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August 03, 2010, 12 minutes ago | Carol Foster
ARCA Nation News
Obstacles No Match For Patrick Sheltra At Pocono
August 03, 2010, 14 minutes ago | arcaracing
(LONG POND,
Pa. - August 2, 2010) - - There were a lot of
story lines surrounding the conclusion of Saturday’s Weis Markets 125 at Pocono
(Pa.) Raceway. One of the “feel good” comeback stories had to be the rebound
from ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards driver Patrick
Sheltra.
Sheltra, the 24-year old ARCA pro visited the 2.5-mile triangle of Pocono (Pa.) Raceway for the ninth time in his professional racing career and had hopes of backing up his impressive fourth place outing from the Long Pond track nearly seven weeks ago.
When practice took stage for the cars and stars of the ARCA Racing Series, Sheltra wasted no time showing his competitors what his team was packing. Almost, immediately, Sheltra went to second on the overall rundown before eventually sliding down to land in seventh after his competition made their simulated qualifying runs.
Review of the team’s No. 60 Recycling Services / Ferguson Pipe Toyota Camry found fluid in the trunk of the team’s automobile. Fazed by the findings, the operation was preparing for a game plan should they decide to change the engine after Menards Pole by Ansell qualifying.
In time trials, Sheltra maneuvered the 10th fastest lap around the track nicknamed “The Tricky Triangle”, awarding the dirt track ace his fourth consecutive and fifth overall top-10 starting spot at the facility. Despite the solid effort, the team was not satisfied with the overall performance of their Japanese nameplate and felt it would be in their best interest to swap out the motors in order to be a contender for the 51st ARCA event held at Pocono. Their intuitions turned out to be dead on, as there was indeed a mechanical issue with the motor, which easily would have taken the team out of the picture in the 125-mile race.
The unapproved change however would force the No. 60 to relinquish their original starting berth and drop to the rear for the start of the 50-lap contest.
Knowing he had a battle on his hands for a very short dash, Sheltra remained focused but confident that his team would be able to overcome the odds and find themselves contending for another good Pocono finish.
From the drop of the green flag, Sheltra nearly avoided disaster as the No. 55 of Donny Lia experienced mechanical woes on the frontstretch which jumbled up the field and ultimately caused the first yellow flag to fly by the time the cars returned to the complete lap one. Sheltra, obliviously a man on a mission had climbed from 39th to 23rd in one circuit.
When racing resumed, Sheltra steadily continued his climb through the 39-car starting field and had climbed into the top-10 just 15 laps into the event. Informing crew chief Jon Wolfe of a loose condition upon exit of the corner, Sheltra maintained his spot inside the top-10 before having to bring his green and orange Camry to pit road under green flag conditions for four tires, fuel and a wedge adjustment to battle the looseness that Sheltra had been feeling. Unfortunately, as the Indiantown, Florida native was trying to exit pit road, his machine stalled before re-firing with Sheltra immediately keying the radio and advising his team that he had lose first and second gear in the transmission.
Frustrated by the turn of events, the team kept their driver focused and told him to keep digging on the racetrack and their battle wasn’t over until the checkered flag flew. However, three laps after Sheltra’s green flag pit stop, the caution lights would beam trapping not only Sheltra but a whole host of race cars one lap down.
While the leaders came to pit road, Sheltra elected per Wolfe to stay out on the racetrack which lined him up on the tail end of the lead lap but directly in front of leaders Craig Goess, Robb Brent and Mikey Kile.
Despite a gallant effort by Goess to re-trap the Sheltra Motorsports team one lap down, Sheltra would accelerate his Toyota Camry off turns one and two and pull himself away from the leaders only to be halted by the waive of a caution flag, which was a welcomed sign for the Mooresville, North Carolina based operation.
The team’s reward though would not come without risks as Sheltra would now be marred deep in the reins of a hungry lead-pack bunch that consisted of 23 vehicles. Even though, Sheltra had to restart the race in third gear, the driver nicknamed “Mr. Showtime” began pedaling his way towards the front and within five circuits found himself back in the top-10.
With less than 10 laps remaining, Sheltra hunkered down and studied his prey like a hawk and quickly ate up eighth place competitor and fellow Floridian Bryan Silas before passing Venturini Motorsports protégé Mikey Kile for seventh. On the final-lap, Sheltra swallowed the No. 44 of nine-time ARCA Racing Series champion Frank Kimmel to claim his ninth top-10 finish of the year by claiming sixth.
“We never gave up,” said Sheltra after the race. “No doubt about it, we had our challenges but we overcame them and were able to bounce back with a solid finish. They say bad luck comes in three. We had enough bad luck this weekend to last us the rest of the year. I am glad we changed the motor, it was the right thing to do. Nonetheless, we were able to stay focused, keep our plan in-check and more importantly keep our championship dreams alive.”
He concluded, “I cannot say thanks enough to my guys at Sheltra Motorsports. They are awesome. They gave me a great racecar and if the race was just a tad bit longer, there is little doubt that we could have found ourselves in the top-five. I also cannot forget my fans, our marketing partners and everyone who supports this team. We’ll take this positive run and go get ‘em at Berlin next Saturday night.”
With his results on Saturday, Sheltra unofficially controls fifth in the ARCA Racing Series championship chase just 10 markers behind fourth place contender Tom Hessert and 130 behind current points leader Justin Marks.
Next up for the ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards is their annual trip to Berlin (Mi.) Raceway for the running of the Berlin ARCA 200 on Saturday night, August 7th. Sheltra will make his fourth career start at the shortest track on the tour. In 2007, the NASCAR bound driver recorded his first career top-five finish of fourth at the .4-mile paved oval in the Request Foods / GFS 200.
Cost-effective marketing partnerships are still available for the remainder of the 2010 ARCA Racing Series season. For additional information, please contact brandon@patricksheltra.com or marketing@patricksheltra.com.
Exiting Pocono, Sheltra has 78 ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards starts to his credit with one career victory at Salem (Ind.) Speedway (April 2009). During his ARCA tenure, Sheltra has accumulated 15 top-fives and posted 31 top-10 finishes. A third place qualifying effort at Rockingham (N.C.) Speedway (April 2009) and Michigan International Speedway (June 2010) is Sheltra’s best time trials effort to date. He has controlled the ARCA field six times for 148 laps.
For the latest on Patrick Sheltra, Sheltra Motorsports and marketing partnership opportunities please visit PatrickSheltra.com.
Join the official Patrick Sheltra fan page on Facebook by clicking here.
About Sheltra Motorsports:
Sheltra Motorsports (sheltramotorsports.com) is a three-tier professional Motorsports organization consisting of dirt and asphalt competition. Patrick Sheltra, a 24-year old native of Indiantown, Florida competes in the UMP and WoO (Dirt) Series; while also running a full schedule in the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards (No. 60) and a limited schedule in the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR). The team is headquartered in Indiantown, Florida with additional operations in Richmond, Indiana and Mooresville, North Carolina.
TEAM COMMUNICATIONS CONTACT:
NAME: Chris Knight, Sheltra Motorsports
PHONE: 239.834.9797 or 239.214.1083
PocoYES… for Robb Brent & Allgaier Motorsports as Brent Earned First Career ARCA Victory at Pocono Raceway
August 03, 2010, 14 minutes ago | arcaracing
(LONG POND,
Pa. - August 2, 2010) – After qualifying 11th to start the Weis
Markets 125 in the ARCA Racing Series event at the 2.5 mile paved tri-oval,
Robb Brent was on the move from the drop of the green flag. Brent took the lead
on lap 35 and never looked back to go on and capture his career first win.
“This is my favorite track and a dream come true, I am so happy for this
Allgaier Motorsports team,” said Brent in victory lane.
After having a fast racecar but unfortunate luck a month ago at Pocono, Brent couldn’t help but feel like the track kind of owed him a solid finish if not a win. In June, Brent had one of the fastest cars and was charging through the field when green flag pit stops followed by an untimely caution left the team a lap down and eventually coming home in the 6th position.
The Orchard Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram- Charger ended the 1 hour and 40 minute practice session in the 4th position and both Brent and crew chief Dave Leiner were very happy with the handling of the car. Qualifying later in the afternoon on Friday the team was looking for a solid starting spot, knowing that the mission for the weekend was the victory. The lap of 55.219 seconds at 162.987 mph gave Brent an 11th place starting position and a lot of motivation.
The race began shortly after 3:00pm following the NASCAR Truck Series event and from the wave of the green flag Brent was on the move. The first of three caution flags waved on lap one and the Orchard Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram- Charger was already scored in the 8th position. By lap 12 Brent was up to 4th and still charging. Not a single complaint about the car was made all day by the Shelby Township, MI native. Spotter Rocky Ryan helped Brent to flawlessly navigate through the traffic & to pick the fastest lane.
The second caution flag waved for debris on lap 30, the Allgaier Motorsports team pitted for 4 fresh Hoosier tires and a tank full of Sunoco fuel. The field went back racing at lap 35 and the No. 36 was in the lead one lap later. The final caution came for a single car incident & Brent had a text book perfect restart to pull out to a 2 second lead by lap 45 and never look back. Brent ran his fastest lap of the weekend at lap 40 and finished the race with a 2.844 second lead to win his career first ARCA Racing Series race. The win at Pocono Raceway is number 2 for Allgaier Motorsports at Pocono and the 9th overall victory in the ARCA Racing Series since the teams’ inception in 2006. The Pocono win also marks the 51st career trip to ARCA victory lane for crew chief Dave Leiner. Robb Brent became the 10th different winner during the 2010 ARCA Series and is currently 9th in championship point standings.
“I could put the car anywhere on the track I needed to pass a car, I was having so much fun,” said Brent. “We got our yellow when we needed it, and we had the green flag run when we needed it. This team works so hard and is like a huge family, this is amazing, and I knew we could do it. Thank you to Orchard Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, my family, the Allgaier family, my crew chief Dave Leiner and everyone who supports me.”
“I am so proud of this team, this is awesome,” said crew chief Dave Leiner. “Robb drove a fantastic race, we had a great pit stop & we were able to finally bring it home today. These guys work so had and this is what it’s all about! I am honored to work for such great people as Mike & Dorothy Allgaier & to represent Orchard Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram. This Allgaier Motorsports team is top notch & Robb has a bright future in this sport.”
The ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards visits Berlin (Mich.) Raceway, near Grand Rapids, on Saturday, August 7. The 200-lap, ARCA 200 begins at 8:30 p.m. Eastern, with live timing and scoring on ARCARacing.com and live audio coverage presented by the BAS Racing Network available on ARCARacing.com.
Be sure to cast your vote for Robb Brent as the 2010 National Speed Sport News Most Popular Driver. Visit ARCANation.com and vote for Robb Brent today!
Follow Allgaier Motorsports official twitter page @allgaiermtrspts for live updates from the track. Allgaier Motorsports will be giving away autographed items & race tickets to some of its twitter followers, be sure to follow! Follow driver Robb Brent, @robbbrent for updates and insight into his everyday life.
For more on Allgaier Motorsports, please log onto www.allgaiermotorsports.com
For more on Robb Brent, please log onto www.robbbrentracing.com
Deana Cumbow
740.415.4978 - Cell
www.allgaiermotorsports.com
Solid Changes Help Marks Earn Another Top Five at Pocono
August 03, 2010, 14 minutes ago | arcaracing
(LONG POND, Pa. - August 2, 2010)
- Teamwork has been the key for Justin Marks and Win-Tron Racing this
season, and this weekend at Pocono was no different as they progressively made
changes to keep their No. 32 Construct Corps machine up front. Marks, the ARCA
Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards championship points leader, came
into this weekend’s Weis Markets 125 looking to extend his lead over the rest
of the championship contenders.
The team unloaded their Toyota Camry Friday morning for the ARCA Racing Series’ only practice session of the weekend with an entirely different setup than when it had last seen the track in June. Marks relayed during the first practice run that the car lacked forward bite off the corners and was pretty tight through turns two and three. The team gradually made changes to their machine throughout the next hour of practice, and Justin was able to lay down the ninth quickest time of the session.
Putting their heads together, the crew made more changes to the No. 32 prior to qualifying, hoping to aid their driver through all three unique turns at the “Tricky Triangle”. The changes seemed to help once again, and the 29-year-old driver put down a 54.604 second lap, placing him sixth for the start of the Weis Markets 125 on Saturday afternoon.
One of the shortest races of the season, the 50-lap shootout on Saturday afternoon instilled a sense of urgency in all of the drivers, as they couldn’t afford to wait in traffic and had to be aggressive to pick up spots in a short amount of time.
“You had to race as hard as you could, there wasn’t any going back. It was going to be a one stop race, so you only had one shot at making a change that was going to work. You couldn’t afford to wait in traffic quite as much, you had to be pretty aggressive and take advantage of every opportunity,” driver Justin Marks said.
At the drop of the green flag, Justin initially moved up a few spots and was quiet on the radio until lap seven when he first reported the car was a little too snug all the way around the track. He continued to hang tough well within the top-10 until he could make his way to pit road for some adjustments.
For most of the teams, including Win-Tron, that chance for a pit stop came on lap 32 under the day’s second caution period. Marks informed Crew Chief Mike Chaffee he would like to take a big swing at the setup of the No. 32 to fix the very tight condition he was experiencing all the way around the 2.5-mile asphalt giant. The Win-Tron pit crew went to straight to work as Marks slid to a stop in his pit box, producing a lightning quick stop that would gain their driver three spots during the round of pit stops.
Back out on the track, Justin restarted in the fourth position and went to work with just 15 laps remaining. Marks took advantage of the track position he received after leaving pit road and battled among the leaders before crossing the stripe on the final lap in fifth position.
“It was a solid run. I like where we ended up versus where we were when we unloaded on Friday,” Justin expressed following the race.
“We were pretty tight in practice and made a good change for qualifying, and though we were still kind of tight at the beginning of the race the guys made a great change and had a really fast pit stop. We picked up spots from the stop and the change was good enough that we deserved to be there. I think we were a fifth place car and that’s where we finished. It was another solid run and that’s all we can ask for.”
The finish at Pocono Raceway is Justin’s fifth top-five of the season and helped him stay securely at the top of the championship point standings, 30 points ahead of second place Craig Goess (No. 81). Next weekend the teams head to Berlin Raceway in Merne, Michigan to race 200 laps at the .4-mile oval. Confidence among the Win-Tron team runs high heading to the short track, stemming from the success they’ve had at all short tracks this season.
For More on Justin Marks, visit JustinMarksRacing.com
For More on Win-Tron, visit Win-TronRacing.com and follow us on Facebook and Twitter (@WinTronRacing).
About Justin Marks
California native Justin Marks began his love of racing after attending local races and the Indianapolis 500 with his father at the age of 14. His racing career sprouted from local street stock racing and grew into a successful SCCA and Rolex Sports Car Series career. Marks finished 16th in the 2001 Rolex Sports Car 24 Hours of Daytona in his first career professional race, and later collected a total of 12 wins in the SCCA and Rolex Sports Car Series combined. In 2009, he competed once again in the 24 Hours of Daytona and came home with a victory.
Marks moved on to ARCA Racing Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck and Nationwide Series competition in 2007, where he competed in select races over the next two years. This season, Justin is competing full-time in the ARCA Racing Series with Win-Tron Racing in the No. 32 Construct Corps machine. For the latest news on Justin, please visit www.JustinMarksRacing.com.
About Win-Tron Racing
Based in Lakeville, Minnesota, Win-Tron Racing officially began in 2007 with one main goal in mind: to win races. Owned by a former successful racecar driver in Kevin Cywinski, and engineer Nate Thiesse, Win-Tron has successfully competed for wins in the ARCA Racing Series with the No. 32 machine since its first appearances in 2004 under a former name, Country Joe Racing. Though the organization has seen several different drivers behind the wheel of its entries, Win-Tron and driver Justin Marks are set to compete for the entire season in 2010, with hopes of capturing a team first ARCA championship. For more on Win-Tron Racing, visit www.Win-TronRacing.com.
Kirby Johnson
Public Relations Manager
Win-Tron Racing
M: 608.289.8919
Kimmel Races to Seventh-Place Finish at Pocono
August 03, 2010, 14 minutes ago | arcaracing
(LONG POND,
Pa. - AUgust 2, 2010) - Frank Kimmel had what it took to make it to victory
lane at Pocono Raceway Saturday afternoon - experience, confidence, a fast car
and track position. What he didn't have was time. After leading the field
to the green flag and commanding the first 20 laps of the Weis Markets 125, the
handling on Kimmel's No. 44 Ansell/Menards Ford Fusion went away. With only 50
laps total in the race, the Ansell/Menards team ran out of time to fix the car
impeding Kimmel from making a bid to win his fourth race at the 2.5-mile
triangle.
The Ansell/Menards Ford was fast all weekend. During Friday morning's lone practice session, Kimmel sat second on the speed chart with a lap time of 54.405 seconds (165.426 mph). Knowing he had a great chance to claim the pole, Kimmel picked up almost three-tenths of a second during qualifying later Friday afternoon. He circled the "tricky triangle" in 54.108 seconds (166.334 mph), easily fast enough to win the pole position for Saturday afternoon's Weis Markets 125.
When the green flag dropped on the stars of the ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards, Kimmel easily took the lead in turn one, but it didn't take long for the first caution of the day to come out, as several cars wrecked coming to the green flag. When the field returned to green on lap four, he continued to hold the lead, pulling away from the field.
On lap nine, Kimmel radioed to his crew that the car was starting to get tight, but a fast car allowed him to continue to hold the lead. As he caught lapped traffic, his tight condition got worse, allowing Mikey Kile and Craig Goess, running second and third, to catch him. On lap 20, Mikey Kile slipped under the No. 44 Ford and took the lead as Kimmel radioed to his crew that his car was really tight in turns one and two from the exit out.
Kimmel continued to struggle with the handling of his car for the next 10 laps, falling to fourth position before a yellow flag for debris came out on lap 30. With the opportunity to hit pit road, crew chief Bill Kimmel Jr. called his driver down pit road to the attention of the Ansell/Menards crew, where major chassis adjustments were made along with adding four fresh Hoosier tires and filling the car with fuel.
Kimmel restarted in seventh and within one lap had already moved to fifth, before the third caution of the race came out on lap 36. With only 12 laps to go, the field went back to green, and Kimmel wasted no time passing the No. 32 for the fourth position.
Unfortunately, the tight condition came back, and by lap 41, a frustrated Kimmel radioed to his crew that his Ansell/Menards Ford was "too tight and pushing bad." Fighting the handling on the car, he dropped three positions over the final nine laps of the race. The Ansell/Menards Ford took the checkered flag in seventh place.
"It was a pretty disappointing finish for us today," said Kimmel. "I thought we had a car that could really contend for the win. It started out good, the car was really fast. At the end, the car just got really, really tight. We don't know what happened to it, but we will go home and look at it and figure out what we need to do to make it better."
Despite the seventh-place finish, Kimmel lead the most laps of the race and moved within 70 points of leader Justin Marks in the championship standings.
The ARCA Racing Series is set to return to action next weekend for Saturday night short-track action at Berlin (Mich.) Raceway. The 200-lap Berlin ARCA 200 begins at 8:30 p.m. EST, with live timing and scoring on ARCARacing.com and live audio coverage presented by the BAS Racing Network available on ARCARacing.com.
Tracy Olszewski
Public Relations Account Manager
704.664.5900
tracy@goactiv8.com
Best Finish for Chad Hackenbracht at Pocono Raceway
August 03, 2010, 14 minutes ago | arcaracing
(LONG
POND, Pa. August 2, 2010) - Chad Hackenbracht had his best start and
finish in the ARCA Series at Pocono Raceway. Chad started out his weekend in a
car that came off the hauler and was fast out of the gate. With minor changes
Chad qualified 14th at Pocono Raceway for the Weis Markets 125 but
was able to start from the 12th position due to some changes other
teams needed to make which put them in the back at the start of the
event.
At the start of the race Chad avoided a car that had issues using his keen driving skills. The restart of the race came on lap 4 and Chad quickly made up the spots he lost getting back up to 12th place. By lap 23 Chad had cracked into the top 10 running lap times slightly off of the leaders. On lap 28, crew chief Rodney Jockisch called for four tires and fuel with no adjustments. As luck would have it the #58 Tastee Apple Chevrolet was caught a lap down to the leaders when the yellow flag flew for debris in turn 3. Chad restarted the race after the leaders pitted at the tail end of the lead lap. The green flag flew on lap 35 and Chad and two other cars were able to get a jump on the leaders. When a caution flew on the backstretch, Chad and the #58 Tastee Apple Chevrolet team were waved back up to the lead pack cars staying on the lead lap. Chad restarted the race on lap 38 in 15th place and by the time there were 9 laps to go Chad had worked his way up to 13th place. For the remaining 9 laps Chad battled Bobby Gerhardt back and forth door-to-door. Chad was able to stay in front of Gerhardt taking the checkered flag in 13th place.
“We had a great car all weekend. I really enjoyed racing door-to-door with veteran driver Bobby Gerhardt. The team gave me a really great car and I am proud of all the guys in the shop,” stated Chad Hackenbracht driver of the #58 Tastee Apple Chevrolet. “We had some new sponsors here at the track and I really wanted to have a good run for them and bring the car home.”
As we continue to look to fund Chad’s efforts for the remainder of 2010 and 2011 we are confident he will represent the companies that come aboard with the greatest efforts. Chad is a young man full of confidence and we will continue building upon his efforts in 2010 looking forward to the future with CGH Motorsports. Chad’s next race will be at Chicagoland Speedway on August 27th live on Speed.
Sign up for Chad’s fan club at www.chadhackenbracht.com or follow Chad on Twitter.
For more information on CGH Motorsports or if you would like to become a marketing partner with Chad please contact Jordan Dahl at 570-234-5449 or visit us at www.cghmotorsports.com.
Jordan Dahl
570-234-5449
Tim George Jr. Finishes 18th in ARCA Racing Series at Pocono Raceway
August 03, 2010, 14 minutes ago | arcaracing
Race/Date: Weiss
Markets 125/July 31 2010
Location: Pocono Raceway
Start Position: 17th
Finish Position: 18th
Points Position: Eighth
(Maintained position)
LONG POND, Pa. (July 31, 2010) - Richard Childress Racing development driver Tim
George Jr. finished 18th in the Weiss Markets 125 ARCA Racing Series presented
by RE/MAX and Menards race at Pocono Raceway on Saturday afternoon.
Despite the undesirable finish, George maintained eighth position in the 2010
point standings, and is currently 315 markers in arrears of point leader Justin
Marks with nine races remaining in the series.
George headed into the race weekend with confidence after securing a 10th-place
finish at the "tricky triangle" just one month prior. He began the
ARCA Racing Series' second 2010 appearance at the track with the 16th-fastest
time during Friday's practice session.
On Friday afternoon, the New York, N.Y., native posted a 56.015-second lap
around the 2.5 mile triangle, at a speed of 160.671 mph, earning him a
17th-place starting position for Saturday afternoon's 50-lap/125-mile race.
As the starting field drove to the green flag, spotter Mike Dillon guided
George around the 2.5-mile track, helping him advance six positions in the
field, to 11th, on the first lap of the race before a lap one caution.
Restarting 11th on lap four, George raced anywhere from 10th to 13th during the
first 29 laps of the race before a caution on lap 30 afforded George and the
Gere Kennon-led RCR Development team the opportunity to make the lone pit stop
of the day.
Pitting on lap 30 for four fresh Hoosier tires, fuel and a track bar
adjustment, the RCR team gained George an impressive five positions on the
racetrack, moving him from 11th to sixth in the running order for the lap-35
restart.
Restarting sixth, George dropped to seventh before the fourth and final caution
flag of the race was displayed on lap 35. Restarting on the inside of row four,
the final 12 laps of the race remained green, and George crossed the checkers
in 18th on lap 50.
Shelby Township, Mich.'s Robb Brent earned his career-first ARCA Racing Series
victory over Dakoda Armstrong, Craig Goess, Tom Hessert and Justin Marks.
The next ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards race is the ARCA
200 at Berlin Raceway on Saturday, August 7. Flag-to-flag coverage of the race
will be broadcast via live streaming audio at arcaracing.com.
TIM GEORGE JR QUOTE:
"We used Austin Dillon's pit crew combined with our guys and that was a
very strong combo. Those guys were on it. They were ready before I was for
sure. It kind of caught me by surprise but they put me in position to do really
well. We got some marbles on the tires at one point and that spooked me.
I just could not get back into the grove. Such a short race, if I would have
had another 50 laps - maybe be able to "get her done", but it is a
short race. So that is what we get. Go to the next one (race) and do
well."
Contacts: Jackie Franzil
Manager of Communications
Richard Childress Racing
336.731.3334 Ext. 3757 office
336.655.8278 cell
jfranzil@rcrracing.com
Solid 10th-place Finish for Brandon McReynolds Despite Early Flat Tire at Pocono Raceway
August 03, 2010, 14 minutes ago | arcaracing
(LONG
POND, Pa. – August 2, 2010) - Brandon McReynolds was
ready to compete for a victory in his third-career ARCA Racing Series start
Saturday, but bad luck found him early in the 50-lap race. Driving the No. 6
GlobeTrack Wireless Eddie Sharp Racing Toyota, McReynolds drove to a top-10
finish, after a right-front flat tire marred his chances to win.
In his first trip to the "Tricky Triangle," McReynolds solicited friend and current NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Joey Logano to show him the ropes of the course. The two went out in the pace car on Thursday, as Logano showed McReynolds the ins-and-outs of the unique track.
McReynolds took what he learned from his first look around the track into action, during the lone practice session of the weekend Friday morning. He posted the sixth quickest lap of the day, with a time of 54.793 seconds (164.255 mph). The 19-year-old continued to pick up speed around the track during his qualifying run, as he laid down a lap time of 54.322 seconds (165.679 mph). The time was quick enough for the No. 6 to start fourth for the main event.
Prior to the start of the Weis Markets 125, McReynolds hosted a Tweet-up, a meet-and-greet with his fans who follow him on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter, at the track. "I really wanted to get out there and meet the fans," said McReynolds. "We had a great turnout, and I'm thankful to have so many great fans who came out." The young driver invited fellow ARCA Racing Series drivers to join him at the Tweet-up, signing autographs and taking photos with fans.
Lining up in the second row for the main event, McReynolds was determined to stay at the front of the pack for the entirety of the 125-mile race. The yellow flag dropped on lap one after the No. 55 blew an engine, bringing out the first caution early in the 50-lap shootout.
The No. 6 GTW Toyota restarted the race in fourth, and tried to hold off the No. 32 of Justin Marks. Caught up in lap traffic, McReynolds was pushed back to the eighth position by lap 21.
Knowing something was wrong with the car, McReynolds radioed to the crew that the No. 6 suffered right-side damage when he hit the wall after the right-front tire went flat on lap 23. The ESR crew went to work on the car when McReynolds came in for a green-flag pit stop, putting on four tires, working on the right-side damage and fueling the car. McReynolds went one lap down but did not give up.
The second caution of the day flew on lap 31 for debris on the track. The ARCA Racing Series instituted a mandatory pit stop by lap 40, so the leaders came in for the yellow-flag stop. McReynolds stayed out to make up ground on the field, and as the field went back to green, the No. 6 GTW Toyota restarted 16th.
The final caution fell on lap 36, McReynolds radioed encouragement to his crew. "Great job guys. We are back in it." McReynolds drove the No. 6 down pit road for his final pit stop, grabbing four fresh tires and fuel to finish out the race. The green flag dropped on lap 38, and McReynolds was determined to make up his lost ground.
With seven laps to go, McReynolds worked his way into the 12th position. Spotter Mike Calinoff radioed encouragement to the young driver. "You are doing a great job. Just use momentum to pass the No. 17."
On lap 46, McReynolds was able to pass the No. 17 of Chase Mattioli for the 10th position, where he held his ground as he crossed the finish line on the lead lap. Robb Brent crossed the finish line first, grabbing his first ARCA Racing Series Victory.
"We had a really good car," said McReynolds. "We rode fourth there for a while, and Justin Marks and I had a good battle going. We were riding up front, and we had a right-front tire that was going down. I didn't really know it was going down until I got in the tunnel turn and went into the fence. There wasn't a lot we could do there. We went a lap down there and tried everything to get it back. We came back and finished 10th, and I guess in the grand scheme of things, it was a really good run. It's a shame because we had a winning race car. There's nothing you can do about right front tires going down. It's just part of racing. We will move on and see what we can do at the next one."
McReynolds continues to look for opportunities to compete in the ARCA Racing Series and other series' this season. "I really want to thank GlobeTrack Wireless and Eddie Sharp Racing for believing in me and giving me a chance to race here at Pocono Raceway."
activ8 communications
Erin Sagester
Senior Manager
Social Media and Public Relations
704.664.5900
erin@goactiv8.com
Goess Finishes Third at Pocono Raceway After Post-Practice Engine Change
August 03, 2010, 14 minutes ago | arcaracing
(LONG POND,
Pa. - August 2, 2010) - Craig Goess arrived at Pocono Raceway for the second
time this season looking to leave the track the way he did before--with a win.
Goess, who brought home his first-career ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX
and Menards victory in June at the Pennsylvania track, felt confident in his
car and team to repeat this time.
Goess went out in practice looking to build off his June performance. He finished practice 11thquickest with a time of 55.315 seconds (162.705 mph).
Not happy with the car, the No. 81 ESR team got to work after practice, changing the set-up of the car. "We felt a little bit flat during practice," Goess reflected after practice. "The motor didn't feel as good as it did last time. We changed carburetors, different ignition boxes, but it didn't seem to help. The car felt good towards the end, but we should have been turning better times. We changed the motor and transmission, and anything we can to make the car feel better. The No. 81 guys worked hard, and hopefully,it will pay off."
With the new engine in place, Goess looked forward to a quicker car for qualifying. He laid down a lap time of 54.301 seconds (165.743 mpg), quick enough to start in the second row in the third position.
As the green flag dropped for the Weis Markets 125, Goess hoped to drive the No. 81 to victory lane one more time. He lined up behind pole winner Frank Kimmel in the third position and was ready to go racing.
Goess raced hard, staying in the top-three for the first 25 laps. As leader Kimmel entered lap traffic on lap 21, Goess and Mikey Kile took advantage of the condensed lead to drive around the No. 44 on lap 21.
Goess radioed to the No. 81 crew that the car was a bit tight, especially in the tunnel turn. The caution flew on lap 31, giving Goess and the leaders the opportunity to make the ARCA Racing Series-mandated pit stop by lap 40. The crew put on four tires and fuel with a time-efficient stop. Goess left pit road first, beating out Kile onto the track.
With Goess starting out in front on the lap 36 restart, the No. 81 hit lap traffic. Robb Brent, the second-place car, was able to navigate through the traffic, taking the lead before the caution came out on the same lap.
Spotter Lorin Rainer reassured the driver after the restart. "Keep hitting your marks," radioed Rainer. "There is no pressure from behind. Keep doing what you are doing."
With ten laps to go, Goess was in the third position behind Brent and Dakota Armstrong, but couldn't make up ground on the 2.5-mile track. He crossed the line third for his sixth top-five and eighth top-10 of the season.
"I'm trying not to be disappointed from a third-place run because we did pick up some points," said Goess. "As far as the championship stand-point, we came into the race 50 points behind Justin Marks, and now, we are only 30 points behind. It was a good day for us overall. We didn't get to try what we wanted to try during practice, and we were a little down on power. We were a bit handicapped during the race, so with that being said, getting third is not too bad."
With only nine races to go in the season, Goess looks touse the third-place finish as motivation. "When you come to a track that you've won at before, I think anyone would be disappointed if you don't win again. Everyone worked hard and did the best that we could do. I brought the car back without a scratch on it, and we will save it for another day. I'm looking forward to the next nine races."
Goess continues his trek to the top of the ARCA Racing Series point standings and is only 30 points shy of leader Justin Marks. Goess and the No. 81 Greenville Toyota of N.C. team return to action at the Berlin Raceway next Saturday night for the ARCA Racing Series event. The green flag drops at 8:30 p.m. EST, with live timing, scoring and audio broadcast on ARCARacing.com.
activ8 communications
Erin Sagester
Senior Manager
Social Media and Public Relations
704.664.5900
erin@goactiv8.com
Coulter’s Top Ten-Day Disappears with Late Race Run In at Pocono
August 03, 2010, 14 minutes ago | arcaracing
(LONG POND,
Pa. - August 2, 2010) – Entering the Weis Markets 125 at Pocono Raceway,
second year ARCA driver Joey Coulter knew the 50 lap race would be a mad dash
to the finish. He wasn’t deterred by the thought, and set his sights on the top
of the board throughout the weekend.
“Going into this weekends race (Pocono), I knew we had to race every lap like it was the last because we were only running 125 miles,” commented Coulter. “We had a really good car here in the first race (6/5/10), and my crew chief Harold Holly made some great improvements to it before we came back.”
The busy race weekend may have kicked off Friday (7/30/10) with practice and qualifying, but Coulter was already in the Poconos for a Thursday (7/29/10) appearance. He was the special guest of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs minor league baseball team, where he threw out the ceremonial first pitch. Coulter also spent the entire game signing autographs and meeting with all of the Day Camp kids that were in attendance.
Friday’s mid-morning practice session was a welcomed sight for Coulter, as he had been anxiously awaiting the return to racing action, following the Mansfield ARCA race (7/17/10). Coulter Motorsports crew chief Harold Holly used the entire session fine-tuning Coulter’s car for the 2.5-mile “tricky triangle.” At practice’s end, Coulter would post the eighth fast time at 55.055 seconds with a top speed of 163.473 MPH. Following the weekends only practice session, Menards Pole Qualifying would get underway with Coulter going out 22nd in his No. 16 Darrell Gwynn Foundation, Rip It Energy Fuel Chevrolet. His one-lap qualifying effort, with a fast time of 54.829 seconds at 164.147 MPH, would lock him into the seventh starting position for Saturday’s race.
“Our car handled really well during practice, and we spent most of the time fine tuning it to the three unique turns that make up this track (Pocono),” said Coulter. “Our qualifying effort wasn’t exactly where we wanted it to be, but with the sun really warming up the track, it changed it just enough. All and all, I am happy to be rolling out seventh and look forward to a great race.”
Directly following the conclusion of NASCAR’s inaugural Camping World Truck race, the green flag waved over the 39-car ARCA field and kicked off the Weis Markets 125. Coulter quickly maneuvered his No. 16 Darrell Gwynn Foundation, Rip It Energy Fuel Chevrolet into the single file line that had formed. Shortly after the green, a single car incident would bring out the caution, finding Coulter in sixth place. He would radio Holly that “the car is getting loose, but I want to thank Pro Motor Engines (PME) for such a rocket ship.”
The race would enter a long green flag run, seeing Coulter jostle positions back and forth while compensating for his loose racecar. A lap 30 caution for debris would give the Coulter Motorsports crew a much-needed opportunity to bring Coulter to the pits. He received four fresh Hoosier tires, a tank of Sunoco race fuel and a wedge, trackbar and air pressure adjustment. Coulter restarted the race on lap 35 in the ninth position, and immediately began working his way through traffic towards the front.
While working his No. 16 Darrell Gwynn Foundation, Rip It Energy Fuel Chevrolet into seventh place on lap 39, a competitor cut across his left front fender, caving it in on top of the tire and sending him back to the 12th spot. With ten laps to go, a tire slowly going flat, and a now ill-handling racecar, Coulter would make sure to bring home his car in one piece. He would cross the start finish line on lap 50 in eleventh, saving his car from any further damage.
“We didn’t have the best car here but we were definitely a top five car,” said a frustrated Coulter. “It is extremely unfortunate we didn’t get the finish we deserved due to the negligence of one of our competitors. We will make sure to go to Berlin next week with an even better car and keep racing towards the front. I want to thank all of my crew, sponsors, fans and family for their continued support.”
Coulter and his No. 16 Darrell Gwynn Foundation, Rip It Energy Fuel Chevrolet next visit Berlin (Mich.) Raceway, near Grand Rapids, on Saturday, August 7. The 200-lap, 88-mile Berlin ARCA 200 begins at 8:30 p.m. Eastern, with live timing and scoring on ARCARacing.com and live audio coverage presented by the BAS Racing Network available on ARCARacing.com
You can also get LIVE updates wherever Joey goes by following him on Twitter at http://twitter.com/joeycoulter
Please log onto www.LiftUpEllie.com
to help support the Potvin family.
You can also vote for Joey Coulter as the most popular ARCA driver for 2010 at www.arcanation.com/joeycoulter
Please be sure to check out Joey’s official website at www.joeycoulter.com
Catch Joey’s LIVE radio show, 5 @ 5 with Joey Coulter, every Wednesday at 5:00 PM EST exclusively on www.RaceFanRadio.com
Also please be sure to support Joey’s sponsors at:
Rip It Energy Fuel: www.ripitenergy.com
Tempest Cycles: www.tempestcycles.com
MAD Industry: www.areumad.com
About Darrell
Gwynn Foundation (DGF)
www.darrellgwynnfoundation.org
The Darrell Gwynn Foundation (DGF) is a certified non-profit 501(c) 3 agency.
DGF exists to prevent, provide for and ultimately cure spinal cord injuries and
other debilitating illnesses. To expedite specific cures, the Foundation
assists in the funding of targeted research. DGF is also dedicated to injury
prevention, with special emphasis on programs targeting children. The
Foundation helps improve the quality of life for those already afflicted with
injury or illness, by providing necessary equipment or special services. DGF is
an official charity of the Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction, National Hot Rod
Association (NHRA) and has a close affiliation with NASCAR and the NASCAR
Foundation.
MEDIA CONTACT
Nic Moncher
Coulter Motorsports
Director of Public Relations
nic@joeycoulter.com
Dustin Long
Change the Chase? Look who says I'm sick of the Chase. I'm sick of them monkeying with it''
August 02, 2010, 12:50:39 PM
Each week, Fox analysts Darrell Waltrip, Jeff Hammon and Larry McReynolds do a video segment on Foxsports.com called 3 Wide. The topics range from week to week. One of the topics in the most recent episode was about the Chase and how a driver like Jamie McMurray, who has won both the Daytona 500 and Brickyard 400, likely won't make the Chase and if that's good for the sport.
Biffle ends drought, Sadler crash raises concern and Dale Jr.'s slide no surprise
August 01, 2010, 9:37:49 PM
A number of issues from Sunday's rain-delayed Pocono race. So, let's get to them ... First, let's go to Elliott Sadler's crash Sunday. There's not much video of it, but you can see it here.
Biffle snaps Ford's drought with Pocono win; Sadler sore after crash
August 01, 2010, 6:44:19 PM
Greg Biffle snapped a 64-race winless streak that dated back to Dover in Sept. 2008 by winning Sunday's rain-delayed race at Pocono. Biffle's victory also was the first Cup win of the season for Ford this season and Ford's first win since Jamie McMurray won at Talladega last fall
FOXSports.com News for NASCAR
Roush upgraded to fair condition
August 02, 2010, 2:34:17 PM
NASCAR team owner Jack Roush has been upgraded to fair
condition following his plane accident July 27. 
Jack-Roush--_20100727234730_335_220.JPG
Video Pennsylvania 500 highlights
August 01, 2010, 9:21:21 PM
Check out the Kurt Busch-Elliott Sadler crash that
everybody's talking about. 
0801-Elliott-Sadler-Primary_20100801213351_335_220.JPG
NASCAR's Cup car proves it's safe
August 01, 2010, 6:43:52 PM
NASCAR safety put to the test at Pocono Raceway. 
sadler-pi_20100801191412_335_220.JPG
Big wreck spoils Biffle's first win of year
August 01, 2010, 6:37:25 PM
Big wreck mars Biffle's, Ford's first Cup win of season. 
biff-pi2_20100801185142_335_220.JPG
Report: Kentucky Speedway to get Sprint Cup date in 2011
August 01, 2010, 3:29:54 PM
A person familiar with the decision tells The Associated
Press that Kentucky Speedway will get a NASCAR Sprint Cup race in 2011. 
kentucky-pi_20100801153612_335_220.JPG
Indy Racing League
Lloyd, Coyne join in Scouting Jamboree
August 01, 2010, 8:00:00 PM
Alex Lloyd and team owner Dale Coyne were among the throng during the National Boy Scouts Jamboree celebration that included fireworks, concerts and special guests. The Jamboree, which began July 26, continues through Aug. 4.
Genoa signs Martinez for Mid-Ohio race
August 01, 2010, 8:00:00 PM
David Martinez will join the Firestone Indy Lights grid for the event at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on Aug. 6-8. The 28-year-old native of Monterrey, Mexico, will drive Genoa's No. 36 entry with sponsorship from Quamtel and the Racing for Mexico program.
27-car field -- nice situation to encounter
August 01, 2010, 8:00:00 PM
The Indy Racing League has amended a sub-section of its IZOD IndyCar Series rulebook to accommodate 27 entries for the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio presented by Westfield Insurance. It's a nice problem to encounter.
Castroneves fined for Edmonton actions
August 01, 2010, 8:00:00 PM
IZOD IndyCar Series officials have fined driver Helio Castroneves $60,000 and placed him on probation for the remainder of the season for his actions during and following the July 25 race at Edmonton City Centre Airport.
Kanaan, Meira compete in triathlon; notes
July 31, 2010, 8:00:00 PM
Appropriately, Tony Kanaan's number for the 19th Huntington's Disease Triathlon on Aug. 1 was 711.
Motorcycle USA Article Headlines
August 03, 2010
Flat Track: One Gear, No Brakes, & Balls of Steel
August 03, 2010, 5 hours ago | Bryan Harley
One of the oldest and longest running motorcycle racing series in America, Flat Track is a sport requiring strength, skill and a whole lot of courage.
Legends Art Gallery at Broken Spoke Sturgis
August 02, 2010, 7:34:10 PM | Press Release
The Legends Art Gallery, with work by artist David Uhl and photographer Josh Kurpius along with a collection of historic motorcycles, will be located on the second floor of the main saloon at the Broken Spoke Campground in Sturgis.
Indian Motorcycles To Intro 2011 Line at Sturgis
August 02, 2010, 6:39:11 PM | Bryan Harley
Riders headed to Sturgis will get the first opportunity to see the 2011 Indian Motorcycles, including the 2011 Chief Blackhawk, as the motorcycle manufacturer prepares to debut its new lineup at the Rally.
2010 WORCS Olympia Results
August 02, 2010, 5:32:00 PM | Matt Davidson
KTM's Kurt Caselli moved into first place in the WORCS Championship after clenching the victory at Olympia ahead of Kawasaki's Ricky Dietrich.
James Stewart Joins AMA Motocross Series
August 02, 2010, 4:00:00 PM | Adam Waheed
James Stewart has announced that he will be returning to AMA Motocross competition at Unadilla motorcycle race in upstate New York later this month.
2010 FIM Motocross Belgium Results
August 02, 2010, 3:25:00 PM | Press Release
Securing his fifth overall victory and widening his lead in the championship was KTM's Antonio Cairoli, who snared the double victory in Belgium ahead of Maximilian Nagl and Clement Desalle.
2011 Harley Road Glide Ultra First Ride
August 02, 2010, 3:00:00 PM | Bryan Harley
The 2011 Harley-Davidson Road Glide Ultra is all decked out in The Motor Company's new PowerPak, including a beefier Twin Cam 103 engine, ABS, a Smart Security System and added passenger amenities courtesy of the King Tour Pak.
2011 Harley-Davidson First Ride Review
August 02, 2010, 3:00:00 PM | Bryan Harley
Harley-Davidson celebrates 107 years of producing motorcycles with 32 bikes and trikes in its 2011 lineup, including the 2011 SuperLow Sportster and a new touring motorcycle, the 2011 Road Glide Ultra.
X Games 16: Speed and Style Final Results
August 02, 2010, 1:04:00 PM | MotorcycleUSA Staff
Results from the final X Games 16 event are in. Check out what happened in the Speed and Style finals, and who took ultimate bragging rights by winning the gold.
2010 ATV Motocross Red Bud Results
August 02, 2010, 12:20:00 PM | Press Release
Chad Wienen took his first overall win of the 2010 season during Round 10 of the AMA Pro ATV MX Championship at Red Bud.
NASCAR.COM - Sprint Cup Series Headlines
August 02, 2010, 4:13:54 PM
Biffle wins one for Roush, Ford at Pocono
August 02, 2010, 4:12:46 PM
With his team owner at the Mayo Clinic recovering from injuries sustained in a plane crash, Greg Biffle found the remedy for the ills of Roush Fenway Racing and Ford's racing program.
Roush upgraded to fair condition after plane crash
August 02, 2010, 3:52:27 PM
NASCAR team owner Jack Roush's condition has been upgraded to fair as he recovers from last week's plane crash in Wisconsin.
Hamlin wanted more at Pocono but takes top-five
August 02, 2010, 11:54:22 AM
Denny Hamlin had the fastest last lap of any car in Sunday's Sunoco Red Cross 500 at Pocono Raceway -- faster than race winner Greg Biffle and runner-up Tony Stewart, who was coming-on maybe harder than anyone at the end.
Pit strategy defines outcome for several at Pocono
August 02, 2010, 10:54:05 AM
Pocono Raceway has been nothing short of rewarding for Tony Stewart the past six years and Sunday's performance in the Sunoco Red Cross 500 left the driver of the No. 14 Chevrolet with plenty to celebrate.
Bowyer salvages OK finish, holds steady in points
August 02, 2010, 10:31:29 AM
Riding the momentum of back-to-back fourth-place finishes that positioned Clint Bowyer-- for the time being -- in the Chase, it almost got knocked from his grasp Sunday at Pocono Raceway.
Road Racer X
August 02, 2010, 9:15:27 PM
TGI Monday Trivia Contest: Win Wine (and a Hat!) From LeoVince
August 02, 2010, 6:02:22 PM | admin
We’re launching the fourth
edition of TGI Monday with perhaps our best prize-offering yet: a flat-brim hat
and
an excellent bottle of wine, both from exhaust and electronics company LeoVince.
(Yes, as LeoVince employees never tire of reminding us, the company maintains
its own vineyard in Northern Italy’s Piedmont region.) In short, you can
maintain your street-cred while placating your inner sophisticate, all by
answering one simple, three-part question—see below.
Question: Not all road
racers started out that way. Name the genre of motorcycle racing that each of the
following LeoVince riders got their start in as kids:
Ben Spies, Colin Edwards, and Jake Zemke.
To earn your chance to win, email your answers to contribute@roadracerx.com, subject-line “TGI Monday” (winner will be randomly drawn from all correct entries.) Include your full name, address, and phone number, and watch for the lucky so-and-so to be announced Friday via our website, Facebook page, and Twitter. Entries close Thursday at midnight, and please note we’ll be verifying the winner’s age on this one. Thanks, and good luck!
Speed Dating: August 2 – 8
August 02, 2010, 3:06:33 PM | Jesse Cecil
August 2
Frank Sheene (AUS) passed away on this date in 2008 at the age of 96. A renowned tuner and mechanic, Sheene was the father of two-time world champion Barry Sheene. Frank tuned Barry’s motorcycles throughout his riding career, and he was a regular sight inside the garage even during Barry’s factory grand prix years.
August 4
On this date in 2008, Craig Jones (UK) lost his life at the age of 23 as a result of a crash at the Brands Hatch round of the WSS championship. Jones was a British motorcycle racer who showed great potential in his short career. He worked his way up the ladder of British motorcycle road racing—his best year coming in 2005, when he earned second in points—and made three solid guest appearances in the World Supersport Championship. Jones also competed in the 2006 World Superbike Championship aboard the Foggy Petronas FP1, but returned to WSS for the 2007 season, finishing fifth in points despite early technical problems. The 2008 season looked set to be the brightest yet for Jones, as he’d scored three podiums for the Parkalgar Honda team and climbed to sixth in the championship standings. The tragic accident at Brands Hatch took place while Jones was battling for the race lead with Jonathan Rea. His presence in the paddock is still deeply missed.
Rich Oliver (US) was born on this date in 1961. Oliver is a five-time AMA 250 GP champion and accomplished racer of superbike, supersport, and even 500cc Grand Prix bikes. He also owns and operates the Rich Oliver Mystery School, which teaches techniques he learned throughout his long career in road racing. Additionally, Oliver still owns the 250 lap record at most race tracks in the United States.
On this date in 1932, Joe Leonard (US) was born. Leonard was the first to win the U. S. Grand National Championship Series, in 1954, and he repeated the accomplishment in 1956 and 1957. He was also the winner of the Daytona 200 in both ’57 and’58. Leonard totaled 27 career wins before retiring from motorcycle racing at the end of the 1961 season. Switching to four-wheeled racing from 1964-1974, he enjoyed success in the USAC Championship Car series, taking six wins and two championships (in ’71 and ’72). Leonard is the only racer to have won multiple national championships in both two- and four-wheeled racing. He was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1991, and the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1998.
August 5
Today marks the passing of Soichiro Honda (JP), who died of liver failure on this date in 1991. Mr. Honda was the son of a blacksmith and grew up helping with his father’s bicycle repair business. Honda has been described as a “maverick among conformists,” and after taking a six-year auto repair apprenticeship, he started his own repair shop, which led to producing engines for motorcycles—and ultimately to manufacturing complete motorcycles as the president of Honda Motor Company in 1948. Known for excellent engineering, Honda’s reputation and clever marketing resulted in Honda motorcycles out-selling Triumph and Harley-Davidson in their respective home markets. Soichiro always had a love of motorsport, and by 1959 Honda Motorcycles began racing in the Isle of Man TT. In 1961, Mike Hailwood rode a Honda to victory in both the 125cc and 250cc classes. Honda Motor Corporation has grown into one of the most successful car and motorcycle companies in the world, and Mr. Honda remained president until his retirement in 1973. Soichiro Honda was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2000.
August 7
On this date in 1988, Wayne Rainey (US) scored his first 500cc GP win, at Donington Park, UK. Rainey ultimately won three 500cc World Championships (1990-1992) and was on his way to a fourth in 1993 when he suffered a horrific crash at the Italian Grand Prix at Misano. The crash left Rainey paralyzed from the waist down, but Rainey has stayed involved in road racing since the accident, first as a Grand Prix team manager and currently as a brand representative for Yamaha. He also continues to compete on the track in SuperKart racing using a specially modified kart.
Marco Melandri • Photo by
Andrew Northcott
Marco Melandri (IT), born on this date in 1982, currently races for San Carlo Honda Gresini in the MotoGP world championship. Melandri worked his way up through the ranks of the Italian, European, and World 125cc championships before landing in the 250cc Grand Prix World Championship in 2000. Melandri took the 250cc title in 2002, then moved to MotoGP the following year. Melandri had several successful years with Gresini Honda before the 800cc MotoGP era put a strain on the relationship, prompting Melandri to move to Ducati in 2008 in search of more competitive machinery. Unfortunately, it was an ill-fated pairing, as Marco never came to grips with the Desmosedici and moved to Kawasaki the following year, after only one season with Ducati. Before the start of the 2009 season, Kawasaki pulled its MotoGP program, threatening to leave Melandri without a ride. He ultimately contested the season with the Hayate team aboard Kawasaki machinery but without full factory support. For 2010, Melandri is back with San Carlo Honda Gresini and hoping to return to race-winning form. He currently occupies ninth in the points, with a best finish of fifth at Mugello.
On this date in 1965, Nancy Delgado (US) was born. After earning too many speeding tickets while driving in New York City, Delgado decided to begin her racing career in 1988 and turned pro in 1991. She raced in WERA and AMA National circuits and has ridden Harley-Davidson 883s, Endurance, and 125 Grand Prix.
PJ Jacobsen • Photo by
Riles/Nelson
Patrick “PJ” Jacobsen (US) was born on this date in 1993. Jacobsen debuted in the AMA Pro SuperSport class in 2009, and this year is contesting the Daytona SportBike class for Celtic Racing. His best results in the class thus far have been a trio of sixth place finishes, two at Road America and another in Race 2 at Mid-Ohio.
August 8
On this date in 1989, Andrea Iannone (IT) was born. Iannone began racing on pocket bikes, then moved up to the Italian and Spanish Championships, eventually making his way to the 125cc World Championship in 2005. He earned his first 125cc win in 2008, somewhat of a breakthrough year for him, and finished the season tenth in the points. In 2009, Andrea earned three more wins and a podium before four DNFs relegated him to seventh overall for the season. Racing for Fimmco Speed Up in the Moto2 World Championship for 2010, Iannone has been a stand-out performer, earning two wins and one podium. He currently sits third in championship points, four points behind Thomas Luthi.
Andrea Iannone • Photo by
Andrew Northcott
Yamaha Monday Wake-Up Call: Silverstone World Superbike
August 02, 2010, 1:39:44 PM | Digger Barrett
FIM World Superbike
Silverstone, UK
World Superbike – Race 1
Pos.
Num. Racer Manufacturer
1 35 Cal Crutchlow Yamaha
2 65 Jonathan Rea Honda
3 91 Leon Haslam Suzuki
4 84 Michel Fabrizio
Ducati
5 3 Max Biaggi Aprilia
6 2 Leon Camier Aprilia
7 7 Carlos Checa Ducati
8 52 James Toseland Yamaha
9 67 Shane Byrne Ducati
10
11 Troy Corser BMW
11
76 Max Neukirchner Honda
12
50 Sylvain Guintoli Suzuki
13
96 Jakub Smrz Aprilia
14
41 Noriyuki Haga Ducati
15
57 Lorenzo Lanzi Ducati
16
25 Josh Brookes Honda
17
111 Ruben Xaus BMW
18
66 Tom Sykes Kawasaki
19
87 Akira Yanagawa Kawasaki
20
46 Tommy Bridewell Honda
21
8 Riyuchi Kiyonari Honda
DNF
15 Matteo Baiocco Kawasaki
DNF
95 Roger Hayden Kawasaki
DNF
23 Brock Parkes Honda
Cal Crutchlow • Photo by Wheeler & Brown
World Superbike – Race 2
Pos. Num. Racer Manufacturer
1 35 Cal Crutchlow Yamaha
2 65 Jonathan Rea Honda
3 2 Leon Camier Aprilia
4 91 Leon Haslam Suzuki
5 52 James Toseland Yamaha
6 3 Max Biaggi Aprilia
7 50 Sylvain Guintoli
Suzuki
8 67 Shane Byrne Ducati
9 96 Jakub Smrz Aprilia
10 7 Carlos Checa Ducati
11 111 Ruben Xaus BMW
12 25 Josh Brookes Honda
13 41 Noriyuki Haga Ducati
14 6 Tom Sykes Kawasaki
15 57 Lorenzo Lanzi Ducati
16 8 Riyuchi Kiyonari
Honda
17 95 Roger Hayden Kawasaki
18 46 Tommy Bridewell
Honda
19 87 Akira Yanagawa Kawasaki
20 15 Matteo Baiocco Kawasaki
DNF 84 Michel Fabrizio
Ducati
DNF 23 Brock Parkes Honda
DNF 76 Max Neukirchner
Honda
DNF 11 Troy Corser BMW
Jonathan Rea • Photo by Wheeler & Brown
World Supersport
Pos. Num. Racer Manufacturer
1 50 Eugene Laverty Honda
2 54 Kenan Sofuoglu Honda
3 4 Gino Rea Honda
4 7 Chaz Davies Triumph
5 127 Robbin Harms Honda
6 117 Miguel Praia Honda
7 14 Matthieu Lagrive
Triumph
8 25 David Salom Triumph
9 55 Massimo Roccoli
Honda
10 11 Sam Lowes Honda
11 3 James Westmoreland
Yamaha
12 99 Fabien Foret Kawasaki
13 17 Billy McConnell
Yamaha
14 31 Vittorio Iannuzzo
Triumph
15 37 Katsuake Fujiwara
Kawasaki
16 8 Bastien Chesaux
Honda
17 21 Christian Iddon
Honda
18 34 Ronan Quarmby Honda
19 9 Danillo Dell’Omo
Honda
20 12 Ian Lowry Yamaha
21 36 Max Hunt Yamaha
22 18 Mark Aitchison Honda
23 10 Imre Toth Honda
DNF 110 Jenny Tinmouth Honda
DNF 29 Alexander Lowes
Yamaha
DNS 44 Roberto Tamburini
Yamaha
DNS 26 Juan Lascorz Kawasaki
Eugene Laverty • Photo by Wheeler & Brown
SLIDESHOW: Silverstone World Superbike, Sunday
August 01, 2010, 5:16:14 PM | admin
SILVERSTONE WSBK • PHOTO BY
WHEELER/BROWN
Picture 1 of 12
ThatsRacin.com: Top Stories
August 02, 2010, 10:08:43 PM
Tuesday: It's 'Shaq Vs.' Dale Jr.
August 02, 2010, 10:07:00 PM
The season premiere of "Shaq Vs." will feature NASCAR's most popular driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr., in a one-on-one stock-car race against NBA great Shaquille O'Neal.
Roush upgraded to fair condition
August 02, 2010, 3:55:00 PM
NASCAR team owner Jack Roush's condition has been upgraded to fair as he recovers from last week's plane crash in Wisconsin.
Kentucky reign: NASCAR backs swap of SMI race date
August 02, 2010, 12:43:00 PM
LONG POND, Pa. – NASCAR will allow Speedway Motorsports Inc. to move one of its current Sprint Cup race dates to Kentucky Speedway in 2011, the Observer and ThatsRacin.com have learned.
Schumacher accepts ruling, apologizes
August 02, 2010, 11:10:00 AM
Michael Schumacher apologized to former teammate Rubens Barrichello for the way he drove during the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Rewind: You want to talk about sustainability?
Sunday, August 01, 2010, 10:42:00 PM
Jim Utter: I'm all for Pocono Raceway building a solar farm and its "green" initiatives.
Sadler slams – hard – into Pocono's old-school fence
Sunday, August 01, 2010, 10:00:00 PM
LONG POND, Pa. – It could have been worse. But the safety concerns it raised should have been resolved by now.
Yahoo! Sports - NASCAR News
August 02, 2010, 7:03:35 PM
Ferrari to face FIA hearing over team order rules (AP)
August 02, 2010, 7:03:35 PM
Ferrari will face motor sport's world governing body in a disciplinary hearing in September after it was found guilty of breaking team order rules at last month's German Grand Prix. FIA said Monday the World Motor Sport Council hearing will be chaired by Nick Craw, its deputy president for sport, in Paris on Sept.
Castroneves fined, put on probation (PA SportsTicker)
August 02, 2010, 6:56:10 PM
IndyCar officials fined star Helio Castroneves $60,000 and placed him on probation for the remainder of the year following his actions at the July 25 race in Edmonton.
Sticktoitiveness paying off for Biffle, Roush, Ford (NASCAR.com)
August 02, 2010, 4:10:25 PM
Sticktoitiveness paying off for Biffle, Roush, Ford
NASCAR's Jack Roush upgraded to fair condition (AP)
August 02, 2010, 3:18:10 PM
NASCAR team owner Jack Roush's condition has been upgraded to fair as he recovers from last week's plane crash in Wisconsin.
Schumacher accepts ruling, apologizes (PA SportsTicker)
August 02, 2010, 11:03:22 AM
Michael Schumacher apologized to former teammate Rubens Barrichello for the way he drove during the Hungarian Grand Prix.
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