four drivers to start all 84 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series races.

 

James Buescher (No. 24 22 Racing Dodge)

·         Making track and series debut.

·         Second in NASCAR Camping World Truck Series standings this season with one win, three top fives, seven top 10s and one pole in 13 starts.

·         Was the 2012 Camping World Truck Series champion.

·         Has five career Camping World Truck Series victories.

 

Robin Buck (No. 66 Quaker State Dodge)

·         Scored a fifth-place finish in May on the CTMP road course.

·         Posted a track career-best finish of third in 2011.

·         Has top-10 finishes in four of his last five starts at the track.

·         Registered his first CTMP top-10 finish of sixth in 2009.

·         Has led a total of 18 laps in his six starts at the track.

·         Earned both of his series-career wins – Circuit ICAR and Circuit de Trois-Rivieres – in 2011.

 

Jeb Burton (No. 7 State Water Heaters Dodge)

·         Making track and series debut.

·         Third in NASCAR Camping World Truck Series standings this season with one win, three top fives, seven top 10s and four poles in 13 starts.

·         Is a member of the prestigious NASCAR Next program that identifies young talent in NASCAR.

·         Son of Ward Burton and nephew of Jeff Burton, both NASCAR Sprint Cup Series competitors.

 

Ty Dillon (No. 4 Fitzpatrick Motorsports Chevrolet)

·         Posted a seventh-place finish in May track debut.

·         Fourth in NASCAR Camping World Truck Series standings this season with one win, four top fives and seven top 10s in 13 starts.

·         Was the 2012 Camping World Truck Series Rookie of the Year.

·         Grandson of Richard Childress and the son of Richard Childress Racing (RCR) vice president of competition Mike Dillon.

 

Noel Dowler (No. 5 EMCO/Praxair/Safety Kleen Dodge)

·         Finished eighth in May at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park for his best finish in three starts there.

·         Scored a 16th-place finish in his 2011 track debut.

·         Has a top-10 finish in three of his last four series starts.

 

Louis-Philipe Dumoulin (No. 47 WeatherTech Canada/Bellemare Dodge)

·         Registered his first Canadian Tire Series victory in the season opener on May 19 on the road course at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.

·         Finished fifth in the 2012 CTMP road course event.

·         Scored his first career pole win last season at Trois-Rivieres, Quebec.

·         Was the 2011 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Rookie of the Year.

·         Made his NASCAR Nationwide Series debut on Aug. 20, 2012 at Montreal’s Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

 

J.R. Fitzpatrick (No. 84 Equipment Express Chevrolet)

·         Started on the pole and finished 27th in the season opener this season after a mechanical failure.

·         Has three (2008, 2010 and 2012) CTMP road course wins to his credit.

·         Scored runner-up finishes in 2007 and 2011 at the Ontario circuit.

·         Has led a series-best 136 laps at the track.

·         Is the series’ all-time leader in poles with 14.

·         Seven of his eight career series wins have come on road courses – CTMP (3), Edmonton (2) and Montreal (2); his oval track win came in July 2007 at Motoplex Speedway.

 

Alex Guenette (No. 39 Kawasaki/Motos Illimitées/DLGL Dodge)

·         Recorded a 26th-place finish in May series debut.

·         Scored a season-best finish of second in last start on July 27 at St. Eustache, Que.

·         Tied with Ryley Seibert atop the series’ rookie-of-the-year standings.

 

Chad Hackenbracht (No. 27 Jacombs Motorsports)

·         Making track and series debut.

·         Has made four NASCAR Nationwide Series and two NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts this season.

 

Jason Hathaway (No. 3 Snap-on Tools/Rockstar Energy Drink Dodge)

·         Posted a track career-best finish of third in the May 2013 season opener at CTMP.

·         Has four top-10 finishes in seven starts at the track.

·         Finished inside the top 10 in three of this last four outings at the CTMP road course.

·         Snapped a 59-race winless streak in last start on Aug. 17 at Riverside International Speedway for second series career win.

·         One of four drivers to start all 84 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series races.

 

D.J. Kennington (No. 17 Castrol Edge/Mahindra Tractors Dodge)

·         Finished fourth to open the 2013 season at CTMP.

·         Earned first series road-course victory in 2011 at CTMP.

·         Has a top-five finish in six of his seven starts at the track.

·         Tops the all-time Canadian Tire Series wins list with 19.

·         Won 2010 and 2012 series championships.

·         Scored a single-season series record of seven wins in 2012.

·         One of four drivers to start all 84 NCATS races.

 

Jeff Lapcevich (No. 76 Tim Hortons Dodge)

·         Registered a track-best second-place finish in May.

·         Scored a top-five finish (4th) in the 2011 CTMP race.

·         Has a streak of five straight top-10 finishes on the road course at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.

·         Changed car number to 76 from 23 to honor the passing of his father, Joe, earlier this year.

 

Kerry Micks (No. 02 Leland/BDI Ford)

·         Finished sixth in the May season opener at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.

·         Had a track career-best finish of fifth in the 2010 race.

·         Has top-10 finishes in three of his last four road course starts at the Ontario track.

·         Has led eight laps in Canadian Tire Series action at CTMP.

·         Two of his three series-career wins have come on road-courses (Montreal and Trois-Rivieres in 2007).

 

Andrew Ranger (No. 28 La Cité de Mirabel Inc./Plancher2000.ca Dodge)

·         Finished fourth in his last CTMP road course start in 2012.

·         Won the 2007 and 2009 visits to the Ontario road course.

·         Has led 50 laps on the 2.459-mile circuit.

·         Has 14 series career road-course win with nine of those coming in Quebec.

·         His 17 series career wins rank second on series’ all-time list.

·         Won 2007 and 2009 series titles.

 

Martin Roy (No. 90 Batteries Expert/Veloce/Gamache Dodge)

·         Finished 20th in the May season opener at CTMP.

·         Best finish in three starts at the track was 14th in 2011.

·         Won 2012 series Rookie-of-the-Year honors.

 

Ryley Seibert (No. 09 Lake Excavating/Emco Waterworks Dodge)

·         Recorded an 11th-place finish in May track debut.

·         Scored a season-best finish of eighth on July 13 at his home track – Motoplex Speedway in Vernon, B.C.

·         Tied with Alex Guenette in series’ Rookie-of-the-Year standings.

 

Scott Steckly (No. 22 Canadian Tire Dodge)

·         Finished 24th in May at CTMP after a Lap 13 accident.

·         Best finish in seven starts at the track was third in 2012.

·         Has four top-five finishes in seven career starts on the Ontario road course.

·         Has a slim four-point advantage over Kennington in the championship standings.

·         His 14 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series victories rank third on the all-time list.

·         Won 2008 and 2011 series championships.

·         One of four drivers to start all 84 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series races.

 

WATERTOWN, Conn.—August 23, 2013— David Gravel continues to recover from a case of mononucleosis and a double ear infection and will sit out this weekend’s Oil City Cup at Castrol Raceway in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, for the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series. The native of Watertown, Conn., will return to action with the series once he is cleared by doctors.

Gravel is the leading contender for the Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Award with the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series and has won twice this season with the series. The 21-year-old was victorious on the opening night of the FVP Knoxville Nationals at the famed Knoxville Raceway in Iowa, earlier this month and also scored a win at I-94 Speedway in Minnesota in May.

Keep up-to-date with David Gravel and DDR Motorsports by visiting www.DavidGravel89.com. Follow David on Twitter @davidgravel89gand like David on Facebook.

SONOMA, Calif. (Friday, Aug. 23, 2013) – Even though there were no points on the line during the opening day of practice for the GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma, the championship contenders didn’t see it that way.

There are 20 drivers mathematically eligible for the title entering the 85-lap race Aug. 25, and the top two in points — Helio Castroneves and Scott Dixon — were fast out of the gate on the 2.385-mile, 12-turn road course.

Dixon, who has won three of the past four races in the No. 9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing car and is 31 points behind the front-running Castroneves, topped the time chart with a best lap of 1 minute, 18.3145 seconds in the 45-minute afternoon session.

Castroneves was .3549 of a second behind in the No. 3 Hitachi Team Penske car. Reigning IZOD IndyCar Series champion Ryan Hunter-Reay, who is third in the standings, was third overall with a lap of 1:18.6814 in the 45-minute morning session.

“Year after year the championship comes down to the last race and we’ll just carry on and try to get the most points out of each race,” said Dixon, a two-time series champion who won at Sonoma in 2007.

Added Castroneves: “It’s wide open; anything can happen.”

Three rounds of qualifying, which awards a point for earning the Verizon P1 Award, are Aug. 24. Will Power, driving the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske car, set the track record of 1 minute, 17.2709 seconds in qualifying in 2012.

IZOD INDYCAR SERIES PRACTICE:

            At 11 a.m., the ambient temperature was 64 degrees with a relative humidity of 66 percent and winds from the northeast at 3 mph. Skies were mostly sunny. The track temperature was 92 degrees, according to Firestone engineers.

11 a.m. – GREEN. #83 Kimball is first on track.

11:25 a.m. – RED FLAG. Debris on course in Turn 9.

11:28 a.m. – GREEN.

11:45 a.m. – CHECKERED.

QUICKEST TIMES OF IZOD INDYCAR SERIES PRACTICE:

Pos.	Car	Name	Time
1.	1	Ryan Hunter-Reay	1:18.6814
2.	3	Helio Castroneves	1:18.6976
3.	10	Dario Franchitti	1:18.8124
4.	25	Marco Andretti	1:18.9740
5.	4	Ryan Briscoe	1:19.0182

 

IZOD INDYCAR SERIES PRACTICE #2:

            At 2 p.m., the ambient temperature was 71 degrees with a relative humidity of 58 percent and winds from the south at 10 mph. Skies were clear. The track temperature was 108 degrees, according to Firestone engineers.

2 p.m. – GREEN. #67 Newgarden first on track.

2:13 p.m. – RED FLAG. #11 Kanaan spins off course in Turn 6. Car is restarted by Holmatro Safety Team and returns to pit lane under its own power.

2:16 p.m. – GREEN.

2:28 p.m. – RED FLAG. #4 Briscoe spins at the exit of Turn 6. Car continues under its own power and returns to the pit lane.

2:29 p.m. – GREEN.

            2:45 p.m. – CHECKERED.

 

QUICKEST TIMES OF IZOD INDYCAR SERIES PRACTICE:

Pos.	Car	Name	Time
1.	9	Scott Dixon	1:18.3145
2.	3	Helio Castroneves	1:18.6694
3.	12	Will Power	1:18.7454
4.	1	Ryan Hunter-Reay	1:18.7766
5.	19	Justin Wilson	1:18.8704

Saturday marks the OSCAAR Super Late Models second of three trips to Peterborough Speedway in 2013 with a stout field of Canada’s fastest full-bodied racecars expected to be in attendance.

Just four races, including Saturday, remain on the 2013 Super Late Model schedule with each increasing in importance for the drivers at the top of the series standings. Two races at Peterborough, one at Flamboro Speedway and one at Sunset Speedway are still set to fly this season.

Earlier in the month at Peterborough, Brandon Watson (No.9) won his fourth feature of the season with the tour in a commanding performance to earn himself the pole position for the Autumn Colours Classic on Thanksgiving weekend. Watson, however, had his worst finish of the year one week later at Kawartha Speedway, a 12th-place result, after suffering ignition problems. Watson still holds a comfortable 30-point lead in the championship standings, but will need to avoid further problems this season to earn his second-consecutive championship.

Rookie driver Andrew Gresel (No.81) has vaulted himself to the top of the standings with two wins and a runner-up finish in his last four starts. Gresel is coming off a win at Kawartha and finished second at Peterborough earlier this month. Gresel has put himself in the hunt for the championship and has all but solidified the rookie-of-the-year title after Kevin Cornelius (No.17) injured his hand two weeks ago. Look for another top-five from Gresel this evening.

Former four-time series champion Glenn Watson (No.22) has fought bad luck throughout this year, but appears to have turned the corner. Consistent runs at both Peterborough and Kawartha have put the elder Watson in to the fourth spot in the championship standings. The veteran, however, faces an uphill climb and will need to find victory lane to keep his title hopes alive.

Peterborough, Ont. native John Owen (No.2) is always among the top contenders when the tour reaches his home track. Owen is coming off an eighth-place finish at Kawartha and was a top-five finisher at Peterborough earlier this year. Look for Owen to be strong again.

After a strong run at Kawartha, Jesse Kennedy (No.10) is expected to make the trip to Peterborough this week. Kennedy had a top-five run at the high-banked oval, but has battled some gremlins at Peterborough in his past trips with OSCAAR. The Oneida Nation, Ont. driver is eager to get his second career win with the tour and there is no reason to suspect Kenendy won’t gun for it this weekend.

Tyler Hawn (No.42) enters the night sixth in the championship standings, his best career season to date. The family-run team out of Oro Station, Ont. had their best career finish at Kawartha last time out of the box and looks to improve again. Hawn was involved in a lap one incident that dampened his night last time at Peterborough, but the veteran believes he has his car pointed in the right direction.

J.R. Fitzpatrick (No.27) announced his intention to return to his Roy Passer-owned chassis after problems last month at Sunset Speedway. Fitzpatrick has missed the past two races competing with the NASCAR Canada tour and has spent the last two weeks installing a new crate engine in the car. The experienced driver is still considered an OSCAAR rookie, but is hoping to make big gains this week.

Derrick Tiemersma (No.7) suffered a broken rear-end at Kawartha, which hurt his chance to move up in the championship standings. Tiemersma had a strong third-place run at Peterborough to his credit already so look for the 2007 champion to get back on track.

After battling ventilation problems over his last two races, Mike Beyore (No.54) is set to return to the tour on Saturday night. The Whitby, Ont. native suffered carbon monoxide poisoning at both Sunset Speedway on July 27, and Kawartha Speedway August 11 which resulted in DNFs. Beyore said the team found gas leaks in the car’s fuel and emission systems which accelerated the problem. The team has added a charcoal filter to the air system, while Beyore has altered his diet to help avoid further issues. Beyore says he has nothing but a win in mind for his return.

The OSCAAR Super Late Models will be joined by all of Peterborough Speedway’s weekly divisions for championship night. Gates open at 4:00pm for spectator gates and racing is scheduled to get under way at 6:00pm.

—

Directions: For directions to Peterborough Speedway, please visit the following link: http://www.peterboroughspeedway.com/fan-info/directions/.

Schedule of Events: For ticket pricing and a full list of divisions in action, visit: http://www.peterboroughspeedway.com/events/49/oscaar-slm-50-lap-championship-clash-and-a-free-pre-race-corn-roast/.

The OSCAAR Super Late Model tour is presented by a number of dedicated sponsors throughout Ontario, including: Knightworks Design, Hoosier Racing Tire, Klotz Synthetics Canada, Race2way.ca, Dave Franks Photos, Dickson Printing, Finishline Fabrication, McColl Racing Enterprises, McGunegill Engine Performance, Stefko Racing Engines, VP Racing Fuels, OntarioOval.com, RaceTime Radio, Inside Track Motorsport News, Jenco Equipment, Midas of Orangeville, Reinhart Trailer Sales, North Toronto Auctions, and South Shore Services.

Clayton Johns (@cjohnsmedia)

OSCAAR Media and Public Relations

Contact: oscaar.media@gmail.com

Photo Credit: Dan Little Jr.

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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Aug. 21, 2013) – NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1 crew chief Randy Steckly has been penalized by NASCAR following a rules infraction discovered during opening inspection on Aug. 17 at Riverside International Speedway in Antigonish, N.S.

Steckly, crew chief of the No. 22 car was found to have violated Section 12-4I (any determination by NASCAR officials that race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules) and Section 20E-12.5C (offset spindles will not be permitted: both the left side and right side front spindles were offset) of the 2013 rule book.

As a result of these violations, Steckly has been fined $500, suspended from NASCAR until the fine is paid and placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31.

NEW CASTLE, Ind.— Aug. 21, 2013—  Tracy Hines is seeking to seal the deal this weekend in the Second Annual Sprint Car Smackdown, at Kokomo Speedway in Indiana, after coming very, very close to winning a pair of races during the event last year. He earned two runner-up finishes in the inaugural edition of the three-day extravaganza in 2012. Hines led a total of 35 laps, including the first 28 on the second night of the event, when he was passed with just two laps remaining.

The Second Annual Sprint Car Smackdown for the Amsoil USAC National Sprint Car Series at Kokomo Speedway kicks-off on Thursday, Aug. 22. Action continues on Friday, Aug. 23 and culminates on Saturday, Aug. 24 with a 40-lap, $10,000-to-win main event.

“The Sprint Car Smackdown has definitely turned into one of the biggest events of the season in just one year of existence, which is pretty remarkable,” said Hines. “Getting to race three straight nights at the same track helps you really get dialed in. It’s great for the fans as well and traditionally Kokomo (Speedway) has always put on a great show.”

This season at Kokomo Speedway, Hines has made two starts, with one of those coming in a sprint car and the other in a midget. He finished 11th with the Amsoil USAC Sprint Car Series on the second night of Indiana Sprint Week in July, piloting the Hansen’s Welding Inc. DRC. The veteran also raced at the quarter-mile bullring during Indiana Midget Week for the Honda USAC National Midget Series.

Last season in the inaugural Sprint Car Smackdown, the 2002 USAC Amsoil National Sprint Car Series champion, opened the three-day event with a fifth-place finish. On the second night, the native of New Castle, Ind., started on the outside of the front row in the 30-lap feature and jumped out to the lead at the drop of the green flag. He would pace the field for 28 circuits, before Chris Windom slipped by him on the 29th go-around for the lead and ultimately the win.

The finale of the 2012 Sprint Car Smackdown saw Hines start on the pole after winning the King of the Hill Dash. He ran second in the early going and took the top spot from Thomas Meseraull on the ninth circuit. Hines would lead the next seven laps before Bryan Clauson would get by him and pace the remainder of the 40-lap contest.

“Those were a couple of tough ones to swallow last year, especially on the night we led all but two laps,” he shared. “We’ve had a whole year to think about it and definitely am anxious to get back there. We’ve only raced once in a sprint car at Kokomo this year and didn’t have the best of luck that night, so we’re looking to make up for that.”

Entering the Second Annual Sprint Car Smackdown, Hines is eighth in points with the USAC Amsoil National Sprint Car Series. He has won twice and has recorded eight top-10 finishes. A total of 14 nights of racing remain this season for the series.

“We have a good amount of sprint races left this year, compared to the Silver Crown and Midget and want to contend for some wins and move up in points,” he noted. “We started the season off strong with the two wins in Florida, then kind of hit a bump and recently have gotten back on track with the sprint car, so hopefully we can keep that going.”

Tracy Hines Racing would like to thank: Hansen’s Welding Inc., Parker Machinery, Turbines, Inc., Afco Racing Products, Daum Crop Insurance, Schoenfeld Headers, Allstar Performance, Kenny’s Components, Race Bumpers and Bell Racing.

For more information on Tracy Hines Racing, visit http://www.tracyhinesracing.com. Follow Tracy on Twitter atwww.Twitter.com/TracyHinesRacin.

Today’s IZOD IndyCar Series, Firestone Indy Lights and Mazda Road to Indy headlines:

1.  Hildebrand builds chemistry with Barracuda Racing

2.   Vasser presents former teammate Zanardi for Hall induction

3.  Of note

1. Hildebrand builds chemistry with Barracuda Racing: JR Hildebrand admitted he had to shake off some rust after nearly three months out of an IZOD IndyCar Series car.

“I’m pumped to be back,” the 25-year old from Sausalito, Calif., said after turning his first laps in the No. 98 Barracuda Racing Honda at an Open Test at Sonoma Raceway on Aug. 21. “As much as anything, it’s just getting back out and getting a feel for things.”

All 25 cars entered in the GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma participated in five scheduled hours of testing on the 11-turn 2.385-mile road course. Hildebrand, the 2009 Firestone Indy Lights champion, said setting quick laps time was secondary to getting accustomed to working with his new team and engineer Todd Malloy.

“I’ve been in the shop with the team and talking through the strategy behind the setups and what I think about the track and my experience and trying to be as prepared as possible,” Hildebrand said. “I feel like we’re off to a reasonable start. The most important thing is to get up to speed on and off track.”

The test served as a chance for Hildebrand to begin building chemistry with Barracuda Racing, which is evaluating its options for next season by fielding Hildebrand and Luca Filippi. Hildebrand stopped short of calling this weekend’s race – or his next opportunity with the team at Auto Club Speedway in October – an audition for a 2014 race seat.

 “This is as much about getting used to being somewhere else and so far, I’ve really enjoyed the environment,” he said. “I think for all of us, we’d like to put a result together. It would be good for me, good for the team. This about all of us getting together and doing a good job.”

2. Vasser presents former teammate Zanardi for Hall induction: KV Racing Technology co-owner and former CART champion Jimmy Vasser wasn’t at Sonoma Raceway for the Open Test.

Vasser was in Detroit where he was slated to introduce former Target Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Alex Zanardi for induction into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America.

Zanardi will join motorsports industry legends Harvey Firestone, Jack Chrisman, Masten Gregory, Brad Lackey, Bud Moore and Robert E. Petersen in the Silver Anniversary class. Also, chassis constructor and technology innovator Bob Riley will receive the Bob Russo Motorsports Heritage Award for his numerous contributions to racing.

Zanardi drove in Formula One before moving to the Target Chip Ganassi Racing Indy car team in 1996, capturing rookie of the year honors and series championships in 1997 and 1998.  More recently, Zanardi has made headlines as an elite Paralympic athlete in handbike cycling, winning a pair of gold medals and a silver while representing his native Italy in the 2012 London Paralympics.

3. Of note:  GoPro founder and CEO Nick Woodman will be the grand marshal of the GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma…Also, GoPro will offer special ticket discounts and has created a GoPro Zone for fans to capture the high-speed action in Turns 1 and 2…Save $20 off a race day ticket by visiting www.racesonoma.com/indycar (provide the serial number from your camera) or show your GoPro at the gate when you arrive at the raceway…Hildebrand and the Barracuda Racing team visited the Second Harvest Food Bank’s Cypress Center on Aug. 20 to raise awareness about the critical local issue of food assistance. Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo counties provides assistance to more than 250,000 people each month (about one in 10 residents)…Charlie Kimball was the first California native to win an Indy car race since Los Gatos’ A.J. Allmendinger won five races in 1996.

***

The next IZOD IndyCar Series race is the GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma on Aug. 25 at Sonoma Raceway. The race will be televised live at 4 p.m. (ET) by NBC Sports Network and broadcast by the IMS Radio Network, including on Sirius and XM Channels 211, www.indycar.com and the INDYCAR 13 App for most smartphones and tablets. The next Firestone Indy Lights race is the Baltimore 100 on Sept. 1 on the streets of Baltimore. The race will be televised by NBC Sports Network at 1 p.m.

SONOMA, Calif. (Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2013) – Target Chip Ganassi Racing’s Dario Franchitti and Scott Dixon topped the timesheet as all 25 cars entered in the GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma participated in five hours of an IZOD IndyCar Series Open Test on the 2.385-mile, 12-turn Sonoma Raceway on Aug. 21.

Franchitti, who has five podium finishes (including the 2009 victory) in seven starts at Sonoma, posted the fastest lap of the day of 1 minute, 18.2945 seconds in the No. 10 Target Chip Ganassi Racing car.

That lap time was only a second off the track record set in 2012 qualifications by pole sitter Will Power of Team Penske.

Dixon was second fast (1:18.3694) and reigning series champion Ryan Hunter-Reay was third on the time sheet (1:18.4707) in the No. 1 DHL Andretti Autosport car. Power (1:18.5042) was fourth in the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske car, while series championship points leader Helio Castroneves was fifth (1:18.8965).

The top 10 were separated by a second, and the top 24 were separated by less than two seconds.

IZOD IndyCar Series cars return to Sonoma Raceway on Aug. 23 when practice for the Aug. 25 GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma begins.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind.— Aug. 22, 2013— The trek to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, is one of the longest trips that Kraig Kinser makes all season and by far the northernmost stop on his schedule, but also it is one of the most enjoyable for the third-generation driver. Kinser will have a chance to visit western Canada again this week as the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series heads to Castrol Raceway for the Oil City Cup.

The Sixth Annual Oil City Cup opens for Kinser, who pilots the Mesilla Valley Transportation/Casey’s General Store/King Racing Products Maxim, on Friday, Aug. 23, with a complete racing program and continues on Saturday, Aug. 24, with another full show. Each night will conclude with a 35-lap, $10,000-to-win A-Feature.

“The weather is usually pretty favorable this time of the year up in Edmonton and we’ve really gained quite a following up there the last few years,” said Kinser. “The surface is always very racy and everyone up there welcomes us with open arms. This is definitely one of the swings of the year that we always look forward to.”

Kinser finished 11th in the finale of the Oil City Cup last season and was 12th in the opener of the two-night event. He was eighth-fastest in time trials on Saturday night and started on the front row of the second 10-lap heat race and rocketed to the lead at the drop of the green, winning that contest to earn a spot in the dash. Kinser started eighth in the dash and finished 10th. On the opening night of the two-night event, the native of Bloomington, Ind., was 11th-fastest in time trials and finished third in the second 10-lap heat race. In the dash Kinser started 10th and finished seventh, which put him on the inside of the fourth row for the main event.

“We qualified in the right spots last year and were able to get into the dash both nights,” he shared. “Getting in the dash is so important right now and starting in those first couple of rows. We were able to come from 14th to sixth the other night at Minot (Nodak Speedway), but if you really want to have a shot at it, you have to start in the top-10 and preferably the top-five.”

Kinser made his debut at Castrol Raceway during the 2008 Oil City Cup, which marked the World of Outlaws second visit to the three-eighths-mile. The 2005 winner of the Knoxville Nationals has a pair of Top-10 finishes in Edmonton, including a career-best sixth-place showing in 2011. He ran seventh in 2009 at the facility.

In a pair of starts this season in Canada with the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series, Kinser finish third at Autodrome Drummond in Quebec, and was 13th at Ohsweken Speedway in Ontario. Kinser enters this weekend 13th in the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series standings. He has one victory on the season to go along with 24 top-10 finishes.

“We’re looking to gain some momentum down the stretch and contend for wins,” said Kinser. “There are a bunch of tracks on the west coast swing that we have traditionally run well at, so that gives us a confidence boost headed into the next few weeks.”

Kraig Kinser Racing would like to thank Casey’s General Stores, Mesilla Valley Transportation, King Racing Products, Maxim, Aerodine Composites, Sander Engineering, Integra Shocks, All Star Performance, FK Rod Ends, Brown & Miller Racing Solutions, Bell, KSE Racing Products, ButlerBuilt, Schoenfeld Headers, Donovan Engineering, Fel-Pro, Brodix, Wilwood, Dyer’s, Barnes Systems, Ringer Gloves, Jakes Custom Golf Carts, and Ben Cook Racing Limited for their continued support.

Kraig Kinser By the Numbers: Castrol Raceway
0.375- Miles around Castrol Raceway
1- Win this season with the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series
2- Career top-10 finishes at the three-eighths-mile
4- Nights of racing this season for the World of Outlaws in Canada
6- Finishing position in 2011 at Castrol Raceway to mark a career-best
8- Average finish in two starts in Canada this season
10- Career main event starts at Castrol Raceway
14- Average finish in 10 career main event starts at Castrol Raceway
24- Top-10 finishes this season through Aug. 18
731- Miles from Nodak Speedway in Minot, N.D., where the World of Outlaws raced on Aug. 18 to Castrol Raceway in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
2008- Year of first start at Castrol Raceway
6625- Points earned this season through Aug. 18

Keep up with all the action 
For the latest news on Kraig Kinser, visit http://www.kraigkinser.com, and follow Kraig on Twitter at http://twitter.com/kraigkinser11k and receive live updates from the track each and every race night.

Tune in
Listen live to each and every World of Outlaws event on DIRTVision.com with “The Voice of the Outlaws” Johnny Gibson on the call. Visitwww.DIRTVision.com for live audio of each and every World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series event.

Today’s IZOD IndyCar Series, Firestone Indy Lights and Mazda Road to Indy headlines:

1. Challenge of Indy car racing intrigues Luhr

2. INDYCAR forms partnership with International Soap Box Derby

 

1. Challenge of Indy car racing intrigues Luhr: Lucas Luhr said there is one thing about his No. 97 RW Motorsports/Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing Indy car that is  particularly noticeable.

 

 “It’s nice to see your front wheels again,” said Luhr, a five-time American Le Mans Series champion, who will make his IZOD IndyCar Series debut this weekend in the 85-lap GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma.

 

Luhr logged a few reconnaissance laps Aug. 13 on the 2.385-mile, 12-turn road course during a manufacturer/team test, and got extended track time during an Aug. 21 Open Test to prepare for the race weekend.

 

He totaled 44 laps with a best lap time that was less than 2 seconds off front-running Dario Franchitti (1 minute, 18.2945 seconds). It’s not where he’s used to running, but he’s not concerned.

 

“The whole car has a different feel. Pretty much everything is new,” said Luhr, who last competed at Sonoma in a GT sports car in 2000. “With a new track and new car, everything is challenging. But we’re getting there. Coming in as the new guy is not going to be easy, but that’s why I’m doing it. If it was easy everyone would do it.”

 

The challenge intrigues and drives Luhr, 34, which in a roundabout way led him to this event as Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing expands to a two-car team through a partnership with RW Motorsports. While with Penske Racing in 2006, driving the RS Spyder in ALMS, he accepted Roger Penske’s invitation to watch the Indianapolis 500 in person.

 

“That really made me interested in the series,” he said. “There’s been a few times where ALMS and INDYCAR race during the same weekend, so I followed it and would stay an extra day to watch the race,” he said. “I was always interested in it and followed it, but on the other hand I never really pushed to get in it or have a chance at trying it. Now that this opportunity is here, it’s even better.”

 

The series will be linked next week at Baltimore, where Luhr and co-driver Klaus Graf will seek their sixth consecutive victory in the Muscle Milk car in the two-hour race Aug. 31 on the 2-mile street circuit. The IZOD IndyCar Series’ Grand Prix of Baltimore presented by SRT is Sept. 1.

 

This weekend, Luhr has lesser expectations. The prospect of additional races in 2014, which would carry higher expectations, is being explored.

 

“Because the competition in INDYCAR is so tight, it doesn’t necessarily mean if you don’t have a good result in terms of numbers that you didn’t do a good job,” he said. “I just want to do the best job that I possibly can for the team and we will see how it goes.”

 

2. INDYCAR forms partnership with International Soap Box Derby: Racing greats such as Tom Sneva, Cale Yarborough, Denny Zimmerman, George Snider and Eldon Rasmussen started their journey to the Indianapolis 500 and Indy car racing behind the wheel of a Soap Box Derby racer. 

 

Now a new generation of future Indy car racers will have a chance to follow their tire tracks.

 

INDYCAR has formed a partnership with International Soap Box Derby, which will bring the excitement of Indy car racing to the thousands of young people who participate in Soap Box Derby events across the country.

 

“This is an opportunity for INDYCAR to connect with thousands of youth across the country as they follow their racing passion,” said Jason Penix, director of grassroots initiatives, INDYCAR. “As INDYCAR looks to grow its fan base, we see this as a chance for young people to see our sport and learn about all the careers that are available in open-wheel racing.”

 

International Soap Box Derby is the recognized governing body of Soap Box Derby racing and includes the FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby and the Gravity Racing Challenge.

 

The partnership will create cross-promotion and marketing opportunities for both organizations. The Derby will become part of INDYCAR’s grassroots initiative while INDYCAR drivers will be featured prominently in All-American Soap Box Derby promotions and marketing initiatives.

 

INDYCAR branding was featured on all participants’ Soap Box Derby racers during this year’s FirstEnergy All-America Soap Box Derby in July in Akron, Ohio.

 

“This relationship will bring together two of the country’s great racing organizations,” said Derby President & CEO Joe Mazur. “We host more than 600 races around the world annually and look forward to growing our brand through our relationship with INDYCAR.”

 

***

 

The next IZOD IndyCar Series race is the GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma on Aug. 25 at Sonoma Raceway. The race will be televised live at 4 p.m. (ET) by NBC Sports Network and broadcast by the IMS Radio Network, including on Sirius and XM Channels 211, www.indycar.com and the INDYCAR 13 App for most smartphones and tablets. The next Firestone Indy Lights race is the Baltimore 100 on Sept. 1 on the streets of Baltimore. The race will be televised by NBC Sports Network at 1 p.m.