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Category: Other Series Racing

Other series racing

  • IZOD IndyCar Series Season To Finish With Las Vegas Motor Speedway

    IZOD IndyCar Series Season To Finish With Las Vegas Motor Speedway

    IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard announced today that both the IZOD IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights would crown both of their champions at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on October 16th, 2011.

     The 1.5-mile, high banked oval seems to be the perfect spot to end season as its known for producing exciting side-by-side racing.

    “We had the opportunity to conduct a test with Target Chip Ganassi Racing and Team Penske at Vegas last November and our cars performed very well at this facility,” said Brian Barnhart, president of competition and operations for INDYCAR. “Its banking and width is similar to Chicagoland Speedway, which has produced some of the most exciting, side-by-side racing and closest finishes in the history of the series.”

    The last time the IndyCar Series competed at Las Vegas was from 1996 to 2000, and Champ Car ran there in 2004 and 2005. Since then, the track has been reconfigured, though. Past drivers who have made it to victory lane include Al Unser Jr., Sam Schmidt, Arie Luyendyk and Sebastian Bourdais.

    “Las Vegas is a world-class sports destination, and we are excited to welcome all of the open-wheel racing fans back to Las Vegas,” said Rossi Ralenkotter, president/CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.  “Hosting the season finale for the IZOD IndyCar Series is a great partnership for us and we know the fans will enjoy all that Las Vegas has to offer.”

    “Las Vegas Motor Speedway has produced thrilling open-wheel races in the past, and the return of the IZOD IndyCar Series for its season-ending event is sure to provide more thrills in October,” added Chris Powell, president of LVMS. “We know there’s a huge fan base of INDYCAR fans in the western United States. Hosting the season finale, and the media attention it generates, gives our speedway and our city another opportunity to showcase so much that Las Vegas has to offer.”

    In an attempt to bring forth drivers of different series, Benard also announced that a $5 million challenge to any professional race car driver not competiting in the IZOD IndyCar Series for the finale.

    “We showcase our drivers as being the very best, fastest and most versatile in the world,” he said, “and we are putting our money where our mouth is. If any race car driver in the world outside of the IZOD IndyCar Series can win the Vegas race, we will give you $5 million. We will accept five entries for this challenge, with entrants being determined by mid-summer.”

    This follows the bonus that Bernard set forth earlier this year. The bonus was set that Benard would pay a $20 million bonus to the driver who wins both the Indianpolis 500 and the NASCAR Coca Cola 600 on the same day, and perhaps smaller bonuses for any driver winning one race and finishing in the top five of the other.

    Jimmie Johnson, the five-time reigning NASCAR champion, has already declined.

    “I really, really want to do it,” Johnson said this week during NASCAR’s preseason media tour in Charlotte, N.C. “I’m just not sure if it’s going to work for me. (Chandra, his wife) and I talked about it and (said) if the opportunity came along before we had kids, it was something I needed to do.”

    Bernard also added that fans who purchase any ticket throughout the season are eligible to receive a complimentary ticket to the championship race.

    “I said at the INDYCAR State of the Sport in mid-January that we must give our fans a great experience with three primary elements — great entertainment, competition and value,” Bernard said. “There is not a city in the world that can provide entertainment like Las Vegas. Las Vegas Motor Speedway will provide some of the fastest and most exciting racing fans will see anywhere, and the ticket promotion is true value. This is a time when INDYCAR can tell our fans that we thank them for their support.”

    “In 2010, our first year as the title sponsor, the IZOD brand, together with the league worked aggressively to build awareness and excitement around the series, especially within the major markets, looking for ways to connect with new fans through a host of events and promotions that connected with pop culture.” said Mike Kelly, executive vice president of marketing for the Phillips-Van Heusen corporation, owners of the IZOD brand. “We can’t think of a better place than Las Vegas- one of the greatest entertainment cities in the world – to take these initiatives to new levels and celebrate the 2011 World Championship.”

    With the completion of its 17-race schedule, the IZOD IndyCar Series also confirmed its broadcast designations for the season as well as broadcast start times.  Five events will be broadcast on ABC – St. Petersburg, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, New Hampshire and Las Vegas. The balance of the schedule will be aired on VERSUS, the IZOD IndyCar Series’ exclusive cable network home. 

    Tickets to the IZOD INDYCAR World Championships go on sale today through Ticketmaster.com. Full details for the complimentary ticket promotion will be announced March 1st on indycar.com and 866-INDYCAR.

  • SCOTT TO RACE FOR STATE AND NATIONAL TITLES IN 2011

    SCOTT TO RACE FOR STATE AND NATIONAL TITLES IN 2011   PINE GROVE, CALIFORNIA (February 22, 2011)– 19 year-old Matt Scott announced today that he will compete for the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series National and California State titles in the #35 BJB Enterprises / RPM NorCal / Karp Capital Chevrolet.  

    Scott won nine Late Model races in 2010 at All American Speedwayin Roseville, Califto become the youngest champion in track history.  The 2011 season will see Scott compete in the entire 16 race slate at All American, including the 14 track points races that fall within the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series points calendar.  

    Scott will add additional nights of racing at TOYOTA Speedway at Irwindale, thanks to that speedway changing their premier class from Super Late Models to Late Models this season.  The Matt Scott Racing team will be sponsored by and hosted by DoubleTree Monrovia when they race at Irwindale.  

    “If anything I feel at ease,” Scott said.  “We got the “sophomore slump” year behind us with a championship, so if we just keep doing what we’ve been doing we should be able to repeat it!”  

    Throughout his career, Scott has been a race winner and a contender for championships.  He won over 125 quarter midget races in his career to go along with the 2007 MSPA Rising Star award, 2008 Legends of the Pacific champion, and 2009 All American Speedway Rookie of the Year.  

    In two starts at TOYOTA Speedway, Scott has finishes of sixth and eight in premier televised events.  The Matt Scott Racing team has made many improvements to the #35 car to contend under the weekly Late Model rules at the half-mile speedway.  

    BJB Enterprises, out of Tustin, Calif, became a partner with Matt Scott during the TOYOTA All-Star Showdown in January.  Scott finished an impressive eighth place out of over 30 cars that participated in the weekend’s events.   BJB will sponsor Scott in both his Rosevilleand Irwindale races to promote their epoxy and urethane manufacturing services. 

      “It’s amazing to be sponsored by BJB Enterprises,” Scott said.  “I toured their shop and it’s surreal.  They are a very prestigious company in their field of work and it’s a true honor to have their name on out car for the 2011 season.”

    Gary and Marcie Quigley of RPM Norcal, Inc. have signed on as co-title sponsors and part-owners of Matt Scott Racing.  RPM Norcal, Inc. has 25 years experience in custom molded polyurethane parts, offering plastic molding and CNC machining services.  

    Peter Karp of Karp Capital Management will join Matt Scott Racing as a co-primary sponsor.  Karp Capital Management is an independent investment advisor offering a range of services for both individuals and businesses.  

    Additional sponsorships are available for both TOYOTA Speedway and All American Speedway NASCAR Late Model efforts.  Matt Scott Racing is also actively pursuing opportunities to race in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series, West at both tracks in 2011.   Race fans can learn more about Matt Scott Racing at www.mattscottracing.com or “Matt Scott Racing” on Facebook.   Sponsorship and media inquiries can be forwarded to Steven Blakesley at steven@norcalmedia.com

  • Travis Pastrana, No. 99 Boost Mobile Phoenix Preview

    CORNELIUS, N.C. — Eleven-time X Games Gold medal winner Travis Pastrana will drive the No. 99 Boost Mobile Toyota in Thursday’s K&N Pro Series West race at Phoenix International Raceway. Bill McAnally Racing and Pastrana-Waltrip Racing will field the Toyota for the 27-year-old action sports star.

    Pastrana finished sixth in his Jan. 29 NASCAR debut in the Toyota All-Star Showdown at Irwindale (Calif.) Speedway. The Maryland native plans to make several appearances in K&N East and West Series before his July 30 Nationwide Series debut in Indianapolis. That weekend he will also compete in the ESPN X Games in Los Angeles. Longtime NASCAR truck series driver Matt Crafton has served as a tutor for Pastrana since beginning the NASCAR program.

    Media Availability: Travis Pastrana will hold a media availability Thursday at 1:30 p.m. in the Phoenix International Raceway media center.

    PASTRANA QUOTES

    ON RACING AT PHOENIX: “I can’t wait to get back in the race car this week. We had a very successful debut at Irwindale last month and I learned a lot during the race. I don’t think our goals have change from our debut. We want to go out there and make laps and learn as much as we can. I am really confident in the race car I will have this weekend. It used to be an old PWR Nationwide car that Bill McAnally purchased. I haven’t been able to test at Phoenix so I am going to have to spend most of the practice time just learning the best way around the track.

    Hopefully, we will be able to have another successful race this week.”

    ON MATT CRAFTON: “Matt Crafton has been a tremendous amount of help. He is kind of like my security blanket. He educates me on the best way to get around the race track. In Irwindale he was also my spotter and that was so much help. He told me when I was over driving the corners or when a lap looked pretty good. He also helped me stay out of a bunch of wrecks. Matt and I just clicked from the time we meet at New Smyrna Speedway.”

    CREW CHIEF MIKE GRECI: “Obviously, we are in the same situation as Irwindale. Every race track will be a new experience for him. Our goal is to get him use to the one-mile race tracks as quickly as we can. We want him to be able to go out there and race competitively with the West Series drivers. I think Matt Crafton will play a big part in making him comfortable at Phoenix. Matt has learned to work with Travis very well. Travis seems to really rely on Matt a lot when it comes to driving a race car. They have joined in a bonded and they work very well together right now. I think Travis trusts Matt a lot.”

    NOTES OF INTEREST

    • Pastrana’s Nationwide schedule includes: July 30 at Indianapolis, Sept. 9 in Richmond, Va., Oct. 1 in Dover, Del., Oct. 8 in Kansas, Nov. 5 in Fort Worth, Texas, Nov. 12 in Phoenix and Nov. 19 in Homestead-Miami.

    • The Michael Waltrip Racing K&N Pro Series East team has won two consecutive championships with Ryan Truex. The team has captured five wins, two poles, 15 top-five and 17 top-10 finishes in just 21 races. Brett Moffitt will drive MWR’s East car in 2011.

    • Bill McAnally Racing won the K&N Pro Series West championship last year with driver Eric Holmes. Holmes scored five victories, eight top-five and 10 top-10 finishes in 12 starts.

    • Pastrana spent the past several weeks performing his Nitro Circus live tour in front of sold out crowds in New Zealand.

  • Kory Rabenold Determined To Put Career Back On Track In ‘11

    SLATINGTON, Pennsylvania (February 22, 2011) – – Kory Rabenold hasn’t been in an ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards car for more than one race since 2009, but the Slatington, Pennsylvania native is focused now more than ever to not let another year go by without doing what he loves, race.

    Rabenold spent the winter-off season refocusing and retuning his Kory Rabenold Racing (KRR) team hoping to compete in the two ARCA Racing Series events at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway in June and August.

    To kick off his rejuvenated confidence, Rabenold and his KRR team kicked off the 2011 season with an appearance at Motorsports 2011 in Oaks, Pennsylvania. On Saturday, Rabenold signed autographs with fellow ARCA drivers Sean Corr and Chad Hackenbracht at the New Jersey Motorsports Park (NJMP) booth; helping promote ARCA’s third annual trip to the newly built road course.

    It was there at Motorsports 2011, Rabenold and his team agreed to form an alliance with Knight Motorsports Management (KMM). KRR has contracted KMM to work on a consultant basis to assist in the restructuring of the family-owned team.

    “We’re very proud of our new affiliation with KMM,” said KRR marketing manager Jared Welter. “Chris and his staff have offered us some direction to help put Kory back on the track this season. It’s refreshing to have a group like his on the outside and offer different suggestions on how to approach our tactics.”

    One of the ideas that KMM suggest was sprucing up the Kory Rabenold Racing website, RabenoldRacing.com . The facelift performed by Dave Nale at Hammerhead Promotions has offered a refreshing look compared to the old site and is becoming a valuable portal for input.

    “We’re not giving this year up without a fight,” offered Rabenold, who also hopes to compete in some asphalt modifieds contests this season. “Between KMM, Dave (Nale at Hammerhead), my team and everyone else who supports my career, I feel we have a better shot at getting back on the track than ever before. I’ll admit, it’s been extremely tough being out of the ARCA Racing Series. I really started to develop a foundation there. Hopefully with the tactics that our KRR have put in place, we’ll be able to compete in at both Pocono events and maybe even a couple more.”

    Rabenold also stretched out the team’s initial intent for 2011. “Well, our main objective is to put our KRR team back on the map. We have some cars, we have some equipment, we’re just getting everything ready, just in case. We’re also not ruling out the possibility of doing double duty by running both the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and ARCA races in one day. Of course, if we can find some dollars to do it. The good thing is we’re talking to some people and at least their listening.”

    To learn more about Kory Rabenold and his KRR team, please logon to RabenoldRacing.com.

  • Race Schedule App For Droid Smart Phones

    What Time is the Race? There’s Now an App for That

    Android App Provides Instant TV Information for Fans of Eight Racing Series

    Asheville, NC, February 18, 2011 – SpeedWeekly Magazine, “Your Racing News Source,” is living up its billing by providing auto racing fans with a free Android App for the most popular auto racing television schedules. The App includes the start time and network of every nationally-televised race in eight different race series. A similar App for the Apple iPhone will soon be available.

    The free App, available for download from the Android Market on your phone or by visiting SpeedWeekly.net, provides the schedules for NASCAR’s Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series, along with the complete schedules for ARCA, IndyCar, Formula One, Grand Am and American LeMans. The App premieres during NASCAR’s SpeedWeeks, the week leading up to the Daytona 500.

    “This new SpeedWeekly App is a major advancement for race fans on the go,” said Rick Bradham, Publisher of SpeedWeekly Magazine. “Other Apps may offer TV information about a specific network or racing series, but ours is the first to cover all nationally-televised races for eight of the world’s most popular auto racing series.”

    The user-friendly App allows fans to select a series and date and find the name of the race, the track, the start time, and the network televising the race. After each race, the name of the winning driver will replace the start time and network on the App.

    “Whether fans are on the road, in a different time zone, or just away from their computers, they can easily find the start time and network for all their favorite races. This exclusive new App puts the power of a complete program guide in the palm of your hand,” said Bradham.

    In addition to the new App, SpeedWeekly offers two website widgets that provide an auto racing TV schedule. To grab a widget for your site, go to speedweekly.net and select “TV Schedules” from the toolbar. Choose either the small or large widget, grab it and paste it to your website.

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    SpeedWeekly Magazine, “Your Racing News Source,” is a weekly publication dedicated to NASCAR and local racing. SpeedWeekly is distributed weekly at local race tracks, auto racing museums, race team facilities, select retailers and by subscription service. Local racing coverage includes all divisions and classes at 27 asphalt oval tracks in the Southeast along with 12 traveling series including ARCA, UARA, USAR and PASS South.

  • HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS SIGNS CHASE ELLIOTT

    CONCORD, N.C. (Feb. 16, 2011) – Hendrick Motorsports has signed Chase Elliott to a multi-year driver agreement.

    Elliott, the son of 1988 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Bill Elliott, will continue to compete for his family-owned team until meeting age requirements for entering NASCAR national series events. Bill Elliott Racing, based in Dawsonville, Ga., will field Chevrolets with support from Hendrick Motorsports.

    “The apple hasn’t fallen far from the tree with Chase,” said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. “I’ve always admired Bill’s ability in a race car and how he handled himself with the fans. I see those same traits in Chase, with his natural driving talent and an awareness of what he needs to do away from the track to be successful. He comes from a great racing family, and it shows.

    “We think it’s a terrific situation. Chase already has a strong support system in place (in Dawsonville) that will allow him to focus on his education and grow as a driver, and Hendrick Motorsports will provide whatever kind of assistance the Elliotts need in any area.”

    A 15-year-old freshman in high school, Elliott already has competed against some of the best short-track racers in the United States. In 40 late model starts last season, he posted 13 victories, 27 top-five finishes and 37 top-10s.

    “I’ve always been taught that teamwork and people are important, and that’s something Mr. Hendrick really believes in,” Elliott said. “Everyone at Hendrick Motorsports has high standards and takes a lot of pride in what they do. Racing with all of their support, and the support of my family, is going to be incredible. I’m going to work really hard to make them proud and make the most of this opportunity.”

    In 2010, Elliott became the youngest driver to win the Blizzard Series at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Fla., the Miller Lite Series at Mobile (Ala.) International Speedway and the overall Sunoco Gulf Coast championship. The Dawsonville native also posted victories in the prestigious Winchester 400 and at the re-opening of historic North Wilkesboro (N.C.) Speedway.

    Elliott already is two-for-two in 2011 after sweeping the Speedfest late-model features last month at Lanier National Speedway in Braselton, Ga. This season, he plans to enter a combination of super late model, pro late model and NASCAR regional touring series events.

    CHASE ELLIOTT FAST FACTS:
    Birth date: Nov. 28, 1995.
    Hometown: Dawsonville, Ga.
    Residence: Dawsonville, Ga.
    Career victories: More than 60.
    Types of cars raced: Late models, legends, bandoleros and go karts.
    Career highlight most proud of: Becoming the youngest driver to win the prestigious Winchester 400 late model race at Winchester (Ind.) Speedway in 2010.

    ABOUT HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS:
    Since 1984, Hendrick Motorsports has earned 194 race victories and a record 10 car owner championships in NASCAR’s premier division, the Sprint Cup Series. The organization fields four full-time Chevrolet teams on the Sprint Cup circuit with drivers Mark Martin, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Headquartered in Concord, N.C., Hendrick Motorsports employs more than 500 people. For more information, please visit www.HendrickMotorsports.com, www.twitter.com/TeamHendrick and www.facebook.com/HendrickMotorsports.

  • Benny Gordon Maneuvers VSI Ford Powered By ROUSHYATES Engines To Top-10 At DIS

    DAYTONA BEACH, Florida (February 16, 2011) – – In his ARCA Racing Series (ARS) presented by Menards debut, Benny Gordon posted a solid seventh place finish in the No. 09 VSI Ford Fusion powered by RoushYates Engines. The finish showed that no matter the driver, the Grant Enfinger Racing (GER) team is a force to be reckoned with.   After an extremely impressive outing in the three-day open test last month at Daytona  International Speedway were Gordon top the charts. Led by crew chief Howard Bixman returned to the 2.5-mile superspeedway looking for a solid performance.

    In practice on Thursday, Gordon, the USARacing Pro Cup Series veteran negotiated the 15th fastest time after circling the racetrack in 49.019 seconds at 183.602 miles per hour. Not satisfied with the effort, the team  focused  on happy hour were they posted a time of 48.280 seconds at 186.413 miles per hour which put the GER team fifth fastest.

      After 47 cars made their attempt around the newly re-paved superspeedway track, Gordon had posted the 20th fastest lap overall with a time of 49.537 seconds or 181.682 miles per hour in qualifying. 

      From the drop of the green flag in the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200, Gordon quickly began inching his way up through the running order. When the first yellow flag waived on lap four, Gordon has positioned himself solidly into the top-15.

      When racing resume, Gordon maintained a spot inside the top-17 until the second yellow flag waived when the No. 09 avoided an incident ahead of him when Tom Hessert received a tap from behind and went spinning in front of the pack on lap 18.

      During the yellow flag, the team took advantage to make their required pit stop when the lead group came to pit road on lap 19. Crew chief Bixman called for fuel only during the stop which allowed a lighting fast stop and Gordon returning to the track inside the top-20.

      Racing resumed with the VSI Ford Fusion in the 18th position. Quickly though, the DuBois Pennsylvania native marched back into the top-10 where he remained during much of the race’s second-half.

      In the closing laps, Gordon with Ford teammate Chad McCumbee and car owner Grant Enfinger in the rear-view mirror, the gang tried to catch the lead draft of six cars but ran out of time and had to settle for a 13-position improvement in his ARCA Racing Series debut.

      “Overall, we had a great day for the VSI Ford Fusion,” said Gordon, who impressed in his “World Center of Racing” debut The car was real good, we just couldn’t get our group together quick enough to make a dent with the lead pack. I want to thank Howard (Bixman, crew chief), Grant (Enfinger, car owner) and everyone with the GER team for the opportunity.”   Bixman commented on his driver’s performance. “I was very impressed with Benny, he did a great job all week long. We gave up a little in qualifying to be a good in the draft. We were a little nervous starting from 20th, but Benny was able to quickly position himself in the right place and move up rapidly. I wish we would have had five more laps, but we’ll take seventh and move onto to Talladega.”   For car owner and ARCA driver Grant Enfinger, who finished ninth two positions behind his familiar No. 09 in the No. 36 BeasleyAllen.com / Excaliber Coach Dodge Charger for Allgaier Motorsports, he was proud of the team’s effort.

      “Benny (Gordon) showed a lot of patience and Howard (Bixman, crew chief) did a great job like he always does, he has the superspeedway tracks covered at Daytona. The car looked strong and I believe Benny learned a lot not only about the draft but ARCA racing in general. I’m happy.”

      The ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards will take nearly an eight week pause before actions resumes at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway on Friday, April 15th, 2011 live on SPEED.

  • Maryeve Dufault And Tony Marks Racing ARCA Racing Series Debut At Daytona Includes a List of Many ‘Firsts’

    DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA (February 15, 2011) – Maryeve Dufault and Tony Marks Racing (TMR) made their first ever ARCA series debut this weekend in the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at the “World Center of Racing” in Daytona Beach, Florida.

    The weekend started out solid for Dufault and her TMR No. 12 VR-12 Dodge team, by qualifying a respectable 24th position on the grid for the Saturday season opener at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway ahead of nine-time series champion, Frank Kimmel.

    “There were a lot of pressures coming into this race, not having points, and my first ARCA stock car event, but TMR put together a great car, and we made it into the race”, said Dufault.  “I’m just very happy to be a part of this organization and the opportunity to race at Daytona.” Saturday, before the 200 mile event, TMR unveiled a season long sponsorship commitment from VR-12 Cooling Systems.  The two combined, along with driver Dufault, made quite a stir amongst fans, the media, and in the ARCA garage at Daytona this past weekend and they assuredly will carry that momentum with them all season long.  

    During the main event for Saturday, Dufault piloted the No. 12 VR-12 Dodge Charger in the first laps up thru the field moving into the 17th slot. The second caution of the 80 lap event came out and Dufault came in for first pit stop of the race and got hung up on pit road trying to avoid another teams’ mishap.  This cost the TMR No. 12 VR-12 Dodge team a few spots on the grid, but Dufault stayed focused in the draft and made every move with precision.

    About half way thru, veteran NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) spotter, Mike Calinoff came across the radio to compliment Dufault.

    “I just want to say you are doing a great job”, said an encouraged Calinoff. “You’re doing what you need to do by just there staying in line.  We’re just going to stay smart, get some laps and finish the race.” Dufault was able to turn a few more laps at full speed before an on track mêlée caught up to her just 16 laps from the finish. Another driver overreacted to the on track action and drove his machine down into the right side of the No. 12 VR-12 Dodge Charger.

    Upon exiting the litter of race cars in turns three and four, Dufault brought her Tony Marks-owned entry to pit road where damage from the exhaust and the front-end alignment forced the No. 12 to the garage and ultimately done for the afternoon.

    After climbing out of the car, a very disappointed Dufault had some comments about her first encounter with “the big one”. “I thought I had missed it all until I got hit”, said a disappointed Dufault.  “Then I was looking and there were cars going everywhere. I tried to get to the grass but it all happened so fast. It stinks.”

    After reflecting on the day’s events and her first ARCA series Daytona superspeedway debut, Dufault had some very positive remarks to describe her experience. “Today was a great start for the TMR VR-12 Dodge Charger team.  They did a really great job putting the car together.  I was having a blast out there; so much fun”, said Dufault.  “I couldn’t be more thankful for having done all those laps out there.  It was unfortunate about the accident but I tried to do my best.  I got a lot of experience and we’ll just carry it on to Talladega”, said a positive Dufault. 

    She continued to reflect about her on track involvement at Daytona. “It was fast out there with all those cars and with the movement of the car”, explained Dufault.  “I thought it was really exciting to draft and of course the pit road situation was a first for me, a lot of smoke, a lot of numbers, it was a little overwhelming, but we got it right the second time.” A very humble Dufault graded her performance on a scale from one to 10 as a “seven.”    “A seven maybe”, she said laughing.  “I don’t know, a 10 maybe, but I have so much to learn I can’t give myself a 10, that would be too proud of myself.” The TMR No. 12 VR-12 Dodge Charger finished 28th out of a 43 car field Saturday at the drop of the checkered flag for the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at Daytona International Speedway.

    During the down time between season superspeedway openers, Dufault and the TMR team will be moving their headquarters from Napoleon, Ohio to Race City USA, Mooresville, North Carolina.

    The ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards will take nearly an eight week pause before action resumes at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway on Friday, April 15th, 2011 live on SPEED.

    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. See the buzz that VR-12 is creating by clicking over to their website at VR-12.com.

  • Legends Teams Descend on Auburndale

    Legends Teams Descend on Auburndale

    With the start of the 2011 INEX Winternationals just on the horizon, Legend, and Bandolero teams from across the United States, and as far away as Norway, have all made their way to the small town of Auburndale, Florida. Auburndale is located in central Florida about halfway between Tampa, and Orlando, and just a little outside of Lakeland. About three miles south of a quaint, old Florida downtown area is the destination for these traveling teams, Auburndale Speedway.

    [media-credit name=”Cg Photography” align=”alignright” width=”187″][/media-credit]Auburndale Speedway is a true example of short track Americana, this quarter mile, moderately banked paved oval hosts shows every Saturday night from February through November, and is not unlike the hundreds of other such facilities across this nation, the back bones of motorsports. This facility is family owned, and operated. The Guy family promotes a friendly family atmosphere, which helps make this the perfect venue for the INEX Winternationals. Rex Guy, Owner, and promoter of the speedway said, “We are very pleased to host this national event here at Auburndale, The Legends are one of the most popular classes we run here during our weekly shows.” Everyone here has really worked hard, dedicated a lot of hours, and effort to make sure we would be ready for this event, and now we are ready to drop the green and get started. Guy Added.

    The Legends cars, and INEX 600 Racing, have fast become the grassroots of motorsports almost worldwide. With over 3500 members Inex sanctions over 2000 events at 200 race tracks. This makes INEX the 3Rd largest sanctioning body, behind Nascar, and IMCA.  Formed in 1995 The INEX mission statement is a simple one, provide a fun and affordable racing opportunity in which any one can compete. In order to accomplish these legends cars are all “spec” racers, meaning they are virtually the same, same chassis, same engines; the biggest difference is the driver. Drivers range from eight years old up to sixty plus.

    With over 150 teams expected to take part in this event it will be one of the largest legend car events to take place in 2011, Teams from across the United States, and Canada have been arriving at the speedway as soon as Friday morning in anticipation of the event, One team made the pull from Alaska, that’s dedication to your sport.

    Action starts valentine’s day Feb. 14th and continues through Saturday Feb. 19th. For additional details visit www.auburndaleracing.com.

  • ‘Casper’ Not So Friendly For Chad Hackenbracht; CGH Motorsports At Daytona

    DAYTONA BEACH, Florida (February 14, 2011) – – CGH Motorsports with driver Chad Hackenbracht brought a Chevrolet Impala SS nicknamed “Casper” to Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway this past week for the opening race for the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards.

    In the childhood story, “Casper” is known as the friendliest ghost that you ever did see. Unfortunately when the checkered was thrown in the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200, friendly wasn’t the word of choice for the CGH Motorsports team.

    Unhappy with their performance in the three-day open test at Daytona last month, the Concord, North Carolina-based team went back to their shop, completely stripped and rebuilt their Chevrolet bowtie, all with the intention of allowing Hackenbracht, ARCA’s newest rising star to make a name for himself at the “World Center of Racing.”

    When practice began on Thursday afternoon, the team was baffled with the performance of their No. 58 Tastee Apple Chevrolet Impala SS. While the New Philadelphia, Ohio native reported that his car seemed to have plenty of horsepower, the car could not produce the speed that the freshman ARCA team was looking for.

    Help from other friends and colleagues in the ARCA garage discovered several potential solutions to the team’s hiccups. After an array of changes on Friday morning before qualifying, the CGH Motorsports headed into qualifying optimistic.

    While the changes helped the overall performance of the car, the team would become challenged once again as it was determined post-qualifying that a spark-plug issue had significantly thwarted the team’s prior obstacles but thus created a new one.

    Correcting the motor issue prior to Saturday morning’s happy hour session, the CGH Motorsports team participated in the final practice with the objective to get their 19-year old driver comfortable with his reconfigured race car. A productive session had the family-owned team focused on the race.

    The green flag was displayed for the first time in 2011 with Hackenbracht quietly making his move towards the front. Keeping his No. 58 Tastee Apple Chevrolet Impala SS tucked in his drafting pack.

    Hackenbracht would continue his steady climb up the running order and positioned himself comfortably inside the top-30. When a caution ensued approaching lap 20, the CGH Motorsports team opted to keep the rising star out on the race track, thus placing the No. 58 Chevrolet into the top-10.

    On the restart, Hackenbracht wasn’t able to fend off his competitors but did maintain a comfortable position in the lead draft.

    Slipping back to the middle of the pack, Hackenbracht’s day took an ugly turn on lap 44 of the 80-lap contest. While racing behind the No. 30 of Terry Jones, smoke began to billow out from Jones’s automobile forcing the No. 58 to the outside line. Unbeknownst to the driver, oil was spewed onto the track and onto the tires of the Greg Hackenbracht-owned machine which threw the car into a vicious spin and hard into the outside wall. How hard was the hit? The impact with the safer barrier wall was strong enough to lift the automobile off the ground and virtually turned it over before slamming back to the ground with heavy damage.

    Hackenbracht waited until ARCA safety officials arrive at the scene of the accident where he pulled the window net down and climbed from his battered machine but not before waiving to the fans while making the mandatory trip to the infield care center. He would be later released with no injuries.

    “That was wild,” said Hackenbracht, who is planning to run the full ARCA Racing Series schedule in 2011. “We had our struggles with our Casper this week, but we made considerable improvements and actually had a good car for the race. I’m not sure what happened with the 30. It looked like he lost a motor and I went around him on the outside and the next thing I knew I was hard into the wall.”

    He continued, “I am thankful to all my guys on the CGH Motorsports team for building me a safe race car. That was probably one of my hardest hits in my racing career and it stinks that Casper is junk, but I’m able to walk away from it okay and we’ll be back after it at Talladega.”

    Ron Hornaday, a four-time NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) champion served as a driver mentor and coach for the former Legend Car Series (LCS) pilot.

    Axel Fuel, the Official Energy Drink of CGH Motorsports, JRI Shocks, Metal Parts Manufacturing, Performance Vehicle Works, Portable Shades, R2C Performance and Xflex Racers Tape join Tastee Apple as marketing partners for the first of 19 races this season.

    The ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards will take nearly an eight week pause before action resumes at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway on Friday, April 15th, 2011 live on SPEED.

    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.