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Allmendinger lands No. 00 ride for Charlotte race

A.J. Allmendinger will drive the No. 00 Toyota for Michael Waltrip Racing at Lowe's Motor Speedway this weekend. Allmendinger will have to qualify the car on speed to make the field for the race Saturday night because the team is ranked 36th in owner points. "I think this is a great opportunity," Allmendinger said. "Over the past couple of months the organization has really picked up with how everyone has been running. Hopefully, I can go out there and do a good job and get the ... team back inside the top 35."  Read article.  (From USAToday.com)

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Drivers fear repeat of last fall’s yawner at Talladega

If races at Talladega Superspeedway are indeed a circus, then what fans witnessed here in last fall's race can best described as a nose-to-tail elephant walk. Much of the mid-portion of the race consisted of uncharacteristic single-file racing. That unusual display brought howls of disappointment from fans and drivers. Will fans at Sunday's AMP Energy 500 see the same? "You might see some guys hang around the back like we did last year," acknowledges Jeff Gordon, who won last fall's race. Read More. (From AL.com)

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Menard to leave DEI for Yates Racing?

Paul Menard will leave Dale Earnhardt Inc. after this season and move to Yates Racing along with his sponsor, the Associated Press reports.  Menard is 28th in the driver standings but this will carry some weight because some will see it as a sign of further decay at DEI (starting with Dale Jr.'s departure last year). With the economy the way it is, one has to wonder how this might slow companies from pursuing multi-million dolllar sponsorships or if it will cause them to reduce their investment in the sport. Thus, Menard and his father's company as sponsor, is a lift for Yates Racing, which also has relied on a patchwork of sponsors for Travis Kvapil and David Gilliland. Despite the sponsorship situation, which led some to wonder how long this team would last, it's around and while it might not be flourishing certainly deserves credit for lasting this long. That said, there's a lot of work ahead to turn this team into one that can reguarly compete for wins. Kvapil is 24th in the driver standings and Gilliland is 26th. They've combined for five top-10 finishes this season.  (From HamptonRoads.com)

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Video: NASCAR fans experience RaceFest

Performance Toyota of Kansas City RaceFest 2008 offers a free three-day event leading up to NASCAR's Kansas 400 at Kansas Speedway on Sunday. The event includes three days of fun, featuring multiple interactive Toyota exhibits, as well as autograph sessions featuring more than 40 drivers at the Legends at Village West. Watch video. (KansasCity.com)

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Race fans can take the shuttle to Texas Motor Speedway

Shuttle service will again be offered at Texas Motor Speedway during the Nov. 1-2 race weekend.  Officials at the Fort Worth Transportation Authority learned a month ago that their Victory Lane Express shuttle service might not be allowed because of a new federal rule restricting the use of public buses for private events. But T officials have since learned that their shuttles are exempt from the rule, spokeswoman Joan Hunter said. Speedway officials are elated. "I wish more fans would use it. They haven’t come close to reaching their limit," general manager Eddie Gossage said. "Their ability to handle the crowd is great. It’s cheap. It’s the fastest way in and out, and it’s safe."

How it works - For $10 roundtrip, passengers may board buses at a temporary park-and-ride at Tarrant County College Northwest Campus, 4801 Marine Creek Parkway. Police working crowd control at the speedway give buses priority access in and out.  For information call the T at (817) 215-8600 or visit www.the-t.com or www.texasmotorspeedway.com.  (From Star-Telegram.com)

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UPS to roll with Roush Fenway Racing, Ford

UPS will join Roush Fenway Racing and return to Ford cars for the 2009 NASCAR season under a new multi-year agreement.  The Atlanta-based package shipper said David Ragan will race the No. 6 UPS Ford Fusion next season in a revitalized UPS motorsports program. The agreement also marks a return to Ford Motor Co. Ragan and Roush Fenway Racing will be supported by UPS with a variety of new programs, to be fully announced in coming weeks, including an entirely new advertising campaign.  The 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season will mark the ninth season of primary sponsorship for UPS and the 10th year as the Official Delivery Company of NASCAR. (From AtlantaBusinessJournal)

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Dodge’s departure may be the beginning of end for Truck series

Is NASCAR's Truck tour facing eventual extinction? Dodge is pulling all its Truck series support, and the addition of the Grand American road-racing series to NASCAR's official portfolio has led to intense speculation that Grand Am will soon have a much higher profile and might even supplant the Truck series in NASCAR's national touring operations. Sprint Cup teams and automakers say they are already feeling increased pressure to add Grand Am to their operations. A good Grand Am budget right now is about $1.5 million, for 15 races or so. That's half the price of a good Truck sponsorship, which runs from $3 million to $5 million a year. But one worry is if Cup owners get involved in Grand Am racing, the annual team budget could quickly escalate by $3 million to $7 million. Still, the possibility of adding, say, Tony Stewart or Jimmie Johnson to a Grand Am field would certainly raise the visibility of that tour and probably ratings and crowd appeal, too.  (From Winston-Salem Journal)

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Valvoline to sponsor Kvapil at New Hampshire

Yates Racing announced today that Valvoline, the leading innovator and supplier of quality, high-performing automotive products, will sponsor the No. 28 entry and driver Travis Kvapil for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on September 14th.  Valvoline is a technical partner of Yates Racing as well as the primary sponsor on the No. 28 Ford for Sunday’s race.  “This weekend is going to be fantastic for our team to showcase the partnership Yates Racing has with Valvoline,” commented Kvapil.  “Valvoline is our official motor oil at Yates Racing and they have been providing Americans with the best motor oil and automotive products longer than any other motor oil company.  We are fortunate enough to use their products, and I am honored to run the No. 28 Valvoline Ford Fusion at New Hampshire this weekend.”  Kvapil has achieved three top-10 finishes and five top-15 finishes this season in the NASCAR Sprint Cup series within the first 26 starts of the year and is currently 23rd in the driver point standings.  (From TravisKvapil.com)

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GEM suing Robby Gordon for violation of agreement

Gillett Evernham Motorsports is suing Robby Gordon, claiming the owner/driver violated terms of an agreement that would have sold his team to GEM. Gordon insisted he hasn't breached any contract and wants to proceed with the sale of Robby Gordon Motorsports to GEM. Gordon agreed to the deal on Jan. 29 to sell his team at the end of this season for $23.5 million. The deal would have given Gordon a four-year driving contract with GEM, and possibly a seat on the team's board of directors. GEM would have acquired Gordon's shop and property in Charlotte. Upon agreeing to the deal, Gordon promptly left Ford for Dodge and began an alliance with GEM that gave him technical, manufacturing and marketing help. GEM said it had an exclusivity clause that prevented Gordon from talking to other teams about possible mergers. In May, Gordon asked out of the deal, according to the lawsuit, in exchange for an engine deal for the remainder of the season. GEM claims in the suit filed Aug. 25 in North Carolina Superior Court that Gordon has talked to other teams about merging, and that Gordon made disparaging remarks that he wasn't getting comparable engines to the other GEM drivers during a television interview at Watkins Glen.  (From Nascar.com)

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Stremme to replace Newman in the No. 12 in 2009

David Stremme will drive Penske Racing's No. 12 NASCAR Sprint Cup entry in 2009, team officials announced Wednesday.  Stremme, 31, has been working as a test driver for the organization. He also currently drives a limited schedule for Rusty Wallace Racing in the Nationwide Series, where he is ranked 12th in the points standings after starting 24 of 27 races. "It's an honor to join Penske Racing as the driver of the No. 12 Alltel Dodge," Stremme said in a release. "To be a part of Penske Racing's 40-plus-year legacy has been a longtime dream of mine. I cannot wait to join my new teammates and work to get the No. 12 into the 2009 Chase."  (From SportingNews.com)

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Promotional appearances for Richmond Race Week

Thursday

• Rusty Wallace, ABC/ESPN lead auto racing analyst, and Steve Wallace will appear for public autographs at the FasMart location at 8188 Atlee Road, Mechanicsville, from 6-7 p.m.. The No. 66 5-Hour Energy Chevrolet show car will be on display.
• Ken Schrader autograph signing at Circuit City, 11732 W. Broad St., in Short Pump, from 7-8 p.m. The DLP No. 96 show car will appear from 2-7 p.m.

Friday

• Carl Edwards, Kenny Wallace, Brad Keselowski and Landon Cassill will make appearances in the Party Zone fan hospitality area prior to the Emerson Radio 250 NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Richmond International Raceway. Fans will have the opportunity to participate in exclusive question-and-answer sessions with Edwards, Wallace, Keselowski, Cassill and track president Doug Fritz, as part of the Party Zone package.
• Fans with Friday race tickets can purchase tickets for the Party Zone for $65, which includes an exclusive pre-race pit pass for fans 18 and over (no shorts, sleeveless shirts or open-toed shoes are permitted on pit road) to see NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice from pit road (weather permitting), all-you-can-eat dinner buffet from 3-5:30 p.m. and appetizers from 5:30-6:30 p.m., three beer tickets for fans 21 years of age and older (valid identification required) and unlimited sodas and water.
• The DLP No. 96 show car will appear at 9860 Brook Road, Glen Allen, from 2-7 p.m.

Saturday

• Denny Hamlin will visit Richmond International Raceway's Virginia Lottery Green Flag Zone fan hospitality area. Hamlin will participate in a question-and-answer session, joining defending NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion Jimmie Johnson, television personality Larry McReynolds and track president Doug Fritz.
• Admission to the Virginia Lottery Green Flag Zone includes a pre-race pit pass (valid 2-6:30 p.m., time and weather permitting), appetizers from 2-3 p.m., all-you-can-eat dinner buffet from 3-6:30 p.m., six beer tickets for fans 21 years of age and older (with valid identification), unlimited sodas and water. Cost is $90 per person.
• Fans must have a grandstand ticket to Saturday's race to purchase Virginia Lottery Green Flag Zone tickets.
• Tickets are still available by calling 866-455-RACE or visiting www.rir.com.
• The DLP No. 96 show car will appear at 9900 W. Broad St., Glen Allen, from 12-5 p.m.

Sunday

• The DLP No. 96 show car will appear at 1321 Huguenot Road, Midlothian, from 12-5 p.m.

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RCR shows off the No. 31 CAT Chevy

Richard Childress Racing unveiled today at Chicagoland Speedway the No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet Impala SS to be driven by Jeff Burton in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series beginning in 2009. Caterpillar Inc. and RCR announced June 18 that they had entered into a multi-year partnership for the No. 31 Chevrolet team and Burton. Next season marks Caterpillar’s 17th year of sponsorship involvement in NASCAR. It will also be Richard Childress’ 40th anniversary in the sport.

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Stewart leaving Gibbs Racing

Tony Stewart is expected to be released Wednesday from his contract with Joe Gibbs Racing at the end of the season, freeing the two-time NASCAR champion to purchase his own race team. Stewart's contract runs through the 2009 season, but he was reluctant to commit to the extension Gibbs officials have been pushing for since last summer. He instead explored free agency, where numerous options were presented to Stewart ranging from ownership to seats driving for other top teams. Mike Arning, a spokesman for Stewart, said an announcement concerning Stewart's future would be made Wednesday. ESPN.com reported late Tuesday night he would be released from his contract. Assuming Stewart does buy Haas-CNC, he'll re-establish his long relationship with Chevrolet. The partnership was partially fractured this season when Gibbs moved to Toyota. General Motors continued to sponsor the sprint cup teams that Stewart also owns. Stewart is expected to gut the organization and bring in his own people, including a second driver. Fellow Indiana native Ryan Newman is among those rumored to be in line to join Stewart's team next season.  (From AssociatedPress.com)

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‘The Mummy’ will be on the hood of Newman’s No. 12 at Chicagoland

Eastman Kodak Company and Universal Pictures have partnered to promote the latest epic adventure in the blockbuster global Mummy franchise at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway on July 12. Through Kodak’s partnership with Penske Racing and NASCAR driver Ryan Newman, the Kodak No. 12 Dodge will feature a bold paint scheme from The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor. Kodak will also have its branding on the car. “Kodak is thrilled to partner with Universal Pictures and Penske Racing on this exciting promotion that ties together our longstanding relationship with the motion picture industry and our partnership with NASCAR,” said Betty Noonan, Director and Vice President, Corporate Marketing and Business Development, Eastman Kodak Company. “When four great brands get together, great things happen and our customers win.”  (From BusinessWire.com)

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Navy leaving the No. 88 Nationwide car

The U.S. Navy will not return next year as sponsor of the No. 88 Chevrolets owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Rick Hendrick and driven in the Nationwide Series by Brad Keselowski. "We were informed last week that our sponsorship with the U.S. Navy will not renew at the end of the year," said Mike Davis, director of communications for JR Motorsports. "It has been an exceptional partnership since 2005, and we look forward to a strong finish to the season." (From Charlotte.com)

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Truex and crew chief hit hard with fines

Martin Truex's bid to make the Chase for the championship took a severe hit Tuesday when NASCAR penalized his Dale Earnhardt Inc. team 150 points for bringing an illegal car to Daytona. Truex's car failed its initial inspection last week at Daytona because the No. 1 Chevrolet failed to fit NASCAR's roof template. NASCAR officials seized the car and sent it to their Research and Development Center in Concord for further inspection. The 150-point penalty drops Truex from 14th in the standings to 18th. The top 12 drivers make the Chase, and Truex has just eight races to get back into contention. In addition, crew chief Kevin "Bono" Manion and car chief Gary Putnam were suspended from the next six races and placed on probation until the end of the year. Manion was also fined $100,000.  (From AssociatedPress.com)

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Robby Gordon to run special paint scheme at Chicagoland

Robby Gordon, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver and owner, will run the No. 7 ‘SaveOurName.com’ Jim Beam Dodge this weekend at Chicagoland Speedway.  Gordon, a subject of Jim Beam Bourbon’s “The Stuff Inside” campaign, learned Jim Beam unveiled a “Save Our Ballpark’s Name” billboard outside Wrigley Field in an effort to keep the national landmark’s name intact and offered to show his support by adding the website www.saveourname.com to the hood of his car.  SaveOurName.com urges fans to sign a petition to save the name, Wrigley Field.  The name of Chicago’s legendary Cubs’ stadium is in jeopardy, much to the chagrin of Chicago natives and baseball fans alike.  Built in 1914, Wrigley Field is the second-oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball.  Representing quality and character, Wrigley Field stands for the same traits that Jim Beam is committed to when it comes to its bourbon.  (From RobbyGordon.com)

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Martin to drive the No. 5 in 2009

Mark Martin, a 35-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race winner and the all-time leader in NASCAR Nationwide Series victories, has signed a two-year agreement to drive for Hendrick Motorsports beginning in 2009. A Batesville, Ark., native, Martin also is slated to run a partial Sprint Cup schedule for Hendrick Motorsports in 2010, sharing the No. 5 Chevys with a to-be-determined second driver. Martin will enter 26 events, including the non-points Budweiser Shootout and NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. Martin, 49, will be paired with crew chief Alan Gustafson, who now is in his fourth season at the helm of the No. 5 Kellogg's/CARQUEST Chevrolet team. Gustafson has posted four Sprint Cup wins as a crew chief and has a history with Martin, having worked with him in multiple Nationwide Series events.  (From HendrickMotorsports.com)

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Almirola to drive No. 8 full time in 2009

After spending two seasons sharing a car with veteran Mark Martin, 24-year-old Aric Almirola will take over the No. 8 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Chevrolet full time in 2009. “This is an incredibly exciting opportunity,” said Almirola. “When you get into racing, you always dream of competing at the highest level and I’ve had the chance to do that on a limited basis for the past two seasons. Now I will have the opportunity to race the car full time and I could not be more excited about driving the No. 8 car each week for Dale Earnhardt Inc.

“With Aric running a full-time schedule in 2009 we will have a group of immensely talented drivers with long careers in front of them and we like our position for the future and know that Aric will get the job done,” said John Story, vice president of motorsports operations for Dale Earnhardt, Inc. “We appreciate everything Mark continues to do for the company. Since we first discussed with Mark our plans for Aric he was 100 percent supportive and has done everything within his power to make it work and allow us to build a program around Aric. Mark has said many times he will help DEI in any manner necessary, and his commitment to the team and to Aric in this regard is beyond compare.”  (From DaleEarnhardtInc.com)

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Ganassi shuts down No. 40 team

Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates announced today that due to a lack of sponsorship funding it will cease operation of the team’s No. 40 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Dodge driven by Dario Franchitti beginning this weekend in Daytona.  “This is a difficult decision for Felix and I that did not come without its share of anguish,” said Team Owner Chip Ganassi.  “In this tough business environment continuing to run the car without proper funding has become increasingly difficult.”  CGRFS is committed to Franchitti’s continued stock car development and are currently in discussions with him on his racing options with the team which could include running the balance of the 2008 Nationwide season in the No. 40 Fastenal Dodge.  (From ChipGanassiRacing.com)

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Stewart to fill Mears’ spot at Hendrick?

Theories are already starting to fly around who will fill Casey Mears' spot in the No. 5 at Hendrick next year.  Here's an interesting article from ESPN.com about the possibility of Tony Stewart moving over to Hendrick from Joe Gibbs Racing and Toyota.

Tony Stewart said Friday the new opening at Hendrick Motorsports could affect his decision about where he drives next season.

Hendrick Motorsports announced that Casey Mears would not return in the No. 5 Chevrolet.

"There's no one in the garage area that's not going to look in that direction," Stewart said. "You've got to look at it. Absolutely."

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Casey Mears Out At Hendrick Motorsports After 2008

Coming out of the NASCAR worst kept secret department, Hendrick Motorsports announced Friday morning that they will part ways with driver Casey Mears following the 2008 season. Mears joined Hendrick prior to the start of the 2007 season. "We've put a ton of emphasis on the No. 5 program," said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. "It's been a total team effort, and Casey has worked as hard as anyone to help us improve. We've tested more than we ever have, but the results just haven't come. "None of us, Casey included, have been satisfied with the situation this season. But he's confident there are other options out there for him in 2009, and we feel like Hendrick Motorsports will have some opportunities, too."  (From Courant.com)

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Biffle signs extension with Roush Fenway

Greg Biffle announced today that he has signed a three-year extension of his contract with Roush Fenway Racing.  Biffle has been with Roush Fenway Racing since 1998.  During his 10 years at Roush Fenway Racing, Biffle has accumulated 46 wins, 166 top-five finishes and 250 top-10 finishes in 496 starts.  Biffle is looking forward to the continued relationship with Roush Fenway Racing as well as a long-term partnership with 3M.  “I’m extremely happy and relieved to have this contract complete,” said Biffle.  “I have a team that can contend for the championship this season and for future seasons as well.  3M has been an incredible partner for several years now and having them on board made the decision even easier.  All the elements are in place: the resources of Ford and Roush Fenway, the excellent team, the outstanding cars and having a great primary sponsor like 3M for the next few years.” (From RoushFenway.com)

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Guitar Hero: Aerosmith to sponsor Franchitti at New Hampshire

Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates announced today it has partnered with Activision and its long-time sponsor Target to have Guitar Hero: Aerosmith, the latest installment from the #1 best-selling video game franchise of 2007, on Dario Franchitti’s No. 40 Dodge in the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on June 29.  Franchitti will be making his debut in the Sprint Cup Series at New Hampshire in the fading yellow to red Target/Guitar Hero: Aerosmith Dodge.  The 2007 IndyCar champion has nine starts this season in his rookie campaign in the Cup Series and the No. 40 Dodge currently sits 39th in the 2008 owner points standings.

"I love video games and actually have versions of Guitar Hero that I play on my bus and at home.  To have Target, Activision and Aerosmith on my car for the New Hampshire race is pretty cool.  Who doesn’t love Aerosmith’s music; it’s perfect for getting ready for the side-by-side, non-stop action of NASCAR racing," said Dario Franchitti.  (From ChipGanassiRacing.com)

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Caterpillar to sponsor Burton and No. 31 in 2009

Caterpillar Inc. and Richard Childress Racing have agreed to a multi-year partnership for the No. 31 Chevrolet driven by Jeff Burton beginning with the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season.
Burton, a 20-time winner in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series competition, is currently second in the 2008 point standings with one victory, four top-five and 10 top-10 finishes in the season’s first 15 races. The No. 31 team has made the “Chase for the Championship” the past two seasons, finishing seventh in 2006 and eighth last year.

“To represent a well-known global brand like Caterpillar is an honor,” said Richard Childress, president and CEO of RCR. “Cat products have played a big part over the decades in construction projects at RCR, Childress Vineyards and Yadkin River Angus. Jeff and I look forward to meeting the Cat dealers and customers who loyally follow NASCAR racing.”  (From RCRRacing.com)

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Replacements and road-ringers at Infineon

As always, we will see several new drivers behind the wheel of some high-profile cars at Infineon Raceway this weekend for the Toyota/Save Mart 350.  Here is a quick glance at the changes:

No. 01 - Ron Fellows in for Regan Smith
No. 8 - Aric Amirola in for Mark Martin (planned)
No. 21 - Marcus Ambrose
No. 34 - Brian Simo
No. 41 - Scott Pruett in for Reed Sorenson
No. 45 - Terry Labonte in for Kyle Petty
No. 66 - Max Papis (Scott Riggs will drive the No. 70)
No. 102 - Brandon Ash
No. 160 - Boris Said

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CHP to sponsor Kvapil at Infineon

The California Highway Patrol will sponsor Travis Kvapil and the No. 28 Yates Racing Ford Fusion in the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway this weekend.  The paint scheme will resemble the CHP cars that patrol the freeways of California.

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Economic impact of Michigan race

The races are over and the fans are on their way home, but the impact of this weekend's NASCAR races are still being felt here in Michigan.

At Michigan International Speedway this weekend it was apparent just how big NASCAR is for Michigan's economy.

"We become the 3rd largest city in the state behind Grand Rapids and Detroit," Dennis Worden said of Brooklyn, MI, home of the Michigan International Speedway.

"We were going to come anyway regardless of gas prices," NASCAR fan, Ryan Balicki said.

Fans say with the cost of gas as well as tickets and finding a place to stay, the weekend can get a little pricey.

"With tickets and camping, it's probably a $1500 weekend," Ed Meyer said.

At M.I.S "Gentlemen start your engines..." translates into "NASCAR fans start up the economy..." because for every mile in the 400 mile race, one million dollars was pumped into the Michigan economy.

But fans say the benefits of watching the race firsthand, far outweighs the costs.  (From WLAJ.com, Lansing, Mich.)

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Forbes releases NASCAR’s ‘most valuable’ lists

Forbes magazine just released a series of articles and lists about the money in NASCAR.  The series included: most valuable teams, most valuable cars, and highest paid drivers.  There are really no surprises on the list.  The top three teams were Hendrick Motorsports ($335M), Roush Fenway Racing ($313M), Joe Gibbs Racing ($184M).  Jeff Gordon ($92M), Dale Jr. ($79M), and Jimmie Johnson ($58M) drive the three most valuable cars.  And, Jeff Gordon leads highest paid drivers at $32 million.  He is followed by Dale Jr. ($31M) and Jimmie Johnson ($23M).

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Ron Fellows to drive No. 01 Chevy at Infineon

Ron Fellows will replace Regan Smith in the No. 01 DEI Chevy for the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway this weekend.

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