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  • St. Pete Pre-Race Notes — Panther Set to Kick-Off IndyCar Season

    St. Pete Pre-Race Notes — Panther Set to Kick-Off IndyCar Season

    National Guard Team Ready for IndyCar Series Debut of New DW12 Chassis on St. Pete Streets

    INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – (March 9, 2012) – As the IZOD IndyCar Series gets set to kick off the season, Panther Racing anddriver JR Hildebrand are looking to improve on the Californian’s impressive rookie season beginning this weekend at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. After a series of successful preseason tests, Hildebrand, the Indy 500 Rookie of the Year, and Panther are looking forward to the season opener this weekend on the 14-turn, 1.8-mile course twists through the city streets of St. Petersburg.Panther Racing’s pre-race notes are posted below:

    Chris Mower Promoted to General Manager of Panther Racing:

    Panther Racing has promoted Chris Mower to the position of General Manager of the team’s IndyCar Series effort. Mower, formerly Team Manager since joining the team in 2008, has overseen the team’s racing operations for the past four seasons after moving to Panther from Conquest Racing. Previously, Mower spent two seasons with Team Lotus in 1992-1993 with drivers Johnny Herbert and Mika Hakkinen. During his time working in Europe, Mower helped earn F-3000 championships in 1991 with Christian Fittipaldi and again in 2001 with current IndyCar Series driver Justin Wilson.

    “I’m very happy that JB and Jane (Barnes) trust me to do this job right and that they both have the faith in me to know I’m not going to let anybody down,” Mower said. “It gives me a great deal of confidence knowing they trust me, because my experience at Panther Racing has always been great. As a team I still don’t think we’re taken as seriously as we should be in IndyCar and I believe we can fight for that position – we’ve got a great core group that has been here a long time and we have an unbelievable partner in the National Guard. This team works really well together and we’re all on the same page. I’ve been on teams before where it doesn’t gel and that always leads to second-guessing of one another and I’m thankful that I always know all our guys are going to do their job. If I was given the chance to work anywhere in the paddock it would be right here at Panther, and I’m very happy to be a part of this team.”

    As Panther’s involvement with the National Guard has expanded over the years, and with the team’s recent partnership with the White House and the US Chamber of Commerce’s Hiring Our Heroes initiative, Managing Partner and CEO John Barnes is devoting more of his time to the team’s partnerships and off-track initiatives.

    Barnes worked together with Mower’s father Derek at Vel’s Parnelli Jones Racing and again at Bob Fletcher Racing over 30 years ago.

    “I’ve had a long relationship with Chris and his family and he’s always done a great job for us,” Barnes said. “Chris is a guy with a lot of integrity and business smarts that comes from his experience running his Dad’s team in Europe, where he won a lot of races and championships. As I continue to spend more of my time with the National Guard and focused on our efforts this season to help fight the unemployment issues facing their Soldiers, it only made sense to continue to expand his role with the team. We’ve got a great group of people here and we feel like we’ve got the individuals in place to get Panther Racing back at the top of this series.”

    Last Year: Panther at St. Petersburg, 2011:

    Hildebrand competed in his first IZOD IndyCar Series race with the Panther team at last year’s Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, where he improved 13 positions during the race to finish in 11th position. The young rookie showed promise as he climbed into the Top Ten before being hit by Danica Patrick on the last lap of the race, which forced him into 12th position at the conclusion of the race. Patrick was penalized for avoidable contact following the incident, and Hildebrand was moved ahead of the former Andretti Autosport driver for his 11th-place finishing position.

    Additional notes from last year’s race:

    Hildebrand’s first start with Panther Racing and first IndyCar start in St. Pete. Qualified for the race in 24th position. Was running in tenth position when, on the final lap, Danica Patrick hit the rear of Hildebrand’s National Guard car, allowing both Danica and Justin Wilson to pass the No. 4 car. Patrick was penalized for avoidable contact; Hildebrand moved up a position ahead of Patrick to finish in 11th place. Climbed a total of 13 positions; Started 24th and finished 11th. Hildebrand was the highest finishing rookie driver. Highest in-race position was 10th. Hildebrand’s 11th place finish was Panther Racing’s highest finish in St. Petersburg since Vitor Meira finished fifth in 2006.

    SGT Christopher O. Campbell Named Panther’s St. Pete Hometown Hero:

    Panther Racing has named SGT Christopher O. Campbell as its honorary Hometown Hero for the Grand Prix of St. Petersburgweekend. Panther began its Hometown Hero program in 2008 to help highlight an extraordinary Soldier from each respective state’s National Guard. Each hero participates in the IndyCar Series driver autograph session during the raceweekend and sits next to Hildebrand while signing a specialty-made hero card. The hero also takes an IndyCar Experience two-seater ride, is honored during an awards presentation in the team’s hospitality unit prior to the race and is also recognized on the pre-race stage in front of the crowd prior to the start of the race.

    Additional notes on SGT Campbell:

    Born in Tampa, Florida Enlisted in the Florida Army National Guard in July of 2008, and was a member of the Florida Honor Guard Team Was deployed to Kuwait with Alpha Company 53rd Brigade Support Battalion in 2010 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom Was selected as the Noncommissioned Officer of the Year for his Battalion in 2011

    Hildebrand Recovers Well from ACL Knee Surgery:

    JR Hildebrand did a good job concealing the fact he drove more than half of the 2011 IndyCar Series season with a torn ACL in his left knee, an injury he suffered during a PR stunt at Texas Motor Speedway. And while he insists the injury had no impact on his performance last season, the self-described “fitness geek” and “adrenaline junkie” was more bothered by the injury in the training room than on the racetrack. Following surgery to repair the injury in October of 2011 by Dr. Don Shelbourne at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, Hildebrand is recovering nicely as he rehabs daily at St. Vincent Sports Performance, and continues to pick up his workout regimen to include running, biking and a lot of other workout activities he enjoyed prior to the injury. He even went snowmobiling and ice climbing during a recent trip to Vail, Colorado and is recovering nicely from the surgery.

    QUOTABLE:

    JR Hildebrand, No. 4 National Guard Chevrolet:

    “I’m ready to rock and roll. St. Petersburg is always a great race, and the first turn alone is always pretty exciting – especially with the double-file restarts because you’re going from a huge airport runway down to a pretty tight right-hander. It’s a great place for us to start the season, St. Pete is a cool town and everybody down there really enjoys our racing. You also never knowwhat’s going to happen with the weather; sometimes it rains while we’re there and sometimes you get typical beautiful Florida weather. For me personally this year, just knowing what to expect going into the season is really helpful. I feel like we’ve had a really productive offseason and the development on the National Guard Chevrolet has gone well. It’s nice to be part of working with the Panther guys and the Chevy guys this offseason, and we’ve found the car to be really responsive to all the changes we’ve made during the testing. All our test days have been more effective than what we experienced last year, and we’re confident that’s going to translate for us a lot of places we go this season.”

    Broadcast Info:

    The IZOD IndyCar Series Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg will be broadcast live on ABC at 12:30 p.m. (ET), with additional coverage provided by the IMS Radio Network, XM Channel 145 ad Sirius Channel 121.

    www.JRHildebrandRacing.com – www.pantherracing.com – www.NationalGuard.com

  • RUSTY WALLACE RETURNING TO ASA ROOTS AT MILWAUKEE

    RUSTY WALLACE RETURNING TO ASA ROOTS AT MILWAUKEE

    –Former NASCAR Champion to Compete in ASA’s Howie Lettow 150–

    MOORESVILLE, NC (MARCH 22, 2012)–Officials of the ASA Midwest Tour and Rusty Wallace, Incorporated announced today that former NASCAR and ASA Champion, Rusty Wallace, will compete in the June 12th Howie Lettow Memorial 150 at The Milwaukee Mile. The race honors the late Lettow, a former standout ASA crew chief who mentored many young drivers.  The event will benefit the MACC Fund, dedicated to childhood cancer and blood disorder research.

    The June event will mark only Wallace’s third time at the helm of a race car in competition, following his 2005 retirement from NASCAR’s premier series. Wallace will pilot a No. 66 super late model in the event; the car was previously campaigned in 2012 by his youngest son, Steve. The younger Wallace is also scheduled to compete in the Milwaukee event, piloting a sister car to his father’s.

    The elder Wallace, the 1989 NASCAR and 1983 ASA Champion, has no lack of experience at the Milwaukee Mile. Wallace’s five victories at Milwaukee in USAC and ASA competition mark one of the most successful stock car careers in the history of “The Mile.”

    Said Wallace, “I’m really excited about racing at Milwaukee again; I have a lot of great memories of that place from over the years. While I’m looking forward to having a lot of fun, believe me, we’re going there to try and win the race too. There are a lot of great race fans in the Midwest and hopefully the ASA Midwest Tour will put on a great show for them, all the while benefitting a good cause.”

    Rusty and Steve Wallace will join other NASCAR drivers such as David Ragan, David Stremme and Tony Raines in the event, with others to be named soon. In addition to attending the race, fans can get up close and personal with the drivers at a pre-race VIP event, including a question and answer session and a private dinner with the drivers. Only 500 tickets for the VIP event will be sold. Fans can purchase tickets for the Howie Lettow Memorial 150 and the pre-race VIP event by visiting .

    # # #

    About Rusty Wallace, Inc.

    Founded in 1984 by auto racing legend, Rusty Wallace, Rusty Wallace, Inc. (RWI) is a multi-faceted enterprise with a strong focus on the automotive sector. The company’s capabilities include sports marketing, retail automotive sales, sports facility design and television broadcasting. RWI operates alongside sister entity Rusty Wallace Racing, from a state-of-the-art campus in Mooresville, NC. For more on RWI, please visit the award-winning rustywallace.com and follow on twitter at @RustyWallace.

  • Team Penske St. Pete Preview

    Team Penske St. Pete Preview

    [media-credit name=”www.gpstpete.com” align=”alignright” width=”300″][/media-credit]TEAM PENSKE EXCITED TO OPEN 2012 IZOD INDYCAR SERIES SEASON AT GRAND PRIX OF ST. PETERSBURG

    FAST FACTS

    Drivers: Ryan Briscoe (No. 2 IZOD Team Penske),

    Helio Castroneves (No. 3 Shell V-Power Pennzoil-Ultra Team Penske) and Will Power (No. 12 Verizon Team Penske)

    Event:    Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg

    Streets of St. Petersburg, Fla.

    (1.8-mile street circuit)

    When:    Qualifying – Saturday, March 24 at 1:55 p.m. ET

    Race (100 laps) – Sunday, March 25 at 12:30 p.m. ET (Live on ABC)

    TV/Radio: ABC-TV/IMS Radio Network and XM Channel 145 and Sirius Channel 211

    Sebring Sweep: Team Penske is coming off a very successful open test at Sebring where it swept the top three fastest times. Helio Castroneves paced the group with a lap time of 52.14 seconds with Will Power and Ryan Briscoe just behind him. The three drivers were separated by a mere 0.066 seconds.

    St. Pete is So Sweet: Team Penske has a strong history at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. Of the six previous IZOD IndyCar Series race run at the track, Team Penske has produced four wins, three poles and seven podium finishes. Helio Castroneves has two wins and a pole at the venue, Ryan Briscoe has a win and two podium results to his credit and Will Power has won the last two consecutive poles with a win in 2010 and a second-place finish in 2011.

    Striving for Another Strong Start: Team Penske has opened the season with a podium finish in five out of the last six years. In the first four races of 2011 Power won all four poles and had two wins with Briscoe recording two podium finishes in the same span.

    Triple Play: For the third straight season, Team Penske will compete as a full-season, three-car team. Team Penske finished second (Power), sixth (Briscoe) and 11th (Castroneves) in 2011 championship standings.

    New Year, New Car: In 2012 Team Penske will begin its pursuit of a championship with a new engine partner as Chevrolet rejoins the IndyCar Series this season with Ilmor Engineering providing support. The IZOD IndyCar series also welcomes the new DW12 chassis design in 2012 and the new car is expected to be a faster and safer car for the competitors.

    Premier Partners: Team Penske is proud to continue its relationship with existing partners and welcome several new sponsors to its family in 2012. Briscoe will continue to compete with IZOD as a sponsor of the No. 2 car, Shell-Pennzoil will serve as the primary sponsor of the No. 3 car driven by Castroneves at St. Petersburg and Power will drive the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske for the entire season.  Team Penske also features Hitachi (new in 2012), AAA, PPG and Penske Truck Rental as primary sponsors in 2012 along with associate sponsors Coca-Cola, Meijer, PTC and SKF.

    King of the Road: Power has won the Mario Andretti Road Course title in each of the past two seasons and begins his quest for a third road crown this weekend. Last season, seven of Power’s eight poles and five of his six wins came on road/street courses.

    Street Success: Team Penske excels at street course circuits. Castroneves, Briscoe and Power have all earned temporary road course victories over the last several seasons and the team overall has produced 27 poles and 17 wins at road/street course venues since 2007. Team Penske is well positioned to start the 2012 season as the first four races are all held at street or road circuits.

    No Place Like Home: The sunshine state has a Team Penske connection. Castroneves is a longtime resident of the state and maintains an office in Miami and his home Ft. Lauderdale while team advisor and four-time Indy 500 champion Rick Mears has a home in Jupiter, Fla.

    Meet Team Penske: All three Team Penske drivers will meet fans and sign autographs on two different occasions this weekend. The first opportunity will be at the Team Penske merchandise trailer at the St. Pete circuit from 5:00-5:30 pm on Friday, March 23 and the second will be in the IndyCar fan village on Saturday March 24 from 4:00-5:00 pm.

    Legacy of Success: Team Penske continues to set the standard of success in open-wheel racing. Throughout its storied history, the team has posted 159 race wins, 12 National Championships and 204 pole positions. In addition, Penske Racing has won the Indianapolis 500-mile race 15 times. Across all of its disciplines, Penske Racing teams have produced 351 major race wins, 404 pole positions and 23 National Championships.

    WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT THE HONDA GRAND PRIX OF ST. PETERSBURG

    Helio Castroneves: “Finally the 2012 season is starting in St Pete and we are very anxious to start. We had a lot of great testing and I really feel like we are prepared for what will happen with the new car and Chevrolet engine.  The No. 3 Shell Pennzoil was very strong in the open test and we want to make sure we get off to a strong start. We have won here before and hope to do it again.”

    Ryan Briscoe: “We are all very excited at Penske racing for the season to start with brand new cars and Chevy engines. I have high expectations for this year and a lot of hard work has gone in to be ready for this race in St. Petersburg. Hopefully we can come away with the win for Penske and Chevrolet.”

    Will Power: “I’m looking forward to getting the season started – it is going to be very interesting to see how all the new cars and engines stack up against each other. We have had some strong practices with our new Chevy engines so far and should have a great package put together for the race. It is important for us to get off to a good start and I feel good about competing for the win in St. Pete.”

    More information and statistics on all Penske Racing teams is available to registered members of the press at http://media.penskeracing.com. For updated stats and quotes during race weekend, please visit http://media.penskeracing.com/teampenskemedia/stpete.

  • Chad Hackenbracht Gets Off to a Good Start Early in ARCA Season

    Chad Hackenbracht Gets Off to a Good Start Early in ARCA Season

    [media-credit name=”CGH Motorsports” align=”alignleft” width=”280″][/media-credit]While watching a race from Daytona on television, Chad Hackenbracht became interested in racing and told his parents he wanted to race.

    “They told me to brush it off over a couple of weeks,” he tells the story. “After a couple of months, I said ‘What’s going on? Am I going to race?’.”

    His parents told him to come up with some possible options to go racing in, to which he responded go-karts and four wheelers. His parents turned both of those options down.

    “My mom said no to four-wheelers,” he continues. “My dad said no to the go-karts just because they don’t have seat belts. So when you wreck, the object is to get away as far as possible from the kart by flying out of it.”

    The end result was the family buying a quarter midget to race in the Mid Western Quarter Midget Association to begin his career.

    Flash forward to the present day and Hackenbracht is now a competitor in the ARCA Racing Series for CGH Motorsports, currently sitting third in points.

    With points leader Cale Gale not expected to compete in all the races this season, Hackenbracht currently sits second of the full-time series drivers, 10 points behind Brennan Poole.

    “So far, we’ve run really well,” he says. “Daytona is sort of a crapshoot and we were running pretty good, got shuffled out to the outside. But we came out with a clean racecar, ready to go to Talladega.”

    Last weekend at Mobile, Gale scored another second place finish while Cale Gale went on to win the race.

    “We’re really satisfied with that so far,” he says. “Can’t really ask for too much more.”

    He is also on track with his expectations for 2012 as he expects to run in the top five while contending for the championship.

    Before they can get to that point, he is hoping that a sponsor comes on board.

    “Right now, we don’t know what races we’re going to and what races we’re not going to,” he comments.  “So it’s kind of tough and nerve-wracking as a driver not knowing where you’re going to race.”

    That’s why it’s important to get off to a good start, but also so that way they’re not in a hole.

    “When you’re trying to work your way up in points from 40th, it just makes for a long year,” he says. “It takes a lot more to get up front if you don’t start at the beginning of the season.”

    If things come together, Hackenbracht and team are ready to head to Salem Speedway next month.

    “If we go there, I picture a win because every time we’ve been there the past few times, we’ve run top five and had the fastest car all day long,” he says. “We have just had something mechanical happen. So expectation is definitely a win and top five qualifying, but hopefully we can come out of there with a good finish and maybe the points lead.”

    A lot of people looked to Hackenbracht and CGH Motorsports to have a successful 2012 season based on last year.

    Last season, he scored three top fives and 10 top 10s on his way to finishing eighth in points and impressing many people near the end of the season due to being a small, family-based team. Hackenbracht doesn’t consider it being a bad position to be in.

    “It’s not too tough when you have the right people, and I think we definitely do,” he says. “We’re definitely a small organization – we’ve only got three full-time guys. Kevin Reed came over from Venturini (Motorsports) and he’s done really well. He’s definitely stepped up our program. It’s not really tough to run against any so-called big name teams because once you get out there, it’s up to the driver. If you have the ability, then you’re going to be able to run with them.”

    Hackenbracht says one of the biggest lessons he learned last year was patience.

    “You’ve got 200 laps on these short tracks and you don’t need to going all out racing somebody for three or four laps, wearing out your equipment on lap 100,” he explains. “You don’t really have to use your equipment because it gets really hectic there at the end and that’s where you start getting the runs and able to go for the win with about 50 to go.”

    The patience factor is something he has in common with his racing hero – Mark Martin.

    “He’s a real clean racer and everyone sort of respects him and there’s not too much controversy surrounding him,” he says.

    For more information on Chad Hackenbracht and CGH Motorsports, please visit ChadHackenbracht.com and CGHMotorsports.com. 

  • INDYCAR Hopeful TJ Fischer Advances to Formula Mazda

    Vacaville, CA – Northern California INDYCAR hopeful and open wheel standout TJ Fischer will be advancing his career and showcasing his skill in the Formula Mazda Series for 2012.

    Rathbun Associates has been announced as a multi-year primary sponsor for the young phenom as he advances through the ranks to INDYCAR in the next few years. Rathbun, based out of the Silicon Valley, is a premier provider of innovative technical solutions to the electronics industry on a global scale. In addition, Drive Motorsports International has been brought on as an independent consultant to oversee the sponsorship and provide an ultra-modern approach to ensure all of TJ’s partners are achieving the most progressively advanced returns available.

    “We are really looking forward to the partnership with TJ, he is one of the highest rated up and coming drivers and are happy to be able to grow along with TJ and will be supporting him this year in Formula Mazda, next year in Star Mazda and then into INDY LITES and beyond. We see a significant opportunity for commercial benefit through this opportunity for our clients and customers. TJ aligns perfectly with our core values and this was one of those “to good to pass up” opportunities Said William Franco, Chief Operating Officer, Rathbun Associates.

    It was also announced that TJ has signed on with EFM Racing, a multi-championship winning team, lead by industry veteran Eric Purcell. “TJ is a gifted driver and is very smart to be choosing this career path, instead of trying to go to big to soon. It just goes to show the head on this kids shoulders and that he’s in for the long run” Said Purcell. “His lap times have set the bar for testing, if that doesn’t say enough then I don’t know what does”.

    “I’m really thankful and excited for the opportunity I have here and look forward to learning as much as I can. I am so excited to start racing the Indy Car ladder system. I know EFM Racing and Eric Purcell are a great fit for me. We will be an immediate force on the track”, said TJ Fischer. “I don’t just want to race in INDYCAR, I want to win in INDYCAR and that takes a solid foundation of skill and experience and I believe I am doing the right thing in the long run by following this road to INDYCAR for both my career and my sponsors”.

    About TJ Fischer- Acknowledged as a talented and exciting up and comer, TJ was given the name “Rain-Maker” by E-Karting at the same time being selected as a National Driver of the Month in 2011. TJ began his racing career at the age of twelve racing near his hometown of Vacaville, CA. After racing and competing against the best up and coming drivers in the nation, TJ began to explore opportunities to race at a higher level that would challenge him differently than ever before and has set his sight on INDYCAR in coming years. TJ’s racing resume includes extensive karting, where he was 2009 HPV-2 champion, 2010 IKF Region 11 Tag Sr. champion, SKUSA 2011 NorCal Tag Sr. runner-up and finished 3rd in the 2011 Rotax DD2 Sr. National Championships, as well as winning a race in the highly competitive Gatorz Challenge of the America’s in 2011 and was awarded Northern California’s Senior Driver of the Year for 2011 by NorCal Karters.com.

    About Rathbun Associates- Rathbun Associates is a global distributor and converter of 3M thermal, adhesive, and vibration solutions to the Electronics, Semi-Conductor, Biotech, and Med-tech industries. Rathbun offers over 45 years of experience serving the San Francisco Bay area, Silicon Valley as well as World-wide.

    About EFM Racing- EFM Racing is powerhouse, multi-championship winning racing organization providing design, engineering, manufacturing and preparation services for a wide variety of motorsports activities. EFM owner Eric Purcell is a highly respected race engineer with professional championships in several categories of racing.

    For more information on TJ Fischer: www.tjfischerracing.com

    Follow TJ on Twitter and Facebook for racing updates; @TRAVIS_J_F and www.facebook.com/tjfischerracing

    For more information on Rathbun Associates: www.rathbun.com

    For more information on EFM Racing: www.efmracing.com

  • Andretti Autosports Signs Carlos Muñoz to Drive in Indy Lights

    Andretti Autosports Signs Carlos Muñoz to Drive in Indy Lights

    [media-credit name=”Andretti Autosport” align=”alignleft” width=”178″][/media-credit]Andretti Autosport announced it has signed Carlos Muñoz for the 2012 Firestone Indy Lights season.

    “We compete in the Mazda Road to Indy ladder to help develop young and talented people, and Carlos is the latest member of this development team,” Michael Andretti, Andretti Autosport owner says.

    He will be paired AFS Racing/Andetti Autosport’s Sebastian Saavedra. Muñoz will be the third Columbian competing in the Indy Lights.

    “Having two entries in Firestone Indy Lights allows us to be a stronger contender for the championship and we are looking forward to having Carlos join our effort,” Andretti continues.

    Muñoz will drive the No. 26 Dialy-Ser Firestone Indy Lights Car.

    “I am really happy to be joining a team with such great history and to be working with the Andretti family,” Muñoz says. “I think we can do a really good job and be successful this year. I know that Sebastian (Saavedra) and I will work well together as teammates. I am looking forward to joining everyone and excited to go to St. Pete to start the season.”

    Muñoz began racing in karting in 2002 and has competed in European single-seaters since the age of 15. Most recently, he has competed in the Formula 3 Euro Series the last two seasons and competed at the famed Macau Grand Prix and Masters of F3.

    The Firestone Indy Lights season begins this weekend with St. Petersburg this Saturday at 5pm EST. The race will be shown live on NBC.

  • Q&A with NASCAR race winner Nelson Piquet Jr

    Q&A with NASCAR race winner Nelson Piquet Jr

    [media-credit name=”bristolmotorspeedway.com” align=”alignright” width=”300″][/media-credit]Nelson Piquet Jr won the first race of his NASCAR career at Bristol Motor Speedway this weekend driving for X Team Racing on his K&N East championship debut.

    Nelson now joins an elite club of just eight foreign-born drivers to visit Victory Lane in the NASCAR ranks. His seven compatriots include Mario Andretti (Italy), Earl Ross (Canada), Juan Pablo Montoya (Columbia), Marcos Ambrose (Australia), Ron Fellows (Canada) and two K&N winners from Mexico.

    Your first NASCAR win. Can you put your feelings into words? It was a great result and a very important day for me. We were fastest in free practice, I got my first NASCAR pole and then my first win. To achieve my first victory in the USA and my first victory in a stock car, is a very special emotion for me. To carry the Brazilian flag to Victory Lane was part of the dream for me and now I’ve conquered that it is such a motivation for the rest of the year.

    It looked like a pretty perfect weekend, fastest in final practice and pole in qualifying. Was it more complicated than it seemed? It was much harder than it looked! We weren’t the quickest car and during the race I got into traffic and dropped to fifth at one point in the middle stages of the race. The car improved and luckily got better throughout the run and kept improving to the end. I got a little lucky as two guys in front of me had an accident but I managed to put myself in the right place and overtook the two other cars and got the win.

    As a proud Brazilian, what did it mean to win in a Latin American team? At the end of the day it is the same feeling to win in any team but it’s good to be able to give a Brazilian team a first victory and being a Brazilian driver it’s always going to be remembered by the team.

    How does it feel to be the first Brazilian to win a NASCAR race? I want to be the first Brazilian to win a Sprint championship so my goals are definitely higher but this is a good start.

    What has the reaction been from your fellow NASCAR community? It’s been really great, I’ve had a lot of congratulations. It’s good for people to see that I’m learning and improving and dedicating myself to competing in NASCAR.

    Can you explain how this win sets you up for the rest of the NASCAR season? It’s definitely good to have this right at the start of the year and it’s good practice for me. Seat time, especially on short tracks where you are running close to the other cars, has been something I needed experience in so I’m focused on ironing out any place that I need more experience. I’ll probably race the K&N series again at Richmond for that reason.

    Nelson’s next NASCAR race will take place on 31 March in the Camping World Truck Series at Martinsville, but ahead of that he will run a late model race in Kingsport next weekend.

  • Kaeding Brings Thunder to Thunderbowl

    Kaeding Brings Thunder to Thunderbowl

    [media-credit name=”World of Outlaws” align=”alignright” width=”225″][/media-credit]The Outlaws knew the rain was coming to the Thunderbowl Raceway at Tulare, California and they were determined to beat the storm. Hot laps began about 45 minutes early in an attempt to get the whole show in before mother nature dropped added moisture onto an already soupy track. Hot laps went off without a hitch and qualifying saw lap times of 13 seconds around the 1/3 mile track. Quick time was set by Kasey Kahne Racing’s Joey Saldana with a lap of 13.151 seconds. He was followed closely by Sammy Swindell, who entered the event as the series points leader, with a time of 13.641. Craig Dollansky, Tim Kaeding and Kraig Kinser rounded out the fast five all with laps in the 13 second bracket.

    The heat races were for the most part hard charging but unremarkable with 20 time Outlaws Champion, Steve Kinser taking the first heat, 4 time series champion, Donny Shatz the second, and Jason Sides the third.

    The Dash inversion was an 8. Which meant that Joey Saldana would start outside the 4th row. By virtue of his heat race win Steve Kinser would start on the pole flanked by Jason Sides for the 8 lap dash to determine the first 5 rows of the A main. Jason Sides would get an early jump on Kinser and take over the point and would hold it until the checkers to claim the pole for the A Main. Transferring in from the B Main were Cody Darrah, Tyler Wolf, Trey Starks, Cory Eliason, Chad Kemenah and Bill Rose. The field was set for what would be a fierce pack battle for the Thunderbowl night 1 trophy.

    Steve Kinser would take the lead early in the Main but Tim Kaeding who started fourth would rocket by Kinser on the high side on lap 9. The pass would not be without it’s price as Kaeding while attempting to lap Bill Rose would have some contact and damage the nose wing of the car. The wing would collapse on the left side but Kaeding would continue to pull away from the 20 time champion. On lap 11 Kinser would got together with Rose and spun the car into the infield and continued on. The caution would fly and Kinser was placed by Outlaws rules where he would have blended into traffic leaving him to restart in the 12th position. This would bring Jason Sides to the second position. Sides would start side by side with Kaeding 6 times but was never able to capitalize on the restart.

    On lap 26 the A main short circuited. The short began when Jonathan Allard stopped on the front stretch because he was out of helmet tear offs and could not see. It was followed by Kerry Madsen’s roll over in turn 2 and Bud Kaeding coming to a stop in turn 2. It was then that mother nature made her presence known. Scattered heavy showers limited visibility for the drivers and they voted that it was too wet to continue. The race was red flagged and the cars were sent to the work area in the pits where they could make whatever changes they wanted to their cars including changing tires.

    Upon return to the track The final red flag would fly on the restart when Sammy Swindell and Lucas Wolfe would tangle and roll in turn 2. Both drivers would walk away uninjured but neither would return to the track. The final yellow would fly for Chad Kemenah’s spin in turn 2. Kaeding would jump out to a big lead once again when Jason Sides hesitated on the restart. The hesitation would cost Sides the second spot to Craig Dollansky. Kaeding would never look back and would win the Thunderbowl with ease. Kaeding who is the first 2nd time winner of the 2012 season stated, “My motto is live and die by the high side and I was livin’ it up tonight.” Finishing 2nd Craig Dollansky,3rd Jason Sides, 4th Terry McCarl, 5th Joey Saldana, 6th Donny Shatz,  7th Steve Kinser, 8th Austen Wheatly, 9th Bud Kaeding and rounding out the top ten was Kraig Kinser.

    This race was a smorgasboard of action. The fierce competiton between Sammy Swindell and Joey Saldana. The incredible skill and determination of Steve Kinser to come back from 12th spot to finish in the top 10. A hail mary move by Donny Shatz to propel him into fifth spot which he eventually lost to Joey Saldana but would pick up 1st in the points with Sammy Swindell’s misfortune late in the race. Kraig Kinser extended his streak to 5 races in the top 10. Honestly, there was no where to look and not see hard core racing. The Outlaws came to dominate the night and to race on the very edge of the envelope and they did exactly that.

    Kudos to Outlaw and track officials on waiting the shower out. With only 10 laps to go many series would have thrown the checkers and said lets go home boys. Instead they waited it out and kept trucks on the track to maintain the pack and went back to racing. Kudos to the drivers for braving a “snotty” (wet and slick) track to quote Johnny Gibson, the voice of the outlaws, to finish the show for the fans in the stands and for those who were listening and following at home.

    Note: In a morning press release from The World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series the second night at Thunderbowl speedway has been rained out. But both the track and the series are working diligently to schedule a make up date. For updates on a rescheduled date, go to www.ThunderbowlRaceway.com or www.WorldofOutlaws.com.

  • ARCA: Rookie Mason Mingus Continued to Learn at Mobile

    ARCA: Rookie Mason Mingus Continued to Learn at Mobile

    [media-credit name=”Knight Motorsports Management” align=”alignleft” width=”133″][/media-credit]Rookie Mason Mingus continued to learn last weekend at Mobile International Speedway as he finished 19th after running in the top five at one point.

    “I’m upset with what happened there near the end of the race, because we really were starting to come into our own,” Mingus says. “Our Call 811 Before You Dig car is pretty wrinkled up, but I guess that’s just the characteristics of being a rookie and racing on a short track.

    On a restart with 85 to go, the 17-year-old restarted 13th after making a green-flag pit stop. Short track racing is always tight and as a result of some contact, Mingus damaged the rear-end. Crew Chief Mike Chaffee brought Mingus down pit road to fix the damage, putting Mingus in the 24th position. From there, Mingus was able to work his way back up to the top 15, before going for a spin on lap 177.

    The Win-Tron team would make repairs and Mingus would set forth on the climb again, just barely cracking the top 20.

    “I couldn’t have asked anything more from the team,” he says. “We went forward from the time the green flag dropped and the car was really good. Our goal this weekend was to finish the race and we accomplished that, I just wish it would have been a little better terms.”

    Despite the disappointments, Nate Thiesse, the co-car-owner of Win-Tron Racing says he was pleased with the day.

    “Honestly, we couldn’t have any expected anything more from Mason,” he says. “He did everything right this weekend. He acquired seat time, ran competitive laps and made improvement during the race. I know he’s a little down because of the late race entanglement, but that’s just part of short track racing near the end of the race where the intensity picks up a ton.

    “For just his second ARCA race, he was able to come from the back to the front twice and see the checkered flag, so we’re proud of him and look to build on this at our next venue at Salem.”

    Further information including driver opportunities with Win-Tron Racing is available by visiting win-tronracing.com.

    For more on Mason Mingus, please visit MasonMingusRacing.com.

  • ASA RACING WELCOMES SOURCE ONE DIGITIAL AS THEIR “OFFICIAL SIGNAGE SUPPLIER”

    ASA RACING WELCOMES SOURCE ONE DIGITIAL AS THEIR “OFFICIAL SIGNAGE SUPPLIER”

    [media-credit name=”www.asa-racing.com” align=”alignright” width=”200″][/media-credit]DAYTONA BEACH, FL (Friday, March 16, 2012) – ASA Racing is proud to announce a two-year partnership with Source One Digital as their “Official Signage Supplier.” The benefits of this partnership will be available for ASA Racing, ASA Member Tracks, ASA Sanctioned Series and ASA Members.

    “This is a great opportunity for Source One Digital to be involved with ASA Racing,” Jim Sowa, National Sales Director for Source One Digital said.  “This will be a great addition to our resume of clients that include the NCAA, major corporations, major and minor league sport teams, and more.  We recently added new printers that will produce higher quality products and faster turn around times.”

    Based in Norton Shores, MI, Source One Digital recently added the Fuji Inca Onset S40, Fuji Acuity and Fuji UviStar2 to their lineup.  With their printer lineup and talented production staff, there is nothing they can’t produce.  They are one of a few companies in the United States to offer high-resolution Grand Format Printing, finishing and fulfillment all under one roof.

    “We are proud to welcome Source One Digital to the ASA Family,” Dennis Huth, ASA President said.  “We look forward to working with Source One Digital for our banner and sign needs along with providing their great service and very competitive cost to our ASA Member Tracks, Series and Members.”

    For more information on Source One Digital, please visit their website at www.sourceonedigital.com.

    To learn more about the ASA Member Tracks and Sanctioned Series in your area, please visit www.asa-racing.com. Follow ASA Racing on Facebook at www.facebook.com/american.speed.assocand on Twitter at @ASARacing.

    You can also look for the nearest ASA Member Track, get the weekend schedule, ASA Series information right on your smartphone by downloading the ASA Racing App for the iPhone and Android phones for free.  Just search for ASA Racing on iTunes and the Android Market and get the app today for FREE!

    The American Speed Association started as a single racing series in 1968 and is a fast growing racing sanctioning body today. The ASA Member Track program sanctions dirt and asphalt short tracks along with road courses around the United States, as well as a variety of regional and national touring series. For more information call (386) 258-2221, or send an email to info@asa-racing.com. The latest news and information from all the racetracks and tours involved in the ASA can be found by visiting www.ASA-Racing.com.

    ASA®, ASA Racing®, American Speed Association® are registered trademarks of Racing Speed Associates, LLC.