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Category: Other Series Racing

Other series racing

  • Kenny Wallace Proves A Man of Many Talents

    Kenny Wallace Proves A Man of Many Talents

    Kenny Wallace, known as the ‘Hermanator’ and for his unusual laugh that he sports so often on his SPEED TV gig, is indeed a man of many talents. His newest talent is as stand in for Roush Fenway Racing driver Matt Kenseth, who is expecting a new baby with wife Katie to be delivered right around the Daytona 500.

    Wallace has announced that he is ready to step into Kenseth’s No. 17 Cup car for practice and qualifying during Speedweeks at Daytona International Speedway if needed.  Wallace’s first chance at stepping into the car will be for practice on February 11th in preparation for the Bud Shootout.

    “I got a call last night from (Roush Fenway Racing GM) Robbie Reiser, and he said Katie Kenseth is due to give birth to their second baby in a couple of weeks,” Wallace said on the radio show Sirius Speedway. “They want me to be on standby in case she goes into labor before the Bud Shootout or Gatorade Duel.”

    “Matt will run the Daytona 500 no matter what, but they want me there in case they need me earlier in the week,” Wallace continued. “Even though it’s probably because I’m the same size as Matt and will fit into the seat easily, it took me about a quarter of a second to agree.”

    In addition to being on baby watch, Wallace is also preparing for his talents to start his own upcoming race season.  He will be driving full-time for RAB Racing in the Nationwide Series, marking his 22nd year in that Series in 2011.

    “I’ve been nervous since the final 2010 Nationwide Series race at Homestead trying to find the right fit for next year and now I can finally sleep at night,” Wallace said of his new ride. “My goal was to find a team with whom I could be competitive and I believe I have found that with RAB Racing.”

    “I’m ready to go for 2011,” Wallace continued.  “I have known Robby (Benton) and watched him grow his team for the past few years. The relationship with Toyota Racing Development (TRD) is huge and will allow me to be able to work with at least three other Toyota teams, including my brother Rusty (Wallace) and gain valuable information that will help us with the Nationwide program at RAB Racing next year.”

    Robby Benton, RAB Racing Co-Owner could not agree with Wallace more.  “Having our plans in place before the Christmas holiday was great for team morale and will provide us with ample time to prepare for what we need to do for the upcoming season.”

    “We’ve made significant changes at RAB Racing over the last few months in an effort to elevate our program,” Benton continued.  “Our alliance with Toyota, the relationship we have with TRD and now adding Kenny to the mix, will bring some depth to our program.”

    Benton also acknowledged that Wallace, with his many talents, will bring his own sense of style and personality to the team.

    “It also helps tremendously having a driver with Kenny’s notoriety,” Benton said.  “People love him and hopefully we’ll be able to reinvigorate his fan base.”

    Wallace will be piloting the No. 09 Toyota Camry for RAB Racing in the Nationwide Series.  To date, he and the team have secured several sponsors, including the University of Northwestern Ohio,  Federated Auto Parts, and Family Farmers, the latter being a coalition of soybean and corn farmers.

    These sponsors are on board for at least 16 races as primary sponsors.  As with most race teams, however, Wallace and Benton are still looking to fill their sponsorship dance card for the remaining 18 races of the Nationwide season.

    “We have a lot going on within our marketing department right now,” Benton said.  “I feel pretty confident about having all 34 races sold before the Daytona event in February.”

    Lest anyone think that Wallace has just been waiting around for the NASCAR season to start, he has already been busy at the track in Daytona.  He participated in the Rolex 24, racing under the banner of TRG and the Children’s Tumor Foundation.

    Wallace teamed up for the 24 hour race with fellow drivers Ron Yarab, Pierre Bourque, and Daniel Graeff.  While the team sought success on the track, they were also seeking to raise more than $1 million for the Foundation.

    “I am really honored to help represent the Children’s Tumor Foundation, it’s very near and dear to my heart,” Wallace said prior to the event. “Along the way I’m a competitor, a winning race driver, and it’s fun to team up with a winning organization like TRG.”

    Wallace and company finished 20th overall in the Rolex 24, after starting in the 24th position.

    In addition to the Rolex 24, Wallace has been showing off his dirt track racing talent, kicking off his season for 2011.  He has seen action at East Bay Raceway Park in Tampa, Florida and will next travel the circuit from Volusia to Eldora Speedways throughout the year.

    Wallace’s final talent will emerge later in 2011 after the finale of his NASCAR Nationwide season, when he once again assumes the duties of cruise director.  Wallace will sponsor yet again his ‘Kenny Cruise 2011″ on the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line.

    Wallace will socialize on the Allure of the Seas ship, which will cruise the western Caribbean for a week.  Kenny’s 2011 cruise will leave Ft. Lauderdale on December 4th, 2011 traveling to Haiti, Jamaica and Mexico, before returning back to Florida on December 11th.

    From Rolex and NASCAR Nationwide racing to filling in for an expectant Cup driver and father, as well as social directing on his own cruise, the ‘Hermanator’ is indeed a man of many talents.  And just in case that is not enough Wallace for the year, fans can also check out his famous laugh on Race Day by the Home Depot and Victory Lane on SPEED TV for yet another season.

  • Brian Thiel Set to Shake Up Nitro Funny Car; 22 Events Planned for Rookie

    February 3, 2011 – Brownsburg, Indiana – Brian Thiel, owner and driver of the BTR N&S Tractor Case IH Dodge Charger Nitro Funny car announced today his plans to attend all 22 NHRA Full Throttle events this season along with being a contender for the Automobile Club of Southern California Road to the Future Award.

    With the Kragen O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals season opener just weeks away, BTR is eager to compete at all 22 events with veteran tuner Johnny West, who will continue to work with the Road to the Future contender Brian Thiel throughout the Full Throttle season.

    Entering just three events last season BTR was able to qualify at the team’s first event in Seattle and accomplishing the team’s goal of further establishing BTR as a competitive nitro funny car team.

    Building the BTR Funny Car team from the ground up into a prospective Top Ten finisher is a lifelong dream of BTR owner Brian Thiel, who is also the first rookie to hold the position as owner/driver in several years. Furthering their dedication and anticipation for the Full Throttle series to begin, BTR was the first team to register for not only the Winternationals, but all 22 events this season.

    “BTR is committed to the Full Throttle series” said Thiel,” We have invested heavily to align our team with the respected talent, equipment and operations to remain competitive for years to come. This is still a very new business to myself and BTR. As we clear the hurdles ahead of us it will continue to show the sponsors and fans that a hardworking team and all-American farmer can compete with the mega dollar teams in the class” stated Brian Thiel.

    “We are very excited to have a new affiliation with the Future Farmers of America, Lucas Oil, 3M products, GoPro cameras, Fram, Prestone and Autolite, as well as the Double Tree Hotel of Claremont and Blanco Basura for the Pomona event. We also want to welcome back our partners at N&S Tractor Supply, the official BTR Case IH dealer” continued Thiel. Follow www.BrianThielRacing.com all year long and see the exciting videos and images created weekly.

    About Brian Thiel Racing (BTR): BTR is a newly established premier Nitro Funny Car team that competes on the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. Brian Thiel is the team owner and Funny Car driver. The BTR team is based in Brownsburg, IN, but originated in Pleasant Grove, Calif., where Thiel farms 4000 acres of rice.

  • Robby Gordon Parker 425 Preview

    Charlotte, NC (February 3, 2011) – Making his first appearance in the Parker 425 since 2008, Robby Gordon will be racing among some of the top off-road racers in the country. Along with Gordon, the impressive field of 34 Trick Trucks includes BJ Baldwin, Andy McMillin, and celebrity custom motorcycle builder, Jesse James, just to name a few. Marking the 40th year the city of Parker has hosted the off-road race, The Blue Water Resort and Casino Parker 425 is the second stop on the Best in the Desert Racing Association’s 2011 schedule.

    Robby Gordon knows how to win at Parker. Finishing first in the 2006 Trick Truck division in the HUMMER H3 that had just returned from the Dakar Rally in Africa, Gordon ran on 300 horsepower less than his competitors. “Winning the 2006 Parker 425 was fun! I had just returned from the Dakar and ran the same race vehicle we did in the Rally. To outrace the competition with less power was pretty awesome,” says Gordon.

    The No. 77 SPEED Energy/Toyo Tires Chevy 1500 will be touting new sponsor, Bud Light, on the quarter panels this weekend. “We’re happy to have Bud Light with us for the Parker 425. It’s a partnership that we struck with our new distributor for SPEED Energy in the Arizona markets. We just signed a deal with Romer Beverage and are excited about the new channels of distribution this will have for SPEED Energy.”

    The weekend began on Thursday with the BITD “Time Trials”, determining the starting lineup for the Trick Trucks and Class 1500. The driver to put down the best lap will claim the “Team Ford Pole Award,” which Gordon has unofficially claimed. The race vehicles will leave the starting line on California Avenue in downtown Parker on Saturday morning to begin the 425 miles of desert racing at its best.

    Robby will be making autograph appearances throughout the weekend at the SPEED Energy souvenir trailer.

    Fans that want to follow Gordon’s progress in the Blue Water Resort and Casino Parker 425 can visit http://www.speedenergy.com speedenergy.com, http://www.planetrobby.com planetrobby.com, and SPEED Energy’s http://www.facebook.com/pages/Speed-Energy-Drink/171315372883715 Facebook and http://twitter.com/speed_energy Twitter pages for daily updates on the team’s performance.

  • S.H.E.’s Planning A Comeback In 2011

    PROVIDENCE FORGE, Virginia (February 3, 2011) – – S.H.E. or better known as Sunny Hobbs Enterprises is planning a comeback onto a national racing circuit after spending the 2010 racing season in the NASA (National Auto Sport Association) events at Virginia International Raceway (VIR) and Summit Point Speedway.

      Steered by Providence Forge, Virginia native Sunny Hobbs, the former NASCAR IPOWER Dash Series competitor is planning to step up her commitment in racing by competing at Old Dominion (Va.) Speedway in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. It is also the intentions for the mother of three to advance her resume by competing in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) at some-point during the year.

      “I’m looking forward to getting back to racing on a more frequent schedule,” said Hobbs, who has prior experience in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards. “I’ve been fortunate enough to keep behind the wheel from time to time in-between starting a family, but now the support from my family is contagious and I’m looking forward to getting back to fulfilling my dream.”   While a championship-schedule is not in the cards at Old Dominion (Va.) Speedway, the former SCCA pilot is keen on success and consistency with L&R Motorsports, while seeking her goal of competing in a short-track NASCAR Camping World Truck Series contest in 2011.

      “I have a great team behind me,” said Hobbs. “We’re on a limited budget but I feel we are putting together a program that will allow us to be competitive instead of trying to run for the championship and take corners that potentially could hurt us in the long-haul. If all of our goals come to fruition, we’ll make the step towards NASCAR at a track like Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway or Martinsville (Va.) Speedway this summer or fall.

      She added, “Being a mother of two girls and a boy is very precious but as they are growing and getting older they are realizing that I was and still am a race car driver. I want to prove to my children and other mothers out there that try and juggle their “dreams”; that with hard work, anything is possible.”   Of course, Hobbs wasn’t shy to speak of one of the most dreaded words in the Motorsports arena, sponsorship.

      “Who isn’t looking for sponsorship?” Hobbs chuckled. “Everyone from the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series to the Legend Car Series are looking for help. Fortunately, I have some support behind me but I’m working around the clock to try to find some more. I think I have something unique to offer and hopefully in the long-run it will pay off.”

      Hobbs first anticipated race at the Old Dominion (Va.) Speedway is planned for April where the former VIR winner will hope to steer the No. 31 Chevrolet Impala to victory lane.

  • Casey Wyatt Integral Part of Extreme Makeover Home Edition

    Newport News, VA- On Saturday nights from spring to fall, race car drivers can be found at their local race tracks doing what they love- racing cars. After the races have ended, the cars go back to their race shops, the fire suits back to their hangers and inevitably the drivers return to their weekly grinds at work.

    The fans in the stands likely don’t know what these drivers do Monday – Friday, but something has to pay the bills; both at home and the race shop. Casey Wyatt is employed by his father and team owner Wayne Wyatt at Wyatt Homes. Wyatt Homes is a full service residential builder that has been providing quality custom new homes, sunrooms, remodeling, additions and garages throughout the Hampton Roads VA and Williamsburg VA areas since 2002. 

    On February 2, after 27 straight hours Wyatt Homes completed their part of the Extreme Home Makeover build in Hampton Roads VA. Casey Wyatt and lead man on the site, Dannie Wyatt; Casey’s brother who will be racing Legends in 2011 and employee T J Rutherford led a team of 30 plus volunteers in a task to frame a 3500 square home in less than a day. Wyatt stated that other then a few minor changes in the plans, and an occasional shower everything went smooth.
     
    Wayne Wyatt, owner of Wyatt Homes and Wyatt Motorsports felt that the lessons learned from tackling a task of this size has taught him and his employees invaluable lessons. “Being in racing all of my life has taught me that without a good team behind you, you will go no where. During our part of the build, teamwork and coordinating everyone’s duties is no different than race day at the track. You start off with a plan, you place the right people in the right places, give everyone the right equipment to carry out this plan and watch the results of your plan and teamwork come together.”
     
    Wyatt expressed he would like to thank Trademark Construction for the opportunity to be part of the build. He also would like to thank his employees and the volunteers for their time and efforts to make this adventure a success.
     
    Casey and the Wyatt Motorsports team is hard at work preparing their 2011 Toyota Camry Late Model Stock Car for the upcoming season to race in NASCAR Whelen All American Series. Team owner Wayne Wyatt stated that we are working with some new sponsors and others from last year for this upcoming season. Expressing though, the opportunity is still open for other businesses and organizations to join a winning team for the 2011 season.

  • Bourdais, Conway set to return in 2011

    Dale Coyne Racing has announced it has reached an agreement with Sebastien Bourdais to run the road course segments of the 2011 IZOD Indy Car Series.

    Bourdais returns to Indy Car after competing in Formula 1, and the International Le Mans Cup. It was great to get back in one of these cars, Bourdais said, after a successful test session at Sebring earlier this year. I really didn’t know what to expect, but all went well, and I think this will be a great opportunity for both Dale, and me. Sebastien will continue to drive for Peugeot in the Le Mans Cup Series. Indy lights standout Martin Plowman will drive a second entry for Coyne Racing, and is expected to contend for Rookie of the Year honors in 2011. Coyne also announced that the Boy Scouts of America will remain as primary sponsor.

    Andretti Autosport has signed veteran driver Mike Conway to field a fourth car for the 2011 season. Conway is scheduled to run a full season. Returning from serious injuries suffered on the last lap of last years’ Indy 500, Conway will team with three of the biggest names in the sport, Marco Andretti, Ryan Hunter-Reay, and Danica Patrick. Sponsorship for Conway has yet to be finalized.

    On a final note, Eric Bachelart, team owner of Conquest Racing said he intends to enter two teams for the 2011 IZOD Indy Car Series. It is also a good bet that JK Vernay will move up from the Indy lights series to pilot one of these entries.

    The season opening race for the IZOD Indy Car Series is scheduled for March 25Th thru March 27Th in the streets of downtown Saint Petersburg, Florida.

  • PPG Builds on Longtime Partnership with Penske Racing

    Company Returns as NASCAR Sponsor, Enhances IZOD IndyCar Series Relationship

     

    MOORESVILLE, N.C. (February 2, 2011) – Building on one of the longest relationships in motorsports, PPG Industries announced today that it has reached a multi-year extension of its partnership with Penske Racing.

    Beginning its 32nd season working with the team in 2011, PPG returns as an associate sponsor on all of Penske Racing’s NASCAR entries this season. This includes the No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Dodge driven by Kurt Busch and the No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge driven by Brad Keselowski in the Sprint Cup Series. In addition, PPG will be an associate sponsor on the defending champion No. 22 Discount Tire/Ruby Tuesday Dodge piloted by Keselowski and the No. 12 Alliance Truck Parts Dodge with driver Sam Hornish Jr. in the Nationwide Series.

    The world’s leading coatings and specialty products company will also enhance its relationship with Team Penske’s winning IZOD IndyCar Series program. In addition to serving as an associate sponsor on all three Team Penske IndyCars this season, PPG will be the primary sponsor on the No. 6 Dallara/Honda driven by Ryan Briscoe at the Milwaukee (June 19), Iowa (June 25) and Kentucky (October 2) IndyCar events this season.

    “PPG has such a great history with Penske and we are excited about the opportunity to grow and develop this unique partnership even further,” said Bill Shaw of PPG. “We look forward to being a part of Penske Racing’s winning teams in both NASCAR and IndyCar this season as we continue our very successful relationships with the other Penske business properties.”

    PPG and Penske established their partnership in 1984 through PPG’s participation in motorsports and sponsorship of the PPG Cup from 1979 to 1999 in the CART PPG World Series, where Penske Racing teams competed. The opportunities between the two companies started with PPG providing paint for Penske race cars. Over the years, the relationship has grown and PPG has become the largest supplier of refinish coatings for Penske Truck Leasing and Penske Automotive Group’s automotive collision repair centers, as well as Penske Racing.

    “Our organization has enjoyed a terrific partnership with PPG over the years and we continue to grow as we work together,” said Roger Penske. “Working not only with our race teams, but with our other Penske Corporation businesses, PPG has made this a very successful relationship. They are a key partner for our teams in NASCAR and we welcome their increased role with us this season in the IZOD IndyCar Series.”

    In addition to its success on the race track, Penske Racing has also teamed up with PPG to help showcase its ecologically-conscious Envirobase® High Performance system that focuses on lower volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in refinish basecoats. PPG’s Envirobase® High Performance waterborne coatings helps improve air quality by significantly reducing the amount of VOCs released into the atmosphere. The paint also provides the enhanced ability to match a vehicle’s original finish. Penske Racing headquarters in Mooresville, NC features Envirobase® High Performance paint and all of the team’s NASCAR race cars are painted with Envirobase® High Performance waterborne coatings.

    About PPG
    PPG Industries’ vision is to continue to be the world’s leading coatings and specialty products company. Founded in 1883, the company serves customers in industrial, transportation, consumer products, and construction markets and aftermarkets. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, PPG operates in more than 60 countries around the globe. Sales in 2010 were $13.4 billion. PPG shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol: PPG). For more information, visit www.ppg.com.

    PPG manufactures a variety of refinishing materials for cars, trucks, fleet and industrial vehicles which also support Team Penske on and off the track. Look for the following product lines to service your various coatings needs: Delfleet® Evolution; Delfleet Essential®; Desothane® Evolution; Deltron®; Nexa AutocolorTM 2KTM; Global Refinish System®; Envirobase® High Performance; Aquabase® Plus; Vibrance Collection®.
    http://www.ppgrefinish.com.

    About Penske Racing

    Penske Racing is one of the most successful teams in the history of professional sports. Competing in a variety of disciplines, cars owned and prepared by Penske Racing have produced 332 major race wins, 396 pole positions and 23 National Championships. For more information about Penske Racing, please visit www.penskeracing.com.

  • D.J. Kennington Shows Talent at Irwindale in NASCAR All-Star Showdown

    D.J. Kennington Shows Talent at Irwindale in NASCAR All-Star Showdown

    The past few years, auto racing talent has been blossoming out of Canada with a variety of drivers. Steve Arpin and J.R. Fitzpatrick are two to name a few, though another one is D.J. Kennington.

    [media-credit name=”Sal Sigala Jr.” align=”alignleft” width=”200″][/media-credit]Kennington, the 2010 Canadian Tire Series Champion, got his start as a teenager racing at Delaware Speedway. From there, he moved up to the CASCAR Series in 2001, which changed to the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series in 2007. Since then, Kennington has been racing at the highest form of motorsports in Canada.

    From 2001 to 2009, he acquired 11 wins, 60 top fives, 82 top 10s and a best year end points ranking of second in 2002 and 2007.

    In 2010, he planned to breakthrough and win his first championship. He fought all year alongside J.R. Fitzpatrick, fighting hard at each and every race. Throughout the season, he got five wins – Delaware, St. Eustache, Saskatoon, Barrie, Antigonish – and finished in the top 10 in 85% of the races.

    In the final race at Kawartha, the St. Thomas, Ontario native finished third taking the championship, 87 points over Fitzpatrick.

    “NASCAR has been really good to us,” Kennington said. “Really happy to get that off my back. Amazing year – five wins is awesome; hopefully this year we can top it. The 2010 season is behind us; time for 2011. Hopefully have as much success.”

    One of the things that Kennington took from the season to carry forward is confidence.

    “Confidence is a lot in this racing business and my team has a lot of confidence,” he said. “I think confidence goes a long way in making for another championship.”

    With the championship, Kennington was invited to Irwindale Speedway to run the Toyota All-Star Showdown, along with 39 other top drivers from the K&N Pro East Series, K&N Pro West Series and NASCAR Mexico Series.

    In the first practice, he was 15th, while he was 21st in the second practice.

    “Excited and good in practice,” he said after the first practice. “Never seen this track before and never sat in this car. We are top 14 and I think the 17 car will be good. The track is tough to get used to.”

    In qualifying, he qualified 15th, two-tenths off of the pole, set to go.D.J. Kennington at Irwindale Speedway

    Once the race started, he held his own as he ran consistent laps, steadily moving up to the top 10, avoiding trouble. When it came down to the final sprint to the finish, he had put himself into position to go after the win after some of the other leaders had fallen victim to problems. He took a late charge at leader Jason Bowles in the final nine lap sprint, though fell short and finished second. Still, Kennington was excited about his performance and the show he had put on considering expectations coming in.

    “Absolutely, really really proud of everybody on this race team,” Kennington told SpeedTV viewers afterwards. “All my guys are here – it’s so amazing. I watched this race last year on my couch, its great to be here.”

    The second place finish marks a good start to the 2011 season, which promises to be promising. Kennington looks to go out and defend his championship, well forming a partnership with Jason White.

    “I’m excited to work with White,” he said. “He has been a friend for a long time and I think we can help each other. Having teammates really helps.”

    Jason White, a native of Sun Peaks, British Columbia, comes onboard after a year of struggle from the mechanical standpoint while being a single-car team owner. The partnership brings forth horsepower and technical support from DJK Racing engine builder Doug Kennington and DJK Racing.

    “After last season we took a look at our program and realized we needed to make some changes to take the next step up,” White explained in a press release. “I talked to a lot of people and different teams and knew that aligning Jason White Racing with DJK Racing was the right move. DJ and Doug Kennington will provide us with plenty of horsepower, the cars will be race ready, and you couldn’t find a more professional group to work with.”

    White has also formed a partnership with Kawartha Speedway Group, acquiring the likes of Derek Lynch, Kawartha Speedway track owner and former Canadian Tire Series competitor, as his crew chief.

    “I could not be more keyed up about this season,” White said. “Having somebody as bright as Derek managing the operation and working as Crew chief on race day is fantastic. He brings a lot of knowledge to the job and I know he’ll make me a better driver.”

    “I’m looking forward to working with Jason,” Lynch said. “Our involvement will take the strain of logistics off his plate, provide him with great race cars and allow him to focus on driving. It’s also a privilege to be associated with a great company like A&W.”

    To find out more about DJK Racing, check out their website at , follow them on twitter or find them on facebook.  

    Special Thanks to Sal Sigala Jr. for the pictures and quotes

  • From Pole to Podium, APR Motorsport Wins GRAND-AM 200

    Less than a month ago if you were to visit APR’s Performance Campus in Opelika, AL you would have seen a Carbon Steel Metallic VW GTI MK6 seemingly collecting dust in the parking lot. Little did that GTI know it was soon to be on its way to setting a new track record at Daytona.

  • BMR x 5 at NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown

    BMR x 5 at NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown DJ Kennington – NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Champion leads the way with a 2nd place finish  

    Antelope, CA – Canada was well represented with the No. 17 Castrol Edge/Northern Provincial Pipeline Toyota Camry piloted by the 2010 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Champion, DJ Kennington. He qualified the BMR entry in 15th to start the 225-lap race dubbed the “Daytona 500” of the West and broke into the top-ten by lap 25.

    At the first break at lap 100, Kennigton had moved to seventh often running door-to-door with NASCAR Nationwide driver Steve Wallace. By the second break at lap 200, he was knocking on the door of the top-five and finished the race in second.

    “The car was too tight at the end to get the leader,” said Kennington. “We had a great car. I’m really proud of all the guys on this team. This was a lot of fun.”  

    Three-time Most Popular Driver in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Moses Smith qualified mid-pack. He sustained some front end damage navigating thru a multi car crash at lap 26 that required him to come to pit road for repairs to the No. 16 Hasa Pool Products/White Flyer Toyota Camry.

    “The first 100-laps were a crash fest out there,” said Smith. The second half, Smith experienced some handling problems telling his crew chief that the car ‘no forward bite’. During the second 100 laps, Smith began to make his way thru the field that often went three wide. The last 25-laps, Smith would pilot his Camry from 13th to as high as 5th at lap 218. He was in ninth as the checkered was displayed.

    “I was glad to be towards the front at the end. On to Phoenix to begin our 2011 race for the series championship,” added Smith.  

    The two-time NASCAR Mexico Series and reigning champion, German Quiroga was a fan favorite piloting the No. 2 telcel Toyota Camry to a twelfth-place finish. Quiroga qualified in 25th and moved to 15th after the first 50-laps. He suffered a right front flat tire at lap 60 requiring him to come to pit road at lap 61 while under a caution. He would return at lap 65 and restart the race now in 27th. At lap 100, he came in for his mandatory pit stop now in 25th. He went a lap down at lap 169 running in 20th but was back on the lead lap at lap 207. He would gain seven positions before taking the checkered flag.  

    NASCAR K&N Pro Series West driver Paulie Harraka driver of the No. 12 NAPA Gold Filters Toyota Camry was the first car out for qualifying. In the heat of the day, he would start his second NASCAR All-Star Showdown on the outside of row 12. He strategized with his team during the first 100 laps on what changes they would make to the entry from BMR as he moved all the way thru the field to 8th on the scoring pylon before lap 100.

    “Our Toyota is getting better and better,” he radioed in to his team at lap 100. At lap 165, the No. 12 NAPA Gold Filters car had rocketed to the top-five and took the lead at lap 194. He asked for only small adjustments during the final break at lap 200.

    The race changed for Harraka early in the final 25 laps as the No. 44 turned him around. NASCAR put the No. 44 to the rear of the field for ‘aggressive driving’ but the damage was done. Harraka restarted in 13th and at lap 213, came to pit road with a right rear flat finishing the race in 16th one lap down.

    “We had the best car here,” said Harraka.”24th to the lead says it all. I was turned and there wasn’t any more that I could have done. I’m really disappointed.”   The 2010 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Champion, Eric Holmes and the No. 20 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota team’s day ended at lap 27 after he qualified in eleventh. Several cars got into each other giving Holmes nowhere to go. Contact was made with the No. 39 of Brennan Newberry and then with teammate Moses Smith.  He brought the damaged race car to the infield. The NAPA team began assessing the damage but it was too severe to return to the race.  He finished in 35th.  

    The 2011 NASCAR K&N Pro Series season opener will be with the top three national touring series at Phoenix International Raceway on February 24th. Great seats are available at www.phoenixinternationalraceway.com.

    For more information on Bill McAnally Racing and our race partners, please visit our website at www.billmcanallyracing.com. Become a fan of Bill McAnally Racing and follow us on our Facebook Fan page. We can also be followed on Twitter at BMR_NASCAR.