New All-Star Format Rewards Winning

The 28th running of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race will provide some additional incentive for drivers to win one of the four segments heading into the final 10-lap shootout, as the emphasis on winning and pit road strategy have never been more prevalent in this special night of NASCAR star-studded competition. Through the annual Sprint Fan Vote, under way now, fans can again cast ballots for their favorite eligible driver. The driver receiving the highest number of votes will earn a spot in the field. 

The NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, set for Saturday, May 19 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, will consist of four 20-lap segments, concluding with a 10-lap sprint and a $1 million payout to the race winner. This year’s format will place a higher premium for drivers who win one of the four segments, however, as the winners of the first four segments will move to the front of the field and line up 1-4 prior to the field coming to pit road for the final mandatory pit stop.  

When the drivers come down pit road, crew chiefs will have to decide on their best pit strategy, as multiple scenarios will unfold. The team that makes the best call, combined with the optimum performance on pit road, is likely to be in the driver’s seat for the final 10 laps of competition. Wherever the drivers are positioned as they come off pit road after that pit stop is where they will line up to start the final 10-lap segment. 

“This new addition to the format is going to provide even greater incentive for the drivers to go all out to win one of the four segments,” said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR vice president of competition. “It also puts even more focus on the pit crews and how they perform during that final pit stop. The team aspect of the sport will be highlighted more than ever and it helps set the stage for an exciting race and an exciting evening for the fans.”

The eligibility standards for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race remain the same: race winners from either the 2011 or 2012 season through May 12 or any past champions of the all-star event or NASCAR Sprint Cup Series over the previous 10 years are eligible for the race. In addition, the top-two finishers in the Sprint Showdown, a 40-lap preliminary race scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and the winner of the Sprint Fan Vote, all advance into the all-star race lineup.  

Fans can vote by using the NASCAR Sprint Cup Mobile Android™ application on their Sprint phone, or by texting “VOTE” to 229466 on any wireless carrier (standard text messaging and data rates apply). Voting is also open at NASCAR.com/AllStar or by visiting the Sprint Experience, located in the midway at all NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races. Voting will continue until 5 p.m. EDT on Saturday, May 19. As an added customer benefit, votes submitted from a Sprint, Boost, Nextel or Virgin Mobile device count double toward an individual driver’s total.

Individual tickets for the May 19 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race and Blake Shelton pre-race concert presented by Target are on sale now starting at just $39. Fans can also purchase an All-Star Four-Pack for just $99. Tickets can be obtained online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com or by calling Charlotte Motor Speedway at 1-800-455-FANS. 

The eighth annual NASCAR Sprint Pit Crew Challenge returns to kick off the all-star week’s competition, Thursday, May 17 at 7 p.m. at the Time Warner Cable Arena. The event’s finishing order determines pit selection for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. The No. 11 FedEx Toyota team is the defending Pit Crew Challenge champion. Tickets for the NASCAR Sprint Pit Crew Challenge start at $15 and can be purchased online at www.pitcrewchallenge.com or by calling the Charlotte Bobcats ticket office at 800-745-3000.

Drivers currently eligible for the 2012 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race (as of March 27) include: Marcos Ambrose, Trevor Bayne, Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch, Clint Bowyer, Carl Edwards, Jeff Gordon, Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne, Matt Kenseth, Brad Keselowski, Mark Martin, Paul Menard, Ryan Newman, David Ragan, Regan Smith and Tony Stewart.

Introduce Your Favorite Driver At The Sprint All-Star Race!

Sprint announced today it is giving NASCAR fans the opportunity to introduce their favorite driver at this year’s NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Through the “Sprint All-Star Announcers” contest, fans can submit brief videos introducing their favorite driver to Sprint.com/Speed. A select panel will choose one winning submission for each driver, and those winning videos will be used to introduce the starting lineup for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race on Saturday, May 19. The winning entries will be shown on a high-definition video board for fans attending the race and on SPEED’s live broadcast for fans watching at home.

“The NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race has always been about delivering a special night for the fans, and Sprint is always looking for ways to bring innovation to the event,” said Steve Gaffney, vice president of corporate marketing for Sprint. “For the first time in history, Sprint is giving NASCAR fans everywhere a chance to be a part of the prerace spectacle by introducing their favorite Sprint Cup driver.”

Fans can upload their videos to Sprint.com/Speed between Friday, March 30, and Sunday, May 6, for their chance to be a featured part of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race driver introductions. In addition to having their video seen by fans at Charlotte Motor Speedway and SPEED’s broadcast audience, each winner will also receive a custom autographed NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race helmet.

The videos will be judged on originality, creativity and enthusiasm, with the winners being revealed during the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race driver introductions. Fans interested in submitting a video should visit Sprint.com/Speed for a full list of guidelines and instructions.

All entries that meet the promotional guidelines will be housed on Sprint.com/Speed throughout the promotional time period and winners will be highlighted on the site following the running of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. Fans are encouraged to visit the website to review the official rules and view sample video entries and other fans’ submissions for ideas and inspiration.

Tickets for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race are on sale now. Frontstretch tickets with the best views of pit road and the world’s largest HD video board start at just $49. To purchase tickets, call 1-800-455-FANS (3267) or visit www.charlottemotorspeedway.com.

Changes Paying Off In NASCAR Nationwide Series



Ricky Stenhouse is a title cntender again.

Last year, NASCAR announced a major change in the way it awards championships in its three national series. For the first time, the sanctioning body decreed that drivers would be allowed to earn points in only one division, regardless of how many races they ran. In one sweep of the pen, NASCAR Nationwide Series champion Brad Keselowski and fellow Sprint Cup Series regulars Carl Edwards and Kyle Busch were eliminated from 2011 title contention, raising concern in some corners that the Nationwide Series would lack in excitement and star power.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

Twelve months after that fateful decision, NASCAR has succeeded in putting control of the series back into the hands of Nationwide-only drivers.

A year ago, Sprint Cup drivers held the Nationwide Series in a stranglehold, winning all but four races in 35 starts. It took only four weeks for that mark to be equaled this year, with Elliott Sadler (2), James Buescher, and Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. opening the 2012 campaign with four consecutive victories. Sprint Cup driver Joey Logano finally broke through with a win for Joe Gibbs Racing at Auto Club Speedway last weekend, but with only a month complete in the 2012 campaign, it is clear that the NASCAR Nationwide Series is “Sprint Cup Lite” no longer.

Kyle Busch has yet to hit stride.

Eliminating Cup drivers from title contention has infused a much-needed dose of excitement into the Nationwide championship chase, as well. Last year, Stenhouse and Sadler battled tooth-and-nail for the title, with Reed Sorenson and Justin Allgaier also spending considerable time at the top of the points table. While actual wins were few and far between, the feeling in the Nationwide garage – and also in the grandstands – was that the “little guys” were finally free to contest their own championship without the suffocating presence of those Sprint Cup regulars.

This year, Sadler and Stenhouse are once again waging war for the championship, with rookie Austin Dillon – up from the Camping World Truck Series – Trevor Bayne and Sam Hornish, Jr., all within easy striking distance. Edwards has left the series to concentrate his efforts on the Sprint Cup championship, while Busch is struggling to wring speed from his new, self-owned team.

The “Big Dogs” aren’t barking as loudly on the NASCAR Nationwide Series this season, and honestly, not many seem to miss them.

Mayfield Denied In Latest Court Appeal

The United States Court of Appeals has refused to reinstate suspended driver Jeremy Mayfield's lawsuit against NASCAR; the latest setback in a series of legal decisions to go against Mayfield in the last three years.

Jeremy Mayfield

Mayfield was suspended from competition in 2009 after failing a random drug test that allegedly found methamphetamine in his system. He alleged a false positive result caused by a mixture of the over-the-counter allergy medication Claritin-D and a prescription drug, Adderall, taken to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder. He also sued NASCAR for defamation of character, unfair and deceptive trade practices, breach of contract and negligence, saying the sport’s substance abuse testing policy was flawed and failed to follow federal guidelines. U.S. District Judge Graham Mullen ruled that Mayfield had waived his right to sue when he signed an application to be a NASCAR driver and team owner.

Mayfield appealed that decision, but the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Monday that Mullen was correct in dismissing Mayfield's complaint. Judges Roger Gregory, Barbara Milano Keenan and Liam O'Grady ruled unanimously against Mayfield, with Gregory writing “the liability waiver is enforceable under Florida law."

Today’s ruling was the latest in a series of legal setbacks for Mayfield, who has repeatedly claimed to be the subject of a conspiracy involving NASCAR, local police and sheriff’s departments. He currently faces multiple felony charges in the aftermath of a Catawba County Sherriff’s Department raid on his home last November, which allegedly discovering 1.5 grams of methamphetamine in a locked safe. Four additional indictments were handed down in Catawba County, NC, last month; three counts of possessing stolen property and one count of obtaining property by false pretenses. He also faces four counts of felony larceny in nearby Caldwell County.

NASCAR Senior Vice President for Racing Operations Steve O'Donnell commented on the latest court decision, saying, “This case was never about anything more than NASCAR's ability to keep the sport clean and our competitors safe.”

Kenseth Salutes Injured Marine Sunday

In an effort to salute those who have given so much to protect our freedom, Roush Fenway Racing and driver Matt Kenseth will run a special paint scheme in the Goody’s Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway. Kenseth’s car will be the No. 17 Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation/Gary Sinise Foundation Ford and will feature a salute to United States Marine Corps Corporal Josh “J.B.” Kerns.

Kerns was a combat engineer with the U.S. Marine Corps during a mine sweep on April 7, 2011 in Afghanistan, during his third tour of duty. An improvised explosive device (IED) detonated nearby, costing Kerns both legs and his right arm.

Almost a year after that fateful day, two-time Daytona 500 champion Kenseth will drive the No. 17 Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers/Gary Sinise Foundation Ford at Martinsville as a tribute to Kerns and the sacrifices he made for this country. As part of their “Building for America’s Bravest” program, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation and the Gary Sinise Foundation will build a “smart home” for Kerns in his hometown of Ararat, Virginia; not far from Martinsville Speedway.

As part of the fundraising effort associated with this program, Lionel NASCAR Collectables will create a diecast of the No. 17 Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation/Gary Sinise Foundation Ford, with a large portion of the proceeds going to build Kerns’ new smart home.

“It’s an honor for us to run this paint scheme,” said Kenseth. “We have a lot to be thankful for in this country, and we take a lot for granted on a daily basis. Soldiers like J.B. make sacrifices every day that I don’t think anyone can truly comprehend, so I am grateful for the bravery he has shown. By running this paint scheme, I hope people will support this great organization in order to build J.B. the home he deserves for his service.”

“JB Kerns is a true American hero, and we can never totally repay him for everything that he has done to keep our country free and strong,” said Frank Siller, chairman of The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation. “But with the help of wonderful people like Matt Kenseth and organizations such as Roush Fenway Racing, Lionel NASCAR Collectables, Martinsville Speedway and the folks at Goody’s, we can show JB how much we truly value his courage.”

Robinson Benefit Set For May 11-12

Anticipation and excitement are building for the May 11 benefit for longtime NASCAR and northeast short track announcer Al Robinson.

Support for the event is flooding in, from local short tracks all the way up to NASCAR and the Indy Racing League.  The two-day event takes place May 11-12 at Shangri-La II Motorspeedway in Tioga Center, NY. While the schedule is still in its final stages of preparation, tentative plans call for gates to open at 11 am Friday, May 11, for race fans to begin setting up their camp sites and vendors to set up their displays. The event will officially kick off at 5 pm Friday, with activities taking place until 1:00 am Saturday morning.

Activities resume at 8 am Saturday, and run through 12 noon. 

Al Robinson

Race teams planning to participate in Saturday’s open practice session at the speedway are encouraged to bring in their haulers Friday, to take part in a scheduled hauler tour. Both live and silent auctions are scheduled to take place Friday, with items going on display at 6 pm Friday. Silent Auction winners will be announced at 11 am Saturday.

Other planned activities planned include a 50/50 raffle, Face Painting, Bounce House, Candy Store, Red Solo Cup Challenge, Kids Bicycle Races, Down Hill Races, Pace Car Rides, Face Painting, Movies, Bon Fire, Friday Night Disco Fever Costume and Dance Contest and a Penny Drop for the kids. Race Teams from all forms of motorsports will have their machines on display.

“The donations are starting to come in to the Spalding Foundation” reports foundation director Betty Sherwood. “Once we receive a donation, we immediately send paperwork for a charitable donation to the donor. We are looking for items for both the Live and Silent Auctions; from race teams and drivers from the local, regional and national levels.” 

Already received is a 2008 Target Indy Car diecast signed by 2008 Indianapolis 500 winner, Scott Dixon courtesy of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. New Hampshire Motor Speedway has made a cash donation, as well as a ticket package valued at $360.00 and a body panel from a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race car. Holland Speedway has donated a 2012 season Family Pass and a “Hot Lap” ride program for two at Lime Rock Speedway. Connecticut’s Stafford Motor Speedway has contributed a Richie Evans Gift Pack.

Cash donations have been received from other motorsports entities, including Dover International Speedway, Ray Evernham Racing, Competition Photographers, Dick Macco and Allan Brown. Any donations of tickets and/or auction items may be sent to Shangri-La 2 Speedway, 114 Skyline Drive, Tioga Center, NY, 13845; designated for the "Al Robinson Fund.”  Monetary donations may be sent by check to The Spalding Foundation, c/o Betty Sherwood, 1074 Sulpher Springs Road, Owego, NY, 13827. Please write "Al Robinson Fund" on the comment line. 

All monetary donations will go directly to Al Robinson, a well-known voice on track public address systems around the nation. Robinson has been involved in racing for over 40 years in various capacities; serving as track announcer at the original Shangri-La Speedway in Owego, NY and as Public Relations Director at Dover International Speedway. He also served as Public Relations Director for NASCAR’s Busch North Series, in addition to being an avid race fan and dedicated “race chaser” for many decades. He suffered a debilitating stroke May 11 which left him in need of 24 hour care, and he remains confined to Elderwood Care Facility in Waverly, New York.

Robinson has been working hard at his prescribed regimen of physical therapy, but still has a long way to go. He is determined to “beat this thing” and has made tremendous progress, but his financial situation has taken a severe beating. He now faced significant financial hardship, with bills mounting and credit cards reaching their limit.  A group of Al’s friends in the Southern Tier of New York have come together to help Al pay his bills and get back on a solid financial footing.

Charlotte Announces High-End Fan Improvements

Charlotte Motor Speedway will undertake a $4 million capital improvement project this spring, aimed at the track’s more affluent fans.

On the list of scheduled improvements are three Infield Corporate Hospitality projects the track says will provide increased access to fans.  Six “Pit Road VIP boxes” are currently under construction, and will feature open-air seating, a complete 360-degree view of the on-track action and access to an exclusive indoor lounge being constructed in the track’s infield. Cost is $45,000 per year for three years.

CMS is also constructing “The Hub,” a 30-space infield entertainment compound featuring 50-by-50 plots suitable for tents, campers or motor coaches. Each space can accommodate as many as 50 fans, and total cost for each space $7,500 for a weekend, or $20,000 for all Sprint Cup weekends.

The “Champions Pavilion” will include nearly 12,000 square feet of additional indoor and outdoor hospitality space inside the track’s fourth turn, overlooking pit road. The Pavilion offers amenities and seating for 300 people, at a cost of $1,000 per person.

Construction on all three fan areas will be completed in time for the track’s upcoming NASCAR weekend in May. CMS is also undertaking improvements to the existing Fan Zone near Morehead Road and Concord Parkway South, allowing souvenir vendors and to move onto speedway property for the first time.

“This is the kind of thing that’s in demand by a number of our customers,” said Marcus Smith, President and General Manager of the speedway. “You’re in the thick of things. You’re right there…We always like to do something a little bit different.”

Martinsville Announces New "Family Four Pack"

The demand for Martinsville Speedway’s “Family Four-Pack” ticket package for Sunday’s Goody’s Fast Relief 500 has been so great that it is no longer available. But another Family Four-Pack ticket package has been implemented in the track’s Sprint Tower, for just $129.

The $129 Family Four-Pack is the most inexpensive way for a family of four to spend the day at Martinsville Speedway and enjoy the Goody’s Fast Relief 500. The package includes two adult tickets and two children’s tickets (age 18 and under) to the Goody’s Fast Relief 500, along with vouchers for four Famous Martinsville Speedway Hot Dogs® and four Pepsi products.

The Family Four-Pack seats are located in the Sprint Tower, Rows 6-14, and may be purchased by calling 877-RACE-TIX (877-722-3849) or online atwww.martinsvillespeedway.com. Tickets for the Goody’s Fast Relief 500 and the Kroger 250 may also be purchased by calling 877-RACE-TIX (877-722-3849) or online atwww.martinsvillespeedway.com.

Smoke Outruns Rain At Auto Club Speedway

Tony Stewart made some great moves Sunday en route to a win in the rain-shortened Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway. But it was a move he didn’t make that sent him to Victory Lane.

Stewart had them covered in Fontana

The defending NASCAR sprint Cup Series champion surged forward from his ninth-place starting spot Sunday using a series of “slide job” maneuvers reminiscent of his title-clinching win at Homestead Miami Speedway last November. He led the race when rain began to fall 24 laps past the halfway point, then faked a move to pit road before darting back onto the race track. While polesitter Denny Hamlin and Jimmie Johnson elected to pit, Stewart remained on course for five additional lap under caution before the rain increased in severity, forcing NASCAR to red-flag the race.

Kyle Busch also remained on-track during the rain to finish second, with Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kevin Harvick and Carl Edwards completing the Top-5. Point leader Greg Biffle, Ryan Newman, Martin Truex Jr. and Kurt Busch finished sixth through ninth, followed by Johnson and Hamlin. Johnson's day was saved by the rain, after the engine in his Hendrick Motorsport Chevrolet began smoking badly under the race’s final caution. Had the rain abated, it is unlikely the five-time series champion would have been able to continue without losing multiple laps.

"I don't think I faked them out," said Stewart of his decisive feint toward pit road. “(It) looked good, though."

Hamlin explained his choice to duck onto pit road, saying, “We were planning on the race going back to green. If it doesn't, we lose some spots. But if we choose to stay out there, we would be behind all the cars that pitted (and) our chance of winning decreases greatly.”

The win was Stewart’s second of the young 2012 season, making him the only multi-event winner to date. “This Office Depot Chevy was bad fast,” he said in a makeshift, rain-soaked Victory Lane. "I'm really proud of Steve Addington and all of our guys."

Stewart’s 46th career Sprint Cup Victory ties him with the late Buck Baker for 14th on NASCAR’s all-time list, and gives him seven checkered flags in his last 15 starts, dating back to September of last year at Chicagoland Speedway.

Drivers Still Split On Bristol Rebuild

Author Thomas Wolfe’s final novel was entitled “You Can’t Go Home Again.” Speedway Motorsports, Inc. Chairman Bruton Smith may be preparing to learn the same lesson.

After resurfacing and reconfiguring Bristol Motor Speedway in 2007, Smith has watched a series of competitive, two and three-wide battles at the track he calls “The Last Great Coliseum.” Unfortunately, fan reaction to the new Bristol has been lukewarm, at best. An announced crowd of 102,000 viewed last Sunday’s “Food City 500,” with unofficial estimates pegging the 158,000-seat grandstands to be only half-full.

Speedway Motorsports Chairman Bruton Smith

SMI surveyed fans to gauge reaction to the new, tamer Bristol Motor Speedway, and 70-percent of respondents said they want the old, beat-and-bang Bristol to return. By midweek, Smith was speaking openly of giving his showplace short track yet another face lift, spending more than a million dollars to return the track to its former glory.

The question is, will it work?

Dale Earnhardt Jr. said this week that Smith should talk to him and his fellow drivers before calling in the excavators, saying a simple resurfacing will not solve the track’s problems. “He should talk to the drivers… about what made (the old Bristol) work, what they liked about that,” said Earnhardt. “There were some things about that track that I liked. One of the reasons it was so good was because the yellow line was about a foot off the apron. They actually sealed underneath that yellow line, and that provided grip for the left-front tire.”

Biffle: "Can't wave a magic wand."

Ford driver Greg Biffle cautioned that returning “Thunder Valley” to its former glory may not be as simple as Smith wants to believe. “To put it back like it was is very, very difficult,” he said. “I don’t know how you would even do that. You can change the track, sure, and make it different. But you’re not just going to wave the (magic) wand or hire the excavating crew and say, ‘Come put it back like it was…’”

Both Biffle and Earnhardt said a softer Goodyear tire with quicker fall-off would improve racing at Bristol, without the expense of a million-dollar track rebuild.

Biffle’s Roush Fenway Racing teammate, Carl Edwards, said SMI actually did too good a job resurfacing the track in 2007. “They did such a good job making all three grooves the same speed that it truly is difficult to pass,” said Edwards. “On paper, everything looked like it was going to be perfect. (But) they got it too perfect, because a guy can run the same speed on the top lane as the bottom.

“When there was only one fast groove, if you got an advantage and (had) that groove, then you could pass a guy. It was actually easier to pass the other way.”

“I worry about if Bruton Smith spends all that money to go back to the old track, and it doesn’t work out,” said Edwards. “But it’s his money, and it might work. Bruton's made a lot of things work.”

Keselowski fears "ulterior motives."

Penske Racing driver Brad Keselowski, who won Sunday’s “Food City 500” to run his Bristol winning streak to two in a row, said many of his fellow drivers’ comments reflect what’s best for them and their respective teams, rather than what’s best for the sport. “The whole reconfiguration story doesn’t go very far with me,” he said. “Personally, I think it’s irresponsible, misinformed and… self-serving for any driver or media member to go out there and criticize the track. I don’t think it’s right.

“I think there are drivers that struggle there… and have ulterior motives to point at the surface reconfiguration, instead of their own teams’ performance. I don’t think that it’s an informed opinion when you look at it objectively.”

Will Bruton Smith give Bristol Motor Speedway another face lift? No one knows for sure. A promised Friday announcement never happened, as the SMI chairman continues to mull his options. No matter what he ultimately decides, however, three-time and defending Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart says he and his team will approach the track the same way.

“We will work on it like we always do and figure out what we have to do to set our cars up,” he said. “It doesn’t matter to me. We race at different tracks all across the country.”

Sunny Morning, Discouraging Forecast In Fontana

Good news! It’s a beautiful Sunday morning at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Cal.  

The bad news is that the forecast deteriorates markedly as race time approaches. Sunshine, temperatures in the mid-50s and a paltry 10% chance of rain greeted race teams as they arrived at the track this morning, and those conditions should hold through approximately noon local time. As the “Auto Club 400” NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race approaches, however, the chance of rain skyrockets to 70%, a forecast that holds right through midnight.

If Mother Nature remains uncooperative, NASCAR will hold to its longstanding “next clear day” policy, likely rescheduling the event for a late morning (local time) Monday green flag.

Eight Is Great: Logano Extends JGR's Fontana Win Streak

Logano finished where he started Saturday

Joey Logano extended Joe Gibbs Racing’s dominance of NASCAR Nationwide Series racing at California’s Auto Club Speedway Saturday, driving away from a wild final restart to claim JGR’s eighth consecutive win at the Fontana, Cal., oval in the “Royal Purple 300.”

Defending series champion Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., finished second, followed by Brad Keselowski, Brian Scott and rookie Austin Dillon. Logano started on the pole and was a frontrunner throughout the afternoon. He got a push from Stenhouse on the final restart with 12 laps remaining that propelled him into the lead, as a snarling pack of cars raced five and six-wide behind him in the closing laps. Logano quickly pulled away to a lead of more than a second down the stretch, leaving Stenhouse to prevail in a back-and-forth battle with Keselowski for second. The win was Logano’s tenth in 92 career Nationwide Series starts, and his first since Daytona in July od last year.

Point leader Elliott Sadler finished ninth after debris on the grille of his Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet caused its engine temperature to climb in the late going. He now tops the NNS points by 18 heading into a two-week layoff for the series.

Unfortunately, tomorrow’s Auto Club 400 Sprint Cup Series race includes a weather forecast filled with showers in the morning hours, deteriorating into a steady rain by early afternoon. The chance of rain at race time is pegged at 80%, with a projected high temperature of 61 degrees and winds of 10-20 mph, with possible gusts up to 40 mph.

Denny Hamlin will start from the pole after turning a fast lap at 186.403 mph for his first pole of the 2012 season. Kyle Busch starts second, followed by Mark Martin, Kasey Kahne and Greg Biffle. Ryan Newman, Kevin Harvick, Joey Logano, Tony Stewart and Jimmie Johnson complete the Top-10.

Failing to qualify were Robby Gordon, Joe Nemechek and Timmy Hill.

Harvick: Knaus Decision Like "Watching OJ Go Free"



The ever-quotable Happy Harvick


Never one to hold back on a high-quality sound bite, Kevin Harvick told the media today that the ruling overturning most of the penalties levied against crew chief Chad Knaus and his Hendrick Motorsports team was “no different than watching…  OJ go free.”

The Richard Childress Racing driver stressed that he was satisfied with the ruling put forth by Chief Appellate Officer John Middlebrook – if a little surprised by it. “I think it's fine,” said Harvick. “It's a platform for everybody to state their case, and sometimes you win and sometimes you lose; just like in the court of law."

“It's no different than watching a case like OJ and watching (him) go free. Watching that case, there's no way you thought that (verdict) was going to happen. Then you see the verdict, and it happens. It's very similar to that.

"Sometimes you think something is cut and dry… and the next thing you know it's not. You move on and you go to the next one. But there is a platform for the teams to present their cases to a board. I've been involved in it before from the team ownership side, and you prepare no different than you would going to court.

“It's the exact same process.”

Photo Credit: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images North America

UPDATED: Townley To Return At Martinsville

John WesTownley

Sirius XM NASCAR Radio’s Sirius XM Speedway with Dave Moody has learned that John Wes Townley will return to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series at Martinsville Speedway next weekend.

NASCAR announced Thursday that Townley had been placed on probation until Dec. 31, 2012, in the aftermath of a Feb. 7 highway crash in which he crashed his 2012 BMW into a telephone pole. Townley was charged with DUI; his second alcohol-related incident in the last two years. He had previously been cited for underage possession of alcohol in February of 2007 in Las Vegas. He was suspended by his NCWTS team; RAB Racing on February 10, and did not take part in the season opener at Daytona International Speedway.

"We have stood by our commitment to John Wes Townley, and supported him as he has worked through fulfilling what sanctions we've placed on him internally, as well as the process that NASCAR has instituted that allows him first, to return to the seat of our Toyota Tundra, and second, to compete on a weekly basis," said Robby Benton, owner of RAB Racing with Brack Maggard. "It was an unfortunate situation that occurred, and a mistake was made. We now look towards the future and building on a lesson learned. We will work closely with NASCAR and their programs as he returns to full-time competition in the Camping World Truck Series."

"I want to send my deepest apologies to NASCAR, RAB Racing, my fans, sponsors, family, and friends," said Townley. "I made a terrible mistake, but I am now ready, having a renewed relationship with God in my life, to move forward making better decisions. Martinsville will be the start of a new chapter in my life, in more ways than one. My future actions will demonstrate where my heart is, and that I am on a mission."

As conditions of his NASCAR probation, Townley may be evaluated by a certified substance abuse professional at the discretion of the sanctioning body, and is subject to random alcohol and drug testing.

Middlebrook's Ruling: Everyone Wins!

Tuesday’s ruling by National Stock Car Racing Commission Chief Appellate Officer John Middlebrook has both NASCAR and Hendrick Motorsports claiming victory.



Johnson: WE WON!

Middlebrook overturned six-week suspensions assessed by NASCAR to crew chief Chad Knaus and car chief Ron Malek for c-pillars the sanctioning body confiscated from Jimmie Johnson’s car during pre-qualifying inspection for the Daytona 500. He also restored 25 driver and owner points to Jimmie Johnson and car owner of record Jeff Gordon. Johnson said today that while he is confused that the $100,000 fine was allowed to stand, he and his team believe Middlebrook’s decision exonerated Knaus and Malek of any wrongdoing. "The reason we won that appeal is because we proved those C-Posts were legal,” he said. “If we hadn't done that, we wouldn't have won." He said he does not feel totally vindicated, however, “because I think everything should have been overturned.”

NASCAR President Mike Helton insisted today that Johnson's car was illegal under NASCAR rules, adding that if the same c-pillars show up at again Talladega and Daytona, he expects NASCAR officials to confiscate them. "The decision made this week upholds what's right and wrong,” said Helton, adding that in his opinion, Middlebrook’s decision to leave Knaus’ fine intact proves there were, “parts of the car that did not conform to the rules. 

Helton: No, WE WON!

"We think the decision that was made this week supports the inspection process, because the elements of the penalty that were upheld indicate the inspectors did their jobs correctly,” he said. “The debate was more about the decision after that point and how we reacted to it." 

Middlebrook’s ruling has also inspired commentary from other corners of the NASCAR garage. Penske Racing driver Brad Keselowski weighed-in on the controversy Friday, saying, “At Penske Racing, we try to do it right the first time, rather than questioning the process once you get caught." 

Touche’!

Darlington Creates "Too Tough To Tame Tailgate Zone"

Tailgating is a big part of the culture race fans enjoy when they visit Darlington Raceway. To accommodate the ever-growing demand for tailgating prior to the track’s events, the raceway is now offering a new area outside turn two, the Too Tough to Tailgate Zone, for tailgating fans prior to the Bojangles’ Southern 500 on Saturday, May 12.

For $50 per spot, fans will receive a 20x20 space in the Tailgate Zone; big enough to accommodate a passenger vehicle, a pop-up tent, tables, chairs and a grill. There are no limitations to how many guests can tailgate at the space. Admission to the Bojangles’ Southern 500 is not included in the price. Tickets to the race must be purchased when you order your tailgating spot in order to obtain admission.

The Too Tough to Tailgate Zone will open at 9 a.m. on race day and close when the race begins at approximately 7 p.m. The Tailgate Zone, located outside of turn two, can be accessed through Gate 1 off of Harry Byrd Highway (US 151).

"The Track Too Tough To Tame"

Darlington Raceway president Chris Browning said he is excited about the tailgate area and thanked fans who took the time to vote on the name via Facebook and Twitter. “The Too Tough to Tailgate Zone name was voted on by the fans, so thank you to everyone who participated via Facebook and Twitter to choose a fitting name for the area,” Browning said. “We enjoy engaging fans socially and asking them to help us with initiatives like this. It is their area to enjoy, so it’s fitting that they chose the name for it.”

Darlington Raceway is also changing its ticket office hours to accommodate race fans who are unable to purchase tickets during normal business hours. From now until race weekend, the ticket office will be open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The ticket office will also be open on Good Friday, April 6, and seven days a week beginning Monday, April 9. Besides the normal 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday schedule, the hours will be 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturdays and 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Sundays.

“We recognize that it can be difficult for fans to come in during normal business hours, so we felt that extending our hours to 6 p.m. on weekdays and opening on weekends beginning April 9 would be beneficial for our local community members, who have not yet purchased tickets to the race,” Darlington ticket manager Vicki Gilbert said. “It’s always nice when you can come into the ticket office and get that person-to-person interaction.”

Tickets to the upcoming NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bojangles’ Southern 500 and Nationwide Series VFW Sport Clips Help a Hero 200 can still be purchased anytime at DarlingtonRaceway.com.

Jenner Named Grand Marshal For Royal Purple 300

Reality television star and U.S. Olympic Medalist Bruce Jenner will serve as Grand Marshal for Saturday’s NASCAR Nationwide Series Royal Purple 300 at Auto Club Speedway. As Grand Marshal, Jenner will give the most famous command in racing, “Gentlemen, Start Your Engines.” 

Jenner captivated audiences during the 1976 Olympic Games, winning a Gold Medal in the Decathlon event. He graced magazine covers, Wheaties boxes and was hailed as the World’s Greatest Athlete, yet it’s the story behind his continuing success that keeps him on the road as one of America’s best motivational speakers. After working as an insurance salesman during his Olympic training, then starting and running his own aviation company, Jenner now speaks to businessmen and sales corporations of all experience levels.

As reality TV’s favorite dad, Jenner’s audience now extends to fans of the E! Network hit show, “Keeping Up With the Kardashians.” Having recently completed the sixth season of the show, the father of 10 oversees a Kardashian-Jenner family that features a number of entrepreneurs. Jenner himself is involved in a variety of business ventures, including his own production company, Jenner Communications. He is an avid golfer, and spends much of his leisure time on the golf course or flying motorized helicopters.

Tickets to the Royal Purple 300 start as low as $30. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call 800-944-RACE (7223), log on towww.autoclubspeedway.com or visit the Auto Club Speedway ticket office.

Rusty Wallace Returns To The Cockpit

Officials of the ASA Midwest Tour and Rusty Wallace, Incorporated announced today that former NASCAR and ASA Champion Rusty Wallace, will compete in the June 12th Howie Lettow Memorial 150 at The Milwaukee Mile. The race honors the late Lettow, a former standout ASA crew chief who mentored many young drivers. The event will benefit the MACC Fund, dedicated to childhood cancer and blood disorder research.

Rusty's roots are in ASA racing.

The June event will mark only Wallace's third time at the helm of a race car in competition, following his 2005 retirement from NASCAR's premier series. Wallace will pilot a No. 66 super late model in the event; the car was previously campaigned in 2012 by his youngest son, Steve. The younger Wallace is also scheduled to compete in the Milwaukee event, piloting a sister car to his father's.

The elder Wallace, the 1989 NASCAR and 1983 ASA Champion, has no lack of experience at the Milwaukee Mile. Wallace's five victories at Milwaukee in USAC and ASA competition mark one of the most successful stock car careers in the history of "The Mile." 

Said Wallace, "I'm really excited about racing at Milwaukee again; I have a lot of great memories of that place from over the years. While I'm looking forward to having a lot of fun, believe me, we're going there to try and win the race too. There are a lot of great race fans in the Midwest and hopefully the ASA Midwest Tour will put on a great show for them, all the while benefitting a good cause." 

Rusty and Steve Wallace will join other NASCAR drivers such as David Ragan, David Stremme and Tony Raines in the event, with others to be named soon. In addition to attending the race, fans can get up close and personal with the drivers at a pre-race VIP event, including a question and answer session and a private dinner with the drivers. Only 500 tickets for the VIP event will be sold. Fans can purchase tickets for the Howie Lettow Memorial 150 and the pre-race VIP event by visiting http://www.asarace.com.

Turn Three Repave Begins at Daytona

Work began today to replace the asphalt affected by the jet dryer incident during February’s Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Crew members are milling the apron at the base of Turn 3 at today, setting the stage for a repave by Lane Construction; the same company that oversaw the last complete repave of the 2.5-mile tri-oval. Work is expected to be completed in the next several days.

Drive The Rock And Receive FREE Race Tickets!

Andy Hillenburg's Fast Track High Performance Driving School will offer a special incentive for new participants that sign-up for its courses from now until Friday, April 6, 2012.

Fans who sign up for the driving school's courses will receive two tickets for the highly anticipated NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Good Sam Road Assistance 200 presented by Cheerwine on Sunday, April 15.

Fast Track currently offers five different types of programs; Thunder Course (10-lap drive); Thunder and Lighting Course (20-lap drive), One Day Basic Oval (approximately 35 laps), Two Day Basic Oval (approximately 75 laps) and the Advanced Short Track Driver Development Program.  Fast Track is known for allowing its participants to experience the thrill and exhilaration of strapping into a stock car on a cost-efficient scale.

The newly developed Advanced Short Track Driver Development Program is designed to develop approved applicants; from short track drivers to those aspiring to compete in a big-time, national series of longer, faster venues. Participants drive 3,400-pound stock cars on Rockingham Speedway's half-mile "Little Rock," personally designed by Hillenburg. The track is similar to Martinsville (Va.) Speedway, and hosts frequent tests for NASCAR Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series teams eager to fine-time their short track set-ups.

"We wanted to offer a sweet treat to our Fast Track High Performance Driving School participates," said Rockingham Speedway promoter Andy Hillenburg. "The course has a lot of value on its own, but adding two tickets to NASCAR's return to "The Rock" is the icing on the cake. We want to pack the racetrack like fans were accustomed to back in the old days."

Space in the Development Program is extremely limited, and interested parties can register by calling Fast Track at (704) 455-1700 or visiting Fasttrackracing.com. Additional information on NASCAR's return to Rockingham -- including event and ticket information for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Good Sam Road Assistance 200 presented by Cheerwine – is available at www.rockinghamspeedway.com.