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Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Gordon: Busch is no "Intimidator": Jeff Gordon raced against both Dale Earnhardt and Kyle Busch, and he's incensed that anyone could draw a comparison between the two. Earnhardt had a reputation for being a talented racer with a mean streak. So does Busch. Earnhardt had a way of stirring controversy in victory. So does Busch. But, according to Gordon, that's where the similarities end. "Please tell me you aren't trying to compare those two," Gordon said. "There's no comparison." Gordon, a four-time champion, said Earnhardt was both ruthless and calculating; Busch is brash and spontaneous. "Earnhardt was rarely on the edge, to be honest with you. But he was more of a bully. He's a guy that you never count him out. He was just tough as nails. He'd be a lap down and come back and be battling for the win at the end of the race and was just a totally different type of racer and how he approached it, than Kyle," Gordon said. "As far as results, I guess you could maybe compare results because they both really get the results. But to me, how Kyle goes about getting the results is still a little bit young and like this guy trying to tame a bull, you know. And when he first started, he was riding that bull in a china shop." (Florida Times-Union)

No. 18 to sport paint scheme in honor of B. Labonte: Kyle Busch’s No. 18 Interstate Batteries Toyota will feature a special paint scheme for the Samsung 500 in honor of Corpus Christi, TX native Bobby Labonte, who will be inducted into the Texas Motorsports Hall of Fame on Wednesday. Labonte was behind the wheel of the No. 18 Interstate Batteries car for 10 years with team owner Joe Gibbs, which includes his 2000 NASCAR Sprint Cup championship and 21 Sprint Cup career victories. Busch took over the No. 18 Toyota in 2008, which is sponsored by Interstate Batteries this weekend. The special paint scheme will be on display between 6-7 p.m. at the Speedway Club, with a photo opportunity with Busch, Labonte, CEO of Interstate Batteries Norm Miller and Speedway Motorsports, Inc. Chairman/CEO Bruton Smith at 6:30pm. No. 96-Bobby Labonte and SMI Chairman Bruton Smith, who brought NASCAR back to Texas with the construction of Texas Motor Speedway, will be inducted into the Texas Motorsports Hall of Fame on Wednesday, April 1 in The Speedway Club's Grand Ballroom at Texas Motor Speedway. Labonte and Smith will be available for media interviews between 6-7 p.m. and the dinner ceremony will begin at 7:30pm. Proceeds of the event will benefit Happy Hill Farm, an academy and home for at-risk children.(TMS PR)

No. 24 Crew wins Pit Road Precision Award: The pit crew for Sprint Cup points leader Jeff Gordon won the Tissot Pit Road Precision Award in Sunday's NASCAR race at Martinsville Speedway. The No. 24 crew took top honors in the Tissot weekly competition as a result of Gordon's DuPont Chevrolet Impala SS spending the least amount of time on pit road -- 233.463 seconds. The pit road performance was a factor in Gordon's strong fourth-place finish in the Goody's Fast Pain Relief 500 at the historic half-mile flat track. Gordon's pit crew consists of: Clay Robinson (front-tire changer), Mike Houston (front tire carrier), Tim Ladyga (rear-tire changer), Jeff Knight (rear-tire carrier), Jeff Cook (jackman), Caleb Hurd (gasman), Jamie Frady (catch can) and Andy Kruep (eighth man). The pit crew coach is Greg Morin. For winning the Tissot Pit Road Precision Award, the No. 24 team will receive $5,000. The team with the most pit road wins at the completion of the 36-race schedule will earn a $100,000 bonus plus Tissot watches for the driver and over-the-wall crew members.(Tissot/DMF Communications PR)

Knaus named WYPALL Crew Chief of the Race: Chad Knaus, crew chief for the No. 48 Lowe's Chevy driven by three-time Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson, has been named the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race in Sunday's Goody's Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway. In addition to the $1,000 check, the winning crew chief will receive signage to announce the win on their pit box the following week. The crew chief with the most weekly wins will be honored as the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Year and will be presented a $20,000 check at the season finale in Homestead, Fla. The Wypall Wipers Crew Chief Challenge will continue throughout the 2009 season and spotlight the men behind the machines.(Wypall PR)

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Johnson to sport special paint scheme at Texas: No. 48 Jimmie Johnson will showcase a special "Tough Tools for Cool Schools" paint scheme for the Samsung 500 at Texas Motor Speedway as a result of his assistance with a partnership between Kobalt Tools and SkillsUSA. Lowe's and Kobalt Tools will help the next generation of skilled trade professionals by donating approximately $300,000 worth of Kobalt tools to more than 500 SkillsUSA building and construction trade classes and labs across the country. There are approximately 1,000 SkillsUSA chapters in Texas public schools and trade/technical schools. Texas SkillsUSA serves nearly 15,500 student and professional members who are enrolled in trade, technical, industrial and health occupation programs.(TMS PR)

Martinsville economy shifts focus from motorsports to other industries: Martinsville turned its hopes toward the increasingly profitable motorsports industry. With a track beloved by drivers and fans alike, community leaders sought to transform Martinsville into a miniature Charlotte, the hub of the racing industry. But despite the creation of two educational programs and statewide economic incentives for the motorsports industry, the effort has largely failed. Economic development officials say that they have shifted their attention to other pursuits and that motorsports are no longer a priority. Martinsville residents are given an economic reprieve two weekends a year, when the Sprint Cup series comes to town and visitors with license plates from states as far away as Wisconsin fill hotels, pump gas and stock up on beer and potato chips. But when the crowds leave, the reality remains: the recession has only hastened Martinsville’s decline. In surrounding Henry County, 13 percent of the 55,000 residents do not have work. In Martinsville, home to 15,000 people, unemployment has hit 18 percent. “There’s really no sugarcoating it,” said Mark Heath, president of the Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corporation. “We’re rebuilding an economy here.” (More at NY Times)

McMurray accounts frozen after fraud investigation: NASCAR driver Jamie McMurray is trying to gain access to five investment accounts frozen in the multi-billion-dollar fraud investigation of Stanford Financial Group. Some of the funds in the accounts are used to pay expenses associated with his racing team, including employees, according to a filing in Dallas federal court. McMurray's Chicago-based attorney did not respond to phone and email messages Monday evening. McMurray's motion, filed late Friday, says he did purchase one of the problematic CDs from Stanford International Bank, but it is held independently from his frozen accounts. A total of more than $308,000 was deposited into two of McMurray's accounts on Feb. 17 and 18. These were "direct cash deposits in connection with McMurray's employment as a NASCAR driver and are unequivocally not connected with the alleged fraud," his filing says. (Dallas Morning News)

Monday, March 30, 2009

Johnson testifies in Castroneves trial: NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson was the leadoff defense witness Monday in the Helio Castroneves tax evasion trial, testifying that a lawyer who is also charged in the case has a sterling reputation in the motorsports world. Johnson, a three-time Sprint Cup winner, said Michigan lawyer Alan Miller has many clients in NASCAR and the Indy Racing League, a circuit where the Brazilian-born Castroneves is a top driver. Both Castroneves and Johnson have received financial guidance from Miller. "Alan's reputation is about honesty. His character is second to none," Johnson testified in a 10-minute appearance. "He's given me great advice." Miller, 71, is charged with conspiracy and tax evasion for allegedly helping Castroneves, 33, and the driver's business manager-sister, 35-year-old Katiucia, avoid U.S. taxes on some $5.5 million from 1999 to 2004. All three face more than six years in prison if convicted. (Associated Press)

Monday, March 30, 2009

Kansas Speedway resubmits casino bid: Kansas Entertainment, the partnership of the speedway and Baltimore-based Cordish Co., filed its application Monday with the Kansas Lottery to develop and operate a state-owned casino in Wyandotte County at the track's No. 2 turn. Speedway President Jeff Boerger arrived at the Lottery's front door in Topeka with the application, driving a NASCAR stock car. The application came two days before the 5 p.m. Wednesday deadline for applications for Wyandotte and Sumner counties. On Dec. 5, the speedway withdrew its application as it awaited final approval by the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission. It said then it would submit its application. "Because of the equity markets and because of the economic meltdown in the United States, we decided the best strategy for entertainment properties, or for Kansas Entertainment, was to pull back the proposal and resubmit," Boerger said Monday. (Forbes)

Andretti picks up Texas sponsor: myAutoloan.com will be the primary sponsor of the No. 34 Front Row Motorsports entry driven by John Andretti at Texas Motor Speedway, for NASCAR’s Sprint Cup race, the Samsung 500. "I look forward to driving the No. 34 myAutoloan.com Chevrolet Impala at Texas Motor Speedway," commented driver John Andretti. "The guys in the shop have spent a lot of time the last couple of weeks getting the car ready for the race and branding it for myAutoloan.com this weekend. Texas is a fast track and we have a great car, I’m confident we will put together a superior effort." For more information about myAutoloan.com please visit myAutoloan.com. "We are grateful for the support of myAutoloan.com for the Texas race," said Front Row Motorsports team owner Bob Jenkins. "There is no doubt the Sprint Cup Series is as tough as it has ever been, but great partners like myAutoloan.com, make it possible for us to go to the track week after week."(PR Leap)

R. Gordon slump continues: Robby Gordon finished 40th. It's the eighth consecutive race he's finished 34th or worse at Martinsville. (News-Record)

Burton considering run for office after racing? When Jeff Burton, 42, was asked if he's interested in running for office after his NASCAR career, he had the diplomatic answer down pat. "When I decide to retire, whenever that is, I'll look at my options then and I'll decide what to do," Burton said. "I don't need to know what it is. I'll figure that out when I get there." (Arkansas Democratic Gazette)

Hendrick, ex-gov had close relationship: Former Gov. Mike Easley crashed one of NASCAR titan Rick Hendrick's race cars, went with him to receptions and hung around with him at races. But the relationship between the two men goes deeper than public appearances, and it has been good to both. Records obtained by The News & Observer show that Easley traveled last year on a Hendrick racing team jet to Hendrick's retreat on a Florida island. The records also show that former first lady Mary Easley has been driving a new $30,000 Honda Accord that the Easleys didn't buy. It belongs to one of Hendrick's Charlotte dealerships, which bought it during the final week of Easley's administration. Racing businesses owned by Hendrick and others have received tax breaks for corporate jet fuel and other government help, sometimes with Easley's assistance. (Charlotte Observer)

RIR working with local hotels to lower room cost: Richmond International Raceway is working with hotels in the Richmond region to promote special lodging rates and offers to race fans for the NASCAR Doubleheader weekend May 1-2 at America’s Premier Short Track. In conjunction with the Richmond Metropolitan Convention & Visitor’s Bureau, Richmond International Raceway is reaching out to area hotel owners and management and offering the opportunity to promote compelling lodging deals to race fans, which will include being listed on the track’s official web site www.rir.com. On the initial list of hotels offering significant deals, some of the 2009 race weekend rates are 20-50% lower compared to 2008 race weekend prices, and many of the hotels on the list have reduced or eliminated the minimum stay requirement for the upcoming May race weekend. The hotel program is another way Richmond International Raceway is working to make race weekends at America’s Premier Short Track more affordable and enjoyable for its fans. Please log on to www.rir.com or call 866-455-RACE (7223) for tickets and information.(RIR PR)

Newman still looking for sponsorship: Q: HOW'S THE SPONSORSHIP SEARCH COMING? Ryan Newman: "I'd say just like many people out there. The door is always open. People at Stewart-Haas Racing are working on other sponsors let's say for primary as well as associates. The U.S. Army is committed to their amount of races, I think it's 23. They've been great to work with. We have Haas Automation on the car as well but we're currently looking and working on other things as well."(Chevy/Stewar-Hass PR)

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Darlington Speedway's Mother Day race generates $54 million: A study by the Washington Economics Group, Inc. has found that Darlington Raceway generates an annual economic benefit of $54 million for the Pee Dee region and state of South Carolina, including the creation of 874 jobs in the region. The economic impact study was conducted over a period of several months and utilized the IMPLAN model, which quantifies the direct and indirect benefits of economic activity. In addition to identifying the total economic impact of $54 million, the study also found that:
· NASCAR events and other activities throughout the year at Darlington Raceway result in $19 million of labor income for workers throughout South Carolina annually, benefiting workers in all sectors of the state’s economy.
· These activities are also an important source of fiscal revenues. Each year these activities produce over $7.9 million for federal, state and local governments. Of this total, $3.4 million flow directly to state and local governments.
· Year round track operations contribute $30 million annually toward South Carolina’s gross state product. Referred to by economists as “value added,” this is the portion of business revenues that provides compensation to workers and capital income. Value added is also the principle source of income to households and a key measure of Darlington Raceway’s ongoing contributions to the South Carolina economy. Darlington Raceway hosts two major NASCAR races a year, the Southern 500 and the Diamond Hill Plywood 200. Additionally, the track “Too Tough to Tame” also hosts the Darlington Historic Racing Festival each September celebrating the history of oval track racing. During the 2008 Southern 500, Darlington Raceway hosted fans from all 50 states and more than 7 different countries.(Darlington Raceway PR)

Denver track plans on hold: The International Speedway Corp. was looking to build a racetrack in the Denver area, eyeing land in Aurora near Denver International Airport as a likely site for a $400 million track on 1,000 acres. But more than two years after the company's initial public show of affection for the area, ISC officials "don't have anyone on the ground" in Denver anymore, ISC spokesman Wes Harris said. And the slumping economy makes it even more unlikely a track will be built anytime soon, although ISC says it still wants to build a track here at some point. "Our long-term goal is that we want to be there," Harris said of coming to Denver. "We know it will be a home run for the region. But we, of course, are sensitive to the economy, which is definitely not playing in anyone's favor right now." (Denver Post)

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Bristol FOX rating down: Fox’s broadcast of last Sunday’s Food City 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Bristol Motor Speedway earned a final Nielsen Media Research rating of 4.5 and a 10 market share, Street & Smith’s SportsBusiness Daily reports. The rating is 18.2 percent lower than the 5.5 Fox earned for the race last year. (SceneDaily.com)

Allmendinger and Speed on F1's short list: Sources tell AutoRacingSport.com that NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers AJ Allmendinger and Scott Speed are ‘definitely’ on the short list of the newly formed USF1 Formula 1 team that’s set to begin competition in 2010 while IndyCar star Danica Patrick and NASCAR Sprint Cup sensation Kyle Busch are not. ‘Ken and Peter (Ken Anderson and Peter Windsor-USF1 team Principals) are really looking for open wheel experience, and Scott and AJ (Speed and Allmendinger) fit that bill quite well, with AJ being a winner in Champ Car and Scott having F1 experience.’ our source informs us. ‘Of course I don’t think this really comes as a surprise’. (AutoRacingSport.com)

Friday, March 27, 2009

Hendrick wants Martin decision on next season by July: Rick Hendrick hopes to know by July whether 50-year-old Mark Martin will drive full-time again in 2010. He also reiterated that he's convinced there's no better person than Martin, whose original deal called for him to drive a partial schedule next season, for the No. 5. "He's got so much talent. I think the sport needs him. The sport would miss him," Hendrick said. Before a decision can be made Hendrick must first settle the sponsorship on Martin's car. Kellogg's is up for a renewal, and with the current economic climate there is no guarantee the company will come back. Hendrick said he also doesn't want to push Martin into a quick decision. "The worst thing in the world would be if I say let's do a deal and then him get burned out and the end of the year and not want to do it," Hendrick said. "I don't see that happening." (ESPN.com)

Cope to attempt Martinsville Cup race: Derrike Cope, Inc. will enter this weekend’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500 at Martinsville. FW1/Fast Wax and flipNbags.com will serve as co-primary sponsors for the team’s entry, which will be driven by Cope. “Our team is gaining momentum with every race,” said Cope. “We are planning to compete this season in the NASCAR Camping World Truck, Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series’ and we are pleased to be working with such great new sponsors while building a stronger racing program.” Also on the #75 Dodge Charger will be associate sponsor Blu Frog Energy Drink.(Derrike Cope PR)

Almirola to sport Guitar Hero paint scheme: Coinciding with the launch of Activision Publishing, Inc.’s Guitar Hero Metallica, the Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates’ No. 8 Chevy, driven by 25-year-old Aric Almirola, will be primarily sponsored by the highly-anticipated video game at Martinsville Speedway. This will be the third race during the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) season under the Guitar Hero banner for Almirola and the No. 8 team. The No. 8 Chevy powerful design draws it’s inspiration from the intense yet electrifying music of Metallica. For more information anout the game, log onto metallica.guitarhero.com.(EGR PR)

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Hendrick stands behind Eury and Earnhardt Jr: Car owner Rick Hendrick said he fully backs the combination of driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. and crew chief Tony Eury Jr., the latter of whom has endured a barrage of criticism from fans over the driver's slow start to this season. Earnhardt is 19th in points entering this weekend's Cup Series event at Martinsville Speedway. "What I want to say is that I am 100 percent behind this group. I have no intentions of making any changes. I have all intentions of making it better. And these guys are working their butts off no different than Stevie and Jeff did, and I've got to believe in the next few weeks, we are going to see some real success out of that crowd," said Hendrick, referring to the tandem of driver Jeff Gordon and crew chief Steve Letarte, who struggled at times last year but are now leading the points. "It's just one of those things that, you know, you can shuffle the deck and start all over, but when you see little things, a little tenth [of a second] here, a tenth there, with the people in the team, with the preparation, with the plan getting to the race track, we are just putting a lot of effort against it, and I think it's going to pay us some huge dividends." (NASCAR.com)

Hendrick would like Martin to race full-time in 2010: Hendrick said that he would like to have Mark Martin drive again fulltime next year. Martin has a contract for next season, although one plan was for him to drive part-time. Martin suggested last weekend at Bristol that he would like to drive fulltime but said he hadn't discussed any plans with team officials. Hendrick says he'd like to have something finalized by the summer. (Roanoke Times)

Sprint committed to NASCAR: Sprint remains committed to sponsoring NASCAR's premier series through the duration of its contract that runs through 2013 despite tough economic conditions, director of Sprint entertainment and marketing Steve Gaffney said Wednesday. "Committed more than ever," Gaffney said. "This sport and what we get from this sport in terms of real business, subscribers and existing subscribers is demonstratively good for our business. "You mention the economic downturn, we need to focus more on areas where we think we're winning business. And this sponsorship is winning business," Gaffney said. Sprint, at the time Nextel when the deal was signed, reportedly committed $700 million over 10 years to the series. (ESPN.com)