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Category: Other Series Racing

Other series racing

  • Hollywood Celebrities Race For a Cure in ‘Kids Against Cancer’ Night at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale

    Hollywood Celebrities Race For a Cure in ‘Kids Against Cancer’ Night at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale

    [media-credit id=50 align=”alignright” width=”200″][/media-credit]“Dear Mom and Dad, I know you’re going to miss me; but don’t think that I will ever forget you, or stop loving you, just ’cause I’m not around to say ‘I Love You’.  Someday we will see each other again, and until then if you want to adopt a little boy so you won’t be so lonely, that’s okay with me, and he can have my room and old stuff to play with.  Don’t be sad thinking about me since I don’t hurt anymore. The cancer is all gone, and I’m glad because I couldn’t stand that pain anymore and God couldn’t stand to see me hurt so much, either.” This is an all too familiar scene played out in some homes with sick children as cancer takes over as one of the biggest killers of our youth today.

    Cancer, along with other diseases, are hard fought battles amongst the many professionals in the world of medicine, and until the war is finally won, there will be those individuals who will constantly be  ready to help when the battle cry goes out. NASCAR racing has always been on the forefront when the need arises for that extra boost of help, and it’s not hard to look around at the many drivers who take time out of their busy schedules to support these worthy causes.

    Not only do the drivers participate when the call is sent out, but also the many racing venues along with sponsors, team owners, celebrities, and radio personalities. I have had the honor of meeting one such individual who is a local radio host out here in Southern California (AM830 KLAA), by the name of Gordon “Lug Nutzz” Stewart, who goes beyond the call of duty when it comes to helping kids who feel they have no hope.

    Stewart is known for reaching out to these kids, while taking the time to entertain them at various motorsports venues including Toyota Speedway at Irwindale which is hosting this weekend’s event. “For 8 years I have been blessed to meet many amazing kids with one unfortunate common bond. They are all battling cancer and life threatening illnesses.”

    “There are so many memories working with The America’s Baby Cancer Foundation, and I am proud to now be the Vice Chairman of the foundation.” Stewart said when talking about the foundation.

    Stewart also added that, “With the help of some amazing people, we continue to share some incredible experiences.  Guy’s like NHRA 14 time Funny Car Champion John Force, NASCAR Champion Tony Stewart, Supercross/Motocross legend Ricky Carmichael, and X-Games star Travis Pastrana, have all taken their time and resources to provide once in a lifetime experiences for many of our little angels. Inspiration comes from unique opportunities.”

    The celebrities who will be taking part in this special event at TS@I will be driving equally-prepared full bodied stock cars, complete with a 350 horsepower Chevy engine, along with a full roll cage and all the safety features which are included in all of NASCAR’s different divisions.

    The S2 race cars as they are called, are built for speed, and are part of the speedways weekly racing program that takes place on Saturday nights. Therefore don’t think for a second these celebrities will be racing around the speedway’s half mile in a watered down version race car, instead they will drive a highly sophisticated racing machine.

    Paul Blevin will begin the night’s action as the honorary starter, and is best known for his flagman duties in the IZOD IndyCar series which also included standing atop the flag stand for this year’s Indy 500.

    “This is a great cause and a great group of celebrities,” said Blevin when he was asked to participate in this weekend’s event. Blevin also added that, “I know that they’ve received very good training on these machines, but, this is some serious stuff on a very fast racetrack…I want them all to have fun, but safely.”

    Kim Coates who participated in this year’s pro-celebrity race during the Long Beach Grand Prix, is a cast member in “Sons of Anarchy” and “Human Target,” and will be participating this weekend’s celebrity race said that, “These cars are absolute beasts. As long as I don’t come in last I’ll be thrilled.” said Coates.

    Coates also added that, “It’s nice to keep going on this charity Toyota field of racing that I get invited to these days. This is a celebrity race for kids against cancer, and making sure everyone is safe and enjoys the race. Coates also delayed a family trip to Canada to be a part of this weekend’s event, which shows the true spirit and meaning of how much these charities mean to them.”

    Riki Rachtman who has raced one these S2’s in the weekly series here at the speedway, is best known for hosting the highly rated Headbangers Ball on MTV in the 90’s. Rachtman also hosts the nationally-syndicated radio show “Racing Rocks,” which is currently heard on over 100 stations across the country, and is a self proclaimed NASCAR nut.

    “Everything about this is great; it’s great that we’re raising money for kids against cancer. There is some real talent and it’s gonna be fun,” said Rachtman. Rachtman also added that, “I really wanna beat Frankie Muniz he talks so much smack. He has been ruthless but he’s good.”

    Bill Fichtner, who won this year’s pro-celebrity race in Long Beach, will be making his first start on an oval and is best known for his roles in, Entourage, Prison Break, and Dr. Bruce Kellerman in”MDs”.

    Fichtner said, “I was fortunate to run in the pro-am race in Long Beach and win it, but each year that goes by we visit the hospitals and as much fun as I’m having in the race car we get the bigger meaning of it. I walk away with a sense of what’s happening, and an awful lot of money will be going to kids against cancer and I am really proud of that.”

    Along with these three stars, Frankie Muniz, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Mark Krsiki, Peter Shikoda, and Skeet Ulrich will also participate in the evenings race for charity.

  • Calling all creatives – win seats at the Italian Grand Prix with Sikkens!

    Two tickets to F1 at Monza to be won in new Facebook competition: THE SLIKKEST RIDE

    Do we have the style to get to Monza? That’s the question automotive lovers will be asking
    themselves over the next few weeks as they try to win two tickets to the Italian Grand Prix.
    These sought-after seats are being offered by Sikkens, the premium brand of AkzoNobel’s
    refinishing business and official paint supplier of the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Formula
    1 team.

    On August 26, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes F1 driver and former world champion Lewis
    Hamilton will himself decide who offers the ‘SLIKKEST RIDE’ and gets the opportunity to
    see how he gets on around Monza’s curves in September.

    To be in with a chance of winning this exciting prize, entrants must redesign their favorite
    vehicle in a style worthy of a Formula One challenger. The ‘SLIKKEST RIDE’ is about
    creating a superb paint finish to make any vehicle look as amazing and unique as the
    McLaren MP4-26 race car. By posting photos or videos of their designs on the Sikkens’
    Facebook wall (www.facebook.com/sikkenscr), teams can win two flights, hotel
    accommodation and two Grandstand tickets to Monza this September, along with an
    exclusive pitlane tour.

    So what’s the reasoning behind the competition? Sikkens believes paint is about more than
    just product and color. It’s an opportunity to get creative, to marry performance with
    aesthetics. It’s this belief that has driven AkzoNobel to develop a high-performance coatings
    system in close partnership with McLaren. The resulting ultra-light, unique chrome finish not
    only ensures the MP4-26 stands out with its stunning livery – it enhances its performance.
    By hosting the ‘SLIKKEST RIDE’ competition on the Sikkens’ Facebook page, AkzoNobel
    hopes to take its ethos of Creating Together and Getting Color Right to a wider audience.
    The company is looking for the heroes behind a creative paint job that rivals the outstanding
    MP4-26.

    The result should be a vehicle that makes its driver fall in love. As Lewis Hamilton said
    during a recent BBC radio interview: “I love the car I drive. I think it’s the most beautiful
    car on the whole grid. The paint job is the best – I think it’s the most stunning car out
    there.”

    The lucky winners of the ‘SLIKKEST RIDE’ will be able to judge his comments for
    themselves from the comfort of their seats at the Italian Grand Prix in September. Follow
    this campaign also on Twitter @AkzoNobel_AAC or post your comments #slikkestride.
    Further information:

    Short film showing the collaboration between AkzoNobel Sikkens and McLaren: Sikkens
    Creating Together – Behind a great team stands a great paint brand
    Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueIm6BkRtRU&feature=feedwll&list=WL
    Website: www.akzonobel.com/aac

    —

    AkzoNobel is the largest global paints and coatings company and a major producer of specialty chemicals. We supply industries
    and consumers worldwide with innovative products and are passionate about developing sustainable answers for our customers.
    Safe Harbor Statement

    This press release contains statements which address such key issues as AkzoNobel’s growth strategy, future financial results, market
    positions, product development, products in the pipeline, and product approvals. Such statements should be carefully considered, and it
    should be understood that many factors could cause forecasted and actual results to differ from these statements. These factors include,
    but are not limited to, price fluctuations, currency fluctuations, developments in raw material and personnel costs, pensions, physical and
    environmental risks, legal issues, and legislative, fiscal, and other regulatory measures. Stated competitive positions are based on
    management estimates supported by information provided by specialized external agencies. For a more comprehensive discussion of the
    risk factors affecting our business please see our latest Annual Report, a copy of which can be found on the company’s corporate website
    www.akzonobel.com.

    Our portfolio includes well known brands such as Dulux, Sikkens, International and Eka. Headquartered in Amsterdam, the
    Netherlands, we are a Global Fortune 500 company and are consistently ranked as one of the leaders on the Dow Jones
    Sustainability Indexes. With operations in more than 80 countries, our 55,000 people around the world are committed to excellence
    and delivering Tomorrow’s Answers Today™.

    AkzoNobel Automotive & Aerospace Coatings is one of the world’s leading suppliers of paints and services for car repair,
    commercial vehicles, automotive plastics and aerospace coatings markets. It sells coatings for original equipment and refinishing
    applications to bodyshops, aircraft manufacturers, fleet owners, automotive suppliers and major bus and truck producers.Brands
    include Sikkens®, Lesonal®, Dynacoat®, Wanda®, and Sikkens Autocoat® BT. Operating in more than 60 countries, Automotive &
    Aerospace Coatings has specialists around the world who understand local markets and can serve local needs. Its state-of-the-art
    customer services, color and technology solutions include offering technical and logistical support and the delivery of training
    programs. Internet: www.akzonobel.com/aac

  • The No. 44 Ansell-Menards Ford Rallies for a 6th Place Finish at Iowa Speedway

    The No. 44 Ansell-Menards Ford Rallies for a 6th Place Finish at Iowa Speedway

    Newton, IA- The No. 44 Ansell-Menards Ford, driven by Frank Kimmel, finished 6th in the Prairie Meadows 200 Saturday evening at Iowa Raceway.  

    Kimmel returned to Iowa Raceway with the rest of the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards in hopes of becoming the first two-time winner at the track. The Ansell-Menards Ford qualified 8th and raced hard throughout the 200 lap event.  

    The temperature was a factor throughout the race. It was sweltering hot from the drop of the green flag. At one point the heat index reached as high as 120 degrees. Despite the heat, Frank Kimmel soldiered on.  

    “Boy, it was a hot one today. We finished really well, despite a few hiccups. We started out loose and got to work on it. It seemed like every adjustment we made to the Ansell-Menards Ford made us tight in the middle,” said Frank Kimmel.  

    Frank had driven the No. 44 Ansell-Menards Ford up to 7th by the first pit stop. Kimmel’s Ansell-Menards pit crew assisted the march to the front by providing a seamless pit stop, which gained Frank two more spots to 5th place.  

    Unfortunately, Frank Kimmel was flagged for speeding on to pit road and was forced to restart at the tail-end of the longest line. Less than 8 laps later a caution put Frank in position to bring the Ansell-Menards Ford in for fresh tires and fuel in hopes of gaining some ground lost in the previous pit stop.    However, Kimmel was flagged yet again for speeding on to pit road. After restarting 11th, Kimmel would drive his way through the field and finish 6th.  

    “We couldn’t get the car comfortable enough to just hit the gas and go. And the two penalties hurt our track position there. Still, to finish sixth is a testament to these guys on the Ansell-Menards crew. We improved on the car during practice yesterday and got us a good point’s finish,” said Kimmel after the race.  

    Watch for Frank Kimmel at Lucas Oil Raceway driving the No. 44 Ansell-Menards Ford on July 28th for the Ansell Protective Gloves 200 in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards. Also, be sure to visit a Menards location to purchase your next pair of Ansell Gloves.

    More information can be found at www.frankkimmel.com www.ansellracingus.com, www.menardsracing.com and www.arcaracing.com.  

    Be sure to visit your local Menards in Central Indiana to take advantage of the in-store ticket sales promotion for the Ansell Protective Gloves 200, which begins June 1st and runs through July 27th.  In addition to the discounted, advance ticket sales promotion, the drive-to-retail contest promo will run, in stores, July 1st through July 20th.  

    The Grand Prize winner gets to wave the green flag to start the Ansell Protective Gloves 200.  Winning entry also receives: two (2) Suite Passes for the July 28th ARCA/USAC double-header at LOR, two (2) Suite Passes for the July 29th NASCAR Camping World Trucks Series race at LOR, two (2) Suite Passes for the July 30th NASCAR Nationwide Series race at LOR, and two (2) Suite Passes for the August 1st NASCAR Spring Cup Series race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway   First Prize (3 Winners) receive tickets to the July 28th ARCA/USAC double-header at LOR, July 29th NASCAR Camping World Trucks Series race at LOR, and the July 30th NASCAR Nationwide Series race at LOR.  Second Prize (10 Winners) will receive a pair of Ansell Gloves.

  • Ty Dillon Leads 193 Laps, Dominates Prairie Meadows 200 at Iowa

    Ty Dillon Leads 193 Laps, Dominates Prairie Meadows 200 at Iowa

    (NEWTON, Iowa) – Some races are won by a hair, some are controlled steadily throughout the duration, and others are truly dominated. Ty Dillon’s victory in the Prairie Meadows 200 at Iowa Speedway easily fits the third and most impressive category.

    Dillon (No. 41 Richard Childress Racing Development Chevrolet) led 193 of 200 laps, including the final 82, to win from the pole – in his first return trip to an ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards track – and take his fifth victory of 2011.

    The win on a very hot afternoon in central Iowa was the seventh of Dillon’s career, and came in just in his 14th ARCA start. It’s also a triumph Dillon said he could see coming.

    “I was just excited to get to the race all weekend because I knew we were going to be really good,” he said. “The track was hot and real slick tonight, so it was a little tough to manage the tires off the corner but our car was good enough that I could beat ’em through the center. My car was phenomenal in the center of the corner and it just allowed me to go wherever I needed to, like around lapped cars. That’s one of the things you have to deal with in these long races, and just being able to roll the center is so much better.

    “Winning five races; who would have thought? This is awesome. Hopefully, we just keep digging and keep getting wins.”

    Dillon’s 193 laps led marked an ARCA record in six races at Iowa, topping the 177 led by Steve Wallace in ARCA’s first visit to Newton in 2006.

    Cale Gale (No. 33 Rheem Chevrolet) finished second in just his second start of 2011 for Kevin Harvick, Inc.

    Chris Buescher (No. 17 Reliance Tool/David Ragan Ford Ford) was third and Grant Enfinger (No. 36 Hoosier Tires Midwest/RaceTires.com) finished fourth. Dillon’s teammate Tim George Jr. (No. 31 Applebee’s/Potomac Family Dining Group) completed the top five.

    Dillon proved that he had the fastest car earlier in the afternoon, winning the Menards Pole Award presented by Ansell with a qualifying lap of 23.459 seconds (134.277 mph). The pole was Dillon’s second at Iowa Speedway, following a similar effort in his ARCA debut last July. In that race, though, Dillon could only muster a second-place finish, making him determined to find Victory Lane.

    Trouble struck the field soon after the start of the race, as Milka Duno – making her first start since May 22 at New Jersey Motorsports Park – spun the No. 63 Citgo Supergard Lubricants Toyota in Turn 3 of the first lap after qualifying 15th. Brennan Poole (No. 25 Karl Chevrolet/Lauren Briant Chevrolet) made contact with Duno, causing damage that would plague him throughout the afternoon.

    The field started again at Lap 7, and though Dillon’s Chevrolet wiggled in Turn 4 on the laps soon after the green flag, he built a half-second lead on Gale by Lap 14. Meanwhile, Chad McCumbee (No. 1 ModSpace Ford) had charged from sixth into third, gaining the last position by fighting his way past full-time NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver Clay Rogers (No. 42 Beard Oil/ConocoPhillips Chevrolet).

    Rogers, driving a car previously tested by NASCAR veteran Jack Sprague, made just his second ARCA start of 2011 and first since June 17 at Michigan International Speedway.

    With McCumbee trailing them, Dillon and Gale started to pull away. Gale challenged for the lead as the two encountered lapped cars on Lap 21, but Dillon kept the advantage. Poole’s car became a roadblock of sorts for the two just laps later; Dillon made a better pass than Gale, moving to a 1.075-second lead at Lap 27.

    Dillon’s lead was twice that three laps later, and he had opened up over five seconds on McCumbee in third. Behind them, Rogers ran fourth, and Buescher passed Chad Hackenbracht (No. 58 Fast Fixin’/On the Go PBJamwich Chevrolet) for fifth on Lap 33. Dillon built his lead on Gale to five seconds by Lap 42, and then lapped Tom Hessert (No. 52 Federated Auto Parts Chevrolet) to leave just 11 cars on the lead lap.

    Simultaneously, McCumbee and Matt Lofton (No. 16 Strutmasters.com Chevrolet) both experienced flat front right tires on Lap 50, bringing the field to the second caution flag of the day. Dillon won the race off of pit road two laps later, with Gale, Rogers, Buescher, and Frank Kimmel (No. 44 Ansell/Menards Ford) filling out the top five. Hessert earned the Aaron’s Lucky Dog to move into ninth, and Kimmel returned to pit road just before the green flag.

    The green flag flew on Lap 60. Right away, Matt Merrell (No. 32 Champion Hi-Tech Lubricants Dodge) found the wall in Turns 1 and 2, another victim of a flat front right tire. Dillon eased away to another sizable lead over Gale and Rogers after the Lap 65 restart, and he led by 1.263 seconds when Buescher passed Rogers for third 11 laps later. At Lap 89, Dillon’s lead on Gale grew to nearly four seconds, with Buescher over seven seconds behind in third.

    Tom Berte (No. 15 CGS Premier/StayTuned Customs Chevrolet) hit the wall in Turn 2 on Lap 92 to bring another caution flag, and most of the leaders – except for Dillon – traveled to pit road. The green flag at Lap 99 helped Dillon pull away again, and he led Gale by 1.389 seconds at Lap 109.

    Brandon Kidd (No. 7 Brioschi Chevrolet) spun between Turns 3 and 4 on Lap 110, but saved his car so as to not create any damage. The ensuing caution period gave Dillon the chance to go to pit road, having led each of the race’s 111 laps to that point.

    Buescher stayed on the track to lead Lap 112, and Gale barely edged Dillon off of pit road, leaving Dillon third. Dillon passed Gale on Lap 117 and closed to within 0.061 second of Buescher on the next lap. He moved inside Buescher in Turn 2 on Lap 119 to take the lead for the second time.

    Gale passed Buescher for second on Lap 123, just before Maryeve Dufault (No. 12 Mad Croc Energy Drink Dodge) crashed to bring out another caution flag. Dillon pulled away yet again after the Lap 128 green flag, with Gale continuing to trail. Buescher, who had fallen to fifth by pitting, rose back into fourth and then passed Kimmel for third by the end of Lap 139.

    Dillon’s lead grew again to two seconds by Lap 147 and three seconds by Lap 154. George, who had fallen soon after starting the race third, climbed back to fourth, just ahead of Kimmel and Enfinger.

    Following a Lap 159 caution, Dillon pulled away after the Lap 165 green flag, and did the same thing on Lap 191 after another driver spun on Lap 186. Having made yet another clean start, Dillon built his lead to 1.634 seconds by the finish, with Gale and Buescher trailing him as they had done for much of the race. Enfinger passed George late for fourth.

    Gale’s second-place finish was his fifth top-five in eight career ARCA Racing Series starts, and Buescher’s third-place result was his 14th top-five in 26 career starts and eighth top-five this year. Buescher moved past Kimmel for second in the series standings.

    Kimmel finished the race sixth, with Rogers, Hessert, Sean Corr (No. 82 Empire Racing Ford), and Hackenbracht completing the top 10.

    Jared Marks (No. 8 Mad Croc Energy Drink Dodge) was the final driver on the lead lap, finishing 11th. The race finished in exactly one hour and 50 minutes, at an average speed of 95.455 mph. Eight caution flags slowed the race for 37 laps.

    The ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards returns to action in 12 days, on Thursday, July 28, at Lucas Oil Raceway (formerly Indianapolis Raceway Park) in Clermont, Ind. The Ansell Protective Gloves 200 will air live on SPEED at 7 p.m., and the race will open the first of three nights of Kroger SpeedFest.

    Practice takes place earlier in the day, from 1:30-3, and Menards Pole Qualifying is scheduled for 4:30. The USAC Midget Series and USAC Silver Crown Series will join ARCA at the historic short track. The race will be the 12th of 19 in the 2011 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards season, and the first at Lucas Oil Raceway since 1985.

    ARCARacing.com will feature live timing and scoring coverage of all on-track events.

    The ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards features 19 events at 16 tracks on its 2011 schedule. The series has crowned an ARCA national champion each year since its inaugural season in 1953, and has toured over 200 race tracks in 28 states since its inception. The series tests the abilities of drivers and race teams over the most diverse schedule of stock car racing events in the world, annually visiting tracks ranging from 0.4 mile to 2.66 miles in length, on both paved and dirt surfaces as well as a left- and right-turn road course.

    Founded by John Marcum in 1953 in Toledo, Ohio, the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) is recognized among the leading sanctioning bodies in the country. Closing in on completing its sixth decade after hundreds of thousands of miles of racing, ARCA administers over 100 race events each season in two professional touring series and local weekly events.

  • Rachel Gilbert, 100 Year Old NASCAR Fan, Fulfills 100th Birthday Destiny at the Magic Mile

    First it was a party, cake and a fast lap around the New Hampshire Motor Speedway, where Rachel Gilbert drove the pace car.

    [media-credit id=62 align=”alignright” width=”231″][/media-credit]Now, for this race weekend, Gilbert has continued to fulfill her 100th birthday destiny by serving as grand marshal for the Whelen Modified Series race.

    Gilbert’s adventure started several months ago when her daughter emailed the race track, asking if any accommodations could be made for her mother’s 100th birthday, particularly as she could not sit in the grandstands comfortably.

    Jerry Gappens, New Hampshire Motor Speedway’s executive vice president and general manager, and his staff were intrigued by the request. Not only did they accommodate this family’s wish, but also helped Gilbert fulfill her NASCAR destiny, naming her the Speedway’s oldest fan.

    For her 100th celebration, Gappens provided a race car birthday cake at the track, an official LENOX Industrial Tools 301 hat, a NHMS jacket and a birthday card. The Speedway even made arrangements for her to take a few fast laps around the track.

    “Rachel is a true pace setter,” Gappens said. “We wanted to take the opportunity and celebrate this special occasion.

    But Gappens had even more in store for Gilbert. She also got an official crew shirt from her favorite driver Carl Edwards, as well as tickets to Sunday’s Cup race.

    “This all started from the email,” Marie Ann Mills, Gilbert’s daughter said. “It started by having her go around the track and then providing her with tickets to Sunday’s race.”

    “And I also got to drive the car,” Gilbert reminded her daughter. This was especially a treat for Gilbert as she gave up her car once she moved into an independent living facility for seniors.

    And celebrate she has. One of the biggest highlights for her has been serving as the Grand Marshal for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Series race and giving the command to start engines.

    Gilbert admitted she was slightly nervous prior to giving the command. But armed with a note that read “Drivers Start Your Engines” and surrounded by her family, she delivered the most famous words in motorsports beautifully.

    “I was nervous at the very beginning,” Gilbert said. “But it was a dream come true. This was great.”

    “That was unbelievable,” Gilbert’s daughter shared. “We were so proud of her.”

    Gilbert is a true NASCAR fan and has been for many years, starting in the 1960s when she followed her husband and some of their friends to races at Bryar Motorsports Park in Loudon, New Hampshire. She has also attended the Daytona 500, where she saw legends like Richard Petty and Bobby Allison race.

    Since that time, Gilbert has been hooked, never missing a race on television according to her family. In fact, residents of the facility where she lives have affectionately nicknamed her “Speedy” because of her affection for the sport.

    “I’ve been a fan for so long,” Gilbert said. “I have friends that we would go to the races with and we kept it up every year.”

    Gilbert’s favorite driver during that period of her life was Dale Earnhardt, Sr. She still struggles when she talks about him and cannot believe he has been gone that long.

    Not only has Gilbert been a race fan forever, but she also has a few other secrets to her achieving her centennial birthday. What are her keys to her longevity?

    “Good exercise,” Gilbert said simply. “That and a good gin and tonic when I go out.”

    Gilbert’s other key to her success has been her family, their love as well as their support of her NASCAR dream.

    “She always has a smile on her face,” Gilbert’s daughter shared. “If I could be half the woman that she is, I will be a hell of a woman.”

  • Ryan Newman Works Magic for Third Consecutive Whelen Modified Series Win

    Ryan Newman worked his magic at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway by winning his third consecutive Whelen Modified race. And Newman did so in style, taking the No. 7 Aggressive Hydraulics/Menards Chevrolet from the pole position to victory lane in the F.W. Webb 100.

    [media-credit id=62 align=”alignright” width=”213″][/media-credit]This was Newman’s 8th career Modified Series start and his 4th career win. Three of those victories have come consecutively at the New Hampshire track known as the ‘Magic Mile.’

    “We had a really good car today and I’m proud of this team,” Newman said, holding his daughter in Victory Lane. “We didn’t know what was going to happen if a yellow came out. But it all worked out.”

    “I didn’t really know what to expect with the race and how it was going to unfold,” Newman said. “Typically we have multiple cautions here.”

    “Our car was really loose and I really had to manage the steering wheel,” Newman continued. “It seemed like the track wasn’t like it was in practice and we struggled a little bit with that part.”

    “We were the tightest of the loose guys and that was all it took,” Newman said. “We had a lot of fun.”

    Kevin ‘Bono’ Manion, Newman’s team owner and crew chief, echoed his driver’s thoughts on the historic win.

    “It’s really special,” Manion said. “We won here as a team in the early 90’s and as a kid to come up and race with the Cup guys was really cool.”

    “So, to come back here and learning the aspects of owning a car, it’s really special.”

    Newman and Bono both reiterated their desire to see more Cup and Whelen Modified race combination dates, naming Richmond, Phoenix and Martinsville as just a few possibilities.

    “The one mile tracks for sure fit this car,” Manion said. “I think Richmond would be an incredible Modified track. This is a great Series and they put on a great race.”

    “We just like it when it’s convenient,” Newman said. “And at the same time, it’s good for NASCAR Whelen Modified Racing to have quite a few people sitting in the grandstands. So, it works out good.”

    Runner up Todd Szegedy, driver of the No. 2 Wisk Detergent/A&J Romano Construction Ford, secured his fourth top-five finish in six races of the 2011 season.

    “Second to me was kind of a win,” Szegedy said. “We beat all the regulars.”

    “We’ve had some bad luck here for the last three or four races so this was definitely a good run,” Szegedy continued. “We had a great car.”

    “At the end, I went into fuel conservation mode, so I started backing out of it a little bit,” Szegedy said. “I could run up on Ryan a little bit but I’d get free off so I never could make a good move on him.”

    “Ryan made it interesting,” Szegedy continued. “So, good for him anyways.”

    “I think we’ve got some work to do,” Szegedy said. “We’ve got to drive the track different and set the car up different. He’s not unbeatable. We’ll just have to work harder.”

    Ron Silk, driver of the No. 6 T.S. Haulers/Calverton Tree Farm Chevrolet, scored the third position. This was Silk’s fourth podium finish in six races this year.

    “I was surprised how long it went green,” Silk said. “All my guys did a great job all weekend and we made about a thousand adjustments since we got here.”

    “I got a little bit close to Newman on the last lap but I just got up in the loose stuff,” Silk continued. “And once you get up there, you just can’t get out.”

    Matt Hirschman, driving the No. 3 Cape Cod Copper/Riverview Chevrolet, finished fourth. And Doug Coby, behind the wheel of the No. 52 Reynolds Auto Wrecking Chevrolet, rounded out the top five.

  • NASCAR’s Unsung Heroes; The Research and Development Team Saves Another Life

    NASCAR’s Unsung Heroes; The Research and Development Team Saves Another Life

    [media-credit name=”Freddy Martinez” align=”alignright” width=”225″][/media-credit]The last noise a race car driver never wants to hear when his mind is focused on maneuvering around his favorite track, is the deafening screech of tires, followed by the impact of the car exploding against a retaining wall or tire and foam attenuator.

    After the initial impact, there is usually an eerie moment of silence from the fans as the driver slowly gathers his thoughts, while wondering if it’s an indication he is no longer breathing the air around him.

    For the fans there is nothing more spectacular and exciting than watching some aggressive side by side racing, where each driver pushes the limits of his Sunoco burning race car beyond what is almost abnormal for a 3500 pound motor vehicle. As with all forms motorsports, there is always the high element of danger lurking around lap after lap, as it waits for the driver to make one crucial mistake so it can strike with deceitful intentions.

    Each driver knows ahead of time the risks they take playing a game of cat-and-mouse, which pits man or woman against a highly sophisticated, and extremely dangerous fast moving maze of metal parts. It’s this maze of metal parts coupled together with a high performance power plant that can change a driver’s world in a moment’s notice, because of the high speeds they are racing at.

    NASCAR racing at any level will always be one of most competitive forms of motorsports, when you factor in all the banging and bumping that takes place as each driver fights for the same piece of real estate. So what happens when two, three, or even four drivers are racing for the same piece of track, and within a moment’s notice the cars become entangled with one another?

    Jason Patison, a driver in the Lucas Oil Slick Mist Super Late Model series at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale, found out first hand as so many driver have in the past just how dangerous this sport can become in the blink of an eye. It wasn’t so much who was at fault, or the circumstances that led up to Patison and fellow driver Dennis Schlarbaum both sliding against the front stretch wall, and hitting the tire and rubber attenuator which is in front of the exit to the track.

    Instead it was the fact that both drivers were able to walk away from yet another spectacular crash, but looking at the cars it would leave one to believe the driver of the No. 17 should have sustained some sort of life threatening injuries. Patison was transported to an area for hospital for precautionary measures after complaining of a headache, and was found to have suffered a mild concussion, but was treated and released after his injuries were found not to be life threatening. “It happened so fast I didn’t have time to back out of it.

    The car carried momentum and pushed me out the exit into the attenuator. I closed my eyes and waited for the hit. Honestly it jarred me it hurt but it wasn’t as bad as I was expecting. I thought it was gonna be a lot worse,” said Patison the next day after the crash. Patison added that, “I think with the way the seats are built and the Hans device, and the cage was built really well. It absorbed a lot of the impact. I commend the car builder Port City Muskegon, MI and Short Track Racecars in Ramona, CA. for building a safe car.”

    The NASCAR research and development team is responsible for every aspect when it comes to driver safety, and the team spends countless hours testing, designing, and carefully looking for any flaws to ensure that each driver has the safest car possible. From the twisted metal steel that makes up the roll cage, to the six-point racing harness, along with the carbon fiber seat that holds the driver snuggly in place, no expense is spared in the construction of these technically advanced racing machines.

    These are just a few of the safety features that are very noticeable, along with the rest of the equipment that goes into building some of the safest race cars that are out on the track today. Track safety also plays a major role, and has always come under fire anytime an incident such as the one that involved Patison this past weekend, with most of  the controversy surrounding the magnitude of the wreck.

    The tracks are continuously evaluated to ensure the safety of the drivers, and also the fans that come out to enjoy this high speed and dangerous sport which pits man against machine. I talked with Bob DeFazio who is the Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale, about their policy on keeping the drivers safe, and giving the fans the comfort of knowing the track is as safe as it can possibly be.

    DeFazio started off by saying that, “There are guidelines we have to follow. We are the poster child for NASCAR in the weekly series, and they look at our race track but also the emergency and safety personal crews.” DeFazio also added that, “There are 50 plus tracks around the country in their weekly family, and we are looked at for all our procedures,” which should give both driver and fan the comfort of knowing that NASCAR does consider TS@I one their safest and a premier facility.

    The speedway has never spared any expense when it comes to driver safety, “We constantly look at safety whether there is an incident or not. Two cars were involved and both drivers walked away because of the steps we take to make sure the race track is safe.”

  • Rod Johnson Jr. Picks-Up Fourth Win of Season at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale

    Rod Johnson Jr. Picks-Up Fourth Win of Season at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale

    [media-credit name=”Position One Motorsports” align=”alignright” width=”225″][/media-credit]For those fans who have never visited your local short track for a night of excitement on a Saturday night. Let’s just say you don’t what you’re missing unless you take the time to support not only the track, but the drivers who race just as hard, and sometimes harder than your favorite Sprint Cup star.

    Once again it was a wild night of racing race at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale, with six different divisions taking to the half and third mile asphalt paved tracks before an estimated crowd of 1,800 fans. The main event of the evening was the Lucas Oil Slick Mist Super Late Model 75-lap feature race. It has been a little over a month since Rod Johnson Jr., driver of the #03 King Taco/Sunrise Ford has climbed behind the wheel of his Super Late Model at this progressively banked half-mile.

    Starting with the day’s first practice session, Johnson quickly found himself first on top of the leader board with a time of 18.219 seconds. Before the second session was about to begin, Johnson along with his team felt the car was set up to his liking, so they chose to skip the session and stay with what they had from the first time out.

    Qualifying was equally successful for Johnson, when he placed the car on the pole with a time of 18.101 seconds. Not satisfied with this, Johnson bested his first lap performance with a time of 18.099 seconds while securing his fourth pole of the season. Because of the invert, Johnson would end up starting the race from the 13th position, but quickly made his way to the front after two separate red flag incidents stopped the race on the first lap.

    Johnson restarted the race from the sixth position, and after 50 laps of green flag racing captured his fourth win of the season.

    “Once we were able to get in a long run, we were able to pick off some cars and finally get to the #11 car and get passed him to bring home the win.  I really have to thank the whole Position One Motorsports team.  They worked their butts off all week and I have the honor of working with these guys and driving the car.  A big thanks to my sponsors as well for supporting us and helping us make this a reality for us.”

  • Dario Franchitti Scores 30th IZOD IndyCar Series Win in Honda Indy Toronto

    Dario Franchitti Scores 30th IZOD IndyCar Series Win in Honda Indy Toronto

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    After taking the lead on lap 71, Dario Franchitti led teammate Scott Dixon to the checkered flag for his third win in Toronto and the 30th IndyCar Series win of the year for the points leader.

    “I was pretty happy just be in the company of Rick and J.R., and to get my 30th win today means a lot, especially here in Toronto,” Franchitti said. “I got my first pole here in 1997. I love racing in Canada. We had that incident with Will. He out braked himself to out brake me and opened up the door, I went down the inside, I held the wall and Will came down. I put my nose in there, I was trying to get my nose out, but ultimately he closed the door and paid the price.”

    The incident, in which Franchitti spoke of with pole sitter and points rival Will Power, happened on lap 56 when they were battling for fifth in turn three. Power kept soildering on, till hitting the tire barrier on lap 66 in turn five after contact with Alex Tagliani.

    “It’s just a really disappointing finish for the Verizon car today,” Power said. “My team did a great job in the pits and we were working our way back toward the front and we got past (Dario) Franchitti. We went into the corner and I gave him room and then he just drove into me. I understood he was going to get penalized but then there was no call – I just don’t understand that. After that we were just trying to get the best result possible before Tag (Alex Tagliani) hit me from behind. It’s very tough to have two DNFs (did not finish) in a row. All I can say is we’ll keep working hard and hopefully come back strong at Edmonton.”

    “The contact with Will was also a shame,” Tagliani said afterwards. “Will was on blacks. I tried to pass him a couple of times in turn three. He was blocking a bit, and then I made a move on the inside in turn eight and it got tight.”

    Meanwhile, it was Franchitti’s teammate Dixon who came home second for his fourth podium finish in the last five races.

    “It’s frustrating because these street races are part luck, you know,” Dixon said. “Will and I were one and two, then he comes out like 18th or something like that, so it’s—and the 10 car gets it everytime, so I’ll call back on the radio and say, ‘Let me guess who’s leading. The 10 car.’ Which, is good on him, they make good strategy, and obviously Dario is quick as well and we all had to pass a lot of cars, but it’s frustrating. We were getting into a nice rhythm there, car was quick and good, and then the strategy throws it all off.”

    Ryan Hunter-Reay finished third for his best finish of the season.

    “I got third and now we just have to go win one,” he said. “The Ganassi boys did a great job.  Congrats to Dario.  Those cars were the class of the field today.  The two red and white cars – they just took off.”

    Hunter-Reay’s day wasnt’ totally clean, however, as he made contact with Graham Rahal on lap 80 in turn three, though no caution was brought out due to the incident.

    “Unfortunately,  it  is a bit of a product of Toronto,” Hunter-Reay continued. “I feel really bad for Graham on that. When Dixon went by him,

    [media-credit id=4 align=”alignright” width=”225″][/media-credit]Graham kind of chopped him on the straight. Dixon went by him and really ran him wide in the corner into turn three.  There’s a football field worth of real estate there and I went for it and Graham slid across so. I’m not going to blame it on him and I certainly did not deliberately do that.  That was just part of Toronto.  As you can see, what we had out here today was a little bit of a crash test unfortunately. I hope the fans enjoyed it and I am just really happy to get DHL, Circle K and Sun Drop on the podium.  It was a hard fought day.  It wasn’t a straight forward podium that’s for sure.”

    Marco Andretti and Victor Meira rounded out the top five.

    The race was halted by five full course yellows throughout the 85 laps this afternoon.

    The first caution was on lap three when Ryan Briscoe and Tony Kanaan made contact in turn three, causing Kanaan to go airbourne, but he’d be okay.

    “I gave Briscoe plenty of room and he still took me out,” he said. “It was too early in the race to be doing stupid moves like that. I had a good car and was moving up the field,  I guess I overtook four cars in the first lap, so I was going to the front.  It’s a shame for the GEICO KV-Lotus guys.”

    The second caution was on lap 30 when Helio Castroneves and Tagliani made contact in turn three, halting Tagliani to a stop in turn three on the course. He’d get the car restarted and carry on.

    The third caution was on lap 39 when James Jakes stopped on the course.

    The fourth caution came out on lap 48 for a multi-car wreck involving Paul Tracy, Victor Meira, Charlie Kimball and Sebastain Bourdais.

    The fifth caution came on lap 56 for the incident involving Franchitti and Power, while the sixth caution came out on lap 71 for a multi-car accident involving Danica Patrick, Jakes and Tagliani.

    “It was just a really frustrating day,” Patrick said. “I thought we had a good race car. After we would pit for new tires, it would feel really good, but we kept getting caught out by the yellows. I have to thank the GoDaddy.com crew for working so hard all weekend.”

    The last caution was on lap 76 for another multi-car wreck involving Justin Wilson, Oriol Servia, James Hinchcliffe, Charlie Kimball, Mike Conway and Marco Andretti.

  • Tough Break For Jason White in Toronto

    July 10, 2011. Sun Peaks, British Columbia racer Jason White was hungry for more success in round number five of the 2011 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series. White had reeled off three consecutive top ten finishes, including a career best sixth place result in his #21 A & W Dodge Challenger and was looking forward to racing on the streets of Toronto during the Indy weekend. Unfortunately that consecutive string came to an end.

    It was a difficult start to the race weekend in practice when during the Friday afternoon practice session White had issues with the drive shaft in the #21 A & W Dodge. “It was a mechanical failure” explained White. “It’s unfortunate that it happens and it cost us a lot of practice time on this track” he added.

    The #21 A & W Dodge team went to work to complete repairs before the qualifying session later that day. “As usual the guys did a great job getting the car ready for qualifying, unfortunately we had to go in the first group so the track wasn’t as good as it would be later on” said White.

    White would start the 100km feature event from the eighteenth spot and had a plan to secure a solid finish in the race. “This track is extremely hard on equipment so I knew there would be guys that wouldn’t finish the race so I wanted to be smart, take it easy and gain as many positions as possible” he stated.

    Throughout the race White executed his plan for the #21 A & W Dodge perfectly. “The car felt really good and I was able to move up a few spots early and then settled in” explained White. “We were having a really good run and I was just outside the top ten as the laps were starting to wind down”.

    The BC racers good fortune would come to end however. With only a few laps remaining the #21 A & W Dodge rolled to a stop. “It’s a shame” said White afterwards. “We had another really good run going and it looks like we broke a rear gear. Again, it’s a mechanical failure, but it’s too bad for the whole team that worked so hard” he added.

    The #21 A & W Dodge team gets back in action next at White’s home track, Motoplex Speedway near Vernon, BC on Saturday July 23rd. “We’re excited to get back to the ovals, especially that one” said White. “We’ll be doing a lot of appearances and work with A & W and I know we’ll have a lot of hometown support at the race” he added.

    Race fans will have even more opportunities to follow Jason White and the #21 A & W Dodge Challenger team this season. Check out the all new team website at http://www.jasonwhiteracing.com www.jasonwhiteracing.com and be sure to follow Jason on twitter for the latest updates @racinjasonwhite The 2011 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series will consist of twelve events from coast to coast in Canada

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