SONOMA, Calif. – Drivers Carl Edwards and David Ragan spent Friday afternoon testing the twists and turns of Infineon Raceway in preparation for the Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race, June 22-24.

 

It was the first time on the road course for Ragan, while Edwards has two starts in Sonoma, including a career-best finish of sixth place in 2006. Both piloted American Speed Association (ASA) stock cars supplied by Pioneer Motorsports out of Lake Oroville. The drivers were coached by Mark Wolocatiuk, lead instructor at the Jim Russell Racing Schools, which is based at Infineon Raceway.

 

Edwards and Ragan, a rookie, each completed around 40 laps over the serpentine circuit. Both drive for Roush Racing.

 

“Any road course is going to be pretty tough for me,” Ragan said. “I’m just trying to learn the layout of the track. Hopefully, I can come back a second time before the race and spend some more time on the track.”

 

“I like the road courses,” Edwards said. “It’s a lot of fun when you’re running well and I’m starting to get the hang of it.”

 

Ragan (No. 6 AAA Ford) has limited road-racing experience, while Edwards (No. 99 Office Depot Ford) placed 38th in his rookie season at Infineon Raceway in 2005 and sixth last year after starting 20th.

 

“Carl really has the technique down and knows how to drive this road course, just like a lot of the other good road-racers like Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon and Boris Said,” said Wolocatiuk, who has coached NASCAR stars like Stewart, Kasey Kahne and Casey Mears over the years. “David is just getting his feet wet right now and learning the course. He just needs some seat time.” SCR

 

 

 

 

TOLEDO OH - Final entries are arriving at the ARCA home offices in Toledo, Ohio for the 44th annual ARCA 200 at Daytona International Speedway. Up to 41 full-bodied stock cars will take the green flag at Daytona on Saturday afternoon, February 10th, 2007. The race, which serves as a prelude to the Budweiser Shootout NASCAR Nextel Cup Series all-star race, is LIVE on SPEED beginning at 4 p.m. Eastern.

 

As of Friday, the number of entries stood at 70, after swelling to 72 before last Friday’s postmark deadline. Series officials expect the actual car count at-track to be in the mid-60’s when the track opens to ARCA RE/MAX Series teams on Tuesday, February 6th, for hauler parking and inspections. The ARCA record for teams on the speedway grounds was set last year when 68 cars were unloaded in the ARCA RE/MAX Series garage. 

 

This year at Daytona many eyes will be on Bobby Gerhart. The restrictor plate king has a record four wins and four consecutive pole awards at Daytona in his No. 5 Lucas Oil Chevrolet. Gerhart will also be fielding Chevrolets at Daytona for A.J. Henriksen and development driver Brad Coleman.

 

In all, a total of 12 former ARCA RE/MAX Series race winners have entered this year’s edition of the ARCA 200 at Daytona. They are Gerhart, Coleman, Mario Gosselin, Justin Allgaier, Billy Venturini, Brian Keselowski, David Ragan, Frank Kimmel, Bill Baird, Damon Lusk, Steve Wallace and Dawayne Bryan. Gerhart is the only former Daytona winner currently entered. Baird and Kimmel are the only former series champions entered.

 

If Baird, who is driving the Ken Schrader Racing Dodge, can pull off the victory, he will, at 57, become the oldest superspeedway winner in sanctioned stock car history.

 

Development drivers/teams entered include Steve Wallace (Rusty Wallace, Inc.), Scott Lagasse, Jr. (Dodge Motorsports), Keven Wood (Wood Brothers Racing), Timothy Peters (Richard Childress Racing), David Ragan (Roush Racing), Erin Crocker (Evernham Motorsports), Phillip McGilton (Brewco Motorsports) and a Hendrick Motorsports entry with driver listed as TBA. SCR

  

  

 

 

HAMPTON, Ga. - Atlanta Motor Speedway has three spectacular ticket packages available for fans wanting more bang for their buck during the March 16-18 Kobalt Tools 500 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race weekend.

 

Starting at just $88, fans can purchase a ticket to all four events at AMS including Georgia Power NEXTEL Cup qualifying under the lights on Friday, March 16. Immediately following the fastest qualifying session in NASCAR, the toughest trucks on the planet will hit the track for the American Commercial Lines 200 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race.

 

On Saturday, March 17, the action heats up as NASCAR’s rising stars and crafty veterans duel on NASCAR’s fastest track in the Nicorette 300 Busch Series race. Last year’s race was won by seasoned driver Jeff Burton, ending his 40-month Busch Series victory drought.

           

Sunday, March 18 will feature NASCAR’s best with the NEXTEL Cup Series regulars racing for 500- miles in the Kobalt Tools 500. The on-track action will be intense as teams work for a solid start to their 2007 championship campaign.

 

Single day tickets are available, as well as several weekend packages. Other options include the Winners Grandstand in Turn One which provides fans an excellent view of the frontstretch, the exit of pit road and the entrance of Turn One.

           

Sitting high atop the Winners Grandstand is Club One, a club-type atmosphere providing fans with a truly one-of-a-kind racing experience in a climate-controlled environment. Club One offers a premium menu, bar, theatre-style seating and a sight and sound observation deck on the roof for fans wanting to experience the race action outdoors.

 

For more information on seating options at Atlanta Motor Speedway, fans can contact the AMS ticket office at (877) 9-AMS-TIX, (770) 946-4211, at www.atlantamotorspeedway.com. SCR

 

 

 

 

Mooresville, NC -  Mike Hampton is pleased to announce that Eaton Corporation will be a major sponsor of the Hampton Racing, Inc. #31n Ford running the 2007 USAR Hooters Pro Cup Northern division. “My association with Eaton Corporation began in 2002 and I am honored and extremely proud to enter the sixth year of our marketing partnership.  I had no idea when I first placed an Eaton Cutler-Hammer decal on my Allison Legacy car in 2002 that I would be participating five years later in PRI 2006, the racing industry’s largest trade show, and answering questions about the full line of Eaton Performance Products used in my USAR Pro Cup car.  I am excited about the 2007 season and it was important for us to include Madison, WI in our plans. This will allow the Eaton Industrial Control Division team located in Milwaukee to participate in an exciting USAR event.  The Northern schedule will also allow us to continue with the popular customer appreciation events in markets we were not able to race in last year. As a result, we decided to change to the North and thus it is necessary to change numbers as well.  Our crew chief, Reggie Primus, is working hard to build a new primary car and we have made some important changes to our backup car.” stated 21 year-old Mike Hampton from his race shop in Mooresville, NC. Mike is a junior at the University of North Carolina Charlotte.  

 

The first 2007 race for the #31 Ford sponsored by Eaton will be Saturday, April 14th at South Boston Speedway in South Boston, VA.  This track has great memories for this father and son team from Fort Mill, South Carolina. In 2004, the Allison Legacy series raced three times at South Boston. Mike and his Eaton sponsored #21 won two of the events and finished second to Trevor Bayne in the third South Boston race. Trevor also now competes in the USAR series.  Team owner, Terry Hampton states “Everyone on the team is looking forward to 2007 and while we have a lot of work to do in the next 71 days, it will be great to be back at the race track and talking with the race fans. I invite Eaton’s customers and employees to follow our progress by attending the USAR Pro Cup events and watching them on television or visiting on-line at www.mikehamptonracing.com.” SCR

 

 

 

 

MOORESVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA - Veteran driver Larry Foyt, Silestone USA and Key Motorsports have announced a partnership that will enter Foyt in the 2007 season-opening NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at the Daytona International Speedway.

 

The Silestone by Cosentino Chevrolet Silverado will become the first-ever race truck to bear the new Key Motorsports #44 number, joining the #40 Key Motorsports entry that will be driven by former NCTS champion Mike Bliss.

 

The son of Hall of Fame Indy Car driver A. J. Foyt, Larry has several years of NASCAR racing experience under his belt. The 29-year-old Texan last raced competitively in what is now the Nextel Cup Series in 2003 for A.J. Foyt Racing. In 20 starts that year, Foyt posted a season-best 16th place finish in the Homestead, FL season finale in which he also enjoyed his best qualifying effort of 12th. He also drove in three races in 2004 including his first Daytona 500 before sponsorship woes put him on the sidelines.

 

Foyt first broke into NASCAR racing in 2001, running the first of two full seasons for his own Busch Series team. In 65 starts over those two seasons, Foyt posted two top 10, six top 15 and 16 top 20 finishes and earned just over $1 million. He finished 20th in the championship driver point standings in 2002 before moving into the Nextel Cup Series the following season.

 

Foyt recently took on the role of Team Director for his father’s IndyCar Series operation, one in which Larry also served as a driver for a handful of races over a three year stint beginning in 2004 that included several Indy 500 starts.

 

Larry began his driving career in 1993 driving go-karts and has added experience in USAC Formula 2000, SCCA Formula 2000 and American Speed Association (ASA) late model competition. He is also a graduate of Texas Christian University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications in 2000.

 

“It’s great that we have been able to put this deal together for a run at Daytona,” Foyt said. “I loved racing there in the Nextel Cup and Busch Series and am looking forward to my first experience in the Craftsman Truck Series. I want to do a good job for Silestone since this is the company’s very first venture into racing, and I am looking forward to the challenge. I am thrilled that Curtis (Key) has opened his race shop to host this opportunity,” he added.

 

Team owner Key has seen his race operation expand dramatically over the last 18 months from a 3-truck, 4-emlpoyee operation in Chesapeake, VA to a thriving organization in the heart of stock car country just outside Charlotte. Key is excited about the opportunity to field two trucks in the 2007 season opener.

 

“This race organization has come a very long way in a very short amount of time, and I could not be any prouder of the hard work and time put in by every member of this race team – before and now,” said team owner Curtis W. Key, Sr. “Our goal is to have both the 40 and 44 trucks perform to their absolute best in Daytona, and we are appreciative of the confidence that Larry (Foyt) and Silestone USA have placed in us,” Key added.

 

Silestone USA was originally established in 1998 as Cosentino USA to distribute and market Silestone natural quartz surfaces in North America. The 70-year-old company was first established in Almeria, Spain dealing in general stone production. Sixty years later, the advent of the natural quartz surfacing industry added a new dimension to the company and would eventually lead sales to the American market through Silestone.

 

Silestone today is the world’s largest manufacturer of such products with 75% of all natural quartz surface sales in North America made by the company.

 

“We are really excited to be a part of the Craftsman Truck/Daytona experience. With the Key Motorsports/Larry Foyt/Silestone combination, we feel that we have all the pieces of the puzzle with which to have a good showing and a successful race,” commented Brando Calvo, Divisional President – South Atlantic Region. SCR

 

 

 

 

LAS VEGAS – Indianapolis 500 winner Sam Hornish Jr. will return to Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the first time in seven years next week as he takes part in the Busch Series edition of NASCAR Preseason Thunder Las Vegas. He will be joined by 44 other drivers for the test.

 

Hornish, who finished a then career best third in the 2000 Vegas Indy 300 Indy Racing League event at LVMS, will test on Tuesday, Feb. 6. Teammate Kurt Busch will test the car on Monday, Feb. 5.

       

“I’m excited to test at Las Vegas Motor Speedway,” Hornish said. “Kurt and Ryan (Newman) tested their Nextel Cup cars last week and, as I understand it, the changes made to the track have made it especially fast.  I have not turned a lap at LVMS in a stock car, but having an experienced driver like Kurt will certainly help my education.”

       

In addition to Hornish, 24 current full-time NASCAR Nextel Cup Series drivers will participate in the two-day test as they prepare for the Sam’s Town 300. Defending series champion Kevin Harvick, defending Sam’s Town 300 champion Kasey Kahne, Las Vegans Kurt and Kyle Busch and all five drivers from the Roush Racing stable are scheduled to test.

       

Australian Marcos Ambrose, former Formula I driver Juan Pablo Montoya and two-time Sam’s Town 300 winner Jeff Burton also are scheduled to test.

       

The speedway’s grandstands will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. SCR

 

 

 

 

 

 

Level Cross, N.C. - Tire Kingdom, the largest independent tire and automotive services retailer in the United States, will once again serve as a primary sponsor on the #45 Petty Enterprises Dodge driven by Kyle Petty in 2007.  Tire Kingdom is a division of TBC Corporation and is the largest tire dealer in the country with over 650 locations under the Tire Kingdom, National Tire and Battery and Merchants Tires and Auto Center names. All names will appear as primary sponsors on Petty’s Dodge this season joining Wells Fargo and Marathon as primary sponsors.

 

“Our partnership with Petty Enterprises and Kyle last season was a success,” said Bob Crostarosa, Tire Kingdom Vice President of Marketing in making the announcement.  “We are looking forward to continuing that relationship this season.  Our stores are all about having the best value.  The same can be said about Petty Enterprises and Kyle. It’s a natural fit for our business.”

 

Tire Kingdom and its names stores will serve as primary sponsor in seven races throughout the season and be an associate throughout the entire season.  National Tire and Battery will kick-off the 2007 primary sponsorship at the Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 18th.  Other races include Talladega Superspeedway (National Tire and Battery) April, 29th, Richmond International Raceway (Merchant Tires and Auto Centers) May, 5th, Daytona International Speedway (Tire Kingdom) July 7th, Chicagoland Speedway (National Tire and Battery) July 15th, Lowe’s Motor Speedway (Tire Kingdom) October 12th and Texas Motor Speedway (National Tire and Battery) November 4th.

 

“Tire Kingdom has been great for us so far,” said Petty, driver of the #45 Petty Enterprises Dodge.  “They became a big partner for us last season and we’re looking to grow the relationship this season.  Their stores have a national presence and we see that in the broad number of races that they will serve as a primary.  We hope this partnership helps leverage them as the leading tire and automotive services retailer in the nation.” SCR

 

 

 

 

Concord, NC - With one week remaining until the World of Outlaws season opener, the 36th Annual DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Mopar Speedshop at Volusia Speedway Park, in Barberville, Florida, many drivers and teams have been turning laps in the Sunshine State to shake down their equipment and get into a rhythm.

 

One of those drivers is Randy Hannagan, who is gearing up for the nearly 90-race World of Outlaws schedule by competing this week at East Bay Raceway Park. The native of San Jose, who now calls Pittsboro, Indiana home, bested a 46 car field that included many fellow World of Outlaws drivers on Thursday night, at the 1/3-mile track.

 

Hannagan started on the pole in the 25-lap preliminary feature, with veteran Danny Smith beside him. Smith jumped to the initial lead as the green flag waved. A caution on the second lap set up a single file restart, with Hannagan right on Smith’s bumper. When the pair entered lapped traffic on the fifth circuit, that was the opening that Hannagan needed, as he charged to the outside of Smith to take the lead and ultimately the win, as the rest of the race was completed non-stop.

 

Danny Lasoski, the 2001 World of Outlaws Champion finished fourth, with Tim Shaffer sixth, Paul McMahan seventh, Jason Sides eighth, and Craig Dollansky 11th.

 

Also qualifying for the 25-lap preliminary feature on Thursday night was: Terry McCarl, Jason Solwold, Jeremy Campbell, Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year contender Chad Hillier, and the reigning Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year, Chad Kemenah.

 

Jason Martin and Jason Meyers were also in action on Thursday night at East Bay.

 

In preliminary action: Kemenah and Solwold picked up heat race wins, with Sides topping the B-Main. SCR

 

 

 

 

Thursday night, February 8, will mark several “firsts” in the 29-year history of the Budweiser Shootout at Daytona. For the first time, the drawing to determine the starting line-up for Saturday night’s 70-lap Shootout will be seen on prime-time television, as SPEED kicks-off their massive Daytona Speedweeks schedule. Fans across North America can tune-in at 8 pm ET Thursday evening to see the one-hour special with co-hosts Steve Byrnes and Kenny Wallace along with 21 Nextel Cup stars. Each of the drivers will participate in the random draw for their starting position. The field includes six current or former Nextel Cup champions and nine past winners of the Budweiser Shootout.

The Budweiser Shootout at Daytona includes all active past champions of the event as well as all Bud Pole Award winners from the 2006 Nextel Cup season. Kasey Kahne will be the first to draw for his starting position as the recipient of the season-long Bud Pole Award for winning six pole positions during 2006.

Also for the first time, the general public can attend the Draw Party, free of charge. It will take place at the SPEED Stage, located outside of the turn four tunnel at the Daytona International Speedway. The stage features the new 50-foot “Fan Tower,” and will be the Budweiser Draw Party Headquarters for the evening. For fans attending in person, the live, on-stage proceedings are scheduled to begin at approximately 6:45 p.m. Eastern Time.

The Budweiser Shootout at Daytona will be seen live Saturday night, February 10, on Fox-TV at 8 p.m. Eastern. SCR

 

 

 

 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The all-woman country group Cowboy Crush, who’s Asylum/Curb release "Nobody Ever Died of a Broken Heart” put the group on the country map, will perform the National Anthem prior to the 29th annual Budweiser Shootout At Daytona on Saturday, February 10 at historic Daytona International Speedway.  The group’s performance at the Budweiser Shootout will be aired on FOX Sports, which is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m.

 

The all-in-its entirety female country band [featuring three-part harmonies, bass, fiddle and keys] includes Trenna Barnes (lead singer), Renae’ Truex (fiddle), Becky Priest (keyboards) and Debbie Johnson on bass.

 

The group has shared the stage with headlining acts such as Travis Tritt, Lonestar and Trace Adkins.

 

There will be 21 drivers that will be eligible for the 2007 Budweiser Shootout at Daytona International Speedway. The field for the non-points NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series All-Star race features the previous season’s pole winners and past Budweiser Shootout champions.

 

Drivers that have won pole positions during the 2006 season and qualified for 2007 Budweiser Shootout are three-time Daytona 500 champion Jeff Gordon, 2006 Daytona 500 winner Jimmie Johnson, 2006 Budweiser Shootout champion Denny Hamlin, Brian Vickers, rookie driver David Gilliland, Kevin Harvick, Jeff Burton, Kurt Busch, Greg Biffle, Kasey Kahne, Kyle Busch, Elliott Sadler, Scott Riggs, Ryan Newman and Boris Said.

 

Past Budweiser Shootout champions eligible for the 2007 event are Dale Jarrett, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Tony Stewart, Mark Martin, Ken Schrader and Bill Elliott. SCR

 

 

 

Concord, N.C. - Two Roush Racing employees were injured in a multi-vehicle accident 85 miles east of El Paso, Texas yesterday morning.  Justin Grebe, the driver of the No. 6 Roush Racing NEXTEL Cup transporter was treated and released from Thomason Hospital.  Driving partner Joe Millikan, a passenger, is in stable condition in the Thomason Hospital intensive care unit.  The two were returning to Concord, N.C. from a test in Las Vegas, Nev.  According to local news reports, two other people also were taken to Thomason Hospital after suffering non life-threatening injuries.  The cause of the crash has not been determined. SCR will update this story as we get new information. SCR

 

  

 

 

ARCA RE/MAX Series driver Michael Simko and long time girlfriend Heather Slocum became the proud parents of a healthy baby girl Tuesday evening.

 

Hannah Lilly Simko was born January 30, 2007 at 7:12pm EST at a local Michigan hospital. Hannah Lilly weighed in at 8 pounds 1 ounce and is 19.5 inches long. Both mother and daughter are doing great.

 

Below is a quote from father Michael Simko.

 

"Heather had a long, exhausting labor ultimately resulting in a caesarian birth.  She was absolutely amazing throughout the entire labor.  I was so proud of her.  We are so excited to have Hannah Lilly become a part of our family.  She is the most amazing, most perfect baby ever.  I guess I am a little bit biased though.  We would like to thank our families for their continual support and love, they were great.  Also, the ARCA family for their support.  Look forward to seeing everyone this year." - - Michael Simko SCR

 

 

 

 

CONCORD, North Carolina - Johnson Motorsports, headed by longtime United Speed Alliance Racing (USAR) advocate and successful driver Daniel Johnson head into the 2007 season looking to give race fans, a chance of a life time.

 

As the team prepares for their first race of the season, Johnson Motorsports introduces “Liv’ in the Dream”. The program offers the normal race fan an opportunity to become a pit crew member at a national televised USAR Hooter’s Pro Cup event. The program brings the fan’s fantasy of being a part of the action to a reality for the entire weekend.

 

Johnson Motorsports offers weekend packages (gold and silver) to race fans that have always had a dream of being a pit crew member. “We have seen people pay thousand of dollars to go to pit schools and never get a chance to do a live pit stop at a huge event,” said Daniel Johnson, driver of the No. 3 Charlotte Check Cashers Chevrolet Monte Carlo. “That’s about to change.”

 

Johnson, one of most popular drivers on the USAR tour continued, “This is the real deal. When the fan leaves the track, they’ll be begging to come back next week. We truly care about the fans. They make this sport go and are responsible for keeping us coming back week-to-week.”

 

Weekend packages will include two nights of lodging and meals with the team. In addition the lucky fan(s) will receive official team apparel including a crew shirt, hat and a memorable and priceless picture in line on pit road before the event. Not to mention, they will be responsible during the race by jumping over the wall and participating in the pit stops during the race.

 

“We feel that race fans are who they are because they have a passion and love the sport. We want to give something back to the people that make our sport what it is today. That is, an opportunity and a chance to be a part of it and for us to say thanks,” added Johnson.

 

Johnson Motorsports reminds that no experience is necessary and entries must be at least 18 years of age.

 

The team also reminds all drivers, they have leasing opportunities available for the 2007 USAR season. Check out the team’s website for in-depth details.

 

For further information on Johnson Motorsports or the Liv’ in the Dream program, please visit http://www.danieljohnson3.com or email the team at procup56@aol.com. SCR

 

 

 

 

NASCAR officials today made it official that the Nextel Cup past champions provisional may only be used by an eligible driver six times this season.

 

Prior to this season there was no limit to usage of the past champions provisional, which allows an eligible driver to take the 43rd position in a starting field based on his status as the most recent past champion who did not qualify based on speed or have a top-35 position in owner points.

 

The limit also applies to any given team, preventing an owner from having multiple past champions drive for a team over the course of a season.

 

"As NASCAR seeks to place more emphasis on competition, we have decided the time is right to limit the number of provisionals allowed," said NASCAR Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton in a release. "We believe this revision brings the provisional policy in line with the continued growth of the sport." SCR

 

  

 

 

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina - Officials from H&K Motorsports announced today a very busy racing schedule consisting of the ARCA RE/MAX Series, NASCAR Busch Series and NASCAR Nextel Cup Series. The team will attempt to make their 2007 debut in the prestige Daytona 500 set for Sunday, February 18.

 

Trevor Boys, will pilot the No. 08 fulltime in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series this season carrying sponsorship from Gsmdashboards.com, Industro Tools and Chixcanfix.com

 

The team will also carry the Chevrolet bowtie as their manufacturer in all three divisions this year.

 

“We are very excited about our 2007 plans,” said driver Trevor Boys. “Our H&K Motorsports has a lot going on, but we have great personnel and sponsors in place, and we’re ready to get underway in Daytona.”

 

Guiding Boys this season will be Cicero Scott. Scott is the cousin of Byron Scott, a former NBA LA Lakers basketball player and current New Orleans Hornets Head Coach. He is the first known ever African American crew chief in the premier series of NASCAR. “We are very excited to have Cicero onboard with us,” continued Boys, a native of Calgary, Alberta. “He is showing enthusiasm and determination and that’s a big part of what we are looking for. He knows a lot and is continuing to learn every day and I think that’s important as we stride to be the best this season, he will do a fine job.”

 

In addition to running the full NNC schedule this season, Boys will also leap over to the NASCAR Busch Series beginning at California Speedway, the second event on the 2007 NBS calendar. The team is slated to run a minimum of six events also carrying the No. 08 with backing from Gsmdashboards.com, Industro Tools and Chixcanfix.com.

 

“Everyone agreed by competing in several Busch races will help aid our Nextel Cup program,” continued Boys. “We know we have a lot of work in store for us this season, but we’re up for the challenges. Utilizing the Busch races will allow us to try several different objectives that should help us on Sunday and that’s what we’re looking for. I’m expecting this to be one of the most competitive years in NASCAR ever, so we have to be ready. “

 

The team also announced today they will field an ARCA car for Eddie Kucharski in at least 20 races this season in the No. 68. Kurcharski will also take a stab in selected events in the NASCAR West series. “I’m looking forward to competing in the ARCA RE/MAX Series and strengthening my racing resume,” explained Kucharski.

 

“I am very thankful for the opportunity that H&K Motorsports has given me and I’m looking forward to seeing our car up front and a contender.”

 

Kucharski’s Chevrolet Monte Carlo will carry the same sponsorship logos from the Nextel and Busch series effort. SCR

 

 

 

 

STATESVILLE, North Carolina - Carter-2-Motorsports officials announced today the partnership between one of the newest teams on the 2007 ARCA circuit and Accelerating Developments International as an associate sponsor of the No. 48 FreeFeds.org Dodge Charger for the full ARCA RE/MAX Series season beginning with next weekend’s season opener at Daytona International Speedway.

 

Accelerating Developments International (ADI) offers comprehensive, integrated engineering services spanning design, analysis, prototyping, testing, product development and short-run production. Their innovative team of engineers have over 40 years of experience in research and development for the automotive industry.

Their area of expertise is static and dynamic vehicle testing solutions. ADI utilizes a highly skilled and diverse staff of specialized personnel recognized for their ability to provide superior solutions for even the most difficult challenges in the automotive market. The core engineering team is comprised of experts from the automotive OEM, Motorsports, and Performance Aftermarket. This key blend of personnel allows ADI to be a “full solution” provider to their customers requirements whether basic or complex.

 

“We’re very excited to have ADI on board the team for the 2007 season,” said driver Roger Carter II. “As we continue to prepare for our Daytona debut next week, it’s a great feeling for our team to welcome a new and important sponsor to our organization. We are very confident that the support we receive from ADI will benefit us in our inception year of competition.”

 

Carter, II continued, “Everyone has a good feeling about Daytona. We’ve really stepped up the production since the test and we’ve had a lot of outside sources come into our operation to get our car ready for action. The goal is to come out of Daytona with the best finish possible to start our season off on the right foot.” 

 

Carter-2-Motorsports announced in December 2006 a full-championship effort in the ARCA RE/MAX Series hoisting the No. 48 Dodge Chargers owned by legendary NASCAR and ARCA icon James Hylton. The team announced earlier this month, they will expand their operations to include a few NASCAR Nextel Cup Series events set for later in year. SCR

 

 

 

 

CONCORD, NC – Clint Smith had no idea.

 

The 360 OTC World of Outlaws Late Model Series standout attended the Georgia Automobile Racing Hall of Fame Association’s 18th annual Peach Bowl Reunion on Jan. 28 in Riverdale, Ga., under the impression that he would present his father, former driver Roscoe Smith, a special award.

 

Instead, Clint was the one who left the gathering with a piece of hardware.

 

Smith, 41, of Senoia, Ga., was honored as the GARHOFA’s 2006 Driver of the Year.

 

After being summoned to the front of the Peach Bowl Reunion crowd, Smith looked at the plaque he believed was for his father and quickly realized that it was actually engraved with his name.

 

“It sure took me by surprise,” said Smith. “I like when my father gets remembered for what he did, so that’s why I was at the Reunion.”

 

Smith graciously accepted the organization’s Driver of the Year Award, which it presents annually to a Georgia racer. Competitors from all divisions are considered for the award.

 

“It’s a super-good feeling to win it,” pronounced Smith, who won four 360 OTC WoO LMS events in 2006 (second-most on the tough tour) and 11 features overall. “There’s a lot of drivers from the state of Georgia who had great years, so to be singled out means a lot.

 

“Bill Elliott (NASCAR Nextel Cup star from Dawnsonville, Ga.) won this same award in the past, so that makes winning it a little more special.”

 

Smith shared the day with his wife Kim, daughter Jenna, and crewmen Johnny Cloer Jr. and Jeff Strope – all of whom also thought they were attending the reunion of Georgia racing pioneers to see Smith’s father receive an award.

 

Following the memorable afternoon, Smith returned to his shop to continue final preparations for a busy 2007 season. He will begin his campaign by competing in this Saturday night’s program at Golden Isles Speedway in Brunswick, Ga., and then return to action one week later in the 36th annual DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Mopar Speed Shop at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla., which includes two 360 OTC WoO LMS events (Feb. 15 and 17) and four nights of UMP DIRTcar Racing competition (Feb. 12, 13, 14 and 16).

 

Smith will chase the entire 360 OTC WoO LMS schedule this season, hoping to improve upon his 10th-place finish in last year’s point standings.

 

“We seem to always have that two-month lull in the center of the year and that costs us in the points,” analyzed Smith. “I’m not sure what causes it, but we have to avoid it this year. We have to find a way to be more consistent the whole way.”

 

There will be a slight change in Smith’s program in ’07. He’s now listed as the sole owner of his race team; Jerry Passmore, who owned the truck and trailer that Smith used last year, will reduce his role with Smith’s effort to a sponsor only.

 

“We have two (GRT) cars ready and two more we’re trying to get built,” said Smith. “We’re also trying to get our truck and trailer together and get more motors and sponsors.”

 

Smith is taking a wait-and-see approach about fielding a second car on this year’s 360 OTC WoO LMS for his chief mechanic, Johnny Cloer Jr., who turned some heads in his limited starts on the tour last year.

 

“If the finances work out we’d like to put together a Rookie (of the Year) program for Johnny,” said Smith. “I think what we’ll do is get the season started and get the (bank) account built up a little bit, and then we’ll look at how the (360 OTC WoO LMS) Rookie deal is going. Since this year (the WoO LMS) is taking the 30 best finishes for the rookies, we can still jump in on the program with Johnny after 14 or 15 races.”

 

Coming off the most prolific checkered-flag season of his three years on the 360 OTC WoO LMS, Smith is confident that he can contend for the ’07 championship.

 

“We feel good about what our program is capable of this year,” said Smith. “It’s as strong as it’s ever been.”

 

The daunting 360 OTC WoO LMS schedule, which currently boasts 50 races at 41 tracks in 23 states, doesn’t intimidate Smith.

 

“We run about 70 to 90 shows a year anyway,” said Smith, “so most of them might as well be Outlaw shows.” SCR

 

 

 

 

The No. 6 transporter for Roush Racing has been involved in an accident while returning to Concord, NC from Las Vegas, NV after testing. According to Roush Racing the transporter was involved in a multi-vehicle accident with injuries in Sierra Blanca, TX. SCR will have further information on this story as it becomes available. SCR

Matthew Blaylock