HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. – Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company of Jackson, Miss., has partnered with Joe Gibbs Racing and will serve as primary sponsor for the team’s No. 18 Toyota Camry in six NASCAR Nationwide Series races in 2008.

 

The No. 18 Farm Bureau Insurance car will debut March 8 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, with subsequent races May 9 at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway, June 14 at Kentucky Speedway in Sparta , July 4 at Daytona ( Fla. ) International Speedway, Sept. 5 at Richmond ( Va. ) International Raceway and Nov. 1 at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth .  Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano will split driving duties during the six-race span.

 

“We are very excited to have a new sponsor in Farm Bureau Insurance join our race team and NASCAR,” said J.D. Gibbs, President of Joe Gibbs Racing.  “We’re anxious to help teach our fans about Farm Bureau and raise awareness for their life, property and casualty insurance products and services.  This is the company’s first foray into NASCAR, and we’re set on making it a memorable and long-standing one.

 

“We especially want to thank NASCAR for working with us, as our agreement with Farm Bureau was signed late this summer.  Our race team had been in discussions with Farm Bureau Insurance for over a year, and it’s very gratifying to see this partnership become reality.  We’re going to give their agents, members and customers something to get excited about, while at the same time respecting NASCAR’s title sponsor of its second-most popular division.”  

 

Farm Bureau Insurance is using the stepping-stone division to NASCAR’s elite Sprint Cup Series as a springboard for future NASCAR-related sponsorships.

 

“On behalf of our 4,200 agents and all of our Farm Bureau employees, we’re extremely proud to announce our newly formed relationship with Joe Gibbs Racing,” said E.J. Trosclair, Vice President of Agency Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company.  “Farm Bureau Insurance and Joe Gibbs Racing represent similar values, and this allows us to dip our toes into NASCAR’s sponsorship waters.  We want to raise awareness for our company throughout the Southeast region, and there is no better platform than NASCAR.”

 

“The support from the Farm Bureau Property and Casualty Insurance Companies in Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia was essential in securing the sponsorship agreement with Joe Gibbs Racing,” added Joey Stroble, Executive Vice President, Chief Executive Officer of Southern Farm Bureau Life.  “All of us are looking forward to the 2008 racing season.” SCR

 

 

 

 

 

 

MINNEAPOLIS  – The final race has been run, and the checkered flag has fallen on the NASCAR racing season; but before it was all over, race fans answered the call to vote for their favorite driver.  Dale Earnhardt, Jr. was voted the 2007 NASCAR NMPA Chex®  Most Popular Driver for the fifth consecutive year and was presented with the award today at the NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Media Luncheon in New York City. 

           

“I’m extremely honored to win this award again, because it puts me with a very select group of drivers who I have a lot of respect for,” Earnhardt, Jr. commented. “When I became a Cup driver in 1999, I never would’ve imagined that we’d be talking about five consecutive Most Popular Driver awards.  I have a special place at JR Motorsports where I put the MPD trophies, so I’m honored to add another one to the collection.

 

“I don’t want it to sound like a cliché, but this award really does mean a lot to me after all we have been through this year,” continued Earnhardt, Jr..  “This year has marked a significant transition in my life and career, and I knew the fans could go either way in supporting my decision or not.  It was tough, and I don’t underestimate the fans’ support.  It’s been overwhelming, and I really appreciate it.”

 

Throughout the race season, race fans could log on to www.mostpopulardriver.com once a day and vote for their favorite driver. Voting ended on November 19 at 11:59 pm CST.  A total of 3.8 million votes were cast this year, with Earnhardt, Jr. receiving 1.4 million votes. 

           

“General Mills is very proud to once again present Dale Earnhardt, Jr. with the NASCAR NMPA Chex® Most Popular Driver award,” said Becky O’Grady, Vice President of Marketing for Chex® cereal.  “Earnhardt, Jr. has a dedicated fan base that has supported him throughout his racing career, and each year it shows in the number of votes he receives as the most popular driver.  We are honored to present this prestigious award to Dale Jr., thanks to his loyal fans.”

           

After receiving the award this year, Earnhardt, Jr. has joined Richard Petty and Bill Elliott as the only drivers to win five straight awards.  Petty won from 1974 – 1978 and Elliott won from 1984 – 1988. 

 

Other drivers who finished in this year’s top 10 include Jeff Gordon, who finished second in the voting, followed by Michael Waltrip, Kasey Kahne, Tony Stewart, Kevin Harvick, Matt Kenseth, Jimmie Johnson, Elliott Sadler and Dale Jarrett.

 

More than 50 Nextel Cup Series drivers were eligible in 2007 for the esteemed NASCAR NMPA Chex® Most Popular Driver Award, which is administered by the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA).  It has been awarded annually since 1956 and is one of the oldest awards in racing.

 

Chex® cereals are a fan favorite on and off the race track.  For more than 60 years, Chex® cereals have been served on family breakfast tables. In 2001, Chex joined one of the first families of racing, Petty Enterprises, as a sponsor.  Chex® is a big supporter of racing and is an associate sponsor of the legendary #43 Dodge driven by Bobby Labonte. 

 

Chex® recognized the passion and loyalty of the motor sports fan and, in 2005, began to sponsor the NASCAR NMPA Chex® Most Popular Driver Award.  To date, more than 18 million votes have been cast, making it the largest fan-based award in motor sports. SCR

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mooresville, NC – The highly anticipated Old School Racing Champion Tour (OSRCT) series that is set to debut in May of 2008 will be well represented at the 20th annual Performance Racing Industry (PRI) trade show in Orlando, Florida December 6-8, 2007.

On Thursday December 6, 2007 at 11:00 A.M., the OSRCT and a few NASCAR greats will unveil the first official OSRCT car.  This unveiling will also be the official announcement of the Old School Racing Champion's Tour into the racing world.

Dave Marcis, Jack Ingram and Larry Pollard among others will be doing the honors of unveiling the first Old School Racing Champion's Tour race car.  "Having these racing legends unveil the first vehicle out of the OSRCT stable of cars is an honor,” said OSRCT Managing Partner Gene Weaver.  “There could not be a better event for the Grand Opening of Old School Racing than the PRI show."

This is a special vehicle and the fans will be in for a treat when the first OSRCT vehicle is presented to the racing industry.”

Top representatives from the OSRCT will be on hand at the world’s largest Motorsports trade show to answer any all questions about the newly formed OSRCT.

Look for other racing legends in the North Hall at the OSRCT spaces 3254 and 3256 all three days of the show. SCR

Matthew Blaylock

 

 

 

 

 

 

Penske Racing officials announced three organizational changes to its NASCAR team Wednesday, including the retirement of President Don Miller.

 

Also, the team said Michael Nelson, crew chief for Ryan Newman, would be promoted to vice president of operations. Nelson will be replaced by Roy McCauley.

 

Miller has been president of the team since its inception in 1990. Miller, 68, has presided over 75 victories, 95 poles and more than $90 million in earnings for the team in NASCAR and ARCA.

 

"On behalf of our 39,000 employees, I want to thank Don Miller for all he's done for Penske Racing over the years," said Roger Penske. "He's been a partner and great friend and he will definitely be missed. We're looking forward to the 2008 season and we're excited about the new opportunities for both Mike and Roy as they focus on the challenges ahead."

 

Miller, a native of Chicago, began his motorsports career as a drag racer in the 1950s.

 

"It's been a pleasure and an honor to help lead Penske Racing," Miller said. "Under Roger's direction, the organization has seen tremendous growth and I'm proud of all that we accomplished."

 

In his new role, Nelson will oversee Penske's Sprint Cup and Nationwide series teams. He will report to Penske Performance President Tim Cindric.

 

McCauley and Newman paired to win six of the nine Busch Series races the team entered in 2005 before McCauley was promoted to crew chief of the team's No. 2 Cup car driven by Kurt Busch.

 

McCauley stepped down as Busch's crew chief in 2007 because of his wife's illness.

 

"Both Mike and Roy have worked hard to advance in the Penske Racing organization and they are a testament to our process of promoting from within," Cindric said. "We are looking to build on the strong performances we achieved in the second half of 2007 and we feel that both Mike and Roy are in the right positions to help us get to where we want to be."

  

 

 

  

 

 

CONCORD , NC – Steve Francis and Chub Frank – the top-two finishers in the 2007 World of Outlaws Late Model Series points standings – are among the nominees for the prestigious 2007 All-America Auto Racing Team, which is determined by the 400-plus voting members of the American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association (AARWBA).

 

Francis, who won his first-ever WoO LMS title, and Frank earned nominations in the ‘Short Track’ category. A total of seven different divisions comprise the AARWBA balloting, with the top-two vote-getters in each category being named to the All-America Auto Racing First Team.

 

Other ‘Short Track’ nominees include 2007 World of Outlaws Sprint Car champion Donny Schatz and series runner-up Joey Saldana, as well as USAC open-wheel national titlists Levi Jones (Sprint Cars) and Jerry Coons Jr. (Midgets).

 

A dirt Late Model driver has never been voted to the AARWBA All-America First Team, which has been chosen annually by the group’s membership since 1970.

 

“It’s a significant achievement for Steve Francis and Chub Frank to receive nominations for the AARWBA All-America Auto Racing Team,” said WoO LMS director Tim Christman . “Only the best short-track racers in the country are considered for the team, so we’re extremely excited and proud that two of the nominees were regulars with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series.”

 

The drivers placing third and fourth in each category’s voting will be named to the All-America Auto Racing Second Team, and all other drivers receiving at least five percent of the vote will receive ‘Honorable Mention’ status.

 

Both Francis and Frank will also be in the running for the Jerry Titus Award, which is presented annually to the All-America team driver who receives the most votes in the balloting, regardless of category.

 

The AARWBA will honor its standout drivers from the 2007 season during the 38th annual AARWBA Banquet in Indianapolis on Jan. 12, 2008.

 

Francis, 40, of Ashland , Ky. , earned his All-America Team nomination thanks to a dream season on the WoO LMS in 2007. With a performance record that featured four wins, 27 top-five and 40 top-10 finishes in 44 A-Main starts on the tour, the ‘Kentucky Colonel’ ran away with the $100,000 title for the first time after finishing a heartbreaking second in the standings in both 2004 and 2005.

 

Frank, 45, of Bear Lake , Pa. , fell short in his second-half pursuit of Francis for the WoO LMS championship, but he enjoyed a career season nonetheless. The popular driver known as ‘Chubzilla’ led the competitive tour in A-Main victories, with six, and finished a personal-best second in the points standings. He also won the unsanctioned Dirt Track World Championship event at Ohio ’s K-C Raceway, which brought him a $50,000 top prize.

 

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com. SCR

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – One of the ‘must haves’ from a trip to New York City is pictures of the Big Apple’s world-famous landmarks. For Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus, the pictures are even more meaningful because they’ll serve as a lasting reminder of their championship celebration.

 

The highlight of day two of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series 27th annual Champions Week for the championship driver and crew chief featured a trip around town to pose for pictures in front of the city’s most recognizable landscapes.

 

The first stop was the corner of East 48th St. and 2nd Ave. – one block up from the photos taken of Johnson and Co. last year following his first championship. Johnson won four of the final five races of the 2007 season to become the first NASCAR NEXTEL Cup repeat champion since teammate Jeff Gordon accomplished the feat in 1997-98.

“This is one of the highlights,” said Johnson while standing on the street corner. “To get to do it again is fantastic.”

 

The trip also included a stop in front of the United Nations and in front of the historic Flatiron Building.

 

There will be more photo opportunities Wednesday, when Johnson’s No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet will lead the top 10 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series drivers in a 1.5-mile, stock car Victory Lap through the streets of New York, starting on 44th Street and Broadway in front of Good Morning America’s Times Square studios and finishing up on 43rd Street and 7th Avenue in front of The Hard Rock Café. ABC will begin its live coverage of the Victory Lap shortly after 8 a.m. (ET).

 

“Having a place here allows me to have a better appreciation,” said Johnson of being part of the iconic images. “The photo opportunity in Times Square – I can’t believe we’re there.”

 

Tuesday, Johnson’s day began with appearances on the CW Morning Show, FOX Business Network and the Rachel Ray Show. His schedule also included a satellite media tour and interview on MRN’s NASCAR LIVE.

 

“There is so much going on this week,” said Johnson, who added the second time around is a little less hectic. “Last year, I spent a lot of time worrying about the smallest details. This year, everything is in place and I’m enjoying the moment.”

 

Said Knaus: “This time it’s a lot more relaxing. Last year, there was a lot of nervous energy. We didn’t know what to expect. This year, we have a better idea of what’s going on and we’re getting to enjoy it fully. Obviously winning the championship again was phenomenal. To experience this two years in a row is great.”

 

Johnson will be joined in this week’s celebration by the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series top 10 drivers, as well as the champions of NASCAR’s national and regional series. A busy week of national media appearances and activities will culminate with Johnson’s official coronation during Friday night’s awards ceremony at New York City’s Waldorf=Astoria Hotel.

 

Spade To Be Featured Performer – Comedian/actor David Spade will be the featured performer for Friday night’s awards ceremony, which will air on ESPN Classic at 9 p.m. ET. Spade, a longtime fan of NASCAR, served as Grand Marshal for the March 19, 2006, race at Atlanta. He is currently starring in the CBS comedy Rules of Engagement, and was nominated for an Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award and an American Comedy Award in 1999 for his role on the series Just Shoot Me. SCR

 

 

 

 

 

 

HAMPTON, Ga. – Celebrating the 30th anniversary of the hit 1980’s TV show, “The Dukes of Hazzard,”  the DukesFest & Hazzard County Fair will take place at Atlanta Motor Speedway June 28 and 29 and tickets are on sale now.

 

In its 10th year, DukesFest & Hazzard County Fair will feature an entertaining lineup of county fair-related activities. The weekend, produced by John & Elly Schneider, will encompass appearances and autograph sessions from show cast members including John Schneider (Bo Duke), Catherine Bach (Daisy Duke), Tom Wopat (Luke Duke), James Best (Sheriff Roscoe P. Coltrane), Ben Jones (Cooter Davenport) and Rick Hurst (Clettus Hogg) Sonny Shroyer (Deputy Enos Strate).

Also scheduled for the weekend is a car show featuring hundreds of world famous 1969 “General Lee” Dodge Chargers, trucks and tractors, a demolition derby, stunt shows including an authentic “General Lee” jump, craft vendors, lawn mower races, Daisy Dukes’ shorts contests and a fireworks display. Local music acts and a special guest artist, announced at a later date, will also be in attendance.

Fans will be treated to carnival rides, a kids’ barnyard area complete with a petting zoo, pie-eating contests and a question and answer sessions with the entire cast.

 

Gates will open at 9 a.m. each day and close at 10 p.m. on Saturday and 5:30 p.m. on Sunday.

 

Single day tickets as well as weekend packages are available. Advanced tickets will be discounted, so those interested in attending are encouraged to act now.

 

If purchased in advance, a weekend pass is just $25 while a ticket to Saturday or Sunday is available for $15. If purchased the day of the event, the weekend package is $35, while an individual ticket is $20. Senior citizen and military discounts are available and kids 12 years of age and younger will be admitted free.

 

Tickets are available through the Atlanta Motor Speedway ticket office, an authorized Ticketmaster retailer or by visiting www.dukesfest.com.

For more information and event details, visit www.dukesfest.com. SCR

  

 

 

  

 

 

Concord, NC - For the second consecutive year, World of Outlaws champion Donny Schatz has been nominated as one of the 10 finalists for the Economaki Champion of Champions which is awarded by National Speed Sport News.

 

For the past three seasons, NSSN has awarded the Economaki Champion of Champions to the driver of the year. The award is named after the longtime Editor and Publisher Emeritus of the paper, the legendary Chris Economaki.

 

Schatz graced the cover of the famed publication a number of times in 2007, including after winning his second consecutive Knoxville Nationals title and his first Kings Royal at Eldora Speedway. He won a total of 19 A-Feature events with the World of Outlaws en route to claiming his second straight title. He became the first driver in sprint car racing history to win the Knoxville Nationals, the Kings Royal, the National Open, the Don Martin Memorial Silver Cup and the Williams Grove Summer Nationals all in the same season.

 

Schatz led the World of Outlaws in several statistical categories in 2007, including Top-10 finishes with 71, Top-Five finishes with 53, laps led with 467, money earned with $470,450, wins in the Crane Cams Dash with 12 and pole positions with 12 as well.

Schatz also is the only driver this season that was in the NSSN “Power Rankings” each and every week. He finished the season ranked second, only to NASCAR Nextel Cup Champion Jimmie Johnson. In the 75 A-Feature events contested by the World of Outlaws this season, Schatz finished in the Top-10 in all but four.

 

For drivers to earn a nomination for the Economaki Champion of Champions Award, they must have won a title in North America during the 2007 season. Schatz is one of 10 finalists for the award, which will be presented by Economaki himself on Thursday December 5, at the annual Performance Racing Industry Trade Show, held in Orlando, Florida, and will be featured in the December 19, season ending issue of NSSN.

 

Other finalists include: Sebastien Bourdais, who won the Champ Car World Series title, Jerry Coons Jr., who won the USAC National Midget title, Dario Franchitti, who won the Indy Racing League title, Steve Francis, who won the World of Outlaws Late Model Series title, Jon Fogarty/Alex Gurney, who won a title with the Grand Am Rolex Sports Car Series, Ron Hornaday, who won the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series title, Jimmie Johnson, who won the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series title, Joey Logano, who won the NASCAR Busch East Series title and Tony Schumacher, who won the NHRA Top Fuel title.

 

Steve Kinser, who has won a record 20 World of Outlaws titles and 543 A-Feature events, was awarded the Economaki Champion of Champions Award in 2004. SCR

 

  

 

 

 

 

Watkins Glen, NY – This year’s Centurion Boats at The Glen was considered, by many, as a race for the ages and now Sports Illustrated (SI) has confirmed what most Glen fans already knew.  The famed and respected sports publication has selected the Centurion Boats at The Glen as the best NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race of 2007.  In 2008, fans should expect the excitement to continue when the action of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series returns to The Glen on its traditional weekend, August 7-10.

 

Sports Illustrated announced its year-end awards for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series season in its weekly publication and on its website last week.  The selection of the Centurion Boats at The Glen was certainly no surprise to any race fan that watched the excitement and drama unfold at The Glen on August 12, 2007.  SI identified the on track confrontation between Kevin Harvick and Juan Pablo Montoya, the late spinout by race leader Jeff Gordon and “more fender rubbin’ than any other event of the season” as the reasons for their selection.  The sports giant could have also noted one of the other exciting storylines from the weekend such as the sudden decision by Bill Elliott to give his ride to fan favorite Boris Said, several drivers including Ryan Newman and David Ragan powering their way through the Turn 10 gravel trap, Carl Edwards’ desperate charge to catch eventual race winner Tony Stewart on the final lap or the constant daredevil passes through the Inner Loop. SCR

  

  

  

   

 

 

Welcome, NC – Richard Childress Racing (RCR) announced Tuesday that they have signed the 2000 Cup Champion to race a part-time NASCAR Nationwide Series Schedule in 2008.

 

Labonte, who in addition to being the 2000 Cup Champion won a Busch Series Championship in 1991 will run 15 races in the No. 21 Chevrolet for RCR.

 

“I’m really looking forward to driving for Richard (Childress) and the No. 21 team in the Nationwide Series next year,” said Labonte. “I had a great time in the one race I did for them in 2004 so I’m excited about running 15 races with a team that has won a lot of races and a couple of championships. RCR’s Nationwide Series program has been at the top for years and I hope I can help keep it there.”

 

Labonte will have Shane Wilson serve as crew chief for Labonte.

 

“I’ve watched Bobby’s career since he was a rookie in the Cup Series in 1991,” said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. “He’s a champion in every sense of the word and, with crew chief Shane Wilson and his championship-winning team, we know they will continue the No. 21 team’s winning legacy. We’re working on getting sponsorship all lined up but all of us at RCR are honored to have Bobby driving the No. 21 Chevrolet next season.” SCR

Matthew Blaylock

Photo: James S. Langley

 

 

 

 

 

 

Concord, NC - Donny Schatz, the two-time defending World of Outlaws champion and Joey Saldana, who finished a career-best second in points this season, lead a list of nominees for the prestigious 2007 All-America Auto Racing Team, which will be determined by voting members of the American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association.

 

The balloting is comprised of seven different categories, with Schatz and Saldana both earning nominations in the “Short Track” category, which consists of six drivers. The top-two vote getters in the category will be named to the All-American Auto Racing “First Team.”

 

Schatz won 19 A-Feature events this season with the World of Outlaws and became the first sprint car driver in history to win the Knoxville Nationals, the Kings Royal, the National Open, the Don Martin Memorial Silver Cup and the Williams Grove Summer Nationals all in the same season. He brought his career win total with the series to 70, tying him for sixth on the all-time win list.

 

Schatz, a native of North Dakota , led the World of Outlaws in several statistical categories in 2007, including: A-Feature wins, Top-10 finishes, Top-Five finishes, laps led, money earned, wins in the Crane Cams Dash and pole positions.

 

Saldana won a total of 13 events this season with the World of Outlaws, including the $50,000 Gold Cup Race of Champions at Silver Dollar Speedway in California . He also was victorious at: Thunderbowl Raceway in California, Pike County Speedway in Mississippi, Volunteer Speedway in Tennessee, Dixie Speedway in Georgia, Attica Raceway Park in Ohio, Kokomo Speedway in his home state of Indiana, Eagle Raceway in Nebraska, River Cities Speedway in North Dakota, I-55 Raceway in Missouri, Cottage Grove Speedway in Oregon and the famed Eldora Speedway in Ohio.

 

Saldana led the series in fast time honors in qualifying, stopping the clocks first 11 times, setting three new track records in the process. He also was one of just three drivers to lead more than 300 laps of feature racing competition during the season. In addition, he claimed six wins in the Crane Cams Dash to earn the same number of pole positions.

The balloting will also determine a Second Team of All-American’s, which will consist of the drivers placing third and fourth in each respective category, with honorable mentions going to all other drivers receiving at least 5 percent of the vote. An All- America team has been chosen by AARWBA members since 1970.

In addition, Schatz and Saldana are in the running for the prestigious Jerry Titus Award, also presented annually by the American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association. The Titus Award is voted on by the 400-plus members of the organization that consists of the motorsports press, and honors the All-America team’s top driver, the one earning the most votes in the balloting, regardless of category.

 

Other nominees in the “Short Track” category for the 2007 All-America Team include late model standouts Steve Francis and Chub Frank.  Francis claimed the 2007 World of Outlaws Late Model Series title, while Frank finished second. Also on the ballot is USAC Sprint National Sprint Car titlist Levi Jones and USAC National Midget champion Jerry Coons Jr.

 

The winner of the Jerry Titus Award will be announced at the 38th annual AARWBA Banquet in Indianapolis on January 12. SCR

 

 

 

 

 

 

ABC's telecast of the Ford 400 Nextel Cup race from Homestead-Miami Speedway received a 4.2 rating, according to Street and Smith's SportsBusiness Daily.

 

That was down 10.6 percent from NBC's broadcast of the race a year ago.

 

NBC's final telecast of a NASCAR race received a 4.7 national rating, according to Nielson Media Research figures.

 

The lower ratings for the Homestead race reflected a trend in Chase For The Nextel Cup events, as all 10 Chase races in 2007 received lower ratings compared to 2006. Some races were not comparable, however, because a race may have been on network TV last year and cable in '07.

 

According to SportsBusiness Daily, the top-rated sports program for the Nov. 17-18 weekend was the Dallas Cowboys-Washingtomn Redskins NFL game, which received a 15.0 rating.

  

 

 

  

 

 

Cornelius, N.C. – Kasey Kahne’s offseason was delayed by a week as he made the trek out west to compete in the 67th running of the USAC sanctioned Turkey Night Grand Prix at Irwindale Speedway.  Driving the No. 67 Seymour Paint car fielded by Kasey Kahne Racing, Kahne overcame trouble in qualifying to finish second in the Thanksgiving tradition.

 

After some unexpected problems in qualifying, Kahne raced his way into the 35-car field via the semi-main, also known as the “last chance race”.  Kahne started the 100-lap feature in 17th place and found his way into the top five on lap 78.  He picked up fourth position on lap 84 and worked his way into third five laps later.  With three laps to go, Kahne took over the second position and was closing on leader Dave Darland.  Despite having a faster car, Kahne ran out of time and out of laps before he was able to catch Darland.  In his first National Midgets race in more than four years, Kahne brought home the No. 67 Seymour Paint car in second place. 

 

“It has been a couple years since I’ve raced a USAC Sprint Car at Irwindale Speedway, so I was really looking forward to driving the Seymour Paint car here tonight,” said Kahne.  “It just took us a long time to get to the front.  The Seymour Paint car was really fast tonight, and if we could have caught just one more yellow flag, we could have had a shot at it.”

 

Kahne began racing sprint cars in his home state of Washington at the age of 17.  In 1998 he gained the attention of the sprint car world by finishing fifth in the “Turkey Night” classic at Bakersfield, California, and earned the Don Basile Rookie of the Race honors.  In 2000 Kahne began driving for famed USAC team owner Steve Lewis, who has also employed Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart.  Kahne was named the USAC Silver Crown Rookie of the Year and captured both the USAC Midget Series Champion and Driver of the Year honors in his first season.  Kahne went on to capture 11 USAC National Midget feature victories, including the 4-Crown Nationals (2000), Belleville Midget Nationals (2000, 2001), and the Night Before the 500 (2000, 2001). SCR

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Jimmie Johnson knows what to expect this week. After all, the driver of the No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet got to experience the glitz and the glamour of the Big Apple last year when he won his first NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series championship. This year, he’s back for more.

 

Johnson is returning to the New York City spotlight – and the main stage of the national media – following his successful 2007 defense of his championship and will be the focal point as NASCAR celebrates its 27th annual Champions Week.

 

“Coming down the steps (of the Waldorf=Astoria) started bringing back some memories of last year,” said Johnson, who became the first NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series repeat champion since Jeff Gordon won back to back championships in 1997-98. “The thing I really want to do this year is savor every moment, because before I knew it last year, it was all gone and we were on our way back to North Carolina and the banquet was over. And, I wanted to enjoy those moments a little bit longer.”

 

Johnson will be joined in this week’s celebration by the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series top 10 drivers, as well as the champions of NASCAR’s national and regional series. A busy week of national media appearances and activities will culminate with Johnson’s official coronation during Friday night’s awards ceremony.

 

Johnson, who clinched his second straight title in the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway, arrived in New York Sunday evening. He enjoyed a welcome dinner with NASCAR and Sprint Nextel executives at the sport’s longtime Champions Week headquarters – the historic Waldorf=Astoria Hotel.

 

His media blitz kicked off Monday with the airing of his appearance on LIVE with Regis & Kelly, followed by appearances on the FOX News Channel’s “Live Desk” and the Sports Net NY “Daily News Live.” Later in the day, Johnson and crew chief Chad Knaus helped ring the closing bell for the New York Stock Exchange. SCR

 

 

 

 

 

 

There was never a threat to move Cup racing out of the Charlotte area, but a threat to move the location of the race track is no more.

 

Lowe's Motor Speedway is staying right where it's at, the same place where it held its first NASCAR race in 1960.

 

Speedway Motorsports Inc. Chairman Bruton Smith and Concord (N.C.) Mayor Scott Padgett announced an $80 million incentive package Monday that will aid in $200 million of improvements to the facility.

 

The city of Concord will commit $30 million, Cabarrus (N.C.) County will commit $30 million, and the rest will come from the state.

 

The 1.5-mile track currently has 162,000 seats on a site that encompasses approximately 1,301 acres. The 162,000 seats makes it the biggest in the SMI portfolio, which includes Atlanta, Bristol, Infineon, Las Vegas, Lowe's and soon-to-be-acquired New Hampshire.

 

"There was something about bluffing - I'm not a gambler. I'm a businessman," Smith said. "We had a lot of opportunities. When I built this place, it was a long time ago. ... it was very, very difficult to build this speedway. It was one of the most difficult jobs I ever attempted in my life.

 

"It is here. You're going to like what we do."

 

Smith would not go into specifics about the improvements, but he said he would replace seating and add suites.

 

Among the community projects that are expected to get accelerated as part of the agreement are a realignment or widening Interstate 85 as well as roads near the track (even re-naming one of them Bruton Smith Boulevard) as well as replacing a bridge near the track. All of the roads are public facilities already in use.

 

John Cox, president and chief executive officer of the Cabarrus County Economic Development Corporation said the capital investment in the area surrounding the track, not including a major mall, is $500 million.

 

"We can't ever forget an impact a superspeedway has on our community, especially on the [economic front]," Cox said. "It was not a game for us at all. We have taken it very seriously, and so seriously, the loss of one more job or one more corporation simply cannot be withstood."

 

Smith and the city butted heads when the city leaders temporarily zoned the Speedway property so it could not have a drag strip. That move came after Smith cleared and graded land for the proposed drag-racing facility, and the two sides argued about whether Smith had the proper permit to grade the land for that purpose.

 

After the city threatened the construction of the drag strip, Smith announced that he would consider bulldozing the current complex and building somewhere else instead of trying to renovate the current facility. He said he had several offers from other communities.

 

The city, facing potentially substantial tax revenue losses if the race track moved (the track pays more than $1 million in taxes, the fourth-largest amount in Cabarrus County) as well as seeing the viability of area business threatened, then came up with the incentive package.

 

Smith said he received 12,000 cards from the community in support of keeping the track.

 

"All of a sudden, you're wanted," Smith said. "I think back to the very beginning of this brouhaha. I thought maybe this speedway was not where it ought to be. .... We're here forever."

  

 

 

  

 

 

Concord, NC - Gearing up for the 2008 season, Kerry Madsen has joined forces with VerMeer Motorsports Inc. and will contest the entire World of Outlaws schedule, beginning on February 8 at Volusia Speedway Park in Florida , driving the No. 55 machine. This will be the team’s first foray on the road full-time with the World of Outlaws.

 

Madsen competed full-time with the World of Outlaws for the first time in his career this past season, winning twice and earning the Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Award. He racked up 23 Top-10 finishes en route to a very respectable 13th-place finish in the overall championship points.

 

“I’m very exited and at the same time I realize the challenge that it will be with a first-year team,” said Madsen. “All in all, I am looking forward to it.”

 

The native of St. Mary’s, NSW, Australia was a part of VerMeer Motorsports from 2004 until early 2006, competing weekly at the famed Knoxville Raceway in Iowa . As a part of the team, he was the 2005 Knoxville track champion. During his title winning season, Madsen won five A-Feature events in-a-row at one point on the half-mile, in addition to winning the Summer Classic from the 16th starting spot, which earned him $10,000. Also in 2005, he finished sixth in the Knoxville Nationals, after starting 15th.

 

The team which is owned by Tony and Kelly VerMeer will continue to campaign the No. 55 on the car, and will utilize a Maxim chassis, with Don Ott power under the hood. Matt Barbara will be the crew chief for the team based out of Pella , Iowa .

 

Madsen along with five other drivers have helped the team finish in the Top-10 in points at Knoxville Raceway in six of the last seven years, including three consecutive Top-Five finishes in the standings. They were fifth this past season with Billy Alley behind the wheel.

 

“It will be a big help having worked with the team before,” said Madsen, who is a two-time winner of the Grand Annual Classic in Australia . “We have the chemistry and a great bond with the crew.”

 

In 2007, Madsen claimed the World of Outlaws Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year while driving for the Selma Racing team owned by the late Dave Helm and based out of California . He won two races, including on the second night of the season during the Florida DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park , as well as in his first visit to Perris Auto Speedway in California