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Other series racing

  • St. Pete To Host Opener This Weekend As Fourth Unified Season Of Open-Wheel Racing Begins

    St. Pete To Host Opener This Weekend As Fourth Unified Season Of Open-Wheel Racing Begins

    Following a five-month offseason break, the teams and drivers of the IZOD Indycar Series are ready to begin the 2011 campaign on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida. Unlike last year’s event that was postponed by one day due to torrential rainfall, weather is not expected to play a role in the outcome this year as conditions are expected to remain consistent with temperatures staying in the 70 to 80 degree range throughout the weekend festivities.

    [media-credit name=”Dan Helrigel” align=”alignright” width=”225″][/media-credit]In the time between last season’s closer in Miami to this weekend, the full-time field landscape has changed somewhat with twenty-five car and driver combinations in play, but with a few that may be added in as the series moves closer to its marquee event, the 95th running of the Indianapolis 500-mile race in May.

    Last year, St. Petersburg marked the official recognition of Team Penske’s Will Power as the series’ top road and street course driver, as he backed up his win two weeks before in the 2010 opening round in Sao Paolo, Brazil, and once again the winner of the 2010 Mario Andretti Trophy for the series’ top road and street course driver is among the favorites.

    With that in mind, here’s how the field looks for this weekend’s season opener.

    Team Penske

    Will Power- The former Formula One test driver has been the best on the twisty circuits over the past twelve months, including victory in last year’s Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, in which he led 50 of the event’s 100 laps, after starting from the pole. Proved he is still among the best on these courses by running near the top of the time sheets during the Barber Open Test earlier this month.

    Helio Castroneves- Consistently at the top of the time sheets throughout the Barber Open Test, Castroneves has earned two victories at St. Petersburg (2006, 2007) and finished fourth in last year’s race. Helio is as good a candidate for victory as his teammate Power.

    Ryan Briscoe- This weekend begins an important season for Briscoe, who was consistently behind his two teammates during the 2010 season, particularly on road and street courses. Won here in 2009, and was in contention to win here as a rookie in 2005 until he found the tire barrier late in the race.

    Chip Ganassi Racing

    Dario Franchitti- A series champion in each of the last three seasons he has participated in, yet he has not won here at St. Petersburg, with a pair of thirds as his best results. However, he is among the best on road and street courses, having placed no worse than 7th in all but one event on these circuits last season.

    Scott Dixon- The New Zealander won three times last year, but only once on the road and street courses. Dixon led the second most laps in last year’s race at St. Petersburg, before misjudging the entry to turn 9, which resulted in contact with the barriers and an 18th place finish.

    Graham Rahal- The winner at St. Petersburg in 2008 finds himself in the best ride of his career in 2011, after driving for multiple teams during the 2010 season. He earned a ninth-place finish last year for Sarah Fisher Racing at St. Petersburg. Has the best chance for a breakout season

    Charlie Kimball- The early favorite for 2011 Indycar rookie of the year honors, Kimball moves up to the top circuit after two full seasons in the Indy Lights Series. Was unable to win a race in either year, but he made the podium in five of thirteen starts last year, also finished fourth in St. Petersburg in the Indy Lights event last year.

    Andretti Autosport

    Ryan Hunter-Reay- Last year’s Long Beach Grand Prix winner, earned all three of his podium finishes on street circuits last year, however he wasn’t a factor at St. Petersburg where he placed eleventh.

    Marco Andretti- Last season was a year to forget for Andretti, as his top performances were on ovals. A fifth-place result at Barber Motorsports Park was his best effort in a road race in 2010, and he finished 12th at St. Petersburg.

    Danica Patrick- Clever pit strategy put her in contention early in last year’s race at St. Petersburg, resulting in a seventh-place result, one of two top ten finishes she earned on street circuits last year.

    Mike Conway- Makes his return to the series, following his nasty shunt on the penultimate lap of last year’s Indianapolis 500. Has earned all of but one of his six top ten finishes on road and street circuits, but has not finished in his two previous tries at St. Pete.

    Panther Racing

    J.R. Hildebrand- The 2009 Indy Lights Series champion enters his first full season in the IZOD Indycar Series. He participated in two road races last year in Indycars, earning a 16th place at Mid-Ohio. He has had more success on the twisty circuits over the ovals, earning four of his five Indy Lights wins on road and street circuits.

    Dreyer & Reinbold Racing

    Justin Wilson- Last year’s St. Petersburg runner-up is one of the mid-pack runners who may have the best chance to win this weekend. Has proven he can win on road and street circuits, having won twice, including at Watkins Glen in 2009 for Dale Coyne Racing.

    Ana Beatriz- Popular Brazilian begins her first full IZOD Indycar Series season this weekend. She was a contender for the win in three of her four starts at St. Petersburg in the Indy Lights, with a best result of third in 2008.

    Sam Schmidt Motorsports

    Alex Tagliani- Another dark horse pick this weekend, after finishing sixth here last year and running amongst the top contenders several times in road and street circuit events. Former FAZZT team should remain competitive despite the squad’s assets being picked up by Sam Schmidt.

    A.J. Foyt Racing

    Vitor Meira- Opened last season with an impressive third-place result at Sao Paolo, but couldn’t keep the momentum going for the rest of the season. He earned five other top ten finishes, but all of those were in oval track events.

    KV Racing Techonology-Lotus

    Tony Kanaan- Finally secured a drive for 2011 last week, after leaving Andretti Autosport and seeing a potential ride with Gil de Ferran fall apart after the team shut down. He has finished no worse than tenth in any of his six starts at St. Pete, including four podium results. He is a contender for a fifth podium, if he can quickly get used to his new surroundings.

    E.J. Viso- Put his stock on the Indycar radar, with an excellent fourth place result at St. Pete in 2008, however he has not factored in most road and street circuits events since then. He is not likely to factor among the frontrunners this weekend.

    Takuma Sato- Ran amongst the front runners in several road and street circuits in his rookie season last year, but only garnered one top ten and several did not finish results. He can post a good result if he can reach the checkered flag.

    Dale Coyne Racing

    Sebastien Bourdais- A definite x-factor after winning four Champ Car World Series titles. How competitive a car Dale Coyne can produce for him will determine how much of a threat he can be to the front runners in his road and street circuits only appearances this season.

    James Jakes- Little known newcomer joins the series at St. Petersburg, after a lackluster season in the European lower ranks. Growing pains are likely for him this weekend.

    Newman-Haas Racing

    Oriol Servia- Returns to full-time duty for the first time since 2008, after not running in any events last year. He finished seventh at St. Pete in 2008 and could pull a surprise if he can match the numbers posted by Newman-Haas tester James Hinchcliffe during Barber open test.

    HVM Racing

    Simona de Silvestro- Promising Swiss pilot begins her second full season, which saw her best performances come on road and street circuits. Up in the air as to how she will fare at St. Pete as she was among the bottom half of the pack during the Barber open test.

    Conquest Racing

    Sebastian Saavedra- Colombian newcomer only placed eighth in the 2010 Indy Lights standings, but is in a car capable of posting top ten results, as Bertrand Baguette proved late in 2010.

    AFS Racing

    Rafa Matos- Two-year Indycar veteran reunites with the same AFS team with which he won the 2008 Indy Lights title. The team has only made four Indycar Series starts so St. Pete will be a learning experience for them.

    Outlook

    For those who are expecting a more competitive season, where other teams besides Penske and Ganassi are consistently winning races, that does not appear as a likely outcome for most of the races. However, with the way the driving talent is spread out there is a greater chance for surprises to occur on the road and street circuits than the ovals, however it’s not enough for one to pick a winner outside of the top two teams as the best bet to win the race. In this case Will Power is the best at road and street course currently in Indycar, and based on that, he is the logical choice for victory this weekend in St. Pete.

  • CGH Motorsports Makes Personnel Changes To Strengthen ARCA Team

    CONCORD, North Carolina (March 25, 2011) – – CGH Motorsports announced today two personnel changes to its ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards in an effort to strengthen its program as the second of 19 races this season approaches on April 15 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway.

    Rob Torrey, otherwise known as “Bucket” has joined the team from a consultant role to crew chief of the No. 58 Tastee Apple Chevrolet Impala effective immediately. Torrey joined the CGH Motorsports team last year in a consultant role to work with the team’s former crew chief.

    His work ethic, guidance and faith in driver Chad Hackenbracht prompted the move for the family-owned team to make his outsider role more permanent. Torrey’s former roles include crew chief, car chief in the ARCA Racing Series and NASCAR.

    The Concord-North Carolina based team also announced that Kevin Reed has joined the stables as director of competition. Reed joins the team after a stint at Venturini Motorsports. In 2010, Reed was the crew chief for Mikey Kile. During their season the two achieved two poles, one win (Michigan International Speedway), seven top-fives and 15 top-10 finishes. Reed also last season was named the Cometic crew chief of the year award in the ARCA Racing Series.

    “We are pleased to make these announcements,” said CGH Motorsports team owner Greg Hackenbracht. “Both Bucket and Kevin bring a lot to the table as far as experience and success and undoubtedly, we feel like that their presence with CGH Motorsports will bring great results to the team.”

    With both team members participating with 19-year old Chad Hackenbracht at the open ARCA Racing Series test at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway next Tuesday and Wednesday, the New Philadelphia, Ohio native is looking forward to the rest of the season.

    “I’m excited to work with Bucket on a more permanent basis,” said Hackenbracht, who plans to make his second career start at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway next month. “He has helped me mature in a lot of ways inside the race car. I’m looking forward to improving that relationship throughout the season.

    I saw the great things that Kevin was able to do with Mikey (Kile) last year and I think he will be a great asset to Bucket not only at the shop but on top of the pit box on race day. I’m really pumped with the overall direction of our race team.”

    CGH Motorsports bid towards a full-season continues next Tuesday and Wednesday where the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards will host an open-test at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway in preparation for the ARCA Racing Series 250 on Friday, April 15.

    CGH Motorsports is actively seeking additional marketing partners for the full 2011 ARCA Racing Series schedule. Single, multi and full-season placements are available on the team’s No. 58 entries. Interested parties are urged to contact Jordan Dahl at 570.234.5449 or jordan@cghmotorsports.com.

    For more information on Chad Hackenbracht and CGH Motorsports, please visit ChadHackenbracht.com http://www.chadhackenbracht.com/ and CGHMotorsports.com .

    About CGH Motorsports:

    CGH Motorsports (CGHMotorsports.com ), established in 2007 by Ohio entrepreneur Greg Hackenbracht is located in a 10,000 sq. foot facility located in Concord, North Carolina. CGH Motorsports is home of rising sensation Chad Hackenbracht, who competed in nine ARCA Racing Series races in 2010 after an aggressive ARCA testing schedule in 2009. Chad Hackenbracht is the 2008 National Asphalt Legends champion, winning 33 percent of his races and finishing in the top-10, 85 percent of the events he competed in. The team will step up their commitment from a partial schedule and prepare for a hopeful full-season ARCA championship assault beginning in February 2011.

  • Maryeve Dufault Emerging From Break Recharged

    “Upcoming Driver Ready For First Talladega Tango”

    MOORESVILLE, North Carolina (March 25, 2011) – – Maryeve (pronounced Mary-EV) Dufault (pronounced DU-FAU), the 2011 ARCA Racing Series (ARS) presented by Menards Rookie of the Year candidate is emerging from nearly a six week break ready to test next week at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway in preparation for round two of the season.

    Dufault, driver of the No. 12 VR-12 / Dodge Motorsports Dodge Charger will tackle the smooth 2.66-mile superspeedway for the first time on Tuesday and Wednesday but the Sorel, Quebec Canada native is looking for the same consistency she showed during pre-season testing at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway.

    “I’m looking forward to getting back in the No. 12 VR-12 / Dodge Motorsports Dodge Charger,” said Dufault, a resident of Redondo Beach, California. “The break was a nice refresher after Daytona but I’m anxious to get back behind the wheel and continue our season for Tony Marks Racing.”

    Dufault who entered ARCA after stint in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1 and a successful and impressive career in Formula cars is looking to finish what she started at Daytona in the Talladega ARCA 250 on April 15th.

    After qualifying 24th, Dufault kept her No. 12 VR-12 / Dodge Motorsports Dodge Charger in the lead draft and was on-track for a satisfying finish before becoming an innocent victim the “big one” just 16 laps from the finish.

    “I learned a lot at Daytona,” she said. “I learned a lot about the car, the draft, my competitors and even the track. We had a good car and we almost escaped the “big one” unharmed but to no avail. The Tony Marks Racing team has been thrashing hard on our superspeedway car since the race and we’re looking forward to turning some respectable times during the two-day test.”

    Never having the opportunity to experience the enormous Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway Dufault enters Alabama optimistic while hoping to lean on some of her veteran competitors for some tips.

    “Most of the tracks on the schedule are going to be green to me,” Dufault explained. “Thankfully, I have a great team behind me who are giving me fast race cars. I’m also reaching out to some of my competitors for advice. I’ve been very appreciative so far of their willingness to guide me and give some tips. Hopefully, Talladega will bring more of the same.”

    The first full season of ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards competition for Tony Marks Racing (TMR) continues next Tuesday and Wednesday where the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards will host an open-test at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway in preparation for the ARCA Racing Series 250 on Friday, April 15.

    For additional information on TMT, Inc. please visit; tmtcompanies.net.

    For more on Maryeve Dufault, please log onto Maryeveracing.com

    To learn more about Tony Marks Racing, please click over to Tmr-racing.com

    About Tony Marks Racing (TMR):

    Tony Marks Racing was founded in 2009 through the passion for racing of team owner and former driver Tony Marks. Marks is the successful owner of TMT, Inc., a logistics, warehousing and packaging company with over 400 employees whose customers are mainly comprised of Fortune 100 companies.

    Marks began his racing career in 1985 getting behind the wheel of everything from drag racers, Dirt Late Models, SCCA Formula Fords, USAC F2000 Open Wheel and ARCA cars. Tony personally raced until 2005 amassing numerous wins, championships and track records along the way until he then changed his focus from driver to owner and began building racing programs for his children Jared (16 years old) and Rachel (13 years old). Under the auspices of TMR, Jared began his racing career in 2002 in quarter midgets and now competes in late model, CRA, ASA and ARCA Series events while Rachel continues her development program racing quarter midgets and Bandoleros.

    TMR has been at the forefront of charitable giving through its’ “Driving Against Hunger” and “Million Meal Challenge” race programs which have raised over $200,000 for Forgotten Harvest in 2010 at the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series events at Michigan International Speedway.

    For the NASCAR events TMR along with TMT, Inc. partnered with Forgotten Harvest for the “Million Meal Challenge For Our Kids” which helps to bridge the hunger gap while schools are out of session and feeds 20,000 children per day in the Detroit metro area. Forgotten Harvest was significantly displayed on the entry of Chase Austin during both the Truck and Nationwide events at Michigan International Speedway along with logos of “Million Meal Challenge” sponsors Walgreen’s, United Race Group, Holyfield’s Choice Alka-Power Water and Vitamin Spice. Evander Holyfield was also instrumental in the challenge, acting as Grand Marshall for the August race and announcing his “Fight Against Hunger” on behalf of Forgotten Harvest.

    As the first race team to “Drive Against Hunger” through their partnership with Forgotten Harvest, TMR plans to continue their alliance with Forgotten Harvest and once again “Drive Against Hunger” during the 2011 season.

  • Sean Corr Kicks Off Busy Week With Appearance In New York; Pumped About ‘Dega

    MOORESVILLE, North Carolina (March 25, 2011) – – ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards contender Sean Corr will kick off what will be a busy week starting Saturday with an appearance at the Rockland Motorsports, Custom Cars and Bike show in Suffern, New York. From there it will be off to Mooresville, North Carolina to meet up with his Empire Racing team. Then, a trek to Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway for a two-day open test.

    Corr, a native of Goshen, New York will sign autographs Saturday afternoon at the Rockland Community College Field House before mingling with the visitors and enjoying the show for himself.

    Then, the avid dirt pro stock ace will have to shift his focus as his Empire Racing LLC. based team will participate in the second open-test session of the season at the 2.66-mile oval in preparation for round two of the season on April 15.

    Empire Racing led by crew chief Richard Johns and team manager John Bellesfield of Excel Motorsports have been working hard with their crew at improving the team’s No. 82 Ford Fusion in preparation for this critical test. In the season-opener at Daytona, the team started 27th and finished 15th. However, the team was less than satisfied with their performance thus putting their operation into overdrive.

    “The team has been working hard,” Corr explained. “We all know that our team is plenty capable of contending for a win in the ARCA Racing Series. We battled a lot at Daytona. We took the race in stride though. We survived and were able to walk away with a solid finish. Now, it’s time to focus on ‘Dega where the motors will roar and the action will be tense.”

    Opting to participate in both days of the test next week (Tuesday and Wednesday), Corr and his posse will focus on balance, car control and stability.

    “Talladega is one of those places where you want to run well because of the name and history that surrounds it,” sounded Corr. “Both superspeedway tracks are very similar down because of the recent re-pavement at Daytona, but Talladega offers that little extra room where it can make you either jump or make you say wow with a move.”

    “Roush Yates has given the team superior support from our motor to parts and everything else in-between. This race is important in our bid towards the championship, so it’s just a humbling feeling to know that they are doing everything they can too.”

    When asked what he has done with nearly his six week break from ARCA competition, Corr said, “I’ve been working a lot and spending a lot of time on the farm too. I’m ready to get away for a bit and climb back behind the wheel of the No. 82 Empire Racing Ford Fusion!”

    The freshman full-time on the ARCA tour is expected to have some “booming” news regarding their young team before the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) returns in three weeks for the ARCA Racing Series 250.

    For more on Sean Corr, Empire Racing and marketing partnership opportunities for the 2011 racing season, please visit empireracingllc.com http://www.empireracingllc.com/ .

    For additional input on the Rockland Motorsports, Custom Cars and Bike show, please logon to motorsportsshow.com .

    About Empire Racing:

    Established in 2009, Empire Racing LLC. (empireracingllc.com http://www.empireracingllc.com/ ) is a two-tier professional Motorsports organization consisting of dirt and asphalt competition. Sean Corr, a 26-year old hailing from Goshen, New York pilots the team’s automobiles in the DIRTcar Series and Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA). In 2011, the team will attempt to run for a championship in the ARCA Racing Series with aspirations of moving into the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR). The team is headquartered in Goshen, New York with an additional operation in Mooresville, North Carolina.

  • Panther Rolls Into St. Pete with New Driver, New Website and New Look

    IZOD IndyCar Series Debuts this Weekend on Popular St. Petersburg Street Course  

    INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – (March 24, 2011) – National Guard Panther Racing and rookie driver JR Hildebrand will kick-off the 2011 IZOD IndyCar Series season this weekend on the Streets of St. Petersburg for the Honda Indy Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. The race will mark Hildebrand’s debut in the No. 4 National Guard Panther Racing entry after he was signed to a multi-year contract agreement to join the team in December. The IndyCar newcomer made just two previous starts in the series last season for Dreyer & Reinbold as a temporary replacement for then-injured Mike Conway.  

    This will be Hildebrand’s first IndyCar Series start in St. Pete, although he earned his first career Firestone Indy Lights podium there in 2008 and the following year captured the pole position while driving for Andretti Autosport. Hildebrand led both the Lights races there in 2009, but was plagued by mechanical issues in each of the weekend’s two events. Both of his career IndyCar starts have been on permanent road courses (Mid-Ohio and Infineon) so this weekend will mark his first experience in an IndyCar machine on a temporary street circuit.  

    Panther has been successful in St. Pete in its history and recorded a best startingposition of fifth with Tomas Enge in 2005 and a best finishing result of fifth with Vitor Meira in 2006. Dan Wheldon was running within the Top Ten competitors here last season before a suspension failure on the front straight ended the team’s day in the 20th position. Panther has led at St. Pete on two occasions; in 2005 with Enge and with Meira in 2008.  

    The No. 4 National Guard car is returning this season to the popular ACU Camo, black and red livery that first debuted in last year’s Indianapolis 500. The paint scheme was featured in the 500 and two subsequent races in 2010 and due to popular demand will be run for the majority of the 2011 IZOD IndyCar Series season.  

    The core of Panther’s operation has remained intact during the offseason, with longtime chief engineer David Cripps and chief mechanic Dan Miller returning to lead the team’s on-track operation. Former Indianapolis 500 polesitter Pancho Carter returns to Panther this season as the team’s spotter and driver coach, after having worked with Sam Hornish Jr., Tomas Scheckter, Vitor Meira and Wheldon in previous tenures with the team.  

    SGT Aaron Bass Named Panther’s “Hometown Hero” for St. Pete Weekend   ST. PETERSBURG, FL – National Guard Panther Racing has named SGT Aaron Bass its “Hometown Hero” for the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg weekend. SGT Bass has served in the Florida National Guard and is presently assigned to CO A, 2-124 Infantry as an 11B (Infantryman). He is a 2004 graduate of Baptist Church Academy in Lakeland. In 2005, he was mobilized for State Active Duty in South Florida to assist with Hurricane Wilma. SGT Bass has been deployed two times in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. His first deployment was in 2006-07 where he served as a .50Caliber Machine Gunner in the volatile region of Tal Afar Iraq. SGT Bass recently returned from Kuwait in December of 2010, serving in his second tour where he served as an Infantry team leader in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn.  

    SGT Bass has attended the Warrior Leader’s Course and the Combat Life Saver Course. He is currently enrolled as a full-time student at the University of South Florida working towards completing his bachelor’s in 2013 earning his degree in Business Management. He currently resides in Lakeland, Florida and works with his father at their family-owned business, Keith’s Nursery.  

    He has earned the following military awards: two Army Achievement Medals; two ArmyCommendation Medals and the prestigious Combat Infantry Badge.   Panther Launches Redesigned PantherRacing.com Website  

    INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Panther Racing has re-launched its team website, www.pantherracing.com with longtime partner RACERSITES. The new website features complete integration of social media platforms Facebook and Twitter, allowing fans who mention Panther or driver JR Hildebrand to see their tweets shown live on the main page of the team’s website. The site also features playable video from the site’s homepage, updated desktop wallpapers and many other new features.  

    The IZOD IndyCar Series season opener will be held Sunday, March 27 on the Streets of St. Petersburg, with live coverage provided by ABC starting at 12:30 p.m. (ET) and additional coverage provided by the IMS Radio Network, XM Channel 145 and Sirius Channel 121.  

    JR Hildebrand, No. 4 National Guard Dallara Honda:  “I’ve always really enjoyed St. Pete and I got my first Firestone Indy Lights podium there the first weekend of the year in 2008 and it’s been a good track from the beginning. Since 2009 I felt like I’ve got some unfinished business there, when I led both races and had mechanical problems. I’m looking forward to getting back out to the racetrack, and St. Pete suits my style in a lot of ways, and a lot of the testing we’ve done this offseason has shown us the direction we want to go on the street courses. So a lot of our preseason preparation has lent itself to the National Guard car being good this weekend around St. Pete.”  

  • Pennzoil Ultra from off the shelf, approved fro use in Honda Engines for IndyCar opener

    Pennzoil UltraTM Euro 5W-40 Approved for use in Honda Engines

    Houston, Texas (March XX, 2011) – After a 20-year absence from IndyCar racing, Pennzoil is returning to the sport in a big way. In addition to being back on the track through the brand’s multi-year alliance with Penske Racing and Penske Corporation, the brand’s premium Pennzoil Ultra™ Euro 5W-40 motor oil has been approved for use in all Honda Indy V8 engines that will compete in the 2011 IZOD IndyCar Series. And the Pennzoil Ultra Euro formulation that will be used by IndyCar’s top teams is the motor oil available to consumers today.

    “Pennzoil is no stranger to Indy racing, so we are happy to add Pennzoil Ultra Euro 5W-40 to the short list of motor oils approved to keep our engines in pristine condition and working at optimum efficiency,” said Roger Griffiths, Technical Director of Honda Performance Development. “The engines we build are designed to deliver extremely high power outputs and reach very high engine speeds in each race, and our dyno testing has demonstrated that Pennzoil Ultra provides the top-tier lubrication performance that our engines require.”

    In 2011, Pennzoil embarks on a multi-year alliance with Penske that expands Pennzoil’s motorsports presence to include the IZOD IndyCar Series. Pennzoil will be a primary sponsor of the No. 3 Shell V-Power-Pennzoil Ultra Dallara/Honda, driven by three-time Indianapolis 500 champion Helio Castroneves. Pennzoil Ultra Euro 5W-40 will be running in not only Helio’s IndyCar, but the cars of each of his Penske Racing teammates, Ryan Briscoe and Will Power, as well.

    Pennzoil has a long history of involvement in motorsports, beginning with Russ Snowberger in 1930. Pennzoil’s history in Indy car racing has been highlighted victories by esteemed drivers Johnny Rutherford (1980), Rick Mears (1984, 1988), Danny Sullivan (1985) and Al Unser (1987).

    “The opportunity to be in the engines of some of the top teams in Indy racing provides us with an environment to test our lubricants in extreme conditions,” said Pennzoil Global Brand Manager Debbie Van Schalkwyk. “Pennzoil scientists gain insights from the track that can be translated directly into the formulation of our consumer motor oils.”

    Pennzoil Ultra became a reality through the incredibly high standard set by the Pennzoil brand and delivered by Shell Lubricants technology teams around the world. Years of collaboration resulted in a Pennzoil Ultra formulation that helps to keep engines as close to factory clean as possible, and far exceeds the most stringent car manufacturer standards for cleanliness and protection[1] – going beyond just lubricating and protecting an engine.

    The Hyper Cleansing TechnologyTM built into Pennzoil UltraTM plays a critical role in the engine. The oil lubricates moving engine parts to reduce friction and power loss, and helps keep the engine clean by seeking out and dissolving contaminants safely into the oil before they form deposits in the engine.

    Pennzoil UltraTM is available in SAE 5W-20, 5W-30, 5W-40, 10W-30 and 10W-60 viscosities. Pennzoil UltraTM 5W-20, 5W-30 and 10W-30 viscosities can be found in major automotive retailers nationwide. Ordering information for Pennzoil UltraTM Euro 5W-40 and 10W-60 viscosities as well as additional information can be found at www.pennzoil.com .

    About Pennzoil

    Pennzoil® is the no. 1 selling motor oil and one of the most trusted brands in America. The Pennzoil line of quality products meets or exceeds industry specifications to offer exceptional engine cleansing and protection, and includes Pennzoil Ultra™ motor oil with Hyper Cleansing Technology™, Pennzoil Platinum® Full Synthetic motor oil, Pennzoil Gold™ motor oil, Pennzoil® High Mileage Vehicle® motor oil, Pennzoil® Advanced Protection motor oil, and Pennzoil Marine® engine oil. For more information about Pennzoil products, please visit www.pennzoil.com

    Pennzoil is produced and marketed by Shell Lubricants. The term ‘Shell Lubricants’ collectively refers to the companies of Royal Dutch Shell plc that are engaged in the lubricants business. Shell Lubricants companies lead the lubricants industry, supplying 13.4% of global lubricants volume.[1] The companies manufacture and blend products for use in consumer, heavy industrial and commercial transport applications. The Shell Lubricants portfolio of top-quality brands includes Pennzoil®, Quaker State®, FormulaShell®, Shell TELLUS®, Shell RIMULA®, Shell ROTELLA® T, Shell SPIRAX® and Jiffy Lube® lubrication services.

  • Veach To Make His First Start On The Streets of St. Petersburg

    Andretti Autosport’s Zach Veach Enters The Race Weekend Second In Series Points

    ST. PETERSBURG, FL (Mar. 23, 2011) One year ago this weekend Zach Veach was announced as the newest driver for Andretti Autosport at a press conference alongside his idol, Michael Andretti. While Veach was announced as the team’s latest find in the pool of hundreds of thousands of aspiring racecar drivers across the globe, he would have to watch from the sidelines as his teammate, eventual USF2000 Points Champion, Sage Karam, took the green flag, as the team’s sole entry in the weekend’s USF2000 race event.

    “In 2010, I was preparing to compete in the Atlantic Championship Series before it folded at the last minute,” said Veach, now teamed with Spencer Pigot in USF2000. “We then got together with Andretti Autosport and because the deal was done so late in the game, my car wasn’t ready to take the green flag for St. Pete that year.”

    While sitting on the sidelines on the Streets of St. Petersburg, Veach missed out on two rounds of race points yet still managed to stay in the top-five in the driver championship point standings that year. He secured eight top-five finishes throughout the season, helping Andretti Autosport clinch the team championship title at season’s end.

    Veach, who celebrated the release of his first book with an appearance on NBC’s The Today Show earlier this month, opened the 2011-year with the Cooper Tires USF2000 Winterfest Points Championship, secured from two race wins and three pole positions giving one of CNN’s “Intriguing People” his first career championship in the “Mazda Road to Indy” developmental ladder system.

    The 16-year-old student turned athlete then opened the 2011 USF2000 National Championship season at Sebring International Raceway last week running flag-to-flag from the Pole Position to take the checkered flag in the Series’ first event of the season. In Race #2, Veach again started from the Pole Position but due to contact with another driver midway through the race, damaging his front wing, finished eighth.

    The driver of the No. 7 Zakosi Data Backup Mazda will make his first start on the Streets of St. Petersburg as part of a full weekend of open-wheel racing, when the entire “Mazda Road to Indy” developmental ladder system will be in full effect in support of the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg featuring the IZOD IndyCar Series drivers.

    “After winning the first race of the 2011 season, I’m really looking forward to and working hard for St. Pete,” said Veach. “With it being my first street course race, it’s definitely going to be a learning experience but a lot of fun at the same time!”

    Veach sits in a three-way tie for second place in Series’ points (three points out of first) heading into the third and fourth rounds of the USF2000 National Championship season.

    “Being in a three-way tie for second in the championship and only three points away from first, St. Pete is going to be really important for us,” continued Veach. “The team was really quick their last year, so I’m excited to see what happens.”

    To follow Veach’s progress on the 1.8-mile street course in St. Petersburg, live timing and scoring is available on www.usf2000.com.

    Sanctioned by INDYCAR, the USF2000 National Championship, presented by Cooper Racing Tires and powered by Mazda, is one of three series part of both INDYCAR’s “Mazda Road to Indy” ladder system and the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development driver program.

    Follow along in Veach’s journey as he documents his 2011 season for RACER Magazine at www.racer.com. For more information, please visit www.zachveach.com, www.AndrettiAutosport.com or www.USF2000.com.

    About Zach Veach

    Zach “Ziggy” Veach is a 16-year-old autoracing driver who competes in INDYCAR’s ‘Mazda Road to Indy’ USF2000 National Championship Series, an important open-wheel stepping-stone to a career in the IZOD IndyCar Series and Indianapolis 500. In 2011, Veach captured the USF2000 Cooper Tires Winterfest Championship, on the heels of placing fifth in the 2010 season, despite missing two race events. In 2010, Michael Andretti signed Veach to his team, Andretti Autosport, while also being named one of CNN’s “Intriguing People” and was also nominated for Sports Illustrated “Sports Kid of the Year” award. In addition to his racing, Veach is an advocate for safer driving in conjunction with Oprah Winfrey’s “No Phone Zone,” and is the national spokesperson for FocusDriven, an advocacy group for victims of motor vehicle crashes involving drivers using their cell phones, and the group endorsed by Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood and the DOT. In 2010, Veach released his first published Android application through his phone-app building company, ZaAPP, releasing urTXT, in the Marketplace for Android to help consumers avoid dangerous text messaging while driving and helms his own safe driving program, Ziggy’s Safe Driving, which hits 25 markets across the country each year. Veach has been a guest or profiled on a variety of national platforms including NBC’s The Today Show, CNN’s Headline News, ABCNews.com, Oprah Radio’s The Gayle King Show, The Los Angeles Times, AOL.com and is a blogger for RACER magazine. The son of a national truck and tractor-pulling champion, Veach entered his sophomore year of high school this past fall and released his first book, 99 THINGS TEENS WISH THEY KNEW BEFORE TURNING 16, on March 2, 2011. For more information, please visit www.zachveach.com.

  • RICARDO GONZALEZ SCORES SECOND CONSECUTIVE PODIUM AT SEBRING

    Mexico City, Mexico – March 22, 2011 – Ricardo Gonzalez and teammates Gunnar Jeannette and Rudy Junco from Core Autosport scored a podium finished at the Mobil1 12 Hours of Sebring this weekend after an impressive race in which they fell to last place due to mechanical failures and then managed to climb back to the third position in the LMPC class of the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patron. Gonzalez scored his second consecutive podium at the historic endurance event after finishing third on his series debut in 2010.

    Jeannette took the green flag in the third position and only a few laps into his stint started noticing a problem with the power steering system on his Oreca FML09. Despite the problems the talented american driver held on to the third spot and handed the car over to Gonzalez 1hr40min into the race. Gonzalez stayed out front among the leaders but the steering problem kept worsening until it became impossible to continue driving the car and the team decided to bring the car to the garage for repairs. The problem resulted from a leak in the power steering system that not only affected the steering, but also splashed fluid onto the rear tires severely affecting the car’s handling.

    After a quick repair by the Core crew Gonzalez went back out on track at the 3hr5min mark in last place in the LMPC category and 12 laps behind the leaders. For the rest of his stint the mexican driver maintained a very quick pace and managed to recover two laps, handing the car to Junco in the sixth position.

    Gonzalez began his second stint 7hr40min into the race when the #006 prototype was already in fourth position and for the next two hours had to drive first with daylight, then through the blinding sunset conditions, and finally at night under the lights. When he handed the car for the last time to Junco he was already in third position and only seven laps from the leaders. Jeannette finished the last 90 minutes of the race but was not able to gain further positions since the top two cars were several laps ahead. The three drivers placed third after completing 305 laps and 1132.2 miles around the 3.7-mile circuit.

    The next round for the American Le Mans Series will be the glamorous Long Beach Grand Prix which will take place April 16 around the streets of Long Beach, California.

    For more information please visit www.ricardogonzalez.com.mx, www.facebook.com/ricardoracing and www.twitter.com/ricardo_racing.

    Ricardo Gonzalez

    #006 Excel / Composite Resources / Cooper Gay / Oreca FML09

    “Finishing third is a pretty good start to our season and to our hunt for the 2011 championships, we’ll take the points. Of course we wanted to win and without a doubt we had the speed, but unfortunately we had problems with our power steering at the beginning of the race and lost almost 12 laps in the garage fixing it. After that we knew that we just had to follow a steady rhythm and slowly catch the leaders back up without making any mistakes and waiting for the other cars to have problems. It was quite an effort from our part to go from last place and 12 laps down to third and only seven laps behind, but it wasn’t enough to get the top spot. The three of us did a good job out on the track and the Core team was also pretty impressive with their quick repairs. It’s obviously a shame that we had the mechanical problems because we had the car to win, but that’s endurance racing.”

    About Excel Consultants

    Excel Consultants was born with the mission of designing and implementing fiscal strategies that allow companies a better development and resource management. Excel is made up of a professional, highly capable crew, where innovation, pro-activity and service quality is the base of our competitive ideology. At Excel Consultants the legal, fiscal safety and tranquility of our clients is guaranteed. This is based upon the objective of searching the development of innovative solutions that bring measurable and real business results. This has made Excel a market leader in Mexico. Excel has an extensive portfolio of solutions that bring solid savings and benefits to your company. Excel is the only fiscal law firm in Mexico that brings to you, wherever you are, whatever you do, these exclusive benefits.

    About Cooper Gay

    Cooper Gay is one of the world’s largest privately owned Insurance and Reinsurance Broking Groups, headquartered in the City of London. Cooper Gay operates for clients in four broad segments: corporate organizations, retail brokers, professional reinsurance buyers and captive insurance companies. The Cooper Gay network extends from the Americas to Asia, Europe and Australasia. Offering a wealth of broking talent and customer support in our chosen business sectors, this translates into specialist insurance and reinsurance solutions in every risk area.

    About Rainmaker Group

    The Rainmaker Group of independent companies has an international reach focused on providing integral measurement, preventive, and risk management solutions. “Integrity is Power”. Through this philosophy we lead our clients in the understanding and management of their risk needs. Areas of expertise include – risk transfer mechanisms, actuary analysis, design of prevention plans, and management of international risk transfer programs.

  • Richmond International Raceway to Host 2011 Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown

    Late Model Stock Car Event Scheduled for Thursday, April 28, Following the Blue Ox 100 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Race

    Richmond, VA (March 22, 2011)—Richmond International Raceway and Chesterfield, Virginia’s Denny Hamlin are joining forces to run the fourth annual Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown to benefit the Denny Hamlin Foundation on Thursday night, April 28 at America’s Premier Short Track. The event will feature several NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers and celebrities battling it out on the ¾-mile track with some of the best local Late Model Stock Car drivers.

    On the cutting edge of technology, Richmond International Raceway brought Tuesday’s announcement to fans live on the track’s Facebook page. The online event marked one of the first times a motorsports facility has delivered a major announcement live on the Internet, and fans were invited to submit questions for Hamlin and Fritz to answer.

    “This is a great partnership with our hometown driver, Denny Hamlin,” said Richmond International Raceway President Doug Fritz. “We’re excited to be the new home of the Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown and hope to help Denny grow this event into a premiere charity race.”

    The addition of the Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown at Richmond International Raceway means the race weekend will now feature four events for race fans to enjoy. The charity race will be a one-day show, featuring practice and qualifying prior to the Blue Ox 100 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race. The Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown will run immediately following the Blue Ox 100, making for an exciting Thursday at Richmond International Raceway.

    “I’m so excited to have the opportunity to run our Short Track Showdown at Richmond International Raceway,” said Hamlin. “The event has grown every year and we’ve been so fortunate to raise support through my foundation for some outstanding organizations. The competition will be intense with several Cup drivers signed on, as well as a few racing celebrities and of course several outstanding local short track drivers. It’s going to be a great night of racing with the opportunity to help a lot of people.”

    NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers and other NASCAR celebrities currently scheduled to run in the Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown include Hamlin, Tony Stewart, Kasey Kahne, Michael Waltrip, Joey Logano, Trevor Bayne, Hermie Sadler and Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell.

    Proceeds from the Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown at Richmond International Raceway will benefit the Denny Hamlin Foundation, a 501 C (3) started to raise funds for individuals and families affected by cystic fibrosis. The foundation supports organizations like The Children’s Hospital of Richmond, St. Jude’s Hospital and Victory Junction.

    Tickets are available now for the excitement on Thursday, April 28th. All seats are general admission and $25. Children 12 and under are admitted free with a ticketed adult. Tickets include the Blue Ox 100 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race and Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown.

    If you haven’t purchased your tickets for the Crown Royal Presents The Matthew & Daniel Hansen 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Saturday, April 30th, now is the time. Tickets start at $45 and can be purchased online at www.rir.com or by calling 866-455-RACE (7223). Don’t miss the return of hometown favorite Denny Hamlin, defending series champion Jimmie Johnson, Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and all of your favorite stars of the Sprint Cup Series.

    The weekend also includes the Friday, April 29th BUBBA burger 250 NASCAR Nationwide Series race “under the lights.” Daytona 500 champion Trevor Bayne, Virginia native Elliott Sadler and the full-time Nationwide Series drivers will mix it up with Sprint Cup drivers running double-duty. Tickets start at $30 in advance, and children 12 and under are admitted free with a ticketed adult in general admission. For tickets and information, log on to www.rir.com or call 866-455-RACE (7223).

    About Richmond International Raceway:

    Richmond International Raceway, known as America’s Premier Short Track, offers exciting night racing action and a commitment to the fan experience. One of the most popular facilities among drivers and fans in all of motorsports, Richmond International Raceway annually hosts all of its major events—two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races, two NASCAR Nationwide Series events and one NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race—under the lights on its ¾-mile D-Shaped oval. The unique layout consistently produces the thrill of side-by-side racing, coupled with high enough speeds for a superspeedway feel. Combined with first-class amenities (including the state-of-the-art Video Scoring Tower) and a focus on the fans, guests at Richmond International Raceway can expect to experience what “Racing Perfection” truly is. For tickets to events at Richmond International Raceway, call 866-455-RACE or visit www.rir.com online. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @RIRInsider.

    About the Denny Hamlin Foundation:

    The Denny Hamlin Foundation was created by NASCAR Sprint Cup Series star Denny Hamlin to aid in raising awareness and funding for Cystic Fibrosis research and treatment, as well as to support other not for profit corporations that focus on aiding children with debilitating illnesses. You can find the Denny Hamlin Foundation online at www.dennyhamlinfoundation.org and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/dennyhamlinfoundation.

  • Blue Ox Signs on as Entitlement Partner for NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Race

    BLUE OX® SIGNS ON AS ENTITLEMENT SPONSOR FOR RICHMOND INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY’S NASCAR K&N PRO SERIES EAST RACE  

    Blue Ox 100 Will Kick off the Three-Day NASCAR Weekend at America’s Premier Short Track  

    Richmond, VA (March 22, 2011)—Blue Ox, a leader in the recreational vehicle and towing industry, has signed on as the official race entitlement sponsor of the opening event of the Spring NASCAR Weekend at Richmond International Raceway. The Blue Ox 100 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East runs on Thursday, April 28th, kicking off the action-packed weekend.  

    The NASCAR K&N Pro Series features separate schedules and championships for the East and West, and makes up the top step of the NASCAR Home Tracks ladder—a launching pad for developmental drivers and home for veterans of motorsports. In addition to producing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers Joey Logano, Martin Truex Jr. and Kevin Harvick, the NASCAR K&N Pro Series has served as the starting point for some of the top up-and-coming talent now in NASCAR’s three national series, including Austin Dillon, Trevor Bayne and Ryan Truex.  

    For additional information on the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, log on to www.NASCARHomeTracks.com – the ultimate online destination for fans of all of NASCAR’s developmental series.  

    Tickets for the Thursday, April 28th Blue Ox 100 will be available for purchase at 3:30 p.m. today. Tickets are available online at www.rir.com or by calling 866-455-7223. All seats are general admission and children 12 and under are admitted free with a ticketed adult.  

    The weekend continues on Friday, April 29th for the BUBBA burger 250 NASCAR Nationwide Series race. Friday’s ticket includes Wawa Pole Qualifying and practice for the Sprint Cup Series, as well as NBC12 Pole Qualifying and practice for the Nationwide Series. Friday’s tickets start at $30 and can be purchased on www.rir.com or by calling 866-455-7223. Children 12 and under are admitted free with a ticketed adult in general admission sections on Friday.  

    On Saturday night, April 30th, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series returns to Richmond International Raceway as Crown Royal Presents The Matthew & Daniel Hansen 400. Hometown hero Denny Hamlin will square off with defending series champion Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon and the rest of the Sprint Cup Series. Tickets start at $45 and can be purchased on www.rir.com or by calling 866-455-7223.  

    About Blue Ox®: No matter what you’re towing, Blue Ox is ready to help you make your trip safer and more enjoyable.  Having a full line of towing products, Blue Ox’s customer service is unparalleled.  For more information on the Blue Ox and their complete line of Blue Ox towing and braking systems, steering controls systems, sport carriers and accessories, log on to www.blueox.us.

    About Richmond International Raceway: Richmond International Raceway, known as America’s Premier Short Track, offers exciting night racing action and a commitment to the fan experience. One of the most popular facilities among drivers and fans in all of motorsports, Richmond International Raceway annually hosts all of its major events—two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races, two NASCAR Nationwide Series events and one NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race—under the lights on its ¾-mile D-Shaped oval. The unique layout consistently produces the thrill of side-by-side racing, coupled with high enough speeds for a superspeedway feel. Combined with first-class amenities (including the state-of-the-art Video Scoring Tower) and a focus on the fans, guests at Richmond International Raceway can expect to experience what “Racing Perfection” truly is. For tickets to events at Richmond International Raceway, call 866-455-RACE or visit www.rir.com online.Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @RIRInsider.