BnB Racing needs sponsors so that they can go racing in the Camping World Truck Series.
If anyone can help them out. They really would appreciate it. Here is the page I set
aside for them,on my site: BnB Racing. There's plenty of contact information,and general information about the team there.
We, at BnB Racing, are proud to anounce that 10% of our race sponsorship money
for the 2010 racing season will go to the families of the Fort Hood victims. We, as a team and a family, feel that contributing
to these victims would help them with whatever it is that they may need. We have some companies that are coming on board
for the 2010 season; but we are looking for additional sponsorship so that we may be able to compete at every race. Any
company that would like to play a part in this, please feel free to contact us. We would value the opportunity
have you join our team and partner with us along with helping the Fort Hood Victims.
(2/8/10)
Courteousy of CBS Sports
" Can't make the cut "
Jimmie Johnson is No. 1 in Brian De Los Santos' first Power Rankings. No shock. However, some stars
are missing. Sorry, Kevin Harvick, Ryan Newman and Junior. Power Rankings
Courteousy of NASCAR.com
Kevin Harvick was ecstatic to find himself in Victory Lane on Saturday. Even though Harvick's win doesn't guarantee a successful
'10, Joe Menzer says it's a good start.
Video: Harvick discusses what the win means | Victory Lane
Jarrett, Earnhardt battle to finish as Jarrett's dad calls race for TV.
Courteousy of Kasykahne.com
Courteousy of FOX Sports.com
" The natural "
" Out of control "
" We approve "
Courteousy of SpeedTv.com
CUP: Legacy Teams Find Blue Sky
The legacy-team owners showed some muscle in the Bud Shootout... more
CUP: After Shaky Shootout, Hendrick Looks To 500
Team owner Rick Hendrick has six Daytona 500 victories... more
CUP: Shootout Hints At Exciting Days Ahead
NASCAR may be on to something... more
NNS: Danica To Make NASCAR Debut At Daytona
Danica Patrick will enter the NASCAR Nationwide race at Daytona Saturday...
more
So far, so good...
Courteousy of Truck Series.com
Early Evening News
Courteousy of Yahoo Sports
Site sponsors are wanted ! My prices are very reasonable.( In fact ,they are very ...VERY
low !). Use this link: Attention Site Sponsors
!!! ,or the same link provided in the column on the left , to contact me !
Courteousy of ESPN.com
Car owner Rick Hendrick, center, stands with Dale Earnhardt Jr., left, and Mark Martin in victory
lane after Saturday's Daytona 500 pole qualifying. Martin won the pole and Earnhardt was second.
By Andrew P. Scott, USA TODAY
By Gary Graves, USA TODAY
Mark Martin and Dale Earnhardt Jr. were understandably happy after Daytona 500 pole qualifying,... more
Danica Patrick To Make NASCAR Debut at Daytona
No. 7 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet to race in Saturday’s Nationwide Series event
MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Feb. 8, 2010) – Danica Patrick will make her NASCAR Nationwide Series debut
in the No. 7 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet this
Saturday at Daytona International Speedway, JR Motorsports general manager Kelley Earnhardt
announced today.
Patrick, Earnhardt, and team officials convened Sunday following the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) event at Daytona, in which Patrick raced to a sixth-place
finish in her stock-car debut. The decision for Patrick to compete in the Daytona Nationwide Series event is supported by
sponsor GoDaddy.com and JRM co-owners Dale Earnhardt Jr., Tony Eury Jr., and Rick
Hendrick.
“To be the one driving that Go Daddy
car at Daytona means a lot to me,” Patrick said. “Racing in the Nationwide Series race was my goal during this
entire two-month preparation process, but we wanted to make sure it was the right thing to do. The ARCA race was a blast, and I’m not ready
for my first Daytona Speedweeks to end just yet. I want more racing.”READ MORE HERE: http://domania. us/bigdog333us/ FebruaryPR/ danica_daytona28 10.html
Budweiser Shootout News Conference: Harvick/Martin/ Childress
An interview with:
KEVIN HARVICK, GIL MARTIN, RICHARD CHILDRESS
KERRY THARP: We'll roll into
our post-race winning team for the 2010 Budweiser Shootout at Daytona. This
is Kevin Harvick, driver of the No. 29 Shell-Pennzoil Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing. He's joined by his crew chief Gil Martin. Congratulations for putting on a great show tonight.
Kevin, I know you've been under the weather the last couple days. I'm
sure this is pretty good medicine for you.
KEVIN HARVICK: They want to kick me out already and
get sick again. Got to thank everybody from the 29 team, Clint and Jeff, for driving my cars, all the guys back at the
shop for already fixing our car, having it ready for next Wednesday to be sitting back at the racetrack in case something else happens.
It's a lot
of fun to win. I know we started the last year the same way. Tonight we led a bunch of laps, ran at the front all
night. To go out and have that car start cold, never have a lap on the racetrack, to have it run like it ran, says a
lot for the preparation of the team. It's a lot about the details. Good pit stops all night.
READ
MORE HERE: http://domania. us/bigdog333us/ FebruaryPR/ harvick_distrans 2810.html
Budweiser Shootout News Conferences: Kahne/McMurray
 |
An interview with: KASEY KAHNE
and JAMIE McMURRAY
KERRY THARP: We'll roll right into our post race press conference for the Budweiser Shootout at Daytona. We're pleased to be joined by tonight's race runner-up, that is
Kasey Kahne, driver of the No. 9 Budweiser Ford for Richard Petty Motorsports.
Kasey, talk about the race out there tonight, how you thought things unfolded for the No. 9 car.
KASEY KAHNE: I thought it was a great race. I
really enjoyed it. From the time it went green, we started 19th, just kind of marched our way up to the top three or
four cars and raced there for the majority of the race. It was a lot of fun to have a Budweiser Ford that fast.
The Roush-Yates engine, the way it comes up through the gears, the way it races, the way you
can get pushes and push other cars was something that was new to me and I enjoyed it. I thought it was pretty awesome.
Transcript: Daytona 500 Post-Qualifying Press
Conference
An interview with:
DALE EARNHARDT, JR.
MARK MARTIN
RICK HENDRICK
ALAN GUSTAFSON
KERRY THARP: We are pleased to be joined in the media center now by our
Coors Light pole winner for the 2010 Daytona 500, and that is Mark Martin. He
drivers the No. 5 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, and his crew chief Alan Gustafson.
Mark, this is you're 49th career pole. This ties with you Bobby Isaac for eighth all time. This is
your first Daytona 500 pole. Other history made today: You become the oldest driver in NASCAR history to sit on
the pole for the Daytona 500 at 51 years of age.
Courteousy of Amanda Vincent / Louisville NASCAR Examiner (Thanks Amanda ! ) :
Patrick to run Daytona Nationwide race
Amanda Vincent
Courteousy of Becky Davidson's "Race Fans Stock Car Newsletter" (Thanks Becky !) :
Gentlemen, Start Your Engines; Betting Odds Set For Daytona
500 February 7th, 2010 – By Scott
The chase for the Sprint Cup kicks off Valentine’s Day weekend, as NASCAR
holds the 52nd edition of the Daytona 500 at the Daytona International Speedway. Last year, Matt Kenseth collected the
victory in the most prestigious race on the circuit, in an exciting finish. NASCAR has made headlines over the last couple
of weeks following several rules changes that will take place this season. These changes will encourage more aggressive
driving from drivers, to captivate fans. The recent changes have been made due to the continual poor ratings that racing
received last year. http://www.sportsbookgurus.com/news/gentleman-start-your-engines-betting-odds-set-for-daytona-500
Harvick Wins, McMurray Shines, Stewart Has The Fire, Danica Can Drive!
by Misan Akuya
The Shootout could be a good indication of things to come By Mike Smith ·
And that big last lap Shootout crash? Well, here's Jeff Gordon's Take
Posted February 6th, 2010 by
Mike Mulhern DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. So the first few days of Speed Weeks have been a little, well, weird. And when Jeff Gordon
slammed into Greg Biffle in the final moments of Saturday night's Bud Shootout, triggering a big crash for which NASCAR –
on a very slow call – finally threw a caution, well, it just added to the aura of strangeness here. "Oh, man,
it was just a green-white-checkered flag race," Gordon said after that race-ending crash. "We got a great run
down the back straightaway. Matt Kenseth was pushing me. I got to Greg (who was running on worn tires), and I was just pushing
and pushing and pushing...almost had to move to the inside of him. http://tinyurl.com/ybsalfj
Roush Fenway Racing’s Carl Edwards says current plan is to run Daytona 500, even if his wife goes into
labor By Bob Pockrass
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Roush Fenway Racing’s Carl Edwards is about to become a father, likely sometime in
the next two weeks. And while he’s excited about the upcoming birth of his baby girl, Edwards says he has been able
to remain focused on racing during Speedweeks at Daytona. Edwards’ wife, Kate, is due with the couple’s
first child on Feb. 14, the day of the Daytona 500. Edwards said while there is a Plan B, he is expecting to go through with
Plan A – to race. http://tinyurl.com/yhwj3u3
2010 Top-35 Predictions by Mark Odor Posted on 2/7/2010
The time has come for me to post my annual top 35 predictions.
Champion Jimmie Johnson is still the guy to beat in Sprint Cup
By Anthony Andro / The Dallas Morning
News Monday, February 8, 2010
Next Sunday’s Daytona 500 is likely to start an exercise in futility for 42 Sprint Cup teams.
Jimmie Johnson and the No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet team show no signs of slowing down. Just don’t tell Johnson
he’s the guy to beat. "I’m entering this year saying we’re going to get beat, in my mind," said Johnson,
winner of four consecutive titles and three shy of the all-time mark shared by Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt. "That way
I work as hard as I can, the team works as hard as they can. We don’t leave a stone unturned. http://tinyurl.com/yhpxxq4
Jerm’s Absolutely Fearless 2010 Forecasts by Jeremy T. Sellers on February 7, 2010 ·
Editor’s Note: Here’s another in our series of “Fearless Forecasts” here at Bump Drafts. Today-
we hear from Jeremy T. Sellers- an EMT by day, a raging NASCAR fan by night. Jeremy is also owner/ publisher of Jerm’s
Joint Racing Pub.
‘Twas the week before Daytona, and all through Jerm’s Joint,My editor has asked me to get to the point.
Soon the truck will be packed with all our gear,Because we know that the 500 will soon be here.
As visions of Dale Jr winning a race dance in my head,I hope it is not another season of enduring dread.
Courteousy of The Frontstretch.com
(http://www.frontstretch.com/):
Breaking News: Danica To Attempt Nationwide Race Saturday
by Tom Bowles
In a move first reported
by ESPN, Danica Patrick has decided to attempt the Nationwide Series race at Daytona on Saturday, Frontstretch.com has learned.
After a sixth-place finish in the ARCA 200-miler this weekend, Patrick has decided to take the next step, moving up her "AAA"
Series debut by a week. She was originally scheduled to start competing the Nationwide Series race in Fontana, California
on February 20th. Patrick's move now leaves JR Motorsports' Kelly Bires out of a ride for Daytona. The full-time replacement
for Brad Keselowski in the No. 88 was scheduled to drive the No. 7 for this event, but now will sit out as Patrick and Dale
Earnhardt, Jr. contest the race with sponsorship. No word on if JR will let Bires run with a different team this weekend.
Special Daytona Feature
Beyond the Cockpit: Austin Dillon on His First Daytona Start and the Future of
the No. 3
By Mike Lovecchio
Some NASCAR fans may not know the name, but all of them know the number. Austin Dillon, the grandson of Richard Childress,
has driven the No. 3 for most his life, but now that he's made the step up to NASCAR's Truck Series, that number comes with
the expectations of matching the Dale Earnhardt legacy.
How will the teen respond to a cross he never asked to bear? Dillon took time out at NASCAR Media Day in Daytona Beach,
FL to talk to Frontstretch writer Mike Lovecchio about the pressure that comes with driving for such a historic number, and
what his future plans are for it.
Mike: What kind of thoughts are going through your head as you are preparing for
your first Daytona start?
Austin: You can’t say there’s no nerves, because there is. You can’t look at it as pressure,
though. I’m just gonna go out there, have fun, and try to get to the front somehow. If we run all the laps and try to
make it to the end, I feel we’ll have a good shot.
Mike: How excited are you to be running the full Truck schedule in 2010?
Austin: I’m very excited. Last year, we jumped around from different series; this year, having a set schedule,
it’s going to make things easier. Being in the truck every week and having a great sponsor in Bass Pro Shops is a good
thing; as tough as the economy is right now, having a company behind you like them really makes things easier.
Mike: Speaking of the economy, what are your thoughts on what seems to be a healthier
Truck series this season?
Austin: I feel like the Truck Series has actually done well. I heard their attendance was up last year compared
to past years, and everyone loves the racing. It’s tough racing, there’s a lot of beating and banging, and drivers
really have to go hard because of the short amount of laps. Everybody’s on the move every lap. It’s a lot of fun,
I know that and I’m very excited to be in the series.
Mike: How fortunate do you feel as a young driver to have a sponsor like Bass Pro
Shops and be able to run the full schedule when there are so many drivers out there looking for rides?
Austin: It’s awesome, and for me it doesn’t fit any better. I love hunting and fishing, and
I go in the outdoors a lot with my grandfather (Richard Childress). I can’t wait to get out there and showcase the truck.
It looks awesome, and the guys have cool suits…I just can’t wait.
Mike: What do you see as the reason why there is an anticipated increase in the number
of start and park teams in the Nationwide Series, but fewer in the Truck Series?
Austin: I think it’s just going to be better competition in the Truck Series. We’ve got Kyle
Busch bringing in a team now and we’re bringing our new team…it’s just a bunch of new teams going out there
and trying to prove themselves. I feel the Truck Series is almost going to be the developmental series now. They’ve
raised the bar now for the Nationwide Series, just because of the prices and the things that you have to do to get in these
days. The Truck Series is just the perfect place for guys like me that are trying to prove themselves and run well.
Mike: So what are your goals for your rookie season?
Austin: Definitely to win Rookie of the Year, run in the top 10, and hopefully get a win by the end of the
season. That would be a great year. If we could have that and run all the races and laps, that’s the biggest thing…
no DNF’s.
Mike: Is there any conflict of interest working for your grandfather?
Austin: No. Ever since I’ve been in a race car I’ve driven for him, and that’s who I want
to be with. He’s a great grandfather and owner, but you kind of just have to change yourself when you’re out there.
When something goes wrong, you’ve got to be the driver and not the grandson. It’s hard to juggle, but we do a
good job of it.
Mike: Is there any added pressure driving the No. 3 truck with the history behind
it?
Austin: I think there’s pressure when you’re out on the track with any number. I put the pressure
on myself to go out there and perform, but you can’t really look at it as pressure - you’ve got to have fun while
you’re doing it.
Mike: Do you have any Nationwide plans for this season?
Austin: Hopefully, we can run the new car at the three or four races they have. We’ve got to try and
get ready for next year if we feel we’re good enough to move up.
Mike: Do you plan on moving up with the No. 3?
Austin: We’ll just have to see. My grandfather is the main factor in that. I love running it, I’ve
run it in every series since I started racing. I’m comfortable with the number, and I’m excited to run it in the
Truck Series. It’s fun to run. It comes with a lot of different things: the media, the fans…people love it. It’s
something that’s close to a lot of people’s hearts, and it’s close to my family’s. I feel like I’m
fortunate to run it.
Mike: Do you think it should be retired in the Cup Series?
Austin: I guess that’s a question that other people have to answer. I don’t know. I like running
it right now, and I’m comfortable with it. I just have to see how it goes from now on.
Secret Star Of The Weekend: The Best Run You Never Saw
OK, so maybe it wasn’t such a secret. But how many people thought Jamie McMurray would compete the way he
did on Saturday night? Garage insiders claimed Bass Pro Shops was less than hesitant to sign the “metro” driver
– even for a one-year deal - as they wondered if he’d be the right fit for their products.
Well, if "Jamie Mac" runs each week they way he did in the Shootout, he could never hold a gun or a fishing line the
rest of his life and I think things will work out alright. Finishing third, the No. 1 Chevy was one of the strongest cars
all night, with McMurray pulling off some thrilling slingshot moves in the second half after being hung out to dry from the
lead on Lap 30.
“I like the package they have,” he said afterwards in complimenting NASCAR’s larger restrictor plate,
referring to several incidents where he pulled out and passed cars by himself. “I think it's going to put on
a great show Sunday.”
What makes McMurray’s run so impressive is despite his previous stint with Chip Ganassi, this was still his first
Cup race driving a Chevy – and his first with Ganassi in four-plus years. Add in a Friday wreck that sent him scrambling
into a backup car, and the recovery marks the type of momentum-building foundation that builds into a strong season.
“[The crash] kind of worked out to benefit us because the backup car drove a lot better than the primary,”
he said. “[Crew chief] Kevin [Manion] explained to me after practice that they chose the third best car for the Shootout.
Our backup car was the second best car. So it wasn't surprising to him.”
McMurray’s commented many times this Speedweeks how quickly the chemistry’s developed between him and the
longtime crew chief on the No. 1. And if Saturday’s any indication, it looks like both men are well on their way to
the perfect formula.
“You never know when you start out if you're going to like the setups that they give you or the cars, if you're
going to have to work on all of that,” McMurray explained.
“[But] we unloaded pretty much with the setup that they built at the shop, and didn't change anything all night
long. Pretty much the way we unloaded the car. We got caught up in that wreck.”
“It feels great to be back. I'm hoping I can make some Twitter page at this point, too, so you know. If you want
to send the highlight out, I'd appreciate it (smiling).”
Well, @jamiemcmurray, you didn’t make our Twitter page – but hopefully this Newsletter’s good enough. –Tom Bowles
TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
By Matt McLaughlin
By Brock Beard
By Amy Henderson
By Doug Turnbull
By Summer Dreyer
By Bryan Davis Keith
Courteousy of The Stock Car Gazette
(http://MotorSportsNews.Net) (Thanks Heather ! ):
http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/4480
Track Trash - Bud Shootout '10
by Racing Maniac
Yep, we finally got to see some good racing. The last 50 laps were the
kind that just might snag a whole new group of NA$CAR fans (aided no doubt by the many snowed in TV watchers in the Northeast).
www.Catchfence.com
StopRepairBills.com Partners With Braun Racing and Brian Scott in 2010
MOORESVILLE, NC (February 8, 2010) – Braun Racing is pleased to announce that
StopRepairBills.com will adorn the hood of its No. 11 Toyota Camry for two NASCAR Nationwide Series races, including those
at Daytona International Speedway and Las Vegas Motor Speedway. 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series Rookie of the Year contender
Brian Scott will drive the StopRepairBills.com Toyota Camry. StopRepairBills.com is the most reliable provider of vehicle
service contracts in the country. Based in Missouri, StopRepairBills.com has sold over 200,000 custom designed extended coverage
plans to consumers for over five years. An industry leading portfolio and absolute commitment to customer service has been
their catalyst for growth. Scott comes fresh off a 2009
http://www.catchfence.com/2010/nationwide/02/08/stoprepairbills-com-partners-with-braun-racing-and-brian-scott-in-2010/
Nelson Piquet Jr., to Drive for Red Horse Racing at Daytona International Speedway
MOORESVILLE, N.C.(February 8, 2010) – Red Horse Racing is pleased to announce the addition of Nelson Piquet Jr. to
its stable of drivers for the 2010 Camping World Truck Series season. Piquet Jr. will pilot the #1 Toyota Tundra in the season
...
http://www.catchfence.com/2010/arca/02/08/nelson-piquet-jr-to-drive-for-red-horse-racing-at-daytona-international-speedway/
Racin' Today
http://www.racintoday.com
Decision Made: Danica In Nationwide Race
http://www.racintoday.com/archives/14270
Ingram: Legacy Teams Find Blue Sky
http://www.racintoday.com/archives/14267
Pedley: Did Patrick Make the Grade?
http://www.racintoday.com/archives/14245
P R E S S * R E L E A S E S
___________________________________________________________
NASCAR DRIVERS AND FANS TAKE FIRST LAP OF
DAYTONA
500 RACE DAY ON FOOT
Coca-Cola Family Track Walks Combine Fun, Family-friendly Activities with
Access to Top Drivers and Tracks
Daytona Beach, Fla., Feb. 5, 2010 – Before taking the green flag in the upcoming DAYTONA 500, several NASCAR®
stars will get their engines started in a completely different way. They’ll take to one of the world’s most famous
racetracks on foot, joined by thousands of fans, to kick off Coca-Cola Family Track Walks – a season-long program designed
to encourage active family fun.
Fans can get moving by taking the first lap of the day alongside some of their favorite NASCAR® drivers on the legendary
racing surface at Daytona International Speedway.
Coca-Cola Racing Family drivers Jeff Burton, Clint Bowyer, Elliott Sadler
and three-time DAYTONA 500 champion Dale Jarrett will be on hand to lead the inaugural event, which takes place prior to "The
Great American Race" at 8:45 a.m. on Sunday, February 14 (registration begins at 8 a.m. at Gate 7). Following the
walk, fans can enjoy activities for the whole family, such as games, music, racing simulators, motivating lifestyle tips and
Q&A sessions with drivers. The free event is open to all ticket and credential holders for the 2010 DAYTONA 500.
Coca-Cola Family Track Walks will be held at several other venues this season, including Atlanta Motor Speedway, Charlotte
Motor Speedway, Richmond International Raceway and Chicagoland Speedway. All of the events will provide fun opportunities
for fans to get active by offering access to some of the most popular tracks on the circuit, top NASCAR drivers and entertainment
for the whole family.
"Coca-Cola Family Track Walks will tap into the passion of
NASCAR fans, the energy of the sport, and the uplifting refreshment of Coca Cola to bring families together for some active
fun," said Caren Pasquale Seckler, Assistant Vice President,
Coca-Cola Brand and Trademark Strategy, Coca-Cola North America. "By giving fans and their families exclusive access to walk
on a real racetrack where NASCAR drivers will compete later that day, we’re offering them a simple and fun way to celebrate
their favorite sport."
Away from the track, fans can visit www.MyCokeRewards.com throughout the year for more information on upcoming events and tips, sweepstakes
and exclusive content featuring their favorite Coca-Cola Racing Family drivers.
"I love how Coca-Cola Family Track Walks makes getting active exciting and easy for NASCAR fans. To me, striking
a healthy balance is all about the little things in life – staying motivated, making smart choices and spending time
with family and friends," said Jeff Burton, driver of the No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet. "It will be great to be out on the
track with fans to get a jumpstart on race day."
The Coca-Cola Racing Family is a group of top drivers that includes Greg Biffle, Clint Bowyer, Jeff Burton, Denny Hamlin,
Kevin Harvick, Bobby Labonte, Joey Logano, Ryan Newman, David Ragan, Elliott Sadler, Tony Stewart, and alumni drivers Kyle
Petty, Michael Waltrip, Dale Jarrett and Ned Jarrett. Coca-Cola is the Official Sparkling Beverage of NASCAR® and has been
involved with stock car racing for more than 40 years.
______------------------------------------------------
Office
Depot and NASCAR® Star Tony Stewart Team up for New ‘Smokin’ Hot’ Instant Win Game
BOCA RATON, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The 2010 NASCAR® season officially begins this week at Daytona International Speedway, and Tony Stewart, a two-time NASCAR
Sprint Cup Series™ champion and driver of the No. 14 Office Depot/Old Spice Chevy, is helping race fans win big with
the new Office Depot “Smokin’ Hot” Instant Win Game.
“It’s always smart to take care of business by shopping at Office Depot because
of the great product deals and services they offer, and the Office Depot ‘Smokin’ Hot’ Instant Win Game
gives fans a chance to win some awesome prizes at the same time”
Office Depot® (NYSE: ODP) is the Official Office Products
Partner of NASCAR and co-primary sponsor of Stewart and the No. 14 Office Depot/Old Spice team at Stewart-Haas Racing.
Now through March 6, fans who make any purchase at an Office
Depot store will receive a scratch-off card for a chance to win a variety of great prizes instantly. There will be more than
35,000 instant winners, and one grand prize winner will receive an unforgettable VIP race experience for two with Stewart
and the No. 14 Office Depot/Old Spice team during the Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series™ race weekend at Charlotte
Motor Speedway in May, plus a trip for two to Stewart’s “Smoke Show” fantasy driving experience at Texas
Motor Speedway later this year.
“It’s always smart to take care of business
by shopping at Office Depot because of the great product deals and services they offer, and the Office Depot ‘Smokin’
Hot’ Instant Win Game gives fans a chance to win some awesome prizes at the same time,” said Stewart, who took
on the dual role of driver and team owner at Stewart-Haas Racing in 2009. “As a small business owner myself, I would
encourage everyone to stop by their local Office Depot store today and take advantage of this great opportunity!”
In addition to the grand prize package, 140 scratch-off
cards will reveal a $100 Office Depot gift card prize and 35,000 cards will award shoppers with an exclusive Tony Stewart
poster to be redeemed at the Copy & Print Depot center in Office Depot stores.
“Office Depot is very excited to launch the ‘Smokin’
Hot’ Instant Win Game and reward many of the amazing fans who support Tony Stewart and Office Depot all year long,”
said Jeff Herbert, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Office Depot. “We think this is a great way to start the new
race season and help NASCAR fans everywhere take care of business.”
The Grand Prize
The Office Depot “Smokin’ Hot” Instant
Win Game grand prize package includes:
- A VIP race weekend
experience for two during the Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series™ race weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May
- Dinner with the
No. 14 Office Depot/Old Spice crew members during the Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series™ race weekend in May
- A trip for two
to Tony Stewart’s two-day “Smoke Show” fantasy driving experience at Texas Motor Speedway later this year
and dinner with Tony Stewart
- A $1,400 Office
Depot gift card
Scratch-off cards will be given out with every Office Depot
in-store purchase from February 7 through March 6, 2010. For additional details and Official Rules, visit OfficeDepotRacing.com.
For media information about Office Depot and its NASCAR
sponsorship, please visit http://mediarelations.officedepot.cc/racing.
Follow Office Depot and Office Depot Racing on Facebook
at http://www.facebook.com/OfficeDepot
Somewhat Older News
(2/7/10)
Evening NEWS FLASH !
Courteousy of ESPN.com
Late Afternoon Update
Courteousy of NASCAR.com
Everything seemed to be on cruise control for Kyle Busch in his first season as a Truck owner -- until his primary sponsor
pulled its backing a week before Daytona.
New faces, new places in the Truck Series | Phillips, Stillman named crew chiefs
Mid-Afternoon News
Courteousy of SpeedTv.com
CUP: Four Grateful To Be Locked Into 500 Field
Ageless Bill Elliott will race next Sunday in the Daytona 500... more
CUP: In View – A Memorable 500?
All signs point to a one great 2010 Daytona 500 next Sunday... more
Courteousy of ESPN.com
Courteousy of CBS Sports
" Danica does it "
As far as debuts go, Danica Patrick has to be pleased. The IndyCar star has the full stock-car experience
in her first race, spinning out on lap 54 before rallying for sixth place in the ARCA race at Daytona. Full story
Early Afternoon Update
Courteousy of NASCAR.com
Courteousy of Truck Series.com
East Coast " Lunch time" quickie
By: WGI Staff1/19/2010Summary
Fans and drivers will notice some major changes in several turns when they come back to the legendary road course of Watkins
Glen International during the 2010 season. The Glen is continuing their capital improvement plan and undergoing another major
renovation project, which is just the latest series of changes, since the permanent road course’s debut in 1957.
The Fans have Spoken and They Want Ten Man Push and The Custom Taylor Band
The votes are in and in a race too close to call, the fans have decided that the rock song “Big” by Ten Man
Push and the country song “Down at the Honky Tonk” by The Custom Taylor Band are the top songs on this year’s
Summer Soundtrack to The Glen.
Camping World Grand Prix Stays on ABC in 2010
Tickets for 2010 Season Now On Sale
Courteousy of SpeedTv.com
ARCA: Patrick Has ‘Fun’ At Daytona
Danica Patrick notches a top ten finish in a accident filled debut in stock
cars.... more
Morning News
4 articles ,courteousy of Michael King's "StockCarXpress"
(thestockcarxpress@yahoogroups.com) (Thanks Mike ! ):
Harvick Wins Back-To-Back Budweiser Shootouts
Kevin Harvick, driver of the No. 29 Shell/Pennzoil Chevrolet,
celebrates winning the Budweiser Shootout (Sam Greenwood/Getty Images for
NASCAR) | DAYTONA
BEACH, FLA. - The Budweiser Shootout has the proper name.... a Shootout.... anybody's race.... A no-holds-barred, fistfight
with stock cars..... NASCAR stock cars. Whoowee.... What a race! And what a finish.
After a caution fell with just
six laps remaining, the second of the race for Michael Waltrip, who was turned
sideways by Ryan Newman,
the stage was set for a spectacular finish and America's best professional race drivers didn't disappoint a huge crowd.
Kevin Harvick, sidelined with the flu for a week leading up to Saturday night's race at Daytona International Speedway, won the race,
taking the lead with just two laps remaining.
The race actually ended under caution when Greg Biffle's
car had a flat tire to trigger an eight-car pileup behind winner Harvick, runner-up Kasey Kahne and third-place finisher Jamie McMurray.READ MORE HERE: http://domania. us/bigdog333us/ FebruaryPR/ shootout_ recap2710. html
Martin, Earnhardt earn top two starting spots at Daytona
Mark Martin
celebrates winning his first career Coors Light Pole Award for the Daytona 500 (Jason Smith/Getty
Images for NASCAR) | By Reid Spencer
Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Three weeks ago, at a Fan Fest appearance
at Daytona International
Speedway, Dale Earnhardt Jr. spoke of a renewed spirit of cooperation at the Hendrick Motorsports shop shared by the No. 5 and No. 88 teams.
What Earnhardt
termed a "change in culture" spurred by personnel moves within the shop was in full flower Saturday at Daytona.
Mark
Martin, who led NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series with seven poles last year, added another his resume, putting
his No. 5 Chevy in the top starting spot for the Feb. 14 season-opening Daytona 500. Navigating the 2.5-mile superspeedway in 47.074 seconds (191.188
mph), Martin edged Earnhardt (190.913 mph) for the pole.READ MORE HERE: http://domania. us/bigdog333us/ FebruaryPR/ martindis_ pole2710. html
Gatorade Duel at Daytona #1 Lineup
VIEW THE LINEUP HERE: http://domania. us/bigdog333us/ FebruaryPR/ duel1_lineup2710 .html
Gatorade Duel at Daytona #2 Lineup
VIEW THE LINEUP HERE: http://domania. us/bigdog333us/ FebruaryPR/ duel2_lineup2710 .html
Courteousy of NASCAR.com
After sixth in ARCA race, Dave Rodman sees no need for her to wait.
Jaime McMurray talks about tires, his setup and what to expect on race day next weekend.
Kasey Kahne was all smiles after coming from the rear to finish second in the Shootout.
Courteousy of SpeedTv.com
CUP: Aero Package Passes Muster
The Budweiser Shootout was the first race with NASCAR’s new, larger restrictor
plate... more
CUP: Harvick Top Gun In Shootout
Kevin Harvick won the 2010 Budweiser Shootout... more
CUP: Kahne Takes Second In Shootout
Kasey Kahne’s first race of 2010 resulted in a runner-up finish... more
CUP: McMurray Has Great Start
Jamie McMurray finished third in the NASCAR Daytona Bud Shootout... more
2 articles ,courteousy of Amanda Vincent / Louisville NASCAR Examiner ( Thanks Amanda ! ):
Duel lineups set
Harvick claims second-straight Shootout win
Amanda Vincent
Courteousy of The Frontstretch
(http://www.frontstretch.com/):
Today's Top News
Harvick Scores Second Straight Shootout Victory
by Dave Exum
Kevin
Harvick was at the right place at the right time to win his second consecutive Bud Shootout at Daytona International Speedway
Saturday night.
With one lap remaining in the 75-lap exhibition race, Roush Fenway Racing's Greg Biffle spun out,
creating a multi-car crash that ended the race under caution. Harvick, who was leading at the time, was named the winner according
to the rulebook, as the race was already under a green-white-checkered finish scenario (extended under caution to lap 76).
"When
you go through the year we went through last year, this kind of night makes it all worth it," he said in Victory Lane. "This
thing was a rocket, and it really handled well."
Harvick, driver of the No. 29 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing,
becomes the fourth driver in NASCAR history to win the event twice in a row (Neil Bonnett -1983-'84, Ken Schrader - '89,'90,
and Tony Stewart - 2001, '02). Leading 21 laps, he passed Biffle during the green-white-checkered restart after Biffle stayed
out under yellow with Kasey Kahne, gambling while the other major contenders dove down pit road for fresh right side rubber.
Hanging
on in second, Richard Petty Motorsports' Kahne was thrilled in his return to the Blue Oval crowd.
"I was having a
blast out there," Kahne said. "The Roush-Yates Ford is a definite improvement, and it's nice to have."
Roush Fenway
Racing's Carl Edwards, who started from the pole after a draw was held to set the 24-car field last Thursday, led all 25 laps
of the first segment. He wound up leading the most laps, with 42, but fell back to finish 17th after becoming involved in
the Biffle-Gordon incident.
Rounding out the top-5 were Jamie McMurray, Kyle Busch, and Denny Hamlin.
Bud
Shootout Odds 'N' Ends
by Tom Bowles
- Confusion reigned from fans and drivers alike following the Bud Shootout, as Harvick claimed he never knew
the exhibition race - notorious for green-flag only finishes - could end under caution.
"I read on something somewhere,
it wasn't the entry blank, I know that for sure, but I read the race will end under green," he said. "Maybe it was on a TV
telecast as I was delusional sleeping in bed on Thursday. I don't know. Maybe I dreamed it."
Adding to the confusion
was a question on the TV Show NASCAR Smarts, run earlier in the day on SPEED channel, which insinuated the Bud Shootout
must always end under the green flag. However, official NASCAR PR sent early in December, detailing the race's new format
stated the following:
The race distance will continue to be 75 laps
(187.5 miles)... Both green-flag laps and yellow-flag laps will count.
Sounds pretty black-and-white
to me. The change back to normal NASCAR rules was also reinforced during the driver's meeting before the race.
"There
wouldn't have been anything left," claimed McMurray of a green-flag finish only scenario. "They would have just kept wrecking..."
-
Hendrick who? Just hours after capturing the front row for next Sunday's Great American Race, most thought a Shootout win
would be a mere formality for one of the Hendrick-supported cars. But while Stewart-Haas driver/owner Tony Stewart ran up
or near the front all night, all other Hendrick chassis and engines were out to lunch more than we've ever seen them at Daytona
in recent years.
How bad was it for HMS? When the smoke cleared, they were 0-for-6 on top 5 finishes, with Jeff Gordon
the high man in sixth - and even that wasn't smooth sailing, with the DuPont Chevy involved in the Greg Biffle wreck which
caused the Shootout to end under caution.
"We went into the corner and he just spun right out," said Gordon, claiming
there was no contact to trigger the incident. "I don't know if he had a tire go down, or just the fact that he was on old
tires and couldn't take that kind of a push. They said that bump-drafting is OK now, so that's what it's going to take to
win the race. He was thanking me for the push, and I was trying to push him up there to win the race or finish right there
behind him anyway."
Further back was Dale Earnhardt, Jr. in 11th, who never came close to smelling the front all night.
"Just can't go, ya know?" he told crew chief Lance McGrew during
the race. "Ain't got no go. No offense."
"We were not very fast in practice with this car, and it was
not very strong in the race," he said later. "We'll just try to bring a better chassis to the next Shootout."
Perhaps
most disturbing for Hendrick, though, were subpar runs by Jimmie Johnson and Mark Martin. They were 13th and 20th, respectively,
with Martin triggering an accident midrace which wiped out the No. 2 Dodge of Kurt Busch. Not exactly the way next Sunday's
polesitter wanted his night to end...
- Speaking of Kurt Busch, he's now totaled two cars in the last three days of
practice for the 500 - involved in accidents where he was nothing more than an innocent victim.
"I'm just making more
laps in the ambulance than I am on the track," he joked afterward. "Not fun."
Have news for Tom, Dave, Phil, and the Frontstretch? Don't hesitate to let us know; email us at ashland10@mail.com with a promising lead or tip.
Saturday Roundup
Patrick Quiets Critics, Finishes 6th In ARCA Race
by Mike Lovecchio
After
months and months of relentless speculation and waiting, D-Day finally arrived in Daytona Beach. During what was playfully
known as "Danica Day" throughout the garage, open-wheel standout Danica Patrick made her long awaited stock car debut - and
silenced many of her critics in the process.
After spending the first half of the event receiving a crash course in
restrictor plate racing, Patrick's day nearly came to a halt after contact with Nelson Piquet, Jr. sent her spinning through
the tri-oval grass at 180 mph. But it was that moment where Patrick wowed even her biggest detractors, displaying the amazing
car control needed to compete for wins at both the IndyCar and NASCAR levels. In what equated to both a visual and driving
masterpiece, she was able to keep the No. 7 GoDaddy Chevy off the wall and survive with minimal damage.
"I just held
to the yellow line, because I know you're not supposed to go below the yellow line to advance your position and I took myself
out unfortunately," she admitted.
But once crisis was averted, it was as if the spin knocked the training wheels off.
Patrick looked like a seasoned vet in the final 25 laps, working her way through the field en route to a 6th place finish.
"I
was pretty excited to go from last to the top 5," Patrick said after the 80-lap event. "You can see I was racing by all of
the marks on the car."
The fact remains, however, that Patrick was racing against drivers even less experienced than
herself, and there is still question as to whether she will compete in the Nationwide Series event in Daytona next weekend.
So
now, we must wait again -- the circus will stay in town for at least a few more days, with a final decision on an attempt
to be made on Monday. Danica Patrick showed Saturday that she can drive a stock car; now, the world is left to wonder if she
can do it with the best of the best.
Note: For a full recap of the ARCA event, Bryan Davis Keith has a special commentary
/ recap coming Monday. For official results, click here for ARCAracing.com.
Mark Martin Wins Daytona 500 Pole At Gustafson's Home Track
by Mike Lovecchio
Growing up just five miles from Daytona International Speedway in nearby Ormond Beach, a 6-year-old Alan Gustafson
would hear engines roaring around the famed 2.5-mile speedway while playing in his own backyard. As a teenager, he would go
to the track and watch great crew chiefs, from Gary DeHart to Ray Evernham, dreaming to one day be in their shoes.
Now,
people dream to be in his.
After a breakthrough season working with his childhood driving idol, Mark Martin, Gustafson
and his No. 5 team returned to Daytona in 2010 to earn one of the most prestigious achievements of Speedweeks - the pole position
for the Daytona 500. In the process, the 51-year-old Martin became the oldest driver in NASCAR history to start 1st for the
event - his first career pole for a race he's been trying to win since the early 1980s.
"Mark has enough records to
have his own record book, but when you can get a new one with him - and we've done it a few times since he drove his car -
I'm really proud to be able to do something he's never done, because he's done an awful lot," Gustafson said. "That's really
cool for me."
While Martin will get most of the accolades for narrowly nipping teammate Dale Earnhardt, Jr., he'll
be the first person to tell you that at a track like Daytona, winning a pole is more of a tribute to the team than the driver.
Various
drivers with differing levels of accomplishments have sat on the pole for the Daytona 500, from David Gilliland to Jimmie
Johnson, but every team that has done so has one common link -- a great crew chief. As a historian of the sport, Gustafson
understands what a pole at Daytona entails, and knows the company he is now in.
"For me, it's a huge deal. Being a
crew chief, this is a situation where you can really shine," he admitted. "You've got an opportunity to put a well-engineered,
fast car out there and run faster than anybody else for the biggest race of the year."
Next Sunday, Gustafson will
sit on top of the pit box and watch his car be the first to take the green flag. 200 laps later -- if his car is the first
to take the checkered flag -- it will be a dream come true.
Dale Earnhardt, Jr. qualified second, the
only other driver to "lock in" a spot in the 43-car field. The rest of the starting spots will be determined through the two
Gatorade Duel 150-mile qualifying races on Thursday. Ryan Newman, Bill Elliott, and Juan Pablo Montoya rounded out the top
5 fastest cars.
Elliott, Wood Brothers Shine With Fourth-Fastest Speed
by Dave Exum
Bill Elliott
showed why he's nicknamed "Awesome Bill from Dawsonville" on Saturday at Daytona International Speedway.
Elliott locked
himself into the field for this year's Daytona 500 by being the fastest Ford in Saturday's qualifying for "The Great American
Race." Elliott was fourth quickest in Saturday qualifying, clocking in with a speed of 190.573 mph.
"That was a great
run. You never can tell about circumstances – when you go, what happens, how the wind blows for this guy or that guy,
but the Hendrick guys are hard to beat," said the driver of the No. 21 Ford, looking to continue a part-time career renaissance
at age 54. "We worked all winter to come down here for today, and now we need to work on what we need to do for Wednesday
to be as good as we can on Thursday [for the Duels]."
"Hopefully, everything works out and we’ll be in the 500.”
The
1988 Sprint Cup champion ran the only Ford to qualify in the top 10. In fact, Roush Fenway Racing's Matt Kenseth (11th) drove
the only other Blue Oval car to crack the top 20.
Elliott is no stranger to success at Daytona. The two-time
Daytona 500 champion has four wins, 15 top-five and 24 top-10 finishes in 57 starts at "The World Center of Racing."
"For
the guys that are locked into this deal – the top 35 – it’s kind of a cakewalk for them, but when you get
to that 36th guy and he’s got to make it on time or whatever he’s got to do, today is just one part of it," said
Elliott. "Then we turn around and Thursday will be another part of it, so you take it a step at a time. For us, we worked
hard. We did our homework."
Saturday's Daytona 500 qualifying locks in only the front row of pole sitter Mark
Martin and Dale Earnhardt Jr., who qualified second. The rest of the starting positions are determined by results in the two
150-mile qualifying races that are scheduled Thursday.
Mid-Nite News
Courteousy of CBS Sports
(http://www.cbssports.com/autoracing):
Harvick has momentum going into the Duels.
When Kevin Harvick sees his chance, he jumps on it. With four laps left at Daytona, the veteran grabs the lead from Greg
Biffle and survives a late wreck for his second consecutive Budweiser Shootout victory. Full story
Courteousy of USA Today.com (http://www.usatoday.com/sports/default.htm):
Kevin Harvick celebrates his second straight Bud Shootout win with his crew in victory lane at
Daytona International Speedway.
By Rusty Jarrett, Getty Images for NASCAR
Kevin Harvick won the Budweiser Shootout for the second consecutive season, blowing past Greg... more RESULTS: Budweiser Shootout
Site sponsors are wanted ! My prices are very reasonable.( In fact ,they are very ...VERY
low !). Use this link: Attention Site Sponsors
!!! ,or the same link provided in the column on the left , to contact me !
Courteousy of ESPN.com
(http://espn.go.com/):
Super Saturday
We've already had the Daytona 500 pole settled and Danica's stock car debut. But wait, there was more! Kevin Harvick took
the checkers in a wild Budweiser Shootout. Story »
Danica's Debut
What did we get to see from Danica Patrick on Saturday? Not just a solid finish, but two "wow" moments that showed she
may have the right stuff for NASCAR. Terry Blount » Danica's take
Courteousy of Yahoo Sports
" This Bud's for you "
Kevin Harvick, recovering from the flu, unofficially kicked off the Sprint Cup season with a second straight
Bud Shootout win.
Story
Results
" Looking legit "
Danica Patrick showed enthusiasm and poise in her first stock car race, finishing sixth. NASCAR officials couldn't
be happier.
Wetzel column
Danica: 'That was fun'
Patrick holds her own
Courteousy of The Stock Car Gazette
(http://MotorSportsNews.Net) (Thanks Heather !) :
www.Catchfence.com
2010 Gatorade Duel at Daytona Race One Starting Lineup
Here is the starting lineup for the Gatorade Duel at Daytona race number one: more»
http://www.catchfence.com/2010/sprintcup/02/06/2010-gatorade-duel-at-daytona-race-one-starting-lineup/
2010 Gatorade Duel at Daytona Race Two Starting Lineup
Here is the starting lineup for the Gatorade Duel at Daytona race number two:
http://www.catchfence.com/2010/sprintcup/02/06/2010-gatorade-duel-at-daytona-race-two-starting-lineup/
Stock Car Gazette Columnists Speak Out!
http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/4458
Sizing Up The New Season... Five by Five
by the MotorSportsNews.Net(work) staff
The MotorSportsNews.Net(work) staff members took
a pick of five Sprint Cup drivers/teams for the 2010 season, and did an evaluation of their off-season changes (if any) and
their opinion of the drivers’ chances in the Daytona 500.
http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/4452
Track Trash - In The Beginning...
by Racing Maniac
GOOD GRIEF. Speed Weeks are here. Wake up and smell the roses, errr, fumes.
Lots of action this month, so hang on…the ride has just begun.
Google Alerts
Hot Wheels(R) Is
Back in the Driver's Seat With NASCAR
MarketWatch
...
heaven -- a partnership with JR Motorsports racing team and its newest driver, Danica Patrick, as she enters the NASCAR
racing circuit in 2010. ...
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/hot-wheelsr-is-back-in-the-drivers-seat-with-nascar-2010-02-06?reflink=MW_news_stmp
NASCAR Needs
a Hero, a Villain, and an Underdog in 2010
Bleacher Report
First,
NASCAR needs a hero. Of course, there are many fans in the sport who have already identified that hero as Dale Earnhardt
Jr. Unfortunately, ...
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/340739-nascar-needs-a-hero-a-villain-and-an-underdog-in-2010
SUBSCRIBE INFORMATION
http://groups.google.com/group/StockCarGazette
(2/6/10)
Late Night Update / Shootout results
Courteousy of NASCAR.com
Kevin Harvick didn't make a practice lap this week in Daytona but that didn't slow him down as he held on to win his second
consecutive Budweiser Shootout.
Evening Updates
Courteousy of ESPN.com
(http://espn.go.com/):
Remember Me?
No matter what Mark Martin did Saturday at Daytona, he wasn't about to trump Danica Patrick's ARCA debut. But he tried,
clocking the fastest pole speed for the 500 since '99. Newton » Martin's pole »
East Coast Dinner Hour News
Courteousy of CBS Sports
Hit the track running
Courteousy of Yahoo Sports
" Shootout style ! "
The 2010 Sprint Cup season unofficially kicks off with the Bud Shootout – a 75-lap sprint under the lights in Daytona.
Chat & leaderboard 
Courteousy of SpeedTv.com
ARCA: Gerhart Daytona Winner; Patrick Sixth
A strong debut in stock car racing for Danica Patrick at Daytona... more
Courteousy of NASCAR.com
Bill Elliott, Scott Speed and Joe Nemechek make the Daytona 500 field.
After a mid-race spin, battles back for top-10 finish in Daytona debut.
6:30 PM Early Evening Updates
(the snow finally ended about 2 hours ago,and we saw a nice "red sky" just before sundown. " Red
sky at night. Sailors delight. Red Sky in the morning. Sailors take warning."
Now my back,and Irene's back,is SORE !!!)
Courteousy of Yahoo Sports
(http://sports.yahoo.com/):
" Go Granddaddy"
At 51, Mark Martin is the oldest driver ever to win the Daytona 500 pole. Dale Earnhardt Jr. will start beside
him on the front row.
Story
Speeds
Courteousy of NASCAR.com
(http://www.nascar.com/):
Junior second; rest of Daytona lineup to be set by the Duel 150s.
Goes out early in quals, time stands good enough for front-row position in the Daytona 500.
Courteousy of USA Today.com ( http://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/default.htm) :
Pole winner Mark Martin, right, and Dale Earnhardt Jr., left, flank team owner Rick Hendrick
after sweeping the front row in Daytona 500 qualifying.
By Andrew P. Scott, USA TODAY
Hendrick Motorsports teammates Mark Martin and Dale Earnhardt Jr. have secured the front row for... more
Mid-Afternoon Update
Courteousy of SpeedTv.com
CUP: Martin Wins Daytona 500 Pole
Mark Martin will start the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 from the pole... more
CUP: Helton - Danica Effect Huge
NASCAR President Mike Helton thinks Danica Patrick's entry into stock cars
is a good thing... more
Courteousy of NASCAR.com
Martin Martin set the pole fairly early in qualifying, then sat back and watched others without success try to surpass
it. Dale Jr. will start second in the Daytona 500. The rest of the lineup will be set by finishing positions in the Gatorade
Duels.
New Egypt Speedway is getting ready for another exciting season of racing this year. See my
New Egypt Speedway News page for details :New Egypt Speedway News !
Mid-Afternoon News
Courteousy of SpeedTv.com
CUP: Predictions Are Out – Where’s Junior?
Don't count NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Dale Earmhardt Jr. out just yet... more
New Indianapolis 500 ticket customers can cash in on Danica Patrick's participation in the ARCA Racing Series season opener
Saturday, Feb. 6 at Daytona International Speedway. It's up to Danica how much they'll cash in. From Feb. 6-13, Tower Terrace
ticket prices will drop one dollar for every lap Patrick leads at Daytona. The ticket price will be cut at least $19, honoring
the number of laps she led as an Indy 500 rookie in 2005. Go Danica! IMS Tickets » | Indy 500 Gear » | Brickyard 400 Gear » | Read More »
Courteousy of FOX Sports.com
"Up for the job"
Courteousy of ARCA Racing.com
( http://www.arcaracing.com/) :
DAYTONA BEACH, Florida (February 6, 2010)-Dale Earnhardt,
Jr. says that he is refraining from giving driver Danica Patrick too much advice heading into her stock car debut in Saturday's
Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards race, allowing the IZOD INDY Car Series veteran
to make her own race day game plan. |
Late morning Update
Courteousy of Bridgeport Speedway
(http://www.bpspeedway.com/):
Sad News
Thu 2/4 - Frank
Franz, a veteran car owner at Bridgeport, has passed away. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Bridgeport Big Block Modified
driver Mike Franz and the entire Franz family.
Courteousy of SpeedTv.com
(http://nascar.speedtv.com/):
Saturday will be a huge day for our teams - NASCAR locks into the Daytona 500 the two fastest cars
in Saturday’s session...
Courteousy of NASCAR.com
Danica Patrick will make her stock-car debut Saturday in the Daytona ARCA race, but David Caraviello says the ARCA 'crash-fest'
will make the Nationwide race look tame.
Morning / Snowbound (10 inches and counting ,at 9:30) Edition
Courteousy of Yahoo Sports
Courteousy of Michael King's StockCarXpress (thestockcarxpress@yahoogroups.com) (Thanks Mike !) :
NASCAR Legend Junior Johnson Named Grand
Marshal For Daytona 500
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. –
To mark the 50th anniversary of his 1960 Daytona 500 triumph, NASCAR legend Junior Johnson will serve as the Grand
Marshal for the 52nd running of NASCAR’s most prestigious race – the Daytona 500 – on Sunday Feb. 14.
As Grand Marshal, Johnson will deliver the four most famous words in motorsports –
“Gentlemen, start your engines.”
“Junior Johnson is an icon in NASCAR
racing,” Daytona International Speedway President Robin Braig said. “His accomplishments
are remarkable and we’re proud to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his 1960 Daytona 500 win by having him preside as
Grand Marshal of NASCAR’s most storied event.”READ MORE HERE: http://domania. us/bigdog333us/ FebruaryPR/ jrjohnson_ gm2610.html
On NASCAR: Danica Patrick's Not The Only Woman Earning Spotlight
Guest column by Cathy Elliott
The Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 ARCA race at Daytona International Speedway
may be commonly referred to as “Dani-palooza,” but there is a larger issue at stake. This race may actually be
breaking new ground in the realm of coed sports.
Admittedly,
using the word “realm” may be a bit of a reach. Is there really any such thing as a true coed sport? Do we even
WANT there to be a true coed sport?
The definitive answer is ... we’re not sure.READ MORE HERE: http://domania. us/bigdog333us/ FebruaryPR/ on_nascar2610. html
How To Make The Daytona 500 Field
Qualifying for the Daytona 500 is unlike any other qualifying
procedure in auto racing. Drivers have two chances to qualify for the season-opening
race, as opposed to the one qualifying session format used at other races.
The first chance: Daytona 500 Qualifying, which will be held Saturday, Feb. 6.
The second chance: The Gatorade Duel at Daytona, two 150-mile qualifying races
held on Thursday, Feb. 11.
Below
is a breakdown of the Daytona 500 qualifying procedure:READ MORE HERE: http://domania. us/bigdog333us/ FebruaryPR/ making_500_ 2610.htmlSite sponsors are wanted ! My prices are very reasonable.( In fact ,they are very ...VERY low
!). Use this link: Attention Site Sponsors !!! ,or the same link provided in the column on the left , to contact me !
" Able student "
" The price isn't right "
Tony Eury Jr. says Danica's adjusting well to stocks
Danica says her sponsors aren't forcing her to race
Doug Yates taking his points to Front Row Motorsports
Jersey Governor says Meadowlands track is not dead
Mid-Nite Update
Courteousy of FOX Sports
Danica's stock car arrival is important far beyond her own garage. FULL STORY
Courteousy of Richard Childress Racing
Courteousy of Michael Waltrip Racing
Media Day Quotes - TREVOR BAYNE, No. 99 Aaron’s Dr...
Michael Waltrip Recaps Media Day from Daytona
Martin Truex Jr. - No. 56 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota -...
Michael Waltrip - No. 51 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota - ...
David Reutimann - No. 00 Aaron's Dream Machine Toy...
Even Older news
(2/5/10)
Late Night Update
Courteousy of ESPN.com
(http://espn.go.com/):
Ready To Rumble?
Was the wreckfest in Bud Shootout practice what NASCAR had in mind when league officials told
drivers to mix it up on the racetrack? We'll find out Saturday night. Newton Rowdy a romantic? »
Courteousy of Amanda Vincent / Louisville NASCAR Examiner (Thanks Amanda !) :
Chrissy Wallace plans Nationwide
debut at Daytona
Amanda Vincent
Evening Updates
Courteousy of CBS Sports
" Revved up buzz "
On a slight downswing after years of growth, NASCAR looks to get its mojo back. There are plenty of items
that will have people talking through next Sunday, Pete Pistone says. Story
Courteousy of Yahoo Sports
Earnhardt out front in Daytona practice
No. 3 returns to Daytona in truck series
East Coast Dinner Hour News
Courteousy of NASCAR.com
Mark Martin is making his 22nd appearance in the Shootout and has the edge on experience as 24 drivers prepare to do battle
in the first race of the season at Daytona.
Notes: Vickers enjoys 'slow' pace of racing
Also, Earnhardt Jr. paces rain-shortened practice session at Daytona.
Courteousy of SpeedTv.com
( http://www.speedtv.com/):
CUP: Daytona 500 Attracts 54 Entries
Courteousy of Roush Fenway Racing
Daytona Beach, FL.(Feb. 4, 2010) - Roush Fenway Racing’s Carl Edwards drew the pole in Thursday
night’s Budweiser Shootout drawing and will start his No. 99 Scott’s Ford Fusion on the inside front row for Saturday
night’s all-star shootout event at Daytona International Speedway. Greg Biffle (No. 16 3M Ford Fusion) drew fifth and
Matt Kenseth will debut his No. 17 Crown Royal Fusion from eighth place.
Continued
Early Evening News
Courteousy of ESPN.com
Courteousy of Amanda Vincent / Louisville NASCAR Examiner (Thanks AGAIN ,Amanda ! ):
Courteousy of SpeedTv.com
CUP: Drivers Take Lumps At Daytona
Daytona International Speedway is a one of a kind place to race... more
ARCA: Patrick In ‘Good Spot’
The ARCA RE/MAX Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 will be Danica Patrick's debut in
a stock car... more
Mid-Afternoon update II :
Courteousy of NASCAR.com
Mark Martin is making his 22nd appearance in the Shootout and has the edge on experience as 24 drivers prepare to do battle
in the first race of the season at Daytona.
Daytona 500: Practice 1
Site sponsors are wanted ! My prices are very reasonable.( In fact ,they are very ...VERY
low !). Use this link: Attention Site Sponsors !!! ,or the same link provided in the column on the left , to contact me !
Mid-Afternoon updates
Courteousy of FOX Sports
" All eyes on me "
" It matters "
Courteousy of Amanda Vincent / Louisville NASCAR Examiner (Thanks Amanda !) :
Wall Stadium Banquet News now posted on my Wall Stadium News Page 3 :Wall Stadium News Page 3 ! ! GET YOUR BANQUET ORDERS IN TODAY !!!
Early Afternoon News
Courteousy of NASCAR.com
With his father as his spotter, Ryan Newman had his dad with him every week. But when it came to their relationship, the
job made communication difficult.
Ragan hopes to rediscover the magic
After a rough '09, Ragan excited about prospects for this season.
Wally Dallenbach created foundation for kids who have suffered loss.
Courteousy of ESPN.com
(http://espn.go.com/):
Let The Fun Begin
From front-row Cup qualifying to Danica's ARCA debut to the Bud Shootout, Daytona braces for its
biggest Saturday opener yet. ESPN.com's Terry Blount has the scoop. Blount chat: 2 p.m. ET »
Courteousy of SpeedTv.com
CUP: Fans Hoping Their Pulses Race
NASCAR fans want to see hard and competitive racing... more
CUP: JPM To Make Points
Juan Pablo Montoya wants the NASCAR Sprint Cup championship more than winning
races... more
Courteousy of Becky Davidsons "Race Fans Stock Car News"
(Thanks Becky !) :
Lynda Petty diagnosed with CNS Lymphoma
Drivers appreciate NASCAR's bump-drafting rule changes, wonder about practical impact
Motor
Racing By Tania Ganguli, ORLANDO SENTINEL 11:56 p.m. EST, February 4, 2010
DAYTONA BEACH — Few drivers have taken the responsibility of drivers policing each other as seriously as Tony Stewart.
Stewart will talk to drivers about etiquette and other issues. If they don't listen, he'll teach on the track. It was Stewart
who in 2006 said bump-drafting at Daytona was out of control and might result in a driver's death. He even took those concerns
to NASCAR and asked them to do something about it. http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/motorracing/os-nascar-_media-day-0205-20100204,0,3964255.story
Girl Power: Danica Patrick: Why she'll succeed in NASCAR and why she won't
After months of hype and anticipation, Danica Patrick will finally race a stock car when she takes the green flag Saturday
in the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 ARCA race at Daytona. Though the debate over how she’ll fare in NASCAR will continue
beyond Saturday, at least there finally will be a track record. The great debate is this: Whether the Izod Indy Racing
Series star can make the transition to NASCAR. It’s a big question because her racing career has been much like her
GoDaddy.com commercials – part accomplishment, part tease. http://tinyurl.com/y9xnjc9
Jimmie Johnson: Nobody’s more annoyed by our success than Jeff
posted by tania ganguli on February, 4 2010 12:20 PM A lively and fun Jimmie Johnson greeted us at media day.
He took digs at people who annoyed him, spoke candidly about the rivalry between he and Jeff Gordon and talked about how fear
motivates him each year. That’ right, NASCAR’s defending four-time champion starts every season scared. He wonders
if he’ll be able to do it and if he even remembers how. And yes, he realizes how dumb that sounds. http://tinyurl.com/y89lbym
General Mills "Revs Up" Cereal Boxes
{ My apologies for the size of some of the following articles. No matter what I tried. I couldn't
make it larger.
Sorry 'bout dat !
Joe }
Courteousy of Stock Car Gazette
Lots of action this month, so hang on…the ride has just begun.
Filed under Press Releases, Sprint Cup Series
DAYTONA BEACH, FL (Feb. 5, 2010) -- Roush Fenway Racing announced today that Crown Royal has extended the number of races
in which it will be primary sponsor of driver Matt Kenseth and the No. 17 Sprint Cup Series team. Crown Royal will serve as
the primary sponsor for 35 Cup Series races in 2010. Kenseth will debut his new Crown Royal Ford Fusion when it hits the track
for his fourth-career Budweiser Shootout appearance on Saturday, Feb. 6. The makers of Crown Royal Canadian whisky, a subsidiary
of Diageo plc (NYSE: DEO), have been partners with Roush Fenway Racing dating back to 2003. In 2005, Crown Royal entered the
sport as sponsor of the No. 97 team, and in 2006
http://www.catchfence.com/2010/sprintcup/02/05/crown-royal-extends-primary-sponsorship-for-matt-kenseth-and-the-no-17-sprint-cup-series-team-in-2010/
Google Alerts
Patrick revved up for stock car debut
Boston Globe
This is NASCAR. And somehow it seemed so much bigger to
her. "I was saying on the way over here that I think this is a little bit more than the Indy 500 ...
http://www.boston.com/sports/other_sports/autoracing/articles/2010/02/05/patrick_revved_up_for_stock_car_debut/
Keselowski ready to be NASCAR villain
Tampa Tribune
No one's saying Keselowski is headed for the new NASCAR
Hall of Fame that opens this year, but the evidence so far suggests he has enough talent and ...
http://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/feb/05/050628/sp-keselowski-ready-to-be-a-villain/sports/
Daytona Notes: JPM To Make Points
http://www.racintoday.com/archives/14100
Keselowski Is Ready To Rumble In Cup
http://www.racintoday.com/archives/14047
C O L U M N S / C O M M E N T A R I E S
Insider Racing News
http://insiderracingnews.com/Writers/RG/020510.html
Dale Earnhardt Jr. and The Piñata Syndrome
by Rebecca Gladden
SUBSCRIBE INFORMATION
http://groups.google.com/group/StockCarGazette
3 articles courteousy of Amanda Vincent / Louisville NASCAR Examiner (Thanks Amanda !):
Morning edition
Courteousy of USA Today.com (http://www.usatoday.com/sports/default.htm):
Jimmie Johnson (front) and Juan Pablo Montoya each raised their games during the 2009 NASCAR
postseason. Johnson won his fourth straight title, and Montoya was in close pursuit until fading to eighth place in standings.
By John Harrelson, Getty Images
By Nate Ryan, USA TODAY
Four consecutive championships have branded Jimmie Johnson synonymous with speed, but the... more
Courteousy of Yahoo Sports
Martin, Hamlin in multicar Daytona crash
NASCAR ready to fix ailments in 2010
Daytona 500 media day
Johnson
Martin
Kyle Busch
Hamlin
Earnhardt Jr.
Gordon
Site sponsors are wanted ! My prices are very reasonable.(
In fact ,they are very ...VERY low !). Use this link: Attention Site Sponsors !!! ,or the same link provided in the column on the left , to contact me !
Courteousy of Truck Series.com
(http://truckseries.com/):
MUSGRAVE: 2005 Series Champ Returns With Ballew
At Daytona
MURPHY: Expects The Best At Superspeedway
PIQUET: Gets Veteran Spotter For Daytona
CARMICHAEL: Monster Sponsor Back On No. 4
Courteousy of Richard Petty Motorsports (http://www.evernhammotorsports.com/main.cfm) :
Budweiser Shootout at Daytona Preview
Courteousy of The Frontstretch.com
(http://www.frontstretch.com/):
Today's Top News
By Mike Lovecchio and Phil Allaway
Budweiser Shootout Selection Show Determines Starting Grid for Shootout
On Thursday evening, the 24-car starting grid for Saturday night's Budweiser Shootout was set. Like last year,
it was done in a bar-like setup. Drivers would be called up one by one and given a choice of 24 Budweiser aluminum beer
bottles to choose from. Once a bottle was chosen, it was given to a woman, who would then open the bottle
with a bottle opener. She would then give the bottle back to the driver, who would pull out a flag. The number
on the flag determined the drivers' starting spot.
Carl Edwards, the fifth driver to draw for his starting spot, drew the Pole Position for his No. 99 Scotts Ford.
He will be joined on the Front Row by Kevin Harvick. Harvick, who was suffering from flu-like symptoms on Thursday and
was not actually in Daytona for practice, had his crew chief, Gil Martin, pull his spot for him.
Row 2 will be Brian Vickers in the No. 83 Red Bull Toyota and Ryan Newman in the No. 39 Haas Automation Chevrolet for
Stewart-Haas Racing.
Other notables include Mark Martin in sixth, Tony Stewart in 13th, Jimmie Johnson in 16th, Jeff Gordon in 23rd, and Denny
Hamlin in 24th.
Approximately six drivers will be starting the Budweiser Shootout in backup cars as a result of crashes in practice on
Thursday. Those drivers are:
No. 1 - Jamie McMurray
No. 2 - Kurt Busch*
No. 5 - Mark Martin
No. 11 - Denny Hamlin*
No. 16 - Greg Biffle
No. 29 - Kevin Harvick (Car practiced by Clint Bowyer)
*These drivers will have to start at the rear of the field because they failed to turn laps on the track with their backup
cars after crashing in practice.
Miccosukee Gaming out of NASCAR
On Thursday, the Miccosukee Tribe held a vote that would determine the future of their marketing endeavors. Unfortunately,
NASCAR was the big loser in this vote.
Reports out of South Florda say that the Miccosukee Tribe has officially voted down any further participation in NASCAR.
As a result of this ruling, Phoenix Racing's Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series have lost their sponsorship for the 2010 season,
along with the No.18 Toyota for Kyle Busch Motorsports in the Camping World Truck Series.
This vote ends eleven years of NASCAR support from the Miccosukee Tribe. Their sponsorship debuted in the Busch
Grand National Series at Daytona in 1999 on a No. 64 Chevrolet driven by Barry Bodine that failed to qualify for the season
opening NAPA 300. By 2001, they had joined up with Geoffrey Bodine, sponsoring a second car, the No. 09, for Brett Bodine
Racing at Homestead.
2002 saw Miccosukee migrate over to Phoenix Racing, along with Geoffrey. Bodine then avoided the big one and
give the No. 09 team the best Winston Cup finish up to that point, a third in the Daytona 500. That was just the beginning
of what turned out to be an eight-year relationship between the Miccosukee Tribe and James Finch, topped off by Brad Keselowski's
surprise victory in the Aaron's 499 last season at Talladega Superspeedway.
Entry List for Daytona 500 released: 54 teams entered
On Thursday, NASCAR officially released the Entry List for the 52nd running of the Daytona 500. 54 teams have filed
entry blanks to attempt to qualify for the race. As has been the norm since the beginning of 2005, the teams in the
Top 35 in owners' points from last year are locked into the field, leaving 19 teams attempting to snatch the remaining eight
spots in the race. They are:
No. 09 - Aric Almirola, Phoenix Racing
No. 13 - Max Papis, Germain Racing
No. 21 - Bill Elliott, Wood Brothers Racing (Past Champion, 1988)
No. 27 - Kirk Shelmerdine, Shelmerdine Racing
No. 32 - Reed Sorenson, Braun Racing
No. 36 - Mike Bliss, Tommy Baldwin Racing,
No. 46 - Terry Cook, Whitney Motorsports
No. 49 - David Gilliland, BAM Racing
No. 51 - Michael Waltrip, Michael Waltrip Racing
No. 55 - Michael McDowell, Prism Motorsports
No. 57 - Norm Benning, Benning Racing
No. 66 - Dave Blaney, Prism Motorsports
No. 71 - Bobby Labonte, TRG Motorsports (Past Champion, 2000)
No. 75 - Derrike Cope, Stratus Racing Group
No. 87 - Joe Nemechek, NEMCO Motorsports
No. 90 - Casey Mears, Keyed-Up Motorsports
No. 92 - Mike Wallace, Whitney Motorsports
No. 97 - Jeff Fuller, NEMCO Motorsports
Since Bobby Labonte is the most recent Past Champion not already locked into the field via owners' points, he is guaranteed
a starting spot in the race. However, he is not necessarily locked in with a Past Champions' Provisional.
If he is one of the two fastest "Go or Go Home" qualifiers on Saturday afternoon, or he is one of the top two non-locked in
finishers in his Gatorade Duel, he can lock himself and allow Bill Elliott to take the Past Champions' Provisional.
Turning Back the Clock
By Phil Allaway
Turning Back the Clock is a new feature this year in the Frontstretch Newsletter, born out of...well, reminiscing
about classic races in order to come up with difficult trivia questions for you to answer five days a week. Each Friday,
we will discuss one classic previous edition of one of that weekend's races. Before the Budweiser Shootout on Saturday
is the season opener for the ARCA Racing Series Presented by Re/Max and Menards, the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200.
Now, you might be wondering, why am I profiling a past ARCA race at Daytona instead of a past Busch Clash/Bud Shootout/Budweiser
Shootout? Personally, I tend to forget Shootouts. I remember the happenings in the ARCA races a little better.
This edition that we're chronicling, the 1999 ARCA 200, is quite memorable.
If you simply look at the results of this race on Racing-Reference.info, you'll notice that Bobby Gerhart won and led
nearly three-quarters of the race in doing it. However, there was a lot more to this race. Viewers of this event
on ESPN2 back then would remember this race coming down to a pretty good duel between Gerhart and Shawna Robinson. However,
any chance Robinson had at claiming victory was dashed when Curt Piercy crashed, causing the race to end under caution (there
was no Green-White-Checker (GWC) procedure in the then-ARCA Bondo Mar-Hyde Series at the time). Had Robinson, who was
driving a Bob Evans-sponsored No. 1 Chevrolet for Phoenix Racing, actually pulled off the victory that day, it could have
meant big things for her career.
But this was not the most memorable moment of the event - far from it. During a caution period on lap 55, there
was an incident involving, of all vehicles, the pace car. It's unclear how this happened, but Joe Cooksey, driving his
own No. 51 Chevrolet, apparently didn't see the pace car moving slowly on the inside lane of the track and literally ran into
the back of it. The impact was pretty big. Cooksey's front end was thrashed, putting him out of the race altogether.
The Pace Car, a metallic blue Pontiac Grand Prix being driven by then-NASCAR Pace Car driver Buster Auton, was shortened significantly
in the rear end. However, both occupants of the Pace Car and Cooksey were all ok.
ESPN 2 did not catch the impact on camera during their broadcast. However, they did have aftermath footage with
the Grand Prix Pace Car facing towards the outside wall with the trunk shortened by a foot or so, while Cooksey's Monte Carlo
was on the apron with fluids leaking out. Eventually, amateur footage surfaced showing Cooksey running into the back
of the Pace Car with no one around him. Very weird. Let’s hope we don’t see a repeat of this incident
tomorrow.
Phil Allaway is the Newsletter Manager and a Website Contributor for Frontstretch.com. He can be reached via
e-mail at phil.allaway@frontstretch.com.
TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
By the Frontstetch Staff
By Kurt Smith
By Matt Lovecchio
By Bryan Davis Keith
By Ryan Truex (as told to Bryan Davis Keith)
By Bryan Davis Keith
Courteousy of Michael Kings StockCarXpress ( thestockcarxpress@yahoogroups.com) (Thanks Mike !) :
2010 NASCAR National Series Television Times Announced
 |
Earlier, Consistent Starts Highlight NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Schedule
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Telecast times for the
2010 NASCAR season have been released, and as previously announced, the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule features earlier,
consistent start times throughout the year.
Points races in the Eastern and Central regions of the country will begin
at 1 p.m. ET, West Coast events will begin at 3 p.m. ET, and night races will begin at 7:30 p.m. ET. (Note: NASCAR’s
longest race, the Coca-Cola
600, will start at 6 p.m. ET on May 30.)
Edwards draws the pole for Saturday’s Shootout
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.—
Carl Edwards is on the pole for Saturday night’s Budweiser Shootout at Daytona. The starting
lineup for the 24-car event was determined by a draw Thursday night at Daytona International Speedway.
The 75-lap annual non-points exhibition for NASCAR Sprint
Cup Series drivers will be divided into segments of 25 and 50 laps.
“From what I’ve seen so
far, there might not be many cars left after the first 25,” said Edwards, referring to crashes in practice Thursday.
“This race is going to be very interesting. It’s going to spread out a little bit. It’s going to become
a handling race. It doesn’t matter where you start unless if somebody misses a gear, we’ll be in front of it.”
READ
MORE HERE: http://domania. us/bigdog333us/ FebruaryPR/ bud_lineup2510. html
(2/4/10)
Late Night Update
Courteousy of NASCAR.com
Patrick lets her hair down, Earnhardt Jr. grows his out, Petty shows off his new tattoo and boys will be boys as we take
a look back at the lighter side of Media Day events.
Hamlin, Martin trigger crash in first session, Busch wrecks in second.
Evening update 3
Courteousy of NASCAR.com
Wrecks highlighted the two practices Thursday for the Budweiser Shootout. Denny Hamlin and Mark Martin triggered a multi-car
crash in the first session; Kurt Busch wrecked in the nightcap. Jeff Burton and Kasey Kahne led the sessions.
Courteousy of SpeedTv.com
CUP: Keselowski Is Ready To Rumble
Brad Keselowski joins the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series full time in 2010... more
FORT WORTH, Texas (February 4, 2010) – Texas Motor Speedway received approval from NASCAR today to move the start
times of its two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races for the upcoming season to be consistent with the Western Region start times.
Evening update 2
Courteousy of SpeedTv.com
CUP: Johnson Vs. Hornish?
NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson spoke his mind about Sam Hornish... more
CUP: Bumping Or Dumping?
To bump, or not to bump, that is the question... more
CUP: Johnson Opens As Favorite?
He may have been the Sprint Cup champion for the last four consecutive titles,
but this year something's different... more
CUP: 2010 Rookie Crop Is Pretty Green
This year the Raybestos Rookie of the Year NASCAR Series battles will have
some real rookies... more
February Speedweeks in Florida evokes many memories for me and I’m not referring solely to
the World Center of Racing...
Courteousy of ESPN.com
Forgive And Forget?
Two of the most mild-mannered guys in the Cup garage had a little spat on media day. If this is an indication of things
to come, the 2010 season could be a doozy. Blount Uh-oh: Is JJ jinxed? »
Circus Hits Town
Judging by the media throng surrounding her -- and how happy other drivers were to see it -- this
Danica Patrick thing may work out. David Newton » Interview PollCenter » SportsNation »
Courteousy of FOX Sports
" Here she comes "
" Count your change "
Early Evening News
Courteousy of NASCAR.com
Jeff Burton led the first session that ended with a multi-car wreck involving, among others, Denny Hamlin and Mark Martin.
A second practice is set for 6:30 p.m. ET.
Shootout: Practice 1 | New lineup criteria | Haiti Relief Auction: McMurray firesuits
Dale Earnhardt Jr. talks about trying to turn around his performance in the 2010 season.
Jeff Gordon announces he has another child on the way and discusses how to improve in 2010.
One wrong word or brief distraction could, and does, lead to calamity.
Champ talks about how he can get even better, and the HBO special focusing on him.
Patrick talks about her hectic schedule and how stock cars differ from open-wheel cars.
We like Kyle Busch to make it, but that means somebody drops out.
Owner reflects on merger, relationships and state of sport.
Baldwin understands you have to crawl before running at top speed.
Site sponsors are wanted ! My prices are very reasonable.( In fact ,they are very
...VERY low !). Use this link: Attention
Site Sponsors !!! ,or the same link provided in the column on the left , to contact me !
Courteousy of Yahoo Sports
" Who's No. 1 ? "
Getty Images
The Yahoo! Sports Top 20 Countdown has come down to two drivers: Jimmie Johnson (left) and Denny Hamlin.
Number 1
Number 2
Mailbag time
This week's topics: Daytona's timing and the futility of preseason predictions.
Hart's Happy Hour
Danica seeks respect in NASCAR
Martin, Hamlin in multicar Daytona crash
Richard Petty's wife has lymphoma
Courteousy of USA Today.com (http://www.usatoday.com/sports/default.htm) :
Juan Pablo Montoya bumps Tony Stewart's car into a spin during a heated moment in last season's
NASCAR finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
By Douglas Jones, US Presswire
By Nate Ryan, USA TODAY
They laughed uproariously through a radio show, whimsically straightened each others' ties in view... more
4 articles courteousy of Amanda Vincent / Louisville NASCAR Examiner (Thanks Amanda !) :
Courteousy of Barbara Widitz
BREAKING NEWS FROM JEFF!
You need to go and check this out!
4 articles courteousy of Michael King's StockCarXpress (thestockcarxpress@yahoogroups.com) (Thanks Mike !) :
DRIVE4COPD Becomes Official Health Initiative Of NASCAR
NASCAR to Play a Key Role
in Nationwide Effort to Raise Awareness of Lung Disease
DAYTONA
BEACH, Fla. -- The National Association for Stock Car Racing, Inc. (NASCAR) has partnered with DRIVE4COPD, a multi-year
public
health initiative to alert millions of Americans who may be at risk for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary
Disease (COPD). The partnership will focus on supporting the efforts of DRIVE4COPD to raise national awareness of this
common disease.READ
MORE HERE: http://domania. us/bigdog333us/ FebruaryPR/ drive4copd_ 2410.html
Statistical Advance: Budweiser
Shootout At Daytona
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
racing returns to the track Saturday night with the Budweiser Shootout at Daytona. A total
of 28 drivers are eligible to participate in the annual preseason, non-points race at Daytona International Speedway.
Nationwide Series Opener At Daytona To Be Known As DRIVE4COPD 300
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. –
The prestigious NASCAR Nationwide Series season opener, the 120-lap, 300-mile event scheduled on
Saturday, Feb. 13, will be known as the DRIVE4COPD 300, Daytona International
Speedway Track President Robin Braig announced.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a serious, progressive disease – which includes
chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or both – that robs people of their ability to breathe and
kills more Americans each year than breast cancer and diabetes
combined. The DRIVE4COPD race entitlement is part of a broader nationwide health initiative to bring more awareness to the
disease, led by founding sponsor Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. with partnering organizations including the COPD
Foundation, American Lung
Association and NASCAR.READ
MORE HERE: http://domania. us/bigdog333us/ FebruaryPR/ copd_300_ 2410.html
Brad Parrott Named Crew Chief for Brendan Gaughan
Officials of Rusty Wallace Racing (RWR) announced that standout
veteran crew chief Brad Parrott, will lead Brendan Gaughan and RWR’s No. 62 team during the
2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series season.
Parrott, a winner of nearly 20 races
in the NASCAR Nationwide Series since 2002, brings a wealth of veteran knowledge
to RWR, having served as crew chief for drivers such as Carl Edwards, Greg
Biffle, Jeff Burton, Dale Jarrett, Juan Pablo Montoya and others.
Parrott’s first experience with Rusty Wallace came when he served
as tire specialist for Wallace and the famed No. 2 car at Penske Racing in the early 1990’s. That experience includes
Wallace’s 1993 and 1994 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series seasons, which resulted
in series-high win totals of 10 and eight, respectively.READ MORE HERE: http://domania. us/bigdog333us/ FebruaryPR/ gaughan_chief241 0.html
Courteousy of Stock Car Gazette
Filed under Nationwide Series, Press Releases, Sprint Cup Series, Truck Series
Press: The Dynasty Will Continue DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 4, 2010) – It only
took an unprecedented fourth consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship, but the media finally thinks Jimmie Johnson
will defend his crown, according to a NASCARMedia.com preseason media poll. Incredibly, this isn’t a typical outcome.
Only once in the previous five preseason polls has Johnson been tapped as the favorite – in 2005, the last season he
didn’t win the championship. In 2006 and 2008, the media picked Jeff Gordon to win it all, in 2007 it picked Tony Stewart,
and last year, the press picked Carl Edwards. But at long last, Johnson, the 2009 Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year,
is the favorite to continue his dynasty. "I’m glad the
http://www.catchfence.com/2010/sprintcup/02/04/johnson-finally-gets-his-due-in-preseason-media-poll/
Tony Stewart – Great Expectations
K ANNAPOLIS, N.C., (Feb. 4, 2010) – Who knew? It is a question that
resounds vividly in the hearts and minds of Tony Stewart and his Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) teammates precisely one year after
they first made the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series scene ... more
http://www.catchfence.com/2010/sprintcup/02/04/tony-stewart-great-expectations/
Tomy Baldwin Adds Kim Kardashian To Racing Team
Press Release
Comments February 4, 2010 – 8:32 am | Print |
No. 36 Chevrolet will feature Kim Kardashian fragrance paint scheme
for Shelby
American NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race in Las Vegas on Feb. 28
http://www.catchfence.com/2010/sprintcup/02/04/tommy-baldwin-adds-kim-kardashian-to-racing-team/
Google Alerts
Speedweeks opens in high gear; new drafting rules debut
USA Today
A
rare conflict with the Super Bowl has souped up the Speedweeks schedule, compressing the first weekend of the kickoff to the
NASCAR season. ...
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/nascar/2010-02-03-speedweeks_N.htm
Insider Racing News
http://www.insiderracingnews.com
LVMS Invites President To See Las Vegas In Different Light
Las Vegas Motor Speedway is inviting the president to see firsthand how visiting Las Vegas for entertainment is a boon
to the economy. LVMS president Chris Powell is inviting President Barack Obama to be the grand marshal for the Shelby American
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Feb. 28. The invitation comes less than 24 hours after the president told a gathering in
New Hampshire that Americans shouldn’t "blow a bunch of cash on Vegas" during the current economic climate. "It’s
a shame that the president doesn’t realize the impact of tourism on the Las Vegas economy," Powell said. "Telling people
not to visit Las Vegas is the same as telling them not to buy vegetables would be to a farmer in the Midwest – or telling
them not to buy cars would be to an autoworker in Detroit. ...More
Fontana Promotion Good Deal
Stater Bros.’ customers who purchase $75 or more in qualifying groceries between Feb. 3 -13 can receive a receipt
redeemable for free tickets to the Auto Club 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race to be held at Auto Club Speedway on Sunday,
Feb. 21, 2010. For every $75 of eligible products purchased in a single visit transaction during the "Race to 75" promotion,
Stater Bros. customers will receive a receipt redeemable for one free race ticket, and customers can qualify for a maximum
of six tickets per household. Eligible products exclude items such as tobacco, alcoholic beverages, fluid milk products, prescriptions,
lottery tickets, postage stamps, sales tax, CRV, money orders and gift cards. To receive free tickets, customers must redeem
their qualifying grocery receipt(s) at the Auto Club Speedway Box Office, which will begin distributing the tickets at 8:30
a.m. on Feb. 3 through Feb. 14 (or WHILE SUPPLIES LAST). Besides a limit of six tickets per household, there is a limit of
9,000 total tickets that are available to be given out during this promotional period. This promotion is open to legal U.S.
residents age 18 years or older who possess a valid U.S. driver’s license. Official rules apply and can be obtained
at each Stater Bros. Supermarket or at www.autoclubspeedway.com... ...Daily Headlines
Bruton Smith Was Right About Start-And-Park Teams
by Doug Demmons
Snow in the south, cheap track owners and geriatric buds in the shootout by Ron Thornton
This was where I was going to say that I just finished shoveling snow off my driveway less than a week before the Bud Shootout
and the new NASCAR season dawned upon us. Then I noticed that folks in North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, and
Oklahoma were doing the same. Global warming sure can sure be a bugger, eh Mr. Gore?
http://www.speedwaymedia.com/articles/Story.asp?S=2930201101944
'Living Her Life with No Regrets '
Meet Caitlin Shaw
http://www.skirtsandscuffs.com/2010/02/women-in-nascarcaitlin-shaw.html
SUBSCRIBE INFORMATION
http://groups.google.com/group/StockCarGazette
Courteousy of Jeff Holtzclaws "Race2winnet"
(race2winnet@yahoogroups.com) (Thanks Jeff !) :
It's that time of year again, time to start those engines, time to join our Fantasy Racing League and time to Kick off
another season of the show!
Race 2 Win with us at Race 2 Win Radio!
Join our Yahoo! Fantasy Racing league and prove
to us that you Race 2 Win. First sign up at http://racing.fantasysports.yahoo.com to create your team and then select "Join a Private Group" when prompted and enter the following information...
Group
ID#: 13124
Group Password: race2win
Race 2 Win Radio Launches 2010 Broadcast Season with All-Star Lineup
Taylors,
SC, February 3, 2010 – With the Daytona 500 right around the corner, NASCAR fans are gearing up for the start of the
2010 season, and Race 2 Win Radio is ready with a stellar lineup for its first episode. The live call-in radio show airs every
Thursday from 1-3 PM ET at www.blogtalkradio.com/race2win and www.race2win.net.
Thursday, February 4, Race 2 Win Radio
kicks off the 2010 NASCAR season, bringing fans all the off-season news and updates while previewing Daytona Speedweeks. Special
guests include NASCAR Nationwide Series Driver Trevor Bayne, veteran crew chief and team owner Tommy_Baldwin, and Doug George,
crew chief for Kevin Harvick Inc. in the Camping World Truck Series.
Full Story <http://www.race2win.net/show/0201.html>
Popular NASCAR Writer Jeff Gluck Joins Race 2 Win Radio's Team of Award-Winning Analysts
Race 2 Win Radio,
a leading broadcast source of NASCAR news and commentary, is pleased to announce the addition of popular NASCAR writer Jeff
Gluck to its regular lineup.
Full Story <http://www.race2win.net/gluck.html>
Upcoming Races
Sprint Cup Series
Feb 6
Budweiser Shootout
Daytona International Speedway
Nationwide
Series
Feb 13
Camping World 300
Daytona International Speedway
Truck Series
Feb 12
NextEra Energy
Resources 250
Daytona International Speedway
Tune in to Race 2 Win Radio LIVE every Thursday from 1:00 pm –
3:00 pm ET at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/race2win or listen to any episode on-demand at http://www.race2win.net/archive.
FOLLOW JEFF HOLTZCLAW ON TWITTER: http://www.twitter.com/jaholtz
BECOME A FAN OF RACE 2 WIN RADIO ON FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Race-2-Win-Radio/124464063456
Early Yawning News
Courteousy of The Frontstretch.com
Today's Top News
by S.D. Grady
28 Drivers Eligible for Saturday’s Budweiser Shootout
With new eligibility rules for the 2010 Shootout, NASCAR looked to expand the excitement for this kickoff to the
NASCAR Sprint Cup Season by expanding the starting field.
So far, so good.
According to a preliminary entry
list announced Wednesday, 24 of the 28 eligible drivers are entered, with Geoffrey Bodine rumored to be a late addition in
a Tommy Baldwin Racing car (No. 35 or No. 36), which would bring the field up to 25. Only Bill Elliott, Terry Labonte, and
Sterling Marlin have failed to land rides for this exhibition race, with Elliott's one-race deal to drive the No. 6 UPS car
for Roush-Fenway Racing falling through this week. However, old-timer Ken Schrader was able to find a place in the field -
he'll drive the No. 82 Red Bull Toyota that'll be driven by Scott Speed in the 500.
The starting grid for this Saturday night feature will be determined Thursday evening at 9:00 PM. Drivers will
select their starting position during a blind draw through festivities televised live on the SPEED channel.
Here's a quick look at the current entry list:
2009 Chase For The Championship Drivers
No. 2 - Kurt Busch
No.
5 - Mark Martin
No. 9 - Kasey Kahne
No. 11 - Denny Hamlin
No. 14 - Tony Stewart
No. 16 - Greg Biffle
No. 24
- Jeff Gordon
No. 39 - Ryan Newman
No. 42 - Juan Pablo Montoya
No. 48 - Jimmie Johnson
No. 83 - Brian Vickers
No.
99 - Carl Edwards
Other Eligible Drivers Under The New Criteria
No. 1 - Jamie McMurray (Former Coke Zero 400 winner)
No. 17 - Matt Kenseth (Former Series champion and Daytona 500
winner)
No. 18 - Kyle Busch (Former Coke Zero 400 winner)
No. 20 - Joey Logano (Reigning Raybestos Rookie of the Year)
No.
29 - Kevin Harvick (Former Daytona 500, and Budweiser Shootout winner)
No. 31 - Jeff Burton (Former Coke Zero 400 winner)
No. 34 - John Andretti (Former Coke Zero 400 winner)
No. 51 - Michael Waltrip (Former Daytona 500 and Coke Zero 400
winner)
No. 71 - Bobby Labonte (Former Series champion)
No. 75 - Derrike Cope (Former Daytona 500 winner)
No. 82
- Ken Schrader (Former Budweiser Shootout winner)
No. 88 - Dale Earnhardt, Jr. (Former Daytona 500, Coke Zero 400, and Budweiser Shootout winner)
John Carter Racing up for Auction?
Just last week, the No. 08 team of John Carter Racing was in the midst of securing sponsorship in order to field an entry
for Terry Labonte for the Bud Shootout. Yesterday, the team put out a release stating they were not financially able
to make the Bud Shootout or the Daytona 500 work - yet insisted they would be running as many races this season as they could
manage. At the time, team owner John Carter was quoted as saying, "We already have some things in place moving forward;
however, the timing for the Daytona 500 just wasn't going to happen. The No. 08 will be on the track this season - it's
just a matter of when."
Unfortunately, things aren't always what they seem to be.
This morning, the team has three race cars (COT’s), a hauler, and car parts listed for auction at Iron Horse Auction
Company. The items are scheduled to go on the block February 16th. According to Iron Horse Auction Company, everything
in the auction will be sold "absolute," except for the truck and trailer. This means that there is a minimum bid that
must be met before the truck and trailer would be sold. Everything else has no minimum price. It is unclear whether
the proceeds from this auction would go towards the purchase of newer, better equipment for the team, or whether it would
simply be towards paying off debts.
Have news for S.D. and the Frontstretch? Don't hesitate to let us know; email us at ashland10@mail.com with a promising lead or tip.
Today's Feature Commentary Sabates Clears the Air Regarding Caustic Comments
What's Vexing Vito?
by Vito Pugliese
In yesterday’s Voice of Vito column, I detailed the blowup that occurred last Friday, when car owner and longtime NASCAR personality Felix Sabates made
some unsavory comments regarding the state of Michigan - questioning the need for two dates at the lone two-mile oval located
within it.
"I mean, there's nobody left in Detroit other than the police and the unemployed," Sabates told the Charlotte Observer.
"I'd cut Michigan off the schedule altogether. Michigan -- I'm talking about the state -- is never coming back to what it
used to be; so, why go there and throw good money after bad money?"
Hours after making those comments, Sabates issued an apology, chalking it up to a poor attempt at humor. The apology tour
continued Monday morning, appearing on Grand Rapids' 107.3 WBBL-FM sports radio talk show Bakita and Grey. But it was
there Sabates put his comments into context, making more sense as he detailed why Michigan – and some other tracks such
as California – could stand to lose a date or two.
“Unless we have profitable race teams, you are going to have less teams showing up to put on a show," he said. "We
need to make some permanent solutions. We are racing too many races, our people are never home. We grew too fast, and there
are way too many races. If you get your purses cut by 10 percent like they did [last] Friday, you should cut 10 percent of
the races.”
10 percent may not sound like much to a team that has a slew of sponsors for an entire season, but for those who are struggling
to just qualify or even start-and-park, it will make operations that much more difficult to support. The fans might not be
coming in droves as they once were, but that doesn’t mean that tires or travel expenses get a 10% discount as well.
“This country is in a very shaky economic condition today," Sabates continued. "Race fans cannot afford to pay what
they used to pay to go to a racetrack. If you don’t have a job, you can’t afford to pay for a ticket.”
And if you can’t afford to tow your car to the track, you can’t compete.
“Look at how many teams were in NASCAR five years ago versus where they are today," he said. "You got five or six
teams that can win a race on a given weekend. The rest of the guys are there just so those guys can pass them.”
So how about those other teams that, as of late, have been little more than field-filler fodder for a few select organizations
to run roughshod over?
“NASCAR does a good job with trying to help the car owners with rules. Every year they come up with better rules
that help us spend less money. The problem is, two or three team owners have so much money to spend that no matter what NASCAR
comes up with, they get around those rules," he claimed. "You have teams in other sports that become dynasties, because the
owners have more money than they know what to do with – and that’s happening with NASCAR.”
Many are familiar with Sabates from his involvement with his race teams, but may be unfamiliar with how he got there. He
was born into a lifestyle of privilege in his native homeland of Cuba, his family owning a collection of successful businesses.
That was until Fidel Castro (with the help of Che Guevara – perhaps you have seen his image on Johnny Depp’s
necklace or on the T-shirt of a local youth who hates his father) and his communist revolutionaries took power, seizing privately
held businesses and wealth, taking from his family everything that they had worked so hard to earn. He and his family fled
to the United States, where he worked his way from washing pots and pans to selling cars to making his own fortune, distributing
Atari and Nintendo systems and games, the Teddy Ruxpin talking teddy bear, all the while helping to support the smaller mom-and-pop
operations that carried these and some other less popular products.
I hardly feel that Felix Sabates is one to exploit the troubles experienced by others, given his own history of personal
challenge. I, too, experienced the struggles of an economy in decline a few years ago, being jobless – for seven long
months – but I’ve never been forced to leave my country or had my home taken from me by the government.
At worst, his bombastic comments regarding the plight of Detroit was perhaps a bit over the top, but if you look at the
statistics, not exactly inaccurate. It was a bit of a splash of cold water in the face of the sport as well, spelling out
what needs to be addressed to ensure the survivability and relevance of NASCAR as a whole. It will be some time before Michigan
and the Detroit area are able to regain the luster that has been lost, though the struggles that Motown has suffered in recent
years are now being felt by the rest of the country at large.
But that is not to say that Michigan cannot rebound – far from it. Even as the days are dark and overcast here in
the dead of winter, there are rays of sunshine that poke through the clouds now and then.
Ford announced last week they had posted a $2.7 billion profit, and have quietly been reviving the funding of their racing
programs. Chrysler executives, who said that this time a year ago they were “clinically depressed,” have returned
to work with renewed enthusiasm and optimism for the future of the Pentastar brand, already seeing the progress that has been
made in recent months during their corporate restructuring.
This, coupled with the recent backlash towards Toyota over their six million sticky throttles and Honda’s barbecue
power window switches, there is much ground to be gained and glimmers of hope are beginning to break through the black cloud
that has been covering Michigan - even as we all endure another six weeks of winter thanks to Punxsutawney Phil.
With that, I hope to see you at Michigan International Speedway this June and August, and for many more years to come,
because no matter what Felix says, I think there will be two races here for the foreseeable future - as there always should
be. For as long as American auto manufacturers are involved in NASCAR, if Detroit builds it, they will come.
The Italian Stallion is no One Trick Pony - check out Vito's take on Detroit Iron at his Examiner.com American Muscle Car page. TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
" Double Standard "
Courteousy of Truck Series.com
(2/3/10)
There is talk again tonight about NASCAR @ the New Jersey Meadowlands
" NASCAR at the Meadowlands ? "
http://www.standardbredcanada.ca/news/1-23-10/nascar-meadowlands.html
On Friday, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie released 19 reports prepared by his Transition New Jersey subcommittees,
including the report on Gaming, Sports, and Entertainments that included the New Jersey Sports & Exhibition Authority
and the Meadowlands.
The report's Executive Summary on the NJSEA and horse racing at the Meadowlands is as follows:
As budgeted for 2010, horseracing on track is projected to lose $22 million; the business model is broken. The agreements
with the various Horsemen Associations will ensure continued losses; during 2010 these agreements need to be reopened and
renegotiated. It is time to review options for racing in New Jersey. THE STATUS QUO IS NOT SUSTAINABLE. We encourage consideration
of all the options to make horseracing self-sustaining, including consolidation of racing state-wide.
The ultimate goal is to continue to have live racing at a venue where the Sports Authority and its OTW system can operate
without a subsidy. (NJSEA budgeted total deficit for 2010 is $38 million). Another option to be considered is a feasibility
study for the commercial redevelopment of the Meadowlands, including examining other potential uses such as NASCAR.
The report does acknowledge the fact that the Meadowlands is one of the most popular harness racing tracks in the world
and that the Meadowlands Sports Complex is one of the best rated multi-purpose facilities. However, the report suggests a
dire need for the NJSEA to have a modern financing structure.
New Jersey's Transition subcommittees conducted thorough reviews of all departments, agencies and authorities of the state
and made assessments and recommendations to improve, shrink and, in some cases, eliminate wasteful or inefficient government
operations.
"These reports are full of bold ideas and recommendations for change from a bipartisan group of individuals from the private
and public sectors," said Christie. "They came to the task with a wide range of knowledge and expertise and gave us unvarnished
assessments of our state government, its strengths, weaknesses and failures. I want to thank them for their hard work and
dedication. In the coming weeks, my Cabinet and I will be consulting with subcommittee members, reviewing each of the reports,
and carefully considering these recommendations for improvement and change."
{ All of you who know me, know that this has my whole-hearted ...110 + % support ! Buuuuuuut...we've been through this
before...roughly between 2000,and 2004 .
With all the NIMBY's that fought it then. They'll be back fighting it again . I still have a huge headache from trying
to impress all the positive things,that will come with this track. Sooooooo I am not doing that again !
LOL !!! There isn't enough Tylenol,in the world,to help me with that !!!
Joe }
Courteousy of CBS Sports
" Lofty expectations "
Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch
and Joey Logano combined for nine wins in '09, and eye the title in 2010. If there's a team to challenge Hendrick, it's Joe
Gibbs Racing, Pete Pistone says. Story
Courteousy of FOX Sports
" Taking the lead "
" Power players "
" Follow my lead "
" Tough Crowd "
Courteousy of SpeedTv.com
CUP: Only Engines Should Whine In Daytona
At Media day in Daytona NASCAR drivers could talk about the cut in prize money...
more
CUP: Who Will Suprise With A Win?
Who will be the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series dark horse for 2010.... more
NNS: McDowell Doubles Up In 2010
Michael McDowell plans to run full NASCAR Sprint Cup, Nationwide schedules
in 2010... more
I am getting ready to head down to Daytona for media day for our first practice of the season for
the Budweiser Shootout...
Hate is a strong word much better termed as “dislike,” but believe it or not, hate
in professional sports can be a good thing...
Just days before I head down to Daytona International Speedway, I returned from a trip to Kitzbühel,
Austria - for the Hahnenkamm Race...
Site sponsors are wanted ! My prices are very reasonable.( In fact ,they are very ...VERY
low !). Use this link: Attention Site Sponsors !!! ,or the same link provided in the column on the left , to contact me !
Nell Redmond / ASSOCIATED PRESS
Courteousy of ESPN.com
Courteousy of Yahoo Sports
Mail time
This week's topics include the Daytona 500 conflicting with Valentine's Day and the futility of preseason predictions.
Hart's Happy Hour
Patrick could skip Nationwide opener
Courteousy of NASCAR.com
NASCAR wants drivers this year more than ever to be themselves and show the true essence of their character. Problem is,
they have to toe the company, i.e, sponsor line.
Allows antithetical personalities to compliment each other.
Two cars will have to qualify on speed or during Duel qualifying.
Driver says she is using celebrity status to make a difference.
By Davis Turner for USA TODAY
By Brant James, special for USA TODAY
Jimmie Johnson's town car squeezed past the Gray Line tour bus in Times Square as he chuckled over... more
Courteousy of The Frontstretch.com
Top News Stories
By Phil Allaway
Window World to Sponsor Latitude 43 Motorsports at Daytona
On Tuesday's edition of Sirius Speedway,
driver Boris Said announced that Window World, the North Wilkesboro, North Carolina-based window company will sponsor the
No. 26 Ford during Speedweeks at Daytona. This goes along with the recent announcement that Window World would sponsor
the No. 34 Ford for the newly re-christened Front Row Motorsports with Yates Racing and driver John Andretti.
This
is similar to Window World's strategy last year, where they also sponsored two cars in the Daytona 500. The No. 34 team
is a repeat association, but the former Roush Fenway No. 26 is new. Last year, in addition to the No. 34, Window World
had their logos on the No. 66 Toyota for Prism Motorsports and driver Terry Labonte. The Window World-sponsored duo
managed 19th (Andretti) and 24th (Labonte) place finishes in the rain-shortened race, both on the lead lap at the finish.
ABF
Announces Seven-Race Sponsorship with Braun Racing
On Tuesday, Braun Racing announced in a press release that ABF Freight
System has re-upped with the team for the 2010 Nationwide Series season. ABF's colors will adorn the No. 10 Toyota for
the seven races that Jason Leffler will drive the car while Kasey Kahne drives the Great Clips-sponsored No. 38.
Those
races where ABF colors will be featured are the Camping World 300 in Daytona on February 13, the Scotts Turf Builder 300 at
Bristol on March 20, and the 200 miler at Darlington Raceway on May 7. In addition, ABF will sponsor the No. 10 in the
Heluva Good! 200 at Dover on May 15, the Tech-Net Auto Service 300 in Charlotte on May 29, and the 300 miler in Atlanta on
September 4. ABF's final race of 2010 will be the Ford 300 in Homestead on November 20.
JD Motorsports has Sponsor for Daytona on No. 01
On Tuesday, it was announced that Floridian U.S.
Senate candidate Kendrick Meek's campaign will sponsor the No. 01 Chevrolet for JD Motorsports in the Camping World 300 at
Daytona on February 13. Mike Wallace will be behind the wheel.
Meek, a longtime supporter of NASCAR, is excited
for this opportunity to spread the word about his campaign.
"I'm thrilled to sponsor the race car driven by Mike Wallace,
a member of one of America's top racing families," Meek said in a statement on his website. "The NASCAR Nation experience
is a family affair, and my family will be together on pit road cheering Mike onto victory in Daytona. NASCAR has deep
roots in Florida, and the NASCAR family is hurting right now, as are Florida families. I'm running for the Senate to get Florida's
economy working again for the NASCAR Nation and all families throughout this state."
Meek is currently a member of
the U.S. House of Representatives, representing the 17th District of Florida. This area includes a large chunk of Miami-Dade
County and parts of Broward County in South Florida, including parts of Hollywood, North Miami and Pembroke Pines.
Full Throttle
The Racing Void of the Off-Season is Replaced by Optimism
By Mike Neff
73 days ago the checkered flag flew at Homestead-Miami Speedway, and thus began the horrendous
void in the Gregorian Cal,ndar that is the offseason. Jimmie Johnson won his fourth consecutive title, Mark Martin finished
second for the fifth time in his career and Dale Earnhardt Jr. put to sleep the worst season in his and his fans’ careers.
There was no race to look forward to the next weekend, no anticipation of how someone would be able to overtake Johnson, no
fantasy games or tailgates to plan until February rolled around. Fortunately for us, the calendar has turned to February and
the green flag is about to drop on the 2010 Cup season.
There were a couple of things to take our minds off the lack
of racing during the off-sesaon. There was the awards banquet in Las Vegas for the first time, where we the people were actually
able to attend - assuming we won a contest or purchased a ticket for the good of a charity. There was the Chili Bowl and the
Snowball Derby and the Polar Bear 150, but none of them were Cup races. The special feeling we get from seeing the top of
the ladder of racing in the United States was not there. Thank goodness we’ll get an appetizer this Saturday with the
Budweiser Shootout, next Thursday with the Gatorade Duels and finally the Daytona 500 the following Sunday.
As we head
into the new season, there are many questions that won’t be answered for some time and much anticipation of what favorite
drivers and teams are going to be able to do. Will the juggernaut that is the No. 48 team continue to roll to a fifth championship?
Will Hendrick Motorsports be the dominant force in the series again? Can Richard Childress Racing rebound from a disappointing
2009? Who will make the Chase that missed it last year, and who will they supplant?
NASCAR has announced they will
be easing the reins on the drivers to allow them to show their personalities more, mixing it up on the track and theoretically
making the racing more exciting for the fans. After so many years of sanitized corporate shills not doing anything to ruffle
the feathers of the establishment, do they actually have it in them to rough it up and let their personalities come to the
surface? The jury is out on that point, and we’ll see if NASCAR can actually keep their hands out of things when that
first run in between Denny Hamlin and Brad Keselowski plays out during the qualifying race for the Daytona 500.
There
are 45 teams that have announced that they will be running the entire schedule this year, although there are questions about
sponsorship for some of them and the fear of a less than full starting grid is real, although extremely remote. The start
and park phenomenon will still be alive and well in 2010, but it doesn’t appear as though it will be quite as pervasive
and it will also not be as profitable. NASCAR has announced that they are cutting the purses for the races by 10%. This is
somewhat smoke and mirrors because Albert Einstein couldn’t figure out how the whole prize fund and purse money is calculated.
The one thing that is for sure is that the pitiful purses that are awarded in the Truck series are going to be even more miniscule
this season.
As we look ahead to the season, the ultimate questions are who will make the Chase and who will win the
title? There is no doubt that Hendrick Motorsports will have at least two cars in the Chase, most likely three and possibly
four. Dale Earnhardt Jr. is going to get the monkey off of his back at some point this season, his crew chief Lance McGrew
assures us of that. Meanwhile, the Stewart-Haas Racing folks went to a test with the Hendrick brigade, and while the test
went flawlessly for Hendrick, SHR had an unbelievable amount of bad luck and ridiculous things going wrong. McGrew is convinced
that the bad luck that plagues the No. 88 at the end of the 2009 season has been passed on to the SHR squad, leaving them
on the outside looking in at the Chase in 2010.
The Joe Gibbs Racing teams should be a force to reckon with again
this year, and all three of them have a real chance at making the playoffs. Richard Childress is not going to have another
down year since they have scaled back to three teams again this year and won’t be spreading their resources as thin.
But there will definitely be a Roush driver or three in the Chase and the last couple of spots will be filled by Juan Pablo
Montoya once again and a driver who is one of Jeff Gordon’s picks to contend this year, Martin Truex Jr.
It
has been a long three months, with nothing but a couple of racing tidbits and mostly DVR’d races from last season to
fulfill our appetite for the Cup Series. Now that February 14th it is almost here, break out the new team SWAG (and help keep
Motorsports Authentics in business), pick your fantasy teams and make sure you have enough space on your DVR hard drive to
record the excitement that is Cup racing in 2010. Can’t wait to hear the most famous words in motorsports again.
TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
Courteousy of Becky Davidsons " Race Fans Stock Car Newsletter " ( Thanks Becky !) :
PRESEASON PREDICTIONS: Who will be the biggest surprise to win a Sprint
Cup race this year? By SceneDaily.com Staff
Who will be the biggest surprise to win a Sprint Cup race this year?
Kenny
Bruce says: MARTIN TRUEX JR. He’s with a different team, has a new crew chief and might not be a contender early in
the season. But crew chief Pat Tryson has proven to be adept at reining in a driver who tends to keep his foot on the gas.
http://snipurl.com/u9ims
PRESEASON PREDICTIONS: Which Sprint Cup star will snap his long winless streak
first?
Which NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers will surprise us this season? Which ones will
pull off a stunning upset, or sneak into the Chase? Who’s going to win this year’s Daytona 500? http://snipurl.com/u9jys
Daytona SpeedWeeks! And Greg Biffle says 'We just want to go racing....'
By Mike Mulhern mikemulhern.net DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.
Wild and crazy? Well,
that's what NASCAR's Brian France wants this season from his drivers, and in Saturday night's Shootout he may get a good dose
of it...after we all get to see just what Indy ho | | |
