Keselowski Faces Another Critical Test

Keso is on the hot seat

Brad Keselowski has spent much of the 2012 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup with his back against the wall. Through it all, the Miller Lite Dodge driver has persevered, maintaining his grip on the top spot in the championship standings.

Sunday, that grip may slip.

With a lead of just seven points over five-time series champion Jimmie Johnson, Keselowski struggled mightily in qualifying for the TUMS Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway, and will roll off 32^nd in Sunday’s race. Johnson, meanwhile, will lead the field to the green flag from the pole position.

Johnson has dominated in past events at the Martinsville oval, winning six times in 21 career starts there. He has recorded Top-5 finishes in two-thirds of those starts, and with a lifetime average finish of 5.8, the Lowe’s Chevrolet driver ranks as one of the best ever to turn a wheel at the Commonwealth oval.

Keselowski, meanwhile, has struggled. In five career Sprint Cup starts at Martinsville, he has managed just two Top-10 finishes; a 10^th-place showing in 2010 and a ninth earlier this season. With an average finish of 13.4, Martinsville is unlikely to rank anywhere near the top of Keselowski’s “favorite track’s” list.

A back-of-the-pack start is problematic at Martinsville, for two reasons. The track’s tight, paper-clip layout produces frequent incidents that can sweep-up drivers relegated to the rear of the field by a poor qualifying effort. Even if he is able to avoid trouble Sunday, Keselowski could fall into the clutches of the race leaders, who often begin lapping slower cars in the first 25 laps of the event.

In an effort to dodge those bullets, crew chief Paul Wolfe will almost certainly have to modify his pit strategy, foregoing an early pit stop to gain Keselowski valuable track position. If Sunday’s race features multiple cautions in the first 50-75 laps, Wolfe may be able to manipulate his driver to the front of the field. If not, Keselowski’s “Blue Deuce” could be in trouble.

The good news for Keselowski fans is that the Michigan native has overcome long odds before. Johnson was also a heavy favorite going into the Dover race on Sept. 30, but Keselowski and Wolfe played their cards masterfully on the Monster Mile, stretching superior fuel mileage into an upset victory on a track where they had never before finished better than 12^th.

They’ll need a similar performance Sunday if Keselowski is to remain the leader of the band.

Johnson Grabs Martinsville Pole

Johnson (L) tells Dave Moody all about it

Five-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson captured his second Martinsville Speedway pole Friday, posting a fast lap of 19.402 seconds (97.598 mph) to claim the top starting spot for Sunday’s TUMS Fast Relief 500.

“It’s going to be a long race,” Johnson said. “We’ve helped ourselves out dramatically today by qualifying on the pole, we’ve got the safest pit stall, and starting with track position is very important.”

Johnson owns six career victories at Martinsville Speedway and has 16 Top-5 career finishes at the historic Virginia track.

Brian Vickers will start alongside Johnson after turning in a time of 19.415 seconds (97.533 mph) around the .526-mile track. It is Vickers third Top-10 start of the 2012 season and his second in 15 races at Martinsville Speedway. Vickers announced he will run nine races for Michael Waltrip Racing in 2013 earlier today.

Kyle Busch will start third Sunday, with South Boston native Jeff Burton fourth. Ten of the 12 Chase drivers in the first 10 rows, while Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup point leader Brad Keselowski qualified 32^nd. Keselowski has finished in the Top-10 at Martinsville just twice in his career. Greg Biffle, currently 11^th in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points, will start 30^th.

The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Kroger 200 begins at 2 p.m. Saturday. The trucks qualify at 10:35 a.m. Gates open at Martinsville Speedway at 9 a.m. Saturday in time for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice at 9:30 a.m.

Rogers Seeking Rockingham Redemption

Since the legendary Rockingham Speedway reopened in 2008, no one has had more success at the track than Clay Rogers. 

Rogers (54) spins out of the lead

The four-time Pro Cup Series champion and veteran NASCAR Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series driver has three wins on the venerable one-mile oval. His last outing at the track, however, left Rogers with something to prove at Rockingham. While leading with two laps to go in the April’s UARA-STARS race at The Rock, Rogers spun in Turn Four. His day then went from bad to worse during the green-white-checkered finish that followed, when he was collected in a wreck on Rockingham's treacherous, high-speed backstretch.  

"We had a very good car back in April," said Rogers. "I just didn't expect it to get so hot during the race and the car to get so loose. 

"It's definitely not the way we wanted to end our day." 

"Clay has had so much success here, I was shocked to see him spin," said Rockingham Speedway President Andy Hillenburg. "That must have been quite a loose car. I use that as an example of how tricky this track can be when we teach the driving school here."  

The sour ending of that race and his inability to get his name on the rock out front of the speedway has motivated Rogers and his team for the UARA's return as part of next Saturday’s Classic 3 Championship presented by the RCR Racing Museum. 

"We have been working on this car since April with an eye on this race," said Rogers. "I think we will be able to put it back up front next week."  

The Classic 3 Championship presented by the RCR Racing Museum will feature a tripleheader race day that includes the UARA-STARS Late Models, the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and the Frank Kimmel Street Stock Nationals. Racing action gets underway with practice and qualifying on Friday, November 2 with an infield party when the track clears for the day. 

For more information, or to order tickets for the Classic 3 Championship presented by the RCR Racing Museum, visit Rockingham Speedway online at www.rockinghamspeedway.com or call 910.205.8800.

Sprint Cup Champions Week Schedule Announced

NASCAR will return to Las Vegas for the postseason NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week — a star-studded, entertainment-filled celebration for the series champion and NASCAR fans, culminating with the highly anticipated NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards. Earlier this year, NASCAR announced the annual NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards — and all of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week — will return to Las Vegas for the next three years. 

Since 2009, the awards have been held at Wynn Las Vegas and have grown in stature and prestige with each passing year. This year’s annual awards will take place Nov. 30, returning to Wynn Las Vegas with SPEED, Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio providing live coverage, beginning at 8 p.m. ET. 

As in past years, fans can expect an exciting interactive week of activities that celebrate the 2012 season and also build excitement for the 2013 season ahead. Among the events this year are the NASCAR National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) Myers Brothers Awards Luncheon, the annual event, where drivers and teams collect a number of year-end awards and accolades; NASCAR Victory Lap down the world-famous Las Vegas Strip; and NASCAR After The Lap, an anything-goes Q&A session between fans and the top 12 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers. Last year’s NASCAR After The Lap event provided one of the highlights of the week — an impromptu break dancing demonstration by four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion Jeff Gordon. 

For the fourth-consecutive year, fans will join drivers, team owners and industry leaders in celebrating the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion™ at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards. Approximately 300 tickets are available to fans, which are being distributed by tracks, NASCAR partners and teams through various fan promotions. Tickets will offer fans access to the following NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week experiences:

·         NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Awards Luncheon;

·         NASCAR After The Lap;

·         Fan reception and red carpet walk prior to the awards; and the

·         NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards.

Following is a rundown of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week activities; all times are local.

Tuesday – Wednesday, Nov. 27–28

NASCAR 2012 Motorsports Marketing Forum: The 13th annual NASCAR Motorsports Marketing Forum, presented by SportsBusiness Journal/Daily, is the motorsports industry’s most comprehensive business forum. Held at Aria Resort & Casino, the Forum will feature an array of insight and perspective from sports and marketing executives both within and outside the motorsports industry. Registration is required at www.motorsportsmarketingforum.com.

NASCAR Live: Motor Racing Network’s third annual champion’s edition of “NASCAR Live” with Eli Gold will be held at Wynn Las Vegas Race and Sports Book Tuesday, Nov. 27, starting at 4 p.m. Gold will spend the hour with the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion, taking calls and answering questions from the live audience.

Tuesday – Saturday, Nov. 27–Dec. 1

NASCAR Pit Stop Tour:The Pit Stop Tour consists of Official Partner show cars featured in iconic locations throughout the Las Vegas strip from 10 a.m.–6 p.m. each day. Fans can get up close and personal with the cars at the following locations: Welcome to Las Vegas sign on Las Vegas Blvd. (NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Car); Coca-Cola Store (Coca-Cola); New York, New York (Chevrolet); Bally’s (Ford); and Fashion Show (Toyota).

Wednesday, Nov. 28

Fanfest Presented by Las Vegas Motor Speedway: The fourth annual Fanfest event will again be held on Fremont Street, and begin at 2 p.m., with the arrival of the top 12 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers. The event will consist of a red carpet walk by the 12 drivers followed by a special “game show format,” on-stage event featuring the drivers and hosted by nationally known comedian Carrot Top. Race fans will have the chance to win two tickets to the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards to be held two nights later at Wynn Las Vegas. 

Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award Reception: This year’s finalists for the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award will be honored at a reception at Wynn Las Vegas from 6–7 p.m. Following, The NASCAR Foundation will announce the Award winner during this year’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards on Friday, Nov. 30. Fans can cast their vote to determine the 2012 Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award winner by visiting NASCAR.COM/award before 11:59 p.m. ET November 29.

Thursday, Nov. 29

Chevrolet SS Race Car Unveiled at Wynn Las Vegas: A press conference will be held, at 9:30 a.m., at the Encore Theatre at Wynn Las Vegas, to unveil the 2013 Chevrolet SS NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race car. Media attendance is encouraged; however, this event is not open to the public.

NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Awards Luncheon: The annual awards luncheon and industry gathering will be held from 11 a.m.–1:15 p.m., in the Encore Ballroom at Encore Las Vegas, where several team awards will be presented. Among those awards included are the Champion Sponsor, Champion Crew Chief, Sunoco Rookie of the Year and NMPA Most Popular Driver awards.

NASCAR Victory Lap:The green flag on fan-favorite NASCAR Victory Lap will wave at 3:30 p.m., with pre-lap festivities to begin at 3 p.m., when the top 12 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers will parade down Las Vegas Blvd. in their race cars with engines roaring. NASCAR Victory Lap will start and finish on Las Vegas Blvd., in front of Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, and will once again provide fans with a unique experience to feel the excitement of a NASCAR start line, feature an authentic pit stop (performed by members of the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Pit Crew Development Program presented by Sprint) and two burn-out sections for drivers — with viewing areas along the route. The event will be broadcast live on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio channel 90.

NASCAR After The Lap: One of the premier events of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week, NASCAR After the Lap Sponsored by Ford and Coca-Cola will be held from 5–6:30 p.m., at PH LIVE located in the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. Fans can purchase tickets at www.NASCARafterthelap.com for $20 each (all proceeds benefit The NASCAR Foundation) to attend the unpredictable, unforgettable driver tell-all event featuring the top 12 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers. The event will be broadcast live on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio channel 90 and live streamed on NASCAR.COM.

The Stewie Awards: Following NASCAR After The Lap, 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion Tony Stewart and Matt Yocum will host the sixth annual “Stewie Awards,” a lighthearted year-in-review, which airs live on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio channel 90.

Friday, Nov. 30

2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards: The postseason, black tie event will begin at 5 p.m. at Wynn Las Vegas, where the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion driver and owner will be crowned and the top 10 drivers in the final standings will be honored. The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards, the culmination of Champion’s Week, will feature red carpet arrivals, celebrity guests, music and entertainment. SPEED, Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio will provide live coverage of the event.

Martin, Waltrip, Vickers to Ride-Share Again In 2013

Waltrip and Martin will split time in 2013

Mark Martin, Brian Vickers and Michael Waltrip will continue to share the driving duties in Michael Waltrip Racing’s No. 55 Toyota in 2013.


MWR announced Friday that Martin will drive in 24 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series point races, plus the Budweiser Shootout in Daytona and the All-Star race in Charlotte. Waltrip’s three races include the July Daytona race plus both Talladega races. Vickers’ nine races include all the Bristol, Martinsville, New Hampshire and road course events, as well as the Kentucky Speedway race.

“I love my schedule and I love our lineup,” said 40-time winner Martin whose four poles in 2012 equal the most of any driver. “Brian has a tremendous amount of experience and talent for such a young driver and you saw at Talladega that Michael Waltrip is as good as anyone in a restrictor plate race.”

Vickers said the No. 55 comes with many assets. 

“I can’t tell you how cool it is to come to the track knowing that you are getting in a car that can win the race. That’s a luxury not all drivers have,” said the 28-year-old Vickers. “MWR gave me fantastic equipment and I think the results in 2012 speak for themselves. Plus, having Mark Martin and Michael Waltrip there to answer any question or offer help is priceless.”

Waltrip credits Martin and Vickers in helping MWR teammates Martin Truex Jr. and Clint Bowyer earn the team’s first two Chase for the Sprint Cup berths. Bowyer has won three times in 2012.

“We made a lot of changes before the season started in 2012 and one of the smartest ones we made was bringing Mark Martin on board. In our meetings at the shop when he starts to speak everyone gets real quiet. He’s like E.F. Hutton. When Mark talks everyone listens.”

Waltrip had high praise for Vickers as well.

Vickers returns to the No. 55 Toyota

“It is amazing that we have a driver of Brian’s talent available to drive our No. 55 Toyota again in 2013. He is a race-winning, Chase-caliber driver and we are so happy to have him back. We gave Brian a difficult assignment in 2012 and not only has he thrived in the role, but he has made the entire team better,” Waltrip said.

“Believe me; I know how hard it is to run a part-time schedule with races spread throughout the schedule. I have been most impressed with his attitude towards the crew and his approach to his job and really feel confident that he can win with our team.”

All three drivers have enjoyed success working with Rodney Childers who will return as crew chief in 2013. Martin owns four top-five and nine top-10 finishes in 21 races while Vickers has posted three top-five and four top-10 finishes in seven races for MWR in 2012. Waltrip owns a top-10 finish at Talladega in May and nearly won at Talladega in October.

The team is 14^th in car owner points as Vickers makes his eighth and final appearance of the season this weekend at Martinsville Speedway. Martin will drive the No. 55 in the remaining 2012 races.

Martin and Waltrip will continue to drive the Aaron’s Dream Machine paint scheme in 2013 while sponsorship for six of Vickers’ nine races is available.

Photos: Getty Images, Jared Tilton/Getty Images for NASCAR

Earnhardt: Concussion "Scares The Shit Out Of You"

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. wasted little time getting back into the competitive swing this weekend at Martinsville Speedway, posting the second-fastest time in Friday’s opening Sprint Cup Series practice.

“It’s been a lot of time off,” said Earnhardt of his two-week, concussion mandated hiatus. “(I’ve had) a lot of time on my hands, just exercising and doing what the doctors told me to do. I’m feeling better every day (and) just going through the process. You just have got to be patient and let things happen.”

NASCAR’s most popular driver said he actually suffered two different types of concussion; one in a testing crash at Kansas speedway last month and a second on the final lap at Talladega.

“The first one at Kansas was your typical concussion (in) the frontal lobe, with the headaches and the fogginess that you typically feel. The one at Talladega was a vestibular (concussion); in the back or the base of the brain, where the brain and your spine connect.” Earnhardt said the vestibular concussion “mixed up a lot of anxiety and emotional stuff. The symptoms were more anxiety driven. If I got into a busy situation, I would get a lot of anxiety. So the two concussions were completely different. I was dealing with different symptoms.

While frustrating, Earnhardt said his two-week layoff has been educational.

“I’ve learned a ton about what I’ve went through,” he said. “I feel like I’m a lot smarter, a lot more prepared and understand the situation a lot better now than I did beforehand. It’s something I’d rather not have went through, (but) I learned a lot from it. It’s been good for me. I’m just excited to be back to work, get back in the car and get back to normal. Get back to the life that I’m used to.”

Earnhardt responded to speculation that he might sit-out the remainder of the 2012 season, saying, “I left my options open. Like the decision to get out of the car in the first place, I wanted the doctors to make that decision instead of me. If I could race, I wanted to be at the race track. It’s what I love to do. If the doctors felt that I was healthy enough to do that, I wanted to be doing it. I’ve really kind of left all that up to them throughout the whole process.”

He also responded to comments by other drivers, including former series champion Jeff Gordon, that they would have hidden their symptoms and remained in the car in pursuit of the championship.

“I can understand people’s opinions that they would try to push through it, or ignore it to stay in the car,” said Earnhardt. “I did the same thing in the past. Some concussions are kind of light, and the symptoms are real light. If you don’t have another incident, you feel like you can get through it. Some concussions are really bad, and I don’t care how tough you think you are, if your mind is not working the way it is supposed to, it scares the shit out of you. You are not going to think about race cars. You aren’t going to think about trophies. You are not going to think about your job. You’re going to be thinking, `what do I have to do to get my brain working the way it was before?’ That’s going to jump right to the top of the priority list, I promise you.

“I didn’t have a choice,” he said. “I knew something wasn’t right. You want your brain to clear up and the fogginess to go away. Every concussion is different. They’re kind of like snowflakes. Everyone is different and you react differently to each one. You can’t ignore concussions. It’s really dangerous doing that.

 “It’s just been really frustrating at times,” he said. “I felt like I could have raced in Kansas for sure, and probably ran at Charlotte with no problem. I felt kind of foolish sitting at home feeling okay, and not being in the car. It feels really unnatural.”

He said substitute driver Regan Smith eased his fears that the No. 88 would lose the momentum it built through the season.

“Regan did a really good job for the team,” Earnhardt said. “I feel like we didn’t miss a beat and I can get back in the car as if nothing has changed. That couldn’t have went better. It was really hard to see my car out there running around turning laps without me in it. That was difficult. I didn’t want to take any chances, and I wanted to get back in the car as soon as I could.

‘But I wanted to make sure it was not too quick.”

Photos: Jerry Markland/Getty Images for NASCAR, AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt

Roush Set For 3,000th Sprint Cup Start

Edwards in 2004 at Michigan

This weekend at Martinsville Speedway marks an historic milestone for Roush Fenway Racing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. When the green flag drops Sunday, RFR will make its 3,000^th start in NASCAR’s premier series. Of the current 2,999 starts, Carl Edwards has accounted for 297 of them, along with 19 wins.

Edwards made his first Cup start for RFR on August 22, 2004 at Michigan International Speedway sporting the “Green Lantern” on the hood of his No. 99 Ford. It was a day Edwards still remembers fondly.

“My first Sprint Cup start was at Michigan in August 2004,” Edwards said. “I couldn’t believe this opportunity came up. It was my birthday and I was at home when I got the call I could move up to the Cup level. That opportunity was everything I had worked for the last 10 years of my life.

“I was overwhelmed with the idea that I was going to be on the track with guys like Mark Martin, Rusty Wallace, Jeff Gordon and Matt Kenseth. I still remember the start of the race, standing on pit road for the National Anthem. I think half of the state of Missouri was there with me and it was the most amazing moment.

“Greg Biffle won the race and all five of Jack Roush’s Fords finished in the top 10. I finished 10^th and it was a great day. I can’t tell you how neat that was. That race was 400 miles long and it could have been 4,000 miles long and I wouldn’t have cared. I was so pumped to be driving one of Jack’s Cup cars.”

This weekend, Edwards will make his 298^th Cup start driving the No. 99 Geek Squad/West Coast Customs Ford. He will be looking for his first win at the half-mile track and his 20^th career Cup win.

Daytona Receives Approval For Major Remodel

Daytona International Speedway got the go-ahead from the Daytona Beach Planning Board Thursday evening to undertake a complete rebuild of the historic speedway's main grandstand. The board gave unanimous approval to a plan submitted by the speedway and parent company International Speedway Corporation outlining a rebuild of the front stretch grandstand, along with new spectator entrances, vendor areas and restrooms.

The upgrade could also feature a series of new escalators designed to carry fans to the upper levels of the DIS grandstands, and a total reworking of the track’s exterior facade.

The project is Part One of a projected motorsports/retail complex on speedway grounds that could eventually include new hotels, nightclubs, restaurants, movie theatres and approximately two million square feet of retail space; all designed to transform the speedway into a year-round destination. The project would entail the current speedway property and more than 600 additional acres of land on either side of International Speedway Boulevard.

Speedway president Joie Chitwood, III, said the project still needs approval from the ISC Board of Directors, and is unlikely to begin until at least the fall of 2013.

Win A 2013 Chevy CamaroSS And A Trip To The Daytona 500!

Motor Racing Network is looking for "The Great American Race Fan,” and you could win a 2013 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS and a 2013 DAYTONA 500 Experience! Simply go to MotorRacingNetwork.com and submit a photo showing what makes you "The Great American Race Fan," along with a brief description before to November 4, 2012 at 11:59 p.m. EST for your chance to win a 2013 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS and a 2013 DAYTONA 500 Experience. 

 

Check back on November 9, 2012 at 12:00 a.m. EST to November 30, 2012 at 11:59 p.m. EST to view the ten finalist photos and cast your vote. Click HERE to cast your vote!

David Ragan Goes Back To Class

David Ragan went back to school this afternoon, but not to study. He visited Patrick Henry Elementary School in Martinsville to help reward over 70 students who had successfully completed Martinsville Speedway’s Read Your Way to the Race program.

Ragan is helping Waldo of “Where’s Waldo” fame celebrate his 25^th birthday this weekend, and as part of that celebration he gave each of the more than 70 students a “Where’s Waldo” book. Ragan will be running a “Where’s Waldo” paint scheme on his Ford in the TUMS Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway this weekend.

Ragan and Patrick Henry Principal Dr. Zebedee Talley Jr. congratulated the children on reading the most books of any school in the Martinsville City School System, as part of the Read Your Way to The Race program. More than 2,500 students in the Martinsville and Henry County area completed the program, a reading initiative supported by Martinsville Speedway in several area school systems.

Dr. Talley Jr., introduced Ragan to the group of students and presented Ragan with a Patrick Henry Elementary School Panther t-shirt.

Ragan shared with the Patrick Henry Elementary School students the importance of education and reading. Each student received a copy of Where’s Waldo? as part of Waldo’s 25th birthday this year. The driver of the No. 34 Where’s Waldo? Ford autographed each copy for the students.

Tickets remain for all events and may be purchased by calling 877.RACE.TIX or visiting martinsvillespeedway.com. Ticket prices range from $42 to $84 for the TUMS Fast Relief 500. Tickets for the Kroger 200 are $30 in advance, $35 on raceday.

Godfather Gear Is Almost Here!

Front

Back

For all of you who have been asking, the new Godfather Motorsports T-Shirts should be delivered and ready for sale late next week.

For now, we will offer Men's T-shirts in either black or gray, with sizes from medium to 3XL.

We will also offer a Women's scoop-neck T-shirt in white, with sizes from small to XL.

Bumper stickers and license plates with the Godfather Motorsports logo are coming soon, as well, so make your plans now for holiday giving!

They're perfect for the race fan in your family!









Drivers Test Using 2013 Sprint Cup Series Car

Eight drivers participated in a Goodyear tire test featuring the new, 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race car this week at Phoenix International Raceway.  

Over the last two days, Brad Keselowski, Tony Stewart, Denny Hamlin, Carl Edwards, Kurt Busch, Jamie McMurray, Paul Menard and Brendan Gaughan all took part in a Goodyear tire test with the next-generation cars at Phoenix International Raceway.  

NASCAR vice president of competition Robin Pemberton said information gleaned from the drivers has helped hasten the evolution of the 2013 car. "When you have events that are like this -- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday -- your relationships are won," Pemberton said. "Everyone is working on a test plan and everybody pulls on the same end of the rope. People have a tendency to drop their guard and talk more openly about the car and the testing and the results of the things that they are testing. We have great relationships with all of our teams and all of our drivers for the most part."  

The next test for Goodyear and the 2013 cars is scheduled for Nov. 6-7 at Charlotte Motor Speedway

Great Clips Backs Kahne at Texas

Great Clips has joined Hendrick Motorsports as a co-primary sponsor – along with Hendrickcars.com -- of the No. 5 Chevrolet team and Chase contender Kasey Kahne for next weekend’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway. It marks the first Cup-level sponsorship for the world’s largest salon brand.

“All of us at Great Clips Inc., including our franchisees and 30,000 stylists, are very excited to watch Kasey Kahne pilot the No. 5 Chevy at Texas,” said Terri Miller, vice president of marketing and communications at Great Clips. “Great Clips has been affiliated with Kasey throughout his career, and we could not be more proud to run our first Sprint Cup race with him. It is a privilege to be associated with the Hendrick Motorsports team, as they truly share the values of our company. As we say at Great Clips, ‘It’s Gonna Be Great!'"

Minneapolis-based Great Clips has a long history with Kahne. Since 2003, the company has supported his efforts as both a driver and car owner across multiple racing series.

“After working with Great Clips for almost 10 years, it’s awesome to see them step up to Sprint Cup and continue their long-term commitment to the sport,” Kahne said. “They were on the car for my first NASCAR win, and they have been involved with nearly everything that I do, from my sprint car teams to my foundation. It will be a great addition to have them on board with Hendrick Motorsports and the No. 5 team at Texas.”

Kahne, 32, has earned 14 career victories and 26 pole positions in Sprint Cup Series competition. In his first season with Hendrick Motorsports, the Enumclaw, Wash., native secured his third career Chase for the Sprint Cup berth and has recorded two wins, four poles, 10 top-five finishes and 17 top-10s. He currently is fifth in championship points.

Photo: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images North America

Kurt Excited About His Future With Furniture Row

A little over two weeks since joining Furniture Row Racing as the driver of the No. 78 Chevrolet, Kurt Busch’s feelings about the future of the Colorado-based team have already changed. 

“We’ve been in two races and conducted three test sessions during this short period of time together, and we’re already seeing progress as we get prepped for the 2013 season,” said Busch. “Everyone is upbeat and the adrenalin is flowing at a faster pace. We’re having fun.” 

Part of Furniture Row Racing’s demanding schedule since Busch came on board was a short track test session in preparation for this weekend’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. The test was conducted at the low-banked, half-mile Sandusky (Ohio) Speedway, a similar layout to the .526-mile Martinsville track.

“Martinsville hasn’t been one of my best venues and it was important to get some testing in with the Furniture Row/Farm American Chevrolet,” noted Busch. “Overall, I was pleased with the Sandusky test and hopefully that will translate into something positive this weekend at Martinsville.” 

While Martinsville’s flat track has indeed not been good to Busch, with an average finish of 21.3 in 24 career starts, he has also had some strong results there, including a victory in the 2002 fall race.  

“The victory at Martinsville was special, but to be honest, I’ve had more thumbs down than thumbs up performances there,” said Busch. “Overall, things just haven’t worked out for me at Martinsville.”

What Busch would like to see in Sunday’s Tums Fast Relief 500 is a repeat performance – minus the bad luck – of the previous Sprint Cup race at Kansas Speedway. 

After qualifying 29th at Kansas, Busch charged to the front and was running in the Top-5 by lap 90. But a few major incidents -- including car damage as a result of a multicar accident and later a blown tire with 11 laps remaining -- stymied his progress, as he settled for a 25th-place result. 

“The finish was disappointing at Kansas, but the performance was encouraging,” said Furniture Row Racing crew chief, Todd Berrier. “Kurt’s driving skills were impressive to watch, and the more we work together, the better we will become. We’re learning about each other and feel good about what we’ve accomplished in a very short period of time.” 

Along with the Sandusky test, Busch and the No. 78 team tested two days in Kansas last week, two days in Phoenix this week and will conduct a two-day test next month in Charlotte.

Swindell Set For Nationwide Starts

Kevin Swindell

Sprint car standout Kevin Swindell will race for the Biagi-DenBeste Racing NASCAR Nationwide Series team in next month’s races at Texas Motor Speedway and Homestead-Miami Speedway.  

Swindell has previously competed in four NNS races, with a best start of fifth and a best finish of 31^st, both at Dover International Speedway in 2011. This season, Swindell has made eight starts in the ARCA Racing Series, securing seven Top-5 starts and four Top-5 finishes. He scored his first stock car win at Chicagoland Speedway in July, after earning the pole and leading every lap. 

After taking a hiatus from racing, Biagi-DenBeste Racing has returned to the NNS to compete in five races this season. The team earned a best starting spot of 11th at Atlanta Motor Speedway and a season-best finish of 12th earlier this month at Charlotte Motor Speedway. 

“I can't wait to get back behind the wheel of a Nationwide car," said Swindell. "The Biagi-DenBeste Racing team has done really well and had strong finishes in each race they have entered. I am excited to team up with them for Texas and Homestead." 

“We are really pleased to have Kevin in the car," said team co-owner Fred Biagi. "Right now we are only interested in running races that we can do right and this will be a great baseline for 2013. We know Kevin can get it done. With his talent and the Swindell storied history in racing, we are expecting great things out of him."

 

Photo: Getty Images for NASCAR

Junior Motorsports Signs Smith For 2013

JR Motorsports has reached agreement with Regan Smith to drive the team’s No. 5 NASCAR Nationwide Series entry full time in 2013. General Manager Kelley Earnhardt Miller said Smith will make his JRM debut this year, as the company fields three teams for the Nov. 17 race at Homestead-Miami Speedway.  

Smith will join teammates Cole Whitt and Danica Patrick in the season finale. 

“This is an extremely good opportunity for me,” Smith said. “Dale Jr. and I first started talking about this several years ago, but the timing never matched up to where we could make it happen. Now it’s time. I’m happy to be a part of this organization. I don’t want to just win races. I want to be the team that dominates races and contends for the championship.” 

Smith, a 29-year-old native of Cato, N.Y., has competed in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series since 2002 and Sprint Cup Series since 2007. He was crowned Sprint Cup Series Rookie of the Year in 2008, but it was 2011 when he made his biggest splash. Driving the No. 78 Chevrolet, Smith held off Carl Edwards in a thrilling finish to win the prestigious Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. The popular victory was Smith’s first in NASCAR competition and was part of a storybook season that included two Top-5 and five Top-10 finishes, along with 36 laps led. 

Smith has not competed in the Nationwide Series since 200, when he tallied three Top-5 and five Top-10 finishes, and a pole at Kentucky Speedway. 

Smith: "extremely good opportunity."

“Regan has always impressed me,” said Dale Earnhardt Jr. “He gets the most of his car, no matter what he’s driving or who he’s driving for. He takes care of his cars and gets good finishes. With his experience and ability, we feel he can excel in our equipment. He has a super personality, and his ability to work with everyone here at JR Motorsports and Hendrick Motorsports will be important in getting us back to the winner’s circle.” 

Smith’s No. 5 Chevrolet, to date, is the only JRM entry cemented for a full-season slate in 2013. Earnhardt Miller said the goal of the organization is still to run two full-time teams – the No. 5 and No. 7 – with addition to Earnhardt Jr. competing in select Nationwide Series races in the No. 88 car. 

“We feel it is important for our sponsors, our fans, and even Dale to keep his Nationwide Series number consistent with his Cup number,” Earnhardt Miller said. “His brand is associated with the No. 88. That’s what makes him distinguishable on the race track, so it’s only natural that he drives the No. 88 all the time. To do that, we are making our No. 5 Chevrolet our full-time entry. We hope to have Cole in the No. 7 full time in 2013, and we are working hard on securing sponsorship for that.”

Smith recently was thrust into the spotlight as the driver chosen to fill the seat of the No. 88 Diet Mountain Dew/National Guard Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports while Earnhardt Jr. healed from a concussion. In Earnhardt Jr.’s absence, Smith competed in two Sprint Cup races in the No. 88 Chevy, most recently scoring a seventh-place finish at Kansas Speedway this past Sunday. Smith had recorded his season-best finish of fifth two weeks earlier at Talladega Superspeedway for Furniture Row Racing. 

“It has been a whirlwind couple of weeks for me, but it’s been great,” Smith said. “Filling in for Dale Jr. was an honor, and it got me acclimated to the Hendrick Motorsports group, which obviously JR Motorsports works with hand in hand. I was glad to fill in for Dale Jr., and I’m happy that he’s back in his race car this week at Martinsville.”

Motor Racing Network Set For World Finals

The World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series is returning to the Dirt Track at Charlotte for its season-ending World Finals and MotorRacingNetwork.com will help kick off race week with a special edition of “Winged Nation” Presented by Hendrickcars.com. 

Hosts Steve Post and Kendra Jacobs – along with the entire MRN crew – will be on location Wednesday, Oct. 31, from the Brickhouse Tavern in Davidson, N.C., for a special two-hour webcast of Winged Nation starting at 7 p.m. (EDT). The Peak Motor Oil World of Outlaws World Finals Presented by NAPA Auto Parts will then open its three-day run at the Dirt Track in Charlotte starting Nov. 1. 

Winged Nation is a weekly look at winged sprint car racing across the country and is streamed each Tuesday from 12 to 1 p.m. at www.motorracingnetwork.com. 

In addition to the special edition of Winged Nation, the second annual “Bash at the Brickhouse Tavern” on Halloween night will feature show cars, some of the world’s best sprint car drivers and live entertainment following the conclusion of the Motor Racing Network broadcast. Costumes are welcome and all activities are open to the public. 

“For the second year in a row, Motor Racing Network is supporting the World Finals in Charlotte with this promotion in Davidson,” said Program Director Ryan Horn. “We’ve bolstered our online presence with a broad range of exclusive web content in recent years and ‘Winged Nation’ has become an essential part of that lineup.” 

Along with show cars, live entertainment and the broadcast of Winged Nation, drivers scheduled to appear at the Brickhouse Tavern on Oct. 31 include current series points leader Donny Schatz, Kyle Larson, Kerry Madsen, Paul McMahan, Bill Rose, Stevie Smith, and sprint car legends Steve Kinser and Sammy Swindell. 

The “Bash at the Brickhouse Tavern” will begin at 5 p.m. (EDT) on Oct. 31. The special two-hour broadcast of Winged Nation will air at 7 p.m. 

Those in attendance can register to win a fire suit from three-time Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart and a Motor Racing Network prize pack. A second prize pack will be awarded to one lucky fan who logs onto the webcast and registers at www.motorracingnetwork.com/bash. 

The sixth annual Peak Motor Oil World Finals will bring together dirt-track racing’s three premier divisions: the World of Outlaws Late Model Series, Sprint Car Series and Big-Block Modifieds. Qualifying will be held Thursday, Nov. 1, with racing on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 2-3.