Wednesday, February 23, 2011 (4th Week)
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Ø Daytona International Speedway Top Stories
Ø FOXSports.com News for NASCAR
Ø YOUTHS CAN VISIT INDY 500 GASOLINE ALLEY WITH JUNIOR CREDENTIAL
Ø Jayski's NASCAR Silly Season Site
Ø Motorcycle USA Article Headlines
Ø NASCAR.COM - Sprint Cup Series Headlines
Ø NASCAR.COM - Nationwide Series Headlines
Ø NASCAR.COM - Nationwide Series Headlines
Ø SCMSRN.com Racing Weather Forecast
Last Lap
ARCA Nation Blog Posts
Steve Blackburn and Life in the Not Quite As Fast Lane
Thursday, February 17, 2011, 1:49:46 PM | Billy P.
Prestonsburg, KY February 17, 2011
Steve Blackburn up top in the #68 just before getting hit by Steve Arpin and
Milka Duno
In
the world of racing, its really about the haves and have nots. Those with money
or without.
Steve Blackburn likes to spend life in the fast lane. Racing since he was a kid, he's won motorcycle and stock car championships and spends almost all of his free time preparing the Dodge he bought from Ganassi Racing for ARCA events at Daytona and Talladega.
The problem with living in that fast lane is the money involved. It costs easily over $100,000 to prepare and take part in a single race at Daytona International Speedway or Talladega. Crew expenses involved in preparing the car in the off-season, trips to the Dyno or Performance Vehicle Works in North Carolina, transportation to testing sessions at the tracks, housing and feeding the crew while on the road are just a few of the expenses involved with an ARCA race team.
At last weekend's Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at Daytona International Speedway, the Steve Blackburn Motorsports hauler was right next to the Richard Childress Racing hauler for Richard's grandson Ty Dillon and not far from the various teams of Venturini Motorsports among others. At first glance, there doesn't seem to be a big difference at the back of those haulers lined up in the garage area at Daytona but if you look closely, the advantages for those big teams like RCR and Venturini become glaringly clear.
The pit boxes, tool boxes, tire carriers, and uniforms all seem to shout money as the teams prepare for that day's upcoming race. Some teams bring cooks and fix 3 meals a day for the teams at the back of the haulers. For those big teams, you don't see the driver until a meeting, fan event or just before the race starts and they've flown in from wherever they were the previous day. Nascar teams like Hendrick Motorsports with Dale Earnhardt Jr, Jeff Gordon, Jimmy Johnson and Mark Martin have the best of everything while on a smaller scale, the Venturini, RCR teams and others racing the ARCA Series clearly have the advantages.
For Steve and the team of SBM, its quite different. Throughout the year, Steve is in the garage with Crew Chief Gary Hostettler and the team turning nuts and bolts, checking tire pressures, cleaning the garage area and just about anything else that these bigger teams have specific individuals take care of. Just a week before the race at Daytona, Steve could be found helping put the decals on the car and carrying coolers, gas cans, tools and more while loading the hauler for the trip from Prestonsburg, KY to Daytona, FL. Even if Steve Blackburn had the seemingly unlimited resources most of his fellow ARCA competitors have, he'd still help with most of these things but in his case at the moment, he has to.
Steve's racing team is self-funded. Steve receives no sponsorship money and completely finances all those items discussed earlier. That first glance at the haulers located in the garage area at Talladega shows the various teams with big sponsors like Mike's Hard Lemonade, Citgo, Monster Energy and many more. These sponsors basically finance the race expenses for these teams and much more while Steve Blackburn digs deep in his pockets for everything from lunch to hotel expenses, and tires to engines. And speaking of engines...
Chevy rolled out the new R07 racing engine a couple years ago and Toyota's new engines join them as the top of the line, must have motors for the racing circuit. The R07, the first engine built specifically for racing, has a price tag of around $120,000 to purchase. You can also lease the motor for one race at the bargain price of $35,000. Most of the mega-teams have several of these around their shops as they can easily afford the costs. For guys like Steve Blackburn, he's still racing with the motors he purchased when Ganassi racing was having their yard sale a couple years back.
What this equates to is a difference of about 15 horsepower between drivers like Ty Dillon and Steve Blackburn. While most of us don't see that as much of a problem, when Steve is coming off turn 4 at Daytona and wants to pass the car in front of him, he lacks the power to come out of the turn and make that pass. It's a huge advantage for those teams with the best equipment money can buy.
So Steve Blackburn has to be better on the track and in the pits and garage to make up for the disadvantage of the equipment. In spite of all the advantages at least 25 cars out of the 43 racing Saturday at Daytona had, Steve, from his starting position of 38th, steadily moved up through the field. Being smarter and more skilled than most, Steve Blackburn used the features of the track and new pavement and the perfect setup of the car from Crew Chief Gary Hostettler and gained 25 spots on the track, moving up to 13th by lap 60 of the 80 lap race. With several cars in front of him still needing to pit in the last 20 laps, the crew of Steve Blackburn Motorsports had pitted strategically and would not have to come back in for tires or fuel. Steve knew he'd have the opportunity to race for a win in that last 20 laps and was biding his time.
Steve, being from Prestonsburg, KY, located in the economically depressed coal fields of Eastern Kentucky, had the entire region of Appalachia in that seat with him last Saturday. Steve is the General Manager of Honda of Prestonsburg and had countless well-wishers come by in the weeks leading up to the race. Good friends Willard Kinzer, David May and Adam Adkins came down to support Steve at the race and were anxiously watching the number 68 move up through the field anticipating a great finish. Those of us in the pits had watched the number 94 team in the pit next to us have to load up their tools just a few laps into the race after their driver crashed. Steve Blackburn Motorsports and fans knew that feeling. Last year at Daytona, just 7 laps into the race with Steve moving up through the field fellow competitor Bill Baird lost control while Steve was passing on the outside and put the Harley Davidson of Pikeville/Honda of Prestonsburg Dodge up into the wall, ending the day way too early. The respect shown Steve around the garage area was very apparent as Bill Kimmel and several others stopped by the hauler after the race to make sure Steve was okay after the hard hits
The problem with racing in the not quite as fast lane as most of the other competitors is having to race side by side with some of the young drivers and others taking some unneccessary chances in the middle of the pack. From Sprint Cup to Nationwide to Trucks and ARCA, most of the drivers try to avoid being in the traffic mid-pack at Daytona because they know that's where the big one happens.
So, in spite of all the patience, perfect setup, skillful driving and passing by Steve, when Hal Martin cut a tire, Steve Arpin turned down into Milka Duno turning both of them and taking out Steve Blackburn on lap 64, ending a run for SBM which had so much promise and had most of Eastern Kentucky jumping out of their chairs in dismay. All the hard work over the last year, the expenses of a self-funded race team and the support of the entire Appalachia region was all for naught and all of us were left to think about what might have been. Hopes had risen with each competitor Steve passed during that race only to be crushed just as the 68 car was in turn 4 at Daytona.
While there was some benefit from having Harley Davidson of Pikeville and Honda of Prestonsburg on the car for this race, the two stores run by brothers Steve and Shawn Blackburn have specific local/regional marketing areas and don't quite reap the rewards nationwide sponsors would. So once again, Steve Blackburn is left to rebuild the car, dig deeper in the pockets and get ready for the Talladega ARCA race just two months away in April. Steve has had some success at Talladega where a couple years ago he was in second place behind Joey Logano with 4 laps to go, waiting for the opportunity to pass on the high side when a left rear tire cut down, forcing Steve to drop out of line and allowing Justin Allgeier to pull the move that won him the race that day.
In the world of racing, its really about the haves and have nots. Those with money or without. Steve has the skill and ability to race cars with anyone at any level. That 15 horsepower means Steve has to do to much racing back there where the big one happens. As much as Steve loves racing and so many in the Eastern KY coal fields support him, it's just getting harder and harder to reach in those pockets and fund it.
About Steve Blackburn Motorsports:
Championships: 2004 NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Atlantic Region Champion. 2004 Lonesome Pine Raceway Late Model Division Track Champion (Won 14 of 19 races)
Experience: Blackburn first began racing motorcycles touring nationally throughout the 1980s. He captured a national championship in the early 80s and continued on a successful pace throughout the early 90s. Winning the U. S. Twin Sports at Daytona International Speedway was the highlight of his bike career. His 35 years of racing experience now include championships in both motorcycle racing and stock car racing. He turned his attention to stock car racing in the late 1990s and hasn't looked back since.
Then & Now: In the late 90s, Blackburn made a career change, moving to dirt modified stock car racing. Winning local and national championships, Steve gained valuable experience testing his skills and eventually moving to a full-bodied late model stock car.
Winning a NASCAR Dodge Weekly Racing Series Atlantic Region Championship and winning the Lonesome Pine Speedway (VA) most popular driver award in 2004, Blackburn Motorsports felt challenged to take on the next level - the ARCA RE/MAX Series. His first appearance came at the 1.5 mile paved oval Kentucky Speedway in May 2005. The Prestonsburg KY native took his fellow competitors by surprise. Running 4th in practice at 166.3 mph, the rookie proved to be a serious contender. Unfortunately, his qualifying attempt was hindered due to rainfall, keeping him out of the event. He returned to the speedway in July, again surprising everyone with a 14th place finish in the night race.
Potential interested sponsors and media may contact Billy Pickering, Director of Marketing for Steve Blackburn Motorsports at billy(at)steveblackburnmotorsports(dot)com or by phone at 606-253-8470.
Steve Blackburn disappointed after great run ends early
Tuesday, February 15, 2011, 1:51:07 PM | Billy P.
Steve Blackburn had one thing in mind headed into Daytona's ARCA race on Saturday. The Winner's Circle.
"We prepared an entire year for this race" said Steve after being released from the infield care center at Daytona. "The setup was perfect and we were passing cars the entire race".
After being forced to start 38th after a bad qualifying run, Steve began moving up through the field from the very start. Staying patient is the key to racing at Daytona and Blackburn had the perfect mix of that patience and taking advantage of opportunities presented.
By lap 60, Steve was running in the 13th position.
"We were fairly close to where we wanted to be" said Steve Blackburn Motorsports Crew Chief Gary Hostettler. "Steve had several cars in front of him that would have to pit again while we had plenty of fuel and rubber to finish the race. There's no doubt that by the end of the race the 68 car would've been racing for an opportunity to win"
Gary and the crew had just the right setup on the tires and and Steve Blackburn ran the race smoothly to keep down the tire wear. After the wrecker pulled the car back to the garage, the team checked all 4 tires and found very little wear at all after running 65 laps.
"There's no doubt we were going to finish the race using just one set of tires. There was plenty of rubber left to race for a checkered flag and it's unfortunate we were caught up once again in a wreck through no fault of our own", added Steve. "Being self-funded, it's tough to run against these big race teams with 15 more horsepower and we feel pretty good about how we ran"
"But that's racing at Daytona"
About Steve Blackburn:
Championships: 2004 NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Atlantic Region Champion. 2004 Lonesome Pine Raceway Late Model Division Track Champion (Won 14 of 19 races)
Experience: Blackburn first began racing motorcycles touring nationally throughout the 1980s. He captured a national championship in the early 80s and continued on a successful pace throughout the early 90s. Winning the U. S. Twin Sports at Daytona International Speedway was the highlight of his bike career. His 35 years of racing experience now include championships in both motorcycle racing and stock car racing.
Winning a NASCAR Dodge Weekly Racing Series Atlantic Region Championship and winning the Lonesome Pine Speedway (VA) most popular driver award in 2004, Blackburn Motorsports felt challenged to take on the next level - the ARCA RE/MAX Series. Potential sponsors and media may contact Billy Pickering, Director of Marketing for Steve Blackburn Motorsports at billy@steveblackburnmotorsports.com or by phone at 606-253-8470
You can find more information about Steve at www.steveblackburnmotorsports.com or www.arcaracing.com
Kory Rabenold Determined to Put Career Back on Track in 2011
February 22, 2011 | ARCA Racing Series
(SLATINGTON, Pa. - February 22, 2011) - Kory Rabenold hasn't been in an ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards car for more than one race since 2009, but the Slatington, Pa. native is focused now more than ever to not let another year go by without doing what he loves: race.
Rabenold spent the winter-off season refocusing and retuning his Kory Rabenold Racing (KRR) team hoping to compete in the two ARCA Racing Series events at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway in June and August.
To kick off his rejuvenated confidence, Rabenold and his KRR team kicked off the 2011 season with an appearance at Motorsports 2011 in Oaks, Pennsylvania. On Saturday, Rabenold signed autographs with fellow ARCA drivers Sean Corr and Chad Hackenbracht at the New Jersey Motorsports Park (NJMP) booth; helping promote ARCA’s third annual trip to the newly built road course.
It was there at Motorsports 2011, Rabenold and his team agreed to form an alliance with Knight Motorsports Management (KMM). KRR has contracted KMM to work on a consultant basis to assist in the restructuring of the family-owned team.
“We’re very proud of our new affiliation with KMM,” said KRR marketing manager Jared Welter. “Chris and his staff have offered us some direction to help put Kory back on the track this season. It’s refreshing to have a group like his on the outside and offer different suggestions on how to approach our tactics.”
One of the ideas that KMM suggest was sprucing up the Kory Rabenold Racing website, RabenoldRacing.com. The facelift performed by Dave Nale at Hammerhead Promotions has offered a refreshing look compared to the old site and is becoming a valuable portal for input.
“We’re not giving this year up without a fight,” offered Rabenold, who also hopes to compete in some asphalt modifieds contests this season. “Between KMM, Dave (Nale at Hammerhead), my team and everyone else who supports my career, I feel we have a better shot at getting back on the track than ever before. I’ll admit, it’s been extremely tough being out of the ARCA Racing Series. I really started to develop a foundation there. Hopefully with the tactics that our KRR have put in place, we’ll be able to compete in at both Pocono events and maybe even a couple more.”
Rabenold also stretched out the team’s initial intent for 2011. “Well, our main objective is to put our KRR team back on the map. We have some cars, we have some equipment, we’re just getting everything ready, just in case. We’re also not ruling out the possibility of doing double duty by running both the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and ARCA races in one day. Of course, if we can find some dollars to do it. The good thing is we’re talking to some people and at least their listening.”
To learn more about Kory Rabenold and his KRR team, please logon to RabenoldRacing.com.
Steve Fox and FireHouse Preparing for Busy 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011, 1:49:24 PM | ARCA Racing Series
(HAZLETON, Pa. - February 15, 2011) - Although the 2011 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards racing season kicked off at Daytona with Bobby Gerhart of Pennsylvania taking his seventh Daytona victory, another Pennsylvanian, Steve Fox and his crew have been hard at work preparing the Universe Racing FireHouse Dodge Charger for both Pocono races this season.
Following a crash near the end of the second event at Pocono last season, the car will be re-skinned, which means that the hood, which features the band FireHouse, will be up for an upcoming eBay auction and all proceeds will be donated to Alex’s Lemonade Stand, the team charity. Prior to the auction, the hood will be autographed by band members CJ Snare, Bill Leverty, Michael Foster and Allen McKenzie and of course the pilot of the racecar, Steve Fox.
More announcements in regards to the entire schedule for Universe Racing will be announced near spring and not only the race team has big plans. FireHouse will be debuting a new album, which will be their first since 2003. The band plans to have the album release near spring.
For more information on Universe Racing and all of the team supporters, including Universe Towing and Autobody, FireHouse, AFR Productions, Valve Tech Sales LLC, Tri State Towing Equipment, Himmer Graphics, Weigand Combat Handguns, Alex’s Lemonade Stand, G-Force Racing Products, Long Island Skydiving, Eibach Springs and StockCar Racing Experience at Pocono Raceway, please visit www.universeracing.net. Please visit www.firehousemusic.com for FireHouse’s 2011 tour date schedule.
Sponsorship and marketing opportunities can be directed to Tyler Jett Motorsports Marketing at www.tylerjett.com.
Rookie Licata Starts Daytona with Strong Sixth-Place Finish
Thursday, February 17, 2011, 1:49:24 PM | ARCA Racing Series
(LAKE BALBOA, Calif. - February 15, 2011) - Nineteen year-old Joey Licata, Jr. drove the No. 77 W.R.O.N.G./Cunningham Motorsports Dodge to a sixth-place finish in his ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards debut during the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday evening.
Licata is a member of the Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle driver development program which works with an international roster of drivers who have the potential to make a career in NASCAR.
The back-to-back ASA TRUCK SERIES champion qualified 25th for the race after a problem with the oil heater. Licata knew he had a car to contend for the victory, but first he would have to navigate through the pack and avoid potential crashes.
Licata masterfully avoided a spinning car in turn three and then took a fuel only stop that dropped him back to the 36th position.
By lap 22, Licata was up to the fourth position and challenging for the race win. The top-six cars broke away with speeds increasing by more than 12 miles per hour in the draft versus what Licata had done in single car runs.
In the closing laps, Licata found himself in the third position facing pressure from the fourth place car. Coming to the white flag, Licata went to the outside in bid to snare the race win, but he wasn’t given any drafting help and had to settle for a sixth place finish.
“I had a good leading car and if he had pulled out to follow we could have done it!” Licata said. “I went for it because I was weighing risk versus reward and I knew that we had a comfortable cushion on the rest of the pack.”
Licata’s strong showing in the W.R.O.N.G. Dodge has him optimistic and excited for Talladega in April.
“The team worked well together and in the race, every lap I learned something,” Licata said. “I think we have a car to contend at Talladega!”
The two month break between races will allow Cunningham Motorsports some time to test and make adjustments to the race car. The sixth place finish was an outstanding performance for the rookie driver and gives Joey a great start to the 2011 ARCA season.
“This was a banner moment for both Joey and everyone involved in the Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle driver development program,” Driver Coach Ron Sutton said. “The sixth place finish opened eyes to Joey’s talent! We couldn’t be more proud.”
Joey Licata, Jr. Racing and Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle thank partners: W.R.O.N.G. Clothing, K&N Filters, Scribner Plastics, Allstar Performance, Sunoco Race Fuels, and Star Racing Supply. Licata would also like to thank supporters Jordan Kidushim and Luke Forstmann.
Joey Licata, Jr. Racing is online at www.joeylicata.com
For more information on Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle, log on to www.winners-circle-racing.com
Ty Dillon Drives to Victory in The Gator Championship
Tuesday, February 15, 2011, 1:49:56 PM | ARCA Racing Series
(BARBERVILLE, Fla. - February 14, 2011) - Ty Dillon dominated The Gator Championship for DIRTcar UMP Modifieds on Monday night during the 40th DIRTcar Nationals by University of Northwestern Ohio at Volusia Speedway Park.
Dillon, whose brother Austin won the opener at the DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH last week, took the green flag on the pole and led each lap on the bottom as Ryan Gustin kept taking shots at him on the top of the half-mile dirt oval. The two darted through traffic, splitting cars as they charged to the checkered flag in the 30-lap feature event.
Coming off the final corner, Dillon swept to victory while Clint Bowyer, a three-time winner over the past week at the DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH, surged by Gustin to take second-place.
"This is really cool," said Dillon, of Welcome, N.C. "I've been coming down here for a long time and I've watched my brother win a lot of races here as well as Clint Bowyer. To finally get my first win here, and have it on The Gator Championship night with an awesome trophy, just to be with these guys and have UNOH on the car, these students work so hard it's just cool to see."
Dillon, who on Saturday was the polesitter for the ARCA event at Daytona International Speedway, returned to the dirt determined to win.
"It was real slick and the lapped traffic was really tough," Dillon said. "It was almost déjà vu to me. Last year I was leading with two to go and got passed in lapped traffic. I knew this year I wasn't going to let that happen again. Gustin rolled me on the outside, once I saw that I tried to take his line. I blocked that off and was still able to pass come cars."
In the night's second feature event, hall-of-famer Billy Moyer earned his sixth Dirt Late Model victory at Volusia since 1998 when he jumped to the lead on Lap 13 past Chris Madden and then held off Earl Pearson Jr. to the finish.
Tuesday night marks the finale for the DIRTcar UMP Modified portion of the DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH. The Dirt Late Models will continue through Saturday night and will be joined Wednesday by the Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modifieds.
For more information on DIRTcar Racing, visit http://www.DIRTcar.com. For more on the DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH, go to http://www.DIRTcarNationals.com or follow the event on Twitter @DIRTcarNats.
Early Race Run-In Ends Hopes of Daytona Victory for Coulter and Rip It Energy Fuel
Tuesday, February 15, 2011, 1:49:56 PM | ARCA Racing Series
(DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - February 14, 2011) - Joey Coulter entered this weekend’s Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at Daytona International Speedway with high hopes in kicking off his 2011 five-race sponsorship with Rip It Energy Fuel along with a great finish. Coulter, a veteran of the ARCA Racing Series tour, knows all to well the high stakes gamble, tight-quartered superspeedway racing Daytona provides. Unfortunately for the Miami Springs, FL native an early race debacle with a competitor would take him and his No. 16 Rip It Energy Fuel, Darrell Gwynn Foundation Chevrolet from contention.
“Daytona (Int’l Speedway) can be a brutal track, one you love, hate and love to hate all at the same time,” commented Coulter. “I knew coming into this weekend that we had a very competitive car, that drafted very well. My Crew Chief, Michael Chapman, has done an awesome job in his inaugural event with our team, and our test/practice results proved that.”
Coulter’s race weekend started Thursday (2/10/11) with the series’ extended practice session. Coulter Motorsports Crew Chief Michael Chapman created a game plan with Coulter, which saw the Rip It Energy Chevy make several single car runs in preparation for qualifying. Following their single car runs, Coulter made two drafting runs before finishing out practice. He would find himself eleventh quickest on the board at 48.983 seconds at 183.737 MPH. Coulter would back that up Friday (2/11/11) during Menards Pole Qualifying, where the 20-year old would post the 13th fastest time at 49.314 seconds at 182.504 MPH.
“After a productive three-day test here in January, I felt our practice and qualifying efforts were right on par with what we had expected,” commented Chapman. “We built this car for speed in the draft along with aerodynamic comfort, so we expect Saturday’s (2/12/11) race to go very well. Joey (Coulter) has done a great job thus far, and his feedback is phenomenal. I look forward to seeing our Rip It Energy Fuel Chevrolet up front.”
Taking the green flag to start the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200, Coulter had his eyes set on the front, but knew a cautious and precise approach was necessary. An early caution on lap three gave Coulter a chance to relay to his team that his car feels “really good and it is sucking up better.” Restarting 14th at lap 9 Coulter quickly jumped in line with the draft. He stayed locked onto the bumper in front of him, pushing the pack, when a slow car in front checked up, causing a domino effect for the cars behind. Coulter caught the tail end of the effect, having nowhere to go he was forced into the car in front of him.
During the ensuing lap 17 caution, Chapman brought Coulter to pit road for two fresh right side Hoosier tires, fuel, and to assess the damage. With a caved in nose, the team quickly finished their work and got the No. 16 Rip It Energy Fuel, Darrell Gwynn Foundation Chevrolet back on track in 21st. Immediately after taking the green flag, Coulter radioed in that the car was overheating. With water temperatures soaring from 220 to 265 by lap 36, veteran NASCAR driver/spotter Tim Fedewa found Coulter an open hole on the track to try and cool off his car. A lap 45 caution gave Coulter the chance to come down pit road for some much-needed attention. The team pulled all of the tape off the grill and raised the hood to add water to the radiator before sending him back out to take the green flag on lap 51 in 28th.
Coulter, still on the lead lap and with his sights set high, began to once again work his way into the draft. He soon realized his car’s nose damage was inhibiting him from sucking up to the lead cars. Chapman, knowing the caved nose was the factor, called Coulter back to pit road during the lap 56 caution. The Coulter Motorsports crew quickly affixed an aluminum nosepiece, filling the void in the nose. Coulter restarted 32nd on lap 62. He spent the final laps working with several drafting partners and avoiding any wrecks en route to a hard fought 21st place finish in his No. 16 Rip It Energy Fuel, Darrell Gwynn Foundation Chevrolet.
“Our finish in tonight’s race does not do any justice to how well our car was running and where we should have finished,” said a frustrated Coulter. “My guys worked their tails off all week and gave me a great car, but this is the nature of Daytona, that I completely understand and respect. I want to thank Rip It Energy Fuel for coming back on board this year and I can not wait to get to Talladega in two months.”
Watch for Joey Coulter in his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut, in the No. 22 Darrell Gwynn Foundation, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet Silverado this Friday, February 18, 2011 at Daytona International Speedway. You can catch all of the action of the NextEra Energy Resources 250 LIVE on SPEED at 7:30 pm ET.
You can also get LIVE updates wherever Coulter Motorsports travels by following on Twitter at http://twitter.com/CoulterMtrsprts
Please log onto www.LiftUpEllie.com to help support the Potvin family.
Also please be sure to support Coulter Motorsports sponsors at:
Tempest Cycles: www.tempestcycles.com
MAD Industry: www.areumad.com
About Rip It Energy Fuel
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Matt Merrell Delivers Electrifying Performance in Daytona Debut
Tuesday, February 15, 2011, 1:49:56 PM | ARCA Racing Series
(DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - February 14, 2011) - He never missed a beat.
After being out of an ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards race car for a little over a year, Matt Merrell reunited with Lakeville, Minnesota’s Win-Tron Racing for the 2011 season-opener at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway looking to rekindle some of their magic from the past. And when the checkered flag was thrown, it was evident that the magic never faded.
Having only tested at the newly re-paved 2.5-mile superspeedway once before practice on Thursday, Merrell, the Portland, Texas native was relying on the craftiness of his Win-Tron Racing team led by crew chief wizard Mike Chaffee.
During the four-hour practice run on Thursday, Merrell in the No. 32 Bemm Boatworks / Red Line Oil Toyota Camry placed seventh overall in the rundown after participating in a light draft with some of his other competitors.
“The car is pretty good,” said Merrell. “I think we would like it to be a little faster but we still have some time to do that. I’m just thankful to be back with these guys and be here at Daytona.”
Qualifying took place on Friday afternoon and the Win-Tron Racing team was one of the nice surprises during the session as Merrell had stalked his Toyota Camry into the top-five before landing fourth overall.
“I’m pretty stoked about the race,” sounded Merrell. “The guys made some changes to the car before qualifying and it’s obvious we went in the right direction. I’m enjoying myself immensely in Daytona and I’m just hoping that we’ll have a good run in the race.”
At the start of the 80-lap event, Merrell quickly placed his Toyota Camry on the yellow line following leaders Kyle Fowler, Steve Arpin and Bobby Gerhart around the 2.5-mile superspeedway.
The first yellow flag of the day waived on lap four for a one-car incident involving the No. 94 of Brett Hudson. Merrell remained quiet on the radio but anxious to get back to green-flag conditions.
Back to racing, Merrell continued to keep his machine in the top-five until Tom Hessert was turned on lap 18 bringing out the second yellow flag of the event. It was during the yellow that the former USARacing Pro Cup Series driver brought his red and white machine to the attention of his team where Sunoco Racing fuel was inserted into the No. 32 Bemm Boatworks / Red Line Oil Toyota Camry.
Restarting mid-pack, Merrell found a strong group of race cars where he quickly made his way back to the front.
The red flag would be displayed after a lap 45 incident involving the No. 58 of Chad Hackenbracht. During the cessation, Merrell remained focused inside the cockpit trying to plan a strategy inside his head for the approaching thirty laps.
Once racing resumed, Merrell continued to follow the same routine he had been doing most of the race, keeping his automobile pinned to the bottom of the race track and sucked up tightly in the lead draft.
The “big one” broke out on lap 64 with Merrell well-ahead of the carnage. Setting up for nearly a 10-lap shootout, the development driver was paying close attention to the lead cars of Bobby Gerhart, Chris Buescher and Joey Licata Jr., studying his prey and ready to pounce on any hiccups they would display.
Tucked in fourth and within inches of a six-car draft coming to the white flag, Merrell took advantage of Licata Jr., jumping his Dodge to the outside line with Merrell quickly slamming the door shut and moving into the podium position.
Merrell gave one last attempt to pass the No. 17 of Buescher coming to the checkered flag but ran out of time. The Win-Tron Racing team led the brigade of Toyotas with their third place finish ahead of fellow Toyota teammate Jason Bowles in the fifth position.
“That was so much fun,” said the 26-year old Merrell who delivered his sixth top-five of his career in 14 races. “I have to thank everyone on the Win-Tron Racing team. Nate (Thiesse, co-owner) and Kevin (Cywinski, co-owner) called me a couple weeks ago and offered me the opportunity of a lifetime and while we didn’t take the win, I think we made the best of the opportunity. This was a race I will not forget.”
Thiesse expressed his thoughts on Merrell’s performance in his superspeedway debut. “Matt did an exceptional job,” said Thiesse, a former driver himself. “He was a rookie Saturday but he looked more like a veteran. He knew what to do and when and he listened to the team very well. It was his effort behind the wheel that gave us a great foundation to start the season. Hopefully, we can put something together to put Matt back in the seat for Talladega.”
The ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards will take nearly an eight week pause before action resumes at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway on Friday, April 15th, 2011 live on SPEED.
Further information including driver opportunities with Win-Tron Racing is available by visiting win-tronracing.com or contacting Nate Thiesse at 952.469.1839.
For more on Bemm Boatworks, please logon to Bemmboatworks.com.
"Casper" Not So Friendly for Chad Hackenbracht, CGH Motorsports at Daytona
Tuesday, February 15, 2011, 1:49:56 PM | ARCA Racing Series
(DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - February 14, 2011) - CGH Motorsports with driver Chad Hackenbracht brought a Chevrolet Impala SS nicknamed “Casper” to Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway this past week for the opening race for the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards.
In the childhood story, “Casper” is known as the friendliest ghost that you ever did see. Unfortunately when the checkered was thrown in the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200, friendly wasn’t the word of choice for the CGH Motorsports team.
Unhappy with their performance in the three-day open test at Daytona last month, the Concord, North Carolina-based team went back to their shop, completely stripped and rebuilt their Chevrolet bowtie, all with the intention of allowing Hackenbracht, ARCA’s newest rising star to make a name for himself at the “World Center of Racing.”
When practice began on Thursday afternoon, the team was baffled with the performance of their No. 58 Tastee Apple Chevrolet Impala SS. While the New Philadelphia, Ohio native reported that his car seemed to have plenty of horsepower, the car could not produce the speed that the freshman ARCA team was looking for.
Help from other friends and colleagues in the ARCA garage discovered several potential solutions to the team’s hiccups. After an array of changes on Friday morning before qualifying, the CGH Motorsports headed into qualifying optimistic.
While the changes helped the overall performance of the car, the team would become challenged once again as it was determined post-qualifying that a spark-plug issue had significantly thwarted the team’s prior obstacles but thus created a new one.
Correcting the motor issue prior to Saturday morning’s happy hour session, the CGH Motorsports team participated in the final practice with the objective to get their 19-year old driver comfortable with his reconfigured race car. A productive session had the family-owned team focused on the race.
The green flag was displayed for the first time in 2011 with Hackenbracht quietly making his move towards the front. Keeping his No. 58 Tastee Apple Chevrolet Impala SS tucked in his drafting pack.
Hackenbracht would continue his steady climb up the running order and positioned himself comfortably inside the top-30. When a caution ensued approaching lap 20, the CGH Motorsports team opted to keep the rising star out on the race track, thus placing the No. 58 Chevrolet into the top-10.
On the restart, Hackenbracht wasn’t able to fend off his competitors but did maintain a comfortable position in the lead draft.
Slipping back to the middle of the pack, Hackenbracht’s day took an ugly turn on lap 44 of the 80-lap contest. While racing behind the No. 30 of Terry Jones, smoke began to billow out from Jones’s automobile forcing the No. 58 to the outside line. Unbeknownst to the driver, oil was spewed onto the track and onto the tires of the Greg Hackenbracht-owned machine which threw the car into a vicious spin and hard into the outside wall. How hard was the hit? The impact with the safer barrier wall was strong enough to lift the automobile off the ground and virtually turned it over before slamming back to the ground with heavy damage.
Hackenbracht waited until ARCA safety officials arrive at the scene of the accident where he pulled the window net down and climbed from his battered machine but not before waiving to the fans while making the mandatory trip to the infield care center. He would be later released with no injuries.
“That was wild,” said Hackenbracht, who is planning to run the full ARCA Racing Series schedule in 2011. “We had our struggles with our Casper this week, but we made considerable improvements and actually had a good car for the race. I’m not sure what happened with the 30. It looked like he lost a motor and I went around him on the outside and the next thing I knew I was hard into the wall.”
He continued, “I am thankful to all my guys on the CGH Motorsports team for building me a safe race car. That was probably one of my hardest hits in my racing career and it stinks that Casper is junk, but I’m able to walk away from it okay and we’ll be back after it at Talladega.”
Ron Hornaday, a four-time NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) champion served as a driver mentor and coach for the former Legend Car Series (LCS) pilot.
Axel Fuel, the Official Energy Drink of CGH Motorsports, JRI Shocks, Metal Parts Manufacturing, Performance Vehicle Works, Portable Shades, R2C Performance and Xflex Racers Tape join Tastee Apple as marketing partners for the first of 19 races this season.
The ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards will take nearly an eight week pause before action resumes at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway on Friday, April 15th, 2011 live on SPEED.
For more information on Chad Hackenbracht and CGH Motorsports, please visit ChadHackenbracht.com and CGHMotorsports.com.
Dustin Long
February 23, 2011
Cheering in the press box? Acceptable? Not acceptable? Check this out ...
February 23, 2011
Ever since Trevor Bayne crossed the finish line first to win the Daytona 500, there's been a discussion about cheering the press box/media center. Both places featured cheering (also understand that in both places it might not have been all press members cheering since there were workers and others in those rooms).
Backseat Drivers Fan Council sounds off on 500, Fox's coverage, DW, & Bayne; Do you agree with comments?
February 22, 2011, 9:15:40 PM
Daytona gave fans many things to talk about and members of the Backseat Drivers Fan Council did not hold back on their opinions on the race, Fox’s coverage, the truck race and Trevor Bayne. Here’s what they said: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 1. WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THE RACING IN THE DAYTONA 500? 42.8 percent loved it
Kenseth's wife delivers baby girl
February 22, 2011, 4:19:52 PM
Matt Kenseth's wife, Katie, delivered the couple's second daughter Tuesday. Grace Katherine Kenseth was born at 3:49 a.m. EST, weighing 7 pounds, 8 ounces. Both mother and daughter are reported to be doing well. Grace joins the couple's other daughter, Kaylin, and Matt's son, Ross.
Kenseth's wife delivers baby girl
February 22, 2011, 4:19:50 PM
Matt Kenseth's wife, Katie, delivered the couple's second daughter Tuesday. Grace Katherine Kenseth was born at 3:49 a.m. EST, weighing 7 pounds, 8 ounces. Both mother and daughter are reported to be doing well. Grace joins the couple's other daughter, Kaylin, and Matt's son, Ross.
Fox draws high ratings for Daytona 500
February 21, 2011, 3:44:22 PM
Fox announced that Sunday's Daytona 500 was watched by 30.1 million total viewers, making it the most-watched NASCAR race since 2008, and that the overnight ratings for the race was an 8.7, a 13 percent gain on last year's race.
Dream scenario: Fresh-faced driver takes Wood Brothers to Victory Lane at Daytona
Sunday, February 20, 2011, 11:33:32 PM
OK, so who saw this? Wow, what a race, what a finish, what a storyline? You could almost see a critic saying this was scripted but then you’d have to say that no one would have written a script like this.
Tony Stewart wins Nationwide race at Daytona (again)
Saturday, February 19, 2011, 4:53:39 PM
Tony Stewart scored his fourth consecutive Nationwide win at Daytona in February by nipping Clint Bowyer by 7-thousandths of a second in a dramatic finish to a unique race. Bowyer led with Dale Earnhardt Jr. pushing him on the last lap when Stewart, getting a push from Landon Cassill went to the outside and made his move.
When is a rule violation not a rule violation?
Saturday, February 19, 2011, 9:52:20 AM
Friday night's Truck race at Daytona was loaded with action, excitement, drama ... and controversy. Michael Waltrip scored an emotional victory 10 years to the day that Dale Earnhardt was killed in the Daytona 500 that Waltrip won.
Earnhardt's sister disputes statement Minnesota Congresswoman made about Dale Jr
Friday, February 18, 2011, 3:41:23 PM
Kelley Earnhardt, co-owner of JR Motorsports, disputed a comment Minnesota Congresswoman Betty McCollum made Thursday on the House floor about Dale Earnhardt Jr. when McCollum argued for ending military sponsorship of NASCAR teams. (UPDATE BELOW)
House votes to continue military sponsorship of NASCAR teams
Friday, February 18, 2011, 2:22:23 PM
The House voted 281-148 on Friday against Minnesota Congresswoman Betty McCollum's amendment to ban military sponsorship of NASCAR teams.
Amendment to ban military sponsorship of NASCAR teams suffers defeat but Congresswoman presses issue
Thursday, February 17, 2011, 9:47:34 PM
Congresswoman Betty McCollum's amendment to ban military sponsorship of NASCAR teams suffered a defeat Friday night but she is pressing forward with the amendment.
It may seem weird but this is what the Daytona 500 is going to be like
Thursday, February 17, 2011, 9:22:33 PM
It looked weird, it sounded weird and to fans expecting 3-wide racing 6 rows deep, it was weird, but this tandem racing that was on display inThursday's qualifying races will be the case in the Daytona 500.
NASCAR community steps up to help fan's remarkable Daytona 500 streak continue
Thursday, February 17, 2011, 10:37:55 AM
Jack Hege, who is believed to be the only person to have attended every Daytona 500 as a spectator, will see his streak continue with the help of a NASCAR Sprint Cup team.
Earnhardt responds to comment pole was rigged; Why you can't watch race & commercials side by side
Wednesday, February 16, 2011, 8:24:43 PM
Lot of TV talk here from Dale Earnhardt Jr. commenting about suggestions his pole was fixed to why you can't watch a race with commercials being shown on the screen while the race is at the same time. So let's get to it. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX HE SAID WHAT?
Pole-sitter Dale Earnhardt Jr. in a wreck at Daytona; will start at the rear for 500
Wednesday, February 16, 2011, 3:28:34 PM
Dale Earnhardt Jr was involved in a crash and is going to a backup car just moments after posting the fastest lap of practice (to that point) at 199.526 mph.
NASCAR gives teams smaller restrictor plate
Wednesday, February 16, 2011, 10:42:13 AM
NASCAR gave Cup teams a smaller restrictor plate Wednesday morning when the garage opened at Datyona. The new resrictor plate will be 1/64 of an inch smaller. Thus, the restrictor plate size will go from 29/32 of an inch to 57/64 of an inch. Essentially, it should cut 13-15 horsepower out for teams.
Congresswoman wants to ban military from sponsoring NASCAR teams
Tuesday, February 15, 2011, 12:52:26 PM
A Minnesota Congresswoman has introduced an amendment to ban the military from spending money to sponsor NASCAR race cars through the fiscal year (Sept. 30). ... STORY UPDATED WITH SUPPORT GROWING FOR MEASURE (CHECK A FEW PARAGRAPHS BELOW)
FOXSports.com News for NASCAR
February 22, 2011
Mind still racing: Bayne reflects on Daytona win
February 21, 2011, 9:17:09 PM
Trevor Bayne reflects a day after his Daytona win and talks
about running for a championship.
022111-3pmET-Trevor-Bayne-FOX-Flash-PI_20110221143614917_335_220.JPG
Bayne probably won't race for Cup title
February 21, 2011, 11:36:06 AM
Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne said Monday he probably
won't attempt to run for the Sprint Cup championship this year.
022011-NASCAR-Trevor-Bayne-PI_20110220220024458_335_220.JPG
Allmendinger video blog
February 21, 2011, 1:47:17 AM
Find out what made AJ Allmendinger say he'd never been in a
race like Sunday's Daytona 500.
021411-AJ-Allmendinger-SW-PI_2011021421120613_335_220.JPG
Video NASCAR booth wrap
February 21, 2011, 12:37:03 AM
He's humble. He's confident. He's in the record books. What
a Speedweeks for Trevor Bayne.
730_20110221001348607_335_220.JPG
Wood Bros. take long road back to top
Sunday, February 20, 2011, 11:14:57 PM
Bayne's improbable Daytona win returns Wood Brothers to
prominence.
022011-NASCAR-Trevor-Bayne-Victory-Lane-PI_20110220225347435_335_220.JPG
Presented By:
Sunday, February 20, 2011, 11:14:57 PM
NASCAR's boy wonder wins the big one
Sunday, February 20, 2011, 9:30:18 PM
How'd Trevor Bayne celebrate turning 20? In Victory Lane at
Daytona.
022011-NASCAR-Daytona-Trevor-Bayne-PI_20110220183829240_335_220.JPG
Certainly not the Daytona 500 Hendrick wanted
Sunday, February 20, 2011, 7:34:09 PM
When Dale Earnhardt Jr. took the lead early in the Daytona
500, there was a raucous roar all around the famed speedway.
730_20110220190500274_335_220.JPG
Trevor Bayne's mother reacts to Daytona 500 victory
Sunday, February 20, 2011, 7:16:06 PM
Bayne's mother reacts to the victory
VIDEO NASCAR Daytona 500 highlights
Sunday, February 20, 2011, 7:08:14 PM
Big crashes. A Cinderella finish. This Daytona 500 had it
all.
smashhit-pi_20110220203445361_335_220.JPG
VIDEO Dale Earnhardt Jr reacts after late Daytona 500 wreck
Sunday, February 20, 2011, 6:24:32 PM
Dale Earnhardt Jr. reacts after late-race crash in the
Daytona 500.
730_20110220190500274_335_220.JPG
Rookie Trevor Bayne wins Daytona 500
Sunday, February 20, 2011, 6:08:39 PM
Rookie Trevor Bayne wins Daytona 500.
022011-NASCAR-Daytona-Trevor-Bayne-PI_20110220183829240_335_220.JPG
2012 Daytona 500 shifts a week
Sunday, February 20, 2011, 9:18:48 AM
The 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 will be Feb.
26.
duel-2-start_20110220093655876_335_220.JPG
Racing Secrets Newsletter
Visit us on the
web: http://RacingSecrets.com
(20,000+ Current
Subscribers)
CONTENTS OF THIS
ISSUE:
- Performance Tips
- Sponsorship Tips
- Driving Tips
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PERFORMANCE TIPS:
Light Speed,
Ridiculous Speed, Ludicrous Speed...
By Don Terrill (c)
I've talked in the
past about changing our thinking from making incremental improvements to
quantum leaps.
http://blog.raceology.com/2005/01/quantum-leaps-in-performance.html
What area will give
us the biggest payoff for a quantum leap?
HP = Torque * RPM /
5252
This simple formula
shows us where we need to look for more Horsepower. We need to (a) increase
both Torque and RPM or to (b) increase either of them without decreasing the
other.
So you say to
yourself, "Okay, I'll just change gears and spin the motor higher."
One problem: After the Peak Torque RPM it's all down hill for Torque. Then how
do we move the Peak Torque RPM up and/or keep Torque from falling off as much
after the peak?
Here's my definition
of Peak Torque RPM: it's the highest RPM where the engine can feed itself
effectively.
So it's clear, we
need an intake system that can feed the engine a larger air/fuel mix and an
exhaust system able to clear the increased output of combusted gas.
Now, you hear warnings
all the time about making intake/exhaust ports too big, but if the goal is to
move the operating RPM range of the engine up, this is exactly what the engine
needs -- bigger ports with more flow.
If you're serious
about making real increases in horsepower, your number one priority has to
ALWAYS be moving the RPM range up.
Of course, with this
extra RPM you're going to have to find components able to handle the increased
load or you're going to have to accept higher failure rates.
Now I ask you, will
this be another year where you make a small incremental improvement or will you
make the leap?
Extra points for
those who know the movie that made the phrase "ludicrous speed"
famous.
More Engine Tips:
SPONSORSHIP TIPS:
Double Your Racing
Sponsorship
By Don Terrill (c)
If you do any one of
the following three things you're guaranteed to have more team funding.
I'm going to list
them in the order of hardest to easiest.
(1) Double the
number of prospects you meet
When my dad would
talk about meeting women he always said it was nothing but a numbers game --
meet more women, find better women.
Probably the best advice
he ever gave me. I used it and met my wife Beverly -- the nicest person I've
ever known. I've heard more than once how I got lucky.
It wasn't luck.
So, take the luck
out of your sponsorship search and meet more prospects. No matter how good you
are, you haven't met them all.
(2) Double the
number of prospects you close
Easier than doubling
the number of prospects you meet is just doubling the number of prospects you
close. Work first on creating a better offer with a focus on the sponsor's
return on investment, then polish your sales/presentation skills to create a
killer combination.
(3) Double what your
current sponsors give each year
If you know anything
about sales you know that the easiest (most affordable to acquire) sales come
from past customers. Work on improving revenue for your current sponsor's
business and you'll give yourself a basis to ask for a larger sponsorship deal.
Any of the three
will help you with team funding, but you're a racer, I know you, you'll want to
do all three.
For More Sponsorship
Tips:
http://speedtalk.com/store.html
DRIVING TIPS:
A new year--new
goals, new to do and to NOT do lists!
By Tami Eggleston
(c)
I love the new year.
A new time to start fresh to set new goals and start new to do lists. The new
year brings about the perfect time to reflect on your past and prepare for your
future. It is an exciting time to look back and figure out what things went
well and what things could be better.
It takes a lot of
honesty to really reflect on the past and make plans for the future. For
example, it is a lot easier to blame other people or things outside of our control
than to really take complete responsibility for the things in our life. I am
guilty of sometimes saying I am too busy to achieve some of my goals. Yet, if
most of us our honest, we all probably are busy and yet we all probably have
some big time wasters (e.g., TV watching, Facebook checking, etc.).
Of course we need to
take time to relax and have fun, yet take a good honest look at how you spend
your time and decide if that is really how you want to spend your time. Take a
good honest look at your life and see if there are things like procrastination,
negativity, blaming, etc. that are getting in the way of being the person you
want to be and achieving the goals you want to achieve.
As you start your
new year and your new goals and your new to do list, now is also a good time to
also make a "to NOT do list!" This list will include your time
wasters, procrastination, blaming, negativity, and any other things that are
taking you away from your true goals and your best self. Start today with your
to do and your to NOT do list and start the new year right! Happy 2011!
More Tips From Tami:
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SCMSRN.com Racing Weather Forecast
February
2011
20th-23rd. Pleasant, then
unsettled and unseasonably chilly.
24th-28th. Fair, then turning
stormy. Mainly rain, though some snow could fall over the higher elevations of
the Appalachians.
March 2011
1st-3rd. Generally fair.
4th-7th. Clear and warmer.
8th-11th. Fair and pleasantly
mild.
12th-15th. Stormy for the
Mississippi River Valley. Increasingly cloudy farther east, with warm
temperatures.
16th-19th. Squally for Gulf
Coast. Unsettled weather as far north as Tennessee.
Across the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida, it's mainly dry.
20th-23rd. Clearing for the
Mississippi River Valley. Showers finally spread farther east.
24th-27th. Fair skies. Windy for
the Gulf States.
28th-31st. Showers, then fair.
April 2011
1st-3rd. Dry and pleasant
initially, then becoming unsettled.
4th-7th. Showers, followed by
clearing.
8th-11th. Becoming thundery.
Showers could threaten Augusta, GA, and the Masters Tournament.
12th-15th. Thunderstorms move
off the Atlantic Coast; becoming fair. Quite chilly Gulf Coast.
16th-19th. Mix of clouds and
sun; a small risk of a shower.
20th-23rd. Fair, very warm, then
unsettled. Heavy thunderstorms Tennessee, Mississippi.
ESPN.com - NASCAR
February 23, 2011
David Ragan ready to move on from costly Daytona 500 mistake
February 23, 2011 | Terry Blount
David Ragan was right when he
said, "You learn some hard lessons in this sport." Still winless in
his fifth Cup season, Ragan knows he has to put his Daytona 500 gaffe behind
him and concentrate on the future.
Trevor Bayne NASCAR's next big star?
February 23, 2011 | David Newton
"What do I need to do to
not let the mountains get too high?" Does this sound like a young man who
just won NASCAR's biggest race? Meet Trevor Bayne.
Daytona 500: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series number crunching
February 22, 2011, 1:33:23 PM | Matt Willis
My first Daytona 500
(technically Daytona 520) ended up being quite the experience.
Of course, I was watching in a production truck, so it was just like watching
at home except with less comfortable furniture, a smaller TV and no snacks, but
it was still nice to be in Florida opposed to Connecticut for the week.
But sometimes we go into information overload here in the ESPN Research
Department, with just too many good nuggets to get into one little blog.
So, I'll use up my word space this week...
Trevor Bayne leaning toward staying in Nationwide despite Daytona 500 win
Monday, February 21, 2011, 7:44:42 PM | ESPN.com news
services
Daytona 500 winner Trevor
Bayne says he's probably not going to attempt to run for the Sprint Cup
championship this year.
Trevor Bayne gave the Wood Brothers a win; old Ford family ties first gave them hope
Monday, February 21, 2011, 7:17:41 PM | Ed Hinton
How did the fabled Wood
Brothers team go from barely breathing to Victory Lane in the Daytona 500? It
put a 20-year-old driver in the seat and rebuilt a 60-year-old relationship
with the Ford family.
Bayne's World! Rookie driver Trevor Bayne wins Daytona 500
Monday, February 21, 2011, 2:27:55 AM | Associated Press
Twenty-year-old Trevor Bayne
has won the Daytona 500 in only his second Sprint Cup start.
Trevor Bayne made sure the Daytona 500 was as crazy as it was exciting
Sunday, February 20, 2011, 8:56:34 PM | David Newton
From tandem racing to stars
dropping like flies to a 20-year-old in Victory Lane, the 2011 Daytona 500 was
as crazy as it was exciting.
NASCAR to lengthen offseason by week in 2012
Sunday, February 20, 2011, 7:59:00 PM | David Newton
The 2012 Daytona 500 will be
held a week later than normal, eliminating the early off date and shortening
the Sprint Cup season.
2011 Daytona 500: Hendrick Motorsports teams collected in 14-car wreck
Sunday, February 20, 2011, 4:18:55 PM | Associated Press
Three of the team's four
cars, including five-time defending Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson,
were involved in a 14-car wreck early in the 500-mile race.
2011 Daytona 500: Engine failure ends Kevin Harvick's day early
Sunday, February 20, 2011, 4:12:50 PM | Associated Press
An engine failure knocked
contender Kevin Harvick out of the Daytona 500 after just 22 laps.
Tony Stewart wins fourth straight Nationwide season opener at Daytona
Sunday, February 20, 2011, 2:37:20 AM | Associated Press
Tony Stewart nipped Clint
Bowyer at the finish line to win the Nationwide Series race at Daytona
International Speedway for the fourth consecutive season.
Michael Waltrip wins emotional Trucks race at Daytona
Saturday, February 19, 2011, 11:20:59 PM | Associated Press
Michael Waltrip has won at
Daytona on the 10-year anniversary of his first victory, the one marred by the
death of Dale Earnhardt.
For 2010 Daytona 500 winner Jamie McMurray, life's just grand
Saturday, February 19, 2011, 6:13:43 PM | David Newton
After winning the two
biggest Sprint Cup races of 2010, what does Jamie McMurray do for an encore in
2011? We'll find out soon enough.
Journeyman Brian Keselowski gets sponsor for Daytona 500
Saturday, February 19, 2011, 4:38:29 PM | Associated Press
Brian Keselowski picked up a
sponsor for the Daytona 500, receiving funding from Discount Tire.
NASCAR to allow Daytona 500 cars to add extra inch to grill openings
Saturday, February 19, 2011, 2:59:00 PM | Associated Press
NASCAR is making another
change to cars for the Daytona 500, this one because temperatures are expected
to reach 80 degrees during the season-opening race.
Clint Bowyer wins Daytona Nationwide pole; Danica Patrick fourth
Friday, February 18, 2011, 9:11:18 PM | Associated Press
Clint Bowyer has won the
pole for the Nationwide Series race at Daytona International Speedway.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.: Life goes on
Friday, February 18, 2011, 4:54:45 PM | Marty Smith
In one tragic, unbelievable
moment on Feb. 18, 2001, Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s life changed forever. Ten years
later, life goes on for the son of The Intimidator.
To know Dale Earnhardt, you really needed to ride with him
Friday, February 18, 2011, 3:32:57 PM | Ed Hinton
NASCAR fans knew him as
maybe the greatest driver ever. Rivals knew him as the toughest S.O.B. on the
track. The best way to get to know Dale Earnhardt? Sit beside him when he was
at the wheel.
House votes to let Pentagon sponsor NASCAR races
Friday, February 18, 2011, 2:43:14 PM | Associated Press
The House has voted to let
the Pentagon continue using taxpayer dollars to sponsor NASCAR race teams.
Daytona 500: NASCAR says no plans to alter cars prior to Sunday's race
Friday, February 18, 2011, 12:02:52 PM | David Newton
Barring a major shift from
what was seen in Thursday's two qualifying races, NASCAR doesn't plan any
additional changes to the Sprint Cup cars before the Daytona 500, series
director John Darby said Friday.
Kurt Busch, Jeff Burton wins first Daytona 500 qualifier
Friday, February 18, 2011, 12:00:26 PM | Associated Press
Kurt Busch and Jeff Burton
won the two Daytona 500 qualifying races on Thursday.
Rick Hendrick shakes it up after Jimmie Johnson wins his fifth straight NASCAR Sprint Cup title
Friday, February 18, 2011, 10:10:57 AM | Terry Blount
What does a Sprint Cup team
owner do after winning an unprecedented fifth straight championship? That's
easy: He shakes things up.
ESPN's Ed Hinton, Terry Blount, David Newton, Joe Breeze, Marty Smith, Ryan McGee, Mike Massaro and K. Lee Davis share their memories of the day Dale Earnhardt died
Thursday, February 17, 2011, 11:53:52 PM | ESPN.com staff
There are moments in time
everyone remembers. Feb. 18, 2001, is one of those days for NASCAR fans and the
men and women who covered the sport. Here's what we remember. What do you
remember?
Kurt Busch is the man to beat in the Daytona 500
Thursday, February 17, 2011, 9:24:23 PM | Ed Hinton
In Kurt Busch's own words:
"It's bright, it's yellow and it's fast." And the No. 22 Penske Dodge
will be the car to beat in Sunday's Daytona 500.
Austin Dillon wins pole for Daytona Trucks Series race
Thursday, February 17, 2011, 7:58:28 PM | Associated Press
Austin Dillon has won the
pole for the Trucks Series race at Daytona International Speedway, posting a
lap of 179.047 mph on Thursday night.
NASCAR or Indy? Danica undecided on 2012 plans
Thursday, February 17, 2011, 3:48:40 PM | Associated Press
Danica Patrick's season
hasn't even started, and the main thing everybody wants to know is what she'll
do next year.
Richard Childress predicts one of his drivers will dethrone Jimmie Johnson as NASCAR Sprint Cup champion
Thursday, February 17, 2011, 1:16:52 PM | Terry Blount
Richard Childress made two bold
predictions during the NASCAR media tour: Jimmie Johnson won't win the 2011
Sprint Cup. And one of his RCR drivers will.
Daytona 500: Michael Waltrip still coming to grips with Dale Earnhardt's death on day Waltrip won at Daytona
Wednesday, February 16, 2011, 11:30:21 PM | Ed Hinton
Michael Waltrip spent most
of the past 10 years trying not to think about his greatest triumph and the
death of the man who made it possible. He knows one thing; nothing's been the
same since.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. wrecks pole-winning Daytona 500 car
Wednesday, February 16, 2011, 8:36:01 PM | Terry Blount
Dale Earnhardt Jr. has
wrecked his pole-winning Daytona 500 car.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s practice crash frees the pole for Sunday's Daytona 500
Wednesday, February 16, 2011, 7:00:11 PM | Terry Blount
As if setting the field for
Sunday's Daytona 500 couldn't get any more complicated. Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s
practice crash Wednesday added yet another monkey wrench.
Hendrick Motorsports signs Bill Elliott's 15-year-old son, Chase Elliott, to development deal
Wednesday, February 16, 2011, 4:56:08 PM | Associated Press
Hendrick Motorsports has
signed 15-year-old Chase Elliott to a driver development deal.
Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman are hopeful they can rebound in 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011, 1:43:01 PM | Terry Blount
Stewart-Haas Racing came out
of the blocks strong in 2009, but 2010 was a bit of a disappointment. How do
Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman see 2011 shaping up? Well, they'll get back to you
on that.
Restrictor-plate opening to be reduced for Daytona 500
Wednesday, February 16, 2011, 12:20:33 PM | Terry Blount
NASCAR announced Wednesday morning
that it will change the carburetor restrictor plates on the engines to reduce
speeds for the Daytona 500.
Scott Speed agrees with Kevin Harvick, Inc. to drive 2 races
Tuesday, February 15, 2011, 5:27:38 PM | David Newton
Scott Speed, who lost his
Sprint Cup ride at Red Bull Racing after the 2010 season, has reached an
agreement to drive in two Nationwide Series races for Kevin Harvick Inc.
Austin Dillon hoping to do No. 3 proud at Daytona
Tuesday, February 15, 2011, 1:12:51 PM | David Newton
For Austin Dillon, having
the black No. 3 on the side of his truck in Friday's race on the 10th
anniversary of Dale Earnhardt's death is about family, pride and honoring one
of his heroes.
Richard Childress made a promise to the late Dale Earnhardt, and he kept it
Tuesday, February 15, 2011, 1:10:11 PM | David Newton
A near-death experience on a
New Mexico mountainside between Richard Childress and the late Dale Earnhardt
led to a promise Childress is still keeping.
Jack Roush and his drivers think they've hit on the right formula
Monday, February 14, 2011, 10:31:36 PM | Terry Blount
Asking Jack Roush what went
wrong for his team last year will bring a string of precise answers -- if you
can understand them. What do he and his drivers think for 2011? All systems go!
The death of Dale Earnhardt accelerated NASCAR's safety revolution
Monday, February 14, 2011, 12:17:45 PM | Ed Hinton
The death of Dale Earnhardt
10 years ago is often cited as the moment NASCAR got serious about safety.
Truth is, the revolution had already begun, but the death of the Intimidator became
its tipping point.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. rockets to pole for Daytona 500
Monday, February 14, 2011, 1:47:36 AM | Associated Press
Dale Earnhardt Jr. won pole
position for the Daytona 500 with a speed of 186.089 mph in qualifying Sunday.
NASCAR drivers are seeing red over the yellow-line rule
Sunday, February 13, 2011, 7:42:50 PM | Terry Blount
Let's declare the
yellow-line rule at Daytona (and Talladega) and NASCAR's new "have at it,
boys" mentality a conflict of interest. They just don't mix.
Surprised by last-minute changes in NASCAR? Surely, you jest!
Sunday, February 13, 2011, 7:42:23 PM | Ed Hinton
So you're all in a tizzy
about late changes to the cars as the Daytona 500 looms? Well don't be, because
you should know by now the real trouble comes when all seems well.
2011 Daytona 500: NASCAR adjust specs to limit two-car pushing at Daytona
Sunday, February 13, 2011, 7:05:32 PM | David Newton and
Terry Blount
NASCAR officials are talking
to teams and running tests in North Carolina to determine what changes would
best prevent the sustained two-car drafts that dominated Saturday night's
Budweiser Shootout at Daytona.
NASCAR's Nationwide Series will have a circus-like atmosphere in 2011
Sunday, February 13, 2011, 1:59:43 PM | Ed Hinton
We've got The Flying
Pastrana! The Dazzling Danica! And the Three-Headed Monster that is Kyle, Carl
and Brad! Get your tickets now for the Nationwide Circus, the greatest show on
asphalt!
Danica Patrick is bracing for Round 2 in NASCAR's Nationwide Series
Sunday, February 13, 2011, 11:39:20 AM | Ryan McGee
2010 was a mad, mad, mad,
mad world for Danica Patrick. And 2011? Well, expect more of the same --
hopefully with just a little less madness.
Paul Menard, Trevor Bayne, Steve Wallace, Andy Lally get Daytona 500 spots after point swaps
Monday, February 07, 2011, 12:22:25 PM | David Newton
Paul Menard, Trevor Bayne,
Steve Wallace and Grand-Am driver Andy Lally are guaranteed a spot in the
February 20 Daytona 500 after offseason points swaps with top-35 teams from the
2010 season.
FOXSports.com News for NASCAR
February 23, 2011
RaceTrax Your source for 2011 Phoenix International Raceway race weekend info
February 23, 2011
Phoenix offers return to more standard style of NASCAR
racing.
Kenseth family grows with baby girl
February 22, 2011, 4:23:52 PM
NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Matt Kenseth and his wife, Katie, welcome daughter.
INDY Racing League
Youth can tour Indy 500 Gasoline Alley
February 22, 2011, 7:00:00 PM
Fans age 9-17 can visit the world-famous Gasoline Alley garage area at IMS from Opening Day, May 14 through May 28 with the purchase of a Junior Garage Credential.
In the blog: Yeah, that’s the ticket
February 22, 2011, 7:00:00 PM
Score a free ticket to the IZOD INDYCAR World Championships in Las Vegas. No sweepstakes, just a thank you.
Cunningham’s perseverance pays
Thursday, February 17, 2011, 7:00:00 PM
2005 Firestone Indy Lights champion will contest partial IZOD IndyCar Series season with Sam Schmidt Motorsports.
Star-studded field preps for Pro/Celeb race
Monday, February 21, 2011, 7:00:00 PM
Twenty actors, musicians and athletes to compete in charity event during Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach weekend.
ABC telecasts bookend 17-event schedule
Monday, February 21, 2011, 7:00:00 PM
Network has five race broadcasts overall, while VERSUS will telecast balance of IZOD IndyCar Series season.
Place your bets on championship round
Monday, February 21, 2011, 7:00:00 PM
Culmination of 17-event season is Oct. 16 with IZOD INDYCAR World Championships at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
$5 million challenge: Catch is win the race
Monday, February 21, 2011, 7:00:00 PM
INDYCAR is offering the payday to non-IZOD IndyCar Series driver who wins the season finale at Las Vegas on Oct. 16.
DHL delivers sponsorship for Hunter-Reay
Monday, February 21, 2011, 7:00:00 PM
DHL will serve as the co-primary sponsor of Andretti Autosport's IZOD IndyCar Series car driven by Ryan Hunter-Reay.
SFR, Allison Transmission link up for Indy 500
Monday, February 21, 2011, 7:00:00 PM
Sarah Fisher Racing will partner with Allison Transmission for the 100th anniversary Indianapolis 500 in May.
USF2000 test day part of King’s reward
Sunday, February 20, 2011, 7:00:00 PM
In 2011, winning the Rock Island Grand Prix's "King of the Streets" title will come with an added bonus - a USF2000 test.
It’s high noon for Indy 500 green flag
Sunday, February 20, 2011, 7:00:00 PM
Start time moved back one hour for the 100th anniversary of "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing" on May 29.
Attend breakfast with champions on May 28
Sunday, February 20, 2011, 7:00:00 PM
IndyCar Ministry will host the Indy 500 Breakfast to celebrate the 100th anniversary running of "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing" on May 28.
Sharpening skills, building relationships
Saturday, February 19, 2011, 7:00:00 PM
Alex Tagliani (above) and Dan Wheldon prepare for the season by competing in the Florida Winter Tour karting program.
Hildebrand joins 1st legs of fund-raising ride
Friday, February 18, 2011, 7:00:00 PM
National Guard Panther Racing rookie driver JR Hildebrand will cover 111 miles in support of Miles for Miracles.
In the blog: Get on the right track
Thursday, February 17, 2011, 7:00:00 PM
Get in the game. iRacing.com IZOD IndyCar Premier Series is the foremost online IZOD IndyCar Series competition.
Listen in: INDYCAR Inside Track
Thursday, February 17, 2011, 7:00:00 PM
Guests on the show include Tony Kanaan and Bruno Event Team CEO Gene Hallman talking about Barber race.
Hulman & Company adds board members
Wednesday, February 16, 2011, 7:00:00 PM
INDYCAR founder Tony George (above) returns to the Board of Directors of Hulman & Company.
Power, Ganassi team win awards
Wednesday, February 16, 2011, 7:00:00 PM
2010 IZOD IndyCar Series championship runner-up and title-winning team earn RACER Magazine awards.
‘Valuable old school ways’ in karting
Wednesday, February 16, 2011, 7:00:00 PM
Alex Tagliani has the opportunity to work with his father again during Florida Winter Tour karting events.
Philips extends emergency medical care sponsorship
Wednesday, February 16, 2011, 7:00:00 PM
Royal Philips Electronics will continue as the official emergency care equipment sponsor of the IZOD IndyCar Series and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway through 2012.
Daly moves up with Schmidt team
Wednesday, February 16, 2011, 7:00:00 PM
Star Mazda champion Conor Daly will move to Firestone Indy Lights in limited campaign for Sam Schmidt Motorsports.
BC’s Blog: Homework, Bean Bags and Outlaws
Tuesday, February 15, 2011, 7:00:00 PM
Bryan Clauson is back with the another installment of 'BC's Blog,' his weekly column for indycar.com.
Circuit prep begins for 37th Long Beach race
Tuesday, February 15, 2011, 7:00:00 PM
In two months, IZOD IndyCar Series drivers will be competing on the challenging 1.97-mile street circuit.
Franchitti inducted into Hall of Fame
Tuesday, February 15, 2011, 7:00:00 PM
Reigning series champion joins Sir Jack Brabham, Sir Frank Williams and Jody Scheckter in being honored.
New Hampshire Motor Speedway enhances fan experience
Monday, February 14, 2011, 7:00:00 PM
A $1.2 million Panasonic scoreboard and video system in the middle of the infield will be in place at New Hampshire Motor Speedway when the IZOD IndyCar Series visits in mid-August.
USF2000: McIntosh joins Cape team
Monday, February 14, 2011, 7:00:00 PM
Short-track racer Shannon McIntosh, left, will join the Mazda Road to Indy as part of the USF2000 National Championship.
Reprise: Public celebration of Carnegie’s life
Monday, February 14, 2011, 7:00:00 PM
Watch the archived video of the public memorial service to the life of longtime IMS PA announcer Tom Carnegie.
INDYCAR paces sponsorship resurgence
Sunday, February 13, 2011, 7:00:00 PM
Motorsports sponsorships are projected to increase 4.2 percent this year over 2010, and INDYCAR has been at forefront.
In the blog: Stocking the race shop
Sunday, February 13, 2011, 7:00:00 PM
There is a mountain of items to address for the new Chip Ganassi Racing teams. Mitch Davis has it sorted.
Listen in: INDYCAR Inside Track
Friday, February 11, 2011, 7:00:00 PM
INDYCAR CEO Randy Bernard answers fan-submitted questions in this edition of the show with host Mike King.
Mann’s test could lead to oval program
Thursday, February 10, 2011, 7:00:00 PM
Firestone Indy Lights race winner Pippa Mann will be joined at Texas by J.R. Hildebrand and Simona de Silvestro.
St. Pete course begins to take shape
Thursday, February 10, 2011, 7:00:00 PM
You know the season-opening Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is quickly approaching with construction start.
‘Voice of the Speedway’ silenced at 91
Thursday, February 10, 2011, 7:00:00 PM
Longtime Indianapolis Motor Speedway PA announcer Tom Carnegie is remembered as an icon in the sport.
Carnegie: What they’re saying
Thursday, February 10, 2011, 7:00:00 PM
"His memory will live on for the next 100 years at the Speedway and beyond." -- Ed
Jayski's NASCAR Silly Season Site
Bayne will stick with Nationwide
February 23, 2011
Even though NASCAR would have allowed Trevor Bayne to change his eligibility for the championship from the Nationwide Series to the Sprint Cup Series, Bayne is sticking with his plans .......
Front Row gets #38 car locked in
February 23, 2011
Front Row Motorsports likely will have all three of its cars locked in for the Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix .......
Race and Commercial Breakdown of the 2011 Daytona 500
February 22, 2011, 11:00:00 AM
For those of you NASCAR fans that like stats and love to hate commercials.......
February 22, a SMATTERING of Column / Article / Blog Links posted
February 22, 2011, 2:30:00 AM
constantly adding article / column / blog and maybe some podcast links about NASCAR to the article links page...........
Phoenix Entry List
Monday, February 21, 2011, 3:30:00 PM
45 cars entered for the Subway Fit Fresh 500(k) at Phoenix International Raceway..........
February 21, an UPSET of Column / Article / Blog Links posted
Monday, February 21, 2011, 3:00:00 AM
constantly adding article / column / blog and maybe some podcast links about NASCAR to the article links page...........
Sprint Cup Series Drivers Points
Sunday, February 20, 2011, 6:45:00 PM
after 1 of 36 Sprint Cup Series races, #99-Edwards leads the drivers points lead by 1 points over #34-Gilliland..........
Bayne wins the Daytona 500 Spint Cup Series race
Sunday, February 20, 2011, 4:30:00 PM
#21-Trevor Bayne won the Daytona 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway for his 1st career win in only his 2nd start, #99-Edwards finished 2nd.................
Daytona 500 pushed back a week in 2012
Sunday, February 20, 2011, 8:30:00 AM
The 2012 Daytona 500 will be held a week later than normal, eliminating the early off date and shortening the Sprint Cup season. The race will be held next year on February 26.......
Wendell Scott Featured in Film Feb on ESPN
Sunday, February 20, 2011, 7:00:00 AM
In conjunction with Emmy Award-winning NASCAR Media Group and Max Siegel Inc., ESPN Films will document the story of Wendell Scott, the only black driver to win a NASCAR race.......
Motorcycle USA Article Headlines
February 23, 2011
2011 World Superbike Season Preview
February 23, 2011 | Matt Davidson
The 2011 World Superbike Championship is rounding the corner fast and charging toward its opening festivities. Check out the breakdown of riders and teams in MCUSA's 2011 World Superbike Season Preview.
2011 Husqvarna TXC449 First Ride
February 23, 2011 | Chilly White
Equipped with Husky's 2011 TXC449 our dirt junkie hits the open stretches of the Mojave Desert for a full assessment of the new build.
Scott Russell to Race XR1200 Series in Daytona
February 23, 2011 | Press Release
Harley-Davidson makes its return to AMA Racing on Daytona's High Banks during Bike Week while Mr. Daytona himself, Scott Russell, has signed on to compete in the XR1200 race.
Pegram to Star in Discovery's Superbike Family
February 23, 2011 | Bryan Harley
Larry Pegram and his family-based American Superbike race team will be the stars of a new reality TV series called 'Superbike Family' which will air on Discovery HD.
2011 Motorcycle Helmets from the Dealer Expo
February 23, 2011 | Ryan Merrill
Check out some of the newest helmet models from the Powersports Tradeshow at the 2011 Indianapolis Dealer Expo.
STM: Matchless G50 Discharged From Hospital
February 23, 2011 | Frank Melling
Motorcycle USA’s main man Melling reports his beloved Matchless G50 resurrected and ready for the classic racing track.
2012 Honda Foreman ES EPS First Look
February 23, 2011 | JC Hilderbrand
Big Red's 2012 Honda Foreman ES 4X4 is storming the off-road scene with a revamped engine and optional power steering in its list of upgrades.
2011 MotoGP Sepang 2 Test Day 1
February 23, 2011 | Matt Davidson
Repsol Honda's Casey Stoner and Dani Pedrosa both had strong starts to their second Sepang test after posting the two-quickest laps aboard their RC212Vs.
Edelweiss Triumph Adventure Touring 2011
February 23, 2011 | Press Release
Triumph Motorcycles is introducing a worldwide adventure tour program in 2011, utilising its critically acclaimed new Triumph Tiger 800XC.
2011 World Superbike Phillip Island Test Day 2
February 23, 2011 | Matt Davidson
Ducati's Carlos Checa once again dominated the 2011 World Superbike paddock by capturing the fastest time during Day 2 of testing at Phillip Island.
2011 Indianapolis Dealer Expo Weekend
February 23, 2011 | Ryan Merrill
Motorcycle USA reports on new products and highlights from the front line of the Powersports arena at the 2011 Indianapolis Dealer Expo.
MSF Motorcyclist Naturalistic Study Under Way
February 22, 2011, 6:55:22 PM | Press Release
The Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) 100 Motorcyclists Naturalistic Study is progressing on schedule, according to key milestone accomplishments.
Victory Motorcycles Said to Expand into India
February 22, 2011, 9:52:21 AM | Bryan Harley
Victory Motorcycles is reportedly seeking to test the Indian motorcycle market with the prospect of opening an assembly plant there in the future.
ASI Two-Part ATV RiderCourse in 2011
February 22, 2011, 9:52:21 AM | Press Release
The ATV Safety Institute (ASI) announced it will begin delivering a new version of its internationally-recognized ATV RiderCourse in select states this year.
Matchless G50 Discharged From Hospital
February 22, 2011, 8:56:16 AM | Frank Melling
Motorcycle USA’s main man Melling reports his beloved Matchless G50 resurrected and ready for the classic racing track.
Monster Energy Extends WSB Partnership in '11
February 22, 2011, 8:56:16 AM | Press Release
Monster Energy will continue its partnership with Yamaha's World Superbike team in 2011 following its success last season.
2011 Yamaha Racing MotoGP Launch Q&A
February 22, 2011, 6:31:42 AM | Press Release
Following Yamaha's debut of its 2011 MotoGP team, Jorge Lorenzo, Ben Spies and managing director of Yamaha Racing, Lin Jarvis, participated in a Q&A session in Sepang.
Yamaha Debuts 2011 MotoGP Team in Malaysia
February 22, 2011, 4:57:06 AM | Press Release
Yamaha Factory Racing unveiled its new livery in Malaysia as the team attempts its third consecutive triple crown victory in 2011 with 2010 champion Jorge Lorenzo and Ben Spies.
2011 World Superbike Phillip Island Test Day 1
February 22, 2011, 4:57:06 AM | Matt Davidson
Ducati's Carlos Checa ran the fastest lap during Day 1 of testing at Phillip Island as the 2011 World Superbike Championship prepares to get underway in Australia.
2011 250 Motocross Shootout
Monday, February 21, 2011, 6:35:18 PM | JC Hilderbrand
Five bikes come into the 2011 250 Motocross Shootout to see which one reigns supreme in the Lites division. Some bikes are all new and others have barely been touched; which takes the title in 2011?
2012 Honda Gold Wing First Look
Monday, February 21, 2011, 6:35:18 PM | Bart Madson
Facing a new six-cylinder touring challenger from BMW, Honda gives its flagship Gold Wing a modest makeover for 2012.
2011 AMA Supercross San Diego Insider
Monday, February 21, 2011, 4:35:06 PM | Adam Waheed
Find out what happened at the San Diego Supercross dirt bike races inside Qualcomm Stadium.
Vermeulen Out for Phillip Island Opener
Sunday, February 20, 2011, 10:23:57 PM | Press Release
Still recovering from knee surgery, Kawasaki World Superbike rider Chris Vermeulen will sit out the Phillip Island season opener.
Can-Am Demos Return to GNCC Series in 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011, 10:23:57 PM | Press Release
The Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series has announced that Can-Am will return with their highly popular demo rides for the 2011 season.
2011 AMA Arenacross Reno Results
Sunday, February 20, 2011, 10:23:57 PM | Press Release
Kawasaki's Tyle Bowers led a sweep of the Arenacross series in Reno after winning both nights during Round 7 of the 2011 AMA Arenacross Championship.
WSB Prepares for Final Pre-Season Test of 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011, 10:23:57 PM | Press Release
With the 2011 World Superbike Championship just around the corner the paddock descends upon Phillip Island for one last test before the season opener.
2011 AMA Supercross San Diego Results
Sunday, February 20, 2011, 10:23:57 PM | Matt Davidson
It was a wet and wild round for the 2011 Monster Energy AMA Supercross series in San Diego as riders posted grueling laps against Qualcomm Stadium's brutal track conditions.
Former H-D Manager Joins ATK Motorcycles
Sunday, February 20, 2011, 10:23:57 PM | Press Release
Former Harley-Davidson sales manager, Jon Syverson, has been named ATK Motorcycle's new executive vice president and will be responsible for broadening its presence in the street bike market.
Tyler Bowers Hooks Friday Night Win in Reno
Sunday, February 20, 2011, 10:23:57 PM | Press Release
Tyler Bowers achieved his fourth victory of the 2011 AMA Arenacross Championship on Friday night in Reno ahead of Honda's Cole Siebler and Jeff Gibson.
2011 Indianapolis Dealer Expo Friday
Sunday, February 20, 2011, 10:23:57 PM | Ryan Merrill
Motorcycle USA takes you inside one of the industry’s biggest aftermarket parts and accessories shows to see what’s new in the Powersports world.
Right Rider Access Fund to Protect OHV Trails
Saturday, February 19, 2011, 9:56:55 PM | Press Release
The Right Rider Access Fund, a charitable community benefit organization, was unveiled today. Its mission is to promote the safe and responsible use of off-highway vehicles (OHVs) and to preserve riders’ access to appropriate lands.
Arenacross Interview of the Week: Cole Siebler
Saturday, February 19, 2011, 9:56:55 PM | Press Release
From privateer to factory ride, Cole Siebler is pursuing his dream aboard TUF Honda in the 2011 AMA Arenacross Championship.
BSB's Simon Andrews Set for Isle of Man Debut
Saturday, February 19, 2011, 9:56:55 PM | Press Release
British Superbike star Simon Andrews will debut in the 2011 Isle of Man competition aboard Paul Shoesmith’s Ice Valley BMW team.
Erik Buell Racing 1190RS Debuts at Indy
Saturday, February 19, 2011, 9:56:55 PM | Bart Madson
Erik Buell debuts the EBR 1190RS at the Indy Dealer Expo, the new superbike dripping in carbon fiber.
'11 Breast Cancer Awareness Auction Continues
Saturday, February 19, 2011, 9:56:55 PM | Press Release
Fundraising for breast cancer awareness has continued long after the 2011 Pink-themed Monster Energy AMA Supercross event at Angel Stadium.
Georges Jobe to be Honored at Nor Cal Classic
Saturday, February 19, 2011, 9:56:55 PM | Press Release
Brad Lackey will be honoring five-time World Champion, Georges Jobe, at his sixth annual Nor Cal Classic Legends of Motocross National during the 2011 West Coast Moto Jam on May 13-15.
Testing Pirelli Street Motorcycle Tires in Sicily
Saturday, February 19, 2011, 3:57:45 PM | Adam Waheed
Learn how Pirelli tests its high-performance street and sportbike motorcycle tires as we visit its tire testing operation in Italy.
Kawasaki Riders Return West for San Diego SX
Saturday, February 19, 2011, 3:42:45 AM | Press Release
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Josh Hansen, Broc Tickle and Tyla Rattray will be returning to California for Round 7 of the 2011 Supercross series at San Diego's Qualcomm Stadium.
Ken Roczen's Plans for Remaining 2011 Season
Saturday, February 19, 2011, 3:42:45 AM | Press Release
Following the recent success of 16-year-old Ken Roczen in the 2011 AMA Supercross series, the German rider announces his plans for the remaining season.
In the Saddle with Kawasaki's Josh Hansen
Saturday, February 19, 2011, 1:42:06 AM | Press Release
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Josh Hansen provides a look at his background and talks about his current success in the 2011 AMA Supercross Lites Championship.
Kids Just Want to Ride Act Gaining Momentum
Friday, February 18, 2011, 11:24:11 AM | Press Release
A total of 37 federal lawmakers have stamped their approval on the Kids Just Want to Ride Act, which seeks to exempt kids' off-highway vehicles from the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act.
FMF Racing Partners Up With Active 8 Racing
Friday, February 18, 2011, 11:24:11 AM | Press Release
FMF Racing is proud to announce the alliance with Active 8 Racing making FMF the official exhaust supplier for the Active 8 Pro SX and MX support Semi.
Honda Daytona 2011 Kick Off Party & Concert
Friday, February 18, 2011, 10:12:09 AM | Press Release
American Honda is hosting a special event, the Honda Daytona Kick Off Party and Concert, to celebrate the start of Daytona Bike Week on Friday, March 4. The event will include live entertainment from Kelley James.
AMA Urges Lead Law Exemption to Congress
Friday, February 18, 2011, 10:12:09 AM | Press Release
In written comments submitted for a congressional hearing held on Feb. 17, the AMA asked lawmakers to exempt kid-sized OHVs from the "lead law".
2011 Zero Motorcycles to Debut at Indy Dealer
Friday, February 18, 2011, 8:11:58 AM | Press Release
Zero Motorcycles will debut its 2011 lineup during the Dealer Expo at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis on February 18-20.
AMA Announces 2011 Flat Track Numbers
Friday, February 18, 2011, 8:11:58 AM | Press Release
AMA Pro Racing has released the Expert Grand National Number list for 2011. The list features new numbers for twelve riders. The most obvious change has defending Grand National Champion Jake Johnson exchanging his #5 for the coveted #1.
2011 AMA Arenacross Reno Preview
Friday, February 18, 2011, 8:11:58 AM | Press Release
As the 2011 AMA Arenacross Championship nears the halfway point Kawasaki's Tyler Bowers leads the field coming into Reno by just two points over Honda's Jeff Gibson.
2011 AMA Supercross San Diego Press Day
Friday, February 18, 2011, 6:10:54 AM | Adam Waheed
See pictures inside Qualcomm Stadium for press day prior to the San Diego Monster Energy Supercross motorcycle race.
2011 Dealer Expo Takes Over Indianapolis
Friday, February 18, 2011, 6:10:54 AM | Press Release
2011 Dealer Expo event offers new features, media preview and expanded education programs for a more valuable guest experience at Indiana Convention Center February 18-20.
Ducati Edition Racing Boat Unveiled
Friday, February 18, 2011, 6:10:54 AM | Press Release
Ducati and Cigarette Racing Team unveiled the new Cigarette Racing 42X Ducati Edition at the Miami International Boat Show; launching a collaboration between two legends of marine and motorcycle performance.
2011 Fantasy GP Racing VIP Vacation Contest
Friday, February 18, 2011, 6:10:54 AM | MotorcycleUSA Staff
Motorcycle USA and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca have partnered up to present the 2011 Fantasy GP Racing VIP Vacation contest. One lucky fan will win airfare, accommodations and two passes to the 2011 Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.
Study Claims Helmets Reduce Spinal Injury
Friday, February 18, 2011, 6:10:54 AM | Bart Madson
A recent study from Johns Hopkins has linked motorcycle helmet use to a reduced incident of spinal injury.
NASCAR.COM - Camping World Series Headlines
February 23, 2011
From Nationwide points lead to uncertain future
February 23, 2011
As the Daytona 500 came to an end, Landon Cassill cheered for Trevor Bayne as if he had a personal stake in the driver of the No. 21 car -- which, in a way, he did. It wasn't just because the two are good friends who attend Bible study together every other week. It wasn't just because both are drivers in their early 20s who had already experienced upheaval and disappointment in their careers. It was because if a young, relative unknown like Bayne would win NASCAR's biggest race, then maybe somebody might give Cassill a second look, too.
Head2Head: Is it a problem non-race winners currently lead?
Monday, February 21, 2011, 2:47:52 PM
The first race weekend is in the books and the current championship leaders are Clay Rogers, Landon Cassill and Carl Edwards. Three drivers that didn't win their race are currently leading the standings.
Waltrip claims emotional victory at Daytona
Friday, February 18, 2011, 10:11:48 PM
Ten years to the day from his first victory in the Daytona 500, Michael Waltrip made a slingshot pass of Elliott Sadler at the end of a green-white-checkered-flag finish Friday night to win the NextEra Energy Resources 250 Camping World Truck Series race at Daytona International Speedway.
Truck Preview: Peters back at Daytona with new confidence
Friday, February 18, 2011, 2:59:00 PM
Saddled in second place with a lap left in the 2010 Camping World Truck Series opener at Daytona International Speedway, Timothy Peters was focused on getting to the finish line with his vehicle intact.
Dillon earns Truck Series pole at Daytona
Friday, February 18, 2011, 2:29:48 AM
Austin Dillon -- who won the pole in the last two races of the 2010 season -- picked up where he left off Thursday and earned the pole for Friday's NextEra Energy Energy Resources 250 at Daytona International Speedway.
By the Numbers: Daytona
Thursday, February 17, 2011, 2:54:24 PM
SPRINT CUP SERIES
Safety improvements, changes define racing eras
Wednesday, February 16, 2011, 7:29:25 PM
Trying to equate the safety features on today's modern Sprint Cup car with those of its predecessors is an impossibility. The cars in that first Strictly Stock race at Charlotte Speedway in 1949 were not even required to have roll bars or seat belts.
HANS is a 25-year evolution in driver protection
Wednesday, February 16, 2011, 5:17:02 PM
One of the most important safety advances in the history of racing is manufactured in a nondescript, one-story brick building on the same street as a ceramics shop, a company that creates stained glass and a pet mortuary.
Skinner to drive Eddie Sharp Racing truck at Daytona
Saturday, February 12, 2011, 6:35:39 PM
Eddie Sharp Racing announced Mike Skinner will drive the No. 45 Cushman Toyota Tundra at Daytona International Speedway in the Camping World Truck Series event on February 18.
NASCAR.COM - Nationwide Series Headlines
February 23, 2011
Inside NASCAR: Lottery winner Denette uses part of windfall to start Truck team
February 23, 2011
The man stood incongruously in the middle of the action at driver introductions for the Sprint All-Star Race, dressed casually in a vintage Bill Elliott T-shirt and denim jeans.
From Nationwide points lead to uncertain future
February 23, 2011
As the Daytona 500 came to an end, Landon Cassill cheered for Trevor Bayne as if he had a personal stake in the driver of the No. 21 car -- which, in a way, he did. It wasn't just because the two are good friends who attend Bible study together every other week. It wasn't just because both are drivers in their early 20s who had already experienced upheaval and disappointment in their careers. It was because if a young, relative unknown like Bayne would win NASCAR's biggest race, then maybe somebody might give Cassill a second look, too.
In the Draft: Sadler looking forward to Phoenix
February 22, 2011, 11:21:41 AM
Wow, what a wild Daytona weekend! We had an incredible run in the Truck Series event on Friday. We barely missed the win! It would have been such an awesome experience to go to Victory Lane for the first time for our new partner OneMain Financial, but it just wasn't meant to be.OneMain Financial will be back on our car in Texas but for the next few weeks we have several new sponsors that we hope to take to Victory Lane for the first time. Our Nationwide day wasn't what we had hoped for either, but now we get to head into one of my favorite tracks, Phoenix International Raceway.
Head2Head: Is it a problem non-race winners currently lead?
Monday, February 21, 2011, 2:47:52 PM
The first race weekend is in the books and the current championship leaders are Clay Rogers, Landon Cassill and Carl Edwards. Three drivers that didn't win their race are currently leading the standings.
Stewart wins fourth consecutive Daytona Nationwide race
Saturday, February 19, 2011, 9:20:38 PM
With a shove from Landon Cassill, Tony Stewart surged past Clint Bowyer at the finish line to win Saturday's Drive4COPD 300, his fourth consecutive Nationwide Series victory at Daytona International Speedway.
Bowyer wins pole for Nationwide Series race
Friday, February 18, 2011, 11:02:05 PM
Clint Bowyer has won the pole for the Nationwide Series race at Daytona International Speedway.
Sadler embraces new role as a Nationwide driver
Friday, February 18, 2011, 3:41:55 PM
The main sponsor of Elliott Sadler's Nationwide Series team is rebranding itself this year, changing its name from CitiFinancial to One Main Financial.
By the Numbers: Daytona
Thursday, February 17, 2011, 2:54:24 PM
SPRINT CUP SERIES
NASCAR reduces restrictor plates for Nationwide
Thursday, February 17, 2011, 1:21:39 AM
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- When Nationwide Series practice speeds topped 200 mph Wednesday afternoon, NASCAR reacted quickly to slow the cars.
Safety improvements, changes define racing eras
Wednesday, February 16, 2011, 7:29:25 PM
Trying to equate the safety features on today's modern Sprint Cup car with those of its predecessors is an impossibility. The cars in that first Strictly Stock race at Charlotte Speedway in 1949 were not even required to have roll bars or seat belts.
HANS is a 25-year evolution in driver protection
Wednesday, February 16, 2011, 5:17:02 PM
One of the most important safety advances in the history of racing is manufactured in a nondescript, one-story brick building on the same street as a ceramics shop, a company that creates stained glass and a pet mortuary.
At dawn of a new season, new car levels the field
Wednesday, February 16, 2011, 3:17:12 PM
A lot of thought, planning and execution went into making the Nationwide Series' new car a reality. When it debuted last summer on a limited basis, it provided an equitable solution to the issues of competitiveness, driveability and manufacturer identity.
NASCAR.COM - Sprint Cup Series Headlines
February 23, 2011
From Nationwide points lead to uncertain future
February 23, 2011
As the Daytona 500 came to an end, Landon Cassill cheered for Trevor Bayne as if he had a personal stake in the driver of the No. 21 car -- which, in a way, he did. It wasn't just because the two are good friends who attend Bible study together every other week. It wasn't just because both are drivers in their early 20s who had already experienced upheaval and disappointment in their careers. It was because if a young, relative unknown like Bayne would win NASCAR's biggest race, then maybe somebody might give Cassill a second look, too.
Notebok: Bayne opts to stick with Nationwide title chase
February 22, 2011, 4:36:49 PM
Even though NASCAR would have allowed Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne to change his eligibility for the championship from the Nationwide Series to the Sprint Cup Series, Bayne announced Tuesday he is sticking with his plans to run for the Nationwide title.
Kenseths welcome Grace Katherine to family
February 22, 2011, 4:06:59 PM
Matt Kenseth and his wife Katie welcomed a new bundle of joy into their family early Tuesday morning with the birth of the couple's second daughter. Grace Katherine Kenseth was born at 3:49 a.m. ET weighing in at 7 lbs., 8 oz. Both mother and daughter are doing well as the family welcomes Grace into the family to join their other daughter, Kaylin, and son, Ross.
news-journalonline.com
February 22, 2011, 12:05:00 AM
Daytona 500 ratings up
February 22, 2011, 12:05:00 AM
The Daytona 500's television ratings were up from last year.
Chitwood all smiles day after 500
February 22, 2011, 12:05:00 AM
Joie Chitwood III was positively chipper Monday morning as he accepted the Daytona 500's winning race car from Wood Brothers Racing and driver Trevor Bayne.
Bayne still kid at heart
February 22, 2011, 12:05:00 AM
Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne has 15 years of racing experience. Of course, most of those laps were in go-karts or entry-level racing series, not on the 2.5-mile tri-oval of Daytona International Speedway.
Bayne not eligible for Chase
February 22, 2011, 12:05:00 AM
Consider it an unintended consequence of NASCAR's attempt at helping its Nationwide Series. Trevor Bayne, NASCAR's newest star after his Daytona 500 victory Sunday, wouldn't be eligible for this year's "Chase for the Championship" even if he otherwise raced well enough to qualify.
Top 10 'winning' moments
February 22, 2011, 12:05:00 AM
Another Speed Weeks has concluded, and like most, it will forever be defined by its winners. Those winners came in all shapes and ages. And as always, "winning" can be a relative term. Here's a look at some happy faces that graced NASCAR's most famous Victory Lane over the past few weeks.
Newest NASCAR hero recalls finish-line 'panic'
February 22, 2011, 12:05:00 AM
The day after one of the biggest upset victories in Daytona 500 history, the air around Daytona International Speedway carried a certain feeling of "this was meant to be."
RoadRUNNER Magazine
February 23, 2011
When KTM Off-Road Riders Take to the Street
February 23, 2011 | Florian Neuhauser
The Mad Bastard Scooter Rally 2011
February 22, 2011, 9:00:57 AM | RoadRUNNER
Originating back in 2004, The Mad Bastard Scooter Rally was birthed by the staff at the Canadian Motorcycle magazine, when they acquired a Honda Ruckus scooter for a long-term test. Driven by the inspiration of the Ruckus and a bottle of fine Scotch, the team came up with the idea to ride the 50cc scooter [...]
Olympic Peninsula’s Hoh Rain Forest Ride With AltRider
Saturday, February 19, 2011, 12:00:12 PM | RoadRUNNER
June 10–12, 2011 the AltRider team invites you to join them for a unique opportunity to ride and camp in the Olympic Peninsula’s Hoh Rain Forest, one of the few remaining temperate rain forests in the United States. Thanks to special permission granted to the group, an amazing experience awaits amid an untouched and beautiful [...]
Nathan Woods Benefit Ride Day
Friday, February 18, 2011, 4:19:06 PM | RoadRUNNER
The off-road motorcycle community was deeply saddened when the news arrived that 2-time WORCS Champion Nathan Woods had passed away in a motorcycle accident recently during a practice session for the opening round of the WORCS. Long-time friends FMF/KTM rider Kurt Caselli and former mechanic Charles Jirsa have coordinated a ride day benefit for Woods’ [...]
Americade 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011, 1:17:16 PM | RoadRUNNER
Based upon the list of 15 motorcycle manufacturers scheduled to be at Americade 2011, you could certainly draw the conclusion that the recession is well and truly over, at least in Lake George. At Americade 2011, there will be demos from BMW, Harley-Davidson, Kawasaki, KTM, Kymco, MotorTrike, Roadsmith, Royal Enfield, Spyder, Star, Thoroughbred, Victory, and [...]
Interview with Laurence Kuykendall, BMW Motorrad
Friday, February 11, 2011, 11:49:58 PM | John Flores
Spent a couple minutes at IMS speaking with Laurence Kuykendall of BMW Motrorrad. Got some questions from readers via Facebook thought that I’d ask BMW directly. Here is their response.
2011 Edition of Touratech Streetline Catalog
Friday, February 11, 2011, 1:38:26 PM | RoadRUNNER
Widely known as a source for adventure riding accessories, Touratech has recently released its 2011 Streetline Catalog, which caters to street touring motorcycles. With more than 380 pages, the catalog expands Touratech’s offerings for street bikes considerably, including a broad range of touring equipment for the BMW F 800 R, BMW K and RT models, [...]
You don’t quit riding because you get old…you get old because you quit riding
Thursday, February 10, 2011, 10:00:04 AM | Florian Neuhauser
TOURING TIP: Coping With Severe Weather: Tornadoes
Monday, February 07, 2011, 1:26:32 PM | RoadRUNNER
It was a warm, humid summer evening on the northern plains of Oklahoma, when we stepped outside my grandparents’ farmhouse to get a little after-dinner fresh air. But the air wasn’t fresh. It was uncharacteristically heavy and still, no birds were singing or even in sight. My father and uncles were frozen in place, like [...]
Zero Motorcycles Ramps Up For Continued Growth In 2011
Monday, February 07, 2011, 8:22:19 AM | RoadRUNNER
Zero Motorcycles, a company specializing in electric motorcycle technology, just announced plans to open a new manufacturing facility in Santa Cruz, CA alongside their corporate headquarters. Not only does this show promise of growth for the company, but it also means more advanced motorcycles for consumers, as well as more environmentally friendly US-based jobs. With [...]
Awakening from Hibernation
Thursday, February 03, 2011, 10:30:50 AM | RoadRUNNER
With fall yard work, the holidays, and year-end business paperwork out of the way, I’m starting to plan a few trips for the coming season. I’m also looking forward to trying out some new luggage mounted on the KLR™650 that I got late last summer. It has an oversized luggage rack on it that should [...]
Special Offer From Ducati for February and March
Wednesday, February 02, 2011, 1:46:12 PM | RoadRUNNER
The riding season is nearing again, and that means there are great deals for new motorcycles. Read Ducati’s special offer below for more info. Spring 2011: Financing as low as 1.99% or up to $1,000.00 in store credit. Cupertino, Calif. (2 February 2011) – Ducati announces a special offer to kick-off the spring motorcycle season; [...]
2011 Dainese and AGV Press Day
Wednesday, February 02, 2011, 10:39:15 AM | RoadRUNNER
Dainese and AGV held a press day to remember on January 24, 2011 at their D-Store in Costa Mesa, CA. Besides the great selection of new riding gear on display, the D-Store folks had a big surprise for us. Waiting backstage were a bunch of well-known riders who are sponsored by Dainese and/or AGV. These [...]
Gatorskins Warm Clothing
Tuesday, February 01, 2011, 11:10:42 AM | Florian Neuhauser
Most thermal clothing has to be worn tight and on the skin. If it’s cold in the morning, and there are layers upon layers, then no problem. Once it warms up though, taking off the thermals sometimes becomes a hassle, especially beside the road. Gatorskins provide a great alternative. Their shirts are intended to be [...]
ThatsRacin.com: Top Stories
February 23, 2011
Phoenix suburb naming street for Earnhardt
February 23, 2011
The city of Avondale is naming a street after NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt who died 10 years ago.
NASCAR's new scoring system not so simple
February 22, 2011, 10:56:00 PM
Carl Edwards is the Sprint Cup Series points leader. Landon Cassill heads the Nationwide Series standings, and Clay Rogers is atop the Trucks Series standings. None of them won a race last weekend.
Goodbye Daytona, hello Phoenix
February 22, 2011, 10:55:00 PM
After a history-making Daytona 500 this past weekend, Sprint Cup Series teams are traveling nearly 2,200 miles from the 2.5-mile, high-banked Daytona International Speedway to the flat one-mile Phoenix International Raceway.
Trevor Bayne chased the dream at 15
February 22, 2011, 7:51:00 PM
Scott Fowler: When 2011 Daytona 500 champion Trevor Bayne was 15 years old, his family moved him out of his Knoxville, Tenn., hometown and into a place in Mooresville. And then they left him there.
IndyCar offers $5M to outsiders on title race
February 22, 2011, 7:13:00 PM
The IndyCar Series is putting up $5 million for any driver who thinks he or she can beat the open-wheel professionals at their own game in their championship race in Las Vegas.
Bones of steel brace speedway's video board
Monday, February 21, 2011, 10:47:00 PM
The world's largest high-definition video board is scheduled to make its debut during Charlotte Motor Speedway's May race events.
Rewind: A little like Bristol
Monday, February 21, 2011, 10:46:00 PM
Jim Utter: If there was a downside, it was the record number of cautions (16), making the racing look a little like it does at Bristol.
Trevor Bayne still in shock over Daytona 500 win
Monday, February 21, 2011, 7:14:00 PM
Trevor Bayne celebrated his Daytona 500 victory by playing basketball with friends, then skateboarding on the infield of NASCAR's most storied race track.
A-list takes some hits with wild wreck, engine woes
Monday, February 21, 2011, 1:04:00 PM
A lot of the "big names" thought to have a shot at winning the Daytona 500 weren't around at the finish.
Bayne wins for Woods, and does it David Pearson's way
Monday, February 21, 2011, 3:21:00 AM
Scott Fowler: If the most popular driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr., wasn’t going to win, Trevor Bayne represented the next-best scenario for NASCAR.
Woods practically lived in Victory Lane
Monday, February 21, 2011, 3:21:00 AM
The Wood Brothers were once a juggernaut in NASCAR, a family team that perfected the modern pit stop and raced to win after win with David Pearson behind the wheel.
Suddenly and stunningly, it's Bayne's world!
Monday, February 21, 2011, 12:17:00 AM
How big is it when you win the Super Bowl of NASCAR and you’re not even officially a player? Ask Trevor Bayne.
The unofficial Sprint Cup standings
Monday, February 21, 2011, 12:16:00 AM
Unofficials Sprint Cup driver standings after the 53rd Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday, Feb. 20, 2011:
Trouble finds 3 Hendrick cars
Sunday, February 20, 2011, 8:10:00 PM
Hendrick Motorsports had a rough start to the 2011 Sprint Cup season.
Stewart drafts a solution, wins 4th straight
Sunday, February 20, 2011, 3:42:00 PM
Utilizing the two-car draft to perfection, Tony Stewart works his way into position and wins by seven-thousandths of a second.
Hendrick driven to help
Sunday, February 20, 2011, 10:46:00 AM
When the 2011 racing season opens today with the Daytona 500, Rick Hendrick’s motorsports organization will begin competing for its 15th NASCAR championship – and sixth straight with driver Jimmie Johnson.
Raceday: A little more and tandem isn't just 'a trend'
Sunday, February 20, 2011, 1:26:00 AM
Jim Utter: Will the two-car draft dominate? So far this Speedweeks, it’s been the key to victory.
Winning hand at Daytona? Bet on a pair
Saturday, February 19, 2011, 11:02:00 PM
Will a new form of racing produce a new winner in Sunday’s Daytona 500? Is anyone a favorite? Is everyone a favorite?
Patrick leads briefly, finishes 14th
Saturday, February 19, 2011, 11:01:00 PM
For a few laps, at least, Danica Patrick's day was going better than most people imagined.
It's not easy being 'E'
Saturday, February 19, 2011, 11:01:00 PM
Scott Fowler: How would you like to be Dale Earnhardt Jr. on Sunday?
NASCAR eying Waltrip's winning spoiler
Saturday, February 19, 2011, 8:29:00 PM
Michael Waltrip’s victory in Friday night’s NextEra 250 at Daytona will stand, but his No. 15 Truck team could face penalties.
The NASCAR dads and moms may not be enough
Saturday, February 19, 2011, 6:25:00 PM
By allowing children in the garage and younger teens behind the wheel, it's clear NASCAR wants a youth movement.
Capturing a special Earnhardt moment on fateful day
Saturday, February 19, 2011, 6:25:00 PM
Mike Shay was watching. Michael Waltrip was racing.
Deaths climb at small tracks
Saturday, February 19, 2011, 6:25:00 PM
In the 10 years since Dale Earnhardt's death, NASCAR and other top racing divisions have poured millions into safety, improving their drivers' gear, the cars they ride in and the tracks where they race.
Big brother gets another break
Saturday, February 19, 2011, 2:45:00 PM
The feel-good story of Daytona Speedweeks took another turn Saturday when Brian Keselowski picked up a sponsor.
It's Mark Martin's career, and he gets to make the calls
Saturday, February 19, 2011, 2:17:00 PM
Sunday’s Daytona 500 might be the last of Mark Martin’s career. Or maybe not.
Burton leads way in final Cup practice
Saturday, February 19, 2011, 2:01:00 PM
NASCAR Sprint Cup speeds from the final Daytona 500 practice at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, Feb. 19, 2011:
Michael Waltrip wins on 10th anniversary of Earnhardt death
Saturday, February 19, 2011, 1:18:00 PM
It's never too late to win, even 10 years later. Michael Waltrip really never got a chance to celebrate his 2001 Daytona 500 victory as his team owner, Dale Earnhardt, died in a last-lap wreck in the race.
Keselowski pulling a team together
Saturday, February 19, 2011, 12:20:00 AM
Wanted: Crew members, new car parts, a strong engine and enough hotel rooms for five people.
Racing against reality, Patrick sounds less certain
Friday, February 18, 2011, 7:09:00 PM
Scott Fowler: She wants to be more than a pretty face, more than the NASCAR equivalent of tennis sweetheart Anna Kournikova.
Bowyer wins Saturday's pole as Patrick surprises
Friday, February 18, 2011, 6:26:00 PM
Clint Bowyer has won the pole for the Nationwide Series race at Daytona International Speedway.
Saturday's Nationwide Series lineup
Friday, February 18, 2011, 6:17:00 PM
The NASCAR Nationwide Series starting lineup at Daytona International Speedway for the Drive4COPD 300:
Are graying NASCAR dads going it alone?
Friday, February 18, 2011, 6:03:00 PM
By allowing children in the garage and younger teens behind the wheel, it's clear NASCAR wants a youth movement.
Pentagon's NASCAR spending survives House vote
Friday, February 18, 2011, 4:10:00 PM
WASHINGTON – The House has voted to let the Pentagon continue using taxpayer dollars to sponsor NASCAR race teams.
Speeds, car counts down in Friday's practices
Friday, February 18, 2011, 4:06:00 PM
Sprint Cup practice speeds were down slightly in Friday’s practices at Daytona International Speedway, while participation was down sharply.
Martin tops short list in final practice
Friday, February 18, 2011, 3:22:00 PM
NASCAR Sprint Cup speeds from the final Daytona 500 practice at Daytona International Speedway on Friday, Feb. 18, 2011:
DEI to host candelight tribute to Earnhardt
Friday, February 18, 2011, 2:11:00 PM
Dale Earnhardt Inc. is inviting fans to a special candlelight tribute Friday night, remembering Dale Earnhardt on the 10th anniversary of his death.
This year’s winner won’t be going solo
Friday, February 18, 2011, 1:33:00 PM
Scott Fowler: Sunday’s big race is officially called the Daytona 500, but it’s shaping up a lot like a high-school prom.
New Daytona: Learning as you go (fast) in tandem
Friday, February 18, 2011, 1:33:00 PM
"We’ve done this tandem thing before, but never this much,” says Jeff Burton, one of Thursday's race winners. "This is a new era at Daytona," adds Kurt Busch, who has now won twice in Speedweeks 2011.
Burton tops Friday's early practice chart
Friday, February 18, 2011, 12:48:00 PM
NASCAR Sprint Cup speeds from the early Daytona 500 practice at Daytona International Speedway on Friday, Feb. 18, 2011:
F1's Ecclestone hopeful about Bahrain GP
Friday, February 18, 2011, 11:40:00 AM
Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone is hoping that deadly anti-government unrest in Bahrain "all blows away" so the season-opening Grand Prix can be run as scheduled.
Notes: Brother Act plays out
Friday, February 18, 2011, 11:22:00 AM
Brian Keselowski didn’t have a teammate to race with on Thursday.
Tragedy prompts NASCAR changes
Friday, February 18, 2011, 12:30:00 AM
When Dale Earnhardt died, NASCAR was forced to change its approach to safety. “It definitely accelerated everything," one former official says.
Lasting memories, great stories
Thursday, February 17, 2011, 10:35:00 PM
There are many still in NASCAR who spent time working for, racing against, cheering or jeering Dale Earnhardt.
Austin Dillon wins Truck pole
Thursday, February 17, 2011, 9:03:00 PM
Austin Dillon has won the pole for the Truck series race at Daytona International Speedway, posting a lap of 179.047 mph.
NASCAR races too long, Fox boss reiterates, singling out the 600
Thursday, February 17, 2011, 9:03:00 PM
When Fox Sports chairman David Hill says "too long," what he really means is the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Friday night's Truck series lineup
Thursday, February 17, 2011, 9:00:00 PM
The NextEra 250 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starting lineup at Daytona International Speedway after qualifying on Thursday, Feb. 17, 2011:
Allgaier best in final Nationwide practice
Thursday, February 17, 2011, 8:29:00 PM
NASCAR Nationwide Series speeds from the final Drive4COPD 300 practice at Daytona International Speedway on Thursday, Feb. 17, 2011:
Earnhardt Jr. still struggling to measure up
Thursday, February 17, 2011, 8:15:00 PM
The wins of the father have been, in a sense, visited on the son.
NASCAR drivers expecting pay cuts
Thursday, February 17, 2011, 7:34:00 PM
Greg Biffle believes he and other NASCAR drivers negotiating new contracts are going to experience a market correction.
Dillon optimistic about Truck opener
Thursday, February 17, 2011, 7:08:00 PM
It is, for all intents and purposes, the last remaining on-track reminder of Dale Earnhardt’s legacy in NASCAR: The stylized black No. 3.
Truck series speeds, final practice
Thursday, February 17, 2011, 7:02:00 PM
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series speeds from the final NextEra 250 practice at Daytona International Speedway on Friday, Feb. 27, 2011:
Kurt Busch wins first qualifier
Thursday, February 17, 2011, 5:38:00 PM
Kurt Busch, winner of Saturday night's Shootout at Daytona International Speedway, has won Thursday's first Daytona 500 qualifying race.
Maxim portrays Vickers as a party animal
Thursday, February 17, 2011, 5:30:00 PM
A racy profile in Maxim magazine portrayed Brian Vickers as a hard-partying playboy with a voracious appetite for life in the fast lane.
Hendrick signs Chase Elliott
Thursday, February 17, 2011, 5:29:00 PM
Chase Elliott, the 15-year-old son of 1988 Cup champion Bill Elliott, has signed a multiyear deal with Hendrick Motorsports.
NASCAR, IndyCar? Danica undecided
Thursday, February 17, 2011, 3:05:00 PM
Danica Patrick's season hasn't even started, and the biggest thing everybody wants to know is what she'll do next year.
Unrest interrupts racing in Bahrain
Thursday, February 17, 2011, 1:50:00 PM
A lower-tier open-wheel race in Bahrain was called off Thursday amid anti-government protests and a crushing response by riot police.
Robert Kubica stable after surgery
Thursday, February 17, 2011, 1:45:00 PM
GENOA, Italy – Formula One driver Robert Kubica's is in satisfactory and stable condition after surgery on his right elbow.
A plateful of changes await race test
Thursday, February 17, 2011, 1:28:00 PM
With rule changes a new restrictor plate, Thursday’s Gatorade Duels 150-mile qualifying races at Daytona International Speedway should have a different look.
Free agent frenzy not expected in NASCAR
Thursday, February 17, 2011, 1:28:00 PM
The clock is ticking on the contracts of marquee drivers like Carl Edwards, Greg Biffle, Clint Bowyer, Jeff Burton, Mark Martin and Juan Pablo Montoya, all of whom are poised to hit NASCAR's version of free agency as this season develops.
Charlotte station cuts back on NASCAR
Thursday, February 17, 2011, 1:28:00 PM
WBT-AM (1110) has agreed to carry Sunday’s Daytona 500, but – for the first time in decades – future races have no home on radio in NASCAR’s heartland.
The day the track stood still
Thursday, February 17, 2011, 8:17:00 AM
Tom Sorensen: I was in the press box when Dale Earnhardt hit the wall on the last lap of the 2001 Daytona 500.
Tom Higgins: A prankster par excellence
Thursday, February 17, 2011, 8:15:00 AM
Tom Higgins: I looked right into the face of Dale Earnhardt, grinning widely with mischievous glee.
Let’s learn from ‘Death at the Track’
Wednesday, February 16, 2011, 9:52:00 PM
Rick Thames: Care to guess who documents deaths in auto racing across America?
Death at the track: Toll still rising
Wednesday, February 16, 2011, 9:35:00 PM
NASCAR has made dramatic strides in improving safety. No one has died at its top levels of racing since Dale Earnhardt a decade ago.
Kahne leads way in Wednesday's 2nd session
Wednesday, February 16, 2011, 7:51:00 PM
NASCAR Sprint Cup speeds from the second practice at Daytona International Speedway on Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2011:
Kyle Busch tops early Wednesday chart
Wednesday, February 16, 2011, 7:49:00 PM
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A decade later, Harvick embraces Earnhardt legacy
Wednesday, February 16, 2011, 7:05:00 PM
Kevin Harvick spent the last decade avoiding dealing with Dale Earnhardt's death.
Will shake-up affect NASCAR powerhouse?
Wednesday, February 16, 2011, 4:58:00 PM
As Jimmie Johnson celebrated another NASCAR championship in November, car owner Rick Hendrick was already thinking ahead.
Jarrett objects to suggestion of an NASCAR-Earnhardt fix
Wednesday, February 16, 2011, 4:45:00 PM
Dale Jarrett dismisses Tony Kornheiser's suggestion on ESPN about a NASCAR fix at Daytona.
Wreck junks Junior's pole-winning car
Wednesday, February 16, 2011, 4:43:00 PM
Dale Earnhardt Jr. will remain credited with the pole for this season's Daytona 500 but will not lead the field to the green flag.
Quotes from ESPN session
Wednesday, February 16, 2011, 3:48:00 PM
Quotes released by ESPN from Wednesday's news conference at Daytona International Speedway. Taking part were analysts Dale Jarrett and Andy Petree, lap-by-lap announcer Marty Reid and Rich Feinberg, vice president for motorsports:
Childress keeps Earnhardt promise
Wednesday, February 16, 2011, 2:32:00 PM
It's hard to imagine anybody would have blamed Richard Childress for just walking away, vowing never to set foot at another racetrack after losing his star driver and close friend, Dale Earnhardt.
Bahrain protests raise concern before F1 opener
Wednesday, February 16, 2011, 2:25:00 PM
The ruling body of motor sports is confident the anti-government protests in Bahrain will not prevent the running of next month's season-opening race in Formula One.
Friends, colleagues remember Tom Carnegie
Wednesday, February 16, 2011, 2:24:00 PM
Friends and fans have turned out at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to pay tribute to the late Tom Carnegie, who was the voice of the track for more than six decades.
NASCAR serves up new restrictor plates
Wednesday, February 16, 2011, 1:53:00 PM
NASCAR made another change in its rule package for Sunday’s Daytona 500, mandating different restrictor plates on race engines to reduce speeds.
Trucks Series gets more competitive
Monday, February 14, 2011, 10:28:00 PM
The series appears set to take a big step up in level of competition this season.
Speed show headed to Hall of Fame
Monday, February 14, 2011, 2:26:00 PM
"NASCAR Performance," a motor sports gear-head show produced by the Charlotte-based Speed cable network, will move to the NASCAR Hall of Fame, enabling it to have studio audiences.
NASCAR orders changes, tries to dodge draft trouble
Sunday, February 13, 2011, 7:38:00 PM
NASCAR wasted little time in making changes to limit the two-car drafts that dominated much of Saturday night's Budweiser Shootout.
Rewind: What changed in the tower?
Sunday, February 13, 2011, 7:30:00 PM
NASCAR's people were lighting up social media after Saturday night's race, touting the record passing and more. What changed?
High line works fine for Kurt Busch
Sunday, February 13, 2011, 7:30:00 PM
Kurt Busch got an unexpected assist for his first win at Daytona International Speedway – from NASCAR.
Junior stamps Earnhardt name on Daytona pole
Sunday, February 13, 2011, 7:26:00 PM
Ten years after the death of his father in a last-lap wreck in NASCAR’s biggest race, Dale Earnhardt Jr. will lead this year’s field to the green in Sunday’s Daytona 500.
Qualifying results: What's set so far
Sunday, February 13, 2011, 5:16:00 PM
NASCAR Sprint Cup qualifying results from the session on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2011. The front row was determined and other results will be part of the formula used to set the 43-car field for the season-opening event on Feb. 20.:
Lap 3 tribute to Earnhardt expected
Sunday, February 13, 2011, 3:39:00 PM
Daytona International Speedway wants fans to pay quiet tribute to the late Dale Earnhardt.
Dale Jr. on Dale Earnhardt: 'He carries his own weight'
Sunday, February 13, 2011, 3:39:00 PM
Scott Fowler: "I want to honor him," Dale Earnhardt Jr. says of his late father, "but I don't need to do it in front of a bunch of people."
NASCAR troubled by Shootout's tandems
Sunday, February 13, 2011, 2:57:00 PM
NASCAR is considering several technical changes that could limit the two-car hookups that dominated the first race of the season.
Barrichello is fastest in F1 testing
Sunday, February 13, 2011, 1:40:00 PM
JEREZ, Spain – Williams driver Rubens Barrichello posted the quickest time on the fourth and final day of Formula One testing at the Jerez Circuit.
Yellow line? Here we go again
Sunday, February 13, 2011, 12:07:00 PM
Jim Utter: It's become almost as much of a trademark in restrictor-plate racing as "The Big One."
Daytona 500 qualifying: Bragging rights, no bonus
Sunday, February 13, 2011, 8:43:00 AM
The unique qualifying process for the Daytona 500 provides a week’s worth of publicity for the two drivers who clinch spots on the front row.
NASCAR limits cooling options to cut Cup speeds
Sunday, February 13, 2011, 8:41:00 AM
NASCAR officials have told teams to remove an auxiliary air hose used to cool engines in an attempt to reduce speeds.
NASCAR lowers age limit again
Saturday, February 12, 2011, 8:31:00 PM
NASCAR has again lowered the age limit for drivers in its regional touring series, from 16 to 15.
Bobby Gerhart notches 7th ARCA opener
Saturday, February 12, 2011, 6:47:00 PM
Another stock car racing season is under way and there is a familiar face in Victory Lane.
Cup teams can scrap carburetors by 2012
Saturday, February 12, 2011, 6:26:00 PM
NASCAR will begin using fuel injection systems instead of carburetors in its Sprint Cup Series cars in 2012.
Annett acknowledges 'huge mistake'
Saturday, February 12, 2011, 6:23:00 PM
Driver Michael Annett acknowledged Saturday that he was intoxicated when he was arrested last weekend in Mooresville, N.C.
McMurray's scrape means he'll use backup
Saturday, February 12, 2011, 6:21:00 PM
Defending Daytona 500 champion Jamie McMurray scraped the wall in practice and will switch to a backup car for NASCAR's season opener.
Indy's Tom Carnegie dies at 91
Saturday, February 12, 2011, 6:16:00 PM
Tom Carnegie, a veteran broadcaster and the voice of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to generations of Indy 500 fans, died Friday. He was 91.
Martin tops 2nd Daytona 500 session, too
Saturday, February 12, 2011, 5:10:00 PM
NASCAR Sprint Cup speeds from the second Daytona 500 practice at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011:
Daytona 500 qualifying order
Saturday, February 12, 2011, 2:39:00 PM
NASCAR Sprint Cup qualifying order for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011:
Martin fastest in first Daytona 500 practice
Saturday, February 12, 2011, 2:34:00 PM
NASCAR Sprint Cup speeds from the first Daytona 500 practice at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011:
Dale Earnhardt thrived on rivalries - and Jeff Gordon should know
Saturday, February 12, 2011, 12:58:00 PM
Jim Utter: Intentionally or not, Dale Earnhardt helped Jeff Gordon connect with a lot of NASCAR fans.
Sprint Cup preview: Can anyone dethrone Jimmie Johnson?
Friday, February 11, 2011, 10:35:00 PM
High-five to Jimmie Johnson for continuing his streak of Sprint Cup Series championships in 2010. The "six pack" is currently on ice, as Johnson begins his bid for another title this month at Daytona. But is this the year that someone finally chases him down and thwarts his bid for a record-extending sixth straight championship?
Practice speeds top 203 mph
Friday, February 11, 2011, 10:32:00 PM
The recently repaved surface at Daytona International Speedway is fast. Really fast. Maybe too fast.
Earnhardt Jr. draws top starting spot
Friday, February 11, 2011, 10:27:00 PM
The lineup for the Budweiser Shootout at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011, determined by draw: 1. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Logano up front in final practice
Friday, February 11, 2011, 10:07:00 PM
NASCAR Sprint Cup speeds from the final Shootout practice at Daytona International Speedway on Friday, Feb. 11, 2011:
NASCAR puts Annett on probation after DUI arrest
Friday, February 11, 2011, 7:42:00 PM
NASCAR on Friday announced it has placed Nationwide Series driver Michael Annett on probation after his drunken driving arrest.
Fast starts don't always spell success
Friday, February 11, 2011, 7:38:00 PM
The Budweiser Shootout serves as the unofficial start to the NASCAR season each year.
Some of what they're saying
Friday, February 11, 2011, 7:28:00 PM
Some quotes on the death of longtim Indianapolis Motor Speedway announcer Tom Carnegie:
NASCAR names consultant's VP
Friday, February 11, 2011, 7:17:00 PM
NASCAR didn’t go far to find its new vice president and chief communications officer.
Ford asks NASCAR to OK Mustang for Cup in 2013
Friday, February 11, 2011, 7:11:00 PM
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Ford Motor Co. wants to race its Mustang in NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series beginning in 2013.
Earnhardt Jr. tops early practice chart
Friday, February 11, 2011, 6:31:00 PM
Speeds from the first Shootout practice at Daytona International Speedway on Friday, Feb. 11, 2001:
The 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup schedule
Friday, February 11, 2011, 3:43:00 PM
The 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule, including start times and network coverage:
NASCAR 'still gathering facts' on driver's DUI arrest
Friday, February 11, 2011, 2:20:00 PM
NASCAR officials said Thursday they are “still gathering facts” about driver Michael Annett’s drunken driving arrest.
Racing replacing team at Ohio ballpark
Friday, February 11, 2011, 12:39:00 PM
Auto racing is on track to replace baseball at the former home of the minor league Columbus Clippers.
F1's Kubica: I'll be back, stronger
Friday, February 11, 2011, 12:02:00 PM
Formula One driver Robert Kubica says he'll be back stronger after his crash in a rally event in northern Italy.
NASCAR's 2011: Some surprises, but not at top
Friday, February 11, 2011, 9:29:00 AM
Jim Utter: We already know about NASCAR's Chase changes, so it’s time to make some predictions for the new season.
What does a pickup truck have to do with an F1 Ferrari?
Friday, February 11, 2011, 9:28:00 AM
Ferrari will only use the full name of its new F1 car following a trademark dispute with Ford.
Injured Kubica to receive papal relics
Friday, February 11, 2011, 9:26:00 AM
Poland's TVN24 reports Pope John Paul II's former secretary is giving papal relics to injured Formula One driver Robert Kubica.
Champion has new crew, same confidence
Friday, February 11, 2011, 6:12:00 AM
With a fifth consecutive Sprint Cup Series championship in hand, a short offseason and few rules changes, Jimmie Johnson would appear ready to pick up where he left off as the 2011 NASCAR season gets under way.
Hamlin credits Jordan in Nike deal
Thursday, February 10, 2011, 7:50:00 PM
Denny Hamlin has signed an endorsement deal with Nike's Jordan brand, and will sport the "jumpman" logo on his fire suit and gloves this season.
Robby Gordon, Dodge reach deal
Thursday, February 10, 2011, 7:50:00 PM
Dodge's Sprint Cup fleet increased by 50 percent on Thursday.
Waltrip anticipated the questions, but ...
Thursday, February 10, 2011, 7:49:00 PM
Michael Waltrip knew the questions were coming and tried to gather his thoughts in advance so he'd be ready to answer.
Who does Kevin Harvick fear most?
Thursday, February 10, 2011, 6:52:00 PM
Jim Utter: Kevin Harvick's new sponsor is hosting a roast of the driver in Daytona Beach, Fla.
A Daytona Q&A with Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Thursday, February 10, 2011, 6:05:00 PM
A transcript from the question-and-answer session at Daytona International Speedway with driver Dale Earnhardt Jr.:
A Daytona Q&A with Kevin Harvick
Thursday, February 10, 2011, 5:19:00 PM
A transcript from a question and answer session with driver Kevin Harvick at Daytona International Speedway:
NASCAR hall posts largest monthly loss
Thursday, February 10, 2011, 1:21:00 PM
The NASCAR Hall of Fame lost $327,041 in December, the largest monthly deficit since the hall opened in May.
A Daytona Q&A with Brad Keselowski
Thursday, February 10, 2011, 1:08:00 PM
The transcript from a question-and-answer session with driver Brad Keselowski at Daytona International Speedway:
5-time champ gets new pit crew
Thursday, February 10, 2011, 12:52:00 PM
Jimmie Johnson may be a five-time Sprint Cup Series champion but his pit crew this season will be looking for its first championship.
Massa fastest as F1 tests without Kubica
Thursday, February 10, 2011, 12:45:00 PM
Felipe Massa was fastest in testing as Formula One returned to the track.
Media poll: Johnson will win 6th
Thursday, February 10, 2011, 11:33:00 AM
The people who cover stock car racing are predicting a "six-peat" for Jimmie Johnson in 2011, according to NASCAR's preseason polling.
NASCAR driver also cited in 2010 wreck
Thursday, February 10, 2011, 11:33:00 AM
NASCAR driver Michael Annett has been charged with driving while impaired, texting while driving and resisting an officer after he ran into another car in Mooresville early Sunday.
F1's Kubica leaves intensive care
Thursday, February 10, 2011, 11:05:00 AM
Injured Renault driver Robert Kubica has left intensive care and has been transferred to the trauma ward.
Charges against Goldberg dismissed
Wednesday, February 09, 2011, 6:40:00 PM
Prosecutors has dismissed public indecency and disorderly conduct charges against Neil Goldberg, a former motorsports producer for ESPN, according to Connecticut criminal online records cited by sportingnews.com.
Inman's call was another winner for Petty
Wednesday, February 09, 2011, 6:24:00 PM
Tom Higgins: Dale Inman had spent nearly 30 years racing with the Pettys.
Heidfeld to test with Lotus Renault
Wednesday, February 09, 2011, 6:02:00 PM
German driver Nick Heidfeld will test with Lotus Renault as the Formula One team looks to replace the injured Robert Kubica.
Patrick trims her NASCAR schedule
Wednesday, February 09, 2011, 5:45:00 PM
Danica Patrick is trimming her NASCAR schedule by a race.
Changes set after Phoenix weekend
Wednesday, February 09, 2011, 12:13:00 PM
Phoenix International Raceway will undergo its first major track paving project in 20 years after hosting the first of its two NASCAR races later this month.
Williams reveals value, share price
Wednesday, February 09, 2011, 12:07:00 PM
Williams F1 revealed details of next month's initial public offering, valuing what will become the first publicly traded Formula One team at $361.3 million.
NASCAR has few answers for issues
Wednesday, February 09, 2011, 4:00:00 AM
Jenna Fryer: NASCAR entered its brief offseason with several nagging problems, intending to fix as many as possible. But unfinished business includes sagging television ratings, alarming attendance drops and apathy from new and old fans alike.
Mayfield retracts statements made about stepmother
Wednesday, February 09, 2011, 12:13:00 AM
Suspended NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield issued a public written apology to his stepmother, Lisa Mayfield, on Tuesday, part of a settlement to a 2009 slander lawsuit she filed in Iredell County.
Girl needs marrow transplant; Labonte wants to help
Tuesday, February 08, 2011, 1:03:00 AM
A 6-year-old girl fighting for her life against leukemia has touched the hearts of Charlotteans, and their outpouring of support could help other cancer patients, too.
NASCAR driver charged with DWI in wreck
Tuesday, February 08, 2011, 1:00:00 AM
NASCAR driver Michael Annett has been charged with driving while impaired, texting while driving and resisting an officer after he ran into another car in Mooresville early Sunday.
Glad to be back, Vickers eyes NASCAR goals
Tuesday, February 08, 2011, 12:56:00 AM
There was a time last summer when Brian Vickers wasn’t certain he would live, let alone race again.
Speed TV will broadcast spring Richmond Nationwide race
Monday, February 07, 2011, 6:15:00 PM
Lucky Dog: A combination of the NFL Draft and NBA Playoffs will send the April 29 NASCAR Nationwide Series race off ESPN and to Speed Channel this year.
Danica Patrick revived, ready after quiet offseason
Monday, February 07, 2011, 11:39:00 AM
Danica Patrick is planning to spend Super Bowl Sunday at home in Arizona, away from the hustle and bustle, not to mention the cold weather.
How does real-life Wendell Scott story end?
Monday, February 07, 2011, 11:36:00 AM
Bob Henry: Some people in NASCAR like to call Wendell Scott “the Jackie Robinson of motorsports.”
F1's Robert Kubica fights to regain full use of hand
Sunday, February 06, 2011, 11:12:00 PM
Robert Kubica will need up to a year to regain full use of his right hand, according to the surgeon who operated on the Formula One driver after his rally car accident on Sunday.
'Legend of lowriders' leads owner's funeral procession
Sunday, February 06, 2011, 2:53:00 PM
"Gypsy Rose," an iconic and award-winning Chevy Impala lowrider, led its owner's funeral procession through East L.A. on Saturday.
Another hall honors Richter
Saturday, February 05, 2011, 11:35:00 PM
Les Richter, who was a senior NASCAR and track executive after his NFL career, has been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Fire causes minor damage at Joe Gibbs Racing
Saturday, February 05, 2011, 12:14:00 AM
A fire in the engine shop at Joe Gibbs Racing in Huntersville on Friday morning caused no injuries and left minor damage mostly from smoke and water, a team official said.
Students get technical, courtesy of Kahne and NASCAR hall
Friday, February 04, 2011, 7:24:00 PM
NASCAR team engineer Keith Rodden uses a paper airplane in showing seventh-graders how science and math affect their everyday lives.
Does ESPN air the entire Nationwide Series schedule or not?
Friday, February 04, 2011, 5:52:00 PM
With a Nationwide Series race and the NFL draft both on the calendar, does ESPN have a conflict?
Penske pares Dodge teams to 2
Friday, February 04, 2011, 5:00:00 PM
Dodge’s Sprint Cup lineup in 2011 has gotten smaller but perhaps more potent.
McLaren rolls out new F1 car
Friday, February 04, 2011, 12:09:00 PM
Recent world champions Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button saw their new Formula One car for the first time when it was unveiled by McLaren at a public event in Berlin on Friday.
'Top Gear' remarks prompt apology
Friday, February 04, 2011, 11:36:00 AM
The BBC has apologized to Mexico's ambassador for remarks on its "Top Gear" program that described Mexicans as lazy and oafish.
Hamlin a favorite to give Toyota a title
Thursday, February 03, 2011, 4:01:00 PM
The Cup series is the only one of NASCAR's top three series in which Toyota has not won a manufacturer or driver's championship.
Court: France divorce case can be public
Thursday, February 03, 2011, 3:09:00 PM
NASCAR Chairman Brian France's messy divorce and legal dispute with his ex-wife should play out in open court, the N.C. Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday.
Roundup: 'New' cars and new crews
Thursday, February 03, 2011, 1:46:00 PM
A brief sampling of what's being written about racing, the issues, personalities and more – 02.03.11.
Drivers on edge as 1961 Daytona 500 green flag nears
Thursday, February 03, 2011, 12:32:00 PM
Tom Higgins: Fireball Roberts was the fastest qualifier for this Daytona 500. And at 155.709 mph, he was heavily favored.
Kubica fastest in F1's first session
Thursday, February 03, 2011, 12:31:00 PM
Lotus Renault driver Robert Kubica finished Formula One's first test session of the season with the quickest time.
Officials tout NASCAR Hall of Fame opportunities with 2012 party convention
Wednesday, February 02, 2011, 7:10:00 PM
City officials say the NASCAR Hall of Fame was an asset in Charlotte’s effort to win the 2012 Democratic National Convention.
Drivers on edge as 1961's Daytona 500 gets ready to go
Wednesday, February 02, 2011, 4:22:00 PM
Tom Higgins: Fireball Roberts was the fastest qualifier for this Daytona 500. And at at 155.709 mph, he was heavily favored.
Rounding up some of the other reports
Wednesday, February 02, 2011, 2:22:00 PM
A brief sampling of what's being written about racing, the issues, personalities and more – 02.02.11.
Deal closed on sale of Memphis track
Tuesday, February 01, 2011, 5:34:00 PM
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Moroso Investment Partners, the ownership group of Palm Beach International Raceway, has closed the transaction on purchasing the Memphis Motorsports Park from Dover Motorsports Inc. for $2 million.
Would a HANS device have saved Dale Earnhardt in 2001 Daytona wreck?
Tuesday, February 01, 2011, 5:32:00 PM
HANS Performance Products released a question-and-answer transcript on Tuesday with Jim Downing, co-founder of HPP, dealing with a number of safety issues surrounding the death of Dale Earnhardt in a last lap wreck in the 2001 Daytona 500.
Schumacher, Mercedes look to turn F1 fortunes around
Tuesday, February 01, 2011, 8:17:00 AM
VALENCIA, Spain – Michael Schumacher's hopes of turning around his return to Formula One began Tuesday in testing the new Mercedes car.
Finish boosts McDreamy
Tuesday, February 01, 2011, 8:08:00 AM
No, weary race fans were not dreaming when they checked the leaderboard at daybreak of the Rolex 24 at Daytona.
New-look Lotus hungry for F1 wins
Tuesday, February 01, 2011, 7:17:00 AM
VALENCIA, Spain– Lotus Renault is using a vintage look to signal it's ready to make the jump from podiums to victories in 2011.
Perez focused on Sauber as Ferrari looms
Tuesday, February 01, 2011, 7:14:00 AM
VALENCIA, Spain – Mexican driver Sergio Perez is staying focused on his first Formula One season with Sauber despite a possible move to Ferrari.
Ganassi sweeps top 2 spots in Rolex 24
Sunday, January 30, 2011, 7:56:00 PM
America's longest endurance race came down to a one-lap sprint. No surprise, the winner ended up being the guy with more wins in the Grand-Am Series than anybody else.
Bowles wins All-Star Showdown
Sunday, January 30, 2011, 8:16:00 AM
IRWINDALE, Calif. – Jason Bowles won the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown on Saturday night, beating Canadian D.J. Kennington by 0.501 seconds on the half-mile track.
Saturday night's race results
Sunday, January 30, 2011, 8:02:00 AM
Results from Saturday's NASCAR K&N Pro Series-All-Star Showdown at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale, Calif. (Starting position in parentheses.):
Logano expects to run for Chase
Saturday, January 29, 2011, 7:52:00 PM
Joey Logano is smarter, more mature, more experienced and this season also more confident.
The Daly Planet
-February 23, 2011
Here Comes Travis Pastrana
February 23, 2011 | noreply@blogger.com (Daly Planet Editor)
If you think Danica Patrick came to NASCAR with lots of fans already in tow,
get ready for a very interesting weekend in Phoenix. Travis Pastrana and his
public relations juggernaut is chugging into NASCAR land.
It's only a K&N Series race, but Pastrana in his Boost Mobile Toyota out of
the MWR shops looks to be a major story. When is the last time a K&N Series
driver was interviewed by satellite on SPEED's Race Hub in
only their second race? Pastrana will join host Steve Byrnes on Thursday at 7PM.
“I can’t wait to get back in the race car this week," said Pastrana in a
press release. "We had a very successful debut at Irwindale last month and
I learned a lot during the race. I don’t think our goals have change from our
debut. We want to go out there and make laps and learn as much as we can. I
haven’t been able to test at Phoenix so I am going to have to spend most of the
practice time just learning the best way around the track."
Pastrana has been over in New Zealand performing with the Nitro Circus. Click
here for a little taste of that extravaganza. It is from this
background that Pastrana comes to NASCAR.
Now 27 years old, Pastrana has the ability to bring an entirely new group of
fans to the sport and the PIR weekend should be interesting to watch. Although
he will not make his official Nationwide Series debut until Indy in July,
Pastrana is the same type of marketing machine as Danica.
When Ms. Patrick walked into the sport, it was TV that rushed to document her
every move. Now that moment is long gone and Patrick looks a lot like just
another struggling open-wheeler who doesn't get it. Even after a push to the
front at Daytona, it was clear that Patrick hasn't come close to mastering the
stock car skills needed at this level.
Pastrana has no such problems. Much like Trevor Bayne, Pastrana has no bad
habits to break and no luggage from another series to carry as he arrives. An
11-time XGames gold medal winner, Pastrana's background is speed mixed with
safety. He showed that in Irwindale, where he took home sixth place in the
Toyota Shootout.
Click here to
visit the Pastrana website, that will give you a much better overview of the
successful and sophisticated athlete that has targeted NASCAR as his next goal.
It should be interesting to see just how much media Pastrana generates and how
often he appears on SPEED, ESPN and even FOX during the PIR racing weekend.
Please feel free to share your opinion on another high-profile star coming to
NASCAR with money, a good car and a big marketing agenda. To add your opinion,
just click on the comments button below. This is a family-friendly website,
please keep that in mind when posting. Thanks for taking the time to stop by The Daly Planet.
Trevormania: The TV Aftermath
February 22, 2011, 9:53:29 AM | noreply@blogger.com (Daly
Planet Editor)
The irony of the quick interview of Trevor Bayne by FOX's Krista Voda in
Victory Lane was made clear once the race telecast was over. Actively or
passively, Bayne subsequently appeared on more media outlets than any Daytona
500 winner in history. He was a media dream.
After handling the liveshots for various TV shows in Victory Lane once FOX was
done, Bayne then worked his way through the Victory Lane show
on SPEED and NASCAR Now on ESPN later Sunday
night. By then, it was clear that the camera just loved this driver.
Monday morning saw the Daytona 500 highlights and soundbites from Bayne
featured on cable news networks, local TV stations and ESPN's various channels.
Still smiling, Bayne then handled the satellite interviews from Daytona USA as
the 500 car was put on display.
The next stop was ESPN and a turn in the company car wash. That is the current
term used to describe a person who is whisked through the media giant's TV,
radio and online channels in one day and then spit out into the parking lot
with a handshake.
Instead of a babbling mess, Bayne walked through the various ESPN programs with
maturity and good humor. He delivered a positive message for NASCAR that sports
TV viewers had not seen or heard in a long time. Here was a smart, young person
who was excited about racing.
Rusty Wallace had some airplane issues and was unable to fly into Bristol for
the big Monday one-hour NASCAR Now show.
It might have been kismet. Instead, Bayne sat with just host Allen Bestwick and
reporter Marty Smith for the entire hour.
This long-form program allowed Bayne to talk about all kinds of diverse issues.
It clicked. The always structured Bestwick led him through the topics that race
fans wanted to hear while Smith leaned back and brought some outstanding
questions from the journalism side of the aisle.
Along the way, Bayne never faltered. He was never mean, never grouchy and never
made an on-air joke at another's expense. In speaking with David Pearson by
phone on the show, Bayne reported to him that he had followed Pearson's advice
and simply tried to be careful in order to finish.
It should be noted here that for once ESPN's SportsCenter
put together an outstanding edited feature on the race, Bayne's win and what it
means for the sport. Brian Williams of the NBC Nightly News made
his contribution with a very nice story on the impact of an outsider and fresh
face taking one of the biggest prizes in the sport.
Despite the continuing lunacy of stick-and-ball curmudgeons on shows like Around the Horn and Pardon the
Interruption, ESPN in general handled the subject matter quite
well and gave the Daytona 500 and NASCAR unprecedented exposure.
The polar opposite of Allen Bestwick is Steve Byrnes. Casual on the Race Hub set in Charlotte, Byrnes used his unique style
to have fun with Bayne in an interview taped via satellite from Daytona USA.
Bestwick keeps it professional, while Byrnes makes it personal.
Bayne again sold himself, the Wood Brothers, Ford and NASCAR with little
effort. His enthusiasm and previous interactions with Byrnes made it clear to
SPEED viewers that this was the type of star lurking in the Nationwide Series
and looking for a future.
For the race telecast, FOX reported an 8.7 cable rating which translates to
15.6 million homes. That's only one point higher than last season, but there
was some interesting data released. Some of Nielsen's top ten metered markets
turned impressive numbers.
In Chicago, viewership was up 61%, in New York 32% and in Los Angeles 46%.
Needless to say, those are some key markets for NASCAR with tracks and races in
two of those cities. Another good tidbit was that ratings started higher from
the green flag and then peaked for the finish. That means a whole lot of people
stayed put.
NASCAR.com passes along the incredible number of 11.2 million pageviews on
Sunday, with 3 million additional pageviews from mobile devices. There is
little doubt that the upcoming focus on the sport's media outreach will center
on an increased online presence that is user-friendly and driven by video and
social media content.
Update: Wood Brothers will be in Phoenix and Bayne will run in both series.
Thank you for the information.
For one rather glorious 24 hour period, NASCAR got the kind of national media
spark that it cannot buy, create or command. It should be very interesting to
see how FOX, ESPN and SPEED handle the transition of Bayne back into mediocrity
and what each network does to try and keep the NASCAR ball rolling in the right
direction.
We welcome your comments on this topic. To add your opinion, just click on the
comments button below. This is a family-friendly website, please keep that in
mind when posting. Thank you for taking the time to stop by The Daly Planet.
TV Police: FOX Handcuffed In Daytona
Monday, February 21, 2011, 1:21:15 PM | noreply@blogger.com
(Daly Planet Editor)
The substantive changes in the NASCAR on FOX telecast
of the Daytona 500 were apparent from the start of the pre-race show. Then, the
green flag dropped.
FOX impressed for the entire hour before the race as the network unveiled a new
infield set that allowed Chris Myers, Jeff Hammond and Darrell Waltrip to leave
the sterile confines of the Hollywood Hotel and get out among the fans.
Myers dropped the act he has perfected over the years playing the fool and
instead brought his professional TV presence to the program. It made all the
difference. Waltrip was not in charge this time and Myers did a tremendously
effective job of directing traffic before the race.
As this is the first race of the season, FOX again mixed some features designed
to provide an update for casual fans with news and some entertainment. The
entertainment is part of the Daytona TV deal. The features worked to remember
the history of this race and the anniversary of Dale Earnhardt Sr.'s passing.
This was the most effective and focused NASCAR on FOX pre-race
show in four years. Not only for Daytona, but for any race covered by the
network. The power of having happy fans shown on national TV at a NASCAR race
cannot be underestimated.
Martina McBride delivered a tremendous version of the national anthem and the
Thunderbirds on the flyover made it almost perfect. Then, FOX encountered the
issue that many believed was going to deeply affect the race this season. Even
after attempts by NASCAR, the only way to race was in teams of two and that was
the order of the day.
Despite bringing super slo-mo and a thermal imaging cam, FOX was thoroughly
handcuffed by the actual racing on the track from the drop of the green flag. The
two car drafting partners completely changed the scoring, call of the race and
the ability of TV to choose the pictures.
Darrell Waltrip continues to be a powerful presence, but his on-air comments
are now often wrapped in personal emotion and contain opinions based on family,
friends and politics. Waltrip had a very long week working for SPEED, but to
his credit he stayed focused on the endless on-track issues as the saga
unfolded.
Mike Joy continues to be a presence in the booth that brings a balance to this
team. Once again this year, he allowed the comments of others to be heard in
full while filling-in the details and providing the commentary that the sport
has come to know so very well.
The FOX production team tried early on to repeat the pattern of in-car cameras
and tight shots, but the racing on the track made that impossible. Wideshots
were the order of the day, simply to be able to see the two-car groups gaining
speed and then passing each other.
The pit reporters were muted, only because tires were not an issue and there
were many chances for teams to get fuel. Updates on drivers out of the race
were done in a timely fashion and the questions were on target. It was not an
easy task to explain to the viewing public exactly what was going on.
As expected, the close of the race was a mess on the track. TV followed the
chaos, it was explained as it happened and the final portions of the event were
commercial free. We may never really know what FOX had in mind for this event,
because the two-car drafting handcuffs were placed on them early and never
removed.
After every race we take an opportunity to allow you to offer your comments on
the Spint Cup Series telecasts. This is a rather unique post because of the
nature of the racing, but here we go. Happy to have your comments on the NASCAR on FOX coverage of the Daytona 500.
To add your opinion, just click on the comments button below. This is a
family-friendly website, please keep that in mind when posting. Thank you for
taking the time to stop by The Daly Planet.
Live Blogging Sprint Cup Series From Daytona (12PM - FOX)
Sunday, February 20, 2011, 5:43:49 PM | noreply@blogger.com
(Daly Planet Editor)
The NASCAR on FOX team comes out of the
gate in 2011 trying to get different results from exactly the same
personalities in front of and behind the cameras. It's going to be a tall task
to get the momentum flowing in the right direction where NASCAR fans and TV are
concerned.
As you can tell from the picture above, the theme of this one is going to be
Dale Earnhardt Jr. trying to win the race on the 10th anniversary of his
father's passing. Fans will once again hold up three fingers on lap 3 of the
race. Keep an eye on how FOX handles this topic during the event.
Chris Myers is back in the Hollywood Hotel and it should be interesting to see
if he continues the same act of being Mr. Confused. In fact, Myers is now in
his second season of hosting Inside NASCAR on
Showtime. Myers has a long history in TV as an informed and sophisticated
on-air professional.
Darrell Waltrip and Jeff Hammond join Myers for the pre-race show. Hammond has
been outstanding this season with focused TV comments and an informed presence.
Waltrip has been overused by SPEED and the result has been a tired guy who is
talking too much. A well-rested Waltrip is going to be needed for this race
that promises to have a very different dynamic.
Mike Joy and Larry McReynolds join Waltrip in the booth for the race. This mix
has been effective for many years, but Waltrip's non-stop chatter last year at
this event set the tone for what was to be a rough season. If the producer
allows Joy to take charge and direct traffic, things should be fine.
Steve Byrnes, Krista Voda, Matt Yocum and Dick Berggren are the top of the heap
in terms of pit road reporters. A diverse group of professionals with other
interests and TV projects, FOX has failed to effectively use their talents for
several seasons. Hopefully, a new focus on information will allow them more air
time.
There is no RaceBuddy for the FOX races this
season. That means during TV commercials fans have nowhere to continue watching
the race. NASCAR.com has a live leaderboard but no free scanners. Basically,
FOX and the radio are the only two information sources for the event.
FOX has not embraced social media and there is no focused location for tweets
or Facebook conversation with fans during the telecast. Darrell Waltrip has an
active Twitter account, so it should be interesting to see if he will be
interacting with fans from the TV booth during the race.
The network has FLIR technology, new in-car camera angles and a race where two
cars can pull away from the pack. It's an interesting combination of elements
where making TV is concerned. FOX has a long history of overusing in-car
angles, trying to build drama and focusing on the winner instead of all the
finishers.
There are four years left in the current TV contract. In reality, FOX may well
have only four more cracks at covering the Daytona 500. After last season's
pothole issues and the erosion of TV viewers, the pressure is on to deliver a
memorable and informative telecast.
We will use this post to host your comments on the TV coverage of the Daytona
500 on FOX. To add your opinion, just click on the comments button below. This
is a family-friendly website, please keep that in mind when posting. Thank you
for taking the time to stop by The Daly Planet for
the fifth season.
Live Blogging Nationwide Series From Daytona (12PM - ESPN2)
Saturday, February 19, 2011, 11:45:54 AM |
noreply@blogger.com (Daly Planet Editor)
The ESPN boys had all winter to lick their wounds and recover from the thumping
they took in the media and with the fans about the TV coverage of both the
Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series down the stretch last season.
Now, instead of making changes in the broadcast line-up, the only news is that
Rusty Wallace's TV contract has been extended through 2014. That is the current
end of ESPN's NASCAR agreement to cover the sport. The fact that Ray Evernham
quietly stepped away wasn't even a blip on the radar.
In ESPN's world, everything is always fine. In reality, it certainly is not.
Marty Reid struggled with the sport and his play-by-play down the stretch was
off-balance. He returns to this role today with the Nationwide Series race from
Daytona.
Alongside of Reid are Dale Jarrett and Andy Petree. It should be interesting to
see if Jarrett takes this role and expresses his opinion or continues to be
just a bit too polite and far too politically correct. Jarrett still has
tremendous credibility and he could be the key to returning ESPN to a position
of authority in the sport.
Consistency has defined Andy Petree but the faces around him have continually
changed. He started with Rusty Wallace alongside, then the next season Jerry
Punch left and Reid came aboard. His original producer is gone and this year he
again is cast in the role of the third guy in the booth.
Allen Bestwick will lead the Infield Pit Studio group. Wallace and Brad
Daugherty are alongside and assuming their normal roles. Wallace gets agitated
and intense, while Daugherty speaks in broad and general terms about any topic
in the sport. While Bestwick is the best in the business on TV right now, he is
surrounded by a less than stellar cast but still makes the best of it.
There really is nothing to say about Tim Brewer and the Tech Garage. He is cast
in the role of making guesses about incidents on the track and is often
completely incorrect. His updates on the very basics of the sport make fans
feel stupid. In his fifth season in this role, it should be interesting to see
how he is presented.
Jamie Shiftan is the new ESPN producer. He is popular with the crew, a
homegrown production veteran and maintains good relationships with almost
everyone in the sport. The reaction when he was named to this position was
overwhelmingly positive. Now, it is his turn to make the TV donuts beginning
with the biggest race of the Nationwide Series season.
This blog will host your TV-related comments as we watch the pre-race and race
coverage from Daytona. To add your opinion, just click on the comments button
below. This is a family-friendly website, please keep that in mind when
posting. Thank you for taking the time today to stop by The Daly Planet.
Live Blogging Trucks in Daytona (SPEED - 7PM)
Friday, February 18, 2011, 6:52:33 PM | noreply@blogger.com
(Daly Planet Editor)
The familiar feel of the Camping World Truck Series TV package comes back
tonight in Daytona. One face is gone, however, and a new one steps in.
Adam Alexander has left the truck TV package to anchor the new SPEED Center show back in Charlotte, NC. It will be
Hermie Sadler stepping in to fill his shoes for the entire season. Sadler will
also continue his reporter duties on the RaceDay show for the
network as well.
Krista Voda kicks off another season as the host of the pre-race show and
sometimes a pit road reporter. Voda's style has always meshed well with this
series and she has proven her value to NASCAR and SPEED for many years.
Rick Allen will call the race with Phil Parsons. These two have been the core
of the TV package in the booth for a long time. Tonight, Darrell Waltrip steps
in because younger brother Michael is racing.
Yes, Michael has an in-truck camera and it should be interesting to see how the
producer manages the contact between the two Waltrips. These two have been on a
self-promotion tour this week and frankly, it's getting to be too much.
Ray Dunlap will be returning to anchor pit road along with Sadler. Watching
these two this season should be fun. This is the first opportunity for Sadler
to put his personal stamp on something for the entire season. This assignment
is quite different than the scripted RaceDay program.
The same producer and director return as well, two guys who strive to produce
old school television coverage that focuses on the racing and the drivers
instead of fancy TV gizmo's and announcer personalities.
The field is packed with a ton of personalities from Kyle Busch to 18 year-old
Johanna Long. No two-by-two drafting in this series. The trucks should put on a
good show.
This post will serve to host your comments on the Camping World Truck Series
race from Dayton on SPEED. To add your opinion, just click on the comments
button below. This is a family-friendly website, please keep that in mind when
posting. Thanks for stopping by.
Earnhardt Stories: We All Got 'Em
Friday, February 18, 2011, 10:44:01 AM | noreply@blogger.com
(Daly Planet Editor)
Lots of fans have been asking about Dale Earnhardt Sr. and his life and times.
It's pretty easy to find a record of his accomplishments on the track and a
history of his family life, but there is a lot more.
For those of us who worked in NASCAR television in the 80's and 90's, there was
little doubt that sooner or later you would encounter Big E. He was a street
smart person who could size someone up pretty quickly and had little patience
for those with agendas.
Times were different then. Drivers stayed at hotels and ate out locally with
everyone else. Lots of problems got solved in hotel bars and sometimes others
got started. It wasn't as shiny, corporate or polished. It was a lot of fun.
We are going to encourage folks to add their own Dale Sr. stories on this blog
post and see how it goes. I'll start with one of mine. It all began when NASCAR
decided to branch out and go race at the Brickyard.
At the time, I was working at Sunbelt Video in Charlotte, NC. This company
produced Inside Winston Cup Racing for TNN,
did a ton of corporate work for sponsors at the track and generally was responsible
for archiving NASCAR race footage. Back then, NASCAR wanted nothing to do with
the TV business.
NASCAR decided to create a kind of temporary theme park on the IU-PUI campus
with different kinds of interactive stock car attractions. It was designed to
get folks in that area up to speed on the sport. It was going to be called
NASCAR World.
Sunbelt Video was asked to handle the TV part and gladly said yes. Basically, a
big high-tech tent was put in place and inside we built a stage and bleachers for
an audience. The idea was to bring in several hundred fans during the days
before the race and have radio and TV shows originate from the site.
Back then, This Week in NASCAR with Eli Gold
was a weekly one-hour show that featured a driver on live TV answering
questions from the audience and phone callers. The featured driver on the final
night before the race was going to be Dale Earnhardt Sr.
When practical jokes are played, I am not the one involved in setting them up.
As I have been reminded many times in my TV life, I am a wonderful victim. At
various times on the road I have been duct taped into my hotel room, put on the
wrong flight and famously had my legs shaved by a college women's swim team.
That wasn't pretty.
I had absolutely nothing for Dale Earnhardt and he knew it. I was a Boy Scout
and he was a heavyweight boxer. I knew my role and this show in Indy was going
to be a big moment for both of us. He was set to be driven to the show by a
police car and was right on time.
Eli was already on stage, the entire house was packed and Earnhardt was the
reason. All he had to do was walk up three little steps, come out from behind
Eli and take a seat. I shook his hand, said thanks for coming and left him in
the hands of the Stage Manager.
I wanted to see the fans, so I walked around to the front of the big tent and
then inside. It had been closed off a while back after being filled with fans
in black shirts with the number three on everything they wore. It was just a
couple of minutes until air time, the crowd was screaming and everything was
perfect.
The show hit the air live, Eli said his hellos and then went to a quick
commercial before introducing Earnhardt. It was electric. One of the ushers we
hired stood next to me and as Eli began to introduce Dale I said to him quietly
that this was going to be fun. Then, it happened.
The usher said, "You think?" I recognized the voice. My head
swiveled. Staring me in the face about three inches from my nose was Earnhardt.
Eli was looking back for him, the crowd was now standing and the only thing
Earnhardt wanted to do was watch me turn a shade of purple that cannot be
accurately described in the English language.
Before I could decide to scream, faint or have a heart attack he was gone. He
happily walked up the aisle of screaming fans from behind carefully knocking
the baseball hats off the ones on the end of the rows. When he got to the chest
high stage he got a running start, jumped up on it and slowly stood up. The
entire place went nuts.
Eli is a pro who is used to driver antics and he got Earnhardt in the chair. It
was finally occurring to the chosen fans that their heads had gotten the famous
Earnhardt swat as he came down the aisle. The Dale show was in full effect and
yet only two of us knew the reality.
As Eli started into his opening remarks, Earnhardt was slowly unveiling the one
trait that every single person who knew him had experienced. As I stood there
shaking my head and wondering if my heart would return to a normal rhythm, I
was the recipient of one of the most famous shit-eating grins in the known
universe.
What made it more special to him was that none of the screaming fans, the show
host or even the producer knew what had happened. Earnhardt had seen his
opportunity, taken it and was now basking in the glow of his achievement. I
just had to sit down.
That's one of my Earnhardt TV stories. Others that have been told to me over
the years involve his boating adventures, various activities around town during
race weeks and scaring the heck out of fans by stopping by their infield
campers.
If you have been around for a while in the sport as a fan or a working type,
please feel free to share a story or anecdote about Dale Sr. with us. I
appreciate our Twitter friends for encouraging me to offer this topic. To add
your comment, just click the comments button below. Thanks for stopping by.
Trucks Ready To Steal TV Spotlight
Friday, February 18, 2011, 10:43:09 AM | noreply@blogger.com
(Daly Planet Editor)
While the Sprint Cup Series still has the established superstars and the
Nationwide Series boasts dynamite new cars, this weekend it just might be the
Camping World Trucks stealing the TV spotlight in Daytona.
Throughout practice sessions and now after the Gatorade Duels, it's become
apparent that the Sprint Cup Series is going to look like well, click
here for a wonderful video of the chain races at Bowman Gray
Stadium. Two cars, forever locked, until something bad happens. Motorsports
ballet if you will.
We also saw a bunch of the Sprint Cup guys cross-over and do the same thing in
the Nationwide Series cars. They were even switching partners in practice just
to find out how the bumpers of the different manufacturers lined-up. The
Nationwide Series race could also be a story of the best two-car drafters
having a big advantage.
Meanwhile, over in truck land there is a whole lot of shaking going on. A ton
of good drivers did not make the race, including Mike Skinner, Rick Crawford
and Tayler Malsam. Ultimately, the starting grid for the race is an incredible
mix of motorsports personalities.
While Austin Dillon capturing the pole might be expected, Ricky Carmichael and
18 year-old Johanna Long, pictured above, sneaking into the top five certainly
was not. Experienced drivers like Kyle Busch, Elliott Sadler and Aric Almirola
will be racing with Jeffrey Earnhardt, Miguel Paludo and Craig Goess Jr.
Even good old Michael Waltrip decided to take a ride in this one. He is joined
by hard-charging Johnny Sauter and truck series veteran Todd Bodine. There is
no lack of speed in the field and none of the start-and-park chaos that dogged
this series in 2010.
SPEED knows it suddenly has an opportunity to outshine ESPN and FOX. Instead of
a cult classic, this may well be the season that the trucks move up the ladder
in terms of respect among the competitors and the NASCAR media. In addition to
the new faces, there is a neat twist in the series coverage.
Ford Trucks is the company that has made arrangements to sponsor TruckBuddy for
every single race this season. That means at NASCAR.com the free four-box live
video application with sound, scoring and social media chat will be ready to
roll.
This is the first of NASCAR's three national touring series to offer an online
video companion for all the races. While this does not have all the bells and
whistles of the RaceBuddy app used on TNT's Sprint Cup Series races, that's not
an issue.
The truck series has always been different and prided itself on that. New faces
have come while others have gone as drivers on different career paths converged
in this interesting form of racing. The one constant along the way has been TV
coverage.
SPEED picked-up the entire series in the last TV contract and got off to a slow
start. The race coverage developed into a strong presentation, but the network
offered absolutely no support programming in terms of a weekly show. Fans got
the pre-race, the race and a nice goodbye until next time.
This year, SPEED has come slamming out of the gate with a mature Race Hub program backed by additional live shows from the
tracks. Steve Byrnes and company have made sure to provide the truck series
with a lot of exposure it has been lacking.
All of a sudden, a series that in one race featured over 20 trucks starting and
parking of 36 total now looks very different. Live TV coverage for practice,
qualifying and the races. RaceBuddy for every single race free to fans online
worldwide. Support programming in the form of Race Hub four
days a week and added TV in the form of NASCAR Live from
the tracks.
NASCAR.com, Jayski and SPEED's website have all been beefing up coverage of the
trucks and that is only going to help a fan base increasingly using online resources
to follow racing. Throw in Twitter and Facebook pages for the drivers, teams
and sponsors and suddenly the Camping World folks look pretty smart for
sticking with this series.
Krista Voda hosts The Setup pre-race
show at 7PM ET Friday night to start the coverage. With Adam Alexander moving
to the new SPEED Center show on weekends, it
will be Hermie Sadler pairing with Ray Dunlap in the truck series pits this
season. Rick Allen, Phil Parsons and Darrell Waltrip will call the Daytona race
since Michael is racing.
We will live blog this race, but in the meantime feel free to add your comments
on the series, the new media and the TV coverage. To add your opinion, just
click on the comments button below. This is a family-friendly website, please
keep that in mind when posting. Thanks for taking the time to stop by The Daly Planet.
Live Blogging Gatorade Duels (SPEED - 2PM ET)
Thursday, February 17, 2011, 9:36:09 AM |
noreply@blogger.com (Daly Planet Editor)
It's a tough time of the day with most of America at work. It's not available
online from NASCAR or SPEED as a video stream. The rules are confusing and it's
basically the NASCAR on FOX production team appearing on SPEED. Welcome to the
Duels.
The twin qualifying races for the Daytona 500 are on SPEED. Krista Voda moves
into the Hollywood Hotel in place of Chris Myers, as she has for several years.
Myers is a FOX guy, not a SPEED guy. Other than that, it's Mike, DW, Larry and
the FOX gang on TV.
RaceDay kicks off the coverage at
1PM with an hour special. John Roberts, Kyle Petty and Kenny Wallace will be on
the SPEED Stage with Hermie Sadler and Wendy Venturini reporting. RaceDay is supposed to have a new look this season, we
will see.
FOX had a rough season last year and these races should be a sneak peek of what
the Daytona 500 coverage will have in store. New in-car driver angles, more
technology and additional team scanner traffic are what FOX said they would be
delivering this season. Be interesting to see if they keep if for the 500 or
use that approach here.
An edition of Victory Lane follows the second race on SPEED and is scheduled
for 5:30PM ET. Roberts, Petty and Wallace are on the show.
This post will serve to host your comments on the SPEED coverage of the
Gatorade Duels. To add your TV-related comments, just click on the comments
button below. This is a family-friendly website, please keep that in mind when
posting. Thanks for stopping by. This is year five of TDP.
Day Two: "PTI" Targets NASCAR - The Aftermath
Thursday, February 17, 2011, 5:42:41 AM |
noreply@blogger.com (Daly Planet Editor)
Update: This story was splashed all over the media on Wednesday
morning. ESPN NASCAR announcers and executives were asked about it during their
Daytona preseason press conference. PTI added Jimmie Johnson as a Wednesday
guest and he asked Tony Kornheiser to attend a race as his guest so Kornheiser
could begin to make "educated comments" about the sport.
The female reporter named by
Kornheiser, Liz Clarke of the Washington Post, appeared on Sirius NASCAR
channel 128 to clarify her comments. ESPN's top motorsports executive said
Kornheiser's comments do not reflect the views of NASCAR by ESPN.
Add to that Dale Earnhardt
Jr. who had a practice crash and will start at the rear of the field for the
Daytona 500 after switching to a back-up car. So much for leading the field to
green on national TV. This story will stay up until the live blog of the Duels
Thursday afternoon.
There are two schools of thought at ESPN where NASCAR is concerned. One group
of employees enjoys the sport as part of the motorsports landscape, while
another group is firmly convinced that NASCAR is completely fixed from top to
bottom. It was this way when I worked at ESPN back in the 1980's and it is that
way now.
Stick and ball sports are played out in the open. You make the catch against
the wall for the final out. You intercept the ball and run for a touchdown. You
shoot the puck into the net, putt the golf ball into the hole and it all seems
so simple.
The dark voodoo of NASCAR perplexes those not exposed to motorsports as just
another form of real sport. The reason ESPN has Tim Brewer on telecasts telling
us wheels are round and fuel makes cars go is because the network believes that
viewers need that basic level of assistance. In other words, people who watch
this stuff are idiots.
Over the past four seasons, there have been many hilarious moments when the
need to discuss NASCAR-related content fell to ESPN on-air employees with no
clue. SportsCenter announcers rush through brief highlights so they can return
to real sports. ESPNEWS anchors have that deer in the headlights look when a
NASCAR interview surfaces. Names are mangled, details are wrong and the sport
suffers.
The most bizarre graveyard for NASCAR on ESPN has been the weekday show called Pardon the Interruption. Originating from Washington DC,
the show features two hosts discussing sports stories of the day with a time
limit on each discussion.
Tuesday, fulltime host Tony Kornheiser was paired with Dan LeBatard, a
substitute host and writer for the Miami Herald newspaper. In the picture above
Kornheiser is on the left and LeBatard on the right. The fourth topic on the
show rundown was Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his Daytona 500 pole run.
Here is the conversation on the program that ran on ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNEWS
only days before ESPN will start NASCAR racing coverage and FOX will telecast
the Daytona 500:
LeBatard: Since we are already questioning
college football's integrity, why don't you start investigating NASCAR's too,
Mr. Restrictor Plate.
This is the 10th anniversary
of Dale Earnhardt's death, (TV) ratings are down since. Two hundred thousand
fans will hold up three fingers in his honor at the Daytona 500 on Sunday. It
just so happens that his son, Dale Earnhart Jr., has the pole position for that
race. You believe the fix is in, don't you?
Kornheiser: Well, it's a great America moment
isn't it when Dale Earnhardt Jr. at Daytona can have the pole position...a guy
who has not won a race in his last 93 starts.
There are people in and
around the NASCAR world, not just drivers but people who cover the sport as
well, who are winking at this one. Who are wondering if this wasn't a set-up
because it's the pole position, it's not winning the race.
It's just getting on the
pole, having the lead and bringing the viewers in. Dale Earnhardt Jr. is the
most popular driver for the last seven or eight years and he can't win a race.
This is a good set-up moment, is it not?
LeBatard: But is it a great American moment or
is it professional wrestling? If you're going to lob this accusation out
there...and look, I've heard the comments where people say you let something go
on the car and give a guy a certain advantage. I can't deny that Junior winning
would be good for NASCAR.
Kornheiser: Everytime he runs if he wins it's good
for NASCAR because he is the most popular guy out there and they want to get
the ratings back up. I think the suggestion here, someone I talked to who
covered auto racing for a lot of years, said she believed there was a 60%
chance that Junior qualified with a car not quite up to code and people looked
the other way.
There are no points
involved, the other drivers don't get hurt and running three good laps is not
the same as running 500 miles. Everybody in NASCAR is going to feel good about
this.
Needless to say, even though Kornheiser's comments lasted less than two
minutes, the damage done was pretty thorough. What Kornheiser did was dredge up
an issue that has plagued the sport for years. That is integrity.
Last season, Denny Hamlin was fined fifty thousand dollars for commenting on a
late caution flag in one race. All Hamlin did was say he expected it and it did
not bother him. The hint that NASCAR put out a caution to close up the field
for a better finish lightened his wallet.
Kornheiser chose to ignore almost all the reality surrounding Junior's
qualifying run in order to make his point. He chose to not reach out to NASCAR
for a comment or help with an understanding of the situation. More than that,
he did not take a moment to speak with Rusty Wallace, Dale Jarrett or Andy
Petree.
The allegation that the NFL fixed a coin toss to give the home team a favorable
starting position would cause outrage. The suggestion that Major League
Baseball allowed a corked bat for a slumping hitter to get better results would
get a phone call from the league.
What NASCAR chooses to do with this should be interesting, especially because
ESPN has a scheduled preseason press conference with all the NASCAR reporters
in the Daytona Infield Media Center at 11:30AM on Wednesday.
It will be VP of Motorsports Rich Feinberg along with Marty Reid, Dale Jarrett
and Andy Petree talking about the network's approach to NASCAR this season.
Perhaps the two analysts will be asked about one of ESPN's top rated programs
alleging that Junior was placed on the pole to help with slumping TV ratings.
It is ESPN that televises the final seventeen Sprint Cup Series races,
including the entire Chase for the Championship. Any negative fan reaction
during the off-season is a direct result of ESPN's efforts down the stretch.
Kornheiser was once suspended for remarking on the retro 80's fashion sense of
a certain female ESPN anchor. In this case, he simply alleges that one of the
top professional sports in North America orchestrated the pole position for the
biggest Sprint Cup Series race of the season.
We welcome your comments on this topic and will update this post after the
morning press conference. To add your opinion, just click on the comments
button below. This is a family-friendly website, please keep that in mind when
posting. Thanks for taking the time to stop by.
Bud Shootout TV Comments
Monday, February 14, 2011, 11:35:46 AM | noreply@blogger.com
(Daly Planet Editor)
The NASCAR on FOX gang made no changes in the off-season and is bringing back
the same on-air group of announcers. Some folks find that makes a lot of sense
while others wonder why no changes if the sport is struggling on TV.
Darrell Waltrip is the leader of the pack and has the high-profile assignment
of being on both the pre-race show and in the booth for the race. Waltrip is
one of those love him or hate him kinda guys. There is no middle ground with
DW.
Mike Joy had a tough year in 2011 for one reason. Waltrip was given the green
light to talk over top of Joy anytime and he certainly used that right on a
continual basis. Joy wound-up fading into the background for the first time in
a long time.
Larry McReynolds is a lightning bolt for fans these days. Two years ago he gave
an interview critical of NASCAR and then got rebuked by the powers that be in
the sport. Since that time he has been nothing short of a public relations
employee. During this season's media tour, McReynolds took the time to tell the
assembled reporters to make sure and keep their message positive. It did not go
over well.
Jeff Hammond has been great on SPEED in several different roles but on FOX he
is shoved into the Hollywood Hotel and hung-out to dry when the race starts.
Hammond has a lot of offer and it should be interesting to see how much he
joins the telecast during the racing action.
FOX has a great group of pit reporters. Dr. Dick Berggren, Krista Voda, Steve
Byrnes and Matt Yocum are all stars with the fans. It's a shame that FOX does
not use them much because Waltrip is a constant source of conversation during
green flag periods. FOX suffers without field recaps and regular updates from
pit road on key stories.
The Shootout is a small taste of what NASCAR on FOX will be bringing to the
table this season. Look for some new graphics, a new in-car camera angle and
the continuing emphasis on dramatic storylines. After the rough ride of last
year, it should be interesting to see how the fans react to the coverage
tonight.
We invite your comments before, during and after the telecast. To add your
opinion, just click the comments button below. This chat is geared toward the
telecast, not the teams, drivers or racing action. TDP is a family-friendly
website, please keep that in mind when posting. Thank you for joining us.
Daytona International Speedway Top Stories
February 23, 2011
NASCAR's new scoring system proves points not so simple
February 22, 2011, 6:02:05 PM
NASCAR's simplified new points system turned out not to be so simple after the first full weekend of racing.
Daytona 500 win gives Trevor Bayne Sprint Cup option
Monday, February 21, 2011, 3:02:29 PM
The youngest winner of the Daytona 500 began a star-making lap around the country Monday, jetting from ESPN headquarters in Bristol, Conn., to Chicago
Trevor Bayne, in second career start, drives to Daytona 500 win
Sunday, February 20, 2011, 5:02:26 PM
Trying to shore up a five-year trend of lagging interest, NASCAR has faced a tricky proposition in jolting its popularity back to life. How does a sport gain a needed infusion of youth by appealing to the X Games crowd while placating a graying fan base that is resistant to change?
Tony Stewart nips Bowyer; Danica scores career best
Saturday, February 19, 2011, 4:02:41 PM
Two-by-two turned into four in a row for Tony Stewart in the Nationwide Series at Daytona International Speedway.
Waltrip wins season-opening Truck Series race
Saturday, February 19, 2011, 12:02:55 AM
Michael Waltrip spent all day exchanging stories about Dale Earnhardt. Some brought a smile to his face. Others brought tears to his eyes.
Danica Patrick qualifies fourth in Nationwide race at Daytona
Friday, February 18, 2011, 8:02:25 PM
For a while during Friday's Nationwide Series qualifying, Danica Patrick appeared to have taken a huge leap in her NASCAR career before Sprint Cup Series regulars left her settling for just another step forward.
Pairing up is trendy at track
Friday, February 18, 2011, 1:02:14 AM
It has been compared with watching a couples skate at a roller rink, multihued stretch limousines racing at 200 mph and the mating dances of winged insects.
Did NASCAR go too far in promoting driver safety?
Friday, February 18, 2011, 12:02:57 AM
Friday will mark a decade since NASCAR lost its greatest hero on the last lap of its biggest race. The death of Dale Earnhardt in the 2001 Daytona 500 helped spur a revolution of safety improvements that has resulted in 359 consecutive races without a fatal crash in stock car racing's top circuit, likely the safest decade in NASCAR history.
NASCAR or Indy? Danica Patrick undecided on 2012 plans
Thursday, February 17, 2011, 5:02:26 PM
Danica Patrick's season hasn't even started, and the main thing everybody wants to know is what she'll do next year.
Kurt Busch, Jeff Burton rule in Duel at Daytona
Thursday, February 17, 2011, 3:02:35 PM
Kurt Busch will need everything in his favor in the Daytona 500 to become the first driver to sweep Daytona Speedweeks, but there's no denying he's flush with karma right now.
USATODAY.com Motor Sports News
February 23, 2011, 1 hour ago
IndyCar offers $5 million bonus for win in finale by outsider
Yesterday, February 22, 2011, 8:31:49 PM
The Indianapolis-to-Charlotte/Indianapolis 500-Coca-Cola 600 "double" has been dead for seven years, but there could be a successor of sorts ...
NASCAR's new scoring system proves points not so simple
Yesterday, February 22, 2011, 9:44:17 PM
NASCAR's simplified new points system turned out not to be so simple after the first full weekend of racing.
DHL to sponsor Ryan Hunter-Reay in Izod IndyCar Series
Yesterday, February 22, 2011, 1:30:15 PM
IndyCar driver Ryan Hunter-Reay won't have to worry about sponsorship issues this year.
Daytona 500 win gives Trevor Bayne Sprint Cup option
Monday, February 21, 2011, 8:11:18 PM
The youngest winner of the Daytona 500 began a star-making lap around the country Monday, jetting from ESPN headquarters in Bristol, Conn., to ...
Bahrain Formula One GP called off due to unrest
Monday, February 21, 2011, 6:00:27 PM
The crown prince of Bahrain called off Formula One's season-opening race Monday, handing another victory to protesters aiming to break the ruling ...
Daytona 500's television ratings up from last year
Monday, February 21, 2011, 5:59:49 PM
The Daytona 500's television ratings are up from last year.
Trevor Bayne, in second career start, drives to Daytona 500 win
Monday, February 21, 2011, 5:59:16 PM
Trying to shore up a five-year trend of lagging interest, NASCAR has faced a tricky proposition in jolting its popularity back to life. How does ...
NASCAR moves Daytona 500 back a week in 2012
Sunday, February 20, 2011, 11:12:57 PM
The Daytona 500 is on the move. NASCAR and track officials announced Sunday that the Great American Race will be a week later in 2012, allowing ...
For Edwards, biking in Vietnam could pay Cup dividends
Sunday, February 20, 2011, 11:12:36 PM
A 10-day bicycle trip through Vietnam gave Carl Edwards a new perspective on history this offseason. But the Roush Fenway driver didn't have ...
Two of Childress' four entries forced out of Daytona 500 early
Monday, February 21, 2011, 4:02:35 PM
Clint Bowyer had a Chevrolet that challenged hard to win the Daytona 500 but was left to wonder what might have been if his Richard Childress ...
Smaller crashes have big impact at Daytona 500
Monday, February 21, 2011, 5:49:03 PM
Though smaller in scale compared to earlier and more memorable pileups, two accidents during Sunday's Daytona 500 were significant enough by ...
Hendrick cars involved in big wreck at Daytona
Sunday, February 20, 2011, 3:20:58 PM
Hendrick Motorsports is having a rough start to the Daytona 500.
Being himself, Brad Keselowski carving out identity in NASCAR
Sunday, February 20, 2011, 2:28:24 PM
If he's occasionally chosen as the villain in the high-speed soap operas that often fuel NASCAR intrigue, Brad Keselowski can handle playing ...
Ecclestone waives Bahrain's cancellation fees
February 23, 2011, 7 hours ago
Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone will not charge organizers of the Bahrain Grand Prix cancellation fees for calling off the season-opening ...
NASCAR's new scoring system proves not so simple
Yesterday, February 22, 2011, 5:52:00 PM
NASCAR's simplified new points system turned out not to be so simple after the first full weekend of racing.
Yahoo! Sports - NASCAR News
February 23, 2011
NASCAR's Tebow? Faith is driving force for Bayne (AP)
February 23, 2011
After Trevor Bayne shocked the NASCAR world by winning the Daytona 500, his celebration was decidedly PG-rated. He rode a skateboard and shot hoops with his buddies. In a quiet moment, he wrote himself a note.
Fantasy: Phoenix layout much more predictable (NASCAR.com)
February 23, 2011
Fantasy: Phoenix layout much more predictable
From Nationwide points lead to uncertain future (NASCAR.com)
February 23, 2011
From Nationwide points lead to uncertain future
Ecclestone waives Bahrain's cancellation fees (PA SportsTicker)
February 23, 2011
Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone will not charge organizers of the Bahrain Grand Prix cancellation fees for calling off the season-opening event.
NASCAR's new scoring system proves not so simple (AP)
Yesterday, February 22, 2011, 5:50:18 PM
NASCAR's simplified new points system turned out not to be so simple after the first full weekend of racing.
Fryer's Five: Bayne better off racing for N'wide title (Yahoo! Sports)
Yesterday, February 22, 2011, 12:20:00 PM
One win could be enough to qualify Trevor Bayne for the Chase, but racing for the Nationwide title will better prepare him for the future.
DHL to sponsor Ryan Hunter-Reay (PA SportsTicker)
Yesterday, February 22, 2011, 11:11:17 AM
IndyCar driver Ryan Hunter-Reay won't have to worry about sponsorship issues this year.
1on1: Lt. Gen. Freakley believes NASCAR and the Army are a perfect fit (NASCAR.com)
Yesterday, February 22, 2011, 10:03:09 AM
1on1: Lt. Gen. Freakley believes NASCAR and the Army are a perfect fit
Bayne probably won't race for Sprint Cup title (AP)
Monday, February 21, 2011, 4:38:14 PM
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) - Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne said Monday he probably won't attempt to run for the Sprint Cup championship this year.
Trevor Bayne still in shock over Daytona 500 win (AP)
Monday, February 21, 2011, 4:30:17 PM
Trevor Bayne celebrated his Daytona 500 victory by playing basketball with friends, then skateboarding on the infield of NASCAR's most storied race track.
Daytona 500's television ratings up from last year (AP)
Monday, February 21, 2011, 3:58:14 PM
The Daytona 500's television ratings are up from last year.
Bahrain Formula One GP called off due to unrest (PA SportsTicker)
Monday, February 21, 2011, 2:49:21 PM
By BARBARA SURK Associated Press
Head2Head: Is it a problem non-race winners currently lead? (NASCAR.com)
Monday, February 21, 2011, 2:47:52 PM
Head2Head: Is it a problem non-race winners currently lead?
Childress teams leave Daytona disappointed (AP)
Monday, February 21, 2011, 3:19:35 AM
Minutes after the checkered flag fell in the Daytona 500, team owner Richard Childress was nowhere to be found in the garage area.
Earnhardt Jr. wrecks late, fades in Daytona 500 (PA SportsTicker)
Monday, February 21, 2011, 3:18:49 AM
By MARK LONG AP Sports Writer
Behind Bayne, Woods turn improbability to reality (NASCAR.com)
Sunday, February 20, 2011, 10:25:13 PM
Behind Bayne, Woods turn improbability to reality
Bayne becomes youngest Daytona 500 winner (NASCAR.com)
Sunday, February 20, 2011, 9:20:12 PM
Bayne becomes youngest Daytona 500 winner
Caraviello: Inexperience undermining Patrick's potential (NASCAR.com)
Saturday, February 19, 2011, 5:55:10 PM
Caraviello: Inexperience undermining Patrick's potential
Stewart nips Bowyer at Daytona finish line (PA SportsTicker)
Saturday, February 19, 2011, 5:41:20 PM
By JENNA FRYER AP Auto Racing Writer
Danica briefly leads at Daytona, finishes 14th (AP)
Saturday, February 19, 2011, 5:22:21 PM
For a few laps, at least, Danica Patrick's day was going better than most people imagined: She was racing for the lead at Daytona International Speedway.
Get ready for a different Daytona 500 (Yahoo! Sports)
Saturday, February 19, 2011, 4:35:00 PM
The racing in the 53rd running of the Daytona 500 won't be the same as years past. Is that a good thing?
NASCAR makes another change before Daytona 500 (AP)
Saturday, February 19, 2011, 2:12:15 PM
NASCAR is making another change to cars for the Daytona 500, this one because temperatures are expected to reach 80 degrees during the season-opening race.
Brian Keselowski picks up sponsor for Daytona 500 (AP)
Saturday, February 19, 2011, 11:44:20 AM
The feel-good story of Daytona Speedweeks took another turn Saturday when Brian Keselowski picked up a sponsor for the Daytona 500.
Hamlin: 'I wasn't prepared' for Homestead (Yahoo! Sports)
Saturday, February 19, 2011, 8:01:00 AM
Denny Hamlin opens up about losing the 2010 Sprint Cup championship, mourning another lost to Jimmie Johnson
Fans mark 10-year anniversary of Earnhardt's death (AP)
Saturday, February 19, 2011, 12:09:26 AM
Someone placed three small white angel figurines at the foot of the Dale Earnhardt statue that stands outside of Daytona International Speedway.
Waltrip wins on anniversary of Earnhardt's death (AP)
Friday, February 18, 2011, 11:43:26 PM
Michael Waltrip spent all day exchanging stories about Dale Earnhardt. Some brought a smile to his face. Others brought tears to his eyes.
Waltrip wins on anniversary of Earnhardt's death (PA SportsTicker)
Friday, February 18, 2011, 11:01:46 PM
By MARK LONG AP Sports Writer
Retro Racing: After years of trying, Dale finally got his 500 win (NASCAR.com)
Friday, February 18, 2011, 7:05:52 PM
Retro Racing: After years of trying, Dale finally got his 500 win
Glance at drivers in the 2011 Daytona 500 (AP)
Friday, February 18, 2011, 6:14:23 PM
A look at drivers competing in the 2011 Daytona 500, in order of starting position:
NASCAR trying to lure younger fans as sport ages (AP)
Friday, February 18, 2011, 6:01:18 PM
By allowing children in the garage and younger teens behind the wheel, it's clear NASCAR wants a youth movement. Television executives do, too. NASCAR has aged considerably the last decade, with stars such as Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jimmie Johnson and Tony Stewart -- and their faithful fans -- growing grayer every year.
Bowyer wins pole for Nationwide Series race (AP)
Friday, February 18, 2011, 5:58:23 PM
Clint Bowyer has won the pole for the Nationwide Series race at Daytona International Speedway.
Crown Royal race name winner announced (NASCAR.com)
Friday, February 18, 2011, 3:30:11 PM
Crown Royal race name winner announced
House votes to let Pentagon sponsor NASCAR races (AP)
Friday, February 18, 2011, 2:11:21 PM
The House has voted to let the Pentagon continue using taxpayer dollars to sponsor NASCAR race teams. By a 281-148 vote, lawmakers rejected an effort by Minnesota Democratic Rep. Betty McCollum that would have ended the practice. McCollum aides said the Army is spending $7 million on a sponsorship this year, and the Air Force and National Guard are spending additional money.
House votes to let Pentagon sponsor NASCAR races (PA SportsTicker)
Friday, February 18, 2011, 2:08:15 PM
By ANDREW TAYLOR The Associated Press
Daytona 500 (Yahoo! Sports)
Friday, February 18, 2011, 1:11:00 PM
Kurt Busch will try to become the first driver to ever win the Bud Shootout, a Duel qualifier and the Daytona 500 in the same season.
Ecclestone hopes Bahrain protest 'blows away' (PA SportsTicker)
Friday, February 18, 2011, 11:51:37 AM
Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone is hoping that deadly anti-government unrest in Bahrain "all blows away" so the season-opening Grand Prix can be run as scheduled.
Barcelona ready to host Bahrain's F1 test (PA SportsTicker)
Friday, February 18, 2011, 9:08:42 AM
Barcelona's Catalunya Circuit is ready to serve as a substitute venue for Formula One's final test session of the season if Bahrain is unable to host due to anti-government unrest.
Dale Earnhardt left a mixed legacy (Yahoo! Sports)
Friday, February 18, 2011, 7:48:00 AM
The Intimidator's death prompted safety regulations, but his larger-than-life persona is impossible to replicate.
Race fixing? Junior just can't win (Yahoo! Sports)
Friday, February 18, 2011, 7:46:00 AM
Allegations of race-fixing so Junior can carry his father's torch is as baseless as they are offensive.
Rodman's notebook: Waltrip strong in Duel; Hmiel plans visit (NASCAR.com)
Thursday, February 17, 2011, 11:15:10 PM
Rodman's notebook: Waltrip strong in Duel; Hmiel plans visit
Caraviello: Busch brings glimpse of clarity to foggy Speedweeks (NASCAR.com)
Thursday, February 17, 2011, 9:25:07 PM
Caraviello: Busch brings glimpse of clarity to foggy Speedweeks
Earnhardt Jr. still struggling to measure up (PA SportsTicker)
Thursday, February 17, 2011, 8:15:54 PM
By JIM LITKE AP Sports Writer
Dillon wins pole for Trucks Series race (AP)
Thursday, February 17, 2011, 7:36:25 PM
Austin Dillon has won the pole for the Trucks Series race at Daytona International Speedway, posting a lap of 179.047 mph on Thursday night.
Two-car racing adds new level of intrigue (Yahoo! Sports)
Thursday, February 17, 2011, 7:32:00 PM
Drivers will employ a two-car drafting strategy to improve times at this year's running of the Daytona 500
For Immediate Release
YOUTHS CAN VISIT INDY 500 GASOLINE ALLEY WITH JUNIOR CREDENTIAL
INDIANAPOLIS, Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011 - A new generation of fans will have unprecedented access to one of the most fascinating, cool places in worldwide racing - Gasoline Alley at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during the 2011 Indianapolis 500 - through the new Junior Garage Credential program.
Fans age 9-17 can visit the world-famous Gasoline Alley garage area at IMS from Opening Day, Saturday, May 14 through Saturday, May 28 with the purchase of a Junior Garage Credential. All Junior Garage Credential holders must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who has a Bronze Badge credential, which also grants garage area access.
A limited quantity of Junior Garage Credentials will be available at $75 each at the IMS Credentials Office starting Monday, April 25.
"There's no place in the world like Gasoline Alley during the Month of May," said Jeff Belskus, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation president and chief executive officer. "There are so many interesting things for kids to see and learn. Teams work under pressure on their cars to find more speed, and top stars focus on victory while rookie drivers learn the intricacies of what makes the event so dramatic and special.
"The Junior Garage Credential will give younger fans excellent access and create family memories for a lifetime during the 100th Anniversary Indianapolis 500."
A Junior Garage Credential gets young fans closer to the action than ever. Inside Gasoline Alley, youths will see superstar drivers prepare for a 225-mph run toward victory and immortality at Indy and watch mechanics up-close as they meticulously build and repair some of the most high-tech racing machines on Earth. There's better availability for autographs in Gasoline Alley, too!
Junior Garage Credentials and Bronze Badges are not valid for garage access on Race Day, Sunday, May 29 and are not valid for pit lane access at any time. A Junior Garage Credential and Bronze Badge do not provide seating, parking or early-access gate admission.
Parent or legal guardian and minor child both must be present and each sign the required forms at the time of purchase or redemption of coupon. The accompanying parent or legal guardian will be required to show proof of a Bronze Badge purchase or credential when signing the release form.
Purchases are limited to two minors per credentialed adult. Junior Garage Credentials and Bronze Badges are non-transferrable. Fans can call the IMS Credentials Office at (317) 492-6500 to be added to the Bronze Badge/Junior Garage Credential mail order list before the on-sale date of April 25.
Fans with questions can call (317) 492-6500 or write to IMS Credentials, P.O. Box 24906, Speedway, IN 46224 or e-mail clientservices@brickyard.com.
***
2011 Indy 500 tickets: Tickets are on sale for the 100th Anniversary Indianapolis 500, "The Most Important Race in History," on Sunday, May 29, 2011 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Race Day ticket prices start at just $30. Fans can buy tickets online at www.imstix.com, by calling the IMS ticket office at (317) 492-6700, or (800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area, or by visiting the ticket office at the IMS Administration Building at the corner of Georgetown Road and 16th Street between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (ET) Monday-Friday.
Children 12 and under will be receive free general admission to any IMS event in 2011 when accompanied by an adult general admission ticket holder.
Tickets for groups of 20 or more also are on sale. Contact the IMS Group Sales Department at (866) 221-8775 for more information.
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