Category: Other Series PR

[media-credit name=”ARCA Racing Network” align=”alignright” width=”300″][/media-credit]May 12, 2012 – (Mooresville, NC) – Alex Bowman and his CunninghamMotorsports team are ready to get back to short track racing. After being involved in “the big one” on lap 11 of the International Hall of Fame 250 at Talladega Superspeedway on May 4, ultimately finishing 32nd, Bowman is ready to take on the .5 mile Toledo Speedway. And if the last two shorttracks are any indication, Bowman and his St. Jude Children’s ResearchHospital / eBay Motors Dodge team will be contenders for the victory. At the inaugural race at Mobile Speedway in March, Bowman sat on the pole and finished third, while he qualified on the outside pole and took the checkered flag at Salem just three weeks ago.

Bowman explained in a radio interview last week that he is looking forward to the next two short track races, “because crew chief, Paul Andrews, has the shorttracks mastered. I have not ever driven a car as good as the Salem car. We are bringing the car that I drove to third at Mobile (Speedway), so we are pretty confident that we will be good.” In spite of falling back to 8th in the season-long points championship after being 2nd prior to Talladega, Bowman is looking to Toledo Speedway in Toledo, Ohio, and Elko Speedway in Elko, Minnesota, to gain those positions back.

Two forty-five minute practice sessions will mark the beginning of the on-track activities Saturday for the Menards 200 presented by Federated Car Care weekend—the first one at 11:45 am EST, with the final practice scheduled for 1:00 pm. Menards Pole Qualifying presented by Ansell will follow at 3:30 pm. Fans can meet Bowman during the on-track autograph session Sunday at 12:00 pm EST. The 71st ARCA Racing Series Toledo race will take the green flag at 2:00 pm EST, with coverage live on SPEED. In addition, all on track activities will be covered at www.ARCARacing.com , as well as by following Cunningham Motorsports on twitter @cunningham_race.

Alex will continue last week’s radio interview Thursday at 6:30 on ESPN 106.5 FM (1470 AM) the Ticket & online at 1065theticket.com & Monroesuperstore.com.

After the Toledo Speedway weekend, Bowman and his team will be heading north to Michigan International Speedway for a test session, in preparation for the RainEater Wiper Blades 200 on June 15.

For more information about Alex Bowman, check out www.alexbracing.com and follow Alex on twitter @AlexBRacing

[media-credit name=”Honda Indy Toronto” align=”alignright” width=”225″][/media-credit]May 14, 2012 (Toronto, ON) – Kim Green and Kevin Savoree, owners of Green Savoree Toronto LLC, announce today the renewal of contracts that reside at the heart of the Honda Indy Toronto, an annual event that has entertained Toronto residents and visitors since 1986. Contract renewals have been signed with the City of Toronto, Honda Canada, Exhibition Place, Tourism Toronto and INDYCAR through to 2014.

“The Honda Indy is a great example of the diverse sports scene in Toronto,” said Mark Grimes, Chair of Exhibition Place and City Councillor for Ward 6, Etobicoke-Lakeshore. “This race, and all the great events that come with it, is a Toronto tradition that offers great entertainment for local families, fans and visitors while contributing to the economic prosperity of our city.”

“Honda Canada is very proud to continue to be a key member of the team bringing the Honda Indy Toronto to our great city,” said Dave Gardner, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Honda Canada Inc. “This partnership continues to build on the successes of recent years and brings the highest level of racing excitement to Torontonians and Canadians.”

“The Honda Indy Toronto is more than just a race,” said David Whitaker, President and CEO of Tourism Toronto. “It’s an open and accessible festival for thousands of residents, a driver of tourism and a platform through which we promote our skyline, people and landmarks to the world. We all benefit from that.”

“With a strong heritage in open-wheel racing, Toronto continues to be a great fit for INDYCAR,” said Randy Bernard, CEO of INDYCAR.  “It’s important from a business standpoint to be in one of the largest DMAs in North America. The circuit continues to produce some of our most competitive and memorable races and the Canadian race fans are some of the most enthusiastic in all of sports.  Green Savoree has produced a first-class event in Toronto and we look forward to continuing our relationship well into the future.”

“This event is a part of our heritage, our fabric and our future,” said Charlie Johnstone, Vice President and General Manager of the Honda Indy Toronto. “We take the responsibility of putting on a good show very seriously and it is clear that a growing community of partners and fans believe in our vision and are ready to take a stake in the event.”

Green Savoree Racing Promotions, organizers of the Honda Indy Toronto, was created in 2009 to manage the Toronto event with a focus on partnerships, people and fiscal responsibility.

“Auto racing is exciting and accessible for fans, but it is also very attractive to corporate and public partners,” said Kim Green, Co-Owner of Green Savoree Racing promotions. “We wish to thank Honda Canada and all of our partners for helping us bring the Honda Indy Toronto to life.”

For more information, visit hondaindytoronto.com. Follow the Honda Indy Toronto on Twitter @HondaIndy and ‘Like’ us on Facebook at facebook.com/HondaIndyToronto

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[media-credit name=”hometracks.nascar.com” align=”alignright” width=”220″][/media-credit]Launches Campaign To Cover Car With Twitter Handles

TORONTO – Inspired by their recent announcement, NASCAR Canadian Tire Series competitor Joey McColm decided to launch a Twitter drive in support of the Canadian Olympic Team’s branding campaign, “Give Your Everything.”

“I couldn’t agree more with the Canadian Olympic Team’s message to embrace the call to action of Giving Your Everything, in sport, school and day-to-day life,” said McColm. “I have the opportunity and the platform to help spread this inspiring message and hope to raise awareness of not only the sacrifices that our national team makes, but that great things can happen when all Canadians commit to “Give Your Everything.”

McColm, who will be competing in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series event at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park just north of Bowmanville, Ont., on May 19 – 20, will show his support of the Canadian Olympic Team with two powerful elements. First of all, McColm’s race car will carry the campaign Twitter hashtag – #GiveYourEverything – on the quarter panels, hood and on the back. Secondly, anyone who tweets a link to the Canadian Olympic Team’s new YouTube video – “Relentless” – and includes the hashtag #GiveYourEverything will have their Twitter handle added to the car, as well.

“This is a great opportunity to create some well-deserved buzz for the Canadian athletes who will represent us in London this summer,” explains McColm. “What we accomplished in Vancouver in 2010 showed the world what Canadians could do and I hope to contribute in my own small way to keeping that momentum going for our athletes in London this summer. I hope that we completely cover my car with Twitter handles!!”

Friends, fans, family and supporters of the Canadian Olympic Team are urged to tweet the link and the hashtag and McColm will apply each and every Twitter handle to his race car. As Twitter handles get applied to the race car, McColm will be tweeting photos between now and race day.

For more information, please contact Joey McColm via email at team50@cm2c.ca, or on Twitter at @JoeyMcColm

Link to “Relentless” YouTube video: (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YanUMireS9s&feature=player_embedded)

[media-credit name=”venturinimotorsports.com” align=”alignright” width=”300″][/media-credit]Chicago, IL (May 14, 2012) — Already celebrating their 30th Anniversary of competition in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards, Venturini Motorsports along with Tony Venturini and Wendy Venturini have been recognized and voted into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame and will be enshrined into the Hall later on this year as part of the Class of 2012.

This prestigious recognition is reserved for Italian American sports figures that have excelled while positively impacting and contributing to their respected sport at the highest level of competition.

This year’s distinguished class of inductees will include the Venturini family as they were unanimously voted into the Hall of Fame by the NIASHF’s Nominating Committee. The NIASHF’s Nominating Committee is made up of former inductees, sports writers and members of the NIASHF’s Board of Directors.

“The National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame is delighted to have such an illustrious group of inductees this year and the Venturini family is truly deserving of this honor for their many years of positive contributions to the motorsports world,” says George Randazzo, founder of the NIASHF.

The Venturini family members included on the list of sport figures being honored at this year’s NIASHF’s induction ceremony include, the lateTony Venturini, Bill Venturini, Cathy Venturini, Billy Venturini andWendy Venturini for their collective contributions to the motorsports industry.

Joining the Venturinis in the class of 2012 is:
John Smoltz, 8 time National League All-Star
Mark Recchi, 7 time NHL All-Star and 1997 All-Star Game MVP
Vito Antuofermo, former World Middleweight Champion
Ned Colletti, General Manager Los Angeles Dodgers
Jim Corno, President Comcast SportsNet Chicago
Lou Lamoriello, CEO, President & General Manger of the New Jersey Devils of the NHL
Larry Lucchino, President & CEO of the Boston Red Sox
Stefano Pelinga, multiyear international artistic pool champion

In addition to Bill Venturini Sr.’s forthcoming 2012 NIASHF’s induction, Venturini also secures a position within the walls of the International Motorsports Hall of Fame located outside Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama.

For the first time in the history of the NIASHF, a collective family will be inducted into the Hall of Fame as one entity versus the “individual” induction which is typically associated with such an honor.

The NIAHF’s induction ceremony will be hosted by Mike Piazza on November 17th in Rosemont, Illinois. This annual event will be attended by former inductees, as well as many of today’s top-sports figures.

Founded in 1977 and located in the “Little Italy” neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois, the NIASHF has inducted over 200 national sports figures and legends.

The Venturini name has become synonymous with modern-day stock car racing in America. The legacy was born over six decades ago when Tony Venturini began racing stock cars in the 1950’s at historic Soldiers Field in Chicago, Illinois. Tony, considered one of the early pioneers of the sport, competed with legendary NASCAR drivers, such as ‘Tiger’ Tom Pistone and Freddy Lorenzen.

More than any other sport, automobile racing tends to breed generations of racers. Case in point, Bill Venturini, Sr., following in his father’s footsteps, dedicated his life to racing and took the family pastime to new levels.

Bill’s competitiveness and passion for racing started in the 1970’s. With a dream and tireless dedication to succeed, Bill catapulted his career (driving / ownership) to the highest levels of stock-car racing.

As a former NASCAR driver and 2-time ARCA Racing Series Champion (1987 & 1991) as well as the 1983 ARCA Racing Series Rookie of the Year, Bill has cemented his place in motorsports history on and off the track.

With numerous racing accomplishments, including the all-time qualifying records at Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Speedway, he is also credited with forming the first ALL-female pit crew in professional motorsports.

Far from a publicity stunt, the all-female pit crew, led by his wife Cathy, played a major role in Bill’s first ARCA Championship in 1987.

Taking the reins from his father Bill, is his son Billy. Third-generation driver, Billy Venturini, jumped behind the wheel in 1994 competing in NASCAR and the ARCA Racing Series for over 10 years. With 162 career ARCA starts, Billy earned 28 Top-5 and 75 Top-10 finishes including a victory at historic Salem Speedway.

Representing the NOW generation for Venturini Motorsports, Billy’s greatest accomplishment came in 2007 when he transformed the team’s image by shifting focus and developing one of the premier NASCAR Driver Development Programs in the country.

Venturini Motorsports provides the top NASCAR driver prospects from around the world with the platform and experience to hone their driving skills as they pursue their dreams of reaching the highest levels of automobile racing in America, NASCAR.

Venturini Motorsports competes in the national touring ARCA Racing Series, which is considered the “NASCAR” driver feeder series. Many of today’s current NASCAR drivers and team members have competed in the ARCA Racing Series prior to moving onto their NASCAR careers

Proving you don’t have to be one of the boys, Bill’s daughter, and award winning broadcaster for the FOX network’s SPEED TV, Wendy Venturini, will share in the honor for her accomplishments as an on-air personality for SPEED TV #1 rated NASCAR pre-race television show, NASCAR RaceDay.

Wendy, whose celebrity is known by millions of NASCAR fans coast-to-coast, was the first female reporter in history to provide live television play-by-play for a NASCAR race in 2007. Admired and respected by the entire NASCAR community, Wendy’s upbringing and vast knowledge and history of NASCAR makes her the premier female broadcast personality in all of professional racing.

Notable current NASCAR drivers who have raced under the Venturini banner include, Joey Logano, Justin Allgaier, Brian Scott, Miguel Paludo, Steve Arpin, Josh Richards, Ryan Blaney, Kevin Swindell, Sean Caisse, Marc Davis and Max Gresham.

Joey Logano, who drives for Joe Gibbs Racing, was honored by the NIAHF in 2009, as the “Yogi Berra Athlete of the Year” recipient, which subsequently was the same year he raced for Venturini Motorsports, winning in the ARCA Racing Series event at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania.

Official: www.VenturiniMotorsports.com  |  Twitter @VenturiniMotor  |  Facebook: Venturini Motorsports

[media-credit name=”arcaracing.com” align=”alignright” width=”300″][/media-credit]Flat Rock, MI-May 12, 2012: Flat Rock Speedway and sponsor Parts Galore welcomed back dozens of former drivers for the Racer’s Reunion and to celebrate 50 years of Figure 8 racing at the track. The rain stayed to the north of the speedway, allowing for the Autograph Night, reunion and the race card to be completed with no weather issues.

Among the Figure 8 drivers on hand were Flat Rock’s 3 all-time Figure 8 feature win leaders-Bob Studt, Dick “Little Richard” Simmons and Chuck Hall. Studt and Hall, who both still live in the area, are at the track each week, while Simmons, who made the trip from Florida, was the very first Figure 8 king at Flat Rock in 1962 and was the star of the early days of Figure 8 racing.

The crowd was treated to another great night of action at “The Rock”, with Robbie Loving taking the victory in the exciting 50 lap ARCA Parts Galore Figure 8 headliner. Paul Pelletier made it 2 in a row in the Moran Chevrolet Late Models, while Landon Schuster, teamed with veteran car owner Bill Meade this season, grabbed the ARCA DTS Drive Train Specialists Street Stock feature.

With former Figure 8 drivers on hand from as far away as Arizona and Florida, the current crop of Figure 8 pilots put a smile on the faces of the men that blazed the path for this type of racing at Flat Rock Speedway for 50 years.  A sensational Parts Galore 50 lap feature saw 3 different leaders as the strong 18 car field provided pure entertainment and excitement-dodging cars at the intersection, racing side by side, bumping and running door to door and all the little things that go with it to make Figure 8 racing one of the best races in the nation in terms of entertainment. Early leader Jeremy Vanderhoof took charge at the start and was strong out front but Dennis Whisman reeled in the defending track champ to grab the lead around the half-way mark. Whisman, who is currently fifth in the all-time win category for the class, had company in the final 5 laps. Robbie Loving, fresh off his win at Toledo Friday night, zipped by Dennis to take the top spot and stay there to grab his second win in a row at Flat Rock, giving him 3 total wins for the Figure 8 division in the first 2 weeks of the season. The top 6 ran nose to tail for much of the 50 lap race. Whisman held on to second, Greg Studt took third, Jeremy Miller fourth and Vanderhoof was fifth, followed by Gary Cronenwett, Jerry Lee, Danny Gaddis, Steve Chartrand and Sam Hall. Studt set fast time at 20:672, with heat wins to Gaddis,Miller and Billy Earley.

It’s been a great start to 2012 for Paul Pelletier at Flat Rock. Defending champ Eric Lee led from the start of the 50 lap ARCA Moran Chevrolet Late Model feature and, much like last week, looked like the win was in sight. But lapped traffic gave Pelletier a shot at the lead. As the duo approached the lapped cars, Lee got trapped, Pelletier dipped low and gained control of the lead. Paul sped to the win, making it 2 for 2. Lee, who had a tire go flat last week to take away a potential win, had to settle for second. Ricky Kargel was third, Dennis Strickland fourth and Steve Cronenwett Jr. was fifth. Derek Wiley, Joe Hawes, Stan Yee Jr., Terry Bogusz and Jim Alvis rounded out the top ten. Wiley set fast time for the second week in a row at 11:656. Hawes and rookie Brad Turner captured the heat race wins. 18 cars were on hand for the night.

Landon Schuster notched the win in the 25 lap DTS Drive Train Specialists Street Stock main event of the night. Landon, in his first year with car owner Bill Meade, led every lap to grab the victory, coming back from a tough opening night last week. Tadek Stadniczuk was second, Scott Selmi was third, (who had engine trouble last week), Grant Hedges fourth and last week’s winner Clyde McKee was fifth. Frank Jiovani, Arnold Kirsch, Rob Moore, Nick Shanks and Terry Lilley were next in line at the finish. Kirsch, Billy Cronce and Rich Frantz were the heat winners. Tim Moore set the Fastime Racing Engines and Parts quick time at 13:490 for the 24 car field.

Open-wheel racing returns to Flat Rock Speedway next Saturday, May 19 as part of UAW Local 3000 Scout Night. All scouts in uniform will be admitted FREE and leaders in uniform or with an ID card will also be guests of the speedway. The Buckeye 305 Winged Sprint Cars will make the trip to Flat Rock. The series put on a great show in 2011 with a turn 4 pass for the win. The track’s ARCA Parts Galore Figure 8’s and DTS Drive Train Specialists Street Stocks will also be in action.

The gates open at 3:30, time trials are at 5 and racing begins at 7 p.m. The track is located on Telegraph Road, just 5 minutes from I-75 or I-275. The track phone number is 734-782-2480.

Log onto www.flatrockspeedway.com for more information. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/toledoflatrock or follow us on Twitter @flatrockspeed.