Tag: david stremme

  • Grading the Sprint Cup Rides – 2013 Third Term Report

    Grading the Sprint Cup Rides – 2013 Third Term Report

    This grading system is pretty basic. Top 10’s, with extra consideration given for wins and Top 5’s, can help you earn an A+. Keep it in the Top 20 each race and that is worth a B. Just by finishing 30th each time out and that would still get you a C-. Less than that is a failure; a failure to compete, a failure to get noticed.

    Grade: A

    The top students have been to joy to have in class, even though Jimmie  did cost himself an  A+ by playing hookey in the weeks leading to the Chase.  We are hopeful Kyle continues his stellar work through the final part of the year, though he has had trouble in the past. Matt has really hit the books as of late, and could wind up class valedictorian if he continues his progress.  Carl once again is near the head of the class, but time will tell if can charge to the front to finally be number one.

    CAR

    DRIVER

    WINS

    TOP 5

    TOP 10

    TOP 20

    TOP 30

    48

    Jimmie JOHNSON

    4

    11

    17

    21

    25

    18

    Kyle BUSCH

    4

    13

    17

    20

    22

    20

    Matt KENSETH

    7

    8

    15

    21

    24

    99

    Carl EDWARDS

    2

    8

    14

    24

    26

     

    Grade: A-

    Kevin has been in the top half of the class pretty much the entire year and only twice has the dog eaten his homework. Clint is usually a very popular boy, but for some reason I detect that many of his classmates do not want him to wind up at the head of the class this year.

    CAR

    DRIVER

    WINS

    TOP 5

    TOP 10

    TOP 20

    TOP 30

    29

    Kevin HARVICK

    2

    7

    14

    25

    25

    15

    Clint BOWYER

    0

    8

    14

    24

    26

    Grade: B+

    Kurt, who usually does not play well with others, has some cheering for him. It will be interesting how he works with his new friends when class resumes next year. Kasey had some trouble last week, as did little  Joey a week earlier.  Dale is once again a very popular boy while Ryan has had some issues to work through, but seems to have replaced former friends with some new ones for next year. Martin has had some problems as well due to the company he keeps, and I am not sure how that will work out. Greg remains a solid student, with Mark helping Tony since he hurt his leg. Meanwhile, Jeff needed some help near the end of the term, though I am not sure it will be enough for him to realize his dreams by the end of the school year.

    CAR

    DRIVER

    WINS

    TOP 5

    TOP 10

    TOP 20

    TOP 30

    78

    Kurt BUSCH

    0

    9

    14

    20

    23

    5

    Kasey KAHNE

    2

    8

    11

    18

    20

    22

    Joey LOGANO

    1

    8

    14

    19

    23

    88

    Dale EARNHARDT, Jr

    0

    5

    15

    21

    24

    39

    Ryan NEWMAN

    1

    6

    13

    21

    22

    56

    Martin TRUEX, Jr

    1

    6

    12

    21

    23

    16

    Greg BIFFLE

    1

    4

    11

    23

    24

    14

    Tony STEWART

    1

    5

    10

    19

    27

    24

    Jeff GORDON

    0

    5

    13

    21

    22

    Grade: B

    It has been a disappointing year for some students. Brad has stumbled a bit since being last year’s valedictorian. Juan Pablo plans to transfer out of our school next year, returning to where he had previously enjoyed very good grades. His friend Jamie will remain with us, and has hopes of improving his status next year. Mark has been busy, first helping Brian earlier this year and now Tony.  I am expecting good things when Brian returns full-time next year.  Along with Paul, they might not make the honor roll this year, but these boys have done enough work to show they belong here.

     CAR

    DRIVER

    WINS

    TOP 5

    TOP 10

    TOP 20

    TOP 30

    2

    Brad KESELOWSKI

    0

    7

    12

    18

    23

    42

    Juan Pablo MONTOYA

    0

    4

    7

    17

    23

    1

    Jamie MCMURRAY

    0

    3

    7

    20

    25

    55

    Brian VICKERS

    1

    6

    11

    17

    23

    27

    Paul MENARD

    0

    2

    7

    19

    26

    Grade: B-

    Aric has shown signs that we might expect better things ahead for him.  Jeff, as always, was expecting more. As he leaves us a year early, we will miss this well spoken young man.

    CAR

    DRIVER

    WINS

    TOP 5

    TOP 10

    TOP 20

    TOP 30

    43

    Aric ALMIROLA

    0

    1

    5

    22

    24

    31

    Jeff BURTON

    0

    2

    6

    17

    23

    Grade: C+

    Marcos and Ricky have been okay, though not great. They both manage to get their work done, but I still  would like to see better things from them before the year is out.

    CAR

    DRIVER

    WINS

    TOP 5

    TOP 10

    TOP 20

    TOP 30

    9

    Marcos AMBROSE

    0

    0

    5

    19

    23

    17

    Ricky STENHOUSE, Jr

    0

    0

    2

    20

    25

    Grade: C

    I do not know what to say about Denny. I know he was hurt earlier in the year, but he has not been his old self since he returned. It appears he would just as soon end the year, go on vacation, and start afresh next year.

    CAR

    DRIVER

    WINS

    TOP 5

    TOP 10

    TOP 20

    TOP 30

    11

    Denny HAMLIN

    0

    3

    6

    12

    19

    Grade: C-

    Casey is not quite ready to compete with the big boys just yet, but I have been pleased with his progress. I am interested to see how he might do next year.  I will miss Bobby, though he has had another disappointing year.  Some seem happy with Danica’s progress, but I feel we should expect more by this time. She is blessed with so much more than a lot of the other students. David did succeed on the subject of Alabama geography, with some help from his close friend, the other  David, but neither are quite there yet. As for A.J., who sometimes goes by Regan or Austin or, just last week, by Michael, might make some real progress once he figures out who he really is.

    CAR

    DRIVER

    WINS

    TOP 5

    TOP 10

    TOP 20

    TOP 30

    13

    Casey MEARS

    0

    0

    1

    9

    23

    47

    Bobby LABONTE

    0

    0

    1

    8

    21

    10

    Danica PATRICK

    0

    0

    1

    6

    23

    34

    David RAGAN

    1

    1

    1

    4

    21

    38

    David GILLILAND

    0

    1

    1

    5

    20

    51

    A.J. ALLMENDINGER

    0

    0

    2

    7

    18

    Grade: F

    To be honest, I am not sure why these boys are even in my class. Both Dave and Travis, I am sure, would do so much better at Nationwide High. What can you say about J.J. (other than he enjoyed Daytona seven months ago), David S. (who just isn’t the same boy the past two weeks), David R. or Timmy? No, really. What can you say about them? Well, I’ve seen worse. I feel bad for Trevor, as I think if he would attend class more often he might be able to pull in a better grade than this. However, to be fair, of the nine assignments he has done, none have been much to write home about. As for Landon, things just don’t seem to work out.  He and Tony R. have done most of the assignments for Austin, which is too bad as the young fellow has done so much better on the two he has written on his own. There are other students who drop in from time to time, but I have reserved my remarks for those who have tried to attend class at least nine times this year.  God bless Scott, Michael, Joe, and Mike, but if the school board ever considers reducing class size, they make a good argument. To be honest, they usually do not stick around long enough to become a nuisance.  The sad thing is, all four have ability but you never get to see it.

     CAR

    DRIVER

    WINS

    TOP 5

    TOP 10

    TOP 20

    TOP 30

    7

    Dave BLANEY

    0

    0

    0

    2

    18

    93

    Travis KVAPIL

    0

    0

    0

    4

    15

    36

    J.J. YELEY

    0

    0

    1

    2

    14

    30

    David STREMME

    0

    0

    0

    4

    13

    83

    David REUTIMANN

    0

    0

    0

    1

    14

    32

    Timmy HILL

    0

    0

    0

    2

    12

    21

    Trevor BAYNE

    0

    0

    0

    4

    8

    40

    Landon CASSILL

    0

    0

    0

    4

    8

    33

    Austin DILLON

    0

    0

    0

    2

    12

    95

    Scott SPEED

    0

    0

    1

    1

    3

    98

    Michael MCDOWELL

    0

    0

    1

    1

    2

    87

    Joe NEMECHEK

    0

    0

    0

    0

    3

    19

    Mike BLISS

    0

    0

    0

    0

    1

     

  • NASCAR Has the Most Interesting Sponsors In Sports

    NASCAR Has the Most Interesting Sponsors In Sports

    Hornaday_CMS_Benscoter
    Photo Credit: Tammyrae Benscoter

    In the sport of NASCAR, as in  many professional sports, it is certainly the sponsors that make it all possible.

    But what makes the sport of NASCAR even more interesting is the diversity and uniqueness of the sponsors that have chosen to not only support stock car racing, but to invest in it as an asset to their own market development.

    This race season as in the past, several NASCAR sponsors are focusing on fans’ health, using both race cars and trucks to market their unique products. For example, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champ Ron Hornaday has an interesting returning sponsor in Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff, a product billed as America’s original, best-selling tobacco-free smokeless snuff.

    Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff plans on advertising its wares as primary sponsor on Hornaday’s No. 9 Chevrolet race truck for at least twelve races, starting at Daytona. The sponsor will also serve as an associate sponsor for the remaining ten events in the Truck Series.

    “It’s clear that Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff is a young but growing company but I look forward to taking them to the front of the field this year, not only on the race track but in the marketplace,” driver Ron Hornaday said.

    In addition to snuff, supplement sponsors are also seemingly hot in NASCAR this year. One recent example is Nutrition53, a health supplement company coming on board to sponsor the No. 30 Toyota driven by David Stremme for Swan Racing.

    Nutrition53 is owned by Bill Romanowski, an NFL veteran, who has also joined forces with team owner Brandon Davis to take the race team to the next level and forge a unique sponsor partnership.

    “Bill Romanowski understands what it takes to win, which makes him a perfect fit at Swan Racing,” majority owner Brandon Davis said. “Bill is the only linebacker to start in five Super Bowls and he did it playing for four different teams.”

    “His leadership skills and approach to successful competition will help Swan Racing become a championship contender.”

    “I am thrilled to jump into the NASCAR world as a part owner and as a sponsor,” Romanowski said. “I’m eager to be a part of it.”

    From supplements and snuff to construction sponsors, NASCAR again seems to have it all. NASCAR veteran Dave Blaney is one driver who will benefit on the construction side, being sponsored in 2013 by new company SANY America.

    SANY America, the sixth largest industrial equipment company in the world, will serve as primary sponsor for Blaney’s #7 Chevrolet for 14 Cup events and will serve as associate partner for 22 races. The company sells cranes, concrete pump machinery, excavators and other heavy equipment.

    JJ Yeley, another NASCAR driver, will be sponsored by another equipment company, this one in the mining world. United Mining Equipment will sponsor Yeley for three races, serving as primary sponsor on the Tommy Baldwin Racing #36 Chevrolet.

    United Mining Equipment, based in Butler, PA, had their first taste of NASCAR racing at Homestead last year and decided they were hooked. They have signed on for both the Bristol and Kentucky races in 2013.

    “United Mining Equipment tested TBR and NASCAR out at Homestead-Miami Speedway last year and really liked what they saw,” Tommy Baldwin, Jr., team owner, said. “By expanding their program this year emphasizes that our program and NASCAR can work for any business category.”

    Of course, NASCAR sponsors can also be as diverse as playing safely around rail road tracks to getting lucky in lottery land.

    On the railroad safety side, CSX Transportation has announced a new partnership with Front Row Motorsports and driver David Ragan to remind fast to “Play It Safe” around rail road tracks. The company will be the primary sponsor on Ragan’s No. 34 race car throughout the 2013 season.

    “It’s important for all of us to be safe around railroad crossings and tracks,” Ragan said. “Far too many incidents occur each year simply because people don’t recognize the danger associated with taking unnecessary chances around railroads.”

    “I’m glad CSX is bringing the issue to the forefront of the NASCAR fan base and I’m honored to champion their message.”

    For some race fans, while safety is critical, they would also like to be just plain lucky. That’s why the Florida Lottery has decided on sponsoring Tommy Baldwin Racing for the three races that will take place in the Florida area.

    “We at TBR are so happy to have the Florida Lottery back for the Daytona 500, the summer Daytona race and the season finale at Homestead-Miami speedway,” Baldwin, Jr. said. “It’s a great program for us as we help spread the word about the Lottery and their program.”

    And finally, there are even sponsors who just want to be involved for the good of the order. One such sponsor ‘want to be’, PETA, is looking to get on the hood of a race car and they have a particular one in mind.

    PETA has their sights set on NASCAR’s most popular driver, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., who has some available space on his hood. PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) has postulated that since Junior cares about four-legged critters and since he has some blank parts on his car that this could potentially be a match made in charity sponsor heaven.

    “PETA knows that Dale cares about animals and we’d love to have his help in fighting the animal overpopulation crisis in North Carolina and across the US,” PETA President Ingrid Newkirk said. “A spay and neuter message on the No. 88 could inspire millions of NASCAR fans to take the simple but lifesaving steps of ‘fixing’ their dogs and cats.”

    Yes, indeed, from PETA to the Florida Lottery, NASCAR most surely does have the most interesting sponsors in the world of professional sports. And that is what makes the cars on the track go round and round.

  • 2013 Sprint Cup Team Preview: Swan Racing

    2013 Sprint Cup Team Preview: Swan Racing

    Photo Credit: AP Photo/Alan Diaz
    Photo Credit: AP Photo/Alan Diaz

    With pre-season testing kicking off in Daytona this week, the time has come to begin previewing the teams that will be running in the Sprint Cup Series in 2013. Since every team has not announced their plans for 2013, we will preview the 14 teams that have announced their 2013 plans, beginning today with Swan Racing, formerly known as Inception Motorsports in 2012.

    The assets of Inception Motorsports were purchased by Swan Energy CEO Brandon Davis in 2012 and the team will be re-branded with the name Swan Racing for the 2013 Sprint Cup season. Driver David Stremme will remain as the driver of the No.30 Toyota, which will be sponsored by Swan Energy. Along with the name change, the new Swan Racing team has added a couple of familiar faces with the hiring of former JR Motorsports crew chief Tony Eury Jr to be the crew chief for Stremme and with Steve Hmiel, former Earnhardt Ganassi Racing executive, to be the competition director for the team.

    With the team under new ownership and the new additions to the team, Swan Racing is scheduled to run all of the races in 2013, which is a change from being a mostly start and park effort in 2012. Look for the team to run better than in years past due to the culture change the team has undergone under the new leadership, but the team will still have its struggles as they work to get their feet under them in 2013.

    Follow David at @damorgan86

  • David Stremme to Form Nationwide Series Team

    David Stremme to Form Nationwide Series Team

     David Stremme told Sirius NASCAR Radio’s Sirius Speedway with Dave Moody that he is working hard to assemble a NASCAR Nationwide Series team for 2011.

    “I’ve got my own shop — right next door to Rusty Wallace Racing — and we’ve got enough room to run a good Nationwide team there,” Stremme said. “I purchased some Nationwide cars and have all the equipment I need to run them, but it’s all about the funding. I might own some of the operation, or maybe someone else will own part of it.”

    [media-credit name=”CIA Stock Photo” align=”alignleft” width=”300″][/media-credit]Stremme said he has already made a substantial investment in the operation, purchasing cars from “a very good Sprint Cup team. We’re changing them all over to Nationwide specs, and we’re working hard to make sure we do everything right. I don’t want to just be out there, I want to be competitive. And to do that, we need a sponsor. I’m working hard on it, and we’ve got lots of things working, but nothing’s done yet.”

    In six years of Sprint Cup Series competition with 119 starts, he has only three top 10s. Hense why for Stremme, despite his Cup experience, it would make sense to step down to the lower tier series.

    In six years in Nationwide Series competition with 133 starts, he has 20 top fives and 49 top 10s, yet no wins. The last time he ran in the series was in 2008 where he ran 32 of the 35 races on his way to finishing 11th in the points.

    Stremme has no experience with the new style car so that will present a possible problem with adjusting himself to the series. Though with many crew members who have experience being laid off, Stremme may be able to pick them up and use them to his advantage in the creation of this team.