Lucky Fan To Drive Away In Homestead Pace Car

The all-new 2013 Ford Fusion Titanium, Official Pace Car of Ford Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway, will drive off the track and into the driveway of one lucky fan, thanks to a combined effort between Ford and Sprint.

Win the 2012 Homestead Pace Car!

The 2013 Fusion production car -- being revealed today at Bristol Motor Speedway in advance of Saturday evening’s Irwin Tools Night Race – will hit dealer showrooms later this fall, while the new 2013 NASCAR Fusion takes to the track beginning next year.

“In NASCAR, we are all about business-to-business, and business-to-consumer integration,” said Tim Duerr, Ford Racing motorsport marketing manager. “Sprint is one of our biggest partners at Ford Motor Company as both a business partner and a partner within the sport.

“We are very excited about the all-new 2013 production Fusion and the new 2013 Fusion race car that will compete next year,” said Duerr. “A lucky consumer race fan is going to be able to win this car – which will have some history to it as well – and that is very exciting.”

The Fusion pace car that will take the green flag at Homestead was put through a shakedown run earlier this month at Ford’s Dearborn test track by Ford’s NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers, including current point leader Greg Biffle. It features a special paint scheme reminiscent of the Ford EcoBoost paint scheme featured during the reveal of the 2013 NASCAR Fusion, and used by many of Ford’s top race cars around the world during the month of August.

“I love the look of this car. It looks fast just sitting there,” said Biffle. “The lucky fan that wins this official pace car will have a very special piece. I put it through its paces and it did a darn good job. It is a fun car to drive and they are going to have something special.”

The all-new Fusion, signed by every Ford Racing driver, features a 240-horsepower engine, 2.0 liter EcoBoost Gasoline Turbocharged Direct Injection, six-speed transmission with paddle shifting, remote start, 18-inch alloy wheels and a rear spoiler.

NASCAR fans have from now through Sunday, Nov. 18 to enter The Sprint “Win a Fusion Pace Car” Sweepstakes – powered by Ford, and there are a number of different ways to register. They can log on to Sprint.com/Speed via their smartphones or computer, but can also stop by the Sprint Experience, Sprint’s mobile-marketing display located in the midway at every NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race.

For those wanting to get an up-close and personal look at the grand prize, it will be on display at the Sprint Experience for six upcoming race weekends, including Bristol Motor Speedway, Richmond International Raceway, Talladega Superspeedway, Kansas Speedway, Martinsville Speedway and Homestead-Miami Speedway.

The winner also receives an all-expenses paid trip for two to Las Vegas, where they will be presented their 2013 Ford Fusion Titanium at “NASCAR After the Lap.” the fan event that is part of NASCAR Champion’s Week.

Ballew, Finch To Run Kurt Busch In Atlanta Truck Race

Ballew: "I've got the itch again."

Kurt Busch will drive a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Chevrolet in next Friday night’s Jeff Foxworthy's Grit Chips 200 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, as part of a joint venture involving Billy Ballew Motorsports and Phoenix Racing.

The truck is an 11-time winner in recent seasons with drivers Kyle Busch, Shane Hmiel and Aric Almirola at the wheel. It was most recently campaigned by Vision Aviation Racing in 2011, before that team closed its doors. Reskinned as a Chevrolet and outfitted with a Hendrick engine, the truck will be entered by Ballew, but prepared and crewed by Phoenix Racing.

“I’m helping Billy out a little,” confirmed Finch today. “He’s going to field the truck, and I’m helping him out by loaning him a pit crew and a driver.”

“We haven’t announced anything yet,” said Ballew, “but I’m about 99% sure it’s going to happen. I’ll know for sure by Monday, but I’m confident enough that we already sent the entry in to NASCAR.

“I’ve got the itch to go racing again, but I don’t have the financial wherewithal to do it on a full-time basis,” laughed Ballew. “I’m not going to do what I did in the past, but I’ve got some local sponsor money to help pay the tire bill at Atlanta. I’m not sure where we’ll go from there, but we’ll run Atlanta, have a good time and see where it leads us.

“I have adapted to being out of the sport, but I haven’t learned to like it yet.”

Photos: SPEEDTV.com,

Keselowski To Drive Wallace Tribute Car

Keselowski's Rusty tribute car

Penske Racing and Miller Lite will honor Rusty Wallace’s 2013 induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame with a special, throwback paint scheme on the No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge Charger in Saturday night’s Irwin Tools Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway.

The paint scheme will be an exact replica of the scheme Rusty used to sweep both races at Bristol in the 2000 NASCAR Cup Series season, including his landmark 50^th career victory in the March 26 Food City 500. Brad Keselowski, current driver of the No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge, will attempt to continue the tradition and pull off the same season sweep this weekend.

“Rusty had a tremendous ability to excel on short tracks and demonstrated that unique talent many times, especially at Bristol,”said Roger Penske. “The 2000 season was really a special year for us there. I’m honored that we could help recognize Rusty’s crowning achievement.”

The No. 2 Miller-sponsored car from Penske Racing has scored a total of 10 wins at Bristol, with seven of those wins coming with Wallace in the seat. Wallace tallied 37 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victories as driver of the No. 2 car that he made famous.

Rusty Wallace

“As the first driver to get behind the wheel of the No. 2 Miller-sponsored car in 1991, Rusty Wallace had a brilliant career and made a big contribution to the ongoing success of the Penske-Miller partnership over the years, which now continues with Brad Keselowski,” said Adam Dettman, MillerCoors sports and entertainment marketing director. “We were able to visit Victory Lane with Rusty at a variety of different racetracks, but he loved winning at Bristol. He always placed a premium on this half-mile track, and we are thrilled with the opportunity to honor him and the legacy of the Blue Deuce in this way.”

Wallace is part of the five-member class that will receive induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame next May. The Hall chose BMS – site of nine of the 55 wins by Wallace during his illustrious career – as the perfect venue to honor the career of the 1989 NSCS champion.

The career totals for Wallace in the Miller-sponsored car at the “World’s Fastest Half-Mile” are spectacular. In 30 Bristol starts he garnered seven wins, 16 top-five finishes and 21 top-10s. In the iconic No. 2, Wallace led 3,404 laps at the track. His first win in the No. 2 came on April 14, 1991. Those stats are part of an impressive legacy of the Penske Racing No. 2 car at BMS. In 43 starts the No. 2 car has picked up 10 wins, 20 top-five finishes, 28 top-10s and has led a total of 4,075 laps.

“Being elected to the NASCAR Hall of Fame is such an enormous honor,” said Wallace. “This sport has done so much for me and I hope that I can keep giving back to it for many years to come. I couldn’t think of a better place to be honored for my induction than Bristol Motor Speedway. I’m very proud of my record there; it’s such a special venue where everyone wants to win.”

Photos: Penske Racing, trpr.com

RACE 101 Achieves Competitive Milestone

The RACE 101 house car.

RACE 101 reached an unlikely milestone in the early morning hours of August 19^th. When the checkered flag flew over the 150-lap Late Model feature at Southern National Motorsports Park, the race car designed and prepared by RACE 101-founder Tony Blanchard, crew chiefed by RACE 101-graduate Howard Gage and driven by RACE 101-graduate Luke Whitteker crossed the line in 10^th place, on the lead lap.

“We have a lot to be proud of,” said Blanchard after the race. “It’s hard to put into words what this race means to me and the school. I’m not sure I even understand how much it means yet.”

Success in racing comes at a cost. Financially, emotionally, physically and mentally, racing takes its toll on even the toughest competitors. Saturday’s finish represented years of planning by Blanchard, and the obstacles the team overcame along the way were staggering.

RACE 101 is unlike most other ‘driver development’ programs in the industry. Aspiring racers pay between $2,500 and $5,000 to enroll in the one-year program, and their education includes studies in the race car physics, mechanics of the sport, public relations, marketing and media. The program also provides students an opportunity to test in a Late Model. One student among the graduates is named premier driver, and they receive an opportunity to compete in the Blanchard-designed Super Late Model.

“Financially, the concept makes no sense,” admits Blanchard. “The notion of taking a $60,000 race car to the track -- with an unproven driver to compete at these speeds, with no damage clause and no cost to the driver aside from his pit admission -- is ridiculous. And we did it.

“When we created this program, the idea was to help aspiring racers. Young drivers need knowledge to succeed, but they also need hope. Where in the world can you spend $2,500 to learn about our sport, get the opportunity to test a Late Model and go racing in top notch equipment?

“Right here. That’s where.”

In addition to fielding its own house car, RACE 101 also helps other teams improve and refine their on-track performance.

RACE 101 founder Tony Blanchard

“RACE 101 is a huge part of our program,” said Dave Moody, Sirius XM NASCAR Radio host and owner of Godfather Motorsports, which fields entries on the Pro All Stars Super Late Model and CCS Limited Super Late Model Series’. “Their technical resources and diagnostic equipment far surpass what most teams have at their disposal, and we learned more in an afternoon at Tony Blanchard’s shop than would could have learned in a year of trial and error at the race track.”

Based in Denver, North Carolina, RACE 101 is in its third year, with a class of more than a dozen eager racers from across North America. While the Southern National event was not the first for the RACE 101 house car, it personified the goals of the program.

“Howard Gage played a huge role in the car competing this weekend,” said RACE 101 instructor Adam Ross. “He’s been a big part of RACE 101 since he graduated as part of our inaugural class. Without him, the car would never have taken the green flag.”

Whitteker pounded the back stretch wall in practice on race day, and Gage methodically put the machine back together in time for the team to compete.

“It was a big relief to see the race start,” said Gage. “Watching our car out there, mixing it up with the veterans despite having a driver with minimal asphalt experience behind the wheel felt pretty good.”

While the team finished 10^th, Blanchard said their finishing position was less important to the team that the fact that they persevered and got to the finish line under trying circumstances. “Getting to the finish was the reward,” he said. “It just so happens that nine drivers got there first.”

Next month, Whitteker will return to North Carolina to compete for the final time in Blanchard’s specially-designed Howe race car with McGunegill horsepower. He will arrive at the track with his helmet, entry fee, and the enthusiasm of a driver who earned his shot to race; just the way Blanchard envisioned.

For more information on the RACE 101 program, visit www.race101.net.

Godfather Gear Is Near! Give Us Your Opinion!

Hey Everyone! We are nearing completion on our first item of "Godfather Gear;" an awesome t-shirt designed by our friend, NASCAR artist Sam Bass. Now, we need your help in deciding what specific items to produce. Men are easy, they want standard shirts in sizes up to 3XL. Ladies, what would you like to see? Women's cut t-shirts, sleeveless tees or tank tops?

Please give us your feedback!

Aaron Fike Reinstated By NASCAR

Aaron Fike

Former NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver Aaron Fike has been reinstated by NASCAR, after successful completion of the sanctioning body’s Substance Abuse Policy Road to Recovery Program.  

Fike was suspended indefinitely from NASCAR on July 11, 2007, shortly after he and then-fiancé Cassandra Davidson were arrested on charges for possession of heroin and drug paraphernalia in the parking lot of the Kings Island amusement park in Ohio. Police said Kings Island authorities reported suspicious activity inside Fike's SUV, and when a park security officer approached the vehicle, he was struck by the vehicle’s side mirror as Fike attempted to flee. A search of the SUV revealed heroin, syringes and spoons containing drug residue. 

Now clean for more than three years, Fike applied for reinstatement to NASCAR recently, though he has no immediate plans to attempt a return to competition.

"This was something a few years ago that was unfathomable," said Fike to NASCAR.com this week. "For (NASCAR) to give me the opportunity to even consider reinstating me, let alone actually reinstate me, it's a huge blessing. I don't know what else to call it."

Turner Motorsports Swaps Nationwide Crews

Turner Motorsports has announced changes within two of its NASCAR Nationwide Series teams. 

Effective immediately, the No. 30 and No. 38 teams will swap their entire crews, including crew chiefs, in an effort to evaluate performance and prepare for the 2013 season. 

Trent Owens, who has led James Buescher and Nelson Piquet Jr. to NNS victories this season, will take over as crew chief for the No. 38 Great Clips team with drivers Kasey Kahne and Brad Sweet. A former driver himself, Owens is a long-time fixture in the NASCAR garage. Over the years, the Darlington, S.C., native has been successful working with a variety of drivers with different levels of experience and has visited Victory Lane with a number of drivers, including Buescher, Piquet. Jr., Mark Martin, Dave Blaney and Reed Sorenson. 

Mike Hillman Jr., who joined the organization this season to lead Miguel Paludo's efforts in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, will take charge as crew chief of the No. 30 team, which campaigns a number of drivers. Hillman has served as a NCWTS crew chief since 2005, amassing two championships, 19 wins, 81 top-five and 107 top-10 finishes in 185 races atop the pit box. Hillman Jr.'s most recent NNS event as crew chief came with Paludo at Road America in June of this year. 

The changes are part of an ongoing process by Turner Motorsports, which is credited with five NCWTS and six NNS wins since September, 2010, to gauge performance and ensure that the right people are in the right place to achieve race wins and championships.  

"We have a responsibility to all of our marketing partners to consistently be doing everything we can do to make our programs stronger," said team owner Steve Turner. "This personnel change is an effective way to evaluate each team's strengths and to build upon them as we prepare to contend for a Nationwide Series championship in 2013."

RCR Team Hammered For Frame Rail Alterations

Labbe and Menard have been sanctioned

NASCAR has issued penalties, suspensions and fines to the No. 27 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet team in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series as a result of rules infractions discovered during post-race inspection at the NASCAR Research and Development Center following last Sunday’s race at Michigan International Speedway. 

The No. 27 team was found to have illegally altered the frame rails on Paul Menard’s Chevrolet; a violation of Section 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing and Section 12-4K (race equipment that has been previously certified or previously approved by NASCAR for use in an event, pursuant to sub-section 8-12, has been altered, modified, repaired or changed in any manner. Intentionally modifying frame rails for the purpose of deceiving NASCAR’s inspection gauges) of the 2012 NASCAR Rule Book. 

As a result, crew chief Slugger Labbe has been fined $100,000, suspended from NASCAR until Oct. 3 and placed on probation until Dec. 31. Car chief Craig Smokstad has been suspended from NASCAR until Oct. 3 and placed on probation until Dec. 31, while crew member Grant Hutchens has also been suspended from NASCAR until Oct. 3 and placed on probation until Dec. 31. Driver Paul Menard and owner Richard Childress have been penalized with the loss of 25 championship driver and owner points, respectively.

NASCAR officials say RCR intentionally modified the frame rails on Menard’s car “for the purpose of deceiving NASCAR’s inspection gauges,” raising questions of both safety and illegal competitive advantage.  

NASCAR inspects each chassis before it is approved for competition, using a series of laser-guided measuring devices to police each car to within thousandths of an inch. As part of that certification, NASCAR implants 10 RFID tags on each chassis. Those low-frequency microchips allow inspectors to ensure that each chassis is straight, legal and unaltered when presented for inspection at subsequent races.  

While NASCAR has not commented on what specifically was done to the car, it is believed that at least some of the RFID tags may have been removed and replaced following changes to the car’s chassis, in an attempt to conceal lightening or other unapproved changes to the frame rails. 

NASCAR takes a dim view altering frame rails, since those changes could compromise the safety of the driver. Frame rails are constructed of heavy, box steel and serve as the foundation to which the roll cage, suspension and running gear are all attached.

 

“We’re going to appeal it,” team owner Richard Childress told FOXSports.com “That’s all I’m going to say right now.”

Villeneuve Plays The Villain Again



Jacques Villeneuve was the center of controversy

Jacques Villeneuve played the villain’s role again Saturday, commanding the spotlight in yet another controversy filled weekend at Montreal’s Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. 

The former CART and Formula One champion pumped up the volume before a single lap had been turned, criticizing Danica Patrick for her comments following a June 23 incident at Road America that saw him spin Patrick from behind while racing for fifth place.  

“It's never her fault,” said Villeneuve, accusing Patrick of getting preferential treatment based solely on her gender. “If it hadn't been Danica, no one would have said anything. When Danica knocks out another driver, it's the fault of the driver who was knocked out. When a driver knocks out Danica, it's the other guy's fault.  

“That's part of the game, I guess." 

Villeneuve donned the black hat again in Saturday’s race, wrecking pole sitter and Canadian countryman Alex Tagliani out of the lead with just seven laps to go; a crash that relegated Tagliani to a bitterly disappointing, 22^nd-place finish. In-car footage revealed that the former CART and Formula One champion never cracked the throttle, choosing instead to drive through Tagliani and take the lead.  

The crash also resulted in the weekend’s most surreal moment, as Villeneuve was jeered lustily by fans at the track that bears his father’s name.

With Tagliani out of the way, Villeneuve led until the final lap before becoming embroiled in one final controversy. In an attempt to save fuel, Villeneuve appeared to slow his pace in the race’s final turns, allowing runner-up Justin Algaier to reach his rear bumper.

"He slowed way down and really babied it through (Turns) Three and Four, and then around the bend,” said Algaier. “We got down into Six and he under-braked by a lot. I was trying to brake as deep as I could, wheel-hopped a little bit and got into the back of him."

Algaier took the lead as Villeneuve pushed wide in the final turn, claiming the checkered flag and triggering another round of uncomplimentary, post-race commentary.

Tagliani (30) and Villeneuve (22) tangled

"It was very frustrating, because Dodge and Penske gave me a car that was unbeatable today,” said Villeneuve. “But I guess Justin Allgaier decided he had to win, and the only way he could do that was to take me out, which was really frustrating.”

“I know the 30 (Tagliani) got taken out by (Villleneuve),” said Allgaier in Victory Lane. “At the end of the day, what goes around comes around."

There is no questioning Villeneuve’s talent at the wheel of a race car. The Quebec native won the 1995 CART Championship, the 1995 Indianapolis 500 and the 1997 Formula One World Driving Championship, joining legends Mario Andretti and Emerson Fittipaldi has the only men to achieve all three milestones.  

Unfortunately, he may not have what it takes to succeed in NASCAR.  

His brief Nationwide Series career has been littered with on-track incidents, leading many to question his level of respect for both the series and its competitors. Like Allgaier on the final lap Saturday, many of Villeneuve’s fellow drivers have determined it’s best to deal with the Canadian ace quickly and without conscience, before he does the same to them. 

The jury remains out on Jacques Villeneuve’s NASCAR career. But the evidence is beginning to mount.

 Photos: The Cahier Archive, NASCARMedia.com

Notes From The Saturday Notebook

Engine change for Johnson

Point leader Jimmie Johnson’s Saturday is off to a lousy start. 

After qualifying third at Michigan International Speedway Friday afternoon, smoke from under the hood of Johnson’s No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet has prompted the team to change engines prior to Saturday morning’s first practice session.  

The change will force Johnson to start from the rear of the field in Sunday’s Pure Michigan 400. 

After the opening 10 minutes of practice, resurgent Regan Smith is atop the leader board with a fast lap at 193.960 mph. Kyle Busch is second, followed by Landon Cassill, Greg Biffle and polesitter Mark Martin. Teams experienced minimal tire wear in yesterday’s practice rounds, causing concern that blistering could occur due to an excess buildup of heat. In order to avoid a repeat of June’s race weekend, when blistered tires forced Goodyear to truck-in replacements for Sunday’s race, the tire maker has released all 400 race tires a day on advance, allowing teams to run them through a short heat cycle today, making them less likely to blister. 

...Martin’s fast lap yesterday afternoon earned him his fourth pole of the 2012 season and 55th of his 845-race NASCAR Sprint Cup Series career, placing him in a tie with Bill Elliott for seventh on the all-time list. It is his first pole at Michigan, though he did start first in June of 1990 after qualifying was canceled by rain. Martin is now the oldest pole winner in the history of MIS, at 53 years, 7 months, 8 days. Harry Gant holds the record for oldest NASCAR Sprint Cup Series pole winner at 54 years, 7 months, 15 days, set at Bristol in August of 1994.

…With every passing day, it appears less likely that Joey Logano will return to Joe Gibbs Racing next season. Team owner Joe Gibbs said told ESPN this week that "everything is up in the air'' with Logano, and that the team continues to aggressively seek sponsorship to keep the 22-year old in a JGR Toyota in 2013 and beyond. No backing has yet been found, however, and Logano admitted recently that he has another full-time Sprint Cup Series offer on the table. The offer is believed to be with Penske Racing, which has an opening to fill in its Shell Pennzoil-sponsored No. 22 entry, currently being driven by Sam Hornish, Jr. 

JV is no Danica fan

…In a related story, multiple sources say Matt Kenseth’s long silence regarding plans for 2013 is nearly over. Without mentioning Kenseth by name, Joe Gibbs said he hopes to announce some of the team’s plans for next season in two weeks, when the Sprint Cup Series races at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Atlanta is the hometown of Home Depot, longtime sponsors of the No. 20 Toyota that Kenseth is widely expected to drive next year. 

…Jacques Villeneuve minced few words in his assessment of Danica Patrick yesterday, saying Patrick gets favorable treatment because she is a woman. The former F1 star was roundly criticized after wrecking Patrick in the final laps of a NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Road America on June 23, and has steadfastly refused to accept blame for the wreck, or any of the other incidents that have punctuated his brief Nationwide career. 

"If it hadn't been Danica, no one would have said anything," said Villeneuve, while preparing for the circuit’s annual race in the Montreal road course that bears his late father’s name. "It's never her fault. When Danica knocks out another driver, it's the fault of the driver who was knocked out, and when a driver knocks out Danica, it's the other guy's fault. That's part of the game, I guess."

Photos: Grandprix.com

National Guard Increases NASCAR Involvement For 2013

Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

In a move guaranteed to turn the stomach of Minnesota Congresswoman Betty McCollum, the Army National Guard announced today that it will increase its sponsorship of the No. 88 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team, driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Hendrick Motorsports in 2013. The National Guard will receive primary paint schemes in 20 Sprint Cup races – up from 18 this season -- including the 2013 Daytona 500, with prominent brand placement during all non-primary events.

“National Guard citizen soldiers represent the more than 3,200 communities across the United States in which they live, work and serve their state and the nation,” said Lt. Col. Michael Wegner, marketing branch chief, Army National Guard. “What NASCAR gives us is a national marketing platform that also can be leveraged at that local level, touching recruiters, potential recruits and influencers. With our all-volunteer military and rigorous enlistment standards, it plays a key role in increasing the awareness of what the Guard does and the many career opportunities and benefits it offers.”

The National Guard’s association with Hendrick Motorsports began with sponsorship of the No. 25 Sprint Cup team for the 2007 season. Its most recent contract was set to expire at the end of 2012.

“It’s an honor to be associated with the National Guard and its Citizen Soldiers,” said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. “Like many of the world’s most innovative marketers and leading brands, the Guard sees the opportunities that our sport presents, and they have built a strong effort around it. As we go into 2013 together, we’ll continue to focus on the performance of the program both on and off the racetrack.”

Currently fourth in the 2012 Sprint Cup standings, Earnhardt has one victory and 15 top-10 finishes through 22 points-paying races this season. The Kannapolis, N.C., native is seventh on Forbes’ list of America’s most influential athletes and the top-ranked NASCAR driver in Bloomberg Businessweek’s “Power 100.” He has been voted by fans as NASCAR’s most popular driver for nine consecutive years.

“Working with the Guard has been incredible,” said Earnhardt, 37, who most recently won June 17 at Brooklyn, Mich., where the Sprint Cup Series returns this weekend. “On a weekly basis, we’re interacting with people considering a life-changing decision (to enlist) or who are already serving our country. Their sacrifices are difficult to comprehend, and we feel a lot of pride representing them and seeing first-hand how passionate they are about NASCAR and our team.”

Additional sponsorship for the No. 88 Chevrolet will be announced at a later date.

Photos: Todd Warshaw/Getty Images, LAT Photographic

Harraka, Wauters To Skip Next Two Truck Races

Harraka taking a break

Paulie Harraka and the Wauters Motorsports NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team will skip this weekend’s event at Michigan International Speedway.

Harraka is a rookie on the Truck Series, and has struggled in his first season with freshman team owner Richie Wauters. Generally seeing the series’ tracks for the first time in his career, Harraka relied on veteran Ted Musgrave as a driver coach to help maximize his learning curve.

A statement from the team today said Harraka and Wauters, “have opted to skip the upcoming NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races at Michigan International Speedway and Bristol Motor Speedway” and are “carefully evaluating which of the remaining races to participate in to optimize (Harraka’s) continued development as a young driver.”

“Paulie has grown a tremendous amount as a racecar driver this season, without question,” said Wauters. “He has continually shown the work ethic and dedication to keep learning, and the halfway point in the season marks the perfect time to take a step back and analyze everything we’ve done together up to this point.”

“This is the first time in my life that I’ve been able to be a full time race car driver,” said Harraka. “It’s also the first time that I’ve had a mentor and coach like Ted to teach me things I may have otherwise missed. I’m excited about the opportunity to keep learning and growing this season, and I’m fortunate to have the sound backing of our PHLLC partners as I do that.”

Harraka stands 20^th in championship points after 11 races this season, with a best finish of 17^th. He has crashed out of four events.

Headed For MIS, Martin Recalls Eddy As One Of The Best

Mike Eddy was TOUGH

At some point in the last 40 years, Mark Martin has raced against just about every top short-track driver in the United States and Canada. His 30-year NASCAR career, combined with many more years of campaigning on short tracks across the country make him a pretty good judge of driving talent.

And while Martin has squared off against all the big-name NASCAR stars -- Petty, Waltrip, Earnhardt, Wallace, Gordon, Johnson and more – a return to the Irish Hills of Michigan this week brings back memories of one of the toughest customers ever to turn a wheel; Midland, Michigan’s Mike Eddy.

“He was phenomenal,” said Martin of Eddy, a seven-time champion of the now defunct American Speed Association. ASA prepared drivers like Martin, Rusty Wallace, Matt Kenseth, Dick Trickle, Johnny Benson, Ted Musgrave and others for the rigors of national caliber competition. Few of them got the best of Eddy, who won the ASA championship in 1974, 1976, 1981, 1982, 1989, 1991 and 1992.

“That series was the training ground for many of us,” said Martin, who claimed the 1978, 1979, 1980 and 1986 ASA titles. “Most of the races were long, pit-stop races, so you learned the skills you needed to race in NASCAR. Plus, they had good television and print media coverage. You had to learn the whole package. They really prepared you well for moving into NASCAR.”

Not someone you wanted on your back bumper

To win a title in the ASA, you had to beat Eddy, a hulking driver known as “The Polar Bear” whose driving style, intimidating manner and familiar No. 88 were reminiscent of the late Dale Earnhardt, Sr. In addition to his seven championships, Eddy was also ASA's all-time leader in laps lead, starts and Top-10 finishes. He ranked second in all-time victories with 58 and second on the circuit’s all-time earnings list.

“Mike knew his race cars,” recalled Martin. “He did his setup and tire staggers himself. Like most of the greats at that time, he was real, real aggressive. He would definitely put on a show and he was fun to watch.”

Despite winning nearly 60 races in the ultra-competitive ASA, Eddy never ventured into NASCAR, preferring to remain on the Midwest short tracks that gave him his start.

“That was back in a time when you could make a living running late models and racing in the ASA,” explained Martin. “He didn’t need to come to NASCAR, but he would have made a great NASCAR driver.

“He wasn’t your average driving personality. He was different. Hard edged. He got the job done. He was tough to beat, no matter where he went. He was always one of the ones we needed to beat, for sure.”

Photos: JalopyJournal.com

COMMENTARY: "What" And "How" Don't Matter Anymore

AJ Allmendinger has been suspended from NASCAR for 41 days now, and the questions just keep on coming.

What drug was found in Allmendinger’s system? How much was found, how did it get there, and how? Was it ingested intentionally, or accidentally? Was it a one-time occurrence, or part of a long-term pattern of addiction? Titillating questions, one and all. But not one of them – in my opinion – remotely relevant any longer. 

At the risk of bucking the tide of public opinion, I believe it’s time to stop searching for the “truth” behind Allmendinger’s suspension, and begin focusing on what appears to be a sincere effort by the driver to return to the good graces of the sport.  

Allmendinger says he inadvertently took a tablet of the prescription drug Adderall, offered by a “friend of a friend” while out on the town. Some accept his explanation at face value, while others question his honesty. Either way, I don’t think it matters any longer. 

Whether the former Penske Racing driver swallowed a single, ill-advised tablet of someone else’s ADHD medication, or got caught red-handed with a syringe full of heroin in his neck, it’s over and done now. He’s been busted, suspended by NASCAR and fired from his ride with Penske Racing; one of the elite teams in all of NASCAR. He has weathered a blistering storm of public scrutiny and criticism; some of it inspired by a handful of unfortunate misstatements and half-truths emanating from his own camp.  

It’s time to accept the fact that we will never know the whole truth surrounding Allmendinger’s fall from grace. He does know what happened, however, as does NASCAR and its substance abuse testing agency, Aegis Laboratories. At the end of the day, that’s enough, since NASCAR and Aegis – not the media or the public at large – are the ones tasked with ensuring that Allmendinger remains banished from the port until his long-term sobriety and fitness for competition have been re-established, beyond a shadow of a doubt. 

Allmendinger said recently that he hopes to complete NASCAR’s Road to Recovery program by the end of the month. Others dispute that claim, saying the process cannot possibly be completed in such a short amount of time.  

In my opinion, it doesn’t matter whether Allmendinger completes the program on August 31st, September 1st, or a decade from now. All that matters is that he passes every NASCAR substance abuse test administered to him from now until the end of time, proving himself clean and sober – over the long haul – before being cleared to return to the sport.

Photo: Getty Images

VIDEO: Kelley Eats The Egg!

Kelley Earnhardt Miller guest-hosted on Wednesday's Sirius XM Speedway, and was browbeaten into sampling one of David Reutimann's semi-delicious Jalapeno Pickled Eggs. She clearly enjoyed it, as this video will attest.

Smith Looking To Continue Hot Streak At MIS



Furniture Row's Regan Smith

Regan Smith has been looking forward to Sunday's Sprint Cup race at Michigan International Speedway ever since he and his Furniture Row Racing team finished a Goodyear tire test at the two-mile oval on July 30.  

According to Smith, the test went so well that the team packed up early and headed back to its home base in Denver, Colorado with a new level of enthusiasm.  

"I have more confidence going into Michigan than I ever had going into a race in my career," said Smith this week. "The only reason we left the test early is because we felt that strongly about how good our Furniture Row/Farm American Chevrolet was." 

Smith also has other reasons for his newfound optimism. In the two races that followed the Michigan test, the 28-year-old driver posted consecutive ninth-place finishes at Pocono and Watkins Glen. Those results marked his first Top-10s of the season, and the Watkins Glen finish was his career-best showing on a road course.

"No doubt this Furniture Row Racing team has taken a huge leap (compared) to where we were the majority of the season," said Smith in an interview on Sirius XM NASCAR Radio this week. "We made some big changes, and with those changes came a lot of different ideas with the race car. We fundamentally changed everything and the performance has picked up.  

“I'm doing the same thing in the race car that I've done all year, the cars are just going faster. We're unloading with speed, and once you unload with speed, you can work on the fine-tuning details to get the car ready for the race." 

Smith also tipped his hat to new crew chief Todd Berrier, who joined the team three races ago. In those three races, the team has averaged a 12th-place finish, nearly half its season average of 22.5.  

"Todd Berrier is one of the most meticulous persons that I've been around in my career," explained Smith. "We believe in each other, and when you have that kind of chemistry, good things develop." 

Despite Furniture Row Racing’s recent run of success, Berrier said he wants more out of the team and knows the potential is there.  

"We're moving along at a nice pace, but obviously we want to pick it up and keep on improving," he said. "I believe we can do that and reach that new level of competition."

Smith enters Sunday’s Pure Michigan 400 with seven career starts at MIS and a best finish of 13th, achieved in last year's August race.  

"As we know, so many things can happen in a race,” he said. “But I would be awfully disappointed if we didn't better that 13th-place finish.”

Photo: LAT Photographic

Leffler Out Of KBM Truck Ride

Kyle Busch Motorsports announced today that the team has parted ways with driver Jason Leffler, effective immediately.

Kurt Busch will be behind the wheel of the No. 18 Shore Lodge Tundra in Saturday’s VFW 200 at Michigan International Speedway, with the driver lineup for the remaining races that Leffler was scheduled to drive to be determined at a later date. 

"How things have played out this season are not Jason's fault -- we've had some bad luck and a few other misfortunate (sic) happenings -- but when it comes down to it, the No. 18 team has not performed to the standards we've become accustomed to,” said team owner Kyle Busch. “We owe it to our manufacturer and our sponsors to produce better results. 

“Beginning to make these changes now, instead of waiting until the end of the season, will allow us to evaluate where our program stands as we begin working toward becoming a championship-contending team once again in 2013. Jason represented KBM and all of our sponsors very well and we wish him the best of luck." 

Brian Scott is scheduled to be behind the wheel of the No. 18 Tundra at Bristol Motor Speedway on Aug. 24 and for three other races this season. Drew Herring will make his Truck Series debut in the September race at Iowa Speedway in Newton.

Buy Your Next Car From Dale Earnhardt, Jr.!!

NASCAR's nine-time most popular driver has opened two auto dealerships in Tallahassee, Fla. The dealerships are the first for 2004 Daytona 500 champion Dale Earnhardt Jr., who owns the stores in partnership with Hendrick Automotive Group Chairman and Hendrick Motorsports Owner Rick Hendrick.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet (3127 W. Tennessee Street) and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Buick GMC Cadillac (1850 Capitol Circle NE) officially opened under the Earnhardt name Monday. The acquisition from longtime owner Larry Strom was finalized over the weekend.

"This is something Rick and I have talked about doing ever since I came to Hendrick Motorsports, but we agreed it had to be the right situation," said Earnhardt, who drives the No. 88 Diet Mountain Dew/National Guard Chevrolets for Hendrick Motorsports. "I'm honored to work with everyone at Hendrick Automotive Group and have this opportunity in a great market like Tallahassee. I was a mechanic in a Chevy store before I started racing, and I've always loved General Motors products and been interested in the dealership business. So it's exciting for me, and I hope it's going to be exciting for the people in the Tallahassee area."

The dealerships are the first in the Tallahassee market for Hendrick Automotive Group, which will manage the stores. The company operates 84 dealerships across the country, including the Earnhardt locations. Both facilities will undergo renovations to modernize their appearances and amenities.

"We wanted to find something centrally located between Daytona and Talladega, and Tallahassee was the perfect fit," Hendrick joked, referring to Daytona Beach, Fla., and Talladega, Ala., where Earnhardt has won a combined seven Sprint Cup races and has a strong fan base. "But truly, Tallahassee is a market we've been looking at for a long time, and it's going to be a terrific place to do business. It's exciting to have Dale Jr. involved, and we feel lucky to be a part of this community.

"Larry and his partners could've sold the stores to anyone, so we're honored they chose us. He's done business the right way for years and has a stellar reputation throughout Tallahassee. When we started talking, Larry's biggest concern was that his people be taken care of. That says a lot about who he is and the type of culture he's built here."

Market Area Vice President Ryan Regnier, who has been with Hendrick Automotive Group in various roles since 1996, will oversee the two Earnhardt dealerships.

"We're excited to be part of the strong, community-based market of Tallahassee," Regnier said. "Dale Earnhardt Jr. has great fans in Florida, and his two new dealerships are valued additions to our company. We're committed to serving Tallahassee and making these stores among the most successful managed by Hendrick Automotive Group."

At nearly 140,000 square feet, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet will feature approximately 300 new and pre-owned cars and more than 30 service bays. The 42,000-square-foot Dale Earnhardt Jr. Buick GMC Cadillac will offer more than 250 new and pre-owned cars and house 22 service bays. Combined, the dealerships will employ more than 175 people.