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Other series racing

  • Frank Kimmel Ready To Go After 10th ARCA Championship

    Frank Kimmel Ready To Go After 10th ARCA Championship

    [media-credit id=4 align=”alignleft” width=”112″][/media-credit]As the ARCA Racing Series enters its 60th year of competition, the history books get re-opened to view how the series has grown. Through the last 20 years, one of the drivers that has stood out is Frank Kimmel.

    Going into 2012, Kimmel has his sights set on his 10th ARCA championship as he won the championship in 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 while leading 10,177 laps in 191 races (most of any active driver). Kimmel will look to increase on both of his records, driving the No. 44 Ansell/Menards Toyota with the same colors, yet with a new team in 2012.

    Kimmel announced near the end of last year that he had signed a deal to drive with ThorSport Racing, who will expand their operation to the ARCA Series. ThorSport Racing had run primarily as a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team, finishing second in points last year with driver Johnny Sauter. This marks the first time that they will be in the ARCA Series.

    Beyond the goal of winning the championship, Kimmel is also focused on another record – most all-time career victories in the series. Currently, Iggy Katona holds the record with 79. Kimmel, meanwhile, currently has 74 wins going into the 2012 season.

    “Every year I get asked what’s important to me to achieve for the season,” Kimmel, who finished third in points last season, says. “Winning Daytona is first on the list for me, and it’s important for my entire family. Being the first race for ThorSport Racing, everyone’s working really hard to achieve some wins – period. Daytona would be great and such an accomplishment, but we all know what can happen there. I can honestly remember racing for two years without ever winning at all, and that’s why it means a lot to have 74 wins under my belt now. The first time at Toledo was such a big thing for us. I have a lot to prove this year to win again, since it has been three years since I’ve been to Victory Lane. Iggy Katona is a huge hero of mine; he raced against my dad for years. He’s the man. It’s a privilege to be in the same class of driver as such an ARCA Racing legend as Iggy.”

    Beyond just the win record, Kimmel is also closing in on the most career poles award. Katona currently holds that with 43, while Kimmel has 42. One of Kimmel’s sponsors, Ansell, will be giving out the trophies this year, along with Menards.

    Throughout his career, Kimmel has 233 top-five finishes and 300 top-10 finishes, but also beyond the statistics, could say a lot about ARCA’s history.

    “Getting the first win is the most amazing achievement,” he says. “I raced many years with Terry Shirley in the 02 car, and we only won one. When Terry left to be a crew chief, I didn’t have a team to drive for at all. I thought I’d be driving late models. Then I was picked up by Dan Faldorf and got with Larry Clement. We ended up putting a hodge-podge of races together by the skin of our teeth, and with blood, sweat, and tears, we ended up fifth in driver points and didn’t even go to every race. When we came back the next year and ran full-time for Larry, being manager, driver, and everything, we were second in the points, so we kept climbing. Then the following year, in 1998, we won our first championship. It just goes to show that the competition is always so fierce, it takes a lot to get there and it means so much. Every one of my nine championship trophies have people and a great story behind them. In my tenure of ARCA Racing Series driving, every year is a great battle. It’s going to be a lot of fun competition in 2012.”

  • Ron Fellows and Scott Steckly To Appear at Canadian Motorsports Expo

    Ron Fellows and Scott Steckly To Appear at Canadian Motorsports Expo

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    NASCAR fans will get their good dosage worth of content at this year’s Canadian Motorsports Expo as both Ron Fellows’ No. 88 Canadian Tire NASCAR Nationwide Series Show car and Scott Steckly’s No. 22 Canadian Tire/Motomaster Dodge will be on display.

    Both Fellows and Steckly will also be on hand to sign autographs throughout the weekend.

    This will be part of Canadian Tire’s 5,000 square foot display.

    “We’re thrilled to be part of the 6th Annual Canadian Motorsport Expo and to connect with Canadians that share our passion for auto racing,” Allan McDonald, Senior Vice President of Automotive at Canadian Tire, says. “As title sponsors of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series we’ve been blown away by the support and enthusiasm of Canadian fans. We’re committed to fostering the growth of auto racing in Canada through our support of the series and are looking forward to an exciting 2012 season.”

    The display will also include Canadian Tire’s 53-foot racing hauler, a pit stop challenge and a money machine. The money machine, which resembles a glass phone booth, has Canadian Tire Money that swirls around and contestants can keep all the money they grab in 20 seconds. Canadian Tire will also be giving out samples of products during the weekend.

    “We are very proud to welcome Canadian Tire as a major exhibitor at the 6th Annual Canadian Motorsports Expo Powered by Inside Track,” CME Co-promoter Rob Morton says. “From the company’s long-running support of some of Canada’s top racers and events, to their current sponsorship of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, Scott Steckly, Ron Fellows and others, Canadian Tire is an undisputed leader in Canadian motorsports. Racers and fans appreciate Canadian Tire’s commitment to their sport and their dedication to offering the best service, expertise and products – many of them race and track-tested.”

    The Sixth Annual Canadian Motorsports Expo will be happening February 10th to 12th at Toronto’s International Centre.

    Ron Fellow is a legendary road racer and the new owner of Mosport, while Scott Steckly won his second NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Championship last season.

  • Apollo Motorsports, EMCO Corporation and Noel Dowler Reach Agreement for 2012 and Beyond

    Apollo Motorsports, EMCO Corporation and Noel Dowler Reach Agreement for 2012 and Beyond

    Apollo Motorsports and EMCO Corporation have reached a multi-year agreement with[media-credit name=”NASCAR” align=”alignright” width=”157″][/media-credit] that will see Dowler be driving the No. 5 EMCO Dodge for the full season in 2012 and beyond.

    I‘m really pleased to have this partnership with EMCO,” Dowler said. “We came together last year and planned on competing in only a select number of events. When we found ourselves in the hunt for rookie of the year we added the final few races to the schedule and it’s been building from there. The confidence EMCO has shown in our group with this commitment is a huge boost for our team.”

    Graham Faulder, Area Manager for EMCO Corporation, is also excited about the committment.

    “At EMCO we are very pleased to be aligned with Noel Dowler and the No. 5 EMCO Dodge team in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity to grow our customer relationships at various NASCAR events across the country. NASCAR continues to grow in popularity and EMCO is excited about expanding our market presence along with (stock-car) racing in Canada.

    “The Apollo Motorsports Team had an excellent first year. The team and young Noel Dowler learned alot last season, and they were great ambassadors for our employees and customers. We look forward to 2012 and we’ll be in the winner’s circle when Noel gets win number one.”

    Dowler will get an early start to the season as he will be traveling to New Smyrna Speedway in Florida.

    We have a car that DJ Kennington has been preparing for us to race,” said Dowler. “It’s a great opportunity to get some more experience against some good competition before the NCATS season begins.”

    Dowler will be competiting in cars built by DJK Racing for the entire 2012 season, also.

    The 2012 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series begins May 20th at Mosport International Raceway. For more information about Noel Dowler, log onto www.apollomotorsports.ca.

  • Brennan Poole To Run Daytona ARCA Race for Venturini Motorsports

    Brennan Poole To Run Daytona ARCA Race for Venturini Motorsports

    After winning in his ARCA debut last year at Salem Speedway, Brennan Poole enters the 2012 season looking to have even more success. The 2011 UARA-STARS National Champion will be driving the No. 25 Adcetera-Venturini Motorsports Chevrolet in the ARCA Racing Series’ season-opening Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at Daytona International Speedway.

    “We’ve had a lot of success at every step, but to race for a storied team like Venturini Motorsports, especially at Daytona, certainly is the highlight,” the 20-year-old said. “The Venturinis have high standards and very high expectations every time they go to Daytona. It’s my job not to let them down.”

    In four ARCA starts with Venturini Motorsports, the Woodlands, Texas native won a race and captured the Menards Pole Awards presented by Ansell at Pocono Raceway.

    “Brennan has been impressive every time he’s been in the seat for VMS,” Billy Venturini said. “He tested well in December and has been preparing for this race the entire offseason. I think he’s got a great shot, and we expect him to shine at Daytona.”

    Venturini will also serve as the crew chief for the team’s flagship entry as the No. 25 holds a key history note with the Venturini Motorsports team. The car will also be paitned in the same color scheme – red and blue – originally used by Billy Venturini during his 10-year driving career.

    Practice for the season-opening race starts on Thursday, February 16, while Menards Pole Qualifying is Friday, February 17, at 2 p.m. The race, scheduled to be televised live by SPEED, is Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET.

  • JRM and Speedco Announce Partnership in Multiple Racing Divisions

    JRM and Speedco Announce Partnership in Multiple Racing Divisions

    MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Jan. 31, 2012) – Speedco Truck Lube and Tires, a national company that specializes in quick lubes and tire services for the trucking industry, will join the JR Motorsports team as primary sponsor of the company’s late model program and associate sponsor on its NASCAR Nationwide Series Chevrolets in 2012, JRM co-owner and general manager Kelley Earnhardt announced today.

    Speedco joins the No. 88 late model team and 21-year-old driver Josh Berry. Berry was recently named the 2011 recipient of the Speed51.com/AR Bodies Late Model Most Popular Driver award, a competition which encompassed multiple late model drivers across the United States and Canada. His on-track performance last year netted one win, nine top fives, and 16 top-10 finishes.

    Speedco is also returning for its second season sponsoring L.W. Miller in the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour. In addition to his driving duties, Miller will serve as crew chief and team manager for the No. 88 late model team this season.

    “Having Speedco join JR Motorsports in support of all our racing programs is a privilege,” Kelley Earnhardt said. “Our company is greatly appreciative of their involvement. Speedco has been a phenomenal supporter of local racing, and now we’re proud to showcase their brand at both the local and national level.”

    In the NASCAR Nationwide Series, Speedco receives b-post placement on the No. 5, 7 and 88 Chevrolets. The cars will be piloted by Dale Earnhardt Jr., Danica Patrick and Cole Whitt, respectively. Patrick and Whitt are competing for the series championship, while Earnhardt Jr. will race sporadically throughout the season starting at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 25.

    “I am thankful for the opportunity to continue working with Speedco and look forward to building a relationship with everyone at JR Motorsports and our Speedco late model driver Josh Berry,” said Darin Odle, director of motorsports for Speedco. “I especially want to thank my good friend, L.W. Miller, for helping put our program together for 2012.”

    ABOUT SPEEDCO Speedco Truck Lube and Tire is a provider of on-highway truck lubrication and routine tire services to commercial truck owner-operators and fleets. Speedco is owned by Bridgestone Bandag, LLC, which has an 87.5 percent interest in Speedco, Inc.  Bridgestone Bandag, LLC is part of Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions (BBTS), an operating unit of Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC. BBTS provides new Bridgestone, Firestone and Dayton brand medium and heavy duty truck tires, and Bandag brand retreading materials and equipment to more than 2,500 dealers, truck stops and franchised Bandag retreaders throughout the U.S. and Canada.

    ABOUT JR MOTORSPORTS: Based in Mooresville, N.C., JR Motorsports is the management company and racing operation for Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR’s nine-time Most Popular Driver and winner of more than 40 NASCAR-sanctioned races.  JR Motorsports competes in multiple racing divisions, including the NASCAR Nationwide Series where the team owns 10 victories.  To learn more about the organization and its stable of drivers which include Earnhardt Jr., Danica Patrick and Cole Whitt, visit www.JRMracing.com. The JR Motorsports facility also houses the JR Nation retail store, Hammerhead Entertainment and JRM Licensing.

  • Formula One Veteran Rubens Barrichello Tests IZOD IndyCar Series Car with KV Racing

    Formula One Veteran Rubens Barrichello Tests IZOD IndyCar Series Car with KV Racing

    Two weeks ago, Tony Kanaan hinted towards Rubens Barrichello that he should come try the IZOD IndyCar Series out. That small hint has now turned into a deal into the making as the Formula One veteran tested a car for KV Racing.

    “We’ll see,” Barrichello said after the first day of testing at Sebring on January 30th. “I don’t have anything else (competitive driving), so we’ll see.”

    Kanaan pulled out all the stops for his friend as he welcomed him with a dinner that included fellow IndyCar drivers Helio Castroneves, Will Power and Oriol Servia on January 29th.

    “Over the winter we talked about it, but it became serious when I was testing (at Sebring) and they announced that he wouldn’t be with Williams, and I tweeted a picture of my car saying ‘It’s ready for you,’” Kanaan said. “Then I called him up and said, ‘Hey, you want to come test at the end of the month?’ And he said yes, so I called Jimmy (Vasser).

    “It’s great to have a guy I can call a brother with us. (His future) is in his hands. Right now, it’s just an invitation for him to help us out as far as his feedback. Nineteen years in Formula One, the guy has so much knowledge we need to take advantage of . What goes beyond that, it’s up to him.

    “Knowing Rubens, his timeline will be pretty short. By the time he gets out of the car (Jan. 31), he’ll have a pretty good idea what he wants to do. Right now, we don’t have anyone signed for the other two cars. You can tell by his face he’s having a lot of fun.”

    IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard was also on-hand and would like to have Barrichello in the IndyCar Series.

    “If Rubens joins the IZOD IndyCar Series, it continues to strengthen the caliber of drivers that we’re attracting,” Bernard said. “His record alone is the type of excitement that we want to build within the series and give our fanbase. When you look at the history of Indy car and the greats such as Nigel Mansell and Emerson Fittipaldi, it only helps the stature of Indy car. If there is a transition, I want him to know that we’re here to help him.”

    Barrichello has had notable success in F1 as he has 11 wins, 68 podiums and 14 pole positions, though was replaced by Bruno Seena at Williams F1 at the end of the season.

    Kanaan and Barrichello are close as Kanaan is the godfather of one of Barrichello’s sons.

  • Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates Take Fourth and Sixth in 50th Rolex 24 At Daytona

    Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates Take Fourth and Sixth in 50th Rolex 24 At Daytona

    [media-credit name=”chipganassiracing.com” align=”alignright” width=”159″][/media-credit]Results (with starting position) from Rolex 24 At Daytona

    1. (6) No.60 Ford Riley (Allmendinger, Negri, Pew, Wilson)

    4. (3) No.02 Target/TELMEX Dinan-Prepared BMW Riley (Dixon, Franchitti, Montoya, McMurray)

    6. (13) No.01 TELMEX/Target Dinan-Prepared BMW Riley (Pruett, Rojas, Rahal, Hand)

    Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates Take Fourth and Sixth in 50th Rolex 24 At Daytona

    DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (January 30, 2012) – The Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS) No.02 Target/TELMEX and No.01 TELMEX/Target Dinan-Prepared BMW Riley Daytona Prototype (DP) entries finished fourth and sixth, respectively, in the 50th Anniversary of the Rolex 24 At Daytona at Daytona International Speedway.

    The No. 02 DP driven by 2006 Race Winner Scott Dixon and co-drivers Dario Franchitti (2008 Winner), Juan Pablo Montoya (2007, 2008 Winner) and NASCAR star Jamie McMurray had trouble in the overnight portion of the race when the team had to repair a broken shifter.  The car headed to the garage area at 2:44 a.m. ET and returned to the track in ninth position and four laps down to the leader after a five-minute repair. The team was able to gain three laps back in the final two hours of the event to finish fourth with Montoya behind the wheel in the final stint.

    After contending in the top three overall for most of the 24-hour race, four-time and defending Rolex 24 At Daytona Winner Scott Pruett and co-drivers Memo Rojas (2008, 2011 Winner), Graham Rahal (2011 Winner) and Joey Hand (2011 Winner) were running in second with just over an hour to go in the race when the No.01 DP encountered gear box issues and were forced to come pit road.  The team lost ground after having to replace the gear box and rejoined the race in sixth and four laps down with just under 50 minutes until the checkered flag.  With little time remaining to make up the time lost, the No.01 crossed the finish line sixth with Pruett behind the wheel in the final stint.

    NOTES OF INTEREST:

    –       The 50th running of the Rolex 24 At Daytona had a total of 14 caution flags for 58 laps

    –       There were 10 total leaders over the course of the 24 hours

    –       The No. 01 TELMEX/Target Dinan-Prepared BMW Riley led a total of 96 out of 761 laps

    –       The No. 02 Target/TELMEX Dinan-Prepared BMW Riley led a total of 52 out of 761 laps

    –       Pruett led the most laps for CGRFS with a total of 79

    –       CGRFS has earned 10 top-five finishes in each Rolex 24 At Daytona since first competing in the race in 2004

    –       The race marked the first Rolex 24 At Daytona since 2005 that CGRFS finished off of the podium

    –       Pruett still holds the all-time class victory mark at the Rolex 24 At Daytona with nine (1987, 1988, 1992, 1993, 1994, 2002, 2007, 2008, 2011).

    –       Pruett has a record 37 overall GRAND-AM Rolex Series wins in addition to four overall wins at the Rolex 24 (1994, 2007, 2008, 2011)

    –       CGRFS still holds the greatest six-race stretch in Rolex 24 At Daytona history with four wins (2006, 2007, 2008, 2011) and two second-place finishes (2009, 2010) dating back to 2006

    –       CGRFS has five championships (2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2011) and 37 race wins since their introduction to the circuit in 2004– all GRAND-AM records

    –       Pruett and Rojas continue to be the most successful driving duo in series history with 23 GRAND-AM race wins

    CGRFS QUOTEBOARD

    SCOTT PRUETT – (No.01 TELMEX/Target Dinan-Prepared BMW Riley)

    “What a race.  You really never know what is going to happen here. This is the big one that we all love to win in sports car racing in America.  We had a great car and even with the fact we had to overcome a gearbox issue near the end, I’m just not sure we had anything for the two Fords up front.  It was a total team effort like always from the Ganassi team, and Memo and I are looking forward to Barber in March.”

    JUAN PABLO MONTOYA – (No.02 Target/TELMEX Dinan-Prepared BMW Riley)

    “We gave it all we had.  For the second year in a row we just couldn’t make it happen.  It’s disappointing what happened in the middle of the night.  I really enjoy running this race with this group of guys (Dixon, Franchitti and McMurray).  One of these days we’ll get this right and win it again.”

    The next GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series race for the CGRFS season-long effort in the No.01 TELMEX Dinan-Prepared BMW Riley with Pruett and Rojas will be at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Al on March 31. The Porsche 250 will air on SPEED at 4:00 pm ET.

    About Chip Ganassi Racing Teams

    Chip Ganassi has been a fixture in the auto racing industry for over 25 years and is considered one of the most successful as well as innovative owners the sport has anywhere in the world.  Today his teams include four in the IZOD IndyCar Series, two cars in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, and one Daytona Prototype in the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series.  Overall his teams have 14 championships and 145 victories, including three Indianapolis 500s, a Daytona 500, a Brickyard 400 and four Rolex 24 At Daytonas.  Ganassi boasts state-of-the-art race shop facilities in Indianapolis and Brownsburg, Ind. and Concord, N.C., with a corporate office in Pittsburgh, Penn.

    For more information log onto www.chipganassiracing.com

  • That Didn’t Take Long: AJ Allmendinger Already off to a Winning Start in 2012

    That Didn’t Take Long: AJ Allmendinger Already off to a Winning Start in 2012

    [media-credit name=”Al Bello/Getty Images” align=”alignright” width=”215″][/media-credit]Every driver prepares differently for the upcoming NASCAR season. Some might pick up their workout routine, change their eating habits, seek psychological help or just spend as much time as possible relaxing at home.

    But there are a few that spend their off-season racing and even with Speedweeks at Daytona just around the corner AJ Allmendinger was among a few Cup stars who decided to do just that. He could have been at home, thinking about the year ahead of him with his new team at Penske Racing, trying to prepare to turn his career around.

    Instead he climbed behind the wheel of a Daytona Prototype in the 50th anniversary of the Rolex 24 hour race for Michael Shank Racing. Then he went out and won the race for Shank and co-drivers Justin Wilson, John Pew an Oswaldo Negri.

    “It’s always cool to be me,” joked Allmendinger about how great the last month has been for him. “No I’m just kidding, the last five years it’s sucked to be me. It’s pretty amazing to go through the last month and a half. Obviously the Penske side of it is completely different from this side of it. Mike Shank – we’ve done this for seven years and I told him we’ve been waiting for the 50th anniversary.”

    Allmendinger acknowledged that the last five years have been tumultuous for him in the NSCS, even for as hard as he worked. When it came to trying to win at Daytona with the No. 60 team for Shank it was much of the same, always coming up short. The team stayed committed though to building faster and faster cars and finished runner up in 2007 with the same group of drivers.

    Now they’re all champions, beating the best in the business and in the Rolex 24 by dominating the superstar lineup of the Chip Ganassi teams. The Shank drivers completed 761 laps through the 24-hour race and were leading for 249 of those laps.

    When it came down to the final few though, Shank full-filled his promise to Allmendinger of putting him in the car for the final stint to the finish. Even agreeing that should Allmendinger be the driver of the car when they win the race, he would shave his initials on his head, which he plans to do this week.

    “The last seven years this whole team, Mike Shank Racing, went through a lot to get to this point, to not only win the race but have two cars on the podium,” Allmendinger said as Shank’s second car the No. 6 finished third.

    “It’s a small group of guys that Mike’s put together and they work their butts off and it’s really cool this year to have them get a well deserved victory and a second car on the podium,” continued Allmendinger.

    “I feel very fortunate; this is one of the reasons why I love this race, because it really kicks off Speedweeks. It’s such a prestigious race. It’s one of those races you want on your resume and you want to say that you were part of a victory. It’s amazing. I’m going to cherish this.”

    Allmendinger will for as long as he can since the swagger he has now will most likely be knocked back down by Speedweeks, he’ll be reminded he hasn’t won in Cup yet. Or maybe not because when he comes back to Daytona to start the NASCAR season it’ll be with a confidence he’s may never had before. This year he’s with a team that he knows can win races and championships, a team that wanted him to be their driver.

    Driving for Penske, the California native has high expectations ahead for him. He knows they’re there; he’s ready for them and even says himself that this might be the best chance he has to show what he’s capable of. On Sunday he talked about the 2012 NSCS season briefly but focused mainly on what he and his Michael Shank Racing team had accomplished.

    “Yeah, none at all,” Allmendinger said on the pressure from those expecting him to win this year.

    “For the last five years for what I went though and I think Michael McDowell said it best, Sprint Cup racing is the toughest in the world right now, it’s so hard to win. And yeah, I look at this year as my best opportunity to go win a Cup race but that’s easier said than done. So for right now I’m just going to take this for what it’s worth, not think about anything for a couple days and just enjoy it. Right now it’s the biggest win I’ve ever had because we’ve worked for seven years to get to this point with Mike Shank and we’ve been so close so many times.”

    When he took the car over with three hours to go in the race Allmendinger thought about all the previous times the team had been in that position. Only to have something happen and the win snatched away.

    But not on Sunday as Allmendinger held a pretty wheel for almost all three hours. Of course there were a few heart-stopping moments when he was navigating traffic and fighting for the lead with Starworks Motorsports drivers.

    It wasn’t enough to make him crack under the pressure though, as his competitors expected. The 24-hour, 35 minute and 57 second race featured 10 different leaders and 14 cautions. There could have been more near the end, something Allmendinger didn’t want to see as he continued to extend his lead. Fortunately for the team there wasn’t any and as long as nothing broke they were headed for victory lane and brand new Rolex watches

    “Honestly you get in the car with three hours to go and having a chance to win the race and I joke about it, but I haven’t had that position for a long time,” Allmendinger said.

    “For me it’s about having confidence but you sit there and go, ‘OK, can I be in this position and hit three hours of perfect laps and not make any mistakes.’ It creeps into your mind as I’m sitting strapping my helmet on and about to get in the car. [Negri] did such a great stint at that point to hold onto the lead and a ton of pressure and he never put a wheel wrong before I got in the car and at that point I felt like I had worked so hard to get that lead and I had done everything that I sat there and thought to myself everything I needed to do to get the lead. Yeah, I didn’t want to see a yellow but at that point if it came out that was just another test for myself as a racecar driver.”

    Allmendinger spoke about how proud he was of everyone on the team for all his or her hard work. Everyone who worked on the car, those involved on raceday and were now loading the car up to go home. But he also didn’t hold back in saying that he was proud of himself and his personal performance.

    It takes a lot for a driver to compete in an endurance race like the 24 hours at Daytona. Especially one as prestigious as the Rolex 24 and Allmendinger said it was a great test for him he was proud that he had a chance to go win the race. Something he hasn’t had many of in Cup since he came NASCAR in 2007.

    “2007 was hell honestly, it was the worst year of my life when it came to my career,” said Allmendinger before opening up a big.

    “There was plenty of times in my bus on Friday, missing a [Cup] race that it was either should I go back to IndyCar or slit my wrist, honestly. We’re race car drivers right? It sounds over the top but I knew I wanted to be in the Sprint Cup Series, that’s where the best of the best was.”

    Sure, Allmendinger says he would have loved to gone about entering NASCAR differently. When CART and IndyCar had things going on that didn’t appeal to him he jumped at the chance to go to NASCAR, wishing he could have done come Truck or Nationwide races first. Instead he went right to Cup and it was anything but pretty.

    “It was just a tough couple of years, the last few years have been tough and I feel like the last two years I at least got on a good rhythm and it makes me feel good to know that a guy like Roger Penske can look at my talent and say, ‘You know what, he might not have a Cup win’ and Shell Pennzoil that’s used to winners and champions in their car but if we give him the right stuff he might be able to do that,” said Allmendinger.

    “It’s been a tough time but the fun thing was a guy like Mike Shank, no matter how I felt about myself after a tough year or tough season he never waivered on whether he wanted me in the car. Every year we said we were doing this, that’s why I love this guy so much. He’s always been there for me, I would do anything for him and I’m just happy I can be a small part of this victory for him.”

  • ARCA: Venturini Motorsports Signs Nelson Canache Jr.

    ARCA: Venturini Motorsports Signs Nelson Canache Jr.

    Venturini Motorsports announced today that they’ve signed Nelson Canache Jr. to drive for them full-time in 2012.

    “The ARCA Racing Series gives me the best opportunity to make the transition into stock car racing and prepare me for NASCAR trucks or Nationwide racing in the future,” the Caracas native said. “Venturini’s reputation and the success they’ve had working with many drivers was a major factor in my decision to join the team and the series.”

    Canache Jr. is a two-time champion in the Venezuelan Super Touring GT Class Series and is hoping that Venturini’s competition director Billy Venturini can help him make the transition to big time stock car racing.

    “It’s an honor to represent my country and build more awareness to U.S. stock car racing,” he said. “I feel I have the support of everyone back home and look forward to making them proud.

    “It’s going to be a challenge but working with the best team gives me the confidence I need to succeed at this level and prepare myself for the future. I have limited oval racing experience; every week will be a challenge and test me physically and mentally. Driving for Venturini gives me the best chance to learn and show people here in the States my skills.”

    To prepare for this season with Venturini, Canache spent last year racing in the Sea Leon Super Cup in Mexico and the NASCAR Whelen All American Series with Lee Faulk Racing.

    Canache’s ARCA debut will come with the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 on Saturday February 18th at Daytona International Speedway. Canache was part of the test in December, which saw him post the seventh quickest time at 186.676mph. His teammate Alex Bowman led the speeds with a speed of 188.336mph with their other three teammates joining them in the top seven.

    “There’s no question ARCA and NASCAR have attracted world class talent to our sport,” Billy Venturini said. “Nelson has proven himself as an international driver and comes to our team with tremendous talent and determination to succeed at this level in a relatively unknown series. He’s a true professional and student of his craft; he’s eager to learn and unwilling to fall back on past accomplishments. I expect him to fit into our program well and compete strongly against his competition.”

    Venturini Motorsports has had international flair before as in 2011, four of the drivers that drove their car were from outside the US. This list includes Steve Arpin (Canada), Miguel Paludo (Brazil), George Miedecke (Austrailia) and Alistair Jackson (Ireland). They’ve helped propel both Arpin and Paludo to the NASCAR national level.

  • Earnhardt Ganass Racing with Felix Sabates 2012 Sponsorship Announcements / Banana Boat and LiftMaster

    Earnhardt Ganass Racing with Felix Sabates 2012 Sponsorship Announcements / Banana Boat and LiftMaster

    [media-credit name=”earnhardtganassi.com” align=”alignright” width=”215″][/media-credit]Banana Boat® Sun Care Teams Up with Chip Ganassi Racing Teams for 2012 IndyCar and NASCAR Racing Seasons

    Banana Boat® Sun Care Helps Racing Fans Stay Cool and Protected All Summer Long

    CONCORD, NC (January, 24, 2012) – Chip Ganassi Racing Teams (CGRT) announced today that Banana Boat® sun care will take on the sun and the speedway for a new partnership.  Banana Boat® sun care will sponsor the race cars of Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates Jamie McMurray and Target Chip Ganassi Racing, driver Dario Franchitti during the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup and IZOD IndyCar Series racing seasons, respectively.

    Chip Ganassi Racing Teams and Banana Boat® sun care are collaborating to help racing fans stay cool and protected from the extreme sun and heat commonly found at races with its innovative, new product – Banana Boat® Sport Performance® CoolZone™ continuous spray sunscreen.

    As part of the partnership, Banana Boat® sun care will host fan experiences trackside at key races including Daytona 500, Talladega Superspeedway and Indianapolis 500, among others.  The sunscreen brand will provide fans with a break from the sun, offering quick relief and sun protection in its CoolZone™ Pit Stop.  Here, fans will have the opportunity to receive a “cool-over” with the new sunscreen, play games and receive fun giveaway items.

    Notes of Interest:

    Banana Boat® CoolZone™ Sunscreen Pit Stop:  Banana Boat® invites race fans to take a break from the sun, offering quick relief and sun protection in its CoolZone™ Sunscreen Pit Stop.  Here, fans can receive “cool-overs” with the new Sport Performance® CoolZone™ continuous spray sunscreen, receive a racing card of either Dario or Jamie with important sun care tips and take a Sun Care Challenge to snag fun prizes.

    Banana Boat® CoolZone™ Brand Facebook Tab:  For those fans not at the racetrack this summer, they can visit the Banana Boat® CoolZone™ brand Facebook tab for exclusive access to content and tips from Jamie, Dario and the pit crew on what’s cool for the summer – from the hottest play lists to the coolest outdoor gear – including a chance to win a CoolZone™ Pit Crew Experience with Jamie at an upcoming race.

    Banana Boat® Sport Performance® CoolZone™ Continuous Spray Sunscreen: For the active outdoor enthusiast, new Banana Boat® Sport Performance® CoolZone™ continuous spray sunscreen provides active UVA and UVB protection that instantly cools skin on contact, for a clean, refreshed feeling.  With a crisp, clean scent, Banana Boat® Sport Performance® CoolZone™ sunscreen is invisible and rub-free for easy application, as well as water resistant for durable sun protection. It is available in SPF 30 and SPF 50+ and the Banana Boat® CoolZone™ product line up also includes an After Sun Aloe Gel with Lidocaine, for cooling burn relief to refresh skin after a day in the sun.

    About Banana Boat®:  The Banana Boat® brand offers a wide range of product options that provide today’s busy family with reliable sun protection without worry, so the fun can go on and on.  The advanced technology in Banana Boat® sunscreen products provides effective broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection that won’t break down in the sun. Banana Boat® products have carried The Skin Cancer Foundation’s Seal of Recommendation for almost two decades.

    About Chip Ganassi Racing Teams:  Chip Ganassi has been a fixture in the auto racing industry for over 25 years and is considered one of the most successful as well as innovative owners the sport has anywhere in the world.  Today his teams include four in the IZOD IndyCar Series, two cars in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, and one Daytona Prototype in the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series.  Overall his teams have 14 championships and 145 victories, including three Indianapolis 500s, a Daytona 500, a Brickyard 400 and four Rolex 24 At Daytonas.  Ganassi boasts state-of-the-art race shop facilities in Indianapolis and Brownsburg, Ind. and Concord, N.C., with a corporate office in Pittsburgh, Pa.  For more information log onto chipganassiracing.com

    Quote Board:

    Minna Raffin, Sun Care Group Marketing Director, Energizer Personal Care:  We are thrilled to partner with Chip Ganassi Racing Teams and its amazing caliber of drivers.  The unique relationship marries the outstanding skill and coolness of its drivers with the protection and reliability of our products.

    Jamie McMurray, Driver:  I’m excited to represent Banana Boat® and its new product – CoolZone™.  Its products provide protection from the sun – something our fans and my pit crew could benefit from since they are exposed to intense sun for hours on end at each race.

    Steve Lauletta, President, Chip Ganassi Racing Teams:  We are proud to announce our partnership with Banana Boat® Sun Care.  It is great to see a brand like Banana Boat® join our roster of partners.  With more and more families attending our races, we know Banana Boat® Sun Care will provide our fans with the protection they need outdoors.  We think this is the perfect partnership for racing.

    LIFTMASTER RAISES THE DOOR ON PLANS FOR 2012 PARTNERSHIP WITH JAMIE MCMURRAY AND NO. 1 EARNHARDT GANASSI RACING TEAM

    CONCORD, NC – (Jan. 24, 2012) – Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates and LiftMaster, the number one brand of professionally installed garage doors, announce today that LiftMaster will be the primary sponsor on the No. 1 Chevrolet driven by 2010 Daytona 500 winner Jamie McMurray at the Sept. 23 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.  Additionally, Earnhardt Ganassi Racing and LiftMaster also revealed the paint scheme that will adorn the No.1 LiftMaster Chevrolet for that race.

    Notes of Interest:

    LiftMaster and EGR:

    LiftMaster began its partnership with Earnhardt Ganassi Racing in 2011 as an associate sponsor on the No.1 Chevrolet.  In addition to the one-race primary sponsorship LiftMaster’s branding will prominent on the c-post location of the No. 1 Chevrolet for the other 37 NSCS races in 2012, along with placement on Jamie McMurray’s firesuit and the No. 1 team uniforms

    McMurray on the Track:

    Jamie McMurray’s NSCS career includes 330 career starts, six wins, 41 top-five, 96 top-ten finishes and eight poles.  179 of his NSCS starts are with car owner Chip Ganassi – (four wins, 30 top-five, 64 top-ten finishes  and seven poles).  McMurray has 18 career starts at New Hampshire Motor Speedway with two top-five, and four top-10 finishes. His career best finish at the Granite State track came in the Fall 2010 race with a third-place finish.

    Quotes Boards:

    Pat Rooney, Director, Marketing Communications, LiftMaster: “Taking this step forward with Jamie McMurray and Earnhardt Ganassi Racing is one fueled by passion and results:  the passion that our employees, network of independent dealers, and extended family have for the LiftMaster brand and the results we’re seeing from our relationship with Jamie and EGR as they help us reach audiences for our products and services in a genuine and entertaining way.  We can’t wait for the 2012 season to get started.”

    Steve Lauletta, President, Earnhardt Ganassi Racing:  “We are very excited to announce this extended relationship with LiftMaster.  When one of our partners looks to increase their involvement with our team it means this is a valuable partnership for their business.  We hope to continue that as we work together to drive awareness of the LiftMaster brand.  We value the relationship and look forward to continued success together.”

    About LiftMaster: LiftMaster is the number one brand of professionally installed residential garage door openers and commercial door operators, as well as a major manufacturer of residential, industrial and commercial gate operators, telephone entry systems and related access control products. Driven by the access and security needs of the residential, commercial and industrial marketplace, the expansive lines of LiftMaster products are designed to fit any lifestyle or application, providing customers with the latest technology and innovations in safety, security and convenience. For inquiries on LiftMaster products please visit www.LiftMaster.com.

    About Earnhardt Ganassi Racing Teams

    Chip Ganassi has been a fixture in the auto racing industry for over 25 years and is considered one of the most successful as well as innovative owners the sport has anywhere in the world.  Today his teams include four in the IZOD IndyCar Series, two cars in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, and one Daytona Prototype in the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series.  Overall his teams have 14 championships and 145 victories, including three Indianapolis 500s, a Daytona 500, a Brickyard 400 and four Rolex 24 At Daytonas.  Ganassi boasts state-of-the-art race shop facilities in Indianapolis and Brownsburg, Ind. and Concord, N.C., with a corporate office in Pittsburgh, Pa.

    For more information log onto www.earnhardtganassi.com