Punch To Remain With ESPN

Dr. Jerry Punch, who has been associated with ESPN since 1984 as a motorsports and college sports announcer, has agreed to a new contract to remain with the network and extend his run as one of ESPN’s longest-tenured announcers.

Punch, who was a pit reporter as well as a lap-by-lap announcer on ESPN’s NASCAR race telecasts through the network’s recently-completed final season of live NASCAR racing, will return to ESPN’s college football and basketball coverage in various roles. He worked on college sports telecasts from 1989-2006 as both a play-by-play announcer and sideline reporter while also covering motorsports.

In addition, Punch will remain connected to motorsports as a pit reporter on ABC’s telecasts of the Indianapolis 500 and other races in the Verizon IndyCar Series.

“ESPN has been my home for a long time and I’m grateful for the opportunities presented to me to remain part of the team,” said Punch. “I love the passion of college sports and look forward to helping bring those stories to our viewers and to reconnecting with the college coaches and staffs I’ve enjoyed relationships with over the years.”

His first game will be Jan. 15 as he calls the Murray State vs. Belmont Ohio Valley Conference matchup on ESPNU.

In his on-air work, Punch has sometimes called on knowledge from his first career as an emergency room physician to explain injuries. He spent 14 years as the director of emergency room services at a Florida hospital and served two terms as chief of staff there. He remains active in the medical profession today.

The North Carolina native worked as a race car mechanic and driver in high school and college, when he was also a walk-on, backup quarterback for North Carolina State under Coach Lou Holtz.

After working as a track announcer at Hickory (N.C.) Speedway near his hometown of Newton, N.C., Punch made his broadcasting debut on radio for the Motor Racing Network at the 1980 Daytona 500. He branched into television in 1982.

He is ESPN’s sixth longest-tenured announcer, following Bob Ley, Cliff Drysdale, Chris Berman, Dick Vitale and Mike Patrick.  

Larson, McMurray Will Compete In Rolex 24 At Daytona

McMurray (L) and Larson

Seven-time IMSA Champions and five-time Rolex 24 At Daytona Winners Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates has announced that they will  field two Prototypes for the 2015 Rolex 24 At Daytona, featuring eight drivers that represent some of the best talent the motor racing world has to offer.  

Veteran Scott Pruett and new teammate Joey Hand will unite with Chip Ganassi Racing Teams’ Verizon IndyCar Series racewinner Charlie Kimball and CGRT development driver Sage Karam to form the lineup in the No. 01 Ford EcoBoost/Target Riley, while CGRT Verizon IndyCar Series Champions and Indianapolis 500 Winners Scott Dixon and Tony Kanaan join CGRFS NASCAR Sprint Cup Series reigning Rookie of the Year Kyle Larson and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race winner Jamie McMurray in the No. 02 Target/Ford EcoBoost Riley. 

The 2015 CGRFS Rolex 24 At Daytona driver roster is an impressive group of international racing champions representing two Indianapolis 500 titles (Dixon-2008, Kanaan-2013), a Daytona 500 (McMurray-2010), four Verizon IndyCar Series Championships (Dixon-2003, 2008, 2013 and Kanaan-2004), seven Prototype Championships (Pruett-2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013), and four Rookie of the Year honors in their respective series (Kanaan-1999, Dixon-2001, McMurray-2003, Larson-2014). The group brings with them 144 total wins.

Kid Rock To Headline Daytona Pre-Race Show

Multi-platinum award-winning, American rock star Kid Rock will perform the DAYTONA 500 Budweiser Pre-Race Show, the prelude to the 57^th annual “Great American Race” on Sunday, Feb. 22.

Kid Rock will perform several of his hits, including his brand new single “First Kiss,” on pit road of the “World Center of Racing” prior to the start of the DAYTONA 500, the prestigious season-opening event of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. All race fans that purchase a Pre-Race/Sprint FANZONE access pass for the DAYTONA 500 can enjoy Kid Rock’s DAYTONA 500 Budweiser Pre-Race Show up close, along with driver introductions.

“We’re thrilled to have Kid Rock entertain the thousands of race fans in attendance and the millions more watching on FOX,” Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III said. “Kid Rock is an avid NASCAR fan and will provide race fans with a spectacular performance leading up to the start of the much anticipated DAYTONA 500.

Following his performance, Kid Rock will release his latest studio album First Kiss on Tuesday, Feb. 24.  Fans can pre-order the album now at participating retailers and at KidRock.com.  Kid Rock, whose musical style ranges from hip hop and rock to heavy metal and country, has sold more than 26 million albums worldwide.

Kid Rock joins a long list of past performers of the DAYTONA 500 Budweiser Pre-Race Show including Luke Bryan, Zac Brown Band, Lenny Kravitz, Brad Paisley, Tim McGraw, Keith Urban and Bon Jovi.

In addition to his concert, a special ticket package designed around Kid Rock has been created that includes a DAYTONA 500 grandstand ticket, Pre-Race/Sprint FANZONE access and VIP area access to Kid Rock’s performance.  Packages start at $169. Fans who have already purchased DAYTONA 500 tickets can add Pre-Race/Sprint FANZONE access along with VIP area access for just $104.

For more information on tickets for the 57th annual DAYTONA 500 and Sprint FANZONE/Pre-Race access, race fans can visit http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or call 1-800-PITSHOP. 

Tatoian Named Dover President

Dover International Speedway today announced the promotion of Michael Tatoian to the position of president, effective. Jan. 2, 2015. Tatoian retains his position of Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of parent company Dover Motorsports, Inc.  

Tatoian will continue to report to Denis McGlynn, president and CEO of Dover Motorsports, Inc. 

“Mike joined us eight years ago and immediately immersed himself into the operations and culture of our team while earning the respect of both his co-workers and those outside the company as well,” said McGlynn. “Mike is a valuable and popular contributor to our efforts here and Dover International Speedway will benefit from his leadership for many years to come.” 

Tatoian has worked to bring additional events to the Dover International Speedway schedule, including the popular Firefly Music Festival and the new Big Barrel Country Music Festival. Held on the Speedway’s property since 2012, Firefly Music Festival is a four day event attracting 80,000 fans per day, and in three years has become one of the fastest growing, most successful music festival of all time according to various industry sources. Big Barrel Country Music Festival, announced just yesterday, Dec. 18, 2014, will bring some of the biggest names in country music to The Woodlands at Dover International Speedway for the three day event, June 26-28, 2015. 

Tatoian has more than 25 years of experience in professional sports ownership, management and operations. Prior to joining Dover Motorsports, Inc., Tatoian served as Chief Executive Officer and Managing Partner of Victory Sports Group, LLC. In his role there, he oversaw the development and management of professional sports organizations, including minor league baseball, minor league hockey and arena football. Tatoian also previously served as Chief Operating Officer of United Sports Ventures, Inc., an umbrella sports company that owned and operated eight minor league teams. 

Tatoian currently serves at the Chairman of the Advisory Council for USO Delaware and previously served as an Honorary Commander at the Dover Air Force Base. He is also a nominee for the Fisher House Distinguished Civilian Humanitarian Service Award, a national award that recognizes an individual who has contributed extensively to the support and welfare of members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families. 

Tatoian is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa, with a degree in Public Relations and Marketing. He and his wife Tammy reside in Middletown, Del.

COMMENTARY: NASCAR Must Step Carefully On the Subject Of Domestic Violence

The allegations continue to fly surrounding the contentious breakup of NASCAR driver Kurt Busch and his former girlfriend, Patricia Driscoll.

In two days of testimony in Kent County (Del.) Family Court, Driscoll has accused the former NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion of choking her and slamming her head repeatedly against the wall of his motorhome at Dover International Speedway on Sept. 16 of this year. Busch has denied those charges, calling Driscoll “a mercenary” who refuses to accept the end of their relationship and has vowed to destroy his racing career.

For Busch – and for NASCAR -- the timing of Driscoll’s allegations could not be worse. In recent weeks, a series of domestic violence cases involving National Football League players has pushed the issue front-and-center in the country’s collective consciousness. The debate over domestic abuse has never been more prominent, and never has more attention been paid to the way athletes – and their respective leagues – handle accusations of improper behavior.
 

Yesterday, the San Francisco 49ers announced that they have released defensive lineman Ray McDonald, after law enforcement officials revealed that he is being investigated for an alleged sexual assault. San Jose Police were contacted by a local hospital Tuesday night after a woman sought treatment there for a possible sexual assault a day earlier. After a preliminary investigation, detectives searched McDonald’s home, and while no arrest has been made or charges filed, McDonald was effectively fired from his multi-million dollar per year job with the 49ers for what the team’s general manager called “a pattern of poor behavior."

Kurt Busch accused.

Last month, the Santa Clara County district attorney declined to charges McDonald following his arrest on domestic violence charges on Aug. 31. The D.A. blamed his decision on a lack of eyewitnesses and the alleged victim’s unwillingness to cooperate. McDonald had played in every game this season, despite heavy public pressure on the 49ers to suspend, or at least bench him.

McDonald’s release is the latest in a series of similar incidents involving NFL players in recent months. Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice was arrested and subsequently indicted for third-degree aggravated assault in March of this year, after video cameras showed him punching his then-fiancée (now wife) in the face, knocking her unconscious. That incident, and the NFL’s questionable handling of it, led to a policy change concerning how the league handles domestic violence cases. Rice's contract was terminated by the Ravens in September and he was suspended indefinitely by the NFL, but be appealed that decision in Federal Court and is now eligible to play in the NFL once again.

In light of the Rice and McDonald cases, a similar case involving Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy and the recent child abuse allegations against Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, the NFL has been forced to radically re-think its stance on domestic violence, formulating an ironclad policy to deal with accusations, criminal charges and convictions.

It has been a slippery slope at times, with commissioner Roger Goodell making a series of inconsistent decisions that caused many to question the league’s commitment to abolishing domestic violence in its ranks.

NASCAR's Brian France

NASCAR faces many of the same difficult decisions today. Hopefully, the sanctioning body will perform better.

When the allegations against Busch first became public, NASCAR Chairman Brian France said the sanctioning body would leave the situation in the hands of law enforcement.

"We are watching that case carefully," said France at the time. "It's under review by law enforcement and others. They haven't made a decision… (and) until they make judgments on that investigation, it wouldn't be right to intervene."

This is not the first time NASCAR has chosen to stay out of the domestic violence debate. In January of this year, driver Travis Kvapil accepted a plea agreement that will dismiss a domestic assault charge against him after the completion of two years’ probation and 72 hours of community service. That agreement stemmed from a 2013 incident in which Kvapil’s wife, Jennifer, accused him of pulling her by her hair and striking her in the head when she attempted to pull away.

NASCAR did not sanction Kvapil, and he continued to compete for the BK Racing Sprint Cup Series team. He was not retained for the 2014 season. France’s hands-off stance – then and now – has been roundly criticized in some corners, with California congresswoman Jackie Speier calling on NASCAR to suspend Busch until the matter can be resolved.

"NASCAR would rather let Mr. Busch drive for the remainder of the racing season than take a stance on violence against women," wrote Speier in a written statement. "While (Busch) rounds the track, the legal processes for his domestic violence charges race forward as well. Until his legal proceedings end, NASCAR should put Mr. Busch's car in park. The charges are horrifying, and NASCAR's inaction sends a clear signal to drivers that owners do not take these violent actions seriously."

Speier called for NASCAR to "adopt a policy… in all domestic violence cases to suspend drivers until criminal proceedings end, or there is a clear lack of evidence."

As of now, NASCAR has declined to do so, though France intimated last month that a black-and-white domestic violence policy may be in the offing.

"You can expect our policies to reflect the understandable awareness that (domestic violence is) not going to be tolerated," said France. "How any league handled some of this is one thing. It's pretty clear when you see what's happening around the country that our policy will reflect the significance and importance that it should."

Until NASCAR takes action on that promise, however, it will remain – rightly or wrongly – on a very small island in a teeming ocean of public opinion. While other professional sports league yield to the public outcry and enact new, more stringent policies to punish the mere allegation of domestic violence, NASCAR remains quietly on the sidelines, allowing law enforcement officials and the judicial system to do their jobs.

The NFL’s new domestic violence policy imposes a six-game, unpaid suspension for first-time offenders and up to a lifetime ban for repeat violators. When players are accused or charged with domestic violence, they are immediately suspended by the NFL, which then conducts its own investigation, independent of law enforcement.

49ers general manager Trent Baalke said yesterday that if the allegations against McDonald had been his first, the team would have reacted differently.

"If this was one incident, we would be standing up here talking about due process, like we have multiple times in other situations," he said. "But this is just a pattern of decision-making that Ray has demonstrated over a period of time that… is no longer going to be tolerated.

"We expect a lot from our players (and) hold them accountable for their actions."

NASCAR should do the same, making a clear statement in opposition to domestic violence, while simultaneously continuing to embrace the concept of “innocent until proven guilty.”

Bubba Wallace Signs With Roush Fenway Racing

Roush Fenway Racing has announced that Bubba Wallace will drive the No. 6 Ford Mustang for the team in the NASCAR XFINITY Series next season. 

The signing pairs NASCAR’s winningest NXS team with a young driver widely regarded as one of the most talented up-and-coming competitors in NASCAR. The 21-year-old Wallace has posted five wins in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, including four trips to victory lane in 2014.

“I’ve had a remarkable journey over the last few years thanks to people who have put me in a position to win the races that I have,” said Wallace. “When I first joined the sport, many said I would never compete with the real drivers. Now, as I join the winningest team in NASCAR history, I take that as a responsibility to add more wins to the team’s legacy and help tear down the barriers for the next generation of NASCAR drivers.” 

“We are very excited to bring Bubba Wallace into the Roush Fenway fold,” said team president Steve Newmark. “He is viewed in industry circles as one of the brightest young drivers and I feel that we are very fortunate to be able to bring him on board.  He has a charismatic personality and at the same time has exhibited the ability to win on the race track.  We are looking forward to getting him in our race cars next season.” 

In 2013 with his victory at Martinsville Speedway, Wallace became the first African American driver to win in one of NASCAR’s three national series since 1963. He has competed in six career NXS races, earning four top-10 finishes and a pole at Dover International Speedway. 

“We are certainly pleased to have Bubba Wallace come on board,” said team co-owner Jack Roush.  “He is certainly a great young talent and I feel it will be mutually beneficial for us to be able to put him into a team environment with a veteran driver like Elliott (Sadler) and the young guys Chris Buescher and Ryan Reed. We have had a great deal of history in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and we are happy to have Bubba as the latest piece of that rich legacy.” 

“We’re thrilled to have Bubba Wallace be part of our Ford Mustang racing efforts,” said Jamie Allison, director, Ford Racing.  “His winning performances since becoming part of NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity program have certainly made him one of the drivers in the sport to watch in the future, and we think he can bring a lot to Roush Fenway and Ford, both on and off the track.” 

Wallace’s racing career started in 2004 when he began competing in Jr. Sportsman Champ Karts. He finished his first season second overall in points at the Carolina Asphalt Racing Winter Series. He moved to Bandoleros in 2005 and won an amazing 35 of the 48 races and posted 40 top-five finishes. He became the first driver to win five races in a single week. In addition, he competed against much older competition in the Outlaw Division and won all but one race in 2005. 

Wallace moved up to Legends in 2006 and completed a phenomenal rookie season with 11 wins, 27 top-five and 34 top-10 finishes in 38 total starts. He started racing Late Models in 2007, competing in the final five races of the UARA Touring series. 

Born in Mobile, Ala., Wallace and his family moved to North Carolina for his father’s work when he was just two years old. He also played basketball, before fully concentrating his efforts on his racing career. 

Busch Denies Assault In Delaware Court

Kurt Busch took the witness stand Wednesday in Day Two of a hearing in Kent County (Del.) Family Court, testifying that former girlfriend Patricia Driscoll fabricated an alleged assault in September of this year at Dover International Speedway.

Driscoll testified yesterday that the former NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion grabbed her by the throat and repeatedly banged her head into the wall of his motorhome; an accusation Busch denies.

The Wilmington (Del.) News Journal says Busch testified that Driscoll came to his motorhome uninvited on the night of Sept. 26, demanding that he tell her then nine-year old son that their relationship was over. Busch said he asked Driscoll to leave a total of five times, then “took my hands… cupped her cheeks and I looked at her eye to eye and I said, 'You need to leave.'

“I was defusing the situation,” he said.

Despite a lengthy cross-examination by Driscoll's attorney, Carolyn McNeice, Busch was not specifically asked whether he smashed Driscoll's head against the wall. He said Driscoll's description of the incident included “fabrications,” and acknowledged sending Driscoll a text asking to speak with her, nearly a month after ending their relationship. 

Also called to testify Wednesday was Busch’s motorhome driver and personal assistant, Michael Doncheff, who said he believed Driscoll when she told him of the alleged Sept. 26 assault, despite having made several unbelievable statements in the past. Last fall at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Doncheff said Driscoll complained of muscle stiffness after being “slammed to the ground” while helping to detain illegal immigrants at the US/Mexico border, a story Doncheff called "far-fetched."

He also recalled an earlier dispute over sponsorship that prompted Driscoll to remark, “NASCAR is nothing. I take down foreign governments. I own Washington."

Doncheff testified that Driscoll once claimed to be “a trained assassin" for the U.S. government.

He said he was treated well by Busch, despite a sometimes volatile temper. Doncheff described Driscoll as "high maintenance," adding that Busch deferred most decisions to her.

No ruling was made on whether to grant Driscoll’s request for a no-contact order, the hearing was recessed until early January.

Menard's Back With RCR XFINITY Program

Menards will continue its partnership with Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR XFINITY Series, positioning the third-largest home improvement store in the United States as a primary sponsor for select races on RCR's No. 33 Chevrolet entry with drivers Paul Menard and Brandon Jones in 2015.

Menards has played a pivotal role in RCR's NXS campaign since 2012.  

"Sponsoring the No. 33 RCR team in the NASCAR XFINITY Series with drivers Paul Menard and Brandon Jones behind the wheel in 2015 is something we look forward to," said Jeff Abbott, Menards Promotions Manager. "This partnership is special to us and we are ready for another successful XFINITY Series campaign."  

Menard will drive the No. 33 Menards Chevrolet Camaro for select events in 2015, while maintaining a full-time schedule in the No. 27 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series entry for RCR. The Eau Claire, Wisconsin native is a two-time XFINITY Series race winner with five pole awards, 31 top-five and 81 top-10 finishes.  

As previously announced, Jones, a 17-year-old driver hailing from Atlanta, Ga., joins the RCR stable for a number of NXS events.  

"Menards has become a key supporter of our XFINITY Series program through the past few years and I look forward to an even better future with them," said Richard Childress, CEO and Chairman of Richard Childress Racing. "John Menard has vast experience in motorsports and business and I have leaned on him for advice during our partnership. I can't thank him enough for being there. 

"John, Paul Menard, all of the Menards team members and their vendor-partners have been very supportive of the RCR program. Menards strong customer service values, combined with their family culture, fit well with our culture here at RCR. I look forward to Brandon joining Paul as drivers for the Menards' program in 2015." 

Whelen Mods, K&N East and ACT Tours Will Return To New Hampshire In 2015

An important and popular part of the racing menu during NASCAR Sprint Cup weekends at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and American-Canadian Tour will return in 2015 to help celebrate the Magic Mile's 25th anniversary season with a total of five races.

With the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series serving as anchor events on July 19 and Sept. 27, and with the other two major national touring series - the July 18 XFINITY Series (formerly Nationwide), and Sept. 26 Camping World Truck Series dates - already locked in place, NASCAR released the schedules for the immensely-popular Whelen Modified Tour and K&N Pro Series East. The "mighty mods" will first race at the Magic Mile on July 16 with the second annual running of the Whelen Modified All-Star Shootout, joining the K&N Pro Series East as part of that Friday's doubleheader. It will also race on Saturday, July 16 and then again on Saturday, Sept. 26 with 100-lap national championship points races. The K&N Pro Series East race will be 70 laps as the grand finale of pole day in July.

Fixtures at the speedway since its opening in 1990, the Whelen Modified Tour and K&N Pro Series East have produced some of the most entertaining races in NASCAR history at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The two regional tours have combined for 48 different winners spanning 168 races, logging more than 16,000 miles (15,000-plus laps).

"These two series are the foundation of exciting, wheel-to-wheel NASCAR racing and have had a historical impact on the national touring series, providing great entertainment and serving as a feeder system for the stars of tomorrow," said Jerry Gappens, executive vice president and general manager of the speedway. "We are immeasurably grateful to be able to host these series during our 25th anniversary season, as we realize how popular they are to our historically knowledgeable race fans."

The American-Canadian Tour will also return to New Hampshire Motor Speedway for the seventh annual Bond Auto Parts ACT Invitational on Sept. 26. The ACT features some of the most competitive racing on the NHMS calendar, pitting drivers from across the Northeast and southeastern Canada in a short track 50-lap shootout.

Tickets to both NASCAR Sprint Cup Series weekends are on sale now by calling the NHMS ticket hotline at (603) 783-4931 or by visiting www.nhms.com. 

Darlington To Celebrate Return To Labor Day

With Darlington Raceway entering its 66^th consecutive year hosting NASCAR’s top-tier touring series, the track will commemorate its return to Labor Day weekend in 2015 by honoring its storied past, while celebrating the future. 

With the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bojangles’ Southern 500 returning to its celebrated Labor Day weekend date, the Lady in Black will recognize past champions of the 1970’s as part of its 2015 campaign. 

A number of exciting announcements are planned over the next several months in regards to the campaign, which will focus on the years 1970-74.

NASCAR Hall of Famers Leonard Wood, Cale Yarborough and Wendell Scott, among others, will be celebrated during the event weekend. All of these drivers played an integral role in building the foundation, which has made Darlington Raceway special to both drivers and fans alike for over six decades. 

“With our exciting return to Labor Day weekend in 2015, celebrating our past champions is only fitting,” Darlington Raceway President Chip Wile said. “These racing icons helped shape Darlington Raceway into what it is today – NASCAR’s most storied racing facility.” 

The honoring of champions from the early 1970’s is just one part of the track’s overall strategy to celebrate its rich history. Each year, Darlington Raceway will focus on specific eras, plus the historic moments and drivers that made impacts at the track Too Tough to Tame.  

Additionally, the track will link the generations by celebrating current and future stars of NASCAR, including Kevin Harvick, Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney, and Darrell Wallace Jr.  

History was made last season as both Harvick and Elliott celebrated wins at the Lady in Black (Harvick won the Bojangles’ Southern 500, Elliott claimed the VFW Sport Clips Help A Hero 200) and went on to win their respective series championships. 

The only other time in track history both Darlington race winners went on to win their series championships in the same year was 1997. Then, Jeff Gordon won the Southern 500 and Randy LaJoie won the Busch Series race, with both going on to be crowned series champions. 

“We want to recognize our past, but also continue to celebrate our current and future stars,” Wile said. “These drivers are the future of our sport, so it’s important we recognize their achievements at Darlington Raceway. As an avid fan of the sport, our future looks extremely bright with the crop of talent we have in the pipeline.” 

The 2015 season will see the return of Darlington, S.C. native Kaitlyn Bailey as the track’s “Lady in Black.” Bailey will enter her second year in the position and will don a new 70’s retro-style firesuit. In her role, Bailey serves as the face of Darlington Raceway. She has made a positive impact in the track’s efforts to focus on the fans and serve as an ambassador in the community. Her friendly and engaging personality has made her a fan favorite. 

“It’s a tremendous honor to serve as Darlington Raceway’s ‘Lady in Black’ for a second consecutive year,” Bailey said. “Being a native of Darlington, I appreciate and understand how important the track is to the community. It is going to be an amazing year with the tradition returning to Labor Day weekend in 2015.” 

The Tradition Returns to Labor Day weekend as the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bojangles’ Southern 500 is set for Sunday, Sept. 6, 2015. The NASCAR XFINITY Series VFW Sport Clips Help A Hero 200 will race on Saturday, Sept. 5. Tickets are on sale now by calling 866-459-7223 or visiting www.DarlingtonRaceway.com. 

Ben Kennedy Signs With Red Horse Racing

Red Horse Racing announced today that 2014 Sunoco Rookie of the Year Ben Kennedy will join the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team to drive its No. 11 Toyota Tundra.

"I am very excited to return to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in 2015 and to be driving for Red Horse Racing," Kennedy said. "The team has a solid foundation in the Camping World Truck Series, celebrating their 10th year in 2015. It will be an honor to drive the No. 11 Toyota Tundra, the winningest number in NASCAR history."

Red Horse Racing team owner Tom DeLoach said, "We are thrilled to have Ben join us at Red Horse Racing. Ben is a very talented young driver, and I think he is going to fit right into our Red Horse family. We consider ourselves one team with multiple trucks, and I expect to see a lot of success from this organization in 2015."

Kennedy began his racing career in quarter-midgets, later graduating to full-sized stock trucks on the short tracks of central Florida. The Daytona Beach native won Pro-Truck championship titles in 2009, and followed with a Super Late Model championship and Rookie of the Year honors in 2010. Kennedy entered the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East in 2011. In 2012, he made history winning the first NASCAR-sanctioned Euro Racecar Series oval track event at Tours Speedway in France. In 2013, Kennedy finished fourth in the K&N Pro Series East championship point standings with two wins, one pole award, three top-five and nine top-10 finishes, and was crowned the series' Most Popular Driver. He entered full-time NASCAR Camping World Truck Series competition in 2014, starting on the pole for the season-opener at Daytona International Speedway, one top-five and seven top-10 finishes, and claiming Rookie of the Year honors. 

Founded in 2005, Red Horse Racing will kick off its 10th year of Camping World Truck Series competition in the season-opening NextEra Energy Resources 250 at Daytona International Speedway on Friday, Feb. 20, 2015.

Emotions High In Day One Of Busch Domestic Hearing

Busch and Driscoll in happier times.

Nearly seven hours of court testimony Tuesday painted a dramatic picture of the tempestuous relationship between NASCAR driver Kurt Busch and his former girlfriend, Patricia Driscoll.

The pair appeared in Kent County (Del.) Family Court Tuesday, with Driscoll describing the former Sprint Cup Series champion as an unstable, violent alcoholic who was in danger of "drinking himself to death." Busch did not testify Tuesday, but his attorney painted an unflattering portrait of Driscoll, calling her untrustworthy, unwilling to accept the end of their four-year relationship and bent on destroying Busch’s racing career.

Driscoll is seeking a no-contact order against Busch, requesting that he be ordered to undergo a psychological evaluation and domestic violence counseling. In testimony Tuesday, she alleged that Busch choked her and smashed her head against the wall of his motorhome at Dover International Speedway on Sept. 26, after she and her nine-year old son drove there from their Maryland home to check on his well-being.

Photo: Jason Minto/
Wilmington News Journal

Driscoll said Busch told her via text message that he was crying on the floor of his motorhome and felt “the world was crashing down" on him. "I was really worried," said Driscoll. "...Kurt's not the kind of person to be laying on the floor crying."

After driving to the speedway, Driscoll said she joined Busch in his motorhome, where he began disparaging his Stewart Haas Racing team, calling team personnel “idiots” and complaining that teammate Kevin Harvick was "getting everything" from the team, while Busch received nothing.

"He seemed out of his mind… saying crazy things,” added Driscoll, saying Busch told her that if he had a gun, he would kill himself.

Driscoll testified that Busch “just kept going off about the team," before suddenly leaping to his feet, grabbing her by the neck and face and smashing her head against the wall of the motorhome.

"It scared me,” she said, “because he just snapped."

She said she and her son immediately sought refuge in an adjoining motorhome owned by Motor Racing Outreach, before returning home and documenting her injuries with a series of photographs. Driscoll said she declined to file a police report at the time, fearing the incident would jeopardize an ongoing child custody battle with her ex-husband.

The most emotional moment of the hearing came when Busch’s attorney, Rusty Hardin, suggested that Driscoll could have avoided the alleged incident by leaving the motorhome. A tearful Driscoll responded, "I am not to blame for him putting his hands on me," prompting Family Court judge David Jones to order a brief recess.

Driscoll also alleged that Busch became violent the previous week at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, wrapping a seat belt around her neck and causing damage to a rental car.

Under cross-examination, Hardin repeatedly portrayed Driscoll as unable to accept the end of her relationship with Busch, saying she had failed to present any evidence of physical assault. He called Driscoll “a mercenary” who suggested strategies to discredit Sprint Car driver Kevin Ward, Jr., after he was struck and killed by a car driven by Tony Stewart on a New York dirt track earlier this season. He said Busch owes Driscoll money, and that she has repeatedly vowed to "take Kurt down" and destroy his racing career.

Busch declined to comment after Tuesday's hearing. It is not known whether he will testify today.  

BREAKING: Sprint To Withdraw From NASCAR After 2016 Season

Citing a need to focus more directly on its core business priorities, Sprint announced it has informed NASCAR it will not extend the title sponsorship of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series after the current agreement expires at the end of the 2016 season.

“We are proud of our association with NASCAR’s top series but have made the decision not to extend our sponsorship beyond the next two years,” said Steve Gaffney, vice president-Marketing, Sprint. “As we look to the future, Sprint is focused on investing in maintaining a competitive edge and providing consumers with the best value in wireless.

“Sprint has long benefitted from the unprecedented level of brand integration available in NASCAR, and the passionate fan base that is the most loyal in sports. Without question, the NASCAR sponsorship property has been a valuable investment for us and will be for our successor.”

Since the partnership began in 2004, Sprint has worked closely with NASCAR to bring many fan-friendly innovations to life, including the introduction of the FanView next generation scanner (2005), the creation of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Mobile wireless application (2008) and the debut of Miss Sprint Cup (2007), an ambassador program that now has more than 1.5 million social media followers. The constant evolution of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race pre-race show and the improvements to the Sprint Vision trackside programming also highlight Sprint’s portfolio of fan enhancements.

“We genuinely appreciate the fans, teams, drivers, tracks and media who have been so supportive and welcoming to us during these many race seasons,” said Gaffney. “We look forward to our remaining time as sponsor of the Sprint Cup Series and eventually assisting with the transition to NASCAR’s next title partner.”

The sponsorship extends back to 2004 when Nextel signed a 10-year partnership with NASCAR for the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series. The name changed to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2008 as a result of the Nextel/Sprint corporate merger. At the conclusion of the first 10 years, Sprint extended the partnership an additional three years, taking the contract through the end of the 2016 season.

NASCAR Senior Vice President and Chief Communications Officer Brett Jewskes commented on today’s announcement, saying, “NASCAR and Sprint have enjoyed a long and productive partnership that has returned significant value to both parties. We understand significant changes within Sprint and the highly competitive business environment it is in has led to a decision not to extend its Cup Series entitlement position following the 2016 season.

“The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series is a very unique, premium sports marketing platform with strong momentum, so we are very confident of moving forward in 2017 with an outstanding new partner. In the meantime, we look forward to Sprint’s partnership on the best racing series in the world for the next two seasons.”

COMMENTARY: NASCAR Is Not The NFL

With a few weeks off from the NASCAR grind, many of us have turned our long-overdue attention to the National Football League, catching up with our favorite team just in time for the playoff drive to begin.

The NFL has long been the 600-pound gorilla of American sports, and over the years, the league has cultivated a massive media juggernaut that examines, reports and critiques the most miniscule of gridiron maneuvers. Compared to NASCAR, the NFL media corps is downright bloodthirsty, often campaigning openly for individual players to be benched and coaches to be fired.

The New York Post, a longstanding bastion of blistering criticism for professional sports teams in the Big Apple, actually expressed unhappiness with Sunday’s 16-11 road win by the hometown Jets over the Tennessee Titans, lamenting that the team “severely hurt their chances of landing the No. 1 pick in April’s draft” with the victory.

While not encouraging the 3-11 Jets to tank their remaining games in a backhanded attempt to secure the top pick, Post writer Brian Costello said embattled coach Rex Ryan and his staff, “know they are on their way out,” pronouncing Ryan “a near lock to be fired in two weeks” and general manager John Idzik “more than likely to be thrown out with him.”

Costello also questioned “why (Ryan and Idzik would) leave a parting gift for their successors like the top pick?”

Lest they be accused of blasting only the local talent, the Post’s Bart Hubbuch declared Johnny Manziel’s inaugural start with the Cleveland Browns – a 30-0 shellacking by the Cincinnati Bengals -- “an utter disaster,” adding that offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan “certainly didn’t do (the) rookie quarterback any favors… (putting) Manziel in a straightjacket instead of playing to his creative strengths.”

"Look at me, I'm hurt..."

New York Giants radio analyst Carl Banks emptied both barrels on Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III Monday, after Griffin laid face down on the turf for several seconds after a seventh sack in his team’s 24-14 loss to Big Blue.

“He takes sacks, he makes bad decisions and then when he gets hit, he lays there like he’s shot,” said Banks on WFAN Radio. “I called him a drama king on the air yesterday, because you’d think he’s never getting up again. Then he bounces right back up. It’s almost like, ‘Everybody look at me, I’m hurt.’ 

“It’s like he’s a martyr or something.”

Try to recall reading anything like that written about a NASCAR crew chief, general manager or competition director.

It simply doesn’t happen.

While the media clearly enjoys getting its licks in, NFL fans can be even more scathing in their criticism of the home team.

Go Raiders!

Oakland Raider fans are showing up for games lately with paper bags over their heads, in protest of the team’s league-worst 2-12 record. It’s not a new phenomenon, New Orleans fans routinely donned grocery cart garb in the 1980s. But when’s the last time you saw someone in the Talladega grandstand wearing a Dale, Jr. t-shirt and a bag over his head?

Never, that’s when.

Sure, Sprint Cup Series crew chiefs are sometimes the target of Monday morning quarterbacking by fans. Alan Gustafson’s decision to pit driver Jeff Gordon out of the lead in the late laps at Homestead Miami Speedway last month was thoroughly questioned by the railbirds. But in the grand tradition of Tammy Wynette, NASCAR fans generally stand by their man (or woman) through thick and thin, tempering this week's unhappiness with hope for a better effort next Sunday.

The NASCAR media rarely (if ever) lambastes questionable pit strategy with adjectives like “utter disaster.” Maybe that’s a good thing. Maybe it’s not.

One thing’s for sure, however. It sure is different from the NFL.

NASCAR Announces Expanded Sprint Unlimited Field

NASCAR announced today that all 16 Chase drivers will be eligible to compete in the 2015 Sprint Unlimited at Daytona International Speedway. The 75-lap, non-points race will once again kick off the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racing season Saturday, Feb. 14 and will feature an expanded field of drivers based on new eligibility requirements.

A minimum of 25 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers will be eligible to participate in the Sprint Unlimited in 2015. In addition to the 2014 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup participants, the field also will include 2014 Coors Light Pole Award winners, former Sprint Unlimited race winners and Daytona 500 pole winners who competed in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series full-time in 2014. Any remaining spots will be filled by drivers highest in 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver championship points who are not already eligible.

"The 2015 Sprint Unlimited has potential to be one of the most competitive ever," said NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officer Steve O'Donnell. "With more drivers eligible, the intensity level increases for our fans and competitors, making for a compelling start to the 2015 season."

The 2015 eligible participants include:

• Kyle Busch (2014 pole winner)
• Austin Dillon (2014 pole winner)
• Jeff Gordon (2014 pole winner)
• David Gilliland (2014 pole winner)
• Denny Hamlin (2014 pole winner)
• Kevin Harvick (2014 pole winner)
• Jimmie Johnson (2014 pole winner)
• Matt Kenseth (2014 pole winner)
• Brad Keselowski (2014 pole winner)
• Kyle Larson (2014 pole winner)
• Joey Logano (2014 pole winner)
• Jamie McMurray (2014 pole winner)
• Brian Scott (2014 pole winner)
• Tony Stewart (2014 pole winner)
• Brian Vickers* (2014 pole winner)
• Kurt Busch (former Unlimited winner)
• Dale Earnhardt Jr. (former Unlimited winner)
• Carl Edwards (former D500 pole winner)
• Danica Patrick (former D500 pole winner)
• Greg Biffle (former D500 pole winner)
• Martin Truex Jr. (former D500 pole winner)
• Ryan Newman (2014 Chase driver)
• AJ Allmendinger (2014 Chase driver)
• Kasey Kahne (2014 Chase driver)
• Aric Almirola (2014 Chase driver)

Vickers will almost certainly not compete, after undergoing surgery to repair an atrial heart patch earlier this week.