Jorge Lorenzo scored his fourth consecutive pole position for the Portuguese GP today at Estoril."
TOTAL HOME SECURITY
Saturday, April 30, 2011
VIDEO: MotoGP - Estoril QP Highlights
VIDEO: MotoGP - Estoril QP Highlights: "
Jorge Lorenzo scored his fourth consecutive pole position for the Portuguese GP today at Estoril."
Jorge Lorenzo scored his fourth consecutive pole position for the Portuguese GP today at Estoril."
MOTOGP: Lorenzo Nets Fourth Straight Estoril Pole
MOTOGP: Lorenzo Nets Fourth Straight Estoril Pole: "
Jorge Lorenzo has never started a MotoGP race in Estoril from anywhere other than on pole. That tradition will continue in tomorrow's Portuguese Grand Prix..."
Jorge Lorenzo has never started a MotoGP race in Estoril from anywhere other than on pole. That tradition will continue in tomorrow's Portuguese Grand Prix..."
McClure survives tornado, emotion to come to Richmond
McClure survives tornado, emotion to come to Richmond: "RICHMOND, Va. -- Virtually no one in the NASCAR industry experienced first-hand the devastation visited on the Southeast during the past week by a series of tornadoes more than Nationwide Series driver Eric McClure and his dad, Jerry."
Friday, April 29, 2011
NNS: Hamlin Wins At Richmond
NNS: Hamlin Wins At Richmond: "
Denny Hamlin won the NASCAR Nationwide Bubba Burger 250 at Richmond International Raceway..."
Denny Hamlin won the NASCAR Nationwide Bubba Burger 250 at Richmond International Raceway..."
Benson Returns To His Michigan Roots
Benson Returns To His Michigan Roots: "
Former NASCAR champion Johnny Benson will drive the #21 Racing Awareness Chevrolet owned by MRN Radio announcer Jeff Striegle in the May 7 Boyne Machine Super Late Model series event at Michigan's Berlin Raceway. Benson was previously announced as Racing Awareness’ primary driver for 2011, but was not scheduled to drive his first race until June. A schedule change made him available to be behind the wheel for the opening event, and also make a run at the series championship.
“The schedule opportunities worked in our favor,” said Benson. “We still have a race conflict later this summer, though, so we will just have to see how it plays out.'
Track officials have said that each driver's worst finish will be dropped when tallying points toward the championship. Benson will now be able to compete in all but one series race, giving him a shot at the title. “Knowing that we already have to drop the race I can’t attend puts us behind, but we’ll at least have a shot at (the championship),” said, who won his last track championship at Berlin Raceway in 1989.
The new #21 Late Model will carry the same paint scheme as Benson’s 1993 ASA championship-winning car, along with the logos of Racing Awareness’ charity beneficiary, Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. Check out www.racingawareness.com/events for the team's complete schedule.
Benson, who currently resides in Cornelius, North Carolina, grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan and followed in his father's racing footsteps, eventually winning the 1995 NASCAR Nationwide Series championship and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series title in 2008. He also has a win in 274 career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts.
"
Former NASCAR champion Johnny Benson will drive the #21 Racing Awareness Chevrolet owned by MRN Radio announcer Jeff Striegle in the May 7 Boyne Machine Super Late Model series event at Michigan's Berlin Raceway. Benson was previously announced as Racing Awareness’ primary driver for 2011, but was not scheduled to drive his first race until June. A schedule change made him available to be behind the wheel for the opening event, and also make a run at the series championship. “The schedule opportunities worked in our favor,” said Benson. “We still have a race conflict later this summer, though, so we will just have to see how it plays out.'
Track officials have said that each driver's worst finish will be dropped when tallying points toward the championship. Benson will now be able to compete in all but one series race, giving him a shot at the title. “Knowing that we already have to drop the race I can’t attend puts us behind, but we’ll at least have a shot at (the championship),” said, who won his last track championship at Berlin Raceway in 1989.
The new #21 Late Model will carry the same paint scheme as Benson’s 1993 ASA championship-winning car, along with the logos of Racing Awareness’ charity beneficiary, Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. Check out www.racingawareness.com/events for the team's complete schedule.Benson, who currently resides in Cornelius, North Carolina, grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan and followed in his father's racing footsteps, eventually winning the 1995 NASCAR Nationwide Series championship and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series title in 2008. He also has a win in 274 career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts.
F1: Turkey Ticket Prices Too High - Webber
F1: Turkey Ticket Prices Too High - Webber: "
Red Bull driver Mark Webber believes the locals simply can't afford to attend the Turkish Grand Prix..."
Red Bull driver Mark Webber believes the locals simply can't afford to attend the Turkish Grand Prix..."
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Rosberg to make DTM debut - as a chauffeur
Rosberg to make DTM debut - as a chauffeur: "Mercedes' Nico Rosberg will get his first taste of Germany's famous DTM touring car series this weekend when he appears at 2011's opening round at Hockenheim. However, the F1 star will not be racing. Instead, Rosberg will act as a chauffeur to a number of special guests, driving an AMG Mercedes C-Class.
“As a young driver, I grew up around the DTM and I know that it's a fantastic series with a unique atmosphere and great crowds"
“As a young driver, I grew up around the DTM and I know that it's a fantastic series with a unique atmosphere and great crowds"
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
RT @NASCAR: Catching up with local media, @RTruex00, @RonHornaday and @MaxPapis talk about the @MonsterMile http://twitpic.com/4q76sg
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
@RT @NASCAR: Marcus Smith poses with @kylebusch and Jeff Hammond #sprintallstar #nascar http://bit.ly/k19VBy
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
F1: Ecclestone Alleges Extortion In Bribery Saga - Report
F1: Ecclestone Alleges Extortion In Bribery Saga - Report: "
Bernie Ecclestone is reportedly no longer denying he paid millions to jailed German banker Gerhard Gribkowsky..."
Bernie Ecclestone is reportedly no longer denying he paid millions to jailed German banker Gerhard Gribkowsky..."
Monday, April 25, 2011
Nationwide Changes Working As Planned
Nationwide Changes Working As Planned: "Carl Edwards, Kyle Busch, Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano swept the top four finishing positions in Saturday night’s NASCAR Nationwide Series “Nashville 300” at Nashville Superspeedway, renewing yet again the debate over the presence of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers in the Nationwide Series.
During the offseason, NASCAR made a major change in the way it selects its Nationwide Series champion, requiring drivers to declare which national series in which they will earn 2011 championship points. That move forced 2010 champion Keselowski to forego a NASCAR Nationwide Series title defense. It also eliminated Edwards, Busch and Logano from title contention, after they understandably opted to receive Sprint Cup championship points instead of competing for the Nationwide title. They are, however, still allowed to race and win in the Nationwide Series, and they are doing just that.
Sprint Cup regulars have won all eight Nationwide Series events this season, led by Busch with four victories. Edwards has visited Victory Lane twice, with Tony Stewart and Mark Martin claiming single wins. Some observers seem surprised by the continued dominance of Sprint Cup regulars, apparently believing that a change in the way NASCAR tabulates its championship points would somehow affect on-track competition.
For the record, Edwards, Busch, Keselowski and company are still the dominant drivers in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, just as every realistic observer of the sport knew they would be. They have superior experience behind the wheel, along with the best equipment, sponsorship, personnel and manufacturer support. They should be winning races, and they are.
But while the Sprint Cup drivers have dominated on the race track, a group of younger, Nationwide-only drivers are waging war at the top of the point standings. Jason Leffler, Justin Allgaier, Reed Sorenson and Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. have each taken a turn at the top of the championship leader board this season, receiving no shortage of media attention for doing so. Elliott Sadler, Aric Almirola, Trevor Bayne and Brian Scott are in hot pursuit, and are also earning a great deal more attention from media and fans than they did a year ago.
Some members of the NASCAR media have labeled the new system a flop, bemoaning the fact that Nationwide Series regulars have not been miraculously transformed into consistent race winners. They complain bitterly that the playing field has not been leveled, allowing Turner Motorsports to begin trouncing the likes of Jack Roush, Joe Gibbs and Roger Penske. In their undying effort to find fault with everything and anything associated with the sport, they ignore the fact that nobody -- especially NASCAR – ever promised such a change in fortune.
The only way to stop Busch, Edwards and their fellow Sprint Cup drivers from winning Nationwide races is to ban them from the circuit entirely. Doing so would also eliminate drivers like Stewart, Martin, Kevin Harvick and Dale Earnhardt, Jr., from the Nationwide lineup, stripping the series of much of its marquee value and depriving track operators of their top Saturday ticket sellers. That is not a move that NASCAR, its track owners or television and radio partners are willing to make.
So here it is, one more time for those who are somehow still incapable of understanding what happened during the off-season. NASCAR’s new Nationwide points system was not designed to change what happens on the race track Saturday night. It was designed to alter the look of the championship standings on Monday morning; augmenting an already strong on-track product by allowing talented Nationwide-only youngsters to battle for the series championship.
On both counts, the new system is working as planned.
"
During the offseason, NASCAR made a major change in the way it selects its Nationwide Series champion, requiring drivers to declare which national series in which they will earn 2011 championship points. That move forced 2010 champion Keselowski to forego a NASCAR Nationwide Series title defense. It also eliminated Edwards, Busch and Logano from title contention, after they understandably opted to receive Sprint Cup championship points instead of competing for the Nationwide title. They are, however, still allowed to race and win in the Nationwide Series, and they are doing just that.Sprint Cup regulars have won all eight Nationwide Series events this season, led by Busch with four victories. Edwards has visited Victory Lane twice, with Tony Stewart and Mark Martin claiming single wins. Some observers seem surprised by the continued dominance of Sprint Cup regulars, apparently believing that a change in the way NASCAR tabulates its championship points would somehow affect on-track competition.
For the record, Edwards, Busch, Keselowski and company are still the dominant drivers in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, just as every realistic observer of the sport knew they would be. They have superior experience behind the wheel, along with the best equipment, sponsorship, personnel and manufacturer support. They should be winning races, and they are.
But while the Sprint Cup drivers have dominated on the race track, a group of younger, Nationwide-only drivers are waging war at the top of the point standings. Jason Leffler, Justin Allgaier, Reed Sorenson and Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. have each taken a turn at the top of the championship leader board this season, receiving no shortage of media attention for doing so. Elliott Sadler, Aric Almirola, Trevor Bayne and Brian Scott are in hot pursuit, and are also earning a great deal more attention from media and fans than they did a year ago.
Some members of the NASCAR media have labeled the new system a flop, bemoaning the fact that Nationwide Series regulars have not been miraculously transformed into consistent race winners. They complain bitterly that the playing field has not been leveled, allowing Turner Motorsports to begin trouncing the likes of Jack Roush, Joe Gibbs and Roger Penske. In their undying effort to find fault with everything and anything associated with the sport, they ignore the fact that nobody -- especially NASCAR – ever promised such a change in fortune.
The only way to stop Busch, Edwards and their fellow Sprint Cup drivers from winning Nationwide races is to ban them from the circuit entirely. Doing so would also eliminate drivers like Stewart, Martin, Kevin Harvick and Dale Earnhardt, Jr., from the Nationwide lineup, stripping the series of much of its marquee value and depriving track operators of their top Saturday ticket sellers. That is not a move that NASCAR, its track owners or television and radio partners are willing to make.
So here it is, one more time for those who are somehow still incapable of understanding what happened during the off-season. NASCAR’s new Nationwide points system was not designed to change what happens on the race track Saturday night. It was designed to alter the look of the championship standings on Monday morning; augmenting an already strong on-track product by allowing talented Nationwide-only youngsters to battle for the series championship.
On both counts, the new system is working as planned.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Rusty Wallace Rolling Out Third Car
Rusty Wallace Rolling Out Third Car: "Rusty Wallace Racing has announced that the team will field a third Toyota Camry in a partial 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series schedule. In addition to the team's #62 Pilot/Flying J Toyota driven by Michael Annett and the #66 5-Hour Energy Toyota piloted by Steve Wallace, RWR's familiar #64 Toyota will return to the track with David Reutimann, David Stremme and 2011 NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown winner Jason Bowles sharing seat time.
Syracuse, NY-based Aspen Dental, a network of nearly 300 dental practices across 22 states will provide primary sponsorship for four events at Michigan International Speedway, Kentucky Speedway, Watkins Glen International and Bristol Motor Speedway. Stremme will drive the car in several of those events. Reutimann will lead off the season this weekend in Nashville, with sponsorship to be announced later this week. Bowles will pilot the #64 Toyota in all three Nationwide Series road course events this season at Watkins Glen, Road America and Montreal.
RWR General Manager and former Sprint Cup crew chief Larry Carter will return to the pit box to lead the team in its limited schedule, after guiding Steve Wallace to a top-20 finish in this year's Daytona 500; Wallace's first career Sprint Cup start.
'We're very excited about this new addition to our racing program,' said Rusty Wallace today. 'Not only are we able to continue our partnership with Aspen Dental --a solid and growing network of dental practices -- but we're also able to evaluate our race cars even further.
'It's no secret that we haven't run as well as we would have hoped in 2011 and having a veteran like David Reutimann giving additional feedback should help speed up our learning curve. David Stremme did a great job for us in 2008 and I really feel like Jason Bowles has the potential to be fast at the Nationwide level.'
"
Syracuse, NY-based Aspen Dental, a network of nearly 300 dental practices across 22 states will provide primary sponsorship for four events at Michigan International Speedway, Kentucky Speedway, Watkins Glen International and Bristol Motor Speedway. Stremme will drive the car in several of those events. Reutimann will lead off the season this weekend in Nashville, with sponsorship to be announced later this week. Bowles will pilot the #64 Toyota in all three Nationwide Series road course events this season at Watkins Glen, Road America and Montreal.RWR General Manager and former Sprint Cup crew chief Larry Carter will return to the pit box to lead the team in its limited schedule, after guiding Steve Wallace to a top-20 finish in this year's Daytona 500; Wallace's first career Sprint Cup start.
'We're very excited about this new addition to our racing program,' said Rusty Wallace today. 'Not only are we able to continue our partnership with Aspen Dental --a solid and growing network of dental practices -- but we're also able to evaluate our race cars even further.
'It's no secret that we haven't run as well as we would have hoped in 2011 and having a veteran like David Reutimann giving additional feedback should help speed up our learning curve. David Stremme did a great job for us in 2008 and I really feel like Jason Bowles has the potential to be fast at the Nationwide level.'
TRUCKS: Fearsome Foursome For KHI
TRUCKS: Fearsome Foursome For KHI: "
Elliott Sadler will be one of four Kevin Harvick Inc. drivers who’ll race at Nashville this weekend..."
Elliott Sadler will be one of four Kevin Harvick Inc. drivers who’ll race at Nashville this weekend..."
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Biffle and 3M renew their contracts with RFR
Biffle and 3M renew their contracts with RFR: "Roush Fenway Racing announced Sunday that both 3M and Greg Biffle have renewed their contracts for three more years. The new contracts will take 3M, Biffle and Roush Fenway Racing through the 2014 Sprint Cup season. 3M has been a Roush Fenway partner since 2005 and Biffle began his NASCAR career with the team in 1998. Terms of the contracts were not disclosed."
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Friday, April 15, 2011
3M Set To Re-Up With Biffle
3M Set To Re-Up With Biffle: "
Sirius NASCAR Radio's Sirius Speedway with Dave Moody has learned that 3M is set to extend its relationship with Roush Fenway Racing and driver Greg Biffle for another three years. 3M has backed Biffle's Ford since 2005, and is currently in the final year of its existing contract. There has been no official announcement from either the company or the team, but a news conference is scheduled for Saturday at Talladega. Sources speaking ont he condition of anaonymity say the team will announce an extension with 3M and a new contract extension for Biffle, as well. A cryptic message on the hood of Biffle’s #16 Sprint Cup Ford today at Talladega Superspeedway reads, “3 For Three More Years.”
"
Sirius NASCAR Radio's Sirius Speedway with Dave Moody has learned that 3M is set to extend its relationship with Roush Fenway Racing and driver Greg Biffle for another three years. 3M has backed Biffle's Ford since 2005, and is currently in the final year of its existing contract. There has been no official announcement from either the company or the team, but a news conference is scheduled for Saturday at Talladega. Sources speaking ont he condition of anaonymity say the team will announce an extension with 3M and a new contract extension for Biffle, as well. A cryptic message on the hood of Biffle’s #16 Sprint Cup Ford today at Talladega Superspeedway reads, “3 For Three More Years.”Bires to drive No. 18 for JGR at Richmond, Chicago
Bires to drive No. 18 for JGR at Richmond, Chicago: "Joe Gibbs Racing announced Thursday that Kelly Bires will drive two races for its No. 18 Nationwide Series team as part of a partnership with International Comfort Products."
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
McReynolds Set For ARCA Run
McReynolds Set For ARCA Run: "
Brandon McReynolds will run this weekend’s ARCA Series “3 Amigos 250” at Talladega Superspeedway in the #4 Wolfpack Rentals Chevrolet fielded by Turner Motorsports. McReynolds competed in four ARCA events last season, including a 23rd place finish at Talladega driving for Eddie Sharp Racing. He finished 19th in his NASCAR Nationwide Series debut at Gateway International Raceway driving the Team 42 Racing Dodge, and claimed a pair of 2010 UARA Late Model wins at Rockingham Speedway.
McReynolds, son of NASCAR on FOX analyst and former NASCAR crewchief Larry McReynolds, tested with Turner Motorsports at Florida’s New Smyrna Speedway in January, and will be driving the same car Ricky Carmichael raced to a fourth-place finish in the season-opening “Lucas Oil Slick Mist 250” at Daytona.
“Mr. Turner… allowed me to go test with his Truck Series team at New Smyrna Speedway,” said McReynolds. “I worked with (crewchief) Mark Rette and that whole bunch and had a really good test. After that, they started talking about doing some things with me. I was hanging out with those guys after the ARCA race at Daytona and they asked me if I wanted to run the car in Talladega. I’m very thankful for the opportunity. I’m not sure where it’s going to lead, but I’m hoping everything goes well.”
McReynolds has high expectations for the race, saying, ““Going down there and winning is what I’m out to do. I know Turner Motorsports has top-notch equipment. They run Hendrick motors and have very solid, experienced guys. After they ran fourth with Ricky in February, anything short of a win will be a disappointment. I want to have a solid afternoon, stay out of trouble, learn a little bit and hopefully, come home with the trophy.”
The 19-year old said his plans for the remainder of the season are being made “on a race-by-race basis. Obviously, it’s a tough market out there, especially with the economy being the way it is. I really hope we can have a good outing at Talladega, and maybe that will lead to some more races with Turner Motorsports. I ran the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race for Jeff Spraker at Greenville-Pickens Speedway, and we’re looking at running a few more with him.”
McReynolds’ car – and all four Turner Motorsports’ Nationwide Series entries -- will carry decals this weekend in honor of former ARCA competitor and Turner Motorsports employee Beau Slocumb, who lost his lengthy battle with cancer last week. Slocumb made four ARCA starts in 2009, earning a pair of top-10 finishes including a career-best fifth-place finish at Kansas Speedway.
"
Brandon McReynolds will run this weekend’s ARCA Series “3 Amigos 250” at Talladega Superspeedway in the #4 Wolfpack Rentals Chevrolet fielded by Turner Motorsports. McReynolds competed in four ARCA events last season, including a 23rd place finish at Talladega driving for Eddie Sharp Racing. He finished 19th in his NASCAR Nationwide Series debut at Gateway International Raceway driving the Team 42 Racing Dodge, and claimed a pair of 2010 UARA Late Model wins at Rockingham Speedway.McReynolds, son of NASCAR on FOX analyst and former NASCAR crewchief Larry McReynolds, tested with Turner Motorsports at Florida’s New Smyrna Speedway in January, and will be driving the same car Ricky Carmichael raced to a fourth-place finish in the season-opening “Lucas Oil Slick Mist 250” at Daytona.
“Mr. Turner… allowed me to go test with his Truck Series team at New Smyrna Speedway,” said McReynolds. “I worked with (crewchief) Mark Rette and that whole bunch and had a really good test. After that, they started talking about doing some things with me. I was hanging out with those guys after the ARCA race at Daytona and they asked me if I wanted to run the car in Talladega. I’m very thankful for the opportunity. I’m not sure where it’s going to lead, but I’m hoping everything goes well.”
McReynolds has high expectations for the race, saying, ““Going down there and winning is what I’m out to do. I know Turner Motorsports has top-notch equipment. They run Hendrick motors and have very solid, experienced guys. After they ran fourth with Ricky in February, anything short of a win will be a disappointment. I want to have a solid afternoon, stay out of trouble, learn a little bit and hopefully, come home with the trophy.”
The 19-year old said his plans for the remainder of the season are being made “on a race-by-race basis. Obviously, it’s a tough market out there, especially with the economy being the way it is. I really hope we can have a good outing at Talladega, and maybe that will lead to some more races with Turner Motorsports. I ran the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race for Jeff Spraker at Greenville-Pickens Speedway, and we’re looking at running a few more with him.”McReynolds’ car – and all four Turner Motorsports’ Nationwide Series entries -- will carry decals this weekend in honor of former ARCA competitor and Turner Motorsports employee Beau Slocumb, who lost his lengthy battle with cancer last week. Slocumb made four ARCA starts in 2009, earning a pair of top-10 finishes including a career-best fifth-place finish at Kansas Speedway.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Daytona champ Bayne lands All-Star Race sponsor
Daytona champ Bayne lands All-Star Race sponsor: "Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne landed the sponsorship he needed to enter the Sprint All-Star Race next month at Charlotte Motor Speedway."
Please Help Sam And Jo Ard
Please Help Sam And Jo Ard: "Two-time NASCAR Busch Series champion Sam Ard is auctioning some of the keepsakes from his legendary NASCAR career on EBay, in an attempt to raise money for his ongoing care.
Ard suffered career-ending head injuries during an October 20, 1984 Rockingham Speedway crash while racing in what is now the NASCAR Nationwide Series. The 1983 and 1984 series champion has battled both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases; afflictions his doctors say were likely hastened by his racing injuries. His wife, Jo, continues to serve as his major caregiver, but has been diagnosed with a degenerative eye disease that is slowly robbing her of her vision.
The Ards have fallen into financial difficulty in recent years, despite efforts by a number of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers – notably Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick – to contribute to their cause. In 2008, Harvick presented Ard’s son Robert with the Chevrolet Van used in a television commercial featuring Harvick and his then-sponsor, Shell Oil. Busch has contributed to the family on multiple occasions, as well, but more needs to be done.
A number of items are currently up for bid, including autographed race programs, diecast cars and even a Late Model Sportsman “Lap Leader” trophy from the 1982 Dogwood 500 at Martinsville Speedway. Bidding ends within the next four days, depending on the specific item, and all proceeds will go directly to Sam and Jo Ard. To bid on an item, simply go to www.EBay.com and search “Sam Ard.”
"
Ard suffered career-ending head injuries during an October 20, 1984 Rockingham Speedway crash while racing in what is now the NASCAR Nationwide Series. The 1983 and 1984 series champion has battled both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases; afflictions his doctors say were likely hastened by his racing injuries. His wife, Jo, continues to serve as his major caregiver, but has been diagnosed with a degenerative eye disease that is slowly robbing her of her vision. 
The Ards have fallen into financial difficulty in recent years, despite efforts by a number of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers – notably Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick – to contribute to their cause. In 2008, Harvick presented Ard’s son Robert with the Chevrolet Van used in a television commercial featuring Harvick and his then-sponsor, Shell Oil. Busch has contributed to the family on multiple occasions, as well, but more needs to be done.A number of items are currently up for bid, including autographed race programs, diecast cars and even a Late Model Sportsman “Lap Leader” trophy from the 1982 Dogwood 500 at Martinsville Speedway. Bidding ends within the next four days, depending on the specific item, and all proceeds will go directly to Sam and Jo Ard. To bid on an item, simply go to www.EBay.com and search “Sam Ard.”
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Bayne hospitalized for insect bite
Bayne hospitalized for insect bite: "Trevor Bayne spent Sunday in a North Carolina hospital because of effects of an unknown insect bite."
Friday, April 8, 2011
Cup Series enjoying ride of competitive balance in 2011
Cup Series enjoying ride of competitive balance in 2011: "FORT WORTH, Texas -- NASCAR issued a statistical package this week that cited the Sprint Cup Series' competitive balance and the level of competition seen in the season's first six races."
Raikkonen already thinking beyond Truck Series
Raikkonen already thinking beyond Truck Series: "Kimi Raikkonen's first Camping World Truck Series start is still more than a month away, but the former Formula 1 world champion is already thinking about stepping up in class."
FIA Friday press conference - Malaysia
FIA Friday press conference - Malaysia: "Team Principals - Eric Boullier (Renault), Ross Brawn (Mercedes), Paul Hembery (Pirelli), Christian Horner (Red Bull), Colin Kolles (HRT) and Monisha Kaltenborn (Sauber).
Q: A question to you all. How did things go today. Colin, would you start?
Colin Kolles: A little bit better than last time."
Q: A question to you all. How did things go today. Colin, would you start?
Colin Kolles: A little bit better than last time."
Monday, April 4, 2011
Wallace Inks New Texas Sponsor
Wallace Inks New Texas Sponsor: "RAB Racing with Brack Maggard will feature a new primary sponsor at Texas Motor Speedway as American Ethanol partners with RAB Racing and veteran driver Kenny Wallace for the NASCAR Nationwide Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 300 on Friday, April 8th.
“We’re proud that American Ethanol’s partnership with the RAB Racing team will help educate NASCAR fans about ethanol’s benefits for our nation’s environment, economy, and energy security,” said Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy. “There’s no sport more American than NASCAR and there’s no fuel more American than ethanol.”
Wallace, who is the official voice of Family Farmers and represents Sunoco Green E-15 Ethanol, will drive the No. 09 American Ethanol Toyota Camry, featuring a special black and green paint scheme, in the first night race of the 2011 NASCAR season.
“It is an honor to be chosen as an American Ethanol spokesperson,” Wallace said. “I am very passionate about this subject and excited to spread true knowledge about American Ethanol throughout the United States. I’m proud and excited to go to Texas with American Ethanol as our new sponsor, and most of all I’m looking forward to getting my 10th NASCAR Nationwide Series win.”
“The RAB Racing team is racing very competitively this season and they are proving to be great proponents for Sunoco Green E15,” said Bart Schott, National Corn Growers Association president. “Kenny understands the important economic and environmental contributions of the nation’s ethanol producers and family corn farmers. As a spokesperson he is helping us reach millions of driving consumers with a positive message about domestic ethanol.”
"
“We’re proud that American Ethanol’s partnership with the RAB Racing team will help educate NASCAR fans about ethanol’s benefits for our nation’s environment, economy, and energy security,” said Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy. “There’s no sport more American than NASCAR and there’s no fuel more American than ethanol.”Wallace, who is the official voice of Family Farmers and represents Sunoco Green E-15 Ethanol, will drive the No. 09 American Ethanol Toyota Camry, featuring a special black and green paint scheme, in the first night race of the 2011 NASCAR season.
“It is an honor to be chosen as an American Ethanol spokesperson,” Wallace said. “I am very passionate about this subject and excited to spread true knowledge about American Ethanol throughout the United States. I’m proud and excited to go to Texas with American Ethanol as our new sponsor, and most of all I’m looking forward to getting my 10th NASCAR Nationwide Series win.”
“The RAB Racing team is racing very competitively this season and they are proving to be great proponents for Sunoco Green E15,” said Bart Schott, National Corn Growers Association president. “Kenny understands the important economic and environmental contributions of the nation’s ethanol producers and family corn farmers. As a spokesperson he is helping us reach millions of driving consumers with a positive message about domestic ethanol.”
Free rental from blockbuster express
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Older, Wiser Harvick In Championship Form
Older, Wiser Harvick In Championship Form: "Kevin Harvick won Sunday's “Goody’s Fast Relief 500” at Martinsville Speedway, earning him one of Clay Campbell’s coveted grandfather clock trophies and a full measure of early season championship momentum. More important, though, was lesson it provided on the value of sticking together when times get tough.
Since first being thrust into the vacated seat of NASCAR’s greatest champion when Dale Earnhardt lost his life on the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500, Harvick has often been anything but a “stick-together” kind of guy. He took Earnhardt’s mourning team back to Victory Lane just three weeks later, but over the decade that ensued, the California native has not always dealt well with the pressures and demands of being a marquee NASCAR driver.
In 2002, he served a one-race suspension from Cup competition after a post-race Martinsville Truck Series meltdown that featured him leaping over the hood of Greg Biffle’s machine and wrapping his hands around his fellow driver’s neck. Two years ago, he railed long and loud about Richard Childress Racing’s lack of competitiveness, to a degree that many observers doubted he would re-sign with the team when his contract expired. Eventually convinced that RCR was closing the competitive gap, Harvick elected to remain with the team. And while the last 12 months have featured a handful of his familiar in-car verbal explosions, both he and his Gil Martin-led crew have evolved into one of the sport’s top teams.
Martin and company no longer take Harvick’s rants to heart, realizing that they stem from a deep-seated, all-consuming competitiveness, rather than any personal ill will. And Harvick has learned to temper his criticism when he can, and apologize afterward when he cannot.
Last weekend’s Martinsville victory provided the latest lesson in Harvick’s ongoing championship tutorial. The day began disastrously, with an ill-handling car incapable of running in the Top 20. Harvick responded poorly, with a lengthy period of verbal lambasting directed at his team. But by the end of the 500-lap grind, however, his Budweiser Chevrolet was the class of the field, surging past Dale Earnhardt, Jr. with just a handful of laps remaining and rolling into Victory Lane for the second time in as many weeks. The win pushed Harvick all the way to fifth in the championship standings -- just 15 points behind leader Kyle Busch – and opened the door for an interesting bit of post-race psychoanalysis from the driver.
'I'm a high-strung person and I turn into a lunatic when I get in the car,' admitted Harvick after his come-from-behind win. 'I get in this mind frame that I just can't get out of while I'm in that car. All I want to do is do good for our sponsors and for our team. That's really what it's all about, (but I) just turn into this crazed animal.
“Then I wind up apologizing more than I do anything else.
It was a rare moment of introspection from NASCAR’s newest championship contender, a sign that in addition to age, maturity and experience, Harvick has gained the ability to acknowledge and analyze his own competitive shortcomings.
Earlier this season, Harvick displayed his newfound composure after engine failure relegated him to a 42nd place finish in the season opener at Daytona International Speedway. The Harvick of old would almost certainly have blown his top, bemoaning the difficulties of overcoming such a disastrous start to the season. The new Harvick, however, spoke calmly and in measured tones, saying, “When we left Daytona, I was laughing because it had been 156 races since we had had an engine problem. It's hard to get down on anybody (who is) 1-for-156 in this sport. There's no reason to get down on those guys, because that's going to cause more harm than good.'
With two consecutive wins and a new attitude in tow, Kevin Harvick may finally have acquired all the tools necessary to claim his place at the head of the NASCAR class.
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Since first being thrust into the vacated seat of NASCAR’s greatest champion when Dale Earnhardt lost his life on the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500, Harvick has often been anything but a “stick-together” kind of guy. He took Earnhardt’s mourning team back to Victory Lane just three weeks later, but over the decade that ensued, the California native has not always dealt well with the pressures and demands of being a marquee NASCAR driver.In 2002, he served a one-race suspension from Cup competition after a post-race Martinsville Truck Series meltdown that featured him leaping over the hood of Greg Biffle’s machine and wrapping his hands around his fellow driver’s neck. Two years ago, he railed long and loud about Richard Childress Racing’s lack of competitiveness, to a degree that many observers doubted he would re-sign with the team when his contract expired. Eventually convinced that RCR was closing the competitive gap, Harvick elected to remain with the team. And while the last 12 months have featured a handful of his familiar in-car verbal explosions, both he and his Gil Martin-led crew have evolved into one of the sport’s top teams.
Martin and company no longer take Harvick’s rants to heart, realizing that they stem from a deep-seated, all-consuming competitiveness, rather than any personal ill will. And Harvick has learned to temper his criticism when he can, and apologize afterward when he cannot.
Last weekend’s Martinsville victory provided the latest lesson in Harvick’s ongoing championship tutorial. The day began disastrously, with an ill-handling car incapable of running in the Top 20. Harvick responded poorly, with a lengthy period of verbal lambasting directed at his team. But by the end of the 500-lap grind, however, his Budweiser Chevrolet was the class of the field, surging past Dale Earnhardt, Jr. with just a handful of laps remaining and rolling into Victory Lane for the second time in as many weeks. The win pushed Harvick all the way to fifth in the championship standings -- just 15 points behind leader Kyle Busch – and opened the door for an interesting bit of post-race psychoanalysis from the driver.
'I'm a high-strung person and I turn into a lunatic when I get in the car,' admitted Harvick after his come-from-behind win. 'I get in this mind frame that I just can't get out of while I'm in that car. All I want to do is do good for our sponsors and for our team. That's really what it's all about, (but I) just turn into this crazed animal.“Then I wind up apologizing more than I do anything else.
It was a rare moment of introspection from NASCAR’s newest championship contender, a sign that in addition to age, maturity and experience, Harvick has gained the ability to acknowledge and analyze his own competitive shortcomings.
Earlier this season, Harvick displayed his newfound composure after engine failure relegated him to a 42nd place finish in the season opener at Daytona International Speedway. The Harvick of old would almost certainly have blown his top, bemoaning the difficulties of overcoming such a disastrous start to the season. The new Harvick, however, spoke calmly and in measured tones, saying, “When we left Daytona, I was laughing because it had been 156 races since we had had an engine problem. It's hard to get down on anybody (who is) 1-for-156 in this sport. There's no reason to get down on those guys, because that's going to cause more harm than good.'
With two consecutive wins and a new attitude in tow, Kevin Harvick may finally have acquired all the tools necessary to claim his place at the head of the NASCAR class.
Exclusive Q&A with new Ferrari sponsor Eugene Kaspersky
Exclusive Q&A with new Ferrari sponsor Eugene Kaspersky: "Given that they were the well-publicised victims of intellectual property theft a few years back, it's perhaps appropriate that Ferrari have signed cyber security experts Kaspersky Lab as a new sponsor. But Eugene Kaspersky, the company's founder and CEO, is much more concerned with the future. After training in the KGB's cryptography department, Kaspersky seized his chance when the Soviet Union collapsed to turn a handful of highly-skilled cryptographers into one of the world's leading IT security companies. Now he's turned his attentions to the gains that can be made for his company in the Formula One paddock…"
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Kenseth, Ragan Lead Roush Fenway Effort with Top 10s at Martinsville
Kenseth, Ragan Lead Roush Fenway Effort with Top 10s at Martinsville: "
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Martinsville, Va. (April 3, 2011) -- Matt Kenseth battled back from a lap one penalty and David Ragan was solid all race to lead the Roush Fenway effort at Martinsville with sixth and eighth-place finishes in Sunday's Sprint Cup race.
Kenseth was penalized at the start of the race for changing lanes before the start finish line and spent the majority of the event battling his way back onto the lead lap. Ragan was Roush Fenway's top qualifier and ran the majority of the race inside the top 10 en route to the strong finish.
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Harvick edges past Earnhardt for Martinsville win
Harvick edges past Earnhardt for Martinsville win: "Kevin Harvick won his second consecutive race -- and in the process may have become the most unpopular man in Virginia."
Ragan Earns First Top 10 of Season
Ragan Earns First Top 10 of Season: "
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David Ragan at Martinsville Speedway
David Ragan and the UPS team earned their best finish of the season and David’s best-ever finish at Martinsville Speedway with Sunday’s eighth-place result.
After taking the green flag from the 14th position, the UPS Ford started out just a bit snug in the center of the corners, but otherwise, had pretty good handling around the half-mile track. The first couple pit stops of the race didn’t involve too many changes, just small air and track bar changes to help the car in the center of the turns.
As the race progressed, Crew Chief Drew Blickensderfer and the UPS team made additional wedge and air changes as the track began to build up rubber from the tires. David maintained a spot inside of the top 10 for almost all of the first 326 laps of the race, and when green-flag pit stops began to filter through with less than 200 laps remaining, David came into the pits for a regularly scheduled stop. Once he was back out on track, the UPS team had fallen a lap down and had to fight to get the Lucky Dog award and their lap back.
David did get his lap back when the caution came out on lap 371. As the race neared the end, the team began to save fuel, but another caution came out and David pitted for tires and fuel and was back out on track in the ninth position. From then on, David battled inside of the top 10 and passed two additional drivers with just 10 laps remaining to finish eighth.
“It was a long day, but I felt like we had a top 10 car going into the race,” said David after the race. “If we could have caught a couple of lucky breaks, we might have had a shot to finish in the top three or four. We got hung out there on one of the green flag pit stops and got put a lap down, but we were fortunate to make it back and pass a lot of cars. To end up in the top 10 is certainly a good run. Our UPS Ford was very fast and Drew really made some good pit calls there at the end when things were cycling through with those green flag pit stops to be on the good side of things. It was a good day and our car was a top-10 car.”
David and the UPS team move up four spots in points to 18th as they head to Texas Motor Speedway for next weekend’s Samsung Mobile 500. Be sure to catch the race on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Fox.
David Ragan and the UPS team move up to 18th in points
Saturday, April 2, 2011
VIDEO: Stewart Arrest/Arlington Update
VIDEO: Stewart Arrest/Arlington Update: "
James Stewart, who was arrested earlier this week for impersonating an officer, will race tomorrow night at Cowboys Stadium"
James Stewart, who was arrested earlier this week for impersonating an officer, will race tomorrow night at Cowboys Stadium"
VIDEO: MotoGP - Friday Practice Highlights
VIDEO: MotoGP - Friday Practice Highlights: "
Repsol Honda came out swinging at Jerez, running 1-2 in the day's two free sessions. Check out the Friday highlights..."
Repsol Honda came out swinging at Jerez, running 1-2 in the day's two free sessions. Check out the Friday highlights..."
VIDEO: CUP - Martinsville Practice
VIDEO: CUP - Martinsville Practice: "
David Ragan led the way in the last 90-minute practice session prior to Sunday’s Tums Fast Relief 500..."
David Ragan led the way in the last 90-minute practice session prior to Sunday’s Tums Fast Relief 500..."
Friday, April 1, 2011
New Martinsville schedule brings mixed reactions
New Martinsville schedule brings mixed reactions: "Make no mistake. The good folks who run Martinsville Speedway did not make a switch in the way this race weekend is set up with the Sprint Cup drivers in mind."
Baker Curb Racing Sold To Canadian Businessman
Baker Curb Racing Sold To Canadian Businessman: "Canadian businessman Steve Meehan has purchased the Baker Curb Racing NASCAR Nationwide Series team, and will run a limited schedule of events this season in both the Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series with countryman JR Fitzpatrick at the wheel.
The 46-year old Meehan is founder of the Investment Planning Counsel and sold his company to IGM Financial or $95 million in cash and stock options in 2004. He finalized the purchase of Baker Curb Racing following the Bristol race earlier this month, and will finance the effort himself in the short term, while attempting to attract sponsorship from north of the border for his new, all-Canadian team. Meehan said he hopes to run Fitzpatrick in a handful of Sprint Cup races this season, with an eventual goal of full-time competition in NASCAR’s premier series by 2013.
Fitzpatrick is a former champion of what is now the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, claiming that title in 2006 at the age of 18 and finishing second in championship points a year ago. The Cambridge, Ont., driver has nine career starts in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and 13 in the Camping World Trucks. He has made two Nationwide appearances this season, finishing 42nd in the season opener at Daytona International Speedway and 20th last weekend at Auto Club Speedway. Both of those races were under the banner of Baker Curb Racing, which has struggled recently due to lack of sponsorship.
Earlier this year, owner Gary Baker expressed hope that he might save his team with a last-minute infusion of capital, saying, “The rumor of our doors being padlocked is reminiscent of when Mark Twain said, `rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated.’ We are going full-bore toward finding sponsorship for next year.” That backing never materialized, however, forcing Baker to explore the possibility of a sale.
Fitzpatrick expressed excitement with the new deal, telling Toronto’s Globe and Mail, “I think it’s fantastic. Steve is a really good guy, he’s Canadian and he really wants to see Canadian corporate sponsorship and Canadian drivers. He really believes in me… and he is definitely going to push my career along. I am glad to be a part of it.”
The new team was originally scheduled to compete in Nationwide competition at Texas Motor Speedway next weekend, but the ownership change has pushed back that timeline. They will now debut at Nashville in three weeks.
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The 46-year old Meehan is founder of the Investment Planning Counsel and sold his company to IGM Financial or $95 million in cash and stock options in 2004. He finalized the purchase of Baker Curb Racing following the Bristol race earlier this month, and will finance the effort himself in the short term, while attempting to attract sponsorship from north of the border for his new, all-Canadian team. Meehan said he hopes to run Fitzpatrick in a handful of Sprint Cup races this season, with an eventual goal of full-time competition in NASCAR’s premier series by 2013. Fitzpatrick is a former champion of what is now the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, claiming that title in 2006 at the age of 18 and finishing second in championship points a year ago. The Cambridge, Ont., driver has nine career starts in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and 13 in the Camping World Trucks. He has made two Nationwide appearances this season, finishing 42nd in the season opener at Daytona International Speedway and 20th last weekend at Auto Club Speedway. Both of those races were under the banner of Baker Curb Racing, which has struggled recently due to lack of sponsorship.
Earlier this year, owner Gary Baker expressed hope that he might save his team with a last-minute infusion of capital, saying, “The rumor of our doors being padlocked is reminiscent of when Mark Twain said, `rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated.’ We are going full-bore toward finding sponsorship for next year.” That backing never materialized, however, forcing Baker to explore the possibility of a sale.
Fitzpatrick expressed excitement with the new deal, telling Toronto’s Globe and Mail, “I think it’s fantastic. Steve is a really good guy, he’s Canadian and he really wants to see Canadian corporate sponsorship and Canadian drivers. He really believes in me… and he is definitely going to push my career along. I am glad to be a part of it.”
The new team was originally scheduled to compete in Nationwide competition at Texas Motor Speedway next weekend, but the ownership change has pushed back that timeline. They will now debut at Nashville in three weeks.
Malaysia preview quotes - Mercedes, Virgin, McLaren & Sauber
Malaysia preview quotes - Mercedes, Virgin, McLaren & Sauber: "With an overtaking-friendly track, combining long, high-speed straights with technical twisty sections, there's more than enough for the drivers to get stuck into over the course of the Malaysian Grand Prix weekend. But this year there's an additional curveball to contend with thanks to the new Pirelli tyres, which are as-yet untested in the kind of sizzling temperatures we tend to see in Kuala Lumpur. Key team personnel and, of course, the drivers discuss their chances of success at the challenging Sepang International Circuit"
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