Despite the recent downturn in the nation’s economy, things don’t seem especially dire for people attending this weekend’s race events at Martinsville Speedway. According to public relations director Mike Smith, the numbers are about in line with the spring race and the two races in 2007. “As of Tuesday, we were even where we were at this time last year,” said Smith, referring to the number of people using the Speedway’s campground facilities. “More than likely we won’t sell out the race, but we’ll be close.” Prices for those hoping to camp out can range from $60 to $150. Vendors such as Greensboro’s Linda Maiden are feeling the crunch. But it’s pretty much business as usual. Read article. (From GoDanRiver.com)

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)

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)

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)

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)

• 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.

“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)

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."

"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)

“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)

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

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.)

“It definitely has ripple effects into Lackawanna and Luzerne counties and down into the Lehigh Valley,” said Carl Wilgus, executive director of the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau. “Some of those people are here for three or four days.”  Most hotel rooms in the area are booked.  “We’ve been sold out since last Tuesday. The NASCAR weekend is huge for us,” said Lori Rupp, director of sales for the Hilton Scranton & Conference Center.  “A lot of fans come and stay with us. It’s always good for business,” said Samir Ali, assistant general manager at the Radisson at Lackawanna Station hotel, where all but two of the 146 rooms were reserved tonight.  (From TheTimes-Tribune.com)

Here are the complete results: 1) Tony Stewart, 2) Robby Gordon, 3) Clint Bowyer, 4) Kenny Wallace, 5) Denny Hamlin, 6. (2) Matt Kenseth, 6)Matt Kenseth, 7)Kevin Harvick, 8) Jimmie Johnson, 9) Ken Schrader, 10) Kyle Busch, 11) David Reutimann, 12) Ryan Newman, 13) Red Farmer, 14) Jeff Gordon, 15) Cruz Pedregon, 16) Ray Evernham, 17) Ron Capps, 18) Carl Edwards (18, Mechanical), 19) Aric Almirola (16, Mechanical), 20) Dave Blaney (11, Mechanical), 21) J.J. Yeley (11, Spin Turn 2), 22) Kasey Kahne (9, Mechanical), 23) Bobby Labonte (8, Spin Turn 2), Mark Martin DNS (Accident Heat 1), Bill Elliott DNS (Oil Pump Belt)

DuPont launched its NASCAR involvement in 1992, when it decided to sponsor Gordon, then a rookie 21-year-old driver from California, who had just been hired by Rick Hendrick, founder and CEO of Hendrick Motorsports. Gordon, now 36, is a four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion.  (From HendrickMotorsports.com)

Riggs and Sauter were each docked 150 driver points, penalties that severely hurt the struggling teams. The cars are both fielded by Haas-CNC Motorsports, which was docked 150 owner points for each Chevrolet. Haas general manager Joe Custer is listed as the owner for Riggs' No. 66, and Margaret Haas is listed as the owner of Sauter's No. 77. The points deduction is the second largest in NASCAR history, only behind the 151 points Jeremy Mayfield and his team were docked for using an illegal fuel additive at Talladega in 2000.  (From SportsIllustrated.com)

For the second consecutive year, the number of out-of-town visitors for the annual event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway increased. According to the LVCVA, 116,775 non-local residents attended the event. That reflects a 2-percent increase over the 2007 mark of 114,450 and represents 70 percent of the total estimated event attendance of 165,450. The 2008 event was held Feb. 29-March 2, a week earlier than previous years.

According to the LVCVA survey, the event generated $189,762,900 for the local economy - $10 million more than the five-year average. The NASCAR Weekend has created more than $1.2 billion in economic impact since Speedway Motorsports acquired LVMS in December, 1998.

Another encouraging sign for the local economy was an increase in the average number of nights stayed by the out-of-town guests. The 2008 average was 4.0 room nights, an 8.1-percent increase from the 3.7 room nights in 2007, according to the survey.

The event weekend is estimated to have drawn more than 330,000 people through the gates at the speedway. The events included the UAW-Dodge 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup event, the Sam's Town 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race, Friday's qualifying day and two nights of USAC racing on the dirt track.  (From LVMS.com)

This opportunity follows on Microsoft’s earlier NASCAR sponsorship with BAM racing. Eric Ligman, Microsoft’s Senior Manager of U.S. Small Business Community Engagement, comments: “When we announced the first sponsorship, the feedback from partners and others was incredible.  It was an unfortunate set of circumstances that BAM Racing encountered when their primary sponsor backed out for the first half of the season. We hope to see BAM Racing back on the track and running competitively when their primary sponsorship kicks back in.  Through this expansion of our NASCAR sponsorship with Michael Waltrip Racing, participating Partners will be able to tap into the exciting NASCAR opportunity and all of the associated benefits included with it, in addition to being assured  of having on track SBSC brand awareness throughout the entire 2008 NASCAR season.  Michael Waltrip is considered to be an icon in the NASCAR world by many and his role as a brand ambassador is well known.  Through this sponsorship, participating partners will be able to be associated with the Michael Waltrip brand as a sponsor and use this to help promote and grow their own company’s brand awareness.” (From MichaelWaltrip.com)

The Charlotte Observer

• Atlanta would take the Labor Day weekend race from Auto Club (and run it on Saturday night)
• Auto Club would take Talladega's existing October race date (first weekend in October), which would give Auto Club a race in The Chase
• Talladega would take Atlanta's race later in October (fourth week in October), which would also be in the Chase, but would allow some time between the Atlanta race since they compete for the same fans