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Saturday, February 6, 2010
Monster Energy to sponsor Robby Gordon at Daytona: Robby Gordon Motorsports announced an extension of their partnership with Monster Energy, who will serve as the primary sponsor for the Daytona 500 of the No. 7 Toyota. Monster Energy and Robby Gordon already have a well-developed partnership through Robby's off-road endeavors. Monster Energy currently serves as the one of the primary sponsors on Gordon's Trophy Truck and Hummer. Robby Gordon's off-season did not include much downtime, instead the driver of the No. 7 Monster Energy Camry spent most of his time racing. After securing the SCORE International Off-Road Racing 2009 Championship in the Monster Energy / Toyo Tires Trophy Truck, Robby Gordon and the Robby Gordon Off-Road team quickly turned their focus to the 2010 Dakar Rally, which took place January 2-16 in South America. In that event, Gordon raced his Monster Energy / Toyo Tires HUMMER across the deserts of Argentina and Chile where he won Stage 4 and finished 8th-place overall in the grueling 14-stage event. Immediately after crossing the finish line in the Dakar Rally, Gordon headed to Laughlin, Nev., where he raced the Monster Energy / Toyo Tires trophy truck in the Laughlin Desert Challenge for the SCORE International Off-Road Racing Series. Robby's Remarks "I had a lot of fun during the NASCAR off-season," commented Gordon. "It gave me a chance to return to my off-road racing roots, secure a championship and celebrate victory with the Robby Gordon Off-Road team. Even as much as I love off-road racing, I'm ready for the NASCAR Season to get underway. We are very fortunate to have Monster Energy on the hood of our Camry for the Daytona 500, and I'm excited to extend our partnership with them. Monster Energy is a great brand that I love representing. We have been very strong at Daytona in the past, so I hope that we can bring home a great finish for Monster Energy's 2010 NASCAR debut."(RGM)
Richard Childress Racing to honor former crew member D.J. Richardson: Richard Childress Racing will honor former pit crew member and front tire changer D.J. Richardson with memorial decals during Speedweeks at Daytona International Speedway. The No. 29 Shell-Pennzoil Chevy will carry the decals behind the front tires for the February 6 Budweiser Shootout. The helmets of the No. 29 Shell-Pennzoil over-the-wall crew members will also don special decals for the 2010 season. All three of RCR's Sprint Cup Series entries will carry the decals for the 52nd annual Daytona 500 on February 14, and its Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series entries will also carry the decals for their season-opening races. Richardson passed away December 25, 2009, from complications from the H1N1 virus. He joined RCR in July 2009 and finished the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season with the No. 29 Shell-Pennzoil Chevy team. The 2005 Sprint Cup All-Star Rear-Tire Changer Champion began his Cup Series career with Andy Petree Racing in 1999. He also worked for Penske Racing, Hendrick Motorsports and Braun Racing. The Leominster, Mass., native was 37. "D.J. should be jumping off the wall and changing tires for us again this season so we wanted to honor him in this special way," said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. "He was a valued member of the RCR family and is missed as we start the 2010 season."(RCR)
Penske to donate over $1 million worth trucks to Clinton-Bush Haiti Fund: Penske Corporation and its family of companies announced that today it has donated over $1 million worth of diesel-powered flatbed trucks to the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund. "I'm pleased the Penske Corporation has stepped up to donate more than $1 million worth of trucks, which will be instrumental in mobilizing food and lifesaving supplies in Haiti," President Clinton said. "Their generous contribution is an example of what the private sector can do to help Haiti rebuild and recover from the massive earthquake, and I'm grateful for their leadership." "The catastrophe that has struck Haiti is almost unimaginable," said Roger Penske, Chairman of Penske Corporation. "These trucks will assist in the humanitarian relief efforts in Haiti by facilitating the distribution of critical supplies that will help ease the suffering of the Haitian people." For more info about the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, visit www.clintonbushhaitifund.org.(Penske Racing)
Friday, February 5, 2010
Earnhardt Jr. says he may race another 15 years: Dale Earnhardt Jr., 35, believes he will eventually turn things around and return to the form he displayed in 2004, when he won a career-high six races. And he plans to keep trying, maybe even until he’s 50, he said. “I've had a pretty good rough patch, haven't won hardly any races in the last two to three years,” he said. “But, you know, I'm 35 years old. If I wanted to, I could probably race another 15 years. I've probably got a pretty good chance of putting together another season like I had in 2004 [sometime in that 15‑year span].” Despite the constant pressure, and the struggles he’s faced the past four years, Earnhardt Jr. says he has no plans to retire any time soon. He is serious when he says he could race another 15 years. “I definitely could,” he said. “I don't see why not. There's nothing else I really want to do. There's no other place that I want to be. I mean, I really enjoy [it, and] I already done got to know everybody. I'm already pretty much comfortable in the environment. (Scene Daily)
NASCAR CEO Brian France's residence in question: Former NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield was back in federal court Thursday concerning a lawsuit he filed against the racing organization and CEO Brian France after Mayfield was banned for allegedly failing several drug tests. The evidentiary hearing will be used to determine if there is enough evidence to move forward with a case, but court officials must first determine where that case would be heard. If the judge decided that NASCAR president Brian France's primary residence is North Carolina, the case would be likely held in state court that's what Mayfield's legal team wants to see happen. But if it's Florida, as NASCAR's attorneys contend, the case will likely continue in federal court. France testified that he owns multiple homes and condos in Daytona Beach, Charlotte and California, and at least eight cars in three states. Mayfield's attorney, Mark Geragos, says France claims Florida for income tax purposes but he claimed North Carolina residency during his divorce and custody agreement. "It's obvious that he resides here in North Carolina and it's obvious to me, at least, or anybody else that's ever paid taxes, that the reason he's claiming Florida is it's a tax dodge so that he doesn't have to pay North Carolina taxes," Geragos said. France's ex-wife, Megan, said France moved her and their children to Charlotte after they married. They've since divorced but he keeps a North Carolina home to make visitation easier. France's 2009 marriage license to his new wife was filed in North Carolina. NASCAR officials say all of this is just a distraction from the real issue "Now let's remember what this case is about. This case is about failed drug tests by Jeremy Mayfield, who has tested positive on more than one occasion for methamphetamine," company spokesman Ramsey Poston said. A decision on Thursday's hearing is several weeks away. Attorneys have two weeks to file their arguments with the federal judge and then the judge will have to make a decision.(News14.com)
Physical therapy on hold for Denny Hamlin: Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin said he still hasn’t been able to start physical therapy because he cannot bend his left knee enough to go cycling or swimming. Hamlin tore the anterior cruciate ligament in the knee playing basketball on Jan. 22. He won’t have surgery until after the 2010 NASCAR season. He said he has 80 percent of the strength in his leg. “Rehab will help a ton,” Hamlin said Thursday during NASCAR Media Day at Daytona International Speedway. “Swimming and cycling are the two best. I can’t yet because I’m not as mobile as what I’d like. I can get 90 degrees and I can get my leg almost horizontal. That range of motion should be twice that. “Until I get my range of motion back, that’s when I’ll start that [rehab].” (Scene Daily)
Patrick warned not to start NASCAR career at Daytona: Racing in NASCAR is a deadly serious business and there have been those who have been counseling Danica Patrick that perhaps she’s not quite ready to take that step, at least at Daytona. “It’s been recommended that it’s not the best idea to start there (Daytona),” she said. “And I’m not going to ignore the people that have given me advice.” (Ft. Myers News-Press)
NASCAR shifts starting times for two Texas Motor Speedway races: Sprint Cup fans will have a couple of extra hours to get to Texas Motor Speedway for this year’s races than NASCAR originally planned. NASCAR has granted the track’s request to move the start times back for the track’s two Sprint Cup races, shifting the spring race and the fall race from noon to 2 p.m. TMS president Eddie Gossage petitioned NASCAR for the move after hearing from race fans. “We typically run later,” Gossage said. “We found through our research they [the fans] really liked that, as opposed to earlier starts.” (Dallas Morning News)
Crown Royal to sponsor No. 17 in additional races: Roush Fenway Racing announced that Crown Royal has extended the number of races in which it will be primary sponsor of driver Matt Kenseth and the No. 17 Sprint Cup Series team. Crown Royal will serve as the primary sponsor for 35 Sprint Cup Series races in 2010 [of 38 races counting the Bud Shootout & All-Star race). The makers of Crown Royal Canadian whisky, a subsidiary of Diageo plc, have been partners with Roush Fenway Racing dating back to 2003. "I'm thrilled that Crown Royal chose to expand their sponsorship of our team for the entire 2010 season," said Kenseth, one of only five drivers in NASCAR history to win the Sprint Cup rookie of the year award, a Sprint Cup Championship and the Daytona 500. "I know that this is going to be a successful season for our No. 17 team and it will be great to represent the Crown Royal brand for 35 Cup Series events. I had the honor of working with DIAGEO and their Smirnoff ICE brand back in 2003 where we developed a great relationship. In addition to the sponsorship, we look forward to helping Crown Royal promote its responsible drinking platform, as well as kick-off the annual Crown Royal "Your Name Here" program this week, which awards naming rights to the Spring race at Richmond International Raceway to an adult fan." Kenseth will make his inaugural run in the No. 17 Crown Royal Ford on Saturday, Feb. 6 for the non-points exhibition event, the Budweiser Shootout, at Daytona International Speedway. The first points race of the season will be the Daytona 500 the on Sunday, Feb. 14 in which Kenseth is the defending champion of the event. (Roush Fenway Racing)
Papis to attempt Daytona 500: Last weekend, Max Papis spent his days and nights behind the wheel of the No. 01 Grand-Am Series entry for Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates in the Rolex 24 at Daytona. He pushed the car to the lead before surrendering it after a double-stint on Saturday night. He would then climb back in the car early Sunday morning, driving an unprecedented four stints. After pacing the Daytona road course for an astonishing three hours and fifty minutes, he turned the car over to teammate Scott Pruett. The Ganassi team would ultimately record a second place finish in the Rolex 24, which is regarded as one of the top races in the world. Papis prepares to begin his second season in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series competition in the No. 13 GEICO Toyota Camry for Germain Racing at Daytona International Speedway this week when he returns for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice and qualifying. In addition to his duties in the No. 13 GEICO Camry, Papis will also pilot the No. 9 GEICO Toyota Tundra in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Daytona International Speedway on Friday, February 12th. Papis is scheduled to run 20 Sprint Cup Series races in 2010, including the Sprint Showdown in Charlotte.(GEICO Racing PR)
Gordon says NASCAR has become ‘very corporate’: NASCAR seems to be going retro these days with the sanctioning body declaring itself a contact sport and urging its drivers to mix it up a little out there. Even Jeff Gordon — the driver many fans over the years have associated with a too-polished image — is on the bandwagon. At Daytona on Thursday he was asked about this news hands-off policy by NASCAR and whether fans will see drivers getting into it with each other after the race as well. “I think that’s great,” he said. “I think that’s what’s missing in the sport. It’s not missing in the sport because people don’t feel that way; it’s missing in the sport because we’ve become very corporate, you know. The reason we’ve become very corporate is because the sport is expensive. In order to put the kind of cars and teams together on the track 36 weeks out of the year, we have to have big sponsors. Depending on who your sponsor is, you know, can dictate your actions on and off the race track - more off the race track. (Birmingham News)
Miccosukee Tribe pulls sponsorship in all three series: James Finch learned late Thursday afternoon that Miccosukee Resort and Gaming will no longer sponsor his Phoenix Racing teams. Finch had a contract for the full Nationwide Series schedule and 18 Sprint Cup races but when the Chairman of the Miccosukee tribe Billy Cypress lost the last election, Phoenix Racing became sponsor-less for Daytona and beyond. "They're not going to do anything," Finch said of the Miccosukee future involvement in NASCAR. "We had a contract, but our only recourse is to go in front of the tribal council and that's not a case I'm going to win. If it was back in the old days, I could go in the parking lot and steal some hubcaps to race, but no one uses hubcaps anymore." Although Finch attempted to make light of the situation, he seemed more distressed by his inability to lock into the Daytona 500 field. Finch won the Aaron's 499 at Talladega last spring but was 38th in points after running just 27 Cup races. "If I could buy my way into the Daytona 500 I would," Finch said. "Losing my sponsor isn't going to keep me from racing next Sunday. I could finish fourth in the 150s and go home. The rules are (messed) up. I'm not going to pay more for the points than I can get for winning. I've seen a lot of people come and go from this sport. I stay because I'm a racer. But when you get to where you can't race because of the rules, that's B.S."(FOXSports.com)
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Jimmie Johnson named Preseason Favorite in NASCAR media poll: It only took an unprecedented fourth consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship, but the media finally thinks Jimmie Johnson will defend his crown, according to a preseason media poll. Incredibly, this isn't a typical outcome. Only once in the previous five preseason polls has Johnson been tapped as the favorite in 2005, the last season he didn't win the championship. In 2006 and 2008, the media picked Jeff Gordon to win it all, in 2007 it picked Tony Stewart, and last year, the press picked Carl Edwards. Rounding out the top 12: Gordon in second, Stewart in third, Kyle Busch in fourth, Edwards in fifth, Denny Hamlin in sixth, Mark Martin in seventh, Kurt Busch in eighth, Juan Pablo Montoya in ninth, Matt Kenseth in 10th, Greg Biffle in 11th and Ryan Newman in 12th. Drivers who made the 2009 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, but were left out of the 2010 preseason media top 12 poll are Kasey Kahne and Brian Vickers. Kahne ranked 14th; Vickers 20th. Predictors think Dale Earnhardt Jr. will again miss the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, but barely. He ranked 13th in the poll. In the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Raybestos Rookie of the Year poll, the media thinks Kevin Conway will take home the trophy over Terry Cook. In the NASCAR Nationwide Series poll the Media Predicts Title to Edwards, Rookie Award to Colin Braun and in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Ron Hornaday is picked to win 5th Championship.(NASCAR)
Geoff Bodine hopes to attempt NASCAR races in 2010: Geoff Bodine came up two laps short of potentially winning the inaugural Free State 500 stock car race at the Phakisa Freeway Circuit in South Africa on Sunday. Bodine, who started on the pole, was leading when his Chevy ran out of fuel with two laps remaining. Bodine, who led the most laps at 89, was credited with ninth in the American Speed Association-sanctioned event. Bodine's good run has given the 60-year-old more incentive to want to return to racing. "I wish I could get the opportunity to do some more (NASCAR) racing," Bodine said. Bodine had hoped to get a ride for Saturday's Budweiser Shootout at Daytona International Speedway, but nothing materialized. He did hook up with NASCAR Camping World Truck Series owner Danny Gill in South Africa and Gill may put Bodine in one of his trucks for the race at Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 6. Bodine said he also is working on a deal to run in NASCAR'S All-Star race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May, and working on a Sprint Cup deal for the second race at the Atlanta track on Sept. 5.(Elmira Star Gazette)
Patrick may still run in Daytona Nationwide race: Danica Patrick could win her stock car debut at Saturday's ARCA race at Daytona and still decide to bypass the Nationwide Series opener there a week later. "(Finishing high) doesn't mean that I'm ready for that race," the IndyCar star said Wednesday. "Maybe I didn't get put in very many tough situations." Patrick won't commit to any particular yardstick of what it would take to convince her to make her NASCAR debut in the second-tier series Feb. 13 at Daytona International Speedway. "That way, whatever I decide, nobody can argue with me," Patrick said. Where she finishes is less important than which new challenges she faces - and how she handles them. "I'll have to feel comfortable in all situations," Patrick said. "It's a much different animal from the Daytona 500 weekend with 30 Cup drivers and more cars and more experience. Every level you step up, if you're not prepared, it's just exponentially harder. "It's going to have to be a pretty stellar weekend." Otherwise, Patrick will make her debut the following week in Fontana, Calif. JR Motorsports said last week that Patrick would race at least 12 NASCAR events this season but left the first one up in the air.(Associated Press)
Lynda Petty diagnosed with CNS: Richard Petty's wife, Lynda, has been diagnosed with CNS (Central Nervous System) Lymphoma. Mrs. Petty will be treated at the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke University Medical Center. "We are thankful for the medical team at Duke. My wife Lynda is in good hands," Richard Petty said Thursday in a team statement. "The doctors and our family are very optimistic that the treatment for this cancer will be successful." The Petty family appreciates the support from family, friends, and fans as well as the continued respect for their privacy during this time.(NASCAR.com)
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Prism Motorsports will attempt to run two cars in full season: Phil Parsons and Randy Humphrey's Prism Motorsports, which kicked off 2009 with a guaranteed start in the Daytona 500 and ran a single Toyota for the full schedule, will attempt to run two cars all season in 2010. Parsons confirmed Tuesday that Prism had entered a No. 55 Toyota for Michael McDowell, with debuting Cup crew chief Zach McGowan and a No. 66 Toyota for veteran Dave Blaney, again with Bill Henderson leading the crew. "We're going to race those things in," Parsons said. "We have our same alliance with MWR [Michael Waltrip Racing] that we did last year. We're going to attempt every race. We've been talking about the second car, and we solidified it in the last few weeks [because] if you're going to go anywhere and take a shot at getting in, that's the one to do it because the rewards are so great. We really don't have any sponsorship. We thought we were really close to having something for Dave for [Speedweeks], and it turned out they went a different direction at the 11th hour. We're still actively pursuing everything we can pursue; we have some good conversations going, but nothing imminent." Engines will be supplied by Pro Motor, built by Mark Smith and Terry Elledge, the father of Earnhardt Ganassi Racing crew chief Jimmy Elledge and a Parsons associate for 30 years.(NASCAR.com)
John Carter Racing's No. 08 will not attempt Daytona 500: John Carter Racing (formerly Carter-Simo) will not attempt the Daytona 500 this season. The No. 08 team plans to run races this season but understands its participation is very sponsor dependent. Carter says, "Right now we are actively looking for a sponsor, it's really going to dictate how often we compete this season. I think we can prove to be a very good fit for a company, it's just about finding the right one." said a team representative. "We already have some things in place moving forward , however the timing for the Daytona 500 just wasn't going to happen. The No. 08 will be on the track this season, its just a matter of when."(John Carter Racing PR)
Front Row Motorsports announces partnership with Doug Yates: Solidifying an ownership alliance with Doug Yates and Yates Racing, Front Row Motorsports owner Bob Jenkins announces a name change to the organization. With the addition of Yates, the team will now officially be titled Front Row Motorsports with Yates Racing. Doug Yates will be the listed owner of the No. 37 and No. 38 Ford Fusions, with Bob Jenkins remaining the listed owner of the No. 34 Ford Fusion. The team will remain headquartered in Statesville, N.C. The alliance secures all three entries into the top 35 in owner points heading into the opening weekend of the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup season. It also reunites Yates with his former drivers David Gilliland and Travis Kvapil. "There has been a lot of movement this past off-season inside the sport," said Yates. "The opportunity came up with Bob (Jenkins) and to continue in the ownership role. I didn't have to think long about making this decision. Bob is really putting together a strong team this season and has done so over the past few seasons. He's been smart and making all the right moves as an owner. He's capitalized on the changes in the sports landscape and has built a solid team with great factory support and drivers. That's what excited me about making this move. I had already learned a lot about Bob and the Front Row team over the past two months with their involvement with Ford Racing and leasing engines from Roush/Yates Engines. They are a fast-improving team and this move allows me to carry on the Yates Racing legacy created by my father over 20 years ago." "There has been so much that has happened for us in the past two months," said Jenkins. "But, having Doug come on board is a big piece of our puzzle coming together heading into this season. He brings such a family tradition of winning and a lot of confidence to everyone here. His relationships with Ford Racing, Roush/Yates Engines, David and Travis immediately make us a stronger team."(Front Row Motorsports/Breaking Limits)
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